Author's Note: Hi guys. I'm back with the next chapter and I hope you aren't too mad that I've been absent for so long. Hey, when life gets in the way, it really affects the way you update. Before I start the disclaimer, I want to let everyone know that this story is approximately 65 chapters long. I'm trying to cut a few of the ending chapters so it won't be so long. Either way, this story is pretty lengthy, meaning Katherine isn't going to be caught for a while so don't think it's going to happen just like that. Don't worry, she'll have her day.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Power Rangers, any of its series, or any of its characters. Also, the main idea of this story was taken from the 2009-2010 plot of Days of our Lives, so the entire idea for this story doesn't belong to me. However, I do own all made up characters and the sections of the plot that I changed to better the story.
"A Civil and Unpleasant Visit"
Katherine stared at Rocky as she continued to replay his question through her head. She had to admit, she was shocked that he'd showed up, but not as shocked as she was when he demanded that she tell him the truth about all of her lies. Even if she wanted to tell him the truth, she still wasn't going to. Well…perhaps she could tell him some of the truth.
With a sigh, Katherine folded her arms across her chest and popped her hip out to the side. "What do you mean you want answers to all he lies I've told?" she asked with heavy sarcasm in her voice.
"Kat," Rocky growled, "I don't know what you've done but I know it wasn't a good thing. How in the world did you get a child to complete this fake pregnancy of yours?"
Katherine smiled. "Rocky, it's not as hard as you'd think. I simply…adopted a baby."
"You'd need Collin's consent to adopt a child and I know that he didn't give it to you. If he were to find out that you've been lying to him for all these months, you'd be out on the streets right now."
Katherine glared at him as her mouth turned into a heavy frown. "You don't know that."
"Oh, but I do. Remember what I told you on New Year's Eve? The guy is still in love with Kimberly even if it's only a little. He still has feelings for her which is why you're doing everything within your power to hang onto him. You've faked a pregnancy and now you…adopted some baby? How the hell did you manage that?"
Katherine's frown lightened into a smile. "That was easy." She said. "I did a little research and stumbled across a doctor who had a clinic right outside Angel Grove. When I went to visit him, he was in the process of moving his clinic to Reefside. Anyways, the guy admitted to being a baby broker so I found the perfect candidate, Julia. Julia is just a teenager and she claimed that she couldn't raise a baby at her age. So, I did her a favor and took the child off her hands."
"You stole her child?"
"Of course not Rocky! I told you that I adopted the baby. It wasn't a legal adoption with papers and background checks, but it was an adoption nonetheless. I delivered Julia's baby when she went into labor early and I took the baby to Doctor Sun's clinic in Reefside so she could be examined. I couldn't just come back to Angel Grove with a baby. That would be suspicious. So, Doctor Sun and I set up this whole scene where I'd pretend to deliver the baby and when Collin arrived, everything turned out okay."
"That would explain how you and Kimberly ended up in the same town."
"What?" Katherine said, fearful that she'd been discovered. "I had no idea Kimberly was in Reefside."
"Really? Are you sure about that?"
Katherine nodded quickly. "I just found out today that she'd been in witness protection there. I honestly didn't know Rocky."
Rocky sighed as he walked past her and sat on the bottom step. Katherine sat beside him and rested her chin in the palm of her hand.
"I can't believe you're doing this." Rocky sighed. "You do realize that you can't hide this forever."
"Of course I can." Katherine snapped. "You're the only person besides Julia and Doctor Sun that know about the baby's true lineage and it's going to stay that way. Rocky, you can't say a word to anyone."
"Katherine, what you're doing is wrong on so many levels. Don't you realize that the deeper in you go the harder it's going to be to get out?"
"Who's trying to get out of this? Rocky, everything in my life is finally perfect. I'm about to get married in four months and I have a child now to complete my little family. Everything in my life is finally perfect and I'm not going to lose this life I've worked so hard to build and keep."
"You're insane!" Rocky shouted. "Do you realize what you're doing? Passing off another man and woman's child as your own is wrong Katherine. Eventually, the…cat's gonna come out of the bag. That baby isn't yours and it isn't Collin's. What are you going to do when that innocent little girl starts to grow and flourish? She isn't going to look like either one of you."
"Neveah is Collin's daughter." Katherine defended. "So what if they…aren't related by blood? He loves her as though she's his own and that's all that matters. He isn't going to care about the way she looks because she's his little girl!"
Rocky stood to his feet as he growled angrily in frustration. "I can't keep something like this a secret from everyone Kat. You're a liar and a fraud and everyone deserves to know."
Rocky turned and started walking up the steps. Katherine gasped as she reached and grabbed his ankle.
"Let go." He commanded. "I'm going to tell everyone in this house what you've done."
Katherine yanked Rocky's ankle back, causing him to fall on his knees. "What the hell are you doing?" he shouted. "Let go of me now!"
"I will not let go! Rocky, you cannot tell anyone what I've done. Please…if you've ever cared about me, you'll leave this situation be."
"The Katherine I cared about would've never done something like this. You've got serious issues that you need to work out Katherine and I'm about to fix one of them."
"Rocky, don't!" Katherine shouted as tears came to her eyes. "I'm begging you. Please…"
Rocky stopped and looked down at Katherine who was still holding on tightly to his ankle. Tears were streaming down her cheeks as she stared at him.
"Who am I hurting by doing this?" she asked. "Tell me, who?"
Rocky stared at her. "Yourself." He said. "Can't you see what this has done to you? Ever since you miscarried, it's like your mind's been corrupted. What on earth possessed you to do something like this?"
"I want to keep my family together Rocky."
"Katherine…what family? Your entire family is a lie right now."
"If that's what it takes to be happy-"
"What do you mean if that's what it takes to be happy? Katherine, once upon a time, you didn't need a baby or a big fancy mansion to be happy. Once upon a time, it was me and only me who could make you happy. I can't believe you've allowed yourself to change so much Katherine. It's sickening to think about."
Katherine frowned as she released Rocky's ankle. "You're right." She whispered. "What's wrong with me?"
"Katherine, you need to make things right."
Katherine sighed as she looked up towards the giant mansion. She nodded as she stood to her feet. Suddenly, she could hear a car engine approaching. She turned around just in time to see Jason's truck pulling into the driveway. Katherine began to internally panic at the sight of Kimberly in the front seat.
"I changed my mind." She said quickly.
"What do you mean you changed your mind?"
"I'm not saying anything and neither will you. Collin and I are raising our daughter. I doesn't matter who she really belongs to. She's ours now. I'm not going to let my fiancé fall back into Kimberly's clutches. I suggest you see your way of the premises before Collin catches you out here."
Rocky stared at Katherine in disbelief as she dashed up the steps and into the mansion. Jason had parked his car and he and Kimberly were on their way to the steps when she was out of sight.
"Hey Rocko." Kimberly smiled with a wave.
Rocky's face lit up at the sight of his friend. He started laughing as he enveloped Kimberly in a hug. "Boy, am I glad to see you." He said with a sigh of relief.
Kimberly giggled as she broke the hug. "It's good to see you again Rocky." Kimberly said. "I've missed your cooking."
"Why don't you stop by the diner later? I'll give you a free meal since you just took out an insane killer and all." Kimberly laughed. "So, what are you two doing here? This is the last place I'd expect to see you Kim."
"Jacob's here." Kimberly explained. "I guess Collin requested that he be brought here to meet his new…sister."
"Something wrong?" Rocky asked as he noticed Kimberly's slight change in demeanor.
"No, everything's fine. I was just thinking about something, that's all. Why are you here? Doesn't Collin hate your guts?"
Rocky laughed. "Yeah, he still does. I was here to talk to Kat, but she obviously isn't in the mood to listen."
Kimberly shrugged. "When has she ever listened?"
Jason laughed from behind her. "We'll talk to you later Rocky." He said as he and Kimberly walked up the steps. "Take care."
Rocky waved them off and looked up at the house where Katherine had disappeared. "I won't tell…for now. But mark my words Katherine; you aren't going to be able to hide this forever." He walked back to his bike and took off for the diner.
Jason and Kimberly reached the top of the stairs and rang the doorbell. They waited patiently for the door to open before heading inside.
"Hello Kimberly." Colleen greeted the young woman. "It's so good to see that you're doing well and safe."
"Thanks Colleen." Kimberly smiled. "Is Jacob around?"
"I'll go and get him. You two can wait in the living area."
Jason looked around for a few seconds before Kimberly tapped his shoulder and pointed at the giant double doors in front of them. Jason shook his head before the two of them walked into the room. The person sitting on the inside of the room made Kimberly's stomach sink.
"Kimberly?" Collin said, surprised to see her.
"Hi." She said quietly with a slight wave.
Collin stood from the couch and walked over to her. He pulled her into a hug as he smiled happily. "You're back?"
"Yeah." She said. "I just got back a few hours ago. I'm just here to pick up Collin and then I'll be on my way."
"What's the rush?" he asked. "Would you like to stay for a little while?"
"Actually, the less time I spend here the better. I just want to get my son and go."
"Actually, could you wait a few minutes? I'd really like you to meet Neveah."
Kimberly stared at him in disbelief. "You want me to meet your love child?" she said in disgust.
"Now, come on Kimberly. Don't be like that. It's been months since that whole incident. I'd figure you'd gotten over it by now."
"Oh trust me, I'm over it. I just don't like the fact that it had to happen in the first place."
Collin laughed as he walked to the double doors and called for Katherine. The blonde appeared a few minutes later carrying Neveah who was dressed in all white and wrapped in a white blanket. Collin gently took the child from Katherine and turned so Kimberly could see the baby. A smile graced Kimberly's lip when she took in the little girl's appearance.
"Wow." She smiled. "She's very beautiful. You two should be proud."
"Believe me, I am." Collin said. "Now, I have two wonderful children and I couldn't be happier."
Kimberly put on a fake grin as she nodded her head. The grin disappeared as Neveah began moving slightly within her father's arms. The baby looked so gentle and fragile just like Grace. The thought of Grace and Tommy brought tears to her eyes as she continued staring at Neveah.
"Kimberly?" Collin called out to her, pulling her from her thoughts. "What's the matter?"
"Nothing." She said quickly as she wiped the tears from her eyes. "It's just that…she's such a pretty little girl. It reminded me of what it was like when Jacob was first born."
Katherine rolled her eyes as she leaned against the doorframe. She prayed to God that Kimberly and Collin weren't about to reminisce.
"Would you like to hold her?" Collin asked.
Kimberly's face seemed to light up at the request, but Katherine's face reddened as fear and anger coursed through her veins. "No!" she shouted, stopping Collin who was about to hand the infant to Kimberly.
"Darling, what's the matter with you?" Collin asked, obviously irritated with her rude behavior. "I was just going to let Kimberly hold her."
"Yeah Kat." Kimberly said. "I wasn't going to steal her or anything."
"Sorry…" Katherine said trying to calm herself. "I…just don't want strange people holding Neveah."
Collin laughed at Katherine's excuse. "Kimberly's not a stranger. She's a friend."
Kimberly and Jason raised an eyebrow as the word "friend" passed through Collin's lips.
"Okay. A well trusted acquaintance." He said, changing his answer. "I know the baby will be safe around her."
Katherine held her breath as Collin passed the infant to Kimberly. Kimberly's eyes lit up as the baby began wiggling in her grasp. Kimberly couldn't explain it, but the minute Neveah was placed in her arms, she never wanted to let her go. She felt like she needed to protect the child like she was a precious treasure. She felt an indescribable amount of love for the little girl and she'd only been holding her for a few seconds. Katherine was fidgeting nervously as she watched Kimberly holding her real daughter as Collin watched the two of them lovingly. That was it. She couldn't allow this to go on any longer.
"Okay, that's enough." Katherine said as she quickly marched over to Kimberly and pulled Neveah out of her grasp. She began talking to Neveah in a high, bubbly voice as she cuddled the girl in her arms. Kimberly felt her heart ache as the child left her arms, but she forced a smile anyways.
"Well Katherine," she said, gaining the blonde's attention, "I've got to admit, you look pretty fabulous for someone who gave birth a few days ago."
Katherine's cheeks reddened nervously as she cleared her throat. "Thanks for noticing. What happened to you though? You look like you've put on a couple of pounds."
Kimberly looked down at her stomach where her remaining baby weight remained. She covered her stomach with her arms as she looked up at Jason and back at Katherine and Collin.
"In case you've forgotten, I was in the witness protection program. I really didn't have the time to go to the gym and workout."
"Doing a few sit-ups wouldn't have killed you." Katherine said with an evil smirk.
"Enough you two." Collin commanded. "I don't want any arguing. It's Kimberly's first day back and she doesn't need any stress."
Kimberly stuck her tongue out at Katherine who visibly ground her teeth together. Suddenly, the door burst open as Jacob ran in with a head full of brown curls.
"Mommy!" he squealed as he ran towards Kimberly.
Kimberly started laughing as tears came to her eyes. She bent down and caught Jacob as he reached her.
"Oh my gosh!" she exclaimed as she hugged the little boy. "Hi! Jacob, oh my God!"
Jason and Collin laughed as Kimberly was reunited with her son. Kimberly set the boy down. "You've gotten so big." She complimented him.
"Bone crush hug!" Jason exclaimed as he hugged Kimberly again. Kimberly laughed and accepted the hug. When she pulled away, she gasped as she spied the laughing penguin Tommy had gotten for her to send him on Christmas.
"Who's that Jake?" Kimberly asked interestedly.
"Nigel." Jacob said in a cute squeaky voice.
"His name is Nigel huh? Do you know mommy got you this for Christmas?"
"Yeah."
Kimberly smiled as she remembered everything Tommy had went through for her on that day.
"Colleen." Collin said when he spotted the older woman in the doorway. "Take Jacob upstairs to get his things so he can leave with his mother."
Colleen nodded as the little boy ran to her and took her hand. The two of them left the room. Katherine made a quick exit as well.
"I can't believe this." Kimberly sighed happily.
"What?" Jason asked.
"Jacob remembers me." She smiled. "And he's speaking clearly and running? I've missed out on so much."
"Well Kimberly," Collin said, "the boy will be two next month. He ought to be speaking clearly somewhat. And about him remembering you, I was never going to let him forget."
"Me neither." Jason agreed. "Trini and I would show him pictures all the time and tell him stories."
"Same here." Collin said. "Whether we're together or not, we're still his parents and he deserves to know both of us."
Kimberly felt guilt wash over her as the words left his mouth. Collin was making an effort to be nice and keep Jacob in his life. He even wanted her to be a part of Neveah's life. Yet, there she was pretending everything was fine when in actuality, she was hiding a child from him. Maybe she should've thought Grace's situation through a little more.
"Jacob's all ready to go." Colleen announced as she and the boy appeared in the doorway.
Kimberly and Jason walked towards the double doors as they waved goodbye to Collin. They left a few minutes later.
Upstairs
Katherine finished singing a lullaby to Neveah as the little girl's eyes slid closed. She smiled at the sleeping infant as she placed her in the crib. The sounds of Jason's car starting could be heard outside. She walked over to the window and sighed with relief as his car drove out of sight. She was home free.
"What are you doing Katarina?" Mr. Ignalis's voice came from the doorway.
Katherine jumped in surprise at the voice as she turned around and faced him. She put a finger to her lips as she pointed at the crib. Mr. Ignalis held a hand up and motioned for her to follow him. After checking on Neveah another time, Katherine followed the older man to his study.
"Close the door." He instructed as he took a seat in his office chair.
Katherine did what she was told and turned around to face him. "What do you want to speak to me about?" she asked as she folded her arms across her chest. "I want to go and stay with my daughter."
"Now Katherine," the man chuckled, "you know good and well that the baby lying in that room is not your child."
Katherine's eyes widened as a gasp emerged from her throat. "What are you talking about? Of course Neveah's my child."
"Wrong again my dear." He smiled. "I know that the baby in that room is my grandchild, but it's no child of yours. You see, that baby is Kimberly's."
Katherine shook her head. "No way…"
"It's true my dear and you know it. Looks like Rocky isn't the only one who knows what a naughty girl you've been."
Author's Note: Even though you hate me for ending it here, I have to because it's late when I'm writing this and I'm SO tired lol So, how exactly does Mr. Ignalis know what Katherine's done? Is he going to tell Collin or is he going to keep his mouth shut like Rocky? Well, you'll have to wait for the next update to find out. So, sit tight and review. The next update is coming your way soon.
