I really hate these things. I'm not even going to finish this stupid disclaimer 'cause you already know who owns the ranger's. On with the fic. By the way thanx to everyone who read and reviewed my fic's.
Thanks and Cheesedoodles!
Kimberly held onto Ashleigh's hand as she walked into the Youth Center. She felt her heart start doing double time when she saw Tommy and Jason sparing. She looked around. Then glanced at Billy.
"This place hasn't changed a bit. Where are the others?"
All of a sudden she heard a gasp and a shriek from behind her. She turned around just as Katherine 'Kat' Hillard barelled into her. Fortunetly she didn't fall backwards. She looked at Billy who had an amused look on his face as she hugged the girl. The look on her face said "what the hell"
When Kat finally let go she was immediately pulled into the arms of Rocky Desantos. For a few minutes she was almost literally passed from one pair of arms to another. At last she was set down. After getting the life squeezed out of her, she looked at Billy who's amused look had turned into a full fledged smirk and said "wipe that smirk off your face!" They walked to the 'ranger' table and sat down
After the laughter died down Billy replied "I hate to say I told you so, but…I told ya they missed you."
Adam Park smiled at her and said "He's right. We have missed you. My roof feels lonely." Kim smiled and was about to reply when she felt a tug at her skirt. She looked down at Ashleigh. She smiled and bent down and picked her up and plucked her on her lap.
"Mommy who are they?" Kim winced. Ashleigh had taken to calling her mommy for about three days now. She looked at the others who, all except Jason and Billy, had stunned expressions on their faces.
She looked at Ashleigh and said "Princess, these nice people are mommy's friends. Your uncle's and aunts."
Billy looked at the two and then at Jason. He turned to Kimberly.
"Why don't I go and get this little angel some food and a smoothie?" Kim nodded and Billy picked up Ashleigh and walked to the juice bar.
Kim looked at the others. Kat was the first to speak. "Mommy?"
Kim sighed. "She's not mine. In fact she's my sister, half sister, but still sister." Jason put and hand on her shoulder in reassurance. She looked at him and smiled. She looked at the others. She took a deep breath and started her explaination.
"About a month and a half ago, my mom and step-dad, Adrian, were in a car accident. Neither made it. About a year ago my brother Keith died. Two years ago my dad died. All my grandparents are gone. My uncle Steve, my aunt Jo, my cousin Kelly, Ash and I are the only people in my family left, on both side's. My uncle Arthur died of cancer six years ago, and my other uncle Ronald died when I was three years old. There was no one who could take Ash. My uncle Steve is in a wheelchair. He was the other pilot in our family. He's paralyzed from the waist down. My aunt Jo has her hands full with keeping the house clean, working and taking care of Kelly. So I adopted Ash and decided to move back to my hometown. I'm living in Billy's Attic. The made it into a mini apartment. I'm going to be working at the angel Grove Gymnastics School after school, and Billy has offered to take care of Ash while I'm at school and while I'm at work so I won't have to leave her with strangers. I think that's about it."
She looked at the others and tried to tell what they were thinking. Kat looked shocked, saddened, and sympathetic. She also had tears in her eyes. Tanya too had tears in her eyes and also looked shocked but she also had a look of understanding. Rocky wasn't looking at her, he was looking at Billy and Ashleigh who were sitting at the juice bar. She was startled to see that he was trying to hold back tears. She felt someone put there arms around her. She looked up and saw Adam. He was smiling at her reassuringly, and his eyes looked a little misty. She finally looked at Tommy who, like Rocky was staring at Billy and Ashleigh. He looked like he was in deep thought.
Suddenly Ernie, who was listening from nearby, came up and said "Kimberly, if you ever need some one to take care of Ash, I'll be happy to do so. We don't have many people her during the day except at lunch. I'm proud of you. Your definitly one of the best and strongest people I know. Emotionally and physically."
Kimberly smiled as the others nodded. She sniffled. Adam let go of her and sat down in his chair next to her. Kimberly then noticed that Jason was holding her hand reassuringly. She blushed at the skin to skin contact. He had never held her hand like that. It was nice.
Tommy noticed her blush then looked at her hand in Jason's. He smiled. He didn't know if they were together, but it definitely looked like Jason was interested. *This is going to be an interesting year, that's for sure.* He couldn't be more right.