Disclaimer: I don't own ABC or AMC. If I did, do you think the show would be in the state that it is? Plus, it would be Zendall 24/7!
Title: The Dance That We Do
Author: Jayta
Rating: PG13
Show: All My Children
A/N: I love the response. I'm so glad that my humble offering could bring such emotion and praise. You guys are so great to read the imaginings of my mind.
A/N 2: Because God Rocks. That's all.
Chapter Three: Fear
The night had cooled incredibly, but still her body was warm from the memory of Zach's touch. As she lay staring at the ceiling she wished, she prayed that her mind, her body, her heart would forget about Zach Slater. If the night could wash away the emotion, the sentiment that had bridged the gap between her and her husband.
It was too much. She had enough to last a lifetime. And Zach was the last straw.
She would not give in. She was going to divorce this man if it killed her.
--&--
I want to be with her. A low grumbling filled his throat as those words filled his every thought. He had been tossing and turning on his makeshift bed ever since Kendall had retreated to her room.
Frustration and exasperation. That was what Kendall Hart brought into his life.
Sitting up, he ran this fingers through is hair, trying to push her from his mind. He was divorcing her tomorrow. He was a man of his word. This is and was only ever a business arrangement...for her "Damn it," he said under his breath, soft enough that it would not have alerted Kendall to his meditations.
This wasn't what was supposed to happen. She was supposed to keep him from falling in love - not make him fall harder.
--&--
What she thought was morning sickness invaded her somewhat listless thoughts. Her stomach began to churn and she felt beads of sweat break out over her forehead. However, she found herself unable to move. Waves of nausea began to flood over her; her face began to burn up, as well as the rest of her body.
"Oh God please," she whispered, squeezing her eyes tightly shut. In some delirium, Kendall thought perhaps she could will away this helples feeling that was building up inside of her. "Stop. Please stop."
Kendall did not think that this was what it was going to be like. In all of the books she had read, and the videos she had watched, they had never described a feeling like this. She was hit with another wave of nausea, but now the sickness was mixed with a dull aching.
What was going on?
--&--
He could not sleep. There was a heaviness in the air. Whether it was a figment of his imagination or something truly palpable, was subjective.
Zach stood peering out into the black night sky. The stars twinkled above, chiding him, as if to ask, 'Why so downhearted?' While hovering above in false contentment.
He could see the white canopy enshrouding her bed. There were moments when he imagined hearing her breathe; all were tricks of his love-induced mind. It was something that needed to stop.
Soon the morning would come and it would bring something other than a ray of hope. It would bring an end instead of a new beginning. It was his own fault. He could blame no one else.
Zach wondered if he could bring anything else but pain to those he cared about...loved. I cause pain where ever I go. Maybe it was time for it to end?
Or so he thought until...
--&--
"Zach!" Out of fear and pain did her voice cry out. She thought this would pass. She thought she could handle it. "Zach, I need you," she pleaded, almost child-like.
The strain in her voice...it startled him into reality. He had never heard her so...so desperate, other than when he had watched her crumble into his arms during that one horrible night of mistakes. It put the fear of God in him.
Through the haze and confusion, she heard his footsteps. It seemed like a dream. Until she felt his cool, gentle touch, as his strong hands wiped away her tears, holding her safely in his arms.
"Hey, darling," he cooed softly, comfortingly. "I'm here. I'm right here." Seeing her lying there, helpless and in pain, was enough to make him tear down every wall in the place for help. But he had to remain strong for her. She was scared and lost in her own world. She needed him here. Oh God, what was wrong with her? Her body trembled in his arms as he rocked her gently against him.
She didn't know what was happening, but instinct had her cradle her stomach in her arms. Just exactly when she fell in love with this little person inside of her - whether it was just yet or not - she didn't know, but it was a part of her. Kendall felt it. However, this havoc was not part of the plan. And though she felt wretched and she was writhing in agony, she knew it wasn't her that was in danger. No, not her. "Zach," she said through clenched teeth and tears. "The baby. I think there is something wrong with the baby.