Disclaimer: see chapter 1

Elizabeth dragged him around the corner, forcing him to walk. He slowed up as they came into the courtyard. He gazed at Kendall's darkened condo, immediately wondering where she was and what she was doing. Elizabeth unlocked the door and threw it open, pushing Zach into his condo.

He froze three steps inside the door, staring at Kendall, sitting on his couch, surrounded by candlelight and flowers. She pushed herself off the couch, staring at him, running her hands over her dress nervously.

Elizabeth chuckled quietly, dropping Zach's keys on the counter. "Ok, well, you two kids have fun tonight." Zach whipped around, glaring at her. "What did you do?"

Elizabeth gave him and innocent look. "Who me?" Seeing that Zach didn't buy that for a minute, she just shrugged. "What? Zach, I love you like a brother and Kendall… well, she just rocks my world. Fix it. I'm out." She headed out the door, but Zach grabbed her arm first, pulling her back to him.

"You aren't staying?" he whispered to her.

"Yeah, flowers, candlelight, soft music, dinner for two… definitely a party built for three. I've got to go. Work it out." She quickly pulled out of his grasp and marched out the door, closing it behind her. She glanced at her watch and sighed, heading for the car.

Zach turned slowly, looking Kendall over. 'She's gorgeous' he thought to himself. He cleared his throat and walked over to the chilling cider, quickly opening it and pouring two glasses.

"I should… I told Elizabeth that this was a bad idea. You don't want me there, so I'll just…" Kendall grabbed her purse and tried to make a hasty exit, but Zach quickly stepped her in path, blocking her from the door.

"Please don't leave" he whispered hoarsely, trying to get his emotions in check.

She couldn't look at him and it killed him. "You've been avoiding me" she said quietly, staring at her shoes.

"I swear, I haven't."

"It sure feels like you have, like you don't…" She finally looked at him, tearing brimming in her eyes. "You hurt me."

Zach shrugged. "It's what I do."

Kendall shook her head slowly. "Not to me, it's not. You don't hurt me, you… you said you loved me."

"I still do, Kendall, but you said you were finished with me."

"And you said you would wait for me! Was that a lie?"

Zach ran his hand through his hair. "I don't want to drag you into this chaos that has become my life. It's not fair to drag you down with me. You should go – go be happy, have your baby and be loved, find love."

"I have love, I am loved. Happiness is with you, Zach. I was upset, understandably so, but… trying to live without you… it's too hard. I love you more than I thought possible."

Zach tried to turn away, but Kendall grabbed his arm, pulling him back to her, forcing him to look at her. "Look me in the eye and tell me you don't love me. If you can, I'll leave, I promise, Zach."

Her touch broke something inside of him. His eyes became bright with unshed tears. "I can't say that to you, Kendall. It would be a lie if I did and it wouldn't be convincing anyway." Kendall pulled herself to him, wrapping her arms around his neck, burying her face against his shoulder. He wrapped his arms tightly around her waist, reveling in the feeling of her pressed against him again, a feeling that he thought he would never experience again. They held each other, not saying any words, just enjoying the feel of each other.

"Now what" he whispered into her ear, kissing her lightly on the cheek. His lips on her skin felt like heaven and she buckled, falling more into him.

Kendall pulled back slightly, looking at him. "I say we eat and try to forget about the outside world, just for a little while." He nodded at her, smiling slightly as she threaded her fingers through his, leading him over to the table.

Elizabeth leaned against her car, checking her watch again. It was close to midnight and she was beginning to wonder if this bus was ever going to get here. Finally, lights illuminated the road and the bus pulled to a stop, letting off one passenger. When the bus passed, he looked across the street to see Elizabeth waiting by her car. She waved as he jogged across the street, dropping his bag at her feet and pulling her in for a hug.

"Good trip?" she asked as he released her, pulling his bag off the ground.

"It was a bus ride, so what do you think?" She laughed as they got in the car.

He sighed, looking out the window. "It's been a long time since I've been around here." Elizabeth looked over at her friend. "I know, and I wouldn't have called if I wasn't desperate, but… I have to help Zach. You know what he's done for me and… well, I can't just sit here and watch him slip away without doing something."

He looked over at her and smiled. "Did you get him in the same room with Kendall?" Elizabeth chuckled as she threw the car into drive and turned around, heading back toward Pine Valley. "Yeah, he tried to make a break for it tonight, but I took off with the car before he could."

He just nodded. "And I'm sure Kendall persuaded him to stick around. She's always been able to get exactly what she wants. What I'm struggling with is trying to picture her pregnant."

Elizabeth just shrugged. She glanced over at him. "Hey, did you get a hold of that information you were looking for?"

He nodded. "Yeah, it's all in my bag. We'll look at it when… where are you taking me?"

"I've got you a room at the casino. It's outside of town, so as long as you lay low, no one should see you." He just nodded and watched the scenery as they drove back into Pine Valley. Soon, they were at the front desk, claiming the room reserved for Lane Devers.

TBC…