Learning to Breath

Disclaimer: Don't own PR or its character, Saban and Disney do, for now. Muhahaha! cough cough. Very sorry :)

Timeline: After Dino Thunder series, Tommy just turned 27, and Kimberly is about 26.

Summary: Kimberly is a social worker in New York City. It's a great job, with a good pay. Kimberly told herself long before, she would always make a mark with her life and wouldn't live her life with misery and regret. Tommy is still a science teacher at Reefside, the rangers having moved on to college. He is still a lonely bachelor, after Hayley jumped up and got married on him. He always thought Hayley would be with him, though neither wanted anything romantic. But now that she is married, she has moved from Reefside, leaving a lonely bachelor.

A reunion in the mix?

The first few chapters will be dedicated to the lives of Tommy and Kimberly currently. 'Learning' to me, is about living life, with those happy memories, joyful days, but also comes is taking your bumps, your headaches, and heartaches. Taking all of that and making something of it is life. I hope you all enjoy and review!

Enjoy :P

Chapter 1: Bad Dreams

A storm raging surrounded the penthouse apartment. The lightning filling the dark room and halls with light. The thunder rumbled through. It shook the apartment as the rain pounded outside. With each strike of lightning, the young woman slightly flinched unknowingly in her dreams. The boom woke her from her dreams. Normally, she would sleep through such storms, but of late, her dreams, nightmares have been filled with such sorrow and lost. It is a wonder she can close her eyes. The last thunder caused the young woman to sit up in her bed with a slight cry. In the silence, only heavy breathing could be heard minus rain. As she calmed herself, she could have sworn she heard a baby's cry. The young woman got out of bed and searched her placed.

"Hello?" She jumped as thunder seemingly hit right over her complex. It was times like these she really hated living alone. In the middle of her living room, a blue bundle of blankets. The young woman rushed to the blanket and cries of the baby. She screamed as she found blood splattered throughout the blanket, and no baby in sight.

A scream filled the bedroom. Kimberly Hart sat up in her bed fast. She rubbed her forehead as she tried to calm her beating heart. Kimberly was a young woman, 25 years old. Living in New York these days. She was always beautiful and petite, even as a young girl, but stood taller than mostly anyone could. She had a thing about her that made everyone around her want to be better. She was a person of true passion and commitment. Once she left Florida for NY, she decided to do something in her life worthwhile. She could have been a fashion designer, a gymnastic coach, but changed up and went into social work. She felt after her losing her son all those years ago, she would help others through adoptions, and care taking of infants and children. She didn't want the lost of her baby to be the end, though some days she was empty inside. Kimberly's job dealt with working along side cops when special cases of babies and children were involved. She was to counselor to the children before placing them into a foster home and finally adoption in the end. It was mid-September.

Kimberly turned to her window to see rain. She laid to her back crying. Her mind screaming at herself for crying like a baby over some silly nightmare meant to torture her. She turned to her side. 'Stop it! Stop crying! Stop crying!' Kimberly pulled the covers up around herself and tried to get more sleep before the early morning light.

The water pounded down her back, as she had given up sleep and went to shower. She stood under the hot showerhead hoping to wash the pain away. Her dreams of late have been filled with a baby's cry. Kimberly knew why. It was about a week to the dreadful day. The day she will always hate for the rest of her life. Kimberly sighed and turned off the shower and pulled the curtain back. She caught her reflection in the fogged mirror. Her eyes told the story of a restless individual. Kimberly stood before her mirror staring back into those lost eyes. 'No more.' Kimberly ran her hand across her face and walked out the steaming bathroom.

Anyone who would meet Kimberly Hart could still her beautiful that ran not only skin deep, but to her soul. She had this special thing, a special quality. She had a certain passion and flare for greatness. Once she left Florida for NY University, she decided to do something in life that was for good. Being a superhero at such a young age, she always wanted to continue that trend with or without powers. She should have been a fashion designer, marked in college as one the best young talent in the world, could have been an artist, but took an opposite turn. Becoming a social worker, Kimberly decided with the lost of her son when she was just 17, she wanted to help others with children, either getting their life back on line for their children and helping other unable to have children through adoptions. She didn't want the lost of her baby to be the end of her life. She couldn't let that sting ruin her life.

Kimberly got dressed for work. She poured herself some coffee with the news on, hating to hear about more crime. The one thing she did dislike about the City, unlike Angel Grove, which dealt with the constant monster attacks, but the murders here were hard to take on a daily basis. Kimberly knew it happens everywhere in the world, but for some reason she felt it more here. She grabbed her briefcase on her way out to another workday. Kimberly arrived to her office, stacks of papers still left from last night. The placed was overdrawn with cases for filing. The company had to change over to a new network, which was going to take a bit of a transition especially with the hiring of a new employee due to work any day now. Kimberly barely put her briefcase down when her phone went off. She picked it up as Alice, her secretary, came into the office.

"Mrs. Hart, I..." Kimberly held her hand up as she saw Alice. "Sorry."

"Yes. That will be fine. I will find a replacement for you too, don't worry. Feel better." Kimberly hung up the phone. "What is it, Alice?"

"The 9 o'clock interview with Summer Roberts is cancelled for today?"

"Why?"

"Something about a doctor's appointment, boss."

"Fine, check my calendar to reschedule today. If you can't fit anything in a couple of days, then I will do it. Why isn't that new worker here yet! Someone has to replace Josh's jobs!" The phone went off again. Kimberly picked up her phone. "Go." Alice nodded quickly and left. Kimberly usually wasn't this unkind in the morning, especially to Alice. She knew her boss has something on her mind, something lingering, and without her morning breakfast, Kimberly could become a killer. Alice rushed to get her boss some coffee and her morning muffin.

Alice brought in lunch around 1pm. Kimberly had finally cleared her desk. Kimberly smiled and opened the bag.

"Thanks, Alice. Sit, eat with me."

"Oh, thanks, boss." Kimberly opened the second box and held it out for Alice. "Can I be truthful?"

"Always," Kimberly said.

"Hate to break it to you, boss. You don't look so well this morning."

"Thanks."

"I'm sorry." Alice was only 20 years old, doing secretary work since she was only going to community college. Kimberly gave her the job; since she was desperate for extra help and Alice seem geared to learn.

"I'm fine."

"You sure, because you…"

"I what?"

"Well, you look like crap," Alice said.

"I slept like shit last night, nothing more."

"Are you sure boss?"

"Just bad dreams, Alice. Bad dream. Nothing more."

"Want to talk to someone, to me? I mean, I am paid as your secretary, but I don't mind the chat. I mean, I can be part-time psychologist too." Kim laughed.

"Thanks, but you can't help me. Only I can get through this. And I always do, every year."

"But if you ever need.."

"Alice, thank you. Really, I'm fine." Kimberly drank her juice. "This is good, thanks for going to this shop instead of the one 3 blocks up." Alice nodded.

"I thought you could use something special today." Kimberly drank her juice with a smile.

Kimberly went into a house with a boy that was recently adopted. Mr. and Mrs. Ford couldn't have children, so adopted him as a means to have a son. They were a middle-age couple, always living in New Jersey their whole life. Their son was just getting settled into his new school. Kimberly helped advise the young boy, who was somewhat of a troublesome with a shaky past, living with his drug-addicted mother for all his 8 years before she finally was killed by an overdose. Joey had to grow up so fast, dealing with an unfit mother. He would take care of his mother when she was on the drugs, and when the cops found her dead in the house; Joey was in the closet, having been there for 2 days. Kimberly was the first person he would come out when the cops found his mother dead. Kimberly was called to scene. Joey's mother was just around 24, having had her son at 15, and the drugs finally took her life. Kimberly grew to like Joey when they couldn't find a foster family for a couple of days, so Kimberly often her home him. They became a bit attached, since he would have nightmares about his dead mother. It was found out through police investigation, Joey's mother was murdered, and Joey nearly gotten into serious trouble as he went after her killer. Kimberly was the only one to get him to put the gun down, as she hugged him to prevent him from ruining his life by revenge.

7pm

Kimberly dropped her briefcase and jacket to the counter as she arrived from work. She pulled off her blazer and put it on top of her couch. It was these days she really hated living alone. Going home to a lonely penthouse made a hard workday incomplete. Kimberly missed the company of family, especially when she lived with the Campbell's all those years ago. Kimberly went to her fridge and pulled out a bottle of wine. She pulled off her satin pumps and rubbed her soles. She wouldn't wait to get into the bathtub and soak away the day. Kimberly picked up a few files from her briefcase and went into her bathroom. She sat in the bubbles with her wine glass and wine bottle, looking through some cases. Kimberly fell asleep in her tub.

About a good hour later, Kimberly woke up with a startle, as there was a ring at her door. Kimberly knocked over her glass of wine to a case.

"Shit!" She quickly started wiping the wine from the papers. "Coming!" Kimberly stopped at the case of Carlton Edwards on the top of the paper in red. She stopped wiping and opened through some of the papers. The doorbell rung again. "Coming!" Kimberly got out the water and put on her robe. She went to her door.

"Sorry ma'am, but this came Fed-Ex."

"Oh, okay thank you." Kimberly signed the paper and took the envelope. She pulled the tab and found a mysterious evenlope. It had no address on it. "Weird." Kimberly opened the letter.

He has returned to his reign. He has something taken years ago that you want. Don't fall into his trap or you will die like Christopher.

The lights in her apartment popped and crackled off, causing her to scream. Kimberly gasped and dropped the letter. "Shit!" Kimberly went to her breaker and pushed the knobs. Nothing changed in the apartment. "This is just great!" Kimberly went to her window and saw the lights were off in many other buildings around. "Great, just great!" Kimberly ripped up the letter and tossed it into the trash. "Well, can't work tonight. Guess I should go to bed." Kimberly went to her bedroom and got ready for bed.

Next morning

Kimberly was checking her computer with some file forms from last night. She came across Carl's file again, but found any photos of the young boy deleted. She realized the file was 3 months out of date. She liked to keep files updated at least once a month. She picked up her phone.

"Alice, could you look up the information on Carl Edwards?"

"Sure thing, boss." Kimberly put her phone on the hook. There was a knock at her door a minute later.

"Alice, how many times do I have to tell you not to knock, just come in…"

"Who is Alice?" A deep man's voice said came. Kimberly looked up.

"Oh, hello?"

"Hello. My name is Jeff Steins and you must be, Ms. Hart."

"That I am." Kimberly stood up and held her hand out. "Nice to meet you Jeff." They shook hands.

"You too."

"I'm guessing you are the one replacing Josh Williams," Kimberly said.

"Yes. I just arrived from California this morning, Ms. Hart."

"Oh, call me Kimberly, everyone else does."

"Okay, good," Jeff said.

"Let me show you to your office. It's down the hall."

"Thanks." Kimberly took him down the hall to the only empty office. "So, I am new to this, do I get my work from you?"

"Yes for now, I am the co-boss in this department until Jennifer Banks gets back from maternity leave," Kimberly said.

"Okay."

"You get settled in, we will go out for lunch and I can tell you more about your work and what is expected."

"Okay, thanks," Jeff said.

"I'll come get you as soon as I get a few things settled, then we can go."

"Take your time." Jeff smiled at Kimberly.

Alice returned with a file.

"Here you go, boss."

"Jeff Steins is here."

"Jeff?" Alice asked.

"The new worker, get him some forms to start on after lunch. Nothing too complicated."

"Sure thing boss. Is he cute?"

"Alice!"

"Well, it's shame we lost Josh, he was cute."

"Get back to work. You can see him, I'm taking him to lunch to go over work," Kimberly said.

"Oh, then he must be cute." Alice smiled. Jeff Steins was called over. Alice looked him over. He was about 6'2, gorgeous shady blonde hair, with blue eyes, muscular physique and delicious booty. Kimberly was signing off some papers when he appeared in her doorway.

"Just one more minute." Kimberly closed a folder. They went to lunch. When they returned, Kimberly gave him a case to look over and take over with. Alice held up a folder for Kimberly. Kimberly quickly skimmed through it, and was not happy. "This is still out of date, Alice."

"I'm sorry, but that was all I could find in resources."

"This is already what I have! I need that case. Usually Jennifer would be dealing with this one, but since she is gone, I need to be kept in the mix of her cases as well. I want this file."

"It might take a day or so.."

"Fine! Get it!" Kimberly went to her office. Tears fell to her black shirt, as she stood with her back against the door. There was a knock at the door. "What!"

"Are you okay Kimberly?"

"Fine!" Kimberly wiped her eyes. "Just not the best week okay."

"Okay boss. I'll hurry to find that case for then."

"Thank you. And hold my calls for at least an hour." Alice nodded and walked away from the door.

That evening, Jeff stopped by Kim's office, having found the door opened. Kimberly was typing up some work. The knock at the door made her look up.

"Hey."

"Hey, come in."

"I was looking through this file and I don't see the reason for another visit so soon."

"Let me see it," Kimberly said. She saw he was correct; they did just have a visit a week ago. "I would agree, but since you are taking over. I think it's okay for you just meet the family some time this week."

"Okay." Alice came into the office with a file.

"I found Carl's case for you."

"Thanks, put it on my desk." Alice did, smiling at Jeff, who seems to have eyes only for Kimberly. "That will be all, Alice. You can go home for the night."

"Thanks." Alice left the office. Jeff watched as Kimberly went back to working at her computer not paying attention to him.

"Do you know a great place for dinner, my treat?"

"Well, there are dozens of places around, you won't have a problem with finding a great place to eat, but I can't right now."

"How about a drink then?"

"Not tonight, Jeff. I have files to network tonight. Maybe some other time."

"Okay." Kimberly got ready to leave and found Jeff the last one left in the department. He was closing his door. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Kimberly said as the elevator doors opened to the garage. "See ya in the morning."

"You too." Kimberly walked to her car. She hit her alarm button and drove off after Jeff.

8pm

Kimberly lifted her take-out to her counter with her coat and keys. As she ate, she looked for Carl's file. After 5 minutes, she realized it was gone.

"No… wha…where is it?" Kimberly searched her briefcase. She knew she put it inside her bag to take home. Was she losing her mind? Kimberly searched through again, but still no file on Carl Edwards. Kimberly went on with her other work and will look for the file when she got to the office in the morning.

Next Day

Kimberly let out a scream when she couldn't find the file for Carl in her office. Alice came into the office.

"What's wrong?"

"Carl's file is gone!'

"What? Are you sure you didn't leave it at home?"

"I didn't have last night! I thought I just left it here, but it's not here!"

"Let me help you," Alice said.

"Thanks." They cleaned through Kim's desk that was surprisingly messy once again, after she just cleaned it 2 days ago. "This is ridiculous!" Kimberly scratched her head. "A file can't just get up and walk away! Especially one so incomplete!"

"I'll go try and see if I can get another copy."

"Don't waste your time. Get these filed away first." Kimberly handed over a fresh stack that she completed last night. She sat down and cleaned out some paperwork.

After work, Kimberly found herself alone at a bar that night. She was sipping on her drink. Kimberly was still upset about losing that case. Something about Carl made her feel uneasy.

"Well, hello. Fancy seeing you here," Jeff said putting his jacket to the chair next to her.

"Oh, hello."

"Mind if I sit?"

"Not at all."

"A whiskey sour please," Jeff said to the bartender who nodded.

"How was your visit uptown?"

"Pretty good. The Andersons have a beautiful home and beautiful boys."

"Yeah. Those boys are something." They ended up drinking for a few hours before Kimberly and Jeff stumbled out the bar. Jeff had his jacket over Kimberly with his arm. They shared a cab home. Kimberly went to pull out some cash, when he stopped her.

"I got it."

"Oh, okay thanks." Kimberly got out the cab. "Well, this is me." Jeff looked up at her complex. He whistled.

"Nice place."

"Thanks. See ya tomorrow."

"Right." Kimberly went to her doorman, only turning to waveback.

"Sssoon, Kimberly." Jeff got into the cab.

Next Morning

Kimberly woke up with a major headache. She groaned and got ready for work. She arrived to work not in the best of moods.

"Morning boss."

"Hold my calls." Kimberly got some coffee and went into her office. Jeff was in the forms storage room, as Alice came by.

"Oh, good morning."

"Good morning, Alice. Where are the W-22 files?"

"Oh, over here." Alice showed him. Jeff saw a file with Carl on the top. He bumped into Alice.

"I am so sorry," Jeff said.

"No, it was my fault." He helped her clean up her fallen papers. "Thank you."

"No problem." Jeff placed the finally pile into her hands after taking a few files from the floor as well.

Kimberly called Alice into her office.

"Did you give me Carl's case file, Alice?"

"Yeah, I handed it over with the all the other files I gave you this morning."

"It's not here."

"What?" Alice asked.

"It's not here!"

"I know I had it. I placed it on your desk after I…"

"After you what?" Kimberly asked, putting away some disks.

"I dropped a lot of files earlier, maybe they got messed up with the W-22 files I gave Jeff."

"Jeff?"

"Yeah, I kind of bumped into him this morning."

"Fine, I'll go see if he has it, I need to talk to him anyway. Can you go get me lunch?"

"Sure thing, boss." Kimberly walked over to Jeff's office. She knocked on the door. He was on the phone.

"Hello, boss," Jeff held his phone. "Give me a minute." Kimberly nodded. Jeff quickly said goodbye to the person. "Mothers."

"Your mother?"

"Yeah, wants to know how her only baby is doing in the Big Bad City." Kimberly nodded.

"I understand. My mother was a little hesitate herself when she learned I was moving here too."

"Good to know we share things." Jeff smiled. Kimberly got a slight vibe.

"By any chance did a file get mixed up in your stack?" Kimberly asked touched his small stack of papers.

"A file about what?"

"Just a file."

"Let me see," Jeff said going through his small stack. "Nope, just W-22 files for all my cases. Why? Did you lose a file?"

"Yeah, can't seem to keep it in my hands."

"Sorry."

"Not your fault. It'll turn up."

"I was about to get lunch, why don't we go together?"

"Already sent Alice out. Maybe another time."

"Eventually."

"Yeah. Keep up the good work, bye."

"Bye, Kimberly." Kimberly smiled and left the office.

Jeff knocked on Kim's door.

"Yeah, come in." Jeff smiled and walked in. "What is it? Is something wrong?" Kimberly asked.

"No, I just realized you were right earlier."

"I was?"

"I checked my other stack and a few pages were not W-22 files. Something about a Carlton Edwards. I know I don't have his case, so this must be what you were looking for," Jeff said.

"Oh, thank you!" Kimberly took the folder. Kimberly was looking over the case and saw that Carl shared the same birthday as Christopher Thomas, her son. That made her gasped.

"What's wrong?"

"Nn-nothing."

"You sure, you seem shocked."

"It's fine, Jeff. I have to…"

"Sure thing, boss. I'll leave you to work."

"Thanks for this." Jeff nodded and left. The photo of Carl was bit fuzzy, but his eyes were so familiar.

Kimberly sat alone at a bar. She wiped away some fallen tears, after the bartender handed her another drink. Tomorrow was her son's birthday. Jeff came up behind her and touched her shoulder. Kimberly flinched, pulling away quickly.

"Woo! Sorry!"

"Jeff?"

"Didn't mean to scare the pretty lady."

"It's okay. I just was shocked."

"I can tell, you okay?" Kimberly coughed.

"Yea, yeah. Fine." Jeff took a seat and ordered a drink.

"Want to talk about it?"

"About what?" Kimberly asked.

"What's made you so sad tonight?"

"Who said I was sad?"

"Your eyes." Kimberly looked at Jeff.

"I need to go," Kimberly said paying for her last drink. Jeff grabbed her arm.

"Why are you running, Kimmy." She looked at him.

"Who are you?" Jeff smiled.

"An old friend, Kimberly."

"Funny, I think I would remember you."

"I have changed a lot over the years."

"Whatever. Don't ever touch me again." Kimberly grabbed her purse and jacket. "Goodnight, Jeff." Kimberly walked out.

Kimberly found Jeff in her office early the next morning. Having not gotten any sleep last night, mostly unnerved by Jeff and calling her 'Kimmy' only 3 people have ever called her that. Rita, Goldar, and Lord Zedd. Everyone else knowing how much it pissed her off wouldn't dare call her that.

"What are you doing in my office!" Kimberly put her jacket up.

"Waiting for you." Jeff turned from her computer.

"I thought I made myself very clear last night…"

"You did."

"Then why are you here! At my computer!" Kimberly saw he was in her files. "What were you doing with that case!"

"About to delete it."

"Why? Why would you…?" Kimberly pulled his chair back and went to her file. She gasped at Carl's photo that was seconds from being deleted.

"To save you from seeing it." Kimberly started breathing hard at the photo.

"How is that possible?" Kimberly asked.

"He's what, 8, 9 today?"

"No."

"Your son, Kimberly. He has grown a lot hasn't he?" Kimberly looked at Jeff with tears in her eyes.

"Who are you?" Jeff smiled and stood up. The shades were quickly pulled down, causing Kimberly to gasp and look around her darkened room.

"Your worst nightmare." Kimberly turned slowly and found Lord Zedd looking back at her. She gasped.

"No!" She shoved him away and ran to the door, but Zedd was quick and pushed her into the door, preventing it from opening.

"It's been too long," Lord Zedd said with a laugh.

"This is impossible! You're not here!"

"Am I not?" He banged her head against the door. Kimberly was turned to face him, blood from her cut.

"You have Christopher?"

"He's safe."

"Where!"

"In my care now, Kimmy."

"Don't call me Kimmy!" Kimberly shoved him back. "You stole him!" She went to her phone to call security, but Zedd tore the phone from her hands and ripped the cord from the line, throwing it into the wall. "You stole my son, you bastard!" Kimberly started punching his chest.

"Of course." Zedd shoved her back into the wall laughing. Kimberly hit the back of her head again.

"Why?" Kimberly fell to one knee crying. Lord Zedd laughed at her. She looked up at him.

"Oh, princess. Don't cry. I have hardly touched you."

"Why!"

"Why not? I am Lord Zedd." Zedd grabbed her by her hair and lifted her back to her feet. Kimberly punched him. He laughed at her second punch, which seem to have no affect on him. Kimberly kicked him in the stomach, which knocked him back on his heels, but he still laughed. He punched her this time, sending her into the wall. "You will be my queen now."

"Fuck you! I would rather kill you!" She kicked him again, as she got up. Kimberly's leg for her second kick was caught before any blow, as she was lifted into the air and slammed into her desk, breaking it in half. "Why?" Kimberly laid there crying, coughing up slight blood.

"To punish you, and your precious Tommy. I took your son those years, I have raised him and he is mine."

"Never." Zedd laughed.

"And you will never seen him again." Kimberly gasped as she was lifted into the air.

"NO!"

Kimberly was tossed through the door, breaking through it with the force of Lord Zedd. She was knocked unconscious immediately as she hit it. Alice arrived to the office to find Kimberly laying there in the mess of a shambled office.

"Kimberly!" She rushed to her side, moving aside some chairs. "Kimberly, can you hear me!" Kimberly was bleeding from her head badly. Alice lifted Kim's head to her lap as Kimberly started to come to.

"Where is he?" Kimberly gasped out.

"Who? Who did this to you?"

"Zedd."

"Who is Zedd?"

"Jeff, Jeff iss….but it can't be…Zedd couldn't have…"

"Jeff is Zedd?"

"He has Christopher."

"Who is Christopher!"

"My son! Carl is Christopher! My son is alive!"

Reviews welcomed! Just the beginning of what I hope will be another good, no great story!

until next time :P