Disclaimer: I have been told that I do not own these characters. I wish that I did. Then maybe I could afford to have my computer fixed and then I would be able to get these chapters up a little faster. Anywho, I hope that you r and r. Tootlies!!

Chapter Four

Jason stood at his kitchen window gazing out into the fierce storm that was ravaging through Angel Grove. Tommy had left hours before to go out with the group. He had turned down their invitation. When Jason had disappeared six months before he had left his whole life behind including his job. When Tommy had returned at six they had talked of Jason starting at the dojo that they had begun with Rocky's inheritance from his Aunt and Tommy's winnings from the track. He had agreed to join his two friends since his bank account would not support him for too much longer.

Another bolt of lightning ripped across the sky making the lights flicker a few times before the electricity went out for good.

"Shit" Jason swore as he tried to remember where he had put the Yankee Candles his mother had bought him. Just as he lit the last candle in the living room he heard a soft knock at the door. 'Who in the world would be out in this horrible storm' he thought as he shuffled over to the door.

Jason opened the door to find a soaking wet and trembling Kimberly.

"Kim!" He exclaimed as he ushered her into the warmth of his apartment.

"I'm…so..sorry" She mumbled as he led her to the bathroom.

"For what?" he asked as he grabbed her a pair of his smallest sweat pant and tee shirt.

"Barging…in…on…you"

"Here" he said as he handed her the sweats. "Get out of those wet clothes."

Kimberly slowly pulled the warm clothes of her still trembling body. 'I must be coming down with something' she thought as shakily tried to put on dry socks. She was beyond thankful that Jason was home and that he only lived a half mile away. Something about the storm had her jumpy and terrified. She found comfort with Jason, knowing that with him near no harm would come to her. Kim looked in the mirror. Even in the flickering light of the candle she could make out her gaunt features and dull eyes. She knew that she needed to eat and that she wouldn't be able to go without sleep too much longer. She turned away from the mirror not wanting to think about anything. Her head was beginning to throb, her throat was soar, breathing was beginning to hurt and her whole body was starting to ache. She tried to push back all the pain and aching as she made her way out the living room where Jason was sitting on the coach. She heaved a heavy sigh as she sat down beside him, resting her head on his strong shoulder. 'Maybe a quick nap would be alright' she thought as she felt sleep tugging on her mind and body. After a few minutes she finally gave in and moved her head onto the couch pillow Jason had on his lap and closed her eyes. Her last coherent thought was that of piece and safety.

Jason pulled the blanket laying across the top of the couch over her still shaking body. He fell asleep stroking her hair not long after. Jason slowly woke up trying to remember what happened. He looked down at Kim, she was still sleeping yet something didn't seem quite right about her. She was still visibly shaking though the clock told him that they had been asleep for three hours. He went to pull back the locks of hair that fell across her face and was startled to find that her skin was hot to touch. Kim was burning up with a fever! It wasn't until he moved her off his lap and went to retrieve a cool cloth from the bathroom that he realized her breathing was coming in heavy, labored gasps. Jason grabbed his cell phone and dialed Adam's number. Adam was in his third year at Angel Grove University for Pre-med. If anyone was going to be able to help it would be Adam. Kim was beginning to softly moan when Adam pick up on the third ring

Adam Park was waiting in line to exit the theater with the others when his phone began to chime wildly from it's place on his belt.

"Wonder who is calling me this late." He flipped the phone open and brought it to his ear. "Hello?"

"Adam it's Jason."

"Hey"

"Look I hope that I didn't wake you up but I have Kimberly here and she is burning up with a fever and it seems like she might be having trouble breathing." Jason explained the rest of the symptoms frantically.

"Jason I need you to keep putting the cool compress on her then I need you to try and wake her up. Get her to talk to you, do whatever you can to keep her awake until I get there."

"How long?" Jason asked.

"I'm at the theater so give me ten minutes."

Adam snapped the phone shut and turned to his friends who had crowded behind him when the caught what he was saying on the phone.

"Well?" Rocky asked when Adam turned to them.

"I have to get over to Jason's apartment. Kim is there and she has a high fever. Jason sounded really upset."

"I'll drive" Tommy said quickly. "Rocky will you take the girls home?"

"Yeah" Rocky agreed as Tommy and Adam began to run to Tommy's Explorer.

Adam and Tommy pulled into Jason's Apartment co,plex and ran up to his door. They walked in without bothering to knock. Jason was kneeling next to the couch. Adam went straight to Kim and laid his hand on her forehead.

"Did you take her temp?" He asked looking over at Jason.

"It was at a hundred and three right after I called you."

"Kim?" Adam asked giving her a light shake. All he got in response was a soft groan.

"I haven't been able to wake her up." Jason explained as Adam tried calling her name again.

"I need to grab a large blanket. We have to get her to the Emergency Room." Jason ran off at Adam's request and came back carrying a large quilt. Jason quickly wrapped Kim up and looked over at Tommy who still stood by the door. His face was as white as the wall he stood next to.

"Alright, lets go" Adam said moving to the door.

Jason picked Kim's shaking form up in his arms and followed Adam out the door. Tommy jumped into the drivers seat as Adam held the door open for Jason. Once everyone was in Tommy drove while Adam dialed the E.R.

Kim thought she heard Adam calling her name but she wasn't sure. 'Why can't I wake up?' she thought vaguely as she drifted back to the blackness. 'I just need to sleep, I am so tired'

Once at the hospital two doctors and a few nurses whisked Kim out of Jason's arms, and down the hall on a gurney.

"You need to wait here for now." A nurse told the three anxious men.

"What do you think she has?" Jason asked Adam as he paced the cramped waiting room. Adam sat hunched forward resting his arms on his knees. Tommy stood leaning against the wall with his head down. He had barely said five words since the arrived at Jason's apartment.

"Well it could be a number of things," Adam said truthfully. "I don't want to jump to conclusions."

They had been there two hours and still there had been no word.

Adam had called the others to let them know that they were at the hospital waiting for news. Rocky, Tanya and Kat had insisted to join them. They should me arriving at any minute.

Now it was just a waiting game.

"I hate not knowing anything!" Jason heaved as he sat down a seat away from Adam.

Kat followed Rocky and Tanya into the Emergency Room waiting area. Her eye immediately went to Tommy who was leaning against the wall, hands in hi pockets completely turned off to the rest of the world. His hair was falling from it's trademark ponytail across his eyes and face. She went over to him and placed a soothing hand on his shoulder while Rocky went to Jason. He stood speaking in hushed tones with his predecessor. Adam was soon wrapped into a hug. All of them were tired and in a way needed each to draw strength from. Kat turned her attention back to Tommy who had mumbled a soft hello before casting his eyes to the television, which was blinking a severe weather bulletin. Kat moved forward and pulled him in a hug, which he gratefully accepted, then pulled back from. She cringed knowing that all of his thoughts were with Kimberly who was behind the double doors that led to the rest of the Emergency room.

***Sorry about the wait. I am sure that the next chapter will be up early this week. Thank you for all the reviews. I will take what all of you said into account. Have a great week!!!****Jules****