Time Jump, just in case you miss it.

Rated M for Everything. Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers.

Please Read and Review.

-x-

CHAPTER TEN

Be Good

Angel Grove Botanical Gardens

Sunday, June 10th, 4:25pm

Angel Grove, CA

2013

The fresh soil rolled from the tiny mound she'd created. The starkness of the blackish hue contrasted against the dull sable color of the older dirt around it.

She should have watered this section before replanting anything. But she'd wanted to replace the damaged bush as soon as possible. A family that had come in earlier this afternoon, their horde of rowdy kids running in circles along the Native Plants of California path. One of the older kids had lost his footing while avoiding his younger sibling's bouncy figure eights. The kid's heel crushed the protective fencing that bordered each display. As the shoe came down, it caught the stems of a Catalina Mariposa Lily planted there, breaking them in half.

The plant was not terribly rare, but it was still important that the Garden maintained and preserved what inventory they acquired. And she hated to see anything get damaged. She'd worked too hard to maintain these exhibits.

She briefly wished the Gardens had a you break it, you buy it, policy for unruly patrons. But if they couldn't be trusted not to kill it while it was safely in the ground, she shuddered to think how much of her work would be squandered if left in the care of irresponsible tourists.

She kneaded the dirt around the newly planted flower, clapping her gloves and knocking off the excess crumbs. A shadow suddenly loomed over her, the tall silhouette stretching over the area wherein she knelt.

"You're shift's over. What are you still doing here?" The shadow said.

She looked up and gave the man a guilty smile.

He held out his hand. She grabbed the rake and spade in one hand, accepting his proffered hand with her other. He pulled her from the ground.

She brushed the dirt off the seat of her shorts. He gently swiped her sleeves, pretending to wipe away any other dust. It was unlikely any had fallen there.

She spared him a glance. His hands rested on her shoulders.

He smirked. "You didn't have to replace that today, you know."

She rolled her eyes, tucking the tools under her arm to remove her gloves.

"It's not gonna go extinct," he added. "Besides, you shouldn't be out in the sun too long."

"It's only been an hour," she assured him.

"Yeah well, you're still off the clock," he reminded her. He picked up the bag of soil.

He started down the path and offered his arm. She accepted.

"Don't think you're gonna get any overtime for this," he told her. "They can't afford it now that I'm back here full time."

She shook her head. "I don't expect to be paid. I just couldn't stand to see that plant sitting there like that. The poor thing was bent in half."

He shook his head in amusement. "I love that you care so much."

She bit her lip. "I just—this way I know it's taken care of while I'm gone. Now I can leave and not have to spend the whole summer worrying if that lily ever got replaced."

They stopped before the supply shed, pushing back the metal panels and stepped inside. He held out his hand in silent request.

She handed him the tools. He set the bag of soil into a wheelbarrow before replacing the tools in their slots. She tossed her gloves onto the bag.

"You could have just left me a note or something. I would have made sure someone replaced it," he said.

She snickered. "That's not your job. Mr. Big Shot Director of Sustainability."

"And Facilities, " he added playfully. "It may not be my job directly, but I'm important enough to get shit done."

She smiled back at him, folding her arms across her chest. "Erik Matheson, Director of getting shit done….and Facilities."

They both laughed. He motioned for her to exit as he followed, closing the shed behind them.

"Everything will still be here when you get back," he said. "I mean, if and when you do come back—"

He gestured at her stomach.

She bit her lip and looked down at the swollen paunch that had only recently grown large enough to block the view of her feet. She hadn't gained a lot of weight, despite being nearly seven months along. She still felt pretty mobile. She briefly worried if there was something wrong. But all of her tests and exams had come back positive. She was on track to having a perfectly healthy baby girl.

She caught him smiling. A genuine grin that exposed his dimples. And though the skin near his lids crinkled, also a sure sign of earnest, there was the smallest hint of sadness in his actual gaze.

"Come on," he instructed, "You're running late. It's after four."

Never one to dwell, Erik led them down the path once more. She followed. They reached the portico marked STAFF.

The icy air conditioning hit her skin as he ushered her inside. He came up behind her, hands on her shoulders.

"You taking off right away?" he asked.

He didn't wait for a reply. She watched him as he headed down the hall, where she knew his office was.

"Umm, I'll probably just freshen up and then go."

He nodded, motioning behind her. "Something came for you while you were outside planting. Left it in your office."

She smiled in thanks. He smiled back, shoving a hand in his pocket as the other came up to scratch the back of his head. A few errant strands of his dirty blonde hair fell into his face, disrupting the short ponytail he wore.

His hair had gotten longer in the last three years. A testament to the more terrene schedule he now followed. He'd always kept it short, the ease befitted his globetrotting lifestyle, and just his whole outlook on things in general.

Now that he'd been given a permanent residency here at the Gardens, he'd found he didn't need to keep his appearance regulation. It was rare he travelled abroad anymore. And certainly no longer in regions where he might encounter ticks or lice or any number of the unpleasant but practical reasons he'd had for keeping his hair short.

He scratched his chin. He still shaved. That was one habit he couldn't let go of. He'd resisted a beard much for the same reasons he'd cut his hair. But in a rare streak of vanity he'd thought he looked better without facial hair. She couldn't disagree. His face was too handsome to hide.

His brows knit in a furrow. He seemed to be considering something serious. Kim licked her lips anxiously. She didn't want to be rude, but it was after four now. She'd thrown off her schedule enough as it was.

"Erik—" she started. He head shot up to look at her. She smiled bashfully.

He understood. "Yeah. Sorry. Spaced out there for a second—"

They shared a laugh.

"The Garden will be okay without you," he said. He spared her a small smile.

She flashed a grateful one in return. She knew what he was saying.

He headed down the hall. She blinked and headed for her office.

She flipped the lights, shrieking in surprise. "Oh my god!"

"KIMBERLY!" "SURPRISE!"

She clutched her chest. Fear became pleasant shock as her sneaky guests smiled back at her, popping up from behind the stacks of boxes piled in the corridor.

The boy was the first to run to her. She greeted him with open arms. His head rested against her distended belly.

"Hi honey, how are you? I missed you."

"M'good. Missed you too. Daddy drove so we could come get you."

She laughed at Miles' extended explanation. He spoke in full sentences now, her name fully pronounceable, too. He'd grown up so much. But as he looked at her, grinning through a couple missing teeth, still sporting a full head of brown curly hair, he looked very like the toddler she'd first met three years ago.

She ran a hand over his head.

"Hey Kimmy." Jason's said. She looked up and smiled. Miles released her to make room for the older man.

"Hi, Jase."

He hugged her side. "I'm following you guys back in your car."

"Oh, are you? Well, glad I was informed of this beforehand."

He laughed. "Do I need to clear off your seats, floorboards, or we good this time?"

She rolled her eyes. "No. My car is cleaned out, thank you very much. But you will definitely have to adjust the seat."

He snickered. "Well, I already knew that, stretch."

She gave him a playful slap. "And put it back when you get out. It's hard enough for me right now without having to slide that stupid thing all the way back up."

"Yeah, yeah," he laughed.

"And don't mess with my radio."

He rolled his eyes.

Kim looked around. "Umm, so, not to state the obvious but, where's—"

"In your chambers, m'lady." He thumbed to the office door.

Her office was technically two spaces, one long room and a foyer. As she was now the Native Plants Collections Coordinator and Supervisor, she got a private office that reflected her position. She hardly used the corridor. Though it was nice to have the storage space. And she could keep a small array of her favorite specimens bred for house plantdom. They were just pretty to look at.

Her actual office, was nearly empty now. All that remained was a desk, a computer and chair, a lamp, and a floor pillow. Everything else was packed.

She pushed the door open. Speaking of pretty things to look at.

Her eyes fell upon the man standing in front of her desk, his back turned. He futzed with cord of the lamp.

His head shot up, he smiled back at her.

"Hello, handsome," she said.

He pulled her further into the space as she kicked the door shut on her way.

Careful not to crush her, he stood with arms extended as he gently cupped her face.

She pouted. "How you gonna kiss me from over there?"

He closed the distance. He lowered his head, pulling her face to meet his.

Her hands wrapped around his head, fingers raking through his hair as she held him. Their lips crashed together in languid swipes, before parting wider. A soft moan escaped Kim's throat as their tongues danced lazily together. Tommy released a low growl, each of them smiling beneath the embrace.

He broke away. An blissful grin firmly in place. He swooped back for another quick and playful kiss. And then another. And another.

She laughed as he stood back to look at her, his hands about her hips.

"Hi," he said.

"Hi," she said.

"I missed you," he added, his smile never dropping.

"I missed you too."

He snuck another kiss. She laughed and smoothed his brow.

"Did you see Miles and Jase?" he asked. Of course she had. He nuzzled her cheek with his nose.

"Yes, I saw them." She giggled. He covered her throat with tiny kisses. She tilted her neck to allow him better access.

"We came up to bring you back," he whispered in her ear.

Her brow furrowed as she tore her head back. "Were you guys waiting here this whole time?"

He gave her a goofy smile. "It's okay. We thought you'd be done by three, but obviously we weren't gonna leave without you—"

Kim cringed. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry. If I had known you were coming I wouldn't hav—"

He kissed her again. Her hands shot up to hold his face.

"It's okay," he said again.

A bittersweet thought occurred to her just then. Realizing that someone must have shown them to her office.

"Erik let you in," she said. It wasn't a question.

It had been three years since she and Erik officially broke up.

When Kim returned to Angel Grove after that fateful summer, Erik already knew what awaited him. It was sad, both of them sobbing by the end of it. It was not unlike the emotional maelstrom she'd had with Tommy towards the end of her stay, except that, it was Tommy she'd be returning to.

Erik, as ever, understood and respected her decision. He had blessed her trip to Reefside in the first place. He was upset, sure, but not angry. Regretful, maybe a little. But only that her investigation had resulted in their separation. He loved her. And she loved him. But she also loved someone else more.

Erik couldn't fault her for how she felt. It was a useless thing to do. And he wouldn't begrudge them if she and Tommy wanted to be together. Anything else was just cruel, and also senseless as far as he saw it.

He viewed the world a lot like he viewed his job. Erik had been in the business of preserving and maintaining plants and flowers from all over the world for many years. Rescuing them from bad or unsustainable environments and transporting them to safer locations so that they had a chance to flourish and grow to their fullest potential. Though sometimes his work didn't even require taking a specimen out of its own environment. Sometimes his job was to simply ensure that the existing space around the plant was adapted to accommodate it.

Always with the plant's best interest in mind. It helped nothing to impose anything on these botanical creatures. Closely observing what the plants needed. Listening, as Erik had called it, anticipating potential future issues, and adjusting expectations as new information presented itself.

Erik knew his own worth, and it made little sense to him to force someone to be with him if they didn't want to. He deserved someone who was as crazy for him as he was for them. He had hoped it could be Kim. He had no doubt the affection they'd shared. But like any other precious living thing he cared for, it hardly mattered what he wanted. The most important consideration was making sure the plant was happy.

Kim had come back to Reefside that same year, near December. Tommy and Kim announced their relationship officially to the small group that had gathered together, though it hardly seemed necessary. Most of the gang already knew about everything that had transpired over the summer. And those that didn't just assumed it was happening anyway, whenever it happened.

Heather had had a miscarriage, sometime back in October of that first summer. But she and Greg were still to be married. The grief she'd felt from the loss and all the complications that had come from her relationship with Tommy had broken her. She wanted a clean slate. She relinquished all rights to him and by the following March, Miles was solely in the care of his father.

By the summer of 2011, Kim had been offered the Collections job she current held, though it would require her to stay in Angel Grove through her first year while the new exhibit was established. After that, she'd have a whole team of underlings and interns at her disposal whose only job was to maintain the exhibit for her.

She accepted the terms, foregoing the reunion. Only this time, it didn't feel like she was missing out. The gang had decided to only meet up for the fourth of July, which would require most of them to stay for a week. Tommy and Miles came to visit Kim as long as they were able.

In February of 2012, on Kimberly's 33rd birthday, Tommy surprised her with two amazing, if not unorthodox proposals.

He was still gun shy on the whole marriage gig. He knew there were very practical reasons to make their relationship official from a legal standpoint. But those reasons could wait. They certainly had nothing to prove. They had loved each other for nearly fifteen years. That was a hell of a lot longer than most actual marriages, even if they hadn't been together all that time. It was miraculous, really. A wedding would just be a glorified and expensive brag post at this point.

Tommy first asked her to consider adopting Miles, so that she would be legally recognized as the boy's guardian, subject to change in the event of marriage or otherwise.

The other proposition, in case the prospect of being an adoptive mother wasn't already a heady enough concept to digest, was that he was ready and willing, whenever she was, as long as she still was, to have more children.

Adopting Miles was a no brainer, though ironically, potentially harder to achieve than the other. But they'd filed for the request almost immediately. Normally, the biggest hurdle would have been obtaining the biological parents' permission, if not the child's own consent. As Miles was still very much a minor, and Heather had already terminated her own rights, the process turned out to be a much easier one than expected. And though Tommy was under no obligation to do so, he still discussed the possibility with all parties beforehand. There would be no secret vendettas, confusion, or surprises that way.

And as for having more children, well—Kimberly had needed a minute to think on it. Adjust to her newfound role as pseudo stepmom. Maybe that was enough for now.

That lasted less than a year. Sometime around Labor Day, which Kim found hysterically apropos, she had announced she'd stopped taking her birth control. Tommy wasted no time. And then a few weeks before Christmas she discovered she was pregnant.

They were still living separately, she in Angel Grove and he in Reefside at the beginning of 2013. But with her now expectant condition, it made the most sense to establish a more unified arrangement.

Having paranoid flashes of déjà vu, Tommy offered to find a new suitable home in Reefside. Kim told him he was being a ninny, a playful reprimand she'd picked up from his mother in the last few years. There may come a time when they'd need to upgrade to a bigger space. But for now, it seemed fraught with needless concerns over history repeating.

She'd put in a request for leave at the Gardens about three months ago. As her current job only required her to be on the grounds in case of emergency, they'd granted it. Mostly under the auspices of maternity, though most of the staff knew she probably wouldn't be returning in any official capacity.

She had started packing her office as soon as it was settled that she and Tommy would move in together. What she hadn't managed to already bring over, she'd stored in the boxes up front in the foyer where Miles and Jason had greeted her.

Her potted plant nursery would remain, though she was taking a few succulents home. They travelled the easiest, and Miles had shown an interest in helping her in the garden so she thought the hardy plants might be an easy foray into teaching him how to care for another living thing.

The computer was company owned, and she didn't want the desk. The only things left that she needed were the pillow, if she found it precious enough, the photo on her desk, and of course the beautiful man that stood before her currently.

Tommy reached into his back pocket and pulled out a small but thick envelope.

"Erik asked me to give you this," he said, handing her the parcel.

Kim eyed the missive carefully. It was hefty enough that it may have contained more than just written correspondence. It was also entirely possible that the letter included therein was just that long. Though that seemed less likely. Erik wasn't taciturn by any means, but he wasn't all that verbose either.

Kim turned the card in her hands.

"Any idea what's in it?" Tommy asked.

"Dear Kim, this is the hardest letter I've ever had to write—" She muttered darkly.

Tommy smirked. "Somehow I doubt he'd ever refer to you as his sister."

Kim snickered. They'd both come a long way from that pivotal moment in their relationship. The scars from which had very much healed, though the memory of it remained. Forgiven but not forgotten, perhaps.

"Did you two get a chance to talk at all or—" She wondered.

Tommy nodded. "Yeah, we parked near the back, next to the employee lot. We figured we'd surprise you when you were headed out. Erik found us. Let us in thinking you'd be here. When you weren't, we talked for a bit and then he said he'd be right back, that he knew where to find you."

Kim frowned. "Some rude child broke one of my lilies."

Tommy laughed. "He said there had been an accident earlier. I freaked out at first but then he explained that was just lingo for a garden mishap."

Kim snorted. "Plant down."

Tommy mimicked the static snap of a walkie talkie, holding the mimed object to his face. "Bravo team, this is White Falcon, we got a uh…broken Lily situation here down at the Grove. Plant down. I repeat. Plant down. Bravo team do you copy?"

Kim shook her head. "Do you even know what you're saying?"

He shrugged and let slip the sound effect one more time. "White Falcon over and out."

She laughed. "You're such a dork."

He bent down to kiss her stomach. He smoothed his hand across it.

"How are you feeling?" He asked.

She ran her fingers through his hair. "Good. I've been taking it easy, as promised."

He addressed the bump. "If your mom gets anymore sun while you're in there, you gonna be tanner than me."

She groaned. "Oh my god. What, are you and Erik like pregnancy conspiracy pals now?"

He gave her a stern look. "He's right, ya know. You need to limit your exposure to the sun right now. Or at least wear a hat if you insist on being outside for that long."

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, dad."

He snickered. Standing back up, he kissed her softly. "I just worry."

She nodded. "I know. I promise, no more sun without hats."

He smiled back at her.

They heard a knock at the door. "Hey, you two making a third baby in there or what?"

Kim laughed as Tommy scowled. He flung the door wide open. Jason smirked.

Tommy stepped around him and scanned the room. "Where's Miles?"

"He went to the bathroom. Didn't want me to help, which was fine."

Tommy glared. "Good. Saves me from having to explain your stupid comment."

Jason laughed. "Oh, we still in stork delivery land? My bad."

Tommy shook his head, he left to find his son. Kim emerged and tossed the pillow at Jason's feet.

"Hi again," Jason said.

Kim rolled her eyes, grabbing her picture frame and letter.

Jason eyed the stack of boxes. "So, we taking these today?"

She nodded. "That was my plan."

Jason smirked. "You were gonna—bring these to the car yourself?"

There were at least eight of them, not all of them small.

Kim challenged. "It would have taken me a bit longer, but I could have done it. I'm pregnant not…" she couldn't think of a good punch-line.

Jason snorted. "Okay. Just—now that we're here, I beg you not to lift anything. I'll never hear the end of it."

She sighed. It was true. "Fine. I'll take the pillow and my plants."

Jason nodded. "Good. That should probably be safe."

Kim shook her head. Jason began sorting the boxes by size and weight.

"Does it matter whose car we load these into?" he asked.

"Nope. Wherever they fit is fine by me," she said distractedly. Kim stared back at the letter in her hands. She was itching to open it.

Jason strategized his box moving game plan. But she wasn't listening.

She looked up. "Huh?"

He mimed a dangling keychain. "I need your keys," he said.

"Oh."

He followed as she led them back into the lobby. A row of lockers stood before the entrance. Employees were gently asked to keep their personal belongings housed inside. Management thought it might encourage productivity if workers went without unnecessary items while tending to the grounds.

Gently asked, because it wasn't a requirement, the Garden priding itself on a cooperative attitude. Most folks went along with the request, though occasionally you'd catch an intern who'd refused to part with their beloved cellular device.

Kim stopped in her tracks, eyes locked on the scene ahead.

Erik had reemerged from his office at some point. And was now talking to Tommy and Miles.

She wondered at the three of them. Not that she was worried it'd be awkward. Or maybe she was. But no, to see them now, she knew whatever they were discussing wasn't hostile or antagonistic. Kim had all but erased any doubts in Tommy's mind that she was his.

And Erik, for all that he'd felt when she'd told him about Tommy, had always been respectful, albeit curious, about the other man. Even before Kim had left on her romantic walkabout.

She'd many times described Erik as observant. And indeed, it didn't take much before Erik had fully sussed out just how significant this other man was to the woman he was in love with.

It was not always easy for Erik, to hear about the way Kim spoke of her ex. Erik fancied himself incredibly evolved, but he was still human. But he had asked, and Kim clearly needed someone to talk to. She never divulged anything to him as a way of baiting him or even weighing their virtues against each other. Though to be sure, unconscious comparisons were made.

She spoke of Tommy with reverence, with sadness, with admiration. He seemed incredibly important to her but with a sort of self-imposed sense of antipathy. As if she shouldn't be so nostalgic about him.

All this in turn, had made it fairly easy to honor her request to take a break.

It gave Erik time to prepare himself for the inevitable.

As it was, the two men had met several times in the last three years, all parties insanely curious to see the dynamic when they'd finally come face to face.

The first time was undoubtedly the weirdest, as it been at Kim's house. Tommy would be visiting. Erik requested the chance to finally meet him. There was minor posturing. Both men of science, they would later claim a biological imperative as the cause for any sort of sizing up that occurred.

They were roughly the same build, Erik's Scandinavian heritage slightly eking out Tommy in height. Equally masculine features, though Tommy's were darker. His hair, eyes and naturally tanned skin. His nose, aquiline, indicative of his Indigenous blood. Erik had blonde hair and blue eyes, his nose sloped. His fair complexion freckled by the time spent outdoors.

It was a battle of the warriors. Native versus Viking. And that's ironically how they'd begun their now tentative alliance.

The rest of their encounters were brief, but amiable. Kim seemed to always be the one most concerned. But neither man gave it much credence. Nothing ever came up, and with each passing moment, their conversations grew longer, more engaged. You wouldn't call it friendship, but maybe someday, if they cared enough.

Jason's movement broke her reverie. He jostled at a padlock on the locker doors, unsure which was hers.

His nuisance alerted the two other adults and child. The trio turned to look at Jason and then at her.

She rolled her eyes and slapped Jason's hand away from the wrong lock. She pushed him two doors down and entered the combination, pulling and twisting the lock in her hand before linking it back through the door portion alone. She'd be taking all of her effects with her, no need to seal it back up.

He snatched her keys as she presented them. Stopping only to retrieve the boxes he'd collected before heading out the door.

Erik snickered, nudging his chin at where Jason left. "Should we tell him those doors are gonna lock behind him now?"

The adults laughed as Miles wandered over to Kim. She wrapped her arm around his shoulders and pulled him to her side.

"Oh, please don't. I want to see his face when he tries to open them," Tommy chuckled.

"How about we don't terrorize him before I let him drive my car?" Kim quipped.

"Are you riding with Uncle Jase?" Miles asked her.

Kim smiled down at him. "I don't have to. Why? You wanna ride with me?"

Miles nodded, wrapping his arms around her.

She bent down and kissed the top of his head. "Good. We'll snuggle in the front seat."

Miles buried his face into her side but didn't say no. She laughed, clearing her throat as she caught both men smiling back at her.

Tommy spun back to address Erik. "Hey man, good to see you again. Thank you for the info about the Dinosaur Park. That sounds like something Miles and I will for sure wanna check out."

The men shook hands. Erik gave a nod. "No problem. If you need to reach me, Kim's got the all the directory numbers for the Garden."

Erik shot her a smile. Kim smiled back. An impassable thank you for his formality in regards to his contact info. As if the directory was the only means she still had to reach him.

Tommy nodded and crossed back to start collecting the rest of the boxes.

"Well, unless you're all really itching to watch your friend make a fool of himself, I should probably deactivate the locks on the doors."

Kim shot him a look.

Erik gave a tight smile and nodded his head. "Got it. Take me just a minute. You'll here 'em click—" he gave a short laugh as he remembered who he was talking to.

"Sorry, you already know that." He pointed in the direction he was leaving before taking off.

Tommy pushed out from the door of Kim's office foyer, shoving a tower of larger boxes with his foot while holding two smaller ones in his hand.

Kim eyed him wildly. She nudged Miles toward him, "Go hold the door for him, please."

"Tommy, what are you doing?" she moved to help him.

Miles came up behind him and countered his weight to hold the door taut, hanging by the handle.

Kim tried to grab the smaller boxes in his hands. Tommy yanked them back.

"I got it," he insisted, "Just, tell me if I'm gonna run into anything."

"Are those the rest of the boxes? " She rolled her eyes. "You're ridiculous," she huffed.

He stopped once he'd cleared the door. Miles released the handle, stumbling to catch himself as the door slid shut.

Tommy set the smaller boxes atop the stack and reached over to give Kim a kiss.

"I've been called worse."

The entrance doors jostled. The couple turned to see Jason wave back at them and pointed to indicate he was locked out.

Miles ran to the glass and shouted. "Doors are locked!"

Jason rolled his eyes and motioned for the boy to open them. Miles pushed on the glass and let Jason in.

"Erik's deactivating the auto locks," Kim explained, "But that probably doesn't matter now, thanks to this one, " she thumbed at Tommy.

Jason assessed the rest of the boxes. "I can probably grab two of these bigger ones if someone can guide me," he said.

Tommy nodded. "Great, and I can handle the rest," he turned to Kim, "Anything else left?"

"Yes, the pillow and the plant," she said, moving back toward the door.

"Miles," Tommy called out, "Help Kim, please."

Miles dashed across the floor and stood to hold the office door open with his back. Kim returned momentarily, handing off the plant to him.

The doors buzzed and clicked, signaling the alarm had been released.

"Alright, dude," Jason signaled to Miles as he hoisted up his stack of boxes, "You ready to lead the charge?"

Miles nodded and skipped ahead of the man, propping open the glass door in wait.

Tommy waited for Kim to move ahead of him. Kim shoved her photo and letter into her bag and adjusted the strap on her shoulder.

"You go ahead, I'll be right behind you," she said.

Tommy nodded. He understood. He leaned over and gave her a kiss, lifting his own stack of boxes and jogged for the door where Miles and Jason awaited him.

Kim smiled as the men started to pass through the portico and out into the parking lot.

Kim turned back to stare down the hall. She set the pillow aside, and started walking. The sound of her footsteps echoed, adding an ominous quality to her stride.

Erik turned the corner on his return from the system panel, reorganizing his keys and cards on the keychain he carried. He stopped and looked up.

Kim smiled as he slowly made his way toward her, stuffing the keys back into his pocket.

"Your friend get back in okay?"

"Yes, just in time."

He spared her a crooked smile. "So, this is it, huh?"

She nodded, biting her lip as she idly looked around the empty hall. "Yeah. This is it."

He rushed her, closing the gap and pulling her into a hug, mindful of her condition. One arm held her about the back as the other came up to stroke her hair. He rested his chin atop her head.

Her arms encircled his chest, her head pressed fast against it. They stood there for a moment.

"Thank you," she whispered.

He placed a kiss into her hair, giving her one final squeeze before pulling back to smile down at her.

"Be good." He told her, his eyes a bit bleary.

She blinked back her own watery lids and gave a small nod.

She spun on her heels and headed back for the door. She could hear his faint steps behind her before the sound of a door clicking shut told her she was once more in the hall alone.

She made her way out into the parking lot, the pillow back in her hands.

Jason had moved her car at some point. Miles was seated in the cab of Tommy's truck, the engine idling. Jason and Tommy stood between the two cars now parked side by side. Jason leaned against the passenger door of her burgundy hatchback as Tommy rested up against the driver's side of his massive Black Toyota.

They looked up, at her approach.

"We're ready when you are, Pinkie," Jason smirked, grabbing the pillow from her.

"I'm ready, "she told him.

Jason nodded, gave Tommy's arm a playful slug and rounded the hood before sliding into the driver's seat of Kim's car, shoving the pillow behind him. One of her larger boxes riding shotgun next to him.

Hair of the Dog by Nazareth started blasting from Kim's pitiful soundsystem as Jason cranked it to its threshold.

He rolled down the passenger window. "Last one home is named Tommy Oliver."

The couple rolled their eyes as Jason cackled, slipping his sunglasses on. He spun the tiny car around and buckled in. They heard him shout along to the song as he peeled out of the parking lot.

Now you're messin' with a...a son of a bitch!

They laughed as the music faded the further Jason drove away. Tommy helped Kim up into the cab, Miles secured in the middle as he dashed back to climb into the driver's side.

Tommy reached over to capture her lips. She returned to meet the kiss.

Miles sank low in his seat, his face screwed up in a grimace.

They broke apart, laughing at the little boy's reaction.

Tommy pulled out of the parking lot. Kim dragged Miles closer to her and kissed the top of his head.

"Everything ok?" Tommy looked back at her.

Kim smiled back at him, "Everything's great."

-x-