A/N: Despite what's going on here now – the next chapter is happier – I promise!!! :) Until 71! xox-G

Chapter Seventy

"You can do this." Grant said to himself. He held a stake in his hand and waited in the shadows. "You can."

Caleb sighed. "Come on out Junior. It's no use. I know you're there."

Startled, Grant stepped out from the cover of trees he'd been hiding in. His fist closed around the stake over and over.

Caleb sighed at the sight of him. He'd had enough for one day. "You can't kill me kid. Just run along home."

He couldn't go. This was too important. "You can't keep terrorizing us. This has to end."

"Well. It can't end this way. Just forget it." Caleb turned around and started to walk away.

Grant lunged and Caleb disappeared. He lost his balance and slammed into a tree, scraping the side of his face.

"Don't do it Junior. Your old man was just here spouting all this greeting card crap about making peace. You force me to hurt you and this war will never end. It's a noble effort. You've done your family duty, just go home now."

When he'd made the choice to fight him, Grant didn't expect it to go this way. He was way over his head he knew, but he knew he couldn't let him win. He fought to catch his breath and prepared to go at him again. "You can't keep hurting them."

Caleb tried to warn him again. "I'll say this one more time. I can do whatever I want. You can't stop me. Not this way anyhow."

Grant lunged again and Caleb knocked him down, grabbing the stake from his hand. He landed on a jagged piece of rock, crying out in pain as it tore into his shoulder.

Caleb walked over and pinned him down, placing his foot squarely in the middle of Grant's chest. He twirled the stake in his fingers. "You caught a break, Junior. I'm feeling charitable today. Consider this your "get out of jail free" card."

He moved to kneel on the ground next to him, placing the tip of the stake near Grant's heart. "Trust me. Next time, you won't be so lucky." Caleb whispered as he dropped the stake and vanished into thin air.

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Colin sat on the couch in the cabin, slips of paper all around him. He had tried to write her a note to tell her why he'd made this choice.

Each one came out wrong. He needed to hurry. Kate would be here soon. He called her earlier in the day to apologize but he still felt so guilty. He knew that once she found out the truth it would hurt her even more.

He looked at the last draft and decided it was the best he could do. Rising from the couch he looked around the small place he'd called home for the last few months. It was the first time he really felt he had a home.

Tears stung his eyes as he placed the note on the table, next to a small bouquet of wildflowers. He paused to click on the CD player, and his music filled the air. It was a song he had written for Katrina. He was going to surprise her and play it for her but now, it was too late. He still wanted her to hear it and now - she would.

Colin grabbed his duffel bag and his guitar case. It took everything he had to make it out the door and into the waiting cab.

He didn't look back.

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Tears blurred her vision as she ran through the woods. Please don't let me be too late, Chloe thought frantically. She had seen him leave the gym and followed him up here. When she got to the clearing she cried out in horror. She saw him lying on the ground, blood staining his shirt.

"Oh my God. Grant!" Chloe fell to her knees next to him, her hands desperately trying to stem the flow of blood.

"I'm OK." He managed to croak the words out.

She shook her head at him. "No. No. You are not. Oh God. Why did you do this? Why? I knew something would happen to you. I knew it!" She began to sob softly. "I don't want to leave you but I have to go get help."

"NO." Grant clutched her hand. "NO."

She sobbed louder. "Grant - you're bleeding."

"I know. I just…" He took a deep breath and winced as he moved to sit up. "I can't go home. My father's going to kill me."

She dug in her purse to try and find something to stop the blood from seeping through his clothes. She pulled out silk scarf she had worn the other day and wrapped it tightly around his arm.

"I'm going to kill you." Chloe promised, anger taking over her fear momentarily. "Of all the stupid, idiotic things to try and do."

"I told you I had to." Grant replied, deep down knowing she was right.

"And I told you it wasn't a good idea." Chloe snapped back. It was easier to be angry with him. Thinking of what a chance he took made her crazy.

Thunder rolled in the distance. Chloe helped Grant to stand and she looked frantically around. "It's going to pour in a minute. I need to get you inside. There's a place I saw on the way up here. It's not far; do you think you can make it?"

Grant looked at Chloe and sighed. He ran a hand over her cheek and smiled slightly. "I can. C'mon. Let's go."

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Kate knocked softly but Colin didn't answer. She heard music and she smiled. He was always happiest when he played and she didn't recognize the song. It must be something new.

She found the spare key in its hiding place and let herself in.

Instantly she knew there was something wrong. It everything was too neat. The air was too still. The music came from the CD player and Colin was no where to be found.

Kate still couldn't comprehend that it was true. She dropped her purse and ran around the cabin, calling out his name desperately. Even as she did she knew it was hopeless.

Devastated she sunk onto the couch. Through her tears she could see the note and with trembling hands she picked it up.

Katrina…

I've tried to write this a million times. I know there's nothing I can say to make you less angry or less hurt than I know I'm going to make you. I just hope I can make you understand a few things. If I can do that, maybe we'll both move on someday.

It was already starting. The people you love are in danger and I can't let that happen because of me. I have a choice, and if I choose to do this then I know it will end. Finally – once and for all.

I know you. I know you'll be angry and I'm so sorry. Katrina. Please, let me do this for you. Let me give you the chance to be happy. It can't happen if you're with me. I hope over time you can accept that.

I know right now you're ready to kick my ass. I can see what you look like in my mind and wherever I am, know that when I think of you it will always make me smile.

You gave me more than anyone else in my life ever has. You made me believe that I could live the life I never had and for that I will always be grateful. You gave me hope, now please; let me give something to you.

Know that I'm doing this because I love you. I love you too much to let you suffer simply because I'm too stubborn or too scared to give in to my father. I know this choice might just kill me, but I also know it will allow you and your family to live your lives the way you should. You should all live lives that are peaceful and happy. Katrina, that's all I ever wanted for you.

If you can ever forgive me, please believe this. I'll remember you – always and I'll love you – always.

I'll love you for eternity.

Colin

The music stopped playing as she finished reading. Kate clutched the note in her hand and sobbing she ran to the door. He couldn't have left too long ago. As she ran through the rain to her car, anger overcame her sorrow and she was more than ready to fight. There was no way she'd let him do this. Not while there was a breath left in her body.