Angel and Heroes
Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers
:: Thank you for everyone who had reviewed the last chapter. This is the sixth chappie, a bit longer than the last. Once I finish this story, I'll continue TSTM&TS. Enjoy!
6.
Kimberly stared blankly at the half-eaten pizza in her hand. She had completely lost her appetite. Today was such a calamity Kimberly all over again, she thought as she chewed the pizza which tasted like rubber. It was with lots and lots of efforts that she could walk back to her desk in one piece without shouting to the world about what she had…heard. Now her dream went 'poof'. It's gone, leaving her all alone with her loneliness.
Tommy was gay.
Simon was gay.
Tommy and Simon were lovers.
That was more outrageous than Britney's 55 hour Las Vegas marriage.
Kim, in her infinite wisdom, hadn't told anyone about the shocking news about her bosses. Yep, bosses; not just one of them, but both. The two hot guys leading the company were officially off the market. She was completely cool with homosexuality, she had nothing against it. Even one of her closest friends in Florida had preferences for men only. But this was different; this was her Tommy with her Simon. Maybe this was her karma for liking two guys at once.
But wait… Tommy did date her and Katherine, so perhaps he wasn't gay but… bi? Oh boy… She inhaled a deep breath of air and buried her face in her hands. She never thought of losing Tommy not to another woman, but to another man.
Kim finally gave up and put her pizza back on the plate. She settled back on her couch and fanned her face with a newspaper. Okay, this was too much for her brain. She couldn't handle it. How about tomorrow? It's bad enough that Tommy had already known about her email to Jason and now THIS?? How could she face him without acting stupid? How about that dinner?
Her reverie was cut off when the phone on the table rang, bringing her to stand on her feet to retrieve the cordless. Before answering, she laid back and put a wet cloth over her eyes. "Hello,"
"Hey, Kimmie! What's up?" Jason's joyful voice replied back.
Kim automatically sat up and the towel dropped to the floor. "Whoa… Jason?"
"What?" He chided her with a mock huff. "I'm hurt, Kim. I just went home after 9 hours working at the dojo, tired and all, and you just, 'Whoa' me,"
"Hey, Jase, I'm sorry, I just have lots to think about," Kim said warily.
"What's wrong? You don't sound so hot. You're still thinking about my email?" Jason laughed good-naturedly, making Kim want to smack him if only it was possible. "Don't sweat it. Did Tommy say something to you?"
"No," Kim answered a bit too hurriedly. She felt her heart racing and her blood rushing through her veins once the name was mentioned. "Why did you suddenly bring that up?" Did Jason know? Did he know about Tommy? How could he not tell her! Or maybe Tommy had warned Jason not to tell anyone, including her?
"Okay, something has definitely happened," Jason said with his ex-leader voice that she sometimes hated, and this was one of those rare times.
"No, absolutely not. What could happen around here, Jase? Nothing. Nada. Tommy's been good, he didn't make rangers again," Kim answered awkwardly. She bit her lips hard. Jason had known her long enough to tell that she was a nervous wreck right now.
"Aha, so there's something up with Tommy," Jason concluded, his voice was filled with satisfaction. "What? You two really have kissed and made up? Maybe doing naughty thing in his office… I've been there and it's pretty secluded,"
At Jason's remark, her creative brain provided images of Tommy and Simon doing naughty things in Tommy's secluded office and she blushed to the root of her hair. Did that mean Jason had no clue at all about Tommy's… sexual orientation?
Unfortunately, the original red ranger misintepreted her sudden silence.
"Oh cool, it's 'bout time, sis. I'm so going to grill him about that,"
"No!" Kim quickly shouted, swinging her legs off the sofa until they touched the cold surface of the floor. "We didn't, he's…,"
"He's what,"
He's gay. "Nothing," Kim wouldn't tell anyone about what had happened this afternoon, not even Jason, the man that she had known since the first grade. It wouldn't be fair to Tommy.
"You're no fun. Anyway, I've to tell you something. I should've told you this a long time ago, but well, I just couldn't and decided to wait,"
Kim's heart sank to the deepest pit of her stomach. This was it. Jason's going to tell her that Tommy was actually never loved her, or worse, Tommy used to nurture a crush on her long-time bestfriend! She stood up and paced in her small living room. No, she wasn't ready for this.
"Jason," Kim squaked.
"Kim, I have to confess that-,"
"No, Jase, please…Please don't tell me that Tommy is actually-,"
Out of nowhere, Zack's voice chimed in, "He lied to you, sis,"
"Gay,"
"WHAT?" Jason, Zack and Kim simultaneously shouted, taken aback for two completely different reasons.
"Is'hatKimbrley?" Another muffled voice queried and Kim could only stared the phone in horror. Rocky.
Oh shit.
--
"Janice, did you see Kimberly?" Tommy asked the middle aged woman standing by the file cabinet. He had been searching for the petite former pink ranger since this morning but he couldn't find her. Victoria said she wasn't absent today but Kim always seemed to disappear everytime he checked on her.
Janice pushed her glasses back up with her finger and frowned, glaring at the younger man. "Kimberly Hart? Is there something wrong? Something that I should know about? Is she missing?"
"Nah, nothing happened," Tommy hastened to assure his marketing manager. Janice was one temperamental, moody woman and the last thing he wanted was to get Kim into troubles. "I was just asking…There're some letters that she needs to type," He said again after receiving another disapproving look. He knew Janice was thinking that he's too young to lead this company, or any companies for that matter. "Sorry to bother you," He smiled politely and closed the door.
It was not possible to leave a message for Kim--Vicky had been staring at him funny since the first time he asked her about Kim--, so he decided to PM her.
Kim, where are you? If I didn't know you better, I'd say that you're hiding from me. Anyway, about tonight. Could you come earlier? Maybe we can talk before dinner. Say… 6 pm? - T
He was talking on the phone with his newest client when his Xda vibrated. He twirled the stylus once before he tapped the screen a few times. Tommy couldn't help but frowned when he read Jason's text message.
'Hey, Bro. If you want to talk… Just give me a call, 'K?'
"Yeah, I understood Ms. Drew. I can guarantee that you won't be disappointed. Great, have a nice day to you too. Good afternoon," Once the conversation finished, he opened Rocky's email that he received last night.
'Hey T. What's up, man! Do you remember Josh? My friend from San Diego? The one that you said wasn't too bad? He's married now.'
Since it came from Rocky, he didn't think much of it. But now with Jason sent a same confusing message… Did he miss something here?
--
Kimberly glanced at her watch. 5.46 pm. Damn, she had come too early. Avoiding Tommy for the last 24 hours was not an easy task, but here she was. She walked right into his house and perhaps after the dinner was over, everything might not be the same again. That was a risk that she's willing to take.
'Jason… Are you in speaker?' Kim yelped after her shock subsided.
'Did you just say Tommy was gay?' Jason asked again. His voice was more concerned than interested.
'Who's gay?' Rocky chirped. It looked like he had swallowed whatever he had in his mouth. 'Tommy's gay?'
Kim pressed the doorbell and waited. She had been so shocked that she forgot asking Jason about the lie Zack mentioned. Honestly, it upset her that Tommy didn't tell her about that, but maybe he was just not ready. He will tell you when he wants to, when he feels the time is right. She wouldn't lie; it hurt. But he was her bestfriend before they began dating so if she couldn't offer her love, at least she hoped he wouldn't refuse her friendship.
The door opened and Mike cheered happily, "Kimberly!" He took a step forward and wrapped his arms around her waist. "I'm so glad that you could make it. When Dad said you'd come, I thought he was joking,"
"Hey, kiddo," Kim returned the sweet gesture and Mike stepped away with a pout.
"Don't call me that,"
"Sorry, Mike," Kim ruffled Mike's brown hair and looked around, letting the little kid drag her inside the house. Kim had to stifle her laugh when she saw the Powerpuff Girls was on. Mike seemed to catch her meaningful look and quickly ran to turn off the TV. "Where's Tommy?"
Mike sat down on the sofa. "At the office,"
"Office?" Kim asked, surprised. Wasn't he the one who told her to come earlier? Oh great, don't tell her that was his dirty trick to get her look after his children! "Then… How about Angie?"
"Upstairs, napping,"
Kim looked at the magazines and newspapers scattered all over the floor, the dirty coffee mugs and even some of Tommy's clothes. He couldn't be… forgot about the dinner, right? Because for her, it seemed like he wasn't expecting anybody. "Did Tommy leave you two alone in this house?"
"No, he's in his study room," Mike answered with a smile and Kim's face relaxed. He patted the empty spot next to him and Kim reluctantly sat. "He said he had something to do,"
'Wanted to talk' my ass, Oliver… Kim silently swore under her breath. She sighed heavily and for a moment asked Mike about his day at school. After about ten minutes, she craned her neck to the direction of Tommy's study room. "What is your father doing? Does he even know I'm here already?" Mike's small shoulders rose in a shrug, as if he wanted to tell her that it wasn't something new. "Maybe you should tell him?"
"I will not disturbing him," Mike stated sternly and a bit frighteningly.
"Well, then, let's meet your sister, shall we? I missed her," Kim smiled and got up. Mike's expression changed and his mouth curved into a pout. Picking up the sign, she went on, "I missed you too. Come on,"
Angie had opened her eyes when Kim and Mike entered the nursery. Kim quickly scooped the baby into her arms and snuggled her close. Angie recognized her immediately and giggled. "Mike, you haven't showered, have you," Kimberly said, recalling the first time she babysitted the Trueheart's. The boy had opened his mouth to protest but she held up a hand. "Don't lie to me, buddy. It won't work,"
"But-,"
"Go,"
"I hate it when you treat me like a kid," He whined but complied nonetheless.
"Oh Sweety, what are you talking about. You are a kid," Kim said with a laugh and kissed Angie's cheek.
She walked back to the living room, silently hoping Tommy was already there to greet her. She had been practising talking in front of her bathroom mirror all night with high hopes she wouldn't make a stupid slip again. However, there's no one in there. "You know what? Your Uncle Tommy is unbelieveable," She said to Angie who was busy pulling at her caramel locks. "And look at this room. It's a mess! I mean, I know that he's not the most organized person, but this is horrible,"
Kimberly carefully placed Angie in the pink high chair and tucked her stuffed animal into her chubby arms. "Okay… Now what should I do…," She pulled her hair to a high ponytail and began collecting the magazines on the floor. If I found FHM or Playboy, I won't freak out, she mumbled as stacked them in one high pile. Thankfully, she only found a few editions of National Geographic and The Times.
Next, she picked up the empty glasses and brought them to the kitchen. She was familiar with Tommy's house, thanks to the babysitting job a few weeks earlier. "You've got to be kidding me," The sink was full with dirty plates and silverwares. Groaning, she took off her watch and laid it on the counter. Sure, Tommy was a bachelor, but with two kids living under the same roof, he mustn't be that sloppy!
"Kimberly, what are you doing?" Mike asked and sat on the kitchen table.
"Doing the dishes," When she's done, Kim dried her hands on the towel. "Great, now that you're here, why don't we-,"
"I'm hungry," The boy said, shooting her a kicked-puppy expression. "Kimberly…,"
Kim crossed her arms and looked around. The kitchen was empty, there's no food whatsoever on the table or in the oven. She had thought Tommy would order something from the nearby restaurant, but no, there's nothing. She hadn't eaten anything since this afternoon so she was famished. "Okay, why don't you call your father and I'll see what I can do,"
"Can I have chocolate ice cream?" Mike begged with his bright hazel eyes, his shoulders slumping forward slightly.
"Not before you have your dinner," Kim shook her head. "You don't want to lose you appetite, right? Get your Dad, Mike,"
"He didn't respond," Mike answered and rested his chin on the back of his hands. "And the door's locked."
"Well, try again," Kim grabbed the apron from the kitchen counter. It was easy to see that Tommy didn't cook very often, seeing how clean and spotless the apron was. His fridge was definitely a bachelor's. Where's the Tommy who used to love eating healthy food? She found a pack of spaghetti and checked for the expiration date. It wouldn't be funny if she poisoned the entire family.
About forty five minutes later, she heard a loud bang and Tommy's voice booming across the threshold. She smirked and continued preparing the table. She had been afraid that Tommy was kidnapped by some aliens but later thinking that it was impossible. Knowing her Tommy, he must have fallen asleep while working on his paperwork.
"Kimberly?"
She glanced over her shoulder and saw Tommy Oliver standing without his shirt on. She commanded every cell of her body not to stare but boy, was it difficult. Tommy as a teenager was always handsome but this Tommy was… sexy, super sexy. Kimberly, you have no shame! "Hey, Tommy,"
"Oh man, Kim, I'm so sorry," He walked into the kitchen and looked at the pasta on the table. "I was sorting out my letters and I guess I fell asleep," Tommy scratched his chin and looked at her guiltily. He didn't tell her that he was in his underground lab that he didn't hear Mike calling for him. "I'm sorry,"
"I figured," She replied with a sly smile.
"Yeah… So, you cooked all this?" He asked, his eyes moving from the food to his pink friend. For a second she let the warmth of his smile comfort her. "For me?"
"Dream on," Kim fastened her watch around her left wrist and walked away from the kitchen so he wouldn't see the pink blush coloring her cheeks. "Your kids are hungry, and so am I. It has nothing to do with you,"
When he caught her hand, she thought her heart would burst then and there. Luckily, Tommy was too busy looking at the sink to pay any attention. "You did the dishes too?"
"Someone had too, since someone else was far too lazy," Kim chided lightly. "You really have to start thinking that you're not living alone, Tommy. You have Mike and Angie,"
Tommy gave her a nod. "Yeah, I know. I'm sorry, Mam," The next second, his bashful smile turned mischievous and he said,"You know what? You look cute when you're furious,"
Okay, that's it. Kim, you're an adult so act like one! "I'm serious, Tommy, and I'm not angry with you,"
"Sure you are," Tommy retorted then said with a leer, "I have strawberry ice cream, if you'd like. Or how about cotton candy? It's Mike's, but I'm sure he won't mind sharing it with you. And I guess there's some chocolate-,"
"How old do you think I am? Nine?" Kim snapped, lifting her head to send him a death glare.
"Well, it always worked back in high school…,"
"Shut up, Tommy,"
"Though I hoped you did my laundry too, and cleaned the closet-," Tommy said as he followed her to join Mike and Angie.
"Oh, grow up, Tommy. You think I'm your wife that you can tell me what to do?" OH CRAP. What the heck was that? To hide her embarrassment, she poked his chest and turned away. "You just want a maid,"
"Funny, Kim," Tommy answered with an amused smile.
--
Since Kim had kindly cooked for them, Tommy offered to do the dishes this time. Kim and the kids soon retired to the living room where they watched Jurassic Park on DVD. He leaned against the doorway and took some time to enjoy the first taste of domestic life. The dinner had been fun and it turned out that Kim was a great cook. It's funny, but he didn't find the uneasiness that he had thought would be there between them. They made a small talk during dinner and they had filled each other in about what they had done for the past few years.
Mike was cuddling next to Kim and Angie was playing with her toy. "I love this!" The eight year old suddenly declared. "We're like a family!" Tommy smiled as he watched Kim stiffen a little at his nephew's comment. "Kimberly is the mother and little Angie is the daughter,"
Mike's words swept the smile off his face. He didn't know how Kim would take it if Mike said-,
"I am the father and Tommy is the old uncle,"
He snorted; he couldn't help it. Kim turned her head and gave him a suffering look, but it was obvious that she was relieved. When Mike intertwined his thin arm with Kim's and leaned his head on her shoulder, Tommy felt his stomach flutter. Okay… He couldn't be, jealous of Mike, could he? Because Mike could freely touch her hand, hug her and simply be around her without receiving a slap on his face? Nah… Mike was an eight year old kid, for God's sake!
No drinks for you tonight, Tommy.
"I won't say 'thank you for dinner', but thanks for the invitation, Mr. Oliver," Kim teased as they stood on his front porch.
"Do you really have to go home, Kim?" Mike, who was standing next to Tommy, asked.
"Yep,"
"But I don't want you to. You should stay here!"
Kim and Tommy looked at each other. Is he thinking what I'm thinking? "I believe it's passed your bedtime, it's late,"
"Oh, alright, alright,"
Tommy watched Mike reach up to hug the pink clad woman. Mike didn't release her for long moments and when Mike turned his head slightly to give Kim a peck, Tommy quickly grabbed him under his arms and picked him up. "Okay, that's enough," He put Mike down and patted his back, giving him a gentle shove. "See if your sister needs something,"
"Bye, Mike," Kim waved as the boy half-heartedly walked inside the house. Inspite of the house chores that she had volunteered to do, tonight was wonderful. She had a really great time that she almost forgot about-,
"Dad! I spilled my milk on Uncle Simon's shirt!" Mike shouted.
Tommy rolled his eyes. "I'll be right there,"
…About that. Simon's shirt? Why does Tommy have Simon's shirt in his house? Unless…"I should go," She said and attempted a smile, feeling the old awkwardness return with vengeance. "I have to go,"
"Thanks for coming, Kim. Drive safe," Tommy said and leaned over to kiss her cheek. He wasn't sure if he should, but he wouldn't end this day without giving her something to remember this day by. When he pulled back, both of them were sporting the same shy smiles.
Did he just kiss me? Why did he kiss me? "Night, Tommy," She said, still reeling from the unexpected kiss.
"Good night, Kimberly. See you on Monday,"
When Kim walked to her car, Mike's protests could be heard. "Dad, you kissed Kimberly! You can't kiss her,"
"Okay, now it's time for you to go to bed, Mister,"
"I can't believe you kissed her! Dad, put me down!"
Kim touched her cheek. Yeah, she couldn't believe it either.
:: And that's the end of this chapter. There's only one more chapter left so please keep reading and sending me your reviews, no flame though. Thanks!
- Yuuri ;)