Disclaimer: The views and opinions in this story is that of the author, it does not reflect the opinions of TNT, creators, writers or anyone involved with the Hawthorne TV show.

Deceit, Regret, Confession.

**Chapter Ten **

Six weeks later

His Dirty Little Secret

All the wrong decisions

"Hey Kat you have a few minutes?" Christina asked after tapping on the door and hearing her say come in. "Yeah Christina what can I do for you?" Christina walked into the room and closed the door, she took a seat and a deep breath. Kat could tell that something was really wrong Christina just didn't seem herself. "Are you okay Christina? You're not looking so good." Christina sighed "I'm not feeling all that well, I think the endometriosis is back." She said slowly as she watched the expression on Kat's face. "What makes you think that? Are you having symptoms any lower back pain any cramping, constipation, or pain during or after intimacy?" Christina just looked at her for a second. "Not so much cramping but I'm having a little lower abdominal pain. I've been taking some ibuprofen for it I just thought I needed to see you let you know what was going on." "I see. How long have you been having the pain?" "Not that long the last few days." Kat looked at her, "So the birth control pills are no longer helping with the symptoms?" "They were helping but about six weeks back I messed up; so much was going on in my life work, the twins and dealing with some things with Tom that before I knew it I had missed taking them for over a month. When I realized it is when I started having the pain its been really stressful the last few months." "So you haven't started taking them again?" "No I wanted to talk with you first." Christina replied as she stood from her seat and walked over by the large baby photo collage that was now sitting on Kat's wall. "Have you told Tom?" Christina sighed. "Not yet I just don't want to worry him until I know for sure." Kat sighed and looked across the room at her. "Okay well first I want to run some test Christina then me, you and Tom can sit down and talk about a few options for one we can try doing a laparoscopy this time, we can try removing some of the visible growths or adhesions, you could get immediate relief from your symptoms." Christina nodded her head, "let's just do it." "Not so fast Christina I want to take some blood and run some test making sure there is nothing else going on, lets get the results back from that and then we'll decided our next move okay? Lets get you over to the lab I'll make sure they put a rush on it." Christina nodded her head again, "Okay Kat." Christina said in a weak smile as she watched Kat write out the order and hand it to her. "Okay you, go get your blood taken and we'll go from there." "Thanks Kat just page me as soon as you know something," she asked as she walked toward the door. "As soon as I know something Christina." Christina smiled again and walked out of the room.

Tom stood in his office facing the window with one hand in his pocket and the other fixed with a cell phone to his ear listening somewhat intently to yet another voice mail from her. "Damn that woman doesn't give up." He muttered out as Margo entered the room. "Did you say something Dr. Wakefield?" Margo asked as she handed him the medical file that he had asked her to locate. "No Margo and thank you." He replied as the last part of the message caught his attention. "It's imperative that we speak." It wasn't what she said it was how she said it that had him worried using the word loosely, Tom had been ignoring her messages for the last few days he wasn't sure what they needed to talk about, it had been over a month since that horrifying night he hated thinking about it, he had been avoiding her at all cost. He had become the doting husband and father he made it a point to be home at six o'clock every night and to make sure that Christina knew where he was when he wasn't. Tom stood there a little longer in a daze ignoring the sounds of his pager going off the better part of him found his curiosity rearing its ugly little head, the tone of her voice when she said it was imperative that they speak was nagging at him. "Dr. Wakefield?" Margo called out as she entered the room and finding him just standing there. "Dr. Wakefield? Their paging you." Margo said again before going over and tapping him on the shoulder. "Deep thoughts?" Margo asked. "Yeah just a bit what's wrong?" Tom replied. "There paging you." Tom nodded his head and looked down at his pager to see who it was. "Thank you Margo." he called out as he heard the door close. "Who's the patient?" Tom asked the nurse as he made his way over to where she was standing. "Dr. Cannon is on his way the patient is in room 701, I'll let you know when he gets here. "Why? Tom asked as he looked up at the nurse, she smiled at him and continued doing what she was doing. Tom stood there for a second wondering what the hell was going on why would he need to know when the other physician was arriving. "That's not necessary." He told her as he headed over to the room. Tom frowned just a bit as he entered the room; he grabbed and glanced over the chart before he sat next to the patient in the bed. He'd been called for a surgical consult, but after further examining the patient surgery was only an option, not a necessity. His forehead wrinkled in a frown, as he looked over the chart once again.

"Something you disagree with Dr. Wakefield?" The voice behind him asked as Dr. Cannon entered the room.

"Yeah, still not sure why I'm here, I have just explained to Mr. Brown here that he doesn't need surgery it's optional and not a necessity at this point."

"I know but he wanted a third opinion didn't he tell you that." Dr. Cannon asked as he smiled at the man that was now sitting up in the bed. "No he didn't." Tom replied as he looked over at the man wondering why he wanted to go under the knife if he didn't have to, Tom looked back over at Dr. Cannon with a mere suggestion a psych consult might be needed. "I'll sign off on my consult." Tom told Dr. Cannon as he made some notations in the man's chart and left the room with Dr. Cannon following right behind him. "He doesn't need surgery as of yet It's an option and only that right now." "I tried to tell him that, and thank you for coming down." Tom shock the other doctors hand and headed back down to his office to finish up some long over due paperwork.

What's done in the dark

Free but still caged

Jessica rounded the corner and spotted Tom's secretary sitting at her desk. Taking a deep breath, she tightened the grip on the report she was holding, as she started to walk over she noticed her gathering her things she decided to wait for her to leave before she approached his office and a few seconds later Margo walked off in the opposite direction that she was watching from. She stood there for another second getting her thoughts together she was tired of him ignoring her, he was going to listen to her one way or another it was time for her to put the next part of her plan into place.

Tom was sitting at his desk he had just hung up the phone when he heard the knock at the door. "Come in" he called out he knew that Margo had went to lunch, as the door opened he looked up to see the last person he had expected to see in his office, he knew by all the phone messages that she wanted to talk to him about something but he never expected her to actually come over to his side of the building. Jessica was standing there in front of him with what looked like a medical report. "What are you doing over here?" Tom asked in a tone that he didn't even like but he knew that nothing she had to say to him could be good. "I came to show you this." She told him as she slid the report across his desk." He looked up at her with a serious look, "what the hell is this?" he asked not really interested in what it was. "You need to read it," she replied as her voice got a little angry. "Just tell me what the hell it is!" Tom yelled at her, he was getting an uneasy feeling about what was in the folder; she stood there and said nothing. Tom looked down at the file he took a deep breath and opened it he read over the test results he couldn't believe what he was reading it couldn't be true. "Oh God you have got to kidding me." He told her as he stood up and walked across the room rubbing his hands over his face and head. "Are you serious? This has got to be a joke?" Tom yelled in a tone that carried through to the hall where Bobbie was now walking down headed to his office to get some information on an up coming surgery for one of his patients, she stopped at the partly open door when she heard him yelling at someone but couldn't make out who it was, but what she heard next stunned her more like shocked her. "It's not a joke Tom I'm pregnant and this baby is yours, and just to let you know I'm keeping it!" Jessica yelled back. Tom turned and shot her a look to suggest you can't be serious. "You can't do this!" Tom yelled. "WATCH ME!" he knew he was a dead man there was only so much Christina was going to put up with she had forgiven his affairs with Jessica but a child, that was going to push her over the edge. "Please please tell me it's a false positive." Jessica just stared at him when he said it was she not making herself clear. "I ran it three times its positive, so get ready to introduce your wife to her stepchild and your children to their baby brother or sister." Tom stood there not knowing what to say at this point. "What the hell do you want from me Jessica?" Tom asked wondering how in the hell he was going to tell this to Christina before someone else found out and told her. "What the hell do you think I want? It's sure as hell not money I make enough of that myself, I want you to be a father to your child." She told him as she gave him an evil smirk. "Don't worry about that I'll be there for my child, but I want you to Get out!" Jessica just stood there like she didn't hear what he said. "I said get the hell out!" He yelled at her in frustration. "You can put me out of your office but you can't put me out of your life, me or this baby. Tom your wife told me once she would make my life a living hell, well you know what, now I get to make hers one." she told him as she turned and stormed out of the room slamming the door closed behind her, she was walking so fast that she didn't see Bobbie sitting at Margo's desk, Bobbie couldn't believe her eyes she heard the name Jessica but she didn't put two and two together until she saw it was Dr. Bourjois that was passing her, and a few seconds later she heard crashing, breaking and some swearing in Tom's office, Bobbie stood up and walked back down the hall she wasn't sure what she should do, after telling Christina that Tom would never cheat on her.

He was steaming with rage and standing in the mess of his office, the mess of his life that he had just created, the words I'm pregnant kept playing in his head the only person that should have said any thing like that to him was Christina. "Damn it." How in the hell am I going to tell her that I'm having a baby with a woman I don't even know. Tom knew as soon as she found out his marriage was over, Jessica all but said that she wasn't going anywhere, she planned to make Christina's and his life hell on earth. His first thought was to go and get drunk he wanted to head to the nearest bar but that's what got him into this predicament that he just found himself in.

Christina was getting ready to call it a night when she received a text from Kat asking her and Tom to meet her at her office. Christina still didn't want to tell Tom what was going on just yet, if it was bad news she wanted to be the one to tell him. She gathered her things and headed over to Kat's office. As she reached the door she took a deep breath. "Okay Christina it's all going to be okay," she muttered just before taking another deep breath and knocking on the door. "Come in." Kat called out and Christina opened the door and took a step inside. "Where is Tom? Kat asked and the expression on her face was giving Christina an uneasy feeling at this point she was glad that she had decided against telling Tom. "He was called to a last minute surgery." Christina answered in a low tone not sure she wanted to hear what Kat had to say. "Christina please have a seat." The tone in Kats voice seared Christina just a bit she took a semi long look at her before she closed the door and walked over and took a seat in one of the chairs that was sitting in front of her desk, Christina had a strong feeling this wasn't good. "First I want to say Congratulations!" Christina sat there, she wasn't sure how to respond to what Kat just said she gave her a sideways glance trying to understand why she was congratulating her. Kat chuckled just a bit at the expression on Christina's face. "Okay Christina by the expression on your face your wondering why I said that." Christina nodded her head. "Ahh yeah! I am, your starting to freak me out." She replied with a frown. "Well I'm sorry I don't mean to scare you but on a happy note it turns out your pregnant." Kat said with a smile as she played with the pen in her hand. "Excuse me! I'm what?" Christina shock her head paused as she took a deep breath and stood up she walked around the chair she was sitting in; she placed her hands on the back of it gripping it tight as she leaned over it just a bit still shaking her head in disbelief. "Are you sure? You're positive?" She asked now feeling a little panic setting in. "Calm down Christina and yes I'm sure the lab ran the test twice, Christina we need to go over the risks again with you carrying this baby." Christina stood there, she was having trouble wrapping her head around what Kat had just told her. "Okay wait a minute hole up, your saying I'm pregnant?" "Yes Christina I am." Christina walked back around the chair and sat back down still shaking her head she couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Okay Kat I need time to process this can we talk about the risks later?" "Christina I know this is a lot to deal with and you know all the risks and what you need to do to have this baby I would like you to make an appointment for next week." "I will, I'll call your office tomorrow, I need to get going I need to pick up the twins." Christina stood for the last time and walked over toward the door. "Thanks Kat," Christina smiled and walked out.

"Hey Christina are you headed out?" Bobbie asked as she saw her heading for the lobby doors. "Yeah I am, did you need something? Or is this something that can wait until tomorrow I need to be at the daycare by five thirty." Bobbie paused wondering if she was doing the right thing she felt guilty about not believing Christina when she told her that Tom was having an affair in the first place.

"Its important can we walk and talk?" Bobbie wasn't sure how Christina was going to react to what she had to say, as they reached Christina's car Bobbie paused. "Okay Bobbie what is this about?" she asked getting an uneasy feeling. "Well first I just want to say that I'm sorry, really sorry for not believing you when you tried to tell me that you thought Tom was having an affair I wasn't being a good friend and I'm really sorry." Christina gave her a sideways glance she was wondering why after all this time she was apologizing or bringing it up again what did she know. "Bobbie what's going on? What are you trying to tell me?" Bobbie took a deep breath, "I over heard something today and I just wanted to bring it to your attention." Christina gave her a look to suggest okay well what the hell is it. "Its about Dr. Bourjois, she's pregnant and it was said that Tom's the father." Christina just stood there she was paralyzed at the thought. She wasn't sure at this moment what to say or what to think why was Bobbie telling her this. "Who and where did you hear this Bobbie?" Bobbie lowered her head then looked back up at Christina, "I'm not trying to hurt you Christina I'm not please believe that." "Just tell me what you know." Christina yelled. "I over heard her tell Tom this afternoon." Christina took a deep breath and closed her eyes trying to fight the rage, fear, disappointment and tears. "I have to go. I have to go pick up my kids." She told her as she got in her car leaving Bobbie standing there to watch as she drove away. Christina drove around to the other side of the hospital doing her best not to cry she didn't want to believe it, but she knew in the back of her mind that it was possible, she knew that when he missed the twins party that he was with her, what she didn't understand is why she hadn't left him. But she knew the answers to that question to, she still loved him and his love for her was always unconditional, he had forgiven her for her mistakes, and it's always hard to let go of your first love. Christina took another deep breath and pulled into the parking space of the daycare. She picked the twins up and strapped them into their seats. Home was the last place she wanted to be so she headed to Fun Town to let the kids play, as she sat there and watched the twins, Bobbie's words kept playing over and over in her head, along with Kats, she felt the tears in her eyes again when she got a text from Tom that read "sorry sweetheart got called into emergency surgery with Dr. Jones should be home by nine I LU." Christina just sat there looking at the last part of the text (I LU) she kept reading it over and over again she was trying not to judge him but how much pain did she have to take, how much punishment did she have to endure before what she did was truly forgiven. Christina finally made it home, she got the kids into the house and somewhat settled in. What seemed like hours, she sat in the living room after bathing and putting the twins down for the night, she felt her heart breaking and she really didn't know what she was going to do. The only light in the room that was on was the dim lamp across the room, Christina felt the tears in her eyes beginning to form she was determined not to let the walls down but her strength was weakening she could feel it, the more she sat there thinking about her situation and the fact that Tom may have gotten another woman pregnant was wearing her down, she was trying her best to hold the tears back but she slowly began to break down, the flood gates opened and the tears started to pour out uncontrollably she started to clam down just a bit as she looked over at the clock and noticed that it was almost that time, he would be home in a few minutes. When she heard the keys in the door she wiped her tears from her eyes again and sat at the edge of the chair. "Hey!" He said slowly as he walked into the dimly lit room, he could barely see her but when she didn't respond to him, he knew that she had been crying that she already knew. He took a deep breath as he held his keys in his hands he walked further into the room, he knew that asking her to talk was a bad idea, all he could do was try to apologize and keep apologizing. "Christina I love you, baby I'm sorry it was a mistake." Christina slowly stood from the chair that she was sitting in, she walked over to where he was standing, she stood there and stared into his eyes before slapping! the shit out of him the sound echoed through out the room he stumbled back catching himself from falling grabbing his face in pain he didn't know if it was because she caught him off guard or if she had more strength then he realized. "So it's true? How in the hell could you do this to me!" she screamed at him as she started to pace the floor. "Christina please let me try to explain." She halted and made eye contact with him again, he knew if looks could kill he would be dead right now. "Explain…? You want to try and explain to me how you had not one but two affairs on me, and if that wasn't bad enough you got her pregnant. Tom how?…how in the hell can you explain that? I forgave you for both, the first because of what I did and the second because God I love you, but how much do I have to take to prove to you I love you unconditionally? I'm tired Tom I can't do this anymore." she told him as she started to walk away again.

"Christina please I love you, baby I'm sorry I swear it was a mistake." Christina turned and just looked at him she chuckled. "That's funny, no it's not, its ironic because those are the same exact words I told you before you served me with divorce papers, so tell me Tom what the hell should I do to you?" She asked him as she turned back around and headed for the hallway. "Christina? Baby please tell me what you want me to do?" She turned her head and gave him a look to suggest kiss her ass, she turned completely around and walked back over to him. "You wanna know what I want you to do?" Christina asked angrily pointing her finger in his face threateningly. "I want you to go to HELL! But since I can't have that I guess a hotel will have to do, I want you to get the hell out." She yelled at him as she turned away and walked toward their bedroom.Tom headed for the hallway he just needed to try and explain what happened but he knew she was right there was no way he could, what could he possibly say to make her understand he was drunk, but he knew being drunk was no way an excuse for what he did to her or to their family. He stopped at the door, he wasn't giving up on his marriage but he knew she needed time. He walked over toward the front door he hadn't noticed it when he came in the house that his bags were packed and sitting by it he picked them up and against everything he was feeling he did what she asked. Christina sat on the edge of her bed she had been suppressing the tears, she heard the front door close and before she knew it she had began to cry out loud and hard she gasped trying to catch her breath she placed her hand over her heart which was beating so fast, so loud that she felt it was going to fall right out of her chest she realized at that moment that everything in her life in her world had just changed her universe was exploding it felt like she was being consumed by darkness she was scared and there was no light to guide her, she felt completely alone and broken not knowing how to pick up the pieces that was once her life.

Finding My Way Back

The long road home

It had been two days Margo was on vacation and he had elected not to get a temp while she was gone Margo was funny about other people touching and disorganizing her things. Tom had been sleeping in his office something that he was more then familiar with.

"Tom…Margo's not at her desk, what the bloody hell happened in here?" Steve asked as he entered Tom's office noticing the huge mess. Tom sat up pushing the covers to the side of the couch and rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. "Did you sleep here last night?" Tom looked up at him nodding his head. "Christina put me out a few nights ago." Tom lowered his head and Steve stood there with a confused look on his face. "Why? What the bloody hell did you do mate?" Tom took a deep breath and stood to his feet, and walked over and started to pick up some of the things on the floor. "I had an affair more like two with the same woman and now she's pregnant and Christina found out about it." "Bloody hell mate! What were you thinking?" Tom stood there shaking his head "I don't know I didn't plan on it, it just kind of happened I know that's not an excuse but it did and now I've lost everything. She's not going to take me back this time. All I want to do is get drunk but that's what got me into this mess." Tom shrugged as he eyed his friend wondering what he was thinking.

"So what are you going to do just give up on your marriage? You told me once that you wanted Christina to fight for you and she has now maybe its time for you to fight for her and your kids." Steve said in an undeniable voice. Tom just looked at him he knew his friend was right he had to fight he couldn't just let her go not this easy. "Your right Steve I need to do what ever it takes to get her back." he told him as his pager started to beep. "Damn what now?" Tom looked down at the annoying thing on his hip before lifting it from the clip to glance at the message. "Can we finish this later Steve that's the O.R.?" Tom asked hoping that he wouldn't mind he really needed someone to talk to he was afraid that the pressure he was feeling he would have a drink and that's not what he really wanted to do. Steve nodded his head, "I think we should, I'll come back later." Tom and Steve left the room, "hey Steve can you keep this to yourself please." Steve turned and looked at him. "Yeah mate just between me and you." he told him as he headed for the ER and Tom headed for the locker room to change into a set of scrub. Tom entered the O.R scrub room and immediately went to the sink and began washing his hands and forearms. Then walked into the O.R where the nurse helped him with his gown, cap and mask. He turned and looked at the other doctor before looking down at the patient, "what do we have?" "Hit and run twenty-seven year old male multiple broken ribs, possible internal bleeding and broken arm, Tom looked over the X-rays carefully before nodding his head. "Let's do this." Two hours later, Tom left the O.R more exhausted then ever. He headed to the cafeteria after a quick cleanup in the locker room for a cup much needed cup of coffee and Reuben, he couldn't remember the last time he had eaten something. He spotted her the moment he walked into the room, cursing under his breath he walked passed her and headed straight for the line, it seemed every time he turned around now she was some where in the vicinity, his first thought was to turn around and leave but he really needed a cup of coffee and something to eat. What did he really expect, she told him she would make their lives a living hell. He sighed, his stupidity had gotten him into this mess and now he had to live with it but that didn't make it easier to be around her. He still had questions about that night, he really wasn't sure what happened only what she told him happened, he felt like he had been used like some pawn in a game, he had tried for days after that night to remember what happened but couldn't get a clear picture of it.

"Black Dr. Wakefield?" a voice said, startling him from his thoughts.

"Excuse me?" he replied, quickly at the person who was talking to him.

"Are you okay Tom? She was asking you if you wanted your coffee black." Steve said as he walked up behind him.

"I'm fine, sorry yes black large please and a Reuben." he told her as he stood there waiting on his coffee and his sandwich.

"Hey why don't we grab a table?"

"I'm not sure being around a lot of people is a good idea for me Steve." Tom said as he glanced around the cafeteria and noticing that she was still there an angry look started to appear on Tom's face.

"You'll be fine, sitting in your office is not doing you any good either." Steve followed the direction of Tom's angry glance a few tables to the Right of them. "Is that her?" Tom turned back around and looked at him. "unfortunately yes." Tom knew that Gossip runs rampant through the halls of James River it was only a matter of time before everyone knew what was going on with him, Christina and Jessica it was something that he didn't want Christina to have to go through but there was no way he could stop it. "Dr. Wakefield your order." Tom walked back over to the counter and picked it up then going to the end of the line paying and walking over to one of the free tables that was as far away from her as possible, Steve followed taking a seat across from him. "So do you know where you're going to stay?" Steve inquired as he took a sip of his juice he was holding in his hand.

"I move back into my old condo in a few days, the sublets put in a notice last week. I prefer going home but I know that's not going to happen anytime soon, God Steve what the hell did I do? This time I'm the one who screwed up my marriage. You know she wont even talk to me, let alone look at me, I miss them, her and my kids."

"Tom its all going to work out just don't give up on her, you and Christina just need some time that's all, but its not going to be easy, you both will find your way back to each other."

"I hope your right Steve God! I hope your right."

"Hey, guys" Tom and Steve acknowledged looking up from their conversation to see Bobbie standing there. "What are you two talking about?" Steve looked over at Tom then back up at Bobbie. "Nothing just a little male bonding." Bobbie gave a faint smile as she looked over at Tom then back over at Steve. "Okay on that note I'll let you two finish." Bobbie said as she walked away.

"You know what Steve I think I'm just going to take this back to my office."

"You don't have to Tom."

"I do, I just need time to think, don't worry I won't give up, I can be pretty persistent when I need to be." Tom told him as he stood up picking up his coffee and his Reuben and headed for the hallway. "Tom?" Steve called out but he kept walking as Bobbie came back over to the table.

"Is everything okay with Tom?" Bobbie inquired as she took a seat at the table noticing the expression on Steve's face. "He's fine, he just has a lot on his mind that's all." Steve said but little did he know Bobbie was the one who told Christina all about Jessica's pregnancy.

Her Destructive Path

Wrath's run deep

Bobbie, was watching Tom and Steve's interaction in the cafeteria. Since Tom and Christina's break up they had been spending more time together. Each time she saw them or knew that they were hanging out together she felt even more guilty, knowing what she said to Christina is what caused the break up. She felt the need to tell Steve, she could fell herself drifting away from him, and she knew it was guilt she was feeling, but she also didn't want to lose Steve. One relationship broken because of this woman was enough, she didn't want to make themselves victims as well. She had decided to talk with Steve about what happened when he got home from his boy's night out with Tom. Tom and Steve had been hanging out a lot more, but Steve hadn't broken his promise to Tom, about not saying a word to anyone about Jessica's pregnancy, not even to Bobbie. Bobbie sat on the couch in their living room, with her eyes fixated on the front doors she was waiting for Steve to come home after another, boy's night out at Tom's place. She had to tell Steve tonight about what she had done, so she could finally get a good night sleep and clear her conscious. For days Steve had been asking her what was going on with her she was tossing and turning through out the night and seemed to be on edge. She had told him, it was just the stress from work. "Hey I didnt expect you to still be up." Steve said as he walked into the living room closing the door and locking it behind him. Steve looked at her with a worried but suspicious glance on his face as he moved toward the couch he found Bobbie wrapped in a blanket, with only one light on and an expression on her face that Steve could clearly see that she had been crying. "Are you okay Bobbie?" Steve asked with concern in his voice. "Steve can you please sit down, I was waiting for you," Bobbie said in barely a whisper. Steve's concern was growing deeper he wasn't sure what Bobbie was about to say but he knew that it wasn't going to be good. Steve took a seat next to her and looked at her with compassion and worry in his eyes. He put his hand on hers, "Bobbie, what's wrong love, what is it? I know something has been bothering you lately, please just tell me what's going on. I can try and help". Bobbie, looked at him and took a deep breath as she continued, to speak softly, "Steve," she paused as she looked down at the tissue in her hand, "I'm the reason that Christina, kicked Tom out of the house." She slowly lifted her head to look at him after she said it. Steve was looking at her and wondering what she meant by the statement. "Okay I don't understand, what makes you think this is your fault? You had nothing to do with this." Steve told her as he sat there rubbing her hand. "Steve it is my fault, I overheard Jessica in Tom's office telling him about the baby. I ran into Christina before she left work that day, and I wanted to make up to her for not believing when she told me she thought Tom was having an affair. So I felt as a friend I owed it to her to tell her." Steve looked at her he couldn't believe what he was hearing, he stood up from the couch and walked across the room he turned back around and went back over to the couch. "Bobbie, what the bloody hell were you thinking?" Steve yelled at her. "Do you know what you did? Did you even think how it would hurt her and cause damage to their marriage that was something that should have come from Tom not you, or was your only concern about you?" Bobbie just looked at him she didn't understand what he meant. "What? What is that supposed to mean?" she asked as she stood up. "it means you've stabbed her in the back once when she needed a friend, was this your chance to do it again but this time you didn't just stab her in the back you twisted the knife." "Steve you have to understand, I was not trying to hurt her, or them, I was trying to make up for not believing her. I felt with the rumor miles at James River it was best for her to hear it from a friend." Bobbie, said with pleading in her voice, for him to understand her point of view. "There is no excuse for what you did Bobbie, a couple's business, is their business, and Tom should have had a right to tell Christina, maybe the outcome would have been different. If Christina didn't have time to mull it over, she might have heard Tom out more," Steve said with anger in his voice that Bobbie had never heard before. Steve grabbed his jacket and keys and headed for the door. "Steve, where are you going"? Bobbie asked with fear in her voice. "I don't know, but don't wait up I just cant deal with you right now." . Oh and I want you to think about something," he told her as he looked over his shoulder at her. "What's that?" Bobbie replied. "How would you feel if the shoe was on the other foot, if this was your life someone was playing with?" with that he walked out the door, leaving Bobbie on the couch in tears. "Damn it! What did you do? He's right I should have just minded my own business, I wish I would have just left things alone." Bobbie whispered to herself as she continued to cry. Tom was just turning out the lights and heading to the back when he heard the doorbell ring. His first thought was that something happened to Christina and the kids. He turned around and headed for the door. When he opened it he was surprised to see Steve standing there, "Hey! You okay, you keep this up and Bobbie's going to think you like spending more time with me then her", Tom said with a smile. "You wish mate, no Bobbie and I got into a row… I mean a fight and I just couldn't stay at the house. Could I bunk here for the night". Steve said with agitation still in his voice. "Of course you can, the couch is all yours." Tom said with concern in his voice for his friend and moving out of the way for him to come in. As they both took a set on the couch, Tom looked at Steve as he grabbed the remote off the coffee table, "Do you want to talk about it. I can be a good listener, some times." Not knowing exactly how to tell Tom what Bobbie had done, he decided the best thing to do was just jump in. Steve took a deep breath then exhaled slowly he stood up and ran his hands over his face then through his hair. "Mate I'm not really sure how to say this, unfortunately Bobbie told Christina about Jessica. She wasn't trying to hurt you or Christina she was just…she thought she was being a good friend." He could see the rage on Tom's face. Tom said nothing to Steve, he stood up and headed to the kitchen, as Steve's words finally seemed to hit him, he turned around and with fury in his voice, said "she did what? What the hell was she thinking?" Tom yelled in anger as he slammed his fist on the counter "I don't freaking believe this." Steve looked back at him trying to find a way to make it right, but no words would come to him. Tom disappeared into the kitchen and moments later he returned with two beers. "Lets see if there is a hockey game mate". Tom said with no affliction in his voice. They both sat their in silence, enjoying their beers and watching a game on Sports Center.

The next morning Tom woke up and got ready for work. Steve was already in the kitchen fixing them some breakfast. "Good Morning sleepy head" Steve said and paused when he noticed the frown on Tom's face. "What did I say", Steve, feeling a little puzzled at the way Tom was looking at him. "Please don't call me that Steve, that's what Jessica called me, the morning I woke up at her house". Tom said with repugnance on his face, as he served himself some coffee and sat down to eat . As Tom put the first bit of food in his mouth, he thanked Steve for making breakfast. "it's the least I could do, Mate, after everything Bobbie put you and Christina through and letting me stay the night", Steve said as he turned the stove off and walked around, taking a seat at the table across from Tom.

Tom sat there drinking his coffee he felt totally and completely helpless in this situation he wished that Bobbie hadn't told Christina but the damage had already been done there was no use in crying over spilled milk now. "Steve, tell Bobbie it's okay I would have rather her kept it to herself but I understand, she was just trying to be a friend, don't be to hard on her. The only one that made the mistake was me, by getting involved with Jessica and ruining my life and my marriage. I want you to go back to Bobbie, and forgive her. She really didn't have to say anything to you, her conscious got the better of her and she felt she could be honest with you, support her, for having a conscious. I have already let Jessica ruin my marriage; please don't let her ruin another relationship. We can't let her get away with causing more destruction," Tom said with a little malice in his voice. Steve just stared at him for a second twisting his cup in his hands before he responded. "Tom, don't take this the wrong way but take your own advice and don't let her ruin your marriage either Christina loves you and you love her you just need to fight a little harder, find a way to force her to talk to you," Steve said as he took a sip of his coffee. Tom nodded his head in agreement as the two men sat their and finished their breakfast together before heading out to work.

To Be Continued...