A new girl in town Chapter 94

X-Pac/Al

Arriving at the hotel X-Pac went to the desk and asked for Kayla's room. Once he had the number, he headed up smiling.

I can't wait to surprise her. He thought.

He reached the room and knocked.

Where could she be? X-Pac wondered.

He knocked again louder hoping she just hadn't heard.

"She's not there." He heard Al's voice.

"What?" X-Pac said, turning.

"She left yesterday. And Taker is pissed." Al said.

"Why would Taker be pissed?" X-Pac asked.

"Cause she ditched the security he set up." Al said.

"Security?" X-Pac questioned.

"Yeah you missed a lot." Al said. "Why don't you come in and Head and I will fill you in."

"Sounds like this could take a while. We may need something." X-Pac said.

"I have something." Al laughed.

X-Pac walked into the room, and they sat on the couch.

Al started by lighting up a joint then he told X-Pac all he'd missed. J.J. being injured and losing her memory, the kidnapping with Hunter finding Kayla and then the two of them ending up friends and finally the fact that it looked like the two of them had taken off together.

Kane must be out of his mind after what happened to J.J. He thought, feeling a now too familiar stab of guilt.

His thoughts began to wonder as he smoked.

And what the hell is going on between Kayla and Hunter? I was kinda hoping... Well... His thoughts ran back through the few times he'd been in Kayla's company.

She's way too good for Hunter. If they're involved, what's his angle? Hunter never does anything without a reason and a plan.

"You okay?" Al asked after a few minutes of silence had passed.

"I'm good. This is good shit," X-Pac said, leaning back into his seat and trying to relax.

I should call her. No, text first, he thought, pulling out his phone.

X-Pac to Kayla:

Hey hun, just making sure you're okay. I just got back. Was hoping to hang but Al just told me you took off with Hunter. Call when you can. And please be careful.

Kayla/Hunter

"What don't I understand tell me, so I do." Hunter said firmly not letting go of her arm.

"Have you ever done something so terrible that you can't talk about it or think about it... Something so horrible that you'd do anything to avoid it... do everything you can to avoid it?" she asked, tears filling her eyes.

"Just tell me. I don't think it's as bad as you think Kayla." Hunter said. "I've trusted you with my secrets trust me with yours."

Kayla took a deep steadying breath.

He's right; he's trusted me with everything. She thought, trying to use his words to summon courage she wasn't sure she had.

"I was on my last tour in Iraq, right near the end, you know?" she began.

"It was supposed to be a standard patrol, and I wasn't even supposed to be on it, but plans changed last-minute; the driver got sick, so I took their place.

"Nothing was supposed to go wrong; fuck, we triple-checked everything and it wasn't an area… never mind, things were just supposed to be okay.

"Anyway, I was driving and there were three other people with me. Visibility was good all things considered, and we were on our way back to base when…

When I hit a fucking IED. I don't remember much; mainly screaming… the smell… Feeling like I was burning alive and thinking I was going to die. I guess I was in and out…"

She stopped as the memories took hold of her; hearing the sound as they hit; feeling oxygen leaving the air… the smell as everything started burning…

"The next thing I knew, I was waking up in a hospital. They air lifted me and the other survivor; it was my LT, Chris. Everyone else… we were…" tears poured down her face as memories she'd tried her best to burry for years assaulted her on all sides.

"Chris was really fucked up. Life altering injuries fucked up. I was too fucked up myself to do anything for his family... And I guess I've been too fucked up since to visit and pay the necessary respects. Fuck, I was too fucked up to do it for any of them," she finished. "It's my fault. I should have seen what was coming. How the fuck did I miss it?" she said covering her face with her hands.

"How could you have seen it?" He asked. "Aren't IED's hidden?"

"Sometimes but not always. Something must have gotten missed," she said insistently. "And what if I miss something again? I can't... What if another fuckup while driving hurts someone else?"

"Kayla there are no IEDs here. You will not fuck up. You will be fine. That was not your fault no matter how much you think it was. It was a bad situation all around. I don't believe you could have stopped it from happening. You need to trust me that you can do this. Because you need to get behind the wheel again." Hunter said.

"Why? I've done fine not driving. When I want to, I take my bike. It's worked for me," she said.

"Because next time we go somewhere I'm not doing all the driving." He said. "And even though women drivers suck you should do well enough."

"Hey! I'm a good driver!" she protested, then realized what she'd said.

"Sure, you are like every other female driver." Hunter said. "More concerned with playing on the phone or checking her hair in the rearview than driving."

"I'll show you," she said, putting her seatbelt back on and starting the car. "I can drive back without doing any of those things; watch," she said, backing out of the parking spot.

"We'll see." He said.

She was halfway around the first block before she realized that a: she was actually driving without panicking and b: she didn't have a clue where she was going.

"Um, Hunter? I think I need directions," she said sheepishly.

"No problem." He said directing her back to the house one turn at a time. Then opening the garage when they got there.

"Dang girl you managed not to check your hair once." Hunter said as they got out of the car and gathered the groceries.

"Some asshole had me too focused on driving. Guess I forgot," she shot back smiling.

"Yeah, and someone actually drove." Hunter said.

"Thanks to you. But now I feel like throwing up. That was... a lot," she said.

Kane/Taker/Sammy

"I need to help her remember." Kane said to Taker and Sammy. "But what can I do she's afraid of me."

"You need to spend time with her." Taker said.

"How do I do that when she's afraid." Kane asked.

"Have you thought of taking her on a date. Somewhere public so she won't be so worried." Sammy asked.

"Like where?" Kane asked.

"Make reservations at a nice restaurant. Let her dress up and talk about the past with her. Don't leave out any arguments be sure to be honest." Sammy said.

"I don't know how to do that?" Kane said sheepishly.

"Do what?" Sammy asked.

"Ask her for a date. I've never asked anyone." Kane said.

"Bring her flowers. Then aske her to dinner." Sammy said. "I'm sure she will love it."

"I'll try." Kane said he was already getting nervous.

Hunter/Kyla

"First time is the hardest." Hunter said. "It'll be easier next time."

"You're going to push until there is a next time, huh?" she said rolling her eyes.

"It's what friends do. Push." Hunter said.

Kayla smiled at him.

Once back Hunter put the stuff away then began to prep for dinner.

"I can help if you want. I'm an extra pair of hands," Kayla offered.

"Keep your hands to yourself and have a beer." He said opening the fridge and grabbing two. "Or do you drink beer. Should I have stopped and gotten wine?"

Kayla laughed, giving him an incredulous look. "I'm good with beer. Wine is what little girls drink," she quipped.

"Beer it is." He said opening both bottles and handing her one. Then going back to cooking.

It didn't take long to make the meal.

"This is amazing. You weren't kidding about being able to cook," Kayla said after her first bite.

They were both hungry after the long day and soon the meal was finished. After clearing the table, they retired to the living room.

Sitting there they decided to watch a movie to relax. Before long Hunter realized that Kayla had fallen asleep on his shoulder. He left her there for awhile then decided she'd be better off in bed so he woke her.

"You know I have a spare bed no need to sleep on me." He said.

"Sorry. It's been a long day and you're comfortable," she said burying her face in his shirt.

"I wouldn't have woken you, but you were snoring so loud I couldn't hear the movie." He smiled.

"Shut up, no I wasn't!" Kayla said smacking him on the arm.

"OW. How dare you. After I cooked you a good meal you abuse me." He said. Laughing.

Kayla laughed. "You just made that up, so I'd move," she said.

"I'll make up the spare room." Hunter said getting up. "Won't take long."

"Is there somewhere I can smoke while you do that?" she asked.

"Back patio just bring your butts back into the house and toss them in the trash." Hunter said.

"No problem, thanks," she said, heading towards the back of the house.

Hunter went into the spare room and removed the cover sheet from the bed. Then went to the linen closet and grabbed some sheets and a couple of pillows. As he said it didn't take long to make up the bed.

Now that I know the truth about her scars, I feel awful for what I told her. Hunter thought, remembering some of the things he'd said to her.

He finished just as she came back inside from her smoke.

"There are extra pillows and blankets in the linen closet beside the bathroom if you need them." He told her.

Once out on the patio, Kayla looked around taking a few deep breaths of the cool night air.

I never thought I could be this comfortable anywhere other than at Tye's. She thought. She felt herself relax as she lit up and took her first drag. I never thought I'd feel this safe or at ease staying with Hunter but I am.

As she smoked, her mind went back over the day. I can't believe all of that happened in one day. She thought. It's almost too much to process.

She finished her smoke and made sure her butt came with her as she went back inside.

"Thanks. And thanks for, you know, everything else. This has been really nice; exactly what I needed," Kayla said.

"Now don't go getting all soft on me." He laughed. "It's late I'm gonna turn in."

"Sure. Me, too. Night," she said.

X-Pac to Kayla:

Hey hun, just making sure you're okay. I just got back. Was hoping to hang but Al just told me you took off with Hunter. Call when you can. And please be careful.

Kayla to X-Pac:

Oh my god, you're really back? Congrats! Sorry I'm not there. I had something come up that really couldn't wait for planned time off. Plus you know Vince: he wouldn't give it to me anyway. Pencil me in for when I get back. Can't wait to see you. Smiley emote

Looking at her phone she realized she also had a voice mail. Pressing the button she was not surprised to hear Vince.

"What the hell is wrong with you. You are weeks behind and you just take off with no notice! I should fire your ass! Get back here and do your damn job or you are out!

Kayla/Hunter

Kayla woke from a deep sleep to the smell of breakfast being cooked.

Mmm, smells like eggs and maybe bacon. She thought, stretching under the covers.

She got out of bed and headed downstairs to the kitchen. She stood in the doorway just taking in the room. Hunter stood at the stove scrambling eggs.

He looks good doing that. She thought as she watched him work.

"Morning. That smells amazing, Where's the coffee?"" she said, coming fully into the room and sitting at the table.

He hands her the pot and a plate of breakfast burritos.

Kayla smiled, poured herself a cup and got to eating. The first bite made her eyes widen in surprise and pleasure.

"So, I heard something interesting on the way to the bathroom last night," she said between bites.

"And what was that?" He asked confused.

"I thought it was an escaped bear at first, then I realized it was you snoring loud enough to wake the dead," she said, smiling sweetly.

"Oh yeah." He said reaching out and taking away her plate. "Guess you're not hungry after all."

"Hey! I was eating that!" she said trying to take her plate back.

"Not anymore." he laughed.

"Okay fine; you weren't that loud," she relented. "Can I have my food back?"

"I guess." he laughed again and handed her back the plate.

She laughed and went back to eating.

"Never get between a woman and her food, especially before the coffee."

"Do you have anything else you need to do today?" Kayla asked after she'd finished her first cup of coffee.

"No, I didn't have anything planned except to check on my father." Hunter said.

"Great, 'cause I was thinking that you should really pay a visit to Maria before we're back on the road," Kayla said giving him an encouraging smile.

"Maria? I haven't seen her since I was fourteen just before they fired her. Why would she want to see me?" Hunter said.

Kayla gave him an incredulous look.

Does he really not understand? She thought in utter amazement, then tried to see things from his point of view.

"They fired her, right? So, it wasn't her choice to go. That doesn't mean she stopped caring about you when she left. She sent you that letter about your father and she didn't have to do that, you know?" Kayla said.

"I suppose she didn't have to send the letter. That was kind of her. But she can't possibly still give a shit about me after all these years. I mean really." Hunter said. "I mean we were kinda close when I was a kid, I didn't have anyone else who gave cared much about me. But it's been more than a decade."

"I'm sure she still misses you. Most people don't have an of switch for those feelings," Kayla said.

"I wouldn't even know what to say to her or how to find her." Hunter said sounding unsure.

"Is there a return address on the letter?" Kayla asked.

"Or what about her son?" Kayla asked.

"I guess your suggestion threw me I didn't think about that." Hunter said with a smile.

Kayla smiled back. "A win's a win. I'll take it," she said with a laugh.

Hunter pulled out his phone to check his messages.

"Well Chyna's in a rampage as expected." Hunter laughed. "She's left fifteen messages demanding to know where I am. Oh and a voice mail from Vince that'll be nice."

"'Taker's left me a text." she said.

She scrolled through messages as she came back into the room.

"I really don't want to call him," Kayla said unhappily.

"You have to contact Taker at least." Hunter said.

Kayla sighed but called 'Taker's number anyway.

Taker picked up his phone immediately when he saw who was calling.

"Kayla it's about time you called. What the hell are you doing, taking off you are supposed to be under heavy security, and you sneak out. What is wrong with you. Are you trying to get yourself kidnapped again?" Taker yelled into the phone.

Wincing at the volume, Kayla held the phone away from her ear putting the call on speaker.

"I'm fine. NOT dead. Not kid napped, either," she said quickly before he could start ranting at her some more."

"Your lucky." She heard Kane yell as she realized Taker had put the call on speaker. "I can't believe you would do this."

"Everyone has been worried." She heard Sammy say but in a quieter tone then the guys.

"Kayla this was not a smart move taking off alone like this. Anything could happen and we wouldn't know. Where are you I'll send security to get you immediately." Taker said.

"Don't you dare. That won't help anything. The constant security is why I took some time away. I appreciate the trouble you went to in getting me the security detail, don't get me wrong, but I'm slowly going crazy. I can't do anything without a shadow; hell, I can't even take a shit without being timed," Kayla said, trying to get them to understand where she was coming from. "Besides, I'm not alone. Hunters with me," she added, waiting for an explosion.

"Oh yeah cause that makes you safe." Kane said. "He's an ass and has already proven he'll do whatever he wants to get what he wants no matter who he hurts."

"Kayla gritted her teeth and reminded herself that throwing her phone through one of Hunter's windows would damage both of their property.

"We're going to have to agree to disagree on this one," Kayla said. "Not about him being an ass; he is... but about me being safe with him. I've been fine. I get where you're coming from, but I have the right to make my own decisions," Kayla said.

J.J. said something Kayla couldn't make out and she heard Kane growl.

"Listen I want a call from you every day Kayla. I need to be sure you are ok. We'll discuss your safety when you get back. I don't think your stalker is through with you yet cause you are still getting things on your phone." Taker said sternly.

"Fine. We'll do this again tomorrow, hopefully without the third degree," she said, then abruptly disconnected the call and dropped her phone onto the table.

"Well, that was fun," she said sarcastically.

Picking up her phone again.

She quickly replied to the texts from J.J., Jon and Sammy.

Taker/Kane/J.J./Sammy

"At least we know she's ok." Sammy said.

"I'm not sure she is." Kane said.

"I don't think Hunter will hurt her." J.J. said.

"You don't know him like I do." Kane said.

"It doesn't matter. What matters is that her stalker has better access to her now that she's out with him and not under heavy security. We need her back her where we can keep an eye on her." Taker said.

"Well, it doesn't look like that is going to happen till she says so." Sammy said. "And maybe not even when she gets back. You heard her it was stifling her."