The large rocks were slippery as they maneuvered themselves over the dangerous, yet familiar, terrain. Kelly's arms were spread out to help keep her balance but she hadn't let go of Nick's hand and by the firm grip he had on her, it was apparent he wasn't letting go either.


They were both a little out of breath by the time they reached the big, flat rock that served as their favorite secret hiding place. It was shaded by an outcropping of the same rocks above it and rested right on the water. During high tide, the waves crashed into it and sometimes washed the water right over it. On more than one occasion, they'd had trouble getting back on the sand because the water level had risen and blocked the rocky path but it was their haven. A tiny spot of their own that no one else knew about.


Kelly let go of Nick's hand and sat down on the hard surface, smiling down at it's unforgiving composition. The first time they'd made love there had been uncomfortable to say the least but that hadn't stopped them although for future visits Nick had wised up and started bringing a thick blanket along. The very thought brought a smile to her face.


Her memories were interrupted by the feel of Nick's warm body pressing against her back and she let herself sink into him. His chin rested on her shoulder as they both gazed thoughtfully into the expanse of ocean before them. How they loved each other. How they loved this place.


All that could be heard was the gentle stirrings of the waves, that is until she felt his arms tighten slightly around her waist and heard his sigh close to her ear.


It was time to explain.


Kelly didn't need to even glance at him to know what his face looked like at that moment. She knew his eyes were squinting because of the sun's reflection off the water and that his forehead was creased with worrylines. His lips were more than likely pursed due to his concentration which, in her opinion, made him even more attractive but she didn't dare look at him. She didn't have the heart to.


"It was a mistake." She began, her voice quiet and calm. "It wasn't supposed to happen like this, not yet anyway." Her eyes alternated between looking at the horizon and down at Nick's hands which rested on her stomach.


"When I crossed over and they explained it to meI dunno, it got a little crazy. They were saying how I'd disrupted things and whatever, by crossing too soon." She shook her head and squinted into the sunlight, "Anyway, at that point it didn't matterI couldn't understand half of it anyway. All I wanted was to come hometo be here with you."


Nick's embrace squeezed her tighter, "And here you are."


"Yeah, here I am."


Her voice had suddenly turned flat and Nick couldn't help but catch the change.


"Kel ?"


"Mmm ?"


There was a long pause before he got the courage to speak again.


"You're not staying are you ?"


When she didn't answer, Nick's heart rose to his throat. He couldn't lose her again, especially knowing how awful it felt and how much he needed her. No God would be so cruel to make him go through this twice, would he ? His despair slowly turned into anger as he continued to think about itif it was a mistake, why did she have to go ? She had somehow come back, why couldn't she just stay with him and live out her life like she was supposed to ?


Kelly felt Nick's body growing more and more tense with every passing second and just as she was about to speak, he abruptly pulled away from her and stood up.


"This is bullshit." He stated somberly as he stared off into the distance.


Kelly couldn't help but look up at him then to see the steely look in his eyes and the crinkle between his brows and if he continued to gnaw at the inside of his bottom lip that way, he was surely going to chew it clear off.


"This is the way it is, baby we can't change it"


"Oh no ?" He bitterly cut her off. "You're here aren't you ? Not so much would have to changeyou said it yourself, it was a mistakelet them fix it."


"You don't understand."


"You know what, you're right. I don't understand." His voice rose in pitch with every word as he grew more and more upset. "I don't fucking understand anythingI don't understand how you could be dead one minute and sitting here the next. I don't understand why any of this would happen to uswe were happy, and so good for each other. I don't get that. I don't understand how you could be so fucking calm about this and I sure as hell don't understand how I'm gonna get through this when they take you away from me again".


His voice cracked on his final words and before Kelly knew it he was kneeling next to her, his voice considerably softer and with a pleading edge to it. "If it's a mistake, they can fix it can't they ? Make them fix it babygirl, please beg if you have to but please don't leave me again please".


Nick leaned into her, cuddling up against Kelly's soft body somewhat resembling an overgrown child resting his head tiredly on her lap. He was exhausted and honestly didn't think he could take any more emotional draining. But as soon as he felt Kelly's fingers plow through his hair his eyes closed and he began to relax.


"They are going to fix this baby, I promise just not the way you think"