~Author's Note~

School's out and now I have a whole summer to write, update and play video games. :) I know the wait for this and ER were quite long so sorry about that but no worries, here is the next chapter that will leave you in shock by the ending . . .

Thanks for all of the reviews, favorites and follows. Those keep me going guys. Two quick things before you get to reading. Now I will be taking in all options into account alright? *Number one—who do you guys want Kim to end up with? Jack or Reese? Please leave your option in a review, pm or however you would like to tell me. *Number two, my next story. I added some new options to the poll and I also saw that the two Kickin' It ideas were tied so go ahead and break that tie if you haven't already voted.

Alright I'm done talking. Read, enjoy and review as always :D


11

You were always there

and like shining light

on my darkest days

you were there to guide me

~Gone too Soon by Simple Plan~

The next morning, Kim wakes up to the smell of burnt eggs and charred toast.

She bolts upright in her seat after the smells register in her senses, instantly afraid Scott managed to get a knife in the toaster again. She blinks a few times to clear the sleep from eyes and then looks around, taking note that she is resting on Jack's old beaten up couch in his front room.

The next thing she notices is a calm Haley and Scott sitting at the low dining room table in the kitchen a few feet away; the two feasting on the makeshift breakfast in front of them. She stands up quickly, walking over in her confusion and the two kids both send her a bright smiles before she kisses each on the cheek. "Good morning you two,"

"Morning Mommy." Scott answered, before putting some chopped up grape into his mouth, Haley swallowing her mouthful of scrambled eggs.

"Good morning Kimmy," Kim smiled at Haley before glancing down at their plates.

"Who made you guys breakfast?"

"Dad did," Scott answered as he took a sip of orange juice.

Kim nodded, nearly scolding herself for forgetting about Jack. "Where did your father disappear to honey?"

Scott titled his head towards the bathroom, "He told us he was going to clean himself up in the bathroom."

"Alright, you two finish eating while I go check up on Jack."

The kids nodded once more before continuing to talk to each other between shovel-loads of food. She slowly made her way to the bathroom, hearing a muffled curse come from Jack as she stood in the doorway of the bathroom.

"Son of a . . . " He cut himself off as he picked at his burn again, pulling of some of the matted down skin by accident. Kim watched with amusement as he took a washcloth from the counter and wiped off the access blood coating his arm before cursing again.

He was clad in a sleeveless, ripped up old 'Bobby Wasabi Dojo' shirt—the girl vaguely remembering that used to be a famous dojo in their town back when they were teenagers. Actually, she went with him to get it from a special viewing event. It was signed by Bobby Wasabi himself on the front, right under the small logo on the right side. She had gotten a Training Gi at that certain event, and she was ninety-nine percent sure it was buried somewhere in her closet. Jack also had on a pair of loose Nike black sweats that hung gingerly low, his feet bare.

Kim entered the room after figuring letting him go through enough ache was enough punishment for the past few days.

She placed her hand on his back shoulder blade, causing Jack to nearly fall over his own two feet at the sudden feeling of her warm skin on him. He turned around with wild eyes before seeing that it was just Kim and relaxing immediately. "Sorry Jack, I didn't mean to scare you."

He shook his head, looking at her a second more before glancing back down at his burn. Kim gazed at the pulverized skin, the different colors odd and misplaced. "It's alright, the kids and I got up about an hour ago and I figured it was best to let you sleep. You needed it."

She sent him a smile. "Thanks for making them breakfast, even though the smell of burnt food was horrid to my nostrils."

He laughed softly, grabbing some gauze from the counter in front of him and beginning to wrap it around his arm. "They were hungry and I didn't want to wake you. You should know better than anyone that my cooking skills are beyond horrible."

"I noticed,"

Silence entered after her words and Jack finished wrapping up his burn, Kim knowing it still hurt him. "Why don't you just go to the Doctor's at least, please? Just so they can take a look at it and make sure nothing is seriously wrong."

Jack looked at her through the hair that fell over his eyes, "I'm fine Kimmy. No reason to worry about me. Though we do have a slight problem."

Her orbs grew apprehensive, "Which is?"

"Well, I burnt enough food so now we have nothing for dinner. We need to run to the store—"

"How about this," she moved closer to him and he crossed his arms, looking down at her in enjoyment; "you head to the Doctors with Scott while Haley and I head to the grocery store to get a few things for dinner."

He looked at her for a moment more, pretending to debate the subject in his mind.

"Sounds like a plan. I'll drop you two off at your house so you can pick up your car on the way."

Kim nodded, their faces inches apart. She could smell his cologne, a mix of peppermint and spice. His hair was tainted by the aftermath of an earlier shower, his locks more curly than usual. Kim had to use all of her might to not glimpse down at his bare arms. Suddenly the silence was broken by Kim hitting him playfully on the shoulder. The powerful eye contact between the two was broken.

"Now go out with the kids, I have to get washed real fast before we leave."

He laughed, "Well I don't have to leave. You know I could use another shower . . . just like back in—"

"Get out Jack," He laughed smugly as he left.

She was too flustered at his suggestion to fully enforce her words afterwards.


"Captain Crunch?"

"We don't need that."

"Fruit Loops?"

"You have two full boxes at home already Haley."

"How about Coco Pebbles?"

"Your Dad hates those, maybe Fruity Pebbles for Scott and I though . . . "

"Oh I know! Lucky Charms!"

Kim couldn't help but smile as she plucked at box off the shelf in front of them, glad Haley and her came to an agreement. "Atta-girl. I knew we would get along."

Haley grinned as she sneaked a box of Double Stuffed Oreos into the shopping cart when Kim wasn't looking. "Better than Daddy and I."

"No, no I doubt that. You and your Daddy are very close."

Haley nodded, "That's true Kimmy. But superheroes get busy so maybe you could step in when he can't." Kim couldn't help but smile at the girl's proposition.

"Alright so next on the list would be—"

Kim stopped midsentence when she turned around and saw Reese standing at the end of the aisle, a dumbstruck look on his face.

They stared at each other for a few minutes, neither knowing what to do. Reese decided to make the first move and approach Kim, the flustered woman taking in his mountain-man-like features. He had a thin layer of beard on his face, not exactly stubble but not exactly ugly either. In a certain light, it looked good on him. It made the older man look better, like he was wise but still young and as handsome as ever.

His eyes were burning a hole into her, seeing right through her and reading her every thought. It was like he already understood how she felt, and Kim couldn't pretend that there wasn't hints of love hidden in his irises. That emotion was too bold to be ignored by her at least.

A simple black tee shirt is thrown hastily over his broad shoulders, followed by some sweats that hung too low. Kim looked down at Haley, who is watching Reese with a curious gaze. The blonde places a caring hand on the younger girl's shoulder, causing Haley to tear her eyes away from Reese.

"Who is that Kimmy?"

It caused a smile to appear on Kim's face at Haley's ways of switching from calling Kim 'Kimmy' or 'Mommy'. It was adorable in a way. Kim debated on what she could tell Haley about who it was, wondering if the excuse of a 'long lost friend' would hold up or be disregarded.

Before she had any more time to think about her answer, Reese was standing beside her, looking down at Haley who held onto the side of their shopping cart tightly.

Kim looked from Haley to Reese, seeing the latter tense under the younger's terrified eyes, "Haley, this is Reese. He is . . . "

"I'm a friend of Kim's."

Haley didn't like Reese. He wasn't as tall as her Dad and looked scary with the hair on his face. She also didn't like how tense he was around her and Kim. In Haley's eyes, it looked like he didn't like Kim that much either.

Reese nodded at Haley and then turned to Kim who was avoiding his eyes. She wanted to curse herself, why she didn't turn and run as soon as she saw him was a mystery to her. It would've been the smarter option. They still had things to settle and if Kim was being honest; the note he left her was almost threatening in her eyes.

He wasn't something of hope or safety anymore.

He was the monster that hid under the bed in fairytales.

The three stood in silence for a moment, until Kim suddenly moved towards Haley and softly grabbed her hand. Haley held hers tightly in response. "Okay well um, we need to go head home. Have a good day Reese,"

She hated how much she stumbled through her letters but now she wanted to get as far away from him as possible.

She could protect her and Haley from everything—just not any emotional disorder.

Damn his looks for alluring her in. She was supposed to run away, not the other way around.

She nodded to Haley and started to move the cart forwards, still clutching Kim's hand tightly. "Wait!" A hand on her arm. Kim flinched back in disgust.

"Get off me Reese, don't make this turn into something stupid." She seethed, shaking her arm free from his hold.

He shook his head, "Kim. Kim just please hear me out. Come on, please."

Kim looked into his eyes and saw love and sincerely too bold. She wished they weren't filled with those emotions because she wasn't so sure she felt the same way towards him anymore. She saw some toys a few feet away from the two and turned towards Haley, bending down and sending a smile at her.

"Why don't you go look over at those toys right there? I just need to talk to Reese real fast alright?"

Haley grinned widely, "Alright. Mommy?"

Kim kept the smile on her face, "Yes sweetheart?"

"Are you sure that you're okay?"

Kim didn't trust herself to sleep so she simply nodded and Haley gave her a quick hug before taking off towards the toys. Kim stood up and turned back around to Reese who unsuccessfully was trying to keep his resentment under control.

"Mommy? Isn't that Jack's kid?"

"Don't talk about Haley like she isn't a person Reese." Kim snapped, keeping her voice low.

Reese didn't push the topic, knowing he had to make amends about other things first. "Listen Kim, I'm sorry for what I did. That wasn't me. It wasn't me in any way. That was someone else who didn't love you and who was too controlled by hate over something stupid. You have to forgive me."

Kim shook her head. "Rot in hell Reese. You had your chance and you ruined it."

His hand is on her arm again before she can turn around and stomp away. "Look at me baby, please."

She stayed defiant for a minute, her heart screeching at the use of the blunt nickname for her. He used to call her 'baby' all of the time when they were just friends, before the romance part came along. They had a calm, friendly flirting relationship back when they first met and the few years that followed after. Kim had to hide her smile from just remembering those thoughts. She stayed lost in thought for another few seconds before turning back towards Reese.

She glanced across at Haley from the corner of her eye, seeing the young girl looking at all of the toys. She was smiling to herself, not being able to decide between two Hot Wheels cars.

She barely even looked at the man standing near her, "Reese, just what do you have left to say?"

He exhales, looking downwards before staring directly at Kim. His eyes are glassy and she has to compose herself from breaking down in front of him. He looks so heartbroken. "Look Kim, I'm already in hell without you. Because you aren't with me. I'm sorry Kim. I'm sorry okay? You know I'm not that type of person. Please just come back to me baby."

Kim shakes her head, biting her lip.

The name 'Jack' hits her brain like a train.

But she pushes it away.

"I-I got to go Reese—"

She turns to leave but the next thing she knows is that she is buried in his arms, pushed up against his broad chest. She doesn't struggle against his hold, instead embracing it. He presses a kiss to her hair, resting his chin on her head. The only thing Kim can feel is the difference between Reese and Jack, even if it's only the tiniest difference. Reese says nothing, his hands drumming patterns of different songs she loves on her back and sides while Jack says everything possible to make her feel better, holding her as tight as he can to show her that she'll always and forever be safe.

Both are amazing in their own ways, and to be honest—Kim could say she loved the both of them.

It was lucky in a sense but she didn't want the unneeded attention or the forever multiple pullings of her heartstrings each time she saw one or the other.

"Please come back to me one day baby, please." Before she can say anything else, he's gone and she is all alone with Haley once again.

His warmth lingers in her bones.


Jack nearly gets lost in the tree line staring him down from in front of him, his detour of using one of the backroads to avoid traffic having to be the best decision he's made in a while. The radio is turned to a low volume incase Scott calls for him, B101.1 is on. A classic Green Day song is playing, 'When September Ends'.

The trees in front of him are wonderful colors; mixes of painted on rose, dashes of ginger and spots of jade. The faded bark reminds him of the casual days when he would walk to school, Kim glued to his side. The sun was in full bloom above, casting a bright yellowish glow on everything its rays hit. While the big, fluffy marshmallow-like clouds were so white you could get lost for hours and hours in the swirls; trying to guess the different items and shapes shown.

Jack had the windows down in his car, his arm drumming different sounds from trying to keep himself from falling asleep. The scenery might've been nice but it didn't cure all of his boredom. In total, he knew Kim and himself didn't get too much sleep; let alone any.

"Move it asshole!"

Jack snapped to attention when someone shouted from the car behind him and he blinked once, seeing the streetlight had turned green. He threw his hand up in a wave motion out the window to tell the guy to 'fuck off' before pushing his foot down on the gas pedal; the car lurching to a speed of around forty.

"Hey Jack?" Jack glances in the review mirror at Scott in his car seat, noticing how the car behind him had turned off at the first right in the meantime. Now it was just them and the tranquil 'country-like' road.

"What's up buddy?" His right hands moves to the volume dial as the song ends and he clicks it once to shut off the crackling radio.

"I wanna show you something."

The older man chuckles, shaking his head. "I'm sorry bud but I can't right now. I gotta drive."

"No come on Dad. You gotta see it," Scott insisted and his voice nearly convinced Jack to turn around. But he resisted the urge, sighing.

"I got to pay attention to the road bud."

There was a little gap on the side of the road coming up on his right and Jack turned on his 'right' turning signal as he slowed the car down. "I can pull over here—"

"I want to be brave and show you my battle scars Daddy." Jack grows confused yet worried at the same time, quickly pulling the car over and making sure his flashers are on before looking back at Scott.

"Battle scars?" His tone is rimmed with questioning and Scott sends him a toothy smile.

"Look!" He lifts his chin up, and Jack sees it.

His heart drops.

It's not huge or ugly but it's there and that's enough to make him feel like the worst father in the world. It was technically his fault how the fire even happened in the first place; if he was paying more attention or triple-checked everything maybe it wouldn't had happened at all. It's a tiny scar in the marred shape of a lowercase 'x'.

It's diverse.

It's his.

Jack knew it shouldn't have been there.

There is a deep pain in Jack's chest as he stares at the scar until Scott moves his head back down so he can't see it anymore. The turmoil still remains. Jack gulps, afraid that if he doesn't clear his throat correctly he won't be able to speak past the boulder-like feeling in his windpipe. "That's a-awesome bud. Why do you think it's a battle scar though?"

The youngster simply shrugs, his smile never wavering. "Because the aliens didn't end up getting me."

Jack can't help but let a choked up laugh escape him as he turns back around to the wheel and rubs his hands over his face.

Scott was so damn innocent.

Sometimes he forgot what children didn't know, what they didn't have to fear. He forgot that they were scared of everything but yet fearless when the monsters came knocking on their doors. In some ways, he knows that Haley and Scott are better than he will ever be, more valiant than he could ever find the courage to be. He wipes his eyes, feeling the water. He wouldn't dare to cry, not after what they all had been through.

He sniffs once and grips the wheel so tight that his knuckles turn white.

He moves the wheel, the car hoping over the cracked pavement back onto their side of the road and Jack glances in the side mirror, his heart leaping up to rest in his throat.

He knows it's too late, that the Ford Pickup is going too fast.

He knows he made a mistake.

He scrambles to press the gas pedal to give his old car some gas but it's not enough.

So instead he gives up on that and turns towards Scott; moving his arm to rest as a barricade against his little body so that when they get hit the force won't kill him. He sends a prayer up to God, not caring if he himself lives as long as Scott makes it out. A question forms on the child's lips but it's too late as the shriek of metal on metal and brakes screaming echoes into the chipper morning.

Everything goes black for Jack and there's an ear-splintering ringing in both of his ears.

He tries to open his eyes and it feels like hours before he can actually get them open. The first thing he sees is his injured arm bleeding again, gauze lost and throw haphazardly over the passenger seat; as well as smashed black leather interior. He groans, blinking a few times and trying to move his legs. He tries to move his arm but gasps as immense discomfort meets him and he nearly passes out from the feeling.

He shakes his head in resentment, not allowing his body to give in and cause him to be helpless.

He moves his arm and turns back around in his seat, seeing the window shattered before him. The deflated airbag is resting in his lap as dots of blood drip from his arm and deface the pearly white of the protector. He risks a glimpse down at his arm and sees the skin bleeding profusely; a new large, gapping gash staring blankly back at him.

There's a few pieces of glass from the window mocking him, plastered in plugs among his sticky blood.

He nearly gags at the dark color, his mind too disarrayed to be able to tell if loosing this much blood was good for him or not.

He hears distant, very distant, sirens and struggles to move himself out the door that looks to be pushed forward. He's too out of it to tell if he's seeing things or not. He manages to get out and falls to the ground, shouting in agony when he feels another piece of something cut through his shirt and into his abs. His muscles yelp at the intruder, a shudder of cold washes over Jack. He knows he is losing consciousness and fast.

Then, the memory hits him like a train wreck.

Scott.

Scott.

He wheezes and tries to stand up as fast as he can; looking up towards the mashed in passenger side door. He reaches for the handle that looks like it's not even there as the sirens seem to get closer and close in around him.

He officially blacks out by the time people are prodding and poking at his bloodied body.

The next time he wakes up he's laying down in an ambulance. There's an oxygen mask over his face and he sits up so fast he nearly gives the paramedic a heart attack of her own. "Holy shit," She breathed as she shot up, trying to push Jack back down. "Sir please calm down. You need to take it easy. You need stiches in your arm and—"

He reaches up with his bad arm and pulls the mask off him, determined on finding Scott and making sure nothing else can happen to him.

The woman tries to talk Jack back into lying down and multiple times tries to also pop a sedative into his arm but Jack doesn't allow it and demands that she tells him where Scott is. The woman seems so scared that she might just jump out the doors before they reach the hospital right around the corner.

"The kid that was in my car—where is he?" He's crazed with finding him.

The woman is mentally thanking her skills for being able to throw some blue sticky gaze over his injured arm as a precaution. If that wasn't there, there would've been blood everywhere.

"Sir please calm down. We are just getting to the hospital now—"

Once he hears that he freezes and waits for the car to stop before hopping off the locked in stretcher and ignoring the woman's calls. He enters the hospital and looks around for anyone—Scott, Kim, Haley; just someone. His eyes land on Kim and Haley over by the desk.

Jack runs over and grabs a trembling Haley from Kim's arms, the three are obvious to Scott being wheeled into emergency surgery behind them.

Jack goes into near hysterics, keeping his sobs in to try and not unnerve Haley more than she already was. Kim is avoiding Jack and trying to get information from the desk to no success. Kim is finally pointed to a Doctor preparing to go into surgery for Scott and hassles answers.

Jack holds Haley as tight as he can. "Are you okay Daddy?"

He nearly loses it right then and there. "Yeah baby girl, I'm okay."

"And Scott?" Jack takes a minute to think of the best answer.

"Yeah honey. He's alright too."

Kim walks back over with the Doctor with her who looks frazzles as he quickly dishes out answers. "Scott is okay. He just needs surgery on his left shoulder blade that was pushed forward from the impact. Besides that a few scratches he is fine. He got lucky Miss Crawford."

"Thank you."

He sends her a smile before running into the surgery room, knowing he was going to save one little boy's life.

Kim walks over towards one of the empty rooms, about to become Scott's once he got out of surgery, and blocks Jack from walking in behind her. There's blood pooling under his gauze now, from the strain of holding Haley. He overlooks it. "Kimmy?" His voice is so quiet she doesn't think he had even spoken.

She is near tears and so pissed off that she could throw him through the window all at the same time. She turns suddenly a looks at him, a certain fire in her eyes.

Pain, hate and love shine brightly.

"Why is it that hell follows where you walk? Why can't you just leave my family alone?"

Jack looks her hard in the eyes before he answers, shifting Haley to his other shoulder. "Because it's my family too."