Chapter 8
Summary: What happens the next day.
Rating/Disclaimer/Distribution: I refuse to say again.
Author's Notes: I've been trying to get this chapter out for days, but college and the recent events in the US have gotten in the way. There should be one, maybe two chapters after this... I'll see how it goes.
Thank you's: Special thanks to DevDev, Sara, Ozmandayus, Morgan, White Tiger, StarryNights, Didi and everyone else that I've forgotten (again).
*6 am*
*Coronet Hotel, Detroit, Michigan*
Although they had been told that their wakeup call would be no earlier than seven o'clock, all three were awake to see the sunrise.
Kat went to the tiny bathroom which her twin room with Kim provided. As she poured herself a glass of water, her eyes caught a glimpse of her reflection.
I don't look like an FBI agent, she thought to herself. I look like what I am, a ballet dancer. I don't think any of us fit your typical stereotype of an agent. That'll help today, when we're undercover. But what about tomorrow?
The thought of what would happen later that day and tomorrow was what had jolted Kat out of her hazy, dreamlike state.
They had been told of the successes in the other areas of the mission, and also of Adam and Tanya's lucky escape. Once the news had been broken to Tommy, Kim and Kat about Agent Enfield's shooting, the factor of fear had doubled.
Agent Enfield was a trained FBI agent. He'd been surrounded by about ten other agents, most of whom were of similar status. When Kim was on her own, what would happen? Admittedly there would be about twenty agents present, although plain clothed, they would be the people occupying the tables that would 'force' Kim to sit with Kyle Hicks.
But the news of how close the operation had come to going wrong had made Agents Perry and Cresswell more uptight than they had been before. Although all five of them were tired upon arrival in Detroit, before checking in at the hotel a visit had been paid to Cafe Delta, Kyle's coffee bar of choice.
Water splashed on her face, and Kat padded back to the bedroom, unsure whether her roommate was awake or not. What she found there wasn't a usual sight; Kim sitting up and repeatedly banging her head against the wall.
"Uh, Kim? What are you doing?" Kat asked delicatedly, as she returned to her bed.
Kim paused, and turned to look at her friend. "I figure if I give myself brain damage I've got a better chance of them putting me in the hospital than in Cafe Delta."
Kat laughed. "Don't you think lover-boy would have something to say about that?"
"You know he'd stay on if the chance was offered him?" Kim asked, biting on her thumbnail.
Kat reflected, but she didn't remember anything being said from him about preferring the FBI lifestyle to the one he currently lived. "I don't remember him ever saying anything...when was this?"
Kim shook her head, then grimaced as the altered pressure in her head caught up with her. "Ow. No, he hasn't said anything, but I can tell as much."
Once again Kat wondered at what seemed to be some sort of telepathic connection between her two friends. "I think he won't be the only one that feels like that, either. Something tells me that Billy's talents are going to be very much appreciated back at base."
"That much goes without saying," Kim agreed. "And if Billy stays, Trini will stay as well, but I don't think she's suited to the lifestyle."
"I don't know her, but from what I do know of her, I can understand she might be a little too..fragile," Kat said.
"Trini's a lot tougher than she makes out, but if she's got the same outlook on life as she did, she's going to want a typical family. Two point four children and a dog. Billy being an FBI hotshot won't endear itself to that dream."
"How about Jason? He's pulling the leader act now, or so it seems."
"I wouldn't be surprised," Kim said, crossing her legs underneath her.
"For pretty much the same reasons as Tommy, I would guess. Zack?" Kat asked. "I can't tell, I don't know him at all."
Kim thought for a moment. "If I had to bet on it? I'd say no. he has too much love for his life on the outside, although if they play the guilt card he'd stay."
"Aisha, Rocky and Adam...I wouldn't think any of them would stay."
"I agree, and Tanya as well from what I know of her. She and Adam stick out the most as the 'wouldn't stay even if you paid me' people."
"And what about us?" Kat asked ruefully, burrowing further under the covers. "What do we do?"
"Run away and make a living as circus artistes," Kim suggested. "Or stay, and procrastinate."
"I like the second idea. We could become the Professional Procrastinating Ex-Pink Rangers," Kat commented. "We put off your decisions for you, no decision too small, no fee too high."
"Yes, Kat," Kim said, throwing her pillow at her. "Make that Ex Pink Ranger fro now, I'm going back to sleep."
Meeting at nine o'clock in the morning of a big mission was always going to be a traumatic experience, and today was never going to be any different.
Sitting in the restaurant of the tiny hotel, a serene Emma Cresswell regarded the four other members of her team. Those she would have to be responsible for again today.
Tommy Oliver seemed calm enough on the inside, but glances she picked up on between him and Kim shot down the facade of seeming indifference.
Kat and Kim were in the common mood before an important altercation; hysteria. As always there was a trigger for the giggling fits, Emma hadn't quite worked them out yet but the word 'procrastination' had cropped up more than once in conversation.
And what of her co-agent, Steve Perry?
This man was still something of a mystery to her, even though this was by no means the first mission that they had worked in close proximity to each other. She still knew little of the man personally.
He was unmarried, that much was evident, and he never spoke of any romantic attachment at home, wherever his home may be. And he was definitely something of a workaholic, in the two years he'd been based at Sitka he could always be found at work, never resting, never taking time out to chat.
But there was no time for Emma to be too preoccupied about that att he moment. Her 'people skills' radar that had made her so effective in this job was kicking in, and she'd noticed something between this enigmatic agent and Katherine Hilliard that shouldn't be going on.
Agent-agent relationships, no matter what their status was, were strictly frowned upon. Especially at Sitka, where most of the single agents seemed to be posted for some unknown reason. The self-sufficiency of the colony, the way in which it had isolated itself from the world, did nothing to convince the supremos that their agents should take time away from their work to enjoy relationships.
Double standards maybe, as they talk from their homes, which are also lived in by their wives and children. But you have to get used to that in this business.
In this world.
"To avoid any untoward suspicion, about half of our quota of agents will be in the cafe before either Hicks or Kim arrive there. The rest will stream in once any conversation gets underway."
"But there will still be enough people in there to justify me sitting by him in the first place, won't there?" Kim asked.
Agent Perry nodded, taking a sip of the tasteless coffee that had been provided. "Cafe Delta is normally pretty busy at lunchtimes, because it's in an area where there are so many businesses. If we pack a few extra people in there you'll have no problem."
"So what will there be left to talk about when we meet with the rest of the agents?" Tommy asked. "From the sounds of it we've discussed everything we need to know from our side of things."
"Oh, you'd be surprised," Emma Cresswell said, using up her daily alloted smile during breakfast. "A couple of our agents have been frequenting the cafe undercover at lunchtime, so they'll have information on where he normally sits, and if he's ever accompanied by anyone. If he is today, then we'll be in trouble, but I doubt it. If they've been particularly vigilant we'll also know what tables are likely to be free when the agents move in, and how many people we can fit around each one."
The faces on the three juniors said it all, sheer disbelief at the amount of research and detail that had gone into the apparently mundane task of where to sit in a cafe.
"Wait until you meet these people."
*Dormitory 3, 7.30 am local time*
*Sitka Bau, NM*
Aisha's eyes snapped open as quickly as if someone had flicked a light switch somewhere in her head.
A dim morning light flooded the five bed room, of which only three were occupied. When Aisha had gone to sleep she had been alone in the room, not exactly a comforting thought. Tanya and Trini had obviously crept in sometime in the early morning.
Her stomach rumbled, but Aisha took no notice. She was too pre-occupied with her reflections on the hectic day that had preceded this one.
On the relatively short flight back to Sitka from California, there had been a sense of triumph, more so from Jason and Rocky than her. They still had what it took to conquer evil.
There had been no sign of boredom, even Agent Wiltord had been persuaded to join in with their re-telling the story from every angle.
When they had arrived back in Sitka they were told of the shooting, which did a lot to dampen their jubilant spirits. But still, the mission had been completed successfully, and the doctor's prognosis on Agent Enfield was good.
Aisha's thoughts next turned to the group out in Detroit. It would now be nine-thirty there, and she could sympathise with how Tommy, Kim and Kat would be feeling. But she had equal faith in that they would be successful.
They had to. There was no option in Aisha's mind.
*Dormitory 12, 7:45am*
*Sitka Bau, NM*
The scene in the guy's dormitory was a different one to the girl's. Zack and Adam were not quite so desperate for sleep as their female counterparts, so they were up and chattering away with Jason and Billy.
Except they wouldn't call it chatting, oh no. That was a girls thing, so 'discussion' it would be.
"So we're just expected to hang around today and seal envelopes or something?" Adam asked Billy.
"I don't know, but I have to go back to the control room. I don't know what there'll be for me to do there, but that's where I'll be," Billy confirmed. "At least you won't have to concentrate, you can let your mind slip away while you staple papers. I have to be on alert."
"Oh, how we feel for you, Billy," Zack said dramatically, flopping back onto his mattress. "You highflying FBI trainee, you."
"What would you guys say if they asked you to stay on?" Jason asked suddenly. "Would you flat out refuse, or what?"
A long pause told them that this subject hadn't gone without any thought.
"I don't know what I would do," Rocky said eventually. "I was looking for something new, some change, when I came here, but I'm not so sure that this is it."
Adam shook his head violently. "If I have any say in the matter, I'll be outta here. I know I'd be doing good if I stayed here, but we did more than our quota of goodness when we were Rangers. Now should be our time to enjoy life, not to be pulled back into the whole routine again."
Zack nodded in agreement. "In a way, when we were Rangers, we had a leader that we could respect. We'd never have dared to disobey Zordon, because he had so much authority over us, he knew so much. Here the FBI have found out about everything from discs, and everything seems too corrupt and more than a little shambolic. I don't know if I want any sort of part in it."
"I don't think it's so bad," Billy said quietly from his corner of the room. "I think they're just being heavy-handed with us, to get us into shape. Yesterday although my work could have been done by a ten year old, I was treated equally."
"I agree with Billy," Jason said. "If we're involved with anything that could make a difference, honestly, I'd be there."
Adam looked at his friends with amazement. "I wish I still had that dedication, but I don't. Not any more."
More words would have been said on this subject, it wasn't one to be taken lightly, but a smart rap on the door and a call of "Breakfast!" interrupted whatever could have been said.
"Let's go down and face our fate," Rocky said dramatically. "Will it be bacon....or sausages?"
A few well-directed jibes later, and they were on their way for feeding time.
Ten minutes later and the eight of them who had returned to Sitka were reunited, even if Trini and Tanya had the shining personality of zombies due to their lack of sleep.
For the first time they didn't dine alone, Agent Evans and Agent Wiltord were standing guard by the doors that acted as a gateway to the rest of the colony.
"Billy, have you got any kind of definite ideas of what we'll be doing today?" Zack asked, pausing from his breakfast routine to ask the all-important question.
Billy shrugged. "I did try to ask the agent I was working with yesterday, but he claimed to have no clue about the rest of you."
"I want to go back to sleep," Trini moaned softly from beside Billy.
"Do you think that will be on the agenda?" Tanya, also in suffering, asked. "Four hours sleep does nothing for my brain power."
A swift glance at the two formidable figures guarding the door convinced Jason that neither of them were paying attention to the conversation taking place at the table, apparently involved with their own. "I guess they'll tell us when we've finsihed eating, so go as slowly as you can. Or Rocky, just finish the rest of the food at the table."
Rocky grinned in agreement, picked up his plate and tray, and headed back to the arrangement of food.
"That boy has an unquenchable appetite," Adam remaked. "Ever since we were kids he's eaten more than Aisha and I put together."
Aisha laughed, pauing in the task of peeling an orange. "Oh, the memories of meals that took two hours," she reminisced.
A thought suddenly took over Trini's slightly fuzzy brain. "What time would it be in Detroit now, Billy?"
Billy glanced at his watch. "It's eight o'clock, so it'll be ten o'clock in Michigan. They've got another two hours before anything major happens."
Rocky returned to the table, and armed with a plate of bacon and hash browns, another glass of ornage juice and a bowl of cereal, which he placed in front of Trini. "Eat woman, if I'm the only one eating they'll look suspicious, and they're going to scream at you for lack of energy otherwise."
Trini had only selected a piece of toast originally, and so accepted the bowl gratefully. "Thanks, Rocky."
Jason and Zack were also on their way to get food, to avoid any suspicion of time-wasting, when their favourite retentive agents appeared at the head of the table.
"You may go for second helpings in a moment, but first we would like to inform you about your plans for the day," Wiltord said in a toneless voice.
Jason and Zack regained their seats. How could they do anything but?
"Billy, you already know that you are expected back to work with Agent Martin again today," Evans began. "We would like Miss Kwan and Miss Childes to accompany you there. We are aware that you two will be more tired than others after yesterday's ordeal, and being up there will provide less strain for you."
Trini and Tanya nodded their thanks, neither sure whether this comment was meant as a compliment or an insult.
"As for the rest of you, you will be aware that Agent Williams brought back a lot of paperwork from Charlie Kenward's office, as did I from the Conner's house. We'd like your help in sorting out the significant from teh worthless as soon as you've finished breakfasting."
"I know that Billy, Tanya and Trini will know about what goes on in Detroit, but will there be any way that we can find out as quickly as possible?" Jason asked quickly before the agents had the chance to turn away.
Wiltord raised an eyebrow. "I dare say that could be arranged," he said. "Billy, when you get up to the control room, ask Agent Martin to inform Room 323 when any news is reported."
Billy nodded in conformation, and they walked back to their sentry post.
"At least we're not doing anything complicated," Zack said, second helpings momentarily forgotten. "This sounds about as much as I could handle."
"Ditto," Adam said. "Let's hope that this is the last day we spend in this mind-numbing room of doom."
"Sorry to break it to you, sweetie, but Tommy, Kat and Kim won't be back until tonight. I doubt we'll be out of here before this time tomorrow," Tanya broke to him.
"Damn."
*Sara's Boutique, 11:45*
*Detroit, Michigan*
"I look like white trash," Kim complained, pulling down the hemline of her bright red skirt in a vain attempt to make it longer. "I thougt Kyle Hicks was a businessman? Doesn't that mean that he'd prefer someone looking a little less like she just stepped off Jerry Springer 'I got kidnapped from the FBI'?"
"The girl's got a point," Kat said, surveying the blue crop top and red skirt.
Emma Cresswell threw up her hands in defeat. "Fine. Kat, run and pick out something businesslike, but we only have fifteen minutes before Kim has to be at the cafe."
Kat stepped away, and returned a couple of minutes later with a longer grey skirt, a sleeveless white blouse and a light jacket. "Will this do?"
"Yes, that's fine," Emma said, and quickly shepherded Kim back into the dressingroom. "Time is running out, hurry!"
Ten minutes later the purchases had been made, and the three women were just a few paces away from Cafe Delta's entrance. Agent Perry and Tommy had entered moments before. All they were waiting for was the phone call to confirm that Hicks was inside, and then it would eb action stations.
"Kim, you can't wear those!" Kat suddenly yelped, pointing down to Kim's battered Nikes.
"No-one even mentioned footwear back in the shop?" Kim defended. "Is there time to go back?"
There was no time left. Agent Cresswell's phone rang twice, the signal to go ahead. She merely shrugged, and said,
"You'll have to make up some sort of chronic foot disorder. Now go!" And for the second time in a quarter of an hour, Kim was pushed somewhere she didn't want to go. Except that there had been next to no chance of beign killed in the cramped dressingroom of Sara's Boutique.
Just remember that there are twenty people in there looking out for you Kim thought as she opened the door to the cafe and walked inside. Including Tommy - don't look at him! - He's never let you down yet, and god knows he's had enough reasons to.
After purchasing a simple black coffee, Kim identified Kyle Hicks immediately from the numerous photos she had been shown. This is it, she realised, manoeuvering through the web of tables without so much of a glance to anyone else.
Calm. Collected.
Everything she wasn't inside, but would have to exude in order to succeed.
"Is anyone going to be sitting here?" Kim asked, in her best 'I'm a businesswoman who really likes the look of you' voice.
Kyle looked up, and didn't hide his appreciation very well. "No, sit down." He folded up the newspaper that he had been reading, and waited until Kim was settled before beginning conversation. "I don't think I've ever seen you in here before."
Kim shrugged, and took a sip of coffee. "I like trying new places. I've heard this place is pretty friendly, so I thought I'd check it out."
"We're an accommodating bunch," Kyle acquiesced, and proferred a hand for her to shake. "Kyle Hicks. I work for Langley and Kaye, the accounting company a couple blocks down."
"Kelly. I work out of town." No more information than is absolutely necessary
"Out of town, huh?" Kyle asked. Upon her nod, he looked reflectively around the crowded cafe. "Don't think I've ever seen so many out of towners in here before. I only recognise a few people."
Kim smiled and held his gaze, successfully resisting the tempation to look over at where Tommy and Agent Perry were sitting. "Can't help you there."
There was a pause, which Kim felt obliged to break. "It's a long time since I've been in this part of town. I don't even recognise the social areas anymore." Take the bait. Please take the bait.
"Well, if you're planning on sticking around, I'm always free for pretty women like you who need a hand," Kyle informed her, thankfully just stopping short of leering.
Kim blushed modestly, and looked down into her cup. Ask me what do, you asshole! Then I can tell you and this will all be over!
*10:05am local time, Control Room*
*Sitka Bau, NM*
"Everyone's in the cafe," Byran said, hanging up the phone to look at Billy, Trini and Tanya. "Realistically we're looking at a twentyfive minute gap before we'll hear anything more."
Billy nodded. "Anything of significance happening?"
Bryan shook his head. "Not from what I've heard, and apparently they won't be too hard to capture anyway. They wouldn't have sent your friend in if he was going to be overly dangerous."
Trini crossed her fingers and fervently hoped with all her heart that everything would go to plan. A glance at Tanya proved that she was doing exactly the same thing.
*12:10 local time*
*Cafe Delta, Detroit*
Five minutes of idle chatting. Five minutes where Kim alternated between being bored to death and scared to death.
Still, she now knew that Kyle's preferred beverage was a double espresso, he hated his job, and had a 'happening' social life. And hopefully the figurative tables of conversation would turn.
Soon.
"She's doing a good job," Agent Perry reassured Tommy, who was having obvious trouble in controlling his urge to go over to Kim and get her out of danger. "Any minute now, he'll stop being so self-obsessed and start asking Kim about herself. As soon as that happens, Cresswell will get up from her girl-bonding table over there and be ready to restain him."
Tommy nodded, only slightly appeased. "And what about the wife?"
He merely waved his hand in the air. "The woman's as timid as a mouse. Why do you think she's put up with having Kyle as a husband for so long? In my opinion she'd only involved in this because the only other option was death."
Emma Cresswell, Kat and two other female agents would look like any other group of women having a get-together to the impartial observer.
But their eyes strayed a little too often to the couple just two tables away. And all four of them were a little too quiet, all trying to pick up snatches of conversation.
"Hurry up and ask her what she does already," Cresswell said in a deliberately chatty tone. "You'd think he'd be able to get off his personal promotion trip for two seconds to ask the lady what she does."
No name mentioned.
For all intents and purposes, they were four women enjoying cups of coffee while people watching. Not FBI agents waiting for the hallowed words to be finally spoken.
"So, Kelly, what is it exactly that you do?"
Wordlessly, Emma Cresswell got up from the table.
She could have been going to order another cup of coffee, or even a slice of cake. But the handcuffs cleverly concealed within her grasp dispelled all amateur theories.
"I was wondering when you were going to ask me that," 'Kelly' said flirtatiously. She leaned in closer to Kyle, and whispered in his ear. "You see, my job should be of particular interest to you."
"Oh, really?" Kyle asked, all sorts of ideas floating in his head, not all of them completely legal.
"You see, my job is to make sure that people like you don't have the freedom to walk the earth. That they get what they deserve," she said, still in the same flirtatious tone. Emma Cresswell appeared behind him, and many of the 'customers' also stood up. "You see, I'm an FBI agent, Kyle. And you've just been rumbled."
*10:45am, local time*
*Sitka Bau, NM*
Although no-oe had voiced their fears, the situation was getting more tense by the minute.
Bryan couldn't keep his eyes off his watch. Agent Cresswell should have checked in nearly half an hour ago if all had gone well. The extra delay only added to his worries.
Billy, Trini and Tanya weren't thinking about what could have happened to cause the delay in communications. There was an occasional "Ring, phone, RING" muttered, but apart from that their corner of the room was silent.
It's surprising how, when you're waiting for the phone to ring, the sound of it surprises you even more.
Billy's hands were shaking so much it took more concentrated effort than it should to pick up the telephone handset. "Billy Cranston?"
"Billy, it's Agent Cresswell."
He never thought he would be so glad to hear the woman's perpetually serene voice in his life. "What's been happening?"
She gave a funny half-laugh, or some sort of emotion between a snort and a laugh. "We got them in the end, although not without a few minor injuries. Kim got caught offguard before I restrained Kyle Hicks and consequently has a black eye in retaliation Tommy broke Kyle's nose."
Now Billy _knew_ that Agent Cresswell was smiling. As was he, although he couldn't explain it. "Anyone else?"
"Somehow no-one found out that the shy and retiring Sarah Hicks is actually a black belt in judo, so she gave a couple of agents at her end a few problems. We're required to send them to Sitka on a different plane anyway, so it doesn't matter. Agent Perry and a few other of our intimidating agents are going along for the ride."
"ETA of return?" Billy asked, not letting his jubilation at his friends safety show through.
A pause to work out the time differences, then, "I would think about midnight, but I'm not completely sure. Don't set it in stone."
"Okay," Billy said, but the line was already dead. He turned to impart the information to the others. "They're on their way back...she didn't say specifically but I think minor injuries is probably what held them up. Kim got a black eye and Tommy punched Kyle for his troubles."
Trini laughed, her first all day. "Sounds like the Tommy we all know and love."
Tanya shook her head. " I can't believe they got away with it."
"If you like, you can go and tell your friends in person about what's just happened," Bryan suggested. "I can handle the hourly checkins, and there isn't really that much to be done in between anyway."
"Sounds good," Tanya said, jumping up from her chair with energy she didn't know she had to use, and stretching her muscles.
"I'm glad that one of us feels halfway human," Trini moaned, getting up from her chair with considerably more effort. "What room is it again?"
"Room 323," Bryan called after them.
"Now that it's over, we can finally start to think about being free," Tanya mumbled as they began to search for the elusive room.
"Yeah..." Trini said wistfully.
"Let's not think too much, in case they want us - or make us - stay on," Billy cautioned as one corridor faded into another.
"You're still not convinced they're going to let us go?" Trini asked her boyfriend. He considered her question,and replied,
"I have no clue one way or another, and that's the honest truth. I just can't figure out either way what's going to happen."
A collective sigh. It looked as though they'd have to wait even longer for the verdict on their futures.
"Ah-ha! It would make sense that Room 323 would be on the third floor," Tanya commented. "So we need to find some stairs..."
"Easier said than done in this place..."
*Plane*
With Agent Perry on the other plane looking after the bad guys, Agent Cresswell had decided to step down the career ladder for a day and sit in the area wher Tommy, Kim and Kat were sitting.
There were her reasons for sitting there, after all Emma Cresswell never did anything without a reason. She needed to talk to Katherine alone, and now was as good a time as any. So while Tommy and Kim were sorting out her rapidly swelling eye, Emma began a potentially precarious conversation.
"Katherine, I don't want to cause any upset, but I think there's a topic we need to talk about."
Katherine looked at her, genuinely puzzled. She was still recovering from the general turmoil that had erupted after Kim's revelation that she was an undercover FBI agent. For a while the agents dotted around the cafe had struggled to restrain Kyle, and it had been more than a little scary. "Okay..." she said haltingly.
"I've picked up on some sort of... I don't know, physical attraction between you and Agent Perry." Kat's eyes widened, but found herself speechless to deny it. "I'm not trying to stop it, as long as that's as far as it goes. But I don't mind sharing with you that inter-agent romances are frowned upon at Sitka. Don't ask me why, but it seems to be the base where single people are sent."
Kat found her voice. "I wouldn't act on it," she assured Emma.
"I'm glad," Emma said. "I just wanted to make it clear that it's a little obvious, and frowned upon."
Kat nodded, and let her thoughts wander. It was a attraction, but she had already told herself she wouldn't let it go any further.
But if it was that obvious...
"Ow," Kim mumbled, as Tommy put ointment on her eye as gently as he could.
"Sorry," he said, looking at her. "I'm going as gently as I can."
"It's okay," Kim said. "I have a feeling it would hurt no matter how gently you put that yellow stuff on."
"Wouldn't be surprised," he said, and after a while discarded the bottle of ointment. "There you go, all done." Kim had been perched on the arm of a chair, and Tommy squashed in beside her. "How are you holding up?"
Kim sighed, and laid her head on his conveniently-placed shoulder. "I want to go home."
"Where did you say you were before all this?" Tommy asked.
"San Diego..." Kim said quietly, her eyes now closed. "I doubt I've got a job to go back to though."
"They said our jobs would be covered," Tommy reassured, then realised he didn't really want her to go all the way back to San Diego. "Then again..."
Kim laughed. "Then again, someone not a million miles away would quite like it if I stayed in Angel Grove, am I right?"
"How do you do that with your eyes closed?" Tommy marveled.
"It's a gift," she said. "And don't bargain on me going back to my crappy job if a better offer comes up."
"I'll keep it in mind," Tommy told her, planting a light kiss on her forehead.
"Let's just get through the next 24 hours before we start planning for the future," Kim said, feeling sleep about to close in. "You never know what tomorrow might bring."
Summary: What happens the next day.
Rating/Disclaimer/Distribution: I refuse to say again.
Author's Notes: I've been trying to get this chapter out for days, but college and the recent events in the US have gotten in the way. There should be one, maybe two chapters after this... I'll see how it goes.
Thank you's: Special thanks to DevDev, Sara, Ozmandayus, Morgan, White Tiger, StarryNights, Didi and everyone else that I've forgotten (again).
*6 am*
*Coronet Hotel, Detroit, Michigan*
Although they had been told that their wakeup call would be no earlier than seven o'clock, all three were awake to see the sunrise.
Kat went to the tiny bathroom which her twin room with Kim provided. As she poured herself a glass of water, her eyes caught a glimpse of her reflection.
I don't look like an FBI agent, she thought to herself. I look like what I am, a ballet dancer. I don't think any of us fit your typical stereotype of an agent. That'll help today, when we're undercover. But what about tomorrow?
The thought of what would happen later that day and tomorrow was what had jolted Kat out of her hazy, dreamlike state.
They had been told of the successes in the other areas of the mission, and also of Adam and Tanya's lucky escape. Once the news had been broken to Tommy, Kim and Kat about Agent Enfield's shooting, the factor of fear had doubled.
Agent Enfield was a trained FBI agent. He'd been surrounded by about ten other agents, most of whom were of similar status. When Kim was on her own, what would happen? Admittedly there would be about twenty agents present, although plain clothed, they would be the people occupying the tables that would 'force' Kim to sit with Kyle Hicks.
But the news of how close the operation had come to going wrong had made Agents Perry and Cresswell more uptight than they had been before. Although all five of them were tired upon arrival in Detroit, before checking in at the hotel a visit had been paid to Cafe Delta, Kyle's coffee bar of choice.
Water splashed on her face, and Kat padded back to the bedroom, unsure whether her roommate was awake or not. What she found there wasn't a usual sight; Kim sitting up and repeatedly banging her head against the wall.
"Uh, Kim? What are you doing?" Kat asked delicatedly, as she returned to her bed.
Kim paused, and turned to look at her friend. "I figure if I give myself brain damage I've got a better chance of them putting me in the hospital than in Cafe Delta."
Kat laughed. "Don't you think lover-boy would have something to say about that?"
"You know he'd stay on if the chance was offered him?" Kim asked, biting on her thumbnail.
Kat reflected, but she didn't remember anything being said from him about preferring the FBI lifestyle to the one he currently lived. "I don't remember him ever saying anything...when was this?"
Kim shook her head, then grimaced as the altered pressure in her head caught up with her. "Ow. No, he hasn't said anything, but I can tell as much."
Once again Kat wondered at what seemed to be some sort of telepathic connection between her two friends. "I think he won't be the only one that feels like that, either. Something tells me that Billy's talents are going to be very much appreciated back at base."
"That much goes without saying," Kim agreed. "And if Billy stays, Trini will stay as well, but I don't think she's suited to the lifestyle."
"I don't know her, but from what I do know of her, I can understand she might be a little too..fragile," Kat said.
"Trini's a lot tougher than she makes out, but if she's got the same outlook on life as she did, she's going to want a typical family. Two point four children and a dog. Billy being an FBI hotshot won't endear itself to that dream."
"How about Jason? He's pulling the leader act now, or so it seems."
"I wouldn't be surprised," Kim said, crossing her legs underneath her.
"For pretty much the same reasons as Tommy, I would guess. Zack?" Kat asked. "I can't tell, I don't know him at all."
Kim thought for a moment. "If I had to bet on it? I'd say no. he has too much love for his life on the outside, although if they play the guilt card he'd stay."
"Aisha, Rocky and Adam...I wouldn't think any of them would stay."
"I agree, and Tanya as well from what I know of her. She and Adam stick out the most as the 'wouldn't stay even if you paid me' people."
"And what about us?" Kat asked ruefully, burrowing further under the covers. "What do we do?"
"Run away and make a living as circus artistes," Kim suggested. "Or stay, and procrastinate."
"I like the second idea. We could become the Professional Procrastinating Ex-Pink Rangers," Kat commented. "We put off your decisions for you, no decision too small, no fee too high."
"Yes, Kat," Kim said, throwing her pillow at her. "Make that Ex Pink Ranger fro now, I'm going back to sleep."
Meeting at nine o'clock in the morning of a big mission was always going to be a traumatic experience, and today was never going to be any different.
Sitting in the restaurant of the tiny hotel, a serene Emma Cresswell regarded the four other members of her team. Those she would have to be responsible for again today.
Tommy Oliver seemed calm enough on the inside, but glances she picked up on between him and Kim shot down the facade of seeming indifference.
Kat and Kim were in the common mood before an important altercation; hysteria. As always there was a trigger for the giggling fits, Emma hadn't quite worked them out yet but the word 'procrastination' had cropped up more than once in conversation.
And what of her co-agent, Steve Perry?
This man was still something of a mystery to her, even though this was by no means the first mission that they had worked in close proximity to each other. She still knew little of the man personally.
He was unmarried, that much was evident, and he never spoke of any romantic attachment at home, wherever his home may be. And he was definitely something of a workaholic, in the two years he'd been based at Sitka he could always be found at work, never resting, never taking time out to chat.
But there was no time for Emma to be too preoccupied about that att he moment. Her 'people skills' radar that had made her so effective in this job was kicking in, and she'd noticed something between this enigmatic agent and Katherine Hilliard that shouldn't be going on.
Agent-agent relationships, no matter what their status was, were strictly frowned upon. Especially at Sitka, where most of the single agents seemed to be posted for some unknown reason. The self-sufficiency of the colony, the way in which it had isolated itself from the world, did nothing to convince the supremos that their agents should take time away from their work to enjoy relationships.
Double standards maybe, as they talk from their homes, which are also lived in by their wives and children. But you have to get used to that in this business.
In this world.
"To avoid any untoward suspicion, about half of our quota of agents will be in the cafe before either Hicks or Kim arrive there. The rest will stream in once any conversation gets underway."
"But there will still be enough people in there to justify me sitting by him in the first place, won't there?" Kim asked.
Agent Perry nodded, taking a sip of the tasteless coffee that had been provided. "Cafe Delta is normally pretty busy at lunchtimes, because it's in an area where there are so many businesses. If we pack a few extra people in there you'll have no problem."
"So what will there be left to talk about when we meet with the rest of the agents?" Tommy asked. "From the sounds of it we've discussed everything we need to know from our side of things."
"Oh, you'd be surprised," Emma Cresswell said, using up her daily alloted smile during breakfast. "A couple of our agents have been frequenting the cafe undercover at lunchtime, so they'll have information on where he normally sits, and if he's ever accompanied by anyone. If he is today, then we'll be in trouble, but I doubt it. If they've been particularly vigilant we'll also know what tables are likely to be free when the agents move in, and how many people we can fit around each one."
The faces on the three juniors said it all, sheer disbelief at the amount of research and detail that had gone into the apparently mundane task of where to sit in a cafe.
"Wait until you meet these people."
*Dormitory 3, 7.30 am local time*
*Sitka Bau, NM*
Aisha's eyes snapped open as quickly as if someone had flicked a light switch somewhere in her head.
A dim morning light flooded the five bed room, of which only three were occupied. When Aisha had gone to sleep she had been alone in the room, not exactly a comforting thought. Tanya and Trini had obviously crept in sometime in the early morning.
Her stomach rumbled, but Aisha took no notice. She was too pre-occupied with her reflections on the hectic day that had preceded this one.
On the relatively short flight back to Sitka from California, there had been a sense of triumph, more so from Jason and Rocky than her. They still had what it took to conquer evil.
There had been no sign of boredom, even Agent Wiltord had been persuaded to join in with their re-telling the story from every angle.
When they had arrived back in Sitka they were told of the shooting, which did a lot to dampen their jubilant spirits. But still, the mission had been completed successfully, and the doctor's prognosis on Agent Enfield was good.
Aisha's thoughts next turned to the group out in Detroit. It would now be nine-thirty there, and she could sympathise with how Tommy, Kim and Kat would be feeling. But she had equal faith in that they would be successful.
They had to. There was no option in Aisha's mind.
*Dormitory 12, 7:45am*
*Sitka Bau, NM*
The scene in the guy's dormitory was a different one to the girl's. Zack and Adam were not quite so desperate for sleep as their female counterparts, so they were up and chattering away with Jason and Billy.
Except they wouldn't call it chatting, oh no. That was a girls thing, so 'discussion' it would be.
"So we're just expected to hang around today and seal envelopes or something?" Adam asked Billy.
"I don't know, but I have to go back to the control room. I don't know what there'll be for me to do there, but that's where I'll be," Billy confirmed. "At least you won't have to concentrate, you can let your mind slip away while you staple papers. I have to be on alert."
"Oh, how we feel for you, Billy," Zack said dramatically, flopping back onto his mattress. "You highflying FBI trainee, you."
"What would you guys say if they asked you to stay on?" Jason asked suddenly. "Would you flat out refuse, or what?"
A long pause told them that this subject hadn't gone without any thought.
"I don't know what I would do," Rocky said eventually. "I was looking for something new, some change, when I came here, but I'm not so sure that this is it."
Adam shook his head violently. "If I have any say in the matter, I'll be outta here. I know I'd be doing good if I stayed here, but we did more than our quota of goodness when we were Rangers. Now should be our time to enjoy life, not to be pulled back into the whole routine again."
Zack nodded in agreement. "In a way, when we were Rangers, we had a leader that we could respect. We'd never have dared to disobey Zordon, because he had so much authority over us, he knew so much. Here the FBI have found out about everything from discs, and everything seems too corrupt and more than a little shambolic. I don't know if I want any sort of part in it."
"I don't think it's so bad," Billy said quietly from his corner of the room. "I think they're just being heavy-handed with us, to get us into shape. Yesterday although my work could have been done by a ten year old, I was treated equally."
"I agree with Billy," Jason said. "If we're involved with anything that could make a difference, honestly, I'd be there."
Adam looked at his friends with amazement. "I wish I still had that dedication, but I don't. Not any more."
More words would have been said on this subject, it wasn't one to be taken lightly, but a smart rap on the door and a call of "Breakfast!" interrupted whatever could have been said.
"Let's go down and face our fate," Rocky said dramatically. "Will it be bacon....or sausages?"
A few well-directed jibes later, and they were on their way for feeding time.
Ten minutes later and the eight of them who had returned to Sitka were reunited, even if Trini and Tanya had the shining personality of zombies due to their lack of sleep.
For the first time they didn't dine alone, Agent Evans and Agent Wiltord were standing guard by the doors that acted as a gateway to the rest of the colony.
"Billy, have you got any kind of definite ideas of what we'll be doing today?" Zack asked, pausing from his breakfast routine to ask the all-important question.
Billy shrugged. "I did try to ask the agent I was working with yesterday, but he claimed to have no clue about the rest of you."
"I want to go back to sleep," Trini moaned softly from beside Billy.
"Do you think that will be on the agenda?" Tanya, also in suffering, asked. "Four hours sleep does nothing for my brain power."
A swift glance at the two formidable figures guarding the door convinced Jason that neither of them were paying attention to the conversation taking place at the table, apparently involved with their own. "I guess they'll tell us when we've finsihed eating, so go as slowly as you can. Or Rocky, just finish the rest of the food at the table."
Rocky grinned in agreement, picked up his plate and tray, and headed back to the arrangement of food.
"That boy has an unquenchable appetite," Adam remaked. "Ever since we were kids he's eaten more than Aisha and I put together."
Aisha laughed, pauing in the task of peeling an orange. "Oh, the memories of meals that took two hours," she reminisced.
A thought suddenly took over Trini's slightly fuzzy brain. "What time would it be in Detroit now, Billy?"
Billy glanced at his watch. "It's eight o'clock, so it'll be ten o'clock in Michigan. They've got another two hours before anything major happens."
Rocky returned to the table, and armed with a plate of bacon and hash browns, another glass of ornage juice and a bowl of cereal, which he placed in front of Trini. "Eat woman, if I'm the only one eating they'll look suspicious, and they're going to scream at you for lack of energy otherwise."
Trini had only selected a piece of toast originally, and so accepted the bowl gratefully. "Thanks, Rocky."
Jason and Zack were also on their way to get food, to avoid any suspicion of time-wasting, when their favourite retentive agents appeared at the head of the table.
"You may go for second helpings in a moment, but first we would like to inform you about your plans for the day," Wiltord said in a toneless voice.
Jason and Zack regained their seats. How could they do anything but?
"Billy, you already know that you are expected back to work with Agent Martin again today," Evans began. "We would like Miss Kwan and Miss Childes to accompany you there. We are aware that you two will be more tired than others after yesterday's ordeal, and being up there will provide less strain for you."
Trini and Tanya nodded their thanks, neither sure whether this comment was meant as a compliment or an insult.
"As for the rest of you, you will be aware that Agent Williams brought back a lot of paperwork from Charlie Kenward's office, as did I from the Conner's house. We'd like your help in sorting out the significant from teh worthless as soon as you've finished breakfasting."
"I know that Billy, Tanya and Trini will know about what goes on in Detroit, but will there be any way that we can find out as quickly as possible?" Jason asked quickly before the agents had the chance to turn away.
Wiltord raised an eyebrow. "I dare say that could be arranged," he said. "Billy, when you get up to the control room, ask Agent Martin to inform Room 323 when any news is reported."
Billy nodded in conformation, and they walked back to their sentry post.
"At least we're not doing anything complicated," Zack said, second helpings momentarily forgotten. "This sounds about as much as I could handle."
"Ditto," Adam said. "Let's hope that this is the last day we spend in this mind-numbing room of doom."
"Sorry to break it to you, sweetie, but Tommy, Kat and Kim won't be back until tonight. I doubt we'll be out of here before this time tomorrow," Tanya broke to him.
"Damn."
*Sara's Boutique, 11:45*
*Detroit, Michigan*
"I look like white trash," Kim complained, pulling down the hemline of her bright red skirt in a vain attempt to make it longer. "I thougt Kyle Hicks was a businessman? Doesn't that mean that he'd prefer someone looking a little less like she just stepped off Jerry Springer 'I got kidnapped from the FBI'?"
"The girl's got a point," Kat said, surveying the blue crop top and red skirt.
Emma Cresswell threw up her hands in defeat. "Fine. Kat, run and pick out something businesslike, but we only have fifteen minutes before Kim has to be at the cafe."
Kat stepped away, and returned a couple of minutes later with a longer grey skirt, a sleeveless white blouse and a light jacket. "Will this do?"
"Yes, that's fine," Emma said, and quickly shepherded Kim back into the dressingroom. "Time is running out, hurry!"
Ten minutes later the purchases had been made, and the three women were just a few paces away from Cafe Delta's entrance. Agent Perry and Tommy had entered moments before. All they were waiting for was the phone call to confirm that Hicks was inside, and then it would eb action stations.
"Kim, you can't wear those!" Kat suddenly yelped, pointing down to Kim's battered Nikes.
"No-one even mentioned footwear back in the shop?" Kim defended. "Is there time to go back?"
There was no time left. Agent Cresswell's phone rang twice, the signal to go ahead. She merely shrugged, and said,
"You'll have to make up some sort of chronic foot disorder. Now go!" And for the second time in a quarter of an hour, Kim was pushed somewhere she didn't want to go. Except that there had been next to no chance of beign killed in the cramped dressingroom of Sara's Boutique.
Just remember that there are twenty people in there looking out for you Kim thought as she opened the door to the cafe and walked inside. Including Tommy - don't look at him! - He's never let you down yet, and god knows he's had enough reasons to.
After purchasing a simple black coffee, Kim identified Kyle Hicks immediately from the numerous photos she had been shown. This is it, she realised, manoeuvering through the web of tables without so much of a glance to anyone else.
Calm. Collected.
Everything she wasn't inside, but would have to exude in order to succeed.
"Is anyone going to be sitting here?" Kim asked, in her best 'I'm a businesswoman who really likes the look of you' voice.
Kyle looked up, and didn't hide his appreciation very well. "No, sit down." He folded up the newspaper that he had been reading, and waited until Kim was settled before beginning conversation. "I don't think I've ever seen you in here before."
Kim shrugged, and took a sip of coffee. "I like trying new places. I've heard this place is pretty friendly, so I thought I'd check it out."
"We're an accommodating bunch," Kyle acquiesced, and proferred a hand for her to shake. "Kyle Hicks. I work for Langley and Kaye, the accounting company a couple blocks down."
"Kelly. I work out of town." No more information than is absolutely necessary
"Out of town, huh?" Kyle asked. Upon her nod, he looked reflectively around the crowded cafe. "Don't think I've ever seen so many out of towners in here before. I only recognise a few people."
Kim smiled and held his gaze, successfully resisting the tempation to look over at where Tommy and Agent Perry were sitting. "Can't help you there."
There was a pause, which Kim felt obliged to break. "It's a long time since I've been in this part of town. I don't even recognise the social areas anymore." Take the bait. Please take the bait.
"Well, if you're planning on sticking around, I'm always free for pretty women like you who need a hand," Kyle informed her, thankfully just stopping short of leering.
Kim blushed modestly, and looked down into her cup. Ask me what do, you asshole! Then I can tell you and this will all be over!
*10:05am local time, Control Room*
*Sitka Bau, NM*
"Everyone's in the cafe," Byran said, hanging up the phone to look at Billy, Trini and Tanya. "Realistically we're looking at a twentyfive minute gap before we'll hear anything more."
Billy nodded. "Anything of significance happening?"
Bryan shook his head. "Not from what I've heard, and apparently they won't be too hard to capture anyway. They wouldn't have sent your friend in if he was going to be overly dangerous."
Trini crossed her fingers and fervently hoped with all her heart that everything would go to plan. A glance at Tanya proved that she was doing exactly the same thing.
*12:10 local time*
*Cafe Delta, Detroit*
Five minutes of idle chatting. Five minutes where Kim alternated between being bored to death and scared to death.
Still, she now knew that Kyle's preferred beverage was a double espresso, he hated his job, and had a 'happening' social life. And hopefully the figurative tables of conversation would turn.
Soon.
"She's doing a good job," Agent Perry reassured Tommy, who was having obvious trouble in controlling his urge to go over to Kim and get her out of danger. "Any minute now, he'll stop being so self-obsessed and start asking Kim about herself. As soon as that happens, Cresswell will get up from her girl-bonding table over there and be ready to restain him."
Tommy nodded, only slightly appeased. "And what about the wife?"
He merely waved his hand in the air. "The woman's as timid as a mouse. Why do you think she's put up with having Kyle as a husband for so long? In my opinion she'd only involved in this because the only other option was death."
Emma Cresswell, Kat and two other female agents would look like any other group of women having a get-together to the impartial observer.
But their eyes strayed a little too often to the couple just two tables away. And all four of them were a little too quiet, all trying to pick up snatches of conversation.
"Hurry up and ask her what she does already," Cresswell said in a deliberately chatty tone. "You'd think he'd be able to get off his personal promotion trip for two seconds to ask the lady what she does."
No name mentioned.
For all intents and purposes, they were four women enjoying cups of coffee while people watching. Not FBI agents waiting for the hallowed words to be finally spoken.
"So, Kelly, what is it exactly that you do?"
Wordlessly, Emma Cresswell got up from the table.
She could have been going to order another cup of coffee, or even a slice of cake. But the handcuffs cleverly concealed within her grasp dispelled all amateur theories.
"I was wondering when you were going to ask me that," 'Kelly' said flirtatiously. She leaned in closer to Kyle, and whispered in his ear. "You see, my job should be of particular interest to you."
"Oh, really?" Kyle asked, all sorts of ideas floating in his head, not all of them completely legal.
"You see, my job is to make sure that people like you don't have the freedom to walk the earth. That they get what they deserve," she said, still in the same flirtatious tone. Emma Cresswell appeared behind him, and many of the 'customers' also stood up. "You see, I'm an FBI agent, Kyle. And you've just been rumbled."
*10:45am, local time*
*Sitka Bau, NM*
Although no-oe had voiced their fears, the situation was getting more tense by the minute.
Bryan couldn't keep his eyes off his watch. Agent Cresswell should have checked in nearly half an hour ago if all had gone well. The extra delay only added to his worries.
Billy, Trini and Tanya weren't thinking about what could have happened to cause the delay in communications. There was an occasional "Ring, phone, RING" muttered, but apart from that their corner of the room was silent.
It's surprising how, when you're waiting for the phone to ring, the sound of it surprises you even more.
Billy's hands were shaking so much it took more concentrated effort than it should to pick up the telephone handset. "Billy Cranston?"
"Billy, it's Agent Cresswell."
He never thought he would be so glad to hear the woman's perpetually serene voice in his life. "What's been happening?"
She gave a funny half-laugh, or some sort of emotion between a snort and a laugh. "We got them in the end, although not without a few minor injuries. Kim got caught offguard before I restrained Kyle Hicks and consequently has a black eye in retaliation Tommy broke Kyle's nose."
Now Billy _knew_ that Agent Cresswell was smiling. As was he, although he couldn't explain it. "Anyone else?"
"Somehow no-one found out that the shy and retiring Sarah Hicks is actually a black belt in judo, so she gave a couple of agents at her end a few problems. We're required to send them to Sitka on a different plane anyway, so it doesn't matter. Agent Perry and a few other of our intimidating agents are going along for the ride."
"ETA of return?" Billy asked, not letting his jubilation at his friends safety show through.
A pause to work out the time differences, then, "I would think about midnight, but I'm not completely sure. Don't set it in stone."
"Okay," Billy said, but the line was already dead. He turned to impart the information to the others. "They're on their way back...she didn't say specifically but I think minor injuries is probably what held them up. Kim got a black eye and Tommy punched Kyle for his troubles."
Trini laughed, her first all day. "Sounds like the Tommy we all know and love."
Tanya shook her head. " I can't believe they got away with it."
"If you like, you can go and tell your friends in person about what's just happened," Bryan suggested. "I can handle the hourly checkins, and there isn't really that much to be done in between anyway."
"Sounds good," Tanya said, jumping up from her chair with energy she didn't know she had to use, and stretching her muscles.
"I'm glad that one of us feels halfway human," Trini moaned, getting up from her chair with considerably more effort. "What room is it again?"
"Room 323," Bryan called after them.
"Now that it's over, we can finally start to think about being free," Tanya mumbled as they began to search for the elusive room.
"Yeah..." Trini said wistfully.
"Let's not think too much, in case they want us - or make us - stay on," Billy cautioned as one corridor faded into another.
"You're still not convinced they're going to let us go?" Trini asked her boyfriend. He considered her question,and replied,
"I have no clue one way or another, and that's the honest truth. I just can't figure out either way what's going to happen."
A collective sigh. It looked as though they'd have to wait even longer for the verdict on their futures.
"Ah-ha! It would make sense that Room 323 would be on the third floor," Tanya commented. "So we need to find some stairs..."
"Easier said than done in this place..."
*Plane*
With Agent Perry on the other plane looking after the bad guys, Agent Cresswell had decided to step down the career ladder for a day and sit in the area wher Tommy, Kim and Kat were sitting.
There were her reasons for sitting there, after all Emma Cresswell never did anything without a reason. She needed to talk to Katherine alone, and now was as good a time as any. So while Tommy and Kim were sorting out her rapidly swelling eye, Emma began a potentially precarious conversation.
"Katherine, I don't want to cause any upset, but I think there's a topic we need to talk about."
Katherine looked at her, genuinely puzzled. She was still recovering from the general turmoil that had erupted after Kim's revelation that she was an undercover FBI agent. For a while the agents dotted around the cafe had struggled to restrain Kyle, and it had been more than a little scary. "Okay..." she said haltingly.
"I've picked up on some sort of... I don't know, physical attraction between you and Agent Perry." Kat's eyes widened, but found herself speechless to deny it. "I'm not trying to stop it, as long as that's as far as it goes. But I don't mind sharing with you that inter-agent romances are frowned upon at Sitka. Don't ask me why, but it seems to be the base where single people are sent."
Kat found her voice. "I wouldn't act on it," she assured Emma.
"I'm glad," Emma said. "I just wanted to make it clear that it's a little obvious, and frowned upon."
Kat nodded, and let her thoughts wander. It was a attraction, but she had already told herself she wouldn't let it go any further.
But if it was that obvious...
"Ow," Kim mumbled, as Tommy put ointment on her eye as gently as he could.
"Sorry," he said, looking at her. "I'm going as gently as I can."
"It's okay," Kim said. "I have a feeling it would hurt no matter how gently you put that yellow stuff on."
"Wouldn't be surprised," he said, and after a while discarded the bottle of ointment. "There you go, all done." Kim had been perched on the arm of a chair, and Tommy squashed in beside her. "How are you holding up?"
Kim sighed, and laid her head on his conveniently-placed shoulder. "I want to go home."
"Where did you say you were before all this?" Tommy asked.
"San Diego..." Kim said quietly, her eyes now closed. "I doubt I've got a job to go back to though."
"They said our jobs would be covered," Tommy reassured, then realised he didn't really want her to go all the way back to San Diego. "Then again..."
Kim laughed. "Then again, someone not a million miles away would quite like it if I stayed in Angel Grove, am I right?"
"How do you do that with your eyes closed?" Tommy marveled.
"It's a gift," she said. "And don't bargain on me going back to my crappy job if a better offer comes up."
"I'll keep it in mind," Tommy told her, planting a light kiss on her forehead.
"Let's just get through the next 24 hours before we start planning for the future," Kim said, feeling sleep about to close in. "You never know what tomorrow might bring."
