Hey Guys so here is the deal, I'm going to hold a sort of contest type thing. In addition to this story, I have posted 4 other stories in different categories. I want to see which category has the largest fan base. Whichever category wins, those are the stories I'll focus on. So if you want to enter all you have to do is leave a review. It can be short or long, it doesn't matter. So please if you really like this story and want to read more of it, leave me a review and let me know.
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.
Everyone looked at each other wondering the same thing. Was it actually possible?
"Wait, we're all back now. Maybe Kimberly is feeling better." Adam said.
"We may be together, but our fight with Tommy hasn't been resolved. Not to mention her Falcon isn't here. That's going to be the biggest problem we have." Billy said.
"We should go check on her," Jason said. "Zordon, teleport us to her room please?"
"I will teleport you. However, Kat, you must stay here. Alpha and I will run those scans on you while the others visit with Kimberly."
"I understand." Kat nodded.
"Thank you, Zordon," Jason said.
There was a flash of different colors, and everyone was gone.
Everyone was teleported into Kimberly's room. They landed and walked over to the bed. They all gasped. Kimberly was laying there on the bed; there was no emotion in her eyes at all. She would roll onto her back and then to her side like she was in pain. It was almost like she was dead.
They all knelt down around the bed. Kimberly made eye contact with them before looking ahead not speaking a word.
"What happened to her?" Trini asked.
"I have no idea," Aisha said. "One second we were talking, and we were fine, and then….this."
"It's got to be the fight with, Tommy. It's the only other explanation." Billy said.
"Or she's just missing, Tommy," Jason said.
"Maybe both," Rocky said. "We won't know for sure until Tommy returns."
"Until he comes back I'm not leaving her side," Jason said.
"I'm not either," Trini said.
"We can't leave her like this," Aisha said. "We won't."
"You don't think this has to do with Kat, do you?" Tanya asked, "Because she's here?"
"Nah, it wouldn't cause this kind of reaction. This is something else." Jason answered.
"But what?" Rocky asked.
"I have no idea "
Everyone looked at each other and sighed. What was wrong with Kim? Where was Tommy? When would he come back?
It felt like forever before they finally saw a flash of white and them saw Tommy.
"Finally, where have you been?" Jason asked.
Tommy didn't answer. He walked over and knelt down by Kim. He stroked her hair.
"Hey, Beautiful. I'm so sorry. Are you ok?"
She didn't respond. She made eye contact with him and then looked away.
Tommy sighed. He turned to look at the others. "I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you guys like that. I was just so angry, and I took it out on you."
"I'm sorry too," Rocky said. "I never should have said that I knew what you felt when Kim was missing. Your connection with her is something nobody can really understand unless they experience it themselves."
Kimberly sat up on the bed.
"Friends?" Tommy asked.
"Always," Rocky said.
Just like that, Kimberly moved off the bed and into Tommy's arms. "I missed you."
"I missed you too. I'm sorry. I didn't want you to feel that."
"It's ok. I'm ok. Is your hand ok?" She carefully picked up his hand, that was now wrapped in a white bandage.
"Yeah, it's not broken. Just badly bruised. I went to the doctor to be sure."
"What did you tell the doctor happened?" Jason asked.
"I was doing construction work, and I hurt my hand," Tommy answered. "I highly doubt they'd believe the truth anyway."
"I'm glad it's not broken." Kimberly smiled. She brought it up to her lips and kissed his knuckles.
"Are yours bothering you?" Tommy asked.
"Not anymore."
"Good."
"What happened to you, Kimberly?" Adam asked. "Why did you shut down like that, only to open up again the second Tommy came back."
Kimberly shrugged. "I can't explain it. I don't know."
"I think she did it on purpose," Tanya said. "I mean, she knows you guys will do anything for her so if she fakes being sick and depressed like that, you will make up just to make her happy."
"That wasn't fake," Aisha said. "I saw it happen."
"I would have felt it if it was fake," Tommy said. "It was real."
"Ok, but how? Why? What causes it?" Adam asked.
"Only one way to find out," Rocky said. He looked to Aisha. "Aisha that is a terrible shirt color. I hate that color of your shirt." He looked to Kimberly.
Kimberly just burst into giggles making the others laugh too.
"Rocky, you've never been good at fake fighting." Aisha laughed.
"This is almost as bad as the time you tried to start a fake fight with me because I ate apples instead of bananas for lunch." Adam laughed.
Rocky pouted like a child. "I'm just trying to help Kim."
"I appreciate it, Rocky. But I'd rather not send Kim back to that state just to test a theory." Tommy said. "We will figure this out another way."
Everyone nodded and shared a look. It was just a theory…right?
Tommy sighed. "I better go face the music. I promised Zordon I'd talk to him about what happened if he let me come to check on Kimberly first."
"I'll come with you," Kimberly said.
"Thanks, Beautiful, but I need to do this on my own," Tommy said. He kissed her head and teleported out.
Tommy landed with ease but didn't speak. He felt like a child in trouble with his parents.
"How is your hand, Tommy?" Zordon asked.
"Fine, nothing is broken barely a scratch," Tommy answered.
"Good. I am happy to hear that. Now…what happened?"
Tommy sighed. He shrugged. "I'm honestly not sure. I guess my anger got the better of me and I couldn't control it. One second I was fighting King Mondo's son and the next thing I know everyone is pulling me away. My anger blinded me…I think."
"What exactly are you angry about?"
"Everything." Tommy shrugged. "What is there not to be angry about?"
"I understand your anger, Tommy. I myself am angry at what happened to Kimberly. However your actions today cannot ever happen again."
"I understand, Zordon. I'm sorry. Am I kicked off the team?"
"No. I do however think that you should go with the other rangers and work through your anger at the gym. That way the next time you get angry it won't blind you like that."
"I will. Zordon. I promise. I'm sorry."
"Apology accepted. Now go back to Kimberly. I'm sure she misses you."
"Thank you, Zordon."
Tommy teleported back to the other room.
He landed on his feet and smiled when he heard Kimberly laughing. "Hey Beautiful." he greeted.
"Tommy!" she squealed and ran over hugging him tightly.
He hugged her and kissed her head. "You ok? These guys haven't tortured you too much, have they?"
"Are you kidding? Being with these guys is torture enough. They don't have to do anything." Kimberly teased.
"Did you guys hear that? She made a joke. Kimberly actually made a joke." Jason laughed.
None of them could remember the last time she had made a joke like that.
She and Tommy went over and sat down on the bed. Kimberly smiled innocently. "Who said I was joking."
Everyone laughed knowing for sure she was joking. She giggled right along with them.
"Oh, that's it, Kim. No more Mr. Nice Guy." Rocky said teasingly.
Everyone gasped and looked to Kim. She flinched and frowned. Everyone waited, watching to see how she'd react, ready to comfort her if she needed it. Kimberly had been working with Zordon on that phrase so it wouldn't scare her as much…but for some reason now it sent her into a flashback.
Flashback
Kimberly was laying on the floor of the freezing cold room. Water dripped off her as she panted and tried to sit up. Her body was too weak from the recent injection to move. Then her Coach walked in and knelt down in front of her.
"Having fun?" he asked.
Kimberly didn't speak, she couldn't. Instead, she spit in his face.
Her Coach growled. "I've tried being nice, I've tried less drastic ways to break your connection, but it's not working. You've left me no choice. No more Mr. Nice Guy."
With that, he sat down on her knees. "I'm going to make sure Tommy doesn't love you anymore, and then your connection will be broken for sure."
Kimberly knew exactly what he had planned. She screamed as loud as she could and tried to fight his hands away. Of course, he was way too strong for her. She felt his hand going under her shirt and the one going down to unbutton her pants.
"No!" She screamed she best she could. "No!"
"Let's see if Tommy still loves you when I take the one thing he never got."
Kimberly screamed and struggled and fought him off the best she could but it was useless, and in the end, her worst fears came to life, and her Coach took advantage of her.
When it was finally over her Coach smirked. "Give Tommy my best, that is…if he ever speaks to you again." With that, he left her alone.
Kimberly laid there panting, bleeding, her clothes ripped and torn. "I'm sorry, Tommy." She whispered and then she went inside herself, so far nobody, not even Tommy could reach her.
End Flashback
Kimberly let out a gasp as she jumped off the bed. "No!"
"Beautiful, it's ok. You're safe. I'm right here." Tommy soothed quickly. "Nobody is going to hurt you."
As she locked eyes with Tommy, she suddenly felt guilty. She should have fought harder. She should have stopped her Coach before he finished the job. She didn't. Now she was scared her Coach was right. Tommy wasn't going to love her anymore.
Tommy felt a sudden rush of guilt and looked to Kim confused. Why was she feeling guilty? He had thought she had been getting over her fear of that phrase.
Kimberly looked around and realized everyone was staring at her. "Sorry." she choked out. "I…I didn't…"
"It's ok. You're safe." Tommy said. He carefully and gently pulled her back into his arms holding her close. "You're safe."
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." She whispered over and over again.
"There is nothing to apologize for," Tommy told her gently. He kissed her head, and she exhaled a deep, shaky breath. "Shhh." he soothed. "You're ok." It was then Tommy felt the guilt grow and another feeling of shame added to it. He had no idea why. He kissed her head once more. Whatever happened, it's not your fault. Nothing is ever going to stop me from loving you. No one is strong enough to break our connection. He told her in her mind.
Kimberly just started to cry. He had no idea what he was saying. As soon as he found out the truth, he'd leave her.
Tommy hugged her tightly and kissed her head. "I love you, Beautiful. I always will."
"I'm sorry." She cried. "I'm sorry."
Everyone sighed. They wished they knew what Kimberly had just seen to cause such a reaction. Everyone had thought she was getting over her fear of that phrase, maybe she wasn't.
That night Tommy and Kim laid in bed together, both awake unable to sleep.
"Tommy, you awake?" Kimberly whispered softly.
"Yeah. You can't sleep either?" Tommy asked.
"No."
Tommy rolled over on to his side to face her. She rolled onto her side to face him.
"What's going on?" Tommy asked gently. "What's keeping you awake?"
Kimberly shrugged. "I don't know."
"You ready to talk about what happened earlier? Why did Rocky upset you so much? I thought you've been doing better about that phrase."
Kimberly didn't answer.
"What did your Coach do to you? I can feel your guilt, I can feel your shame. I just don't know why." Tommy sighed.
Kimberly rolled onto her back, looking up at the ceiling. "You don't want to know why Tommy. Trust me."
Tommy sat up leaning up his elbows to look at her face. "I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want to know."
"You think you do, but you don't. Once I tell you….you're going to wish I didn't. It will change everything, Tommy."
"Kim, I know what you have to say isn't going to be easy to hear, but I love you. I am willing to listen no matter how bad it is."
"Yeah, it's not the listening part that worries me." Kimberly rolled onto her side facing her back to him. "Please just drop it, Tommy. It's not worth talking about."
Tommy climbed off the bed and went around, so he was facing Kimberly. He knelt down in front of her. "It's worth everything to me if you talk about."
"I can't, Tommy. I just…I can't."
Tommy sighed. He had to remember Kim had only been back for a day or two, she was still trying to get settled. He knew if he pushed too much he'd lose her for good. So, he nodded. "Ok. I'm sorry. I won't push. He leaned over and kissed her forehead. He was shocked to feel her flinch. He pulled back, and her eyes were squeezed shut like she was in pain. "Beautiful, did I hurt you? What's wrong?"
Kimberly shook her head as her eyes opened. "You didn't hurt me. You would never hurt me."
"Why did you react like that when I kissed you?"
"React like what?"
"I felt you flinch and you looked like you were in pain. You've never reacted like that before."
"Nothing, I'm just tired. Can we go to sleep?" She rolled onto her other side facing away from him.
Tommy sighed but nodded. "Sure, Beautiful. Let's go to sleep."
He climbed back into bed and stared at the ceiling. He couldn't sleep. Kimberly never flinched away from his kisses before. Why would she start now? Why is she so embarrassed and guilt-ridden? What did that monster do to her? Suddenly it hit Tommy like a speeding train. He shot up in bed. The phrase, her feelings of guilt and shame, her behavior when he kissed her, it all added up to one thing…her coach finally completed his final task. He took advantage of her. He…. Tommy shook his head. Using the r-word seemed impossible right now. He wanted to believe he was just overreacting, it didn't happen. But deep down, he knew it did. Kimberly's behavior proved it.
Sighing softly he fell into an uneasy sleep. His dreams were haunted by nightmares of Kimberly screaming for help and him not being able to rescue her.
The next morning Kimberly was unable to sleep, so she teleported to the main room.
"Good Morning, Kimberly. You're up early." Zordon greeted.
"Yeah, couldn't sleep. Can I ask you a question?" Kimberly replied softly.
"Of course. What's on your mind?"
"If one of the rangers ever did something horrible, would you forgive them?"
"That depends, does this have anything to do with Katherine?"
"No," Kimberly answered.
"Well, if one of you rangers did something knowingly wrong willingly, I'm not sure I'd be able to forgive so easily. It depends on what was done and why. However, if one of you did something wrong against your will because of a spell or something else I could easily forgive you. There would be nothing to forgive in my eyes."
"Oh."
"What is on your mind, Kimberly? Does this have anything to do with the secret you're keeping?"
Kimberly didn't speak. She looked to the floor.
"Kimberly, there is nothing in this world that you could do that I would consider unforgivable."
"Really?" Kimberly asked as her voice cracked. "Because I could think of a few things that I've done that I don't know if I could forgive myself for."
"Kimberly…"
"I just…I wondered if you would ever forgive me?"
"I will always forgive you, My Crane."
Kimberly sighed. "How do I forgive myself?"
"By realizing that what happened was out of your control and there was nothing you could do to stop it or change it. Will you please tell me exactly what you are thinking that is giving you so grief?"
"Nothing, I just…I…" Kimberly inhaled and exhaled a deep, shaky breath. "I'm worried you're mad at me or disappointed in me because I used to be a Power Ranger and I couldn't defend myself against them when it was most important."
"Kimberly, if there is anything I want you and all the rangers to learn more than anything else in his world is that there is always going to be evil this world. Sometimes that evil will be stronger than you and other times you will be stronger than that evil. Now, even if you were unable to fight back doesn't mean this evil was stronger than you. You can still fight back by beating this, by finding your courage and strength back."
"How do I do that?" Kimberly asked.
"It won't be easy…"
Kimberly jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked behind her to see Jason.
"But with your friends by your side…"
Another hand touched her other shoulder causing her to turn and see Tommy.
"You can get through anything."
She looked fully behind her to see all the rangers there.
"How long have you guys been there?" she asked.
"Long enough," Jason said.
"You should know to always listen to Zordon," Tommy smirked. "You should not worry about any of us being disappointed in your because you were hurt by some crazy freaks."
"Tommy is right. Do you know how many crazy freaks have beaten us in the past?" Jason asked.
"I guess." Kimberly nodded. As she looked around, she couldn't help but chuckle. "You guys have to stop doing this to me."
"Doing what?" Tommy asked.
"Whenever you guys are around me I feel different. I feel brave and confident like I don't have to hide anything or worry about anything. When you're not around I'm…I'm terrified and skittish, like anyone or anything could hurt me at any moment." Kimberly said honestly.
"Good. Then we shall never leave your side, and you'll be fine." Rocky teased.
"As much as I would love that we should figure out exactly what is going on," Tommy said. "It's not humanly possible for all of us to be with Kimberly 24 hours a day 7 days a week and 365 days a year. Besides I want her to be able to feel that way without us by her side."
"But we still have no idea how or why it's happening," Jason said.
"Zordon, do you have any ideas?" Tommy asked.
"Honestly Tommy I do not. When I first heard of this, I assumed it was just timing. But now that I have seen it with my own eyes…I can honestly say I have never seen anything like this before."
"I love you, Kim, but are we sure this isn't just something she is doing on purpose to keep us near her?" Trini asked.
"It's not. I saw it for myself just now. Before you rangers appeared Kimberly was asking a lot of questions without giving me much explanation. She was almost speaking in code. Once you all teleported here, she suddenly opened up and told me the truth. However, she had no idea you guys were here until Jason touched her." Zordon explained.
"Oh. Sorry." Trini blushed.
"It's ok. Faking something like this is something I'd do, but I honestly don't know how to control it." Kimberly said.
"Rangers, I do not want any feelings to be hurt, but I wonder if this has something to do with your Spirit animals since it took all of you to bring Kimberly back," Zordon said. "I will try and contact Drucla and see if she can explain this."
Everyone just looked at each other. Kimberly looked to Trini. She may not have said anything but Kimberly could see the hurt in her eyes. She instantly felt guilty. Whatever was happening to her was beyond her control. Even if she wanted to, she couldn't. But at the same time it was hurting her best friend, her sister, how could she ever do that to Trini?
"Trini is right," Kimberly said suddenly. "I…I am faking it. You don't have to contact Drucla. I just don't want to be alone, so I made up this idea of only being strong when you're near me."
"You're lying," Tommy said.
"Tommy!" Kimberly cried out. He had never been so blunt before.
"Kim, you don't have to lie. Whatever this is, we will figure it out together. We will get through it together just like we've gotten through everything else. You don't have to worry about finding out the truth."
"I don't care about the truth, Tommy. I care that it's hurting my best friend."
Everyone looked to Trini who refused to make eye contact.
"Hey, we don't even know what this is it," Jason said taking her hands in his. "It could be something completely different. It could be something mental in Kim's mind that's she's doing without realizing it."
"Trini, I love you. You're my best friend, practically my sister. You know that." Kimberly said quickly.
"Yeah, practically." Trini scoffed finally making eye contact. "If I were a real sister I would have been able to help you. I would have been able to save you. I would have been able to stop you from being hurt all together. I didn't do any of those things. Aisha did. That's why you trust her more than me."
"Trini that's not…"
Trini cut her off. "I'm sorry. I have to go." With that, she teleported out of the Command Center.
"I have to go after her," Kimberly said.
"It is not safe," Zordon said. "You must stay here."
"Then bring her back here," Kimberly said. "Please."
"I'll go talk to her," Jason said. "I kind of know what she's going through…"
"Jason not you too. It's not…"
"It's ok, Kim. I understand." Jason teleported away.
Kimberly looked to the floor as everyone else sighed. Knowing there was nothing he could say Tommy wrapped his arms around her, just holding her comfortingly in his arms.
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