Chapter 31: An Olympic Dream, Or A Shattered Hart?
Epilogue 1(yes, number 1A)
Kimberly sat by a lake, day-dreaming as she sat alone, waiting on her friends to call of their arrival to Atlanta, Georgia. It was July 15th, 1996, early afternoon. She was going to be seeing everyone again and that meant everybody. It has been a while since she had seen everyone together. Was Kimberly happy, of course. March was the last time she could claim that. But things didn't go so great that month.
As the sun hit the water, Kimberly flashed back to that dreadful day by a lake in Florida in March. She was outside at the clinic, sitting all alone, much like today. The reflection of the sun hitting the sun remembered her of happier days sitting with the man she loves and will only love in her lifetime. She was getting better. No one wanted to believe she was better; no one wanted to trust that she was okay, not even Tommy. So Kimberly did what she had to do. She ran away, they were trying to take her dream. Kimberly found help by another. She was getting better, but not at the rate they felt she could continue her dream of gymnastic glory. Kimberly fought everyone, as she always tends to do. She went back to her training, her gymnastic on her terms, dispute Tommy and her parent's pleas. Then 2 weeks after her stay in a ladies' clinic, a letter was created.
"In some ways you are like a brother to me…" Had she really put that in a letter and signed her love away. Kimberly sighed. Blaine Wilson appeared behind Kimberly.
"Yo woman, you okay?" Kimberly looked up.
"Oh, hi Blaine," Kimberly said.
"You look like crap…."
"Thanks."
"I mean, what's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"I know you nothing and your face screams 'help me, HELP ME!'. I thought you would be thrilled, what 50 of your family and friends are coming to see you compete in the Olympics! The Olympics!"
"I am thrilled. But…"
"But what? Aren't your friends arriving like now?"
"Pretty much, they might have flown over us now, did you see the plane?" Kimberly asked with a smirk. Blaine laughed.
"Why so bummed then?" Blaine asked sitting next to her.
"I just….I guess I'm anxious. I hadn't seen everyone since…"
"So what if loverboy is coming?"
"Don't call him loverboy," Kimberly said.
"Fine, the ex, the man that holds your heart, the only guy you have ever fu…."
"Blaine!"
"I thought you had gotten passed this?"
"I have!"
"Then why are you bumming around a lake? I mean, he is dating that Katherine girl, right?"
"From what Adam tells me, yeah. They seem very happy."
"But you're okay with this right?"
"Of course!"
"That was a denial 'of course' if I have ever heard one. What, realizing you may have made a mistake with this new 'non-existence' lover of yours?"
"I know how silly you and the girls think I was, that I am crazy for writing such a letter, but you don't understand or know Tommy like I do. If I didn't make it seem like I was okay and moving on, he never would have."
"Oh, we don't think you're crazy, Kimberly," Blaine said putting his arm around her. "We know. But that is not the point here. It's the past Kim. That was months ago, it's July now, not February, not March. You are not that person anymore."
"I know, I mean, of course it's the past. He's happy, that is what I have always wanted even when I…."
"Yeah." Blaine kissed Kimberly on the cheek. "It's going to be okay, Kim."
"I just…hey, where's Julie? I thought she was coming in today too?"
"Oh, Julie got called back to New York City. She won't be able to make the Games." Blaine Wilson was the men's top Olympic gymnastic athletic. He was brash, some times too cocky for one guy. Blaine was 20 to Kimberly's 17. It was surprising how close Kimberly and Blaine became in such a short time.
"What!"
"I know, her professor is having a seminar this month, begged her to help him with the show, or she has to wait a year or 2 to become his assistant."
"That sucks! I know how much you wanted to be with her, especially this week." Blaine had driven down his newly purchased Navigation SUV given to him by his parents after his spectacular win at Nationals just a month ago.
"Yeah, I even got this," Blaine said pulling out a black velvet box, showing Kimberly the engagement ring. "What a shame." Kimberly gasped as she flashed back to the first time Tommy showed her a velvet black box.
"TOMMY!" Kim yelled. "TOMMY!" Tommy just sat there staring ahead. His mother reached over and hit him. Tommy pulled his earphones off. He looked back as he heard his name yelled. Tommy stood up quickly. He caught Kimberly as she hugged him. "I'm sorry! I'm sooo sorry! I am a fool!" Tommy held her.
"Oh, Kim." He held her face with his lips against her forehead. "I love you."
"I know." They kissed. "I love you too!" She cried and hugged him tighter. Mrs. Dumas smiled with the rest as they watched the couple kissing. Trini held Billy's arm. They had to do the same thing, pass people in order to see this moment. This embrace between the two. Tommy arms went around her waist, as they kissed. He lifted her up. Tommy finally put Kimberly down and got down on one knee. He reached inside his pocket and pulled out a black box. Both Kim and Tommy's mother gasped with Kimberly.
"Don't get too excited, Kim. You too, Mom." Tommy opened it. "It's a promise ring." He pulled it out. "An promise ring that means, I'll come back and we will be together forever." He slid it to her middle finger. "I will ask the real thing, but a little later I promise, for now, just wear this and you'll never be truly sad that I'm gone. I love you."
"And what makes you so confident I'll say yes later?" Kim smiled at him.
"I know you, Beautiful." He stood up and kissed her. Kimberly held Tommy tighter as Seattle was now boarding.
"Kim? Kim! Where did you go?" Blaine asked putting the black box back into his pocket.
"Huh, oh, nowhere."
"Right. Well, I guess I just have to hang on with this thing for another month."
"Trust me, she'll love it when she gets it," Kimberly said with a huge smile. "We always do."
"I hope so. So, I think now that Julie is not going to be here, I can help you much better."
"Help me with what?" Kimberly asked.
"Loverboy."
"Blaine."
"What, you don't want to Tommy to find out you aren't with anyone, so I can help you."
"How?"
"I'll be the mystery new love until you find a real one, if that ever happens." Kimberly smirked at Blaine.
"I can't have you do that. I just have to tell the truth," Kimberly said. "Afterwards."
"Yeah, well, these Games are too important for you to be distracted with that drama shit, so you concentrate on the Games and I will play 'Kim's new love part 1'."
"Blaine, I…."
"Come on. Trust me, it's better this way. Besides, we have a baby together, we can play lovers." Blaine put his arm around her.
"Jojo is a ferret given to us girls, not between you and me."
"Jojo loves me the most."
"Because you are mean just like Jojo."
"Come on, I thought the girls have training session now along with the guys?"
"We do, I just…running late."
"Late? You? You're never late!" Blaine stood up. "You are there when the time is right for you."
"Something like that."
"Maybe, you can show me that new exhibition exercise you and the girls have been working on," Blaine said helping Kimberly to her feet. "I heard it supposed to be the greatest ever."
"Well, I did help choreography it." Kimberly smiled and was lead back to the gymnastic center, where the gymnastic could train before the Opening Day Ceremony can commerce. There were dozens of such centers for all the athletics in their particular sports that have arrived early to keep up their fitness and training. The real competition will be occurring in the mighty Georgia Dome in a little over a week from today.
Tommy and the other guys were on a flight from LA to Atlanta, GA for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games at the Georgia Dome. America was holding the Summer Games for the first time in 12 years, with great athletics from swimming, basketball, baseball, track and field, soccer and gymnastics to lead the USA team to what was the dream of a great summer. Katherine had gotten up to use the bathroom, as the flight was just 15 minutes from arrival. Tommy reached into his back pocket and pulled a folded letter, hidden in the back. Tommy broke the seal piece again, he wouldn't have believed the contents of the letter without such a seal. Only one person had that pink seal.
"Dear Tommy
Everything is going great these days, I know you don't want to believe it, but I am better. Coaches have us girls ready as we will ever be. You would be proud. I am sorry. So sorry about the way I left things, so sorry about the way we fought. I never wanted…I just couldn't be there. I just…I had been lying to myself and to you. And I hated it so much.
I know I said this before, but this has got to be the hardest letter I will ever write. You have always been my best friend, but it is now that I, I realized that well, in some ways you are like a brother to me. Tommy, I have found some else…...some else that I can honestly say loves me and I love. And as amazing as this has been, it has also been painful, because of you. Tommy, you know it kills me to have to tell you this, because we always swore never to hurt each other, but I have found the person I belong with.
He is loving and caring, just wonderful, you would like him. I don't want you to worry anymore about me, I am fine. I am being well taken care of. I am following my heart, like you always wanted. I will always love and care for you Tommy, you know that. Please forgive my stubbornness, tiger. I love you. Kimberly. "
Tommy folded up the letter as Katherine was coming back. He wiped away a lone tear and placed the letter back into his wallet. He was going to be seeing her again. The love of his life. His first, and only. Tommy sighed.
"I just heard the stewardess. She says the weather in Atlanta is hot and great. Isn't this great? I can't believe Kimberly did it, she is an Olympian."
"Yeah. She's great." Tommy flashed back to what occurred back February, early this year.
"Does she not look smaller?" Tommy asked. Kimberly was warming with the other girls in the competition tonight.
The Power Rangers had gotten newer powers back in January at the very start of the New Year. Instead of keeping their powers of Ninja, with the new foes of the Machine Empire coming to control Earth, the Rangers had to go on a special spiritual journeys. They sought power from the powerful Zeo crystals. Billy left for Aquitar to help the Alien Rangers, but has since returned from that task with greatest interest in the Power Chamber. Jason has too made a return to power. He came back from Switzerland and returned as the new Gold ranger. Aisha turned her powers over to Tanya back in January, and has been living in Africa ever since she helped out the villagers on her quest. Tanya became the newest Yellow ranger, Katherine was still the Pink ranger, Rocky became the new Blue ranger, Adam became the new Green ranger, and Tommy was the leader and the newest Red ranger.
"Maybe, it's just the tv," Jason said, as he handed out some drinks around the living room of Tommy's place. They were all over enjoying the competition of Pan Global Games. Tommy had noticed the same back around Christmas when Kimberly came to that visit. He was too excited, having not seen her in a month to really put a notice on it, but now that Tommy is seeing her again, she looks a lot smaller than her norm.
The TV announcer called these Pan-Global Championships the start of new age as the program returned from commercials. "Returning championships and fresh new faces filled the arena. And the young and very talented, Kimberly Hart, the new Olympic Hope bursting out of nowhere with high hopes from Angel Grove, now hometown girl of Orlando, Florida is warming up for her first steps to that sacred Olympic journey. Kimberly Hart will be starting on bars this afternoon. Let's watch."
Everyone went quiet as Kimberly took deep breaths before swinging herself onto the lower bar. The guys jumped up as the crowd cheered when Kimberly landed her double layout, perfectly. She scored a high 9.8. Kimberly smiled at the camera and blew her custom kiss.
Kimberly moved along the arena and got ready for floor. Kimberly completed her program scoring a near perfect 9.95. Dominique Moceanu hugged her on the sidelines. She was behind Kimberly in the standing with her 9.75 on bars, and 9.8 on floor. That line of girls moved over to the vault. Kimberly first run, not her best. She had 2 giant steps forward, earning a score of 9.6, but bounced back on her second vault, degree of difficulty out of 10. Kimberly scored a 9.825, bringing her an average of 9.765 on vault.
Kimberly stood breathing hard on the sideline waiting for her turn beam. Leslie was waiting for Dominique to finish her beam routine, so she could be next. Leslie was in 6th place, very low in the standings. She needed to get into the top 5 to earn her chance for Nationals in Florida a few months from now since she missed last year's World Championship. .
"Oh, man, my stomach," Kimberly said moving around. Leslie shook her head. " Gosh, I can get it to stop growling!"
"Look, Kim, I don't have time to deal with you and your damn stomach. Go get yourself together and get something to drink! I'm not your babysitter, okay," Leslie snapped. Kim looked at Leslie, she had never seen Leslie snap like that. Dominique got a 9.875 on beam, along with her 9.8 on vault, she earned at least a top 3 finish in this competition. Kimberly clapped and hugged her as she came down.
"You were great!"
"Thanks. Go Leslie!" They watched Leslie go up to the line for her turn. Kim started feeling dizzy.
"Hey, you okay?" Dominique asked waving her hands in her face. Kimberly smiled and nodded.
"Yeah, Domi, just concentrating."
"Oh, you'll do fine. You always do great on beam!" Kimberly smiled. Leslie landed her beam with a double pike, earning a very high 9.95. But would have to wait to see if it was enough to put her in the top 5 to earn that spot for Nationals.
It was Kimberly's turn at last. Kimberly walked up to the line. The room felt as thought it was on scale, moving a bit up and down around her. Kimberly shook her head. She only had to complete her routine and get a score of 9.7, which she was capable of succeeding in her sleep. Kimberly mounted the beam with a front pike. The crowd clapped. She did some jumps and dance moves. Her sequence was dead on, 2 back handsprings with a full twist. She had a slight balance check on her simple spin, and went to her handstand, stretching out. All the guys back at Jason's house was sitting on their hands waiting for her dismount. The room erupted in gasp and cheer as Kimberly landed her double front tuck, perfectly. Everyone was jumping up and down clapping and high fiving one another. However, everyone went quiet and shocked as they watched one of their best friends collapse to the mats in a dead faint.
"Oh, my god!" Katherine and Tanya gasped. The TV cut straight to commercials after Kimberly fell down. Tommy stood up in shock.
"Is she…" Adam stopped himself.
Kimberly was lifted and taken backstage by Coach Schmidt and a trainer. Kimberly woke up just as a doctor was checking her pressure. Kim's mother, her stepdad and father were right there, having rushed from the stands.
"How is she doctor? How is my daughter?" Kim's mother's asked.
"What…"
"Well, Miss Kimberly, were you feeling weak or nausea earlier today?"
"Uh, no, why?"
"Any dizziness, a headache."
"Oh, yeah, a little."
"I don't understand. She has never passed out before like that before."
"Mom, I'm okay! I just…"
"Your blood pressure is a bit low, Kimberly. Too low. Did you have something to eat today?"
"Uh, some crackers and ginger ale."
"And that's not enough!" Kim's mother said. "She hardly eat like she used to.."
"Mom, my stomach was jittery, I was a bit nervous and I didn't want to upset it more, so I thought I would just have some crackers…"
"See, Carolina, she just had an upset stomach, that's why she didn't eat much..."
"I understand, you were nervous about the competition. But I want you to load up on your carbs before any other competition, okay, especially since you burn a lot on days like this."
"I know, I normally do, I just…"
"She'll be fine." Dominique handed Kimberly her jacket and sweatpants. Kimberly put them on.
"What was my score?"
"OH, you won. You got a big fat 10 on beam," Dominique said. Kimberly smiled as they hugged.
"I won!"
"Yeah, loser! You beat me again!" Kimberly looked at her parents.
"Congratulations babygirl," Kim's father said.
"I won!"
"Yes, dear, you won." Kimberly hugged her mother tight before her father and Pierre.
Kimberly waved goodbye to everyone after her parents had treated her to a victory dinner with Dominique, DD, and Leslie's families there as well. Dominique Moceanu came into the suite and heard the gagging from the bathroom. She had moved into this complex with the rest just a month before Pan-Global after Lauren had an unexpected stress fractured in her ankle and had to drop out.
"Who's in there?" Dominique asked standing outside the door. "Are you okay in there?" Kimberly opened the door after brushing her teeth.
"I'm fine."
"Are you sure, Kim? You don't look so well. I can call a doctor or have Coach Bella come and…."
"NO! Really, Domi, just a little upset stomach."
"You've had that for the past month, Kim. Are you sure you're not…"
"What?"
"You wouldn't be silly and starving yourself, right?"
"What…of course, not, Domi. How could you say such a thing to me, we're friends!"
"I only say it because, well, have you looked at yourself lately. You have lost a lot of weight recently…"
"I eat all the time!"
"Do you?"
"Gosh, I'm fine!" Kimberly yelled going into her room. "Stop worrying about me, gosh! Goodnight."
"Goodnight," Dominique said going into her room. Kimberly collapsed to her bed and just went to bed, not even changing into something else.
Kimberly was finishing in the bathroom the next day after lunch just as Tommy teleported into Kim's suite. No one was around. All the girls had left to spend some time with family, but Kim's parents left out early that morning, stopping by with gifts on their way to the airport. Kimberly had a morning interview brunch, to go over her win after last night. Kimberly jumped back to his arrival in red.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"Are you okay?" Tommy asked.
"None of your damn business."
"Really? You passed out yesterday, what was wrong?"
"I was dehydrated and had a low bp, I didn't drink enough fluids, okay," Kimberly said going into her bedroom.
"You look like you've lost some weight."
"Yeah, like a couple of pounds," Kimberly yelled going behind her changing stand. Tommy sat in a chair near her bed. Kimberly came out in some PJ's, since she had nowhere to go today. Her body a bit worn down from the competition last night. Tommy looked at her.
"I would say more than that."
"Why are you here?" Kimberly asked putting her hands on her hips.
"Well, all the guys were worried about you, you didn't answer any messages from last night or this morning. Zordon gave me permission to come see you."
"Well, I would have called, but I got busy. All this winning, don't have time like I used to."
"Yeah, congratulation."
"Thanks, can you leave now?" Kimberly asked.
"When I watched on you TV, I noticed a change in you. A major change." Tommy stood up.
"Oh, really what?"
"That you've lost that love in your eyes," Tommy said plainly.
"Really, hmm…well, you are wrong. I love winning."
"Winning?"
"Yes and all that comes with each win. I am soo close to that gold medal at the Olympics, I can taste it," Kimberly said putting her dirty clothes away.
"I remember when winning was the last thing you concerned with."
"Well, that was the old me. The newer Kimberly loves to win and she won't settle for less."
"You were dehydrated? BP was low?" Tommy asked.
"Yes, gosh!" Kimberly pulled back her blanket as she went to get into her bed.
"Low BP?"
"That's what the doctor said."
"Because of the lack of food right?"
"What are talking about?"
"When your BP is low, it's because you haven't eaten," Tommy said. "I don't know much medical information, but I do know that."
"Wow, you did learn something in biology class."
"Have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately?"
"Get out."
"Not until we talk."
"Get the fuck out of my place. Now! We are over! We are threw!" She pointed to the door. Tommy pulled her hand down and pulled her to him.
"Are you starving yourself?" Kimberly pounded his chest as she tried to free herself. "Are you?!" Tommy shook Kim's shoulders. Kimberly tore herself from Tommy's grasp.
"Get out! You don't know how it is! You don't know what I'm going through!"
"Then let me. Let me in, talk to me. I want to help you. Stop being selfish and stupid! If you are doing what I think you are doing, you have to stop now! You can't do this to your body!"
"You can't tell me what to do!"
"I love you!"
"I don't care! It's my body! Why should you care?!"
"Because I still love you Kim," Tommy said. "Because I will always love you." Kimberly looked up at Tommy. They kissed immediately. Tommy grabbed and held Kimberly's face, kissing her on the lips. He hadn't tasted her sweet lips in nearly 2 months, 18 hours and 36 minutes.
Grunts and moans filled the air, along with the aroma of sweat and sex, as Tommy slid in and out of Kimberly. They had started out slowly with kisses, then the tempo increased and they were on her bed going at it. Kimberly brought her legs around his waist, crying out when he managed to bury himself deeper into her. She clenched her inner walls rhythmically around his cock. He drove into, delighting in her small gasps and moans, and he almost came when she looked up at him through lowered eyelids and bit her lip. Tommy remembered that look. He kissed her on those bruised lips, frantic thrusts, both slamming against each other.
Finally, Kimberly threw back her head and arched her back and with a quivering cry.
"TOMMY!!" Kimberly felt herself crash into a thousand different pieces, consumed by flames of desire accustomed to the love of this man. Tommy felt hot all over, his body ready to explode. When she called out to him, screamed his name, he felt himself go off.
"KIM!" They were both breathing heavily. Tommy's brow covered in sweat as he dropped his head beside her face. He kissed her cheek and hugged her tightly. They lay in silence, just the sound of their beating hearts and hard breathing. Kimberly was lucky her roommates and their families were gone right now. If they heard what just occurred in this room, their daughters would be moving out and away from Kimberly. Tommy finally found the strength and moved off Kimberly.
"When did you start wearing red?" Kimberly asked as Tommy rolled off her and to her side. They lay facing each other. Kimberly was softly rubbing his face.
"We got new powers."
"Really, what new powers?"
"From Zeo crystals." Tommy had to explain to Kimberly, how Rita and Zedd turned them into kids during Katherine's birthday party. Billy was able to change back, but the rest went on a search for the Zeo crystals. Then when they returned, Zedd had Rito and Goldar sent to set bombs in the Command Center blowing it up. Tommy and others used their new powers to create a newer and better Command Center. Plus, Jason came back to take the Gold Ranger powers.
"So, Aisha's in Africa No wonder that letter had so many postage, I just haven't gotten around to reading the note with…?"
"Yeah, Tanya took her place, she's cool. But we've only know each other for like 2 months."
"Wow, Zeo powers, sounds awesome. I wonder what Rocky and Adam look like in blue and green."
"It's weird at times, but…let's talk about you."
"That'll take a while," Kimberly said sitting up with a sigh.
"I'm not leaving anytime soon."
"What, wait, school and…" Tommy shook his head and pulled her to lay on his chest.
"The only I have to do is to be concerned with you."
For the next 4 hours, Kimberly and Tommy talked. The girls came in that late Sunday evening, to hear a guy's voice in Kimberly's room. Kimberly explained everything to the girls not to worry. Kimberly told Tommy about her newly acquired bad habits.
"The first weighing was soo embarrassing, Tommy."
"I'll bet. Being told in front of some girls you just met that you need to lose weight is hard to take."
"Plus, it was soo hard losing the weight. Nothing worked! I even thought skipping a meal here and there would. I don't know, maybe I should have…"
"How much do you weigh now?"
"I can't..."
"How much?"
"92."
"Kimberly, you were like 120 at Christmas."
"I know." Kimberly rubbed his chest. "You don't understand, Tommy. To work at this level, you gotta be thin and smaller…"
"Why, to fly higher, go a bit faster?" Kimberly nodded. "That may be true. But in the long run, your body can't take this, it's going to eventually give out. Kimberly, passing out yesterday was a sign. Your body needs to stop this. It's too dangerous."
"No, I am fine, okay. I usually drink much more, but I was nervous and… It's a few months away, Tommy. July is like a heartbeat away. I promise then, I will go back to normal, I swear."
"No, I can't let you continue like this. I won't." Kimberly sat up.
"Well, you can't stop me, this is my dream, and I'm not giving it up."
That fight was the first of many that day and in the coming days. Tommy found Kimberly heading to out early the next morning.
"Where are you going?"
"OUT!" She said brushing her wet hair.
"No, you're not. Come on. I thought we had came to the conclusion that you are getting help. You are stopping this insane habit now."
"I don't want to listen to you, please, teleport back home, I don't need you here. This all was a mistake."
"I don't think it was. You wouldn't be wearing that ring, if it all was." Tommy had put the engagement ring back on her finger, last night. She seems happy to take it back, since she did say yes again. Kimberly went to take it off, but Tommy stopped her. He shook her hand and kissed her hand. "Please, don't shut me out, when we have gotten somewhere." Kimberly wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.
Dominique knocked on her door.
"Kim, are you okay?" Kimberly pulled from Tommy.
"I'm fine, Domi, I just…what's up?"
"Well, Coach wanted me to make sure you made it to this afternoon's meeting, since you missed the meeting this morning."
"I'll be there."
"Want me to wait?"
"Uh, sure."
"Okay," Dominique said leaving the couple.
"Good, then you can tell Mr. Schmidt about this."
"What? I can't tell him!"
"Kimberly, you have to! You need to get help!"
"I am fine, gosh!" Kimberly pulled away and slammed the door behind her as she left.
Tommy looked up as Kimberly came back into her room.
"So, what was that meeting about?" Tommy asked.
"Nothing," Kimberly said carrying some papers over to her desk.
"Come on, Kim and tell me."
"It was just to go through another new training weekly schedule."
"Oh, are you hungry?"
"Not really, but that doesn't stop you," Kimberly said smiling at him. Tommy kissed her forehead. They ordered some Chinese. Tommy ate as Kim picked around at it, only taking small bites.
"You need to eat more than that," Tommy said pointing to her box.
"I guess, I wasn't that hungry."
"You didn't eat breakfast."
"I'm fine, gosh," Kimberly said sitting her box down.
"Kim, come on, eat."
"Why can't you just leave it as it is?"
"Because I love you too much to let you do this to yourself." She pulled away from his grasp.
"Maybe you shouldn't," Kimberly said standing up. "I don't need your help. I'll be fine." Tommy shook his head.
"You honestly think your body can last any more months like this?"
"Girls do it for years," Kimberly said sitting in front of him. He grabbed her hands.
"And their body takes the toll damage of those years. Do you really think their bodies went back to normal?" Kimberly shrugged. "I will get you off this. I promise you." Kimberly went to his lap. He held her. Her head pillowed into his chest. Tommy kissed the side of her head.
The next morning, Tommy woke up to find Kimberly about to leave the room quietly again.
"What time is it?"
"Like 8, I got a tutorial lesson today and drop off some things," Kimberly said.
"Will you come back here soon?"
"Uh, probably, after practice."
"No, you're not practicing today?"
"Why not?"
"Because!" Tommy said sitting up, wiping his eyes clear.
"Sorry, I gotta keep in shape. I know I just won Pan-Global and that was great in all, but I still got Nationals and Olympic trials coming up in 3 months."
"NO! Kim, you are not training any more here."
"Oh, come off it!" Kimberly yelled dropping her gym bag. She pinned her hair up and grabbed her bookbag.
"Your mother is coming today."
"What?"
"I called her while you were out yesterday and…she'll be here in a few short hours."
"You told her!"
"I had to, Kim. You are starving yourself to make the Olympics!"
"You had no right!"
"I had every right!"
"You are had no right! You are unbelievable! How could I have ever trusted you? I hate you!" She yelled and grabbed her gym bag. She slammed the door behind her. Tommy sighed.
Coach Schmidt was surprise to see Kimberly wanting to train so hard after just winning Pan-Global, but was eager to keep his great star still shining.
"How are you feeling?"
"Much better, thanks," Kimberly said putting her bags down.
"Well, go start on floor, okay. I'll be by to help you on vault and bars." Kimberly nodded and went to work.
Tommy caught a cab with Kim's mother and step dad and went to Coach Schmidt's gymnasium. Kim's mother contacted Kim's father on her way from Paris. He too was flying down from New York as well and would be there tonight. Kimberly was training on vault. The assistant had watched her miss for 4 straight vault.
"Kimberly, what's going on? Why are you so shaky and nervous today?"
"I'm fine, gosh! I just missed."
"You've been missing all day, tell me what is it?"
"I'm fine!" Kimberly stood up. "Can we just drop it!" Kimberly walked away from vault. Kimberly walked into the locker room. She put on her grips. Coach Schmidt was spotting Leslie on bars.
"Kimberly, I want 20 routines to perfection. I'll be over there to soon."
"Okay." Kimberly started over just doing her transition move. Coach yelled at Kimberly to complete her routine release more 10 times, with no mistakes. Kimberly nodded and went to do that after she landed her dismount to perfection.
By the time, Tommy and Kim's parents got into the gym, Kimberly was performing releases moves. Kimberly felt dizzy and shaky on bars, but she kept going.
"Should she be practicing?" Kim's mother asked. Tommy shook his head. Just as he walked over to the bars, Kimberly messed up her release move and lost her grip of the bar coming crashing to the mats. Kim's parents gasped as Tommy ran to Kimberly. She lay still on the mats.
"Kim, Kimberly," Tommy said touching her shoulder. "No, Kimberly…please don't..." Tommy went to lift Kimberly up.
"No! Don't move her," an Assistant said. "The ambulance is on its way."
Tommy watched the stretcher carry her away into the ambulance and to the hospital. Tommy paced outside along with Kim's parents as the doctor looked in on Kimberly.
"How is she, doctor?" Kim's father asked.
"We have given her a drug to keep her still for now. There seems to be no permanent damage to the spine and neck."
"That's wonderful right?"
"Of course."
"Why won't she wake then?"
"We're keeping her in a comatose state."
"Why?"
"I am a bit concerned with the little swelling around her brain. I hope with this rest, that it should go down tonight."
"And if not?"
"We could be looking at permanent brain damage." Kim's mother gasped. "I want you all to know we are doing our best to help Kimberly out. I have to warn you though, we found malnutrition with your daughter as well. In time, we can hope her body will heal itself. In a way, her fall was a warning, it's up you all to make her listen to her body," the Doctor said. Coach Schmidt came by with some flowers.
"How is she?"
"How does she look?!" Tommy yelled pushing him away. Tommy wouldn't let him near Kimberly' s room.
"Tommy, calm down," Kim's mother said pulling him away with Dominique, DD and Lauren.
"Believe it or not, I do want what is best for her," Coach Schmidt said. " I would never wish any harm to her. She has become like a daughter to me."
"She was starving herself to please you!"
"I'm sorry, she thought she had to do that. I never wanted her to think that she had..."
"You're sorry, Kimberly is laying in there and you're sorry! You pushed her to this! You didn't stop her!"
Next day
Kimberly woke up and found her mother and father sleeping near her bed. Tommy was sitting at her side.
"Tommy," Kimberly whispered. He touched her forehead with a smile.
"Hey, Beautiful."
"Am I okay?"
"You're going to be fine." Tommy kissed her forehead. Kim's mother and father woke up.
"Is she…?" Tommy nodded.
"Kimberly!" They rushed to her side.
"Mom! Dad!"
"OH, baby," Kim's mother said kissing her cheek.
"Morning princess."
"I'm sorry, Mommy, Dadddy, I'm soo sorry," Kimberly said as tears fell.
"Shhhh, it'll be okay, you hear baby girl. You'll be fine." Kimberly nodded.
"You scared us, kiddo," Kim's stepfather, Pierre, said as he took her hand. "You rest now. We'll all be here when you wake up." Kimberly nodded and went back to sleep.
4 days later, Kim was released from the hospital. After breakfast, Kimberly was made to rest a little before getting up again. Kimberly woke from her nap. She went outside and found her parents and Tommy with boxes.
"What are all these boxes for?"
"Help us out," Kim's mother said opening another box. Kimberly lifted a box.
"You're going back home with me," Tommy said with a smile.
"Home?"
"Yeah, I've decided that…" Kimberly cut off her mother.
"You're moving me?"
"Honey, you nearly broke your neck a week ago!! You can't stay here and train."
"No, you can't do this! Mom, this is not fair! You can't make this decision without me! This is my life remember!"
"Honey, listen! You can do your gymnastic, just not right now, not this year, not here, and not with Coach Schmidt."
"I'm not going any where," Kimberly said throwing the boxes down.
"Kim…"
"Beautiful, please…"
"No! This is my dream! And I'm not ready to give it up!" She ran out of the suite.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the pilot has turned on the fasten seat belt sign as we have begun our decent into the local Atlanta Airport. Please make sure your tray tables are in their upright position and your seat belts are fastened. I will be down aisle to collect any last trash you need to dispose of. Right now the time is 3:14, and it is a scorching 102 degrees."
Tommy looked up, as he was shocked from his flash back as Katherine buckled up next to him.
"We are here, oh man, I can't wait. This is great, an Olympics in America! Next time, Australia, isn't this just amazing?" Katherine took Tommy's hand as the plane started it's decent to the airport. Tommy looked out the window and sighed.
"Kimberly."
"What was that, Tommy?" Katherine asked. Tommy turned his head from the window and looked at his girlfriend.
"Nothing. You're right, this is going to be great." Tommy smiled and squeezed her hand.
Tommy, Adam, Rocky, Tanya, Jason, Katherine, Zack, Aisha, Trini and Billy arrived to the USA gymnastic center gym that afternoon of July 15th. Most of the countries had to share gyms around Atlanta, Georgia before the actually Olympic Games could take place, Wednesday. There were dozens of centers much like the one America trains in set up across Georgia for the multiple countries, as well as other sports to train in.
In the background, blasting dance mix could be heard. Kimberly had asked her assistant trainers, Marty with the other assistant, Maggie to take the 2 SUVs normally used to take the 2 gymanstic teams around the city to go to the airport and get Kim's friends and drop them off at the Center to see Kimberly in action with the other ladies. The Women's USA gymnastic team was winding down a long morning of training, with the Opening ceremony coming in just 2 short days.
With the coaches away in their meeting, the girls were supposed to be just warming down, but Shannon Miller, the women's captain, thought it was time to break out the exhibition the team planned on giving the American audience not caring about the outcome in the Games. The Olympics would have an ending gymnastics Gala, coming after individual finals, no matter the outcome the host country, America, would have a team dance number. DD and Kimberly worked on the choreography for several numbers with the girls, knowing they had time to train for them.
Girls were performing to one of their exhibition show s, this one entitled Mambo #5, Kim's new favorite song of the moment (Okay, my fave at the moment, but hey, my story) DD and Kimberly choreographed the number when they arrive 2 weeks ago at the American Olympic boot camp in Colorado. Both wanting a little entertaining for the ladies to relax and have fun with during such a stressful time. Gymnastics for the men and women started in the just the first week of the Olympics Games. Men beginning their Olympic journey first, on Day 3. Team finals for the ladies coming on Day 5, very early in the competition.
Tommy was surprised, with the rest to see Kimberly and the girls dancing flirty and sexy. Men's team standing on the sidelines cheering and hooting the girls along as they performed the show. The girls started off snapping their fingers to the beats of the opening credits.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is Mambo Number 5
One, two, three, four, five
Everybody in the car, so come on let's ride
To the liqueur-store around the corner
The boys say they want some gin and juice
But I really don't wanna
The girls hopped into a back flip to the bang of the music. Each girl was doing spins and jumps. They did slight introduces of themselves to the opening verses before getting ready for a floor run pass with winks to the guys.
Beerbust like I had last week
I must stay deep
Because talk is cheap
I like Angela, Pamela, Sandra and Rita
And as I continue you know
They are getting sweeter
So what can I do I really beg and you my lord
To me flirting it's just like sport, anything fly
It's all good let me dump it
Please set in the trumpet
A little bit of Monica in my live (Kerri Strug started with a back double tuck and layout punch front)
A little bit of Erica by my side (Shannon Miller ended her run with a full twisting layout)
A little bit of Rita is all I need (Lil Dominique did a back double pike for her run)
A little bit of Tina is what I see (Amanda did a simple double twist with a front layout)
A little bit of Sandra in the sun (Amy Chow did her famous triple twist floor run)
A little bit of Mary all night long (DD did a double layout)
A little bit of Jessica here I am(And Kimberly was last with her floor run of an Arabian double tuck)
A little bit of you makes me your man
Each girl pointed to each other before the final line of the chorus
Each girl danced around before they blew a kiss to the crowd
Mambo Number 5
The girls stopped and formed a line. They went into the next choreographed moves to the second verse of the song
Jump and down go and move it all around
Shake your head to the sound
Put your hand on the ground
Take one step left
And one step right
One to the front and one to the side
Clap your hands once
And clap your hands twice
And if it looks like this
Then you are doing it right
The girls did a different running pass to their particular line of the chorus the second and third time through the song. Kimberly ended her run with a series of front flips ending with a front 1 ½ twist.
A little bit of Monica in my live
A little bit of Erica by my side
A little bit of Rita is all I need
A little bit of Tina is what I see
A little bit of Sandra in the sun
A little bit of Mary all night long
A little bit of Jessica here I am
A little bit of you makes me your man
Girls played a fake air trumpet before going into their final floor passes to the song. Kimberly did her final pass with a double layout.
A little bit of Monica in my live
A little bit of Erica by my side
A little bit of Rita is all I need
A little bit of Tina is what I see
A little bit of Sandra in the sun
A little bit of Mary all night long
A little bit of Jessica here I am
A little bit of you makes me your man
The girls did spins, before doing a final single flying back flips, running and hiding as the song said before ending on the ground in a circle to the last beat of the song.
I do all to
Fall in love with a girl like you
You can't run and you can't hide
You and me gonna touch and sky
Kimberly looked up to see the guys standing near the floor as she stood up. Kimberly gasped with a huge smile.
"Aisha! Trini!" Kimberly rushed over to her friends. Kimberly caught Aisha and Trini in big hugs. Zack and Rocky swung around Kimberly before she came face-to-face to Tommy.
"Hey."
"Hey." Kimberly looked besides Tommy and saw Billy. "Billy!" Kimberly hugged Billy forgoing Tommy.
The coach arrived from their meeting, not pleased with the actions of their women's team.
"Kimberly Ann Hart!" Kimberly looked back to see the coaching staff lead by Coach Bella Karolyi.
"Over here now ladies." Kimberly made a slight face at the girls, biting her bottom lip as she turned back to everyone else.
"I'll be right back guys. Just…wait here." Kimberly walked back over with girls and formed a line of girls. The coaches were not happy to find their girls not cooling down from their training, but horsing around to blaring music. They yelled at the girls.
"You should know better Shannon!"
"Yes, sir. We are so sorry, sir."
"You ladies will have to take things much more serious than this once the Games being! I am very disappointed in all of you! Go, shower now!" The girls' heads went down and they all walked into the locker room. The guys started packing away their things, trying to sneak away from a yelling.
"And don't think we don't know that you fellows were all egging them on, Blaine!" Blaine looked up as innocent as he could. "Go, lockers immediately, the other countries will be wanting their time to train."
"Yes sir." Blaine led the men's teams to the guy's locker room.
Kimberly came out the lockers with the girls and boys, they were laughing and talking.
"Oh, everybody, I want you to meet my bestest friends from Angel Grove. That's Jason, Billy, Aisha, Trini…Zack, Rocky, Adam, Tommy, Katherine, and Tanya. This is the women's team lead by the Ms. Shannon Miller, and that's Kerri Strug, DD, Dominique Dawes, the little one is Dominique Moceanu, our Georgia peach, Amy Chow and Amanda Borden. "
"Hi, nice to meet you."
"Yeah, wow, nice to meet you too." Everyone exchanged hands and smiles.
"What are we, chop liver?"
"Oh, that's the men's team, bunch of losers, especially those two. Burger and Blaine."
"Hush, Pinky. Nice to meet you all, Kimberly talks about you all," John said shaking a few hands.
"John Roethlisberger, loser." Kimberly smiled.
"Speaking of loser, Pinky," John said shaking Zack's hand. "Speak ill again to me and you might not get my gifts."
"Pinky?" Aisha asked looking at Kimberly.
"Nickname."
"That's right, Kim," Blaine said.
"Sorry my sexy fellows, that is the men's team, lead by John and Blaine Wilson. That's Keith, DeMarcus, Alex, Scott, and Benjamin."
"Oh, and this is yours," Blaine said handing Kimberly over a huge gym bag and another bag. "We got everything you need."
"Really, everything?"
"Of course, Beautiful." Tommy slightly flinched at that nickname that came with ease from Blaine's lips. That was his and only his nickname.
"Oh! Thank you! Well, this is great, I thought I would have to wait on gift, but I got gifts," Kimberly said with huge smiles.
"Wow, gifts, thanks," Aisha said looking into the bag with Kimberly.
"Yeah, what are they?"
"Well, we got tons of boxes from the Olympic village once we arrived 2 days ago. Each one of us got like 2 boxes of American items, like our suits, glitter, face paints, hats, bows, the works. And I thought I would make you guys something special too, plus I got these…." Kimberly pulled out 2 envelopes filled with tickets.
Athletes chosen to this great honor that is to represent the USA in the Olympics, were given USA suits, nearly 5 suits for their competitions, hats, jackets, sweat suits, shirts, sunglasses, the works. Each team was given a set of walkie-talkie phones with their coaching staff as well.
"What is this?" Jason asked taking an envelope from Kimberly.
"These are your tickets, silly, free of charge. And here are your passages."
"You got all of us passages?"
"Wow, Kim, that must have cost you a fortune."
"Nah, she just got really great friends," Blaine said putting his arm around Kimberly.
"Too great."
"Yeah, plus if you want to see other sports, you can. I mean, this is the Olympics in America. I know I would love to see some swimming and track myself."
"You just find that runner, Michael Johnson hot," John said.
"He has gold shoes, how cool is that. Oh, and here you go." Kimberly pulled out a red/white/blue stripped cell phone walkie-talkie. Billy examined it as Kimberly handed it to him. "Coach gave each of us a phone, so we all can be in touch. I'm giving you mine. Line 3 connects you guys to the girls and me. For the most part, just stay off circuits 1 and 2, that's the Coaches' lines and they get pissed when we talk to each other through that line."
"Especially at 3am for some late night snacking." Kimberly laughed at Blaine.
"Just say my name and the girls will hand me a phone. I'll be able to find you guys wherever you are."
"Wow, thanks Kimberly," Jason said taking the phone next.
"Blaine, are you taking them to their place first?"
"Sure, we got you great rooms for these weeks."
"Are you hungry?"
"Do you have to ask?" Rocky asked looking at Kimberly. Kimberly laughed. She took Rocky's arm.
"Oh, Rocky. How I have missed that stomach. Let's go drop you stuff off first, and then we can go hang out at the gymnastic home. It's huge with a big screen TV in the living room."
"Only because you girls cheated to beg for it." Kimberly smiled at Blaine.
"He's lying. Come on."
Kimberly unlocked the door to her home. Both teams hung out in the same place.The teams were staying in a private home, in the mist of the Olympic Village, bonding, training and generally focusing on the job at hand. The coaches thought best for the girls to have a place outside the USA housing center. A home for themselves.
"Wow, this can't be all yours?" Trini said walking in first.
"Yeah, ain't it great?" Kimberly asked letting everyone pass her as they went inside.
"Wow, this place is huge!"
"I know. All the other sports had to share 2 complex buildings, but we got our own place. It's like our home, our solitude."
"So, 14 people share this?"
"Yep, 6 bedrooms, 2 rooms have a triple bed," Kimberly said closing the door behind the final person, Tommy. Kimberly smiled at him.
"You look well," Tommy said.
"Thanks, I feel well, good."
"Good."
"How are you?" Kimberly asked.
"Good." Kimberly nodded.
"Kimberly, this can't be the TV!"
"Yes, Jason, that is the TV."
The gang hung around chowing down on their take-out with the 2 teams. Kimberly was sharing the loveseat with Dominique laughing at Zack's recent mishaps with a girl in Europe, Jason giving out the true details that Zack tried to hide.
"Wow, can't believe the opening ceremony is so soon."
"I know."
"Excited, nervous, worried..."
"Uh, all 3 and more for me," Dominique Moceanu said.
"It's gets better somewhat when you have done it before," Shannon said. Amanda nodded.
"Yeah, but it's still nerve-wreaking."
"You can eat, sleep and dream this day, and then you're here and it's just an incredible feeling," Kimberly said drinking her water. "I can't wait, though I know my insides will be daggers that night we first compete."
"Oh, you ladies will be fine," Blaine said. "This is the strongest gymnastic team ever in history, everyone says that."
"Yeah, but we still gotta compete. That gold medal is not just going to be handed to us based on that."
"Kim's right, we have a hard task ahead."
"Oh, but we'll be fine, we have our lil clone Nadia, spark plug here." Dominique Moceanu blushed.
"And the Hart attack." Kimberly laughed at Kerri's remark. They finished up their plates.
"Man, I wish I could have got you guys tickets to the Opening Ceremony."
"Kimberly, you have done so much so far, we can watch it on TV like the millions of other people will be doing."
"Yeah, especially on this TV."
"Good, because we needed someone to tape it for us," DD said.
"We can do that," Zack said smiling at Dominique Dawes. He had been flirting with her ever since he laid eyes on her. "So, when did you get into gymnastics?"
"Since I was 4."
"Cool, I was thinking about doing gymnastics myself."
"Since when?!" Kimberly asked.
"Since I was little," Zack said at Kimberly shooting glares to her. "I mean, I love to dance myself."
"Yeah, what type of dancing is that?"
"Hip hop of course, with a mix of my kind of soul."
"I dig soul."
"You do, huh?" Zack smiled. Kimberly shook her head.
Next day
Kimberly woke up with Shannon early in the morning. It was barely 7. Kimberly yawned as she sleepily walked into the kitchen for juice.
"Want to help me make breakfast?"
"Sure," Kimberly said pulling her hair into a ponytail.
"Get much rest?"
"Some."
"Good, make sure you get much more tonight because once the Games start, the excitement builds and you find yourself laying wide awake in bed for hours."
"Did that happen to you?"
"I was wreck for 2 days straight."
"Yeah, but hey, today is the last training session in that crummy gym, then we get to do it under the great Olympic Rings."
"Yeah, we will officially be Olympians after tomorrow."
"I thought we aren't Olympians until we actually compete in the Games."
"Nope, the moment we walk during the Opening Ceremony, we are Olympians."
"Wow." Shannon patted Kimberly's back as she broke another egg.
"Yeah." Kerri was the next girl to come into the kitchen.
"Something smells good!"
"Kimberly is making omelets, what would you like?"
"Uh, just cheese."
"Make mine a double," DD said. "Kimberly, why didn't you tell me how hot Zack was, because pictures didn't do that boy justice."
"Yeah, why didn't you tell us how hot your friends were, they should have been here days ago!" Kimberly laughed.
"I guess to me, they are just my boys."
"Hot boys."
Kimberly was to show her friends around the Olympic Village after her final training session before the Opening Ceremony tomorrow night. She told them to meet her for lunch at the gym, since she figured the team would be done with their session around that time, haven gotten to the gym around 8 am. Kimberly was training on floor with DD and Kerri. Kimberly did her triple twist and popped out early, stepping out of bounds. Kimberly hadn't been sticking any floor passes today. Kimberly let out a groan and stepped back up to the floor mat. Each girl's music was playing repeatedly in the complex so the girls could get used to having music playing as they train. Coach Bella Karolyi felt the girls should get used to it again since at the Olympic trials it was a bit different training with just American athletes music playing.
"Kimberly!" Kimberly took a breath and walked over to head coach Bella. "Sit down." Kimberly sighed and walked to the lines of chairs. Bella squatted before her. "Where is that fire, that soul?"
"Here."
"Is it? Because you have been one distracted gymnast since we arrived. Are you eating alright?"
"Of course!"
"Kimberly, I know you had your problems earlier this year with eating…"
"That was earlier. I am fine, okay. Ask Shannon, ask anyone!"
"Please, don't lie to me."
"I'm not! I swear it!"
"Okay. Go have a drink and move to vault. You are just not in sync enough to be doing floor."
"Yes sir." Kimberly got her water bottle and moved over to vault.
After 5 passes, an assistant stopped Kimberly. She groaned as she stepped to the side again on her double front with half twist.
"You are going to hurt yourself if you keep falling, go, watch Amanda and Kerri."
"Marty, I can…"
"Listen to me, go now."
"Fine!" Kimberly huffed. Blaine and the guys were training as well with the girls. Kimberly stepped aside with the assistant and watched Shannon and Amanda perform their vaults with great landings.
"See, that's the landing I am looking for."
"I'm trying." Kimberly walked away in anger. Kim's friends arrived to the gym, ready for their tour. Blaine finished up his high bar routine after watching Kimberly on vault. He came over to watch Kimberly do her vault, falling off to the side again. Blaine remembered the first time he met Kimberly earlier this year.
It was back on January 3rd, early this year, the first day back from holiday vacation and afternoon training session. Kimberly was sitting alone crying outside the gymnasium. She was having about a good day as Blaine was in the gym. Blaine had watched her get chewed out for not concentrating and not being there mentally. Blaine went over to Kimberly to help ease the young gymnast's spirit.
"You know, it's bad luck to be so sad so soon in the New Year." Blaine sat down next to Kimberly. "Especially just being the first day back." Kimberly barely looked up, ashamed of her tears. She tried to wipe them away, failing miserable. "So, what is it? The long break made your first practice horrible and Coach not too happy on that or…I know, broke up with your boyfriend."
"Ho-how did you know?" Kimberly asked looking up with tears in her eyes, her vision blurred, as the tears burned her eyes.
"A beautiful young lady like yourself, had to be about some asshole guy. I know, because I am sometimes an asshole boyfriend." Kimberly slightly smiled.
"Yeah right."
"Oh, you can ask my girlfriend, or at least I think she's my girlfriend still."
"Why would you say that?" Kimberly asked.
"We had a fight, something about me not loving her enough."
"You don't love her?"
"Oh, I do! I love Julie so much, but she feels like because I can't say it to her like she can, means I don't really feel it."
"It's not the words that make the love real, it's the way you make her feel."
"I know, and I try to tell her and show her how much I truly care, but the words become a mess from my head to my mouth and flowers are just tiresome."
"Try a movie or a song, girls love when you can remember their favorite movie or song." Blaine handed Kimberly a tissue. "Thanks."
"No, thank you, I'll remember that when I call her."
"No problem, just do it fast, don't leave her waiting too long."
"So, what really was it for you that has made you cry?"
"Uh, both, mostly the second."
"He break your heart?"
"No, I broke his." Kimberly said trying to clear her vision of tears.
"Huh?"
"I broke us up."
"Why?"
"I don't know." Kimberly finally looked at the guy and gasped. "Oh my gosh, you're…you…"
"I don't think we met officially…I'm…."
"Blaine Wilson, I know!"
"You know?"
"I love you! I mean, I love your gymnastics," Kimberly said with a blush, embarrassed a bit.
"Well, I love yours too, I mean, you're Kimberly Hart, the new Olympic dream girl."
"I'm not that good."
"You won the World Championship your first time competing, even I'm not that good."
"I was lucky."
"No, you were great." Kimberly smiled.
"I can't believe we are meeting, and I look like this, crying like a baby."
"I won't hold it against you." Blaine smiled.
"I just, you are the reason I do my vault."
"The double front with half twist?"
"You know my fault!"
"Of course, like I said, you are great."
"It's just when I saw you out there doing that triple front, I wanted it, but I couldn't do it."
"Why not?"
"Not enough height."
"What did you do?" Blaine asked.
"What?"
"The triple vault, how were your landings?"
"Always fell on the triples, so I took out one flip, why?"
"Did you fall off to a side on the doubles?"
"Yeah, my left side, how did you know that?"
"And you're right no…"
"Left…"
"Left-handed, like me, huh. It was the same for me on that vault. I always fell off to my strong side, my left side when I first did that vault. It was strange not to be my right side, my weaker side."
"That is strange."
"I still have problems if I don't get the right height."
"Me too. I crashed so many times at the beginning, I still do on that vault if I'm not concentrating."
"You know what my problem was?"
"What?"
"Punch horse was off for me to the right."
"And fixing that made everything better?"
"Yeah. Come with me, maybe I can help you."
"You want to help me?"
"Yeah, we are on the same team, right. And maybe you can help me with my girl, okay?"
"Okay." Blaine held his hands out for Kimberly.
"Come on," Blaine said. Kimberly was pulled to her feet. "It's too early in the year to be sad, Kimberly." Kimberly nodded and followed Blaine back into the gym. That was the start of their friendship, after that day, the two were inseparable. Blaine helped Kimberly with her gymnastics and Kimberly helped Blaine show Julie how much he loves her.
Blaine stopped Kimberly as she walked back to the line to start her vault.
"Hey, remember what I said before?" Blaine asked. Kimberly shook her head.
"What?"
"You're getting back into that bad habit of falling off to your left side."
"The horse, of course." Kimberly smiled. Kimberly and Blaine moved the horse in front of the vault. Kimberly ran down and did her vault again. This time, she had no steps. She did her vault 2 more times, landing each one perfectly. Kimberly rushed over to Blaine and they hugged.
"Thank you!"
"Hey, it was all you!" They hugged tightly. Kimberly looked passed Blaine's shoulder and saw Tommy's expression. She slowly let herself down from Blaine. "Guys, hey!" Blaine and Kimberly walked over to them. "You guys made it, great."
"Blaine!"
"Oop, gotta go. Don't leave without me."
"Yeah, yeah." Blaine went back to training.
"Kimberly!" Shannon called.
"I have to finish up on beam, okay then we go."
"Take your time," Aisha said.
Kimberly went over to the balance beam. Shannon had finished up her routine with Amy.
"I want 5 routines."
"Yeah, captain." Kimberly smiled and saluted her.
"Stop it, you and Amanda got the others saluting me. It's embarrassing!"
"Sorry captain."
"Get to work!" Kimberly stood at attention before laughing. She went to do her routines. Tommy was unhappy to see Kimberly being chewed out in front of everyone for not concentrating on beam, which caused several balance checks. Kimberly held back her tears. The girls went to the lockers, but Kimberly walked out the gym. She stood around the side of the gym. Blaine appeared before her.
"Don't listen to that old goat, what does he know?"
"He's right. I am not here."
"It's too damn hard to be perfect every time. So you fell off beam, everyone falls."
"Not me, not beam."
"Hey, you're just getting it out of your system before the real deal." Kimberly smiled. Tommy went outside to check on Kimberly and finds Blaine with her. Blaine wiped under Kim's eyes before cupping her left cheek. "You're too pretty to make that sad face." Kimberly shook her head and held Blaine by the waist. She buried her face against his chest as she hugged him.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"Being here. Being your silly self."
"Hey, I won't let anything hurt my girl." Kimberly sighed and hugged Blaine tighter. Blaine kissed the top of Kim's head. Kimberly and Blaine slowly pulled away with smiles.
"Tommy!" Kimberly gasped.
"I uh, just wanted to make sure…that you were okay."
"She's fine," Blaine said. "I don't think we officially met yesterday."
"Oh, right, Tommy this is…."
"Hi, Blaine Wilson, Kim's boyfriend. It's great to finally meet the famous Tommy Oliver. She never shuts up about you or the others. Nice to meet you."
"Yeah, you too." Blaine and Tommy shook hands. Blaine put his arms around Kimberly's shoulders.
"I guess I will go back inside."
"See you," Blaine said with a huge smile as he waved to Tommy. Tommy walked away back inside.
"Blaine, why did you have to have that?"
"What, the plan remember?"
"I just…I didn't want to…"
"Maybe this way, you won't be so damn distracted by him being here and actually do some good gymnastics." Kimberly sighed, having saw the hurt look in Tommy's eyes when Blaine introduced himself as 'Kim's boyfriend'. Kimberly took her friends around the Village, having fun with Rocky's video camera. He had decided to film everything from arrival to the Games.
Following Evening
The women's suite was filled with Kimberly's friends, and friends of the other gymnast ladies. Only the family members, parents and such, got tickets to go to the actually Opening Ceremony to the Olympic Games of '96 tonight. It was July 18th, a Wednesday night. The whole American athletics, coaches and staff shared a lunch together and got a little pep talk from an unlikely source. The President of the United States, Bill Clinton, wished them all luck in their fields of play, claiming they were already heroes representing this country with honor, and go out there to show what the red, white and blue are really made of. That caused a great eruption in cheer from the hundreds of participants for the Olympics.
"Hey, it's coming on!" Jason yelled finally. Everyone was setting around the huge living room in front of the 80" TV.
"Push record!"
"Where's the button!" Rocky asked.
"There!"
"Where?!"
"Billy, help the boy!"
"Hit the button!"
"I am!" Rocky said finally hitting the record button.
"Hush!" Tommy said as NBC final started rolling the opening credits to the Olympic Games.
The 1996 Olympic Opening Night Ceremony in Atlanta Georgia. Everyone sat around the huge screen Tv. The newscaster came on. "Tonight the mighty torch will be ignited in a kaleidoscopic cauldron at the north end of Olympic Stadium. Athletes in a record of 11,000 of them from a record 197 countries will march together, bearing flags to this great stadium. A solemn oath will be taken tonight. The Opening Ceremonies of this Olympic Games are quite unlike any other event on the planet, fairly bursting with emotions shared among people as diverse as the earth itself, people filled with hope, with fear, with celebration upon their very arrival on such a grand stage."
The host country was always the last one to come in, so it was nearly 3 hours before they saw the American team walk out in their red, white and blue suits, hats, sunglasses and flags.
"And here comes the American team, lead by…"
"Hey look at that!" Aisha said.
"Is that…hey, that's Kimberly!" Kimberly along with all the ladies of gymnastics was being carried on the back of the male gymnasts. Blaine carries Kimberly on his back as she waves to the camera. She proud waved her American flag to the camera. They finally took their seats as the party started with musical performances.
"And here we have Michael Rivera who is in the middle of the American team. Michael, who do you have to talk to us tonight?"
"Bob, we have a treat, I have the women's gymnastic team, who got piggyback rides in from the American gentlemen's team. Hi!"
"Hi Mom! Dad! Everybody!"
"Hi Mom!"
"Hi!" The girls waved to the camera guy.
"This has to be the strongest and greatest women's gymnastic team arriving to any Olympics, what do you have to say for that?" Kimberly looked at Shannon.
"I'll hand that one over to our captain." Shannon laughed.
"Yes, we know we have a great team here, and we all know how great this team can and will be…"
"Oh, I think I feel a prediction coming. Kimberly Hart…" The reported turned to Kimberly. "How does it feel to be where you were, when just a few months ago, you were not yourself and checked into a clinic for girls with eating disorders?"
"Well, this is just amazing! I mean, this is the Olympics! Every young gymnast's dream and I am here. All what happened, happened in the past and it has given me the strength to be here tonight."
"And how was the walk or shall I say, ride in?"
"Well, when you have this great guy carrying you it was just sweet to take it all in."
"Blaine Wilson, anything else to add about that walk in."
"Well, we guys felt that our girls need to be off their feet before the Games," Blaine said with a smile. "We want nothing to coming between our future gold medallists." Kimberly smiled. Blaine kissed her cheek after putting his arm around Kimberly. Tommy's jealousy rose immediately as he watched Blaine kiss Kimberly on the cheek.
July 20th, Day 3 of the 1996 Olympic Games. The men's gymnastic team went into the team Compulsories with the match up with the top countries. Blaine led the men's team to 4th place spot with the Russian men in the lead. The men's team none to please with the finish, but still had tomorrow night in the finals to make a stand for a medal and this was the highest finish during any Olympic Games for the men's team. Russian gymnastics was strong for this Games who would be a tough match for both the men and ladies.
Kimberly met Blaine outside after the competition was over with.
"You okay?" Blaine shrugged. "I'm so sorry Blaine."
"Hey, don't be. We still have tomorrow night, anything is possible."
"Yeah, that's right." The women's Compulsories were to start the following night after the men's team finals.
"I wouldn't be so concerned okay."
"I don't know, if the Russian men were that strong and the women are tons better, how do we stand a chance?"
"Get the girls together."
"Why?"
"Just do it and put on that dress."
"Okay?" Blaine smiled and kissed Kimberly's hand.
"Be ready at 7." Blaine went into the locker rooms. Kimberly stood there with a funny look on her face, wondering what that boy had planned. Shannon came over to Kimberly.
"What is it?"
"Remember those party dresses Blaine made sure every girl brought?"
"Yeah."
"I guess it's time to wear them."
"Okay."
The Final chapter is next :P