Rated: M for violence, mild language and content

Disclaimer: I only own Steve and Carl.

Summary: Reba finds love again with Steve Howard but is distracted by another man, Carl Robinson and everything changes. What will happen between her and Carl and will she ever get Steve back?

Author's Note: (IMPORTANT!) Bad things happen to good ppl here so here's ur warning. Plz read and review but be nice. This is my first Reba fic and I know it's a little extreme.

Chapter One: The Bar Scene

One Thursday night, at about 11:30pm, Reba sat on the couch, thinking. She couldn't bring herself to sleep, because something had been bothering her lately. But she didn't really know what it was.

After thinking for a while, she noticed that something was missing from her life. She had her Real Estate job, and she was happy with her kids. But something was still missing. She sat on the couch with the TV on, though she wasn't paying attention to what was on it. She just stared off, into nowhere trying to figure out what her life was missing.

She thought about Brock, but came to the conclusion that that wasn't it. She kept thinking for a long time before she finally thought of something. A long time ago, before her and Brock ever met, she used to go down to Joe's Bar and Grill to sing. She felt so good when she sang, because she was able to express herself through her music. It was almost like a stress reliever. She hadn't sung in a very long time, and thought that it might help her to be able to express herself like that again.

She planned on going Friday night, which was tomorrow.

Friday Night

Why did his Friday's always seemed to be ruined by something? It was either family, or his job or something going wrong in his life.

But every single Friday this past month had been messed up by something.

It was late Friday night, and his parents had been visiting and decided to stay. They had been there a week, and he was going out of his mind. He probably wouldn't have, but his step-father drove him crazy. He could never stand the thought that his mother got re-married after his dad died.

So he decided to go out to the closest bar and get some space, and think.

When he got to the bar, he sat in the back, wondering what kind of live music they would be having. Probably the same as any other night, boring and torturing. People in this town couldn't seem to carry a tune for anything. He didn't really know why he went there, knowing the music wouldn't be any good, but he did anyways. Probably because it was close.

Reba entered the door to the bar and noticed the place wasn't as busy as it used to be. To no surprise, most of the people in there were men. But they didn't seem rough. Just normal guys who had a hard day at work, or just out because they were happy it was finally Friday. One man in the back caught her eye. At first she just glanced at him, but when she looked back, she noticed how handsome he was. Dark hair, well built body, and a beautiful face. He didn't seem to notice her though.

He heard the door open, but took no effort in seeing who it was. He figured it was probably someone else having a hard day, and needing some time to think. He continued to drink his beer.

She went further into the bar, to the stage. Told the pianist the song she was going to perform, and moved upstage. Yes, she was a bit nervous. It had been quite a while since she had sung in this bar. 'You're gonna do fine, you've sung this song many times before, and this is no different.' She calmed herself, just as the song was starting.

As he heard the piano intro to the song, he thought, 'Oh great, another slow, sad song. Just what I need.' But then he heard the most beautiful thing he'd ever heard. A voice.

She can account for all of the men in her past

Where they are now, who the married

How many kids they have

She knew their backgrounds

Family and friends

A few she even talks to now and then

But there is one she can't put her finger on

There is one that never leaves her thoughts

And she thinks his name was John

He watched her as she sung. So elegant, and beautiful. He took notice of the way she moved her mouth as she sung the wonderful words of her heart wrenching song. It was different than he'd ever seen before, but he loved it still the same. Actually no, he loved it even more.

A chance meeting

A party a few years back

Broad shoulders and blue eyes

His hair was so black

He was a friend of a friend you could say

She let his smile just sweep her away

And in her heart though she knew that it was wrong

But too much wine and she left his bed at dawn

And she thinks his name was John

He was amazed by her beauty and her voice that no words could describe. He watched from his seat across the bar. But suddenly got up and moved closer to this amazing woman.

Now each day is one day

That's left in her life

She won't know love

Have a marriage or sing lullabies

She lays all alone and cries herself to sleep

'Cause she let a stranger kill her hopes and her dreams

And all her friends say what a pity what a loss

And in the end when she was barely hangin' on

All she could say is she thinks his name was John

She thinks his name was John

He sat, staring, open mouthed and wide eyed and this woman on stage. He barely noticed the beautiful piano ending of the song. She then left the stage and took a seat near him at the bar and ordered water. For a while, he just sat and stared at her. Which, luckily for him, she didn't notice. Finally, he got the courage and went to sit next to her. She looked at him, and after a few moments silence, she said, "Can I help you?" He noticed she had a one-of-a-kind Oklahoman accent, and he loved it.

"Uh…uh…I was just um, listening to you sing. And thought that you were great! Can I buy you a drink?"

She noticed that this was the man she had saw sitting in the back of the bar when she arrived. Now that she could see his eyes, she saw that they were big and brown. Beautiful. And she noticed his voice was so soft, and comforting.

She'd never been the type to turn people away, especially when they were this good looking! "Thank you, but I don't drink."

"Oh. Sorry to bother you." he said, getting the hint. He started to walk off.

Reba continued, "But I'd enjoy bein' in your company. What'd you say your name was?" He turned quickly and sat back down next to her.

"Oh, I'm sorry, it's Steve. Steve Howard. And yours?"

"Reba Hart."

They sat and talked for quite a while, and then Reba noticed how late it was getting. "Oh, I'd better get goin'. It's gettin' late and I have to get home to my kids. It was a pleasure meetin' you and talking to you though."

"Oh, you're married?" he asked, a little distraught.

"No, divorced. But I still have my two daughters, my son and my son-in-law. And my grandbaby."

"I'm sorry to hear about the divorce."

"Oh, it's alright."

"What happened? If you don't mind me asking."

"It's a very long story and I really must be gettin' home." She got up and put on her jacket.

"Oh, well, maybe another time then."

"Maybe. I'll see ya around." She started walking for the door. But he followed her and caught her before she could leave.

"I know it might be a bit soon, but I was wondering if you would go to dinner with me sometime. There's a new restaurant in town and I was hoping to try it."

"You mean that new Italian place? I haven't been there either, but I was hopin' to go there as well."

"Well, I was thinking we could have a chat over dinner there. If you want to."

"It sounds great to me. How's next Friday sound?"

"Sounds wonderful!" He was overjoyed. "When should I pick you up?"

"Around 7 sound ok?"

"Perfect. Uh, where do you live?"

"Close to here actually. If you turn right when you pull out of here, it's the second street on the right. Third house down, on the left."

"Ok. I'll see you Friday night at 7."

"Great." She gave him a quick smile and walked out the door, and headed home.