"Can you let me explain, please?" Derek asked, he thought he would have had more time, that he could have figured out a way explain it where it wouldn't seem so bad.He ran his hands through his hair, "I fucked up, I know"

Annie folded her arms across her chest, "that's becoming clear" she was so confused she didn't know if she should be angry or hurt, "answer me one thing, and you better be honest" though she didn't know if she could believe anything that came out of his mouth.

"Ask" he told her, his throat felt dry he wanted to throw up, "ask me anything"

"When you told me you loved me, did you mean it?" a lone tear sliding down her cheek, she brought her hand up to wipe it away, hoping he didn't notice.

"Yes, I do love you" he tried to hold her hand, "that's what is making this so hard, Annie. I didn't know how to fix it" he sat down "It wasn't supposed to happen this way, I thought we would end up friends and that somehow I could make it right with your brother but I never expected to fall in love with you"

She stood up, "you used me?"

He pounded his fist on the table "damn it, it's coming out all wrong. I guess that it started off that way, but Annie I fell hard and fast for you. Your brother didn't matter anymore, until we started getting serious and you mentioned meeting your family. That's why I gave you the wrong last name, I knew your brother would know it was me" he got up and paced, "he would talk trash about me to you and you would hate me, hate that I killed your sister in law

She glared at him, "so you lie? You have no idea how angry I am with you" she stood to leave "I can't stand the sight of you right now"

Kim locked the door to their bedroom, thankful both kids still out cold. She turned the monitor so she would hear if Harper woke up and it was doubtful Anthony would wake up but he would find his way to her bedroom if he did.

She hadn't felt so insecure about her relationship and bond with Anthony since he was an infant, and with just a few words Adam brought it all back. It took all she had not to slap him when he made the comments about Annie having to tell Anthony why his mother was dead. She knew it was irrational, that they would tell Anthony when he was older she never wanted to erase Wendy from Anthony's life. Adam's words hurt her, the tone of his voice and the way he said it felt like a knife in her back.

She heard him get in his truck, and watched out the window as he backed out of the driveway, she went in the living room to see if he left a note, she found it on the coffee table.

Darlin'
I'm sorry, went for a drive to clear my head. I love you!

Love

Adam the Ass

She couldn't help but smile at how he signed the note, she went to Anthony's room and watched as he slept. She knew she was being silly, that she was the only mother that little boy would know, and he loved her with his whole being. She stroked his hair, he was in desperate need of a haircut, he had been cursed with hair like Adam's it had a mind of its own.

She kissed the top of his head and quietly closed the door behind her, she checked in on Harper before she went back to bed.

Adam ended up at his dad's, "Amy is Annie here?" He asked her, "I need to talk to her"

"I'm sorry Adam, she's here but she's pretty upset and went to bed" Amy explained, Annie had come home earlier and went straight to her room "she confronted Derek, she was really upset"

"I won't be long I just need to see her" Adam pleaded with her.

"I'm sorry Adam, try calling her in the morning"

Adam shrugged, "alright, fine. Tell her I need to talk to her" he kissed Amy's cheek, "I love you guys, I'm sorry about earlier. This whole thing has me turned upside down, I don't know which way is up anymore"

"Sure you do Adam, don't let this guy ruin what you have. I don't know what his plan was but it doesn't change what you have with Kim and Annie, don't overthink it"

He smiled at her, "thanks"

Kim pretended to be sleeping when Adam finally climbed into the bed, "I know you're awake Kim, you snore when you're sleeping" he told her kissing her neck.

"I do not snore" she grabbed his hand and brought it to her chest, "are you okay?" She kissed his fingers, "where'd you go?"

He changed positions his side protesting, laying on his back eased the pain, "I drove around a bit, and stopped at my dad's. Amy said Annie's a mess, that she confronted Derek" saying his name made him sick, he thought about what he had said earlier, "listen, when we talked earlier and I said Annie would have to tell Anthony about Wendy, I shouldn't of said that. You're his mother, I was an ass"

Kim propped herself up on her elbow, "I know"

"You know what, that I'm an ass?" He smiled.

"Yeah" she kissed him, "that you didn't mean it. What do you think Derek was doing sniffing around Annie, what's his plan?"

He sighed, "I don't know, but I will find out. He really hurt Annie, she didn't deserve this, I'm going to make sure he knows how I feel" his body tensing up.

She ran her hand down his chest, "you in pain still?" She asked as her fingers brushed against the surgical tape and gauze covering his wound.

"A little, I probably shouldn't have done so much today" he took her hand in his, "Anthony is so lucky to have you, not a day goes by where I don't think of how you saved us both. I can only imagine what would have happened if you hadn't come into our lives, it wouldn't have been pretty"

Amy was drinking her coffee when Annie emerged from her bedroom, "hey sweetie, are you doing alright?"

Annie sat down, "I'm so angry with him" she grabbed a muffin off the plate, "Amy, I love him though" her thoughts drifting to Adam, "Has Adam said anything to you?

Amy poured her a cup of coffee, "He stopped by to see you last night, I told him you had gone to bed, I won't lie to you he is angry, angrier than I have seen him in a long time" she pondered it, "matter of fact, the last time he was this angry was just after the accident, he was a mess. If it wasn't for Kim, I don't know what would have happened to him and Anthony"

She took the mug from her, "Thanks for sending him away, he's the last person I  wanted to see last night. I understand why he's mad, but he needs to stay out of this"

Bob was listening from the doorway, "Annie, I'm sorry but this involves your brother. That bastard knew you were Adam's sister and he was up to something, why else would he lie about his name?" He leaned against the counter "Adam has every right to be angry and he needs to know what's going on"

Annie stood from the table, "Dad, Derek isn't a bad person" she excused herself and headed back to her bedroom.

"Like hell he isn't" Bob muttered as Annie stormed out.

"Shhh!" He held his finger up to his lips, "don't wake mommy up""Adam whispered to Anthony and Harper as he helped them climb into the bed. Adam climbed in after them and turned the television on in hopes they would fall back to sleep.

Kim could feel little hands on her face, Harper lifted Kim's eyelid, "well good morning to you too Harper Grace" she pulled the little girl into her arms.

"I'm sorry, I thought they'd go back to sleep" Adam told her, "I'm going to see my sister in a little while, I need to find out what Derek was doing"

Kim smiled at Harper, "maybe he wasn't up to anything Adam, just recognized Annie's last name and figured she wouldn't give him a chance if she knew what he did" she watched as Adam climbed out of bed and headed into the bathroom.

He quickly came back out, "please don't make excuses for him, something is off with all of this and I'm going to find out what" he went back in the bathroom.

Kim could hear the shower start, "you're daddy is grumpy this morning" she watched as the two children drifted off back to sleep.

Derek woke up to the sound of his alarm blaring, he shot up and smacked it. He rested against the headboard, the pit returning to his stomach. He reached for his cellphone and quickly scanned it for messages from Annie, disappointed when he found nothing.

As he set it down, his eyes caught a glimpse of something sparkling in the sun's rays he bent down and picked up the bracelet, he held it in his hand letting it slide down over his fingers. He ran his fingers over the diamonds, he knew it had been a gift from her brother and sister-in-law and he knew she would want it back.

He sent her a text, and anxiously awaited the reply.

Annie was sitting at her desk when she heard the knock on the door "Come in"

Adam opened the door slowly, almost hiding behind the door, "we need to talk" he sat down on her bed, "you need to tell me what's going on, why did Derek lie to you? What the hell is going on?"

She dropped her pen and turned in the chair to face him, "this is why he lied, exactly what is happening now is what he was afraid of"

Adam seethed, "you realize he killed Anthony's mother, and could have easily killed me and Anthony"

"I know this" she was furious with Derek for lying to her, but she loved him and she wouldn't allow Adam to tear him down "he feels terrible about it, he isn't the same person as he was that night"

"I don't want you anywhere near him, he's trouble" Adam stood up, "I mean it Annie, he's a piece of shit and you need to stay away from him"

Annie slammed the textbook closed "you aren't my father, Adam you can't tell me who I can and can't see" she stood up and walked out of the room.

"Dad's going to say the same thing, and you know it!"

Kim held Anthony's hand as they walked down the corridor, she had to beg the nurses to allow Anthony up on the floor to visit Kevin, and when that failed she reminded them off all the money her family had donated to the hospital.

"Kevin got hurt like daddy?" He asked as he bounced the balloons up and down in his free hand, "did he get a needle?"

"I think so, but he's alright now, the doctors just need to watch him a little longer" she explained as the they turned the corner and found Kevin's room.

Anthony released his hold on Kim's hand and ran to the bed "we buyed these for you, I picked them!" he smiled handing him the balloons, "the Minnie one is from Harper"

Kevin smiled, "thanks a lot buddy, they're great" they exchanged fist bumps, "I didn't think they would let him up" he looked up at Kim.

"Mommy made them" he smiled.

Kim laughed "that's not entirely true Anthony, I just reminded them of how much my family used to give to this hospital, and that I would love to keep giving them money" she winked, "sometimes it pays to have a trust fund"

"I appreciate it, seeing you guys made my morning. Where's my girl at?"

"She's too little" Anthony told him playing with the remote to the television, "she's playing with Tyler"

"Adam?"

Kim sat down, "in the midst of a family crisis, you've missed a lot, Kev"

He knew she looked stressed, "fill me in"

"Are you sure?"

He laughed, "yes please! This place is boring, I need to talk about something other than my mother's church friends, she's killing me"

"Annie's boyfriend--"

He put his hand up, "Adam was telling me about him just before the car got shot up" he remembered.

She groaned "don't remind me please. Anyway, like any older brother would Adam had Mouse check the guy out. Turns out he lied about his last name to Annie" she paused, "to make this long story short, Annie is dating Derek Madison, or was dating I don't know but he's the one who caused the accident" hoping he picked up on it.

Kevin glanced at Anthony, and pointed "that one?"

"Yes, that one. Needless to say Adam isn't pleased"

"I bet he lost his shit, this Derek cat, he still alive?" Kevin questioned.

"As far as I know, Adam is at his dad's now trying to figure things out with Annie" she knew it wouldn't be easy the pair both stubborn and headstrong, "they're so similar that I think they are going to lock horns over this"

He patted her arm, "don't worry so much Burgess, it'll work out" he smiled it had been a long time since he called her that, "lying in this bed has got me thinking, I was lucky that I got to be your partner for so long. I love you, you know"

"I love you too, Kevin. I'm so glad you're gonna be okay. I don't know what we'd do without you" she smiled, "Adam told me you have your eye on someone, you should ask her out Kev, she'd be a fool to say no"

Kevin rolled his eyes, "Ruzek has a big ass mouth, do you know that?"

She arched her eyebrow, "are you just now figuring this out? Maybe you shouldn't take the detectives exam after all"

"Very funny, and yes I have thought about asking her out" the shooting had him thinking about a lot of things, "I ain't telling your husband anything else, ever"

A therapist came in, "it's time for PT, Kevin" he smiled at Kim.

"Tell Kevin bye Anthony" Kim said as she lifted him up.

"Bye Kevin, I love you" he kissed his cheek.

"I love you too Anthony, Kim try not to worry about Adam, he'll do the right thing. He always does"

"Thanks Kev"

"Ruzek, what are you doing here?" Jay asked, Adam hunched over his desk.

Adam turned his attention from the screen, "the son of a bitch that caused the accident that killed Wendy is dating my sister, I need to find out all I can about him" his anger consumed him, he had already found out that Derek came from money and had a promising college football career before he threw it all away for prescriptions drugs and alcohol which eventually resulted in the car accident, "bastard ended up at some cushy rehab facility instead of jail"

Jay glanced over Adam's shoulder, "that's him?" Jay pointed at the picture on the screen.

Adam nodded

"I saw him and Annie at Molly's a week or two back" the two unable to keep their hands off each other, "they looked pretty serious, are they still together?"

"I haven't a fucking clue, but if my sister is smart they won't be" he didn't think he could handle it if she stayed with him, "I hate to say this but it's either him, or me. Jay, I can't stand the sight of him, not after what he did"

"Is it worth losing Annie over it?"

"No, not really but I can't stand the sight of him. It will kill me to not have her in my life, but I can't be around the man who killed my son's mother, Anthony will never know Wendy because of that bastard"

"Can you meet me for lunch?" her mind still on the argument the Adam, "just us though, not Adam" she requested, knowing they would just end up in a screaming match.

Kim sighed, "of course, I can meet you in about twenty minutes. I have Anthony with me, is that okay?"

"Of course. I need to talk to you, I'm so confused" she wanted to cry, torn between two people she loved.

Kim could hear the trepidation in Annie's voice, "I hate what this is doing to you and Adam"

"Me too, Kim, I love Derek" she said softly, "I don't know what is going to happen, but I do know I love him"

Kim had Anthony settled with some crayons, she saw Annie enter "over here!" She waved.

"Aunt Annie" Anthony called out, "you wanna color?" He offered her a crayon "you can use purple, it's a girls color"

She sat down beside him, taking the crayon from him and doodling on the placemat, "how angry is he?" Her eyes focused on the placemat.

Kim closed the menu, "he's pretty angry, I think he's at the district now" he had texted her telling her he was working on something "you need to understand where he's coming from" she could see Annie roll her eyes.

"Derek isn't a bad person, he made a mistake"

"Annie, it's more than that. He lied to you, why?"

Annie dropped the crayon and leaned back against the booth, "I don't know okay? He told me he needed to make things right with Adam, I don't know what he means by that" she folded her hands on the table, "he thought if he became friends with me, he could get close to Adam"

Kim felt her jaw drop, "he used you? Why did he want to get close to Adam?"

"Damn it Kim, I don't know!" She tried to keep from yelling, she could feel tears form "I don't know anything"

Kim reached across the table, "I'm sorry honey. I really am"

"Are you? I'm sure you hate Derek too" she grabbed a napkin and wiped her eyes, "I love him, Kim"

"I don't hate him, I hate what he did, what he's still doing, but I don't hate him"

"Adam does"

"How much do you know about Adam's first wife?" She asked.

"Just what you told me shortly after I met you guys" Annie replied as she dipped a fry in a puddle of ketchup, "he wasn't happy with her, right?"

Kim handed Anthony the iPad, "they weren't happy at all, but because of" she pointed at Anthony, "they tried to make it work, but it never clicked. Adam was planning to leave her and go ahead with a divorce" she pushed her plate aside "and then the accident happened, and it wasn't long before we happened" still feeling ashamed that she had benefitted from such a tragedy.

"Yea, but you did nothing wrong. You said it yourself Adam wasn't happy"

"I get all that, but I still feel like shit sometimes" she took a sip of soda, "the thing is Adam still feels a tremendous amount of guilt over all of this. It eats him up sometimes and I think this whole thing with Derek has reignited some of those feelings"

"Derek has paid for what he did, doesn't he deserve a second chance?"

"I don't know if your brother will be willing to give him a second chance, especially after lying about who he is, you need to find out what he was up to"

Annie stood, Kim could tell she was aggravated, "I need to go" she quickly kissed Anthony's cheek and left the restaurant.

"That went well don't you think?" Kim asked Anthony.

"Huh?" Anthony asked glancing up from the iPad.

"My thoughts exactly buddy" she told him as she put some cash on the table, "lets go find daddy"