Disclaimer: I own nothing but the OCs- whom I'll try to do my best with- that will appear in this story.

Author's Note: Billy never went to Aquitar, Kimberly lives in Florida, Katherine never went to London, Aisha, Zack and Trini all returned to California a year ago.

Now, on with the start of my latest fic... .

Beneath The Surface

It was the third Saturday in June- a sunny morning in Florida- and Kimberly Hart was enjoying a peaceful sleep in her bed. But it didn't last long. The nineteen-year-old brunette's eyes flew open when a loud, clanging noise sounded suddenly. What in the... . After rubbing her eyes and yawning, she quickly turned to see a green-eyed, young woman with black hair standing by her bed- holding a bell. It was Lexie Ellis- her friend and roommate.

"Lex... have you gone nuts?" Kimberly asked before yawning again.

"Yep- it wasn't a very long trip for me, though," the other young woman said.

"Don't worry- I believe you. Do you have to work today?" Kimberly asked.

"No," Lexie said, sitting down on her friend's bed. "Sorry for waking you up in a way that makes you wanna strangle me with a scarlet-colored scarf and hide my body in a freezer. I'm just in a slaphappy mood right now for some reason."

"Been there," Kim said, sitting up and stretching. Then, she laughed. "Why a scarlet-colored scarf, though?"

"It was on this TV movie I watched last night. First thing that came to mind. See, this rich guy got a thrill out of meeting women, wining and dining them, then, killing them- sometimes, in really grotesque ways," Lexie said. She shrugged. "I would've changed the channel, but, the remote was on top of the TV and after my chaotic shift yesterday, my legs were just in no mood. That's why I fell asleep on the couch."

Kimberly nodded in understanding, then, began casually looking around her room. She and Lexie'd been sharing this apartment for the last ten months. Yeah. The two of them had met during the training for the Pan-Global Games. After placing second in the Games, Kimberly'd chosen to just stay in Florida. As for work, she taught gymnastics. Lexie, however, had desired a little break from anything associated with gymnastics. She was a waitress at a cafe. Sure, it wasn't her dream job, but, it worked for the time being.

"So, your friend's gonna be here in six days, huh?" Lexie said. "I can't wait to meet the famous Jason."

Kim grinned as she drew her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs. She'd invited her longtime friend to spend a couple weeks with her. Their other friends would be coming down, too- but, only for the Fourth of July weekend. They'd be at a hotel not far at all from where she lived while Jason would be camping out on her and Lexie's pull-out sofa. "You're really gonna like him, Lex. And my other friends. This is gonna sound a little corny, but, they're some of the top best people in the world."

"Well, I feel like I know them already," Lexie said, smiling. Then, she stood. "Now, up and at 'em, Hart. We've got places to go."

"We do?" Kim asked, frowning.

"Oh, yeah. We're going out for breakfast, then, shopping, and maybe we'll go to that movie that just hit the theatres. Are you onboard or do you wanna smack me one for planning your day?" Lexie asked.

"I'm onboard, but, can I just smack you one anyway?" Kim said to her roommate with a smirk.

"I'll add you to the list," Lexie said, nodding.

"Don't you have to be wacky somewhere else?" Kim said, grinning.

"Not till ten-thirty tonight. So, you're really onboard with taking on Florida with me today?" Lexie asked.

"Sure," Kim said.

"Cool. I think I'll go annoy Stuart while you get ready," Lexie said- referring to their uptight neighbor that seriously believed that everyone- excluding him- in the universe were complete idiots.

"Okay. Get in a little irritation for me, too," Kim said, laughing.

"Count on it," Lexie said with a mischievous smile, then, exited the room.

That evening, Kim and Lexie were walking away from the movie theatre- talking animatedly about the movie, their breakfast and shopping trip. They'd had an enjoyable, humorous day so far and felt pretty sure it would only get better- they were gonna get a little dinner, then, do some clubbing. Suddenly, Kim thought of something and grinned.

"You know where we should go again soon? The spa," she said.

"That'd be great- especially if Sven still works there," Lexie said- referring to a gorgeous, Swedish, male masseuse. "He really knows how to work the tension out of ya."

"Like I'm really gonna believe that you're impressed by only his massage skills," Kimberly said, her eyes dancing.

"Hey, I'm human! It's a curse," Lexie said with a laugh.

"You know, that movie was pretty good. I-" Kimberly was saying.

"Kim! Lexie! Wait up!" a male voice said from somewhere behind them.

The two young women slowed to a stop and Lexie gave a now uneasy Kimberly a wary look. Kim swallowed hard, then, she and Lexie turned to face Derek Masters... the guy Kim'd broken up with Tommy Oliver for. The blonde-haired, brown-eyed, young man grinned when he reached the two friends. Kimberly smiled- but, it felt a little forced to her. She and Derek'd broken up five months ago and even though it'd been amicable- for the most part- she still felt kinda weird when she saw him, which wasn't much these days.

"Hey, ladies," he said.

"Hi, Derek," Lexie said.

"Hi," Kim said, acting as though she were talking to a casual acquaintence and not an ex-boyfriend.

The three of them stood in silence and Lexie cleared her throat a little after several tense moments. "Kim, I, uh, I'll be in the car."

"Okay," Kim said. 'Oh, sure. Leave me in the Awkward Pool,' she added silently. But, she couldn't really blame her friend.

Lexie nodded, then, smiled at Derek. "Good seeing you again."

"You, too," he said.

Lexie gave Kim a quick, sympathetic glance, then, headed for her car. Kim stared after her friend for a few seconds, then, looked at her ex- who was now smiling at her.

"How've you been?" he asked.

"Fine. You?" she asked.

"I've been okay. So, are you and Lexie heading off somewhere or..." he said, lifting his eyebrows.

"Yeah, we are. We're gonna grab a bite to eat, then, go dancing," she said.

He nodded, then, scratched the back of his head. It was obvious as all get out to her that he wasn't really interested in her plans for the evening. He wanted something and she just needed to know what.

"Derek... it was nice seeing you again, but, I don't have a lot of time to hang around in the parking lot and I'm sure you don't, either, so... if you wanna tell me something, now's as good a time as any," she said.

"You're right. You always could read me like a book," he said with a light chuckle. She smiled at that. He cleared his throat. "Are you busy tomorrow afternoon?"

"No. What's up?" she asked... an odd sensation washing over her.

"I was hoping you'd have lunch with me at the place near that new flower shop. Feel free to say no, but, I really hope you don't because there's something I need to talk to you about," he said. She stared at him. "It's important, Kim, and I'd really like to discuss it with you as soon as possible. Get your opinion."

Kimberly bit her lower lip. Get her opinion. She was sure it was about them getting back together until he'd said that. Get her opinion. On what? 'Well, I guess I won't know unless I have lunch with him. One meal won't hurt.' Lunch in a public place was innocent enough. Still, a part of her was more than tempted to turn him down. But... she was curious. Besides, it wasn't like he was some maniac she'd met online. She'd had genuine, deep feelings for Derek- whom was a good guy.

"I'll meet you there. Just call and gimme a time," she said casually.

He smiled. "Okay. Thanks, Kim."

"Sure," she said with a small smile.

"Well, I better let you go and head out myself. It was really great seeing you," he said.

"You, too," she said. He gave her another smile, then, walked away. She turned and stared after him until he was out of sight. Different emotions were tumbling around and around in her. This day'd started off simple and normal. Now... . She turned back around slowly and began heading for her friend's car- feeling a little dazed.