'TIL I COLLAPSE - PART TWENTY-TWO: MEETING FOR THE FIRST TIME
SEQUEL TO: ORDINARY WORLD
SUMMARY: Tommy has agreed to taking in his daughter, and goes to the airport to meet her for the first time. But what is the initial reaction for his daughter? And what about the rest of the team?
DISCLAIMER: Power Rangers isn't mine. I only own this adventure following the end of Dino Thunder, even if this entire series has been one huge AU. But without it, it may not have gotten this far or turned out this way. So, I hope you are enjoying your stay in my imagination.
A/N: So, what happens now? Just read on. It'll only get harder for the team of rangers, especially for our legendary ranger. I hope you're not hating too much. I like to add all these twists. As you can now tell, I love the suspense and tension I am making with this series. Don't you? See you when I do.
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X
"I do not know what to say. What should I say? How should I say it? I have already missed out on seven years of my daughter's life.
What will she say to me? How will she react? And the team! Oh man! How am I supposed to break it to them?
Can it get any worse than this?" -Eclyptyk Neo
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X
Days later. Saturday. It was the day. This was the day that Tommy would be meeting his daughter for the first time in almost seven years. And as he sat there, somewhat absently, in the study, he wasn't sure what to tell the team. He knew they would be over shortly to get back into hero mode and get their morphers back. And he knew he couldn't pass it up and ignore the situation. They had to know.
He tapped a picture on the desk as he looked over at it in his hand. It was the picture of his daughter. And as he looked over it again and again, he could see a little more of himself in her. Her hair was of a flowing black color that was of medium length. She had a smile that resembled his own and she appeared to be a person who could lead well. She had some great potential, and according to her letter, she was smart, too. Not quite around school, but getting out of a situation she doesn't like.
He let out a breath as a small knock came from the entry way. It was Kim as she greeted him quietly walking over to him, laying a kiss on his lips.
He greeted her as he looked back at the picture. "Today's the day."
"Well, I think she'll like what you did to her room. Nervous?" Kim asked.
"More nervous than I should. I mean, I've read over that letter over and over again, and she never said she hated me. She just wants to meet me and have a parent -- or two -- to look after her. I just wish, ya know, that if this did happen, it didn't come around until after I knew this city was safe from danger," Tommy sighed as he shook his head.
Since the discovery of Tommy having a daughter, he had worked to set up the guest room into a room for her. He had placed a set of things she had enjoyed to do, in the room: a basketball, a computer for research, a martial arts uniform that he knew he would teach her about, a few small notes on the rangers that have come to pass, and just a few little things he felt a six year old girl would need. As far as telling her the truth, it would take some time, but he knew he would have to tell her soon enough. That he really was a Power Ranger.
"It'll be okay, Tommy. We will make it through this, okay?" Kim reassured him again, patting his shoulder.
Tommy nodded slowly. "I know, Beautiful. It's just gonna be one that will take some time."
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
A knocking came from the front door, and they both knew it was the team or at least the teens. As much as the week had been focused more on just having a normal life, they were all ready to get back into ranger mode and keep an eye on the city like superheroes again.
Tommy had slipped the picture into his desk as Kim left the room to answer the door. And according to the greetings, it was, in fact, the teens with the black ninja and the technical advisor of Aquitar close behind. As they came into the study, they greeted the science teacher as Tommy opened up the secret hatch to the lab below.
But it was evident in how he stood that something was wrong. He tried to hide it, but according to the look on Trent's and Kim's faces, they knew what was wrong with him.
"Man, I am so glad to get back into ranger mode. I mean, it was nice actually living a normal life, but I've gotten so used to the ranger thing," Ethan sighed.
"I should have just waited it off until we really needed them, but I feel like Mindshatter is gonna attack soon enough," Adam replied as he directed the teens down the stairs.
"I don't think I've ever really gotten used to a normal life. Even on Aquitar." Billy sighed looking over at his former leader. "I was creating new weaponry and technology just to make sure no threat would come to us. I haven't gotten very far with the zord project, Tommy. Sorry." he looked over at Tommy again, noticing the unusual silence around him. "Tommy, what's up?"
Kim had walked over to her husband and wrapped her arms around him as he blinked and looked back at the technical genius.
"Oh... nothing, Billy. I haven't been getting much sleep lately. Ya know me, always flipping about what attack those evil guys are gonna do next," Tommy said calmly.
"Well, I guess we need to get this done and over with, right?" Kim tugged him toward the trap door.
The trio filed down the stairs and into the underground lab, which almost seemed foreign to them after the week of not carrying around their communicators or morphers. The teens had looked around the room trying to get used to the feeling of being down there. It was almost like taking a vacation and returning to work.
"Man, we've been gone for nearly a week and it seems like forever," Conner stated as he collapsed on a chair.
"No kidding. I mean, looking around this room, it brings back so many memories. Kinda hard to imagine we could be leaving this in a few months," Kira sighed rubbing her wrist that honed the bracelet with her powers.
"Yeah. Oh man, I never thought about that. Graduation is coming up," Ethan cringed a little. As much as he was excited about all of this, being a senior and a power ranger, he knew it would have to end.
"There's another world for you guys to look into. Welcome to the real world. It isn't what you've expected," Adam stated as he moved over to the main computer console.
Billy found his place at the main computer console. Tommy had leaned against Kim for support, and it appeared as if his mental control was not where it should be. He felt like he was gonna break down and cry, but the teens didn't seem to notice.
The room fell silent as Adam entered in the password into the main computer. One of the main drives shifted slowly as it revealed the hidden safe. He entered a password onto the keypad on the safe as it hissed open, the temperature in the safe rising to room temperature. He pulled the door open and pulled out the two boxes inside.
"It's almost like opening a present at Christmas," Ethan said with a smile as he rubbed his hands together.
"Don't get too excited, Ethan. It's just our morphers. This is saying we're getting back into ranger mode," Kira said.
"Hey, like I said before, I'm kinda glad we are. I mean, being a ranger, it almost seems like you can't do other things. I mean, remember all the sacrifices we made," Ethan said.
"Is this gonna be one trip down memory lane?" Conner patted his friend on the shoulder. "Dude, that shouldn't be going on for another few months."
"I'm just saying..." Ethan began.
"Don't, Ethan. Trust me," Trent stated.
Ethan looked away and said nothing more. Adam had already unlocked the metal case that held the dino gems as he pulled it open and walked over to each of the rangers. One by one they took their respective bracelet and fixed them back on their wrists. Until it came to Tommy. It fell silent as he looked down at the case with his dino gem inside. He just couldn't seem to pick it up even as Adam urged him on.
"Hey, T. I know how you were feeling when I told you to give up the morpher, but I think you earned it back. I mean, I know how you are about being away from the ranger thing in awhile," Adam said as he took the morpher out and placed it into his friend's hand. "You got the powers back."
Adam turned away and locked the case, setting it on the far table. He opened up the one honing his zeonizers and placed it on his wrist. He looked over at the legendary ranger, and it was clear that everyone had been looking over at him. Tommy slowly placed the bracelet back on his wrist as he forced out a breath.
"Is everything okay, Dr. O?" Kira asked, being the first to wonder what was wrong with him.
Tommy looked over at Kim as she nodded slowly. And he knew he wouldn't be getting out of that room if he didn't say anything to them. They had to know. He forced air back into his lungs as he looked over at his team. "I think you guys need to take a seat. You guys aren't gonna believe what I'm about to tell you."
The teens looked at each other as they found a seat on a chair or table wondering what was bothering their science teacher. Trent had held his breath, knowing exactly what was up. And as he looked around the room, it appeared as if only three people knew what was going on.
It fell silent as they looked over at him.
The teens had said they noticed their teachers were acting a little differently in the past few days. They questioned if it was a serious thing, but when they had not answered, they knew it was.
Tommy looked throughout the room at the team assembled before him. Each of them were eager to hear the news. He let out a breath, closing his eyes. "I don't know how else to say it other than, I have a kid. A kid that was not conceived by Kim, but by a former love. She has passed on and now I have been asked to take care of my daughter."
The room fell silent. Yet, Ethan and Conner began to laugh. They figured it was a joke, but as many eyes fell on them, they shut up and said nothing more.
"It's not a joke, is it?" Kira asked still getting over the fact of hearing the news.
Tommy shook his head. "It's no joke, Kira. Her name is Serena, and I'm gonna be picking her up from the airport today. This is gonna be a new place for her."
"When did this happen?" Ethan asked as he grew serious about the situation.
"Years ago, Ethan," Tommy replied. He knew he would have to be as straight forward about this entire thing. "I met her in the Army and even one night can change everything."
"Wait, but this isn't gonna jeopardize your marriage, is it? I mean, I don't think it would be nice to go through something like a divorce now..." Conner was in a panic. It was clear the news had hit him the hardest.
"No, Conner. I mean, as painful as the news was for both of us, we haven't thought about a divorce. I mean, we do have a kid on the way and I'm gonna make sure that kid doesn't miss out on having a father."
"So, what now? I mean, you're not thinking about quitting the whole ranger thing, are you?" Kira asked.
"No. I'm not planning to. I'll work around it. Guys, just trust me on this."
"Well, this is definitely news that was out of the way," Billy spoke for the first time in awhile.
"This changes a lot of things," Adam said.
"Don't rub it in my face, guys," Tommy stated as he shook his head. "Adam you told me to lay off the stress. And Billy, I know you're wanting to say something about consequences. And I know, all right? I know. Just give me some time to straighten this out."
"Well, you're right about that. But, even you never could get out of this whole ranger thing. Don't worry, Tommy. I don't want you to feel like you're obligated to do all this fighting now. You gotta do what you gotta do. You have a family now," Adam stated.
"And that's what I've been telling you over and over again," Kim said.
"Yeah, but we are like one big family, too," Tommy sighed.
"No, it's cool, Dr. O," Trent said. "I mean, Adam does got a point. You can't be doing this ranger thing forever. I mean, that's why there have been all these other teams. You've done your part."
Tommy looked down at his bracelet. Things had changed in a matter of months, but he knew it still had a team to guide, if not lead. He was the only real connection between rangers of the past with the present. And it wouldn't do him much good to leave knowing he was there in the beginning. He shook his head. "I'm gonna keep fighting until I can't anymore. It's what any other ranger would do."
"Well, we'll always be behind you, T." Adam said as he patted his friend on the shoulder. "You know we got your back. We all got each other's backs."
"Amen for that. I mean, we can't afford another great loss from Mindshatter," Conner said.
"Yeah, wouldn't it be a nice time to inform the other rangers about this evil guy?" Ethan asked.
"Not yet. Not until he makes another move," Tommy stated.
"So, what about your daughter? I mean, you are gonna tell her about us, right? I don't think it would be wise to keep something like this from her. Especially if this is gonna be a new lifestyle for her," Billy asked growing curious about the new addition to the team.
"You let me worry about that. But I will tell her," Tommy said. He looked down at his watch, noting the time. "But I have to go. You guys can hang around here or be on your way. I'll let you guys know if anything comes up."
Time had passed slowly.
Tommy was up in the bedroom changing into his Army uniform. He was informed about showing up in his army suit. It would be more of a comfort to his daughter knowing that her father was still in the army. And he was, just on a 'vacation'. He had looked himself over in the mirror as he slipped his dog tags over his head. He let out a breath as he heard the small footsteps of his wife coming in.
She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him as she tucked the dog tags into his jacket. She laid a kiss on his lips. "Hey, Handsome."
He leaned over and laid a kiss on her forehead. "Hey, Beautiful."
"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" Kim asked.
"No. I'm fine. What about the team?"
"They left. They figured they needed to give us some space to figure this out first before they intrude."
Tommy nodded as he laid his hands over Kim's stomach. "Almost three months now."
Kim placed her hands over his. "Only six months to go and we'll have our own kid to take care of."
"Thanks, Beautiful. For giving me so much to be grateful for. No one else could do it better than you." He laid a kiss on her forehead again.
"I'm always here, Tommy. Now, go. Bring your daughter home."
They shared another kiss before he turned and left the room.
-XXXXXXXXXX-
By the time Tommy had gotten to the airport, he would have to wait a little under 30 minutes to meet her. He knew that the trip from the Philippines was nearly one entire day and his daughter would be tired from the trip. She would be escorted by a Philippine soldier, a friend of his, Marlon Montano. He was going to attend school in California, and had been watching Serena for some time.
But that was it. Tommy wasn't sure what to say to his daughter. Marlon had told him time and time again not to worry. This was out of his league, but he didn't need to show that. He could only hope that he wouldn't be a bad father from this point on.
He leaned up against the wall, watching the times of the arriving planes. He knew they would be taking Philippine Airlines and coming from Gate 5. He looked around the airport, many people had gone about their business. People going on vacation or business trips all over the world. A few of them were tourists, just looking for some action to excite them.
Through the years, the attacks made on the cities of Angel Grove, Mariner Bay, Silver Hills, Turtle Cove, Blue Bay Harbor and now, Reefside had population increasing. Tommy never knew why some people wanted to live in a city that was once the battleground for the rangers. He could only conclude that they were hoping to meet a ranger or two in their time. He didn't want to blame them, but it was a dangerous thing.
He looked down at the bracelet around his wrist. He had folded up his jacket due to the weather. He let out a breath knowing that as much as he wanted to keep it a secret from his daughter, he couldn't. He already missed out on nearly seven years of her life, he didn't want to add to it. He didn't want to set up any lies that could destroy a relationship with her.
"C'mon, Tommy. You can do this. She's excited to meet you. She's always dreamed of seeing the world. And this is one step up from life in the Philippines," He told himself. He knew how life was in the Philippines. Much of it was left in poverty, and he felt guilty for his family there. And he knew that was life she had lived outside the air base. That's what her mother had gone through. Time and time again, he would send things
over there just to help them out.
He looked up at the screens indicating arrival times. He still had another 10 minutes to wait. And he wasn't sure if he could last without freaking out. He didn't want Kim to come right away feeling like he had left Serena's mother for another. But that was not the case at all. He did call. He did keep in touch. Elena just never returned his calls or the letters. And he just figured that was her way of saying they were done. He would tell his daughter on the way home that she had another mother to watch over her now.
As the time passed, he felt the nervousness run through his body. He couldn't do it. But he could. It was just so hard. He forced air back into his lungs as he looked over himself again. The last time he was in his army uniform was when he had come to bring Kim home. Now, it was his daughter.
"C'mon, Tommy. This is silly. She is yours. She is family. It shouldn't be a problem," he told himself quietly. "It'll be fine. We will work around this. We will make it through this. And we'll be okay."
He had to keep telling him that. All those days following the news was so hard to get over. To deal with. He knew his students were growing curious about his quiet attitude. He wasn't much of issuing out numerous amounts of homework. He didn't give that many lectures or quizzes. He was more calm than most people were used to and it scared them.
Time passed. And people from several flights had slowly filed down the hall toward the terminal. Several people had greeted family and friends as they walked through the airport. Tommy would look up from time to time, but found no one he could recognize to be his friend or possibly his daughter. He had to wipe his sweaty palms against his uniform just trying to catch his breath, but it was hard. He was still nervous. Hestill felt guilty for missing out on his daughter's early childhood. If he knew sooner, he would have been there. He would have been a father who made sure that his kid saw him as much as possible. But that wasn't the case now.
He looked up and saw the familiar face of his friend, Marlon. He was no taller than 5'7", with a buzzcut and a red beret. He, too, was dubbed in a military fatigue uniform, Army Reserve. Though he was serious about being in the military, he still loved to crack jokes. He had learned several martial arts tactics from Tommy, and even though he still had a Filipino accent, he spoke clear English.
As soon as they had cleared the security check, Marlon had directed a young girl by the hand over to the only other man dressed in an army uniform.
"I was only kidding when I said you should come in your army uniform," Marlon said as means of greeting to Tommy. "I know you took a break from it, Tom."
The two embraced in a bear hug as Tommy managed a smile. He hadn't seen his friend in some time, a friend outside the ranger family. And they usually hung out in his time out in the Philippines. They usually caught a movie and hung at the local clubs in the immediate area.
"Well, I'm here. I've gotten better about being on time for things," Tommy said. "So, how have you been, Marlon? How are things out at the air base?"
"The same old. A lot of training. And most of the soldiers that went to Iraq went voluntarily," Marlon caught his breath looking down at the small young girl still holding his hand.
She had been looking around the airport as if it was something completely new to her. She didn't look at all scared, but more so fascinated by it and the people around.
"I'm really sorry, man. And don't get me wrong, I just found out about this weeks ago, too. So, once Elena left I was sorta left in charge of watching little Serena until she came back."
Tommy nodded slowly as he asked his friend quietly about the status on his daughter. Marlon had simply said she knew English, she was just more comfortable speaking in her native language. Tommy couldn't blame her for that.
"So, you got back with your old girlfriend from high school?" Marlon asked quietly.
Tommy nodded, holding up his hand to reveal the single band on his left ring finger. "Not only got back, but sealed it, too."
"And I really thought you and Elena were gonna be something."
Tommy sighed as he looked away slightly guilty. "Yeah, well sometimes, a love you thought would last forever could only go so far before it ends."
"Yeah," Marlon agreed as he tugged on the young girl's hand. She looked up at him, and turned to look at the other figure beside him. He spoke to her quietly in Tagalog telling her the man in front of her was her father. He looked back over at his friend, nodding. "Staff Sergeant Thomas Oliver, I would like to introduce you to Serena Julianne Oliver, your daughter."
Tommy bent down before the young girl as a small smile fell over his daughter. "Hey, Serena. I'm your daddy." She slowly walked over to him as he pulled her into a tight hug, laying a kiss on her head. "Welcome to your new home, Serena."
At that point, the young girl held onto her father like there was no tomorrow as a line of tears escaped her eyes. "Daddy."
And as Tommy held her close, he wanted the tears to fall, but they couldn't. He had thought it would go over worse, but it hadn't at all. And he was freaking out about nothing. Now, he just had to get passed telling her that he was married to another woman. He just hoped she wouldn't freak out about that.
Marlon took a step back to allow the two some space. He couldn't help but smile over the feeling and just by knowing the two, that Serena could very well become a spit image of her father.
Tommy and lifted Serena into his arms looking over at his friend. "Thanks, Marlon."
"Well, I know she would prefer to be with family. And I know, you'll raise her fine," Marlon commented with a smile.
"Thanks. Are you out of here?" Tommy asked noticing the other man was looking at his watch.
"Yeah, I got another flight to catch down to San Diego. I gotta run through registration again before I can start school."
Tommy had insisted on having his friend stay for just the night from the long trip, but he had refused. Marlon thanked him for the offer, but said he had to get down there since he had family waiting for him. He had hoped to hear from both Serena and his old friend and wished them well. The two watched as he headed back for the security check and disappeared beyond it.
Serena had yawned quietly as she laid her head on her father's shoulder.
"You tired? You wanna go home?" Tommy asked gently as the small girl nodded.
They had disappeared down the terminal to collect her things and head home. On the ride home, Serena gawked at the sight around her. She had seen the city life, but it wasn't like Manila. Many people had their own transportation to get around or they would ride a bike or walk. The city was also much cleaner and seemed more friendly than her old neighborhood.
Tommy had looked over at his daughter, smiling internally for the fact that she could like it her. But he was aching for reasons he shouldn't. He looked at the single band around his finger, knowing he could lie to her about that. "Hey, Serena." He spoke quietly as the young girl looked over at him. "I don't know if your mother ever told you this, but I never would have ran away from the responsibility of taking care of you. It's just kinda hard knowing that you try to call and keep in touch, but the other person doesn't."
"Not your fault. I don't hate you. Mommy never hated you. Scared." she spoke quietly.
Tommy nodded slowly. "Yeah. I don't blame her. I loved her, but things never lasted. And now, I'm married -- one month – so, you have a new mommy."
The moment those words had slipped out of his mouth, she had looked down. She couldn't say anything. She seemed heartbroken, if not betrayed by her father's decision.
"Serena, I'm not saying that I ever left your mother for someone else. I tried to call. I wrote letters, but either they just got lost or I never got ahold of her."
"Scared. My new mother, she mad?" the girl asked.
Tommy looked over at his daughter, seeing the fear in her eyes. He sighed and shook his head before averting his eyes back on the road. "No. In fact, she is eager to meet you. She was an assistant coach to the Olympic Gymnastics Team this past summer. She's really nice, Serena. I think you'll like her."
The young girl nodded slowly, taking her father's word on it. It fell silent for some time until they had finally reached the Oliver homestead. Tommy turned off the engine and looked over at his daughter in the seat beside him. He knew right then and there she was feeling a little homesick, and missing the comfort of her mother.
Tommy reached over and gripped his daughter's shoulder. She had turned to look at him as tears fell down her eyes. He wiped them away gently. He spoke to her quietly in her native tongue. "Hey. Hey. I know this is a new place for you. It's a new lifestyle, but your mother loved you so much to give you a better life. I know you're scared. I know you're afraid, but you will find your place here, okay? I will make sure of that. And I know I missed out on six years of your life, but I won't add to it now. I love you."
The young girl reached over to embrace her father in a warm hug as he laid a kiss on her head. "I miss mommy, daddy. I miss her so much."
Tommy's eyes fell shut as he felt the tears run down his face. "I know. I know, baby. I miss her, too. But she is in a better place, looking over us. Be strong for her. That's what she would want from you."
Time passed slow. Little Serena had walked up onto the porch as her father had gotten her things from the back of the jeep. Serena had looked around area, noticing all of the trees. And the fact that he lived out in the middle of nowhere, but figured it was a way for him to practice his martial arts, as told by her mother.
Tommy had escorted his daughter into the house, setting her things down into the hall. She looked around the place, making little comments about how nice it was. He had given her a quick tour of the main level before escorting her into the living room, the aroma of food cooking filled the room. Tommy saw the figure in the kitchen calling out to her as she turned to see her husband, and a young girl in front of him.
Kim managed a smile as she walked into the living room to greet the two. She looked at the young girl as she bent down to her level. "Hey, you must be Serena. I'm Kimberly."
Serena turned and tucked herself into her father. And it was clear she was afraid of her. A small line of tears fell from her eyes. Kim slowly stood up, looking at her husband with a sign of sadness.
Tommy tugged at the young girl to get her attention. He spoke to her quietly. "It's okay, Serena. She's only trying to be nice. She wants to be your friend."
"But she isn't mommy," she cried.
Tommy looked over at Kim. And though it wasn't something Kim quite understood, she knew in the tone of her voice all that needed to be said. Kim turned away and headed back into the kitchen. Tommy knelt down before his daughter who was wiping her tears away. "Hey, I know she isn't mom, but she wants to try. But you have to give her a chance. She is willing to love and care for you as if you were her own."
Serena nodded slowly. "I try. But I'm tired."
"You don't want anything to eat?" he asked as she shook her head. He pulled her into his arms and took her up to her room.
He slowly set her onto the bed, tucking her in. He reassured his daughter that things would get better. And he waited until her eyes fell shut before he left the room.
Tommy had jumped the last few set of stairs and cautiously walked into the kitchen where Kim had absently went back to cooking a small dinner. He walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her and laying a few kisses on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Beautiful. I really thought that would have gone better."
"She hates me, doesn't she?" Kim asked quietly as tears began to form in her eyes.
Tommy shook his head. "No. She just misses her mother. I told her you wanted to take care of her, be her new mom. And she is gonna give you that chance. Besides, it was also a long trip. She was tired, so I put her to bed. She likes you, Beautiful, it'll just take some time to get used to. For all of us."
Kim turned to look at her husband. She wrapped her arms around his neck and stood up to lay a kiss on his lips. They shared a warm, comforting kiss. "I hope you're right."
"Yeah, I hope so, too." Tommy had to admit.
"Can I interest you in something to eat, soldier?" Kim managed a smile as she tugged on his army uniform.
Tommy managed a smile as he nodded. "Sure, Beautiful. Some of us gotta eat after a long rough day."
To be continued...
A/N: I would have made this longer, but I have been having the worse writer's block in the world. I mean, no, I haven't. It's just more so making the time to get it typed up and posted. I am really sorry about the wait you guys. Give me some time to get the next one up and I hope u like what has happened. See you when I do. And May the Powers Always Protect You.