"How was school, Kate?" her mother asked as she entered the kitchen, her backpack hanging from her back as she walked with her crutches.

"It sucked," Kate scoffed and dropped the pink and black bag to the ground.

"Why?" Natalie looked up from her magazine and cocked her head to the side. "Wasn't everyone happy to see you?"

"Well, yeah," she scrunched her nose, "But apparently, my teachers were so happy to see me, they gave me a bunch of makeup tests in celebration of my return."

"Come on, Kate, you knew it was coming."

"Still, it sucked," she whined and leaned forwards slightly on her crutches.

"Well, I bought a bag of your favorite honey mustard pretzels, will that cheer you up?" Natalie thrust the open bag forward towards her daughter. "Want some?"

"Nah," Kate shook her head and pivoted on her right leg. "It's ten times easier for me to gain weight right now. I want to look good for prom…"

"Sweetheart, it's only the first week of November," she assured her daughter. "You have plenty of time…"

"I'm just going to head upstairs and check my email, maybe play some guitar," she shook her head. "No pretzels for me."

"Need any help?" her mother offered.

"No, I'm alright. I don't even really need these…"

"Okay, well… call if you need anything," she smiled at her daughter and then turned back to her magazine.

Kate nodded and dropped her crutches before limping down the hallway. The ascent up the stairs was a tricky one, taken slowly and a foot at a time. She was used to just running up and down the stairs and was finding it difficult to take it slow. Even if she wanted to go at her old pace, however, chances were, her body wouldn't let her.

Arriving at the top, she took a quick left from the landing and then a sharp right, heading through the white door directly ahead of her. Her room was much cleaner than it had been that morning and the bed was now made, most likely care of her mother, who had taken the day off of work just in case.

She dropped her eggplant colored pocketbook on the floor beside her desk and plopped down into her swivel chair. Kate then slid out the plank that contained her mouse and keyboard and clicked on the flickering icon on her status bar in the right corner of her screen.

"You've got mail," the voice announced.

"No kidding," she rolled her eyes as she glanced at the screen, which read 45 new emails.

After clicking on the read mail button, Kate discovered that most of the emails were spam. There were three from facebook, one from myspace, one from Julia, and…

One from John.

A slow smile spread across her face as she clicked on the email and it opened up on her screen.

Hey, Kate!

I am so sorry that it took me this long to write back, but I let my inbox get inundated with emails before I checked them. Then I forgot your email. I was just a mess, but luckily a good friend of mine helped be find your email address and I found this letter today. Just for the record, I was excited to read your email, so don't think I forgot about you, Kate. I didn't.

I can't believe that some asshole, pardon my language, tackled you playing a stupid game of Frisbee in gym class. Seriously, I consider myself competitive, but I would never stoop to the level of injuring a girl. What a jackass. I hope you're suing his sorry ass. I don't care if he denies or it not, I would still take him to court.

I can't believe that you watch Heroes! I've been hooked on that show as of late, especially now that I'm laid up. Did you hear that they're thinking of postponing the rest of the season because of the writer's guild strike?!? I don't even want to THINK about what that might do to my psyche.

While it's not exactly…erm…normal to want to marry your television, everyone has a little crazy in them I guess. For you, it's the TV. For me, it's corresponding with a girl I barely even know and telling her anything and everything. I don't mind though… I look forward to your emails all day.

I guess that you're now back at school, since you wrote the letter a week ago. How's that going by the way? I know that I hated school, but looking at those colleges that you're applying to… damn girl! You're a freaking genius! You have NO reason to be worried whatsoever. I'm kind of biased for Boston, but my brother's girlfriend goes to Rutgers and she loves it, so… yeah. That's my two cents for ya.

It's good to hear that your recovery is going well. I wish I could get rid of this damn sling once and for all. Unfortunately, I won't be able to get rid of it until January. That's a long ass time from now, but what am I gonna do? Oh… I swear I won't tell your doctor that you don't always use your crutches around the house, as long as you don't tell mine that I chill out around the house without my sling on. Deal? Good.

All in all, I guess I'm holding up alright. I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving… ah! The food! I'm getting excited just thinking about the insane amount of food on the table. See, you got me all excited?

Dr. Andrews says that I'm healing ahead of schedule, but it can't heal fast enough. The only real problem that I'm having is that I can't stand sleeping in the sling, but when I don't… my arm feels like it's being stabbed repeatedly. Any suggestions? I consider you my injury guru.

By the way, I notice that you're emailing me from AOL. It'd be a lot easier on both of us if you emailed me on my personal account on AOL. That way, I could get your emails a lot quicker and write you back just as fast. My screen name is BostonCena423. I know, it's dorky… but it's the only thing I could think of at the time. Give me a break, I was young and stupid.

Can't wait to hear back from you, Kate!

John

Kate let out a quiet chuckle and leaned back in her chair.

"How can my life suck so much at be incredible at the same time?"

Almost instantaneously, a rectangle popped up on the screen, signaling a new instant message. Upon closer inspection, Kate realized that it was, in fact, her best friend, Julia, IM-ing her.

KeyboardHearts: So how was your first day back…?

BrooklynBlondeshell: Three tests. How do you think it was?

KeyboardHearts: That sucks. Sorry to hear that, babe.

BrooklynBlondeshell: But the day isn't as bad anymore.

BrooklynBlondeshell: …

KeyboardHearts: You lucky whore.

BrooklynBlondeshell: What? What did I do now?

KeyboardHearts: He wrote you back.

KeyboardHearts: Didn't he?

BrooklynBlondeshell: Maybe…

BrooklynBlondeshell: Did you check your email yet?

KeyboardHearts: No. Why?

BrooklynBlondeshell: Because I sent you a copy.

KeyboardHearts: I love you bestest friend.

BrooklynBlondeshell: Mhmm. Now go read it, I'll be right back.

KeyboardHearts: Shit. You don't have to tell me twice.

"Oh mother…" she sang as she came to the top of the stairs.

"You okay, Kate?" Natalie replied, her voice drawing closer to the stairs.

"I'm fine. Actually, I'm more than fine," Kate replied with a sly grin. "Guess who I got an email back from?"

"John Cena," Natalie dropped her head and laughed. "Do you know how many girls would kill to be you right now? God, if only Donny Osmond had answered all of my letters when I was your age…"

"Uh… Mom?" her daughter furrowed her eyebrows and stared at her.

"Right, right. Well," she sighed, "Anything else I can do for you, hun?"

"Just tell me what's up for dinner," the younger female suggested with a smile.

"I'm waiting for your father to come home and then we're going out to eat."

"Just wonderful," Kate scowled and returned back to her room, where a message from Julia was blinking repeatedly on the screen.

KeyboardHearts: He gave you his personal screen name?

BrooklynBlondeshell: He gave me his personal screen name.

KeyboardHearts: He gave you his personal screen name!

BrooklynBlondeshell: He gave me his personal screen name!

KeyboardHearts: He gave you his personal screen name!

BrooklynBlondeshell: Julia! I think we've established that already.

KeyboardHearts: Are you going to write him back?

BrooklynBlondeshell: Um… can I smack you through the computer screen?

KeyboardHearts: Uh, no.

BrooklynBlondeshell: Then don't ask stupid questions. I'm going to work on the email right now. I'll forward you a copy when I'm done.

KeyboardHearts: Hurry up.

KeyboardHearts: Better yet. Don't.

KeyboardHearts: Take your time.

KeyboardHearts: Wait…

KeyboardHearts: Nevermind.

Kate couldn't help but shake her head and roll her eyes.

BrooklynBlondeshell: Do I have your permission now.

KeyboardHearts: Yes. Now, write!

John sighed and turned over on the bed, dragging his arm along with him. This whole not sleeping thing just wasn't working out for him anymore.

He couldn't sleep at night and he couldn't sleep during the day. He'd show up to physical therapy half-asleep, but could never take it any further at home. He'd come home a walking zombie, but would be in too much pain to stay asleep.

Giving up on sleep, John did the only thing that he could think of and took his laptop off of the nightstand. Maybe he'd find something productive to do on the computer.

Better yet, maybe he'd just check his email and see if Kate had written him back.

"Cena," John shook his head at his anxiousness and let out a deep sigh. "You're getting all worked up over nothing. You just sent her an email this afternoon. She does have a life."

But in his heart, he still held a slight hope that she had written him back.

True, it was risky giving this girl his AOL screen name, but something in his gut told him that he could trust her.

Sure enough, when the America Online voice told him he had mail, it was precisely the one he was looking for.

Dear John,

I'm glad you didn't forget about me. I have to say, your emails are making my recovery a hell of a lot easier and more enjoyable. Seriously, I want to put you on my holiday card list just for that fact alone.

And no, I can't sue him. I went to Europe for two weeks over the summer and didn't find out about the ACL until September. High pain tolerance, much? Apparently, being a future lawyer, I understand that this means it can't be proven that he initially caused the damage and therefore, I don't have a case. Sucks, no?

I'm so happy that I've found another Heroes addict. Although, if the permanent loss of new episodes this year occurs and your psyche is damaged, I don't even want to think about what it could do to me. By the way, congrats on the Sox winning the World Series. As a fellow Yankee-hater, due to the fact that I am a die-hard Mets fan, I am more than satisfied with the outcome.

Good to hear that your pec is healing well. I used to have that same problem with my knee a little while back. Here's a good solution for you. Take a pillow…now for you, it might have to be a relatively large one. I mean, you're certainly taller than me, but… anyway… take a pillow and put your arm in the pillowcase. You'll find that you now have padding and will keep your arm elevated. It won't take the pain away completely, but it'll keep you more than comfortable. Let me know if it works for you.

Honestly, I definitely look forward to your letters, as well. It's really exciting to hear from you about your daily routine. I think that throughout your career with the WWE, I never really looked at you as a person, only a superstar. It never really occurred to me that you were a regular person.

This whole correspondence is kind of bizarre when you think about it, though. Who would have figured that of all the letters you received, you would have read mine? And I certainly NEVER would have guessed that you'd write back. I'm glad you did though.

Not to be a sob story, high school is kind of rough for me. Actually, school's always been rough for me. I'm not one of the skinny, popular girls. I don't have a lot of friends. I've just always been the smart girl that will always be the best friend and never the girlfriend. And it sucks.

But you make me feel special just by writing me. You really don't know much a simple email has affected my life. This isn't a plea to keep you interested or anything like that; it's just a heartfelt thank you.

Because you've kept me going and given me hope that with hard work and determination, I can change.

So once again, thank you, John. For everything.

Love always,

Kate

John blinked again at the screen, trying to comprehend the last few paragraphs on the screen. Upon her first letter, Kate had seemed just like a regular, all-American girl, but now… it was different.

He wasn't one for drama, but strangely enough, he had no desire to bail on her. She seemed so incredibly special and wise beyond her years that he couldn't imagine anyone giving her a hard time at school. Perhaps it was why the boy who attacked her had denied it: he could get away with hurting her because no one cared enough.

A familiar anger coursed through John's veins, one that he hadn't felt since grade school when he was the one being picked on. No one chose what they looked like and it seemed that Kate was a victim of this cruel fate, as well. Unfortunately, a plane ride away, there was nothing he could do about it.

Only the WWE brought him to New Jersey when Raw came to the Continental Airlines Arena, recently renamed the Izod Center. As of the moment, he had no reason to go to New Jersey, but eventually he would.

And he made a mental note to look up Kate Jackson when he got there.

A knock on the door resonated throughout her room and Kate sat up from her bed, where she had previously been watching television.

"Kate?" her mother's voice called to her from the other side of the door. "Can I talk to you?"

"Um… sure, Mom," her daughter replied warily and stood up before opening the door.

Natalie Jackson stood there, slightly paled and leaning on the door frame for support. A normally strong, vibrant woman, her appearance caught her daughter off guard.

"I've been putting this off for a few days now," the brunette informed her daughter as she walked past her and sat on the bed. "But I need to talk to you."

Kate sat beside her mother and looked over at her, "Is everything okay?"

"Kate," she addressed her, not really answering her prior question, "You know how Dad's been working late the last couple of nights?"

"He's working late AGAIN?!?" Kate's hazel eyes nearly bulged out of her head. Once again, her father was deserting them. "For God's sake…"

"Kate… no," Natalie shook her head. "Just stop for a second, okay?"

"Then what is it?"

"Your father… well," she sighed and her shoulders slumped noticeably, "I'm sure you've noticed he's been coming home well after you go to sleep and leaving well before you wake up."

"It is rather annoying," Kate nodded and scoffed. "He's such a pain in the ass…"

"Kate, don't you realize why?" Natalie asked her daughter, finally looking up at her for the first time since she'd walked through the door.

The blonde Jackson girl stared down at her blue Converse shoes, haphazardly hanging off of her bed. Truth be told, all she'd chalked her father's lack of appearances up to was overtime at work and lack of dedication to his family. It was routine with him.

She'd never really given much thought to it since she was about thirteen and realized just what kind of man her father was. He was the kind of man who put his career first and his family second, everyone else behind those two.

Kate and Natalie lived comfortable, but sometimes… even if it was just for a fleeting moment… Kate would give it up just to have the father that everyone else seemed to have: a good one.

Turning back to her mother, Kate shook her head, "No."

"Sweetheart," Natalie shook her head and exhaled deeply. She glanced up at the ceiling and then back at her daughter. "He hasn't come home at all."

In a matter of moments, the truth hit her like a ton of bricks and knocked the wind out from her.

"Dad walked out on us," she whispered. "Didn't he?"

A/N: I'm so enthralled that this story is averaging ten reviews per chapter! Keep up the AWESOME work reviewing!

I hope that you enjoyed this chapter, as it started out kind of light hearted, but then turned serious. Kate is a tough girl, though, and it should be interesting to see how she handles the departure of her father, considering she had possessed a general disdain for him in the last few years of her life.

Next chapter, though… John finds out about Kate's parents' separation. Stay tuned for that.

Shout outs: gurl42069, faxness-rulz, nobody knows cig, Enigmatic Lotus Leaf, JCEdge RKO, goddessofthenite, I'm.Totally.Fxcking.Awesome, dj-ssdd, Fallen1987, CharlieChaos, minature-hero, and Fozzy-Floozy!

Merry Christmas, everyone!!! Expect at least one more update in 2007!

Danielle