Disclaimer: I own NOTHING! Well, actually, I do! I own AnneMarie! YAY ME!!!!!! LOL =)
Summary: This may be out of order in whatever way, but hey, its my story, I get to decide how it goes. ;-) Sorry if it takes a while for me to get it posted, but I've been writing it in whatever time I get between classes and stuff and I'm laptop less so its all scribbled down on paper and I've actually gotta find time to type it all up. But hopefully I'll find enough time somewhere. =) Happy Reading!
******************************************************************************
Finding Herself In Paris
January 19, 2002
"So . . ." Trini started as she had lunch with Kimberly one day, while she and Zack were visiting Paris. "How's Tommy?"
"In all honesty? . . . . . I don't know . . . . . Last time I talked to Jason, he said the casts came off, and Tommy would be starting therapy soon. He's in some kind of brace right now."
"Tommy probably can't stand that wheelchair!" Zack joked.
"I don't doubt that at all. He's never been one for patience." Trini added.
"Do you think he'll get to race again?"
"I don't know . . . . . Probably eventually." Kimberly answered in a soft voice.
"You really miss him, don't you?" Trini asked.
" . . . . . Jason? Yeah! I miss him like crazy! . . . But I understand why he couldn't come."
"Kimberly . . . . . You know we're not talking about Jason . . . We all miss having Jason around. But he's not why you're here . . . . ."
"Trini is right Kimberly . . . . ." Zack added. "We're your oldest friends. So talk to us. Tell us what's wrong."
"I'm fine." Kimberly snapped.
"No Kimberly, you aren't . . . . ." Trini told her. "You haven't been fine since you got here! And we're scared for you!"
"I don't want to talk about it!"
"What if I left? Will you at least tell Trini?" Zack asked.
"I'm not ready to discuss my non-love live! Why does everybody care so much anyway!?!"
"Because we love you Kimberly!"
"And we want you to be happy!" Trini added.
"I am happy! I'm on a permanent vacation from my life! And for once, I'm actually feeling pretty good! I don't need Angel Grove, and I don't need Tommy either! All I need, is for my 2 best friends to stop bugging me bout the past, and help me enjoy the future. Is that too much to ask?!?"
"Ok . . . . " Zack said raising his hands in surrender. "We'll stop . . . . When is Jason coming to visit?"
"Two weeks. He's gotta finish his finals first."
"How long is he going to stay?"
"At least a couple weeks right?" Zack asked.
"I don't know. You'll have to ask Jason." Kimberly said with a sigh.
"Kimberly, come on." Trini said in her usual understanding voice. "You've been depressed since you got here, and no matter what we do to help, its not making things any better."
"Trini is right Kimberly." Zack told her. "You really need to deal with this. Pretending like it will go away, is not going to help you."
"And how do you suggest I deal with it then?" Kimberly asked. "Since you seem to know so much about this, why don't you help me out!"
"I didn't say I knew anything. All I said, was that you need to deal with this, instead of running away from it."
"Fine Zack! And just how do you suggest I deal with it?!?" she snapped.
"Kimberly , come on . . ." Trini said softly. "He didn't mean it like that. But we do think that you should deal with this, instead of running away from it."
"I can't deal with it. Tommy and I are over. There's nothing left to do, except move on with my life, which is what I've been trying to do, since I left Angle Grove. But apparently, trying isn't good enough! Everyone seems to think I should be doing something else!"
"Are you sure its really over?" Trini asked. "Tommy did fly to Florida, hoping to win you back . . ."
"Its over Trini . . . I said goodbye at the hospital . . .And he didn't even try to stop me."
~ ~ ~ A Few Weeks Later ~ ~ ~
" . . . . . . . . . . Meet me at the top of the Eiffel tower at 6:30 . . ." Kimberly read as she flipped the card over, to see who it was from. "The Eiffel tower on my birthday . . . . . That is really weird!" she thought as she opened the next card. "'I wanted to get you a birthday present that you will never forget . . . . . But then I realized you're 21 and probably won't remember your birthday anyway, so I didn't see a point. Happy Birthday anyway, hope you remember as much as you can Love Zack.'"
"Kimberly, here are some more cards." Darlene Hard-Dumas said as she handed her daughter another stack of mail.
"Thanks Mom!"
"You have any plans for tonight?"
"No. But I got a card saying to be at the top of the Eiffel Tower at 6:30. But I don't know who its from."
"Interesting . . ."
"I know! Its really weird!"
"Maybe its from one of your new friends."
"Maybe . . ."
"I'm going to go make some lunch, would you like anything?"
"No thanks, I'm fine." Kimberly said as she reached for the next envelope. "'Kimberly . . . . . . Of all the people you know, who send you cards on your birthday, I'm sure you thought that I would be the last . . . . . Its been a really long time since we've talked, and I just wanted you to know how sorry I am for everything I've put you through, and I hope that someday you can forgive me. These last few months have really made me realize just how lucky I am. I should have been killed when I crashed my car, but for some reason I survived. Now I just have an extremely long recovery ahead of me, part of which, is recovering from a broken heart. I just want you to know how sorry I am for hurting you. Its all my fault, and I can't blame you for not wanting to be with me after everything I've done. I just hope that someday you will be able to forgive me. You really are the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I thank you for helping me to become the man that I am. There will always be a special place for you in my life an din my heart. I'm so sorry I hurt you. Please forgive me. I hope you have a great birthday, you deserve it. Love, Tommy.'" A tear rolled down Kimberly's cheek as she finished reading the letter.
"Kimberly, Trini is on the phone!" Darlene called to her a few minutes later.
"Hey Trini!" Kimberly said as she wiped away her tears.
"Happy Birthday!"
"Thank you!"
"What are you doing today?"
"Nothing, Someone send me a card saying to meet them at the Eiffel Tower at 6:30, but I have no clue who it was."
"Maybe it was Jason?"
"No. We celebrated over the weekend because he had to go home. And it didn't look like his writing."
"Maybe it was one of your new friends."
"I doubt it."
"Well you're going to go, aren't you?"
"I'm not sure. I've got a painting to finish for Tomás' gallery. He wanted to get it up this week if he can. That and I really don't feel like going out."
"Why, did something happen?"
"No."
"Kimberly . . . . . "
"I got a card."
"From?"
"Tommy . . . . ."
"Oh . . . . . And?"
"He said he's sorry for hurting me . . ."
"And?"
"That he hopes I have a great birthday."
"Anything else?"
"He just said its his fault and he can't blame me for not wanting to be with him. But he wants me to someday, forgive him."
"That's sweet of him, Kimberly. It sounds like he's learned something from this mess."
"Maybe . . ."
"What else did he say?"
"What makes you think there's more?"
"Spill it!"
"He just wants me to forgive him because I'm the best thing that ever happened to him."
"And?"
" . . . . . And that I'll always have a special place in his life and his heart . . . . ."
"That sounds like Tommy . . ." Trini said smiling warmly.
"I guess . . ."
"Kimberly . . . . ."
"I don't know how he found me. Only you, Zack and Jason know where I am."
"And Billy."
Well him too . . . I didn't exactly leave a forwarding address."
"Jason probably told him . . . . . And it probably took a lot of guts to write that letter! So if I were you, I'd do some thinking. It sounds like Tommy is willing to try again."
"I don't know Trini . . . . I'm really trying to get my life back."
"Kimberly, its Valentine's Day. And I know for a fact that you wish you could spent it with Tommy."
"Tommy and I are over."
"Maybe not . . .You should call him . . . At least say thank you for the card. Speaking of which, Zack wants to know if you got his."
"Yes I did. T ell him I said thank you, he made me laugh."
"She said thanks for making her laugh, Zack."
"Happy Birthday Kim!" Zack called in the background.
"Thank you!"
"Anyway Kim . . . . .I really think you should call him."
"I don't have the number. Jason said he isn't with his parents anymore."
"He isn't. Tommy lives with David and AnneMarie. But he talked to Zack last week, so we've got the number. You have a pen?"
"Trini . . ."
"You need to call him. He probably won't be home, so just leave a message on his answering machine."
"Fine. . . . What's the number?"
"216-555-6521."
"Ok .. . I've got it."
"Good! Now promise me you'll call him!"
"I promise I'll do something."
"Do you have his email address?"
No. Do I have to have that too?"
"You might as well Its really easy to remember though."
"Ok, what is it?"
"WhiteKnight@comcast.net"
"Knight like on a horse or like at night with stars."
"Oh a horse of course!"
"That's what I thought. It sounds like Tommy."
"He love s you Kimberly. You really should talk to him."
"We'll see. I've got a lot of thinking to do."
"Call him Kim. You'll be glad you did!"
"We'll see."
"Sweetie, I've gotta go, but Zack and I will be in town again next week. We'll do lunch or something, ok?"
"Sure! Give me a call when you get here."
"We will. Happy Birthday!"
"Thanks Trini! Tell Zack I said hi."
"I will. Bye Kimberly."
"Bye." she said, then hung up the phone, and went back to opening cards.
"'Happy Birthday to the best little sister on the planet, from the best big brother in the galaxy. Hope all your wishes come true. Love and miss you much! Jason . . . . . . . . . . ." Kimberly read, then smiled at the enclosed check. "Thanks Jase!" Kimberly opened the res to of her cards, then moved to the computer to check her email.
"Kimberly?" Darlene called a few minutes later.
"Yeah! I'm in the office!"
"Sweetie, these roses just came for you."
"Who are they from?" Kimberly asked as she looked at the pink and white roses in her mother's arms.
"I have no idea. But there's a card." Darlene said as she handed the small card to her daughter.
"'Happy Birthday I hope you'll meet me tonight. See you soon . . .'" Kimberly read, then looked at her mother.
"Interesting . . . . . This person must really like you!"
"I guess." Kimberly said as her mom smelled the roses.
"I'll go put these in your room"
"Thanks Mom!" Kimberly sighed as her mom walked away, trying to think of who would wan to surprise her. She finished checking her e-mail, then added Tommy's address to her list of friends.
"Call him . . ." Trini's voice echoed through her head. With another sigh, and a heavy heart, Kimberly clicked on the address, and decided to write Tommy instead.
"Dear Tommy,
Thank you for the card and birthday wishes. You're right, I wasn't expecting them. I'm not sure what I was expecting today . . . But defiantly not what I got.
Jason tells me your recovery is going good. I'm glad you're getting your strength back. Before you know it, you'll be racing again. I'm sure you can't wait! Just remember to listen to the doctors and don't' get over zealous. You need to heal all the way, or you'll just end up hurt again. So take it easy for once. Enjoy the beak while you can.
How is AnneMarie? She is growing up so fast! And turning into such a beautiful yong women. I can't believe she'll be a teenager in a few months! Tell her I said hi. David too, even though I hardly know him. Jason says he's nice.
How are your parents? Tell them I said hi too.
I'm not sure what else to say . . . I talked to Trini a little while ago. She and Zack are doing good. They'll be here to visit next week. Its always fun having them here. Jason too.
Paris is good. Its really beautiful here! Did Jason tel you this is where I was? I like it. Its good to see my mom again, and I've been working on some paintings for Tomás' gallery in the villa across town. Its cool to have my work up there, and see people's reactions to it. It kind of gives me hope.
Well, I guess that's about it for now. I'd better go get ready to go out. Apparently the Eiffel Tower is calling my name. I hope you have a good Valentine's Day with that special someone.
All the best,
Kimberly"
"Kimberly, Sweetie, we've got a cake in the kitchen with your name on it." Darlene said a couple hours later as she walked into Kimberly's room to see her doing her hair. "Would you like to do cake and presents now, or would you like to wait a bit?"
"I'm sorry Mom, but I'm just not into having a birthday right now. But would you mind if we save the party for next week when Trini and Zack are here?"
"Sure Sweetie. But we have a smaller cake for today."
"Mom, you don't have to do this . . ."
"I know. But I thought you could use it after everything you've been through lately. We can do cake and presents later tonight, if you'd like."
"You don't mind waiting?"
"Not at all! You're the birthday girl! Whatever you wish, is my command!"
"Thanks Mom!"
"Here Honey, why don't you let me help you."
"I don't really want to go out tonight . . . . ." Kimberly said softly as her mother took the curling iron from her.
"I know Baby. You're going through a lot."
"Is it ok to miss something you know you can't have?"
"You mean Tommy? Of course its ok to miss him! But I'm not convinced that he's something you can't have . . .Tommy is a part of you. And I think that if you asked him to, he'd come running back to you, with open arms."
"I wish it were that simple."
"It can be. You just need to be honest with both Tommy and yourself. Tell him what is going on. I think he'll understand."
"Probably. But at the same time, Tommy won't understand. He wasn't there."
"I know Honey. But as long as he knows what's going on, he can at least try to help you through it."
"Its complicated Mom . . ."
"Yes it is. But Sweetie, I really think Tommy deserves the truth. Like it or not, he's a part of this."
"Which is why its best if he doesn't know."
"Kimberly . . . . ."
"Mom, he only people that know, are you, Jason and Trini. I don't want Tommy to know. He doesn't deserve to be put through this."
"Kimberly . . . . . You're not being fair."
"If life was fair, none of this would have ever happened in the first place."
"Honey . . . . ."
"Kimberly, telephone." Tomás said as he walked into her room.
"Who is it?"
"It sounds like your friend Jason."
"Ok, thank you!" Kimberly said taking the cordless phone from her stepfather.
"We'll leave you alone Sweetie. But let us know if you need anything." Darlene told her.
"I will. Thanks Mom."
"You're welcome Baby. Tell Jason I said hi."
"Hello!" Kimberly said cheerfully.
"Hey Sexy! Happy Birthday!"
"Jase?"
"Sup?"
"Where are you?" Kimberly asked, hearing all the noise in the background.
"Park. I've got a bunch of people here who want to sing to you."
"Is Tommy there?'
"Nope! He had somewhere to be. But he says Happy Birthday, and he send you a card."
"Yeah, I got it."
"Did you get mine?"
"Yes I did! Thank you!"
"Any time! Anyway, I'm gonna let these psychos sing, so I can actually have a decent conversation without them bugging me.
"Who all is there?"
"Tanya and Adam are in town to visit Rocky. And we ran into the new set of Rangers. They all found out it was your birthday and insisted on singing.
"That's sweet. But you guys don't have to do that."
"Actually, we do! And there's a special someone who wants to say hi too."
"Ok? . . ."
"Go for it guys!" Jason said holding his phone in the air for everyone to sing
"Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear Kimberly
Happy Birthday to you!" they all sang.
"Thank you!" Kimberly said smiling brightly as they finished.
"She says Thanks!" Jason told everyone. "Ok Kim, here's your secret well-wisher." Jason said handing over his phone.
"Hello?" the well-wisher said into the phone.
"Oh My Gosh!!! Alpha!?! Is that you?!?"
"Ai yi yi!!! Kimberly!!! Happy Birthday!!!" Alpha 5 said excitedly.
"Thank you! Wow, I never thought I'd ever hear your voice again!"
"Surprise!"
"Yes it is!" Kimberly said happily. "How are you?"
"Good! Never better! Good to be out again! I'm beginning to like this park a lot."
"Brings back memories, doesn't it?"
"Sure does! You rangers loved your park!"
"Yes we did! Gosh I miss you Alpha! How's Zordon?"
"He's back home on Eltar. Happy with his family."
"Good! I'm glad! Family is important."
"Yes it is! Alpha agreed. "You rangers are my family."
"And you're ours. We love you Alpha!"
"And I love you! Happy Birthday Kimberly!"
"Thank You!"
"Surprised?" Jason asked as he took his phone back from Alpha.
"Very! Thank you Jason! I needed that!"
"Anything for my little sister! I miss you Kim!"
"And I miss you too! When are you coming to visit again?"
"Actually, I was hoping you would do the visiting this time."
"Jason, you kn ow I can't go back there."
"But you should. Kimberly, I didn't think I could come back, but I did. And I love it here! And I know that you love it here too."
"I have my reasons."
"Which I still don't agree with."
"I know. But still."
"But still nothing. I wish you would come home."
"Maybe someday. But right now, the timing just isn't right."
"Kimberly . . . . ."
"I know. I just can't right now."
"What if I told you I was getting married? Then would you come?"
"Well are you?"
"No."
"Ok then!"
"Kimberly."
"Jason."
"You know I love you."
"And I love you too! But really Jase! I can't come home. There's nothing left for me there. At least here I have my mom and painting for Tomás' gallery. It gives me something to do."
"You can paint here."
"Its not the same."
"Did I tell you that Ernie is back?"
"Tell him I said hi. And that I miss him."
"I will. And he says hi too."
"Anything else that's new?"
"No, not really. What about you?"
"I got a mysterious card and white and pink roses from someone who wants me too meet them at the Eiffel Tower tonight at 6:30."
"Well are you gonna go?"
"Of course! Its something to do, other than sit home starting at the walls, thinking that if I look long enough, maybe they'll do tricks."
"Good! I'm glad you're going out! Be sure to tell me how it goes."
"I will. You'll be the second one I call."
"Second? How come I'm not first?"
"Because you're not Trini."
"Fine then! Be that way! See who I call first when I have news!"
"Oh please! Like you have a list!"
"Maybe I'll just have to call Tommy first. Or maybe Billy!"
"Yeah right! You know I'll always be the fist on your list!"
"Maybe"
"Whatever!"
"You know I love you."
"I know you do." Kimberly said with a bright smile.
"Everybody loves you! Including Tommy! And you know it!"
"How is he?"
"Doing better! Tommy is slowly getting his strength back. The doctors gave him a cane to walk with, but he's still supposed to use the wheelchair. Unfortunately he's Tommy!"
"He insists on overdoing it, doesn't he?"
"You know him better than I do!"
"Jase . . ."
"I know. You're still hiding from him. But you shouldn't. Tommy loves you. I really think you should tell him."
"Now you sound like my mom!"
Kimberly . . . . . . . . . ."
"I know, I know. I just can't right now. But I will someday, I promise!"
"Well make it sooner, rather than later!"
"We'll see."
"Kim, you know I love you, but i have to go. I hope you have a good birthday. Call me tomorrow and let me know how things go."
"I will. Thanks for calling Jase. It made my day just that much more special."
"You're welcome. Happy Birthday Sexy!"
"Thank you Macho Man!"
"I'll see you later. Love ya!"
"Love you too! Bye Jase!"
"Bye." he said, then hung up the phone.
"So . . . . . what were you planning on wearing tonight?" Darlene asked as she walked back into Kimberly's room a few minutes later.
"I have no idea."
"What about this?" she asked holding up a short pink dress, with thin spaghetti straps.
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"Because . . ."
"Kimberly . . . . ."
"Ok, ok! Tommy bought it for me! I can't wear it!"
"What about this red one?"
"To cliché. Its not just my birthday, its Valentine's Day. Everyone is going to be wearing red!"
"Ok, white?"
"Tommy picked that one out."
"Ok . . . S what has no Tommy connection, that's in here?"
"All he new stuff."
"Like? . . . What about this blue one? Blue is a good color on you!"
"I guess I can wear that."
"I think you should. Its not too fancy, yet not too plain either. And I've got the perfect accessories to go with it! I'll be right back!"
"Thanks Mom!" Kimberly said as her mom handed her the dress, then hurried out of the room, in search of the perfect accessories.
To Be Continued . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .