A/N: Trigger warning for this chapter. Enjoy!


July 4th, 2004

Angel Grove, CA

When Nick came home that night, he was in a good mood. He sat in the kitchen, talking to MArci and I over dinner for a while. I took that as my chance to ask him about the BBQ. I told him that it would be a great way for Marci to meet the group and get a job somewhere. I knew he wasn't thrilled but he agreed, saying he'd go but would probably leave earlier due to a job Pete needed him to do. I was anxious about the BBQ and how everyone would react around him but I knew I needed to go. Even if it was just to apologize to Adam and Billy, I had to make an appearance. With Marci as a buffer, I was hoping it would be less tense that way.

The next morning, I got up early and threw together a tossed salad that would be enough for everyone. I also showered and applied make up, covering up the mark on my face. It was darker now and I had to put more on than yesterday but I couldn't see it once I was done. The cut on my lip didn't look as bad though when the scab fell off and I hoped it wasn't as noticeable now. Marci rolled out of bed shortly after that and soon, I heard Nick moving around too. They both got ready and we climbed into the car, heading to Trini and Jason's house.

I saw that there were cars lined up against the curb when we arrived. People were gathering to celebrate the Fourth of July, decorations on all of the houses on the block. Trini and Jason's was no different, multiple flags hanging from their porch. Climbing out, I had Nick carry the salad as we headed for the gate on the side of the house. I felt my hands tremble with nervousness as I opened it. I could hear everyone talking and Zack laugh as we entered the yard. The talking came to an uneasy halt though as everyone turned and saw us standing there.

"You came!" Trini said cheerfully, walking towards us. She smiled, giving me a hug and taking the salad from Nick. "I'm glad. And I see you did find her." She said, turning to Marci who nodded.

"Yes. Thank you so much for your help."

"Any time. Come on in. We've been waiting for you." Trini headed towards the patio where the table was set up. Aisha, Rocky, and Zack were sitting in chairs in the middle of the yard. I noticed that Rocky gave Aisha a look who swatted him in the arm. I saw Adam and Billy standing next to Jason and Tommy. I didn't know what to do or who to talk to first. I suddenly wished we hadn't come. My stomach rolled and I wanted to barf in Trini's bushes.

"Hey, guys." Tommy said, smiling. "Come on over and we can introduce Marci to everyone."

"Count me in." I heard MArci say under her breath, heading towards them. I followed, taking Nick's hand in mine. We stopped next to their group.

"Marci, this is Jason, Trini's husband. And this is Adam and Billy. Guys, this is Marci. She's staying with Kim and Nick for the summer." Tommy said.

"You've met?" Nick asked, looking confused. I nodded.

"We ran into him at the grocery store yesterday." I explained.

"Can I get some help over here?" Trini called out from her spot next to the grill. She was trying to lift some coolers.

"Coming, dear." Jason said. Tommy followed and to my surprise, Nick went too. This left me with MArci, Adam and Billy. No one spoke and I felt sweat form in my palms and on my forehead.

"Well, I'm going to walk around because this is awkward." Marci said, slowly walking away. I watched as she headed over to the other group and introduced herself.

"Kim-." Adam started but I cracked.

"I am so sorry about what happened. I didn't mean for it to happen. I'm a fucking idiot." I said, tears brimming my eyes. "I understand if you hate me. I hate me."

"We don't hate you, Kimberly." Billy said, giving me a small smile as he put a hand on my shoulders.

"Yeah. We were more worried about you than anything. You ran off so quickly that we didn't get a chance to talk." Adam said.

"I know. I was just horrified about what happened. I'm sorry about Nick. I don't think he realized that it was supposed to be such a big secret."

"It's okay. Honestly, things are better now." Adam said, reaching over and taking Billy's hand in his. Billy smiled over at him. "It's nice not having to hide it now."

"I'm really happy for you two." I said. "If you need me to spill any other secrets for you, just let me know."

"How about no?" Adam replied, the three of us laughing. I hugged the two of them, sniffing the tears away that had threatened to fall.

"I get that." I said, pulling away.

The BBQ became a whole lot less tense following my conversation with Adam and Billy. The rest of the group was even talking to Nick, ignoring what had happened. It made me happy to know that they were willing to forgive him for what he had done. It was also nice seeing Marci interact with everyone. She was really hitting it off with Aisha. The two were talking fashion and music, totally tuning Rocky out. He gave up, deciding to hang out with Adam and Billy instead. Zack joined them and they started a game of horseshoes while Jason cooked the meat on the grill. I helped Trini set up the rest of the food while Tommy and Nick stood with the other guys and talked. For the first time since we had arrived, I felt like this was going to work. Nick was becoming friends with my friends and no one felt like the odd person out.

We made our plates after Jason finished the food, everyone sitting to eat. Nick sat next to me while Marci opted to sit with Aisha still as our group came together. I noticed that Aisha was beginning to show some now, a small bump under her shirt when she stood. It made me jealous but happy at the same time. I pushed the thought from my mind and took another bite of my salad.

"Did they decide what the next play was going to be?" Zack asked, sitting in a chair next to mine. I shook my head.

"Not yet. We decide when the holiday is over. You interested?" He nodded.

"Yeah! Especially if you guys pick a musical. I'm always looking for something to add to my resume."

"Okay. I'll let you know what we come up with." I replied. "I'm pretty sure it will be one though. They are more popular."

"Of course they are. People can never pass up a good show tune." He grinned, taking a bite from his hot dog. "Just let me know if you need any help."

"Oh, we will. If anyone is interested, we'll need help with set design too. Anyone being those who are strong and own power tools." I said, smiling over at Jason and the rest of the boys. "We just need a few guys who would be willing to help us put the wood together and stretch the canvases. They usually have a team that does it but we don't have the budget to pay them this year. I was hoping that my loving and adoring friends would be willing to help."

"You heard her, Tommy." Jason said, standing up and clapping a hand on Tommy's back. The group chuckled.

"I'm pretty sure she meant everyone." Tommy replied.

"Right but she already knows how well you work with power tools. Look how quickly you put their furniture together for them." Jason added, scooping more salad to his plate. I stopped mid chew, seeing that Nick had also stopped.

"You were the one that helped move our stuff in?" He asked, turning his attention to Tommy who nodded.

"Yeah. I ran into Kim at the second hand store and offered to help. It was no big deal, really. Like I told her yesterday when we went for coffee, I have a lot of spare time on my hands when I'm not teaching." I could feel Nick go rigid next to me and I gripped my plate tightly in my hands. Marci shot me a look, one that told me that she understood what had just happened. I waited for Nick's reaction but it never came.

"Thanks for the help." He simply said. "I know with me working, Kim needs someone to help her with what she needs."

"No problem. Anytime." Tommy replied. I released the breath I was holding and leaned back in my chair. Nick didn't turn to look at me but he started making small talk with Rocky after that. Relief came over me as I realized he wasn't as upset as I thought he would be. Maybe I had underestimated him and how he would react. He wasn't stupid. Maybe he had figured that Tommy and I were just friends. I wished the rest of the group would figure that out that quickly.

A little before seven, we started to pack up. Nick and I both had work in the morning and didn't want to stay out late. Marci said that she was going to stay for the fireworks and that Aisha would drop her off on the way home. I was happy to see the two of them getting along so well and I told her it was fine. I bid farewell to everyone, giving out hugs while Nick shook their hands. Trini and Jason walked us out to the car and I waved as we pulled away.

The ride home was quiet as we drove, Nick nodding his head to the music on the radio. I thought about taking a bath, hot water sounding nice on my body. Nick pulled into the driveway and parked. I grabbed my bag and the now empty bowl the salad had been in. Walking up the steps, he unlocked the door and let me enter. I heard him close the door behind him as I headed towards the kitchen. I didn't reach it through before I felt him grab the back of my hair and yank me back. I gasped, dropping everything I was holding. He slammed me into the wall by the door, grabbing me hard by the throat.

"Who the FUCK told you that you could go whoring it around town with that fuck? Huh? While I'm at work, you're here fucking your ex-boyfriend?" He seethed, inches from my face. I shook my head, grabbing at his hands as he pushed down on my throat. I could barely breathe.

"I didn't." I gasped.

"Oh yeah? Then why didn't you tell me your boy toy was the one who helped you the other day? Or that you were off having little dates with him? How long have you been fucking him behind my back?" He tossed me down to the ground and I landed in a heap. As I moved to stand. He kicked me swiftly in the stomach. All the air vanished and I cried out in pain, holding my midsection. He grabbed me by the hair again, pulling me to my feet. "Fucking answer me!"

"I'm not. I swear." I breathed, trying to get air into my lungs.

"Bullshit!" He threw me onto the couch and landed, my head bouncing off the wooden piece of the arm. I heard the thud from the impact and felt pain shoot down my neck. He climbed on top of my, grabbing my throat again. "Tell me what he fucking did to you."

"Nothing. Nick, please. You're hurting me."

"You're gonna know what pain is. Trust me on that." LEtting go of my neck, he stood up and flipped me over so that I was on my stomach. He kneed me there, pain rocketing through me. Tears streamed down my face as I clawed at the couch to try and get away. He kneeled on the couch behind me though, grabbing my hips and pulling me towards him. He pushed my dress up and pulled my underwear down.

"No. No!" I said, pulling against his grip. He punched me in the back of the head twice, making the edges of my vision darken. I slowed and he took the opportunity to position himself behind me. I felt him move his clothing and then the tip of his penis.

"This is my fucking hole to use when I want to use it." He said, ramming himself inside of me. There was pain from the dry contact and I cried out again, trying to pull away. He pulled my hair, keeping me in place. "No one else is going to fuck you ever again. You're fucking mine and that will be that way until your miserable body stops fucking breathing."

"Nick, stop!" I yelled out, trying to push him off of me. He started to move his hips, pounding into me hard and quickly. Each thrust felt like a knife and I began to sob.

"Tell me I fuck you better than him." He said, his breaths coming out hot on my back. "Tell me I fuck you better than that fucker."

"Get off me!" I screamed, trying to kick him with my feet. He let go of my hair and I felt something go around my neck. He pulled and my airway was blocked off. Reaching up, I felt the cord to the curtains around my neck. He pumped faster.

"You. Are. My. Wife. I own you." He said, punching me in the back of the head again. I could feel him move faster and knew he was close to finishing. I clawed at the cord, trying to get it off of me. I couldn't breathe. My vision was fading and my lungs were begging for air. If I didn't get some, I knew I was going to die right here. I reached behind me, trying to get him to let go but he shoved my hands away.

He let out a shudder of a breath and I felt him release inside of me. When he did, he let go of the cord. I was able to pull it off and coughed air into my lungs. Nick pulled himself out and shoved me off the couch. I landed on the floor, my dress up around my waist and the cord still around my neck. Sobs racked through my body as my vision came back. I could see blood on the couch where my face had been and there was some smeared on his polo shirt. His face was red and sweat poured down it as he stood over me. The look on his face was one that I had never seen before. It was cold and callous, like an animal that was looking down at its prey before devouring it. He zipped his fly up and wiped the sweat from his brow before behind down. He grabbed my hair again and pulled my head towards him so he was close.

"You're not to see Tommy again." He said. "Do you understand?" I nodded, whimpering. "Say it."

"I understand."

"Good because if you do, I'll fucking kill him."