Chapter 3

After the guys returned, the group was hanging out on patio – sans Skull as he had some last-minute changes to make to his article – when Aisha, Rocky, and Zack all got text messages. The first two got messages from Kat while Zack got a text from Tommy.

"Kat and Tommy are engaged!" Aisha practically squealed. The gang crowded around the messages that showed the happy couple with what was frankly a pretty big diamond on Kat's nimble ring finger.

"That's great!" Adam beamed. He elbowed Rocky, "Think we're gonna be groomsmen?"

"I personally think you'd make beautiful bridesmaids," Kim teased, trying to ignore the metaphorical punch to the gut she felt at the news. Jason suggested that they check out the auction to see if there was anything that they could get as an engagement present for the happy couple.

"You guys go ahead," Kimberly stated. "I need to call my co-owners to make sure everything is ok with the gym."

Zack gave her a curious look, "You ok, Kim?"

She nodded and smiled, "Yeah, although all the swimming today has me a bit sore. If it's ok with you guys, I might skip the auction all together and hit the sauna."

Jason pretended to be shocked, "Kimberly Hart? Missing an opportunity to go shopping? Are you sure you're ok?"

"Yes, I promise," Kim replied with a roll of her eyes. "I trust Aisha to pick out something really special for Tommy and Kat – so when you win, let me know what I owe."

Heading off in opposite directions, Kim decided to skip the call she wasn't going to make in the first place and head straight to the sauna. Since most of the residence were here for the fundraiser weekend, there wasn't anyone using the gym or sauna. She changed out of her street clothes and into a towel, figuring she wouldn't run into anyone. Barely looking around the dim, steamy room, she sat down with a loud sigh and leaned her head against the wall.

"Uh. Hi," a masculine voice called out. "You ok?"
Kim froze and glanced to her right. Skull was sitting there in nothing but a towel. A lump formed in her throat as she tried to push any thought she had about finding Skull attractive out of her head. She could feel her cheeks burning and she hoped he thought it was from the steam.

"I'm fine," she grumbled, looking away.

He raised his eyebrows, "Do you wanna talk about it?"

Kim closed her eyes again. "I swear I'm ok," she replied, her tone harsher than she meant it to be.

"If you say so," he said as he stood up. His left hand carefully held onto the towel to prevent any – ahem – mishaps. She glanced up as he turned to her before exiting, "I'm in room 2017 if you do to talk." As the door closed behind him, Kim laid back and sighed. Closing her eyes, she let herself get lost in her thoughts.

After spending an hour in the sauna, Kim changed back into her street clothes and decided to go back to the room.

Maybe Aisha is back from the auction, she thought, hoping to talk to one of her best girlfriends about everything, including this blooming attraction for someone she wouldn't have dated before. She approached her door and swore she heard a masculine voice in her room. Thinking it was a possible intruder, she quietly opened the door just enough to listen better. Inside the room, Aisha flirtatiously giggled and Jason had said something low enough that Kim couldn't hear; it was followed by the distinct sound of kissing. Not wanting to interrupt, Kim decided to go to Skull's room. She had snapped at him when she was not in a good mood and she wanted to apologize. She walked to the other end of the hall, texting Aisha along the way to let her know that she'll be scarce to give the budding couple alone time. Kim knocked on his door, nervously biting her lip. She was shocked that he opened the door almost immediately.

"Hey Kim," Skull answered, giving her a worried look. "Everything ok?"

"Yeah," she half-smiled. "Jase and Aisha are in the room and I didn't want to walk in on them – if you get my drift."

He smiled as he stepped to the side, "Do you wanna come in?"

She nodded and entered the room. It was set up in a similar fashion to her hotel room with the bathroom to the right, a TV balanced on the dresser, a mini-fridge next to the dresser, and a desk. Instead of two queen beds, he had one giant king. She dropped her bag by the dresser and glanced around. His clothes were tossed about in the suitcase, but from what she could tell he definitely updated his style while keeping true to his 'punk' roots. She glanced at him as he motioned to her, letting her know she could take a seat on the bed.

She sat down with a sigh, "I didn't mean to come off as snappy in the sauna. I'm sorry, Skull."

Standing next to her, he shrugged. "You really didn't snap but it's ok."

"Still," she said with a slight cringe. She scooted over so he could have a seat.

"Did you wanna talk about it?" he unsurely asked as he sat down.

She flopped back on the bed with a sigh. "Do you really wanna know?"

He let out his familiar laugh as he flopped onto his side, propping his head up with his left hand, "Come on, Kim! It can't be that bad! What, did you date someone like me? Or worse than me?"

She giggled as she rolled her eyes. "No, a-and I know that it's stupid compared to other people's problems, but ever since I left Angel Grove, my love life has been a mess and it's just frustrating." She paused and cringed, "Sorry."

"For what?" he smiled.

Kimberly shrugged. "I'm spilling on my emotional baggage onto you."

He gave her a half shrug, "You look like you need someone to talk to and I've got nothing better to do. I mean," he flushed slightly, "I didn't have anything important going on tonight."

She rolled to face him, "Thanks, Skull. I just feel dumb; I'm over Tommy but seeing him engaged just reminded me that I haven't had a serious boyfriend in a while. In high school, I swore I would've been married by now."

"I think you're being too hard on yourself, Kimberly," he replied.

She shrugged, "I guess."

The conversation died off as they both glanced towards the muted TV. One of the 24-hour news channels was playing on the screen; judging by the text scrolling at the bottom, the anchor was discussing the latest celebrity scandal.

"Must be a slow news night," she mused, rolling onto her back and resting her head on the pillow.

Skull smirked, "I think anything that happens nowadays is considered a slow news night since Zedd and Rita disappeared."

Kim couldn't help but giggle, "That is true. I suppose now that aliens aren't trying to conquer the Earth, starting with Angel Grove, things are pretty passé."

Skull's light blue eyes trailed over her face, "You feel better now that you got all of that off your chest?"

She looked up at him and smiled. "I do, thank you."

"That's what friends are for," he said, giving her hand a friendly squeeze. His hand lingered a moment or two longer than she expected. "Is Aisha gonna worry about you?"

She shook her head, "I texted her to let her know that I'm ok and to let me know when Jase leaves."

"Huh, texting," Skull shook his head. "Can you imagine having smart phones in high school? It'd make pulling pranks a lot easier."

Kim rolled her eyes, "Somehow, I think that you'd still find a way to get caught."

Skull barked out a laugh, "Yeah, Bulk and me would. Or use the video technology to find out who the Power Rangers really were and somehow still mess it up." He smiled to himself. "Doesn't really matter though; it just fun goofing around with Bulk."

Kim giggled while replying, "Goofing around or getting into trouble?"

"Same thing," he shrugged. Kim tried her best to suppress the yawn she felt creeping up but failed. Miserably.

"It's been a long day," Skull agreed. Kim glanced at her cell, "I haven't heard from Aisha yet, but I can go bug Zack so you can get some sleep."

Skull dismissed the suggestion, "Don't worry about it."

"Ya sure?"

"Yeah," he nodded laying back on the bed. "As long as you're comfortable staying here."

She debated the thought for a moment. Even in high school, Skull may have been a creep at times, but she also knew he was never going to do anything to endanger or hurt her. Kim laid her head on the pillow and said, "I feel safe with you, Skull."

"Really?" He asked, his voice not hiding the surprise he felt. In response, she closed her eyes and nodded. She felt him shift on the bed as he adjusted his position. She opened her eyes and watched as he got into a more comfortable position. He turned to her, asking, "Anything on your mind?"

She paused, thinking of her answer. Somehow, lying next to Skull, she felt more relaxed than she had all day. She smiled, "No, I'm ok. You?"

"Nah," he replied, reaching for the remote. "Wanna watch some TV?"

Kim nodded, "That's a good idea."

He glanced over at her, "Anything in particular you want to watch?"

Kim shrugged, her eyelids feeling heavy, "Nah, you can put on whatever you want." As Skull flipped through the channels, she drifted off to sleep.

She woke up around 2 AM to the sound of her phone vibrating against the nightstand. Skull had fallen asleep next to her and, in his sleep, draped his arm over her waist. She felt a sense of comfort lying next to him and a warmth spreading through her belly where his hand was. She would've been content to fall back asleep if her phone hadn't kept buzzing. Trying not to wake him, she turned to grab her phone. Both Jason and Aisha had texted her. She was letting Kim know that it was safe to come back to the room while he was asking for Aisha's favorite Starbucks drink – something to surprise her with when they met for breakfast in the morning. She quietly sighed and smiled as she typed out her reply to Jason first.

"Everything ok?" Skull sleepily mumbled. She rolled back over to face him; half of his face was buried in the pillow and his left eye was barely open.

"Yeah," she whispered. "Aisha was just texting me to let me know Jase left."

"Mmm," he replied, rolling onto his back. She felt the warmth leave as he moved his hand, part of her a little disappointed he didn't keep it there. He stretched and asked, "You wanna probably head back to your room, huh?"

She swung her lean, tanned legs over the side of the bed. "I probably should," she replied with a yawn.

"Want me to walk you back?" he asked, getting off his side of the bed.

"That's sweet," she smiled as she smoothed out her slept-in shirt. "I'll be ok."

He yawned and stretched as she started to make her way to the door. She couldn't help but glance at his briefly exposed stomach, wondering if he was as muscular as he looked when they were out tubing. He had caught up to her in two easy strides, "At least let me walk you to the door."

She let out a giggle before replying, "Since when did you get so polite?"

He shrugged as he reached for the door, "It was nice spending time with you, Kim."

"Yeah, it was," she murmured as he opened the door. She wasn't sure what came over her; as she squeezed past to leave, she paused, got up on her tiptoes, and kissed him on the cheek. His faded cologne smelled of leather left out in a warm summer sun. She could feel the slight stubble from his barely-there five-o-clock shadow against her lips; his skin was warm against her touch. She pulled back and looked into his light blue eyes, full of surprise. Not sure what to do next, Kim rushed out of the room and down the hall, cursing herself for doing something so stupid.

Author Notes:

Thanks for reading! Did you find the Easter eggs/references/homages I planted in the story? One is a reference to the reboot MMPR movie and the other is a reference to the Boom! comics "Go! Go! Power Rangers" as they are set around 2017. Chapter 4 is almost done and chapter 5 is pretty close. As always, please read and review!