Resting her forehead against the wall under the showerhead, the water flowed down her neck. Breathing, she hoped that a shower would remove the grime from last night instead she felt dreadful. Not about Hector, but Rath. Three years passed since they broke up. Moving her head away from the wall, the water hit her bare chest. Soap covered her body then washed off. Soap bubbles went down the drain, but didn't take her dread with it.

Turning the water off, she pulled the shower curtain back and grabbed a towel. Drying herself off, her mind drifted back to when they were happy before finding out about her aunt.

"Stop worry," she thought, "Sooner you meet him and find out what he wants quicker you can return to your life."

Exactly what kind of life did she have? Living in fear of being hit or getting raped by Hector's friends. Some life.

A black t-shirt and pants covered her white bra and panties. Putting shoes on, she left the bathroom and headed for the kitchen.

Sound was coming from the living room. Then it stopped followed by, "I'm in here. You might want to see this."

Staring at the TV set, Kate could see the news was on except that the image didn't move. Jess pushed the pause button. The news anchor woman started speaking.

"Police are investigating a double murder of two men and an assault on a woman. Police have no suspects, but are looking for Miss Katelin Renee."

An unfaltering photo of her appeared.

Squinting her eyes and puckering her lips, "Is he here?"

"Returned while you were showering."

"Take me to him. Now!"

Pushing the off button on the remote, "Alright," getting up, "Warning you won't change your mind."

Walking out of the living room, she led Kate to the closed basement door.

Turning the doorknob, "Be careful," said Jess, "He's still human even if he doesn't act it," opening the door.

"Thanks," said Kate entering through the basement doorway.

The steps creaked as Kate descended into the basement. Reaching the bottom of the steps, she couldn't see anything except for the back of a duster at a table. His hat was resting on a chair seat. His head would turn from the center then to his right. Walking closer, she saw a map on his right. The table was cluttered with papers, books, and diagrams of machines. On the left of the table was blackboard covered with mathematics formulas.

"Rath."

No acknowledge.

"Rath!" yelling at his back.

"Rath!" echoed through the basement on her third attempt.

Still no reaction.

Standing beside him, her temper gripped hard as his right hand continued writing down notes. Slamming her hands down onto the note paper in front of him, his graze followed her hands up her arms until he stopped on her brown eyes.

"Yes?"

"Rath, we need to talk."

"Why? Jess not satisfying your needs."

"She's doing fine."

"Good, since no man can satisfy you why not a woman."

"That isn't why I'm here."

"Then why are you here?"

"You must explain that yourself."

Crossing his arms, "Let's see. Why are you here in the basement?" tipping back in his chair, "Didn't tell you to come down."

"Exactly!"

"Asking you to be in the basement?"

"NO! Didn't ask to be brought to your house."

"Couldn't ask an unconscious woman."

Grimacing in frustration, "Why do we always talk in circles?" remarked Kate.

"Round mouths?"

"Be serious."

"I'm serious. You're the one acting silly."

"Being silly? You're pissing me off. Fine then explain why after three years, you reappear in my life."

"May need your help."

"May need it?"

"Correct."

"But not certain if you need my help."

"Improving the certainty of needing your help."

"Why?"

"Don't know."

"Certain my help is needed, but don't know why."

"Correct."

"Bullshit."

Look of amusement appeared on his face.

"Not funny."

"What's funny?"

"You're wrecking my life on a whim."

"Life already wrecked plus not a whim."

"Already wrecked?"

"Yeah," standing up.

"Cause of you I'm wanted for murder and assault."

"Then you're stuck."

"Stuck?"

"Correct."

"I didn't ask you to reappear in my life and wreck it."

"You did ask me to leave."

"Don't change the subject."

"Don't change the subject? Let's see during a tantrum you wanted me to leave."

"You killed my aunt."

"Who tried to kill you."

"Doesn't explain your reappearance."

"Need your help."

"Why not Jess?"

"Because she isn't Wiccen."

"Poor excuse since I don't know any magic."

"True, but your aunt believed you did."

"That doesn't give you any reason to complicate my life."

"Complicate?"

"Yes, complicate."

"It was already complicated before I entered your life."

"Really. How?"

"Loan sharks, revolving psycho boyfriends that's just on top of my head."

"After you, cyber trackers and you not dying."

"Not dying?"

Yes, forgot about that spear being run through you."

"Oh that unexplained phenomenon."

"Unexplained?"

"Yes, unexplained."

"For someone with a past."

"What does that have to do with this argument?"

"Jess."

"Jess?"

"Yes, her. You bash me for bad boyfriends. What about her and you?"

"A moment," turning his back to her.

"Don't turn your back to me coward! Admit that you sleep with her."

"I sleep with her, but we ended it knowing it wouldn't work."

"So Mr. All Mighty does have emotion."

No response.

"Can't admit the real reason you brought me here."

Rath's head tilted to the right.

"Can't admit you still need me."

"For help."

"No," walking around him and staring him right into his face, "That you miss me in bed."

Questioning look appeared on Rath's face.

"Yes, you miss me in bed," poking his chest, "Bet it gets cold at night."

"Strange you say that."

"Oh yeah?"

"I had only Jess. How many men did you crawl into bed during those three years?" pushing his face closer into hers.

Anger was sketched onto her face as Rath kept a poker face.

"What do you mean?"

"I only shared a bed with Jess and that was two years ago," inching closer until their nose almost touched, "How many men did you whore with during those three years?"

Kate's right hand struck Rath's left cheek. Her anger soon disappeared as his cold blue eyes stared at her. His heavy breathing reminded her of a raging bull.

Grabbing under her chin, "I should killed you for that."

Tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Rath..."

"No, Kate. Don't try to apologize. Guess we're through. I didn't bring you here to reignite our relationship just need your help. When it's over you can return to those poor excuse for men," letting her chin go, "Now go before something happens that both of us might regret."

Turning his back to her, her right hand reached out, but she drew it back.

"I'm sorry, Rath," then run out.

Slightly his head turned to the sound of feet going upstairs.

Appearing from the shadows, "Little hard on her, but maybe she did earn it. "

No response.

"Still care for her. Better word, still love her."

"Can't change the past."

"True, you're really trying to burn bridges."

Rath's head dropped to his chest.

Listen, you kept trying to hide your feelings, but she does mean a lot to you," walking towards the stairs, "Now it looks like damage control awaits for me," following the steps up.

Listening to Jess's footsteps, Rath's mind started to process.