A/N: This chapter was co-written by ThePennyTealeaf.

...

"Hi honey, I'm home," Joe called as he let himself into Home Farm. Rebecca was sitting at the kitchen table. She didn't turn around when he entered.

"Hey," he greeted her, bending down to kiss her. She let him peck her on the cheek, but her face was unsmiling.

"What's up?" he asked, his brow furrowed. "Has something happened? Is it the kids?" He looked around, panicking.

"The kids are fine," she said quietly. "Seb's with his dads, and Rachel's at Victoria's."

"What, then?"

She finally looked at him. "There was a woman here last night. Looking for you."

"A woman?" Joe turned around, scoffing. "Who was she?"

"I don't know. She said she knew you. That you would know her."

Joe stepped towards her, but she drew back.

"Are you having an affair?"

"What?" He stared at her. "Don't be ridiculous. Is this your executive dysfunction talking?"

"Don't you dare." She stood up. "Don't you dare use that against me!"

"OK, OK." He put his hands up. "I'm sorry. But why on earth would you think I'm having an affair?"

"She as good as said you were. And she knew this house..."

"What do you mean, she knew this house?" Joe tilted his head, all frustration gone.

"She said she knew this place, especially the master bedroom," Rebecca whispered.

Joe paced the floor, tapping his fist against his mouth.

"I am so sorry," he said, ashamed, "I had no right to speak to you like that."

"Just tell me what's going on," she said, close to tears. If Joe was honest with her, maybe they could work things out, even if he had been unfaithful.

"What did she look like, this woman?" he asked, not looking at her.

"She was older," said Rebecca haltingly. "In her fifties, I'd say. Blonde. Smart. Attractive."

"Wait there." He squeezed her shoulders, then went upstairs, leaving her bewildered. She looked at his bags, abandoned in the corner.

Joe came back in holding one of the photo albums they kept in the loft. He flipped through until he came to the page he wanted and laid the album on the table. He pointed to a picture of two men and two women. Rebecca recognised Joe's father Chris and his Aunt Zoe, looking young. They were next to an older man who must be Joe's grandfather, and a young blonde woman.

"Is that her?"

Rebecca's eyes widened and Joe knew immediately.

"I am so sorry." He pulled her close.

"I don't understand?"

"Kim Tate. That's who she was," Joe explained, "she was a gold-digging bitch who destroyed my family."

"This woman?" Rebecca looked at the photograph. The blonde in the photo looked soft, angelic.

"She was married to my grandfather. Dad reckoned she only married him for his money. She stood by and watched while he died, and claimed his fortune. She tried to kill Dad too, by hitting him over the head. Then she left the country, but now she's back."

"What does she want?" Rebecca asked, looking at him.

"To ruin my life, evidently," Joe said dryly. "She came to see me. Looking for her son James. My uncle. When I wouldn't help her, she threatened me."

"She threatened you?" Rebecca's eyes widened in horror. "Joe?"

"She's not getting away with it," Joe vowed, "I will not stand for her doing what she did to my family all over again."

"What about your... Uncle?"

"I need to find him. Before she does."

"Why didn't you tell me about all this? When Kim first came to you?"

"I didn't want to worry you." He sighed. "I didn't think she'd come here..."

"You should have told me." She hesitated. "You don't think she'd go after Seb or Rachel..."

Joe pulled her into his arms. "I won't let anything happen."

She rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry I doubted you."

"Hey, all I care about is that you're safe." Joe hugged her gently. "I love you so much."

"Don't let me go, please."

"Don't cry, hey, no tears, baby." Joe kissed her head. "You're okay. I promise, nothing will ever happen to you."

"I should have known you wouldn't cheat," she sniffed, wiping tears away.

"No, I wouldn't," he said sincerely, looking into her eyes. "I love you, Rebecca. You and Seb and Rachel are everything to me..."

"I know." She nodded. "I love you too."

"I want you to promise me, if you see her or hear from her again, you tell me, okay?"

"I will." Rebecca promised.

"And I'll get Graham to check around the place, make sure security is intact."

"Where is Graham?"

"Covering a couple of meetings for me. He'll be back later. I just couldn't wait to get home..."

"I'm glad you're back." She hugged him, her eyes still on the woman in the photograph.