Here's the next chapter.
Thanks, as always, to my readers/reviewers. It's nice to see that this fic is getting so much attention!It's encouraging. :-)
I think everybody's gonna like this chapter.
"Are you sure you wanna go through with this? I mean, you can still change your mind, man," Ron said a week later. It was Saturday afternoon and Ron and Steve were in Steve's apartment and Ron was trying his damnedest to back out of the plan. Steve- who'd returned to work five days earlier- sighed in annoyance and shook his head.
"For the umpteenth time, man: YES, I'm going through with it. And so are you. Stop trying to weasel your way out," he said in irritation. Geez, Ron was a real pain in the ass.
"Look, man, it's just that-" Ron began.
"I see I have to remind you that you only have two choices and one of 'em happens to be prison," Steve said, his voice low.
"Y'know I don't wanna go to prison. But this is just... I mean, you're only asking for trouble here, Steve," Ron said.
"I know what the hell I'm doing, all right?" Steve snapped.
"I dunno, man, You're always coming up with these wild plans and things almost always blow up in your face. Remember when we were kids and-" Ron was saying. An almost maniacal sounding growl escaped from Steve's throat and the police officer roughly shoved his cousin backward. Ron stared up at Steve from the floor in disbelief.
"I don't have time to take a nice, little stroll down memory lane, you idiot," Steve said, glaring down at the other man. "Besides, that was then and this. is. fucking. now. This will work."
Ron shook his head, then, stood slowly. "Steve, all I'm saying is that you need to be realistic here, dude. It could not work. What are you gonna do if it doesn't?"
Steve began rubbing his temples. "Ron-"
"I'm not just saying this to get outta helping you out. Okay, I don't wanna be part of it. But, ya gotta think, Steve. Seriously," Ron said. He sighed. "Ever stop to think that this is why she doesn't want you back?"
"What do you mean?" Steve demanded, his eyes narrowing.
"Well, you keep trying to force things. You're trying to make her take you back," Ron said.
"Hey, if she'd just cooperate, there'd be no need for any of this," Steve said angrily.
"So it's her fault," Ron said.
"Damn right," Steve snapped. "Look, I love her and I'm not gonna ignore that. I won't let her ignore it, either."
"Gotta tell ya, man... this really doesn't sound like love," Ron said carefully.
Steve's eyebrows rose a little, then, he laughed bitterly. "Is that right? Well, since you're the big expert, why don't you tell me what it does sound like, Ronny. Go ahead."
"Obsession," Ron said quietly.
"Obsession," Steve said slowly.
"Well... if you love a person as much as you claim to love her, you wouldn't have asked me to drug her, then, bring her to you so you could do whatever," Ron said slowly.
"You know what, Ron? Forget the whole thing. Forget the drugging deal. I'll find some other way to get what I want without your help. You're too much of a wuss anyway. So, it isn't even worth it," Steve said seriously. His eyes grew dark then. "I'll say this, though. Your fate's pretty much in my hands... so, I wouldn't screw me over if I were you."
Kimberly sighed in contentment as Jason massaged her feet. The couple was sitting on their couch in the den and Jason had decided to spend the entire weekend pampering his wife- and he'd gotten no argument from her. No, sir. Jason smiled at his wife.
"Enjoyin' being spoiled, Pinky?" he said.
"You better believe it, Scott," she said- causing him to laugh. Then, she grinned. "I had this dream last night, Jase."
"Oh, yeah? About what?" he asked as he slowly worked his way up to her calf.
"Well, Trini and Billy had gotten engaged," she said. "It's funny, ya know? I remember telling Tri back in seventh grade that she and Billy would end up getting married. Of course, the way I said it back then was: "Oh, my God, Tri. You guys are so totally meant to be, like, forever!' "
Jason laughed once again as he remembered her valley girl days. Most people would've found her flaky and vain and all that, but, not Jason. He'd be one of the first to admit that Kimberly had had her, well, shallow side, but, he and her close friends had always known that there was much more to her than met the eye. And, actually, he'd liked the fact that she'd been so girly-girl. Even though she'd matured a lot over the years- they all had- there was still some Kimmie in her and Jason never wanted that to change.
"Billy and Trini should just give in already, Rex. They're the perfect match. He's the yin to her yang and all that good stuff," Kimberly said with a smile. Jason chuckled. "I just want them to be happy and I just know that they could be- together."
"I think so, too, Kim. But there's nothing we can do. They've gotta take that step when they're ready, you know?" he said. She nodded her agreement. Then, Jason laughed. "You know what Zack said to me in eighth grade?"
"What?" Kimberly asked.
"Well, remember when I went to Hinton Heights- in eighth grade- because Bulk and Skull'd kept challenging and daring me to?" Jason asked. Hinton Heights was a pretty rough town. Kim narrowed her eyes at the memory, but, nodded slowly.
"Yeah. And I remember trying to kill you when you got home," she said. She'd freaked out big time when Bulk and Skull had told them about the Hinton Heights incident. Zack, Trini and Billy had been worried as well, but, Kim'd nearly had a panic attack. No one could calm her down. When Jason had returned, she'd run up to him and yelled: "Are you outta your mind!? You could've gotten, like, hurt or worse! I'm so glad you're okay! But, since you are, I'm gonna kill you, Scott!" She'd alternated between hugging and hitting him.
"That was some day," Jason said with a laugh. "I still don't even really know why I went. Maybe I wanted Bulk and Skull off my back or I was just feeling the need to prove something." He shrugged. "Well, anyway, Zack and I were playing basketball the next day and he started going on about how you and I were gonna end up getting married. Yeah. He was saying how he planned to give our kids piggyback rides one day." Kim laughed and he half-smiled. "I just laughed and brushed it off. Didn't think about it again until you and Tommy hooked up. Then, I started to get a little jealous." Kim's eyes widened. He nodded. "Yeah. But I got over it and became happy for you guys. Because you were both my friends and... you were happy. So, nothing else really mattered."
Kim smiled softly as a warm sensation washed over her. "You're way too amazing for your own good and I am so glad you're my husband and that we're gonna be a family in seven months. I'm always gonna love you so much, Jason."
"I'm always gonna love you so much right back, Kimberly," he said before leaning in and kissing her lips softly.
Katherine smiled as she took in the scenery. She and Rocky were standing side by side on the beach they planned to get married on. It was a gorgeous beach that was twenty minutes away from where they lived. The place was special to them both. They'd spent a romantic Valentine's Day here last year and Kat'd felt it'd be the perfect place to get married.
"I just love it here," she said. "I'm so glad you surprised me by bringing me here last year. It's honestly one of the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen."
He nodded. "I second that emotion, Kitty." He smiled at her. "I'm glad you suggested we get married here."
"Me, too," she said, squeezing his hand gently.
"While we're on the subject, do you think we should move the wedding up to, I don't know, March? Y'know, since Tan's had AJ already. Maybe, like, the... third Saturday in March. What do you think, baby?" he asked.
She cocked her head slightly. "Well, I was actually thinking we could move the wedding up myself since little AJ's in town now. But, then, I thought more about it and... I think we should stick to April. Instead of the second Saturday, let's make it the third one... which'll be our two-year anniversary."
Rocky's eyebrows shot up. Their two-year anniversary. Becoming Mr. and Mrs. DeSantos on their anniversary would be perfect. He nodded and grinned. "Again, another fantastic idea. I love it. I'm marrying a genius."
Kat smiled, her eyes dancing. "I'll drink to that," she joked. They both laughed, then, he pulled her close to him and they stared ahead at the relatively calm ocean.
"It's such a nice day for a walk," Trini said. She and Billy'd decided to take a little stroll in Angel Grove Park- a place neither had been in quite some time. Shockingly, they were the only ones in the park. They'd returned from having lunch a short while earlier. Billy nodded and smiled.
"I concur. I'm glad we decided to come here," he said.
"Me, too. This place is filled with so many memories," Trini said with a gentle smile.
"Yes, it is," he said. But he was hardly thinking of the park or the memories it held. He was a little busy wondering how much longer could he deny his rapidly growing attraction to the lovely, original yellow ranger to himself. They'd been spending so much time together. It was almost as if they were a couple. Billy truly wanted it to be official, but, being a guy who'd never exactly been the forward type, he was kind of nervous about bringing up the subject. Yeah, it was Trini, but, still. He suddenly felt like he was in junior high once again. Her soothing voice saying his name jerked him back to reality. He blinked and gave her a sheepish smile. "I wandered off. I'm sorry."
"It's okay. Are you?" she asked.
"Yeah. Why do you ask?" he asked.
"Well, you've been sort of distant since breakfast," she said.
His face flushed- to his sheer annoyance. "Oh, uh... well, I, um... I suppose I'm just..." Just what? What could he possibly say?
"Billy, if you don't wanna talk about it, that's fine. But whenever you do, you know you can tell me," she said. "You can always tell me anything."
"I know," he said quietly. Should he? Should he just risk being un-Billy and go for it? He really wanted to get it all out in the open. He wanted her to know how he felt. He looked into her eyes. "Trini... there's something I'd really like you to know."
"What is it?" she asked.
"Why don't we sit down?" he suggested, gesturing towards a bench. She nodded and they sat. Trini waited patiently for him to speak. Billy swallowed hard. He was really going to go through with this. Yes, it wasn't exactly like him, but, it was Trini... and she was certainly more than worth it. He forced himself to look into her eyes. "Trini, these last few months have been... well, I can't even it verbalize it." She smiled. "Anyhow, I've developed an attraction towards you."
Trini's jaw dropped. The attraction thing didn't surprise her, his admission of it did. She'd been sure she'd have to make the first move. William Cranston was full of surprises... and that was pleasing. She grinned at him and took his hand in hers. "Billy, it works both ways. But... I think you knew that already. I know you knew. We both did. I guess now was as good as time as any to stop lying to ourselves." It was... freeing.
Billy nodded, also feeling an odd sense of freedom. "You're absolutely right."
"And... I'm ready to make it official. I'd really love to give us a chance," she said honestly.
"So would I. A part of me has wanted to do that for a long time, I believe," he admitted.
"Me, too," she said. Then, she leaned forward and hugged him. His arms came around her easily and he couldn't help inhaling the sweet scent of her hair. She pulled away slightly to look into his eyes. Then, their mouths met in a sweet kiss a few moments later.
Well, that's the end of "Kindred Spirits"... Thanks for all the support that's been provided. It was really fun to write... you don't really think I'd be THAT cruel now, do ya? LOL. Next chapter'll be on its way sooner or later. Take care.