[chapter nineteen]

Disclaimer: If you've heard of them, I don't own them. Everything else is mine, so no stealing, pretty please. ;-)
**

(a week later)

Kick gasped in surprise when she found Jimmie on her front door step in Charlotte, a huge bouquet of flowers in one hand and a box of chocolates in the other.

"Hi?" She said cautiously.

"Hi." Jimmie said brightly. Kick noted that the bruise on his face was nearly gone, and he looked happier and healthier than she had seen him all season.

"What…uh…what brings you here?" Kick asked, letting him into her spartan home and closing the door behind him.

"Nice digs." He said cheerfully, looking around.

"I'm still relocating from Daytona to here. So shut up." Kick said with a smile, though a blush crept up her cheeks. "What uh…are those for me?"

"You once said I wasn't exactly 'candy and flowers' when you were around." Jimmie said with a shy smile. "I'm just trying to disprove the theory."

"Why?" Kick asked suspiciously.

"Well, mostly because I…" Jimmie cleared his throat. "Just because?" He asked hopefully.

Kick laughed and took both the flowers and chocolates from him, setting them down on the table behind her. "Thank you. You didn't have to, but thank you."

"You're welcome." Jimmie said. "But actually, I have an ulterior motive."

"A-ha." Kick said with a small smile. "If it has anything to do with the points system or a sway bar, your on your own."

Jimmie laughed. "No, actually, it's…I was wondering if I could take you to dinner sometime. If I could…if I could see you."

Kick willed herself not to change expression for a few moments. Though they barely knew each other, there was something charged between them, and she knew it.

She didn't want to believe it, but she knew it.

She knew he was a good man. A guy with a killer smile and a nice laugh. A guy who always seemed to be watching out for her. A shy, considerate man who was willing to beat up a guy for her.

And he was Chad's friend. She should like Chad's friends. Seems like the thing to do. Yes.

Finally, she smiled a little and took a step forward. Slowly, she raised on tiptoe to gently press her lips to his. He started a little, before returning the kiss lightly, his hands sliding down to her waist.

"Sure. I'd like that." Kick said with a teasing smile.

"If you woulda said no after that, I might've given you a black eye." Jimmie teased, his eyes dancing.

**

(three nights later)

"Can I ask you a really personal question?" Jimmie asked, reaching for another fry off Kick's plate.

"Sure."

"What's your real name, Kick?" He asked sincerely.

Kick looked down to her lap, then back up at him, her cheeks reddening. "Katherine. My name is Katherine."

Jimmie smiled, feeling as though he were the only one in the world who knew this secret. "Why Kick, then?"

"Promise not to tell?" Kick looked solemn.

Jimmie nodded, his face serious.

"Way back in the day, I worked on my brother's race team. Chad, as you know, worked for his dad. I was probably 12 or 13, Chad was 15 or 16." Kick paused and Jimmie nodded, waiting for her to continue. "We got into it in the pits one night. I mean, hardcore."

"What happened?" Jimmie asked, cocking his head slightly.

"I kicked his ass." Kick said with a shy grin. "What can I say…the name stuck."

"Hm." Jimmie murmured, trying not to laugh at the image of a young Chad getting his ass kicked by a girl. By this girl.

"In Chad's defense, he was a late bloomer. Another year, and he would have flattened me. Still, I'll always know that I kicked a Winston Cup crew chief's ass. Even if it was years ago." Kick grinned.

"I won't tell a soul." Jimmie intoned.

"You better not, or I'll be forced to kick your ass." Kick said teasingly.

"Promise?"

[fin]