Author's notes: Thanks once again to everyone who's been reviewing. To Grey17 and C2, hopefully your points will have been addressed in this chapter! I still don't have regular net access so I can't guarantee when the next chapter will be posted, but I'm having so much fun writing this that it shouldn't be long before Chapter 6 is finished and posted. All reviews are gratefully appreciated, so please read and review!
Dedication: To all those affected by 7/7, including friends and relatives caught up in the aftermath.
Kim
So, what do I do now? Do I let him in and allow him to grovel to me with excuses, or leave him outside to keep ringing the doorbell and hope against hope that he'll go away? Although I feel as though I'm letting down the sisterhood by pandering to the wishes of men, I reluctantly let Tommy in. I try to tell myself that I'm only doing it to avoid excessive amounts of noise and harassment from Mrs Jacobs, but the sad, pathetic truth is that I want to hear his excuse. More than that, I want to believe whatever he tells me.
It takes Tommy less than two minutes to get from the lobby of my building to the fifth floor, and during that time I slump into the chair furthest away from the door, and fold my arms. I may be weak in letting him in and wanting to believe his excuse, but that doesn't mean I'm going to make it easy for him.
There's a knock on the door, and I yell, "It's open," without bothering to move. Polite but detached is probably the best way to play this; I need to know what's going on, and alienating Tommy by acting like a deranged madwoman probably won't make him conducive to spilling secrets. In fact, it would probably encourage him to stay quiet.
Although it takes more willpower than I thought I had, I manage to remain still when he
walks into the room, and refrain from turning to gaze at him. And even though I promised to myself that I'd behave, somehow I find myself saying, "Take a wrong turn and end up two and a half hours to the north? Wrong place, wrong time, Tommy."
Whoops. Even though he deserves that, and more, for cancelling two dates and then leaving me to sit alone for the duration of the third without a phone call, I still feel bad. Why am I such a pushover? I decide to avoid further trouble by not adding to my insult, and bite my lower lip to remain quiet, still not looking at him; instead putting all my energy into listening to any noise being made to my right while I stare into the kitchen as though the front of my refrigerator is the most interesting thing in the world. Granted, it has a postcard of Paris on it sent by my mother, but there's only so long you can stare at a view of the Eiffel Tower before becoming mind-numbingly bored. Tommy must know that I'm ignoring him, and I can hear a couple of steps being taken towards me, before he thinks better of it and sits on the couch.
"Kim, I know I… I know you're pissed at me, and I deserve everything you're going to throw at me, ten times over. But before you read me the riot act, I'd appreciate if you'd let me explain what's been going on. I haven't been straight with you, and it's not fair on you."
"Damn right it's not," I blurt out, and then return to biting my lip, except I'm so tense I accidentally draw blood. "Carry on then, tell me what's been going on," I instruct, after a pause that lasts centuries. What follows is a garbled mess of murmurings that I hope wasn't meant to make sense. I can only make out certain words and phrases, such as 'thought Jason had told you', 'black eye', and 'students'.
"You were beaten up by one of your students?" I ask incredulously, finally turning round to look at Tommy. He doesn't look as though he's been beaten up. Granted, he doesn't look as though he's shaved for the past couple days, but I guess a student could have punched him in the stomach or something.
He looks as confused as I am. "I didn't say that!" he protests.
"Well, what did you say?" I nearly scream, surprising even myself with how loud it came out. I only meant to say it, so I dial the volume down a little for my rant. "All I heard was something about students and a black eye, what the hell am I supposed to think? You left me in a roadside dive for three hours without even a courtesy call to say you couldn't be bothered to turn up, Tommy. That's the third date in four days that you've cancelled. Any sane person would say I almost deserve an explanation, perhaps even the truth?"
Now it's Tommy's turn to bite his lip, looking as though that action's the only thing stopping him from saying something he'd regret. He jumps up from the couch and strides over to stare at the window, where he stays for what seems like a lifetime. From the angle I'm sitting at, I can't read the expression on his face, and the suspense is starting to get to me. I have a horrible sinking feeling in my stomach that he's going to break it off, whatever 'it' may be. It's pathetic to say I was half-falling in love with him after less than two weeks together, but unfortunately, true, and as much as I could cheerfully strangle him for what he's put me through over the past 72 hours, the cold truth is that I don't want to lose him.
So, with that in mind, I get up from the chair, and move over to join him at the window, staring down into the streets of Surfside. Doing so seems to have startled Tommy out of his reverie, and he looks down at me ruefully after dragging himself out of whatever dreamland he's obviously fallen prey to. We seem to be making a habit of that around each other at the moment…
"You're going to kill me for this," he says quietly, and my blood runs cold. Does he have a secret wife he's been cheating on with me? Did he steal all my bank account details when we went for coffee the first time and go to the Caribbean over the weekend?
"Try me," I respond at the same volume. "I'll probably kill you even if you don't admit to me what's been going on, so you lose either way," I admit. I don't expect what he says next, which is,
"How true."
What the hell is that supposed to mean? I stay silent, mulling possibilities over and over in my mind, while he turns back to the window. Finally, he speaks again.
"Kim, I need you to know… I have to tell you what happened, what is happening, but you're going to think I didn't trust you, and that's really not how it all happened. I know you're going to hate me, and probably will never want to see me again, but you have to realise that I never meant it to turn out this way."
Ah. Whatever it is, this does not bode well, and the sinking feeling just got ten times worse. What else can I say, except "Tell me."?
A huge sigh, and then Tommy begins. "You know that I had to leave my graduate work on the island because there was a fire, and all the work we'd done was destroyed?"
This was definitely not the direction I expected this conversation to take. I was waiting for the whole 'Kim, you're a really nice person, but this isn't going to work' speech. By this stage in my life, I could probably recite it with him, word for word, the amount of times I've heard it from dates I've been on since I broke up with Josh and before this whole drama with Tommy emerged. Originality and men do not necessarily go hand in hand. "Yeah…" I say uncertainly.
He sighs, and turns round to lean against the window and face back into the room. "Someone, somehow, got hold of the work we were doing, and isn't exactly using it for the purposes of good."
Somewhere, somehow, a switch is clicking in my mind, and an idea is growing as to where the conversation may be leading, and if he's going to say what I think he is, he has every reason to be worried about my reaction. I give him the benefit of the doubt however, and say in an even voice, "In what way?" while still staring in the opposite direction, over Surfside and the lights that are beginning to appear in the streets.
"Three … I don't know what to call them, inter-galactic idiots, have used the dinosaur technology to attack the planet. Except, they started with Reefside."
Even though I had an idea this was coming, I still didn't want it to be true. "You've got involved with the new team, haven't you? When are you going to learn that although you were the best ranger we've ever had, the rest of us have moved on, which kind of signals that maybe you should do the same? As if you and Jason weren't bad enough with the whole mission to the moon thing." I swivel to look at him, and although he looks suitably sheepish after my nicely-worded rebuke, I can tell from the apprehension in his eyes, which refuse to meet mine, that I may not have hit the nail on the head entirely, and there's still part of the tale to be told. "Oh god, there's more to it than that, isn't there? Tell me."
"I didn't ask to be involved, Kim," Tommy says softly. "I found gems… power sources. And three of my students – I guess four now, actually, but that's another story – bonded to them, at around the same time Reefside came under attack. At first, they were the only rangers, and I was just there as an advisor, doling out advice on how they should deal with attacks. What was I supposed to do, abandon them?" he questions angrily on seeing my incredulous expression. But I can't help looking incredulous at this point, because I've seen the newest rangers on television, and there's always been something that's struck me about the people who must be behind the uniforms.
"There are five rangers, Tommy," I say softly. "I may not be an expert on this latest reincarnation, but I know that one of them is probably a little older than the others, definitely broader than them, about your height, and takes charge of battles when things are going wrong. I guess that's you?"
He nods regretfully, and I feel strangely numb. The anger will come, I know that much. But this is a hell of a lot to take in. I'd thought we'd all done a great job of getting on with our lives after leaving the 'good squad' as Rocky had nicknamed us, maybe apart from Tommy and Jason gallivanting off to the moon a couple years back. And now I'm confronted with this bombshell that in fact, Tommy just can't stay away. I shouldn't be shocked – after all, didn't I just call him the greatest ranger ever?
My thoughts are moving incredibly slowly, and it takes a lot longer than it should have done for me to start putting two and two together once more. I turn to look at Tommy only to find him already staring at me warily.
We always seem to look at each other when we're together without talking. I hope he's prepared for our relationship to suddenly get a whole lot more vocal. "Tommy… this team's been around for a year," I say, still in the same quiet tone of voice. I hope he realises I won't be quiet for much longer, because it's about to get a hell of a lot louder from my end of the conversation.
"Yeah," he admits, still watching me closely. I leave a pause a few seconds longer, before screaming,
"Why the fuck didn't you tell me?"
TommyThere it is. I knew the somewhat detached courtesy couldn't last forever – at some stage, the screaming had to start. It's not as though I haven't been expecting it, and god knows I deserve it, but still it takes me by surprise.
"It wasn't as though I deliberately set out to keep you in the dark about it," I reason. "As soon as I became a ranger again, I didn't call everyone else I knew, tell them the joyous news, and then add on 'Oh, be sure not to tell Kim about this, it'll be really fun to keep it a secret and then laugh when she finds out'."
"Really?" she snaps, holding my gaze with a nasty look which she must practise in front of the mirror in order to get the correct proportion of venom in without actually killing people. It's definitely gone up a few notches since our teenage years. "Seeing as you've kept me in the dark for over a year, I think it's about time you enlighten me as to how I ended up not knowing about your newly continued illustrious career, presumably being the only one out of our entire group of friends who was out of the loop."
I sigh, and shift my gaze away from hers. I would prefer not to be turned into a statue once again; I've had enough of that to last a lifetime. "I hadn't spoken to you for a while – since before I left to go work on the island. It would have seemed weird to suddenly call you up and say 'hey, long time since we spoke, I've been on an exploding island and become a ranger since we last spoke, what have you been up to?' "
"That's the worst excuse I've ever heard," Kim said scathingly. "I know for a fact you haven't spoken to Zack for a couple of years, yet I'm guessing he knows about your latest reincarnation – how's that excuse supposed to hold up with him? Is there some ex-Ranger newsletter that I've been missed off the subscription list for?"
"Yes, Kim, I'm fully aware it's a bad excuse. I hate to break it to you, but it's the truth, and there's not a lot that I can do about it now," I say a little more harshly than I intended. "I only told Jason myself. I was snowed under, confused, pissed off, and I asked him to pass on the message to everyone else. I never told him not to tell you, I swear to you. I wouldn't do that to you. I think Jason must have assumed that because we were pretty good friends before I left, I'd have told you already."
"And you assumed Jason would tell everyone, and not think you'd already told someone," Kim says neutrally, and I risk a sideways glance at her, only to find her staring out the window once more, deep in thought, and soon enough I also revert to staring through the glass at the sprawling view of Surfside. "Why didn't you tell me when you saw me again?"
she asks after about a minute of awkward silence.
"The first time I saw you, I didn't have a clue that you didn't know about my … uh, second job," I tell her. "I was a bit surprised you didn't mention it when we were in the café, I called Jason, and it turned out that he hadn't told you. I was going to tell you when we met the second time, but we got, uh, distracted…" I smile slightly in the near-darkness at the memory, and then it fades as I wonder if I've messed this up so badly that would be the last time Kim and I got that close. "I was going to tell you over the weekend, but then I kept on having to cancel, and I really didn't want to tell you over the phone. I owe you an explanation face-to-face, not chickening out and telling you over the phone."
She inclines her head slightly. "And why were all the potential unburdening sessions cancelled, exactly?"
I rub my chin, tired just by the thought of it. "Friday afternoon we were hit by a bad attack, which I was surprised by, because we'd weakened them pretty badly a few days before. Saturday and Sunday had to be spent repairing the Zords in case an attack happened again, even though we weren't sure that it would so quickly. As it turned out, it was a good thing I spent all Sunday fixing them, because as soon as school let out we were hammered, and it was as though we hadn't spent all last week attempting to weaken them. It was a long fight, and I spent all of it out in the field. I wasn't expecting it to be that long, which was why I didn't call you and warn you I could be late." I don't mention the black eye, which luckily had faded by the time I got up that morning, and left me very thankful for accelerated healing powers. "As soon as I got back and realised the time, I drove to Surfside to find you and apologise."
"Okay," Kim nods, but doesn't say anything else. There is silence for another few minutes, during which I try desperately to avoid asking Kim what was going to happen to us, and to refrain from looking at her. I know enough about Kim to know she needs to be left to make her decisions without influence; but the silence begins to get to me. With nothing to distract me, my thoughts begin to take unwelcome turns, and I wonder how I'm going to live without her again should she decide that trust has been broken irreparably. I don't think I could be just friends with her again having taken the first tentative steps towards becoming something more; which would mean going back to a situation similar to that of the first couple of years after she'd broken up with me. And believe me, that doesn't appeal to me in the slightest.
Suddenly, she twists around again to face me side-on, and I do the same so we're facing each other. My eyes meet hers, and there's no outright hatred in her brown eyes, so I take that as a good sign. I have no idea what she's reading in mine, but it's probably panic.
"It's never going to work out the way it should, is it?" she says, and I feel a sensation similar to that you get on a rollercoaster when your stomach seems to drop out from beneath you.
"What do you mean?" I ask, hoping and praying that she doesn't mean what I think she means.
"We always get our wires crossed… I mean, if our friends were to be believed, we should never have split up in the first place. And then we should have got together when we were good friends before you went to the island, even though we were both seeing other people. Now, when we're finally both single, and can openly admit that we want each other without blushing bright red, this happens, and it makes me wonder if, despite everything, someone up there just doesn't want us to be together."
Oh, shit. "And do you believe that?" I ask carefully, crossing my toes in my shoes, and wondering whether she'd notice if I cross my eyes as well for luck.
"No," Kim says slowly, turning away from me for the thousandth time, unable to meet my gaze. "But… I need some time. I know it's the biggest cliché in the world, but I need to think this over. There's nothing more in the world that I would want than to carry on where we left off on Wednesday, but I can't just forget what's happened. It annoys me that you didn't tell me straight away, I'm so angry with everyone for not even thinking to tell me, and I know that if I rush into anything I'm going to regret it. Just… give me some time? Please?"
As if I could refuse her anything after this fiasco. I could never refuse her anything before, and now I feel as though I'll be in her debt forever. I feel the need to grovel to her for even considering forgiving me, but I know that will seem like going over the top to her. "Kim, you know I'd give you anything you want," I remind her softly, and she turns back to face me. It doesn't surprise me that I can see the beginning of tears in her eyes, and I can't help but reach over to wipe them away tenderly.
It shocks me when she pulls me closer and kisses me on the lips, but not enough to make me pull away. In fact, I pull her closer to me, and make the most of the kiss – the way she's biting down slightly on my lips, feeling her hair under my fingers as I push it out of her eyes, and the overall feeling that nothing else will ever feel this right in the world to me ever again.
Yet somehow, it still feels like a goodbye.
After not nearly long enough, she pulls out of my embrace, although I do my best to keep her there. I can't shake the feeling that this is the last time…
"I'll call you," she promises with a shaking voice, and I know that the kiss has affected her as well. "I won't be able to think of much else… I won't keep you wondering for long. But I need some time on my own."
"I understand," I say to her, making a real effort to keep my voice under control. I really wish I didn't understand how she was feeling, because then I could legitimately get down on my knees and beg her to forgive me. But I put her into this position, and now I have to wait and see what she decides. "Take as long as you need."
She smiles slightly, and I walk to the door, twisting back to take one last glance at her. Her apartment is now almost completely void of light, and her expression is hidden in shadows. Any apology now is meaningless – I need to leave her to make up her own mind. "Goodbye, Kim."
"Bye, Tommy," I hear her say quietly behind me as I start to shut the door, and I pause for a few seconds, as I send up a silent prayer to whatever is up there that this won't be the last time I see this apartment, that this won't be a final goodbye.
Because it sure feels like one.
KimI spent the entire weekend wishing him here, and now I've wished him away. How ironic.
He pauses for a second as he hears me say goodbye, and there's nothing more I would want to do than call him back and tell him everything's fine. Tell him that he's forgiven, and continue that mind-blowing kiss that we started minutes before. But the words don't come, and he leaves.
The explosive anger that I expected to last for longer left as quickly as it came, and now all I feel is drained. Calls to Aisha and the Scott household need to be made, but I sink to the floor, sit on the carpet and stare unseeingly into the middle distance. I'm glad I'm resisting calling anyone while I'm in this mindset – it would lead to saying something I'm sure I'd regret, and I need to be alert whilst calling. That can be my project for tomorrow morning instead of going into work. I'd be no good to them anyway in this state, and my time would be better spent working out what to do with my life than overseeing a pitch for a new kind of egg-timer promotional campaign.
Hey, I never said I worked for a glamorous company.
Unfortunately, all the yelling and heartache must have tired me out more than I thought, as I end up sleeping on the floor. Despite me having read in countless magazines that sleeping on the floor does your back a wealth of good, I am now in a position to note that actually, it does nothing of the sort. It's a good thing I had already decided I wasn't going into work today, as when I force myself off the floor I'm unable to walk in a normal manner, and consequently end up waddling across the room to the telephone.
I call work and tell them in a monotone that I think I have the flu, and ask for two days sick leave to assess my illness, which I'm thankfully awarded. I don't, strictly speaking, need two days to sort my life out, but days off are always welcome, and I can use them to get my posture back to normal after assessing my next actions.
I slept for a surprisingly long time considering I wasn't in my own, comfortable, bed, and I'd just been hit with a bombshell that had the effect of turning my life upside down. I figure that Jason should be in work by now, unless he's been enlisted to look after Sally for the day. I find his number in my cell phone, and press the 'call' button. Although Aisha and Trini also deserve rebukes, I'm more than a little angry with my oldest friend for 'assuming' I'd already been told, and then not getting in first to tell me once Tommy had informed him I had no idea of his latest role.
The phone buzzes twice before someone on the other end picks up, and I hear a cool and collected voice say, "Jason Scott."
I cut straight to the chase, no time for pleasantries. The anger which was somehow lacking last night has found its way to me in the cold light of day, and although I can see why Jason could have thought I would already have been told, and that some of this dissatisfaction should by rights be directed at Tommy, I'm on the phone to Jason now, and I need to rant. "I have a bone to pick with you," I say. "Just how long were you planning on keeping me in the dark about the whole boyfriend-being-a-ranger thing?" There's a pause, and he can't blame it on the phone line being faulty, as I can hear him breathing. "I can hear you breathing Jase, I know you're there," I remind him.
"Kim, I… I'm so sorry. I wanted to tell you, I promise, but Tommy said he'd tell you himself."
"What about when he told you originally, and asked you to tell everyone else? Did I just slip your mind, which would be insulting enough to think that you 'forgot' me after 22 years of friendship, or did you purposely leave me out of the loop so everyone could laugh at me?" I demand. Deep down, I understand what actually happened, and that's the problem. But I need to make Jason realise what's gone on, and just how hurt I feel by the fact that, however inadvertently, all my friends have been keeping a huge secret from me for the past year.
"How could you think I would leave you out of this on purpose, Kim?" Jason retorts, and I'm placated slightly. "You're one of my oldest friends, and the only reason I didn't tell you in the first place is because I was positive that Tommy would have told you already! You two were always emailing each other and talking on the phone; however wrong it may have been, I assumed that he'd have told you first instead of me, or would have told you straight after me."
"And it never became obvious that I didn't know about the whole scenario?" I ask sceptically, even though I already know the answer.
"You were in Boston, Kim!" Jason reminds me. "There was never a reason to bring it up on the phone or in emails, and we hardly ever saw each other while you were there. We all talked about it at Sally's christening, but you couldn't make it because you were tied up with moving back to the west coast. I appreciate that what happened wasn't fair to you at all, but you have to understand that it wasn't really anyone's fault. I know you're hurt by this, and I'm sorry, but it's not as though we've all been sitting around having weekly meetings discussing Tommy's return to being a Ranger – it's his responsibility, and none of us have got involved."
I sigh, and waddle back over to the couch, where I sprawl out, wondering why I didn't decide to mope on a more comfortable surface last night. "I know Jase, I'm sorry for the yelling. I guess I just needed to rant at someone, and I knew that Tommy had told you I didn't know a while back. I know it's not your fault."
"When did he tell you?" Jason asks.
"After he jilted me for the third time in four days, he drove up to Surfside and explained everything," I explain, and close my eyes. "I know it's all a big breakdown of communications, but I'm so angry at him for not telling me himself as soon as things started to happen. Even if you had been the one to tell me as soon as you knew, I think I'd still be annoyed."
"I think you need to talk to Trini," Jason says awkwardly. "She's at home today with Sally, why don't you give her a call? I think she'd probably be in a better position to be able to help."
I smile at Jason's inherently male ability to pass on dealing with emotions. Although he'd be there for me whatever the problem, he doesn't really like to talk about feelings and stuff. To be fair, Trini would deal with it a lot better than he could. "That's a good idea, I'll give her a call now. I've taken a sick day, so I have all the time in the world."
"Why don't you drive up and spend the night?" Jason suggests. "We've got a comfortable sofa-bed, and we'd both love to see you. I know Trini's coming on your girls' night at the weekend, but we were only saying yesterday how long it's been since we've seen you."
"That's a great idea," I say, perking up. It wouldn't take me long at all to pack an overnight bag and drive to their place, and it may be just the thing I need to cheer me up.
"Don't blame Trini for any of this," Jason says quietly. "I know you'd never say anything to her which would lead her to feel guilty, but you have to remember that when Tommy became involved she was six months pregnant and miserable. It's not as watertight an excuse for me, I was more switched on to what was going around me than she was, but at that time she was obsessing over bringing a child into the world. I think she probably assumed the same thing I did, but she had less time and opportunity to think it through."
"I wouldn't blame her for anything, Jase," I reassure him. "And I know you guys weren't really at fault. I don't even really believe that Tommy was wholly in the wrong… I think it was just a huge case of crossed wires, and I was the one who got burned."
"I know it's not really any of my business, but are you and him still seeing each other?" Jase enquires awkwardly, and I sigh.
"I don't know. I told him last night that I need more time to think this through, and he seemed okay with that. Hopefully, talking things through a little with you guys will help get my thoughts in order."
"Doctor Trini should cure you," Jason teases, and I know we're okay. "I have to get back to work Kim, but I'll see you tonight. Give Trini a surprise and turn up on the doorstep, she'll be ecstatic to see you."
"Maybe," I grin. "See you tonight, Jase."
I hang up the phone, and waddle back to my bedroom to find and pack an overnight bag to take to their home. Hopefully, this trip will do what Jason predicted, and sort my head out. Because I don't know how long I can cope with the turmoil that's prevailing at the moment…
Tommy
I don't recommend going in to teach six periods of rowdy teenagers the night after severe emotional turmoil. Once students get the slightest hint that their teacher may be a little distracted, all hell breaks loose.
Luckily, I manage to keep any distractions as far out of my mind as possible, and teach my classes with one part of my brain focusing on the lesson plan, and the other part wondering every five seconds whether Kim's come to any decision yet. It's a miracle I don't start talking to myself about my utter stupidity and give my students something to talk about.
Unfortunately, there is a select group of students who tend to know when something's up, and as soon as I arrive back home and trudge down to the basement, I find four pairs of eager eyes watching my every move while I slump down in my favourite chair and wish for the day to be over.
"Are you okay, Dr. O?" Kira asks cautiously, not taking her eyes off me. "You seemed a little distracted during class again today."
"Is it worrying about Mesogog and his troupe of idiots that's getting you down? Because if it is, don't sweat it. We've beaten them all the time before, I know we can do it again," Trent speaks up, and while I appreciate the encouragement, that wasn't what was troubling me. Even though it probably should have.
"No… no, it's not that. It's nothing for you guys to worry about, so don't worry. I'm fine," I attempt to convince them, but none of them look satisfied.
"Is it girl trouble?" Conner asks with a smirk on his face, and is promptly rewarded with elbows in the ribs from Ethan on one side of him and Kira on the other. I hope to all the gods above that my face doesn't turn a deep shade of scarlet.
"It's none of your business, Conner. In case you haven't noticed, we're facing adversaries that keep getting stronger against the odds. That should be the main focus of our attention, not meaningless speculation."
If only I could take my own advice.
"Hayley was mentioning yesterday after you left that we should analyse the last couple of battles to see how things have changed from the way they used to attack us previously," Ethan intercepts, for which I will be eternally grateful. "Should we do that now, Dr O?"
Why didn't I think of that? Oh, yeah. Because I spent half the night up worrying that I'd messed up the most important relationship of my life. Funnily enough, saving the world didn't really come into it, even though that was the reason Kim and I are in so much trouble, however inadvertently.
"Yeah, that's a good idea," I say, and swivel round to switch on the computer which will help us locate Mesogog's weaknesses. "Ethan, did Hayley say what time she'd be here today? We could probably use her help in this."
"No need to wonder, I'm here," Hayley says cheerfully, and comes up to the group. "What do you want my help for?" She looks closely at me, and the expression in her eyes says I'm going to get a severe grilling sooner or later as to why I look so tired.
"Dr O agreed that we should analyse the past few battles to see exactly what's been going on and pick up any weaknesses," Kira informs Hayley.
"Excellent. Why don't you four go and check over your Zords to see if they picked up any damage, and then come back and help us? We can't afford to go into battle with your Zords not being 100."
Kira, Conner, Ethan and Trent troop out of the basement, and I stare determinedly at the computer screen as images begin to appear. "So, do you have any idea as to what we're looking to expose with Mesogog?" I ask, hoping against hope that she'll run with my conversation starter, and not devise one of her own.
No such luck. "None at all. Why do you look so exhausted? What time did you get back?" Hayley asks, and looks at me imploringly. "I take it you went to see Kim?"
She doesn't sound disapproving, which is definitely a good start. "Yeah. But I never told you that she didn't know about me being back in the game again, which she didn't find out until I told her last night. Let's just say it didn't go down too well."
"Why didn't you tell her?" Hayley asks incredulously. "I can understand you not telling Megan, she didn't have a clue about your prior involvement. But how long have you been back in contact with Kim without telling her?"
"About two weeks," I admit, and lean back in my chair, rubbing my chin unthinkingly. "It was never the right time… I only saw her twice, and then I had to keep cancelling dates because we kept getting hit by attacks. She left a highly annoyed message on my answer phone yesterday because I was supposed to meet her three hours before the fight finished, and I drove up to Surfside to tell her the truth."
"Did you keep her out of the loop on purpose? That doesn't sound like something you would do."
"It isn't, and I didn't. When the gems were first activated, I called Jason and asked him to pass on the message to everyone. He must have assumed that I'd already talked to Kim, because he didn't tell her. I probably should have told her myself, but I didn't. Then, it must never have been mentioned in e-mails or meetings, because she had no idea until last night that I was a ranger again."
"And everyone else knew? I'm not surprised the news didn't go down too well," Hayley comments, watching me closely still. "Is it over between the two of you?"
I shake my head. "I don't know. I don't think she wants it to be, but she said she needs more time to sort her thoughts out. I can't blame her for it, but it's driving me insane."
Hayley looks at me sympathetically, and is about to say something when I hear my phone ring upstairs. I run out of the basement and up the stairs with embarrassing haste, but the phone must have been ringing for some time, as when I get there it is silent, and a light flashes on my answer phone.
I realise the caller couldn't have been Kim, anyway, as she only has my cell number unless she asked Jase or someone else for it. I press the button, and hear a message from Jase.
"Hey, bro, from all accounts the shit has hit the fan, and yours truly was the object of Kim's anger this morning. She's calmed down now though, and she's coming to stay with us for the night. Give me a call at work tomorrow, and I'll pass on anything I think may be of interest to you."
The message ends, and I walk slowly back down to the basement. Hayley doesn't acknowledge my presence for a few moments, as she stares intently at the computer screen. I sit back down beside her, not sure what to make of the news that Kim is staying with Jason and Trini tonight, and Hayley finally looks up. "Kim?"
I shake my head. "Jason. Have you found anything?"
"I'm not sure. From what I can gather, Mesogog and Elsa have definitely got an extra power source to those which they've been using so far. Have you ever noticed them using this in fights before?" She pauses the action on the screen, and I notice a tiny object which could be a box, but the quality isn't brilliant, and to tell the truth it could be anything.
"Not that I can remember, you'd have to ask the others as well. Do you think it could be an extra source?"
"I don't remember them using it before last week, so I have a feeling they've got it from somewhere and have been using it to boost their power after we've drained it. I just need to run a few more tests to check it is actually exuding power, otherwise we'll be barking up the wrong tree."
"If it's a power source, we need to blow it up, right?" I confirm with my second-in-command in all Ranger decisions such as these. "Then we can continue to drain their power and hopefully get it all."
"Tommy, I know you guys have been holding back in the past few fights, but if this object does turn out to be a power source, and you can target it, I see no reason why you shouldn't continue the fight and finish them" Hayley admits. "Before they got this mysterious helping hand, there's no doubt they were getting a lot weaker. If we can get the source out of the picture then they'll be drained, and you can finish the war, instead of just the battle."
"I see your point," I agree. Although we were instructed never to escalate a battle more than we could help during the Zordon era, the slightly scary fact remains that I'm in the mentor position now, and Hayley's advice makes a hell of a lot of sense. Although I've enjoyed being a ranger again during the good times, the whole argument with Kim has brought the age issue back into contention, and balancing two responsible jobs and a social life has taken its toll. "Let's determine exactly what the source is. Then, we can decide once and for all how we're going to deal with this."
Dealing with a pissed off girlfriend, and dealing with saving the world. How did it ever come to this?