Chapter 11: Something to Fight For
For the next two days Tommy spent every waking and every sleeping moment in a chair at Kim's side. Periodically, someone would come up to check on him and bring him something to eat or drink but they all knew that the only thing that would make Tommy better was for Kim to wake up . Tommy took Kim's hand in his as tears continued to fill his eyes and he looked at his unconscious girlfriend. He thought, just for a moment, that he saw her eyes flutter but he quickly shook it off as his mind playing tricks on him. Staring at the sight of his girlfriend wrapped in another onset of bandages and covered up in bruises broke his heart, she shouldn't be this way.
How she managed to survive two weeks of torture was something that proved to be a testament to Kim's will. To him, it was Kimberly's love and her heart that was the source of Tommy's strength and will. For that to be taken from him was a excruciating experience. The thought of never seeing her angelic face was too much to handle. The idea of seeing her suffer at the hands of Lokar, Zedd and Rita broke his heart. Thinking of the events that both of them went through the last two weeks caused him to lose control shortly after and cried until he fell asleep with his head resting on Kim's stomach.
A few hours later he lifted his head up and she began to stir from her sleep despite her injuries as she opened her eyes. Tommy instantly threw his arms around her as he buried his face in her shoulders. Tommy smiled at her as tears began to fill his eyes as well as her own. He cupped her cheeks in his hands and bent down to give her the most passionate kiss they had ever shared with each other. Kim broke the kiss as she pulled back and looked at Tommy.
"Tell me I'm not dreaming that it's really you?" she quietly asked.
"In the flesh," Tommy said quietly, "I promise I keep you safe no matter what happens. I'm just glad you're back safe where you belong."
"How long...was I gone for Tommy?"
"A little over two weeks," he answered Kim taking her hand in his. "It was a hell of a fight but in the end I will always find a way back to you. I wasn't going to give up and I'll walk through hellfire and brimstone just for you."
"The Turok Patroller? What happened to it?"
"I defeated it...in front of the potential Rangers. That thing put up a hell of a fight. The first time it pummeled me hard and left me a bloody and battered mess for Jason and the others to find me in. That night downtown when I went to search for Leanne I felt you nearby. I knew you were close I just...couldn't concentrate harder to connect to you. I left you at the mercy of that thing because I couldn't fight him the first time and as a result not only I got my ass kicked but an innocent teenager winded up dead."
"Tommy it's not your fault for what happened to me," Kim assured him, "I've been captured on many occasions and I've been through hell for the last two weeks. That Turok Patroller beat me, tortured me and tried to break me every way possible, but I didn't break. There were times I thought I was losing it but I kept strong and held on to the belief that my white knight, my white falcon will come for me. Even if I couldn't feel you I knew you wouldn't give up on me because Tommy Oliver is not someone to give up on the people he loves and cares about."
"We've both been through hell and back the last two weeks haven't we?" Tommy replied climbing on the bed and lying down next to her. He took her in his arms as she settled her head against his chest as he stroked her hair gently. "I was a wreck without you because you're my strength and my will to keep fighting. If I lost it then what is the point for me to keep going?"
"I feel that same way too because we're apart of each other and that won't change. However, we have to understand that there is something bigger going on than just you and me. We're fighting a war Tommy and in wars everyone is expendable, including you and me. But, together we're both strong and that is what makes us powerful, our love for each other. We faced the testament of evil forces time and again and anything that tried to tear us apart. This time...I don't know what will happen to us but what I can guarantee is what I feel for you will never change, my love for you is forever and eternal. You are what I will fight and die for and I know you'll do the same for me."
"That is something that hasn't changed during time that I will fight and I will die for you if ever Beautiful. You know when I fought the Turok Patroller and defeated it I was at the point where those potential Rangers were losing faith in me. After what happened with Leanne and that thing with Lokar and then Francis those teens started being despondent and thinking they were going to die. My thoughts of you inspired me and wondered what would you do if you were in my position?"
"I would have told you to find a way to regain their confidence in the man I know who would protect them with his life," she smiled taking a hold of his hand, "And somehow I knew you would get through to them. Those teens are the future legacy and they need you to give them something to fight for...survival. You may believe this is your mission alone, but remember Tommy you're not alone in this. Everyone will fight along side you, especially me. I will be there for you shoulder to shoulder."
"I know you will even with the bandages as your added accessories," Tommy slightly joked.
"Yeah it seems like bandages are the new fashion statement for me these last couple weeks," she added joking back, "You probably got a glimpse of the aftermath didn't you? It must have scared you finding me like that literally going stark raving looney in there. Tommy...I..."
"No matter what you'll be my Beautiful pink crane," he smiled giving her a passionate kiss. "Even if you were wrapped up like a mummy."
"I'm guessing it was bad wasn't it?" She replied pulling back.
"Don't worry it will take time and the bruises, cuts and scars don't bother me one bit," Tommy assured, "What matters is your recovery and not for you to strain yourself out."
(Living Room)
By mid afternoon, Kimberly insisted on coming downstairs to see her friends despite Tommy's protests to rest. However, he wasn't the one to be held responsible to keeping her coup upstairs. When she came downstairs everyone was excited to finally have Kimberly back with them. The two of them were surprised finding the main floored tidy and spotless and an afternoon tea platter set up in the living room. Jason was the first to spot the couple as he gave his little sister a hug as the other veteran Rangers each gave their friend one hug after another.
"It's great to see you up and about," Jason replied taking a note to the bandaged and bruised up Kim, "Are you sure you want to be up and about walking?"
"Please are you going to be another worry wart too Jason?" Kim playfully pouted.
"Don't look at me she drives a hard bargain and insisted on walking around since she owns the place," Tommy added. Kim took a seat on the couch in the living room and Penny came out with the tray of tea with Rosaline and Ellie's help bringing out the biscuits and snacks. After placing everything on the coffee table Rosaline looked up at Kim taking a note on her condition.
"I'm glad you're back Kimberly it wasn't the same without you around," Rosaline replied sincerely, "I owe you again...this is the second time you risked your life for me. The first time in Reefside and then the night when the Dark Judges came to the house with Lord Zedd. If you didn't have to save me then you wouldn't have been captured for over two weeks."
"Hey listen to me Rosaline there nothing is your fault," Kim replied to the young girl, "You don't owe me anything. Remember back in Reefside Tommy and I kept a promise to you that we will keep you and everyone of the other potential Rangers safe. I would risk my life for you because you're my friend and also this is something Power Rangers do. We all get captured as POWs every once in awhile it's nothing new to us. There's this urge inside of me to keep that promise to you no matter what."
"The feeling wasn't the same in the house with you around as they say you're the heart of the team," Rosaline added.
"She does have a point there Kim," Tommy replied, "The lack of morale kind of sunk low without you here, but we're all glad you're with us."
"Tommy is right Kim you two are the heart of the team," Kat said taking a seat next to Jason, "If one half of the team's heart is gone then we're only at half life."
"And now that you're back we thought it would be a tribute to you that we kind of keep your lodgings nice and spotless," Penny smirked pouring some tea, "Well as a tribute us potentials thought it will be best that even while we trained we also focus on our school studies and also contribute to the chores here. Besides this is about the largest residential estate any of us have been on and we're..."
"Penny she gets it since we all agreed to carry some weight here in this house too," Desmond finished, "Gosh you have such a gab is it a British thing?"
"Gee you two sound like a bickering couple," Aisha commented, "Well Kim you can thank these two for the tea party celebration. They thought it would be nice to celebrate having you back home."
"Yeah and also celebrate Tommy killing that Turok Patroller," Aidan replied.
"Well you missed one hell of a show Tommy put on the other night at the construction site," Jason commented, "Too bad Billy, Trini and Zack missed it. Zack got in contact and said he'll be back soon with the new potential from Detroit but Billy and Trini maybe a bit delayed for a few more days. Apparently there is this controversial protest going on and some of the authorities are questioning some of the tourists visiting. They want to find the ones responsible so they can detain and extradite them. It's all over the news."
"Are you talking about that story about that radical group of environmentalists who were protesting against that oil rig that was drilling on the South China Sea?" Adam asked.
"So that means we got to hold down the fort until we're all at full strength," Kim said.
As everyone sat in the living room updating Kimberly and introducing some of the new potentials that arrived to her, Tommy addressed his friends and the potentials in the room. Although they accomplished defeating the Turok Patroller, he clearly was aware that by it's defeat Lokar was going to back off for a bit. However, there was the threat of Lord Zedd and Rita still out there and with Lokar taking a breather he knew that those two will keep them on their toes. For now they can savor this tiny ounce of victory with Kim's return and the defeat of the Turok Patroller for now until Tommy spoke up.
"You guys are still relishing at the fact that the Turok Patroller is gone," Tommy addressed the group, "Look for now Lokar is retreating somewhere trying to lick it's wounds after I beat the crap out of his insurance policy. However, you're all aware evil doesn't rest and with it taking a breather Rita and Zedd are up to bat. It may have gotten the best of us and we already lost Leanne and Francis because of it but it doesn't mean we're going to stop. You've all risked your lives to come here and it tells us something that you're willing to embrace the destiny and fate that you're going to take. Look years ago we were just like you...regular teenagers living normal lives until we got called for a greater purpose. Forget everything that happened before what I'm asking is a clean slate."
"Do you think we're capable of pulling this off? I mean we're just a bunch of teenagers miles from home being hunted down because of what we're going to become," Silas and Bianca counteracted.
"It's not about wondering if you can do this, accept the responsibility," Tommy continued, "If you're not sure then ask yourselves this...is there something to fighting for? We're not forcing you to do anything you're not comfortable and I'll say if anyone wants to run then do so. However, if you choose to run what will happen? Do you think they're going to stop coming after you? Running away proves nothing because you'll wind up dead faster. I don't know what the future holds or predict what will happen but what we're fighting is a war. The forces of evil will come at you in ten fold but you can stop that. Find yourselves something to fight for, something to believe in. Look the choice is yours but I believe some of you know where your destinies lie."
"Tommy's right and he has a point," Kimberly suddenly spoke up. She took off one of her bandages to reveal some of her cut marks and bruises she received. "There is always going to be danger out there but it shouldn't scare you. Being cut, beaten, tortured and suffering for over two weeks by Lokar wouldn't make me runaway. No matter what hell I endured I didn't give up or break because I knew my friends would be there for me. The key to survival are your friends and the people who are willing to fight and die alongside you. So you want to look for something to fight for? What I'll tell you is...what you fight for is the belief for a better tomorrow. You probably heard stories about us and what we used to do. It's great to hear the stories but to live it is the experience. Lokar doesn't want that and he's been targeting the future of the Power Ranger line, the legacy and everything it stands for. So I ask you this isn't that worth fighting for? Saving something that stands for everything that is good in this world knowing that everything you love and care for is worth all of it. As Tommy says...the choice is yours."
"Well I for one say...if we didn't risk our lives coming down here to Angel Grove then what's the point then?" Rosaline answered looking at Tommy and Kimberly, "Your friends say you two are the heart your team and that without either one of you around then it falls apart. However, you're all willing to risk your lives for us because we're going to become part of the line you've established long ago. You could say we all made a choice already when we all met you guys. If some of us might die and question our own mortality then yeah we understand. However, we're not going to back down especially me. I could say that we're about to put our faith and confidence in you guys because we believe that you'll be there for us. We all share the same destiny and fate and we're all fighting for the same purpose...to save the legacy of the Power Rangers."
"I'm not backing down either and there's no way Lokar will defeat us," Kenji added as he nodded his head. The seven veterans were surprised to see each of the potential Rangers in the room nod their heads in approval. Tommy smiled staring at Kimberly as he knew that somehow she managed to get through to them. Kimberly is his inspiration, his strength and what he would fight for. It was her words that gave them what they needed, another boost of confidence that they needed in order to fight this war.
"Looks like Kimberly Hart has worked her magic again," Tommy smiled at her taking a hold of her hand, "It seems like you got through to them easily then I did."
"No, we both did and with our friends we're going to win this," she said with determination in her voice, "They need the confidence and faith to fight, but in the end it will be up to them how they do it. We're going to save this legacy Tommy and this time we'll be the ones left standing. I promise you I'm going to fight alongside you no matter what and if they think they'll stop us...then I like to see them try it. Looks like...school is now going to be in session because we got work to do."