Disclaimer: I just own Jeff Carter.
Chapter 3 I Need You to Rescue Me
May 16, 1996
Tommy decided to call Jason the day he was leaving.
"Hello?" asked a voice.
"Jason hey, it's Tommy," he said.
"It's good to hear from you, bro. How's Florida?" he asked.
"It's been a blast. I'm leaving today though," Tommy frowned.
Jason started laughing. He knew what his best friend meant by that by that. It seemed that Tommy was never the same after Kim left.
"At least you got to get time off, right?" Jason asked.
"In a way, but I was mostly here for business, and not PR," Tommy laughed.
"Let me get this straight. You were in Florida for business other than PR? What, did you ask Kim to marry you or something?" Jason asked.
Tommy looked down and laughed. Boy, he would have liked for that to be true, but they were still in high school. Kim and Tommy had already come up with a plan anyway.
"Nothing like that. It's a long story," Tommy sighed.
"If you say so. Anyway, I've been trying to get a hold you to tell you I've been getting that feeling again," Jason said.
Tommy had a feeling he knew what it was.
"The one you got when you were a Power Ranger?" he asked.
"Yeah, but it's different this time. This time it's stronger," Jason said.
This really concerned Tommy. He had seen Jason in that state before, and it was not pretty.
"Do you want me to inform Zordon?" Tommy asked.
"No, you have more important things to do," Jason said.
"Jason, did you just hear what you said? You're sounding like you're not our business," Tommy laughed.
"I shouldn't have to be. Not right now anyway," he sighed.
"You better call if it gets worse, you hear me?" Tommy asked.
"I will," Jason said.
"Good. Talk to you later," Tommy replied.
"Bye, bro," Jason sighed.
xxx
Tommy took Kim's hand as his flight was being called.
"Kim, I don't want to leave you here with that creep," he said.
"Don't worry, Tommy. He knows if he try's anything… I'll kick his ass," she smiled.
"I know you can, Beautiful. That's why I don't worry about you… too much," he smirked.
"You can't fool me, Oliver," Kim laughed. "I know you like the back of my hand. You worry about me 24/7."
"All right, you caught me," Tommy admitted.
Kim could see the fear in Tommy's eyes.
"I'm a big girl, Handsome. I can take care of myself," she smiled.
Tommy laughed and pulled Kim to his lips.
"I know you can," he said.
"Then get your ass on that plane and call me when you get home," Kim laughed.
"I love you, Kimberly," Tommy said.
"Back at you," she smiled.
"Oh come on, Kim. I won't do that again, I promise," Tommy said.
"I think it's cute. Like on Ghosts… ditto," she laughed.
"If you say so," Tommy said.
As he turned around, Kim grabbed his hand and pulled him to her to kiss him.
"I love you, Tommy," she cried.
"Now that's what I call a goodbye," he smiled.
"Well, I had to match your welcome," Kim laughed.
xxx
Tommy walked out of the gate with his head down. He was happy and sad at the same time. Happy he had Kim in his life, and sad that he had to leave her in Florida. He would have given anything to have just taken Kim with him.
"Tommy," Rocky called.
Tommy smiled as he saw Rocky and Adam waving their hands over their heads.
"Hey you guys," he sighed.
"You didn't tell us what happened when you made that quick trip back," Adam reminded him.
"We found out who did it," Tommy said.
Rocky and Adam high fived each other when they heard the news.
"You didn't like leaving her, did you?" Rocky asked.
Tommy looked up and half smiled at Rocky. He knew it was so obvious to them. There was no denying it.
"Is it that obvious?" Tommy asked.
"Big time," Adam said.
"Don't worry. Kim has known how to protect herself since before you two even met," Rocky laughed.
"I know, Rocky," Tommy sighed, "but she's learned some new moves from me too."
"Then why are you worrying?" Adam asked.
"That's just me," Tommy said.
xxx
May 20, 1996
Kim did not like the idea that she was stuck with Jeff until closing time. She had begged the coach to let someone else lock up, but he would not have it. He trusted her.
"Might as well grab the towels," Kim said to herself.
Jeff saw Kim enter the locker room and smiled. When she turned around, he turned his head back to the computer.
"Don't you even think about it," Kim said underneath her breath.
Jeff carefully walked into the locker room and grabbed her hand.
"Get your damn hands off of me, Jeff," Kim yelled.
"You know you want to, Kim," he laughed.
"In your dreams buddy," she smarted off.
Kim finally pulled him off her and began running. He grabbed her hand again and threw her to the ground.
"There's no need to fight your feelings, Kim. Tommy doesn't have to know," Jeff whispered.
He pinned her down and began kissing her. Kim was trying to move her face anywhere and everywhere.
"For the last time, Jeff, please stop," she begged.
He began to take off her jacket, Kim's trembling body underneath his. Her eyes were closed tightly.
"I can't do this," Kim cried.
"Sure you can," Jeff said.
He slipped his hand threw her shirt.
"Stop," Kim yelled.
"Why don't you want me to?" Jeff asked.
"Cause I'm already with someone you dumb ass," Kim said, spitting in his face.
"This is going to be fun," Jeff laughed.
Tears ran down her face as he undid his pants. Her body too scared to move.
"Jeff, you're better than this," Kim cried. "Don't do this."
He took her hand and began moving it closer.
"You're sick," Kim cried.
"Turned on?" Jeff asked.
"Get the fuck off of me, now," Kim yelled.
It took all of her strength to get Jeff off of her.
"What's the problem, afraid you're going to like it?" he asked.
"I'm out of here. You can close this damn place up," Kim said, throwing the keys at him.
Kim left the building crying. She was so thankful he did not go after her, or go through with the deed.
"I'll get you one day," Jeff whispered.
xxx
Kim's feet were on the chair, arms wrapped around them. She reached for the phone, praying the Youth Center was still open. She was not sure about the time difference. Kim just got to get a hold of Tommy.
"Hello?" asked a familiar voice.
"Oh, Ernie, thank God you haven't closed," Kim cried.
"Kimberly, what's wrong?" he asked.
The way Ernie said her name caused Tommy and the others heads to turn. They quickly got up as Ernie motioned for them to come.
"Please say Tommy's there," Kim begged.
"He's right here, Kimberly," Ernie said.
"Thank you, Ernie," she sobbed.
"Kim, talk to me. What happened?" Tommy asked.
"He made a move on me! It was so unexpectedly, I'm freaking out more," she cried.
"That ass hole didn't," Tommy growled. He quickly lipped sorry to Ernie, who had never heard him talk like that before. "Just hold on, I'm coming."
"Thank you, Tommy," Kim cried.
Tommy left the Youth Center without saying a word.
"Something bad must be going down over there," Rocky said.
"That guy still must be trying to get Kim," Kat realized.
Little did they know what Jeff had just tried to do to Kim.
xxx
Tommy ran home real fast to grab some extra closes. He had a feeling he was going to be there for a while.
"Thanks, Ernie for everything," Tommy told him as he took his last drink.
"No problem, but how are you going to get a flight to Florida that leaves now?" he asked.
"I'll find a way," Tommy said.
"Come on," Billy replied. "You got a plane to catch."
They all stopped in the hall.
"You guys don't think I'm taking a plane do you?" Tommy asked.
"Of course not, Tommy," Kat said. "We know that was a cover-up."
"Did you tell Zordon?" Tanya asked.
There was no time to waste. Tommy had to beg Zordon to let him go until he had to confess what happened to Kim.
"Yeah, he knows. I'm getting out of here," he replied.
"Good luck," Adam said.
Tommy reached for his left arm and teleported to Kim's room.
"Man, what's going on over there?" Rocky wondered.
"I don't think I want to know," Tanya said.
xxx
Kim jumped out of her chair and ran to Tommy as the flash of red entered her room.
"Oh, Tommy," she cried.
"I'm here, Kim, I'm here," he said.
"I'm really scared," she sobbed.
"Whatever you want me to do, I'll do it," Tommy said.
"Just hold me, don't leave tonight," Kim replied.
"I wasn't planning on leaving," Tommy smiled.
He ran his hand through Kim's hair as her head fell to his shoulder. She had never been through something like that before.
"Hey, listen to me. I'm not leaving," Tommy promised.
Kim nodded and looked down. She had been thinking, and knew what she had to do.
"I made a choice. I can't go back," Kim said.
"But this was your dream, Kim," Tommy replied.
"Not when something like this happens," she cried.
"So, what are you going to do now?" Tommy asked.
Sure, getting off the team would help some, but she still was not safe in Florida.
"I want to go home, Tommy. I'll get a job and an apartment. I've made good money here," Kim said.
"Why don't you stay with me?" Tommy suggested.
"Tommy, I'm not going to be a thorn in your parents back," Kim laughed.
He was glad to see her smile, but he didn't understand. His parents loved her and would do anything for her.
"Kim…" Tommy stressed.
"No, Tommy. This is my decision," she said.
"As much as it pains me to say this, you're right," he sighed.
"Thank you," Kim said.
xxx
May 21, 1996
Kim had just informed Coach Schmidt of her leaving.
"I'm sad to see you leave, Kimberly," Coach Schmidt frowned.
"I'm sorry coach, but it's my decision," she said. "Listen, I'd prefer for you not to tell anyone where I'm going."
Kim did not feel that she had to tell him the reason for her leaving. Tommy shook the coach's hand and grabbed Kim's paper work.
"It was nice to see again, Tommy," Coach Schmidt said.
Coach Schmitt had only met Tommy a couple of times while he was in Angel Grove.
"You too, sir. Come on, Kim, we got a plane to catch," Tommy said, throwing an arm bag over his shoulder.
He laughed remembering Billy when he said the same thing. Kim flinched a little at Tommy's touch.
"Come on," Tommy said.
When they walked out the door, Tommy asked her about it.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Yeah, it's just going to take time," Kim sighed. She looked down, then back up. "Were you serious about the plane?"
"We can't teleport all your stuff with us, Kim," Tommy laughed.
"We can always ship it," she suggested.
"I never thought of that before," Tommy said.
"That's what you have me for," Kim smiled.
xxx
Tommy put a pink bag in the passenger seat as Kim walked out to his truck.
"You got everything ready, Kim?" he asked.
They had rented a moving truck instead of just shipping Kim's things out. If she was going to get an apartment, she would need all of her things.
"Tell me again why we're not shipping?" Kim asked.
"Because, Kim, you wouldn't have anything to start out with for like a week, and you were too stubborn to stay with me for that week," Tommy laughed.
He had asked her again if she would stay with him until her stuff came in. Kim said no once again.
"You know I would if it was just you, but I'm not going to be a burden to your parents," she said.
"Well, if you won't stay with me, I'll stay with you," Tommy replied.
Kim shot her head towards Tommy in shock.
"After high school, Tommy," she replied.
"Oh, yeah. Of course," he smiled.
"Yeah right hot shot. I know what you were thinking," Kim laughed.
"I know what you were thinking also when I reached for that letter so now we're even," Tommy said.
"All right," Kim smiled.
They packed up the rest of the bed, chairs, and breakables and began their trip clear across the country.
TBC
