Hello again! Thanks for all your reviews on the previous chapter, much appreciated as always. Hope this chapter goes down well.

Chapter 10

August

Aaron and Jackson were worried. Very worried. It had now been a full two weeks since their lad had unexpectedly come home from Rosaleigh's with his eyes red-rimmed and looking full of devastation, anger and despair. Before they could even question what was wrong or why he hadn't called them for a lift he'd stormed to his room, slamming the door behind him.

And this was where he remained for the most part of this past fortnight, eating little and sleeping even less. Washing and dressing himself took a huge effort and was done rather sparingly; to put it mildly he had smelt fresher. Shaving had completely gone to pot so his lower face now sported a thick layer of bumfluff and the brown eyes although now dried up from tears were completely bloodshot and dark circled from the lack of rest.

Aaron and Jackson were getting desperate now. It didn't take a genius to guess that the cause of his upset had something to do with Rosaleigh but that was the extent of their knowledge, not that they hadn't tried countless times with each passing day to find out the exact details from Kay himself.

But Kalum wasn't in the form for elaborations. Whenever one of his dads tried to chat to him in a bid to gently coax the truth out of him he responded solely in grunts or snaps to tell them to leave him in peace. And while Kalum was exhausted, angry and depressed he wasn't oblivious to the pain and frustration he was causing his parents, and somewhere in the midst of his storm of emotions he felt guilty for putting them through it but he couldn't help it. His row with Rosaleigh had caused him so much grief that he couldn't bring himself to reach out to anyone and it was slowly tearing both him and his parents apart.

The worst had been on one occasion when Aaron had sat with him and tried to get a word out of him to no avail, and as each second ticked by the annoyance and upset sentiment in Aaron's voice increased to the point of anger and he had to get up and leave lest he said something he'd regret, though Kalum remorsefully could hear the muffled noises as his dad screamed into a cushion in the room opposite.

He let out a sigh as a mournful looking Koda leapt onto the bed and rested his shaggy head on his stomach, incapable of understanding why his young master was feeling or acting the way he was. Kay was grateful for his company as he was the only one in the house who didn't have the ability to push him for answers or judge him. He half-heartedly began to fondle his dog's ears as faces and painful memories swam through his mind; Rosaleigh being one face, Barry Albeck the other.

Koda affectionately licked the inside of his wrist. Kay paused at the action before slowly turning the wrist over and gazing at the couple of thin, raised white lines running over the part where his arm joined his hand, inflicted by tight, cutting ropes that had once bound them so many years ago.

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Jackson wasn't surprised to come home to find Aaron slumped on the sofa with his head buried in his hands, brow furrowed and shoulders rising and falling heavily. With a sigh he sat down beside him and put a comforting arm around his shoulders "Still not talking?"

Aaron shook his head dolefully "I really don't know what to do anymore, Jay. If we even knew what the problem was we could at least try to solve it but it's like talking to a brick wall!"

Jackson nodded slowly as Aaron continued "I mean we've raised him better than this, haven't we? We've always made sure he knew that he could talk to us about anything."

"He's a teenage lad, babe; he probably thinks talking about his problems is a sign of weakness. Especially if there's a girl involved."

"But he talked to you the last time he had a problem with Rosaleigh!" Aaron referred to the time when Kay had first received her phone number.

"I know, I thought mentioning that might coax him into opening up but no such luck." Jackson grunted. "Do you want me to try again?"

"No point, is there?" Aaron mumbled "He's definitely not going to open up anytime tonight, if ever. Just throw his dinner in on a tray."

"Is he eating yet?"

"No, but I live in hope." Aaron sighed.

Jackson softly rapped his knuckles on the door before entering. As expected he found Kalum lying back with arms crossed over his chest, eyes shut but Jay knew he wasn't asleep. Setting the tray down gently on the locker Jackson gazed sadly at his unusually downtrodden son, wishing he could see just what was going on inside his young mind and make everything okay.

"There's bangers and mash if you want it. If you fancy it later just call and I'll heat it up ok?"

Kalum simply nodded in acknowledgment. Unable to help himself Jackson's hand instinctively reached out and gently ruffled Kay's messy crop of mousy hair. Seventeen or not, he was still Jackson's little boy and he hated seeing him like this.

"I'm not going to push you anymore, but just remember that when you want to talk me and dad are here." He said softly. Getting no response he turned and left the room with a soft thump of the door.

Under his closed lids, tears escaped Kay's eyes.

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Kalum unexpectedly managed to drift off into a dreamless sleep for a good few hours that night. It provided him with some temporary escape and relief, broken all too soon by the sound of a chair scraping across his floor. Eyes flickering open he found himself looking at Ryan Caulfield, who was seated across from him. "Don't mind me. By the looks of it you could do with a good kip."

Kay raised his head wearily; he definitely wasn't in the mood for another attempt at counselling. "What are you here for, Caulfield?"

"Good to see you too!" Ryan scoffed before turning serious "I'm here to find out what's up with you. Haven't seen or heard from you in days."

"Nothing's wrong." Kay lied.

"Don't treat me like I'm stupid, Kay. You haven't said a word to me this past fortnight, your dad looked fit to tear his hair out when he answered the door, and now I've come in to find you in this state. No harm but you look like shit, mate."

"What's it to you what I look like? What's it to you or anyone else what I do?" Kalum snapped.

"Because believe it or not Kay, I'm your friend and I don't like seeing you like this! Whatever your problem is, it's hurting a hell of a lot more people than you realise; me, Joe, Thomas, your parents and I'm sure there's loads more. I don't even want to imagine what Rosaleigh's feeling!"

At the sound of her name Kay's defensive walls grew higher and his insides clenched "Oh don't you worry she's probably laughing at me! Imagine me, a bloke, hurting! That's pathetic!"

His bitter, sarcastic tone made Ryan frown in confusion "What are you on about?"

"I'll tell you what I'm on about; my girlfriend thinks I'm a joke and to top it off my friends' are abandoning me!" Kay growled, glaring as Ryan stared back in astonishment "Yes, I know Ryan! Thomas was here yesterday, trying to do the same thing you are. Mentioned in small talk that he got his uni place in Birmingham! I'll give you a better one; Joe got the forensics course at Queen's – in fucking Belfast! And as for you, come next month you're going to be prancing around stages in London! So yeah, I think I have a bloody excuse to be a bit down!"

Ryan was losing his patience "You're not a prat Kalum so don't act like one! You knew ages ago that this was on the cards! Thomas will still be around at the weekends and as for Joe, I know it's not like he's gonna be able to pop over from Ireland any time he likes but he'll be back for Christmas and summer which was more than what we saw of him when he moved to Spain! Are you really going to begrudge them for trying to make futures?"

Kalum was silent as he let Ryan's words sink in. It struck him that he did indeed sound selfish and petulant, after all it wasn't like Thomas or Joe were happy about leaving their family and friends behind. Thomas being an only child and Joe being the baby of his family would also mean that their parents would take their departures particularly hard, so Kay had no right to complain that he felt abandoned. His own university offer had still yet to come but that had been the least of his worries. He hadn't even opened the envelope containing his exam results yet, much to his parent's dismay. That lay forgotten in a drawer this past couple of days.

"And you…?" He felt alarmed as he saw Ryan drop his gaze almost shame-facedly. His attitude softened "Aw mate, I'm so sorry…"

Ryan shook his head "Don't be. I got in."

Kalum's mouth nearly dropped to the floor as he momentarily forgot his troubles "WHAT? You got the scholarship?"

"No need to sound so shocked." Ryan chuckled drily though something was off about his tone. Kay gently remarked "You don't really sound too enthusiastic if I'm honest."

"No mate, I am! It's a dream come true for me, it really is! It's just…" he sighed "… my dad called later on the same day I got the news. Said he wanted to patch things up with me."

Kalum froze; this was too eerie for words. Casually he asked "What did you say?"

"I told him thanks but no thanks. I know the only reason he wants to make relations is because of the scholarship, mum must've told him. He just wants to be able to say that his kid got into the RADA, nothing else."

While this was said in a matter-of-fact tone Kalum knew deep down that this was a hard decision for Ryan to make, despite it being years since his dad had turned his back on him and Cassie. Cassie being young at the time barely acknowledged his absence and nowadays would refer to their stepdad Adam as "dad" instead. For Ryan it was a bit tougher; despite really liking Adam, who treated him the same as he did his half-brother Tyler, Ryan had always idolised his dad even when he kept letting him down and breaking his promises.

It was only when he was about twelve or thirteen that that pedestal started to crumble, a full three years after his dad had cut ties. He gave a great impression of not caring but Kay suspected otherwise; Ryan Caulfield was tough as old leather but in spite of this he was still little more than a kid who'd been picked up and dropped too many times by a person who'd meant the world to him.

"I feel kind of jealous of you sometimes, you know." Ryan's voice was uncharacteristically soft "You've got two fathers who think the sun shines out of your ass even though, and I mean this in a good way, you're an adopted child. You've got some sort of "Danny the champion of the world" type relationship with your dads, whereas my dad couldn't give a shit about me or Cass, his own kids."

"But Adam does." Kalum replied. Although it hurt him to even say it he forced out "My real father didn't give a damn about me either, so we're kind of in the same boat. At least your father didn't hate you." Ryan was one of few people who Kalum had told about his past run-ins with his biological father.

Ryan was tactful in answering "But hey, like you said at least we both have someone now who does give a shit about us, yeah? I have Adam and mum and you've Aaron and Jackson."

This struck something inside Kay and it was as though a ray of light shone through the fogginess of his mind. Suddenly he felt his barrier start to lower bit by bit, so much so that he finally admitted "Rosaleigh asked me about him a while back."

As Ryan listened Kalum finally opened up for the first time about the events leading up to his depression. His face reddened as he spoke of what had happened previous to the row, Ryan's expression turning from one of surprise to one of embarrassment as he coughed awkwardly "Just for the sake of the topic, can you um….?" He gestured awkwardly towards the area below Kay's waist, doing little to lessen his friend's mortification. "Yeah I think so; it's just my legs that are banjaxed. Obviously I wouldn't be able to do it as well as most people but yeah, everything's in working order."

"Ok… then what's wrong? Are you just not ready?"

Kalum couldn't believe they were actually having this conversation "I… don't know. I mean part of me does want it but then this other part just holds back."

"You worried she might get pregnant or something? Cos you can prevent that."

"Don't be stupid Caulfield, I know that!"

Ryan shrugged "In any case mate, I think you're right to put it off until you're sure. The only thing I think you could have done better is maybe your reaction; I doubt she would have minded if you just explained it to her. If she's worth anything, she'll understand your needs."

Kay smiled weakly "Sounds like you have experience in this sort of thing, Caulfield." Ryan winked "You don't get this many slaps off women without learning one or two things!"

Kalum laughed genuinely for the first time in what felt like ages. Ryan was about to press him for further information when Kay's door creaked open. "Ryan, your mum's here. Says you have to go home to babysit."

Kalum grinned as Ryan rolled his eyes and got up "Talk later, yeah?"

"Sure." Kay nodded as Ryan made his way past Aaron. Aaron, who looked weary, was about to leave Kay's doorway when he heard a small "Dad?"

Scared he was hearing things he turned to see Kalum looking at him with intent. Hardly daring to let hope into his heart Aaron replied "Yes, son?"

"Can we talk?"

Aaron felt his heart rise ever so slightly and he tried not to look too eager as he sat down beside his son "Of course we can. You know you can talk to me or da about anything."

Kalum felt the back of his tired eyes sting slightly as he mumbled "I know." Finally, the last brick of his mental wall was removed as he began telling Aaron his woes. Aaron kept his questions simple "Is that why you've been so down, mate? Because you and she had a fight and you think it's all over?"

"Partly." Kay admitted before returning to silence. Aaron suspected there was more. "And what's the other part?"

Kalum knew that if he didn't say it now, he never would. He took a breath "She wanted to talk about Barry."

Aaron frowned "Barry who?"

"You know. My father."

Aaron tensed as expected. With a sigh he went on "And the shit hit the fan, so to speak."

Aaron listened as his son elaborated. Upon the end although the words tasted bitter in his mouth he calmly reasoned "Well mate, you kind of have to see it from her point of view. She doesn't know about that part of your life or how painful the memories are. As far as she's concerned she was only asking her boyfriend a simple question about his background."

"Ex-boyfriend." Kalum corrected miserably.

"Don't talk like that!"

"It's probably true though, especially after how I acted. I suppose I shouldn't really take it this bad though, we've only been together three months and what are the chances we were going to stay together for life anyway? How many people marry their first love?" He turned to Aaron "Like, how many loves have you had? Including da?"

Aaron contemplated before answering "Well, I went out with a couple of girls but I didn't feel anything towards them so they don't really count. So in terms of how many life loves I've had; 2."

Kalum was surprised; he never would have guessed his dad's oat count was so low. "Who was your first?"

"Some bloke I met when I was still struggling to accept my sexuality. A really lovely bloke who I treated rather badly for the first few months we were together because I was stupid and too afraid of what people might think of me. I screwed up so many times but he took me back every time until one night my stupidity went too far and it ended up with him being landed in huge trouble because of me."

"What kind of trouble?"

"The being put in hospital kind. He got really badly injured in an accident and we broke up again. Then once again we got back together and that cycle kind of continued for a while until he fully recovered from his injury. That's the whole story really."

Kalum was curious "What ever happened to him?"

Aaron sighed deeply "The poor bastard ended up marrying me."

Kalum gawped widely at his dad in shock "Da? He was your first love?"

"He was." Aaron smiled "You know about his paralysis so I don't need to talk about that but I was a right idiot towards him when we first got together, ten times worse than you to Rosaleigh! During one of our break-ups I started seeing a bloke called Flynn, a really nice lad but I never felt anything romantic towards him so he can't really qualify either."

Kalum frowned as he inquired "But then who was your second love?"

Aaron gave him a sheepish look as though it was obvious "You're going to hate me for this, but you."

Kalum stared incredulously "Me?"

Aaron nodded "You won't understand until it happens to you but when you have kids of your own Kay, you don't just love them, you fall in love with them. Obviously not in the same way, but you do all the same. "

"Even if they're adopted?"

Aaron nodded solemnly "Not to get sappy but me and your da didn't necessarily just pick you; instead it felt like we were drawn to you."

"Because I had a disability?" Kalum felt bad for saying it but it had to be asked.

Aaron shook his head "Nothing to do with that at all, in fact we didn't know you were disabled until near the very end of our visit. But at some stage you just caught my eye, and you were just sat there with a book. Legs propped up, small and a head of sandy hair with a gorgeous pair of eyes. It was the eyes that kind of got me. You were still in your silent phase, really shy and just sneaking glances at us from behind your book when you thought we weren't looking."

Kalum grimaced "I must have been a right dry sort of kid then!"

"On the contrary mate, we thought you were perfect." Aaron replied simply, stunning Kay. "Yeah, we knew that you being mute and unable to walk would have its difficulties but we just wanted you so badly. I can't even explain why. Before we even knew your life story we wanted you to have the best of everything in life, regardless of what stood in our way. We'd have given you the whole world if you asked. Still would.

The bottom line is this; I don't know if you believe in destiny or not, mate. I've got no choice after everything me, you and your da have gone through. It's true that not many people end up with their first loves for life but at the same time it'd be silly to throw away what you have with Rosaleigh after your first fight. If I had done that after the twentieth fight I had with your da just look at everything I would've lost, including you. If you still have feelings for her, which you obviously do, then you keep fighting. Let destiny do the rest."

Kalum felt tears come to his eyes as everything that had been said by Aaron in the past few minutes and his own storm of worries came to a climax in his mind. "Am I like him?" he finally blurted.

Aaron looked confused "What?"

"Barry Albeck. Am I like him?" Kay didn't care that the tears were probably now visible as he finally admitted his biggest fear "I've been told about my mum, that I look like her and that she was a lovely woman but if I have her looks then surely I must have gotten something from him as well.

I know he was evil but he couldn't have always have been that way, he must have turned out that way at some stage. Even though I hate the thought of it there's part of him in me and if not his looks then what? His personality?" Kalum babbled almost hysterically as a completely shocked Aaron watched on

"My worst fear is that someday I'm going to look in the mirror and see him looking back at me." The tears were now starting to flow "People think I don't remember, but I do. It's not something you forget. I remember exactly how angry and vicious he could get and I can't stop thinking that maybe I'm going to turn out like that. There's times lately when I get so angry over the stupidest of things and I end up taking them out on other people, and I stop and think that it's already started!"

"Kay…"

"…and people who don't know the real story don't help; I've been told by some that I have da's eyes, and others have said I have your smile. At first that makes me feel happy but then it's like a punch in the stomach when I remember that that can't be possible. And the hardest thing is that I can change my name, I can call you dad, I can pretend all I like that he never existed but the truth is that he still does in me." The tears were now streaming down his face, glistening as some clung to his stubble "And the thought makes me sick! I don't want to be like him, dad!"

With that he broke down in sobs, prompting a shocked to the core Aaron to act quickly. Placing a hand either side of his sons face he gently but firmly moved his head so that the scared, wet eyes of Kay was looking up into his.

"You need to listen to me carefully. I can't lie to you about your father; Barry Albeck was a liar, a thief, a child abuser and in general a cunning, vicious, selfish piece of filth who was hated by all he met. So in answer to your original question Kalum; no." he gently thumbed away tears from his lad's cheeks as he stared up at him in bewilderment. "You are nothing like him at all. Not even a little bit. And you never will be."

He shook his head fondly as he still saw grains of doubt in Kay's eyes "Take it from someone who knows; where we come from doesn't define who we are, Kalum. We all have a good and a bad side, what matters is the part we choose to act on. Your dad made his choice. As for you; all you need do is look at how many people love and care for you to know."

With his shoulders still shuddering Kalum shook his head "N-no." he stuttered. "Yes Kalum!" Aaron emphasised, trying to make him see sense. Kalum shook his head once more "No, I mean don't call him that. He's not my dad, never was and never will be, same way I'll never be his son in anything but DNA."

Raising a hand he wiped away the last of his tears, still tired, still ragged looking, but definitely looking far better than before. "I know I don't say it often." He mumbled as he cleaned his face up "But I love you and da, and I'd give anything to be your real son. Just want you both to know that."

It was Aaron's turn to blink back tears as he pulled Kay in for a hug, Kalum returning it willingly. "You are our son." He mumbled into the could-be-fresher light-brown hair "Nothing will ever change that. You're our boy."

Kalum nodded, fresh tears starting to form. He made no attempt to force them back; dignity could go to hell in this situation. There'd be plenty more opportunities to play the hard, unfeeling teenager later.

"Love you, dad."

"Love you too, son."

Just at that moment Jackson entered the room, having just returned from work and feeling worried as he heard the sound of sobs. However his anxieties were diminished as Kay shot him a weak but cheerful smile and Aaron held an arm out in invitation. Jay cleared the distance in five large steps and joined his husband and son in an embrace, relieved that the storm seemed to have passed and content with only knowing that much about it for now.

Kalum now realised how ridiculous he had been; of course he'd never become his father, especially not as long as he was surrounded by so many people who loved him; something which Barry for good reason had rarely if ever experienced in his sorry life. Kalum had the love of his parents, his other family members and his friends.

And, hopefully, one other person if she could find it in her to forgive him.

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Kalum took a few deep breaths as he paced up and down the pavement of the small, well-kept street. His nerves were playing up big time. After much inner debate he hurriedly pushed himself through the gate before he lost his courage and paused briefly before raising a somewhat reluctant hand and pressing the doorbell, heart racing as he mentally went over what to say. He was terrified. Aaron and Jackson had assured him there was no need to be, that once all was explained everything would be fine. Kay wasn't sure; he was almost certain he'd blown it. But at the very least he owed her an apology, even if that was the only thing she accepted from him.

He didn't know whether to feel more uneasy or relieved when her mum answered. If she had an opinion she kept it to herself as she ushered him in and nodded in the direction of the kitchen.

He found Rosaleigh seated at the table, auburn locks shielding half her face as she pored over what looked like a text book. But she wasn't alone; a boy of around the same age with dark hair and a handsome face was seated next to her with head also bent a little too close to Rosaleigh's for comfort.

Kay felt his stomach lurch unpleasantly at this cosy scene. It gave another heave as Rosaleigh's head lifted up to identify their intruder, eyes widening with disbelief as she saw him. Kalum ignored the other set of eyes also staring at him, focusing guiltily on the redness of the skin around her striking green ones.

The brief awkward silence was broken by a civil mutter "Hey."

Kalum nodded in reply "Hi." At least she hadn't told him where to go already.

Rosaleigh turned uncomfortably to her curious companion "Zack, would you mind if we left this till later? I'll give you a call."

Kalum felt another nasty twist as a less than happy Zack picked up his book and made to leave, nodding at Kay as he left. As the door shut behind him Kalum began "He didn't have to leave on my account. You looked quite content where you were, could've just told me to go."

She sighed wearily and ran her hands through her hair "Please don't turn this into another row Kalum."

"I'm not." Though he was secretly peeved at the thought that she might have moved on so quick he wanted to keep things level "I'm just saying that if you want me to leave, I'll leave. And I understand if you do; I was an asshole and I just wanted to say I'm sorry."

It was tough for Kay being as stubborn as he was to admit when he was in the wrong; Rosaleigh clearly knew this as she stared at him in amazement "That's what you came all this way to say?"

"Well I was sort of hoping as well that you might take me back, if you wanted to that is." Kay replied awkwardly "Though I suppose Zack kind of beat me to it, huh?"

She blinked before realising "It's nothing like that! He's my mum's friend's son and he's studying for his driving test. I just offered to help him out, take my mind off things."

Now Kalum felt guilty and embarrassed "Oh. Right. I'm sor-"

"If I'm honest-" she unexpectedly cut across him "he did ask me out. He's a sweet guy, Kalum, and even you can't deny he's good-looking. It'd be very hard to say no…."

Kay felt annoyance at this "Well then don't! Please just don't toy with me Rosaleigh, if you don't want to try again just say and put me out of-"

"I told him I couldn't." she finished bluntly. Kalum blinked "Why?"

Her cheeks flushed a light pink as she casually replied "Because I was still in love with my stupid boyfriend."

The kitchen clock ticked. Kalum tried to kick-start his brain into thinking. "You love me?" his throat had gone suddenly dry.

She sighed in exasperation "Yes Kay, I thought that was obvious! I have done this age's and I still love you now but there's too many secrets between us. I know that's my fault as much as yours but if we can't be open and honest then-"

"Then we'll just have to be open and honest, won't we?"

This was going to be a long night.

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

An hour and several coffees later they were still sat at the table and Kalum had just about finished his long-hidden back story about his parentage. Ignoring his feelings he gave her the full run-down of all his father-son experiences with Barry Albeck, her expression becoming more and more shocked as he went on. At one point her hand twitched as though itching to take his, but thought better of it. She swallowed hard as he finished solemnly "God, Kay. I'm so sorry, I shouldn't ha-"

"Yes, you should've. You had a right to know and I shouldn't have reacted like I did."

She was touched by this "You don't have to apologise, but thanks anyway." She then took a breath "My turn…"

"You don't have-"

"I do." She shot him a look which made him zip it. With an effort she began "There's not a lot to tell really, especially after all you've been through, but let's just say my dad wasn't the nicest either. He was… a drinker. A very heavy drinker. And he wasn't too nice when he was sober let alone drunk. He was never violently aggressive but verbally he was horrible; called mum all sorts. He used to leave me and Scott alone though, we'd just sit in our rooms until the yelling stopped. Scott's a year younger than you and me, so I used to cover his ears when the shouting got too loud and let him sleep in with me till it was over."

She paused and squeezed her eyes shut as she continued hoarsely "…one night it kicked off and Scott got scared; we could usually predict when the rows would happen but this one was unexpected. He left his room to come into mine and found them arguing on the landing. Dad saw him and, full to the brim, grabbed him and started throwing him up in the air, playing with him, mum yelling at him to put him down. Dad stops to continue yelling at her and forgets about Scott, next thing all I hear is screams…"

Tears started raining from her eyes and her voice began to shake, an ashen-faced Kalum grasping hold of her hand comfortingly. She finished croakily "A six year old boy plus a two storey fall equals five broken ribs, two broken wrists, fractured pelvis, a concussion and a lifetime in a wheelchair with no feeling from the waist down. Needless to say dad scarpered pretty quick and no-one's heard from him since. I hope he's choking on his own vomit in a gutter somewhere."

As hard glistening tears continued to form in her eyes Kalum pulled her in close and held her while she sobbed, shocked to his foundations. With everything that had happened in his life he supposed he'd never guessed that someone else could have had just as bad an experience as he'd had.

"I just needed to know." She sobbed "You never talked about your father and I didn't know why. I know this sounds horrible but I was kind of hoping I wasn't alone. It's been a full ten years last month since he left and it was just playing on my mind but I never would've asked if I knew how horrible yours was…"

"Shhh." Kalum soothed, stroking her hair comfortingly "It's ok, it's alright. You're not alone; I'm here."

When the crying subsided she raised her head and Kay gave her a tissue. As she wiped her tears away she exclaimed "Oh no! Sorry, I've got your shirt all wet!"

"No worries." He chuckled lightly.

"I would've thought I'd be all out of tears now." She joked before realising too late what she'd said, seeing his face drop. She went on seriously "I'm sorry for what happened that night Kay, I should've known you had reasons…"

"I told you it's fine, you didn't know." He smiled before remembering something else "I'm sorry as well for acting like I did when you, you know, when you got bored of the film…"

She looked at him, face blushing "You weren't really hurt then?"

"No." he admitted "But just to be clear, what were you actually…?"

Her face nearly went scarlet with embarrassment "Did I do it wrong? God, I probably did! Sorry, I haven't had, well, any practice with it so…"

Kalum nodded; right. Cutting across her he muttered shame-facedly "Look, I hope you don't mind this but would it be ok if we just put that off for a bit?"

Noting her confused look he added "I'll be honest; I'd like to, I really would but I'm just not-" it took all his willpower to not grit his teeth with shame "- ready yet. Is that ok?"

He was astonished to see her confused expression suddenly crack into a smile. He then frowned, unimpressed as a sudden chuckle escaped her mouth; was she laughing at him?

"Something funny?" he grunted, ears stinging.

"No, no!" she reassured him with a smile "It's just the irony. There was me moping around for weeks thinking I was letting you down by not, you know, and God I was dreading it. Not because I don't want it or anything, but it was just daunting because I wasn't sure if I was ready yet."

"Hang on!" his eyes widened "That's why you weren't in the best of form for a while? You thought it was me who wanted it?"

"Kind of." She admitted "Lily said the guy usually doesn't want to be kept waiting, so it kind of worried me for a bit that I might drive you away if I didn't put out."

He rolled his eyes "This is the same Lily whose closest relationship is with the cosmopolitan mag? Figures! Tell that nosy bitch to keep her oar out; it's no one's business but ours."

She smiled as she slowly took hold of his hand. After a moment's pause in which his heart skipped he laced his fingers through hers and held tight, feeling warmth come back to his body.

Her eyes sparkled "All in good time for us then, eh?"

He grinned back with a raised eyebrow "If you're willing to put up with me."

She shrugged playfully "I'm game if you are."

He squeezed her hand "I am." He replied sincerely.

Glowing, Rosaleigh leaned her head in for their first kiss in nearly two weeks. It was only now Kay realised how much he'd missed it, and how he didn't want to go without it again.

As they broke off she laid her forehead against his. It felt nice, the auburn strands mixing with the brown, the green eyes looking into the brown. He'd missed those eyes.

"Love you."

She'd said it simply and carefully as though wary of frightening him off but no, Kalum was certain he was ready for this if nothing else just yet.

"I love you too."

….TBC

You remember what I said at the beginning about there only being 10 chapters? I'm afraid I'm going to have to go back on that promise a bit. In saying this the end is in sight, which I'm sad about, but I shall enjoy writing the final couple of chapters all the same. Shall try making them a bit more Aarson based than Kayleigh if you catch my drift:)

Till next time! x