Disclaimer: I own only Angela and Dr. Johnson.
Note: Keep the reviews coming : P Haha I love it. Would you guys like to see Kim become a ranger? Do you want Kim do have a baby? To tell you the truth, I haven't gotten that far ahead yet, I'm writing this fic on a day by day basis. This chapter will focus a on most moments in Kim's life during the 10 year duration, but as I posted in the last chapter, I'm saving many TK parts for the chapters ahead. BTW- TrueRomantic: you will find most of your questions are answered here, and yes Jason is currently running the dojo along with Rocky, they are in the upcoming chapters. If anyone has questions, commets, ideas, feel free to post, I do read reviews : P
Chapter 8
10 years later San Francisco
27 year old Kimberly Hart stood on the beam mat getting ready to spot one of her many students. Things in her life had not come easy in the past ten years. After suffering a serious injury, Kim had been forced to retire from competitive gymnastics, but that didn't stop her every now and then from throwing a few skills on bars and beam or working out here and there. Kimberly hadn't changed much, still petite and a little on the short side at 5'2", she could always be seen walking with a limp, though not as pronounced as it once was. Endless rehab, will and determination had helped turn a bad situation into a positive one. While one door closed, another one opened.
Kim had been able to obtain her GED and while she was not a gymnast anymore, she was asked to help train the Olympic squad as an assistant coach and choreographer. This was how she began her career as a coach. Not always an easy transition from gymnast to coach, Kim was an exception, coaching seemed to fit her like a glove. After the Olympic team had been chosen, Kim had helped to fine tune many of the girls' routines. In the process, she had helped the team to win the first gold in US history and with her choreography helped Shannon Miller and Dominique Dawes to gold and bronze on beam and floor respectively. After that, Kim had been highly sought after to choreograph beam and floor routines.
Working as a coach and choreographer had helped her to save more than enough money to put her through college and to even get a small place of her own. Taking some time off from coaching, Kim decided it was time to take the next step and enroll in college, but Kim wasn't sure what she should major in or where she would go. She had always wanted to do so many things in life such as teaching, writing and coaching. It wasn't hard making the decision to become a teacher in her favorite subject, English. She would be able to work with kids while combining two if the three things she wanted to do in life. She still would be able to coach if she wanted. Choosing the location was the harder part. Florida had been a part of her life she wanted to forget for the moment. She needed a change in scenery. Looking over admission requirements to several schools she had received applications from, Kim finally decided to head back home to California and attend San Francisco State University.
Moving back to California had the added bonus of allowing her to earn her teaching credentials while earning her BA degree in English through a special program at SF State. She earned her degree in four short years before decided she wanted to continue at State and work towards a masters degree. Kim had returned to coaching twice a week at a local gym club where she was able to keep a low profile.
Flashback
Out of the blue one day, Kim was surprised to receive an envelope with very familiar writing on it. "Is this what I think it is!" squealed Kim hardly able to contain the excitement as she tore the envelope open. "Trini Mai Kwan and Jason Lee Scott are pleased to announce their wedding set for August 13, 2001 at Angel Grove Lake. The ceremony will begin at 2:00 PM, please RSVP ASAP."
Kim started jumping for joy as she ran to the phone and dialed a very familiar phone number. "Scott Residence", said Jason answering the phone. "You know Trini won't be a Scott for another 2 months" she said giggling. "Well hello to you too Kim.", Jason said with an amused voice. "Is your fiancée available?" she asked. "Yeah, she's right here trying to rip the phone out of my hand, give me a sec." Kim could here giggling and playful fighting in the background. "KIM!" Trini exclaimed. "Trini, why didn't you tell me you guys were engaged, much less getting married, last time I talked to you?" Kim asked. "Because it was a secret, you do know I sent your invitation first right, I haven't even sent out the others yet." Trini said laughing. Kim grinned "Well, that's more like it" she said. Trini smiled. "I was kind of hoping you'd do one small little favor for me?" Trini asked in a sweet voice indicated she wanted something. "Why do I have the feeling this could be evil?' she asked raising her eyebrow. Trini laughed, Kim knew her too well. "Alright fine, if you don't want to be my maid of honor…" Trini said trailing off. 5, 4,3,2,1 "TRINI, OF COURSE I WANT TO BE YOUR MAID OF HONOR!" Kim shouted as Trini held the phone five feet away from her ear.
"Good, your dress will be arriving rather tomorrow or the day after." Kim laughed again. "Alright girl….you know what this means….expect to be kidnapped from your man August 11.", and with that the two lines disconnected. Jason looked up from the magazine he was reading and sighing took out his wallet and handed Trini a crisp green twenty dollar bill. "When it comes to timing, Kim, and a wedding, never second guess me" Trini said laughing. "Fine, I give up, I could have sworn Kim would have had a heart attack or fainted first."
End Flashback
Over the years Kim had kept in contact mainly with Jason and Trini, but at their wedding had for the first time in five years come face to face with Tommy. They had talked briefly and eventually ended up exchanging contact info. After about a year, Kim eventually sent an e-mail to Tommy. It would take about 6 months for him to reply however because he was "away pursuing scientific research". Eventually the waiting period would get shorter and shorter so by the summer Kim had finished her masters in 2004, the two were exchanging weekly e-mails.
Although she had loved San Francisco, Kim decided after finishing her masters, it was time to get a teaching job. Opportunities according to Tommy were better in Southern California. Searching on the internet for job opportunities in So Cal, Kim quickly found a school that was looking for an English teacher and at the same time a gymnastics coach. "Wow, this seems too good to be true.", she said as she e-mailed the school a copy of her resume. "Reefside High, I wonder how far this is from where Tommy teaches." She asked herself. Kim had known Tommy was a science teacher at the high school level, but she didn't know where. "I'll have to ask him sometime" she said absent mindedly. Kim set to work on applying for two other schools, before calling it a night.
3 weeks later Reefside
Flashback
"We are please to offer you a position here at Reefside High. The English Dept. Chair was most impressed with your interview…"
End Flashback
Kim hadn't paid attention to the last part of what Principal Randall had said. She had been so dazed when they offered her the job she accepted without a second thought. Everything in Reefside had just seemed to click from the moment she arrived. Not only was the city right on the beach, but the weather here was something Kim loved and didn't get in San Francisco, sunny and warm. It was also full of trees and not smog or skyscrapers. Kim had yet to work out all the details, but from the sound of things, Kim would also be able to Coach the gymnastics team. She was on cloud nine, what could go wrong?
E-mail to Tommy
To: I can't believe it, I'm still on cloud nine right now, but guess what, I got offered the job today! The interview was a bit tough, but the English Chair really seemed to like my style. I may also be the new coach of the gym team! Since I'll be moving down to So Cal, maybe we can meet for lunch sometime.
Kim
Kim clicked send and then sent similar e-mails to the others sharing her good news.
Moving Day
It took a while to box all of her belongings having boxes and boxes of clothes, but after finding a spacious, cottage right on the beach, Kim couldn't wait to move from the foggy city to the warm, sunny beach. Her cottage had a large master bedroom that included a master bathroom complete with a small spa opposite of the shower, a kitchen, living room, and best of all, a large walk in closet to fit all of her things in. Kim's place had two levels. One thing she absolutely insisted on having when house hunting was a garden. Gardening was Kim's secret passion. The cottage's garden was mainly sand, but Kim had already made plans to go shopping and buy the necessary supplies to make it her own.
First Day of School, Reefside High
Kim arrived on her first day of school bright and early, almost two hours before school started. She had already come in a few previous times to set her classroom up. Kim had dressed in a baby pink spaghetti strap top, and a plain black skirt. Her shoes contained a small heel and were black with an open toe top and pink flower. High heels, although Kim loved them, usually ended up giving her nothing but trouble, because of her limp; she had a difficult time walking in them. Even today, Kim's leg was a little stiff, but with all the excitement of a new job, Kim did not let it affect her. Her first class would be her honors class of seniors. With only fifteen minutes to go before school started, she ran to the copier to copy the required reading list, and a few other sheets for her regular English classes of juniors and seniors, Kim realized she had left a master book on her desk. Figuring it was safe to leave her belongings for a moment, she made a quick dash to retrieve the book.
Tommy having been distracted by Principal Randall had completely forgotten his plan book. "Now where did I leave it?" he asked himself. His "Swiss cheese" memory as Jason had dubbed had gotten better over the years, but at times seemed just like it had in high school. "Oh yeah, next to the copier.", he said making a mad dash to the copy room. "Done", said Kim as she took the last sheet of paper from the machine. Not looking where she was going, she ran into the machine and dropped some of the papers she had just collected. Sighing, she bent down behind the machine to retrieve them. "Here it is" Tommy said to himself as he grabbed it from on top of the machine dashing back to his room. Two second later, Kim popped up; she looked at her watch and realized she had four minutes til the bell. She smiled as she knew she really had 10 minutes. Students never seemed to be in a rush to get to class. Besides, it's not like they could start without her.
Parking Lot
Four familiar students groaned as they each parked in their usual spots and headed for their first class. Sure it was senior year, but it was the first day of school, to them, this day would seem like the longest. "At least it should be easy today", said Kira Ford to herself heading from her locker to science, her first class.