Backwaters

Part Three: Embarrassing Cards

By: Kryptonite

Disclaimer: *takes a deep breath* I do not own Power Rangers. If I did I would not have to worry about money ever again. The parts in bold are song lyrics by Simple Plan. The song is called 'Perfect' so don't sue me for that either.

Spoilers: Only slight if any at all. I won't have a whole lot of reminiscing so this shouldn't be a real concern.

Summary: AU. Kimberly's back after two years in Florida and five in hiding in her old house. She has a younger sister and everything past MMPR is void. It never happened. The Rangers aren't needed anymore and they all have their own lives. The following pairings will be present this whole thing: Jason/Kimberly, Tommy/Kat, Billy/Trini, Adam/OC, Rocky/Aisha and possibly Zack/OC, but I'm not sure if he'll show up.

A/N: Alright, so they're back from the hospital and a rip-roaring card game insues… okay so it isn't exactly 'rip-roaring' but it's still a card game *falters at the glares from the readers* Okay, okay so it's Gin Rummy! Sue me!

*****

The rest of the rangers were in the living room, having migrated back there as Riley came in with Bryan hanging sleepily off her arm. Smiling at the scene of old friends having fun, Riley walked up the stairs with Bryan keeping him upright until he could collapse in one of the numerous guest beds.

Coming back down the stairs, she decided to go through the den instead of interrupting her sister and her friends. Entering the kitchen she heard someone singing along with the radio.

And now I try hard to make it

I just want to make you proud

I'm never gonna be good enough for you

" It's amazing how many people can relate to that song." Riley commented, interrupting Adam as he sang along while doing the dishes. " Thanks for doing the dishes. You didn't have to."

" I ate didn't I?" He asked back, blushing slightly at having been caught singing.

" So did they and they aren't in here helping." Grabbing another dishrag, Riley dunked it in the water a few times as Adam stiffened with her so close. Wringing excess water out, she went to wipe down the 'island' counter and the stove. " How was it?"

" Good. I added the salt like you said to. Think I should have added a little more though. I saved you and, Bryan?, a bowl each."

" Thanks. Hospital food stinks even if they had offered it too us. Bryan will be starving when he wakes up." Dropping the wet rag back in the sink she went to grab a broom, sweeping up the crumbs and dirt from the floor as Adam went to dry the dishes. They both started to sing as the chorus came on again.

'Cuz we lost it all

Nothing lasts forever

I'm sorry

I can't be perfect

Now it's just too late and

We can't go back

I'm sorry

I can't be perfect

" You sing pretty decent." Adam muttered, watching as she went to sweep up her little dust pile. Heading over he held onto the dustpan as she swept it in.

" So do you." The two stood in comfortable silence just smiling at each other as another burst of laughter from the living room sounded over the new song on the radio.

" Won't they wake Bryan?" Adam asked, taking a step towards the door while looking at Riley. She shook her head, her smile turning into a frown.

" Nah. He'll wake up about ten tomorrow and I'll have to call him in sick or dentist or some other junk like that. The painkillers they give him really work, despite all the times he's had to use them."

" So… what's the deal with Bryan?" Riley pulled out a seat at the table, shuffling a deck of cards that had been resting on the counter.

" Wanna play?" Adam shrugged, sitting down opposite the girl. " Bryan… Bryan's an enigma. I… he came and helped me unpack our stuff. He helped me when we moved out some of Mom and Dad's items. Then I found out he was getting… roughed up. I started taking an interest. Bryan started coming over, knowing this was a safe haven. He'd do his homework, the three of us would eat dinner and then I'd check for any new bruises or scrapes. Occasionally I have to take him to the hospital."

" Who does it? Bullies at school?" Riley dealt out the hand, taking her time to answer as she rearranged her cards.

" A bully but not at school. His father hits him a lot. For reasons even I don't understand. You're go." Riley answered, still messing with the order on her cards.

" What are we playing exactly?" Riley stopped with her hand paused in mid-air, just staring at Adam. As soon as he started fidgeting she burst out laughing.

" I'm sorry. You know how to play Gin Rummy?" When Adam nodded she motioned for him to go ahead. They played in silence, the radio and the voices from the living room keeping them company.

" Hey there you are Adam. Oh, Riley you're back." Riley just smiled up at Tommy as Adam placed his current hand face down on the table.

" Something up?" Tommy shook his head, hands sliding easily into his pockets.

" Nope. Just most of us are getting ready to leave. Well except for Jason, Billy and Trini. Aisha's wonderin' if you're leaving with us."

" Um…" Adam looked back at Riley and she just shrugged, indicating it was his decision. " I think I'm gonna finish this game. We still have a couple of hands to go to get to 500." Tommy nodded already heading for the door again.

" Alright, see you tomorrow Adam." Adam turned back to see Riley once more rearranging her cards.

" So, if we actually try to go to 500 it'll probably be close to three in the morning."

" I know." Adam answered just as calmly.

" You can stay in the other guest room if you want." Riley suggested, putting down a card in the discard pile.

" Sure." Adam shrugged picking up a two of hearts. They continued playing the game listening to the light conversation of four old friends in the living room. About an hour later the group migrated into the kitchen looking for refreshments.

" Cocoa's in the cupboard to the left of the sink, along with three or four brands of tea, coffee's in the fridge, we got milk, juice and… well I think that's it. Oh, and water." Riley set down another hand of three, putting her last card into the discard pile. " Beatcha again." Adam just moaned as he started to count up his remaining cards after he took away fifteen points.

" By the way, dinner was most excellent." Billy spoke up, smiling at Kimberly's little sister.

" Yeah, where'd you learn to cook like that?" Trini asked grinning just as widely except at the side of Billy's head.

" Blame it on an overzealous Aunt. Go again?"

" Your deal." Adam responded handing over his small pile of cards.

" No way I dealt last round." Riley handed the cards back over to him. The group stood next to the fridge watching the antics of the card game.

" Aw so cute." Kimberly intoned from her seat on the island counter, causing everyone to start laughing and Adam to start blushing. Riley just took a deep breath and smiled at her older sister.

" I'd be watching who you're embarrassing Kimmie. Remember, I know where ALL of mom and dad's photo albums are." Kimberly paled at the threat, grabbing at the cup of hot cocoa that Jason handed her and walking into the living. At Adam's weird look she just shrugged and grinned at him. " Your deal."

*****

A/N: Crazy4nc128, I'm glad you like the pairing, so do I. I hope this answered your question about Bryan. I just had to have him in there somewhere *shrugs* don't ask me why. EclipseKlutz, well I don't care how your mind works as long as you like my story :)

Cookies go out to AllHart as well, I'm glad you liked this.