Author's Note: A little Kirsty/Kane moment and some violence.

Chapter 27: Big Trouble

With Lucy's relationship with Dylan moving slowly but steadily, though she hadn't mentioned their involvement to any of her family yet, and Jade and Nick going strong, the four of them spent a lot of time together and Kirsty felt more and more pushed out. It wasn't intentional, they always invited her to come out with them, but she couldn't spend too long around the two happy couples, it just made her feel miserable.

Left alone, she found herself thinking of Seb a lot, wondering if there was any chance of giving their relationship another try. Although it was Kane she really loved, she knew that nothing was likely to happen between them, at least not for some time. And Seb was funny and kind and she enjoyed his company and really did care for him. Besides, they had been getting on brilliantly until Kane had returned…so why couldn't they try again? Surely, she reasoned, in time she could grow to love him like she loved Kane.

However, when she finally got Seb alone in the Diner, she discovered that he didn't really agree to her plans.

"I know things haven't been good between us lately," she touched his arm and was hurt when he moved away. "But I want to put all this Kane business behind us. I want to start again."

"I'm not interested in being second best, Kirsty," he told her coldly. "I know you only want me because you can't have him."

"That's not true, Seb-"

"Yes, it is. And that is what hurts the most. I was there for you when he left you; I helped you pick up the pieces. I thought we were friends as well as boyfriend and girlfriend."

"We are! We really are! That's what makes our relationship so good."

"But after all that, you are still lying to me," he said angrily. "Face it, Kirsty, it's him you really want, not me. The least you could do is admit it. Well, I won't be used by you any more. It's over between us, for good."

"Seb-"

"I mean it," he stood up and began to walk away. "Our friendship, our relationship, it's over, finished, done with. Goodbye, Kirsty. Maybe I'll see you around."

"Please, Seb…" she whispered, but he had already gone, leaving her alone with their milkshakes. Alf watched Seb go and shook his head sadly.

Kirsty left the Diner in a daze. Maybe it had been selfish of her, but she had expected Seb to be delighted at the idea of them trying again. He had always told her how much he loved her and he had been really upset by the idea of Kane coming between them. She was so upset that when she bumped into Kane, she barely registered that it was him, she certainly didn't want to stay and talk. "I'm sorry, I've got to go." Brushing him aside, she hurried off.

"Hey Kirst!" Hearing Kane calling her name instantly made her feel better. He cared enough to follow her; that had to be a good thing. She managed a brief smile as she turned to face him. He looked concerned. "Are you all right?"

"I…I had another argument with Seb. He says that we're over for good."

"I'm sure he didn't mean it," Kane tried to sound reassuring. "He just needs a bit more time to get used to me being around. You'll work things out eventually."

"No," Kirsty's voice shook a little. "No, he really means it. We were really good friends, but now he seems to hate me."

"Don't be silly." Without thinking, Kane gave her a hug. It was only meant to be a friendly hug, but the way she clung to him made him feel uncomfortable. "Kirst…" she looked up at him and smiled. " I don't think…"

But before he could finish, she was kissing him. He knew it was wrong, he knew that he should push her away, but he didn't. He let her kiss him, and then closed his eyes and kissed her back. He didn't think, he just let it happen.

"Kane!" He recognised Emma's voice and suddenly realised what he was doing. Horrified, he pushed Kirsty away and turned to his girlfriend. She looked stunned. Dani was with her, and Benny. Dani looked shocked and angry, while Benny was absolutely furious.

"Emma, I can explain…"

"I knew there was something going on between you two!" Before Kane had a chance to react, Benny's fist caught him in the side of the face. As he stumbled backwards, a second punch hit him in the mouth, sending him to the floor. "You lying piece of scum! I'll kill you!" In a complete rage, he began kicking Kane over and over again. It was all the younger man could do to curl up in a ball and protect his face.

"Don't hurt him!" Kirsty attempted to pull the bigger man away from him, but Benny just shook her off and she fell. She made no move to get up, just stayed sitting on the ground, shouting at him through her tears. "Please, don't hurt him! It's my fault too!"

Dani looked at Emma, wondering what she would do. But she said nothing, just watched as her brother kicked Kane again and again. Dani wasn't sure she was fully aware of what was going on. She seemed to be in shock.

Attracted by the noise, Jesse came out of the gym. Taking just a brief glance at the situation, he acted quickly, grabbing Benny's arms and pulling him away from Kane.

"Easy, mate," he said gently. "Whatever's happened, I'm sure violence isn't the answer."

"Oh, it's definitely the answer," Benny growled. "I'm going to break every bone in his body!"

"No!" Emma suddenly snapped out of her daze and they all turned to look at her. "Leave him alone now, brother, please. He's not worth getting yourself in trouble over. Come on, please let's just go home."

Looking at her, seeing how strong she was being, his anger faded just a little. As much as he wanted to kill Kane for hurting his little sister, he knew that she was right. "Alright," he agreed and Jesse released him. "Let's just get you home."

"Will you be okay?" Dani asked and Emma nodded. "I'll call you later."

"Thanks," she took Benny's arm and gently steered him away. "And thank you, Jesse."

"Emma!" Kane managed to look up at her, through a badly swollen eye. "Please just let me explain."

Benny turned to go back, stopped only by his sister's pleading glance. "I've got nothing to say to you, Kane Philips," she said levelly. "If you want to be with Kirsty, then be with her. Right now, I couldn't care less. Just…don't talk to me."

They walked away and didn't look back. Completely ignoring Dani and Jesse, Kirsty was at Kane's side immediately. His face was a mess, his mouth and his nose both bleeding, his cheek grazed, a bruise already beginning to form below his eye, and he seemed a little dazed.

"It's all right, Kane," she patted his shoulder and he winced and flinched away from her. "You should go to the hospital. Just to get checked over-"

"I don't want to go to the hospital!" Kane said abruptly, roughly. Cautiously, he got to his feet, clutching his side. His ribs really hurt. Kirsty took his arm, trying to support him.

"That man is mad. I hope you are going to the police about this. He had no right to do this to you."

"I didn't ask what you thought!" Kane pushed her away from him. "Just leave me alone, Kirsty! Leave me alone!"

He limped off, briefly nodding his thanks to Jesse as he passed, leaving Kirsty in a fresh flood of tears. She had just wanted Kane back; not for things to turn out like this.

"Dani," she turned to her older sister, but Dani turned away in disgust.

"I don't want to be around you right now, Kirsty," she said sadly. "Just go home."

Kirsty looked at her through her tears before finally realising that her sister meant what she said. She turned and fled, running in the direction of the caravan park.

Jesse looked at Dani questioningly. "What was all that about?" he asked.

She sighed. "We caught Kirsty and Kane kissing. Right here outside the gym where anyone could see."

"Oh dear. No wonder Benny went so mad. What where they playing at?"

"I don't know," Dani shook her head sadly. Why couldn't her sister just let go? Couldn't she see that people were going to get hurt? "I really don't know."

Next Chapter: Dani and Jade let Kirsty know exactly what they think of her behaviour, while Kane tries to make amends.