A/N: Again, I do really appreciate those of you who have taken the time to read (and maybe review) the story!


Chapter Twelve

The night had been wonderful, and Rick hated to see it end. It was still so strange for him, letting someone in so close, but Kate had made it so easy.

As she stepped out of the taxi, she looked back in and said, "You coming, Rick?"

It took him a moment to gather his thoughts. She wanted him to follow her?

"Um... sure," he said as he started to climb out of the cab.

"If you don't want to, it's okay," she said, "My apartment is still two blocks away. I just thought we could take a short walk."

"I like that idea," he said, knowing he was stumbling over his words and acting as if he didn't want to be here, and that was the farthest from the truth.

Rick walked by her side, thinking of what to say. It had been so much easier before, in the restaurant, but now it was really just them, nothing worthwhile was coming forth.

Kate stepped close and bumper her hip against his. "You okay over there?"

"Oh yeah, fine," he answered. He was well aware he was beginning to act strangely and she deserved an explanation. "Kate, listen-"

"You haven't been out on a date in a long time, have you?" she asked. "I do know a little about what happened... at least, what was in the paper a few years ago."

He stopped, and she was there with him. It was like she was in his head. "Yeah, it has been a while." He tried to smile, but looked down and scuffed his foot on the sidewalk. "and difficult. I apologize if tonight-"

"No, you're fine. I do understand, in a way." Kate started walking again, and he followed. "I lost my mother about ten years ago."

He couldn't stop the words from coming forth. "Does the emptiness ever go away?"

"I think maybe a little does, but over time, you find you don't mind carrying it around so much."

"How did you cope, at first?"

He jumped a little when she twined her fingers with his. "I went a little crazy for a while, then straightened up and went into the police academy. I was on the force for several years, even made detective." Her eyes widened some, like maybe she had said too much. "I guess I sort of worked through it, realized that wasn't my place anymore and decided to buy the coffee shop."

Kate punched in the code to the building and held the door open, "Come on," she smiled, "I can tell you want to talk more, and I'd prefer to not stand out on the sidewalk all night."

"Okay," he said. She was right, after all.

As they walked up the stairs to her apartment, he fished his wallet out of his jacket pocket. It took longer than he thought it would to open the thing and flip through the paper and cards inside. Part of him didn't want to do it, but he also knew he hadn't taken her picture out since six months after the plane crash.

Before he knew it, Kate was holding the door open for him. "Make yourself comfortable," she said, "I'll get some drinks."

Rick stepped inside and instantly liked the place, how well-lit it was and it so open. He slowly followed Kate to her kitchen, the picture finally in his hands.

"Here," he said as he handed the picture to Kate. He could feel the wound reopen and the tears gathering in his eyes. "Her name is -was- Alexis..."