"I'm sorry. I had no where else to go," Kate said, sitting on the floor, her back against the cold stone wall.

"It's alright," Edward replied. He had been more than surprised when he had heard the knock on the door, but the surprise had changed to something he rarely felt--worry. He had only worried about one other person in his life. Kim. Whenever she had gone out with Jim, he worried that he would do something to hurt her. He didn't think he would ever have someone to worry about again.

He looked down at Kate. She was visibly shaking. "What happened," Edward asked, his hands moving fretfully. Kate looked up at him, her eyes glittering with unshed tears.

"It's nothing really. I mean, worse things could have happened." Edward patiently waited for her to elaborate. With a shaky sigh, Kate went on.

"I went to this party and the guy who invited me got really drunk. He tried to kiss me and when I wouldn't let him, he pushed me around a little. It's not that bad, I guess"

Edward took a few more steps toward her. "My father said a gentlemen never puts his hands on a lady."

Kate looked back up at him and stood. "Your father was a very smart man." She paused and fidgeted nervously. "Edward, I have some bad news. I found out about Kim."

The sound of her name sent a thrill through him, but the look on Kate's face made him believe the news was not good.. "She…died in a car accident a few years ago. I'm so sorry, Edward," Kate said, her bottom lip trembling again. She didn't want to hurt him but it would only hurt him more to keep this information to herself. Edward stood unmoving for a few silent minutes, then nodded slowly. "I understand. Who did you hear this from?"

"Jim Baker. His son had the party tonight."

Edward felt red hot anger. He hadn't felt this angry since the day he had destroyed the walls of the Boggs' home. Kim was dead and Jim was still living down in the town. Something clicked in his mind.

"Was it his son that hurt you," Edward asked.

Kate nodded silently. Edward turned and started pacing. He was torn. A part of him wanted to go down into the town and find Jim. Make him pay for Kim and now for Kate. But the rational part of him knew he couldn't leave. He would stay here for as long as he lived. The feeling of a hand on his arm startled him. He turned.

Kate was looking up at him, tear streaks sparkling in the light that the rising moon was providing. Squinting, as if just noticing something, she raised her hand to Edwards face. He froze. No one had touched him in a long time. Kate traced the line of one of his many scars and he saw bruises on the inside of her arm. Jim's son. He clenched his jaw and she pulled her hand away quickly.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that…I just never noticed the scars before," Kate said hurriedly.

Edward wanted to tell her it wasn't her fault that he had tensed but she looked at her watch and held her wrist up as if presenting an excuse. "I have to run. Curfew breakage is a sin punishable by death at my house." Kate's smile was fragile. "I truly am sorry, Edward. I don't know who she was, but obviously she meant something to you." She turned and walked down the stairs.