Day 2 - Then

When I pulled myself out of bed the next morning, I groaned. I had a comfortable bed, scenic views, time off to sleep in and relax, but I did none of that. I spent most of the night tossing and turning, trying to convince myself that I wasn't out of line the night before. That's why I wasn't surprised by my horrendous appearance when I finally looked at myself in the mirror.

Rather than spend more hours not getting anything done in my room, I decided to make my way downstairs and get my day started. There were a few things I wanted to do before Cole got get since I knew it wouldn't interest him. He wasn't particularly an outdoorsy guy. Once Cole landed we would end up spending our days lounging near the pool, maybe go out on a boat or the beach, so now was the perfect time.

Luckily for me, I happened to find Jason and Trini as I made my way through the lobby.

They waved me down when they saw me, inviting me over to sit with them.

"You look terrible," Trini covered her smile behind her hand.

I had no doubt I looked as bad as I felt. I plopped myself next to her in the hotel restaurant, the smell of food making my stomach turn.

Jason and Trini were enjoying a breakfast for two.

"I didn't get much sleep last night," I muttered, rubbing my tired eyes.

The only fix to this was covering my face under some oversized glasses.

"I'm guessing that means you don't want to go up to the pool with us after this?" Jason asked, a smile against his lips as well.

What was so damn funny?

"I'm not really in a pool mood."

"You only do midnight swims?" He asked and Trini nearly spit out her drink.

"Hey," I scowled, lightly elbowing him in the rib, "not nice."

I guess the secret was out… not that it was really a secret to begin with.

"I'm sorry," he chuckled and held on to his side, "I just couldn't help myself. I saw you two yesterday and I couldn't keep it in."

"When did you turn into the fourth chick in the group?" I rolled my eyes but held a light smile.

"Come on, Kim. You can't torture us. What happened?" Trini bumped my shoulder with hers.

My head fell back, a large sigh escaping me. I didn't want to talk about it.

"Nothing exciting," I answered, fixing my glasses. "We barely even talked."

"But you did?" Trini pressed, "about what?"

I don't even know. It was a conversation that left me feeling worse about everything. I get that he was trying to be friendly, but that's not how it works with me. I don't stay friends with my ex-boyfriends and Tommy was not an exception.

"About how we should just stay clear out of each other's way."

"Ouch," Jason winced. "He said that?"

"No. I did," I clarified.

His nose wrinkled, "Why?"

"Because we're not friends, because it's stupid to pretend we ever were, because I want to celebrate you and not worry about some guy that left me ten years ago."

Trini and Jason looked at each other, communicating in a way I couldn't.

"What is it?" I sighed, "You guys are doing that weird thing couples do."

"Kim," Trini started, "we love you, but don't you think it's time to move forward?"

I almost couldn't believe my ears.

"Tri, I cried on your couch for months about this. I told you how much it tore me apart… and now you're taking his side?" I began to stand up. I couldn't hear more of this.

"Wait," Jason reached for my hand. "please, just… listen."

I did as he requested but only because I didn't understand this shift in loyalty.

"Go on."

"I know this hurts, but haven't you thought that maybe it hurt him just as much?"

"Absolutely not! You don't just walk out of someone's life without even giving them a proper goodbye.. a reason! He gave me nothing for ten years and I'm just supposed to forgive him?"

"Forgiving him is not forgetting," Trini said, gently, "You say you've moved past it but you haven't forgiven him. How can you truly move on? You left once without giving him a proper goodbye and what did he do? He listened to you once you poured your heart out to him."

If that wasn't a slap to the face then I didn't know what was. I had been in Tommy's shoes before. When I left him once I moved to Florida, I immediately regretted it. I lied through my teeth writing that letter, telling him that I had met someone else when in reality I hadn't. I was terrified of losing him, so I set him free in the only way that I knew.

I knew that if I hurt him enough he wouldn't try looking for me. It worked. But I died a little bit inside. I died when I sent it, I died when he accepted it, and I died when I learned that he moved on like it was nothing.

Crushed. Dead. Buried.

He replaced us as if we never meant a thing.

And every single day I mourned.

When I finally moved back to Angel Grove after graduation, I told him everything. I spilled everything there was inside of me and I asked for a chance to make things right. I hadn't expected him to accept so quickly.

"So you're saying that I owe him a chance," I arched a brow.

Trini turned to Jason as if in search of an answer and he nodded to her in return.

"We're saying that you should hear him out."

"It's been so long, Kim." Jason shook his head, "He's been gone for years and this is the first time that we've all been together, but it won't be that long anymore. He's moving back to Angel Grove once he gets back from this last deployment and you're going to be seeing him around more. We didn't push this before because there wasn't a need for it, but now that things have changed, we can't keep doing this. I can't pretend that this doesn't affect all of us because it does. You both are my family."

I might have remained silent for a little too long. I didn't know how to let go of this grip of anger on him. It had been in the background for too long, living in my subconscious.

"Do you know why he did what he did?" I asked.

Jason simply returned a sad smile, "I don't. I know he made a mistake doing it the way he did but I think he deserves to be heard. You've mistakes too, Kim. What would life had been like if he didn't hear you out when you came back from Florida?"

Sometimes I wish that he hadn't. I wouldn't have had to go through the heartbreak again.

"I don't know how to be friends with him."

"Why don't you start with a simple 'Hello?'"

I'm not sure what possessed me to go cliff diving by myself today, but I did and I had never felt more exhilarated.

I was sixteen again, flying through the sky in my zord, saving the world.

Oddly, things were simple then. That girl had everything figured out.

I'm not sure where she went. What destroyed her to become who I am today? Life. Love, loss, rejection, failure, success, hard work… somehow that was the recipe that became me. And I hated her.

My dreams once revolved around my guitar and a backflip, now I'm powered by paperwork and power-points. It isn't fair, but I know that girl is inside of me still, just waiting for me to drink enough alcohol so that I can release some of my control and she could be unleashed.

I needed her today more than ever… which is why I immediately agreed when Jason suggested a night out in the town. Music, alcohol, and a dance floor. Just what I need.

I'm on my third shot of vodka, three shots too many for the girl that hasn't had a proper drink in a little over a year, but that didn't stop me from requesting another drink.

I don't even recognize the song playing over the loudspeaker, simply enjoying the vibrations below my feet and the heat of the bodies dancing alongside me. I wore my skimpiest outfit, not because I was trying to draw attention, but because I wanted to feel young again. I needed to lose the pantsuit and throw on a miniskirt.

I haven't laughed this hard in years. I was a mess, laughing and hollering, sweating and moving in a way that I hadn't since I was in college. I felt alive and every bit of me was loving it.

Trini and Aisha took a short trip to the bathroom, leaving me to lose myself to the music. The club was crowded, with a long line wrapping around outside. Trini, Aisha, and I managed to get the guys in with a flick of our hair and we didn't have to wait in line. Sometimes it was amazing being a girl.

I was blinded by the neon lights in the club, the DJ losing his mind on his set. This was the most fun I'd had in a long time and I couldn't brush away the ting of guilt knowing that it didn't include Cole.

"Damn, baby, I like the way you move," I heard a voice coming from behind me, although it came out more slurred.

I scrunch my face in disgust and I find a drunk man slobbering all over the floor.

I can't deal with this right now.

"Thank you," I mutter, and turn back around, hoping that ignoring him will make him disappear.

"How about a dance," he yells because he has no control over his volume.

I may be a bit tipsy, but I'll never be drunk enough to give that guy a chance.

"No," I tell him, firmly, because sometimes you have to stand your ground right from the beginning. Unfortunately for me, I forgot that speaking to someone that is intoxicated is nearly impossible.

"Then how about I buy you a drink," He slurs, coming closer to me. His expensive suit does nothing for his cheap cologne. It makes my nostrils flare and my stomach sour, way too much. "I'm Nate!"

I laugh a little. This was not happening. This is why I avoided places like these and people like him. I should thank him for the reminder.

I look over to Jason at the bar ordering our drinks and I see Zack talking to some tall brunette, but Tommy… he's only looking at me. This would be the moment where I would call for some assistance, but I'd rather deal with this idiot myself than have Tommy help me out.

I thought long and hard about what Trini and Jason told me earlier today, but it made no difference. I could be civil, but I wasn't going to take back what I said earlier. We should stay clear of each other, not because we can't be friends, but because we shouldn't.

We've crossed a line that cant be reset.

"I think you're drunk," I return, "that's why I'm going to give you a break. Go back to your friends. I'm not interested."

He didn't move an inch.

"I'm not drunk," he hiccups, "I just know what I want, and what I want is you."

I'm mid-rolling my eyes when his hand shoots out and touches my cheek, I slap his hand away, infuriated at the audacity.

"Don't touch me!" I've somehow sobered up.

The music around me is suddenly getting louder and I feel alone, trapped in this situation.

"Didn't realize you had a bite," Nate laughed, "I'm sorry. I just saw you alone and—"

"—I'm not alone," I sighed. That's it. He ruined my good time and all I wanted to do was slip into my bed.

"Oh," He smirked and I could see why he was suddenly so persistent. He wasn't used to being rejected. "So you have a boyfriend or something?"

"Yes," My brows furrowed, "Now leave me alone."

I turned around once again, the headache pounding to the beat of the music. I needed to get out of here.

His grimy little hands came to my waist, his lips hovering over my ear, "If you were my girl I wouldn't leave you by yourself."

Fuck it. Drunk or not, no one touches me. My hands gripped his, twisting his fingers and hoping it would release his hold on me so that I could shove him off.

I'd gladly cause a scene, but I didn't need to. Tommy was beside me before I could say or do anything more.

"Get your fucking hands off of her," He growled, pushing the guy off of me.

Tommy came between us, securing me behind him as Nate put his hands up in defeat.

"I don't want any problems," Nate slurred back.

"That's too fucking bad because you have one," Tommy returned, his voice laced with venom.

Nate laughed, "So this is the boyfriend?" He studied Tommy for a moment before grinning, "You really have to do a better job of keeping an eye on her, bro. She's delicious!"

Wrong choice of words.

The crack of Tommy's fist hitting Nate's jaw is one that will live in my brain for eternity. The idiot went flying into the crowd, causing gasps throughout the club.

Jason came running in next, grabbing onto Tommy's forearms to stop him from doing something he would later regret.

The music surrounding us only added to the chaos. Tommy desperately tried to brush Jason off so that he could get to the drunk idiot, but Zack quickly went in front of Tommy and assisted Jason in holding him back.

I hadn't seen a man like this, charged and possessive, over me in a long time.

"Calm down, man," Jason told him, "You can't be doing shit like this here. He's drunk. Let it go."

But Tommy didn't. The veins on his arms were bulged out, his fists placed on his sides. It was like he was desperately fighting with himself.

It was green ranger Tommy all over again, untamed and armed, ready to destroy anything in his path, and I couldn't help but wonder if that was how he handled himself in the field of war. Was he always this reckless or was he strategic about it?

I desperately looked around for Trini, as she was always the one that knew what to say or do, but she still wasn't here. The waves of chaos were filling my lungs and I couldn't save myself from drowning.

"Tommy?" I whispered, expecting him to not hear me over the music.

I don't know what it was about my voice, but I saw the fists on his sides begin to loosen before he turned around.

His features had softened once again, reminding me of the man that I was once so in love with and not the man that I had just seen a moment ago.

We stared at each other a breath, perhaps a breath too long.

The small crowd that had formed had now dispersed while Nate stumbled back to wherever he came from. This wasn't the way I wanted the night to go. I wanted to have a good time, not saved.

"I have to go," I said, feeling tears form in the back of my eyes.

I turned to leave, shoving my way through the large crowd.

"Wait," I heard Jason calling behind me. "Kim!"

Trini appeared moments later, a drink in hand, "What's going on?"

She put her hand on my shoulder, her warm eyes curious.

"I'm sorry," I shook my head, "I can't be here. I want to go back to my room."

Trini looked behind me to Jason and nodded. "Okay, let's go."

It's one of the things I love most about her. She didn't ask immediate questions, she didn't jump to conclusions, she comforted. Trini was a friend to the end.

"No," I gave her a small smile. "Please.. just stay. You have fun. We just got here. I'll be okay."

"Are you sure?" The look she gave me told me she wasn't convinced, but she knew better than to push.

"I'm fine," I nodded, hoping that my words could make me feel that in my heart.

I left the club without giving anyone a proper goodbye. I never meant for things to go so sour, but what else could I do? I was minding my own business when Nate showed up and ruined my good time.

Then Tommy made things worse.

Don't cry, I told myself.

I walked down the cobbled pathway to the hotel, the tears that I had been suppressing threatening to spill all over again. It must have been a little after midnight at this point. No one was really out, aside from some people making their way towards the club or trying to sober up as they stumbled through the streets.

I continued to walk the narrow paths, the moon hanging heavy above me. It was the only light I needed. My heels clicked on the stone below me with each step that I took.

This isn't fun anymore. I don't want to be here. I'd rather be back in Angel Grove pushing paperwork from nine to five.

Jason would hate me if I left or at least make me feel guilty enough that I began to hate myself.

Don't cry, I told myself again, but it was no use at that point. The tears in my eyes couldn't be held any longer and they fell freely from my eyes.

I sniffled as I continued but the footsteps behind me forced me to suppress them.

I should have known that they would never truly let me walk alone.

"You didn't have to walk me back," I sighed. I turned around to find exactly who I thought it would be. Tommy. "Did Trini make you come here?"

He smiled, "The bouncer, actually. I guess you can't start a fight and stay at the club afterward."

That should have made me smile, but it didn't. Because there's something sick in my head that refuses to allow me.

"You shouldn't have done that," I told him.

"I'm only doing what I would have wanted another man to do for me."

"And that is?"

"Made sure someone knew you weren't available."

"And your answer to that is violence?" I retorted.

"Any way that gets the message across," He puffed out his chest. "You can tell Cole to thank me later."

Thank him later? What the actual hell.

He walked ahead of me and I pulled his arm back so that he could face me.

"Are you fucking serious right now? First you humiliate me in there and now you're saying that you did this for Cole? You have some nerve," I growled. "Don't think for a moment that you did this for anyone but yourself."

"Why would I care about someone hitting on you?"

"I never said that you did. You said that yourself," I swallowed. "What I meant was that you saw someone in need of saving and you couldn't help yourself."

His jaw tightened, but he let out a puffed chuckle anyway, "Remind me never to do you any favors."

"That's what that was? A favor?"

"What else could it be?" He shrugged.

"A dick measuring competition!" I bellowed. I suddenly didn't care who was around. I'd wake up the whole island.

He bit his bottom lip, "We both know there's no competition when it comes to that."

Fact.

"You're disgusting!"

"And you needed help," He grinned. "You're welcome."

He walked backwards for a moment before turning around, leaving me with my mouth completely hung open and more pissed than I was the night before.

This was going to be a long week.

Author note: New chapter! Hope you enjoy! See you in my next one.