Zaley Love: I'd like to take a moment to thank pinkrangersforever for the suggestion. I've gone through all of my previous chapters to fix that issue, so they don't look like big blocks of text anymore. ;) Thanks again! Thanks to everyone who has left encouraging feedback!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Power Rangers, they belong to insane people who thought it would be amusing to break Tommy's heart... but I do own the 'Gem Force' idea, this plot and some characters.


Angel Grove, CA

Jason's house

An odd sort of tension seemed to have replaced the air inside the house, leaving everyone on edge. After catching Kim, Tommy had scooped her up in his arms with a pained expression. Twice, after eight years of not even so much as a hand shake, he'd found himself carrying her petite form to safety. Why couldn't he just leave it to Jason this once? Without his gaze leaving Kim's face, he stepped back into the house and headed up the stairs to one of the spare bedrooms. Charlie was the one to finally break the silence.

"I didn't expect anything like this, am I missing something here?" He asked, looking to Jason and Kat expectantly, obviously confused. Turning to look at the man, Jason stepped aside to let him enter and walked toward the kitchen.

"Honestly, I wish it was an easy thing to explain. But to put it simply; they haven't seen each other in a really long time, after a difficult separation... it's been hard on them both." He said, wondering if he was to expect Tommy down before Kim awoke, or after. At the moment, it was safe to say he was more concerned for Kim's sake then his own or Tommy's. Judging by the look in Tommy's eyes, he had a lot to say. But was she ready to be honest about everything just yet?

"Wait, so they used to be-"

"Yes." Kat snapped, not understanding why they owed any answers to this strange man. If he was with Kim, that girl would have a lot of explaining to do. Looking at him, she let out a sigh. No, Kat wasn't going to jump to conclusions and be rude.

"Well I guess we could use another place setting for the table." Edmund interrupted, looking to Kat for approval. After she nodded. He set about making the table. Naturally Kat would be, but as she was making dinner, Edmund had offered to help.

"How do you know Kim?" Jason asked, looking to Charlie as he crossed his arms. There was no way he was anything to Kim, she would have told him. But then what was with all that at the door. She looked as if she were hugging him. And what was with him carrying her shoes and bag? It just didn't add up to him.

"I just met her on the way here, honest." Charlie said, putting his hands up in his defense. He could tell that they were trying to remain civil toward him. But for whatever reason, they seemed really on edge when it came to Kim. He knew he shouldn't have started that goofing off at the door.

"I asked if she knew where your address was exactly, and she said she was heading the same way. So she let me walk here with her. I don't see why that's such a problem." He answered, his tone getting a hint of annoyance to it. He watched as Jason looked at him them shook his head.

"So, why did you come?" He asked, causing Charlie to sigh. He caught sight of Billy watching them now, ready to intervene should something break out. Tommy had just gotten into the house, saying something strange had happened in the woods, and then the knock and laughter at the door got their attention. Whatever had happened to Tommy would have to wait for later apparently.

"You might think I'm crazy, but you saw what happened at the hospital this morning. I feel pain and get hurt, but then it's gone. Look at me! You can't tell I was beaten by a shady character just twenty minutes ago. There's nothing there to prove it." He stated, feeling confused. Why did something strange have to happen, upsetting his once perfect little world? Sure he got to mingle with a cute brunette for a bit, but he was just wanting things to get back to normal for him.

"This is just as I assumed, perhaps I should start rerouting that satellite now." Billy offered, turning to his computer screen as Jason just stared at Charlie for a moment. If this indeed had to do with ranger business, he couldn't believe someone like him had been chosen. But then again, he'd been chosen at one point. People were changed from things like this. He sighed.

"There's not much we can explain to you Charlie, why don't you take a seat. Kat's making some pasta for dinner, you're welcome to join us." He watched as the man simply nodded, then took a seat on the couch. Looking toward the stairs, Jason sighed. Hoping no one up there decided to blow a fuse.

Upstairs

Tommy had stood holding Kim for what seemed like an eternity before placing her on the bed. He wasn't ready for this. Seeing her outside laughing, looking fine, and all over that guy. What was with that? He could feel his blood boiling, which was why he knew he needed to relax. He didn't know what was going on, and he didn't have any right to start hurling accusations and insults. But had she not fainted, he knew that would have happened. Tommy paced, shaking his head after stepping into the bathroom and getting a hand towel wet. Stepping over to the bed, he sat down next to her and gently wiped her face with the towel. Watching her brow furrow as she moved her face from the cool fabric he couldn't help but realize something inside of him. He was suddenly reminded of a song by Nick Lachey, 'I Can't Hate You Anymore'. At this moment, he knew just how true that song was for him. Sighing, Tommy turned away from her for a moment to collect his thoughts.

"Hmm... Tommy?" Her voice, a mixture of confusion and worry caused him to straighten up. The bed shifted as Kim pushed herself up, looking at the back of the man she'd been aching for ever since the letter. Sure his hair was short, a little stubble on his face, and a bit older; but it was still Tommy... her Tommy.

"I-I'm not sure what to say just right now." She breathed out, voice barely above a whisper. It may have been easier for her to know what to say or how to react if he'd look at her, but he didn't move. Pushing hair form her face, Kim pulled up her knees, resting her forehead against them. What she would give to be in his mind at this moment.

"You could start with a simple 'Hey Tommy, how've you been?' or even just a 'Hello'." Tommy said, the emotions in his voice unreadable. Being around her unconscious had been hard, but sitting on the same bed as her while she was awake was driving him crazy. There were so many things he wanted to say and ask, but at this moment; he couldn't think of a single one.

"So, what was all that at the door about?" Alright, so maybe he could think of one. He continued to keep his back to her, not willing to give her the chance to read the emotions in his eyes. She was too good at that, and would see through this facade of his.

"Nothing, since when am I not allowed to share a joke with someone?" Kimberly asked, lifting her head. Her voice had a note of defiance in it. This didn't sound like the Kim he remembered. She seemed a little, rough around the edges. But it wasn't easy to detect, only if you'd known her the way he had. And at one point, it could be said that they were one soul in two different bodies. But that had been years ago. Tommy stood, turning to face her with a look of mock apology.

"If that's how you're going to play it, then since when have you thrown yourself at a guy like that? I don't seem to recall our 'jokes' ever getting physical." Tommy matched her tone and some, noting that his voice rose a little. He shook his head, he didn't want to fight. He was just tired of all the lies everyone seemed to be spewing out to him. But apparently he wasn't going to get out of a fight. Kim jumped up, her arms crossing as she spoke.

"Excuse me? I think I have more self respect then to be throwing myself at anyone. Especially a guy I just met fifteen minutes before." She stated, starring at Tommy with a look of pure frustration. How could he insinuate something like that about her? So she may have flirted with him a bit, but she wouldn't say that was 'throwing' herself at some guy. Besides, why should it bother Tommy if she flirted with someone? It'd been a long time since a guy actually seemed to enjoy her smile.

"Fifteen minutes, my you work fast." Tommy said before he could think about the reply. He'd actually laughed it out, and he could see the fury building inside Kim's eyes. Closing the space between them Kim glared up at him.

"What the heck is your problem? This is the first time I've seen you in eight years and all you seem intent on doing is insulting me!" Her voice rose a pitch, and there was movement downstairs. They could obviously be heard. Kim turned away from him. This was not ever how she imagined seeing Tommy again would be like. Sure she hadn't pictured everything being perfect either, but nothing like this.

"My problem? What about you're problem Kim. You've been in California for five years. And you've had our friends lying to me all this time for what reason? Would it have killed you to talk to me?" Tommy demanded, matching her tone as he crossed over to the door and locked it. He wasn't going to let her get out of this just as they were getting started, and he didn't want Jason trying to come to her aid. No, this was between him and Kim. He watched as she rolled her eyes and talk, fighting off a smile as she moved her hands about while speaking.

"So this is what's bothering you, the fact that never came to talk to you? Is that it? You were the one who let me go in the first place Tom-"

"You wanted to go!" He cut her off, beginning to think she must have hit her head hard in the accident. How could she try to pin this on him.

"I never have said that, but you were the one encouraging me to go. Kat too. But did you guys ever stop and ask if I wanted to stay? Not once." Kim shouted back, jumping as someone pounded on the door.

"Not now!" The both yelled. Tommy shook his head, letting out a deep breath as Kim sat on the edge of the bed, her gaze never leaving her hands.

"We wanted you to chase after your dream, wasn't it your dream to have a shot at the pan global games?" He asked, his tone lowering as they seemed to be past the yelling. His gaze fell upon her, and he noticed for the first time that her shoulders were shaking. Was she crying? He felt like a total jerk, hating himself for making her cry.

"Kim, I... I didn't mean to make you upset. It's just been hard for me, accepting that fact that you've been so close for all these years, and I never knew a thing." He admitted honestly, but not willing to open up any more.

"I know, but I couldn't face you. Everyone told me how much I hurt you, and I just couldn't see you. No explanation would ever be good enough." She said, doing her best to hide the the fact that she was crying. Wiping at her eyes, Kim became furious with herself. She hated crying in front of people, but especially in front of guys. It seemed to freak them out.

"But lying, and getting our friends to lie? Come on, you had to know I'd figure out someday. And then what? Would it be easier to explain that?" Tommy's question was the most logical thing he'd spoken since her waking. How could she think that having everyone lie to him would be a 'good' idea? He couldn't help but think to himself; the truth would have been good enough.

"I wasn't thinking that far ahead. It was a spur of the moment decision. I was going through a lot and just needed space to think."

"What, did you think I was going to hound after you? You broke up with me Kim, I wasn't exactly going to chase after you when you didn't want me in your life." He stated, not of course telling her that he would have been tempted to at least talk to her. She owed him a few answers, didn't she?

"I didn't think about it." Kim said quietly as she stood, stepping past him and toward the door, pausing as she unlocked it.

"But to answer your earlier question, no. That wasn't my dream. It was the dream everyone else had for me. And instead of going after 'my' dream, I had to chase after that one. Which is why I gave it up." She offered simply before opening the door and leaving. Tommy sank onto the bed and frowned. So even back then she'd lied to him, making him believe that gymnastics was 'her' dream. But if that wasn't, what had her dream been?


(Okay, so I hope this isn't a disappointment to anyone. I spent all day trying to think of how this would play and then finally decided to wing it. Hope it's up to par! Also you all should give the song "I Can't Hate You Anymore" by Nick Lachey a listen! It's inspiring to me, and helped me get this story out. The song came on and gave me the idea of how to go about this, so now I love this song!Review please!

~Z.L.)