They climbed the stairs to George's apartment side by side. Kate recalled her choice of underwear and smiled to herself. George noticed. "What?" He asked.

"Oh, you know. Nothing." Kate replied a little sheepishly.

George held the door open for his partner, and as he watched her walk inside, he knew it was right. This time they were right where they were supposed to be.

"I know you're not much into wine, but I have a pretty decent red on hand if you'd like some," George said.

"Actually, I have matured with age. Wine sounds good, George. Thank you." She shrugged out of her jacket and shoes and sat cross-legged on the couch.

George threw three logs in the fireplace and got a cozy fire going. Then he poured two good-sized glasses of wine and handed one to Kate. "Kate, I'm so glad it was you. Tonight. I really couldn't stomach the thought of getting to know someone new all over again."

"It was a pretty good hunch, George. Thank you for putting yourself out there." She snuggled up to him and lay her head and his shoulder.

"Kate, I have to be honest. I've thought about being with you for a long time. Maybe that's why it felt okay to let Martha go. Sad, but okay.

"I remember staying late just before Walter Treppling called. Martha was out again doing her kung fu and I just enjoyed being in your presence. And the feel of your hands in mine when we tried to dance in the office."

"And Bill's look when he walked in the door!" Kate interrupted. "If only he could see us now!"

"Indeed!" George agreed.

"It's really been that long? I hope I didn't contribute to your marriage falling apart."

George sighed. "No, that wasn't you. But I'm glad I had you as my touchstone at work when home was so rocky. I love you, Kate Monday."

"I love you, too, George Frankly."

There was a pleasant lull in the conversation. They sipped their wine contentedly, studying the fire, lost in their thoughts.

Suddenly in a flash of courage and passion, Kate turned toward George and swung her leg over his lap, facing him. She ran her hands across his chest and down his arms, kissing him fervently. He didn't stop her; instead, he responded in kind. He plunged his hands into her hair, stroking her cheeks, and he whispered against her lips, "Oh Kate, Kate. I love you. So much."

That was all the invitation the typically rule-abiding, straight-laced, professional mathematician needed to give into her longing for the man with whom she had merely shared an office and a desk with for so long.

As they moved into her bedroom, Kate pushed George up against the door, her hands roaming down his arms and back up the sides of his torso. George fell into motion with her, touching his fingers to the creamy skin of her upper back and then, gaining confidence, sliding his hands down to the gentle curve at her hip and below, pulling her tight against him. She reached up and deftly began to finger the buttons on his dress shirt.

George pulled away from her lips, but kept his forehead rested on hers. His hands rested where they had at the sports bar, at her hips beneath her shirt. He slowly lifted the shirt over her head and dropped it on the floor, coming back to gently touch the skin left exposed with just his fingertips.

"Kate," he sighed, and closed his eyes. "You are so...beautiful..."

"Mmm," she responded coyly. "Maybe we should do something about that…"

George picked her up and she wrapped her legs around him. He set her gently on the edge of the bed. She leaned back and pulled him to her. Beneath him, she unbuttoned her jeans. And his slacks.

And in the morning, there were still no regrets.