A/N:  Hey everyone!  It's Cliffhanger Thursday!! ;) LOL!  PCGirl – A big Aw! for you - checking in from out of town – I feel so special.  Bethany – hang tight.  Grant and Chloe will get there eventually.  Have a lovely weekend one and all.  Until 25! xox-G

Chapter Twenty-four

"Why aren't you asking me how much longer I'll stay?" Colin asked Kevin as they drove into town.

Kevin smiled as he turned to glance at his grandson. "You've been here two days longer than I expected. I'm not pushing it."

"Will you do me a favor, Doc?" Colin asked. "If my mom calls you, please don't tell her I'm here."

"Colin - your mother hasn't called me in months." Kevin said sadly.

And Colin knew exactly why. It was his father's doing. This conversation wasn't doing anything to change his mind. "Please? Promise me?"

"OK." Kevin replied. "I promise."

"Thanks." Colin looked out the window wondering where Katrina might be. He couldn't get her out of his mind. "Can we stop and get some coffee?" Colin asked as they drove up towards the coffee shop.  He had a fleeting thought that she might be there.

Kevin knew it was a risk. It was only a matter of time before Lucy started to get suspicious. She probably already was. Kevin also knew that the key to making Colin stay was most likely Katrina. It was not going to be easy, but it was clear that she made Colin happy and Kevin wanted nothing more than to see him happy. Despite the obvious obstacles that lay in their way, he thought that deep down, Lucy would be proud.  He smiled as he said,"Sure. But I know a place with better coffee."

They pulled up in front of a store with beautiful flowers flowing from the window boxes in front.

Colin was confused. "A bookstore?"

"Trust me. It's the best coffee around -and plus, they sell cookies and muffins that rival any bakery."

Seemed odd to Colin, but he would try. "Huh. Really?"

Kevin smiled widely. "Yeah. Really. Trust me. Go on in. Unfortunately, I need to get to the office, though. The hospital is right there, come by afterwards."

"OK. Do you want anything?" Colin asked as he got out of the car.

"Get me some of those sugar cookies. Thanks!" Kevin called out as he drove away.

As he opened the door, Colin could hear soft lilting music playing. The place looked so cozy. It smelled of new books and roasted coffee. He immediately felt comfortable and at home.

Colin walked to the counter, noticing a chestnut haired girl with her back to him. "Hey. Could I get a double shot non fat cap and one of those blueberry muffins please?"

"Oh look. You do have manners." Lia said with a smirk as she turned around. "Since you took off without as much as a goodbye the last time we saw you I wondered."

"Hey Lia." Colin said with a laugh.

"Hey yourself. So you're still around?"  She asked as she went about making his coffee. 

"No. I left town two days ago." He said with a grin.

Lia grinned back. She leaned down to pull a muffin out of the case.  "Funny guy. Seats are in the back." So is Kate, Lia thought to herself. This was going to be good. "Make yourself comfortable."

Colin dug into his pocket to pay.

"Like I'd take money from a struggling musician." Julia said.  "Put your money away.  It's on the house."

Colin looked at her quizzically.

She smiled wider.  "My mom owns this place, tough guy. Have a seat, relax. Enjoy."

Colin walked through the store. It was almost like he was in someone's home. He could see there was a big comfy couch in the back of the store and he made his way there. As he did he took a look around. The shelves were a gleaming honey colored wood and went nearly to the ceiling. One of those old fashioned library ladders ran on a track around the store.

And Katrina was standing on it.

Startled, he tried to turn around and walk back to the front, desperate to get out of there.

"Running away again?"  She said softly as she watched him go.

Colin stopped and turned to face her.  "I'm not…"  He trailed off.

"Sure you are."  Kate replied.  "You've made it your signature move.  Things get a little crazy, you bolt.  Why stop now?  What are you still doing here anyway?  You might lose your stellar reputation if you hang around too long.  I thought you were leaving."

"I was.  I am."

"OK." Kate went back to straightening the shelf.  "I'll say goodbye again then.  Have a good trip."

"Katrina…"  Colin's voice was full of sadness.

She was more than angry now.  "Please.  Don't even try to use that tone of voice with me.  You've made it clear you want to leave – SO LEAVE ALREADY.  Stop coming around to tell me you're about to go.  I'm tired of having this conversation with you."

He needed to make her understand.  "It's not that I don't want to stay.  I just can't."

Kate didn't buy it.  "Don't give me that.  You can do whatever you want Colin.  From what you've said, you've been doing just that for a really long time. Something's different now and I think I know what it is." 

She began to shove books onto the shelf with excessive force.  "Admit it.  You're scared.  You're petrified to actually have to stick around long enough to actually deal with how much of a mess your life is.  You've made it clear that you're scared of my father – and you know what?  You're probably even scared of me." 

Furious, she reached up to shove the last book in the case and lost her footing.  Colin looked up and saw her start to fall.

He threw down his coffee and tried to catch her.  He almost did, but she came tumbling down on top of him.

Abby heard the commotion and ran out of her office.   "Oh my God!  Katie!"

Kate tried to pull herself up off of Colin.  Her hair had flown into her eyes and she was definitely bruised, but otherwise she seemed fine.  Not Colin.  He was sprawled out flat on his back, a puddle of coffee and a crumbled muffin on the hardwood floor next to him.

"I think I'm alright."  She pushed her hair off her face and looked down at him. "Colin!  Are you OK?"  She asked her voice full of concern.

He tried to clear his head, which was ringing a bit.  "I think so.  My arm…"  He trailed off.

Kate realized she was still sitting on it.  She jumped up and looked at him, mortified.  "I'm so sorry."

"It's alright."  He said, smiling in spite of the pain he was in.

"Colin - is it?"  Abby asked as she and Kate both helped him to stand.  The young man nodded.  "I think you should go over to GH and check that out.  My niece is a petite thing but she really knocked you for a loop."

She did that the first time I saw her, Colin thought to himself.  He touched his fingers to his wrist and winced.  He didn't think it was broken.  "I think it's OK."

Kate was beside herself with guilt.  She had just been so mean to him and now she actually physically hurt him.  "No.  Colin.  If it's hurt you won't be able to play. Please.  Let me take you over there."

He didn't want to admit it, but his arm was starting to throb.  Plus, he was supposed to go over there to see his grandfather anyway.

"Alright."  He looked around at the spill on the floor.  "I'm sorry about the mess."

"I made it – not you."  Kate said, guiltily.  "Sorry Aunt Abby."

"No problem, sweetie.  You should go."  Abby said with a smile.

Kate took Colin's arm gently in hers.  "C'mon.  Let's go get you checked out."

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

"Are you going to tell me what's going on?"  Lucy asked Kevin as she sat across from his desk.

His eyes were annoyed as he stared at her.  "I still can't believe you booked a fake appointment to talk to me."

She waved him off. "Oh c'mon.  Sure you can.  It's just like me.  Now – spill it.  Danny told Ian that he saw you drive that kid into town the day of Becky's party.  At first I thought you were just being hospitable, but there's something more to it."

Kevin remained silent.

She moved closer to him.  "Who is he, Doc?  Is he who I think he is?"

"Lucy…"  He trailed off.

She stared into his eyes.  "He is.  Isn't he?"

Kevin nodded and began to smile. 

Tears filled her eyes as she saw the expression on his face. "Oh my God.  You must be so happy.  Doc - why didn't you tell me?"

Kevin gave her a look.

"OK.  I know why you didn't tell me – but…"  Lucy's heart began to pound.  "Oh my.  He came over to the party.  He was there to see…"

 "Katrina."  Kevin finished her sentence.  "He really cares about her Lucy."

Lucy got up and began to pace.  "Rafe is going to go crazy."

'You think?"  Kevin asked sarcastically.

Her head was spinning.  "What are we going to do?"

Kevin shrugged.  "It's not really our choice.  They're old enough to know their own minds."

"But – Doc.  Rafe and Caleb…"

"Are not Kate and Colin."  Kevin stood and went to stare out his office window.  "He's a great kid, Lucy.  I'm surprised they didn't mess him up.  But he's amazing."

"Is he?"  Lucy asked, tears welling in her eyes.  He sounded so proud, just like a grandfather should.  It killed her to know he'd missed so much time with him.  Serena and her husband were expecting and Lucy knew Kevin was excited about it.  But Serena, though he loved her like his own, belonged to her and Scott.  Colin belonged to him.

Kevin nodded.  "He really is.  And he cares about as much for Caleb as the rest of us do. Less maybe.  I have to help him.  He hasn't had anyone in so long."

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

"It's my arm you mangled not my legs."  Colin said with a grin as she led him into the ER.  "I can walk fine, Katrina.  Stop.  I'll be OK." 

She fussed with him, urging him to sit down. "Just relax.  I'll go tell them you're here."

Before he could protest, Kate was up at the Nurse's Station.  "Hi!  I think my friend might have broken his arm. Actually – I might have broken it."  She gave the nurse a grin, realizing how ridiculous she sounded.  "Anyway - he probably needs an X-Ray. Is Dr. Thornhart or Dr. Ramsey here today?"

"They're both on but we're really busy at the moment. It'll be a little bit before anyone can see him, but let's log him in.  OK?"  She turned to her computer and asked.  "Patient's name?"

"Colin."  Katrina replied.

"Last name?"  The nurse prompted. 

"I'm not…"  Kate laughed at herself.  "Hold on a second."

She walked back over to him, still laughing.  "Colin.  This sounds ridiculous but I need to tell them your last name and I just realized I don't even know it."

Colin froze in his seat.  He couldn't believe he'd let this happen.  "You know what?  I think I'm OK."  He struggled to get up and tried to walk past her.

"Colin?  Stop.  What's going on?"  Kate asked.  "I just asked a simple question.  Why won't you tell me?"

He shook his head at her.  "Trust me.  You don't want to know."

She looked at him with concern.  "Of course I do.  Colin. I want to know everything about you. I know I was mad at you before…"

He tried to pull away.  "It's nothing compared to what you'll be when you know who I really am."

"Who are you then?"  Kate asked, her voice telling him she wouldn't give up until she had the truth.  Her fingers dug into the fabric of his shirt.  It was clear she wasn't going to let him go until she knew.

Colin took a deep breath.  It was pointless to keep fighting this.  She deserved to know the truth and really, how bad could it be?  He was already prepared for the worst anyway and they were in a public place.  She'd probably just run for the door.

He stared into her eyes and spoke softly, his voice shaking a bit.  "It's Morley, Katrina.  My last name is Morley."