My second Kirommy fanfic, all reviews and comments are welcomed. Obviously I'd prefer if you read my first story, Fateful Homecoming first, but just in case, here's the five-minute verion. And before anyone e-mails me to ask, Yes, the title IS a play on Last Christmas (The Hotel I work in loops carols through the lobby all the time, and George Michael's famous tune did inspire me to set the sequel around their first Christmas together.)
Three years after Kira left Reefside for New York, she returned for a visit and was involved in a car accident in which both her parents were killed. As she lived with Tommy during the run up to the memorial service, both Kira and Tommy experienced re-emerging feelings of the feelings they had for each other but never voiced. With Hayley's intervention, they were eventually able to confess their love for each other. Now, four months on, they are living together in Las Vegas where Kira's career is just beginning. They also have a huge secret they're keeping from their friends, but how long will they be able to keep it under wraps?
Rating:- T Mild language, themes and violence
Legal:- Usual story, I do not own Power Rangers or any of the associated names, characters, events etc. etc. The events of this story and Fateful Homecoming are to be considered non-canon and with the exception of the associated rights as explained above any characters and events are purely the ceation of the author.
FIRST CHRISTMAS
Kira sat by the large window of her apartment, strumming away on an acoustic guitar. As she sat, playing a long, melancholy riff, a single, lonely tear rolled slowly down her cheek, and dripped from her chin onto her pale yellow tank top. Finishing the song, she carefully placed the guitar down on the floor and wiped her cheek with her arm.
As she got up to go to the kitchen, she absent-mindedly played with her engagement ring. It had been four months now since she had left Reefside with the man who had asked her to spend the rest of her life with him. The man who had felt so strongly about her he had gotten down on one knee in the middle of the Las Vegas Strip only two weeks after they'd technically become a 'couple'. Stopping at the refrigerator and cracking open a soda, she swept her long, flowing blonde hair out of her face as she again surveyed the simple gold and diamond solitaire that represented their love.
"Little help here!" She heard a yell coming from the living room. Heading back into the main sitting area, she found Tommy wrestling in the doorway with an impractically large Christmas tree.
"Tommy!" She yelled, rushing over to his side. "I told you to get a small tree. We don't exactly have a huge living room!"
"I got a really good deal." Tommy lied unconvincingly. Kira rolled her eyes in disbelief as she helped him yank it in the door, losing a cascade of pine needles in the process. Although this would be their first Christmas together as a couple, she had known him for years and knew he was a big kid at heart when it came to Christmas decorations.
"Oh and I suppose you remembered to get the groceries?" She inquired.
"Ah…well…"
"And I suppose you still have some of the money left?"
"See…the thing about that is…"
"Tommy!" She groaned, making her way back over to the couch. "Well, you can go get the groceries, and if you think I'm cleaning up those pine needles…"
"You're pretty when you're angry." He chimed back cheekily. Kira's grimace immediately relaxed. She could never stay mad at him when he acted in that cute, childish way he always did when she tried to shout at him.
"I'm not mad." Kira replied, picking up the notes she'd written.
"I thought you'd finished the first album?" Tommy asked, rifling through a box of assorted decorations.
"I have." She sighed. "Just in time to compete with Daniel O'Donnel, three boybands and two cartoon records." Kira had never been convinced when Goldstein had insisted they cut her first album in time for Christmas, but her producer just wouldn't budge.
"I'd just love to see Barney try and stand up to your ptera scream." Tommy laughed playfully, suddenly getting a mental image of Kira actually competing with cartoon characters. Kira threw a cushion at his head, but had to concede a chuckle herself.
"No, that one's just for me." She answered. Tommy came over to the couch beside her and began reading her notes.
"This is really good." Tommy complimented her with a hug. "I'm sure they would have loved it!" Another tear rolled down her cheek as she gathered up her notes.
"It's ok." Tommy breathed, holding her close. "The first one was always going to be hard."
"I just miss them." Kira sighed, leaning into him.
Tommy kissed her gently as he adjusted his position on the couch. "Just remember to take some time to enjoy it." Tommy replied. "When the guys come over, it won't stay quiet for long. Besides, it's also our first Christmas."
Kira looked up at him, her beautiful brown eyes sparkling a little and smiled.
"Look, I know this is a little bit early." Tommy said, pulling out a small, silver locket and handing it to Kira. "But I thought you might like this now."
Kira immediately opened the latch, looking inside at the small photos of her parents on the inside. "I love it." She replied, handing it back to him and pulling her hair clear so he could fasten it around her neck.
"Anyway, the guys will be here shortly." Tommy reminded her. Kira just looked at her engagement ring and gave out a sigh. They hadn't yet told their friends about the engagement. They both knew in their heart of hearts that they were together for good, but they weren't sure if their friends would exactly understand them rushing into things so quickly.
"Maybe I could just put it on another finger?" She suggested. Tommy could almost swear he saw her pouting briefly.
"We talked about this." He reminded her. "We agreed. We'll tell them in another couple of months, and just be a little flexible with the truth about the timescale."
Kira just looked at him, before groaning loudly and pulling the ring off, stuffing it into the back pocket of her jeans. "I suppose you're right." She replied, getting off the couch.
"Besides." Tommy answered her, getting up to stand with her. "Isn't it kinda fun keeping something this big between us? Just a little longer?"
"I guess so." Kira replied, looking deep into his eyes. As they moved in towards each other to kiss, the doorbell suddenly interrupted them.
"Excellent timing as always guys." Tommy groaned, turning to answer the door. Opening it wide, he stood, looking into the hall with confusion as a stranger flipped away his cell phone.
"You must be the famous Tommy Oliver!" The stranger quipped cheerfully. "Heard so much about you. Where's Kira?"
Tommy just stood, staring at him, confused for a moment. The stranger was a little taller than Tommy, though he was quite gaunt by comparison. His young, chiselled face and designer stubble stood in sharp contrast to the expensive designer suit it perched on top of.
"I...I'm sorry, who did you say you were again?" Tommy asked.
"The stranger looked a little confused, then realised his mistake. "Sorry, bad habit. Generally don't meet many people who don't already know who I am." He extended a hand excitedly towards Tommy. "Barry Goldstein."
Tommy suddenly caught on to the stranger's identity, shaking his hand firmly. "Mr Goldstein. Glad to meet…"
"Everyone calls me Barry." Goldstein corrected him. "I hear the name Mr Goldstein and I start looking for my dad!"
"Barry. Please come in." Tommy replied, showing him inside. "Kira never said you were coming round or…hey, did you say BARRY Goldstein?"
"That I did." He responded quickly. "Any reason?"
"Didn't you have a blues band a few years ago?" Tommy asked.
Barry smiled broadly. "I'm amazed anyone remembered that."
"I was such a huge fan back in college." Tommy answered. "Why'd you quit?"
"Unlike our little Kira there." He answered, gesturing to Kira as he entered the living room. "I wasn't a prolific writer. Once the muse stopped descending I figured I'd earn more money on the OTHER side of a recording booth."
"Barry!" Kira greeted him with an enthusiastic hug. "You should have said you were coming over."
"And spoil the surprise?" He asked casually. "Not a chance…wait a minute!" He grabbed her left hand, inspecting it carefully. "Not wearing your ring? Tut, tut, people will talk!"
Kira blushed a little as she retrieved her hand. "Some friends are coming in from out of town." She began. "We haven't given them the news yet…"
"Mum's the word, say no more." He quipped back. "Anyway, just got you a killer marketing opportunity. The album's being released this week. I've got you doing an album signing and a small set at the hottest record store in town on the 21st."
"The Sound Room?" Kira asked excitedly. Barry nodded. "How'd you manage that?"
"Friends in high places Sparky." He replied. Tommy mouthed the word 'sparky' to her inquisitively, Kira shook her head as though to say 'don't ask'. "You'll be opening for Aftershock. Have you heard of them?"
"No Barry!" Kira groaned sarcastically. "I've been living under a rock."
"See, what did I tell you?" He declared. "Perfect marketing! People come for Aftershock's new single, hear you and two words…Stocking Fillers!"
"That sounds great." Tommy began, moving over to hug Kira.
"The biggest hurdle's always getting the FIRST album out there." Barry stated with an obvious enthusiasm that made him sound like a used car salesman. "After that, they tend to come back." He reached into his pocket and handed a ticket to Tommy. "Of course, you're invited."
"Well, I guess it's a little early, but you've done so much for Kira, I got you this. Merry Christmas." Tommy reached over to the table and picked up a bottle of wine, presenting it to the agent.
"Actually I'm Jewish!" He stated coldly, his arms crossed defiantly. Tommy just began to blush as he tried to stammer an awkward apology.
"S..s..orry, I never meant…"
At that Barry just began laughing and accepted the gift. "But I appreciate the gesture." He looked at the label. "Good year. Thanks."
"Ignore him, it's just his sense of humour." Kira re-assured Tommy. "He always likes to make people feel awkward."
"Like the first time I met Kira here to discuss the deal, I told her I discovered her at my nephew's Bar Mitzvah." He recalled.
"Please don't." Kira snapped back, blushing as she remembered the story.
"When she asked why I didn't approach her there, I told her I didn't want to attract attention to the fact she was stealing the potato salad." He continued, causing Tommy to laugh out loud.
"Let me guess, New York?" He inquired, looking at Kira.
"I let her off the hook by telling her my brother's a cheap-skate." Barry finished the story as Kira pathetically tried to hide her face. "I knew he'd be under-paying everyone. Anyway, I'll leave you to it. See you on the 21st."
"So why 'Sparky'?" Tommy asked as Barry attempted to leave.
"I reckon I've embarrassed the poor girl enough." He continued, walking out the door. "For today…"
"Well he was…interesting." Tommy finally managed to say.
"He just takes a bit of getting used to." Kira responded. "Anyway, I can't believe he got me that gig. Maybe my first sales won't be a total embarrassment after all."
"Well, he seems to know what he's talking about." Tommy stated, still trying to fathom the unusual man he'd just met. "And he certainly doesn't lack confidence."
Just then, the doorbell went again, breaking the conversation.
"Guess that'll be the guys now." Tommy surmised, opening the door.
"Hi Tommy." Conner greeted him cheerfully, shaking his hand quickly and pushing his way into the apartment.
"Sorry about him Tommy." Ethan groaned. "He's been like this all the way here."
"Yeah, ever since blabbermouth here told him some of your old high school buddies would be coming." Trent interrupted.
"Guys I told you not to tell him." Tommy groaned. "I knew he'd get over-excited."
"Tommy, if you want any of the tree left to decorate, you'd better get in here." Kira yelled through from the living room.
"Conner, that's MY tree." Tommy yelled, rushing through. "If you've decorated it without me there's going to be hell to pay!"
"Kids." Trent joked as he watched them. "I wonder how people live with them."
"He's not so bad." Kira stated defensively, hugging Trent. "I think the whole 'kid at christmas' thing is kinda cute."
"That's not what you said last year when he made you wear that elf hat." Ethan laughed.
"Well last year we weren't living together." She replied. "Anyway, help us get this place ready. We don't want to bring the others back from the restaurant if the apartment isn't decorated."
"Well, I could do it in..."
"No super speed Conner!" Tommy chided him. "I actually WANT to do some of my OWN decorations."
"But the sooner we finish..."
"We don't meet the guys until six." Tommy interrupted him. "So it doesn't matter how quickly we finish then does it?"
"I suppose not Tommy." Conner sighed in disappointment. "So who's coming?"
"Jason and Trini are coming in from Angel Grove, and Adam Kat and Rocky are coming in from San Fransisco." He replied.
"It'll be good to see Adam again." Kira mused. "It's been a while since I phoned him, it'll be good to catch up."
"You met one of the original Rangers and you never told us?" Conner shouted, dropping a glass bauble onto the floor.
"OK conner, get away from the decorations before I hurt you!" Tommy snapped. "And strictly speaking he wasn't an ORIGINAL Ranger. He came into the group after Zack left."
"I met him when I did that job for Dr Hartford." Kira answered Conner's question.
"So he still..."
"As far as I know." Kira replied. "But he didn't tell the others, so keep your mouth shut."
"Ha." Trent blurted out, bringing in some drinks from the kitchen. "Like Conner's ever been the soul of discression."
"Make yourself at home why don't you?" Tommy remarked, gesturing to the drinks in Trent's hands.
"Well, hopefully our fearless leader over there can go two whole nights without sticking his foot in his mouth." Ethan replied.
"What is this?" Conner whined, taking asoda from Trent and cracking it open. "Get Conner McKnight day?"
"Only till 8." Kira joked. "Then it'll be Get Trent Mercer Day."
"What did I do?" Trent screeched. Tommy just again gestured to the drinks in his hands. "Oh, right, bad habits."
"Anyway, it's not like we tell each other EVRERYTHING." Kira responded cheekily, her hand straying to the back pocket of her jeans and playing with her ring.
"I tell you guys everything." Conner snapped as he flopped onto the couch.
"Yeah, that's why we had to hear about the Monte Carlo thing from your mom." Ethan replied.
"I told you, I was drunk!" Conner snapped. "And it's not like..."
"Dude, It was a man." Trent laughed. "Did the fact he was six feet tall, 200 lbs and have five o clock shadow not tip you off?"
"Well it's not like anything happened." Conner whined, by now growing sick of being the victim of everyone's abuse.
"Enough to give all of us a good laugh." Tommy interjected. "Anyway, let's get the tree sorted. If Conner's late to inflict his hero-worship on Jason and the others, I don't think he'll talk to us until NEXT christmas."
"Can we have that in writing?" Kira shot out, causing everyone but Conner to laugh.