The pain welled in my fingers. I lost my grip on the ledge, tumbling toward the fire. All hope was lost, until a

pair of strong hands caught mine.

I felt myself being pulled up ever so slowly. The window was practically a mousehole.

"Hang on!" a voice yelled.

His voice… I must be hallucinating…

One of the fuel tanks caught fire, and a burst of flame scalded the back of my legs. I winced at the searing pain.

All at once, the pain in my wrists, back, and legs intensified. It grew to a hellish agony. I looked down into the

room, at the flames consuming everything in sight. The room became hotter than an oven. I swore I heard an

evil laugh emanating from the blaze.

"Let go… and the pain will end. Let go… and you will see Cassie again…" a deeper, menacing voice

said. I don't know if it was Briggs or the devil or both. My hands had never felt so weak. I trembled and my

arms started shaking. My hands were slippery from the blood on my fingers. I was sliding down.

"LET GO"

. . .

"You're never getting away from me again KC" a familiar cocky voice said.

The real world came back in a rush as Jack's grip on my wrists strengthened.

It him… it's really him….

My head poked through the window into the cool night air. Jack took me by the shoulders and hoisted me the

rest of the way. My feet found purchase on the wall. I threw my arms around Jack's neck. One final tug, and

I was out of the flaming room. We staggered a few yards then collapsed. I looked at him. Black soot covered

his face but I had never seen him so handsome. He was alive. I braced myself on my knees, trying to get up.

Jack put my arm around his neck and helped walk me to the cruiser. Sergeant Nick was there. He opened the

door for us. We got in the back. The ride back, I was quiet, still in shock. Nick told Jack how they caught

Briggs. We finally pulled up to my house. My mom and dad came out. They were crying.

Jack POV

Nick told me how he was called inside to help apprehend Briggs. Apparently my dad discovered him completely

unconscious. He also mentioned that they investigated the bomb in the dojo. Apparently it was a Black Dragon

prank, and a really bad one at that. We got to Kim's house. Her parents came and ushered us inside. Mr.

Crawford thanked me for my help. Kim's mom was sobbing. She embraced Kim before turning to me.

"You… amazing young man. You saved her. Oh, God bless you!" she gave me a strong hug before taking Kim

to their first aid room. Her mom used to be an army field nurse, so I figured she could take care of her. I

decided to wait down in their family room, away from everyone else. Morgan and Ellie found me. I pulled them

both into a hug.

"Jack, what's wrong with Kimmy?" Morgan asked, her eyes wide open. I sighed.

They're too little…. I can't tell them what actually happened.

I picked up one of their Disney movies. It was The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

"Remember this guy?" I asked, pointing to the guy on the cover with the hat.

They nodded.

"Well… he took Kim" they gasped, looking horrified.

"B-but, you saved her, right?" said Ellie. I smiled.

"Yes, I did," they grinned before scampering away.

Kim POV

Mom put the final bandages on. With salve on my burns and painkillers, I was starting to feel like me again.

Mom helped me up. Morgan and Ellie burst in, jabbering about The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Then they told

me that Jack was still downstairs. I slowly started walking, my weary body protesting. I went into the family

room. Jack stood up and came over. He looked at me, his eyes full of concern.

"How are you feeling?" he asked. We sat on the couch.

"I'm fine." He raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, it kinda hurts."

"Did he, - you know" Jack stammered. I got his drift.

"No, he didn't rape me," I replied. He exhaled.

"Jack I-" I began. "I can't thank you enough for saving me from that freak."

"Hey, hey, hey. You got yourself outta that mess with Briggs. I just gave you a hand making your 'great

escape'" Jack said with a grin on his face.

"Don't be modest. You pulled me out of a burning building." I countered.

Jack scooted a little closer.

"Okay. But seriously, you kicked that guy's ass." he said, smiling even wider.

"My dad found him bruised and beat up, blubbering like a baby."

I genuinely laughed, but only for a moment.

"Jack -" I couldn't help it. I threw my arms around him. He automatically wrapped his arms around me,

careful to avoid the bandages. His warmth calmed me in an instant.

"Thank you," I said, blinking a tear back.

"No, thank you," he whispered. I pulled back to look at him quizzically. His cheerful face took on a more serious tone.

" Thank you for being so amazingly strong. Kim, I don't know what I would've done if you had been killed.

Even now, I'm beating myself up for not being there, -" I stopped him.

"Don't act like that. We're okay. That's all that matters." I placed my hand on his cheek. He reached up and

took it in his own.

"Kim Crawford, you are honestly the most wonderful, beautiful girl I've ever met." he said, blushing slightly. I

blushed, too.

"I swear, I will always be here to make sure you're okay." he said.

"As will I," I replied. He took a breath and looked in my eyes.

"Kim, I love you. No, I'm in love with you."

My heart stopped for a single moment.

"I've loved you from the moment you walked into the dojo. You are the only girl I've ever wanted." He

finished, blushing even redder and breathing hard.

I couldn't believe it. Jack Brewer, a man of few words, had just confessed his love for me. I leaned in.

"Jack, I love you too." I whispered. He grinned.

"What took you so long to take the plunge?" I asked.

"Guess I was just scared of falling," he said, glancing at my lips and leaning in even closer.

"So what now?" I asked flirtatiously.

"Oh, I think we both know," Jack replied seductively.

And we did. Just like the dream. The samurai had been defeated, we were safe. And now, it was time for the

kiss.

I apologize for the wait. But was it worth it? )

I promise I won't be so long next time. I swear on the Wasabi Code!