They had walked for hours until she had to start carrying Simon because he was too tired to walk anymore. They had a guardian angel because although they had somehow walked in the storm through the most dangerous parts of Caracas they had not met with any other problem then that caused by the storm. As they got closer to the middle of town some streetlights were actually lit. By good fortune she had seen a cab and it stopped. She offered $100 to take her to the Caracas Hilton. It took them one whole hour to arrive but at last they were safe and indoors.

Carolyn sat down and raised her legs up. She curled up like a frightened child and allowed her self to cry. She was tired and exhausted and her emotions were raw. But mostly, she felt alone.

She became oblivious to all around her until a constant buzzing broke her concentration. She looked at the door and realized that someone was calling her name.

"Carolyn, Carolyn for god's sake open the door!"

Carolyn got up and almost ran. She swung the door wide open. Neither woman knew who had moved first. But within a second Raisa was holding Carolyn tightly to her.

Carolyn's body started shaking as she began to sob.

"You're safe now, Cara. You're safe," Raisa whispered into her hair. "It's over. It's over." Carolyn raised her face and looked into Raisa's eyes.

Raisa's thumb caressed the tears away as her mouth lightly brushed Carolyn's lips. She then pulled her again into her embrace. "You are exhausted; come Cara, I will take care of you," Raisa said gently.

Carolyn was exhausted. She had reached the limits of her grip on things. She buried her face in Raisa's neck and allowed the warmth of the arms that held her and the softness of the body against her to just take over.

"Where is Simon?" Asked Raisa gently.

"He's asleep. Raisa, we almost drowned. It was horrible." Carolyn began to weep again.

"I know Cara, I know. But you are safe now." Raisa turned and closed the door to the suite which had remained open. "Which bedroom is he in?"

"That one," Carolyn answered with barely a whisper as she pointed where Simon slept. "He was frightened to death. I hate living here. I want to go home. I hate living here."

Carolyn again allowed herself to be led in a protective embrace into the bedroom.

"We can talk about where you want to live tomorrow Cara, tomorrow. I want you to lie down Cara, what you need right now is rest." Raisa said gently as she stood before Carolyn in the dark. As Raisa stepped away Carolyn reached for her in fear.

"Don't go! Please, don't go."

"I'm going to stay with you. I'm not leaving you." Raisa reassured her as her hand caressed Carolyn's face softly.

Raisa helped Carolyn to get under the covers. She then stepped away and started removing her own clothes. Carolyn waited quietly. Raisa got under the covers and as soon as she turned and opened her arms Carolyn was in them. Raisa stroked her hair slowly until she could hear that Carolyn's breathing had calmed down. Finally, she had fallen asleep.

Raisa held her as the storm continued beating outside. Never had she held a woman to solely comfort her. She had always taken pleasure. She had enjoyed both men and women. She had to admit if given the choice she preferred women as lovers. Although, she had to admit that it was always harder to get rid of a woman lover after they had grown to be tiresome, more so than a man.

From the moment she met Carolyn Stenbeck, Raisa had wanted her. And normally she would have followed her hunger. But from the very beginning something inside told her to stay away. Then, of course, there was Carolyn herself. They seemed to disagree on everything. Carolyn wanted to change things. And Raisa hated anyone meddling and disrupting things she had been planning for. She could have transferred Matt Stenbeck many times over. And yet, she never had. Even after Carolyn had the gall to empty a glass of water by throwing it at her. She would have killed anyone else.

Raisa looked down at the woman that clung to her. And that thought made something inside her grow and spread. Carolyn was clinging to her. She tightened her arms and put her face into Carolyn's hair as she dozed off to sleep with the thought that Carolyn Stenbeck was clinging to her and she had not pushed her away.

~~~~~~~~~~

Carolyn was awakened by a loud roar and a flash of light invaded the room. She sat up in bed in fear. She looked towards the curtains and could see the lightning flashes. It was still thundering. Suddenly she felt herself being pulled back into warm embrace and she turned into it. She went into the safety of the warmth.

Carolyn's head was on the pillow as another flash of lightning made Raisa's face above her visible. "I'm here with you Cara. I'm here with you." Carolyn heard Raisa's melodic voice say to her softly. She felt her robe being opened and pushed aside. Her skin seemed to be on fire. And then she felt warm lips on her neck. Her mouth opened and welcomed that warm mouth on her own as Raisa's body laid on top of her.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Mommy...Mommy" she heard from beyond the distance. Carolyn stirred and a feeling of well being spread a smile over her face as she went further into the warmth of the arms that embraced her.

"Mommy..."

Carolyn's eyes opened slowly as she heard the jiggling of the doorknob. "I'm coming sweetheart" she responded half between sleep and wakefulness. She allowed herself one more intake of breath into the warmth of the embrace she was in.

"I think Simon is hungry," A soft voice said in her ear followed by a kiss.

Carolyn's eyes flew wide open and pulled away from the arms that held her. She stared at the face now fully in view in front of her in shock.

"Good morning" Raisa purred.

Carolyn was about to say something when the doorknob jiggled again. "Mommy?"

Carolyn became visibly nervous and once again stared at Raisa then back at the door.

"Go see to your son, I will wait here for you," Raisa said softly but firmly.

Carolyn had lost the capacity to speak. She shook her head as if trying to wake up. She started getting up and realized she was naked and it all came flooding back to her. She was looking for the robe she knew she had had on last night desperately.

"Here Cara. Put this on."

Carolyn turned towards Raisa who handed her the white terry cloth robe. "Hurry back," Raisa said softly with a smile.

Carolyn almost ran to the door. She stopped in front of it took a deep breath and went out to Simon.

~~~~~~~~~~

Raisa lay in bed waiting for her. Another morning after Raisa thought to herself, but this time she was the one left in bed. She could hear Carolyn's voice soft and loving calming Simon outside the room and she became captivated with all the affection she heard in it. Carolyn loved her son; so obvious from the way she spoke to him.

Two years almost to the day she had known Carolyn. And yet she realized she knew nothing about her, not really. She knew all the factual details of course but she didn't know Carolyn herself. And quite suddenly she was filled with a desire to know the woman whose body she had only possessed a few hours ago. And the thought of that made Raisa remember.

Carolyn had been so passionate and responsive; it was as if her desire had been as great as Raisa's own. Raisa's closed her eyes and was flooded with visions of Carolyn with her head thrown back. Carolyn begging her not to stop. Carolyn's intake of breath the first time she had entered her. Raisa felt the desire fill every part of her body yet again. How could this hunger still be unquenched? she asked herself. She wanted Carolyn now more than ever.

Carolyn had not been merely a tool for her to take pleasure from; she had been a passionate participant. Carolyn had given her more pleasure than she had ever experienced before. And now the morning after she still wanted more and for the first time Raisa was in no hurry to leave.

She got up and walked towards the wide widow and pulled the curtain open. The sunlight came flooding in. The storm had finally passed and the sun already started making its appearance.

And that is how Carolyn saw her as she entered the room. She saw Raisa bathed in golden sunlight as it bounced off her perfectly sculptured body. Carolyn stood and stared for a mere second before she was able to speak to the woman who stood in front of her with an invitation that although unspoken was understood by both. Come!

"I think you should go," she said softly. Carolyn was caught between fear and an irrational need to once again go into those arms. She closed her eyes for a moment trying to control her shaking. When she opened them again Raisa stood in front of her with the glow of the sunlight shining behind her.

"I'm hungry too," Raisa said softly as she took Carolyn into her arms and took her mouth.

Carolyn began to response when suddenly she pushed her away. "No, you have to go!"

"I need to touch you."

"No! And this is not the time to discuss this. You have to go!" Carolyn insisted

"There is nothing to discuss my body still needs you." Raisa tried reaching for her again.

"Don't touch me. I want you to leave!" Carolyn spat out.

Raisa stood frozen in front of her. She was being dismissed and she acted the only way she knew how. She lashed back.

"I leave when I am good and ready. And I want you." She tried taking Carolyn into her arms yet again.

"Simon... Simon might hear you. Please Raisa. Go...please."

"I want to see you later today then," Raisa demanded still hanging on to Carolyn tightly.