Kate

I woke up with my head on Tadashi's chest and his arm around me. I looked up at him and he moved his hand to stroke my hair, still sleeping. I smiled and thought about the night before. Everything felt simple for a change. I had been so stressed and confused before our date, thinking about my project and my kidnapping. But, I felt safe with Tadashi. Last night was just about us and I didn't think about anything but us. I wasn't confused or afraid. I was just happy. He made me forget about everything else.

"Hey." I looked at Tadashi and smiled.

"Hey," I whispered back. I didn't want to move but we couldn't stay in bed the whole day so I propped myself up beside him and then pushed myself out of bed. "Come on." I pushed him lightly. "Can't lay in bed all day." He groaned but sat up.

He reached for his hat but I grabbed it first and shook my head, smiling. "You're too groggy. Go take a shower and wake up." I put his cap on my head and turned away. He made a little noise and I looked back to see him stumbling to the bathroom. I walked downstairs to the café where Cass was running around trying to keep all her customers happy. Saturdays were always busy. I quickly threw on an apron and walked behind the counter to take orders. Cass smiled gratefully as I started making coffee.

I was taking a customers order when I felt a hand on my waist. I glanced up at Tadashi and smiled. He took my place at the counter and I started taking orders to tables. Things calmed down around 3:00 and we went back upstairs to relax. We spent the rest of the day watching TV on the couch and we went to bed early. Tadashi had seemed pretty out of it all day and I wondered if he was getting sick. He was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow but I had trouble sleeping.

My dreams were just chaotic flashes of memories and I jerked awake around midnight. Tadashi's arms instinctively tightened around me but I couldn't relax. I gently freed myself and climbed out of bed. Maybe some tea would calm me down. I walked downstairs to the kitchen and grabbed a mug from the cabinet. Hearing something from the café, I jumped and cautiously made my way towards the sound.

I flipped the light on and my anxiety was replaced with confusion. "Hiro? What are you doing?" The boy turned towards me, looking guilty.

"I was just," he looked around nervously, "making sure the door was locked…wouldn't want anybody getting in." He laughed.

My eyes narrowed as I looked down to see Megabot. "You're going bot fighting, aren't you?"

He looked at me, his eyes pleading. "Please don't tell Tadashi that I'm going bot fighting. It will just upset him!"

I crossed my arms and replied, "I won't tell Tadashi." He looked hopeful but I continued. "I won't tell Tadashi because you're not going bot fighting."

"What?"

"You're not going. It's dangerous."

"I'll be fine! It's not even a big deal."

"No, Hiro." I sighed. "You're a smart kid. Why not use that big brain of yours for something incredible?"

"Like what? Tadashi's nurse bot?"

"No. Something that's yours. Something that matters to you. I don't want you to be like Tadashi, none of us do. Use your brain for something you care about. Challenge yourself." Hiro slumped his shoulders and I sighed, wondering how many times Tadashi had told him that. "Come on. Let's have some tea."

"I don't want tea."

I turned back to him, pouting. "You're not gonna make me sit here alone are you?"

"Fine." He sat down and I made us some tea. He lightened up and we joked around some before he stopped and asked me "Why did you come down here, anyway?"

I looked down at my cup and whispered, "Nightmare."

"You're still having nightmares? Why didn't you wake up Tadashi?"

I smiled sadly, "I can't wake up Tadashi every time I have a nightmare, Hiro."

"But he wouldn't mind!"

"It doesn't matter. Sometimes, you have to deal with things on your own. I know I could ask Tadashi for help but…I know it makes him sad when I talk about what happened."

"Have you not told him everything you remember?"

"No," I whispered. "He doesn't need to know everything that happened. No one needs to know."

"We may not need to know but I think you need someone to know. So why not tell me?"

"I can't, Hiro." I started shaking and Hiro looked at me, concerned.

"What haven't you told Tadashi, Kate? What are you so afraid of telling him?" I shook my head and tried to ignore the tears rolling down my face. "Kate, please tell me. I promise I won't say anything to Tadashi." I couldn't. There was no way I could tell them everything that had happened. "Why can't you tell us?"

"Saying it out loud makes it real." My voice cracked.

"It's already real, Kate. Just tell me." I just covered my face with my hands. Hiro whispered carefully, "Did they…did they rape you?" My stomach lurched and I shook my head. "Did they try?" I nodded, refusing to look at him. Hiro climbed onto my lap and hugged me. "We won't let them hurt you anymore. Me and Tadashi, we can help you. You just have to ask." He paused. "You should tell Tadashi. He would want to know."

I looked at him. "Hiro, I can't. He—"

"He'll what? Get angry? Yeah, he'll get angry but not at you. He loves you. He went crazy when you disappeared. He thought you were dead, Kate." Hiro's eyes filled with tears. "He just wants you to be safe. Safe and happy. He already lost you once. Just tell him."

"I don't know…"

"I'll make you a deal then. You tell Tadashi and I'll quit bot fighting." I stared at him, trying to decide if he really meant it.

"Okay. I'll tell Tadashi."