Disclaimer: I don't own the Fast and the Furious or the characters and all that good stuff.
AN: Ok now you get to know why Kim's nickname is Moony!
Chapter 3
What the Rain will Bring
Kim heard Jesse's question, but it didn't actually register with her. She stared blankly for a few seconds and then cleared her head.
"Umm… what?" she choked out. The question caught her off guard. No on had ever asked her why her family called her Moony. Everyone had just thought it was a cute nickname and left it at that. Kim had been grateful she'd never had to explain the origins of her nickname to anyone.
"Why did Sky call you Moony? That is your nickname isn't it?" he repeated gently. Kim eyed Jesse wearily. She knew her discomfort, hurt and anxiety must have been showing on her face, because of the concern in Jesse's eyes. It was a simple question, but how to answer it without diving head first into her repressed memories. She just needed to form the right words to set Jesse at ease.
"Well… you may not know this, but I have four younger brothers and sisters," Kim started. "Sky and I basically raised them after…yeah. Anyway, my youngest brother Zach never really knew mom or dad, and he thought of me as his mom. It was creepy when he started calling me Mommy and then the rest of the kids started too. I had to explain to him that I wasn't his mom, and it wasn't right for him call me that. You should have seen the look on his face when I told him. I would have given anything to take back what I said. Then one night, he was sitting on my lap outside starring at the moon. He told me the moon made him feel safe. From then on he started calling me Moony… I made him feel safe like the moon… and a mom," Kim stopped her story and let out a long sigh. She turned her gaze to the distant moon above their heads.
"Where are your parents?" Jesse asked tentatively. Kim looked down at Jesse with a heart wrenching sadness in her eyes. It was only natural to ask that question. Her story probably left him with more questions than answers. She couldn't tell him everything now. It may have been years sense it all happen, but all the wounds of the past wouldn't completely heal. Besides, she'd just met Jesse; she didn't want to lie out her life story. It just didn't seem right.
"I don't think I can talk about it right now," Kim put on a weak smile. "Don't worry, I'm fine," Jesse nodded in understanding. Kim felt relieved that he didn't push her to explain anything more. Maybe Jesse wasn't such a bad guy even if he was associated with her brother. Who knew, she might one day trust Jesse. Time would tell.
"That's cool. I'm here if you ever want to talk," Jesse said. "So how old are you Kimberly?" he asked, letting her name fall out smoothly. Kim narrowed her brow suspiciously.
"Why?" she asked defensively.
"I just want to know more about you. Not your life story or anything, I just want to get to know you better." Kim still kept her guard up.
"I'll be twenty in about a week," she answered cautiously. "How old are you Jesse?" she questioned back.
"Alright, we can play this game," he laughed. "I'm twenty-two. What's your favorite color?"
My favorite color? Kim thought to herself. What was he playing at? Why did he need to know what color she liked? Kim couldn't help that her defenses went into automatic pilot. It was just something that always happened when she was around people she didn't know very well, and it didn't help he knew her brother. Plus this guy had a past that might be linked to the hijackings of trucks. Who wouldn't be a little edgy? Or maybe it was just her…
"Silver," she finally answered. "You?"
"Black. Winter or summer?" he smiled as she raised an eyebrow.
"Does it make a difference in L.A.?"
"Ok, what's your favorite food?" he asked. Kim scrunched her nose in thought. What was her favorite food? She ate a lot of cereal, but what did she like the most?
"Chinese I guess," she decided. She liked Chinese the most. It was something she rarely got to eat, because it was expensive. "Same question."
"Chicken. Your favorite number?"
"I'll have to say three. You?"
"Sixty-nine," he smirked.
"That's not surprising. It's the same for all guys," Kim laughed shaking her head. "Any more questions for me?" she asked. This was actually fun once she relaxed. Kim continued to answer more of his simple questions. The night passed by around them, but they were stuck in their own little world. Kim had never met another person connected with so well. It was almost surprising. The only thing that stopped them from their question battle was the crack of thunder.
Kim looked up to see dark and stormy clouds loom in the sky. A drop of rain pelted down to earth to land on the tip of Kim's nose then another drop came and then more and more until it was coming down in sheets.
"Let's get inside," Jesse said and the two ran for the house. The party had died down and only a few people were left. The house was in an even bigger mess than when Kim first got there. She hadn't realized how much time had passed. It was 4:00am. The time didn't matter to Kim, because she didn't sleep much anyway, but it was frightening how she could just loose track of time with Jesse. Now Kim had to find Sky so they could walk home in the rain, what luck? Kim spotted Sky passed out on the couch in the living room.
"I don't think your bro is going anywhere tonight," the guy named Leon informed when Jesse and Kim stepped into the room. Kim crossed her arms over her chest and sighed at her brother even though he couldn't see her. It wasn't the first time Sky had passed out at a party. He almost never came home after a party. There was just no controlling her brother.
"I'll give you a ride home," Jesse offered when he saw the distress on Kim's face. She smiled warmly in thanks. "Can I borrow your car Leon?" he asked. Leon dug in his pockets and pulled out his keys.
"Be careful with my baby Jesse," Leon said as he tossed him his keys.
"I'll take good care of your car. Don't worry," Jesse laughed.
"I was talking about Kim," he answered. Kim knew it was supposed to be funny, but she instantly blushed. "See you later Kim," he raised his hand as Jesse escorted Kim to the door. The two ran to the car, but their efforts were hopeless, because they still got drenched with water. Kim threw herself in the car and took a second to realize she got in on the wrong side. She looked down at the steering wheel. What is this doing on the passenger side? She thought. A knock on the door snapped her out of her thoughts. She opened the door to see a soaked Jesse. She quickly got out and went to the other side of the car.
"Sorry," she said after they settled in the car.
"It's all right. You didn't know. This car is a Skyline. Comes from over seas so…" Jesse stopped before he started to ramble. Kim told Jesse her address. The ride was silent. It seemed like they had gotten back to where they started the night, in silence.
***
Jesse focused on the road in front of him. The only sound was the pelting of the rain on the car roof and Kim's soft breathing. Jesse wished the ride would have lasted longer, but he pulled up in her driveway just a few minutes later. He followed her to the back door through the still pouring rain.
Kim turned back to him before she opened the door. He blonde hair hung in wet streaks around her face. Her pale rain-splashed face shimmered from the glow of the porch light. Her eyes were still brewing softly in their gray haze. Her tank top clung to her slim form to show how skinny she really was.
Before he knew it, he stepped forward and took her face in his hands. Lightly he placed a feather like kiss on her lips. He stayed above her lips starring into her eyes, feeling her sweet breath on his lips. He waited for her to give him a sign that he could continue to kiss her, but she stood on her tiptoes and met her lips with his in return. Jesse took that opportunity to deepen the kiss as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Jesse smiled against her lips at her simple gesture. He could feel Kim smile against him as well.
"I better get back home before Leon worries about his car," Jesse said even though he didn't want to leave. Kim pulled away to look up at him with a slight confusion written in her eyes. She then flashed him another one of her beautiful smiles in appreciation, and it took all his control not to kiss her again. "Now don't be a stranger. You know where I live, and you can come over anytime."
"Same to you," she replied. Jesse leaned in for one last kiss good-bye.
She stood in the doorway still in the icy rain and watched as Jesse pulled out of the driveway. The house was quiet and dark, but for some reason inviting. Kim welcomed the silence and went up stair to her room. Dusty was curled up in her bed fast asleep. She realized that she was truly tired as well. She changed into dry clothes and flopped down on her bed. For the first time in years, Kim fell asleep soundly.
***
By the time Kim woke up, it was noon. She stretched in satisfaction of sleeping for so long. Snuggling up with her blanket, she attempted to fall asleep again, but someone came into her room. Opening her eyes, she saw it was a rumpled Sky. He looked like a wreck. He had major bed head and his clothes looked like he'd slept in them. Kim could smell the stale alcohol on him. The thing that worried her though was the fear behind his eyes.
"What is it?" she asked sitting up.
"Dad just got released from prison," was his disturbing answer. Kim starred in disbelief at her brother. Their father was supposed to be jailed for life.
AN: Hmm… I gave you guys some fluff and a little cliffy. I bet your all wondering what's up with Kim's past and now her father?! I have no idea! Hahahaha *chough* Anyway, I'm have about a million ideas for what Kim's past was like, but I can't decide what the best idea is. The whole, her father's out of prison thing was something I wrote last minute. If you guys have any suggestions feel free to leave them, because right now I'm stuck at where to turn this story. Just don't feel offended if I don't use them.
See ya next time!