Light Quest
Prologue Part: 3
by: Molly
Disclaimer: I don't own them.
Author's Notes: Thanks to all who read and reviewed the previous chapters; I appreciate it more than you know. ( Please don't stop!! ( *******************************************************
Tears blurred the petite brunette's vision as the fiery sand scorched her knees and shins where she had so violently threw herself. p
Why? Why did it have to be this way? Why did he have to be so..so MEAN?p
Because you hurt him. She answered her own dumb question. How could Tommy have an ounce of respect for her? When he was fighting and saving the world to ensure *their* future together, she had found solace in the arms of another man. How could she have slapped him for saying what she deserved to hear?p
Because I DIDN'T show off my body to every guy in Florida--I was only close to ONE, and I didn't intend to show it off today, either! It didn't classify her as a slut.p
But it DID classify her as an unfaithful person.p
Her body was now racking with sobs--how can she ever repair what had happened between them? It was obvious Tommy didn't want her there. If he had ever seen her again after that letter it would have been too soon. But then again, she knew that this time would come; when everything would hit the fan. p
She also knew that she could never, in a thousand lifetimes, prepare herself for the blow.p
Her labored breathing stopped as she sensed someone behind her.
"He still loves you, you know."p
She turned to see Billy staring down at her, a look of understanding in his eyes.p
Kim sniffed and wiped away her own tears. "No way.", she said, her voice hoarse from crying.p
"Of course he does. Why else would he have said those things back there? Because it hurt him then, and it still hurts him today."p
"Billy, that hurt was replaced with bitter resentment. I betrayed him. I went behind his back and developed something between another man that should have only been meant for the two of us. I broke his heart like a knife in the chest. And now I just slapped him--physically attacked him-- there's absolutely no way that man still loves me--or feels anything other than hatred, for that matter."p
"There's a fine line between love and hate sometimes. He would love to hate you so he could forget what happened and move on. He also hates loving you when he feels it should be water under the bridge by now."p
"Did he tell you these things or are they just your little philosophy?"p
"He doesn't have to tell me, Kim. He doesn't have to tell anyone. We know. The only person that didn't know up until now is you and partially him because he won't admit it to himself. But we know that it's there--and so does he."p
Kim sighed. "Assuming that you're right, what should I do with this piece of knowledge?"p
Billy just shrugged. "First; you should know this: It's going to be rough for a little while. You're gonna take a lot of heat you won't deserve; I have a feeling. The best you can hope for is that he will come around. Meanwhile, you figure out what you want along the lines of a relationship or a friendship with him. And for crying out loud, don't go hitting him!."p
"I've made the biggest mistakes. The thing I cherished most is the one thing I destroyed--for myself and for him."p
"As long as you believe that, then that's exacly what it will stay--a disaster. But if you truly want to hang in there and change the situation for the better; you're going to have to think positively. Believe that there's hope for the two of you."p
"And if that hope is false?"p
"That's a risk you'll have to take."p
**************************************************************************** ******
Tommy swore under his breath as he rubbed his stinging jaw. Jason and Rocky noted the look of extreme aggravation on his face.p
Jason was the first to speak up to their leader--Rocky couldn't muster the courage just yet. The former White Ranger was an honorable, brave, and considerate man--but he was also incredibly temperamental.p
"You're going to have to make things right with her; you know."p
Tommy gave him a look that told him he should mind his own business. p
:"Look, Man; I know you don't want to hear this, especially right now, but things between you and Kim are just going to progressively get worse if you don't settle things SOON. Now, we've got a mission; a reason why we're here. We have a responsibility to Zordon and the world to find this Orb and defeat this demented psycho guarding it. YOU have a responsibility to YOUR team to keep things peaceful."p
"You're telling ME about MY responsibility to keep things peaceful, when that harlot slapped me?!?!" Tommy's anger was rising by the ten- folds.p
"Don't you EVER call Kim a harlot, slut, whore, skank, or bad name of any kind no matter WHAT you guys are going through, get it?", Jason hissed through gritted teeth. He had every intention of keeping this calm and rational, but Tommy was being down-right nasty where Kim was concerned--and Jason wouldn't take it.p
"I don't believe this. She cheats on me then tells me in a letter when I was nothing but wonderful to her, she accused me of being jealous, then she hits me, and still it's 'poor Kimberly' and I'm the bad guy.", Tommy shook his head. It not only angered him, but Jason's loyalty to Kimberly hurt him, too.p
"We're not taking sides, Tommy. ", Rocky stated calmly.p
"Just stay out of this!", Tommy fired back.p
"Calm down, Bro.", Jason said soothingly. He was still a bit angry, but he knew that when Tommy was like this; approaching him with harsh tones would just escalate things. Jason took a deep breath before starting. "I know what Kim did was wrong--VERY wrong. And I also know she cares a lot, though it's hard for you to see. I also know for a fact that she's hurting, too. You didn't see the look on her face after she slapped you. I knew that she regretted it that instant. Billy went to talk to Kim, and I know that she knows that she owes you an apology. A few apologies."p
Rocky picked up where Jason left off. "But both of you are going to have to talk; clear the air some--all this tension is making us an easy target. If this keeps building, when the time comes for us to fight, we're gonna get wiped out."p
Tommy was still seething, and they all knew it would take time for him to truly calm down. But for now he would push it aside, and deal with it for the rest of the team; he always wanted to do what was best for everyone involved. "Rocky; go find Billy and Kim; tell them they need to hurry and get back so we can get moving again."p
"Eye eye, Captain.", Rocky said, adding a dramatic salute.
**************************************************************************
The next couple of days were filled with tension. Kim knew she needed to apologize to Tommy; for hitting him if nothing else; but she also knew Tommy well enough to tell when he was unapproachable. The rest of the team felt it too, because they had steered clear of him as well.p.
Everything was strictly business; which in a way was good because they covered a lot of ground. But how long could they go on that? With very little comraderie and banter? What were her and Tommy doing to everyone else, as well as themselves?p
She knew changes had to be made--the situation between them was bringing everyone down as a whole. She also knew that she had to be the one to instigate these changes, too.p
Rocky's audible stomach growls had interrupted her train of thought.
"Man, I'm starved.", Rocky complained.
"We just ate breakfast four hours ago. We need to keep moving.", Tommy said.
"Hey Bro;", Jason started, rubbing his own stomach. "I'm kinda hungry myself; how about you, My Main Brain?"
"I could use some nourishment.", Billy stated.
"Kim?", Jason asked.
"If that's what everyone agrees to do, I'm up for it."
"Okay.", Tommy relented. After all, they DID last longer on full stomachs. "Then Billy, Rocky, and I will go look for food down by the stream. Kim and Jase; you guys can stay here and start a fire."p
"I looked for food down by the stream this morning for breakfast; there's nothing.", Kim stated. It was the first thing she had said to Tommy since the incident a few days ago.p
Tommy glanced at her and then back at his group. "You guys ready? The stream's a bit far, so we better go now if we plan to get back at a decent time."p
"O-kay.", Kim said rolling her eyes and turning away, showing obvious annoyance in his lack to take her word.p
Billy piped up. "Tommy, Kim just said that the place was lacking vegetation and bare."p
"It's okay, Billy. If he wants to waste all of our time because he can't take my word for it, let him.", Kim said. She definitely did not want another argument. But she was also sick and tired of putting up with Tommy's snotty, immature behavior towards her.p
Tommy turned around to face her. Oh, it was so on. "You think that you can be the Leader?", he said walking over to her. "You think that some shopaholic, valley girl, decked-out-in-pink cartwheeling mall addict such as yourself can do better than me?", Tommy challenged.p
Kim faced his challenge dead on. "I know that I could trust my teammates when they tell me helpful bits of information, instead of being a typical, stubborn male jerk that feels that he has to go back with two other guys and look for himself."p
"I trust my teammates, Kim. It's YOU I don't trust.", he spat.p
"I have never failed you as a member of your team, and I would think that you would know how to distinguish between our romantic involvement in high school and our relationship as Rangers.", Kim said with her voice full of hurt, as hot, angry tears threatened to careen out of her eyelids.p
Jason stepped up to the plate. He knew what had to be done, and he knew that Tommy and Kim would have to be forced into isolation with each other for it to be done, too. "I'm Second-In-Command. That means that I take the leader's position when he can't fulfill his own duties. And, right now, Tommy; you can't do your job to the best of your ability. So, as your Second, I'm going to re-arrange our order. Rocky, Billy and I will search for food. Tommy, you and Kim will stay here, start the fire, and talk. Agreed?" Jason said, turning to face the two men behind him.p
Billy and Rocky nodded, and, with that, the three turned and walked off; leaving Tommy and Kim standing there, angry and dumbfounded.p
**********************************************************************
Well guys; that's it for this chapter. ( I was going to get into Tommy and Kim's scene alone at the campfire and decided to make a cliffhanger instead. *evil grin * Please read and review; I appreciate it so much and I try to get back to everyone. (
by: Molly
Disclaimer: I don't own them.
Author's Notes: Thanks to all who read and reviewed the previous chapters; I appreciate it more than you know. ( Please don't stop!! ( *******************************************************
Tears blurred the petite brunette's vision as the fiery sand scorched her knees and shins where she had so violently threw herself. p
Why? Why did it have to be this way? Why did he have to be so..so MEAN?p
Because you hurt him. She answered her own dumb question. How could Tommy have an ounce of respect for her? When he was fighting and saving the world to ensure *their* future together, she had found solace in the arms of another man. How could she have slapped him for saying what she deserved to hear?p
Because I DIDN'T show off my body to every guy in Florida--I was only close to ONE, and I didn't intend to show it off today, either! It didn't classify her as a slut.p
But it DID classify her as an unfaithful person.p
Her body was now racking with sobs--how can she ever repair what had happened between them? It was obvious Tommy didn't want her there. If he had ever seen her again after that letter it would have been too soon. But then again, she knew that this time would come; when everything would hit the fan. p
She also knew that she could never, in a thousand lifetimes, prepare herself for the blow.p
Her labored breathing stopped as she sensed someone behind her.
"He still loves you, you know."p
She turned to see Billy staring down at her, a look of understanding in his eyes.p
Kim sniffed and wiped away her own tears. "No way.", she said, her voice hoarse from crying.p
"Of course he does. Why else would he have said those things back there? Because it hurt him then, and it still hurts him today."p
"Billy, that hurt was replaced with bitter resentment. I betrayed him. I went behind his back and developed something between another man that should have only been meant for the two of us. I broke his heart like a knife in the chest. And now I just slapped him--physically attacked him-- there's absolutely no way that man still loves me--or feels anything other than hatred, for that matter."p
"There's a fine line between love and hate sometimes. He would love to hate you so he could forget what happened and move on. He also hates loving you when he feels it should be water under the bridge by now."p
"Did he tell you these things or are they just your little philosophy?"p
"He doesn't have to tell me, Kim. He doesn't have to tell anyone. We know. The only person that didn't know up until now is you and partially him because he won't admit it to himself. But we know that it's there--and so does he."p
Kim sighed. "Assuming that you're right, what should I do with this piece of knowledge?"p
Billy just shrugged. "First; you should know this: It's going to be rough for a little while. You're gonna take a lot of heat you won't deserve; I have a feeling. The best you can hope for is that he will come around. Meanwhile, you figure out what you want along the lines of a relationship or a friendship with him. And for crying out loud, don't go hitting him!."p
"I've made the biggest mistakes. The thing I cherished most is the one thing I destroyed--for myself and for him."p
"As long as you believe that, then that's exacly what it will stay--a disaster. But if you truly want to hang in there and change the situation for the better; you're going to have to think positively. Believe that there's hope for the two of you."p
"And if that hope is false?"p
"That's a risk you'll have to take."p
**************************************************************************** ******
Tommy swore under his breath as he rubbed his stinging jaw. Jason and Rocky noted the look of extreme aggravation on his face.p
Jason was the first to speak up to their leader--Rocky couldn't muster the courage just yet. The former White Ranger was an honorable, brave, and considerate man--but he was also incredibly temperamental.p
"You're going to have to make things right with her; you know."p
Tommy gave him a look that told him he should mind his own business. p
:"Look, Man; I know you don't want to hear this, especially right now, but things between you and Kim are just going to progressively get worse if you don't settle things SOON. Now, we've got a mission; a reason why we're here. We have a responsibility to Zordon and the world to find this Orb and defeat this demented psycho guarding it. YOU have a responsibility to YOUR team to keep things peaceful."p
"You're telling ME about MY responsibility to keep things peaceful, when that harlot slapped me?!?!" Tommy's anger was rising by the ten- folds.p
"Don't you EVER call Kim a harlot, slut, whore, skank, or bad name of any kind no matter WHAT you guys are going through, get it?", Jason hissed through gritted teeth. He had every intention of keeping this calm and rational, but Tommy was being down-right nasty where Kim was concerned--and Jason wouldn't take it.p
"I don't believe this. She cheats on me then tells me in a letter when I was nothing but wonderful to her, she accused me of being jealous, then she hits me, and still it's 'poor Kimberly' and I'm the bad guy.", Tommy shook his head. It not only angered him, but Jason's loyalty to Kimberly hurt him, too.p
"We're not taking sides, Tommy. ", Rocky stated calmly.p
"Just stay out of this!", Tommy fired back.p
"Calm down, Bro.", Jason said soothingly. He was still a bit angry, but he knew that when Tommy was like this; approaching him with harsh tones would just escalate things. Jason took a deep breath before starting. "I know what Kim did was wrong--VERY wrong. And I also know she cares a lot, though it's hard for you to see. I also know for a fact that she's hurting, too. You didn't see the look on her face after she slapped you. I knew that she regretted it that instant. Billy went to talk to Kim, and I know that she knows that she owes you an apology. A few apologies."p
Rocky picked up where Jason left off. "But both of you are going to have to talk; clear the air some--all this tension is making us an easy target. If this keeps building, when the time comes for us to fight, we're gonna get wiped out."p
Tommy was still seething, and they all knew it would take time for him to truly calm down. But for now he would push it aside, and deal with it for the rest of the team; he always wanted to do what was best for everyone involved. "Rocky; go find Billy and Kim; tell them they need to hurry and get back so we can get moving again."p
"Eye eye, Captain.", Rocky said, adding a dramatic salute.
**************************************************************************
The next couple of days were filled with tension. Kim knew she needed to apologize to Tommy; for hitting him if nothing else; but she also knew Tommy well enough to tell when he was unapproachable. The rest of the team felt it too, because they had steered clear of him as well.p.
Everything was strictly business; which in a way was good because they covered a lot of ground. But how long could they go on that? With very little comraderie and banter? What were her and Tommy doing to everyone else, as well as themselves?p
She knew changes had to be made--the situation between them was bringing everyone down as a whole. She also knew that she had to be the one to instigate these changes, too.p
Rocky's audible stomach growls had interrupted her train of thought.
"Man, I'm starved.", Rocky complained.
"We just ate breakfast four hours ago. We need to keep moving.", Tommy said.
"Hey Bro;", Jason started, rubbing his own stomach. "I'm kinda hungry myself; how about you, My Main Brain?"
"I could use some nourishment.", Billy stated.
"Kim?", Jason asked.
"If that's what everyone agrees to do, I'm up for it."
"Okay.", Tommy relented. After all, they DID last longer on full stomachs. "Then Billy, Rocky, and I will go look for food down by the stream. Kim and Jase; you guys can stay here and start a fire."p
"I looked for food down by the stream this morning for breakfast; there's nothing.", Kim stated. It was the first thing she had said to Tommy since the incident a few days ago.p
Tommy glanced at her and then back at his group. "You guys ready? The stream's a bit far, so we better go now if we plan to get back at a decent time."p
"O-kay.", Kim said rolling her eyes and turning away, showing obvious annoyance in his lack to take her word.p
Billy piped up. "Tommy, Kim just said that the place was lacking vegetation and bare."p
"It's okay, Billy. If he wants to waste all of our time because he can't take my word for it, let him.", Kim said. She definitely did not want another argument. But she was also sick and tired of putting up with Tommy's snotty, immature behavior towards her.p
Tommy turned around to face her. Oh, it was so on. "You think that you can be the Leader?", he said walking over to her. "You think that some shopaholic, valley girl, decked-out-in-pink cartwheeling mall addict such as yourself can do better than me?", Tommy challenged.p
Kim faced his challenge dead on. "I know that I could trust my teammates when they tell me helpful bits of information, instead of being a typical, stubborn male jerk that feels that he has to go back with two other guys and look for himself."p
"I trust my teammates, Kim. It's YOU I don't trust.", he spat.p
"I have never failed you as a member of your team, and I would think that you would know how to distinguish between our romantic involvement in high school and our relationship as Rangers.", Kim said with her voice full of hurt, as hot, angry tears threatened to careen out of her eyelids.p
Jason stepped up to the plate. He knew what had to be done, and he knew that Tommy and Kim would have to be forced into isolation with each other for it to be done, too. "I'm Second-In-Command. That means that I take the leader's position when he can't fulfill his own duties. And, right now, Tommy; you can't do your job to the best of your ability. So, as your Second, I'm going to re-arrange our order. Rocky, Billy and I will search for food. Tommy, you and Kim will stay here, start the fire, and talk. Agreed?" Jason said, turning to face the two men behind him.p
Billy and Rocky nodded, and, with that, the three turned and walked off; leaving Tommy and Kim standing there, angry and dumbfounded.p
**********************************************************************
Well guys; that's it for this chapter. ( I was going to get into Tommy and Kim's scene alone at the campfire and decided to make a cliffhanger instead. *evil grin * Please read and review; I appreciate it so much and I try to get back to everyone. (