Chapter Nineteen:

March 10, 2002

I never imagined that a simple kiss could taste so sweet.

Maybe it was the fact that it has just been so long since we last kissed… or maybe it's the fact that I know that she loves me know.

Whatever the reason, we're together now—and that's what matters.

Anyhow, Miguel came over today. Kay had to hold me back to keep me from turning him into my own personal punching bag, again.

He said that he wanted to talk to Kay—alone. I didn't want to let him, but Kay insisted that I let them be. I just hope that this doesn't turn into another decision that Kay comes to regret.

"You're beautiful, you know that?" Reese whispered softly, as he planted a soft kiss on Kay's cheek. She had come over early that morning, eager to escape the prison she felt her home had become. So they had hidden themselves away in the treehouse, as they had done each day for over a month.

And it was pure bliss.

They were two young people in love, happy to simply be in the arms of the other. They whispered sweet nothings to the other, exchanged sweet kisses, and sat simply staring into the other's eyes.

These were the moments that made life worth living.

That is, until the voice of Miguel Lopez-Fitzgerald disturbed their solitary bliss.

"Hey, guys! Can I come on up?" he called from the ground below.

Kay groaned and separated herself slightly from Reese. Their eyes met, and Reese knew that Kay wanted to let Miguel interrupt their perfect moment in time.

And what did Reese want? Reese wanted to finish what he had started yesterday, before Miguel got in that cheap shot. He wanted to tear Miguel limb from limb. He wanted to see Miguel on the ground, begging for mercy.

But as long as Kay was around that wasn't likely to happen. She didn't want to fight Miguel, and she most certainly didn't want Reese to do her fighting for her.

The question was, why not? It wasn't like Miguel didn't deserve the beating Reese would love to give him. He had acted like a Class-A Asshole for over a month now, and Kay had taken it without complaint.

Reese wished that he knew why, but he doubted he would have a chance to figure that out just then, for Kay had just told Miguel that he could come on up.

Reese sighed as he stood to stand behind Kay, to support her if Miguel said what Reese hoped he wouldn't say.

"Hey, guys," Miguel said carefully, as his head peaked through the small opening the floor. "What's going on? Are you guys together now or something?"

Reese's gaze met Kay's own, and he saw her grin slightly. "Yeah, we are."

Miguel nodded slowly, eventually smiling himself. "That's cool."

"So, Miguel, did you have some reason for coming over here today?" Reese asked bluntly, after an awkward pause. He wanted to sit on the beanbags again, with Kay in his arms—not stand and watch Miguel infuriate Kay once again.

Kay immediately turned to face him and glared. Apparently, she didn't feel the same way.

"Actually, uh, I was hoping that I could talk to you, Kay—alone, if that's all right. I was thinking we could go back down on the ground…?"

"There's no way in hell—" Reese began, before Kay cut him off.

"That'll be fine, Miguel. Let's go." She tossed a final silencing scowl in Reese's direction before she followed Miguel down the ladder.

Reese wanted to follow them himself. He wanted to protect Kay—chances were, she was going to need him.

But, no, she didn't want his protection, his help. She wanted to do this all by herself for some reason—perhaps to give Miguel what he had asked for in some time alone to talk to Kay.

The only question was, why?

~*~

Minutes later, Reese was pacing back and forth anxiously. He hadn't heard any screams or shrieks from below, but he still couldn't help but worry.

This was his Kay that was in potential danger here. His Kay was talking to Miguel, who's words and actions had cut deeply in the past few months.

"Reese, you can stop pacing," Kay's voice informed him before her head had breached the entrance to the treehouse.

Instantly, Reese stopped. How had she known that he had been pacing? Was he really that predictable?

While he was contemplating these deep questions, Kay walked towards him, saw the confusion on his face, and laughed.

"Reese, you're so sweet to be so worried about me, but I'm fine—really. Miguel just wanted to apologize—for everything. He said that Luis straightened him out, and that he knew that he should have trusted me. So, it's all good now." She flashed him a multi-million dollar grin and leaned in closer for a soft kiss.

Reese kissed her gently, his tongue slowly invading her mouth to duel with her own tongue. So Miguel had finally apologized. About damn time, if you asked him.

But why had it taken Luis's words…

Quickly, Reese pulled back. "Kay, you said that he told Luis?"

"Yeah…?" Kay trailed off with a slight shrug.

"That means that Luis knows. And if Luis knows…"

Kay winced as realization set in. "That means that my dad knows—or, at least, he will know by tonight. Dammit, Reese, I've got to tell him before he hears it from Luis!"

Reese shook his head grimly. Chances were it was too late for that. "No, Kay, your father probably already knows, but you do need to tell him before he tells you that he knows."

Kay nodded. "But, Reese, I don't know if I can say the words. It's just… it makes it too real."

Tenderly, Reese pulled her to his chest and smoothed her hair. "I know, Kay. I know. But this is something that you have to do. And I'll be right beside you, if you want."

Kay nodded. "Let's have dinner with my family tonight. I'll tell him after dinner—ok? Until then, can we just stay here—just you and me?"

Reese smiled softly. "Of course we can."

Carefully, he took a seat on one of the beanbags and pulled Kay down with him. "I love you, Kay," he whispered softly, as he gently rubbed her back.

Kay smiled, as she nestled up against his warm chest. "I love you too, Reese."