"Katherine? Its okay now, sweetheart. He's gone." JR said gently; brushing Katherine's tears away with his hand.

JR couldn't believe just how awful Leon was. While it was true that he himself had been horrible in his own marriage, Leon actually seemed to enjoy watching Katherine suffer. It was beyond cruel. One way or another, JR was going to make sure that the bastard paid for what he had done to her. But right now, JR's main focus was on Katherine. He had to reassure her that he still loved her, and help her to try to feel better.

Katherine quickly regained her composure. "Don't worry about me, JR. I'm fine now. Seeing Leon again just brought up a lot of memories that I wish I could forget. But I know that I owe you an explanation about all of this. So why don't we leave and go back to my house so that I can tell you the whole story?" She suggested.

"Okay." JR agreed. He held Katherine's hand as they left the golf course together.

xxx

After they had arrived at Katherine's house, JR listened intently as she started talking about her past. She had first met Leon a few years ago back when she was still a college student in New York.

Begin Flashback:

Katherine strolled through the halls of Columbia University as she made her way to the library. While other students might have used their time in between classes to relax for a bit, Katherine felt like she had no such luxury. Double majoring in both journalism and business meant that she had little free time between her studies. But Katherine had to admit to herself that the business major was probably just wishful thinking on her part. Her mother had pretty much shot down the idea of Katherine running Wentworth Tool and Dye, and it didn't matter what her father thought. After all, Rebecca always seemed to get what she wanted. But Katherine thought that maybe if she went the extra mile to show that she was serious about running the family business, her mother might change her mind.

Deciding to move to New York to attend college had been one of the hardest decisions that Katherine had ever made. She had always been very close to her parents, and it would have been so easy to just commute to a college in Houston instead. But Katherine had ultimately decided that going a bit further away from home would benefit her in the long run. She loved New York, and being here on her own seemed like an adventure in itself. But despite her career ambitions, Katherine had always been a true romantic at heart. To meet and marry her true love and live together in a beautiful house with children sounded perfect. One of the best parts about going to college in New York was that no one paid any attention to her last name. Here, she was just another aspiring student, not the heiress to a multimillion dollar empire. Katherine doubted that anyone here even cared about the tool and dye business or oil.

Katherine had made sure that she had earned top grades while she was still in high school so that she could earn as many scholarships as she could. Even though her parents were more than wealthy enough to pay for her tuition, Katherine didn't want them to have to do that. She was tired of being viewed as the spoiled rich girl who did not have to do anything to get through life. But at the same time, Katherine felt a sense of superiority over a lot of people her age due to her advantages in life and her belief that she already had a lot of things figured out compared to her peers. Unfortunately, that and her heavy schedule had made it difficult for Katherine to make any true friends. Sure, she enjoyed talking with the other students who worked with her on the school paper. But it wasn't the same as having real friends. Also, Katherine would never admit it to anyone, but she had always been vulnerable when it came to talking about her own feelings. However, things were different now.

As Katherine entered the student library, she couldn't help smiling when she saw that Leon was waiting for her at their favorite table. She had met him two years ago, and they had been dating ever since. Even though Katherine had been initially wary about the gossip around campus that had painted Leon in a less than favorable image when it came to relationship commitments, she hadn't been able to stop herself from falling in love with him. Leon had a sort of dry, practical humor that Katherine found both funny and attractive. Like her, Leon was also double majoring in both journalism and business. He was very well-read and perceptive when it came to current events and world history, and Katherine loved staying up late and talking with him for hours about all sorts of topics whenever she could make the time. It had been Leon who had helped to renew Katherine's interest in journalism whenever she became depressed about her lack of a future with Wentworth Tool and Dye.

"Hey! How's my ace reporter doing? Getting any experience with the cameras being on you yet? Because once they see you, they won't want to be aimed anywhere else besides your beautiful face!" Leon joked as he ruffled Katherine's hair.

Katherine laughed as she sat down next to Leon. "You know that's not what I'm really going to be there for, right!?" She said.

"I know. And people are going to listen to you. I just can't help thinking how much I'll love seeing you all of the time once you get started! How's your article for this week coming?" Leon asked.

Katherine took out a notebook and leafed through it. She was the editor for the school newspaper, which also meant that she had to write stories about any topics of interest that she believed could be important to the student body. Katherine was proud of her work. She believed that she was involved in an activity that actually made a difference and challenged other students to think critically about various topics. In Katherine's opinion, it was much more worthwhile than the extracurricular activities that a lot of the other women in her age group usually enjoyed. She and Leon always referred to things like cheerleading and modeling as "mindless endeavors". Katherine was using her intellect, and she had always wanted to find a way for people to really appreciate her mind, not her looks. The great thing about Leon was that he appreciated her when it came to both of those things.

"I'm trying to make it look informative, but at the same time, I don't want it to look like it's from a feminist's perspective." Katherine explained as she showed her work to Leon.

Leon carefully read through the pages that Katherine had showed him. "Hmm. Well, from how I see it, that might be unavoidable with everything that has to be explained here. However, around this part, it might help if you didn't write "we". That sounds like you are just assuming that the readers are all for it. And while I'm pretty sure that they are, someone could call you out on that." He advised.

"You're probably right, as usual. And this is one of the many reasons that I love you!" Katherine said as she leaned against Leon.

"And how can I not love the woman who always appreciates my piercing insight?" Leon joked. He then kissed Katherine gently on the lips.

"We are quite the team, aren't we!? I can just see you critiquing my work for the last-minute changes before I go on the air every night at a TV station!" Katherine said.

"That's all well and good, Katherine. But lately I've been thinking that you might want to set your sights higher." Leon said.

"What do you mean? I thought I already told you that I didn't want to settle for just being a field reporter." Katherine said in confusion.

"No, I don't mean that. I'm talking about world news! Just imagine it! All of the different places that we could travel to! There are stories all over the world that are much bigger than most of the things you would be covering if you were just stuck in one TV station all of the time! Don't you want some real adventures!?" Leon said excitedly.

"It does sound amazing when you put it that way. But what about running my company?" Katherine asked.

"Look, I know it's not fair to you. But unfortunately, your mother seems to believe that she has to follow the rules of a patriarchal society. But this would be a whole new world for us!" Leon insisted.

"Wait. When you say "us", do you really mean that you would go anywhere with me, Leon?" Katherine asked softly.

"Well, since we've been together this long, I figured that you would want the same thing that I do. For a long time now, I've always imagined us getting married and living together after we graduate." Leon said.

"Are you…proposing to me!?" Katherine asked in amazement. She could feel her eyes welling up with tears.

"It's not officially a proposal since I haven't been able to plunk down enough cash for a decent enough ring for you yet. But yes, that is pretty much what this is. I love you more than anything Katherine, and I want to marry you. If you'll have me, that is." Leon said.

Katherine was so happy that she could hardly speak. This was everything she had dreamed of.

"Yes, I do want to marry you, Leon! More than anything… I love you!" Katherine said as tears of joy flowed down her face.

"I love you too, Katherine." Leon said softly. They both then leaned in close for a long kiss.

xxx

"-and after we get married, we'll have the whole world ahead of us! Literally!" Katherine told her parents excitedly. It was the weekend, and Katherine had flown out to Texas just so that she could tell her parents about Leon's almost-proposal and their plans for the future.

Rebecca looked a bit conflicted about her daughter's news. "You know how much we like Leon, Katherine. But are you positive that this is the career that you really want for yourself? You would be traveling around the world nonstop with barely any rest." She said.

Katherine narrowed her eyes slightly at her mother. "Well, since we all know that I can't ever have my first choice for a career, I would say that this is a pretty good alternative. It will be fun, and more importantly, I'll always be with Leon." Katherine said.

"While it may be easy to think of it that way right now, I think that you should at least consider the fact that you and Leon won't have a permanent home. And I know that has always been a dream of yours after marriage. It's hard to raise a family when your work requires that you always have to resettle somewhere at the drop of a hat." Herbert said sensibly.

"The whole world will be our home, though! We'll always be having new adventures, so everything will always be fresh and exciting in our relationship. What can be more romantic than that? And we can always bring our children with us!" Katherine insisted. However, a more sensible voice in the back of her mind wondered if she was getting a little too overexcited about this without really thinking things through first.

"Look, dear. Your father and I are very happy for you and Leon. We just want you to make sure that you really want this lifestyle for yourself. It's a big decision." Rebecca said seriously.

It took Katherine a few moments to reply. She had been idly flipping through the pages of the Dallas newspaper while they talked. Rebecca always liked to buy a copy of it alongside the Houston paper, and Katherine enjoyed reading it as well. She rolled her eyes as she read the headline titled: "Who's Your Daddy!? Ewing Birth Scandal Continues!" Katherine was fervently happy that she wasn't going to marry a loser like this who was obviously cheating on his own wife. Leon was a real man, and Katherine loved him for it.

"I know that it's a big change. But Leon and I love each other, and that is what matters more than anything else. We will be happy. And it's not like we won't ever come to visit you!" Katherine said firmly; remembering how happy she had been when Leon had told her everything.

xxx

The weekend after Katherine came back from her visit with her parents was special for her. It was the first time that she had slept with Leon. Even though they had been dating for two years now, Katherine hadn't been able spend nearly as much time with Leon as she would've liked due to their schedules. So she had wanted to wait until they had spent more time getting to know each other before she decided to take the next big step in their relationship. It had also been the first time that Katherine had ever been intimate with a man. She had found out that the first time wasn't at all like how books and the movies usually made it out to be. But she was happy nonetheless. For Katherine, it was the closeness that mattered more than anything else.

"You're leaving already?" Katherine asked in surprise as Leon pulled his shirt on.

"I'd stay if I could, but if I don't do any kind of studying for that exam that I have this afternoon, it will get ugly pretty fast." Leon said.

"But it's still early. I wanted us to have breakfast together…" Katherine said. She couldn't help feeling a little hurt. Weren't couples who were madly in love like they were supposed to lay in bed together contentedly to enjoy the afterglow after their first night together?

Leon walked over to where Katherine was still wrapped under the blankets in bed and kissed her forehead softly. "We can do that tomorrow morning, okay? And the morning after that, and again. Because trust me, we will have plenty more nights like the one we just had!" He said with a sly smile.

Katherine laughed. "I'm definitely looking forward to that! But can I call you later?" She asked.

"Sure. But I really do need to hit the books for a while today." Leon said.

"Okay. I'll call you later. I love you, Leon…" Katherine said softly.

"I love you too, Katherine." Leon said. After one more kiss, he left Katherine's dorm room.

Katherine smiled to herself. She really was the luckiest girl in the world to have someone like Leon.

xxx

Later that day, Katherine made her way to Leon's dorm room with some coffee in a bag. She wanted to surprise him with a nice little study break. However, Katherine's smile quickly faded once the door to Leon's room came into view. He was standing next to it while he talked to a woman. With her heart hammering nervously in her chest, Katherine stopped to listen to them.

"Thanks again for coming by today, Candace. God knows I needed it." Leon said ruefully.

"But I thought that you finally went all the way with that Katherine chick last night. Surely you can't be that bad off, Leon!" Candace said in amusement.

"I wish I could say that, but unfortunately, Katherine doesn't seem to be very good at the sensual arts. I mean, I know that was her first time, but I've been with virgins who at least had more imagination than that!" Leon said in irritation.

"And that's why you called me again!" Candace said.

"Yeah, and it looks like I'm probably going to have to keep calling people. I've already had to do that for two years now. But all of this will be worth it in the end. Katherine is set for life financially, especially once her old man kicks the bucket. And a marriage with her will set me for life, too. If I can just sell her on this world news thing, I'll be able to work wherever I want! What more can I say?" Leon said nonchalantly.

"Um, actually, I don't think that you need to say anything else." Candace said awkwardly as she pointed towards where Katherine was standing. She must have only just realized that they had an audience.

Leon swore under his breath after he saw Katherine.

"You're on your own, pal!" Candace joked to Leon before heading down the hall in the opposite direction.

Katherine faced Leon, trying to comprehend what she had just heard. She could hardly believe what was happening. It seemed more like a bad dream, but deep down, she knew that it was real.

"Why? Why have you done this to me, Leon!? After everything we've been through together! Everything I've given you… WHY!?" Katherine shouted.

To Katherine's surprise, Leon didn't look the least bit nervous or ashamed about getting caught in the act. "Look, I know it seems bad. But you have to look at it from my point of view. You can't expect a man to go for two years without sex. It's not realistic. I know that I shouldn't have done it after, but that was only going to be temporary." Leon said.

"I can't believe I'm hearing this! You've been cheating on me during our whole relationship, planned to use me for my money, and you act like it is perfectly normal! I gave you everything, Leon! My dreams, my body, and all of my heart! But I never meant ANYTHING to you!" Katherine yelled in agony.

"That's true, but you don't have to look at it that way. We can still enjoy each other's company, and that's what really matters. Lots of people have relationships like this. And if you had never found out about this, you would still be happy. The fact that you were satisfied with just the illusion of love from me for all of that time should show you that love really doesn't mean anything, Katherine." Leon explained.

"No, Leon. You may be okay with living a lie, but I refuse to be in a loveless marriage! It's over!" Katherine said firmly. But despite her words, Katherine's heart felt like it was only just starting the process what was happening.

"Suit yourself. But you're only going to make things harder for yourself if you keep expecting everything to be perfect. Fairy tales don't happen." Leon said coldly.

"You're not the man I knew at all… Leon, did you ever love me at all, even just for a little while?" Katherine asked desperately.

"How many times do I have to spell it out for you!? No, I never loved you." Leon said.

"Then I guess that's it… I love you, Leon. But I can't be with you anymore. Goodbye…" Katherine said; her voice just above a whisper.

"Goodbye, Katherine. Thanks for nothing." Leon said. Without another word, he turned away from her and walked away.

For a few minutes, Katherine just stood there numbly. She realized that her hands were still gripping the bag with the coffee in it. As if in a trance, Katherine slowly started to walk back to her dorm room. It was only after she was alone in her room when Katherine finally started to fully process what had just happened. She let out a strangled a sob as her eyes fell on the framed photo on her nightstand of her and Leon at a Christmas party last year. Katherine flung herself face first onto her bed. The same bed that she had made love with Leon in just a few hours ago. The sheets even still had his warm, familiar scent on them. Then, Katherine started crying loudly as a pain unlike anything she had ever experienced before took hold of her.

xxx

"I still can't believe it… I thought that he loved me! Why did this have to happen!? Is there something wrong with me?" Katherine asked her parents tearfully.

It had been a week since Katherine had ended her relationship with Leon. She had already missed a week of classes. Her parents had been shocked when they had heard about what had happened, and they both decided that Katherine needed a weekend at home with them.

"Sweetheart, you didn't do anything wrong. The sad reality is that there are a lot of relationships that don't end well. Granted, Leon's situation was a bit more unusual, but you have to understand that he is in the wrong here. Not you." Rebecca said as she gently stroked her daughter's hair.

"But if someone who stayed with me for that long can turn on me, then how can I ever trust another man again!? No one will ever love me!" Katherine said in despair.

"You don't know that. It's a big world out there. But you shouldn't focus so much on finding the right man. You should be enjoying your life in other ways right now." Herbert said softly.

"Your father is right. Once you stop worrying about it so much, I wouldn't be surprised if you met someone who's perfect for you without even realizing it!" Rebecca said.

"Just like I didn't think that the crazy secretary who broke the coffee machine in my office by accident would become my wife someday!" Herbert joked as he smiled at Rebecca.

Rebecca laughed. "It's true!" She said.

"And don't forget that you'll always have us, Katherine. Your mother and I will always be here for you, no matter what happens." Herbert promised.

Katherine managed a small smile. The pain of losing her first love was still fresh, but Katherine knew that she was very lucky to have such a wonderful family. As long as she had them, Katherine felt like she could get through anything. Little did she know that things were only going to get a lot worse for a long time…

End Flashback

"-and that's pretty much it. My guess is that Leon's probably been like this for a long time now. He told me once that ever since his sister died in a house fire when they were kids, his parents have hated him. They were out that night, and they blamed him for not being able to save her. I've met them once myself, and believe me, they barely even acknowledge his existence. That's probably why he's completely shut himself off from other people emotionally." Katherine explained to JR.

JR was stunned. No wonder Katherine had been so afraid to start over with him! Everything made sense now.

"Now I understand why you were so afraid to be with me… I'm so sorry that you had to go through all of that, Katherine. Leon is a bastard. He could have had everything, but he never appreciated you at all!" JR said.

"The hardest part was finding out that everything we shared together meant nothing…" Katherine said. She got up and walked over to one of the boxes that they hadn't unpacked yet. JR recognized it as the box that Katherine had refused to open in front of him last week.

"Look at this." Katherine said as she opened the box.

JR started looking through the contents of the box. There were tons of photos of Katherine and Leon in it, a lot of them dating back to various holidays and special events. Christmas parties, college dances, even photos of them with Katherine's parents. JR felt sick just looking at them. Katherine looked so bright and happy in all of the photos, and JR couldn't stand how Leon had taken all of that away from her in just a few minutes.

"I… I just never thought that it would happen! I thought that we were going to always be together… To get married and then sit outside in our backyard with tea as we watched our children play together…" Katherine said as she started to sob.

JR put his arms around Katherine and forced her to look at him. "You are going to have all of that and more with me, Katherine! I promise! Leon is a monster, and he doesn't deserve you or anyone else! But I love you, and I promise you that we will always be together, Katherine. Because I'm not like Leon. I chose to be with you because you make me happy." He said seriously.

Katherine stopped crying and looked at JR. "I'm sorry that I dwelled on the past for so long, JR. But in a way, I feel like seeing Leon again today has finally let me move on completely. I know that you are different from him, and none of this has made me lose faith in you at all. I love you, JR…" Katherine said softly.

"I love you too, Katherine. I always will." JR said. He then started kissing her passionately.

"Nothing like that to get my mind off of bad memories!" Katherine said breathlessly after the kiss had ended.

"I agree!" JR said with a smile.

"Well, then I think it's time I finally got rid of this!" Katherine said she pointed at the box containing all of the photos and other mementos of her life with Leon. "Care to lend me a hand?" She asked.

"Of course." JR said gently.

Without another word, JR and Katherine both carried the box outside so that it would be ready for the trash collection in the morning. Katherine's past was finally behind them.

Author's note: I'm sorry that it took me so long to write this. To tell the truth, I'm honestly not sure how much I like this chapter. But I felt like it was important to write this since Katherine really doesn't have much of a past in the show. I'm not sure how many people who are reading this are interested in Katherine as a character, or just read it for Katherine/JR, so I apologize if this seemed boring. Now I'm finally done with this OC junk and ready to move on to more important things in this story. As always, thanks for reading!