Kayla stared out the window as car sped through traffic toward the airport. She could hear Stephanie gurgling happily in her car seat. Kayla cast her eyes sideways at Steve. He appeared to be concentrating on the traffic, and she wondered if he felt as far away from her as she felt from him.

After she had returned home earlier that day, she and Steve had taken Stephanie to the park. They had smiled together as their daughter explored the sandbox, had taken turns pushing her on the swings, had talked about the beautiful weather, and had generally give the appearance of a perfect little family.

Yet Kayla knew things were far from perfect. She and Steve had always been able to talk about anything and everything. But now they were each afraid of saying something that would bring back the issues that had surfaced after Jeannie's birthday party.

Kayla sighed softly, wishing that she did not have to leave town. If it were not for her hearing the following day, she would have dropped Stephanie off at her parents and locked Steve and her in their apartment until they worked through his anger, her guilt, and everything else that stood between them.

Steve's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Are you nervous about the hearing tomorrow, Sweetness?"

"A little," Kayla replied. "I guess I'll just be glad when it's over."

Steve nodded, but said nothing more. Kayla turned back toward the window. Was it just a couple of days ago that the state licensing board hearing seemed like the only worry she had left? Now she was not sure it made the top five. It was not that she no longer worried about losing her license; she was worried. It was just that her concern about her license paled in comparison to what was going on - the attempts on Andrew's life and, of course, the gulf that had opened up in her marriage.

"Hey baby, I have an idea," Steve said, glancing at Kayla.

"What's that?" Kayla forced a small smile on her face.

"How about when we get to the airport, I grab a ticket for me and Little Sweetness, and we come with you to the capitol?"

Kayla looked at Steve in surprise. "You can't do that, Steve. You have your interview tomorrow."

"It's just a temporary warehouse job," Steve replied. "I'll talk to them when we get back and if it's not available I'll find something else."

Kayla knew what Steve as trying to do. He was still trying to put their fight behind them without dealing with the issues. Kayla knew that would not work. "I appreciate the thought. But you and Stephanie aren't packed for a trip."

"So what?" Steve clearly refused to give up. "It's only a couple of nights, and we have Stephanie's diaper bag. Anything else we need we can pick up in the capitol."

For a moment Kayla was tempted to say yes despite everything. Having Steve there, even with everything they needed to deal with, would be a comfort. Maybe if it were just the three of them again, with no family distractions, they could work through their issues.

"What do you say, baby?"

Kayla sighed. As much as she was tempted, this trip was not the time or the place to deal with the problems she and Steve were having.

"I really do appreciate that you want to come with me," Kayla said softly. "But I don't think it's a good idea right now."

Kayla watched as the smile left Steve's face. "It's not that I don't want you and Stephanie there with me," she said quickly, not wanting to give him the wrong idea. "But I'm going to be in meetings most of the day tomorrow anyway and -" She paused and looked at him. "I just think it's better this way."

"All right, Sweetness," Steve replied. "It was just an idea." He paused. "Not a very good one, I guess."

Kayla did not know what to say. She knew Steve was hurt by her rejection but she did not know how to explain it without a conversation that they had no time to have. They were already almost at the airport, and there was no way to go through all of their issues in the next few minutes.

They finished the drive in silence. When they reached the terminal, Steve pulled up to the curb and parked the car.

"Are you sure you don't want me to go park? Stephanie and I can wait at the gate with you."

"No," Kayla replied. She looked back at Stephanie, who was now sleeping soundly. "There's no reason to wake Stephanie up."

Steve nodded and got out of the car. Kayla got out as well and waited while Steve got her bag from the trunk. She quietly opened the back door, leaned in, and kissed Stephanie gently on the head. "Goodbye, baby girl," she said softly. "Mommy loves you." She kissed Stephanie again. "Be good for your Papa." Stephanie stirred slightly, but did not wake up. Kayla placed one more soft kiss on her head, withdrew from the car, and quietly closed the door.

She looked up at Steve, who handed over her bag. Their eyes met as their hands touched. Kayla felt the familiar surge of electricity that always came from his touch. She stared into his eye, wanting to tell him how much she wished things were different. She wanted to say how much she hated this distance between them.

Steve reached out and stroked her cheek. Kayla closed her eyes for a moment and reveled in his touch. She opened her eyes again to see Steve smiling gently.

"Good luck with the hearing, baby. Just remember that you did what you had to do. Hold your head up high."

"I will," Kayla said softly. Now that she was about to leave, she suddenly had so many things she wanted to say. Over the last year, she had learned that there were no guarantees in life and she did not want to leave him like this.

"Steve . . . I . . . I know that we have a lot of things we need to talk about and we're going to have to face up to them when I get back. But . . . I need to know that you know how much I love you. I don't want to leave without you knowing that."

"I know, baby," Steve said softly. "I love you, too. Don't ever forget that."

"I won't."

"Good," Steve said, leaning down to kiss her. The kiss was soft and tender, and they held it for a long moment, neither quite ready to say goodbye.

Finally, Kayla broke away. She leaned her forehead on Steve's chest and then pulled back. "I guess I better go," she said softly.

Steve nodded, but did not speak.

"I'll call you tonight after I get settled in at the hotel."

"Sounds good, Sweetness." Steve took a small step back. "Travel safe."

Kayla nodded and turned toward the terminal doors. Just before she reached the doors she turned back. Steve was still standing by the car watching her. She gave a small wave and then formed the familiar "I love you" sign with her hand. She saw Steve smile and return the sign.

Kayla held his eye for a moment, then took a deep breath and turned back towards the terminal. She reminded herself that she would only be gone for a couple of nights. Maybe the time apart would be good for them. Maybe it would give then both a chance to think about things and figure out how to work through the emotional upheaval caused by the nine months he was gone. Yes, Kayla thought to herself. Things would be better when she returned. They just had to be.