The rain continued for two days and without a sign of Paul. Even with the pouring rain a search had begun for the missing racer. Junior Moon, Louise Nash, and River Scott had all pitched in to locate Hud along with half the town. They spent the two days searching, none of them turned up a thing. It was as if he'd disappeared into thin air. Kat seemed to shrink further into herself with every minute of her husband's absence. Smokey hadn't been able to get her to move for two days. She lay on the couch listless. He was stubborn, but Kat was just as stubborn, if not more so.

Kat never did tell him what she failed to mention the night of Paul's abandonment. She'd clammed up and not spoken since. The previously fiery redhead was shutting down, it worried Smokey to the point that he couldn't sleep. Two days without sleep, and it was wearing on his normally strong nerves. He wondered how long it would take until they heard from Hud… If they heard from him. The eerie phrase sounded louder the longer sleep eluded the haggard mechanic.

Worry gnawed at his mind as he drove through town to check in with the town locals. No one had seen or heard anything, not even the town crazy lady. It seemed that Paul Hudson was gone. Gone… That thought didn't set well with Smokey at all. It ate away at something inside of him and left him feeling none too kindly towards his best friend. Hud had left him to care for a heartbroken wife and he knew if he found the absentee racer he'd wring his foolish neck.

Biting down his frustration Smokey decided he needed something to cool down his rising temper. Absently he drove over to the Cotter Pin. His worries still bubbling under the edges of his skin he slammed the truck into park and took a deep breath. A sigh escaped his lips as he stepped into a puddle. Each step made his heart sink further towards his shoes. Hud wouldn't be back, he knew it deep down, he swallowed down the anger in his throat as he prepared to step into his current oasis. He needed time to collect his thoughts, time to calm his rising temper.

He was nearly to the door when two sharp horn blasts caused him to turn around. His eyes scanned the area and landed on a red and white 1947 Chevrolet Fleetmaster. The car pulled up quickly beside the frazzled man and stopped sending splashes of mud through the air.

"Smokey!" The smooth voice of Doc Barker called from inside the car. "Get in."

Resigning himself to never getting his drink the mechanic tugged on the passenger door with more force than necessary and slid inside. "What now?" Life couldn't possibly become more complicated. He shut the door behind him as hundreds of thoughts sped across his mind like a car across the finish line.

"How's Kat?" Doc Barker asked as he parked his car and turned to look at Smokey. The town physician was in his late fifties, with black hair greying at the temples. Kind but sharp green eyes bore into the mechanics face, unveiling any hidden doubts and worries seemingly.

"She's been crying for two days," Smokey's voice sounded worried even to his own ears. "Hasn't moved from the couch."

"That's not good. She doesn't need the stress of this situation." The doctor's voice dipped low with worry.

"What's wrong Barker?"

"She didn't tell you?" The doctor's eyes widened in surprise.

"Tell me what? What's wrong with her?" Smokey's heart picked up pace at the Doc's words.

"Wrong? Nothing, unless she doesn't take care of herself," he paused to look Smokey in the eye. "She's going to have a baby."

"A baby?" The mechanic paused and his chest constricted painfully. No wonder she'd been so upset. Red wasn't one to take anything lying down… she must have been ecstatic and anxious to tell Paul. "She didn't get to tell him." Smokey wanted to strangle Hud, the complete idiot.

"Yes. She's about three months along. She needs to be drinking water and eating plenty. I don't want her working in the garage either. Those fumes aren't good for the child."

"You tell her that?" Smokey snorted. Kat wouldn't do anything unless she wanted to, and with Hud gone…she'd be bound and determined to do everything on her own.

"Of course I did, but do you think she'll listen."

"Not unless it's a different Kat that you're talking about."

"She needs to take care of herself. If she doesn't…she could lose the baby."

"I'll keep an eye on her." Smokey didn't hesitate to offer to care for her. Apparently she needed someone to make sure that she and the baby made it.

"Good, good."

"Only thing is…I need a list of things she's allowed to do and things she isn't allowed to do. " The mechanic's jaw clenched subtly. He wasn't going to let Red down…even if Hud had. She was emotional…heartbroken. Quietly he swallowed down his worry for Red.

"I have something in my bag," The doctor reached into the back seat and grabbed his bag, hurrying he shuffled through the bag and pulled out a paper. "I jotted down a few things I was going to go over with her…She left my office the other day like her skirt was on fire, said she wanted to get home to tell Paul."

"I'll show this to her." Smokey folded the paper and stuck it into his jacket pocket. "I should get going Doc. Thanks again."

"It's no problem. Just make sure she takes it easy." The doctor's voice was full of concern, his brow wrinkled in worry as he restated the need for Kat to rest.

"Don't worry. I'll keep an eye on Red." Smokey opened the door and exited quickly. He needed to get back to Red and set her straight. A determined look settled onto his face and his stride became longer as he strode to his truck.

His heart thudded in his throat and his mind raced as he contemplated the situation he now found himself in. Abandonment, Kat must have felt that Hud had abandoned not just her…but the baby. He took a deep breath as he cranked the truck and began driving. A baby… Hud had left a wife and a child. His personal anger at being left by his best friend melted for a second. Turning sharply around a curve Smokey felt a new type of anger find its way into his chest. Anger on Kat's behalf… She was going to be a single mother and she'd have to provide for not only herself but her child.

The angry mechanic drove with purpose towards the Hudson home and he nearly sideswiped the mailbox right in front of the white picket fence. Adrenaline and worry caused his stomach to twist painfully as he parked his truck. With determined strides he passed through the gate and up the front steps.

He fumbled with the front door for a second before realizing it was still unlocked. A frown crossed his face…She'd not even got up to lock the door. Silently he slipped into the house and hurried towards the living room. His chest tightened with sympathy as he noticed Kat still lying on the couch, Hud's robe was tucked around her tightly and she lay facing the back of the couch. The feeling of misery and bereavement was tangible in the room. His frown deepened and he stepped further into the room.

"Red." Smokey's voice was gentle as he tried to get her attention.

"What…" Her voice was choked up from unshed tears. The mechanic came to sit beside her still form. Gently he nudged her till she sat up.

"I talked to Doc. He tells me you're going to have a baby." His voice was calming and he waited patiently for her to respond.

"Yeah." She sat up even further and rubbed her bleary eyes. The bedraggled woman glanced at her hands to avoid looking at Smokey.

"You didn't get the chance to tell him."

"No," a dry sob escaped her as she turned to look at her friend. He felt more anger at Hud boil deep down. Kat looked like death warmed over, her hair was tangled in places and dark circles were painted under her eyes.

"We'll find him, Red. Right now," He took her right hand. "You need to take care of yourself."

"And…and what if you don't find him," Trembling she curled in on herself. "I don't want to do this without him. I can't do it without him!"

"You'll have to, Red. But you won't be alone." He felt his heart aching painfully. "Never alone. I'll be here to help you."

"Why? Why do I have to? He left..." Her voice became listless. "I can't… I can't do it."

"You have to, because there's someone else depending on you. In a few months, we'll have a little version of Hud and you. They'll need you and rely on you."

"How am I going…Going to afford a baby on my own? I need a second job! Smokey, you'll have to give me more hours at the garage!"

"Don't worry about that Red. You'll be just fine; we're going to take care of you. You just need to relax." His voice was stern; there was no room for argument as he placed a firm hand on her shoulder.

"But I can take care of myself. I have a job." She protested.

"Your job will be waiting for you when the baby is born." He wasn't about to let her work while she was pregnant.

"I can take care of myself."

"I know you can. You don't have to though. Red you won't be working till the baby is born."

"You seem pretty sure of yourself."

"Someone has to keep an eye on you." His voice became more gruff.

"Next thing you'll be telling me that you're moving in for the next six months." Her tone was dry and worried.

"I just might, Red." Smokey warned without blinking.

"Why would you need to do that?" She shot him a challenging look.

"I won't need to. If you take care of yourself, and that means you need to rest. You need to think about the baby."

"I can't take care of it without working." Her voice trembled and tears fell slowly.

"Red," He squeezed her hand. "I'll take care of you. I'll check in every day."

"It gets… so lonely at night," The tired woman wiped at her tears. "What if… What if I want you to stay?"

"I'll stay, all you have to do is ask. Whatever you need I'll help Red." Smokey pulled her in for a hug. His heart felt as if it had been shredded as he heard Red sobbing again.

"Please stay. Don't leave me. Please don't leave!?" She clung to Smokey in desperation.

"I won't leave."

"Promise? Please promise."

"I promise Red. I promise," he rocked her gently. It wasn't natural for him to be so gentle… but Red needed it. He'd do anything for her, anything at all.

After about an hour or so Kat had calmed down, her tears had stopped but the obvious pain from her abandonment still remained. Smokey had taken control of the situation, he made Red get up and clean herself up. As she freshened up, the mechanic started lunch. He'd get some food into her, there would be no arguments.

It was silent in the Hudson kitchen, Kat ate slowly as Smokey sat across from her, he was sending her pointed looks every once in a while. He wasn't about to let her down, he was determined that she wouldn't want for anything. Without a word he washed up the dishes and ushered Kat back to the living room and flipped on the record player. He settled beside Kat and wrapped a blanket around her. As the music began to play he let his mind wander through how he was going to care for Kat.

He wanted to strangle his best friend, he wanted to save Kat from the pain of the situation…he wanted…well there were a lot of things he wanted. For now he would settle for comforting his friend Kat. He promised to not leave her. He promised and if one thing was certain in life, it was that Smokey kept his word. The mechanic glanced at the red head resting on his shoulder. He felt a small smile tugged at his lips as he heard her breaths even out in sleep. They'd get through this, together.