Disclaimer: It's not mine

Leland checked the time again. It was 3 o'clock in the morning. Karen and the boys still weren't back yet. He was really getting worried. It was 10 after 3 when she finally got home. He hugged the boys and after they went to bed he took Karen aside. He had to remind himself to stay calm because once he saw her relief gave way to anger. She could have called. He had the boys for the summer and when he had been that irresponsible he was grounded from seeing the kids for 3 weeks and was severely punished.

"Karen," he said firmly but calmly, "its 3 o'clock in the morning"

"I know that Leland," she said tears forming in her eyes. She knew… or rather she had an idea of what her fate was going to be and she knew she had it coming. He handed her a tissue.

"Wipe your eyes," he said softly.

She did as he told her to do.

"Do you remember when I came back with the kids at 2 in the morning," he asked her

"I do," she said, "I remember"

"And what happened"

Once again the tears started flowing. She was sobbing so hard she could barely breathe. Anger gave way to concern. As much as Karen irritated him, and she did sometimes he loved her more then she could even begin to imagine. Still, he couldn't give in could he? She really did something she shouldn't have done.

"Karen you don't have to get hysterical," he said, "you need to calm down"

"Leland I am sorry"

"I know you are," he said, "but you could have called"

She could help it. She started crying again. Tears were flowing so fast he was afraid she was going to pass out.

"Karen- Ka- Kar- Ka- Kar- KAREN," he said louder to get her attention.

"I'm sorry," she said, "I know I shouldn't be crying… not now anyway"

At that she started crying again. She couldn't help it-

"OKAY," he said firmly but quietly, "so you made a mistake. It happens"

"Leland you are so much stronger then me… physically and emotionally and in every other way.

He shook his head.

"No I'm not," he said, "I'm definitely not stronger then you. If I was… if I was I could ignore the fact that I still love you and that I can't stand to see you upset. If I was I could make you face the consequences of your actions like you did to me. Damn-it I love you"

"What? You still love me?"

"GOD Karen I never stopped loving you. You should be hurting like I was hurting the last time. I should have gotten mad at you. I should have stopped you from seeing them for the rest of the summer or for a time at least. I can't do it. I just can't. I love you too much. You are my heart. You are my soul. You are my world. How can I do that to my world?"

"I… I still love you too"

"Really," he asked softly

"Should we move back in together," she asked.

"Yes… and no…we can't do it the way that we've been going. It would fail if we did it like that"

"I know," she whispered, "so what do we do?"

"We get counseling," he began, "and we work things out"

"I'm willing to try if you are"

"I won't give up if you don't," Leland said using the words Karen said to him once.

"Deal"

"I guess I should get going"

"Why don't you stay?"

"What?"

"Stay… for tonight anyway"

"Okay I will.

He kissed her goodnight