THE REASON - Part Sixty: Way Too Long

Summary: With the crazed events of the last few weeks, the team realizes that the Olympics are coming to an end, and Kim will be coming home. Tommy calls up Kim for one final chat over the phone as he awaits the day to pick her up and bring her home for good.

Disclaimer: Power Rangers not mine.

A/N: Just a simple conversation before Kim returns for good, so enjoy and hit me back. Peace and chicken grease.

"There is so much to tell you, and I'm sorry about all that's happened. But now, I can't wait to see you back in my arms."-Eclyptyk Neo

Days later.

Tommy watched the clock with much anticipation. It felt like forever since he talked to Kim, and it would only be in a matter of days before he would pick her up from the airport and bring her home for good. There was no way he'd let her out of her sight this time, unless it was for a good reason. It was late Friday night, and she would be calling to give him information regarding the flight arrival of her return to the states. She would be well on her way back before the closing ceremonies would air on his side of the world, but at this point he really didn't care. He wasn't watch much on the Olympics since it began, and he was wanting to hold her close and lay his lips on hers.

He just longed to hear her voice--even if it was at the late eleven o'clock hour in Reefside, he didn't care.

RING! RING! RING!

Tommy snagged the phone quickly as he pushed it to his ear, pushing the CALL button as it hit his ear. "Hey, stranger, long time no talk."

"Back at you, tiger. How ya doin, Tommy? I've missed you." Kim said as her smile carried through the phone.

"I miss you, too, babe." he admitted wholeheartedly with a sigh. "Just can't wait until Sunday."

"Neither can I, if I can entrust you to pick me up." she couldn't help but laugh.

"Hey, leave my mind alone. I ain't that bad about remembering stuff when it comes to you. So, when you in?"

"5:30. On United Express. It should be flight number 1526." she replied.

"Got it." he nodded typing it into his scheduler on his cell phone.

"So, what have you been up to? There must be some interesting stories I should hear about, hmm?" she grew curious.

"Stories? Nah. None anyway that can't wait until you get here." he admitted, but could be heard as a lie.

"No stories. According to a certain yellow ptera ranger, she begs to differ." Kim said seriously. "So, how about it, invisible boy, mind telling me what's going on over there?"

Tommy cursed internally, hoping Kira wouldn't say anything, but figured that Kim might have gotten it out of her too. "Nothing really. Everything's settled. No more evil black ranger."

"Tell me the story. Because, I think you're the best source to come to about this. What's this I hear about you getting some hospital time, too?"

Tommy groaned. He knew he wouldn't be getting out of this. So, he went to it. And explained what had happened in the last few weeks since her departure. About the finding of the green ooze, of the invisible state, the evil rage and the battle for life with his old ranger powers.

"There. Are you happy now? It's said." Tommy sighed. "But what about you?"

Kim had her fair share of telling her tales. Of the Olympics and the status of the US team nearly reaching 100 medals, well ahead and in the lead of others. She also mentioned the several incidents at a few resturants where Rocky and Zack were trying to be gentlemen and order the food, unfortunately, not being as accurate about it. She mentioned a few party spots they hit in the night life, saying Greece was definitely something different at night. But she assured him, she had not done anything down right crazy or insane. She also mentioned the huge shopping spree that spread through the girls in a mayhem for souvenirs and trinkets of all kinds.

"Well, aren't you one busy bee." Tommy said upon finishing her side of the conversation.

"Same goes to you, Tommy." she countered.

"Yeah, well you know me. And, also want to mention, I just got your stuff yesterday, so they're all stored away, waiting to be examined once you get back. And trust me, I didn't go through any of them, I swear. They're sitting in the hall, yet, I thought you would have had more than five big boxes."

"Hey, I've downsized on my shopping." she laughed.

"I doubt it. Next thing I know is you've maxed out all of your credit cards, and are now gonna use mine."

"Yeah, that's basically how it's gonna work." she chuckled.

"Hey. Don't go there."

"Okay, so, tell me again when you expect me in?"

"5:30."

"On what flight?"

"United Express."

"And the number of my flight."

"#2615."

"Tommy!" she growled in a panic.

"I'm kidding. It's #1526. Just checking if you're awake, and you are. But, like I said before, don't assume you'll be finding me that easily. You're gonna be looking for me, and if you're hoping for black, think again."

"You're not serious that you'll be coming in an army suit, are you?"

"I'm dead serious." he protested, nearly drilling it in her mind. "I was in the army. Well, more so, National Guard, but it's still the army. And I will prove to you once and for all that I was apart of the military."

"Okay, whatever you say, Tommy." she sighed, still not convinced with his statement. "And what do you suppose I address you by?"

"Well, to make it fair and proper. Sergeant Oliver will work. I never got the high ranks." he sighed slightly disappointed.

"Well, maybe I'l have to changed that. Maybe I'll have to appoint you to something else, if your training goes well." she teased.

Tommy let out a breath, chuckling sheepishly. "What kind of training?"

"You know exactly what I mean." she said in a low and sultry voice.

Tommy felt something below his belt tighten at the sound of her voice, as he let out a groan. "Shit, Kim. Get your ass back over here so my training can beginning now!"

"Patience, grasshopper." she couldn't help but laugh.

"'Grasshopper'? Hey. Hey. I didn't spend all this time in college to be called that. Nor do I like being addressed that way."

"I'm sorry, doctor, but you're my patient and cadet now."

"That's cold, Kim. Honestly." He joked with a laugh. But he was going crazy. He wanted to hold her so badly, do wonders and explore every part of her body until he was sure he was tired of looking at it. He would make sure to leave his mark on her welcome home present when she returned.

"Just a few days, baby. But anything else I should know about?" she asked in a more serious tone.

"Not that I know of. But, if need be, talk to Kira, since that's what you're good at."

"I must apologize for my nosiness, but it worked." she said with an innocent tone.

"Uh-huh. Stop it. You need info, you come to me."

"If you'll even tell me the truth." she countered.

"You're just gonna find anyway possible to put me down as the scapegoat, huh?"

"Yeah, that's basically how it is." she nodded. "And what have you been telling the teens about senior year? They're really freaked about it."

"Fair warning. It's gonna be hard. ACT and SAT testing. College applications and scholarships. Deciding on a college..."

"Stop. You're suppose to tell them to have fun their senior year." she directed.

"I did, but I also told them what else to expect. I mean, I had to learn that the hard way. I'm just giving them the heads up." he shrugged.

"Well, let's just hope they'll take that advice of yours."

"Don't they always?"

"Yeah. That's you, Tommy. But I should let you go, you've had a busy day. Get some sleep."

"Don't be silly." he yawned. "I'm fine."

"No. Go to bed. You need your rest. I'll see you in a few days."

He sighed and nodded. "Okay, you win. I'll go to bed. Bye, baby. I love you."

"Love you, too. Stay safe. I'll see you soon." she instructed. "Don't forget."

"United Express, flight number 1526 at 5:30. Got it. I'll see ya." he whispered.

She said good-bye and hung up the phone. Tommy set the phone down, and he figured he wouldn't be able to make it up to his room, so he crashed on the couch and fell asleep.

To be continued...

A/N: Just a nice simple conversation before she comes home and I have to decide how to throw her into my story. No, not that I haven't already-oh never mind. Just read on. Tell me what you think. I'm not that bad a writer, am I? I need more reviews, please. Get your friends to read this thing. I think it's turning out really good, I was just hoping for a little more feedback. Until another time, later daze.