Chapter 17: AhhhhCHOOOO! God, I Hate The Flu

A month later

Tommy and Kimberly were sleeping when Kim's mother came into the room, an early Tuesday morning. She clicked on the lamp to wake her daughter and boyfriend.

"Kimberly? Kim?" Kimberly groaned, as she woke up.

"What?"

"The cab is here." Kimberly sat up yawning. Tommy turned away from the light in the hallway.

"The cab?"

"Pierre and I are leaving for the airport today, remember?"

"What time is it?" Kimberly asked.

"Almost 6."

"Am?"

"Yes, sweetie."

"Oh, okay. Have a great flight, Mom." Kimberly hugged her mother.

"Thanks baby." Mrs. Dumas touched Kim's forehead. "You feel warm."

"Huh?"

"Baby, you feel warm."

"I'm fine, Mom. Go, give Pierre a kiss for me and have a save flight." Kim's mother didn't listen, she checked and held Kim's throat.

"Say, ah."

"Mom, please!" Kimberly pulled her mother's hands away. "I am fine!"

"Say it!" Mrs. Dumas yelled. Tommy woke.

"Ahhhh…" Kimberly opened her mouth. She started coughing.

"Your throat is swollen and red. You have a fever…or worst…maybe I should stay here."

"Mom!" Tommy sat up slowly.

"What is the delay, dear?" Pierre said coming into the bedxroom. "Our bags are in the cab. He is waiting for us. Is something wrong?"

"Nothing. My mother is acting weird again. I am fine, it's nothing." Tommy felt her forehead.

"You do feel warm, Kim."

"See, even Tommy agrees with me."

"Mom, I'll be fine, just go. Tommy is here anyways."

"We will miss our flight, dear."

"Fine. But if anything happens, call me!"

"We will." Pierre gave Kimberly a hug and kiss. "Goodbye."

"Okay, bye." Pierre waved to Kimberly and Tommy after Kimberly's mother kissed Kim's forehead again.

"Bye!" Kimberly groaned. She laid to her back. Tommy felt her throat and forehead again.

"Don't be getting sick on me."

"I'm fine, let's get some sleep okay," Kimberly said pulling Tommy's arms around her.

"Okay." They went back to sleep.

Tommy woke up again to feel a warmth growing against his chest.

"Kimberly?" Tommy felt her head. "Kim? Kimberly?! Kim! Oh my god, you're burning up!" Kimberly groaned as Tommy felt her forehead and cheeks again. "Kim! Wake up!" Tommy shook her hard when she refused to wake up.

"Wha?!" Kimberly yelled as she sat up with him.

"You have a fever!"

"I'm fine! I just am tired." Kimberly laid back down.

"You are sick!"

"I'm fine," Kimberly moaned pulling at his hands from her forehead. "Just hold me and let me sleep more."

"Kim, I'm really worried," Tommy said. "Please, we should..."

"Do as I say now!" Tommy sighed and did. Kimberly started coughing. Tommy rubbed her hair back and kissed Kim's cheek. "I'm fine, okay. I'm fine."

A few hours later

Tommy was wiping Kim's head and neck, as her fever seemed to worsen quickly. Kimberly was sweating, but had chills. She was tired, but couldn't sleep. Kimberly couldn't stand to move her arms and legs, all in tight pain.

"Kimberly, I really think I should take you to a doctor."

"No, I'm fine!"

"You barely drank any orange juice and you can't even keep chicken broth or toast on your stomach."

"I just want to lay here, and not move," Kimberly said closing her eyes. Tommy placed the cloth over her eyes. "You are the one that should go."

"What, and leave you here to suffer alone?"

"I'm probably contagious and trust me. You don't want this," Kimberly said wiping her nose with another Kleenex.

"Hey, you gave me mono before. I think we are obligated as a couple to share illnesses." Kimberly coughed.

"Oh my head won't stop pounding!"

"Maybe it's the light," Tommy said. He got up and closed her window blinds. He closed the curtains, and clicked off her lamp. The room was pitch dark now.

"Seriously, Tommy, go."

"No," Tommy said.

"I don't want you to suffer with this, go!" Kimberly sat up coughing harder. Tommy sat on the bed and rubbed her back.

"I don't care. Here, try the toast again." Kimberly took the slice and ate some of it. "I'll be back." Tommy made Kimberly lay down and he went to re-heat her soup. Tommy called up his mother.

"It's probably just the flu, Tommy."

"I looked through the medicine cabinet, but I don't know what to give her, Mom."

"Okay. I'll stop by at 3 when I get off from work."

"Thank Mom."

"Wear a mask, just in case she is heavily contagious. I'll see ya soon."

"Okay Mom." Tommy hung up the phone. He went back upstairs and found Kimberly missing from her bed. "Kim?" He heard a groan from the bathroom. "Kimberly?" Kimberly was puking the toast she attempting to eat. Tommy sighed, rubbing her back as she finished.

"No more food, ever."

"Okay."

Mrs. Oliver arrived around 4pm that afternoon. Tommy opened the door for her.

"Did you bring anything, like antibiotics?"

"Antibiotics works only with bacteria, son. You know they won't kill viruses, which is basically what the flu is made up of. I got a few over-the-counter medicines for the flu."

"But Kimberly can't take that stuff, she gets tested for gymnastic every month and if they find…."

"Well, doesn't she have a list of the medicine she can and cannot take?"

"I guess, but I would have to find it."

"Then I suggest we do that immediately."

That night and into the next morning, the flu seem to attack Kimberly harder. Tommy woke up, sitting in the chair, as Kimberly shifted about her bed, as she was having hallucinating dreams.

"Too hot, so hot! Why, hot, can't….can't breathe…hot…too hot…" Tommy rushed to her side, as Kimberly clawed at her nightgown. "Get it off, can't breathe with it….can't…help…"

"Okay, okay. Let me help you." Tommy pulled the second soaked nightgown off Kimberly and tossed it aside. Kimberly woke up. She sat up coughing again, as she kicked the covers down her legs. "Better?"

"I would kill for better than this." Kimberly scratched her neck before turning toward him. Tommy hugged her and laid her down. Kim's mother had called to check on Kimberly last night, but Kimberly made Tommy lie about how sick she was. Kimberly faked being okay, as she talked to her mother. Tommy rubbed Kim's back as she went back to sleep. When she shivered a bit, he covered her back up.

Aisha and the others came by that day to drop off a few goodies for Kimberly.

"We got tons of Kleenexes, soups, movies, and games to play."

"Thanks guys. She'll really like this."

"Are you sure, you should be taking care of her alone, I mean, what if you get sick too?" Aisha asked.

"I had my flu shot. Kimberly forgot."

"Taking bad habits from you, huh?" Rocky smiled.

"No, it was the last one my Mom brought home. She said she would come back with another one the next day for Kimberly. But Kimberly had that tournament in Nevada. She left before she could get the shot, and my mother forgot to give it to her and Kimberly forgot to ask for it," Tommy said taking the bags. "But really, I should go check on Kim."

"Oh, your mother also sends her love and a bag as well."

"Okay," Tommy said taking the many bags."

"Call us if anything happens," Adam said.

"Will do. Bye, guys."

"Bye!" Tommy went upstairs. Kimberly tossed aside another tissue. Tommy dodged the bomb of snot.

"Hey, you have a trashcan."

"Whatever. Was that the guys I heard?"

"Yeah, they brought presents." Kimberly slightly smiled.

"I love presents."

"Mom sends LDZ," Tommy said pulling the stuff animal out the bag first. Kimberly took it and hugged it. "And we got crackers and Adam's Korean noodle soup."

"Oh, Aisha said it helped her with the flu like 2 years ago."

"Yeah, it's supposed to be extremely spicy, but good because it doesn't have to be hot. And I got tons of OJ for you."

"Thanks."

2 days later

After returning from their honeymoon, Rita and Zedd observe the attack on the distant planet of Edenoi. The evil Count Dregon has raged a civil war on the planets. Zedd is not pleased that his bride has a such a crush on the guy that he hates. Alpha had received a distress call from the planet and was extremely saddened by the news. He knew there was nothing he could do to help save his home planet. Zordon was saddened for his comrade.

Tommy had just finished his shower, when Kimberly went back to sleep. She had practically kicked him out, lovingly of course. She had felt he had spent the last 4 days in this house with her, lingering in her sickness and didn't want the chance that he catches the flu from her. Tommy agreed to leave her for a few hours and spar with Rocky. A little fresh air and sparring would probably do some good for Tommy, since he had left Kimberly's side since the start of this flu. Kimberly woke from the hair dryer coming on.

"Sorry, Beautiful." Kimberly groaned and pulled the covers over her head. Tommy took it into the bathroom. Kimberly sat up again as Tommy was putting on his white tank. She reached for some tissues.

"You know I can stay."

"Go." Tommy found a white bandeau. He sat on Kim's bed, fixing it tight. Kimberly fixed the bandeau on his forehead and made sure he looked good. She pulled at the few strands pass his shoulder. "Have fun." Kimberly rubbed his shoulders.

"I will try." He went to kiss her, but Kimberly moved her face away. Her hands at his sides, pushing him away.

"No. Tommy." Tommy kept trying to kiss her. "No, no! No! Tommy!" Kimberly giggled as Tommy kissed her repeatedly on the neck and cheek. She started coughing.

"Sorry." Kimberly held his face to show Tommy she was okay.

"I love you."

"Get better, Beautiful, please."

"Will try." They kissed on the lips. "Go."

"I love you." Tommy kissed her on the lips again and left.

Tommy arrived to the Youth Center. Rocky was just setting up the mats for them.

"Hey, how's Kim?"

"She kicked me out." Aisha laughed.

"Oh, I'm so sorry."

"Nah, I getting some fresh air like she wanted."

"Good," Aisha said.

"Yo, Tommy, my man! Ready to get your butt kicked?"

"Don't be too hard on him. His butt is still raw from Kim's attack a month ago." Tommy smiled. The sight of Rocky running away from Kimberly will forever make him smile, as well as everyone at the Youth Center. Rocky still gets snickers from people. Kimberly always kept her promises and boy did she ever make Rocky pay for dumping cold water on herself and Tommy. Rocky was showering after sparring, but was cornered in the boy's bathroom by Kimberly. He barely grabbed the towel as he ran out the Youth Center, tripping and falling hard on his way home, as Kimberly chased after him.

"Will try." Aisha patted Tommy's arm as he went down the floor.

Aisha went to call Kimberly after an hour.

"Hey you feeling today Kimberly?"

"Still awful! Hold on, I got another call." Kimberly clicked off Aisha. "Stupid telemarketers. I think my fever is the same. I really hate having the flu."

"Look, just keep drinking the juice and try Adam's soup again. You know the drill with the flu. Trust me eventually, it'll go away."

"I hope so," Kimberly said.

"Feel better, okay."

"Thanks Aisha. Is Tommy there?"

"Yeah, he's sparring with Rocky. Do you want me to go get him?"

"No, let him have fun. Don't worry him about lil old me."

"He can't help but worry Kim, he loves you so much."

"I know. Tell the guys I said hi."

"Will do. I'll call you again later. Feel better okay."

"Right, bye."

"Bye," Aisha said putting the phone down. Ernie stood there. "Thanks a lot Ernie."

"Hey, no problem Aisha. How's Kimberly?" Aisha shook her head. "Well, I hope she gets better soon."

"She does too." Aisha went back over to the table where Adam was sitting and reading a book. He looked up.

"Hey, how's Kim?"

"Uh, still has a fever, but… I think she'll live," Aisha said with a smile. Adam laughed.

"I feel bad that she's still suffering after 4 days," Adam said.

"I know."

"It must suck getting flu especially with the school year weeks from starting up."

"Well, hopefully she just gets it now and not during school."

"Yeah. You're right." Tommy and Rocky came over after Tommy helped Rocky up from the mat. Billy came into the Youth Center.

"Hey." Billy expressed concern for Alpha to his friends.

"How do you mean, different?" Tommy asked.

"Sad, I guess. I mean, I know it sounds strange because he is a robot, but…he sounded a bit down."

"Well, maybe he's lonely. Do robots get lonely?" Adam asked. Aisha smiled.

"Well, I like to think of Alpha as more than just a robot," Aisha said.

"Yeah, to all of us."

"Hey, let's go pay him a visit and cheer him up," Tommy said.

"Yeah." They all got up and left for the Command Center. They see first hand how upset Alpha was about his home.

Billy was able to locate and check the distress call recieved by the Command Center. It was from Edenoi. The Rangers find out about the war going on the planet Edenoi and the destruction caused by Count Dregon. They want to help any way they can, since that is Alpha's home planet. Zordon informs the Rangers that because of the distance of the planet in the galaxy, he doesn't quite know how much powers they will have after the long travel to the planet. Zordon doesn't think it is wise for the Rangers to chance it and to go that far without their powers. But Tommy convinces Zordon that taking chances is a thing they do.

"Alpha, can you connect Kimberly and let her know what is going on?"

"Will do, Tommy."

"Thanks. Okay guys. Let's get going."

"Rangers, promise me you will be careful. I would never forgive myself if something happened to you," Alpha said to his friends.

"We will, Alpha. Don't worry. It's Morphing Time!" The Rangers to leave for the planet.

Rita and Zedd decided that since the Rangers had left, it was time for the perfect attack on Angel Grove. Lord Zedd felt they had better conquer Earth before Count Dregon gets his sight on it. Rita went to check on Finster and the new monster he was creating.

The Rangers arrive to the planet Edenoi to find the place on some heavy duty firing attacks. A warrior, called the Masked Rider, attacks the Rangers. He doesn't know that they are not under the Count Dregon's ruling. The warriors believe all intruders are enemies and continue to fight them. The Rangers are without full power, so cannot easily battle the Masked Rider and his friends. When Aisha's mentions Alpha as a friend, the lady warrior stops fighting her immediately.

"How do you know Alpha?"

"How do you know Alpha?" Aisha asked. Tommy battles the Masked Rider, trying to convince him otherwise. Count Dregon from his ship, watches the battle and decides it doesn't matter about these new colorful aliens, he will blast the planet and completely destroy it. Masked Rider stops fighting when he sees that Dregon is attacking everyone. He knows Dregon isn't that low to attack his own warriors. He orders his friends to stop fighting.

"You see, we are not your enemies. We came to help you," Tommy said.

"We must find out if you are telling us the truth," The Masked Rider said. "How did you know to come here?"

"We told you. Our friend Alpha 5 received a distress signal from this location. We came to help."

"Friends of Alpha 5 are friends of mine. Welcome to Edenoi. We must escape to sanctuary, so we may talk more. Come, this way!" Another blast hit near Aisha.

"Whoa! You don't have to tell me twice." Aisha rushed with them followed by the others. "Come on, into the cave! This way!" They ran into a hidden cave.

"Sire, are you okay?"

"I'll be fine, my friends." The Masked Rider turned into his normal self, Prince Dex to the planet Edenoi. "I need to rest. For a moment."

"Whoa!" Rocky yelled as he turns to them.

"He's humanoid, like us," Billy said.

"Who are you?"

"My name is Dex. I am prince of Edenoi, and I am also called the Masked Rider. My powers were given to me to combat against injustice to my home. You may remove your mask. This cave is far from those gas pockets on the planet and the air inside is much similar to yours on Earth." The Rangers removed their helmets as Dex's friends removed their mask.

"I'm Tommy. This is Billy, Adam and Rocky."

"Hi, I'm Aisha." They all shook hands. Dex introduced his friends.

"Who are you and why have you come to Edenoi?"

"We're the Power Rangers, we protect the planet Earth."

"We were told to asset your planet and will being by Zordon and Alpha 5."

"Tell us, Dex. What has happened to your planet? And what are those crystals on your foreheads?"

"I will show you." Dex is able to display images from the crystal on his forehead and show what has happened to his home planet. His planet didn't have any weapon, since they were a planet of peace. Count Dregon knew this and attacked. He enslaved the planet to dug up gases to eventually destroy the planet. Dex got his powers since they were passed down from king to king. Aisha asked about their King Lexious for Alpha. Dex smiled.

"Lexious is my grandfather. He is in hiding, orchestrating our people escape. He is safe." Aisha smiled. The Plague patrol and Cogwarts appeared to find Dex and his newest friends.

"I can handle the Cogwarts."

"We can handle the Plague Patrol," Tommy said to Dex.

"Let's do it."

"Back to action!"

After a few hours from which the guys had left Earth, Kimberly called the Command Center.

"Alpha, have you heard from the guys any?"

"No, Kimberly. But don't worry about that. Just keep trying to get better." Kimberly coughed.

"I will, but keep me posted. I feel like something evil is nearing the guys."

"Of course I will, Kimberly. I'll let you know something as soon as I hear from them."

"Thanks." Kimberly hugged LDZ tighter after putting her communicator down. Alpha still got a little worried, having it been a while since they have heard from the Rangers. Zordon felt they needed to just believe in the Rangers' abilities. They would be fine.

Finster finally finished the monster and Zedd sent it to Earth. Alpha was not able to reach the Rangers on Edenoi, so had to resort to calling Kimberly. Kimberly was flipping through the tv, when her communicator went off.

"Come in, Kimberly!"

"Alpha, what's wrong?"

"There's a monster in Angel Grove, Kimberly. And I can't get ahold of the other Rangers. I know you're not well, but the city needs you."

"Figures, Zedd and Rita would attack today. Okay, I'm on it."

"Are you up for it?"

"I think I can handle it." Kimberly got out of bed after wiping her nose. "Oh, I better do this fast." She sneezed. "It's Morphing Time!" Kimberly morphed into the Pink Ranger to take on Repeliacore. As soon as she left, Kim's mother was calling the house. When she didn't get in contact with Kimberly or Tommy, she called Tommy's house. She finds out that Kimberly has had the flu for the past few days and wasn't getting any better. Kim's mother quickly drops everything to head back home.

Kimberly battled Repeliacore, sneezing and coughing. She fights the monster, even sneezing on him. Kimberly falls to the ground hard after getting hit by the monster's molecular scrambler.

"Oh, what if I can't defeat this thing by myself?" Kimberly struggled to get to her feet. She fights the monster and is knocked back again. "I'm not sure…ah choo! I can beat this thing…alone…" Kimberly sneezed again. Kimberly ends up giving a bit of her flu to the monster after she is tossed aside by the molecular scramble weapon the monster carries yet again.

Alpha continues to try to contact the other Power Rangers, but still can't reach them.
"What are we going to do, Zordon?!"

"WE MUST HAVE FAITH IN KIMBERLY. SHE IS VERY RESOURCEFUL." Kimberly sneezes on the monster again and again.

"How dare you sneeze on me again!" Kimberly was tossed back. Repeliacore goes to attack, but ends up coughing. The ground shakes with its sneezes repeatedly. Repeliacore dismisses any chance of catching Kim's flu, but continues to sneeze again.

"Ha ha, you do have my flu. It starts with a cough, then the sneezing and chills. Remember, starve a cold, feed a flu!" Kimberly yelled as the monster retreated. She shook her head, as she felt dizzy. "Alpha, do you read me?"

"Yes, Kimberly. Go work."

"Thanks!" Kimberly sneezed.

"ARE YOU ALRIGHT KIMBERLY?"

"I guess. The monster is gone, Zordon. But I have a feeling he's gonna be back soon. Have you heard from the guys any?"

"No."

"I AM SURE YOU WILL BE RIGHT, KIMBERLY. STAND BY FOR ANY ATTACKS."

"Will do, Zordon. Kimberly out." Kimberly sneezed. "Hurry up home guys."

Alpha was able to shift through the interference and get in contact with the Rangers. Zordon told them about the monster in the city. Tommy knew they needed to wrap this up quickly and go help Kimberly. She was too sick to battling a monster in her condition. Zedd sent Finster to work on a cure for Kim's flu she gave the monster. Finster found simply potion to give the monster. Repeliacore was sent back to Earth to battle Kimberly, but giant size. Masked Rider defeated the Cogwarts with ease sending them back to Count Dregon. The Plague Patrol were stopped by the Rangers. Count Dregon decided to find out who the colorful Rangers were and destroy them for helping out the Masked Rider.

Kimberly was in the Command Center, when the alarms went off.

"Oh, no. What's happening?" Kimberly coughed and sneezed. She checked the viewing globe to see the monster was back. "Great, he's back."

"AS YOU PREDICTED, KIMBERLY."

"Well, talk about your quick recoveries. I wish I could get whatever he had." Kimberly wiped her nose. Alpha handed her a tissue. "Thanks. Well, I'll take care of this overgrown monster."

"KIMBERLY, I FEAR THE MONSTER HAS GROWN TOO BIG FOR YOU TO HANDLE ALONE."

"Where are the other guys?"

"Still battling on Edenoi," Alpha said. "Aiyayaya!"

"Well, I will just have to slow the monster down until they get here. Alpha, contact the others, tell them to hurry. I'll try to slow down this disgusting creature."

"Of course, Kimberly. Be careful!"

"Back to action!" Kimberly sneezed. She shook her head and morphed out. She called for her zord to slow the monster down.

Back on Edenoi, Prince Dex thanked the Rangers for their help.

"Hey, anything to help out a friend," Aisha said with a smile.

"Hey, hate to cut this short, but Kimberly needs our help," Tommy said. "I'm sorry, but we have to go now."

"Trouble at home."

"You have your planet to protect as we do. Good luck Rangers."

"Good luck Dex. And keep us informed of your well being."

"Yeah. Alpha would love to hear from you more."

"Go my friends. Your planet is waiting. To the power."

"Right, to the power." Tommy shook Dex's hand. The Rangers smiled and waved goodbye, before they teleported out.

"Until next time, Power Rangers." Count Dregon watched the Rangers leaving for the planet Earth. The Rangers returned to find Kimberly in her zord flying circles around the monster to stop him.

"Oh, I'm so happy you guys are here!"

"Tommy, let's do it."

"Right. We call on our zords!" The Rangers were able to defeat and destroy Repeliacore.

The Rangers returned to the Command Center.

"WELCOME BACK RANGERS. I AM PLEASED TO SEE YOU HAVE ARRIVED HOME SAFE AND WERE ABLE TO HELP THE PEOPLE ON EDENOI." Kimberly smiled as she leaned up against Tommy.

"And I am pleased to learn that King Lexious is safe," Alpha said. "He is such a wise and noble leader."

"Yeah and hey, Dex was amazing with those Masked Rider powers. You should have seen him."

"Masked Rider?"

"I'll tell you later." Kimberly nodded.

"Zordon, what do you think will happen to the planet Edenoi?"

"Yeah, do you think Dex, King Lexious will get their people off the planet in time?" Aisha asked.

"THEY ARE STRONG WILLED PEOPLE, RANGERS. I BELIEVE THEY WILL SUCEED."

"Man, that Count Dregon was a real sort of a nightmare."

"I'll bet."

"I'm just sorry we couldn't stay longer to help."

"THERE IS MUCH WE CAN LEARN FROM THEM. PERHAPS THERE WILL BE ANOTHER CHANCE." Kimberly sneezed again. Tommy put his arm around her.

"I think I need to get you back home and into bed."

"Sounds good to me." Kimberly's arms went around him as he lifted her up into his arms.

"Bye, Kimberly. Feel better."

"Thanks guys." Billy went over to the panel.

"See you guys later."

"Bye!" Billy teleported them back home.

Kimberly was still sick when her mother arrives from New York City. Tommy was covering Kimberly up, when her mother arrived. The cab barely stopped as Kim's mother jumped out the car. Pierre paid the driver and got the bags.

"Where is she?" Mrs. Dumas yelled as Tommy was coming downstairs.

"Huh?"

"Where is my daughter?" Mrs. Dumas asked.

"She is sleeping in bed."

"Where was she when I was calling for hours!" Tommy's mouth dropped.

"I took her out for food."

"You took my sick babygirl out!"

"She was hungry," Tommy said with a slight face.

"She has the flu! She shouldn't be outside!" Mrs. Dumas pushed pass Tommy to Kimberly's room.

"Wait, I just got her asleep," Tommy said rushing to Kim's door. He stood before the door.

"That is my child! I have been flying all day from the City to get here, when you didn't answer the phone!"

"I told you, we went out!"

"You went out? That is my child you took out!"

"I know that, but I thought she was okay to go out."

"Why wasn't I called early?" Mrs. Dumas yelled.

"I wanted to, but…it was just the flu," Tommy said.

"It is not just the flu!" Kimberly woke to hear the yelling from right outside her door. "How dare you keep this from me!"

"She asked me to!"

"You had no right!" Mrs. Dumas yelled.

"I love her!"

"And I don't! You were being selfish not telling me, her own mother! She is my daughter! I had every right to know!"

"I know that, I would have told you if things were worst!" Tommy yelled back.

"She has the flu!"

"Why are you two fighting?" Kimberly moaned standing in the doorway. Tommy and Kim's mother stopped immediately.

"Kimberly get back to bed," Mrs. Dumas said holding her shoulders. "Oh baby." Kim's mother felt her forehead. "You are still burning up." She tried to help Kimberly to the bed.

"No, wait. Why are you yelling at Tommy, Mom?" Kimberly asked.

"It is nothing."

"You were yelling, why are you…" Kimberly coughed and sneezed.

"He should have called me earlier!"

"I asked him not to, I…"

"He should have called me, you are my daughter!"

"I am sorry that I…" Tommy's head went down.

"No, Tommy, wait." Kimberly went to him. She lifted his head and hugged him. Kimberly turned to look at her mother. "Mom, I'm sorry. It was my fault, okay. I asked him…" Kimberly coughed. Tommy put his arm around her. "She doesn't mean to be so…" Kimberly collapsed.

"Kimberly!" Tommy caught her with ease.

"You should be in bed," Tommy said stroking her face.

"I woke and you were gone…I got worried…."

"Like I would ever leave you, Beautiful." Tommy lifted Kimberly into his arms. Kimberly caressed his face.

"Mommy, Tommy has been here taking care of me for days now. It's been really great having him here. I'm sorry, but I didn't want to ruin your trip, so I asked him not to tell you. If you must be angry, be angry at me and thank Tommy for taking care of me."

"No one has to thank me, Kimberly. I love you, of course I would take care of you." Kimberly kissed his cheek. "Now, let's get you back into bed." Tommy carried Kimberly to her bed. He laid her to the bed after kissing her cheek. He covered Kimberly up slowly. Kimberly's mother watched them from the doorway. She shook her head. Pierre came upstairs.

"How is she, dear?" Pierre asked.

"She always takes his side. Always takes his side," Mrs. Dumas said in anger.

"Honey, it's okay. She doesn't look that sick."

"Everything in her life, everything, comes after him."

"She is in love, dear."

"They are 16, what do they know about real love?" Mrs. Dumas walked away.

The Rangers were spending the day in the park. Kimberly was supposed to be training for an upcoming late summer competition. She looked up and Tommy's watch caught her eyes, as she lay against his chest.

"Oh, man! I lost track of time and now I'm be late for practice," Kimberly said rushing to get her bag. She changed her schedule training session for 1pm, instead of 4. It was already 2:15. "Tommy, can you drive me quickly to the gym?"

"Yeah, sure. Come on!" Kimberly gave him kiss and quickly they left. Kimberly rushed into the gym and found some girls all practicing.

"Well, you finally showed up."

"Sorry, I lost track of time."

"You could have called." The coach said.

"Sorry, I'm so sorry, please don't be angry," Kimberly said putting her things down.

"Go warm up." Kimberly nodded. She rushed to change and got out her water bottle. She put on her wristbands for floor and got to warming up on the sidelines.

Tommy came by after doing some karate practice. Kimberly was on beam. She was performing her sequence, 2 back walkovers, with a full twist. She had a slight bobble, but stayed on. Most girls stopped and watched her. Kim did a double spin, and went into her lower beam work. She did some jumps, and then took some breaths for her dismount. A coach was riding her, pointing out slight problems throughout it, that the judges would notice. Kimberly paused at the end of beam, visualizing her dismount. The bell went off.

"Go!" Kimberly stood there frozen. "Go, go, go!!" He clapped. Kim rushed her cartwheel, handspring into a double tuck. She landed on her back. Tommy rushed to her side. Kimberly was sitting by the time he reached her.

"Are you okay?" Tommy asked.

"Yeah, just wobbled my push and over-rotated, damn it!" The coach squatted down to them.

"You know what you did wrong?" Kimberly nodded. "Your hesitation caused that fall," The coach said.

"I know."

"Maybe if you weren't yelling at her so much," Tommy said.

"Excuse me."

"I said if you weren't yelling at her…"

"I heard what you said. Who do you think you are? Kimberly asked me to coach her today. I normally don't take away time from my paid girl trainees, but Kimberly has the real shot in taking this year's regional title. Today, she is my student."

"No, she is my girl, and I know yelling does not help her."

"Tommy, stay out of it," Kimberly said about to pull him away after they stood up. "Sorry, excuse us."

"What, he shouldn't have been…" Kimberly hushed him with her finger and they stepped outside.

"Tommy, he is just a coach for today, I wanted to see what it's like to have a coach again."

"Why him?"

"Coach Mason is amazing! If you think his yelling is bad, wait until you meet the USA coaches. They are ruthless."

"I still don't see why he had to yell at you." Kimberly kissed Tommy.

"You just don't understand, that's what they have to do to get things perfect. It's okay to yell. Ethan was cool, but did the same thing to me. I can handle a little yelling, okay. Thanks for sticking up for me. I really appreciate it, tiger."

"Anything for you," Tommy said. Kimberly smiled.

"Will you be good now?" Tommy nodded and they walked back into the gym.

Tommy had to carry her things, because she was beat. It was well past 11pm. Kimberly was pushed as hard as she ever been and she knew why. This tournament picks those that goes to Regional and Worlds this year, then Pan-Global, National trials in May of next year and finally comes Nationals Cup to choose the USA team. It was only fall of 1995, and Summer Olympics in Atlanta GA, that summer in 1996. Kimberly knew this was her only chance, since she was 16. Tommy took her for a quick dinner and Tommy helped Kimberly up to her room. He carried her things first, then her in his arms. Kim's mother watched as he carried her upstairs.

"Did you two eat?"

"Yeah." Tommy settled Kimberly to the bed.

"You want anything?"

"A kiss," she said opening her arms. He smiled and gladly kissed her. "And a shower." Tommy smiled.

"That is true."

"Hey!" Kimberly hit him. She went to shower, as Tommy put her things away.

"I'll take those for laundry."

"Thanks." Tommy handed her gym clothes over as Kimberly showered. Kim's mother left the room. Tommy stripped down and got into bed. Kim's mother returned to the room to find Kimberly straddling Tommy's lap, kissing him.

"Goodnight, guys." Kimberly quickly moved off Tommy to the bed. Tommy and Kimberly pulled the covers over them.

"Night, Mommy," Kimberly said fixing the pillow behind her.

"Goodnight, Mrs. Dumas." Kim's mother clicked off the main overhead light.

"Goodnight, Tommy. Goodnight, sweetheart."

"Bye, Mommy. Love you," Kimberly said yawning.

"Love you too, baby." Kim's mother kissed her forehead and left the couple. Kimberly clicked on the tv.

"Can't believe school starts in a few days. Where did our summer go so fast?"

"I know, but hey, just 2 more years left of high school."

"I know! Can you believe it, next year this time, we will be seniors, applying for colleges."

"I know."

"God, I feel old." They both laughed.

"Hey, now. It's my birthday in 2 weeks. I feel old." Kimberly laughed again.

"Goodnight."

"Night, Beautiful." They kissed and went on to sleep.

Until next time, don't forget to review, passed the half-way mark, going into the last half of MMPR season 3! Ninja rangers are next:P