Disclaimer: I own NOTHING! Well, actually, I do! I own AnneMarie! YAY ME!!!!!! LOL =)

Summary: This may be out of order in whatever way, but hey, its my story, I get to decide how it goes. ;-) Sorry if it takes a while for me to get it posted, but I've been writing it in whatever time I get between classes and stuff and I'm laptop less so its all scribbled down on paper and I've actually gotta find time to type it all up. But hopefully I'll find enough time somewhere. =) Happy Reading!

Author's Note: Sorry I haven't updated in a really long time. Things have really blown up in my life the last few months, and I ended up dropping everything to deal with them. Basically to make a long story short, I met a guy (YAY FOR ME!!!!!! LOL), then my sister got engaged. Then just shortly after, my grandmother's Alztymers kicked into over drive, forcing us to put her in a nursing home where she continued to go down hill. Thanksgiving hit, bringing with it the entire mess of holiday cheer. About a week later, I lost my job, my car died, and my grandmother was rushed to the hospital as her health continued to go down hill, and ended up dieing within the next 48 hours. As if that's not enough to deal with, we had a funeral to plan and execute, a new car to buy, final exams to take (which actually started the day of the funeral), and of course a couple weeks later, everybody's favorite holiday, which no one really felt up to celebrating this year. The next day, my best fried flew into town for my birthday, which was the following day, and we took a 10-day vacation. After that, its was a fiasco of job hunting and quitting, and starting school, all while trying to find time to spend with my family, grandfather and somehow managing to fit in my friends and boyfriend. Well, that's still not it, currently I'm working about 50 hours a week and going to school, but fortunately I have a little bit of time to myself, thanks to the fact that I decided having a boyfriend just wasn't fitting into my life at the moment, so I decided to become single once again. So thanks to the begging and pushing form my bestest friend and the absolute BESTEST "big sister" on the planet, I'm back to writing and trying to update as much as I can. (Thanks for kicking my butt! LOL) So I'm really sorry it took me so long, but as you can tell, my entire life got turned completely upside down these last few months, but hopefully things will continue to get better. Thanks for all the love and support, and keep those reviews coming, they really do help! =) Now, on to the story!
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Test of Courage

Later That Evening:

"So . . . . ." Kimberly said as she settled into her hotel room with Tommy.

"Sooo . . ." Tommy repeated as he sat down on his bed.

"Its 8:00."

"Yes it is! Did you wanna do something, or does sleep sound good?"

"Yeah right! Its only 7:00 in California! You're nuts!"

"Well, do you wanna watch TV?"

"Actually, I kind of feel like going out. Its been a pretty long day, so I kind of want to unwind. But if you feel like sleeping, that's cool too."

"Actually, I've been doing a lot of thinking since we left home yesterday. And I'd like to just talk for a while. But of course if you want to go out right now, we can talk later."

"No, its ok. Talking is good. What's up?" Kimberly asked as she flopped down on her bed and looked at Tommy.

"Nothing really. I just thought we should talk about a few things . . . . . I know we said we would discuss the whole custody thing before making any decisions. And I went ahead and blew it . . . . . And I know you must be kind of upset with me, and I'm really sorry. I just . . . . . It just popped into my head. I'm so sorry Kimberly, I should have talked to you first."

"Tommy, don't apologize to me. What happens with your sister, is ultimately your decision."

"I know, I just meant to talk to you about it first. I love you Kimberly, and I want you with me on all of this."

"I am with you."

"I still should have talked to you. It affects you too."

"Don't worry about it Tommy. I know how stressed out you are. You have a lot to deal with right now, and i just have to sit back and be supportive."

"No you don't. We're a team, which means we should talk about what's going on."

"Tommy, don't be silly. You're tired, maybe you should go to sleep."

"I'm not tired. I just have a lot on my mind."

"Sleep will probably help."

"I doubt it . . . . .I just don't feel much like sleeping."

"Well that's good, cause I don't want you to sleep anyway."

"Oh really?"

"Nope! I've got other things in mind."

"Do tell."

"I feel like going dancing or something. There's a club down the street that looks fun, and I was thinking we could go a little bit later."

"Ok, we could do that."

"Right now, I'm a little cold." Kimberly aid as she started to get up.

"You want a blanket?"

"No!"

"Did you bring a sweater?"

"No!"

"Ok, well then how are you supposed to get warm?"

"Ok ok, I'm not really cold." Kimberly admitted. "Its just an excuse that I was hoping would work on you."

"Work for what?"

"Lay down."

"Why."

"Just do it." she said as she sat down on the bed next to him.

" . . . . . Kimberly . . . . ."

"Will you just hold me?"

"Is that all you wanted?"

"Yeah, it just sounds lame to ask you."

"So, I like holding you. All you have to do, is ask."

"Come here Beautiful." Tommy said holding his arm out for Kimberly as she laid down next to him. Kimberly laid down o her side, and wrapped her arms around Tommy as she rested her chin on his shoulder. She closed her eyes and inhaled the scent of his hair, as she began to relax.

"Knock knock!" Mrs. Oliver said as she and Daniel entered the room a few minutes later.

"Hey Mom!" Tommy said as he slowly loosened his grip on Kimberly.

"Hi Sweetie. Your father and I were going to head to bed, but we wanted t talk to you about AnneMarie first."

"What about her?" Tommy ask4ed as he and Kimberly both sat up.

"We're just not quite sure what the best thing for her is." Daniel told them. "We understand that she's your sister, an you feel like you should be the one to take care of her. But the reality of it is that you're only 17."

"Sweetie, we understand that you're able to handle a family, and provide for them. But like your dad said, you're still only 17. And having a family is a huge responsibility that we're not sure we want you to be stuck with."

"Mom, I can handle it."

"I know Sweetie, but you shouldn't have to."

"Thomas, with all the moving around we've done over the years, you've had to grow up really fast. You haven't been able to do all the things that other kids have, and it makes your mother and I feel really bad knowing that you've missed out on so much. Its not fair for you to have to give up the year you have left of your childhood. And its not fair to Kimberly for us to say Hey, guess what! You get to play mom to a 7-year old!' You both deserve better than that!"

"I'm ok with it." Kimberly interjected. "I love Tommy more than anything. And our lives and changing so fast! . . . . . It wouldn't be fair of me to say 'no, I can't' when he needs me to stand by him . . . I know we're young, and I know we've both given up a lot over the years, and as unfair as it might be, its even more unfair for us to say no to Annemarie . . . . . Tommy and I both have so much, and we're so lucky! But on the other hand, I look at AnneMarie, and what does she have? Rose died, her father died, and now she's about to lose her mom too. It life is unfair to anyone, its AnneMarie! She's only 7-years old, and she's already been through so much! That little girl deserves better than what she's been faced with, and Tommy and I believe that we can give that to her."

"Kimberly is right mom. AnneMarie deserves the chance to have a normal life. She's so little, and she's ben put through so much . . . . .I know you want better for me, but I want better for my sister."

"Tommy . . . . ." Christine started.

"Mom, we understand where you're coming from, bu this time we have to do what we feel is best for AnneMarie. And what I"m thinking is that she can life with us until Kimberly and I finish high school. Then we'll get our own place, so you can Dad can retire like you've planned. Granted, its not the best idea in the world, but its what works."

"I still don't like it." Daniel told them.

"We understand that Dad. But I"m not going to sit here and let you postpone your retirement. AnneMarie is my sister, and I'll deal with being an adult, even if I don't really like it. I refuse to let you and mom give up your plans because of me."

"What about college Tommy?" Christine asked.

"What about it?"

"You are planning on attending, aren't you?"

"Yes Mom, I'm going to go to college. Kimberly to."

"But you'll have AnneMarie to take care of."

"And we'll have the same school schedule. Its not a problem."

"Thomas, I don't like it."

"I know Dad. And I'm sorry, but this time you don't get a choice."

~ ~ ~ One Hour Later . . . ~ ~ ~

"Why won't they just get it through their heads? I'm going to take care of my sister, regardless of what they want."

"Tommy, your parents love you, and you know they only want the best for you."

"So then why do they keep pushing this?"

"Because they love you. Its what the y do."

"Well its annoying!"

I know. But in their own way, they're trying to protect you from all the bad stuff in life."

"Too late! They can't protect me this time! . . .Heck, I protect them from Zedd and Rita on a daily basis, I don't need protecting!"

"Tommy, calm down."

"You're not on their side, are you?"

"Of course not! But I do see where they're coming from."

"I wish they'd stop butting in!"

"They're being parents Tommy."

"But its my life! They don't' need to keep butting into it!"

"I know Honey. But they wouldn't be parents if they didn't."

"I hate this!"

"I know."

"Its not fair Kimberly! All I want is for my little sister to have everything sen needs. She deserves better than this!"

"Tommy, calm down. Its not the end of the world. AnneMarie is going to be taken care of, one way or another. But right now, you really don't need to be worrying about it."

"How can I not worry about it Kimberly!?! Its driving me crazy!!!"

"And you're going to make yourself crazier by dwelling on it. Let's go out for a while. It'll clear your mind."

"I'm not in the mood to go out."

"Well I am! I'm bored and tired of being all cooped up. So you've got a choice . . .Either come with me to the club down the street, or stay here alone and sulk in your own misery."

" . . . . . Kimberly . . . . ."

""I'm serious! I love you, but I"m leaving! I can't sit here anymore! So either you come with me, or I'm going alone."

"Why are you pushing this?"

"Because I want to be happy. I want us to be happy together! . . . So I'm going out. The question is whether or not you're coming with me."

"You know how I feel about this."

I do, and I respect you for it. But I'm sorry, I'm going."

"You'd actually leave me here?"

"Un huh!" Kimberly said as she grabbed some clothes our of her suitcase and headed into the bathroom with them. She came out a few minutes later to see Tommy laying on his bed, one arm tucked behind his head, staring up at the ceiling. She sighed softly as she set her things down, and reached for her shoes She put her shoes on, then looked over at Tommy once more. "Tommy . . . . ." Kimberly sighed again as she moved toward him. " . . . . . Are you coming?" Tommy didn't answer, he just continued to stare at the ceiling. " . . . . . Tommy, I love you . . . . ." she said as she leaned down to kiss him, then grabbed the pass card off the dresser and left the room.

Tommy watched as Kimberly left the room, tears streaming out of his eyes and down his face as the door shut behind her. Out in the hall Kimberly sighed, closing her eyes and leaving against the door, as she tried to push aside her emotions over walking out on the man she loved. As much as she loved him, and felt horrible for walking out when Tommy needed her the most, what Tommy needed even more was to clear his head and conquer his emotions. Kimberly wiped away a tear, and with a heavy heart, left the hotel.





To Be Continued . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .