Disclaimer: I don't own PR universe one way or another.

Summary: Walking down memory lane could be the start of a new beginning. Or it could be just another day for him. Little things does wonder indeed.

Characters: Bringing the old familiar faces back to life once again (just to avoid from stating the obvious).

AN: Like I thought, it was supposed to be a two parter, instead its... yeah I'll just leave at that. Not sure where I'm taking this. Somehow, it won't be too many chapters long, I think..

Last chapter: So, after picking a few more other things we both had listed mentally. We met at the counter like we said we would. Sign here, cash there. Now we're halfway walking towards the exit entrance with paperbags covering out faces. How do you suppose for two people who hasn't seen each for atleast 8-10 years break the ice when these paper bags are our barriers? Talk about being convenient.

"Hey, would you like to get a drink or something? I mean if you're free that is."

--------

Dust to Dawn: Colours of Minority

Part Two: Shaken, not stirred

Once again, she had done it. Only this time she had outdo me by a second in making the first move. Still the Kimberly I grew up knowing indeed, always the brave one to act on something. How did we lose each other after all this years anyway?

"Yeah sure, lead the way missy! I barely can see from where I'm at"

"Haha, alright alright. Here, you'll take a seat first and I'll go grab us some drinks and side dishes or something. Do you still take vanilla milkshake? Or do you want something else?"

"Vanilla would do. But I should be the one getting it. You Miss (or Mrs?) should be the one sitting after that freak accident."

"No, this one's on me"

She winked at me before heading to the counter in a breeze.

She's so full of life, then, now and perhaps till the end of time. Plus, she still looks great, fit and in shape. Only her hair has grew a little longer since the last time I saw her. Those loose curls definately bring out her eyes. Here I am, observing every inch of this creature I once was fascinated, who is currently busy making small talks with the guy behind the counter. They sure had an interesting conversation by the look of their smiles and laughter.

Ah, always the Kimberly I know.

After all this familiar moments coming back to memory, it didn't occur to me how awkward the both of us would be right after she gets our drinks. What are we going to say after 10 years? How do we react to each other? I'm looking at a one long grocery adventure written in my life. Even being a ranger for so long can't beat this.

"Vanilla for the guy in spikes.."

How does she manage to shake my world still baffles me. But I don't mind it one bit. Vanilla. The smell just oozes with mystery among us. A long unknown history to catch up on. But like milkshake, this too will go as smoothly, eventually. I'm sure of that.

I took the drink from her hand, a slight brush against her fingers stirs a lot of my notions.

Aren't we just like friends? I can't possibly have "that" feelings again can I? I mean it's been so long, I can't even remember. Dating hasn't been my first priority, well given the fact that I've had a very complicated relationship in being a ranger now and then. Only until 3 months ago, had we, the dino rangers finally got the chance to step down and embrace the world in normalcy all over again. Thus three months can't get me that much of a life, atleast not enough to date a whole lot of girls. It has to come when the right moment arrive; searching for it just makes the task harder.

Like how I bummed into her today. Yeah something like that.

"This brings back the old times don't you think so? Time when we gathered at Ernie's with the usual orders. Only minus the rest of them. Ah..I miss those times. I don't get that much fun as I do now..sigh"

"Tommy, you're 27, the definition of fun is different now. But the drink is good yeah? I always love it when they add extra cream in it..mmMm..the richness of milkshakes. Sinful."

That's Kim without a doubt.

I stared at her a full few seconds, just to convince myself that I am actually sitting opposite one of my oldest friend and everything about her just excites me. I definately need to get more people like her and the gang. They make 20 something not so 20 something. Which might explained why I feel so "fatherly" so often, I've been around teenages way too much!

New Year resolution number two, socialise more often. With the right kind of people.

"Are you this quiet since I last saw you Tommy?" with her eyes sparkling with so many other thoughts in her mind. I wish I could read and answer all of them so that we could get back to being the best of friends again. Unfortunately, until that time arrives, I'll have to dwell into this tormenting process first.

"Why you say that? " I raised my eyebrow a little as I spoke again "..Maybe cause I haven't seen you since like..a decade ago?"

"Oh..yeah" She looked at the table that scribbles a story of a traveller from some forsaken world or something like that while stirring her milkshake in circles.

I wish to smack myself hard now. I didn't mean to say it the way I did. Really I didn't but it's the truth isn't it not? People act weirdly around other people whom they don't expect to see.

"I'm sorry. I mean..you know..well I'm sure when we finally get to fill this gap we have between us, we'll be like who we were back in school. Things like this just takes time to sink in. Especially having a brain like mine, you know that right?"

"True true. So..how's life been treating you? Are you still..."

"Yeah I'm still a teacher." Giving her that mischievous snicker just because I knew the answer to her incomplete question. It's just that I just loved to tease her, that's all.

"Yeah that. I know that. Jase told me how you're a teacher and stuff. I meant..you know..the higher calling..it still feels weird talking about it even after resigning to a life like that a decade ago."

"I'm now fully retired from doing community service. Heh, it's about time for me to find my own journey without getting caught with nightmares anymore. Waaaayyyy too old for that now!"

"You just realized that you're old now? All this while we thought you were immortal. Oh how wrong were we. Shame on us." Shaking her head from left to right as if dissapointed with her theories.

"What we? Hey! It's not my fault destiny just so happen chose me. Maybe it's for the bad things I've done in the past, just to make up for it."

I stopped talking after the sudden realization. Perhaps, that's why I've been called so often. It's not that I don't want to let the past go, it's just part of me. I mean, without all that drama, I don't think I'll ever meet this bunch of friends ever in my life. So instead of being bitter about it, I was more at peace with the thoughts.

"Me, Jase and Zack had this really out of this world theory that you've been cast as an immortal being. Hey, don't give me that look buddy. It could've happen for all you know."

Suddenly she straighten herself up and leaned back to the seat as she was piercing her eyes to my mind. Being immortal with no life is an evil spell indeed. One day, I should just cast a spell on the next villian so much so that I don't have to be a ranger anymore. No, wait, that would only make the villian liking it even better. Dang, I take my thoughts back.

Seeing Kim in such an animated fit got me chuckling. I just couldn't help but loving this moment I have bridged across with her. Makes me appreciate life even more.

Then she leaned forward and had this serious look on her face staring back at me. I didn't know what to expect as I swallow my drink slowly. Ok maybe I love this moment way too much.

"But seriously tho, you've been chosen because you are, or were, the greatest fighter among us. It's not because of that evil spell. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out. Just so you know, I'm glad you've retired. There's really more to life than just giving to others. Your needs need to be satisfied too."

And what better way than having milkshake with an old friend. Thank you god!

"I suppose. Thanks for understanding. I just couldn't help but have this image of you guys laughing back at me when the news were out that I had to go back into action again. Oh well. Life's like that. I'm liking this activity we have here. Gets me out of the norm from marking the test papers and what not. Have I thanked you for the vanilla yet?"

I held my glass to her in response to thanking her for getting me my drink. Would our drinks be sufficient enough to last our endless conversation? Or does this mean that she just wanted to hang out till our drinks are finished? I hope not, not yet. Maybe I should get that black forest cake I got my eye on behind the counter just to stall this moment away. I think I should. Who knows when else I'll get this opportunity again. Bumping into an ex girlfriend in a grocery shop, oh-so-original, should always be prepared if I bummed into other ex girlfriends. They might not be as open arms with this kind of state where secret identities could damage any relationship. If my significant other would be in my shoes and I'd be in hers, I would place a hefty judgement as well. Oh great, my mind just walked on cloud 9 again and again until she cracked up.

"Oh boy, we were laughing alright! But that's beside the point. We still know you're the better fighter among us anyway. So..no plans?" as she slowly raised an eyebrow in fear of invading my privacy with her question.

To tell you the truth, or rather to tell myself the truth, she didn't have to put any effort what so ever and still know where to hit me with compassion. I miss her friendship. I miss everyone's friendship now. I wish I wasn't as busy. I wish I had cherrished all their friendships and not let go so much. I wish for many things.

"Hmm..so far, I've got none. Just chilling. Waiting till I'm 60 I guess. How'd you end up in Reefside? Got tired with the high profile life in Florida/Miami/Seattle/NY? Hey! You moved as many times as I've changed colours..." I gasped in horror, just to mocked at her.

She stucked her tongue out at me right after my spontaneous discovery about her whereabouts. I wanted to do the same but all I did was resting my back on the chair just to show that I'm being comfortable. I can definately see myself having this much fun with my friends, teasing, mocking and everything else. Did I just lose that much life being a ranger all this while? Abandoning my thoughts, I looked at Kim as she pushed her glass away from her.

"Like you said, I'm too old for all those. It's time to finally able to reflect on other better things you know? Stress free life is my virtue now. Although thats almost too idealistic to keep in mind. The places were great while it lasted. It's just that, there'll always be one place that'll you stay longer than all places.."

"And..you chose Reefside?" I said softly, not realizing that I had actually muttered that. Thinking out loud is very dangerous.

"No. I chose Angel Grove. I came by Reefside to visit a long lost friend. That was my initial plan"

"Ah. Home is where the Hart is."

Trying as hard to sound the supposedly "heart" as "Hart" but it seems fitting in her context.

"I couldn't agree more. Being a freelance writer for a local magazine kinda keeps my mind busy. I just felt like giving back to people since it has always been me all the while."

"I've read a couple of your articles now and then. Good stuff I must say. Always the Kimberly who never afraid to speak her mind. So this friend of yours don't mind you hanging out with me for a bit?"

"You read huh? Atleast now I know one person actually read what I wrote. I fear the day when the editor would kill me for giving him crappy work. Nope. Not one bit at all. Infact I think my friend's having fun as we speak too. Or that's what he confessed."

"Actually, it's thought provocative. Like the article you wrote about the Katrina victims. That felt close to home."

Then I continued the conversation,

"So is he your new boyfriend hmm? You should introduce me to all these men you've been going out with. Atleast I could tell them what kind of girl you are."

"Har har. Very funny Tommy. Nah, I'm in town hoping to amend some issues. Closure is my aim. Atleast if I die tomorrow, I can die in peace."

"Yeah I felt like that too. Only I haven't made the effort to amend it yet.."

I finally got to taste the bitter sentiment of life. Not a good taste for anyone to be reminded of. We're two matured adults, I'm sure whatever differences we had can be mended as time goes by. Time always heal it. It's just a matter of how willing we'd open our wounds to be healed.

Later, I got up and she did the same, only I was intending to get us something to munch where else she thought it was a sign to retreat to the usual life. I told her to stay and she did it at ease. Perhaps she too didn't want to leave so soon. That's a good sign that she's enjoying whatever we're going through as much as I did. Back to my original plan, the blackforest cake really tempt me alot. Sorry Kim, your diet plan for today just had to be dumped into the gutter, this cake is too good to be passed on.

I came back with desserts. She was beaming with joy, like a kid who just saw a big giant lollipop from the display shop. For a moment, I think I can get use to this grocery accidents. You might never know what comes with it. I held her one half of the desserts I got us and we continued chatting away like there's no tomorrow. Both of us got to know what we were up to while we lost contact of each other and everything else that is related. If I had to do all this from start, I think I'll do it again. If I had took another route, if we hadn't done what we did, we could end up worst and I won't be able to laugh about it.

Time really did went by fast when you're having fun. I certainly did not realize it was past dinner time. Guess it might take longer than a day to cover up 10 years gap of friendship, atleast this is the beginning of something new something old. We exchanged numbers and parted our ways mutually as it is getting dark. She can't drive home alone any later than this hour, it's too dangerous. I could however invite her to my place for dinner but we both know it was way too early to step into each others privacy.

Playing with my car keys inbetween my fingers heading towards the car outside the parking lot, I just remembered that I left my groceries in the cafe. Tommy's back to square one with his swiss cheese memory. Thankfully Lauren, one of the staffs kept the bags before I came to collect it. Otherwise I have to go through those ordeal again. It was hard enough as it is.

I drove home with an unusual feeling infested in me. Everyday felt like a routine, it's either I'm too cautious about the dangers I've surround myself or a mundane life. This time, it's not any of those. It's as if I died and was born again as a whole. I feel this rush is overwhelming me, kind of like I've been blessed by God or something. Automatically, I put a smile on my face, like a clown being entertained by his audience. What a person can do to you is simply amazing. The colours of life.

A moment later, I instinctly turned my indicator on and decide to make a detour. Perhaps it's never too late to visit an old friend of mine, who at this point I have no idea if there's anyone at home. I flicked my cellphone and went through a list of numbers. Finally found the contact number and dialed away. A few exchange words, I finally got my answers only the other person does not know what I was about to do.

So Angel Grove, I hope you still have the heart for me. I'm coming home for a bit.