A/N: Dear darling readers - esp. the Awians - boy am I happy that Cam and Abby are back to normal. Will they stay that way? Hmmm. We'll see. ;) I loved writing about their past. I mentioned that kiss way back in CS and I was just feeling that we know that they're in love - but we never got to see how it happened. I might bring some more up later in this story - if it fits. ;) I have to say that what I envision for this story going in kind of a weird direction right now - maybe I should say - unpredictable. :) (see below!) I hope you see soon why the title makes sense. Here's a little hint - except #3 - this story has nothing to do w/baseball. LOL! Here's more. Sorry PCGirl -I've been writing so much that I passed you. :) ~ Until 22!! xox-G
1chance : noun 1 a : something that happens unpredictably without discernible human intention or observable cause b : the assumed impersonal purposeless determiner of unaccountable happenings : LUCK c : the fortuitous or incalculable element in existence : CONTINGENCY 2 : a situation favoring some purpose : OPPORTUNITY needed a chance to relax 3 : a fielding opportunity in baseball 4 a : the possibility of a particular outcome in an uncertain situation; also : the degree of likelihood of such an outcome a small chance of success b plural : the more likely indications chances are he's already gone 5 a : RISK not taking any chances b : a raffle ticket - chance adjective- by chance : in the haphazard course of events they met by chance
Chapter Twenty-one
She got up and set off early. She was tired of calling and finding no one home - or of calling and finding people that she wasn't looking for. Livvie wanted to see him today and she was determined to. She walked slowly toward the door and gently knocked on it, fidgeting all the while. Suddenly the door flew open.
"Livvie?" Kevin said - his voice full of awe. "Oh am I glad to see you!'
"Hi Dad." Livvie sighed as Kevin pulled her close. Finally there was someone who was happy to see her.
He let her go and walked back into the house, letting her follow behind. "When did you get here? Why didn't you let me know you were coming?"
"I wanted to surprise you." Livvie said softly.
Kevin looked at his daughter. She looked tired and pale. She also looked to be alone.
Still - he needed to ask the question. "Did he come with you?" He asked his voice quiet. He really hoped she gave him the answer he wanted.
She did.
"No." Livvie shook her head as tears began to fall down her cheeks. "I'm all alone."
*************
"So." Cam said as he placed a kiss on her nose, gazing lovingly down at her. "What's next?"
"Considering where we are that's a very interesting question." Abby replied with a giggle.
"I know exactly what I want to do next - but I was talking about our other situation." Cam rolled on his side and pulled Abby with him, holding her close.
"Livvie." She whispered.
"Yeah." He replied, burying his nose in her hair. "Have you seen anything else?"
"No. Not yet. But I will tell you as soon as I do." She said, her voice serious.
"That's my girl." Cam chuckled. He ran a hand down her arm. "That's not why I started this conversation you know."
"I'm just making sure you understand that I got the message." Abby pointed out.
"OK." He replied as he kissed her softly.
Abby took his hand in hers and threaded their fingers together. "We should all meet today. I'm sure Rafe and Alison have some ideas."
"About Livvie? They know she's here?"
Abby nodded. "Rafe does and I'm sure he's told her by now. He came by yesterday - just after you left."
"And you told him? Just like that?" Cam didn't buy it. He knew her too well.
"No. He sort of guessed. Plus - he clearly saw that I had a black eye. I needed to explain." She shivered a bit and snuggled closer.
"Do me a favor. Start to take kickboxing OK?" Cam said then.
Abby couldn't help but laugh. "You sound like Rafe now."
"He's right. If you're going to be a crime fighter you need to know how to protect yourself."
"Crime fighter." Abby muttered and rolled her eyes. Still she answered him. "I will take class later today. I promise." She inched closer and kissed him again.
************
"Livvie. I'm sorry - but I can't believe Caleb would let you leave like that."
"Well he certainly did. As a matter of fact, he practically threw me out, Dad. I couldn't stand it anymore - and I - I just had to leave."
"So you came here." Kevin said.
"I don't have anyplace else to go." She replied. She had to admit, she was feeling a bit unwelcome. "Don't tell me you don't want me here either." She began to get hysterical. "I can't - if you won't help me - I don't know what I'll do."
"Livvie!" Kevin demanded as he held her arms and shook her. "Get a hold of yourself. "I want you here - but if you are going to stay with me I need you to be honest with me."
"I am being honest." She replied - her voice shaking.
"We'll see about that. I'm your father Livvie and you know I love you - but answer this question."
He looked deeply into her eyes and said softly, "What are you up to?"
***********
"Rafe? Can you do me a favor?" Alison smiled at Kate as she dressed her for the day.
As Rafe answered her question he fought to keep his voice light. He was still aching to tell her what he knew. "Sure. What do you need?"
"I need you to send Melissa over to the Recovery Room today." She replied as she ran a brush over what was left of Kate's hair. Kate looked up at her and gave her a smile.
"I'm sorry - what?" Rafe asked.
Alison picked up the baby and walked over to him. "I want her to meet Jack - but he won't let me set him up - so I just want her to go in there. Just order a sandwich or something and ask her to pick it up for you. And by the way - if you do that - then buy her lunch too." She warned him. She gave him a huge smile. "I really don't care how you do it - but I need you to get her over there for me."
"Alison - what if Jack doesn't want to get involved with anyone right now?"
She looked at him like he had three heads. "What do you mean? Of course he does."
"Alison -" Rafe protested.
Alison rolled her eyes at him and handed Kate over. "Oh for God's sake - Rafe - stop giving me a hard time and just do it. You'll need lunch anyway. It's not that big a deal. If they hit it off they hit it off. Don't you think everyone deserves to be as happy as us? That's all I'm trying to do."
He stopped arguing. He had to admit it was a good idea - given who he knew was back in town. Livvie was as much a threat to Jack as to them. Perhaps ever more so. If he got involved with someone new maybe he could avoid getting mixed up with her again. Rafe decided to agree and do what she asked. He stared down at the baby and simply nodded.
Alison rose on her tiptoes to kiss him quickly. "Now see? Was that so hard? Thank you." She kissed him again and added, "I'm going to go jump in the shower." Rafe gave her a look. "I'll be quick." She promised. "I know you have to go."
"You be good for Daddy, Katie." She said as she kissed Kate's forehead. "I'll be right back."
As she dashed off, Rafe carefully took Kate downstairs. As he held her close he gazed at her and whispered, "Hey princess. I have to tell you something and it's not that great news - Livvie's back - but you don't need to worry. Daddy will take care of you."
Saying the words made him feel a little better - but as he did, his daughter started to cry.
Loudly.
Rafe's heart hurt as he heard the sound. He knew that once he told her - Alison would have a similar reaction. "Shh, Shh, little one." Rafe said as he rocked Kate gently back and forth, trying to calm her. "I know just how you feel. I feel the same way about it too."
