For Him, I Would

Chapter Twenty-One - Bid away your problems.

Oakley leaned against the back of the couch as she looked down at where Tate had finally fallen asleep. She had just finished putting a few blankets over him, and making sure his pillow wouldn't slip out. The fire Kayce had made hours ago was still warming the whole room, making for a very cozy night. Oakley's eyes looked up and over to the big window, seeing Kayce sitting down in the chair outside. It must be freezing out there but knowing Kayce he probably felt like it was the punishment he deserved. One deep sigh later and Oakely quietly made her way to where he sat.

Kayce looked over when he heard Oakley open the door and close it quietly. She tugged her blanket around her shoulders tighter against her as she made her way to sit down in the chair next to Kayce's.

"He's out like a light," Oakley sighed.

"Thanks for caring for him," Kayce spoke lowly. "Means a lot."

Oakley got comfortable in her chair before looking over at him. Kayce looked tired, the bruise under his eye not helping matters, but the lines in his face were prominent that he hadn't slept much lately.

"Do you feel like talking?" Oakley asked softly. "I don't want to force you right now if you don't."

"I always wanna talk to you," Kayce sighed. "I just don't always know what to say."

"What happened with your dad?" Oakley asked, feeling as though she just needed to bite the bullet and get to the point.

"Some guy was threatening him," Kayce shrugged. "He needed help taking care of him."

Oakley was stunned again and sat in silence for a few minutes. Kayce's eyes were darting around her face, waiting.

"You killed someone?" Oakley whispered. "Again?"

"We just wanted to talk to him first," Kayce looked like he was in pain. "But things turned south and he threw the first punch...it got too chaotic and ended up... yeah, Dad shot him."

She wasn't sure why, but the breath she was holding made it easier to let go once she hear Kayce wasn't the one who pulled the trigger. She didn't know what that meant though for her own mind, to feel better about any part of that.

"What was he trying to do?" Oakley asked.

Kayce shook his head.

"You didn't ask," Oakley nodded. "Kayce...you know you don't have to do that for your father, right?"

"This I did," Kayce was looking at the ground.

"Why?" Oakley was confused. "You just said you didn't know what he did to your dad."

"Because it wasn't my dad he was doing something to," Kayce's shoulders sank.

"Then why?" Oakley leaned forward in her chair to make Kayce look up at her.

"Dad said this guy was coming after you," Kayce's caramel eyes met hers.

"Me?" Oakley asked. "I don't have anyone coming after me. No one knows me."

"So you don't know a John Adams?" Kayce raised an eyebrow and Oakley felt like she had been punched in the gut.

"John Ad..." Oakley hiccuped. "You killed...Kayce, he works for the fucking state!"

"No he doesn't," Kayce sighed.

"Yes, he fucking does!" Oakley stood up. "How many state employees are you gonna kill?"

"Will you lower your voice?" Kayce stood up too. "And he wasn't a state employee."

"He was the guy I met in the bar," Oakley growled lowly. "The one who was investigating y'all. God, Kayce, what the fuck were you and John doing?"