Part III
Kim was awake. Just like that. Long gone were the days of lazing about in the bed and slowly getting used to the idea that she wasn't asleep any longer. It was as if someone had flipped a switch. As always, the first thing she was aware of was the pain. Sometimes it was the dull ache of old injuries; other times, it was the sharp fire of new ones. Today's was in the latter category, and as always, she pushed the pain to the back of her mind. Next, she took in her surroundings--again, a habit she had to develop. She never knew if she'd wake up in the same place she fell asleep. She had been in a bed . . . a nice soft one (so much nicer than a hotel's!); however, that wasn't where she was at the moment. She was laying on something hard and soft, warm, and moving! She felt something pinning her arms, but it didn't feel like a restraint.
She opened her eyes . . . she rarely did that first any more. If she had been taken, she didn't want her captors to know she was awake; it would give her a slight edge. At the moment, she didn't feel as if she was in danger. In fact, she felt safer than she had in a long, long while. Under her cheek was a bright red t-shirt, and the chest underneath it rose and fell with even breaths. She was in someone's lap, an arm cradling her protectively. She felt a chin resting against her head; it was a familiar feeling . . . one she hadn't enjoyed in ages.
Tommy . . .
Her body went taut. What was she doing? Every moment she stayed, she was putting Tommy in greater danger. That's why she had let him go... She had to go... she should go... but Kim couldn't move. She didn't want to move. It just felt so good. She closed her eyes again and buried her face in the tear-dampened shirt clutched to her bosom. It was her most cherished possession, the only thing she had kept of Tommy's when she cut him out of her life--her heart. The thought that she had nearly lost it had been devastating. Last night she hadn't realized it, but now she could detect the faint traces of smoke about the fabric. The fire . . . Tommy could have been killed!
Then, she became aware of other scents: the tang of Tommy's sweat, the spice of his aftershave, and the delectable aroma of pancakes and bacon. How long had it been since she had eaten breakfast? Hell, when was the last time she had eaten--period? Well over twenty-four hours for certain.
"You can stop pretending to be asleep, Beautiful."
Hearing Tommy's soft, warm voice rumbling up from his chest--hearing him call her by his pet name for her--nearly brought Kim to tears again. It hurt so much being without him. She shouldn't let her guard down. She knew Tommy had gotten together with Kat; even being in London, Kim couldn't imagine that Kat would let him go. Tommy shifted, tilting her chin up. His smile threatened to break her heart.
"How'd you know I was awake?" she murmured.
"Your stomach gave you away. Hungry?"
Kim hated to admit it, but her empty belly emitted an ignominious growl. She blushed.
"Come on, Aunt Jess is a great cook."
"I shouldn't, Tommy . . . I can't stay . . . you're in danger . . ."
"I thought you were tired of running . . . tired of being the warrior . . . of being alone."
Kim blinked, surprised.
Tommy reached over and tapped the cover of the journal resting on the bed beside them. "I know I shouldn't have looked, but . . ." he confessed sheepishly.
"You know about everything?" she asked in a tiny voice.
"Everything."
It had been months since she had felt the urge to cry, and here she was on the brink again in less than twenty-four hours. And his tone . . . it was almost enough to make her dare to hope... She looked up into his face. She could see that he had questions. "What is it?"
"We can talk about this later . . ." Tommy offered, not wanting to press her.
"The one thing I've learned is not to put something off . There might not be a later," she said bleakly. "Will you tell me, or should I guess? Is it about the letter?"
"No."
Kim could not hide her surprise; she would have thought that would have been the foremost question in his mind. Tommy chuckled a bit at her expression.
"You explained that in your journal," Tommy reminded her, "and even if you hadn't, after seeing you last night, I would have had to been as dense as Bulk not to have figured out that you still cared."
Kim racked her brain, trying to remember what she had said and done last night, but things were just so hazy. "How . . .?"
"I know because of this," Tommy murmured, plucking at his old shirt. "You didn't really care about getting the diary back, but this . . . your face lit up with such relief when you saw it, and the way you cried into it, I could tell it still meant something to you . . . that I still meant something to you."
"It was my last link to you," Kim whispered, unconsciously nuzzling her cheek against the soft fabric, "the only one I could allow myself." Then, she recovered herself. "I suppose, though, that it doesn't really matter . . . " It hurt so much to have him know, knowing that his heart was no longer hers. She wished he hadn't read that damned book; he wasn't meant to see it until after she was gone . . .
". . . but it does, Kim," Tommy insisted. His expression brightened, becoming soft and warm--almost tender. "It matters because I still love you."
Again, all Kim could do was gape at him in amazement. However, when she found her voice, she sputtered, "but what about Kat? I thought you and she were . . ."
Tommy should have realized that Kim would think that after that business with Divatox; she couldn't possibly know that that's what showed him where his heart truly lie. If only she hadn't disappeared after the match....
" . . . not for some time," he replied, and they hadn't been a couple in the true sense of the word since they had received their Turbo powers. They had just been too stubborn to let go.
Kim didn't know what to say. True, she had prayed for a chance to explain to Tommy, to tell him how she still felt, but she never dreamed that he would still feel the same way about her. It was almost too good to be true.
As if sensing Kim's skepticism, Tommy tilted her chin up and smiled lovingly into her eyes. "Believe it, Beautiful. I love you." Then, his lips descended upon hers.
Time seemed to stand still for Kimberly as Tommy's lips molded against hers in a kiss that was as familiar as the flannel shirt she clutched and as brand new as the day. The old affection was there, but there was something deeper, stronger. It was an offering of himself; all she had to do was accept it. Kim knew she shouldn't, not while there was still such danger, but she felt herself responding anyway, taking what he offered and giving up herself in return. Tommy just as eagerly accepted.
"Tommy, what just happened?" she squeaked out when the need for air won out over the exchange of emotion.
"We've each regained the missing part of our souls," he replied, cradling her close.
"Tommy, I don't know if I can . . ." she began, pulling away. The hurt in his eyes was like a knife in her chest. "It's not that I don't love you . . . I do, more than life itself! It's just that I'm not the girl you fell in love with anymore. I've changed . . . I've had to in order to stay alive...."
"I don't call what you've been doing living: merely survival. I read your words. You're more warrior now than woman, but I also think that there's still a woman underneath the warrior. A warrior wouldn't have cried over a simple shirt. The Kimberly Hart I fell in love with is still inside you somewhere. We just have to find her, that's all."
Kimberly's long hidden emotions threatened to burst forth once again; however, the feeling-laden moment was disrupted by an undignified growling.
"Why don't we try and look for her after breakfast," Tommy teased just as his own belly announced its thoughts on being empty.
For the first time since her nightmare began, Kim laughed. She had thought for the longest time that she would never laugh again.
Kim slipped off Tommy's lap, stretched out, and realized something was missing.
"Um . . . where are my jeans?" she queried sheepishly.
"Over the chair," Tommy answer with a grin. The woman was still there, all right; after all, a warrior wouldn't have blushed at having been caught in nothing but panties and a t-shirt.
*
"Would you care for anymore?"
"No thanks, Mrs. Rush," Kim demurred, setting her fork down. Breakfast had been heavenly; she hadn't eat so much or so well in forever.
"Please, call me Jess."
"Thanks, Jess." Kim glanced over at Tommy who had been staring at her on and off throughout the meal. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing. For a while there, it looked like you could give Rocky a run for his money," Tommy chuckled, recalling their friend's notorious appetite. He immediately regretted his words when he saw Kim's crestfallen expression. How could he have forgotten that there had been times when it had been days between meals for her. He reached over and gave her hand a squeeze. "I'm sorry."
"You ready to head to the track? Your practice times yesterday were off pace considerably," John interjected into the awkward silence.
"Actually, I was wondering if I might have today off."
"Tommy, we leave for the Canyon Classic in two days."
"I know. I wanted to take Kim shopping," Tommy said.
Kim nearly spit out her mouthful of orange juice. "You want to take me shopping?"
"I remember how much you loved shopping," Tommy pointed out.
"But you hate shopping!"
"I used to go with you all the time."
"That's because you were too nice to tell me how much you loathed it."
"How'd you find out?"
"Rocky and Adam told me. Why do you think I stopped asking you to go?"
"You lost everything you had yesterday; you need to get a few things," Tommy insisted. He wanted to take Kim because he knew that she needed to do something fun to take her mind off her troubles, and shopping was something she had always enjoyed. Also, he wanted to take her because he wanted to spend every moment that he could with her. He cast an entreating look at his uncle. "Please?"
"Tommy's right; Kim does need to replace what she lost," Jess added, "and with those things after her, it would be better if she didn't go alone."
John gave Jess a look that seemed to say that he didn't need any further prompting. "Of course. You have today, but I need you on the track tomorrow if you're going to drive in this race."
"Thanks!"
*
When the hair dryer was finally silent, John knocked on the bathroom door. "Tommy? You going to come out of there sometime today? I thought you were going shopping."
The door opened and Tommy popped his head out. John noticed that his nephew's normally wavy locks had been painstakingly straightened.
"What made you decided to tame those wild curls, or do I even need to ask?" he asked, much to his nephew's discomfiture.
"Kim always liked my hair straight," Tommy replied sheepishly. He opened the door wider and grabbed for his shirt. John noticed that his hair wasn't the only thing Tommy had taken pains with. He hadn't seen the boy dress so in ages: boots, black jeans without all the extra room, and a white shirt.
"I take it Kim prefers you in white, too."
Tommy just shrugged.
"I'm not here just to give you a hard time about your wardrobe. Here." He handed Tommy a credit card. To Tommy's puzzled frown, he answered, "this one's on me."
"I can't...." Tommy demurred. He and Kim had already argued about his paying for her things. Although he had irrefutable logic on his side . . .how would you pay for anything anyway? Everything you had went up in smoke . . . Kim hadn't wanted to accept his charity; still, she had no other choice.
"And just how were you planning on paying for this shopping spree? Dipping into your savings?"
His uncle had hit it.
"No way, young man. You are not to touch that money. It's for college or for starting up your own school or for your wedding . . . but not for taking your girlfriend shopping."
"Kim almost wouldn't let me pay for her things, she won't let you...."
"How is she going to know?"
Looking at the card, Tommy saw his name on it, right underneath the business logo.
"If I have to, I'll rat on you to Aunt Elsa," Jon threatened good-naturedly.
Tommy flinched. Aunt Elsa was the one who set up the account for him in the first place; he knew he'd have to justify any withdrawal with her--large or small.
John knew that he had won. "If you must, call it a loan. I'll take out of your first large purse, okay? Get Kim what she needs-- and maybe some things that she doesn't."
"I planned to," Tommy admitted. "She's been on the run for so long, I don't think she remembers what it's like to just go out and have fun. I know I can't undo a year's worth of hard living in just one day, but I can try.... "
"Tommy? You about ready?" Kim called.
Tommy stepped around his uncle and found Kim standing in the hallway. She was dressed in one of his red t-shirts; it hung loosely on her petite frame, and she had it cinched about her waist with one of his aunt's scarves. She had borrowed a pair of Muriel's sandals, and even they were slightly too large for her. Tommy raised a curious eyebrow when he realized that she wasn't wearing a bra. Then, he remembered the wet lingerie hanging over the towel rack. Unless Kim had borrowed something from his aunt (who was hardly her size), she had nothing on underneath the shirt. Although he understood the necessity of the situation, he found the thought strangely unsettling, but he couldn't say why.
"You look great," Tommy said appreciatively. "That shirt looks a helluva lot better on you than it ever did on me."
"Thanks," Kim murmured self-consciously. It was the closest thing to a dress she had worn in ages, and she had all but forgotten how nice it felt to have a guy--especially Tommy--notice her. She surveyed his ensemble (especially how well the jeans fit) with equal appreciation.
"You two better get going," John urged as he made his exit. He shook his head and almost muttered "young love," but knew that this was more than puppy love. Kim and Tommy had passed through that a long time ago. Maybe his shot about the wedding wasn't that far off the mark.
* * *
Kim said little as the two headed towards the east side of the city. Tommy wondered if she was going to say anything at all; however she finally spoke up when he drove past the Wal-Mart.
"Why can't we stop there? I can get everything I need and...."
"Going to Wal-Mart is not what I call real shopping," he replied, recalling something she had once told him. "Come on, Kim; this is supposed to be fun."
"I don't think I know how to have fun anymore," was her soft answer.
"Then I'll teach you."
"Tommy . . . I don't feel comfortable in crowds. What if the Mercytes show up again? They don't care who's around when they attack. Innocent people could be hurt...."
"Kim, just for one day--just for today--I don't want you to worry about the Mercytes, all right? I'll keep my eyes peeled and stuff. Today, all I want you to do is enjoy yourself."
"I...." the protest died on Kim's lips when she saw Tommy's puppy dog expression. She had no defense against it. "I'll try."
"Good. Just let me take care of everything."
"I've gotten used to being self sufficient." Silence returned until Tommy pulled into the East Angel Mall. "This morning, Tommy, you wanted to ask me something--when I assumed that it was about the letter. What was it?"
"When all this started, why didn't you come to me for help?" Tommy asked; the answer to that question hadn't been found in the hastily scrawled words. Although he understood why she had done what she did, it still hurt that she hadn't turned to him when she really needed help. "I would have stood by you; I wouldn't have let you face these assassins all by yourself. And neither would Zordon and the others. You could have come to us for help...."
"No, I couldn't have," she said quietly. "Whoever is after me knows all about the Rangers...who we are, who our families are. While things were still in the threat stage, I was warned not to say anything to the Rangers otherwise their families would be...."
"Oh," Tommy whispered, fully comprehending at last that Kim really hadn't had a choice but to face her ordeal alone. He would have done the same thing. "Oh man, Kim; you have no idea how I wish I could have been there for you."
"There was nothing you could have done."
"But I can be there for you now."
"I can't let you, Tommy."
"I'm standing by you, Kim; I'll see this through to the end with you."
"There's a good chance that I won't survive."
"That doesn't matter. If they take you out; they'll have to take me out with you."
"Tommy...!"
"I'm serious. I tried living without you once; I won't do it again. Don't make me do it again," Tommy pleaded. The sincerity of his words caught both young people by surprise, but they were the truth that Tommy knew in his heart. "Let me help."
Kim wanted to refuse. She had sacrificed so much to keep Tommy alive; yet the thought of having him fighting by her side filled her with a hope that she thought she had lost. "You really want to see this through with me.?"
"Yes."
"All right, I--I accept."
Tommy reached up to brush away the diamond-like teardrops from her cheek. When the truck was safely parked, he leaned over and kissed her.
"Okay, no more sad faces. It's time to shop."
"You sound like I used to," Kim said, managing a grin. Tommy reached out for her hand; when she took it, he gave it a reassuring squeeze.
*
Tommy knew exactly where he wanted to go; Nordstroms' was one of Kim's favorite stores. Many was the time he thought she'd melt the plastic in this place. However, when Kim realized where they were headed, she balked. Tommy held up a hand to silence her protests.
"This is where I want to take you to shop," he insisted. Then, as an afterthought, he added, "It's also the only store I'm real familiar with."
Kim threw her arms around him. "After what I put you through, I don't deserve this."
"After what you've been through, you definitely deserve this. Come on; where to first? Lingerie?"
She cock an eyebrow at him.
"Considering you left your unmentionables drying out in the bathroom, I thought you might like to...." Tommy began delicately.
Kim blushed. She hadn't realized he had noticed.
The various ladies' departments occupied nearly the entire first floor of the store. With surprising ease, Tommy directed Kim to lingerie section; he had surprised himself by remembering the layout so well.
Tommy watched Kim as she made her selections: very plain, very sensible. Occasionally, he'd catch her glance over at the more feminine looking panties and bras, but she'd turn away with a wistful sigh. He knew what she was doing.
"Kim, you don't have to be so practical. You're not going to be living out of a backpack any longer. If you want something fancy, go ahead."
Kim flushed scarlet. She hadn't realized she had been so obvious. She was used to shopping for practicality and durability. She had had to limit herself to what she needed; her wants had ceased to be a consideration. Instead of replying to that, she countered with, "I can't believe you're standing here trying to help me pick out underwear. You used to wander over all over the place until I finished in this department."
Tommy simply shrugged. "The only time I'm letting you out of my sight is when you go into the fitting room."
"Speaking of which, I'd better go see if these fit," Kim said hastily. She wasn't sure what to make of Tommy's behavior. It was both discomfiting and heartening.
"You gonna model 'em for me?" Tommy teased, grinning broadly.
"Oh you...." Kim muttered, playfully swatting his arm. For a moment, it felt like old times.
While Kim was in the fitting room, Tommy wandered back over to the items that had caught her eye. He was pretty taken with the lavender set himself; as he recalled, Kim had looked pretty good in the shade when he saw her in it during the Muranthias mess. He glanced over at the dressing room, and the corner of his mouth twisted into a grin. If Kim wouldn't pick out some not-so-practical items for herself, he'd do it for her. He just had to figure out what size.
"May I help you?" the salesclerk asked.
"Actually, yes," he replied, hitting upon a plan. "You see, my girlfriend lost everything in a fire and...."
A short time later, the sales clerk returned with the empty packages; however, Kim was right behind her, looking rather annoyed.
"Why did you have to tell her that cockamamie story?" Kim hissed. "I have never been so embarrassed...."
"You couldn't try on anything else without underwear on, and I didn't want the clerk thinking you were shoplifting," Tommy explained reasonably as he took the other packages from her, adding them to the ones on the counter.
Kim let out a slow breath, knowing Tommy was right.
"Don't you need a nightgown, too?" he queried innocently.
Kim hadn't really thought about that; she had gotten used to sleeping in her clothes.
"And what about a robe or something?" Tommy continued.
"We don't have to get everything at once," Kim reminded him.
"Let's just see what they have," he suggested, and once Kim reluctantly wandered off, Tommy turned to the clerk. "I'd like to get her that lavendar set, and could you--um--help me and maybe pick out a couple of other colors?"
"Certainly, sir, and I take it they young lady is not to know?"
"Yeah, something like that." Flashing the clerk a grateful smile, Tommy hurried off to join Kim in sleepwear.
*
Hosiery was next, and Tommy made no objection to sensible white socks. In the shoe department, Kim wouldn't look at anything other than tennis shoes. Then came sportswear. Kim settled on the jeans readily enough, but she refused to look at the skirts or jumpers. Tommy managed to talk her into a couple of pairs of shorts, though. Plain t-shirts and a couple of button downs were all Kim would consider in tops, but Tommy snuck in a lacy midriff and a sassy pink top with spaghetti straps. He couldn't help the knowing grin he wore, and he was sure Kim was wondering why he was enjoying himself so much.
"I think that should do it," Kim sighed as she collected the bags from the clerk.
"Are you sure?"
"It's more than I've owned since Florida."
"You haven't even looked at the dresses yet," Tommy pointed out. "Wouldn't you like to take a peek?"
"I don't need a dress...."
"I didn't ask if you needed one. Come on, what would it hurt to look?" He was bound and determined that Kimberly was not leaving the store with out something that was pretty, feminine, and utterly not necessary. Something to make her feel special.
"You know, Kim; you don't always have to dress up. You'd look spectacular in anything you wore," he had said once upon a time.
"I like dressing up; it makes me feel special . . . especially when I dress up for you."
"Tommy Oliver, you are really acting weird," Kim muttered, but she was easily persuaded to wander over to the dress department. There were t-shirt dresses and lightweight floral prints that reminded Tommy of some of the dresses Kim used to have. He noticed that a rose colored tank dress with laces in the back caught Kim's eye.
"Try it on," he urged; to forestall her protest, he added, "You used to spend forever trying stuff on without buying it. While you're welcome to keep my tee, I'm sure you'd like to have something that fits a little better."
Kim bit her lip, glancing from the dress to Tommy. It really was tempting.
"It isn't that expensive, and it's even on sale," he continued, pulling out her old justifications for many of her purchases.
"Well...." she caved in.
"And if you're going to try on one, you might as well try two," he suggested, indicating the other dress she was eyeing.
She smiled up at him gratefully then scampered off. Tommy just shook his head. And she used to have such fun shopping. It made him angry to see Kim like this . . . on guard every minute, jumping at every little noise or flicker of shadow, unable to let herself go and enjoy something so simple as shopping; however, it wouldn't do for Kim to see his anger. It was as if their roles had reversed. He had always been the brooding one, the warrior/loner who needed to be drawn out, and she had been the optimistic one, the one who could bring light to his shadows. It was his turn to be Kim's light.
Tommy realized that Kim was taking an awfully long time; thinking that she might be fussing in front of the mirrors, he wandered back towards the fitting rooms. He found Kim by the mirrors all right, but she wasn't wearing either of the dresses she was supposed to try on. She was holding up a party dress and checking out her reflection. He smiled indulgently. Kim was more interested in frilly things than she was letting on. She finally caught him staring at her; with a guilty flush, she set the other gown aside. Without a word, she took the other dresses into the dressing room.
While Kim was occupied, he wandered over to see what it was that had caused Kim to smile so dreamily at her reflection. The thigh high dress was lavendar with a sheer violet lace overlay--a high tank neckline with an open back crisscrossed with thin straps, princess seamed, and the flared skirt had a fluted hem. Ha! I bet Kim never realized I paid that much attention whenever she and Aisha were going on about clothes class! It was a very elegant dress, and Tommy thought Kim would look absolutely wonderful in it.
"What do you think?" Kim queried, emerging from the fitting room in the rose print. She found Tommy studying the purple dress that had caught her eye. He looked up and smiled brightly.
"I thought you looked great in my shirt, but wow!"
"Should I try the other one?"
"Sure, but would you also mind trying this one on?" he asked, holding out the party dress. Seeing her reluctance, he added, "Indulge me, okay?"
"I've been indulging you all morning."
"Please? I'd really like to see you in this."
"All right," Kim agreed. She just wish Tommy wouldn't tempt her so; the dress was gorgeous, but she had no need of a party dress right now. Still, she really did want to see how it looked on.
As Kim vanished into the back rooms, Tommy drifted over to the display window, noticing that one of the mannequins was outfitted in the same dress with all the appropriate accessories from a silver hair clip, rhinestone jewelry, shimmering lavender hose, to silver sandals. Kim would definitely look spectacular in the outfit. He wandered back over to the counter as Kim stepped out of the dressing rooms.
"That dress was made for you," Tommy murmured as she spun around, causing the lacy overlay to fan out delicately. Kim seemed not to hear him as she examined her reflection. Absently, she pulled her hair up from the nape of her neck and piled it up on top of her head.
"What about a silver hair clip," Tommy suggested as he slipped up behind her, resting his hands on her shoulders. He found their reflections rather startling; there was something in them that he had never noticed before. They were only eighteen, but the couple that looked back at him in the mirror seemed so much older. The emotions in their faces were so much deeper than anything a teenager would know. Their reflection reminded Tommy of his parents . . . the way they would stand together, sometimes touching, sometimes not, but always together and so in love it was obvious to anyone who looked at them--even after twenty-some-odd years of marriage. It was the sort of thing he had always wanted for himself in a relationship. Once, he had thought that's what he had with Kimberly, but he had never seen it before . . . until now. Impulsively, Tommy softly kissed the side of her neck.
The distant, dreamy gaze left Kim's eyes. "Tommy, no. It's too expensive, and I have no place to wear something like this."
"They do have victory dinners after the races, you know."
"Tommy, please. I . . . I just can't...."
He could see that she had fallen in love with the dress; it hurt for her to say no to it, but there was no way she could justify it to herself.
"All right . . . for now, but once we get this business of your's settled, we're coming back here to get it," he informed her.
"We'll see."
Once Kim went to get changed (after a final, wishful glance in the mirror), Tommy turned to the sales clerk. "Do you think you can find me the same items that the mannequin has on--including the shoes in a size 7?"
Kim would kill him, but he didn't care. It was just the thing she needed.
*
"I don't remember there being this many bags," Kim noted as she and Tommy carted the packages out to the truck. "I didn't think I bought all that much."
Tommy just shrugged and said nothing.
"I really do appreciate this, Tommy," Kim sighed. "I just wish it wasn't necessary."
"I wish you'd let me do more for you." He opened Kim's door for her; she gave him a puzzled look as she slid into her seat.
"Are we heading back to the track?" she queried.
"Nope, at least not for a while. I figured we'd grab some lunch then take care of a few other things."
"Lunch? I've already eaten more today than usual."
"I know." He shuddered at the somber reminder. "I know it'll take some getting used to, but you're not on the run any longer. You've got to start taking better care of yourself," Tommy chided gently.
"And if I don't, you will?"
"Damn straight."
Tommy was being excessively protective, and although it rankled somewhat, Kim loved him dearly for it. "So, where are we headed for lunch?"
"Trust me. You'll enjoy it."
Since Tommy wasn't going to be more forthcoming, Kim settled back to enjoy the ride.