Chapter 10: Obvious

by: Christina Aguilera

The drive to Tommy's house was quiet. Kimberly could see her mother wasn't happy about what she said earlier. Tommy would often look over at Kimberly, taking her hand to help soothe her troubled mind. Tommy opened the door for Kim's mother to get out the car first, forgetting all about his manners for Kimberly. She shook her head and sent her mother and Pierre in ahead.

"Will you relax now?" Kimberly had stopped Tommy before he would go get the luggage.

"I am!" Tommy pulled down another bag.

"You are so quick to please my mother! You don't have to do that! She loves you!"

"Yea, right. 'So, you came back to be with Tommy and move in with him?'," Tommy mocked Kim's mother.

"Okay, maybe not completely loving you. But I do. And that should matter more."

"I know. It does" They kissed. Tommy and Kimberly came into the house with the bags.

"Thank you so much, Jane for allowing Pierre and I to stay here. It's great for you to open your home to us, when you really didn't have to."

"It is not a problem. Thanksgiving is about family and Kimberly has and will always be apart of ours, so of course we welcome you two here. Our home is your home. Now, let me go get ice tea for everyone," Mrs. Oliver said leaving them. Kimberly took a seat in Tommy's lap.

"Honey, that is not appropriate." Kimberly huffed and shifted to the couch beside Tommy. She looked at Tommy, as to tell him, 'It has begun'. Tommy smiled and put his hand on her leg before putting his arm around her.

"I cannot wait 'til dinner, Jane. Kimberly tells me you are terrific in the kitchen. Seeing how I never could boil an egg right." Kimberly laughed.

"I think I learned the numbers for pizza palors and Chinese before I was 8," Kimberly said. Everyone laughed.

"Well, I was never blessed with the art of cooking, and neither was your father." Kimberly went quiet a moment. Tommy noticed that.

"Well, my mother is the greatest chef I know," Tommy said, ending the silence.

"I try."

"Oh, Mom, you do much more than that," Tommy said helping her with the tray.

"Thanks, son."

"Oh, and thank you, Tommy for all those wonderful tapes you sent."

"Tapes?" Kimberly asked.

"Of your meets."

"Oh, right," Kimberly said.

"I really appreciated them. So, training is going well with the Winters?"

"Things are going well enough."

"Good."

"Next meet, about a few days after we returned Tuesday from break."

"I know, that is why I am here, baby." Kimberly smiled again trulysince she recieved the painting.

Before dinner, Kim's mother sent Kimberly back upstairs to change her outfit. Tommy went upstairs to check on Kimberly. Tommy opened his door and found Kimberly lacing up her black boots. She had on a 1-shoulder crop tank with purple mini skirt.

"Beautiful, your tattoos are showing."

"I know."

"Come on, no fighting. You promised." Kimberly fixed her hair in the high ponytail. Tommy tugged her tank down to cover somewhat of her stomach. "Let's just have a nice dinner for your mother."

"'Oh, 'dear, do you mind changing?' Who does she think she is? A fashion critic!"

"Actually, doesn't your mother work in an art gallery, talking about art and style."

"And what about my weight, my hair, everything I am. I really don't need this!"

"She didn't say your hair was bad."

"Those highlights are too bright for your skin tone, Kimberly."

"Okay, but she didn't say she disliked it. It's just 6 days."

"6 days of hell." Kimberly pulled off her tank. Kim's mother stood outside the door. "If she bugs me anymore, Tommy, you will need to do more than squeeze my leg." Tommy kissed her shoulder. Kimberly moved her head more to give him access to her neck. She sighed, as his arms wound around her. Tommy sucked on her neck, getting a slight laugh from Kimberly. Tommy rubbed her stomach, as he kissed down her neck and back, before a final kiss on the head.

"C'mon and hurry up."

"Okay." They kissed on the lips. Kimberly tugged him back to her when he went to leave. They fell to the bed kissing.

"Oh, and lets not forget to mention the comment, 'where are you sleeping.. with Tommy, oh, why is that?' Duh mother! You are staying here, so where else am I to be sleeping, on the floor! Gosh, she is such a..." Tommy hushed her with a kiss. She moaned. Kim's mother walked away from the door.

After dinner, Kimberly and Tommy were in his bedroom watching some tv with popcorn. Tommy kissed her, as she snuggled against his chest. Kimberly ran her hand up his shirt, sucking on his neck. Tommy moved on top of Kimberly, pulling at her PJ bottoms, when all of the sudden, the doors opened to stop the kissing and touching of each other.

"Mom, gosh! Good of you to knock," Kimberly said pulling the strap of her cami up and straighten her top.

"Oh, sorry, just looking for another blanket. Jane told me Tommy could get it."

"I'll get it," Tommy said getting off the bed.

"Still should have knocked." Tommy went to find a comfortable.

"Here you go." Tommy handed over the blanket from his closet. He smiled, handing it over, though Kim's mother did give him the parental eye.

"Thank you. Good night you two."

"Night."

"Night, Mommy." Tommy closed his door. "Lock it." Tommy turned the lock with a smile. "Put a chair against the door."

"Beautiful!"

"What? I'm serious!" Kimberly laughed. Tommy laughed too. He turned off the lights and got into bed with her.

"Be nice."

"Still say you should have put a chair against the door."

"Evil woman."

"Whatever." Tommy moved on top of her as they kissed.

"There will be no more interruptions tonight."

"You know she did that on purpose to catch us."

"Maybe."

"Just you wait." Kimberly wrapped her legs around him. Tommy pulled the covers over them. "It'll get worst." Kimberly warned. Tommy shook his head kissing her again.

A day later

Thanksgiving morning

David, Tommy's older brother, had returned from his 2 month long trip to the Indian grounds came by early on Thanksgiving morning to see him. Mrs. Oliver, already up before sunrise, let him in and sent him straight upstairs. David knocked on Tommy's door. Tommy awake, turned from his computer. He got up after opening an email and opened his door.

"Hey!"

"Hey, little brother." Tommy and David hugged tightly.

"What are you doing here so early!" As David held on to his little brother, he saw Kimberly asleep on her stomach. The sheet only covering her lower half with her legs sticking out.

"Oh, is that Kimberly?" Tommy nodded. "Nice tattoo." David smiled at the one on her leg. Tommy pushed David back out the room and closed his door quietly.

"Let's let her sleep more."

"Kept her up all night, huh?"

"Shut up. I thought you were coming later on today?"

"I am, I have to pick up grandpa. I just came by early to see if I can help out."

"Wait, Mr. Trueheart is coming?"

"Yeah, grandpa is coming."

"Right, grandpa. Weird, I just can't..I mean, I know he is mine too, but..."

"I know, it'll take some time. Grandpa Sam told me he needs to speak to Kimberly."

"Kimberly? I don't remember telling him that she was back. Is it bad?"

"With grandpa, it's never bad news usually."

"Okay." Tommy and David heard the alarm clock got off. "I better wake her."

"Well, hurry up and help out downstairs." David shoved Tommy after he opened his door. Tommy closed his door. Kim rolled to her back to click off the clock. She groaned and pulled at the covers when she saw what time it was.

"Morning, Beautiful." She groaned again. Tommy got on the bed with her.

"Who was here?"

"My brother."

"Brother? Oh, right...David!" Tommy nodded. "Oh, I can't wait to meet him!"

"Then get up!" They kissed. Kimberly sat up and got out of bed. She looked down at herself injust apair of white panties. "I thinkyou need to shower and put some clothes on first," Tommy said.

"Of course! Hurry!" Kimberly pulled at him. Tommy carried her to the bathroom, wrapping her in his towel. They showered together.

Kim's mother woke to hearing giggling across the hall. She got up and put on her robe and went to check to see if the bathroom was free, but really she went to check on Tommy and Kimberly. Slight gasp and moans could be heard from the room, as Mrs. Dumas opened the door slightly. She stood there, Kim was straddling Tommy's lap, as he kissed her, his hands holding onto her face. Tommy sat in just a towel, both of them still wet from their shower. Kimberly moaned and smiled against his kisses, as his hands slowly pulled at her robe. Kim's white with pink jeweled balconet bra showing, as Tommy's lips moved down her neck to kissing her shoulder. He pulled at the tie to her robe, his hands going into the robe, cupping her butt, as he kissed her more passionately. Kim's body was pulled closer, as her arms went around his neck.

"Mmmm," Kim moaned, cupping his face. She pulled away kissing him with short pecks. "I need to figure out what I am wearing." She got off his lap before he could protest. Kimberly fixed her robe.

"You are such a tease!"

"Well, duh! I am a girl!" Kimberly opened his closet and pulled out some outfits

"One day, this is happening without all that," Tommy said pointing to her.

"Yea right. Come on, let me dry your hair." Kim pulled out the blow dryer.

"Yes, Mom." She pushed him into the seat. Mrs. Dumas closed the door after watching Kimberly bend over to plug the dryer in, and getting pulled into Tommy's lap as he kissed her.

Kimberly blow dried Tommy's hair first, then her hair so Tommy could get dressed. Kimberly put on a lavender cami with gray cashmere wrap, grey pinstriped pants with silver slingbacks. Tommy wasn't helping speed up the process with his frequent kisses as Kimberly applied her lipstick. She had to shove him away finally.

"Come on," Tommy said pulling her arm. "My brother doesn't care what you look like!"

"I do!" She applied one more layer before kissing the mirror leaving the mark and winking at Tommy. "I am ready!"

David was coming from the kitchen as Kimberly and Tommy came downstairs holding hands.

"Well, well. I was wondering when you two would be down."

"Kim, that's David."

"Really! Couldn't tell. Hi." Kimberly went to hug him, as David put his hand out. They both laughed. Kimberly shook his hand then they hugged. "It's so great to finally meet you."

"You too."

"You look so much like Tommy."

"Thanks, but don't repeat that." She laughed. "You were right, little brother. She is beautiful." Kim blushed.

"Thanks."

"Honey, could you come help me with the turkey?"

"Of course Mom. You two sit, chat, only about me, of course." Tommy kissed Kim's cheek quickly and rushed to help his mother.

"Okay, let me make sure I get this right. You are 3 years older?"

"2 1/2 years actually." Kim nodded.

"What happened? How did you two get separated for so long?"

"Well, when I was about 2, my mother was pregnant with Tommy, and I didn't know she was about 3 months along. She sent me to our Indian reservation to be with my grandfather for a while. I never knew she was pregnant or that the baby survived when she died. I never looked into it, until my grandpa mentioned my mother's spirit revealed a secret. Then one day I was in Angel Grove for a karate competition, and guess who Isee to?"

"Tommy?"

"Yep, I lost to Tommy in a match later on. I was so angry, then I found out Tommy was a..."

"It's okay. I'm a ranger too," Kim whispered.

"I figured that much. Purple huh." Kim smiled and nodded. "Well, Tommy was able to connect the dot with his piece of arrow."

"Arrow? The arrow." David showed Kimberly his piece around his neck. "I found that for Tommy."

"I know, he told me. It was with his things in the hospital when he was born. I guess, my mother gave it to him, before she.."

"I'm so sorry." Kim touched his hand.

"Yea. Anyways, our arrow held magical powers, but now that they are separated, I got a little brother now. I can't be too sad about the past. It's the past, and now I can't wait to get to know my little brother better." Tommy came back with some drinks.

"So, David, what have you been doing for the past few months?"

"Researching the lands. Trying to get another grant to help expand our lands." Tommy took a sip of Kim's glass.

"I want to help anyway I can."

"Me too," Kimberly said taking her glass.

"Thanks for the offer. We could use all the help we can get. So, back as a ranger, how does Purple feel? Different from Pink?"

"Tommy told you about..."

"Yeah, everything."

"I hope not everything!" They laughed.

"Not everything," Tommy said taking her glass back.

"Well, a color is a color. Doesn't make the ranger. I mean, Christmas boy over there would know."

"Christmas boy?"

"Ha, ha. Beautiful. Very cute."

"I'll tell you about it later."

Dinner was nearing completion for the guests. David had went to pick up his grandfather. Kimberly and Tommy were found alone in the hallway kissing as Kim's mother stood there.

"I love you."

"I love you," Kimberly said looking into Tommy's eyes. "Tiger." Tommy cupped her face and kissed her again. As their tongues explored one another's mouths, Tommy's hands moved from her face to her back to her hips and back up. Kimberly wrapped her arms around his neck, as he pressed her against the wall. She quickly turned them, so his back was against the wall. Tommy saw a figure out of the corner of his eye. He held Kim's face and kissed her slowly to pull away. He saw Kim's mother.

"Uh, Mrs. Dumas." Kimberly quickly turned to see her mother. Her back pressed against Tommy's chest.

"Uh, hi Mom."

"Mr. Trueheart has arrived, he is requesting you two."

"Uh, sure." Tommy saw the evil look from Kim's mother. "Thank you." He pulled away from Kimberly and they went to walk back to the living room.

"A word, Kimberly." Kimberly sighed, when her mother grabbed her arm to stop her. "Now, Kimberly." Kimberly nodded to Tommy to go ahead. Tommy left mother and daughter to talk alone, having a feeling what it was going to be about.

"Mom, I know what you are going to say and what you want to say, but Mom, to release any fears, Tommy and I will be together. Nothing you can say will change that."

"I do not like what I just saw going on."

"Just kissing Mom."

"Kissing? That was not just kissing, Kimberly. I don't like where you two are..."

"Mom, really. I am an adult."

"You are 17! You are not an adult!" Kim shook her head and went to walk out, but her mother stopped her again. "Are you having sex with him?"

"That is none of your business." Kimberly pulled away and walked out.

Tommy smiled as Kimberly came into the living room.

"Oh, Kimberly, this is Mr. Trueheart. My mother's father."

"Hi, Mr. Trueheart, so nice to meet you."

"You as well. It appears the crane has returned home." Kimberly looked at him.

"Yea, you'll get use to it," Tommy said.

"I am very happy that the falcon and crane fly as one again." Kimberly smiled.

Kimberly went upstairs to change more elegantly, as her mother put for dinner. She came down in a black dress. Tommy held his hand out for her. Everyone was mingling, as Kimberly was sipping on her cup of punch.

"Kimberly, may I have a word with you?"

"Of course, Mr. Trueheart."

"Call me Sam."

"Oh, well, I..I don't.."

"It's okay. I came here not really to speak with Tommy, but to you."

"To me?"

"Yes. There will be trying time ahead. I feel your soul is about to tested much more than it ever has before. You are not at rest. You must allow Tommy to know the whole truth. People around you will try and break your soul. But you mustn't let that happen. Things are not always what they seem to be. Many dark clouds of lieslay ahead. Do not let them come between you and Tommy. You mustn't allow it. You must be strong and not afraid to fight." Kimberly looked back at Tommy. She smiled when he smiled at her"You two are so much in love."

"Obvious... huh?"

"Yes. The falcon and crane are one again, as they are meant to be. But the bond must not be broken. Be strong little one."

"I won't let anything come between Tommy and I, Mr. Trueheart. I lost him once being foolish, I won't let happen again."

"Master Morimorto would not want you to do it any other way." Kimberly looked at him.

"How did you..?"

"Take care my dear. You are strong, never doubt that. You make everyone around you so much better and feel so loved. Never doubt your heart, it's stronger than anything in this world. And won't lead your astray." He hugged her. Kimberly still stunned, hardly moved the first few seconds, before she finally hugged him back. He kissed her forehead and walked away. Tommy came up behind Kimberly.

"Hey, you okay?"

"I don't know." She hugged him. "I love you."

"I love you too, Beautiful."

"Promise me..."

"Anything?"

"You will always love and never stop."

"Always. There will never be another girl I love, or want in my life, but you." They kissed.

"Forever."

"Oh, Beautiful, much longer."

"Than forever?" Kimberly asked with a smile.

"For all eternity." Kimberly nodded and kissed him. They hugged.