Chapter 21: Ex Factor

A/N: We are almost there. It's just that I felt this little bit left unaddressed.

Kim POV

Monday

Jack was calmer now that I was living with him and had a very predictable schedule. Two weeks passed since the hearing and Gerald was preparing our settlement offer. I have not heard or seen Ethan, which helped settle Jack's concerns. The score was progressing and Mark and Jeremy had a layout of the trailer mostly figured out. I felt like the deadlines would be fine as long as I was going at the same pace.

It was Monday and Jack was treating me to a nice dinner since he insisted on at least one date a week. Sometimes he was such a sap. We were almost done and just were waiting for deserts. Jack went to the bathroom and I was fiddling with my phone, when I heard someone calling my name.

"Kim?" a familiar voice called from behind me, though not the one I was praying for. I turned around and faced him. He gave me his boyish smile. He looked exactly the same. Same blond overly styled hair, baby blue eyes, same dimples.

"Ricky," I guess I can't hide away now.

"How are you Kim? I heard you are in the Conservatory. Piano?" Ricky was acting like we simply old friends reconnected. Fine, two can play this game. I can be polite.

"Vocal and composition, actually."

"Oh! I did not know you composed," He did not look impressed. More like disbelieving. Typical. Most people were. There are not that many women composers, especially in the classical music field, but still. It irked me.

"I do. What about you? Still doing the same thing?" I wanted to get him to leave, but there was no polite way of extracting myself out of this conversation. I couldn't just dash.

"Well, you know me. I perform, record a little. This and that..." Ricky trailed off looking at me intently. "You are as beautiful as I remember. You know I never quite forgot the girl with such exquisite piano and, apparently, karate skills." He was leaning in and staring unblinking into my face.

"Ricky, let it go. I am with someone right now. Like, literally, he is here with me on a date." I was both looking forward and dreading Jack's return. Ricky is not a problem, but Jack would get jealous again, just when this particular issue was put to rest.

"I see... Someone from the Conservatory? Does he know about your hidden ninja talents? Did you already demonstrate it to him?"

"None of your business. Go back to your table Ricky. We have nothing to talk about."

"Don't be like that Kimmy. You used to like to talk to me. Remember, music, styles, application, technique. Does you man talk to you like that?" Ricky extended his hand and put it lightly on mine.

Jack POV

Monday

Unbelievable... I leave for less than ten minutes and already there is a guy near Kim. You try not to be mad. I looked this boy over until my eyes landed on the boy's hand on Kim's arm. I took a few deep breaths to calm myself down, nails digging the inside of my palm, the memory of Kim's face the last time I had gone possessive over her all too clear on my mind. When I got a grip on myself, fake smile in place, I stalked towards them, my hand coming to rest comfortably on the small of her back.

A shiver raced down her spine at that first contact, recognizing me without need to turn around. As their current situation downed on her she froze, set her arm free of the boy's hold then turned her head to see my reaction. I straitened to my full height, locked my jaw tight, and tried to imitate a sincere smile. I could tell that Kim wasn't buying it.

"Kim?" I said evenly, deadly stare fixed on the third party.

"Jack this is Ricky, an old acquaintance from before the Conservatory" she said stumbling through the words. Old acquaintance was an understatement, if his expression was anything to go by. I could tell it was much more than acquaintance. Ricky's eyebrows rose in surprise, confirming the truth of my suspicions.

We hadn't discussed our past relationships. While I had a slew of fleeting romances on my record, nothing was ever serious, therefore was not worth mentioning. Kim was innocent when we met and I stupidly assumed she too didn't have anything serious in her past.

I recovered faster than Kim. "I'm Jack Brewer," I said and reached out with my right hand. Ricky shifted awkwardly on the spot and shook my hand. I squeezed his soft, girly, hand hard. I could tell from his pained expression that maybe I using more force than necessary. Serves him right. Then I leaned slightly forward, eyes trained on Ricky and said, "Kim's boyfriend." I was sure no one missed the warning in my voice.

With one final tug of his hand that made Ricky wince I stepped back. Ricky looked calculatingly between us and tried to lighten the mood, though his tone came out more biting than pleasant, "We were just talking with Kim about music. I am a piano man myself, what about you? Do you play any instruments?"

"No. I know my way around guns. And knives. Most personal weapons really. And few of the military grade machinery..." I knew I was trying to be intimidating, but his guy just pissed me off showing off his music connection to Kim.

"Guess you're the one to blame for Kim refusing to answer any of my calls." What the hell? This guy was trying to contact Kim? Repeatedly? And she never told me? I suppose I can't blame her, after my attitude towards guys that weren't trying to steal her away.

"Guess so," I replied, as Ricky's smile flattened.

Kim's expression turned angry and she bit out, "Ricky, don't exaggerate. You called me twice last year. I didn't answer because we have nothing to talk about." Oh, it didn't end well if she refused to talk to him. Your loss. I managed another bright smile at Kim's ex-boyfriend (now I was pretty sure this was an ex). Feeling quite accomplished, I slid his arm around her waist, pressing her more firmly to my side. A minute passed as the tension grew until Kim broke silence, not being able to take it anymore.

"Ricky, I'm so sorry, but we'd rather go back to our meal," she said, sounding mock apologetic and I could feel my smile widening at her phrasing.

"I must say I am not surprised you went for the brute, Kim," Ricky said with a sneer. He turned to me with a curious expression, "Did you have to wrestle her down to get anywhere? This prude wouldn't put out when we went out..."

"Oh!" Kim gasped and made this motion with her hand towards him, but I got there first. With great relish I punched this little boy with over gelled hair right into his face.

The restaurant kicked us out for causing the scene and Ricky had to leave as well. His nose was bleeding and I could see black eye already forming. Kim was silent. Not quiet - silent. I felt my stomach churning, preparing for a fight.

We were finally home and Kim went to the bedroom to put away her shoes that she took off immediately upon arrival. "Kim," I started, reaching her side. She kept her back turned toward me, arms crossed against her chest. I placed a hand hesitantly against her shoulder and she spun around to face me.

"Don't. Don't Kim me, Jack" she snapped at me. "I saw that whole intimidating act at the beginning…" I raised my eyebrows at the word 'act.' It was not an act. I had been dead serious. "You can't go around punching everyone who looks at me. I can take care of myself you know. And I did it with Ricky already."

"I don't know Kimmy, why didn't you tell me about this guy? I just found out that he exists and apparently calls you. And then he flaunts his piano skills right in front of me, like a peacock. Right in front of me!" I countered, feeling bothered. "What else don't I know?"

She was at a loss of words and took a step backwards. I shook my head. I didn't want her to be afraid of me. I tried to approach her but she moved away from my touch. Silence stretched between us as we both calmed down.

"I'm sorry" I mumbled. "I acted on instinct, that's what I do. I got carried away; it's just… seeing you with him it sparked something in me, and when I figured out he was your ex... I just snapped."

"Why did you?" she countered, voice barely a whisper.

"Because you were with him. You are so young. He probably was your first love. You have music in common..." I said, unprepared to spill out this insecurity to her. "In that moment I remembered the way you get lost in you world of music and I cannot keep up with you there."

"Jack, I love music, not him. He was my serious boyfriend, but I did not not love him. He was a total sleazebag, as he showed himself to be tonight," she shared, walking towards me. "He was interested in me mostly because I was a virgin idiot. I overheard him, confronted him, and let him know in no uncertain terms what I thought of him. He called me a couple of times, but I haven't heard from him since last summer. Until tonight." She finished, her hand coming to caress my face, fingers tracing my forehead.

"I'm sorry" I said, our eyes locked "Are you still mad at me?"

She sighed "I'm not mad at you. I wasn't, I'm just… frustrated I guess... It's just that I basically live with you now and I thought after our last fight you wouldn't feel the need to mark your territory like this" I started to complain, but she stopped me pressing a palm to my chest. "It's flattering that you want people to know we are together and I like that too. My point is I'm all in, in this, us" she said, signaling between us, "so I can't for the life of me understand why you won't trust me with other people."

That's what was bothering her? That I didn't trust her? She was nipping at her lip nervously. I cupped her face and gently caressed her cheek, my thumb easing her lower lip from the tight grip.

"You know I trust you. I'm sorry if I gave you the impression I didn't… It's them I don't trust" her lips parted, but I swallowed the words kissing her finally.

At first I simply brushed my lips lightly over hers, trying to convey how serious I was. But I quickly got carried away, the feel of her deeply intoxicating. I traced her lips demanding entrance, which she gladly granted. One hand left her face and roamed down her side, settling in her waist and pulling her closer. Her hands weren't idle either. Fingers tangled in my hair; her other hand clutched at the material of my shirt.

She was the first to pull away for much needed air. Our shallow breaths mingled as I rested my forehead on hers, our eyes locked. I smiled at her, the corners of her lips rising in response.

"I'm sorry" I whispered. She ran her fingers against the back of my neck and nudged my nose with hers. I was forgiven.

"I'm not going anywhere" she said and then playfully added, "it was so great to see him being punched by my man."

"It was great to punch him. I wish I could do more."

"You are so bad, Jack."

"Do you still like bad boys, Kim?" I whispered lowly into her ear and I could see and feel her shiver. She lifted her face to me and whispered against my lips, "What do you do to me, Jack?"

"Trust me, its mutual," I said and went for another kiss...