"The Dive From Reefside Pier"
Disclaimer:
This is a Kirommy/PRDT take on the novel/movie The Dive From Claussen's Pier. I do not own Tommy, Kira, Trent, Conner, Ethan, Hayley, Rooster or Jaimie. I do own Dr. Patterson. This fic takes place a few years after DT.
The Dive
Laughter rang through the air as the Dino Thunder crew, no longer tied down by ranger duties, sat around Reefside Pier eating, drinking, and being merry. "I'm goin' in." Tommy Oliver said out of nowhere. In respose to Tommy's statement, Kira added "Tommy, it's freezing..." Looking down at his fiancée, Tommy asked "You comin' with me, K?" Before Kira could answer, Hayley took her hand and spoke up. "We're going for a walk." Walking off with Kira and along in the forest, Hayley turned to her and asked "So, what's it like being engaged to the great Tommy Oliver?" Smiling, Kira replied "It's gre-" As her eyes fell upon the marker in the water, Kira noticed the water level was just below the six foot mark. The smile which had just been playing across her face fading, Kira just stared at it for a moment, remembering what Tommy had just said. Waving a hand in front of her face to get her attention, Hayley asked "Kira? What's up? What's wrong?" Quietly and distractedly, Kira answered "The water..." Turning back to the pier, Kira started running back as she began screaming at Tommy. "Tommy!...Tommy!..." Approaching the pier, Kira saw Tommy pulling off his shirt and running toward the edge of the pier that overlooked the lake below. In a last stitch effort to keep him from jumping, Kira yelled "Tommy!...Don't!" With the other guys chanting "Tom-my!...Tom-my!", Tommy hadn't heard Kira yelling at him and ran towards the edge of the pier and dove in. Reaching the edge just after he had, Kira grasped onto Conner's arm that he had stretched out in front of her. After waiting a moment for him to resurface, Kira screamed-louder than ever "TOMMY!" Unconsciously kicking off her shoes, Kira jumped in after him after Trent asked "Where the hell is he?" Pulling him out, the group noticed Tommy was unconscious. The ambulance showed up shortly after Hayley had called 9-1-1. As all the others had followed in their cars, they ran inside the hospital where they had taken Tommy. Running up to the front desk, Kira asked "Tommy Oliver?" Out of breath, Conner added quickly "They just brought him in." Shortly after that, a male doctor approached the group.
"Kira?" he asked. Turning at the sound of her name, Kira saw the doctor as he approached her. "I'm Dr. Patterson. I'm Tommy's surgeon. Can we talk?" Taking her aside, he looked back at the rest of the group she'd arrived with. "They're pretty upset...How're you holding up?" Looking down at the floor then at the doctor, Kira replied after a short pause. "...Tell me about Tommy." Frowning, he sighed as he replied "Tommy broke two bones in his neck. C5 and C6. They're right in here..." Dr. Patterson pointed to the back of his neck, indicating the location of the bones he had been referring to as Kira cut him off. "D-Do you know if H-he-he's gonna-" Knowing what she was asking, Dr. Patterson cut her off. "Will he be paralyzed? Is that what you're asking me?...Probably. But, we won't know to what degree until he wakes up...if he does..." The last part hitting her the hardest, Kira asked "What are you saying?" Sighing, Dr. Patterson added "I'm saying...he's in a coma." With a small quiet gasp, Kira thought Oh, my God! Trying to hold back the tears stinging in her eyes, Kira asked "C-Can I see him?" Nodding slightly, Dr. Patterson added "Yes. Right this way." Leading her down the hall, he showed Kira to the room Tommy had been assigned. Seeing his present condition-strapped down into a flat position on angled board rather than a bed-Kira quietly gasped again. Understanding how hard it was for Kira to see Tommy like this, Dr. Patterson added "I'll give you a moment." Ignoring him, Kira slowly made her way over to Tommy's side. Taking in the sight of Tommy's condition-a ventilator protruding from his mouth and his entire body strapped down like he was being held prisoner-Kira could feel tears stinging her eyes as she heard the nurse speak to her.
"You can talk to him if you like." She addressed Kira pleasantly. Turning to the nurse, Kira asked "Ca-Can he hear me?" Half-smiling, the nurse answered "Sometimes...it never hurts." Looking down into Tommy's pale, blank face, Kira mentioned "There's nothing we don't know about each other...I wouldn't know what to say." Smiling at her, the nurse added "Oh...anything to keep his spirits up..." Smirking, she suggested "Why don't you talk about your wedding?" Initially wondering how she knew that she and Tommy were engaged, Kira looked down at the gold diamond ring on her left hand. With that, the nurse then left Kira alone with Tommy. For once in her life, Kira actually didn't know what to say to the man she loved more than life itself. All she could think was What I wouldn't give to take his place... Finally unable to take the sight of Tommy's condtion any longer, Kira gently stroked a lock of his dark hair off his face and placed a light kiss on his forehead. Quietly, she looked down into his eyes as she took his once strong hand in her trembling one, Kira said "I love you." With that, Kira turned and left Tommy's room on the verge of hysterics.
Watching Kira return to the lobby, Conner and Hayley approached her. "Hey, you okay?" Hayley asked gently. Kira just wiped a few silent tears from her eyes as Conner gently rubbed her back soothingly as he added quietly, "Hey...listen, Tommy's a fighter. If anybody can get through this, he can." Knowing in her heart that Conner was right, Kira responded softly "I know." Finding her voice, she added "Listen, guys, I'm gonna head home. I'd just kinda like to be alone right now..." Understanding, Hayley added "Okay, Kira. See ya later." Making her way out of the hospital, Kira said her goodbyes to each of the others as she headed out to her yellow 2005 Chevy Silverado pick up truck and drove back to the house she'd been sharing with Tommy since shortly after their engagment. Walking into the bedroom, Kira looked around at all the pictures of her and Tommy that sat around the room. Sitting down on the bed, Kira picked up her guitar but soon realized she had no desire for music. Instead she just turned on the radio and just lay back on the bed thinking about all that had happened that day. My God...this is all my fault...if I hadn't left him there, I could have prevented him from diving in and none of this would've happened-he would still be here in my arms...or could I have prevented it?...I mean, if I hadn't left, I would have never seen the water marker...God, Tommy why'd you have to dive in! Kira thought to herself, now just letting the tears fall free rather than trying to fight them back like she had back at the hospital. After trying to go about the rest of her evening as normal, night had finally fallen and Kira changed into her pajamas and climbed into bed. Staring at the empty space beside her which Tommy normally occupied, Kira wound up crying herself to sleep. God what I wouldn't give for the security of his arms around me...The music of his voice whispering to me that everything's gonna be okay... After about an hour of crying for Tommy, (even crying out his name) Kira finally cried herself to sleep.
The next morning proved to be just as hard as the last afternoon. After her normal morning routine, Kira heard the phone ring. God, that better not be Cassidy wanting the story or an interview... Kira thought to herself as she picked up the phone on the third ring. "Hello?" she greeted. A familiar voice responded. "Hey, Kira, it's Jaimie. What's up?" It was Jaimie Davis, one of Kira's best friends in high school. Voice still kinda shakey, Kira replied "Oh, hey, Jamie!" Sensing something was wrong with her old friend, Jaimie asked concerned "Kira? What's wrong?" Trying to avoid discussing what had happened yesterday, Kira added "Nothing...it's-it's nothing." Knowing that Kira was lying, Jaimie pressed on. "Kira, I've known you long enough to know that it's not 'nothing'." About to breakdown, Kira finally came clean. "It's-It's Tommy..." Not knowing the full severity of the situation, Jaimie asked "What? Did you guys have a fight?" Kira gave a chuckle of disbelief as she added "Ha! I wish to hell that's all it was...Jaimie, Tommy's in the hospital...He was in a diving accident...He broke his neck...He's in a coma..." Shocked, Jaimie was speechless for the first time in her life. Noticing the unusual silence, Kira asked "Jaimie? Jaimie, ya there?" Finally finding her voice once again, Jaimie snapped back to reality. "What? Oh! Yeah, yeah I'm here. Listen, Kira, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to pry..." Half-smiling, Kira assured her. "Jaimie, it's okay...it's not your fault. I mean, it's not like you put a gun to his head and forced him to jump...It was just an accident." Smiling, Jaimie added "Yeah...well, listen. Send the gang my regards. And hang in there, Kira. I know everything's gonna turn out okay..." Wanting deserately to believe her, Kira added "Thanks, I will. And I sure hope you're right." Both girls chuckled slightly before Kira added "Well, listen, I better go. I was just on my way to the hospital to see Tommy." The smile on her face half fading, Jaimie added "Okay. I'll talk to ya later, Kira." Half smiling, Kira added "Talk to ya later, Jaimie." With that, both girls hung up the phone as Kira grabbed the keys to her truck. Climbing inside, Kira started the truck and drove off in the direction of the hospital where Tommy was staying.
Upon arriving, Kira was greeted by the same nurse she had spoken to the day before. "He's had a good day today." the nurse mentioned. Confused, Kira asked "How can you tell?" Casually, the nurse explained "Vitals, stats...things like that." Walking into the room this time was just barely easier on Kira today only due to the fact that she'd known what to expect. Still not really sure what to do or say, Kira just took his seemingly lifeless hand in hers as she gently stroked a lock of his hair out of his face and caressed his cold, pale cheek. He has to be okay...He just has to...I don't know what I'd do without him...Kira thought as she acknowledged the fact that she could lose Tommy. Shaking the thought from her mind, Kira tried to remain positive. Come on, Kira...you know Tommy better than that. If anyone could pull through this it's Tommy Oliver...She mentally scolded herself as she let a few silent tears flow down her cheek. Trying to keep things positive, Kira told him "I got a call from Jaimie this morning...She uh...she seems to be doing pretty good. I didn't ask her about her and Rooster but, I'm sure they're fine. She thinks the same thing as we all do about this whole mess. She thinks everything's gonna be just fine..." Kira's voice trailed off before she let on how much she was hurting from all of this. Composing herself, Kira changed the subject. "Well, anyway...the others are all taking this pretty hard but all things considered, they're holding up pretty well. We're all confident in you, Tommy." Or atleast they are and I'm trying my damnedest to be...Kira thought to herself as she said those words. "Anyways, uh...just uh take your time and get well soon..." Chuckling at herself and how much she sounded like a Hallmark card, Kira added "God, look at me...I sound just like a cheesey Hallmark card..." Her voice taking on a more serious tone, Kira added "Listen, Tommy, I just wanted you to know, that I love you and I wish you the best." Leaning forward toward him, Kira placed a light gentle kiss on his cold and seemingly lifeless lips. Unsure of how much more she could stand seeing Tommy like this, she turned to go and left for home.
Soon after she returned home, Kira heard a knock at the door. Opening the door to reveal Cassidy standing there with her camera crew in tow, Kira sighed exasperatedly as Cassidy greeted her. "Cassidy Cornell, Reefside News. Kira, would you mind giving us an interview concerning the recent diving accident involving our very own Dr. Oliver? I'm sure everyone's just dying to hear from the fiancée." Not wanting to discuss her feelings on Tommy's condition-especially not on camera and having it plastered all over the news, Kira just answered "Cassidy, this is hard enough on me already! The last damn thing I really feel like doing is going on the news and telling the world how I feel about what happened to Tommy!" With that, Kira slammed the door in Cassidy's face and went to the one place she could think about Tommy without completely breaking down...their bedroom. A disgruntled Cassidy, meanwhile, just shook off Kira's rejection as she stormed off. Throwing herself on the bed, Kira broke into just what she had been needing for the past two days...a good cry. Now, she held nothing back-just let the tears and the sobs flow. Shortly after she calmed down after crying for a good hour and a half, Kira heard the phone ring again. When she answered, she heard a familiar male voice on the other end of the line. "Kira? It's Rooster..." Relieved, Kira answered "Hey, Rooster. What's up?" Taking on a more serious tone in his voice, Rooster added "Jaimie told me about what happened to Tommy..." Being confronted on the one subject she would do anything to avoid, Kira's breath caught in her throat. Finally finding her voice, she heard Rooster continue "Listen, Kira, you know we're always here for you..." Half smiling, Kira answered "Yeah...I know..." Continuing discussing the same subject, Rooster asked "So, how're you holding up?" Thinking about it for a moment, Kira replied "About as well as anyone could expect to be-given the situation." Understanding how she felt, Rooster added "Yeah...Kira, listen, Tommy's one of the toughest guys I know...He's gonna be okay." Also wanting to believe Rooster, just as she had Jaimie, Kira answered "Yeah...I hope so..." Seeing a customer coming into his office, Rooster added "Well, listen, I gotta go. Time to go make a sale on a Civic..." Chuckling slightly despite having just discussed her touchiest subject, Kira added "All right. Talk to ya later, Rooster." Smiling, Rooster added "Later, Kira." With that, Kira hung up the phone and lay back on the bed, thinking about Tommy and all the things everybody'd told her. "Tommy's one of the toughest guys I know"..."Everything's gonna be all right"..."Tommy's a fighter, if anybody can pull through this, he can."...God, I hope you guys are right... Kira thought to herself as she began reminiscing in all of her memories of her and Tommy.
Hayley's Cyberspace:
"Kira, listen, can I talk to you a moment-in private." The older male had asked her as the other guys had been approaching. "Yeah, sure, Dr. Oliver." They'd walked off to Tommy's jeep and wound up in the forest. Walking with him as an awkward and nervous silence fell over the two, Kira looked up into his soulful brown eyes wondering to herself "What's he up to?" Finally, they came to a stop and Tommy turned to Kira as he gazed into her soft doe eyes. "Kira...first of all, I wanted to let you know that it's okay for you to call me Tommy. I mean we're not in class and last time I checked we were friends..." Smiling, Kira added "Yeah, I've always considered you a real friend, Tommy." Chills going through his body at the sound of her finally calling him by his first name, Tommy hesitantly continued. "Listen, Kira...there's something I really need you to know..." Slightly confused Kira asked "What's that, Tommy?" Looking from the ground back into her eyes, Tommy quietly added "I love you..." Somewhat relieved yet taken aback by his words, Kira'd asked "What?" Voice growing stronger as Tommy's self confidence grew, Tommy added "Kira...I've loved you ever since I first laid eyes on you...I tried to deny it at first, but, Kira, I can't..." Looking into his eyes, Kira's face wore an expression that seemed to read "It's okay." Quietly, Kira drew him closer to her, "Tommy, it's okay...I love you, too." As if he hadn't heard her at first, Tommy quickly added "Kira, I know you probably don't feel the same way-and I'm okay with that, now- but I just thought you should-wait. What?" Smiling up at him, Kira added "I've loved you from the moment I first laid eyes on you...I just never told you because I thought you could never feel the same way. I mean you are afterall, my teacher...how could you possibly love an 18-year-old girl..." Without saying a word Tommy pulled Kira into a long, slow, passionate kiss. Initially shocked by the sudden feeling of his lips ensnaring hers, it took mere moments before she began kissing him back...
After a while, Kira felt herself getting lost in the memories she and Tommy had made together. In her current situation, she found them to be the only escape from her pain. Her mind flashed to two years later...
Tommy's Bedroom:
Tommy and Kira lay side-by-side, panting from the passion they'd just shared. Shortly after they'd gotten dressed again, Kira noticed Tommy pull something out of the pocket of his shirt, though she hadn't gotten a very good look at it. As she stood up, Tommy took her hand as he knelt down on one knee. Kira couldn't believe it. He couldn't possibly be doing what she thought he was doing. Tears of shock and joy began to fall as she clasped her free hand to her mouth. She couldn't believe it when she heard him ask "Kira Ford, will you marry me?" Shocked, Kira didn't know what to say. Finally she found her voice again and answered "Yes...Yes, I will." Hand trembling slightly from disbelief, Tommy slid the ring gracefully onto her finger as he stood back up. After taking in the sight of the engagement ring now resting on her finger, Kira pulled Tommy closer to her and ensnared his lips with hers in a passionate kiss...
That had been the happiest day of her life. Now, she couldn't believe that all of that could be ripped out from underneath her at any moment. Tommy meant everything to her. Thinking about their current situation, Kira didn't know what she would do if everybody was wrong and Tommy didn't pull through this. She'd be lost if she ever lost him. Tommy was her world-her life. He was the very essence of her being. Ever she'd first met him, she'd lived for him and to make him happy. Tears began to sting her eyes and fall silently down her face.
As the rest of the day passed by-a day Kira'd spent losing herself in the memories she'd made with Tommy-darkness had replaced the bright sunshine as night fell. Going through her usual nightly routine, Kira got ready for bed and yet again found herself crying. Crying herself to sleep, just as she'd done the night before. Staring at the empty space next to her, Kira reached out for him and cried out Tommy's name. Finally about an hour later, Kira finally managed to fall asleep.