THE REASON - Part Forty-Eight: It's Not Your Fault
Summary: Tommy is having a guilty conscience about what has happened in the past few hours. And no one has any real answers to what is going on inside his head. He finds comfort in the one and only person who understand him best, his fiancée, Kimberly.
Disclaimer: Power Rangers not mine.
A/N: Having a guilty conscience, and of course, Tommy has to call up Kim to comfort him. I failed to mention this earlier, but I decided to change Kimberly's middle name back to 'Ann' rather than 'Anne'–so if you get confused, there you go. Complications. And I would go back and fix it in other chapters, but don't have the time at the moment. I worked my butt off just to get this next post up and on the net. And school is running my butt down. Anyways, you know the deal. Tell me what you think and I'll catch you later. Peace.
"I had no other choice. I know I didn't. But why do I still feel bad for the loss of a person I once knew as a friend, not the enemy." -Eclyptyk Neo
Tommy was shaking with fear as he made his way into the bedroom. He knew what he felt inside. The rage and evil he once had when he was in the green ranger suit. And in his brainwashing days. And when he began to dial the number of the only person, who he could really find comfort in, tears streaked his face.
And when the receiver clicked to indicate someone had answered the phone and the gentle voice of his fiancee picked up the phone, he began to cry some more.
"Tommy?" Kim grew worried with fear. "What's wrong?"
Tommy wiped his eyes holding his breath. "I killed him, Kim. I killed Zeltrax. I...."
"Whoa! Wait, slow down, babe. What happened?" she asked soothingly.
Tommy sniffled, shaking his head. "Something happened. I don't konw what, but something went wrong. I couldn't control my actions, and I killed Zeltrax. I didn't even care if he was dead or not. He would have destroyed the teens if I didn't."
"Shhhhh!" she whispered. "It's okay. You had no other choice. And that's all anyone could have done."
"I offered him help, Kim. But he didn't take it. I thought I got to him when he stopped fighting me. But it turned out that he was just tired. I really thought I could save him, Kim."
"You had no other choice." she said again more clearly. "There was nothing more you could have done for him. And what you did was the best thing you could have done for him."
"I really thought I got through to him." Tommy forced out a breath. "And I know you're right, Kim. But there's something else. It was a heartless death. He died before the explosion. I saw him lay there motionless and the only thing that really mattered was that he was dead. I didn't care for anything else but to put him out of his misery."
"Tommy...." she tried to say.
"No. I just didn't care! In the back of my mind, I feel it. All this rage and anger to destroy anything in my way." He held his breath. "Kim, Mesogog is doing something to me, and I don't really know what it is. I'm scared. I attacked Adam, Hayley and the teens. And I really didn't care, or something in me didn't. I don't know what's going on inside me."
"Tommy, baby." she said soothingly. "It's okay. You didn't hurt anyone, right?"
"No." he shook his head with relief. "But I know certain things will trigger this rage, and certain things will break it. Like thinking about you. I need you more than ever, but I don't want you to leave the team just because of me."
"You know, there will be other times, Tommy."
"No. You've stuck by the girls for far too long, you can't bail on them now."
"But, baby, if you're saying all of this is happening, maybe I should come back."
"No. Kim. This is Athens. This is the Olympics. You and everyone on the team is representing the US. I will not let you push this opportunity away. You gotta do it. I have my duties and you have yours. I should be fine with Hayley and Adam keeping an eye on me."
"Yeah, okay, baby." Kim forced out a sigh. "But I'm just a little worried about you. This last battle took a lot out of you."
"I know. And I'm pretty strong. But, just knowing that I have something to live for will give me even more strength."
"I miss you." she said sadly.
"I miss you, too. Even though it's been only four days. But it's killing me."
"I'll be on the first flight back once the games ends." she said with a smile.
"And I'll be at the airport to pick you up. My memory isn't that bad anymore. Besides, I told you I was gonna come in my army uniform and you'd have to find me."
"I'm still not convinced that you were in the army." she shook her head.
"Hey, don't doubt me. I'm not lying about that. And if I have to call the general to my unit to prove it, I will. I don't assume the military ID wasn't proof enough?"
"Nope. Sorry, baby. I should also be sending my stuff out there by next week, just to let you know why there a couple of boxes with my name on it arriving at your door. And don't you dare go through them, Thomas Oliver, until I get there."
"Okay. I won't. But thanks for the heads up on that. Next week. Got it. But, you still don't got the information on your flight?"
"Nope. Not yet. They don't issue out tickets until the last day or two before the games ends. Just for security precautions."
Tommy nodded. "Well, I got you either way. If I have to pay your own way back here, I will."
"How come I have a hunch that you're gonna spoil me when I come back?" she asked a little worried.
"It's me."
"I know. That's why I'm saying that. Don't."
"Why not?"
"You don't need to treat me like a queen–though, I'd like it–but that's not your job. I thought we were gonna steer clear from that in this relationship."
"You mean the relationship before we actually get married? Or for the rest of our lives?"
"It all depends. But this time, I'm not planning to leave you. You got that?"
"Yeah, I do. Of course. Thanks again."
"I'm always here for you, baby. And you know I'm tired of Florida anyways, sad to say. I like California better. And you know you're the only man that's permitted to see my real beauty."
"Hey, I'd better be. I don't need no other guys riding up your ass just because you're beautiful. That's my job."
"I can take care of myself, ya know. I can still kick your butt if I need to knock some sense into you."
"That's harsh, Kim. And just 'cuz you flexible don't mean anything. Whom has the room full of trophies?"
"Don't you mean attic full of your accomplishments?"
"Give me a break. I've been busy." he defended, hoping that he wouldn't be the target of all these disses.
"Ya know, I was still hoping you'd come with me to Athens."
"I know." Tommy forced out a breath. "But ya know, duty calls. And I wanna, but I'm trying to keep my position as a teacher, too. I know that Randall wants to kick me to the curb so badly. And I can't be guaranteed a position with these massive absences after this school year ends."
"They can't get rid of you. They love you too damn much."
"Doesn't everyone? I'm so irresistible."
"Hey, I'd better be the only one who sees your beauty, too."
"Relax, all those girls at the school ain't going anywhere near me. Though, I know they're pyschos for stalking me like they do. It's creepy." Tommy shuddered. He remember the very first day of school, he had a bunch of girls follow him where ever he went–besides the men's bathroom. But the obvious poster boy look was bothering them, and they always commented on how cute he was. That they wanted him to date one of them. Two words, though. Jail bait. No way.
Kim chuckled. "Reminds me of our high school days."
"Where every girl you could imagine wanted to get a hold of me and you were around my arm? Don't remind me. I hate it."
"But you're so 'irresistible!'" she mocked laughing again.
"Ha. Ha. Very funny. I don't need publicity like that. Or not acting."
"I think you'd make a great action star."
"And do you know what some action stars do? Yo, butt model, get over here. No way."
"Hey, whatever pays. Besides, not all action stars are like that."
"Name one."
"Jackie Chan. Bruce Lee. The original martial artists."
"I take that back."
Kim laughed again, glad that he was doing better after what happened in the day. "I hear Kira's in for making a music video?"
"Yeah." Tommy nodded. "Tomorrow. It's likely she'll send you a copy of it. But, it seems some guy at some big record company discovered her and now wants to make an album. The only problem was that he wanted her to sound like Kylie Styles."
"Kylie Styles? That huge mega popstar next to Britney Spears?"
"Yeah. That's her. Turns out that they used to be friends, but something happened. They settled their differences, but their taste in music is no longer the same. That's why Trent made the suggestion that Kira make an original music video–what she wants–and send it to that record guy to prove that originality is always the best."
"Well, I can't wait to see it."
"The teens are really excited about it. And I know they'll make it a good one." Tommy said with a smile. "But what about you? Where are your songs?"
"You know how I feel about those, Tommy." she said shyly.
"Hey, I think I have a right to hear some of them." he said.
"What about you, Mr. Boyz II Men serenader?" she asked.
"I asked you first. C'mon. I haven't heard anything new from you yet."
"I'll have to think about that, baby. There's some real personal ones."
"About me?"
"Of course about you." she giggled.
He smiled relieved to have a chance to talk to her after all that's happened. "Well, I should let you go. It must be late over there."
"Yeah. It is. I should go, anyways. I gotta get up early and run through some routines with the team."
"Yeah, okay." he nodded. "But I'll call you when I can. Or you can call me up."
"Get some sleep, Tommy." she directed, knowing he'd wait hand and foot to hear her voice if she promised to call. He'd go sleepless if he had to, just waiting for it. "I'll talk to you later. Love you."
"Love you, too. And thanks again."
"I'm always here. Always listen. Bye, Tommy." she said.
He said good-bye and hung up the phone. He settled into the bed, pulling the covers over him and closed his eyes remembering the things he had done with Kim only a couple of days ago. And all the stress was lifted as he had hoped. With those things implanted in his mind, he could finally get some sleep after not seeing her physically in awhile.
To be continued....
A/N: Just a nice simple conversation. And just so you would stop bugging about including more Tommy and Kim, which will be the basis of the rest of the story once I get rolling a little more. But, until next time. Read on and keep doing what you're doing. See ya'll on the flip side. And may the powers always protect you. Peace.