New Fic - Who I Am
And here is the second and final part.
"Are you sure about this?” Kristin asked softly her worry clear in her voice.
Kate looked at the doctor who she had very quickly come to admire before admitting, “No.”
Kristin raised an eyebrow and leaned back on the couch waiting.
“He terrifies me,” Kate confessed, “I know how stupid it is but I can’t help it.”
“It’s not stupid,” Kristin whispered.
Kate bounced off the couch, “It is. Kristin, I’m not ten anymore I know he can’t do any of the things he used to threaten me with. I know he’s not all powerful but the thought of facing him tonight…”
Kristin stood and caught the young woman’s arms, “Kate, take a deep breath before you have a panic attack.”
Kate sighed and dropped back onto the couch, “I should have just gone with my instincts and disappeared.”
“And never see Tim again?” Kristin prodded folding her arms.
Kate frowned at the doctor before pushing a hand through her hair, “Not fair.”
“I’m not trying to be fair,” Kristin replied, “You want your life? You want to actually get to be with the man you love? Then fight. He would for you.”
Kate sighed and closed her eyes, “Kristin, I really wish he was here.”
“I know. But,” Kristin wrapped her arms around the younger woman hugging her, “I will be there, so will Nathan and Admiral Noyce. You won’t be facing him alone and thanks to Lucas we have everything you need to prove who you are.” She pushed Kate back and looked in her eyes, “And then you get your life.”
-
“What are you doing here?”
Kate rolled her eyes, “Nathan, you have to stop asking me that every time you see me.”
Nathan stared at her not amused by the interruption, “This is my island.”
“And you’re supposed to be at the bottom of the ocean,” she replied with in the same tone.
Nathan grimaced trying to keep his temper, “So you’re here why?”
Kate rolled her eyes, “I saw smoke coming from the house so I wanted to make sure the place was alright.”
“Just some shore leave,” he told her, “My senior crew is here for a barbecue.”
Kate smirked, “Sounds exciting.”
Nathan sighed and against his better judgement shrugged, “You can join us if you want?”
Kate held up her hands, “Sounds far too much like a family get together. I’ll pass. ”
Nathan nodded, “Okay.”
“But since I was here I was going to use the shelter at the other side of the beach tonight,” Kate told him, “If you have no issues with that?”
Nathan grimaced, “Don’t break anything. Or steal anything,” he called after her as she walked away.
Heading back to where his crew were enjoying themselves Nathan spotted O’Neill standing to one side of the group staring at the ocean.
“Enjoying yourself?” Nathan asked, smiling as the younger man jumped.
“Of course, Captain,” O’Neill gave a slightly nervous nod.
Nathan debated his idea for a moment before deciding to do it.
“Could you do me a favour?” Nathan asked, resting his hand on O’Neill’s shoulder and turning him so he could see the small hut just on the other side of the beach, “I left some extra beer there. We may need it.”
“Of course, Captain,” O’Neill nodded, “I’ll be back soon.”
“Take your time, Lt,” Nathan called after him before heading back to the party.
-
Tim strolled across the beach, the sand still warm beneath his feet even as the sun set. Today hadn’t been the best idea he’d ever had in his life, he thought he’d wanted to spend time with Lonnie but it became apparent very quickly that they were not suited to one another. Reaching the small hut he frowned to see a light flickering from the doorway.
“Hello?” he called stunned at the woman who appeared suddenly, “Kate?”
A bright smile covered her face, “Hi Tim.”
“What are you doing here?”
Kate rolled her eyes. “Why is that always people’s first question when they see me?”
“Do you really want the answer to that?” Tim chuckled.
She rolled her eyes, “I guess not,” she sat on the steps smiling as he joined her, “How was your shore leave?”
Tim shrugged, “Okay.”
“Wow,” Kate stared at him, “You really are a dreadful liar, do you know that?”
Tim frowned, “I…I sort of had…well a date.”
“Really?” interest filled her eyes, “And?”
Tim sighed as he thought back over the day, “It was a stupid thing to do and after about ten minutes it was clear we’re not compatible.”
“That can still be fun,” Kate noted.
Tim grimaced, “We didn’t exactly connect. I made a few comments about the movie we’d just seen and how it was vapid. She accused me of being mean. So I was and…”
“And?” she nudged him slightly.
“Ice cream facial.”
Kate began to laugh making him stare in annoyance, as she laughed Tim finally gave in and started to laugh too.
“I’m betting you’re not getting a goodnight kiss after that,” Kate chuckled.
Tim let out a snort, “Definitely not.”
To his surprise Kate moved and touched her lips to his in a very gentle kiss. As they parted he stared at her confused.
Kate shrugged, “You deserved a good night kiss.”
*********************************************
Kate reached out and found Nathan’s hand as she watched her step-father walk onto the stage for the Q and A session, his way to talk to the ‘people he represented’. She was hidden at the back amongst Nathan, Noyce and several of their goons while Kristin and Lucas were in the audience. This was it, it was the end of the road and Kate knew she had to finish this or he would haunt her forever.
“Just hold on,” Nathan whispered, “It’s almost time.”
“I can’t do this,” Kate said her breath coming in harsh gasps.
Nathan squeezed her hand tightly, “You can.”
“That’s your big motivational speech?” Kate asked with disdain, “Why they follow you is beyond me.”
At the familiar sarcasm Nathan smiled at her, nodding she smiled back and turned to watch waiting for her moment.
-
The session had been going for about half an hour when the plant Noyce had placed in the audience took their place at the microphone.
“Senator Kincaid,” the woman said, “You talk about protecting our children with these new laws. Can you explain how?”
Kincaid dropped his head for a moment before looking up, “Our children are our greatest resource, they are our greatest joy and to lose them is the greatest heartache of all. My dear wife and I know of this loss intimately as you know and I intend to ensure that this never happens again. The loss of my dear Sophie haunts me and I wish I could speak to her every day.”
“If you want to do that,” Kate spoke up from her hiding place as Kincaid looked around, “I’m right here.”
Kate was aware of the gasps from the crowd as she stepped into the centre of the room. She could see her mother staring at her in confusion as one of their staff tried to move her from the room.
“Security,” Kincaid called the moment he saw her, “Arrest this woman. She is a con artist who has tried once before to prey on the grief of my wife and I.”
“Really?” Kate demanded, she could see the UEO guards stopping Kincaid’s security team from moving as well as stopping anyone leaving, “And you’re denying that you know I am Sophie Kincaid. Your step-daughter by the way, not your daughter.”
Kincaid shook his head, “This is insane and I will not let you put my wife through this.”
Kate smirked and pushed the button on the small controller she was holding. Screens around the room jumped to life and the security tape began to play.
“Look at you,” he said as he moved to stand right outside the bars, “All grown up.”
“No thanks to you,” she retorted sharply, “What do you want?”
“Sophie,” Kincaid growled, “As far as the world knows you died a long time ago, it’s time you did.”
Kate swallowed hard, “Isn’t it a shame I’m in UEO custody?”
“Accidents happen in transfers,” he reminded her, “And escape attempts.”
Kate hit the button again and the picture of them facing one another in the brig, “Before you make some speech about the illegality of recording a prisoners speech while in the brig, I set it up to record and as the person in the brig at the time, I’m happy it was there.”
Silence filled the room and Kate became very aware that this was being beamed out live and she now had absolutely no escape. Taking a breath she continued.
“I wasn’t abducted,” she stated, “The man who claims to have loved me like a father gave me to Moore, who Lewis Kincaid was very aware of what he was. He then identified a second girl to be me knowing full well I was alive and he could get rid of me quietly. The UEO have already tested my DNA and have more than enough evidence against you. You can’t deny who I am and you can’t deny what you did.”
Kincaid stared at her while two UEO security officers placed him in handcuffs, as he was walked past Kate she turned to him.
“I hope you rot.”
-
Lucas opened the door to the small room they were sitting in letting his Captain and Admiral Noyce in while blocking the press from seeing Kate.
“How is she?” Nathan asked the moment the teenager closed the door.
“Having a panic attack,” Lucas shrugged, motioning over to the small couch where Kristin had Kate sitting with her head between her legs while she rubbed her back comfortingly.
“Kate?” Nathan moved to look at her.
The young woman looked up at him, “What the hell did I just do?”
Nathan sat at her side, “You just killed Kate King.”
“I think I’m going to be sick,” she grimaced dropping her head between her legs again.
Nathan glanced over at Kristin who simply shrugged.
“Kate, your mother is outside,” he said softly, “She wants to see you. Are you ready?”
She glanced up at him for a second before she groaned again, “I don’t know.”
“You have to talk to her eventually,” Kristin reminded her, “She had no idea what Kincaid did to you, all she wants is to see her daughter. You can’t punish her any more than she’s punished herself over the years.”
“I’ve hated her for so long,” Kate whispered, “I don’t know if I can forgive her.”
“All you have to do is talk to her,” Nathan said, “It doesn’t have to be a long meeting but Kate you know you have to do this.”
The young woman nodded before looking up at hopefully the man she used to call ‘Dad’ whenever he really irritated her, “Will you be there?”
-
She sat for a few moments in the small room she’d been taken to after her husband had been arrested. Rosemary couldn’t get her head around everything, she couldn’t get her head around the fact that he’d given her precious daughter to that monster and then pretended to be heartbroken over her loss.
She looked up as the door opened and frowned, a little surprised as a teenage boy walked into the room.
“Hi,” he said, “Kate is taking a few minutes.”
“Thank you,” Rosemary replied softly, “She goes by Kate?”
The boy nodded, “Do you want anything? Water? Something to eat?”
“No, thank you,” Rosemary smiled slightly at him waiting for a name.
“Oh,” he winced, “I’m Lucas.”
“Thank you, Lucas.”
He nodded and disappeared again leaving her alone once more. About another half hour passed before the door opened again, this time the woman her daughter had grown into walked through followed by Nathan Bridger.
“Sophie,” Rosemary breathed trying to see even a glimpse of her baby in the dark eyes staring at her.
“I go by Kate,” she stated softly not moving from her spot near the door as she wrapped her arms around herself.
“Of course,” Rosemary said quickly, “I’m sorry.”
They stood in silence for several minutes, waiting for the other to speak and finally Rosemary moved towards her daughter.
“I’m so sorry,” Rosemary cried unable to hold it in any longer, “I didn’t know. I should have, I know I should have but I didn’t. When he told me you’d been taken I was so distraught the doctor had to sedate me.” Her hand automatically went to the locket that sat at her neck, “It was weeks later I was fully lucid again and by then…”
She trailed off surprised and relieved as her daughter stepped forward gently touching her arm, “It’s okay.”
“Sophie,” Rosemary whispered moving to embrace her, “Sorry, Kate.”
“Actually, Sophie is fine.”
*********************************************
Julianne watched her youngest son as he sat staring at the news; the story of the week was being replayed for what had to be the tenth time. The fall of Lewis Kincaid was all that was being talked about along with the reappearance of his step-daughter, the young woman her son very obviously loved.
When the doorbell rang she rolled her eyes as neither her son nor her husband made a move to answer it. Leaving them sitting staring at the television Julianne headed out to the hall, when she opened the door she stared at the woman standing there.
“Kate?” she gasped in astonishment before smiling, “Or are we calling you Sophie now?”
The young woman gave a slight smile, “I still prefer Kate,”
“How are you?” Julianne asked, “How’s your mother?”
“She’s coping. A little overwhelmed by it all,” Kate replied, “And I…well I’m trying very hard not to run away,” she took a deep breath, “Nathan…Captain Bridger told me Tim was here and I was hoping to talk to him.”
Julianne nodded, “Come on in.”
She saw relief fill Kate’s eyes when she stepped back and allowed her into the house. Julianne gently touched the young woman’s arm so she held back allowing Julianne into the lounge first.
“Timothy,” she called, “You have a visitor.”
-
Tim sat staring at the TV watching Kate do something he knew terrified her wishing he could have been there to support her but Captain Bridger had been very clear he was to stay away.
“Timothy,” his mother called, “You have a visitor.”
Looking up he stared in amazement at the woman standing there looking at him hopeful and worried at the same time.
“Kate,” he breathed standing, about to hug her he stopped not sure if he should.
“We’re just going for a walk,” his mother said as she grabbed his father’s arm and rushed him out of the room leaving them alone.
Kate smiled as the door closed before looking back at Tim.
“Are you okay?” Tim asked, not sure what else to ask.
Kate smiled at him, “I am. I did the thing that terrified me most and I’m handling it as best I can.”
“I was really worried,” he told her.
She dropped her eyes, “I’m sorry but I didn’t want you involved and Nathan agreed. You would have been a target for him because of our…because we…”
He raised an eyebrow at her and Kate sighed.
“I lied.”
“Again,” Tim noted.
She frowned at him, “Yes, again.”
Tim sighed, “Are you going to tell me or am I supposed to guess.”
Kate stepped forward moving closer to him since she’d entered the room, “At Michael’s wedding I told you I only saw you as a friend, I don’t,” she licked her lips nervously as she moved closer, “I love you.”
“What?” he stared at her with wide eyes.
“I was so afraid of getting close to someone,” Kate continued, “And I’d almost got you killed already that I didn’t want to draw you in…”
Kate was cut off as Tim stepped forward and kissed her suddenly. Her arms wrapped around his neck and Tim felt her hold him as tightly as he was holding her.
When they parted Tim looked at her, “No more lies?”
Kate smiled, “You’re no fun,” she grinned before kissing him again.
"Are you sure about this?” Kristin asked softly her worry clear in her voice.
Kate looked at the doctor who she had very quickly come to admire before admitting, “No.”
Kristin raised an eyebrow and leaned back on the couch waiting.
“He terrifies me,” Kate confessed, “I know how stupid it is but I can’t help it.”
“It’s not stupid,” Kristin whispered.
Kate bounced off the couch, “It is. Kristin, I’m not ten anymore I know he can’t do any of the things he used to threaten me with. I know he’s not all powerful but the thought of facing him tonight…”
Kristin stood and caught the young woman’s arms, “Kate, take a deep breath before you have a panic attack.”
Kate sighed and dropped back onto the couch, “I should have just gone with my instincts and disappeared.”
“And never see Tim again?” Kristin prodded folding her arms.
Kate frowned at the doctor before pushing a hand through her hair, “Not fair.”
“I’m not trying to be fair,” Kristin replied, “You want your life? You want to actually get to be with the man you love? Then fight. He would for you.”
Kate sighed and closed her eyes, “Kristin, I really wish he was here.”
“I know. But,” Kristin wrapped her arms around the younger woman hugging her, “I will be there, so will Nathan and Admiral Noyce. You won’t be facing him alone and thanks to Lucas we have everything you need to prove who you are.” She pushed Kate back and looked in her eyes, “And then you get your life.”
-
“What are you doing here?”
Kate rolled her eyes, “Nathan, you have to stop asking me that every time you see me.”
Nathan stared at her not amused by the interruption, “This is my island.”
“And you’re supposed to be at the bottom of the ocean,” she replied with in the same tone.
Nathan grimaced trying to keep his temper, “So you’re here why?”
Kate rolled her eyes, “I saw smoke coming from the house so I wanted to make sure the place was alright.”
“Just some shore leave,” he told her, “My senior crew is here for a barbecue.”
Kate smirked, “Sounds exciting.”
Nathan sighed and against his better judgement shrugged, “You can join us if you want?”
Kate held up her hands, “Sounds far too much like a family get together. I’ll pass. ”
Nathan nodded, “Okay.”
“But since I was here I was going to use the shelter at the other side of the beach tonight,” Kate told him, “If you have no issues with that?”
Nathan grimaced, “Don’t break anything. Or steal anything,” he called after her as she walked away.
Heading back to where his crew were enjoying themselves Nathan spotted O’Neill standing to one side of the group staring at the ocean.
“Enjoying yourself?” Nathan asked, smiling as the younger man jumped.
“Of course, Captain,” O’Neill gave a slightly nervous nod.
Nathan debated his idea for a moment before deciding to do it.
“Could you do me a favour?” Nathan asked, resting his hand on O’Neill’s shoulder and turning him so he could see the small hut just on the other side of the beach, “I left some extra beer there. We may need it.”
“Of course, Captain,” O’Neill nodded, “I’ll be back soon.”
“Take your time, Lt,” Nathan called after him before heading back to the party.
-
Tim strolled across the beach, the sand still warm beneath his feet even as the sun set. Today hadn’t been the best idea he’d ever had in his life, he thought he’d wanted to spend time with Lonnie but it became apparent very quickly that they were not suited to one another. Reaching the small hut he frowned to see a light flickering from the doorway.
“Hello?” he called stunned at the woman who appeared suddenly, “Kate?”
A bright smile covered her face, “Hi Tim.”
“What are you doing here?”
Kate rolled her eyes. “Why is that always people’s first question when they see me?”
“Do you really want the answer to that?” Tim chuckled.
She rolled her eyes, “I guess not,” she sat on the steps smiling as he joined her, “How was your shore leave?”
Tim shrugged, “Okay.”
“Wow,” Kate stared at him, “You really are a dreadful liar, do you know that?”
Tim frowned, “I…I sort of had…well a date.”
“Really?” interest filled her eyes, “And?”
Tim sighed as he thought back over the day, “It was a stupid thing to do and after about ten minutes it was clear we’re not compatible.”
“That can still be fun,” Kate noted.
Tim grimaced, “We didn’t exactly connect. I made a few comments about the movie we’d just seen and how it was vapid. She accused me of being mean. So I was and…”
“And?” she nudged him slightly.
“Ice cream facial.”
Kate began to laugh making him stare in annoyance, as she laughed Tim finally gave in and started to laugh too.
“I’m betting you’re not getting a goodnight kiss after that,” Kate chuckled.
Tim let out a snort, “Definitely not.”
To his surprise Kate moved and touched her lips to his in a very gentle kiss. As they parted he stared at her confused.
Kate shrugged, “You deserved a good night kiss.”
*********************************************
Kate reached out and found Nathan’s hand as she watched her step-father walk onto the stage for the Q and A session, his way to talk to the ‘people he represented’. She was hidden at the back amongst Nathan, Noyce and several of their goons while Kristin and Lucas were in the audience. This was it, it was the end of the road and Kate knew she had to finish this or he would haunt her forever.
“Just hold on,” Nathan whispered, “It’s almost time.”
“I can’t do this,” Kate said her breath coming in harsh gasps.
Nathan squeezed her hand tightly, “You can.”
“That’s your big motivational speech?” Kate asked with disdain, “Why they follow you is beyond me.”
At the familiar sarcasm Nathan smiled at her, nodding she smiled back and turned to watch waiting for her moment.
-
The session had been going for about half an hour when the plant Noyce had placed in the audience took their place at the microphone.
“Senator Kincaid,” the woman said, “You talk about protecting our children with these new laws. Can you explain how?”
Kincaid dropped his head for a moment before looking up, “Our children are our greatest resource, they are our greatest joy and to lose them is the greatest heartache of all. My dear wife and I know of this loss intimately as you know and I intend to ensure that this never happens again. The loss of my dear Sophie haunts me and I wish I could speak to her every day.”
“If you want to do that,” Kate spoke up from her hiding place as Kincaid looked around, “I’m right here.”
Kate was aware of the gasps from the crowd as she stepped into the centre of the room. She could see her mother staring at her in confusion as one of their staff tried to move her from the room.
“Security,” Kincaid called the moment he saw her, “Arrest this woman. She is a con artist who has tried once before to prey on the grief of my wife and I.”
“Really?” Kate demanded, she could see the UEO guards stopping Kincaid’s security team from moving as well as stopping anyone leaving, “And you’re denying that you know I am Sophie Kincaid. Your step-daughter by the way, not your daughter.”
Kincaid shook his head, “This is insane and I will not let you put my wife through this.”
Kate smirked and pushed the button on the small controller she was holding. Screens around the room jumped to life and the security tape began to play.
“Look at you,” he said as he moved to stand right outside the bars, “All grown up.”
“No thanks to you,” she retorted sharply, “What do you want?”
“Sophie,” Kincaid growled, “As far as the world knows you died a long time ago, it’s time you did.”
Kate swallowed hard, “Isn’t it a shame I’m in UEO custody?”
“Accidents happen in transfers,” he reminded her, “And escape attempts.”
Kate hit the button again and the picture of them facing one another in the brig, “Before you make some speech about the illegality of recording a prisoners speech while in the brig, I set it up to record and as the person in the brig at the time, I’m happy it was there.”
Silence filled the room and Kate became very aware that this was being beamed out live and she now had absolutely no escape. Taking a breath she continued.
“I wasn’t abducted,” she stated, “The man who claims to have loved me like a father gave me to Moore, who Lewis Kincaid was very aware of what he was. He then identified a second girl to be me knowing full well I was alive and he could get rid of me quietly. The UEO have already tested my DNA and have more than enough evidence against you. You can’t deny who I am and you can’t deny what you did.”
Kincaid stared at her while two UEO security officers placed him in handcuffs, as he was walked past Kate she turned to him.
“I hope you rot.”
-
Lucas opened the door to the small room they were sitting in letting his Captain and Admiral Noyce in while blocking the press from seeing Kate.
“How is she?” Nathan asked the moment the teenager closed the door.
“Having a panic attack,” Lucas shrugged, motioning over to the small couch where Kristin had Kate sitting with her head between her legs while she rubbed her back comfortingly.
“Kate?” Nathan moved to look at her.
The young woman looked up at him, “What the hell did I just do?”
Nathan sat at her side, “You just killed Kate King.”
“I think I’m going to be sick,” she grimaced dropping her head between her legs again.
Nathan glanced over at Kristin who simply shrugged.
“Kate, your mother is outside,” he said softly, “She wants to see you. Are you ready?”
She glanced up at him for a second before she groaned again, “I don’t know.”
“You have to talk to her eventually,” Kristin reminded her, “She had no idea what Kincaid did to you, all she wants is to see her daughter. You can’t punish her any more than she’s punished herself over the years.”
“I’ve hated her for so long,” Kate whispered, “I don’t know if I can forgive her.”
“All you have to do is talk to her,” Nathan said, “It doesn’t have to be a long meeting but Kate you know you have to do this.”
The young woman nodded before looking up at hopefully the man she used to call ‘Dad’ whenever he really irritated her, “Will you be there?”
-
She sat for a few moments in the small room she’d been taken to after her husband had been arrested. Rosemary couldn’t get her head around everything, she couldn’t get her head around the fact that he’d given her precious daughter to that monster and then pretended to be heartbroken over her loss.
She looked up as the door opened and frowned, a little surprised as a teenage boy walked into the room.
“Hi,” he said, “Kate is taking a few minutes.”
“Thank you,” Rosemary replied softly, “She goes by Kate?”
The boy nodded, “Do you want anything? Water? Something to eat?”
“No, thank you,” Rosemary smiled slightly at him waiting for a name.
“Oh,” he winced, “I’m Lucas.”
“Thank you, Lucas.”
He nodded and disappeared again leaving her alone once more. About another half hour passed before the door opened again, this time the woman her daughter had grown into walked through followed by Nathan Bridger.
“Sophie,” Rosemary breathed trying to see even a glimpse of her baby in the dark eyes staring at her.
“I go by Kate,” she stated softly not moving from her spot near the door as she wrapped her arms around herself.
“Of course,” Rosemary said quickly, “I’m sorry.”
They stood in silence for several minutes, waiting for the other to speak and finally Rosemary moved towards her daughter.
“I’m so sorry,” Rosemary cried unable to hold it in any longer, “I didn’t know. I should have, I know I should have but I didn’t. When he told me you’d been taken I was so distraught the doctor had to sedate me.” Her hand automatically went to the locket that sat at her neck, “It was weeks later I was fully lucid again and by then…”
She trailed off surprised and relieved as her daughter stepped forward gently touching her arm, “It’s okay.”
“Sophie,” Rosemary whispered moving to embrace her, “Sorry, Kate.”
“Actually, Sophie is fine.”
*********************************************
Julianne watched her youngest son as he sat staring at the news; the story of the week was being replayed for what had to be the tenth time. The fall of Lewis Kincaid was all that was being talked about along with the reappearance of his step-daughter, the young woman her son very obviously loved.
When the doorbell rang she rolled her eyes as neither her son nor her husband made a move to answer it. Leaving them sitting staring at the television Julianne headed out to the hall, when she opened the door she stared at the woman standing there.
“Kate?” she gasped in astonishment before smiling, “Or are we calling you Sophie now?”
The young woman gave a slight smile, “I still prefer Kate,”
“How are you?” Julianne asked, “How’s your mother?”
“She’s coping. A little overwhelmed by it all,” Kate replied, “And I…well I’m trying very hard not to run away,” she took a deep breath, “Nathan…Captain Bridger told me Tim was here and I was hoping to talk to him.”
Julianne nodded, “Come on in.”
She saw relief fill Kate’s eyes when she stepped back and allowed her into the house. Julianne gently touched the young woman’s arm so she held back allowing Julianne into the lounge first.
“Timothy,” she called, “You have a visitor.”
-
Tim sat staring at the TV watching Kate do something he knew terrified her wishing he could have been there to support her but Captain Bridger had been very clear he was to stay away.
“Timothy,” his mother called, “You have a visitor.”
Looking up he stared in amazement at the woman standing there looking at him hopeful and worried at the same time.
“Kate,” he breathed standing, about to hug her he stopped not sure if he should.
“We’re just going for a walk,” his mother said as she grabbed his father’s arm and rushed him out of the room leaving them alone.
Kate smiled as the door closed before looking back at Tim.
“Are you okay?” Tim asked, not sure what else to ask.
Kate smiled at him, “I am. I did the thing that terrified me most and I’m handling it as best I can.”
“I was really worried,” he told her.
She dropped her eyes, “I’m sorry but I didn’t want you involved and Nathan agreed. You would have been a target for him because of our…because we…”
He raised an eyebrow at her and Kate sighed.
“I lied.”
“Again,” Tim noted.
She frowned at him, “Yes, again.”
Tim sighed, “Are you going to tell me or am I supposed to guess.”
Kate stepped forward moving closer to him since she’d entered the room, “At Michael’s wedding I told you I only saw you as a friend, I don’t,” she licked her lips nervously as she moved closer, “I love you.”
“What?” he stared at her with wide eyes.
“I was so afraid of getting close to someone,” Kate continued, “And I’d almost got you killed already that I didn’t want to draw you in…”
Kate was cut off as Tim stepped forward and kissed her suddenly. Her arms wrapped around his neck and Tim felt her hold him as tightly as he was holding her.
When they parted Tim looked at her, “No more lies?”
Kate smiled, “You’re no fun,” she grinned before kissing him again.