TK looked up at Kari as she walked in, smiling brightly.
"Kari! Sweetheart! Where were you?" he cried, jumping up and kissing her lips. She just stood, letting him kiss her and not responding in any way. He pulled away, looking puzzled.
"What's wrong?" Kari didn't say anything. She just ignored him and walked past him like he wasn't there, heading into the kitchen. TK followed, a frown on his face.
"Kari? What's up? Talk to me!" She turned to him, her eyes wounded but her face set. She lifted her hands and dropped the black lacy bundle at his feet. His face blanched, but he quickly covered it up. She looked him in the eye, silently demanding an explanation.
"I have never seen those before, Kari."
"Oh no?" Kari's voice stayed low, but she looked sad and angry. TK smiled.
"Really! Where'd you get 'em?"
"The couch."
"Oh. Well, dunno how they got there."
"Liar." TK lead Kari to the sofa and sat her down. She wouldn't look at him, just stared stonily at the floor.
"Really Kari, listen, there's been some misunderstanding. Some of my mates were over the other night, one of the guys must have dropped it or something. Come on Kari, give me a chance!"
"Why?"
"Because I love you," he replied, nuzzling her neck. She pulled away, then got up and walked across the room.
"Give me some time TK."
~*~
Kari sat in her car, parked at a park some distance from home, watching the rain run down the windows. The weather matched her mood, drizzly and wet. Should she trust what TK had said? Did she want to? Her cell phone rang. She picked it up and answered.
"Yes?"
"Hi Kari, when are you coming home? Tai's invited us all to his place for dinner, cos today's our anniverary of the first time we went to the Digital World. You coming?"
"Yeah."
"Okay, see ya soon." Kari clicked off the phone and started the car. This should be a good diversion from her thoughts on TK.
~*~
"KARI! DARLING!" Mimi swept her up in a bone-crushing hug. Kari hugged her back.
"Hey Mimi, long time no see right?" she replied, smiling cheerfully. Joe stood smiling near his new wife, gently cradling their baby. Yolei rushed over to say hi and gush over the baby. Mimi giggled.
"His name's Jordan, sweet huh?"
"Yeah," gushed Yolei. Kari grinned, examining the sweet little face. mimi looked at her.
"You wanna hold him?" Kari nodded, and gently took the baby as he was passed to her, holding him softly.
"He's so tiny," she breathed.
Across the room, Matt stood with a glass of wine in his hand, half listening to Tai rabbiting on to Davis. He looked up at the girls, smiling at Kari. She looked so perfect like that,her face glowing and motherly. A bolt of fierce paternalness swept through him. He wanted that perfect scene, that perfect girl, he wanted her so much it made his heart ache and his stomach do flips. He wanted her to be standing holding their baby, and she'd look up at him and their eyes would meet and she'd smile...
His dreams suddenly dropped as TK walked over to her and smiled. She smiled back, but there was something in her smile that made Matt think. She glanced over at him, and their eyes met. He held the gaze for a second, before turning to Izzy.
Kari frowned. Matt had had such a strange expression, an expression so candid and real that she'd almost blushed. She let Mimi take back her baby and watched Matt chat animatedly to Izzy. Almost as if he became aware of her watching, he glanced at her, jerked his head almost inperceptively toward the table, then turned back to Izzy. She frowned with puzzlement. Tai's fiance Amelia came over with a plate of refreshments for her guests, before moving on. Kari headed towards the table, and noticed Matt detach himself from Izzy and follow her.
"So?" he asked as he reached the table.
"So what?" she replied, getting a cup of punch.
"Did you ask him about-?"
"Yes."
"And?"
"He said it belonged to a friend." Matt muttered something under his breath that Kari didn't quite catch. She glanced at him, but his face revealed nothing.
"What are you going to do?" he whispered.
"Nothing," she replied casually.
"Nothing? Why not?" he asked quietly, looking angry. "He lied, can't you tell?"
"I have no proof that his story isn't true, Matt. Shouldn't you be more supportive of your brother?"
"Well yeah but- oh forget it. It's your decision. I hope it works for you." He headed off again, frowning slightly, but his frown disappeared as Joe came over and asked him how his music was coming along. The two guys walked off, talking. Kari watched him go, a sinking feeling in her stomach as she was assailed with new doubts about TK.
"Kari? Are you alright?" TK was at her elbow, looking concerned. She smiled reassuringly.
"Yeah, I'm okay."
"You wanna come outside with me?" he asked, indicating the balcony. She shook her head.
"No, I don't really feel like it." She gave TK a tiny smile and headed off to say hi to Cody. TK watched her go, feeling dissatisfied.
~*~
"Bye Tai, bye Amelia! Thanks for the great dinner!" Kari waved to them as she headed out of the door. TK was walking next to her.
"So Kari. What's up?" Kari looked at him, and shook her head. As they walked to the car, TK rested his hand on her butt and whispered, "I'll make it up to you tonight." She stopped moving and turned around. Suddenly the idea of TK in bed with her really put her off him.
"No thanks TK. I'm staying here tonight." She walked up to the door again, back to Tai who was looking confused, but he let her in. Amelia took her off to set up a bed on the sofa.
"But Kari, I-" TK started to say, but Tai ran over to him and grabbed his shirt.
"I don't know what you've done to upset her, but if you hurt her I am going to make you very sorry. Good night, Takeru." He let go of TK and headed inside, leaving behind a very bewildered TK. He walked down to his car. Matt was leaning on it, waiting for him. TK looked up, hoping for support, but Matt didn't look too friendly.
"What did I do, Matt?" TK asked quietly. Matt shook his head.
"Don't ask me. Ask the girl who's heart you just broke. Nice going, little bro." He patted TK's shoulder and headed off into the night. TK turned after him, feeling hurt and rejected.
"Matt! Why? You as well?" Matt paused and looked back over his shoulder.
"TK, you have a very wonderful girl. You are very lucky to have her. I wouldn't spoil it if I were you." He continued on. TK watched him go, feeling worse.
