I haven't seen her in person in a year and a half. To say that I am nervous about ending this streak is the understatement of the year.

Dr. Kim Legaspi. Kim. Stunning, elegant, Kim.

We formed an unlikely friendship during her brief stay at County. We both had the outsider status and the occasional rooftop cigarette in common. No one really knows for sure what went on in that room with Kim, Kerry, Romano, and Anspaugh. All I know is that I was helping Kim carry boxes out to her car shortly thereafter, not feeling nearly bold enough to ask what happened.

"I'll be in touch, Abby."

I nodded my head automatically as we reached out to each other for an embrace. Kim held me close and I was surprised by the slenderness of her waist and the sinewy muscles beneath the silk blouse.

"Thank you for everything, Abs. You have no idea how much you mean to me." she whispered in my ear as we held each other, her mane of hair brushing my cheek.

"But Kim where are you..."

"I'll be in touch. I promise, sweetie. I have to go."

With that, she broke our embrace and ducked into her car. I stood there watching her drive away, wondering if she'd really keep in touch. People always say they will keep in touch, but they usually don't. From what I've learned, it's just a way of making good-byes a little less hard.

Much to my surprise, Kim did keep in touch. She moved back to Baltimore and started teaching at her alma mater, Johns Hopkins Medical School. We kept up with emails and long phone calls, somehow always managing to avoid the mention of Kerry Weaver. Kim and I really got to know each other over this last year and a half, even without having actually seen each other since that fateful day at County.

I've acquired so much overtime and comp time that Weaver gave me the "use them or lose them " speech about my accumulation of vacation days. Kim was the first person I thought of spending free time with and Baltimore, of all places, would be the destination.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"Then it's settled. You are coming to Baltimore and you are going to have a good time, in spite of yourself."

"Baltimore? Come on. Baltimore and fun aren't exactly synonymous in my book."

"Okay, Abby...spend a long weekend off in Chicago then. I'm sure I can find someone else to play with. I'll be fine. Don't worry about me."

"Oh I have no doubt about that, Legs. So is the line of young nubile undergrads around the block yet?"

"Abby...you know I prefer the slightly older graduate students. Besides you know you're the only one I really want to play with this weekend."

"Oooh....that was subtle, Doc. I hate to inform you of this, but I think you are losing your mojo." I say sarcastically.

"Abby, trust me, you have not even experienced my devastating charm in action."

"Kim, I think it's safe to say I am immune to your charms."

"Why? Because you're straight? That would put you in the most susceptible category."

"Uh...reminder...I have slept with women before, remember?"

"Well, yeah. But you've never slept with me before, remember?"

"I don't exactly imagine there would be much sleeping going on, do you?"

"Hmm...good point, Nurse Lockhart. Well...we could always try to sleep."

I let out a heavy sigh.

"Kim...what are we doing? This always happens."

"What always happens?"

"THIS!!! This always happens. The innuendo. The flirting. It's frustrating."

"Jesus Abby. I'm sorry...I just thought...you know...we were having fun. We're just teasing each other right?"

I sigh again. I wonder if we are just teasing. I know I'm not teasing, but she probably is. She could have any woman she wants, so why all this with me. It has to be just teasing on her part.

"I don't know. Forget it." I say.

"Abby? You okay?"

"Yeah. Yeah. Fine. Whatever. Listen, I'll see you Thursday okay?"

"Okay. Just let me know if you change your mind."

"I can assure you that won't happen, Kimmy."

"I can't wait to actually SEE you, Abs."

"Me too."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The cab ride from the airport to downtown Baltimore was a blur. Once I got past the business district of the city, I came upon the east side where there were blocks and blocks of red brick and formstone row homes. The cabby turned south onto Patterson Park Avenue from Pratt Street. This was the park Kim was always telling me about. She goes running here everyday and cruises the cute girls in the dog-walking clique.

2206 S. Patterson Park Avenue. I'm finally here and my nerves are completely rattled. God I could use a drink. I throw the cabby a twenty, not even bothering with change. Kim had overnighted a set of house keys for me, in case she is out when I get there.

I climb the half dozen marble steps and knock on the door. My heart is in my throat and I am unable to swallow this year and a half build up. I knock again and still no answer, so I decide to let myself in.

Her house is just as I thought it would be - very spare, almost minimalist, save for the collage of pictures on the refrigerator. Nieces and nephews, colleagues at cocktail parties, mom and dad, Kim and her handsome brothers, Kim out with girlfriends. This was a well-liked and well-loved woman.

I wander up the spiral stairs to put my bags away. The upstairs is very much the same as the downstairs, except for the stunning creature fast asleep in the master bedroom.

GULP. She's here!!!

I slip my shoes off and pad softly over to the bed to get a closer look. I wonder - How the hell does she manage to look so good? Even when she is in a deep sleep? She is on her stomach, arms under the pillow, and golden hair all over her bare shoulders and neck. I can tell by the outline under the sheets that she is not wearing a thing. This is too much.

I go back and forth trying to decide if I should let her sleep while I stare or wake her up to let her know I am here. I decide I need to see those ice blue eyes so I take a piece of her own hair and brush it along her cheek.

Kim awakes with a start and grabs my wrist before I even have time to react and pulls me down on top of her into a bear hug.

"I knew it was you!!" She whispers groggily in my ear.

"Who else would it be?" I ask, with my face in her neck. "Wait...don't answer that question. I don't want to know."

Kim lets out her amazing laugh and rolls herself on top of me, straddling my waist and pinning me by my wrists.

"How long were you staring at me?" Kim asked playfully.

"Uh...Kim...you're naked."

"That's not the point. Now answer my question or else."

"Or else what?"

"Or else I'll kiss you."

"Is that supposed to scare me or something, Legs?"

"Maybe." Kim says as she begins to bend even closer to me.

Her breasts are barely touching mine and the sensation through my cotton t-shirt is sending shockwaves through my body.

"Then kiss me, Kim. I dare you."

She leans even closer to my face and brushes her lips against mine. Her breath is hot and sweet on my mouth. "Come on...kiss me." I command, as she continues to brush her lips against mine. "Please kiss me." I beg.

"I've missed you, Abby." She says into my mouth, the moment suspended. "Now let's go eat 'cause I'm half starved," she exclaims and with that she sits up laughing.

I have an obviously confused look on my face that she notices.

Still laughing, she says, "Damn, Abs...I never knew you could be such a tease. Okay...so I'm gonna take a very cold shower now."

But I'm not teasing, godammit!! I want you. I want this to happen. I'm never gonna make it through this entire weekend.

"Abby?" she yells over the running water.

"Yeah?"

"Could you wash my back?"

Bristling at the obvious tease, I shout, "You're an asshole, Kim."

Laughter echoes through the large bathroom.

"Hey Abs?"

"JESUS!! WHAT???"

"Seriously...please join me."

End of Part 1