Chapter 3: The Lies

Enjoy!

In many traditions, a meal or other gathering often follows the burial service. This gathering may be held at the decedent's church or another off-site location. Some funeral homes have large spaces set aside to provide funeral dinners. Trini's parents had a little reception after the funeral at their large house. They had tons of Trini's collages around the house. Everyone was sitting around, not really talking. Just thinking about Trini as they sipped on some wine, cheeses, snacks and chips. Zeke looked around the room. He got off the couch and went over to a stereo. He started searching around the unit. Kimberly looked up.

"Baby, don't…" Zeke found Trini's CD case in the huge wall unit near the floor.

"But Auntie Trini loves music and singing just like you, Mommy."

"I know baby, but this isn't..."

"No, let him Kimberly. Pick her favorite song, I bet we all would love to hear it," Trini's mother said.

"Can I sing it too?"

"Of course," Trini's father said. "I'll bet your Auntie Trini would just love it." Zeke smiled. Zeke knew the color of Trini's favorite CD. With help from Trini's father, they put in and pressed play. The music started. Zeke waited before he started singing. It was an old Jackson 5 song, "Whose Loving You". Trini loved to sing that song to Zeke when they were playing around. It always seemed to comfort him out when she brought the Jackson 5 CD out.

When I

When I, had you
Had you

I treated you bad
And wrong my dear
And girl since,
Since you went away

Dontcha know
I sit around
with my head hangin' down
And I wonder
Whose lovin you

Zack started singing the song with Zeke. And soon enough, everyone had joined singing the classic song with Zeke.

I, I, I, I! I, I, I should have never ever
Ever made you cry
And girl since
Since you been gone

Dontcha know
I sit around
with my head hangin' down
And I wonder
Whose lovin you

Life without love
Is oh so lonely
I don't think
I don't think
I'm gonna make it
All my life

All my life
All my life, yeah

All my life
belongs to you only
Come on and take it girl
Come on and take it!

Because, I, I, I, I, I!
All I can do
All I can do
Since you been gone is cry
And you, oooh

And ever wonder

Wonder your pretty little head with what I do

Dontcha know I
Sit around
With my head hangin down

And I wonder

Everyone went quiet letting the young boy have his moment at the climax of the song.

Whose……… lovin'…………'vin you

Everybody went back to singing with Zeke at the end.

Whose lovin you
Whose lovin you...

I, I, I, I! I wonder

Whose loving you

I, I, I, I! I wonder

Whose loving you

Whose loving you!

Everybody was clapping at the end of the song, and continued singing to the next Jackson 5 song on the list. Kimberly was standing alone outside. After her son's first brilliant performance to bring everyone out their funk and quietness, she had to get out of there. It was just too much. Jason had finished sharing a story about Trini many, many Christmases ago and how she brought him the same gift she gave Zack, even though neither wanted it. It was funny because eventually Zack found himself needing the gift and had to borrow Jason's. Oh, how angry Trini got Zack for not trusting her. From that moment on, Zack followed everything Trini said and asked from him.

Kimberly found herself alone out back a little ways from the house. She stared up at the moon. What a beautiful clear sky after such a horrible day. Kimberly sighed. As if by natural, Kimberly started remembering the first time Trini saw her son.

Tim had called Trini for Kimberly early after his nephew's birth. Trini was the closest of Kim's friends, still in the California area, besides Tim always liked Trini. Aisha would probably get to meet and play Auntie to the baby once Tim and Kimberly returned back to the east coast. Kimberly was willing not to bother her best friends so early in the morning, but Tim felt Kimberly could use them.

Trini had driven up immediately the following morning and came bearing balloons and flowers. Kimberly lay asleep with the blue-wrapped baby in his cubicle right next to the bed. Tim had let Trini inside the room quietly after spotting her from the window.

"How is she?" Trini asked immediately handing over the gifts to Tim.

"Okay, not that bad of a labor." Trini went over to the baby cubicle quickly.

"Says the guy with a penis," Kimberly mumbled waking up.

"Well hey Mommy."

"Trini, you came." Kimberly groaned as she pushed herself to sit up.

"Of course I came!" Trini went over and hugged Kimberly. "I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks." Trini got up and went back over to the baby.

"Oh, he is adorable Kim." Trini lifted the tiny bundle wrapped in blue. "And heavy, I told you too many of those chicken pot pies would do this to the baby!" Kimberly laughed.

"He is not that heavy!"

"Oh, and he smells divine." Trini gave the baby's forehead a kiss before nuzzling her cheek against his head. " Well, give me the juicy, dirty details, how was it?"

"Oh god you don't want to know," Tim said. "That had to be the most painful…" Trini laughed, rocking the baby.

"Uh Tim, I think she was talking to me."

"Oh. Well, I'm gonna go get some coffee. Trini you want anything?"

"No, I'm fine thanks."

"I could use a juice and something sweet."

"I was going to ask you as well."

"Yeah right," Kimberly said. Tim smiled and left the room.

"Man, you have a great brother. Not many would be here for this."

"Don't I know it." Trini sat on the bed, still rocking the baby.

"So, what's his name?" Kimberly looked up at Trini.

Tommy noticed Kimberly was missing. Everyone was reminiscing about Trini, telling tales to one another to really notice that she had left. Tommy made a plate for Kimberly, since he saw she hardly ate anything. Plus he grabbed some glasses and wine, hoping to maybe get Kimberly to open up to him. Kimberly rubbed her arms, though covered in her black wrap dress.

"Hey."

"Hey."

"You have a great son," Tommy said.

"Thanks."

"I brought you some food."

"Oh well… thanks though, but I'm not hungry." Tommy settled the plate on a bench.

"When was the last time you ate Kimberly?" Kimberly sighed.

"I don't…I don't remember. Probably too long, probably… Like it matters. Like anything matters the same way anymore now."

"How about some wine?" Tommy asked.

"No."

"Please…"

"Tommy, please, just go! Okay! Just leave me alone!"

"I can't do that Kimberly."

"Why not?"

"You know why."

"I don't need you! I don't need anyone! Leave me alone!" Kimberly yelled at Tommy as she pushed him away.

"We all need someone Kim, especially right now. No one should be alone at a time like this. And I won't, I won't leave you until I am sure you are…"

"What, fine? I will never be fine again! She's gone! She left me! She's dead! She's….my Trini is gone!" Kimberly yelled. "I'm all alone." Tommy went and hugged her. Kimberly slightly fought against any connection with Tommy.

"You're never alone Kim! You have Jason, Aisha, everyone here! And you got a great son in there, and you, you have me. You just gotta let us…let me help you, let us heal each other."

"I don't want to heal!" Kimberly pushed Tommy away. "Why should we heal? She's never coming back! She's never gonna…" Kimberly fell to her knees crying. Tommy wrapped his arms around Kimberly. "She's never gonna be with us again!" Tommy held Kimberly, allowing her to release all this pain and sorrow built up inside her.

Clark was getting some wine while Zack finished talking about how Trini got over her fear of heights quickly once he scared her with the mask. Zack swore he never saw a girl, or a guy; climb a robe so fast. Everyone was laughing.

"Where's Mommy?" Zeke asked getting some more chips.

"I don't know little man. Let me go see for you." Clark went outside. He stopped once he heard crying. Clark peered around a bush to find Tommy rubbing Kim's head against his chest as Kimberly cried against him. Tommy kissed her head often. Clark could tell he still cared for Kimberly. Kimberly slightly pulled away. Tommy took her face into his hands. He wiped away some tears with his thumbs.

"I'll always be here for you, Kimberly. I promise you that years ago and I always will keep that promise." Kimberly touched his hands.

"Always?"

"Always Kim." Kimberly smiled.

"Thanks. I needed to hear that, Tommy." Tommy smiled.

Clark closed his eyes as Tommy pressed his lips to Kimberly. Clark felt it would be a simple kiss, short, but he couldn't take watching as Kimberly just wrapped her arms around Tommy. Clark turned to leave as Kimberly moaned against Tommy's mouth. Tommy's arms went around Kimberly as he pulled her closer. Clark found Zeke at the doorway.

"Where's Mommy?"

"She's fine, LT. Just getting some air. Come on." Clark lifted and carried him back inside, closing the door behind them. If Clark didn't have Zeke to deal with, he would have gladly went over there and gave Tommy a piece of his mind for taking advantage of Kimberly in such a fragile stage, but to watch and hear Kim's moans, moans he was accustom to making Kimberly do these past few years, sickened Clark. Clark had asked Kimberly to marry him just about a week ago now. But Kim's indecision to make a choice, yes or no, angered Clark. They had been together long enough, they loved each other, he was so sure of that, but why couldn't Kimberly just say yes immediately. He had given her the space she asked for, however, after a few days and still nothing, Clark got upset. What guy wouldn't? They fought, oh how they argued that day, which caused Clark slept at his own place for the first time in over 2 years.

Tommy finally got Kimberly to eat after that short, yet sweet kiss. After that kiss, Kimberly seemed hesitant around Tommy, never looking him in the eyes. Tommy didn't mean to kiss Kimberly, but her lips just were never looked so tempting in that deep red rose color. And her hair, so long and softly curled. To be such a sad day, Kimberly never looked more beautiful to Tommy. Tommy watched Kimberly eating. Very slowly she picked at the plate. She dropped fork finally.

"Food just doesn't taste the same."

"I know, but you have to ate something," Tommy said picking up the fork and handing it back to Kimberly.

"What's wrong with me?" Kimberly asked.

"It's… it's just a hard..."

"Hard? Hard is not the right adjective for this, Tommy." Kimberly sighed and stood up. She drank down her wine. "Impossible more like it."

"I know that's how things feel now…"

"No, Tommy! Not just now! I'm gonna feel like this for as long as I live and she's dead!" Kimberly poured herself another drink. "Nothing is ever going to be the same."

"Yes, as it should be, trust me I know how you feel."

"No, you don't. No one could possibly know how I feel."

"We have all lost her, Kim. She was our friend too."

"Friend? She was way more than just a friend to me. She was a sister, the sister I have always wanted and I got. She shouldn't be dead. She just… shouldn't."

"Yeah."

After a few more drinks, and story telling, Tommy and Kimberly were laughing to each other. Kimberly had told Tommy how Trini picked on her for being nervous around him at first. She joked how she was never nervous around a boy, that's how she knew Tommy was different. Tommy smiled, remembering the same thing.

Tommy was fighting his opponent. He turned his head and caught eyes with a beautiful girl. It was her flashy pink hat that caught his eye. Who wears a pink hat these days?

"Let's go Jason!" She yelled. Tommy nearly forgot he was in a match once their eyes locked. Tommy barely ducked from a kick from Jason. Kimberly was stunning, standing there beautiful as ever. And the way she cheered on her friend, made Tommy jealous. He wanted to impress her more by beating her friend. After the match that ended in a tie, Tommy couldn't help but catch a few of the glances Kimberly was giving him, because he was doing the same. Her smile at him made him forget the match ended in a tie.

Fast-forwarded barely a month later and here they stood facing each other. The sun was shining particularly brighter that afternoon. Tommy had just lost his green ranger powers for the first time. She came to hi, claiming to be searching for him, something he should have been doing. And then she did it. Kimberly told him how much she missed him. And he knew, what he had to do. Kimberly's lips taste so sweet. Too sweet, like candy. It was the softest, yet most powerful kiss he had ever experienced. At the dance, their kisses away from the crowd were more passionately, but the taste was still the same. Best thing on earth to Tommy. It was one of the greatest nights the two shared.

"Tommy? Tommy, woohoo…" Kimberly waved her hand in front of his face.

"Huh?"

"What were you thinking about?" Kimberly asked.

"Nothing," Tommy said. Kimberly looked at him.

"That is not a nothing face Tommy. I know your nothing face."

"I have a nothing face?"

"Yup." Tommy just shook his head with a smile.

"Just remembering the past I guess."

"You, remembering, remembering something from the past? Seriously?!"

"Hey now, I have gotten better."

"Well, you couldn't have gotten worst." They both exchanged a laugh.

"Always picking on me," Tommy said.

"Of course." Kimberly sighed as she leaned back against the bench. She looked up at the moonlight sky.

"A beautiful night."

"Too bad it was a horrible day."

"Who were you talking to… earlier?" Tommy asked.

"Earlier when?"

"Before the funeral."

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"I saw the light Kim, was it…?" Kimberly turned to Tommy. She nodded.

"Yeah, she came to me." Kimberly laughed. "She came to me one last time." Kimberly drank down the final glass of wine. "Looks like we're empty."

"I can go get another bottle or…" Kimberly shook her head.

"Nah, I think I…" Kimberly stood up only to stumble when her heel turned on her. Tommy quickly jumped up and caught Kimberly. She laughed as Tommy held her right above the ground.

"Always saving me, tiger."

"I always will." Tommy lifted Kimberly up back to her feet.

"Why are you here?"

"Because I think we need each other right now."

"We? You and me?"

"Yeah."

"How can there still be a you and me, after all I…?" Kimberly asked staring up into Tommy's eyes.

"There will always be you and me. I will always be there for you."

"Always?"

"Always Beautiful…" Kimberly kissed Tommy.

Next Morning

Kimberly woke up with the sunshine on her face. Kimberly groaned. She felt her pounding head pain. She slowly covered her face with her hand.

"Oh what hit me?" Kimberly groaned. She gasped. "Where am I?" Kimberly sat up. She felt her chest and gasped. She was naked. Kimberly tugged the sheet to cover her naked body quickly. Kimberly looked up to see the bathroom door open. Tommy came into the room from the bathroom. He had a towel around his waist, her dress over his shoulder as he rubbed his wet hair down. .

"Oh, hey! Good morning," Tommy said. Kimberly gasped and turned away from the sight of Tommy in nothing more than a towel. She groaned at the quick turn. She was in a lot of pain. "It seems, I don't care how many times I shower, I can't get that smell out of my hair completely or your dress." Tommy laughed. He sniffed her dress.

"Wha…how…how did I…where am I?"

"My room," Tommy said. He laid her dress still damped across a chair.

"Oh my gosh, what happened?"

"What do you mean?"

"What happened last night?!"

"Kim…

"I mean, why am I here and not… why am….why am I naked?" Kimberly whispered. Tommy smiled at her blush.

"Why do you think?" Kimberly gasped.

"Oh no! We couldn't have! No! I am so stupid!"

"Kim, it's not what you think..."

"Not what I think? Tommy, this is crazy! We shouldn't have done this! This was all a big mistake! The biggest mistake of my life... what is he gonna say... what is he... oh god! How could I be so stupid? I shouldn't have did..."

"Did what?"

"Have the sex?" Tommy laughed. Kimberly groaned. "Oh God! I am so stupid, stupid, stupid!" Tommy grabbed Kim's hands as she was pounding the bed. He couldn't believe how bad she was taking things.

"Kim… we didn't have sex. You got sick, really sick and you puked your guts out on yourself and plenty of me. I took you back here to my room to clean up and rest up too." Kimberly felt her head.

"Really?"

"Would I lie to you?" Kimberly looked up at Tommy, as she felt her head. She looked into Tommy's eyes and found herself drawn in. A flash of last night hit her.

Kimberly knew she drunk. The world around her was spinning; maybe she shouldn't have had the second bottle of wine on such an empty stomach. Tommy had gone back inside to sneak out another bottle of wine. Kimberly stood up, hoping being vertical not sitting down would help. Tommy looked over at Kimberly.

"Are you okay?" Kimberly groaned as she kneeled on one leg before standing straight up again. Tommy kneeled beside Kimberly and rose with her.

"I think I'm gonna…" Kimberly never finished that sentence as she puked. Tommy slightly jumped back, but it was too late. Kimberly puked all over his chest. Tommy just stood there, holding Kimberly up. Her head went down as another round of puke found herself covered. Once she stopped, of at least Tommy thought she stopped, he wiped away some puke from his chin and face.

"You okay now?" Tommy asked. Kimberly covered her mouth with her sleeves.

"I am so sorry!"

"It's not a problem." Kimberly groaned.

"I can't stay here."

"Okay."

"No, we have to leave now!"

"Why?"

"I can't let him see?"

"Know? Him who?"

"My son!"

"What about him?"

"Mmm.. my son can't see me like this." Things around Kimberly were really starting to spin wildly.

"You're fine Kim."

"I'm disgusting! Please, take me away!"

"Kim…"

"Please take me away now!"

"Okay, okay, we will go back to my room right now."

"Kim?" Kimberly looked up to see Tommy pulling a shirt over his head, as he stood there in just some black slacks. "Where did you just go?"

"I remembered some things, but…most of it is still a blur."

"It's okay. I should not have suggested that second bottle on wine, especially since you hardly eaten." Tommy retied his black string pants.

"What time is?" Kimberly asked.

"Almost 9."

"9! 9am! I have to go!"

"Kim, it's okay, you can stay a bit longer and rest…"

"It's not okay! I got drunk and it didn't help! I have to go!"

"Why?"

"I have to get back to…I have to get to my son!"

"I'm pretty sure Clark can take care of his…"

"I don't care! I need to be with my son! He must be so worried about me!"

"Okay. Your dress is not dry though."

"I don't care! Just get me my things."

"Fine." Kimberly wrapped her dress around her as she sat there. Tommy stood there watching her. "Kimberly, can I ask you something?"

"Ask me what?" Kimberly tied the knot for her dress tightly.

"Clark, he's the one right?"

"Huh?"

"The one, the reason you dumped me the second time. I mean, you said there was a guy that time..."

"Tommy, please…can we not go there now?"

"Then when?" Kimberly looked at him. "Look, I have a right to know, don't I? And when will we ever get another chance to just talk and get everything out in the open?"

"Tommy, I…"

"He's the father of your child, right. So, he has to be the one right?" Kimberly should have lied. She should have told Tommy right there, yes Clark is her son's father, but she didn't.

"That's not true," Kimberly said softly.

"What?"

"Clark is not my son's father?"

"He isn't?"

"No."

"Then, who…oh my god!" Before Tommy's memory could kick in Kimberly stood up quickly.

"I need to go." Kimberly picked up her shoes.

"Wait, Kim. Is that my son?" Kimberly looked at Tommy. "Is that my son?" A tear rolled down her cheek.

"No." Tommy was rather taken back and fell to the bed.

"No?"

"No... he's not your son Tommy."

"But he looks so much like…" Kimberly placed her hand on Tommy's shoulder.

"He has dark hair, yes, brown eyes somewhat like you, but no Tommy. He's not your son. I'm sorry." Kimberly walked away. "I'm so sorry."

Clark looked up to see Kimberly finally arrive to their motel room about 20 minutes after she left Tommy's place.

"Where have you been? I was so worried," Clark said as Kimberly put down her purse.

"Where's Zeke?"

"Out with Jason and the others for breakfast. He wondered why his mother didn't come last night."

"What did you tell him?" Kimberly asked grabbing her shower stuff.

"Nothing, just you needed some time alone. You were alone right?"

"I need to shower and…"

"Where were you?"

"I need to shower and go to my son…"

"Were you with him?" Clark asked as calmly as he stood, though the moment he asked, angered enraged his soul as it was all last night.

"What?"

"Were you with Tommy?"

"I…"

"I saw you kiss him!" Kimberly flinched dropping her things. "Did you sleep with Tommy?" Clark's face boiled red in anger. "Did you fucking sleep with him!" Clark threw over a lamp table with the phone causing Kimberly to slightly scream in fear.

"NO!"

"You're lying! I saw you!"

"NO! Clark, wait…I got drunk and..."

"Oh, so you're blaming being drunk with sleeping with him! I cannot believe you! I can't believe after all these years you are still waiting for him!"

"Clark, please, let me…let me explain. What Tommy and I had…" Kimberly was holding Clark's arms.

"I don't want to hear it!" Clark tore himself from Kim's grasp.

"Its nothing! Nothing happened!"

"You slept with him! Of course something happened!" Clark yelled.

"No, no I didn't. I promise you!"

"Liar!"

"I am not lying! I didn't sleep with Tommy!'

"Then what the hell are you doing going off with him for a whole night if you two weren't fucking?!"

"I didn't sleep with Tommy! I was drunk, I got sick, and he took care of me, that is all!"

"How can I believe you?"

"Because it's the truth! I didn't sleep with him!"

"How can I trust that?!"

"Because I'm telling you, please, I'm sorry I left…"

"Sorry! Sorry, Kim? You have been out all night with your ex, all you can say is sorry!" Kimberly grabbed Clark's arms.

"Yes, and beg for your forgiveness for leaving you and Zeke all night worrying about me!"

"Do you even love me?" Clark asked.

"Of course!"

"Do you?"

"Yes, Clark, I love you!"

"I don't believe you. I don't believe you anymore Kimberly. I'm done waiting. I'm done wasting my time. I'm leaving." Clark pulled away from Kimberly again. He grabbed his packed duffle bag and suit bag. Kimberly stood there with tears in her eyes. She watched Clark as he went to leave the room. Kimberly bit her bottom lip. She couldn't let him go. Not like this, she needed Clark. As selfish as it might seem, Clark was the only one to stand with her through all these years except for her brother. She couldn't just let him walk out the door.

"Ok." Clark's hand held the door open. He turned back to Kimberly very confused.

"Ok, to what?"

"What I said before…about needing time, to wait until… I love you Clark! And I, I'm ready to move on with you. Only you."

"What?"

"You are right. It's time to stop wasting time, for the both of us. And I am so sorry for keeping you at bay. But I'm ready. I'm ready to forget the past, forget waiting, and do the one thing that has made sense, the only real sense in my life for the past 4 years."

"And what's that?" Clark asked.

"You. I want to be with you, forever."

"What?"

"Please, ask me again."

"Are you saying you want to marry me, really marry me?"

"Please Clark, ask me again."

"Are you sure this isn't some jerk reaction to losing Trini and sleeping with Tommy because I can't take it if you…"

"NO! And I didn't sleep with Tommy, okay! I couldn't do that, not you. So, please, just ask me again!"

"Okay." Clark pulled out the ring from the side of his duffle bag. Clark walked over to Kimberly and got down on one knee before Kimberly. He opened the tiny black box "This is not as romantic as I dreamed it would it."

"Sometimes romance is over-rated. Better to just do it." Kimberly smiled down at Clark. Clark nodded.

"Will you, Kimberly Hart, marry me?"

"Yes," Kimberly said flatly and confidently.

"Yes?"

"Yes! I will marry you!" Kimberly hugged him. They kissed. "I'm sorry."

Zeke came back with Jason to find Clark on his knees sliding a ring to Kim's finger.

"What's going on here?" Jason asked putting Zeke down.

"We're engaged," Clark said so excited and happy. Kimberly looked at Jason with a slight smile as Jason stood there with his mouth dropped in total shock. He had saw Tommy and Kimberly leave together last night. What had drastically changed?

"Well Jason aren't you gonna congratulate us?" Clark asked.

"Uh, welll… of course! Congratulations!"

"What does engaged mean?"

"Well, little man, that means your Mommy and I will plan this amazingly huge wedding, where we will be married and I can be your Daddy."

"Like a real Daddy?" Zeke asked Clark.

"Yep. A real dad!"

"Yay!" Clark laughed as he picked up Thomas and hugging him. Jason hugged Kimberly.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" Jason asked in a whisper.

"Of course. Why wouldn't I? Clark's a great guy."

"Ok sis, if this is what you really want, I'm happy for you." Kimberly smiled and hugged Jason again. Her smile faded as she flashed to Tommy's face. He was looking at her with a smile.

Song used: Jackson 5 - Whose Lovin' You

AN: Thanks everybody for the continuing support and love! Keep them up, b/c you kept the story following! So much has happened, so many lies told, but always remember, secrets and lies have a nasty way of sneaking up behind you when you least expect them to jump out and bit ya butt!

Next chapter : The Truth, some people believe that the truth has a way of lingering around to be told... until next time!

:P