Hey! It's Sienna and Taylor, back with Chapter SEVEN! Wow, it's been over a month...

We're sorry for the late update, by the way! :( But Taylor fell sick, and it was a struggle when it came to writing (luckily, she's better! (: ) and my Internet got cut off for like, a WEEK. So I was Internet-less for 7 days...

Talk about torture. :P

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: We don't own Kickin' It, all rights go to Disney/XD.

KIM

"Wanna go out alone sometime?"

Those five words kept ringing non-stop in my head, never getting out. They swirled in my mind like a tornado, replaying them over and over again. Here I was, Kimberly Crawford, getting caught again by the same question of Dan's - whether I wanted to go on a date with him.

And this time, it didn't look like anything was going to help me put and eliminate the awkward blank suspended between us.

What was I supposed to tell Dan, anyway? I mean, he was insanely adorable, especially with his perfect hair-flip, and his eyes just melted my insides. They were like delicate chocolate orbs; hypnotizing you and making you lose all your senses.

Yeah, and who else has eyes like that?

Exactly. He's the reason I can't answer Dan's question.

"Um... Kim?"

I snapped out of my thoughts, breaking away from my tangled notions and questions. I awkwardly brushed a blonde tendril of hair out of my eyes, rewarding Dan with a shy smile and a delicate pink blush.

"So...yes or no?" While Dan had originally worn a seductive, cocky look, his expression seemed to have lost just a shred of confidence and earned just a brush of uncertainty.

"Well... I..." I faltered, all my confused feelings arousing a mental debate. "I... um... I suppose I still have to think about it."

I had a feeling Dan was getting tired of getting the same answer, but he simply flashed me a charming smile, and cocked to his head to his left, shrugging nonchalantly. "It's fine, Kim." He sounded genuinely okay with it, but I still felt really bad. "You'll come around." He winked.

His persona... It reminded me so much of...

Jack's.

Where was Jack anyway?

Didn't he step out for a breath of fresh air? Why wasn't he back yet?

Dan noticed my anxious expression, and seized my hand gently, wearing a concerned expression. I tingled at his touch, but quickly shut my eyes and ignored the feeling. It didn't matter anyway. The tingles faded away in a matter of no time. They weren't as thought-provoking and strong as...

"Kim? Are you alright?"

I nodded absently-mindedly, my eyes staring off into space. When I escaped my daydream, I found Dan still gazing at me in worry.

I smiled what I hoped was a convincingly-reassuring smile. "Honestly, Dan, I'm fine. I just... Jack isn't back yet, and I'm hoping he's alright."

I noted that Dan looked noticeably put out, because he released my fingers from his, and leaned back a few inches. "Oh, well, I'm sure he'll turn up Kim."

Only half my brain registered what Dan said, because I was asking the other guys, "Guys, have y'all seen Jack? He's not back yet."

Jerry's lips formed into an 'o' to make a kissing face, and began crooning tauntingly, "Aww is Kimmy Cwawford worried about her wittle boyfwend?"

Instinctively, I reached out and smacked him straight across the shoulder, a sharp sound resonating around the RV as my palm came into contact with his skin. Jerry flinched, his face contorted in pain. "Kim! Chill! I was just messing with you!"

I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms skeptically. "Right. You were totally messing around Jerry. Really explains why you do stupid stuff like this every freaking day."

"Whoa, someone needs some ice, cool down missy!" Jerry cautioned his gaze wary. "Chill, seriously... Has this gotta do with PMS or something?"

This time, my slap came even harder across Jerry's skin.

"Wow, you really care about Jack, huh?" Dan's eyes were downcast and lacked their usual life in them. Signs of jealousy flickered in his brown orbs.

I sighed. "He's my best friend Dan - how can I not care about him?" I shook my sad vigorously, clearing my mind and freeing up space. "Uh... Maybe I'm paranoid. Yeah. That's it. Jack... He's fine."

Dan nodded approvingly, and sent me a smile, inducing a pair of cute dimples on his cheeks. "Yup - I'm sure Jack's fine."

JACK

My vision blurred, sending a series of images flickering unsteadily before my eyes. My body was limp and weak, drenched in fatigue and lacking energy. Twitching uncomfortably, I noted in dissatisfaction that my hands were strapped tightly behind the chair I was seated on, while my feet were bound together tightly—so tightly, I had a feeling my blood wasn't circulating properly. My head spun with giddiness, and it took me a few moments to fully register my current location.

I was surrounded my darkness, with a mere shaft of light seeping meekly through a thick curtain, which was drawn across a patch on the wall. (Supposedly a window) With that lame source of light, I could roughly make out the sandy floor littered with cigarette butts and wooden bits, as well as a stack of various materials/machines/objects (?)

An abandoned warehouse was my most probable location. Panic struck me when the reality of my current ordeal punched me hard in the gut.

I was tied up and locked in a dark abandoned warehouse. And nobody would know where I was.

Panic finally flooded my mind, overriding my senses. My heart pounded crazily in my chest, about to pop out any minute as a list of endless outcomes raced through my mind.

Injury.

Torture.

Death.

Yes, death.

I gritted my teeth, my eyes set in anxiety and determination, and I clenched fists while shaking them vigorously, trying to loosen the tight strap. My attempts were futile, and my determination gave in to my half-dead energy level. My arms were already sore and aching all over from the constant struggle.

Next, my feet. Possibly, I could loosen the ropes enough to slide down. I commenced, alternating an up-and-down movement between both my knees. I succeeded in lowering the rope level by say, half an inch? Real progress.

Despite the lame progress I was making, it was still some warped form of success. I continued my attempts, my shakes getting more voracious as it went along. Eventually, the chair was bumping rudely against the ground, causing loud clatters to reverberate around the place.

And when the rope was just about to slide cleanly off my feet, the doors flew open, releasing the sun's dim rays into the room, casting a gentle glow of light. At the doorway stood a black, hooded figure.

The kidnapper.

He shut the doors with an audible click, and then strode towards me menacingly, a threatening aura circulating him. I waited with bated breath as he made his way towards me, my eyes dilating in apprehension as I observed him. I tried masking a veil of certainty and courage, but to no avail.

Even in the darkness, I could see that his face was still covered by a black ski mask. He growled, and his mouth twisted up into a crooked smile, revealing a set of disastrous yellow teeth.

"Jack, Jack, Jack..." The kidnapper's voice was low and raspy, and he tutted in disapproval. "You and your stupid friends should've listened to the note."

His voice... It was so familiar.

"You don't control our fates, whoever you are," I retorted, shifting in my seat to prove my point - that I could escape their knots of doom. "I'm gonna get out of here. And when I do, you'll be exposed - to a jail cell."

He cackled hoarsely, the demonic laughter echoing around the warehouse. "Oh Jack, still so stupid. There's no way out. Even if you do get out of those knots. I mean, this place is abandoned, but trust me, these walls are solid. There ain't no way you're gonna pull out your stupid karate moves and kick 'em down. And just so you know, even if miraculously, you do escape, we've got over twenty of us on patrol, just to make sure you never make it out." He whipped out a knife, its deadly blade glinting viciously at me. "And yes, I'm prepared to kill." He smirked, his gloved hand tracing the knife down its blade.

Wait a minute.

"Hugh," I said simply. "You're Hugh. Aren't you?"

The kidnapper ripped off his mask, and truly enough, it was Hugh, with his many layers of shaggy dark waves, his piercing, frosty glare, and his dry, pale lips, which curved into a twisted smile every time someone was hurt.

"For once, Jack, very clever."

However, this didn't come from Hugh.

Two men had burst through the doors, wearing smug smirks on their faces. I resisted the temptation to wipe them straight off. With the shaft of light streaming in from the entrance, it was no surprise the two men were Frank and Ty. For once, Frank actually looked... Bad.

I made a frantic, yet futile attempt to escape my bound ropes, which caused Ty to cackle devilishly. "Frank, grab him!"

Wordlessly, Frank raced over, re-tightening the ropes and holding them firmly in position. Great - all that energy earlier wasted.

"I'd always known you guys were behind this," I growled.

"Oh, really Jack?" Ty questioned, raising an eyebrow. "Or is that just some stupid statement to show how 'clever' you are?"

"I know for a fact," I stated, surprising them with my confidence. "Hugh made it pretty obvious that night when he nearly killed Kim." A chill travelled down my spine, and I shifted uncomfortably to cover up my sudden gain of trauma.

Frank let out a demonic peal of laughter, which sounded almost mocking. The cackle sent goosebumps down my arms and I shuddered.

"Oh Jack, you really thing Hugh was the one who met Kim in the park that night?"

Now I was confused.

"Wait... It's not Hugh? Then who is it? Another one of your Black Dragons, I suppose?" I asked my brow furrowing.

Frank rolled his eyes. "Talk about Captain Obvious, Jack!"

I had to agree with Frank on that one. My assumption had been pretty... Lame.

"Yeah. And I think you're gonna love who it is." Ty's eye held an evil glint to it.

"Who?" I demanded.

Then Ty said one word - just one name - and my eyes dilated in horror and consternation, all my bones seemed to crumble into a helpless heap, and utter terror flooded my senses as my friends popped to mine.

"Dan."

Kim - flirting with Dan... Dan making googly eyes at her... To think he nearly strangled Kim. To think he was eventually going to betray her trust and what? Hurt her? Maim her? Maybe even...

No, I wasn't even gonna force myself to think that deeply into the subject matter.

And what about the guys? Rudy? What about them? They were stuck in an RV with Dan too. And what could Dan do any moment? Pull out a knife and bring everyone to their knees, begging for mercy? Even Amy?

Wait...

"Amy." Her name escaped my lips as barely a whisper, but it induced a smirk playing across Ty's lips. "She... She's on it too, isn't she?" I questioned weakly.

Ty nodded. "Nice to see you catching on, Jack. Didn't think you had a brain in that thick-skinned head of yours."

I gritted my teeth and clenched my fists tightly, my knuckles turning white at his insult. But I didn't retort back or shoot my mouth off with some profanities. I knew doing that could lead me into some major trouble.

"So, what exactly is your little plan?" I demanded spitefully.

Ty began circling my chair, observing me closely as he gave me a vague outline of his plan. "See, by stealing Crawford back, we basically reduce the number of black belts in the Bobby Wasabi dojo by one - and seeing that you've very cleverly (not) figured out that Dan and Amy are on our side, you'll only be left with yourself to win. And well, looking at the current circumstances..." Ty gestured to my surroundings. "Quite impossible, for you idiots to win, hmm?"

The puzzle pieces clicked together all of a sudden, forming the big picture. "And..."

"Your stupid dojo finally closes its doors, yes Jack," Ty ended off with a snarl.

"I believe we've seriously won this round," Hugh announced triumphantly, shoving me sharply like a schoolyard bully.

"Especially since there's no way you're ever escaping," Frank said. "Any funny business and my fist is prepared to take you out." He held up a balled fist of emphasis.

Ty laughed maniacally, and beckoning the other two out the door, he turned and said, "Have fun, Jack."

The door shut with a click.

I closed my eyes, trying to process my thoughts, but only one came to mind:

We're all doomed.

KIM

8:58…8:59…

"I'm HUNGRY!" Eddie wailed. I rolled my eyes, as I snuggled up in my blanket in utter boredom. I cast a glance towards Milton who was reading a book entitled "Physics for Geniuses" while his face was a sickening green, which had me a little concerned. I look at Jerry who was talking with Amy, and lifting his sleeve to show his…biceps, apparently. And Amy was actually giggling to Jerry's talking? Well, looks like she's moved on from the Jack Train…yes!

Speaking of which…

I turn my head towards the door, staring at it, just waiting for it to open and reveal the guy I've been waiting for the past hour. The boy with that perfectly tousled brunette hair, and the boy with the eyes like pools of chocolate, and smile that can sometimes be a little too bright.

Yet the door never even cracked. It remained dormant.

Fed up, and obviously growing a bit worried, I walked over to Rudy, seeing him with his eyes closed, snuggled up in a blanket with his stuffed penguin, snoring loudly. Rolling my eyes, I lightly shook him, whispering at Rudy to wake up, hoping that he would wake up like the average, sophisticated man that I know he is way, way deep down. "Rudy? Wake up…"

He still remained and snoring like a child. Why wasn't I surprised?

I've had enough of playing soft-and-sweet on him. He's asking for it.

And with a slap on his head, I screamed at the top of my lungs, "RUDY, WAKE UP!" His eyes flashed open, startled as he heard me shriek in his ears. I noticed his eyes were downright bloodshot, with bags dropping under his eyes. His eyelids wouldn't completely rise up, and you could see a mini-stream of salivate lingering at the corners of his mouth. Wow. He really is tired.

"What do you want, Kim?" Rudy moaned, struggling to keep his eyes open. "This better be important—7 hours of non-stop driving at night can really tire a person."

"It's been over an hour, and Jack still hasn't shown up yet," I said, concerned. I saw the rest of the guys walking over to us, looking equally concerned.

"Yeah, where's your boyfriend Kim?" Jerry teased mockingly. "Out getting you a gift?" I threateningly stepped towards him.

"Shut your pie-hole," I growled.

"I don't get it…Jack said he just needed to take a breather…he doesn't need that much outside air," Eddie said. "I promise you haven't ripped one since we got on this RV!"

We all gave him a look.

"Okay, maybe in the bathroom, but it doesn't stink, okay?" Eddie cried defensively.

"Maybe we should go look for Jack," Milton said. "I'm starting to get worried as well." Amy and Dan quickly exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.

While Rudy still struggled to just keep his weary, sore eyes open, you could still the see the glint of concern flicker in his eyes. "Okay, but you can't all go. I say Kim go, and someone go with her. But the rest of you are staying here. So one person should, you know, go with Kim and find…find…" And his eyelids started to close shut, much to my frustration. Dan shook him vigorously once more.

"Find Jack!" he finished, wide-eyed as he flashed his eyes open, startled once more. I rolled my eyes, and turned the five kids that were standing in front of me, with curious eyes.

"Okay, so who's coming with me?" I proposed. Dan and Amy stepped forward.

"I'll go—" they said simultaneously, but exchanged apprehensive glances, which I found a bit peculiar. I darted my eyes to each of them impatiently.

"Well?" I asked, tapping my foot. Amy shoved Dan closer to me, and he put on a shy smile.

"I'll go with Kim and help look for Jack," Dan told Rudy, eyeing me. I smiled thankfully and Rudy nodded.

"Aw, I wanted to go!" Jerry whined. I faced him, and shook my head.

"I wouldn't take you if you were the last person on earth," I snapped, smirking to convey I was only teasing.

"Okay, come back in… twenty minutes. If you can't find him, we'll all come along and help look for him. I need some time to…you know…sleep." And Rudy shut his eyes, and resumed back to his loud snoring. I faced Dan and he let out a big sigh.

"Alright Dan," I said, slightly smiling. "Let's go and find Jack." And with a smile and nod, Dan walked out of the RV—almost ran out. Before I could step out, Milton caught my arm and faced me with fearful anxious eyes.

"Hey Kim…be careful, yeah?" Milton asked. "Especially with that Dan child…my evil senses are tingling."

I rolled my eyes playfully, smiling at Milton. "Thanks Milton…but I'll be fine with Dan…he's not evil, you know."

"Whatever. But good luck finding Jack. I mean he's got to be there somewhere right?" Milton said, and with a pat on my shoulder, he left with Jerry and Eddie trailing behind him. Amy faced me with a glint of worry in her eyes.

"Do you think Jack's okay?" Amy asked, clearing her throat. "I'm kind of worried about him."

Of course you would be worried about him.

"Me too." I blurted a bit too forcefully. "I mean…I hope Jack's okay…I mean what's the worst that could happen to him…getting kidnapped and taken to an abandoned warehouse?" I laughed. However, she laughed a bit uneasily.

"Yeah…yeah, that's totally crazy…" Amy said a bit reluctantly. "Listen Kim, just remember—"

"Kim!" I heard Dan call me from outside. I faced Amy who's eyes were slightly enlarged.

"Just be careful, okay? And…look after Dan for me, okay? He's too innocent alone." She smiled half-heartedly. I laughed.

"I think he can take care of himself…but thanks anyways Amy." And with a wave, I ran out of the RV, leaving Amy alone with Jerry, Eddie alone with his food, and Milton alone with his science textbooks.

Yet what Milton had said earlier never left me.

"He's got to be there somewhere right?"

Right?

What if Jack's not anywhere?

What if…

What if something happened to him?

:::

"Jack?"

"JACK?"

"Yo Jack?"

"JACK!"

"Marco?"

"Polo—HEY!"

I smacked Dan on the shoulder and shoved him so hard he was about to trip over a tree branch, yet he still continued chortling. Fifteen minutes had passed, and there was no sign of the brunette anywhere. And I started growing more and more apprehensive by the second.

"Dan, this isn't funny!" I hissed. "This is serious! We've been calling Jack's name for the past what…ten minutes, and he there's no sign of him!"

"Sorry," Dan laughed. He drew himself a bit closer to me. "We'll find him, don't worry. You know, although we didn't really make it 'official' I think we can consider this our first date, don't you?"

I faced him.

Date?

That caused my stomach to lurch.

"Yeah…about that…" I said in a faltering tone, taking a step away from Dan. I locked eyes with him, looking dead serious and apologetic. "I'm sorry…but we're just friends Dan. Good friends. That's all."

Dan seemed to be taken aback at my words, affronted. I could see the hurt and disappointment filling up in his eyes. "Fine," he huffed. "Whatever." And with a frown, he started walking ahead of me, leaving me feeling guilty.

Was I too hard on him?

If Jack did it with no problem, then you shouldn't have one either.

Jack…

Where the hell are you?

"Dan!" I called, taking his arm, beckoning him to look at me, but his eyes were contained a mix of emotions that made his feelings secreted. Sure, his resentment towards me at the moment was very lucid, but it was some other emotion that had sugar-coated his eyes, which had caused the hazel orbs to soften a bit…an emotion I couldn't decipher.

"I'm sorry, Dan I'm just…not ready for a relationship right now," I apologized as we locked eyes, my orbs and unusually soft tone conveying my culpability. He let out a big sigh, and stared deeper into my eyes.

"It's Jack, isn't it?" he mumbled. My eyes slightly enlarged.

"No, it's not about him at all!" I lied.

Wait.

I lied?

"Whatever…it's fine…" He obliged a smile. "Come on, let's keep looking." Without even waiting for my response, he walked further into the woods, leaving me with my jaw dropped.

So the fact that I turned Dan down is because of Jack?

No, it can't be.

I only did it to get even with Jack.

That's still doing it because of him, darling.

"Kim!" I heard a cry from Dan, as he was in the midst of the trees. "Come quick! Look at this!"

Snapping out of my confused state of mind, I rushed to the sound of Dan's voice, and after battling a few trees and bushes, was able to see a stunned Dan, standing in the middle of the rocky ground, staring at…some sort of black liquid streaming on the ground like a river.

"What is that?" I asked in bewilderment, pointing at the thick, black liquid.

"That is motor oil…it's leading somewhere," Dan said. "I think…. someone kidnapped Jack, and must have taken him in a van or something…this tar is leading somewhere." My heart seemed to start beating rapidly, as sweat started to apprehensively bead down my temples. Jack…kidnapped?

"Wait…" I began. "But Jack's Jack…he wouldn't get kidnapped…would he?" I asked Dan frantically. All Dan did was sigh uneasily.

"I don't know," he admitted. He cast a glance towards the trail of motor oil. "Let's follow it…we'll probably get some answers." And without a word, I started walking along with the trail, as it seemed to endlessly stream down in one direction, the black liquid slowly flowing down. My heart started thumping loudly, and my breaths started to grow sharp in trepidation. The thought of The Jack Anderson actually getting kidnapped seemed too surreal, too unfeasible. Then again…

After minutes flew by, the trail of motor oil seemed to grow stronger, and seemed fresher, than the origin of the trail back at when Dan had discovered it. Before we knew it, we saw the trail leading us to something…

A building.

A demented building.

The structure of the building seemed rectangular however there was a large tilt to it, with worn-out, tatty bricks plastered on top of it—some of the bricks had even fallen out of the slots. The windows were barred up and the door was made of pure metal, with odd dents on them. It was like one of those abandoned warehouses you see in the movies…except this one seemed a lot more unnerving and frightening. With a large, trembling breath, I rushed towards the metal door, and was about to pound on the door repeatedly to see if maybe Jack was in there -

I felt rough, firm arms wrap around my waist and arms, preventing any movement.

I frantically turned my head to see Dan's arms that was wrapped around me. I struggled to break free, but Dan's solid grasp did nothing but tighten around my waist. My eyes were wide in shock, and my mouth was slightly agape.

What the hell was Dan Smith up to?

"Dan…what are you doing?" I asked warily. I attempted at turning my head to meet his eyes, and he gave me a guilty look. "This isn't funny—let me go!"

I was utterly baffled.

Shocked.

Angry.

Did I mention confused?

"Sorry Kim. I'm obligated to do this." Dan huffed, panting apprehensively. I struggled harder, but with Dan's well-toned muscles, they were actually too strong for me.

"What do you mean you're obligated to do this?" I demanded as he shoved me closer to the metal door. "I'm not kidding! LET… ME… GO!"

"The more you struggle, the more I struggle you," Dan retorted, as he grabbed a key out of his pocket, and jammed into the hole of the metal door. A rush of anguish flooded through my body, as Dan's first threat to me resounded in my ears.

"What…are…you…doing?" I screamed at Dan's face, as I heard a click from the large door.

"I'm sorry, Kim," he said guiltily, locking a pair of sincere and apologetic eyes with me for a second. Ad the door dragged itself open, he hastily shoved me into the dark room, causing me to collapse to the ground.

And with a loud BANG, the door slammed shut.

The room was like a sea of darkness, making me unable to see anything at all. I rushed to the direction of the door, and started banging it, screaming "LET ME OUT!".

Of course that was a redundant action for me to endeavor.

I panted heavily, with sharp, loud breaths, as my heart started racing in my chest. Blood pounded in my ears, and my whole body started growing numb. I blindly walked further into the room, trying to look around for any source of light

"Is anybody there?" I called out. "What's going on? HELLO?"

BANG!

Suddenly, out of nowhere, the lights flickered on, causing a dim effect to the room. It was an empty, filthy, tiny little room, with the cold marble floor looking like it's never been cleaned, and the walls dirty enough to call it a beige color rather than a white-colored wall. All that was in the room was a lumpy-looking, stained mattress sitting at a corner. The size of the room seemed to be a little bigger than a closet, but smaller than a bathroom, making me grow a bit tense, even when I wasn't claustrophobic….at least I hope I wasn't.

"Hello?" My voice faltered. I could see another wooden door at the other side. I timidly stepped towards the wooden door noticing a rusty golden-colored doorknob that looked flimsy. I let out a vibrating hand and was about to slowly twist the doorknob, to see if it was possibly an exit route -

When I was caught yet again.

Another vicious pair of arms captured me, and lifted me away. I tried struggling yet again screaming "LET ME GO!" at the top of my lungs.

"Don't say another word," ordered a deep, husky voice from behind me. He continued with one arm tightly wrapping my waist, while another arm slithered its way to my neck, binding it tightly with his muscular arm, restricting my breathing. I wasn't able to turn my neck to see who it was that had captured me once again.

But the voice didn't sound like Dan at all.

"You're just here temporarily. Although, if you cause us trouble and make more noise, we'd be more than delighted to get rid of you permanently." Chills ran through my spine, as I metaphorically locked my big mouth shut. Slowly, he dragged me away from the door, and continued to keep grasp my neck and waist.

"You're probably wondering why you're here," the boy said.

"No, really?" I muttered.

So much for keeping my mouth shut.

"Maybe your little mate can explain." And as if on cue, the wooden door swung open revealing two guys. One guy—well man I should say—wearing a black Gi and a sinister grin as he clutched another feeble looking boy with his venomous hands. The boy had fresh cuts and bruises scattered over his skin, and his brunet hair was tangled and shaggy, and he looked like he was about to collapse into a weak heap any minute. Yet his eyes were filled with rage, with great determination.

And as soon as those flaming eyes met mine, they widened in utter horror.

Mine clouded over with relief and terror.

It was a boy I'd never thought I'd see again.

"Jack!" I screamed. This time I struggled harder to break free, wriggling and kicking in the air, but the idiot wouldn't let me. "Ty, let him go!"

Ty's spiteful smile grew wider, and he held Jack back harder, as he struggled to release out of the sensei's grasp. "Hello there, Kim." I tried to battle the boy's tough hands but to avail.

"Hugh, let Kim go!" Jack screamed, making a futile attempt to wrestle out of Ty's grip. "Don't hurt her!"

"HUGH?" I gasped, almost whirling around.

"Thanks for revealing my identity Jack," Hugh growled as he clutched my neck tighter. Jack attempted to charge for Hugh, when Sensei Ty held him back.

"Don't even think about it," he snarled.

"So wait…you guys have been threatening us the entire time?" I questioned. "Telling us not to come and me almost quitting the dojo?"

"If you had quit the dojo, you two wouldn't be here," Ty said. "And your little boyfriend wouldn't have gotten so badly hurt." He pointed to the fresh scars on his face and arms, and even some purple bruises here and there. I emitted a glance at Jack, my face contorted in guilt and concern. I felt as though a knife of guilt had stabbed me straight in the heart. It pained me to see Jack in that condition.

"Why did you do all of this?" I demanded. "Just to make us miserable? I thought you and Rudy and settled things out."

"Well, for years the Bobby Wasabi Dojo and The Black Dragons Dojo have been rival dojos…going head-to-head in a competition this important…that just doesn't seem right, does it?" Ty said.

"We tried to help you Kim," Hugh said. "We figured if we threatened you, you would back out of the competition and therefore have to shut down your dojo."

"We didn't sign up for this competition in the first place!" Jack protested. "According to Rudy, somebody recommended…" But his voice trailed off, as soon as wide smirks appeared on their faces.

"That was you guys!" I yelled accusingly. "You enrolled us in the Unleash The Warrior competition, so we had our chances of closing down our dojo!"

"No duh, Sherlock," Hugh muttered sardonically. I clenched my teeth in utter frustration, desperately wanting to beat the life out of this boy.

Of course if I do that…

Who knows what they'll try next?

Possibly go after Milton, Jerry, and Eddie?

Rudy?

Maybe even cross the line…

"Ah, so the pieces finally come together for you," Sensei Ty smirked. Jack had a penetrating look in his eye. "I love blackmailing. It's the best feeling when you have people bowing down to you."

"We'll never bow down to you," Jack snarled. Even with his bruises, he still managed a determined, dignified look. "Ever. You may have blackmailed us, and taken away our defense…but you'll never take our dignity."

"We'll see about that," Hugh said.

"Wait hang on…" I said eyeing Sensei Ty coldly. "So you two have been sending us the messages? Then what does Db. Ad. mean? And why did Dan shove me in here?"

"Ah, ah, ah we can't share everything with you," Ty smiled. "Well, I'm off with Hugh, Frank and my other students to do some practicing for the competition that's tomorrow…so until then, Jack and Kim…welcome to the Kidnap Suite. It's a great place to stay overnight, and mourn about your lost dojo." And with a malicious grin, they threw me and Jack to the ground, our weak bodies collapsing to the floor, and rushed to the wooden door, locking it behind them with a loud bang. We both struggled to get up and when Jack met my eyes, rather than feeling devastated there was a sense of reassurance flooding through our body.

We both leapt into each other's arms, squeezing each other as tightly as we could.

"Oh my god Kim, I was so worried," Jack said.

"Jack are you okay? What happened to you?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"Wait…are you okay? Did they hurt you?" Jack asked, pulling away from the embrace, and examining me to see if I was hurt.

"Forget about me, you idiot! What did they do to you? You're all hurt and bruised!" I scolded. Jack let out a frustrated sigh as he stared at the bruises on his arm, and gently glided his finger over the cuts on his cheeks.

"I attempted at beating them up and escaping, but…that didn't go so well," Jack said, wincing a bit in pain as he moved his legs. "They pinned me to the wall, and started beating me up…and Frank had some really sharp nails."

I stared at Jack's black eye in utter guilt. "This is my entire fault."

"No it's not your fault," Jack reassured, inching closer towards me. "What I'm mad about is why you came searching for me." I furrowed my brow in annoyance.

"Well, you were gone for like an hour!" I exclaimed. "I started to get worried, okay?"

"If you hadn't come, then there still would've been a chance of us winning that competition with you, Amy, and…oh right, your little boyfriend!"

"Dan?" I asked. "He is not my boyfriend! Especially not after he was the one to shove me in here!"

"Well then you shouldn't have gone with Dan in the first place to come look for me!" Jack countered, his face boiling with anger and frustration. "Because he's the one!"

I stopped short, absorbing Jack's words in shock. "Wait... What?"

Jack sighed, "Kim, he... Dan's the one from that night. The guy who nearly took your life."

I was stunned, shocked, and hurt beyond measure. Tears stung my eyes. How could I be so gullible? How could I not have noticed their resemblance?

"I...I..." I was at a loss for words. Sniffing, I eventually retorted, "He volunteered to come with me! You know how worried I was about you? Why didn't you just fight your way out of the kidnapping…you're Jack, goddamn it, you took down four Black Dragons before!"

Jack let out a deep, slow sigh beckoning he didn't want to argue anymore. My eyes slightly softened as I waited for what he had to say.

"They blackmailed me," he said. "I was about to attack, but if I did they would hurt…you guys. Especially you. I couldn't let that happen, so I came here."

"But without you competing with us we're—"

"Part of life is making sacrifices. You guys were important to me than winning some stupid competition. They knew without me, they'll win hands down. Of course, with you now here, they're now a hundred percent sure."

"What about Amy?" I didn't even bother saying Dan's name. Because I knew somehow, he was on their side.

"If Dan's in cahoots with the Black Dragons then Amy's definitely with them as well," Jack decided with an affirmative tone. I nodded reluctantly. There was a short pause.

"So in the end…it's my fault isn't it?" I asked. Jack faced me.

"It's not your fault, Kim…I didn't mean to blame you," Jack comforted, remorseful.

"No, you had all the right to blame me…because it really was my fault," I sniffed, tears welling up in my eyes. "I was the one who got the messages, I was the one who joined this dojo in the first place, I was the one who technically caused that lockdown, I was the one who was obligated to quit but didn't, and I was the reason why you're hurt. I'm like some curse for you guys. You should've let me quit the dojo."

"You're not a curse, Kim. Don't say that," Jack said, inching closer towards me. "I didn't allow you to quit because…without you…life at the dojo would be pretty boring and empty."

"I'm sure nothing life at the dojo would be a lot better if I was with The Black Dragon and not with The Bobby Wasabi Dojo," I mumbled with a sad frown on my face, not taking my eyes off of his, as I hugged my arms with my legs.

"I meant…" He inched even closer towards me. I could feel his hot breath against my cheeks. "My life would be empty without you."

And here we were, eyes locked, foreheads touching, and lips centimeters apart. And something happened.

Something unexpected.

Yet it was magical.

Because Jack Anderson had kissed me.

Kissed.

It wasn't long - he merely grazed his soft lips gently against mine for a short second.

While this wasn't the place, and it certainly seemed to be at inappropriate time.

The moment felt just right.

Jack tore his lips apart from mine, and his cheeks had glowing flamingo pink, causing me to silently laugh. My eyes were however were wide in bewilderment, not sure how to react. My entire body was surging with tingles, and a rush of warmth flowed through my veins.

Jack had just kissed me.

Lips to lips.

Did that really just happen?

"Still call yourself a curse?" Jack teased. I laughed.

"Yes," I kidded, with a teasing smile as he put his arm around me. My eyes had suddenly felt heavy, and they started to slowly shut with my head leaning on his chest. From when I could actually see the outside world, it had been very dark…and I was dead tired.

"Jack?" I asked softly.

"Hmm?"

"Are we ever going to get out of here?"

And slowly I drifted off to sleep.

But I managed to catch the reply before I coasted into a not-so-pleasant slumber.

A reply that worried me.

"I don't know, Kim…I don't know."

Okay, so...

First of all, OHMYGAWD DAN IS THE CREEPY!DUDE THAT NIGHT, AND AMY IS BAD TOO, YOU GUYS ARE SO GENIUS FOR FIGURING THAT OUT...

And secondly, all the Kick shippers reading this are screaming their heads off, because they KISSED!

OMG, right?

But don't worry to all those who like a slow and steady build-up, because it'll be a while before they get into any real relationship thing. Maybe not even get into a relationship? Oo... You'll have to wait. :)

Hope you all enjoyed this! :)

-Sienna and Taylor ;)