The Sun, the Moon and the Stars

Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers.

:: Thanks for everyone who has reviewed /gives cookies/. They mean a lot to me. Here is the next chapter, pretty short but I still hope you enjoy reading this.

Chapter fourteen: The beginning of an end

"We came here as soon as we could," Mr. Oliver still wore the same black dress shirt he had on from the evening. Next to him, Tommy's mother was clinging to her husband's arm to keep her from falling. "How's she?"

Kim tossed about the bed as the flashes of events that had happened for the past 48 hours resurfaced. Her hand clutched at the covers and she bit her lips hard until she could faintly taste the salty sweet blood filled her mouth.

"We have tried our best," The man in the white coat said apologetically.

"NO!" Viola was screaming, Mrs. Oliver fell to Mr. Oliver's embrace and sobbed hard. Tommy punched the wall, his jaw tightening when pain stung his knuckles. However, it didn't compare to the ache and loss growing in his heart.

Kim whimpered. Sweats dampened her nightgown, her hair sticked to her forehead. She desperately wanted to wake up, but she couldn't.

"What are you doing here?" The Franco-American girl said and gripped her wrist, her nails digging into Kim's skin. "I can't believe you still have the nerve to show your face around here," She snatched the bouquet from Billy's hands and flung them to the nearest garbage bin.

"Hey, watch that attitude," Trini stepped forward and although her voice remained calm as always, Kim could tell that she was far from it.

"We don't want to cause any troubles," Kim quickly said. She hated hospitals. The air, the smell, everything… They're just awful.

"Get lost," Viola said sternly, hinting that discussion time was over.

Kim's eyes snapped open; the darkness of her room surrounded her and made it difficult for her to breathe. She swallowed hard, feeling her throat dry as the Sahara desert. Her heart was beating so fast that she could almost hear it ringing in her ears. The digital clock on the nightstand told her that it was almost four o'clock in the morning. This was the second time she woke up because of the dreams.

Numbly, Kim slipped off the bed and walked to her closet to change into a fresh nightgown. She pulled a pair of shorts and an old white shirt before walking back to the bed. Her movement was slow, almost like a robot.

She still hadn't talked to Tommy and she wasn't sure if she wanted to. It was her fault. Viola was right about that. She was the person to blame that Jane was lying on the hospital bed.

"Will you please stop beating yourself?" Jason had asked her. "There's no way Jane could have heard you. You said the door was close,"

She had been pretty sure then…But now she wasn't that sure. Or else, how Vi could know about Tommy and her pseudo relationship? Maybe the reason Tommy still hadn't contacted her yet was because he's upset and angry at her.

"Don't be silly," Alex assured her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders assuringly. "He just doesn't want to leave Jane. He never admitted it, but she's his favorite relative. How about you come to the hospital? You want to see Jane too, right?"

She couldn't focus at the lesson at school and she felt even more lonely when she's home, alone with her emptiness of the house. Her mom had called to tell her that due to some complications, she would not be able to leave NY until next week.

Jane was not dead, and for that she was tremendously grateful. She had been so scared… Seeing Jane's pale, sheet white face was terrible. A picture that would forever be etched in her mind.

"She has stroke," Jason informed as he took a seat next to her. The Youth Center seemed so quiet with no presence of Tommy teaching karate and Vi fooling around him. Not exactly something that she'd like to see, but still. "She lost her capability to move and speak, but she'll be fine. Mr. Oliver will provide everything that she needs,"

"Could… shock caused it?" She questioned quietly."Perhaps she did hear my phone conversation with Trini. She was shocked and it triggered-,"

"It's not your fault," Alex cut in.

"But if I was more careful-,"

"None of that matters now," Jason said soberly and forced to grin. Nana Jane was as important as his own grandmother. "Just don't get our hopes down, okay?"

She didn't know anything anymore. But if there's one thing that she fully comprehended, it was that the guilt and remorse in her heart had started eating her alive. With Jason's last words in mind, Kim closed her eyes and tried to go back to sleep.

--

The Youth Center, the next day

04.45 pm

"Are you saying your relationship with Tommy is just a sham?" Aaron stuttered, stopping from his routine and regarding the petite girl with a curious gaze. "For real?"

Kim looked at him for a long moment. Aaron and Vi were joined in the hips. Their relationship was stronger than any brother-sister bond she had ever seen. Didn't she say something to him? If Vi really knew about the contract, she must have shared the news with him. However, Aaron did look genuinely surprised.

"You've known Jane longer that I do. It started with a stupid bet that I'd rather not talk about right now," Kim answered weakly, leaning her head back against the wall and hugged her kness to her chest. "I don't know what to do, really. I shouldn't have talked about that in Tommy's house. How could I be so stupid!" Tears began to blur her vision. She was angry with herself and also with the situation. Now Jane's life was at the stake, thanks to her carelessness. How would she be able to live with herself if anything happened to Jane? Not like the situation hadn't bad enough now.

"If you said you'd closed the door, then the door must have been closed," Aaron said earnestly and wiped his face with a towel. He sat beside Kim and offered an encouraging smile. "Jason was right. You mustn't blame yourself,"

She really hoped she could believe him or Jason and everybody else who had said the same thing, unless that she couldn't. Kim ducked her head down and felt Aaron's hand gently tilting her chin up, forcing her to look at him. His dark eyes looked deeply into hers and at that time, she felt… safe. And she was glad that Aaron didn't chase her off with questions about the contract between her and one of his friends.

"Everything happens for a reason, Kim. There's no way you could have prevented the accident or changed it. Just… I know it's hard, but try not to think about it. Just hope and pray Jane will get better soon,"

Kim managed to shoot him a grin and nodded her head. "Thanks,"

"Anytime,"

"Besides… tears don't suit you," Aaron laughed and nugded her cheek playfully. "Come on, I'll buy you a smoothie,"

Kim smiled and took his hand, letting him pull her up. Inspite of her efforts to go back to sleep last night, she just couldn't. She had done a lot of thinking and maybe her final decision was the best for all of them. Or at least she thought so.

--

Angel Grove Memorial Hospital

05.00 pm

Tommy slowly closed the door behind him and plopped down heavily to one of the hard, uncomfortable chairs outside Nana's room. His mother had come back with more clothes and she shooed him away, saying he had a live outside this hospital building. He secretly thanked his mom. He was exhausted-- physically and mentally--, and wanted nothing more than his big comfy bed at home. And a shower, a decent meal, and Kim.

It had been two days but his 'girlfriend' never showed up, not even one time. Sure, she was there when they brought Nana in that night, but after that she just disappeared. He was tempted to ask his cousin about her, since Vi was acting funny lately. Vi knew their secret…He still could not over that.

"I don't understand what you're talking about," He breathed, trying to mask his astonishment, which sadly, failed miserably.

"Don't lie to me, Tommy," Vi said, moving her hand up and down his right arm. "Next time you want to talk about that with your friends, make sure no one is around," She flashed him an innocent smile and with a pat on his shoulder, headed to the living room.

With everything that had happened recently, he didn't get the chance to tell Kim about that. He had come close two days ago, but decided he wouldn't spoil their nice small talk. Anyway, it looked like Vi kept her promise. She didn't tell anybody just like he had feared she would.

Nana's condition was stable and it thrilled him to know that she finally fell to a deep sleep that she needed. It crushed him that she wouldn't be able to move and talk for an indefinite time, but at least she's still breathing and that what's counted.

This occurrence made him realize that life, with no doubt, was so important. What would he do if somehow he lost his grandma? Maybe now was the right time to tell Kimberly how he really felt. He didn't want to lose her. They could stop pretending…hell, he had stopped since a long time ago! To be able to date Kim properly, treat her like she deserved to be treated would be simply wonderful. They had danced around each other for too long. Sometimes it's very difficult to keep his hands off her and those lips… He would make the first move and then they would d see from there. Hopefully, it wasn't an unrequited love.

Tommy spotted a pay-phone on his way to the parking lot and with no hesitancy picked up the phone. He remembered her number by heart, so after a while, he anxiously waited for Kim to answer the call. "Kim?" He felt his spirit soar when he heard her voice. Was it just his imagination or she sounded as if she was crying? "I was wondering if I could see you. Yeah, cool. No, it'll be fine. Right, the park in one hour. See you later,"

I could really use some of your wisdom now, Nana…

--

Angel Grove Park

06.05 pm

She found him sitting on a large border by the waterfront. He wore white (why did he have to do that??) again and pulled his long chocolate brown hair to a half ponytail and Kim didn't think he could look more handsome than that.

When he suddenly called, a part of her heart was relieved. At least Tommy didn't hate her that much.

"You're early," She said lightly, annoucing her arrival. Tommy turned his head and grinned that boyish smile. "I'm impressed,"

"So… How about school?" He asked as Kim sat next to him and carefully created distances between them. He hoped she wasn't wearing those skimpy shorts because it difficult him to think straight.

"Just as usual. How's Jane?" She started.

"She would be happy to see you," Tommy said, watching her face. "Maybe you're busy, but it'll be nice if you can drop by sometimes,"

Kimberly felt her breath caught in her throat and ducked her head in shame. How could she face Jane? She's lucky if Viola didn't kick her butt out of the room, literally. She bit her lips to keep her tears from slipping down her cheek.

She must tell Tommy about it, but she was too ashamed to do it. She couldn't bear to live with Tommy hated her for the rest of their lives.

"Tommy,"

"Kim,"

They chuckled when they talked at the same time. He licked his lips, making her heart jump, and said,"You go first,"

Kim turned her face away; it was not easy to say what she's going to say with Tommy fixed his eyes at her so intently like that.

Tommy was as anxious as the girl sitting beside him. However, all that aside, Kim looked tired; her lively individual seemed to be sucked up. She clasped her hands together so tightly and despite his yearning to pry them loose and say everything would be alright, he held himself back. He didn't want cause more unease and because he too wasn't sure everything would be okay.

"I guess…," Kim said in a low voice. "I guess we should end this,"

"What?"

"Stop this act. I-," I feel so guilty for everything… I don't have the face to see you or your family. I can't stand to have you angry with me… "I'm tired of all this. You know, pretending. I realize that the timing sucks, especially with Jane's condition… But I can't keep on going like this. I hope you understand,"

Understand? How could she expect him to understand? She didn't contact her for two days and now when he finally got the opportunity to meet her and want to confess his feelings, she wanted to call it off.

"Is it because of Viola? Because I-,"

"No, it's just me," Kim shook her head and braved herself to look at his crest fallen face. He looked as miserable as she was. But why? "That doesn't mean we can't still be friends. You're my bestfriend and that will never change,"

"Kim, don't do this,"

"I have to go," Kim spoke and wiped her eyes before the tears hit her cheeks. She rose to her feet and spared a long gaze towards Tommy. "I'm sorry," I'm sorry for being selfish, for making both of us miserable. I should've done this a long time ago.

"If that's what you want." Tommy said simply, lifting his head and closed his hand around Kim's wrist. "Can I kiss you?"

Seeing no resistance in her eyes, he tugged her closer and brought his hands to frame her face. Kim kept her arms on her side because if she wrapped them around him, she wouldn't be able to let go. Tommy caressed her cheeks with his thumbs and Kim felt her heart stop beating when he inched closer, smothering her with a kiss that was unlike those kisses they had shared before.

There were a few occassions when they had to kiss, but usually it ended very quickly. This time though, they took some time to let themselves fall into the kiss that they desperately wanted. She had never been kissed like this, or maybe it's just Tommy. It was slow, passionate and enough to reduce her knees to a puddle of jelly. The way he held her so close… It was like he's trying to tell her something.

Why don't you stop being a dufus and just tell her, Tommy?

He didn't want the kiss to end, but they had to breathe some time. He reluctantly pulled back and fought not to fall to his urge and kiss those sweet lips again. His voice raw when he spoke. "Kimberly, I...-,"

"I really have to go," Kim stepped back from his embrace, removing all contacts completely. She still felt lightheaded from the kiss. She knew that she shouldn't have surrendered to her yearning to be in his arms again, even for the last time, but she failed. "See you at school tomorrow and I'm going to visit Jane soon. I'm really sorry, Tommy,"

It's not the end, was it?

:: And I'm so tempted to leave it then and there… Kidding. Please don't hate me :( Thank you for reading and please review, they encourage me to update. No flame though.

-Yuuri