Hey, guys! Sorry that it's been a while. I was on vacation, and the first couple days after my family and I returned home, I was suffering from some major jet lag. We also missed one of our flights, so we had to stay overnight in a hotel. Needless to say, that only added to my sleep deprivation.

Anyways, I hope you guys like this chapter! There is some KICK at the end of this one :)

Thank you to all my amazing reviewers!

my guest reviewer Jade:

Thank you!

ELOVATE:

It's gonna be a little while yet until Kim remembers completely, but I hope it's worth the wait. Anyways, thanks for the reviewing!

KickForever99:

Thanks for letting me know that you are Faby! Also, thank you for the review!

my first unknown guest reviewer:

Thank you :)

Camela1998:

Yes, Jerry and Rika are about to get into some pretty deep shit haha. Thanks for your avid interest in my story and for taking the time to review!

my second unknown guest reviewer:

Well, Kim's definitely not gonna handle it very well. Thanks for reviewing!

my third unknown guest reviewer:

There will be more Kick moments. Trust me, there will be. You just have to give it time, but I promise you that in the future this story will be packed with Kick. Also, this chapter has some Kick, so you can look forward to that :)

starships13

Yeah, there's gonna be a LOT of drama. Thanks for the review :)

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Disclaimer: I do not own Kickin' It, the parts of the story that relate to the Vampire Diaries, or any other brand that shows up in my work. I only own the plot and my OCs Rika and Ash.

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Chapter 10: Her Laugh

Jerry stepped inside his house, countless grocery bags held in his hands.

Even though he lost his job, it wasn't like he was instantly bankrupt. He hadn't put much money in his savings, but he had access to parent's bank account. He felt a little guilty to withdraw money from it, but he reminded himself that his parents would want him to if it meant paying the bills and for basic necessities until he found another job.

His heart clenched as he set the bags on the kitchen counter and remembered that he would no longer work a job doing what he loved. The Seaford Dance Academy was the only dance studio in the area, and Jerry had to work near home. If anything happened to Kim or if she ever needed anything, he wanted to get home as soon as possible. He couldn't do that if his new job was located outside of Seaford.

Running his hands through his air, he shut his eyes and cursed himself. What was he thinking? Why would he quit? Carson even offered to pay him part of his original salary until he was permitted back in the studio.

He lost everything…all because of his damn pride.

His damn pride.

"Really, Jerry? Really?" He mumbled to himself.

Pushing the regret out of his mind, Jerry sighed and began putting away all of his groceries. Once finished, he took a seat on a stool at the kitchen counter. His phone buzzed in his pocket, so he pulled it out and opened the recently received message.

He shook his head and smiled when he realized it was from Rika.

"Hey, I think I left my phone over there."

Jerry raised an eyebrow even though she couldn't see him. "Riks, if you left your phone here, then how are you texting me?"

There was an exceptionally long pause before she replied, "Shit…"

Jerry chuckled to himself. "Was that just a really lame excuse to come over?"

"Maybe.."

A smile tugged at the corners of his lips. Before he had the chance to reply, the door opened and Kim stepped inside.

Jerry quickly shoved the phone into his pocket when he noticed the look in her eyes. From being Kim's sister for many years, he knew exactly when she was angry about something – fists clenching and unclenching; eyebrows set just above her eyes; usually playful, soft brown eyes darkening. And her anger was almost always directed at him.

"Hey." Jerry forced a smile, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his black jeans.

Without greeting him back, Kim wasted no time to ask, "Why were you fired?"

Jerry averted his eyes away, mumbling, "Technically, I was suspended and then I quit…"

Kim folded her arms across her chest. Jerry reluctantly returned his eyes to hers.

"Why?" She demanded an answer.

Jerry pursed his lips. "Why did I quit…?"

Kim's eyes hardened into a glare, and she gritted her teeth. "Why were you suspended?"

"I, um," Jerry gulped and rubbed the back of neck nervously with his hand. "I was late one too many times…?" His reply sounded more like a question.

Kim nodded, smiling sarcastically. That was the biggest flat out lie he had ever told. Jerry was never late. That boy lived and breathed dance.

"Oh, really?" The sarcastic smile fell off her face, and her eyes narrowed into slits. "So it wasn't because you made out with my best friend?" Jerry's eyes popped out of their sockets. "The security cameras must have been mistaken then." She muttered.

"Kim…" Jerry trailed off. He didn't know what to say.

At that moment, Rika entered. Her eyes widened when she noticed Kim standing there. Why wouldn't Jerry have told her that she was here?

"Hey, Kim."

"Oh, hey, Riks. " Kim plastered a huge smile on her lips. "Stop by to fuck my brother?"

Rika froze, feeling like all the air had been stolen from her lungs. "Wh-what did you say?" She stammered, her startled, hazel eyes glancing at Jerry for a moment.

Kim took a seat on a stool and shrugged. "That is why you're here right? Thought you'd come over and ruffle the sheets a little while I'm not home?"

Rika's heart was beating frantically against her chest. How could Kim have known about them? The first time Rika slept with Jerry, Kim was with Jack, and the second, Kim was at school with Brody.

It just didn't make any sense. Why did Kim suddenly know things she had no way of finding out? First her slight recognition of Jack, and now the knowledge that Rika and Jerry had sex…What was going on?

"Kim," Rika began. "Look, it only-it only happened twice…"

"Rika…" Jerry spoke up, wincing.

Rika looked over at him, not realizing that Kim actually didn't know that they had sex. She was just exaggerating in her state of shock and anger. Before Rika slipped up in her explanation, all Kim knew was that they had kissed…once.

"Wait," Kim got to her feet. "You guys actually…?"

Rika and Jerry nodded slowly.

Kim's eyes widened. "Oh my god! What the hell is wrong with you guys?!"

It was bad enough that Rika made out with Jerry, but now that Kim knew they had slept together, her temper flared.

"Rika, he's my brother!" Kim looked right into her friend's eyes. "He's my brother…" She repeated.

"I know." Rika whispered, her eyes falling to her feet.

"And Jerry," Kim began, shifting her eyes over to her brother and shaking her head. "She's a fucking minor. Have you lost your mind?"

Jerry didn't respond. Nothing he said would lessen her disappointment.

Kim took a deep breath, trying to settle the rage coursing through her. "So, what, are you guys like together or something?"

Jerry and Rika exchanged a look before finding Kim's eyes again. Before Jerry could say anything, Rika spoke up. "No…"

Jerry felt like he had just been slapped in the face and turned to look at her.

"No, we're not." Rika clarified, trying her best to keep her voice from shaking. She could feel Jerry's eyes on her, but kept her gaze from his, not wanting to see the hurt in his eyes.

"Yeah, Kim," Jerry began. "Rika's right. There's nothing between us."

Rika shut her eyes for a moment. "Jerry…"

Without another word, Jerry headed out of the kitchen and into the living room.

Rika's eyes opened. "Jerry, wait." She called out, running after him and leaving a puzzled Kim in the kitchen.

Before reaching the hallway leading to his room, he stopped, his back facing Rika.

"Are you really going to throw away everything we have because my sister doesn't approve?"

"She's my best friend…" Rika replied weakly.

Jerry turned back around, looking right into her eyes. "Was she not when you slept with me…twice?"

Rika averted her eyes away, her voice lowering below a whisper. "Why do you even want to be with me? I'm six years younger than you."

Jerry ran a hand through his hair. "If you don't know by now," Rika found his eyes. "You're not the person I thought you were."

"Jerry-"

"It's fine, Rika. Really, it is." Jerry looked away before returning his glassy eyes to hers. "Together doesn't last forever…"

Jerry disappeared down the hallway. Suddenly, the room was very cold. Rika closed her eyes, allowing a tear to escape down her cheek.

From the kitchen, Kim leaned against the wall, her eyes transfixed on her broken best friend and mind processing the pain in the words Rika and Jerry had just spoken. She had no idea that they cared so much about each other.

Before Rika noticed her standing there, Kim backed away from the wall and left the house, deeply regretting the way she acted and knowing she was the reason Rika and Jerry were hurting.

…

By the time Kim returned home, the sun had fallen from the sky, the moon shining brightly in its place. When she entered her house, she was surprised to find Jerry still up. He was laying on the couch in a slumped position with his eyes lazily set on the TV, which was currently playing some Spanish soccer league channel.

Kim hesitantly sat beside him, bringing her knees to her chest. She leaned her head back against the couch and spoke up.

"I'm sorry."

Knitting his eyebrows together, Jerry removed his eyes from the TV and looked over at his sister. "Why are you sorry? I'm the one who slept with your best friend…and she's a minor."

"I know, but," Kim pursed her lips. "I'm sorry for acting the way I did."

Jerry shook his head. "You had every right to."

"No, I didn't." Kim argued. "I didn't have to be a bitch about it."

A slight smile tugged at the corners of Jerry's lips and he smirked. "You were a little bitchy."

"Hey!" Kim exclaimed with a smile, whacking him in the head with a pillow.

"You said it first." Jerry pointed out.

Kim crossed her arms across her chest, and Jerry chuckled.

Kim pursed her lips after a moment. "You really like her, don't you?"

Jerry's smile faded. He averted his eyes away. "It doesn't really matter anymore."

Kim's eyebrows furrowed. "Of course it does."

Jerry shook his head. "You heard her earlier."

"Yeah," Kim agreed. "But I also saw her. I've never seen Rika look at anyone the way she looks at you."

Jerry raised an eyebrow. "Okay, now I'm confused. Earlier, you pointed out everything wrong with Rika and I being together, and now, you want us to work things out?"

"I just," Kim sighed. "You have spent the past year doing everything you can to make me happy, and it's not that I don't appreciate that, Jerry, but…You deserve to be happy too. And if Rika makes you happy, you shouldn't have to let her go because of me."

Jerry looked away for a moment, contemplating her words. He returned his eyes to hers. "Are you sure?"

Kim nodded, but Jerry detected a slight hesitation held in her eyes.

"Kim, don't lie to me."

Kim pursed her lips and shook her head. "I'm not."

Even though the thought of him being with her best friend was a little unsettling, she would learn to accept it.

"Hey, um," Kim began, bringing his eyes back to hers. "When did this all start anyway?"

"A few days ago," Jerry replied. "But I…" His eyes fell to his lap, and he tugged on the sleeves of his long-sleeved shirt. "I've kinda had feelings for her for a while now…" He admitted softly.

Kim's eyes widened. As far as she knew, Jerry had never cared this much about a girl before.

A small smile graced Kim's lips. "Jerry, do you…?

Jerry met her eyes. His heart was pounding. "Possibly."

…

"Jerry, I will be just fine, okay?" A girl with wavy blonde hair assured her brother. "I am perfectly capable of crossing the street on my own."

Jerry eyed his sister with concern yet his words came out as if he was accusing her of something. "Are you sure about that, Kim?" He folded his arms across his chest. "Because the last time you crossed the street, you ended up in the hospital for an entire fucking month."

Kim rolled her eyes. "You think I don't know that?" She snapped. "Jesus, Jerry, I understand that you are worried about me, but I can take care of myself."

Jerry shut his eyes for a moment and rubbed his temples, letting out a deep breath to calm himself. When he reopened his eyes, he lost the harsh tone in his voice. "We already lost Mom and Dad, Kim."

Kim's eyes softened.

"I can't lose you too…" Jerry shook his head slowly, his eyes glassing over.

Kim sighed and stepped forward to hug him. "I'm sorry."

Jerry sighed, resting his chin on the top of her head. "Me too. I know I've been a little overprotective lately."

Kim pulled away and looked up at him, tilting her head to the side with a questioning smile on lips. "A little?"

Jerry chuckled and reluctantly gave in. "Okay, fine. I've been extremely overprotective."

"Don't forget overbearing." Kim added.

Jerry narrowed his eyes at her. "As I was saying…I know I've been overprotective, but it's only because I don't want you to ever end up in that damn hospital again."

Kim nodded in understanding.

"So…" She began, hoping he would give her permission. "Can I please go over to Rika's. I promise I'll be careful."

Jerry looked away for a moment and sighed. "Fine." He relented.

Kim smiled brightly, practically running out the door.

"Hey," Jerry called after her. Kim stopped and slowly turned back to face him. "I thought you said you'd be careful."

Kim rolled her eyes. "I am."

It was Jerry's turn to roll his eyes. "Look where you're standing." He said bluntly.

Kim glanced over her shoulder and her eyes widened. She was standing by the edge of the road, and if she remembered correctly, she was too excited to even notice. It was in that moment that Kim realized that she really needed to work on her awareness.

She hesitantly looked over at her brother. "Sorry…" She smiled sheepishly before turning back around, looking both ways, and then crossing over to the other side.

A few minutes passed by of Kim just enjoying the fresh air as she made her way down the sidewalk. She hadn't been out much since the accident, and she missed the gentle breeze and warm sun of a normal morning in Seaford.

Some people may find it weird, but Kim preferred walking to driving in a car. She just loved being outside, and it wasn't like Rika lived far away. It only took her around fifteen minutes by foot.

Besides, Kim didn't have a car anyways. When Jerry moved back home to take care of her after they lost their parents, he started using theirs and couldn't afford to buy one for Kim. And Jerry needed the car to get to work, so she rarely had the chance to use it. It wasn't really a problem though. If she had far to go, Rika would always offer to drive her.

"Kim?" A familiar voice called out to her, breaking her from her thoughts.

Kim lifted her gaze up and met deep, brown eyes.

Jack's deep, brown eyes.

She was surprised, but managed a small smile. She hadn't expected to ever see him again.

"Jack?"

He smiled. "How've you been?"

Jack nearly rolled his eyes at himself. He had checked on her nearly every day since the accident. For some reason, he felt obligated to. She didn't know that he had though. After all, they barely knew each other.

Kim joined him at his side, and they continued down the sidewalk. "Um, okay I guess. How about you?"

"I've been good. I'm sure that would change very quickly though if Rika found out I was talking to you."

Kim laughed lightly. "Yeah, I'm not sure what happened between you two, but she really doesn't like you. Every time I asked her about you, she would always change the subject…" She trailed off. A smirk played on her lips. "Wait, did you guys used to date or something?"

Jack's eyes widened. "Oh, god no." He replied. "That would be like dating my sister."

Kim raised an eyebrow. "How long have you guys known each other?"

"Too long. And I didn't even like her before I met her."

Kim tilted her head to the side; she was puzzled. "How can you not like someone before you meet them?"

Jack sighed. He didn't want to give away too much, so he had to choose his words carefully. He needed to be vague.

"She's friends with my brother. Before I knew her, I always knew that when I couldn't find him, he was with her. It's not entirely her fault, but she's kind of the reason that my brother and I aren't as close anymore."

Kim nodded. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I'm not really sure why I just told you all that…"

He really wasn't. Even though he had checked on her every day, she was still just that blonde-haired girl from the carnival who also happened to be the last Holt-blooded mortal. It just seemed so natural to talk to her about the things that he never wanted to open up about before. It was like the moment he looked into her mocha brown orbs that night, he had known her all his life.

Strangely enough, by just talking to Kim, he realized that he didn't really hate Rika anymore. The only reason they still bickered was because she still hated him. And she had good reason.

"Anyways, I was wondering…"

Kim looked up at him. "What?"

A smile tugged at the corners of Jack's lips. "Did you ever find the Ferris wheel?"

Kim smiled and shoved him playfully. "That is so not funny."

Jack smirked. "Why are you smiling then?"

Kim looked into his eyes, instantly finding the amusement glinting in them. She laughed in response to his question and the look on his face, and she wasn't even sure why. It was just so easy to laugh when she was with him.

As her laughter rang in his ears, Jack couldn't help but laugh along with her. He couldn't describe it, but there was this warm feeling coursing through him the moment she began laughing.

There was just something about this girl. Maybe it was the look in her eyes, maybe it was the sound of her contagious laughter, but it was something he wasn't letting go of anytime soon.

Kim's eyes fluttered open to the feeling of a hand gently shaking her awake. She focused her groggy eyes on her brother kneeling beside her and realized they must have dozed off on the couch.

"You were laughing in your sleep." Jerry explained to his puzzled sister. "Were you having a dream?"

Kim sat up slowly and nodded. "Yeah, a dream…" She mumbled, yet in the back of her mind she found herself questioning if it was only a dream. The rational side of her brain reminded her that it had to be just a dream, but it in no way felt like one. It was more like…a memory. Yeah, a memory.

Wait…a memory that she didn't remember…

That was impossible.

Right?

…

Just to let you guys know, I renamed chapter 6, Her Eyes. Also, this chapter was called, Her Laugh. A future chapter will be called, Her Kiss. Then, even later in the story, there will be a chapter called, Lost in you. In that chapter, I'm curious to find out if you guys will notice why three of the chapters were named, Her Eyes, Her Laugh, and Her Kiss. I'll give you a hint: Each of those chapters included Kim dreaming of a memory.

Anyways, thanks for reading! Oh, and I will tell you the answer at the very end of this story, so don't worry if you can't figure it out! If you have no idea what the hell I'm talking about, eh, I won't be surprised. I can be very confusing.

theScribblerWP