A/N: Hi, everyone! Here is the next chapter. I am LOVING all the hate for Nick lol. Trust me, there is more to come. Also, I just wanted to say that if you ever feel that you are in an abusive relationship and need help, reach out to someone! I'm even here if you ever need someone to talk to. Do not stay if you are not safe. It's better to be safe and alone than it is to be loved for a moment and possibly killed the next. You are more important to this world than that! 3
June 13, 2004
Angel Grove, CA
"What?" I asked, turning in my seat to look at Trini. She grinned, undoing her seat belt.
"Jason left some of his stuff here that he needs at home. I told him we could swing by and grab it. I figured it would give you a chance to see Tommy."
"I don't know about this, Trini." I said, biting my lip. "I've only been in town for a couple hours. I don't want to just spring this on him without warning. Besides, I don't know how Nick would feel about me just popping in to see an old boyfriend my first day home."
"Kim, it's Tommy. He's not going to need a warning to see you. All of that is just water under the bridge. You were kids then. It doesn't matter to him what happened. I'm sure he will be excited to see you." I glanced at the building again, considering it. It had been so long since I had last seen Tommy. It was about a year after I had moved to Florida. I had come home for the weekend to surprise everyone and ended up playing damsel in distress. It had only been a couple months into my relationship with Nick then. I had moved on and had seen that Tommy had too. He was with Kat, the girl who had replaced me when I left.
"I don't think I'm ready." I whispered and I felt something in my chest ache. I wanted to see Tommy but in the same breath, I knew I couldn't yet. At least without feeling like I was going to throw up at the mere sight of him. I turned to Trini, feeling ashamed.
"It's okay." She said, putting a hand on my arm. "I'll just run in and right back out, okay?" I nodded. She gave me another smile before climbing out of the car. I watched her jog up the sidewalk and disappear inside. Sighing in relief, I sat back against the seat and closed my eyes. I knew she thought she was doing something nice for me but I couldn't even grasp the idea of facing Tommy. I hadn't spoken to him in years. Not even when I had been back here that weekend really. And when I did, it was during a battle. I had been afraid then as well but the buffer of a new relationship had been there, taking the tension away from the situation. I thought back to the letter I had written and for some reason, regret filled my chest.
I met Tommy Oliver when I was just a few months shy of sixteen. I was still new to the Power Ranger game, learning how to function as a superhero and a teenager at the same time. It was similar to balancing math homework and zord flight lessons. I was just getting the hang of it when a tall, dark, handsome sixteen year old Tommy came strolling into the school. He actually had faced off against Jason at a karate tournament and that's how Jason and him became friends. I met him for the first time when he saved me from the school knuckleheads. I had seen him at the tournament and thought he was different in a very appealing way. As fate would have it, he ended up becoming the Green Ranger but for the enemy's side. Tommy is a tough fighter and he proved to be one of the strongest forces we had faced. Luckily, we managed to break him of the spell he was under and he joined our team.
Our relationship started six months after he joined our team. He struggled with his powers, them becoming weak and then eventually losing them twice. He became the white ranger then, taking over the leader position that Jason willingly handed over. Jason, Trini, and Zack left shortly after this and it left a hole in our team. Tommy and I did our best to welcome our new friends along with our other friend, Billy Cranston, who had stayed with us. At that time, Tommy and I were so close that it was strange to see us apart. I loved him with my entire heart and pictured us being together forever. There was little time to do things together alone between school and Ranger duties but we still managed. I always imagined telling our kids that we were high school sweethearts that never left each other's sides.
Then I left.
The call for Schimdt's gym came and with it, a hard choice. Tommy and I discussed it and he supported my decision in leaving. I did it reluctantly, not wanting to leave him behind. We swore to stay together and make it work no matter how hard it was. Our long distance relationship lasted six months. It was then when I met Nick and felt like there was something between us. It was also then when I realized that Tommy wasn't ever going to let the Power Rangers go. It was part of who he was and something that he felt in his blood. I was just a distraction that would get in the way and could kill him. I knew it was in his best interest to end things and I did. It was a tough decision that left me in tears for months after I made it but I knew it would benefit Tommy in the long run. I wasn't proud of the fact I had fallen in love with someone else when I was with Tommy but I never cheated on him. I will go to my grave defending that fact because I never did. I know a good number of our friends assumed I did and some might still think it's true. I'm not that kind of person and would never do that to someone.
"What are you doing sitting in the car, Trini?" A voice asked, causing me to jump. Opening my eyes, I saw someone was bending over on Trini's side of the car and poked their head into the open window. To my surprise, I saw that it was indeed Tommy Oliver. His soft brown eyes widened in mutual surprise and his smile faded when he saw that I was not Trini but in fact his ex-girlfriend. He didn't move, neither one of us spoke for a very long and awkward moment. He slightly shook his head, smiling again. "Kim! What are you doing here?"
"Hi." I replied meekly. He stood up straight and I watched him walk around the front of the car, heading for my side. I undid my seat belt and he opened my door. Taking a deep breath, I climbed out and was shocked when he pulled me in for a hug. I hugged him back, smelling his aftershave through the white t-shirt he wore. Pulling back, I looked up at him. Tommy looked the same as the last time I had seen him. His hair wasn't as long but still long enough to pull back in a ponytail. The sides were shaven close to his scalp and it almost pained me how well he looked.
"How long have you been back for?" He asked, holding me at arms length.
"About eight hours." I replied. "We just moved back today."
"Trini and Jase said something about you relocating back this way. I'm glad. How have you been?" His hands released me and he tucked them into the pockets of his jeans.
"I'm okay. And you? I see the dojo dream came true." I gestured towards the door. He nodded, smiling sheepishly.
"Yeah. I have no clue how but it really did. I heard that you were running a store down in Florida. Are they franchising out here?" I let out a laugh, shaking my head.
"No. I was just a manager at a store, that's all. I'm actually looking for a new job out here. I'm hoping that Trini can get me in to manage the Angel Grove Community Theater."
"That's has you written all over it." He replied. "What about your husband? Does he have anything lined up?" I shook my head, feeling something weird in my stomach hearing Tommy ask me about Nick.
"Not yet. We're both in the same boat. Lucky for us, Jase and Trini are letting us stay with them until we can get settled into Mom's old place."
"That'll be good. I know how much you loved that house." I smiled at him, nodding as I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear.
"I do. I can't wait to be there. It's definitely like coming home again. I'm glad to be back. How's Kat doing?" Tommy let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head.
"I wouldn't know. After she went to college, she ended things with me. I apparently wasn't the right prop for her image. Last I heard, she was dancing in Sydney for some dance company. She's married now though. So, I guess she found someone."
"That sounds like Kat." I replied, both of us laughing.
"Tommy! There you are." Trini's voice said as she came out of the front door of the dojo. She had a tote in her hand and Tommy walked forward, taking it from her hands. I opened up the back passenger door for him and he slid it inside.
"Yeah. I had to run some errands so Rocky is covering my classes for me this afternoon." Tommy said, shutting the door. "Did Jase forget his gis again?"
"Naturally." Trini said, rolling her eyes. "I see you two reaquiated with each other."
"Sure did." I replied, giving her a tight smile. I could tell that she was reading the message I was giving her and smiled brightly.
"So, Tommy! Are you coming to the BBQ tomorrow? I know Jason had to have told you guys." He nodded.
"Yeah! I'll be there. I was put in charge of bringing the ice. Apparently, it was to prevent me from trying to cook anything."
"Great! It's going to be so much fun. I still have a lot to do before that." She replied.
"Right. I'll let you ladies get to it. I'm sure you still have a lot of unpacking to do." Tommy said, turning his attention back to me. His eyes held my gaze for a second. At that moment, I felt it. I felt that feeling I did when I was fifteen years old, the butterflies threatening to burst right out of me. His soft brown eyes warmed my heart when his smile reached them and suddenly, I was a pathetic loser with a high crush again. I wanted to swear and cry but I held it in. "It was good seeing you again, Kim. We'll have to get coffee sometime to really catch up."
"Sounds like a plan." He leaned in and gave me a hug, putting a light kiss on my cheek. He let go and gave Trini a hug. I noted that he did not kiss her cheek as he let go. He waved before heading into the dojo.
"I am so sorry!" Trini said, walking to her side of the car. "I had no idea that he'd just appear out here."
"It's fine." I said, my eyes looking in the direction where Tommy had just gone. "It was going to happen at some point, I suppose." I turned to face the car.
"You okay?" She asked. I nodded, giving her a small smile. We climbed back in the car and she headed home.
"What ever happened between him and Kat?" I asked as we drove. The silence was killing me and I needed it to end. She sighed, glancing at me from the corner of her eyes.
"Well, things weren't going great from the beginning is what I heard. He only went out with her because she kept asking him. You know Tommy. So they went out on a few dates and to prom and stuff. But it just didn't seem to mesh together well. We all knew it and I think Tommy knew it too. He started driving for his uncle in the racing scene and it's something I think he really fell in love with. We all thought it was something he wanted to take up as a hobby until he got his dojo up and running. Kat apparently wasn't on board with that. She really wanted him to just stick with racing and make that his career. She pushed him hard, telling him there was no way he'd be able to afford the life she wanted on the money he'd make from owning his own business."
"No she didn't." I said, gasping. Trini nodded.
"Oh, she did. She said that her parents always told her to marry someone who was worth their weight in hardwork and money. For some stupid reason, she didn't think that the dojo would be hard work or something. But Tommy wanted to open the dojo. It's been his dream for so long. So, he raced three circuits and raised up enough money to buy the space and all the equipment without telling Kat. He sorta sprung it on her a couple months before he was set to open. She was livid."
"I bet." I said.
"And he did it at our house in front of everyone." I widened my eyes as I looked at her.
"Oh no. What did she say?"
"She told him that she had wasted years of her life with him and that he was making a stupid decision." Trini pulled into the driveway of the house and cut the engine. I could feel my blood boil a little at the thought of Kat being so callus towards Tommy. I was never a fan of hers after our history but this was completely unreasonable on her part. "But you know what the weird thing is? The entire time she was chewing him out, he didn't even look upset. I've seen Tommy at his worst and this was nowhere near that. Even after she left for school and then broke up with him, he didn't seem all that sad about it. He was more relieved than anything. After that, he opened up the dojo and has been working non stop. The place is really booming. He's really happy now."
"Yeah?" I glanced over at the house and bit my lip. "Does he ever bring up the letter?" I whispered.
"He did when we told him you were coming back." She answered. "But it wasn't in a bad way. He just said something about how he hoped the two of you could move past that, that's all."
"Really?" I asked, giving her a hopeful look. She nodded, giving me a supportive smile.
"Really. I think you two are going to do well as friends. And I'm pretty sure that Tommy is ready to get over it just as much as you are. You both are doing really well. You've been married to Nick for all this time now and his business is going well. I think you're both in the right place for it now."
"I hope so." I sighed. "He looks good." She laughed, undoing her seat belt. "What?" I asked, doing mine.
"Is it the hair? It's gotta be the hair."
"Shut up!" I called as we climbed out of the car.
Inside, we found Jason and Nick watching the game on the TV. The two of them were sitting apart as far as they could and I could tell there wasn't much conversation going on. Jason nearly jumped out of his chair to help Trini carry in the bags we had. I gave Nick a quick glance before heading up the hall to our room. I saw that our clothes were still unpacked and the things he had thrown at me were still there. I put my bags on the floor and picked up the discarded items. I started unpacking, trying not to think about Tommy. Why was it so hard? It had to be the shock of seeing him again. It was the only thing I could think of. After all this time, it was all too much for one day. But then why is it I could still smell the earthy tones of his aftershave? Was it on me? I stopped to sniff my shirt and was relieved to see that it wasn't. I had no idea how I would have explained that one to my husband. Nick has a bit of a jealous streak. For some reason, he always thinks that I might step out on him. I would never do that but he gets into these moods that are impossible to change his mind in. And sometimes, these will last for weeks on end.
"Hey." Nick said, walking into the room. He shut the door behind him as I continued to unpack our clothes into the dresser. "How was the mall?"
"Fine." I replied, shortly.
"Did you buy anything nice?" He asked. I shrugged my shoulder, not answering. "Kimmy, talk to me."
"Why? You didn't want to before I left. Why now?" I asked, shooting him a look. Sighing, he walked over and took the clothes from my hands. He set them on the bed and took my hands in his.
"I'm sorry about before. I think I still have some jet lag or whatever. I didn't mean what I said. I'm sorry." I looked up at his, his shaggy dark blonde hair was messy on top of his head and his eyes looked down at me. They weren't soft like Tommy's but still had a caring quality to them. He smiled, kissing the back of my right hand. I sighed, smiling as I looked up at him.
"It's fine. I know this is a big change. Thank you for doing this for me."
"Of course. I think I'm going to like it here too. The weather is great and I guess Jason isn't too bad."
"He's great. The more you hang out with him, the better he gets. I promise. And tomorrow, you'll meet the rest of our friends. You'll like them and they'll love you too." I said.
"I hope so. Any luck on the job hunting?"
"Trini is going to help me try to get a job as a manager for the local theater. I'd be running the plays and stuff like that. She's going to talk to her co-worker on Monday for me. Nothing at the mall was really hiring."
"You'll find something. Like I said, there's no reason we can't relax a bit first. Then, we will both get jobs and live a good life." Leaning in, he pressed his lips to mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck and returned the kiss. "So," he said, wrapping his arms around my waist. "Did you buy anything sexy for me?"
"Not unless you find dress pants appealing." I replied. He grinned.
"I mean, if you squint hard enough, anything can be sexy."
"Thanks." I said flatly.
"I think you're sexy in anything." He said, kissing me again. He trailed a kiss from my lips down to my neck. "Especially nothing."
"That's sweet of you but I'm kinda tired." I said. He pulled away slightly, raising an eyebrow at me.
"So am I but I think I can make an exception."
"I know. I'm sorry but I'm not really in the mood." He let go of me and walked over to the bags I had brought in.
"I see how it is. You leave me here all day long and then refuse to spend any time with me once you're back. Is this how it's going to be the entire time we're staying here? The moment Trini asks for something, you take off running but I ask for one thing, you act like I'm asking you to move a mountain."
"Nick, it's not like that. I promise. I have jet lag too." I replied. He scoffed.
"Nice excuse. I almost bought it." He sat on the edge of the bed, facing me. "When are you going to admit this move was about coming back here to get rid of me? I know I'm a piece of shit husband. The sooner you admit it to me, the better off we'll both be." He buried his head in his hands. Rushing forward, I knelt down in front of him.
"Hey." I said softly, putting my hands on his knees. "You're not a piece of shit. I love you. You know I do. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. I guess we both aren't ourselves today. But I want to be with you. I always do. I promise." Leaning in, I kissed him. He wrapped his arms around me and fell back on the bed, taking me with him.
"Good. Now, let's get these clothes off."
