Hiya all! I'm baack. Sorry this took so long, I'm currently writing
three very different stories all at the same time. A SM comedy romance,
a Star Wars angsty Obidala thing, and this. But its here, and the next
chapter will be more prompt. Thank you sooooo much for all the reviews.
Of my three fics, this one got the most and best reaction. Tee Hee ^_^
As always, please review, either at fanfiction.net or
Eileenblzr@yahoo.com. I eagerly await your opinion. And I'll tell you
what. If this chapter beats the other chapter's number of reviews by
Wed, I'll put the next one out on Thursday. That means at least
fourteen replies in three days, or wait until sunday...please? Bye now!
Flying Home
Part Two
Kimberly was sitting on the chair of his home when he walked in, her
long brown hair tied up in a twisted knot, her arms holding a small
bundle. She didn't look up, just continued with a lullaby. Tommy came
up behind her and kneeled at the back of the chair. He rested his head
and listened to the sound of her voice, soft and melodious, as she
gently cradled the baby.
"Hey Handsome," she said when the baby had fallen asleep. "Hard day at
work?"
"No." Tommy pulled out two bouquets from nowhere, one overflowing with
roses and wildflowers, the other a miniature version. "But I did buy
these for you and Lexi."
"Oh Tommy! They're beautiful!" He stood up and kissed her one forehead.
"You too."
"Uh...Thomas, are you well?" That didn't sound right, Kim never called
him Thomas. Nor did she have a slight accent. Tommy blinked and when he
eyes reopened, Paulo was standing at the table, smiling in an
understanding sort of way.
"Yeah," He ran a hand through his hair. "I'm fine."
"That's good to hear. But uh, I thought you might like to know I found
the lady you wished to see. She and her gentlemen friend just paid
their check. I must say, they did seem *just* friends."
Tommy nodded and took his own bill from Paulo's hands. "Maybe you're
not seeing him through the right eyes. To you, he's a customer. For me,
he's a rival."
The waiter shrugged. "Perhaps. Just be sure you know what you're
seeing." Tommy smiled and clapped him on the shoulder.
"You've been a great help to me. Maybe someday you're family and mine
can have dinner together."
"I would very much like that. But now, you'll lose her if you do not
hurry."
Tommy was already out the door.
*************
He scanned the dark streets, looking for any sign of Kim. To his
eternal aggravation, car after car zoomed past, keeping his from having
a clear view. But then, suddenly, words caught his attention. He
followed them to where Blue-eyes was helping Kim into a taxi.
"We'll stop at your place." He was saying. "And we'll pick up a few
neccessities. Maybe a toothbrush for you." Tommy winced at that, then
again at the playful slap she gave him in response. "Then we will
continue our great voyage to my place where we can finish our great
evening." Blue-eyes' head dissapeared into the taxi and the orange
vehicle pulled away.
He knew it. *Friend*, they'd all said. What the hell kind of friend
takes you to his house and suggests your bring along a toothbrush? All
of a sudden, Tommy's knees felt like two tigs trying to support a lead
statue. Reaching out for anything that could hold his weight, his hands
found a phonebook.
And then something really unusual happened.
Tommy cried.
There were very few things that could bring him tears. Sad movies,
however moving, never led to the slightest moisture around his brown
eyes. He knew only a select few (his fellow ex-rangers, some family),
whose death would have such a dramatic effect, but thankfully, none had
ever died. In fact, the only other time he'd wept so freely was after
the Letter had arrived. So long after, there he was, back with the
pain, drowning in his own sorrow.
Kim was past him, no matter what others believed. She had obviously
found someone else, a better life, a new path, attitude, way of living.
The special sparkle she used to save for his smiles was no doubt shared
with Blue-eyes even as the ex-ranger cried. His Kim, his beautiful, was
someone else's, would continue to be someone else's.
He, Tommy Oliver, was nothing but an old friend, a name in a book no
longer looked at, a *brother* who never quite understood.
Had she really meant that? Tommy had always assumed it was something
said in a desperate, crazy moment. But what if all he was to her was an
older brother, someone to protect her and love her, but not *love* her.
And how could she have said that at all? After all the kisses and the
whispers and the longing and the damn plans that would never be
realized now that she was with Blue-eyes.
As he wiped his eyes, Tommy thought bitterly that he'd have to make
sure Paulo didn't wait for that invitation. There would never be a
happy Oliver family, a wife and kids to bounce off his knee. He'd never
be a Paulo, who showed off his family and loved his wife and...
had known who Kimberly was without having heard a description.
The ex-Ranger frowned. Another mysterious piece in the jigsaw puzzle of
his life. Glancing up at the sky, he shouted "You're too late! She's
with somebody else!"
But the sky offered no reaction, nor did it do anything to assuage his
aching heart. If he had ever been flying, he was now nose-diving
straight to hell, bumps and head bangs included.
"Um, excuse me." A lady stood beside him, dressed too well to be
standing on the corner, in front of a somewhat chintzy restaurant,
talking to the possibly insane man that Tommy was feeling like. She was
there, nonetheless, and trying to speak with him. "Excuse me," she
repeated. With the energy of a slug that's just taken sleeping pills,
he met her gaze.
She had pretty eyes, two swirling pools of gray, and a slender figure
wrapped up in a sleek, smooth beige chiffon number, her black curly
hair partly hidden by a fashionable hat. Somewhere, in the back of his
mind, it occurred to Tommy that he should have found her attractive.
This lady was what Rocky liked to call a 'perfect catch', in the former
red Ranger's words "Heaven's way of making up for all the monsters we
have to look at". But Tommy could muster no such interest.
She sort of laughed, a light jingling sound that suited her. "This
phone book is missing the page I need. Can I borrow the one behind
you?" The ex-Ranger scooted out of the way, wondering at the likihood
that of all the pages there, she would need the one that wasn't.
The lady pulled out a cellphone and the dialed a number, then whispered
something into it. Moments later, the phone returned to her purse and
she looked back at Tommy. "Hi," she said. "I'm Karen."
"Tommy."
"Its cold out here, isn't it? I didn't expect to be out here, but I
canceled my plans rather unexpectantly. I'm waiting for my ride."
Still the gentleman, Tommy removed his coat and offered it to her. She
accepted it with gratitude. "Um...I don't mean to be nosy or rude, but
are you all right?" Evidently, the tears had yet to dry.
"I'm fine." He lied, and she quickly realized that.
"Riiight. Let me take a wild guess. You're girl took up with another
guy."
Was it smart to tell a stranger the story? Whether or not it was, Tommy
told her everything, about the Letter, the trip to Florida, the mission
to win back Kim, the mysterious things that kept happening along the
way. By the time he was finished, her eyes were alight with excitement.
"You've got to be kidding!" She cried, "the same thing is happening to
me! I wanted to win back my boyfriend, Everett. He moved to Florida to
take over the family business after his grandpa died. We broke up a few
weeks later cause he decided a long distance relationship wouldn't work
out and he didn't want to hurt me. But then I figured that if I love
him, I should convince him that it will work, no matter where we are.
Hell, I'd move to Florida if it means having Everett. And the weirdest
things have shown up. Like twowo days ago I found the ring he gave me
the first time he proposed, when we were both six and wanted our very
own chocolate fudge wedding cake." The former Ranger was at her side
now, more than interested.
"So why are you here, alone?" He asked.
It was the wrong question; her face crumbled like a soft cookie. "I was
going to talk to him here, but he was dining with a very beautiful
girl, all curves and a shiny blond hair. They left together. I guess
its really over now."
"What do you mean its over?" He said, "Just because someone else wants
him too? If you love him like you say you do, then fight for him. Make
him see that you're the only one who he needs." As the words left his
mouth, Tommy left himself enlightened. Who did care if someone else
wanted his Kim? He would follow his own advice and win her back!
Karen bit her lip. "But she's sooo pretty. Why would he ever even look
twice at me again?"
Tommy nudged her. "Come on, Karen. There's more to people than looks.
If Everett sends you away 'cause of that, he's not worth it."
"I guess."
"And for what its worth, you're gorgeous. If I wasn't already madly,
passionately, completely in love with Kimberly Ann Hart, I think I'd
like you. And, if it doesn't work out, look me up under Oliver. I know
a ridiculously large number of single guys who'd love a chance with
you."
She laughed. "I'll keep that mind, but lets hope it doesn't come to
that." A black car pulled up to the side of the curb and she rose.
"Thats my ride."
He waved. "Have a nice night."
"You too." Karen glanced at the cab then at Tommy. "Hey, do you want a
ride?"
"Nah. I think I have to reorganize my plan a little. The fresh air will
help."
"Are you sure?" She lifted up the phonebook, still in her hands.
"Because she's listed and its on the way..."
There were times when the female mind worked a whole lot better. "I'd
love one, thanks." They climbed into the car.
******
The driver was a bald man Karen called Uncle Tate, her only relative in
Florida. He grinned as they got inside.
"That your young man?" Tate asked.
"No, just someone in the same situation. We're giving him a ride to his
girl's place, that all right?" Karen answered.
"Yup. Just tell me where to turn."
"Nineteen Street, number 984, thank you sir. So, Karen," Tommy
inquired. "Why the dress?"
She blushed. "It was his favorite. I thought it might remind him."
"Its nice."
"You're too kind. Since we're old friends now, may I ask how long its
been?"
"A little over a year. You?"
"Six months. Approximately. Anyone since?"
"Two, one mistake, one mislead friend. What about you?"
"A boxer named Jake. A mistake and a friend all in one."
"What are you kids playing?" Tate called out. "Twenty questions?"
They all laughed. When the moment had passed, they were at the
building.
Tommy opened the door, but Karen's hand pulled him back. "I've been
meaning to ask...you do think this time we were each others mysterious
hint?"
He thought about it. "I guess we were. You've been my favorite so far."
"Thank you. And listen, if you ever need a friend, its Karen Jennifer
O'neal of Michigan."
"Bye Karen. Good luck."
"Good luck to you too." Moments later her black car sped away. Tommy
turned at looked at the building before him.
********************************
"984." A smile graced his lips as he saw the door before him, a gateway
into his new life. A part of him was worried, afraid she was with
Blue-eyes after all, the most likely situation. But regardless, he'd
wait for her. And Most of him was just on a high, thrilled to be
re-entering Kimberly's world.
He knocked twice, with confidence but not too loud. As he tapped his
foot, waiting, someone came up beside him and tapped him on the
shoulder. Tommy spun around, thoroughly surprised. He never expected to
see *her* standing *there*, *now*. The shock scared away his words, and
his mouth slid open. Finally, sense began shaking him out of his stupor
and he almost smiled at the lovely, familiar girl standing before him.
"Hello Kat."
*gasp*. Another part is over. Dun Dun Dun....Still no Kimberly! Will he
ever find her? Was she really with Blue-eyes? And is there any chance
that Tommy can win her back? What is Kat doing there? Who is helping
couples get back together all over Florida. Stay tuned for the next
exciting part of Flying Home. Same Ranger time, Same Ranger Channel...
three very different stories all at the same time. A SM comedy romance,
a Star Wars angsty Obidala thing, and this. But its here, and the next
chapter will be more prompt. Thank you sooooo much for all the reviews.
Of my three fics, this one got the most and best reaction. Tee Hee ^_^
As always, please review, either at fanfiction.net or
Eileenblzr@yahoo.com. I eagerly await your opinion. And I'll tell you
what. If this chapter beats the other chapter's number of reviews by
Wed, I'll put the next one out on Thursday. That means at least
fourteen replies in three days, or wait until sunday...please? Bye now!
Flying Home
Part Two
Kimberly was sitting on the chair of his home when he walked in, her
long brown hair tied up in a twisted knot, her arms holding a small
bundle. She didn't look up, just continued with a lullaby. Tommy came
up behind her and kneeled at the back of the chair. He rested his head
and listened to the sound of her voice, soft and melodious, as she
gently cradled the baby.
"Hey Handsome," she said when the baby had fallen asleep. "Hard day at
work?"
"No." Tommy pulled out two bouquets from nowhere, one overflowing with
roses and wildflowers, the other a miniature version. "But I did buy
these for you and Lexi."
"Oh Tommy! They're beautiful!" He stood up and kissed her one forehead.
"You too."
"Uh...Thomas, are you well?" That didn't sound right, Kim never called
him Thomas. Nor did she have a slight accent. Tommy blinked and when he
eyes reopened, Paulo was standing at the table, smiling in an
understanding sort of way.
"Yeah," He ran a hand through his hair. "I'm fine."
"That's good to hear. But uh, I thought you might like to know I found
the lady you wished to see. She and her gentlemen friend just paid
their check. I must say, they did seem *just* friends."
Tommy nodded and took his own bill from Paulo's hands. "Maybe you're
not seeing him through the right eyes. To you, he's a customer. For me,
he's a rival."
The waiter shrugged. "Perhaps. Just be sure you know what you're
seeing." Tommy smiled and clapped him on the shoulder.
"You've been a great help to me. Maybe someday you're family and mine
can have dinner together."
"I would very much like that. But now, you'll lose her if you do not
hurry."
Tommy was already out the door.
*************
He scanned the dark streets, looking for any sign of Kim. To his
eternal aggravation, car after car zoomed past, keeping his from having
a clear view. But then, suddenly, words caught his attention. He
followed them to where Blue-eyes was helping Kim into a taxi.
"We'll stop at your place." He was saying. "And we'll pick up a few
neccessities. Maybe a toothbrush for you." Tommy winced at that, then
again at the playful slap she gave him in response. "Then we will
continue our great voyage to my place where we can finish our great
evening." Blue-eyes' head dissapeared into the taxi and the orange
vehicle pulled away.
He knew it. *Friend*, they'd all said. What the hell kind of friend
takes you to his house and suggests your bring along a toothbrush? All
of a sudden, Tommy's knees felt like two tigs trying to support a lead
statue. Reaching out for anything that could hold his weight, his hands
found a phonebook.
And then something really unusual happened.
Tommy cried.
There were very few things that could bring him tears. Sad movies,
however moving, never led to the slightest moisture around his brown
eyes. He knew only a select few (his fellow ex-rangers, some family),
whose death would have such a dramatic effect, but thankfully, none had
ever died. In fact, the only other time he'd wept so freely was after
the Letter had arrived. So long after, there he was, back with the
pain, drowning in his own sorrow.
Kim was past him, no matter what others believed. She had obviously
found someone else, a better life, a new path, attitude, way of living.
The special sparkle she used to save for his smiles was no doubt shared
with Blue-eyes even as the ex-ranger cried. His Kim, his beautiful, was
someone else's, would continue to be someone else's.
He, Tommy Oliver, was nothing but an old friend, a name in a book no
longer looked at, a *brother* who never quite understood.
Had she really meant that? Tommy had always assumed it was something
said in a desperate, crazy moment. But what if all he was to her was an
older brother, someone to protect her and love her, but not *love* her.
And how could she have said that at all? After all the kisses and the
whispers and the longing and the damn plans that would never be
realized now that she was with Blue-eyes.
As he wiped his eyes, Tommy thought bitterly that he'd have to make
sure Paulo didn't wait for that invitation. There would never be a
happy Oliver family, a wife and kids to bounce off his knee. He'd never
be a Paulo, who showed off his family and loved his wife and...
had known who Kimberly was without having heard a description.
The ex-Ranger frowned. Another mysterious piece in the jigsaw puzzle of
his life. Glancing up at the sky, he shouted "You're too late! She's
with somebody else!"
But the sky offered no reaction, nor did it do anything to assuage his
aching heart. If he had ever been flying, he was now nose-diving
straight to hell, bumps and head bangs included.
"Um, excuse me." A lady stood beside him, dressed too well to be
standing on the corner, in front of a somewhat chintzy restaurant,
talking to the possibly insane man that Tommy was feeling like. She was
there, nonetheless, and trying to speak with him. "Excuse me," she
repeated. With the energy of a slug that's just taken sleeping pills,
he met her gaze.
She had pretty eyes, two swirling pools of gray, and a slender figure
wrapped up in a sleek, smooth beige chiffon number, her black curly
hair partly hidden by a fashionable hat. Somewhere, in the back of his
mind, it occurred to Tommy that he should have found her attractive.
This lady was what Rocky liked to call a 'perfect catch', in the former
red Ranger's words "Heaven's way of making up for all the monsters we
have to look at". But Tommy could muster no such interest.
She sort of laughed, a light jingling sound that suited her. "This
phone book is missing the page I need. Can I borrow the one behind
you?" The ex-Ranger scooted out of the way, wondering at the likihood
that of all the pages there, she would need the one that wasn't.
The lady pulled out a cellphone and the dialed a number, then whispered
something into it. Moments later, the phone returned to her purse and
she looked back at Tommy. "Hi," she said. "I'm Karen."
"Tommy."
"Its cold out here, isn't it? I didn't expect to be out here, but I
canceled my plans rather unexpectantly. I'm waiting for my ride."
Still the gentleman, Tommy removed his coat and offered it to her. She
accepted it with gratitude. "Um...I don't mean to be nosy or rude, but
are you all right?" Evidently, the tears had yet to dry.
"I'm fine." He lied, and she quickly realized that.
"Riiight. Let me take a wild guess. You're girl took up with another
guy."
Was it smart to tell a stranger the story? Whether or not it was, Tommy
told her everything, about the Letter, the trip to Florida, the mission
to win back Kim, the mysterious things that kept happening along the
way. By the time he was finished, her eyes were alight with excitement.
"You've got to be kidding!" She cried, "the same thing is happening to
me! I wanted to win back my boyfriend, Everett. He moved to Florida to
take over the family business after his grandpa died. We broke up a few
weeks later cause he decided a long distance relationship wouldn't work
out and he didn't want to hurt me. But then I figured that if I love
him, I should convince him that it will work, no matter where we are.
Hell, I'd move to Florida if it means having Everett. And the weirdest
things have shown up. Like twowo days ago I found the ring he gave me
the first time he proposed, when we were both six and wanted our very
own chocolate fudge wedding cake." The former Ranger was at her side
now, more than interested.
"So why are you here, alone?" He asked.
It was the wrong question; her face crumbled like a soft cookie. "I was
going to talk to him here, but he was dining with a very beautiful
girl, all curves and a shiny blond hair. They left together. I guess
its really over now."
"What do you mean its over?" He said, "Just because someone else wants
him too? If you love him like you say you do, then fight for him. Make
him see that you're the only one who he needs." As the words left his
mouth, Tommy left himself enlightened. Who did care if someone else
wanted his Kim? He would follow his own advice and win her back!
Karen bit her lip. "But she's sooo pretty. Why would he ever even look
twice at me again?"
Tommy nudged her. "Come on, Karen. There's more to people than looks.
If Everett sends you away 'cause of that, he's not worth it."
"I guess."
"And for what its worth, you're gorgeous. If I wasn't already madly,
passionately, completely in love with Kimberly Ann Hart, I think I'd
like you. And, if it doesn't work out, look me up under Oliver. I know
a ridiculously large number of single guys who'd love a chance with
you."
She laughed. "I'll keep that mind, but lets hope it doesn't come to
that." A black car pulled up to the side of the curb and she rose.
"Thats my ride."
He waved. "Have a nice night."
"You too." Karen glanced at the cab then at Tommy. "Hey, do you want a
ride?"
"Nah. I think I have to reorganize my plan a little. The fresh air will
help."
"Are you sure?" She lifted up the phonebook, still in her hands.
"Because she's listed and its on the way..."
There were times when the female mind worked a whole lot better. "I'd
love one, thanks." They climbed into the car.
******
The driver was a bald man Karen called Uncle Tate, her only relative in
Florida. He grinned as they got inside.
"That your young man?" Tate asked.
"No, just someone in the same situation. We're giving him a ride to his
girl's place, that all right?" Karen answered.
"Yup. Just tell me where to turn."
"Nineteen Street, number 984, thank you sir. So, Karen," Tommy
inquired. "Why the dress?"
She blushed. "It was his favorite. I thought it might remind him."
"Its nice."
"You're too kind. Since we're old friends now, may I ask how long its
been?"
"A little over a year. You?"
"Six months. Approximately. Anyone since?"
"Two, one mistake, one mislead friend. What about you?"
"A boxer named Jake. A mistake and a friend all in one."
"What are you kids playing?" Tate called out. "Twenty questions?"
They all laughed. When the moment had passed, they were at the
building.
Tommy opened the door, but Karen's hand pulled him back. "I've been
meaning to ask...you do think this time we were each others mysterious
hint?"
He thought about it. "I guess we were. You've been my favorite so far."
"Thank you. And listen, if you ever need a friend, its Karen Jennifer
O'neal of Michigan."
"Bye Karen. Good luck."
"Good luck to you too." Moments later her black car sped away. Tommy
turned at looked at the building before him.
********************************
"984." A smile graced his lips as he saw the door before him, a gateway
into his new life. A part of him was worried, afraid she was with
Blue-eyes after all, the most likely situation. But regardless, he'd
wait for her. And Most of him was just on a high, thrilled to be
re-entering Kimberly's world.
He knocked twice, with confidence but not too loud. As he tapped his
foot, waiting, someone came up beside him and tapped him on the
shoulder. Tommy spun around, thoroughly surprised. He never expected to
see *her* standing *there*, *now*. The shock scared away his words, and
his mouth slid open. Finally, sense began shaking him out of his stupor
and he almost smiled at the lovely, familiar girl standing before him.
"Hello Kat."
*gasp*. Another part is over. Dun Dun Dun....Still no Kimberly! Will he
ever find her? Was she really with Blue-eyes? And is there any chance
that Tommy can win her back? What is Kat doing there? Who is helping
couples get back together all over Florida. Stay tuned for the next
exciting part of Flying Home. Same Ranger time, Same Ranger Channel...