Hey guys. Sorry I didn't update yet. My classes are managing to be more demanding than last semester. But they are so much more fun. (Seriously, I get to play Helen of Troy for a monologue for my Drama class on Thursday.) I also just got a part in a play (my first one!)... so I'm going to try to update... I just am not sure when that will be.

Chapter 12

Tommy's Point of View

"I know I shouldn't have yelled back. I couldn't help it though. She keeps putting herself down, and I hate it. Can't she see that I love her and I don't give a damn if she is sick. I couldn't care less if it was a cold, or cancer, or HIV. I don't care! I love her. That's it. Nothing else matters!" I rant.

"I know Tommy. She is just trying to protect you. She is afraid that if she dies, you'll be depressed. She's afraid that you'll do something you'll later regret. She's pushing you away because she thinks it is the best way to defend you. By yelling, Tommy, you are making it worse." Mom said softly.

"Oh man, what have I done. What am I gonna do?" I sigh dropping my head into my hands.

"Talk to her." Dad tells me.

"She won't listen." I retort.

"Make her listen. Don't let her push you away. We all love Kimberly, but she will only listen to someone that she loves above all else. That someone is you Tommy. I can see it anytime she looks at you." Mom admits patting my knee.

"Alright." I say just above a whisper. With that I get off the couch and climb the steps.

I walk to the bathroom door. It is open. I look inside and see that Kim is not there. I check the guest room next, not really expecting her to be in there. She isn't. No surprise. There are two places she would possibly be. The first is my room. The other is the kitchen. Since I am upstairs and my room is just down the hall, I decide to check there first. She isn't there. I walk down the back stair case into the kitchen. Kim isn't there either. I start to panic.

I hear the TV in the sitting room. I almost gave myself a heart attack. I think. She just went to watch TV. Stop being so overprotective Oliver. I walk into the sitting room and find no one. Now I am worried.

I walk back into the living room where my parents are still sitting. "I don't know were Kim is." I state, my voice almost cracking. My parents get up immediately and start searching the house with me. After ten minutes, she hasn't shown up, but her coat and purse are both gone. "She is in no condition to go out mom. She's was sick all last night and this morning. She couldn't even stand!"

"Go out. I will call your friends and have a few of them look for her and have a few others stay in if she comes home." She responds.

"Alright." I answer as I run out the door.

We can't find her anywhere. It's been three hours. I've been everywhere I can think of. She hasn't come home. We send Rocky every thirty minutes to see if she has been to any of our houses.

I just sent everyone home because it has just started to rain. I'm not going home though. I need to find her. I walk vainly around town just trying to find the slightest trace of her. What can I do? Who can help me?

There is only one person I can think of, but she is six feet under. I go to the cemetery anyway. Just to pray. Just to hope that Kim's mom will somehow be able to help me.

I walk with my head down through the isles of headstone. My muscles have memorized the path and I do not care to see where I am actually going. About ten plot away from where Kim's mom is buried, I look up. My heart is relieved. Kim is curled up against the stone. I run with all my might toward her.

I kneel in the mud, not caring what it does to my new jeans. I pull Kimberly to me, gently, but still saying 'I'm never going to let you go'. Kim looks up and cries harder.

"I'm sorry." She whispers. "Please forgive me Tommy. I'm so scared." She mumbles.

"Shh... It's alright Beautiful. I'm not going anywhere." I comfort. Then I notice she is shivering.

Looking down, I see that she only has on a coat and a long cotton night shirt with fabric shorts and some sneakers without socks. "You know babe, I think we should get you home. This outfit could get you in trouble for public indecency."

She lets out a small laugh. I stand up then pick her up cradling her. She tries to protest. "Kim, please. I know you can do it. I know that. But I need to know that you're okay. Just let me carry you. For my own sake." This puts her protest to rest and she relaxes her frail, shivering body into my arms.

"Thank you Tommy." She says earnestly. I kiss her head and continue to my car which is sitting outside the juice bar. It is a ten minute walk from here, but with it being muddy and since I am carrying Kim, it will take about fifteen minutes.

When we arrive at the juice bar, I see that the guys have all congregated there instead of going home. I place Kimberly in the passenger seat of the small four door. I buckle her in and lovingly place my coat over her trembling knees. I shut the door as quietly as possible and run in really quick to tell the guys not to worry.

When I enter the youth center, I am immediately swarmed by my teammates. "Did you find her?" I hear a masculine voice ask. I think it is Adam, but I can't be sure.

"Yeah, she is fine, I just need to get her home." I answer.

"Where was she?" Kat asks. She look worried. I never knew if she really did like Kim or not, but now I see that she does.

"She was at the cemetery. Near her mom's grave." I say. With a nod, I leave.

I get into the car and find Kim half awake. "We are going home now Beautiful. Try and sleep for me, okay?"

She nods absently. "I love you Tommy."

"I love you too Kim."

There it is... It isn't very long, but my fingers hurt. I need to go because I have play practice soon and I haven't eaten anything yet. :)

To my reviewers:

Daisyz: I hope this is better. (It isn't much happier... that's for sure...)

TrueRomantic: Of course it was the muse's fault. (Well, actually it was multiple muses faults.) I don't think they need help, Lóravarnion and Sáre are just a little dramatic.

Pinkranger4evr: Glad you liked my last update! Sorry this one took so long.

Redandblack 4eva: Please don't hurt me! I'm just the writer! (And what kind of writer would I be if I made them mad at each other forever. I'd be a bad one... that's what kind I'd be...)

Ghostwriter: Thanks so much... I need all the luck I can get!

Solana1: Like I said before... I you want me to keep her alive, keep reading!

Kim&Tommy92: Wow! Thanks so much for those comments! I feel loved:)

StarWarsMakeover: Yes, I didn't update very quick, but I hope this chapter makes up for it.

Cranelove: Oh, thank you! I'm glad that you can understand her, because I'm not to sure that I very well do!

Smoondigiboy: Thanks! Glad you like it!

DigiExpert: Wow! Lots of complements in your review! Thanks so much!

Spoiler: Choir shall be the death of me... (just pray it doesn't kill me until I finish this story!)