Notes: Cassie. Catching the pattern?
Disclaimer: Not ours.
She stared at him, the cup of coffee warming her hands as her mind spun wildly. She had known these feelings between them were there, but she had tried her hardest to fight them.
"That's all?"
Her eyebrow quirked up, moving to rest her hip against the counter as he shadowed her movement across from her.
"That's it," he nodded.
"So, no running. No getting scared. Not without talking to you first."
"I know how you are, Kate. I don't want to lose you because something scares you or you feel trapped. If you talk to me first, I can bring you back."
The honesty in his voice had her throat closing up, forcing her to look away and take a sip of her coffee. She was sure that this man wold be the death of her, hands down.
"Okay, I'll talk to you first."
"You will?" His eyes shot open in surprise as toast popped up, causing them both to jump. He refused to take his eyes off of her though, waiting for her to repeat what she had said.
"I will. Promise."
"Good," he grinned and turned away from her finally, going to the toaster. He pulled the toast out and put them on the plate he had retrieved earlier, buttering the bread before moving back to stand in front of Kate.
"Thanks," she said quietly as she took a piece of toast. "What are you going to do about Alexis?"
"Right. That." He sighed and rubbed his temple. "I don't know. It was as much of my fault as it was hers."
"Maybe you two should just talk and don't worry about the punishment part right now. She was upset and angry when she left last night, otherwise we both know she wouldn't have done it."
"She wouldn't have if I had just dropped it," he moved around the counter to fall onto the barstool. "I'm the reason my daughter had her first alcohol experience."
"Rick," she shook her head and followed him to sit beside him. Placing her hand on top of his, she gave it a quick squeeze. "You got in a fight. It happens. Trust me."
He did trust her, so much more than she would ever believe at the moment. Instead of telling her this, though, he nodded and looked at the kitchen sink. Silence fell between them for a while, neither bothered enough to try to fill it.
"I should go so you two can talk," Kate stood up after she finished her toast and coffee, keeping her eyes away from his.
"You sure?" His voice was far off, letting her know that he was thinking.
"Yeah, I just need to run up and tell Lex bye. I'll see you at work tomorrow?"
"Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow." He gave her a smile as she headed for the stairs.