DISCLAIMER: Nope not mine. Man do I wish though.

SUMMARY: Tommy has started teaching Tara self-defense. They agreed to go to the cafe with Kim and Jason.

Jason and Kimberly watched as Tara and Tommy walked into the café

Jason and Kimberly watched as Tara and Tommy walked into the café. It was a major switch from just three days earlier when she had been just walking beside him. Now she was back to clinging to his hand and almost hiding behind him.

Hayley noticed the difference too and felt awful for the young woman to have so much progress totally destroyed in just one afternoon. But she also noticed how Tommy didn't seem to mind that she was so skittish again. He made sure that she was sitting between him and Jason with Kim between them on the other side.

'I hate this. I hate that I feel so insecure again. I hate that I'm clinging to Tommy as if I can't live without him.'

"Tara, I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere until you feel safe again." Tommy wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her in close. He bent over to whisper in her ear. "Besides, I wouldn't feel right if I wasn't sure that you were safe."

She snuggled into his embrace, knowing that he wasn't lying to her. "Tara, are you really okay with doing this?" Kimberly asked, leaning forward.

"I h-h-have to be. I c-c-can't let this d-d-defeat me." She was determined for that to be the case. She had to do this for herself and for Tommy. After all, she couldn't expect him to lock himself away from everyone else as he helped her regain her sense of security.

Hayley brought over smoothies and everyone just sat calmly. Tommy stayed close to Tara and she was content to stay put. At least until she had to use the restroom. "Kimberly?"

Kim nodded and Tommy let her get up. 'Kim will watch out for her. I know that.'

"Bro, she'll be fine. After all, you can't hold her hand all the time."

"Jase, I just can't help but feel like the whole reason this happened is because I didn't teach her to defend herself. I had intended to right after the whole stalker thing started but then things just started happening and it totally slipped my mind."

"Not your fault man. A lot has happened since then. And you're teaching her now, right?"

"Yeah, but."

"No buts. She's happy with you and you're happy with her. Things are going well and can only get better. You're good for her. And you know that I wouldn't just say that to anyone who wanted to be with my sister."

Tommy smiled at Jason. "Thanks, man. I just hope that I can take care of her."

Clasping a hand on his friend's shoulder, Jason smiled. "I don't doubt that you can."

Kimberly and Tara walked out of the bathroom and headed back toward their men. Kim nudged the woman beside her. "Looks like a pretty serious talk they're having."

Tara giggled and nodded. Suddenly, she sucked in a breath and looked over Kim's shoulder.

"So, Kimberly, when are we going on that date?"

"Skull, get lost. And take Bulk with you. I'm spoken for."

"We all know that you and Tommy aren't …"

"I'm not with Tommy anymore. I'm with Jason."

Bulk was eyeing Tara. "Aren't you a pretty little one? What's your name?" He stepped closer to Tara only to see her step further behind Kim.

"Leave her alone, Bulk." Kimberly was trying to keep herself between the former high school bully and her friend. Tara was shaking so badly that it was actually visible. She kept glancing toward Tommy as if hoping he'd come over and make Bulk go away.

"Why doesn't she tell me that?" Bulk asked, trying to slip past the brunette.

"She shouldn't have to." Tommy's voice came from behind the two former bullies. "She's moving away from you and you can't tell that she want you to leave her alone."

Bulk watched in amazement as Tara's posture relaxed. Tommy stepped around the two and gently placed an arm around Tara's shoulders.

She wrapped an arm around his waist and nestled into his grasp. Her eyes were still wide as she looked over at Bulk. Tommy bowed his head and kissed the top of her head. "You're safe, Tara. I'm right here."

Bulk watched as Tommy led the petite woman back to the table where Jason was sitting. Kimberly followed to have Jason take her hand when she sat down next to him.

Bulk and Skull looked at each other and shrugged. They left the café, leaving the two couples to themselves.