Title: Love Story

Author: h_weasley/acroley84/carlyquartermaine

Summary: Kristina fights for the right to choose.

Rating:

Warnings:

AN: First Krithan fic. Be kind! Summary is bad but the story is better

Chapter 3:

Kristina came to and felt safe and warm. It took her a few minutes to realize where she was and what happened. She was at the Haunted Star with Dante and Lulu…and she was in Ethan's arms.

"She's awake." Ethan said softly. He smiled down at Kristina, "How are you feeling?"

"Stupid." Kristina admitted sheepishly. She attempted to sit up but Ethan gently held her down.

"Just stay still for a minute." Ethan suggested. "Want some water?"

Kristina nodded. She took the water Ethan gave her and sipped it silently. She looked around the room and saw Lulu watching her but Dante and Tony weren't there. "Where is everyone?" Kristina asked.

"Dante told Tony to leave and then he went to talk to Sonny about this." Lulu explained. "This was not ok. The way he manhandled you…Sonny may be a lot of things but he wouldn't stand for that."

Kristina sat up, "I know." She said. "Do you think my dad will hurt him?"

Lulu shrugged, "I don't know hopefully he will just fire him and not…you know…"

"Where is Ethan?" Kristina asked suddenly afraid Ethan may have gone after him.

"Right here." Ethan said coming up beside her and softly rubbed her back the touch soothed her. "I stepped out to call Dante."

"What did he say?"Lulu asked.

"Got his voicemail." Ethan said. "I think I'm going to go and talk to Sonny myself. This has to end."

"No." Kristina replied. "Stay with me." She grabbed Ethan's hand and held tightly. They stared into one another's eyes for a moment.

"I'm going to go." Lulu told them. She looked at Kristina. "Are you feeling better? Can I do anything for you?"

"I'm fine." Kristina replied. "Thanks. If you talk too Dante have him call me. I want to know what my dad said."

"I will." Lulu promised. She said goodbye to Ethan and then left.

"Ready to go?" Ethan asked Kristina.

"Go?" Kristina replied. "Go where?"

"Kristina it's late. You have to go home." Ethan said.

"Oh," Kristina sighed, "I thought I could stay with you."

"Don't do this to me. " Ethan whined. "If you stay with me tonight your father will have me killed. Everyone knows you're with me if you don't go home…"

"Ok, you're right." Kristina said. "I'm ready to go."

"I will take you home." Ethan said.

Kristina was glad her mom didn't give her too much trouble. Alexis was so happy Kristina was ok she didn't say much about sneaking out. Kristina didn't sleep much that night and when she did sleep she was awoken by nightmares.

Kristina climbed out of bed before the sun was even up and took shower. As soon as she thought her dad was awake she drove to his house. Sonny was getting into his car when Kristina pulled in behind him.

"I was just coming to see you." Sonny said with a grim expression. "You're ok?"

"I am," Kristina told him. "Can we talk?"

Sonny nodded and walked back into the house with Kristina at his side. They went into the living room and they sat down before Kristina said anything to her dad. "What happened to Tony?" Kristina said.

"He was fired." Sonny replied without looking at her.

"Fired or murdered?" Kristina asked.

"Fired…and then he fell and Max helped him up and then he fell again and Milo helped him up." Sonny told her.

"Dad!" Kristina admonished him.

"He is lucky he left here alive but he did leave here alive" Sonny assured her.

Kristina nodded and knew that Sonny was Sonny and would never change. "What now?" Kristina asked.

"What do you mean?" Sonny asked.

"When does the next bodyguard start?" Kristina asked.

"Never…well, I won't say never, not anytime soon." Sonny answered.

Kristina narrowed her eyes and said,"What's the deal?"

"Dante and I had a long talk last night." Sonny told her. "I'm not known as man who compromises but I'm getting old and I'm getting tired of fighting with my wives, ex wives, kids … I don't like Ethan. But I know you're a good kid and as long as you and Ethan stay just friends I won't interfere anymore. Your mom and I talked and it's not worth losing you over. "

"As long as we stay just friends?" Kristina repeated with a scowl.

"Yes," Sonny said. "Your mom and I cannot support a romantic relationship and this deal is off the moment it goes that way… What do you say?"

Kristina started to argue but thought better of it. This was a pretty big concession as far as her parents were concerned. And since she and Ethan weren't exactly past the friendship stage yet she had time to work on her parents. "Ok." Kristina relented.

"Ok?" Sonny asked his face taking a look of surprise. "Really?"

"Mmhmm" Kristina said. "Look, one day I hope Ethan and I become more than friends but I'm willing to compromise right now as long your willing to revisit the issue later."

"I might be. I don't know." Sonny admitted.

"But for now I don't want to argue." Kristina told him.

"Me either." Sonny said with smile.

"Good." Kristina replied. She stood up. " I have to go. I will see you later."

Sonny nodded and Kristina left feeling better than she had in days.

Ethan was walking out of Kelly's when he saw Tony watching him. "You're really not very good at that." Ethan called as he kept walking.

Tony followed him. "I guess you heard I got fired?" He asked.

"I did." Ethan replied. "Sorry to hear it…you know actually I'm not."

"I bet." Tony said. He came up behind Ethan and pushed him against the wall. "I needed this job."

Ethan saw a few bruises on Tony's face and he realized someone roughed the guy up. That made Ethan a little happy so he smiled as he said, "Maybe you shouldn't have to beat up the boss's daughter, huh?" Ethan said pushing Tony off of him. "But it's not my fault and it's certainly not Kristina's fault so… bye mate."

Tony just glared at Ethan as he walked away. As soon as Tony was out of earshot Ethan took his cell phone out and called Dante. He got the cop's voicemail. "Hey Dante its Ethan I just had a run in with Tony. He seems a little agitated that he is unemployed. He got a little rough with me so maybe we should keep an eye on Kristina?" He knew Dante would do what it takes to keep his sister safe. But Ethan decided to pay Kristina a visit at school just to be safe.

Kristina was excited to see Ethan waiting for her outside of her math class. "This is a nice surprise." Kristina said.

"Well," Ethan said taking her books from her as they walked. "This isn't entire a social visit."

"No?" Kristina asked feeling a little let down.

"I had a visit from Tony today." Ethan explained. "He seemed a little volatile and slightly unstable I just wanted to check in and make sure he hasn't been giving you a hard time."

"No sighting." Kristina said. "But I'm glad you're here I have some n news."

"Ok."Ethan replied. "Hit me with it."

"My dad and mom are cool with us hanging out. No more bodyguards and stuff." Kristina told him with a smile.

"Wow," Ethan said. "And they just gave in"

"Not so much but the details aren't important. You don't have to worry about my dad putting a hit out on you." She said. "Isn't that great."

"Absolutely." Ethan said. "We should celebrate. Tonight?"

"Sounds good." Kristina agreed. "When and where?"

"8:00." Ethan said. "I will pick you up."

"Great. But I have to go to my next class." Kristina said. "So bye."

Ethan handed Kristina her books back, "See ya tonight." He said and he sauntered away.

Kristina could barely contain her excite she didn't know how she would make it all day without dying from the excitement. He didn't say this was a date but it felt like one. Things were coming together finally.