Chapter 239

Three months later.

Tegan and Sara's very successful tour continued. Kate was back at work. She didn't have much of a choice and was devastated to leave Sara and Amelia but excited to go back to work. She visited the girls on tour as much as her busy surgeon's schedule allowed her to but the long distance was starting to put strain on their relationship. They remained one hundred percent committed to each other but it was hard being apart and on the odd occasion when Sara had a few days off and went back home Kate was often on call or stuck in long surgeries.

The twins were nominated for Juno's in every single category they hoped for. They were hot favourites in the Grammy race too but the nominations for that were a couple of months away. The Juno's were a week away when Sara walked into Kate's office at the hospital.

"Hey baby" she smiled.

"Hi Sar" said Kate not looking up from her paperwork. She kept writing.

"Um… Kate"

"Just a sec"

Sara sighed and folded her arms.

"Sorry sweetheart, I really just had to sign off on a prescription. It's pretty urgent" said Kate.

"Uh huh… so, lunch?"

"Yeah sure, I just need to be back at one for surgery"

"I thought you said you're keeping your afternoon clear"

"Sar, it's an emergency, this kid can't wait much longer. We had an opening in the OR schedule and I took it"

"I'm not going to get worked up about this, let's go and stop wasting time. I'd like to at least get a few words in before you have to rush back"

"Sar, I'm sorry. I'll try to get somebody to take over the last few hours of my shift this evening" said Kate walking around her desk. She kissed Sara on the cheek.

"Don't bother… its fine. You have tomorrow off right?"

"Uh huh" said Kate but she looked uncomfortable.

"What? You don't?" said Sara sounding disappointed.

"I do… it's just that I might have to come in to check on this kid we're operating on this afternoon"

"That's why you have residents"

"I don't want to fight"

"Yeah that makes two of us but sometimes… I swear…" Sara sighed.

Kate just shook her head and took her white coat from the coat tree next to the door.

"You're going like that?" said Sara pointing at Kate's scrubs.

Kate looked down frowning with her hands in the air.

"Um… yeah, unless you want to waste twenty minutes for me to doll up. We're just going down the road, half the hospital eat there wearing scrubs" said Kate and rolled her eyes.

"Whatever, let's get going"

"I'm going out for lunch. I'll be back to scrub just before one" said Kate to her PA and handed her the document she'd been working on.

"Alright. I'll page you if I need you"

"Try not to" Kate winked.

"Of course" Kate's PA smiled.

"Oh and do me a favour, follow up on the scans for Selena Young"

"Kate, come on" Sara said impatiently.

"Sorry" Kate mumbled and followed Sara out of the building.

Twenty minutes later Kate and Sara were enjoying Dim Sum at a great little Asian restaurant a block away from the hospital. The air between them had thawed a bit.

"I've missed you so fucking much" Kate smiled.

"Have you now?" Sara teased.

Kate just smiled a shy, jet dazzling smile.

"So, a week from now…. The Junos. Did you arrange your leave?"

"Yup, can't say the chief was ecstatic but I pulled in some favours and got someone to cover for me for two days"

"Only two?"

"Babe… I really tried, I can only get away for two. I've used up all of my off days on visiting you on tour. This is pushing it big time"

Sara sighed dramatically.

"Speaking of awards. I've been nominated for this thing… If you could join me at the awards ceremony I'd appreciate it" said Kate looking embarrassed.

"This thing? What thing Babe?" Sara smiled.

"Something about best research project" Kate waved.

"Baby that's incredible! Congratulations" said Sara.

"Thanks I guess… I don't think I stand much of a chance but I'm being forced to go"

"I'd love to join you. I'm so proud of you. When is it?"

"Second Friday in December" said Kate.

"Oh… we're on tour but… um" Sara mumbled.

"Oh I see, that's how it works. I have to drop everything, no questions asked when you get nominated for something but it doesn't go both ways" said Kate sulking.

"I didn't say that… stop being so dramatic. I just need to figure out how… I don't know, it's a logistic nightmare to reschedule shows but I will. This is important to you, I'll figure something out"

"Thank you… Sara, I understand that it's difficult. If you can't I understand but I appreciate you trying" said Kate.

"I really want to see you all dressed up" said Sara and kissed Kate's hand.

Half an hour later Kate asked for the bill.

"We're not done talking by the way"

"I know… but right now we're done"

"Kate…"

"Sara I have to go. I have to perform fucking heart surgery on a 3 year old in 15 minutes. My patient is being prepped for surgery as we speak" said Kate and got up after paying the bill.

"Kate hang on… just listen for half a minute" said Sara.

Kate sighed and turned back, shoulders slumped.

"I'm sorry for fighting, I don't want you going into surgery upset"

"I'm sorry too babe"

"I just really miss you, I miss us"

"I'll try my best to get home at a decent time tonight. I'm sorry, I may really to stay…. But I promise I'll try my very best"

"That's good enough for me" said Sara and took Kate in her arms.

"I love you" said Kate.

"I love you too. Good luck with surgery, you're going to be great"

"Thank you… I can use some of that luck" sighed Kate and kissed Sara briefly before leading her by the hand to her car.

In the parking lot a girl of about 6 came running up to Kate and hugged her tight around the waist. Kate laughed out loud.

"Hi Alice! Wow it's good to see you running around? Are you on your way home?" Kate asked as the parents walked up.

"Yeah. I'm all better" said the little girl.

"That's awesome, well done!" said Kate crouching down next to the girl.

The girl looked up at Sara.

"Dr Kate fixed me" she beamed.

"Wow, that's great. Dr Kate's wonderful right" smiled Sara.

"Thanks again for everything you've done. We're so happy to be going home. Thank you, thank you" said the mother with one of Kate's hands in both of hers.

"You're very welcome. I'm happy for you. I have to run, I have a surgery but please, call me any time you have any concerns" said Kate.

"Of course, we will. Thank you"

"See you in three weeks for that follow up. And you little lady, take good care of yourself okay. Take it easy okay" said Kate and ruffled the kid's hair.

"I will, and thanks for the books… and thanks for fixing me" said the girl. Kate spent a lot of her own money buying gifts for her patients.

"You already said that but it's my pleasure sweetie" smiled Kate.

The family waved goodbye and Kate turned to Sara with a smile. Sara seemed a bit pale and shaken up.

"You okay?" asked Kate.

"Yeah… you should go sweetie, I don't want you to be late for surgery. See you later, take your time okay" said Sara in a sudden change of direction.

"Okay… love you" said Kate.

Around 6.45 that evening Kate walked into the kitchen where Sara was preparing dinner.

"Hey honey, you're home earlier than I expected. How'd it go?" said Sara before kissing Kate briefly.

"Went well thanks, she's stable. Prognosis is excellent" Kate smiled looking exhausted. She picked up Amelia and kissed her forehead. "Hi sweetie pie" she cooed. Amelia giggled excitedly.

"Great news! Can I get you a glass of wine or a beer?" Sara asked.

"No thanks, I may need to go back in later. I'll just have some coconut water"

Kate was a coconut water freak. She opened a bottle and took a big swig.

"Ugh I love coconut water" she sighed.

"Coco" Amelia blurted out while touching Kate's face with both hands.

Sara burst out laughing. "Yeah that's mom's new name. Coco"

"You two funny girls!" Kate laughed and tickled Amelia.

"I'm sorry about today's lunch Sara. I was stressed and preoccupied" said Kate.

"And I was a B – I – T- C – H" Sara spelled out in order to not teach Amelia a swear word.

Kate snorted.

"Honey I'm the one that should be apologising. I knew what I was getting into right from the start. Your job is demanding. But at the end of the day, you save lives. I just entertain people. God knows if it was my kid sick I'd want you to be the one operating on her"

"Thanks poppit. I spoke to the Chief. I've rearranged my schedule so that I move my weekend off into the week so yeah… 2 extra days to go with you. Because you do way more than just entertain people" said Kate smiling.

"That's so great! Thank you! I think we should leave Amelia with Erin and Alex or your parents" said Sara.

"Really? I want to spend time with her though" Kate frowned.

"I know… It's just that, we're going to be really busy with events and parties and I don't want her unsettled. Tegan's leaving the twins with my mom"

"I don't know Sar"

"We need some alone time too Kate. You know that. Alex and Erin will be more than capable of handling an epi pen"

Kate leaned against the kitchen counter with her bum, staring at the floor, she stayed quiet for a minute.

"It's not about the epi pen… But, you're right. We do, and I'm sure Amelia will have a much better time with grandma and the cousins than being cooped up in some hotel room with the nanny"

"Thanks for understanding. I'm working on having our show rescheduled so I can attend your awards banquet" said Sara.

"Thanks Sar, but if you can't I do understand, it's okay" said Kate.

"No, it's not" said Sara and touched Kate's cheek. "You look tired"

"Well, 24 hour shifts will do that to you" Kate shrugged.

"Rough day?" Sara whispered and kissed Kate's cheek.

"Uh huh" Kate grunted, her voice changing pitch.

"Oh sweetheat… you're so amazing" said Sara.

Kate suddenly burst out in tears.

"Okay… its okay. Get it out" said Sara hugging Kate tight.

"I'm just so tired… I'm sorry… sometimes it all just gets a bit too much"

"Hey that's why I'm here, to cry on my shoulder. And I'm so sorry I'm not here for you more"

"I love you… don't ever doubt that. You're my everything" Kate said softly.

"And you're mine. Its okay to cry baby"

Kate took a deep breath and gave a shuddering sigh.

"You see….. you do need a break" said Sara.

"I don't but fine… let's drop it" said Kate suddenly on edge again.

"Go take a nice warm shower. I'll give you a shoulder rub before we eat. After that you can turn in early and get some quality sleep"

Kate rubbed her aching neck muscles and smiled a weary smile.-0-

"Thanks sweetie... I'd love that neck rub I'm like a rock" she said.

-0-

Tegan never really had a proper break, just a slowdown. Right now she was busy handling some merch designs and reading and signing some legal documents their business manager brought over.

Lindsey put a cup of tea down on her desk. "I have shoot tomorrow, think you'll be able to switch off work for a couple of hours to do something fun with the kids or should I call Kirsten or Anna?" Lindsey asked.

"I'll make a plan. I need to spend some quality time with them. Maybe we can go to the park" said Tegan.

"It's after midnight, come to bed" said Lindsey.

"I have to finish this"

"Honey… these breaks are there for you to recuperate. Not to burn yourself out on admin"

Tegan took a deep breath to calm herself down.

"You have no idea what it's like running this organisation" she hissed.

"I know Tegan, but you employ people to do these things"

"There are still some things they can't do. I have to do it or Sara does and right now I want her to spend that time with Kate because if she doesn't, she's going to put an end to it all. Quit the band. I can see it and it scares the shit out of me. I need to give her time with Kate. So give me a break okay" Tegan snapped.

"And what about you… what about us. Don't we deserve some quality time too?"

"Lindsey don't start!" said Tegan.

"Whatever… don't stay up to late. Your ptosis is back, you're exhausted" said Lindsey.

"Dammit Lindsey, when will you stop fussing over me. I'm fine. I've been fine during this tour. This fucking illness is going to be following me my entire life" said Tegan throwing her hands in the air.

"It's got nothing to do with the illness. It's got everything to do with you not taking care of yourself. I don't want you burning out that's all"

Tegan's shoulders slumped and she looked down at her feet.

"I'm sorry… I know you just care"

"I do… I love you more than anything Tegan"

"I love you too… I'm sorry" said Tegan and switched off her laptop.

"Well… we going to bed or what?" she yawned.

"I was going to suggest that we put off sleeping for a little while but you seem tired. The hot sex will need to wait" said Tegan.

"I'm not the tired one" said Lindsey calling Tegan's bluff.

"Well I still have a lot in reserve, since I stopped working earlier than expected. Maybe I'll read a few chapters in my book" said Tegan.

Lindsey stopped and turned to Tegan who was entering the bedroom behind her.

"Let's stop the mind games and get the body games going" she grinned and pulled Tegan in for a kiss.

"Thank you for taking care of me... and understanding" said Tegan through kisses.

"Thank you for being so sexy" Lindsey laughed and pushed Tegan down on the bed.

A/N: Thanks for those of you who reviewed the last few chapters. Please keep sending feedback so I know someody's out there reading!