"What stopped you?"

Rebecca met Catherines gaze, her defenses shattered. "I thought about you."

Catherines fingertips stroked Rebeccas cheek, pushing the hair back from her forehead. She hadnt meant to touch her, but her own heart was breaking in the face of Rebeccas anguish. As she leaned slowly forward, she whispered, "Im so glad you did."

At the touch of Catherines hand, the fiber of Rebeccas resistance snapped like a straw in the wind. The tenderness pierced her armor like the pain could not, clouding her awareness until there was no reality except the hazy green of Catherines eyes, the heady aroma of her scent. She needed the surcease of Catherines body more than she needed air to breath. Rebecca sought her lips, bruising them unintentionally with the force of her kiss. She plundered her mouth with her urgency to lose herself in Catherines flesh. Pushing Catherine back against the couch, Rebeccas hands fumbled with the sash of her robe, her tongue demanding entrance. She groaned as Catherines tongue met hers with the same intensity. Rebecca pulled away only to press her lips to the rich ripeness of full breasts, leaving Catherine gasping. Catherine cried out, holding Rebeccas face to her, forcing her nipple into Rebeccas seeking mouth. Rebecca, her long-buried passion unleashed, was burning, the very breath in her lungs evaporating from the heat. She knew only the yielding warmth of Catherines flesh, the rightness of Catherines embrace. She was beyond conscious thought, aching with the force of the blood rushing through her pelvis, thrusting against Catherine with a rhythm she could not control. Catherines arms were around her, pulling her close, urging her to let go. Rebecca moaned, consumed by the agonizing pleasure of Catherines body beneath hers, her clit ready to burst. Her hunger, her need, triggered an explosion as her hips pumped in a frenzy of excitement. She heard Catherine murmuring her name even as she began to convulse against her, crying out with the wrenching spasms that overpowered her. Head flung back, arms rigid, she arched above Catherine, groaning with each internal pulsation, gasping for breath, until finally she collapsed into Catherines arms. Through a haze she felt the gentle caresses of Catherines fingers in her hair, her cheek pressed to Catherines breast. She drifted in Catherines strong embrace, savoring a peace she had long forgotten.

Chapter Eleven

The sun streaming through the bay windows woke her. As consciousness returned, so did a flood of emotions. The pain of Jeffs death twisted like a knife in her heart, an unrelenting ache she would carry with her for a long time. The sight of her jacket neatly folded over the arm of the easy chair jolted her with memories of the night before. Her face burned with a conflicting mixture of dismay and renewed desire. She remembered her loss of control with embarrassment. God, what must Catherine think of her? Even as she struggled with the thought, she yearned for Catherines touch. She wanted her so powerfully it left her shaking. She wasnt sure she had the courage to face her. What if Catherine had only responded out of kindness? Rebecca hadnt given her much choice, after all. You must have been out of your mind, Frye! Christ, you came all over her like a kid on his first date!

She pushed herself reluctantly to a sitting position, noticing her shoes and belt beside the sofa.God, where is my gun?She looked about frantically, relaxing slightly when she saw the shoulder holster hanging on the knob of the closet door. She couldnt believe she hadnt noticed Catherine removing that. It was like a part of her. She looked up to find Catherine in the doorway, watching her, a faint smile on her lips. She looked more beautiful than Rebecca remembered. Her wavy hair shown with reddish highlights, and her graceful figure was accentuated by the folds of the silk dressing gown she wore. The look of desire in Catherines eyes sent a bolt of arousal directly between her legs. She was wet instantly.

"Catherine, I--" she began tentatively, searching for words.

"Shh--" Catherine commanded as she drew near, her smile deepening. Rebecca stared up at her, captivated by the power of her gaze. Catherine leaned down, curling the fingers of one hand in Rebeccas hair. Catherine kissed her, a deep, probing, demanding kiss that left them both gasping. When she pulled her head back, she said teasingly, "Does that answer any questions for you?"

Rebecca took a long, shuddering breath. "Im sorry about last nightI mean, the way Ithe way it"I didnt mean to come like that. I couldnt stop it, you made me so crazy.

"Dont be sorry. You were beautiful, and believe me, I have never enjoyed anything more. Being wanted that much is very exciting. Dont you know how much Ive been wantingyou?"

Rebecca rose and pulled Catherine into her arms, trembling. She kissed her mouth, the soft skin of her eyelids, the smooth slope of her neck. She felt Catherines pulse quicken under her lips as their bodies yearned for closer contact. Catherines hands were under Rebeccas shirt, cupping her breasts, stroking the firm planes of her abdomen. Rebecca hissed in a breath as Catherines fingers found her nipples, twisting them lightly. Rebecca reached under the hem of Catherines gown and found the smooth flesh of her thighs. She slipped upward, into the waiting wetness, finding Catherines clitoris, distended and sensitive. She stroked her, sliding the slick bundle between her fingers.

"Oh, god, Rebecca!" Catherine cried, clinging to her, her legs weak. "Thats so good!"

Just as Rebecca began to pull her down onto the sofa, the beeper in the pocket of her jacket went off. She stiffened at the sound.

Catherine leaned back in Rebeccas arms, her face flushed, her green eyes cloudy with passion. "Oh my god, tell me it isnt true."

"I have to answer that," Rebecca said huskily, her hands moving to Catherines hips, still caressing her. "Im sorry."

"Its not your fault," Catherine murmured, pressing her forehead hard against Rebeccas shoulder, trying desperately to steady herself. Shaking still, she stepped back reluctantly. "Go. Answer it. Ill get us some coffee."

When Catherine returned with two steaming mugs, Rebecca was standing with her back to the room, looking out onto the street. Catherine knew that the last twenty-four hours had shaken Rebecca to the core, and now she was a part of that. She wanted her with a consuming desire she had never known before, but she also knew that Rebeccas emotional state was precarious. Too many demands right now could destroy her. Catherine was determined to let Rebecca come to her in her own time. She wanted her, but most of all she wanted her to survive.

"What is it?" she asked, handing Rebecca one of the cups.

"Internal Affairs. They need me to go over our cases with them, to see if we can turn up anything on Jeffs killing."

"Today?" Catherine asked, wondering what kind of people would put Rebecca through that less than twelve hours after her partners death.

Rebecca laughed grimly. "Try two hours ago." She set her cup down on the window ledge and turned to Catherine. "I wish I could staybeing with you is so good." She stopped, afraid to go on, afraid to let herself admit what she felt.

"You can always come back, Rebecca. Ill be here, and Iwantyou to come back. Whenever you can, whenever you want."

Rebecca nodded. "I will." She straightened her clothes and strapped on her holster. As she pulled her jacket on at the door, she turned to face Catherine one last time. "Thank you for last nightall of it."

Come back soon, Rebeccaand safely, Catherine thought as the door closed behind her.

**********

An hour later, freshly showered, in a crisp white shirt and navy suit, Rebecca entered the squad room. Men looked at her and nodded as they went about the business of the day in a subdued fashion. She walked to her desk impassively and stared at the figure across from her.

"What the hell are you doing in Cruzs chair?" she said, her voice like granite.

Watts looked at the expression on her face and then glanced around the squad room for support. No one offered any.

"Just getting acquainted with the caseload. The Captain told me you and I are going to be partnered up."

She stared down at him coldly, then turned on her heel and stalked away. By the time she reached Captain Henrys door she was boiling. She pushed the door open without knocking and stormed toward his desk.

"What do you mean by telling Watts we were going to work together?" she demanded, not even registering the amazed look on Henrys face. "Hes a lazy sleaze, and I wont have him for a partner!"

Henry rose in one fluid motion, his arms braced on the desk as he leaned toward her.

"Frye, you get the hell out of my office! If I tell you to work with Joey the Clown, you do it! And you smile about it, too!" He bit off each word, his face a thundercloud of anger.

She met his angry gaze evenly, her fists clenched at her sides.

"Listen, Captain" she began, trying unsuccessfully to lower her voice.

"No,youlisten! You just lost your partner. Its toughI appreciate thatbut youve still got a dozen open files, including the River Drive thing. You cant do it alone, and Watts is available. If hes an asshole, learn to live with it. I dont care how you do it, just do it!"

"Whats he got? Friends in high places?" she asked, her blue eyes dark with scorn.

Henrys neck muscles tightened, and a flush rose to darken his features. His voice was deadly cold as he spoke. "Im going to pretend I didnt hear that, Fryejust this oncebecause Cruz was a good cop. IAD wants to see you. Take care of that, and then get back to work."