Author's notes: This chapter is a strong "M" rating, folks. Enjoy! Thanks to all who continue to read and review. It's a thrill everytime to find the reviews in my mailbox. I do it for you!

Chapter 21: A Friend, Indeed

Third and fourth periods flew by in no time. Tommy regretted that he had to resort to taking a no-nonsense approach with his students since Cassidy's invasion of his privacy. He missed the casual, comfortable, yet professional, relationship he had developed with them, but in light of the line that had already been crossed into his personal life, he didn't think any more familiarity was such a good idea. In time, he hoped it would all blow over. Until then, he was extra-careful to tune out any stray comments he was apt to pick up in the hallways, trying to remain convinced that if he acted like nothing was out of the ordinary, they would, too.

Lunch time found him sequestered in his classroom with an apple and his cell phone. The plan was to recruit some of the old Ranger gang to help Kim with the move. If he could pull it off, he would be killing two birds with one stone. She would have reliable, cheap labor to get her stuff hauled from Florida, and all of their original friends would be reunited. Tommy was really looking forward to telling them about how he met up with her at the bank, and that they were a couple again, but he wasn't looking forward to the razzing. For the last few years, every time they talked, the first question out of Jason's mouth would inevitably be "so, ya getting any?" Even worse, Rocky was of the opinion that his decision to become a science teacher would ensure that he'd never get laid. Tommy knew that the teasing was all in good fun, and he made sure to get in his fair share as well. In fact, it was almost becoming a contest who could get in the last word. Paging through his palm pilot's address book, he located Jason's office number. As disappointed as he was that he couldn't take any time off to help out himself because of Ranger duty, upcoming midterms, and a bitchy boss, he took a great deal of comfort in knowing that his best friends would be the ones there in his place.

Jason Lee Scott had gone on to college at UCLA, first getting a Bachelor's degree in accounting, followed by a MBA in finance. He was the director of operations at the headquarters of Metropolitan First Federal Savings and Loan in Palm Springs. It was a very well-paying job, and Tommy was pretty sure it afforded Jason the flexibility to grab a few days off without much notice.

Tommy's plan was to conference call Jason and Rocky. From there, he would create a sort of phone-tree to contact the other guys. Most likely, Jason would get a hold of Trini, Billy, and Zack, and Rocky would call the other Rangers hailing from Stone Mountain, Aisha and Adam. He didn't expect all of them to be able to come. He couldn't himself, after all. Out of the seven of them, if even three of them could help, though, it would work out well. Maybe then after Kim was moved in, he would throw a party to welcome her back into the fold, and they all would be there.

He jotted down Jason's number, then paged through until he found Rocky's. Well known within the gang for having a ravenous appetite, Rocky DeSantos had become the Executive Chef of one of Los Angeles' trendiest restaurants. The place was very simply called 'Olé', and served an eclectic blend of Latin- and Nouveau-American cuisine. It was a perfect fit for Rocky, who was of Mexican-American heritage, himself.

On the first ring, a young, but professional-sounding woman's voice answered. "Metropolitan First Federal, Jason Scott's office. How may I help you?"

"Good Afternoon. Jason Scott, please." Tommy answered politely.

"Whom might I say is calling?"

"Dr. Thomas Oliver." He knew adding the 'Dr.' part was kind of obnoxious, but since that was another thing Jason was forever ragging him about, he figured he'd stick it in there as a nice little dig.

"One moment, please."

A few seconds of boring elevator music later: "Dr. Oliver, this is Jason Lee Scott, CPA, MBA, Director of Operations. How may I help you?" It came out kind of jumbled, as if Jason was barely containing his laughter, and it also sounded like he was eating something, too.

"Bite me, you ass."

"Not now, darling. My mouth is already full."

"Well, as long as your knees aren't dirty."

That's one for Tommy.

"You suck! So what's up?" Jason conceded gracefully to this first round. He'd get Tommy back later.

"I'll tell you in a minute. We've gotta get Rocky in a three-way." As soon as he said it, he realized he opened himself up for Jason to even the score.

"I'm not having a three-way with you and Rocky! Your ass is too damn hairy. It's a real turn-off."

One for Jason. The score is tied.

"I do not have hair on my ass! Bro', as much as I'd love to carry on with you until you have no choice but to declare me the master, this call is important. We have to get Rocky on the line."

"Something wrong? The Rangers?" Jason knew all about the DinoThunder Rangers. He admired his best friend more that anyone else in the world for the sacrifices he was still willing to make to save the Earth.

"No, everything's great, it's nothing to do with the team. I really don't want to tell the story twice. Wait a second while I call Rocky." Tommy put Jason on hold and dialed Olé's number. He kind of felt bad about calling during the lunch rush, but not bad enough to not do it.

"Olé. Are you calling for reservations?"

"No, thank you. May I speak with Rocky DeSantos, please? Tell him it's Tommy Oliver."

Nearly five minutes passed until Jason and Tommy heard the familiar voice of their good-natured-if-a-little-goofy friend pick up the phone. "What do you want, O fearless leader? I got a room full of hungry customers here!" It was clear that he wasn't really irritated.

"Alright. I've got Jason on the line here, too. Say 'hi' Jason."

"Hi, Jason."

"You're an ass." Tommy probably should have waited until tonight to call them. This was how they always were around each other. It was liable to take him all of lunch just to get his story out.

"OK, Dr. Oliver. To what do we owe this Guys Who Look Hot in Red Spandex Society teleconference? I'll admit you've peaked my interest." Jason was comically alluding to the nickname they'd given to themselves whenever they got together to do what guys generally like to do…drink beer, eat hot wings, and watch sports.

"Alright, already. You're never going to believe who I ran into Friday afternoon."

"We give up," Rocky and Jason droned in unison.

"Kimberly." Tommy wasn't usually so dramatic, but for this, he wanted to give the guys a moment to let the name register. It wasn't that he thought they'd forgotten Kim, but it had been so long since any of them had heard from her, it was more an out-of-sight, out-of-mind thing.

"Kimberly? Kimberly Hart, former Pink Ranger? No shit!" Rocky had a way with words much like Conner, although he wasn't quite as dingy.

"That's the one."

"You just ran into her…in Reefside?" Playtime was over, and now Jason gave Tommy his full attention.

"Yep. She came in from Florida for a job interview. I was at the bank, and there she was at the ATM."

"So how is she? Job interview? What does she do? Is she moving back to California?" Rocky was firing off questions a mile a minute. This was big news.

"She's just fine, and yes, she's moving back here. She's a Medical Technologist in a clinical laboratory. They ended up offering her the job yesterday at her second interview, and she accepted. That's where you guys come in. She's going to need help with the move." To some, it might seem like a lot to ask, but Tommy knew that friends like these wouldn't think twice about it.

"I'm there." Jason didn't hesitate for a minute.

"Same goes for me," Rocky agreed.

"That's great. I was thinking we could call Trini, Adam, Billy, and Aisha, too. They will want the chance to help if they can. The bummer is: I can't go. I have midterms coming up…and then there's my side-job." The regret was evident in Tommy's voice.

"Hey, we know you'd be there if you could. I'm sure Kim understands. Does she already have a place to live?" asked Jason.

"Uh…yeah. Actually, she'll be moving in with me." How's that for a half-truth?

"Man, Tommy. That's really good of you to offer her a place to stay until she gets settled…I mean after what happened and all…" Rocky knew the 'letter' was not a scar that Tommy still carried around with him after all these years, but he wasn't sure if seeing her again would open old wounds.

"Well, umm…it's not really a temporary arrangement." Tommy braced himself, knowing that his explanation was no where near enough information.

"Wait a second, Bro', are you saying you and she are a thing again…already? Didn't you say she just got into town this past Friday? Or is this a platonic thing?"

OK, since Jason came right out and asked, might as well get it over with. "No, it's definitely not a just-friends situation."

"So no separate bedrooms, then? Damn, dude, you work fast. You da man!" It was the typical reaction Tommy had expected from Rocky.

"Thanks, Rock. Now listen you two, I haven't told Kim that I'm calling you guys. She thinks she's going to have to hire movers. There won't be tons of stuff, at least not much furniture. She's selling most of it and her car, as well. There will just be her personal things, like clothes…" Tommy caught that stupid statement as soon as he said it.

"Her clothes? That could take six U-Hauls alone!" Jason remembered Kim's clothes obsession well.

"Yeah, and she's even worse now that she has a good income. Anyway, she flies back to Florida this evening. From there, she has to have a garage sale and give her current job sufficient notice. We're figuring three, maybe four weeks, max, because she has to start at Reefside Memorial in six. Do you think you can make it?"

"Not a problem, Bro'. Just say the word, I'll be there." Jason couldn't wait to see Kim again, and he was thrilled that she and Tommy were making another go of it.

"Yeah, same goes for me. Hey, we all gotta go out and celebrate Tommy getting laid before she gets here. I could use a guy's night. There might not be too many more of those now that he's got a ball and chain."

Let the razzing begin. Thank you, Rocky.

"Up yours…" The shrill sound of the bell cut off the rest of Tommy's retort. Fifth period was over and he would have a class coming in any minute. "Listen, guys. I've gotta fly. I'll call you tomorrow. Rocko, you call Adam and Aisha. Jason, you get a hold of Trini, Zack, and Billy. I'd do it myself, but I have to take Kim to the airport tonight."

"Listen to our fearless leader giving out orders again." Rocky just couldn't resist. "OK, dude. I'll call them as soon as I get home. I have to get back to work, too. People want to eat around here."

"Yeah, Bro. Trini will blow a gasket when she hears. We'll talk to you then. Later…"

"Later," Tommy said and all three of them cut the connection just as a few students began wandering in. It was his freshman Honors Biology class, one of the easier groups of kids to teach since they were generally self-motivated. Three more periods to go, and he could be with Kim. Just the thought of it had him adjusting his trousers.

Three o'clock came at last, and the dismissal bell was the sweetest thing Tommy had ever heard. Once the kids were all gone, he had gathered up his papers and stuffed them haphazardly in his briefcase. With prospect of ravaging Kimberly on the brain, he didn't notice that Ms. Randall had entered the classroom until he heard the door close behind her. They were alone, and she was slithering up to his desk, much like a snake stalking its prey.

"Uh, Ms. Randall, is there something I can do for you?" The uneasiness he felt due to her seductive manner came out in his voice, and she picked right up on it.

"Dr. Oliver…Tommy…how was your day? I was looking for you this morning." She hoisted herself up on the edge of his desk and draped herself across it, leaning back on her elbows. She tilted her head at a flirty angle, a come-hither look in her eyes.

"Yeah, about that, I'm sorry I was late. I forgot to set the alarm. It won't happen again."

"Oh, don't worry about it. I understand. So, how's your girlfriend?" Ms. Randall asked, fishing for a reaction. She wished she could remove the dark-rimmed glasses she wore as part of her principal disguise, but she knew that they were essential to her not being recognized as Elsa. For once she wanted to look upon him through her own eyes without being in the heat of battle. I hate him, I hate him, I hate him. Say it enough times, and you'll start believing it.

"She's fine…" The discomfort welling up in Tommy at that moment threatened to smother him into oblivion. He had fully expected to be chewed out for his tardiness, but here she was, completely blowing it off. It was disturbing on every level.

"That's good…" she said with obvious insincerity. It was time get aggressive in her move to eliminate the competition. "Tommy, have you thought any more about having that drink? I'd really like to get to know you better."

"Ms. Randall, I thought I made it clear that I'd like to keep our relationship strictly professional. I haven't changed my mind. Besides, I'm involved with someone now."

"Call me Elise, that is my name. I understand that you're spoken for, and I respect that, but I'm new to Reefside. I get very lonely sometimes. You don't know how hard it is to act like the hard-nosed principal all the time. I have to keep up this image, but underneath it all I'm just as vulnerable and in need of friends as anyone else. I feel safe around you, like I found someone I could finally open up to." She spun her sob story with as much pity-me emotion as she could muster. He was clearly a sensitive, compassionate man, so she milked it for all it was worth, even forcing her eyes to well up with tears.

Tommy didn't know how to respond to this softer, more delicate Principal Randall. He was usually a sucker for crying women, but something about this just screamed 'Academy Award nominated performance'. Then again, what if he was just being cynical and she was genuinely hurting? She seemed to be waiting for him to speak, so he cleared his throat nervously and began. "Ms. Ran…I mean Elise, I know what it's like to be a newcomer. I've been in that position several times, but it takes time. Maybe you should join a club or take lessons in some sport or something. You'll meet people who share the same interests." That was as much as he could think of to say, as cliché as it was. It would be too easy to dig a hole he would have a hard time finding his way out of.

"I thought of that, but I'm just too shy to do it alone." Randall quickly turned away from him for dramatic effect. With her back to him, she squeezed her eyes shut, trying desperately to make them water even more. Seconds later, she smiled sadistically to herself when she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. Now it was time for the clincher.

Much to Tommy's surprise, and dismay, his polite gesture of comfort seemed to have been misconstrued as Elise spun back around and flung herself into his arms. She buried her head in his shoulder, pressing her body tightly against his.

As hard as she tried, Ms. Randall could not deny how amazing it felt to hold him. For some reason she preferred not to think about, she felt the tears beginning to pour on their own. It was as if she found what she didn't even realize she was missing in her life. She had no idea who she was before she became Mesogog's henchwoman. Maybe there was a piece of whomever she used to be still left inside. I hate him, I hate him, I hate him…As she repeated it to herself over and over, Elsa noticed it no longer had the same effect, but the fear of her Master's retaliation kept her on track anyway. She pressed closer to him, rubbing her face into his shirt collar just enough to leave a trace of lipstick. Phase one of the mission accomplished.

Tommy stood frozen solid with Ms. Randall's arms around him. He couldn't bring himself to return the embrace, but didn't know how to extract himself from her without hurting her feelings, just in case she was being sincere.

After a few awkward moments of silently cursing the caress of her warm breath against his neck, Tommy slowly reached up to gently disengage her grasp. She was still blubbering, and he was sure his shoulder was covered in runny mascara. "Elise," he whispered softly while stepping out of her reach. "I've got to get home. We'll talk tomorrow, OK?"

Pulling back to admire the artwork she left on his pale grey shirt, Ms. Randall simply nodded, continuing the charade of the vulnerable little girl. "OK, and Tommy…thank you." She choked the words out just as she started to walk away. Now that she had done what she came here to do, she couldn't wait to get out of there before she was forced to acknowledge the emotions he stirred within her. Checking the hallway to make sure there were no students hanging around to witness her leaving his classroom with tear-stained cheeks, she saw that the coast was clear. Concentrating to summon her evil power, the green portal opened above her, and she disappeared to Mesogog's lair to watch the viewing screen for the fireworks the makeup on his shirt would surely cause when Tommy got home.

Once Ms. Randall was gone, Tommy finished gathering his things in preparation for getting the hell out of there. He was pretty pissed that the precious little time he had left with Kim was now shortened because of the principal's visit. Looking down at his shoulder, he frowned at the multi-colored smear on his shirt. He thanked God that for some reason he'd gotten in the habit of wearing a T-shirt under his work clothes. Yanking on the knot of the silk tie, he tore it off and stuffed it in his briefcase, followed by the shirt, and was out the door.

By three forty-five, Tommy was heading down Valencia Drive on his way to Kim. They would only have a little more than an hour before leaving for the airport, so he hoped she had her things ready, because he had no intention of allowing her any of that time to pack. He took the gravel driveway a little too sharply in his enthusiasm to get his hands on her, nearly rolling the Jeep before he gained control and skidded to a stop. No time to bother with the briefcase, he left it in the backseat and ran up the front porch steps into the house. "Kim! I'm home." God, how good that sounds.

Elsa scanned the tracking system in Mesogog's lair to search out Tommy's energy. She found him driving down the road about a mile from his house. The first thing she noticed was the heather grey T-shirt. "What the hell?" she muttered to herself. "What were the odds he had on more than one shirt? Goddamnit. It's time to get a little more aggressive. Enjoy the time you have left with your slut, Tommy. It will be your last."

When he first walked in, there was no sign of Kim, and he got a little worried, but a few minutes later, he heard footsteps coming down the wooden stairs. What he saw when he turned around he would remember for the rest of his life.

Kimberly had waited impatiently all day for Tommy's school day to be over, and during that time, she had plenty of time to plan a special homecoming present for him. When she heard him pull up, she took a last, quick glance in the bedroom mirror and shook her head a few times to give her hair that tousled, sexy look. Perfect. You go, girl.

The black satin bra she wore was covered with sheer silver lace, and it shaped her breasts nicely without giving her that overly-pushed-up look. A matching black and silver thong barely covered her lower half, and the silver high-heeled sandals she bought for the wedding completed the outfit. It was instant gratification when Kim saw the look on Tommy's face as she glided down the steps. "Hi, Honey. How was your day?" she asked in a sultry voice.

"Hi…" was all he could say, suddenly forgetting the English language. Here before him was the sexiest vision he had ever seen, the sight quenching Tommy's desire like an oasis in the desert. Just in case it was an illusion, he darted towards her, sweeping her into his arms before she could disappear. For an eternal second, they just stared into each other's eyes, communicating their need without words.

As if in slow motion, Tommy lowered his mouth to her upturned lips, barely able to force himself to close his eyes lest he miss a nanosecond of her presence. He kissed her slowly, deeply, and with all the passion that had been building in him all day. He was rewarded for his patience as her delicate tongue snaked out to entwine with his in a sensual dance.

After several minutes of Kim's delicious kisses, Tommy found the sense to pull back and acknowledge her efforts. "My God, you're beautiful," he breathed as he continued to scatter little nips and licks over her ear and neck while she moaned in delight.

"Tommy…" she started, but that was as far as she got when he suddenly centered in on a particularly sensitive spot near her collarbone. "Ahh…that feels so good."

"You ain't felt nothing yet," he replied as he pushed her backwards towards the sofa, too eager for her toclimb all the way up to the bedroom.

Once she was seated, she leaned back, bringing him down with her. Kim had no intentions of taking a passive role, so she immediately pulled off his shirt, unfastened his belt, and unzipped his pants. Running her hands over the warm, rippled skin of his muscular abs sent sparks shooting up her arms to terminate between her legs at her core. She worked the pants and boxers over his hips until he could kick them off, freeing his painfully rigid erection to press against her thigh. It might have been easier to get him undressed if they had been able to tear their lips apart, but they were addicted to each other's taste and couldn't get enough. His hands weren't idle by any means, either. He had slid the straps of the sexy bra off of her shoulders and pusheda cup asidein order toroll her hard nipple between his fingers while his other hand fumbled with the clasp in the back. After a few frustrated tries, he was finally successful. The material was thrown to the floor, leaving him available to work on removing her panties.

When their desire to meld together as one had grown beyond all reason, Kim started to push Tommy to sit upright on the couch. She threw her leg over his lap, straddling him,staring into his deep brown eyes. He became more turned-on than he thought possible as he realized her plan. Grabbing her hips, he thrust himself up into her while simultaneously pulling her down. They began a steady rhythm that soon dissolved into a frenzied pace, her hands on his shoulders, using his strong body as leverage to hit just the right spot. Time seemed to stand still as they rode out their passion to a shattering crescendo. They both gasped, then let out a loud cry as their sweat-slicked bodies gratified one another before she slumped over him, her head resting against his neck with a contented sigh.

Tommy traced lazy circles over Kim's back as they caught their breath, but he couldn't help but notice the time on the VCR. It was ten after five, and they were already running late. "Hey, we'd better get going," he whispered, as much as it killed him. She slid off his body, and looked around for her underwear. The bra was on the floor beside the coffee table, but the panties were no where to be seen.

"Where'd you throw my underpants, Tommy?" she asked, now in a major hurry since she realized the time, as well.

"Hell, I don't know. I just wanted them off. They've got to be around here somewhere. Are you packed?"

"Mostly. Fuck it, I'll put on another pair. You'll find them eventually. It's not like I'm not coming back any time soon." They couldn't afford to waste any more time on the search.

Tommy scrambled to put on his own clothes while Kim ran upstairs to get dressed and grab her bags. His keys were still in his pants pocket, and he found one of his socks between the sofa cushions. She came running down in a surprisingly short amount of time, but she seemed to be missing half of her luggage. "Hey, where's the rest of your stuff?"

"I'm only taking back the things I'll really need. Everything else can stay here. I have plenty of clothes at home."

"I don't doubt that," he teased. The sense of comfort and security Tommy felt from knowing that she was definitely planning to come back was overwhelming. It just hit him that he had some cleaning up to do in this house to make room for her things, especially in the bedroom. He couldn't think of anything he'd rather do. "Good idea. Let's get going, I'm going to have to relive my racing days to get you there on time. Hopefully, there won't be a big line at the security gates."

"Yeah, come on," said as she took one last look around what would be her new home in just a few short weeks before they ran out the door to the Jeep.