DISCLAIMER: Nope not mine.
SUMMARY: Kim's stalker is back and he's making threats against the people that Kim cares most about. Can they be protected?
Kim was safe in the downstairs guest room with Jason sleeping on an air mattress next to the bed on the floor. Tommy had a feeling that arrangement wouldn't last too long.
Hayley was camping out on the living room couch with an air horn beside her. Kira, Connor and Ethan were spending the night at Trent's. Tommy and Jason had covered all the bases.
Everyone had gone to the Cyber Café for dinner before heading off to their respective places for the night. Tommy, Tara, Jason and Kim had waited for Hayley at the café while she closed up for the night.
"Tara, everything's going to be alright. Everyone's safe. You are safe. I'm not going to be far away."
"I know, Tommy. I want to go to sleep but I'm so scared. I don't even know if he missed me on purpose or if he's just that bad a shot."
"Tara, don't think about that anymore. He missed. That's all that matters." He wrapped his arms around the young woman and pulled her in close, kissing the top of her head.
He walked her into the bedroom and pulled back the covers. "Just sleep, honey. I'll be just across the hall if you need me."
She nodded and curled up in the bed, closing her eyes and forcing herself to take some deep calming breaths.
Tommy hadn't been asleep very long when he heard the screams. He leapt from his bed and flew out into the hallway.
"No! Don't! Please Don't!" The cries were coming from the guest room across the hall.
He opened the door and saw that Tara was tossing and turning on the bed. The sheets were tangled around her legs. He bolted inside to sit on the bed beside her.
"Tara. Tara, wake up. Come on, Tara." He continued talking to her until she stopped struggling. "Open your eyes, Tara. Look at me."
The blue eyes snapped open and flicked around the room before settling on Tommy. The tiny young woman flung herself into his arms and buried her face against his chest.
Her entire body was trembling as she clung to him desperately. He held her patiently until she calmed down. Still holding her close, Tommy stroked her hair as he asked her about her dream.
"He'd shot everyone but Kim and I. I had hidden in a closet and he found me. He dragged me out and threw me across your body. He forced Kim to watch as he raped me and shot me."
The gasp from the doorway told him that Kim had found her way upstairs. He looked over at the former gymnast who was being held by his best friend.
"It's okay, Tara. We're all here. We're all safe." He rested his cheek against her hair and closed his eyes.
Jason kissed the top of Kim's head and tugged her away from the door. She followed him downstairs reluctantly. Jason knew it was going to take a while for Tommy to calm Tara down and someone would need to reassure Hayley.
"Is she okay?" Hayley asked as they walked into the living room.
"She'll be fine. It's just a nightmare."
Hayley heaved a sigh of relief. "Good. I take it Tommy's calming her down?"
Jason nodded. "He got there first. Kim wanted to stay but I knew you'd want to know what was going on."
Hayley looked up the stairs. "Any bets as to whether or not they spend the rest of the night in the same bed?"
"I'll kill him if he takes advantage of my sister," Jason growled.
Kim placed a calming hand on his arm. "I think your sister can take care of herself, Rex. Besides, I think you know Tommy better than that."
Jason sighed. "I know. I just can't help but worry about her. I've been looking out for her for 24 years and it's kind of hard to break the habit."
Hayley sat up a little straighter. "Jason, you know what Tommy's like. He may stay with her but we all know that nothing will happen."
"Really, Jase. Don't worry so much. Tommy won't hurt her." Jason nodded and leaned down to kiss Kim.
"I know that. I guess I should just trust them." He looked up the stairs. "I just hate seeing her so scared."
"But did you notice that she wasn't stuttering? She's comfortable with Tommy. Enough that even when she's scared she doesn't stutter." Kim tried to point out something good.
"I noticed. And I think that's great. Maybe she's finally found her strength."
Tommy had finally calmed Tara down. "Are you okay now?" he asked pulling back.
"I think so." As he started to stand up, Tara grabbed his arm. "Don't leave me alone."
He smiled and nodded. He pushed the door shut and stretched out next to her on the bed. She immediately curled up to him and lay her head on his chest.
She slept soundly and without disruption for the rest of the night.