A/N: Thanks for all the reviews, they really helped motivate me. And I just want to apologize for the wait. I hope it was worth it. Please enjoy!

Chapter 11

Doc followed Kate up to their room. Curiosity, curiosity. It always killed the cat.

Kate held his hand forcefully as she pulled him up the staircase. She was walking quickly but restrained herself from running up the steps. She couldn't wait to tell Doc. She had to tell him. Her future meals depended on it. The best man she ever had depended on the telling. She couldn't lose him now.

Up and up the stairs they went. Doc followed easily. He noticed how fast Kate was moving and kept up. He had to keep up or he would trip up the stairs. He could have made her stop or jerk his hand away. But the thought never once crossed his mind. He simply wanted to know.

"Dear, dear," Deeyuh, deeyuh, he said soothingly as they stepped into the room. He pulled her close, holding her on the waist to steady her. "What's the matter, darling?"

"Oh, Doc! I've missed you so much," Kate threw herself on top of him, wrapping her arms around his neck and planting rough kisses on his face. She pulled away holding his face, "I have to tell you something. It's very important that you listen, my sweet."

"What's this about?" Doc pushed her away and led her to the chairs, sitting her down in one and him sitting in the opposite.

"Charlotte," She said simply.

XXXX

Allie was busy in the kitchen of her comfy home stirring up some good ol' fashion country cookin'. The stuffed chicken was one her mother taught her once upon a time ago and the green beans were that of her older sister. She hummed happily to herself as she watched the meal come together slowly but surely.

The guests would be arriving in less than fifteen minutes and she had to make sure all was prepared. As she pulled her famous London white bread from the brick oven and placed it a top a counter, two large arms wrapped around her waist and she let out a screech before turning around and slapping Virgil playfully on the chest.

"Don't do that," the blonde scolded with a smirk.

Virgil smiled as he hugged her close, "Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you."

"Oh, I know you didn't. I'm just terribly strained with all this cooking," She said exhaustedly, "But I sure do love it."

"Did you make the rock candy?" Virgil pulled away and asked a little too eagerly. Realizing how he must have sounded he coughed and spoke in a deeper tone, "I mean, I'm sure the others can't wait to eat some."

"Oh darling," Allie said with a laugh, "You can have a piece now. I know you love it."

Allie made her way to a corner where she pulled out a wooden bowl filled to the top with sparkling crystals. Virgil eyes grew wide and rushed over to meet her half way. "You're the best wife a man could ask for."

Allie blushed a bit at this, "Only one for now. We have to make sure the others get some as well."

"Oh all right," Virgil said as he crunched the candy between his teeth.

"Knock, knock!" A good-natured voice yelled from the front door followed by some giggling.

"Guests have arrived," Allie said with a raise of her eyebrows as she rushed to the front door.

As the door swung open five people trailed in, all neatly dressed. Each greeted one another jubilantly.

The seven adults moseyed into the living rooms, each taking a place either on a couch or lone chairs.

As Allie looked upon the five new faces she noticed somebody was missing.

"Where's Doc?"

At this inquiry, Charlie glanced to her entangled hands and started to fidget nervously.

XXXX

Doc stared blankly at Kate as she stood before him, pleading, begging.

Was what she claimed true?

How could it?

"Doc, you must believe me! Have I ever betrayed you?" Kate earnestly tried to persuade her lover. Her cries fell on deaf ears.

Doc stood up angrily and threw his chair across the room. When it failed to break he walked over to it and started banging it on the floor until, at last, the wooden back splintered off.

Oh he believed Kate all right. You could bet your bottom dollar that he believed. It all made perfect sense but he didn't understand. Charlie wasn't capable of such things. Doc's mind was reeling and he wasn't sure what even constituted as making sense anymore.

One thing was certain.

He would confront her. He had to or it would eat him up. Doc wasn't one to live with regrets. He knew if he didn't confront her, he would regret it. Not knowing the truth would kill him or rather get others killed. Yet, he wasn't sure why he was angry in the first place.

He hasn't even known this woman for more than two days. Why was this distressing him so?

He supposed it was because he trusted her to an extent. It felt like she betrayed him. She never mentioned anything to him about any of it and that hurt. It hurt him more than he could say.

While Doc was in the middle of his thoughts he heard whimpering. He opened his cold blue eyes realizing just then that he had them shut and they were hurting too, just like his heart. He flashed his gaze upon the woman who was now huddled in the corner.

What was he thinking? All he knew was that he had a dinner party to attend.

XXXX

After half an hour of questioning Charlie about the where-about of Doc and the event that occurred earlier that day involving the duo, the group decided to eat without him.

They sat in an awkward silence each debating whether or not to proceed without their unpredictable friend. While each was in deep thought and staring blankly at the dinner table which was lavishly prepared with all the home cooked meal by Allie and the food and drinks brought by the guests, they heard a soft knock at the front door.

Allie instantly perked up and murmured her 'pardon me' as she rushed from the dining room. The three brothers talked among themselves while Louisa and Mattie made small talk. Charlie's eyes grew wide in anticipation, however. Doc would stroll in and it would be way too uncomfortable. She pushed her ill at ease thoughts from her mind and told herself to be optimistic and that everything would be peachy.

"Everyone," Allie's voice rang as she entered the kitchen with a very sober looking Doc, "He's here."

"I have arrived. Please accept my apology for my lateness. I had other things to attend to," Doc said very sincerely as he went to the empty chair to the left of Charlie.

As he sat, Charlie wore a look of being very unnerved. She then put on a graceful smile as she stuttered, "G-glad you could m-make it, Doc."

"Are you?" He asked pleasantly.

Charlie looked away so she was staring at Lou right in front of her who gave her a small yet encouraging smile.

"So Charlie…" Doc said inquisitively.

XXXXX

Next chapter will be up as soon as possible. I have me some summer assignment for my AP classes. Oh woe is me. Hope you all liked. I would really love your input about this chapter and guesses to how you think all this will turn out. Also, let me know what you would like to see. I like to incorporate reader's ideas sometimes if I can fit it into the plot. Again, thanks for reading!