Hi Everyone! This is my first attempt at T70S Fanfiction. I plan for this to be a collection of one-shots. Most of the stories will be either flash-back fics or missing scenes. Most chapter's will be centered around RK with the occasional appearance of other characters in the show. I do not own any of the characters in this story. This is just for fun!:) Hope you enjoy!

It was a late summer evening and Kitty sat nervously on the couch waiting for her husband to get home from work. She had just put the kids to bed, and tried to busy herself. She picked up a magazine that was on the coffee table and thumbed through it. He always called if he was going to be late. She had not been on the phone or left the house all afternoon so there was no way she could have missed his call. About that time she saw headlights pull into the driveway. A wave of relief washed over her. She was fighting feelings of screaming at him for worrying her and giving him a huge welcome home hug and kiss.

She heard the sliding glass door open and stood up from the couch to greet him. She barely took a step toward the kitchen before he frantically swung through the swinging door, and immediately headed for the stairs.

"Red!" she called after him, but he was already taking the stairs two at a time.

Many thoughts crossed through her mind as she followed him.

What happened? Where is he going? Why was he so late?

When she finally caught up she noticed that Laurie's bedroom door was cracked open.

She said his name again, whispering this time, "Red?"

He continued to not respond. She peeked her head into Laurie's room, and there was Red kneeled down at the side of her bed. One hand resting on her back and the other stroking her blonde curly hair. He was just staring at her, watching her sleep. She wanted to speak again, try to get him to communicate something with her. However, the moment was too sweet. She leaned against the door frame and watched him gaze at their child. She couldn't possibly feel more love for him than she did in this moment.

After a few minutes, he gave Laurie a soft kiss on the head. He then stood up and calmly walked passed her across the hall to Eric's room. Again, she leaned against the door frame watching her husband kneeling at their son's bedside. He rubbed his hand through Eric's hair. Eric stirred slightly, then he woke up.

The four year old sleepily opened his eyes. At first he was slightly startled by the sight of his Dad looking at him. He worried that he might be in trouble for something. Once he focused his eyes he noticed how relaxed his Dad's face was. It wasn't his angry look. Eric didn't know what to say at first. He settled for something obvious.

"You're home."

Red smiled at him, "I'm home."

Earlier in the evening, Laurie and Eric had been full of questions about why their father wasn't home from work. Their normal summer routine was that Dad got home from work around 5:30; they would eat dinner together, and then spend time with Red while Kitty took care of dinner clean up. This gave the kids some quality time with their Dad, and Mommy would get to have a few brief moments away from her energetic children. After cleaning up the kitchen, Kitty would always join them in the living room or outside in the backyard.

Tonight was different. Dad didn't come home from work at his normal time. Both children were curious about what delayed their father. Kitty kept a brave face, and simply stated that Daddy had to work late tonight. Even though Kitty was completely torn up with worry about her husband. Eric could sense this, but kept his mouth shut. Laurie didn't say anything and seemed to believe his mother's story so he went along with his sister and tried to pretend the evening was normal.

While staring back at his Dad, Eric began to wonder if he was in the middle of a dream. He had never before woke up in the middle of the night to the sight of his Dad. They had a good relationship and he looked up to Red, but they did not have the close relationship he and his mother shared. Kitty was more loving and understanding. Red was always telling him to be tough, and tough guys did not show their emotions. However, the way his Dad was looking at him right now he thought it might be okay this once…maybe he needed to hear it. Sleepily, he said the next words without fear.

"Missed you tonight, Dad. Love you."

Red tilted his head to the side slightly. He was struggling with expressing his feelings, but in this moment was unable to deny his son. He spoke the next words in a quiet voice.

Red continued to rub his calloused had through Eric's hair. "Love you too, son. Go back to sleep."

Eric's eyes closed again. He was out cold in a matter of seconds. He most likely wouldn't remember this in the morning, or maybe think it was a dream. Red watched his son for a moment more before standing up and walking towards Kitty.

Kitty felt like her heart could melt after what she just witnessed. Red being so gentle and sweet with their children was something she didn't see very often. It made moments like this even more special.

Kitty looked at Red with a worried expression. He made eye contact with her, then put his arm around her shoulders. They exited Eric's room together and made their way towards the stairs.

Kitty looked up at Red, "What happened today, honey? Why were you so late getting home? We missed you."

"Let's sit down first."

When they got to the bottom of the stairs, they sat on the couch together. Kitty snuggled in to him and waited for him to speak.

"There was an accident at the plant this afternoon."

Kitty's eyes widened, but she let him continue.

"I was down on the floor working today alongside one of the new hires…John."

It was difficult for Red to say his name.

" I had my back turned to the equipment for just a second and I felt something hit my back. I was knocked to the floor. "

Kitty looked up at Red, and all she could see was a blank expression on his face.

"When I stood up and turned around I noticed that piece of equipment had fallen over right where I was standing. "

Kitty interrupted, "Well thank goodness all it did was knock you down, Red. You're lucky you didn't get hurt."

"No Kitty, you don't understand. That piece of equipment…it weighs around a ton…as much as a car at least. It didn't knock me down. John did. "

Kitty still had a confused expression on her face.

"John pushed me out of the way, Kitty. That's what knocked me over. He saved my life."

Red paused for a second. Unsure of how to continue. He still had a hard time reliving what had happened, and explaining it to his wife was even more difficult.

"And in the process, he took his own. He was crushed under that equipment Kitty."

"Oh, Red…"

Kitty shuddered just thinking about it. How awful it must have been for her husband to see that. How he must be feeling right now. He started rambling.

"He was only nineteen years old. I don't know what he was thinking, maybe he saw it falling and it was just instinct to push me out of the way. "

Red sat up and leaned over slightly, his head in his hands.

"I feel so guilty right now…it should have been me."

Kitty turned him back towards her so they were facing each other. She held his face between her hands.

"Red, sweetheart, guilt is a pointless feeling right now. There was nothing you could have done differently. It was an awful accident. It's not your fault."

"I'm sorry I didn't call and that I worried you. I just haven't been able to get my head right. There was an investigation into the accident. We had to fill out reports, explain to his mother. Kitty it was so terrible…"

Kitty had tears in her eyes

"Don't worry about not calling, honey. I'm just so glad that you are home right now. It was wonderful for you to stay and help with all that. You are such an amazing man. I'm so lucky."

Her voice cracked as she put her forehead against his for a few seconds and gave him a soft kiss on the lips before he spoke again.

"On the way home all I could think about was you, Laurie, and Eric. I knew they would be asleep…" He paused for a second.

"I just needed to see my kids."

She touched his cheek with her hand and a few tears slid down her face.

"Red, I'm just so happy you're okay."

Red stared into her eyes and spoke from his heart. Something that was often difficult for him.

"I love you so much, Kitty."

"Oh, I love you too, Red."

She smiled as they snuggled in to each other's embrace once more. Both lost in their thoughts about what could have happened. So thankful for Red's safety, and the time they would get to continue spending together as a family.

The End

Hopefully this doesn't seem too OOC. I seem to be drawn to character's that have a rough exterior, but a hidden sweet side. There are so many layers to the onion that is Red Forman. Through my stories I hope to capture the softer side of Red that we didn't always get to see in the show. I hope you enjoyed this story. Please let me know what you think in a review! :)