A/N: LOL! At the start of this chapter I originally had Rafe asking Alison "What time is it?" and had to delete it. Y'all know why!! ;) Until 14! xox-G

Chapter 13

"How did we get roped into this?" Rafe asked.

He sounded genuinely disappointed. He looked so cute she had to kiss him. "Because. Katie's driving and our house is closer."

So Cam and Abby get an evening alone and we get a slumber party. Rafe thought as she pulled away. He'd get Cam back sooner or later. He thought with a grin. Suddenly worried, Rafe looked at his watch. "Isn't she supposed to be home?"

Alison shook her head as they walked into the house. "Nope. 12:30."

"12:30?!?" Rafe gasped.

"Relax - please. They're off from school tomorrow, remember?" Alison sniffed and turned to look at him. "Do I smell pizza?" She asked as she walked into the kitchen.

"Grant probably ordered it." Rafe said with a laugh.

"I left them a perfectly good dinner." She replied, pouting a bit.

"And he spoils Becky rotten." Rafe had to kiss her then, she looked so disappointed.

Alison made sure all was in order and clicked off the light, taking Rafe's hand and moving back to the living room.

"Go ahead." She said with a smile. "Get comfortable."

"What?" Rafe asked, his voice full of innocence.

Alison wasn't buying it. "Pretend to read something or pretend to be asleep. Go ahead and do whatever it is you do when you pretend you are not waiting up for her."

"I - " He began.

She shook her head at him and laughed. "Don't even try it. I think Grant's in the den watching TV. I'm going to say goodnight to him." She gave him a kiss "I'll see you upstairs later." She smiled as she walked away.

Rafe sat on the couch and grabbed a book off the table. He'd been pretending to read the same one since Kate started high school. He still hadn't finished.

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Danny kept trying to get Kate's attention but her eyes were focused on the stage. He held Taylor's hand in his and sighed. He loved Taylor, he absolutely did, but he was worried about Kate. They had only been broken up a few days and already she was kissing some other guy.

Kate had no idea that Danny's thoughts were with her. She was too busy willing herself to calm down. She was going back and forth. Did Colin kiss her just to help her get back at Danny or did he do it because he really wanted to?

She watched him play. It looked to her like he was born to. Onstage, Colin looked completely at ease. She was no expert but he seemed to play effortlessly. She supposed he must be really good - if he ran around the country just filling in - without a band of his own.

Kate realized as she stood there how little she knew about him. She didn't know his last name but she knew where he was staying. She didn't know his birthday but she knew he liked coffee. She didn't know if he had any siblings but knew he was smart enough to graduate school early. She knew he'd had a rough life but wasn't sure just why.

Despite the way he portrayed his childhood someone must have loved him enough so that he could be all the other things she saw in him.

He was funny, and charming and had been nice enough to make sure she was OK when he'd seen her upset. He'd also been devious enough to help her give Danny something to regret. Chills ran up her spine as she touched a hand to her lips.

They still tingled. It was as if she could still feel his lips on hers. And the way he'd smiled at her afterwards set her heart beating wildly. She swayed to the music, knowing she'd have to go home soon, but not wanting to leave.

Lynnie nudged Lia and sighed. "How cool was that?" She said in a loud whisper.

Lia leaned against the wall and enjoyed the music. "I know! I could've died when he kissed her. I'd surely have died if he'd kissed me."

Lynnie glanced at Kate and looked at her watch. "We've got to go soon. It'll take 20 minutes to get back."

"Look at her." Julia replied, gesturing to Kate. "She's not going anywhere."

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Alison peeked in the den and couldn't help smiling. Grant was sprawled out on the couch, sound asleep.

He always slept so soundly and he could always sleep anywhere. Kate was a doll when she was a baby but Grant was always so content. He was truly an angel, never fussed much at all. He was always so happy. It killed her to see him so out of sorts.

She walked over and took the remote from his hand, clicking off the TV. She leaned down and placed a soft kiss on his forehead. "My poor baby." She whispered.

Some baby. Alison laughed at herself. He's taller than you. Alison pulled a blanket from a trunk near the couch and pulled it over him. She gave him another kiss, still worried as only a mother could be.

She just wanted to make sure her children were happy, that's all she ever wanted for them - whatever that may be. Not being able to make sure it happened for Grant was killing her.

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The band took a break and Danny tried to move over toward Kate. Before he could even get close, Colin was standing in front of her.

"That was great." Kate said softly. "You're really talented."

"Thanks." Colin grinned at her.

Kate looked up at him, her stomach in knots. "Um. Are we going to talk about this?"

"About what?" He smiled wider.

She grinned back at him, "The whole - make the ex-jealous thing."

"Is that what you think it was?" He asked her then.

"Of course." She said, now uncomfortable. Didn't he?

Colin felt too good to even pretend. He stared into her eyes. "Katrina. I kissed you because I've wanted to since the minute I saw you. The fact that your imbecile ex was nearby? That was just a bonus."

"I - uh - I…" She didn't know how to respond.

"Yeah? You what?" Colin ran a hand over her cheek.

Danny watched with definite interest on the other side of the room. This was all to make him jealous. He was sure. It had to be. Kate never moved that fast.

"I don't even know you." Kate said then. "But I'd like to." She qualified.

"So. What's stopping you?" He asked her.

"Curfew." She said with a sigh.

"Excuse me?" Colin was confused.

"Curfew and a father who doesn't take it lightly. I'm turning into a pumpkin. The girls and I - we have to head back."

"When?"

"What?" Kate looked baffled.

"When?" He asked as he leaned in and placed his lips on hers, so lightly she wasn't sure you could even call it a kiss. "When will I see you again?"

"Soon. I hope." Kate said in a whisper when she finally found her voice.

The break was over. It was time for another set. Colin stared at her as he backed away. He gave her a huge smile as he said. "I'm counting on it."