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When they least expect it.

Chapter 1

She was gone. Maria was gone. Zach was sitting in his darkened office drink in his hand contemplating the many mistakes he made regarding Maria. He put his drink down on the desk and placed his head in his hands.

"Well Zach you need to hand it to your wonderful son he has done it again," Kendall exclaimed as she burst through his office. Zach looked up at his wife standing in the doorway the light from the hallway surrounding her. It was so bright he could barely see her.

Walking to his desk she asks "Why are you sitting in the dark and drinking so early in the morning I heard of having a little nip to get your juices flowing but I think you should stick to coffee Zach." The closer she got to his desk the closer Kendall was able to see the sadness that swam in Zach's eyes. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to interrupt you I was just"……for once in her life Kendall did not know what else to say.

"It's ok I was just …..meditating. So what has that boy of mine done now? Running over puppies, stealing candy from babies, wait I know he refused to walk granny across the street. Kendall I can't be bothered with the small details of Ethan's coming and goings in the future I would appreciate it if you knocked before coming in my office." Zach turned his chair and faced the window again. "Please leave and close the door behind you."

Kendall was taken aback by his remarks and was about to give him a piece of her mind and walk out of his office slamming the door on her way out but then she saw Zach slowly slouch in his chair she knew it was because of one thing. Maria. "So I take it you know that Maria left Pine Valley this morning. I'm sorry I didn't realize that….you know you would be upset and….. Zach you know me rush head first through that wall then look where I'm going…I'll leave you alone now" she said as she was walking towards the door.

"Wait Kendall I'm sorry I didn't mean to be cross with you I just….," Getting up from his chair Zach finished his drink and slammed the glass on the table so hard it shattered into a million pieces. Kendall jumped and looked at Zach's hand. There was blood.

"Oh My God Zach your hand," but he doesn't even hear her or feel the pain. She grabs his arm makes him sit back down and reaches for the phone. Zach stops her and says "it's not that bad just a couple of scratches no need to alert the media. I have a first aid kit in the top drawer." Kendall exclaims "Zach you might need stitches I should take you to the hospital." Zach says "No hospitals, no doctors just get the First aid kit. Please Kendall no arguments."

Kendall stares at him with bewilderment but does as he asks and grabs the First aid kit from the drawer. She flicks on the small lamp on the desk and takes off her jacket. Zach watches her with new interest and says "I just need the kit you could leave if you want;" Zach reaches to take it from Kendall but she places it behind her back and says "I don't think you can manage with only one good hand besides I got a C in Health so therefore I am better qualified at dressing your wounds than you. Zach smiles a little and says "A C in Health that makes me feel better on the other hand I think we should go to the hospital. Kendall laughs and says "Ok wise guy just sit still because this (holding up the bottle of alcohol) is going to hurt like hell, but first things first I need to take that piece of glass out you're lucky your wife is always prepared for any circumstances that may cross her path." She reaches into her purse and grabs a pair of tweezers, sits on the floor beside him and begins to carefully take out the piece of glass.

Zach winces from the pain and looks at Kendall. He has never been this close to her before. So close that he feel her breathing on his arm, to see a lock of her hair fall softly on her face, and smell her floral fragrance dewy and sweet…he almost reaches to stroke her face but thinks better of it. Kendall can feel Zach's eyes on her. Gently stroking his arm to push his shirt back to his elbow she smells his musky cologne and feels his muscle tighten to her touch. She tries to concentrate and pours the alcohol on the wound. Kendall feels his hand stiffen so she gently blows on his hand to lessen the sting. Zach gazes at Kendal with newfound appreciation. Just touching his hand was sending shivers up her spine and she looks up at him and meets his steadfast gaze. They both lose themselves in each other's eyes. Zach clears his throat and she quickly looks away and continues to clean his wounds, put some anti-bacterial cream, and bandage it.

Looking at her handiwork she exclaims "I should have been a doctor." She shuts up immediately and turns to Zach and says "I think that we might need to go to the hospital because I heard that they made advancements in taking one's foot out of their mouth."

Zach smiles at her and starts to laugh. He was laughing so hard that he was tearing up. Kendall was shocked at his outburst then she started laughing as well. He looks at her and replies "It's ok Kendall. I needed that." She looks meaningfully at him and asks "Are you ok?"

He gets up from the desk and looks out the window "I never thought that I could cause so much pain in someone's life especially to someone that I cared so much for but I'm happy for Maria she gets to start fresh its something a lot of people don't get to. I wish her all the happiness the world could ever give her."

Kendall walks over to Zach and touches his arm and softly says "It's not your fault Zach you were only trying to recapture the love you shared in the desert trying to hold on to it with every fiber in your being. You didn't mean to hurt anyone Maria knows that but you should take comfort in knowing that you were able to share some happiness with someone that you loved even if it was for just a brief moment. Hold on to those moments Zach deep down in your heart and let it keep you warm when it gets too cold. Take it from me those moments are too short and far between." She grabs her jacket and her purse turns to Zach and says "I'll see you later."

Zach grabs her arm and says "You don't have to leave." Kendall says "It's ok I have an appointment with Livia anyway. I'll fill you in when you are ready."

Zach looks at her dumbfounded and says "What do you need to see Livia for? Seriously what's going on?" Kendall responds "No it's not a good time for you it can wait." Pivoting Kendall turns around and starts walking quickly towards the door. Zach walks around her and blocks her way. Kendall has her head down and says "Really Zach its ok we can talk another time. I think it's best if I leave now." Zach caresses her cheek and lifts her chin to look into her eyes startled to see defeat and fear on her face and says "It's a good time now. Tell me. If it concerns you then it concerns me. What is Ethan doing that you have to see Livia for?

Kendall looks at him with tears in her eyes and says "Ethan has filed a petition with the courts to take away Bianca and Miranda's share of Cambias."