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: Thank you to everyone who has read & reviewed my work thus far. You guys are all so amazing! Thanks for all the love and support, I really appreciate it! =)
Destroyer: Thanks for the support, you made me laugh. You really gotta admire a guy who stands up for girls the way you do.
Lys: I know exactly what you mean about feeling dirty. I'm the exact same way.
Ludeck, Daisy, IcePrincess, Everybody: Thank you sooooooo much for all the support. I was really afraid of the reactions I would get, but I felt that my story is serious enough and should be shared. I don't know, I just felt that if I only helped one person, that would be enough for me. Molestation is such a horrible threat. Its scary how many people it really effects, all over the world.
Federal Statistics:
According to U.S. Department of Justice, somewhere in America a woman is raped every 2 minutes. In 1996, 307,000 women were the victim of sexual assault, attempted rape, or rape. 2/3 of rape victims are under the age of 18 29% of female victims reported that the offender was a stranger About 81% of rape victims are white, 18% black, 1% are of other races Those with household income un $7,500 were twice as likely to be raped The incidence of rape, attempted rape, and sexual assault decreased more than 17% between'95 & '96 Women annually reported about 500,000 rapes and sexual assaultsRunning Away
Just before her plane landed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Kimberly was handed a message by a flight attendant.
"Kimberly,
I'm so sorry I have to race, but there's a huge trophy in it for you. Take the limo to the track. I'll see you there.
Love,
Tommy"
Kimberly read. She sunk back disappointedly in her sear. All she really wanted, was to be in Tommy's arms, and have him kiss her and tell her that everything was going to be alright.
Ding! The overhead chime sounded.
"This is your captain speaking. I would like to let you all know that we will be landing in Fort Lauderdale in about 10 to 15 minutes. Please secure all carry-on items and fasten your safety belts as we prepare for landing. We also ask that all electronic devices be turned off. The time in Fort Lauderdale is 6:10pm and it is 90* outside. On behalf of the entire crew, I'd like to thank everyone for flying Continental Airlines, and we hope you have a pleasant stay here in Florida."
Kimberly sighed as she sat back in her seat and flipped off her computer and cd player. All she could think about, was being in Tommy's arms. She couldn't wait to see him, but she was going to have to. Tommy wasn't able to be at the airport, so she had to meet him at the track instead.
~ ~ ~ 45 Minutes Later ~ ~ ~
"Tom, you're in big trouble!" a voice said over his headset as he started on his last lap around the track, in the current heat.
"What?!? I'm winning! How could I be in trouble!?! Ken, you're Nuts!!!"
"Your Uncle wants you in the pit as soon as you're finished!"
"Why?!?"
"I don't know! But something tells me that you're in huge trouble!"
"Whatever! Find out what he wants!" Tommy instructed his pit crew leader, as he rounded the last curve, and headed for the finish line.
"Bring it in Tom. Easy . . . . . Easy . . . . .Brake . . .Slow down, you can't lose it on me n ow . . .Easy, easy . . . . . Perfect!" Ken instructed as Tommy flew through the finish line, with 3 cars just a split second behind him. "Good work Tom! That was Perfect!"
"Tom! Pit! NOW!" John's voice boomed over the headset.
"Told ya!" Ken said in response.
"Yes Mother!" Tommy mimicked as he drove his car in, stopping to deliver it to the pit crew.
"A Limo Tom!?! A limo!?!" Kimberly's angry voice rang out as Tommy entered the pit a minute later. "I didn't say to send a limo! I said to be there yourself!!! What the HELL where you thinking!?!"
"Kim!" Tommy said in a surprised voice. "I'm sorry Baby, John made me! Please don't' have me, we can kill him later if you want."
"Tommy, you better come kiss me before I kick your butt for winning me that huge trophy!" she said sarcastically as she placed her hands on her hips.
"I knew you weren't mad at me!" he said wrapping Kimberly in his arms, as tight as he could. "Kim, I've missed you so much!!!"
"I've missed you too." Kimberly said with a sniffle as tears slowly slid down her face.
"Oh Baby, don't cry." Tommy said as he gently pulled away to wipe away her tears. "You're home now. Everything is going to be just fine."
"I wish you had been at the airport Tommy. All I've wanted all dy, is to be with you!"
"I know Sweetie, I'm sorry. Bt I'll make it up to you. I promise!"
"You better!"
"That's funny!" Tommy said smiling as he wiped away another tear before pulling her close and kissing her passionately. "It that better?" he asked a minute later as he pulled away, hearing all the whistling form the pit crew and racing team.
"No, but it's a start."
"Oh haha! Come here you!" he said scooping Kimberly up in his arms, and carrying her through the pit.
"Ok show off, you've got 5 minutes to be back in that car!" John said as Tommy neared him.
"No fair!" Kimberly whined as Tommy stopped in front of his uncle and carefully put her down.
"Hi Kimberly!" John said flirtingly.
"Uncle John, can't I just keep him for a while?" Kimberly begged.
"I'll tell you what. As soon as Tommy wins these last few races, he's all yours until 6:00 tomorrow morning! How does that sound?"
"Do I get a choice?"
"Nope!"
I guess I'll have to take it then, won't I?"
"Uh huh!"
"Ok, I'll take it . . ." she said pouting.
"4 minutes Tom. Then you're in that car. And I'm not accepting excuses." John said walking away.
"Are you ok?" Tommy asked once his uncle was gone.
"Not completely . . . But I'm doing better."
"Well what if I kill the Bastard that touched you? Would that be better?"
"Much!" Kimberly answered happily.
"You know, I can't lie, I'm so glad you're home now! But I hate what made you come. But I'm so glad you're here anyway!"
"Can I see your cell phone?"
"Why? What's up?"
"I gotta call Jason. I promised I would as soon as I landed, but I didn't get a chance, and he's probably completely freaking out right about now! So can I use your phone?"
"Say he magic words?"
"Words? You mean 'Please Tommy ?' Those words?"
"Nope! But that helps! But there are 3 little words I wanna hear, and one of them has the letter 'I' in it." Tommy said as he pulled the phone out of his pocket and held it over Kimberly's head.
"I love you Tommy!"
"I love you too Beautiful! But I said 3 words, not 4."
"That was 3 words you Dork!"
"It was not!"
"Yes it was! Tommy if your name, you moron, not a word!"
"She's right man. Hand over the phone." one of his teammates told him.
"Unfair!" Tommy said defeated.
"I love you." Kimberly said kissing him as she took the phone.
"I love you too Baby."
"Go race safe. I'll wait for you here."
"Wish me luck?"
"Of course! Good Luck Handsome! I love you!"
"And I love you!" Tommy said kissing her again. "I'll see you in a few minutes."
"Bye Baby. Drive safe!"
"I will." he said kissing her again before turning and heading back to his stock car.
"Hey Tommy? Kimberly called after him.
"Yeah?" he asked, turning around.
"I want that trophy!"
"Its yours Babe! I'm bringing it home!" he said proudly, then turned back around to go race.
~ ~ ~ Later On ~ ~ ~
"Tommy, you really need a shower!" Kimberly said as they entered his hotel room, a few hours later. "You smell like gas."
"Gross, isn't it?"
"Very! Please go take a shower!"
"I'm gong. I know I stink, but at least I have a huge trophy to show for it!" he said proudly.
"Shower! Now!"
"I'm going, I'm going!" he said kissing her quickly before heading for the bathroom as Kimberly plopped down on the bed and reached for her computer.
"Hello?" Kimberly said answering Tommy's ringing cell phone a few minutes later.
"Tom?"
"He's int eh shower, can I take a message?"
"Yeah, this is Randy. Tell him 6:00 in the lobby. And make sure he's not late this time."
"I'll sen an alarm right now."
"Thanks Kimberly!"
"No problem! Bye Randy!" she said politely, then hung up the phone.
"Who was on the phone?" Tommy asked as he walked back into the room, dressed only in a towel.
"Randy."
"Lobby time reminder?"
"I'm setting the alarm for 5:00"
"BOOOOO!!!"
"Don't Booooo me! I gave you what you wanted, remember? And it wouldn't kill you to be on time for once!"
"I don't wanna!"
"Did I ask?"
"What if I said I love you?"
"I love you took but you're going to be on time tomorrow."
"Fine . . ." he said sulking.
"Tommy, come on."
"You're tired, aren't you?"
"I was tired when I called you this morning."
"You've only been awake what, 24 hours?"
"Something like that."
"I'm sorry Sweetie. why don't you get some sleep."
"Cause I'm waiting for you."
"Did you want a shower?"
"No, I'm fine. I just want you to hold me, so hurry up and get dressed."
"Yes Ma'am!" Tommy said reaching for his duffle bag.
"You're not funny!"
"I'm sorry Kimberly. I'm just trying to lighten the mood. You've been all weird singe you got here, and I understand why, but I don't like it. I hate seeing you like this! I like it when you're happy and cheerful and full of energy. And this just isn't you."
"How would you like me to act Tommy? Do you want me to sit here and pretend this entire thing never happened to me?"
"No. But I don't' want you letting it kill you either."
"Then tell me what to do!"
"Honey . . .I honestly don't know what to do! I love you, and I want to make you happy. And I hate that that sick Bastard did this to you! But I really don't know how to fix it."
"So just be with me." she said softly.
"I am with you Kimberly." Tommy said holding his hand out for her. "I love you so much! And I"d kill the jerk if it would make this better . . . Unfortunately, there's no real way to take back what he stole from you. Or at least not that I know of.
"I wish it would all just go away." Kimberly said as she allowed Tommy to wrap her in his arms.
"I know Honey. I'd give anything to just have it be a bad dream."
"I hate this Tommy! I'm so scared now! And I'm never scared! Its not who I am!"
"Its ok to be scared Kim."
"Its so unfair! All of a sudden, I'm jumping at my own shadow, and freaking out if someone even looks at me! You, Jason and Zack are really the only guys I trust, and even that scares me!"
"Kimberly, you're home now. And I'm going to protect you. There's nothing to be afraid of."
"I know, but I'm still scared."
"I know. But we're flying home Monday morning. For the next couple weeks, it'll just be us. Well, avid and AnneMarie too."
"You can't leave me Tommy. Not even for a second!"
"Kimberly . . . . ."
"Tommy, all it takes is a second . . .Please, promise me you won't leave me!" she begged as tears streamed down her face.
"Kimberly, you're shaking . . . . ." Tommy said holding her tighter. "Oh Honey . . . . . I'm so sorry Kimberly! I'm so sorry!"
"I . . . . . I don't know what to do Tommy . . . . . I hate being scared!"
"Its ok . . .I'm scared too. There are some seriously sick people in this world, but they're never going to get near you again. I promise Kimberly! I wont' let them!" he said gently stroking her hair.
"I hate this! I hate suspecting everyone! I hate people looking at me!"
"Kimberly . . ." Tommy said softly. "I hate to break it to ya, but you're beautiful! Somehow I doubt people aren't going to look at you . . .Sweetie, you're the most gorgeous girl in the world, and I'm not just saying that because I love you . . .And as much as I wish people wouldn't look at you, they do . . . . . But fortunately, not all people are bad . . . . ."
"That's exactly it!" Kimberly said pulling away a little bit. "There is no way of knowing the bad people from the good. So you have to more or less suspect everyone!"
"I know Sweetie. But I know a few people you can trust . . ."
"Yeah you and Jason . . . . ."
"And Zack and Billy. And Rocky an Adam. And then there's my family, my Dad, David, and my Uncle John."
"I do trust them, but I'm still scared . . . . ."
"I know you are. Butt you don't have to be . . . We all love you Kimberly!"
"The only 2 people I really trust, are you and Jason . . ." she said as another tear rolled down her face.
"Kimberly . . Honey, look at you, you're exhausted! You really need to get some sleep."
"I can't Tommy, or I would be."
"But I still want you to try . . .I'm going to go get dressed, and I want you to do the same. Then I'm going to lay here and hold you until we're forced up by that damn alarm clock. How does that sound?"
"About as close to perfect as it can get, I guess . . ."
"Ok . . . I love you . . .You know that . . .Now, is there anything you need from me? Food, water, soda? Anything at all? Tell me what I can get you."
"I'm ok as long as I have you. You're all I need."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah . . . .. I just need you to hold me."
"Ok. I can do that." he said kissing her forehead. "I'm going to go get some clothes on. Are you going to be ok for a minute?"
"Yeah . . ."
"Ok. I'll be in the bathroom if you need me . . . I love you Kimberly."
"I love you too." she said softly. Tommy kissed her softly, then grabbed his duffle bag and headed toward the bathroom. "Tommy? Can I come in?" Kimberly asked as she knocked on he door a couple minutes later.
"Its open."
"Sorry, I just need to wash my face and brush my teeth." she said opening the door.
"I want you to sleep tonight." Tommy said as Kimberly turned on the water.
"I'll try . . ."
"I wish there was something I cold give you, to help you sleep."
"Something to black out the nightmares."
"Exactly!"
"I don't think such a think even exists."
"But it would be nice."
"I'll be ok, as long as you hold me . . . I'm always safe in your arms . . . . ."
"I'm going to go turn the bed down."
"Ok . . .I'll be there in a minute." Kimberly said as she finished washing her face. "I just need to brush my teeth."
"Radio on or off?" Tommy asked when Kimberly came out of the bathroom.
"I don't care." she said softly as she knelt down to put her things back in her bags, as the song on the radio changed. "Is that Edwin McCain?"
"I don't know." Tommy said shrugging. "I don't know music like you do. I just flipped to a soft station, and this is what was on."
The stars in your eyes
that color them wonderful
stop me and steal my breath
Emeralds from mountains
thrust towards the sky
Never revealing their depth
Tell Me
That we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated
I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above
I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life
"I love this song." Kimberly said as she climbed into bed next to Tommy.
Rain falls angry on the tin roof
as we lie awake in my bed
you're my survival
you're my living proof
My love is alive and not dead
tell me that we belong together
dress it up in the trappings of love
I'll be captivated
I'll hang from your lips
Instead of th allows of heartache that hangs from above
I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life
I've dropped out
Burned up
Fought my way back from the dead
Turned on
Tuned out
Remembered the thing that you said
I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life
"Good song." Tommy said as it ended
"Its perfect." Kimberly agreed as she snuggled closer to him.
"Its funny how perfect it is for us too."
"Uh huh . . . . ."
"What would you do if I sang it?"
"Probably laugh. You can't sing!"
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah! Of all people too!"
"I took voice lessons in high school."
"No you didn't!"
"Call Tanya and ask her!"
"Sure!"
"She gave them to me! I had to sing for one of my classes, and she taught me enough to fake it through."
"No that, I'd pay to see!"
"Haha! Very funny!"
"I'm serious! You can not sing!"
"Wanna bet?"
"Yes!"
"I'll be, your crying shoulder, I'll be lover suicide, I'll be better when I'm older, I'll be the greatest fan of your life!" Tommy sang softly. Kimberly smiled and kissed him softly. "I love you for trying. And you did fake it pretty well . . ."
"What!?!"
"But you'll be, my crying shoulder. You'll be love suicide. You'll be, better when you're older. You'll be, the greatest fan of my life." Kimberly sang back softly.
"You're right, you are better than me. But we already knew that."
"Uh huh!" Kimberly agreed with a yawn.
"Go to sleep Sweetie. I'll see you in the morning." he said as he gently kissed her.
"Tommy?" Kimberly said a few minutes later
"Uh huh?"
"Are you sleeping?"
"No."
"Will you sing to me?"
"Sweetie, I can't sing. You said so yourself."
"Please Tommy?"
"Any requests?"
"No."
"Ok . . . Um . . . There's a hero, if you look inside your heart, you don't have to be afraid of what you are. There's an answer, if you reach inside your soul . . . . I don't remember the rest . . . . . . . . . and then a hero comes along, with the strength to carry on, and you cast your fears aside, and you know you can survive, so when you feel all hope is gone, reach inside you and be strong, an then you'll finally see the truth, there's a hero inside of you . . . . . . . . ." Tommy gently brushed Kimberly's hair away from her face and kissed her forehead as her breathing evened out, as she finally fell asleep. "I love you Kim . . . . ." he whispered before closing his eyes and falling asleep too.
To Be Continued . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you or someone you know has been the victim of sexual assault, there IS something you can do. Don't let yourself be a victim, take a stand.
For more information on Molestation, Sexual Assault and Violence against women, you can log onto several different web sites, some of which are listed at the very bottom.
For everyone who loves Amy Jo Johnson, she was just on the Sharon Osborne show (3/11/04), where she talked about her new role on The Division, Sunday nights on Lifetime. This Sunday, (3/14/04), tune in for a special episode promoting stopping the violence toward women.
Some quick facts about violence toward women & children:
SEXUAL ASSAULT STATISTICS; RAPE & SEXUAL ASSAULT
For the purposes of these statistics "sexual assault"" includes statutory rape, forcible sodomy, lewd acts with a child, and other offenses related to fondling, molestation, or indecent practices. ""Sex Offender"" describes those offenders convicted of rape or sexual assault.
Statistics on rape and sexual assault are very difficult to reconcile because of the high number of unreported cases and the varying manners in which these statistics are complied. The FBI''s Uniform Crime Report counts only those cases reported to law enforcement, while the US Department of Justice relies on surveys. Experts indicate that even these numbers are low.
According to the National Victim Center, every minute there are 1.3 rapes of adult women in the United States. 78 women are raped each hour, 1,871 women are raped each day equating to 56,916 rapes each month, or 682,992 rapes each year. According to the U.S. Department of Justice there were 383,170 sexual assaults victimizations in the U.S. in 1999. According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Report, there were a reported 9,363 forcible rapes in California. 1 in 6 U.S. women and 1 in 33 U.S. men have been victims of a completed or attempted rape. Nearly 5% of college women are victimized in any given calendar year. Victims of rape and sexual assault report that in nearly 3 out of 4 incidents, the offender was not a stranger. Nearly 6 out of 10 rapes or sexual assaults were reported by victims to have occurred in their own home or at the home of a friend, relative, or neighbor. 3 out of 4 rapes or sexual assaults involved offenders with whom the victim had a prior relationship such as family member, intimate, or acquaintance. While the rate of forcible rapes has declined in metropolitan areas, other areas such as cities outside metropolitan areas (up 70%) and rural counties (up 40%) have experienced substantial growth in the per capita number of rapes reported to law enforcement. The National Health and Social Life Survey found that 22% of surveyed women and 2% of surveyed men had been forced to do something sexual at some time in their life.
Statistics Of Abuse:
42% female and 33% male victims never acknowledged or disclosed their abuse until asked specifically as adults to do so. Perpetrators are men approximately 90% of the time. Approximately 80% of all perpetrators are known by the survivors.Acts Leading To & Constituting Sexual Abuse:
Covert sexual activities:
Adult showed over concern with your sexuality and changing body, stared, told inappropriate sexual secrets, read you sexual materials, used inappropriate language, slept with you at inappropriate times, inadvertently touched you. Exposure: Adult exposed his/her genitals to you. Shadowing: Adult watched you during acts involving nudity or exposure of genitals such as bathing or going to the toilet. Kissing: Adult kissed you in a lingering or intimate way usually associated with love relationship between two adults. Fondling: Adult fondled your breasts, genital (and adjacent) areas, buttocks; similarly, they asked you do the same to her/him. Dry Intercourse: Adult rubbed genitals against your genital-rectal area or buttocks.Prelude to childhood sexual abuse:
The abuse against you was probably planned. The abuser probably knew you well. The abuser was probably a family member, relative, or someone tangentially associated with the family and entrusted with some part of the victim's daily routine (neighbor, coach, clergy, scout leader, etc.). The perpetrator used the privacy of the home or some secret place to inflict the injury. The perpetrator watched for, or orchestrated an environment of privacy to make the assault. How they might have enticed you The perpetrator might have presented the abuse as a non-threatening "game" or "fun activity" to lure you in. The perpetrator usually knew something about you -- perhaps a spot of vulnerability -- to create a specific "trap," or might have provided enticements or bribes to solicit your cooperation. Covert, subtle coercion probably accompanied your abuse.For more information regarding molestation, sexual assault, and violence toward women & children please visit the following web sites:
Amy Jo Johnson OFFICIAL Site: