Cara had an early shift at the coffee shop and homework to finish in the evening. So she called the doctor and asked if she could stay over in town. Dr. Cole had given her her own key, so she knew it would be alright, but she never went there unless she asked first. She was incredibly flattered when the doctor gave her the key. The apartment was very exclusive and beautifully decorated so it was extremely obvious how much Dr. Cole trusted her. "Of course, Cara. You go ahead and begin your work. I will pick up something wonderful but easy for supper." "Oh, thank you so much. It's going to save me a ton of time." "No worries. I will see you when we both get home.", said the doctor. When we both get home, thought Cara. Geez, I am so lucky to have stumbled into her clinic that day. Lately, she was aware of new feelings. Ones she didn't really recognize, let alone understand. At first, she appreciated Dr. Cole as a really good friend. Then after she became ill, she felt a more intense feeling from her. Almost motherly. But now, she noticed herself watching her sometimes, thinking how attractive, even sensual, she was. She was well into her project not even realizing that it had started to get dark outside, when Dr. Cole finally got home. "Hi, kiddo. How are you doing?", she heard from the kitchen. "Great. I am almost finished with my assignment. And I am starved! Gosh, something smells fantastic!" "Well, I know how hard you are working, so I stopped and got your favorite eggrolls, vegetable tempura, and fried rice. Even fortune cookies!" "Oh, my gosh, I love you!" It was just words said in excitement, but both women made a conscious effort not to look at each other right then. "Then let's eat!" "No wine for me tonight. I still need to finish my work." "Okay. Grab yourself a water then." The women shared the delicious meal along with a good conversation about each others day. They were very relaxed enjoying their time together. At the end of the meal, Dr. Cole insisted Cara return to her studies as she cleared the table and put dishes in the dishwasher. Then she sat down in her favorite chair with a glass of her favorite wine and continued to read her current book selection. Cara went to work and shortly announced that her paper was done. "May I have a glass of wine to celebrate?" "Of course, Cara. Help yourself to whatever you want." They both had an appreciation for the comfort between them. They knew it was special.

By 10:30 p.m. both women were beginning to feel sleepy, partly from their long days, partly from the wine. They thanked each other for the good company and nice evening and went to their separate rooms. Cara took a relaxing shower and used a beautiful bedtime lavender and vanilla lotion Dr. Cole had left in her bathroom. Crawling into her wonderful, comfortable bed, she smiled. She is so incredible Cara kept thinking. So amazing.

Shane Cole kept telling herself, I have never smiled so much, or been so happy in my life. She is so wonderful. She has added so much to my life. She took a deep breath melting into her deep mattress. After soaking in her whirlpool bath, she felt extremely relaxed and content. Then, there was a soft knock on her door. She sat part of the way up, "Yes? Cara, is everything okay?" Cara stepped forward close to the bed. "Can I sleep with you?" Dr. Cole was fairly shocked but did not hesitate to answer. "Of course, honey." She moved over in the big bed and folded the fluffy covers back for Cara. "What is it?" Cara had laid down under the beautiful comforter and rolled over to face Dr. Cole. She had big tears filling her eyes. "Cara. Tell me." The doctor was now very frightened, for her friend and herself. "I think . . . I know . . . I, I'm in love with you." Cara broke down completely and buried her face in her hands as she sobbed. "Cara." Dr. Cole wrapped her arms around the sobbing girl and kissed her head, holding her tightly. "Don't cry. Don't cry little girl." And she kissed and stroked her tear stained face.

They awoke wrapped tightly in each others arms. Silk pajamas and a cotton nightshirt laying together on the end of the bed. They needed no words. Just gentle touches, soft kisses, loving looks, and peaceful, happy smiles. "I can't . . ." Cara began. "Me either." Shane interrupted. "You are even more beautiful in the morning, Shane." Somewhere in the night, they had decided Cara should now call Dr. Cole, Shane. They giggled together and began to kiss passionately. "I never thought kissing someone like this would be so incredible!" Cara said. More giggling as Shane answered again, "Me either! The sun is coming up, sweetie. We should take a shower." "Ummm. I really want to just stay in bed with you all day." "Please don't even talk about it, darlin'. I'm going to have a hard enough time thinking about anything else today." "Ohhh. Does that mean you're gonna be wet today? Thinking about me?" "Stop. That reminds me. I think I'll take some extra clothes with me, just in case."

"I've never been in the shower for so long!", Shane said as they emerged from the bathroom naked. "I've got to hurry and get dressed. And you do too! Marco will be expecting you for your shift." "Maybe I'll just tell him about our night of passion. He'll understand." "Don't you dare! Please." "Well, would it be so bad really?" "Yes. It would. Please, baby. Not yet." "Okay. For now it's just for us." They kissed again. Struggling to let each other go, even stealing special, wicked looks in the elevator." They walked together to the coffee shop. Cara quickly put her things down behind the counter and made a cup of black coffee and handed it to Shane. "Have a nice day, Dr. Cole." She grinned at Shane. "Thank you, Cara. You too. See you tonight?" "You bet!" On her way to the clinic, Dr. Cole bought four small bouquets of flowers from a street vendor. When she arrived at her office, she gave one each to each of her nurses and the receptionist. Mary, at the front desk, and Emily, a nurse who had been with the doctor for seven years, looked quizzically at each other. Then, "Oh my god!", they said in unison. Dr. Cole was a very happy person!

Cara and Shane both had very busy, demanding lives, but without even talking about it, they each began to make small changes to their schedules so they could be together as often as possible. They loved being together. Not just in bed but while sharing intimate dinners or cuddling on the sofa in front of a fire. Talking quietly about busy days and beautiful dreams. Even those evenings of homework and quiet time were more special. Shane loved watching Cara as she studied and worked on her projects, twisting her hair in deep thought. Cara was obsessed with watching Shane at her laptop, writing or quietly dictating patient files, knowing her dedication to them. The love and respect they had always had for each other grew more intense, but quietly, peacefully, shared by just two.

Until one day Cara anxiously waited for Shane to get to the cafe. Her work had been chosen to receive a special award and she could hardly wait to tell her partner. And Shane was thrilled for "my girl" as she loved to call Cara, whenever she wrapped her up in her arms. But now Cara threw her arms around Shane and kissed her cheek excitedly. "Wait. Wait, Cara.", Shane said softly. A look of hurt shone on Cara's face. "Please wait. Let's go home and celebrate." Cara understood what Shane was saying, but surely for this . . . "Sure.", she said very dejectedly. They walked home in silence and as soon as they got there, Shane tried to explain. Cara assured her she understood, but Shane knew she had hurt her young love and she was broken hearted when Cara turned away from her as they laid in their bed that night.

Several days passed. Both women were working busy schedules so they only had a few silent times to share. Shane was depressed and sad. Cara was scared and unsure. Shane noticed how pale and tired Cara looked. Trying to talk to her about it, however, was not possible. "It's just that time.", she said and their busy schedules went on. Until Shane stopped at the cafe on her way to her clinic one morning. "Hi. You left early.", she said quietly to Cara. "I had something I wanted to do." "Oh." From behind the counter Cara handed Shane a pastry. "It's a cinnamon scone. Your favorite. I wanted to get here early to make it for you." Shane looked up from the warm pastry in her hand. Little smiles crossed their faces and Cara said "We can talk tonight at home." Shane could only nod. Now she was the one who couldn't talk.

Cara was all she could think about all day. "God, I can hardly wait to hold her.", she thought. If she could only get out early. "Dr. Cole? You have a call from Dr. Evans at the hospital." "Hello. Gene? How are you?" Dr. Cole listened intently as Dr. Evans described an emergency brought into surgery. "Ruptured ovarian cyst.", he said. "Bad one. We may have a case of sepsis." Disappointed for the first time in her career, nevertheless, Dr. Cole said she would be there right away. And as she flagged down a cab, she dialed Cara's number. "I'm so sorry, baby. I've been called to the hospital. But I will be home as soon as I can. I love you." She left the message for Cara as she usually did. Gave the driver the instructions as to where she needed to go, and began to think about what Dr. Evans had said. This may be tough she thought.

At the hospital, she quickly changed into surgical scrubs and headed for scrub in. Dr. Evans met her there and began filling her in with more information on the emergency. They finished scrubbing up and, hands in the air, backed through the OR doors to be assisted with gowns and gloves. She turned and stepped quickly to the operating table where a young woman was unconscious and draped, ready for her. Glancing around the drapes, Dr. Cole stopped cold. "Doctor? Are you ready? Dr. Cole?" Frozen in shock, she choked "Cara!"