*****************Command Chamber********************
Kimberly raced down the corridor, air burning her lungs and tears stinging in her eyes. She could hear him. His heavy footsteps pounding the ground just behind her. His breath coming hard and loud. He had always been faster than she was. Even with her head start from medical. In a moment he would be within striking distance and she would be captured.
This was going to be close. Kimberly spurred her legs to run, her feet to fly, just ahead was the haven she was seeking. The one room Tommy wouldn't be able to get her in. She just made it, slipping into the bathroom and slamming the metal door closed, locking it with less than a heart beat to spare before Tommy rattled the handle.
"Kim! Let me in!" Tommy shouted, she could feel him pushing against the door, tugging at the lock. "Beautiful! Let's talk about this. Please!"
Kimberly slipped down feeling the cold metal on her back. She was sobbing now. The last bit of her world was completely destroyed. Didn't Tommy love her? Or was she nothing more than a friend? No, they had been in a relationship right? At least she thought they had even if the constant putties and monsters made it hard to date. That kiss by the lake, a day so wonderful it was burned into her heart, now tortured her with its memory.
Tommy could hear her sobbing behind the door and it tore at his soul. "It was just a mistake Kimberly. Katherine means nothing to me. It just sort of happened. Please... please open the door."
"Go away Tommy! You lied to me! You got everyone else to lie too!" She called between sobs in pained betrayal. "Leave me alone..."
"No, now open the door." Tommy ordered, she sounded near hysterics and he needed to make sure she wasn't hurting herself. At least that's what his mind reasoned. The door did not open. He spoke softer. "Please beautiful. Talk to me. Let me in."
"Go away!" Kim practically screamed.
"Fine, if you won't open the door. I'll break it down." Tommy said to himself. He was just about to put his shoulder to the door when an alarm went off in the command chamber.
"Tommy there's an attack down town!" Katherine called from the end of the hallway.
"Shit..." Tommy frowned, monsters always had the worst timing. "Kim, I'll be back soon. Please I promise. We can talk then, okay?" There was no reply. Tommy hesitated but a shout from Rocky had him moving to Zordon's chamber.
"What are those things?" Adam asked. The viewing globe was full of strange giant crows.
"Over size canaries?" Katherine offered.
"Whatever they are. They are tearing up the farm field in the park." Rocky growled. Seeing so much hard work being destroyed made him angry.
"They are called Tengu. And I fear they have followed me back from Phadoes." Ninjor's voice filled the room as he stepped into the light. Bulk on one shoulder and Skull on the other.
"Ninjor! We were getting worried. Where have you been?" Katherine asked.
Ninjor looked at her. "I believe I just said that young crane. On Phadoes, my home world."
Billy blinked. "Bulk and Skull went too?"
"Of course we did. Ninjor said we were a big help." Bulk replied, leaping down from the ninja's shoulder.
Ninjor gently placed Skull on the floor. "Indeed you both were but now it is the rangers turn to act. I fear that the tengu are not just here to cause mischief. For even now evil is stirring in the ooze, gathering power."
"Aisha and Justin are at the juice bar and on there way to the park. I suggest you join them quickly." Zordon said.
Tommy nodded. "It's Morphin Time!"
Steaks of light vanished only to reappear on the viewing globe. Billy watched for a moment before he felt a tug on his pants. "How's our cure coming?" Bulk asked.
"Oh... um..." Truth be told Billy forgotten all about the duo and needing to turn them human again. "I...um..."
"Do not worry Billy. I have brought something that will help." Ninjor help out a small box, Billy opened it and looked at the strange yellow dust. "This is from a very rare orchid on my world. That is what the three of us went to gather. I believe you will find it has some interesting properties and combined with the right ingredients should make a potion to break the spell on these two."
"Thank you Ninjor. I'll get started right away." Billy began to walk quietly back to the lab. He felt awful forgetting about the bully team and there cure would be much faster to make then one for Kim.
Kim... he wondered how she was going to deal with this blow. If Jason was here he'd be giving Tommy one heck of a talking to. Billy rubbed the collar around his neck. He couldn't blame Kim for commanding him. He had always been a terrible liar and she had known something was wrong. A team that didn't trust each other was doomed.
Trini had said that. Especially when she taught them about Gung- Ho, working together. He thought that was a lesson Tommy had learned.
Billy began to clean the broken glass. Then he would see about a cure for Bulk and Skull. It was coming along well when a soft voice drew his attention. "Billy?"
He turned to face his best friend. Her eyes red and puffy from tears. She seemed so much smaller standing there. So very sad. Her heart clearly broken like a wind up toy without a key. Her book bag was clasp tightly in her hands, stuffed with what few belongings she had. "Kim are you going someplace?" he asked worried.
"I have to Billy. I can't stay here right now. I just can't face Tommy or Katherine or the others. Not, not yet."
"But Kim, it's not safe. There are new monsters called tengu. The team's out fighting them now. I'm still working on a cure for you... us, and... I don't want you to go." Billy admitted. "I know you can take care of yourself but your powers are still new and we should figure out what you can do besides the fire thing and..." Billy sighed. "And I really don't want you to go." he said again. They had been together for so long. Kimberly not being around felt strangely painful. It wasn't that Billy didn't like the new team but... it wasn't the same.
Kimberly was hugging him before he realized it. "I know. I know and everything you said is right but I just can't right now Billy. If I stay it will destroy me." Kimberly sniffed, rubbing at her runny nose with the back of her hand. "Everything we've been through to survive feels like nothing compared to this pain. I thought Tommy loved me. Billy, I'll die if I stay. I'll just break down and never wake back up. I know I will. So please..."
Billy put his strong arms around Kim. Encircling her with his warmth and love. His mind flashed back to the last time she was this upset. In that stone prison cell on the moon. After they had seen Jason's severed head and Zedd had told them of there future working for the lord of evil. "Kimberly. I'll support anything you need to do. Do you have a place to go?"
She nodded. "I thought I would see if Mrs. Kwan's offer was still good. About staying there I mean."
"She's a good person." Billy agreed. Trini's mother would make sure Kimberly had food to eat and a warm place to sleep.
Kimberly pulled slightly from her best friend's arms. "Here. I need to leave this with you. If I take it with me Tommy will be able to find me." She sniffed again as she fumbled to remove her communicator. "You will look after it for me, won't you?"
Billy took it gently in his hands. "Of course Kim but I won't let you go communicator-less." Billy opened a draw and moved a few sheets of paper. "Here."
Kimberly took the blue communicator in her hands. Regular blue, not the black blue Billy now wore.
Billy explained. "It's my original communicator. I found it on the moon when I was the... nightmare ranger. Tommy won't think to search for this one and you'll have a way to contact Zordon or myself if you get in trouble."
"Thank you Billy." Kimberly said, putting it on. She felt better, knowing she would have a piece of her best friend with her. A physical symbol that she was not alone in the world.
"One more thing Kim." Billy spoke seriously to her, like he did on the moon. "I want you to contact me any time you don't feel right or get hurt. Day or night I don't care. Anything from a headache to a strange period to feeling dizzy or tripping more than usual. I have no idea if Zedd's spell to change us did anything else. So please, promise me this."
Kimberly smiled. Billy really was the best friend anyone could ever have. "I promise Billy."
"Good, now command me not to tell the others where you are going."
Kimberly crinkled her nose. "I don't have to do that. I trust you."
"Well I don't trust me. Tommy's clever. Sooner or later he would get it out of me." Billy smirked a bit.
Kimberly rolled her eyes. "Billy I command you not to tell the others where I am... oh except Zordon. You can tell Zordon. And... maybe call me every week? Just to check on me?"
Billy smiled. "You didn't need to command that part Kim. Of course I'll call you to check in. Just don't forget you promised to call me."
"If I feel sick or just plain not right. I know." Kimberly nodded. She hated to admit it but she was worried. She was so used to being around her friends, her new family. Going to the Kwan's suddenly felt very lonely.
But she needed some time alone to think. Kimberly moved away picking up her back pack. When she next spoke her voice was quiet and sad. "Bye Billy... maybe I'll see you around the juice bar."
He watched her vanish in a flash of pink light. His heart suddenly aching to be near her. He clutched her communicator close to his chest. "Bye Kim."
******************* Park**********************
"Man those things were tough." Adam said, sitting down at a picnic table. The Tengu had all flown the coop and the teens had returned to normal.
"Yeah when the threat can come from the sky or the ground, it makes it a lot harder." Rocky agreed.
"I weirdly miss putties. At least they couldn't fly." Aisha said.
"Or poop on you." Katherine added quietly.
Justin laughed, quickly covering his mouth as the little group looked over at there fearless leader, who was currently using a water fountain to try and wash tengu crap out of his hair. "This stuff is like glue! Ick!"
"Keep trying Tommy!" Rocky called out encouragement.
"You've removed some." Adam tried hard to keep the smile out of his voice but he couldn't help but feel like this was a tiny bit of karma.
Rocky had already filled Aisha in on what had happened and no one had any intentions of telling Justin about it. He was just a kid after all and the complex nature of teen relationships was something no one wanted to talk to the 10 year old about.
Tommy came over a few minutes later wringing out his hair. "That's as good as I can get it."
"Sun's going down. Shouldn't we get back?" Aisha asked.
"You guys go ahead. I've got something to do." Tommy replied.
"Do you want company?" Katherine said.
"Nah, Kat. This is something I have to do on my own. See you guys back at the command chamber." Tommy replied, walking off from the group.
Rocky made sure the other's teleported before he did. It was going to be a lovely night, romantic even and he didn't want to risk Tommy making another mistake with Katherine. Not until he and Kimberly worked out whatever they were going to do with there relationship.
Tommy made his way to the rose garden of the park. He remembered Ernie saying the bushes would be removed and tomatoes planted, as roses and tomatoes both loved acidic soil. Some of the bushes had been torn up but a few were still around and in bloom. He could find enough late season blooms for almost a dozen roses. Kimberly loved flowers but especially pink roses. This would at least get her to talk to him. Then he could explain everything. Kimberly would understand. She had such a bright and loving heart. She would forgive him.
It was very dark by the time Tommy had gathered up the last bud. Now to surprise Kim at the Command chamber with them.
********Across town...
Kimberly stood on the front step of a house she had visited often. She had been on the step for a few minutes now. It was almost as if she could hear Trini's voice once more. The voices of ghost like memories that suddenly haunted her aching heart. There were no electric lights working on this street. This might not even be where Mrs. Kwan was living but Kimberly took a chance and knocked on the door.
A bright glow of light moved past the windows. "Whose there?" A voice called from behind the door.
"Mrs. Kwan? It's me... Kimberly." Kimberly replied, shocked at how vulnerable her own voice sounded.
She heard the latch on the door clicked. Warm light floored out from a camping lantern and into the darkness pushing it away. "Kimberly! Sweet heart! Come in." Mrs. Kwan greeted lovingly, ushering the girl inside. She shut the door and locked it once more before looking at Kimberly. Her daughter's best friend was a sorry sight to behold. She had been crying, her hair was tangled and she seemed to tremble shyly in the hallway.
Kimberly clutched her back pack a little tighter. "Mrs. Kwan. I'm sorry to bother you but I was hoping..." Kimberly took a breath to steady herself. "That your offer for a place to stay was still good?"
"Of course it is sweet heart. You are always welcome here." Mrs. Kwan held back the urge to pepper Kimberly with questions. That could wait until morning. "Come, let's get you settled in Trini's room." She said, grabbing a candle and some matches.
Trini's room was exactly as Kimberly remembered it. Not a thing had been touched or moved from the last time they had been in here. Gossiping over boys and trying on clothes. Mrs. Kwan lit the candle and placed it on Trini's bedside table. "Make yourself comfortable Kim. I'll go get you something to eat." Kimberly opened her to tell Mrs. Kwan she wasn't hungry but the kind mother had already closed the door.
Kimberly place her bag down and climbed onto Trini's bed, letting the scent of her departed friend wash over her. Picking up Mr. Ticklesneeze, Kim clutched the funny looking elf doll that was one of Trini's favorites, to her chest. "Trini..." She spoke quietly to the room. "I don't know what to do. I wish you were here." Tears flowed anew from Kimberly, as the sheer emotional exhaustion caught up with her... and before Mrs. Kwan returned with a snack. Kimberly had fallen asleep. Cradled in the loving memories of her friend.
***************Command Chamber***********************
"What do you mean Kim's gone?" Tommy asked, still clutching the roses he had picked for her.
The group had been waiting for Tommy to return. Aisha had thankfully taken Justin out to the camp site with the excuse of looking for something she lost. None of them had any idea how to deal with a kid ranger but Aisha had been the one to take over on that part. They had to be his family now, she had said.
"I'm afraid white ranger that Kimberly felt the command chamber was no long a safe place for her at this moment." Zordon answered.
The fact he had called him white ranger instead of Tommy spoke volumes of the disapproval Zordon felt. Even if he promised to never get involved with the relationships of his rangers, somehow this foolishness on Tommy's part stung deeply. Billy had been the one to tell him of Kimberly's departure.
Had Zordon been given the chance he would have offered his suffering pink ranger a place to stay in his world for the time being.
"But Zordon, it's not safe out there." Tommy argued.
"She is the fire bird, stunning and true. She will be alright, young falcon." Ninjor said calmly.
Rocky smiled, "I've sparred with her. She no damsel in distress."
"She kicked my butt on the moon, without powers." Adam offered.
Tommy's head dropped, the roses forgotten in his hand. "But..."
"She just needs time Tommy." Billy said. "Give her some space."
Tommy looked at the ex- blue ranger. His face didn't show the worry the others did. "You know where she is, don't you?"
Billy had a gleam of mischief in his blue eyes. "Yes, but don't ask me to tell you." He tapped the collar around his neck. "Because I can't."
"She's safe right? You can tell us that much, can't you Billy?" Adam asked, his eyes so gentle with concern for the missing girl. Billy felt bad for ever doubting the intentions in Adam's heart.
Billy nodded. "Yes, she's safe." He knew this for a fact, as he had tracked his old communicator signal to Trini's bedroom.
Tommy was looking at the computer and Billy knew what he was thinking. "Oh and here." Billy pulled out Kimberly's communicator from his pocket. "She asked we keep this safe for her."
Tommy frowned but said nothing. It was clear from the look on Billy's face that he had anticipated Tommy. Knowing full well the white ranger would have tried tracking Kimberly's communicator location. Now he had no way of finding his girlfriend... or ex girlfriend... did her taking time count as a break up or just a break? He badly needed to talk to Kim. Grovel at her feet and beg forgiveness. He couldn't stand the thought of her crying someplace alone. He loved her! Would die for her! This was all his fault. He had ruined everything with a kiss.
"Why don't I put these in water?" Katherine asked, taking the roses from Tommy. He didn't resist, letting her take the blooms meant for the love of his life. "I'm sure Kimberly will be back soon."
Katherine couldn't help but smell the roses as she left the center chamber. Kimberly was such a lucky girl to have a guy like Tommy love her. Katherine frowned a bit. She felt horrible for what happened. Kim was her friend and because of what Kat did, Kimberly was now upset. Then there was Tommy. She couldn't deny how badly she wanted him. He had saved her, protected her, taught her to fight, made her feel special. Being with Tommy gave her a rush she couldn't deny. She hadn't set out to break them up but...
Katherine knew opportunity when it knocked.
**************** Thank you!
To all my wonderfully dedicated readers I thank you for coming along with me on this wild ride of a story.
While I could easily write 50 more chapters and have so many ideas. I think its time for We Failed to be finished. Perhaps one day I will write the continuation.