Caitlin stared out the window of the plane, watching the sun set over the horizon, ready to get back home. The Olympic break had been everything she needed—a perfect blend of relaxation, competition, and time to reset. For the first time in what felt like forever, she allowed herself to step away from the constant grind of basketball and just breathe.

She had spent the break traveling, doing interviews, and meeting fans. She even got to attend a few events as a spectator, enjoying the thrill of watching other athletes push their limits. There was something exhilarating about being part of such a prestigious event without the pressure to perform. Caitlin loved every minute of it, but as the days passed, she started to feel that familiar itch to get back on the court.

The best part, though, had been reconnecting with herself. Caitlin had taken the time to reflect on everything—her career, her future, and, most importantly, her personal life. For so long, she had pushed her feelings aside, burying them under her drive to succeed. But during the break, away from the constant demands of her career, those feelings had resurfaced, stronger than ever.

And then there was Sam.

No matter how much Caitlin tried to focus on the present, her thoughts kept drifting back to Sam. Seeing her at the fair had stirred up a whirlwind of emotions that Caitlin wasn't sure how to handle. It wasn't just the casual way Sam had introduced her as a "friend" or the new girl by her side. It was the realization that Caitlin wasn't over her—that she might never be.

Meanwhile, Sam had thrown herself into her internship with the Iowa volleyball team. It was a welcome distraction, something to focus on other than the tangled mess of her feelings for Caitlin. The internship had officially started, and the team's practices were already in full swing. The athletes were talented, driven, and Sam found herself enjoying the challenge of helping them push their limits.

But no matter how busy she was, Caitlin was never far from her mind. After the fair, Sam had wanted nothing more than to go straight to Caitlin and tell her everything—how she missed her, how she had never really stopped loving her, how she wanted them to have another chance. But every time she thought about reaching out, she hesitated. Caitlin's life seemed so full, so busy, and Sam didn't want to add to the chaos. She had seen the photos and videos of Caitlin traveling, enjoying her Olympic break. Caitlin looked happy, and Sam didn't want to disrupt that.

But she couldn't keep waiting forever. The more time passed, the more restless Sam became. She talked to Claire about it almost every day, trying to figure out the best way to approach Caitlin. Should she just show up at her door? Send a text? Call her? Every option felt inadequate, but Claire's advice was always the same: "Just tell her how you feel. It's never too late."

Then, one evening, Claire texted Sam, the message simple but filled with urgency.

Claire: Just got off the phone with Caitlin. She's finally done traveling for the break. Now's your time.

Sam's heart raced as she read the text. This was it. Caitlin was home, and there were no more excuses. It was time to make things right. She didn't know exactly what she was going to say, but she knew one thing for sure—she wasn't going to let this chance slip away.

Later that evening, Caitlin found herself at Lexie's apartment, surrounded by her teammates. They had been hanging out more often lately, something Caitlin was grateful for. The bond they were building off the court was becoming just as strong as the one they had on it. Tonight, the plan was simple—relax, enjoy each other's company, and play a few rounds of Monopoly Deal, their new favorite game.

Caitlin couldn't help but smile as she looked around the room. There was something special about this group. They were more than just teammates; they were friends, almost like family. They had been through so much together at the beginning of the season, and it showed in the way they supported each other, both on and off the court.

As the game got underway, the competitive streaks everyone had come to expect from Caitlin and Lexie quickly emerged. They were both fiercely focused, each determined to outsmart the other. The room filled with laughter and playful trash talk as the game progressed, the tension between the two of them making everyone else nervous.

"Don't think you're going to win this one, Cait," Lexie said with a smirk, laying down a card that blocked one of Caitlin's moves.

Caitlin narrowed her eyes, her mind racing as she considered her next move. "You can't play that card there!"

"Yes I can, your turn is skipped."

Aliyah always being the mediator looks at the play. "Lexie you know you can't play that."

"Ha, suck it!" Caitlin says throwing the card Lexie played back at her.

The game continued, the everyone going back and forth, each determined not to give the other an inch. But in the end, Caitlin pulled ahead, claiming victory with a triumphant grin.

"Looks like I'm still the champ," Caitlin teased, her voice filled with mock arrogance as she leaned back in her chair.

"Yeah, yeah, enjoy it while it lasts," Lexie shot back, though she couldn't help but laugh. "Next game, you're going down."

The lighthearted banter continued as they wrapped up the game and settled into more relaxed conversation. It was moments like these that Caitlin cherished, the times when they could all just be themselves, no pressure, no expectations—just friends enjoying each other's company.

As the laughter died down, Caitlin felt a surge of gratitude for these women. They had become her safe space, something she desperately needed in the league. And in that moment, surrounded by the people who've had her back recently, Caitlin felt a sense of clarity she hadn't felt in a long time.

"Guys," she began, the word hanging in the air for a moment before she continued, "I'm gay."

For a brief second, there was silence, and then Nalyssa broke it with a grin, rolling her eyes playfully. "No shit, Sherlock."

Laughter erupted around the room, including from Caitlin. The ease with which her teammates accepted her made her heart swell with emotion. She had been nervous about saying it out loud, even to the people who were closest to her, but their reactions reminded her that she had nothing to fear.

"Seriously, though," Caitlin said, her laughter fading into a soft smile, "did you all know?"

Katie Lou, sitting across from Caitlin, chuckled. "I mean, Sam didn't exactly seem like just a friend when we all went bowling that one time."

Caitlin's smile faltered for a moment, the mention of Sam stirring up the familiar ache in her chest. She nodded slowly, trying to keep her expression neutral. "Yeah, Sam was... well, she was more than that."

The conversation shifted to other topics, but Caitlin couldn't help but feel a weight lift off her shoulders. She had finally said it—she had finally told her teammates. And their acceptance, their easy camaraderie, made her realize that maybe, just maybe, she was ready for whatever came next.

As Caitlin drove home later that night, her mind kept replaying the events of the evening. She felt lighter, freer than she had in a long time. Telling her teammates the truth about who she was had been a huge step, and their support meant everything to her. But as much as she tried to focus on the positive, her thoughts kept drifting back to Sam.

She hadn't been able to get Sam out of her mind since the fair. The memory of seeing her with someone else, of hearing Sam call her a "friend," still stung. But more than that, Caitlin felt a deep longing to reach out to Sam, to tell her that she had finally come out, that she was no longer hiding. But every time she thought about picking up the phone, the image of Sam with that other girl flashed in her mind, and she hesitated.

As Caitlin drove, the sky darkened, and the first drops of rain began to fall, tapping lightly against the windshield. The sound was soothing, a rhythmic backdrop to her thoughts. But as the rain intensified, so did Caitlin's emotions. She wanted to call Sam, to hear her voice, but something held her back. She didn't know if she was ready for what that conversation might bring.

When Caitlin finally pulled into her driveway, the rain was coming down hard, sheets of water obscuring her view. She parked the car and reached for her phone, contemplating whether to call Sam. But as she glanced up at her house, she noticed a figure standing by her front door, knocking.

Her heart skipped a beat. It was dark, and with the rain pouring down, it was hard to make out who it was. Caitlin's first instinct was to call Steve, worried it might be a stranger. But as she peered through the rain, something about the way the figure stood, the shape of their body, felt familiar.

And then it hit her. She knew that silhouette, that posture—she knew it better than anyone. It was Sam.

For a moment, Caitlin just sat there, frozen, her mind racing to catch up with what her eyes were seeing. What was Sam doing here, in the rain, standing at her door? A flood of emotions rushed through her—surprise, confusion, hope, and that deep, undeniable longing she had been trying to ignore.

Without thinking, Caitlin threw open the car door and stepped out into the rain, not even caring that she was instantly soaked. She started walking toward her house, her pace quickening as she got closer. Sam was still knocking, oblivious to Caitlin's approach until the sound of footsteps splashing through puddles made her turn around.

The moment Sam saw her, she didn't hesitate. She ran toward Caitlin, her eyes wide with something that looked like a mix of desperation and determination. Before Caitlin could even process what was happening, Sam closed the distance between them and, without a word, threw her arms around Caitlin, pulling her into a kiss.

The kiss was deep, urgent, filled with all the words neither of them had said. Caitlin's mind went blank, her body responding on instinct as she kissed Sam back with equal intensity. The rain poured down around them, soaking their clothes, but neither of them seemed to care. They were lost in the moment, in the feel of each other, in the way everything else faded away.

For what felt like an eternity, they stayed like that, kissing in the rain, the world around them disappearing. Finally, when they both needed air, they pulled apart, their foreheads resting against each other as they panted, trying to catch their breath.

Caitlin was the first to speak, her voice barely above a whisper. "What was that for?"

Sam looked into Caitlin's eyes, her own filled with emotion—relief, pride, love. "I saw your dad," she said, her voice trembling slightly with the intensity of what she was feeling. "You did it, Cait. You finally did it."

Caitlin felt a tear slip down her cheek, but this time, it wasn't from sadness. It was from the overwhelming joy, the release of all the fear and doubt she had been carrying for so long. "Yeah," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I did."

Sam reached up, gently wiping the tear away before leaning in to kiss her again, this time slower, softer, filled with all the things she couldn't put into words. Caitlin melted into the kiss, the warmth of Sam's lips chasing away the cold of the rain.

But before things could get too deep, Sam pulled back, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "We should go inside," she said, her voice tender but firm. "You can't afford to get sick right before your first game back."

Caitlin laughed, a light, happy sound that cut through the rain. "You're probably right."

They walked hand in hand to the front door, and as they stepped inside, Caitlin felt a sense of peace wash over her, like everything was finally falling into place. The rain continued to pour outside, but inside, it was warm and dry, the air filled with the promise of something great.

As soon as the door clicked shut behind them, Sam turned to Caitlin, eyes dark with desire. Without a word, she pushed Caitlin against the door, capturing her lips in a fierce, hungry kiss. Caitlin responded just as eagerly, their tongues battling for dominance as the tension between them finally broke. The heat between them was electric, the weeks of unresolved feelings igniting in an instant.

Caitlin's hands roamed over Sam's back, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss. She wanted Sam—needed her—and she wasn't going to let anything get in the way. With a quick push off the wall, Caitlin began guiding Sam toward her bedroom, never breaking the kiss, their bodies moving in sync as if they had never been apart.

But just as Caitlin was about to lay Sam down on the bed, Sam pulled away, breathing heavily, a playful smirk on her face. "We're wet," she said, her voice low and husky, eyes flicking down to their soaked clothes.

Caitlin returned the smirk, her own voice teasing. "Yeah, we are."

Sam laughed, shaking her head. "No, I mean our clothes."

Caitlin grinned, her hands already tugging at Sam's shirt. "Then take it off," she whispered, her voice laced with anticipation.

Sam didn't need to be told twice. They quickly stripped off their drenched clothes, the air between them thick with desire. But before Caitlin could take the lead again, Sam took control, pushing Caitlin onto the bed and climbing on top of her. She began planting kisses down Caitlin's chest, trailing lower and lower until she reached her thighs. Caitlin's breath hitched, her body arching toward Sam in anticipation, but just as Sam was about to give Caitlin exactly what she wanted, Caitlin reached down, cupping Sam's face and bringing her back up for a searing kiss.

"Before we go any further," Caitlin murmured against Sam's lips, her voice soft but serious, "I just want you to know—I don't plan on making a big statement or anything. I just want it to be natural."

Sam smiled, her eyes filled with understanding and love. "Can I hold your hand in public?" she asked, her voice gentle.

Caitlin nodded, her heart swelling. "Yes," she whispered before pulling Sam into another kiss, filled with all the promises they didn't need to say out loud.

Sam broke the kiss, her smile turning wicked. "Okay, then," she said, her voice taking on a sultry edge, "spread your legs."

Caitlin's breath caught, and she did as Sam asked, her body trembling with anticipation as Sam began to kiss her way back down, taking her time, teasing Caitlin until she was almost desperate.

"I'll even kiss you in public," Caitlin managed to say, her voice breathless, almost begging for Sam to taste her already.

Sam didn't respond with words; instead, she let her actions speak for her, her lips finally found the spot Caitlin had been craving, and a shuddering gasp escaped her lips. Sam would give Caitlin everything she wanted and more, driving her to the edge and beyond, after hearing those words.

The night was a blur of passion and whispered conversations, the two of them losing themselves in each other over and over again. After their first round of intense lovemaking, they lay tangled in the sheets, Caitlin resting her head on Sam's chest, their fingers intertwined.

"Why didn't you tell me about your dad?" Sam asked softly, her fingers tracing patterns on Caitlin's skin.

Caitlin sighed, the question bringing a heaviness to her chest. "I didn't want to burden you with it. You were already dealing with so much with your acl, and... I was scared. I didn't know how to handle it myself, let alone tell you."

Sam pulled Caitlin closer, her heart breaking for the woman she loved. "You never have to hide anything from me, Cait. I'm here for all of it—the good, the bad, everything. I just wish you'd told me. I would have been there for you."

Caitlin nodded, tears welling in her eyes, but they weren't tears of sadness. They were tears of release, of finally letting go of the weight she had been carrying alone for so long. "I know," she whispered. "I know that now."

Sam kissed her again, slow and deep, their connection stronger than ever. They made love again, this time slow and tender, their movements gentle and filled with love, as if they were trying to make up for all the time they had lost.

As the night wore on, they continued to talk between bouts of passion, the words flowing as freely as their touches. Sam asked Caitlin about her favorite part of the Olympic break, and Caitlin smiled, recounting the thrill of attending events, meeting fans, and having time to just be herself. But as she talked, a question lingered in Caitlin's mind, one she finally voiced when the conversation lulled.

"At the fair... the girl you were with..."

Sam sighed, knowing this conversation had to happen. "Sarah," she said quietly. "We were talking, but it wasn't serious. I... I ended it, Cait. I couldn't keep pretending that I could move on from you. It wasn't fair to her, or to me."

Caitlin's heart ached with a mix of relief and regret. "I saw you with her, and it hurt," she admitted. "I wanted to tell you then... about coming out, about everything, but I saw you with her and..."

Sam silenced her with a kiss, filled with all the reassurance Caitlin needed. "I'm here now," she whispered against Caitlin's lips. "And I'm not going anywhere."

Their conversation was forgotten as they lost themselves in each other once more, the intensity of their connection leaving them both breathless and sated.

"I love you, Cait" Sam said, as they both tried to catch their breathes, her head buried between Caitlin's neck and shoulder.

"I love you," she whispered, pulling Sam into one last kiss before they both drifted off to sleep, their bodies entwined, hearts finally at peace

In the early hours of the morning, as the first light of dawn began to creep through the curtains, Caitlin lay in Sam's arms, neither wanting to get up.

"I'll just skip practice, we can have a repeat of last night." Caitlin said with a smirk as she kissed Sam.

Sam laughed into the kiss, she didn't want Caitlin to leave but knew she needed to. "No you go to practice then when you get back we can have a repeat."

"Fineee" Caitlin stated finally getting out of bed to start getting ready for practice, the cold air that filled her spot in Sam's arms made Sam almost tell her never mind.

"Will you come to my first game back tomorrow?" she asked, her voice quiet but hopeful, while she got dressed.

Sam smiled, her heart swelling with affection. "Wouldn't miss it for the world," she replied, kissing the top of Caitlin's head, as she sat on the bed putting her shoes on.

Caitlin looked up at her, a slow smile spreading across her face. "Good," she whispered, pulling Sam into one last kiss before she began to head out, "Don't move from there, because we are not done."