A/N - and I'm back! I am pretty excited about the new storylines so hope y'all enjoy the further adventures of Danny and Kara! Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate! xoxo - tmtcltb

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Chapter 10 - The Best of Intentions

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"Hi Mom." Kara opened the front door to find Debbie and Peter with a pan of what looked like chicken parmesan. "Peter, nice to see you. That smells good."

"Kara!" Debbie rushed forward, eyes sparkling with tears, enveloping her daughter in a tight hug. "You look pale and far too skinny. I don't know what Commander Slattery was thinking, making you come back by ship. Don't they med-evac people anymore?"

Managing to extract herself, Kara closed the door behind Peter. "A med-evac was hardly necessary, Mom. As you can see, I'm fine."

"Even as a child you never admitted to being hurt." Debbie studied Kara from head to foot before, apparently, deciding that Kara was not at death's door. "Come on, sit down and tell us all about it. You should have told me when you would be back. I could have met you at the dock."

Debbie's fussing was, of course, the reason why Kara had not told her mother when the Nathan James was scheduled to arrive in Mayport. Although Debbie had kept her promise of five years ago to remain sober, their relationship remained strained. Nothing that was evident to others. Or, at least, nothing that Kara thought was obvious. Just a bit of tension - tension which Kara knew was mostly on her end as she struggled to adjust to this new version of Debbie.

One who was motivated and attentive and reliable.

It was a version of her mother than Kara hadn't seen growing up. Motivated, at times. Attentive, when she wasn't drinking. But reliable? The first time that Kara heard the word used in connection with her mother she almost laughed. They couldn't be talking about Debbie! And then Kara had seen it for herself. The way Debbie threw herself into running the shelter turned distribution center in Norfolk. How she breezed into St. Louis, Peter in tow, and immediately turned her attention to creating temporary housing and supplies for those flooding the city with no more than the clothing on their backs. Debbie remained in St. Louis while Kara was transferred to Rota but, once Kara moved permanently to Florida, her mother followed. This time getting a job as a city manager and quickly becoming, as the Mayor had told Kara on multiple occasions, the best thing that ever happened to Mayport.

Kara was glad that Debbie was doing so well. That, after so many years of struggling, she was happy. With a job she loved, a long-term steady boyfriend, and a circle of friends who were not drinking buddies. Yet Kara remained slightly uneasy with the new-and-improved version of Debbie Foster. A woman who bore so little resemblance to the woman who Kara knew for her first thirty years.

Having allowed herself to be led into the living room, Kara sank onto the couch. "There's really nothing to worry about, Mom. The media blew it all out of proportion. Basically I spent a week stuck inside but, other than the lack of running water, it was no worse than being at a hotel. Rios checked me out as soon as I got back to the James and I passed every test."

Despite the fact that it was eighty degrees outside, Debbie began tucking a blanket around Kara. She was relieved to see that Peter had disappeared into the kitchen, presumably to find plates and silverware. One of the many things that Kara liked about her mother's boyfriend was that he didn't try to parent her. Debbie did more than enough fussing for both of them.

Debbie sat down next to Kara on the couch, her lips pursing. "I suppose that you can't tell me what really happened."

Kara didn't bother prevaricating. "No."

Debbie frowned. "Were you with Danny at least?"

Kara suppressed a sigh. Debbie's view of Danny as some sort of paragon - a paragon who Kara let slip through her fingers, no less - was a continuous source of annoyance. Especially since Debbie insisted on judging every other man who Kara brought home against her biased view of Danny, a contest which the man in question inevitably lost.

xxxxx

"I can't believe that you let that boy leave without getting a ring on your finger," Debbie announced as she carried another box of clothing into the room to be sorted. "He'll come back sweet on some other girl and don't say that I didn't warn you."

Kara set down her cup of coffee, already regretting her decision to come see Debbie today. As if watching the Nathan James sail down the Mississippi without her had not been enough to deal with, she was now facing an interrogation from her mother. "Danny and I are not dating, Mom."

"You keep saying that but I see the way you look at each other," Debbie replied, starting to sort the clothing as she spoke, moving quickly through the piles. "I'm your mother. I know you better than you think."

Kara stood to help, pausing for a moment to catch her breath. Although it had been more than three months since the vaccine trial, Kara's exhausted remained and, after weeks of badgering, Rachel had finally convinced Kara to make an appointment with a local OBGYN for tomorrow afternoon. It was the reason that Kara was here, truthfully, having some half-baked idea of asking Debbie to go with her to the appointment. An idea that she scraped the second that Debbie started in on the topic of Danny. "Mom, can we please talk about something else?"

Debbie stopped, hands on her hips. "Fine, but I'm telling you that you just threw away Grade A husband material right there! You, Kara Elizabeth Foster, need to wake up and smell the coffee before you end up like me. A fifty-five year old woman with a string of bad relationships to my name. Or worse, knocked up with no ring and no means of supporting yourself."

Even knowing that Debbie had no idea what happened during the vaccine trial, no idea that Kara was ever pregnant, the words were a blow. Apparently sensing that something was off, Debbie leaned closer, studying Kara. "You aren't pregnant, are you?"

"Lord, no," Kara managed, turning and rummaging through a pile of clothing in the guise of productivity. "And I can support myself just fine, Mom."

Another sore subject, given that Kara had been Debbie's main source of income since she graduated. Debbie spoke softly. "I know that, honey."

"Anyway," Kara said, forcing herself to sound positive, "I would say that your bad luck with men may have changed. Peter seems pretty darn nice."

Accepting the change in conversation, Debbie giggled. "Peter is amazing. I couldn't believe it when he offered to come to St. Louis with me. Now that is true commitment."

xxxxx

Pulling her legs up under her on the couch, Kara fought to keep her voice neutral. "I was with Danny for part of the time. He's recovering well, in case you were wondering."

"Actually we dropped a few casseroles off at his apartment on our way over," Debbie offered brightly.

"That was nice of you." And it was nice of Debbie and Peter to think of Danny, even if it rankled that Debbie managed to stop by Danny's apartment before coming to see her own daughter. Realizing that she was being petty - after all, Kara was the one who waited until she was home to inform Debbie that the Nathan James was back in Mayport - Kara smiled at her mother. "You really can't beat Peter's cooking. I'm sure Danny will enjoy it."

"Poor boy seemed pretty out of it," Debbie continued. Kara hid a smile, recalling Danny's plans while they were both stuck inside their respective houses on "medical leave", which boiled down to drinking until dawn and sleeping until noon. "Rick was there, and his friend Wolf. I've always liked those boys. They said they were there to help Danny so I told them that we would bring back more tomorrow. With three men eating, the food won't last long."

"Enough talking, time to eat," Peter announced, returning with three plates. His eyes flickered across Kara. "I know that you were checked out by a doctor, but I have to agree with your mother. You look a little pale. Still, nothing that some good food and time relaxing in the sun won't fix, I'm sure."

Kara immediately dug into her food, almost groaning as the flavor burst across her tongue. "Peter, you are a miracle worker. This is amazing."

"Glad you enjoy it." Peter smiled, then jumped back up. "I almost forgot the bread."

A moment later he returned, setting the basket on the table. "Actually, your mother and I have something we want to discuss with you."

"Oh?" Kara glanced up, noticing that Peter seemed nervous, only then noticing the new decoration on Debbie's left hand. "Is that what I think it is?"

Beaming, Debbie grabbed Peter's hand with both of hers. "It is! Can you believe it? We're engaged."

"Congratulations!" Kara made to stand but Debbie waved her back, holding out her hand so that Kara could inspect the lovely emerald-cut diamond set in a platinum band. Having spent a little too much time recently talking about engagement rings, Kara could immediately tell that Peter had fallen for the two-month salary rule. Moreover importantly, however, the ring was completely different from the sapphire-and-diamond on a band of gold that Debbie had received from Kara's father.

The one that Debbie gave to Danny, and Danny gave to Kara. The one that was even now sitting in her jewelry box.

"It's beautiful," Kara said honestly.

"Isn't it? I was so surprised. I've always said that I was never getting married again but I just couldn't say no." Debbie beamed at Peter. "I can't imagine life without you."

Peter squeezed Debbie's hand. "The feeling is mutual."

xxxxx

Twelve-year-old Kara walked into the kitchen to find her mother slamming pots. Warily, she moved around the table. "What's for dinner?"

"Spaghettios," Debbie replied shortly. "Set the table for two."

"Where's Mitch?" Kara asked, doing as she was told. Truthfully, she didn't like Mitch much. He was too loud and smelled bad. And Kara hated it when her mom quit working at the diner so she could go with Mitch on long-hauls. Staying with Jennifer was fun at first but Kara missed seeing her mother when she was gone for two or three weeks taking loads to California or Oregon.

"Mitch left. We broke up." Debbie's response was short.

Kara carefully lined up the napkins and laid the silverware. "Are you going back to work at the diner?"

"I don't have much of a choice, do I?" Pouring herself a glass of vodka, Debbie took a long drink before splitting the slimy spaghettios between two plates. "This is Mitch's place so you'll stay with Jennifer for a few weeks until I can find a new apartment and talk to Ed. He was pretty mad when I quit with no notice so I'll have to do a little sweet-talking to get my job back. I'm telling you, Kara, there is no such thing as a good man. They all end up leaving you high and dry."

Kara nodded along as Debbie began a familiar rant, focusing on swallowing the slimy, limp noodles. Kara liked it better when Debbie worked at the diner because she would bring home extra food at the end of her shift. Tuesday was the best because Wednesday was baking day so Ed would send home the extra pie for Kara. Thinking about the possibility of pie was so distracting that Kara almost missed the reference to her father.

"What about my dad?" Kara interrupted. Debbie rarely talked about Kara's father, even when Kara begged.

Debbie paused, lifting her glass to her mouth, only to discover that it was empty. She stood up to pour another. "At least your father had the decency to marry me. Without his death benefits we would probably be out on the street right now."

Kara stared at her mother. She knew about the payments. Right after the check arrived her mom and Mitch would go shopping and out to dinner. And then by the end of the month they would be back to spaghettios. "That money we get every month is from my dad?"

"No. Not from him," Debbie snapped, draining her second glass. "From the company he worked for. The rat bastards."

"So my dad was a good man then?" Kara asked, confused. Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Wasn't he?"

Debbie snorted. "I told Dale to stay here but, no, he had to take a job on an oil rig in the middle of the damn ocean. And it was just my luck that he was there for less than a month before the whole thing blew up. Took them a week to even find the body and then another week to identify him from dental records."

Kara gasped, tears building in her eyes and then overflowing. She knew that her father was dead, of course. But he died in an explosion? His body lost for days? She imagined him floating in the water, empty eyes staring blankly at the sky as sharks nibbled at his hands and feet.

Then Debbie was at her side, hugging Kara to her tightly. "Just you and me, baby. It's just you and me. I'll never trust another man again."

xxxxx

Kara watched the way that Debbie gazed up at Peter, her eyes shimmering with tears, their hands clasped tightly together. A lump rose in her throat. "I'm so happy for you."

"I want you to be my maid of honor," Debbie said, turning back to Kara and picking up her own plate, taking a small bite of her chicken. "I know that you've been helping Alisha and Val with their planning so I thought that I would pick your brain about some ideas on entertainment and color schemes."

"Um..."

But Debbie wasn't done. "Nothing too fancy. No more than fifty, maybe seventy-five people. Peter will handle the food. And I was thinking that the Civic Center would be perfect for the reception since I already work there. I'm picturing a lilac dress for you. What do you think?"

Thankfully Peter saved her before Kara could admit that she had no thoughts whatsoever about lilac dresses and had, in fact, delegated authority to pick her dress for Val and Alisha's dress to Courtney. "Give her a few minutes to adjust, Deb. Maybe save colors for tomorrow."

"You're right, you're right," Debbie smiled at Peter and then Kara. "But you will be my maid of honor? I can't imagine doing this without you next to me."

"Of course," Kara murmured. As though she could give any other answer. There was nothing wrong with being the maid of honor for her mother, she supposed. But it felt like something a girlfriend should do, maybe a sister. Surely Debbie wouldn't expect Kara to plan a bachelorette party or help pick out lingerie for her honeymoon?

Debbie set down her plate. "Oh look at me! My mascara is running again. I'll be right back."

As soon as Debbie was out of sight, Kara took a deep breath. Had it really only been fifteen minutes since Debbie arrived?

Kara was startled when Peter spoke, having almost forgotten that he was still there. "I imagine this is all a little overwhelming, but I know having you involved with the wedding means the world to Debbie."

Kara smiled at Peter, taking another piece of garlic bread simply to have something to do with her hands. "I really am happy for you. Both of you. I've never seen Mom like this with anyone else."

Peter studied her. "Debbie's told me some things about her past, about your childhood. About how tough it was. She didn't sugarcoat anything."

That was unlikely.

"It was okay." Kara stuffed more food in her mouth, not wanting to have this conversation.

"Kara, I ran a sober living home for thirty years," Peter said softly. "I know that it wasn't okay. And Debbie knows that too. I think that it would help both of you if you were open to talking about what happened back then."

Anger flashed through her, and Kara struggled to keep her ton even. "Look, Peter, I'm sure that you mean well but that's between me and Debbie."

Peter threw up his hands. "You're right. The last thing I want to do is interfere with your relationship with you mom. She's lucky to have you." He stood. "More pasta?"

"Please." Handing over her half-filled plate, Kara watched as Peter returned to the kitchen, desperately wishing that she was back on the Nathan James.

xxxxx

Kara picked at her food despite it being her favorite meal. Within minutes of submitting the request for a transfer, Kara had begun second-guessing her decision. Admiral Chandler had jumped at her proposal to serve a dual role in Rota, Spain, as both the President's military advisor in Europe and the military liaison to the EU. With the severe shortage of personnel on all levels, there was currently only a single Ambassador assigned to all of Europe. Kara would fill the gap, as necessary, when multiple events were taking place simultaneously. Her participation in the vaccine trial apparently being sufficient to gloss over her lack of diplomatic experience. Now, with only days left in St. Louis, Kara again wondered whether her decision had been driven by a desire to further her career, or simply the need to escape St. Louis.

Debbie took a deep breath. "I wanted to talk to you about something before you left, Kara."

Forcing herself to focus, Kara looked up. "I added you to my bank account already, if that is what you are wondering. You'll also have access to supplies from the PX as my dependent. Once it opens, anyway."

Not all of the accounts, but enough for Debbie to not have to worry about her basic needs. Kara had learned the hard way that giving Debbie access to everything meant coming home to empty accounts and overdraft fees.

"No, not about that," Debbie began, then stopped. "Actually that's part of it. I wanted to apologize. I haven't always been the best mother, Kara."

"Mom, stop." Kara held up her hand. "That's in the past. What you need to focus on now is the present. On staying sober."

"Making amends is part of the process," Debbie explained. She leaned forward, eyes imploring. "I want to do this right, Kara."

Kara set down her fork carefully, making sure to line it up with her knife before straightening her napkin. "Then consider yourself forgiven."

Debbie teared up. "Thank you, Kara. When I think about some of the things I did when I was drinking..."

"It's okay, Mom." Kara waited a fraction of a second. "Anyway, it's getting late and there are some communication issues to smooth out before I leave. I told Val that I would swing by the office and I don't want to keep her there too late. Will I see you tomorrow?"

"Yes, I'll be there." Debbie smiled as she fixed both Kara and Val to-go boxes. Fifteen minutes later Kara had made her escape, handing the food to the homeless man who lived on the corner before making her way back to the office. While there were no pressing communication issues to address and Val was hopefully home enjoying some time with Alisha before they shipped out, there was still plenty to keep Kara busy. Snapping on the light, Kara began working her way through the stack of paperwork sitting on her desk. Normally this was her least favorite part of the job but compared to the option of rehashing her childhood?

Almost anything was better.

xxxxx

Debbie returned from the bathroom with a bright smile. "Now, enough about me. I want to hear all about the ball!" She wiggled her eyebrows at Kara. "Was there romance in the air?"

"You mean the part before I was kidnapped?" Kara asked dryly.

"I saw those pictures, Kara," Debbie scolded. "I do have to say that you and Danny seemed very cozy dancing together. And the look on his face? I don't care what you say, he's still got a thing for you."

Kara groaned. She had almost managed to forget about those pictures from the ball, which were splashed across the front of pretty much every major newspaper for weeks. The interest in their relationship was one of the primary reasons that Slattery had not elected to "med-evac" Danny and Kara back to the States. "We were working, Mom."

"Mm-hm," Debbie replied, and Kara knew that it was a lost cause. "You're telling me that nothing of interest happened that evening?"

"Well," Kara said, picking up her fork. "I have now officially danced with the heads of state on five of the seven continents. That's interesting, right?"