Okayyy, it's finally here! I know, I know, it took me long enough, but still, it's here atleast. Now, there will be an announcment later today about this, so keep your eyes peeled. Without further ado, grab your popcorn, sit back, and relax, because, THE STORY IS ABOUT TO START! _____________________________________________________________ Chapter 10: Sadness... _____________________________________________________________ Kisha looked at Katherine with sadness in her eyes. "Kat I'm so sorry you had to go through that..." She said, hugging her gently, her multi-colored wings wrapping around them. "Are you going to tell Trace?" Kisha asked, leaning back slightly. Katherine nodded. "I just need time." She said softly. Kisha nodded. "He'll be sad to see you go." Kisha said in a soft voice. Katherine nodded. "I know, but it's for the best, everyone I love seems to get hurt, the only solution is to not love anyone." Katherine said with a frown. Kisha seemed like she was about to object, but she didn't, Katherine headed toward the door. "Thanks Kisha...For listening." She said over her shoulder, exiting the room. She walked up to Trace and tapped him on the shoulder, her expression soft, and slightly ashamed. "Trace...Can we go somewhere real quick?" She asked quietly. To her suprise he nearly imediately nodded. "Sure, lead the way." He said softly, giving her a gentle smile. She took his hand as she led him through the city, she was amazed by how readily he had agreed, and how he wasn't questioning her about anything. She led him to a cemetary, the iron gates were rusted and looked like they had been there for years. She shoved one of the gates aside, Trace helped her, she led him to a plot, it had the name, "Xander Callahagn" on it. She felt tears sting her eyes as she crouched down infront of the plot, placing her hand on the slab. "I miss you Xan..." She whispered, she supressed a gasp as Trace crouched down and wrapped his arms around her gently. "Trace reminds me of you alot..." She said softly, leaning into Trace's arms. She looked up at him, a soft look in her eyes. "Thank you." She whispered, a tear slipping from her eyes. "You're welcome Kat." He replied gently, holding her softly. She let out a soft sigh, then she explained who Xander was. "He was my boyfriend...Until Carl killed him..." She said quietly, looking at the headstone as more tears fell. Trace simply held her and listened. She told him the whole story, aboutnhow Carl had been nice at first, but slowly got crueler and more abusive toward her, Ivy, Max, and Xander, until Xander died and she left. Trace frowned, he was even more angry at Carl now. "I'm gonna help Max and Ivy." He promised, a determined look in his eyes. "I won't let them end up like Xander." He continued softly. Katherine gazed into his eyes. He was serious, he was going to help Max and Ivy now whether they wanted it or not. "Thank you Trace...For everything..." She said softly, crying as she hugged him tightly. "You're welcome...Again." He said with a soft and kind smile. She chuckled, realizing that she had thanked him already. She stood, looking up into his eyes, the way the sunlight hit them, making them sparkle...It made it harder to say this than she thought, especially when he promised to help Max and Ivy...Maybe being in love with him wasn't so bad, maybe if she didn't tell him how she felt, nothing would happen. "Trace..." She said softly, gazing down at her feet. "Yes Kat?" He asked softly. "I...I'm scared..." She said, unable to tell him that she didn't want to risk staying with him anymore. "Why are you scared?" Trace asked, his voice still soft and gentle. "Because I don't wanna lose you...And I don't wanna lose Ivy and Max..." She said softly, gazing up into his eyes. Trace shook his head firmly, hugging her again. "You won't lose me. Ever. And I won't let you lose Ivy and Max either." He said softly, his strong arms held her as she felt more tears fall, he really believed he could keep Ivy and Max safe. And she somehow knew he'd put his life on the line for her's. She stood, and Trace did the same, he put an arm around her shoulders softly and walked with her back to the clinic. "Trace. Ivy wants you." Sam said from Ivy's room. Trace entered the room, receiving a smile from Ivy, her and Max's two pups were snuggled into her side. "Thank you Trace. I'm glad Katherine met you." She said with a light chuckle. Trace gave her a smile. Then he exited the room, sensing that Ivy needed rest. Katherine smiled at him as he left the room. He sat in the waiting area until Katherine came back out. She smiled at him again. "Thank you, again. I know I keep saying it, but you keep giving me reasons to." She said, sitting down beside him. He smiled back, putting his arm around her shoulders softly. "You're welcome Kat." He said with a chuckle. She leaned into him, letting out a soft sigh. (+)
(+) "I seriously don't know where any of us would be without you, you're a hero." She said softly. "I do what I can." He said softly, letting her rest her head on his shoulder. "Ivy can head home with us today." He said, smiling. She nodded, feeling a swell of hope in her chest. Max walked out of Ivy's room, a strange look in his eyes. He walked up to Trace and Katherine. Katherine quickly sat up. "I'll let you help us." Max said softly, it was obvious this was hard for him to say, accepting help from a human after being treated so badly by one couldn't be easy. But here he was, being the strong one once again, as he had been forced to after Katherine ran away from Carl. Trace nodded softly. "May I ask what changed your mine?" He asked, his voice low and soothing. Max chuckled darkly. "You can, but I probably won't tell you...Just focus on keeping Ivy and our pups away from Carl, and we'll see." Max replied, walking back into Ivy's room. Katherine looked a little upset by Max's rudeness. Trace rested a hand on her shoulder. "It's alright Kat...This is hard for him..." He said softly. She sighed, nodding. She knew full well how hard it was to accept help from a human. "What if he never comes around? What if he leaves the moment he ans Ivy are better?" Katherine asked, her voice trembling lightly. She didn't want to lose her sister and brother-in-law again. "It'll be their decision, but I think Max only wants what's best for Ivy." Trace said softly, putting an arm around Katherine's shoulders softly, she once again leaned into him. For some reason she was still tired, like she couldn't stay awake. She soon drifted off into a dreamless sleep... __________________________TBC..._____________________________ Well, hope you guys are enjoying the story so far, anyways, like I said, keep an eye out for that announcment later, it's important. And HAVE A GREAT DAYYYY!!!!
