THE REASON - Part Fifty-Three: Guilty Conscience

Summary: Tommy is having a heavy heart after the recent events. And as a second instinct gets a call from Kim to comfort her fiancé of what has happened. But how long will Tommy hide the evil inside him?

Disclaimer: Power Rangers is not mine.

A/N: Again, Tommy has a guilty conscience and must find comfort in Kim. It's nothing new, but read on. Just as you hope to have all these parts with these two lovebirds. Anyways, if you got questions, keep asking, and just keep reading. I'm sure you're answer is somewhere in these next few parts. Until another time, later days.

"These voices, I hear them. And when they talk, I follow. How can I control this inner conflict if the power behind them is too strong?" -Eclyptyk Neo

Hours passed.

It was late evening. There wasn't much we could have done. Or they could have done for me. There is so much I need to tell them–Adam, Conner, Kira, Trent, Ethan and Hayley. But I didn't. And after those recent events of kicking Carl Lopez to the curb, there was no doubt that this anger was continuing to grow inside me. I hear its voice, this evil voice, maybe even two or three. But it teases me. Picks on me. And drives me to do things I don't want to do. I can't control it. And these dreams I'm having about being in Mesogog's fortress never felt so real. But were they really? I hope not. I truly don't. The last thing I need is to betray my team and work for Mesogog. That's something we don't need right now. And as far as I could tell, no one would be safe if I were to join his side.

After the events of the fight, I couldn't bare to look at anyone in the eyes. Certain words, or even people, have triggered that evil hormone–or something–to take over. I just...I can't do it anymore. But I can't tell the teens. They just can't know. This is a battle that was meant for me alone. But why, I can't answer that. The team left me to be alone, and I was glad. I needed time to think. But as I laid here in the king-sized bed alone, I wish that Kim was at my side to comfort me even more.

I knew she was busy. To make things easier, I'd wait for her call rather than I try to call her. If I did, she could be getting yelled at for answering a call during training or something.

The actual start of the games would be in a couple of hours. Meaning, I'd have to wait a good long 10 hours or so to see the opening ceremonies from its original time. Stupid tape delay. I just hope that I could actually catch it. With all that's happened already, I haven't been anywhere near a screen but the computer.

I looked up at the ceiling letting out a breath. As I turned to the side, hoping to see the woman I was going to marry sleep soundly, all I could cling to was the memories we shared in our little time together before she had to leave to get ready for the games. I could never forget that night we made love for the first time. It was truly something we'd treasure for the rest of our lives. And the wait was well worth it. I just wish though, the wait wasn't as long as this. But it was done. I had the blessing from both sides of the family. I was constantly getting badgered about wedding arrangements. And the teens continued to come up with some ideas for the reception.

It never stopped, and as the weeks grew closer to our wedding day, I had no idea what to make of it. Not that we were too clear on the date. As far as I could conclude, it was a winter reception. It would probably be held in Angel Grove or in a small chapel in Reefside. And there were at least 50 families to accommodate as of now.

I wanted to apologize to Carl for the rough beating, but even if I did find him again, he'd probably not believe me about it. I wouldn't be surprised. What are you suppose to tell a guy when you've had this strange evil strain run through you for so long? Not the best way to make an apology. I just hoped, if he decides to come back, I won't be so harsh on him. That was no real guarantee. Not after all that's happened. Oh, god. This is a living nightmare. And why does all the bad stuff have to follow me around? That's just no cool.

I forced out a breath and looked at the metal cuff plastered to my wrist. There was no way to really take it off, and I guess I couldn't blame Hayley for that. She was just looking out for me. She was making sure to keep the anger at bay. And that's what it was doing. Though all these powers were merged in there–good and evil–it kept me more sane that I thought was possible. I just wish I could just take it off for a second, but I figured if I did the rage would be there in an instant, and no one would be able to save me.

Well, maybe one person.

The phone rang.

And speaking of that one person....

I reached over to the nightstand and grabbed the phone pushing the TALK button and pushing it to my ear. "Hey, baby. I thought I'd be getting your call."

"Well, I've been busy in the past few days, Tommy." Kim said gently. "I'm sorry. But I miss you."

I smiled lightly, nodding. "I miss you, too, baby. And I'm glad you called. I got something to tell you...."

Kim shushed me calmly. "Don't, Tommy. I already heard the news. It travels fast with a team as nosy as yours. Carl came to town."

That was the teens for you. You just couldn't get anywhere without having one of them say something to someone else. That's what they were. Messengers for the old team. Conner always informed Jason and Kat. Adam hit the news to Rocky or Aisha, who in turn would tell Tanya and Zack. Ethan could provide all the news to everyone else. And Trent and Kira were the messengers for Kim. I figured I couldn't stop anything from them. They were only trying to be friends, and informing the others of the situation. I couldn't blame them for that, but I knew the basis of by love life was on their priority list–number one.

I cringed at the sound of the name letting out a painful breath. "Yeah. And I assume you heard about the fight, too."

"Oh yeah. All from Kira. How are you doing, baby? You all right?" said asked in her usual concern for me.

"Yeah, I'm all right. For the most part. But, it's starting to become harder and harder to control."

"Have you told the others?" she asked with more concern, hoping to get some revelation out of me.

"Well, they know for the most part that it's Mesogog behind the evil deeds of controlling my mind. But as for finding a way to break it, is a no go. And I know that whenever I'm in my 'evil' mode, I'd be wearing that shield that used to be your own when you had the pink dino gem. If not, then it's how I act. Evil green ranger all over again."

"Tommy, don't say that."

"It's true. When I was fighting Carl, it wasn't me, but my evil side. I mean, I saw everything, but every hit wasn't me. But the command of the evil inside." I said as I began to shudder with fear. I sat up, running my hand through my hair. "I'm scared, Kim. I'm not sure where this gonna go. And if Mesogog succeeds, I don't know what I'll do."

"Shhhhh." she cut me short of saying anymore. "Ya know, we're all here to help you get through this. And as much as you're having your problems with this battle, we will always find a way out of it."

I smiled, glad to have such encouraging word coming from the woman I was going to marry. That's what I loved about her. The way she managed to cheer me up in the darkest and hardest situations. And if she didn't have to give up that pink dino gem, I would love to have her fight by my side as one of the members of the newest team. But she was a shadow now, just like all my former ranger teammates. They still had the skills, they had some powers left. But it wasn't enough to get them through the toughest battles.

"Thanks, Kim. That's what I love about you. You know how to cheer me up in the worst situations."

"That's not the only thing you love." she teased in a velvet voice.

I forced air into my lungs as I felt the organ below my waist tighten. "Whoa. You gonna start something over there?"

"I might." she laughed.

The last time we supposed made the attempt to have a round of phone sex didn't exactly go off as planned. Not that I could admit it, but I did do it back in my college years. Hey, in college things happen. A lot of things. Things you'd rather not speak of. And no, I wasn't apart of a frat party. Though, going to those parties were rather interesting. I figured I could get it out of her. She wasn't her best when it came to that, but I knew she had it in her. Not that that was the basis I wanted to get out of her in every phone conversation, I was hoping to bring some liveliness into the chat. Oh well, I tried. But than again, maybe she was trying her hand at it this time.

"Well, as much as I'm up for the idea, I don't have the energy to do it. I'm beat."

"Yeah, I figured. You had a rough day, baby." she said soothingly. "Why not get yourself tucked in and I sing you a song to rock you to sleep?"

"I thought you were overprotective about your singing?"

"It wouldn't hurt for you to hear some of my work. Besides, that's what you've been trying to get out of me since these phone conversations began."

"Just don't want to leave you out in the cold when your stuff should be out on the market as much as Kira's."

I laid back down on the bed and pulled the covers up to me, snuggling into place. I fixed the receiver on my ear, hoping to hear every bit of the song, if she really was going to sing. But knowing me, when I'm snug in bed like this, I'd be asleep faster than a jet plane running off the runway of a cruiser.

Kim began to hum softly, bringing about a sleepy state in my eyes. They grew heavy and it was hard to keep them open. There was no particular words to the song, but the humming sent me into a calm, meditative state. It was nice, but a mesmerizing spell to make me fall asleep faster.

"Ya know, you're making me fall asleep, right?" I said quietly unable to keep my eyes open now.

"I know." she couldn't help but giggle, finding how easy it was to make me fall asleep. "That's the point. You need some rest. That's the best remedy."

"No." I shook my head, correcting her. "The best remedy is having you here and making love to you until the early morn."

"Well, for now, you'll just have to deal with my voice." she said as she continued to hum.

It pushed me into an even deeper sleep, and now I wasn't sure if I was awake or not. I still felt the phone at my ear, but actually hearing Kim could now be near to impossible. The way she hummed reminded me of how Jigglypuff from Pokemon made her peers fall asleep. I didn't want to make a bad impression on Kim, by falling asleep on her. But I think that was her point. To get me to bed and get some much needed rest after all tha's happened. I guess, I couldn't blame her.

"Now, are you sure you don't want to try that dirty session again?" I asked dazed and sleepy.

"'Good night. Go to sleep. Shut those eyes, my little falcon." she began to sing trying to stiffle her laughing. She was enjoying this, and I knew it. It always happened every time I got caught talking to her in bed, now. It wasn't funny. This has already happened five or six times. "There is nothing more you could do now. So, go to sleep and let this day pass."

And that was it. I was out like a lamp and the conversation ended.

To be continued....

A/N: Just a thing that happens. I was going through it in my mind, and I could see Tommy falling asleep to Kim's soothing melody. Besides, all that I can't really say much else until the real action comes into play. So, keep reading and doing what you're doing and I'll see you on the flip side. Peace.