DISCLAIMER: Nope. Still not mine.
SUMMARY: Tara's stormed off after recovering from a mild panic attack. She got frustrated with the overprotective nature of Tommy and Jason. Where did she go and what is she doing?
A/N: Okay. "Bring on the Rain" belongs to JoDee Messina and "Heroes and Friends" belongs to Randy Travis.
Tara walked into the house that Kim and Jason shared and grabbed Kim's guitar out of the corner by the door. She walked on out the back door and sat down on a chair on the back deck. Strumming the instrument softly, she picked out a song she's always felt strongly about.
Another day has almost come and gone.
Can't imagine what else could go wrong.
Sometimes I'd like to hide away somewhere and lock the door.
A single battle lost but not the war (cause)
Tomorrow's another day
And I'm thirsty anyway
So bring on the rain
It's almost like the hard times circle round
A couple drops and they all start coming down
Yeah, I might feel defeated
I might hang my head
I might be barely breathing
But I'm not dead
Tomorrow's another day
And I'm thirsty anyway
So bring on the rain
I'm not gonna let it get me down
I'm not gonna cry
And I'm not gonna lose any sleep tonight.
That was what Kim heard when she came through the door five minutes after school let out.
She walked out on the deck and saw Tara sitting there singing and playing the guitar.
"What did Jason and/or Tommy do now?" she asked as the final notes faded away.
"Kim, I had a small panic attack today and both of them treated me like a damn china doll! I don't mind them being protective but damn!"
"Tara, Tommy likes you. He likes you a lot. He just has a hard time showing how much he likes people. Part of his way is playing the white knight. Just like I told you yesterday."
"And Jason's excuse?"
"He's been protecting you all your life. Do you really expect him to back off that quick?" Kimberly put an arm around Tara's shoulders. "He loves you, kiddo. Don't expect him to stop protecting you just because Tommy's stepped in."
"Kimberly, sing with me."
"What song?"
"How about 'Heroes and Friends'?" Kim nodded and went back into the house to get her other guitar.
They started playing together, voices raised in song.
I grew up with cowboys I watched on t-v
My friends and I sometimes pre-tended to be
My heart rides the range with my heroes and friends
Years have gone by but now and again
Your heroes will help you find good in yourself
Your friends won't forsake you for somebody else.
They'll both stand beside you thru thick and thru thin
And that's how it goes with heroes and friends
The two smiled at each other and started laughing as the last notes drifted off on the breeze.
Back at the school, Kira had picked up Tara's books and brought them to Tommy in the room. "I hope she's okay, Dr. O."
"Jason seems pretty sure that she will be." Tommy just shook his head. "I just don't understand. She seems so shy and fragile one moment and then she lashes out when we try to take care of her."
"Maybe she just wants to be able to take care of herself. She doesn't mind protection when she really needs it but maybe she just wants someone to show her how to take care of herself all the time. She wants someone who's willing to help her out when she needs it and step back when she doesn't." When she realized that Tommy was staring at her, Kira bowed her head, her hair falling to cover her face. "Maybe."
Connor put an arm around Kira's shoulders. "It's okay, Kira. Dr. O just forgets sometimes that you're a woman too. He still sees you as a teenager." Connor chuckled.
"He's right, Kira. Sometimes I just forget that you've grown up and that you're not just a teen anymore." Tommy was chuckling at himself. "That's a heck of an insight you've got there. Maybe I should try that. Maybe start with talking to her."
"Might be a good place to start, Dr. O." Kira smiled at her mentor. 'They are so good for each other. I can't wait to see what kind of wedding they end up having.'
When it was time to leave, Jason and Tommy got in the car and drove over to Tara's apartment.
Jason knocked. There was no answer. "She's probably asleep." He used his key to open the door and walked through the apartment. Tommy chose to stay at the door just in case.
After only a moment, Jason stood in the living room with a look of concern on his face. "She's not here."