Best of You
By Didi

Disclaimer: Same as before… The Young and the Restless is owned by CBS Broadcasting Inc., CBS Corporation and Bell Dramatic Serial Inc. and probably a host of other companies but definitely not by me. No malice or infringement of copyrights are intended by this writing and I will stop if someone just tells me to. There's not need for litigation to occur.

Timeline: Nowhere in this universe. Start reading for the beginning if you want to know.

Summery: Cane and Adam states their positions, Nikki confesses to Katherine, Victoria shares her suspicions with Nick and Liam prepares to go home.

Author's Note: I can honestly say that I hate the Lily/Cane pair up. There something inherently wrong about that particular match. I just don't see the chemistry between the two actors and it annoys me every time I see them on the scene, so I just skip them. (Thank you TiVo.) It's really too bad because I actually really like the actor that plays Cane. Um… Beastmaster…


Chapter 12


"Here, drink this. The apartment is a little on the chilly side."

"Chilly? It's freezing in here. What is up with your A/C?" Amber reached for the steaming glass cup then made a face. "What is it? It smells terrible."

CJ blinked. "It's hot cider." He sniffed it delicately.

She gave him a look as if he was crazy. She's from the desert though she's learned to live with the snow.

"Fine," CJ took the glass back with a put upon sigh and headed back into the kitchen. "I don't have any marshmallows though."

"How'd you know I was going to ask for hot chocolate?"

"What else would you be asking for? It's not like you can drink coffee right now."

"Rub it in why don't you?" she groused then groaned.

"What's wrong?" he called through the open door as he put milk into the microwave.

"Feet hurt. I think I walked just a little too much today."

"Why didn't you say something earlier?" CJ admonished as he came back with hot chocolate for her. "We could have taken a taxi back."

"Nay," she waved off his over-protective concerns. "Why waste the money?"

"I have more than enough," CJ reminded her as he picked up her feet and gently rubbed them between his hands, her toes were like little ice cubes. "How are you really feeling?"

"Tired," she admitted with a sigh.

"You look it," he told her not unkindly. Scrubbed clean of makeup, Amber appeared pale and frail, delicate enough to break though CJ knew she was tougher than anything when push came to shove. The years that have separated them really didn't change either of them much, maybe a little more grownup from experience but over all, they were still the same two people that had once shared a friendship that was important to both of them. "So, you want to talk about the whole pregnancy thing?"

"Nope," she shook her head. It was the one thing she didn't want to deal with tonight: her current condition.

"Is he rich?" unheeding of her response.

"Nope," she answered and continued to sip her drink.

"Are you in love?"

"Nope," she briefly wondered when he was going to give it up but remember just now tenacious CJ could be.

"Are you getting ready to be in love?"

"Nope."

"Amber…"

"There's no dad, CJ," she told him very firmly with only a hint of regret for her child. "There isn't going to be a dad this time. This one is all me," she said, a little sadly but still resolved. "But don't worry. I'm going to be okay."

CJ eyed her carefully, seeing the truth in her eyes. Amber wasn't hard to figure out once you knew her. "Do you know who the father is?"

"No," but she hesitated.

"Honestly?"

She hesitated again. "I'm not sure."

"But you have an idea."

Amber laughed rather pathetically. "I don't sleep around constantly, CJ. I'll admit to being a little promiscuous in the past but I…. well, I…" she rolled her eyes. "What the hell am I saying?"

"I don't know," CJ smiled and continued to rub her feet. "But I'm curious as to see what's going to happen next."

"Don't worry," she assured him. "Everything is be fine. You'll see."

Somehow, CJ doubted it… though he was certain that Amber would make a go of it on her own, come what may.


Cane frown at the door then pressed the bell again. He was sure that Amber would be home by now given the time. He checked Indigo to make sure she wasn't working tonight – she wasn't – and then the magazine to see if they were doing weekend work for some reason – they weren't. And he even forced himself to put up with Kevin's censuring glare and popped into Crimson but Amber was nowhere to be found. In fact, he hadn't been able to reach her for two days now, despite multiple attempts through landlines and cell phone calls. And while he expected that she would be wary of him given his reaction the last time he saw her, he hadn't expected her to completely ignore him. It was extremely unnerving.

"What are you doing here?" Adam asked as he stopped six feet short of the slightly agitated Cane Ashby – not the person he expected or wanted to see.

Glancing over and definitely not liking what he saw, Cane merely raised a brow and returned the question, "May I ask the same thing?"

"I think it should be obviously: I'm here to see Amber." Adam had not been expecting the Chancellor heir to be here and was not sure he liked that the man was visiting Amber. It didn't bode well for him. But since he was standing outside and not inside… "And you are here because…?"

"Why would I have any other reason to be here?" Cane asked curiously, trying to keep the annoyance out of his voice. He wanted some alone time with Amber to discuss things. And he had a nasty suspicion that Adam Wilson wasn't going to allow that… not that the man had any say in it, of course.

Adam made a face and held onto his patience. He had spend a good deal of yesterday dealing with an upset Victoria and trying to stay neutral in the ongoing war between father and sister while trying to avoid butting heads with their father. The fact that Nikki hadn't spilled the beans about Amber had been a miracle itself but now he was dealing with the anxiety of waiting for Nikki to drop the bomb on him. On top of that, Amber hasn't return any of the half dozen messages he had left on her cell phone and machine at the apartment. He didn't like not knowing where she was, what she was doing or if she was okay.

After a long and dreadful moment of uncomfortable silence where both men appeared to be waiting for the other to go, Cane finally broke the tension with an even more awkward comment of, "I hear that you're claiming to be the father of Amber's baby."

"Arrogant bastard," Adam smiled nicely and shook his head. "I think you're under a misconception."

"I am?" surprised and somewhat relieved by the news. Despite the support of his grandmother, he wasn't exactly looking forward to the fight with the Newmans – and he had no illusions about the fact that there would be a rather nasty fight to the bitter end with Amber and the baby caught in the middle. And stress was suppose to be bad for pregnancies… at least that's what all the books said.

"Yes you are." Adam nodded helpfully and smiled wide with innocence. "I'm not claiming to be the father; I am the father."

That statement brought a scowl to Cane's face. He did not like that clarification at all. "Amber told you that you're the father," just so they were clear on the subject.

"I know that I'm the father," Adam answered cheerfully. Family was what you make of it, Nick had proved that beyond a shadow of a doubt. And he wanted the family that he and Amber can make for the child she's carrying, biology or not. That was the end of it. "Any chance you might want to butt out of our affair."

"Affair," Cane repeated just a little meanly. "Is that was that was?"

Adam didn't feel the need to dignify that with a response. "What do you want Ashby?

"First, I want to talk to Amber."

"Well she's not here," he lied. Well, he actually wasn't sure if it was a lie or not. "You can come back another time… when we're around."

"We?" making a face. "You moved in or something." That would definitely complicate things for him.

"I'm just making sure that Amber has whatever it is she needs to keep her and the baby healthy."

"Why? What's wrong with the baby?"

"Nothing," Adam frowned. "Look, whatever it is you need to say to Amber can be said to me."

Cane smirked. "I don't think so."

"Really?" Adam crossed his arms and waited the guy out. There was no way he was leaving Amber here alone with her ex-husband. "Why is that?"

"That's between me and my wife."

"Ex-wife," Adam snapped.

"Ex-wife," Cane corrected in agreement though he hated having to. Wilson was obviously staking his claim here. "So if you don't mind…"

"But I do," was the only response given.

Cane fought the urge to plant his fist into Adam Wilson's face. "That certainly isn't going to help." From what he was being told, Amber and Adam were trying to pass off his child as a Newman. And given his history with Amber, Cane could almost understand why Amber would prefer to do so than come to him with the truth. She was probably afraid he would deny it and think the worst; and so far he hasn't really proven her wrong yet. "Boy, you really do know how to screw it up don't you, mate?" But that didn't change the fact that Cane wants to be a part of his child's life. That means that he's got to get to the truth first, and from the horse's mouth. Sighing, "Looks, whatever it is that you and Amber are playing at, it's going to stop."

"Playing at?" Adam parroted in disbelief. "You really are so full of yourself aren't you?" He shook his head and wished this conversation to be over so he could ask Amber a few pointed questions about her ex. Now would be a good time to tell her that he plans on making a life with her. "You think that just because you have a history with Amber that you get to dictate her life?"

"I don't, nor do I intend to either." Cane replied calmly. "But I do get a say in my child's life." There, he said it.

"Excuse me?" Adam was certain that he heard wrong. He had to have heard it wrong; because if he didn't… "Not good, not good at all."

"The baby is mine," Cane stated very simply, "and I'm going to make sure that Amber knows that I will not let another man raise my child; not you, not anyone."


Katherine touched the soft cotton with great satisfaction. "This will do nicely, don't you think?"

"I think Mrs. Abbot is going to have kittens when she sees what you did with her son's room, that's what I think," Esther replied with a grin as she touched the bedding Mrs. Chancellor had picked out. "Oh, this is nice."

"Billy hasn't been in town for three years now. I don't think he'd mind if we made some changes. Besides which, if I recall correctly, he said he never wanted to live under the same roof as his mother… ever again." Katherine picked up another blanket and pondered at it for a moment. "Do you think two blankets for Amber's room is enough or should we go for three? I don't want to child to be cold."

"I can put in a space heater in the room," Esther replied helpfully.

"That's a wonderful idea, Esther," Katherine nodded her approval and moved onto the next section of the department store. "Make sure we have fresh towels for the bath and buy a nice warm robe for her as well. I know that Amber likes the thick kind, the ones you can get at the hotels. And slippers, make sure she has slippers too."

"Of course," Esther nodded and made a note for herself.

"Katherine?" Nikki Newman's voice was clear as a bell as she called to her old friend. "Katherine, how are you?"

"Wonderful," Katherine smiled and kissed the air just above Nikki's cheek. "And how are you my dear? What brings you out of the house on this fine Sunday morning?"

Nikki took a breath, "I needed some air."

Katherine didn't miss a beat. Turning to her faithful companion, she sent Esther off to pay for their numerous purchases with a quick telling look. Esther grinned knowingly and scurried away with her arms full and one hand digging into her purse for the plastic. "Now," turning back, "What seems to be the problem?"

"I…" Nikki looked decidedly uncomfortable, "I have to tell you something… something a little shocking. Although given that it's about Amber I guess it shouldn't come quite as such a surprise."

"Amber?" Kay's brows furrowed together in question. "What about Amber?" The reluctance with which Nikki was showing alarmed Kay. "Nikki, if someone is wrong with Amber or her child, you need to tell me."

"Nothing is wrong, nothing that I know of anyways," sorry that she had given Kay the wrong impression. "I just… How much do you really know about Amber and her child."

"I know that Amber loves that child and she wants to make a future for that baby."

"But at what cost?" Nikki asked quietly.

"Whatever it takes," Katherine said assuredly.

"Even if it's lying to the people that are trying to help you?"

That came out of the left field. As far as Katherine knew, Nikki doesn't even know Amber by sight. "What are you getting at Nikki?"

And here comes the truth, "Adam says that he is the father of Amber's child."

Katherine gave no reaction to the news. "Adam Wilson told you that."

"I overheard it," Nikki confessed. "He referred to Amber's child as 'our baby.' I think that tells me enough."

"Adam thinks that the baby is his?" Katherine mused a moment. Now this was news. Amber never actually said anything about who the father was. In fact, she always ran whenever the subject of paternity came up, even from her. Which could only mean that Cane was most certainly the father despite what Adam Wilson believes. "Nikki, I think you need to calm down."

"I don't even know what Victor is going to say when he finds out that his son knocked up Amber Moore." Nikki made the most disagreeable face.

"Well, you don't have to worry about that," Katherine replied serenely, "Because the baby is not Adam's and not a Newman. He or she is a Chancellor. The baby is Cane's child so you need not be concern it."

Nikki stared at her friend a moment. "How can you be sure?"

"Sure?"

"How can you be so sure that the baby is Cane's?" She looked suspicious for a moment. "Did Amber tell you that the baby is a Chancellor?" she certainly won't put it pass the little trollop.

Katherine laughed and waved the idea off. "Oh goodness, no. Amber would be too much in fear of what Jill might do to be so foolish." Um… another reason why Amber would neglect to tell her who the father was – though the girl ought to know by now that Jill was hardly someone she would go blabbing to… that's to say if she was one of those gossipmongers.

In disbelief over just how calmly her friend was taking this, Nikki tried again to explain the gravity of the situation. "Katherine, I think that…"

"Don't worry Nikki, my dear, everything will be fine." She smiled knowingly and nodded her head in assurance. "You'll see." Katherine was going to make damn sure of it.


"He's gotten so big!" Nick laughed as Reed pulled on his ear, "and grabby like his mom."

"Thanks," Vicki replied with a grin as she sat down with her tea and offered Nick coffee. "So what brings you by?"

"Our baby brother and his impeding fatherhood," Nick replied easily as he finally settled Reed down on his lap and carefully picked up the mug of java with a quick nod of thanks for his sister. "By the way, are you okay? You looked kind of sick to your stomach the other night. Better now? You don't have another bun in the oven do you?"

"That's so crude," whacking him in the arm in the most unladylike manner. "And no, I'm not pregnant. Though I wish I hadn't found out that Sabrina was."

"Yeah," Nick made a face, "I told Phyllis last night and she almost lost her dinner on me. How did JT take it?"

"About as well as Phyllis did though with less projectile vomiting. Can't say that I blame Phyllis one bit since I felt the exact same way."

"Well look at that: you and Phyllis in agreement. Will wonders ever cease?" Nick laughed charmingly and bounced his nephew on his knees.

"Oh shut up," she hit him again, lighter this time. She didn't want to think about her father and Sabrina and anything else that had to do with that sickening relationship. It made her ill to think about it. "So what did you want to say about Adam and the baby?"

"And Amber, don't forget about Amber."

"How can I forget? Every other word out Adam's mouth is that woman's name."

"Play nice."

"I am," she assured him. "I have no issues with Amber."

"She's a good kid," Nick replied with a smile as he sat back, resting Reed's head on his shoulder. "She been working really hard to create a place for herself and her baby. I think even without Adam there, she's going to make it; she wouldn't allow it any other way. Nerves of steel, that girl has."

"What are you, Yoda?" She laughed at him. "Someone with her background would have to survive, and no that's not a dig at her trailer trash upbringing."

Giving her a look, "I thought you were going to be nice."

"I am," she looked genuinely confused by his attitude.

Nick groaned. Sometimes his sister exasperated him to no end. She's spent too much of her life as a debutante and could not always see outside the circle they live in. "Okay, so Adam is going to need a lot of help if the truth makes its way out and Dad decides that he's going to get his hands into this."

"Adam doesn't seem like the type to allow that to happen."

"He's a lot like you in that way."

"Who? Adam or Dad?"

"Both," Nick shrugged one shoulder. "You guys are all very alike."

"Don't you ever say that in front of anyone but me, do you hear me?" she pointed a golden teaspoon at him but didn't deny the observation.

"I know, I know," Nick rolled his eyes and grinned. "You know that Amber is probably going to resist pretty hard whatever Adam has planned, right? She doesn't seem like the type to give in easily."

"She wants what's best for her child," Victoria pronounced, "that's what every mother wants. And the best environment for her baby is to have a two parent unit and a nice safe place to live. Adam can provide that for her."

"So you're going to help him then?"

"I never said that."

"You have so far," Nick pointed out. "If fact, you've given up a lot of your free time to help Adam with his mission. What's up with that?"

Victoria made a face. "Rub it in, why don't you?"

"I'm just saying…"

"He's trying to do the right thing," she interjected with, the reluctance not quite so obvious. "He wants to do the right thing. That's more than I can say about lot of fathers out there that doesn't care whether or not their kid lives or dies. He sees a situation where he can help and he wants to whether or not…" she shut her mouth fast. She hadn't meant to say that much… even to Nick.

Nick was no fool, he was a Newman; sharper than nails. "Whether or not, what?" He looked at her face, "What aren't you telling me, Vic?" He played her words back in his mind. "Are you telling me that this baby isn't Adam's?"

"No," she shook her head and got up.

"Victoria!"

"I'm saying that Adam never said that it was his," she replied with a sigh. "That night at the Ranch when he was drinking himself sick, he asked about you and Cassie and talked about him and Charles Wilson."

"So?"

"So he asked me how a man can take a child not his and raise it like it was."

Nick frowned. "What are you saying?"

"He didn't tell me that he thinks that the baby isn't his." She's been speculating over this for some times now, never voicing it because deep down inside she was secretly proud of the fact that Adam had stepped up and wanted to do right by a child that may or may not be his. It takes a lot to do that and she… she was kind of sorry to say that she hadn't truly believed him until now. "I don't think he knows if the baby is his or not."

"Then why is he…"

"Because I don't think he cares anymore," Victoria replied a little annoyed at her brother for being so slow on the uptake, he was usually so much better at this. "I think he tells himself that he's doing this for the baby but…"

"But?" he prompted.

"Amber is in the picture… and he doesn't want to lose Amber."

"You think he's in love?" maybe just a little surprised by this. He certainly understood that Adam likes Amber. But love? That's a new one. Would have never pegged him for that judging by the last woman he was involved with. Amber and Heather were like night and day. If Nick had purposely gone out of his way to find a woman less like Heather, he probably couldn't have succeeded more with Amber.

"I think he thinks he might be in love," Victoria answered, not passing any judgment on her brother's choice. God knows the Newman men seems to have remarkable taste in women. "Not that it matters. And yes, I'm going to help him."

"Um… Adam in love," Nick nodded slowly, "That's new."


Packing up his suitcase, Liam briefly glanced at the abandoned contacts on the work table. The phone call to Calcote had been a harsh one but there wasn't anything Liam could do about it. C.J. Garrison was determined and he couldn't really blame the man for having a goal and sticking to his guns. The guy bears some watching out for though, he's got lots of talent and even more ambition; Garrison was going to make it to the big times in matter of years verses the decades that most artists struggle to achieve recognition. The company that will eventually sign him on their label was going to have some serious talent on their hands to control.

Next to the contract were the bills from the show he had taken in the day before yesterday. C.J.'s assessment of it had been spot on but the delight was in their companion's enthusiastic response to everything she had saw. It was a refreshing change to the usual bored women he saw on a daily basis, the kind that required a lot of effort on his part. And Liam was tired. He was tired of the same old things.

It hadn't been his idea to return home but his brother had indicated the need for his presence. He hadn't been back home since his father's passing, the memories of which still pained him – another reason not to go back home. But family was family and he couldn't stay no to the brother that's supported and defended him throughout his life. It was a compelling reason to go. Then again, there was his mother and her overbearing interference in his life always on the pretext of protecting him.

"Wonder how she's going to take my homecoming," he muttered to himself as he threw in the last of his personal effects. The rest will be shipped at a later date but there really wasn't much in his Spartan apartment that he wanted or needed. Building homes for the homeless with his uncle had been an eye opening experience and taught him a great deal about holding onto materials goods.

The shrilling ringing of the apartment phone interrupted his thoughts and he picked up without looking at the ID. Only a handful of people knew this number and he could count them all on his right hand. "Hello?"

"How fast can you get here?"

He didn't need the ID to tell him who it was. "Why?"

"I want you in place while your mother is distracted."

"Distracted?"

"Something apparently came up and she's definitely in a mood now."

"What kind of a mood? I don't really want to put my head on the chopping block here," Liam informed him with a sigh. He hadn't had to deal with his mother's volatile moods for a few years now and wasn't exactly looking forward to putting himself in her target sight.

"No such things," his brother assured him. "She's all up in arms about your other brother." There was a longer and considering pause.

Liam had almost forgot about that since he's had so little contact with his mother lately. The reappearance of his mother's long-lost son had hit his hometown like a ton of anvils in one of those Loony Tunes cartoons he'd watch as a kid. The new brother is probably one of the reasons his mother has allowed Liam's independence of her for so long. "Now that should be an interesting meeting."

"So you think you can move up your time table?"

"I was thinking of coming back early anyways, get settled in before I announce myself."

"Sounds good to me. When?"

"Tomorrow, first flight out."

"I'll have a car waiting for you."

"No thanks, I'll make my own way."

"You sure?" was the concerned question.

Liam smiled. To his family, he'll always be the teenager that got into trouble. But he's no rebellious teen anymore. "People will talk if you send a car for me. I can still find my way around town. Once I've settled in, I'll come see you."

"I'll be at the mansion or at work, just call me when you get in. Avoid the pool house if you can."

"Why?"

There was resigned sigh, "Just trust me."

Since he hasn't really involved himself in family for a while now, he'll simply have to take his brother's word for it. "Okay, I'll see you tomorrow."

"It's going to be good having you home again, Billy."

Liam, known to his family as Billy, smiled. "It'll be good to be home again, Jack."

To be continued…


Thoughts anyone?