THANKS TO ALL MY READERS.  YOU'RE AWESOME.  I FORGOT TO MENTION IN THE LAST CHAPTER THAT THE SONG WAS BY JOSH GROBAN.  BUT IM SURE MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT ALREADY, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ASKED FOR HINTS.  YOU MAY NOT LIKE THE SONG BUT I HAVE TO THANK J.B. BECAUSE TO WHERE YOU ARE JUST INSPIRED ME AND HELPED ME KEEP WRITING.

ALSO KNOW THAT KAY IS NOT IN A COMA.  THERE'S A MEDICAL REASON FOR THIS.  AND IN THE REAL WORLD, A TRIAL WOULD TAKE TOO LONG FOR ME TO WRITE SO I'M GOING TO DO THAT BIT THE PASSIONS WAY.  I HOPE NONE OF YOU MIND.

KAY DIED ON OCTOBER 23, 2007.  SHE WAS RELEASED FROM THE MORGUE ON OCTOBER 26 AND BURIED OCTOBER 29.

I SINCERELY APOLOGIZE THAT THIS CHAPTER TOOK SO LONG.  I PLANNED ON WRITING IT BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS BUT UNFORTUNATELY, I HAD MAJOR SHOPPING PRIORITIES.  WHAT GIRL WILL RESIST A TRIP TO THE MALL?  AND THEN ON CHRISTMAS EVE, AFTER FOUR HOURS OF SHOPPING AND ENDLESS WRAPPING OF GIFTS, I GOT SICK.  WELL IT WAS DOWNHILL FROM THEN ON.  WAY TO SPEND THE HOLIDAYS HUH?

I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOYED YOUR HOLIDAY VACATION.

BEFORE YOU ALL GO ON TO READ THIS CHAPTER, ONE LAST REMINDER.  THIS STORY WAS FIRST MEANT TO REVOLVE SOLELY ON KAY AND FOX BUT MORE ON THE KAY FRONT. I'M SURE I'VE MENTIONED THIS A FEW TIMES ALREADY.  HOWEVER, ALONG THE WAY, I ADDED OLD CHARACTERS AND O.C.S INTO THE STORY.  AND DESPITE MY NEED TO PUT THE SPOTLIGHT ON OUR EVER LOVED COUPLE, I ALSO HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THE REST OF THE CHARACTERS.  ASIDE FROM THE OBVIOUS REASON OF NOT NEGLECTING THE CHARACTERS IN THE STORY, I HAVE ANOTHER MOTIVE FOR WANTING TO DEVELOP THE OTHER CHARACTERS' STORYLINES.  BUT YOU'LL ONLY KNOW THIS IN THE END.

MY POINT IS: MIRANDA AND JOHN WILL NOW SHARE THE SPOTLIGHT WITH FOX/KAY AND JASON/GWEN.  THEY HAVEN'T REALLY DONE MUCH LATELY EXCEPT TO BE THERE FOR FOX AND KAY.  WE ALL KNOW MIRANDA LIKES JOHN BUT I NEVER MADE ANY MENTION OF A DATE OR ANYTHING HAPPENING WITH THESE TWO.  AND I JUST DROPPED CERTAIN EARLIER STORYLINES AND I CAN'T HAVE THAT.

I HAVE PLANS FOR ALL MY CHARACTERS.

ANYHOO, HERE'S THE NEXT CHAPTER.

~*~

Four Days Later, Crane Island

"I'm pleased to inform you, Mr. Crane, that Ms. Callaway is awake."  Dr. O'Neil declared triumphantly over the screen.  For a while he thought neither Kay nor the twins were going to survive this ordeal.  He felt a sense of relief wash over him when she finally regained consciousness.

Alistair nodded.  "Well done, doctor.  How is her condition?  And the twins?"

"Despite my concerns, I must say that she and the babies our quite lucky."  The doctor answered brightly.  "The three of them are all improving.  Their heartbeats are strong; their blood pressure within normal parameters however-"

Alistair frowned deeply as his vivacious secretary lit his cigar.  "However what, doctor?"  He echoed darkly.

"Although Kay is awake, she's contracted a very high fever.  She's delirious right now, Mr. Crane.  This is just a minor matter on most cases but considering that she is pregnant and what she went through, it might be best if we have Fox brought here.  Perhaps seeing him could lighten her condition."

The Crane patriarch indignantly scoffed as he puffed smoke and leaned back into his chair.  "Now, that's the fool in you talking."  Alistair declared harshly.  "Doctor, you know that science and medicine is what will save Kay's life.  My grandson's presence in the island will be a distraction and it is not time for him to find out."

"But-"

"I have plans for Fox and his future wife.  Plans which I do not care to divulge.  You are a doctor working for me.  Do not overstep your boundaries." 

Dr. O'Neil nodded with a sigh.  "I apologize.  When Kay starts to ask questions, what then?  She'll want to see Fox.  How shall I explain to her that he thinks she's dead?"

"Let me handle that."

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

One Week and Two Days Later, Harmony

John stood by the doorway that adjoined his office to Kay's, his hands in his pockets as he curled his lips into a slight, bitter smirk.  Are you daydreaming or should that dazed look in your eyes tell me you're on something illegal?  Kay's witty yet haughty remark rang in his ears as if she really was there, looking at him with curiosity; a small smirk set on her lips. 

It seemed like something she would say to him, just for the sake of saying it and, of course, to annoy him.

He had avoided Callaway Towers since Kay's death.  He didn't want to go back although he knew he had to pick up whatever he left in there and also drop off the company car and the items he held onto as Kay's personal assistant.  It felt intrusive to be there, to look upon Kay's domain when she wasn't there anymore.  But he wanted to say one final goodbye, get everything over with and move on with his life.

But still it was hard to let go.

Just then, Jason strolled into Kay's office with a handful of documents tucked under one arm, looking quite startled to see John.  "I didn't know you were here."  He declared with a slight nod as he proceeded to close the door and drop the papers on the desk.

John shifted uncomfortably, smiling faintly.  "I just came to drop off a few things and pick up what I left in my office."  He explained with a shrug and Jason nodded absently, taking a seat in where Kay would have sat had she been there.  "I thought you were still in New York."

"I was but I had to come back here sooner or later."  Jason answered with a heavy sigh as he looked around Kay's office.  "I have a lot of things to take care of." 

"Oh, well I should leave you alone then.  I just wanted to…I guess say goodbye."  John explained with an unsure shrug.  "This was where I knew her best.  I'll be on my way."

"John…I know we're not really friends but Kay liked you.  She saw something in you personally and professionally or she would never have given you a chance.  And if you don't mind, I'd like us to be friends as well."  Jason hesitantly declared, propping his elbows on the desk and intertwining his fingers together. 

A small genuine smile crept up on the other man's lips as he nodded slowly.  "That would be nice."  John said softly.

"And another thing.  If you haven't found a job elsewhere, you're welcome to stay here."

"I don't know, Jason.  I was Kay's personal assistant and to be quite honest, I don't think I assisted much with anything." John stated wryly.  "Thank you anyway."

"Actually, I was talking about an opening in the advertising department.  You have the credentials for it."  Jason had seen John's files and he was surprised by it.  He wondered why the other man settled for a personal assistant job when he could be doing much more.  He was certainly capable of it.

"Thank you."  John mustered as a soft knock on his office door interrupted them and he excused himself to answer it.  "Miranda."  He uttered, looking surprised to see her standing before him.  "Jason just got in.  He's in Kay's office."  John offered but Miranda shook her head and brushed past him quickly.

"I'm not here for him."  She quickly declared, placing her slender hands on her hips and sighing.  John paused for a moment and wondered what was going on.  "I want to talk to you about something."

"Oh, sure."  He mumbled as he motioned for her to sit down.  Silently, Miranda did so.  When she remained silent, John continued.  "Are you alright?  Did something happen?"

She shrugged, trying to be nonchalant about whatever was bothering her.  "Mother and I had another fight."

"I didn't know that the two of you were having problems."  John declared as he leaned back into his chair.  As far as he knew, Miranda and Helena had a great relationship despite their strong-willed nature.

"This is our second fight ever since Kay's death."  Miranda declared bitterly, swallowing the lump in her throat.  "We all know how angry Mother has been about Jason and I hiding Kay's pregnancy from her.  We didn't hide anything."  She quickly corrected as she sighed sharply.  "The first one was bad.  It happened two days after the funeral.  We were yelling and screaming and crying.  And then she just stopped talking to us.  The silent treatment."  Miranda scoffed grudgingly, her green eyes darkening.  "This second one was the worst.  She blames us.  She said that by not telling her about what was going on, we helped worsen the situation.  We helped Kay die.  And that is a damn lie.  Kay…Kay was our sister.  How dare she?  How dare she say something like that to me?  To Jason?"  Miranda was in the brink of tears and suddenly realizing that she was about to fall apart, she pulled out her tough girl attitude, swallowed her hurt and masked her sadness.

"Miranda, your mother might not have meant what she said.  Kay just died.  She's hurting."  John tried to reason but she shook her head firmly.

"That's just it.  My mother did mean every word.  And it hurts because there's this gnawing feeling that she loved Kay more than she ever loved me.  She didn't even think twice about blaming me and Jason and we're her children.  Her real children."  She whispered, bowing her head in defeat.  "I need to get away from it all.  We're just too hurt and angry right now to make peace with each other.  I can't live with them anymore."                  

He nodded at her, understanding to a degree.  "Listen, my apartment has a guest room.  It's not the Ritz-Carlton but you're welcome to stay there for as long as you need."

Miranda shook her head at him, offering John a grateful smile.  "I would be intruding and I can't stay in Harmony.  Too many things have happened here.  I can't stand to be reminded of so much horror."

"I understand."  John answered softly, knowing that it would be difficult for Miranda to be in the same place that Kay died in.  "The offer is still open if you ever change your mind."

Miranda nodded, tucking her red her behind her ears.  "I'm thinking of going back to England."

"That's a good idea.  Space and time is probably what we all need right now."  He said, thinking about his own situation.

"John, I was thinking: maybe you should go with me."

John's lips parted slowly as a small frown marred his face.  "Miranda-"

"I know it's soon but going to England would be an opportunity.  And there's nothing here that's holding you back."  She declared, smiling at him hopefully.  Miranda wanted to get away from it all but she wanted him with her.

"Your brother just offered me another job here."  He stated, giving her an apologetic look.

She nodded disappointedly.  "I'll speak to him.  We have another office stationed in London.  You could work there." 

"Miranda, I'm flattered but I can't."  John said in all honesty as he reached for her hand and held it.

"I understand."  Miranda whispered as she moved her hand away from his but John quickly took it back, giving it a firm squeeze.

"Miranda, I like you.  Don't think that I don't."  John stated sincerely and she nodded, holding back the tears that burned the back of her eyes.

"And you know how I feel about you.  I'm sure Kay told you before."

"No, she hasn't but I know.  I know."  He whispered.  "But this is just too soon.  Going away with you would be rushing things.  I don't want to get into something that I-we might regret later on."  A flash of hurt and anger crossed her face but before she could open her mouth to speak, John went on.  "Don't take it the wrong way."  He pleaded gently.  "I just don't want to hurt you or disappoint you if somehow; I'm not able to reciprocate your feelings.  I-"

"It's okay, John.  You don't have to explain."

"Yes, I do."  He persisted.  "I just need to straighten some things out first.  I have so much to deal with."

She blinked a few times, confusion and curiosity marring her delicate features.  "Were…were you in love with her?"  Miranda whispered hesitantly; dread settling in the pit of her stomach.  Oh, God.  This was such a mistake.  She screamed in her head.  No wonder John always looked out for Kay, always worried about her well being.  "Never mind, it's none of my business."

"No," He quickly protested, his grip on Miranda's hand tightening as if to reassure her.  "Kay was my friend.  But I have spent more than half a decade believing she was my younger sister.  I was not in love with her, Miranda."  She looked relieved as he spoke the words.  "But you and I…I don't know where we stand right now.  I don't know if there's a possibility of a future for us because in this…this chaos I am trying to find myself.  I have to figure out where I belong before I attach myself to anyone…to you." 

"Oh, John."  Miranda whispered.  "I'm sorry.  I'm being selfish."

"No, you're not.  You're just following how you feel."  John smirked bitterly as he heaved a deep sigh.  "I've put off certain issues in my life for a while now.  Kay's situation distracted me for some time.  But…now I have to face my demons.  My life is one cosmic guessing game, Miranda.  My father lied to me.  Not just one time but for years he kept up the pretense.  My mother-my real mother-since Kay found her for me; I've been asking myself if she looked for me.  Did she just give me up to my father?  I mean what happened?  How did I suddenly become the designated orphan?"  John didn't know where to begin.  He didn't know whether he should forgive David for all the lies.  He didn't know how to forgive him. 

But there had to be a reason.  John wanted to speak to Claire.  There was so much he needed to know, to understand.  Hearing her side of the story would clear some things up. 

And then there was Grace.  John didn't know what to do with her.  It seemed cruel to just ignore her because she wasn't his blood mother anymore.  In his mind, she was still his mother.  His long lost, amnesiac mother who despite their years of separation managed to love and accept him for all the he was.

How do you stop loving someone because you suddenly realized that your feelings have been based on a lie?  John wondered to himself angrily. 

"If there's anything I can do-"

"No," He protested.  "I need to do this on my own."

She nodded silently.  "I can stay here while you work this out with your family.  I could help you through this." 

"Miranda, you just said you wanted to get away from all this sadness.  You don't want me dumping my personal baggage on you.  And you just told me that you don't want to be here in Harmony after everything."

"But I want to help you."  She insisted firmly.

"I'll be fine.  Honest.  Go to England like you planned."  John declared firmly.  "If…when I get my life straightened out and if you still feel the same about me after, maybe we can give this another try."  He offered.

She smiled understandingly.  "You know, this has to be the best rejection a girl could get."  Miranda joked slightly and John chuckled, shaking his head at her.  "But seriously, if you need a friend, call me.  I'll be here…or in England to be exact."  Miranda rose from her seat and gave him a tight hug.

"Friends, then?"  John asked, wrapping his arm around her.

"Friends."  She echoed, genuinely smiling at him.  Miranda couldn't say she wasn't disappointed but like everything in life, they just needed time to work this out.  "Good luck, John."   Someday.  She thought optimistically.

"You too, Miranda.  You too."

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

One Week Later, New York

Fox stared at the ceiling of his apartment, his right hand clutched to the locket that now hung around his neck as if it had always belonged there.

Rough day?  A voice in his head asked and Fox groaned, frowning as he rolled to his side and tucked his free hand under the pillow.  He had just returned from visiting Kay's grave.  And like always, it had been difficult.

"Rough life."  He mumbled with a wounded sniff as he closed his eyes tiredly.  Flashes of Kay swirled in his mind and Fox sighed sharply welcoming yet resenting her bittersweet memory and the ache that came along with it.  The phone rang and Fox grumbled to himself, trying to ignore it as he snuggled to the pillow.  It was probably Gwen checking up on him again.  She seemed to be the only one who bothered with him lately.  Groaning, he stretched his arm to the side table and reached for the phone.  Fox managed to mumble a garbled, hello.

"Nicholas Foxworth Crane!"  Alistair stern voice roared over the phone. 

Fox groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose as if to stop the oncoming onslaught of a headache.  "It's nice to hear from you too, Grandfather."  He said flatly, resting his head back onto the pillow.

"Why are you letting yourself rot away in this godforsaken apartment?"  Alistair demanded callously as he gritted his teeth.

"Is this what you called me for?  To berate me about my life?"  Fox hissed.  "Don't you have anyone else to make miserable besides me?"  He retorted just as viciously.

"Nicholas, you are making a fool out of yourself.  Enough with the pity party."  Alistair continued.  "It has been a month.  The world has seen and felt your pain.  Now move on and do something worthwhile with yourself.  You are tarnishing our already tainted reputation."

"I am tarnishing the family name?"  Fox echoed vehemently as he rose and leapt out of his bed.  "Where do you get off?"

"Do not disrespect me, Nicholas.  I can easily have you disowned for this kind of behavior."  Alistair icily warned his grandson.  "Now make yourself presentable.  Gwen will be meeting you in a few hours."

"Screw you, Grandfather!  This is my life and if you don't agree with how I lead it then so be it.  If you want to disown me for mourning Kay, fine!  You can take everything I have for all I care.  I've lost what mattered most to me.  You can't hurt me even if you tried."  Fox argued.  No one dared insult Alistair Crane no matter how angry they might be but to Fox he was just his grandfather.  At that moment, Alistair wasn't one of the world's most powerful men; he was just a nosey old relative.  And Fox wasn't going to take it anymore.  "When you and Father are gone, I'm sure one of yours or his bastards will step up to the plate and carry the family name so valiantly."           

Alistair laughed loudly, his voice ringing into Fox's ears, making the younger man enraged.  "Well, I'm glad to see there's still some remnant of Crane in you.  I'm sure Kay Callaway would have been disappointed to see what you've reduced into.  It's a shame really."

Fox gritted his teeth, his anger rising until he felt dizzy.  "How dare you speak her name?"  He spat; gripping the phone so tightly that his knuckles turned white.  He was on the verge of crushing it.  "How dare you insult her memory!  You have done nothing to help Kay.  You are Alistair Crane-all knowing and all seeing God of Harmony.  Tell me grandfather, why is it that you failed to see that Kay's life was in danger?  Why is it that you overlooked the fact that Jessica was planning something against Kay?  Or maybe you just didn't care!  Maybe you wanted her to die!"

"Do not make allegations you know nothing about!"

"Then tell me why!"  Fox yelled over the phone, fury ripping through his entire body.  "You knew what was going to happen.  You have to have known!  But you didn't care.  And why should you?  She wasn't anyone important to you.  She didn't let you manipulate her.  So you just watched while her life was slowly taken from her.  It didn't make any difference to you that she meant something to me!  That I loved her!  And that she was carrying my children!"   

"There are some things that you do not have the privilege of understanding." 

Fox scoffed indignantly.  "Great answer, Grandfather.  Be sure not to expect to hear from me from now on.  Good bye."  With that said Fox hung up and venomously threw the phone on the bed, wanting to tear the whole apartment into shreds.  He paced for a few minutes, clenching and unclenching his fists, his rage escalating.  Finally he stopped when he spotted Kay's locket on the floor.  It must have fallen off.  Fox frowned when he saw that the chain had broken.  "Dammit."  Fox cursed as he slipped the locket into the drawer and grabbed his coat.  He needed to get away at least for one night. 

The next day Fox strolled into the halls of Trump Tower wearing the same clothes from yesterday and the look of a guilty man on his weary face.  He sighed sharply when he spotted Gwen patiently waiting for him in his suite.

"I was worried about you.  Where have you been?"  She asked, not missing the fact that he reeked of alcohol.  Ever since Kay's funeral, Gwen had made sure to be there for Fox just as he had for her years ago. 

It didn't matter what Fox said; it didn't matter that he isolated himself and pushed everyone who cared away.  Gwen had done the same thing and she was grateful Fox ignored her angry protests. 

It was difficult to commute from Harmony to New York each week and stay there for at least two days while juggling her time with Jason, work, and also dodging Ethan who seemed to be everywhere she was these days.  But Gwen was a loyal friend and she would see Fox through this the best she could. 

"Out."  He mumbled curtly, throwing his wrinkled jacket on the nearby chair, frowning at no one in particular.

"Fox, are you okay?"  Gwen asked, looking at his disheveled appearance.  He suddenly looked twenty years older.

"What do you think?"  Fox replied somewhat harshly as he walked over to the mini bar and poured himself a glass of brandy.  He sighed sharply as he sent her an apologetic look.  He was in a horrible mood.  Gwen remained unscathed knowing full well that his hostility is due to his pain.  She had acted just as badly when she lost her child and her marriage to Ethan fell apart.  "Sorry."  He mumbled as he ran his fingers through his hair.  "I'll meet you in the lobby in half an hour okay?  We'll have lunch." 

Gwen smiled softly and nodded.  "Half an hour and I have a lot to tell you."  She declared somberly.

"Great."  Fox mumbled sarcastically as he watched Gwen stroll out and the door shut after her.  He sank back down on the bed when Gwen was gone, the frown on his face deepening.  "What have I done?  What have I done?"  He mumbled regretfully as he desperately tried to recall what happened within the last few hours.  Everything was vague.  Too vague.  All he remembered was the horror he woke up to. 

It doesn't matter anymore.  Fox firmly thought to himself as he pushed himself off the bed and trudged to the shower.  A few minutes later, with guilt still lodge in the recesses of his mind, Fox met with Gwen in the hotel lobby and drove her to the nearby restaurant.

"Are you sure you're up for this?"  Gwen asked him suspiciously when Fox seemed distracted.  He nodded at her as he picked up the menu.  "When you went missing yesterday, I thought you'd gone and done something stupid."  She candidly declared.

Fox looked stunned for a minute before he realized what she meant.  "I wouldn't kill myself over grief, Gwen.  It's too easy an escape but I've been tempted."  He drawled as casually yet bitterly as he could.

She nodded, knowing the feeling all too well.  Silence fell between them.  "They moved the trial to Boston, Fox."  Gwen finally declared.

"When?"  He demanded, looking thoroughly angry. 

"Just this week.  Hasn't Alistair told you?"

Fox shook his head, scowling even more.  "I've decided that it'd best that I no longer associate with my family, especially my grandfather." 

"I take it you two had a misunderstanding.  You can't get on Alistair's bad side, Fox.  You need him to win this."  Gwen uttered honestly.

Fox shook his head stubbornly.  "Actually, I don't need him to win anything.  Jessica killed Kay.  If she's not convicted of her crime, I'll make sure to wipe her existence off the face of the earth myself."  He said furiously, gritting his teeth until his jaw ached.

Gwen shook her head, frowning at him.  "Don't."  She uttered firmly.  "You are not your family and I will not let you stoop to Jessica's level just to avenge Kay.  I want justice too but if you do something now, it could come back to haunt you and ruin your life in the future.  You have to do this the right way."

"I'm a Crane.  I don't give a damn.  And there is no right way."  He whispered icily.

"Fox-" 

"No, Gwen, don't try to talk me out of this.  I'll do what I have to if Alistair decides to stab me in the back again and somehow let Jessica free."  Fox argued firmly as he brought his wine glass to his lips.

"Revenge won't bring Kay back, Fox."

"I know that!"  Fox hissed, glaring at his friend.  "Don't you think I know?  For almost a month, I've been denying that she's gone.  I talk to her like she's still there, like she'll answer me back.  I see her face in every woman that vaguely resembles her.  I know that Kay is gone.  But I will not just sit and wait for justice to be served.  Jessica Bennett has to pay for this and I don't care if I have to give away half my inheritance.  I want her to pay."

Gwen nodded.  "She will but we have to do this the right way or else the Bennetts will find a loophole."  She stated, sighing heavily.  "Most of the judges in Boston are already in your favor but Jessica's family is smart.  They're fighting this although they know what she's done."

"What now, Gwen?"

"Jessica Bennett pleaded guilty due to insanity."  She declared knowing that Fox would not take this lightly.

"What?!"  He practically yelled, causing the other patrons to curiously glance their way.   

"I went to her trial two days ago and she and her psychiatrist testified that Kay caused Jessica emotional duress by coming back to Harmony and causing trouble.  And Jessica is playing the part quite well.  They're making it sound like Kay provoked Jessica so she would hurt her back."

Fox sighed sharply.  "Can they do this?"

Again, Gwen nodded.  "Yes.  The fact that there's a history of mental illness in the family helps.  The jury is buying it."

"And since Alistair is sitting back again and doing nothing means that Jessica's chance of getting out has increased."  He mumbled irately. 

"I doubt your grandfather will sit this one out, Fox."  Gwen protested softly.  "He liked Kay."

Fox scoffed indignantly as fury burned in the back of his throat.  "The hell he did.  Alistair knew what was going to happen.  But he didn't do anything until it was too late.  He even had the audacity to pretend like he cared, like he wanted Kay alive.  And don't tell me I'm wrong, Gwen.  I know my grandfather."

"Okay," Gwen relented.  "But whatever you do, I want in." 

"So you can stop me from doing anything I might regret later on?"  He asked, half-heartedly smiling at Gwen.

She nodded playfully, also smiling although the emotion never reached her eyes.  "Exactly."

"Thanks, Gwen."  Fox softly but sincerely whispered as he sent his friend a grateful look.  "For caring."

Gwen smiled as she tucked a strand of hair behind one ear.  "It's the least I could do, Fox."

Meanwhile, across the room, another blonde woman watched the sincere exchange between Fox and Gwen.  Erica Reed sighed to herself as she distractedly listened to her friend talk about her newest conquest.  She narrowed her eyes into small slits, hating Fox for being so unhappy about his lost love.  When Erica heard that Kay Callaway had been murdered, three things came to mind. 

First, Kay got too close to whatever secrets the Cranes are hiding and she had to be disposed of.  It wasn't too unlikely, Erica thought to herself.

Second, Fox wouldn't take this lightly but he would move on to the next available woman.  It would be his typical way of coping.

Or third, he would move on and without any regrets.  And when Erica spotted him walking into the restaurant with the beautiful Gwen Hotchkiss, she suspected Fox had moved on.  But then the look of genuine pain and sadness crept up on his beautiful features when he spoke to Gwen and Erica knew that he hadn't moved on.  Fox Crane had loved that woman.  He had loved her and lost her.

And despite their unpleasant history, she pitied him.  And she hated herself for it.  Fox had hurt her beyond belief.  And she had wished him pain so agonizing, it could kill him.  When Erica saw Fox with Kay not so long ago, she had been envious of his happiness that he wanted him to lose the woman that gave him that feeling.  She wanted him to feel her pain and more.  

But now that her hateful wish came true, Erica felt guilty.  No one deserved to lose the person they loved.  No her and not even Fox who she hated beyond belief.

Victory tastes bitter when you suddenly grow a conscience.  Erica thought as she downed her martini and looked back to her friend.

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

One Week Later, Boston

Charity Standish stood in front of the judge apprehensively.  She cast a glance at the man who seemed as old as time itself and then at Miguel who smiled at her reassuringly.  She shifted the bouquet of flowers in her hands and looked around the small room, wondering if this was the right thing to do. 

"So are we ready?"  The judge asked with an eager smile and Charity distractedly thought to herself that the smile on the old man's face seemed forced.

Miguel uttered an eager, yes.  She tried to open her mouth but no words escaped her lips.  Charity frowned softly, not quite sure.

"Charity?"  Miguel looked at her, worried that she might back down now.

"Miguel, are you sure?"  She whispered timidly, not wanting to humiliate him in front of people they just met by being indecisive.

Miguel nodded and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.  "I'm sure.  I've been sure since I first met you."  He replied.

Charity smiled, fighting back happy tears.  "Oh, Miguel."  She whispered.

"So, are we ready?"  The judge asked again.

Charity nodded.  A spontaneous marriage wasn't what she had wanted but then again, her first wedding hadn't worked out so well either.  This was probably the best time.  And Miguel had clearly explained it to Charity when she voiced her concerns about eloping.

She had wanted to share this with their families but Miguel had told her that they would be too busy with Jessica's trial right now to plan a wedding with them.  And with Kay's death not too long ago, it might cheer up Grace if they surprised her with the good news rather than make her suffer through the preparations. 

Sam, who wasn't her uncle anymore, would probably be delighted for her as well.  It would probably lift his spirit to know that something good was happy in the midst of all this agony.  Charity sighed as she recalled that Fox had him removed as chief of police and replaced by someone more suitable in Crane standards. 

And she had wanted their friends there.  But they too were gone.  Simone had gone away right after Kay's funeral, stopping shortly in Boston to tell her family.  She promised to write to everyone to let them know where she was.  But even now, no letter came.  Reese went back to Yale, wanting to escape just as Simone did.  He called them only once this month.  And as for Jessica, she was currently behind bars.  Charity suspected her cousin would be for a long time.

When everything is settled, they could have another wedding, in front of all of Harmony.  Miguel had happily promised her that.  He had explained everything so well.

The judge began to speak and Charity smiled at Miguel.  They were finally getting married.  They would be together at last.  She was happy and scared and sad at the same time.  She had been waiting for this day for so long and despite her fears of their uncertain future, Charity reminded herself that she loved Miguel. 

Nothing could change that. 

~*~

A/N: OKAY, SO YOU GUYS ARE PROBABLY WONDERING, WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?  WE WERE EXPECTING TO HAVE FOX AND KAY RENUITED.  IT WILL HAPPEN AND NO, I WON'T DRAG IT OUT FOR THREE CHAPTERS. 

OKAY, I MUST EXPLAIN SOME THINGS.  WHEN I WROTE THIS CHAPTER, I KEPT STOPPING.  SOMETHING ABOUT IT WAS BOTHERING ME AND THEN, JUST TODAY, IT DAWNED ON ME.  IT WAS JOHN'S SCENE.  OR MORE LIKELY JOHN HIMSELF.  IN THE PASSIONS, THE CHARACTER IS TOO ONE DIMENSIONAL.  AND HE'S NOT AS COMPLEX AS I HAVE WRITTEN HIM, OR WILL WRITE HIM.  EVEN I, WHO TURNED MELLOW JESS INTO A PSYCHO, HAD TROUBLE SEEING JOHN SO DEEP.  SO, I DECIDED THAT IN THE ALTERNATE WORLD OF MALICE, THE ACTOR IS DIFFERENT.  YES, I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MYSELF TO RECAST AND THIS ONE CAN ACT.

YOU'LL SEE THE NEW JOHN IN MY WEBPAGE.  AND THERE WILL BE A PIC OF MIRANDA IF YOU WANT TO SEE WHAT LOOKS LIKE TOO.  BUT IF YOU DON'T WANT YOUR PERSONAL IMAGE OF MIRANDA CHANGED, THEN I SUGGEST YOU ONLY CLICK ON THE HASTINGS PAGE.  OR IF YOU'RE HAPPY WITH THE ACTOR PLAYING JOHN THEN JUST IGNORE THIS STATEMENT.

OKAY, MOVING ON.

ALISTAIR IS A MEAN ONE, ISN'T HE?  I WANTED TO POINT THAT OUT IN THIS CHAPTER.  I'VE MADE HIM TOO HUMANE LATELY.  YES, HE CAN STILL BE A BASTARD.

AS FOR FOX, HERE'S A FEW REMINDERS.  HE IS CURRENTLY LIVING IN A SUITE IN TRUMP TOWER.  AND IF YOU MISSED THE HINT THAT HE DID SOMETHING BAD, WELL, LET ME REMIND YOU AGAIN.  FOX DID SOMETHING HE ALREADY REGRETS.  I LEFT A LOT OF SYMBOLISM ON HIS SCENE.  IT'S OPEN FOR INTERPRETATION.

THEN THERE'S GWEN.  YEAH, SHE EVERYWHERE RIGHT NOW.  SUPPORTING FOX, WORKING BACK AT HOTCHKISS ENTERPRISES, DATING JASON AND YES, ETHAN IS BACK IN THE PICTURE. 

THIS CHAPTER HAPPENED IN THE SPAN OF ONE MONTH.  NOVEMBER.

CHARITY AND MIGUEL WERE MARRIED ON NOVEMBER 30, 2007 IN BOSTON. 

YOU KNOW THE DRILL. 

REVIEW!