A week passed and Kim was slowly opening up to Jimmy again. She accepted his advances and took them as they came, but there was still something bothering her. It was that dark shadow that she knew would eventually cast itself on them and lead her to push him away once again. Kim tried her best to block it out, but she knew she was trapped in its vicious cycle. She began to think that maybe, maybe she should just give in and let destiny run its course again.

"Hey, Kim", Jimmy smiled as he kissed her quickly on the lips.

"Hey", she smiled back weakly, perhaps even forced. The fact was, Kim was frazzled and tired after a long and strenuous day, and was none the less glad to accept Jimmy's offer to come and pick her up at the 5-5.

"Long day?", Jimmy asked sheepishly, knowing well that was a stupid question by the looks of her.

"How'd you guess?", Kim mumbled. "One call right after the next. I barely had time to breathe", she said as she rubbed her face with both hands and pushed away wisps of disheveled hair.

Even though she was not at her best right now, Jimmy still thought she was beautiful. He couldn't help but stare at her, and was caught off guard when Kim started waving her hand across his face and impatiently said, "Earth to Jimmy!...Snap out of it!"

"Mmm...What was that Kimmy?", he said dreamily, with the slightest smile that was enough to make any girl's heart skip a beat.

"You're hopeless Jimmy, that's what", Kim said sarcastically.

"Aww... Kimmy, that's why you love me, don't 'cha?", he jokingly answered back.

Kim rolled her eyes and began heading towards Jimmy's bike. As she passed him, she couldn't help but smile to herself. Although Kim was trying her best to control herself, she just couldn't help being drawn in by Jimmy's charm.

Kim stopped short of the bike, turned around to Jimmy and said, "Are you giving me a ride, or do I have to handle this thing by myself?"

Jimmy jogged up to the bike and put on his helmet. He smiled when he felt Kim wrap her arms around his waist.

"Now don't try and take advantage of me", Jimmy said coyly.

Kim playfully slapped him on the back of his shoulder and quipped, "Jimmy, just shut up and drive".

"Yes ma'm!", Jimmy shouted.

And with that, the two took off.

The whole ride brought back memories for Jimmy and Kim. Unknowingly, both were thinking of the time they shared together back when the two had just met. Jimmy took Kim out for a ride on his newly bought motorcycle. They rode through the streets, young and carefree, unlike now. Now they had so much more on their minds, and they had Joey to consider. So much had changed, but one thing that remained the same was their love for each other.

Jimmy turned off the engine and Kim hesitantly stepped off the bike, taking off her helmet. She looked up at her apartment, and then down at the helmet she was holding. He sensed her reluctance and questioned her.

"What's the matter Kim?", he asked, taking off his helmet.

Sara Evan's, "Need To Be Next To You" plays in the background

Been runnin' from these feelings for so long
Tellin' my heart I didn't need you
Pretending I was better off alone

"Jimmy...I don't want to go home yet. Joey's with my mom...Can we just drive?...", she trailed off, knowing she would probably sound pathetic for asking.

"Sure, Kim...anything", Jimmy said sympathetically, as he tried to look into her eyes for some sort of answer.

Kim smiled shyly in appreciation and quickly got back onto the bike. She wasn't sure what she was doing, but Kim knew she didn't want to go back home yet, and she knew she needed Jimmy's company, even though she tried her best to hide it.

But I know that it's just a lie
So afraid to take a chance again
So afraid of what I feel inside

Jimmy drove her to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, where they both got off the bike. He took her hand and led her to the railing where they looked out at the beautiful view of the Manhattan skyline.

Jimmy turned to Kim and smiled, "Now, what's bothering you Kim? I thought you were exhausted..."

But I need to be next to you
I need to share every breath with you

Before he could finish the sentence, Kim's lips were all over Jimmy's. Jimmy didn't refuse, nor did he want to. Kim slid her hands off his chest and let her arms hang over Jimmy's shoulders. Jimmy pulled her against his body, moving his hand up and down her back. The pair were locked in a passionate kiss, and neither wanted to pull out of it, but it was Jimmy who ultimately took control and pulled out of the kiss.

Jimmy looked down before slowly looking back up at Kim, noticing that her chest was rising and falling heavily, like his. Her face was flushed and her lips were a little swollen from the amorous kiss.

"What was that all about?...Not that I'm complaining", he quickly added.

"Maybe I shouldn't have. I don't know what I was thinking...I was caught up in the moment...of tonight...of us...", Kim rambled on apologetically, nervously pushing aside strands of her long hair.

"Kim...Kimmy, listen to me", Jimmy said. "I'm glad you did, because I know we still have a chance. We're going to make it Kim, I swear to you." He pulled her close and hugged her tightly, not wanting to let go of her.

Right here with you is where I belong
I loose my mind if I can't see you
Without you there is nothing in this life
That would make my life worth living for

She didn't know what it was, but surprisingly, she believed him this time. There was something so confident and defiant in his voice and words that made her believe that truly, things were going to work out this time around. Kim tried not to think of anything else. She wanted to enjoy this moment.

By the time the two drove back to Kim's apartment it was already three in the morning. Kim stepped off the bike and turned towards Jimmy.

"Stay with me, Jimmy?", Kim asked, as she took his hand and played with his fingers.

I can't fight what I'm feeling anymore
'Cos I need to be next to you
I need to have your heart next to mine
Love you for all of my life

Jimmy smiled. He was more than happy to, and so he followed her into her apartment. Inside, Kim lead Jimmy into her bedroom. She was still caught up in the moment and decided on a whim that this was what felt so right. "Let me be selfish just once more", she thought to herself, knowing what she was getting herself and Jimmy into.

Kim wanted him, and he wanted her. They've been apart for three weeks, and for Jimmy, it was like three years. The next thing they knew, clothes were being ripped apart and tossed in various directions, leaving them with nothing on but their underwear; Jimmy in his navy blue boxers and Kim in her black push-up bra and low cut underwear. They found themselves kissing madly, hands sliding, rubbing and pressing over every inch of each other's bodies. Kim had to virtually tear herself away from Jimmy, who didn't want to let her go.

"Slow down Jimmy", she huffed.

"Can't...too irresistible...", Jimmy breathed out, smiling at her.

Kim playfully pushed Jimmy away from her, disrupting him from kissing and lapping at her neck. She had a huge grin on her face as she pushed Jimmy onto her bed. Jimmy waited in anticipation as she straddled him and leaned down to kiss him. He wrapped his arms around her waist, but lowered them so his hands could caress her thighs. They were still kissing heavily, two hot bodies pressed against each other, practically joined at the hips, screaming out for some intimacy long overdue. The utter nearness of Jimmy and their current situation made Kim moan out in pleasure as Jimmy began moving his sweet kisses away from her mouth, down along her neck and then to her chest. The two made passionate love that night, and it meant more than ever because now Kim feared she had so much more to loose.

Jimmy turned his head over to look at the alarm clock on the night stand to see that it was already 6:25 am. He looked down at Kim sleeping so peacefully, lying on her stomach, partially draped over him. He couldn't help but smile and kiss her ever so gently on the top of her head. As Jimmy stroked Kim's hair, his thoughts drifted onto the dreaded decision he had to make. He shut his eyes tightly and tried to push the thoughts away. He knew what he had to do, no matter how much it would pain him.

To be continued...
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