If anyone has an idea for a title for this, I'm open to suggestions. (Yes, this was posted to the seaQuest fanfic list without a title and it's being posted here without a title 'cause I still don't have one)

Katie and Ben sat in the living room of her apartment, sipping coffee and talking. A fire was lit in the fireplace, bathing them in a warm glow. The air between them, however, was tense and static.

Katie shifted a little on the couch and gazed into the fireplace. She tried not to get even more upset as she spoke. "I tried to tell you, Ben."

"When? When did you ever try to tell me how you felt?" Ben put his coffee cup down on an end table and ran his hands through his hair. "Damn it, Katie, you've _never_ told me."

Katie turned to face him, her eyes very sad. "I tried." She put her coffee cup down on the coffee table and looked into his eyes. "God only knows how many times I've hinted at it."

Ben sighed. "Katie, I'm a guy. You should've known that very fact alone makes me incapable of picking up hints." He took both of her hands in his. "I need to know. Please, just tell me."

Katie looked at him silently, tears forming in her eyes. A look of hurt crossed Ben's face. He moved closer to her and gathered her into his arms. She began to cry.

Ben was astonished. He'd _never_ seen Katie cry. She'd always been the strong one, the one to keep things together. Katie was always the calm on, keeping the overactive Ben in his place. Now, he felt a weight in his heart as he realized that she had finally snapped. She had reached her breaking point and couldn't hold her feelings in any more.

Ben gently held her in his arms and caressed her hair. He kissed the top of her head, holding her close. After a few moments, he pushed her away a little and lifted her tear-stained face so she could meet his gaze. With his finger, he gently wiped her tears away and leaned over to kiss her.

Just as he was about to kiss her, Katie put her hand up to stop him. "Ben, don't." He released his grip on her and she got up off the couch. She walked over to the fireplace and stared at the burning flames.

This was a side of Katie that Ben had never seen. He had never seen her hurting like this. He suddenly felt very guilty, knowing that it took his stupidity to see this side of her. He sat on the couch, gazing at her. He wasn't sure what to do next. So he did the first thing that came to his mind. He got up off the couch, walked towards the fireplace and stood behind Katie. He put his hand on her shoulder and softly whispered her name.

Katie slowly turned to face him. She was shaking as she tried to control the racking sobs that were ravaging throughout her body.

Ben looked at her sympathetically. He reached for her again, hoping she wouldn't pull away. She hesitated for a moment and let him hold her, burying her face in his chest.

Katie needed him to comfort her, but she wasn't sure how far to take things. She knew that she still had feelings for Ben, but if they were going to start a relationship again, she didn't want to rush things. She stood there, not moving, for what seemed like hours. Finally, she slowly put her arms around Ben.

The instant after she did so, she felt her heart skip a beat. She had forgotten what it was like to have her arms around Ben. Oh, it felt so good to her. "It's almost like I'm home again," she thought. Her tears subsided and she relaxed in his arms, sighing.

Ben heard her soft, gentle sigh and tilted her chin up so their eyes met yet again. He smiled at her, gently caressing her cheek. Katie returned the smile and rested her head on his shoulder. He knew better than to try to push things again. If it were meant to be for them, then it would happen in time. Love had led them this far. If they were meant to be together, if Fate's choice were to have their souls join again, then it would be so.

Fate works in mysterious ways, leading the lonely to love and the broken to a whole. Both Ben and Katie realized this at the exact same moment. Each with their eyes closed, savoring the moment, their lips found their way to each other in a sweet, gentle kiss. Once they realized what had happened, they just smiled at each other, letting the silence speak what was in their hearts. Fate had led them home -- to each other.

copyright August, 1997

by Michelle Vincenti :)

Comments appreciated...and I will respond :)

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