(Thank you to antihero32 & loseyourself99 for your reviews of Nature or Nurture hope you enjoy this sequel. Normal disclaimer I only own the OC of the story & no one else. Please enjoy & review)

Burned- Sequel to Nature or Nurture

"Come on Kat…one more." Coached Sara
"I…can't" Katherine tried not to whine.
"Yes you can…you said that word wouldn't be in your vocabulary. One more lift then you can take a break."
Sara was urging Katherine through her therapy. It had been 6 months since she got home after her fall. A weakness in her legs still had her confined to a wheelchair despite them working on her legs. The doctors still had doubt if she would ever ride her bike again even though Mark, Sara & Adam tried to keep her spirits up. Closing her eyes & a gritting of her teeth Katharine did one last lift of her left leg.
"Very good Kat, I know it is hard now, but you keep it up & you will only improve."
"Yea…whatever."
They then began on working her left arm that was also weakened by the accident when Sara began to smell something.
"What is that?"
"What?"
"Not sure…wait here a second hun." Sara turned heading out of the room to check around. About that time Kat began to smell it as well the hint of smoke. Clicking on the chair she began to roll for the door. Just as she was getting there Sara came back in a little winded.

"Everything ok Sara?"
"Yea…It was just the trash barrel…Odd though no one was around it. Normally a hand is watching it cause of the breeze that & it normally isn't burned this early in the day."
"I'm sure it is nothing, that or is was low enough to not be a threat."
"Yea I guess….ok so where were we? Oh yea your arm exercises."
"Damn was hoping you would forget."
"Not a chance…back over you go."
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2 months later

Kat was in her room getting dressed she couldn't believe she was actually going out. She was at the point where she could stand & take a few steps with a cane but even that was very painful. She knew she was still going to need to use the chair going out. Embarrassment was an understatement.

"Hun you ready yet?" Came Adam's voice from the other room.
"I need a few more minutes…I'm not exactly speedy at the moment."
"I could always come in & give you a hand."
"NO!"
"Sheesh just trying to help."
"I'm on my way."

Buttoning her blouse she maneuvers herself back into the chair. Cringing a good size yelp passes her lips her right hand punching down on the arm of the chair.
"KAT?"
"I…I'm Fi…fine…" Clicking on the chair she begins to head for the main room. Adam was standing there worried. His face softened once he saw her. She was in loose black pants even with them the faint outline of the brace on her left leg could be seen, he paid it no mind. Her red hair swept up in a hair mane comb. Her blouse a rich burgundy in silk. "Is this ok?"
"Yea fine…just stunning." He walked over placing a soft kiss on her lips. She looked at him in a dress shirt & jeans.
"Am I over dressed?"
"No not at all."
"cool…" They began heading for the door. "Where we going & how we getting there?"
"It's a secret & Sara gave me the van keys before she headed out."
"Good." Getting to the van Adam opened the side door lowering the ramp that was built into it. The one bench was removed to make room for the chair.

They had a nice dinner except for a few stares Katherine felt she was getting despite how much Adam tried to assure her otherwise. After that the next stop surprised her. It was a hotel.
"What are we doing here?"
"Just some quite time…Without Sara…Without the other help…just us."
"Oh, ok." Getting out of the van they both headed inside. Heading right past the lobby & down the main hall. It felt weird it had been quite a while since she had been in a hotel & one of such a low floor. She still felt like people staring. She ignored it though as she reached the room where Adam swiped his key opening the door for her. Rolling inside the room was well laid out for the bulk of the chair.

"Adam…It's lovely."
"Glad you like it. I just wanted to spend some time before I had to take you back. So how well can you move out of that thing?"
Katherine sighed "Not well…just a few steps."
"Well I can deal with that." He walked over to her leaning he placed a kiss on her cheek before placing her right arm over his shoulders.
"Wh..what you doin?"
"Hold on."
"What?" She quickly grabbed as Adam lifted her up. She tried not to scream from fear & maybe a little pain. "I'm gonna kill you." He carried her to the bed sitting her on the edge.
"Sorry just thought it was easier that way. I didn't hurt you did I?"
"Ma…maybe a little. Can I have my purse & a little water?"
"Sorry…& sure." He walked away from her & came back with both a minute later. He sat down next to her sadly watching as she took a few pills. He hated seeing her in pain. "I guess a drink is out of the question."
"I really shouldn't."
"No problem…" Adam moved closer to her. An arm gently moved around her coaxing her to lean against him.

They just spent the next hour or two relaxing & talking. At one point they were even laying on the bed together. Aside from a few kisses they just talked till it was time to head back to Mark's ranch. It was only after he was dropping her off that Adam sadly informed her he didn't know when he would be back. He told her he was getting wrapped into a storyline that may keep him busy for quite a few months, but that he would try when he could to at least talk to her on the phone. Even though not happy with it she said she would deal & might even shock him next time he saw her. One last kiss & he was gone.

It was only the next morning that she was informed about the small fire that started right outside her bedroom on one of the trees, it was singed but didn't fully burn luckily or it may of caught the house. It was already out by the time the ranch hand found it.