They both stood there Kate with silent tears in her eyes and Rick wondering what could have been said. It must have been bad if Kate had been upset by it unless they had said something personal about her. That in turn had gotten him mad, Meredith or her friends had no right to judge Kate seeing as they hardly knew her. He tensed up at the thought and held Kate tighter to him.

The microwave then signalled that their food had warmed up and Rick released Kate, they stood staring at each other unsure of what to say. But they let the silence comfort them in the ways that they couldn't voice. Rick moved into the living room to check on Alexis who had fell asleep and Kate moved to take the food from out of the microwave. As she walked in she saw Rick putting a blanket over Alexis, she handed him some of the take out and sat in one of the chairs as Rick took the end of the couch.

Kate began to eat her Chinese not really feeling hungry but knowing that she had to eat, she looked at Alexis and noticed for the first time that night that she seemed relaxed and didn't feel the weight of the world on her shoulders. There was a slight smile on her face which Kate knew wouldn't be there for long because as soon as she woke up it would be gone. Replaced with the pain of what she had heard.

Even though she had only been gone a day Rick had missed her daughter dearly. Sure he had gotten to do wild and imaginative things to Kate which he had enjoyed, but whenever his daughter left he felt like a piece of him was missing. Which is why it was going to kill him when she was going to be going to college and he hoped she would choose somewhere close. He was content with just sitting and watch his daughter sleep and when he looked at Kate he knew she was too.

They sat there in there thoughts for a few minutes before Rick turned his body so he could watch Kate fully. He knew she would tell him in her own time just as Alexis had done with her what was on her mind. But he was growing impatient, he knew that he shouldn't be but it was killing him slowly that he didn't know what had been said. They both finished their food and put the empty carton's on the table.

Kate looked at him. "I know you probably want to know what was said but can you at least take Alexis to bed?" She looked at Alexis again. "She's just tired and I don't want to wake her with all the talking."

Rick nodded and stood up. He picked Alexis up and remembered why he didn't do it so often anymore, she was getting to heavy for it. He slowly carried her up the stairs not wanting to drop her, he carefully opened the door and lay her on her bed. He stood and watched her for a few more seconds before leaning down and placing a kiss on her forehead.

"I love you pumpkin and don't ever forget that." He whispered.

She then curled the covers around her and he slowly walked out the room, silently shutting the door behind him. He leaned against it for a moment before making his way back downstairs to find Kate getting another glass of water. He watched her silently for a moment he would never tire of watching her. The way the lights hit her so she looked almost angelic, the way when there was a breeze it would move her hair slightly. He had definitely found his one and done with Kate, and as they said the third time's the charm. He knew he would do almost anything for her if she asked him.

"Are you going to stand there watching me all day?" She said smiling slightly.

"Can I?" He asked smiling at her.

"No." She said and headed for the couch, he followed soon after. She sat down at one end and made herself comfortable before he sat next to her. He watched her for what felt like hours not knowing if it was a good thing she was silent or not.

She sat there unsure of where to start, knowing now how Alexis had felt when trying to tell her. She looked at him and attempted to speak, but then she was lost again.

"Seriously you're killing me here I don't know whether or not it's a good thing or not that's you are being quiet."

She looked at him. "I'm not sure where to start."

"The beginning is always a good place."

"I don't know where that is."

He let her sit there for a few more minutes before she began again. "Alexis overheard a few things while she was visiting her mom."

"Like what?"

"Something along the lines of how I'm only being nice with Alexis to be with you." She cast her eyes downwards unable to meet Rick's eyes. He placed a hand on top of her that was rested on her knee.

"Kate look at me." He said softly. She looked up and into his eyes he could see she wanted to cry but was being strong. "You and I both now that's not true."

"But what if Alexis doesn't? What if she really does think that?" Even though they had spoke earlier and Alexis had told her she didn't believe them she was still worried.

"Hey you've heard her over the last couple of days." He said and held her hand in his. "She knows that's not true and you treat her like she's your own."

"I know I do, but what if deep down she actually believes them?"

"Alexis is a smart girl I'm sure if she felt that way then she would have said something."

He watched her and sensed that she had more to say but she didn't know how to tell him. Kate stared deep into his eyes not knowing how to say the next part. She wished she would know how he was going to react so she could prepare herself but she didn't and that made it worse.

She took a deep breath and prepared herself for the worst whatever that was. "They said you didn't deserve her." She watched him. "Meredith was telling them all how she had raised Alexis and that caused them to think you were a bad father."

He tensed a bit at that and watched her. "She shouldn't have said that with Alexis around." He said simply.

"I know but Alexis knows why she has turned out that way she has, it's because of you and Martha doing such a good job in raising her."

"You played a good part in it too. Even before we were dating and such you made sure Alexis was safe and you were there to talk too her."

"There's more." Kate said to him.

"Like what?" He asked cautiously.

"Meredith is having another child too."

"How did Alexis take the news?"

"Well it seems that Meredith is ready to be a mother now, she wants Alexis to move closer to her and her new husband."

At this Rick immediately stood up. "She can't do that!" He said a bit louder than he expected. "She can't decided when and if she's ready to be a mom!" He started to pace the room.

"Rick." Kate said trying to get his attention.

"She can't take my little girl away from me I won't let her."

Kate stood up and stopped him where he was mid pace. She put her hands on his shoulders and stared at him.

"She said no."

"What?"

"Alexis, she said no. Sure she wants that relationship with her mom where she can care about her but Alexis pretty much said she's missed her chance."

"Is there anything else I need to know?"

"I told her she didn't have to go and see her mom anymore if she didn't want too." She knew that he pretty much felt the same about it, but she needed to make sure that he agreed.

He looked at her and pulled her close to him again. "Thank you for being honest with me." He said softly into her hair.

"You would have found out sooner or later."

"True. So how long do you think I should wait until I ring up Meredith?"

"I think it can wait another day." Kate said closing her eyes content to stay there in his arms.