DISCLAIMER: Nope still not mine.
SUMMARY: Threats have been made. Everyone's being careful. Will it be enough?
Tommy woke up with a petite woman in his arms. He gently extracted himself from underneath her and stood up.
Tara rolled over and curled into the pillow. Tommy brushed the hair out of her face and pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek before leaving the room.
Jason and Kim were curled up in each other's arms fast asleep when Tommy looked in on them. He smiled as he pulled the door closed before going into the kitchen.
Hayley had coffee ready and waiting for him.
"Thanks, Hayley. Just what I needed. She smiled as Tommy took a sip.
"Jason and Kim must still be asleep."
"Comfortably in each other's arms. For the moment."
"What about Tara?"
"I'll wake her soon. I plan to start teaching her to defend herself today."
Jason and Kim walked in just about then and Jason beelined for the coffeepot.
"How did Tara sleep after the nightmare?" Kim asked.
"She slept like a rock. I stayed with her. She didn't wake up again."
"Tommy, I don't have to remind you of how fragile my little sister is," Jason said, stepping up beside Kim and draping an arm around her shoulders.
"J-J-Jason, leave h-h-him alone." Tara's voice came from the doorway. "N-n-nothing happened."
She stepped up next to Tommy and almost timidly wrapped an arm around his waist. He draped his arm over her shoulders, pulling her in close. "I don't mind." Tommy smiled down at her. "It's good that your brother looks out for you."
"Tommy?" Hayley asked from where she was looking out the back door.
"What's up, Hayley?"
"A guy just showed up in your backyard. He looks more than just a little disoriented."
Everyone headed over to peer out the door. "Jason, is that who I think it is?" Kim asked.
"It's Billy," answered both Jason and Tommy.
Kim grabbed the door handle only to find the way blocked by Jason's arm. "Kim, don't forget why we spent the night here last night."
Tommy opened the door. "Billy! Come on in, man."
Billy jogged up to the door and ducked inside. "Greetings, everyone."
"Billy, this is Hayley. Hayley, this is Billy Cranston."
"Nice to meet you, Billy."
"Pleasure to make your acquaintance." Billy turned to Tommy. "And who is this hiding behind our fearless leader?"
Tara peeked around Tommy and gazed up at Billy for just a second before ducking back behind him. "Tara, come on out. Billy won't hurt you," Kim gently coaxed.
Tara stepped out from behind Tommy, her eyes still not meeting Billy's. "Billy, I'd like you to meet my sister, Tara," Jason introduced. "Tara, you remember Billy."
Tara nodded and turned into Tommy as if trying to hide. Tommy wrapped his arms around her and turned away, leading her into the living room where they sat down on the couch.
"She is extremely bashful isn't she?" Billy asked.
"Painfully so," Jason nodded, watching Tommy with his baby sister. "I managed to talk her into becoming a teachers' aide. This is her second posting. The first one ended badly. But I managed to get her in here. Thankfully, Principal Randall put her with Tommy."
"It would appear that their relationship has grown considerably more complex since its inception."
Kim chuckled. "I hope he's saying that it looks like they're a bit closer than teacher and aide now."
"Affirmative."
"I just hope he's ready for what's going to happen when they decide to tell our parents about their relationship." Jason shook his head.