Pawns

Chapter Six: Linger

Thursday, June 5th

"Um… excuse me, Miss?"

The woman in question turned away from the small window through which she could see the undulating plains of middle America. "Yes?"

The middle-aged businessman seated next to her shifted, his smoky blue eyes almost glittering with excitement as he got a better look at her face. "You're Kim Hart, right?"

She smiled broadly. "You got it!"

He clapped his hands in delight. "I thought so! I saw that CNN Sports special on the Pan Global medalists last week. You were spectacular on the balance beam!"

She blushed at his enthusiasm. Through the corner of her eye, she saw the passengers in surrounding rows perk their ears to the conversation. Some gazed at her in awe, others in unabashed excitement.

"Can I have an autograph?" he pleaded, digging through his briefcase. To Kim's surprise, he pulled out the latest issue of Sports Illustrated, were Kim and the rest of the women's team were featured on the cover. "My daughter adores you!"

Such is the life of a celebrity.

Kim knew her fame was short-lived; gymnastics was hardly a national addiction like baseball or football. However, for the next few weeks, much of the country would be buzzing about the incredible victory of the United States women in the Pan Global gymnastics meet.

Ever since the 1996 Olympics, in which the U.S. women took the gold in the team competition for the first time in years, American gymnastics had become respected. The burden was upon Coach Schmidt's team to maintain the new prestige of the sport, by performing at a similar level as their Olympic counterparts. It was a great stress to the team, but they proved to the world yet again that U.S. women could balance, flip, roll, swing, and leap as well as any Eastern European team.

Kimberly took exceptional pride in her own performance. She'd nailed her balance beam routine flawlessly, scoring one of the three perfect 10s in the entire meet. All the more amazing was how she managed to collect her bearings enough to even get on the beam, after the earth-shattering discussion she'd had with Jason.

For the first time in months, the gold medal wasn't foremost in her thoughts. After Jason bid her goodnight, Kim found herself too agitated to sleep. She kept swaying between hope, that perhaps the pain of the past few months had been due to a complicated series of misunderstandings, and outrage that she would even entertain the thought of seeing Tommy's face again.

That face… with the gentlest, most genuine grin she'd ever seen. With the warmest, deepest eyes she'd ever gazed into.

What would she do when she saw that face again?

Was she strong enough to maintain some self-respect? Could she stand firm as she faced love lost, or would her knees buckle when she saw him with Katherine?

It deeply disturbed her that, after so many weeks, so many feelings lingered.

A fitful night bled into daytime, and all too soon, the Pan Global Games were upon her.

A cold sweat had broken out on her skin the first morning of competition. However, she managed to put aside the burning insecurities and ghastly scenarios her imagination generated whenever she wondered what she'd say to Tommy when she saw him face to face.

As the Pink Ranger, she learned how to fire her Power Bow with a steady hand, even as the Green Ranger struggled for his life against Lord Zedd's Secada monster. She'd been able to hit her target flawlessly, pushing aside her concerns, as well as the pressure of knowing all her friends were counting on her.

As a world-class gymnast, she was able to bury her heartache in order to focus on the task at hand. She rebounded from despair, pouring every ounce of her soul into her practice. She wouldn't let the pain beat her.

And when her big moment came, as she emerged from the bench amidst the blinding stage lights, scattered camera flashes, and thundering applause… she lived and breathed in that moment alone. Her mind was swept clean of everything save the artistry of her performance.

But once the competition was over, and all the parties and photo shoots were behind her, there was nothing to distract her from the humiliating encounter that rested in her immediate future.

She smiled demurely, chatting about her hard work with her in-flight neighbor as she signed the magazine. It didn't take long for other surrounding passengers to speak up, some even pulling out their cameras to snap pictures with the champion. But behind the calm smile she'd mastered, her heart raced in her chest, anxiety thundering her mind so loudly, the whole experience seemed surreal.

All too soon, the Boeing 757 began its descent.

oooOOOooo

"Kim! Over here!"

Kimberly followed the call, heaving her duffel bag more securely over her shoulder as she cut through the crowd exiting the plane. Her gaze landed on Jason, who waved eagerly to get her attention.

"You know, you were a lot easier to see in a crowd with those bright red shirts," she teased, leaning in for a quick hug.

"You seem to be going for subtle too," he answered, taking in her black cotton tank dress, "I figured you'd be wearing the Stars and Stripes."

She giggled. "Sure, and a gold medal hanging from my neck, just begging for attention."

She then looked around the surrounding area. "Did you…"

"I came by myself," he answered, taking her bag as the pair began walking. "I didn't even tell the guys you were coming."

She smirked. "So you want me to catch them by surprise?"

"It wasn't intentional; I haven't even seen any of them in weeks," Jason revealed with a shrug. "Keeping the world safe for humanity keeps them busy. And now, Tommy, Rocky, and Adam are volunteering for a charity tag-team match. They're representing Little Angels Orphanage."

"How noble," she commented. She couldn't keep all the sarcasm out of her words.

"So," Jason continued, ignoring the bite of her tone, "I figured we'd hang out for a couple days. Just you and me. The tournament's on Saturday, so maybe we can swing by and see the gang after they win?"

He grinned reassuringly when he noticed her hesitant expression. "Until then… how 'bout some fun in the sun? I was thinking, maybe we could rent a boat, go scuba diving-"

She tried to bite back a smile. "Not yet. First, it's time to celebrate the end of my diet! I'm having a sundae with all the fixings! Fudge, marshmallow, sprinkles, M&Ms, whipped cream…"

Jason laughed aloud, wrestling with the image of the petite young woman downing a gallon of sugar in one sitting.

oooOOOooo

"And now, representing the United States of America… Kimberly Ann Hart!"

The announcer's voice was drowned out as the enthusiastic audience fell into raucous applause for the formerly unknown athlete that sprang upon the public like a shining star.

The applause faded as the athlete strode confidently to the balance beam, her energetic smile easing into a mask of concentration.

"And there she goes, bouncing onto the beam and starting her routine with a series of handsprings. I have to say, Dave, it's remarkable I've never even heard of this girl before the Pan Globals!"

"I agree, Marv. Coach Gunther Schmidt found this gem in a last-minute scouting trip before the heavy training for the Pan Globals began. He stumbled upon her in Angel Grove, California, a small city that's become world famous for Power Ranger sightings."

"What's most impressive is her consistency. Through all the preliminary rounds, I have yet to see her make a mistake on the beam. And she's only been a professional athlete for less than a year!"

"Born and raised in Angel Grove, Miss Hart was a cheerleader throughout middle and high school, an honors student, and served as class pres-"

A tap of the "mute" button brought an end to the pointless babbling, letting Tommy sit back and absorb the performance. He studied every leap, bend, twist, twirl, and sway as he watched the routine he knew won a perfect score.

He continued watching as she flipped off the beam, sticking her landing perfectly. She threw her arms up, performing the appropriate bows, but the mask of concentration was broken. Her eyes shone with unshed tears as she absorbed the magnitude of her success.

He'd seen the entire program before, with the other Rangers in the den of his house. But while he cheered right along with them, he was almost upset that they had intruded on such a personal moment.

The first time he would see Kimberly since the breakup.

Tommy understood, and even appreciated, that his friends had been worried about him. Katherine suggested the gathering, plainly stating that he 'shouldn't be alone' for the program.

That was true. He shouldn't have been alone. He should have been there, screaming in the stands with everyone else, showing his love and support.

Yet he wasn't invited.

After the initial heartache, Tommy resigned himself to just being "friends" with Kim. But rather than call her, and put her in any awkward position, he waited for her to contact him.

Nothing. No phone calls, e-mail, or further letters. None of the other Rangers stayed in touch with her either; unless they didn't tell him about it.

If they had been able to maintain a friendship, even a distant one, he would have felt some sort of closure. He wanted to understand what went wrong, and what they could salvage from their long-held affection for one another.

But, he wouldn't be selfish. He wouldn't just appear at her doorstep during the Pan Globals… the most stressful time in her life. He wouldn't force her to deal with a subject that probably still hurt her on some level.

By not inviting him, Kimberly had in effect told Tommy she'd rather him not be present. Perhaps he was distracting, or unnerving to her. Or, perhaps she wanted to avoid an uncomfortable meeting with her new boyfriend. Sure, she may have stated they'd be good friends in her letter, but even brothers have been torn apart for love of the same woman.

And after all those months, he still loved her. Despite all she put him through, all that her lukewarm letter and subsequent silence had done to him… even despite his "more than friendship" with Kat, he still carried that affection.

And as he watched her gasp and tremble as the judges revealed their scores, he smiled. Despite everything, he loved to see her happy.

The program continued, and an exuberant Kim hurried back to the bench, received by the open arms of her entire squad. As she hugged each male gymnast or assistant trainer fervently, his smile faltered. Now, his focus was back to the primary reason he studied the recording.

Which one is he?

Which one was the "someone else" that had stolen her from him?

He was overcome by curiosity… as well as a burning shame for that curiosity. True, he was only watching what was broadcast over the entire world, but no one studied the tape like he did. As he watched her expression, and just how tightly she hugged each one, and how long each hug lasted, and who kissed her, and how close their kisses inched to her lips… he felt like he was spying on her.

"What's wrong with me?" he sighed, shaking his head in astonishment. "I haven't laid eyes on her for three months, and as soon as I see her again, I… can't help myself."

He leaned heavily into his chair, fast-forwarding a string of commercials, medal ceremony, and more commentators. He had intended to cut straight to Kim's interview, but something in the fast-frame motion caught his eye. Something he'd missed when he watched the live airing with the Rangers.

Jumping in surprise, he paused the tape.

He frowned, a mixture of black rage and a numbing disbelief clouding his mind.

There was the man he was looking for.

They were frozen on the screen, far more intimate than any other of the men Kim interacted with at the Pan Globals. Rather than a brief hug, or airy kiss on the cheek, they were entwined in a fierce embrace. His muscled arms held her tight around the waist, lifting her off her feet. Her arms were wrapped firmly behind his neck, a bouquet of pink flowers hanging from her fingers.

That was what he had been looking for. Before, this "other guy" wasn't real to him. Kim didn't mention a name in her letter, or any traits more specific than "wonderful, kind, and caring." It was difficult for Tommy to picture what kind of guy could've taken Kim from him; how some stranger managed to pry his way between them.

Now, Mr. Suave was a person. His arms cradled her to his chest. His neck was wrapped within her eager arms. He shared what was probably the most important single event in Kimberly's life.

And his face was hidden by Kim's shoulder.

So Tommy jammed the "play" button with far more force than was necessary, and watched the couple unlock their embrace.

And as Tommy watched Mr. Suave's face emerge, he realized that nothing could have prepared him for the shocking twist.

"No… this can't be right… it can't…"

His mind swimming in denial, Tommy continued muttering as he rewound the tape. He watched the program return from commercial break, with two announcers trading lame jokes and other comments. Then, the camera shifted back to the celebration, where all the newly-medaled gymnasts were surrounded by friends and family.

He watched Kimberly hug and kiss her mother, father, stepfather, and younger brother.

Then, a new person showed up. Tall and strong, with something hidden behind his back. Kim had rushed to him, whatever words were exchanged were muted by the microphoned commentators off-screen.

Then, the man kissed her forehead. The flowers were then presented.

And Kim leapt into his arms.

Leapt into Jason's arms.

To Be Continued…