"Crush" by Zen'Aku Lati

Disclaimer: I don't own Turbo, Tommy, Jason or Kimberly…yeah, no shocker there…

Author's Note: This is from Kimberly's POV and picks up right where the last one left off.

Thanks: Thanks to Admiral Chowder and Dagmar Buse for their reviews, and thanks everybody for the hits. I hope my shouting your praises doesn't get old for you…

Smooches, all! Enjoy, and make with the feedback, huh?

Part X

"Why do you keep walking out of my life…?"

I remember back at the Pit, when the influence of evil was lifted and my eyes were opened, I saw Tommy and Jason almost literally at each other's throats.

"I'm sorry, bro. But I have to go…"

And I remember thinking that it was all so…perverse, for here were these two that have been to hell and back for each other, and even then I acknowledged this hostility shouldn't be. I had to stop it.

"God, I am so tired of saying goodbye to you…"

In that moment I forgot my resentment as I ran over to lend my strength to Tommy, and told him in the most honest way the situation would allow, "I'm with you."

"Do what you need to do, Jason…"

But something was still amiss; Jason was still under the influence when we pulled him from the edge, yet if the way he slumped his shoulders and dragged his feet as he walked away was any indication, then there was no doubt he felt regret.

"Goodbye, Tommy…"

And as much as it pained me to admit, that was proof enough that there was something between Tommy and Jason that not even Tommy and I could match.

"See you when I see you…"

Look at him. Positively miserable. I know heartbreak when I see it.

It's not my style to eavesdrop, but I knew better than to disturb them. I waited until I heard the main entrance door slam before I stepped out of the shadows. I moved from the side entrance and made my way over to Tommy, taking a seat next to him.

"How long have you been standing there?" he asked, not looking at me.

"Not long," I replied.

I smiled comfortingly to the side of his head and ran my fingers through his hair. He flinched.

"I know about you and Jason." He flashed me an anxious look. I smirked.

"Great," Tommy resigned, looking away once more. "Then maybe you can clue me in," he said with an uncharacteristic sarcasm, which oddly enough, sounded like a request. I put my arm around him and rested my chin on his shoulder.

"How did you know?" he asked, still looking ahead.

"Oh please, Tommy. You forget who you're talking to!" I declared. That won me a snort. Good. I played with his ear.

"He cares about you, Tommy."

"How're things in Florida, Kim?"

"He'll be back."

"I bet you totally kicked ass at the Pan Globals."

"Tommy, Jason cares ver-…"

"You should write more letters."

"Tom-…"

"How is what's-his-face, anyway?"

"Tommy, would you listen to me?"

"Jesus, Kim! It doesn't matter!" he snapped, finally looking me in the face. I recoiled slightly.

"If you know so much, answer me this. Which is worse? Having him come back, knowing that he'll leave again, or actually being there to see him leave you?" He shook his head.

"How do you even know I want him back?" he challenged. Honestly, I couldn't believe he actually said that. There's no way he believes that.

And there it was. That glimmer of the Tommy I knew. The Tommy that wasn't bashful enough to come to my rescue to ward off the ever-annoying Bulk and Skull, but just shy enough to take forever to ask me out.

I had to smirk.

The super hero thing really did suit him. Here is where he really shines. Outside of it he was lost. Sweet and without a plan…

"I know what's worse still is having him leave without even bothering to say goodbye, and then never coming back. Plus I know you, Tommy. You're no good at lying. Not even to yourself," I told him, wrapping my arms around him.

"Sorry," he offered after a pause. "About…everything."

"It's not your fault," I reassured, bringing his head down to rest on my shoulder. My poor baby. I stroked his hair. "The heart goes where it wants, and just takes you for the ride. I've been there." And Katherine's about to be there soon...

"I'm so tired, Kim," he said.

I brought him closer to me and told him, "I've been there too."