Present Demons

Disclaimer: I don't own the power rangers, they own me… at least that's what the voices are saying…

Summary: Kat's life is slowly deteriorating before her eyes, so how will interfering friends and a high school reunion help?

Author's Note: Sorry it's been so long since I last updated but I've been overloaded with work so I didn't have any time. I promise not to leave it so long for updating the next chapter.

Kim flipped her hand through her hair for the fifth time in ten minutes, a habit she had gotten into – and perfected – at the Pan Globals. She was nervous, and couldn't stand the waiting. Although why she was surprised at the company she was expecting being late hadn't quite registered yet. In all the time she had known him, Tommy Oliver had always run late for something or other. She just hoped he was doing ok. They hadn't really talked since the other night at Jason's, and she knew he was taking it rough. Kat - and herself if she was perfectly honest – would always be especially important to Tommy; it was just something about his nature. That and they were probably the only two women he'd ever been in love with. Flipping her hand through her brown shoulder-length hair again she looked towards the clock, sighing when she saw only two minutes had passed since she'd last looked. The doorbell's sudden shrill ring made Kim sigh with relief.

Hurrying to the front door, she let her two visitors in without a second's hesitation. "You're late, talk about making me worry!"

"You really have to tell us that?" Jason said as he bent down to kiss Kim on the cheek "You know whose fault it is."

"As much as I would like to – and normally do- take full credit, I believe your car has to share some of the blame." Tommy responded as he followed Jason in entering the house and bending to kiss Kim on the cheek.

"I just thought I'd state it for the record." Kim replied as she shut the door, smiling as she watched the two men head down the familiar hallway, pulling off their coats as they went. They were doing the usual banter, which made Kim's spirits soar. It was normalcy for them and they needed to be doing everything they could to keep things normal. They wouldn't be able to help Kat if they were down themselves.

"Are you just going to stand there?" Jason shot over his shoulder as he walked into her lounge.

"Yes, Jase," Kim replied as she went to join them "I thought I'd invite you both round for a relaxing catch-up, which you are then late for, then just stand in the hallway whilst you insult me."

"Kimberley," Jason said charmingly, spreading his arms wide as if about to embrace her "Would I ever do such a thing?"

Tommy chuckled whilst Kim said with all certainty "Yes."

"Fine then." Jason replied, dropping his arms and then collapsing with mock defeat into a nearby armchair.

"So?" Kim said after a moment's silence.

"So what?" Jason replied, but his eyes had hardened and Kim knew he knew what she was asking about.

"You know. This isn't the time for playing games Jase." Tommy replied, his voice soft but serious.

Jason sighed "Ok." He opened his mouth to speak again but was interrupted by Kim firing a question at Tommy.

"How are you holding up?"

Tommy looked slightly surprised at this but answered quickly "I'm fine."

Kim snorted whilst Jase muttered under his breath "And Zedd didn't have an eco-skeleton."

"Which was totally gross by the way," Kim added in Jason's direction before returning to Tommy and missing Jason rolling his eyes. "But was real which means that you're not fine."

"Kim…"

"Don't even go there Oliver." She relied warningly.

Tommy sighed and sat back in his chair "I don't know," he answered after a moment "I just… don't know. Sometimes I feel so angry that I could take on the Machine Empire and Mesagog at the same time and still have enough energy after to take on these bastards. And others I jus want to go and get her, bring her home to where we can look after her. She shouldn't be on her own with this."

"Where we can look after her?" Jason asked quietly "Or where you can?"

Tommy laughed wryly at that "If she did come back and I did want that, d'you think I'd be allowed a moment's peace with her? I'd have to get past Tanya, Aisha and that one over there first," Tommy said motioning to Kim "And then there's Adam, Rocky and you to contend with."

"That doesn't answer the question." Kim said, a small smile on her lips.

Tommy sighed "I don't know, ok? I'm just so confused at the moment. As soon as she's safe I'll sort all this out."

Jason shook his head and was about to press the issue when Kim turned on him. "And you?"

"Me?"

"Yes you." Kim said exasperated.

Jason shrugged "I'm dealing," he said matter-of-factly "I just want it to be over already. I want her here with us, where she belongs."

"Okay." Kim nodded.

"Hang on," Tommy said sitting up "I get the third degree and all he gets is one question?"

"Yep."

"Deal with it bro," Jason said "And now it's your turn, KImmie. How are you doing?"

Kim sighed, not sure if she should mention anything. It would definitely dampen their spirits and probably worry and confuse Tommy even more. Looking up at them she was about to make up some excuse when they both gave her the same look. The one where they knew her so well that whatever she was about to say they weren't going to believe so she might as well tell them the truth. And that was the real problem here. They all knew each other so well. They knew what was going on in each other's lives and how they worked; after the things they'd been through together it was impossible for them not to know each other so well. But that was the problem for Kim.

"We should've known," she said at last "We know each other better than anyone can really know each other. We've fought things unimaginable to most people and got through it because we were together. How did we miss this? How did we not realise she needed our help? She is one of my best friends. I use to speak to her at least once a week, and didn't fight to keep that up when she got the new job. I didn't even notice how dull she sounded until Tanya said so a few weeks ago. Until Adam said that Tanya was starting to get depressed because Kat was. Why didn't I notice?"

Jason and Tommy stared at Kim as she literally deflated before them, finally letting loose all the feelings that she needed to say.

"All I wanted was for her to be happy. And she said she was but she's not. Why didn't I know that she was lying? Sometimes I know her better than myself, but iddin't know this? She has always been there for me when I've needed her. If it wasn't for her I wouldn't have lived half the life I have, I wouldn't have been able to follow my dream. There was no-one else that I would've trusted with the power but her, I knew that from my instincts. So why the hell didn't I listen to them when I thought something was wrong?"

"You weren't the only one," Tommy said, staring at one of the most important people in his life and having his heart broken at her obvious pain "None of us did anything when we should have."

"But you at least have an excuse," Kim said, fighting back tears "You haven't spoken to her in years-"

"When I should have," Tommy said firmly "Because I'm a coward I shied away from talking to her, from dealing with everything that happened between us. And now I can't be the friend she needs, the friend I want to be to her. I don't want to lose her Kim, but I think we already have."

"We're not there yet," said Jason as he got up "And don't either of you talk like that again."

"Jase…" Kim began.

"No," he said, turning to face her "You weren't the only one, we all didn't notice and we're all to blame. But it is not too late. You both have to understand that. We are not too late. And we are going to put up one hell of a fight to get her back. It's no different to a monster taking her, or Rita and Zedd trying to turn her evil again, we wouldn't give up then and we certainly wouldn't be talking like this. I know we need to talk about how we're feeling so we can deal with this the best way we can. But we also have to stay focused. We're not going to lose this fight."

Kim smiled slightly, looking up at Jason "I forgot how good a motivational speaker you were."

Jason grinned down at her and then walked over and pulled her up into his arms, hugging her tightly. Looking at Tommy over the top of her head, he nodded slightly and Tommy nodded back. Kim stepped back from Jason and stared between the two men. Jason grinned and gave her the same nod. Kim smiled slightly and just shook her head, which made Tommy smile as well.

"Ok," Kim said "If we're going to win this fight we're going to have to actually do something aren't we?"

"You have that crazed look in your eyes." Jason said wearily, slowly backing away from Kim.

"Haha, mr. Funny-know-it-all." Kim said as she walked towards the phone.

"Jason mr-know-it-all?" Tommy asked with a slight grin "I think you're getting confused Kim."

"Maybe," Kim replied cheekily and the started dialling.

"Bro she's planning something." Tommy said, with mock-worry written all over his face.

"I know, this doesn't look good." Tommy said in a serious voice whilst sitting up but ruining it with the grin all over his face.

"Hey Kat! It's me, but I know you know that. I'm ringing cos I have a slight dilemma and I need your help. Like seriously need you help! It's a matter of great urgency and only you can provide the answer. So please ring me back as soon as you can, ok? Love you girl!"

Kim put down the phone and turned triumphantly to the boys. They didn't know her idea as it had only just struck her when Jason spoke but it was a perfect opportunity. It would get Kat talking and confiding in her again and remind them of their friendships from when they were younger. It also had nothing to do with what they suspected was wrong with Kat so it might just work.

"What have you done?" Jason said slowly.

"I just have implemented the first stage of our plan to get Kat talking again." Kim said, her spirits soaring at the look of relief and hope in Tommy's eyes.

"Our plan?" Jason asked "I don't know anything about this plan."

"Well you won't actually play that big a part in it." Kim said.

"We won't?" Tommy asked, confused at the grin on Kim's face.

"And why won't we?" Jason asked suspiciously.

"Because as far as I know, you don't know a thing about what clothes a girl should wear to her high school reunion do you?" Kim replied as the phone rang and she went to get it. "Hello?"

Jason snorted "Damn straight we don't missy. I know you doubt Tommy's manlihood but-"

"K-Kat?"

Both men shut up as Kim gasped into the phone.

"I guess her plan worked." Tommy said slowly, as he started to smile "We might actually be able to do this."

"Whaddaya mean 'might'? Get some faith man." Jason said, punching his friend's shoulder "We're gonna do this."

Hope you liked and please review!