It's the summer. Time for another reunion. A chance for their gathering of friends to hang out and catch up. A chance to figure out their lives. Everyone has a summer.

Rated M for everything.

Slightly AU. References to their former lives occur, but Dino Thunder never happened.

All pairings and couples are evident. Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers.

Please Read and Review.

-x-

CHAPTER ONE

Incredibly Busy

Scott Residence

Sunday June 3rd, 7:25 pm.

Reefside, CA

2010

"I didn't think much of it when the heels came off, ya know?" Jason shouted from the pantry. "I figured, it's a reception, right? People are dancing, makes sense they'd remove their shoes…"

Tommy scratched at the faint stubble on his chin. He needed to shave. He made a quick note on the paper to remind himself.

"But then I saw them remove their earrings, and that's when I started getting nervous."

Tommy looked up as Jason reentered the room, carrying an overflowing basket of laundry.

"How do spell gherkins?" Tommy wondered.

"G-H."

"Thank you," Tommy mumbled, jotting down the word. Jason set the basket on the table and rolled his eyes.

"It's not a crossword puzzle, bro. It's a grocery list."

Tommy shot him a scowl. "Well, seeing as you all but forced me to write it down, I thought the least I could do was spell it correctly."

"No one cares if you spell it correctly, just that you buy the right stuff."

"That's all of it, I think," Tommy said, setting down his pen and taking up the bottle of beer he'd opened an hour ago.

Jason snatched the paper to make sure. "Good," he said, nodding his approval before handing back the list.

"Well, it sounds like I left before the real fun started," Tommy mused. He took a swig of his drink, grimacing as the now tepid liquid hit his lips.

The idea of a catfight breaking out during Jason's wedding reception was news to him. He thought he'd exhausted every impression made that day.

That day, had been Jason and Trini's wedding. And it had been coming up a lot in recent memory, as this summer marked the third anniversary of his friend's nuptials. Which also meant another reunion for their group of friends. A tradition that saw everyone descend upon Casa de Scott for a month, schedules permitting.

Now that the ritual had become routine, it was easier to plan ahead for it. Jason maintained an open door policy during this time. An open door, and revolving guest bed policy. Jason's house boasted three spare bedrooms, not counting his and Trini's, and the nursery their twin toddlers shared. The house had only ever been at capacity once, during the wedding. Before that and since, there'd always been more space than they'd needed. But Jason liked being able to provide his friends with a place to stay. And on the rare occasion he couldn't, Tommy had a guest room that he'd been willing to loan out in case of overflow.

The two men had been reminiscing about Jason's wedding when Trini had phoned to amend the menu she had created for an upcoming cocktail party. She'd asked for the items tonight, but as it was nearly seven when she'd called, Jason had panicked over finishing all of the things he said he'd get done.

Tommy offered to do the grocery shopping in Jason's stead. Jason accepted his friend's offer, but grew nervous when Tommy had merely nodded along while Jason recited the newly appointed menu.

Tommy assured that he would remember the handful of things Trini had asked for, but Jason wouldn't yield. Trini was organized and liked planning ahead. She was also a self-proclaimed control freak. It had been hard enough to relinquish the shopping over to her husband in the first place. But she'd capitulated when Jason had offered to also watch the kids, and do the laundry if she'd be the one to pick up Rocky and Aisha from the airport.

A strange compromise to some, perhaps. Him offering the triplicate domestic chores in exchange for some alone time and a chance to get out of the house for a few hours. But Jason detested driving to the airport. He loved inviting his friends to his house, had no issue with anyone and everyone making themselves at home once they'd arrived. So long as he didn't have to circle that damn roundabout while narrowly avoiding the same TSA agent banging on the hood and telling you to move your car over and over again.

And now he'd inadvertently pawned off one duty to his notoriously forgetful friend, of which Jason would bear the brunt if the task got bungled. Nope. Tommy could hear all about the scandalous things he'd missed from his wedding reception after Jason was assured that trusting Tommy with the shopping didn't result in the business end of Trini's wrath.

Jason pulled out a random towel and began folding. "We stopped any real fights before they could happen. I think Zack was embarrassed more than anything else."

Tommy laughed. "Trini would have killed him."

Jason snickered as he rolled up another towel. "No doubt."

"He's slipping in his old age," Tommy chuckled, "Double booking dates to the same wedding?"

Jason smirked. "That'll teach him."

Tommy looked up wistfully as they considered their most charismatic but notoriously single friend. "Think he'll ever settle down?"

Jason shook his head. "I don't know, man. Zack seems happy this way. For someone who likes being around people so much, he just—never had a problem being alone, ya know? He thrives on it. And my wedding aside, not in a sleazy way."

Tommy snickered as Jason went on.

"Like, none of the rest of us could get away with dating around like Zack does and still be called a gentlemen. He's gotta be the classiest player I've ever met."

"If Billy was still a bachelor, he could get away with it," Tommy mused.

Jason looked skeptical. "Yeah but, could you really see Billy having a bunch of different girlfriends?"

Tommy chuckled as he took another sip. The question may as well have been rhetorical. "No."

Jason snickered. "No. Billy would be like, an elusive billionaire bachelor."

Tommy snorted, rolling the almost empty glass in his hands. "So basically, Bruce Wayne?"

Jason pointed with the cotton bib in his hand. "Exactly. With all of his gadgets—Dude! Billy is totally Bruce Wayne. Billy is Batman."

Tommy laughed and took another swig from his beer.

Jason shook his head with a laugh, folding and setting aside another piece of laundry. "Bro, if you had told me fifteen years ago, that one day I'd be sitting with you, making grocery lists and folding reusable diapers, I'd have laughed in your face."

"Well, you'd be happy about the Trini being your wife part." Tommy said.

Jason smirked. "True."

"What about me?" Tommy said. "I teach high school, for fuck's sake! Who saw that coming? I have a kid, I'm divorced—"

"And you live in a VAN down by the river!" Jason teased as he separated another item from the stack.

"Might as well." Tommy laughed bitterly, "You got two beautiful kids, you married the love of your life—you, my friend, are doing better than most of us."

He finished off his beer, rising to deposit the glass into one of the meticulously labeled recycling bins.

Jason laughed. "Actually, most of us are doing pretty well," He pushed aside the pile of diapers he'd created and made a new stack for the towels he'd already finished.

"It's really just you who's a mess, bro." Jason smirked.

Tommy scowled. "You know what," he reached back into the bin for his bottle. "Just for that, I'm not recycling this."

Jason paled and dropped the blanket in his hands. Tommy released the pedal of the trash as the glass clinked into the basket.

"Oh dude, put that back, man. Trini'll kill me." He dove into the barrel. "Throws off her whole system…"

Tommy watched him in smug satisfaction, leaning against the sink.

Jason frowned as he pulled the bottle out by the tips of his fingers. "You son of a bitch, you didn't even rinse it first."

"Oh my god," Tommy rolled his eyes and jerked the bottle back. "Give me this, ya crybaby."

Tommy shook his head and turned around to wash the bottle thoroughly.

Jason glared at him as he padded back to finish the laundry.

Tommy shut the water, dangling the squeaky clean bottle as proof. "What time she getting back?" He asked, tossing the glass back into the recycling.

"What time is it now?" Jason asked, another pillowcase folded and forgotten.

Tommy pulled out his phone. "Quarter to eight."

Jason ran the numbers. "Rocky and Aisha's flight got in around seven, I think. So, depending on how long they were taxied, I don't know, 9:30, 10, I'd say."

Tommy nodded. "Okay, good. Give me a chance to run to the store and come back before they get here."

"I appreciate it, bro. I'm sorry to even ask. It's just such a hassle to load up the kids, and at this time of night—"

Tommy waved him off. "Don't worry about it. I get it. Shit, Jase. I would have called my mom to watch Miles just to come here tonight."

Jason snickered. "How's your mom doing? How's your dad? He still getting all his outpatient business sorted out?"

Tommy nodded. "They're good. Yeah, he's been on four different treatment plans since his release. But he's in good spirits, ya know? The divorce ate up a lot of my time the past few months, and since my dad can't really leave the house, I haven't seen him in ages. I might be the most pissed about that, tell you the truth."

Jason worried against a potentially awkward question. "I know you see each other to trade off Miles but—have you two talked much since the whole…"

"Jase, if I can say it, you can say it. Divorce. And yeah, we've talked. Like you said, we see each other every week. She's fine, I guess." Tommy shrugged.

Jason nodded, not wanting to push. Tommy sighed, a grotesque smile curling on his lips. "She's seeing someone."

Jason's eyes widened. "Jesus. At least wait for the body to go cold…"

Tommy snickered. "Maybe it should have bothered me more, but instead I just had this sense of relief when she told me."

Jason nodded sagely. "Cause now it all feels officially over?"

Tommy smirked. "Yep. Crazy, right? That getting divorced has somehow made me happier than getting married…"

Jason snickered. He felt a sympathetic pang for his best friend's predicament. Despite his current tone, Tommy had not entered into his marriage lightly. He was an incredibly honorable man, proud and just.

It had been a really big deal when Tommy had told his friends he had proposed to Heather. Despite the fact that they'd been together for just over a year, and their whole group of friends had gotten to know her, it was still a bit shocking.

Even more shocking, was when Tommy had revealed that Heather was pregnant.

Jason suspected the pregnancy might have precipitated the proposal, but Tommy had never officially confirmed or denied that theory.

Nevertheless, for Tommy's marriage to end in divorce after less than four years and after producing a child, Jason knew that Tommy had initially been devastated.

And in quintessential Tommy Oliver fashion, the man endeavored to protect Heather's dignity and reputation amidst their falling out, citing only his own shortcomings as an explanation into why his marriage had failed. But their friends had known better.

It wasn't that the gang disliked Heather. And at the start of their relationship, most of them were excited for their friend, however unexpected the match may have been.

But there were certain allegiances within their friend group. A by-product born of the years spent as Rangers as well as childhood companions. And to that, Heather would always be an outsider.

Jason supposed Heather had felt like a bit of an interloper herself, certainly in moments when the whole gang got together. Inside jokes, obscure references, cagey innuendos, they all served to alienate the woman further, intentionally or not.

Eventually, Heather's hostility became very apparent. Kat and Billy had given her the greatest benefit of the doubt, perhaps both feeling somewhat responsible for the couple even meeting in the first place.

Nevertheless, once their separation had been announced, the gang had tried to reconcile Tommy of his insecurities, with varying degrees of success. Tommy wasn't really much for trash-talking an ex, no matter the circumstance. But as his and Heather's estrangement developed, and meetings with lawyers were had, and arguments over custody occurred, Tommy emerged with a new perspective on the whole concept of divorce.

Which is where he found himself now, six months out since his marriage had officially been dissolved.

"She's headed to Tahoe with him for the summer. Greg," Tommy said, rolling his eyes at the mention of his ex-wife's new beau.

Jason scoffed. "You met him?"

Tommy nodded. "Just a couple of times when I went to pick up Miles. He seems…uncomplicated."

Jason snorted. "How long have they been dating?"

Tommy shrugged. "A few months or so. That's why they're taking this trip, I guess. Something about wanting to test the waters. I agreed to take Miles while she's away. It's just an excuse for her to show off on the slopes, I know. But hey, if that doesn't impress the guy, I don't know what will."

Jason snickered. "Got you didn't it?"

Tommy laughed mirthlessly. "There were plenty of things that did it for me at one time. But give the devil his due, I guess."

"So when is she dropping off Miles?"

"Wednesday," Tommy said pointedly. "She's incredibly busy, Jason. Incredibly busy. Wednesday," He rolled his eyes.

Jason laughed as he watched Tommy mock and bristle at what had clearly been Heather's exact words.

Tommy shot him a smile. "I know it wasn't originally on the schedule but maybe now that he's here, we can set up play dates with Howie and Vanessa."

"Absolutely," Jason nodded, "We got work friends coming over for cocktails, hence the list, and Zack's dragging us to some dance club in LA, and of course we have the cookout—but ya know, the rest of the summer is wide open. I bet we could take the kids to Water World or something easy like that."

Tommy nodded. "Right, I need to remember to ask my mom to take Miles on a couple of those nights."

"Give your mom a break and just bring Miles over here. Adam and Tanya already said they'd be happy to look after the twins while we in LA. Ain't no way Tanya's gonna wanna go clubbing, she's about ready to pop." Jason said.

"Nah, my mom likes getting to see him." Tommy frowned, "But, I was thinking, would you guys have any extra room for Adam and Tanya here instead?" Tommy said.

"Maybe, why?"

"They're only staying for a few days cause she could go into labor any minute. And Adam was saying how this last trimester has been really rough on her. And I thought you and Trini still have the all that pregnancy suite and spa tub set up. I thought maybe they'd be more comfortable at your place then mine. I got a shower and a shitty tub, and now with Miles coming here, I'm gonna need that damn bathtub available at all times."

Jason nodded. "Yeah, yeah. I think we can move some things around. But…we might have to do a prisoner exchange…"

Tommy nodded. "Sure, who ya got for me?"

Jason gave him a nervous laugh and rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, here's the thing, Kat and Billy confirmed late and so we were just gonna inflate the air mattress off the den, but since Adam and Tanya are only staying for the weekend, then that could free up the double bed again for Kat and Billy so…"

Tommy scowled as soon it hit him. He was not amused.

"Which just leaves me with a room to spare and one other person unaccounted for…"

Jason shot him a sheepish grin.

Tommy clenched his jaw. "Tell me you didn't set this up on purpose."

Jason's eyes widened. "How could I have? Look, she hasn't come down since my wedding. I mean, of course we always invite her, but we figured she'd just turn us down again."

"And you didn't think to suggest anyone else to come stay with me?"

"Zack always stays with us, it's tradition. And Rocky and Aisha can't stay with you cause you only have a twin bed in the guest room."

"What'd you think I was gonna do with Adam and Tanya? They would take my room for the weekend."

"So you would let Rocky and Aisha have your bed instead?"

"For the whole summer? Fuck no. "

"Then there's your answer then."

Tommy frowned. He had seen Kim three times in the last 12 years.

It wasn't that their relationship was deliberately unfriendly, just a bit battle-worn, one might say. Chalk it off to years of holding someone on a pedestal while figuring out where they actually belonged in your life. Eventually, you get tired. And you can either gently set it down, or just let it drop.

And now, he had a son and an ex-wife. And he was what, nervous about his estranged ex-girlfriend from high school coming to stay with him for the summer? Goodness, whatever for?

Tommy ran his hand over his face. "Fine, she can stay."

Jason snickered at Tommy's put upon reaction. "Don't act like having Kim stay with you is the worst idea ever."

Tommy shot Jason a glare.

Jason held up his hands in concession. "Look if it's gonna be that weird, I'm sure she'd be happy to book a hotel."

Tommy frowned. "Yeah, that'll look real great. Everyone else is staying with you while me with a guest room makes Kim stay at a hotel?"

Jason eyed him carefully. "So it's okay then?"

Tommy shook his head. "Yes, it's fine. Just suspicious," he said.

Jason laughed and clapped a hand on Tommy's shoulder. "Right? I'm kinda sad to think I didn't plan this…"

Tommy shot him another glare for good measure.

-x-

Tommy's House

Wednesday, June 6th, 2:31pm

Reefside, CA

2010

He heard the car door slam shut in his drive. Deliberately foregoing his phone in favor of the clock on the wall, he glanced at the time. 2:31pm.

"Are you fucking kidding, me?" he reasoned bitterly, grumbling at his ex-wife's selfishness.

Tommy shook his head and stared back at the bags of groceries he'd raced home to deliver and unload.

The first text message came at nine this morning.

B THERE 11.

Then another at 9:30.

SRY. MORE LIKE 12.

Fortunately he'd been up since eight, which nowadays was the equivalent of sleeping in for him. But hey, it was his summer break too, right? No more pencils, no more books. No more teacher's dirty looks.

Though he had managed at least one dirty look. Having spent the better part of the morning cleaning the house and holding off his shopping trip, he scowled when the tiny illuminated screen pinged around 11:30.

SEE YOU AT 2.

And he'd all but reached his limit when he'd pulled into the parking lot of the local market and heard his phone chime at 12:30.

RUNNING LATE.

Resisting the urge to throw his phone out the window, Tommy scrambled into the co-op, completing a lap around the store that would have put his former days of stock car racing to shame, and arrived back in his driveway in less than an hour.

He'd have just enough time to unpack the items before anyone arrived. It was half past two now. Under normal circumstances he hardly would have noticed. He'd put away the groceries at a leisurely pace and wait for the knock on his door.

As it was, he'd only managed to unload the milk, having spent the better part of his time since rushing home to text, call, and finally, leave a voicemail for his ex-wife asking where the hell she was.

He set down the carton of milk he had in his hand and prayed it wouldn't spoil by the time Heather was finished explaining to him where she'd packed all of Miles' toys for the hundredth time. Like they didn't do this every fucking week.

Tommy made his way toward the door, muttering the ludicrous and frankly, useless rejoinders she had spewed about the preciousness of her time. "I'm incredibly busy, Tommy…Greg and I have a very tight schedule…"

His face fell as he walked out onto his front porch and realized it wasn't Heather.

He was thoroughly unprepared. There she was. Like, truly there in front of him. And there she'd be all summer.

"Kim," he breathed.

She was as gorgeous as he could ever remember her being. Her skin was glowing, her hair long, spilling about past her shoulders. Her frame still tiny and slim, but with a bit of weight that gave her a few extra curves. Her toned legs displayed beneath the short sundress she wore. Her full mouth curling upwards to greet him.

She blinked and smiled. "Hi."

Her throat tightened as she took him in. She'd seen him since he'd cut his hair, but she was still kind of in awe of how gorgeous he was even with it short. His face had the slightest hint of stubble. His jaw looked fuller, his neck thicker. And his body…

She remembered always being a bit stupid about Tommy's physique back in high school. Long and lean with corded muscles everywhere. But to see him now…his tanned skin, trunks for arms. His chest barreled and sculpted through the fabric of his black t-shirt. His slim waist and hips accentuated by the bagginess of the sweat pants he wore.

They fumbled with their arms out for a moment, unsure how to greet each other. Did they hug? How should they hug?

He reached for her waist at first, as she reached for his neck. They stopped, realizing that was maybe too familiar. They each pulled their arms back and tried again. She went for his waist this time as he settled on wrapping his arms around her shoulders.

They pulled apart in seconds. Tommy cleared his throat as Kim bit down on her lip.

She fiddled with the handles of the bag she carried. "Umm, thank you. For—for putting me up. I know this is—"

He waved her off. "Don't worry about it. I'm glad you decided to join us this year."

She nodded, head down to study her shoes. "Yeah—I need to say this to Jason and Trini too but—" she looked up to face him again. "I'm sorry for being MIA, I just—well, that's maybe a conversation for later…"

He managed a small laugh. "Well, I'm sure we have plenty of things to catch up on, so it's a date."

They shared a smile as he turned to hold the door for her, silently permitting her entrance into his home.

A car horn and the sound of tires along the gravel stopped them. Tommy and Kim both turned to see a pale blue sedan pulling into the drive.

Now that, was most definitely Heather.

"Shit," Tommy muttered.

He released the screen door, letting it shut behind him.

He gently moved Kim from his path. His long strides reached the approaching car before it stopped abruptly in the middle of the gravel.

A woman about their age stepped out of the front passenger side, Tommy already talking a mile a minute. The woman ran a hand through her sandy blonde hair and rolled her eyes before moving to open the backseat door.

The woman ushered out a little boy before reaching back into the car to retrieve something.

The little boy rushed to Tommy who bent down and captured the child in his arms. The boy laughed and squealed as Tommy flipped him upside down and spun him around.

The blonde reemerged holding a giant duffle, a smaller shoulder bag, and an orange and purple stuffed dinosaur.

The boy's giggles subsided as Tommy set him down, stepping around the blonde to shut the car door as the woman set the duffel on the ground and handed the toy and shoulder bag off to Tommy.

Kim smiled as she watched the little boy reach for the toy as the two adults resumed their intense conversation. The woman looked up, locking eyes with the short brunette. Kim worried her bottom lip, suddenly feeling very much like a trespasser.

Tommy looked back at her as well and gave her a small smile before the woman said something and motioned up toward her. Tommy scowled and turned back to respond to the woman.

Kim's fascination with the adults was torn away as her eyes dropped to the very small human who stood before her. His half smile hidden behind the fuzzy toy he held up to his face.

"Hi," he said bashfully, peeking around the side of the plush.

"Hi," Kim responded quietly, craning her head to view him better.

"I'm Miles," he said, still half hiding.

"Hi, Miles. I'm Kimberly."

The boy looked at his toy and whispered something to it. He held up the plush to his ear as if considering the reply. He nodded and dropped the dinosaur to his side.

"Hi," the boy said again. "Monsto says hi too."

Kim smiled before she could help herself. Large brown eyes looked back up at her, a goofy grin complete with a tiny row of teeth flashed wide. His mop of chin length curls bounced as he inclined his head to her.

"Miles, buddy, come grab your bag," Tommy called out.

Kim and Miles looked up to see Tommy nudge the canvas duffel with his foot.

"Do you want to go together?" Kim asked, setting down her own bag on the porch and offered him a hand. He exchanged advice with Monsto for a moment, nodded and took her hand in his.

Her heart nearly exploded as she guided him down the steps. The other woman gave her a tight smile and turned her back to whisper into Tommy's ear.

"She looks comfortable enough to me, Tommy."

Tommy rolled his eyes and matched her tone. "It's not really any of your business even if she was, Heather."

Kim was close enough to hear them now. She inhaled sharply. She'd hardly recognized her. God, it hadn't been that long ago.

Heather. The wife. Err, ex-wife, now, she supposed. If Trini's intel had been accurate.

Heather scrutinized Kim as Miles stopped at the bag and pointed.

"You get it!" Miles commanded her. Heather snickered.

Tommy frowned at the boy. "Miles, that's your job, bud. You can take your own bag."

Not wanting to overstep his father's directive but wanting to indulge the child, Kimberly had an idea.

She grabbed the bag by the straps, barely lifting it above the floor before dropping her shoulder and feigned at the weight of it.

"Oh no! It's so heavy! I can't lift it! Miles, I think I need your help!"

Miles bounced excitedly and ran to Tommy. "Daddy do it! Daddy lift it!"

Tommy opened his mouth to correct him as Kim shot him a look.

"I don't know…I don't think he can lift it either."

Miles screwed his face into a determined furrow and ran to her side, the dinosaur abandoned as he hoisted the bag and held it clumsily in his hands like a ragdoll.

"I'm got it, I'm got it!"

Kim smiled at him. "Yay! You got it! You are so strong!"

"I'm so shrong! Mommy! Daddy look!" Miles took off at a clip, his footfalls clumsy as he ran carrying the bag nearly his size.

Tommy smiled and bent down to retrieve Monsto as Heather simpered.

Kim gave a bashful smile and tucked a hair behind her ear. She moved to usher the boy back toward the house, leaving the adults to continue their discussion in private.

Heather nudged Tommy with her elbow. Kim stopped as Tommy cleared his throat.

"Kim, you remember Heather? Heather, Kim? You met at Jason and Trini's wedding."

"Yes, of course," Kim offered her hand, "I was the maid of honor, if that helps?"

Heather shook Kim's hand. "Oh, I know who you are. The famous Kimberly."

Kim snickered. "I guess," she said, pulling away from the handshake.

Kim motioned in the direction the boy had run off. "You were still pregnant, I think…"

Heather keened. "Oh God, yes that's right." She laughed sort of sheepishly and turned to hide her face against Tommy's shoulder, resting her hand on his arm. "I was as big as a house back then, do you remember, Tommy?"

Tommy's brow rose in ambivalent recognition. Heather shook her head as if thoroughly amused and looked back to Kim conspiratorially.

"He kept assuring me how beautiful I looked, but I just wouldn't believe him."

Tommy gave a tight smile as his knuckles brushed against Heather's hand to push her off of him. Kim's eye twitched at the move before looking back up.

"Uh, so that makes Miles, what? Three? Two and a half?" Kim guessed.

"Just turned three in May," Tommy supplied. Kim nodded as Heather turned back to her.

"So, Kim, I'm sure you must be married with a bunch of kids of your own by now?"

Tommy shifted slightly in his spot, his own curiosity to the question peaked.

Kim caught his face and dropped her head to snicker. "Uh, no."

Heather frowned. "Oh. I'm so sorry."

Kim rolled her eyes before lifting her head to face Heather again. She flashed a strained smile. "Nothing to be sorry about."

Heather nodded sympathetically. "Yeah, no. Of course. Just never found the right guy, huh?"

Tommy gave Heather a sideways glance.

Kim sucked on her teeth, trying desperately to keep her face neutral. At her silence, Heather chimed in again.

"Well I'm sure he's out there somewhere, sweetie."

Sweetie? Kim's eyes narrowed. Oh, she wanted to play dirty? Fine.

"Oh I found him, just couldn't keep him. Which, I guess, you would know all about what that's like, right?"

Heather's jaw ticked, as if to silently tell the shorter woman, well played.

"Well, we should get going," Heather said, "Incredibly busy."

She scooted past Tommy and moved back to the front passenger door.

Kim snatched the stuffed dinosaur from Tommy's hands as he caught her eyes. He could barely contain his smirk as Kim strangled the plush toy.

Miles came running back outside. Without a word Kim grabbed the bag from Tommy's shoulder and hoisted it onto her own. Tommy eyed her for a moment longer before turning back to the boy and lifted him into his arms.

"Say bye bye," He instructed. "Say bye bye, Mommy."

"Bye bye Mommy."

Heather kissed the top of Miles' head and smoothed out his hair.

"All of his toys and his tablet are in the duffel with his clothes, and his medicine should be in the other bag, and I've also included the numbers for the resort, and all the emergency contacts."

Tommy nodded. "Yeah, I got it."

"And I beg you, take him to Michelle's for a haircut." Heather opened the door and slid back into the car.

Tommy readjusted Miles on his hip and squatted to view the man in the driver's seat.

"Hey Greg," Tommy said, tipping his chin. "Always a pleasure."

Heather rolled her eyes as Greg gave a silent, sheepish wave. Tommy shut her door as she rolled down the window.

"We'll be back after the Fourth," she said. She gave Kim a tight smile before turning back to Miles. "Bye baby! Mommy loves you!"

"Bye mommy! I'm love you too."

Kim smiled in spite of the annoyance she felt, as Heather disappeared behind the ascending window once more.

Tommy held up Miles' hand to wave once more as the car pulled out of the gravel drive.

He set the boy down on the ground. "Okay bud, why don't you show Kim how fast you can run into the house by yourself."

Miles looked up at Kim."Kimbree you see me?"

"Yes I see you!"

"Kay. I'm run over there!" Miles pointed fiercely toward the front door.

He took off like a shot. Not terribly gracefully, but quickly nonetheless.

Tommy watched the boy as Kim cleared her throat.

He motioned after the disappearing vehicle. "Can you believe that guy didn't even get out of the car one time?"

Tommy turned back to her as he took the bag from off her shoulder. They started walking back toward the house.

Kim mindlessly picked at the fur on the stuffed animal she still held in her hands.

"Well, I'm sure he felt about as welcome as I did."

Tommy frowned. "What are you talking about? You got Miles to help out in nothing flat," he smiled as he mimicked her, "Oh this is so heavy. Help!"

She nudged him with her hip. "Just can't say no to a damsel in distress. Must run in the family."

He chuckled as they climbed up the front steps, stopping just before the door.

"I meant about Heather," she clarified.

"Don't worry about it," he assured her, propping the door and allowing her entry.

"She'd kill me for telling you this but," he smirked, "if it had been anyone else, she would have been way nicer."

Kim blinked as he waved her inside. She bent down to retrieve her bag from the porch as Miles burst through the door.

"I'm got it! I'm got it! Only I'm shrong!" He shouted, grabbing the bag from her.

Kim's bag was actually heavier than his had been, and the boy had to settle for dragging it by the handles. She laughed as he hiked the bag up over the threshold.

"Thank you! My goodness, what a gentleman," she said, following the boy inside.

Miles nodded, his tongue hanging out of his mouth in concentration. "Welcome."

Tommy breezed past as she paused in the entry. Kim looked around the house, taking it all in. It was more open than she'd expected, given the sort of cozy, rustic outer façade.

You walked right into the living room upon entering. A deep brick red color covered the walls, mixed with blonde wood paneling. A doublewide archway leading into a sage green kitchen straight ahead.

To the left of the front door was a small section of wall before it stopped and turned down a hallway. A flat screen TV was hung on the short panel, just above a distressed wooden cabinet.

In the center of the room sat a leather couch covered in woven blankets. Before that, a dark stained coffee table, and a very familiar recliner. She smiled when she recognized the chair from the Oliver's family den.

She turned to her right to survey the far wall. A pair of repurposed ladders made into bookshelves jutted out from the corner. A few potted plants and another door set into the wall.

Tommy re-entered the living room and clapped his hands together.

"Okay buddy, stuff's in your room. Do you remember where that is?"

Miles dropped Kim's bag unceremoniously to the floor and nodded vigorously. He pointed in the direction down the hall.

"You wanna go unpack your toys?"

Miles nodded. "Is Kimbree come too?"

Tommy chuckled. "Well, Kimbree's gotta go to her own room first."

Miles turned to her. "You have your room too?"

Kim nodded grabbing her bag where Miles had dropped it and hoisted it onto her shoulder. "Yep. For the whole summer," she told him, handing off the plush to the boy.

Miles took the dinosaur and held it in his arms. Tommy knelt down to the boy's level and smiled. "You wanna help me show her to her room?"

Miles held up a hand to his mouth as he dangled the plush toy in the other. He looked around the room and pointed to the door against the wall.

Tommy chuckled nervously as he shot Kim a look. "Ah, nope. That's daddy's room."

Kimberly bit her lip as a small blush crept up her cheeks.

Miles pointed once more down the hall.

"Yeah, there we go!" Tommy nodded, moving to stand and guiding the boy by his shoulders. "Come on, let's show her where she's staying."

"Okay Kimbree. Show you where's staying."" Miles cheered, bouncing as he led them down the hall.

Kim followed, coming up behind Tommy as Miles stopped at the right hand door.

He pointed to the door across the way. "That's Kimbree's," he said.

Tommy smiled as he ushered the boy into his room. "I'll let you get settled. Holler if you need anything, we'll be in here."

Kim nodded before turning to enter her room.

She shut the door with a soft click as she dropped her bag onto the bench at the end of the bed.

She glanced around the room. The deep peach walls and crocheted quilt atop the cream bedspread felt very out of place, as if she'd just stepped into a completely different house.

She wasn't sure who'd decorated this particular room, but it definitely hadn't been Tommy. Which suddenly led her to consider the fact that he and Heather might have lived here together at one point. She frowned. The décor didn't seem like Heather's taste either, not that Kim knew that for certain. But the blonde seemed to have a more modern aesthetic, if her appearance was any indication. Her trendy but perfectly tousled, short blonde hair and the stark red painted lip; the crisp white tunic she'd worn over her fitted black leggings and boots. Everything accentuating the fitness, height, and wealth she possessed. The woman was striking, in an austere sort of way. Cold. Frigid.

Kim snickered at her catty thoughts. She unzipped her bag and moved to open the set of louvered doors in the corner. The closet was bare, save for the empty hangers and an extra blanket folded over the bar.

She returned to her bag, removing her toiletries from the top, and began divvying up a few of her garments to later be hung.

She looked down at herself as she considered the look of the other woman. Gently worn but clean white tennis shoes and a pale pink sundress she was pretty sure she'd had since high school. Kim turned to the small mirror on the wall and examined her reflection.

She spent a lot of her time outside nowadays. The light bronze of her skin attested to that, as did the golden highlights that streaked her hair. She wore little makeup. A bit of blush, mascara and lip gloss. Such was her routine these last few years.

Kim held up her hand. A faint tan line lingered from where she'd worn her ring.

She looked up at the sound of a knock on the door. "Kim?"

"Come in," she said, moving back to her bag.

Tommy opened the door and gave her a small smile. "How's it going?"

"Good," she nodded, pulling out a few more items to hang up.

"The room ok? You have everything you need?"

"Yeah, I think so. The room's great," she said. He leaned against the opened door as she continued to unpack.

"Thank you again, for letting me stay here. I hope it's—" she bit her lip. "It's not awkward, right?"

He snickered. "Why would it be?"

She shrugged. "Well, you know what I mean, we haven't really talked, or kept in touch like everyone else…"

She moved to the closet and started to transfer her clothes to their hangers.

He watched her for a moment, considering her words. "Well, that's what these summer reunions are for, right? Give us all a chance to hang out and catch up."

She nodded absently. "Yeah, I guess so…" she shot him a quick smile.

"You talked to Jase or Trini yet? They know you got in ok?"

"Yeah, Jason texted me your address so I even knew where to go—"

Tommy chuckled. "Oh yeah, you don't even have my number do you?"

She gave him a sheepish grin. He pulled out his phone and poised his finger to text her his number before realizing he didn't have hers anymore either. He slipped the phone back into his pocket.

"Remind later me to give that to you."

She nodded, shuffling a few smaller items still inside her bag and zipped it back up before tossing it onto the bed. She collapsed onto the bench and swung her legs absently. Her arms propped at her sides, gripping the edge of the seat.

"I thought maybe I'd swing by their place for a bit, say hey, let them know I made it."

Tommy nodded. "Sure, sure. You remember where you're going?"

She shot him a playful glare. "Yes, it hasn't been that long." She snickered. "Can you remember where they live?"

"Very funny," He smirked, "And yes, I can. Seeing them all the time sort of helps with the whole memory thing."

She snorted, leaning back onto the bench with her legs now crossed, her elbows resting behind her on the bed.

"Geez, it's a wonder you can even remember me, then."

He folded his arms across his chest and shot her a knowing look. "Oh, I don't think I'm likely to forget you anytime soon."

She arched a brow, her face challenging, but playful.

He straightened up fully and cleared his throat, his hand at the knob of the door.

"Well, Miles is occupied for the moment and I need to finally put away all my groceries but uh—you wanna maybe grab dinner and drinks tonight? Catch up?"

She sat back up, nervously playing with her hands as they came to rest in her lap.

"Yeah, that sounds great. Just us or, should I invite Jason and Trini—?"

He nodded lamely. "Yeah, yeah—I mean, it's up to you. If you'd rather it be just us, that's cool. Rocky and Aisha got in a few nights ago, so I know they'd be happy to see you too. But I mean, we'll be seeing everybody the whole time you're all here anyway so, whatever you want to do."

She bit her lip and smiled bashfully. "Yeah, let's just you and I go. It uh—it might be better, err—nicer to have a chance to talk one on one."

He gave her a soft chuckle. "Okay great," he checked his phone. "It's a little after three now, you wanna meet someplace or come back here and go together?"

"I was just gonna take off like this to see Jason and Trini so—" She frowned a bit and spared a mindless glance back at the closet.

She shrugged. "Yeah, let's go together. Give me a chance to come back and get cleaned up first."

He nodded. "Okay, then, do you wanna say we leave here by seven, seven-thirty? That enough time?"

"Sure. That's great."

He gave another quick nod and started to leave. "Okay, I'll call my mom and have her look after Miles while we're gone. She'll be excited to see you."

Kim smiled. "Yeah, it'll be good to see her too."

He snickered. "Oh, and make sure to tell her what a great job she did with this place," he gestured at the room around them. "It'll make her day to prove me wrong."

He nodded on his way out. "See you in a bit."

Kim smiled. "Yeah."

He shut the door behind him. Kim returned to her bag, fishing her phone and her keys.

So his mom was the designer culprit. Well, that certainly confirmed some of Kim's suspicions. Though it did little to prove whether or not Heather had ever lived in the house at some point. Not that it mattered, really. Just something about the idea made Kim feel a little uneasy. That same flicker of trespass she'd felt earlier when she'd first caught Heather staring back at her from the driveway. Like Kim was now standing where she had once stood. As if she was a wrongfully ousted monarch forced to watch their successor ascend to the throne.

Kim chided herself. It was obvious by Tommy's demeanor that Heather was not an entirely welcomed visitor. Necessary, obviously, dictated by whatever the former couple's custody arrangements were. But Heather was hardly a victim of circumstance. Though Kim didn't know all the details surrounding hers and Tommy's divorce.

She supposed she'd find out tonight, though, when they'd finally get the chance to catch up. Assuming of course, he was willing to share. She certainly had a lot to disclose.

Yeah, it was definitely better if the two of them spoke alone. Some of her life in the last 12 years was already common knowledge. Other parts, only shared with those closest to her, like Trini, Aisha and Jason. Zack too, knew some of her most recent news.

But Tommy knew virtually nothing. Sure, there were probably a handful of things the gang had kept him apprised of. And she had seen him a few times over the last decade or so. Three times, in fact, though none of their meetings had been particularly fruitful.

She glanced into the kitchen on her way out. Tommy pried the lid to a bucket of yogurt, sniffing the contents. He shrugged and opened the fridge to set it inside.

He stopped as he spun back to the table. He stuffed another plastic sack inside an older one, creating a substantial ball from the recycled bags.

"Hey," he greeted her, "You heading out?"

"Yeah, I just texted Trini to give her the head's up."

He nodded, hanging the collection of bags off the side of the fridge.

"Well, say hey for me. Tell Rocky and Aisha I can't wait to see them," he said.

"Will do," she nodded, "Be back in a bit." She started for the door.

"Oh, hey, Kim?"

She glanced over her shoulder.

"Do you still like Mexican food?" he wondered.

She smiled. "Yeah."

He nodded. "Great. There's a cool place out by the pier I thought we could go to tonight. They got great margaritas if that sounds good—I just, didn't know if—ya know, if you still—"

She laughed. "Yeah, margaritas and Mexican sounds perfect."

He rubbed the back of his neck. "Okay, cool."

She smiled. "Okay…well, bye."

"Bye."

He groaned as she shut the front door. "Yeah, real smooth, Tommy." He berated himself.

It was an absurd notion to think that this 31 year-old man who'd been a literal superhero, and had lived more lives than most could imagine, who furthermore had dated his fair share of women and not only now had an ex-wife, but a child, would somehow still manage to get a bit tongue-tied asking a girl out to dinner.

Besides, it wasn't like it was an actual date, despite his pithy comment earlier. He and Kim hadn't seen one another on the regular like the rest of them did. They had a lot to catch up on. He felt a pang of guilt about that. Even once they were broken up, he still cared about her. Their breakup had been rough, sure, replete with all the compulsory hard feelings that comes from being dumped.

But they'd moved past it. Well, maybe not right away. The Muiranthias incident had thrown him for a loop. Kim was the last person he had expected to see on the viewing globe. Add to the fact that she had been captured, her traveling companion was Jason, he was now dating Kat, and he and Kim hadn't spoken since their breakup. It all made for a terribly confusing mission.

But after that, time had healed the wound naturally. Sure, there were little things that lingered, questions he still had. But he was heading back for grad school by the time he'd seen her again. And they had exchanged pleasantries at Adam and Tanya's wedding. And by then, he'd been dating a colleague he'd met in his undergrad, that relationship didn't last either, but it had ended thankfully on good terms.

Their chatter was brief, and with a certain air of aloof sentimentality. They had each become someone that they used to know.

Until of course, Heather reentered into his life. He supposed it was partly because seeing Heather again reminded him of how they'd met in the first place. Causing his mind to dip back into the pool of memories associated with the short brunette.

The mystique created by Kim's absence only served to further fracture the growing tenuousness of his relationship with Heather.

He knew he and Kim would be civil when they saw each other this trip.

There was no explicit animosity when they'd last met, just an unbidden sense of guilt and, if he was honest, regret.

He maintained his suspicions over the convenience of Jason's suggestion that Kim be the one to stay with him this summer. But he was hopeful that they'd at least have the opportunity to regain some semblance of friendship that had been lost over time.

What he hadn't counted on, were the nerves that had resurfaced upon her arrival.

A touch of inelegance he could anticipate. They had been out of touch long enough that adjusting to their current, older versions of each other might take a minute.

No, the nerves he was currently having were decidedly more amorous in nature. The kind of bumbling and appeasing that comes from a young man doing his level best to appear cool and confident.

He could only justify a smidge of ineptitude caused by her physical appearance. The rest, well, maybe it was better not to overthink it.

As he'd learned firsthand from his paleontology days, you don't start digging hoping to find nothing.

-x-