Her muscles ached as she pulled the handle backwards and she looked at her therapist. The woman was wonderful when it came to treating injuries, but she still felt odd being stuck in therapy in the first place. She pulled the handle back again and let it retract with the satisfaction of being finished.

Dr. Malloy smiled and said "We're done for the day. Just make sure you go home and rest."

She stepped over to the waiting room and said "Mom, we can go now."

Cheri stood with her jacket extended to her and they left the physical therapy clinic. They walked down the hospital halls and she slowly slipped her jacket back on. When they left the hospital, they walked to the parking lot and hunted down their jeep. Then they hopped in and Cheri drove them home. The trip was quiet and when they pulled into the garage, Kat slowly made her way into the house.

She hung her jacket on the hall tree and then she slowly walked down to the basement, or her wreck room. When she found the couch, her body collapsed and she turned on the TV. DJ ran down the steps and quickly ran over to greet her. He licked her hand until she shoed him away and he laid down next to her on the floor. She looked back at the screen and started to drift to sleep when the doorbell rang.

The sound of her mom running to the door made her sigh and she pulled her throw over her. Then she heard quiet talk and she turned up the volume to tune everything out. When DJ got up, she watched him run back upstairs and then she closed her eyes. All she wanted to do is sleep off the stressful exercises, but then her computer buzzed. She groaned in defeat and forced herself up to see who had the nerve to buzz her.

She sat at the pc and when she looked at the e-mail address, she rolled her eyes. Of course it was Sun checking in to see how her appointment went, but she honestly could care less. However, she replied to his message and allowed herself to dive into another long conversation. When she heard the door at the top of the stairs open, she rolled her eyes and continued chatting. Sun sent her some music clips and she downloaded them just to please him.

Someone started walking down the steps and she naturally turned up her monitor volume. When Sun buzzed her again, she ran a hand through her hair and answered him.

"You don't have to chat with him if he is annoying you."

Her eyes narrowed at the voice and she asked "What do you want?"

"I came to see how you're doing now that you're home."

She sent a good-bye to Sun and said "I'm doing fine."

"Uh huh, and I'm rich."

Frustrated and annoyed, she shut off her pc and asked "Did you come here do mock me or is there another reason?"

"I already told you why I came."

She risked a look at him and said "We both know that if that's the case, then you're lying to her about your whereabouts and therefore I suggest you leave."

She got to her feet and walked over to the couch. She turned on the TV and began looking for something to lessen the pounding in her head. He didn't retreat upstairs and at the same time he didn't advance closer to her.

"I did lie to her, but you're also right on there being another reason on why I'm here."

She rolled her eyes and said "Whatever the reason is, I suggest you take it with you on your way up those steps and out of my home."

"I need to talk to you."

A groan escaped before she could help it and she slowly looked over her shoulder at him. He was standing there with his hands in his pockets, but his eyes were locked on the floor. She couldn't help but feel some pity for him, but then her mind instantly retaliated for that little emotion. Then he looked up and their eyes met. When she allowed herself a moment to collect her thoughts, she found him sitting next to her and she panicked. She was instantly on her feet and backing away from him.

Once she could stay somewhat stable, she asked "What do you have to talk to me about? Haven't you said every thing you needed to over the years?"

Her venom was highly noticed and he said "I never told you why I did those things to you."

She sent him a cold look and asked "And you want to start now? Don't you think the damage is already done?"

He rubbed his neck and said "I know it won't help make up for the crap I put you through, but I have to tell you before I lose you for good."

Stunned, she let her eyes warm a little and asked "What is it?"

Then he took a deep breath and slowly began explaining everything from the day of the letter to the day she saw him in the hospital. She couldn't believe what she was hearing and she felt her energy slowly give out. When he finished speaking, she grasped the each of the table near her and prayed for some strength. His eyes couldn't meet hers and she was glad somewhat. Although she hated what he put her through, she knew she didn't hate him, but in fact she still needed only him.

The doorbell rang and she looked at the door with a feeling of gratitude settling in. Then she saw him get to his feet and she looked back at him with caution. She wasn't about to let his words catch her off-guard again.

He sighed and said "I only wish I had the chance to tell you this before time separated us."

She let out a nervous laugh and asked "Do you expect me to believe any of this after everything you did to me?"

He shook his head and said "No I don't."

His honesty made her let up a little and she asked "Then why are you telling me this now?"

His blue eyes met hers and he said "Because I can't go on living without trying to fix what I did. I only know one thing. I miss you."

She felt everything stop at those words and she leaned against the wall as she let all of it sink in. He slowly approached her and she watched him through cloudy vision. His hand brushed her cheek and she knew if he kept it up, she was going to crumble into pieces. The door opened at the top of the steps and he moved away. Stef walked into her room but stopped when she saw him.

He nodded to Stef and then said to her "Just think about it."

Then he slipped pass Stef and quietly walked upstairs and away from her again. When the door closed, she felt everything break and she slid down the wall fighting the storm. Stef knelt next to her and she felt the girl hold her as the tears began to fall.

She closed her eyes and heard 'I'm so sorry. I should've come sooner."

PGS