Chapter 47

Jason watched Kat cautiously as she moved down the hill between a few trees. She moved slowly, studying her surroundings with her intense gaze from her FBI days. He started to follow after her, but Russ's strong hand gripped his elbow, stopping him in his tracks. Jason looked back over his shoulder to see Russ shake his head.

"She needs someone." Jason protested.

"She need to do this herself. Give her some space, she'll call if she needs you."

"I still think this was a bad idea." Jason muttered as he stuffed his hands in his coat pocket. His gaze drifted over to the cabin behind him. The cabin that had started Kat's personal hell one year ago. She had yet to go inside, obviously saving it for last.

"You may not like this Scott, but she thought it was something she needed." Russ argued.

"I know." Jason sighed.

Kat continued to trek deeper into the woods, retracing her run of terror from the year before. Her mind swarmed with images and memories of her flight from the Angel Killer.

I'm sure I turned right over here. Kat told herself as she continued on until she came to an upturned root, barely noticeable unless one were looking for it. Kat knelt down and reached out with shaky hands and smoothed her palms over the rough bark. Her now healed foot throbbed in memory of it's connection with the root.

Not far now. Kat told herself. With a deep breath, she pushed herself up and stepped over the root. She remembered that she, being in so much pain, had wanted to avoid another hill, and therefore skirted around the base of the looming hill.

"Thought you could get away did you?" the chilling, deep voice echoed in her mind. Kat froze in her steps. It was right there, right behind those bushes that Tyler Jacobson, the Angel Killer, had emerged. "I warned you what would happen if you tried to run."

Kat fell to her knees and let her head fall back as she stared at the treeline above her. It was right here. The view had forever been imprinted in her memory, unable to forget the scene she stared at as she fought to stay alive.

The scars on her body itched and throbbed as she recalled his strut as he walked over to her. The smell of his cologne as he hugged her close and whispered in her ear. The anger burning in his eyes and grief buried deep in their depths. He had truly regretted what he had done, and what he was about to do.

For the first time in many months, Kat let her guard down. Letting her head fall forward, she wept, shielded by her hair that fell over her face. She cried for the women who didn't make it, for Liz, for Lilly growing up without her mother, for Jason, for herself, and even for Tyler himself.

It felt an eternity to her before a large, strong hand gently rubbed down her back. She knew it was Jason without even looking. He had crouched down next to her, offering her a silent solace.

Suddenly he let out a shuddering breath, even as he continued to rub her back gently. It was then that Kat remembered that this spot had affected Jason's life just as much as her own.

"You found me here." she said quietly as she picked her head up to look at him.

"The others kept calling me back, but I knew you were here." Jason nodded as he gently wiped away her tears with his thumb.

"I was waiting for you."

"And then you let go, you stopped fighting."

"I did." Kat nodded slowly. "But you didn't."

"I couldn't." Jason replied, his voice thick with emotion. He took hold of her, pulling her into his lap with her back pressed against his chest as the memory of that night flooded his thoughts.

She was so cold. She was warm and alive.

Her voice was raspy and rattling. Her voice was quiet but strong, though filled with emotion.

Her body was stiff and weak. Her body melting against him, her pulse strong beneath his fingertips.

She was gone then. She was here now.

"I'm sorry I didn't fight harder Jason. I just..." Kat paused as she drew in a shaky breath. Jason remained quiet, waiting for her to compose herself. "I had been holding on for so long, fighting for every breath... And when I saw your face, I just.. I knew you'd be strong for me. I was so tired."

"I understand Kat." Jason whispered after a pause.

"I love you so much."

"I love you too, my Snowflake." Jason replied before pressing a kiss to her temple. "From now until forever."

"Forever." Kat echoed with a smile despite the tears still running down her face.

XXXXXXXXXX

Russ smiled to himself as Kat and Jason walked back up the hill hand in hand. He had originally been against their relationship, thinking that Kat was putting her job on the line. He realized now how much they needed one another.

"Can... can we go in?" Kat asked Russ with an unsteady gaze toward the cabin. Russ gave her a curt nod and took out the keys. He quickly unlocked the front door and stepped aside.

"Do you want me to wait again?" Jason asked. Kat's only response was to tighten her grip on his hand. Jason nodded and led the way through the doorway.

The first room was unfamiliar to Kat as she had only been in it once, during the dash for her life and freedom. Kat released Jason's hand, knowing he'd only be a few steps behind her. She slowly reached for the doorknob of the bedroom door with a shaky hand. She gulped against the lump in her throat as she twisted the handle. The hinges gave a low moaning creak as Kat pushed open the door.

The room had been cleaned after the case closed, but the furniture was still in the same places. The view from the window was unchanged. Kat felt her breath catch in her chest.

This room, this very room had changed her forever. Leaving a trail of scars not only on her body, but on her mind and soul as well.

Jason watched her as she took small tentative steps into the room. He could sense her emotions were on the verge of overwhelming her and he had to fight back against the urge to whisk her out of the cabin and back to California. She needed this time, for closure and to lay her demons to rest.

Kat made her way to the bathroom, purposely avoiding the bed for now. Her eyes scanned the small, simple room from the doorway. She remembered crying in the shower until long after the water had run cold, and still feeling dirty. She caught her reflection in the mirror. She wasn't nearly as haunted or broken looking this time.

Gathering her strength, Kat whirled around and faced the bed. Trembling fingers traced the delicate details in the wooden footboard. She let her hand drop to the bedtop as she stepped around to the side. For a moment she saw a handsome, evil face with ice blue eyes hovering over her. "I just want you." His rumbling voice ghosted through her body, sending tremors of terror coursing down her spine.

Jason was right beside her just a moment later. He remained silent, but offered her his strength.

Tears stung her eyes as she continued to stare at the bed. She could feel the bonds rubbing at her wrists and ankles as she were restrained to the bed once more. Tyler's breath hot on her face. His hands searching and hurting her body. She slammed her eyes shut against the onslaught of memories, but it failed to help.

Jason placed his hands on her hips, pressing his chest against her back. "Let it come. It happened, but remember it's over. You're safe. You're here with me."

The warmth from Jason's body slowly penetrated the cold and darkness of her memory. Her eyes snapped open. "He's dead, and I'm not." she said with conviction. "He can't hurt me anymore."

"That's right."

"Thank you for bringing me here." Kat said as she turned to face him.

"It was what you needed." Jason nodded.

"What we needed." Kat corrected. Jason gave her a smile and a nod. She was correct. He was still haunted by that night. The feeling of her going limp in his arms. It was amazing how it eased his mind, facing the place that he'd "lost" her with her right by his side, alive and well. It seemed they both found their closure for the last year. There was only one last "ghost", that Kat had come to take care of.

XXXXXXXXXX

Jason squeezed Kat's hand under the table as he felt her tense when the guards led in Rachel bound in chains. He had been against her seeing Rachel, but Kat insisted. Now, the look in her eyes told him that he had been right. This was a mistake, he should have pushed harder.

"Rachel." Kat barely whispered as Rachel sat across the large table from her. Rachel stared at Katherine with a mixture of relief and regret.

"I'm glad you're alright." Rachel said in an equally quiet voice. Her gaze fell down to the table top as if studying the grain of the wood. The two women remained silent, letting the tension in the room grow until Jason felt it would crush him. "Why are you here?" Rachel said so quietly Jason almost didn't hear it.

"I don't know." Kat replied without looking up. "Answers... apologies... I really don't know why I felt I needed to come here."

Once again they fell into silence, Kat softly began stroking Jason's hand with her thumb absentmindedly. When she reached her hand up toward her face, Jason realized she was crying.

Shit! I've got to get her out of here! His mind screamed as he began looking around the room for the guards.

"I'm so sorry." a meek, broken voice suddenly cried out. Jason's body stiffened as he realized it was Katherine apologizing. Rachel's head snapped up to stare at her former boss, her eyes wide and full of surprise.

"Wh... What?" Rachel stuttered as she swallowed against her suddenly too dry throat.

Kat finally lifted her head, tears streaming down her porcelain cheeks, but determination shinning in her sapphire eyes. "I shouldn't have kept you at arms length all these years. I made you feel like I didn't trust you, and in return you couldn't trust me. This is all my fault."

Rachel opened her mouth as if to say something, but then quickly snapped it shut with an almost painful clack of teeth, only let it drop open again.

"Please, accept my apology Rach." Kat slowly reached out taking Rachel's hands in her own, the shackles clanging against the table.

"Don't Katherine." Rachel finally said. "You did nothing wrong."

"I should have been more open." Kat shook her head.

"Please, stop." Rachel jerked her hands away and quickly stood up. The guards quickly appeared at her sides. "You shouldn't be apologizing! You should hate me! You should want me dead! You should... you should... Dammit Katherine!"

Kat quickly stood up, fire burning in her eyes like Jason hadn't seen in months. "Is that what you want Rach? Do you want me to hate you? Do you want me to wish you dead everyday?"

"Why don't you?" Rachel narrowed her eyes. "I do, everyday. Every fucking day, I look at myself in the mirror and fight the urge to beat the shit out of myself for what I did. I lay awake almost every damn night wishing I would just die."

"Don't do this to yourself Rachel." Kat shook her head. "You're just as much a victim of your brother as any of us. He used you, he lied to you, and he manipulated you. He told me things when he had me at your cabin."

"No, that's lies. He wouldn't do that to me! He wouldn't..." Rachel threw her hands over her face as she sunk to the ground. The guard on her right, caught her elbow and slowly helped her to the ground. "Tyler loved me, he was the only one who ever did."

"I know you think that Rach." Kat said softly as she moved around the table. She gently nudged the guard away and knelt down next to Rachel. Jason watched in awe as Katherine wrapped her arms around the frail woman and hugged her close, gently smoothing her hair.

"I'm so lost now." Rachel cried as she buried her face deeper into Katherine's chest.

"There's a lot of people that loved you Rachel." Katherine said softly. "I should have seen it before that you lost and suffering, just like me. So afraid to let someone in, afraid to let anyone love you. But you know what, we all did anyway."

"I'm so... sorry Katherine... I should... should have told you." Rachel hiccuped.

"I'm here for you Rach." Kat hugged her tighter, resting her cheek on top of the other woman's head. "I'm here."

XXXXXXXXXX

Kat looked... different. Jason studied her during dinner with her former team and Kale's girlfriend.

"You okay, Scott?" Dell nudged him, breaking into his thoughts.

"Huh?.. Oh, yeah. I'm fine. Just a little jet lagged."

"Shall we get dessert?" Kat asked, her sapphire eyes twinkling. That was it! Her eyes were sparkling with a life and energy Jason hadn't seen since high school. Kat had truly laid all her ghosts to rest. She finally let go of Charlie after all the years, allowed herself a new life, accepted the fact that time in the cabin had happened, she had both given and found forgiveness in Rachel, and left the ghost of Tyler Jacobson in the hell that she had survived. Yes, Kat was different tonight.

"If that's what you want, Snowflake." Jason grinned.

"He gave you the cutest pet name." Lindsey giggled as she placed her hand on Kale's. The group placed their orders for dessert and ate them happily. Russ and Jason argued over the check, which in the end Russ paid for.

After saying good-night the group went their own ways. Jason and Kat went back to their hotel room.

"Do you think Kale will ever propose to that girl?" Jason asked as they entered the room.

"Dell told me that Kale is planning to propose soon."

"You sure he and Zack aren't related?"

"Who knows." Kat laughed. "Oh, I have a surprise for you."

"Okay." Jason said slowly. Kat dashed off toward the bathroom. "What is it?"

"Go get comfortable and wait for me." She gave him a light shove and closed the door.

Jason smiled and shook his head as he walked back across the room. He took off his blazer and hung it next to their heavy coats. He took off his dress shirt and undershirt, laying them across the back of the chair. He then took out his favored sweatpants and quickly changed out of his dress slacks.

He'd barely gotten dressed when the bathroom door opened. Jason's jaw dropped and his heart sped up. Kat leaned against the doorframe in a shear, sapphire blue, lace nightie trimmed in silver satin around the bottom and top. Her golden hair was swept up and held in place by two silver chopsticks. The sapphire and diamond necklace he'd gotten her for the policeman's ball, sparkled brilliantly around her slender neck. The earring dangled seductively from her ears.

She wore no undergarments and her scars were clearly visible, but Jason didn't even notice. All he could focus on was the swell of her breasts, the slight curve in at her waist, the pleasant rounding of her hips, and the smile she wore just for him. She hadn't worn anything so revealing in a long time, being too self conscious of her scars.

Yes, Kat was very different tonight.

Jason visibly shook himself and rushed forward to her, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her deeply. "I take it, you like this." Kat giggled.

"Oh God, yes!" Jason half moaned. "You're unbelievable! Only one thing I would change."

"Oh?" Kat raised a blonde eyebrow. Jason grinned and reached for the chopsticks. With one swift tug, her hair tumbled down her back in golden waves.

"I like it better down." Jason grinned. He kissed her again, tangling his fingers in her hair to prove his point. He kissed along her jawline to her ear. Kat let out a small gasp as he flicked his tongue against her earlobe, letting her earring tickle the side of her neck. She felt him smile against her skin. "I want you." He whispered.

"I'm yours." She whispered back. Jason claimed her lips again with more passion, almost overwhelming her. When his tongue passed her teeth and touched her own her knees gave out. It was only due to Jason's strength and reflexes that kept her up. She moaned into his mouth as his fingers kneaded the skin of her back.

His arms tightened around her body, bringing her flush against him. She felt his hardened member pressing against her thigh, sending a ripple of excitement through her body. In one movement, Jason picked her up, her legs instinctively wrapped around his waist and her arms locking around his neck. He kissed her again as he walked to the bed. His midnight eyes reflecting possessiveness and desire equally.

Jason gently laid Kat back on the bed, memorizing every moment of detail to lock away in his heart. He ran his hands down her bare leg, letting his calloused thumb linger on the long scar running down her leg. Slowly he bent down and kissed her knee, caressing the pink scar with his lips.

He took her left hand in his, pulling her arm up toward him. He pressed an open mouthed kiss to the inside of her forearm as remembrance of her broken arm from the car accident. He leaned over her body and pressed several kisses to her forehead, for the concussion she had suffered.

He put his hands behind her shoulders and lifted her to a sitting position. Twining his fingers into her hair, he lifted it off her back before pressing another kiss to the base of her skull where the Angel Killer had knocked her out with his gun.

Kat sat breathlessly in his arms, waiting for his next kiss. This was the most sensual, tender action Jason had done. It took her by surprise when he put a kiss on her chest, above her racing heart.

Jason sensing her confusion, looked deep into her eyes and gave her a small smile. "For breaking your heart when Liz died."

"Oh Jason," Kat sobbed.

"Shh... Just relax, no talking." He placed a finger to her lips, his smile still in lace. Kat remained quiet and nodded.

Jason slowly worked her gown off over her head, leaving her body bare except the sparkling jewelry she wore. Jason ghosted his fingers over her naked flesh leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake.

He moved down her body and placed a kiss on her foot that she had broke. He lavished more kisses across the series of scars on her stomach. Kat was vibrating from the inside out as Jason stood once again. She was so aroused and sensitized from his loving kisses.

"My mother used to always kiss my wounds to make them better." Jason said huskily as way of an explanation. "But I have one more place to 'heal'." He gave her a cheeky smirk, taking her by the legs and pulling her to the edge of the bed. Kat watched wide-eyed as he dropped to his knees between her legs.

Kat's hips bucked at the mere touch of his hot breath. It was no wonder she didn't last very long once he'd actually put his mouth on her.

She lay on the bed, quivering and struggling for breath. She didn't know how long she had been there when Jason pulled her carefully across the bed. It was then that she realized he'd taken off his cherished sweatpants. She wanted to returned the favor, but her limbs felt heavy and her body like jelly.

"Tonight is for you, Kat." Jason whispered as if he'd read her mind. "You can have your way another time.

Jason covered her body with his own, holding himself steady just outside her entrance.

"Please." Kat whimpered.

"You don't have to ask, Snowflake." Jason replied. He claimed her lips as he thrust himself deep into her. He swallowed Kat's scream of pleasure with a sense of pride, knowing he had learned her body well enough to illicit a cry of joy with just one move. He made love to her slowly, savoring every moment and feeling.

Hours later they lay tangled together in sheets of their bed. Kat splayed her hands across Jason's chest. Her head resting on his arm. After a while she pushed herself up enough to kiss the scar on Jason's bicep where Tyler had shot him. Jason smiled.

Kat kissed his chest above his heart, feeling his muscles rippling beneath her lips. "For breaking your heart."

"Kat..." Jason said softly, but Kat silenced him with a hard and deep kiss. "What was that one for?"

"For your soul, your sanity, and your love."

"None of that was broken." Jason raised an eyebrow.

"No, but mine was, and you kept me going. You gave me everything you had, and I was giving it back to you because you healed mine."

"Oh Kat." Jason whispered. He gathered her in his arms once again and kissed her. "I love you."

"I love you too." Kat smiled back him.

"I'm hungry." Jason chuckled.
"Me too. Room service?"

"You pick."

"Pancakes and omelets." Kat grinned.

"Perfect." Jason nodded as he crawled out of bed. He slipped on his sweatpants and called for room service. Kat dashed off to the bathroom to take a quick shower while they waited for their food.

Kat emerged from the bathroom for the second time that evening. Her silk robe wrapped tightly around her body and her hair twisted up into her towel. Her jewelry long gone.

"Late night dinner, is served." Jason bowed at the waist and gestured toward the small table.

"Fantastic." Kat beamed. She removed the towel, letting her damp locks fall down her back. She sat down in one of the chairs and waited for Jason to sit across from her.

Kat finished one pancake and had eaten part of her omelet, when she set her fork down and look up at Jason. "There's something I wanted to talk to you about, and now is as good a time as any."

"I'm all ears, Kat." Jason nodded as he too set down his fork.

"I've been thinking about it for a while, and today I made up my mind. I want to return to the bureau."

Jason stared at her for a moment. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure." Kat nodded. "I was a good agent, it's the only thing I can see myself doing after so long of doing that. There are still other evil people like Tyler out there. At least in the bureau I can make a difference."

"That's a big step, Kat. It's going to change everything in our lives. I'm not trying to change your mind for you, I just want to know, are you completely sure?"

"I'm sure." Kat repeated, she folded her hands gently on the table in front of her. "I've already checked into. I can remain in Angel Grove, but it does mean occasional trips to LA to HQ, but the bureau is willing to let me start up an office branch in Angel Grove. It'll be my branch."

"If that's what you truly want, Kat, I'm behind you one hundred percent." Jason nodded. "Promise me one thing though."

"Anything."

"No secrets, about anything. I want to know what cases you're working and where you're going."

"Agreed." Kat nodded.

"And you agree, no field work if you're pregnant."

"When I'm pregnant." Kat grinned. Jason returned her grin.

"When you're pregnant." Jason repeated.

"You have a deal." Kat beamed as she picked up her fork and resumed eating.

Yes, Katherine Hillard was indeed a different woman tonight.