It had been one too many burgers for Rocky, just one too many. His jeans were tight and he had already undone the button at the top. He was stuffed, but when his eyes landed on the stack of cupcakes sitting on a tray, well, he knew he had to at least try it. It would be rude not to.

Rocky exhaled, somehow making just a tiny bit of room to take a bite of the chocolate dessert with cream frosting.

"Oh my God," He moaned, his eyes crossing behind closed lids when he took the first bite, "These are so good. Who bought these?"

"We didn't buy them, Uncle Rocky!" Kylie giggled at his reaction, "Aunt Kim and I made them."

Rocky's eyes snapped open, turning to Kimberly who was cleaning up the table, "You made these?" He stuffed another bite in his mouth, his taste buds overpowering the resistance of his stomach.

Kimberly nodded, giving her favorite five-year-old a wink, "With Kylie's help, of course."

At this point, everyone else gathered around to steal a taste of the dessert Kimberly had brought in. The sponge was moist, the frosting wasn't overly sweet or clashed with the chocolate, they perfectly complemented each other.

"Wow," Aisha sighed at just the smell, "My mouth is already watering."

"It's an old family recipe," Kimberly shrugged, "I'll write it down for you after we're done."

Rocky shook his head, stuffing more into his mouth, "You can give it to her, but they're not gonna come out like these."

That comment earned him a smack to the back of the head from Aisha, causing him to nearly choke on the frosting. Worth it.

"Damn, girl" Aisha licked her lips after one taste, "these are good."

All of the attention was making Kimberly slightly anxious, her fingers wrestling with each other back and forth. That didn't go unnoticed by Tommy and he tapped her elbow in support, silently telling her to enjoy the compliment.

"Thanks," Kimberly smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, "I spent a lot of summers at my grandmother's house learning how to bake when I was little."

"Well, you're good," Jason added, a mouth full of cupcake that made Kimberly beam.

Kimberly's nose wrinkled, "Really?"

She'd never put herself out there before. It was something that she normally did in private, after a bad day or when the occasional sweet tooth hit. She didn't bake for others in fear that they wouldn't like it. Like gymnastics had been when she was younger, Kimberly genuinely enjoyed baking. It was an art finding the perfect combination that would make a treat just right.

"Definitely," Trini added, gently placing her head on Kimberly's shoulder, "Why haven't you made any before?"

"I don't know," Kimberly shrugged, her hand floating over the flutters in her stomach, "I guess I was afraid they wouldn't come out that great."

Now Tommy felt like shit for poking fun at her cooking skills earlier in the week. Of course, he was sure Kimberly knew he was joking, but if he would have known she was that insecure in her skills, he wouldn't have ever even opened his mouth.

"You know, I've thought about going back to school for it," Kimberly spoke up, her lip between her teeth. "I've researched schools and I found a great one in Paris…"

Everyone froze at the mention of the P-word. It was forbidden by Trini in their little family as to not upset Kimberly. They weren't sure how sensitive Kimberly still was about her mother abandoning her by running away to Paris. All eyes went on Kimberly as they watched what she would do or say next.

The silence made Kimberly uncomfortable and she fidgeted with her hands again.

"There was another one here in Reefside," Kimberly cleared her throat, "I guess I've just had a lot of free time to think about the future and, I don't know, gymnastics doesn't really seem to align with what I want anymore."

"Are you sick of it?" Jason asked.

Kimberly thought about it for a moment but shook her head, "I'm just not as passionate about it as I used to be. I want to be my own boss, open up a bakery.. become a pastry chef." She looked down, "Is it stupid to give up a sure thing?"

Tommy tipped her chin up, "No way."

Her skin went numb where he touched her.

Tommy caught the gaze Rocky and Jason gave each other at his action and he shot them a glare back.

Damn, couldn't they give it up already?

"And If you keep making these, I'll be your first customer," Rocky said, stealing a bite from the cupcake in Aisha's hands.

Kimberly chuckled, "I can run a business with just you, can't I?"

The drive back to Tommy's place had been mostly in silence. There was a new inspiration inside of Kimberly, a weight lifted that made her feel like she could fly. Was she really good enough to hang up the leotard for an apron? Was she brave enough to leave Angel Grove for Paris or Reefside? Was she brave enough to let her feelings for Tommy finally be known?

It was all Trini and Aisha wanted to talk about while they had been out. Of course, they were a little hush about it because they didn't want Kylie to overhear, but it was constant asking and probing about what the hell had been going on between her and Tommy.

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing had happened between them because they couldn't. Tommy was broken, she was confused and lonely, and there was a child right in the middle of it. Tommy wouldn't even look in her direction half of the time, and the times that he did, she thought there might be something there, but he'd look away before she could decode what he had been thinking. The last week since he woke up moved fast and slow at the same time, and the crazy part was that she was loving being around Kylie way too much.

God, it was all for her. She'd stay up late brushing Kylie's hair, reading stories right before bed, baking cookies nearly every day. Tommy's kitchen came with a lot better equipment than her place. His oven would stay at a steady temperature and his kitchen was spacious enough. She wasn't restricted to a small corner like in her kitchen. Plus, she couldn't say no to her and she knew why Kylie had Tommy wrapped around her little finger, Kimberly was wrapped around it too.

Leaving for Paris was always her first thought. The school was phenomenal and it was different. She was clearly aware of the silence in the room when she mentioned it. It's where her mother went when she left her, but she wasn't thinking about Paris because of her. It was an amazing school with the top chefs in the world. She would learn to be the best from the best. Forget her mother, she obviously never thought about her when she ran off with some French guy.

The more she spent with Kylie and Tommy, the more Reefside seemed like a better fit. She could be around if she was needed, the program was great too, and she wouldn't be alone on the other side of the world. She needed to think about it more. She couldn't just leave anyway. Her girls were gearing up for Nationals and she wouldn't abandon them when they needed her the most, but she had to tell someone if she was serious about considering leaving. That's a phone call she needed to make tomorrow.

The headlights in Kimberly's car shined a little brighter as the car made its way up Tommy's driveway. Kylie had fallen asleep in the backseat and getting her to bed was going to be a challenge.

"Need some help?" Tommy asked as he stepped out of Kimberly's car.

He was still using his crutches, but he didn't feel like he needed them anymore. He was healing a lot faster than a normal person usually does. His doctor even suggested getting his cast off tomorrow since his last x-rays showed his bone had already fused together. Tommy brushed off the suspicion, but he was sure it had something to do with ranger DNA that probably still lived inside of him.

"I got her," Kimberly whispered, "Just open the front door so we can get her to bed."

Tommy nodded and made his way up to his door to unlock it and turned on a light. He waited for Kimberly by the door as she carried Kylie. His daughter was limp with her head on Kimberly's shoulder. She was definitely worn out by running around with Ava. He would be sure to give her more playdates in the future.

Don't you want to give her a sibling or something? Rocky's voice still echoed in Tommy's ear.

Maybe Kylie could use a sibling, but he never had any at her age and he grew up just fine. He had friends and that was all he needed. Tommy was lonely growing up, but that was just because he moved so much… he supposed it would have been nice having David as he grew up and was settling to a new city.

Whatever.

He closed the door and made his way to the kitchen where he took the clean dishes from the dishwasher and began placing them back in the cabinets. It was becoming a daily routine where he would load and unload the dishwasher. There were always so many dishes. He didn't even know he owned that many. Kimberly definitely was a great cook and baker and he supposed that washing the dishes was the least he could do in return. She was doing a huge favor to him by even being here. Now that his cast was possibly coming off soon, he was getting a little worried that she might want to leave.

He was liking having her in his house every day. He'd miss it if she left… of course, there was now the possibility that she would move to Reefside. There was a part of him that wanted to tell her to forget about Paris and to move to Reefside instead. She could be closer to him and Kylie, and all of their friends. Hell, she could move into his guest bedroom if she wanted to.

Okay, fuck. Rocky and Jason had been right. There was something going on with Kimberly, but there were times when he thought he had been imagining it.

They had gotten into the rhythm of watching a movie every night after Kylie went to bed and for the last two nights, Kimberly had curled up against him beneath the covers. They never did anything more than watch a movie, but the task had been getting intimate. Her leg would drape over his, her arm would curl around his abdomen, her head would rest perfectly on his chest.

They've never fallen asleep, but he wanted to. There were nights when he could easily drift off to sleep, content on never letting her go, but that wouldn't be right, would it?

"She's out!" Kimberly sighed as she walked into the kitchen.

The light was off in the kitchen, but the lamp in the living room was spilling in just a little. She had changed into her sleepwear and Tommy swallowed at the thin cotton straps of her top. She was beautiful even in the dark.

"Good," he returned his attention to the dishes, anything to take away from his thoughts of sliding a strap down her shoulder. "Your cupcakes were a hit," He smiled, showing her the empty tray they had taken the dessert in, "I can't believe you made them in my kitchen. Is there anything you can't do?"

Kimberly gave him another smile, his compliments were sweet and they reminded her of simpler times. She'd never personally baked for him before, even when they were dating. There had been secrets that she still held close to her. Even though their relationship had been great, she never fully let him in. She'd never let anyone all the way in.

"Thanks," she blushed and went around him to grab some water, "It was nice letting you guys know that side of me."

Is there another side of her I didn't know?

"What else don't I know about you, Ms. Hart?"

She finished up her drink, the water dripping on her chin making Tommy clamp down his jaw. "Wouldn't you like to know?" She winked at him.

He would. He knew her, the parts that she wanted him to know, at least, but her head and heart were full of secrets. She guarded herself as much as he guarded himself and Kylie. They knew rejection, they knew abandonment. They knew what it felt like to be forgotten by the person that was supposed to love you.

"You down for a movie tonight?" Kimberly asked, but her drowsy eyes told him she wouldn't even make it past the opening credits.

Tommy finished unloading the last of the dishes and turned back to her, "Maybe not tonight. I have an early appointment in the morning and then I have to head to the Mercer Museum. I have a meeting with Anton's lawyer. I guess Anton's son requested I stay with the team… I didn't even know he had a son. "

Kimberly chewed her lip, "Wow, poor guy. I guess he wants to make sure things stay relatively normal for his father's business."

"Yeah," Tommy sighed. He was still coming to terms with what happened on the island, "I'll do anything for Dr. Mercer and his family. I owe my career to him."

The room grew quiet as Tommy processed his thoughts. Everything was moving and changing too fast. Why couldn't things get a little less complicated?

"Anyway, rain check?" He asked Kimberly.

"That's fine," Kimberly nodded, "Do you still need a ride in the morning or was Jason thinking of taking you?"

He thought about it for a second, "Do you mind taking me? You can just drop me off after we drop off Kylie at school. You don't have to wait for me or anything. I can get a ride back."

"Are you sure? I can wait."

"It'll take entirely too long. You can just come home and bake… get some new recipes going."

"What?" Kimberly stepped back, her lips slightly ajar, "Really? You're giving me free rein?"

He laughed at her expression, "Am I an asshole or something? You can use my kitchen whenever you want. It's not like I'm getting any use out of it."

"Thank you, Tommy," She bounced in place before wrapping her arms around his neck. She pulled back, looking up at him, "You have no idea how much this means to me."

Her excitement had pushed him up against the counter, pinning him between her and the granite. What else could he do but return the sentiment and wrap his arms around her lower back?

Damn, she was beautiful. How could he have gone the last couple of years without this contact with her? She was funny, kind, downright sexy… and he could smell the sweetness of her lips at her proximity to him. A silence grew as their laughter subsided. He was holding her close, too close— and all of his sensible thoughts were being drowned out by the beating of his heart against his chest. He wanted her, more than he wanted anyone before, and it was only amplified by the fact that this was forbidden.

He couldn't go there with Kimberly— they never had before. Kissing when they were teenagers was one thing, but that's not what he had in mind right now. Teenage Tommy was dead and buried, adult Tommy couldn't contain his thoughts in his head. He'd experienced a physical relationship and now he couldn't stop fantasizing about recreating everything he learned with Kimberly.

"Tommy," She whispered, her voice warm and heavy.

He pressed his forehead to hers, breathing her in. "Yeah?" He returned, his own voice soft.

"Kiss me."

He swallowed, hard, but his eyes never left her pink lips, "We.. we can't. It's a bad idea and you know it."

She nodded against him, but neither made a move to break away, "It is."

If it was such a bad idea, why were they getting closer? Why was she tilting her face up while he was bending down? If it was such a bad idea, why did Tommy press his lips to hers?

They moved fast.

It wasn't a fairytale kiss like she swore they had when they were kids, this was deeper, longer, sexier. If this was the one and only time he would kiss her again then, fuck it, he'd make it count. Make her know what she's missed the last couple of years, remind her of what she gave up once upon a time.

Her arms pulled him down to her even more, and she offered more of herself by opening her lips, inviting his tongue inside for the first time ever. Had she ever felt this wanted by another man? By Tommy? He wasn't shy with his hands at all as he moved them down her body to explore whatever the fuck he wanted. God, he wouldn't even dare touch her hand when they were dating, but this Tommy, he didn't give a damn. He'd be the biggest asshole as long he got to touch her the way he was now.

Kimberly's hands went to his hair, pulling at the short, dark strands that she'd been dreaming about for the last couple of nights. This was everything she had been thinking, everything she had been imagining, only better, because it was fucking real and it was actually happening.

She'd been so stupid as she lied to herself over and over again. She did want this, she did want Tommy, and everyone could see right through her bullshit— Trini, Aisha, the lady at the checkout counter.

Somehow they were moving, or rather, stumbling through the kitchen and into the living room, where they fell to the couch, Kimberly straddling Tommy's lap as he moved his lips to the delicate skin on her neck. She didn't hide her pleasure and he certainly wasn't hiding his. She could feel him— every part of him and the vixen smiled. He wanted her as much as she wanted him.

How far away was his bedroom? 20 feet? 30 feet? Would it be crass to just strip her right there in his living room? Could he even do anything with his fucking leg in a cast? Could he break it off and explain to the doctor later? The doctor would understand, right?

How was it possible that she had gotten that much sweeter? Her lips retained the taste of the cream frosting he had devoured earlier, and dammit, he wanted seconds. His thumb brushed at the strap that had hypnotized him earlier, gently shoving it down her shoulder like he had wanted to do. She wasn't wearing anything underneath her top and he could easily give himself the satisfaction of exposing the skin he's always wanted to see, but then a part of him, the mature— adult, part of him, waved a red flag.

No. He fought himself. Let me fucking enjoy this. Let me taste her passion, let me be reckless for once in my life!

She was on him, kissing him, grinding on him, in a way that was driving him mad. She was so beautiful and he wanted her so badly. If she kept moving the way she was then this would be over before it even started. It would be another waitress incident.

He couldn't. Dammit, he couldn't.

"Kim," He groaned, gently pushing her shoulders, "We can't. We have to stop."

Her breath was soft and labored, "Why?" And then it occurred to her, "Because of Kylie?"

She could be quiet if she needed to. His bedroom would be quiet. She could place her hand over her mouth— or better yet, he could.

He shook his head against her shoulder, "Because we're friends.. because we've worked too hard to be where we are now, because this is wrong."

"I don't feel like this is wrong."

Don't tell me that. Don't tell me that. Don't tell me that.

"It is," He swallowed to keep his mind in check. "We want different things. We can't cross that line… we never have before. I don't want to ruin our friendship."

"We're not ruining anything, we're just giving in to something we both want." He didn't look at her, he couldn't because he would give in that second. "I mean, you do want to, don't you?"

Of course he did. He couldn't even lie himself out of it because Kimberly could feel how badly he wanted to.

"You know I do," He sighed and her forehead came to rest on his again.

"Then don't hold back, Tommy. Jump for me."

That's how this mess started, wasn't it? By jumping for Kylie. Why couldn't he do that same for Kimberly? If he kissed her again then he wouldn't have the willpower to stop. He wouldn't want to stop.

It took everything in him to shake his head, "I'm sorry, Kim."

He used the last ounce of control that was left in him to move Kimberly off his lap and stand up. His pants were fitting a little tighter and he was struggling to keep his composure.

"You don't know how hard this is for me," He sighed, heavily.

But did he know how humiliating this was for her? She was practically begging him to sleep with her. How pathetic. What was she thinking?

His next words crushed her.

"Can we just pretend like this never happened?"

But it did happen and it didn't matter how much she could pretend it didn't. Sure she asked him to kiss her, but he's the one that did it. He kissed her first and now he was taking it back. He was taking it all back.

"Goodnight, Tommy," She said brushing past him. She couldn't even look him in the eye in fear that he would see the tears welling in hers.

He heard her door quietly open and close, leaving him alone in his living room.

This is what ruining a friendship felt like.

Author note: Heeyyy… you guys still with me? Okay, this is different but not too different. I'm testing the waters and I'm loving your PMs and reviews. Thank you to those that are sticking with me. I am actually having fun. I couldn't stop writing. That's always the best, isn't it? Hope you guys like this new chapter! Let me know what you think in a review or PM! I'll see you guys in the next one!