A/N - thanks to everyone who is reviewing and alerting the story, inspiration struck this week and I've managed to get two chapters out!

Chapter 13 –

Emily shut the door firmly but kept the noise to a minimum, aware of their surroundings as well as the fact that Kate and Blake were within earshot if their voices rose too high. The glare that left her eyes was fierce enough to crack glass and left Dave in no uncertain terms of how his wife was feeling as he lifted his head up and saw the anger in her eyes.

"What exactly was that out there?"

The deep monotone voice sent shivers down Dave's spine as he sat on the bed, his head immediately dropping as he felt the guilt rise up and the lump in his throat grew.

"Dave?"

The anger was still evident in Emily's voice but there was a slight gentleness combined as she edged across the room before she sat down on the bed.

"I'm sorry."

The words were tinged with sadness as he spoke, unable to look at Emily Dave continued to stare down at the worn carpet on the floor, the dampness around his eyes was growing and the emotion only intensified as he felt Emily's arm reach around his back.

"It's going to be ok Dave."

Emily's voice was a whisper as she brought herself closer to him, pulling Dave's head onto her shoulder as she felt the tears trickle down his cheeks and she knew that finally she had managed to break through his heavily built barrier.

Blake smiled as she watched Kate standing stirring the sauce, pausing for a moment as Kate tasted a small mouthful before she added a sprinkling of salt.

"Wow you're really good at this."

"Thanks Alex, mom taught me and well when we had to live abroad we kind of spent a lot of time together."

Blake nodded her head as she opened up the bag of pasta ready for Kate to cook.

"It must have been hard on you being moved around like that."

Kate shrugged her shoulders as she leant over and looked at the pan of water, satisfied that it was boiling enough she tipped the pasta in.

"Emily saved me, she gave me a home and loved me when everyone else was happy to see me dead, I would do anything for her."

Kate reached up and brushed her eyes, quickly bringing her concentration back to the food that was cooking as she felt Blake move closer and rest a hand on her shoulder.

"You are a strong, resilient and remarkable person Kate, don't you ever forget that."

Blake smiled as she whispered into Kate's ear before she kissed Kate on the cheek and gently wiped the tears away as they trickled down Kate's face.

"Thank you Alex, that means a lot."

"Not a problem, I'll start getting the table ready."

Blake patted Kate on the shoulder as she turned around and started to open cupboards, searching for bowls and cutlery for their meal.

Emily felt Dave take a deep and heavy sigh as he lifted his head from Emily's shoulder before he allowed himself a moment to compose himself as he turned to face his wife.

"I've been a jerk."

Emily raised her eyebrows and failed to stop the smirk from appearing on her face.

"Yes but you are my over protective, door bashing jerk!"

Emily's soft words and tender laughter quickly lightened the previous tense and emotional atmosphere that had filled not only the room but the whole of the apartment.

"I just feel so angry, frustrated and now I'm stuck here and I can't get out to do anything to protect my family!"

Emily sighed as Dave stood up and paced around the bedroom, reaching up she ran her fingers through her hair and waited patiently for Dave to stop for a second.

"We all know how you feel Dave but we don't need you like this, Kate and I need your love and support that is how you can protect us, protect us with those big strong arms around us."

The smile grew on Emily's face as she stood up and was relieved to see Dave edge closer to her and wrap his arms around her, instantly Emily allowed her body to relax and dropped her head into the nape of Dave's neck.

"Thank you."

"I'm sorry cara."

Emily closed her eyes and let everything else leave her mind for a moment, finding comfort in the warmth of Dave's body and touch she knew that it couldn't last forever but Emily was going to revel in it for as long as possible.

"I need to speak to Kate."

Dave whispered into Emily's ear as he held onto her but he felt her lift her head slightly as he finished.

"Yes you certainly do."

Dave nodded his head before he leant in and kissed Emily tenderly on the lips.

"It smells like she is cooking."

"Yes but it is also something that she does when she is stressed so we had both better go and check on her."

Emily frowned as she moved away from Dave who instinctively reached out and took a hold of her hand before the two of them smiled at each other and started to walk out of the bedroom.

Kate reached up and wiped the beads of sweat from her brow as she drained the pasta and returned it to the pan before she tipped the sauce over, glancing over she watched as Blake placed the cutlery around the table.

"Eh Alex, why are there only three places set?"

"You and your parents need to talk Kate, without me being the lemon of the party."

"But I've cooked plenty."

Blake smiled as she quickly moved back into the kitchen and placed a reassuring hand on Kate's back.

"I'll take mine into the bedroom."

Blake's voice was low as they both heard the bedroom door being opened and Kate nodded her head in appreciation of the older woman's consideration for the emotional strain they were all under. Without looking at who was coming out of the bedroom Kate concentrated on placing a generous amount of pasta into one of the bowls which she then passed over to Blake.

"Thanks I will certainly enjoy this."

Blake smiled warmly as she accepted the food and nodded her head before she walked towards the bedroom, nodding politely at Dave and Emily as they walked past her and towards their daughter. Kate watched carefully as Blake closed the bedroom door, only then did she turn her attentions to her parents as they stood beside her, quickly her eyes were drawn towards her mom as Kate searched for reassurance.

"I'm sorry Kate I should have been here with you and your mom."

Dave bowed his head as he spoke before he took a step closer and enveloped Kate into his warm embrace, tucking her head onto his shoulder.

"Its ok dad I know you were only trying to do your best for us."

"Well we are all together now, whatever the circumstances and it certainly smells like you've been hard at work Kate!"

Emily smiled as she too moved closer to her daughter and husband, placing her arms around the two of them.

"Yeah I made your favourite dad."

"Well what are we waiting for then?"

Dave grinned as Kate smiled and nodded her head and handed over the bowls of pasta, although they were in a strange building the fact that the three of them were together and enjoying an evening meal certainly helped to put the worries of Sam Davis to the background for the time being.