(A.N. Here's the next part for The Truth Behind The Words, this story will be coming to an end soon so please feel free to let me know what you've thought of the story. I hope you enjoy :) )

After hanging out with the gang for a while, the rangers headed their separate ways, Jason was planning to go visit his parents, Adam and Rocky staying at the juice bar to spar and Tommy and Kimberly chose to go to the park. The couple walked around hand-in-hand, a comfortable silence encompassing them as they looked around at their hometown scenery. Finally feeling content, Tommy pulled his girlfriend over to a wooden bench across from the lake. They both sat down, Kimberly crossing a leg under her in order to face the boy. They continued to sit in silence for a while longer, with the girl simply fiddling with their entwined hands.

"What are you doing Kim?" Tommy asked, an edge of humour clear in his voice. Her only response was a happy shrug. "You know for you being the louder of the two of us, you're being awfully quiet, what's on your mind?"

"It's ok actually, for the first time in a while I'm actually feeling... content." He smiled at her statement. "I know there's a few things I have to think about but for now, I'm right where I wanna be."

"I'm glad." He placed a kiss on the back of her hand, making her heart leap. "What do you have to think about though?"

Tommy braced himself as he heard her sigh. "A lot of things. Since my mom cut me off and my dad and I aren't on really good terms, I need to figure out how I'm gonna be able to stay here." She saw him about to interrupt so she quickly continued. "I know what you said and I know your parents say that they're fine with me staying but I can't just live off them and take a handout. I need to find a decent job that I can make enough to be able to take care of myself which will be hard enough 'cause I haven't finished school and the only thing I can do is gymnastics."

"You have too much pride sometimes Beautiful." He saw her sour expression and quickly amended. "That's not what I meant, I just mean that you're too independent sometimes/ I know you had to be growing up but I'm your boyfriend and I want to be able to help you." She nodded slightly. "I can understand why you're reluctant to accept our help but if my parents were here Kim, I think they'd almost force you to stay with us and they'd definitely tell you to graduate."

"But Tommy, the money and -"

"No, nothing about the money. If you wanna move out of my parents' house after we graduate then that's what we'll do, but I want us to graduate before we take that step." She looked at him in awe and he squeezed her hand. "You've always been part of my plan Beautiful and we will have our own place together, but I want us both to graduate first."

"I'd like that too, but how will I pay for everything?"

"Me and my parents are happy to help but if you really aren't comfortable with that, I'm sure Ernie would let you teach a couple gymnastics classes,"

"Oh, I didn't think about that."

Tommy smiled. "You're a gymnast at heart Kim and I don't think anyone could keep you away from that beam if they tried. But I think you'd be great at it and I know it's something you'd enjoy too."

"I'll definitely talk to Ernie about it." She smiled, placing a kiss on his cheek. "Thanks Handsome."

"Of course." He stayed silent for a few seconds with a neutral expression that Kimberly picked up on. "Now, there's one more thing I wanted to talk about and I think -" His statement was interrupted by an explosion and they whipped around to see the smoke on the other side of the park, the residents of Angel Grove desperate to escape the danger. Tommy's eyes widened before he gripped Kimberly's arm, pulling her into his chest and teleporting them to the Command Center. "Stay here while we're fighting." The girl nodded in response, immediately picking up on his 'leader' voice.

After he teleported back to the park to fight the villain, she felt Billy place a hand on her shoulder in a comforting gesture. As they watched the fight from the viewing globe, she sighed. "It's a lot different watching the fight from this side, I think I'd almost rather be out there with them, less scary than watching and waiting for something to happen."

Billy nodded in agreement. "I conquer, I share similar feelings towards the issue."

The rangers defeated the latest threat before returning to the Command Centre. "WELL DONE RANGERS, YOU HAVE ONCE AGAIN DEFEATED THE THREAT FROM THE MACHINE EMPIRE. DESPITE SOME DAMAGE, NO CIVILIANS WERE HARMED IN THE ATTACK. YOU HAVE DONE WELL TODAY RANGERS AND THIS ENEMY HAS BEEN DEFEATED BUT REMEMBER THE MACHINE EMPIRE STILL POSE A THREAT TO CIVILISATION."

The rangers thanked Zordon and the rangers – except Tommy – teleported from the Command Center. Tommy looked up to his mentor. "Zordon, would there be any way for Kimberly to be able to teleport to the Command Center?"

"Tommy, why -"

Kimberly was cut off by Billy. "If Zordon would allow, I should be able to transfigure Kimberly's old communicator to revive its transportation abilities." Zordon agreed and the communicator appeared before the former blue ranger who started tinkering with the device.

Kimberly looked at her boyfriend. "You know I love being able to come here but why do I need a communicator?"

"For your safety. Before the Machine Empire attacked, I was going to talk to you about staying in the Command Center whenever Mondo attacks. Rita and Zedd used to target us all the time 'cause they knew we were important to each other and the last thing I want is for the Machine Empire to hurt you."

The former pink ranger understood but still seemed reluctant. "I AGREE YOUNG CRANE. IT IS NOT BEYOND THE MACHINE EMPIRE TO USE YOU AS BAIT TO HURT THE RANGERS, ESPECIALLY TOMMY AND EVEN I WOULD PREFER TO HAVE YOU SAFE IN THE COMMAND CENTER WHILST THE RANGERS ARE IN BATTLE. I KNOW YOUR STRENGTH YOUNG CRANE, THAT'S WHY I CHOSE YOU TO BE A RANGER AND I KNOW YOU WILL KEEP THE RANGERS AND THEIR SECRET SAFE SO I HAVE NO PROBLEM IN ALLOWING YOU ACCESS TO THE COMMAND CENTER. AS A MATTER A FACT, I INSIST THAT YOU ARE TO TELEPORT HERE WHENEVER A THREAT APPEARS OR ALPHA WILL TELEPORT YOU."

Kimberly looked unsure. "Are you sure Zordon?"

"YOU MAY NOT BE A RANGER BUT YOU ARE STILL MY CRANE AND MY AFFECTION FOR YOU RUNS TOO DEEP TO ALLOW YOU IN THE FACE OF DANGER. YOU WILL COME TO THE COMMAND CENTER AND YOU MAY HELP BILLY AND ALPHA."

"Thank you Zordon." After a few seconds silence, the girl's head shot up. "What about Jason? Won't he be in danger too."

Billy responded. "I'll reconfigure Jason's communicator also." After tinkering with a few final adjustments, Billy handed the device to Kimberly. "Good as new. You'll be able to communicate with Zordon and Alpha, as well as myself and the rangers and you can teleport to the Command Center."

Kimberly smiled. "Thanks Billy." She placed the communicator on her left wrist and the grin on her face was easily observed by everyone in the room. "I've missed this, it feels like I'm complete again."

Tommy and Billy laughed as their mentor looked on proudly. Tommy placed his hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently. "Once a ranger, always a ranger. Welcome back Beautiful."

Kimberly leant into him. "It's good to be home."