Sam saw the blank look on her face and recognized it as the same type of expression that Josh had last Christmas when he'd hurt his hand. He was in dangerous territory and had to tread carefully. Kate had gotten up and began to pace the room and, not knowing where her mind was at that moment, he could only sit there and watch until she said or did something. He jumped when she began to speak. He listened to her very closely, since her voice was no more than a whisper.

"Of course she'd treat him like that. Heaven forbid that she should allow other people to have shortcomings except herself and Aunt Jenny. I just wish I'd been able to tell him before he got hurt like this. At least then I could've told him whatthey did to me when Uncle Leo was away and he would've stayed away from her."

His mind was spinning with questions. Her voice was filled with blistering anger. Why was she so worried that she hadn't been able to help him? What had Mal and Mrs. McGarry done to her that had her so upset?

"I didn't even understand everything that was going on and still got blamed for it. All I wanted was for Aunt Jenny to hug me, just once. I just wanted Mal to be nice to me. What did they want from me? I was just a scared little kid who didn't understand. Why did they have to yell at me? Why did they have to hit me? What did I do that was so wrong? Why didn't I try to leave once the plane hit the ground? I might've been homeless and alone, but at least then I would've been safe."

Sam froze where he was, tears pricking. He'd forgotten. Mrs. McGarry had beaten her when she came here, and Mal had joined in on it. She was a child like Mal and yet... His thoughts were broken by the sound of her tears.

She was crumpled up in the corner of the room like a broken doll and continued to ask questions through her sobs. He crossed the room in 2 strides and pulled her into his lap, cuddled her close and began to rock her gently to try to still both her tears and his own. In those moments, he heard something that he thought would kill him.

"Why won't anyone love me? What've I done that's made me so horrible?"

He stopped. Holding her face in both his hands, he began to kiss away her tears. Dropping soft kisses on her eyelids, he stroked her cheeks with his thumbs. He looked into her eyes as they fluttered open, and held her gaze for a long while before he spoke.

"I love you. You've done nothing wrong, my sweet one. It's not your fault that people can't see what you truly are, and when they can, they attack you out of jealousy."

Kate sniffled softly, but never broke the gaze. "Why do you love me so much, Sam?"

"Because you're you. You're brilliant, compassionate, loving, and strong. You're kind to everyone, and always so willing to give whenever you think someone needs it. You worry more about me than anyone else ever has in my life. When I'm alone at night, I can't help but miss you. When we're together, you make me feel calm, safe. You're my safe haven, Beth. That's why I love you."

She blinked and looked at him amazement. No one had ever called her that before, but it felt so right coming from him. She knew that this was where she belonged.

For the first time in her life, she felt as if someone truly did understand. When they were together, she hardly ever had to ask for the slightest thing; it was almost as if Sam could read her mind. He always knew when she needed a hug, some encouragement or a kiss. He told her several times a day how he felt about her, and always made a point to compliment her as often as possible.

Her thoughts grew hazy as Sam continued to kiss her. Kisses so long and steamy that the world seemed to disappear. She could feel him run the edges of his nails along the sides of her neck and did her best to reciprocate. He was always so gentle, so loving with her.

She had no idea what she was feeling. It felt like a match had been struck and put to forest tinder inside her chest. She felt goose bumps rise along her arms and an unfamiliar tingling sensation begin to run through her body. She had no idea what to do. By now, she was so scared and confused; she reacted the only way she knew how.

Kate pushed back from Sam so hard that she tumbled out of his lap. She could see the bewildered look on his face and the questions in his eyes, which were now a dark royal blue. He scrambled to his feet and reached toward her in an attempt to soothe her, but she backed away, a mixed look of fear and shock on her face, hand over her mouth.

He took a small step toward her before he spoke.

"Beth, precious, please, I'm..."

She shook her head violently, but her response was hardly audible.

"I'm sorry, Sam. I'm so, so sorry."

She turned and ran out of the room so fast that he didn't even register what had happened until he heard the front door slam.