(Here's the 4th part of The Truth Behind The Words. I hope you enjoy and feel free to let me know what you think of this chapter / story :) )
As they walked into the youth center, the trio took a moment to look around. Jason exhaled, "it looks the same but it feels so different here."
Kimberly smiled, "I felt the same when I first walked in."
Tommy smiled at the pair and decided to give them a moment. "I'm heading to the juice bar, you want the usual Kim?" She smiled with a nod in response. "You want something too, Jase?"
"Whatever you're getting."
Kimberly placed a kiss on his cheek in thanks as he walked away. She turned to look at her big brother. "Thanks for coming so quickly, I'm really happy you're here."
Jason placed an arm around her shoulder, hugging her to his chest. "It's like I've always told you, you're my baby sister. We grew up together and I'm always gonna be your big brother, I don't care how old we are. We've been through a lot, more than most people would with the whole - you know and I'm always going to be there for you."
"Thanks Jase."
"Of course," He squeezed her gently. "Are you ok?"
She nodded slowly. "I'm getting there. I know I'm not fully there yet, but with you and Tommy and Melissa and James and hopefully our friends, I'll be fine."
"I'm glad to hear, now how about you hop up on the beam and show me one of your routines, I've missed seeing you up there since we left for the peace conference."
The grin on her face melted his heart. "What do you wanna see? I've got ones from Coach Schmidt or others I've choreographed since you left."
"How about your favourite one?" Pink flooded through her cheeks, making him laugh. "You're almost as pink as your old uniform." She whined at him. "Alright, I'll stop the teasing, hop up on the beam."
Kimberly climbed onto the beam and started the routine, each trick seeming effortless to the petite brunette as she executed them with flawless technique. Tommy walked over and stood beside Jason, handing him his juice. As they watched her, Tommy smiled. "I'm glad to see her back on the beam. I've missed it."
"Me too."
"This has always been my favourite routine of Kim's."
The statement clicked to Jason and he laughed quietly, shaking his head at the pair. Kimberly finished her routine before she jumped off the beam, moving to stand in front of the boys. "So what did you think? Did you like it?"
Jason smiled at his little sister. "It was great Kim, you're an amazing gymnast."
"Thanks I picked up a lot from Coach Schmidt in Florida, I learnt a lot from him. He'd even said that I had a really good chance of winning the Pan Globals and moving onto the Olympics, he even said that -" She stopped herself. "Anyway, I'm glad you liked it."
Seeing the look on her face, Tommy placed his hand on the small of her back. "Are you sure about this Beautiful, are you sure you don't wanna go back to Florida and finish what you started with Coach Schmidt." She shook her head. "Are you sure though? The Pan Globals has been your dream forever, you always talked about it."
She nodded slowly and saw that Jason was agreeing with Tommy's statement. "You're right, it was my dream. I always did want to go to the Pan Globals and the Olympics but I'm ok with it. I wanted to know if I was good even to go and through the program and Coach Schmidt, I know I am. I'd rather be back here in Angel Grove with you and our friends and." She lowered her voice to a whisper. "Alpha and Zordon." She returned back to her normal speech. "I was miserable and I hated being away from everyone."
The boys nodded sympathetically, her boyfriend responding. "As long as you're sure, I just want you to be happy."
"I don't think I've ever been more sure." She said, grabbing his hand and entwining their finger. "And I'm happy with you guys and the gang."
Hearing some commotion, the trio looked up and Jason shook his head with a grin. "Speaking of the gang." He looked to Kimberly. 'You ready Lil Sis?"
"As ready as I'll ever be."
The group met and sat down at one of the tables. Kimberly took a deep breath before explaining her story again to her friends. As soon as she finished, Rocky stood up abruptly, walked over to her and lifted her into a bear hug, making her giggle as she returned the gesture. "It's good to have you back Kim, I'm sorry all this happened and I hope you forgive us."
Kimberly smiled at the blue ranger. "There's nothing to forgive and I'm glad to be back too, I missed you guys."
After Rocky let go of the former pink ranger, the other two ninjetti offered a similar gesture, hugging their friend. Once they'd let go, Kimberly turned to the pink and yellow ranger, looking at them anxiously. Tanya was on the fence and looked at her best friend to see her reaction, only to see that Kat's face was blank. The silence grew and Kimberly became more nervous. "Kat? Tanya? Please say something."
"What do you want us to say Kimberly?" The brunette shrunk back, shocked at the blonde's outburst. "I'm sorry that you were attacked but you still hurt Tommy with that letter. You know what our job is, you know our responsibility and you still hurt him. Do you know how detrimental that could've been? What if something happened during a fight but he was too distraught over you. Do you know how heartless that letter was?"
Kimberly shook her head. "I said I was sorry, but I didn't write that letter." Seeing that Kat was about to refute her statement, she continued. "No Katherine, I did not write that letter. I was miserable in Florida and I hated it there. Once I got off the beam, it would all rush back, how much I missed Angel Grove, how much I missed all of you, how much I missed being on the team, everything. Do you know how hard it is to be on the other side of the country, away from everyone you love? You see all the fights that the team has but you can't even ask about it because it'll blow everyone's cover. Do you know how hard it is to be on the other side of the country and the only thing I can do while you guys are fighting is to just hope that everything turns out ok? I was miserable and I was scared and I got attacked and then after that, my boyfriend and all of my friends cut me off and I didn't know why. I was by myself in Florida with no one and I didn't know why everyone shunned me." Kimberly took a breath and sighed, softening her voice. "I know Tommy was hurt and I know your feelings are because you care about Tommy and you want him to be happy, but I was hurt by this too Kat."
Kat shook her head. "I don't know Kimberly, I just don't know." With that, the pink ranger stood up and walked away.
Kimberly halfheartedly looked at Tanya. "I'm guessing you share her opinion?"
Tanya, with a small shrug, responded. "I don't know you Kimberly and I only know anything about your relationship from what Tommy and the guys have told me. It's not my place to put my opinion here. I hated seeing Tommy hurt by what happened, we all did but if you say that it wasn't what it looked like and the guys believe you, then I have no reason not to as well." Kimberly smiled softly, responding with a 'thank you,' making the yellow sigh. "That being said though, Kat is my best friend and I can't abandon her, so I'm just gonna -" She said, gesturing towards the exit.
Kimberly nodded. "I understand."
Tanya smiled her thanks. "I'm sorry that happened to you and I hope everything works out."
"I hope so too." Once Tanya left, she turned back to the guys and wiped a hand over her face. "Well that didn't go exactly as well as I'd hoped but it could've been worse."
Tommy rubbed her back. "It'll be alright Beautiful, Kat'll come around, you'll see."
Kimberly nodded. "I hope so."