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 © 2011-2023 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!

Sorry for the late update. I don't really have a good excuse. Just dealing with the loss of a friend. But I'm slowly getting back in the swing of things. I'm not going to promise to update next weekend because I don't know if I'll be able to keep it. Instead, I'll just say I'll post as soon as I can. Thank you all for understanding.


The next morning Tommy and Kim were in the simulation room. Kimberly grabbed her helmet and stared at it.

"We're doing this together. You're not alone." Tommy told her. "We can stop whenever you want."

Kimberly nodded. She and Tommy both put on their helmets. Seconds later they were back in the Gym in Florida. It was empty…for the moment.

Kimberly looked next to her and saw Tommy. He looked back over to the balance beam. Walking over to it usually made her Coach appear.

Tommy took her hand. Together they slowly walked over to the beam. Kimberly just stared at it.

Tommy chuckled and lifted her up setting her on it.

"Hey!" She squealed.

"Show me some moves," Tommy said.

"I can't. If I do…He will show up."

Tommy smiled gently. "That's kind of the idea, isn't it. We can face him if we can't see him."

Kimberly sighed and nodded. She slowly started to do some warms up.

Then it started. "Nice warm ups. Now let's see some real action."

Kimberly jumped off the beam and stood next to Tommy.

"He's just as ugly as I remembered. I don't know what's worse, human form or robot form." Tommy said.

Kimberly giggled softly.

"Oh, I see you brought back up this time." Her Coach said. "Too scared to face me alone?"

"No. Just someone to watch me practice." She lied through her teeth.

Her Coach just laughed. "You're a terrible liar."

"I work better alone," Kimberly said. "Please leave so I can practice."

"Nope. I've been looking for you. It's s-o'clock." Her Coach said.

Kimberly shivered and took a step back. "Actually it's only 8am, it's too early."

"What's s-o'clock?" Tommy asked.

"Shot time." Kimberly shivered once more and try to catch her breath, which suddenly became very hard.

"It's never too early. Now just stand still."

"No!" Kimberly screamed. "Get away from me!"

She turned to run, but Tommy grabbed her. "No more running from him. I'm right here. Turn around and fight him. I know you can."

Kimberly looked at Tommy and then her Coach. She sighed softly. Then she turned and got into a fighting position.

Her Coach stopped walking toward her and laughed. "Are you serious right now?"

"Yes?" Kimberly said more like a question.

"Yes?" He mocked her. "You don't stand a chance babe. I've beaten you before. I'll do it again. Only this time your little boy toy here gets to watch."

"Don't listen to him, Kim. He's just trying to get inside your head. You've taken down monsters on your own. This guy is nothing." Tommy told her.

Kimberly took a step back, keeping her hands out in front of her. Her Coach took a step toward her. Kimberly took another step back, her Coach took a step toward her. It continued like that for a few seconds.

"This is fun." Her Coach laughed. "But all your doing is prolonging what is to come."

Kimberly went to take another step back and bumped into Tommy. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her arms in his hands. "Do you remember how to fight?"

Kimberly nodded.

"Right first, then left, and block, remember." He moved her arms to demonstrate what he was saying.

Again Kimberly nodded.

Tommy let her go. Her Coach stepped toward her and Kim went to step back, but Tommy was in her way.

"Fight him." Tommy encouraged. "I know you can do this."

Kimberly inhaled and exhaled a deep breath. Her hands were shaking as she tried to look brave.

Her Coach took another step toward her and another until he was right in front of her. He leaned down close to her face. "Bring it on, you don't have the guts to fight me."

Kimberly could feel his breath on her face. Suddenly she was freezing cold again. Her hair was wet, and all her muscles felt like they weight 100 pounds.

Their location changed and they were back in the small, cold, dark, closet Kimberly had once been held in.

Kimberly let out a blood-curdling scream and shoved her Coach as hard as she could and ran as tears streamed down her cheeks. "Stop it! Leave me alone!" She shrieked.

"Aww, what happened to the girl who was going to fight me? That wasn't much of a fight." Her Coach just laughed at her

"Tommy!" She shrieked.

Tommy sighed and threw a punch hitting him square in the face, knocking him to the floor. "Pecan pie." He said.


As the simulation ended Tommy rushed over to Kim and removed her helmet after removing his. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly. She cried into him and clung to him for dear life.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I couldn't. I just couldn't." She cried.

"I know, it's ok. You're ok. You're safe." He soothed.

Tommy sighed softly. It hadn't gone as bad as it could have been. But it didn't end the way Tommy had hoped it would. He was really starting to worry she'd never be able to move on from what her Coach did to her.

After a few minutes, Kimberly calmed down. She looked up at Tommy. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. This was a good practice. Are you ready to try again?"

"Are you crazy?" She asked. "I'm never doing that again!"

"If you want to learn to face your Coach we have to keep trying."

Kimberly sighed but nodded.

"I'm going to help you. But to do that I need to see what it's like when I'm not there. Having me there gives you comfort, so things aren't bad. So this time pretend I'm not there."

Kimberly inhaled and exhaled a deep breath. She nodded and took back her helmet and placed it on her head.


Seconds later she found herself back in the Gym. She was dressed in a tank top and pair of leggings. Her hair was pulled back into a messy bun. So far she was alone but knew in the back of her mind. Tommy was there with her.

She slowly made her way over to the balance beam. As she climbed up, she noticed her arms felt sore. She didn't know why.

At first, she just started by walking back and forth, getting her balance back. Then it was like nothing had happened. She was doing front flips, back flips, cartwheels, and anything else she could think of across the beam.

"Nice work. I see those shots are working."

Kimberly's head shot up at that voice. She knew it anywhere. "Coach…" She said shocking herself.

"Came to see you practice." He said as he stood there watching her.

Kimberly hoped down off the beam and started to back away. He was in human form…for now. So just maybe she had a change against him.

"I work better when I practice alone." She said.

"Having an audience helps you prepare for performing in front of people." Her Coach started to stalk toward her.

"I don't have stage fright. I can do it by myself." Kim said. Her back hit a wall, and suddenly, she forgot this was all pretend. She forgot all about the safe word to get her free. She forgot Tommy was in the room with her. To her…this was real.

"Just leave me alone!" Kimberly cried. "I'll fight you."

Her Coach laughed. "Oh please, you couldn't fight me if you tried. You're too weak."

"I'm stronger than you think." She said with an involuntary gulp.

Her Coach laughed harder. "Actually, you just might be weaker than I think."

Suddenly he was no longer human form.

Kimberly screamed. She tried to run away, but he grabbed her arm and threw her to the floor. All her training and knowledge of self-defense was completely gone from her mind. Her Coach smiled and pulled out a needle. "Maybe this will make you behave."

"NO! TOMMY!" Kimberly screeched. Her crane cried out in agony. "TOMMY!"

"Pecan Pie!" Tommy yelled.


Seconds later they were back in the simulation room. Kimberly ripped off her helmet and panted.

"It's ok. You're ok. You're safe." Tommy soothed.

"Why did I have to do that alone?" She asked.

"To help me figure out a way to help you."

"Did you?"

"Yep. Here is our new plan. I've noticed he waits for you to make the first move. You always move back, so then he starts moving toward you. So instead of taking a step back, you're going to take a step forward."

"Tommy, are you feeling ok? I think you need to eat something. You're talking crazy." Kimberly said.

"No, listen, by taking a step toward him will catch him off guard. It won't be expecting it. So then you have the upper hand. You stalk him."

"The last thing I want to do when I see him is walk toward him," Kimberly said. "Can you just punch him in the face?"

"As much as I would enjoy that, we're doing this for you. You need to be the one to fight him. Not me."

Kimberly sighed.

"I'll be right by your side. But you have to make the first punch. To do that you need to be close to him. Let's just give it a try. If that doesn't work, we can try something else."

Kimberly nodded. Inhaling and exhaling a deep breath. They both put the helmets back on and once more the room changed.

"Hey ugly! Get your fat butt out here!" Tommy called out.

"What is wrong with you?" Kimberly gasped. "He's going to kill you!"

"No, he won't. He's waiting for you to move first."

"Who dares to insult me?" Her Coach stormed into the room.

Kimberly was tempted to throw Tommy under the bus right then and there. But she was too terrified of her Coach.

"Ah, Kimberly. It's good to see you again. Why aren't you practicing." He stood in his spot and didn't move.

"Just taking a break," Kimberly answered. She stayed in the same spot too.

"You don't get breaks. You know that." Her Coach scolded.

"Take a step toward him," Tommy whispered in her ear. "You can do it."

Kimberly didn't move.

"But, if you're getting tired maybe it's time to give you another dose." Her Coach said. He still hadn't moved.

"No!" Kimberly said. "I don't need another dose."

"Actually you do." Her Coach reached into his pocket and pulled out the injection. "Now, how still. This won't hurt a bit."

Kimberly flinched, taking a step backward. "Stay away from me."

Her Coach started to walk toward her.

Tommy sighed softly. "Pecan Pie."


Once more the room changed, and they were back in the real world.

"What happened to taking a step forward first?" Tommy asked gently as he removed his helmet.

"I don't know. I guess I forgot." Kimberly said removing hers. "That's the problem, Tommy. I forgot."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean the second I see him it's like my mind goes blank. I can't remember anything that I knew going into it. I don't remember how to fight or defend myself. I don't remember that it's not real, I don't remember that I'm a ranger, and I don't remember that you're there with me. I don't remember anything."

"So what are you think about?" Tommy asked.

Kimberly shrugged. "When I come out I don't remember anything I was thinking about while in there."

Tommy sighed. "Ok, new plan. We're going to try this again. This time, give me control of your mind."

"What?"

"Let me see what you're thinking about once we see him. Maybe I can control your mind long enough to help you remember."

"But won't the simulation change if I stop thinking about him?"

"It hasn't yet," Tommy said

Kimberly nodded. "Ok, let's try this again."

They put the helmets back on and were once again transported to the gym. Her Coach walked out almost instantly this time.

"Kimberly, why aren't you practicing?"

"Just taking a break, Coach," Kimberly answered.

Tommy closed his eyes and focused on Kimberly's thoughts.

Oh great, he's back. I'm so tired of him checking up on me every five seconds. Does he not having anything better to do. I've been working for almost three hours straight. I need a break, or my bones will be the ones doing the breaking.

Tommy heard her Coach mention the shots to give Kim energy.

Energy, yeah right. All those shots ever did was wear me down! If he thinks I'm taking more of those, he's crazy! Oh, shoot he's walking towards me! What do I do? I have to get away. If I run, he'll just chase me. I'm trapped.

Then it was like Tommy lost the connection, her mind was literally blank. At least for a second. Then it was like he got a front row seat to every bad thing her Coach had ever done to her. From the very first time, he injected her to their final meeting in the closet before she was rescued.

"Pecan pie!" Tommy screamed before he saw anything neither of them wanted him to.


"Did it work?" Kimberly asked as she removed the helmet.

"Yeah, a little too well," Tommy answered as he removed his helmet. "But I know why your mind is shutting down. It's trying to protect you from reliving everything you went through. It's all you can think about when you see him. That's why you can never get close enough to punch him. You literally don't even remember how to throw a punch."

"So what do we do now?"

"Now, we're going to do it again. This time, I'm going to control your mind. If you start to forget I'll make sure you remember."

"You're very lucky I trust you. Otherwise, that statement would have sounded very evil."

Tommy chuckled. "I swear it's all to help you."

"I know." Kimberly sighed.

"Do you want to take a break or should we try again?"

"No, let's do this again. If we stop now, I may never start again."

Tommy nodded. Helmets went back on, and the room changed once more.

Her Coach walked out. "Kimberly you should be practicing."

"I'm just taking a break," Kimberly answered.

"You don't get breaks. But maybe if you're tired you need another dose."

"No! I'm done with those shots! They don't help me." Kimberly answered.

"Sure they do. Just hold still."

"No!" Kimberly screamed as she took a step back. Her mind going blank again.

Kimberly, listen to me. Don't step back. Step forward. Take a step toward him.

She heard Tommy's voice in her head. She inhaled and exhaled a deep breath and took a step forward.

"Ah, I knew you'd see things my way. Come to me and get your shot." Her Coach froze in his place as Kimberly froze in hers.

Keep walking toward him. I know you can do this. Take another step toward him.

Kimberly took another step forward and then another and another.

Good Beautiful, good, keep going.

Kimberly gulped as she continued to take steps toward her Coach. He hadn't made a single step toward her.

"That's my girl, keep coming. You're almost there." Her Coach taunted.

Kimberly was directly in front of her Coach now. It was terrifying.

"Now, give me your arm." Her Coach reached out and grabbed hold of her arm. Kimberly screamed.

Punch him. Tommy told her. "Punch him, use your other arm and punch him!" Tommy instantly sent her visions of them sparring and Tommy teaching her how to throw a punch.

Seconds later Kimberly felt a pinch in her arm, and she screamed and threw a punch right in his face.

Her Coach dropped to the floor. Kimberly screamed once more and jumped back.

"Pecan pie!" Tommy said.


The room vanished, and they both removed their helmets. Tommy grabbed Kimberly and lifted her up spinning her around. She squealed with giggles.

"You did it! You did it! I'm so proud of you! You did it."

He set her down, and she smiled. "I did it. I punched him in the face. It felt amazing!"

Tommy chuckled. "I'm sure it did. That was amazing to watch. Did you notice what else happened?"

Kimberly shook her head. "As soon as you took a step toward him he froze. He didn't move. So that's an important part of this process. You have to take that first step forward."

"Easier said than done."

"You're doing great! You did great! We will get to the point of you being able to defeat him on your own without me coaching you. I believe that."

Kimberly smiled. For the first time in almost forever, she believed it too.

"Let's go celebrate," Tommy said. "I'm thinking smoothies from Ernie's on me."

"Let's do it," Kimberly smirked.

Together they held hands and headed to Ernie's. Leaving the Command Center was almost natural now. It barely bothered Kim anymore.


They arrived and went up to the counter.

"Ernie two of your best strawberry and chocolate smoothes please," Tommy ordered.

"You got it," Ernie said and headed to the back.

"Hey, will you be ok here by yourself for a minute? I need to use the restroom." Tommy asked.

"UM…" Kimberly looked around. Suddenly being out by herself made her nervous.

"Hey Tommy, Kim!"

They both turned to see JJ and LJ rushing over to them.

Kim smiled softly. "Yeah, I'll be ok."

"Ok. I'll be right back." Tommy kissed her head and rushed off. Kimberly giggled knowing he must have had to really go to be running away.

"Hey, Kim!" LJ said, "What's wrong with Tommy?"

"Nothing he just went to the bathroom." Kimberly giggled. "Hey JJ."

"Hey, good to see you again. LJ couldn't stop talking about how much fun she had with you guys at the mall. She said she's never met anyone who can shop as much as you."

Kimberly giggled and blushed. "Well, I'm a little rusty."

LJ laughed. "If that were you rusty I'd hate to see you not rusty. I'm not sure I could survive."

Kimberly laughed with her. "I swear I'm not that bad."

"JJ, your order is up," Ernie called as he walked over with a tray.

"Be right back," JJ said. He went to grab the tray.

Ernie set two smoothies down in front of Kim. "There you go."

"Thanks, Ernie."

"Not a problem. Everything ok?"

"Great actually." Kimberly smiled.

"Good. How about you, LJ, any word from your dad?"

LJ looked down and shook her head. "No."

"I'm sorry. I wish I could do more."

"It's ok. Uncle Yo-Yo. You support me, that's all I need." LJ smiled gently.

Ernie walked away with a small nod.

"Uncle Yo-Yo?" Kimberly asked.

LJ blushed.

"I'm not making fun, I swear. I'm just curious. I've heard of a lot of different names for relatives, I used to call my Grandfather Poppy. I've heard of Mimi, Papa, GG, Mamaw, Papaw, Yiayia, Papou, I just never heard of YoYo. I think it's adorable."

LJ smiled. "I guess it's time I tell you the truth, Kim. Kat has been wonderful at not telling you. So please don't get angry at her for keeping it a secret. I asked her to."

"Of course not. What's up?" Kimberly asked.

"I went through what you did. I used to practice ballet. Then I got hurt. I needed to do physical therapy. Let's just say my doctor took the term physical a little too literal."

"I'm so sorry! That's awful." Kimberly gasped.

"It was. I stopped practicing ballet after that. After it happened, I didn't go near any male human being, including my dad, Uncle Yo...I mean Uncle Ernie and JJ. Every time one of them got within a foot of me; I'd instantly run away and hide behind my mother. But Uncle Ernie never gave up and continued to love me and be there for me as much as he could. Even if we had to have conversations from separate corners of the room he still made an effort. One day, I'll never forget it was Christmas Day, and Uncle Ernie was talking with JJ, and I walked over to him, sat directly next to him and placed a present in his lap. I gave him a hug and wished him a Merry Christmas. He always tells me that till this day, he doesn't remember what the gift was. He didn't care because the best gift he could have ever gotten from me was speaking to him and sitting next to him."

Kimberly wiped the tears that were pooling in her eyes.

"I told him that I appreciated him continuing to try and be there for me even if I tried to push him away. I said he reminded me of a yo-yo. No matter how many times I pushed him away, he always came right back. Now I call him Uncle Yo-yo."

"That's really a sweet story."

"It's all true."

"I never would have guessed. You seem so strong and brave, not to mention confident and comfortable around men."

"Men I don't know make me uncomfortable. But with my brother and Uncle Yo-Yo, it's easy."

"What about your dad?" Kimberly wondered. "My dad left when I was a child. I'm not even sure he knows about what happened."

"He's never forgiven me for shutting him out of my life." LJ sighed.

"What did he expect you were terrified." Kimberly gasped.

LJ shrugged. "That's what he told me before we moved here and he stayed behind."

Kimberly sighed. "I'm so sorry! I'm not helping."

LJ chuckled softly. "It's ok. I'm working on it with him. I'm being a yo-yo hoping it will help."

"You're amazing and so so brave."

"So are you. Kimberly, you have so much love and support from so many different people, way more than I had. It's going to take time, I still have days when I don't know if I'll ever get passed, but eventually, you will. You'll heal, and whoever hurt you won't have that much power of you. You'll be able to live your life without worries or fears of anything he did to you., like being alone when out in public."

"Kat told you?" Kim asked.

"No, but that's how I was. I still get anxious sometimes if I'm alone in a large crowd of people."

Kimberly nodded. "Thanks for sharing your story with me. It really helps."

"I'm glad. Try not to worry about it too much. You're doing amazing just the way you are. Especially after what happened at the mall."

"We have an amazing group of friends." Kimberly smiled.

"Yeah, you…wait, we?" LJ asked.

"Of course. You're a part of our group now. JJ too. My friends are your friends too."

"And your friends are my friends." LJ teased. "The more we get together, the happier we will be."

LJ and Kimberly burst into giggles.

"Sounds like someone is having fun over here," Tommy said as he walked back over. "Hey LJ."

"Hi, Tommy, Kim and I were just goofing off."

"Don't let me stop you." Tommy smiled.

"It's ok. I actually have to get back to work. It was good to see you both again." LJ quickly rushed off.

"Did I do something wrong?" Tommy asked.

"She's shy around strange guys she doesn't know that well." Kimberly.

Tommy just nodded. He sat down in his seat, and they enjoyed their smoothies.


Later that afternoon Kat arrived at The Youth Center, just as JJ and LJ completed their shifts.

JJ smiled when he saw her. "Hey, Kat."

"HI JJ." She smiled. "Are we still on for a picnic in the park?"

"Of course. It's just going to be the two of us though. LJ decided to go hang out with Kim or something. I guess they have a lot more in common than she originally thought." JJ shrugged. "She wouldn't give me details."

"It's ok. You don't need them. Are you ok with it just being us?" Kat asked softly.

"Yeah, if you are."

"I am."

"Great, let's go."

They held hands, and together they headed to the park.


Kat and JJ sat on a picnic blanket surrounded by food. They ate, talked and laughed.

When they got quite, Kat spoke up. "So…"

"So…" JJ continued.

"We haven't really had a chance to talk about…things…"

"You mean the kiss?" JJ asked.

Kat nodded.

"Did you mean it?" JJ asked, or was it just fear of not coming back from your journey?"

"I meant it…" Kat said softly. "I really like you JJ. In fact, I may even…I may even love you."

JJ smiled widely, and his eyes lit up. "That's wonderful news! Kat, I've been in love with you since the first time I saw you in The Youth Center."

"Really?"

"Yes! That's why I spilled that smoothie on you when we first met. I was a nervous wreck."

Kat laughed. "So you did do that on purpose."

JJ laughed with her. "Not exactly what I had planned, but it did work out to my advantage."

Kat laughed shaking her head. "I'm glad too. You really cheered me up that day. I was in such a dark place…you were that shining light I needed."

"I'll always be your shining light." He said. "I love you."

"I love you too."

They both leaned in and shared a kiss on the lips. They pulled back slightly, smiled at each other, and they shared one more kiss.

Kat pulled away. She smiled, but then frowned. "Do you think LJ will be ok with this?"

"Are you kidding? She's been wanting us to get together since before I introduced myself to you. Besides she loves you almost as much as I do. You've helped her more than words could ever express. She told me the other day she signed up for a ballet class again. She's going to try to make a career out of it. That's because of you."

Kat blushed. "I didn't do anything."

"You told me that I was the shining light in your life, well you were the shining light in LJ's life."

Kat blushed once more.

JJ laughed. "You're so cute when you blush. Do you know that."

Kat blushed more. "JJ…"

"It's true." He chuckled.

"Stop it." She whined.

"Awww, but you're just so adorable when you blush. I can't help it."

"JJ, stop it." Kat blushed further. She brought her hands up to cover her face.

"Oh no, you're not allowed to hide from me." He said. He stuck his hands out and tickled her.

She squealed and yanked her arms down. "JJ, don't!"

He chuckled. "I don't know what's cuter your blush or your giggle?" He reached out and tickled her again.

She squealed with giggles and pushed him away. "JJ."

He chuckled. "Ok, ok, I'm done. I promise."

She relaxed again. "So…written anything lately?" She asked with a smirk.

JJ laughed. "Yes, I finished the next section. The new character is complete."

"Can I see it?"

"Most cases I'd say yes. But this time I really can't. Since I started making these comics for LJ, I promised she'd always be the first one to look at them when they were ready. I can't break my promise."

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed, but I do understand. Your relationship with your sister is one of the things I love most about you. I am an only child. I always wanted a sister or brother to play with."

"I'm glad you're not upset. A lot of girls I've been with in the past usually get upset by my relationship with LJ. Your relationship with LJ is one of the reasons I love you too. She really looks up to you."

"I see a lot of myself in her. I almost gave up dancing too. I couldn't let her give it up. Especially when she's so good at it."

"She's only gotten better with your help. I swear she never stops now. She's even doing it in her sleep. I see her legs and arms moving."

Kat laughed with JJ.

"Don't tell her I said that."

"I won't." Kat smiled.

"So, does all this mean you'll be my girlfriend?" JJ asked.

"Only if you'll be my boyfriend."

"Deal," JJ answered.

"The best way to seal the deal…" Kat said.

They leaned in and kissed once more. Life was pretty perfect right about now.


A/N The next chapter will be the last. What do you think? Leave me your thoughts in a review. Those who review with an account will get a sneak peek at the next chapter so please review!

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