A/N: I'm on a roll for writing. All your kind reviews are just making my heart sing and inspiring me. I hope you enjoy the latest edition as we get closer to the good stuff. -wink wink-

"Do you often come here?" Delphine asked.

Cosima had chosen a bar close to campus that she frequented (if only for it's proximity). She was sure she couldn't have picked a better place to bring Delphine. In the low lighting, the French woman's figure was perfectly accented. Her hair fell in curls to her shoulders, and her shimmery dress hugged every curve of her body. The brunette found herself desperately trying to keep her eyes off of her body and on her face. But, God, even her makeup was spectacular.

"Well, it's the closest one to my apartment, so it's the easiest to get to," she explained. The silence between the two was deafening even with the music blaring.

"Uh, how about a drink? To, um, relax?" Delphine offered. She grasped Cosima by the hand and tugged her carefully through the crowd to the bar. They both ordered up some red wine and sat on the bar stools. "How are you liking this semester?"

"Oh, it's been awesome. I have amazing classes, and some amazing teachers," the brunette said with a small nudge toward the blonde. Delphine chuckled softly then said, "Well, I have some amazing students. There is this one in particular who is extremely gifted."

"Really? Do I know her?" Cosima asked.

"It is you, you cheeky girl," she said with another nudge in her student's direction. Cosima nudged her back then got another nudge in return. "Do not make me spill my wine. You don't want to see what happens when a Frenchman spills her wine."

"Oooo. I'm so scared, Delphine," she said with feigned fright.

"Do not underestimate my love for wine." She lifted her glass and just as the glass met her lips, she placed her teeth against the rim and smiled at Cosima.

"I'll remember that," she said while also taking a sip from her glass.

"Can we dance? Or- would you like to dance?" Delphine asked as she pushed her glass wine away from the edge.

"Um, yeah, I would lov- like to do that," she said with a toothy grin as she downed the rest of her wine. "Let's hurry up before the wine hits my system."

This time, before Delphine could respond, Cosima took her hand and started to make their way to the dance floor. She released her grasp as they set foot on the floor. The beat was some electronic song that Cosima couldn't pinpoint the name of. She started to dance, and, as she turned to look at Delphine, she noticed the woman was precariously close to touching her while dancing. The French woman's hands traveled up her body and lifted her hair up slightly as she placed her hands over her head. As she did that, she stepped toward Cosima and slowly ran her hands back down her body as she moved to the music. At some point, the brunette had stopped dancing, so Delphine reached for her hands and said, "Dance with me, Cosima." She giggled and turned her back to her friend as she swayed to the music. While they danced, the brunette started to loosen up. She wasn't expecting Delphine to react this way to her, but she wasn't complaining. Already, she was considering their options for after the bar.

"Do you… maybe want to get out of here?" Cosima asked with her hand held to mouth as if whispering, but instead she was practically yelling through the music. Delphine's lips pursed together, and she nodded then followed the younger girl outside of the bar and down the road.

"Where are we going?" she asked curiously.

"Uh, I was thinking we could go to my place- that is if you want."

"That sounds wonderful. I am having a great time with you. It is nice to meet someone in this… brave new world."

Cosima smiled and the pair continued to walk, much of it in silence, to the girl's apartment. They stopped at the door, and the brunette fiddled with her key in the lock until the door swung open.

"Welcome to my crash pad," she said with another toothy grin. She held her hands out to motion for Delphine to walk in. As soon as she stepped through the door, the French woman took it all in. She could not have imagined a more suitable place for Cosima to live. She wandered over to the nearest bookshelf and ran her fingers along the spines of the books.

"Mmm… The Selfish Gene, The Origin of Species, Silent Spring, God: The Failed Hypothesis… You have quite the collection of books," she said softly as though it were meant for no one but her.

"Yeah, um," Cosima said, "Science… it's my thing."

"I can tell, and you are very good at it."

"Thanks, um, do you mind if I go get changed into something more comfortable?"

"Not at all, go right ahead."

Cosima smiled and said, "Uh, I'll be right back, it- just one sec." She walked into her bedroom and pulled the curtains down to close it off. She noticed that they were still open a little in the middle, but she didn't bother. She was secretly hoping Delphine would peek, but she wasn't counting on it. So she pulled on a pair of fitted leggings and a tank top. She pulled the straps back slightly to make her cleavage more apparent then walked back out of her bedroom. Delphine was looking at the small trinkets on her bookshelves.

"Sorry!" she said, "I just wanted to- those clothes were not the most comfortable."

"Oh no, no, it is fine, I was just looking at your little, uh, what's the word? Knick-knacks."

Cosima smiled and said, "Yeah. That works."

"Are you enjoying my class?" Delphine asked curiously.

The brunette took a step toward her and nodded. "Yes, you're a very good teacher, but, um, don't you think we should talk about what this is really about?"

Delphine watched as the woman before her started taking careful steps toward her. She felt a gentle hand on her neck which she subconsciously leaned into. Before she knew it, Cosima's lips were against hers making soft, slow movements. She didn't blink, and her lips moved just slightly as she raised her hand to Cosima's face to break away from the kiss with a careful push.

"I, um-" Delphine started as the brunette's face flushed, and she brought her hands to her face.

"Oh God, Delphine. Did I- Did I make a huge mistake?" she said quickly through her embarrassment.

"No, no. Uh, I have to go."

Delphine quickly grabbed her coat and purse then walked rushed toward the door. She turned briefly and said, "It's okay. Bye."

"Delphine, just-" But she was already gone and the door was closed. Cosima placed her hands against the table next to her and closed her eyes. Her fingers curled against the surface of the table until they were in two fists. She lightly hit one fist against the table. "Dammit," she said just above the sound of a whisper. Her eyes pressed together harder, and she made her way to her bed feeling worse than ever.