A/N: Hey guys I am currently taking a break from my family vacation and typing this in my laptop (Don't you guys love me?). Thanks for all the wonderful reviews. You guys are awesome.

Also special thanks to lovinkickinit who gave me an idea to twist my story a little. And to all those who reviewed thank you so much, it means a lot to me.

Anyway chapter 3 is up and I just noticed that the other two chapters were part of song tittles. Can you guess what songs? Anyway drifting of topic, Enjoy...

Not Since You

Chapter 3: Sober

There were a lot of things that Kim didn't want to do. There was participating in Milton's weird dorky battlefield game were she had to where a princess costume, there was tolerating superficial people who though she was only a pretty face. And there was the time she had to help Eddie do…Kim felt herself shuddering. There were a lot of things she did not want to do but this…This takes the cake.

She was wearing a green cocktail dress and had wedged herself in high heels. There were a million things she rather be doing; relaxing, watching a movie, listening to Ricky Weaver songs (even though he was a jerk, his music is still catchy). Nevertheless, Kim was dressed and waiting for Jerry to pick her up where he would be driving her to Stella's welcome home party.

She did not know if she was ready to do this. Stella had a lot of friends, and add in the other people Jack knew, Kim knew she would be meeting old faces. People from her high school might be coming. What would they do when they see her? What would she do?

A horn blasted outside. Kim took a last look at her mirror before grabbing her purse and walking out the door. Jerry was in his car There was a girl in the front seat beside him. Kim quickly walked towards the car ad got in.

"Hey Kims, you look good," Jerry greeted from the wheel.

"Thanks, you don't look so bad yourself," Kim said sweetly.

"Kim, this is my amazing girlfriend Candice. Candice this is my honorary sister; Kim," Jerry introduced.

Kim was touched. She never had an older brother or someone like that (although she did meet a few over the years) Kim looked over at Candice. She was very pretty. Her hair was jet black and she had the most bluest eyes.

"Hi, it's nice to meet you," Kim said as she shook Candice's hands.

Candice looked a little surprise before shaking it off and saying, "It's nice to meet you." She then turned to Jerry, "You weren't kidding. I like her already."

Kim smiled. There was something about Candice that she could not help but like. Candice turned back to her and on began an easy flow of conversation. She thought it would be weird but, everything was normal. Neither Candice nor Jerry made her feel the slightest bit uncomfortable. Kim would go as far as admit that she was enjoying herself.

However all that vanished when Jerry pulled the car over and she was staring at the front steps of the Anderson residence. Jerry switched of the ignition and a silence loomed over.

"You know what, I think I'll walk home," Kim said breaking the silence.

"Nonsense," Candice said before getting out of the car and opening the car door for Kim.

Kim contemplated on walking again before clearing her face of any emotions. She was determined to make it through the night. She walked out and straightened her dress before taking a deep breath and nodding, "Let's do this."

…

The moment Kim walked through the door, Jack knew two things. One that she had the attention of everyone in the room and two it would be hard 'behaving '. Nevertheless he took a sip of his drink before promptly deciding that the best way to 'behave' was to not be around Kim, so he made his move to ignore her.

It was not easy. From where he stood he could see people going to Kim, all no doubt wanting to know where she's been and what she was doing. Kim answers readily. She had been living with her Aunt Charlotte (who knew Ant Charlotte was real) and she had been doing college and just around, enjoying her life. Jack heard her talk to people about the new hobbies she had taken up.

It was then Jack walked away and place himself where he could not see Kim but sometimes things just never go your way. Kim was the main topic of conversation that night despite it being a party for his sister Stella. There were a lot of question and answers to the happenings of Kim Crawford but the two that no one asked were the ones that he wanted to know the most. One: Why did she leave and two: why did she come back.

"Hey dude," Eddie greeted Jack.

"What's up," Jack said.

"Nice party," Eddie said as he looked around, "Very you."

Jack raised his eyebrows. The party was quite good in his opinion. There was a large crowd, people chatting enthusiastically, great music for dancing and easy flow of food and drinks. Lights like those in night clubs and…Eddie was right, it was very him.

"At least Stella is enjoying herself," Jack said as he raised his cup for another sip.

Stella was in fact enjoying herself. She was at the far corner of the room with several of her friends. She was animatedly talking to her friends and when she saw him look, Jack could have sworn she looked a little nervous before quickly turning back to her friends.

Jack grew confused. Why was Stella nervous? Jack thought back to the day before when he picked her up. Stella was being her usual bright, sweet and yet totally sarcastic self. Then he remembered when he so callously said that Kim was back. He had kept his eyes on the road and heard Stella's shocked voice that was laced with concern. Thinking back now, Jack realized that maybe it was not him she was concerned about. Stella had maintained her personality whenever he was around. She still made cheeky remarks but Jack remembered when Jerry went to talk to him. Stella did not say a word, very out of character.

Unless she was protecting someone that is. But who was or is she protecting?

…

Stella knew that Jack would eventually find out that she was keeping something a secret but she didn't plan that he would find out so quickly. She was chatting with her friends when she caught Jack's eyes. In an instant she was talking to her friends again. They were all talking about college or in other words complaining about college. Stella had missed her friends when she went abroad to study and was catching up on all of them. She was so caught up with all of them that the next time she looked away from her friends to the people in the room, her vision stopped at Jack who's eyes were narrowing suspiciously at her as if he was already on to her.

Keeping calm, Stella forced a smile on her face before telling her friends that she needed to get some air. She stood u from her seat and started walking. Not towards Jack but someone else.

The person looked startled by her appearance, which would not be much of a stretch as Stella knew the person was wondering why she was here. Stella gave Kim a hug and whispered softly in her ear so that no one could overhear.

"Jack knows I'm hiding something," Stella whispered.

Stella moved back from the hug to see Kim's eyes widen a fraction before the hard mask came on her face. The smile on Kim's face was fake but only Stella noticed.

"So how's studying abroad?" Kim asked loud enough for everyone else to hear. Stella launched on to th conversation.

…

Kim was panicking. That was simple enough to understand. She looked calm and collected with her outer appearances but her insides were frozen. She was grateful that Stella warned her. But now, she felt that her every move was being watched. Honestly, it wasn't that much of a stretch. Kim knew that they were people observing her every move, spinning in rumors and what nots.

She braved the front very aware that after the hug Stella gave her, she had to make conversation. She did not want to look to suspicious. She listened on to Stella talking about studying abroad before Stella's friends reclaimed her attention and Kim walked towards Milton.

"Salutations fair maiden," Milton greeted.

Kim smiled. It was a running joke back when she was in high school. The boys had teased her with that greeting during the school's medieval week.

"Hey Milton. Long time no see," Kim replied.

"Yes it has. Great party huh?" Milton said trying to play the part of a cool guy. Kim laughed. Milton had always been a little awkward at the parties Jack had thrown. He was a little out of his element. Kim or Eddie had always been around to smooth things over if ever Milton said something wrong.

"Yeah the best," Kim said playing along before asking him, "How is Juliet?"

"We took a break. Decided that the long distance thing was not working out," Milton said before adding in, "We still talk and are friends."

Kim closed her mouth, allowed a moment of silence before asking, "So you're okay with it?"

"Yeah, I'm okay. Quit worrying mom," Milton teased.

Kim gave him a smile, "Only if you stop giving me reasons to worry."

"I want to go to the balcony for some air. The party is getting a little bit…" Milton trailed off, "Want to come with me?"

The party was getting a little too loud and stuffy for Kim too. People were making out on the dance floor and random corners. The room was reeked with alcohol.

"Sure," Kim said as her nose wrinkled at the boy who threw up just a distance away.

They walked to the balcony. It was far more airy there then in the room. There was also not many people around. In fact the only people there were going back to the party. Kim walked over to the ledge and let the cool air blow softly on her face. The night was still young but she was over the phrase of going out late even though she was only 23.

Kim closed her eyes and allowed herself to relax. Happy memories drifted around her mind. Milton's laughter brought her back to reality and she asked, "What's so funny?"

"I just remembered the time you tried to help me get ready for kissing Juliet," Milton said as he shook his head, grinning at that memory.

Kim felt herself laugh. It was amusing to look back at that episode where to get Milton over her fear of kissing, which was caused by kissing one of his old relatives in the mouth, she had to try several tactics. One of them was kissing Milton on the mouth before she notice Juliet saw it. Juliet was cool with it but did threatened her to stay away from her 'man'. They (Kim and Juliet were still friends and later on laughed about it when Juliet realized that Kim had no interest in Milton and her feelings for him were strictly platonic.)

"I miss Juliet, she threatened to hurt me if I ever made a move on you again," Kim said which brought a new round of laughter.

"I miss her too," Milton said.

They talked for a while before there was a comfortable silence, well maybe for Milton anyway.

"Why did you welcome me back so easily?" Kim questioned him softly. Milton, Eddie, Jerry and Rudy should be angry or mad at least.

"I don't know," Milton spoke up, "Maybe because I know it's just temporary."

Temporary? What was temporary? Kim wanted to ask but some people entered the balcony.

There was Stella who looked uncomfortable, Jerry, Milton and just behind all of them; Jack.

…

"What's going on?"

That was the first question that rose to Jack's lip. Jack saw Kim look at Stella in an expression he could not quite place. They were keeping something from him.

"Me and Kim were catching up," Milton said.

It irritated him that all of them welcome Kim back so easily, with open arms. As if all was forgiven. Jack could not help but get angry.

"Right cause everyone want to know all about Kimmy," Jack said, his voiced laced with venom.

"Jack," Jerry warned.

Jerry had wanted Jack to go the balcony to get some air, saying that he was drinking too much. Who knew that now Jerry was the responsible one while he was the one creating troubles.

"It's alright Jerry," Kim said, "I deserve it."

Jack glared at her before saying, "That's right. You do deserve it. So let's hear it. All the brilliant things about Kimberly Anne Crawford."

Jack could see Kim getting irritated. He knew he was provoking her but he could not help it. It was like he wanted her to lose it or something. That or the alcohol in him was making him more reckless than usual.

"I came back to make things right," Kim said trying to control her irritation.

"A little late for that," Jack said before looking around to everyone, "Well at least to me anyway."

"Stop it Jack," Stella murmured quietly. Nevertheless everyone heard.

"Why should I?" Jack said defiantly.

"Because none of us know the full story," Milton said.

"Let's hear it them. Kim?" Jack turned to her.

Kim came forward and said, "Stop being a jerk."

Instantly Jack felt guilty but controlled it nonetheless.

"You have no right to tell me what I can or can't be," Jack growled.

Kim placed her hand on his cheek. It was an old gesture that she did for him and Jack felt the guilt triple.

"Get sober Jack," Kim said in a resigned voice, "I'll tell you when you're ready."

With that Jack watched Kim walk away from him, the first time in his life not knowing if she was coming back. If she was, for the second time leaving him behind.

Done.