3 x 5

Chapter One: The Cripples

by Angellwings

He couldn't believe it was over. His career as a power ranger was over. Sure, he could have taken the powers back if he wanted to, but he knew until his back was completely healed he would do the team no good. Besides Justin needed it more than he did. Poor kid.

Everything happened so fast. The Rangers had new powers, and a new enemy now. They were the Turbo Rangers. And now he had graduation to think about. What was he going to do after high school? Adam had a job in a stunt show, Tanya was working at the local radio station, Tommy was working on his racing thing, everybody had plans but him.

He didn't even know what college he was attending in the fall. If he indeed was going to attend college that is.

"Hey Rocko, whatcha thinkin'?" A feminine voice asked from behind him.

"I'm thinking about the future, ya know I am the only one of us who has no plans what so ever?"

"That's not true, Jason doesn't know what he's going to do, and Trini and Zack age out of the Peace Conference this year they don't know what to do after that is over. And to be honest I'm not exactly sure the whole Pan-Global thing is for me either." Kim said with a sigh and a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"Are you kidding me? It's been your dream forever, you can't give up on it now." He told her with a smile.

"But it is so hard . . ."

"Anything worth having is, I'd imagine."

She smiled at him, and he realized it was very refreshing to have her back with them. Even if it was only for a week or so. She seemed to be one of the few people who didn't think he was a complete moron. Sure he acted immature at times, but he wasn't stupid.

"How's your back?" She asked him with concern.

"Better, still very sore, but I'll live. The doctor said that with a month and a half of physical therapy I should be good as new."

"Good, but don't over work yourself. Trust me it only makes an injury harder to recover from." She told him sternly.

"Yes ma'am," He answered with a mock salute, "How did you get this much time off in the first place? Aren't the Pan-Globals in like three weeks?"

"Well, I . . . injured my leg during training about a month back."

"What happened?" He asked worriedly. This was the first time he had heard about this.

"I landed on my ankle badly during a dismount at a competition, kind of like Keri Strug except with out the triumphant victory." She said bitterly.

"How come no one's told me about this?" Rocky said feeling slightly hurt at being left out of the loop.

"Because only a few people know." Kim told him sadly, "And I would like to keep it that way. I don't exactly want everyone to know. I mean everybody gave me such a send off when I left that I sort of feel like I let them down."

"Let them down? You're still going to compete aren't you?" Rocky asked in confusion.

"You know all that stuff I just told you about quitting?" She said as she looked away from him, "Well, I sort of don't have a choice. The doctors don't think It would be wise for me to keep competing. I've already had about four surgeries. Coach basically sent me away to rest my leg. He says I've worked it too much, and that I'm only making it worse."

"So, that's why you came back?" He asked her intently.

"No, Jason drug me back to try and cheer me up," She said before glancing in Tommy and Kat's direction, "And I gotta say it's not exactly working all that well."

He threw a quick glance in their direction as well, and smiled sadly at Kimberly.

"Hey, you want to take this somewhere else? We could go to the beach." Rocky suggested helpfully.

"What are we waiting for? Let's go." Kim said as she tried to stand up, but stumbled backwards when she stepped too hard with her bad ankle. Rocky quickly steadied her and carefully pulled himself to his feet.

"Well, look at us. We're just a couple of cripples on the mend." Rocky said jokingly. Kimberly chuckled and dragged him toward the beach.


"So what exactly was that letter about anyway?" Rocky asked once they reached the beach.

"To be honest I have no idea. I just felt like something was off between me and him, and then there was this guy that I had started to rely on down there. I told him everything except for anything ranger related that is. I went to him whenever I was homesick too, and I don't know. I guess I thought we both needed to part ways and see what else was out there, you know?" Kim rambled animatedly as she and Rocky walked through the sand.

He smiled softly at her, "Yeah, actually I do. That's kind of the reason I'm letting Justin keep my ranger powers. I've been focused on being a ranger for so long that I've forgotten that I'm supposed to have a life outside of it. I've been so consumed with the monsters and villians that are here and now that I stopped thinking about my future."

"You know Rocky I really have missed you." She told him with a smile.

He laughed and pulled her to him, "I've missed you too Kim."

"Ooo, I've got an idea!" Kim yelled unexpectedly, causing Rocky to jump slightly.

"And that would be?"

"Well, you don't know what you're going to do for the rest of the summer and next fall right?"

"As if you had to remind me of that?" He asked her sarcastically.

"Anyways . . . and the gymnastics thing is out of the picture for me which means I have no plans either. So I was thinking we should take a road trip! You, me, and anyone else he can't see their future very clearly. What do you think?" She asked him excitedly, "We could travel all over. Go to all the major cities, do a lot of major shopping, it'll be fun! What do you say?"

"Yes, to everything but the shopping." He teased.

"Ha ha, very funny, but seriously . . . what do you think?"

"I think it sounds like fun, and it will keep me from moping." He told her with a grin.

"Then we're going?" She asked him with a smile.

"Yeah, why not? Who else do you think would want to come?" He asked her curiously.

"Jason probably, and maybe Trini and Zack. They said something about needing a break from academics. But I think everyone else has plans."

"So, you, me, Trini, Jason, and Zack in car traveling across country for who knows how long?" He clarified, "Sounds very entertaining."

"Oh, believe me it will be." She answered with a wicked a grin.


What do you guys think? It's idea I just thought up a couple of days ago. Should I continue? Would you read it if I did? Do tell, I'm dying to know.

angellwings