"Tell me it isn’t from George’s."

"I think I learned my lesson on that one the first time," Kerry smiled wryly. "May I come in?"

Kim inclined her head in invitation and opened the door wider, resolutely refusing to dwell on how completely alien watching Kerry cross her threshold seemed– and yet, at the same time, how the simple act made this place feel more like home than it had in months. "What is this?" she asked, following Kerry into the kitchen, and unsure of whether to be outraged by her ex-lover’s presumption in bustling about gathering plates and utensils or moved by it. Of the two options presented to her, she chose a third: casual disinterest.

Kerry remained silent, arraying the meal into something a food stylist would have been proud to call their own and pouring two glasses of wine. Turning serious eyes to Kim, she offered her a glass and pulled out a chair in request. "We weren’t finished with our conversation."

"Given the things that were being said and the state of my temper, I thought it the best solution for everyone," she replied dryly, ducking her head.

"Think again."

The determination in Kerry’s tone brought her up short, and she took the chair opposite her ex-lover with a wary tension coiling in her muscles. Swallowing the arrogant retort that sprang to her lips, along with the errant urge to be cruel, Kim took a long draught of her wine and a deep breath. "Then, by all means, finish what you were saying."

"It’s more what you were saying. About me thinking you useless." An incredulity darkened her green eyes as she shook her head in disbelief. "That is the fartherest thing from the truth…"

"Actually, I think it’s pretty dead on," Kim disagreed without rancor. "You’ve never seemed to hesitate when it came to second guessing me."

"I don’t think disagreeing over a course of treatment is necessarily second guessing."

In spite of herself, she felt her temper flaring again. "Do you really want to go down this path, Kerry? We could, but I’m afraid this lovely dinner you brought would get cold."

"It sounds like we need to."