TITLE: The Sting of the Past (part 2 of 5 + epilogue)
AUTHOR: trista groulx aka dustyiger
RATING: T PG-13 same as the show
DISCLAIMER: these characters are not mine, i have lovingly borrowed them, and will make no money from this fic, they belong to their creator, NBC and the actors and actresses who portray them i also do not own the trademark of Starbucks, please don't sue all you'll get is debt!
TIMELINE: after Bobby dies, and Jimmy sues for custody of Joey
SUMMARY: Jimmy gets a call from Kim while trying to patch things up with Brooke telling him she's in trouble. He soon realises his gambling problems have put the woman he loves at risk. Can he find her in time, or will Brooke shoot him first?
AUTHOR's NOTES: so staying true to the suspense aspect of this fic this is what happened before kim called jimmy sorry to keep you waiting to see what happens ;)

Earlier in the night Kim had decided she was sick of feeling sad. It had been nearly a week since she had done anything but groceries, and taking Joey to the bus. She wanted to go be among the living for a little while. Even if it was only going to have a coffee and a treat at the Starbucks down the road, at least then there would be other people around. She knew she was going to have to take small steps to move forward.

Joey was already tucked in for the night, and usually he didn't wake up. One of the teenagers in the building had put up ads in the building looking for babysitting jobs. It made her feel at ease that the young girl's mother was just a phone call away, just in case. It wasn't like she would be far from home. It was a good way to see if she could trust her. She found the number on the number and dialed.

"Hello?" a young female voice said.

"Hi, Miranda?" she asked.

"Yeah."

"This is Kim, I live downstairs. I got your number off the flyers you put up. I was hoping you'd be able to watch Joey for an hour or two. I just want to go out and have a coffee or something. I'll have my phone with me, and I can be home in ten minutes if Joey wakes up upset that I'm gone."

"Seriously? Cool! Yeah I can come down in like ten minutes."

"All right, I'll see you then."

"Thank you, see you soon."

Kim smiled she was glad that she was so excited about it. She had met Miranda before when she was with her brother at the park. She was a little younger then she usually liked as a sitter, but she knew that her mother was just upstairs, and she just needed someone to be there for a little while she got out of the house. It would work out perfectly for them both. Besides Joey really liked Miranda she had started a game with all of the kids who were there that day at the park; she had never seen him have so much fun.

She changed into a nice pair of jeans, and a tank top. She didn't want to go out looking as bad as she felt. She decided not to bother with make up she just wasn't in the mood to wear it. She heard a knock at the door, and went to answer it. She grabbed her phone as she walked past, it had about half the battery left. She smiled at the young girl and let her in.

"Hi," Miranda said, nervously.

"Hi, like I said I shouldn't be too long. I just need to get out for a little bit. Joey's asleep."

"Okay, cool."

"There's popcorn you can make, you can have whatever you'd like really. I'm not expecting anyone, so don't open the door. I've got my keys. My cell phone number is on the fridge, I should answer it."

"Okay that's fine. What do I do if you don't answer?"

"Joey's father's numbers are on there as well if for some reason you can't get in touch with me. Sometimes he wakes up with bad dreams and wants to talk to him. So if you have to do that to calm him down until I get here, Jimmy won't mind."

"All right that works. I brought my homework with me it's kind of nice to be somewhere quiet. My brother has a cold right now, and sounds like he's gonna hack up a lung. So I might actually get some studying done. So take your time."

"Thank you again. I really appreciate this, and I'm glad you got a quiet place to study. I'll see you soon."

Kim felt much more at ease that the young babysitter wasn't asking about the phone, and where everything was. She didn't want Joey getting up, and if she was studying she wouldn't have to worry. Joey had been a little clingy since the incident in the bathtub. He didn't like to have her out of his sight. It was nice that he cared, but she felt guilty for making him have to deal with something so grown up.

She walked to the Starbucks glad to be out of the house, and able to clear her head. Since what had happened she had decided she wouldn't drink until she was feeling better. So caffeine had become her friend. She might pick up some coffee beans while she was out. She went into the small store, and was surprised by how crowded it was. She ordered herself a latte she didn't often treat herself, and decided to skip the cookie.

She made herself comfortable at a table, after grabbing a paper. She was surprised, but happy she was able t find a seat in the crowded store. She wasn't even half way through her drink she heard someone clear his throat. She looked up.

"Sorry, do you mind if I sit here, there's nowhere else to sit," he said.

"Go ahead," Kim said with a shrug. She didn't really need the table.

"Thanks. You're the forth person I asked. I was worried there was no one nice in this city."

Kim laughed. "You're not from around here?"

"No, I moved here from Arkansas about six months ago. I was a theatre major there, and decided to come here to see if I could get on Broadway. Moving here was a real culture shock for me."

"I bet. I'm surprised that you don't work here,' she laughed. "All of the staff here seem to be doing something with acting, and art honestly. Not that there's anything wrong with that."

"It's not for everyone. Do mind if I ask what you do?"

"I'm a paramedic with FDNY."

"I know a few women that I've done some local theatre who would be very jealous of you getting to work with those firefighters."

She laughed. "They're not all that great. I married one needless to say it ended badly."

He glanced at her left ring finger. "Clearly," he chuckled. "I guess you don't always get brains when you get looks."

"Not really," she laughed. "This is really nice it's been a while since I've gotten out of the house."

"Then I'm glad that you didn't have to just sit here alone then."

"Me too," she sipped her drink.

"Feel free to tell me no, but there is this little theatre house a couple blocks away. They put on plays every night. It starts in about half an hour if you wanna go with me."

Kim knew that she had just met him, but she wanted to do something, and now there was an opportunity. It wasn't like he was asking for anything he just wanted to go see a play. She could leave any time she wanted to, if she felt uncomfortable. Seeing a play would be better than reading a newspaper alone in a coffee shop.

"I'd like that."

Kim laughed hardly believing she had gotten picked up in a coffee shop. She didn't really care. It felt nice to get some attention. They both picked up their drinks and headed outside. There was a cab sitting on the curb, she didn't think anything of it.

"Ladies first," he said, opening the door for her.

Kim got in and heard him say I'm sorry before slamming the door behind her. Kim was shocked when she saw someone get in on the other side. Just when she thought she had found a nice guy, something went wrong. She wanted to know what was going on.

"Keep going," the older man told the driver.

"Yes Sir," said the driver.

"I'm sorry about all that. I don't want to hurt you," said the older man, leaning over and putting a blind fold over Kim's eyes. "A friend of yours owes me some money, and sometimes I'll take entertainment over real cash when I get bored."

Kim's heart sank. She knew that the friend was Jimmy. He had promised her that he had gotten his debts in order, and that Joey wouldn't be in any danger by spending time with him. Now this happened. She was terrified, but glad in a way that she didn't feel the car turn at all before it stopped.

"I'm not gonna hurt you," the voice repeated. "I'm going to help you inside, but you have to promise me you won't make a scene. If anyone says anything you tell them that we're playing a game and I won't touch you."

Kim nodded, and heard the door slam shut, a moment later she heard the door on her side open, and felt an arm go around her back to help her out of the taxi. She couldn't do anything but follow.

"There's a step," the voice directed her.

Kim nodded, and stepped up. She stopped for a moment as she heard a door click open. She knew she was in an apartment complex. The arm lead quickly through what she assumed was a lobby, and into an elevator. She couldn't tell how many floors up they were when she heard the ding and he briskly brought her out the door.

She heard him open up a door then lead her inside. He closed it behind her, and took off the blindfold. She was in a dark apartment. She couldn't see anything, and assumed that the windows were covered. There was nowhere in New York that was dark unless the power was out.

"I'm sorry. If he had just given me what he owed me I wouldn't have to do this."

He gently pushed her into the closest, and Kim knew better then to fight. She heard some rustling around, and then she heard the door shut again. She tried to get out of the closet, but there was something blocking it. She picked up her cell phone, cursing herself for not charging it that day. She called the only person she hoped would help her, who was also the person who likely got her into this situation.

end part 2