Author's Note: This is one of my favorite chapters, I shortened it slightly and cut off the ending that I had planned, instead it will be the beginning of the next chapter. I do realize that some of the things going on in this chapter might seem uncharacteristic of Jason or Katherine, but realize that there are reason why I have them doing what they are, even if it's not obvious in this chapter. Most people do or say things they don't mean when they emotionally stressed or drunk, both of which happen in this chapter. Just keep that in mind, I'm trying to make Kat and Jason more 'human' instead of these perfect people with no problems. ANYWAY... Hope ya'll enjoy this chapter!
Shoutouts: brankel1- glad you liked Tommy and Kat's talk. My first draft had Kat talking to Tanya after she went in the house, but then I thought it would mean more coming from Tommy since she and him have a past. Hopefully I made it realistic enough. Anyway, I wanted to thank you for your awesome reviews. It's so nice to have a faithful reviewer! Thanks for sticking with me and pretty much all my stories. You rock!
KelseyMarieScott- Thank you so much for the nice comment, it made me blush and smile all at once. I hadn't forgotten about my sequel and have been working on revising it since it has been so long. I have a much better idea for that story. Thankfully working on this story has helped me get back into the swing writing Jason and Kat. Took me a long time to catch that muse. LOL Anyway, I can't promise anything soon, but know that I am working on that story and hope to have it updated and revised sometime this month.
JermeyShane- I wanted to thank you as well for being a faithful reviewer. While I don't write or update faster based on reviews, it is really nice to know that people out there like what I am writing. I always smile when I have a notice for a review in my inbox. It just brightens my day that much more! So Thank you so much! here's the next chapter. Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 8
Jason glanced over at Kat, who was fast asleep with her head resting against the window of his truck. She had fallen asleep just short of two hours into the drive. They were only about ten minutes away from LA now. He debated about waking her up now or wait until they were at the hospital.
She'll probably want to freshen up a bit before we go see Kim and Zack. He told himself. He gently reached out and shook her shoulder. "Hey Kat, you better wake up."
"Mmm, I don't wanna." She mumbled. Jason smiled and chuckled lightly. She was pretty cute when she was sleepy.
"We're almost at the hospital. You might want to wipe the sleepy out of your eyes." he laughed.
"Good dream, don't want it to end."
"Come on Kat." Jason pressed again. She sounds like Lilly when I have to get her up for school. "You have to get up."
"Fine." She sighed as she stretched her arms above her head.
"What were you dreaming about that was so good?" He teased.
"I can't say." She shook her head to try waking herself up. "I just know that it made me happy."
"You don't remember it or you won't tell me?" Jason laughed.
"More that I can't remember exactly what it was, but partially that I don't want to tell you." Kat shrugged. She flipped open the mirror on the sunvisor and checked herself over. "Ugh, I hate sleeping in cars. I look like crap."
"Well it's not a beauty contest Kat. Kim's spent all night in labor and gave birth a few hours ago, so I'm sure she's not exactly a china doll right now."
"A china doll? Is that how you describe Kim?"
"No." Jason shook his head. "But sometime when you girls have all your makeup on and your hair done up, you remind me of a china doll."
"Hmm." Kat hummed as she stared at Jason for a moment.
"Hmm what?" Jason raised an eyebrow.
"Kim might just kick your ass when she hears that you think she looks like a china doll." "You're seriously going to tell her? She won't give me a chance to explain..." Jason gasped in mock horror.
"I just might, unless you convince me not to." Kat grinned devilishly.
"What do you want?" Jason raised an eyebrow and looked at her cautiously. They seemed to have fallen back into their playful bantering and once again Jason was confused as to what Kat wanted from him.
"I'm thinking I need to relax a bit, so take me out for drinks after dinner today and I'll keep quiet."
"You do realize I meant that about all girls, non ranger girls included." Jason rolled his eyes. "I didn't specify about Kim, or you, or anyone else."
"I know, but I don't have to tell that to Kim." Kat grinned once again. "I'm holding it against you, since I'm included in that generalization. That's why I said you pay for my drinks, for my silence. More than just Kim will kick your ass for that comment."
"Good grief." Jason grumbled. "Next time I'll just say, 'Hey Kat, you look great!'. No pain, no fuss, no grudges."
"There you go, you're learning." Kat laughed.
They arrived at the hospital a short time later and rode the elevator up to the maternity ward. Jason asked for Kim's room at the nurses station and was quickly pointed down a hallway.
"Who would have thought that your ugly mug could produce such a beautiful baby." Trini's playful voice drifted out into the hallway as Jason and Kat approached the room.
"He's Momma had a lot to with that." Kimberly laughed.
"Because she's one of the prettiest Momma's in the world." Jason added as he and Kat walked in.
"Good timing Jase." Zack grinned. He stood up from his chair with a small bundle of blue in his arms. "Meet my son."
Zack carefully laid the precious bundle in Jason's arms. Jason cradled the baby close to his chest and softly cooed at the baby.
"Hey Kat! I didn't know you were coming!" Kimberly beamed.
"It was kind of last minute thing." Kat replied as she walked over and hugged her old friend. "He's gorgeous."
"Thank you." Kimberly grinned. Kat stood next to Kimberly's bed and watched Jason carefully playing with the baby's tiny hands. "He's big push over for babies."
"He's good with kids." Trini added.
"Jason is one of the few men that I hope can have tons of his own kids someday." Kat nodded. Kimberly and Trini exchanged a look as Kat continued to watch Jason.
"What about you?" Kimberly asked after a few moments. Kat blinked a few times as she stared at the petite brunette.
"What do you mean?"
"When are you going to have kids?" Kimberly raised an eyebrow.
"Kim." Trini shook her head as Kat just stared. Kimberly had always been outspoken and was known to say exactly what she was thinking.
"I'm serious Kat. You're not exactly young anymore."
"I'm thirty-two Kimberly." Kat raised an eyebrow. "There's women having kids in their forties."
"If you don't get a move on it, you're going to be one of them." Kimberly replied.
"I did not drive three hours to hear you tell me to go get knocked up." Kat rolled her eyes. "I came to congratulate you and see your son."
"Well, glad you came!" Kimberly offered Kat a huge grin. "So give me the details. What's going on with you and Jason?"
"Nothing." Kat shook her head. "We talked and decided it's best to be friends. Only friends."
"That's not any fun." Kim crossed her arms and pretended to pout.
"What's not any fun?" Zack asked.
"Kat." Kim replied.
"What did she do now?" Jason laughed as he walked over to the women, Kyle still snuggled in his arms. "Here Snowflake." He said as he laid the newborn in her arms.
"Oh, he's so precious." Kat cried as she let the baby grasp her finger. She looked up at Kimberly, her eyes glazed over with unshed tears. "He's so beautiful."
Jason watched quietly as Kat looked back down at the baby. She was smiling but he could see the sadness in her blue eyes. The way she bit her bottom lips as she gently ran a finger over the baby's face. He could tell she was just barely holding it together. She must be thinking about Charlie. He told himself.
Kat suddenly laid Kyle in Kimberly's arms. "He's gorgeous Kim." She said. "I'll be right back. It was a long drive and we didn't take any pitstops." She hastily left the room.
"Is she okay?" Trini looked up at Jason.
"I bet she's thinking about Charlie." Kimberly said as she looked at her son.
"I didn't even think about how hard it might be for her, when I asked her to come with me." Jason could have slapped himself.
"I don't think any of us did." Zack nodded.
"I'll go check on her." Jason said as he too left the room. He walked down the hall, but didn't see Kat anywhere. He passed by the nurses station again and stopped. "Excuse me, but did you see a tall blonde woman come by here?"
"The one you came in with?" The nurse smiled at him.
"Yeah, I'm not sure where she went."
"She just passed by here. I'm not sure where she went though. I'm sorry."
"That's okay. Thanks anyway." Jason replied. He started back toward Kimberly's room when he spotted her out of the corner of his eye, sitting in the waiting room. She had her legs curled against her chest and her head on her knees. He slowly approached her. "Kat?" He called softly.
"I'm fine Jason." She said quietly, but the tremor in her voice betrayed her words.
"Why do you do that?" Jason asked sharply as he sat next to her. "Why do you bury your own feelings and tell everyone you're fine?"
Kat picked up her head and looked at him. Her eyes were slightly puffy and red. She sniffed and gently rubbed her nose. "Because it shouldn't be bothering me. Charlie died ten years ago."
"Kat, even if you think it shouldn't be bothering you, it is. What's wrong?"
Kat was silent for a few moments before answering. "It's just, I never got this with Charlie. I didn't get the friends gathered in the room cooing over him. I never got to see Tommy swell up with pride like Zack is doing... I never... I never even got to hold him." Kat was openly crying now. Her body lightly shaking as she tried to keep herself from sobbing aloud.
Jason's heart broke for her. He instinctively reached out and pulled her to him. Kat stiffened for just a moment but then relaxed into his embrace. She rested her head on his shoulder and let the tears fall. Jason slowly stroked her back and rocked her from side to side. They stayed that way for a long while, until Jason realized that Katherine had drifted off to sleep. She must have exhausted herself from crying so hard. He thought. He carefully pulled out his phone and dialed Zack's number.
"Where'd you go man?" Zack asked.
"I'm down in the waiting room with Kat. She fell asleep." Jason whispered.
"She fell asleep?" Zack repeated. "Hang on, I'll be there in just a second."
Jason hung up his phone and shifted slightly, trying to ease the pain in his back. The chairs weren't all that comfortable to start with and he was in a funny position to top it off. Zack appeared in the room a moment later.
"She okay?"
"I don't think even she knew how much she would be reminded of what she missed with Charlie." Jason shook his head. "She cried for a good twenty minutes."
"Damn." Zack sighed. "I don't know what to say."
"There's not much to say." Jason shook his head as he gently swiped a strand of golden hair out of Kat's face and tucked it behind her ear.
"Can you get her down to your truck without waking her up?"
"I might be able too. She's pretty far out of it." Jason replied. "Where's Adam? I just realized I didn't see him in the room."
"He ran out to get us all some food just before you got here, you guys just missed each other. He should be back here any minute so long as he didn't get lost."
"Maybe I'll just sit here with her till he gets back. She'll need to eat and I'm sure she'll be okay now that she's cried it out."
"You sure man, I could give you the key to my place."
"No that's okay. I was going to get us a hotel room, you've only got one extra room and Adam and Trini were here first." Jason protested.
"What are you guys doing in here?" Adam called from the entryway. "Tired of the baby already Zack?"
"Shh." Zack hissed. "Kat's asleep."
"Why is she out here?" Adam replied as he walked over toward the two men. He quickly spotted Katherine curled up in Jason's arms. "Boy, she's out of it."
"She exhausted herself." Jason nodded. "She had a rough time with Kyle."
"What happened?" Adam asked.
"Charlie." Zack whispered as if he were afraid that just saying his name would wake up Kat.
"Oh." Adam said lamely.
"None of us realized how hard it would be for her to be around a baby again. She usually puts up such a strong front." Zack said.
"I know, if I hadn't followed her, I'm sure she would have come back to the room bright eyed and cheery like nothing happened." Jason sighed. "I wish she wouldn't bottle everything up like she does. It's not healthy."
"Well, she's done that since I've known her, most likely you're not going to get her to change." Adam shrugged. "You hungry, I got Chinese."
"What no Korean?" Jason laughed lightly to which Adam rolled his eyes. The rumble in his chest cause Kat to start to stir.
"What smells good?" She mumbled sleepily. Jason once again found himself thinking that she was too cute when she was waking up.
"Adam has some Chinese food for dinner, you hungry?" Jason replied.
"Mmm-Hmm." She hummed as she rubbed at her eyes, her head still resting on Jason's shoulder.
"She reminds me of Lucy." Adam chuckled quietly to Zack. Jason looked up at Adam with a smile.
"I was thinking that same thing, only Lilly." he commented.
"What about Lilly?" Kat asked as she finally picked up her head.
"Nothing." Jason grinned. Kat's hair was matted and stuck to her face and she had red marks from the seams of his jacket. At least her eyes weren't red anymore. Even though she was a mess. at that moment Jason found her to be beautiful. The moments just before she became fully awake, her eyes were so full of emotion that she usually hid behind her carefully erected mask. It was those fleeting moments Jason could see the real Katherine Hillard that she kept hidden away, the Katherine that only Tommy had been privileged to know. The one that he craved to know.
"You got some sweet and sour pork Adam?" Kat asked as she stretched her arm out in front of her.
"Uh huh. When Trini texted me and said you were here I made sure to order some for you."
"Thanks Adam, you're the best." Kat stood up and gave Adam a peck on the cheek before she disappeared, presumably to wash up a bit.
"Oh, I'm so telling Trini! Kat kissed you!" Zack teased as he got up from his chair.
"Not like she's really going to care." Adam shook his head.
"Hey Zack, where's a good place to go for some drinks?" Jason asked as the men walked down the hall toward Kimberly's room.
"Depends on what you want to drink." Zack laughed.
"Something lady friendly." Jason replied.
"Oh! You planning on taking Kat out tonight?"
"Something like that."
"In that case, Club Duo. I DJ there occasionally. Just tell the bouncer, I sent you."
"You and Trini want to come along?" Jason asked Adam.
"I'll ask Tri." Adam shrugged. "You sure Kat will want to go?"
"She more or less told me I'm taking her out tonight." Jason laughed. "It's supposed to be to buy her silence."
"Silence about what?" Zack raised an eyebrow.
"Tell you later." Jason whispered as they walked into the room.
"Food!" Kimberly cheered as she spotted the take out in Adam's hands. Trini laid Kyle down in his bassinet and helped Adam hand out the food.
Kat came back into the room bright eyed and cheery with a smile plastered to her face. While everyone wanted to ask her if she was okay, no one did. They all knew Katherine well enough to know that she would brush it off and say she was fine.
Not long after everyone was finished eating Kyle let out a wail. Zack retrieved his son and handed him to Kimberly after a few minutes. "I think someone is hungry." He laughed.
"Trini could you hand me that blanket on the chair over there?" Kimberly pointed toward a fuzzy pink blanket draped over the back of a chair.
"I think we're going to take off and let Kyle eat in peace." Jason laughed. "Besides I've still got to get us checked into a hotel."
"We should get going too." Trini nodded. "You two enjoy your son, we'll see you tomorrow."
"If you guys are sure." Kimberly shrugged.
"Later Kim." Adam gave her a hug as Kyle squirmed in her arms. Trini, Jason, and Kat all hugged her too. Kat and Trini both gave Zack a kiss on the cheek and the foursome left. They walked down the hall and got into the elevator together.
"So, you guys want to go out with us tonight?" Jason asked.
"We're going out?" Kat raised an eyebrow.
"You told me that we were." Jason raised his own eyebrow. "I thought I was supposed to buy your drinks because you need to relax."
"I didn't think you'd take me seriously." Kat chuckled.
"What? You don't want to go out now?" Jason questioned.
"Well, since you seem to have planned it all out, might as well." Kat shrugged.
"Now that Kat's in, how about you two?" Jason turned to look at Adam and Trini. They exchanged a look before Trini gave a simple shrug.
"Sure." She nodded. "I'll be the driver."
"Are you sure? I could do it." Jason protested, but Trini held up a hand.
"I'm sure. You and Kat have been working hard on your case, you both deserve some time to unwind."
"That's really sweet of you Trini." Kat smiled.
"It's not a problem." Trini replied as the elevator stopped at the first floor.
"Which hotel are you going to be staying at, we'll pick you up." Adam chimed in as they started toward the parking lot.
"I'm not sure. I was thinking about that one down the street from Kim and Zack's condo."
"Sounds good." Adam nodded.
"Of course that all depends on if there's vacancy there." Jason laughed.
"Call us and let us know." Trini nodded. "We've got the key to Zack and Kim's condo."
"Deal." Jason replied as they separated ways.
"So where are we going tonight?" Kat asked as they approached his truck.
"For me to know..." Jason grinned at her. They drove in comfortable silence to the hotel Jason had mentioned.
"Good evening. Would you like a nice room for you and the Mrs?" the receptionist, a young dark haired woman with soft brown eyes, smiled warmly as Jason and Katherine walked up to the desk.
"I'm not..."
"She's not my wife." Jason shook his head at that the same time Kat started to say the same thing.
"Oh, I beg your pardon then." She apologized. "I sometimes jump to conclusions."
"It's quite alright." Katherine nodded.
"Do you have a room available with two beds or maybe two separate rooms next to each other?" Jason asked. The woman nodded as she typed into her computer.
"I'll take my own room." Kat cut in as she reached for her wallet, only to find it was gone. She looked up at Jason as her eyes narrowed and her jaw went slack. "Did you take my wallet, again?"
"No." Jason gave her an innocent look. "I'll get the rooms."
"You planned that." Kat scowled at him.
"No, actually I didn't. You must have forgotten your wallet while you were packing." Jason shrugged.
"I can't let you pay for two rooms." Kat protested.
"Then one room, two beds." Jason nodded. "If you don't mind sharing a room with me."
"Promise not to open the bathroom door and I'll be fine with it." Kat raised an eyebrow.
"I promise." Jason laughed. "No worries Snowflake, I can be a gentleman."
"So you want one room with two beds?" The receptionist cut in.
"Please." Jason nodded.
"I have three, one with single beds and two with full sized. One of those comes with a jacuzzi tub."
"Jacuzzi tub." Jason grinned.
"Alright, I just need a credit card." Jason took out his wallet and handed her his card. She quickly checked in the duo and handed Jason back his card as well as two room keys. "Do you need a bell boy?"
"No it's just the two bags." Jason shook his head. "Thank you very much."
"You're very welcome Mr. Scott. Ma'am." the receptionist nodded before turning back to her computer.
Jason and Kat walked back out to the truck and grabbed their suitcases. Kat sat hers down next to the truck while she grabbed her toiletry bag out of the cab. Jason scooped up her suitcase when she wasn't looking.
"Jason," Kat shook her head. "I'm perfectly capable of carrying my suitcase."
"I know you can, but I got it." Jason replied as Kat reached for her bag. Jason turned away hiding her suitcase behind him. "For once Kat, let someone do something for you."
"Fine." She sighed. "Thank you." Jason grinned in his small victory. They walked back inside the hotel and took the elevator up to the fifth floor. Jason guided Kat down the hall to the room.
"Wow." Kat gasped as they walked into the room. It was tastefully decorated, lavish but not overdone. Two full sized beds were on one side of the room, an entertainment stand including a television, DVD player, and cable sat across the room. In the corner a jacuzzi tub, with a heavy cream colored curtain pulled to the side.
"Nice room." Jason added. He laid the suitcases on the floor. "I suppose you'll want to get ready. It's already after seven."
"Remember, you promised, no peeking." Kat laughed as she grabbed her suitcase and disappeared into the bathroom.
Jason chuckled to himself as he picked up his suitcase as well. He laid it out on the bed and pulled out a few clothes, trying to decide what to wear. He finally went with a pair of khaki slacks with a dark red button down shirt, to which he left the top few button undone exposing his muscular chest. He slipped on a black blazer as the finishing touch. He sat down on the edge of the bed and texted Adam as he waited for Kat.
Kat finally emerged from the bathroom. She wore a simple strapless cream colored dress paired with simple white flats. She had her hair partially pulled up with gentle waves of golden curls spilling down her shoulders and over her bare back. A simple dark pink choker around her slender neck.
"Kat you... you look amazing." Jason stammered as he stood up.
"You clean up very nicely yourself." Kat laughed as she walked toward him. She gently tugged on the collar of his blazer. "Love the jacket, it makes you look very sophisticated."
"Adam and Trini are on the way. We should meet them at the lobby." Jason offered Kat his arm, which she took with a laugh.
"You're so thoughtful." She grinned. Jason slipped the room key into his pocket. They rode the elevator down and waited in the lobby until they saw Adam and Trini pull up in their silver SUV.
After a short drive the foursome reached the club that Zack had recommended. They slipped Zack's name to the bouncer and were shown right in. They quickly found a table in a secluded corner.
"Nice place." Kat grinned.
"Kind of loud." Adam replied.
"It's a club, it's supposed to be loud." Trini rolled her eyes at her husband.
"I know that." Adam retorted. "I just wish we had found a table further away from the speakers."
"Well we could race across the club to that open table by the bar, but I doubt that we'll be able to get there before someone else." Jason laughed. "I think we're stuck here."
"I'll be fine in a little bit." Adam shrugged.
"What's everyone want to drink?" Jason asked.
"Beer for me please." Adam replied.
"Sprite." Trini nodded. Being the designated drive she wouldn't drink more than a soda, water, or coffee.
"I'll get them." Kat offered.
"I'm supposed to be taking you out." Jason laughed as he leaned forward.
"Good luck paying." Kat whispered.
"Did you... Again?" Jason groaned as he checked his pocket, confirming that indeed his wallet was gone. "I even put it in my front pocket."
"I said that it would be harder to take your wallet, but I didn't say that it was impossible." Kat finally broke down laughing.
"Where's my wallet."
"Just you never mind that." Kat shook her head. "I have mine so I will be paying for the drinks tonight. Besides you paid for the room, it's only fair I get your drinks."
"Where did you find your wallet?" Jason asked, trying to feign innocence. Adam and Trini exchanged knowing glances.
"Don't play innocent with me. It was in your luggage." Kat raised an eyebrow.
"You went through my luggage?" Jason questioned. "When?"
"While you were fussing with that hair of yours." Kat laughed as she lightly ruffled his hair. "Since when did you care so much about your hair?"
"Since we're in LA and I have to 'impress the ladies'." Jason waggled his eyebrows as Kat rolled her eyes.
"Like any lady would be interested in you." Kat stuck her tongue out at him.
"I'm hot stuff, Snowflake. Just admit that."
"What are you drinking tonight Jase?" Kat asked with a roll of her eyes.
"Water." Jason crossed his arms over his muscular chest. "I refuse to let you pay for my drinks."
"Big baby." Kat replied with yet another roll of her eyes before she disappeared.
"Would you kiss the girl already!" Trini exclaimed after Kat was out of earshot.
"I can't." Jason shook his head.
"Why not? You like her." Adam cut in.
"Kat and I decided to be friends. If she wants more she'll have to make the first move, I'm not overstepping my boundaries with her."
"You're hopeless." Trini let out an exasperated sigh, as she rolled her eyes. "Both of you."
"I agree." Adam nodded. The trio fell quiet as they waited for Kat and their drinks.
"Where is she?" Jason began scanning around the bar for the tall blonde.
"I see her." Adam pointed to the end of the bar. Kat was standing with three men chatting with a large smile on her face. Jason watched as she threw her head back in a jovial laugh.
"Who are they?" Jason seethed.
"How should we know?" Adam shook his head.
"I didn't mean... It was a rhetorical question." Jason scowled as he watched the sandy haired man lean over and whisper in Kat's ear.
"I get it Jase." Trini laughed. "You're getting some attention too."
"The brunette?" Jason asked.
"Among others." Trini nodded. Jason shifted slightly in his seat to get a better look at the brunette sitting in the booth off to his side. She was a strikingly beautiful woman. She was slender with a round, tan face; light brown hair that just brushed over her bare, sleek shoulders; soft hazel eyes; and full red pouty lips. Jason knew that she was an attractive woman, but in his mind she bore no comparison to Kat.
"Sorry I took so long." Kat said as she finally came back to the table. "I got caught at the bar."
"We saw." Jason grunted as Kat handed out the drinks. She set an odd colored drink in front of him. "What is this? I said water."
"Stop being a baby and drink it." Kat rolled her eyes as she slid into her chair.
"What is it?" Jason asked again.
"Just try it." Kat pressed. Jason took a tentative sip of the strange green drink. The fruity taste tingled in his mouth as the alcohol burned its way down his throat.
"Interesting." Jason hummed.
"Do you like it?" Kat asked with a smile.
"It's different." Jason replied.
"What is it?" Adam asked before he took a swig of his beer.
"For me to know..." Kat grinned.
"What if I'm allergic to something in it?" Jason raised an eyebrow. A look Kat was getting used to receiving from Jason.
"You're not allergic to anything in that drink. I know that for a fact." Kat replied. "You're allergic to tomatoes, strawberries, and penicillin. None of those are ingredients in that drink."
"How do you know what he's allergic to?" Trini questioned.
"Kat used to cook for us a lot in high school." Adam explained. "She had to know what each of us were allergic too so that we didn't accidentally eat anything that could kill us."
"Oh that makes sense." Trini nodded.
"What is that girls problem?" Kat said after a few minutes of silence. She turned in her seat and look directly at Jason. "She keeps staring at you."
"I know, she has been since we sat down."
"Hmm." Kat tapped a finger on her lips.
"Excuse me for interrupting, but Katherine promised me a dance." the sandy haired man from the bar said as he approached the table.
"So I did." Kat grinned. "I'll be back in a while."
"Go have fun." Trini nodded as Adam gave her a thumbs up. Jason kept his back to the man, to prevent himself from glaring at him.
"It's an open tab at the bar, just tell the bartender my name and your drinks will be charged to me." Kat said as she was led away by the man.
"Thanks Kat." Adam nodded. As they walked away Jason dared a glance at Kat and her companion.
"I don't like the guy." Jason growled.
"You're just jealous. Why don't you just ask Kat to dance after she gets back."
"I just might." Jason nodded. His attention turned once again to the lovely blonde. He watched as Kat wrapped her arms around the man's neck and he, in turn, wrapped his arms around her slim waist, pulling her against him as they swayed in time to the slow melodic tune.
Jason turned back around in his chair and slammed back the rest of his drink. He stood up from the table, mind made up, and walked over the booth were the brunette sat alone.
"Um Hi, I'm Jason." He greeted.
"Bella." She grinned at him. Her voice was light and airy, which Jason quickly found he liked.
"I was wondering if I could buy... Uh I mean... Oh crap!" Jason stammered as he remembered that Kat had taken his wallet.
"Problems?" Bella laughed.
"One of my friends stole my wallet, I was going to offer you a drink." Jason groaned.
"Well, how about a dance instead?"
"Sure, but I'll warn you now, I have two left feet."
"That's quite alright, Jason." Bella replied with a smile. She quickly took his hand and led him out to the dance floor. She wrapped her arms around his neck and moved her hips in time to the music. Jason placed his hands on her hips and tried to keep up.
"I tried to warn you." Jason laughed after he nearly tripped her.
"Yes you did, so I can't hold it against you." Bella laughed.
Jason spotted Kat dancing with a different man. She was smiling widely and enjoying herself, which only served to make his blood boil. Why can't she be having that much fun with me? "So where are you from?" Jason asked trying to make conversation and take his mind off Kat.
"Is it the obvious that I'm not from around here?" Bella laughed again.
"Uh no. I was just trying to make conversation, I'm not from LA either." Jason shook his head.
"But you are a California boy, right?"
"How can you tell?"
"I just can." Bella grinned.
"I'm from Angel Grove, about a three hour drive from here." Jason nodded. "And you?"
"I'm from Denver, Colorado." Bella replied. "I moved here last month when I was offered a job at a modeling agency."
"That's good." Jason smiled.
"It's been my dream since I was a teenager." Bella grinned. "And what do you do?"
"I'm a cop."
"Oh, so I have myself someone who could keep me safe in the big bad streets of LA." Bella laughed. Thankfully the music ended about then and Jason was able to stop attempting to dance.
"Would you like to join me at my table?" Jason asked as he watched the sandy haired man return to Kat's side and start dancing to the new song. She'll be a while.
"I'd love that." Bella nodded. Jason guided her back to the table were Trini and Adam sat chatting, their drinks empty.
"Bella, these are a couple of my friends, Trini and Adam. Guys this is Bella."
"Pleasure." Trini grinned as Adam nodded toward her.
"Likewise." Bella grinned as she sat down in the chair Jason offered to her. The four adults began idly chit chatting as they waited for the last person of their group to return.
"Oh my gosh, I am so hot right now." Kat gasped as she collapsed into her chair. Se straightened up when she noticed Bella sitting next to Jason. "Oh, Hello. I'm Katherine."
"Bella." Bella replied as she offered her hand to Kat. Kat took his and two exchanged a friendly handshake. "I saw you out there, you're a fantastic dancer."
"Thank you." Kat was taken back for a moment. "I'm a bit out of shape though."
"Kat, if you're out of shape I'd hate to see about 95% of American's in comparison to you." Jason shook his head. "You run ten miles, for fun."
"Out of shape for dancing, Jason." Kat corrected herself. "I haven't been on a dance floor in years."
"Are you going to give me back my wallet anytime soon Kat?" Jason asked. "I'd like to buy Bella a drink."
"You could just charge it to my tab." Kat shrugged. "I said I was getting the drinks tonight."
"Then it would be you buying her drink." Jason argued with a shake of his head.
"Well I'm getting another round of drinks. Adam, Trini, Same?"
"Sure." both Adam and Trini replied.
"Bella? Jason?"
"I do have my own tab..." Bella started, but was quickly cut off by Kat.
"Nonsense. I insist. What will you have?"
"A long island iced tea please." Bella smiled. "Thank you, Katherine."
"Not a problem, Bella. Jason?"
"Water."
"Spoilsport." Kat raised an eyebrow before turning away from the table toward the bar again.
"I don't want another of those girly drinks Kat!" Jason called after her.
"She's going to get you good and drunk." Adam laughed.
"That drink she got you before is almost straight alcohol with fruit flavoring." Trini added. She knew exactly what Kat had given him.
"I didn't notice." Jason rolled his eyes.
"She seems nice." Bella commented.
"Kat's one of the nicest people I know." Jason nodded. Kat returned a short time later with the drinks and then disappeared into the crowd in the club, while the other four remained at the table. Adam had refilled their drinks a couple times on Kat's tab as they chatted throughout the night. Jason even attempted to dance with Bella a couple times.
Jason spotted Kat later sitting at a table with five men and a lot of empty shot glasses spread out in front of her. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes glassy. "I think we need to get Kat out of here." He gestured toward the table.
"I would agree." Adam nodded. Trini began clearing their personal belongings as Adam went to close out Kat's tab.
"Um, here's my phone number." Bella handed Jason a piece of paper. "Maybe we can go out again sometime. I had a lot of fun."
"Uh, thanks." Jason nodded. He felt guilty taking her number, knowing that he would not call her. "I had a lot of fun too, Bella. Thank you."
"I'll see you around then." Bella grinned as she stood from the table. She placed a kiss on Jason's cheek and left. Jason ad been momentarily surprised by the sudden kiss, but quickly regained his composure and made his way toward Kat. Adam and Trini had already headed outside.
"Table's full buddy." one of the guys stood up and stepped in front of Jason.
"It's not full and Kat's with me anyway."
"I'd say she's with us now." he replied.
"Kat!" Jason called out. She didn't look up from the conversation she was in with the sandy haired man from earlier.
"She's having fun with us. I think you need to get lost." Another of the men stood up from the table.
"Katherine!" Jason shouted again. This time Kat looked up at him.
"What do you want?" She slurred as her eyes narrowed.
"It's time to go."
"Why don't you take your Bella home with you?" She retorted as she stood from the table and stumbled toward him.
"Come on Kat, let's go." Jason's voice dropped dangerously low. Kat glared at him.
"You're not my boss, Jason!" She barked. She swayed slightly and grasped on the men's biceps to keep from falling over. "Take your Bella and go!"
"Fine! You want to stay, find your own way back to the hotel." Jason snapped.
"Maybe I won't even go back!" Kat shouted as she took another step toward him. "It's not like you care anyway."
"Who said that I didn't care?" Jason crossed his arms over his chest.
"If you did, you wouldn't have spent the whole night with Bella!" Kat exclaimed.
"Kat, you were dancing with other men when we got here and then you came over here. What was I supposed to do? Go drag you back to the table to sit with me?"
"Yes!"
"Kat, you really need to figure out what you want from me." Jason pinched the bridge of his nose as he sighed. "I don't know how much of this back and forth I can take from you. I might just decide that you're too much of a headache." In his mind Jason knew what he was saying wasn't the right thing to say, but being slightly inebriated the filter between his brain and his mouth wasn't working, but it seemed Kat was having the same problem.
"If I'm too much of a headache then walk away now!" Kat's eyes lit up like fire as she shouted at him. She attempted to take another step toward him but stumbled forward. Jason caught her before she hit the ground. He stared into her blue eyes with that intense look that made her feel exposed. She could feel his breath hot on her cheek again as he lips began to tingle with the need for contact again. Then all too sudden the moment was gone and she stood upright once again, even though the room appeared to be spinning.
"Come on Kat, let's go get you some coffee." Jason said in the soft, soothing tone.
"Alright." Kat nodded softly and let herself be led away by Jason, his arm securely wrapped around her waist to ensure she made it out of the club without falling.
Jason helped Kat into Adam and Trini's vehicle and sat next to her. He quietly took her hand in his and she laid her head on his shoulder. Trini smiled as she saw them in her rearview mirror. That's more like it. She thought to herself as she drove toward their hotel.
