Chapter twenty-seven: Maybe, just maybe

Kate's eyes bulged in shock and she limply stood there as Thomas backed her up against the side of his car. She let out a few whimpers of protest as he worked his mouth against hers. Kate's hands moved to his chest, intent on pushing him away, but he caught her hands and held onto them tightly. Groans of shock, which could be mistaken for pleasure, began screaming out of her mouth. Thomas pinned her against the car with his body and began moving his hips against her! Kate didn't know what to do! This was not like Thomas. Not to mention, where had this sudden outburst of passion come from?

As Thomas finally broke the kiss, all she could do was stare up at him. Her heart was pounding hard in her chest and she could have sworn that her blood was on fire. Thomas studied her very carefully. There seemed to be something unspoken in the air between them. What it was exactly, she didn't know, but there was something there.

"When Changretta gets back," he says raggedly. "you can tell him to go f**k off." with that, he opens the car door and helps her inside the car. She was grateful for his help, for her legs were shaking. He went around to his side of the car, got in and started the engine.

When she ran a trembling hand over her mouth, Kate observed that André and the other man were watching from the window. And from the look on their faces, Kate knew that they'd seen that whole exhibition with Thomas. Kate felt her temper flare up as she knew that Thomas had done that deliberately to provoke Changretta. She inhaled deeply, not wanting to blow up because Thomas obviously had a plan, what it was, she didn't know. But after this…he owed it to her to explain it to him.

He got into the car, started it and turned back onto the road, intent on going home. They were both silent for a minute. But she spoke first, not wanting to be trapped in a silent car with him after that. "I trust, that you had a reason for that exhibition."

"Yes." He nods. "They'll report back to Changretta that I made a move on you."

"Don't you ever do that again." she bites out.

"It meant nothing, Kate." he glances at her. Damn, this man could be so cruel at times.

"That doesn't matter, you're seeing Lizzie and it's wrong of you to kiss me."

"Anyway," he shrugs slightly. "Changretta will assume that you chose to stay at my home because of me. He won't be able to blame you for not coming to him. I've now made it clear that maybe the rumors have been true all along. So, he'll have to consider moving against me very carefully."

Kate blinks. "You're deliberately provoking him?"

"Yes."

"Why!?" she demands. "Why on earth would you do a stupid thing like that?!"

"Because if he blames me, he will leave you out of this." He states. "He'll be coming after me now."

"Oh, my God. Why are you men so hot-headed and stupid?" Kate shakes her head in exasperation. "The only reason he let Emmett go without a fight because of his mother's interference. This time, it's you, someone he would have no problem fighting, since you killed his father."

"Even if it causes him to risk losing you?" he states. "If he wants to win you back, which he will, considering his obsession, he'll have to play nice for a while. That gives me enough time to figure out how to take him. , down.

"Take him…I will never understand you." she groans. "Why did you have to go and make this even more damn complicated?"

"Because, I want Changretta gone." He stated. "I want him to stop calling my house and I want him to leave you alone."

"It bothers you?" Thomas says nothing, which causes her to become even more exasperated. "Well, why didn't you say in the first place that it bothered you?" Kate demands. "Oh, that's right. You don't care what I do!" she flops back into her seat, arms crossed and an annoyed look on her face. "I could probably go off with Jack the Ripper and it would still be fine with you!"

Thomas's head jerks towards her. "So that's what's been bothering you these past few months." Kate is secretly glad that he's observed her annoyance with him. "I didn't mean it the way you're saying it Kate."

"So, you say. I thought we were friends Thomas." she turns towards him. "I spent months with you in that hospital, sleeping in a chair until you were able to sit up and walk. Not to mention, I had to stop you from injuring yourself further, especially with those nightmares from hell! I also got into a car to make sure no one hurt your son!" Thomas pulls the car over to side of the road. "You say I'm like family, but truly, what you really mean is that I'm a member of convenience!"

"Hold on, hold on." he exhales as he turns towards her. "That's been the problem between us these last few weeks?"

"Yes!" the words burst out of her. "While unintentional, those words hurt me Thomas! You don't care!? What kind of person says that after I get back from making sure that your son is all right! Not to mention I came back with a black eye, swollen jaw, bruised face and a cracked rib! But no one laid a hand on Charles!" she exhales sharply. "I'm probably making too much out of this whole thing, but, dear God, you could have slapped me and it would have hurt less!" she inhales and sighs. "I deserved better than that, I really did."

Thomas is silent for a long time, mulling the words over in his mind. She exhales and rubs her eyes. "I'm sorry." She sighs in exasperation, knowing that she's about to forgive him again. Grace had told her that Thomas never apologizes, because it was a sign of weakness, so, when he did apologize, it was genuine. "I didn't mean to hurt or upset you Kate. You're a very special member of my family and believe me when I say; I have nothing but your safety in mind." She looks up at him. His penetrating blue eyes are studying her face very carefully and his expression is sincere. "Do you understand?"

Kate nods as she swallows. "Yes, and I forgive you. But, I need you to understand that I don't want you purposefully putting yourself in danger to help me."

"Truth to be told…both of us owe each other a debt that can never be repaid." He said calmly. "In addition to what you mentioned; I owe you for your husband's death, protecting Charlie and tending to Grace."

She was silent for a moment. "Don't let any of that influence your decisions. If anything happens to you and I know it's because you felt you had to settle a debt you owe me, I would never forgive myself."

"I wouldn't expect you to blame yourself. It's my fault."

"Thomas, I brought this on myself and I want to deal with it without involving you."

"I hurt you and my hurting you made you go to Changretta." He said quietly. "It's my fault and I will right it."

"No. I don't want you to right it. Especially, not at the expense of your family." she states. "Thomas, if something happens to me, your whole family will function just fine without me. If you go down, everyone's life will be affected and you have Charlie to think of. He's already lost his mother. I won't be responsible for your death."

"And I won't be responsible for yours." He states firmly. "So, for now all we can do is try to watch each other's backs until you're safe. But I have no problem taking a bullet for you."

"I don't want you to, but…I've no problem taking one for you either." She smiles faintly as she squeezes his hand fondly. "You're a good man Thomas Shelby, a man of your word and you're a good father."

He nods as he turns the car back onto the road. "And you're a good friend Kate."

"Thank you." she says quietly. "That…means a lot to me to know that you can consider me one."

Thomas almost smiled at her before turning his attention back to the road. Kate closed her eyes and leaned her head back, trying to force herself to stay calm. But her heart wouldn't calm down. A part of her was insisting that it was due to stress, but, she was lying and she knew it. Because from the moment Thomas kissed her, Kate had been forced to admit something to herself.

That maybe, and maybe a little bit more than just maybe, Alfie Solomons was right about there being feelings between her and Thomas Shelby. The only thing she couldn't answer, was how long had these feelings been there and when had they started? Not to mention, what did she exactly feel for him?

But she shook that thought aside. There couldn't be any feelings between them. She was a widow and he was a widower. Neither of them were in a stable enough place, emotionally, to ever connect with someone.

So, why did she want to connect with him?

Maybe she was...no, she refused to think it and she would never admit it.

She would never admit that maybe she loved Thomas Shelby.

Kmhappybunny240: You guessed it.

Idcam: Well, you know, but I don't think anyone's happy about it.

MeriemDjez: You have a very uncanny knack of knowing exactly where I was going! Yes, that's exactly what he did. The rat!

TheHoodedAssasssin: Happy to oblige, even if it is a little short.

Wildestdreams8913: I know, it took 27 chapters, even if it meant nothing… allegedly.