Hello all,
I must admit I am very new to the Power Rangers fanfiction archive, and this is my first story, so I hope you guys will like it. I have been a huge fan of the series for a very long time, but I admit I stopped watching after Amy Jo Johnson left. I love the characters dearly and I always wished that I could take up the courage and write a story. Now here it is, I hope you like it and feedback is greatly appreciated. Read & Enjoy :)
xoxo LT
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, or the show, I'm just borrowing them.
Magnolia Walls
It was a beautiful spring day when Kimberly Hart rolled her car through the impressive gates of the Rose Garden in Saratoga Springs. Her Mercedes made its way slowly down the gravel; under the arch formed by the unending row of Spanish Oaks. The sun filtered in between the leaves, casting a dancing glow on her windshield. As she continued to marvel at the sight unfolding in front of her, she broke through the tree curtain and maneuvered the car into a curb, revealing a breath taking scenery. The colonial, red brick, two-story mansion stood peacefully, bathing in the sun's rays, its limestone stairway, leading up to the row of columns, flanked by perfectly manicured pink beautybushes. Across the stairs, beyond the gravel lay the meticulously trimmed lawn, on which white magnolia trees swayed delicately in the breeze. The car came to a stop in front of the stairway causing Kim to breath deeply, while turning the key and killing the engine. Slowly she turned her head to her left, looking at the beautiful mansion, and her heart constricting in her chest, so she hung her head and leaned against the steering wheal. The petite woman, woman played with her phone nervously, still trying to regain her composer and summon up the courage to pull herself out of the state she currently was in. It had been nine years since she and Tommy had spoken last and she had been running from him ever since, avoiding him at all cost. Now she was forced to see him once again and that scared her to no end. Kim knew that this time she couldn't back out of this commitment as she had done numerous times. In the past, when all the Rangers had reunited, she had found reasons to back out of the gatherings, fear being the main factor for her hesitation. It was the fear of his anger and rejection, the fear of him still holding a grudge against her and her past action.
This time she had no choice and she had to swallow hard to get rid of the lump forming in her throat. This was a Ranger gathering she couldn't miss, since it was Trini's and Jason's wedding. A smile adorned her features when she thought about her best friends, his siblings, not in blood, but in every possible other way. The couple had been dating for almost three years and six months ago, the former Red Ranger had finally proposed. The petite Asian had called her the next day to give her the wonderful news and to assign her the preparations for the wedding as the head planner and her maid of honor. Kim had sighted in relief, glad that Jason had finally summoned up the guts to ask Trini for her hand in marriage. She chucked thinking back on the day Jason had dragged Kim out of her office, three months after he and Trini had started dating, to buy an engagement ring. Since that afternoon, the ring had been safely tucked away in the bottom of his sock drawer, while the former leader of the Power Rangers had postponed the actual proposal claiming that the time was not right yet. About a month before Jason had popped the question, Kim had stormed into his office, threatening to propose herself to Trini on his behalf if he didn't make his move soon.
Although she loved both Jason and Trini to no end, she wanted nothing else then to head back to New York and bury herself in work. She knew that once she met Tommy again, her former love, accusations might start flying, mostly from his side. She feared his anger and rejection more then anything else, yet she understood that his rage was entitled.
"Hell, I probably would be mad as well if it would have been the other way around." She quietly said to herself. Taking another deep breath, Kim lifted her head from the steering wheal, her right hand slowly taking the key out of the ignition.
"This is it Kim; time to face the music." She mumbled, opening the door of her black Mercedes. Slamming the door with a bit more force then intended, she swiftly walked towards the rear of her car, with one click of a button opening the lid of the trunk, taking the gray laptop casing out. Trying to steady her shaking hands, Kim summoned up all the courage in her 5 foot 2 frame, not to turn around, jump in the car and head back to her office.
"One foot in front of the other Kim. You can do this; after all you are both adults and he wouldn't make a scene before the wedding, he's too much of a gentleman and you're a professional." She continued to mumble to herself, climbing the stairs leading to the main entrance. Ringing the doorbell once, swiftly re-arranging the baby blue shirt and smoothening the pencil skirt she wore. When the door opened, Kim had finished fixing her hair and with a brilliant smile greeted the man in front of her.
"James, it's so good to see you. How are you?" she said.
"Ah, miss Hart, so good to see you. I'm well thank you very much. Please do come in." The gray-haired man said a gentle smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, his thick British accent and the warmth in his voice causing Kim to smile even brighter. Stepping away from the entrance, he ushered Kim in, closing the door with one hand and taking her laptop with the other.
"Your friends have been asking about you for the last two hours. I believe they are eager to see you again." He trailed away his step falling in line with Kim's
"Yes, Jason and Trini can be a pain when you don't deliver when they want you to deliver." She chuckled, causing James to smile genuinely." James, has my team arrived with the necessary equipment?" she asked, retrieving her BlackBerry from her oversized bag.
"Yes, Miss Hart. Mr. Woods dropped by today with the final catering menu, along with the list of the last three bands from which you and your friends should select one." James briefed, walking past her, while she scrolled through her phonebook, preparing to open the delicately carved mahogany French doors.
Although her phone had her attention, she could still hear animated chatter and laughing, causing the planner to swallow the lump forming in her throat.
The door opened with little sound and James announced smiling.
"Mr. Scott, miss Kwan, miss Hart has arrived."
James quickly stepped away barley missing the yellow human ball flying past him.
"KIM!" Trini screamed, hugging her friend fiercely. Laughing she hugged Trini back with as much force as her yellow counterpart.
"Woha missy; you saw me just a few days ago, what's with the warm welcoming? Not that I'm complaining." Kim laughed, trying to peal herself out of Trini's embrace.
"I just missed you, ok?" Trini chuckled, releasing Kim from the fierce embrace, taking a step back and studying her friend's tense posture and features.
Leaning closer again, she tucked a strand of Kim's caramel colored hair behind her ear and murmured "He's not going to bite your head off you know. He's not here."
"Relax Trini, I won't make a scene and promise to behave. " Kim assured, her face relaxing slightly.
"Kimmy, come here." Jason boomed, his face smiling. Before she could replay, he swept her into a warm embrace, kissing the top of her head.
"It's so good to see you Jase." She said against his chest. "Now let me go, I have work to do." wiggling her way out of the hug.
With a chuckle he let her go, watching the way she transformed herself in the professional she was. Leaving her bag on the soft couch, Kim resumed her pre-hug activity. Walking through the den, she opened the sliding door, taking a step outside and scanning the surroundings.
"Talk to me Henry." She said, the handset practically glued to her ear.
A series of yes and no's followed, while she descended the stone steps, looking at the beautiful lawn, identical to the one in front of the mansion. A thick wall of trees, with magnolia's marking the perimeter, rimmed the vast open space. A breeze tussled Kim's hair delicately, the perfume hugging her frame like a blanked causing the former gymnast to inhale deeply.
"I thought I told you that the pavilion will be installed today, while the catering company will set up the tables tomorrow evening. Which part didn't you understand Henry? I told you at least a dozen times. Pavilion today, set up tomorrow, jeeze!" She bit sharply on the phone.
Absentmindedly she rubbed the bridge of her nose, feeling her annoyance grow along side her anxiety.
"Damn it Henry, red roses and yellow tulips, not yellow roses and carnations. Do I have to do everything myself? Hand the phone to Amber, I see you've forgotten your brain at home today." She yelled, causing the occupants in the small gazebo to flinch and scout their surroundings trying to find the culprit of the yelling.
"Amber, if you guys screw this up, I'll fire both of your asses faster then you can say hello, got it?" she threatened sharply before ending the conversation.
Behind her somebody chuckled, causing Kim to swiftly turn.
"What's so funny mister? After all this is your wedding I'm handling here." She teased, giving him a mock glare.
"The wrath of Kim. Remind me never to get on your bad side." Jason laughed, his arm lazily coming around the former gymnast's shoulders.
"Well, your future wife will have my head if this doesn't turn out beyond perfect. Besides, I want this to be wonderful; you guys deserve it." She spoke, her left arm going around his waist, while her right curled around Trini's.
Laughing they walked down the stone path leading to the gazebo. They trio was greeted by squeals and laughter, while Aisha was first to flung herself in Kim's arms, hugging the petit woman tightly, closely followed by Rocky and Adam.
"Long time no see you guys. Thank you for the warm welcome." She said, extracting herself out of their arms smiling brightly, her arm resting on Rocky's head, while he tried to grab her phone and she pulled it away from him every time he was about to grab it.
"Well, Miss I-jet-around-the-world-and-am-to-busy-to-call-my-friends, now that we hugged you we can kick your ass for going MIA on us for about half a year. Where the hell have you been?" Aisha said, both of her hands resting on her hips, while the others only chuckled.
"You know Sha, here and there." She replied vaguely with a smirk, smacking the back of Rocky's head playfully.
"Ouch! And what was that for?" he grumbled, rubbing the sore spot.
"This is what happens, when you try to take my phone away, you overstuffed teddy bear." She laughed, rubbing the spot tenderly.
"Speaking of phones, who's head are you going to bite off soon, Kim? We heard you yelling from a mile away." Rocky joked.
"Argh, work. Don't remind me now. I'll give them three hours to fix this. Where's the rest of the gang?" she asked looking around.
"Tanya, Kat, Billy, Zack, Angela and…" are back at the hotel, Adam informed, not daring to say the former Green, White, Red and Black Ranger's name.
"Except for Tanya, who arrived with Adam, the others only got back this morning. They went back to the hotel and are meeting us later on." Jason supplied, casting Trini a look, and trying to gauge Kim's reaction.
She simply nodded, her features saddened and relieved.
"Everything seems to be in order here. If you would excuse me, I need to get to the hotel and shower. It's been a long day and I really want to get out of my office suite." She said, pointing at her attire.
"Do you know your way to the hotel?" Adam asked.
Rolling her eyes, Kim chuckled and said. "Who do you think booked you the rooms guys? I know that hotel better then my own home. Comes with the job. I'll see you guys later."
"Mkay and Kim, we have to pick up our dresses in about three hours." Trini added before the former Pink Ranger could make her way towards the house and her car.
"Sure thing Tri. I'll see you at the hotel." With that being said she urgently made her way towards the house, BlackBerry attached to her ear once more.
Seeing her friends again has brought joy to her heart alongside with sorrow. Although she was glad she hadn't seen Tommy yet, she desperately wanted to see Billy and Zack. Over the years she had kept in contact with Rocky and Aisha, although they lived further away, while Jason, Trini and Adam had become her second family, seeing them every day. She didn't expect to keep in contact with Tommy, mind her they had avoided each other like the plague, and she knew that Kat still held a grudge against her for hurting Tommy, hence not hearing from her in almost ten years, but Zack and Billy had been harder to keep in contact then the rest. Billy had moved his ass to Aquitar after she left for Florida, but returned a few years ago both resuming contact through frequent e-mails. Zack had e-mailed her a few times as well over the years, but his hectic schedule had made it impossible for them to meet up for more then a few hours. They had seen each other last time four years ago, and Kim missed him dearly, wanting nothing more then to engulf him in a bear hug. As she mused about her friends and the paths life took them on, she failed to notice that she had stopped in front of the hotel, and that a young man was gingerly tapping her window. Seeing that his tapping was ineffectual, the boy knocked bit a bit more force, causing the former Pink Ranger to snap her head towards him. Blushing, she unlocked her door, allowing the bellboy to open it for her.
"Welcome to the Four Seasons Miss Hart." He spoke, stepping sideways so she could slip out of the car. She smiled warmly towards him, greeting him, although she couldn't remember his name. Her smile brought a blush to the boy's face and she chuckled, moving towards the sliding doors of the hotel and an anxiously waiting man.
"Miss Hart?" the manager inquired, studying the woman walking towards him. Although he had been happily married for twenty-five years he couldn't stop himself from admiring Kim. He hoped that the young planner had not spotted his wandering eyes, and he moved towards her so that he could hide his previous actions.
"Mr. Keller, lovely to finally meet you." Kim spoke; extending her hand, hand that manager quickly grasped and shook.
"Miss Hart, my colleagues have told me so much about you." He began
"I hope only good things, Mr. Keller." She laughed, pulling away from him.
"Of course. Now, regarding your instructions, I can tell you that your room is ready and as you requested, it communicated with Miss Kwan's. Miss Campbell's communicates with Miss Houstan's and Miss Hillard's is adjoined to Miss Sloan's. The same goes for the gentleman's quarters. Mr. Scott's communicates with Mr. Oliver's, Mr. Taylor's with Mr. Cranston's and Mr. DeSanto's with Mr. Park's." he explained, studying her expression, and marveling at her delicate features.
She only nodded causing Mr. Keller to go on. "Now, our bell-boy, Steven, will escort you to your room. If you need anything feel free to contact me."
He reached for her hand once more and squeezed it lightly, earning him a smile from Kim. With one hand he motioned a young man to approach him, instructing him to park Kim's car and bring the key up to her room, while the bellboy retrieved Kim's luggage from the trunk. Handing her the keycard to her room, the manager walked away from a dazed Kim and the blushing bellboy.
The elevator ride was quiet, the bellboy studying Kim from the corner of his eye, while she busied herself with her phone. The teen opened her door, settling her suitcase next to the entrance, while Kim grabbed her pursue, furiously searched through it. She handed him a ten-dollar bill, bringing another blush to his freckled face and causing him to trip over his own feet while walking out of the room. She closed the door behind him and shook her head, smiling softly.
Dropping her phone on the desk, she looked around for the first time since she had entered her quarter. The impressive queen sized bed rested against the cream colored wall, underneath an imitation of leather tiles, two nightstands flanking the bed. She brushed her fingers against the fabric of the fainting couch, resting at the foot of the bed, looking at the elegant drawer and the mirror above it. Next to the drawer, Kim opened the doors of the dark brown, almost black armoire, to reveal a flat screen television and underneath it a DVD player. Closing the doors, she turned to look at the soft curtains, filtering the sunlight through them, while allowing her to see the outside through the large window. Smiling she moved towards the living area, where a dark green couch, whit cream colored cushions lay inviting. In front of the furniture piece, lay a coffee table with lilac bouquet resting on top, and she bend down to inhale the perfume. The former Pink Ranger continued her exploration, by turning away from the flowers and spotting the two armchairs, both the same shade of dark green, resting close to the table. A small liquor cabinet lay next to the wall connecting her sleeping quarter to the living area, a set of paintings resting above. Finally she turned to look at the spectacular view enfolding in front of her eyes. The suite was located on the 6th floor, giving her a perfect view of the hotel perimeter, her window orientated towards the large park, the artificial lake and a downscaled replica of Apollo's temple. Saratoga Springs was home to two Four Seasons hotels and usually her clients, upon her sincere recommendation, choose the more remotely located accommodation instead of the central one. The vas grounds, and the forest around shielded the hotel from prying eyes, making it a romantic getaway, and the ideal place for a wedding. However, Jason and Trini decided to hold their reception in Rose Garden, instead of the Four Seasons, but to appease all parties, the couple had decided to quarter friends and family at the hotel, technically booking half of it. Reluctantly she turned away from the sight, determined to get work done. She moved away from the view, finding the desk, in close proximity to the window and Trini's room. Although it was shaded in the same dark wood as the rest of the furniture, this piece held a futurist appearance, looking as the top part continued over the edge of the table, curbing at the bottom into its leg. Retrieving her laptop out of its protective casing, she moved to sit behind the desk, powering her notebook up. While she waited for the device to warm up, she slid out of her chair and unzipped her suitcase, swiftly arranging her garments in drawers and hangers. Pulling a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and underwear alongside her toiletries, Kim disposed of her stilettos, wiggling her toes happily and paddling her way towards the bathroom. Once inside a chuckled escaped her lips when she saw the lavish design of the room. A spotlight, scented candles and perfumed sea salt rested on a marble slab, located in an alcove, softly illuminated a large soak tub, the centerpiece of the room. Next to it, Kim opened a door, the light softly turning on, to reveal a shower room, complete with the entire necessary and sophisticated shower pampering lotions. She closed the door and looked at the sink with its large mirror, at the toilet and bidet and whistled appraisingly. Quickly she slipped out of her close and stepped into the shower enjoying the feel of the water, caressing her tiered muscles.
Over the years she had stayed in numerous hotels, her job exposing her to luxurious and miserable conditions alike, yet she had never stayed in such a lavish suite. Six months ago, when she had called the hotel and requested the large amount of rooms, the manager had been thrilled and in his frenzy had offered free lodging in the master sweets for Kim, the bride and groom as well as the best man. Grateful, Jason had insisted that Kim should book the same conditions for the rest of their friends, money not being an issue. Slipping out of the shower and into the soft bathrobe, she sighted in contentment.
Dressing quickly in jeans and a blue t-shirt she made her way to her computer, yet to her surprise she couldn't connect to the Internet. Upon failed attempts she decided to call the reception and ask immediately for a quick fix, but found herself listening to a busy line. Frustrated she slammed the receiver shut and walked towards the door, grabbing her phone of the table and slamming the door behind her.
Angrily she walked towards the elevator, reading through the list of received e-mails not paying attention to her surroundings. Upon colliding with another body, Kim yelped, her phone flying out of her hand.
"Watch where you're going." She said, eyes lifting from the ground so she could give the person a piece of her mind. The words died in her throat when she met the figure in front of her. Standing tall, in a black undershirt and a pair of black trousers, hair spiked was none other then Tommy Oliver. She searched his features swallowing hard, avoiding his eyes.
"Kimberly." He softly spoke, causing her to meet his eyes for the first time since the Muranthias incident.
"Tommy…" she gasped, shocked by guarded and stern face. He had been a gorgeous boy back in high school, now he was a grown man, breathtakingly beautiful, and sexy, yet his eyes, the ones she used to get lost in, those pools of chocolate warmth were now, cold and distant. The face that she once used to be able to read like an open book, was now blank and a hint bitter. Pain wrenched her heart and she quickly cast her gaze down, looking at her shoes. In one fluid motion she bent down, retrieving the phone from the red carpet.
With phone in hand she straightened up, a sad smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.
"I have to go. I will see you later Tommy." She said firmly, stepping away from him and walking towards the elevator.
Once the elevator doors closed, Kim leaned against the steel walls of the cabin, taking deep breaths. She never would have thought that seeing him again could hurt so much. His face, the one of stranger, had pierced her heart, weakened her knees and nearly brought tears to her eyes. She hadn't expected their meeting to be pleasant or easy for that matter, however, she hadn't expected it to be so painful and awkward. They went from lovers to strangers in a decade and she had no clue if the rift between them could ever be mended. Taking a deep breath she walked out of the elevator and determined to handle any situation that the next few days would throw at her. For so long her life had been void and numb, work being the only thing keeping her sane. She would be damned if she would let Tommy Oliver destroy the frail stability she had managed to build over the years.
On the 6th floor of the Four Seasons Hotel, one Tommy Olive still stood in the same place he had bumped into Kimberly. He was shocked, confused but above all very, very angry. Here he was, coming back from his work-out, more relaxed then he had been three hours ago and happy that he had managed to block Kimberly from his thought for a while, when he had slammed into her, or more precisely she had collided with him. Seeing her was amazing and painful at the same time. Time had been kind on his former girlfriend, her features more lovely then ever before, but he had seen a shadow in her doe eyes when their eyes had finally met. She was beautiful and his heart ached for her. Ten years had passed and she was still in his system, still a reminder of what he had and what he had lost. Over the years he tried to move on, forget her and hate her, but he couldn't. Kim was still deeply rooted in his heart and he had the sickening feeling that he won't ever be able to be happy again. For that he resented her. He couldn't forgive her for being able to rob him his chance of happiness, his peace and in some way his sanity. Angrily he slammed the door to his room shut, swiftly undressing and heading towards the shower. The hot water was a welcome relief, unwinding his tight muscles. He rested his forehead against the cool tieless, his heart sore and wounded. Tommy had no idea how long he'd been in the shower, but two things were clear as daylight to him, he needed to speak to Kim and he was still angry.
"Kim, I'm back!" Trini yelled, sliding the door connecting their two rooms through the living space.
In the middle of the queen size bed, lay Kim, her legs crossed Indian style, laptop in her lap, while cradling the phone with her shoulder. Upon seeing Trini, she raised a finger, indicating that she would be done in a minute.
"Alright…Yes, that is correct…It's a Vietnamese ceremony, so I want the necessary material…Well, duh, Henry! I don't know where you can get Jasmine incense, but I need it and I needed it pronto….You live in New York city, you moron, there is something called China town. Talk to them, or go through the list of suppliers I have in my top drawer….Oh for heaven's sake you are such a crybaby sometimes. Deal with it, I don't pay you for complaining…THIS IS MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING AND I SHALL YELL AT YOU UNTIL YOU GET IT DONE PROPERLY, HENRY!" she yelled hanging up, throwing the phone on the bed.
"Wow, for such a small person you have some lung." Trini chuckled.
"Don't piss me off Trini, or you may end up with weeds instead of flowers." Kim laughed, patting the bed next to her.
A few seconds later, Trini slumped down, looking at her friend with concern.
"Spill. What's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing's wrong." Kim replied, tipping.
"Kim." The beautiful Asian warned.
Sighting, Kim's gazed left her screen, turning to Trini.
"I bumped into Tommy."
"And you are still alive?" she joked.
"Very funny Trini." Kim replied sarcastically
"So, how was it? Did you guys talk?"
"Not exactly. I slammed into him, or he slammed into me, I don't know. He said my name, I said his and then I panicked." Kim informed her friend, while studying her fingers.
Trini's eyebrows rose, her voice laced with concern. "What did you do Kim?"
"Nothing. I just…I just told him that I have to go and then ran towards the elevator. I couldn't bear to see him Tri. He's so cold, so distant and it hurts."
"Well, what did you expect Kim; fireworks, flowers and teddy bears? Your broke the man' heart." The former yellow Ranger trailed away.
"Not helping Trini." Kim groaned.
"I don't know what I expected, but I can tell you that he has changed, and I don't mean physically. His eyes are so…angry; there is so much hurt in them. We looked at each other for about a minute and there was not a single positive emotion I could detect. It hurt to look at him. Honestly, if you weren't my best friend, I would have been out of this hotel 25 seconds later and on my way to New York." Kim explained, now fiddling with her phone.
"Talk to him Kim. He needs to know, it's been ten years." She tried, but Kim's horror stricken face stopped any further attempt.
"He hates me now, wait until I tell him why I broke up with him. Trust me Tri, if I tell him, he'd be even angrier the he is now and would despise me. I know that by telling him the truth, I would cease to exist for him. I'm not sure if I could handle even more hate from him." Kim explained, furiously rubbing her eyes, while not daring to look her best friend in the eyes.
"Ok, no more sad talking. You are getting married in three days Miss Kwan and I have still so much work to do. So get your skinny ass in the shower, because we leave for the shop in twenty minutes." The petit planner instructed, chuckling when she saw Trini's stoic salute.
