Disclaimer: I do hereby solemnly swear to claim absolutely no, you got that
no ownership the power rangers. You dragged it outta me, happy?
"This looks like the engine room." Tommy sighed as he and Kim entered the dim room. "It's pretty dark. How do they work in this light!" he exclaimed.
"They keep the lights off to save energy, so the generator that keeps the engine running is the only light." Kim said, receiving a look from Tommy.
"How do you know all that? Did you suddenly switch professions and become an astronaut instead of a gymnast?" he joked. Kim smiled and looked down timidly. *I love to see that smile.* he thought.
"D.E.C.A. kind of gave me a guided tour last time I walked around." She explained.
"Oh I see, so you tricked me into thinking you were as clueless as me when you're really an old pro at spatial mechanics." He teased, receiving another timid smile from his companion.
"It. it got my mind off things. Trying to remember what everything was." She said, fiddling with her fingers.
Tommy's smile faded and he moved closer to her, taking her hand. "I can't even imagine what it must've been like." He sighed.
Kim looked up at him briefly before returning her focus to her hands. She absently stroked the back of Tommy's hand with her thumb and let out a bitter breath and shook her head. "Complete, total, and utter hell about sums it up."
"He won't hurt you again, I promise." Tommy said, squeezing her hand.
"Don't make promises you can't keep." She sighed looking into his eyes. "I know you'll try your hardest.but eventually he's going to find me. But, when he does, I have you to help me. So that means that I win."
Tommy smiled softly, placing his free hand gently on her face. "You know that you'll always have my help.and my love."
"Tommy, I-''
"I know. I know, I- I just wanted to tell you that. Don't think of it as another feeling to deal with.think of it as a source of hope. Something to draw on in a time of need. Even though I hate to admit it.I won't always be able to protect you. There are things even I can't beat, god knows I'll die trying though.Never forget that I love you. Ever. Promise?" Tommy smiled, raising an eyebrow at her.
Kim, with tears glistening in her eyes, smiled. "I promise." A single tear escaped her eye, and Tommy reached to wipe it away. Suddenly Kim winced at his touch and drew back as her hand flew up to cover the sore spot. "Ouch."
"What is it?" Tommy asked worriedly.
"Nothing, just a bruise." Kim said, avoiding his eyes as she shook it off.
"Lemme see." He said, reaching for her. Kim pushed his hand away, and answered more firmly:
"I'm fine."
"Kim, don't be stubborn. Let me see." He said sternly. Kim sighed in annoyance and moved her hand away. Tommy cupped her face and examined it closely in the light. "You have more. You can't see 'em if you don't look, and you're an expert on make-up, which scares me that I couldn't see these.Kim, these look fresh. Did he.?"
"Yes." she said quietly, avoiding his eyes.
Tommy's face stiffened. "How long ago, why didn't you tell me?"
"No, Tommy, he didn't rape me." She said quickly, causing Tommy to calm slightly. "I'm sorry, I thought you meant did he hit me recently, and I said yes to that. It was the day before I was teleported."
"No, Kim, don't you ever be sorry okay? It is not your fault.I'm still going to rip him apart though." He confirmed.
"Tommy, be rational. It-''
"Rational!? You want me to be rational! Kim I can't stand by and let this maniac run around in the world hurting innocent people. I can't do nothing knowing what he did to you, what he might do again. I have to stop him, no matter what. If me going down with him means that I stop him, I'm in. I don't care." He paused noticing that Kim had begun to cry again. "I'm sorry Kim. I-I didn't mean to blow up on you like that." He hugged her to him again, regretting what he'd said.
"It's not that." She sighed, pulling away so she could look him in the eye. "It's the way you said what you said. I mean, I said that I wanted to put us aside for a while, and I still mean it, but.god even the thought, no the suggestion of losing you again, and to HIM for that matter.I'd give up, again. Tommy, if I lost you.I'd die."
Tommy hugged her to him and placed a kiss a top her head. "I love you, but I have to stop him. Besides, what do we have to worry about, have I ever lost a fight?"
"Tommy this is no time for jokes." Kim said glaring at him. "What do we do?" she sighed.
"We? Kim, no, I won't risk him hurting you again."
"I'm a big girl Tommy. I may not have taken very care of myself the first time around, but I learn from my mistakes. I've been training. When he wasn't looking, when he wasn't watching, I got a friend of mine to teach me some self defense moves. I'm ready." Kim began to pace the engine room. She felt at home in the dim light. She could hide, surprise her enemies, and survive. In the bright light of the world, she could be easily spotted. By darkness, sheer utter pitch-black darkness, she couldn't even see through, hitting air instead of flesh in an attack. But the dim lights gave her an advantage that she intended to exploit for all it was worth.
Tommy sighed. He knew he couldn't win, that Kim was coming no matter what he said. It was either agree and have her come on good terms where he could keep an eye on her, or disagree and have her sneak off on bad terms, and that always led to trouble. He sighed again. "Fine. But you have to let me handle it. Your time will come with him, I promise. Don't rush it." He said crossing his arms over his chest.
Kim turned to him with a funny look on her face. "What?" he frowned.
"You, are starting to sound like Zordon." She smirked.
"I'll take that as a compliment," Tommy chuckled, "thank you."
"Take it however you want, you still sound like him."
"It's true you know." Tommy said, breaking the humorous moment. Kim's smile faded, replaced by a frown of curiosity.
"What?"
"What I said. Don't chase him." Tommy said again.
Kim looked down. "Yea, I know.Zordon." she tried to suppress the grin that came with her mentors name passing her lips.
"Hey!" Tommy warned playfully.
"Come on, let's get through the rest of the ship, then we can get something to eat at this thing called the synthetron." Kim smiled, taking his arm and leading him out of the engine room and down the hall.
"Why don't we go to the Youth Center?" Tommy suggested.
"It's called the Surf Spot now." Kim corrected.
"Are we that old?"
"Come on!" Kim smiled dragging him towards the bridge to teleport.
***
"They're really something aren't they?" Ashley smiled.
"Who?" Andros sighed as he put his arm around her. The two sat in the park in Angel Grove. The rangers had all decided that it was time for a break. They'd all been working hard lately, so a trip to Earth was in order for all parties.
"Kim and Tommy. They've been through so much, but it's still so obvious that they're so much in love. I admire them." She said, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Yeah, me too." He began absently stroking her arm with his thumb as he looked thoughtfully into the distance. "There's more to come though. Kim has to get over what happened, and that is going to be very hard."
"They'll make it, that's a guarantee." Ashley said assuredly. "Andros? Do you think that we'll have that kind of love one day?" she asked softly, pulling away to look into his eyes.
Andros smiled. "I don't know about you.. but I think we already do."
Ashley let out a breath and kissed him. "I love you," she smiled, caressing his face with her hand. "So much."
"I love you too." He said, running a hand through her hair.
***
"Wow, this place has changed. I don't even recognize it anymore!" Kim said as the two entered their old hangout. As they looked around they saw that the only thing that hadn't changed was that the counter, the steps, and the doors were all in the same place. Now there were pool tables where Tommy used to run his classes with Jason, surfboards on the walls, it was all so.. Hawaiian. They looked around for familiar faces, not expecting to find any, but were greeted with many. T.J., Cassie, and Carlos were sitting at the usual 'ranger table,' Kat and Zhane were playing pool looking very close, and two people they hadn't seen in ages, Bulk and Skull, were sitting at a table bickering innocently, as usual. Kim smiled and pulled Tommy over to the two.
"Hey guys, long time no see." Tommy smiled.
Bulk and Skull turned to see whom the voices belonged to and were stunned silent at their discovery. Kim frowned when they didn't pull out of it after a few moments and waved her hand in front of their faces.
"Guys?" she said.
"H..hi." Bulk finally stammered out. Kim smiled, looked at Tommy and they left the two sitting in silence as they went to sit with the rangers.
"I take it they haven't seen you in a while." T.J. laughed as he the two sat down. He looked over at Bulk and Skull, still staring at where Kim and Tommy had stood.
"It's been too long." Kim smiled. A familiar tone from T.J.'s wrist rang out, and the group excused themselves to answer it. "I miss that." Kim sighed wistfully once they were gone. "Going off on missions that millions of people know about, but they don't that it's you going and risking your life for them. A bunch of teenagers.."
"Well put." Tommy grinned, earning a look from Kim.
"You know what I mean." she frowned.
"Yes I do..and me too." He added.
T.J. approached the to while the others hung back in the hall. "Nothing serious, but D.E.C.A. wants us to run some essential tests that can't wait. There's been problems like this all week. We'll catch up with you guys later?" Kim and Tommy nodded, and T.J. smiled, signaled Kat and Zhane to come with, and left with a "See ya later." as he went.
Once they had all teleported out, Kim turned to Tommy. "So, now what?" she sighed.
"Why don't we go for a walk?" Tommy smiled. Kim smiled and was about to answer when her face suddenly went pale as she stared in the direction of the door. Tommy frowned.
"Kim? Kim, what's wrong?" he asked worriedly as he followed her gaze. His expression did not pale, but stiffened. "Brad." He growled.
Brad suddenly spotted the two on looker and smiled. He began to move towards them, and as he did so, Kim's breathing became labored. Tommy, not wanted to fight inside the Surf Spot, quickly got Kim up and out the opposite door, taking the back door they used to use for speedy exits. Brad slowly followed and his smile broadened.
"Cat and mouse.. my favourite." He smiled wickedly.
Outside Tommy led a very shaky Kimberly towards the side of the building, near the entrance.
"We'll teleport back to the ship." He said, reaching for his wrist. There were some spares on the Astro Meagship in case of malfunctions.
"No." Kim breathed in protest. "Tommy, this is my time, I have to face him, alone."
"What? Kim, no-''
"Tommy please! You can help me if I'm in trouble, but please let me do this.please." she begged. Tommy sighed and nodded hesitantly against all of his better judgment. Kim sighed and smiled at him, leaning up to kiss him quickly. "I love you. I know that now. Forever and always." With that she walked back towards the back parking lot where Brad was waiting patiently in the middle. He smirked as she approached. Tommy peeked his head around the corner; Kim had his back to her, hiding most of Brad.
*Dammit, I don't like this, he could try something.* Tommy lamented as he watched.
"Hello my love. I told you I'd find you." Brad grinned. "So, that's Tommy boy, huh? Cute."
"What do you want." Kim demanded. "You have no right to be here."
"Courageous Kimberly. Oo, I'm scared. " He mocked her. "Don't get all noble on me Kimberly, I own you." He closed the space between them, now mere inches from her face.
"You own nothing and no one, especially not me." She spat.
Brad smiled even more. "We'll see." He said, his voice dripping with a deadly sweetness.
Kim frowned. "Remember when I told you I'd been a magician's apprentice in high school? Well, it was an illusionist, master of doing things to people before they even realize it.. Check your wrists lately?" Kim looked down to find that Brad had gotten a pair of handcuffs on her. As she examined her wrists in horror, she turned to see Tommy running to her. Then she felt a prick in the back of her neck, and the world went black.
"Hold it right there lover boy!" Brad yelled, and Tommy stopped dead in his tracks. He had injected some kind of fast acting sedative into her after slipping the cuffs on. Now, he held a gun to her unconscious head. Tommy was helpless as Brad dragged Kim's body to his car. He put her in the front seat and then turned the gun on Tommy. "Get your friends to teleport her out, and you'll be getting a corpse with a bullet to the head." He slid into the car and started it. Reversed at full speed and drove away. Tommy tried to run after the car, but Brad held the gun out the window for a moment, then visibly pointed it towards Kim as he pulled it back in. Tommy gave up the pursuit, and collapsed on to the sidewalk.
"No.." he breathed. "Kim."
Author's note:
What do you think? Was the handcuff thing dumb? Believe me it was dumber in the first draft. And for some reason my dot dot dot (.) thing's aren't working. Well didn't work on the last chapter, but sorry about that. Anyway, we're almost on the 's' section of the story book/phone book. What do you think?????????? Sorry for the late updates, I've been cleaning my room, can you believe it? I'm actually cleaning my room, which hasn't been thoroughly cleaned like this since like grade two. hmm, that's a pretty picture I'm a pack rat what can I say? Hey but I did find my complete set of Might Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie cards. Neat! Did they put out a Turbo set??? Anyway, I digress.
"This looks like the engine room." Tommy sighed as he and Kim entered the dim room. "It's pretty dark. How do they work in this light!" he exclaimed.
"They keep the lights off to save energy, so the generator that keeps the engine running is the only light." Kim said, receiving a look from Tommy.
"How do you know all that? Did you suddenly switch professions and become an astronaut instead of a gymnast?" he joked. Kim smiled and looked down timidly. *I love to see that smile.* he thought.
"D.E.C.A. kind of gave me a guided tour last time I walked around." She explained.
"Oh I see, so you tricked me into thinking you were as clueless as me when you're really an old pro at spatial mechanics." He teased, receiving another timid smile from his companion.
"It. it got my mind off things. Trying to remember what everything was." She said, fiddling with her fingers.
Tommy's smile faded and he moved closer to her, taking her hand. "I can't even imagine what it must've been like." He sighed.
Kim looked up at him briefly before returning her focus to her hands. She absently stroked the back of Tommy's hand with her thumb and let out a bitter breath and shook her head. "Complete, total, and utter hell about sums it up."
"He won't hurt you again, I promise." Tommy said, squeezing her hand.
"Don't make promises you can't keep." She sighed looking into his eyes. "I know you'll try your hardest.but eventually he's going to find me. But, when he does, I have you to help me. So that means that I win."
Tommy smiled softly, placing his free hand gently on her face. "You know that you'll always have my help.and my love."
"Tommy, I-''
"I know. I know, I- I just wanted to tell you that. Don't think of it as another feeling to deal with.think of it as a source of hope. Something to draw on in a time of need. Even though I hate to admit it.I won't always be able to protect you. There are things even I can't beat, god knows I'll die trying though.Never forget that I love you. Ever. Promise?" Tommy smiled, raising an eyebrow at her.
Kim, with tears glistening in her eyes, smiled. "I promise." A single tear escaped her eye, and Tommy reached to wipe it away. Suddenly Kim winced at his touch and drew back as her hand flew up to cover the sore spot. "Ouch."
"What is it?" Tommy asked worriedly.
"Nothing, just a bruise." Kim said, avoiding his eyes as she shook it off.
"Lemme see." He said, reaching for her. Kim pushed his hand away, and answered more firmly:
"I'm fine."
"Kim, don't be stubborn. Let me see." He said sternly. Kim sighed in annoyance and moved her hand away. Tommy cupped her face and examined it closely in the light. "You have more. You can't see 'em if you don't look, and you're an expert on make-up, which scares me that I couldn't see these.Kim, these look fresh. Did he.?"
"Yes." she said quietly, avoiding his eyes.
Tommy's face stiffened. "How long ago, why didn't you tell me?"
"No, Tommy, he didn't rape me." She said quickly, causing Tommy to calm slightly. "I'm sorry, I thought you meant did he hit me recently, and I said yes to that. It was the day before I was teleported."
"No, Kim, don't you ever be sorry okay? It is not your fault.I'm still going to rip him apart though." He confirmed.
"Tommy, be rational. It-''
"Rational!? You want me to be rational! Kim I can't stand by and let this maniac run around in the world hurting innocent people. I can't do nothing knowing what he did to you, what he might do again. I have to stop him, no matter what. If me going down with him means that I stop him, I'm in. I don't care." He paused noticing that Kim had begun to cry again. "I'm sorry Kim. I-I didn't mean to blow up on you like that." He hugged her to him again, regretting what he'd said.
"It's not that." She sighed, pulling away so she could look him in the eye. "It's the way you said what you said. I mean, I said that I wanted to put us aside for a while, and I still mean it, but.god even the thought, no the suggestion of losing you again, and to HIM for that matter.I'd give up, again. Tommy, if I lost you.I'd die."
Tommy hugged her to him and placed a kiss a top her head. "I love you, but I have to stop him. Besides, what do we have to worry about, have I ever lost a fight?"
"Tommy this is no time for jokes." Kim said glaring at him. "What do we do?" she sighed.
"We? Kim, no, I won't risk him hurting you again."
"I'm a big girl Tommy. I may not have taken very care of myself the first time around, but I learn from my mistakes. I've been training. When he wasn't looking, when he wasn't watching, I got a friend of mine to teach me some self defense moves. I'm ready." Kim began to pace the engine room. She felt at home in the dim light. She could hide, surprise her enemies, and survive. In the bright light of the world, she could be easily spotted. By darkness, sheer utter pitch-black darkness, she couldn't even see through, hitting air instead of flesh in an attack. But the dim lights gave her an advantage that she intended to exploit for all it was worth.
Tommy sighed. He knew he couldn't win, that Kim was coming no matter what he said. It was either agree and have her come on good terms where he could keep an eye on her, or disagree and have her sneak off on bad terms, and that always led to trouble. He sighed again. "Fine. But you have to let me handle it. Your time will come with him, I promise. Don't rush it." He said crossing his arms over his chest.
Kim turned to him with a funny look on her face. "What?" he frowned.
"You, are starting to sound like Zordon." She smirked.
"I'll take that as a compliment," Tommy chuckled, "thank you."
"Take it however you want, you still sound like him."
"It's true you know." Tommy said, breaking the humorous moment. Kim's smile faded, replaced by a frown of curiosity.
"What?"
"What I said. Don't chase him." Tommy said again.
Kim looked down. "Yea, I know.Zordon." she tried to suppress the grin that came with her mentors name passing her lips.
"Hey!" Tommy warned playfully.
"Come on, let's get through the rest of the ship, then we can get something to eat at this thing called the synthetron." Kim smiled, taking his arm and leading him out of the engine room and down the hall.
"Why don't we go to the Youth Center?" Tommy suggested.
"It's called the Surf Spot now." Kim corrected.
"Are we that old?"
"Come on!" Kim smiled dragging him towards the bridge to teleport.
***
"They're really something aren't they?" Ashley smiled.
"Who?" Andros sighed as he put his arm around her. The two sat in the park in Angel Grove. The rangers had all decided that it was time for a break. They'd all been working hard lately, so a trip to Earth was in order for all parties.
"Kim and Tommy. They've been through so much, but it's still so obvious that they're so much in love. I admire them." She said, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Yeah, me too." He began absently stroking her arm with his thumb as he looked thoughtfully into the distance. "There's more to come though. Kim has to get over what happened, and that is going to be very hard."
"They'll make it, that's a guarantee." Ashley said assuredly. "Andros? Do you think that we'll have that kind of love one day?" she asked softly, pulling away to look into his eyes.
Andros smiled. "I don't know about you.. but I think we already do."
Ashley let out a breath and kissed him. "I love you," she smiled, caressing his face with her hand. "So much."
"I love you too." He said, running a hand through her hair.
***
"Wow, this place has changed. I don't even recognize it anymore!" Kim said as the two entered their old hangout. As they looked around they saw that the only thing that hadn't changed was that the counter, the steps, and the doors were all in the same place. Now there were pool tables where Tommy used to run his classes with Jason, surfboards on the walls, it was all so.. Hawaiian. They looked around for familiar faces, not expecting to find any, but were greeted with many. T.J., Cassie, and Carlos were sitting at the usual 'ranger table,' Kat and Zhane were playing pool looking very close, and two people they hadn't seen in ages, Bulk and Skull, were sitting at a table bickering innocently, as usual. Kim smiled and pulled Tommy over to the two.
"Hey guys, long time no see." Tommy smiled.
Bulk and Skull turned to see whom the voices belonged to and were stunned silent at their discovery. Kim frowned when they didn't pull out of it after a few moments and waved her hand in front of their faces.
"Guys?" she said.
"H..hi." Bulk finally stammered out. Kim smiled, looked at Tommy and they left the two sitting in silence as they went to sit with the rangers.
"I take it they haven't seen you in a while." T.J. laughed as he the two sat down. He looked over at Bulk and Skull, still staring at where Kim and Tommy had stood.
"It's been too long." Kim smiled. A familiar tone from T.J.'s wrist rang out, and the group excused themselves to answer it. "I miss that." Kim sighed wistfully once they were gone. "Going off on missions that millions of people know about, but they don't that it's you going and risking your life for them. A bunch of teenagers.."
"Well put." Tommy grinned, earning a look from Kim.
"You know what I mean." she frowned.
"Yes I do..and me too." He added.
T.J. approached the to while the others hung back in the hall. "Nothing serious, but D.E.C.A. wants us to run some essential tests that can't wait. There's been problems like this all week. We'll catch up with you guys later?" Kim and Tommy nodded, and T.J. smiled, signaled Kat and Zhane to come with, and left with a "See ya later." as he went.
Once they had all teleported out, Kim turned to Tommy. "So, now what?" she sighed.
"Why don't we go for a walk?" Tommy smiled. Kim smiled and was about to answer when her face suddenly went pale as she stared in the direction of the door. Tommy frowned.
"Kim? Kim, what's wrong?" he asked worriedly as he followed her gaze. His expression did not pale, but stiffened. "Brad." He growled.
Brad suddenly spotted the two on looker and smiled. He began to move towards them, and as he did so, Kim's breathing became labored. Tommy, not wanted to fight inside the Surf Spot, quickly got Kim up and out the opposite door, taking the back door they used to use for speedy exits. Brad slowly followed and his smile broadened.
"Cat and mouse.. my favourite." He smiled wickedly.
Outside Tommy led a very shaky Kimberly towards the side of the building, near the entrance.
"We'll teleport back to the ship." He said, reaching for his wrist. There were some spares on the Astro Meagship in case of malfunctions.
"No." Kim breathed in protest. "Tommy, this is my time, I have to face him, alone."
"What? Kim, no-''
"Tommy please! You can help me if I'm in trouble, but please let me do this.please." she begged. Tommy sighed and nodded hesitantly against all of his better judgment. Kim sighed and smiled at him, leaning up to kiss him quickly. "I love you. I know that now. Forever and always." With that she walked back towards the back parking lot where Brad was waiting patiently in the middle. He smirked as she approached. Tommy peeked his head around the corner; Kim had his back to her, hiding most of Brad.
*Dammit, I don't like this, he could try something.* Tommy lamented as he watched.
"Hello my love. I told you I'd find you." Brad grinned. "So, that's Tommy boy, huh? Cute."
"What do you want." Kim demanded. "You have no right to be here."
"Courageous Kimberly. Oo, I'm scared. " He mocked her. "Don't get all noble on me Kimberly, I own you." He closed the space between them, now mere inches from her face.
"You own nothing and no one, especially not me." She spat.
Brad smiled even more. "We'll see." He said, his voice dripping with a deadly sweetness.
Kim frowned. "Remember when I told you I'd been a magician's apprentice in high school? Well, it was an illusionist, master of doing things to people before they even realize it.. Check your wrists lately?" Kim looked down to find that Brad had gotten a pair of handcuffs on her. As she examined her wrists in horror, she turned to see Tommy running to her. Then she felt a prick in the back of her neck, and the world went black.
"Hold it right there lover boy!" Brad yelled, and Tommy stopped dead in his tracks. He had injected some kind of fast acting sedative into her after slipping the cuffs on. Now, he held a gun to her unconscious head. Tommy was helpless as Brad dragged Kim's body to his car. He put her in the front seat and then turned the gun on Tommy. "Get your friends to teleport her out, and you'll be getting a corpse with a bullet to the head." He slid into the car and started it. Reversed at full speed and drove away. Tommy tried to run after the car, but Brad held the gun out the window for a moment, then visibly pointed it towards Kim as he pulled it back in. Tommy gave up the pursuit, and collapsed on to the sidewalk.
"No.." he breathed. "Kim."
Author's note:
What do you think? Was the handcuff thing dumb? Believe me it was dumber in the first draft. And for some reason my dot dot dot (.) thing's aren't working. Well didn't work on the last chapter, but sorry about that. Anyway, we're almost on the 's' section of the story book/phone book. What do you think?????????? Sorry for the late updates, I've been cleaning my room, can you believe it? I'm actually cleaning my room, which hasn't been thoroughly cleaned like this since like grade two. hmm, that's a pretty picture I'm a pack rat what can I say? Hey but I did find my complete set of Might Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie cards. Neat! Did they put out a Turbo set??? Anyway, I digress.