New Start
By Didi
Disclaimer: I do not own the Power Rangers or any of the characters.
Summary: They're all grown up and separated. Just when you thought it was all over for the old gang, fate throws them together once more.
Rating: R for language and content at times.
Acknowledgements: To my darling Faith, we all fall apart every once in a while. This one is for you my dear.
Note: I am writing this story so I'm not tempted to throw something hard and deadly in frustrating moments. I'm not sure where I want to take this story but I promise to try to make it fun and interesting for everyone that reads it.
~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter Eleven
~~~~~~~~~~
July 2, 2004
Jason Scott's Resident
138 Haven Ave.
East Brunswick, New Jersey
Kimberly's bared finger brushed against the knife only too hard. "Ouch." Her entire hand shot out of the soapy dishwater as she instinctively tried to put the soapy wounded finger in her mouth.
"Hold it!" Tommy grabbed her bleeding finger before she could digest dishwashing detergent. "Adam, get the first aid." He squeezed the finger just above the wound, hoping to cut the flow of blood.
"Here," Trini instinctively handed him a clean tissue paper to hold again the cut. "Try to stop the bleeding."
"What do you think I've been doing?" Tommy snapped back, startling Trini.
"Tommy," Jason frowned before taking hold of Trini by the shoulders. "There's no need to bite off her head."
Tommy sighed and shook his head. "I'm sorry Trini, I didn't mean to snap at you."
Trini watched him with weary eyes. "I know."
"Here," Adam came back in with the first aid kit. "Allow me."
"Thanks," Kimberly said as Adam examined the cut.
"Minor wound. Don't worry about it." Adam pronounced before cleaning the cut with peroxide, generously applying a white powder to the still bleeding cut, and then wrapping a band-aid tightly around it. "There, if it turns all red and yucky tomorrow, come see me."
"It's nice having a doctor on call." Kimberly smiled before examining the band-aid finger. "Thanks, Adam."
"No problem." He put the kit away and turned toward the kitchen. "Whoa, what happened?" He could feel the thick tension in the air. "Did I miss something?"
"No," Trini shook her head and smiled to clear the air. "Why don't you guys all go out and get some air while I finish the dishes instead."
The others nodded in agreement. Tommy turned back as he was heading for the door. "Trini, I..."
"It's fine, Tommy." She nodded her head in reassurance. "We're okay."
Tommy nodded. "Thanks."
"Hey, Angel?" Jason glanced at the door first before resting his hands on her shoulders again, this time facing him. "You okay?"
"Yeah," she smiled for him but it didn't reach her eyes. "Why won't I be?"
Jason frowned and kissed her brows. "He hurt your feelings."
She nodded her head and felt the tears gather in her eyes. "This is so stupid."
"No, it's not." Jason glanced out the window and made sure the others were not watching before touching his lips to hers. "You're allow to feel hurt when you've been wronged."
"He didn't mean it, I know that. He was just frustrated and worried."
"Yes but he didn't have the right to take it out on you." Jason sighed and wanted to gather her close. "You sure you're all right?"
She ran her knuckle over her eyes and took a deep breath. "Yeah, I'm fine. Go on out."
Jason's eyes swept over her as she turned to tackle the dishes. "Trini?"
"Yeah?"
"You know that I care right?"
She smiled softly. "Yeah, I know you're a great friend." Then turned back to the dishes.
He stood by the doorway for a moment longer staring at her back. Friend?
~~~~~
"You sure you're okay, Beautiful?" Tommy asked watching her with hawk-like eyes.
She smiled at him weakly. "Yeah, I'm okay. It's nothing but a scratch."
"Hey, how long are these things suppose to be in there?" Rocky waved a hand in front of him trying to fan away from of the smoke from the coals. "And who eats yams like this?"
"Trini does." Adam said as he poured himself some wine from the bottle that Jason had brought out. "It's a pretty old Asian thing."
"Is it any good?" That was the only thing Rocky wanted to know.
"It keeps the natural flavors in when roasted like this." Adam replied taking a small sip and glancing at the back door.
"But does it taste good?" Rocky asked again.
"Yes, it's good this way." Adam said frowning at the door. "Wonder where Jason is?"
"Probably keeping Trini company," Tommy said quietly still watching Kimberly.
Kim squirmed in her chair, not sure she liked the attention from Tommy. Yet at the same time, it gave her courage to know that he still cared. "Maybe I should go in to help with the dishes."
"Not with that finger," Tommy pointed out and glanced briefly at the door as it swung open allowing a rather disturbed Jason out. "Hey, Jason. What's up?"
Jason blinked and pushed whatever he was thinking away. He frowned thoughtfully at Tommy. "I think you need to go talk to Trini, man. You hurt her feelings just now."
Tommy frowned. "I thought she said..."
"Come on, Tommy." Jason poured the wine. "You know how Trini was in high school. Everyone else's feelings are more important than her own. She just didn't want to make a big deal about it, but you made her cry."
Tommy winced in guilt. "Damn." He should have remembered that though Trini has grown up, in many ways she was still the same shy girl he knew in Angel Grove High. It was wrong of him to have hurt her, unintentional as it was, it was still wrong. He got up and headed for the back door.
Kimberly leaned over slowly. "Is she very upset?"
Jason shrugged. "I'm not sure."
"She cried though?"
"Tears in her eyes." Jason said downing the aged Merlot in one gulp not tasting it at all. "I hate seeing her sad like that."
"Me too." Kimberly whispered as she watched the window. "I'll talk to her later."
"Geeze," Rocky sat down with them. "I don't think I've ever seen Trini cry before."
Jason grimaced. "It takes a lot to make her show her grief outwardly. Trini usually bottles everything inside and takes care of it herself when she's alone. I didn't like seeing her like this."
Adam frowned at the door. "What happened in there?"
Jason said nothing and Kimberly looked away.
"Come on guys," Rocky looked from one to the other. "What happened?"
Kimberly sighed. "I cut my hand and Tommy got upset. When Trini made a small suggestion, Tommy snapped back at her."
Rocky raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Tommy took out his temper at Trini?"
"Yeah."
"Oh." It was rare to see Tommy lose his cool. Adam looked at the back door. "I wonder what's being said in there."
~~~~~
"Tommy, I told you that I'm fine." Trini insisted as she scrubbed the plates slowly.
"Jason doesn't think so." Tommy said as he leaned against the counter
"Jason thinks too much."
"He's a friend." Tommy looked over at her and noticed that her eyes were slightly red from salt tears. "Trini please, talk to me. I know I've upset you, tell me how I can make it right."
"Tommy," she would have turned to him if she hadn't felt the tears gathering again. What is wrong with me? I'm not mad at him at all but I can't seem to control the tears. "I'm fine."
"Your rabbit eyes disagree." Tommy took the sponge from her and turned her to look at him. When she tried to turn her head, he caught her chin. It was then that he saw the tears. "Oh, Trini. Please don't cry."
The first tear fell without her notice as she tried to pull away. But he felt it as it hit the back of his hand. "Tommy, please just..."
"I hate to see a woman cry and know that I'm the cause of it." Tommy pulled her back and hugged her tightly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry. Tell me how I can make this right for you."
She sniffled into his shirt and disentangled herself slowly. "I don't know why I'm so emotional about this. You didn't do anything wrong, Tommy. I totally understand your position and how you were feeling. I just don't know why..." her voice came haltingly as the first sob escaped. "I don't know why I'm so....upset." Her breath caught in her throat as she tried to choke back the sob that threatened to come out again. I am not going to let him see me cry. I am not!
"Trini," he held out his hand to her, trying to offer comfort as she back away from him slowly, one hand held over her mouth.
"I have...I have to go." She backed away from him even more and reached for the countertop as tears blurred her vision. Reaching into her back pocket, she tossed her car keys on to the island. "Tell...tell the others that I'm sorry and tell Kim that I'll see her later."
"Trini!" He followed her helplessly. "Please don't go, I..."
"It's not you," Trini got out as she reached the front door. "I just need to be alone." With tears streaming free, she ran out into the streets and away. Can't let them see me like this!
"TRINI!" Tommy called out and was tempted to run after her but as upset as he was making her, he may just upset her more if he did go after her. Damn! Running through the house, he slam out the back door so fast that he startled the others out of their seats.
"What happened?" Jason asked almost immediately when he that something was not right.
"Trini ran off." Tommy shook his head in confusion as he hand Kimberly Trini's keys. "I was trying to apologize and it just got worse and worse. Then she started to cry and just ran off. She said to tell you guys that she's sorry and that she'd see Kim at home."
Kimberly eyes went wide. "She just ran off?"
"Yeah," Tommy ran a hand through his hair. "I didn't know what to do. Everything I said seem to make it worse and I just..."
"Kim, get home." Jason said pushing her toward the driveway. "Make sure she's okay and give us a call. I'd go with you if I thought it would help."
"Call us if you need anything," Rocky said as he grabbed three yams off the grill and put them into a container. "Here, take these with you."
"Thanks." Kimberly grabbed the container and reached out to Tommy for the first time. "I'm sure it's not your fault."
"But..."
"Tommy, sometime..." she frowned not sure how to explain. "It's a hormonal girl thing."
"Kim," Jason nodded toward the car. "Go."
"Kim," Adam reached into the doctors bag next to the first aid kit he always seem to carry now a days. "Give this to Trini if she's really, Really, REALLY upset."
"What is it?"
"Prozac."
"Are you sure this is safe?"
"Yeah but only one, okay?"
"Thanks."
"Kimberly!" Jason said insistently now. His mind was racing and wanting to run out and find her himself. Damn it, Trini. Please be okay.
"I'll call you guys," as she started the car.
~~~~~~~~~~
July 2, 2004
Trini Kwan's Condo
168 Apple Grove Drive #A
East Brunswick, New Jersey
The hot water ran down on her from the big showerhead as Trini cried herself dry. She hadn't even bothered with taking her clothes off. The minute she got home, she stepped into the shower, turned it up hot and crouched down to hug herself as she sobbed from deep in her soul.
Everything from her insides hurt and she didn't know what to do about it. Nothing was making sense right now, all she knew was that everything was bottled up and she needed to release it all now. It wasn't pain or anger, nor was it sadness or regret; she didn't know where all the tears were coming from, only that it didn't seem to want to stop.
"TRINI!!" Kimberly pounded on the door. "Trini! Are you all right?"
She might was well as have saved her breath since Trini couldn't hear her over the combine roaring of the blood pounding in her ears and the wonderfully loud massage shower head.
"Trini, please open this door!" Kimberly begged as she hit the door with the flat of her hand again. "Trini!"
The girl that had once commanded the mighty saber tooth tiger zord felt the sobs drain away and with it all her energy. Her limbs felt heavy and tired. Her eyes fell of their own accord and she leaned against the big white tub. Gosh, I'm so tired. With all her emotions spent, she was completely without any power left as she felt the wonderful darkness of slumber slip over her.
Kimberly pounded on the door once more before getting up for the phone. "Hello? Jason? Get over here now. Trini's locked herself in the bathroom and not answering me at all. I'm scared."
"Hang on, we can be there in five minutes." Jason said before throwing the phone down.
Kim clicked the phone off and set it back on the cradle before resuming her position in front of the bathroom door. "Trini! Please answer me. Open this door."
Five heart stopping minutes later, the boys pounded their way up the stairs where they found Kimberly crouched outside Trini's bathroom door crying.
"Hurry!" Kimberly said as she got out of the way.
Jason and Tommy put their shoulders into it. After three hard rams, the door gave away. Hot steam poured out from the bathroom, making everyone cough in reaction.
"Oh god," Jason felt his heart stop. "Trini!"
Tommy turned the scolding hot water off as Jason lifted her from the tub, drenched from head to foot. "Get her on the floor, it's cooler."
"Trini!" Kimberly felt her heart jump to her throat as she tossed a towel to Jason. "Help her, Adam."
Adam moved to replace Tommy by Trini's side as Jason began to strip of her of the clothes she was soaked in. "Heart rate is slightly elevated, temperature...." He held his hand against Trini's forehead. "Normal."
Trini groaned and tried to push Jason away as he tugged on her jean shorts, which was heavy with water. "Stop," she murmured.
"I'm sorry, baby but I've got to take them off." Jason replied close to her ears as he continued to strip her. He draped the towel over her as he pulled off her bra and underpants, and then wrapped her tightly in the big towel that Kimberly handed him. "Let's get her to the bed."
"So sleepy," Trini mumbled as Jason stood up with her in his arms. "So tired."
"We can tell," Tommy said as he watched Kimberly wrap another towel over Trini's long hair. "Is she going to be okay?"
"Trini?" Kim sat by the bed and slowly rubbed Trini's hair dry. "You okay?"
"So tired." Trini turned and instinctively reached out for something that was no longer there. "Needed a good purge today."
Kimberly smiled in reaction and looked over at the guys. "She's going to be okay."
"Does she do this often?" Rocky asked as he played with the crystal figurine on Trini dressing table. His heart pounded in his chest and he took deep breaths. It was so unlike the usually calm Trini to be acting this way. It was very disturbing to see.
"I think every girl does it every once in a while." Kimberly said pulling the blanket Trini had neatly folded in the morning over her now. "We all need a good cry, sleep and a gallon of ice cream. Then we're all better. It's called an emotional purge."
"And it could happen at any time." Adam shook his head. "Any little thing could trigger it. Looks like it was Tommy this time." He grinned almost amused. "You know when we talked about this in psychology, I didn't think I would actually see a case of it. I always thought it was something the professor said as an excuse for irrational behavior by females, like PMS."
Kimberly gave him a good frown. "If Trini was awake right now, she'd kick your ass."
"Oh, I don't doubt it!"
Jason was watching Trini with concern eyes. "She's going to okay then? This is normal?"
"Yeah," Adam reached for the bottle of prozac still in Kimberly's hand. "She'll be fine."
"Maybe I should stay just in case." Jason suggested. "Besides, I don't think I'm going to get much sleep tonight unless she talks to me."
"Sure," Kimberly smiled at her friend. "You can have the guest room."
Jason smiled at her. "I was thinking more along the lines of camping out at the foot of her bed."
"Why don't we all sleep over for the night?" Tommy suggested. "The living room is certainly big enough."
"You guys don't have to stay." Kimberly reassured them. "Everything is fine now. Just watch, Trini is going to wake up tomorrow morning and act like nothing has happened."
"Besides," Jason said eyeing the big lounge chair in Trini's bedroom. Looked almost comfortable enough to sleep in. "You guys are all still slightly jetlagged and should be in a nice bed to sleep in. I'll stay here to make sure everything is okay when she wakes up."
"Well," Tommy crossed his arms. "Rocky and Adam can go back then. I'm not leaving until Trini tells me that what happened was not the result of my little boorish behavior."
"Fine," Kimberly threw up her hand. "Rocky and Adam will go home and sleep. Jason and Tommy will stay the night if it makes them feel better. But I'm warning you guys, you snore at your own risk!"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Teaser line from next chapter: "If we want to be honest, it's never going to be the right time for this."
By Didi
Disclaimer: I do not own the Power Rangers or any of the characters.
Summary: They're all grown up and separated. Just when you thought it was all over for the old gang, fate throws them together once more.
Rating: R for language and content at times.
Acknowledgements: To my darling Faith, we all fall apart every once in a while. This one is for you my dear.
Note: I am writing this story so I'm not tempted to throw something hard and deadly in frustrating moments. I'm not sure where I want to take this story but I promise to try to make it fun and interesting for everyone that reads it.
~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter Eleven
~~~~~~~~~~
July 2, 2004
Jason Scott's Resident
138 Haven Ave.
East Brunswick, New Jersey
Kimberly's bared finger brushed against the knife only too hard. "Ouch." Her entire hand shot out of the soapy dishwater as she instinctively tried to put the soapy wounded finger in her mouth.
"Hold it!" Tommy grabbed her bleeding finger before she could digest dishwashing detergent. "Adam, get the first aid." He squeezed the finger just above the wound, hoping to cut the flow of blood.
"Here," Trini instinctively handed him a clean tissue paper to hold again the cut. "Try to stop the bleeding."
"What do you think I've been doing?" Tommy snapped back, startling Trini.
"Tommy," Jason frowned before taking hold of Trini by the shoulders. "There's no need to bite off her head."
Tommy sighed and shook his head. "I'm sorry Trini, I didn't mean to snap at you."
Trini watched him with weary eyes. "I know."
"Here," Adam came back in with the first aid kit. "Allow me."
"Thanks," Kimberly said as Adam examined the cut.
"Minor wound. Don't worry about it." Adam pronounced before cleaning the cut with peroxide, generously applying a white powder to the still bleeding cut, and then wrapping a band-aid tightly around it. "There, if it turns all red and yucky tomorrow, come see me."
"It's nice having a doctor on call." Kimberly smiled before examining the band-aid finger. "Thanks, Adam."
"No problem." He put the kit away and turned toward the kitchen. "Whoa, what happened?" He could feel the thick tension in the air. "Did I miss something?"
"No," Trini shook her head and smiled to clear the air. "Why don't you guys all go out and get some air while I finish the dishes instead."
The others nodded in agreement. Tommy turned back as he was heading for the door. "Trini, I..."
"It's fine, Tommy." She nodded her head in reassurance. "We're okay."
Tommy nodded. "Thanks."
"Hey, Angel?" Jason glanced at the door first before resting his hands on her shoulders again, this time facing him. "You okay?"
"Yeah," she smiled for him but it didn't reach her eyes. "Why won't I be?"
Jason frowned and kissed her brows. "He hurt your feelings."
She nodded her head and felt the tears gather in her eyes. "This is so stupid."
"No, it's not." Jason glanced out the window and made sure the others were not watching before touching his lips to hers. "You're allow to feel hurt when you've been wronged."
"He didn't mean it, I know that. He was just frustrated and worried."
"Yes but he didn't have the right to take it out on you." Jason sighed and wanted to gather her close. "You sure you're all right?"
She ran her knuckle over her eyes and took a deep breath. "Yeah, I'm fine. Go on out."
Jason's eyes swept over her as she turned to tackle the dishes. "Trini?"
"Yeah?"
"You know that I care right?"
She smiled softly. "Yeah, I know you're a great friend." Then turned back to the dishes.
He stood by the doorway for a moment longer staring at her back. Friend?
~~~~~
"You sure you're okay, Beautiful?" Tommy asked watching her with hawk-like eyes.
She smiled at him weakly. "Yeah, I'm okay. It's nothing but a scratch."
"Hey, how long are these things suppose to be in there?" Rocky waved a hand in front of him trying to fan away from of the smoke from the coals. "And who eats yams like this?"
"Trini does." Adam said as he poured himself some wine from the bottle that Jason had brought out. "It's a pretty old Asian thing."
"Is it any good?" That was the only thing Rocky wanted to know.
"It keeps the natural flavors in when roasted like this." Adam replied taking a small sip and glancing at the back door.
"But does it taste good?" Rocky asked again.
"Yes, it's good this way." Adam said frowning at the door. "Wonder where Jason is?"
"Probably keeping Trini company," Tommy said quietly still watching Kimberly.
Kim squirmed in her chair, not sure she liked the attention from Tommy. Yet at the same time, it gave her courage to know that he still cared. "Maybe I should go in to help with the dishes."
"Not with that finger," Tommy pointed out and glanced briefly at the door as it swung open allowing a rather disturbed Jason out. "Hey, Jason. What's up?"
Jason blinked and pushed whatever he was thinking away. He frowned thoughtfully at Tommy. "I think you need to go talk to Trini, man. You hurt her feelings just now."
Tommy frowned. "I thought she said..."
"Come on, Tommy." Jason poured the wine. "You know how Trini was in high school. Everyone else's feelings are more important than her own. She just didn't want to make a big deal about it, but you made her cry."
Tommy winced in guilt. "Damn." He should have remembered that though Trini has grown up, in many ways she was still the same shy girl he knew in Angel Grove High. It was wrong of him to have hurt her, unintentional as it was, it was still wrong. He got up and headed for the back door.
Kimberly leaned over slowly. "Is she very upset?"
Jason shrugged. "I'm not sure."
"She cried though?"
"Tears in her eyes." Jason said downing the aged Merlot in one gulp not tasting it at all. "I hate seeing her sad like that."
"Me too." Kimberly whispered as she watched the window. "I'll talk to her later."
"Geeze," Rocky sat down with them. "I don't think I've ever seen Trini cry before."
Jason grimaced. "It takes a lot to make her show her grief outwardly. Trini usually bottles everything inside and takes care of it herself when she's alone. I didn't like seeing her like this."
Adam frowned at the door. "What happened in there?"
Jason said nothing and Kimberly looked away.
"Come on guys," Rocky looked from one to the other. "What happened?"
Kimberly sighed. "I cut my hand and Tommy got upset. When Trini made a small suggestion, Tommy snapped back at her."
Rocky raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Tommy took out his temper at Trini?"
"Yeah."
"Oh." It was rare to see Tommy lose his cool. Adam looked at the back door. "I wonder what's being said in there."
~~~~~
"Tommy, I told you that I'm fine." Trini insisted as she scrubbed the plates slowly.
"Jason doesn't think so." Tommy said as he leaned against the counter
"Jason thinks too much."
"He's a friend." Tommy looked over at her and noticed that her eyes were slightly red from salt tears. "Trini please, talk to me. I know I've upset you, tell me how I can make it right."
"Tommy," she would have turned to him if she hadn't felt the tears gathering again. What is wrong with me? I'm not mad at him at all but I can't seem to control the tears. "I'm fine."
"Your rabbit eyes disagree." Tommy took the sponge from her and turned her to look at him. When she tried to turn her head, he caught her chin. It was then that he saw the tears. "Oh, Trini. Please don't cry."
The first tear fell without her notice as she tried to pull away. But he felt it as it hit the back of his hand. "Tommy, please just..."
"I hate to see a woman cry and know that I'm the cause of it." Tommy pulled her back and hugged her tightly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry. Tell me how I can make this right for you."
She sniffled into his shirt and disentangled herself slowly. "I don't know why I'm so emotional about this. You didn't do anything wrong, Tommy. I totally understand your position and how you were feeling. I just don't know why..." her voice came haltingly as the first sob escaped. "I don't know why I'm so....upset." Her breath caught in her throat as she tried to choke back the sob that threatened to come out again. I am not going to let him see me cry. I am not!
"Trini," he held out his hand to her, trying to offer comfort as she back away from him slowly, one hand held over her mouth.
"I have...I have to go." She backed away from him even more and reached for the countertop as tears blurred her vision. Reaching into her back pocket, she tossed her car keys on to the island. "Tell...tell the others that I'm sorry and tell Kim that I'll see her later."
"Trini!" He followed her helplessly. "Please don't go, I..."
"It's not you," Trini got out as she reached the front door. "I just need to be alone." With tears streaming free, she ran out into the streets and away. Can't let them see me like this!
"TRINI!" Tommy called out and was tempted to run after her but as upset as he was making her, he may just upset her more if he did go after her. Damn! Running through the house, he slam out the back door so fast that he startled the others out of their seats.
"What happened?" Jason asked almost immediately when he that something was not right.
"Trini ran off." Tommy shook his head in confusion as he hand Kimberly Trini's keys. "I was trying to apologize and it just got worse and worse. Then she started to cry and just ran off. She said to tell you guys that she's sorry and that she'd see Kim at home."
Kimberly eyes went wide. "She just ran off?"
"Yeah," Tommy ran a hand through his hair. "I didn't know what to do. Everything I said seem to make it worse and I just..."
"Kim, get home." Jason said pushing her toward the driveway. "Make sure she's okay and give us a call. I'd go with you if I thought it would help."
"Call us if you need anything," Rocky said as he grabbed three yams off the grill and put them into a container. "Here, take these with you."
"Thanks." Kimberly grabbed the container and reached out to Tommy for the first time. "I'm sure it's not your fault."
"But..."
"Tommy, sometime..." she frowned not sure how to explain. "It's a hormonal girl thing."
"Kim," Jason nodded toward the car. "Go."
"Kim," Adam reached into the doctors bag next to the first aid kit he always seem to carry now a days. "Give this to Trini if she's really, Really, REALLY upset."
"What is it?"
"Prozac."
"Are you sure this is safe?"
"Yeah but only one, okay?"
"Thanks."
"Kimberly!" Jason said insistently now. His mind was racing and wanting to run out and find her himself. Damn it, Trini. Please be okay.
"I'll call you guys," as she started the car.
~~~~~~~~~~
July 2, 2004
Trini Kwan's Condo
168 Apple Grove Drive #A
East Brunswick, New Jersey
The hot water ran down on her from the big showerhead as Trini cried herself dry. She hadn't even bothered with taking her clothes off. The minute she got home, she stepped into the shower, turned it up hot and crouched down to hug herself as she sobbed from deep in her soul.
Everything from her insides hurt and she didn't know what to do about it. Nothing was making sense right now, all she knew was that everything was bottled up and she needed to release it all now. It wasn't pain or anger, nor was it sadness or regret; she didn't know where all the tears were coming from, only that it didn't seem to want to stop.
"TRINI!!" Kimberly pounded on the door. "Trini! Are you all right?"
She might was well as have saved her breath since Trini couldn't hear her over the combine roaring of the blood pounding in her ears and the wonderfully loud massage shower head.
"Trini, please open this door!" Kimberly begged as she hit the door with the flat of her hand again. "Trini!"
The girl that had once commanded the mighty saber tooth tiger zord felt the sobs drain away and with it all her energy. Her limbs felt heavy and tired. Her eyes fell of their own accord and she leaned against the big white tub. Gosh, I'm so tired. With all her emotions spent, she was completely without any power left as she felt the wonderful darkness of slumber slip over her.
Kimberly pounded on the door once more before getting up for the phone. "Hello? Jason? Get over here now. Trini's locked herself in the bathroom and not answering me at all. I'm scared."
"Hang on, we can be there in five minutes." Jason said before throwing the phone down.
Kim clicked the phone off and set it back on the cradle before resuming her position in front of the bathroom door. "Trini! Please answer me. Open this door."
Five heart stopping minutes later, the boys pounded their way up the stairs where they found Kimberly crouched outside Trini's bathroom door crying.
"Hurry!" Kimberly said as she got out of the way.
Jason and Tommy put their shoulders into it. After three hard rams, the door gave away. Hot steam poured out from the bathroom, making everyone cough in reaction.
"Oh god," Jason felt his heart stop. "Trini!"
Tommy turned the scolding hot water off as Jason lifted her from the tub, drenched from head to foot. "Get her on the floor, it's cooler."
"Trini!" Kimberly felt her heart jump to her throat as she tossed a towel to Jason. "Help her, Adam."
Adam moved to replace Tommy by Trini's side as Jason began to strip of her of the clothes she was soaked in. "Heart rate is slightly elevated, temperature...." He held his hand against Trini's forehead. "Normal."
Trini groaned and tried to push Jason away as he tugged on her jean shorts, which was heavy with water. "Stop," she murmured.
"I'm sorry, baby but I've got to take them off." Jason replied close to her ears as he continued to strip her. He draped the towel over her as he pulled off her bra and underpants, and then wrapped her tightly in the big towel that Kimberly handed him. "Let's get her to the bed."
"So sleepy," Trini mumbled as Jason stood up with her in his arms. "So tired."
"We can tell," Tommy said as he watched Kimberly wrap another towel over Trini's long hair. "Is she going to be okay?"
"Trini?" Kim sat by the bed and slowly rubbed Trini's hair dry. "You okay?"
"So tired." Trini turned and instinctively reached out for something that was no longer there. "Needed a good purge today."
Kimberly smiled in reaction and looked over at the guys. "She's going to be okay."
"Does she do this often?" Rocky asked as he played with the crystal figurine on Trini dressing table. His heart pounded in his chest and he took deep breaths. It was so unlike the usually calm Trini to be acting this way. It was very disturbing to see.
"I think every girl does it every once in a while." Kimberly said pulling the blanket Trini had neatly folded in the morning over her now. "We all need a good cry, sleep and a gallon of ice cream. Then we're all better. It's called an emotional purge."
"And it could happen at any time." Adam shook his head. "Any little thing could trigger it. Looks like it was Tommy this time." He grinned almost amused. "You know when we talked about this in psychology, I didn't think I would actually see a case of it. I always thought it was something the professor said as an excuse for irrational behavior by females, like PMS."
Kimberly gave him a good frown. "If Trini was awake right now, she'd kick your ass."
"Oh, I don't doubt it!"
Jason was watching Trini with concern eyes. "She's going to okay then? This is normal?"
"Yeah," Adam reached for the bottle of prozac still in Kimberly's hand. "She'll be fine."
"Maybe I should stay just in case." Jason suggested. "Besides, I don't think I'm going to get much sleep tonight unless she talks to me."
"Sure," Kimberly smiled at her friend. "You can have the guest room."
Jason smiled at her. "I was thinking more along the lines of camping out at the foot of her bed."
"Why don't we all sleep over for the night?" Tommy suggested. "The living room is certainly big enough."
"You guys don't have to stay." Kimberly reassured them. "Everything is fine now. Just watch, Trini is going to wake up tomorrow morning and act like nothing has happened."
"Besides," Jason said eyeing the big lounge chair in Trini's bedroom. Looked almost comfortable enough to sleep in. "You guys are all still slightly jetlagged and should be in a nice bed to sleep in. I'll stay here to make sure everything is okay when she wakes up."
"Well," Tommy crossed his arms. "Rocky and Adam can go back then. I'm not leaving until Trini tells me that what happened was not the result of my little boorish behavior."
"Fine," Kimberly threw up her hand. "Rocky and Adam will go home and sleep. Jason and Tommy will stay the night if it makes them feel better. But I'm warning you guys, you snore at your own risk!"
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Teaser line from next chapter: "If we want to be honest, it's never going to be the right time for this."
