Disclaimer: I don't own anything relate with Power Rangers. They belong to Saban's and Disney, I think. I hope nobody sues me. I am not receiving any money for this. I'm just doing it for fun. If you don't recognize any character obviously you can't read my mind. They are mine.
A/N: Thanks To Trueromantic for corrected my work. Special thanks to Lilyrose to correct this chapter. Now read and enjoy.
Dreams and Nightmares
By: Mili
Chapter 13: Face the truth
"This is Cassidy Cornell reporting from the outside of the Reefside Hospital where the Olympics Medalist Kimberly Hart will be release in just a few minutes. Ms Hart has spent the last three days here after she was kidnapped the last Friday in front of her Hotel for some unknown monsters. When her personal assistant was making a press conference to inform about her search, Ms Hart was rescued and brought here for the Red Ranger who disappeared after that. Ms Hart was unconscious apparently with no major injuries, but the doctors decided to let her stay here to check her state. She hasn't been able to explain where she was, who took her or why, she has an amnesia case and she doesn't remember anything about the kidnapped, and in just a few minutes we will have Ms Hart in person explaining her story."
Kim and Jason came walking out the hospital with Liz close to them.
"Ms Hart is going to answers all your questions but let take turns to ask," Liz said to the reports that were outside the hospital, since the notice about an Olympic Medalist kidnapped was known all the sport press went to Reefside to cover the report.
"Can you tell us what happened?" asked one of the reporters that was close to Kim.
"I wish I could but I can't remember anything," Kim answered.
"Do you remember anything about the Kidnapped?" other man asked.
"My assistant and I were outside my Hotel, I was talking by the phone with my friend and then those things appeared from nowhere and took me."
"After that can you remember anything?"
"No, I was hit in the head by one of then and got unconscious, after that all I remember is been in the Red Rangers arms, he was taking me to the hospital." Kim answered smiling
"Did you know who the kidnappers were?"
"No."
"Do you know why they took you?" a woman asked.
"I don't know… Maybe They were Olympics Games fans or… maybe one of them just fell in love with me and took me to make me his queen." Kim said laughing trying to low the mood, getting laugh from all the people around her. With serious look she continued "Seriously I have not idea why they took me, I just happy that I'm fine."
"What did the doctors find? Did you have any major injury?"
"No, they found some kind of drug in my system that kept me unconscious, but Thank God they made tests on me and I'm perfectly fine."
"You used to live in Angel Grove right, When the Power Rangers were there?" Cassidy asked taking part on the interview.
"Yes."
"And Now there are Power Rangers protecting this City." Cassidy continued, these are more statement than questions; She is putting two and two together.
"Exactly."
"And now some unknown monsters kidnapped you and The Power Rangers saved you."
"Yes."
"Isn't that sounds a little strange for you?" Cassidy asked playing her cards, looking straight to Kim's eyes trying to find the real answers.
"No actually, The Rangers are supposed to protect The planet and the people, I had a few crossed with monsters when I was in Angel Grove … Maybe I just have bad luck" Kim said smiling, using her playing side to take Cassidy away from the true but Cassidy planned to take other way now.
"Did you meet the Power Rangers? Did you talk to them? Did you notice anything particular or strange about them?" Cassidy asked her, now trying to find any information that can help her to find out the identities of The Rangers.
"All I can remember is the Red Ranger bringing me to the Hospital."
"Did he tell you what had happened with you? Where they found you? How did they rescue you?" Cassidy continued asking.
"No, I got conscious when we arrived to the Hospital, Sorry."
"Do you know that you are the first person that has been so close of The Power Rangers here in Reefside." Other reporter asked, breaking the back and forth between Cassidy and Kim.
"Really, that's so bad because I was probably drooling in the Red Ranger chest," Kim commented making everyone laugh again.
"You are supposed to leave Reefside tomorrow, Is there a special someone waiting for you back in Florida?" other reported asked.
Kim took a deep breath and smile "Actually, There is someone important waiting for me."
"Seriously, We didn't know you were dating someone, Who is he? Is he a sport man? An old friend maybe, When did you meet him?"
"My white knight… my white knight is waiting for me at home." all the reporters were puzzled about Kim respond, She smiled and said. "White knight is my dog. A white bull dog that has been with me for the last 4 years."
After everyone laugh again other man asked "We heard that you were supposed to be the Chief Coach in the New Gymnastic Center that will be build here in Reefside, Did you change your mind about that after the attack?"
Kim sighed, took a deep breath before answering, "That decision wasn't taken but the attack won't influence in the final words, I still have to think about that opportunity."
"Kim it's time to go" Jason told her approaching for behind her.
Kim nodded to him and then turned to the reporters "I want to thank the Power Rangers for had rescued me, for had saved me, You are doing an amazing job protecting the planet, You have been doing it for years and the whole world thank you for that." She started heading to the car but then she turned around. "Just one more thing, May the Power Protect you." with that she left with Jason, letting everyone astonish for her last words.
Now in the car, Jason and Liz took the time to talk with Kim.
"That went well." Liz said them, from her sit in the back of the car.
"I hope Cassidy won't have more suspicious about that and starts searching." Kim said. Liz was really scared for her and surprised about his last talk with Jason, when Jason arrived hurt he has to explain her about Kim and his secret life in their teenagers' days. They know she is a good person and will keep their secret.
"Where do we go now?" Jason asked Kim, scared to bring the subject but with the need of this conversation with his little sister.
"To the Hotel, Where else?" Kim responded smiling but knowing exactly where Jason is going.
"I don't know maybe we can go to the outside of the City, to a house in the woods..."
"Jason."
"Kim."
"I don't think he wants to talk to me anymore, he had the chance to visit me in the hospital," Kim said in a sad tone, whispering the last part. Her hurt is so obvious but she is too stubborn to admit it.
"Kim, You just left him without an explanation, He must need time and you said that we couldn't risk Rangers' secret maybe he thought that it would be too oblivious if he came to the hospital but now You should talk to him." Jason turned his eyes from the road to her and placed his hand on her shoulder. Pleading her with his eyes to reconsider her decision.
"Jason there is nothing to talk between Tommy and me, so please could you just drop the subject, I'm tired and I want to rest." Kim answered him taking a deep breath, laying back in her sit, turning her attention to the window and the road.
"Ok." Jason signed looking Liz for the mirror, they both know that they can't do anything more, At least not for now.
"I think something it's really weird Devin, Just bad luck, I don't think so, we have to find out what really happened with Kimberly Hart." Cassidy told Devin while they were walking through Hayley's Cyber space. The group of Rangers were close to her in one of the tables hearing the conversation.
"Cassidy please, the police investigated and they found nothing, why do you think it would be different for us." Devin asked. They have been working trying to find all the information in the past few days about Kimberly but they haven't found anything that help them. And he is getting tired.
"I just know…" Cassidy told him making her way to the door when she tripped with a guy.
"Sorry," the guy said.
"Yeah Ok, Devin… hurry up," Cassidy yelled Devin walking through the door.
"Did you hear that?" Conner said to his friends, all are sharing worries glances.
"Do you think she is going to find anything?" Ethan asked whispering.
"I don't know but I think we should tell Dr O about this" Kira said.
"No, we should just try to keep an eye on her, I don't think Dr O can handle this right now," Conner explained them. Since what happened with Kim, Tommy hasn't been in his best mood. Good thing for his students that he has to stay in home recovering from his injuries.
"I can't believe she left," Ethan told his friends bringing the subject. It's been three days since Kimberly has been in the hospital but this is the first chance to all of them talk about the matter. A few minutes later after he and Kira helped Hayley to check Tommy's injuries they left for their home. They found out the next day for the news about Kim's decision and about Conner's help, "And I can't believe you helped her with that, I don't know how Dr O didn't kill you" Ethan slapped Conner's arm.
"I know, If looks can kill I would be dead for the look that he gave me when we arrived to his place the next day" Conner has faced so many things since he became a Power Ranger but the anger in his teachers look definitively has been the worst.
"It must be hard for him to deal with this," Kira felt sorry about her teacher, he was pretty physical hurt after the rescued but She knows that his heartache must be the worst now.
"I still don't get why she left," Ethan said shaking his head. The situation it's so strange, It's obvious for him that Kim cared a lot about Dr O, she wanted to go back for him to the moon, and that look between them after he arrived, that hug that they shared. It meant something but then Why?
"I think I know why she left" Kira said with low voice, she didn't realize that she said it a loud until she received all the attention of the people in the table
"Care to share?" Ethan asked, It someone has a theory he really needs to hear it because he can be the smarter guy when it comes to Computers but about life and Girls, he doesn't know anything.
"I meant, I think she was scared, we don't know what happened in the moon but obviously that changed them. Look how they acted first when we saw them in the school, and then here when Kim left; remember how was Dr O when we found out that she was kidnapped, and then when he knew that Mesogog didn't have her. I never thought that Dr O would surrender against an enemy but he did it, he did it for her. What I meant is that obviously they have strong feelings for each other and what happened when they were together in the moon made them closer, Maybe that's why she is scared," Kira said trying to explain what's on her mind.
"So you are saying that she was scared to be with him again even when she loves him and she knows he loves her… I still don't get it," Ethan sighed in frustration, when he tried harder to understand he get more confuse.
"Guys, I don't think Dr O would be happy to hear us talking about his personal life. That's their life and they will find a way to deal with that," Conner offered his words, trying to stop the conversation, he has something in mind about it but it's true he doesn't think it's their business.
"I don't know what have happened with you but you seriously have changed it the past days," Ethan said surprised about Conner words. He wasn't expecting that comments from Conner.
Kira has to agree with Ethan, the change of Conner's attitude in the past few days have been huge, and it hasn't been unnoticed for the Yellow Ranger, who is a little surprised about her new thoughts about The Red Ranger too. She also knows that behind Conner words is hidden his opinion "You haven't told us what you think, so Conner why do you think Kimberly left?"
Conner knows that Kira is not going to drop the subject until she found the answers; there is no way to run now so he has to say what he thinks about it. "I think that…" Conner started before he was interrupted by the man that tripped with Cassidy a few minutes ago at the door.
"Sorry guys but could you tell me where I can find Hayley?" The young man asked.
"Sure man, I think she was here… she must be in the back, she will be back in a minute, you can wait for her" Conner told him.
"Thanks man" The guy said.
"I have never seen you before. Are you new from here?" Ethan asked him.
"Yes, My name is Trent," The boy said smiling to the group, staying a little more time glazing one of the persons of the table.
"Hi, I'm Conner and these are my friends Ethan and Kira," Conner told smiling back to the guy.
"I'm going to wait for Hayley in the counter, Nice meeting you," Trent said before he started heading to the counter.
Kira who hasn't spoken since Trent approached to their tables whispered "He's cute."
"What did you say?" Ethan asked.
"Nothing," Kira answered, feeling all the eyes of the group on her again, she lowered her head to hide her blush.
That simple comment even when it was in such a low voice was noted by Conner who now has his eyes between his Female fellow Ranger and the guy close to the counter.
"I want to thank the Power Rangers for had rescued me, for had saved me, You are doing an amazing job protecting the planet, You have been doing it for years and the whole world thank you for that."
"Just one more thing, May the Power Protect you."
Tommy turned off his TV and VCR. He had taped Kim's interview outside the hospital. He had been watching it all over again for the last few hours, trying to get a sign or something that could help him to understand.
Jason arrived to Tommy's house; since Tommy was hurt and he's bandages he is supposed to stay in bed so Jason walk into Tommy's house, getting into Tommy's bedroom .
"What? you aren't watching Oprah, you are supposed to be enjoying your little vacations" Jason teased, making his presence noted for Tommy.
"I knew I was missing something of my list" Tommy smiled sadly
"How many times have you watched the interview bro?" Jason asked him, sitting beside Tommy on his bed.
"What did the police say?" Tommy asked, acting like he didn't hear Jason comment.
"Nothing, they were relived that Kimberly was safe."
"Good, What about the press?" Tommy has his eyes looking to the off TV now, yet not ready to confront his friend eyes.
"The same thing, everyone is just happy that Kim isn't hurt or anything. They stopped their search. I think Kim did a great job in the interview."
"Yes she did," Tommy whispered, lowering his gaze, in his mind Kim's interview memorized.
"How are you feeling Bro?" Jason asked.
""I'm fine, I just need some rest. Hayley said that I'm healing well" Tommy answered in normal way, trying to stay away of the words that he knows Jason has for him.
"Tommy," Jason said frustrated. "You know that wasn't what I meant, How are you really?" Concern reflected on Jason's voice, their friends need him now.
"What do you want me to say?" Tommy asked frustrated, his anger taking the best of him.
"The true."
"The true?" Tommy replied, shaking his head "I don't know what the true is. I just… I can't understand, I thought that things were one way, apparently I was wrong, Huh, Not the first time" Tommy said frustrated.
"Tommy I think…" Jason started but Tommy interrupted him, with calm voice he said.
"Jason, I know what you are trying to do but seriously I don't need this, she took a decision and left, I got the message, so please could you just drop the subject, I'm tired of this and I should rest."
"Funny, that's exactly what Kim said" Jason said chuckling, 'This two are really meant to be together' Thought Jason.
"Huh, First time I agreed with her in the last days," Tommy said sarcastic.
"I just came to tell you that We are leaving tomorrow morning" placing a piece of paper on the table next to Tommy's bed "Here is the info about our flight just in case you want to say goodbye or something."
"I should stay in bed so… It was great to see you bro. I'll call you ok, maybe we can set a reunion, you can come to spend some time here on Christmas or something" Tommy told him, he is relived that Jason didn't push about Kim's subject. There is nothing left about that.
"Yeah, We'll talk about that, It was great to see you too. Anything else that you want to say?" Jason tried one more time.
"Have a good flight."
Jason sighed "Ok bro, Bye Tommy."
"Bye Jason."
Jason stopped at the door turned around and looked his best friend "You left her go once… are you going to do it again?" with that last words Jason left the room letting his words sink in Tommy's mind.
"You will come to visit us right" Ethan asked to Kim and Jason, Kira and Conner standing next to him. Kim is staring them, they wanted to say goodbye so they went with them to the airport. The new Rangers team, she and her friends used to be like them, with the future of the Earth over their shoulders. She remembered all the times that she wanted to quit, leave someone else protect the planet while she could live her teen ages. How much she matured after that? How much the power changed her? Looking to the kids she can feel it, how much the power is changing them. Those kids have proved her that the power rest in good hands. Tommy has helped them too. He has done a great job guiding them, 'It would have been funny to see him at first' thought Kim getting that feeling of reject that comes to her every time she thinks what could have been of her life is the things had been different.
How many times she wished for a second chance to change her life? And now she has her second chance, the chance to be together again with the man that she loves. Then why is she leaving? Why isn't she running to his side to kiss him and hold him forever? There is only one answer to that question 'The same reason that the first time' Kim sighed focusing again in the people gather around them. She couldn't hear what Jason said but it seemed to be something good for the kids who were smiling to them.
"It will be great to spend sometime with you and really get to know you" Conner told them. I was great to meet the first leader of the Power Rangers, but it was a shame it was under that circumstances and they really couldn't spend too much time together.
"Kim, are you also going to come back to Christmas? What about the job? Are you going to take it?" Kira asked Kim, insecure about the answer.
Kim understands what is bothering Kira "I still don't know about the job, but you can call me or write me anytime, if you want someone just to listen you, I'll be there for you" Kim assured her.
"Thanks Kim" Kira smiled and hugged Kim, all the pressure that she has being the only girl in the group, Even when she knows it wasn't Kim's state, the former pink ranger can help her and guide her through that. It's good to know another female Ranger.
"Last call for the flight 277 to Miami, Florida boarding for gate 17" they heard the announcer saying.
"So this is it" Jason started "It was great to meet you guys, keep saving the world, We'll see again Ok" Jason made his way to Kira while Kim leaded to Ethan.
"You can email me anytime, Ok" Kim told Ethan, he nodded and hugged her.
"It was great to meet you" Ethan told her, while Kim made her way to Kira, the two girls hugged again.
"Don't let the guys take you down, there was always at least a girl in the team, they need us" Kim whispered in Kira's ear, they both giggled.
Jason made his way to Conner while the Red Ranger couldn't keep his eyes of the girls giggling, specially the one on yellow, placing his hand over Conner's shoulders "Conner, You are a great leader, never doubt about your skills, I trust you" Jason said sincere. All this kids has proved him that the power didn't choose wrong.
Conner smiled, all the confidence showed to him in the former Red Ranger words, he is not going to let him down.
"Take care of her too, don't let go the chance" Jason told him guiding his eyes towards the Yellow Ranger.
"What?" Conner asked surprised "No, No, No, there is nothing between Kira and me" Conner assured him.
"If you say so" Jason said, he is not going to push about it, but he has seen this situation before, the look in Conner eyes, the same look Tommy used to have around Kim. 'Conner will know' thought Jason making his way to the last ranger.
"So Conner, It was great to meet you, just try to get early to your classes that way you won't be tripping with people in the hallway" Kim teased him.
"I'll try" Conner assured her smiling.
She sighed "Thanks" He understood what she meant, they hugged.
"It's time to leave" Liz said, approaching to them, even when she knows now about The Ranger secret, she felt out of place so she wanting to let sometime alone for all of them to say their goodbyes.
Jason and Kim looked each other; "Goodbye Kids" Jason said smiling making his way to the gate of their flight. Kim right behind him, she stopped for a moment and turned around, looking for the last time what she is leaving behind, The Rangers Team, a new job, a new city… And the most important The love of her life "Goodbye Reefside" she signed and continued walking to the crowd.
Kim stopped when she thought she had hear her name 'No, I'm hearing things' she continued walking until she heard it again, someone was calling for her behind her she turned around to find the owner of the voice.
"Kim…wait."
To be continued