A/N: HI! IT FEELS LIKE FOREVER SINCE I UPDATED BUT I HAD THIS HUGE WRITER'S BLOCK. ANYWAY, LUCKILY IT'S GONE NOW. WOOHOO! WELL, HERE'S CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. BE WARNED THAT IT'S NOT A HAPPY CHAPTER.

MAKE SURE TO READ TO AUTHOR'S NOTE AT THE END OF THE CHAPTER ALRIGHTY.

ANYHOO, ENJOY.

~*~

Fox nervously paced in front of the room that Kay was in. He was muttering curses and promises to kill whoever pushed her down the stairs. He sighed impatiently; wishing that he could be there for her but the doctor had insisted that Fox wait outside, like everyone else.

Miranda and Gwen had gone to the other room down the hall to check on Jason who was in a much worse condition that Kay since he had cushioned her fall.

John was nervously sitting in front of Fox, praying that Kay didn't lose the baby. He knew that it would kill her to lose another child.

They could hear Kay and the doctor talking since the door to the room was left ajar.

Fox continued to pace, slipping his hands into his pocket. He looked worn; his tie loosened as if to stop it from choking him and his jacket was slung on the empty chair beside John.

"How do you feel?" Fox heard the doctor ask Kay.

"Like someone who fell down the stairs and hit her head on the railing." Her reply was sarcastic and Fox slightly smirked to himself.

"I want your eyes to follow the light." The doctor instructed. "Headache? You might have a concussion."

Kay sighed sharply. "That's an understatement. Can we just move on to other important things? Whether I do or don't have a concussion does not matter to me right now." Kay declared restlessly.

There was a pause and then the doctor instructed Kay to lie down. "The heartbeat is slightly irregular. It could be that you both had quite a scare." The doctor declared and Fox frowned to himself. Something didn't feel right. He glanced at John who was nervously looking at his hands on his lap.

"Will we be okay?" Kay sounded frightened.

"Look, Ms. Callaway, that fall you took was deadly. You're very lucky you're alive and walking with just a small cut on the forehead."

"Tell me that nothing is wrong." Her voice was almost desperate and even without seeing her, Fox knew that she was in the brink of tears.

There was a pause. "I can't." The doctor declared sympathetically. "I'm sorry but there's a chance that you could miscarry." Fox halted, shock written all over his face as he stared at the doorway to Kay's room, wondering if he had heard right.

A sob caught in Kay's throat and instead she managed a small gasp as she brought her trembling hand to her lips. "I'll do anything." She whispered desperately as tears streamed down her cheeks.

"The best thing you can do right now is lie down and try to relax. You might not miscarry at all but we'll have to see. I want you admitted overnight." The doctor said somberly.

Outside, Fox's heart was pounding viciously in his chest, the beating sound so loud it was almost deafening. Kay was pregnant. Fox's world was suddenly turned upside down and he had nothing to hold on to. His eyes flew to the door but his feet remained rooted on the ground, unable to move. "Oh God." He gasped and nearby, John heard too although his shock was that Fox had heard what he wasn't meant to at that moment.

"Ms. Callaway, I think you should notify the father."

Kay sniffled. "He doesn't care about me." Her voice was sad and bitter with a slight hint of anger in it and Fox gasped. How could she say that? "And if I'm going to lose this baby, then he doesn't need to know."

"Very well. Now try to relax. All we can do if hope for the best now."

The doctor finally emerged from the room. "Gentlemen, I'm Dr. O'Neil. Kay has a slight concussion and a cut on her forehead." He declared somberly as he greeted Fox and John. He suspected that they were Kay's close friends or perhaps family. If he only knew.

"Will she be alright?" John asked as he rose from his seat.

Dr. O'Neil set his mouth into a thin line. "We'll see in the morning. I'll allow you to go in and speak to her but don't do anything to cause her stress."

"Thank you." Fox uttered uncomfortably. The older man excused himself and John and Fox stood in front of Kay's room, the silence between them more than they could stand.

"You should see her first." John offered softly and Fox nodded, wondering if John had known.

"Thanks." He replied unsurely. His hand reached the doorknob and he turned it, opening the door as softly as possible. He had never been one afraid to face someone but at that moment, Fox didn't know whether he could stand to look at Kay knowing what he knew. Fox spotted Kay laying on the bed, her back turned to him. He could hear her crying softly. "Hey." His voice came out rougher than he expected.

Kay said nothing but Fox could distinguish the sudden tension in her body. Instead, she sniffled.

Fox sighed sharply, shutting the door behind him to make sure that no one could eavesdrop. He shuffled his feet uncomfortably, waiting for her to say something but the silence remained. "I heard." He declared, swallowing the lump in his throat.

Kay shifted on the bed, turning to face him. Her face was streaked with tears. "Heard what?" She asked uneasily, although Kay already knew that answer to that.

Fox frowned slightly as the Kay's words replayed in his head. "Everything." He said acrimoniously through gritted teeth.

Kay nodded grimly as she sat up. She pulled the blanket up as she brought her knees to her chest, hugging her folded legs tightly. "I wanted to tell you myself." She whispered.

He scoffed, glaring at her. "Really?"

She nodded slowly. "Yeah, really." Kay replied as calmly as possible. She really did hope to tell Fox herself but she also suspected that there was a chance someone had told him already. And Kay was right but somehow, she couldn't make herself care anymore.

It could not change the fact that she might lose this baby.

Perhaps, it was Kay's way of punishing him for hurting her; for the whole Erica incident.

Fox shook his head in dismay. "How could you do this to me?" His voice was filled with hurt and anger and disappointment but Kay refused to hear any of that and she narrowed her eyes at him.

"In case science suddenly changed, last I checked it takes two to make a baby. So, we both did this." She retorted snidely, her anger rising.

Fox clenched his fists by his sides. "You know damn well that's not what I'm talking about, Kay. You knew you were pregnant and you didn't even have the decency to tell me and weren't going to let me find out at all!" He hissed angrily.

"What does it matter?" Kay asked wearily, shaking her head slightly.

"It matters a whole lot to me Kay!" Fox exclaimed, no longer able to contain his anger. "It matters that I am a father and you kept this from me. It matters that you lied to me!"

"I guess that makes us even." She said icily.

Fox looked slightly startled. "What the hell are you talking about?" He fiercely demanded.

"Nothing." She muttered grudgingly.

"No, you brought it up so we're going to talk about this. What the hell did you mean by we're even?" Fox insisted firmly, seething with anger. He hated being angry with her, especially with the delicate situation of their baby but Fox couldn't help it. Kay was testing his dwindling patience.

"You lied to me."

"I never-"

"No!" She interrupted angrily. "Don't even bother denying it and how dare you stand there and preach to me about lying to you because you are just as bad as me, if not worse. Now, if you want this child to survive as much as I do, I suggest you don't do anything else to cause me to miscarry. Leave." Her tone was harsh and angry as her blue eyes bore into his with palpable rage.

Her words cut through his heart like a knife but Fox held his composure and looked at her coolly. "I am not leaving you. This is my child too and I will stay here until I know that both of you are safe. I don't give a damn whether you like that or not so deal with it!" He pulled a chair from the corner of the room, the metal scraping against the floor tiles with a screeching sound. Kay flinched and Fox obstinately positioned it right next to her bed.

She groaned, muttering to herself as she grudgingly laid back down on the bed, pulled the blanket up to her shoulder and faced away from him.

Tense silence fell between them and when Miranda, Gwen and John entered, Kay silently thanked the powers that be for doing her a little favor.

"You look awful." Miranda declared tearfully as she gave her friend a tight hug.

"I'm flattered." Kay replied wryly, rolling her eyes.

"It's just....God, I could kill whoever did this to you and Jason." Miranda replied, her frown deepening.

"Take a number. I got first dibs on the bastard." Fox declared icily and all eyes, except Kay's, turned to him.

"How is Jason?" Kay asked, returning to the earlier subject.

"The doctor said he has a dislocated shoulder, a sprained wrist and he hit his head on the floor pretty bad. He's sleeping right now though and I think the painkillers they gave him are helping." Miranda replied, her eyes filing with hot tears as she thought of her unconscious brother.

"He saved my life." Kay whispered as her hand instantly went to her stomach. She knew all to well that if Jason had not been behind her when she fell, she would have lost the baby immediately or gotten killed.

Miranda uncomfortably cleared her throat.

"So what does the doctor say?" John asked, although like Fox, he had heard Kay's conversation with her doctor earlier.

"Dr. O'Neil wants me here overnight to see if I'm going to miscarry." She had said it so carelessly although her own words hurt her more than anyone could imagine.

John and Miranda paled while Gwen gasped in shock. Fox remained still, his heart pounding against his chest nervously.

"Kay, I'm sorry-" Gwen began but Kay immediately cut her off.

"Don't." She said firmly, her eyes watering despite her intent to remain as calm as possible. "Sorry changes nothing."

"I just...I know how it feels." Gwen explained softly and Miranda's comforting around went around her shoulder.

Kay looked down at her hands, the tears she had stubbornly fought to keep back now streaming down her cheeks. Fox wanted to go over to her and comfort her but he suspected that she wouldn't appreciate that too much, so he remained in his seat. "I know, Gwen. I know because I already lost a daughter and I don't think it's going to be any less painful this time around."

When John saw that Fox had no intention of going to Kay, he strode over to her and hugged her tightly. "It's okay. You'll be fine, Kay." He whispered, giving Fox a pointed look. The other man looked away instead and John wondered what the hell was going on between them.

A nurse came in and ushered everyone outside. "Let him stay." Kay said softly when Fox argued with the nurse about leaving. The older woman hesitantly relented and Fox gave her a thankful look before settling back down on his chair.

The nurse left them alone and again the silence returned. "They knew, didn't they?" It was Fox who spoke first.

Kay nodded miserably. "Yeah."

"Why would you tell them before me?" He asked angrily, hurt by the fact that Kay didn't seem to want him to be a part of this.

"I didn't." She insisted with a heavy sigh. "John figured it out before I even realized the possibility of becoming pregnant again and Miranda saw me puking my guts out. I never told them. They just figured it out."

"Right."

"If you don't want to believe me, why do you even bother to ask?" She demanded crossly.

He shrugged indifferently. "What are we going to do now, Kay?" Fox asked solemnly, glancing at her slightly.

"Wait like the doctor said. You don't need to be here, Fox. You can go back to your life." She declared indignantly.

He groaned in frustration. "Like I said before, I am not leaving and what the hell are you implying again?"

"Nothing." She hissed.

"Stop saying nothing, Kay." Fox argued sternly. He muttered to himself. "Why were you and Jason going to the upper floor anyway?"

"You accuse me of implying something and then ask me that. You're a piece of work, Fox." Kay retorted angrily.

"It was a simple question!"

"Fine!" She exclaimed. "You want to know. I was going upstairs to pack my things because I was leaving! Jason saw me and started wondering why I was upset. Happy now?"

Fox looked shock as he watched her, his eyes searching for answers. "Why?"

"Because I finally realized who you really are."

Then the realization dawned on Fox that this was all Erica's doing. "Don't tell me that after you talked to Erica, you actually believe her more than me."

Kay smirked. "That and the nice little kiss between the two of you." She stated coldly.

"Jesus, Kay, do you honestly think that I'd do that to you?"

"Yeah, I do." Kay replied callously. "If you can lie to me about Vienna, then I sure as hell wouldn't think twice about you humiliating me in front of a lot of people. What better way to destroy your rival once and for all, right? I mean, your grandfather just announced that you need and wife and then suddenly, you're in the arms of another woman."

"You're paranoid, you know that?" Fox snapped. "First of all, I never lied to you about Vienna. Think what you want. Secondly, you have to let go of this crazy idea that I'm still out to get you. That's my family but they even like you now. Lastly, I never wanted to kiss that bitch Erica and my grandfather's announcement was just as much as surprise to me as it was to you."

"So Erica made up the whole thing about seeing you in Vienna?" Kay declared incredulously and when Fox didn't say anything she shook her head. "I didn't think so."

"It's not like how she said it." He insisted.

"Enlighten me."

Fox sighed. "That trip was strictly for business, just like I told you in the beginning. Erica and her mother vacation there from time to time. She happened to be there when I was. What the hell was I supposed to do? Tell Erica to leave the country because I didn't want to see her? Anyway, I spent some time with her because I felt bad."

"Right. You never were one to care about what other people might feel. Suddenly, you're concerned about your ex-girlfriend's feelings? I don't think so."

"Then there's no point in me trying to justify myself." Fox declared, flaying his arms in the air in surrender.

"No, I guess not." She muttered. "If you wanted to screw her behind my back, you didn't have to tell me that you loved me in the first place and then string me along. I would have gladly left you and had this child on my own! I wouldn't have to stay here one moment longer and I sure as hell wouldn't have fallen down the stairs." That was a lie. Kay knew that. She wouldn't have been fine with it. Kay would have been devastated but she had too much pride to admit that now.

He scoffed indignantly, glaring at her. "You're a real selfish bitch, Kay." Fox stated callously but Kay remained unscathed by his harsh words. "You just want to find every damn excuse not to let me be a part of this child's life, don't you? You're even going to blame me for your fall when I had nothing to do with it. I can't believe you."

"I didn't say I blame you." She argued.

"Really? It must have been just me again." Fox declared sarcastically.

"I didn't say I blame you!" She repeated firmly. "I just wish it hadn't gotten like this!"

"Me too but here we are. There's no point in wishing for things to change. Let's just deal with it." He muttered.

Kay gritted her teeth. "You know, you don't sound very enthusiastic to be here. If you think that you owe it to me or this child to be here, don't. There are enough people actually willing to be here for me. God forbid you should feel inclined to stick around for this baby."

"I am really sick of your attitude, Kay." Fox retorted angrily, trying to keep himself as composed as humanly possible. But with Kay grating his nerves, Fox suspected he had very little self control left. "Stop making me look like the bad guy. And for your information, I would be more enthusiastic if the mother of my child stopped labeling me a lying jerk and if I knew that this baby would survive!"

She was rendered speechless by his last words and Kay let out a shaky breath. "I'm sorry."

Fox nodded. "You have every right to be angry with me about Erica Reed but stop trying to put this baby in between us. It's all we have of each other and I love it just as much as you do." His voice was soft and sad and Kay felt the urge to cry again. So she looked away from him, her eyes boring into whatever it laid on first.

"I said I'm sorry."

"I heard. I'm just trying to make you understand because you seem to think that you're alone in this." He continued. Fox sighed again, shaking his head in slight disappointment.

How had everything gotten like this? He thought miserably.

They sat in silence for the rest of the evening; the tension so thick between them Fox was tempted to take Kay's suggestion and leave. Their friends, who realized that something had gone wrong somewhere between the mansion and the hospital, found every excuse to stay out the room and Fox and Kay managed not to look or speak to each other unless necessary. A nurse looked in on Kay once in a while and Dr. O'Neil as well.

Then there was nothing left to do but wait for the worst.

************************************************************************

One Day Later

"Well, I have to say that luck is on your side." Dr. O'Neil declared on a more cheerful note as he checked Kay and the baby's vitals again.

Kay just glanced at Fox, somewhat awkwardly. "So, I'm good? The risk of miscarrying is gone?" She asked, swallowing nervously.

The doctor shook his head. "You're on your first trimester. There is still a big chance of miscarrying. I want you to take it easy for the next few months. Is this your first child?"

Kay shook her head, sighing somewhat heavily. "I had a baby a few years ago but the baby was born premature and she died of heart failure." She replied, uncomfortably.

Dr. O'Neil nodded grimly. "I'm sorry."

"Me too."

"I'm going to refer you to a very good doctor-"

Fox cleared his throat. "Actually, doctor, I already contacted my family's physician and an obstetrician. Thank you for the suggestion though." He said coolly and Dr. O'Neil looked at him somewhat quizzically.

"I'm sorry, you are?"

Fox remained to look unscathed and calm. "I'm Fox Crane, the father who's not supposed to care." He replied sarcastically, shooting Kay a bitter look.

She glared back at him, fighting the urge to make a snappy comment and cause a scene. The doctor looked from Fox to Kay and then Fox again. "I apologize. I didn't know."

"No problem." He answered coolly before turning to Kay. "Can we leave now? I'd like Kay and the baby at home resting."

The doctor nodded. "We'll let you get dressed." He and Fox stepped out of the room, leaving a very annoyed Kay. "Mr. Crane, I'm not aware of your status with Ms. Callaway but since you are the child's father, I should let you know that she's going to need as much peace as possible for the next few months. Make sure she rests and eats properly."

"Thank you."

"And congratulations." He said and Fox smiled, glad that at least one person was happy for him. A few minutes later, Kay stepped out, dressed in more comfortable clothes that Miranda brought for her.

Fox gave her a curt nod. "Do you need a wheelchair?" He asked.

She arched an eyebrow. "Why? Do my legs look broken?"

"Cut the attitude." He snapped as he guided her to their friends who were waiting for them down the hall, by Jason's room. "We don't need this right now."

Kay sighed heavily. "Why did you have to do that?" She asked accusingly.

"Do what?"

"The thing with the doctor." She hissed. "He didn't need to know about you being the father."

"Are you that ashamed to let a mere doctor know that you're carrying my child?" He retorted, giving her a hurt look. Kay seemed somewhat taken aback.

"I didn't say that." She protested.

He scoffed. "You didn't have to."

They finally reached their friends who were looking at them sheepishly. "Everything alright?" John asked while Miranda gave Kay a soft hug.

"Just peachy." She muttered sardonically. "I'm going to go see Jason. He's awake, isn't he?"

Three heads nodded in unison. Once Kay was out of earshot, Miranda turned to Fox. "What's wrong with her?" She asked curiously.

Fox sighed sharply, shaking his head miserably. "She thinks I cheated on her." He replied.

"Did you?" John asked and he was met with a glare. "I'm just covering all bases here."

"Yeah." Fox muttered dryly.

"Where did she get that idea?" Miranda continued to ask.

"Erica Reed. She told Kay a nice little story last night at the party. I should have that bitch killed." Fox hissed dangerously.

Gwen smirked. "I remember her. So, she's still not over you."

"Unfortunately." He replied, rather annoyed that Erica Reed had returned to his life just when everything should be going so well.

Miranda gave him a reassuring smile. "I'm sure Kay will get over it."

"Yeah." John agreed.

Fox nodded grimly. "Let's hope so because I do not want to be fighting with her."

"Because she's pregnant."

"That and because I love her." He replied sincerely, quickly glancing at the room where Kay was currently occupied with Jason. "I'm not happy with the fact that Kay kept this pregnancy from me but I am not going to hold it against her."

Gwen looked at him proudly. Perhaps, out of all of them, she was the one who saw how much Fox had grown up over the years. Maybe it was Kay or perhaps it was the things that Fox went through but whatever it was, Gwen was glad.

Kay finally reappeared moments later, looking somewhat teary eyed but she managed a small smile. "I'm alright." She mumbled before anyone asked if she was okay. Truth be told, Kay was sick of being asked if she was alright.

She glanced at her friends who were somewhat looking at her awkwardly. She suspected they were having a little discussion about her attitude toward Fox.

"Ready to go?" Fox asked and Kay nodded. She said goodbye to their friends then. Miranda promised to stop by later, so did John while Gwen said she would call and tell Kay about Jason's condition. He had another day in the hospital to go.

The ride in he car was awkward yet again, a strange change for both of them. Kay felt a little sick and she wondered if it was morning sickness or the fact that she and Fox were barely on speaking terms with each other. She didn't like it at all.

"Listen," Kay began once they reached and entered the Crane mansion. "When Jason comes out of the hospital, I'm moving out." She declared.

Fox's expression darkened. "Aren't you being a little rash?" He replied angrily wondering why she was doing this. Kay was making it rather difficult for both of them.

"I know what I'm doing." She said defensively.

"Is this some sort of punishment for lying to you about seeing Erica at Vienna?" Fox demanded irately as they both stormed into the living room. He immediately poured himself a drink, downed it and refilled before Kay could reply.

"No." Kay uttered squarely, folding her arms over her chest. "If I wanted to punish you, I would have told you that this child is not yours." She said smugly and Fox looked about ready to commit cold blooded murder. "But I'm not that cold hearted and I will not put my child-"

"Our child." He amended confidently.

"Our child into a mess." She watched him unhappily, wishing to be in his arms again, wishing that last night never happened. "It's final. I'm leaving once Jason is out."

"And then what, Kay? You'll tell me when the schedules are for the baby's check up; I get to be there when my child is born and when you decide to go back to New York, we'll talk about shared custody? No. I would rather rot in hell."

"Don't make this hard, Fox." She pleaded.

"Then don't do this!" He hadn't meant to yell but Fox suddenly found himself losing all self restraint. "You say you don't want this baby put in the middle of a mess, yet you're taking great lengths to make this very difficult for all of us. Kay, you're being horribly unfair to me because of one ridiculous lie that should not even have any merit if you truly trusted me and loved me!"

"Don't you dare doubt how I feel." She hissed.

Fox scoffed indignantly. "With the way you're acting, I have every right to do so."

"Ahem." Someone interrupted and Fox and Kay turned to find Julian and Rebecca looking at them wide-eyed and shocked. "Are we interrupting something?" Julian asked as he effortlessly strolled in between the heated couple and poured himself a drink.

Fox glowered at his father, clenching his fists at his sides. "Actually, you are." He drawled.

"Well, do go on. Becky-poo and I would like to see a show. Live theater is so gratifying, especially when the emotions are very raw. Oh, we'll need popcorn." He stated, chuckling to himself. Rebecca giggled and Fox continued to glare. "That was a joke, son."

"It wasn't funny." Fox bit back.

"Yes, your generation seems to lack a sense of humor." Julian replied. "So, how's the mother to be?" He asked turning his attention to Kay who was looking at him with disdain.

"None of your business." Kay hissed.

Rebecca walked over to Julian. "He was only asking." She defended. "But really, Kay, how are you?" Rebecca asked; her tone more sincere than Kay had anticipated. The other girl softened.

"I'll be dandy once I'm out of here." Kay retorted.

"You're not leaving. Isn't that right, pookie?" Rebecca declared. Julian nodded in confirmation.

Kay huffed furiously. "I am not discussing this with the two of you as well."

"Fine." Julian intervened. "But Alistair wants the two of you in the study."

Fox mumbled something under his breath and Kay gritted her teeth before going up to see Alistair. They used the elevator this time due to Fox's insistence and Kay was reluctant to go up the stairs.

There was no need to push her luck.

"Well, good to see you up and about again, Kay." Alistair greeted them cheerfully when they entered the study. She flashed him a forced grin before settling down on one of the overstuffed chairs by the desk.

"I'm tired, Mr. Crane. I really would like to get this over with so let's cut to the chase." She declared grouchily.

Alistair chuckled in response. "Very well. I'm happy to see that the fall didn't affect your disposition. How's the youngest Crane?"

"The baby's fine. Now, what did you want us here for?" Kay pressed stubbornly, quickly glancing at Fox.

"I have a tape of the person who pushed you down the stairs. The security cameras caught her sneaking in and out of the premises." Alistair declared, handing them a video tape.

Fox straightened in his seat. "Who was it?" He asked. Fox had almost forgotten about that since he and Kay had been fighting so much.

"I'm sorry to say this, Kay, but it was your sister, Jessica Bennett." Alistair announced, not at all distressed by the fact.

Kay smirked as her anger rose yet again. "I'm not surprised." She confirmed.

"Since she's your family, I'll let you decide how to handle this but I suggest you take extreme measures."

Kay nodded, her expression set on a predatory glare. "Oh, I will."

"Let me do this." Fox pleaded with Kay and she watched him hesitantly. "It's the least I could do and you shouldn't do anything strenuous." He softly declared, glancing at her stomach.

"Fine." She relented, deciding that it was safer for her and the baby if she strayed from anything violent for the rest of her pregnancy. Even with their current situation, Kay still trusted Fox to make Jessica's life a living hell. "You have permission to do anything but kill her. She doesn't deserve an easy escape."

"I agree. No one messes with us and gets away with it." Fox declared dangerously.

Alistair chuckled, proud with his grandson's perseverance. "On another note, I'd like to discuss with you the date of the wedding." He stated leaning back on his leather chair.

"Excuse me? What wedding"? Kay demanded.

"Yours and Fox's."

"What!" Kay and Fox exclaimed in unison.

The Crane patriarch beamed at them. "Let's not play a guessing game here, children. You both heard me clearly so there's no point in repeating what I just said and you're both intelligent enough to realize that I am doing this for everyone's sake."

"The hell you are!" Fox protested furiously, suddenly rising from his seat.

"Nicholas, calm yourself." His grandfather chided. By then Fox was seething with fury. "You're aware that the media has gotten wind of your pregnancy and they will be in a frenzy to confirm this. To avoid scandal, the two of you will get married as soon as possible."

"I will not be forced into marriage and you can make as many threats as you want." Kay affirmed with conviction.

"And I will not let my great-grandchild be born a bastard!"

Kay let out a sharp exhale. "Fox, I'd like to have a word with your grandfather in private." She said and before Fox could protest or ask why, Kay sharply turned her head to him. "Please."

Although, he was skeptical of leaving Kay alone, Fox relented. "I'll be outside." He declared. "And we're not through, grandfather."

"It's not going to work, Alistair." Kay immediately announced once Fox was out of the room.

"Ms. Callaway, why are you so adamant on not marrying my grandson? Shouldn't you be pleased that you have my seal of approval?" Alistair queried and Kay sighed.

"If the circumstances were different, I would have been elated that you find me suitable for Fox but I'm afraid that the only reason you're doing this is because of a number of reasons." Kay uttered coolly. She was calm, which was strange because a minute ago, she was tempted to grab the vase an arm's reach away from her and throw it at Alistair's head.

"Which are?"

"First of all, my marriage to Fox would automatically create a merger between Crane and Callaway Industries."

Alistair nodded. "True but it's a lucky coincidence."

"Right." Kay quipped. "Secondly, I'm carrying a Crane heir and this child has every right and power to claim the Crane fortune."

"That point does not count on your argument, Kay. Actually, it favors my side because if I did not want your baby claiming to be a Crane or the fortune that comes with the name I would have long ago told you to get rid of it or gotten rid of both of you."

"Then there's also bad publicity. You don't want your reputation tainted so you want a quick fix to this problem."

Alistair laughed at that. "The Crane's reputation has always been tainted, Ms. Callaway. Your child and marriage to my grandson are perhaps the only things that can clear us for the next twenty years or so."

Kay arched an eyebrow. "So what am I now?" She asked in disbelief.

"You're a stroke of luck. Our pot of gold, so to speak." The old man replied sincerely. "Kay, you love my grandson very much and this marriage will instigate good things to happen. There is absolutely no reason for you not to marry Fox."

"He lied to me." She whispered miserably.

"Now, that's a very foolish reason not to marry. People lie all the time; to each other and themselves especially. Fox is no exception and he did not cheat on you. I keep tabs on my grandson and everyone else in this town, Ms. Callaway and Fox was very faithful to you while he spent time with Erica Reed."

"It doesn't change the fact that he hid something from him."

"You're no different." He pointed out.

"No, I guess not."

"Then, no more excuses." Alistair declared with finality.

Kay exhaled heavily, shaking her head. Alistair was right. The old man had a way of talking sense into her. "You forgot one thing, Alistair. Shouldn't Fox ask me to marry him instead of being forced by his family?"

"I didn't think you were a romantic, Ms. Callaway."

"What girl isn't?" She smirked bitterly. "You know, you're right. This marriage is a good thing but I will not let you guilt Fox into it. What counts is whether he wants to do it or not."

"I assure you, he does."

Kay nodded. "Then let Fox speak for himself. If your grandson truly loves me and wants to marry me, then he will ask me on his own time. I don't want Fox doing this because we have a child on the way or whatever other reason there may be. I will not be a burden to Fox like Ivy was to Julian. I am not his obligation with or without this child."

"Fair enough." Alistair replied, nodded seriously. "But I suggest, you reconcile with my grandson and the two of you make some sort of decision soon."

"I make no promises and this is not a business arrangement." Kay declared firmly.

"I'm well aware."

Kay nodded. "I love your grandson very much, Mr. Crane, and although I'm angry with him right now, I am willing to make an effort to make this work. But if it doesn't and I find leaving the only solution, I will gladly do so." With that said Kay rose from her seat and walked out of the room, leaving a very pleased and impressed Alistair Crane.

~*~

A/N: WELL, THAT WAS A LOT. I KNOW THAT FOX AND KAY ARE FIGHTING REALLY BAD BUT IT HAD TO HAPPEN. ANYWAY, IM GUESSING THAT MOST OF YOU PROBABLY KNOW OR SUSPECT WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT BUT WE'LL SEE. JUST REMEMBER THAT THERE IS ALWAYS A REASON OF EVERYTHING, NO MATTER HOW STRANGE. I KNOW THAT ALISTAIR SEEMS MORE HUMAN AND SINCERE COMPARED TO THE TV SHOW BUT THAT'S HOW I WANTED HIM TO BE. BRUTALLY HONEST BUT SINCERE IN THE END.

SO, JESSICA IS THE PERP WHO PUSHED KAY. I'M GOING TO LET YOU WONDERFUL VIEWERS DECIDE ON HOW TO PUNISH HER. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT'S BRUTAL; I'M WILLING TO LISTEN TO YOUR SUGGESTIONS.

ANYWAY, THANKS FOR READING AND MAKE SURE TO REVIEW.