Should Have Called
Chapter 1
The sun was shining in the clear blue sky, birds chirping in the tress. Kimberly smiled as she walked down the paved stone walkways in the outside mall. It was beautiful out, and yet she couldn't find it in herself to be cheerful to match it. Even doing light shopping couldn't help. After all, it still hurt to know that Tommy was dead.
It has been months since he went to that island. Months since the news of the explosion reached everyone on the team. They tried to hold onto hope, praying that Tommy would just show up with a sheepish grin, apologizing for worrying them. As days became weeks, that hope slowly died. The news of a new Power Rangers team barely made a blink on their radar, all their focus on Tommy.
He was something else. Despite them breaking up years ago, they remained friends. She even encouraged him to get together with Jason, stating that there has always been something between them that crossed the line of just friends. Whether it was because of the strange connection between the Red Ranger and the Sixth Ranger, or if it was just them, she didn't know. She only cared about their happiness. Alongside Billy, Trini, and Zack, she cheered when the two men kissed, blushing and grinning like complete fools.
Life was good between all of them. Everything was looking up. Everyone was together. They were a family. Until the island. Until the letter that said Tommy was missing, or worse. Until the countless nights of huddling together on the coach like five scared overgrown children. Until they had to admit that Tommy wasn't coming home.
Kimberly sighed, shaking her head to try and disperse the dark memories, and went up to a small newspaper stand. While she scanned the magazines, something in the corner of her eye caught her attention. Turning her head, her mouth dropped open as she read the headline and looked at the picture next to it.
Science Teacher Receives Honorable Award
The picture, displaying a shyly smiling man holding up a plat, knocked the air out of her lungs. With shaking hands, she absent mindedly grabbed the paper and paid for it. Her eyes and mind were glued to the picture. She could recognize the man from anywhere.
Thomas Oliver.
It was Tommy.
Reading the article quickly, a wave of relief washed over her before anger took over.
That little bastard has been alive the whole time!
Kimberly quietly cursed as her eyes kept rereading the article, soaking it up like water. The jerk better have a pretty fucking fantastic reason for this, or she'll break his legs and tie him to Jason's bed. Whipping out her phone, her motions practiced from one too many nights crying and needing someone to talk to, she called Jason. The phone rang once before Jason's voice crossed over the line.
"Hey, Kim. What's up?"
"Call Billy, Zack, and Trini. We all need to talk. Meet me up at Ernie's."
There was hell to pay and a man to bring home.
