Chapter 2: Gathering

The plane finally began its final descent to Angel Grove Airport. And Kimberly Hart looked out the window with a smile, looking at all the familiar sights.

She had talked to Jason yesterday afternoon. And immediately upon hanging up, she had called Trini and Zach, who like herself, had got an immediate flight home. They were supposed to meet her at the gate, as their flight landed twenty minutes earlier than hers had been scheduled to land.

Her doctor hadn't been happy with her unexpected trip, but had relented when learning the reason for the trip. That, and Kim had promised to go see her doctor from Angel Grove as soon as she got settled. She and Trini were going to stay at the Kwan's; and along with Zach's parents and Billy's father, Trini's parents had promised to not tell anyone of their coming or, more importantly, Kim's illness.

The plane stopped at the gate and Kim got up. Gathering her carry-on and her purse, she watched as the familiar mad rush of a landing airplane passed her by. After today, her world was about to change once more.

And after all the changes it had gone through already that seemed barely possible... But then she'd look in the mirror and see how much she looked like hell. And anyone who told her otherwise was full of crap. She had lost a good deal of weight these past two years, which was surprising in itself as the question of what weight she had to lose had often raised itself in her mind.

But yes, she was quite literally skin and bones now, which was why she wore a good deal of baggy clothing now, to hide it at least a small bit. Course she knew it did very little for her appearance. And certainly didn't hide the bags under her eyes, the pallor of her face. Or her distinct lack of hair.

Which, thanks to the miracles of makeup, which she was by now a wizard with, and a gift from her stepfather, her nice shiny head was now hidden by the wig that looked just like her own hair had.

Reaching up to check her hair, she found everything in place and made her way out into the stream of people and luggage making it's way down the aisle and through the tunnel to the gate.

Looking up when she heard her name; she found Trini and Zach standing next to the pole with the gate number. Kim hurried over to them and got a hug from them both. Suddenly wondering why she hadn't done this before. How did she really go two years without seeing any of them?

:-:-:-:-:-:

"Hey Kim." Zach said as he gave her a hug, pulling her from her thoughts. "How are you?" he asked as she stepped back and he could get a good look at her.

"I've been better, but I'm doing alright." Kim said with a half smile. "So, how was your flight? Do you know if Zordon got a hold of Billy? And where are we going next?" Kim asked as the three turned and headed towards the baggage claim.

"That's our Kimmy." Zach said with a laugh, "fifty mile per hour questions."

"Ha ha, very funny." Kim said with a smile.

Trini laughed then answered Kim's questions, "The flight was great, long, but great. Billy is on his way, and will meet us at my house, which is where we are going. My parents are meeting us out front in fifteen minutes."

"Ok. Well, then, we had better get a move on shouldn't we?" Kim said, as she went to get her luggage, and they went to get theirs. While Trini and Zach were watching for their bags, Zach finally voiced the thoughts in both their heads.

"She doesn't look good." They had both seen through her attempts to look normal. They knew her too well for that to work, but it might fool the others for a few hours at least. If one didn't look in her eyes they'd almost think she was just tired and had changed her clothing style.

"No." Trini said softly, "I'm afraid Zach. None of the methods are working. It's been over two years since she got sick again, and now Jase... I talked to her mom before we left to let her know about Jase, she said the doctors are only letting Kim come because there is nothing else they can do. Kim's mom is coming next week, so she can be here to say goodbye."

"Oh God Trini. How are we supposed to say goodbye to our best friend? We barely survived the first time they were sick, and Jase nearly died then. Now Kim, I don't know how I'll do it."

"Do what?"

Zach and Trini turned around to see Kim, "Eat Mrs. Kwan's roast duck." Zach said with a laugh, "I just can't bring myself to eat duck, I keep picturing Daffy Duck."

"I know, but for me it's Donald." Kim said with a laugh, "So have you guys seen your luggage?"

"Yeah, actually there it is." Trini said pointing to the carousel. She and Zach grabbed their bags and the three went to the front entrance. Trini and Zach glanced over Kim's head along the way, thankful that he had been able to come up with that save.