Chapter 15: So Far Away
by: Staind

Wednesday morning

With school back, the rangers were looking forward to their last semester as schoolers. Tommy walked down the hall toward his locker. Katherine looked up and went over to him.

"Hey Tommy!"

"Oh, hey Katherine."

"How was your New Year's? I missed you, where did you go?"

"Paree."

"Huh?"

"Uh, no where," Tommy said.

"What?"

"I was here, I just wanted to be alone."

"But you were alone for Christmas, how could you do that again?"

"I didn't think I deserve to be happy and have a joyous Christmas with all the pain I caused, especially to.." Kimberly appeared, she barely looked up as she went straight for her locker. "I don't know if I ever deserve to be..." Tommy looked up, Katherine could see the still wanting in his eyes for her.

"What?"

"I just needed to be alone and think."

"Why are you doing this to yourself? Do you honestly think she is?"

"What?"

"I overheard that Kimberly and Jason were seen together, and they were…kissing."

"What!"

"See, she wants to move on." Tommy looked over at Kimberly. Jason appeared behind her. They started talking.

"Maybe she should."

"What?" Katherine asked.

"I wasn't…she deserves to be loved and be in love again. If she finds happiness with….someone else, I can't fight it. I ruined it sleeping with Jasmine."

"You believe it now?"

"How can I not! I see her face!"

"Whose face?"

"C'mon."

Tommy took Katherine by the arm after closing his locker. They walked down a secluded hallway. Tommy made sure no one was looking or could hear them.

"You can't tell anyone," Tommy said.

"Of course I won't, you know that. You can trust me. I'm your friend."

"I close my eyes and I see Jasmine. She's kissing me. She's above me, kissing me, my hands are on her too. I'm not fighting her." Tommy looked down. "How can I not believe I didn't sleep with her now?" Katherine bit her bottom lip. "There isn't another explanation for that, right?"

"Huh," Katherine said looking into his pleading eyes.

"I mean, unless you know something..."

"Me? No, no.You are right. No other explanations." Tommy turned his back to Katherine. He had hoped that would be enough that if she was his true friend, she would confess the truth.

"See, if Kimberly is going to be happy with…Jason…" Katherine saw how Tommy's jaw clenched when he said that. "Then maybe I should…I know that I will never have another chance with Kimberly."

"Why not?"

"She's leaving for Paris after school."

"How do you know?"

"I overheard her talking to my mother before she left for Paris. She was going to spend her time finding a place in Paris because she applied to Paris International University for art and fashion. She is leaving me for good."

"Okay, let her go. You are too good for her."

"What?"

"Tommy, you deserve to find happiness and be just as happy as she is. You are just not trying. You would rather suffer, which you shouldn't."

"But if I wasn't a fool, I would be with her now!" Katherine closed her eyes. The lie was eating him up inside; he was blaming himself, which wasn't fair, when it wasn't his fault. 'Oh, Tommy what have I done. Damn that Jasmine, how can I help him see it wasn't his fault without revealingmyself,the real truth' Katherine thought.

"Like I said, if she wants to move on, you should too." Tommy looked out the hall and saw Jasmine.

"Maybe I should," Tommy said.

"You do?" Katherine asked.

"I do." Tommy smiled. Katherine smiled until she followed Tommy's stare. Tommy stared at Jasmine. Katherine's smile faded. She stepped in front of Tommy to block his view and any ideas of that.

"You are right, Katherine." Tommy held her shoulders. "If Kimberly is moving on, maybe I should too. I mean, we are…over…we will never be able to get back together."

"I'm glad you finally see that," she said smiling with him. "Good. I am happy you are finally gonna come out this funk."

"But would it…I don't…think...maybe it wouldn't be right..."

"What wouldn't be right?"

"If I…try with Jasmine, I mean…"

"You want to be with Jasmine!" Katherine nearly screamed. Tommy held her mouth, making sure no one knew where that came from. He pulled Katherine back into the hallway. "Why! Why would you even say that!"

"I don't know! I mean, I honestlydon't know. She just…reminds me of something."

"What!"

"I mean she is nothing like Kimberly! Kimberly is beautiful, caring, compassionate, lovable, silly at times, beautiful, did I mention how.."

"Yes."

"Kimberly is perfect, whereas Jasmine is…"

"Nothing! She is totally wrong for you! She's like 180 from Kimberly."

"You don't think I know that," Tommy said walking around Katherine. "She's a treacherous, evil, immoral, intoxicating, erotic little bitch." Tommy smiled. Katherine gasped.

"No…"

"What was that?"

"You can't possibly want to be with Jasmine," Katherine. "Think of the rumors! Think of...Kimberly?"

"Yeah, that would hurt her, but it's like what you said. She's moving on. I should too."

"But Jasmine!"

"Why not? She's totally opposite Kimberly, you said it yourself. Maybe that's what I need, you know. A change. I mean, I fell for Kimberly because she was perfect. When she broke up with me, who did I first see, that skier. She was pretty, and strong like Kimberly. They had some similar traits. And you, the same morals, the same love of life. Jasmine is not like that. She is…"

"The devil!" Tommy laughed.

"She is not that bad!"

"Yes she is! If you KNEW the things she did…"

"What?"

"I mean, if you knew the type of person she is, you would run!"

"I'm tired of running and fighting this. Something happened that night I slept with Jasmine and it's time I find out why I didn't stop it. Maybe I always wanted her."

"No!You don't! You couldn't!"

"Katherine, look,I can take care of myself."

"I know that, but Jasmine is..."

"Hey, I gotta go. Thanks for the chat, Katherine. See ya later." Tommy walked out. Katherine fell back against the wall. She couldn't believe what she just heard.

'That bitch! I will not lose Tommy to her!'

Kimberly was sitting around lunch with the guys when Tommy came into the cafeteria. He wasn't alone, with Jasmine right beside him. They looked for a table away from them. Kimberly looked up. Jason followed her gaze.

"So, Paris University, sounds exciting."

"Yeah, it does." Kimberly's eyes on Tommy and Jasmine, not believing the sight before her.

"I was thinking about going to Japan," Adam said. "Might be fun." Kimberly turned back to the table. Katherine's eyes were on Tommy and Jasmine, feeling the same way.

"Excuse me." Kimberly got up and left the table.

"What is that about?" Jason asked pointing to Tommy and Jasmine.

"He wouldn't be that stupid, I mean, right?" Rocky asked.

Tommy sat beside Jasmine.

"So, I am still trying to figure this out. What the hell do you want with me?"

"I just wanted to sit, talk, have lunch," Tommy said opening his juice container. Jasmine went to open hers, but Tommy took it. He shook it and opened the bottle for her, handing it back over to her.

"Thanks," Jasmine said taking a sip. "But shouldn't you be thinking of a way to get your precious Kimberly back?"

"I don't see that happening?"

"Of course not, if you are seen with me."

"Not just that. I don't think Kimberly can or will ever forgive me."

"Why not?"

"The one thing Kimberly always told me, she could understand why her mother never trusted her father again. 'Once a cheater, always a cheater.' She won't forgive me for.."

"Oh, so now you believe me?"

"I don't…see how I can deny it anymore. Something happened that night, with you. And it would be a shame not to see if…"

"You want to date me!"

"Why not?"

"Because you're a good guy!"

"And what, you're a bad girl?"

"Well, I'm not like Kimberly."

"Of course you're not! She's perfect."

"Look, little miss pansy is not perfect, and I don't see why everyone feels that way about her!"

"I didn't mean that to hurt you, I just meant, she's…"

"Kimberly. I know, I hear enough from my parents, and all these losers around here."

"What are you doing tonight?"

"Training."

"After that?"

"Nothing."

"A movie, dinner with me." Kimberly gasped. She was standing near the table. Jasmine and Tommy looked up. Kim had tears in her eyes.

"Oh, look it's your precious Kimberly."

"She is not mine anymore." Kimberly looked at Tommy. "Shouldn't you be with Jason?"

"Bastard!" Kimberly slapped Tommy. The whole crowd gasped and turned to them. "I hate you." Kimberly stormed out. Jason not far behind her with Adam and the rest.

Adam was the only one to get Kimberly to stop, when Jason was shoved backward. She cried against Adam's chest.

"Why don't we help get her fixed up?" Tanya said finally as Kimberly stopped crying. Katherine looked at Tanya, but then nodded. They helped Kimberly into the girl's bathroom.

"I was a fool," Kimberly said blowing her nose. "I am so stupid."

"Of course you are."

"Excuse me?" Kimberly said looking up from her chair.

"You made him believe he slept with Jasmine!"

"I didn't make him believe anything! He did sleep with Jasmine!"

"No he didn't!" Katherine yelled.

"What!"

"I..I mean.."

"What do you mean he didn't sleep with Jasmine! Are you saying that…"

"I meant, how do you know he did sleep with Jasmine?"

"I saw him!"

"Oh and that's makes it true!"

"Jason saw them, Adam and Rocky saw them! What, can we not trust our eyes! I know what I saw! If he wants to be with her, then let him!"

"You are such a fool," Katherine said leaving the bathroom.

Tanya went to the door and made sure Katherine was long gone. Kimberly had called and told Tanya not to reveal to Katherine that she and Tommy knows the truth. Tanya agreed and for their forgiveness, thenshe agreed to help them get back at Katherine and Jasmine.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Tanya asked closing the door back.

"Yes! She was 2 seconds from telling the truth!" Kimberly said checking her make-up in the mirror. "It won't be long."

"I just wish…"

"I know you are Katherine's biggest fan…"

"I'm not a fan of what she did!" Tanya yelled.

"I didn't mean that. I meant, her friend."

"I am her friend, best friend. But what she and Jasmine did...they don't deserve to get away with drugging you and Tommy and trying to break you two up. It's just this way….this revenge is dangerous if…"

"I'm sorry. Look, no one will be hurt. Not physically anyways. " Kimberly smiled.

"I know that but..."

"Hey, you can step away anytime. I don't want you to feel obligated to help. You told me, when you never had to. And for that, I am grateful, so if you want to walk away..."

"That's not it. I just...But what if…"

"After Billy gets the results from that test on Katherine, I will know where I stand on Katherine," Kimberly said fixing her make-up

"And what if this is all because of that spell?"

"We help her."

"You would help her after….?"

"Yes, because I always believe in second chances, even when you knowingly do something wrong. I will forgive her, if and when she repents and is sorry for her actions."

"And Jasmine?" Tanya asked.

"Will never do that, that's why we have to do this. Katherine has a good soul, I know that. I would have never left and given my power coin to her if I felt otherwise." Kimberly thought. "Of course."

"What?"

"Nothing, just an idea."

Kimberly and Tommy arrived to the Command Center. It had been a couple days since their secret plan has been put into action. Billy was waiting on them.

"I am so sorry I didn't even think about..."

"Hey, it's not your fault," Kimberly said. "I told you that."

"I just assumed the extra energy was normal since it only came back when you arrived back in town. I thought that it was simply jealously that was fueling that energy, nothing more."

"So Rita's spell is still lingering in Katherine?" Tommy asked.

"No, not the spell, just the side-effects.Alpha has shown me outputs from the last months,a peak especially after Halloween."

"When she joined with Jasmine, of course. That plan was evil and evil fueled theside-effects to react again with her."

"Exactly."

"What do we do then?" Tommy asked.

"I have an idea, if Zordon agrees."

"WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN MIND, KIMBERLY?"

"When I lost myself, when I wasn't myself, I found help in Master Morimoto."

"But he is dead?" Tommy said.

"Yes, but his spirit is still in me."

"You want to train Katherine?"

"Yeah. Remember, we all went on a spiritual journey to earn our Zeo crystal."

"Yeah, but that included Katherine."

"But she wasn't cured of Rita's spell and the side-effect, because she loves you, she honestly loves you, Tommy. We have to let her see that…"

"LOVING AND BEING IN LOVE IS TWO DIFFERENT FEELINGS. SHE CAN LOVE TOMMY, BUT AS A FRIEND. TOMMY WILL NEVER REFLECT LOVE THAT SHE DESIRES ONTO HER, BECAUSE HE WILL ONLY LOVE YOU, KIMBERLY."

"Exactly. Katherine hasn't been able to see that, because of her infatuation with loving you, Tommy."

"Rita's spell heightened that feeling," Billy said. "If she is able to come to terms with knowing the truth..."

"She will be free once and for all."

"WONDERFUL IDEA, KIMBERLY."

"Thanks. I won't train her the way Master Morimoto did me because she isn't me. I found myself loving karate, and it helped with my gymnastic, because I was stronger mentally and physically. Katherine just needs to strengthen her mind and soul, andfree this evil lingering."

"Okay, I want to help," Tommy said.

"You can't."

"Why not? She thinks she loves me…"

"No, Tommy doesn't think it, she believes it. She feels it."

"Kimberly is right, you can't help her. You will only heighten those feelings if you with her," Billy said rubbing Tommy's back.

"Yes, if you are with us, she might still feel like she will have chance especially because of who you are. You have to be...well... far away. So far away."

"But Billy, I can use your help."

"Anything you need." Billy put his hand on Kim's shoulder and patted Tommy's back before squeezing his and Kim's shoulder as well . "I am rather surprised that you two are back together." Kimberly smiled as she took Tommy's hand. "But it is a very welcomed and happy surprise."

"I WAS VERY SAD TO SEE YOU TWO HURTING ESPECIALLY WHEN IT WAS ALL A LIE. AND YES, I AM RATHER PLEASED THAT YOU TWO HAVE FOUND YOUR LOVE AGAIN."

"We are too," Tommy said. Kimberly hugged Tommy, her face pressed against his chest.

"So very much," Kimberly said. Tommy kissed her forehead. "Let's go help Katherine."

"It is the weekend…"

"Did your brother ever give you a map of the Indian reservation near the woods?"

"Probably, I can find it for you."

"Thanks. I think we could use it. There are probably some great places to see."

That night

Kimberly arrived outside Katherine's door. Her parents were out for dinner, but Katherine wasn't feeling up to Friday night dinner with her parents.

"Hey."

"Hey."

"Can I come in?" Kimberly asked.

"Uh sure," Katherine said stepping aside. Kimberly walked inside.

"Where are your parents?"

"Out for dinner."

"Oh goodie. I need you to write a letter."

"Why?"

"Just telling them you are okay and that you will be with me this weekend."

"And why will I need to do that?" Katherine asked.

"Katherine, I know."

"Excuse me."

"I know."

"Know what?"

"What you did…what you and Jasmine did."

"I don't know what you are talking about," Katherine said about to walk away. Kimberly grabbed her arm, tight.

"No, you are not walking away from this. It's time you realize the truth. Sit down."

"Oh,going to kick my ass."

"Maybe later," Kimberly said shoving Katherine to a chair. She stood before her.

"If you think I am sorry for…"

"Oh, you will be, soon. Right now." Kimberly pulled out a piece of paper. "I need you to right that letter."

"I will not…" Kimberly looked at Katherine sternly. "Fine!" Katherine snatched the paper and pen. She scribbled a note.

"Tell them to contact Billy or Tommy for any questions. You will be back Monday morning at the latest." Katherine rolled her eyes and did that. "Don't forget to sign it, 'Love Katherine'." Kimberly smiled. Katherine sighed and did that.

"Happy?"

"Very. Now, I need your cell phone, morpher and communicator."

"What?"

"Right now." Kimberly held her hand out. Katherine took off her communicator, placed it in Kim's hand. She activated her morphers and placed them too in her hand. They disappeared. "We won't be needing these now. Your cell phone."

"Can I get up to find my cell phone?"

"Of course. Oh, and pack a bathing suit, 2 tee shirts and jeans, just for 2 days. You won't need more." Kimberly smiled.

"What exactly are we doing?"

"You will see."