"I promise, Kim. It will only be another day or two."

Kim listens to Jason's voice carry through the telephone receiver. She has been home for a week and as crazy as it sounds she misses him more now than she did when he, Zach and Trini left for Switzerland. You got it bad, girl.

"My parents are having a hard time accepting that I won't be staying close to home for college." Jason tells her with a small sigh. "That and my mother is having a fit about the two of us sharing an apartment."

"You didn't tell her?" Kim asks in a slightly nervous tone. They had agreed not to tell their parents about the new status of their relationship for just a bit longer.

"No, I swear." He answers her, the honestly clear in his voice. "But you know my mom, ever since everything with Chris she tends to overreact sometimes."

"You are not your brother." She says as the memory of his older brother pops into her mind. A few years ago he had a fight with his parents when he decided to move to LA with his girlfriend only to return after about a year and a half when she dumped him and left him to care for their four-month old son on his own. "And I am nothing like…" What was her name?

"Oh God, Kim. Of course not. My mother loves you like a daughter." Jason cuts in, glad that her voice seems to trails off. "She doesn't seem to realize that I'm not a kid anymore. She just being…"

"A mother." Its Kim's turn to cut in. "It doesn't matter how old you get, you are always gonna be her kid. She is always going to worry about you."

"Yeah," Jason knows she is right but still can't help the annoyance he feels toward his mother.

"It'll be okay. She just needs time to adjust. You are only her second child to grow up after all."

"You're right." He can't help but smile feeling somewhat reassured by her words. He glances at the clock on his bedside table. "Its getting late. I should let you go, I know you probably have an early morning."

"Yeah, I do." Kim confirms reluctantly, not really wanting to hang up the phone.

"I'll see you soon." Jason's sounds just as reluctant about ending their long distance call.

"I better." She tells him as a small smile crosses her face. She can almost see his own smile as she hangs up the phone.

Jason juggles the brown paper bags in his hands as he retrieves the set of keys in his pocket. After two weeks in Florida, he finally landed a job. Sure it is only part-time and not the kind of job he saw himself in but it is a paycheck so he can finally stop feeling like a mooch.

"Hey."

Jason looks up slightly startled by the sudden voice. He was so busy trying to find the right key that he didn't hear anyone approaching. Turning his head, he forces a smile when he sees who it is, "Oh, hey Jake." What does he want now?

"Can I help you with those?" Jake asks pointing the bags in his arms.

"Ah…no, I got it." Jason says adjusting the load he is holding. He swears that every time he turns around this man is always right there. It is beginning to wear on him. "Was there something you needed?"

"Yeah, I wanted to see if you wanted to come out tonight with me and some of my buddies from the gym." Jake says with a smile. "I mean I know you don't know many people here and I thought this would give you the chance to make some friends." And for me to get to know my competition.

"Uh…yeah…thanks." Jason's brain scrambles to find an excuse that he hasn't used in the last two weeks. No matter how nice a guy he is himself, he just can't help but feel that there is something seriously wrong with this guy. "But I can't. Me and Kim, we have plans tonight. Sorry, maybe next time." Damn it. He curses himself for the last line.

"I'll hold you to that." Jake smiles at him again before he turns and walks away. He can't avoid me forever.

A familiar uneasy feeling spreads through Jason as he watches the other man leave. This guy seems to be trying hard, too hard, to be my friend. Turning away, Jason slips the key into the lock and opens the door.

"Oh, there you are."

Kim's voice makes him forget the unnerving thoughts that are wandering through his mind. "Yep, here I am." He gives her a smile as she comes over and takes one of the bags from him. "You're home early."

"Yeah, they have to get the equipment ready got the Junior Exhibition that starts tomorrow so we all got sent home." She tells him as she leads the way to the kitchen. "it will the girls a chance to relax for a little while. They have worked so hard the last few months they could really use the time off. Even if it is only for half a day."

"Well at least they can't get into too much trouble in only a few hours." Jason agrees as the memory of their recent time off wasn't quite so relaxing. He sets the bag he is carrying down on the table. "I have some good news." He says as he turns to face her. "I am finally employed."

"Really? That's great." Kim throws her arms around him and gives him a tight hug. Pulling back she smiles up at him. "We should celebrate."

"It's just a part-time job, Kimmie." Jason smiles letting his arms wrap lightly around her back. "Nothing really worthy of celebrating."

"Nonsense. It's just the sort thing we need to celebrate."

"You say that about almost everything." He grins loving her enthusiasm. "Okay, we can celebrate on one condition. We stay here."

Kim tilts her head and studies his face for a moment. "Okay," Reaching up her presses her lips gently against his. "We'll stay here."