It was three weeks after the accident. Jensen had Piper home by this point, and she was doing her best to navigate with having half of her upper body immobilized by a cast. She already wanted to go back to school, which Jensen was nervous about but was being told it would be good for Piper to reintegrate and be with her peers. He was also being told it was a good thing that she wasn't terrified to go back there after getting hurt so badly on the grounds. She was a tough cookie, and she was determined to get better fast.
And she'd been so excited to hear Kate was coming back for good. He could still hear her shriek of glee when Kate had told her at the hospital.
Jensen didn't know what this meant for their relationship. He figured they might have to start over, and he was fine with that. He just didn't want to lose her again. She was currently staying with Tavs after getting home from collecting her things from wherever it was she'd been staying. Based on the jackets, he presumed it had been colder than here. She spent her free time with him and Piper, but they didn't broach the subject of their relationship, which Jensen wanted to change very soon. He needed to know.
It was getting dark out, and he saw a flashlight heading for the beach. He knew it was her, and he made sure Piper was asleep before taking the baby monitor and heading out to hopefully have a conversation about where they were headed.
...
Kate was sitting on the beach with her knees pulled up. It was lightly raining, and the waves were hitting the shore hard. She had her arms resting on her knees, one hand over the other, waiting for some sort of sign to tell her she was making the right choice by staying here because even though she was here and everyone was happy, she worried it wouldn't last, that everything would still disappear.
Tavs had grilled her, and she'd shared about what happened. Tavs then shared how miserable Jensen and Piper had been without her, which made her feel bad. Jensen himself hadn't talked to her about their time apart, and she wasn't sure if he would. She wondered if he, like her, was pretending it hadn't happened.
Movement to her left made her turn to see Jensen coming towards her. He sat down next to her, mimicking her position and staring out at the water.
"She sleeping?" she asked finally.
"Yea."
"Good."
He pressed a hand to his face now, closing his eyes. It had been a rough two weeks for him, and she knew he had a lot of self-blame inside over this still. She wished he wouldn't.
"I almost lost her," he said now, finally looking at her.
"But you didn't," she insisted. He studied her carefully, working his jaw slightly.
"I lost you," he stated.
"But I came back," she countered. He said nothing, just looked at her. She waited, hoping he knew that it was okay to do what he was thinking of doing. Hell, if he didn't make the first move, she would. She knew they should probably talk about it, but she was tired of talking. She just wanted to do.
She held his gaze, giving him the green light with her eyes. Then his mouth was on hers, and it felt like home. She grasped his face as she kissed him back, not wanting him to ever stop. He pulled her into his lap, her legs on either side of him and her arms looping around his neck. He gripped the back of her head with one hand and had the other arm wrapped around her to hold her against him. She got lost in his kiss, feeling his need for her and matching it with her own for him.
"Kate," he said raggedly after a moment, their lips almost touching. "Please stay. I need you."
Had he known she was wavering? This was her sign, she just knew it. She nodded vigorously, feeling some tears threatening to fall.
"I need you, too," she replied. She didn't wait and kissed him again harder and faster. She loved this man, and she was never leaving him again.
...
Jensen put a hand over her mouth when she burst into a fit of laughter after they almost tripped and fell down onto the floor in the hallway. He didn't want Piper to wake up and find them like this—half undressed and all handsy with one another.
"Sorry," Kate whispered once she'd calmed down and he pulled his hand back. He answered by kissing her again, and then they were back on their way to his room. He'd missed her so much, missed giving himself completely to someone—her.
"Kate," he said after he'd fallen onto his back with her on top of him. "I love you, Kate."
"I love you so much," she said back, her mouth on his once more. He smoothed a hand over her skin, letting himself disappear into this moment more and more.
He could see it all—their life together. He somehow knew that Suzy would approve, and that was good enough for him. He went to go the next step when Kate gave a yelp and jerked too far to the left. He lost his grip, and she fell to the floor in a heap.
"Kate?!" He managed to keep from speaking too loudly, but he turned quickly onto his elbow to flick the lamp on and look down at her. She was on her back with both hands over her mouth to stifle her laughter. "You alright?"
"Ow," she said through her fingers between giggles.
"What happened?"
He felt movement and looked to see Daisy standing at the end of the bed, wagging her tail happily as she also looked down at Kate. He scoffed.
"Her nose touched the back of my leg," Kate said, barely keeping it together. "Scared the shit out of me." Jensen started to laugh too, hers being contagious. Daisy had been rather clingy to Kate upon her return. They'd somehow missed her sneaking into the room after them and hopping onto the bed to join in on the fun. He scooted Daisy off, and she went to her bed in the corner. Then he reached for Kate's hand to pull her up, and she gave it. In one swift motion, he had her back on him and then rolled so he was resting on his arms on either side of her.
"I don't...do well...with an audience," Kate advised between kisses.
"She doesn't know what's going on," he countered against her lips. She scoffed back.
"Like hell she doesn't."
He reached to pull the comforter over them entirely. "Better?"
"Not really," she answered, her fingers curled around the top of his jeans. Soft knocking on the door made them both freeze.
"Daddy?" Piper's voice said. "I'm scared. I had a bad dream."
Jensen let out a long, rough sigh before pulling the comforter off and angling his head towards the door. "I'll be right there, luv."
"Can I sleep with you?"
"How can you say no to that?" Kate whispered, poking his chest.
"I kind of have to since you're in here," he retorted quietly. "Or were you going to hide in the closet all night?"
"Pfft, no," she replied. "I'm going out the window." She moved to get up, and he grabbed the spare t-shirt on the chair and threw it on whilst shifting his thoughts from what had almost happened to what he was going to be doing for the rest of the night.
"Stay here," he told Kate, and she paused by the window, her hands on it to push it up. He was trying not to admire her in her cut offs and bikini top.
"You sure?"
"Yea." He slipped out the bedroom door with Daisy on his heels, and he found Piper standing there with a stuffy in her good hand. For whatever reason, a few months ago, she had started trying to stop relying on her stuffies to help her sleep, but after the accident, she wanted them again, and he didn't stop her. She was still a child in his mind at six, so let her be a child. He didn't know how it got into her head that she shouldn't.
"Were you talking to someone?" Piper asked as he picked her up very carefully.
"Just Daisy."
"Oh."
"I know you want to sleep with me, but let's try your bed first, okay?"
"Okay."
He carried her to her room and set her down. He couldn't bear to watch her walk with a limp right now, which, thankfully, was the extent of her injuries to her leg. It just hurt too much. He knew the effort it took her to get up or down by herself, so he knew this bad dream must have been a doozy. He tucked her in and then lay on his side next to her, smoothing a hand over her hair lightly.
"Tell me about the bad dream," he said.
"The car that hit me," Piper started, "it came back to hit me again, and I couldn't move."
"That's quite scary, luv. How can I help?" Hell, it made his own chest constrict in fear picturing it. He was still angry at the bastard for not stopping.
"Tell me a happy story," she instructed, and he made a "hmm" sound before thinking of one. In the end, he made one up about Buddy and Daisy, and before long, Piper was asleep nice and soundly. He waited a few moments before extracting himself and closing her door softly behind him on the way out. He padded quietly back to his room, checking to see Daisy curled up with Buddy in the kitchen and retrieving Kate's discarded garments first. He closed his door behind him softly and found Kate sleeping on the right side of the bed. He chuckled lightly, shaking his head. So the moment was lost, but he knew there would be more of them. He crawled in next to her, moving to hold her, and she shifted and molded against him easily without waking up. He kissed the back of her neck gently before closing his eyes and letting himself feel very happy before falling asleep.
...
Kate woke up to rain falling harder. She blinked, noticing it was barely five in the morning according to the alarm clock. She twisted her head to see Jensen curled behind her, an arm looped over her stomach. She didn't remember falling asleep, but here they were.
She turned to face Jensen, and she rested a hand on his face lightly, tracing his skin with her fingers. His eyes opened a moment later and found hers easily in the pre-dawn light.
"Hi," she whispered.
"Hey," he whispered back. The backs of his fingers trailed down her stomach. She moved in to kiss him first, and his hand cupped her waist in response while the other pressed against the back of her head and tangled in her hair. To Kate, time almost stopped in this moment, a moment that was just for both of them. She was aware of every movement, breath, and touch as it went farther and deeper, bringing them as close as humanly possible. She wasn't used to a moment such as this feeling so raw and safe or having both give and take. She wasn't used to having control of things. She wasn't used to feeling so alive.
"What're you smiling about?" Jensen asked afterwards, one arm around her and his other hand smoothing her right side gently. Her face was tucked against the spot between his neck and shoulder. He'd felt her smile, obviously.
"Can't I just be happy?" she said.
"Of course. I was just curious as to why."
She kissed his collarbone before kissing his chest and propping herself up on her hands to look down at him. "You're the reason why, okay? Just you...this...Piper. It makes me happy."
"You make us happy too," he replied, cupping her face with a hand and smoothing his thumb across her cheek. She turned her face to kiss the palm of his hand before lowering herself to kiss his mouth again.
"I love you," she whispered against his lips.
"I love you back," he murmured. She cuddled against him until the rain stopped and it was almost seven in the morning.
"I think all of the moments led to this one right here," she said. "You and I finding each other...finding us."
"I will forever be grateful for all those moments," he replied, and she smiled. She could stay there with him forever.
"I should go," she said reluctantly a moment later. "Avoid a thousand questions."
"Move in with us," he insisted. "I think we've waited long enough, don't you?"
"Let me think on it."
"Alright." He sounded a little worried.
"I just want to make sure it doesn't mess things up," she said. "Not because I don't want to."
"I understand."
She kissed him again, knowing her answer was probably yes. She just wanted to make very sure first. It was hard to leave him, but she did, creeping out so as not to wake Piper. She made her way to Tavs's, knowing she was going to get an interrogation from her friend when she woke up, which would be soon if not already. It made Kate happy to have people who cared about her.
She opened the door and was hit with the smell of coffee. She rounded the corner and found Tavs reading the paper.
"Walk of shame," she commented without looking.
"Nothing to be ashamed of," Kate replied, and Tavs dropped her paper and looked at her finally.
"Oh? Do tell."
"Nothing to tell," Kate tried.
"Oh, puh-lease," Tavs said with a snort. "Girl, your face says it all." Kate blushed a bit more.
"Then you don't need me to say anything," she reasoned, heading for her room.
"Nuh uh," Tavs said, stopping her. "You gotta give me something!"
"Alright," Kate replied, turning back to face her. "He wants me to move in with him." There. She said it. She watched Tavs digest this information.
"Is that what you want?"
"I'm not even sure. I fear it's too soon, but I also want to do it."
"Why don't you spend a few days there at a time and see how it goes? You know, go slow with it."
"I like that idea."
"I'm happy for you, Kate," Tavs said, smiling. "I really am."
"I haven't been this happy in a long time," Kate confessed. "I honestly feel like I've never been truly happy before I met Jensen." Tavs came over to hug her tightly, and Kate suddenly felt like crying she was so happy, which was odd to her but no doubt something people experienced.
"Thanks for coming home," Tavs said, patting her back. "It's so good to have you back."
Kate felt a tear slide down her cheek at this. She did feel home here, more at home than she'd felt anywhere if she was honest. She pulled back from the hug and wiped at her face, giving Tavs a smile.
"Promise me something," she said.
"Anything," Tavs replied.
"Don't let me ever leave here again, and if I do, you haul my ass back."
"Done."
...
Jensen felt a bit jittery. He felt like he'd sprung moving in on Kate too soon, and he worried he'd freaked her out.
"May I have some milk?" Piper asked from the table. He gave it to her wordlessly, stuck in his own thoughts. He was trying to remember everything he had to do today on top of it all.
"Dad?" Piper asked now.
"Yea?"
"Was Aunt Kate here last night?"
He froze. How was he going to explain that? "She stopped by after you went to bed for a little bit."
"Oh. I thought I heard her voice in your room last night and again this morning."
"No," he lied. "She left last night." He felt bad for fibbing, but he didn't know how to tell her the truth. She was only six after all. He was trying to think of how to explain an adult sleepover in kid terms when Daisy and Buddy both gave a slight woof and charged to the door, which opened a second later to reveal a freshly showered and changed Kate coming in. Jensen felt his heart skip at the sight of her.
"Yes, hello," Kate said, petting and loving both dogs up before coming to join Piper at the table. "It's been forever, I know. Let me through, now, come on." She nudged her way through slowly before the dogs let her pass finally.
"Hi!" Piper said brightly, leaning into Kate's head kiss as she came in for one, resting her hand on Piper's head lightly to hold her still.
"Good morning," Kate replied. "Busy day today?"
"Yea. I'm going back to school today."
"Oh yea?"
"Yep! Everyone's gonna draw on my cast," Piper advised. Kate, Jensen, and Tavs had already put some stuff on there, but she'd wanted room for others and had shooed them away before too long. It hurt him to watch her wince as she moved around from her broken ribs. One had punctured a lung, which was why they'd done surgery etc. to fix it up. He was impressed she wasn't as traumatized as he thought she'd be. Hell, he still was. Maybe that was the secret to being a child—you bounced back faster, especially when you had people caring for you.
"Cool," Kate said, smoothing her hair fondly. "I bet you're gonna get some sick drawings."
"I don't want anyone sick," Piper said with a frown.
"No, no, I mean awesome," Kate corrected. "Sick is slang for awesome."
"Oh, I get it!"
Piper went back to eating, and Kate came around to stand by Jensen at the sink.
"Hey," he said with a smile. He wanted to kiss her, but he refrained for Piper's sake. "Back so soon?"
"I missed you," she replied simply, making him smile more and flush a bit in the neck.
"Ditto," he countered. She squeezed his arm fondly and went to pour a mug of coffee and sit across from Piper.
"Are you sure you wanna go to school?" Kate asked her. "You have a free pass to stay home."
"I want to try," Piper answered. "If it hurts too much, I'll come home."
"Okay."
"We better get you there then," Jensen said, snagging his keys from the counter.
"You working today?" Kate asked him.
"From home," he answered. He had a car that was dropped off two days ago that needed attending to. She nodded slowly in acknowledgement, and he wondered if she planned on hanging around.
"Are you coming too?" Piper asked after getting up gingerly.
"Sure," Kate answered. She helped Piper into the truck and sat in the middle seat afterwards. Jensen enjoyed her leg resting against his the whole way. She hung back as Jensen walked Piper to her class, carrying her backpack for her. Her teacher and classmates were ecstatic to see her, careful to hug her gently and ask her how she was feeling.
"I can't believe she wanted to come back so soon," the teacher said to him, shaking her head.
"Nothing keeps her down for long," he replied.
"Maybe we can all learn something from her."
"Yea," Jensen agreed. "Seems that way." He watched his daughter smile and laugh as she was surrounded by kids already drawing on her cast.
"If there are any issues, I'll call you," the teacher promised.
"Thanks."
He waved to Piper, who was grinning and waved back at him, and then walked out to his truck. He found Kate leaning against it, her arms crossed. It was sweltering hot already; he didn't blame her for standing outside.
"She good?" Kate asked. He nodded, resting his hands on her hips and pressing into her against the truck to steal a kiss. Man, he loved her soft mouth.
"Jaayyy," she drew out slowly, tilting her head back slightly. "What are you doing?"
"Don't pretend you didn't want me to," he countered, and she smiled coyly.
"Yes, but not in front of your daughter's school."
"Fair point." He looked over his shoulder but didn't see anyone staring. Kate pushed herself off the truck and put a hand over his heart, molding herself into him.
"Take me home," she said into his ear, her lips grazing his jaw underneath it. He held her gaze as they stood there so close to one another. He felt like this was the answer to his suggestion of moving in, but he didn't want to break the spell of what was happening here. She waited, and he reached behind her to open the truck door without a word.
She sat next to him the entire way, intentionally antagonizing him in a good way until he was parked in his driveway and pulling her onto his lap. After an epic make out fest, she signaled she wanted to go inside.
And he obliged.
...
An hour later, Kate watched Jensen work on the car in his garage. She felt giddy inside as she imagined their life together. It was so simple and yet so satisfying.
"What are you fixing?" she asked now, and he looked at her before gesturing her to come closer, which she did.
"There's a leak here," he advised, showing her. "Along with other things." She was interested as he fixed one problem at a time. She liked that he let her do some work as well. She wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty.
"You're a natural," he commented, making her smile.
"I used to watch my dad," she replied. He looked thoughtful, and she knew what was coming next.
"You don't talk about your family much," he said on cue.
"You're right," she agreed. "I don't."
"I'm a good listener," he said when she paused. She thought about it. Did she want to tell him? Then she realized that if they were going to have a healthy relationship, they needed to know everything about each other. Hell, she knew the worst part of his history; it was only fair she shared some more of hers.
"There isn't really much to say," Kate said slowly, handing him a socket wrench when she saw he needed it. He took it with a nod, still listening. He was waiting her out as he worked. She took in another breath. "My dad was my favorite. We spent time together watching football or working on cars. He was a lawyer, so when he was allowed to get filthy, he went all in." Jensen chuckled at this, which made her smile as she remembered. Then her throat went tight, and she felt like she might cry. She played with her fingers, her vision beginning to blur.
"Was?" he said, catching it. She nodded, closing her eyes tightly for a moment. "Kate?" Jensen's voice sounded concerned as he looked at her when she didn't speak again. "You okay?"
"Yea." She sniffed, wiping at her eyes after opening them.
"What happened?" he asked. He rested his hands on the car and held her gaze. He seemed to sense that touching her right now would shut her down.
"He died," she answered tearily. "Heart attack while driving. He never stood a chance."
"Aw, Kate," Jensen said, standing up straight now. She looked at him, feeling that raw grief hit her all over again.
"He didn't hurt anyone else," she whispered. "H-He cranked the wheel so that he'd crash into the wall because he could feel himself losing consciousness." She pressed her hands into her face, reliving that awful day all over again. She felt hands pull her into an embrace, and Jensen's comforting warmth was suddenly all around her. She lowered her hands and rested them against his chest, pressing her cheek against it as well. His right arm was around her back while his left hand was cradling the back of her head, holding her close.
She knew he had to wonder how she knew this, so she decided to finish the story.
"I was on the phone with him on speaker," she said. "I heard the whole thing."
.
I think it went really well. I'll tell you more about it when I get home.
That's great, Dad. I'm looking forward to it.
All that stress and worry for nothing. I...I...Kate, I, um...I don't feel good.
What do you mean? Dad?
I...I think I...
Dad!
I'm having...a heart attack...
Dad! Pull over!
Oh God. Okay...ah. Ahhh, that hurts.
Dad, please just pull over!
No one's...dying because of...me...I love you...Kate...
DAD!
Tires screeching, glass shattering, horn wailing, and then nothing. The connection was lost.
.
"I can't imagine," Jensen said, still holding her. She bit her lip, trying to stop the flow of tears that were now dampening his shirt.
"Witnesses s-said he deliberately crashed, which confirmed it." She remembered the one woman sobbing because he could have struck her and hurt her and her newborn baby. Her father's sacrifice was a big thing on the news.
"My siblings were terrible at being supportive and just did their own thing," Kate went on, clearing her throat now. "My mother was a cold person for the most part. I don't really remember her crying when he died."
"That's terrible."
"She thinks my ex-husband is the most amazing person on Earth," Kate finished, pulling back now. "They still have brunch together on Sundays I believe. They did before I left anyway."
She saw Jensen's jaw twitch as he digested this information. He rested a hand on her cheek now.
"Anyway," she said, "I'm better off without them."
"I agree."
"I'm sure by now you're realizing why I was so attracted to having a family," she said a little sheepishly. "Because other than my dad, I didn't really have one."
"I get it," he said softly. She gave a small smile and one last swipe at her face to dry it off fully.
"Thanks for listening."
"Anytime."
"So now you know about my messed up family," she said, smoothing her hands up and down his arms. "What about yours?"
"Not much to tell."
"No?"
"No. Only child. Parents back home in England. I came over here and met Suzy, tried to have a racing career, and then shit just hit the fan."
"You don't talk to your parents?"
"No. We weren't really all that close either."
Kate felt more bonded with him than ever now. She leaned in and kissed him softly.
"What was that for?" he asked when she pulled back a moment later.
"Just because."
He smiled, and she kissed him again. She could feel her past melting back into the shadows the longer it went on.
"I'd like to continue that," he said during a pause, their lips brushing, "but unfortunately, I have a deadline to meet."
"I guess I can let you get back to work," she replied, biting very lightly on his lower lip. He squeezed her waist and kissed her properly before reluctantly stopping.
"Lunch break is soon," he promised.
"I'll hold you to it."
He just grinned and bent back under the hood and got back to work. Kate tilted her head back to catch the sun's rays, feeling happy despite wandering through her pain for a moment.
It felt so good.
...
Jensen was feeling very warm and happy when he picked up Piper. She shared about her day with an excited tone, but he could see she was exhausted.
"Aren't they sick?" she asked, showing off her new drawings on her cast. Kate laughed softly.
"Yea, they are," she answered, high fiving her.
"I think maybe you should stay home tomorrow," Jensen commented as they went inside. Piper started to pout.
"But..." she tried.
"Sweetheart, I can tell this took a lot out of you. I really think you should go easy right now," he cut in. She sighed but then nodded slowly.
"I am tired," she agreed.
"Let's get you down for a nap. Then we'll have supper."
"Okay."
He helped her get into bed and then shut her door to let her rest. He found Kate starting to cut up some carrots in the kitchen.
"I can't believe she lasted the whole day," she commented.
"I know. I'm making her stay home tomorrow. And maybe the next day," he added.
"She should take it easy," Kate agreed. "But I also see why she would want to be around people. It's lonely by yourself in here."
"I know."
"Come on," she said, turning the radio up louder and smiling at him, "don't worry, be happy."
He laughed, and she did a slight dance to the song playing before tossing her head and shaking her hair. He reached to pull her away from her carrot chopping and started dancing a bit silly with her, which made her start to laugh next. He held her close in a slow dance soon after.
"You called this home," he said next to her ear a moment later. "Do you mean what I think you're saying?" She turned her head to look at him, noses brushing.
"Yes," she answered. "I do. If the offer still stands."
"Of course."
She smiled slowly, and he kissed her firmly as she wrapped her arms around his neck. With her in his arms and having fun like this, Jensen couldn't imagine a life without her.
Four Months Later
"Careful!" Jensen called as Piper neatly side stepped the edge of the counter as she hurried by. He felt himself on edge as he imagined her getting hurt again. She was almost finished with physio, having spent the last while going there every day, and she was rapidly getting better. He enjoyed seeing her walk without holding herself or wincing if she moved the wrong way.
Things were back to normal around here. They had their Saturdays together. They played baseball. Piper slipped Kate back into their bird names as though she'd never left. It was perfect.
"Tavs is picking me up," Kate said now, coming out while snapping her hair up into a bun. "I'll be back around three thirty."
"Alright." He smiled as she slowed and rested a hand against his neck/jaw before kissing him softly.
"I'm ready!" Piper called by the door. Kate smoothed her thumb over his cheek before moving away and joining Piper. He snagged his keys and went out a moment later, heading to his truck. He waved at the girls as they left, and he got into his truck and headed to the marina. He rested his arm out the window, tapping his fingers as he drove and thinking about his life now.
Kate had moved in, and Piper had been thrilled. She was on the verge of calling her "mum" the last while, going as far to call her Mumma Swan once, which didn't upset him or feel as jarring anymore. Jensen wanted Kate to be her stepmother. He was thinking about the ring in his work boot in his closet that he wanted to give to her. He just needed the right moment.
And he was planning on creating one very soon.
...
"I am so jealous," Tavs said as she set up her display carefully. Kate was assisting while handling customers in the interim.
"Of what?" Kate asked, crossing her arms and looking at her friend.
"Of you! You've got your handsome man, and I'm stuck with the duds around here who can't even commit to a date let alone a lifetime."
Kate winced. She'd felt so bad for Tavs's dating experience the last while, having heard what happened between her and Antonio and then a few others after that. "I'm sorry."
"Eh, it's not your fault," Tavs sighed, waving her hand. She stood up and brushed her hands on her apron. "I should have sunk my claws in faster, and it'd probably be J and I playing house by now."
Kate felt shocked and didn't know how to respond, but Tavs just laughed and gave her a nudge.
"I'm kidding," she promised. "He's good friend material for me, that's all. We did not click the way you two did."
"Hm," Kate replied nonverbally. She picked at a hangnail absently. She knew she was lucky to have found Jensen. Good men like him were hard to find. She would know.
"Everything okay?" Tavs asked, noticing the mood shift. "I really was just teasing..."
"I'm fine," Kate answered. "I guess I just keep waiting for him to realize he doesn't really want to be with me after all."
"Kate," Tavs said, shocked. "Why would you say that?"
"I dunno. I'm just not lucky," Kate replied, looking at her now. She hadn't told Tavs about Evan, not entirely.
"Well, I don't think you're with Jensen out of luck," Tavs advised. "I think you two were meant to be."
Kate didn't know what to think about that, but she did give a small smile in return. Tavs patted her arm and went to the back to finish decorating more little cakes. Kate leaned her elbows on the counter and rested her chin in a hand. She thought about the last few months and how things just seemed to flow seamlessly between them. If she was thinking about marriage, was he? Should they do it or keep things the way they were? She fidgeted, unsure of the answer to this question. What she knew for sure, though, was that she loved him.
She looked out the window onto the street, and then she froze.
...
Jensen felt a bit worried when he stopped his truck and parked. Kate had called and asked him to come get her, and she'd sounded a bit freaked out. He was about to get out to get her when she came running across the street.
"What's wrong?" he asked when she flung the passenger door open and got in hastily.
"Drive," she ordered. She wasn't buckled in yet, but he obeyed since her tone was urgent.
"Talk to me," he said, shooting her looks as he drove. "What's going on?"
"We need to get out of here," she answered.
"What? Why?"
"Just...go pick up Piper, and I'll explain more when we get home."
"Kate, you're scaring me." He looked at her again. He saw panic in her face, and she reached to grab his arm.
"JAY!" she screamed. He jerked his head back too late. They were already slammed into, and his truck was sent flying. He shielded his face with his arms as glass shattered and went everywhere as they rolled and slammed. He felt Kate's grip on his arm let go, and then he remembered she wasn't buckled in.
"KATE!" he bellowed, throwing out a hand to catch her. His hand met air. When his truck stopped rolling, he groaned in pain and immediately began looking for her. He saw her curled on the roof of the truck close to the passenger window, which was cracked and broken. He unclipped his belt and fell to the ceiling of his truck with an aggravated cry of pain.
"Kate!" he called again. "Kate!" He could see she wasn't moving. "Oh God, Kate! Hang on!" He hurt everywhere. He crawled over to her and felt her pulse, which gave him relief. He carefully pulled her along with him to his side to get out, kicking the door open and falling out once he got there. He was going to pull her out next. He put his hands on the ground to push himself up.
Only to have something hit him in the head with a hard crack.
He fell unconscious, his hand still reaching for Kate.