Chapter five:

After Tommy and Kim dropped Olivia off at the Mercers, Tommy insisted that they stop at his house to talk. As they sat down to mugs of coffee, Kim admitted, "I don't really know where to start."

"Start when you first got to Florida." Tommy suggested.

"Florida, I was good, really good, some said to good."

…Florida Pan Global Games 1995, Kim's Point of View…

I was on the floor with my roommate Suzanne; who was showing me the floor routine. She was doing very well, until the very end when she missed her landing and felled hard on her back out of bounds. Coach Schmidt hurried over to her and helped her up, giving her praise for doing so well and that she needn't worry about it. With practice she'll get the landing correct. I smiled, I was suddenly back at home, in the Command Center, listening to Zordon comfort us after a battle didn't go exactly as planned. No wonder he was such a good coach he cared about the members of his team.

"Kim, are you okay? You seem a million miles away." Suzanne's voice next to me caused me to jump up and swing out, an instinct from being a ranger.

"Sorry," I muttered, blushing a little, for crying out loud I'm not in Angel Grove anymore, there is no reason to worry about getting sneaked up upon. I was lucky she ducked or else I might have knocked her lights out for a couple of days, and that would have raised questions.

"What was that about?" Coach asked concern in his eyes.

"I just," I paused, how could I explain what had happened without telling him that I was a former ranger, "You reminded me of an older gentleman at home that my friends and I help out a bit. He always encourages us to try again whenever we make a mistake. I was thinking about that and didn't see Suzanne approach and she startled me."

Coach frowned, eyeing me suspiciously, what was up with him? "Are you always this jumpy?"

Just then I remembered a unit in health class with Ms. Appleby, it had been on child abuse and neglect and how to recognize the signs. Being jumpy was one of them. Coach Schmidt thought that I was a victim of Child abuse. "No more than any other citizen of Angel Grove, you never know when a monster would pop up."

Coach nodded, I couldn't really tell if he bought it or not. He must have because he called me onto the mat next to do the floor routine. Which I did, perfectly. It was so much easier to do flips and turns on an even mat instead of an uneven ground that is churned up from fighting with monsters firing at you.

…Reefside, present day, Tommy's kitchen no one's point of view…

Kim took a sip of coffee, "I worked the same amount as the other girls, but I never tired as fast as the other girls, and I learned the routines faster, and made fewer mistakes. Coach thought that I was taking steroids. Luckily that wasn't the case, or else I would have had been asked to leave.

Tommy nodded, to have Kim, here in his kitchen was a dream come true, and to have her openly talking to him was wonderful.

"Then came the first competition, it was a small one, only a week after I joined."

…Florida Pan Global Games 1995, Kim's Point of View…

I stared at all the other teams, the all seemed so talented. I heard the other coaches pointing at me and laughing. I knew what that was about Suzanne told me that the coaches usually places a bet on one of their team members placing gold, apparently Coach Schmidt had bet I would win gold. The other coaches had scoffed; I had only started training a week ago. They say I would cave under the pressure of performing before judges. I want to see their chosen gymnast do a triple back flip with a monster trying to blast you into another dimension.

…

I smirked as I watched Coach Schmidt collect his money at the end of the competition. I had won; I had scored near perfect in every event. Not bad for someone who never competed at this level before, if I do say so myself. It's amazing how much easier it is to do something when you have the proper equipment and no pressure of the world being destroyed if you fail.

That night as I was getting ready for bed there was a knock on the dorm door. I quickly opened it, only to discover that no one was there. I looked around, wondering if it was a case of ding dong ditch. That's when I saw it, on the floor outside my room, a piece of paper with letters cut out of magazines glued to it to read, "Hart quit the team or else…" To say I was unnerved would have been an understatement, but I knew better than to react. I always had to remind Jason and Tommy that they shouldn't react so much to Goldar, it only ever encourages him.

I picked up the letter and ripped it up before throwing it away. It was probably one of the boy gymnasts' idea of a prank. Well thanks to having to deal with Bulk and Skull since Kindergarten I knew how to deal with pranks, just ignore them and they will get bored and move on.

…Reefside, present day, Tommy's kitchen no one's point of view…

Tommy placed a reassuring hand over Kim's as he realized that she was trembling, "I take it that the threats didn't stop."

"No, but I didn't think much of them until the accidents happened."

…Florida Pan Global Games 1996, Kim's Point of View…

I was on the floor, waiting for my turn on the vault. As I did the vault, soaring into the air, I noticed that the mat was wet where I was going to land. I landed with my legs spread apart for balance on the slippery surface. I have had to do stuff like this due to dew or rain or monster slime. Sticking a landing on a slippery surface was no big deal.

"I think somebody spilled their water bottle on the mat." I said as I stepped off the mat.

Nobody confessed to spilling their water and Coach didn't seem too concerned about it, after all, accidents happen. Then we went to the balance beam. I was the first one to go. I was halfway through the routine when I heard the creaking noise and felt the beam start to tilt under me. I quickly dismounted as the balance beam collapsed behind. I placed a hand over my heart, and the others screamed, if I hadn't dismounted when I did the beam would have collapse on me and I could have been hurt.

Coach was beside me in an instant checking to make sure that I wasn't hurt. My mind immediately went to the threats that I had causally brushed aside. "I didn't think they were being serious." I muttered.

Coach's expression suddenly went dark and serious, "What are you talking about Kim?"

With that I told him about the multiple letters I had received, and how I hadn't taken them serious. Next thing I knew he had called everyone at the facility to the gym and gave them a stern lecture about what was an appropriate prank and what was not.

That night Suzanne and I entered our room to discover that there was another note waiting for me on my bed. Suzanne hurriedly went to get Coach as I rolled my eyes at the note. Who was so dense as to continue with the prank after Coach threatened to kick whoever was responsible off the team.

…Reefside, present day, Tommy's kitchen no one's point of view…

Tommy looked up at Kim, "What happened after that?"

Kim took a sip before responding, "He called the police and had a camera installed in front of our door so that we could catch whoever was leaving the notes. For a while the notes stopped until that one day.

…Florida Pan Global Games 1996, Kim's Point of View…

I was reading a letter that I had just received from Tommy, gosh I missed him, but he seemed to be doing good, apparently Billy had graduated early and was doing a graduation trip to Aquitar. Only Billy would choose to go to a foreign planet on vacation. Tommy and the rest of the team was busy fighting the Machine Empire. I was so deep in thought that I was surprised when Suzanne suddenly shoved me out of the way as the giant spotlight fell from the balcony above.

I watched as the boys from the male team hurried up to the balcony to catch who had dropped the spotlight, but they found nothing. As I went into my room I discovered my picture of Tommy laying in two pieces on my bed with another one of those notes. For the first time since receiving the first note fear entered my heart. The note read, "I know your weakness, quit the team if you don't want anything to happen to your precious boyfriend."

My heart was pounding, whoever was behind these notes had proven that they meant business. What do I do? Do I call Tommy and tell him what is going on? After all he is more than capable of taking care of himself, but then he would worry about me, and he has enough on his plate already as a power ranger as it is.

I thought about it for a while before coming to a conclusion, I had to let him go. It was the only way to keep him safe. So I sat down and wrote a letter to Tommy that I knew would break his heart, but at least it would keep him safe.

…Reefside, present day, Tommy's kitchen no one's point of view…

"So that's the reason you wrote the letter." Tommy exclaimed setting his mug down. "So how did Jason found out?"

"It was beginning of summer, the Pan Global Games tryouts had just ended, and I had made the team. I never made it to the games though, that's as far as I was able to go."

…Florida Pan Global Games 1996, Kim's Point of View…

I hummed to myself as I entered my room, sending James back to his. James was a good boy, and a great friend. He volunteered to be my bodyguard, though Coach told us to tell people we are dating, he didn't want the others to learn that the threats and accidents were still happening and that the police had finally thrown their hands up in the air and claimed that I was doing it for attention.

You'd think that having a camera trained at your door twenty-four seven and an escort whenever you step out of the room that it would scare whoever it is off. No I am pretty sure that instead the threats and accidents increased, only slightly. Sure the accidents come in spurts, to lure me into a false sense of security, I guess.

Anyway I was surprised on who I found in my room that day, just leaning against the wall as if he belonged there. Jason Lee Scott, someone I consider a big brother. I squealed, throwing myself on him with a laugh. "Jason, what are you doing here?" I demanded.

Jason laughed at me as he returned the warm embrace, "Your letters had been so vague I felt like I had to come down and visit to get any decent answers out of you."

I laughed, Jason was teasing me about the fact that I had been so busy that I had stopped responding to everyone except my parents' letters, "I've been meaning to write. I've just been so busy, I made the team, you know."

Jason nodded, "I know. Is your boyfriend treating you right?" he demanded, reminding me that he still saw it as his responsibility to protect me.

"I still don't have a boyfriend." I admitted, and after realizing that he saw me talking to James through the open door explained, "James is my roommate's twin brother. He's kind of made it his job to be my bodyguard."

Jason nodded, "I think I like him then, if he's keeping unwanted attention away from you."

I thought about the nasty letters and freak accidents that I've been experiencing before admitting, "He tries to, but I think fate pinned a Kick Me sign on my back a long time ago. Can't go anywhere without attracting some unwanted attention."

Instead of laughing at my joke, Jason gave me a serious look, "If you don't have a boyfriend why did you write that letter to Tommy?"

"I didn't want him to worry about me." I explained, that was what I had convinced myself when I sent the letter, and only now hearing me tell my brother this excuse did I realize it was a lame excuse and a lie at that.

"Instead you caused the rest of us to worry about him. Did you know Zordon contacted me and told me about the break up because he was worried that Tommy was too depressed to deal with his ranger duties? I was packed and ready to teleport out at the last minute. Trini and Zack had a lie ready to tell the others on why I disappeared so quickly and without warning. I hoped I never would get called in. Not because I didn't want to serve but because I knew what it meant for Tommy.

"Then one day I got a call to board the next plane home. I was to keep a low profile to prevent the Machine Empire from finding out I was a ranger until the power transfer could be completed. My blood turned to ice that day, Kim, I was certain something happened to Tommy and you were to blame. Boy was I relieved when Tommy was the one who met me at the airport."

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize it got that bad," I was a wreck, tears running down both cheeks, I hadn't thought that Tommy would take things so hard, "I need to talk to Tommy."

Jason nodded, "You have a week before the games start, why don't you come to Angel Grove with me, and we can surprise Tommy."

"He's with Kat now though." I stated, wiping at my eyes only succeeding to smear my mascara all over the place.

"He still deserves to learn the truth."

…Reefside, present day, Tommy's kitchen no one's point of view…

Kim smiled, "You know what happened with that. I meant to tell you, but someone broke into my hotel room and trashed the place. Jason made me tell him everything and I made him promise not to tell unless they ask specifically. I left for Florida within the hour."

Tommy nodded setting his now empty mug on the table, "When did the accident happen?"

Kim sighed, setting her empty mug next to Tommy's, "Before I left I took my car in to be serviced, when I got back I picked it up. It was simple enough; several of my friends did the same thing. I was driving back to the gym. The light ahead was red, I hit the brakes, but nothing happened, I didn't stop until I hit a car in the intersection. Two more cars hit me before anyone could process what had happened."

"What happened after that?" Tommy asked, wondering why Kim had fallen silent so suddenly.

"I really don't remember, you'll have to call Kenny, he'll know more than me." Kim insisted.

"Just tell me what you remember."

…Florida General Hospital 1996, Kim's Point of View…

Voices talking, that was the first thing I was aware of. It was a male voice speaking, "She's been on life support since the accident; once your mother arrives I think it would be best if you say your good-byes."

Silence again.

The next thing I knew was touch, someone's soft lips being pressed against my forehead, my mom's soft voice whispering in my ear, "I'm sorry I couldn't get here sooner, but I couldn't get a flight, I stayed at the airport all day, hoping for a last minute cancellation. Luckily a foreign exchange student from here heard of what was going on and gave me her ticket. I know that you can't hear me and that you don't care who is with you. But I'm here now, and I'm not going to leave you again."

Then everything was silent.

And then there was a light in my face, a bright light that caused me to moan and turn my head away from it. Suddenly Kenny's voice broke the silence, "Did you hear that?"

"Hear what Kenny?" My dad asked. My dad was there? I hadn't seen him since freshman year when he came to parent days.

"She moaned." Kenny explained. Why was my moaning such a big deal?

Darkness and silence for a long moment and then argument.

"You can't take her off life support! She's going to wake up." Kenny's voice, angry, "I heard her moan yesterday."

"You heard the machines yesterday, you were just so exhausted from sitting with her and you wanted her to wake up that you mistook it as a moan," The mysterious male voice from before explained, as he removed something from my face that I hadn't noticed was there until it was gone. I let out a gasp of air, suddenly finding it hard to breathe.

"Was that the machine?" my brother asked as I took another gasp of air.

As I forced my eyes opened I was insulted by lights and the faces of both my parents and Kenny peering down at me tears in their eyes. A man dressed as a doctor exclaimed, "This is impossible. They pronounced people dead at the scene who were less injured than she was. She was protected all right."

For the first time since hearing the voices I realized that they were talking about me and I only had one thing to say, "Thank Zordon for powers." I murmured under my breath before the world went dark again.

…Reefside, present day, Tommy's kitchen no one's point of view…

Kim shrugged, "I had been in critical condition on life support for over a week waiting for my mom to get there from Paris. I woke up as they started to pull the plug. I know it was the power protecting me. I was in ICU for months after that until I was stable enough to be moved to a normal hospital room. By that time Mom and Dad had both headed home, and Kenny had transferred to Miami so that he could be closer to me. It was while I was still in ICU that I learned who was behind everything."

…Florida General Hospital 1996, Kim's Point of View…

I was lying in the bed, more unconscious than not when James and Suzanne entered. They must have checked to make sure no one would eavesdrop because they were really silent for a moment before Suzanne spoke up, "You went too far this time James, I wanted to scare her off the team not kill her."

"She wasn't taking the hint, so I upped the game." James responded, if you ask me he even sounded a little smug.

"You are responsible for five people's deaths, including a one year old." Suzanne exclaimed, "I should report you to the police."

"And give up your spot on the team? You know that you helped me with this. You told me which garage Kim took her car to. You're the one who did the letters. You spilled the water. Yes, I was the one behind the accidents, but you helped me."

"I just wanted her off the team so I could win gold. I didn't want her six feet under."

…Reefside, present day, Tommy's kitchen no one's point of view…

Tommy gasped, "It wasn't?"

"I heard them as plain as day, of course they claim that I misunderstood them due to the medications I was on and the police believed them over me. I mean who believes someone who just survived a major car accident.

"I spent eighteen months in that hospital as they tried to save my leg to the best of their abilities. It took twenty odd some surgeries. Then I spent three years in a home while I learned to walk again. After that I moved in with Kenny, I didn't want to, but I had no choice. I had no job and a pile of bills taller than Mount Everest. I hadn't got my GED yet and the only job I had experience in was coaching gymnastics. I started out working part time at a local McDonalds. Once I got my GED, I started taking classes at the local college and got a full time job at Wal-Mart. It was hard, but I made due. Then last year Kenny got transferred to New York City. I went with them, but my leg kept hurting and I kept getting sick, adding more bills to my endless amount. I finally had enough and found a job opening here."

Tommy was silent, "I should have known." He finally stated, "I should have gone after you. I let some jealous girl and her twin brother get between us after fighting Rita and Lord Zedd for you. What kind of Boyfriend am I?"

"Everybody makes mistakes," Kim assured him, "Some of them can fix their mistakes, and others have to live with them."

Tommy nodded before looking Kim in the eye, "The mistake I made was not going to Florida and begging you to take me back. I know it's ten years late, but please Kim, let me be your boyfriend again."

Kim laughed at Tommy who had fallen dramatically on to his knees in front of Kim and a classic begging motion, "The one mistake I made, I can't undo. It wasn't something I didn't do; it was something I did do, and that was breaking up with my one true love, which I would do anything to get back together with."

"So is that a yes," Tommy asked still on his knees.

"Yes," Kim laughed, "Now get up at the moment you're even cheesier than Skull when he was trying to whoa me."

Tommy got up and pulled Kim into a kiss that he had wanted to give her since Elsa asked him to show her to her room.

A/N: Well they are back together, next chapter's Thanksgiving and then the rest of the story will be Christmas.