It was a rare cold, gray day in Angel Grove as Tommy Oliver checked his tie in the mirror. The pocket square, a bright sunshine yellow, was the only spot of color on the otherwise somber black suit. He ran a hand through his hair, it now cropped short and spiky, and let out a deep sigh. This was not how he had thought he and his old friends would be reunited. In all the scenarios he had ever imagined, the death of one of their own wasn't something he could have prepared for. He'd been a Ranger, had led so many of his friends into countless battles against evil, and they had never lost anyone. And now...one of them was gone. And she hadn't been lost in battle, fighting the forces of evil as she had deserved, but she had been lost to the careless selfishness of someone who got behind the wheel while drunk, lost control, and took the life of one of the bravest and and fiercest women he's ever known. The idea that the world continued to turn without Trini Kwan was something he simply couldn't wrap his head around. Sure, they had all gone their separate ways after Angel Grove, with the occasional call or email, but there was always that plan of 'someday'. Someday they would be together again as a group, as the extended family that they were. But those some days had run out. They would all be together again, but minus one. Forever, they would now be missing one of their number, and nothing could change that. He resolved to call his parents and his brother, David, as soon as he got back from the funeral and reception. He knew he had been neglecting such communications lately, between his memory, and the busy schedule of a PhD candidate, he had allowed himself to keep putting off returning those calls until things settled down a bit, but now he knew he had to stop putting things off for tomorrows that none of them were guaranteed to have.
The church service had been packed, and as Tommy had arrived just before it started, he had to grab a seat in the back. Trini had touched so many lives in her short time on Earth, and is seemed all of them had come to say goodbye. Jason had quickly caught his eye as he had helped to bear Trini's casket down the center aisle, and Tommy had seen the unshed tears in them. She and Jason had dated briefly, and though it has been over a long time ago, Tommy knew that this had to be hard on him. He wondered how the others were holding up...those that had been closest to her; Zack and Billy and...Kim. Even now, after so many years, just thinking her name flooded him with so many memories, most good, but some so heartbreaking that it nearly brought him to tears. He realized with a start that she was likely here, somewhere in this crowd. He had not seen her since Murianthas, and they hadn't spoken since long before then. He'd wanted to clear the air between them, demand an explanation for that damned letter, but there had never been a good time. He knew this was neither the time not the place for that conversation, but he hoped that he could at least see her and let her know how sorry he was that Trini was gone. Kim and Trini had been best friends since before he had known them both, and he knew that the woman who still held so much of his heart had to be hurting badly right now.
The graveside service was much smaller than the church service had been, limited only to those who knew Trini best. Mostly it was family and friends from Angel Grove, though there were some faces Tommy didn't recognize, even a little girl whom he guessed belonged to one of the unfamiliar faces that represented her close friends that she made after leaving the was a sea of black, broken by little spots of yellow throughout, as everyone had worn a little something yellow to remember the original Yellow Ranger. Those who were not in on the secret simply thought it a nod to her favorite color, but the former Rangers in attendance knew the true significance of it.
The minister stood at the front of the assembled crowd as the misty rain continued. Tommy couldn't help but think even the heavens were crying for their lost friend and teammate. Beside the minister was a large picture of Trini as Tommy remembered her and a huge arrangement of yellow flowers. It looked like a sunburst.
"We are gathered here to mourn the passing, but also to celebrate the extraordinary life of Trini Kwan. It is difficult for those of us who have been touched by her light to imagine her gone, and in such times, anger is often a natural response. Anger at the driver, whose poor choices led to the accident. Anger at ourselves, for not being as in touch as we wished we had been, that possibility now forever taken from us. And anger at God, for the injustice of it all. But instead, I urge you to remember who Trini was, and instead respond with love. Because Trini was love and light to so many of you. Keep that light and love in your hearts, and share it with the world around you, as she did with all those whose lives she touched. Never save for tomorrow love that can be shared today. None of us knows the time nor place when we will be called home. Let us not go to our maker with unshared love in our hearts or unspoken words on our tongues. Love, like light, is not a resource we must conserve. It only grows when shared. If you want to remember her and honor her, do as she did, and share your love with all those who need it."
There was a pause here, as many people had to pause to wipe their eyes and regain their composure after the minister's words. For Tommy, he couldn't help but feel like those words had been spoken straight to him. He had so many unspoken 'I love yous' that he just needed to say. And he would. Today.
He looked to the front where the minister looked like he was ready to continue.
"At this time, on behalf of the Kwan family, I would like to invite her best friend, Kimberly, to come say a few words."
Tommy's heart nearly stopped. Being escorted to the podium by Jason was the petite brunette whose face still haunted his dreams, and whom no other woman had ever been able to measure up to. She looked so pale and thin, her eyes red and puffy from crying, but she was still beautiful to him. Her tiny frame looked to be leaning heavily on Jason for support until she got to the podium. She wore a conservative black dress, her one concession being a yellow headband. Tommy had never seen her minus her trademark pink. She cleared her throat, and addressed the gathered mourners.
"Thank you, Reverend Michaels for your kind words. Trini was indeed all of those things to do many people. But to me, she was something so much more. She was my best friend, my heart sister. I've known her almost my whole life. She was there with me through some of the best times of my life, sharing my joys and triumphs. She was also with me through some of the hardest and worst times of my life, helping to soothe my pain and shoulder my burdens. Never did I imagine that I would have to live in a world that she wasn't just a phone call away. How does someone move on from something like this? How do you survive when part of your heart is gone? You simply do. You remember the wonderful memories, and you cherish the blessings you still have, because to do otherwise would be a slap in the face to the one who can't be there to enjoy them anymore. Trini, we may commit your body to the ground today, but your soul, that most bright and beautiful part of you, has gone on to a better place, and I know there will come a time when we will see you again. Until then, I will look for your light in every sunrise, and your love in the hearts of everyone. I will miss you, so much. Godspeed."
Kim's voice cracked on the last word, and she began to sob, the cries heart and gut wrenching. As the sobs continued to cause her body to shake, it looked like her legs might give out, and after all this time, he wanted nothing more than to go hold her; to wrap her in his arms and support her and kiss away her tears. He could feel himself starting forward to catch her, when Jason beat him to the punch, taking hold of her and leading her back to her seat.
Tommy ached to be the one to comfort her. All the anger and confusion and hurt that he had felt towards her over the years evaporated when faced with her raw pain. He could face monsters, evil aliens, and everything else that had been thrown at him over the years, but he had never been able to handle her tears. He resolved to find a way to talk to her. He knew she and Jason had always stayed in close contact, and he may be able to convince Jason to arrange a meet up. There were still a lot of questions he needed answers to, and a number of things they needed to work through, but he still wanted her to know he cared and could be there for her as a friend. He ignored the little voice that said he and Kim had never and could never be just friends.
The casket was lowered, it also covered in a sea of yellow blooms. The reverend thanked everyone for coming and those gathered began to stand and group up to talk to each other, most going to offer their sympathies to Trini's parents. Tommy watched as Jason did so, and then made his way through the people and back to him.
"Hey Jason. How you holding up, man?"
Jason answered with a somber nod of his head. "About as well as can be expected. Listen, we are planning on having a little private get together after this. Just those of us who wore the uniform. Zack rented out the old juice bar for us for the afternoon and evening. And yes, there will be stronger stuff than juice there. You'll be there, right?"
Tommy nodded , and then swallowed thickly, working up the courage to ask about Kim.
"Yeah, of course. Um… will...will *she* be there?"
Jason was mildly amused. He wondered how long it would take his best friend to ask about her. Personally, he had thought the two of them should have worked things out between them years ago, but he knew better than to push.
"Maybe. She is, as I am sure you noticed, pretty broken up about everything. I'll find out how she's feeling. If not, I will give her a ride to her hotel and then meet the rest of the gang there."
Jason then wrapped Tommy in a big bear hug. The two of them were as close as brothers, perhaps even more so, but such displays of affection were not commonplace between them. Tommy guessed that the minister's words had resonated with more than just him.
As Jason broke the hug and went to go catch up with someone else, Tommy noticed that the little girl he had seen earlier was now wandering around on her own. She had a yellow daisy in her hand, and a bright yellow sash on her black dress. She couldn't be more than about 5, and Tommy guessed that this all may be very confusing to her. He couldn't imagine trying to process something like this at her age. Hell, he was barely processing it himself. Still, he wondered where her parents were to be letting her wander around like this.
The girl seemed to realize that Tommy was watching her. She turned to look at him, cocking her head to the side in a curious way. She then skipped her way over to him and stopped.
"Hello!"
Tommy froze for a moment. Little kids was something he had no experience dealing with.
"Um...Hi. What's your name?"
"My name is Jessica. I am not supposed to tell strangers that, but I don't think you are one."
Tommy couldn't help but smile at her. "What makes you think I am not a stranger?"
She gave him this look like it should be obvious. "You were talking to my Uncle Jason, and he hugged you. If you are friends with him, then you aren't a stranger."
Tommy could almost hear the unspoken *duh* at the end of what she said. And who the heck was this kid that she knew Jason well enough to call him uncle?
The little girl stamped her foot, breaking him from his thoughts. "I told you my name. S' not polite to not tell me yours!"
Tommy grinned again. She was certainly a feisty one. "You're right. How rude of me. My name is Tommy. Tommy Oliver."
The girl's face got a funny look on it. "Do you know my mommy? She knows Uncle Jason too. She says Tommy in her sleep when she's sad...did you make my mommy sad?"
Tommy's eyes practically bugged out of his head. He took a closer look at the girl. Petite, hair was the right color but curly, but the attitude...and those eyes...dear God, could it be?
He did his best to steady his voice. "I don't know, sweetie. What is your Mommy's name?"
The girl brightened up again. "Her name is Kim. She's the bestest mommy in the world, even though she's really sad right now. See, she's over there."
The girl, Jessica pointed, and Tommy turned to look, already knowing with the girl's words who she would be pointing at. His eyes landed on the woman who had broken his heart so long ago, and yet still held so much of it. Then he looked at the girl. Christ, how old was she? Was she the child of the man Kim had left him for? If so….where was he? Or...could she be...God...what if? If the girl was small for her age, like her mother, then could she be...his? Tommy searched her features. He could see a lot of Kim in her, but there were some features that were not hers...like the curly hair. He looked down at Jessica again. "Is your daddy here too?" What would he do if brought face to face with the man who has ruined so many things in his life?
Her little face fell and she got quiet. She whispered "I don't have one." Her lip started to quiver a bit, and he heard the sniffle, and was sure a flood of tears was soon to follow. He reacted without thinking, and wrapped the little girl in a hug, lifting her right off the ground and holding her close, her head against his shoulder.
"Don't cry, princess. It's okay. I know that your Mommy loves you very much, and your Uncle Jason, and everyone else you know, too. How could they not?"
The girl stopped sniffling as quickly as she had started. "You called me princess. Mommy calls me that too. I think you are ok, Mr. Tommy."
He smiled at her, still holding her in his arms. "Thanks, princess. I think you are pretty ok too."
He was still holding her when he heard Kim's voice. "Jason, I can't find Jessie, is she...with...you…?"
He turned to the sound to see Kim staring at him, eyes wide and jaw dropped. Jason came up next to her, also catching sight of Tommy holding Jessie. Jason's face also registered shock, but Tommy could see a bit of something else in his eyes. Something that looked like...humor. He would have to find out what that was all about later, not to mention the fact that his best friend had clearly known all along that Kim, his Kim, had a daughter and yet never thought to mention it. A daughter that, judging by her age, had to have been born very shortly after Kim moved to Florida.
Tommy made his way to them with his long strides, still holding Jessie. Which is why it was Jason who caught Kim as she fainted.
A/N: So, I've been watching old episodes on Netflix lately, and this idea would not leave me alone until I got it down on paper.
I have at least a couple more chapters planned, but also an outline for a larger story beyond that if people are interested. If you enjoyed this, won't you pretty please send the author some love with a review?
Until next time!
