Together. At last [TAG: Kim]

[Jessica Fleming]

Familiar...Why is this so familiar? Familiar, like something I used to know...

Jessica has opened her eyes and staring up at the ceiling she realized that she came back where she began. It was the luxurious room that she used to share with Emmy. So, there were three options:

• All the events that happened after the first room switch was just a dream
• All of this is a huge Groundhog Day (or month, to be precise)
• Despite her new rebel outfit, she was a good girl in villain’s eyes

Jessica realized that she was still wearing her sleeveless grey shirt and jeans, so it left only the last variant. Honestly, Jess did not know how to feel about it. At the very beginning, she would be happy to have a huge wardrobe with fancy dresses, a single bed, and other aspects of a more comfortable life even though she believed that she did not deserve it.
But now… all of this seemed so shallow and pointless for her. People were dying and that redhead girl could be not the first and not the last one. Jessica could not forget about it for a single moment and this realization made her more serious than ever before.

In any case, another two weeks – another roommate. Jessica has stood up from her bed and approached the other one. When the girl came closer she suddenly stopped because she could not believe her eyes. It was just too good to be true. There was Kim, her precious friend, in flesh and blood. She was sleeping as if they had a slumber party or this room was just a hotel and they had a wonderful day ahead, full of tours, shopping, and selfies…

Jessica sighed and sat on the edge of the bed, just observing her sleeping friend as if she could disappear. Jess was convinced twice that she had lost Kim forever and was not sure that her heart could take this heartbreak for the third time. Jessica did not want to think that both of them were doomed but this gloom though, the idea that Kim could vanish was hunting her.

Without thinking, Jess took Kim’s hand and hold it tight as if without it she could not believe that it was actually her but not just a game of her poisoned mind. But Kim was still there, she was real and Jessica promised herself that she won’t let her go anymore. They should be together in this and not only in this but later on too!

Jess could not hold herself any longer and rashly hugged Kim even though it would be better to wait for her awakening. But Jessica just could not wait. She was waiting long enough. The girl held Kim tight and closed the eyes. They were together, at last, but only for two short weeks. Then this vicious circle will continue until Jess is pushed to the new cruel game that could easily be the last. Or worse… it could be last for Kim but Jessica would not know about it.

“I’m with you” she tried to whisper but her voice had failed her as always and she was just moving her lips. “I’m here for you. I won’t let you go. Just stay with me. Please.”

[Kim Anderson]

The girl walked in front of the bald man in a green robe, her right palm still covering her bleeding neck. Her left foot still hurt from the fall but she didn't dare to slow the pace. She looked back to take another look at the man behind her. Even though his eyes didn't scream murder like the psycho in purple he was still holding a fucking gun. She can not risk it. At least not like this.

And now she had one day. One day to decide if she is gonna pledge to- to this- This monster. This foul creature who dares to call herself a woman. Her shoulders shivered. "Dad, Jess, Sawyer," she listed the names inside her head, "Geoff, Aoi, Ethan, Carmen, Noah, Katherine..." She muttered the names as they walked down the corridor until he stopped in front the door number #2.

"Teddy," the man said and took out the keyring with at least a dozen of keys. He opened the door and gestured her to come in. On her way inside he stopped her by the shoulder and gave her... a scroll?

"Teddy!" he whispered and put the piece of scrolled paper into her left palm. The woman accepted the note, thinking that maybe it was from the madwoman herself and has entered the room. She didn't turn around to look at how the man closed the door behind her back and just listened to the lock go "click".

That's it. She is back. For how long though? "Geoff?" she softly called, almost mouthed, her friend's name, trying to see his slender silhouette in the dark. "It's me,.. Kim," she whispered to herself moving further into the room until she saw... her.

"Jessica," Kim dropped the piece of paper on the floor, both of her hands flying up to cover her mouth in shock. She was here. She was fine and well. Peacefully sleeping on the bed.

The ginger girl carefully on her tiptoes approached her and sat on the edge of the bed, her bloody hands smudging the silk. Oh, thank god! She was breathing.

Kim let out a sigh of relief and smiled, her right hand reached the back of her head as she casually wanted to run her fingers through her hair... but there was not enough hair to fully complete this motion she so got used to.

Her heart shrunk. She touched the cut on her throat again and hugged oneself with her arms. She... she wanted to be alone for a moment. So instead of laying down on the bed beside Jess - the woman sat down on the sofa in from of the bed and closed her eyes. But she didn't want to sleep. How much time has it passed since the moment she was with Geoff? A day? Two? More? How much has she slept? Wasn't she supposed to be tired? Or was it the adrenaline that kept her awake for this long? No. She needed to sleep. At least for a bit. Mom always told if you can't fall asleep - just close your eyes and let your body rest.

"Mom... I- I miss you."

Kim took off her sneakers and got with her feet onto the sofa, curling in a ball like a cat. She lay down there for a while until she finally fell into a deep slumber. It didn't last long, however. It actually felt like seconds since the moment she passed out to when she felt a warm embrace suddenly filling her cold body.

"Jessica," she whispered back, hugging her dear friend back, tears streamed down her cheeks, "Jess, I am so so happy you are okay! I- I thought I will never see you again."

[Jessica Fleming]

"Me too, Kim... Me too."

Kim's voice... So near, so close, without any walls or obstacles. It was right here, and the girl was too. Even though Jess believed that Kim was much stronger than she, now her best friend seemed vulnerable as never before. It was breaking Jessica's heart when she saw her like this. Jess was happy to find Kim, but she wished she was the same as at night when they shared their last board game.

Even though... Jessica has changed as well. All of them did. Maybe it could be an exciting character arc, but Jess could feel only the pain knowing how damaged both of the girls were. Far too damaged. But they did not beyond repair. They would stick around here, make things better, and beat the evil shipper fair and square.

Holding Kim close, Jessica could not imagine what high goal could cause all this suffering and misery. Jessica was a shipper herself, she wrote Mary Sue fanfics and took part in shipping wars, but she could not imagine that idea of bringing two people together could lead somebody this far.

Jess was just sitting still, hugging her best friend and hearing their hearts beat as one. She had nothing to say, her touch, her face expression, her stare spoke louder than words. Also, it required to take a crayon to write something, and it meant to let Kim go. Jessica won't repeat this mistake. She did not care if she was possessive, selfish, or overprotective. Jess just won't take another heartbreak. She could not lose Kim for the third and probably the last time.

Jessica finally plucked up the courage and finished the hug, looking at Kim's eyes, feeling... strange. It was almost like at the prom night but sad. Both of the girls were mentally exhausted, and all this situation was not appropriate for a romantic mood. And it was ruined for Jessica completely when she saw Kim's neck.

The girl gasped and rashly covered her mouth with soft, delicate hands. Jessica's gestures were always a little theatrical, but the horror in her green eyes was a real one. Kim was in the game... and she was hurt. When Jessica was solving mysteries with Freya Kim was tortured without mercy. Jess won't forgive herself for this.

The girl quickly took her magazine and began to write. Her hand was shaking from anger and handwriting was clearly not the best one.
"Have you played the game? Does it hurt? Can I help? Was somebody killed?" Jessica was shocked that she managed to write the last sentence as well. As soon as she finished she gave her magazine to Kim and rushed to the table, taking the jar of the water pouring it to glass. It was cold, and it was the only medicine Jessica could think about. She almost forcefully gave this glass to Kim, and looked at her with the sorrow in her eyes. She should be in Kim's place! Jess should be the one with a cut neck, she deserved it. She was a mute girl, after all, it would be a perfect irony...but not Kim. Why villain does not hurt Jessica directly? Was it Teddy's influence, or she just save her for the dessert?

Jessica extended her arm to touch Kim's neck as if she was a water bender who could heal her wounds. If Kim allowed it, Jessica touched her and hold the hand, and if not - she touched her instead, softly pushing it back.

[Kim Anderson]

Please. Please, don't let me go. Just let me be with you. Dissolve in you. Is that too much to wish? To spend this moment for eternity. Is this too selfish to ask? I just want this moment to last. For forever.

With a deep sigh, Kim finally let go of her dear friend's warm embrace, looking back into her emerald gaze thought the silent tears of joy and despair frozen in her own.

"Jess, I-" Kim spoke, her hand hesitantly reached to gently cup Jessica's cheek, her thumb caressing her soft skin as if she still couldn't believe this moment was real. And yet this felt so... familiar. Why is it so familiar? Was her fragile mind playing tricks on her now?

No. She still remembered it, clear as day. That night when the sun has already escaped their sight but both of them were still standing outside. Together, just taking in the view. Jessica looked above the horizon, her curly locks dangling behind her back with each waft of wind.

And Kim looked at her. Her smile. Her eyes. It still was her. She was still her friend. Her dearest friend she has ever had and known through all ups and downs. And yet something has changed. Not in Jessica. In herself. The woman tried to deny this. All this time, she tried to grow over it. It's just a phase. You will get over it. You just didn't find the "right man" and nonetheless... all she could see was her.

Everything was perfect. Kim leaned in, gently cupping Jessica's face from one side, looking a bit down from her hight deep into her gorgeous eyes, the night sky lights reflecting and dancing in them. She was perfect. She felt as her lips parted slightly, the woman gently leaned in a bit close to her. They were just two friends. "Jess, I-" she whispered, her thumb gently caressed her soft cheek as she let herself slip into this mindless bliss. Just two friends on a perfect day...

And then her eyes shifted.

Kim immediately came to her senses, closing her mouth shut and leaning back to take a bit more concerned look at Jess's due to her new facial expression. "Oh, shit," Kim felt embarrassed about the situation and covered the evidence of the last "game" she got herself into. Jessica was looking straight onto her bloody neck.

"No, no, no! I- I am fine, don't worry!" she tried to acknowledge the situation even though Kim herself was still having a hard time processing it when Jessica took the magazine and started scribbling something vigorously. Stupid, stupid, Kim! Falling asleep without taking care of herself, making Jess worried. She, of course, couldn't hide the sudden lack of her hair but the cut she could have taken care of.

"Have you played the game? Does it hurt? Can I help? Was somebody killed?" she read Jessica's message as soon as she gave her the magazine and Kim brought her sad eyes back up at her. She shook her head lightly, "No, don't worry, nobody died..."

Yet.

So Jess knew. Good. Wait... No, not good! Obviously! This was all as bad as it can possibly get! It was good only because now that Jess knows about this - she will probably keep a low profile. This place was no fun and games. That woman was dangerous. A maniac. A psychopath.

Kim felt as her hands were shaking again. She remembered how electricity ran down her veins, her limbs going numb. Her father's scream. The feeling of cold metal on her throat. The girl put both of her cold hands under her legs trying to hide the panic attack and warm them up a little bit while her eyes followed Jessica again.

"Jess?" she whispered cautiously and saw that this time the girl went to pour in some water. In such a short period of time, Kim, of course, didn't manage to pull herself together but she didn't resist her friend's will and took the glass with both hands, trying to keep it stable and not give away the tremor.

"Thank you," she nodded back and took a small sip as Jessica inspected her neck. "I- I know it looks... bad but it's not that deep, don't worry! Just a scratch," she tried to reassure her putting the glass back down on the floor and taking Jessica's hand into hers.

"Jess," she let out another sigh and looked to the side pressing her friend's hand now closer to her own cheek. "So- So many things have happened," she found it difficult to start this conversation. How much could she tell her? Would the woman get mad if she did? She didn't know. And she couldn't risk it. At least not today. For today - they were safe.

"I don't know where to begin," she shook her head in despair. "Just- Just promise me," she looked back at her again, "Promise me no matter what happens, you will not put yourself in danger. No matter what, please!" She felt as her head began spinning a little but she ignored the feeling.

"The woman who is in charge," she spoke softer, whispering with her lips only in case somebody is eavesdropping on them. "She does not seek compromises, just do what you asked and you will stay safe. I hope you won't ever get to meet her but please, please if you do - stay safe, do anything she asks you to!" she begged. Please, Jess. Just- Don't be like me.

Kim felt how her head began to ache again and she let out a soft moan. "Shit," she let go of Jessica's palms and suppressed her will to vomit. Was she having a fever? Or was it because she didn't remember when the last time she actually properly ate? "Fuck, sorry, Jess, I- I am okay! I just-" Kim stood up and made a beeline to the bed, walking on top a piece of paper she brought with herself into the room, not noticing it. "I just need some rest," she gave her a fake reassuring smile as she sat onto the soft surface.

"Jess," she patted the bed with her right hand as her left one was currently checking her hot forehead. "Can you- Take a nap with- me? I- I feel cold," she gave her friend a fatigue smile before the girl laid down onto the bed and hid under the covers.

"Good night, Jess..." only a few moments passed before Kim fell into a numb dreamless sleep. She knew she had to take at least a short rest before- ...the time will come. However, all she could think of right now was Jessica. She was here. With her. She was safe. And she will stay safe.

Just, please. Please, stay in line and wait. Just wait. We will get out of here. I promise. Please, Jess.

I love you.
For forever.

---

If Jessica will pick up a piece of paper Kim brought into the room she will see a picture of... herself. A black and white portrait with a little sign of a cartoony teddy bear. Jessica may keep this object as an item or scrap it.

[Jessica Fleming]

Hands touched. Eyes met. Sudden silence, sudden heat. Jessica held her breath, throwing herself to the emotional storm. Kim finally was so close as if the time had stopped. Their hearts leaped in a giddy whirl...

But all of the magic has vanished when Jessica realized that Kim got hurt. The slow, intimate music in her head was gone, as well as the slow-motion feeling and the nostalgic memories. The girl has returned to the gloomy present. The wave of concern unexpectedly washed over her, so Jess would not know what Kim was going to tell her.

It was a white lie. This wound was something. Kim clearly was not fine. She just wanted Jess not to worry about her, as always protecting her feelings. Jessica was always a delicate, sensitive flower, too impressionable, too weak. But now she saw things so clearly that she was almost scared of it. The bitter pain for Kim was reflected in her usually naive eyes, as well as anger for the kidnapper who dared to do such a thing. And... what was this feeling, so sudden and familiar, Jess felt the moment she laid eyes on her? The girl's pulse was still rushing and her head was reeling. Oh, what was this feeling?

Jessica was tortured by her confused emotions and controversial thoughts until she heard that nobody was killed. It made her sigh with reliefs. Thank gods. Let's hope the girl was the first and the last one who lost her life here.

When Kim finally took the glass Jessica was carefully observing her, feeling the tension she could not handle. This girl in front of her is precious and she should keep her safe no matter what. Jess gave her a sad smile when she said that it was just a scratch, pretending, that she believed in it. As soon as Kim took her hand Jess realized that the problem was not only with the neck but with her hair as well. The decent part of it was gone and Jess, using her second hand touched tips of Kim's hair giving her wondering stare. Jessica knew that if someone could understand her without a single word that was Kim.

Promise... That was really serious. Kim's tone of voice made her realize that her friend knew something more about all of this. It was something more than just a concern. Jessica hesitated for a moment, lowering her head. Maybe she was not a hero but she did not want to be the one who survived because of selfishness and cowardliness. Jess believed that her life was not the most important but this promise to obey kidnapper and not to put herself in danger... Jessica just did not manage to find the words. But she could not say "no" to Kim, especially right here and right now.

"I promise," she silently whispered and put her hand on the heart, showing how serious it was for her.

The girl gasped when Kim moaned, being very concerned about her well-being. She nodded, hoping that her friend knew what she was doing even though Jessica was still anxious. She almost has joined Kim while she found the piece of paper with her portrait. Soft lines, cartoony bear as a sign... Jess smiled. That was Teddy.

Jessica carefully took the paper and put it into the pocket instead of the magazine. She will find something to write on eventually not to mention that she was too sentimental to just throw somebody's art away, especially considering that it was her portrait.

The girl joined Kim and took her hand, holding it tight. It was the only way to be sure that she would stay here and won't disappear.