Backwaters

Part Ten: Deceptive Sleep

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.

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: It's honestly been a very, very long time since I've written. I'm sorry and I hope someone still wants to read this. Anyway I seem to be on a writing frenzy.

"Kimberly?" Adam mumbled the word, eyes attached to the floor practically. He'd avoided this encounter for the past few days but being that far from Riley for that long was making him miserable.

"Yes?" Kimberly's voice was icy cold but the accusations that had been showered on her by Adam had really hurt. Riley didn't make a big deal out of her birthday and never asked for anything. As far as she was aware Riley was perfectly content and healthy. After her parents accident she didn't want to push that image too hard.

"Look I'm sorry okay? I just wanted to know so I could get Riley something nice." Adam was keeping his voice down because the others weren't all that far off. Kimberly took a deep breath and her face softened as she let it out.

"Just… don't accuse me like that again. I love my sister."

"I know." Adam was still fuming inside but he wanted to see Riley again.

"Come on, we're going back home for dinner." Kimberly wrapped her arm around Adam's waist as she moved to catch up with the others. Adam smiled, happy to be invited back into the inner circle. He just hoped he'd be able to keep his mouth shut long enough to enjoy it.

"Riley?" Kimberly called into the house. She left the door open for the others to pass through as she headed for the kitchen. Kimberly noticed that all the lights were left on and that dinner was prepared to be cooked. It was also brought to her attention that the water was violently boiling over on the stove top.

"God damn it Riley!" Kimberly shouted as she grabbed a towel so she could snap the fire off and not get burned by the boiling water.

"What's wrong?" Tommy asked, having already moved into the kitchen, the others mere seconds behind him.

"She left the goddamned stove on." Kimberly fumed, even though she was guilty of the same thing on more than one occasion. Kimberly's eyes blazed as she moved past the other rangers to go upstairs. Bryan stood in her way.

"Kimberly." Bryan simply stood on the stairs, moving to the left and right as she did.

"Move Bryan." Bryan shook his head no and continued to stand in her way. Kimberly finally held him against the wall, gently but firmly, and moved on past him. She made it to the top of the steps with Bryan holding onto her shirt and the rest of the rangers watching from the bottom when Riley showed up.

"Hello Kimberly." Riley's face was blank and she was paler than a sheet of paper.

"Don't you 'Hello Kimberly' me. You left the stove on!" Riley's eyes widened a little bit, but the others couldn't tell if it was out of fear or pain.

"I'm sorry." Riley practically whispered the words as another wave of pain wracked her body.

"You better be. I practically burned my hand turning it off." Kimberly crossed her arms and continued to glare at the younger girl. Sighing she hugged Riley. "Just try not to do it again. I mean, wasn't that the reason why we said I'm not allowed to cook anymore?"

"Yeah I know, sorry. Listen would y'all mind going out to eat tonight? I'm really not feeling up for company or cooking or whatnot." Riley pleaded with the group, quietly disengaging her sister's arms.

"No problem," was echoed among the ex-rangers. Adam moved a step forward.

"You mind if I stay here and keep Bryan company then?" Bryan looked towards Riley, pleading for her to let Adam in, let him know what was really happening.

"Fine by me." Riley shrugged as she spoke, taking her time to pass Kimberly on the stairs and head for the living room. She flopped into the couch, curling into a restful position. The others mumbled words of 'I'll be back' and 'see ya later' before they walked out the door.