Author's Note:Hey guys, I'm back with the next update. So, let's get on with the disclaimer so you guys can start reading.

Disclaimer:I do not own the Power Rangers, any of its series, or any of its characters. Also, the plot of this story was inspired by the 2009-2010 storyline of Days of our Lives, so I can't take full credit for the idea of this story. However, all parts of the plot I changed, all of the parts I made up myself, and all of the made-up characters mentioned in this story are my property.


"So Close, Yet So Far"

Katherine took a deep breath as she looked around the emptied sanctuary. Programs from the wedding were sprawled carelessly about the room: inside of the slots on the backside of the pews, on seats, and even in the center of the aisle. Some of the decorations were even starting fall from their placements.

Katherine approached the altar and took a seat on the steps beside the bassinet her daughter had been lying in during the ceremony. With a smile, she ran her right hand over the wooden brim at the top.

"My sweet baby Neveah." she muttered to no one in particular. "Finally, our family is complete. Your daddy, you, and I are going to live together back at the mansion, happy as can be. I can't wait."

Suddenly, the wooden sanctuary doors fly open, making Katherine nearly jump out of her skin. The blonde bride looked up towards the door and frowned at the brunette making her way into the room.

Kimberly was walking towards her, Grace being held in her arms protectively. She stared at Katherine in disgust as she neared her.

"What are you doing in here Kimberly?" Katherine spat.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that question? You are the bride, so why aren't you at the reception?"

"What's it to you?"

Kimberly shrugged as she walked in between the pews to pick something up. "I really don't care as to why you're here. I just figured you'd want to be spending time with your new husband, that's all."

"Well of course I want to spend time with Collin. He is my husband now." Kimberly can't help but to frown at her comment. "So Kimberly," Katherine spoke as she stood back onto her feet. "What are you doing here?"

"I took Grace's headband off during the wedding and forgot to grab it off the pew. I just came back to retrieve it. So, where's your daughter?"

Katherine felt a strange feeling in her stomach as Kimberly spoke to her about Neveah. "She's probably with my mother. At least, I think she is."

"You should keep a better eye on your child Katherine. Someone might try and steal the little angel from you."

Katherine could feel her skin paling as Kimberly spoke. She certainly had a way with words.

"Anyways, I'm going to head back to the reception to check on Jacob. You have a nice time doing whatever it is you're doing in here."

Katherine glared daggers at the back of Kimberly's head as she made her exit with Grace. She then sank back down onto the steps. She released a sigh of relief as she rested her chin in her head.

Dining Hall

"Wow Rocky," Tanya complimented the chef as she admired the displays of food that had been set up, "you've really outdone yourself this time. This food looks amazing."

Rocky smiled as he set up the fountain punch bowl. "Thanks Tanya. It means a lot to hear you say something that I hear every single day."

"No Rocky, I mean it." Tanya laughed as she slapped him playfully on the arm. "You've done a really nice thing here, helping Katherine out with the wedding of her dreams."

Rocky frowned at Tanya's comment and dropped the connected power cord onto the floor. "Yeah, well this wedding isn't right. It's filled with lies and deception."

Tanya raised an eyebrow at Rocky's opinion. "How can you say such a thing? I thought Katherine was your friend?"

"Only when she wants me to be. Look, I didn't want to cater this wedding in the first place. I disapprove of the union entirely."

"Then why'd you agree to do it Rocky?"

Rocky sighed. "I just can't help it. Even though we're no longer together…I can't help but to feel compelled towards doing what she wants me to. I wish I could get over her already and maybe things wouldn't be so hard for me."

"Excuse me," Collin's voice boomed as he approached him, "I'm not paying you to stand around and chat with my wedding guests. Get your butt back in the kitchen."

"Yes sir." Rocky said through gritted teeth as he turned and left the room.

"Now Collin, that was rude." Tanya said, placing her hands on her hips. "Why are you being so mean to Rocky?"

"You want the truth? It's because he's my wife's former lover. I hate the fact that she insists on him being a part of her life still. That's an issue waiting to happen."

"Just try and be nice, please?" Tanya begged as he turned away from her.

"Sure thing Tanya. Anything for you."Collin called over his shoulder as he scanned the crowded guests, looking for any sign of his wife. Instead, he catches sight of Kimberly walking into the reception hall holding her daughter. Collin smiled brightly at the sight of her and made his way through the crowd of guests towards her. "Kimberly?" he called out to her. Her expression faltered at the sight of him. "I'm so glad you were able to make it."

"Yeah," she said as she shifted Grace's position, "I guess I'm glad I came. Congratulations Collin."

Collin smiled. "Thank you. So what changed your mind? I thought you weren't going to come?"

Kimberly sighed. "Can we sit down please? Even though she doesn't weigh much, Grace is making my arms tired."

Collin chuckled lightly and led Kimberly over to a vacant table. He courteously pulled out a chair for her to sit in and pushed it forward, earning a polite thanks from the brunette. He took the seat beside her and smiled at the baby in her arms.

"Cute kid." he complimented.

Kimberly began to look around nervously before clearing her throat. "Thank you."

"So, is she your boyfriend's daughter?" Kimberly stared at Collin, surprise etched into her facial features. "I take it that's a no then?"

Kimberly shook off her shock and laughed nervously. "I'm sorry about that. I just wasn't expecting you to ask me that. Um…yes, she is Tommy's daughter."

"Tommy huh? Why don't you tell me a little more about the fellow that my son claims is amazing?"

Kimberly raised an eyebrow. "Jealous are you?"

"Absolutely not. There's nothing wrong with Jacob having someone other than me to look up to. I just think it's necessary that I know a little more about the guy, that's all."

Kimberly smiled down at Grace before looking back up at Collin. "Tommy handled my case when I went into hiding. He was my bodyguard and we became great friends. Grace is his daughter from a previous relationship and since we got together near the end of my witness protection, he asked if I would help him raise her. I've grown so attached to the girl and she loves me like I'm her real mother."

"That was a very kind gesture for you to take Kimberly. So, what else can you tell me about Tommy?"

"Look, if you want to know more about Tommy, you can just ask him yourself."

"Very well then. I guess…I'll leave you her then."

"Wait a second Collin." Kimberly said quickly, stopping the man from leaving.

"What's the matter Kimberly?"

Kimberly bit her bottom lip nervously as she looked around the room. "I want to talk to you about…your daughter."

Hall

Katherine stepped out of the sanctuary doors with a bright smile on her face. She'd officially been married for forty-five minutes and she couldn't be happier. Now, all that was left for her to do was to find her daughter and husband so they could enjoy the rest of the reception.

As Katherine made her way down the hallway, she caught sight of Doctor Sun and Julia inside one of the church's classrooms. Katherine looked around the hallway to ensure no one was watching her before stepping inside the room.

Julia jumped in surprise at the sudden appearance of the new bride. "K-Katherine." she stammered. "How are you?"

Katherine crossed her arms over her chest as she tapped her foot impatiently. "I should be asking the two of you that question. What on earth are you two doing at my wedding? And Julia, what in the world possessed you to interrupt the ceremony?"

"Katherine, I am so sorry about that. When I came to the church, I was hoping that the wedding hadn't started yet. I don't know what I was thinking."

"Julia, why are you here? Doctor Sun, same question for you."

"We're here to talk about the adoption." the good doctor said, putting emphasis on the word for Katherine.

Katherine's eyes widened. "W-what about the adoption?"

"Katherine," Julia said, moving her eyes to the floor. "I've been having second thoughts over the past month. I think I made a mistake by giving up my little girl."

"A mistake?" Katherine repeated, a feeling of uneasiness building in her chest. "What do you mean Julia?"

"Katherine…I want to take Neveah back."

Katherine's mouth fell open at the demand. "You can't just take her back Julia. You allowed me to take her. You said you were unfit to be a parent."

"And now, I feel as though things have changed Katherine. I have the ability to raise her. I have an amazing job and as soon as I finish my senior year of high school, I'm going to find a bigger house with a back yard so Neveah can run around and be happy."

"She's happy where she is Julia. She's happy with me and Collin. She already has a back yard to play in a nursery filled with every toy you can imagine…she has two parents in her life and grandparents that love her and are willing to do anything and everything for her. You had your chance to be a parent and you gave it up. Besides, adoption is final Julia."

"Katherine, please…I want this chance."

"You had your chance. Doctor Sun, why are you here?"

"Julia asked me to come with her. She was certain that I could convince you to change your mind."

"That's not going to happen. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a wedding reception to get to. Please, show yourselves out immediately. Go back to Reefside."

"That's not going to happen." Julia said folding her arms across her chest.

Katherine looked at the girl with a raised eyebrow. "What? Are you not leaving until you get Neveah?"

"That's not it at all Katherine. You see…I knew that I was making a huge demand and I knew you weren't going to let Neveah come back with me. So…I transferred schools. I'm going to be attending Angel Grove High starting next week, and I'll be living with my aunt here in Angel Grove."

"You did what?" Katherine shouted.

"Katherine, I'll be here in Angel Grove. So…do you think I can see Neveah from time to time? That is why I moved here. I want to get the chance to know the little girl I decided not to raise."

Katherine gave the girl's request some thought. "I'll…have to think about it. Collin might not be pleased with the idea because of the made-up explanation I gave him as to why you're here. As long as Neveah knows that I am her mother, I don't see why not."

Julia smiled at Katherine's decision. "Thank you so much Katherine. You won't regret this, I promise."

"I better not. Now go on. I don't want Collin to find out that you're still here."

Julia nodded before rushing out the door. "I'll meet you in the car Doctor Sun." she called over her shoulder as she made a hasty exit.

Katherine released a sigh of relief as Julia disappeared from the room. She looked up at Doctor Sun who was staring at her pitifully. "What's wrong with you?" she asked him as she straightened the tiara on her head.

"That's what I was going to ask you." he said, his facial expression not bothering to change. "You're going to let Julia see her "daughter" huh? Too bad that baby really isn't her daughter. Too bad that baby isn't your daughter either."

"So, you came all the way to Angel Grove just to remind me of the great decision I made?"

"Great? Try insane Katherine. You took another woman's baby and switched it with that girl's just to cover up a miscarriage and to give your husband his biological daughter. I don't know why I let you talk me into this. I should just march into that reception hall and let Neveah's real mother know the truth."

"Katherine?" a voice came from the doorway, making both Katherine and Doctor Sun jump in surprise.

Katherine turned around slowly and gasped when she spotted Rocky standing in the doorway. "Rocky? What are you doing here?"

"Gee Katherine, I don't know. Perhaps I was looking for the newly-wed bride who isn't at her reception. Now, I come to find out that she's talking to a doctor about a baby and her real mother. Care to explain what's going on?"

Katherine looked at Doctor Sun desperately for help, but he shook his head. She wasn't getting out of this one.

Dining Hall

"You want to talk to me about my daughter?" Collin repeated as he looked at Kimberly, a little unsure of what she's asking him.

Kimberly nodded slowly. "I just wanted to know how things are going around the house with the new baby onboard. Neveah's such a beauty and I can't imagine that she'd be causing any problems."

Collin smiled. "You're right, she's an angel. It's funny actually. She reminds me of Jacob when he was an infant. She rarely cries during the night and she always has a smile on her face. She loves music too, specifically guitar lullabies that I play for her when she sleeps. It's kind of like she and Jacob are interested in the same things."

Kimberly giggled at his words. "She sounds like a real keeper."

"Yeah, she is. Being a father is one of my biggest pleasures in life Kimberly. I love my children and the thought of anything happening to them upsets me. I want to protect my children from the dangers of the world and I want them to grow up healthy and strong. I want what's best for them."

Kimberly looked down at the baby sleeping in her arms and smiled. "Yeah, I feel the same way about Grace. I have to protect her from the dangers of the world."

Collin smiled at Kimberly. "Do you mind if I hold her?" he asked.

Kimberly looked up at him, unsure of whether or not she should comply with his request. She finally relented and leaned forward so he could cradle the baby in his arms. Collin's face lit up as soon as Grace was in his arms.

"She's a beautiful little girl." he admired her. "You and Tommy are lucky to be her parents."

Kimberly smiled. "Yeah, I guess we are."

"Say Kimberly?" Collin spoke up suddenly. Kimberly looked at him, cuing him to go on. "Do you think…we can be friends?"

Kimberly stared at him in surprise. "Friends? I don't think so."

"Okay then. What about…good acquaintances then? I mean, we aren't together anymore, but we share a child Kimberly. We have to be able to get along for his sake."

Kimberly took a shaky breath before nodding her head. "You're absolutely right. We should…call a truce. For our son's sake anyways."

"Right then."

Kimberly sat silently as she watched Collin holding Grace gently in his arms as he stared down at her lovingly. Even though she intended on telling him the truth, she just couldn't bring herself to do it. If she told him that Grace was his child, that's just one more thing that would tie her to him and it would ensure that Grace was initiated into the Ignalis family. Kimberly would die before she ever let that happen.

Classroom

"Well Katherine?" Rocky said sternly as he patiently awaited an explanation. "Whose real mother is in the other room?"

Katherine sighed. "Doctor Sun, could you excuse me for a minute."

"Not a problem Katherine. I have to get Julia back to Reefside anyways."

Katherine nodded as the man disappeared, closing the door behind him. The room was instantly filled with silence as Rocky and Katherine stared at each other.

"Katherine, what's going on?" Rocky asked, breaking the silence.

Katherine took a deep breath before sitting on a green loveseat that was positioned against the wall. "Remember how I told you about how I got Neveah?"

"Yeah." Rocky said, taking a seat beside her. "You spoke with an agent and a teenager who was pregnant and she agreed to give you her child after it was born."

"Right. Rocky, that teenager is here tonight. Well, she won't be for much longer."

"Are you serious?"

"Yeah. She interrupted the wedding and everything. As it turns out, she wants her daughter back, but at this point, she can't have her. Neveah has already grown accustomed to the life she's living. She knows that I am her mother and that Collin is her father. I don't want to thrust the child into confusion by handing her over to some stranger."

"Katherine, that stranger is her biological mother."

"Like hell she is. I am her mother Rocky and I always will be. Doctor Sun just came to remind me of what I decided to do. He disagrees with the decisions I made just like you do, but I don't care. I am raising that little girl and no one's going to stop me."

Rocky sighed as he leaned back on the couch to stare up at the ceiling. "I guess that's true. When you set your mind to do something, you're going to do it, in spite of the consequences. Look Katherine, although I disagree with your decision, I do think you should keep quiet about it. If you're going to keep this little secret of yours, it's best to keep quiet about the whole thing."

Katherine nodded. "I couldn't agree with you more. There's…just one thing."

"And what would that be?"

"Julia, the baby's biological mother, is moving to Angel Grove to be closer to Neveah. I have to let her see the baby from time to time."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

Katherine nodded. "Yes. She does deserve to get to know Neveah, even if she isn't the one raising her. I'm going to let her spend time with my daughter."

"Right. Well, shall we get back to the reception?" Rocky stood to his feet and held out his arm. Katherine giggled as she stood up and wrapped her arm in his.

"Let's go." she smiled. Rocky then proceeded to lead her down to the dining hall.

Dining Hall

"Oh, look." Kimberly said to Collin as she looked at the doorway. "Katherine finally made it to the reception."

Collin smiled and looked up, but he frowned when he spied Katherine being escorted into the hall by Rocky. The groom stood to his feet, angered, and walked over to the two of them. Kimberly jumped up after him, for he was still holding baby Grace.

"What's going on here?" Collin demanded when he reached the two of them.

Katherine's eyes widened at the sight of baby Grace in Collin's arms. "Yes, what's going on here?" she asked as Kimberly appeared beside her husband.

"I asked you first Katherine. Where have you been for the past half-hour and why are you with the chef?"

Katherine sighed as she untangled her arm from Rocky's. "Rock is one of my best friends Collin. What does it matter whether I'm with him or not. As to my whereabouts, I was in the sanctuary taking in everything that's happened today, and after that, I went to speak with Doctor Sun and Julia so I could politely ask them to leave. You were so upset by their presence during the wedding that I didn't want them to spoil your mood at the reception. Rocky ran into me while I was talking to them and he decided to walk with me back here. Everything is fine, there's no need to overreact. Now, what about you? Why are you holding Kimberly's baby?"

"I wanted to hold her. Is that a problem?"

Katherine giggled nervously. "Of course not. I was just worried. I thought you were holding Neveah, and you're not. Where is my baby?"

"With your mother on the other side of the room." Collin said, pointing with his free hand.

"Alright you two," Kimberly said as she took her daughter back from Collin, "why don't you stop bickering with one another and enjoy the rest of your wedding day?"

"Butt out Kimberly." Katherine snapped. "This doesn't concern you."

"No, it doesn't." Kimberly said with a roll of her eyes. I was just taking the two of you into consideration for once. You have over a hundred guests gathered in this room that came here today and watched the two of you get married. The least you can do is keep them entertained and appear to be happy. If you still have issues with each other at the end of the reception, work them out when you get home. Look, I've gotta go. Please bring Jacob home after the reception."

"You aren't going to stay?" Collin asked.

"No." Kimberly sighed. "I believe I've overstayed my welcome. Besides, Grace is feeling a little warm. I want to get her home so she can rest properly. Good night."

Collin smiled at her and waved as she exited.

"She's right." Rocky spoke up after she left. "You two should entertain your guests. I'll help by announcing that dinner is served."

"That would be wonderful Rocky, thank you." Katherine smiled as the chef walked off.

Katherine turned to Collin and smiled. "I'm sorry for being so rude."

"Me too darling. Let's get this show on the road, shall we?"

Kimberly's House

Tommy was sitting on the porch swing when Kimberly pulled into the driveway. He smiled when she cut the engine off and he walked down the steps to help her out of the car.

"How was the wedding?" he asked interestedly. "Did everything go okay?"

Kimberly smiled as he closed the car door behind her. The two of them walked up the sidewalk together.

"Even though I hate both of the people that were getting married, the wedding was actually quite nice. The decorations were beautiful and so were the wedding party's outfits. Oh, there was one interruption though. A teenage girl that apparently has drug issues walked in and started talking about how much she appreciates Katherine. It was so strange."

Tommy held the door open for Kimberly as she walked into the house. "So, did you tell Collin that Grace is his daughter?"

Kimberly sighed as she placed Grace's carrier on the floor so she could remove her coat. "No, I didn't. I almost told him but I chickened out last minute. Collin has proven time and time again that he can be a good father, but the fact that he's an Ignalis changes my mind every time. The Ignalis family is so stuck up and cruel. I refuse to let my precious baby grow up around those monsters. She's safer here with you and me."

Tommy smiled. "Well, if that's the decision you want to make, I'm not going to stop you. Now, I have something to tell you?"

"Really?" Kimberly asked as she lifted Grace from the carrier and started to make her way upstairs. "What would that be?"

"I have a job offer." Tommy announced proudly as he followed her upstairs. "The Angel Grove Police Department knows that I used to be a former FBI agent and they think I'd be a great contribution to their workforce."

"That's great news Tommy." Kimberly exclaimed with a proud smiled as she laid Grace inside her crib. "I'm so happy for you."

"I thought you might say that." he admitted with a laugh as he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her forehead lovingly.

"Looks like things are going uphill from here." Kimberly said.

At that moment, Kimberly didn't know how wrong she was. From that moment forward, things were going to slip and slide until the truth on both sides would come to the light.


Author's Note: And so ends another chapter. I know this update came a week later than I was hoping to get it out, but I went on vacation to Iowa and then I went to Indiana Beach this past week, so I've been a tad busy lol

So, hopefully, you guys can forgive me for the short delay. Alright guys. It's time for you to leave me a review if you feel compelled to. Then, sit tight because the next chapter will be posted soon. Until next time guys!