AN: Well, the build up is moving towards something. I promise. Adam's secret is going to stay hidden for awhile longer, but... doesn't mean that Kim doesn't have her own issues to deal with. Enjoy!


A place to stay. He did give me that. I walk into the apartment and as always I can tell when he isn't here. The place is too quiet and more than that I just don't sense him. I set my purse and the folder that I got from the real estate agent down on the island. I walk the bags of clothes that I purchased back to the spare room. The insurance company really needs to hurry up with processing things. I have savings, but getting all new stuff was getting expensive. As I come back towards the kitchen, I see that Adam has arrived home and he is staring at the folder. He is flipping through the pages till he realizes that I have arrived back in the kitchen.

"Trying to get out of here already?"

"I figured I should know what my options are going to be. I can't expect to stay here forever."

"I told you that you can stay as long as you like."

"I know. It's just information."

Adam sets the folder back on the kitchen island like it is tainted with something bad. He looks back to me as he is still fidgeting with his key ring.

"I can't stay. I need to run one more thing down. I was hoping you would be here."

"Well, I am. Don't want to keep you."

Adam shakes his head.

"You aren't keeping me. I was thinking."

"About what?"

"What if you stayed? What if you didn't look for a new place?"

I can feel myself beginning to shake my head, but Adam doesn't let me respond.

"Don't make a decision now. Just think about it."

"Adam, we have already blurred a lot of lines. I just don't know…"

"I said think about it. I'll be back later tonight. I promise. Do you want me to pick something up to eat?"

"No. I had a late lunch. I'll be okay."

Adam heads out and I'm left to figure out what to do with my evening. I find myself sitting down on the couch and turning on the TV. I can't think of anything else to do that will allow my brain to wander. I don't have the energy to do anything else with everything that is weighing on my mind. What I didn't expect was to fall asleep on the couch. Stress sure takes it out of you.


I suddenly find myself at a fork in the road. The path I am standing on is made of dirt and there is a forest of trees all around me. It creates a darkness all around and the only thing lighting my way are the stars overhead. I look down both roads and can barely make them out. The way to the left has a short grey looking stone bridge, but what lies on the other side of the bridge is completely dark. The way to my right is different. I see the same dirt path and the trees are blocking most of my view, but I can just make out what I think is a wooden roof. As I begin to really look at the two options before me, I instinctively choose to head to my right. As I make my way past the trees that were blocking my view, I feel my foot make contact with a wooden board that makes up the base of a covered wooden bridge. As I take my second step, the sides of the bridge go up in flames. It lights my way as it also seems to be telling me that it is only a temporary option. I look at the other direction and I can see the cold grey stone and concrete bridge but that path is still dark and without indication as what it leads to. I look back in the way I was headed as the wooden bridge I am on begins to shake. I can see flowers and trees and a field that is beautiful to behold on the other side, but the fire on that bridge is growing higher. Do I risk it? Then I see him. Adam is at the other end of the bridge. He's standing there with his hand stretched out in my direction. Terror goes through my heart when I realize that I might not be able to make it. The flames are hot and I can feel them heating my skin to the point of pain. Do I run for it? I begin to take a step forward when suddenly I feel like I am starting to fall through the bridge, but then I am floating upward. I want to scream, but my voice is gone. Instead of smoke, I can smell the woodsy scent of Adam's cologne in my nose and I feel the strength of his arms carrying me. My eyes finally begin to open and I realize that I am really being carried by Adam and I am no longer on that burning bridge. I'm groggy as hell and can barely keep my eyes open. Adam continues to carry me down the hall and right into his room. He sets me down on the bed and begins to pull off my shoes that I must have left on when I sat down on the couch. He's pulling the sheet up over me when he leans down to brush my hair out of my face. I can tell that he is surprised to see my eyes open. I hold his hand to my face and close my eyes.

"Don't go."

I know my words were barely even a whisper, but he must have heard them. I can hear him kicking off his shoes and then he is pulling the sheet back and getting in next to me. He pulls me into his arms and begins to rub my back. I wrap my arms around him and bury my nose into his neck. I can feel sleep pulling me back under as Adam continues to rub his hand up and down my back.