And so we start again. A long first chapter I'll admit but this chpt didn't feel complete until I reached a comfortable end with it so enjoy.
This fic may contina a bit more music, hope you can all handle that? Sometimes music can just express things a little better!!
Enjoy and please R&R you know I work faster with reviews! AJ5 ;-)
Kris stepped out of the truck into the strong summer sun. Even with her sunglasses on she needed to shield her eyes. The view was spectacular, nothing but wide-open spaces and rock formations; she could easily see why Cate loved Northern Colorado so much.
'So where about's are they?' Kelly asked surveying the area as she got out of the truck standing on its trim so that she leaned across the cab roof.
'Right over there on 'Duncan's Ridge' you can just see them climbing if you look close enough.' The Angels guide and Cate's Uncle James pointed out. Kris and Kelly looked towards the rock formation.
'They're crazy.' Kris noted loudly in admiration.
'We don't have to climb to meet them do we?' Kelly asked James who chuckled as he replied.
'Not unless you really want to; but they've both been up since dawn's light. We can drive to the top, the summit, and meet them there.' James explained as he got back into the driver's seat of his truck starting the engine again.
'That's good to know.' Kris laughed nervously looking again at the rock face her friend was now climbing. 'Is Cate really ok to climb that?' Kris asked Kelly as she buckled herself into her seat.
'It's been well over six months Kris and the doctors all gave her the all clear before she left Oklahoma to come here. I think it's more about proving it to herself rather than anything else.' Kelly explained.
'Plus this is a tradition for Cate, Scotty and their friends here.' James added. 'They're always out here this time of year climbing, having fun camping out that kind of thing.' The truck fell silent of conversation as James drove Kris and Kelly up to the meeting spot at the top of the cliff. Every once in a while the Angels would coo at the sights or the sheer drops which seemed to send shivers through them both.
'You're right Kris.' Kelly began as the saw close up the height they were now at.
'What?' Kris asked forgetting what she had said earlier.
'Cate is crazy, they all are!' They all laughed as James pulled the car into a parking area laid out by the Park Rangers. The stone table summit was amazingly flat with people stood around the edges looking over slightly with ropes by them or around them, climbers. James spotted Cate and Scotty's friends just as one of them was managing to pull themselves over the edge on to the flat table of solid horizontal ground.
Cate pulled herself up onto the flat surface with the help of another young woman of about Cate's age, height and build. Looking back over she smiled down calling out as she did.
'Come on Scotty you're almost there!' Cate and her friends watched Scotty as much as they could from their positions as he navigated himself around the rock and eventually pulled himself up to join his sister and their friends.
'Yeah! Made it!' Scotty hollered as he stood on the flat surface throwing his arms in the air his hands clenched in fists, very 'Rocky –esq' then throwing his arms around his sister and friends as they hooted and hollered in celebration.
James got out of the truck followed by Kris and then Kelly who dropped her sunglasses in the cab of the truck so spent time trying to find them again as Kris and James made their way over to the noisy group of friends.
'Cate!' James shouted out for his niece. Hearing the familiar voice Cate turned in surprise to see him and who was with him. Leaving her friends and brother for a moment Cate rushed over to them, throwing her arms around Kris.
'What are you doing here?' Cate asked first as Kris pushed her away.
'Nice thanks Cate.' Kris teased brushing her hands down her sleeves where Cate had hugged her.
'Hey look it's hot and that's a big climb! I wouldn't let Scotty hug you then he's really been sweating hard.' Cate laughed back pointing to the ridge she had just climbed over with her brother. 'So what are you doing here?' Cate asked again not seeing Kelly she jumped to a terrifying conclusion. 'Where's Kelly, is everything all right is she all right?' Cate fired off questions at Kris her expression changing from excited joy to that of sheer worry.
'Calm down Kel's fine she's here.' Kris said turning around behind her not seeing Kelly there. 'Kelly?!' Kris called out; Kelly popped up from the side of the truck waving, and then ran over to join them throwing herself into Cate.
'Hey little sister how you doing?' Cate held Kelly tight for a moment before they broke away from each other.
'I'm doing great, come on I want you to meet my friends.' Cate excitedly said taking Kelly's hand and beckoning Kris to come along with them James had all ready made his way over to them all throwing his arm around Scotty's shoulder slapping his hand in a fatherly way on Scotty's chest congratulating him on his climb and laughing with the others. 'Everyone this is my big sister Kelly and close friend Kris.' Cate pointed out, both Kelly and Kris bashfully waved to everyone. 'Kris, Kelly this is Emily.' Cate introduced the brunette who matched Cate for height and build. 'Topher.' A tall ash blonde buff young man no more than twenty five, 'AJ' a shorter blonde, tanned girl of around the same age as the others, 'Richie and you know Scotty.' Cate pointed to last two members of the group, Richie who like Scotty was tall well built and blonde although Scotty's blonde hair was a little darker than Richie's.
'Nice to meet y'all.' Kris said smiling with her best down home charm accent. The group all nodded and said their pleasantries as they moved off leaving Cate alone with them. Calling back to her friends laughing and joking Cate turned to Kris and Kelly.
'All right give, what's going on, why the surprise visit?' Cate asked as a towel got thrown to her by one of her friends.
'You need to come back home to L.A. Cate, we need you.' Kelly admitted.
'That's sweet guys really, but why not just call me and ask me to come home? What's happened and where's Julie and Bos, why aren't they with you?' Cate asked so many questions in a short space of time Kelly wasn't you sure which one to answer first.
'Right now' Kris began 'Julie's in jail, that's why we're here and need you to come home with us.' Kris thought it was best just to get it all out in the open, straight to the point. Cate was stunned to silence looking to Kris and then Kelly trying to comprehend what she had just heard, trying to form words but just not being able to speak them.
'Julie's in jail, what for?' Cate finally asked.
'Murder.' Kelly quietly and flatly answered.
'Murder!' Cate yelled out shocked then realizing where they were lowered her voice again. 'What happened?' Cate asked placing her hands on her hips waiting for an explanation.
'We're not really sure.' Kelly replied.
'You're not really sure?' Cate asked back in astonishment.
'Cate, a lot of things have been going on since you left.' Kris tried to explain.
'Who has she been accused of murdering?' Cate asked still not believing she was putting the words murder and Julie in the same thought let alone sentence.
'A police detective.' Kris replied gently narrowing her eyes to the sun as Cate spun away walking a few paces away from them in disbelief.
'All right we'll head back to L.A. tomorrow, I can't just run off today plus by the time we get away from here and book flights and I pack.' Cate explained listing things off when Kelly interrupted her holding her hand out to her sister.
'We're flying back tomorrow, flights are booked.' Kelly smiled reassuringly. Cate nodded in acceptance.
'Ok, well, we were all meant to be camping out here tonight but I think I'd better head back with you two and Uncle James to the homestead.'
'Good idea.' Kelly agreed, as Cate turned to look at her little brother and their friends she smiled before shaking her head.
'Why don't you two head back to the truck, I'll catch up in a few I just need to say some goodbyes.' Cate suggested, Kelly and Kris nodded understanding and moved away to the truck and waited patiently. They watched as Cate laughed with and hugged her friends as they shared their goodbyes; James came back to the truck ahead of Cate tossing her gear into the back of the truck.
'It must be serious if you're calling her back so soon.' James remarked to the two Angels.
'It is I'm afraid.' Kelly said with a sympathetic smile, she knew how little Cate's family got to see her and how much they loved having her around especially since the most recent shooting when they all came so close to losing her. Kelly looked away to the landscape thinking back on it but was brought back quickly to the sound of raised voices.
'But why Cate, why do you have to go, why can't they just call on one of the others, Jill or Sabrina?' Scotty shouted at his sister as they both stood in the centre of their friends who had given them a very wide berth.
'Because they can't Scotty, they need me and I need to go back!' Cate shouted back.
'Then don't go, just for once say no, just for once think about us, your family!' Scotty continued to shout then spinning on his heel turned his back to his sister and took a few steps away from her. Cate watched him taking a deep breath raising one hand to her forehead and resting the other on her hip, Cate then looked up and moved towards him reaching a hand out to his back, her fingertips just grazing his shoulder. Scotty jerked his shoulder away not wanting to know.
'Scott please try to understand, Julie is a part of my family as well now, she needs me and I have to go back and help her the way she would help me and has helped me.' Cate tried to explain.
'You almost died Cate, we almost lost you, I almost lost my big sister! I've already lost an older brother to the stupid world of crime.' Scotty sounded off speaking of his older brother Bobby who was still serving his time in jail. Cate stood watching and listening to her younger brother, she didn't have an answer for him, Cate didn't know what might happen when she returned to L.A. even worse she didn't know what would happen if she didn't return.
'I have to go Scotty and I know you understand why, and I know you're scared but I'll be all right, I will, I pro…'
'No, don't do that don't promise me that, you can't.' Scotty told his sister before he stormed off passed her and away from their friends. Cate watched him leave placing her hands on her hips sighing deeply as she walked over to her uncle and the Angels.
'You all right?' James asked his niece looking at her with deepest concern.
'Let's just go home Uncle James.' Cate said giving him a weak smile as Kris and Kelly filed into the back of the truck's cab not mentioning the argument with Scotty, not right now anyway. They drove back in silence watching the scenery pass by each person lost in their own thoughts once back at the homestead everyone filed out of the truck James and Cate grabbing her gear from the back of it.
'You found her then?' A cheerful woman's voice called from behind them. Turning they all saw Cate's aunt Joan stood in the doorway of the homestead a dishcloth draped over her shoulder the apron she was wearing covered in flour.
'You been trying to bake again?' Cate quipped seeing her aunt's appearance.
'Watch yourself now or I'll force you to try it first.' Joan threatened with a sly smile. 'Is everything ok?' Joan asked seeing the look on Cate's face as she passed her aunt heading into the house followed by Kris and Kelly who smiled to Joan as they went by. Catching James' arm as he went in Joan tilted her head to him giving him the look of 'what's going on' without actually saying it. James shook his head to his wife carrying on after the Angels.
'You want something to eat?' Joan asked as she shut the front door then turning to the occupants in the home.
'I'd love something to eat, but right now I think I 'd better get a shower and freshen up some.' Cate smiled to everyone as she headed for the stairs.
'All right then, what will it be for the rest of you?' Joan asked. Kris smiled at Joan and followed her into the kitchen.
'Whatever you have I'm sure is fine with us. Right Kel?' Kris cheerily said looking over her shoulder to Kelly as she followed after them her thoughts more with her sister right now than lunch. 'Can I help with anything?' Kris asked as she stood in the centre of Joan's large kitchen.
'Well, if we do some sandwiches that should satisfy us all so if you can butter some bread for me I'll organize the fillings. Kelly you want to grab the pitcher of lemonade from the fridge?' Kelly snapped out of her thoughts at the mention of her name and did as she was asked whilst James took glasses down from a cabinet.
'Don't worry; they'll sort things out between them. Those two never stay mad at each other for long.' James said to Kelly as if he were reading her thoughts.
'I hope so.' Kelly smiled to James. With all the sandwiches made up and the drinks poured they all made their way out to the veranda at the back of the homestead where a large circular wooden table was set out with chairs to match. Just as everyone sat down Cate entered out to join them taking the vacant seat between her aunt and Kelly.
'Oh good, food, I'm starving!' Cate enthused at the sight of the sandwiches piled on the centre of the table.
'Shocking.' Kris teased from across the table.
'So, where do you two want to start?' Cate asked as she took a bite from her first sandwich. Kelly and Kris looked to one another then to Cate's aunt and uncle.
'Do you need us to leave?' Joan asked.
'No, please stay. We should explain everything and you should know about it.' Kelly explained. 'Three months ago an old friend of Julie's from her modeling days came to visit, she was new in town and was staying with Julie until she found her own place.' Kelly began to explain.
'What was her name?' Cate asked picking up her glass of lemonade, listening intently.
'Karen Chambers.' Kris answered.
'She was in L.A. to start a new modeling contract with a fashion magazine.' Kelly continued. 'Whilst she was staying with Julie she got caught up in one our smaller cases, nothing serious, but she met detective Peter Michaels through it.'
'What happened?' Cate asked. 'For Karen to meet the detective I mean.'
'A small case of mistaken identity.' Kris replied. 'Michaels mistook Karen for Julie passing information onto her, nothing serious or even dangerous but they just hit it off straight away. Julie only found out after the case was over and the Michaels left a message at the office for her asking her out to dinner.'
'So Julie not being sure what that was all about put two and two together?' Cate asked.
'Almost, she took the date and when Michaels showed up he was a little confused, then it was all figured out.' Kelly explained.
'And Michaels and Karen started dating.' Cate summarized.
'Right and the relationship moved really quickly.' Kris said before taking a bite of her sandwich.
'Next thing we all knew Karen was moving in with him and playing happy families.' Kelly continued as she twisted her glass around on the table.
'It wasn't happy then?' James asked getting sucked into the story.
'No, it wasn't. A little over three weeks ago Karen showed up on Julie's doorstep in the early hours of the morning distraught.' Kelly explained after taking a sip from her drink.
'What had happened?' Cate asked even though she had a feeling of what the answer might be.
'Karen had a split lip and bruises forming on her upper arms.' Kris answered.
'He'd beaten her.' James flatly said.
'It would have appeared so.' Kelly replied.
'You're not certain?' Cate asked surprised.
'No, we're not, not now.' Kelly said pushing her plate away from her.
'Carry on, let's not jump ahead.' Cate said sitting back rubbing her hand over her shoulder, the very one that was wounded a few months back. Seeing this Joan got up and headed into the house returning after a few moments with an ice pack which she wrapped in a soft towel and draped across her nieces shoulder, Cate looked up to her aunt smiling appreciatively. Kelly continued.
'Julie called us as soon as she could get Karen calmed down to sleep, we arrived and Julie filled us in, she was fuming mad.'
'It took us another fifteen to twenty minutes to calm her down and stop her from heading round to Michaels herself.' Kris added.
'I can imagine.' Cate said placing her hand on the ice pack adding pressure to it.
'We all stayed at Julie's that night to make sure that Michaels didn't turn up to try anything and also so that Julie didn't go off and do anything stupid.' Kelly continued. 'The following morning we all sat with Karen trying to understand what had happened, when she had first arrived at Julie's she had told Julie that Michael's had attacked her, that he was drunk and lashed out for no apparent reason. In the morning her story changed saying that they had fought, but she started it and fought him just as hard and she wasn't going to the police about it to make a report no matter what we said.'
'Then what happened?' Cate asked taking another sandwich from the large plate when her aunt offered it to her.
'A week passed and Julie hadn't heard anything from Karen other than everything was fine and back to normal.' Kris explained.
'And then what?' Cate was beginning to feel like a lawyer-asking question after question.
'Then Julie got an excited call from Karen at the office; we had her on speakerphone as Karen wanted to share her news with all of us. She was pregnant, it was early but she'd seen a doctor and it was all confirmed.'
'Why do I have a terrible feeling of dread as to where this all heading?' Joan asked rhetorically as she took her seat again after passing around more food.
'Welcome to my job.' Cate said sarcastically. 'When did Julie get the call?' Cate asked not meaning the excited call from Karen but the call they all dreaded ever receiving.
'About two days later; Karen's body was found a few miles out of town dumped on the side of a country road. She had been shot three times.' Kelly finished as audible gasps and murmurs were heard from Joan and James.
'My God.' James said as he shook his head in disbelief.
'That poor young woman.' Joan added.
'Was Michaels arrested for the murder?' Cate asked knowing that that's where the investigation would have led.
'He was taken in for questioning but they could press charges, there just wasn't enough evidence. There were no signs at his home that there had been a struggle or a gun fired. His own side arm had not been fired and the bullets didn't match those that were used to shoot Karen.' Kris explained.
'Throw away gun, just because it wasn't his issued gun didn't mean…' Cate was saying when Kelly interrupted.
'We all thought that to but every time we tried to get anywhere with it we got shut down and shut out.' Kelly said obviously annoyed by the fact.
'So is the force protecting one of it's own?' James asked.
'We really don't know.' Kris answered.
'But someone did.' Cate said getting to the point.
'We were all told to leave the case alone, just stay away, even Charlie ordered us off the case.' Kris continued.
'Which Julie hated.' Cate guessed.
'Exactly, she continued working it, without us knowing she was out at night following leads and following Michaels around. We only found out she was working the case still when Julie was attacked herself.' Kris explained remembering what had happened all too well.
'Julie was attacked!?' Cate exclaimed. 'Is she all right?'
'She's fine; it was about a week ago. She was following Michael's around when he went to the bad side of town into the seedy clubs and bars. Julie watched him from an alleyway as he went into a club someone hit from behind, she doesn't know who, why, not even a description of a voice it all happened so fast. We were called to the hospital where she was taken with a concussion and a few stitches to a cut at the top of her forehead.' Kelly explained running her index finger over her forehead showing the area Julie had received stitches.
'But it didn't end there did it?' Cate asked.
'If only it did. There was just no talking to Julie she was adamant that Michaels had killed Karen and would do anything to prove it.' Kelly said.
'Oh great.' Cate sighed heavily.
'What?' Joan asked confused.
'If Julie had sworn to do anything to get the truth from Michaels then the lawyers can use it against her, they would say they she wouldn't even stop at murder to find the truth or her own justice.' Cate explained as she stood up and walked around still with the ice pack on her shoulder.
'Exactly.' Kris agreed.
'That's what's happening isn't it?' Cate asked as she stopped and looked to Kelly and the Kris.
'It would seem so.' Kelly confirmed.
'Wait so you're saying your friend killed this detective?' Joan asked.
'We're not saying that but the police and D.A are.' Kris explained anger starting to rise in her tone.
'What happened to Michaels?' Cate asked stood still her jaw locked waiting to hear.
'It would seem that he was lured to a motel room where he was shot and killed.' Kelly explained.
'By Julie's revolver I bet.' Cate surmised.
'Yep, it all fell nicely into place for the D.A.'
'They can't be that stupid!' Cate exclaimed. 'No wait they can, what am I saying, the police must know it's a set up. Julie's attacked and no doubt her gun was taken, which she probably didn't realise until later.'
'Yeah, later being the operative word.' Kris said tilting her head to one side as she spoke looking at Cate.
'She didn't realise the gun was missing until the cops asked for it did she?' Cate asked dreading the answer she knew was coming.
'Nope.' Kris confirmed. Cate hung her head deflated. 'Michaels was killed two days after her attack.'
'What's Julie's alibi?' Cate asked taking a seat again.
'She of course says she is innocent, which she is, but has no solid alibi at least not one she is sharing with anybody.' Kelly explained watching her sister who seemed to be taking this all in quite well, she knew how close Julie and Cate had become over the last year.
'You think she's hiding something.' Cate stated rather than asked.
'We know she is but she won't tell us anything, just keeps clamming up on us.' Kelly explained.
'What can be so bad or important not to tell us that would save her own life, she's accused of killing a cop for crying out loud! What's the matter with her?' Cate shouted.
'That's why we need you to come home with us, maybe you can get it out of her and find out what really happened.' Kris said. 'They have Julie's gun which was the weapon used which was conveniently left at the scene, it has only her finger prints on it.'
'That's all they have.' Cate said flatly thinking.
'It's enough Cate.' Kelly said.
'I know it is Kel. But we know Julie's gun was stolen, who's to say whoever shot Michaels wasn't wearing gloves and has set Julie up?' Cate said frustrated.
'We know Cate, we do but without Julie's cooperation we can't get anywhere.' Kris replied just as frustrated.
'What does Charlie say?' Cate asked trying to calm down a little.
'Find the truth, he's knows what's at stake like we all do, I just don't understand why Julie is being so stubborn about helping herself.' Kelly said as she sat back in her seat crossing her arms across her chest.
'It seems to me that you can't do anything more now until you return to L.A. tomorrow so I suggest you all try and relax until then because you're all going to be in for a long ride by the sound of it.' James advised as he stood clearing the table taking plates into the house.
'Your uncle is right Cate, all of you make yourselves at home and try to relax for a little while, maybe the only chance you get for a while.' Joan agreed as she got up to help her husband. The Angels stayed seated at the table a while longer keeping cool in the shade.
'How's the shoulder?' Kris asked breaking the silence as she watched Cate shift the ice pack around on her shoulder.
'It's good a little soar right now may be but it's good.' Cate smiled as she looked to her caring friend.
'That was a pretty amazing climb you and your brother took today.' Kelly continued trying to do what Cate's aunt and uncle suggested and relax for a while, change the subject even if they were all thinking of Julie.
'Yeah, we've done it before but it has been a while. Maybe I'll get you two doing it sometime soon?' Cate suggested with a wicked grin. Both Kelly and Kris laughed slightly as they protested.
'I don't think so, I'm not quite as crazy as you are.' Kris said waving her hands in front of her.
'Well I know I'm not as crazy and I'm certainly not doing it.' Kelly laughed.
'I've taught you the basics already Kel, you just have to take the next step is all.' Cate teased.
'Yeah just watch that first step Kel.' Kris giggled. The Angels fell silent again as they watched birds fly across the land. 'It really is beautiful here Cate, your aunt and uncle are very lucky.' Kris sighed contentedly leaning her head back to catch just a few subtle rays of sun.
'That they are.' Cate smiled looking across the land. 'Say you want to see Kelly's horse, the stables are right across there.' Cate asked as she pointed across the small grass patch that lead towards large stables. Kris lifted her head looking at Cate with a broad smile, as was Kelly she hadn't seen her horse for a little over a year now, the first time they met the horse was ready to be ridden and was broken in ready for her. The Angels walked across to the stables finding the horses grazing in the paddock not too far away from the stables.
'What did you name your horse again Kel?' Kris asked having forgotten.
'Halo.' Kelly grinned as she said the horse's name.
'How very appropriate.' Kris laughing teased.
'You haven't seen her markings.' Kelly said nudging Kris slightly as they walked over to the fencing around the paddock.
The Angels spent the rest of the afternoon outside around the homestead as Cate showed them the sights. As the sun began to lower James took Kris and Kelly out on horse back to the best view on their land to watch the sunset. Cate stayed behind to pack having seen the sunset so many times before. Once her bags were packed Cate took them downstairs ready to be loaded up the following morning when they left for the airport. Cate stood in the quiet surveying each room in the open planned house, her eyes settled on the piano, Cate smiled and slowly walked over to it. Taking a seat on the piano stool she opened the lid to reveal its keys. Cate placed her hands on the keys without pressing down to make a sound, she just rested them, stretching out her fingers over the keys. Cate smiled to herself as a song popped into her head, she started playing feeling the music flow through from her heart to her hands to the keys in the piano making the sweet sound play as she began to sing.
All my bags are packed I'm ready to go
I'm standin' here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
But the dawn is breakin' it's early morn
The taxi's waitin' he's blowin' his horn
Already I'm so lonesome I could die
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go
Being lost in her music Cate didn't hear or see the others return home. Kris and Kelly took seats on the large couch in the living room listening and watching Cate as she played. As James and Joan stood in the arch way of the room, Joan stood in front of her husband who had his arms around his wife's waist holding her into him as they watched their niece play.
There's so many times I've let you down
So many times I've played around
I tell you now, they don't mean a thing
Every place I go, I'll think of you
Every song I sing, I'll sing for you
When I come back, I'll bring your wedding ring
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go…
Cate stopped singing the rest of the song, just played out the music of the song on the piano slowly coming to an end. Sighing deeply she stopped playing and again rested her hands on the piano keys.
'Now that's something we'll miss again.' Joan said smiling as she walked forward to her niece wrapping her arms around Cate's shoulders who still had her back to the room.
'We miss it constantly.' Kris spoke up from where she sat next to Kelly. 'Cate doesn't play as much back in L.A.'
'Or at all.' Kelly added giving her sister a small smile as she turned to face them.
'How long have y'all been here?' Cate asked smiling, she looked tired already Kelly noticed.
'Long enough sweetheart.' James said gently as he walked into the kitchen. 'Anyone for a drink?' He asked as he took a glass down from the cupboard for himself, everyone opted for a drink.
'So what's next on the play list?' Kris asked getting up from where she sat heading towards Cate and the piano.
'That depends.' Cate smiled.
'On what?' Kris asked sensing she may know where this was headed.
'What do you want to sing?' Cate laughed putting Kris in the spotlight.
'You're a singer as well Kris?' Joan asked excited, more people to entertain her rather than the television.
'Oh yeah, Kris has been in a musical movie.' Cate replied for her friend who had suddenly fallen quiet, a little shy.
'Really which one?' James asked as he handed out drinks.
'Sweet Misery.' Kelly answered joining them all at the piano.
'Haven't seen that one, sorry.' Joan admitted for her and James.
'That's alright, not many people did.' Kris explained. 'Musical movies aren't quite as popular as they used to be.'
'Especially when it's released the same weekend as 'Grease'.' Cate said chuckling slightly as she did to which Kris pouted shoving Cate a little so she could also sit on the piano stool.
'Now that we've seen.' Joan smiled happily remembering the night out.
'So did everyone else.' Kelly laughed joining her sister in teasing their friend. 'But in any case Kris was terrific in it.'
'So what are you going to sing for us now?' Joan asked sitting down in the large armchair a few feet away from where the piano was.
'What do you know Cate?' Kris asked.
'I know enough I think. How about a little jazz?' Cate asked as she began to play the opening to the song 'My Baby Just Cares For Me'. Kris smiled broadly her head bobbing along to the bounce of the music's beat. When Cate looked up to her nodding for her to start singing, which Kris did with pleasure,
My baby don't care for shows
My baby don't care for clothes
My baby just cares for me
My baby don't care for cars and races
My baby don't care for high toned places
Liz Taylor's not his style
And even Lana Turner's smile
Is something that he just can't see
My baby don't care who knows it
My baby just cares for me
My baby don't care for shows
My baby don't care for clothes
My baby just cares for me
My baby don't care for cars and races
My baby don't care for those high toned places…
The night continued with food and music and conversations until it was decided it was best for them all to turn in for the night.
Cate tossed and turned in her sleep nightmares invading her usually easy slumber. Images flashed through Cate's mind replaying the shipyard leading up to her being shot, everything was a muddle not playing in order of what had really happened when the gun fired in Cate's dream, Cate bolted up in her bed breathing heavily her hand going directly to where the bullet had hit her. Taking a few moments to calm her breathing and nerves Cate threw her bed covers away from swung her legs over the side of the bed and got up, grabbing her hooded jumper as she passed it. Heading down the stairs quietly as she could Cate put on the jumper just to keep off the early morning chill, it wasn't even close to dawn as Cate made her way through to the kitchen. Taking a glass from the draining board she pulled open the fridge taking out the milk. Pouring some of the white liquid into the glass Cate returned the bottle of milk closing the fridge door after her. Cate walked through the open planned house to the back patio doors, Cate needed open air space to breathe again, feel the gentle breeze of the night air. Carefully and quietly opening the door she stepped out onto the veranda taking a seat on one of the wooden chairs placing her glass of milk on the wooden table in front of her. Cate sat quietly let the world and time pass by listening to nature play it's chorus whilst the rest of the household slept.
'Bad dream?' Scotty's voice asked quietly from behind her as he stood in the doorway.
'How long have you been back?' Cate asked intentionally not answering him.
'Just got in, saw the door was open, thought I'd better check everything was ok before I headed up.' Scotty explained as he stepped out onto the veranda stood just to the side and behind Cate.
'Everything's fine Scotty, get yourself to bed I think aunt Joan has got a long list for you tomorrow.' Cate said smiling to her little brother as she craned her head back slightly to look at him. Ignoring his sister Scotty gently closed the veranda door and took the vacant seat beside Cate.
'Same dream as before?' Scotty pushed, making Cate sigh heavily as she stretched her legs out putting them onto the empty chair to the other side of her and Scotty. 'Cate.' Scotty pressed.
'It's just a dream Scotty, nothing to worry about.' Cate sighed as she spoke, she didn't want to talk about the nightmares, she just wanted to forget them.
'It kept you awake for the first two weeks you were home at mama's.' Scotty kept pressing Cate wanting her to be honest with him. Ever since their older brother went to jail and with their eldest brother Danny being married with a family Cate and Scotty had grown closer, sticking together through everything. Whilst Cate recovered from the shooting Scotty helped her with all of her physiotherapy keeping her on track and making sure she didn't over do things or push herself too hard. He also kept the peace between Cate and their mother who after getting over the shock of the shooting and how close they came to losing Cate, hit the roof ordering Cate to leave the agency and get a quieter better suited job like working at her motel full time or at the ranch with their aunt and uncle. Once Cate was able to she left for the ranch, Scotty being on summer vacation from college went with her, it had been the best summer and time he had shared with her. The pair of them hardly got to see each other as it was and Scotty grabbed with two hands the chance to spend more time with his big sister.
'Scotty please, I'm fine, just couldn't sleep that's all.' Cate said trying to brush him off.
'Who sat up with you every night you woke up from a nightmare?' Scotty asked sitting forward leaning on the table pointing his finger down on to the table as he asked. 'Who Cate?' Scotty pressed wanting her to answer. Sighing Cate dropped her legs down off the chair they were resting across turning and looking to Scotty at first with a harsh look about to rip his head off, then she saw the look in his eyes. Her sweet younger brother, fun loving, carefree younger brother, he looked so scared and so grown up all at once, when did that happen, Cate wondered.
'You did.' Cate sighed propping her feet up on the edge of his chair.
'Who stayed with you until you fell asleep again?' Scotty continued asking trying to make his point.
'You did.' Cate said smiling at him tilting her head to one side resting it on the back of her chair. 'And I could never be more thankful Scotty you know that.' Cate said calmly and quietly.
'So?' Scotty asked holding out an up turned hand waiting for an answer to his first question. Cate took a deep breath looking to her brother, was he prepared to hear it all again. Exhaling heavily Cate answered him truthfully.
'Yeah, the same dream again, it's the first time I've dreamt it in ages.' Cate admitted. Scott relaxing slightly as he heard the truth sat back in his chair grabbing his sisters feet and dragging her legs into his lap, Cate laughed slightly as he did. 'It just started and I woke up in the same place.'
'When the bullet hits you.' Scotty finished for her nodding his head knowingly. 'They can't hurt you any more Cate.' Sitting forward a little, Cate took her brothers hand.
'I know that Scotty, but thanks for saying it.' Cate smiled as she sat back again releasing his hand.
'You know it's no coincidence the dream started again now.' Scotty said heading back to the argument they had had earlier in the day.
'Scotty…' Cate began to speak.
'No Cate please let me speak.' Scotty begged Cate shrugged her shoulders allowing him to continue. 'No sooner does Kelly and Kris arrive to take you back to L.A. then the dreams start, something's trying to warn you.'
'No one's trying to warn me Scotty, I just haven't been anywhere near a case or the agency in months now, it's like going back to school. Remember the nervous feeling you used to get before you started a new term?' Cate asked looking to Scotty who nodded slightly. 'It's just a small case of nerves that's all. As soon as I'm back and working I'll be fine.' Cate smiled as she pulled her legs from his lap and stood up; taking the now empty glass from the table she turned to him and ruffled his hair. 'Stop worrying so much, that's my job.' Cate smiled reassuringly as she then kissed the top of Scotty's head, opened the door again and headed indoors, Scotty followed after her. 'It's almost dawn.' Cate said looking out the kitchen window, 'I better try and get some sleep before we head off. You'd better get yourself to bed as well, I wasn't kidding about the list aunt Joan has for you.' Cate smiled to Scotty as she put the glass into the sink. Scotty just watched his sister as she just carried on as if nothing was wrong nothing was troubling her. 'I'll see you later in the morning little brother.' Cate said as she walked passed him. Scotty returned the smile to his sister then swiftly moved after her wrapping his arms around her, one arm over her shoulders, the other around her waist so that he had her back facing him. Cate laughed in surprise to the 'in the moment' affection.
'I love you Cate.' Scotty said as he rested his head onto Cate's shoulder, smiling broadly even if Scotty couldn't see it, Cate raised her hand to meet with his head on her shoulder, patting the top of his head and then running her hand to rest on his cheek she gently tapped his cheek.
'I love you too little brother, now get to bed.' Cate ordered, Scotty released her and rushed round her to get up the stairs first. Cate watched as he swiftly went up the stairs laughing to herself and shaking her head Cate followed after him.