Kate walked into the coffee shop down the street from the precinct, looking around quickly for Alexis. Alexis had called her earlier in the day, asking if they could meet somewhere and talk. Since Rick had decided that he would spend the night writing and didn't want company, Kate left the pile of laundry piling up in her apartment for another day and went to meet Alexis right after work.

She spotted the young woman sitting alone at a small table, looking a bit nervous. "Kate," Alexis breathed when she walked to the table. "Thanks for coming. I'm sorry I called you like that, I just didn't know who else I could talk to…"

"It's no problem. You can talk to me about anything." She sat down across from her. "But I have to ask, are you in trouble?"

"No. No, I'm not in any kind of trouble. It's actually kind of… stupid, now that I'm thinking about it."

"Sweetie, if something's bothering you it's not stupid. You need to talk, let's talk. What's going on?"

"Well, I… I have a new roommate this semester and she… well, she's younger than I am. She's only 17 and she's a sophomore."

Kate let out a relieved breath and smiled. "Alexis, you are so smart. You have nothing to worry about. Just because this girl skipped a couple grades doesn't make her any better than you are."

Alexis blinked, looking confused. "What? No, I don't think she's better than me."

"Then what's the problem?"

"One night her boyfriend was visiting and I walked in on them… you know."

"Oh," was all Kate could think to say. "I guess things are uncomfortable now in your room?"

"I'll say. All of my friends have had sex and I thought since she was younger than me, I could feel a little more normal. I'm the only person I know who never has."

"You… you never had sex? Not with Ashley?"

Alexis shook her head. "I mean, almost a couple times but something always stopped us. Is there something wrong with me? Some reason everyone else can have sex and I can't?"

"You can have sex. I don't… I don't mean you can as in you should, just that… you're capable."

Alexis rolled her eyes. "I just feel like I'm missing something."

"Oh, you aren't. I mean… it is amazing, when you're with the right guy because…"

"Because sex without love is meaningless and hollow," Alexis finished. "Yeah, I've heard the speech."

"It's not something you need to rush into."

"But I'm not rushing, I'm 19. I mean, how old were you your first time?"

Kate blinked and opened her mouth then closed it. "I… this is not about me. It is about… every person being different. You don't need me to tell you that thinking you should do something just because everyone else is is stupid and irresponsible and reckless and could get you into big trouble. When your time comes, you'll know and it will just… happen."

"I know, I know. Please don't tell Dad about this."

"Don't worry, I won't. I like him too much to make his head explode. I'm guessing you've had this talk with him before? Or at least I hope so."

"I wouldn't call it a talk. He told me I need a license to have sex and couldn't get a permit until I'm 35."

"35, really? My dad told me I had to be 50."