This fic was supposed to be just a one-shot but this second chapter was begging to be written. It's just a little over two weeks from where the previous chapter left off. Please read and review!

Confrontations

"Ugh, this is going to be such a gnarly bruise in the morning!"

Kim lifted the hem of her pale pink shirt, exposing the beginnings of her right rib cage where her skin was reddened and sore. She gently touched a fingertip to the area, applying slight pressure, and testing out the extent of her injury.

It had been just a little over two weeks since she'd gotten her powers back. Zedd had seemingly given them a break for nearly eight days, which was a rarity in and of itself. Soon enough, however, he'd struck back with a vengeance. Worsening when he figured out the pink ranger had shrunk almost entire foot. Realization had dawned on him that Kimberly had returned.

His theory solidified as he watched the power couple, white and pink, engaged in battle, side by side once more. Together they represented a fierce and unstoppable opposition against his monsters. Nevertheless, Zedd smiled widely beneath his metal grill, as his obsession with the brunette had re-ignited full force. He'd been relentless in his attacks since.

The gang had to inconspicuously run out of class twenty minutes into sixth period when Zordon informed them a golf caddy, inspired monster was terrorizing the members of Angel Grove Country Club. The ridiculous creature was defeated easily enough by their Zords, but not before Goldar and about a dozen putties had put up a valiant fight in hopes of weakening the team.

Kim and Tommy had taken on the gold Titan. The duo quickly gained the upper hand as Rita and Zedd's most loyal goon was forced to his knees in surrender. But in a last-ditch attempt to escape, he'd feigned giving up his sword. A split second of distraction was all it took. Summoning all his strength, Goldar drove the handle of his weapon into the pink ranger's side. Kim was sent careening to the ground, several feet back. He quickly disappeared in a flash of fire before an enraged Tommy could reach him.

"Maybe you should have stayed in the medical bay and gotten that taken care of," Aisha suggested, handing her friend an ice pack.

"Billy did a rapid scan and assured me nothing's broken. I'm just sore as hell."

"Girl, you're lucky that bastard didn't use the other end of his sword."

Kim winced as the cold pack made contact. "'Sha, please don't say that in front of Tommy. He's torn up as it is. I won't hear the end of it. I don't need him hovering over me like I can't handle myself."

The yellow ranger scoffed, grabbing her lunch as she took a seat. "You know damn well that boy is driving himself crazy as we speak. Just itching to bypass the debrief to make sure his precious Kim is okay. You saw him."

"He's just worried, 'Sha."

Yeah, you know, there's a perfume for that. It's called Obsession."

Kimberly couldn't help but laugh at her friend's teasing. Tommy loved her and he would always worry about her wellbeing in and out of combat. She knew her boyfriend didn't underestimate her abilities or her capability to handle her own and get the job done. But she was well aware there was definitely room for improvement where her fighting skills were concerned. The former gymnast had spent so much time perfecting her craft on a beam, that her martial arts skills had fallen to the wayside. Well, she was determined to change that moving forward. Kimberly Hart was no damsel. She would make damn sure of that.

"We have to get with Billy and get our stories straight about ditching class," the brunette proposed, pulling up a seat across from Aisha and slowly easing into it, hand on her side. "I missed a history test today and I'm already playing catch up."

"At least you don't have to explain your disappearances to your folks, too. I still can't believe your mom allowed you to stay alone in your old home—especially knowing how lovesick Tommy is," she added with a sly grin. "Kim, please don't get knocked up before graduation."

Kim swatted her friend playfully. "Aisha! First of all, you know that's impossible while connected to the morphing grid. And besides, I'm hardly alone. My grandma Pam will be moving in by the end of the month. And Mom all but hired our nosey neighbor, Mrs. Henderson, to watch my door and windows like a damn hawk. Of course, there's also my dad, who warned that he'd drop in unexpectedly from time to time." Kim's expression brightened. "But that doesn't mean Tommy and I can't get creative. You know how the saying goes, 'where there's a will there's a way'."

"You two are the poster children for horny, teenage sexcapades. I mean, is it really that good?"

Kim laughed, then immediately regretted the action as pain shot through her chest. She swallowed the discomfort, too wrapped up in thoughts of Tommy to care.

"Yes, 'Sha! Being with Tommy is fucking amazing? He just knows all the right places to—"

"Kim, you know I live for the juicy details, but people are starting to perk up. Keep your damn voice down," she muttered with a laugh of her own.

The pink ranger's voice lowered to a whisper, "Shit, sorry," she giggled. "Remind me to thank your parent's for converting the room I used to stay in into a nursery. My mom had no choice but to agree to me staying at home. And I still can't believe your mom's pregnant, by the way!"

"Neither can I. Seems like everyone is having sex these days," she quipped, mouth pursed towards her best friend who just winked in return. "Though the thought of my parents still doing it is so unnerving. Ew."

Kim tried to suppress her laughter to keep the pain in check. Aisha's mom's pregnancy announcement had been a total surprise to all of them. The yellow ranger was happy for her parents, of course, just a little taken aback that they would start over, especially since she was graduating the following year. For selfish reasons of her own, Kim was doubly ecstatic as it meant her argument to live at her childhood home was solid. Ever thankful her dad had decided not to sell when Kim's mom parted for Paris. He had plans to rent for a couple of years, but as fate would have it, the lessee had a family emergency and his contract had fallen through. The timing couldn't have been more perfect, on both accounts.

"And I'll be sure to pass along your gratitude. I'm sure they'll appreciate being contributors to you and Tommy boning on the regular." Her eyes lifted to the doorway. "Speak of the devil."

Kim turned around. An anxious Tommy stalked toward their table, flanked by Rocky and Adam.

"Quick, kick this behind you," she pleaded, dropping the bag of ice under the table.

With a mirthful roll of the eyes, Aisha came through, sending the small pack across the floor with a kick of her heel.

The white ranger pulled up a chair next to his girlfriend, taking her hand into his. "You okay, beautiful?" His voice was a lot calmer than she expected, and she graced him a smile before leaning over and pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

"I am. I'll probably have a bruise by tonight, but it's nothing serious. Ranger healing is already doing its job."

"Can I see?"

She nodded, lifting the hem of her top and exposing the quickly darkening area over her ribs. He reached out to gently caress the skin just below with his thumb.

"We're glad you're okay, Kim," Adam offered, smiling at his teammate as he and Rocky took a seat on either side of Aisha. "Goldar knew he was done and got desperate. You were impressive out there."

Rocky nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Kimmy. You had Goldar on his ass. He's just a coward and went for the cheap shot."

"Thanks, guys. That means a lot. I've been feeling a little rusty lately and I'm trying to get back into the groove of things. I don't want to let you all down or be a liability."

"You've come back stronger than ever, Kim," Tommy commented, pulling her gently by the hand, ever the need to be close to her. She slowly came to her feet, slipping into her boyfriend's lap. "It's been a wild few days, but you've come through every time," he assured her, placing a hand at the back of her neck and softly nudging her for a kiss.

She smiled as their lips parted. "When you come over tonight, I want to talk to you about something," she said, pecking him affectionately on the tip of his nose.

Tommy furrowed his brows with intrigue as he noticed the twinkle in her eyes. His girlfriend was a woman of many quirks and surprises. But he decided not to question her further. He'd know what she was up to soon enough.

As the gang engaged in conversation, Tommy became lost in thought. His fingers drew tender circles on the skin just above Kim's hip, careful not to hurt her. Although he was playing it cool and brushing off today's incident with Goldar, he'd been horrified. All he could think of was what would have happened had the titan run his girl through with the blade instead. Shuddering at the thought, he forced himself to draw in a deep, calming breath.

The guys' pep talk after their debriefing had helped him relax and regain his bearings. They knew he'd been reeling with guilt and driving himself crazy with all the 'what if' scenarios plaguing his thoughts. Initially, he'd wanted to lash out because they couldn't possibly understand, but he knew, as leader, he had to be an example and maintain composure. After all, Kim was okay and for that he was eternally grateful.

His eyes fell on her pretty face, and he smiled. She was laughing at a joke Rocky had said, though he hadn't caught it. For two weeks, he'd been the happiest man on the planet. His girl was back in his arms, beside him in battle, and the pair were more in love than ever. Despite having little reprieve from fighting evil, life was good.

"Hey, beautiful, how 'bout we get out of here. Let's pick up dinner and go back to your place."

"What are you in the mood for?"

"I'm good with whatever you want."

"Don't you tease me all the time about not being able to decide what to eat?"

"I hold out hope for you," he replied with a grin.

"Ass." Framing his face with her hands, she smiled against his lips.

"Excuse me, lovebirds," Aisha interjected with a grin, "Kim, might I remind you that we drove here together. Don't go running off with your white knight just yet. You have to drop me off at home and also pick up your half of our lab project you left at my place yesterday."

Tommy grumbled, "Can't Rocky or Adam take you home?"

"Nope," Adam and Rocky replied in unison. "Our shift at the dojo starts in about 30 minutes," the black ranger added. "We were just heading out."

"Tommy, I missed Kim, too, you know. Stop trying to hog her all the time. And stop acting like you two won't be knocking—"

"'Sha!" Kim protested, knowing where her best friend was going. She tossed a fry at her before turning back to her boyfriend. "Sorry, handsome. She's right. How about you come through in about an hour and a half. Bring Pizza. You know how I like it."

A cheeky grin spread across his face. "I sure do," he whispered over the shell of her ear so that only she could hear.

She grinned, knowing she'd walked right into that one. "Tommy!" she shushed him with a lighthearted swat.

Their lips met in a fervent kiss, the world suddenly disappearing around them as they became lost in each other.

"Well, that's our cue." Rocky shook his head and came to his feet. Adam followed suit. "See you tomorrow 'Sha," he said, pressing a kiss to her cheek.

As the red ranger passed his leader and teammate, he leaned in and jokingly told them to get a room, causing the pair to come up for air and laugh. They said their goodbyes and headed towards the door where they stumbled into Katherine.

Kat had voluntarily, albeit begrudgingly, relinquished her powers back to Kim. Rocky nor Adam knew all the details of what had transpired apart from the fact that Kim had returned. However, the tension between the two pinks and Tommy was palpable. Neither had really spoken since that fateful day. And while the two guys thought fondly of Kat, Kimberly was like their little sister, and both were fiercely loyal and protective of her in the same way they were of Aisha.

"Hey, guys," she muttered a little awkwardly but with a genuine smile.

"Hey," they replied simultaneously, keeping up the pace of their stride as they headed towards the exit.

Kat sighed solemnly and trudged forward, where her eyes met Aisha's. The yellow ranger offered her a polite smile. She returned the gesture until her gaze fell on the couple sharing a chair and a very intimate chat. Kimberly was grinning over Tommy's lips as she spoke, and he held her to him protectively. Both oblivious to the former pink ranger's presence. Aisha now seemed to avoid her eye contact, which enraged the blonde.

While she hadn't left the team on bad terms, at least not where the others were concerned, it pained her to know that she'd lost their friendship in a way. It had been like a divorce. The rest of the rangers had chosen their two friends, and Kat had been left out. She'd miss them more than she'd ever miss being part of the team.

Looking to Tommy, she bit the inside of her mouth, reluctantly admitting she'd miss him the most, even if he wanted nothing to do with her at the moment… or possibly ever. Katherine hated loving him, but try as she might, she couldn't turn the damn feelings off.

Brown eyes suddenly met her blue ones. Kim's expression was unreadable. She leaned down and whispered something into Tommy's ear. He didn't look back, just simply nodded and ever so gently cradled his girlfriend's face before kissing her soundly.

Kat averted her gaze and sat on a stool at the bar farthest from their table. By the time she looked up again, Tommy was gone.

"Have you spoken to her since?" the yellow ranger asked her friend in a hushed tone.

"No. I know I should, but I need time to clear my head. I thought I wasn't too upset with what she'd said, but the more I thought about it, the angrier I got. She tried to turn Tommy against me, 'Sha, in one of his most vulnerable moments at that. She knew what she was doing. It wasn't like last time when she was under a damn spell. Kat was purposeful and conniving. I just don't think I can forgive that, let alone suppress the urge to punch her in the face."

Aisha stifled a laugh. "Kim! Please don't do that."

"I said I wanted to, not that I would… maybe. Plus, let's not forget what Adam told you. The incident with Tommy's room. No, I can never trust her again."

"I totally understand, Kim. What she did was messed up. At least she was gracious enough to give you back your powers. Tommy is just as resentful as you and it would have been very awkward, not to mention, dangerous situations with Zedd and his goons. A team without trust is a broken one."

Kim looked back towards Kat, whose face was buried in a book. She watched her intently. Ire building by the second. Maybe today was the day to hash things out after all. The brunette suddenly stood up. Aisha grabbed her friend by the wrist.

"It's okay, 'Sha. I need to talk to her. Might as well get it over with."

"Girl, is it going to turn into Jerry Springer in here? Let me know so I can slip my hoops off now, just in case."

Kim chuckled, touched that her best friend would always have her back, no matter what. "I promise. Just give me ten minutes then we can head out. We just need to talk."

The yellow ranger nodded, releasing the protective hold on her sister's wrist.

Kim made her way towards Katherine, ignoring the discomfort at her side. Their conversation had been long overdue and there were certain things that needed to be set straight in order for them to move forward. Not as friends or even acquaintances. She just didn't want to have Kat's dark cloud hanging over her head any longer.

"Mind if I sit?"

Katherine looked up, stunned to see Kimberly.

"Um, sure."

The brunette pulled the stool and seemed to struggle just a bit to climb into it. Not the usual grace she normally exuded. It was clear she'd probably been hurt in the most recent of Zedd's monster attacks she'd seen on the news. Kat's thoughts suddenly took a darker turn as she visualized the petite ranger being sore for other, more scandalous reasons. A muscular, six-foot boyfriend came to mind. She bit back the bile in her throat, regretting the thought immediately.

Kim hadn't spoken yet and it gave Katherine a few seconds to appraise the girl who had once entrusted her with the most important aspects of her life. Kimberly was stunningly beautiful, in that girl next door type of way that men fantasized about. She was toned and small, but with feminine curves in all the places the opposite sex found irresistible. Kat could understand why she was so desirable among the Angel Grove High male population on looks alone… most importantly, to Tommy. But maybe her biggest draw was that she was the polar opposite of what one would expect from a popular, and pretty, co-captain of the cheer squad. Her last name suited her well.

Waves of guilt suddenly washed over the blonde. Kim had been such a good friend and she had betrayed that trust and friendship over a guy. Her blue eyes lifted to Kim's now hard stare. While the girl wasn't exactly glaring, the sweet Kimberly she had come to know certainly wasn't reflected in those accusatory eyes.

"Why?"

"Kim, I—I don't have a justification for the things I said and the intentions behind my words. All I can say is I'm sorry."

"I trusted you, Kat. I gave you my freaking power coin for fuck's sake! And you thought you'd try to go after my boyfriend? To fill his head with negative thoughts about me and our relationship—Why? So that he'd fall in love with you? Were you planning to seduce him next?"

"No! Of course not."

"I don't believe you," Kim spat back. "I saw the way you were touching him. The way you were looking at him, pleading for him to understand that our relationship wasn't worth fighting for. How could you do that to me? How could you put Tommy in that situation when he was hurting and vulnerable?"

Kat put her hands up defensively. "Kim, all I can do is apologize. I truly am sorry. I wasn't thinking straight."

The brunette arched a brow and scoffed bitterly. "Maybe if it had been that one time, but we both know it wasn't. Don't think I'm not aware of how you can't take your eyes off him; how you'd go out of your way to touch him every chance you got; and how you'd purposely put yourself in situations so that he'd have to come to your rescue."

Kat's blood was now simmering with anger. How dare she question her performance as a ranger? She suddenly didn't care if that made her a hypocrite. Kim was the one who'd left it all behind. It was all she could do not to toss her little ass across the juice bar.

"Bullshit. I would have never gambled with our lives that way. You're wrong."

"Wouldn't you? I've heard the stories. A little desperate, don't you think?"

"Look, I'm not going to sit here and pretend I don't have feelings for Tommy because I'd be lying-"

"No shit."

Katherine rolled her eyes and clicked her teeth before continuing, "…and maybe I was a little out of line trying to get him to notice me and for that, I apologize. I should have never put that stress on Tommy. But you didn't see how he was. What you put him through. And the sad part is that he's so blinded by you, so damn obsessed that he didn't even care. He forgave you so easily after you put him through hell for weeks just because you couldn't take a little competition. Kimberly Hart wasn't the center of everyone's universe for a change and you just couldn't deal. You're actually quite pathetic."

Katherine's words were meant to sting. She'd regret acting out of character later.

"Fuck you!" Kimberly seethed through gritted teeth. "You have no idea what I was going through."

"And I couldn't care less, either. You took all your shortcomings and insecurities out on the man you claimed to love, driving him to act outside of himself, which could have cost him and the team."

They were shouting now, uncaring of all the eyes and ears now trained on them as they exchanged insults.

"You know nothing about our relationship! You're just a bitter bitch who could never compete with me. The fact that Tommy loves me eats at you, doesn't it?" Venom dripped from her harsh words. "But I'm pathetic? Pathetic is the way you shamelessly smile at him with your vagina, practically begging to impale yourself on his dick! Pathetic and desperate like the time you tried to convince Adam that you weren't trying to sneak into Tommy's private quarters while he showered." Katherine winced inwardly at the black ranger's betrayal. "How very convenient of you to confuse my boyfriend's room with yours."

Katherine's jaw was clenched tight as she got to her feet, towering over the former gymnast. Kim, not intimidated in the slightest, also stood up to meet her glare. She might have been injured, but she had more fighting experience under her belt, coupled with ranger-augmented strength. Kat didn't stand a chance, despite the false sense of security she thought her height advantage was affording her.

"You're not at all the person I thought you were."

"Well, that makes two of us, doesn't it? You betrayed my trust in the worst way, Kat. You're not someone I could ever call a friend."

"The feeling is mutual. I would never want to be friends with a self-absorbed, selfish brat. You were so quick to leave your team because it benefited you, right? Then you abandoned your new team as soon as you couldn't take the heat. Yet here you are. You get to come back as if nothing ever happened. You get the color, the guy, the friendships, and all the fucking glory," she growled, remembering how the news reports had praised the new pink ranger for her part in almost defeating Goldar. "While I was shut out and ostracized by you all, forced to give up a part of me that I had grown to love."

Tears glistened in Katherine's eyes. Kimberly's resolve almost crumbled at that moment. She wasn't the type of person to deliberately hurt others or relish in their pain. Guilt began to gnaw at her heart, and she looked away from her former friend, meeting Aisha's wide eyes. The yellow ranger shook her head slightly, making her way to Kim. She had almost intervened at the height of their heated exchange but decided that the teens needed to hash out their problems.

"Kim, come on. Let's get out of here. I think you two have said enough," Aisha commented, putting an arm around the brunette's shoulder.

"Yeah, go, Kim. Walking away is what you're good at, no matter the damage you leave behind."

Aisha gasped incredulously, crossing her arms over her chest, "I was trying to help you out, but whatever. Your funeral."

"Aisha you're not any better, so stop trying to play mediator. As soon as Kimberly shows back up, you turn your back on me. You two deserve each other." Aisha's mouth fell open and she took a confrontational step forward. Kim's hand quickly wrapped around her wrist, holding her in place. "Tommy is too good to you, Kimberly. You don't deserve him. Hopefully one day he'll be wise enough to see that."

"And then what?" the pink ranger bit back coldly, "You'll be there to pick up the pieces? You're truly delirious." Kimberly's brown eyes darkened. "Tommy is mine. He'll always be mine. He will never choose you. It will always be me."

Katherine rolled her eyes, feigning indifference all the while Kim's words stung to her very core. She knew she spoke truth, as hard a reality as that was to accept.

"Ladies," Ernie's stern voice interjected. He had been in the storage closet and had caught the tail end of the girls' bickering. "I'm extremely surprised and disappointed by the three of you. Walk away. If not, I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

Kim and Aisha exchanged uncomfortable glances, realizing how inappropriate and uncharacteristic their behavior had been. The pair nodded at Ernie, apologizing sincerely before heading out. Neither teen paid Katherine so much as another glance.

Once inside Kim's car, they both exhaled loudly, not knowing exactly how to feel.

"Zordon is going to have our asses… possibly our Power Coins, too."

"'Sha, don't be dramatic. That was nothing but normal… teenage… conflict, right? He has to understand."

"If you say so." Aisha snickered. "I can't believe she said we deserve each other. How the hell did I get mixed up in this love triangle from hell, anyway?"

"Guilty by association," Kim added with a laugh. "I actually felt bad when I saw her tears, but then she started running her mouth again."

"Ditto."

Kimberly suddenly covered her face with both hands.

"Oh, my gosh! I don't know what came over me. And I can't believe I let anger get the best of me. 'Sha, I was a total raging bitch."

"Yep."

"Did I really tell her she wanted to impale herself on—?"

"Yep, you sure did."

"Well, we're never going to hear the end of this at school, you know that, right?"

"Triple yep. Ugh, great. I hate being the center of gossip. I really need to get myself new friends."

Kim swatted her friend jokingly, then leaned over and placed her head on the yellow ranger's shoulder.

"I love you, 'Sha. Thanks for always having my back."

"Of course. Always. Just don't lie to me again."

"Lie?"

"Yeah, Miss I just need to talk."

Both girls broke into fits of laughter.