A/N Power Ranger Zeo Settings and Characters all belong to Haim Saban and Toei Company and the Fox. Any original characters and this story are copyright © 2011-2018 to Hopelessromanticgurl, all rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.
Thank you mae-E for being my beta!
I'm so sorry I didn't get a preview out this week. My family and I are in the process of getting ready to move again. So I've been super busy getting ready. But here is the story. Please enjoy!
They landed on their feet and looked around. Kim was back on the medical table. She had her back to everyone as she laid there with her legs curled under her. She wasn't speaking a word, and Jason was trying everything to get her to respond again.
"I should have known this was a bad idea. I should have had Kim leave the second the others showed up." Tommy sighed. "I promised her it would be ok and they'd believe her. Now they made me a liar."
"It's not your fault, Tommy. You did what you thought was best for Kim." Billy said.
"Ranger, will someone please tell me what is going on? Why is Kimberly upset?" Zordon asked.
"Jason hasn't told you?" Tommy asked.
"No. He has been focusing on Kimberly. Tommy, as the leader I'm hoping you understand that it is your responsibility to tell me if there is something going on that affects the team."
"I know, Zordon. It's just…I believe in what's going on, but I have no proof so without that proof I don't want to tell you something that may end up being a lie."
"Tommy, I trust your judgment. If you believe something is wrong with a member of the team, you need to tell me." Zordon said.
Sighing softly Tommy nodded. "I have reason to believe that Kat may be under King Mondo's evil spell."
"And what has caused you to believe that?"
"A situation between Kat and Kim. The whole story is up to Kim to tell you."
"I see, and what has you doubting this information?"
"Well, she isn't acting evil toward anyone, including Kimberly, since Kim's return to us. She is almost normal. But Kimberly swears she saw Kat's eyes flash." Tommy said.
"Thank you, Tommy. I will tell you what I will do. I am going to keep a closer eye on Kat, see how she acts when she is alone or with Kim alone. If I see anything suspicions or out of place, I'll have her teleported her right away, and we can do a scan."
"Thank you, Zordon," Tommy said.
"Kimberly, when you are ready to tell me what happen to you and Kat I will be willing to listen. Until then I will take your word for it and keep an extra close eye on Kat to make sure she doesn't hurt anyone else." Zordon said.
"K" Kimberly answered.
Tommy sighed and went over to Kim. He knelt down in front of and stroked her hair. "It's not your fault, Beautiful. Zordon and I both believe you. That's why we're doing what we can to help Kat."
"Nobody else does." Kimberly whimpered. "Kat has them all convinced that I'm crazy."
"Don't worry. Kat will show her true colors soon enough." Tommy said.
Kim sighed. "I never should have said anything."
"Yes, you should have," Tommy said. "You might have just prevented her from doing some real damage."
Kim inhaled and exhaled a deep breath. She didn't speak again after that.
"Kim, Beautiful, please don't do this. Don't shut me out. Talk to me. We don't have to talk about Kat. We can talk about whatever you want."
"We can talk about how much you missed your big brother." Jason teased going over to the front of her.
"Lots and lots," Kimberly answered.
"Good answer." Jason teased once more. "We can also talk about how awesome I am?"
"You are?" Tommy asked.
Jason glared at him, and Kimberly giggled. She rolled onto her back, not being able to lay on her side anymore. She instinctively rubbed her hands over her sore ribs. Tommy had learned that was a sign she was in pain. He also learned that she would never admit to being in pain because she was so scared of having to get the shots.
"Sore?" Jason asked her.
"What? No. Why would you ask me that?" Kimberly lied.
"You're rubbing your ribs pretty hard there," Jason said.
Kimberly didn't even realize she had been doing it. She quickly stopped. "I'm fine."
"No, you're not. I'm sure Zordon has something to help you." Jason said.
"Jase, don't," Tommy warned.
"I don't need anything. I'm not in pain." Kimberly said.
"Liar." Jason said. "You are one of the worst liars I've never met. I know you're in pain. I also know you're terrified of needles and will do and say anything to avoid getting one."
"Wait, you know?" Tommy asked.
"Of course. She's been terrified of needles since she was a baby. She once told me she was she was a vampire, and she didn't get sick, so she didn't have to get a flu shot."
"Really?" Tommy couldn't help but chuckle. "Did you believe her?"
Jason blushed. "Maybe…but our parents didn't. Kimberly still had to get her flu shot that year. She screamed until her throat hurt. She screamed so loud once she actually lost her voice. But she had to get them to be healthy."
"Lies." Kimberly glared. "They didn't make me healthy. In fact, I always felt sick after they forced the injections on me! No means no!"
"Sometimes they made you sick, but only for a day and then you were fine," Jason said.
"Jason, I don't think she's talking about her flu shot…" Tommy said softly.
"That's what they always told me! 'Just take it, it will help you.' 'It will make you healthy and prevent you from getting sick.' 'It will take away the aches and pains of a hard work out.' 'It will make working out easier.' LIES! THEY WERE ALL LIES!"
"They?" There was more than one person?" Jason asked.
"Of course. You think I let him inject me without a fight. He had helpers! His helpers would pin me down and cover my mouth so I couldn't scream. Then He would inject me with his "special medicine."" She put air quotes around 'special medicine.'
Jason sighed softly. "It's gotten worse. Her fear of shots has gotten worse since she came back."
Tommy nodded. "I've learned how to tell when she's in pain. She won't ever tell me."
"How do you get her to take them?" Jason asked. "Distraction usually works."
"Tried it."
"Bribery?"
"Tried it."
"Reward?"
"Tried it. I've tried everything. Usually she'll sit on my lap and hide her face in my shoulder, and I'll hold her arm out. She just screams and cries until it's over."
"She is in the room you know," Kimberly said. "Nothing you two say will get me to change my mind. I'm done with those stupid shots. I can handle the pain. It's not that bad."
"She needs it, Tommy. You don't really believe her do you?" Jason asked.
"At least I don't believe she's a vampire." Tommy teased.
"Not funny." Jason glared.
Kimberly giggled but groaned as her ribs ached. "I'm fine."
"No, you're not," Jason said. "You need the medicine, Kim."
"I do not!"
"Jase, we're no better than those other men if we force Kim into this," Tommy said. "I don't believe her when she says she's not in pain. I know she is. But I do my best to convince her, and if she doesn't want it, then she doesn't have to get it. Some days I can convince her, others days I can't."
"Have you tried begging?" Jason asked with a sigh, knowing he was right.
Tommy nodded.
"It's not as bad as it used to be. They are healing." Kimberly said. "I want to try and cut back on how often I take medicine. My body is still fighting the after-effects of one drug. I'd rather not go through it again. If the pain were more than I could bare I'd tell you…well…maybe I wouldn't, but you'd both be able to tell because I'd be crying."
Tommy sighed. "You promise?"
Kimberly nodded.
"She is telling the truth, Tommy. The medical bed she is on is able to test Kim's pain level. Right now it's not very high." Zordon said.
"Then we will stop pushing," Jason said.
"Sure, you listen to Zordon." Kimberly teased.
Tommy and Jason laughed. They could tell Kim was feeling better already. "Tommy did I ever tell you what happen the first time Jason saw me getting a shot?"
"You mean back when we thought you were a vampire?" Tommy asked.
Kimberly nodded. "His parents were out of town and were babysitting him. We both went together to get our flu shots. The entire car ride I managed to convince Jason that I was a vampire and I'm keeping the truth from our parents to protect them. I needed his help though because if you gave a vampire a shot she'd explode and it would hurt everyone close by."
Tommy started to laugh. "And he believed you?"
"Ok, that's enough," Jason said with a small blush.
"OH yeah!" Kimberly nodded. "That's not even the best part."
"Yeah it is, there is nothing else to tell," Jason said.
"I want to hear the rest of this." Tommy laughed. "What happen?"
"So, he went first he got his shot he didn't scream or cry or anything. Then it was my turn. It always took both my parents to hold me down, so Jason was waiting in the corner for me to finish. As the nurse came near me with the needle, Jason suddenly ran screaming from the room 'don't give her the shot she'll explode!'"
Tommy and Kim burst into giggles as Jason blushed.
"Oh man, Jase, that's classic. I can't believe you really believed she was a vampire." Tommy laughed.
"All right, that's enough of picking on Jason," Jason said.
"Sorry, Jason. I just love that story." Kimberly said.
"If it wasn't for those ribs you'd be getting a major tickle attack right now." Jason said.
Kimberly poked her tongue out at him.
Jason laughed and shook his head. "You're just asking for it today, aren't you."
Kimberly just smiled innocently. "Who me?"
Jason just shook his head laughing. Then he looked to Zordon. "Can I tickle her, please please?"
"I cannot allow that, Jason. Not until her ribs have fully healed." Zordon said.
"Fine." Jason pouted like a child.
Kimberly giggled. "Ha-ha."
"As soon as those ribs are better you're going to get it," Jason warned.
"As soon as my ribs heal I'll be able to kick your butt just like I used to."
"Not if Tommy and I hold you down you can't."
Kimberly didn't respond. She had this far away look in her eyes.
"Kim?"
"Kimberly, what's wrong?" Tommy asked. "Zordon, what's wrong with her?"
"I'm not sure, Tommy," Zordon said. "It appears Jason's words may have triggered a flashback of some kind."
FLASHBACK:
Kimberly walked into her Coach's office. She had been told someone was looking for her.
"You wanted to see me?" she said to the man standing by the desk.
"Yes. You see Kimberly I wanted to talk to you about your performances. You've been slacking."
"I'm sorry? I'm one of the best in this class." Kimberly said. "You've told me so yourself.
"Yes, you are. But you can be even better. I can help you."
"How?"
"A "special medicine." I just need you to sign this form so I have your permission to give it to you."
Kimberly shook her head. "I'm not signing anything until I know more. What is this "special medicine." And what 's in it?"
"Nothing. It's a small injection that will help you become the best gymnisist this world has ever seen."
"Steroids? You want me to take steroids?"
"It's for your own good."
Kimberly shook her head. "I can be a great gymnasts without the drugs!. I'm not signing the papers."
The man she was meeting pulled a needle from behind his back. "This will help you, Kim. All you need to do it let me inject it into your arm."
"No. Stay away from me." She turned to leave the office, but there were two large, muscular, men blocking her path. She growled and got into a fighting stance. She had battled putties these two shouldn't be a problem. "Get out of my way."
"Not a chance."
"I will fight you. I know how." Kimberly said.
"Not if He and I hold you down you can't." One of the men blocking the door said.
Kimberly gulped and looked behind her to the man holding the needle. She was trapped. All three men slowly walked toward her.
ENDFLASHBACK
"NO!" Kimberly screamed and jumped back almost falling off the medical bed.
"Hey, it's ok. You're safe." Tommy said quickly catching her and placing her back on the bed.
Kimberly looked around and realized she was safe. She sighed and looked down. "I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry." Jason said. "I shouldn't have made that comment about holding you down. I should have been more sensitive to what you've been through."
"What did you remember?" Tommy asked.
"The first time I was injected. I did my best to fight them off. I promise I hit and kicked and screamed and punched and even bit. I couldn't stop them." Kimberly cried.
"No, please don't cry," Tommy said. He pulled Kimberly into his arms holding her close. "We know you fought back. Sometimes it's not enough. Even when we battle the cogs, there are times when it's not enough."
"Really?"
"Really. It's not your fault. Jason and I are very proud of you."
Kimberly relaxed in his arms.
"Are you mad at me?" Jason asked.
"No. I know you didn't mean it. I'm more scared."
"By the flashback?"
Kimberly nodded.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
Kimberly shook her head. "I want to forget about it."
Both Tommy and Jason rubbed her back as they hugged her close.
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