Chapter Three

"Cool!" Kara exclaimed. "Crap, I've got to get to work. I guess you'll be coming with me," he mumbled.

They were in the car when TC started talking. "So, Kara...where'd you get those bruises?" he asked casually. Kara froze. "Just...just fights at school. Kevin and me, y-y-you know?" she stuttered. He didn't believe her. "You can tell me anything, Kara. It'll stay between you and me," he told her. "That's the truth!" she yelled.

He decided to take a different approach. "Well, you'll start school tomorrow I guess. I shouldn't keep you out. Do you have any..other clothes?" he asked, looking down at her torn up clothes. "No." she answered, her cheeks growing red with embarassment. "Hey, it's okay, it's not your fault," he told her.

"I guess I'll get Teresa to take you to the mall. She'll love that," he said. "But I wanna be with you," she whined. "Tomorrow I'm off, and we can, okay? But I've got to work. You'll be with Bobby and Teresa." He explained. She didn't say any more until he asked, "How'd you get from New Jersey to here?" he asked.

"Um, a few bus rides, a hitch hiking-" she started but TC cut her off. "WHAT? Hitchhiking?! Are you crazy, Kara? You couldn't been beaten, raped, killed! What were you thinking?" he yelled. She scooted from him as far as possible. "What else was I suppose to do? Anytime I mention you I get grounded," she yelled back. TC tried to stay calm. "If you had just called, I would've hopped on the next flight instead of you putting yourself in that kind of-stupid-situation."

Finally they arrived at the firehouse. "TC!" Russ exclaimed. Kara stared at him and thought, 'whoa, baby' "Whose this? TC, are you crushin' on the youngins?" Russ asked, winking. TC smirked. "No, Granger. This is my sister, Kara. Kara, this is Russ," TC introduced them. "Hi Russ," Kara mumbled, looking down. Russ smiled. "Hey, kid."

"Where's Bobby?" "Talking to Monica. And Jamie. And Teresa," he said. "Gear up, Kare. You're about to meet a lot of people." TC whispered. They walked to where they all were, except Russ and Corey had also joined them. "Everyone, this is my little sister. Kara." He said.

"You didn't tell me you had a little sister, TC," Bobby said, "if you hadn't had said something I woulda thought it was YOUR kid!" "Uh, no," TC said quickly. Kara bit back a grin. "Well, hi Kara," Jamie said. "How old are you?" "Twelve," Kara answered. Jamie looked up at TC. Again, the kid looked as if she were 8, maybe 9 or 10.

Kara smiled a little. "Hi," she said shyly. "Is it okay if she hangs out with you guys, Bobby?" TC asked hopefully. "Sure." "And, Teresa, could you take her to the mall? For some clothes?" TC asked. "Of course! You know I wouldn't miss a chance to go to the mall!" She exclaimed. "Thanks. Here's my credit card. And, don't..you...dare," he warned her. She smiled sweetly. "Who? Me?" she said sarcastically. "Let's go!" she said headed for the door. Kara clung to TC. "No, I wanna stay with you!" she cried. TC bent down so he'd be eye level with her. "Hey, it's only gonna be for a few hours. Then we'll go back home, kay?" he offered. She shook her head. TC sighed. "Kara, I have to go to work. She need clothes for school."

She finally let go. "She won't bite. Promise." TC said, grinning. Kara smiled a little, too. TC never said "I promise" to her. It was always 'promise' from the time Kara was born. "Okay," she agreed. "Good!"

Later that night Kara was sleeping in a chair across from Bobby in new overalls over a pink tee. TC came in and saw her. Bobby saw him and smiled. "She's a good kid. Quiet but good," he said. TC smiled back and started picking up Kara. "No!" she mumbled in her sleep. She was turning and thrusting a lot of in her sleep so TC just figured it was a normal nightmare.

He couldn't have been more wrong.