The Pipebomb

"Here hold this against your cheek." Mark said when we made it back in the house. He had taken me up to my room and sat me on the bed. He then went to the kitchen and came back with an ice pack that was wrapped up in a cloth.

I sniffled as I placed some pressure on the pack, keeping it on my cheek. "Gosh…I can't believe he hit me."

"Yea I know, I'm so sorry about that Katrina. He's never hit a woman before." He told me as he sat down next to me.

I sighed, "It's alright, it wasn't your fault."

He looked down at his lap and then sighed heavily, "His anger is my fault."

"How so?" I asked as I looked up at him. "He seems like he's angry all the time."

Mark shook his head and walked away from me, "No…he's more angry than usual and I know it's my fault."

I put the ice pack down and stood up. Slowly I walked up to him and turned his head so he could look at me. "Mark…Kane isn't here now…tell me what's on your mind."

"You want the truth?" he asked.

I nodded. "Yes."

He stepped closer to me and looked into my eyes. "There is something that's been bugging me like crazy, something I told Kane before he kidnapped you."

"What did you tell him?" I asked.

He sighed, "Listen…that drink that Kane gave you at the bar…was something I created."

I chuckled, "Oh wow…anything else?"

He nodded and walked me back to the bed. "Yeah there's more…that same night after Kane spoke to you…he asked me to watch you through the night just to make sure you didn't have a bad reaction to the drink. I really didn't know why he didn't watch you instead but…I didn't think to question it."

I shrugged and put the ice pack back on my cheek. "So what's the issue?"

"It's what happened that night..between us."

"Us? I don't understand." I said.

He sighed and looked at me with tears in his eyes, "I feel like such a pig…but I laid in the bed with you because you were having nightmares. You turned over and wrapped your arms around me. The next thing I knew…I was kissing you and you were kissing me back."

I turned away from him actually smiling instead of crying. "Oh…so we…had sex is what you're telling me?"

He nodded, "Yea…and the baby is be mine."

"How do you know that?" I asked.

"Because Kane didn't start messing with you in that way until a week before he abducted you. The two weeks before that…it was me."

I shivered, "Oh God...how could you do that to Kane?"

"I'm so sorry Kat…you were just so beautiful and full of so much passion I couldn't resist." He said as tears filled his eyes. "Plus Kane doesn't know how to be with a woman. As you can see, he has no clue how to treat them or show them any kind of love and affection. To make matters worse…I had a crush on you for the longest time anyway."

"You did?" I asked.

He nodded, "Yes I did and I fell in love with you that first night we made love."

I sighed not really knowing how to feel. I was sort of mad that Mark did this to Kane but at the same time…I felt better knowing that Kane wasn't the father of my kid.

"Wow…this is a lot to take in Mark." I said.

"I know and I'm sorry." He said.

I sighed, "It's fine…but if you don't mind I want to go back home in the morning. I need some time to think all this over ok?"

He nodded, "Alright. I'll take you back at 9."

Without another word he left me in peace. I didn't know what to do or say at that point so I laid down and went to sleep.

That next morning, he took me back to my apartment where I found John waiting on me.

"I called him and told him I was bringing you back if that's alright." Mark said.

I nodded, "Yea that's fine."

"Hey Katrina…you know I did all of this for you right?" he asked.

I looked at him and then down at my belly. "Yeah I know but I still need some time to think about it."

"I understand."

I smiled at him and then got out of the car. I ran straight into John's arms and he squeezed me tight. "I'm so glad you're safe."

"Thanks big brother." I said before turning and waving at Mark. He nodded and then pulled off leaving me alone with John.

"Did they hurt you?" he asked.

I sighed, "Just Kane. Mark was pretty sweet most of the time."

He nodded, "Hm…where is Kane?"

"With his other wife apparently." I said. "But it's cool, me and the baby will be alright."

"How far along are you?" he asked as he touched my belly.

"Five months, and I just found out that Kane isn't even the father of the baby." I said.

John gasped, "So it was Taker wasn't it? That night I told you I heard you moaning…"

I nodded, "Yes…yes it was."

"Damn sis…well what's going to happen with you and Mark now?" he asked.

I sighed and made my way to the porch, "I really don't know John. I mean I'm glad the baby isn't Kane's but…I'm hurt that Mark didn't tell me from the beginning."

John rubbed my back trying to help me feel better. "It's alright sis, things will get better after this."

"How? I don't know if I can trust anyone anymore."

He sighed, "You can trust me and I'm telling you that Mark really cares for you and that baby. I can see it in his eyes."

I chuckled, "You of all people actually agree with Mark being around me?"

He nodded, "Yes. Ever since you flipped out on me over the phone…I've felt terrible."

I smiled and hugged him, "It's alright John, I'm not mad anymore."

"Good." He said before we walked into the house. It felt so nice to be back in my own place again but now I was feeling like something was missing.