A/N: So umm - (blushes furiously) - here's some steaminess for Kate and Colin – and ummm – compassion I guess for Caleb and Livvie. Is there a full moon tonight or something?

I was going to keep them apart for a little bit longer but then I got – ahem – inspired I guess you could say. Not personally – but oh – you know what? Forget it! LOL! I won't be able to easily explain so please just read and enjoy will ya:) I hope it's not too too cheesy. If it is – I trust y'all let me know.

Until 29 - xox - G

Chapter Twenty-eight

As the door closed behind Rafe, Livvie turned on her husband.

"I expected you to react that way towards him but now he's gone. Will you finally tell me what the hell is going on with you?"

Caleb was completely exhausted. He sighed as he sank into a chair again. "Olivia…"

"Don't. Caleb please." She crossed to him and knelt beside him. Her hand reached up and she ran her fingers gently through his hair. "I want to help you. Please let me."

"It's going to be fine." He insisted.

"It's not fine. You're not fine. Caleb, please. Don't shut me out. Not now. Whatever it is – I can handle it." She tugged at his shirt and made him face her. "I promise I can – but if you refuse to tell me, that's what will kill me. That's what I can't handle."

Caleb closed his eyes and tried to summon the strength to deal with her. "I'm fine Olivia. There's nothing for you to worry about."

"I'll be the judge of that." She whispered as she gazed up at him. She realized for the first time that he was keeping the truth from her for her sake – not because he didn't trust her.

"Caleb." She said softly as she moved closer to him. "Was Rafe right? Are you losing your powers?"

He couldn't do it. He couldn't say it out loud. To speak such a thing might make it true. Caleb tore his eyes from hers and stared at his lap, taking a deep breath.

When he looked over at her again he did the only thing he could do. He dragged her off the floor and into his arms, crushing his mouth to hers.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Colin stood outside their bedroom door, clearly hearing Katrina weeping as he did. The sound made him feel like he was being stabbed straight through the heart.

He took a few steps and walked past Alex's room, sighing as he caught sight of his son sleeping soundly.

How could you do this? He thought as he stopped in his tracks. Don't you remember? You almost lost her. He looked over at Alex again. You almost lost them both.

"Katrina…" He whispered as he turned on his heels and started back towards their bedroom again.

The pillow and blanket he carried slipped to the ground as he moved to open the door. Colin was taken by surprise and staggered back a bit when he saw her standing right there on the other side.

Kate's face was flushed and her breathing labored. She could barely stand she was sobbing so hard. Her hand gripped the doorframe in an effort to keep herself from falling over.

Tears formed in Colin's own eyes as he caught a glimpse of her. He wanted to tell her he was sorry. He knew full well that she was only in such a state because of him.

But at that precise moment, neither one of them spoke. There was no reason to say a word. It was impossible to tell who took the first step. All at once they were wrapped in each other's arms.

Colin's lips sought Kate's hungrily and she tugged at his hair, deepening their kiss as she did. Her body trembled as his mouth closed over hers again and again.

They staggered towards the bed, landing there in a jumble of limbs. Struggling for breath, Colin pulled back slightly to take a look at her, but just for a moment. His hands clawed at her none too gently, not caring at all when he heard the seams rip as he fought to free her from the shirt she wore.

Kate's hair flew wildly about her face as she arched against him. She was still crying as his hands raced over her skin, peeling away the layers that kept him from getting as close to her as he wanted to be, as he needed to be. Colin's heart continued to ache as he realized that her sobs only quieted when his mouth met hers.

Kate's own hands slipped under the t-shirt he wore raising it up and over his head in one swift motion. Once it was gone her nails dug into his shoulders, her grip on his skin so tight she nearly drew blood. All the while she kept her mouth fused to his in a desperate kiss.

Colin dragged Kate down onto the mattress with him, sighing at the feel of her body held snugly against his. He tried to kiss away her tears to no avail and so he just kept on, hoping to comfort both her and himself simultaneously.

She needed to know. He wasn't sure his words could convince her so he thought he would show her. She needed to know - despite what had just happened - how much he truly loved her, how nothing else mattered but the two of them – together.

From what he could gather it seemed to be working. Her hands tugged at the waist of his jeans, sighing thankfully when she was able to ease them down off his hips. Kate moaned quietly as Colin changed the angle of his mouth against hers. He deepened the kiss slowly, his tongue darting in and out to dance with hers as he gently pressed her back into the pillows.

Their bodies were slick with sweat as they landed there together. The air in the room turned thick as it hung around them.

This was all she ever needed, Kate thought as her mind continued to spin, sensations crashing over her in wave after wave. Just him. Just Colin.

Her fingers traced the muscles of his back, her breath coming in short, quick pants as his mouth trailed lower. She cried out as his teeth nipped at her skin, followed soon after by his hands, tasting and taunting her inch by inch until she almost couldn't remember where she was.

As difficult as it was to focus she made herself open her eyes. Her own hands reached down and threaded through his hair, dragging his head back towards her own.

"Colin…" She murmured against his lips when she finally brought him back to her. As he moved above her she wrapped her legs around him, holding him closer still.

His breathing was as ragged as hers now, his heart pounded furiously in his chest as he gazed down at her. Kate could practically feel it beating as she rested her hand there.

"Katrina…" He replied his voice soft as he slowed their pace, his hands reaching up to tenderly brush her hair from her eyes. "Please. Look at me."

"Colin..." She pleaded as her green eyes fluttered open, glassy with desire as they stared into his. "Colin…" Her fingers gripped his forearms tightly, slightly bruising his skin as she begged him again.

"Katrina - I'm sorry." He whispered as he gently slid into her, his eyes never leaving hers as he said the words. As he did still Kate sobbed, but the tone her crying was much different now. While before her tears were full of grief and pain, now they were blissful and full of longing.

"I know." Kate replied with a nod as she rose to meet him. She ran her hand over Colin's cheek as her eyes caught his and held. "I know." She repeated pulling him closer.

It will be alright now she knew as she watched him - watching her. She'd been terrified before. She had felt so empty when she saw him walk away.

"I'm sorry too." She whispered into the crook of his neck as she moved with him. And as she did she was once again complete.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"No." Livvie shook her head and pulled her lips from his. "Don't do that. You always try and distract me that way."

Caleb sighed and tried kiss her again. His strength was coming back, slowly but surely. He needed to stall her if only for another moment.

Despite her protests Livvie melted against him, letting him lift her up out of the chair, out of the study and towards the stairs.

Caleb inwardly sighed with relief. He needed time to ease her into this. He didn't want her to worry.

"Ooo! Are you playing Sleeping Beauty?" A little voice called out from behind them.

Caleb stopped and turned to face Rachel. He couldn't help but smile as he gazed down at her. He set Livvie gently on her feet.

"No sweetheart." He said with a laugh. He didn't understand why Livvie read her all these fairy tales but Rachel seemed to love them.

"Is Mama's foot hurt?" Rachel's nose scrunched up in confusion.

"No honey. I'm fine." Livvie replied laughing louder.

"Then why was Papa carrying you around?" She asked accusingly. "He only usually does that to me."

Caleb leaned down and picked his little girl up, carrying her in the very same way he held Livvie just moments before.

"You are right." He whispered as he held her close. "There's only one Sleeping Beauty in this house and that should be you."

"That's right. This little Sleeping Beauty needs to go to bed now." Livvie added as she pressed a kiss to Rachel's brow.

Rachel giggled as she snuggled closer to her father. "Te iubesc Mama."

"Te iubesc, baby." Livvie whispered

She watched Caleb carry their daughter upstairs, turning and sinking onto the stairs as he disappeared around the landing.

Maybe this wasn't the time, and maybe it wasn't the day. But as she sat there Livvie promised herself. She would find out soon what Caleb was hiding from her.

She'd figure it all out on her own if she had to.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Kate tucked the blanket closer around Alex. As she did Colin's arm curled around her waist, sliding against the silk of her robe and pulling her close.

"He's getting so big." She said with a sigh as she ran a hand over the baby's back.

"Yeah he is." Colin nodded in agreement as he buried his lips in her hair. "Honey. He's back to sleep now so come on." He nuzzled her neck as he added. "Come to bed."

She leaned back against him and laid her hands over his. He turned her in his arms and led her out of the nursery and back to their room.

Dutifully following behind, she slipped her robe off and lay back down, immediately curling her body against his. Colin nearly lost his breath as he watched her, the lines of her body faintly visible in the moonlight. His arms closed around her and held tight.

They laid there together for long moment, until Kate couldn't stand the silence anymore.

"Colin?" She whispered as she traced a finger along the length of his arm. "Are we okay now?"

He turned to face her and ran a hand through her hair. After what happened between them tonight he couldn't believe she would still need to ask.

"Of course we are. Katrina…" He moved to place his lips on hers. "I love you."

She knew she was being silly, but she needed to be sure. "I know. I know that you do and I love you too but…"

Colin cut her off with another kiss. "No buts." He shook his head and pulled her closer. "I was wrong. When we talked about this weeks ago - you offered to help my father and I should have been grateful. You – and your family – have been more than generous where they're concerned."

He sighed as his arms tightened around her. He wanted to explain it to her but had trouble with the words.

"I guess it's just so hard for me. Never really feeling like I'm a part of them – knowing that I wouldn't be happy living like they do." He rubbed his thumb across her cheek as he stared into her eyes. "You know – without a doubt - that your parents love you." He shook his head, his voice laced with sadness as he added. "It's not like that for me. Sometimes I can't help but think that because of the choices I've made - mine might love me a little bit less than they should."

Kate's eyes filled with tears again. She couldn't imagine not being sure about her parents' love for her. It was a horrible way to feel and she should have guessed this was what had been bothering him. She felt incredibly guilty, knowing her digs at his family didn't help matters at all. She vowed then and there to try her best to never do something so thoughtless again.

At the moment she thought there was a easy way to let him know she was truly sorry. Her eyes sparkled as they met his.

"If that's true – and I don't think it is - then don't you worry, Colin." She said with a smile as she inched closer to him, her intentions clearly heard in her voice. It became soft and sultry as she whispered. "I promise you that I'll love you enough to make up for it."

Once again she humbled him with her words. As he gazed at her she could tell that he was more than willing to acept her apology.

"Katrina." He replied, smiling back at her, his heart busting with love. "You have to know that you – and Alex?" He paused and bent his head to kiss her again. "You already do."