Wow I've had a busy weekend and beginning of the week. And half my roommates are sick so i decided I wanna make soup and bread but i have to make it tomorrow but now I'm craving soup and bread tonight.

Chapter 23

As the car rolled to a stop in front of a small cottage Jack looked around the rural landscape. There were trees all around and no big roads anywhere near. It looked to be a fairly secluded area.

Agent Noble had pulled off when they were far enough away from the action and when he had confirmed they weren't being followed. He gave both Jack and Kim quick check-ups. After inspecting and dressing Kim's cuts and scrapes, he concluded she had a concussion and would need plenty of rest and constant monitoring.

Jack was worried about the confusion and amnesia, but Noble promised Kim would make a full recovery as long as they kept her safe.

Jack couldn't tell if Noble was just saying that for Jack's benefit or if it was true, but he was too tired to think about the possibility that Kim might not be okay.

Noble led them into the cottage quickly, carrying Kim and draping his jacket over her eyes while he flickered the lights on.

Jack looked around the small room. In one space there was a kitchen, dining area, and living room. It was small but decorated homely. There was a small hallway off to the right and Jack could see a bathroom peeking out behind the door.

"Go on and use the bathroom," Noble directed, nodding to the hall. "I've got to check on Kim. There's food and water when you're done."

Jack nodded and muttered a thanks as he excused himself to the bathroom. It was the first time he was in a space all alone of his own free will in a while.

When he came back out, Kim was laying on the couch, her eyes shielded from the dim light as Noble whispered questions to her.

Seeing her awake, even if it was the state she was in, Jack was hopeful. Maybe things would be okay.

Kim was confused and very tired. Her head ached but she was lying comfortably with a nice man softly speaking to her. She was sick of fighting and she finally let herself be taken care of.

When the man, she was pretty sure he said his name was Noble, was done giving her a checkup, he left promising to get her something to eat and drink.

The rest of the night was hazy. Kim was having a hard time remembering what was happening. Noble gave her something to munch on, as well as some water and a sports drink. Every time she did fall asleep, on the couch she was on since they arrived, Noble would wake her up every couple of hours. He would ask her some questions, ask her to do a few things, give her a sip of water, and then let her fall asleep again.

It wasn't until the sun was up, and had been for a little while, that Jack emerged. It was the first time Kim had seen him since they arrived and she realized she had no idea where he had been. From the look on his face, it looked like he had just woken up.

Offering the best she could in regards to a smile, Kim watched Jack carefully.

"You're awake," Jack noticed, quietly whispering.

Kim nodded and immediately regretted moving her head so suddenly.

"Feel okay?"

Kim offered a small thumbs up, seeming to please Jack immensely.

Noble was passed out on a chair but at the sound of Jack's voice, he woke again and glanced at his watch.

"Hungry?" he rasped out, asking Jack.

"A little," Jack admitted.

Noble nodded understandingly and got up.

"I suppose I should explain to you both what's happening now. I'm working with the CIA, but I am from Malevia. The King and Queen have kept the team working with your safety extremely small, Kim. This is to protect your identity and prevent information leaks any moles might cause. So far, we've been able to keep your existence a secret. We have contained the few people and groups that discovered you, with the exception, until recently, of the man responsible for kidnapping you.

"Because we are trying to keep your identity on the down-low, we must do things very carefully. We can not just march into Malevia and show up at the palace–that would raise too many flags. We will stay here for the next two days while Kim recovers. During this time, I will be in communication with the CIA team, the Crawfords, the Brewers, and the King and Queen."

"My parents?" Jack asked, unable to stop himself from asking. "You've been talking with my parents?"

Noble nodded. "I've been in contact with them, indirectly. They have been informed it is a much bigger matter than a random kidnapping. They are aware of the international involvement in the situation and have been told that both you and Kim have been secured and are safe."

"Can I talk to them?" Jack asked, then glanced at Kim. "Can we talk to our families?"

"I'm afraid that's not possible right now. We are still communicating in deep code. It's too dangerous to risk somebody hacking into our system right now. After everything that has happened, Kim's identity is on lockdown. At least until she is back where she belongs and we can talk about it together."

Jack dropped the hopeful expression and offered Kim a look of compassion. She wanted to talk to her family too.

"I'll see what I can do," Noble sighed, having developed a great love for both kids.

The next day, Kim and Jack spent it recovering. They got plenty of sleep and food and showers. Kim was recovering from her concussion while Jack spent time outside polishing up on his karate skills, unsure what else to do with his time. Kim was a little jealous that Jack got to be so mobile, but she honestly didn't mind resting as much as she thought she would.

Noble had a few shirts and pants for them, so they were able to change into clean outfits, not given to them by kidnappers. Kim opted for the oversized tee, a little too pleased that Noble didn't dare deny her the right to wear what she wanted.

When Jack had gotten tired and came inside for a break, he made a sandwich for himself and another one for Kim.

"You didn't have to do that," Kim said as she took the plate from Jack's hand, scooting over so he could sit on the couch next to her.

"I was already up," Jack shrugged.

"This is weird," Kim said bluntly, looking at Jack to see if he thought the same.

"How so?"

"Two weeks ago, everything seemed pretty normal. We were going to school and hanging out with Jerry and Milton. Two days ago we almost died. We were who knows where with goodness knows who, who wanted to do bad things to the both of us. And now we're hanging out in this random house somewhere in Europe and you're practicing karate outside and making us cute little sandwiches. Can't you see how that's weird?"

"It's weird," Jack agreed.

"Won't things always be different now? Will it ever be the same as it was before all this?" Kim asked.

"No," Jack said. "It won't."

Kim frowned, mourning the loss of the life she used to live. It was a good life. She had good friends and a good family. She didn't mind school so much and she was involved in fun activities. She liked karate and she was competitive. All that would be different now. It was sad.

"But," Jack continued, nudging Kim with his arm. "It's not all bad, is it?"

"What do you mean?" Kim asked, trying hard to see what was not-so-bad about everything.

"Well, we're closer now, aren't we?" Jack said, his voice dropping quiet and low.

"Yeah," Kim answered breathlessly, finding her body being pulled towards Jack by a strong and unknown force.

"And that's better, don't you think?" Jack continued, now so quiet he had to talk right in Kim's ear. His breath tickled her skin and made her shiver.

"Mhmm," Kim hummed, barely audible.

Jack pressed his lips gently right below Kim's ear, kissing her more tenderly than she could imagine. Instinctively, Kim's eyes fluttered shut as Jack pressed another kiss a little further, and then another until he had worked his way down her jaw. Kim sighed contently, relaxing as she embraced the feeling of utter joy and elation.

When Jack's kisses paused, Kim opened her eyes again and saw Jack looking at her lips. Kim leaned closer until their lips touched and they finally kissed. Jack pried Kim's mouth open with his lips, and she let him, wanting absolutely every second of whatever it was they were doing.

Jack's hand trailed up Kim's arm, brushing the fabric of her t-shirt on its way up. The accidental movement shouldn't have thrilled her as much as it did. When Jack's hand landed in the crevice of her neck, Kim realized her own hands were propped against his chest.

The further Jack took the kiss, the less control Kim found she had. She hadn't realized how bad it had gotten until suddenly Jack was gone.

"Woah, there," Jack gasped, holding Kim's head up in his hand and smirking at the girl who had unknowingly gone limp in his arms.

"Wha…"

"Why don't we slow down?"

At Kim's whine of protest, Jack patted her leg affectionately.

"At least until you aren't concussed. I don't want to cause a coma," Jack teased.

"I'm fine," Kim argued, frowning.

"You're cute," Jack said, pecking her lips and scooting over to grab the long-forgotten sandwich.

"You're cute," Kim mocked, grabbing her own sandwich and taking an aggressive bite.

lol so funny haha.

I'm actually pretty tired rn, it's the end of a long day after I had a long week and I am so happy i can sleep in a little tomorrow and take things slow again. I need the break. and the time to do laundry. cause I am seriously lacking in the clean socks department.