Disclaimer: I don't own the Power Rangers, or the settings where they have taken place. They are owned by Saban. I don't wish to get sued.
Authors Note: Car accident caused me to not post for a while. Here's a new chapter! Hope you all like it! Read and Review please!
February, down in Florida, Kimberly, Renee, and Lindsey head to meet the rest of the USA Girls Gymnastic Team at the USA Training Complex in Palm Springs. They would continue training with Coach Schmidt Monday through Thursday, which meant they could have all their classes on those days if they choose. Friday through Sunday, they would be at Palm Springs. They have six competitions all over the world during the next two years before the Olympics are to be held in Australia. The girls would all be 21 by then, and were extremely excited to compete with the team. School and gymnastics were the Pan Global Champion's lives now. They barely had any social life, which was fine with them for now. Sure, they still had nights off where they could see their friends, but it wasn't that often. The first competition this year would be August in Japan. The five new members of Team USA were excited to travel.
The girls walk into the gym with Coach Schmidt and are welcomed with open arms. "Hi, I'm Lana." One of the girls says smiling, "You must be our new teammates."
"Yup!" Renee smiles, "I'm Renee."
"Lindsey."
"Hi, I'm Kimberly." They introduce themselves.
David Jones comes over to the three girls and smiles, "Welcome to the gym girls. I'm David. Gunthar, how are you?"
"I'm well David, how are you?"
"Well, also." He smiles. "Now, girls, I understand that you will still train with Coach Schmidt while in Miami, coming here on the weekends right?"
"That's right." Kimberly says, smiling.
"Excellent. I was very pleased to see your routines at the Trials and can't wait to see what more you have for me. Kimberly, I hear Beam is your event?"
"That's probably my best." She smiles.
"Kimberly is splendid at all the events. She will do anything you tell her to try. She is one of a kind. The other two girls here are just as good." Coach smiles.
"Well, we need two girls to compete in all the events, and at least one for the all around. The first weeks will be training and getting your routines down. We will be looking at footwork and grace. Take Shannon for example." He says, pointing to her on the beam, "She is very graceful, but on the beam she is nervous. We are trying to get her out of the fear of the beam. You should be one with the beam as well as the other apparatuses." Let's get you three introduced to the team, GIRLS! Front and Center!" He calls as they all head over to the center of the gym where the new girls are. "Ladies, I'd like you all to meet our three new girls. Kimberly Hart, Renee Weaver, and Lindsey White. Girls, these are Tara Montana, Shannon Leonard, Lana Willis, Jennifer Granger, and Hillary Frost. You all will become extremely close in the next two years. All the girls are here during the weekends, most of the week they are working with their own coaches at their local gym's. It's February now, and your to choose a routine to change and make new for our competition in May. We have one in August we have a competition in Tokyo, October we have one in London, and November in Maui. We will also have shows throughout the year at different locations in the state. We have been asked to go to schools and competitions to talk with other young gymnasts who dream of getting to the degree of your stature. Australia will come faster than you think it will. It's going to be fun and hard work at the same time. We practice here, the men in the gym next to us. I am aware that you three know two of the new gymnasts?"
"Yeah Coach, Cooper and Shawn." Kimberly smiles.
"Excellent. Anyway, while you are here, you will have an apartment. This apartment will be completely furnished, and Shannon and Lindsey will share a room, as will you and Renee."
"Awesome." The girls smile.
"Alright, well, get changed, and let's see what you got for us." He smiles, "Coach, you are more than welcome to stay around."
"I planned on it." He smiles.
"Shannon, go show the girls where their lockers are."
"Right, come on girls." She smiles as they follow her to the locker room, "Each of us has a locker and a combination. Our Trainer Jess has the combination. She's located in the office back there."
"Thanks." Kim says as they head to the Trainer. They introduce themselves, get their lockers, get changed, and are back on the floor.
"Alright, Kimberly, let's see your beam routine, the one you competed the other month with."
"Ok." She smiles.
Over the next month the girls and guys gym team become very close. They all hang out together when they are around each other and call each other when they aren't. They are practically best friend because they all know what it means to eat, sleep and drink gymnastics.
Kimberly was on the phone with Tommy when Tara and Hillary come in to Renee and her apartment.
"Kim! Let's go!" Tara says, impatiently. The girls were all heading to the gym so people could take photos of their practices. They were being interviewed for the first time that night, and they were all excited.
"Hang on." She says continuing her conversation with Tommy. "I have to get going in a few seconds baby."
"No problem, I understand."
"KIM!" Tara says, walking into the room realizing she was on the phone, "Oh, sorry. Who you talking too?"
"Tommy." She says, before getting the phone taken out of her hand, "HEY!"
"Tommy?"
"Um, yeah?" He says on the other end.
"Listen, I'm going to have to steal your beautiful and athletic girlfriend away from you for a while." Tara teases, "We have to go doll her up for her interview and cameo, since she is the star of the team. Ever since we got her here the public can't take their eyes off her." She laughs, "So… HEY!" Tara snickers as Kimberly steals the phone back.
"Serves you right." Kimberly laughs, "Sorry Tommy."
He laughs, "Who was that?"
"Tara."
"I guess we're even now. My friends stole my phone to talk to you and now yours stole your phone to talk to me."
"Yeah, we're even. I love you."
"I love you too."
"I LOVE YOU TOMMY!" Hillary and Tara call to him, giggling.
"Yeah, tell them I love them too."
"He loves you too." She laughs.
"At least someone does." Hill smiles.
"Anyway I'll call you tomorrow."
"Right beautiful. Talk to you tomorrow." And with that they hang up.
"God! You girls are such jerks!" Kimberly laughs, throwing pillows at their heads.
"Hey, you wanted to join my team." Tara smiles, dodging the pillow.
"Hey, it may have been your team, but you didn't win gold." Kim teases, "You need me for that."
"Uh huh, enjoy the glow of fame now girlie, because it only lasts so long. Then a new person comes who has the talent of ten gymnasts and blows the press off you."
"Can I help it I'm good?" Kim smiles as the girls head down the hallway and begin the walk to the gym. Kimberly was happy there now. She misses her friends, but she has her gymnast friends. They were quickly turning into best friends, and Kimberly couldn't be happier.
February passes just as quickly as March and April. Kimberly was exhausted, and stressed to the max. She is working on the vault. "Ok, Kimberly, straight, tight legs."
"Ok." She says, wiping her forehead. She counts to herself, ten steps and then vaults, feeling a slight twinge in her ankle. "Weird." She says, rolling her ankle in a circle.
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I think so, my ankle feels weird." She says.
"Let me see it. It's not swelling or anything, I think you're fine." She smiles, "Back to the vault. Just a simple handspring."
Kimberly nods, "Ok." She says vaulting, not feeling the twinge anymore.
"How's it feel?"
"Not bad." She says, "Actually, it feels just fine." She shrugs, "I guess it was just a one time thing."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Ok, last vault Kimberly. You need to HIT the springboard hard and keep tight. Don't think too long or you won't complete the rotation."
"Ok." She says, as she chalks her hands up. She hadn't been doing this vault long, only about a month, but she hits it all the time. She begins her run down the pass hitting the vault she gasps as she feels a bit of pressure on her ankle. She flips and twists through the air gracefully, but when she lands that's a different story. Fire shoots up her right ankle and she cries out in pain before falling to the ground, grabbing her ankle.
"Kimberly!" Tina calls out to her running over, "What happened?"
"I don't know." She says, her tears pouring down, "My ankle just…"
David runs over to his fallin gymnast as well as Renee, "Are you ok Kimberly?" He asks.
"Kim!" Renee says, kneeling down next to her.
"My ankle just… it's burning." She says, as David kneels next to her.
"Tell me if this hurts." He says, pushing on her bone.
"No." She says, "It bottomed out. The floor bottomed out."
"Bottomed out!" David says, looking concerned. He bends her ankle forward and she screams out, "Ok, we need to get you to the hospital. You had surgery before right?"
"Yes." She says.
"Ok."
"I'm going with her." Renee says.
"No…"
"YES!" she says, "Lindsey, run over and tell Cooper she's going to the hospital."
Lindsey runs over to the door that lets you into the guys gym. The next thing they see is Cooper running through the gym doors over to his friend, "What happened squirt?"
"It bottomed out…. Oh my god, it bottomed out. The floor felt like it wasn't there anymore."
David helps her up, "See if you can put any weight on it?"
Kimberly places her foot on to the ground and winces, "I don't think I can walk on it."
Cooper picks her up, "Let's go."
"Hang on." Renee runs really quick to get their pocketbooks from their lockers and runs back.
As David, Renee, Kim, Cooper, and Tina all head out the door with a final, "Miranda, you're in charge." The gym was abuzz.
"God I hope she's ok." Shannon says.
"Me too." Lindsey says, shaking her head, "God, I hope this isn't the end of her career."
"Why would it be?"
"She had surgery on her ankle after the car crash last year. They told her she'd make a full recovery, and now this."
"She'll be fine." Shannon says, sighing.
"Ok girls, back to work. We'll hear about Kimberly later."
At the hospital, they took her right away, "Ok, x-rays and an MRI." The Doctor says.
The radiologist takes her away, and the Doctor talks to David, "Listen, Dave. I think she tore her ligaments again. I won't know until the MRI, but it's not good. She's gonna be out of commission for a bit."
"How long?"
"That depends on her. She'll be off her ankle for at least two weeks, then we'll start PT, and when she finishes that, she'll be allowed back to gymnastics, IF she is in no pain."
"Is there a chance she won't do gymnastics again?"
"Yes, there is always a chance, but, she came through it before, her old medical charts say, she could be fine. The second injury is usually worse than the first. More scar tissue. We won't know anything until surgery."
"So Tokyo's probably out." He says, shaking his head. "It's in August."
"Yeah, probably."
Renee fishes through Kimberly's pocketbook, "What are you doing?" Cooper asks her.
"Finding her cell phone."
"Why?"
"I'm gonna call Tommy."
"Wait until we know anything." Cooper says, "No sense worrying him if she doesn't need surgery. You know how he is."
She sighs, "Yeah, I guess you're right."
"Just wait and see. It's 10:00 at night, it's only 7:00 in California, he'll be able to get a flight out here easy enough, won't he?"
"I don't know." She sighs.
By 11:00, her MRI and X-Ray's were complete. Dr. Andrews looks over the results and shakes his head, "Kimberly, you are definitely going to need surgery. You see, right here, "He says, circling with a penlight, "is where the tear occurred. Your ligaments completely snapped, which is why you felt as if there was no floor under you. We have to scrape the ankle and flatten it, before attaching the ligaments. Now, there is a possibility since this is your second tear that your ankle will not be as flexible or able to support you as much as the first time."
"What's the chance?"
"I'm gonna say, right now 50/50, but we'll get you fixed up. I'm going to do my best to reconstruct your ankle as good as it was before."
"When's surgery?"
"I have an opening tomorrow. You'll have to stay over a few nights to make sure no infections are going to be occurring. I'm worried about tonight though, your blood pressure is sky high."
"Don't say that." Kim says groaning. "The last time I was in for surgery it rocketed and then dropped and I almost died."
"Well, we want to keep you over tonight, especially with the history of pain killers you are sensitive to. Is that alright?"
"Do I have to?"
"We'd like you to." He replies.
She groans, "Alright."
"I'll stay with you kid." Cooper replies.
"Yeah, me too."
"No, you guys have practice tomorrow…"
"Coach, we won't be at practice tomorrow." Cooper says.
"I won't either." Coach David replies, with a faint smile, "Will you be alright tonight?"
"Fine." Kimberly says, sighing, "I just want to get this over with."
"Ok, so tomorrow at six, we'll be prepping you. I'm going to give you something to ease the pain, if you need it."
"Oh, I need it." Kim replies, wanting to scream at the slightest movement of her ankle.
"Alright, lets get you all signed in."
When Renee and Cooper were left at the hospital, Kimberly sighs, "So, looks like the Olympics are down the drain."
"Don't say that Kim, it's a 50/50 chance. You'll be fine." Cooper replies.
"I don't think I can be lucky twice on the same surgery." She says, her eyes filling up with tears. She takes her cell phone and dials Tommy's number. She wanted to... no she needed to talk to him, but all she got was his voice mail, on both his cell phone and in his room. She hangs up without leaving a message and the tears of pain and grief pour down her face.
"You'll be fine." Renee says, hugging her friend.
"My blood pressure is already up…"
"You're scared." Cooper says.
"This is the end of my career…"
"You'll get through it. I promise Squirt."
She feels the pain meds take affect and closes her eyes.
Renee picks up Kimberly's cell phone and finds Tommy's cell phone number. She dials it, hoping that she'll get him. It rings about three times before he picks up the line, "Hey Kim, what are you doing up so late?"
"Tommy, it's Renee."
"Renee?" He says, fear suddenly taking over his entire body as Jason turns in his chair to hear what his best friend's roommate needs. "What's wrong?"
"Listen, today at practice, Kimberly tore her ankle again. She's ok, but she needs surgery. Her ligaments completely tore away from the bone. They aren't sure if she can compete anymore."
"Oh my god." He says, looking at Jason, "Kimberly needs surgery on her ankle, they aren't sure if she'll be able to compete."
"She tried calling you earlier, but you weren't there." Renee says.
"Yeah, I know, I was working out. Ok, I'm gonna get the first flight out of here and I'll meet you at the hospital…"
"We're at the one in Palm Springs. Just get a taxi and head down."
"Right, I'll be there as soon as I can." He says, hanging up. He throws some things into a suitcase.
"I'm guessing you aren't coming home for break now." Jason smiles.
"No." he says, calling his mother and then the airport. He gets the last flight out of California which was at midnight, "I'll let you know how she is."
"Give her a kiss for me." Jason replies.
"Right." He says. He leaves at 10:30 and gets to the airport 30 minutes later. He grabs his ticket from the front desk and hops on the long, six hour flight to Florida. He sleeps during the flight, but was extremely worried about Kimberly. He didn't care that he wasn't going home. His life was with her, and he wasn't going to leave her when she was having surgery. He was getting fed up with being so far away from her when big things, both good and bad occur. It wasn't anyone's fault, but he was getting tired of it.
6:00 am, Kimberly was being prepped for surgery. "The surgery will take about two and a half hours Kimberly." Dr. Andrews says, "We'll keep you in for a couple days just to check that everything is healing. Do you have any questions?"
"No." She says.
"Are you allergic to any medications?"
"Not that I know of, no." She sighs.
"Ok, we'll get you under and work on you."
"Please, do everything you can. I don't wanna have to quit the team." She says, practically in tears.
"I promise." The Doctor says, smiling at her, "Take deep breaths and count backwards from 100."
Kimberly did what she was told, number 90 was the last number she remembers.
Around 8:00, Tommy gets to the hospital, and sees Cooper and Renee sitting there, with another man, he assumes is the coach, "Hey guys."
"Tommy, hi." Renee says, hugging him.
Cooper smiles, shaking his hand, "Hey bro."
"Hey, any news on her?"
"No, she's in surgery. They took her in around 6:00, and then I'm guessing it took close to a half hour to prep her. We should hear in another hour how she is." Renee explains.
"Ok. Does she know I'm here?"
"No. She was a bit out of it with the medication they gave her." Cooper says, watching David give them an odd look, "Tommy, this is David, our coach, David, this is Tommy, Kimberly's fiancé."
"Nice to meet you." David says, shaking Tommy's hand.
"You too." He says, returning the shake. "Does her mom know?"
"We didn't call her."
"I'll give her a call now then." He says, picking up his cell phone and dialing the Dumas house number. He talks briefly with her mother and lets her know what is going on, and that she'll be fine. She tells him to call her soon and let her know what was going on which he agrees to. They hang up and wait for news.
At 9:00, the doctor comes out to talk to Dave and the other two gymnasts. "Dave, her surgery went very well. We fixed the ligaments, scraped the bone and scar tissue, and I am hoping that she'll make a full recovery."
"When can we see her?" Tommy asks.
"I'm sorry, you are?" He asks.
"Her fiancé." Tommy replies.
"She's in recovery right now, if you'd like to come back now that's perfectly fine."
"Go on Tommy." Cooper says.
He nods and follows the doctor back to the room Kimberly would be occupying for the next few days, "Did you give her the shot to bring her back?"
"Yes Doctor." The nurse says, "Kimberly, wake up." She says, as she sees her starting to stir.
"You can talk to her. If she hears a familiar voice she is more likely to wake up faster." The second nurse in the room says.
"Kim…" He says, brushing a piece of hair out of her face, "Kimberly, wake up. Come on sleeping beauty, time to wake up."
She opens her eyes slowly, trying to focus on the people around her, "Tommy?" She asks, as her eyes focus on his face.
"Yeah, it's me." He smiles at her, kissing her forehead.
"What are you doing here!" She says, groggy from the anesthesia.
"I was in the area." He laughs, "No, I was at school and Renee called me. She told me you needed surgery and, well, here I am." He smiles.
"School…"
"Is off for Spring Break." He smiles, "You have pretty good timing with these surgeries and accidents, but let's not make a habit of it ok?"
She smiles, "Thanks for being here Tommy."
He smiles back at her, "You couldn't have paid me enough to stay away. So what's the big idea huh?"
"What?"
"I mean, you make it to the Olympics and then decide to tear your ankle?" he smiles softly at her.
"You know me. Always the drama queen." She smiles.
"Well, a bit more PT, then you'll be able to get back on the mats, beams, vaults and bars."
"I hope so."
"Don't talk like that. You WILL."
She smiles, "I will."
"You know, I'm really getting sick and tired of you being in the hospital. I mean, first it was falling off the balance beam, then it was for the car accident, and now for gymnastics again."
"But, this time wasn't as serious in a way." She sighs.
"You'll be fine. The next time you are in the hospital, I'm staying home."
"Yeah, right." She smiles.
This surgery was no where near as bad as her last one. She actually felt rather good this time, with the exception of one night where she felt awful. She was in the hospital for two days before released. She was sent back to her apartment and would be starting PT almost right away. Tommy arranged it so he would stay with her for the week and fly back Sunday before his classes started up again. Kimberly was glad he came. She misses him so much when he is gone, but knows that it won't last forever. They would be married in a few years, after college and start their lives.
Saturday afternoon, they are sitting in the sitting area of the apartment watching a movie. Tommy sighs, looking down at Kimberly.
"What?" She says, looking up at him.
"I hate always leaving you." He says honestly, "It seems like the second I get here, I'm gone just as fast."
"I know what you mean." She sighs too, "It won't be forever."
"Then you are going to be traveling and school and practice. I'm barely going to see you this summer…"
"We'll see each other Tommy. We didn't see each other much while I was training for the Pan Globals, but we made it work."
"Except for the whole Hannah thing." He reminds her, causing her to frown.
"Not my fault buster." She says, poking him in the chest.
He smiles, "I know… but it doesn't have to be this way."
"Yes it does for now."
"No it doesn't." He says, "I could move down here, we could see each other more often."
"You are NOT dropping out of school."
"I'm not saying dropping out of, I'm saying transfer. I could transfer down here."
"No you can't." She says, sitting up, "Tommy, we don't have your major down here…"
"I don't have to do paleontology… I could do something else."
"Like what? What interests you that much?"
"I don't know I'd find something…"
"What about on the weekends when I am at Palm Springs, and you can barely see me? What about when I travel? What about…"
"I don't care, at least I am closer to you."
"What about the others? Tommy, you CAN'T give up something in a major you love so much. It isn't fair. We need to get through school, and then everything will be fine. You and I will be together. There is plenty of time for us to live together."
"We were always together in high school, and then our lives took us on different paths." He sighs.
"Not different, just longer. I'm in Florida, you're in California. I miss California, but I'm not willing to give up my dreams here. I need to do this and you need to become a doctor of paleontology so you can teach. That's all there is too it. We're in our second year of college almost. It went by quick and it worked out."
"Don't you want to be closer"
"I do, but it's completely obscured for you to move all the way out here and pick a major you don't even like."
"I'd be willing to do it for you Kimberly…"
"I don't want you to do that. I don't want to be the reason you left UCLA and chose a major you don't like. We'll get through this. You'll leave, we'll talk, I'll strengthen my ankle, hopefully to a point where I can compete again, and we'll see each other soon. "
"I just wanna be with you Kim."
"I know, but we need to finish up some other things before that totally happens." She says, kissing his cheek, "I love you Tommy. I'm not going anywhere down here, and you aren't going anywhere up there. We have a few more years and then we are done school and other things. Let's not mess this up now ok?"
He smiles, nodding his head, "I guess you're right."
"Of course I am." She says, smiling.
"So, are you ready to start PT next week?"
"Ugh." She says, "It's going to be like ten times worse than before." She sighs.
"No it won't. You know what to expect. You'll be fine, and in a few months, you'll be back to gymnastics."
"God, I hope so Tommy."
"You will be, don't worry."
Sunday, Kimberly says goodbye to him as he heads to the airport. Kimberly was going to go with him, but he didn't want her to be in more pain then she has to be. Any pressure on her ankle hurt, and he didn't want her walking around the airport on crutches.
"I'll call you when I get home."
"Alright. I love you."
"I love you too." He smiles and kisses her, "I'll see you in a month or so."
"Ok." She smiles up at him. With one last kiss he heads out to meet his cab.
On Monday, Kimberly heads to the Doctors for her first day of Physical Therapy. Cooper takes her and will stay. He didn't have practice tonight, so he didn't have to worry about what time she would be finished. It was an hour long, so he brought his text book that needed to be read for the next class.
"Thanks Cooper." Kimberly says as he holds the door open for her as they head into the Hospital.
"No problem Squirt. You ready for this?"
"I'm ready to do what ever the hell I have to do so I can compete again." She sighs.
"You'll be fine." He says. Kim smiles at him and signs in, awaiting her turn with the therapist. Their were two working with her, a woman on Monday and every other Wednesday, and a man on Friday and every other Wednesday the woman wasn't helping her. Dr. Lawson and Dr. Reynolds were the names of the doctors. She hears her name called and heads back with Dr. Lawson.
"Kimberly, it's nice to meet you. I heard you had a bit of an accident on the vault?"
"Well, I didn't really have an accident, my ankle just kind of gave way."
"Yes, Dave told me. HE and I go way back." She says, "Old friends in High School. Now, I'd like to go over what is going to occur during your time here. We are going to do everything in our power to strengthen your ankle. We're going to be working on walking first with partial use of crutches. Weights are going to be our main tool of strengthening. You'll be fine, but you have to work through this. Even if it gets to be too hard, you have to do it if you want to ever have a chance of competing again."
"I'm pretty stubborn." Kim laughs, "You don't have to worry about me."
"Alright, let's get started."
"Ok." She says.
"Don't over work yourself though. Small steps at first. You're still not fully healed."
"Don't I know it." Kim sighs.
After two months of Physical Therapy, she was able to return to gymnastics, however, to her dismay, she couldn't participate in the Tokyo competition. She was not at all ready to compete against the best in the world, which was extremely upsetting to herself and her team. Kimberly, however, always wanting to seem 'ok' worked her hardest and was ready to go cheer on her team as they prepared for the competition. The week before the competition, she was pushing herself extremely hard. David was getting worried about her and pulls her into his office during practice.
"Have a seat Kimberly." He says, smiling at her. "I wanna talk to you about Tokyo."
"What about?"
"You have been pushing yourself hard, too hard I am worried about…"
"I just wanna get strong for the competition… I mean, I want to get to the point that I can compete."
"Yeah, but you aren't doing yourself any good by over working and hurting yourself again. You're not strong enough yet to compete, and I think you know this too."
Kimberly sighs, but agrees, "You're right David. I just want to get back out there."
"So, let's work towards the next competition then. Forget about Tokyo, that's done for you. Let's just work on your routines and getting you strong for London in October. You'll sit this round out, and we'll show them in October."
"What if I'm not ready by October?" She asks, "I'm so scared that if I don't push myself I'll never be strong enough to compete in October."
"Well, if you keep going at the rate you are, you won't be competing in October, or November, or in Australia because you are going to cause so much damage that your talent and hard work will go down the drain. You don't want that do you?"
"Of course not."
"So, tone it down a bit Kim. You'll be ready for October, but there is no way you'll be ready in a week for August. It's not your fault…"
"I know. I just wish…"
"You'll be there with us, on the side lines, keeping the team upbeat." He smiles, "And giving them advice. You just worry about getting strong on your own time, because I think you have a chance of winning gold in the all around." He winks at her.
She smiles brightly, "Does that mean I am one of the two who will be competing that?"
"You are the first… I'm in between three for the second spot. You are very talented Kim, and you know that. I can't wait till you show me the new routine you are going to be working on once you are COMPLETELY healed." He says, "Now, get back out there, and take it easy."
"I will." She smiles, and with a slight limp she heads out. She works on her footwork on the beam, but no dismounts or mounts. She doesn't want to over strain her ankle.
August 29, Team USA arrives in Tokyo's gymnastics' complex. The team, clad in their warm-ups walk into the gym and stretch out. Kimberly was right there to talk to them and stretch out with them. She longed to be out there on the mats, but knows it is not an option, so she decides to make the best of it and help out where she can. Megan was an alternate, and would be competing in Kimberly's spot. Kim go along with her, but she was not good enough for the team. She was only 14, and not ready for a global competition, but she was the best replacement they could find.
"Kimberly!" Renee calls to her.
"Yeah?"
"I need you to fix this braid. It isn't gonna hold for the competition." She says.
"Ok, let me just go get gel and hairspray from my bag. I'll be right back." Kimberly walks over to the locker room and grabs her bag. She drags it back out to the gym floor and sits on the chair while Renee sits on the floor in front of her.
"Thanks girl."
"What would you do without me?"
"I have no idea." Renee laughs, "Probably lose my sanity."
"Cover your face, I'm gonna spray." She says, as she completely covers her teammates hair with hairspray. "Ok, I think you're good. Niagara Falls couldn't mess up your hair."
"Thanks." She smiles, "I wish you were out there with us."
"Hey, I'm on the side lines, it's almost as good." She smiles.
"October."
"I'll be there." She smiles. "Show them what team USA is made of, ok?"
"You got it." Renee says.
"RENEE! OVER HERE!" Hillary and Jen call.
She runs over as Kim gives them a small smile.
Kim sighs, but smiles through her disappointment. She wants nothing more than to be out there with her team, but because of her ankle, that wouldn't happen this time.
The announcer really depressed Kimberly, as she constantly heard about her not being able to compete, "The USA Gymnastics team had a huge loss for this competition. Kimberly Hart, the gold medalist of Pan Globals, and the one that is said to help them bring gold to the US in Sydney is on the injured list. She had an unfortunate accident while practicing when she split the ligaments and tendons, causing her to have immediate surgery. It is not certain when she will be back competition again, but for right now, she is being replaced by the newcomer who is quite young, 14 years old to be exact, Megan Sheldon. We'll have to see how she does in the footsteps of Kimberly."
Kim bites her lip every time she hears the replacement word. It was just like Katherine with her powers, and then Hannah with her boyfriend, now it is Megan with her team. She shakes that out of her head when David comes over and talks to Kimberly about what he needs from her. She was acting as assistant coach and needs her help keeping the girls calm and prepping them for their events. Kim agreed to do it, because she felt so bad about not being out there. She would do everything in her power to make sure everyone was as energetic and relaxed as possible.
The meet couldn't have gone worse. The girls just weren't on today. Russia was beating the pants off of USA, along with China. Kimberly sat there with eyes wide when three of her teammates fell off the bars, beam, and botched a vault. Megan was one of them. She actually fell off the beam once, getting a 8.7 and off the bars giving her a 9.0. David and Kimberly exchanged several glances during the routines. Lindsey, Renee, Tara, and Hillary were what's keeping the girls out of fifth place. They were in Fourth as of now.
The first time Megan fell off she was very upset about it. She came off the apparatus frowning, but Kimberly couldn't blame her. She goes up to the young gymnast and puts an arm around her, "What happened out there?"
"I don't know." Megan sighs.
"Didcha loose your concentration? I've seen you do the back handspring, back flip combination perfectly hundreds of times."
"I guess so." She sighs, still frowning, with her hands crossed.
"Well, push it out of your mind, because we need you."
"yeah right."
"Megan, we do need you. One fall isn't the end of the world. Now, if it was in the Olympics you should be devastated." Kim teases, "I've fallen before in events. I didn't even think I was going to be able to go to Pan Globals because I ended up in the hospital a week before tryouts."
"Doing what? A dismount?"
"I wish… that would have been a good way to fall, no a back handspring. I fell doing a back handspring. My friend Kat found me unconscious. But that's not the point right now. Everyone falls, you did it in a competition. Learn from your mistakes. You got bars next, followed by floor. We are still in this." Kim smiles.
"Thanks Kimberly."
"Anytime. Go get ready." She says, as the girl stands up and heads to David talking about what to change for the next routine.
"They're killing us Kimberly." Renee says, pulling on her warm-ups.
"We are still in it."
"We are doing awful. This isn't the team we were in practice."
"I am aware of that. I could probably score better than some with a lower degree of difficulty. I hate sitting back and watching this."
"We need you."
"I don't agree. If our team competed like we did at practice we would have won, with or without me. This is just…"
"Nerves." Tara sighs. "Well, I for one am not giving up."
"Me neither." Renee says.
"Good, and I wont' either. I'll be back and better than ever for October, just wait and see." Kim smiles.
"Good." Renee says.
Kimberly stands up and walks over to David, "This isn't our team…" He says.
"Nerves got the best of them." Kimberly shrugs.
"Well, I hope they
change their attitude and fear because, we don't have a chance
without the whole team doing well, even with you, Renee, Tara,
Hillary, and Lindsey."
Kimberly sighs, "Coach, there is no
reason to brand us after one bad competition. Keep your hopes up.
They could pull it off to medal."
"I hope you're right Kim." He says, "RENEE! WATCH THE BOUNDS!" He calls to the co-captain of the team. She nods and starts her first pose. Dave bites his knuckle, "Come on Renee, we need this."
Kimberly sits down and patiently watches her roommate complete her routine to almost perfection, "THAT'S IT RENEE! WAY TA GO!" Kimberly screams, jumping out of her seat.
"I hope that was good enough to tie us." Renee says, out of breath.
"Amazing job!" Dave smiles, hugging the girl.
Her score was 9.8, they were tied for third.
After all the little problems and mistakes, the US placed third. Kimberly was happy that they medaled, but was upset still that she wasn't out there suffering with them. It was easy to be on the sidelines, but knowing that you were not the best team at the competition because of your routines was different.
The girls all celebrated afterward, and two days later they were on a plane back to Florida. Kimberly couldn't wait to work her ankle more. There is just a short two months until the next competition and she was going to be a part of it no matter what.
All summer, the USA Gymnasts were practicing for the Olympics. It was now only a year away, and the gang's Junior year of College. It was September, and the group were busy discussing what to do for Tommy's 21st. Only three were 21 already, but they were thinking about dinner and the club. Tommy really didn't care because the one person who would matter couldn't be there. She was studying and training in Florida. He was a bit depressed, but was getting over it. September 21 fell on a Saturday this year, so everyone would be back together at UCLA, everyone except for Trini, Kat, Billy and Kimberly.
"So Tommy, here's the itinerary." Rocky says, throwing his arm around his friends shoulder. "Friday night, we go out to the bar and get smashed. Well it will be more like midnight Saturday morning. I'm not talking about a little smashed I'm talking about falling over, don't even remember what we drank, smashed. That's with you, me, and Jason. We hit a few bars…"
"Rocky…"
"Oh and if you want, a couple other of our outside group can come. Then, Aisha decided that dinner and the club sounds good. More drinking, more partying, more forgetting. The best part of all of this is that we have a ton of DD's." He smiles.
Tommy couldn't help but laugh, "We didn't do all of this last month for your birthday."
"I know, and I have a lot to make up." He smiles, "Besides, what else are you going to be doing? I mean, honestly, you don't have Kimberly here, so she's out of the question." He laughs, "No pun intended."
"With you? Why would I ever think that?" He smiles.
"Now, afterwards, we are going to be coming back here and chillin. It'll be a blast." Rocky smiles.
"I don't know Rocky…"
"We have to do SOMETHING for your birthday and this is what it is going to be."
"We'll see." He says again, "I'll go to the club, and dinner, but the bar that morning is iffy."
"You're going." Jason says, coming up behind his friend.
Tommy smiles, "Alright, alright."
"Adam's already willing to be DD."
Meanwhile, Aisha was on the phone with Kimberly, "So, I got off practice for a few days. I was able to take Saturday-Wednesday off, since it was our schools fall break."
"That's great Kim! Tommy will be so surprised."
"Come on now, I couldn't miss his 21st."
"So what's the plan?"
"I'm gonna come home to the LA Airport, and taxi over to your place, get dressed and then we'll go to the restaurant and the club."
"Right, it sounds good, but girl, what time are you arriving?"
"I should be there by noon. I can't wait to get home. I miss you guys so much."
"We miss you too. So, my Fellow yellow says she stopped by."
"Yeah, I couldn't believe it! She showed up to practice… but… Aisha hold on for a second," Kimberly says turning her attention to her teammate, "Yeah Tara?"
"We need to get to the gym."
"Now!"
"Yeah, David needs to time our routines, and Renee's."
"Ugh, ok," She says, turning back to the phone, "Aisha, I need to go. We're getting timed. I'll see you Friday and will call you if anything else changes."
"Alright girl, I'll talk to you later."
"Right."
"Bye!"
"Bye." Kim says, as she hangs up the phone and heads down to the gym with Tara.
Friday, Kimberly was on the plane at 5:00 in the morning. She was flying to Texas and then hopping the plane up to LA. She was so excited to go home that she could almost not sleep, however, she managed to catch a few Z's on the plane. When they landed in Texas, Kimberly found that her plane was delayed for at least two hours. She called Aisha and told her to expect her in about four hours, but by the time she was ready to take off, it was almost 7:00 in Texas. There was a storm and Kimberly was very upset. She wanted nothing more than to drive home, but decided she was thinking crazy thoughts.
"Aisha."
"Hey. Where are you?"
"Still in Texas, but the rain is just starting to let up, so they think we'll be taking off very soon."
"But you won't get here in time for dinner." Aisha sighs.
"I know, and you won't be able to pick me up because you have to give some horrid excuse."
"Yeah… well, I could pick you up."
"Aisha, I'll just get a taxi to the club."
"I feel bad, you won't be able to change or anything."
"I will. I'll go to the Oliver's. I'll get dressed and then come right over to the club."
"Ok." Aisha sighs, "But, how about you just take my car to the club? I mean, my parents can leave it at Tommy's house and you can drive it down, then I can keep it here…."
"Listen, I'll get to the club one way or another, don't' worry about that. If you want me to drive your car I will, and if not then I'll take a taxi. No big deal Sha."
"Ok, as long as you get here. You know where it is don't you?"
"Yeah, it's the Lagoon right?"
"Yeah, on the main drag."
"Ok, I'll be there, and if I'm not, I'll be at your dorms tonight. I'll let you know though."
"Ok Kim, fly safe."
"Like I have a choice." She giggles. "Talk to you soon Sha."
"Bye Kim."
Tommy was sitting in his dorm room on the computer, e-mailing Kimberly, when his phone rings, "Hello?"
"Hey handsome."
"Hey beautiful." He smiles, brightly. "I was just e-mailing you."
"Really? Why?"
"I missed ya."
"I missed and still miss ya." She sighs, "Happy birthday."
"Thanks Kim."
"How was your night of drinking with Jase and Rocco?"
"Pretty fun. I didn't get too drunk. Tonight will be more fun. I mean, we'll be going to dinner then clubbing."
"I wish I could do that. My clubbing is at the gym we all belong too and my dinner will be a salad and soup."
"That will be part of mine."
"You deserve it. I wish I was there Tommy, I'm sorry."
"Hey, it's not your fault. You have gymnastics, and you really can't get out of that." He says, trying to hide the disappointment in his voice. The truth is, he really would have rather spent the night in with her on his birthday rather than out with all his friends… however, the ultimate birthday would be all his friends back home and his girlfriend there too, but that too will not happen just yet.
"I know, but I still feel bad." She says, smiling on the other end.
"Kim, we'll celebrate when you come home for Thanksgiving."
"I'll hold you to that. You and I are going to go out to dinner, my treat."
"I'll hold you to that." He smiles.
"Well, I better go." She says, as they call her flight.
"Where are you?"
"At the gym. David's calling for us over the loud speaker. I love you."
"I love you too Kimberly."
"Happy birthday Tommy, and I'll call you later."
"Ok, thanks honey. Bye."
"Bye." She smiles and finally loads the plane.
The flight had turbulence from the storm but it was an ok flight. Kimberly was sick and tired of being stuck in an airport or on a plane. She hailed a taxi at 8:00 when she arrived at the airport and drove the short distance to Angel Grove. She walked up to her future in-law's house and knocked on the door once, before opening it up, "Hello?" She calls, which was surprisingly quiet. She looks around and hears the TV on in the den, so she walks over, and knocks, "Morgan?"
A guy was sitting on the couch obviously waiting for Morgan to come back, "Um, who are you?" The teen asks.
"Who are you?" Kimberly asks.
"Jake."
"Oh, you're Jake." She smiles.
"Yeah."
"Where's Morgan?"
"She went to the basement to get some soda's."
"Ok." Kimberly says.
"So, who are you?"
"I'm Kimberly." She says.
"I didn't think Morgan had a sister."
"Not yet." She smiles, as she turns around as she hears a noise coming up the stairs.
"KIMBERLY!" Morgan says, running over to her.
"Hey girl." She smiles, hugging her fiancé's sister.
"I've missed you."
"I've missed you too. Where's mom and dad?"
"They are out to dinner."
"Darn, when are they coming home?"
"Soon. Why are you so late?"
"My plane got delayed. How's your brother today?"
"Haven't you talked to him?"
"Yeah, but I wanted to ask how YOU thought he was."
"He misses ya."
"Well, I miss him."
"You're missing dinner."
"I missed dinner. They are probably finishing up and heading to the club. I am gonna get dressed, hopefully see your parents, and then head over to the club."
"Are you coming back?"
"I don't see why not. I'll drag your brother with me."
"Good." She smiles.
"Well, if you two don't mind, I'm gonna go get a shower and get ready to go see my fiancé." Kimberly heads upstairs to her usual room and pulls out her outfit for the night. She would be wearing a pair of tight black pants, an aqua halter top that ties around her neck, and a pair of black and aqua platform sandals.
"Kim?"
"Yeah?"
"So, what do you think about Jake?"
"He's cute. Is he older than you?"
"Yeah, but we're in the same grade."
"Well that's good. I can't believe you are a junior!"
"So are you." Morgan laughs.
"I know." She smiles.
"When are you leaving?"
"In about an hour. I need to get ready, like I told you downstairs." She teases Morgan.
"Ok cool."
"So I'll talk to you in a bit." Kim says as she heads into the bathroom and grabs a quick shower before wrapping a towel around her and heading back out the bathroom to the bedroom. She searches though her bags she brought and realized, "Damn, I forgot my hairdryer." She calls downstairs, "Hey Morgan!"
"Yeah?"
"Where's your hairdryer?"
"In the hall closet, and if it's not in there check Tommy's room."
"Why Tommy's?"
"He has a bigger room, and when he isn't here, it's my changing room." She laughs.
Kim rolls her eyes, but smiles, "Thanks." As she goes in search of the hairdryer. She does her hair and makeup. Her hair is tied back out of her face in a pile of curls, her makeup is done to perfection as she gives herself a once over in the full length mirror before heading downstairs. "Morg! Where did mom put the keys to Aisha's car?"
"I put them on the kitchen table." Mrs. Oliver says, causing Kimberly to jump a bit.
"I didn't know you were home yet."
"We just got in." She smiles, hugging her. "How are you honey?"
"Good, you?"
"Good. How's the ankle?"
"Not bad. It's getting stronger every day."
"Well that's good. Does my son know you are here yet?"
"No. He'll know in a few minutes though. They are all at the club."
"Ah, well get going, and have fun. I better see you here soon, before you leave again."
"You will, maybe Sunday or Monday. I'll be here till Wednesday and drag your son home with me."
"Ok, have fun honey."
"Thanks Mom." She smiles and heads out the door to Aisha's yellow car. She jumps in and starts to drive to the club in LA. Kimberly smiles as she drives down the familiar streets, and through the city. She parks her car right next to Rocky's jeep and heads into the club. The cover charge was 10 dollars which Kim gladly paid. She spotted Adam first and quickly made his way over to him. She taps him on the shoulder and he whips around. "KIM!"
"Hey Adam." She says, hugging him, "What's up?
"It's a good thing you are here. Tommy's been trying to fend off this girl from the beginning of the night… actually he's been trying to fend off a couple of them."
"So I better rescue them?"
"Yeah." He smiles.
"And why aren't you dancing?"
"I was, but I wanted to grab a drink."
"Where are the others?"
"Aisha, and Zack are on the dance floor. Jason ran out to talk to Kat. Rocky is over by Tommy hitting on a few girls. Tommy is…" He scouts the club, "Ah, there, trying to fight off the girls, and the rest are all around, probably dancing."
"Sound's like a good night."
"So far. Go surprise Tommy."
"I'll try to get through the group without being stopped." She smiles, as she makes her way over to her fiancé. She waves to her friends, who eagerly await Tommy's surprise.
"Nah, I'm gonna just stay here." She hears him say to the girls. "I have a fiancé. I'm not really looking to be with anyone else."
Kimberly was now standing behind him, directly and taps him on the shoulder, "What would you say about a dance if I buy you a drink?" She says as he turns around.
"Kimberly!" He says, picking her up into a hug, before kissing her. "What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to surprise you. Happy birthday Tommy."
"This couldn't have been a better birthday gift." He smiles. "I can't believe you are here."
"Well believe it handsome. I wouldn't have missed this for the world. I'm just glad I made it. I had a long layover in Texas. It was awful. I'm sorry I missed dinner."
"I don't care." He smiles…"Wait, how did you get here?"
"Aisha's car. Honey, we've all had this planned for weeks." She laughs.
"Come on, let's go dance, and see the rest." He smiles, leading her over, their fingers entwined. "I hate you all."
"We know." Aisha says, hugging her best friend. "How's my car?"
"Fine." She winks, "Thanks."
"Let's dance." Zack says.
Tommy will always remember this birthday because Kimberly was there. She flew all the way from Florida, taking days away from practicing to spend it with him. It was the best birthday ever, and he didn't want to see it end. Kimberly didn't either, and had to make a decision… one that could make or break her gymnastics career. She knew she could get her degree at UCLA, but gymnastics would go no farther than college, and she needed to figure some things out. As she dances with Tommy her mind wanders, "Do I want to stay here? Do I want to leave? What is going to happen… What should I do?"
Kimberly sighs and Tommy looks down at her, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." She says, dancing with him.
"Nothing?"
"It's really nothing Tommy…."
"Do you promise?"
"It's just me. Don't worry about it."
"Come on, let's go out on the patio, and you can talk to me." She reluctantly allows herself to be drug to the patio. He sits down next to her and smiles, "So, shoot."
"We only have till Wednesday." She sighs.
"I'm glad to have that time with you."
"No, we only have to Wednesday."
"Kim…"
"The last time you came down, we talked about transferring, and I think I am going too."
"What about gymnastics?"
"My ankle is shot, I mean, it works, but who knows if it will blow out again… it's not worth not having you."
"It's the OLYMPICS Kimberly. You have been training for years for this. This is your dream."
"Just like the Junior Olympics, Pan Globals, becoming a teacher, staying with you…" She sighs, "I seem to have a lot of dreams, and you are getting stuck in the middle of them."
"no I'm not. We are going through this together. What ever you do, I am right there with you. I can't let you throw this away Kim, just like you couldn't let me throw away my paleontology degree."
"I just hate leaving." He laughs, "What are you laughing at?"
"You."
"Me? Why?" She asks, her eyes wide.
"You sound just like I did, so I am going to take the role of Kimberly Hart, ok? You can't throw your dream away. Your ankle has healed very nicely, and it is continuing to do so every day. You are going to the Olympics in less than a year. We are graduating in a year, hopefully. We have our whole lives to be together. I'm not going anywhere Kimberly, I can promise you that."
Kimberly smiles, with tears in her eyes, "I'm not either…"
"Yes you are." Tommy says, "You're going to be traveling back to Florida and all over the place for the Olympics."
Kim nods, "I just get so worried…"
"We love each other. We are going to be married. We've been through too much to let another year go by and one of us lose our dreams. I won't let that happen."
"I just love you so much, and miss you."
"Ditto, but it's gonna be ok. You're gonna bring home a medal and a degree, and I'm gonna bring home a doctorate one of these days. It will all fall in place, I promise."
Kim wraps her arms around him, as he holds her close. "I love you Kim."
"I love you too." She says, as he kisses the top of her head.
"Now, let's go back inside and have fun. Lets make the most of these days."
"Definitely. Oh, and we're going to your parents either tomorrow or Monday."
"Already making a schedule for me eh?"
"Always." She smiles, as he takes her hand and leads them both to the group on the dance floor.
Both had their fears, but in the end, they know they will be ok. Kimberly would be so busy practicing and studying, and Tommy studying that the year would go fast. It was always hard leaving them, but coming back was always 100 times better. 1999 was quickly ending, and the Millennium was upon them. They would be together for the end of 1900's and the beginning of the 2000's. As long as they were together, everything was wonderful, and they would get through what ever is thrown at them.
Sorry this took so long, I was in a serious car accident New Years Eve day, around 10:00, so I'm trying to recover and all.
I hope you all enjoyed it! Please read and Review… they have really been great and I appreciate them greatly!
The next chapter will be coming very soon!
Check out "The Diary" Too if you get a chance and Review too please! Another T/K in the process.
I'll be posting another chapter very very soon, I promise.
Thanks!
LUNA