PR is totally somebody else's, but no money is being made or lost. As the illustrious Rach says, "no harm, no foul." Sorry for the gaping lapse since the last chapter. Throwing myself upon the mercy of the court, I plead youth and inexperience, combined with long and faithful service. Many thanks to my international muse, Dagmar, who gently cracked the whip just by letting me know she cares. And of course, as always, to Gamine.
"The stinking thing is, she's right," Jason thought to himself as he stalked out to his bronco. He stopped himself for a deep breath as he grabbed the door handle. "I should have given Aj the best that could be had. She deserves it. Especially in light of all we've just been through. Life is too short not to do it right the first time." He sighed to himself. "But that doesn't mean I'll let Kim get away with this kind of crap."
Jason almost threw himself into the seat, and slammed the battered door shut with a satisfying "chunk." It surprised him by sounding twice.
He looked over, and saw Aji in the passenger's seat, looking right back at him.
"Where do you think you're going?" he demanded.
"With you," Aji replied. "I'm not letting you run off like a half-crazed grat'lest to chase after Kim. She doesn't deserve it, no matter what she said to you." Her calm but determined face gazed across the cab at him.
"Besides," she went on with a wry grin, "I've seen what Kim can do to a grat'lest when she's motivated."
"Shut up," Jason said, although he could feel his anger already beginning to diffuse. Still, he wanted to teach the little meddler a lesson. His plan began to form.
***
By the time they arrived at Tommy's apartment, Jason had carefully coached Aji in what she was to say. They screeched to a halt in the gray stone of the driveway. Jason leapt out of the car, slamming his door loudly.
"Kim!" he bellowed. Upstairs, they could see a light curtain flutter aside as a small face framed by dark hair peered out. Tommy appeared at the top of the flight of steps leading to the wooden upper deck.
"Jase, look, I know you're mad and all, but…"
"Out of the way, Tom. I know what I'm doing. If she can say it to me, she can say it to my face. And I just might have a little wedding advice of my own for her." He reached the top of the steps, and began to push past Tommy. "Kim – I know you're here. Get out here, you pushy ex-pink midget."
Tommy looked down at Aji, who gave him their old battle hand-signal for "wait." Confused, Tommy nodded, and turned back to watch the scene.
Kim came and stood in the doorway. Her bottom lip was slightly trembling but her chin and eyes were defiant. "Midget, huh? Come and see what I've got for you, you overblown…"
"I don't think that you have any right to threaten, or lecture, me about my love life, Miss Run-on-down-to-Florida-and-drive-my-life-bound-partner-to-leave-the-planet-in-despair."
"You ASSHOLE!" Suddenly, there was a hole in the air where Kim had been a moment ago. She was currently flying towards Jason with her right foot out to strike him. Jason coolly sidestepped, and caught her. Even though he no longer held Paladin, he still greatly outmatched Kim in strength and size. He held her while she flailed. "You JERK! You let me go! Tommy! Do SOMETHING, dammit!"
"You know, I'm really not that mad at you. I just want the chance to give you some of what you so lovingly and freely dish out – and you're going to take it, because I won't let go of you until I do." Jason smiled down at Aji and winked at Tommy. Kim grew quiet in his arms.
"Okay Jason. I'll stop. But just so you know, you and Aji'd better have kids damn fast, because you're LOSING those boys as soon as I get a clear shot at you."
Tommy chocked back his laughter. He'd have to remember that one.
Jason set the feisty brunette down and pointed to a deck chair. "Sit." Glumly, Kim sat. She glowered at Aji as she came up to the deck and sat down with Jason across from Kim. "Fat lot of help you were, sister. I might just not make you a bridesmaid after all."
"Now Kim," Jason began soothingly. "I do love you despite your shortcomings, and I forgive you for your insanity and lack of good judgment. I do, however, want you to deal with things logically now. You had no right to say what you said, or to invade or interfere with Aji and me unless you are willing to have it the same way. If you do unto others, the others by right have a chance to do unto you right back." Jason straightened, and cleared his throat.
"Now. Concerning your recent outburst, when you made me feel like an absolute yoink for not giving Aji the best of everything our world has to offer…." Kim cringed slightly, waiting for the outburst.
"You were absolutely right."
Kim sat up. "You think I was RIGHT? Then what is this all about?" she demanded in a loud tone.
"Because I have something to say about you and Tommy, and I know that I'm right too. I meant what I said about you running off on Tom. I know you love him and he loves you – but what's with all this wedding crap? It's going to take almost a year to plan things exactly the way you want for this wedding, and you're already driving everyone NUTS.
He gestured inside. "And what's with all of those big, fat catalogs we see every time we come over here? You've totally taken over Tommy's house!"
"But I've dreamed about this since I was a little girl!" Kim retorted. "It's what I've always wanted!"
Jason looked at her, and pointed to Tommy. "No, Kim – he's what you've always wanted."
Kim looked over at Tommy, eyes welling up in memory of what she'd almost lost. She heard Jason again, softly but firmly.
"Now, quit wasting time and marry the boy."
Fifteen hours later, the four were in Vegas.