A/N: Well. I kind of feel sad that my winter break is almost over and mainly because I have to spent last few days finishing homework that I planned to finish during the holidays and I will try as hard as I can to update. So I wrote up another chapter one last time before school starts or if the schedule is too filled and this will be one treat for y'all before my hands get busy to work on something else and I really hate not doing something unrelated to writing.

Sorry for my grammar/spelling mistakes.

Disclaimer: I do not own Kickin' It except for the Plot.

Wasabi Warriors: I Fight For You

oOo

Chapter Eleven: The Picture

Kim was caught up within all the chatter and laughter she barely registered the fact that they had arrived at their destination. Having walked alongside Jerry, she was busy shooting playful glares and sometimes unintentional slaps at him. She enjoyed every thing the day had to give her, it was eventful at the start of the day with Kayla. She still wasn't pleased, she had a gut wrenching feeling Kayla may intrude on their little plan just to save her reputation. She gritted her teeth and grew silent, it was caught by Jack. He had paused his conversation with Milton and looked down at her.

He was unsure to break her thoughts when she clenched her fist, pressing against her side. Jack reached out to grab her arm and pull her back before she could smash against the pole, she stumbled back slamming against his chest before she shot him an questioning look. He only rubbed the back of his neck nervously and pointed to the pole, "Yeah. I figured I would save you a bloody nose." he told her.

Kim stared at the pole and let out a breath, "Thanks." she just said. Jack broke his gaze away from her as Milton spoke up and turned his attention on his red headed friend.

"Well. Here we are," Milton told them excitement evident in his tone, "Oh! Rudy would be surprise."

Kim shook her head to get rid of all the negative thoughts and focused her eyes on Falaphel Phil's and found it irritating they hadn't gone in yet. They probably found everything better with a dramatic pause, "It would be better to see and know if we go in." Kim retorted but a smile graced her features. Milton nodded and was the first to open doors, Kim trailed behind Jack and looked up when he didn't move.

She spun towards his front with a low whistle and examined his hardened face, "Jack?" she asked quietly. He looked down at her, his gaze intense and again caused her to lose her thoughts. She struggled to continue, he left his gaze and place a hand on her shoulder, her eyes flickered to his hand before back at him. "You okay?"

"Yeah. Just haven't been here in a long while," Jack told her, "You know. Cheerleaders refused to go inside nor eat the food." Kim bit back a laugh and poked his hard chest. He briefly glanced at her, Kim cocked an eyebrow and shook her head playfully at him.

"No one's going to jump out and attack you," she pointed out, "And besides. You would just flip them."

"And I feel guilty for not visiting Rudy." Jack added in and gulped loudly. Kim pursed her lips and nodded in understanding, she was eager to sit at their usual table. She looked behind her, finding the guys had invaded the same spot and immediately struck up a conversation. Kim let out a sigh and looked down, she still didn't like the fact that they wasted 2 years without each other.

"To be honest. Milton and I only visited him a few weeks ago, you're not the only one." Kim admitted shamefully. Jack nodded and shot her a lopsided grin and immediately she felt a warm sensation wash over her, she frowned and pressed a hand against her stomach and just concluded she must be hungry at the feeling of her stomach twisting and turning as Jack's side pressed against her front.

Kim was reluctant to reach out and grab his hand, immediately she caught his attention but she turned her head as she blush furiously. She tugged him forward, clutching at his fingertips. He took a slow step forward still confused by Kim's actions but he smirked in amusement as she continued avoiding his gaze. He shook his hair out of his eyes as Kim continued tugging him forward.

Kim froze as Jack slowly tugged at her hand, not pulling her back but instead interlocking their fingers. She felt electricity shot up her arm, she was startled when she felt Jack's hot breath at her ear, "You should move, Kim." he chuckled. She looked away from him and mentally cursed herself not being stupid. She bit her lip and continued walking to the entrance.

Jack was nice enough to push open the doors of Falaphel Phil's. She was met with a cool breeze before scanning the restaurant for the gang, immediately spotting them. She grinned brightly and looked up gesturing to the right, Jack nodded his eyes lingering on the counter trying to see if he could spot Rudy. She knew it was breaking his heart not knowing what Rudy was up to or looked like. She was still haunted by the image of the aching man, she missed his bright personality.

The job had tamed him and caused him to turn serious. They walked towards the table the gang occupied, Jack immediately dropped their interlocked hands before one of them could spot them. Kim frowned at his actions and tried to force her insecurities down, she shouldn't be feeling this towards Jack. She gulped nervously as Jack slide into a free and vacant spot leaving enough room for Kim to sit next to him.

She shook away the thoughts causing her to freeze and boldly slide up next to him and clasp her hands together on her lap, her mind only occupied with the fact that their shoulders were touching. She patiently waited for Rudy to show up and picked up a menu that she knew by heart, she pressed it back down and glanced at Jack who was talking currently with Jerry.

Feeling eyes on her she turned, catching Milton's gaze examining both Kim and Jack. Her eyes widened and she immediately shook her head but Milton didn't look convinced and continued eyeing both of them. She groaned loudly and covered her face, she was thankful it didn't draw in any attention. Milton let out a sigh before speaking up, "Kim. Can I talk to you alone?"

"Are you sure Milton? I mean, Rudy could come down here any minute." she hissed.

"Nah! Go ahead. We'll keep him company." Jerry chuckled nodding at Milton, Kim pointed a threatening finger at him but he only beamed happily at her. But she still rose, following Milton outside and stubbornly crossed her arms. She leaned against the window as Milton looked behind her, spotting the gang still occupied before resting his hands on his hips.

"Alright. What's exactly going on between you and Jack?" he asked.

"Nothing!" Kim cried out in frustration and longed for anything to distract him. "Look. Why is everyone assuming something is going on between me and Jack?"

"For the fact that you've been blushing more often now that Jack's around?" Milton pointed out smartly. Kim froze and dramatically waved it off though she pursed her lips having no response, "Speechless?"

"More like...loss for words," she corrected him and shifted, "Maybe it's just Jack's charm?"

Milton still didn't look convinced and tapped his chin thoughtfully, "Jerry has a charm but it has no affect on you." Kim groaned and stomped her feet childishly. She hated the conversation, sure something new was happening to Kim but it didn't mean she liked it. She had no clue why Jack had this affect on her and she'd admit that she liked it. "See. You and Jack are flirting."

Kim began coughing awkwardly, "Me and Jack are what now?" she asked deadpanned. Milton grinned brightly as Kim didn't deny it, "Drop that grin." she demanded and immediately he did. "I'm not sure what's going on. But I am trying to know what exactly is happening but it doesn't mean I'm going to admit anything to you."

Without waiting for a response she turned and headed for the entrance, a frown plastered on her face. She ignored Milton's cries and went inside, grumbling as she spotted two vacant spots available. She bit her lip and tilted her head to the right, debating whether or not to sit with Jack or with Eddie and Jerry, she knew it was a coward act to sit somewhere else, it would only strike up something new. She was grateful for the support from the gang and sometimes she wished she had a girl to talk to.

She scurried up to the table and shot another glare at Jerry who smirked at her and popped her lips, "Milton receive any interesting news?"

She narrowed her eyes dangerously at him, "No. And he never will." she told him. She plopped down next to Jack and ignored the burning gazes from Eddie and Jerry as Jack turned to her with concern. She adjusted so she was comfortable, aware that Jack's arm was slung carelessly over the couch and inches away from her shoulder.

"Don't ask." Kim told him with a loud sigh. She caught his gaze and only shrugged finding everything awkward as gang only continued staring at them. "Oh gosh." she smacked her hand down on the table, startling the gang. They immediately turned their attention away from Jack and Kim. She wished Rudy was here to change the subject, she peered out from the couch awaiting eagerly for his presence.

It gave her time to think. She had no idea what was going on, her mind was new to everything that Jack gave her. Sure Jack was around her when they first met after 2 years, but he didn't give her the feelings that she was currently living with. She shifted and avoided looking at Jack to be sure of everything that was happening with her. She was scared for the result and immediately she turned off her mind and focused on what the gang was saying. Just as Kim adjusted her sight on them, they cried out in unison.

"Rudy!" she felt a warm sensation engulf her as the familiar head of light brown locks came into view. Rudy's drooping eyes immediately widened at the sight of the youngsters, a wide grin almost convinced Kim that he was the same happy childlike grownup he used to me. Rudy reached out grabbing a free chair and Kim cringed as a customer who intended to sit down on the chair that Rudy stole collided with the ground, she bit back a giggle as the man stood up muttering in distaste.

"Nah, he'll be fine." Rudy said and joined them. Immediately his eyes wandered over to Kim before falling on the large gap between her and Jack. "So, anything new going on?" he asked. Kim leaned back against the couch and crossed her arms before gesturing to the gang, immediately Rudy said, "Oh! Oh! Right! Kim, Milton you did it!"

Milton bowed his head dramatically, "My mission is fulfilled." Catching Kim's glare he corrected himself, "Our mission is fulfilled."

Kim leaned forward then her eyes fixed on Rudy, "Rudy. Do you have any last thoughts on the dojo closing that may be our key hint to why it was shut down?"

Rudy scrunched his dark eyebrows, "Not that I remembered."

Kim collapsed against the couch defeated, "Great." she muttered.

"All I remember is feeling betrayed that Bobby, Bobby! The man that practically chose us as his friends!" Rudy exclaimed in frustration, Kim's eyes darted on the table. She felt something bubble in her stomach, the feeling of uneasiness, something was wrong the minute Rudy spoke that sentence. Judging by the table falling quiet, she wasn't the only one that felt that. She squirmed as the feeling made her nauseous, she never liked puzzles.

"Bobby never gave us a logical answer to why he decided to choose our dojo." Milton added in.

"There's something important about that day," Rudy admitted, "It must have slipped my mind during the past 2 years." Kim's mind brightened and began to work, she didn't manage to catch the approaching waitress with their drinks that Kim wasn't aware had been ordered. She sprang up while saying.

"THE LETTER!" she cried out before crashing into the waitress, Kim gave out a gasp as the body wasn't able to balance itself and her. She fell to the ground, her elbows and palms stinging at the tiled floor. Kim's eyes snapped shut before reopening in shock, she was drenched form head to toe, she timidly touched her hair and concluded if she didn't clean up now it would stick together. She shifted uncomfortably as her socks squished against her worn out sneaker, she lifted her arms and pursed her lips in disgust as she wiggled her fingers and felt the drinks being absorbed by her clothing.

Yellow wasn't her color she thought as she glanced down at her soaked attire. Her gaze flickered up and over to the gang, frozen in their seats in shock. It was Jack and Milton that recovered quickly and leaped from their seats to grabbed both arms to lift her up before Milton helped the poor waitress next to her, she blushed furiously and licked her lips.

"Coke and ice tea isn't a great combination and-" she puckered her lips and cringed, "Lemonade?!" she shrieked. Jack patted her awkwardly before glancing at his wet hands, Kim shrugged innocently over to Jack. He gave her a lopsided smile.

"We should get you cleaned up." Jack suggested to the gang.

"But what about the food?" Kim protested, he glanced back before nodding.

"The gang will stay here to get the food, is the letter at your house?" he asked as he began to take the lead, she nodded. "You'll clean up at your house and the gang will meet us there." Kim nodded, eager to change out of her wet attire. Jack nodded to the others who immediately nodded back, Jack gently pushed her to the doors. She growled at him and he simply shook his head, being a gentlemen he opened the door for her and both started for Kim's house.

"I never liked Falaphel Phil's." Kim admitted and was rewarded with Jack's laugh.

She found Jack staring longingly at the letter sitting on top of her desk as she burst out of her bathroom door, wearing a navy blue cardigan, inside was a floral tank top and she matched it with a pink skirt. She was dabbing her hair with a towel to absorb the excessive water, she beamed brightly at the sight of him. His hands grasping the edge of her desk, his muscular body towering over the letter, his head bent to examine the letter and letting his brown lock hang freely over his face.

"So serious." she stated with a teasingly deep voice. He looked up and flashed her a smirk before strolling over to her and grabbing her towel, she pouted and let out a laugh as he wrapped the towel to cover her face. "Jack!" she cried out laughing.

"What? Don't you like having someone else dry your hair?" he asked innocently as he rubbed at her hair. She let out a shrieked and stomped childishly on Jack's feet, he let out a grunt. Immediately she dashed out of his grip, Jack abandoned the towel and followed after her and caging Kim with his muscular arms. She let out a surprised yelp and struggled playfully, her feet stumbled and she lost balance, slamming against Jack's chest.

He was thrown unbalanced and they both fell on top of Kim's bed mattress. "Your hair!" Jack said as a wet strand slapped against his cheek. It took Kim some time to realize she was still trapped in his arms and shifted so she can face him. She found him playing with a strand of her hair, one arm wrapped protectively around her. She bit her lip as she realized she liked being in his arms.

"Jack." she whispered. He looked down and she was a lost for words at how intense his chocolate brown eyes were. Her mouth dried and she licked desperately to get something out, he smirked in triumph but let his thumb brushed across her rosy cheeks. She closed her eyes at his touch, she knew she was letting him take advantage of this moment. She inhaled his scent and a smile overtook her features as she recognized the scent of vanilla.

She snapped her eyes open and rolled over so she was on top of his chest, still overwhelmed by how close they were in just a couple of days. "Why aren't we fighting?" she asked him as he continued playing with her hair, she stared questioningly at him. He chuckled at her question and released the strand of hair before replacing it with her own hand.

"Because I was jerk," he told her and she shook her head at him in disbelief, "One of those cocky jocks that couldn't wrap their head around reality. I was in that state of glory, being victorious. I guess that comes with the fact that you're popular, you have to become a jerk and treat others like trash."

She nodded, "Aren't you still that jerk?" she asked with a hint of sarcasm.

He rolled his eyes, "I don't know."

"Well. Let's just say that when you took action when I became soaked in soda drink and...lemonade. I kind of felt that the old Jack was there."

"I'm feeling like the old Jack, the moves, thoughts and," she locked eyes with him and gave a small smile, "Feelings."

"And your question about being so close," Jack pretended to think it over before saying, "We were always best friends, Kimmy." She cocked an eyebrow but let that time slide but was satisfied by his answer. She slide off and planted her feet on the ground and placed her hands on her hips and glanced at him, they were best friends, they left off at the same place and they continued from that state.

Seeing that his eyes were closed she opened her nightstand drawer and pulled out the picture of them, when Jack was still the same height as her. She shifted as she remained standing, a grin over took her features as she continued examining the picture. She couldn't believe how much had changed in just 4 years since they've met, and maybe something more was changing the minute she was bombarded with the questions from Milton about her 'feelings' for Jack, she'll admit. Something was off about her and Jack's relationship. There was a creak from her bed and Jack joined her, their shoulders brushing and Kim looked over with a small smile as Jack glanced at the picture.

"I feel kind of old now." Jack chuckled as his hands grasp the frame of the picture. Kim watched Jack as he continued looking at the picture, she felt something stir inside and her fingers felt compelled to brush away the hair framing Jack's face. She licked her lips as her gaze never faltered, his chiseled jawline and muscular figure. He had grown handsome but she didn't open her mouth to say so. Jack feeling Kim's gaze on him looked away from the picture to lock their gazes.

Kim's breathing hitched at how intense and passionate his gaze was, her eyes couldn't leave the gleaming chocolate brown eyes. She didn't notice that the hand holding the picture had lowered slightly, she shifted her position as her body was positioned to face his body. She felt attraction pull her closer, Jack lifted a hand to brush away her golden locks before brushing her cheek. Her body warmed at his soft gesture, she brought her hand to tangle her fingers in his brown locks.

Jack held her with one protective arm around her and pulling her closer, she lost grip on the picture hearing the clatter of the wooden frame as her hand pressed against his broad chest. Her eyes fluttered shut as their foreheads touched, their noses brushed, she licked her lips as his hot breath fanned her face. Kim was about to close the unwanted gap between them before the sound of the front door sprang them apart. She dropped her arms in shock, they stood there for a minute, taking in what had happened. She flickered her gaze over to Jack, finding him sharply avoiding her eyes and turning to join the gang downstairs.

She pressed a hand against her chest, her heart pounding loudly. She touched her cheeks, feeling it was too warm before dashing to the mirror finding her face flushed. She turned to head for the door and when foot came in contact with something, she looked down, the picture the glass had a crack. She bent to retrieve it before shaking her head as thoughts rushed to her.

Does she, Kim Crawford possibly have feelings towards Jack Brewer?

A/N: To be honest, I was kind of shocked that I placed that almost kiss there. Well, that was a turn in their relationship.

Thoughts?

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