AN: it's finally here; the very long awaited chapter. Sorry it took me so long. Hope you guys like it. Dedicated in part to Falcon4Crane (you'll know which part I'm talking about.*smiles*. I hope it's to your liking)
*Thanks to all those that are still interested; that has reviewed and waited patiently for this chapter. Love you guys' lots.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, zip, nada.
Last time on Secrets;
"Kimberly," Ken said. "What are you doing here? And how do you know those boys?" Kim didn't reply.
"Connor, Eric," Sandra said. "What's going on here? Why are we here?"
"We're here to talk," Kim said.
"Talk about what?" Ken asked.
"About what happened nineteen years ago between the two of you and our mother," Kim said. The two paled at that. There was only one thought running through their heads, 'How did they find out?'
(Now: Part 1—Family relations)
"Well I can tell by the look on your faces that you never expected us to find out," Eric said. "Did you?"
Ken and Sandra could only look at each other. He was right; they had never thought or expected that they would know what they did all those years ago.
"Kids…" Ken started only to be cut off by Kim.
"Oh no," Kim shook her head. "You don't get to talk; you don't get to try and con your way out of this. We just have one question for you…why? Why did you do that? How could you separate a mother from her babies, newborn ones at that? What kind of heartless monsters are you?"
When the two remained silent, Connor scowled. "Answer her!"
Everyone was deathly quiet after Connor spoke. Ken and Sandra were still in shock. They seriously hadn't thought that the kids would ever find out what happened all those years ago. Kim, Eric and Connor looked at the two of them with such anger and hatred that they felt as if they could actually feel a caress on their skin. In that instant, they both knew that after today, things would change even more and they knew that they would not be able to leave until they answered the questions from the three. Preparing her self, Sandra answered first.
"I loved your father," she swallowed before continuing. "He was everything to me. When I found out I couldn't have kids, I was devastated. Before and after we married, all Jordan could talk about was how much he would love for us to have kids. He talked about all the things that he would teach you, things that his dad had taught him. When we were told I couldn't have kids, I became scared. Instead of believing in your father and our love, I allowed my fear to push him away and into the arms of another." She turned to Kim. "Your mother."
Kim said nothing as she stared at Sandra; Eric however, scowled. "You mean 'our' mother?"
Sandra flinched as if struck. "When Jordan met Caroline, I knew. I didn't know who the person was, but I knew it was someone. His eyes, which had become pain-filled and somewhat lifeless, had started looking more vibrant, more alive than it had in a long time. He was suddenly spending a lot of time in Angel Grove. I knew he was cheating on me and I didn't blame him for it….not at first. But in time, I became angry at myself for pushing him away and then I turned my anger onto him and the woman. But even though I felt angry at him for cheating, I still had no real proof, until Ken showed up. When Ken came and told me exactly who Jordan was seeing, I wasn't sure what to feel. I became enraged; especially when he told me that Caroline was pregnant with Jordan's child. So, we came up with a plan. I went to see Caroline and when I saw how glowingly pregnant she was, I felt jealousy in me; she was giving my husband the one thing I couldn't. All I wanted was to give Jordan kids, and I had the chance; even if I didn't give birth to them myself."
"So you decided to take us from our mother?" Connor spat. "You decided to threaten her with the idea of having Kim being taken away from her just so you could have us? What kind of a monster are you?"
"A monster?!" Sandra's eyes flashed at the insult. "I'm not a monster!"
"Than what the hell do you call someone that does something like what you did?" Kim asked. "You took my mother's kids from her…just after she gave birth; you threatened to take me away from her if she didn't give them and you say you're not a monster?"
"I wanted kids!" Sandra replied fiercely. "She already had you. Connor and Eric belonged to my husband."
"They also belonged to her!" Kim replied just as fiercely. "You were so jealous over you inability to give Jordan kids that the fact that he fell in love with our mother and she gave him not one but two sons, ate at you didn't it?"
"She didn't deserve them or him," Sandra said. "I knew I would make a good mother, I just never had my chance to be one. But with Eric and Connor I did, besides, like I said, she already had you."
"And that makes it better?" Eric exclaimed. "You stole us! You were being selfish and you stole us from our mother. Did you even think about how it would feel to her to give birth only to have her babies taken from her? Did you even think about anything but yourself?"
"Why should I have?" Sandra shrugged. "I had already got what I wanted. I knew that if she cared anything at all about her daughter she would give you up."
SMACK!
Sandra's head spun to the side from the force of the blow. Ken could only stare at his daughter in shock; he couldn't believe that she had just slapped Sandra. Kim for her part was livid. Her mother had been through hell because of this woman.
"You cold-hearted, selfish bitch!" Kim spoke, her voice cold, sending shivers down everyone's spines. "You tore apart a family all because you couldn't stand the idea that your husband was happy with someone else? You put all of us through hell and you don't even care. My brothers should've been raised with their mother but you made sure that didn't happen. If I could have you arrested for what you did, I would. But you know what? I won't. It doesn't matter anymore because you're not worth my time. Despite your actions, my brothers and I know each and they were reunited with their true mother."
"I can't believe this," Eric said. "When I first heard about this, I refused to believe it because I didn't think you'd be capable of anything like that. I thought everyone was lying; I was even angry at dad when he finally told me the truth. But to hear you actually admit it, and to hear no remorse at all in your voice…it makes me wonder." He shook his head as he glared at her. "Kim's right. It doesn't matter, not anymore. For the longest while I thought you were my mother, but now I know. My mother could never be such a bitch like you. Whatever compassion I may have had for you is now gone. From this moment on, you're dead to me and I want nothing to with you. You're not my mother, and you never were."
Sandra looked at Eric; her face had paled when he had spoken. She couldn't believe that she was losing her son. "Eric…son—
"Don't call me that!" Eric vehemently replied. "I am not your son, I never was. I hate you for what you did."
Once again Sandra flinched. She had no idea that her actions would have such repercussions. 'Honestly girl, what did you expect? I expected them not to find out. But they did; and now, you're losing both your sons…sons that you wanted so badly that you stole them from their mother.' She was jerked out of her thoughts by Connor's voice.
"I agree with everything Eric said," his voice was harsh. "I can't believe that my father stayed with you all these years; but then again I could see why he would. He probably thought that if he left, you might hurt us. But then again, he shouldn't have had to worry about that since we were never yours in the first place. I spent the last nineteen years of my life not knowing my sister or my own mother because you were nothing more than selfish bitch. How could you do something like that and then live with yourself after?"
"Connor—
"NO!" he cut her off. "You're nothing but a thief and you have no rights to call me by my name. While I do feel some sympathy for you not being able to have kids, I will never forgive you for what you did. You're spiteful and I hate that I ever knew you. You're no longer welcome any where near me. From this moment on, you have no sons. We're dead to you just like you're dead to us. I never want to see you again."
Sandra could only stare at the two boys. For the first time in nineteen she started to regret what she did. She never should've let her fears and insecurities dictate her actions which drove her to do what she did. And now she was paying for it. She supposed that some tiny part of her had always expected that they would find out and that they would be angry at her, but it still came as shock.
"You should leave," Eric said. "I can't stand the sight of you." She gave nod before she turned and left. At the door, she paused and looked back. All she got were looks of disbelief and anger/hatred. She opened her mouth to say something, but thought better of it. Eyes filled with tears, she left. Kim turned from the door to the man that fathered her.
"For the longest time," she started. "I always wondered why you couldn't love me. I tried so hard to please you but it seemed like no matter what I did, it was never good enough for you. I wanted so bad to make you love me, but you couldn't. Do you know how much it hurts to know that you placed everyone else above me? Your own daughter. All I ever wanted was to be first in your life, to feel that you were proud of me, but you didn't see that. I heard my mother cry every night because you were gone. All the fights, the yelling, the cheating; you hurt us over and over and yet you never seemed to care." By now, Kim had tears running down her cheeks. "Every promise you gave to me only to have you break them over and over again. You've been cheating on my mom way before she cheated on you, but the moment she did, you couldn't handle it. The Great Kenrick Hart couldn't fathom the idea of his wife seeking happiness and pleasure elsewhere even though he did himself. You couldn't stand the idea that someone else could make her happy so you had to ruin it. But still, despite everything that happened, I still held out some hope that I meant something to you; but to hear everything, the absolute truth." She paused as started pacing. As she continued, her voice became harsh; slightly rising in pitch and Connor knew that that meant she would start yelling soon. He wasn't disappointed. "IS THAT ALL I WAS TO YOU? A FUCKING BARGAINING CHIP? A WAY TO FORCE A WOMAN INTO DOING WHAT YOU? HOW COULD YOU DO THAT, HOW COULD YOU FORCE HER TO GIVE UP HER KIDS?"
"Kimberly," Ken started.
"NO!" Kim said forcefully as she shook her head, her tears falling even more. "Did I really mean so little to you?"
"You were….are everything to me," Ken said. Like Sandra, for the first time in his life, he regretted everything he did, because for the first time, he was finally seeing the hell that he had put his daughter through.
Kim scoffed, as did her brothers. "You had a funny way of showing it." Connor said.
"I loved you and your mother," Ken said. "The first time I cheated on her, I hadn't meant for it happen, but when it did, I'm ashamed to say that I realized that I could have my cake and eat it too. I knew that if I was careful, then Caroline would never have to find out. I didn't even realize that she knew. But I kept at it, until she had enough and told me she wanted a separation. I was hurt, but I knew it was my own fault. I agreed and even though I knew it was because of my cheating, I still didn't stop. When I came home that day to find her pregnant, I was hurt and jealous, though I had no right to be. And I lashed out at her for doing the same thing I did, but I only did that because I was scared. I could see that Caroline had actually fallen in love with the guy she was seeing, and I couldn't have her leave me."
"You couldn't have her leave you?" Kim seethed. "You made her miserable and she finds happiness and you decided to take it away. You were such a hypocrite. You punished her for doing the same thing you did. You were going to take me away to what? Teach her a lesson? Or was it to show her that you were the man; that just because you did something that that didn't give her the right to do the same. I can't believe you. Did you even think about what you were putting me through? No, you didn't. I hated myself because I thought that it was my fault that everything was happening."
Ken's eyes widen at that. He never thought that Kim had blamed herself for what had happened. "I didn't know."
"Of course you didn't," Kim retorted. "You didn't know because you never saw anyone but yourself. You were too caught up making yourself feel better that you never thought about me. I needed my father to tell me that everything was going to be alright, that it wasn't my fault. But I guess that was too much to ask, was it?" she reached up to wipe her tears.
"Kimberly," Ken said. "I am so sorry."
"Yeah, well," Kim said. "Your 'sorry' can't fix it. I'm your only child…" she stopped when she saw him look away. She saw the emotion in his eyes but couldn't quite figure it out. After a few minutes of looking at him, she felt the suspicions rise in her. "I am your only child?"
Ken refused to look at Kim. He knew that if he did, then he wouldn't be able to stop himself from answering and that it would hurt her. Kim, however, was having none of that.
"Look at me!" she demanded. When he did, she continued. "Am I your only child?"
Seconds ticked by and Kim was sure she wouldn't get an answer. After a few more seconds of silence, he answered. "No."
Kim took a step back. She felt as if a huge blow had been delivered to her stomach. She felt Connor grab her hand and Eric place a hand on her shoulder. She shook her head side to side.
"No," she kept repeating the word. "You're lying."
"I'm not," Ken said. "You have an older brother. He lives in Mariner Bay."
"Does mom know?" she asked as more tears filled her eyes.
"No," he answered. "She doesn't."
"How old is he?" she asked.
"He's thirty," Ken said. He became quiet. Kim was twenty-seven, just three years younger and she knew that he and her mom had been together since the beginning of college, which meant that he had cheated on her mom and had gotten the other woman pregnant. He knew that when she figured it out, she would be even angrier and he was terrified that he might lose his daughter. He truly loved her, but he knew that he hadn't been a good father to her. He watched her features and saw the realization. He mentally braced himself.
"Thirty?" Kim questioned. "But that would mean that…" her eyes widened. "Oh, you bastard, you selfish bastard. You had a son by another woman and you never said anything? You cheated on my mother and demanded that she give up her kids, all the while knowing that you had another child out there? I never thought I'd say this about anyone, but I hate you. I utterly and completely hate you."
"You don't mean that," he said, his voice stricken with fear. "You can't mean that. I'm your father."
"No," Kim shook her head. "You're not my father. Pierre Dumas is. You might have provided the goods, but that's all you are to me; you're just the donor. You never were my father and I can assure that I will never consider you to be again. I want you to stay the hell away from me. You're dead to me."
"Kim," he took a step toward her but stopped when Connor and Eric glared at him.
"Leave me alone," Kim whispered, his full betrayal suddenly hitting her. "Just go. I never want to see you again."
Ken looked at her. He wanted to reach out and touch her, but he knew his touch wouldn't be welcomed. He had just lost the one person that meant the most to him, and he knew that he had no one to blame but himself. With a resigned sigh, he nodded and turned to leave. Like Sandra, when he reached the door, he looked back. He saw Connor pulling Kim into his arms, with Eric rubbing her back as her tears finally got the better of her. His heart constricted when he heard the broken sobs coming from her. His own eyes filled with tears knowing he was the cause. He whispered a final 'I'm sorry' before going through the door.
Back inside, Kim held Connor's shirt tightly between her hands as she stained his shirt with her tears. "How could they do that? How could he do that? Why would he betray me like that?"
"I don't know sis," Connor whispered. "But I know we'll get through this, all three of us."
"He's right," Eric said as he continued rubbing her back. "We'll show them that we're strong enough to get through this. Come on; let's go back to the house." Kim nodded as she moved from Connor's chest. She wiped her tears as she looked up at them. They looked at each other, but said nothing; but then again, words weren't really needed. Taking a breath and releasing it, Kim smiled at them. They smiled in return and all three walked out of the youth center. Despite the conversations they just had, they couldn't help but to feel lighter. And even though Kim knew that she would have to find her older brother, she couldn't help but feel as if she had finally gain closure, as did Eric and Connor.
(Part 2—Curiosity killed the 'Kat')
A few days later found the group at the youth center. When Kim, Eric and Connor had returned to the house three days before on Sunday, they had told everyone what had happened. Kim, still reeling from the betrayal of the man she had once called father, had been quiet and withdrawn, which had caused Tommy to lift his girlfriend into his arms to take her to their room. There, in his arms, she had broken down once more and cried. All Tommy could do was hold her. She had cried herself to sleep, with him following close behind. The next morning, she had quietly and politely told them she couldn't discuss it yet. They had respected her decision and had not asked anymore questions. Now, it was Wednesday and they were all hanging out at the youth center. They were all huddled together, eating and talking about nothing. It was during a lull in conversations that Kim spoke.
"I still can't believe it," her voice was soft, yet it still captured everyone's attention.
"Believe what Kim?" Alyssa asked.
"Everything," She replied. "But most of all, I can't believe he has another child…a son. I have an older brother and I've never even met him."
"Where did your dad say he lived again?" Danny asked.
"Mariner Bay," Kim answered. "And no, I don't know his name, I never asked." She had answered Jason's unasked question. All of a sudden, Max started laughing.
"What?" Cole asked.
"I just think it's funny," Max replied, still smiling.
"What is?" Cam asked.
"That Kim lives in Angel Grove where the rangers started," Max said. "And her brothers all live in cities that had rangers. Her older brother lives in Mariner Bay which had the LSR Rangers, Eric lives in BBH which had the NS Rangers and Connor lived in Reefside which had the DT Rangers. Just thought it was funny is all." Everyone looked on stunned.
"He's right," Rocky said. "Hey, how weird would it be if one of the guys on LSR was Kim's older brother?"
"Nah," Kim laughed. "That would be too much of a coincidence; all of us being rangers?" she looked at the others and saw that most had a pensive look on their faces. "Guys come on, you seriously don't believe that?"
"Hey it could happen," Rocky shrugged.
"It could Kim," Trini said. "You said you don't know your brother's name. So for all you know, he actually could've been a ranger. I mean look at the rest of you. You and Connor were rangers, and Eric could've been one as well."
"Please don't think that," Kim moaned. "It'd be too freaky for three of us to have been rangers."
"Aww come on Kim," Zack smiled at her. "Just think of it as a family legacy that you passed on."
"Shut up Zack," she mock glared at him, and everyone else laughed.
"So how are you really feeling?" Hayley asked.
"I don't know," Kim sighed. "Hurt, sad, betrayed, shock, angry; though betrayed and angry seemed to be the more dominant emotions."
"Well I'd be feeling the same," Caitlin said. The others agreed. Kim could feel her emotions getting the best of her the more she thought about everything that had happened on Sunday. Pretty soon, she started feeling edgy and restless. Sensing this, Tommy got up and moved to the sparring mats. He set them up before walking back to the table.
"Come on," he said as he held out his hand.
"What?" she asked as she looked up at him.
"I can tell you're edgy and you need something to release all the pent up emotion," he said. "So, let's spar." Kim gave her boyfriend a small smile. Of course he would know how she was feeling. Despite their years apart, Tommy still knew her better than anyone, Connor following at a close (very close) second. Still smiling, she took his hand and followed him onto the mats. The others grabbed their chairs and moved closer. While the original rangers just smiled at the thought of the two sparring, the others looked a little unsure.
"Should she be doing that with him?" Eric asked. "I mean, he could hurt her."
"You don't know Tommy," Jason laughed.
"You mean he doesn't know Kim," Adam countered with a smile.
"Trust us when we say Kim can more than handle herself," Tanya smiled.
"Are you sure?" Taylor asked. "It is Tommy Oliver."
"Yeah," Dustin said. "The guy is like a ranger legend."
"And she is Kimberly Hart," Aisha countered. "Who is a ranger legend herself being the longest serving female; trust us, Kim can handle Tommy. After all, he was the one who taught her…or more like helped her refine her sparring skills."
"Next to Jason," Billy said. "Kimberly is the only person that can keep up with Tommy. Don't underestimate her. Our enemies did and they always paid for it. She's stronger than she looks."
All talking stopped as they watched the two. They saw that they had changed out of their jeans and shorts into sweats and a leotard with pink shorts over it. Kim and Tommy bowed to each other before they started. The spar started out slow before it picked in speed. Everyone was watching in amazement as Kim held her own against Tommy and the fluid way in which the two moved. After a few minutes, Wes made an observation.
"He's holding back."
"Yes he is," Jason smirked. "But he won't be for long."
"What do you mean?" Jen asked.
"She won't allow him to," Jason said. "By holding back, Kim will think that he's going easy on her; which she hates." Jason shook his head. That was one reason why he had stopped sparring with Kim. He could never let go with her as he was too afraid that he would hurt her. When Tommy had joined the team, Kim had gone to him to be her sparring partner. During the first spar he had held back and that had pissed Kim off until she attacked him ferociously. Driven to defend him self, Tommy had retaliated just as strong but soon found that Kim could actually keep up with him. After that, he was the only she would seriously spar with because he wasn't afraid of holding back, no matter how much he liked her. Ironically, that had made her fall for him even more. True to Jason's word, the group watched as Kim stopped mid strike to glare at Tommy. She had finally noticed what he was doing. While they couldn't hear the words, they saw the sheepishness on Tommy's face before he let out a sigh, smiled and nodded at Kim. Seconds later, the two were at it again. This time, they could tell that neither was holding back.
"Holy crap!" Blake said. "Is she actually keeping up with him?"
"Yep," Jason smirked. He was proud of his baby sister.
"Told you not to underestimate her," Trini smiled. The group wasn't the only one paying attention to the sparring couple. The other occupants of the youth center had and came closer to watch the two. They watched as Kim kicked out her foot, knocking Tommy on his back, before back-flipping to land in a defensive stance. Tommy flipped back onto his feet to land in his stance as well. Kim smiled at him, while he beckoned her forward. She shook her head and he smiled before attacking. Tommy threw a punch at Kim but she ducked under his hand only to grab it and flip him over. Mid air, Tommy twisted and landed on his feet, his back to her. Kim went after him, but he turned at the last minute to grab her hand. He kicked out with his foot and knocked her on the ground.
"You know," Tommy teased. "You look good on your back." She laughed at him and got to her feet. She faked a kick before she tackled him.
"And here I thought you liked me on top," Kim smiled.
Tommy laughed as he grabbed the back of her head and pulled down for a kiss. He let up enough to whisper against her lips. "I like you in any position Beautiful."
"You're a tease," she laughed as she ducked down for another kiss.
"You love me anyways," he laughed as she moved off of him to her feet.
"Come on," She held out her hand to help him up. He smiled as he grabbed it and let her help him to stand. He stole another kiss, before wrapping an arm around her waist. When they turned to walk back to their friends, they were greeted with applause. Kim laughed as Tommy rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand in a bashful way. She pulled away for a second to bow before going back to him. They smiled at their friends as they approached them.
"That was amazing," Marah gushed.
"I'm sorry," Eric said.
"What are you sorry for?" Kim asked.
"I underestimated you," he smiled. "I thought that you wouldn't be able to handle Tommy or that he would go easy on you. But that's not what happened."
"Don't worry about it," Kim waved his words away.
"Nice to see you've still got sis," Adam smiled.
"Or maybe Tommy is losing his touch," Rocky joked.
"I am not losing my touch," Tommy said. "How about we go at it and I prove it to you?"
"No," Rocky laughed. "I'm fine." The others laughed at him. Tommy moved to grab a chair and sat down. He was about to pull Kim onto his lap when she gasped out loud.
"What is it Kim?" Krista asked.
"No way," Kim said. "What the hell?" The group turned around to see what she was looking at. To their surprise, and confusion, they saw Kat standing at the counter. Kim kept staring at her, even when Kat noticed they were there.
"Kim?' Trini called when she saw that she was still looking at Kat. Kim didn't answer. Seconds later, a smile came on her face.
"Kim," Aisha spoke. "What are you thinking?" Aisha didn't really like the smile that was on Kim's face; that smile usually meant she was up to something, something they wouldn't really like.
"I'm not thinking anything," Kim said, the smile still on her face.
"What are you going to do?" Connor asked, knowing his sister.
"Nothing," Kim said. "Just wanna talk. That's all." With that, she walked away from them and over to Kat.
"Oh boy," Zack said. "Kat is in trouble."
"Kim wouldn't start anything," Kelly said. She looked at the others. "Would she?"
"She might," Trini answered her, her gaze on Kim's approach to Kat. "Kim hasn't really dealt with Kat for what she did."
"So she might do it now," Aisha finished. The smile was still on Kim's face as she walked up to the blonde. As she was getting closer, she noticed that Kat had turned back around. Her smile turning into a smirk, Kim walked right up to her and tapped her on her shoulder.
"Hello Katherine."
Kat debated with herself for a few seconds. She really didn't want to turn around, but her curiosity got the best of her. Taking a deep breath, she released it before turning around.
"Hello Kimberly," she said.
"What are you doing here Katherine?" Kim asked. Rocky looked at the two and knew that something would happen between them. He also knew that he wanted to hear what was being said.
"I'm going closer," he said to the others. "I want to know what's going on." With that, he got up and found a seat at a table right behind Kim and Kat. Seeing what he did, the others moved to where he was sitting; although, they had to bring chairs and extra tables for everyone to fit. When they were done, they turned their attention back to the two girls.
"I eat here," Kat answered. "Besides, it's a public place, and Ernie doesn't mind having me here."
"Ernie doesn't know what a backstabbing bitch you are," Kim retorted.
"Ouch," Hunter winced, as did the others; including Kat.
Kat narrowed her eyes. "Did you come here just to insult me?"
"Yes," Kim said. "What? Did you think I came over here because I wanted your friendship or something? If you thought that, then you're more delusional than I thought."
"What's your problem Kimberly?" Kat asked.
"You," Kim said. "My problem is you." Kim's brows furrowed as she crossed her arms across her chest. "Let me ask you something Kat; did you ever saw me as a friend, or was I simply a means to an end; a way to get close to everyone?"
"You just don't get it," Kat said.
"What don't I get?" Kim asked. "You thought I had everything easy when you now know that my life was anything but."
"That doesn't matter," Kat said. "You still had everything. The boys at school wanted you, girls wanted to be your friend, even the ones that picked fights with you; but then again, they only did that because it meant that they had your attention. It was sickening. Even Zordon was under your spell. Everyone treated you like you were the best when you couldn't even handle your gift."
"I handle them just fine," Kim scoffed, ignoring the first half of Kat's sentence. "I had them for three years, didn't I? And you shouldn't be talking. Didn't you have trouble handling them? Guess that means you weren't strong enough or good enough for them." The words were like acid to Kat, and the other rangers, minus the original, couldn't believe that the sweet, caring girl that they knew could be so scathing. Taking a discreet glance around the youth center, Jason was glad to see that it was slowly emptying. He glanced at the clock and saw that it was almost 1 p.m. which meant that the lunch rush was just about over as everyone would be heading back to work or to do whatever they had to do.
"I was good enough for Tommy," Kat smirked. "As well as Jean-Luc."
While the girls were shocked and gasped out loud, Kim didn't let it affect her. She uncrossed her arms and made a show of checking her nails. "If you were enough for them, then tell me this; why did they come back to me? I mean, if you truly were enough, then they should've been satisfied with you, but they weren't, weren't they?"
Kat opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by Kim who continued talking. "As you can see, Tommy and I are together and even happier than before and if I recall, Jean-Luc dumped you when he found out that I knew and begged me to take him back. He even went so far as to call you a mistake." Kim smirked as she tapped her chin. "I wonder if that hurt; to be called a mistake. Did it?"
"Shut up," Kat hissed, tears threatening to fill her eyes.
Kim, if she was anything, was stubborn. Kat had caused her a lot of pain, and she wanted the Australian blonde to hurt. So therefore, she had no intention of shutting up. "Why? The truth hurts doesn't it? You were nothing more than a replacement; a poor one at that. You couldn't handle the powers and you definitely couldn't handle Jean-Luc and you sure as hell couldn't handle Tommy. How does it feel to be second best?"
"I should ask you that," Kat hissed. "Isn't that what you are to your father?" she paused. "Or even your mother, who couldn't care less?" It was a low blow and Kat knew it. The others shook their heads at the remark about Caroline. They knew that considering everything that happened during their stay in Paris that this was the wrong thing to say. Kim was not going to let it go. They were right.
Kim, on the other hand, stiffened. She said nothing. The comment about Ken only slightly bothered her, but the one about her mother did; considering the fact that she had almost lost her mother and she, as well as the others knew just how much Kim meant to her mother; enough to give up her sons. The only movement she made was to draw her hand back and let it loose to punch Kat square in her jaw. The former rangers, though resigned that Kim would retaliate, were still shocked when Kim punched Kat, while the last few people in the youth center stared at her in shock as well. Kat's head reeled back from the attack and she lost her balance and fell to the floor. She looked up and froze; Kim's eyes were cold as ice and hard as diamonds.
"Listen here and listen good you little bitch," Kim spoke, her voice the same as her eyes. "You know nothing of my mother or me. You blame everyone for everything that happened to you, yet you refuse to take blame for yourself. It's not my fault that everyone treated me that way and I refuse to be sorry for it. You are nothing more than pathetic little bitch that thinks everything should be given to her. You're not me Kat and you never will be." Kim leaned down until her face was only inches from Kat's. "Because of you, you have no friends and you're nothing more than a washed-up, back-stabbing slut who can't even get a guy on her own and has to contend with trying to steal someone else's. You should be ashamed of yourself." Kim resumed her standing position over the blonde, who had her face averted to hide the pain from her former friends. Kim shook her head and moved to walk away. Kat slowly stood, though she kept her head bowed. Kim's words had cut through her and had hurt more than she thought they would.
Kim paused, her back to her friends and Kat. "I really wish you'd get over this jealousy Kat. It's tiring, old and unneeded." With that, she continued walking. Just before she reached the door, she was stopped by Ernie.
"What happened Kim?" he asked. "What's wrong between you and Kat?"
"It's nothing to worry about Ernie," Kim turned to him and gave him a small smile. "I won't tell you what happened because, believe it or not, she needs someone on her side or at least to be impartial towards her."
"I understand," Ernie nodded.
"I'm going to go for a walk," Kim said. "See you Ernie."
"Bye Kim," Ernie sighed as he turned to look at Kat. He knew that it had to be something bad for Kim to hit Kat and he hoped that whatever it was would be resolved soon. He hated when the friends fought with each other. He walked over to the table and couldn't help but smile when he saw them. "Hey guys."
"Hi Ernie," they chorused.
"Kat," Ernie turned to the blonde. "Can I talk to you?"
Kat hesitated for a second before she nodded. She didn't look at her former friends as she passed them. Ernie looked over at them. "You guys should probably go after Kim; wouldn't want some poor guy to come across her in the mood that she's in."
"Sure thing Ernie," Jason said. "We'll see you later."
"Later," Ernie smiled at them as they all got up and walked out the youth center. He turned back to Kat, and beckoned her to follow him to the back. At the door, Cole paused as he looked back. He watched the two walk towards the back room.
"What do you think he wants to talk to her about?"
"I don't know," Tanya said. "But I hope he can get through to her." The others nodded before they filed out the youth center.
Back inside, Ernie sat at a table in the back and talked to Kat; he wanted to know exactly what happened between her and others. Kat was reluctant at first, but soon found her self pouring out the entire story to him. By the time she was done, she was sobbing openly and brokenly. She had told him how she felt about being separated from her friends; how regretful she was for what she had done when they were in high school; how suffocated she used to feel because she used to think that she was being compared to Kim and was scared that she would never measure up or fill the shoes that Kim had left behind; she spared no detail. Even went so far as to tell him about Jean-Luc. Ernie was sympathetic and just listened to her. When she was done, he wiped her tears and gave her his thoughts on the whole thing. Almost an hour after they went to the back room, Kat walked out feeling lighter than she had. She felt as if some of the burden had been relieved from her heart. Ernie's words came back to her and it made her determined. She would find a way to repair the damage that she had caused; she had to.
AN 2: So there you have it; Kim confronted both her dad and Kat (which was a long time coming). Now while this is the end of Ken/Sandra, Kat will make another appearance. As for Ken's little surprise (it was a surprise to me as well. *confused look*), I'm sure you guys have probably figured it out but it won't be revealed until the next two chapters or whichever chapter is the opening of Kim's store.
AN 3: This story is ending too. But don't worry; I still have like two or three chapters to go. For the part with Kim/Kat, I really wanted them to fight, but by the time I was done that scene is what I got. I hoped everyone liked it. I won't make any promises on how soon the next chapter will be out but I will try (keyword: try) and see what I can do.
AN 4: i really wanted to get this part out of the way, and now that it is, I can focus on Kim's, and her friends, preparations for her store.
Anyways, read and review.
Kila