A/N: I'll say this every chapter so I hope you don't get sick of hearing it. Thank you and thank you.

Chapter Eleven: Miles

December had come rolling in with a bang. Yes a bang, thunderstorms and lightning showers ruled the skies for the better part of the first week and a half of the new month. The weatherman had predicted a slight chance of snow admitting in the process that it would be the first time in 60 odd years since Angel Grove had a white Christmas.

Plopping down next to Jason Kimberly offered him the second bowl of ice cream in her hands when the power went out.

"Not again." Jason sounded annoyed. It was the third power outage in the last four days.

"We ran out of batteries for the flashlights." Kim scrunched her nose, not that Jason could see in the complete darkness that enveloped their house.

Sighing he put the cool treat on the table and headed toward the kitchen. "I think we might have some candles in the garage."

"I'll go with you."

"You stay put. The last thing I need is for you to trip over something and land face first on the floor." Jason noted her clumsiness. For as long as he's known her Kimberly has never been the most coordinated; how Zordon had called her agile and graceful was beyond him or how she was able to do gymnastics without falling over constantly had been as much as a mystery. Perhaps all that had changed when she was named Earth's first pink ranger?

"So what, you're just going to leave me here in the dark? By myself?"

"Yep, now don't move."

"You know that's how all horror movies start, right? A pretty girl, all alone, in the dark, with a nice sweet treat than BAM! Out of the shadows comes a serial killer yielding a butcher knife."

"You're being over dramatic, Kim." Jason wanted to laugh, but kept it in by biting the inside of his cheek in hopes the chuckle would stay back in his throat.

"Yeah, well I can't run as fast as I used to anymore." Kimberly pointed out being a bit more melodramatic.

"Fine. Come on scaredy cat." Jason reached for her hand. He was going to hold onto it until they were no longer walking. She wouldn't fall under his watch.

"I have never been nor ever will be a cat." Sticking out her tongue she thought back to the time when Aisha and she had found an abandoned feline, which they later found out, was an evil Katherine. She knew from that moment on that if her kid, who still refused to tell Kimberly what it was-stubborn little thing 'Just like it's mom' Tristan had pointed out, ever wanted a pet she was going to get them a puppy. Yes, Kimberly's ever growing family were going to be dog people.

"So you admit you're scared." Jason chuckled feeling her fingers grasp tighter around his hand. She fought monsters that were sixty feet tall, traveled back in time and to different dimensions, almost died when her power coin was stolen, but it was the dark that Kimberly was afraid of. Jason couldn't figure her out.

"Shut up." She grumbled underneath her breath and squeaked when she swore she felt something run across her bare ankle; it had only been a gust of chilly air, but for all she knew it could have been a rat.

"I've been thinking." Jason spoke after finding a handful of candles and leading them back inside where he located a lighter in the kitchen's junk drawer. "It's time to finally tell Tommy about the baby."

"Oh, I didn't know you were having his baby too, Jase." Her sarcasm was met with a steely gaze as she watched him light the first two candles. Her eyes glued to the fire's flickering dance as it illuminated a small portion of the room, refusing to give Jason any contact she kept her gaze firmly intact on the red candles.

"Kim." He stressed her name giving life to the last candle and throwing the lighter back in the messy drawer. "You're not getting any smaller."

"Are you calling me fat?" She accused, Jason imagined the fire in her eyes could do a lot more damage than the flames from the candles.

"What? No!" He quickly defended. Calling a girl fat was the biggest insult a guy could give; only the stupid ones had enough courage to do it while the ones who were smart enough were too afraid. "What I'm saying is that you're growing."

"Of course I'm fucking growing." She was seething. "There's a kid growing inside of me who likes to use my bladder as a trampoline and use my kidneys as a punching bag."

"You're five months, Kim! You haven't told him and it's been five months."

"I'm four and a half! Thank you very much."

"What happens when we go back to school, huh? I love you dearly and I'm not calling you fat, but yeah you have a baby growing inside of you. It's only going to get bigger and bigger. You won't be able to hide it much longer. You can barely hide it now."

Jason knew he wasn't the first to get the news about baby Hart-Oliver, but he never imagined that Kim's new best friend would find out before he did. Always assuming that Zordon was the only other being to know about the ex-Pink Ranger's situation he was more than surprised and a little angry to find out that Tristan had known long before he did. He remembered that it wasn't until after the effects of the "Bad Kid's Potion" were broken that he found out that the resident new guy, proclaiming himself as Kim's best friend, knew about the impending future and the earth's new addition. It had been while the Rangers were under Zedd and Rita's spell that something had occurred. Something Jason doesn't like to think back on. He had been in a heated sparring session with Tommy each taking cheap shots at one another. After defeating the spell, Jason felt ashamed that whatever he had said to Tommy- he couldn't remember what it was his lips spewed- had caused the young man in red to viciously throw Jason back knocking him into Kimberly and sent them both falling to the ground. Luckily for her Jason had somehow maneuvered her in front of him and left her unscathed, thankfully the doctors had confirmed that no major damage had been done. Unluckily for Tommy and Jason Tristan had been there and witnessed it all. He hadn't allowed the two of them to get anywhere near Kimberly as he helped his friend up and in a hushed whisper into Kim's ear insisted that he take her to get checked out at the clinic. Jason hadn't known at that moment, but he knew something was up when Tristan had refused Jason the opportunity to take Kimberly to the doctor. He hadn't said why he wouldn't allow the Gold Range to take her to the doctor, but a few days later the two had ran into each other and after much hesitation they finally got to talking and Tristan admitted to knowing about Kimberly's pregnancy.

"You need to tell him." Jason's brotherly tone was making itself present.

He had had a similar conversation with Tristan before Christmas break and they both came to the conclusion that it was time for Kimberly to finally inform Martial Arts dude, as Tristan dubbed him, about his impending fatherhood. If not one of them would spill the beans. Not that Kimberly ever knew about the two getting together and talking about her; they were certain she wouldn't like the idea of them talking behind her back even if it wasn't all bad, but then again they didn't technically praise her either. Both had agreed that it would be best if she never found out about their guy time.

"I don't want to fight with you on this."

"Kim, you should have told him before Winter Break, before he went on vacation to go visit his grandparents in Vermont."

"How exactly was I supposed to do that Jase?" She questioned and Jason had a quirky remark about using her words to form sentences. "Oh I know. I could have told him on the last day of school before he left across the country for a couple of weeks. I can picture it now-"He knew that tone of voice. Kimberly was digging into her sarcasm box. "Hey Tommy, so guess what? I'm five months pregnant and you're the father. Oh and by the way have a nice vacation see you in a couple of weeks."

"I get your point, but when are you going to tell him?"

"I don't know, ok." Kimberly sighed.

"He's supposed to be staying with us for a week next month when his parents go to Ireland. What are you going to do?"

"I don't know!"

"You should have told him by now, Kim."

"I know I should have told him the second I found out, but he was angry at me!"

"You just broke up with him via letter. Was he suppose to be all dandy about it?"

"No. And I know that, alright." Her voice trembled. "I know that what I did hurt him. But when I found out about the baby I decided that I wasn't going to go to Paris with my mom because I needed to let Tommy know. I was going to tell him as soon as I seen him, but then I seen him standing in your kitchen the first day I got back and he left without saying a word to me. Then I seen him a few days later and he was so pissed. I've never seen him so angry not even when he was evil. I was afraid alright."

"Afraid of Tommy? Kim, you know he'd never do anything to harm you." Jason took a step closer to her.

"Physically, yes I know. But I had just put him through an emotional roller coaster. I was afraid that if I told him about the baby he would tell me he didn't want anything to do with us." She was near tears at the mention of Tommy abandoning her and most importantly abandoning their baby.

So there were things Kimberly was afraid of other than the dark.

He'd wanted to tell her everything was going to be all right, but he'd be lying. Jason wasn't sure if everything was going to work out. He didn't have a clue. As he reached for her the shadows disappeared and the lights flickered back on. They had power again.

So far the vacation to his father's parent's house had been an adventure. It was the first time since he was ten that Tommy had been able to go and visit his grandparents. Nana and Pop-Pop lived on a farm on the outskirts of Bradford with half a dozen horses, a few dozen chickens, some hogs in a pen, goats, and even a donkey. For the most part, Tommy had done manual labor around the house and farm; shoveling the snow from all the outside doors, the driveway, and the roads throughout the 50 acre land. It had been hard grueling job, yet Tommy never complained. He was physically fit and able to do all the needed work, not to mention he was growing a bit more muscular from lifting bales of hay up and down the barn.

All cleaned up Tommy sat in the kitchen where his grandmother handed over a nice warm mug of hot coco.

"Thanks Nana."

"Just the best for my little helper." She cooed; it was the same loving voice she had used with him when he was ten.

They chatted for a moment mostly how Nana Oliver was still in utter surprise that her grandson had got rid of his long locks especially when, throughout the years, the self-proclaimed martial artist said on numerous occasions that he would never cut his hair.

"I recall you saying-"His grandmother spoke with a large grin. "They'd have to gag and tie me to a chair and cut it against my own will."

Laughing Tommy ran his hand over his head letting the much shorter dark soft hair peak between fingers, the styling gel forgotten for the day. "My best friend thought it would be a good idea."

He didn't elaborate much and was thankful when the doorbell rang indicating that his grandmother's book club had arrived for their weekly meeting.

Left alone for the first time since his arrival Tommy took the opportunity to grab the phone and dialed an all too familiar number. It rang once, than twice, and then three times before someone picked it up.

"Scott Residence."

The smile on his face growing wider knowing who was on the other line.

"Hi Kim." He spoke grabbing a still warm cookie from the tray his Nana forgot to take with her.

"Tommy, hey!" She was just as enthusiastic as he was. "How's Vermont?"

"Besides freezing cold?"

She giggled. "Yeah, Southern California does tend to spoil us, you know with it never being colder than below 40 during the day."

"Yeah. So you can imagine my surprise when I get here and its 5 degrees."

"Ooh. Ouch." She said painfully. "Did you at least double up on everything?" her tone was hopeful and when he didn't answer her smile grew. She knew him better than she knew the back of her hand. "Oliver, did you forget?"

"I left the second duffle bag with all my thermals in my parent's car, when they dropped me off at the airport." He hadn't forgotten to pack; he just forgot to take his entire luggage with him.

"Look on the brighter side." He could sense the smile dance on her lips when she talked. "Now you get to shop for a legitimate reason."

He couldn't help the laughter that escaped his throat. "That was always your forte."

"If I remember correctly you were always my best bag holder."

They talked for hours on end about everything and anything. He confessed that at first he was put off by the idea of visiting Vermont and leaving the Rangers behind, but just like Zordon had Kimberly reassured him that he was just a teleportation button away.

"Besides its kind of nice having the city in one piece." Kimberly added. It had been a full week since Zedd and Rita sent a full force attack on Angel Grove. "Wait a minute." She pondered. "Do you think they might be-"

"Planning a strategic end-of-the-world kind-" Tommy continued her sentence.

"Of destruction." She finished.

"Yeah, I'll have to get with Billy and have him and Alpha run some scans and see what our least favorite couple is up to."

She didn't admit it, but it was nice to be able to talk about Rangering again. Jason, the only one who kept her up to date thought it was for the best if she didn't know now. She misses it every single day. Misses the way the pink spandex felt around her body, the way the full force of the Pterodactyl-Firebird-Crane powers surged through her, and the way it felt to be protected in her own Zord along with the combinations of the Megazord.

"How's your Christmas break going?" Tommy asked.

"It's going pretty good besides the power outages. The weatherman says that it might snow sometime in the next few days."

"Really?" He listened closely.

"Yeah! I think it would be so cool if that happened. So listen, I know you're having a really great time over at your grandparents house but when are you going to be coming back home?"

"Miss me already, huh?" His feelings for her never died. Sure, he hadn't shown his love toward her since they had been a couple. Who can blame him? He had been consumed by sadness, then anger, jealousy, sadness again, and lastly the feeling of always loving her shone through; yet he kept that last one to himself. Only a love as strong is able to get through all of those emotions and come full circle to where it all began.

"Someone's riding awfully high on their white horse." Kimberly chanted. "Try not to land too hard when you fall, Tommy."

"Actually it's a Stallion." Tommy interjected which made her giggle. "And this is coming from the girl who fainted? Should I really be taking your advice?"

"Hey!" Kim tried to sound offended; she could have pulled it off if it wasn't for her laughter.

"Come on Kim, you know you miss me, might as well get it off your chest." He wanted-no he needed to hear it and he needed her to say it.

"I'm not saying this because you told me to." She pointed out. "I'm going to say it because I want to." She was playing with both their hearts. "Tommy Oliver, I miss you."

He needed her just like a heart needs to beat.

"Let me take you out." He replied quickly as soon as the last word left her mouth.

"Excuse me?" She was dumbfounded.

"When I get back to Angel Grove I'd like to take you out."

"Like friends in a group?"

"Like on a date." He held the phone closely to his ear and spoke confidently. "Just the two of us."

He couldn't see her knuckles turning white from holding onto the phone with a death grip, he didn't see her face turn from a blushing pink to a pale white, he couldn't fathom how long she had been holding her breath, and he couldn't make out that her eyes there were filled with an equal mixture of excitement and terror.

"Su-"She stuttered. "Sure, Tommy, I'd really like that." She was truthful.

"Great! I'll be back a few days before Christmas." His Cheshire grin had grown from end to end. He loved the time he was spending in Vermont, but he just couldn't wait to get back home. "I'll see you then."

She nodded her head, when she realized she was on the phone and he was still waiting for a response she finally spoke without a tremble. "Don't hang up yet." He didn't. "When you get back I have to tell you something."

"Yeah, sure, Kim."

"It's really really important." She stressed.

"Ok." Tommy began to worry just a tad. "On a scale from one to ten it would be a?"

"It's a ten."

Remember when I said he was worrying just a tad bit? Well now multiply that by one hundred. Could she have found someone else while they weren't together? Who could it be? Her best friend? People sang about falling in love with their best friends all the time. What about the quarterback on the football team? He's always had a thing for Kimberly and when she had returned George had done his best to try to get with her. What about Jason? They were living together for heaven sakes. No. No. No, they would never do that to him besides they were practically related.

"A ten. That bad?" He asked playing with the curly cord of the phone.

"I wouldn't consider it bad. Life changing, ok. But not bad."

Was that supposed to put him to ease?

"Should I be worried?" He asked.

"No."

He could sense her smiling and that alone put him at ease.

"What about us?" His other question wasn't complete, yet she understood.

"I know what I want from me, what I would like with you, what is needed to have a future together, but when we get through the conversation that we need to have the ball will be in your court. You'll be the one to decide if there will be an us down the road." Kimberly answered with a small hint of fear that he could hear.

"No pressure or anything." He said to himself.

"No pressure. I'll completely understand when the time comes if you decide that you don't want to be with me because you aren't able to trust me." She had had a long and extensive conversation with Tristan's mother about what was going on in and the circumstances involving her outlook on life.

"You worry me sometimes, Kim." Tommy looked out the window and watched as snowflakes began to trickle down the sky.

"More often than not I'm scared of what you'll think of me, Tommy." At the exact same moment Kimberly had looked outside and noticed the light sprinkles spraying across the glass.

They had been admissions of truth; they were facts that wouldn't be questioned by the opposite person.

"We can fix this, Kim. We'll be alright. I can feel it."

"I believe you, Tommy."

"So, I'll see you on the 23rd?" He asked hopefully. It was his plan that once he got home he'd leave the unpacking for another day and meet up with Kim after freshening up.

"You're heart needs to be doesn't it." She was thrilled once again.

Only for you. He wanted to reply, but opted for a safer answer. "Alright, I'll see you in a couple of weeks."

"Can't wait!" She had sounded so happy.

"Me either. I've really missed you, you know." He admitted quickly adding-"Goodbye Kim."

"Bye Tommy." She replied in a near whisper shocked by what he had just revealed the dial tone bringing her out of her thoughts.

Well that had been one conversation she wasn't planning on having. Glancing at the clock they had been talking for the better part of three and a half hours and not once had he asked to speak with Jason. That had made her feel giddy inside and slightly victorious.

"Kim. You here?" She could hear Jason calling her name.

"In the kitchen."

She watched as Jason's appearance wasn't the only one. "Hey guys." Kimberly greeted them intrigued looking between her brother and Katherine. "What have the two of you been up to?"

"Just spent the day at the park."

"Until we got rained on." Katherine spoke pointing out the window where it began to hail.

"I invited Kat back for some hot chocolate." Jason spoke to Kim who nodded and after gave his complete attention to the blonde standing next to him. "Come on, how about we get you out of those clothes." With Kimberly giggling like a child who just heard a dirty word and Katherine blushing ten shades of red Jason realized what he had just said. "I…I didn't mean it like that. I can't let her catch a cold."

"I know." Kimberly replied through each giggle. "It's just the way it came out."

"I'm really sorry about that Kat."

"It's alright, Jason." She soothed him as he in turn wore a bright, red, embarrassed face.

"I'll be right back with a pair of sweats and one of my t-shirts." Jason turned on his heel and made his way up the stairs rather quickly.

"You know I'd let you borrow some of my clothes if Jason wasn't so intent on you wearing his." Kim sent a wink toward her friend in pink.

"It's quite alright." Katherine spoke. "Thank you anyway. Besides I would feel like a giant in your petite clothes."

"You do realize you're talking to the girl who wore midriffs and tiny shorts for most of my high school life."

Katherine was about to respond when Jason reappeared with his hands full of black garments. "Sorry they're not pink."

"It's fine. Thank you again." She stepped back into the guest bathroom to get out of her wet clothes leaving behind the ex pink and red rangers.

"So…" Kimberly spoke teasingly. "Some one likes a certain Pink Zeo Ranger?"

"Who!" Jason sounded almost angry at the thought.

"You! You dufus." Kimberly smacked his chest with the back of her hand.

"What? I do not."

"Mhm. Sure you don't."

"I just offered her clothes so she wouldn't catch pneumonia. I was being a good friend."

"And I'm not questioning that. But picnics in the park, spending days and days together, protecting her from attacks, and laughing at each other's not so funny jokes tell me otherwise."

"You don't know what you're talking about." Jason rolled his eyes.

"Oh yeah, than why are you being so defensive?" Kim asked, Jason didn't say a word. Win for Hart. "See what I mean."

Making her way back into the kitchen Katherine was dressed in sweats, a shirt that was hidden by hooded sweatshirt, and socks all of which had been black.

"How cute." Kimberly beamed. "The both of you match."

"Here let me take those." Ignoring Kim's comment Jason took Katherine's clothes to put them into the dryer.

"So-"Kimberly's eyes were trained on Jason watching him turn the corner until he disappeared. "When are you going to tell Jason you like him?"

Katherine's eyes widened. "What… what do you mean?"

Kimberly spoke more slowly. "When. Are. You. Going. To. Tell. Jason. You. Like. Him?"

"Maybe when you tell Tommy you want him back?" Katherine lashed back. Not in an angry tone, far from it in fact. But in an all knowing firm voice that Kim had to admit she admired. Katherine had grown from the nice quite girl to the nice not-so-quiet girl with a spitfire attitude. Maybe it was just a trait that would be inherited by all those wearing pink spandex. A trait that Kimberly had started.

"Touché." Kimberly held up her mug to clink against the one Jason had prepared for Kat. "He likes you too, you know." She talked about Jason.

"And he wants you back just as much." Kat spoke about Tommy.

"Why are guys so difficult?" Kimberly asked taking a sip of her mug.

"Probably the same reason why we are." Kat added with a sly smile. "We're just a bit more venomous."

"You're too smart for my own good." Kim mirrored her smile.

"And that's why, dear Kimberly, I'm running for valedictorian."

"Kim," Jason reappeared. "Don't you have something to do?"

About to say no Kimberly peered over Katherine's shoulder and the sternness in Jason's eyes had allowed her enough time to change her mind. "Oh right. That thing. Thanks for reminding me Jase." She left her mug unattended and exited the kitchen hearing Jason hollering informing her of the letter that came in for her from her mother.

Grabbing the envelope that traveled all the way from France she left the duo alone. Reaching her bedroom she sat on the pink comforter placing the pillows around her body and opened the letter.

My dearest daughter,

I'm terribly sorry Pierre and I won't be able to spend Christmas in Angel Grove, but I believe it's only fair that we spend time with Pierre's daughter's Sophia and Annabelle this year. The good news is that we'll still be able to be with each other this holiday season. With Kellen spending Christmas with your father, I couldn't imagine not spending Christmas without one of my children. Inside you'll find an airline ticket that will bring you to France. Imagine Christmas time in Paris. It's a beautiful sight, Kimberly. I can't wait to see you. I hope all is well and your shoulder completely healed. I'll see you in a few days.

Love,

Mom

P.S. Pack warm. The snow hasn't stopped in over a week.

Kimberly's heart stopped beating. Her mother wanted her to spend the rest of her vacation in another country. Sure she had promised her mother that she'd go and visit, meet her stepsisters and step-grandparents; it just wasn't a good time. It's not like she could turn her mother down on the offer though. For one, when Caroline wanted something done it happened no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Secondly, they had already purchased a nonstop round-way ticket from the States to France and back again. Jason was right, there was no way in hell she'd be able to hide her secret for any longer. She just hoped she could hide it from her mother.

Her second thought had drifted back to Tommy and the conversation and possible date that wasn't going to happen after all. There was no way she could get in contact with him. She didn't know his grandparent's phone number and the Scotts didn't have long distance.

There was nothing she could do, but start packing for her trip. The plane would be leaving tomorrow night.

A/N: There it is. Kim's going to France. When will she be coming back? Let me know what you think. The next four chapters are going to be hard to write. I want them to be filled with unbelievable emotion, heartache, and even a bit of rescuing. At least I hope that I give it enough justice. Tommy finds out soon!

Name of Chapter: Song by Christina Perri