AN: A sequel to "Director's Cut", so if you haven't read that one, it would be a good idea before you read this. They're my characters from "Chasing Dreams", but you don't need to read that to understand this.

“Dr Ashford, please, we need your help in reception.”

Melina Ashford sighed loudly. It had been a long day, and now that she’d seen all of her patients, the only thing she wanted to do was go home. Pushing her hair out of her eyes, she stood up, walking reluctantly to the reception. Hopefully, this wouldn’t take long, then she could go home to Caitlin. It had been ages since they’d done anything more than eat and fall asleep in the same room.

On the floor, just inside the doorway, was a woman. She was coughing, persistently, and seemed as though she’d collapsed after getting inside. Melina looked at her critically.

“Do you think you can make it to my office?”

The woman nodded, stumbling to her feet and straightening out her short, red hair.

“Have a seat.” Mel gestured to one of the chairs, before closing the door and collapsing into her own chair. “What made you do this, Caitlin?”

The woman she’d addressed as Caitlin smiled, pulling off the red wig she wore, revealing long dark hair.

“How did you know?”

“When, Caitlin Tyler, have I ever not been able to see through one of your disguises?”

“I couldn’t just walk in like this, could I? I’d be accosted.” That was true. Caitlin was, after all, highly recognisable, due to her career as an actress. “I hardly ever see you any more, that’s why. I’ve missed you.”

“So you choose today of all days to pull this stunt? When I actually thought I could leave on time and we could maybe go out to dinner?”

Caitlin laughed. “If I’d known you had plans, I’d have saved this for another time. You finished here?” She gestured to the thick pile of notes on Mel’s desk, and the busily whirring computer.

“Five more minutes and I’ll be done.”

“Want me to wait here or in the car?”

“Better wait in the car, just in case the nosy cow on the front desk decides to see how we’re doing. And put the wig back on, too.”

Caitlin already had, and was checking it in the mirror. “Five minutes, Mel, or I’m coming back in here to fetch you.”

Mel had absolutely no doubt that Caitlin would. Quickly, she signed a couple of letters, stuffing them in envelopes, and shut down the computer. Everything else could wait until after the weekend.

By the time Mel reached the car (Caitlin’s car, actually – Mel didn’t drive), Caitlin had changed out of the scruffy T-shirt and jeans she’d been wearing into a sleek, sexy cocktail dress. God only knew how she’d managed to do it inside the tiny car, but changing outfits quickly was part of Caitlin’s job. Currently, she was doing her make up in the rear view mirror.

“You had something planned?”

“You’ve probably forgotten, since you’ve been working so hard, but it’s actually our anniversary. Ten years…”

“Can’t believe I forgot… Ten years… I thought, at the time, you were just going along with it because I was being pushy. Damn, haven’t even bought a card…”

“Don’t worry about it. Like I said, you’ve been working hard.”

“If you’re planning on going somewhere without going home first, I hope you brought me a change of clothes.”

Caitlin laughed. “Don’t worry, I did. And your jewellery, too.” She clipped a bracelet around her own wrist. “It’s all in the back, so you can change when we get there.”

“Good. I’m not a contortionist like you – I couldn’t manage it in here.” Both women laughed softly, then Caitlin started the car. The powerful engine roared loudly in the quiet car park.

“Don’t see how you can drive this monster, Lyn. It scares me.”

“I think you should learn to drive.”

“No, thank you. I’m perfectly happy on this side of the car.”

A few minutes later, they pulled up outside one of Melina’s favourite restaurants. Caitlin handed Mel a bag, and pushed her in the direction of the toilets. “Go get changed and meet me at the table.”

Once she’d gone, Caitlin looked around for a member of staff. “I have a reservation for two, name of Tyler.”

“This way, madame.”

It was some time before Melina reappeared, looking very confused. She set a small velvet box down on the table before sliding into her seat. “That’s not mine, Lyn, and I don’t remember seeing you wear it before.”

Caitlin pushed it back across the table. “Will you marry me, Melina Ashford?”

“I… I don’t know what to say, Lyn…”

“I’d really like it if you said yes, actually.”

“Lyn, of course I will… I…”

Melina was hardly ever speechless, but this was one of the rare occasions. Caitlin opened the box, slipping the ring onto Mel’s left hand.

“I don’t have one for you, Lyn.”

Caitlin just smiled. “We can sort that out, no problem. But not tonight.”

When the waiter arrived to take their order, he was surprised to see the two women hugging each other, almost in tears. When they ordered a bottle of the best champagne the restaurant served, however, he wasn’t going to say anything disapproving. They clearly had money, and plenty of it.

Throughout the meal, Mel couldn’t stop playing with her new ring, twisting it round and round, watching the diamond sparkle under the lights.

“You like it?” Caitlin sounded unsure for the first time that day.

“It’s exactly what I’d have chosen.”

“I hoped so.”

They shared a dessert, feeding each other, hands linked across the table.

“How long has it been since we actually had time to ourselves like this?”

“Far too long. You need to stop working so much.”

“I try, and then something else always comes up that I need to do. I know, I take everything far too seriously, you keep telling me.”

“I worry about you, that’s all.”

As they left, hand in hand, the waiter murmured to them. “Congratulations on your engagement, Miss Tyler, Miss…”

They ignored his hints, and refused to give him Melina’s name. Instead, they simply thanked him and left.

……………….

They’d barely made it through the front door when Melina pounced, pressing Caitlin up against the wall.

“Love you, Lyn.”

Caitlin opened her mouth to reply, to tell Melina she loved her, but was cut off as Mel’s mouth pressed against her own. Declarations of love could wait, she decided. Finding the bedroom suddenly seemed much more important, but nearly impossible given the way they were clinging to each other, kissing as though their lives depended upon it. Somehow, they ended up in the lounge, collapsed on the sofa, pulling at each other’s clothes in a rush to get them off.

“It’s been far too long, Lyn.”

“Mel… I know it has…” A sharp intake of breath could be heard. “Mel, please, do that again…”

Melina smirked, repeating the action. “Only for you, my love.”

………………

Later, they surveyed the mess they’d made of the room. Clothes were scattered everywhere, and a couple of ornaments had fallen to the floor and broken. Melina picked up the remains of one.

“It’s ok, I never liked it anyway.”

“Lyn, do you know what this reminds me of?”

Caitlin sat up, looking thoughtful. Then she realised. “That film set. The one where you visited me in Fiji, and made me show you round.”

“That’s it.”

“I was so embarrassed the next morning.”

They laughed about it, though Caitlin had been mortified at the time. Fortunately, none of the cast or crew had ever found out. She didn’t think she could have lived it down if they had.

Mel took Caitlin’s hand, pulling the older woman to her feet. “Think we can make it as far as the bedroom this time?”

“Not if you keep doing that with your hands, it’s distracting.”

The smirk was back, as Mel brushed her fingertips up and down Caitlin’s back.

“Better hurry up then, or I might just have to find a new use for that kitchen table…”

“Melina!”

“Just a thought, Caitlin.”

AN: I like these characters. I really do.