Disclaimer: Power Rangers and all related materials belong to Saban/Disney,
whoever it may be.
A/N: First, I'd just like to make a comment. I received a review from a certain someone, and I feel I should elaborate on the subject matter. They claim that my reasons for hating Kat (in my bio) are 'silly,' and this may be the same for others, but you should remember that it's MY opinion of her. The whole reason the character of Kim left was because Amy Jo Johnson wanted to move on to something else. Surely you could understand that being a big fan of the show and being an even bigger fan of her like so many others, it was just bothersome to see the character of Kat morph into Kim's suit. Maybe the reviewer (and you know who you are) doesn't share the same view, but this makes it unfair to call me 'stupid.' It should also be considered that although Kat may not be my favorite character, I have yet to "bash" her in any of my stories. I respect Catherine Sutherland as an actress. I was just sore about Kim's leaving, and I let my temper, and perhaps my immaturity, get the better of me and developed a disliking towards Kat. Hopefully this is now more understandable. But for what's more, the reviewer neglected to give leave me any insight on what they thought of my story, whether it be negative criticism or not. I hope you get the hint of sarcasm when I say "Thanks. I appreciate it." P.S. I do, however, want to thank you for bringing up Vespera as the "owner" to Renee and Trevor. I have read her wonderful stories, and realized that you are correct. Although, when I read the story I referred to from Paladar.com in my last a/n, I think it may have been a completely different person. Whatever the case, I do not own Renee and Trevor... just their last names.
A/N #2: Well.... now that I got that off my chest, here's the next part of my story. The time line is set after Tommy and the others (save for Justin) pass on their Turbo powers, maybe a day or two following. Let me know how I'm doing. I appreciate any and all feedback.
THE DECIDING KISS
"So you're really going to do this, huh?" It was really more of a statement than a question. He kept his eyes on the road.
"Absolutely! Ever since I quit diving, ballet has been one of my greatest passions. In fact, my cousin has been a student at the academy for two years, and she's always wished I'd consider moving in with her and talking up some classes myself. It's really such a tempting offer. I don't see how I'll be able to refuse. Plus, the fact that we aren't on call twenty-four seven anymore really opens up any big plans for my future."
He smiled. For as long as he'd known her, dancing had been one of Katherine's best talents. She was excited about the opportunity to do something with her favorite hobby, and he couldn't feel more supportive. He knew what it was like to have dreams, and he was all-too-confident that at least hers had a good shot at turning out happily ever after. His had been shattered one fateful day in the form of a letter. He mourned what he had lost, but as time pushed him forward, he learned to dismiss it and tried to move on, falling into another's heart as he did so. He was a little sad to hear that she would be leaving, but he wanted nothing more for her than the best. "Wow. London. That's a really big step, Kat."
"It is," she agreed with a partial sigh. She left it at that as Tommy pulled into the parking lot by the park and turned the engine off, pulling his key from the truck's ignition. He knew what her plans were, but they hadn't really discussed his yet. And then there was always the subject of them both, but that would come soon enough. "What about you? Have you thought about making a career in racing with your uncle?"
He took a moment to think about it, looking at the dark grass field outside of the passenger window, and then decided on an answer. "Naw. Not for too long, anyway. I think my racing might just be a phase. At the most, I was expecting to hang with it long enough to earn enough money to open up my own dojo and become a full-time martial arts instructor." He shrugged. "Either that, or find another job and go to college A.G. University."
"Both ideas are equally good," she nodded, looking out at the street lamp on her side of the truck. "Want to take a walk?"
"That was my plan," Tommy said kindly. He exited the vehicle and crossed over to her side, opening the door and held her hand as she stepped out.
Soon, Tommy found himself idly leading them towards a familiar spot near the lake. He stopped as memories flooded his mind, and he looked out over the glistening surface of the water. His thoughts were shunt back to the present as Katherine squeezed his hand.
"Tommy? Are you alright? You haven't said anything the whole way here... " Kat absently rubbed the back of his hand with her thumb.
"Sorry. I was just... thinking about something."
She shrugged and looked out at the water herself. "It's a beautiful view..."
Tommy only half listened, as Katherine's words brought up the memories again. "Beautiful... "
She felt him shudder a bit, and decided that something other than the scene and herself was on his mind. "Do you want to talk about something, Tommy?"
"Hmm? Oh, uh, no. That's alright Kat." He paused, and then, "Well, have you ever felt... I mean, do you ever think that when something happens," he was stuttering. "What I mean is, have you ever lost something so dear to your heart and you try to forget about it, but whatever you do it just haunts your mind and makes you feel like you need it even more? If that even makes any sense... "
"I think I understand what you mean." She bit her lip. "Is this about Kimberly?"
He didn't give a yes or no answer. He only had to look at her, and her nod told him that she understood. "I'm sorry. I know it was a long time ago, but it's like I can't escape her... "
"And you wonder if you'll ever get over her at all." He nodded. "I can see why she's left such an impression on you. You two were inseparable for as long as I knew you... Until I got in the way-"
"You can't blame yourself, Kat. Rita's magic is wicked and overpowering. It wasn't your fault." He faced her now, giving her a reassuring smile.
She shrugged, not wanting to get into the discussion again. "So, how do you feel about Kimberly now? I mean, do you love her as much as you used to?"
Tommy took a moment to collect his thoughts. He had to be honest with Katherine. She was too precious to be hurt. "Yes, I do. And I'm sure I always will. But when I think about it, and consider the letter, I know that she's happy with someone else. If she can just leave what we had behind, then so should I, as much as it hurts me. Kat, I won't lie to you in saying that I don't love Kimberly, but I'm not speaking the truth of I say I don't think that we can develop a relationship, too." Her eyes began to shine with hope, and it warmed his heart to see her so happy. "We've been so shy lately, we haven't really given ourselves a chance to explore the possibilities... " There was only one way to determine if any chemistry really existed between them, and Tommy suddenly realized that up till this night, he and Katherine had never met lips.
Leaning in closer to each other, Tommy continued to speak in a soft whisper. "If we have a chance, Kat, then I would gladly want to start a serious relationship with you. You're wonderful, bright, pretty... "
They kissed.
Her lips were soft and sticky; cherry flavored. 'The lip gloss,' he mused to himself. He increased the pressure, his expression growing confused. Where was it? He couldn't feel it...
It only lingered on for an estimate of ten seconds, and their lips parted. It seemed that they both had felt the emptiness of the kiss, for they each held their own lost expression. They avoided each other's eyes for a moment, trying to gather their thoughts on what just happened.
Suddenly, Katherine turned to Tommy, and suggested something that took Tommy by surprise. "I think you should go after her," she said gently.
"What?" Tommy didn't know what to say. 'Is she serious?'
"You should go after her! I mean, if you felt more than I felt in that kiss, then it's for you to decide... but to be honest, I was a little shocked to find nothing behind our kiss. Was it the same for you?"
"Yeah, it was," he replied, now meeting her gaze again.
She smiled warmly. "Then go to her. You need her more than you need me, it's obvious. I'd be surprised if she was at her happiest with someone other than you. I've never seen more of a sparkle in someone's eyes than I did in Kim's whenever she was around you. Tommy, you should just go to Florida, find her, and take her home!" She chuckled at her hastiness of her suggestion, but now that she had kissed Tommy, there wasn't anything to grow on. She could let him go, and it wouldn't hurt.
He looked deeply into her eyes to make sure she wasn't just saying this out of nowhere. He could see the truth, and now he felt that she was right. 'I do need Kim. I just didn't realize how much... ' He returned her generous smile, and leaned in close to her cheek to lay a soft kiss on her smooth, powdered skin. His lips rose and tickled her ear as he whispered wholeheartedly, "I love you, Katherine."
She dropped her eyes but not her smile, and a tear formed in the corner of her eye. When she was able to lock eyes with him again, she whispered back. "I love you, too, Tommy." They exchanged smiles yet again, and she laughed as he let out a deep breath. "So go already! Call the airport and demand a ticket to Florida!"
He shook his head in amusement. "I'll do that as soon as I get home, I promise, but I won't just leave you here in the park!"
Her face straightened in realization, and then she giggled. "Well, I guess you could give me a lift to my place first." With that, he held out his arm and she took it, following him to his truck. So ended one of the best nights of Katherine's young life so far. She found that although she was strongly attracted to both the physical and emotional sides of Tommy, as well as many of his other qualities, there wasn't any bond between them. There was no spark, no love. Just a greater friendship than she had ever known. A special closeness that was beyond compare, and she was content with just that.
A/N: First, I'd just like to make a comment. I received a review from a certain someone, and I feel I should elaborate on the subject matter. They claim that my reasons for hating Kat (in my bio) are 'silly,' and this may be the same for others, but you should remember that it's MY opinion of her. The whole reason the character of Kim left was because Amy Jo Johnson wanted to move on to something else. Surely you could understand that being a big fan of the show and being an even bigger fan of her like so many others, it was just bothersome to see the character of Kat morph into Kim's suit. Maybe the reviewer (and you know who you are) doesn't share the same view, but this makes it unfair to call me 'stupid.' It should also be considered that although Kat may not be my favorite character, I have yet to "bash" her in any of my stories. I respect Catherine Sutherland as an actress. I was just sore about Kim's leaving, and I let my temper, and perhaps my immaturity, get the better of me and developed a disliking towards Kat. Hopefully this is now more understandable. But for what's more, the reviewer neglected to give leave me any insight on what they thought of my story, whether it be negative criticism or not. I hope you get the hint of sarcasm when I say "Thanks. I appreciate it." P.S. I do, however, want to thank you for bringing up Vespera as the "owner" to Renee and Trevor. I have read her wonderful stories, and realized that you are correct. Although, when I read the story I referred to from Paladar.com in my last a/n, I think it may have been a completely different person. Whatever the case, I do not own Renee and Trevor... just their last names.
A/N #2: Well.... now that I got that off my chest, here's the next part of my story. The time line is set after Tommy and the others (save for Justin) pass on their Turbo powers, maybe a day or two following. Let me know how I'm doing. I appreciate any and all feedback.
THE DECIDING KISS
"So you're really going to do this, huh?" It was really more of a statement than a question. He kept his eyes on the road.
"Absolutely! Ever since I quit diving, ballet has been one of my greatest passions. In fact, my cousin has been a student at the academy for two years, and she's always wished I'd consider moving in with her and talking up some classes myself. It's really such a tempting offer. I don't see how I'll be able to refuse. Plus, the fact that we aren't on call twenty-four seven anymore really opens up any big plans for my future."
He smiled. For as long as he'd known her, dancing had been one of Katherine's best talents. She was excited about the opportunity to do something with her favorite hobby, and he couldn't feel more supportive. He knew what it was like to have dreams, and he was all-too-confident that at least hers had a good shot at turning out happily ever after. His had been shattered one fateful day in the form of a letter. He mourned what he had lost, but as time pushed him forward, he learned to dismiss it and tried to move on, falling into another's heart as he did so. He was a little sad to hear that she would be leaving, but he wanted nothing more for her than the best. "Wow. London. That's a really big step, Kat."
"It is," she agreed with a partial sigh. She left it at that as Tommy pulled into the parking lot by the park and turned the engine off, pulling his key from the truck's ignition. He knew what her plans were, but they hadn't really discussed his yet. And then there was always the subject of them both, but that would come soon enough. "What about you? Have you thought about making a career in racing with your uncle?"
He took a moment to think about it, looking at the dark grass field outside of the passenger window, and then decided on an answer. "Naw. Not for too long, anyway. I think my racing might just be a phase. At the most, I was expecting to hang with it long enough to earn enough money to open up my own dojo and become a full-time martial arts instructor." He shrugged. "Either that, or find another job and go to college A.G. University."
"Both ideas are equally good," she nodded, looking out at the street lamp on her side of the truck. "Want to take a walk?"
"That was my plan," Tommy said kindly. He exited the vehicle and crossed over to her side, opening the door and held her hand as she stepped out.
Soon, Tommy found himself idly leading them towards a familiar spot near the lake. He stopped as memories flooded his mind, and he looked out over the glistening surface of the water. His thoughts were shunt back to the present as Katherine squeezed his hand.
"Tommy? Are you alright? You haven't said anything the whole way here... " Kat absently rubbed the back of his hand with her thumb.
"Sorry. I was just... thinking about something."
She shrugged and looked out at the water herself. "It's a beautiful view..."
Tommy only half listened, as Katherine's words brought up the memories again. "Beautiful... "
She felt him shudder a bit, and decided that something other than the scene and herself was on his mind. "Do you want to talk about something, Tommy?"
"Hmm? Oh, uh, no. That's alright Kat." He paused, and then, "Well, have you ever felt... I mean, do you ever think that when something happens," he was stuttering. "What I mean is, have you ever lost something so dear to your heart and you try to forget about it, but whatever you do it just haunts your mind and makes you feel like you need it even more? If that even makes any sense... "
"I think I understand what you mean." She bit her lip. "Is this about Kimberly?"
He didn't give a yes or no answer. He only had to look at her, and her nod told him that she understood. "I'm sorry. I know it was a long time ago, but it's like I can't escape her... "
"And you wonder if you'll ever get over her at all." He nodded. "I can see why she's left such an impression on you. You two were inseparable for as long as I knew you... Until I got in the way-"
"You can't blame yourself, Kat. Rita's magic is wicked and overpowering. It wasn't your fault." He faced her now, giving her a reassuring smile.
She shrugged, not wanting to get into the discussion again. "So, how do you feel about Kimberly now? I mean, do you love her as much as you used to?"
Tommy took a moment to collect his thoughts. He had to be honest with Katherine. She was too precious to be hurt. "Yes, I do. And I'm sure I always will. But when I think about it, and consider the letter, I know that she's happy with someone else. If she can just leave what we had behind, then so should I, as much as it hurts me. Kat, I won't lie to you in saying that I don't love Kimberly, but I'm not speaking the truth of I say I don't think that we can develop a relationship, too." Her eyes began to shine with hope, and it warmed his heart to see her so happy. "We've been so shy lately, we haven't really given ourselves a chance to explore the possibilities... " There was only one way to determine if any chemistry really existed between them, and Tommy suddenly realized that up till this night, he and Katherine had never met lips.
Leaning in closer to each other, Tommy continued to speak in a soft whisper. "If we have a chance, Kat, then I would gladly want to start a serious relationship with you. You're wonderful, bright, pretty... "
They kissed.
Her lips were soft and sticky; cherry flavored. 'The lip gloss,' he mused to himself. He increased the pressure, his expression growing confused. Where was it? He couldn't feel it...
It only lingered on for an estimate of ten seconds, and their lips parted. It seemed that they both had felt the emptiness of the kiss, for they each held their own lost expression. They avoided each other's eyes for a moment, trying to gather their thoughts on what just happened.
Suddenly, Katherine turned to Tommy, and suggested something that took Tommy by surprise. "I think you should go after her," she said gently.
"What?" Tommy didn't know what to say. 'Is she serious?'
"You should go after her! I mean, if you felt more than I felt in that kiss, then it's for you to decide... but to be honest, I was a little shocked to find nothing behind our kiss. Was it the same for you?"
"Yeah, it was," he replied, now meeting her gaze again.
She smiled warmly. "Then go to her. You need her more than you need me, it's obvious. I'd be surprised if she was at her happiest with someone other than you. I've never seen more of a sparkle in someone's eyes than I did in Kim's whenever she was around you. Tommy, you should just go to Florida, find her, and take her home!" She chuckled at her hastiness of her suggestion, but now that she had kissed Tommy, there wasn't anything to grow on. She could let him go, and it wouldn't hurt.
He looked deeply into her eyes to make sure she wasn't just saying this out of nowhere. He could see the truth, and now he felt that she was right. 'I do need Kim. I just didn't realize how much... ' He returned her generous smile, and leaned in close to her cheek to lay a soft kiss on her smooth, powdered skin. His lips rose and tickled her ear as he whispered wholeheartedly, "I love you, Katherine."
She dropped her eyes but not her smile, and a tear formed in the corner of her eye. When she was able to lock eyes with him again, she whispered back. "I love you, too, Tommy." They exchanged smiles yet again, and she laughed as he let out a deep breath. "So go already! Call the airport and demand a ticket to Florida!"
He shook his head in amusement. "I'll do that as soon as I get home, I promise, but I won't just leave you here in the park!"
Her face straightened in realization, and then she giggled. "Well, I guess you could give me a lift to my place first." With that, he held out his arm and she took it, following him to his truck. So ended one of the best nights of Katherine's young life so far. She found that although she was strongly attracted to both the physical and emotional sides of Tommy, as well as many of his other qualities, there wasn't any bond between them. There was no spark, no love. Just a greater friendship than she had ever known. A special closeness that was beyond compare, and she was content with just that.