Years After.

Disclaimer: Ditto from last chapter.

Chapter 12 – Free for coffee?

As Tommy was driving home, he felt something was not right. The conversation he had with Jason earlier replayed in his head. Something is wrong. Then, a loud screeching sound was heard as he stepped hard on his breaks, just in time to avoid crashing into a drunken guy who was crossing the road. – Ok. NEVER drive after drinking, don't think too much while you drive. Some reflex action that was, didn't know I stepped on those breaks. – He took a few breathes to calm himself, before proceeding back home.

Back at home, he finally found out what was bugging him.

- They're hiding something. Jase is hiding something from ME! There was no way he would not react towards the news of Kim being attacked. What happened to you Kim? God! What's this secret about? -

He looked into the mirror after splashing water onto his face.

- You're over reacting Tommy. Calm down! – He inhaled and then exhaled. – Jason would never keep such a secret from you. Nah, you're just over reacting. -

- You would not know, what if he promised Kim? –

- Yea, what if he did? But, no way. Jason would not. He knows how important Kim is to….

- Hold it! Don't go any further. You have Kat now. Besides, she does not deserve it, she broke your heart, crushed your trust, toss your love away. -

- But… We could still be friends. It's normal for friends to care for each other. –

- FRIENDS! Are you sure that's all you're thinking? –

- Well….

"STOP IT!" Tommy cried. "Enough, enough." He splashed water onto his face again. Wiping his face dry, "OH man! This is crazy. My mind is having an internal war I'm talking to myself!"

He shook his head, in an attempt to wake himself.

"Better get that call done before I drive myself insane."

Kim's office

"Kimberly Hart."

"So how's my favorite girl doing?"

Kimberly's body tensed at this.

"What do you want?"

"Tsk tsk. Is that some way to greet your ex?" "Aww, but don't worry, I won't feel offended. My… I have to say, our daughter is just so…"

"What did you do to her?" Kimberly demanded angrily.

"Why? I would not harm her. Don't worry; I would not harm my own child."

"She is not yours! Just leave us alone!" and slams the phone down.

Kimberly immediately phoned the school, to check on her daughter. She let out a sigh of relief, knowing that Annie is safely in school.

The phone rings again.

"Kimberly Hart."

"How could you slam the phone on your ex, Kimmy?" "I thought we could do some catching up? Repatch our broken family?"

"Just get yourself a life leave me alone!" and slams the phone down again. Kimberly sank back into her chair. Took in a deep breathe to calm her fear. She then wipes the tear that was dangling at her eye.

The phone rings again.

"Stop it, before I call on the cops! Just leave me alone."

"Kim?"

"Oh my god. I'm sorry." She whispered and then calmed herself before going back to the conversation with a little curiosity. "Hey, Tommy." - Why's he calling-

"What's going on? Kim. Are you ok?"

"I'm fine. Just one of those irritating people. Yea, so anyway, what's up?" avoiding him to ponder too long on her earlier outburst.

"Er… well," Kim heard the nervousness in his voice as he stutters could mentally picture Tommy unconsciously rubbing the back of his neck, – That's what he always does when he gets nervous. – As a small smile crept onto her features.

"Are you free for a coffee?" Tommy rolled it out so quickly that he didn't know he even said it, until he was done. He then mentally cursed himself. – Great going. –

"Uh… well," was all Kimberly could manage. – Hmm, what's this about? –

As though he could read her thoughts, "Oh, it's a… nothing much, really… I just thought… er… You know what? It's ok, if you're not free. I'm probably disturbing your work now."

"Tommy." She cut him off.

"Yea?"

"Ok."

"OK?" Tommy gulped. – OK. I officially sound like an idiot. Get a grip and stop embarrassing yourself, Tommy! Twenty seven. Twenty seven. -

"Yes, ok. I'm free. We'll meet up for coffee." – OK. That sounded weird –

"Yes… Yea, I know where it is… Ok. See you there." she puts the phone down.

"Well, that conversation went well." Trini smiled.

Kimberly got frightened out of her thoughts, "Gosh, Trini! Have you not heard of knocking before you enter?"

"Well it isn't my fault when someone's off away in her dream land, thinking off her prince charming, with that dreaming smile, that she could not hear me knocking." Trini said in a teasing manner as she went and sat down in front of Kimberly.

"Right… Eavesdropping isn't such a good thing either." Kimberly rolled her eyes.

"Now I really got to comment on that conversation." Trini grinned mischievously. "You call that a conversation going on between two twenty seven year old. So now spill the beans."

"Wait, how did you…"

"Oh please. I know that 'smiling like a fool' expression. And just like I said, that conversation was just…" "Ouch!"

"Ok. I get it smart ass." Kimberly grinned after throwing the crumpled ball of paper she had in her hand in Trini's direction.

"Well…" Trini waited eagerly.

"Well… It's none of your business" Kimberly grinned.

"Ok then. What was there to ask anyway? I better go tell the gang the good news. You guys are finally going out on a date." Trini slowly pushed the chair back and got up lazily.

"Trini…!" Kimberly whined. "Fine. He just wants to catch up over a cup of coffee. Happy?"

Trini smiled at her accomplishment but that smile immediately dropped to a frown, "But I'm not happy for you though. You would know what catching up means right?"

"Well…"

"Kim, you must be sure about this."

"OH gosh!" Kimberly covered her mouth as the situation finally sunk in.

"Trini. What am I going to do!" Kimberly started pacing her office. "It just slipped my mind." "I guess I got lost because of the way he sounded. It reminded me so much of the first time…"

"Kim." Trini called.

"but I can't back down now, no wait I can… but… nono… this was all a mistake."

"Kim!" This round slightly louder.

"I should not have let my feelings took over… gosh… what did I do! What am I going to do.!"

"KIM!" Trini shouted while holding her friend by her shoulders stopping her from rambling on and to get her attention.

After getting settled down on the couch at the corner of the room, Trini started,

"Well. I guess it's time for you to finally come clean. You have been waiting for the right time, right?" Trini continued after receiving a slow nod from her friend.

"This is it. This is your chance to let them know, to let HIM know."

"But. What if they don't understand? What if they push me away? What if they don't want to ever see me again?" Kimberly said with a terrified look.

"No, I can't. I'm not ready for this. It's not the time. I…"

"Kim." Trini said as she tried to get Kimberly to look at her. "Yes, you can. You can do it. You were prepared from day one when you saw them again, when they reappeared in your life. It will all be settled after this. We have a great group of friends Kim, they would not turn us away." Trini convinced.

"I'm scared Trini. I'll have to reopen everything then, I can't do it alone. What if i…"

Kimberly was cut off again.

"There are too many what if's to think about Kim. You don't have to this alone. We're all here. I can…"

This time, Kimberly interrupted with a new determination shown on her face, although still with some uncertainties.

"No, you know what. You're right. I can do this. This is the only way."