Hey y'all. I am so sorry it's been so long since I've updated. I've just been super busy and I couldn't figure out how I wanted to begin bringing this story to a close. I hope this chapter makes up for the long wait.

XOXO

- M

Chapter 13 : Mall Showdown

Jack's POV

I was getting impatient. I was tired of waiting for the call from the police assuring me and Kim that the disgusting pervert Brandon has been arrested and was safely behind bars, away from Kim. But it had been a week and they had no leads, no sightings, nothing. They say it's because Brandon is smart enough to stay low, but I say they just don't know how to do their job.

Kim had gotten worse. Her nightmares kept her up every night and she feared even walking around the house by herself. It wasn't even the rape that was getting to her anymore, it was the thought of Brandon still freely running around. It had gotten harder for me to watch over her all hours of the day, considering we didn't have a couple of classes together, so I had finally convinced her to confess to the guys. She had thought of every horrible possible outcome, but in the end she was relieved when the guys assured her they looked at her no differently and still loved her like they did before. They helped me protect her.

"Ha! Hiya!" Kim was currently taking out her frustration on one of the practice dummies. I just sat on the bench and watched as she aimed a high kick to the dummy's head. I'd never seen Kim work so hard in her life. I could only imagine everything that was running through her mind that was making her punch and kick so hard.

"Why don't you take a break and get some water Kim?" I suggested as I grabbed the bottle of water next to me and walked over to her. She straightened out of her fighting stance and took the water from me chugging the entire thing in ten seconds.

"Thirsty there Kimmy?" I teased as she handed it back to me. She rolled her eyes but gave me a small smile in response.

"I can't help it. I haven't practiced in weeks. I have so much to catch up on." She said as she punched the middle of the dummy.

"Kim, you're doing fine. It's like you were never absent." Rudy stated as he walked out of his office.

"Yeah Kim, you got total swag yo." Jerry added. Kim laughed.

"Thank you Jerry. Swag means so much to me." She mocked playfully.

"So you wanna catch a movie in a bit?" I asked her. She aimed another kick at the dummy before turning to me. She opened her mouth to answer but suddenly froze. Her eyes widened in fear as she became fixated on something behind me.

"Hello? Kim, earth to Kimberly." I waved my hand in front of her face.

"Jack. Jack, it's him. It's Brandon." She whispered. I quickly spun around and as I did I spotted a glimpse of Brandon as he took off running down the mall. I didn't waste a second before I shot out of the dojo and chased after him. There was no way in hell I was letting that bastard get away, again. I could hear Kim and the guys behind me yelling my name and telling me to wait for the cops, but I couldn't do it. I had to keep running. I had to get that dirt bag. I had to stop him for good.

I gained on him and as soon as I was within a few feet of him I made a jump for it and fell right on top of him. I rolled him over and began throwing punches left and right. He blocked as best as he could but not without getting hit a few times. I grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled his face up towards mine.

"I told you to fucking leave. I never wanted to see your face in this town ever again. I gave you a chance to walk away but you didn't listen. You hurt Kim. You hurt MY Kim. You tried to do it again. I should fucking break your neck right now." I hissed.

"Jack." I heard Kim approaching. I kept my hands gripped around Brandon's shirt and looked behind me. Suddenly I felt a fist connect with my face and I flew off Brandon. He took my momentary distraction as a weakness and made his move. I looked over at Kim who stood there staring down at me shocked. Her face was quickly composed into anger and her eyes moved to Brandon. She was fuming. I saw her hands close into fists and her jaw clenched.

"How dare you. You can fucking hurt me all you want, but the second you lay a hand on one of my friends, I will kill you." Kim's eyes narrowed as she spoke. Brandon smirked. He looked over at me and began taking steps towards me but before he could get any closer Kim was in front of me standing in a fighting stance with her fists up.

"Big mistake." She growled. Before he could react, Kim flew at Brandon aiming kicks and punches at him, every blow hitting its target. Kim was ruthless. She took no pity in the pain she was causing him and I could do nothing but watch in awe as Kim took Brandon down.

"Kim! The police are here!" Milton shouted as him and the rest of the guys came bounding down the mall. They all came to an abrupt halt when they noticed Brandon laying on the ground covering his bloody and bruised face with Kim hovering over him. I knew she wasn't done but before she could do anymore damage I stood and rushed over to her spinning her around to face me.

"Kim, you did it!" I yelled. Kim looked dazed. She stared at me with a confused look on her face. I pointed to Brandon and realization washed over.

"I, I did it. I beat him. I actually beat him!" Kim was now shouting in joy as she hugged me tightly.

"It's over now." I whispered as I stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head. Kim pulled back, tears streaming down her face.

"What? What's wrong?" I panicked. She shook her head, smiling.

"It's over Jack, and I'm the one who ended it. I never thought I could stand up to him." She confessed. I smiled back.

"I told you you were strong Kim. You always have been." I pushed a stray blonde hair out of her face and placed it behind her ear. She gazed at me, the smile remaining. I gazed back. Suddenly her lips were on mine. Kim Crawford was kissing me. I melted into the kiss. Everything I had been dreaming of for the last three years was happening. Even in spite of all the horror Kim had endured, she was trusting me and giving me her affection.

"Uh guys, I hate to break this little moment up, but the cops are taking Brandon away." Eddie informed us. We broke apart and looked over at the police car in the parking lot where two men were placing a handcuffed and injured Brandon into the back. I put my arm around Kim and rubbed her shoulder.

"You did good Kim. Real good." I said.

"Kim Crawford." I dropped my arm and we both turned around to see the same officer who had interviewed Kim standing in front of us. She was another face out of the crowd that was also smiling.

"Kim Crawford, you are one amazing young lady. You did something most girls in the same situation would never do. You actually took down your attacker alone and I have to say that is one heroic and brave thing to do. I want you to know that the Seaford Police Station is behind you a hundred percent and we are going to do everything we can to make sure this guy goes away for a very long time." She extended her hand out to Kim and Kim shook it happily.

Kim's POV

I couldn't believe it. It felt so unreal. Just hours ago I was terrified of Brandon. I couldn't even imagine being ten feet away from him, but I had done so much more than that. I had actually fought him, and beat him. He was being hauled away in handcuffs and taken to jail, where I was positive he would be for a very long time. It was honestly the best feeling I had ever felt in my entire life, aside from kissing Jack.

Oh Jack. That boy was the definition of perfect. His looks, his personality, the way he was so protective and comforting. I loved it. I loved being around him. Maybe kissing him wasn't the best idea just yet, but I couldn't help it. I was drunk with happiness and so relieved that my nightmare was finally over.

"Kim? You ok?" I heard Jack ask. I looked up and saw Jack staring down at me looking worried at my silence. I smiled and nodded.

"Yeah, I'm ok. I'm sorry about kissing you though. I know it probably wasn't the right thing to do in this kind of situation." I apologized.

"Kim you're allowed to do whatever you want. You've been through a lot and deserve it. Besides, I enjoyed it." He laughed. I rolled my eyes and playfully nudged his shoulder. I sighed. I had to lay down the rules with Jack, no matter how much I liked him.

"Look Jack. I really like you and I really want to be with you, but I don't know if I'm ready for a relationship. Everything that has happened has done a lot to me and I just don't know if I'm stable enough to be your girlfriend, or anyone's for that matter. I want to take things slow with you." I said. What the fuck. What in the world was I doing? Who said Jack even wanted to date me? Now I was just embarrassed.

"Baby steps. I know. I really like you too Kim. A lot. I've been wanting to kiss you for years, but I never had the right time to do it. I understand perfectly that you need time and I am so willing to give that to you. But you can't kiss anyone else, ok?" Jack replied. We both looked at each other seriously for a minute before we both began laughing.

"Ok, I won't kiss anyone else." I promised.

"Good. So, can I at least hold your hand?" Jack asked as he held out his hand. I bit my lip and shyly placed my hand in his. We walked out of the mall and began making our way to my house.

Four months ago, I was raped. I spent everyday terrified that it was going to happen again and relived the nightmare over and over again in my sleep. A month ago, I confessed to Jack. Three weeks ago, I confessed to the police. Two hours ago, I took down my rapist and he went to jail. For the first time in a long time, I can honestly say that I'm walking down the street, and I'm not scared at all. I'm free.

Annnnnd...CUT! There you have it guys, the conclusion :) I'm sorry if the ending is lame and cheesy or whatever, but it's the best I could come up with. I seriously put all my thoughts into this so I hope you're all at least satisfied.

Review, tell me what you think.