Title: Old Friends

Summary: When Carson comes back to Seaford and shows up at the dojo, it's no secret that Jack doesn't exactly like him. Kim just wants to be friends with everyone, but the two boys can't seem to get along-especially when Kim goes on an outing with Carson one night.

Author's Note: This one-shot does depict a panic attack and I included it not to romanticize panic attacks but because I wanted to convey deeper emotion and I wanted it to be real. I tried to make it as accurate as I could using my own experiences and lots of research. You guys seriously don't know how much research I actually do when writing a silly little one-shot.

"Remind me one more time what you're doing?" Jack asked, still highly jealous and not believing (or wanting to believe) what was coming out of Kim's mouth.

Kim frowned, not sparing Jack a glance or even bothering to roll her eyes. She had already told Jack twice. She knew Jack didn't like Carson. It was fine, it was rare Jack didn't like anybody, but it was fine. He was entitled to his own opinions. But that didn't mean he could impose those opinions on other people.

"I told you, Carson asked if I wanted to go hang out with him and catch up. I said yes. We're friends," Kim explained, grabbing her backpack and heading for the door of the dojo.

"What do you guys have to catch up on? I thought you didn't even go to this dojo when he lived here?" Jack asked, still trying to make sense of the 'hang out' that seemed too much like a date for his liking. It was a low move, he knew, prying into Kim and Carson's past relationship, but he couldn't help it.

"We were still friends," Kim said as if that was obvious.

"How were you friends? You went to rival dojos. There's no way you guys-"

"We were friends at school, okay?" Kim said, turning around just as she reached the door. She gripped the strap of her backpack a little extra, trying to channel the anger that Jack always seemed to get to rise up out of her.

"Just you two? That sounds like a little more than friends, Kim-"

"Okay!" Kim shouted, throwing her hands. "Sure. We were more than friends. It's not like we ever dated or anything," Kim scoffed. "But we were close friends for a while. I haven't seen him in ages and I just want to go reconnect with him. Is that so wrong?"

Hearing Kim explain things, Jack couldn't help but feel sorry and a little sheepish. Kim was right, it wasn't illegal for her to hang out with Carson. It surprised him a little when she admitted they weren't dating but she insisted they were just catching up as friends now and that did bring him a little comfort.

"Okay," he sighed. "You're right. I'm sorry. Have fun. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah," Kim nodded. "See ya then," she mumbled, turning around and walking out the door.

Kim met up with Carson at the entrance of the mall, where she had told him to pick her up. He was all smiles when she slid into his car, greeting her like they hadn't seen each other in years. To be fair, it had been a while, but after they reconnected a few days ago, they had been seeing each other much more. Still, it was nice to know he still liked hanging out with her.

"So, where are we going?" Kim asked as she buckled. Carson really hadn't told her much about their plans, just that they should totally do something fun together.

"Well," Carson said with a big smile, turning to look at Kim to give him one of his looks. "I was thinking we could go to the wharf, you know, just like old times?" Carson offered another one of his bright smiles and Kim couldn't help but feel thrilled at the thought. Before Carson moved away, they would go to the wharf to walk around or just hang out. It was such a them thing. Although, now Kim had been to the wharf countless times since with other people. Specifically, she had been multiple times with the guys. But going with Carson did remind her of old times.

"That sounds great," Kim smiled back, nodding.

Kim and Carson quickly fell back into a good conversation. It was easy, Kim thought, hanging out with Carson. All afternoon she was wondering what Jack could possibly have against Carson. He was a fun guy, all smiles and laughs. He was playful. He sang, horribly, but it made Kim laugh. When they walked by a restaurant with a live band, Carson stopped her and they danced.

If the guys thought Kim was a bad dancer, Carson was a different story. They got more than a few weird looks, as well as a father who pulled his kids to the other side of the wharf, but they were laughing and smiling. Kim was having a great evening.

When it got late, Carson directed Kim to an ice cream shop. With tall gourmet milkshakes in their hands, they walked slowly, meandering down the boardwalk to find a bench to sit at.

"Carson, tonight has been really fun," Kim said, sipping on her milkshake. She wasn't sure the exact intentions behind Carson asking to hang out with just her, but she was glad they had done it. She felt bad for the way their reunion had gone, but tonight they were able to put that behind them.

"Good," Carson agreed, clinking his cup with Kim's, eliciting a giggle from her.

The sound seemed to light something in Carson as he worked hard to bring it out again. With a mischievous shimmer in his eyes, Carson looked at Kim and her milkshake with a lingering gaze.

"Want some?" Kim asked, raising an eyebrow. Why else would he be staring at her milkshake like that? In his defense, she had gotten the far superior flavor. While Carson had gone for something new, Kim had gone for a classic flavor–Double Chocolate Fudge Brownie.

"You sure?" Carson asked, already reaching for her spoon before she had the chance to nod. Carson grabbed the spoon, with a big heap of ice cream on it (much to Kim's protest).

Just as Carson lifted the spoon, Kim felt a big cold sensation spread across her face and run down her cheek. It took her a second to realize what Carson had done, and a second longer to register the laughs coming out of his mouth. He flung ice cream at her face!

"Carson!" Kim shrieked, touching a hand to her cheek. When she pulled away her fingers were coated in a thin layer of ice cream.

Carson just laughed harder and Kim tried to reach for his spoon to pay him back, but Carson just moved his shake behind his back.

"Hey! Not fair!" Kim laughed, still trying to reach for anything to return the favor. Carson held his own ice cream a safe distance away and was now also holding Kim's spoon hostage.

Kim stopped and frowned, eying the spoon. "Carson," she whined. "How am I supposed to eat my milkshake now?"

"You can't fool me," Carson laughed. "I know why you really want your spoon back."

"It's only fair!" Kim exclaimed, giving up on trying to trick Carson. She wiped her cheek off, searching for something to clean off her now sticky hands.

Laughing at her, Carson made a deal. "I have a proposition. I keep your spoon-"

"It's my spoon!" Kim argued, grabbing for it again.

Carson swatted her away, silencing her with the stubborn gaze he held firm. "I keep your spoon and you eat your ice cream."

Kim narrowed her eyes at Carson. Did he not hear what he just said? "How am I supposed to eat with you holding my spoon?"

Carson smirked as he lowered the spoon into Kim's milkshake. He took a big scoop of ice cream and Kim opened her mouth to offer up a retort.

"Carson, what are- mmfph?!"

Kim quickly shut her mouth, swallowing the large scoop of ice cream Carson just shoveled into her mouth.

Carson let out a snort, quickly slapping a hand over his mouth to muffle the rest of the sounds that attempted to escape his mouth.

Kim cleared her throat, trying to catch her breath. "That," Kim swallowed, "was-"

"Delicious? So kind of me? So generous? So magnanimous?"

Kim frowned, scowling. "Rude," she offered up, a smile peeking through her annoyed facade.

They finished their milkshakes and Carson was still spoon-feeding Kim every last drop of hers–for his own protection.

When they were all done, Kim initiated a thumb war, which Carson immediately recoiled from and complained that her 'grubby little hands' were, like, so sticky. Kim rolled her eyes at the comment but agreed she'd like to wash them off.

They had to walk up and down the warf until they found a bathroom Kim could use. When she walked back out, it was getting dark out and Carson was waiting there for her. He was staring off at something on the wharf as Kim shook her hands dry. The stupid public bathroom wasn't fancy enough to have blow dryers and the paper towel dispensers were all empty.

"Hey!" Kim greeted with a smile. Carson's gaze lingered for just a second too long before he turned. Another second later and he let a smile cross his face. One more second and he was holding out his arm for Kim.

Kim returned his smile and gave Carson her hand.

He was still quiet and Kim turned to see what had disturbed his attention while she was in the bathroom.

At first, she couldn't make out much. There were a few restaurants or booths that were lit up by fairy lights. There were a couple of boats out in the distance, probably yatchs full of party guests. Although it was night, there was still a decent amount of people. Everything seemed normal and typical until Kim's eyes landed on Jack.

She blinked, not believing her eyes at first. But, sure enough, there stood Jack, with his back turned, over at a booth. The more Kim looked, she realized Jack wasn't there alone. Of course, he wasn't there alone, that would be weird. Jerry and Milton were with him and they were all talking–they hadn't seen them yet.

"We should go say hi!" Kim said, already stepping in the direction of the guys, expecting Carson to follow her.

Instead, Carson kept his hold on her hand and didn't move. When Kim took a step, she was tugged back by her hand, Carson still standing still.

"What?" Kim asked, turning around.

"I thought we were hanging out?" Carson said in a light tone, jokingly enough.

"We are," Kim said, letting out a quiet scoff with a smile. "But those are friends. What's wrong with friends saying hi to friends?"

"Look, I really just wanted to hang out with you tonight," Carson argued, refusing to give in.

"But…" Kim trailed off, looking back to her friends.

"Come on," Carson said, pulling Kim in the opposite direction. He led her, a little faster than what she would consider a normal speed. It almost felt like he was trying to hide from Jack and the others. Which didn't make sense because Carson had nothing against them. Not even Jack. Even though Jack hadn't warmed up to Carson, Carson had told Kim himself that he didn't care. He understood that Jack felt threatened and that it was okay, he didn't hold it against Jack.

"Carson," Kim argued, trying to slow down but unable to because of Carson's hand still tugging her behind him.

"Carson," Kim tried again, pulling her hand out of his grasp.

Carson stopped and turned around, immediately snatching Kim's hand up and taking another step.

"Carson!" Kim scolded, ripping her hand free again and taking a step away from him. "What is wrong with you?" she asked, studying Carson's expression as he turned around again.

He looked at Kim's hand and back up at her face, his determination falling into guilt. He reached out for Kim, but she stepped back slightly and Carson saw the way she cradled her hand away from him. She was scared of him.

"Kim," he said gently. "I'm sorry."

It was so quiet and sweet, just like he had apologized and spoken before. But now Kim didn't see it as genuine. She saw through the cracks and she could see it was too perfect. Maybe he was sorry, but not completely. He had just grabbed her, hard, and now suddenly he didn't mean it? No, he couldn't change that fast.

Kim realized, the longer they stood there and the longer Carson looked down at her, that she was scared of him. She didn't want to be around him, didn't want to be alone with him.

"Why did you do that?" Kim asked, feeling like she needed some kind of explanation for the unexpected harshness Carson exhibited towards her.

Carson sighed, rubbing a hand slowly down his face. "Kim, I'm sorry. I just… I wanted it to be us tonight."

Kim shook her head, that wasn't good enough. "It's been us. And we're just catching up, right?"

"Right," Carson said, still seeming to regret what had happened.

"So why didn't you let me say hi to our friends?" Kim asked, getting slightly louder.

"Kim," Carson laughed, "Calm down, it's no big deal-"

"No!" Kim said, taking another step away. "It's Jack, isn't it?" Kim asked, recognizing the jealousy in Carson because it was just like her best friend. Jack had acted the same when Carson first came into the picture.

She knew they didn't exactly like each other, but Carson had told her he didn't care and Jack usually liked guys like Carson. Something must have happened between them for them to both start acting this way, Kim deduced.

At the mention of Jack, Carson's expression darkened and Kim knew she had hit the nail on the head.

"What do you have against Jack? What is going on between you two?" Kim asked exasperated, trying to wrap her head around it. They were two of her closest friends–they both knew her well and they knew she didn't like all this kind of drama.

"Nothing," Carson tried to say, brushing it off.

"Don't say nothing," Kim snapped. "Tell me the truth."

"Look, you know he doesn't like me. Can you really blame me for not liking him back?" Carson tried to say.

It was a good reason and Kim was tempted to believe it, but it just didn't feel right. She knew Jack. He didn't dislike people for no reason. That doesn't mean she thought Jack was right in disliking Carson, but Kim had a feeling Carson was hiding something too.

"Carson, tell me the truth," Kim demanded.

Carson sucked in a breath and pursed his lips, taking a step towards Kim. Kim immediately held her hands out, stopping him from getting too close to her.

"Why doesn't Jack like you?" Kim asked, feeling like Carson knew.

"He thinks I cheated," Carson laughed as if the whole thing was silly to even say.

"The bo staff, right?" Kim asked, remembering how Jack wouldn't stop talking about their stupid encounter in the dojo while he was training. Everyone had immediately brushed Jack off, saying that Carson wasn't a cheater. The more Kim thought about it, the more she wondered if maybe they had been wrong to trust Carson over Jack so easily.

"Yeah," Carson scoffed. "But it's nothing, Kim. I just don't want to get involved in all that drama, you know?"

"So it isn't true?" Kim asked, surprising Carson.

"What?" He laughed, shaking his head a little and his gaze darting to the side.

"What Jack said about the bo staff. He was lying? You didn't cheat, you didn't use a weighted bo-staff?" Kim asked, recounting all the details she could remember Jack saying.

"No, Kim, of course not-"

"Don't lie to me," Kim interrupted, feeling the insincerity of Carson's words the second he opened his mouth.

Carson shut his mouth at her words and was more careful with his words. He ran his tongue along the inside of his mouth as he thought, as he studied Kim. He knew she wasn't falling for his lies anymore.

"Kim," Carson tried again, reaching out for her.

"No!" Kim shouted, throwing herself back. "Was Jack telling the truth?"

Carson closed his eyes briefly before rolling them. "Yes, okay, my bo staff was weighted, but it's not like it was a real match and it's not like he asked-"

"That still isn't fair," Kim shot back, folding her arms. "You've changed, Carson," Kim scoffed, turning around to leave.

"Kim, wait," Carson said chasing after her.

Kim ignored him, she was furious. She should have known. Jack was her best friend. Carson was a friend, but that was in the past. After today, she knew for certain that Carson was no longer her friend.

Not only was Kim furious at Carson, but she was furious at herself. Jack had told them, he told her, that Carson was lying and Kim chose not to believe him.

She was a terrible friend. If it had been her, she would have counted on Jack and Jerry and Milton to trust her above anyone else. They were a close group and they trusted each other. They were supposed to trust each other.

She felt angry tears well up in her eyes, only making her more upset.

"Kim, hold on."

Carson reached out and grabbed Kim's arm, stopping her from walking away anymore.

Kim whirled around immediately and Carson's hold on her arm fell away. "Don't touch me!"

Carson's face fell at Kim's harsh words but she didn't regret them at all. She didn't feel sorry for him at all. He had lied to everyone and if he expected her to be happy about it then he was mistaken.

"Kim, come on, can't we talk about this?" Carson tried, searching Kim's face for a hint of the girl who used to be his friend.

"No," Kim said. "I don't want to talk about this. You lied."

Carson shook his head and it fueled Kim's anger.

"Yes, you did. You lied to Jack, Rudy and the guys, you lied to me-"

"Okay," Carson interrupted. "Okay," he relented. "I didn't lie to anyone about the bo staff-"

"You just did-"

"Okay! Yes, I lied to you but it was just a small lie and I told you the truth right after, okay? Kim, come on, you know me. Let's sit down and talk," Carson tried to grab Kim again and direct her to the bench nearest them.

"No!" Kim scoffed, her tears blurring her vision now. "I don't want to talk! I'm leaving."

Carson shook his head and kept a hold on Kim's arm. "Kim, you can't walk home, not right now."

The hand on Kim's arm seemed like it weighed a thousand pounds. Kim couldn't find the strength to move, let alone yank away, her arm. She couldn't stay here, not with Carson. Not with his sweet tender voice that was full of lies. He was capable of using a weighted bo staff, who knew what else he was willing to do to get what he wanted.

"Well I want to go-" Kim snapped, hating how it came out as more of a whine.

Her tears were falling fast now and with every breath she took in, it felt like she needed three more. She wasn't getting enough air. She needed to leave. She couldn't stay here.

"Let's work this out," Carson said. "I don't want you angry at me."

"No! Take me home!"

"Kim, we have to talk about this."

Carson tightened his hold on Kim and tried to drag her to the bench. She was too focused on trying to catch her breath that she couldn't control her legs as her body was pulled away.

"No!" Kim gasped, sucking in a breath. "I- don't- I… I- want-" Kim let out a strange noise, trying to get more air in. Her chest felt like it was under a truck. Was this a heart attack?

"It's okay, shh," Carson shushed, comforting Kim in ways her body couldn't even register.

Suddenly all she was aware of was that she couldn't breathe. She wasn't getting any air. Her head felt so light she was sure she was going to topple over any second. Was she spinning? She was going to throw up.

Carson seemed to pay no mind to Kim's state, just occasionally telling her everything was fine, despite the violent shake that rattled her entire body.

She was sobbing, gasping with every breath. She could barely make a sound, let alone speak. Her body was rigid and she couldn't move her muscles of her own accord.

"I- I- wanna- 'na- go!" Kim gasped, using every ounce of her strength and willpower to slap at Carson's hands that were on her shoulders. She wasn't sure when they were placed there, or even if she was standing or sitting, but she needed to go.

"Not yet," Carson said softly as if he was truly sorry.

Kim sobbed again and felt Carson pull her into his chest and tap her head. She wasn't sure what he was doing, but it wasn't helping her one bit. He pressed her face into his shirt and suddenly she couldn't breathe at all.

She flailed, although in reality she hardly moved, but Carson didn't loosen his grip.

Jack had been pulled out by Jerry and Milton. They knew he was in a bad mood the second they saw him after his encounter with Kim and they wouldn't let him mope alone. They didn't know the reason behind his bad mood, but they were sick of jealous Jack. So, they forced him to go to the wharf with them.

Jack had argued he had homework, but it was a weak argument because it was the weekend now and he had all weekend ahead of him to do any homework that he may or may not have actually had. However, the longer they spent at the wharf, the more Jack appreciated the guys' efforts.

He didn't want to fight with any of them, but he knew what he saw and felt when he fought with Carson. There was something off with that guy. Jack thought he knew his friends and yet here they were trusting a kid who showed up out of nowhere over Jack.

It felt nice to spend the night with Jerry and Milton hanging out. They didn't need to argue and as much as he liked Kim, he was sure she would somehow bring up Carson and they'd get in an argument. So tonight was going really well. He only briefly wondered what Kim was up to with Carson.

Later, after the sun had gone down, Jack didn't need to wonder what Kim was doing anymore because there she was.

She was far away, standing on a wharf parallel to where he and the guys were. All he could really see were two figures but one of them was larger and more masculine and the other… Well, it was definitely Kim. There was just barely enough light to make out her hair and figure and Jack knew his girl. It was definitely Kim.

"Guys," Jack called, turning around to Jerry and Milton. "Look, there's Kim."

"Jack, that's not… Oh, that is Kim," Milton said, eyes focusing on the sight.

"Let's go say hi," Jack said, already moving as he said it.

"Wait," Jerry said. "Shouldn't we like… I don't know, give them privacy or something?"

"They're not on a date," Jack snapped immediately.

"Woah!" Jerry laughed, backing up. "I didn't say they were. But… wait, what is…"

Jerry trailed off as his gaze settled behind Jack and Milton and the boys turned around to see what Jerry was watching.

They were still far away, but they could just make out Carson grabbing Kim, Kim trying (rather weakly) to push him away. Kim started shaking and Carson did nothing to help her, just tried to force her toward the bench near the railing.

Jack was already running down the wharf to where the wooden path connected to the offshoot Carson and Kim were on.

"Jack!" Milton called after him, trying to catch up.

Jack didn't stop until he was close enough to shout up the wharf at Carson.

"Hey!" he shouted, rage filling his body as he saw the way Carson was holding Kim.

The closer he got, the worse things looked.

He could hear Kim sobbing, choking on air. Her body was rigid and limp. She choked out a few things and Jack realized they were supposed to be words. All he could hear was a weak 'go' and his heart broke.

Carson pulled her head into his chest and replied, "Not yet."

Jack was sure the action seemed comforting to any regular on-looker, but Jack could tell the real reason Carson had done it was to silence Kim. In the process, he was suffocating her and Jack saw red as Kim's body weakly flailed, barely moving.

"What are you doing!" Jack shouted, rushing over and grabbing Carson's wrist,s and throwing them off Kim's body. He quickly pulled Kim up by her arms and he saw her face in the dim light, covered in tear stains. Her mouth was open as she sucked in air, unable to stop or control herself.

"What are you doing?" Carson fought back, trying to grab Kim again.

"She's having a panic attack!" Jack shouted, realizing it right as he said it.

All the signs were there, Jack got a panic attack a few times when he was younger before or after karate matches. They were horrible. You couldn't breathe, couldn't control your body, and it felt like you were suffocating. He saw all the signs, and the panic in Kim's eyes.

"J- Ja- ack!" Kim gasped, throwing her body at him as he caught her.

"She got herself all worked up about the water," Carson supplied a little too easily. "She got too close to the edge and almost fell. Scared herself."

Jack could sense the lie immediately but didn't have time to deal with it as he put all his attention on Kim.

"It's Jack," Jack said calmly in Kim's ear, trying to catch her eyes that were looking at everything fleetingly and focusing on nothing.

"What's going on?" Milton asked as soon as he and Jerry caught up, still both out of breath.

Carson relayed the same story, the same lie, all the while Kim was still shaking. Jack was afraid anymore and she was going to pass out.

"Everyone be quiet!" he snapped quickly before focusing on Kim.

Carson, thankfully, shut up enough that Jack was able to talk to Kim.

"It's okay," Jack whispered to just her. "You're fine. I'm here."

He kept his words short and to the point, knowing what she was going through was out of her control.

"You're safe. I've got you. You're okay."

Kim nodded, letting out another sob and falling into Jack's chest.

Jack rubbed her back gently and moved the hair from her face. With her cheek pressed against his shirt, Jack wanted to make sure her airways were clear so she could get as much oxygen as she needed.

"I'm here. Deeper breathes," Jack coached, realizing how hard it was to watch Kim in a state like this.

Kim's chest rose and fell rapidly and Jack prayed it would slow soon.

"I- I- c- can't," Kim gasped, clutching at the fabric of Jack's shirt.

"Yes, you can," Jack said sternly. "You're safe, Kim."

Kim nodded, closing her eyes and slowly, very slowly, started to get her breathing under control again. Her gasps became less and less frequent, her breaths longer and longer, deeper. It took her another few minutes to stop hyperventilating, but Jack held her through it, coaching her along, praising her, and reminding her she was safe.

As her breathing returned to normal, all Kim's energy was drained and she slumped against Jack, barely able to keep her head up.

Nobody spoke, they had all been watching Kim or looking away to give her privacy. Now nobody knew what to do.

Except for Jack. He knew exactly what he wanted to do.

Turning to Carson, he fought back the sneer he wanted to wear. "We've got her, we'll make sure she gets home."

Jack's words were nice enough, but the message was clear: Jack blamed Carson and didn't trust him with Kim one bit. Carson resented that, no matter how warranted it was.

"I brought her here, I'll take her home," Carson argued, reaching for her.

Jack moved quickly, wrapping his arms around Kim's back and shielding her from Carson.

"You gave her a panic attack," Jack hissed, fiercely protective of Kim. "You aren't getting near her."

"I told you," Carson gritted his teeth. "She got too close to the water-"

"No, she didn't!" Jack shouted, feeling Kim wince against his chest and tighten her grip around the fabric of his shirt. Jack couldn't let Carson think he was getting away with his lies, but he also didn't want Kim to get involved any more than she was. Standing up, he eyed Jerry and Milton, who stepped forward to help Kim. They each wrapped an arm around her back, keeping her up on her feet.

"You think I'm lying?" Carson scoffed. "You weren't even there!"

"Doesn't matter, I know Kim and I know you," Jack paused to look back at Kim and was pleased to see her between Jerry and Milton, already walking down the wharf toward the parking lot. Good.

"I know a weighted bo staff when I see one," Jack said lowly. "And the thing is, I was ready to accept you, I really was. The guys seemed to like you, Kim liked you and even though I could tell there was something up, I was ready to trust them. Even if I didn't like you, I was going to keep my mouth shut. And then you had to go and be a dirty little sneak. Kim isn't going anywhere near you," Jack finished, sending his sharpest glare that meant business to Carson. "You only have yourself to blame for everything," he finished as he turned around, ready to catch up to the others.

Before Jack could take a second step, he heard the quiet creak of a loose board and he felt a presence charge toward him from behind.

He turned just in time to catch the fist Carson aimed at him.

Looking down at the fist, which he had easily captured, Jack looked up at Carson's face filled with hatred. "You probably shouldn't have done that."

Carson growled as he pulled his fist back.

With speed and force, but little precision, Carson slammed his fist in Jack's direction. Jack ducked down and kicked his leg out, striking Carson on his side.

Carson grunted but kicked back. It was a fray of limbs, arms and legs striking each other. Carson was furious at being caught and his true colors were showing and Jack was furious that his best friend had been hurt by someone she was so sure she could trust.

The image of Kim, hyperventilating and shaking in his arms, flashed through his mind and his eyes narrowed on Carson panting across from him. With a swift punch, Jack struck Carson in the jaw, daring him to stay down.

Carson, although hurt, still tried to lift a fist and Jack kicked it away. He grabbed Carson's arm and pulled him forward into a tight hold Carson couldn't escape from.

Leaning close, he whispered in Carson's ear. "Don't you ever talk to Kim again."

Jack squeezed just a little tighter, waiting for Carson to concede. Instead, Carson tried to wiggle free and hurt Jack back. All it took was another second and Jack had kneed Carson in the gut and thrown him to the ground where he lay rolling and groaning.

"Don't even think about her, got it? I won't be so nice the second time," Jack said calmly, giving Carson one final look before turning his head and walking off to find Kim and the others.

Jack finally caught up to the group in the parking lot, with Jerry and Milton helping Kim in the car.

When Jack approached, Jerry noticed and smacked Milton lightly. They both turned and stepped back, giving Jack a second alone with Kim.

"Hey," he breathed out, looking at Kim with her legs still hanging off the seat to the side.

Kim wiped the tears off her face and tried to give Jack a smile. "H-hey," she croaked. "I guess you were right."

"No," Jack sighed. "I didn't want to be right and it doesn't matter. He was supposed to be your friend."

Kim nodded and looked down. "I know… That's why it hurts so much."

Jack didn't respond, just grabbed Kim's hand and gave it a comforting and gentle squeeze.

"I'm sorry," Jack apologized with a swallow. "I wasn't being fair or understanding to you before."

"I'm sorry, too," Kim added, shocking Jack. She had a big pride and Jack was expecting her to still be torn up over everything. But when she was really sorry, she made sure her friends knew it. "I should have listened to you earlier. Maybe I could have seen this coming."

"You couldn't have seen this coming," Jack argued, feeling like Kim wasn't being fair to herself. He studied her, seeing the slump of her shoulders and how she was leaning against her arm touching the back of the seat. Her legs were hanging limply and her fingers couldn't quite stay still.

"It doesn't matter, though," Jack added. "Now we all know Carson's heart and he won't show his face again. Let's just get you home, okay? I'm sure you're dying to get to sleep."

Kim nodded, the toll the last twenty minutes had taken on her body was incredible. She felt exhausted and completely spent and she briefly wondered how Jack knew her so well. Was it because he had gone through a few panic attacks of his own or was it because it was Jack and Kim and they just knew each other? Kim didn't know and when Jack turned her legs so he could buckle her in and shut the door, she was already asleep before they pulled out of the parking lot.

heyy I'm back. The semester ended and I went home and then I got sick and left to go to a wedding all the way across the country and then I got back and my schedule has been crazy the past month. I still have some other story ideas floating around my head and google drive.

I'm also sohappy it is warmer. I can spend my days just sitting outside now and it's great. If you can sit outside, I recommend it.

As always, I love to hear your thoughts and read your reviews, it makes me so happy so don't be shy! Thanks for reading!