Two weeks later.
Jude grabbed Noah's bag from the back seat of his car, chuckling as Kit hopped out and immediately made to help his brother out of the front seat. Noah had finally been discharged from hospital, something that they were all glad of. Trying to keep him entertained had not been easy, at all. There's only so many times a person can play every single type of card game that exists without getting bored.
Kit withdrew her outstretched arm and left Noah to struggle to his feet by himself – weeks of lying in a bed taking their toll. As her 'thanks' for trying to help him all she'd received was a scowl – Noah not one who liked to depend on people. Folding her arms and huffing, she walked alongside her grumpy best friend to the front door of The Palace.
Inside, Dani and Scott were in the middle of cooking breakfast – a full fry-up. "Perfect timing" announced Kit, flopping down into a chair beside Noah, and ignoring the guilt pangs of yet another failed diet – something she'd never done before the last few weeks, and which she refused to admit the reason for.
Scott shook his head at his sister, "I take it you'll be wanting some then." Kit and Noah nodded, Jude giving a "if you're sure you don't mind", before also nodding.
"Right then," Scott declared, "prepare to indulge in the most exquisite cuisine your taste buds have ever bore witness to." Kit raised an eyebrow as her brother cleared his throat. "On this wonderful morning, you sir…" he gestured to Noah, who also raised an eyebrow, "…you sir…" to Jude, "…and you fair lady," Kit shook her head as Scott elaborately bowed before her, "shalt be dining on a delicious composition of pan fried pork wafers, accompanied by crisp yet creamy poultry spheres, griddled wholegrain slices, roasted beanus and meat of un piggus en cylindros, all perfectly marinated by a touch of sauce tomate ee brune a la Escotte."
All four other people in the room furrowed their brows in confusion.
"So that's… fried bacon with eggs, toast, baked beans and sausages, and brown and tomato sauce?!" Kit pulled a 'how the hell am I related to you' face at Scott. "And what in hell kind of language was that supposed to be by the way?"
Scott mock-glared at Kit and turned around defensively.
Dani cracked a couple more eggs and poured them into the frying pan, still bemused by her boyfriend, "Should be better than hospital food anyway hey Noah."
Noah nodded. "But seriously Dan, if Escotty can't beat the soggy vegetablus and coldus mashed potatous, then there's no hope." At that, Dani had to turn away from Scott to hide her threatening laughter.
Noticing the grins on his friends' faces, Scott decided to quickly change the subject. "So, you got the all clear then?" he asked Noah, who grinned and nodded.
Noticing this, Kit quickly added, "But Flynn said that he still needs plenty of rest and to avoid any strenuous physical activity for at least two weeks, including surfing, which means we'll probably have to tie him to the couch."
The others laughed, whilst Noah sulked slightly at the prospect.
"So… erm, shouldn't someone be here, y'know, 'cause me and Scott wont be here all the time?" Dani asked, wanting to get the practicalities out of the way quickly.
Her question was met by three simultaneous responses…
"Dan, I don't need any…" – Noah.
"I'm gunna move in for a bit…" – Jude.
And a hesitant, "I could always…" – Kit.
On hearing Kit's idea, Noah felt his stomach flip over with excitement and changed his mind, he did need someone, and that someone was Kit.
"I thought I was gunna stay here for a bit, just 'till you're properly back on your feet?" Jude asked, actually looking forward to spending some time with his little brother after being away in Melbourne for so long. He'd already arranged it with Sally and Flynn (whose house he'd been staying in since Flynn phoned to tell him about the fire), and cleared staying in the bay for a good few months with Shauna.
"Yeah, I know bro, but… it might just be… easier if… if…" Noah hesitated, suddenly loosing confidence. Kit had probably only said she'd stay because she felt sorry for him, he shouldn't automatically jump to the ridiculous conclusion that she'd actually want to stay. He was just being selfish. It wouldn't be fair on her, and he didn't want or need a babysitter.
"If what?" Kit encouraged him, barely hiding her hope that he'd suggest her.
Taking confidence from this, Noah finished his sentence, "…if Kit moved in instead." Quickly adding, "I mean, if she wants to, I didn't mean to sound like I expected her to, it wouldn't be fair to expect that, if she doesn't want to then it's perfectly fine, it was a stupid idea, sorry."
Kit really wanted Noah to stop after the first line of his little speech. "'Course I don't mind," she replied, a little too eagerly.
Noah smiled widely, his eyes lighting up.
"I told Sal and Flynn I'd move out though." Jude added, grinning slightly and knowingly at his brother's reaction to the prospect of Kit staying at The Palace, but feeling a little redundant from his big brother role.
"Yeah well… erm…" started Noah, desperately trying to work this out in his favour and inwardly cursing Jude, "you can… er… we have a bedroom free anyway…" Inspired. "…now that Hayles is living at Leah's with Alex, so you can have that one, and then Kit can stay too."
Jude and Scott stared at Noah. The question of 'where the hell are you thinking of Kit sleeping?' running through their heads, and both of them knowing where Noah was probably thinking (after all, he's a twenty one year old guy), but Scott not really wanting to hear him say this (after all, Kit was still his little sister).
Taking note of the look on her brother's face, Kit quickly corrected him. "On the couch… heh, obviously." Though the thought of the other was very enticing indeed.
Kane looked up from his magazine as he heard a knock on his hospital room door. He furrowed his brow in confusion, the nurses (annoyingly) never knocked, and neither (cutely) did Kirsty.
The door swung open to reveal its subject… Rhys Sutherland. Kirsty's dad. The man who hates Kane the most in the world and has vowed to kill him on more than one occasion. Certainly not the person Kane expected to visit him in hospital – his second visitor, Kirsty the first.
Both men looked away, uncomfortable silence enveloping them. Kane really didn't want to be verbally assaulted, or physically, in his current condition. He wished Kirsty was with him.
Finally the older man broke the silence, delivering a monotone "Hi" to Kane's bedside lamp, still not making eye contact.
"Hi," Kane replied, trying not to let the frustration, confusion and slight intrigue show through in his voice.
Rhys moved closer to Kane and sat in the chair beside him – Kirsty's chair. Kane unconsciously drew himself to the opposite side of his bed, now even more confused.
"How're you feeling?" asked Rhys.
Kane said he was "Fine". He seriously doubted that Rhys cared about his answer anyway; he assumed that the older man had said it purely in a vain attempt to break the ice.
"Well," began Rhys uncomfortably, "I suppose you're wondering why I'm here." His tone gave nothing away.
"Yeah," replied Kane. A bit of an understatement. He noted Rhys' awkward position, Mr Sutherland, just like every single adult Kane had ever encountered, had his flaws.
"Right."
"Okay."
"Right then."
"Yeah."
The conversation was going brilliantly so far.
"The reason I'm here is… Look Kane I… The thing is that…" Rhys wiped his mouth and chin with his hand in frustration, this was hard.
Kane just looked at him, now completely bewildered.
"Kane," Rhys tried again, "I just wanted to thank you for what you did in the fire, for helping to save Max's life."
"I didn't though, Noah already had."
"But…" Rhys was forcing himself to say the words, they caught in his throat and clung to the sides of his mouth, he never would have imagined himself having this conversation with the man that, he thought, had ruined both his daughters' lives. Each sound was stark and left a statement in the air, like words spoken by someone who thought they had authority, teeth clenched and words prised out. "…You didn't know that. You went in anyway. You risked your life. And that's… that's very… commendable. Very brave. So thank you."
"It's… cool." Kane hesitated, uncertainty laced through every inch of his voice, surely this wasn't the only reason for the visit.
Rhys nodded and made a move to get up, then his face creased into what seemed an invisible battle with himself and he sat back down. "Look. Kane. I know you love Kirsty. And I accept that."
Kane was unable to stop the look of surprise spreading across his face.
As Kane didn't say anything in reply, Rhys continued, "And I know that you're not the same man that came into our lives a few years ago. You've changed. And if Dani can cope with that. Then so can I. I wont stand in the way of you and Kirsty being. Together."
The words took a torturously long time to be forced from Rhys' mouth, but for Kane, it was more than worth the wait. A smile broke over his face as he stumbled his thanks. He and Kirsty had waited so long for acceptance, and now it had finally come, Kane couldn't hide his delight. Pushing the small string of doubt to the corner of his mind, he turned to his girlfriend's father. "You… you don't know how much that means to me, and to Kirst too. Not a day goes by when I don't regret what… happened, with Dani… what I did. But I've tried to change, I really have, and that's only happened because of Kirst. And I really love her Mr Sutherland, I love her more than I thought it was possible to love anyone, she's my life."
Rhys nodded, slightly shocked by the show of emotion from 'the monster that ruined his daughters life'. The nod was all Kane got before Rhys got to his feet and left the room. As the door patted gently shut, Kane could do nothing but smile.
"Night," Noah whispered to his brother, watching him make his way up the stairs to his surrogate bedroom.
"Night," an equally hushed reply was heard, "…I'm glad you're home."
Noah smiled and turned back to filling up his glass of water as quietly as he could. Dani and Scott were already asleep and Kit was horizontal and snoring on the couch. The brothers had stayed up talking, catching up on everything they'd missed in each others lives in the past couple of years, and reminiscing about the past, the good parts.
As the water trickled down the sides of his glass, Noah sighed. He hadn't spent the night without Kit by his bedside since he'd had the nightmares, and the truth was, he was scared. He didn't want them to come back, didn't want to be alone.
Turning the tap off, he slowly and silently made his way to the stairs, pausing to look at the sleeping Kit. She looked so impossibly beautiful when she was asleep that he couldn't help but move towards her. He placed his glass down on the table and sat on the very edge of the couch near her head, as slowly as possible, so as not to wake his angel.
Enchanted by her, he placed his hand to her forehead and stroked away a few strands of hair with his fingertips. The dimmed light caught her face beautifully, Noah had never really thought of Kit as beautiful before.
Feeling his touch, Kit opened her eyes and shifted the blanket from herself. The spell broke. Noah pulled his hand away and jumped away from Kit. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." How could he have been so stupid?
"Don't" Kit sleepily sat up, hushing his embarrassed apologies. She smiled and put her head at a slight angle. "Noah…"
Wordlessly, Noah moved to sit next to Kit. He placed his hand under her chin and lifted her head to look at him. She looked into his eyes, and he into hers. Understanding, love and joy flowing between them.
Noah moved his hand round to the side of her neck, his thumb softly stroking her cheek. "You're beautiful, you know that?" At his words Kit felt her whole body glow, warmth rushing to the place on her cheek where his thumb rested.
His hand on her neck drew her forward towards him, their faces now just inches apart. "Kit…" he breathed, unable to take his eyes from hers. Kit's heart beat so fast in her chest that she was sure he could hear it; her whole body trembled with anticipation. She leaned in closer, bringing her lips to touch his, and stroking her hand up his arm and resting it on his shoulder.
Noah closed his eyes, every emotion in his body flowing to his lips and shoulder. Kit felt his hand shake slightly on her face at the contact.
Moving his other hand around Kit's waist, Noah deepened the kiss, loving the feel of her in his arms and the feint taste of toothpaste on her lips. Kit allowed him to move his body closer to her, exploring every corner of his mouth with her tongue, breathing in the smell of his aftershave. She moved her other hand to the back of his neck and ran her hands through his hair slowly. At this, she felt his shoulder completely relax, and moved to ruffle the hairs at the back of his head softly.
Noah pulled Kit towards him with his arm around her waist, so that she was slightly on top of him, not breaking the kiss for even a second. Kit melted all over again, the feel of his strong arms around her something she'd only ever dreamt of in the past.
After a moment, Kit pulled away a little, both pairs of lips suddenly cold. She looked into Noah's eyes as he traced small circles on her lower back with his fingertips, smiled, and moved in to kiss him again. Their lips pressing against each other a little more firmly now.
Noah lay back on the couch, Kit half on top of him, and pulled the blanket around them both. They would have been perfectly happy to stay there forever.
Dani was the first to wake the next morning, and on coming downstairs had been the first to discover the sleeping Noah and Kit, arms around each other, bodies curled together, both looking impossibly happy and relaxed. Dani, being Dani, couldn't stop a quiet 'nawww' escaping her lips, and putting her hand to her mouth as people do when they see something incredibly cute. Dani also, being Dani, couldn't keep this information to herself, so quickly tiptoed back upstairs to wake up Scott and Jude.
The boys then witnessed the same scene (without the 'nawww's), and a smile crept over each of their faces. It had been obvious to everyone for weeks, except the two people concerned, that Noah and Kit were perfect for each other and totally fancied the pants of one another.
"Don't they just look so cute together," Dani whispered, not wanting to disturb them. Scott couldn't help but agree, and was also pleased to see that both of them seemed fully dressed.
"Well it took them long enough," commented Jude with a smile and a small chuckle, the way older siblings do when they've been proved right about something. The sleeping Kit and Noah on the couch, reminded him very much of the Kit and Noah on the hospital bed, but somehow Jude knew that this one would have a different outcome.
Kit awoke to the sound of the kettle clicking off. She opened her eyes tiredly and noted the body tangled around her. It didn't take long for a large smile to grace her lips.
Her fidgeting made Noah stir and he opened his eyes to meet hers. "Hey," she murmured softly. "Hey yourself," he replied, pulling her even closer to him.
Dani heard this and wasted no time in springing into the lounge area, followed by her boyfriend and Jude. This time, Kit didn't try to leave, and Noah didn't try to let her. They just stayed tangled in each others arms, both smiling at the other three.
"So you two finally got your act together then." Dani beamed, resisting (just) the urge to bounce up and down.
Noah gave a sleepy grin and snuggled back down into the blanket and couch, Kit happy to follow his lead and snuggle back down too, planting a quick kiss on his lips and resting her head on his chest.
Jude nodded to his brother before leaving the room for the kitchen. It didn't matter how slow Noah was with all the love stuff, all that mattered was that he got there in the end.
Rhys walked over to his wife slowly and wrapped his arms around her from behind. She smiled and continued to stir the crispie cake mixture that she was making. The kids had finally left for school and she was thoroughly looking forward to spending some quality time with her husband.
"I'm proud of you," she told him, bringing the spoon up to her mouth and licking a bit of the chocolate of it.
Rhys grinned at his wife's habit, "What for?"
"Talking to Kane, telling him you accept his relationship with Kirsty," she explained, pride shining through her voice, "Those two kids have been through a hell of a lot recently, and what you said would have meant a lot to them." Beth moved the spoon away as her husband made a grab for it, "I know it must have been hard for you to say."
"Yeah well," Rhys mused, "He really does love Kirst, and staying angry wasn't doing any good for anyone."
"Yeah, he does," Beth gave him the answer he needed to hear, "Don't worry love, he'll do the right thing by her."
"You're amazing Beth Sutherland, you know that?" Rhys pulled her in for a quick kiss.
"I have been told once or twice," she replied playfully, stopping stirring and putting the mixture to one side. She grabbed her cup of tea and took a sip. Creasing her forehead slightly in thought.
"What you thinking about?" Rhys asked her.
"Oh," Beth snapped back to reality, "just Kit."
"Worried?"
Beth's creases appeared again, "Not really. It's just this thing with Noah. I don't want her to get hurt, she's already been through so much this year." Rhys nodded in listening agreement and took a gulp of his own tea.
"She's really got her heart set on this happening, and if it doesn't then she'll be crushed."
"And if it does?" Rhys asked.
"Then I think that'd be perfect. Noah's a lovely boy, and it's about time my daughter was happy."
"Don't you just wish you could control their lives for a day sometimes huh." Rhys looked at his wife and gave her a knowing smile, the smile of a fellow parent.
Beth turned back to the mixture and scooped up a teaspoon of it, licking half herself and then giving the rest to her husband, tapping him on the nose with it beforehand and leaving a little chocolate circle. They both began to laugh as he tried to remove it with his tongue, and failed miserably.
Their laughter was interrupted by someone literally bouncing into the room. Kit jumped up and down on the spot and threw her arms around her mum. She let go and began to bounce again, "It's happened!" she squealed excitedly, ignoring the strange look she was getting from Rhys – who realised that he was interrupting a mother-daughter moment and went over to the TV.
"Love calm down," pleaded Beth, also giggling now, "What's happened?"
"Me and Noah!" Kit exclaimed. Beth's mouth widened and broke into a smile, wrapping her arms around her daughter happily. She gestured for Kit to sit down as she grabbed her cup of tea again.
Kit did this, though fidgeted so much on her stool that she might have been better still jumping. "How?" questioned Beth, once again reverting to giggly teenager mode.
"Last night, we kissed and stuff!"
"And stuff?" Beth questioned, changing from gossip to parent mode in an instant.
"No, not like that mum. It wasn't like that… he's not like that." Kit defended herself and her boyfriend (boyfriend!) happily.
At hearing this comment, the father in Rhys couldn't help but chip in, "He's a boy Kit, they're all like that."
Kit rolled her eyes at her stepfather whilst her mother chuckled. "Well Noah's different."
Beth noticed the dreamy look cloud her daughters eyes, it was the first ever time she'd seen it. "So tell me everything then, from the start, and don't leave anything out." The gossip mode had returned.
Kit grinned. "Well last night, he was going to bed, but stopped and walked over to me instead. And he sat on the edge of the couch near my head, 'cause I was sleeping on the couch, we sorted that out earlier. Can you believe that he actually wanted me to stay, 'cause Jude was going to but then… Anyway, he started to stroke my forehead, and I don't know why but I'm glad he did. And then, it must have been instinct, I woke up and…"
"…And I could've stayed there in his arms forever, he has gorgeous arms y'know. It was… it was just… perfect." Kit had related the whole story to Beth with every tiny detail, her mother 'nawwwing' and making 'cute' faces practically the whole way through. Beth couldn't believe how un-Kit like her daughter had become through the length of the story, of course, she hadn't really changed, she was still Kit, and Beth was glad of that.
Beth looked at her little girl, her eyes dreamy and a smile that simply would not budge from her face. Kit had certainly… grown since coming to the bay, and her relationship with her mother had improved tenfold. She was happy.
Mother and daughter looked at each other, mirrored smiles and giggles, and saw understanding in each others eyes. "I'm so happy for you love."
"I'm happy for me too," Kit replied with another giggle.
Once again apologies for the looong time between updates, but I did warn you that it might take this long this time. I had real trouble writing Kit in this, which I can only imagine is due to her being off our screens for so long grrrrr. Actually, I had real trouble writing this full stop, I think I'm out of practice. So apologies for poorness, and mushyness hehe.
