Hello! If you have read this story before, please read the rewritten first chapter (as of 2/2015). I have expanded the story at the suggestion of my beta. Thanks again to daniaryezel!
Kimberly paused to duck her head and collect herself.
Jason's surprisingly gentle tone struck a chord, and the last thing she wanted was to break down in front of him.
"It happened right before the Pan Globals." Swallowing hard, Kimberly continued in a matter-of-fact tone. "Jason, I didn't come here to talk about my nonexistent relationship."
At a loss for words, Jason ran a hand through his damp hair. He felt like he ate a brick. He had been in Florida for months while Kimberly was going through the aftermath of the break-up. His mind wandered to all the voice messages on his phone, all the ones from Kim he never listened to.
He searched her eyes and found what she really wanted to say: Why weren't you there for me?
More than anything, he wanted to draw Kimberly close and comfort her like the big brother he grew to become. She refused to meet his gaze, however, so he reached for her hand instead, covering it with his own.
Kimberly smiled a small smile. Jason's hand completely enveloped hers.
"I'm sorry to hear that." He tried to convey as much sympathy as possible in his voice and eyes.
Kimberly squeezed his hands and then hugged him tightly, burying her face in his neck. His skin was warm and smooth, and his musk matched the one in her memories.
"If you need to talk, I'm here now," he said into her raspberry-scented hair.
Kimberly turned to look Jason full in the face.
"Now that I know you're not strung up on drugs or dead," she gave a watery smile, "we don't need to talk about Tommy right at this moment."
Jason brushed away a tear on her cheek. Strong-willed Kimberly did not often show her vulnerable side. He did not like that Tommy was the source of her pain. He had every intention of confronting Tommy the next time he saw him. Jason sighed internally. He had to make it up to Kim before that happened. He, too played a role in her pain.
"Sorry. Hah, I can't tell if I got your neck wet from crying or if that's from your hair." Her voice was shaky as she wiped at his collar bone.
"It's okay. Hey," an idea struck Jason as he caught her hand. "Do you want to grab some ice cream and watch a movie? Are you even allowed to eat ice cream?"
Kimberly settled into his side and nodded. Her diet was strict as a gymnast, but she could make an exception for Jason.
"Yeah, I can splurge every once in a while. What movie do you have in mind?" A nice night in seemed appealing.
"I don't know. Anything you want. I know you don't like watching action movies like I do."
She tilted her head up and smirked. "You're okay with getting a romantic comedy? I never thought I'd see the day."
Jason groaned. "Let me put on some clothes. Let's go."
OooooO
A tub of ice cream and two movies later, Jason and Kimberly laid on the bed debating whether or not Demi Moore looked like Audrey Hepburn.
"I mean, they're both brunette and kind of waif-like, right?" Kim was scraping at the bottom of her bowl.
Jason looked up. "Yeah, I guess so. Demi Moore's bangs are kind of long, though."
"Do you think I could pull off Audrey?" She modeled different angles of her face and held the spoon in her fingers like a cigarette.
"Yeah… just replace the gymnastics get-up with something classier."
They both burst out laughing and settled into a companionable silence. It was nice to be in each other's company after so long. Kimberly could not remember the last time she had a carefree evening. Life was all about gymnastics, Trini was on a different continent, and Tommy never came out to visit when they were dating. Kimberly looked at the time. It was almost midnight, and she was not in the mood to make the hour drive back to her apartment.
"Is it alright if I stay, Jase? I don't have anything going on tomorrow." Somehow, asking the question felt awkward. Maybe it was because Mrs. Hart was back at her apartment. Kimberly was not looking forward to explaining her whereabouts to her mother, even if it was Jason.
Jason looked around contemplatively and stifled a yawn. "Yeah, of course. But I don't have any extra pillows or blankets…" He frowned. The sparse state of his apartment brought down his uplifted spirits.
"Oh that's okay, I have some stuff in my car. I'll grab it right quick." Kimberly flounced off the bed and slipped on her jacket as Jason collected the bowls.
"Hey, Kim?" Jason's voice was suppliant.
She turned on her heel to face him. "Yeah?"
"I'm sorry for ignoring you. I know it won't make you feel better, but, I was ignoring everyone not just you. I was dealing with...stuff." Jason gulped. This apology was on his mind all night, but the words were still hard to form. "You mean a lot to me, and I apologize for not being there for you."
Kimberly beamed graciously and walked towards Jason. She knew he would beat himself up about not being there for her. She stood on her toes and kissed his cheek.
"I know, Jase. And it's okay, really," she pushed on as Jason shook his head in disagreement. "No, it's okay. I'm so happy to see you again. Just…please don't fall of the face of the earth like that again, okay?"
"Okay."
"Promise?"
Jason smiled. "Pinky-promise."
Kimberly let out a girlish giggle as she held out her little finger for him to take. Then her face grew serious.
"I love you, Jase. You know that, right?"
Jason nodded and his jaw dropped slightly. He could not remember the last time she said that to him in earnest. He mentally kicked himself again for ignoring her and cleared his throat to reply, but Kimberly had already turned around.
Kimberly called over her shoulder, "I'll be back before you know it," and headed out the door, keys in hand, before he could offer to help.
OooooO
A couple of minutes later, Kimberly returned. She carefully opened the door and felt a pang of disappointment.
Jason was lying down fast asleep.
Well, I should have expected that, Kimberly thought.
She carefully closed the door behind her, making sure to lock it. Quietly, she pulled a blanket over him. Jason made a humming noise.
Kimberly stared at his face for a long time, searching for the boy she knew years ago. She almost could not find him under the dark circles under his eyes, the facial stubble, and the frown lines between his eyebrows. We grew up way too fast, Kimberly mused. They both changed so much, and yet they were still able to find each other after life drew them apart—thousands of miles and an ocean apart.
Kimberly turned off the light and slipped under her own blanket on the other side of the bed.
"Night, JJ," she whispered.
As Kimberly's eyelids grew heavy, she was thankful that they had each other. She was grateful for all of the rangers, feeling that one day, life would bring them together again, too. Most of all, she was thankful she did not have to face the next day alone.
More to come! Please review!
