Just Away
By SparklyTree3876

Rating: PG-13/R

Genre: Romance/Adventure

Pairings: Tommy/Kim, Rocky/Aisha, Billy/Kat, Jason/Trini, Zack/Angela, and Adam/Tanya

Author's Notes: Hi, readers. I would like to present a new Mighty Morphin Power Rangers fic. It is AU set during part one of "A Different Shade of Pink" and shows Kim being saved by Kat after she is injured and learning some news that turns her and Tommy's lives upside down as well as things becoming more complicated when she learns she is not who she thought she was. The idea for this fic came to mind when I wondered what could happen if Kim got two pieces of news that changed her life forever. As a result, it was born. I want to warn everyone ahead of time that this fic will have sexual content. Some of it will be intense. If you are uncomfortable with that, then I suggest you not read the chapters that contain it. Otherwise, you may read at your own risk. I hope you enjoy this fic. Constructive criticism is welcome.

XXXXX

Chapter 1: Unexpected Scenario

The early evening moon beamed its light on the Youth Center in late October. A raccoon wandered through the parking lot. It stopped close to the front door and sniffed at the air. It headed over to a trashcan that was close to the door. It stood up on its hindquarters and began pawing at the lid. It was eager to get at whatever was in there.

Four hours had passed since Lord Zedd and Rita Repulsa launched a series of attacks to wear Kim out. Their plan was a success as she fainted in Tommy's arms. He took her to his house as he didn't want to arouse suspicion from Coach Schmidt. His parents, Danny and Louise, were at work, so it was the perfect time. She napped for two hours there. After she woke up, she asked to be taken to the Youth Center later that evening, so she could catch up on her training. He was a little uncertain, but he agreed to do it. She called Ernie and asked him about leaving the balance beam up. He said he had no problem doing that. She thanked him for it.

The raccoon was about to get the lid off when it heard a vehicle approaching. It dropped to all fours and ran off. It squeaked loudly while heading around the corner. Tommy pulled his jeep into the lot. He stopped in front of the door. Kim took off her seatbelt and grabbed her bag from the floor. He glanced at her, a worried expression showing on his face.

"Thank you for dropping me off, Tommy," Kim said and breathed deeply. "Ernie was nice enough to say he'd leave the beam up, so I could work on all the stuff I missed today."

"Are you sure you're okay?" Tommy asked in uncertainty.

"I just felt a little dizzy, but I'm okay," Kim assured.

"Don't you think you should have someone here to spot you?" Tommy wondered and exhaled softly.

"Actually, Coach Schmidt said that he'd try and come after all his workouts were finished," Kim pointed out.

Tommy pressed his lips together. Though he was uncertain about leaving his girlfriend alone, he understood she could take care of herself. He recalled being surprised when she revealed she was adopted after Rita's spell over him was broken. He sympathized with her over her story of being orphaned as a newborn when her birth parents died under mysterious circumstances and that Ryan and Caroline were looking for a baby to adopt and chose her. He told her he was also adopted, though his birth parents abandoned him at a police station in Tulsa when he was a year old. He wondered if there was more to her after she mentioned she managed to defeat several of Rita's most powerful monsters on her own before he came along and witnessing her do the same to a few of Zedd's. He knew no Power Ranger should have such an ability.

"Okay," Tommy relented and let out a soft sigh. "If he doesn't show up, just let me know."

"I'll be fine," Kim responded and leaned over to kiss him on the cheek.

"Don't do too much. You're still a little tired," Tommy said and cleared his throat.

She nodded at him. "Don't worry. I won't. I love you."

He blew softly. "I love you too."

Kim exited the jeep. She walked inside as her boyfriend drove away. She entered the main room in which she found Ernie placing a chair on top of a table. She made her way to him.

"Hey, Ernie. Have you seen Coach Schmidt?" Kim asked.

"I'm sorry, Kim," Ernie answered sadly. "He said he had an appointment to get to, but he told me to tell you to keep on practicing and that he will see you tomorrow."

Kim sighed in frustration. "Damn it. I don't believe this. Hey, do you think I can just stay here and workout? I'll close up the Juice Bar when I'm done." She breathed a little hard.

"That's fine with me, but are you okay?" Ernie asked in concern.

"Yes, I am okay," Kim assured.

"Okay. You got it," Ernie said with a nod. "Remember to shut off the lights when you're done, all right?"

"Sure," Kim said and headed for the balance beam. "Bye!"

Ernie waved to her. "Bye."

Ernie headed out of the room. He went to the front door, going outside. He locked it with a soft whistle. He didn't see P.C. sitting on a table nearby. She watched him go around to the side. Just then, she turned into Kat. Kat looked upward, her breathing soft and steady. She gasped as a memory began to flow through her mind. Her heart started to beat a little faster.

The midmorning sun beamed its rays on Angel Grove Park. Trees dipped and swayed in the wind. Kat was talking to a boy, who had his back leaned against a tree. She giggled in a soft way while twirling her fingers around. She was unaware Rita was hiding behind another tree. Rita snickered as she watched them carefully.

"We arrived yesterday. We will be living here for quite some time," Kat said happily. "I think I will like it here."

"I hope you do like it in America," the boy replied warmly. "Did you see lots of kangaroos in Australia?"

"All the time," Kat admitted with a smile. "A young grey kangaroo decided to be mischievous when we went into the outback one time. She hopped up behind my dad and kicked him in his ass while he was admiring the scenery. He fell face first into a mud hole. Mom and I laughed aloud."

"I am sure he was a little embarrassed," the boy said.

"Actually, he thought it was good a kangaroo kicked him in the ass. He felt he could use such a kick there," Kat pointed out truthfully.

"Oh, I see," the boy commented. "It is…"

As the boy continued talking, Rita smiled in a malicious way. She gritted her teeth while snorting softly.

Kat blinked three times. She heard a vehicle start, but she didn't move from her spot. Ernie drove out of the lot in his brown BMW. It was faded in a few spots. A scratch was under the door handle on the driver's side. The lower right-hand corner of the windshield contained a tiny crack. Dirt could be seen along the sides. She swallowed hard as she continued to remember.

Rita was now close to the boy. He continued talking to Kat, who let out a soft giggle. She narrowed her eyes at him as he brought his hands to his ears. He stuck his tongue out and moved his head from side to side. He proceeded to make funny noises. She decided she'd had enough of his goofiness and aimed her wand at him.

A red energy wave shot out of the wand and hit the boy, turning him into a Tenga. Kat screamed in much fear as it cawed at her and stuck its hands out toward her. It disappeared from sight. She turned around and backed up against the tree. Rita came over to her, her face cold and serious. Kat felt her body shake badly. In fact, it shook so much that it seemed it wouldn't stop.

"Rita Repulsa," Kat mumbled.

"That's my name. Don't wear it out," Rita said, a cackle leaving her mouth.

"I've seen you and your monsters fight the Power Rangers on the news," Kat said, her heart pounding against her chest.

"Hasn't everyone?" Rita leered.

Kat whimpered. "What do you want with me?"

"I want you to help me destroy them," Rita responded evilly.

"No," Kat said, shaking her head.

Rita nodded rapidly. "Oh, yes. From this day forward, you will serve me and only me, Katherine. I command you in the name of all that is rotten and nasty!"

Rita moved her wand toward Kat. Red energy flowed into her as the girl leaned away and whimpered so quietly that the witch didn't hear her.

Kat began to breathe heavily. Her heart sped up somewhat as she swallowed hard. A car and a truck came from opposite directions on the street, but she didn't notice them. They passed each other and went out of sight. She proceeded to remember something else.

The early afternoon sun shined down on a Sydney pool. Kat stood on the edge of the high diving board. She was dressed in a one-piece pink bathing suit. Many people were watching from the stands below. This included her parents, Steven and Hilary. They smiled in much excitement. Kat took three deep breaths as she looked ahead.

"She's ready for her attempt," the announcer said. "She looks very focused. I like that."

Kat dove off the board. She spun around almost as if she were in slow motion. Suddenly, the crowd gasped in shock. Hilary took off her sunglasses. She and her husband stood up.

"Oh, no! She's struck her head. The poor thing has injured herself," the announcer said sadly. "So much for Australia's hope of Pan Global goals."

Steven and Hilary rushed toward the pool once Kat was out of the water. They looked very scared.

Kat gasped as she remembered what she had done to Kim. Her heart was pounding so much that it seemed it was about to leap out of her chest and land on the ground any second.

"Kim. Oh, no. What have I done?" Kat mumbled in much guilt. She jumped down from the table and rushed to the door. She began pounding on it. "Kim! Please, open up now!" She tried to open it, but she got nowhere. "Open up, Kim! Kim!"

Kat let out a frustrated sigh as she stepped back. Suddenly, she remembered the place had a delivery door. She ran for it, hoping it wasn't locked. She reached it, pulling it open. She sighed in relief and raced for the main room. She entered as Kim did a backflip on the beam. Kim landed, but she began to lose her balance.

"Whoa!" Kim yelled in fear.

"Kim!" Kat cried as the girl fell off the beam. "No!"

Kim landed on her side on the mat with a soft grunt. She lost consciousness quickly. Kat walked toward her. She knelt beside the mat once she reached her. She touched her forehead, sadness and guilt showing in her eyes. She looked about ready to cry.

"It's all my fault," Kat whispered. "It's all my fault."

Kim started to breathe, but she didn't get up from her unconscious state. Kat looked very worried. She knew she couldn't just stay there. She rose to her full height and rushed to the phone at the Juice Bar. She picked it up and dialed 911. She placed it to her ear. The phone rang loudly. A click came at the start of the second ring.

"911, what is your emergency?" a dispatcher asked.

"This is Katherine Hillard. My friend, Kimberly Hart, was practicing gymnastics at the Youth Center and fell off the balance beam. She hit her head really hard," Kat explained frantically. "She's unconscious. I need you to send an ambulance here right away."

"What is the address?" the dispatcher responded.

"It's 559 Fares Blvd," Kat said while listening to typing sounds in the background. "Please, hurry."

"I am sending one right now," the dispatcher said in a gentle way. "It should be there quickly. Stay with your friend."

"Thank you," Kat replied, a sob rising in her throat. "Bye."

Kat placed the phone back on its base. She made her way toward Kim slowly. She reached her, getting on her knees beside her. She could hear her breathing. Tears filled her eyes, threatening to fall. They did a second later. She placed her hand on her hair.

"Hang on, Kim. Help is coming," Kat whispered remorsefully. She wiped the tears from her cheeks. She knew Rita would not be happy she managed to break her spell. However, she didn't care anymore. She was determined to help the Power Rangers in any way she could. She whispered an inaudible prayer.