A/N: In re-reading some of these chapters I realized that in lots of ways you'd be lost if you didn't read my other stories. I have a habit of tying stuff back in to the current story from things I wrote eons ago. So please. If you're ever confused, don't be afraid to say so.

OK. I just realized a) that the sentence above is confusing and 2) that this is really a note that should go with Chapter 5 - oh well! Guess I'm the one who's confused!!! LOL!

Anyway, back to the story. Here we go. The plot thickens y'all. Until 5! xox-G

Chapter Four

Clicking off her phone, Kate dug into her bag for a book. It was one she had been dying to read, she couldn't wait until it came in at the bookshop. Her Aunt Abby let her take a copy before it even went on the shelves.

She sat back in her chair and opened it. She sighed and began to read.

Chapter One

She knew the minute she saw him that he was her destiny.

Kate shook her head and shut the book immediately. No way. Not going to go there. Not today.

"Ugh!" She grunted.

"That bad?" A voice said beside her.

She looked up and her heart skipped a beat. Right next to her seat was the most incredible looking guy she'd ever seen. He was about her age, dressed in well worn jeans and a vintage t-shirt. He was really tall, with dark spiky hair and beautiful brown eyes. It seemed weird to call his eyes beautiful but that's what they were.

Kate blinked to make herself focus. "Umm. Yeah. It's pretty awful."

"Do you mind if I sit here?" He asked.

"It's a free country." She said with a shrug, though she was secretly thrilled.

He was carrying a guitar case and a small duffle bag. He put both on the rack above their seats with little effort. As he did, she couldn't help but notice he had amazing arms.

"Where you headed?" He asked as he eased down beside her.

"Port Charles." She said smiling softly. "How about you?"

"I guess its fate. I'm going there too." He grinned.

She barely heard him. What a fantastic smile. Kate noted. Maybe her luck was changing.

He was thinking the same exact thing about her. He was shocked to see her sitting alone on the bus. Someone who looked like her should never be alone. She looked so…classy…he guessed was the word. Not to mention beautiful. Her hair and her eyes - the combination was breathtaking.

But her smile. He thought as he stared at her. Her smile was the best of all.

He pushed the thoughts away. Who was he kidding? She was the kind of girl who would never look twice at him.

"Do you play?" She asked.

"What?" He replied, too busy staring at her to pay attention.

"Do you play in a band? You know - guitar? It's an instrument with strings? Sometimes they're electric? You brought one on the bus with you." Her eyes sparkled. She began to laugh.

"You're a bit of a smart ass aren't you?" He said, laughing back at her.

She blushed slightly, "So some have said. I'm Kate - by the way." She said as she held out her hand to him.

As he took it in his her pulse quickened. "Kate, huh?" He looked at her intently, making her even more nervous. "That's short for something else - right?"

"Yeah - it is." Kate could barely speak.

He tried to guess. "Katherine? Caitlin?"

"Katrina." She replied when she finally found her voice.

"Katrina." He repeated. "Beautiful name. It suits you."

His compliment made her blush. "Thanks. I - um - I was named for my grandmother."

"That's nice." He said, still holding her hand and staring at her.

"And you are?" Kate asked with a nervous giggle.

Speak you idiot, he thought to himself. "Oh - I'm sorry. I'm Colin."

Kate gave him her biggest, brightest smile. "Nice to meet you - Colin."

He finally let her hand go. "You too - Katrina."

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

"Bubble gum and peppermint in a dish - not a cone - with a pink spoon, please." Becky said as she hopped on one foot. "I'm a really good hopper. See? I bet I can hop 20 times in a row. Watch me - Daddy."

Rafe smiled down at her. "Twenty times? Wow! You must be the hopping champion!!" He turned to place her order and then called out. "Angel?"

"Mint chocolate chip, on a cone please. Just one scoop. Oh and get some double chocolate for Kate. A pint should be good."

"A pint?" He asked. "Isn't that a bit excessive?"

"She'll need it trust me." She turned and watched her younger daughter try and hop back to the table. "Becks - you're an excellent hopper but please be careful. Use both hands and take a napkin."

She didn't want to drop her dish, so Becky bit her lip and concentrated, now walking slowly, almost reverently over to the table. She loved ice cream. It was her favorite. And she loved bubblegum ice cream the most.

Alison checked her watch and smiled as she followed behind with Rafe. "She'll be here in fifteen minutes. You'd better get going." She said as Becky scrambled into a booth and dug in.

"Alright, Angel Face. I'm going to pick up your sister. Be good for your mom OK? I'll see you at home." Rafe snagged her spoon and stole a bite of her ice cream. He made a face as he handed it back to her. Ugh. Too sweet. Becky giggled as he leaned over to kiss her on the forehead. "Don't break the world hopping record until I'm there to see it OK?"

"OK." Becky answered, not paying too much attention. She was busy. There was a pink gumball on the bottom that she was trying to get to.

"Love you." Rafe said as he kissed Alison, licking his lips and smiling when he got a taste of chocolate and mint. He turned and made his way towards the door.

"Love you too." She smiled as he walked away.

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

Kate took a second to catch her breath as she gazed out the window. "Wow! I can't believe it. We're almost there."

The ride seemed like it took only minutes having Colin to talk to. He knew so much about music and was really funny, not to mention drop dead gorgeous. Talking to someone like him was just what she needed to cheer her up. Wait till Lia and Lynnie hear about this. She thought with a sigh.

Colin looked down at his watch. It was amazing. The 3 hours they had spent on the bus had gone by in an instant it seemed. He had a fleeting thought that maybe he'd be able to see her again.

Don't even bother. He cautioned himself. You're never that lucky. Colin learned a long time ago not to hope for anything like that. It was pointless. It was impossible to think someone like her would ever want someone like him.

The bus rolled into the station. Kate smiled as Colin helped her pick up her bag. "Thanks!" She said as he handed it to her.

"You're welcome." He said softly.

They walked off the bus and then stood facing each other. Colin stared at his feet. It was fun while it lasted. He knew he'd never see her again but he said the words anyway. "So. I'll see you around I guess? This doesn't seem like too big a town."

He couldn't think of anything else to say. It seemed funny. He'd just spent 3 hours talking to her and now he was practically speechless.

Kate tucked hair behind her ear and smiled shyly. She didn't realize how hard it would be to say goodbye. "Yeah. I'm sure I will. Oh - I know. I'll try and catch your show - Wednesday night - right? I'll bring my cousins with me."

"Wednesday night." He nodded, not daring to hope he'd see her there. "Take care, Katrina." He said as he eased away.

"You too." She said softly.

It had been a nice distraction, but as she watched him walk away the reality of what had happened earlier crept right back in. Soon she'd have to face everyone who thought she and Danny would be together forever and explain that she wasn't what he wanted.

She took a deep breath and turned around expecting to see Grant standing by. He wasn't, but someone else was there to get her.

She should have known.

"Daddy…" she sighed as she saw Rafe leaning on the car in the parking lot.

She walked so quickly she almost ran to him, dropping her bag halfway there and almost jumping into his arms. "Hey. Princess." He whispered as he pulled her close. "What'd that jerk do to you?"

"He's not a jerk, Dad." She said with a laugh as she snuggled closer. Her dad gave the best hugs. "He was very nice."

"Nice?" Rafe pulled away and took her chin in his hand. His voice was stern. "You broke up with him - and I'm sure it wasn't because he was nice."

Funny, she realized. She thought he'd meant Colin. "Oh. That. Danny - you mean?" She asked, finally realizing what he was saying.

"Yes. Danny. Who else would I be talking about? Honey, what's the matter with you?" He ran a hand over her hair, his voice full of concern.

"Nothing. I thought you were talking about…" She shook her head. "Never mind. Danny's not a jerk – Dad." The look on Rafe's face said he disagreed. He was so angry on her behalf it made Kate grin. "OK – maybe he's a bit of a jerk."

"I knew it wasn't a good idea for you to go up there." He said as he eased away. "I was right. See? You should listen to me." Rafe went to go pick up her bag and put it in the trunk.

Kate watched him and couldn't help but smile. He was overprotective, perhaps the most overprotective father in the universe. But he only acted that way because he loved her. As mad as he made her sometimes she had always known that.

Rafe started the car and they drove off. Within minutes, Kate could see they weren't headed home. Tears filled her eyes. "You're amazing - Dad. How did you know?"

Remembering Alison's words earlier he said with a grin. "Because. I know you."