A/N: HERE'S ANOTHER CHAPTER. IT TOOK LONGER THAN I WANTED BUT WHATEVER. I
WAS AWAY FOR THE WEEKEND SO I REALLY DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO FINISH IT
UNTIL NOW.
BE WARNED, THIS CHAPTER IS FILLED WITH LOTS OF EMOTIONS.
ENJOY.
~*~
Fox surveyed the mass of paperwork on his desk and sighed. He reached for his glass of brandy and aimlessly tapped his pen on the desk, wondering what he should do now to rid himself of this boredom and having to endlessly think of Kay.
His weekend had been swarmed with paperwork and thoughts of Kay. Their 'non relationship' had bothered him incessantly and it somewhat annoyed Fox.
He looked at the glass in his hand. "Looks like it's just you and me." He said.
"Talking to your drink?" A cheery voice interrupted him and Fox looked up to find Kay standing by the open doorway, a curious expression on her face. "I heard that having long conversations with your alcohol was a sign of either insanity or alcoholism." She teased.
Fox smiled and stood up to great Kay. "I didn't know you were coming back." He hugged her despite himself.
Kay gave him a quick kiss. "Of course I was coming back. I'm not finished with what I have to do here yet, business or otherwise."
He smiled tightly. "You ran off on me pretty quickly." He wanted to punch himself for bringing up her abrupt departure. Why was it so important to him all of a sudden?
Kay gave him an apologetic look. "I said I was sorry, Fox. I did call you to explain, didn't I?"
Fox nodded. "Yes, you did. So, how was New York?"
She shrugged as she walked around him to pour herself a glass of champagne. "The same." Kay answered offhandedly. "Miss me?
He chuckled. "Not that much." Fox whispered as he walked over to her and kissed her hungrily.
Kay feigned a hurt look when she pulled away from their kiss. "I missed you too." She pouted. "Have you been keeping yourself busy?" She asked as she looked over his shoulder at the paperwork.
Fox looked at his work with disinterest. "It's just some work for Crane Industries. I tried to work attentively to no avail." He explained with a small smile.
She smiled at him wickedly. "Couldn't stop thinking about me, huh?" Kay teased as she placed her hands on her hips, grinning at him.
"Actually, I barely noticed you were gone." He replied, waiting to see if Kay would look disappointed but she smiled at him and brushed the comment off.
She leaned in again to kiss him again. "So, how's good old Harmony without me?"
"Dreary." He answered as he took a seat behind his desk and pulled her to sit on his lap. Kay gladly complied. "Not having you running around ruining people's lives has proven that Harmony is rather uneventful and dull."
Kay smirked. "You should have known that already, with or without me." She told him. "But I'm glad that my sole purpose is to entertain you. I finally found my calling." Kay said lightly, an amused look on her face.
"I'm glad." He replied as he kissed her. His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling Kay closer. Her free hand teasingly played with his hair while the other held the champagne glass.
"Shouldn't you be working on.....stuff?" Kay shifted on his lap to get more comfortable.
Fox continued to kiss her. "It can wait." He whispered as his hands slipped underneath her shirt, his skin hot against hers. They traveled to the small of her back, then up to where her bra strap was. He hastily tried to undo them.
"Fox?" She whispered as she set the champagne on the table without breaking the kiss.
"Hmm?"
Kay moaned. "Someone's going to walk in on us." She warned him in between kisses.
"Let them." He replied and as if on cue, the door burst open and Rebecca and Julian walked in.
The redhead giggled. "Ooh, are we interrupting something?" She asked, rather pleased to see the two lip locked. Julian was grinning like a mad idiot. Fox shot both of them a look.
Great timing, he thought sullenly.
Kay moved off of his lap, thanking the powers that be that her bra was still in tack. "Not at all." She replied smiling at Rebecca and Julian. "Fox and I were just-"
"Getting reacquainted? Were you gone 'that' long?" Julian offered and Kay laughed.
"Oh, Julian, you shouldn't talk. I know very well that for a man your age, you still have a very vigorous appetite." She raised a knowing eyebrow at him.
Julian looked somewhat miffed for the rather rude insinuation that he was 'old'. Rebecca narrowed her eyes at Kay, wondering exactly how well she knew that Julian was vigorous. "Is there something I should know here?" She interrupted.
Kay smiled at her sweetly. "I wouldn't dare try to steal Julian from you, Rebecca. He's all yours."
"Who says you'd get him if you tried?" Rebecca challenged with a small pout. Julian cleared his throat. "Besides, I'm not sharing."
Julian opened his mouth to protest but Fox shot him a pointed look. "Was there something both of you wanted?" He asked, determined to get rid of them as soon as possible.
"Nothing important." Rebecca replied as she glanced at Kay.
Fox forced a smile. "Well then, why don't you and Father run along? I'm sure you can find something to occupy yourselves." He suggested.
"Aren't we a little eager?" Rebecca teased and Fox glared at her pointedly. "Alright, alright. We're leaving. Pookie, let's go."
Julian complied silently, giving Kay a quick appreciative look. Fox sighed the minute the door closed and he and Kay were alone again. "Before you say you were right since they technically walked in on us-"
"Fox, stop. I don't care." She told him as she gave him a quick kiss. "It wasn't like we were in the middle of anything serious. But I should get going-"
"No." Fox protested as he pulled her back on his lap. "We're going to finish what we started."
She laughed. "Says who?"
"Me." Fox replied as he kissed her.
************************************************************************
They laid amidst tangled sheets. Fox had his arm around Kay while she snuggled against his bare chest, her eyes opening and closing sleepily.
"Tired?" He teased as he kissed her hair.
She nodded. "You wear me out." Kay whispered with a small laugh.
"I'm glad to hear." Fox replied although he somewhat surprised that Kay was more casual about sleeping with him than he expected. He had anticipated, perhaps hoped that she would show some indication that it was more than just physical.
Fox didn't know why but a part of him wanted Kay to acknowledge it. Maybe then, he would really know if she was important to him or not.
Kay let a small sigh escape. "That was one hell of a welcome home present. I should leave more often." She joked.
He smiled wryly, his arm tightening his arm around her shoulder. "Are you not mad at all that my family knows about us?" He asked cautiously.
"About this?" She asked gesturing to them lying in bed, naked underneath the sheets. He nodded. "Not at all but there's nothing to know really. We're just sleeping together. So what?" Kay replied casually as she propped her elbow on the bed and looked at him. "And I'm sure they're accustomed to seeing girls who you sleep with in the house."
He frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?" He demanded although he was more annoyed that Kay did not seem to care if there was or was not an 'us.'
"Nothing implied." Kay clarified, knowing that she annoyed him.
"It doesn't sound like it to me." He retorted and Kay sighed sharply.
"Why are you getting mad? All I said was the truth." She asked as she sat up.
"That I've slept with numerous other girls before you? Why do you care?" He demanded irately.
Kay rolled her eyes. "I don't care, Fox. I'm just pointing out the fact that I'm no different than them. I don't expect more. So if your family knows I slept with you, there's nothing I can do about it. The truth comes out sooner or later, anyway." She explained. "And as for the comment about your family being accustomed to seeing your girls around the house, what I meant to say is they shouldn't be too surprised if it's me that they see."
Fox looked at her, somewhat startled. But you are different, he wanted to say but he didn't. He wasn't about to blurt out his supposedly none existent feelings for her. Instead he pulled Kay close to him and kissed her on the forehead. "Don't expect anything less than you deserve, Kay." He said softly.
She nodded, wondering what exactly Fox meant by that but she let the comment slide and thanked him. "Speaking of families or non-families to be exact, I have to ruin mine. I should go."
"No, stay. It's late." He protested as he glanced at the clock. It was eight already. They had spent half the afternoon in his room. "Besides, Alistair might want to speak to you about your plans for Ivy and whoever else he wants to see ruined."
Kay gave him an unconvinced look. "It's hardly late Fox, and you can tell Alistair that it's a surprise."
"Then let's go out. We haven't eaten." He suggested. Fox wondered why suddenly he didn't want to see her leave. This was not a good sign.
Kay smiled at him. "Did you miss me 'that' much?" She teased.
"Maybe." He replied, giving her one of his trademark grins.
She sighed. "I suppose another day won't hurt. And I'll go out since I aggravated you earlier."
He tried to look hurt. "So you're not staying because you're desperately in love with me and can't stand to be without me? This is out of guilt?"
"It's the guilt and you're too handsome to resist." Kay laughed as she stepped out of the bed and headed for the bathroom. Fox looked pleased.
It was great to be back.
************************************************************************
The Next Day
"Are you sure about this?" Fox asked as he and Kay stood outside the Bennett house. For the first time since he met her, she looked nervous.
Kay gave him an unsure look. "Not really but what the hell." She replied. She knocked on the front door. A few minutes later, after some noise from the inside, the door finally opened and Charity Standish appeared in front of them. The blonde girl looked startled.
"You shouldn't be here, Kay." Charity said, recovering.
"Well, nice to see you too, Charity. I'm here to see Sam?" Kay said boldly as she walked into the house uninvited. Fox followed, not offering a confused Charity any explanation. "So, where is he?" Kay asked as she took her coat off and turned to Charity who was looking wide eyed and afraid.
"Why are you here?" She asked warily.
Kay rolled her eyes, despite her nervousness. "I just told you."
"He's not here. Will you leave now?" Charity demanded as she became anxious. Just then the doors that led to the kitchen swung open and Sam, followed by Ivy and everyone else flooded into the living room. They watched Kay curiously.
"Don't you know that little girls who lie won't go to heaven, Charity?" Kay teased mercilessly, her eyes filled with distaste.
Charity opened her mouth and closed them again, at a loss for words. "What are you doing here?"
Kay narrowed her eyes at the sight of the holier than thou family members but stalked off and walked towards Sam who was standing in the middle of the room, Ivy close by. "Hello, Daddy." She said as she put her arms around her father and instantly let go. She smiled at him as she looked him over. The years had taken its toll on Sam and it made her slightly sad.
"Kay?" He hugged her fiercely. "Where have you been?" He asked in sadness and surprise.
Kay waved her hand with a smile. "Here and there." She said cryptically. At least there was one person happy to see her.
"I heard you were in town. Are you staying?" He asked happily but Kay shook her head and regretted it. Sam's expression dropped.
"I'm just here for a year or so." She explained. "You look good, Dad." She lied. Sam chuckled. From the corner of her eyes, she could see Jessica was sending her death glares while Reese stood beside his beloved girlfriend devotedly.
Why is it not surprising that they're still together? Kay thought to herself.
"Where's Uncle Hank?" She asked as she looked around the room and saw no sign of her father's brother.
"He's at the police station. He's going to be floored when he sees you." Sam beamed.
"I can't wait to see him. Oh, how rude of me. Everyone, this is my friend, Fox. I'm sure you all know him." Kay said as she pulled the blonde haired Crane heir to the middle of the room with her.
Everyone murmured. She could tell they were not fans. Fox waved like a crowd of people had paid homage to see him. Kay smiled.
"Can we talk?" She asked as she returned her attention to Sam
"NO!" Everyone yelled in unison. Fox looked somewhat startled by their outburst.
Ivy was nervously fidgeting with her necklace. She was sure that Kay would rat on her any minute now.
Jessica was furious that Kay had the audacity to come back into their lives and still be loved by Sam. It was so obvious that their father was willing to forgive Kay no matter what hideous thing she has done.
Charity was just afraid that Kay was back to steal Miguel again. She only prayed that their true love would surpass whatever horrible thing Kay brought to separate them.
"Everyone, calm down." Sam declared gently. "Kay and I are going to talk in the kitchen."
"But Sam-"
"This is not happening. I'm going to get mom." Jessica muttered angrily as she walked out of the room to the Hastings house.
"I have to make a call." Charity whispered unsurely as she disappeared to her room.
"Well, well, mother. It looks like it's you and me." Fox said with grin. He was already enjoying the conspicuous look of apprehension on her face. He was sure that she was hiding something.
"Behave yourself." Kay said, smiling at him before following her father into the kitchen.
"Kay, do you want anything to drink?" Sam asked as he looked through the fridge.
"No, Dad. I'm good." She answered as she took as seat on the chair by the table.
"Anything to eat? We have pie." He offered.
"No, really." Kay replied softly. Sam nodded somewhat nervously. "I'm not the president, Dad. It's just me. There's no need for special provisions."
He took a seat across from her. "I know Kay but you're better than the president. You're my little girl."
She nodded as she fought the urge to cry, her heart wrenching at his words. "I'm sorry for leaving. It was very irresponsible of me." Kay declared as she reached his hand and held it.
"I just wish there was something I could have done to help you."
Kay sighed sharply. "There's no point in wishing, Dad. Are you mad at me?"
"Not at all, Kay. I was worried but I was never mad at you." Sam replied. "I'm glad to see you're okay. You're okay, right?" He looked at her unsurely.
She smiled. "More than okay. I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself." Kay reassured him.
"Does Fox take good care of you?" He asked, quickly glancing at the door to the other room.
"Oh, it's not-"
"I don't approve of Fox but I don't know him even if he is my stepson. If you like him, then he must be worth it." Sam declared as he watched the expression on Kay's face.
She nodded silently. There was no point in trying to explain her situation to her father, at least not yet. Kay decided that she would explain later, if there was another chance. "I like him a lot." Kay sighed. "Dad, are you happy?" She asked, referring to the fact that Sam was now married to Ivy.
A lot of things have changed since she was gone. Kay didn't know whether it was good or bad.
Sam nodded. "As happy as I can be."
Kay paused. Her father's happiness meant a lot to her. Kay knew that she caused a lot of heartache to Sam before and she couldn't bring herself to hurt him again. She despised Ivy to a point but if she made Sam happy, then Kay was not all to keen on destroying her.
Seeing Sam had changed her tactics. Kay thought that it would be easy. She would talk to him, reveal the long hidden truth and walk out just as quickly as she came. But seeing Sam and hearing his voice changed it all. Kay saw that he wasn't so tough anymore. He was still her brave, loving father but she knew he was vulnerable. Sam had a lot to lose, although he didn't know it.
Maybe, I shouldn't do it, Kay thought to herself. Perhaps, she thought, her revenge was not worth her father's happiness. "Even if it's with Ivy?" She asked, hoping that her father would not take it as an insult."
"Even if it's with Ivy." Sam repeated firmly. "I know it's a lot to take, Kay but things have changed. I didn't think they would but here we are."
Kay nodded solemnly. "She takes good care of you, right?"
Sam laughed lightly. "Yes, Ivy is very good to me."
"Good." She said swallowing back her tears knowing that the game was over. It was time to let it go. Her father deserved the truth but Kay saw how happy he was. It seemed wrong to take all that away from him now. "I should go."
"Already?" He asked as he and Kay stood up.
"Yeah, I'll see you another time. It was good to see you again." Kay declared as she embraced him.
"You too, sweetheart." He said, kissing her hair.
"Forgive me, Daddy." She whispered as the tears that she withheld ran down her cheeks.
Sam looked confused as he pulled away from their hug. "It's all in the past. Let's let it go."
Kay sniffled. She wanted to apologize for lying to him again, for knowing something so crucial that it could change his life but deciding to keep it to herself. I guess, the hideous truth will stay buried this time, she thought sadly. "Okay." She sighed heavily as she wiped the tears from her face.
"Make sure to visit me and Hank at the police station." He said and Kay nodded silently.
"Bye, Dad." She turned around and walked back into the living room.
Ivy looked frantic. She didn't know what to make of the situation. "What did you tell him?" She demanded as she followed Kay.
The other woman shot her an annoyed look. Kay did not want to deal with Ivy after doing her a huge favor. "Let's go, Fox. We're done here." Kay declared.
"What did you tell him?" Ivy demanded furiously. Sam looked alarmed as he stepped into the room. Why was Ivy yelling?
Kay sighed exasperatedly. "Ivy-"
Ivy glanced at her husband, tears brimming in her eyes. "Sam, Sam, I only did it for you. I lied because I loved you so much. I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm sorry." She desperately declared her voice quivering as she went over to Sam.
"Lied?"
Ivy nodded. "I would never have hired David if I wasn't desperate. Can you forgive me?"
Kay groaned. How ironic that she finally gave up but Ivy had to blurt it out like a dumb fool.
Sam scowled as he looked from his daughter and wife. "Hired David? What are you talking about?" He demanded.
Ivy gasped as she whipped her head to stare at Kay.
"I never told him." Kay explained wearily and Ivy sobbed in front of them.
"Oh, God, what have I done?"
Kay looked at the woman. Years of hating were not enough. Strangely, she felt sorry for Ivy.
The door burst open and Grace, Jessica, David and John walked into the room.
Grace looked Kay up and down. "I sense evil in the room." She said with a shiver and Kay rolled her eyes and muttered something under her breath. Charity, who had just stepped into the room, walked over to her aunt as if her frail form could shield Grace from said evil.
"What did you do to Ivy? Why is she crying?" Jessica demanded furiously as she walked over to her stepmother to comfort her.
"Tell us, Kay." Grace piped up icily.
Kay looked straight at Grace, her hatred for the other woman not missed by anyone in the room. "I did not do anything, mother." She said with a fake smile.
"We know you did something." Grace insisted.
Kay heaved, fighting the urge to cross the room and strangle the other woman. "I've had enough of this. Let's go." She said as she turned to Fox and headed for the door.
"Kay, you are not leaving!" Grace ordered and Kay spun around to glare at her mother.
"You lost the right to order me around years ago, Grace Bennett or should I say, Grace Hastings?" She declared impudently. Kay shot David a warning glance.
"I can't believe you would do this again." Grace hissed as she glared her down. "But then again, it's just like you to bring evil back into Harmony."
"For crying out loud, Grace, enough with the evil!" Kay exclaimed angrily. "I came to see my father. Is that so hard to believe?"
"Yes." Grace gritted her teeth. "You had an agenda. You wouldn't just come back without wanting in return."
Kay smirked and folded her arms over her chest. "Well, well, you do know a little about me after all. You're not as stupid as you look."
"Don't you dare speak to me like that again." Grace moved to slap her but Kay caught her wrist and held on to it tightly.
"You don't ever slap me, Grace." Kay hissed as she threw her mother's hand back, almost breaking it.
"Okay, stop this!" Sam intervened as he stepped in between the women. "Somebody, tell me what's going on now!"
"Well, first you tell your evil daughter to leave so we can live our lives again." Grace said vehemently.
"Grace!"
"It's true. I don't understand why everyone in our family is good and she's evil. Everything and I mean all that she's done has hurt all of us." She said.
"Kay didn't do anything." Fox intervened and everyone shot him a murderous look. "It was my mother who foolishly blurted the truth out, so thank her."
"Oh, Fox, you can't believe that." Charity spoke up, her voice so sweet it made Fox's teeth hurt. "You're mom is a good woman."
Fox rolled his eyes and Ivy sobbed even harder. "Kay didn't do anything." Ivy declared and the attention shifted to her. "It was my fault. This time it really was my fault."
"Well, this is a first." Kay muttered.
"Why don't you leave?" Jessica hissed.
"Gladly. I'll see you at the office, John." She said glancing at her half brother although she expected him not to show at all. Today, she was sure that the truth would come out. Ivy was already in hysterics. That was definitely the give away.
John nodded, clearing his throat awkwardly. "Uh, sure."
"Kay you're staying for this." Sam declared firmly. "You started this."
"But-" She opened her mouth to protest but Sam shot her a look.
Kay sighed, slightly aggravated. "We should have brought popcorn. The fireworks are starting." She whispered to Fox although she barely looked amused.
Fox smiled despite the tension in the room. How just like Kay to joke when something catastrophic was occurring.
"Ivy, tell us what's going on." Sam stipulated.
She exhaled deeply. Her life had crumbled into nothingness and she had herself to thank for it. "I lied about something important." She began. "Actually, David and I lied."
David, who was currently standing by Grace, shifted uncomfortably. He could already see the lawsuits and heartache. "Lied about what?" Sam asked as his mind raced of the possibilities.
"About David and Grace being married in the past. They were never married. I forged the whole thing." She whispered shamefully and the whole room fell into an uneasy silence.
Grace choked back her tears and she whimpered, quickly running out of the house.
"Oh, Aunt Grace." Charity whimpered following her.
"Bitch!" Jessica spat at Kay before going after her mother.
"Dad?" John looked at his father who averted his eyes.
"Is this true?" Sam asked Ivy who nodded.
Kay swallowed. She wanted to leave. She couldn't take it anymore. It was too much to handle. Fox found her hand and held it. She looked at him thankfully. At least he was on her side. "Get me out of here." She whispered to him and Fox nodded sympathetically.
"Okay."
Kay cleared her throat. "We're leaving." No one protested. Everyone was too preoccupied to hear or care about her. Kay was somewhat glad.
She wanted to comfort him but she knew now was not the time. Everything was happening too quickly. Kay followed Fox to the door.
She reached for the door, it opened and Miguel almost collided with her. Kay gasped, backing away to Fox who put his hands on her shoulders. "Oh, God." He heard her whisper in terror. Kay had not expected his arrival.
Miguel looked at her, his eyes wide with shock. "Kay." His voice was tense.
"Let's go." Kay begged Fox.
Miguel stood in their way. "Leave, Crane. This has nothing to do with you." He hissed but Fox stood his ground.
"Where she goes, I go. Understand?" Fox retorted cockily.
"Hey, Miguel." Kay interrupted them, her voice calm despite her dread. "Well, this has been fun. I'll see you all around."
"You're not leaving!" Miguel protested. "We have to talk."
"About what?" She asked. Her heart was beating so fast that she thought it was about to jump up her throat and choke her on the spot.
"About what happened." He announced.
Kay sighed. "That's over, Miguel. I'd like to forget it. You're forgiven. End of story." She said wearily.
"Well, I don't. You have some explaining to do. What I want to know is where my child is." He argued and Kay was stunned into silence.
"You can't have her." She snapped and immediately regretted the wrong choice of words.
"I have a daughter?" He asked, astonished.
"You 'had' a daughter." She corrected. She did not want to stand there and explain to him, to everyone the truth.
"She's mine too. I think I have the right to see her." He argued.
"You never wanted to do anything with me and the baby, Miguel? What changed?" Kay asked angrily as she fought back her tears.
"I want to see her." He said firmly.
Kay shook her head. "Well, you can't. I buried her three years ago." She suddenly ran out of the house and Miguel went after her, leaving Fox and whoever else heard in shock.
"What did you do to her?" He yelled as he caught her wrist and yanked her back to face him. "Did you kill your own child?" He yelled.
"You bastard!" She said as she slapped him. "How dare you! How dare accuse me of killing my own daughter. I loved that baby more than anything and anyone in the world. I would never have hurt her!" She screamed through her tears.
"You've done things, Kay." He argued weakly.
"Yes, I have and I won't deny that. But I never hurt my own child." She said as she fumed.
Fox came to her rescue and interrupted. "I think that's about enough." He said as he led her away. He gave Miguel a warning look which told him not to follow.
"You're a little too late to play father now, Miguel." Kay said before she got into the car.
~*~
A/N: I KNOW THAT WASN'T VERY THOROUGH BUT ALL EXPLANATIONS WILL BE IN LATER CHAPTERS. EACH CHARACTER WILL PROBBLY HAVE A MOMENT TO LASH OUT AND TALK TO KAY. CLOSURES AND MORE FIGHTS ARE COMING UP SOON.
TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK.
BE WARNED, THIS CHAPTER IS FILLED WITH LOTS OF EMOTIONS.
ENJOY.
~*~
Fox surveyed the mass of paperwork on his desk and sighed. He reached for his glass of brandy and aimlessly tapped his pen on the desk, wondering what he should do now to rid himself of this boredom and having to endlessly think of Kay.
His weekend had been swarmed with paperwork and thoughts of Kay. Their 'non relationship' had bothered him incessantly and it somewhat annoyed Fox.
He looked at the glass in his hand. "Looks like it's just you and me." He said.
"Talking to your drink?" A cheery voice interrupted him and Fox looked up to find Kay standing by the open doorway, a curious expression on her face. "I heard that having long conversations with your alcohol was a sign of either insanity or alcoholism." She teased.
Fox smiled and stood up to great Kay. "I didn't know you were coming back." He hugged her despite himself.
Kay gave him a quick kiss. "Of course I was coming back. I'm not finished with what I have to do here yet, business or otherwise."
He smiled tightly. "You ran off on me pretty quickly." He wanted to punch himself for bringing up her abrupt departure. Why was it so important to him all of a sudden?
Kay gave him an apologetic look. "I said I was sorry, Fox. I did call you to explain, didn't I?"
Fox nodded. "Yes, you did. So, how was New York?"
She shrugged as she walked around him to pour herself a glass of champagne. "The same." Kay answered offhandedly. "Miss me?
He chuckled. "Not that much." Fox whispered as he walked over to her and kissed her hungrily.
Kay feigned a hurt look when she pulled away from their kiss. "I missed you too." She pouted. "Have you been keeping yourself busy?" She asked as she looked over his shoulder at the paperwork.
Fox looked at his work with disinterest. "It's just some work for Crane Industries. I tried to work attentively to no avail." He explained with a small smile.
She smiled at him wickedly. "Couldn't stop thinking about me, huh?" Kay teased as she placed her hands on her hips, grinning at him.
"Actually, I barely noticed you were gone." He replied, waiting to see if Kay would look disappointed but she smiled at him and brushed the comment off.
She leaned in again to kiss him again. "So, how's good old Harmony without me?"
"Dreary." He answered as he took a seat behind his desk and pulled her to sit on his lap. Kay gladly complied. "Not having you running around ruining people's lives has proven that Harmony is rather uneventful and dull."
Kay smirked. "You should have known that already, with or without me." She told him. "But I'm glad that my sole purpose is to entertain you. I finally found my calling." Kay said lightly, an amused look on her face.
"I'm glad." He replied as he kissed her. His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling Kay closer. Her free hand teasingly played with his hair while the other held the champagne glass.
"Shouldn't you be working on.....stuff?" Kay shifted on his lap to get more comfortable.
Fox continued to kiss her. "It can wait." He whispered as his hands slipped underneath her shirt, his skin hot against hers. They traveled to the small of her back, then up to where her bra strap was. He hastily tried to undo them.
"Fox?" She whispered as she set the champagne on the table without breaking the kiss.
"Hmm?"
Kay moaned. "Someone's going to walk in on us." She warned him in between kisses.
"Let them." He replied and as if on cue, the door burst open and Rebecca and Julian walked in.
The redhead giggled. "Ooh, are we interrupting something?" She asked, rather pleased to see the two lip locked. Julian was grinning like a mad idiot. Fox shot both of them a look.
Great timing, he thought sullenly.
Kay moved off of his lap, thanking the powers that be that her bra was still in tack. "Not at all." She replied smiling at Rebecca and Julian. "Fox and I were just-"
"Getting reacquainted? Were you gone 'that' long?" Julian offered and Kay laughed.
"Oh, Julian, you shouldn't talk. I know very well that for a man your age, you still have a very vigorous appetite." She raised a knowing eyebrow at him.
Julian looked somewhat miffed for the rather rude insinuation that he was 'old'. Rebecca narrowed her eyes at Kay, wondering exactly how well she knew that Julian was vigorous. "Is there something I should know here?" She interrupted.
Kay smiled at her sweetly. "I wouldn't dare try to steal Julian from you, Rebecca. He's all yours."
"Who says you'd get him if you tried?" Rebecca challenged with a small pout. Julian cleared his throat. "Besides, I'm not sharing."
Julian opened his mouth to protest but Fox shot him a pointed look. "Was there something both of you wanted?" He asked, determined to get rid of them as soon as possible.
"Nothing important." Rebecca replied as she glanced at Kay.
Fox forced a smile. "Well then, why don't you and Father run along? I'm sure you can find something to occupy yourselves." He suggested.
"Aren't we a little eager?" Rebecca teased and Fox glared at her pointedly. "Alright, alright. We're leaving. Pookie, let's go."
Julian complied silently, giving Kay a quick appreciative look. Fox sighed the minute the door closed and he and Kay were alone again. "Before you say you were right since they technically walked in on us-"
"Fox, stop. I don't care." She told him as she gave him a quick kiss. "It wasn't like we were in the middle of anything serious. But I should get going-"
"No." Fox protested as he pulled her back on his lap. "We're going to finish what we started."
She laughed. "Says who?"
"Me." Fox replied as he kissed her.
************************************************************************
They laid amidst tangled sheets. Fox had his arm around Kay while she snuggled against his bare chest, her eyes opening and closing sleepily.
"Tired?" He teased as he kissed her hair.
She nodded. "You wear me out." Kay whispered with a small laugh.
"I'm glad to hear." Fox replied although he somewhat surprised that Kay was more casual about sleeping with him than he expected. He had anticipated, perhaps hoped that she would show some indication that it was more than just physical.
Fox didn't know why but a part of him wanted Kay to acknowledge it. Maybe then, he would really know if she was important to him or not.
Kay let a small sigh escape. "That was one hell of a welcome home present. I should leave more often." She joked.
He smiled wryly, his arm tightening his arm around her shoulder. "Are you not mad at all that my family knows about us?" He asked cautiously.
"About this?" She asked gesturing to them lying in bed, naked underneath the sheets. He nodded. "Not at all but there's nothing to know really. We're just sleeping together. So what?" Kay replied casually as she propped her elbow on the bed and looked at him. "And I'm sure they're accustomed to seeing girls who you sleep with in the house."
He frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?" He demanded although he was more annoyed that Kay did not seem to care if there was or was not an 'us.'
"Nothing implied." Kay clarified, knowing that she annoyed him.
"It doesn't sound like it to me." He retorted and Kay sighed sharply.
"Why are you getting mad? All I said was the truth." She asked as she sat up.
"That I've slept with numerous other girls before you? Why do you care?" He demanded irately.
Kay rolled her eyes. "I don't care, Fox. I'm just pointing out the fact that I'm no different than them. I don't expect more. So if your family knows I slept with you, there's nothing I can do about it. The truth comes out sooner or later, anyway." She explained. "And as for the comment about your family being accustomed to seeing your girls around the house, what I meant to say is they shouldn't be too surprised if it's me that they see."
Fox looked at her, somewhat startled. But you are different, he wanted to say but he didn't. He wasn't about to blurt out his supposedly none existent feelings for her. Instead he pulled Kay close to him and kissed her on the forehead. "Don't expect anything less than you deserve, Kay." He said softly.
She nodded, wondering what exactly Fox meant by that but she let the comment slide and thanked him. "Speaking of families or non-families to be exact, I have to ruin mine. I should go."
"No, stay. It's late." He protested as he glanced at the clock. It was eight already. They had spent half the afternoon in his room. "Besides, Alistair might want to speak to you about your plans for Ivy and whoever else he wants to see ruined."
Kay gave him an unconvinced look. "It's hardly late Fox, and you can tell Alistair that it's a surprise."
"Then let's go out. We haven't eaten." He suggested. Fox wondered why suddenly he didn't want to see her leave. This was not a good sign.
Kay smiled at him. "Did you miss me 'that' much?" She teased.
"Maybe." He replied, giving her one of his trademark grins.
She sighed. "I suppose another day won't hurt. And I'll go out since I aggravated you earlier."
He tried to look hurt. "So you're not staying because you're desperately in love with me and can't stand to be without me? This is out of guilt?"
"It's the guilt and you're too handsome to resist." Kay laughed as she stepped out of the bed and headed for the bathroom. Fox looked pleased.
It was great to be back.
************************************************************************
The Next Day
"Are you sure about this?" Fox asked as he and Kay stood outside the Bennett house. For the first time since he met her, she looked nervous.
Kay gave him an unsure look. "Not really but what the hell." She replied. She knocked on the front door. A few minutes later, after some noise from the inside, the door finally opened and Charity Standish appeared in front of them. The blonde girl looked startled.
"You shouldn't be here, Kay." Charity said, recovering.
"Well, nice to see you too, Charity. I'm here to see Sam?" Kay said boldly as she walked into the house uninvited. Fox followed, not offering a confused Charity any explanation. "So, where is he?" Kay asked as she took her coat off and turned to Charity who was looking wide eyed and afraid.
"Why are you here?" She asked warily.
Kay rolled her eyes, despite her nervousness. "I just told you."
"He's not here. Will you leave now?" Charity demanded as she became anxious. Just then the doors that led to the kitchen swung open and Sam, followed by Ivy and everyone else flooded into the living room. They watched Kay curiously.
"Don't you know that little girls who lie won't go to heaven, Charity?" Kay teased mercilessly, her eyes filled with distaste.
Charity opened her mouth and closed them again, at a loss for words. "What are you doing here?"
Kay narrowed her eyes at the sight of the holier than thou family members but stalked off and walked towards Sam who was standing in the middle of the room, Ivy close by. "Hello, Daddy." She said as she put her arms around her father and instantly let go. She smiled at him as she looked him over. The years had taken its toll on Sam and it made her slightly sad.
"Kay?" He hugged her fiercely. "Where have you been?" He asked in sadness and surprise.
Kay waved her hand with a smile. "Here and there." She said cryptically. At least there was one person happy to see her.
"I heard you were in town. Are you staying?" He asked happily but Kay shook her head and regretted it. Sam's expression dropped.
"I'm just here for a year or so." She explained. "You look good, Dad." She lied. Sam chuckled. From the corner of her eyes, she could see Jessica was sending her death glares while Reese stood beside his beloved girlfriend devotedly.
Why is it not surprising that they're still together? Kay thought to herself.
"Where's Uncle Hank?" She asked as she looked around the room and saw no sign of her father's brother.
"He's at the police station. He's going to be floored when he sees you." Sam beamed.
"I can't wait to see him. Oh, how rude of me. Everyone, this is my friend, Fox. I'm sure you all know him." Kay said as she pulled the blonde haired Crane heir to the middle of the room with her.
Everyone murmured. She could tell they were not fans. Fox waved like a crowd of people had paid homage to see him. Kay smiled.
"Can we talk?" She asked as she returned her attention to Sam
"NO!" Everyone yelled in unison. Fox looked somewhat startled by their outburst.
Ivy was nervously fidgeting with her necklace. She was sure that Kay would rat on her any minute now.
Jessica was furious that Kay had the audacity to come back into their lives and still be loved by Sam. It was so obvious that their father was willing to forgive Kay no matter what hideous thing she has done.
Charity was just afraid that Kay was back to steal Miguel again. She only prayed that their true love would surpass whatever horrible thing Kay brought to separate them.
"Everyone, calm down." Sam declared gently. "Kay and I are going to talk in the kitchen."
"But Sam-"
"This is not happening. I'm going to get mom." Jessica muttered angrily as she walked out of the room to the Hastings house.
"I have to make a call." Charity whispered unsurely as she disappeared to her room.
"Well, well, mother. It looks like it's you and me." Fox said with grin. He was already enjoying the conspicuous look of apprehension on her face. He was sure that she was hiding something.
"Behave yourself." Kay said, smiling at him before following her father into the kitchen.
"Kay, do you want anything to drink?" Sam asked as he looked through the fridge.
"No, Dad. I'm good." She answered as she took as seat on the chair by the table.
"Anything to eat? We have pie." He offered.
"No, really." Kay replied softly. Sam nodded somewhat nervously. "I'm not the president, Dad. It's just me. There's no need for special provisions."
He took a seat across from her. "I know Kay but you're better than the president. You're my little girl."
She nodded as she fought the urge to cry, her heart wrenching at his words. "I'm sorry for leaving. It was very irresponsible of me." Kay declared as she reached his hand and held it.
"I just wish there was something I could have done to help you."
Kay sighed sharply. "There's no point in wishing, Dad. Are you mad at me?"
"Not at all, Kay. I was worried but I was never mad at you." Sam replied. "I'm glad to see you're okay. You're okay, right?" He looked at her unsurely.
She smiled. "More than okay. I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself." Kay reassured him.
"Does Fox take good care of you?" He asked, quickly glancing at the door to the other room.
"Oh, it's not-"
"I don't approve of Fox but I don't know him even if he is my stepson. If you like him, then he must be worth it." Sam declared as he watched the expression on Kay's face.
She nodded silently. There was no point in trying to explain her situation to her father, at least not yet. Kay decided that she would explain later, if there was another chance. "I like him a lot." Kay sighed. "Dad, are you happy?" She asked, referring to the fact that Sam was now married to Ivy.
A lot of things have changed since she was gone. Kay didn't know whether it was good or bad.
Sam nodded. "As happy as I can be."
Kay paused. Her father's happiness meant a lot to her. Kay knew that she caused a lot of heartache to Sam before and she couldn't bring herself to hurt him again. She despised Ivy to a point but if she made Sam happy, then Kay was not all to keen on destroying her.
Seeing Sam had changed her tactics. Kay thought that it would be easy. She would talk to him, reveal the long hidden truth and walk out just as quickly as she came. But seeing Sam and hearing his voice changed it all. Kay saw that he wasn't so tough anymore. He was still her brave, loving father but she knew he was vulnerable. Sam had a lot to lose, although he didn't know it.
Maybe, I shouldn't do it, Kay thought to herself. Perhaps, she thought, her revenge was not worth her father's happiness. "Even if it's with Ivy?" She asked, hoping that her father would not take it as an insult."
"Even if it's with Ivy." Sam repeated firmly. "I know it's a lot to take, Kay but things have changed. I didn't think they would but here we are."
Kay nodded solemnly. "She takes good care of you, right?"
Sam laughed lightly. "Yes, Ivy is very good to me."
"Good." She said swallowing back her tears knowing that the game was over. It was time to let it go. Her father deserved the truth but Kay saw how happy he was. It seemed wrong to take all that away from him now. "I should go."
"Already?" He asked as he and Kay stood up.
"Yeah, I'll see you another time. It was good to see you again." Kay declared as she embraced him.
"You too, sweetheart." He said, kissing her hair.
"Forgive me, Daddy." She whispered as the tears that she withheld ran down her cheeks.
Sam looked confused as he pulled away from their hug. "It's all in the past. Let's let it go."
Kay sniffled. She wanted to apologize for lying to him again, for knowing something so crucial that it could change his life but deciding to keep it to herself. I guess, the hideous truth will stay buried this time, she thought sadly. "Okay." She sighed heavily as she wiped the tears from her face.
"Make sure to visit me and Hank at the police station." He said and Kay nodded silently.
"Bye, Dad." She turned around and walked back into the living room.
Ivy looked frantic. She didn't know what to make of the situation. "What did you tell him?" She demanded as she followed Kay.
The other woman shot her an annoyed look. Kay did not want to deal with Ivy after doing her a huge favor. "Let's go, Fox. We're done here." Kay declared.
"What did you tell him?" Ivy demanded furiously. Sam looked alarmed as he stepped into the room. Why was Ivy yelling?
Kay sighed exasperatedly. "Ivy-"
Ivy glanced at her husband, tears brimming in her eyes. "Sam, Sam, I only did it for you. I lied because I loved you so much. I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm sorry." She desperately declared her voice quivering as she went over to Sam.
"Lied?"
Ivy nodded. "I would never have hired David if I wasn't desperate. Can you forgive me?"
Kay groaned. How ironic that she finally gave up but Ivy had to blurt it out like a dumb fool.
Sam scowled as he looked from his daughter and wife. "Hired David? What are you talking about?" He demanded.
Ivy gasped as she whipped her head to stare at Kay.
"I never told him." Kay explained wearily and Ivy sobbed in front of them.
"Oh, God, what have I done?"
Kay looked at the woman. Years of hating were not enough. Strangely, she felt sorry for Ivy.
The door burst open and Grace, Jessica, David and John walked into the room.
Grace looked Kay up and down. "I sense evil in the room." She said with a shiver and Kay rolled her eyes and muttered something under her breath. Charity, who had just stepped into the room, walked over to her aunt as if her frail form could shield Grace from said evil.
"What did you do to Ivy? Why is she crying?" Jessica demanded furiously as she walked over to her stepmother to comfort her.
"Tell us, Kay." Grace piped up icily.
Kay looked straight at Grace, her hatred for the other woman not missed by anyone in the room. "I did not do anything, mother." She said with a fake smile.
"We know you did something." Grace insisted.
Kay heaved, fighting the urge to cross the room and strangle the other woman. "I've had enough of this. Let's go." She said as she turned to Fox and headed for the door.
"Kay, you are not leaving!" Grace ordered and Kay spun around to glare at her mother.
"You lost the right to order me around years ago, Grace Bennett or should I say, Grace Hastings?" She declared impudently. Kay shot David a warning glance.
"I can't believe you would do this again." Grace hissed as she glared her down. "But then again, it's just like you to bring evil back into Harmony."
"For crying out loud, Grace, enough with the evil!" Kay exclaimed angrily. "I came to see my father. Is that so hard to believe?"
"Yes." Grace gritted her teeth. "You had an agenda. You wouldn't just come back without wanting in return."
Kay smirked and folded her arms over her chest. "Well, well, you do know a little about me after all. You're not as stupid as you look."
"Don't you dare speak to me like that again." Grace moved to slap her but Kay caught her wrist and held on to it tightly.
"You don't ever slap me, Grace." Kay hissed as she threw her mother's hand back, almost breaking it.
"Okay, stop this!" Sam intervened as he stepped in between the women. "Somebody, tell me what's going on now!"
"Well, first you tell your evil daughter to leave so we can live our lives again." Grace said vehemently.
"Grace!"
"It's true. I don't understand why everyone in our family is good and she's evil. Everything and I mean all that she's done has hurt all of us." She said.
"Kay didn't do anything." Fox intervened and everyone shot him a murderous look. "It was my mother who foolishly blurted the truth out, so thank her."
"Oh, Fox, you can't believe that." Charity spoke up, her voice so sweet it made Fox's teeth hurt. "You're mom is a good woman."
Fox rolled his eyes and Ivy sobbed even harder. "Kay didn't do anything." Ivy declared and the attention shifted to her. "It was my fault. This time it really was my fault."
"Well, this is a first." Kay muttered.
"Why don't you leave?" Jessica hissed.
"Gladly. I'll see you at the office, John." She said glancing at her half brother although she expected him not to show at all. Today, she was sure that the truth would come out. Ivy was already in hysterics. That was definitely the give away.
John nodded, clearing his throat awkwardly. "Uh, sure."
"Kay you're staying for this." Sam declared firmly. "You started this."
"But-" She opened her mouth to protest but Sam shot her a look.
Kay sighed, slightly aggravated. "We should have brought popcorn. The fireworks are starting." She whispered to Fox although she barely looked amused.
Fox smiled despite the tension in the room. How just like Kay to joke when something catastrophic was occurring.
"Ivy, tell us what's going on." Sam stipulated.
She exhaled deeply. Her life had crumbled into nothingness and she had herself to thank for it. "I lied about something important." She began. "Actually, David and I lied."
David, who was currently standing by Grace, shifted uncomfortably. He could already see the lawsuits and heartache. "Lied about what?" Sam asked as his mind raced of the possibilities.
"About David and Grace being married in the past. They were never married. I forged the whole thing." She whispered shamefully and the whole room fell into an uneasy silence.
Grace choked back her tears and she whimpered, quickly running out of the house.
"Oh, Aunt Grace." Charity whimpered following her.
"Bitch!" Jessica spat at Kay before going after her mother.
"Dad?" John looked at his father who averted his eyes.
"Is this true?" Sam asked Ivy who nodded.
Kay swallowed. She wanted to leave. She couldn't take it anymore. It was too much to handle. Fox found her hand and held it. She looked at him thankfully. At least he was on her side. "Get me out of here." She whispered to him and Fox nodded sympathetically.
"Okay."
Kay cleared her throat. "We're leaving." No one protested. Everyone was too preoccupied to hear or care about her. Kay was somewhat glad.
She wanted to comfort him but she knew now was not the time. Everything was happening too quickly. Kay followed Fox to the door.
She reached for the door, it opened and Miguel almost collided with her. Kay gasped, backing away to Fox who put his hands on her shoulders. "Oh, God." He heard her whisper in terror. Kay had not expected his arrival.
Miguel looked at her, his eyes wide with shock. "Kay." His voice was tense.
"Let's go." Kay begged Fox.
Miguel stood in their way. "Leave, Crane. This has nothing to do with you." He hissed but Fox stood his ground.
"Where she goes, I go. Understand?" Fox retorted cockily.
"Hey, Miguel." Kay interrupted them, her voice calm despite her dread. "Well, this has been fun. I'll see you all around."
"You're not leaving!" Miguel protested. "We have to talk."
"About what?" She asked. Her heart was beating so fast that she thought it was about to jump up her throat and choke her on the spot.
"About what happened." He announced.
Kay sighed. "That's over, Miguel. I'd like to forget it. You're forgiven. End of story." She said wearily.
"Well, I don't. You have some explaining to do. What I want to know is where my child is." He argued and Kay was stunned into silence.
"You can't have her." She snapped and immediately regretted the wrong choice of words.
"I have a daughter?" He asked, astonished.
"You 'had' a daughter." She corrected. She did not want to stand there and explain to him, to everyone the truth.
"She's mine too. I think I have the right to see her." He argued.
"You never wanted to do anything with me and the baby, Miguel? What changed?" Kay asked angrily as she fought back her tears.
"I want to see her." He said firmly.
Kay shook her head. "Well, you can't. I buried her three years ago." She suddenly ran out of the house and Miguel went after her, leaving Fox and whoever else heard in shock.
"What did you do to her?" He yelled as he caught her wrist and yanked her back to face him. "Did you kill your own child?" He yelled.
"You bastard!" She said as she slapped him. "How dare you! How dare accuse me of killing my own daughter. I loved that baby more than anything and anyone in the world. I would never have hurt her!" She screamed through her tears.
"You've done things, Kay." He argued weakly.
"Yes, I have and I won't deny that. But I never hurt my own child." She said as she fumed.
Fox came to her rescue and interrupted. "I think that's about enough." He said as he led her away. He gave Miguel a warning look which told him not to follow.
"You're a little too late to play father now, Miguel." Kay said before she got into the car.
~*~
A/N: I KNOW THAT WASN'T VERY THOROUGH BUT ALL EXPLANATIONS WILL BE IN LATER CHAPTERS. EACH CHARACTER WILL PROBBLY HAVE A MOMENT TO LASH OUT AND TALK TO KAY. CLOSURES AND MORE FIGHTS ARE COMING UP SOON.
TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK.
