Title: The Simple and the Complicated

Spoilers: Uh, the Series Finale of Guiding Light (sorta), the Series Finale of ER. The Episode "Rise Up" (5x07) of Grey's Anatomy, and the Episode "Heroes" (7x17+7x18) of Stargate SG-1. I think that's it. This is the sequel to Beginning Anew. So it's always helpful if you've read that too.

Disclaimers: I own none of these characters. Though some of 'em I made up. And though at some point I want to make money writing, not writing fanfiction.

******

"Why haven't you moved in with her yet Kimberly?"

Kim paused mid motion, water still dripping from the half dry plate. "It's only been seven months Grandma."

Kim's maternal grandmother, Nicole Fraiser, handed Kim another plate. "Keep drying. You're telling me that you haven't moved in with girlfriends sometimes within seven weeks Kimberly."

Kim put away the last plate and flipped the towel onto the counter. "Grandma, it's not as simple as that."

"You hate her kids."

"Grandma..."

Nicole hid her smile, "I'll take that as a no. So what are you scared of little one?"

Kim smiled at her grandmother's nickname for her. From the moment Kim had turned thirteen or so it had become highly ironic as Kim had kept growing, and Nicole, just like her two daughters, Kim' Mom and Janet, stayed short. "It's not... scared really."

Nicole guided Kim to the kitchen table and they both sat down. The elderly woman put her hands over Kim's. "Tell me."

Kim stared at the tablecloth, going over the pattern with her eyes. Finally she looked up, "It's too easy. Everything is going so well. We talk, we discuss, we've had misunderstandings, but cleared them up before they explode, and... she's even been open at work."

"So, you want to be a dirty little secret? I'm perplexed Kimberly, aren't all those things you said, aren't they all good things?"

Kim took her hands back and crossed her arms over her chest. "Because easy isn't good. Easy is what happens before the shit hits the fan."

Nicole smiled, "Should a professional head shrinker be speaking like that?"

Kim sighed, "So I have commitment issues, sue me. It's happened to me before. It'll happen again. An ex of hers, or mine, or... or... something."

Nicole stood and came to Kim's side. She gently pried Kim's arms away from her chest, "You love her." Kim nodded, "And do you truly believe she loves you?"

Kim sighed, "Of course. But sometimes love's not enough."

Nicole put a hand on Kim's shoulder, "Then trust that you two will get though whatever comes next together." Nicole paused, "And you should probably move in and do whatever it is that you people do instead of marrying. I donated to No on Prop 8. Did I tell you that? Back before it passed. It's criminal that such a thing passed in this day and age."

Kim stood and engulfed her grandmother in a hug, then stepped back, "You did tell me, and I love you so much Grandma. I should go though..."

"To get busy with her."

Kim's face and ears turned bright red, "Grandma..."

Nicole smiled, "Go, go..."

Kim leaned down and kissed Nicole's forehead, "Never change Grandma, love ya."

"Shoo, shoo, I love you too. Now go back to your love."

******

Cassie stared at the sink full of red stained dishes. An arm went around her waist. "We'll do them later, talk to your mother. How's your third year of residency going?"

Cassie and Janet both sat on Cassie's couch. "'bout the same as my second year did."

"Are you sleeping?"

Cassie laid her head back and stared up at the ceiling. "I'm fine. Really. Kerry wouldn't let me get away with being unprepared, mentally or physically. I sleep."

"Hey... hey..." Janet rubbed circles on her adopted daughter's back, "I know what residency is like Cassie."

Cassie put her head on Janet's shoulder. "Sorry. You're back seven months and and I'm already pushing you away. Like high school all over again huh."

Janet wrapped both her arms around Cassie, "That will only happen if I let it Cassandra. I didn't let it happen last time, I won't this time either. So, what's really wrong Cass?"

"It's... I can't shake the feeling that I got my slot as an ER resident at County because Doctor Weaver knew you way back when."

"Do you really think Kerry would do that Cassie?"

"No."

Janet continued, "And County's not a bad program, but you could have..."

"Janet... Mom. I like the Midwest." She sat up, "We should do the dishes, I have an early shift tomorrow. Are you coming in to say hello to Kerry?"

Janet watched as Cassie stood, "If that's okay with you."

"Of course, it'll take her focus from the rest of the department for a second."

Janet chuckled, "So, spinal taps, chest tubes, have you done them yet, or have you happened to find any parasitic aliens attached to anyone's brain stems?"

******

Kim let herself into Kerry's apartment and after shutting the door, paused. She looked around and thought on the difference between the relationship she now had with Kerry and the one they'd had years before. They were different situations too of course, Kerry had kids for one thing.

Her reverie was broken by a tap on the leg. "Henry, my man, what are you doing up so late?"

Henry shook his head, "Mama's frowning over numbers and forgot about bed." He glanced behind him, towards Kerry's study and wrinkled his nose. "And Jules is all stinky."

Kim bit her lip to keep from smiling, "'kay. Here's what we'll do. You can go start getting ready, teeth, face, Pjs, and I will unstink the little sister and get your Mom so she can say night to you both. Does that sound good?"

Henry nodded, "Can you say goodnight too?"

Kim ruffled Henry's hair, "Sure short stuff."

He went towards the bathroom as Kim moved to the room Henry and Juliana shared. She winced when she smelled Juliana's diaper, but soon had it changed and put the one year old back to bed.

She went to the study and leaned against the door jamb, hands crossed over her chest. Henry had been right. Kerry was frowning at something. The blonde finally spoke, "Personal or work?"

"Work." Kerry's head rose and she turned in the chair, "What time is it? You were..." She sighed when her gaze fell on a clock, "It's past Henry's bedtime. Damn..."

Kim caught Kerry before she got out of the room, "Hey, s'okay. He's getting ready. You don't usually bring work home with you. Budget kickin' your butt?"

Kerry blew a breath out, "Trying to find a way to not have to get rid of an attending and two nurses."

Kim uncrossed her arms, "You'll think of something. Can you do a residency thing with Surgery, or something with Pedes or the like? Maybe see if there are nurses who want to take ER shifts. Couple fewer benefit packages for... the man... and more hours for the nurses? Or no more paper clips, ever...?"

Kerry shook her head, "I'll think of something, but I'd rather just use your ideas." Kim smiled but didn't speak, "What are you doing here Kim, I thought you were going home after dinner with your grandmother?"

Kim shrugged, "Just wanted to see you. Didn't know I'd be walkin' into Lord of the Flies."

Kerry sighed, "You want to do this every hour of every day, just say the word, they're all yours, I'll be taking a vacation somewhere sunny with lots of liquor." Kim started to speak, but Kerry continued before the blonde could get any words out, "Anyway, I don't hear any water, guess we'd better say goodnight to the King of the Flies."

"I didn't... I meant..."

Kerry put two fingers over Kim's lips, "C'mon, he's a brilliant kid, but can't seem to go to sleep without a kiss goodnight."