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!

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Author's Note: Sorry to everyone who's asked, but I refuse to even hint at what is to come. You'll just have to wait to find out. Sorry, but happy reading! =)

Betting on It

Meanwhile, in Tommy's room . . .

"Tommy?" AnneMarie said softly, walking into her brother's room.

]

" . . . . . I'd like to be alone . . . . ."

"Ok, I just wanted to come see you . . . I'm glad you're ok. I was really scared."

" . . . . . AnneMarie . . . . ." he said softly.

"I love you Tommy . . ."

"I know . . ." he said holding his hand out for her. AnneMarie moved closer to Tommy, and hugged him tight.

"I'm so glad you're ok!"

" . . . . . Where's Mom?"

"She's talking to Kimberly and the doctor . . . I hope its ok, I was so scared yesterday, I called Kimberly and begged her to come home."

" . . . . . Its fine . . . . ."

"Are you sure? Because I can ask her to leave."

" . . . . . No . . . . . Will you do something for me though?"

"Anything."

" . . Just sit with me . . ."

"Of course." AnneMarie said climbing onto the bed next to him. "I'm really glad you're ok!"

" . . . I'm always ok . . . . ." Tommy said as AnneMarie snuggled up next to him.

"Can I ask you something?"

" . . . . . You know you can . . ."

" . . . . . Do you still love Kimberly, even though you broke up?"

" . . . . . AnneMarie . . . . ." Tommy started as he gently stroked her arm. " . . . . . Sweetie . . . . . Kimberly and I . . . . . . . . . Things happen sometimes . . . . . And . . . . ."

"Tommy, I'm not 8 anymore."

"I know . . . . . Its just . . . . ."

"You still love her, don't you?"

"Am I that obvious?"

"No . . . . . I just know you."

" . . . . . Just promise me you won't say anything . . ."

"She loves you too Tommy . . . . ."

" . . . . . Kimberly told you that? . . . . ."

" . . . No . . . She told you . . . I heard her yesterday while you were sleeping."

"AnneMarie . . ."

"I won't say anything. I promise!"

" . . . Its complicated . . ."

"It isn't enough, is it?"

"What isn't enough?"

"Love . . . . . ." Tommy sighed and took a deep breath.

" . . . . . Not this time . . . . ."

" . . . . . I thought so . . . . . But do you think you'll be back together in the future?"

"Maybe . . . . . . It depends on Kimberly . . . . If she decides she's ready for a family, then maybe things will work out . . . . . . But I can't promise you anything . . . You're the most important person in my life right now. And nothing is going to change that . . . Not even how I feel about Kimberly . . .You come first . . ."

" . . . . . If it helps . . . . . I really lover her."

"I know you do. I do too." Tommy told her.

"Hey,, can I come in?" Christine asked a couple minutes later.

"Up to you." Tommy said softly, not moving from holding his sister.

"How are you feeling Sweetie?"

"I'm ok, I guess."

"AnneMarie, you look comfortable."

"I am." she said with a smile.

"So your brother is now a pillow?"

"Yep! And a comfy one too!" she said as Tommy stroked her head, as it laid on his shoulder.

"Its funny, the only girl I've ever see, curled up with Tommy, is Kimberly . . . . ."

"Well I'm number one now." AnneMarie told her. "He likes me better."

"Tommy always wanted a little sister."

"Knock Knock." a voice said from the doorway.

"Hey David!" Christine said in her usual cheerful voice. "Come on in!"

"Hey Bro, how are you?" David asked.

"Ok . . ."

"You look better than you did yesterday."

"Gee, thanks!" Tommy said sarcastically.

"Where's your Dad?"

"He's at work." Christine answered. "He had some things to take care of, but he'll be back when he's finished."

"Did anyone call Kimberly and Jason?"

"Kimberly is here somewhere. She said she would call Jason for us I'm sure he'll be here soon."

"Oh . . ." David answered. "That's good."

"No!" Tommy said seeing the look his brother gave him. "I can't right now."

"Well you've gotta do it sometime, and now seems pretty good to me!"

"Mom, tell him to stop picking on me! My life is my business, and I'll screw it up if I want to!"

"More like let other people screw it up for you . . ." David muttered under his breath.

"I heard that!"

"Boys stop!" Christine said sternly. "David, your brother is hurt pretty badly, and its not a good time for him to be doing anything except focusing on his recovery."

"Well I think Kimberly would be more than willing to help him out. She already flew all the way out here, so Tommy might as well give her a reason to stay!"

"David, stop! I'll deal with it when I feel like it!"

"Tommy, how do you know she isn't booking a flight home right now?" David argues.

"Are you done now?"

"No! You need to talk to her! Its what you've been wanting for 3 years! And now is a really good time!"

"Do you not remember what happened when I flew to Florida a few months ago?!? I can't just forget about it!"

"But you can forget about her?!? Tommy, that's wrong!"

"Why can't you just stay out of it?!?"

"Are we interrupting something?" Jason asked as he walked into the room with Kimberly behind him.

"Do it! NOW!" David said sternly. "Come on AnneMarie, let's go get a soda.

"I love you Tommy!" AnneMarie said kissing his cheek, then got up and took David's hand as he left the room.

"I"m going to go call your father." Christine told him. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

"Mom, you can stay." Tommy said, making one last attempt to keep his mom in the room.

"I know Sweetie. But your friends flew in to see you, and you all deserve some time alone."

"Thanks Mr. Oliver." Jason said with a gentle smile as Christine stepped past him, exiting the room.

"Hey Jase." Tommy said softly. I didn't know you were here."

"I flew in with Kimberly . . . How are you feeling?"

"I'm not. That's the beauty of drugs."

"So you have no pain at all?"

"Does heart pain count?"

"Tommy, stop it!" Kimberly snapped.

"Why should I? You don't have to be here, you know!" he snapped back.

"I'm here because your sister asked me to come!"

"Well you've done your little girl scout duty, so you can leave."

"Tommy, that was low!" Jason snapped.

"You don't have to be such a jerk, you know!" Kimberly added.

"Oh, I'm sorry! Did I just offend you?!"

"Stop it Tommy!" Jason said again. "You know, if this wasn't your room, I'd kick you out!"

"So leave!"

"Damn it Tommy!"

"You know, we fly all the way across the country when your sister tells us you were in a bad accident, and all you can do, is be a complete jerk! I"m starting to wish we hadn't come!" Kimberly said angrily.

"So why did you?" Tommy asked in a nasty voice.

"Because even though you don't deserve it, there are people in this world who actually care about you, and worry when you get hurt!"

"Oh, you mean like you cared about me 3 months ago!?!"

"Don't do this to me!"

"Why? Because you're the only one allowed to care, then snap 2 seconds later? Because the entire universe revolves around you?!?"

"Fine! I'm leaving! Have a nice life!" Kimberly snapped, then stomped out of the room.

"Considering how badly you wanted a second chance with her, I'd say its pretty much hopeless now! Way to go Tommy!" Jason said angrily, then turned and left the room.

"Thomas Lynn Oliver!!!" Christine snapped as she entered her son's room. "What the hell was that?!?"

"What was what, Mom?"

"That Kimberly is out there in tears! What the hell did you do to her!?! I understand you're on strong pain killer right now, but that is NO excuse for this kind of behavior! What the hell where you thinking!?!"

"What if I wasn't?"

"Tommy!" Christine snapped again. "That girl out there is the single best thing that has ever happened to you! And yeah, she broke up with you, but like it or not, she still cares about you! And I know for a fact that you care about her too!"

"She hurt me mom! She hurt me bad!"

"So you've decided to get revenge . . . . ."

"What goes around, comes around."

"Thomas Lynn, you know better!"

"What do you want me to do Mom?!? Grab her, kiss her, and tell her I love her and can't live without her?!?"

"Tommy . . . . ."

"Mom, she hurt me! She hurt me really bad! . . . And then I flew to Florida to tell her I love her and want her back, and she hurt me again! I'm sorry, but I just can't do that again! I'm sick and tired of being hurt!"

"Tommy, Sweetie . . . . . I understand how you feel, and I sympathize. But Honey . . . . .Love isn't perfect. And we all make mistakes . . . . . What happens in 10 years when you're sitting around loving Kimberly, but can't do anything about it because she's already married to someone else? What then Honey?"

"I don't know Mom . . . . . But I do know that she's hurt me . . . Repeatedly . . . . . And I've already lived without her for 3 years, so I know I can do it."

"But you've lived without her in the hope that she'll come back to you. There's a difference . . . ."

"I know . . . But Mom . . . . . I can't do this right now.

"I know Sweetie, but its actually the best time for it. You've already got Kimberly feeling bad for you. Just play on her sympathies . . . And you can blame the drugs for your mood swings."

"Mom . . ."

"Tommy, come on . . . You love her. I know you do. And I know how much you want her back. You just need to admit it to yourself . . . So talk to her. See if you can work things out. You'll be happier if you do."

"Mom . . . . .I just . .. . ."

"You don't' want to get hurt again. I know. But Sweetie, its wroth the risk! You said yourself, love makes you do crazy things." Christine said as she sat down on the bed next to her son, and gently wrapped her arm around him. "Tommy . . . . . I love you, you know I do. And I want you to be happy . . .You've been through so much in your life; especially these last few years . . . . . You've been so depressed since you put Kimberly on that plane, 3years ago. And it got worse after that letter came . . . Speaking of which, I"m taking it out of your wallet. You'll never heal with it there!"

"How did you know it was in my wallet?"

"I found it last year when you had me put something in it . . . But that's not the point. The point is that you can't dwell on the past. You're not going to heal by pushing everyone who loves you away. Your heart will never heal like that.

"Mom, I'm just afraid of letting her back in. What if she breaks my heart again?"

"You'll never know if you don't try."

"Its too much of a risk."

"I know Honey. But you love her, don't you?"

"I never stopped . . ." Tommy said softly.

"Then stop shutting her out. Let Kimberly back in . . . I know you're afraid of getting hurt again, but keeping Kimberly at arms length is just making you miserable. And I don't want that for my baby . . ." Tommy closed his eyes and sighed, as he laid his head on Christine's shoulder.

"I don't know what to do Mom . . . . ."

"You don't' have to do anything except allow yourself to be happy . . . . . Just talk to Kimberly . . . You lover her so much, and I know that deep down in your heart, you want to be with her . . . . ."

"But my brain is telling me different . . . . ."

"Exactly . . . But even your brain can be wrong on occasion . . . . . You've got a really rocky road ahead of you right now. And I know how strong you are, but you're going to need all the support you can get, to pull through this time. And having Kimberly there fighting by your side instead of fighting yourself about her, will take a lot of the pain away on its own . . . . . Sweetie, I'm not going to tell you what to do, because its your life, and you get to decide how to live it . . . But if I were you, I would follow my heart. It won't ever lead you wrong."

"I'm scared Mom . . . ."

"I know Honey . . . . . Unfortunately, there's nothing I can say, or do to make you feel better."

"So what do I do?"

"I think you should talk to Kimberly . . . At least find out what happened 3 years ago. Then maybe you'll be able to figure out how to get past it."

"Do you like her Mom?"

"Yes I do. But how I feel about Kimberly, isn't important. All that is important to me, is my baby's happiness. And I've never seen you happier, than when you've been with Kimberly."

" . . . . . I always thought we would be together forever . . . I gave her everything! And I loved her like I never thought possible . . . . . And when I made love to her . . . . . I felt so good! Like my heart was so full, I wanted to scream how much I loved her, from every rooftop in town! . . . . . I never thought it would end, until we were old and dead . . . I always through I would marry her . . . . . I dreamed about Kimberly giving birth to our children . . . . . I was so happy mom . . . . . . . . ."

"You used to smile so much! But ever since Kimberly left, that killer smile has disappeared, along with the sparkle in your eyes . . "

"I have no reason to smile . . . . . Kimberly was my reason for living . . . . ."

"So let her back in. Let Kimberly be that reason again."

"I don't know Mom . . . . ."

"Ok, how about this . . . . . I bet you $100 that you'll be happy with Kimberly."

"Mom . . . . ."

"I'm serious . . . . I'll write you a check right now."

"Write who a check?" Mr. Oliver asked as he quietly entered the room.

"Hi Honey! I was just telling Tommy I'll bet him $100 hat he will be happy with Kimberly, if he gives her another chance . . ."

"You don't need a check, I have cash."

"You do?"

"Yeah . . ." Daniel said reaching for his wallet.

"Ok Tommy, I'm taking that letter out of your wallet, and holding it hostage for a while . . ."

"And we're replacing it with $100." Mr. Oliver said as Christine got her son's wallet out of the table next to the bed.

"Here's your $100 . . ." Christine said handing Tommy the cash from her husband, then removing Kimberly's infamous letter from Tommy's wallet, before handing him the wallet as well.

"Now I think you have something to do." Mr. Oliver told him. "We'll be outside if you need us."

"I love you Baby!" Christine said placing a gentle kiss on her son's forehead, before getting up and taking her husband's hand.

"How old is this $100 bill?" Tommy asked, looking at the bill in his hand.

"30 years ago, your grandfather bet me I would be happy with your mother . . . . ."

"I can't take this Dad . . ."

"Prove it." Daniel said with a gentle smile.

"We'll be in a little later." Christine told him, then tuned and followed her husband out of the room, leaving Tommy all alone with his new riches.

"Christine?" Kimberly said softly as she entered the waiting room with her husband.

"Hi Honey. How are you?"

"I'm ok . . .I just wanted to say thank you for everything . . .Jason and I are going to head back to Florida. But I wanted to say goodbye to you first."

"You're leaving already?" Daniel asked. "You just got here!"

I know . . . . . . But I think its best if I just go home. It will make things easier."

"Kimberly . . . . . . . ." Christine started. "Thank you for coming. We all appreciate everything you've done for our family. Sometimes it seems like you're the glue that keeps us all together . . And even though you and Tommy aren't together, we want you to know how much we love you. And that you're welcome in our home at any time."

"Thank you. I appreciate that."

"You call us if you ever need anything. Even if its 2am, and you just need someone to talk to." Daniel told her. "We're here for you."

"Thank you, that means a lot to me!"

"Will you do me one small favor before you go?" Christine asked.

"I can try."

"I know you're both upset with each other. But if you could go stick your head in the door and say goodbye to Tommy, we would really appreciate it . . ." Kimberly closed her eyes as she sucked in a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "Please Kimberly . . .I think he'll appreciate it too. And I promise to kill Tommy myself if he says anything."

" . . . . . . . . . Ok . . . . . . . . ." Kimberly agreed as she slowly exhaled. "Will you tell AnneMarie I said goodbye?"

"We will." Daniel said with a gentle smile.

"Thank you Honey." Christine said giving Kimberly a hug. "I know how hard this must be for you."

"Will you call me when Tommy is recovered?"

"Of course." Daniel said giving her a hug after his wife was done. "Have a safe trip home Sweetheart."

"Thank you. Good Luck with Tommy; you know how stubborn he can be."

"Thanks Honey. Have a safe flight." Christine told her. "And don't be a stranger. Come see us again soon."

"I'll try. Will you tell Jason I'll meet him in the lobby?"

"Sure. Bye Sweetie."

"Bye." Kimberly said giving them both a gentle smile, before turning and heading down the hall to say her last goodbye, before heading bak to Florida, forever.

Tommy's room was silent when Kimberly walked in. The only sound was the steady beeping of the cardiac monitor. Tommy laid still in his bed, with his head tilted back, and his eyes closed. Kimberly stood by the door for a moment, then took a deep breath before moving toward the bed. Tommy opened his eyes at the sound of the movement in the room, and looked to see Kimberly stepping closer.

" . . . I came to say goodbye . . . . ." Kimberly said softly.

" . . . You're leaving? . . . . ."

"Jason and I are flying back to Florida in a few hours . . . . . But I promised your parents I'd come say goodbye first . . ." Tommy didn't say anything. " . . . I'm glad you didn't get hurt too bad. I'm sure you will recover pretty quick. You've always been a fighter . . . . ."

" . . . . . If anyone would know, it would be you . . . . ."

" . . . . . . . . . Good Luck Tommy. I mean that . . . . ." Kimberly said softly, then turned and headed for the door.

" . . . . . . . . . . Kimberly . . . . . . . . ." Tommy said slowly as Kimberly reached the door. She slowly turned around and looked back at Tommy. " . . . . . . . . I'm sorry I yelled at you . . . . . ." Kimberly closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then slowly let it out, before opening her eyes again.

"Recover quickly Tommy. You've got aa career to get back to. Your team is counting on you."

" . . . . . Anything else? . . . . ." Tommy asked softly.

" . . . . Listen to the doctors . . . They know what they're talking about . . . ." Kimberly said, trying to keep her voice steady. "Goodbye Tommy. Good Luck!" With that said, Kimberly turned and left the room, quietly shutting the door behind her Then sinking to the floor, as she broke down in tears. Kimberly sat there crying for a few minutes, before reaching into her pocked for her cell phone and quickly dialing a number. " . . . . . . . . Mom? . . . . . . . . . I'm ready to come home . . . . . . . . ."





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