2A/N: Okay, now, I really didn't want to get rid of these lyrics. I truly want to cry just for getting rid of them. These were good songs, that just weren't supposed to be missed. So, you gotta find these lyrics, or this chapter just won't have the same effect. So, seek out Boys II Men's "I'll Make Love to You" and Piolo Pascual and Claudine Barretto's "The Gift" – um, I don't remember the original singers of this song. So, happy searching. Peace out for now.

THE REASON - Part Forty-Three: The Gift

Summary: After the mayhem of all that has happened, Tommy and Kim share that much anticipated night together. But, as it goes, some things must also have to wait. Tommy sends Kim back to Florida to get ready for the Olympics, but not before doing one last thing.

Disclaimer: Power Rangers belongs and will always belong to Saban Entertainment, BVS Entertainment Inc., Renaissance Atlantic Entertainment, Village Roadshow KP Producations Limited, ABC Kids, ABC Family and Disney. And to all other affiliates with the Power Rangers concept (ie. Sentai-the original Power Rangers). To Boys II Men's "I'll Make Love to You" and Piolo Pascual and Claudine Barretto's "The Gift"—I can't remember who sang the original song, but this goes to that Filipino movie Milan if ya'll are wondering. So, thanks for the inspiration.

A/N: First off, I must apologize and say that getting these next few chapters up may be harder than expected. I haven't had the time to get my friend over to my house to check my computer, and that virus is continuing to eat at my hard drive more and more. So, sorry. Hope you enjoy these next few chapters, though they're meant to be posted two months ago or so. But, anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter. This is the much anticipated chapter I know most of you were waiting for. But, see you when I do. May the Powers Always Protect You.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

"From the moment I met you, I knew we were perfect for each other.
And I want to spend the rest of my days with you. Don't leave." -Eclyptyk Neo

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Tommy sighed, collapsing on a chair. Kim saw his sadness and walked over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. He only pulled her into a hug as she found a place on his lap. Her hands were wrapped around his neck, his around her waist as he clung to her, never wanting to let go.

"Tommy, what's wrong?" she asked with great concern.

He dropped his head, unable to look at the woman he loved so much. And it crushed her. They were finally together after so long–a month. And before that, they weren't even on good grounds. They were both hurting from the loss and lies of their haunted past. Tommy had apologized time and time again, on the phone, but never in person. Never to her face. She never returned any of his calls after the fight. And when she found the courage to go and talk to him, he was trapped in his amber encasing. And when he was freed, she was captured by Mesogog. It was all downhill from there.

And nothing was going their way. Even now, it felt like there was still a distance between them.

"Tommy." she asked gently. "Talk to me. Tell me what's wrong."

He couldn't find the words to say what he needed to say. Her hands moved to caress the smooth skin on his face, stopping on the stubble of hair on his chin. The moment was theirs. But cherishing it was hard. There were still scars where they wanted to get rid of them. But all the pain of the past was diminished when Kim set a line of kisses to his lips. He didn't have to oppose for her gesture, as he pulled her closer, deepening the kiss.

"Are we interrupting anything?" a voice called out.

They quickly broke the embrace looking away. Both of them were bright red with embarrassment. Kim looked over her shoulder to see the familiar faces of the three ninjas at the entrance of the forest door. Each wanted to greet the pink ninja ranger on her return to reality.

"Actually, you were." Kim said quietly, as she got off her love's lap, approaching the trio.

"No way, home girl." Aisha smiled brightly pulling her best friend into a warm, tight hug. "Just glad to have you back."

"Yeah, no doubt." Rocky nodded, as she moved to get crushed by the red ape ninja. "Mesogog isn't exactly playing by the rules."

"I don't think any evil being ever does, Rocky." she stated as he broke the hug. She moved toward the black frog ninja, who was just as happy to see her, but a little preoccupied. "And Adam. How are you holdin' out?"

He shrugged before pulling her into a tight hug. "Just glad that you're back on our side, ya know. I don't think any of us would like to deal with two evil rangers."

"Yeah, even if we still got one out there." Rocky said in a low voice.

Aisha glared at him, offended by his comment. "Ya know, Rocky, comments like that can really lower someone's self-esteem."

"I highly doubt we're out of this yet, guys." Adam said.

"We already know, buddy." Rocky sighed. "As long as Mesogog is still around, we're gonna have a big problem on our hands."

"But, there's something else." Adam stated, as the black dino thunder ranger made his way to the team.

Tommy took two more steps, but lost his footing, stumbling. Kim raced over to catch him, but his weight took her down as Aisha rushed over to assist the pink ninja with the shaken legendary ranger. They lead him back to a chair.

"Tommy?" Kim grew worried, as she caressed his face wiping away the sweat. "Tommy, you okay?"

Adam and Rocky found their way over to the trio.

"I can't bet this is true, but I think there is something wrong with Tommy." Adam concluded as he looked at the pink ninja ranger. "Kim, do you remember that day when you were at Anton Mercer's place?"

Kim grabbed her head, thinking. But after awhile, she shook her head. "A little. I remember being dragged into the room by these Tyrannodrones, and Tommy was there. But after that, I can't seem to remember anything."

Aisha raised an eyebrow, confused. And Rocky followed suit as their eyes bore down on the black ninja ranger.

"Okay, I can't guarantee anything out of all this." Adam took a step back, hoping he could explain himself before everyone would go medieval on him. "But, that day I found Tommy in the woods, he was unconscious. He suffered a concussion, or at least that is what we're supposed to believe. And what I've noticed is that Tommy's been acting a little more green than black lately, if you get what I'm saying."

"Evil! Don't tell me we got another evil ranger to deal with?" Rocky was the first to say something.

"That I can't really guarantee until I get more answers. That pink dino gem really has done a lot to you, Tommy. But it isn't deadly, just more a psychological change. And ever since Mesogog has had a way to somehow fuse a power coin with an evil encoding into your gem, he is trying to introduce the rest of us into that world. But as far as I could tell, those were destroyed, except for Tommy's green power coin. And by what I can conclude as of now, Mesogog has been using a little bit of mind control and illusion on these two to make them forget what happened that day at Mercer's place."

"Thank you, Captain Smart." Aisha grumbled about her friend's conclusion.

"How about ninja magic?" Rocky suggested.

"Tried it. Didn't work. But they're fine for the most part. As far as I could tell, until we get more answers, we just have to sleep on the matter." Adam sighed. "I can't say anymore than that."

"And I thought Tommy was suppose to take the role as smart one here, even though you got that MD in medicine." Aisha shook her head.

Adam shrugged. "Just picking up where he can't. I guess it comes with the color."

"So, I've noticed." Rocky sighed.

The three ninjas looked to the couple, who hadn't said much the entire time Adam was bringing up his theory.

"So, you two gonna be okay?" Aisha asked.

Kim found a place back in Tommy's lap wrapping her arms around his waist. He found a place for his head on her shoulder as they nodded in turn. "I think we'll be fine."

"Well, just give us the heads up if anything comes up." Adam stated firmly.

"Will do, Adam. Thanks, man." Tommy nodded his approval for the request.

"Don't run yourself down, T." Rocky joked, knowing what the two lovebirds were heading for. "I know what's gonna go..."

Aisha pushed the red ninja toward the forest entrance, the black ninja on their heels. "Give the two their space, Rocky. It's been a long time."

"Thanks, girl." Kim called out with relief, caressing her love's face.

"We'll catch you two later." Adam flashed out a peace sign as the forest entrance door closed behind him.

Kim ran her hand down the side of Tommy's face, pulling his face up to meet hers. He didn't hesitate to pull her into another passionate kiss. She didn't have to disagree as she moved to find a more comfortable spot in his arms.

When they were sure they could no longer hold their breaths any longer, the kiss was broken gently. But it was only for a brief time when Tommy found his lips trace a line down to her neck, or what he could get to behind the pink ninja uniform.

Kim stopped him, taking his head into her care, pulling him back up to see his eyes. Lust met the eyes of the uncertain falcon.

And each of them knew what was about to happen.

"Are you sure about this, Kim?" he asked above a whisper as he caught his breath.

"I always wondered how you'd strip me of my ninja garments." she said in a sultry voice. "Besides, I think we've waited long enough for this to happen."

"Are you sure?" he still sounded uncertain.

She nodded. "I'm sure, Tommy."

He grinned as she returned it with a mind-numbing kiss. As she did, he found himself getting to his feet, her wrapped protectively around him as he made the journey up to his bedroom.

Several hours later.

Neither of them could believe that it happened. That in their eleven years of knowing each other--and the long distance between them--they had done it. They had finally made love. And it was something neither of them would forget, especially when they both had their fair share of moving the bed out of place.

They laid there, quietly. Tommy held Kim protectively in his arms, never wanting to let her go. She ran a finger along the inked art on his arm, commenting on the designs he had picked out.

"Didn't it hurt? I thought you weren't much for needles?" she asked.

He shook his head, shrugging. "I guess it's more the ones that carry medicine through the other end. You know how much I hate doctors, anyways."

"Hasn't changed a bit, stubborn boy." she laughed. "But what about Adam?"

"He considers himself more of a physical therapist and Asian Medicine Man rather than one of those surgical doctors. I trust those herbal remedies over a long list of interrogation about an injury any day."

She sat up and gave him a little kiss on the lips. He didn't like the tease as he pulled her into a mind-numbing kiss. She relaxed into his embrace as he broke it.

"I miss those kisses." she sighed quietly.

"Well, there's plenty more where that came from. And more nights like this." he forced out a sigh. "I hope."

"Now, what's wrong?" she asked, turning to look at him, running her hand through his short hair.

He rolled over, retrieving an envelope on the nightstand, handing it over to her. "First things first. You gotta go back to Florida and get ready for the games."

"I've been gone too long..." she seemed saddened.

"No. Don't do this." he shook his head, putting a finger to her lips. "The team needs you, Kim. You've worked hard to bring them this far. You can't just abandon them now. And as much as I want you to stay with me, you gotta go."

She looked at the ticket–the plane ticket–sending her back to Florida. She looked saddened, not wanting to go, but knew that he was right. She sat up, pulling the blanket to wrap around her body. "It'll only be a month. Then I'll be back."

"I know, baby." he sat up, pulling her into his embrace. "But this time, you will make it permanent, right?"

"I'll think about it."

"You can't be serious, after..."

She smiled. "I'm kidding, Tommy. Next time, it's permanent."

"And I'll have you all to myself. But until then," he pulled the blanket over their heads, laying her down on the bed. "We make the most of our time now to explore each other."

"You're a very naughty boy, Dr. Oliver." she teased, running a hand down his face.

"You have no idea, Ms. Hart. I've only just begun." he said before pulling her into another kiss.

Next day. Afternoon.

The teens found themselves at the airport straight after school, knowing it was time to say good-bye to Kim before the Summer Olympics was going to begin. They had hoped that it didn't come down to this, because the time spent with Kim was short-lived in the two months of her stay. It felt like yesterday they were just meeting her for the first time, but it was hard to say anything about the matter. The ninja rangers were also saddened to see their friend go. They too were feeling the tension of the last few months die down, but couldn't guarantee it was all over for good.

Adam held a camera in his hand, promising Hayley that he would get the much-needed footage that they were all waiting for. They knew it had to be done after the events of last night. And they all knew what happened last night, whether the couple would deny it or not. They were already running late anyways.

"How long?" Aisha asked her ninja counterparts, looking at her watch.

"An all nighter." Rocky concluded.

Adam was fumbling through the functions on the camera, shaking his head. "Ya know, Jase is gonna want all the details to this story."

"No doubt. Everyone does."

Aisha nodded again. "Oh yeah. No doubt about it." She looked through the crowd, trying to find her friends among the chaos.

Adam forced out a breath and spotted the two coming from the moving walkway. "Well. Well. Well. Here they come now."

Conner found his place beside the ninja mentors. "So, do you think things are resolved between them?"

Rocky nodded. "Oh yeah. No doubt about it. Look at that grin on his face."

The group turned toward the couple as they walked over to them. It was clear that they had spotted the team, but were caught up in their own world to notice the concern and hungry faces for dirt on the matter. Tommy and Kim could never lose sight of the other. Each sharing a comment that made the other laugh as it was whispered into their significant other's ear. It made the ninja trio cringe slightly, seeing that the attention was clearly those two and no one else.

Ethan was sitting up against the wall with Trent and Kira looking over at his activities on the laptop. He stated an opening at a record company that the yellow dino thunder ranger should check out, but she was too skeptic about it. Her blue and white counterparts encouraged her to go on and do it, but she wasn't convinced. They knew she was good. Everyone on the team did. It was just a matter of fact of getting signed on to make an album.

The two lovebirds finally made it over to the team, but as they did, the yellow ninja ranger pushed the legendary ranger aside and wrapped her arm around her friend wanting to know the entire story.

Tommy furrowed his eyebrows with confusion as he was shot back into reality when he was met with his ranger counterparts' stern looks. "What!"

"And the interrogation begins." Adam sighed, pushing the camera up toward his friend's face. "We gotta know, T. What happened?"

"Put the camera away." Tommy growled, but missed as Adam took a step back. "I'm not doing this with a camera in my face."

"Sorry, Tommy. I made a deal with Hayley, as well as everyone else. They said we needed to start doing some documentary work on this matter. And until that research about our eyes becoming the video cameras of the future, we gotta rely on the good ol' video camera."

"So, spill it." Rocky said.

"No." Tommy shook his head.

Ethan and Trent found their way over to the male bonding group, wanting their fair share of interrogating the science teacher.

"You make that sound like we're not old enough to know about that, Dr. Oliver." Ethan said. "Is it bad for us to know if it was true?"

"A simple yes or no answer would work." Rocky said, driving his friend into making the confession.

Tommy looked to each of the guys in front of him, and it was clear he wasn't going to get out of this conversation without having to deal with spilling the beans about his nightly activities. "Since when is my love life an issue, now?"

"Since the day Kim decided to come back into your life." Conner said.

Tommy dropped his head, unsure of how to get out of the situation. He wanted to so bad, but knew he couldn't. He looked past the crowd before him, and knew that Aisha was driving Kim to admit to the night activities that had them burning heat like never before. "No comment."

"No way, Dr. O." Ethan said. "We didn't agree to this."

"I didn't sign a contract either." the teacher concluded.

"We didn't come here to say good-bye to Kim without knowing if you two were finally okay with each other." Conner countered.

"You're not gonna give up on this are you, guys?"

"Nope." Adam said. "Now, c'mon. You're wasting my tape. Spill it already."

Tommy forced out another breath. "We might have."

"No. Clear answers, T." Rocky grumbled. "There is no need for this. Did you make her scream?"

"Rocko!" Tommy growled, finding his hand tighten into a fist.

The red ninja ranger took a step back. "Hey, I gotta know."

Tommy looked away, turning a bright red. And everyone knew that he didn't want to say anything. He could only shrug as a sheepish chuckle escaped his lips. "All right. You guys win. It's true."

"And?" Rocky added, hoping to get more out of his friend.

"I'll leave you with that."

"Ahh, c'mon Dr. O. This isn't funny anymore." Conner exclaimed with much anticipation for getting an answer.

"And neither is getting into my personal life either." the teacher concluded.

"And this tape is saying otherwise. If I don't get the dirt, Jase is gonna come down even harder on you than we are." Adam said.

"So, as for the calling out part…." Rocky leaned in, hoping to hear the words come out of the science teacher's mouth.

"More than once." Tommy said simply.

Rocky laughed, wrapping an arm around his friend for the approval. "Yeah, baby. That's what I'm talking about. Ain't no delivery like a ranger…"

"And that's all I'm going to say about that, Rocky. So, back off. The rest is my and Kim's business."

Adam pushed the camera forward. "So, onto the next mission, T. You gonna do what you gotta do?"

Tommy looked away, forcing a hand into his pocket. Everyone took a step in, seeing what the man was hiding. But they all knew what it was, they were only waiting for his move to do what needed to be done.

"So, you gonna do it Dr. O?" Ethan asked.

"I think you've waited long enough to do this." Conner encouraged their teacher.

Tommy pulled out the small little box that never seemed to leave his side once Kim came back into his life. The little box that would decide if Kim would stay in his life forever or run away, and possibly never return. That's not what he wanted. That's not what any of them wanted.

"Is it too sudden?" A sense of panic ran across the legendary ranger's face. "What if she says no?"

"She won't. She can't." Rocky shook his head. "I think she is waiting for the right time for you to say something."

"And that time is now." Conner nodded, agreeing with his red ranger counterpart.

Tommy forced out a breath, as the intercom came on and made the reports for the next set of flights getting ready to board. Kim's being one of them.

The guys looked at the science teacher, intently, making it clear that they would have to do something if he didn't do it now. Adam catching the nervous wreck of Tommy on camera. And he knew he had to do it, he just didn't know how. He was scared.

The guys turned away from the black dino thunder ranger, giving him some time to think things through. They passed the girls up and said their good-byes to the pink ninja ranger. They each made a promise to keep in contact with her, hoping that she wouldn't be going away once the games were done. Yet, it was always hard to tell what was going on in that little mind of hers. Kim reassured the newest member, Trent, that she would be around for a talk any time he needed it. She wanted to make sure he felt comfortable in his ranks soon enough.

When the guys had their rounds of good-byes, they walked away, giving the two lovebirds their time alone. But not without Adam holding the camera in clear view to get the action.

Tommy walked into the waiting arms of his lover and gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead. Kim smacked him in the chest, not approving of his "weak" gesture of good-bye. "What kind of good-bye is that, Oliver? After what happened last night, that's all I get?"

Tommy blushed, peering over his shoulder. He saw the spying eyes of the group dart away acting like they weren't listening. "But Kim, what about…"

Kim looked over his shoulder, letting a smile pass her lips. "You never were so afraid to do it back in high school."

"That was high school."

"Excuse after excuse. Come here, you." she whispered, pulling him into a deep passionate, kiss.

It soon turned into an array of groping and kisses. And made the rest of team a little disgusted at the gesture. The teens were shocked to see their teacher and newest friend/mentor engage in such a manner. Especially in a public place.

"Come up for air." Conner pleaded feeling his breath escape him.

"Where's an oxygen mask? I think I'm gonna need one right about now." Ethan sighed.

"No doubt. Mind passing it this way?" Kira requested, shaking her head.

"Is that even possible for Dr. Oliver?" Trent asked.

"Oh yeah, it's possible." Rocky forced out a breath, shaking his head with disappointment.

The ninjas looked at each other, shrugging.

"Time?" Aisha asked, knowing that this groping could go on for some time.

"Two minutes." Adam nodded.

"You can't be serious." Ethan looked at his mentors in shock. "Those last few seconds were already too much for my eyes."

"Nah. They're starting to lose some air. They're gonna have to come up some time soon." Aisha said.

"How soon is soon?" Conner asked.

The moments felt like minutes when the two lovebirds finally found it right to break the kiss. Each held the other, not wanting to let go of the other. They were finally together after so long. And Tommy was forced to send her back to Florida to get ready for the Olympics. That's not what he wanted. That's not what any of them wanted.

"That was nice." Tommy said in a husky voice as he caught his breath.

"That was just good-bye, Tommy. Just wait until I get back." Kim whispered.

Tommy felt his pants become a little tighter, groaning quietly. "I'll be waiting for that."

"I know you will." she nodded, looking away. A lone tear escaped her eye.

Tommy wiped it away, shaking his head. "Don't do this now. It'll only be a month."

She nodded. "I'll be back at the end of August."

"I'll be here to pick you up." he nodded.

She nodded slowly and laid a gentle kiss on his lips, running a thumb against the stubble of hair on his chin. "Can't wait. I love you, Thomas Oliver."

He looked down, as a sudden chill ran down his back. It was the first time he had heard those words escape her lips in over eight years. Not in a letter. But her lips—her voice—physically. And it scared him. But made him want to move onto his next set of plans.

When he had not said anything, she grew concerned, bringing his face up to meet hers. "Tommy, what's wrong?"

He couldn't even look up into her eyes. Into those beautiful brown eyes of his crane. He couldn't look up into her beautiful face, and he shook with fear. He couldn't find the words he needed to say. He forced out a breath, looking into her eyes. Tears welding in his dark falcon eyes. "From the moment I met you, I believed that you would have been the one I'd spend the rest of my life with. You made me a whole new person. You never gave up on me in my darkest hour, and you never could leave my side no matter what bad things I did. I called you my angel from up above. I told you that I would never hurt you. I even said I wanted to wake up with you by my side and take care of the children we'd call our own. I dreamed of a future together. And you cared and loved me for more than just my powers as a ranger, but for me alone. You helped me find myself again, and I could never ask anyone else to walk down that altar into my arms for eternity." he hesitated, pulling out a small black box from his pocket and propped down on one knee. A hand went to her mouth as he opened it up. "I ask you from the bottom of my heart, Kimberly Ann Hart, will you marry me?"

He pulled her left hand over to her, as tears escaped her eyes. He let the ring settle in its rightful place on her ring finger, looking up at her. The tears matched his own.

The moment felt like years were drifting away. The team leaded forward waiting intently for an answer. There was a lot of anticipation on their faces. The agitation was driving each of them off the wall.

"What's going on?" Ethan furrowed his eyebrows looking at his ninja mentors. "Why is it taking so long?"

"The suspense is killing me. What's the deal?" Conner asked.

Rocky and Adam could only shrug as they took another step closer toward the couple.

"C'mon girl. Don't let us down." Aisha whispered.

A long silence fell over the entire team.

Kim dropped to her knees, pulling Tommy's hand over to her. She wiped a trail of tears that escaped his eyes, nodding her head. "Yes, of course, I will, Thomas Anthony Oliver."

The team let out a breath of relief as they cheered. They jumped around with glee encasing each other in hugs for the tension to finally break. When the two lovebirds turned to the team, they broke the excitement and turned away. But it was no surprise when some other spectators clapped for the new engaged couple. They blushed in turn, looking away and disappearing back into their own world. The rest of the team turned back to them, taking a few steps forward to hear the conversation.

Kim wrapped her arms around her fiancé, pulling him as close as she could, kissing him on the lips. "I love you."

"I love you, too." He whispered for the first time in the years of their departure. "Call me when you get in?"

"Of course." She nodded, slowly breaking the hug.

The intercom barked out final boarding calls to Florida.

"Go." He forced her out of his arms, "before I make you miss your flight completely. I'll talk to you later."

She nodded. "Okay. Bye, baby."

"Bye." He whispered.

They exchanged a quick kiss and she turned away and headed for the security check. Tommy watched her go with a light smile as she waved from beyond the checkpoint. Then she turned away and disappeared from his view.

The team filed behind the legendary ranger, each holding a wide smile and congratulating him as they approached him. He was turning a bright red, and Adam was catching it all on camera.

"And it is done, ladies and gentlemen. The wait is finally over. I would like to introduce you all to a new engagement by Dr. Thomas A. Oliver and Ms. Kimberly A. Hart." Adam announced. "So, how does the groom-to-be feel?"

Tommy forced out a breath, and the ninja rangers all knew what was coming up next. Adam turned off the camera shaking his head. Tommy reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out two plane tickets.

"You can't be serious." Rocky pleaded.

"I can't risk it, Rocky. I have a sinking feeling in my stomach that Mesogog's wants to use Kim against us still."

"But the gem was broken." Kira stated.

"I can't risk it." Tommy turned to his ninja counterparts. "Rocky. Aisha. I need you guys to keep an eye on Kim."

Aisha nodded taking one of the plane tickets. "Will do, Tommy. Just keep us informed here."

"Will do. And thanks you guys. Adam can keep an eye on me here."

Rocky forced out a breath and took the other plane ticket. "All right. Athens here we come."

The yellow and red ninjas exchanged a quick good-bye and bolted for the security check. They disappeared out of view as the rest of the team followed the black dino thunder ranger out of the airport. But not without continuing to congratulate him on the recent engagement.

To be continued...

A/N: Okay, here you go. The much needed proposal that Tommy needed to give Kim after three years–eleven years–of waiting it off. As for the rest of the series, it is hitting more and more of an AU story, but I will still tie into the episodes of the series, but not as much. But until next time, I'll see you on the flip side. May the Powers Always Protect You.