A/N: Hello, everyone. Here's another chapter. I hope you enjoy it!

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Chapter Twenty-Eight
Tomorrow

Tommy and I spent the night and a good chunk of the next morning wrapped up in each other and the sheets of his bed. There hadn't been too much sleep to be had but when it came time to crawl out of bed and make breakfast - more like lunch - there were smiles on our faces. Tommy had helped me pack my bag up and it was sitting next to the front door. Frank would be coming around soon to retrieve me, at least that's what he had told me when he called. Billy was bringing the boys home now, both of them wanting to tell me goodbye before I left.

"If it wasn't for the exhaustion, I would be enjoying something else for breakfast right now," Tommy said, leaning over from his chair next to me to nuzzle his nose against my ear. I smiled, letting out a little giggle.

"I'm sure that's a sight the boys want to accidentally walk in on." I replied. He kissed my neck, his lips lingering there.

"I can get them more therapy. It's fine." He joked. The sound of feet coming up the porch steps caused him to sigh and pull back. "Speak of the devils." He muttered as the door opened and Xander ran inside, bag on his back.

"Hi!" He said cheerfully, tossing his bag on the stairs. Ethan and Billy came in behind him, Billy closing the door behind him.

"How was the sleepover?" Tommy asked, standing up from the table. I already missed his touch but I mentally told myself to get a grip.

"It was fun! Uncle Billy showed us different pictures of the moon that no one has ever seen before!" Xander chirped. "It was so cool."

"I wonder how he got those." I teased, winking at Billy who smirked as he shrugged his shoulders.

"I have my connections."

"What did you guys do while we were gone?" Xander asked, grabbing a piece of bacon from one of the plates on the table.

"Dude, don't ask." Ethan said, clapping a hand on Xander's shoulder.

"Why?" Xander looked at his brother confused.

"We watched a movie." Tommy added quickly before Ethan could answer. "And then Kim had to pack her stuff up."

"Do you really have to go already?" Xander asked as I stood up.

"I'm afraid so. But no worries. You'll see me again soon."

"Actually, we're going to be seeing Kim next month." Tommy said, smiling over at me before turning to the boys. "Her and I talked about it and the three of us are going to fly out to Nashville to spend the week with her."

"We're going to Nashville?" Ethan asked, a smile on his lips.

"That's so cool!" Xander exclaimed, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "Are we going to get to see your big house and stuff?"

"Of course because you guys are going to be staying with me. I have everything in set already." I said. "And I will be recording my Christmas CD around then too so you'll get to see the studio if you want."

"That would be awesome." Ethan said.

"Billy, you're welcome to come too." I shifted so I could see him behind the boys.

"I appreciate the invitation but I actually was hired for a new position at the engineering plant in town. I don't believe I will have the time accrued yet."

"Congrats, man!" Tommy said, giving Billy a hug. "That's great news."

"Thank you. It's come at a very appreciated time fortunately and I am excited about the new opportunity. However, I will ensure to visit as soon as possible."

"My door is always open to you, Billy. Congrats." I gave him a hug, he giving me a light squeeze in return. I glanced at the clock and saw that Frank would be coming any minute. "I'm going to make sure I grabbed everything upstairs quickly before my ride gets here. I'll be right back." I climbed up the stairs and headed in the direction of Tommy's room. His bed was stripped now, something that caused a smirk to tug at the corner of my mouth as I thought about our night. I shook the thought though, going into the bathroom. I peeked into the shower, checking for anything I might have left. A sound from my pocket caused me to pause. I pulled my phone from there and saw it was a phone call.

From Tristan.

"Hey, Tristan." I said, bringing it to my ear. I hadn't heard from him since he had left the band, needing a break after what happened between us.

"Kimberly, how are you?" He asked in a happy tone.

"I'm good. How are you doing?" I couldn't help but feel guilty for what I did to him.

"I'm doing very well. I went on a men's retreat for a couple of weeks and worked on myself. Learned some things and came to the realization that I had some things that I needed to work on. I'm in a good place now."

"Oh, Tristan, I am so happy to hear that. Everyone misses you out on tour. We talk about you all the time."

"I'm glad to hear that. It's part of the reason I was actually calling. I need a favor."

"What's up?" I asked, stepping back into the bedroom.

"After the retreat, my counselor there suggested that I take life by the saddle again and I think the only way I can do that is by being back in the band. I talked to a couple of the guys and they said you only have a fill-in still. Is there any chance you'd be able to talk to the label about having me back on the tour? Only if you're comfortable with it though. I wouldn't want to add any more pressure to your already full plate with me being around."

"Of course I want you to be back in the band. I meant what I said about you being the best guitarist I know. Let me call Shayna and see what strings I can pull. Are you sure you're ready for this though? I don't want you to be in a position where you might not be able to handle it yet."

"I think I'm ready. I appreciate you and all your candor, Kim. I think that's why I feel like I am good to come back. I miss the road, I miss the band, and I miss the music."

"I'd love to have you return. I'll see what I can do and you'll hear from someone, okay?"

"Thanks, Kim. Take care." We said our goodbyes and hung up. I smiled, relieved to know that I hadn't screwed up Tristan as much as I thought I had. It was a worry that I had carried with me since he left. He did sound much better and more like the Tristan I remembered from when we first started working together. I shoot Shayna a text message, asking her to contact the record about adding him back to the band before skipping back downstairs.

"Frank just pulled up." Tommy said, the front door open. I saw that Ethan was carrying my things to the car, and Frank standing with the trunk open. I sighed, frowning as I gave Frank a wave.

"I wish you weren't leaving yet." Xander said, giving me a hug.

"I know. Me too. But I'll see you soon. Plus, you can chat with me whenever you want on the computer with your Dad." I said, hugging him back. I hugged Billy next, wishing that he was also coming next month.

"Travel safe." He said, looking down at me. "And communicate when you land safely."

"I will. Take care, okay?" Ethan walked up the porch steps and I turned to face him as we all migrated out there.

"Sorry about what happened yesterday morning." He said sheepishly.

"Water under the bridge. I've already forgotten all about it." I replied, smiling at him. I grabbed his shoulders. "Keep working on your guitar skills and maybe we will have a jam session when you come to Nashville."

"I will. I promise." He said. I pulled him in for a hug and he returned it. As I pulled away, I saw his ears were pink as usual.

All that was left was Tommy.

"How about you two show me something in the backyard?" Billy said, steering Xander into the house. I heard Xander ask what he was talking about before Ethan followed and closed the door behind him. Tommy reached over and took my hands in his.

"Seems like saying goodbye is our thing these days." I said.

"It's not a goodbye. It's just a temporary leave. That's all." He tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear before stroking his thumb over my cheekbone. "I'm already counting the moments until I get to hold you again."

"You'll call me every night still?" I asked.

"Only on the nights you don't call me." He replied. Opening his arms, he pulled me into them. I held him tightly, closing my eyes in hopes of remembering this feeling with every cell of my body. I knew this time was different leaving. After last night, I could feel that Tommy would be going with me in a way that was hard to explain. He was on my skin, in my heart, and buried in my soul.

"Four weeks." I said, turning my gaze up to him as I opened my eyes.

"Four weeks. If you feel you need a break, I'm a phone call or plane ride away, alright? I'll walk if I have to."

"I love you."

"I love you too, beautiful. C'mon. Let's get you down there before Frank runs out of things to look at to avoid awkwardly staring at us." He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and guided me down the stairs as I let out a sigh.

"Hey, kid. All set?" Frank asked, opening up the passenger side door for me. I nodded.

"Yeah. One second." He nodded and climbed into the driver's side door. We were heading to the airport in San Diego to catch my flight on the label's private jet. I reached up and cupped Tommy's face in my hands. I pressed my lips to his and he rested his hands on my elbows. I deepened the kiss, wanting to show him just what it was doing to me leaving. He let out a little moan in the kiss before pulling away, putting his forehead on mine.

"That's a dangerous game." He whispered. "You have to go before I toss you over my shoulder and bring you back inside."

"Don't tempt me with a good time." I whispered back. I gave him another quick kiss before moving to get in the car. Pausing, I looked back at him. "See you soon, handsome." He raised his hand and waved as I climbed in.

My flight to Chicago was uneventful. Mostly because the moment I was in the seat on the private jet, I was asleep. It wasn't until we landed that I woke up. There was a smile on my face when I did stir. I gazed out the window as the workers attached the plane to the terminal, thinking about what Tommy and the boys were doing right now. As sad as I was to be away from them again, there was a new feeling inside of me. Hope. The weekend had shown me a glimpse of a future that was very well possible for the both of us now, one that I never could have pulled from my wildest dreams. I stretched my arms out and gathered my stuff to head off the plane.

The next few days were filled with getting back into the routine of show after show. Shayna had indeed worked her magic and Tristan was back with us on tour at our show in Philly. It was nice having him back, our energy on stage matching for those moments where we would play and sing. He really did seem to be in a better place now and I was happy to see him happy. Rumor has it that he met someone while he was gone as well but I hadn't worked up the nerve enough to ask about that. I assumed that he would say something once he was ready and that he was adjusting to being back as well. It felt like normalcy mixed in with this new possibility that I was watching grow every day.

My favorite part of each day was still talking to Tommy every night. We'd call and text throughout the day when we could but nothing was better than our time video chatting. The bill for the internet on the bus was through the roof but it was worth every moment I was able to see Tommy smile. It made the distance easier to bear. I was also able to talk with everyone else, enjoying reconnecting with my friends to a level that made me feel as if there had never been a time when we weren't in each other's lives. It was fantastic and heartwarming to know that I had this support system back in California that I was able to build again, all because of Tommy and the mysterious letter I received in the mail. I've given up on finding the source of the letter, chalking it up as one of those miracles that life gives you sometimes.

"That crowd was electric tonight," Tristan said as he and I walked up the tunnel in the back of Madison Square Garden. It had been another one of my sold-out shows tonight, one that was breathtaking the moment I stepped out on that stage. It was one of those dream come true nights and it made my skin buzz to think about it.

"It was! I can't believe it was sold out. This is one show I will never forget."

"You played a hell of a gig. Great job, Kim." He said, nodding at the security guards standing by the doors that led to the busses. "The boys and I were thinking about going for a Taco Bell run if you're interested. Go take in some of the sites of the city before we head off for Atlantic City."

"That sounds fun but I have some stuff I have to get to." I said as we stopped by my bus. "I'm glad you're back, Tristan. The shows are better with you helping out."

"I'm glad to be back. I owe you for helping me get here."

"Nah. We're good. Just as long as you're okay being back."

"It took some time to adjust to it but I feel like this is where I need to be. My girlfriend isn't thrilled about me being so far away but I think she will come around to it."

"Girlfriend? Tristan, that's wonderful! Who's the lucky girl?" I asked, smiling at him.

"She's one of the yoga instructors that was at the retreat I went to. Her name is Lucy. You'll love her, Kim. She's so sweet and funny. Loves nature and all things zen. She is the complete opposite of me." He let out a laugh, shaking his head. "There's no way it should work but it just completely does."

"Aww. I am happy to hear you found someone. You deserve someone who makes you happy. I can't wait to meet her either. Next time we're in the area, you gotta bring her around so we can all meet her."

"I will. A group of us are actually heading to Myrtle Beach for the break coming up. You should come. We'd love to have you."

"I can't, unfortunately. I have a lot coming up with the Christmas album and I also have company coming over that week while I'm in Nashville."

"Tommy?" He questioned, giving me a small smile. I hesitated, trying to judge how much he would want to actually know.

"Yeah. He and the boys are coming down to see the sights and check out the studio." I replied.

"Oh, they'll love it. Especially the older boy. Ethan, right? The studio is always something that a kid with a guitar dreams about standing in." He looked down at his feet, kicking a rock across the pavement. "Are things getting serious between Tommy and you again?"

"I think so." I said. "We're taking things slow but we're at a good point." He nodded, raising his head to look at me. There was a smile on his face as he put his hands in his pockets.

"I'm happy you found him again, Kim. Seeing you this happy is something I've never seen before. There's just something that radiates off you now. It's a good thing."

"I am really happy." I said. "And I appreciate you saying that. For the first time in a long time, I see myself actually thinking about a possible tomorrow. I've always been focused on the day-to-day things but now, I can't help but picture what life could be like after all of this has run its course." I shook my head, realizing who I was talking to. "Sorry. I'm sure you don't want to listen to me ramble on."

"No. It's okay. I like seeing you excited about something. You've earned it." He glanced at his watch. "Suppose I should rally up the troops. Those tacos aren't going to eat themselves. I'll see you in the morning, Kim."

"Have fun!" I called out, climbing on the bus. I locked the door behind me, kicking my shoes off near the couches. I headed straight back into the bedroom, flipping on the light. Quickly, I changed into a pink and white striped tank top and a pair of gym shorts before flopping down into the chair in front of the computer screen. I brought it to life, waiting for it to load. When it did, I logged onto Skype and pulled up the calling feature under Tommy's name. It rang twice before connecting, the window buffering. Tommy's image appeared on the screen, him smiling at me when it did. His hair was pulled back in a ponytail and he had his reading glasses on.

"Why, hello there, Beautiful." He said, leaning forward. "How was the show? I read online already that it was amazing."

"It was! The crowd was just so with it and everything went off without an issue. It was perfect. I wish you could have been there to see it." I said, crossing my legs under me. "How are things at the house? How are the boys?"

"Well…there's been a new development." He said, smirking. "Ethan's joined a band."

"That's great! What kind of band? How many? Is he the singer or the guitarist?" I asked.

"I'm not sure. All I know is that I now longer hear the sound of him slamming on his guitar from his room. Now it's two guitars, a bass, a drum kit, and a piano from the garage five nights a week. None of it sounds like any kind of music but I might just be too old to understand it."

"When he's famous, you can sell pictures of the garage on the internet."

"I'll keep that in mind. I'm starting to think I should pull out some of my old pictures of us to sell to the tabloids. I'd make a killing. You seem to be them every day now as it it." He said. I rolled my eyes. There was an uptick in my presence in the tabloids and on the internet. I didn't particularly appreciate that the Internet made news faster than the papers but I was grateful that not everyone had internet access. It was still unnerving that there were always cameras around me more now but Frank and his team have been helping me move from place to place with fewer incidents of creeps with Nikons in bushes.

"I know. I can't wait for them to get sick of me. I need a celebrity to do something scandalous to steal the attention. I'm sure they'll move on quickly. I'm a boring person to follow around."

"I wouldn't say that. I would love to follow you around any chance I had." He winked at the camera. "There's something else as well. Ethan now has a girlfriend. Her name is Cassidy." I raised my eyebrows.

"A girlfriend? Wow. He got over me quickly." I teased. Tommy chuckled, nodding his head.

"Seems so. She's a nice girl. A little quiet but I've met her a few times before through the karate clubs we used to do at the Youth center. She's a good fit for him, I think. I'm hoping she will pull him out of his shell more. Her brother is the drummer in the band."

"His first little girlfriend. I'm so sad I can't be there to spy on them with you."

"I don't spy on them," Tommy said, raising his hands. I gave him a look, tilting my head to the right. "Alright. Only a little. But it's just because I need to make sure that I don't have Marilyn Manson hanging out where I keep my power tools."

"Oh, stop it. I'm sure if they were going to rob you, they'd just wait until you weren't home." I teased. "Besides, I think it's sweet you care so much."

"Thanks. Comes with constant anxiety, however. But I'm happy to see him out doing things. Xander has also decided he wants to try something new. So, he's doing football."

"Football? Couldn't he get hurt though?"

"It's just flag football. No contact." Tommy reassured me. "He's really liking it which surprises me. I thought for sure he'd be like Billy."

"Billy was on the football team for a little while." I reminded him. "When you were the quarterback."

"That's true. It's just weird having them out doing so much without needing me. I'm not used to that."

"They still need you, Tommy. Kids just have to branch out at times to figure out what they like to do. I think it's a good thing you give them the space to do that. Plus, it gives you time to do the things you like to do."

"The thing I would like to occupy my time with is currently 3,000 miles away from me." He said, propping his chin up on his hand. I felt a blush cross my cheeks as I smiled, biting my lip.

"I know. Just two more weeks though. Then we can revisit those extracurricular activities that we practiced before."

"It's 11 days, 14 hours, and 17 minutes. But whose counting?"

"Apparently you." He chuckled, letting out a sigh afterward. "What are you thinking about?"

"You. What else is there to think about?" He moved, putting both of his hands on the desk. "You know, I've been thinking a lot about those times we spent together at my uncle's cabin. Especially that night after Rita and Zedd put that love potion on you."

"Lord, that was awful. Of all people, Skull wouldn't be my first choice of a target." I shivered at the thought.

"Do you remember that night though? Laying on the bear skin rug in front of the fireplace."

"I do. I remember you laying next to me, playing with my hair, and whispering all the things you wanted to do with me that night."

"Do you recall any of those things?" He asked in a thick voice.

"Mr. Oliver, if I didn't know any better, I'd think you were trying to seduce me right now."

"Perhaps. Is it working?"

"Oh, for sure." I nodded, smiling at him. "And yes. I recall all of those things. They started with removing all of my clothes, piece by piece."

"Mmhmm." He said. "I'm having a hard time remembering that."

"Let me jog your memory then," I said softly. Reaching down, I grabbed the hem of my tank top and pulled it off over my head. I tossed it on the bed behind me, running my fingers through my hair so it fell over my shoulder.

"Ah. Yes. I do seem to remember that now." He said, his full attention on the screen in front of him as he shifted forward in the chair. I giggled, biting my lip as I rested my hands in my lap. "I have never been happier for the internet than I am in this moment."

"I'm sure those who invented it would be happy to hear that."

"I'm sure they'd be happier if they could see what I was seeing right now."

"Well, perhaps you should return the favor then." I teased. He grinned slyly at me, nodding his head.

"Fair enough." Reaching up, he pulled his black t-shirt off of his frame and tossed it somewhere out of view.

"The boys aren't gonna just waltz in, right? I'd rather not scar them for life."

"No. Both are going to be gone for a couple of hours. I'm here to do with as you please, Miss Hart."

"If that's the case then," I said as I leaned back in my chair. "Why don't you tell me exactly what you'd be doing to me if you were here?" I watched him lick his lips as an expression I could only describe as heated came over him. He propped his arms up on the desk and linked his fingers together.

"Hmm…if I was there with you, the first thing I would do is kiss you until you couldn't last another moment without a breath. Then I would slip you out of your shorts and underwear, making sure that every inch of you was there for my viewing pleasure."

"Like this?" I managed to shimmy out of the shorts I was wearing and tossed them to the side. I slid my underwear off as well, holding them up so he could see them on camera. "Seems like it may get drafty this way."

"Oh, I'm sure we can find ways to keep you warm." He said.

"Continue with your plans then."

"I would take your underwear and tie them around your wrists. Not too tight but tight enough that you aren't going anywhere without my permission."

"Like this?" I wrapped the underwear around one wrist and slid the other one in, twisting it a little. I looked straight at the camera as I used my teeth to tighten them together. Tommy licked his lips again, biting his tongue a little as I held my wrists out to show him.

"I'd carry you over to the bed now." He said, his voice sounding rough. I smirked and stood up, guiding the desk over to the bed like I did most nights. I climbed up there and saw that from where I was sitting, I was now entering a no-go zone for most celebrities. My entire naked body was on the screen. I sat cross-legged on the bed and rested my tied hands on the bed in front of me so I was bent over a little.

"Now what would you do to me?" I practically purred. The temperature of my skin was rising as I watched Tommy adjust himself under the desk. It was enlightening to see him getting so turned on by me, something that was causing a reaction in my body as well. I listened to make sure that the bus driver was not on board, him probably choosing to stay in the hotel on sight tonight rather than the bus. That would be a rather awkward conversation throughout the four-hour bus drive in the morning.

"I'd give a nice deep tissue massage to your breasts to make sure they are nice and warm."

"Wouldn't want them to be cold." I said softly. I brought my bounded wrists up and cupped my left breast in my hand. It was a little weird due to the restraint but I kneaded the soft flesh in my fingers, the nipple becoming erect from the contact. I traced my pointer finger around it, the feeling sending a ripple through me. I tugged it, causing my back to arch and my head to tilt back. I moved to the other, repeating the action. I kept my eyes on the screen, watching as Tommy kept his eyes intently on what was happening on his own screen. He leaned back more and I could see that he was making a stroking motion below the camera's view.

"God, I wish I feel how soft your skin is." He said in a low voice.

"Yeah? The skin here?" I traveled my hands down to the area between my breasts. "Or here?" They trailed down to my navel area, circling my belly button. "Or here?" I ran my fingers down the inside of my thighs, causing shivers to run over me.

"All of the above. If I were there, would you be ready for me?"

"Mmmhm." I nodded, biting my lip as I spread my legs wide open for Tommy (and the webcam) to see. "I want to see you."

"Okay, baby." He said, reaching up off-screen. The image on his end moved shakily for a moment as he adjusted the angle of his camera. When it cleared, I could see a better shot of Tommy and his lap area. He was fully released from his pants and underwear, his erected penis in hand like a joystick ready for launch. He relaxed back in his seat, running his hand up and down the length of himself. I sank my fingers into the damp curls between my thighs, relishing in the sight of what I was doing to Tommy 3,000 miles away. My middle finger found the sensitive nub that sent bolts of electricity to my core each time it grazed it.

"I wish you were inside of me." I gasped out, my fingers on my one hand curling as they slipped through my wetness to enter me. The other, I used to continue the rhythmic motion on myself that was climbing me higher and higher up the walls.

"I'd be so deep inside of you, moving in and out so that you could feel every inch of me." He breathed. "I'd tell you to say my name as you moaned under me."

"Oh, Tommy." I said, my head lulling to the side. I missed him. I missed his smell, the feeling of his hands on my body, and his lips exploring places I'd only dreamed of him touching before. As I watched him on the screen, I wished he was here and that I had never left California. It's been a long two weeks without him.

"Show me what you do when you think about me at night." He said in a husky tone. I increased the speed of my hands, doing my best to keep my eyes locked on the screen. I saw his hand matched my momentum and that his breaths were coming faster. The pressure in me was reaching its peak and the quakes began to start, folding over me.

"Tommy!" I called out, my core contracting against my fingers as fireworks went off in my head. On my computer, I watched as Tommy closed his eyes and my name escaped his lips as his own release hit him, the evidence dripping down from the tip and over his hand. I laid back on the bed, rolling so that he could still me as I smiled.

"Now I need a shower." He breathed, giving me a lazy grin as he grabbed a tissue from his desk to clean himself up. I giggled, nodding.

"I feel ya." I said, getting my breathing back under control. Tommy corrected his underwear and the camera back to its original position. "I'm glad you enjoyed yourself."

"Can't lie and say I didn't, that's for sure."

"Almost like the real thing." I propped my head up on my hand, elbow bent onto the bed.

"No. Nothing compares to actually being with you, beautiful." He replied, a serious tone to his voice as a sad smile covered his lips. "That's the only kind of high I ever want to experience in my life."

"I wish you had been a writer. You have such a way with words, Tommy. I think you'd be brilliant at it."

"Maybe in my next life. Just as long as I can find you there too."