The Next afternoon.
"Is Katie awake yet?" Walker asked walking into the family waiting area.
"Not yet. The doctors gave her something to sleep. She's in a lot of pain." Ridge said softly.
Walker nodded. "I am sorry. I wish I could have gotten to her sooner."
"This isn't on you Walker. You saved my daughter and got her out of that hell." Ridge stated patting his shoulder. "I am grateful for that."
"Who is with her now?" He asked.
"Jon after I sent him for a walk then I made Seth go home and check on the kids. The two of them were driving me nuts. They both are ticking time bombs at this point." Ridge stated.
"They are something else. I get they both really love Katie. But frankly it seems they are more worried about upping the other one. They have to know this was never about either one of them. So they need to put their dick competition to rest. Kate is gonna need a lot of support right now. This isn't going to be easy for her." Walker said. "I just wish I had known how bad Trent could be. Even back when we were in high school. I should have seen the signs then."
"I truly hope they can put their differences aside for my daughter and for my grandchildren. Walker there was truly no way for us to know what he was capable of. Even back then."
"Yeah I guess you're right. But still I remember when I asked Katie out on our first date. She was beautiful." Walker smiled as he started to explain. "We went min golfing and she totally kicked my ass then out to for pizza. But then Trent came in and joined us at the table. I didn't think any of it because we were buds ya know. When we got back to school that Monday I was gonna ask Katie out again because we had such a great time. Trent said something to me that didn't mean much to me in that moment but he said that he and Kate were destined to be together. He told me that I should have known better than to ask her out because he liked her. I knew he had a crush on her but I figured if he liked her half as much as I did he would have asked her out. So I backed off I didn't want to do my man dirty like that. So then a few months later I asked out Kelly and we dated for awhile."
"I always wondered what happened between you and Kate now I guess we know." Ridge said.
"Biggest regret of my life. I didn't see it then. I should have fought harder for her or at the very least kept a closer eye on her. She's been through hell and as a friend I should have protected her more."
"As her father I should have seen this. I should have respected her choices." Ridge stated.
"Hey how about we go check on her?" Walker offered.
Ridge nodded as they headed down towards her room.
Jon had been sitting next to Kate's bed since he got back from his walk that Ridge insisted that he take. After a heated conversation between him and Seth.
"Babe. I am sorry I couldn't protect you. Please know I will never let anything happen to you ever again. Kit Kat I haven't been able to find the words to tell you how I feel because honestly I wasn't sure myself. You make me feel a way I can't put in to words. Something I've never felt before." He said kissing her hand.
"She wake up yet?" Ridge asked as they came into the room.
"No." Jon said softly not taking his eyes off of Kate. "Whatever they gave her really knocked her out."
"She's been through hell." Walker said looking at a sleeping Kate.
"mmm." Kate groaned softly starting to wake up. She was still a little foggy from the medication they gave her. As she was coming too her eyes were adjusting to the light.
"Babe? It's me Mox can you hear me?" Jon said his hand still holding hers.
As Kate looked over at Jon and nodded softly.
"Let's give her a few minutes to wake up. Why don't you call Lynn and let her know Katie is awake." Ridge said to Jon.
"I'll go let the Doc know." Walker said.
"I will be right back babe." Jon said as he went to kiss her forehead she flinched and moved her head away. Jon sighed as he went to call her Mom.
Ridge stayed in the room with his daughter as the other two men left.
"Dad." was all she could say as she looked at her father and just breaking down in tears.
"Shhh my lady bug. I am here." Ridge said as he went over and hugged his daughter.
"Jon you alright man?" Walker asked going over to him after he got of the phone.
"Yep. Seth and Lynn are on their way. Kelly is gonna watch the kids for a bit." Jon said.
"That's good Katie has a strong support system. After what she went through she is gonna need it. Not only physically but emotionally. Katie is just gonna need time." Walker said.
"I wont leave her." He said.
Walker nodded. "We are all gonna need to take Kate's lead on this. Whatever she wants and needs right now we have to support that. Trent took something away from her and we need to be the support system she needs right now."
"That son of a bitch!" Jon growled. "Heard he died on the table."
Again Walker nodded.
"He made it to the hospital but died during surgery."
"He got off easy. I've never felt more rage than when I found out what he did to her. I've never wanted to inflict that much pain on someone and actually mean it." Jon growled.
"I get it man. Believe me I get it more than you know." Walker stated.
Over the course of the next few hours people kept coming in and out of Kate's room. She was feeling over whelmed from the doctors and nurses coming to check on her. To giving her official statement to Mark and another police office. Having to relive her last 48 hours of hell in words was her breaking point.
"Dad I think we got enough." Walker said seeing Kate in tears as she hugged her sister Kelly.
"Yeah we got enough. Kate Lynn I am sorry you had to go through that." Mark said as he and the other officer walked out. Walker winked at her before leaving the room as well.
"Do you think you could try and eat something?" Kelly asked her sister.
"No." Kate sniffled. "Not yet."
"Can you at least try? I know you haven't eaten today." Kelly said. "Maybe some soup."
"Maybe in a bit. I did want to say thank you for convincing Jon and Seth to leave the room. I didn't want them to hear what happened. It's bad enough they both know what happened." Kate said looking down at her hands.
"Hey Katie listen both those men love you. Believe me both those men would move heaven and earth for you. Just don't shut them out." Kelly said.
"Kelly Jon doesn't love me that way. Seth well he fell out of love with me a long time ago. Hence his love affair with Becky. She is who he wants he can have her." Kate said softly.
Kelly looked over at her sister and could see the hurt and pain in her eyes.
"How is my wife?" Seth asked as he saw Walker and Mark coming to the waiting room.
"It wasn't easy for her but she did amazing. We have enough to close this case. Trent's death can now officially be ruled self defense." Mark stated.
"Thanks for bringing her home safely." Seth stated as he then headed to check on Kate.
"Hey baby." Seth said coming into the room.
Kate just looked at him and nodded as Seth sat in the chair next to her bed. He went to grab her hand softly and she flinched and moved her hand away. She just didn't want to be touched.
"It's alright Katie. It's over." Seth said.
Kate just glanced at Seth.
"It's not over Seth. This doesn't feel over." Kate said looking at him. "Look I appreciate that you are here. But what I need is for you to go be with the kids right now. I know they are so scared so can you please just go be with them."
"Kate I don't want to leave you again." Seth said looking at his wife.
"I just need you to be with the kids right now because I can't be. I want to get the hell out of here but since I have no choice but to stay here can you just do this one thing for me?" Kate said as she could feel the tears in her eyes.
"Yes I can go be with the kids. I can bring them here tomorrow so they can see you. I know they miss you."
"I miss them too so much. But I am not sure if them seeing me like this is a good idea." Kate said feeling her heart break.
"Baby you are beautiful always. I think it would be good for them and you to see each other." Seth said as he went to touch her hand as she moved away from him again.
"I will let you know in the morning. Seth just please go be with our kids."
"Of course baby. I love you and if you need anything please call me." He said as he wanted to kiss her but saw her move her face away to avoid eye contact with him.
Kelly walked out of the room with Seth giving Kate a moment alone. She was in pain not just physically but emotionally she didn't know what to do or even how to feel. A million thoughts and emotions flooded over her.
"Hey babe finally by yourself." Jon said coming into the room and sitting down next to her. He went to reach for her hand but she moved it away.
"Please don't touch me." She said softly.
"Kit listen I have no idea what you must be feeling right now. Because I can't even put into words what I am feeling. But don't push me away. I am here for you Katie please know that."
"Time." Kate said looking at her hands again.
"Time?" Jon asked looking at her.
"I just need time. Maybe you should got back to Vegas."
"Katie why would I do that?" Jon asked looking at Kate who was ringing her hands together.
"Because that is where you live. You have a life outside of me and my mess. So go live it Jon." Kate stated.
"If time is what you need then time is what I will give you. But I am not going to walk away."
"Why?" Kate asked.
"You know why Kate. We both know why." Jon stated.
"I don't know where to go from here. Just give me time." Kate said still staring at her hands avoiding eye contact with him.
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