Ch.2

Before she knew it, it was Saturday. Kim packed a small suitcase as she planned to stay overnight at Kat's new house. She would be leaving Angel Grove on Sunday night… she called Jason and Trini and planned on having dinner with them before returning home. Kim was somewhat nervous, but excited to visit home. She may have moved away when she was a teenager, but Kim would always consider Angel Grove home.

It was mid-afternoon when Kim drove past the old Juice Bar… it brought back memories. The Juice Bar was still standing and full of customers, but Kim noticed it had gone through a remodel. Kim was just glad the old place was still there… she planned on convincing Kat on getting a smoothie after they left the park. Angel Grove really hadn't changed much over the years, and Kim made her way to the park.

Kim parked her car, and she headed towards the gazebo that was nearby the pond. She sat down at a table inside the gazebo to wait for Kat. The day was beautiful, so Kim was content on just enjoying the view while she waited for Kat to arrive.

Kim had a lot of fond memories of the park… her and the other rangers loved to hang out at the park on those quiet days when they didn't have to battle Rita and Zedd's monsters. It was also where she and Tommy had their first kiss… leading her to release a heavy sigh when she thought about him. All these years, and Tommy still had an affect on her. She was awfully curious on how he turned out… Tommy was very attractive in high school, and she was certain he hadn't changed much over the years. She heard Tommy cut his hair… Kat said it was a very different look on him, but that it looked good on him. Kim was so lost in her thoughts and was completely surprised when she was engulfed in a huge hug from behind.

Kim turned around to see a very excited Katherine Hillard… Kim couldn't believe she had let herself get so distracted that she completely missed her friend's arrival. Kat was laughing and said, "Sorry if I surprised you Kim… it's so good to see you!"

Kim returned the hug and said, "It's great to see you too Kat. Sorry that I wasn't paying attention… I let myself get lost in my thoughts." Kat said, "I figured… the park is a great place to think. I would always come here whenever I had a bad day at school or after a hard battle."

Kim said, "Same here… I started thinking about the old days. I have a lot of good memories here with the team, and with Tommy."

Kat said, "I do too. I'll always be grateful that you chose me to be your successor Kim… especially after everything I did to you while under Rita's spell." Kim said, "Kat, you helped the team save my life and gave me the courage not to give up on my dreams. I never would have gone to Florida if you hadn't talked to me."

Kat said, "It was the least I could do… I didn't want you to give up on something you loved." Kim smiled and said, "After our little talk, I knew I found a worthy replacement for me on the team. You did me proud as a fellow pink… hell you lasted through several ranger powers before retiring… Ninja, Zeo, and Turbo!"

Kat laughed and said, "Kim… you have no idea how well respected you are in the ranger community. You are the first pink ranger, and the longest serving female ranger. Tommy is your equal as the longest serving male ranger… I still can't believe he went through several colors in his career! Green, White, Red, and now he recently added Black to his ranger colors."

Kim was shocked and said, "Tommy went back into ranger service?! When did this happen?" Kat smiled and said, "Remember when I said Tommy is now living in Reefside?"

Kim had to think about the most recent ranger team… she finally recalled that the latest team was the Dino Thunder Rangers and that they protected Reefside. Kim said in shock, "Oh, my god. You mean to tell me Tommy was on the Dino Thunder Team?"

Kat let out a huge laugh and said, "Yup… Tommy was their mentor at first. He helped find the gems that gave the team their powers… their bad guy was a creepy, yet intelligent monster named Mesogog and was after the gems, so he could send the world back to the dinosaur days. Tommy was content to mentor the kids, but eventually he found his own gem."

Kim said, "Idiot… he always was a magnet for trouble. I thought the Black Dino Thunder Ranger's fighting style looked familiar. Didn't that team recently lose their powers in their final battle?"

Kat said, "Yes… the whole team sacrificed their powers to stop Mesogog. Tommy's sort of relieved to back in retirement… he's enjoying just being a normal teacher while the kids are preparing to head off to college."

Kim said, "Hopefully Tommy will stay retired for good… god, I can't believe that he willingly went back into that life. I can't blame him though… he's literally the embodiment of our saying 'once a ranger, always a ranger'."

Kat said, "Very true… I know I'd become a ranger again. But only if it was necessary. I'm glad I retired when I did… I wouldn't have been able to juggle ranger duties with college." Kim said, "I agree. But sometimes life has a funny way of always dragging us back into that world."

Kat quickly realized what Kim was referring to and said, "You're referring to the Island… when Divatox kidnapped you and Jason."

Kim sighed and said, "Yes… it was supposed to be a fun day. I hadn't seen Jason in forever; we ran into each other and had a much needed, but very long talk. He wanted to take me diving… he felt that he was harsh on me during our talk and wanted to make it up to me."

Kat said, "Kim, it wasn't your fault what happened. If you want to blame someone… blame Divatox. She was the one who kidnapped you and Jason, and the one who lowered you into the pit. You were under an evil spell… you couldn't control your actions."

Kim said, "I should have fought harder. It showed me that I do have a dark side… I still can't believe that I went after you, and that I let Jason attack Tommy."

Kat quickly shushed Kim and said, "Kim… stop blaming yourself. I never blamed you for attacking me, and Tommy was so hell-bent on bringing you back, that we nearly lost you and Jason because he let his emotions get in the way. Come on, Kim… Tommy went so far to remove his helmet in the hopes you would remember him."

Kim said, "I know… I saw that look in his eyes. He wanted to protect you." Kat let out a small laugh and said, "Tommy didn't take off his helmet just to protect me… I recognized that look in his eyes. It was a look I had only seen whenever he was with you."

Kim had her suspicions years ago, but was still shocked as she said, "No… there's no way that Tommy still had feelings for me." Kat gave her old friend a look and said, "Kim, even though I was dating Tommy at the time, I could tell he never completely got over you. Tommy and I were happy, but our relationship was nothing like the relationship Tommy had with you. You were Tommy's first love. The man probably still loves you to this day… he's dated, but never has gotten serious enough to get married."

Kim was surprised hearing that revelation from Kat… she thought by now Tommy would have been married, and with children of his own. Kat could see the surprise on Kim's face and said, "Tommy was very heartbroken when you broke up with him. He was absolutely devastated, but to my surprise he never said one negative thing about you. In fact, he was angry with everyone when he found out about the angry phone calls to you. He told us to leave you alone, and that he didn't want the breakup to affect our friendships with you. Of course, I was still mad at you."

Kim laughed and said, "You were the last one to read me the riot act. I believe you called me a two-timing slut who didn't deserve Tommy or the power." Kat returned the laugh and said, "And you called me, and I quote "an opportunistic bitch who was thrilled at the chance to get her hooks in Tommy now that he was single." I was hurt when you said that… I still had feelings for him, but I never made a move until he was fully ready for another relationship." Kim said, "I know that now, Kat… we were both angry, and I shouldn't have said that. You have no idea how much I appreciate that you were there for him as a friend during that time."

Kat was awfully curious and said, "I have to ask… what lead to you breaking up with Tommy? Was there really another guy?" Kim sighed and said, "It was the distance that drove us apart… honestly Kat, I don't know how you and Tommy managed a long-distance relationship for several years before breaking up. I loved him… but it was hard just hearing his voice on the phone and not being able to be together. I missed being a ranger and was a little envious every time Tommy would call to tell me the latest news from home. I got a little jealous when I heard how well you were doing on the team, and how your friendship with him was blossoming. I nearly came back home… I called Tommy in tears one day, but he managed to calm me down and convinced me to continue with my training."

Kat's heart really went out to Kim as she continued her story, "I couldn't believe how homesick I was, but Tommy's kind words helped me to focus. I started to do better in my training and started to make friends with the girls on the team. That's when I met Mark."

Kat said, "Let me guess… Mark was the other guy." Kim chuckled and said, "Yes, and my greatest mistake. He was a huge flirt, and the girls warned me about his reputation. He was persistent, and he managed to charm me and convince me to take a chance on him."

Kat said, "Leading you to write that disastrous letter." Kim said, "I should have never done that… I should have called and talked things out with Tommy. I was scared and took the coward's way out ending my relationship with Tommy that way."

Kat said, "Tommy almost teleported to Florida to talk to you. He quickly changed his mind… he was too hurt and was in no state to see you in person."

Kim said, "I wish he would have… maybe seeing him fight for me would have prevented me so much heartache and regret."

Kat said, "So what happened between you and Mark?" Kim said, "Mark and I dated for two months; for that short time, I tried to convince myself that I made the right decision. Mark was good to me, but I always felt something was off in our relationship. It wasn't what I had with Tommy… and I seriously started regretting leaving Tommy for Mark. I caught him cheating with my so-called best friend on the team… I dumped Mark and ended my friendship with Jackie."

Kat quickly came to a huge realization and said, "That means my angry call to you happened around the time you and Mark broke up." Kim gave a sly grin and said, "Actually Kat, I broke up with Mark on the very day you called me. Didn't you wonder why I was so angry?" Kat said, "I wondered, but I assumed you were angry at me for defending Tommy and for insulting you."

Kim said, "I was more furious at myself than with you. It was just too easy to take out my anger out on you since you were already furious with me. I am truly sorry for that." Kat just chuckled and said, "You don't have to apologize Kim… I shouldn't have provoked you." Kim said, "If you must know… I pretty much chewed out everyone on the team. Jason was the only one who I talked to in a civil manner… he wanted to know what went wrong, but I quickly told him I didn't want to argue with him. I hung up on him, and we didn't talk for a long time."

Kat said, "I figured that you would eventually confide in Jason… that man loves you like you are his sister. If he hadn't married Trini, I could picture you and Jason together as a couple."

Kim let out a huge laugh and said, "No way… Jason and I wouldn't work as a couple. I do love him… he's the brother that I never had, and he's always been there for me. But Jason has been in love with Trini for years… he was meant to be with her."

Kat said, "Yes… I agree with you on that. No one can deny that Jason and Trini are in love with each other. Trini's been a little pushy with me about settling down one day. I told her that I'll get married when I find the right guy." Kim just chuckled and said, "Well, at least I know I'm not the only on Trini has been pushing marriage on. I told her that too, and she just laughed in my face."

Kat said, "Let me guess… Trini teased you about Tommy. She does that to me all the time, but she knows Tommy and I will only be friends." Kim said, "Yup… Trini always teases me that Tommy was my first serious love. She's right though… I haven't had a serious relationship since Tommy. Hard to believe we were together almost three years."

Kat could see how heartbroken Kim looked and realized Kim most likely still had feelings for Tommy. Kat decided to find out more and said, "Kim, be honest with me… do you still have feelings for Tommy?" Kim sighed and said, "It's complicated. And honestly, I'm scared to see him in person… I'm afraid he doesn't want anything to do with me."

Kat said, "Kim, that man asks me all the time about you. He wishes that you would talk to him… he admitted that he misses your friendship." Kat then pulled out her phone and a small notepad from her purse and proceeded to write down Tommy's contact information. Kat handed Kim the number and said, "I'm not going to force you to call him, but I really think that you should. I think that Tommy would be thrilled to hear from his "beautiful" after so many years."

Hearing the old nickname that Tommy called her caused a brilliant shade of pink to color Kim's cheeks. Kim said, "I still can't believe you remembered Tommy's old nickname for me." Kat laughed and said, "I remembered Jason and Rocky used to tease Tommy all the time about that. In fact, Tommy and I never had nicknames for each other… despite the fact we dated for several years."

Kim could see a sense of sadness fall on Kat's face… Kim sensed that even though Kat had been in love with Tommy, the poor girl must have felt she was competing for Tommy's heart during their entire relationship. Kim said, "I never knew that… I always thought that you and Tommy had always been this great "happy" couple. You loved him… didn't you?"

Kat said, "I did… our relationship wasn't perfect, but I did love him. We just grew apart after we retired from ranger service and headed off to college. We tried to make our relationship work, but it just wasn't meant to be. Tommy and I are better off as friends than we ever were as a couple."

Kim said, "I'm glad that you and Tommy were able to stay friends. You know I was going to talk to him after the tournament."

Kat said, "You were? Tommy told me he saw you take off after the tournament. He saw you hug Jason goodbye, and he tried to follow you. But you quickly disappeared into the crowd, and by the time he got outside of the gym you were gone. He was disappointed… he really wanted to talk to you."

Kim said, "I did too. I went looking for Tommy after I went to congratulate Jason… but then I saw him with you. I saw you two in a middle of a hug… you have no idea how much that hurt."

Kat remembered that moment… she was so proud of Tommy, but she was scared that he was going to break up with her. That hug meant a lot to her; it made her feel that Tommy did care about her and their relationship. That gave her the reassurance that Tommy was committed to her, and the courage to let Tommy go and talk to Kim. She was just as disappointed as Tommy was when she learned that Kim had taken off again… but she never figured that Kim had taken off because she was hurt seeing her and Tommy together.

Kat gently hugged her friend and said, "Oh, Kim… I'm so sorry. I can only imagine how hurt you must have been." Kim sighed and said, "It was a huge blow to my heart seeing the man that I loved and stupidly let go with someone else. But I was also kind of glad that Tommy found some happiness… especially after the way I had treated him. I couldn't ruin that for him, so I took myself out of the picture."

Kat said, "Kim, I really wish you would have talked to him that day. You and Tommy needed closure; in fact, I think you still do." Kat then noticed that the sun was beginning to set and said, "Wow… girl. It's getting late… how about we continue this conversation at my house over pizza and some wine?"

Kim looked up in surprise and said, "Wow… time flies when you're having fun. Pizza sounds great…. I'm starving." Kat laughed, and the two headed over to their cars. Kat learned a lot in the past few hours of talking to Kim… she hoped she could help Kim overcome her fears about contacting Tommy. Kat hoped by the end of this visit, Kim would finally feel better about herself and get the courage to talk to Tommy.

Finally got this part of the story to my liking... figured that the girls would have a lot to talk about and I plan to add more to the conversation in the next part!