I was really inspired to write this chapter after I finished the other one, and so it got done pretty quickly. This might be the last chapter for a little bit. I go back to school the 15th and the first day of classes is the 20th. I suppose it'll all depend on what my free time turns out to be and how rough school's going to be this semester. Just hang in there; I'll get more done. I realized I forgot to mention that I've been doing this fic over a year now and it's still going strong. I do know it's taking longer to finish than Windmill, but I like to take my time with things and plan them out. I've also discovered that the more time I take in between, the more plot ideas I end up with for this bit.

Congratulations to nightlancer6000. He was the 200th reviewer and therefore is the one to receive a oneshot featuring either Kim/Kat or Kim/Tommy. Please contact me within two weeks or the prize will go to someone else. Enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 25 Katherine's Link

As soon as the two were safely inside Kimberly's front door and out of the rain, Katherine immediately pointed toward the bathroom. "Hot shower. Now. No excuses."

Kimberly was too tired to argue; she'd started to doze off while Katherine made the slow drive back home. The rain hadn't let up and was still pouring as steadily as it had before they'd left the hospital. Kimberly wanted to let herself go under the hot water and then fall into bed and sleep away the misery she felt at being separated from Nathan for the night. It was different now, being separated from him. Before, he'd been away at the babysitter's or at Jason and Trini's. Kimberly wasn't missing him so much then as she was now. She knew then that he was okay, that he was a fine, healthy boy who wasn't lying in some hospital crib while she was left to stay at home. She trudged toward the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

Katherine sighed and flopped down on the couch. A yawn escaped her lips and she moved her hand to cover it. She felt hopeless at the moment. She knew that no matter what she did, nothing would take Kimberly's mind off Nathan. Yet, she knew it wouldn't be right if that did happen. She racked her brain for something, anything. She then remembered the packets of green tea she had placed in her car; they had been samples she'd received at the mall, and she'd carelessly thrown them into the glove compartment. She wasn't a big fan of decaffeinated green tea, but perhaps it'd soothe Kimberly's nerves a bit. At least, that was what she hoped. She rose to make her way back outside in the pouring rain.

Ten minutes later, Katherine was finishing dunking the two tea bags into the boiling water, carefully placing them into the trashcan. She set the mugs aside to cool a bit, and hoped that Kimberly would finish her shower soon. Katherine looked about the house, trying to find something to occupy her mind with. She wandered back into the living room and noticed a door was cracked open, a room she hadn't seen before. She made her way across the living room and peeked inside, only to discover it was the laundry room. Clothes were piled in a basket, ready to be washed. There were at least a week's worth of clothing accumulated there. On the table nearby, there was a small pile of laundry that had been laid out after drying, but never had been folded. Katherine decided to start the load of unwashed laundry, sorting through colors, whites, and delicates before throwing all of the colors together in the machine. She added the laundry soap, and then started the machine, hearing it rumble to life. She turned around and nearly jumped out of her skin.

Kimberly stood there, toweling her hair dry; she had changed into a pair of light blue lounging pants and a white t-shirt. "What are you doing?" she asked softly.

Katherine looked at her, like a schoolgirl would at being caught for cheating on a test or stealing a small trinket. "I…was washing the clothes. I hope you don't mind…I just didn't like to see them all stacked up in here and thought I'd help out a bit. I'm sorry if I shouldn't have interfered."

Kimberly shook her head. "No, it's fine. I haven't… I haven't had time to do the laundry yet…" she trailed off, before turning to leave the room.

Katherine moved closer to her. "Kim, don't be so distant… you don't have to pull away from everything…"

"I'm not being distant in the least, Katherine."

"Then why leave so suddenly and give me the cold shoulder?"

Kimberly looked at Katherine, observing her for a minute before answering the question. "All I want is my son," she whispered softly. "That's all I want…" Katherine saw a tear trickle down Kimberly's left cheek and instantly regretted what she'd said.

"Kim, I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me… how about you go get in bed and I'll bring you something to calm your nerves?"

"All right," replied Kimberly as she walked toward her bedroom. Katherine turned off the light in the laundry room and went to the kitchen to retrieve the two mugs of green tea, which had by now stopped steaming so much. Katherine picked up the mugs, feeling the almost instant warmth radiating from them. She made her way slowly to Kimberly's bedroom, stepping inside the doorframe and into the soft glow of the lampshade.

Kimberly was curled up under the covers, and Katherine noticed that her eyes were focused intently on the wall in front of her. "Hey," she called softly. Kimberly turned her head slightly to look over at Katherine and Katherine thought she saw a smile, but couldn't be sure in the dim light. "I've brought you some green tea to help you relax…don't worry there's no caffeine in this so you should sleep easy." She crossed the floor to the bedside, and held out a mug to Kimberly.

Pushing herself up into a sitting position, Kimberly reached out for the mug and then cradled it in her hands. She lifted it slowly to her lips and took a sip, closing her eyes to enjoy the drink as the warm liquid ran down her throat. Katherine sipped from her mug as well, keeping an eye on Kimberly. She sat down on the edge of the bed. "Better?"

Kimberly nodded slowly. "Thank you. I can't say that enough," she replied.

Katherine patted Kimberly's sheet covered leg. "Like we all said before, there's no thanks needed. You get some rest and I'll sleep on the couch in the living room tonight when I'm finished with everything."

"No…" answered Kimberly, shaking her head.

Katherine looked at her. "Then where should I sleep?"

"You can just…share my bed. It's plenty big for both of us. That couch isn't the most comfortable thing to sleep on."

Katherine nodded. "Of course. Goodnight, Kim." She closed the door behind her gently and walked back into the living room, sipping on her green tea. She didn't really care for the stuff; it was more of a show than anything. She didn't return to the bedroom until two hours later, when she was certain Kimberly would be asleep. She slipped under the covers and sighed to herself. Kimberly had curled herself up into a ball and had pulled the sheets and comforter around her petite body, as though protecting herself from any more harm that might come her way. Katherine closed her eyes. Things could only go up from here.

Next Morning

Katherine waved to Kimberly as she dropped her off outside the hospital entrance. It was seven in the morning, and Katherine had an hour to kill before returning to the hospital. Kimberly had asked her to return when visiting hours began, instead of returning at the agreed time by the rest. Katherine didn't mind; it did give her time to run home to change her clothing, shower, and take care of Curio before returning once again. The only reason she'd driven Kimberly to the hospital was because they'd agreed it be easier just taking one vehicle. Of course, that was also after Kimberly had asked her to stay the next few nights until Nathan could return home. Katherine could understand it. Kimberly was lonely, and Katherine was the only one, besides Tommy, who was able to stay with her. Katherine knew that Kimberly still felt awkward asking Tommy; she sensed it when she asked Kimberly about it that very morning, but Kimberly offered no response.

She dropped her keys wearily onto the hallway table as soon as she walked in the door. She hadn't slept all too well last night; her dreams had interfered and tarnished what little sleep she had claimed for herself. She looked up and noticed the answering machine was blinking again, or had she not cleared the message the first time? She pressed play and the message from the night before was played to her again. She then saw the piece of paper in front of the machine and remembered she was going to call back today. She had promised herself that much, but she didn't know if she was ready to go through with it.

She looked toward the telephone, which sat in its cradle. She willed her fingers to move and pick it up, but they didn't listen. She bit her lip. This wasn't high school anymore. She shouldn't be so nervous, so scared, but she was. Her fingers reached out, then quickly retracted. Maybe in a bit… after she'd showered. Yes, that was the answer. She'd shower first and then call back. She glanced up at the clock. Besides, it was too early as it was. That would make her look even more foolish. That is, if her voice didn't give her away.

Later, Hospital

Katherine made her way to the children's wing, where she'd agreed to meet Kimberly. It was finally eight o'clock. She entered a room full of children laughing and playing and made her way toward the infant and toddler room, where she heard a mixture of cries, babbling, and laughter. She entered the room and looked for Kimberly, finding her beside Nathan's crib. Nathan was playing with a teddy bear and Kimberly was speaking softly to him. Katherine smiled and looked around the room at the other babies. Some were still sleeping, and others were playing, either in their cribs or with a nurse. One child was hitting a nurse with her rattle, seemingly babbling angrily.

"Kat! Hey!" called Kimberly from her spot. Nathan turned his head to look at her.

"Look Nathan. See who it is? Wave to Kat," encouraged Kimberly.

Nathan didn't wave at Katherine. Kimberly picked up his right hand and waved it for him. Nathan tried to pull his hand away, and Kimberly let go. Nathan instantly grabbed his teddy bear again and then threw it to the ground. "Uh oh," he called out and then laughed at himself.

Kimberly bent over and picked up the teddy bear. "This is not dropsies you silly boy," she replied to him in a baby voice. "You shouldn't let Tiger fall like that."

Nathan giggled and dropped Tiger again. "Uh-oh!" he called again. This time, Katherine retrieved the bear from the floor and handed it back to him. "Well, at least she isn't arguing over you about taking the car keys," joked Katherine. "She wouldn't be able to hold them over your head very well, now would she?"

"Don't give my son any ideas about my height," replied Kimberly. "I'm still taller than him right now."

Katherine smiled and laughed. "Okay I won't." She turned around when a nurse called out in pain. There was that same little girl again, rattle in hand. She still kept trying to hit the nurse, even when the nurse moved away. Katherine moved closer to the nurse. "Are you all right?" she asked the woman, who was holding her head where the baby had hit her.

The nurse looked up and smiled. "I'll be fine in a few minutes. Taylor is just having one of her days again. It's something you get used to after awhile. All these babies, all these different personalities."

Katherine moved closer to the crib and looked at Taylor. Taylor looked up at her with big green eyes and Katherine smiled at her. "Hey there…are you being a rotten girl?" she asked in a gentle voice.

As if to emphasize the nurse's statement, Taylor tossed her rattle at Katherine, but missed. It landed on the floor with a loud clattering. "Seems as if today is Dropsies Day," remarked Katherine as she knelt down to pick up the rattle. As she rose to her feet again, she noticed Taylor's chart attached to her crib. Her eyes skimmed it over, but what quickly caught her attention at the top of the chart was Taylor's name. "Taylor Elizabeth Rivella," Katherine murmured to herself. She stood and handed Taylor back the rattle and that's when it hit her full force. She backed away from the crib slowly. "No…no it can't be," she whispered. "She couldn't have…she wouldn't have…." Katherine turned away from Taylor. She couldn't bare to look at the girl while her mind was on fast forward. She turned and quickly walked out of the room.

"Kat! Katherine!" Kimberly called after her, but Katherine didn't acknowledge her. Kimberly placed Nathan in his crib again, quickly latching up the front before chasing after Katherine. She emerged into the hallway and glanced around. Katherine was heading for the elevator, and Kimberly quickly took off after her. She arrived at the elevator as the doors were beginning to close and stuck her hand inside. Katherine was the only one inside the elevator. Kimberly slipped inside with her. "What's going on Katherine? Why'd you take off like that?"

Katherine refused to look at her, keeping her eyes averted to the wall, waiting patiently for the elevator to stop at ground level. It did, and she exited quickly, Kimberly barely keeping up to follow after her. She reached out and grabbed Katherine's arm. "Katherine, stop. What is going on?"

Katherine finally turned to look at her, and Kimberly saw the tears that threatened to fall. " Taylor. Taylor shouldn't have been born."

Kat, what are you talking about? Taylor's just one of the children from the orphanage. She's had pneumonia and is being treated here."

The tears started to fall. "That's even worse. You don't understand. Taylor should never have been born."

Kimberly glanced around her and spotted an empty bench against one of the walls. She pulled Katherine to it and sat her down. "She's just some child, Kat. We know nothing about her, or where she came from."

Katherine gazed into Kimberly's eyes. "You don't know anything about her."

"Do you?" asked Kimberly.

Katherine nodded and more tears fell. "She's the revenge."

"What?" asked Kimberly.

"The revenge. Lacie's revenge on me. She told me she'd have a child and give it a particular name so that if I ever came across the child, I'd always be reminded of my past and what happened, that'd I'd never be able to forget even if I wanted to. It was her way of making me remember her, remember my past with her, and remember what she did to cause all of this to happen. Taylor was brought into this world not to be loved, but brought into it out of spite. She was only born to be the revenge, and nothing more. Her life is going to be a living hell, and all because of what happened and what I did to her because of what she did to me."

Well isn't that a lovely twist? Hmm... now should you all find out the history behind it or not?... I only tease! Leave a review :)