Disclaimer: Don't own PR or it's characters, 'em freaks at Disney do, damn lucky foes. Seriously, I wish they would share the wealth. :P
Timeline: Early September, Year 2001. All of the original rangers are 4 years removed from when they gave up their Turbo powers, most rangers having graduated from college, and working in their desired fields, getting pass their years as Rangers, saviors of the world from evil.
Rated M, mostly for the later chapters when sexual encounters will unfold, but for the first part, it's pretty much a few choice curse words mixed in, before the more mature items come later on, hehehe.
A little background history to give you all some insight. A child can be a magically connection for 2 people to forever share, or a future filled with heartache, bitterness, and even anger when there seems to be no one on your side. At nearly 17, Kimberly made her choice and had a baby, but after feeling the resentment from her very own parents, fearing the man she loves will do the same, she didn't tell him. What happens after years of secrecy, when Kimberly comes face to face with her past? Read to find out. Enjoy!
ALWAYS AND FOREVER
Chapter 1: The Phone Call
Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep
The fog of sleep still floated beneath closed eyes. The warmth of being under the covers made the annoying noise bearable. Another morning, what a drag. Kimberly moaned as she woke from her blaring alarm clock yet again. She was having the most interesting dream. She should call Trini, it would make her laugh to know, she dreamed of the time when Trini begged Kimberly to help her with sponsoring a plea to clean up this dump site. Not that Kim would refuse to help her best friend, any friend in need, but it was funny teaching Bulk and Skull and their goon friends a lesson in clean up. Then later on, teaching those putties sent by Rita a little bit of some girl ranger power. Kimberly smiled as she shook her head. The blaring sound of her alarm still going.
Kimberly refused to make any attempt to stop the loud clock. She was happily content in letting it ring away with the sun pouring through her windows. To her, the noise was not bothersome, however someone else had other ideas.
"Mommy!" Kimberly sighed as she finally opened her eyes.
"Mmm, morning already?" Kimberly reached for her clock and clicked it off. It was just 10 AM. "Sorry baby," Kimberly said kissing her 4-year-old son's head after he pulled off the covers from his head.
"Too loud!" Her son yelled before he uncovered his ears finally. "Why is it so loud every single morning?" Kimberly laughed.
"Because my beautiful, beautiful baby boy, Mommy won't wake up if it's not. How about some waffles for breakfast?"
"Waffles, yum!"
"Yes, yum!" Kimberly tickled her son. He hollered loudly.
"Mommy!" Kimberly picked up her son, threw him over her shoulder and carried him out her bedroom down the long hall toward the kitchen.
Zeke Hart, his mother's name for her son, was an energetic child. But what child wasn't at 4 years old. Kimberly though was extremely happy to be through with those terrible 2 and 3 years, her son now grown and would be off to schooling next year this time. And boy, was Zeke ever the talkative, bouncy boy. And from the first moment he first laid eyes on his mother, they have shared a connection that was true and blessed. He never stopped talking, even before he couldn't form words. He was a honey brown-eyed chubby cheek baby, which Kimberly loved to just kiss and squeeze at any moment. And Kimberly was right beside him through every word and every step of his life. Zeke was a happy child, content to being alone with his toys, very active, though for now, Kimberly hadn't let him join any sports, wanting to protect her baby boy. So for now, Zeke was content with his handheld learning games. He was so smart at such a young age. He sensed things too, especially concerning his mother. He always made sure she was okay. "Mommy, are you okay? Mommy okay?" Kimberly couldn't believe how much like he was like father, especially with the dark hair that seemed to have a mind of it's own. Kimberly could swear she spent so much money on his hair alone; every few months he needed a new cut. Zeke never liked to get his hair cut, always wanting to keep it long. Kimberly knew the first day her son and father were to first meet; he would without a doubt know that Zeke was his child or would he? Especially with all the years that has passed? But with those same brown eyes and pupils that seemingly turned completely black at times when he was upset or mad just like his father.
Kimberly Hart was almost 22 years old, in less than a month from now, going into in her first year at graduate study program in Music/Art and Fashion at NYU. As a double major, it was surprising that she finished college in just 4 years, but going to NYU made it somewhat simple. Though she was young, she had experienced more heartache; more stress, more happiness and tears than probably 90 percent of every women 10 years older. At 14, she was the youngest female Power Rangers in a group of freshman teenagers picked to defend the world against the evil foes of Rita Repulsa. She found true friendship, and even found love. Almost 3 years of life was wondering what monster will attack before she could get in the 2 hour gymnastic practice and study hall. But she achieved so much in her few years in the world. She became a world-class gymnast, even earning a few gold medals, but her true joy in life was her son. At nearly 17, Kimberly got some out of the ordinary news. She was pregnant. She should have been the happiest girl in the world. It should have been the best moment of her young life. She had accomplished so much, and was now going into motherhood. Though she was young, she wasn't fearful. She knew she had her family and friends, to back her up, or so she thought. Little did she know how a pregnancy could bring so much turmoil and anger? Disowned by her father immediately, not that she should have expected any less, but to be completely tossed aside and called nothing but a worthless daughter by her own mother. That hurt. So Kimberly did the only thing she could do, she disappeared. Fearing the love of her life and friends would do the same, she took a chance and left it all down and Florida and went to the one place she could call home. She disappeared from everyone, anyone that knew her for a very long time. Plus, it wasn't hard to do so in the huge big apple known as New York City.
"Mommy, where is Clark?" And just as her son asked that, there was a ring at her bell. Kimberly dropped her son down on her hip and went to her intercom.
"Yes!"
It's me, can I come up?
"Okay." Kimberly knew the voice as she clicked the buzzer to open the door.
Thanks
Kimberly sighed. Kimberly opened the door locks, when she heard footsteps from the stairs.
"Clark!" Zeke pulled to be let down as ran to Clark Evans. Clark Evans, a 24 years old graphic computer designer with a degree from NYU. He was a handsome guy, and why not at nearly 6', gorgeous brown eyes, dark brown hair, and basketball star in high school, so very athletic body. He carried a charming smile, witty lines to make any girl swoon and an all-around great guy, who loves teaching kids, and loves Zeke to death, which is why Kimberly loves him so much.
Clark picked up the boy into a hug after putting the large brown bag down. Clark missed this, though it had only been a few days ago. Clark and Kimberly exchanged looks.
"Morning my buddy. So how's the LT this morning?"
"Good, good. Mommy's alarm blasted again."
"Again!"
"Well…that's your mother for ya." Kimberly smiled.
"Haha, boys."
"Mommy was going to cook breakfast," Zeke said. Clark walked up to Kimberly. He kissed her cheek.
"Hey."
"Hey."
"So, Mommy was gonna cook, good thing I brought waffles." Kimberly let out a laugh. Her cooking skills basically were limited to breakfast and desserts, I mean as long as she had the recipe for a meal, and all the ingredients laid out, sure she could follow the steps and probably make a perfect meal. But Kim's skills were not best in the kitchen; she could blame her mother for that. With maids growing up, she didn't have to learn the skill of cooking until high school, and that was just a girly class, making cookies and cakes at the most part.
"Yay waffles! Mommy was just gonna try and fix us waffles!"
"Hey, I can do great waffles!" Zeke arched his eyebrow as he and Clark exchanged looks. "Hey now, no picking on me this darn early okay!"
"I love you Mommy. Sorry."
"Well, I always knew I had great timing, which is why I brought breakfast."
The 3 of them enjoyed their breakfast around the breakfast island. Clark and Zeke went into the living room to play Playstation since it was Saturday morning in September. Kimberly had let her son have the console as a reward for being good and he wasn't allowed to waste hours on a sunny game inside on the games like Clark would love to do sometimes. Kimberly smiled as her son took Clark down. He was getting so good at that game. Kimberly watched them as she cleaned up the kitchen, loading the dishwashers. Kimberly and Clark shared an on again, off again relationship for the past 3 years now.
Flashback
The first time Kimberly met Clark, it was her freshman year in college. Kimberly didn't start college like normal students; she had a son first of all, so she knew college would come with struggles of taking care of her child and studies. Kimberly was struggling with an almost 5-month son on her hip, bookbag on her back, guitar case, and books under her other arm, along with a suitcase in that hand. Kimberly was moving into a place of her own for the first time. She had gotten accepted into NYU, but was afraid because she had a son, who would take care of him while she went to classes. Kimberly had depended so much on her older brother Tim, but it was unfair. The complex was unlike many university housings. Some floors were freshman, some floors were for older students, but each floor had its own RA. Clark saw this beautiful young girl struggling to get inside.
"Need a hand pretty lady?"
"Oh thank you!" Clark quickly took the suitcase and books.
"Got a load here."
"You have no idea," Tim said appearing behind them with 2 more large suitcases stacked together and a crib.
"Is this all?" Clark asked.
"No, got a few more bags, Poot's things mostly."
"Poot?"
"My nephew." Clark smiled.
"Oh, sorry! Hi, I'm Clark Evans." Kimberly shook hands with Clark.
"Hi! Kimberly Hart. That's my brother Tim Hart…"
"Oh, brother, nice..."
"Yeah. And this little one is…"
"This is your son… the little Hart."
"Yeah." Kimberly laughed.
"He's cute."
"Thanks."
"So, you're Kimberly Hart, you are one of the newest freshman-woman, on my floor."
"Really? Who are you?"
"The RA."
"Oh." Kimberly laughed. "I have room 622."
"I know, I live in room 618. I'm a sophomore here, should be a junior, but I am taking the college experience slowly."
"Oh cool."
Clark took to Zeke almost immediately. They seem to have a bond that Kimberly had only seen Zeke share with Tim, and probably because Tim was silly like a baby, even giving her son his first nickname, Poot.. With Tim living in the City as well, Kimberly felt the comfort of having someone close. Tim had quit touring, having been doing it for the past 2 years. He had settled down and opened a recording studio to start on his 3rd album. Tim loved his nephew and never hesitated to take him with him. Zeke probably saw more of the city than most people 30 years older. Tim would take his nephew while Kimberly was in classes or studying. He knew an infant was hard on a woman, especially one trying to go to college. But as wonderful as Tim was as a babysitter, Kimberly felt she didn't want to overuse his generosity. But Tim thought his baby sister was crazy to not want him for free.
Clark was always in Kim's room, or vice versus. Kimberly was always seeking advice from Clark about studying, best place for coffee, anything related to university life. And Clark was happy to help out, since he had a crush on the young Hart. About a month into the school year, Kimberly was sitting on her bed, playing with her son. Clark and Kimberly were playing Scramble too, but Kimberly was kicking his butt. Tim came by with some new recordings. Kimberly had helped out a lot with his music, coming up with great starting lyrics for his past albums, but quit performing with her brother after her son was born.
"Oh, I love Scramble!" Tim said trying to get into the game. A few girls came into the room and begged Kimberly to come out with them. "I don't know, I can't leave my son all night for…"
"I'll watch Poot."
"Tim…"
"Go! This is college and a Friday night! You haven't ever been out on a Friday night! Go!"
"Tim, I can't…"
"Hey, I don't remember my freshman year," Tim said picking up his nephew.
"Yeah, Mom told me about your wild nights. Dad had to come up many times to straighten you out."
"Hey, it's college! I got Poot!"
"Come on," Gracie said. "It'll be fun!"
"Yeah! You can't spend your entire college life in your dorm room or the classrooms."
"Or the library."
"Fine. But I have nothing to wear!" Tina grabbed Kimberly.
"We'll find you something!" The girls dragged Kimberly off her bed and out the door.
After 20 minutes, Kimberly walked into her room. Tim looked up at his baby sister with Clark and their mouths dropped. She was dressed in a black/pink halter, white mini and black boots.
"Wha, is it too short?" Kimberly asked as she did a twirl around.
"Uh…"
"Tim!"
"Uh…"
"Clark? Clark!"
"Uh…" Clark stumbled on his thoughts as bad ideas creeped into his mind on things to do with Kimberly in that white mini.
"Come on girl!" Kimberly sighed and kissed Zeke before being dragged away yet again by the girls. Tim smiled at his nephew.
"Oh, your Mommy is gonna have FUN tonight." Clark was still staring at the door.
A few hours later and many drinks later, Kimberly found herself in the arms of Clark. Clark felt he should go make sure Kimberly was ok, but Tim just smiled knowing the young one had a crush on his sister. Tim understood, his sister was probably the prettiest girl Clark had ever seen.
"I am glad you got out your room."
"Well, I guess I should experience college after all, you only get one chance. Besides, the library will be there tomorrow."
"Yep. That's true." Clark placed Kim's arms around his neck.
"Is this allowed?"
"What?"
"Dancing with me, drinking with me…"
"Are we dating?"
"No."
"Should we?"
"Huh?"
"Just kidding! It's dancing, Kim. We're friends."
"Right."
That early morning, Clark sat down and actually read his NYU manual to find out it was forbidden for a RA to date someone on his floor and under his care. So, he kept his feelings for Kimberly quiet. Then almost immediately after another party the following week before Halloween, Kimberly started dating this jerk, who cheated on Kimberly the entire time. Kimberly exchanged a passionate kiss with him, thanks to a few too many jello shows. His name was Jeffery and he had bet with some guys that he could get into Kim's pants before break, seeing how she was already a mother, but Kimberly didn't fall for him though. Jeffery was frustrated with Kim's lack of sexual interest in him, so found his desires fulfilled by other girls. He got away with it for almost 2 weeks, before Kimberly caught him.
Clark was there to help Kimberly get through that. Though Clark found out Kimberly was stronger than she looks, even punching Jeffery out, when he made a joke about Kimberly in front of some friends at another party. Clark and Kimberly flirted around each other for days and weeks at a time then came Thanksgiving. Kimberly didn't have family to go home to. Tim's place was filled with his band mates as usually, so Kimberly just stayed on campus. Clark missed his plane, because he fell asleep in Kim's room. It was blessing though, being the only 2 alone on the floor. Clark made a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner, turkey in all. Kimberly was so happy Clark gave her son his first Thanksgiving dinner. Kimberly and Clark didn't kiss again until under the mistletoe, weeks later. But Kimberly left the following morning with Tim to Ireland to visit their grandparents after they requested to see their grandchildren immediately and Clark left for home in Ohio.
When they returned from that holiday break that flame before Christmas break, was now a raging fire for the start of the spring semester. Barely a week later, Kimberly and Clark made love for the first time. Clark wanted a special birthday party for Zeke since it was his first in March. He wrote letters to Trini and Aisha to invite them to celebrate the party. Trini, Aisha and Zack were the only ones to know about the baby at first, before everyone else found out. Clark's bash was spectacular with animals as well. Kimberly fell in love with him more.
Kimberly was never one to rush into things. She always put her son and what was best for him at the front burner. Which is why Clark was so upset with Kimberly. They had been together for so long, but Kimberly just seemed to hesitate for any future plans.
Clark and Thomas played Super Mario Brothers. Clark was such a big kid, but Kimberly allowed the Playstation in the house that wasn't child learning oriented and knew the risk. Clark realized he had better get his butt over to orientations. Though a graduate from 2 more graduate programs at NYU now, he joined another grad school program, which started over the summer in his field. He just hadn't found the right job position he wanted yet and Clark wasn't poor, so could just stay in school for the rest of his life by his family's fortune if he wanted to.
Kimberly knew she needed to go to the bookstore with classes starting tomorrow.
"I like Clark," Zeke said as Kimberly went to close the door behind her.
"I know baby. I like Clark too."
"Will Clark ever be my new daddy?" Kimberly paused. The reason Clark wasn't here, there was a fight about their relationship not going to the next level. Clark wasn't getting any younger and he loved Kimberly and Zeke. They should be a family. They should! He produced a ring only to have Kimberly not be able to commit.
"Sweetie…" Kim's house phone went off. "Hold that thought." Kimberly rushed to get back inside. "Hello?" Kimberly let out a breath.
Hello, Kimberly, it's me, Jason.
"Jason? Why are you... what has happened…"
There was an accident yesterday, Kimberly. Trini died.
Kimberly dropped her phone.
Clark rushed into the house, having forgotten his keys, when he saw Kimberly crying hard, with Thomas against her. Kimberly was hugging her son tight.
"Kim! Kim, what happened?" Clark kneeled before her.
"She's dead! She dead!"
"Who's dead?"
"She's dead!"
Kimberly sat on the plane with her son asleep in her lap. It was surprising, but Zeke hated flying, though his mother and she knew his father loved it. And the freedom it carries. Kimberly spent all morning trying to find the fastest way to California. She finally got this 10pm flight to LA. It was going to be a red-eye flight, but she didn't care. She had to get to California. Clark looked out the window before closing it.
"Are you okay?"
"Ask me in a week, ask me in a month, a year from here, but just not right now." Clark put his arm around Kimberly.
"I'll be right here for you. Right here for you and Zeke for whatever you need."
"Thank you Clark." Clark kissed the top of her head before Kimberly turned her head for a kiss on the lips. Clark wiped away a tear before kissing her head again. Kimberly closed her eyes as she rubbed the back of her son's head and back. "Thank you so much."
AN: So, everybody... Whatcha think? Don't slide on how you feeling seriously? I love feedback from you guys and gals, so gimme gimme!
:P
Next installment entitled: The Funeral, sad chapter title, as many funerals tends to be, but can a song enlighten the heavy hearts all around?