Disclaimer: Power Rangers aren't among my possessions.
Author's Notes:
Okay... why am I starting another fic? LOL. It's cool, though, it's cool. Anyway, I wanted to put a Rocky/Kat out there simply because I love both characters and neither gets enough focus in the fiction world. Oh, and the title may or may not change... .
Flamers: You know what to do. No anonymous negativity, please. I'd love to be able to respond to you personally. ;-)
Supporters: To those of you who like/love or are even just okay with my fics, I hope you enjoy this one. (smiles)
Incredible Discoveries
It was the second Saturday in July, a bright, sunny afternoon in Angel Grove, California. But twenty-six-year-old Katherine Hillard had no desire to enjoy it. The lovely, Australian blonde woman was sitting in her apartment, curled up on her couch, looking over pictures of herself and Brian Sanders- whom was now her ex-boyfriend.
'Why didn't I just stay in London? That way, we'd have never had to meet,' the ballet teacher thought miserably. She'd come back from London over four years earlier.
She'd met and gotten involved with Brian- who was also twenty-six- two years earlier. And she'd fallen hard. It wasn't hard to understand why. He'd had amazing qualities. Charming, but, not in a slick, sleazy way. Smart, funny, excellent listener. And being handsome certainly hadn't hurt matters. Anyway, the relationship Kat'd believed and hoped would last a lifetime had come crashing to an end the night before... .
'Brian, are you, are you saying you wanna break up?' Kat'd asked, astonishment in her eyes.
He'd sighed, genuine sadness in his eyes. 'I'm so, so sorry, Kat. You're really special to me. These past two years-'
'I'd really like it if you'd just give me a straight answer,' she'd said tightly. She wasn't up for any speeches right now... .
'Fair enough. It's not exactly about wanting to break up. We... have to. Because it isn't fair to you,' he'd said in a quiet voice.
'Brian... please just tell me what you're trying to say,' she'd said slowly.
'I'm not... Kat, my feelings aren't what they used to be. They've changed,' he'd said. It was obvious in his face and voice how much he really didn't want to be saying any of this. How much it pained him.
'You're... no longer in love with me,' she'd said. It was a shock she'd been able to get the words out. Hurt filled her eyes... her soul.
'I thought you were it for me. I definitely wanted you to be. But... if it's really meant to last, I don't think I'd be feeling the way I do now. I really am sorry. You're the last person in the world I ever wanted to hurt,' he'd said, his voice cracking. 'I wasn't expecting any of this to happen.'
'Is there someone else?' she'd choked out. She desperately wanted to keep her composure. But it was no easy task. Was she really hearing all of this? Was this really happening?
'No. No. Absolutely not,' he'd said seriously. 'It's all me. I swear.'
'I can't believe this,' she'd whispered. Tears were threatening to make an appearance... .
'Neither can I,' he'd said sadly.
Kat's head began spinning. She needed to be alone. She didn't want to break down in front of him. She couldn't. The last thing she needed was what she felt was the last of her dignity vanishing. 'Brian, could you- I really wanna be alone.'
He nodded in total understanding. He knew better than to say how sorry he was again or how they could still be friends. At this particular moment, those would only be more blows to her heart. He refused to cause her more pain. He kissed her forehead softly, then, turned and headed for the door... tears in his own eyes... .
Kat shook her head, as though trying to shake the all too recent memories from her brain. She was pretty sure she wouldn't ever stop hurting so badly. For some reason, Tommy popped into her brain. Tommy. Huh. Her breakup with him had been amicable and mutual- but that hadn't made it any less painful. She'd gone on to London and eventually moved on with her life, though. She'd seen other guys. And when Brian had come into the picture... well, he was the only other guy besides Tommy she'd ever really loved. She'd felt certain that Brian was it. That she no longer needed to search.
'I want nothing more than for this to be a horrible dream,' she thought as she stared down at a sweet picture of Brian and herself. They looked incredibly happy and comfortable. Very much in love. There was knocking on her door then and she looked up. Now what? She put the photographs aside, stood and headed up to the door, mumbling very un-Kat things to herself.
She unlocked and opened her door to find Tanya Park and Kimberly Scott there. She already knew why her friends were here: comfort. Everyone knew about the breakup already. Kat still wanted to be alone, but, at the same time, she was really glad they were here. She smiled faintly. "Hey."
They gave her half smiles. "Hey," they said in unison.
Kat stepped aside and they entered. "So, I sorta figured you both would be spending the day with the hubbies," she said lightly. Tanya and Adam had gotten married two and a half years ago and Tanya was six months pregnant with twins- two boys. As for jobs, Adam ran a dojo with Jason and Tanya was manager at a record company.
Tanya shrugged. "Not really. Adam's with Rocky and Zack."
"And Jason's spending some time with his brothers," Kim said. She'd married Jason a year earlier and she worked as a personal shopper.
Kat nodded and her friends looked at each other, then, back at her. Tanya stepped up and hugged her. Then, Kim hugged her. "I'm glad you stopped by," Kat said softly.
"We're really sorry, Kat," Kim said, shaking her head.
"Yeah. I really thought you and Brian... I wasn't expecting this," Tanya said to her best friend.
"That makes the two of us," Kat said with a small, sad smile. "Well, why don't we all sit down?" She sat down in a chair and her friends sat down on the couch. Kim noticed the pictures first and bit her lower lip.
'They look like they're the only two people on the planet in those pictures. God, I can't even imagine how she's feeling right now. We're really gonna have to be here for her. We can help her through this,' Kim thought, nodding slowly.
"Oh, what am I thinking? Are you two thirsty or anything? Tanya, do you want anything to eat? Gotta keep my godkids healthy," Kat said.
Tanya shook her head and smiled. Leave it to Kat to think about everybody but herself no matter what she'd gone through. "We're okay, girl. We're here for you," she said warmly, reaching out to squeeze her friend's hand.
Rocky DeSantos entered the Stone Canyon cafe later that evening with a sigh. He'd moved back to Stone Canyon- where Adam and Tanya lived as well- six years ago and worked as a chef. Anyway, he'd come to the cafe to get a little dinner to go. He'd always loved this place and hadn't had any food from here in awhile.
Just as he was about to head up to the counter, he noticed a blonde woman sitting alone at a table- staring at her obviously untouched plate. Kat. Sympathy instantly filled Rocky. What had happened was really, really messed up and shocking. Surprise joined Rocky's sympathy. What was she doing at this particular cafe?
'Maybe she was visiting with Tanya or something,' he thought. He'd kind of figured she'd want to stay cooped up in her apartment all weekend long. He swallowed hard and made his way over to his friend. "Hey, Kat."
She looked up and smiled a little. "Hi, Rocky."
"I'm, uh, a little surprised to see you here," he said.
"Not as surprised as I am to be here. I really hadn't plan on going anywhere at all this weekend. I don't know what made me change my mind. Maybe I was just a little worried I'd go crazy if I stayed in there another second. Why Stone Canyon? For some reason, it was the first destination to pop into my mind," she said, now moving her food around on her plate.
"Want some company?" he asked. Sure, he'd plan to get some food to go, but, now that he'd noticed that Kat was here... well, he just didn't want to leave her alone.
"Sure," she said softly.
He sat down across from her, then, cleared his throat. "Kat, I know you're probably already sick of hearing this, but... I'm really sorry about Brian," he said seriously.
"Thanks. Me, too," she said just as the waitress came over.
"Hi. What can I get you?" the waitress asked Rocky.
"Just a Coke, double cheeseburger and chili cheese fries," he said. The girl nodded, scribbled on the small notepad and headed off.
Rocky looked back at his friend and his chest tightened a little. He felt awful for her. Kat was such a great person and she'd lost the guy she felt she was supposed to be with. Huh. Rocky was hoping to find his own "one" soon. He really wanted what his friends had. But, so far, he hadn't come across anybody he could actually see himself with for life. Before he'd come to the cafe, he'd actually been thinking a lot about this.
"Rocky?" Her voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "Are you all right?"
"Oh, um, yeah. Yeah. I'm good," he said, feeling guilty. 'I can't believe I'm sitting here thinking about myself and Kat's in pain.'
"Are you sure?" she asked, cocking an eyebrow slightly.
"Well, truth is... I was thinking of how I've been wondering lately if I'll ever find the right person and that was selfish. I'm sorry. You've just been hurt-" he was saying.
"It's okay, Rocky. That's not selfish. You're a really good person and I'm sure you'll find that lucky girl soon," she said, managing a genuinely warm smile.
"Thanks, but, you don't have to do that. I mean, I'm not the one who needs encouraging words right now. Kat, you're heartbroken," he said.
She sighed. "Rocky, how could I have not seen this coming? How could I have missed the signs? I'm blind as a bat."
He shook his head. "No. You were just in love."
"And I never saw that he no longer was. I feel like a fool," she said, her voice cracking a little.
"You're not a fool, Kat," he said, his heart twisting. He thought of something then. "Listen, why don't we go to my place and talk more or something? I'll just ask for a to-go box." This just wasn't the place to be talking about this.
She nodded. "Okay," she said, her voice sounding distant.
A short while later, the two former ragers were sitting on the sofa in his apartment, talking. Kat was feeling a little bit better than she'd expected to. It'd been good talking to Tanya and Kim earlier, but, it felt kind of different with Rocky. Maybe it was because he was a guy.
"You just have to remember that I'm here for you. So are the guys. If you need us for anything-" he was saying.
"I know. Thanks, Rocky. And thanks for inviting me over," she said. She did still feel like curling up into a ball and disappearing, though.
"No problem," he said with a smile.
"It just hurts so much," she said, staring at the coffee table. "It feels like my heart's been snatched right out of my chest. It was supposed to last, Rocky. It was supposed to last. How could he not..." her voice trailed off into heart-wrenching sobs to her surprise. Rocky wordlessly pulled her into his arms and she almost easily accepted the physical comfort.
'Great. Zack and I are supposed to be the guys who can cheer everybody up with no problem at all and I have no idea what to say to her,' he thought. Saying that everything was going to be okay didn't seem like the best way to go right now for some reason. He just tightened his hold on her and let her cry it all out. Maybe this was exactly what she needed. Hopefully. He just wanted to make her feel better- even if only for a while.
When the sobs had subsided, she looked up at him. "Thanks for letting me soak your shirt," she said with a weak smile.
He laughed. "Anytime," he quipped- receiving a small laugh from her. "Nice sound," he said seriously.
"Isn't it?" she agreed. Too bad she wouldn't feel like really laughing for probably a long time to come. She was grateful that Rocky was being Rocky, though. And the fact that he'd held her without saying a word... well, that'd been just the right thing to do. They just smiled and stared at each other. 'He's so cute.' Whoa. Where had that thought come from? She'd always thought he was cute, but, why was she thinking about it right now?
He tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear and his smile began fading slowly. Thinking about how gorgeous she was and how good she felt in his arms probably wasn't the best thing to be doing right about now. But, he couldn't help himself. He also couldn't stop himself from leaning in at that particular moment... .
When his lips touched hers, she tensed slightly with surprise... but, relaxed and gave into it a few moments later. She didn't feel like being rational. Not now. She didn't want to think about Brian. Not now. She wanted to focus on the here and now... so, she deepened the kiss. Rocky pulled away when things began really heating up.
"Oh, man! Kat, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have done that. I don't kow what the hell's my problem. I-" he was saying.
"Rocky, I liked it," she found herself saying. His eyebrows shot up. "A lot," she said.
"Me, too," he admitted. "Too much, in fact."
She nodded, knowing exactly what he meant. She was feeling it herself. "Rocky," she breathed, slowly stroking his arm.
"Kat, if you keep that up... look, I don't wanna take advantage of you," he said.
"I'm giving you the advantage," she said, standing. He stood as well- slowly. She ran her fingers through his hair.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"Positive. I really don't wanna think about anything else right now," she said. He took her hand and she let herself be led to his bedroom.
If things seemed kinda fast, life moves, right? Now, if her ex makes another appearance in the story, he will NOT be crazy, LOL. I'll attempt to make him as normal as possible. Anyway, hope this was cool.
