Disclaimer: hey-tay, ren't-ay, ine-may. Get it? They aren't mine, in pig
Latin. Yeah..anyway!
Author's note: Thank you everyone for the reviews. Teri, I can't wait to read more of your story, you're a great writer. Shaylei, thanks for pointing out the 'how did Brad know?' thing, because it totally slipped my mind. I just hope it sounded okay, what I wrote I mean. Anyways, the show must go on!
"Should we say something?" Ashley asked as Zhane and Andros threw the last shovel of dirt on. They all stood around the shallow grave in the deep, unoccupied section of the Angel Grove woods. D.E.C.A. had picked the location for them because there wasn't much human activity in those parts of the woods. They were too far out for anyone to trek through. They looked around at one another, and then down at Kim. Keeping her eyes on the grave that held her past, Kim pushed herself out of the wheelchair. Tommy's arm was immediately around her waist, helping her walk forward, both for the safety of her stitches and cuts, and because he was worried she'd fall.
"I'm okay. I can stand." She said looking up at him. After a moment, Tommy nodded and backed off, leaving her standing by the grave. She sighed and looked down at the pile of dirt before her. "I forgive you." She said. The others looked up at her, surprised by her words, wondering how she could forgive this monster for what he'd done. "I don't know if that means anything where you are," she continued, "but just know that even though you did what you did to me, I forgive you. I won't ever forget the bad, and it was mostly bad, but...there were some good times. So whenever I think of you, I'll try to think of that tiny window of good that we shared. I hate you for what that good led to, and it's going to take me a while, if ever, to see past that hate. But someday, I hope I can. Because you have stolen enough of my thoughts, enough of me, that I need you out of my life, and my mind.......Rest in regret." She finished, staggering slightly as she tried to turn and walk away. Tommy caught her and helped her back into the wheelchair.
"Should we mark it with something?" Carlos asked.
"Too risky." T.J. said.
"I agree. Besides, I will never forget where he is." Kim added. They nodded and turned from the grave.
Days past on the ship, and Kim continually pushed herself to walk. The others tried to get her to slow down, but she ignored them and practiced when they weren't looking. She was soon walking under her own power. Her injuries had almost completely healed, thanks to her increased regeneration abilities from her ranger days, save a few stubborn wounds that refused to get better so fast. She was walking down the hall one day, to meet Andros in the infirmary for a check-up. She had almost considered canceling it, she felt fine. She sighed, a skip in her step due to the increasingly good mood she was in, when a wave of dizziness hit. She stumbled, and veered into the wall. Her breathing increased and she could feel her heart beating faster and faster, thumping against her chest.
"D.E.C.A...." she breathed, "get....help." she gasped before passing out.
***
"Tommy, Andros." D.E.C.A. said. The two were in the infirmary waiting for Kimberly's arrival.
"What is it D.E.C.A.?" Tommy asked.
"Kimberly has had a relapse. She is unconscious down the hallway." D.E.C.A. said calmly. Both Tommy and Andros bolted out the door and rushed down the hall, encountering the unconscious Kimberly not too far away. Tommy dropped to the floor beside her, cupping her face in his hands.
"Kim! Kim, come on, don't do this!" he cried. "Say something......come back to me!"
"Tommy, we have to get her to the infirmary!" Andros cried.
Tommy looked at him blankly for a moment, and then gathered Kim up in his arms and they ran back towards the infirmary. Tommy set her down on one of the exam tables and took her hands.
"D.E.C.A., get the others!" Andros commanded as he began the initial scans.
"What happened! Is she going to be okay?!" Tommy said worriedly.
"I can't tell just yet, but please, you have to wait outside." Andros said, not looking up as he worked on more scans.
The other rangers rushed in, with Kat bringing up the rear, limping slightly. She moved over to Tommy and tugged at his shirt. "Tommy, come on let's go outside, let them work." He didn't move. "Tommy! They'll tell us when they know something!" Kat cried, pulling him harder. He hesitantly followed her out, never taking his eyes off the unconscious Kimberly.
***
Tommy paced outside the infirmary doors, anxiously awaiting news. Kat, who had made herself comfortable on the floor, sighed irritably.
"Tommy, I know that you're worried, but you are making me nauseous with your pacing!" She said calmly. Tommy continued to pace, seeming not to have heard her. Kat sighed again, louder this time, and stood up with some difficulty. She stepped in front of him when he turned towards her. "Tommy!" she cried. He jerked slightly, startled to find her before him.
"Yeah?" he said.
"Relax!....They saved her once, they'll do it again." She said softly as she patted his arm.
"I know......but, why did she have a relapse in the first place?" he questioned.
Kat looked at him sadly. "I'm not the person to ask." As if on cue, the infirmary doors opened and Zhane walked out. Tommy whirled around to face him, and opened his mouth to ask his million questions.
"Whoa!" Zhane said, putting his hands up in surrender. "She'll be fine." He said quickly, bringing a sigh of relief from the two.
"Why did that happen?" Tommy asked calmly.
"Well, she had a relapse because she used too much energy too fast. Some of her remaining wounds were in danger of opening up again. Because they weren't fully healed, when she over exerted herself, the wounds caused some mild internal bleeding. We've stopped that......She was too weak to do so much, so her muscles reacted on instinct, which was to shut down. That's why she fainted, that and extreme exhaustion. It was as if her body suddenly said, 'that's it, I've had enough.' She needs to be re-hydrated so we've attached a standard earth IV to her for the night. She needs to stay in bed all, and I mean *all* of tomorrow, so that she can begin recouping again slowly." He paused and sighed. "She's very stubborn. She kept insisting that she was all right, that she could walk back to her room. I hate to say it, but she caused that relapse all by herself." He finished.
Tommy smiled slightly. "She's always been a fighter. A stubborn one who won't stay down when she's injured."
"Speaking of which, she needs to be monitored very closely to make sure she doesn't try this again." Zhane said as Kat moved to his side.
"I'll do it, Tommy's too easy on her. He doesn't want to risk the wrath of Kim cause he loves her." Kat said raising a mischievous eyebrow at her ex.
"What can I say?" Tommy shrugged. "She's my world. I don't know what I'd do if I lost her." He thought for a moment about what he'd just said. "I think I'm gonna do something for her. When will she be awake?" he asked looking at Zhane.
"She was kinda delirious when we got there so I'd say about a half hour. We didn't have to give her a large sedative because it wasn't too bad, so..yeah, a half hour I'd say." Zhane answered.
"Great, I'll be back in a bit." Tommy said turning to go. Once he was gone, Kat's smile faded and she turned to Zhane.
"What didn't you tell him?" she sighed.
"You know me too well." Zhane smiled half-heartedly. "She.....may have slight amnesia."
"Then Tommy would go on the quest for her stone." Kat pointed out.
"No, she'd have to have full amnesia for that. I don't think it's serious though. She seemed to remember all of us, and you and Tommy. She could forget part of her childhood, or even worse...she could forget Brad." Zhane said.
"But that would be a good thing, wouldn't it?" Kat frowned.
"Not necessarily. Eventually, it would all come flooding back, and that would mean that she runs the risk of an emotional breakdown. I mean, imagine just suddenly remembering one day that you'd been horribly abused, and almost killed by some guy you'd forgot you knew. But it may be only a small part of her memory, which has nothing to with Brad, so she'd be fine once it all came back. But, it could be nothing at all, she could be fine." Zhane explained. "But until it all came back, she'd probably be extremely frustrated and edgey."
"But she'd still be Kim?" Kat asked hopefully.
"Of course. But I didn't tell Tommy because she may have no memory loss whatsoever."
"But if she does, he might be very angry at not getting a heads up about the situation." Kat said.
"You can tell him if you want to, but I don't think it's necessary. The chances of amnesia are very small."
"Guys, you comin' in?" T.J. asked from behind them. The infirmary doors had opened a moment before, without them noticing.
"Yeah." Zhane answered, grabbing Kat's hand.
Kat looked over at Kim as she entered. The young brunette was pale, and unconscious with the oxygen tube re-attached o her nose. Kat looked over at Zhane. "Why is that there, I thought you said she'd be fine." She hissed.
"She will, it's only a precaution." He said gently. Kat sighed and released Zhane's hand as she moved to sit with Kim. She touched her friends' hand, and Kim opened her eyes groggily.
"Hey Kat." He said weakly.
"Hey," Kat smiled. "Are you okay?"
Kim nodded. "I'll be fine. Where's Tommy?" she asked.
"He's just taking care of something. He'll be back soon." Kat smiled gently.
"Zhane, could I talk to you for a moment?" Cassie said, tapping her teammate on the shoulder. Zhane, who'd been staring at his girlfriend, nodded and hesitantly moved away from his vantage point of her.
"What's up?" he whispered.
"That thing you went to take care of earlier. What is it!? I'm dying to know!" she said. Zhane glanced over at Kat, who was still talking to Kimberly, and then led Cassie out into the hallway.
"I'm taking Kat to this gazebo by the ocean, for a private dinner, with violinists, and dancing. Then maybe a walk on the beach." He whispered.
"That is sssooooooo sweet!" Cassie cooed quietly. "She is going to absolutely love it!"
"Love what?" Tommy asked as he approached.
"A surprise for Kat. Our Zhane's quite the romantic." Cassie grinned.
"I've got a little something planned for Kim too." Tommy smiled.
"What's this about a surprise?" T.J. asked as he and Carlos joined them in the hall.
"Surprise, for who?" Andros smiled, approaching from down the hall.
The infirmary doors closed on a busily working Ashley, and Kat and Kim talking quietly. "For Kim," Tommy said. "I'm gonna take her to the Surf Spot Friday after hours, have a little candlelit dinner, and then-'' he paused, removing a small box from his pocket, and opened it revealing a diamond ring. The rangers gasped and then burst into hushed congratulations.
"That's great man, congrats!" Carlos smiled.
"Well, she's gotta say yes first." Tommy smiled.
"And she so will!" Cassie cried.
"Thanks. Then on Saturday, I've got Zack, Trini, Billy, and Jason coming in. They're the original team of rangers." He verified.
"I've got a surprise for Ashley too." Andros said after a moment.
"Spill it!" said T.J.
"I'm taking her to KO-35 to show her around, then I'm going to give her this." He said, pulling a ring from his jacket pocket. "It's a promise ring." He smiled.
Cassie sighed. "Wow guys, I'm impressed. I didn't know you were this serious, with the exception of Tommy of course. But you've proved me wrong. Congrats." She said.
"I didn't know we were being judged." Laughed Andros.
"What can I say?" Cassie shrugged. "I look out for you guys."
"Hey," Kat frowned as the infirmary doors opened. "What are you all doing out here?"
"Uh....nothing. Just...... Comparing ranger stories." Andros fumbled. The others nodded. They all exchanged knowing glances and moved into the infirmary.
Author's note: We're almost there!!!!!! Leap of Fate, when you said this story should go on forever.....well.....it kinda does. This story is part one in the trilogy. At the end of this story I'll give you guys a plot summary from the next chapter. Okay? Okay. Until next time! Hope you like it!!!
Author's note: Thank you everyone for the reviews. Teri, I can't wait to read more of your story, you're a great writer. Shaylei, thanks for pointing out the 'how did Brad know?' thing, because it totally slipped my mind. I just hope it sounded okay, what I wrote I mean. Anyways, the show must go on!
"Should we say something?" Ashley asked as Zhane and Andros threw the last shovel of dirt on. They all stood around the shallow grave in the deep, unoccupied section of the Angel Grove woods. D.E.C.A. had picked the location for them because there wasn't much human activity in those parts of the woods. They were too far out for anyone to trek through. They looked around at one another, and then down at Kim. Keeping her eyes on the grave that held her past, Kim pushed herself out of the wheelchair. Tommy's arm was immediately around her waist, helping her walk forward, both for the safety of her stitches and cuts, and because he was worried she'd fall.
"I'm okay. I can stand." She said looking up at him. After a moment, Tommy nodded and backed off, leaving her standing by the grave. She sighed and looked down at the pile of dirt before her. "I forgive you." She said. The others looked up at her, surprised by her words, wondering how she could forgive this monster for what he'd done. "I don't know if that means anything where you are," she continued, "but just know that even though you did what you did to me, I forgive you. I won't ever forget the bad, and it was mostly bad, but...there were some good times. So whenever I think of you, I'll try to think of that tiny window of good that we shared. I hate you for what that good led to, and it's going to take me a while, if ever, to see past that hate. But someday, I hope I can. Because you have stolen enough of my thoughts, enough of me, that I need you out of my life, and my mind.......Rest in regret." She finished, staggering slightly as she tried to turn and walk away. Tommy caught her and helped her back into the wheelchair.
"Should we mark it with something?" Carlos asked.
"Too risky." T.J. said.
"I agree. Besides, I will never forget where he is." Kim added. They nodded and turned from the grave.
Days past on the ship, and Kim continually pushed herself to walk. The others tried to get her to slow down, but she ignored them and practiced when they weren't looking. She was soon walking under her own power. Her injuries had almost completely healed, thanks to her increased regeneration abilities from her ranger days, save a few stubborn wounds that refused to get better so fast. She was walking down the hall one day, to meet Andros in the infirmary for a check-up. She had almost considered canceling it, she felt fine. She sighed, a skip in her step due to the increasingly good mood she was in, when a wave of dizziness hit. She stumbled, and veered into the wall. Her breathing increased and she could feel her heart beating faster and faster, thumping against her chest.
"D.E.C.A...." she breathed, "get....help." she gasped before passing out.
***
"Tommy, Andros." D.E.C.A. said. The two were in the infirmary waiting for Kimberly's arrival.
"What is it D.E.C.A.?" Tommy asked.
"Kimberly has had a relapse. She is unconscious down the hallway." D.E.C.A. said calmly. Both Tommy and Andros bolted out the door and rushed down the hall, encountering the unconscious Kimberly not too far away. Tommy dropped to the floor beside her, cupping her face in his hands.
"Kim! Kim, come on, don't do this!" he cried. "Say something......come back to me!"
"Tommy, we have to get her to the infirmary!" Andros cried.
Tommy looked at him blankly for a moment, and then gathered Kim up in his arms and they ran back towards the infirmary. Tommy set her down on one of the exam tables and took her hands.
"D.E.C.A., get the others!" Andros commanded as he began the initial scans.
"What happened! Is she going to be okay?!" Tommy said worriedly.
"I can't tell just yet, but please, you have to wait outside." Andros said, not looking up as he worked on more scans.
The other rangers rushed in, with Kat bringing up the rear, limping slightly. She moved over to Tommy and tugged at his shirt. "Tommy, come on let's go outside, let them work." He didn't move. "Tommy! They'll tell us when they know something!" Kat cried, pulling him harder. He hesitantly followed her out, never taking his eyes off the unconscious Kimberly.
***
Tommy paced outside the infirmary doors, anxiously awaiting news. Kat, who had made herself comfortable on the floor, sighed irritably.
"Tommy, I know that you're worried, but you are making me nauseous with your pacing!" She said calmly. Tommy continued to pace, seeming not to have heard her. Kat sighed again, louder this time, and stood up with some difficulty. She stepped in front of him when he turned towards her. "Tommy!" she cried. He jerked slightly, startled to find her before him.
"Yeah?" he said.
"Relax!....They saved her once, they'll do it again." She said softly as she patted his arm.
"I know......but, why did she have a relapse in the first place?" he questioned.
Kat looked at him sadly. "I'm not the person to ask." As if on cue, the infirmary doors opened and Zhane walked out. Tommy whirled around to face him, and opened his mouth to ask his million questions.
"Whoa!" Zhane said, putting his hands up in surrender. "She'll be fine." He said quickly, bringing a sigh of relief from the two.
"Why did that happen?" Tommy asked calmly.
"Well, she had a relapse because she used too much energy too fast. Some of her remaining wounds were in danger of opening up again. Because they weren't fully healed, when she over exerted herself, the wounds caused some mild internal bleeding. We've stopped that......She was too weak to do so much, so her muscles reacted on instinct, which was to shut down. That's why she fainted, that and extreme exhaustion. It was as if her body suddenly said, 'that's it, I've had enough.' She needs to be re-hydrated so we've attached a standard earth IV to her for the night. She needs to stay in bed all, and I mean *all* of tomorrow, so that she can begin recouping again slowly." He paused and sighed. "She's very stubborn. She kept insisting that she was all right, that she could walk back to her room. I hate to say it, but she caused that relapse all by herself." He finished.
Tommy smiled slightly. "She's always been a fighter. A stubborn one who won't stay down when she's injured."
"Speaking of which, she needs to be monitored very closely to make sure she doesn't try this again." Zhane said as Kat moved to his side.
"I'll do it, Tommy's too easy on her. He doesn't want to risk the wrath of Kim cause he loves her." Kat said raising a mischievous eyebrow at her ex.
"What can I say?" Tommy shrugged. "She's my world. I don't know what I'd do if I lost her." He thought for a moment about what he'd just said. "I think I'm gonna do something for her. When will she be awake?" he asked looking at Zhane.
"She was kinda delirious when we got there so I'd say about a half hour. We didn't have to give her a large sedative because it wasn't too bad, so..yeah, a half hour I'd say." Zhane answered.
"Great, I'll be back in a bit." Tommy said turning to go. Once he was gone, Kat's smile faded and she turned to Zhane.
"What didn't you tell him?" she sighed.
"You know me too well." Zhane smiled half-heartedly. "She.....may have slight amnesia."
"Then Tommy would go on the quest for her stone." Kat pointed out.
"No, she'd have to have full amnesia for that. I don't think it's serious though. She seemed to remember all of us, and you and Tommy. She could forget part of her childhood, or even worse...she could forget Brad." Zhane said.
"But that would be a good thing, wouldn't it?" Kat frowned.
"Not necessarily. Eventually, it would all come flooding back, and that would mean that she runs the risk of an emotional breakdown. I mean, imagine just suddenly remembering one day that you'd been horribly abused, and almost killed by some guy you'd forgot you knew. But it may be only a small part of her memory, which has nothing to with Brad, so she'd be fine once it all came back. But, it could be nothing at all, she could be fine." Zhane explained. "But until it all came back, she'd probably be extremely frustrated and edgey."
"But she'd still be Kim?" Kat asked hopefully.
"Of course. But I didn't tell Tommy because she may have no memory loss whatsoever."
"But if she does, he might be very angry at not getting a heads up about the situation." Kat said.
"You can tell him if you want to, but I don't think it's necessary. The chances of amnesia are very small."
"Guys, you comin' in?" T.J. asked from behind them. The infirmary doors had opened a moment before, without them noticing.
"Yeah." Zhane answered, grabbing Kat's hand.
Kat looked over at Kim as she entered. The young brunette was pale, and unconscious with the oxygen tube re-attached o her nose. Kat looked over at Zhane. "Why is that there, I thought you said she'd be fine." She hissed.
"She will, it's only a precaution." He said gently. Kat sighed and released Zhane's hand as she moved to sit with Kim. She touched her friends' hand, and Kim opened her eyes groggily.
"Hey Kat." He said weakly.
"Hey," Kat smiled. "Are you okay?"
Kim nodded. "I'll be fine. Where's Tommy?" she asked.
"He's just taking care of something. He'll be back soon." Kat smiled gently.
"Zhane, could I talk to you for a moment?" Cassie said, tapping her teammate on the shoulder. Zhane, who'd been staring at his girlfriend, nodded and hesitantly moved away from his vantage point of her.
"What's up?" he whispered.
"That thing you went to take care of earlier. What is it!? I'm dying to know!" she said. Zhane glanced over at Kat, who was still talking to Kimberly, and then led Cassie out into the hallway.
"I'm taking Kat to this gazebo by the ocean, for a private dinner, with violinists, and dancing. Then maybe a walk on the beach." He whispered.
"That is sssooooooo sweet!" Cassie cooed quietly. "She is going to absolutely love it!"
"Love what?" Tommy asked as he approached.
"A surprise for Kat. Our Zhane's quite the romantic." Cassie grinned.
"I've got a little something planned for Kim too." Tommy smiled.
"What's this about a surprise?" T.J. asked as he and Carlos joined them in the hall.
"Surprise, for who?" Andros smiled, approaching from down the hall.
The infirmary doors closed on a busily working Ashley, and Kat and Kim talking quietly. "For Kim," Tommy said. "I'm gonna take her to the Surf Spot Friday after hours, have a little candlelit dinner, and then-'' he paused, removing a small box from his pocket, and opened it revealing a diamond ring. The rangers gasped and then burst into hushed congratulations.
"That's great man, congrats!" Carlos smiled.
"Well, she's gotta say yes first." Tommy smiled.
"And she so will!" Cassie cried.
"Thanks. Then on Saturday, I've got Zack, Trini, Billy, and Jason coming in. They're the original team of rangers." He verified.
"I've got a surprise for Ashley too." Andros said after a moment.
"Spill it!" said T.J.
"I'm taking her to KO-35 to show her around, then I'm going to give her this." He said, pulling a ring from his jacket pocket. "It's a promise ring." He smiled.
Cassie sighed. "Wow guys, I'm impressed. I didn't know you were this serious, with the exception of Tommy of course. But you've proved me wrong. Congrats." She said.
"I didn't know we were being judged." Laughed Andros.
"What can I say?" Cassie shrugged. "I look out for you guys."
"Hey," Kat frowned as the infirmary doors opened. "What are you all doing out here?"
"Uh....nothing. Just...... Comparing ranger stories." Andros fumbled. The others nodded. They all exchanged knowing glances and moved into the infirmary.
Author's note: We're almost there!!!!!! Leap of Fate, when you said this story should go on forever.....well.....it kinda does. This story is part one in the trilogy. At the end of this story I'll give you guys a plot summary from the next chapter. Okay? Okay. Until next time! Hope you like it!!!