Just loving the responses….2 thumbs up! Everything to be explained shortly in the chapters ahead, so no worries, okay. Thanks for the support, much appreciated.

Italics displays flashbacks, or whatever, you know the dilio
Another little note, each chapter is dedicated to a song of the moment. Lyrics can be found by a simple Google search. Feel free to email me with questions, or if you are wan a sample of these songs. Will be happy to oblige you guys.

Chapter 2: Dilemma (by: Nelly)

Next morning

Kimberly lay in her bed, her dreams filled with such confusion, sadness, anger, fear, and any and every other emotion you could think of. She barely slept, woke up from each, even more confused drenched in sweat. She hugged her pillow as she turned to her stomach.

"What's wrong with me?"

Flashbacks

Kimberly opened the doors to her new flat. Her new home near the training facility. All the girls haven moved in maybe a month or so before. 7 girls to one flat, 5-bedrooms, 3 ½ baths, kitchen, dining, living room and backyard with balcony.

"Well, well, so this I the prized gymnast, Coach has talked our ears off for. Doesn't look like much," Amy said. "She's way too fat to compete with us?" Tiffany laughed with Amy.

"Be nice, she just moved in!" Abby knocked on the door. Kimberly slowly put her bags on her bare bed. "Hi! I'm Abby Stevens!"

"Hi, Kimberly Hart." They shook hands.

"Yes, I know. Well, Kimberly. That 2 are Amy Ford and Tiffany Walden."

"Hi."

"Hi," Tiffany said with a slight wave.

"Whatever." Amy walked to her bedroom.

"Did I do something wrong?"

"Nah! Amy has been after this room for weeks now. But Coach swore he was finding the perfect girl to fill it in. Biggest room here, you know."

"Oh, well, how many girls are staying here."

"7 in total, counting you. They are mostly out for brunch, or training in the morning sessions. You'll meet them all at the meeting at 4. We'll be heading to the night session after you get settled in. Now, living with us, Dominique Dawes, a fierce competitor, Leah Jones, a bitch like Amy, you'll love her." Kim smiled. "Oh, and last but not lease, Molly Reddick, she's a southern country girl."

"I saw Dominique compete last month, she was great with Shannon Miller."

"Yea well, they have been the top for months now. I'll leave you to unpack."

"Thanks Abby."

"Not a problem. Welcome to hell." Kimberly looked up at her. "Hope you brought some water." Abby smiled and walked out. Kimberly sighed and sat on her bed.

That was a good day. Kimberly had never experienced so much pain in her back, ankles, shoulders, and wrists. The constant training, was wearing on her body. Kimberly was training so hard, losing weight too fast and too often. Kimberly didn't want any excuses, so she fought through it. The girls being harsher to her with each day, just because she was singled out, as one of the best with just a few other girls. She was losing herself in the sport. Joy and love for game lost thanks to strenuous training.

Letters from home and friends, getting shorter with each passing week. Barely getting anyone on the phone these days, either too busy or ranger duties. She misses them all so much and but can't tell them how much it pains her, because they all keep saying how proud they are.

After another late night session Kimberly found herself passing a dojo. She smiled, remember a past night at a dojo with Tommy.

"Oh, thanks!" Tommy said as Kimberly had flattened him again to his back.

"Are you okay?"

"Just my proud." She held her hands out for him.

"I told you not to pick on me." She pulled him up.

"I can't help it, Beautiful." His arms went around her waist. He kissed her neck, as his hands roamed her body. "You are just too sensitive." He kissed her repeatedly. Kimberly knows where he was going with him, with each passing kiss and slight suckle as his hands found her hips and thighs. But before he would even attempt anything, she was well ahead of him.

"Hi yah!" Kimberly flipped him over her hip and down to his back. She stood there with her hands on her hips smiling.

"Okay, not looking so good for me, now." Kim laughed. She held her hands out for him again. Tommy got another idea instead. "Ooof!" Kimberly landed on top of him.

"Didn't think that one through, huh?"

"Nope, just wanted you."

"You have me, Handsome. Forever and always." She cupped his face and kissed him.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

Kimberly snapped from her flashback and let out a cry of frustration. Tears formed in her eyes. Would she and Tommy still be together? Would she be in this hell if not for him pushing her away? How could he just let her go? Did he not love her? Kimberly picked up a brick and threw it with all her might through the window. She stood staring at the hole for the longest. A light came on.

"Hey! Hey you!" Kimberly gasped and took off running. "Hey! Hey, stop right there!" A guy chased her. Kimberly ran as fast as she could. He grabbed her shoulder, only to have Kimberly flip him right to his back, as she twisted his arm. He held his arm as he stood up, not believing such a tiny girl could overwhelm him that fast. She turned to a fighting stance, as the guy got up. "You are going to pay for breaking my grandfather's window!" Kim held her hands up in defense, but could tell he didn't want to talk right now. The young man attacked Kimberly. She ducked and blocked all his swings with the ease she learned. Kim was quicker, more skilled than him, but still he fought her hard. Time flew by and before the young man knew Kim had him pinned to the ground, with her knee to his chest, and her fist raised about to punch him square in the face.

"That is enough!" Kimberly looked back to see an old man. "Release him now." He tapped the ground with his stick. Kimberly quickly got up.

"I am so sorry! I didn't mean to do it, I swear! I don't know what overcame me, but… I am just sooo sorry!" Kimberly said backing away from the two.

"Come with me."

"What?

"Please, come with me." The old man turned and started walking back toward his dojo. Kimberly followed the old man looking back at the young man she just defeated. The boy got up rubbing his jaw, though she never punched him in the face, her kicks to his stomach, chest and side of his head, still stung. "My name is Ken Morimorto. And the young man is my grandson, Miles."

"Sorry bout the kick."

"Whatever. Grandfather, we should call the police."

"Wait no! I'll pay for the window! I'll do anything, just don't call the police!"

"Miles, please, the police will not be needed. Now, go and fetch our guest some tea."

"Tea! Guest? Grandpa, she destroyed the window!" Miles yelled.

"A window can easily be replaced. Go Miles." Miles stormed away.

"Thanks for not getting the police involved. I really don't know what overcame me just now."

"I knew you were coming," Master Morimorto said as he lead her through an open gate and around the back.

"Excuse me." They walked around back. Kimberly gasped at the yard with a stream in the distance to go down to the huge lake.

"Wow! This is amazing."

"What has saddened you my dear?"

"Nothing. Nothing. Everything is fine. I'm just tired from a late session."

"Of what?"

"Oh, uh, I'm a gymnast at the Florida complex. We just had our 4th night session in a row."

"Training difficult?"

"Not the right adjective."

"I see, you feel lost in your training."

"Lost? Me? Oh, no, no!" Kim laughed. "Everything will be fine. Olympics is right around the corner."

"Olympics will never come to one so sad and lost in the world."

"I am not sad! Or lost! I couldn't be happier! Training with the best is great! I feel at home… not missing anyone, and, and I couldn't be happier!" She looked down at the stream. "And I couldn't be phonier." Slight tear rolled down her face.

"IF you allow me. I can help you regain your true self."

"My true self is right here. This is me, this is all I will ever be."

"Kimberly, this is not your. Look at yourself."

"How did you know my name?"

"Your soul, your light may be dimming, but with help, if you allow me to help you, you will gain it all back and more. Besides, you still have a window to replace." Kimberly looked at him smiling at her. "Come, we will begin training after some tea."

"Wait! Training, oh no! I can't train with you; gymnastic is well more important than…"

"Finding yourself?"

"I can find myself in September or October."

"You won't last 'til then at this rate. You are barely eating and sleeping. You won't win anything until you find yourself now. And I will help you, my dear. Your crane wings will soar again."

"How did you.."

"Come, our tea will be ready." Kimberly looked up to see Miles coming with a tray.

Tommy woke up just as his parent's car pulled from the driveway. His dreams filled with old memories. Memories of past moments with Kimberly in this very room either studying together, working on homework, napping, as teenagers in love tend to do. But when he woke up, he felt the emptiness that has plagued him before. Though he was happy spending time with Katherine. Their relationship still was fresh and new, having just truly begun a short time before. He was happy to have moved on after taking months to get over his first love, his true love. But if she had moved on so quickly, why wouldn't he? His life shouldn't be defined by his relationship with is ex. His life shouldn't be dictated by his ex. She dumped him. She wanted more than he could give her. Life isn't about who you are with or without. There is more to life, right? Tommy sighed. Not everything in life should be so complicated. Life should not depend on who you are dating. He could still feel her close, as though being right in the room across from him was too near. Tommy hugged his pillow and turned to his stomach. He wonders how long this feeling will last this time.

Tommy went downstairs in just his boxers into the kitchen. Kimberly sat at the island eating pancakes and bacon, reading the newspaper.

"Good morning."

"Morning," she said closing the paper. Tommy reached over her from the sports section. He poured himself a cup of coffee. "Up before 10, wow, I am impressed."

"I may be up, but I doubt how functional I am." Kim smiled. "Can I ask you something?" Tommy asked.

"You just did." They both smiled. "Just playing with you. Go on."

"Like always. Who gave you the crystal?"

"A good friend."

"It's just; we all had to go on well, mini quest…"

"Mini quest?"

"Yea, to earn our crystals and for some good friend as you put to give it to you, well, it seems a bit odd."

"You think I didn't earn the crystal! You don't think I have the right to it?"

"No! Of course not! I was just wondering like t he rest, how you came across a Zeo crystal.

Flashback

Kimberly laid on the ground coughing, another blow to the stomach. She pounded her fists to the ground.

"You angered too quickly and lost focus. I thought you were good."

"I am! You are just…"

"Then show me!" Kimberly tried to sweep kick him, only to have Master Morimorto jumped back with a smile. She picked up the staff that he knocked from her hands, though he was unarmed. Master kicked away each advancement from Kimberly, until finally, he pinned her staff to the ground with one foot. She looked at him and smiled. Kimberly purposely broke the staff in half and with a quick spin, was able to hit Master in the stomach with the broken piece. "Good, good. Finally, you are learning." He knocked it away and flipped her to her back harder this time. "Get up and try harder." He stood at her head, as Kimberly sighed and closed her eyes. "No time for a nap!" He raised his foot as Kimberly laid there. She barely was able to roll out of way as his foot came down, causing a major dent in the ground. Kimberly did a spin kick as she got up to his head. He caught her foot at eyelevel. Kimberly was able to front flip and half her way to standing on both feet, ready to attack. He raised his hand as to say, come and attack, with a huge smile.

"Trust me, when I saw, I wasn't just given the crystal. I earned it myself. It drew me in. Well, I should go shower," Kimberly said putting her plate in the sink with her glass of juice.

"What are you doing today?"

"Shopping."

"Of course. Alone?" Tommy asked.

"Yea, I guess."

"I can come if you want me to."

"Really?"

"Hey, it's your birthday tomorrow. I need to figure out what to get you."

"You don't have to get me anything for my birthday," Kimberly said.

"Kimberly, are you serious? Besides, Billy already got his parent's beach house for the weekend for a little party and barbecue."

"Oh, you guys are great."

"Yeah, well, more like a welcome back and birthday party. Hey, didn't you send me a card and present for my birthday last month?"

"Actually, Aisha thought of the present, we just went in together and split the amount of it."

"Still, it's something."

"Thanks. Well, I better hurry and shower," Kimberly said.

"No rush, we have plenty of time to shop."

"We are already hours behind since the stores opened!"

"I better put on my good sneakers to keep up with you," Tommy said.

"Ha ha!" Kimberly made a face as she went upstairs. Tommy got himself some breakfast and ate quickly.

Even though Tommy showered well after her, it was10 am and still, Kimberly wasn't ready.
"I thought I always took the longest." He came into the bedroom to find her ironing a skirt. "You gotta be kidding me."

"Yea, yea. I'm coming."

"You even got the head start!"

"GET OUT!" Kimberly tossed her towel at him. Tommy laughed and tossed it back.

King Mondo sent down an army of cogs, as Kimberly and Tommy were in the parking lot about to head to get some food. Just as Kimberly defeated a clog, a monster appeared. Tommy grabbed Kimberly by the waist to protect her as the monster blasted at them. The other 4 rangers appeared before them to block it any hits.

"We need to morph!" Tommy said, as he noticed the other rangers having problems with the monster and army of cogs. Kimberly grabbed his arm and dragged him between 2 cars. "Ready?" She nodded at him. "Let's do this!" They turned their wrists and their morphers appeared.

"Zeo Ranger 5- Red!"

"Zeo Ranger 6- Purple!" More cogs appeared to fight with the monster. The rangers were able to defeat King Mondo's monster with their zords.

"Wow, did you buy out the mall?" Rocky asked going through the many bags

"Ha, ha. Very funny." Kimberly took some bags from him. "This was nothing."

"Nothing! You spent close to 400 bucks!"

"400 bucks!"

"Yea, well, I barely touched the mall. I still need a TV, DVD and VCR."

"Mom said no."

"Just because she said no doesn't mean, I can't exactly get one."

"Fine, get it. But it will spend it's entire time in the box." Everyone laughed. Kimberly touched his shoulder.

"I'm hungry again."

"Billy should be here shortly," Katherine said a little angry as Tommy was loading Kim's bags into her car.

"Love the hat," Tanya said.

"Thanks," Kimberly said adjusting the newly purchased light blue fuzzy hat.

"Yea, 25 bucks."

"Oh, that is nothing," Tanya said.

"She got 3, though."

"Oh."

"Well, it looks perfect in black. And pink is just always my color. I couldn't just get one." Everyone laughed.

"Good lordly, did you buy out the mall," Mrs. Oliver said as the two came back.

"Why does everyone assume that?" Kimberly put her many bags down to get the others. "Some things are Tommy's too."

"Yea, 3 out of 20, Mom."

"Well, your father went out of pick up dinner. He got tons of Chinese."

"We already ate, Mom," Kimberly said, then stopped herself. "Mrs. Oliver."

"It's okay, Kim. I know you miss her." Kim smiled. She took what she could upstairs to her bedroom.

That night...

Kimberly waited around till everyone had gone to bed. It was well passed 12 when she sneaked out of the house.

"Hey, wait a minute," the bouncer said holding Kim's arm as she passed him. "You sure as hell don't look 21."

"Call it in. I'll wait."

"Nah, just go in." Kimberly smiled and took her ID from him and went inside. Dancing well until closing, having many of the fellows following her around for another dance or a chance to buy her a drink.

Tommy was getting some water when he heard a car door close. Tommy looked out the window to the back and saw Kimberly walking around back. She was sneaking her way towards her bedroom window. She started climbing up the back. Tommy rushed upstairs and pushed her door slightly ajar. Kimberly pushed her window opened and fell in.

"Damn it. Ow!" She held her shoulder as she sat up. Kimberly tossed her leather jacket aside along with her boots. She fell to her bed and pulled the covers over her on her way to sleep. Tommy slowly and quietly closed her door.

"What are you doing, Kimberly?"

Next Morning

Tommy was packing a bag for the overnight weekend stay at the beach house for Kim's birthday. His parents having given her all the presents at morning breakfast. Kimberly stood in just a gold bikini with purple flip flops as Tommy came into the doorway. Kimberly was bending over brushing her hair out, when she caught him staring.

"We will be able to watch the game at 8 right?"

"Of course," Tommy said straighten his top out.

"Good. I cannot wait for my Yankees to win their 22nd title."

"Whatever. Atlanta was up 2-0, you are lucky it's tied 2-2. But the Braves will take tonight and back to New York to crush your heart."

"Oh, whatever! That is the new, New York Yankees, gonna sweep the next 2, with Torre, our pitching, hitting and that new hottie, Derek Jeter, how can we lose?"

"Easy." Kimberly shook her head and tossed her towel at him. "Are you packed?"

"Hey, mister I was ready at 10, nearly 20 minutes ago. Here, take my bag." She tossed it to him. Tommy groaned as he caught it.

"It's just a weekend."

"Ha, ha. Go." Kimberly slipped back into her dress and followed Tommy.

The beach house was about 2 hours away. Tommy spent a lot of time with Billy, grilling and making sure things were in order. He didn't want to deal with Katherine all over him, it was too hot for that, and Kimberly running around in that tiny gold bikini.

"SKULL! PUT ME DOWN!" Kimberly screamed as he had her over his shoulder.

"Free spankings for the birthday girl!"

"NO!"

"Oh yeah!" Rocky came over and hit on her butt as if it was a drum.

"ROCKY! HEY!" Lots of her people coming over to hit her. As desperate as Kimberly tried to cover her butt from the hits, it was hopeless.

"And one of good luck!" Rocky said finally. Skull placed her back to her feet. Kimberly punched his shoulder and looked back for Rocky.

"Uh oh!" Rocky took off running. He reached a jet ski and took it out. Kimberly followed.

Tommy looked up as his mother arrived with the birthday cakes. One shaped like a '1 7', and the other had the little Mermaid character and 17 on it.

"Which cake do you want first?" Tommy's mother asked Billy.

"Thinking Mermaid, right Tommy?" Tommy was staring off at Kimberly as she ate a hot dog and was getting sweet talking in her ear by a guy from their high school.

"Huh?"

"Which cake?" Billy asked.

"Oh, the big sheet one." Billy nodded; he knew his friend was suffering.

Kimberly was talking with some friends when the cake was brought out. Kimberly laughed as Tommy carried it out and placed it in front of her. She smiled up at him. Tommy bent down to her level. They smiled at each other. Many pictures were being taken. She closed her eyes as they all sung to her. She blew out the candles and found they were trick candles and keep lighting back up. She laughed. Tommy helped her and they ended up dropping each candle in a cup of water. Tommy handed over honors of the first cut to Kimberly. She got a big piece and after just one bite, Rocky and Tommy were able to shove the cake into her face. Everyone laughed as the flash of cameras continued. Kimberly was getting her faced wiped off by Tommy, when she saw her mother, Pierre, and grandparents walking toward her.

"Oh, my god." Tommy smiled, having sent his father to pick them up.

"What?"

"Did you do this?" He smiled.

"Happy birthday, Beautiful." She hugged and kissed his cheek before running over to her mother. Tommy smiled, much to Katherine's dislike.

Around 8 that evening

They all were setting up for Game 5 in Atlanta. Braves and Yankees. After the game, Yankee win, taking it back to New York for game 6, Kimberly was sitting alone poolside, her legs inside the water, as she talked on the phone with her grandmother. Kim's grandmother was in Europe, having called earlier this morning around 4:32 on Kim's actually birthday time of birth. Everyone else was cleaning up a bit. Tommy was taking some trash out, when he saw Kimberly. His hand went into his pocket and smiled.

"Hey."

"Oh, hey," Kimberly said looking up.

"Have a nice birthday?"

"Of course. Having my parents, Uncle Steve, Gama and Papa, all you guys…" Tommy pulled out a small box and sat down beside her.

"Here."

"What...Tommy this is all too much! You didn't have to get me anything!"

"It was free."

"Liar." Kimberly smiled and took it. She opened it slowly. "What is it?"

"Open it and see!"

"Fine," Kimberly said opening the box. "Oh, Tommy." She gasped at the blue sapphire with pink center cross necklace. "How did you...Where...?"

"Some months back I found it. Been meaning to give it back, but I kept forgetting."

"Typical." She pulled it out.

"May I?" Kimberly nodded. She gave it to him. Katherine stood in the doorway to the backyard and saw this. Kimberly lifted her hair up and allowed Tommy to place the necklace on her. "There."

"Thank you." She turned to face him, their faces within centimeters. Tommy leaned in more. Kimberly looked up at him. Tommy's lips pressed against her lips. Katherine left as she watched Tommy kiss Kimberly. Kim's hand came up to hold his face .

"TOMMY! PHONE, whoops!" Rocky turned around quickly after catching the couple kissing. Kimberly and Tommy pulled apart quickly.

"Rocky! Hold on, I'm coming." Tommy looked at Kimberly and got up quickly to get the phone. Mrs. Oliver, having watched them, came outside to speak with Kimberly.

"Well, almost over with."

"What?" Kimberly asked looking back at Tommy on the phone.

"Your birthday."

"Oh, right," Kimberly said smiling. She touched her necklace.

"What's that?"

"Oh, my necklace. It was my grandmother's. It gets passed down from grandmother to first granddaughter."

"It's beautiful."

"I know. I can't believe Tommy found it."

"I have seen that in Tommy's room for a while now," Mrs. Oliver said as Kimberly showed it closer.

"I lost it like Christmas."

"You okay?"

"Yea."

"I saw you two..."

"It was nothing. Just 2 friends."

"Friends don't kiss like that, Kimberly."

"Really, it meant nothing." Kimberly got up. "Really."

Later on that night

As the girls were turning in for bed, Kimberly was going to the bathroom, when Tommy stood there.

"Hey. Can I talk to you?"

"Uh sure," Kimberly put her bag down and followed him. "What is it?"

"About earlier, look, I didn't mean to cause...cause any...dilemma."

"It's okay, Tommy. I, I...I understand."

"No, I...I'm with Katherine now, she is my girlfriend and, and I should have never kissed you..."

"I know."

"I care about you; I guess I always will because..."

"Right of course. The kiss, well …it…It was nothing! It meant nothing to me as well. Everything is fine, Tommy. We mean nothing. Excuse me," Kimberly went to go into the bathroom.

"Kim, wait..." Tommy tried to stop her, but she pulled away before he could grab her.

"No. It's okay. I'm fine! I need to brush me teeth. All that birthday cake might give me cavities. Goodnight, Tommy." Kimberly locked the bathroom door quickly. She slid down the door with tears in her eyes. Tommy pressed his head to the bathroom door, as he heard a slight sob before it was silent.

"Tommy?" He quickly turned to find Katherine standing there. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Is everything okay?"

"We could use another blanket."

"I'll go find you one." Katherine held her hand out for him. He hesitated, but took it.

TBC

ooooo...much more ahead

until next time :P