"Kris. Hang on for a minute-I need to talk to you" John said as she was stepping off of the stage.

"What’s up?" she smiled.

"I have something to do. Just stay right here. Ok?"

She nodded as he took the microphone and spoke to the crowd.

"May I have your attention please?" he said as the crowd became silent and gave him their full attention.

"Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are going to have to close the club early tonight. Each of you will be given a pass at the door for free cover charge on your next visit." The disappointment was obvious as people moaned loudly. "Thank you for understanding and please make your way to the door safely."

John stepped from the stage and took Kris by the hand, leading her back to the dressing room.

"Listen, something’s come up and as you heard, I had to shut the club down early. My brother would still like to meet you if you are willing to hang around for a little bit longer."

"Sure. Is everything okay?" she asked a little concerned.

"Yeah, it’s fine. Just some things that need to be taken care of."

"Well, you know if there is anything I can do, just let me know."

He hugged her tightly. "Thanks Kris but I think everything will be much better for all of us in a few hours."

"Okay, I guess I’ll go help Fi clean up and ask her to hang around for a little while longer," she said as she started for the door.

"Actually, Fi is already gone for the night. My brother said he would give you a ride and so I told her to go on home. I hope that is okay."

"Oh." she paused. " Well, yeah-I guess that is okay. He’s your brother so I’m sure I’ll be safe," she said even though she was feeling really uneasy about the situation.

"We’ll be taking care of some business upstairs so fix yourself a drink and hang out."

"Thanks John. You know, if it won’t bother you two, I think I’ll play the piano a little and work on a few songs while I’m waiting."

"That’s fine," he said smiling. "See ya later, Kris."

After gathering her things and packing them back in the bags she had brought from home, Kristina opened the door and went back to the stage. Everyone was gone and the lights were off except for the one above the bar and the pale blue lights on the stage. She unzipped her high-heeled boots and wiggled her toes against the cool air of the club.

She walked over to the piano and sat down on the bench allowing her thoughts to take her back to happier times. Caressing the piano keys tenderly, she began to play. Little did she know that Howie was standing at the bottom of the stairs, concealed by the darkness.

His heart skipped a beat knowing that he was just moments from gazing into those crystal blue eyes again. She was beautiful despite the changes in her appearance and he wanted so desperately to take her into his arms and make everything better. She startled him as she began to sing a song that he was more than familiar with.

After singing the first verse, the tears spilled down her cheeks, and Kristina resorted to humming the chorus. Howie knew that she was still hurting as much as he was and he wasn’t sure whether to go to her or not. So much time had passed and he was confused in so many ways. Part of him wanted to hold her and love her, the other part of him wanted to scream and ask why she had put them both through such hell.

It was then that she heard his voice begin the next verse, singing with his heart and soul.

She looked up to see him walking towards her. He had tears in his big brown eyes and he was struggling to get through the words. As he reached her, he took her hand and pulled her up from the piano bench. They stood eye to eye for a moment before she collapsed into uncontrollable sobs against his chest, and he held her lovingly, stroking her hair.

She kept mumbling, " -I am so sorry" over and over again as he tried to comfort her. Holding her like that was overwhelming and the tears in his eyes quickly spilled over and ran down his cheeks. The moment would prove to be fleeting as Kristina suddenly tensed and pulled away from him, a horrified look on her face. As relieved as she was to be in his arms, the defensive side she had learned to count on kicked in, and she panicked. She kept thinking that if he had found her then so could Stephen.

"How did you find me? Who else knows where I am?" she shouted in hysterics.

"Kevin found you, baby. It was an accident and no one else knows that you are here," he said trying to soothe her fears.

"I have to go. If you found me then he will too and I can’t go through that again" she said as she turned to leave.

Howie grabbed her by the arm and forced her to face him. Her breathing was erratic and she was shaking wildly.

"Listen to me" he said as he tried to reason with her. "Stephen is not going to find you. Everyone thinks you are dead and that is the way it is going to stay until we figure out another way."

She tried to break free from his grip, but he held her tighter. "Let me go!" she screamed as she began to pound her fists against his chest.

"No!" he shouted. "You ran from me once and look what happened. I’m not letting you out of my sight this time, Kristina. I will protect you - I promise you that!"

"You can’t protect me, no one can. Don’t you understand that?" she said as she finally managed to break free from the hold he had on her arm. "I had to alter my appearance, move across country, leave the only man that I have truly ever loved and make my family think that I was dead. They buried me for God’s sakes! Do you really think that you can change all of that? I live this nightmare every day, looking over my shoulder, wondering if he is going to be at each turn that I make. How do you think that makes me feel?"

"I know you are scared, but it’s all going to be different now, baby. I’m here and I’m not going to let anything come between us again. I promise."

"You can’t ‘D’. You just can’t," she cried as she crumpled to the floor, broken and tired.

Howie knelt beside her and once again pulled her into his arms, cradling her as he rocked her limp body back and forth like you would a child.

"Please baby. Give me the chance to help you. You took that from me once before and it almost ruined both our lives, don’t make that decision by yourself once again."

She looked up at him, tinges of mascara smeared underneath her eyes, her expression painful and troubled.

"But I am different now too. I have scars - ugly scars - and you deserve someone better."

He kissed her tenderly, her lips as soft and inviting as he remembered them to be. "I don’t want anyone else, Kristina. I only want you!"

Her body relaxed in his arms as she laced the fingers of her right hand through his. For the first time since laying eyes on her, he had hope that she would actually stay in his life and allow him to take care of her. He knew that he had enough money and resources to take care of her the way she needed to be taken care of, but proving it to her would be his greatest challenge.

"I’ve missed you more than you will ever know, Howie."

"I know, angel. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve dreamed of holding you again."

"What do we do now?" she asked innocently.

"We go home, baby. ‘Our’ home."

Chapter 15        Index