"Confessions"

Disclaimer:

See Chapter 1 (The Discovery).

Revelations

Back at the Ford's house, Kim walked into the living room to the anxious greetings of her sister and brother-in-law. Standing up, Serenity asked her sister "How is she! Did you find her!" In an effort to calm her down, Kim motioned for Serenity to sit back down as she replied "Yes, I found her. She's just fine. One of her teachers, Tommy, is giving her a ride home. She'll be here any minute. Relax, Serenity." Taking a deep breath, Serenity replied "Okay...You're right." Just then, they heard the front door open and Kira's voice. "Mom? Dad?" Rushing in to greet her daughter, Serenity threw her arms around Kira. "Kira! I'm so glad you're okay!" Taken aback by her mother's sudden hug, Kira responded "Hi, mom. Yeah, I'm fine." Finally releasing her daughter, Serenity turned to Tommy. "Thank you so much for bringing her home, Tommy." Also turning to Tommy, Clark added "Yeah. We really appreciate it."

Smiling, Tommy responded "It's okay. It was no trouble at all." Turning to Tommy, Kira smiled at him quickly and watched as he returned her smile. Returning to reality, Tommy spoke up. "Well, I best be getting home." Extending his hand, Clark shook Tommy's hand as he replied "Thanks again for bringing Kira home." Shifting his focus from Kira to Clark, Tommy added "No problem." Waving to Tommy, Kira watched as he smiled and turned to go. Calling out to him, Kira added "See ya later, Dr. Oliver." The sound of Kira's voice ensnaring his attention, Tommy turned to face her. "See ya later, Kira." That being said, Tommy turned and left. Hearing the jeep start up and drive off, Clark turned to his daughter angrily. "Just where in the hell where you!" Knowing where this conversation was going, Serenity put a firm yet calming hand on her husband's shoulder. "Clark, calm down! You're blowing this thing completely out of proportion!" Backing away, Kira agreed. "Yeah, dad. I was just sitting in the park when I lost track of time. That's it-end of story!" Pointing to Kira, Clark shouted "You mind your attitude, young lady!" Unable to believe how her was acting, Kira added "Dad, what in the hell is wrong with you! Why are you acting like this!" Furious, Clark glared down at Kira as he snarled at her "Why you-"

Cutting off her brother-in-law, Kim interjected "Clark! Just cool it, all right! They're right! You're strangely over-reacting!" Shooting Kim an angry look, Clark snapped "Stay the hell outta this, Kim! This is between me and my daughter!" Suddenly, Clark rounded on Kira, and without warning, punched her square in the face-throwing her off balance and knocking her to the floor. Hearing her mother scream, Kira struggled back to her feet with Kim's help. Just as she got back to her feet, Kira saw her father preparing to hit her again. This time, seeing the attack coming, she was able to block it. Then, in order to get him off of her, Kira round house kicked him in the face, throwing him to the floor just as he had done with her. With that, Kira then ran out the door once again. After the dust cleared, Kim spoke up. "Well...that went well." Shocked, Serenity looked at Clark. "What were you thinking!" Turning away from her and Kim, Clark realized what he had done. Softly, he whispered "I'm sorry." Disgusted with her husband's actions, Serenity shot at him. "Yeah! Well ya know what, Clark? Sorry ain't gonna cut it, this time! Kira's gone! Gone to...God only knows where!" Frustrated, Clark rounded on Serenity. "Look! I said I was sorry! Okay! What more do I have to do, damn it!" Exasperated, Serenity snapped at Clark. "Here's a radical idea...maybe try and give people a people a chance to tell their side of the story before trying to beat the shit out of 'em!" Eyes narrowing, Clark growled. "Look! Things would be a lot easier if you would just stay the hell outta my buisiness!"

Tears flooding her eyes and streaming down her face, Kira found herself running down the street; not really going anywhere specifically-just running. Watching her, Tommy and saw how upset Kira was. Catching up to her, Tommy joked "I thought I just took you home?" Trying to hid the bruise on her eye, Kira hurriedly greeted him "Hi, Tommy." Sensing her stress Tommy placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, concern taking over his face as he asked "Kira, are you okay?" Turning away from Tommy even more, Kira responded "Yeah, I'm fine." Moving in front of Kira, Tommy carefully and gently removed Kira's hand and revealed a black eye. Stunned, Tommy asked "Oh my God! Kira, what happened!" Breaking down, Kira threw herself into Tommy's comforting and secure arms, crying. Embracing her, Tommy tried to reassure her. "It's okay. It's gonna be okay." Voice trembling, Kira contradicted him. "No! No, it's not okay." Gently, he asked "What happened?" Weakly, she replied "He...he hit me." Concerned and confused, Tommy asked "Who?...Who hit you?" Voice still a little bit shakey, Kira added "My dad...My dad hit me." Confused yet livid at the thought of anybody deliberately hurting Kira, Tommy asked "What! What happened? When I left, everything seemed okay!" Regaining some compusre, Kira explained "I don't know. As soon as he knew you were gone, he snapped and...he hit me." Taking her back into his arms, Tommy tried to reassure Kira. "It's gonna be okay." Pulling away from Tommy, Kira asked "Are you sure?" Gently running his hand through her hair, Tommy looked deep into Kira's eyes as he assured her. "Of course. You know I'm always here for you." Smiling for the first time since Clark hit her, Kira replied "Yeah...I know." Suddenly realizing something, she added "Oh my God! I completely forgot! Where am I gonna stay! I mean, I can't go back home!...Tommy, what am I gonna do!" Placing his hands gently on her forearms, Tommy replied "Kira. Kira, calm down. It's okay. Here's what we're gonna do. I'm gonna take you back home. You're gonna get your things and you can come live with me." Shaking her head, Kira responded "No, Tommy...I couldn't. I wouldn't want to impose..." Softly caressing her cheek, Tommy replied "Kira, you would not be imposing at all. In fact, I would love to have you come live with me." Weakening, Kira asked "Really? Are you sure?" Smiling down at her, Tommy replied "Kira...I have never been more sure of anything in my life." Finally giving in, Kira wrapped her arms around Tommy and hugged him as she replied "Thanks, Tommy! You're the best!" Returning the embrace, Tommy responded "Don't mention it." Pulling away from Kira, Tommy wrapped an around her shoulders and added "C'mon. Let's go get your things." Smiling, she let him lead her back to his jeep.

Meanwhile, back at the Ford's house, all calm had not been restored. After an angry silence, Serenity glared over at Clark. Angrily, Clark asked "What!" Disgusted with him still, Serenity remarked "Don't try to play dumb with me, Clark Ford! You know damn well what! Our daughter's out...God knows where and it's all thanks to you!" Narrowing his eyes, Clark growled. "Look! I did what I saw fit-considering the circumstances!" Furious, Serenity exploded "Excuse me! Exactly when is hitting your daughter 'fit'! Maybe you could explain that to me!" Suddenly, everyone turned as the door opened and the Tommy and Kira walked in. Walking over to her, Clark moved to hug Kira when she moved back and put her hands up in front of her defensively.

"Get the hell away from me!" Kira warned. Angrily, Clark narrowed his eyes as he growled "How dare you speak that way to your father!" Having kept an eye on Clark the whole time, Tommy saw him raise his fist in preparation to hit Kira. In mid-swing, Tommy saw Kira flinch as he grabbed Clark's wrist and threw it aside. Rounding on Tommy, Clark hissed "You better watch yourself, boy!"

Glaring at Clark, Tommy growled back "Don't you even think about layin' a hand on Kira! 'Cause you seriously don't wanna mess with me!" Leaning in close to Tommy, Clark hissed "Is that a threat!" Staring him dead in the eye, Tommy growled "No...that's a promise."

Trying to get out of the situation, Kira spoke up nervously, "I'm just gonna go get my things." Whipping his head around to face Kira, Clark grabbed her arm so hard she could feel it going numb. Turning to face him, Kira added "Dad, let go! You're hurting me!" Furious and no longer able to control himself, Tommy drew back his fist and punched Clark dead in the face, knocking him to the floor. Angrily getting back to his feet, Clark growled at Tommy. "You want a piece a me, boy!" Glaring at Clark, Tommy hissed "No, jackass, I want the whole damn thing!" Silently sneaking out of the room, Kira made her way to her room. Quickly, she gathered her belongings into a medium sized yellow duffle bag. As silently as she entered the room, Kira managed to slip out the window and loaded her bag into the bed of her yellow 2005 Chevy Silverado pick-up truck and silently climbed back inside through her window. Carefully, she made her way back into the living room where Clark and Tommy were sizing each other up.

Seeing Kira re-enter the room, Clark rounded on her. "And just where the hell have you been, young lady!" Staring him dead in the eye, Kira decided to finally stand up to him. Confident in herself, she matter-of-factly stated "I've been gathering my things." Narrowing his eyes angrily at her, Clark hissed. "Oh, really? And just where the hell were you planning on going!" Not backing down, Kira leaned in closer to him as she hissed "The hell away from you!" Backing up, Clark glared at Kira meancingly as he drew back his fist. Still not backing down, Kira took a defnesive stance and round house kicked Clark square in the face. While he was out, Tommy took Kira's hand and they both ran out of the house and into the driveway. Turning to Tommy, Kira hurriedly mentioned "I'll take my truck and follow you to your place. That way they can't stop us both at the same time." Quickly, Tommy replied "Good thinkin'." Placing a quick kiss on Tommy's lips, Kira hurried over to her truck as Tommy climbed inside his jeep. Quickly, they both started their cars and pulled out of the driveway.

Slowly, Clark began to come around. Angrily, he looked around and shouted "Where is she! Where the hell is she!" Trying to calm him down, Serenity placed a gentle hand on Clark's shoulder as she replied "Kira left. She left just a few moments ago with..." Hesitantly, she added "...With Tommy." Bracing herself for Clark's reaction, Serenity shut her eyes tightly and waited for the explosion which she knew was iminent. For a moment, Clark stared straight ahead of him-almost as if he was processing what Serenity had just told him. Then, he calmly remarked "I knew it..." Now growing steadily angrier, he added "...I knew it! She went to be his little whore!"

Out of nowhere, Kim stood up and-without saying a word-just slapped Clark hard across the face. Clasping his hand to his cheek where Kim's hand had made contact, Clark exclaimed "And just what the hell was that for!" Staring him dead in the eye, Kim hissed "I will thank you to kindly refrain from referring to my niece as a whore!" Catching him glaring at her, Kim added "Oh...and uh...I wouldn't mess with me if I were you!" That having been said, Kim turned and walked out of the house and to her crimson metallic 2005 Ford Mustang and drove off.

Back at Tommy's house, Tommy and Kira had both just pulled up into Tommy's driveway. Walking over to Kira's truck, Tommy helped her out of it. Grabbing her bag out of her truckbed, Kira followed Tommy inside. Upon entering, Tommy lead Kira downstairs to the guest room. Walking through the door to the room, Kira sat her things down on the full-size bed and turned to Tommy. Looking back into her soft doe eyes, he asked "I hope this will do?" Smiling back at him, she replied "It's perfect." Slowly, he joined her in the room. As Kira placed her soft, gentle hands lightly on his chest, Tommy found himself wrapping his arms around her petite waist and resting his hands on her lower back. Both staring deep into each other's eyes, Tommy slowly leaned forward and softly pressed his lips to hers. A moment later, Kira began kissing him back. A few seconds later, Tommy began gently causing Kira to fall backwards slowly onto the bed. As things began becoming a little more intense, Kira realized that she had already removed Tommy's shirt and he had already removed hers, revealing a black lacey bra. Pushing him away for a moment, Kira spoke up. "Wait. Tommy...I don't think we should be doing this. I think we're moving a little too fast." Realizing what Kira was talking about and knowing that she was right, Tommy moved from his position on top of her to her side and added "You're right. We should take things a little slower. Besides, I don't wanna force you into anything you're uncomfortable with." Smiling back at him, she added "Thanks, Tommy. Ya know...it's not that I don't wanna do this, it's just that...I've rushed into realtionships before and they all ended in disaster. I just don't want that to happen with us." Returning the smile, he gently caressed her cheek as he replied "I understand. I don't wanna see that happen either. ...I love you, Kira." Still smiling, she took his hand as she added "I love you, too, Tommy." Noticing the clock to her left on the night stand next to the bed, Kira mentioned "It's late..." Seeing the time as well, Tommy added "...Yeah, I'll let ya get some sleep." Getting up, Tommy picked his shirt up from the place Kira had thrown it on the floor and put it back on. Walking over to the open doorway, Tommy stopped and turned around to face Kira. Standing as well, she couldn't help but stare stare at how suave he looked, leaning on on the door with one arm and the opposite hand planted in the pocket of his dark wash jeans-smiling at her. Making her way over to him, she also stood in the open doorway. Cupping her cheek with his hand, he muttered quietly "I love you." Smiling, Kira replied as quietly, "I love you, too." Gently, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to Kira's tender ones. After breaking the kiss, Kira looked up into his deep, caring, soulful brown eyes. Softly, he spoke up. "Good night, Kira." Not breaking the gaze the two were sharing, Kira replied just as softly "Good night, Tommy." Slowly, Tommy turned and walked off as Kira shut the door behind him. After all that had just happened, she found herself rather excited. Also, she found herself tired from the long day. Making her way over to the bag she had set down next to the dresser, she took out a yellow spaghetti strap tank top and long black pants. Changing into her pajamas, Kira climbed into bed and soon drifted off to sleep.

Tommy, however, went into the living room and just sat down in there a while, thinking about what had happened that evening. He was still livid over Clark hitting Kira but was glad she was finally there with him. Having her there with him, Tommy felt better, knowing she was safe. Also thinking about what had just happened in Kira's bedroom, Tommy knew she was right-they shouldn't have been doing that. Like Kira, he, too, felt that they should take things a little slower. As much as he loved her and wanted her, he was willing to respect her enough to wait-especially after all the hell she had just been put through with her father. Finally, at about 11:45, Tommy went up to his room and changed into his pajamas-a solid black short sleeve shirt and and long black pants-and soon drifted off to a restful sleep. Which was a good thing as-unbeknownst to him or Kira-they would have a big day ahead of them tomorrow.