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a/n: 6 months have passed.

Kevin sighed as he glanced at his watch. He was meeting his sisters at Capricorn, but they hadn't showed yet. He looked around, wondering if he should order some drinks, when he spotted a redhead at a table in the corner. He moved swiftly towards her.

"What do you want?" Dorian asked, staring up at him. Kevin sat down across from her. "Who said you could sit here?"

"Is this seat taken?"

"Well if you must know, I was waiting for David, but he's been held up at the office," Dorian informed him. "I was just about to leave."

"How's Kelly?"

"I wouldn't tell you," Dorian snorted.

"It's all right," Kevin told her. "Blair's already filled me in. She's doing better. She's coming home."

"You talked to Blair?"

"Yep," Kevin said, smiling at her. "And I hope you know you can't keep me from seeing her. You kept her away from me these last few months, and you kept Cassie away from me all those years ago, but not anymore Dorian. It's over."

"Kevin, really," Dorian exclaimed. "The last time you saw Kelly you hated her. Has that changed? Why on earth do you want to go near her? She may be better, but she is still fragile. And seeing you would put her over the edge. And I will not allow that to happen. She is coming home to me and Blair and Adriana and Starr and Jack and David. Not to you. Don't tell me you love her."

"I don't have to tell you anything Dorian," Kevin snapped.

"You are done ruining my family," Dorian yelled, pointing her finger at Kevin accusingly. She stood up. "You stay away, or you will be sorry."

"I've never listened to you before Dorian, and I don't plan on starting now," Kevin told her. She shook her head.

"Goodbye Kevin," she said frostily. "For your sake, I hope you listen to me." She walked out.

---------------------------

"Jessica, stop driving so slow," Natalie exclaimed. "We were supposed to meet Kevin like, forever ago."

"I just- the roads are very slippery Natalie."

"I knew I should have driven," Natalie muttered. "So, how was your day?"

"What?"

"I'm making small talk," Nat told her. "So talk."

"Um, it was okay," Jess replied. "I went to work. I went to the diner for lunch. I saw Antonio."

"How was that?" Nat asked quietly.

"Oh, he still hates me," Jess replied flippantly. "Whatever."

"It's almost over," Nat rationalized. "The year. It's halfway there. He can petition for custody."
"I guess," Jess agreed. "I don't want to discuss it really. How was your day?"

"Class was amazing," Nat chirped, her face instantly brightening. "My business law class was awesome. And ps, you would not believe how many textbooks mention BE and Grandpa. He's like a certified legend."

"That's awesome," Jess replied.

"Yeah, I'm almost glad my last name is Vega," Nat told her, with a note of bitterness. "Because it would be weird if everyone knew I was a Buchanan. Not that they don't, but at least it's not like I'm flaunting it."

"Believe me, I know what you mean," Jess replied. "So how are things with Cris?" She tried to sound casual. Nat went quiet.

"I'm leaving him," she said softly.

"What?" Jessica asked, incredulously, gripping the wheel.

"It's been a year Jess," Natalie explained. "I just can't do this anymore."

"This isn't about John?" Jess asked. "Because he and Evangeline broke up after the custody trial? This isn't because he hasn't dated anyone since?"

"God no," Nat told her. "Will something happen between me and John? Possibly. But I'm divorcing Cristian because of our problems, nothing else. He refuses to try and fix them. I try to get him to open up, but it's like he doesn't hear me. I can't live like that anymore."

Jess swallowed. She hated that promise she made to Cristian. He had devoted the past 6 months to remembering, all so Natalie would have the life she deserved. He had done it in secret though. She didn't know anything of the hypnosis, the therapy appointments, the memory jogging talks and walks with Jess. He had started to remember, bits about their childhood. Little things like, the swings he and Antonio played on when they were little, the time his mm dropped the Thanksgiving turkey on the floor, the first high school dance they attended together, little things like that. It was a start. Jess so wanted to give Natalie hope.

"Natalie," she started. But she had promised Cris. And she couldn't risk him not trusting her. Then he wouldn't have anyone.

"Yeah?"

"I think you should wait a bit longer. That's all," Jess replied. "Don't tell Cris until after his birthday at least," she pressed on. Nat considered this.

"Maybe you're right," she agreed. What's a few more weeks?" Jess smiled inwardly. She had three weeks to convince Cristian to tell Natalie the truth.

----------------------------------------

"Too bad Renee couldn't come," Viki noted.

"Yeah," Asa agreed, "but she's not feeling too good. Got the flu or something."

"You'll send her my love?" Viki asked.

"And some of your famous chocolate chip cookies," Clint added, laughing. Viki smiled at him.

"I'm so glad you two could make it for dinner," she told them.

"Anything for a Buchanan," Asa told her. Viki smiled at him.

"You do love your family, Asa," she told him.

Clint laughed. "Whether that's a good thing, is yet to be seen." Viki sent him a playfully silencing look.

"Well Viki, you must've had a reason for summoning us," Asa said, not beating around the bush.

"Yes," Viki stated. "I wanted to discuss Kevin. He hasn't been well in months. And I talked with Starr the other day, and she told me that Kelly would be coming home soon."

"That devil woman is coming back here?" Asa fumed with rage.

"Yes, Starr seemed to be plotting something," Viki told him.

Asa smiled.

"Why are you smiling, Pa?" Clint asked.

"Because if that little devil is planning something, it means I won't have to," he said, matter of factly. "She's one evil creature."

"Asa," Viki exclaimed, admonishing him. He shot her a look. "Well, okay, maybe you're not completely wrong. She is quite… creative."

"I thought Kevin was doing better," Clint said. "He drops by the paper a lot to see me and Jessie and Joey, at home, during meals and everything- he always seems okay."

"Okay, yes," Viki agreed. "But good? Far from it."

"The only thing that can help him is family," Asa declared. "And the three of us and your kids, Viki, are all doing a good job. It's that worthless son of Kevin's…" Asa trailed off grumbling.

"Duke has been supportive of Kevin," Viki told Asa.

"No, he's been supportive of that trollop," Asa fumed. "The three of us, we need to talk some sense into that boy. Once we have all the Buchanans working on this, that's when Kevin can get through this."

"For once I agree with Pa," Clint agreed. "We can't rush this Viki. Losing a child, losing two children, and your wife all at the same time…"

"I know," Viki said, smiling sadly.

"So we're agreed?" Asa asked. "We knock some sense into that ingrate?" Clint and Viki exchanged small smiles. Some things would never change. And by some things, they meant Asa Buchanan. And thank god for that.