Chapter Eleven

Tommy sat with Kimberly on his sofa in the den. The solitary light in the dark room donned in pine green was the lamp on his desk.

"What do we need to talk about?" Tommy asked tentatively.

"I need to talk and you need to listen." Kimberly said with a heavy sigh. "And I need to tell you about everything that has happened to me in the last few months."

Tommy nodded, stealing himself for a major blow.

Kim drew in a big gulp of air and released it and looked down at her clasped hands on her lap.

"About three months ago, I began to receive red roses and cards from Michael Monroe."

Tommy's breath hitched as he stared at her. Kimberly allowed the information sink in.

"The cards always said how he missed me and he couldn't wait to see me again." Kim shivered and rubbed her arms as if she were could. "Every time I would read the card and then through away every thing he had sent." Another deep sigh. "Next came the gifts. Tons of roses and cards went to the trash, stuffed animals and furs into shelters, and jewelry went to the pawn shop and the money donated."

Kim looking up to see Tommy's face stoic and unreadable.

Her hands found their way back to her lap and she stared down at them once more.

"The day you called the first time was the first time he decided to call too. It was right before you called and he was talking about seeing me in lavender. He really liked me in lavender. Then the day I told you I was moving to California permanently, he approached me and kissed me. I remembered my ranger days and fought back and ran all the way home."

Tears were freely falling from her eyes now. The drops fell to her hands and she drew a shaky breath.

"I though he wouldn't be able to find me here, but then came Jason and Kat's wedding and then he began posting letters on the front door. He began threatening you, Tommy and saying you weren't worth the trouble. He said he stole me once he could do it again."

Kim's head shout up and stared him in the eye.

"Tommy, he could never take me away. I love you so much, it hurts to be without even when we're both at work."

Tommy was silent. He was mistaken when he had found the letter on the door and he assumed the reason she was crying that one work day, she had found the first of many letters from the man who had caused her so much pain.

He felt a flash of anger. Kim should have told him what was going on from the beginning instead of keeping it to herself. What if she hadn't been working at the café with Hayley? The bastard could have come to the house and finished what he started nearly ten years ago.

"You should have told me." Tommy said darkly.

"I Know." Kim whispered.

"Anything could have happened to…" Tommy paused and thought. "Where were you tonight?"

Kim gasped and looked back at her hands. She was going to have to get a manicure sometime soon.

"Kimberly Ann?" Tommy said.

Another gasp escaped the woman's lips. Tommy had never said her name so seriously before let alone use her middle name with the whole of her first.

"I went to see him."

"What!" Tommy exclaimed and stood. He begun pacing. "Kimberly, that was dangerous and stupid."

"I know."

"He could have killed you or worst raped you?" He paused from his speech and pacing and stared down at the woman who now resembled a small child be chastised by he father. "Tell me he didn't."

Kim's head shot up so fast she could have had whiplash.

"God, no!' Kim exclaimed. "I kicked him in the balls and ran the hell out of there."

Tommy walked the short distance to her and grabbed her shoulders and yanked her from the dark green sofa.

"But if your thoughts froze Kim…? You haven't been a Ranger in years. He could have done more than scare the shit out of you." Tommy yelled and shook her.

Kim twisted out of his grasped. She was tired physically and emotionally, she didn't want to hear this. She talked to him for comfort and understanding, not to be treated like one of his students. Her anger rose and she glared up at him, standing as if she was towering over him.

"Well, Thomas James," she spat at him. "Not all of us can just come out of retirement as many times as you and for your information, Michael threatened to kill himself if I didn't meet with him."

Her hands were now on her hips as her darkened doe eyes dared his nearly black ones to counter her.

"Not an excuse."

Kim fumed. There he was again, treating her like a student.

"It is too an excuse and a damn good one. I wasn't going to have his death on my hands!"

Tommy's anger matched hers equal and he did not feel the need to back down. In fact, he wanted to show his dominance or to show her he was perfect to sooth her pain.

"Well, Kimberly Ann," He snapped back. "Next time you can let him rape and humiliate you."

That was the last straw. Kim slapped her boyfriend hard enough for his head to turn to his right.

The next thing they were kissing fighting for dominance and neither was winning.

Clothes was lost and the next thing knew they were actually fucking on the carpeted floor of his den. They never fucked, it was either just good fun sex or making love.

Afterwards, they laid next to each other waiting for their breath to ease.

They were silent for a long time, before tears appeared in both of their eyes and Kim turned to lay her head on his chest.

"I'm sorry I hit you." Kim said to him.

"It's ok." Tommy said holding her in his arms and stroking her rug burnt back. "I barely felt it. I'm sorry for…"

"No!" Kim exclaimed raising her head to stare into his watery depths. "I wanted to too. It's both our faults."

Tommy just nodded and she settled back down onto his chest.

Another moment of silence was broken by the ringing of a phone.

Kim rose and stiffly walked over to the oak desk. She took the phone from its cradle and placed the receiver to her ear.

"Hello?"

Tommy stood behind her and she gasped.

"Um… I can't." Kim said turning to stare at Tommy. She placed her hand over the mouthpiece.

"It's Michael." She whispered up at her boyfriend. "He wants to see me again, tonight."

Tommy took his gaze from hers for a second as he thought.

"Agree, I want to have a word with him." He whispered back.

Kim's attention went back to the phone.

"Never mind, I can meet with you… Same place… I an hour… Ok… I'll be there, bye."

Kimberly cradled the phone and turned to bury her face in Tommy's chest.

"No tears." He said and lifted her chin to star into to her wet gaze. "We have to get ready and this time, he will not be so confident about getting you back." Tommy tucked her hair behind her ear and rested his forehead upon hers.

Kimberly smiled up at him and nodded. She was feeling more confident herself.

I know people are going to complain about our girl and her boy being all agressive, but hey it just came out that way.

Yay. Kim finally told Tommy and now they're off to confront the stalker.

Two more chapters left.

Reviews are much welcomed.