Chapter Eighteen

Tommy stood at the back of the recording studio and watched. He had watched her from some of her first television shows. The small snippets that started her career. He had been a bit surprised when she started, but she was so good at this job. She had always been good at anything she put her mind to.

He watched her gather her things and move away from the camera. The desk the Command Center had provided did a good job over covering her changing body. He knew that that would not be the case for much longer and he felt the pull for her to get back to the real world. He wanted to get back to the real world as well. He just didn't know if he would ever be able to pull away from being a Power Ranger the way that the both of them wanted to.

"How was it?" Kim asked as he looped his arm over her shoulders and pulled her in to his side. He didn't know what had gone through her mind over the last two months. He didn't know how she had survived the last two months. He could only imagine what it had been like to just hope that he would wake up. He could feel that she was still not sure that this was going to last and he did not blame her for that. He didn't know if there was more coming for them as well from what they had done to communicate with the Command Center.

"I didn't watch much. I didn't think it would be smart to truly disturb you," Tommy replied and he felt her sink in to him. He felt her relaxing against him. He realized how much she had not been able to relax over the last few months. "Are you ready for this call?"

"Not particularly- I'm concerned he won't even be honest with us," Kimberly admitted and he nodded. He was pretty sure that that was why she had not called over the last two months. He shared that concern, but he also was more than willing to go to Aquitar and fight this out with Billy. He had too much to lose to not be willing to do that.

"We have him dead to rights. We know that this weapon is on Aquitar. We know what it does. And we know that we are the only people that can actually use it. I know he wants his brother to live, but I want to live as well," Tommy stated and he looked away from her. He could feel his emotions bubbling up at the thought of leaving her alone. And he knew he did not need to ride his emotions in to this. He needed to be level headed enough to attempt to negotiate with Billy.

"I'm going to change and then I'll meet you in the main chamber," Kim stated and he barely nodded. He was sure that she had not brought her wardrobe with her, so the Command Center must have been providing that as well. At this point he felt like the Command Center might just be too accommodating of them.

He settled in the main chamber and looked down at the panel. It still felt familiar, but he could tell how long he had been out of commission. His body was already exhausted from the level of exertion it had taken to get up and get dressed. He knew he could not push himself as hard as he wanted to. He knew that even if they could get the weapon relatively quickly- he was going to have to recover more. He flat out refused to put Kimberly and their child in danger. He just hoped that she would agree to that.

"Wow," Tommy muttered as he recognized his sweatpants and he had to kick himself. He had spent far too much time imagining this. He was just shocked that this was now his life. "Focus, Tommy."

"I'd argue that you don't have to focus, but I think we're both going to need to be at the top of our game. And I really hope that you don't mind me digging these out. I needed…" Kim trailed off as he pulled her in and gave her a quick kiss. He got it and he did not need her to explain it.

"Let's call him and then we can take some time for us. I need to know how you're actually doing," Tommy whispered as he left his forehead settled against hers. He watched her carefully and he knew he had hit what she needed from him. He knew that she needed to hear that before they did everything that he was going to take time to really check in on her.

He slowly pulled away from her and she settled in the chair next to him. He dialed up Aquitar and he waited. They both waited. It felt like it took an eternity for the picture to clear and when Billy materialized he felt the anger build.

"I'm surprised you're still alive," Billy stated and he felt his spine stiffen. A glance at Kimberly let him know that she was not taking that statement well either.

"We're more than alive, Billy. We've talked to the Command Center," Kimberly stated and he watched as Billy visibly paled. He knew that she had noticed as well. "It seems like you know what the Command Center had to say to us."

"The Green Dragon Crescent Blade," Billy supplied and he broke eye contact with them. "I could not tell you how to kill my brother. No matter what he has done."

"You said it yourself- they were your friends too. Have you forgotten all of the things they did for you? Have you forgotten what we did to keep you alive? To get you to Aquitar when your disease took hold and you couldn't look out for yourself?" Tommy forced out and Billy refused to look at him. "Look at me. Face me for what you've let happen."

"Tommy…" Kim started as he felt her hand on his and he tried to force back the anger. "Billy- you know we will come for the blade and you know what we'll do with it."

"You can't- that is what killed the last rangers. You can't kill him," Billy rebutted and Tommy glanced over at Kimberly. He was a bit hazy on everything the Command Center had said, but he was pretty sure they were safe.

"If we intended to kill all of the Guardians- you would be correct. It would take things out of balance, but I believe your brother's vendetta has shifted the power. And from what the Command Center said- if we just go after him, we live. Now- are we going to have to come get the blade from you?" Kimberly asked and he watched as Billy's face went ashen. He could feel the anger just under the surface with Kimberly and he hoped that she could keep her cool. He was certain that she had a better chance at convincing Billy to just send it to them.

"He's my brother," Billy forced out and they glared at the screen. If only the force of their anger could come through the screen. Neither of them cared that this was his brother anymore.

"Billy, I know that and I know that what we're asking is hard for you- but we will come get the blade. We will fight you to get it and you know that we'll win. Why force us to come out to Aquitar for it?" Kim asked and he waited. The silence was crushing, but he knew that it was important to let Billy speak first. It was important that he did not press this anymore than was absolutely necessary.

"It's not that simple. I am not able to possess it. I am not able to even touch it. The Aquitarians also can't touch it- I have no idea how it got to this planet. You'll have to come. Both of you will have to come," Billy stated and he glanced over at Kim. Her hand had settled over her belly and he watched her close her eyes. A few tears leaked out and he knew she was thinking of how much this could harm them.

"We'll be there soon," Tommy said as he cut the transmission and scooped her into his arms. The sobs started as soon as she buried her face in his chest. He was surprised she had held on for that long. "I will not let anything happen to you."

"There were no consequences for me, Tommy. We both know there were supposed to be consequences for the both of us- what if…" Kim babbled. He gently pulled away from her and cupped her face in his hands. When her eyes met his, he managed a sad smile. The stress was finally pouring off of her and he knew that she needed this. He knew that she needed to get all of this out. "Tommy, I can't lose…"

"Neither can I. Nothing will happen to you so long as there is breath in my body," Tommy whispered and she barely nodded. He hoped that she would believe him. He hoped that it did not come to that. He knew though that nothing was guaranteed.