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: Sorry for the delay. Writers block and lack of time. Here's a new chapter! Its a long one! Hope you all like it! Read and Review please!
November 20 Renee and Kimberly were packing for their week and a half away. They had to pack a lot of stuff, including their homework and class work they would be missing during this time. The girls look through their closets and pack everything they can think of that will be needed.
"Kim!"
"Yeah?"
"Are you bringing your hair dryer or should I bring mine?"
"Yours is smaller. You bring that, and I'll bring the shampoo, conditioner, gel, and hairspray."
"Sounds like a plan. What about a curling iron?"
"Um, I have one still at the Oliver's. I'll just grab mine when we get to Angel Grove."
"Ok, what about a hand mirror."
"Same place as my curling iron. I have a ton of stuff there, that I'll just ship back with Tommy when we leave Maui."
Renee smiles, "Alright."
"And, if we forget anything, I'll borrow it off of Tommy's sister."
"He has a sister?"
"Yeah, Morgan, she's 16."
"Ah."
"Yeah, and she won't mind."
"That works then."
They finish packing and get a cab to catch their 12:00pm flight from Miami to LA. It was a long flight, but the girls had plenty to do. All of the gymnasts were going home or to a friend's place to relax and practice on their "home turf" before the competition. It was thanksgiving week, so they were all excited to spend a few days before the holiday with their friends. The gymnasts would be in Maui for the actual holiday, which wasn't a big deal. Kim sat by the window, reading her Educational Psychology book, as Renee read her science book. "Ugh, this biology book is awful." Renee groans, "I am falling asleep just reading it."
"Ed. Psych is no better. If I have to read one more thing about cognitive development, I'm liable to puke."
"Ok, so I feel really guilty not practicing today." Renee says.
"So do I. It's weird."
"Yeah. I really need to work on my beam routine still, my dismount is not as solid as I need it to be."
"We'll go either tonight or bright and early tomorrow. I need to work on the vault."
"We need to work on everything." Renee says.
"Yeah we do. Dave and Schmidt will kill us if we falter."
"We have a lot to live up to, getting first in London."
"Yes, yes we do. I can't believe how much homework I have though. This is gonna be difficult to get done."
"Mine too. Hopefully we'll get half done on the plane."
"Hopefully." Kim says, turning her attention back to her book.
The girls work until they were landing. "Who's picking us up?"
"Tommy, I'm guessing. If not him then someone." Kim laughs, "I assure you we will be picked up by someone."
"That's so comforting." Renee smiles.
"I've gotten use to it." Kim laughs, "Who ever is there, is who I get picked up by."
They feel the bump of the landing and watch the world outside as the plane taxies into the gate. "Do we have everything Kimberly?" Renee asks, as they slide out of their seats.
"Yeah." She says looking under and above their seats, "Let's go."
"Ok." Renee says as they walk out of the plane. They look over the crowed and don't see their ride, "Do you see… anyone?"
"No, but Tommy's a bit notorious for being late." Kimberly shrugs, "Let's get our luggage, and someone should be here."
"Kay." Renee says, smiling. They make their way over to the carousel and await their luggage. They pull it off the conveyer belt and head back to the gate. Ten minutes later, Kimberly hears her name. She turns around and smiles at her fiancée walking very quickly to the pair.
"Hey Tommy." She says, as he hugs her and gives her a quick kiss on the lips.
"I am SO sorry girls." He says.
Kim smiles, "Don't worry about it."
"No, really, I had to pick up Morgan and drop her off at practice because my parents couldn't do it… How's it going Renee?" He asks, hugging Renee.
"Good, how about you?"
"Good."
"Do you have to pick Morgan up?"
"No, dad's gonna do it. Mom should be getting home soon… probably when we get home she'll be there."
"Cool." Kimberly grins. Tommy takes her hand and the three make their way out of the airport. They head to Tommy's car and hop into the jeep. They drive the thirty minutes to Angel Grove as the three talk about gymnastics and what the group has planned for the few days the girls are around.
"Well Renee, welcome to Angel Grove." Tommy says, as she smiles.
"Thanks."
"That's the park." Kim smiles, "We ALWAYS hang out there. The lake is on the other side… awesome place to relax and swim." Tommy smiles at Kim as she goes on her Angel Grove speel. He knows how much she misses being home, and just let her go.
"That's the Youth Center. Any time, we can practice there…"
"And if it's after hours, I'll be there." Tommy says, looking at Kim.
"Ok…." Renee says, with a raised eyebrow.
"I fell and hit my head off the beam one night, and he's a bit protective since that night."
"God… obviously you were ok."
"Yeah, Kat actually found me, I spent the night in the hospital."
"Jeeze."
"She was over working herself." Tommy says, smiling.
Kim shrugs, "I had a lot on my plate." She grins. She tells Renee all about the streets and who lives on what street until they pull into the Oliver's driveway. Tommy grabs both girls suitcases from the backseat and they walk into the house, "We're home!" Tommy calls.
"Hi kids." Mrs. Oliver calls from the kitchen. They walk into the kitchen and she comes over, hugging Kimberly, "How are you sweetie?"
"Great, how are you?"
"Wonderful. Staying safe with the ankle?"
"Yes MOTHER." She says playfully. "Mrs. Oliver, this is my roommate Renee. She's my sanity down in Florida."
"It's nice to meet you Renee." She says.
"You too Mrs. Oliver." Renee smiles.
"Where's Dad?" Tommy asks.
"Picking up your sister. Renee we have the guest room all set up for you, Kimberly, you can stay in Tommy's room, and Tommy, you're on the couch."
"Mom…"Tommy begins.
"Renee and I can stay in the same room." Kim says, "We live together all the time."
"Nonsense. Tommy can stay in the basement, no problem. He doesn't mind."
"Mrs. Oliver, I really don't care if I stay with Kim." Renee smiles.
"Or, I can be down in the basement, it's not a big deal."
"You are in Tommy's room, and Renee is in the guest room, and my son is down in the basement or on the couch."
"Or in my own room with my fiancée." He says, quietly.
"Don't push it Thomas." Mrs. Oliver says firmly, "Not until you two are married, college is one place, here is another."
"Mo…"
"That's final." She says, "Now, let's get you two settled in."
"Come on." Tommy says, picking their bags up. Kim and Renee start smiling, followed by giggles, "What?" Tommy asks.
"Your mom is something." Renee says.
"You have no idea." Tommy rolls his eyes.
"I feel asleep on his bed one night and she nearly had a stroke." Kim laughs.
"What's wrong with that?"
"I was with her." Tommy smiles.
"Oh…" She laughs, "What did your dad do?"
"Nothing. He saw nothing wrong with it." Kim says as they go into the guest room.
"There wasn't anything wrong with it. It wasn't like we were going to Do anything with my sister in the next room and my parents down the hall."
"TMI there Tommy." Renee says, laughing.
"Oh, I'm sure you hear lots worse things living with Kim here." He grins.
"That is true…" Renee says, smiling.
"Well, I am going to make YOUR room mine." Kim says flipping her hair at Tommy.
"Enjoy it while it last Kim." Tommy groans, but he follows her down the hall. Kimberly pulls out her hair brush and sits it on his nightstand, and smiles at him, "I don't see what the big deal is."
"What big deal?" Kim asks.
"With you and me staying together. Hell, we are together every time we visit one another. We're engaged for god's sake."
Kim smiles, "And we are twenty, you are living under your parent's roof, and we need to respect your mother's decision on keeping us apart. At least I get a bed, and I am quite fond of your bed." She smiles, getting a scowl from him. She goes over and wraps her arms around his neck, "Don't worry about it. I'm only here for a few days, and then I'll be in Maui and then back down to Florida, and you can have your bed back."
"Yeah, that's exactly what I want. My fiancé to be away from me for months at a time." He says, leaning down to kiss her. She leans into his kiss and lets him linger a bit before pushing him away.
"Alright Romeo, remember, we're still in your parents house, your sister is due home any second and my roommate is in the other room unpacking." She says. He groans and flops down on his bed, watching her put what she needs out around his room. Kim giggles, until he pulls her down next to him, tickling her unmercifully. "Tommy!" She says, trying to get away from him, "Stop, I can't breath!" She says laughing, "Tommy please stop!"
Tommy smiles and lets her up, she hits him with her fist, right in his chest, "Yeah, that hurt." Tommy laughs.
"Watch it bub." Kim says, standing up smiling at him.
"So, what are we doing this afternoon?"
"Well, I think that I am going to call the girls and see if they want to go to the mall." She says, watching Tommy's face fall, "You can come!"
"Yeah… just want I want to do is carry your bags all afternoon." HE laughs, "What do you say about meeting up for dinner. I have to work out with the guys, but after we can do dinner, and maybe we can all catch one of the movies too."
"I might be too tired. By the time we go to see a movie it will be 9:00 here, and It will be midnight in my brain."
"So you'll fall asleep, it won't be the end of the world."
"I don't know if Renee will want to do that either… but I'll ask her."
"Dinner is a definite?"
"Yes, dinner is a definite. I have to go call Aisha and Trini and see what's up with them."
"Sounds good." Tommy smiles, as she heads back into the guest room.
"Are you up for shopping today?" Kimberly asks her roommate.
"Hell yeah! I'm always up for shopping." Renee grins.
"Alright, I'm gonna call the girls and see if they wanna go."
"Sounds good." Renee smiles and sits down on the bed next to her friend.
Kim dials and smiles as her best friend picks up, "Hey Aisha…. Yeah I'm home. You up for some shopping? Awesome, I'm gonna call Trini, can you call Kat? Ok, see you in twenty. Bye." Kim says and hangs up the phone. "All set!"
"Awesome. Then what are we doing?"
"Tommy wants to do dinner and a movie with all of us, but I'm not so sure about the movie."
"Yeah, that may be a bit too late. It will feel like three by the time we get out of the theater…"
"Yeah, but they understand either way."
"Who understands?" Tommy asks, coming in.
"You guys, if we don't do a movie as well."
"Yeah, we understand."
"Can you call the guys? Aisha's picking us up in like twenty minutes."
"Yeah, I'll tell Jason when I see him, and the rest of the guys."
"Alright, I gotta call Trini." She says, turning her attention back to the phone. Within a few seconds she is off the phone. "Ok, I'm gonna go change real quick, and I'll be back."
Renee says, "I'm gonna do the same."
Kim nods and heads back into Tommy's room, closing the door. She pulls out a lavender quarter length sleeved shirt that sits right at her navel. She then pulls on a pair of black pants that sit at her hips and a pair of black boots. She opens up the bedroom door once she is changed and then goes to Tommy's mirror and quickly touches up her makeup and runs a brush through her hair. She was greeted during this time by her soon to be sister-in-law.
"Kimberly!"
"Hey Morgan." Kim smiles, hugging the sixteen year old, "You've grown again kid."
"Yeah, I know."
"Well, stop that please. I don't need anyone else taller than me... but it's too late for that."
Morgan laughs, "So, how's Florida?"
"It's good. Gymnastics is going great, but I'm glad to be home for a bit. How's school for you?"
"Great! Junior year is going well."
"I'm so glad. You driving yet?"
"No. I haven't gone for my drivers permit yet."
"What are you waiting for?"
"I don't know… I guess I'm nervous."
"You'll do fine Morg."
"Yeah… I guess." She shrugs.
"You better go for it soon."
"I am. Tommy said he'd take me when ever I want to go."
"So, go for it."
"I will." She smiles.
Kim finishes up doing her makeup and Renee walks in, "You ready to go Kimberly?"
"Almost. Renee, this is Morgan, Tommy's sister, Morgan, this is Renee, my roommate."
"Hi." The girls say.
"Where are you going?" Morgan asks.
"We're hitting the mall with Aisha, Kat, and Trini."
"Oh." Morgan says, "That sounds like fun."
"Yeah." Kim smiles, "I haven't seen them in a while."
"How long are you here for?"
"Renee and I have to get to Maui on Wednesday. Our competition is on Saturday, so we have a bit of practicing to get in, but I'll be here on Monday night, and the I go home on Tuesday morning."
"Is Tommy going to Maui with you?"
"Yeah, all of the group is."
"Cool."
"Yeah. So do you have any practices I can see?"
"Um… tomorrow morning."
"I can't make it… I need to work out that morning. Ernie is turning the entire juice bar into a gymnastics gym."
"I have a competition around Christmas time."
"Well, if I'm home I'll be there. Morgan's a dancer… a darn good one at that." Kim tells Renee.
"Really? What do you do?"
"Tap is my favorite, but I do ballet and jazz as well."
"That's cool."
"Yeah."
"Well, we gotta get going. I'll see you tonight ok Morgan?"
"Alright." She smiles.
Kim and Renee head downstairs with Tommy to wait for Aisha. A few minutes later, Aisha is at the door. Tommy lets her in, and after a quick hi from Tommy she runs over to her best friend and hugs her. "How are you!"
"Great Aisha, how are you?"
"Great." Aisha smiles, "Hey Renee." She says, hugging Kim's roommate.
"Hey Aisha."
"You two look cute." Aisha smiles, looking at their outfits.
"Thanks so do you." Kim replies.
"So dinner, what time?" Aisha asks Tommy.
"We'll meet you girls at six thirty in the mall."
"Sounds like a plan." Kim smiles, kissing him, "See you later."
"Have fun girls."
"You too." Aisha grins. "Come on Renee. We're gonna show you how to roll in Angel Grove. Right Kimberly?"
"Right." Kimberly smiles, jumping into the front of Aisha's car. Trini and Kat were going to meet the girls at the mall.
They talk the entire way to the Mall, park and head to the entrance. Kat and Trini were waiting inside.
"Kimberly!" Trini smiles, hugging her best friend.
"Hey Trini." Kim says, smiling, then moves on to Kat for hugs, "Hey Kat. I've missed you girls so much!"
"We've missed you too." Kat smiles, "How are you Renee?"
"I'm great Katherine, how are you?"
"Good." She says, hugging Renee.
Trini hugs the girl as well, "I guess we have a lot of shopping to do then."
"Damn, I've taught you well." Aisha says.
Kim laughs, "She's come a long way… but I take most of the credit."
"You can have most of the credit for me, but I take all the credit for Aisha." Trini smiles.
"That's fine. You take her, I have Kat." Kim grins, smiling at her pink friend.
Renee shakes her head at the girls, "I don't even wanna know."
"No, you don't." Aisha smiles, "Alright, so there are three sales in the mall today. One is in the boutique, one is in the sporting goods place, and one is in the books, movies, and music store. Which do we hit first?"
"I need a new leotard. We should probably stop in the sports store first." Kimberly says.
"Yeah, I need one too." Renee says.
"Alright. Let's go." Trini smiles, "Are you girls ready for Maui?"
"Yeah, definitely." Renee smiles, "Though, I feel a bit guilty not working out today."
"Yeah, me too. I mean, it's weird having a day off. It's rare." Kim replies.
"So I figured just as much." Kat smiles, "And I thought training for Pan Globals was hard enough."
Renee looks at Kat, "You went?"
"No. I never got there."
"Didn't make the cut?" Renee asks with sympathy.
"I just didn't make the end of the board."
"What do you mean?"
"I hit my head on the diving board on my final dive. I missed Pan Globals by one point."
"Ouch… that has to stink."
"Yeah, it did, I mean, one point. After that, I was scared to go on the boards or even near the water, but when Kimberly hit her head and was borderline quitting gymnastics, I figured I could fix my fear and she could fix hers… and obviously she did."
"And so did you." Kimberly smiles at her friend.
"Do you still dive Katherine?"
"Um, yeah, I mess around with it, but I'm really about ballet now. It just is my second nature."
"Cool." Renee smiles.
"Yeah."
"So, when are you practicing?" Aisha asks.
"I think we're gonna hit the youth center early tomorrow. Ernie says that he would have it set up for us tomorrow around nine, so I figured we'd head there then." Kim replies.
"Cool, I'll have to come and watch." Trini smiles.
"All are welcome." Renee smiles, "It'll get us use to having people around us again. It's been a few months."
"Yeah it has."
"So Katherine, you're from Australia right?"
Kat smiles, "Yeah, formerly."
"Are you gonna be visiting us for the Olympics?"
"I was planning on it. Actually I believe we all are. I figured we'd stay at my families place to save some money and they head over to Sydney for the Olympics. I doubt we could even find a hotel now for them."
"Do you live by Sydney?"
"It's right there. I live about a five to ten minute car ride away from Sydney."
"Cool."
"Yeah, cool for us that we really don't have to spend ANY money down there." Aisha smiles, "Remember when we went there for the school trip?"
Kim smiles, "Oh yeah I do. It was a pretty good time."
"Yeah, I enjoyed the little vacation."
"I wish I could have gone." Trini says.
"Hey, you got to move to Switzerland for a year. Give us our two week trip to Sydney."
Trini laughs, "Ok, I'll give you that."
"Did you like Switzerland Trini?"
"Oh, I absolutely LOVED it. I'd go back again if I could."
"Well I wanna go there sometime too." Kimberly says.
"Me too." Kat responds, with a nod from Aisha.
"We should all go sometime. I'm sure Jason and Zack wanna get back too."
"Cool." Kat smiles.
"What time are we meeting the guys?" Aisha asks.
"Tommy says 6:30 by our normal meeting place, then I guess we'll be grabbing some food, and possibly a movie, but I don't know if we'll be doing the movie thing."
"Why?"
"Because it's gonna be a late one, and by 6:30, it's 9:30 where we are, so by the time we go to the movies it will probably be around 9:00 and midnight where we are use to being."
"Very in-depth thinking there Kimberly." Trini smiles.
"I try." Kim grins.
The girls walk around the mall, shopping and buying a ton of things before returning it to their cars and heading back to await the guys. "Ok, where should we eat?" Trini asks.
"I really don't care. Somewhere that isn't chosen by Rocky or fast food." Aisha smiles.
"They are both the same aren't they?" Kim smiles.
Aisha smiles, "Yeah."
They sit around at the café until they see Adam and Rocky walk through the door, "Hey guys."
"Hey ladies." Rocky smiles, as he hugs Kim and Renee, "How are you two?"
"Good you?" Renee asks.
"Great."
Kimberly hugs Adam tightly and smiles, "Adam?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm really glad you cut your hair." She smiles.
Adam blushes scarlet, and Aisha says, "Leave the boy alone. We are all allowed one bad hair year… but he was pushing it."
"I hear that." Rocky smiles.
"No, really though, your hair looks good Adam."
"Thanks… I guess." He shrugs, smiling, self-consciously running his hands over his now short locks, "I guess I should have left the long hair for Tommy." He grins.
Kimberly laughs, and they await the other three.
"Oh my gosh!" A voice calls to them and the group turns to the sound, "I haven't seen you guys in a while."
"Hannah." Kat says, looking at the others, "How are you?"
"I'm good, how about you guys."
"Great."
"College going good for you guys?"
"Really well." Rocky smiles, at the blonde standing before them, "I thought you weren't ever coming back here." He jokes.
"Well, you can only stay away from home for so long, ya know? And this place is definitely home."
"I bet." Kim smiles.
"So Kimberly, the Olympics are right around the corner."
"Yeah, and this is my teammate and roommate Renee Weaver."
"Nice to meet you." Hannah smiles, shaking her hand.
"You too."
"How long are you home for Kimberly?"
"A few days, then we are all heading to Maui for our competition and then I'm home for a day and back in Florida till winter break."
"Sounds like fun." She smiles.
"It is." Kim responds. It's been a few years since she's seen Hannah, but she still gets under her skin. Kimberly continues to hold a grudge against her, and no one can blame her.
"How's the others?"
"Great." Aisha smiles, "Kim, show her your ring."
Kimberly smiles and holds out her left hand, "So, Tommy finally popped the question. Congratulations."
"Thanks Hannah."
"No problem. Gosh, the last time I was in Hawaii was when we all went. What was that, a year and a half ago?"
Adam looks at her, "Something like that."
"It seems like ages."
"Not so long ago." Kimberly replies.
"Anyway, I better get going. I have to meet my cousins for dinner. It was good seeing you all again, and nice meeting you."
"You too Hannah." Rocky says.
"We'll see you around." Aisha smiles.
"Bye." Trini and Kimberly reply as the girl walks away.
Aisha looks at Kimberly who says, "Nope, still can't stand the bitch."
They laugh and Renee gives them a strange look, "That was the girl that Tommy cheated on me with." She replies bitterly.
"Really!" Renee asks, shocked, "She's not that pretty."
"I still don't know what the boy saw in her." Rocky replies, "I mean she's cute, but she's not THAT cute. She's a bit of an airhead. I mean, you know she's a TRUE blonde."
"And what the hell does that mean?" Katherine asks.
"I mean… no, not you, you aren't…"
"Rocky, open mouth, insert foot." Adam says, punching his friend in the arm, as the girls giggle.
"There's Tommy!' He says, sighing a breath of relief, "Hey guys! Guess who we just saw?"
"Who?" Jason asks.
"Hannah."
"What! You're kidding." Tommy says.
"Nope." Kimberly replies, "And she says congratulations to us."
Tommy laughs, "I can't believe this. I haven't seen her since we all left for college."
"None of us have." Zack replies, "Anyway, I'm starving. Where do you wanna eat?"
"Kat's not choosing…" Rocky replies.
"Why is that because I'm too blonde?" She asks, playfully angry at him, "Because typical blondes can't choose where to eat?"
"No! I'm not gonna live this down am I?" Rocky groans.
"No." Kat grins.
"I'm not letting YOU pick this time because YOU picked the last time… and took us for Sushi."
"I like Sushi." Renee says, shrugging her shoulders.
"So do I." Adam smiles.
"And I do too." Kat grins.
"Ok, you three go ahead and eat your raw fish and the rest of us 'normal' people will go eat somewhere else."
"I don't care where we eat, as long as we eat." Tommy says, "So, someone choose, and we'll go there. We have like fifteen choices around this mall to eat at, and no, sushi is out this time. I like it, but I don't want it."
"Yes Fearless Leader." Zack says, rolling his eyes.
Kim giggles, but pats Tommy's arm, "Come on gang, let's just go for pizza. It's quick and easy."
"Pizza's good." Renee smiles.
"I thought gymnasts aren't suppose to eat that kind of food." Jason grins.
"Nope, but I know that Renee and I are gonna have a hell of a practice session tomorrow morning, so we can afford the few extra calories."
"What about Dancers?" Rocky smiles.
"Oh don't worry, I'll be going on a five mile run tomorrow morning." Kat says smiling at Jason.
"I'm guessing we both will?" He groans.
"You bet." Katherine says, as Jason wraps his arm around her waste.
"The things love does to you." Adam smiles.
Trini laughs, "I know. It was like pulling teeth, trying to get Jason out for a run with us. I think he MAYBE ran a total of ten times in all the years I have been friends with him."
Kim nods, "That's alright, because Martial Artist's don't run. Right Jason?" Kim teases.
"I do now." He groans as Kat kisses his cheek.
They make their way to the pizza shop and sit down. They eat and laugh and decide what to do next.
"Let's go see a movie." Rocky suggests.
"I don't know if I'm gonna make it through a movie." Kimberly says, looking at Renee.
"I don't think I can either. I'm beat."
"Traveling and the time zone change are totally kicking my butt."
"Oh come on girls, it starts at nine." Zack says.
"Yeah, and that means midnight where we are." Kim explains, "Then the movie won't be over until two thirty where we are."
"You'll live." Rocky shrugs.
Kim and Renee look dubiously at each other. Tommy says, "We can do something else tonight. It's not that big of a deal."
Adam nods, "I don't care what we do."
Rocky smiles, "Like what?"
"Something that won't require Renee and I being dead tired tomorrow during practice."
"I agree." Renee nods.
"We could hit up the youth center." Adam suggests.
"We'll be there long enough tomorrow." Kimberly replies.
"What do you girls wanna do?" Jason asks.
"I'm really indecisive tonight." Renee says shrugging, "I think it's the whole time zone thing."
"I agree. I'm up for ANYTHING that doesn't require me being out till the wee hours of the night." Kimberly replies, stifling a yawn, "I only have another two hours tops in me."
"Same here." Renee says.
"Alright, so then, let's go get coffee." Kat smiles.
"That sounds good actually." Aisha agrees.
"I could go for that." Renee smiles.
Trini nods and looks to her friend, "Kimberly?"
"Sounds good. Let's go guys."
They head down to the coffee shop at the edge of town. They get a cup of coffee and sit around talking until 9:30, when Kim and Renee had enough, "Well, I don't know about you guys, but I'm beat." Kim says, yawning, "Can you drop us off?"
Tommy nods, "Sure thing."
"Well, I think we are gonna hit up the youth center until it closes, and work some of this coffee off." Rocky says, getting a nod from Adam and Aisha.
"I haven't worked out in what feels like ages."
"Five days ago Aisha."
"Ages Adam." She smiles.
"Can I come?" Kat asks.
"Sure." Aisha smiles. "Any other takes?"
"Well if she's going, I'm going." Jason smiles.
"Whipped." Zack coughs, getting slapped on the back of his head.
"Anyone else? Tommy, you coming over after?"
"I dunno, I'll see." He smiles.
They all go their separate ways and enjoy the rest of their evening.
Kimberly, Renee, and Tommy head back to his house. They pull into the driveway and head inside. "Well, I'm gonna go up and get a shower and then get some sleep." Renee says, smiling.
"There should be a hair dryer under the bathroom sink." Tommy says.
"Thanks." She smiles.
"Night Renee." Kim says.
"Night guys." She goes upstairs and Tommy wraps his arms around Kim's waist, kissing the top of her head, "I've really missed you."
"I've missed you too." He says. "You wanna watch a movie?"
"I shouldn't." Kim says. "I really have to get up early tomorrow and I am dead tired."
"At 10:00 at night." He smiles.
"Hey, it's 1:00am where I am."
"I know." He says, kissing the nape of her neck. "So what time are you getting up?"
"I'll probably be at the Youth Center around 8:00 in the morning. I told Ernie I'd be there no later than eight."
"I'll go with you."
"It's your day off. You shouldn't be waking up at the crack ass of dawn."
"I wanna watch you practice."
"I'll be practicing all day. You won't miss much." Kimberly smiles.
"Well, alright, but wake me up when you are leaving ok? I'll go back up to my bed." He smiles.
"Alright. I told you, you can have the bed. I'll take the couch. I'm a lot shorter than you."
"And what, have to deal with my mom? I think not. I wouldn't live it down."
"True. I can hear her now, 'Thomas James… why are you sleeping in your bedroom! Didn't I tell you Kimberly was sleeping upstairs and you were on the couch?' And much more."
Tommy laughs, "I shudder at the thought."
Kimberly and Tommy walk upstairs. Tommy kisses her good night and she goes into Renee's room, "Night 'Nee."
"Night Kim. Wake me up tomorrow if I'm not up ok?"
"You got it."
Kimberly heads back into her room and changes, then gets into bed. The annoying ring of the alarm clock squeals at 7:00 in the morning. She groans, and turns it off, laying there for a few seconds. She gets up and goes into the bathroom, brushing her teeth.
"Hey Kimberly."
"Hey Morgan, you're up early." Kimberly says, turning her head to the girl.
"Yup."
"Any reason?"
"Not really… I just can't sleep."
"You didn't just get in did you?" Kim asks, looking at her.
"No…."
"Don't lie to me."
"Yeah."
"Where were ya?"
"Out." She shrugs.
"With who?"
"Friends." Morgan says.
"Morgan…."
"I was with friends at their house Kim."
"Were you drinking?"
"No."
"Was there?"
"Yes."
"And you?"
"I only had two."
"Morgan, I'm not your mother, and I'm not trying to be, but you are sixteen years old! You are WAY too young to be drinking! It's dumb."
"It's no big deal."
"Yeah, until a party you go to is busted and you are thrown in jail. Who's gonna come get you? Your parents. It's not worth it Morgan."
She shrugs and says, "IT hasn't happened yet."
"You're dumb." Kim replies, before looking at her, "I'm getting a shower. I'll see you in a bit."
"Kim…"
"Don't be dumb Morgan." She says again, going into the bathroom. She grabs a quick shower, dries and ties up her hair into a neat ponytail. She then goes into Tommy's room she was borrowing and changes into her practice leotard and tops them off with a pair of black spandex shorts that matched her pink and black leotard quite nicely. She goes into Renee's room and wakes her up, "Hey. If we're going to be heading to practice together you better get up and get a move on it."
Renee yawns, "What time's it?"
"Eight." She responds, "Come on 'Nee. I'm gonna go make something quick to eat, before we head off. I also have to let Tommy know we're moving out soon."
Renee sits up and swings her feet off the edge of the bed, "Alright. I'm up."
"Good. Hurry up." Kim smiles. She goes downstairs and toast's two bagels. While they were toasting she goes downstairs and walks over to Tommy, "Hey." She says, quietly shaking him. He groans and turns over, "Tommy." She says, sitting down on the pull out sofa, next to him, "Come on." She smiles, kissing him.
"Good morning." He says, turning over to face her.
"Hey. Renee and I are heading to the Youth Center in about twenty minutes. I'm gonna get us something to eat first."
He pulls her next to him, wrapping his arms around her, "Or how about we just stay here?"
Kimberly smiles, "I'd love to, but I have a competition in less than a week that I need to get ready for" she replies as she sits up.
"I'll come." He says.
"And be miserable for the rest of the day because you're 'tired'? I don't think so. Come when you're awake. The juice bar isn't even open yet. It's just nice of Ernie to open up early for us."
"He'd do anything for you." Tommy smiles.
"That's why I love him." Kim smiles, "Anyway, I'm heading upstairs. I'll see you when you get there."
"Do you need my car?"
"No, we'll walk there… or run through the park to warm up. Thanks though."
"No problem." Tommy kisses her before she heads back upstairs. She goes into the refrigerator and smiles when she sees the low fat cream cheese. She pulls it out of the door and puts some on each of the bagels, grabbing two bottles of water when she puts the cheese back in the fridge.
"Did you put cream cheese on mine?" Renee asks.
"Yeah."
"Regular?" She asks a bit skeptical.
"No, low fat. Mrs. Oliver takes care of me when I'm here." Kim smiles.
"Really?"
"Yup, plenty of low fat stuff, soda, cream cheese, and a ton of water."
"That's nice of her."
"Yeah." Kimberly grins. "So, I was thinking of just running to the youth center. It's not that far, but if we take the long way through the park, we could drag it out to almost 30 minutes."
"That sounds good. So we'll get there by around 9:15?"
"It's 8:15 now, so by the time we head out, probably. The youth center opens at 10:30 for everyone, but Ernie will have everything set up for us."
"Cool. I wanna spend a good five hours working out there."
"Sounds good." Kim says. "Watch, coach will show up there today sometime."
"I wouldn't put it past him. He went to Coopers gym yesterday, so if he walks through the youth center doors, I won't be surprised." Renee smiles. They eat and pull on their sneakers and head out the door. They run down through the park and around the lake before coming up onto the youth center. They enter and Ernie smiles at them, "Hey Ladies."
"Hi Ernie." Kimberly smiles, walking up to him, hugging him. "How have you been?"
"Great, how about you?"
"Great. Ernie, this is my roommate and teammate Renee."
"Nice to meet you Renee."
"You too Ernie. Thanks so much for setting this up for us."
"No problem, and you two have a phone message. Your coach will be here in two hours."
Kim and Renee break down into peels of laughter, "I told you."
"You jinxed us Kimberly." Renee smiles.
"Ugh, well we better get to work." Kim says.
"I'm on beam." Renee smiles.
"That's fine because I need to work on the bars."
The girls head over to their least favorite events to work out their routines, Kimberly chalks up her hands. She goes through several quick and easy passages, before working on her dismounts. Kimberly was quite pissed off at herself after her first few tries at her routine. She ended up slipping off twice, and falling on her butt after every dismount, "Jeeze, what is going on with me!" She sighs. "Renee. Come here and watch me please. See what I am doing wrong."
Renee looks over at her friend and dismounts off the beam, "Ok, but only if you watch me."
"Yeah, watch me first." Kim says, as she starts her mount, and slips off the top bar in a matter of minutes, "I can't figure out what's going on."
"You're loosing speed on that one transition. You have to pick up the pace."
"I don't know how to get more speed."
"Kick up harder maybe. That should speed it up."
"Ok… I'll try it. I'm just worried that I'll clip the bar."
"You shouldn't." Renee grins.
Kim nods, and chalks up her hands again. She takes the advice of her friend and succeeds in finishing her routine.
"I told you." Renee grins. "My turn."
Kim works with Renee on the beam for a bit and then gets back on the bars. By the time she finishes, Coach Schmidt is there, standing at the stairs watching his two gymnasts.
Kim smiles as she hears, "Very nicely done Kimberly."
"Thanks Coach. It's a blessing you didn't see my routine around thirty minutes ago." She says, smiling.
"Ok, now what I want to see is your vault. Warm up and I'll watch Renee's routine on the beam."
Kimberly nods, and walks over to the runway of the vault. She warms up with some simple moves and then runs a few of her more difficult vaults, "Which two are you going to do Kimberly?"
"I dunno… I have to see which ones feel better. Either my vault with a flip from a round-off onto the springboard, or the one with the ½ twist onto the springboard."
"Alright… show me." Schmidt says, as he gets Kimberly's approach, followed by a quick vault. She sticks the landing, and gets a nod from her coach, "What about the one we were working on a few weeks ago? Are you ready to compete it?"
Kim sighs, "I don't know Coach… I really don't know if my ankle is ready for that much force of a landing…"
He thinks for a second, "Can we try it?"
Kimberly bites her lip, but nods, "Yeah, we can try it."
"I'm just thinking, if it was ok during practice a few weeks ago, you should be alright with it now."
It was a vault in pike position. Kimberly needed to be completely focused on this vault to compete it. It was a double flip in pike, and anything short of a perfect start would land her flat on her butt or back. She completes the double rotation and sticks the landing.
"How did that feel?"
"Not bad."
"Let's see if you can stick it every time. Try it another three times."
Kim smiles, and sticks all her landings, "I think I can do this in Maui Coach."
"Alright! Sounds good!" He smiles. "How is your floor routine going?"
"I've been stepping out of bounds on my second passage… but I just feel like if I don't get that extra step, I won't make it."
"Ok, let me see it." Schmidt says.
"Do you want the whole routine, or just the passage?"
"Just the passage. I want to see what is going on."
Kimberly nods, and stands on the far left corner of the mats. She judges her distance between the two ends of the floor and takes off, flipping and stepping out of bounds yet again. She sighs, and looks at her coach.
He stands there thinking for a moment, before speaking, "Ok… you need to push harder through this. How you threw the flip, you can't get through it without that extra handspring in it. Do your normal hurdle, and I'll spot you through the rotations. You have to stay tight and fast. "
"Ok." Kim says. She goes to her end and sprints across the floor. He hears the brief call of her coach, and feels his hands on her back as she hits the floor with an "OOF."
"I want to try something. Do this in tuck."
"That's less…"
"Just humor me Kimberly… tuck."
She sighs, "Ok." She completes the rotation no problem.
"Alright, Pike now." She completes the rotation, and ends up on her back again, "Did you feel the difference?"
Kim nods, "Yeah."
"Are you scared of stepping out?"
"I guess I am." She sighs.
"So, what you are going to do is give me the SAME approach with the SAME amount of confidence as you did with your tuck position. You're high enough to complete the double rotation in pike position. Just keep focused." It was six times before Kimberly was consistent with staying in bounds an off her back. She smiled after her third time being consistent. Kimberly looks at her coach who smiles brightly at her, "Now, the entire routine."
Kimberly stands in the middle of the floor and waits for her coach to press the play button. Her face was full of determination. Tommy walks through the door as she begins her routine and sits at the juice bar, watching her. Aisha walks through the door and sits next to Tommy, "She's gotten better." Aisha says.
"Yeah… and I didn't think that was possible." Tommy laughs.
"She's so focused."
"She always is." Tommy grins. They sit and watch Kim finish, and get some pointers from her coach. She nods, and looks over to Tommy and Aisha, smiling. She walks up to them with her bottle of water, "Hey guys."
"Looking good up there Kimberly." Aisha smiles.
"Thanks Aisha!" She says, as Tommy kisses her.
"What's next?" Tommy asks.
"Beam I guess. He has to work with Renee on floor, so I'm on my own for a bit."
"I'm surprised he came." Kimberly smiles, "I though he'd be in Florida till Maui."
She talks with her friends for fifteen minutes, before hearing, "Kimberly! Time to get back to work."
She nods to him and says, "I'll be here most of the day, if you guys don't wanna hang around, I can just see ya when I'm done."
"I wanna watch you practice." Aisha smiles.
"Same here."
Kimberly smiles, "Alright, I'll be done around hopefully 2:00." She heads down to the beam, and jumps up on it, walking across the narrow piece of wood.
Kimberly and Renee work hard during practice, and by the end of their session, they are tired, but agree it was a great work out, "So Coach, are you hanging around Angel Grove, or are you heading to Maui?" Renee asks.
"I leave tomorrow for Maui. I have to meet up with David and make sure everything is in place. We'll be at the Airport to pick you girls up on Wednesday though."
"Alright." They say, smiling.
"I want you two to keep practicing. Not as hard as today, because I don't need you girls burning out, but run your routines a few times each day."
"We will Coach." Kim smiles.
"Good. Very good work today. I am very pleased. If you two keep this up, the USA will be pretty much unbeatable on Saturday."
"Did you see the others?"
"I was with them yesterday and they are doing extremely well. You will be great."
Kim and Renee smile, "Thanks a lot coach. "
"We'll see you on Wednesday." Kim smiles.
"See you girls then."
Kimberly and Renee walk up to the juice bar, and grab another water, "Ernie, thank you SO much for letting us practice."
"Anytime Kim." He smiles.
"So what's up for this afternoon?" Adam asks.
"Well I'm going to head back to Tommy's and change first." Kim says, "And grab a shower."
"Me too." Renee says, smiling.
"Well then, we'll have to go out after and do… something." Adam shrugs.
"Volleyball?" Trini asks.
"That would be a lot of fun." Jason smiles.
"So shall we say, we'll meet about 3:00 at the beach?" Rocky says.
"That could work." Kimberly says, "We better go now if we're gonna make it."
"Ok, see you all there later."
They all head their separate directions. Kimberly, Renee, and Tommy pull up to the Oliver's house, and go inside.
"Tommy!" Morgan says, running down the stairs.
"What?"
"Can you take me to my friend's house tonight?"
Tommy groans, "Can't mom do it?"
"Tommy! Come on! It will only take a few seconds."
"Who's house?" Tommy says.
"Laurel's."
"You can walk there."
"Tommy, come on, I need a ride. I don't wanna get my hair done up and have to walk all the way there." She says, looking at Kimberly's amused expression.
"You are getting way too many cues from Kimberly." Tommy says, getting smacked by his fiancé, "Alright. What time?"
"10:00?"
"Ten! Why so late?" He asks.
"Um… we just wanna hang out."
"Do you need a ride back?"
"Probably not."
"Ok." He says, "Ten it is."
"Thanks Tommy!" She smiles, kissing his cheek. She smiles at Kim, who was giving her a look. "Ok, well I gotta go up and work on my project." She says, averting her eyes from her soon to be sister-in-law and goes upstairs.
Tommy looks at Kim, "What?"
"Nothing. Renee, do you wanna get a shower or should I jump in there first?"
"I'll grab one first." Renee smiles, as they head upstairs. Kimberly and Tommy go into his room and sit on the bed, waiting for Renee to finish. Tommy and Kimberly watch TV.
"Don't forget Tommy!" Morgan says.
"I won't."
"I don't want her going." Kimberly sighs.
"Why? It's just a party."
"And last night she went to a party, didn't get back till around 8am, and was drinking."
"Huh!" Tommy says.
"Yeah. She told me that it was ok because she only had one or two… I just told her not to be dumb."
"She was drinking?"
Kimberly shrugs, "That's what she says."
"I'm gonna go have a talk to her."
"Let me get into the shower first." Kim smiles, hearing Renee's water go off. She grabs her towel and heads into the bathroom.
Tommy sighs and walks over to talk to his sister, "Hey."
"Yeah?"
"About this party tonight…"
"What about it?"
"What's going on there?"
"Just the typical hanging out with friend's thing."
"So what were you doing last night? I didn't hear you come in."
"I was here."
"Oh?"
"You were in the basement."
"Really, what time?" He says, watching her eyes.
"Um, like midnight?"
"Wrong, I was upstairs at that time."
"Doesn't matter Tommy."
"So, you wanna tell me the truth? What time did my sixteen year old sister come in?"
"8am today."
"And what were you doing last night?"
"Hanging out…"
"Drinking?"
"No!"
"I don't believe you. I'm not taking you tonight to your friends house. I don't take my sister to an underage drinking party."
"TOMMY!"
"No. Get mom or dad to take you, but count me out."
"You are RUINING my life!"
"I'm not letting you ruin it." He says, frowning. "You're sixteen. You don't need the drinks."
"Tommy, I swear I won't drink, just please take me to the party."
"No."
"Ugh! You are SO not being fair!"
"I'm not your mother or father Morgan… go cry to them. I don't HAVE to take you anywhere. Now, I am going to go back into my room and getting ready to go out with my friends and my girlfriend. I'll see you when I get home."
"I hate you Tommy."
"That's fine." He says. He groans and watches TV till Kimberly comes out. Then the three of them head to the park.
"Alright" Jason begins, "How are we dividing up the teams?"
Aisha looks around, "How about, Me, Kimberly, Renee, Kat, and Trini and Jason, Tommy, Adam, Rocky, and Zack?"
"Girls against the guys? Come on?" Zack says.
"What? Scared?" Katherine asks.
"No, I'm just thinking that you have ONE person over five foot five, and its going to be hard to beat us."
"Well, that sounds like a challenge." Kimberly smiles.
"Alright girls, it's your funerals." Rocky smiles, "You girls serve."
"Alright." Kimberly smiles, tossing the ball back to Trini, "Your serve Trin."
"My pleasure. Zero serving Zero." Trini smiles.
The ball voiles for a while, before Katherine spikes it to the ground, with a smile she watches Jason and Zack stand up from their dive at the ball, brushing the sand off their clothes. "Hey guys?" Kimberly teases, "The goal of this game is to hit the ball on OUR side of the net, not let it fall on yours. I believe that's Zero serving one."
After the game is over, the girls come out victoriously. They smile, and look over at the guys, "Not bad for a couple of gals with only one over five foot five." Renee grins.
"Girl, you fit in so well with our group." Aisha laughs.
Renee smiles and looks at Kimberly, who nods, "Come on, let's go get something to eat." Kim says, as they all head out of the park and over to the diner.
Saturday, Kimberly, Renee and the rest of team USA were standing in the arena in their warm-ups. Their trainer pulls Kimberly aside to tape up her ankle. They weren't taking any chances with the young gymnasts ankle, especially with the Olympics months away.
"Ok Kimberly, let's go." Jill says.
Kimberly nods and sits on the bench with her ankle propped up, "Not too tight Jill. I don't need it giving me a blister."
"Let me know how it feels." Jill says, starting at her heel, "Ok so far?"
"Yeah. Fine." She smiles.
"Alright, all finished. Be careful please." Jill says to her.
"Thanks Jill, and I'll try." Kimberly grins.
"Kimberly come here." David calls to his all around gymnast.
"Yeah?" She says, standing next to him. The beam was the third event. Kimberly was fourth in the rotation, "I want you to run your fourth combination on the beam right here. Stand on the line and show me."
Kimberly looks at him, and sighs, that combination has been giving her a bit of trouble in the past few days. She stands on the line and tumbles on the white lines next to the beam. She wobbles, but not much, "Now, if you wobble anymore than what you did there, you're going to fall."
"I know." Kim says.
"You need to steady yourself. Relax, take a breath and just do what you do best."
"I will coach."
"Good. Ok ladies, bars are first. Pay attention to your landings! STICK THEM! Feet stay together. Renee, you're up first."
"Right." She says, chalking her hands.
"Come on Renee!" Kimberly calls to her.
The bars were the girls downfall. Two of them fell off, and three didn't stick their landing. Kimberly and Renee had difficulty holding their landing, and almost fell to their knees. David and Gunthar watched the team with a disappointed look on their faces.
"What was that!" David asks the girls, "Where is the team I had in London? Where's the team I had during practice! The bars girls were the FIRST events today. This sets the tone for the rest! You are in fifth place! This means in order to place you need to have a DAMN good performance in all the rest of the events! Kimberly! That landing… I haven't seen you mess that up in ages."
"I know." She says, her eyes downcast.
"Renee, this is your BEST event!"
"I know Coach."
"What's next, Kim are you going to fall off the beam? Tara, are you going to step out of bounds? What's next? You are Team USA.. Come on! Start showing it!"
Kimberly looks at the girls, "Come on girls, what ever the hell is wrong with us, we need to get it together. Vaults next."
"Kimberly, "Coach Schmidt says, "You MUST nail this vault to get back into the running. You're last two events are your best, but you can not falter."
"I know coach. I won't."
"You have it. You can nail this vault. Caution with your ankle."
"I will." Kimberly says, with a bit of nervousness in his voice.
"Don't give it much of a thought, just do it."
Kimberly nods, and watches her teammates before her compete. She hears her name, and walks up to the vault, addressing the judge she takes off landing with the slightest hop. She looks up at the judges and frowns at her score of 9.5. "Dammit." She curses, as she heads over to the sides.
"That wasn't bad Kimberly." David says, smiling.
"Yeah but a 9.3 and a 9.5 isn't going to get me up to first."
"Keep working. Your next two events can give you a higher point total. We are only a few points behind. Prepare for your floor routine. Get into the mindset. That goes for you too Renee."
Kimberly sighs and nods, looking up into the stands she sees her friends. Rocky was the only one looking at her and gives her a thumbs up. She smiles at him and nods, "I can do this." She says to herself.
"Next up on the floor, Kimberly Hart." She hears the announcer say. Kimberly smiles and goes to center mat, starting her routine. Her routine was basically flawless, but still earned her a 9.7. She was happy with the score. Her beam was a 9.8. After Team USA Finishes, they win bronze.
"Way ta go Kim!" Aisha says smiling at her friend.
"Third place, I guess it's better than what could have happened." Kimberly sighs.
"Hey, you tried your best. Next time you'll be even better." Tommy smiles, kissing her cheek.
"The Olympics are what matters anyway." Adam smiles.
"You guys are awesome, thanks so much for coming." She smiles.
In March, Kimberly gets a phone call from Tommy. She wasn't in her room so Tommy leaves her a message, "Hey beautiful, it's me. Listen, I'm gonna be away for the next few weeks. My Uncle John called me and needs a racer in two weeks, and I agreed to do it. I haven't done it in a while, so I have to get into the groove again. I'll call you later. I love you."
Kimberly laughs as she hears the message. She knows how much Tommy loved racing. The cars were like a second nature to him. She wasn't too fond of him racing, and he told her about a year ago that he was done racing, however, she knows he can't say no to anyone who needs a favor, especially family. She has a competition in about two weeks and couldn't wait to see her friends in May. She would be home for three weeks, training at Coach Schmidt's facility while they prepare for the Olympics.
New York was where their March competition was held. Team USA was absolutely amazing. They were expected to take gold the rest of the way. Three days before the competition, deja-vu happened for the group.
"Kim! Don't forget to pack your curling iron and our hairspray ok!"
"I've got it Renee, don't worry!" She says.
"You head from Tommy?"
"Nah, the race probably isn't over yet. I hate him racing." She says, sighing, "He told me that this was his last race. I'm definitely glad. I mean, he didn't do it for long, and this one was just a favor for his uncle."
"Yeah." Renee smiles, before hearing the phone ringing, "Hello?" She says, "No this is her roommate… oh, let me get her." Renee says, her face pale, "Kimberly…"
"What's the matter?"
"It's Lehigh Hospital… they need to speak with you."
Kimberly's face drains of color and she takes the phone with shaking hands, "Hello? Yes, this is Kimberly Hart… what! Oh my gosh.. is he… I'll be right up." She says, "I gotta go Renee."
"What happened?"
"A car ran into him, and he was slammed into the wall. They say that it isn't good and I need to get up there. I gotta go."
"Kim, the competition."
"I have to go." She says, calling the airlines for the next available flight. She would be taking off in two hours. "I have to go.. I need my…"
"Kim." Renee says, putting her hand on her best friends shoulder.
Kimberly looks at her, tears flowing down her eyes, "I need to call Dave…"
"He'll be ok."
"I guess I know how he felt when I was hurt." She says, wiping her tears away.
"Kimberly, I'll drive you. We'll call Dave first ok?"
"Ok." She says, as white as a ghost, "I need to get there though Renee… god, this can't be happening. I am going to let the team down… I can't lose him."
"Let's call the Coach." Renee says, picking up the phone and dialing. She hands it to Kimberly who takes it, "Coach? It's Kimberly."
"Hi Kim, what can I do for you?"
"I can't make I to the competition."
"What!" He says, "What do you mean you can't make it!"
"I just got a phone call… my fiancé… he was in a car…" Kimberly couldn't finish the sentence. Her voice got stuck in her throat and the tears came poring down her cheek. She drops the phone to the ground.
Renee picks it up, "Coach, Tom was in a serious car accident today. He was racing. She has to get up to the hospital and visit him. She's leaving on the next flight out…." She listens before saying, "I will. Thanks Coach, bye." And she hangs up, "He understands… let's go."
Kimberly doesn't cry or talk during their drive to the airport, "Do you want me to come with you Kim? I will." She says as she drives up to the entrance of the airport.
"No." Kimberly says, "They need you at the competition… just tell the girls I'm sorry."
"I will Kim. Call me ok?"
"I will. Thanks." She says.
"Anytime." Renee says.
The flight was going to be very long for her. She feels hot tears stinging her eyes as she stares out of the small plane window, wishing she could get there faster, knowing that she couldn't. She had three voice mails on her phone before she left from the airport. One call was from Jason, one from the Oliver's, and one from Aisha. Kimberly would probably end up getting there before everyone. She was only two hours away where everyone else was six. Kimberly feels the plane land and jumps up. She slips past all the people on the plane, and quickly grabs her duffel bag from the baggage claim. Then she heads outside, and hails a taxi. "Where too?" The cab driver asks.
"Lehigh hospital, please." She says, a fresh batch of tears, threatening to fall down her pale cheeks.
In about thirty minutes, she arrived at the hospital. She pays the cab fair, grabs her bag and walks through the hospital doors and up to the admissions desk, "Hi. Could you tell me where I could find Thomas Oliver?"
"I'm sorry, are you a family member?"
"I'm his fiancé."
"I can only release information to his…"
"I was called from here by a nurse letting me know where he is. I am on his emergency contact list, please, tell me what is going on!" She demands.
The nurse looks through papers, "He is in surgery right now. I'll have someone take you up to the surgical floor, and you can wait there."
"Thank you." Kim sighs. She follows the nurse to the upstairs and walks through the O.R. waiting room doors.
"They'll be out to talk to you soon."
"Thanks." She says. Kim looks around and sees Tommy's uncle sitting with a few guys she has never met before.
"Kimberly." John says, standing up and walking over to hug the girl.
"How is he?" She asks, trying to hold herself together.
"We haven't heard anything yet. He has been in surgery for about three hours."
"What happened?"
"The car in front of him lost control, hitting Tom, and causing him to slam into the wall. He flipped and the car basically tore apart. He's in bad shape Kim, I honestly thought he was dead. He needed help breathing when we pulled him out of the car. He had a lot of cuts, and a few ribs were broken, along with his ankle. They brought him here and saw that he had some internal…" John stops, seeing how upset Kimberly was.
"I can't believe this…" She says, softly with a hitch in her throat, but she wasn't crying.
"I'm sorry Kimberly."
"You should be." She says, quietly, but with a strong feeling of hate. "He was finished racing, and you got him back into it. How could you? He was finished and now he's lying in a hospital, fighting for his life, being cut open!" She says, all her anger being directed at her fiancés uncle. "I hate you for doing this to him, "She growls, "I hate you for asking him to race again. I hate you for him needing to be in surgery, because of that death trap." She says, beginning to raise her voice, feeling her strong composure slipping away. She was just about to say something else to him, before the Doctor comes in.
"I'm Dr. Moore." He begins.
"How is he?" Kimberly asks, facing the man.
"Mr. Oliver has made it through surgery."
"Is he going to be alright?"
"He is not awake right now, but we are hoping that he will be soon. He shattered his left ankle, but we fixed it. His left wrist is also broke, but we didn't need to do surgery on that. It should heal perfectly. He has stitches in his cheek and forehead and he needed to have his spleen patched up. It is safe to say that his racing career is definitely over."
"Can I see him?" She says, playing with her engagement ring.
"Soon."
"Thank you." John says, "So that's it." He sighs.
"You are lucky for him to be alive! It should have been it a year ago, when he promised me he was done! You did this to him!"
"Kimberly, he didn't have to say yes."
"You don't know him at ALL do you!" She says, her eyes shining with pure sadness, " You knew he'd say yes, and that's why you asked him! You knew it! He raced your fucking car and ended up severely hurt and in the hospital! YOU ALMOST KILLED HIM JOHN! It is ALL your fault and your fucking racing team! Now, I could lose my fiancé because of YOU!" She was borderline hysterics, which was not like Kimberly. She felt like her entire world was collapsing. She was shouting out of sadness, not out of anger, but she directed it to whoever was there, "I…" She says, turning around to go out and get some air, she was ready to hit something, no kill something. "YOU DID THIS!" She shouts behind her and opens the door running straight into her best friend. She looks at him, and it registers that he was there.
"What are you doing here?" She says, feeling her emotions swell up inside her.
"I was in New York watching Kat perform. I was able to get here sooner. How are you?"
"Fine." She says with venom dripping from her voice.
"Kim…"
"I blame them." She says, "I blame them for giving him the chance to race… I hate them Jason! I hate them!"
"Kim, it's not their fault."
Kimberly looks like she was hit by a stick, "Not… ARE YOU CRAZY! OF COURSE IT IS!"
"Calm down."
"No, don't' you DARE tell me to calm down. My fiancé is in that fucking hospital room! He is hurt, he could die, and you are telling me that it is not their fault!"
"It was an accident… and Tommy was just there… you need to calm down, and relax. It wasn't his uncle's fault. He wasn't driving the car." He says, as he feels her slap him in the face.
"DON'T YOU BLAME TOMMY, JASON LEE!"
"I'm not Kimberly." He says, not paying attention to the slap.
"Some friend YOU are!" She says, pushing him, "Get out of my way."
"No." He says.
"GET OUT OF MY WAY!" She says, pushing him again, "Get out!"
Jason watches her facial expressions go from anger to sadness, "I'm not going to Kimberly."
"Leave me alone Jason! Just leave me alone!" She says, pushing him one more time. He finally lets her go, following her out the hospital doors. "Get away from me Jason, how many times do I have to tell you! Just leave me alone!"
"Kimberly…"
"Just…" She says, finally feeling the tears come to her eyes. She looses all control of her emotions, and Jason pulls her into a tight hug. She cries for what seems like an eternity.
"It will be ok Kimberly." He says, stroking her hair, "I promise. He'll be fine."
"I can't handle this Jason, I can't. I can't even think about losing him… but what if I do?"
"Have you seen him yet?"
"No." She sobs, holding onto Jason for dear life, "They said I could soon."
"So let's wait until we see him to make any decisions of his demise ok?"
"I just love him so much!"
"He'll be ok, I know he will be."
"How do you know?"
"Because I feel the same way I did when you were in the car accident."
"Jase…"
"He's just giving you your payback for all the hell you put him through." Jason says, "Payback's a bitch."
He feels her smile against him and she pulls away, "I was horrible to John."
"You were upset."
"That's no reason."
"Kim, it's alright to be upset. Don't push it down, don't keep it in."
"I'm so scared."
"I know." He says, "Me too. I think that I am going to go pick up the Oliver's at the airport."
"Do you know what flight they are on?"
"I figured they'd be on the first flight out. There was one at twelve that left, the next one leaves at eight, so I am guessing they took the noon flight."
"Ok."
"Why don't we go back inside?"
"Ok." Kim says, before asking, "Is Kat here?"
"Yeah. She has the same job she had with you, getting the hotel rooms. The others took the eight o'clock flight."
"Alright." Kimberly says. They walk back into the hospital and head up to the desk, "Do you have any information on Thomas Oliver?"
"He will be brought to his room soon, and they will let you see him then."
"Thank you." She says as the pair walks back into the waiting room. Tommy's Uncle and the others there are watching ESPN. Kim watches with wide eyes as her fiancé's horrific crash.
"That's where he went wrong. He should have hit the gas and then cut left…" The one guy says, "He wouldn't be in this predicament if he has used his head. He…"
"Shut up Shawn." John says, seeing Kim watching the replay in near hysterics.
"Miss Hart?"
"Yes?" She says wiping her eyes.
"You can see him now."
"Thank you." She says. She was grateful to get away from the TV.
"He's not awake yet."
"That's ok I expected that." Kimberly sighs.
"Do you want me to come back with you Kimberly?"
"Um… no, I can do it."
"Ok. I'll be back in a few minutes then."
"Alright." She says. She follows the nurse back to his room. Kimberly opens the door and hears the faint beeping of the monitor attached to his left finger. She wipes away a tear as she sees him. She walks over to him and pulls a chair next to the bed, looking over his body, seeing the stitches hidden behind the piece of loosely fitting gauze. He didn't look good, but he looked better than she had expected to see him.
"Hey Tommy." Kimberly says, taking his hand gently, "Can you here me? Open your eyes… please Tommy, open your eyes. God, you are so stupid! I am SO mad at you right now." She says, forcefully, but not letting his hand go. "Come on Tommy, open your eyes. Please…"
For two hours she sits in silence, watching him carefully. She was beginning to have a difficult time staying awake, and began to doze off into an light sleep. She felt a hand on her shoulder and jumped a mile. "Chill out… I'm just letting you know that I'm going to pick up the Oliver's." He teases.
"Ok." Kimberly says, looking back at Tommy.
"How is he?"
"He hasn't done anything yet."
"Ok." Jason says, squeezing her shoulder, "I'll be back ok?"
"Yeah." She says, not taking her eyes off of Tommy, "I guess I know what he felt like… what you all felt like when I was hurt."
"We were worse. Tommy has a higher chance of living than you did."
"You better go get the Oliver's." Kim says, tears filling her eyes, "Jase?"
"Yeah?"
"If you see Kat?"
"I'll send her back." He says, smiling.
"Thanks." She sighs. She wanted company now, and with her brother leaving, she opted for the next best thing.
He kisses her cheek and walks out to the waiting room, "Hey Kat?"
"Yeah?" She asks, putting her magazine down.
"Why don't you go in and sit with Kimberly for a while? I'm going to pick up the Oliver's and I think she needs you more than I do."
"Alright." Kat says, kissing him, "I'll see you when you get back."
"Alright. Tommy's Uncle has been going in and out, but I think they are eating lunch right now."
"Ok. How is he?"
"He looks better than I expected him to."
"Alright."
"I'll see you in a little bit ok?"
"Alright." She says, "Room number?"
"265."
"Thanks, drive safe."
"Will do, Luv." He says, winking at her.
Kat and Jason head in different directions. Kat quietly enters the room, "Hey."
Kimberly turns her head, "Hey Kat."
Katherine hugs her friend, "How are you holding up?"
"Ok, I guess."
"How's he doing?"
"Bout the same, I guess. I just hate sitting around and waiting."
"I feel like I did when we sat around waiting for you. He'll be ok Kim, just give him some time to come around."
"I am." She sighs. Katherine pulls up a seat next to her and sits, watching TV, "I am so mad at him Katherine."
"Why?"
"Because he told me that he was finished, he promised me he was finished, and then he goes back to racing and ends up in the hospital. I am so mad at him and at John I can barely see straight."
"You're allowed to be."
Kimberly sighs, and stares off into space. She and Kat sit in silence until the Oliver's come in.
"Hey sweetheart." Mrs. Oliver says to Kimberly.
"Hi Mrs. Oliver." She smiles, standing up to hug her, doing the same to Mr. Oliver.
"How is he?" Mr. Oliver asks, looking over his son's condition.
Kimberly shrugs, "I guess Ok. He hasn't been awake. They say that he has a pretty bad concussion, left leg is shattered, and his wrist is broke too. He broke a couple ribs, and his spleen needed patched, but they say he should be ok…"
"He will be." Kat says, smiling at the Oliver's.
"How are you Katherine?"
"I'm fine, how are you both?"
"We're fine." Mrs. Oliver answers for the both of them.
"Where's Morgan?" Kim asks.
"Out in the waiting room with Jason. She wasn't ready to come in yet. I think she's a bit nervous. He doesn't look too well."
"He looks dead." Kimberly sighs.
"This reminds me of when he was five." Mrs. Oliver replies, "Do you remember that James?"
He smiles, "Yeah I do."
"What happened?" Kat asks.
"He was riding his bike down a enormous rocky hill, and we told him to stop, he promised, but the second we turned our backs he was up there again. He ended up hitting a nice sized rock while he was flying down the hill, flipped over the handlebars, and rolled down the hill. He cracked his head right open, blood everywhere, and a concussion that could have taken down any sized man. Jim saw it happen and we took him to the hospital. He looked horrible and ended up having a cast on his right hand. He was unconscious the better part of almost two days. He woke up and the first things out of his mouth were, 'mom, how's my bike?' I was ready to kill him. Then he wanted to know when he could start riding again, and if his karate would have to stop. He was hurt, but that didn't stop him from doing just about everything. He's stubborn. I just remember him laying there when I came in, and there was not a thing I could do about it… nothing anyone could do about it."
Kim sighs, "I feel like I should have… I don't know, thrown a fit or flipped out of him to get him to not race."
"And then what good would that have done? You'd have been miserable and he would have been."
"I just.. feel so helpless."
"Me too." Mrs. Oliver says sighing.
"Kim, why don't you and I go get some coffee, or go and say hello to Morgan."
Kimberly sighs and was very reluctant to leave his side, but agrees. She needed something to wake her up, and coffee was sounding very good now, "Ok… if he wakes up…"
"We'll get you." Mr. Oliver says smiling at the girl he would be calling a daughter in about a year and a half.
Kat and Kim head out the door, closing it and head down to the cafeteria to grab some coffee, "Should we get Jason one?"
"Yeah." Kat says. They order and then head back to the waiting room.
"Kimberly!" Morgan says, running over to her, hugging her tight.
"Hey Morgan." She says, as her eyes begin to fill up at the sight of Morgan crying. "How you holding up?"
"I'm ok." She says, "How are you?"
"I'm hanging in there kid."
"Is he awake?"
"No."
"Will he be?"
"They hope soon." Kim says, "Do you want to come see him with me?"
Morgan thinks for a second, "How does he look?"
"A lot better than you are expecting him to look." She says.
"I'm scared."
Kimberly sighs, "So am I. I'm going to go back in with him in a few minutes, let me know if you are ready or not to go in."
"I'm going to go get something to drink." Morgan says, sighing.
"Come on, let's go to the café. You can get orange juice or something." Kim smiles.
"Kay." Morgan says.
"We'll be back." Kimberly says, as Kat and Jason sit next to each other.
"Ok." Jason smiles.
Kimberly and Morgan walk down to the café in silence, "What do you want?"
"Just orange juice." Morgan says. They order and sit at the table, "Are you still going to compete?"
"Not in this competition." Kimberly sighs, "I told them that I had family problems. Tommy's more important to me than some competition."
"He's gonna be mad when he wakes up and realizes that you missed your competition."
"He stayed with me for a long time when I was in my accident… so I'll just tell him dejavu."
She smiles, "Is he going to be ok Kim?"
"God I hope so Morgan. I'm sure he will be though. Your brother is very stubborn, and a little crash isn't going to take him down."
"I hope you're right." She sighs, "I just feel so horrible about what I said to him a few weeks ago, about the party. Do you remember?"
"I do."
"I never really apologized to him or anything. I haven't really talked to him much either. I was so mad at him."
"He'll understand. Come on, he was a teenager before too. We all were."
"You guys just seem so… perfect." Morgan says, "You guys always had each other and that was all you needed… you and all your friends. You were all popular, and didn't worry about drinking and partying and all. It's almost like you guys never had to face that stuff."
Kimberly looks at her, "We did… we just did it together."
"He's probably still mad at me."
"Not mad, disappointed, but he understands. Don't feel bad because he was in an accident and you didn't even apologize. He knows Morgan. Just tell him what you feel when he wakes up ok?"
"Ok." Morgan sighs.
"You ready to go see him yet?"
"I think so." Morgan says.
"It's Tommy, Morgan. Just keep telling yourself that. I had to. He'll be alright."
"I'll see him." Morgan sighs. They finish up their drinks and head back upstairs. Kimberly and Morgan go into the room. Mr. Oliver puts his hands on his daughter's shoulder, and Kimberly takes the vacant seat next to Mrs. Oliver.
"Has he woken up yet?" Morgan asks.
"No." Mr. Oliver says, "But he will, don't worry."
"You bet he will." Kimberly says, sighing.
Ten O'clock comes and they were all talking about heading back to the hotel, "Kimberly, why don't you go to the hotel and sleep. You must be exhausted." Mrs. Oliver says.
"I can't leave him." Kimberly replies, "Not until he is awake and says that I can."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. I'm gonna stay."
"Well, we'll see you in the morning then." Mr. Oliver says.
"Ok." She says, hugging her soon to be in-laws. "See you tomorrow." And she was left alone with her fiancé, "Come on Tommy, wake up please." She sighs, taking his hand, "I really need you right now. She sits with him the entire night. She closes her eyes and falls asleep for a few hours.
Almost a day went past, and Tommy didn't regain consciousness. The concussion was not allowing him to regain consciousness. "Kimberly, why don't you come to the hotel and get some rest?" Jason asks.
"Don't…" She says, "I'm not leaving him." Jason sighs and heads back out of the room to get some coffee. She looked exhausted and he knew coffee would be something welcomed.
Kimberly sat next to him when she suddenly felt his hand move and she looks at him, watching him begin to stir, "Tommy? Come on babe, open your eyes."
"Kim?" He questions as his eyes begin to focus on her.
"Yeah, I'm here."
"What…" He starts, until he shifts wrong in the bed, groaning at the sudden pain that shot across his stomach, "What happened?"
"You don't remember?"
"I remember getting hit… but."
"You're car tore apart. You crashed and were brought here. God Tommy, you had me so scared."
"Am I ok?"
"Yeah." Kim smiles, "You're racing career is over…"
"Martial arts?"
"I'm not sure. I'll ask. Your ankle was broken badly. They fixed it."
"Ok." He says, extremely groggy.
"God Tommy, I was so scared… I couldn't get here fast enough."
"I'm sorry Kimberly."
"I was so scared I lost you. They called me and told me it wasn't good… and… you didn't wake up right away….. and I just…."
"I'm alright Kimberly. I'm alright." He says, looking up at her.
"Your parents are here, and your sister. They are at the hotel right now, but they will be back."
"Alright." He says, running his thumb over her hand gently.
Kimberly kisses his cheek, "I love you."
"I love you too." He says.
She looks at him and smiles, "You should probably rest more. It's been hell."
Tommy nods, and closes his eyes. Kimberly continues to stay by his side during the time he slept. She smiles and her best friend walks through the doors, "He's awake Jase."
"Really!"
"Well, he was."
"How is he?"
"He's doing alright. He is exhausted though."
"Well, at least he was awake." Jason says, handing her the cup of coffee. "Have you thought of what you are going to tell him when he realizes you aren't competing because of him?"
"Ugh, no… but I will." Kimberly says, turning her attention back to Tommy. Jason and her sit down and wait for him to wake up again. The air was less tense than it had been knowing that their friend was on the mend. It would still be a day or two before he gets out of the hospital and back to his daily life, but Kimberly knows she will be with him during the length of time, "I'm going to stay with him Jason."
"I know you are… but you have your gymnastics."
"He's more important then that."
Jason nods, but he hopes that she wont regret missing a competition when Tuesday comes and she isn't competing. He knows that she will have the competition on, watching the entire Team USA compete, and it will be hard to watch if they don't win gold without her. He'll just have to wait and see her reaction then, but right now, she was content with staying by Tommy's side. They'd just have to wait and see on Tuesday.
Sorry this took so long, I was given a case of writers block, along with lack of time. I'm back! Hopefully a new chapter will be up soon! Thanks for waiting around for it! Forgive the small mistakes!
I hope you all enjoyed it! Please read and Review… they have really been great and I appreciate them greatly!
Check out "The Diary" Too if you get a chance and Review too please! Another T/K in the process.
I'll try and post another chapter very very soon, I promise.
Thanks!
LUNA