Chapter Twenty-one

A cell phone rang. Kevin guessed it was Lucy, wondering what was taking so long. Earlier, when he saw Colin run to the front yard, he told her he had to go deal with a patient.

It wasn't his phone, however. It was Colin's. He again was so preoccupied he answered without thinking.

"Yeah?"

"Colin?" Kate said with a sigh. "Are you OK?"

Colin cringed. He was so happy to hear her voice, yet heartbroken at the same time. "I'm fine." He replied.

He didn't sound fine to her. "Are you sure? Colin, I'm so sorry about my dad…"

Colin didn't want her to apologize. "It's not just your dad, Katrina."

"Then what is it? Something is upsetting you. Please talk to me, Colin. I'm so worried about you."

He wanted to tell her, but how could he? He couldn't even imagine how the conversation would go. "Don't worry. I'm fine. I just need to go, OK? It's better this way."

Kate hated when people did that. Kept things from her for her own good. "For who?" She demanded.

"What?"

She wasn't giving up. "For who? Colin - what happened here? I thought you cared about me."

He could almost see her, her eyes lit with temper, her hands on her hips as she confronted him. "I do. I care about you too much. That's the problem. Katrina, please. Don't push me."

She loved her aunt, but it was clear that this was a bad idea. "Don't worry. I'm done pushing. I somehow thought there was something between us. But I guess I was wrong."

If she only knew how much he wanted things to be different. Hearing the sadness in her voice, felt like he couldn't breathe. "Katrina, I'm sorry…"

Somehow Kate thought this wasn't the kind of fight her Aunt Abby was talking about but she didn't care. Her voice was choked with tears as she spoke. "No. I'm sorry. I can't believe how sorry I am. I'm sorry I didn't tell you the seat was taken. I sorry I didn't tell you that my book was too good to put down that day the coffee shop and I'm sorry I didn't smack you for daring to kiss me."

Colin knew this was the end. His heart shattered as he breathed her name, "Katrina…"

"You want to be alone Colin? You've got it." She was trying so hard not to cry but her last words came out on a sob. "I'll leave you alone."

"Please…Katrina…"

"Goodbye Colin." She said, her voice a near whisper. "Take care of yourself."

"Katrina?" Colin called into the phone. "Katrina!"

Colin pulled the phone away from his ear and saw for sure that she had hung up.

Kevin guessed that didn't go well. "Colin…"

"I'm alright." He said, his voice shaking a bit. Colin continued, trying to convince himself. "That was hard, but it's a lot easier than if she knew who I was."

Kevin didn't want to push, but he felt he had to say something. "I know you think you know what's right, but you might be underestimating her, Colin. You say people judge you all the time - you're doing the same to Katrina."

Colin still wasn't convinced. "Her father's life's work is to destroy mine and vice versa. It's an easy conclusion to make."

"Rafe and Caleb will be at odds forever. That is true. I know we've just really met and I don't expect you to take my advice but I really think you should take some time and think about all this. Don't give up so easily. Think about it. You know who her father is now and you still have feelings for her."

He couldn't lie. "I do." Colin said softly.

"Just think about it." Kevin looked around the little cabin Victor had left him. He didn't use it much, but it was a great place to get away and think. "Well. I think you have everything you need. I'll come get you tomorrow morning. If you still want to leave, I'll take you to the station. I hope that you'll want to stay."

"Thanks Doc." Colin said, suddenly exhausted. He lay down on the couch and shut his eyes.

"You're welcome." Kevin said with a smile as he walked out the door and closed it behind him.

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

Katrina stared at the phone and walked back inside. She wanted to stop crying. She took a deep breath and walked in the kitchen.

The party, for all intents and purposes was over. Alison was busy putting away the leftovers. Only Abby and Cam and their kids were still here. The boys were in the den watching some movie. Lynnie saw Kate come in and walked over to her. "Katie?"

"It's over." She laughed bitterly. "You won't have to worry anymore Lynn - I won't need to take it slow, it's not going anywhere."

"Katie…" Alison said with a sigh. She hated to see her children unhappy.

"Did you call him?" Abby asked.

Kate nodded. "I did. Thanks for the advice, Aunt Abs, but it's over." She looked around the room and saw them all staring at her. "I'm OK. C'mon. I barely knew him."

"Are you sure you're alright?" Lia asked.

Kate nodded and stared a her hands.

Hearing Lia's question as he walked in Rafe asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Kate replied. "I'm fine. I'm just really tired. I'm going upstairs. Goodnight." She said as she gave each of her parents a kiss on the cheek in turn.

"Katie sweetie, what happened now? Is it that no-good excuse for a musician or that idiot Danny?" Rafe asked.

Tears filled her eyes as Kate turned away and walked upstairs, unable to answer him.

Alison glared at him. "Oh my God. Rafe. Are you kidding me? Is that what you think you should say to make her feel better?"

"What?" He looked at her clueless.

Things were about to get ugly. "OK. Girls. Time to go." Abby said with a smile. "Lia, Lynnie, go get your father and your brother. See you tomorrow Ali."

"Goodnight." Alison called out as they made their way.

Then, she turned on her husband.

"What?" He asked her again, knowing from the look in her eyes it was something he did.

"How about being even a little bit sensitive? Kate is upset and you're not helping."

"She shouldn't be. These guys aren't worth it." Rafe insisted with a laugh.

Alison was not amused. "Oh yeah? If I took that kind of advice we'd never be together."

He began to pick on the leftovers Alison hadn't wrapped yet. "What are you talking about?"

She smacked his hand away. "All those years ago when you left? When you finally came back no one thought you were good enough for me either."

"Lucy did." He smiled at her, trying to lighten the mood.

"Lucy's your relative. That doesn't count." She turned to put the salads back in the refrigerator.

Rafe came up behind her and tried to pull her into his arms.

She pushed him away. "Nice try. But no way. I'm way too angry with you."

"Alison…"

"I love how protective you are of her but honestly Rafe. She's going to fall in love someday. I know you think it's impossible but there is someone out there for her. It might not be Danny and it might not be Colin. Whoever it is, it may not be someone you would chose for her but trust me. If you push her to chose you'll be heartbroken because I can guarantee you she won't chose you."

"What?" He nearly yelled.

"Please. Do me a favor? Actually, do yourself a favor. Don't do this. Don't give her such a hard time over who she dates."

"I didn't think I was." He insisted.

His ignorance was making her even more furious. "That's your problem. You don't think at all. Why don't you do that tonight? Stay down here and think."

He looked at her, shocked. "Are you telling me to sleep on the couch?"

Alison shrugged. "I don't care where you sleep. I just know it won't be with me."

"Angel…" He begged.

She whirled around and glared at him. "Do not try and be cute. It will not work."

"Are you sure?" He said with a smile.

She stormed off up the stairs and slammed the door to the bedroom.

Rafe guessed that was his answer. Grumbling to himself for underestimating her, he shuffled off to the den to kick Grant off the couch. If he had to stay down here tonight at least he could watch TV.