Part 12

Kimberly reported as ordered the following morning to the trainer and was told to take it easy for one more day and to continue icing in the routine she'd already been doing. To keep herself occupied, she'd found the tutor Coach used for the team and worked on the next projects in all of her subjects. Diligently plodding through the courses, she deliberately did more work than she needed. Not only did it keep her mind off Tommy - whom she now hadn't seen in just over 24 hours and was starting to see in the shadows - but it also meant she'd be able to spend time on other things in the event of a catastrophe.

The days passed and Kimberly was given a restricted clean bill of health with the instructions not to over work the arm. Placed on limited access, she concentrated on doing the moves she could without the use of her left arm and even worked a few of them into the floor routine she had planned for the Pan Globals. Her coach was less than thrilled at the restrictions and chafed at the delay, hounding the trainers to speed up her recovery - but they remained firm. For the better part of that week, Kimberly was on 'light' training, and had many hours outside those set aside for study to herself.

She focused on getting her school work finished and keeping her legs and body limber. She might have been under the instruction to take it easy on the one arm, but it simply meant she focused on the other aspects of her body and what it could do.

Through that week and into the following, she heard little from the Rangers. Tommy didn't make another appearance to check in on her, though she'd half expected him to show up nightly to make sure she wasn't overworking herself. Jason contacted her a couple of times to let her know how Katherine's recovery was progressing. The blonde had been told by her doctors that she'd be unable to travel for the better part of the next three months and so it would prevent her from leaving the country. Katherine had been disappointed, but something in Jason's tone had told Kimberly that it was a disappointment that was for show.

She'd been unable to wrangle any information about him and Kat out of her uncommunicative friend, but comforted herself with the knowledge that she'd be able to go see Katherine on her own and get the scoop from her. Jason, from what he'd said, was spending every spare moment with Kat to her delight. Kimberly wished them both the best and knew, somehow, that Jason would eventually wear down Katherine's reserves. Kimberly couldn't believe she hadn't seen their attraction before as it was so very obvious now. Or maybe she hadn't wanted to see the attraction. Whatever the reason, she was just glad that Jason had finally found someone he seemed to adore.

Two weeks passed before Kimberly heard from the gang and it was from Katherine, whom she'd called to check in on, that she learned the Rangers had seen action...

"So, how was it?"

Kimberly grinned, tucking the phone into the curve of her shoulder. "How was what - training?"

"If you want to call it that. How did it feel?"

"The same as always." Kimberly leaned back against the wall of the opaque booth that had been erected around the phone to lend an air of privacy. "A few lumps, a few bruises, but nothing serious. How're you doing?"

"The doctor says I'll be out of the cast next week and I can stop wearing the brace around my neck providing I promise to take it easy. I'm being let out tomorrow."

"So soon?"

Katherine laughed. "It's been almost three weeks!"

That long? Kimberly's smile faded. Three weeks since that fateful day when Alpha had arrived and drawn her back into the Ranger's game. On the bright side, she'd not been called in for anything more serious than a Ranger's meeting - and that had been over two weeks ago. "I guess I've kind of lost track of time. Coach had been pretty hard on all of us with Pan Globals rushing up."

"Tommy told us about what your coach is doing."

He would have. Kimberly shook off the sour thoughts that accompanied the revelations about the coach she'd adored for so long. That was a confrontation that was fast approaching - but she would hold her peace until after Pan Globals. "I've learned more than what Tommy knows, but now that I know what to look for, I find it hard to believe I missed it."

"You were just focused on achieving your dream." Kat's knowing, and understanding observation eased the band around Kimberly's chest. "Trust me; most coaches will do things to keep their athletes focused. His methods are just a little more extreme than most."

"And damaging," Kimberly agreed. "So, is Jason going to be around to help you check out tomorrow?"

Katherine's laughter was slightly nervous. "He said he would be."

"He ask you out yet?"

"Kimberly!"

"Well, it's a valid question," Kimberly grinned. "You should usurp his prerogative and ask him instead."

"He's just worried about me because I don't have parents here."

"Uh huh, whatever."

"How about you?"

"What about me?"

"Jason told me about Gasket's time-device."

"Time-device?" Kimberly arched her eyebrows. "What time device? What are you talking about?"

" Jason said the team had... they didn't call you in, did they?"

Kimberly felt a stab in the vicinity of her heart. "Call me in for what, Kat? What happened that I don't know about?"

Katherine exhaled heavily in her ear. "Jason told me that Prince Gasket had been using a device called Chronosapios to loop a day last week back on itself."

"Last week?"

"They didn't tell you?"

"I haven't heard a thing!" Kimberly felt the sting of that clearly, like a blow to the chest. "What happened, Kat?

"Well, Jason told me they were able to destroy Chronosapios by throwing it at the monster protecting it before Gasket was able to make it grow. Are you sure no one mentioned this to you?"

"I haven't heard from anyone since Tommy left here over two weeks ago, Kat. I thought things were just pretty quiet." Showed what she knew. It was one thing to be an absentee Ranger - and while she appreciated their unwillingness to include her in the battles unless it was completely necessary, being left out of the loop all together was something she couldn't tolerate. "I guess it goes to show just how much they want me back in the game, huh?"

"Don't say that Kim," Katherine's tone was full of remorse. "Didn't they agree you'd be an absentee Ranger? Isn't this what you wanted, to only be called in if they needed you?"

"Yeah, but I didn't expect to have to hear about those battles from you - and days after the fact!" Katherine didn't respond and Kimberly knew she'd made her point. "Look, I'm going to touch base with the guys and have a chat with our fearless leader."

"Come and see me."

Kimberly grinned. Katherine knew her too well. "I'll drop in. See you soon."

Katherine said her goodbyes and Kimberly hung up the phone. Staring at it for a long minute, she frowned. It was just like Tommy to have either forgotten to tell her, or neglected to tell her deliberately to avoid making her worry. He'd been loath to pull her away from practice when she'd been in Angel Grove, and would likely - no matter what animosity there was between them - be just as reluctant to make waves on her training there. But the basic courtesy of letting her know there had been a battle would be nice.

Men! She pushed away from the wall and turned, heading back towards her room. It was a rest afternoon; the one day every few weeks that coach didn't insist they train because he had administrative work to catch up on. Which was fine with her; it was also the afternoon their tutor came in to ensure the girls were maintaining the academic levels required to remain at the facility. They didn't have school exactly, more like study groups, but if they fell too far behind, coach would cut them.

Kimberly pushed aside the thoughts of her coach as she entered her room. Closing the door behind her she paused and then re-opened it, hanging the "do not disturb" sign on the handle. She locked it behind her and looked around. She had the afternoon free - she was ahead in her studies and her routines were better than ever thanks to her injury. Not many athletes could say that and she was perversely pleased that she could. Not stopping to think about it, Kimberly lifted her communicator and adjusted the dial. Selecting a function she'd rarely had to use, she dialed it into Tommy's communicator's location and silently prayed he was alone as she pressed the teleport button.

Kimberly was dropped into a place she hadn't expected - Tommy's bedroom.

She gulped as she landed, nearly losing her balance on a haphazard pile of books beside his bed. She regained her footing and looked around. His room was almost exactly as she remembered it; except the paint was red instead of green. A smile played about her lips; her Christmas Ranger. She shook her head, turning, as she considered the locale. His room was neat and tidy, jeans and a t-shirt thrown haphazardly over the back of the chair by his desk, but no other clothing in evidence. Other than the books by the bed, there was very little on his floor.

Catching sight of a mop of curly hair on the pillow, her breath caught in her throat as she turned and - unable to help herself - stared.

Tommy was still asleep.

His covers were in disarray, evidence of how well - or lack thereof - he'd been sleeping. They'd fallen to his waist along one half of his chest, the other clutched lightly at shoulder height by his hand. Thankfully, they draped his lower body and Kimberly didn't want to even think about the mortification she'd feel if he'd caught her in his bedroom staring at his indecently covered form. Her mouth was dry, her palms sweaty, and her anger had all but dissipated with the sight before her.

How could she be mad at him when he looked so... so adorable and harmless?

A line creased his brow and he mumbled something in his sleep, shifting and rolling towards her, his arms encircling the blanket as if hugging it. Her eyes widened in dismay as his arm lifted and an ugly black and green bruise revealed itself down the side of his torso from just under his arm pit and reaching to his waist. She couldn't see if it went further as the waist of his boxers, which she could now just see a peak of - and they were red of course - prevented further inspection. Had he obtained the injury fighting Gasket and his monster?

Kimberly felt herself moving and, against her better judgment, settled on the edge of the bed. She kept one ear cocked for movement outside Tommy's room, but thus far she suspected he'd been left to his own devices by his parents.

The clock on his nightstand showed it was just after ten in the morning - and it was Saturday. She supposed she shouldn't have been surprised to find him sleeping, but she was. Tommy had been an early riser and morning person when she'd lived in Angel Grove. Of course, it might have simply been the fact that he'd often joined her in the mornings to motivate her and get some cherished alone time. She had many memories of early morning runs with him that had special moments.

Lifting her hand cautiously and turning her thoughts back to the prone figure before her, she took in the bruise once more. He shifted again so he was mostly on his stomach and move bruises became visible on his back. With delicate fingers she lifted his hair from his neck and winced when another, this one purplish, greeted her gaze between his shoulder blades.

Whatever the battle he'd be in, it must have been fierce.

The ends of his hair curled about her fingers and she couldn't resist the temptation of rubbing the strands between her finger tips, the silky feel as soft as she remembered. She froze as he mumbled something else in his sleep, shifting as he did. Kimberly attempted to snatch her hand back, but his hair had curled around her fingers and knotted at one point, preventing her from moving.

Great, just great. The last thing she needed was for Tommy to wake up and find her hand caught in his hair. Carefully, cautiously, she reached out with her other hand and attempted to carefully unwind the strands.

Tommy twitched, his head turning away from her and easing the grip on her fingers. With her hand practically in her lap, she worked the strands free and reclaimed her hand. She rose immediately, determined not to give into further temptation, especially not when she'd come to give him hell about excluding her.

She looked away from him uncomfortably, wondering if she should disappear as quietly as she'd come and contact him later before just popping in. Just to avoid, oh say dropping into the washroom while he was having a shower. The wicked thought made her blush and giggle, only to slap her hand over her mouth, her eyes darting back to the sleeping figure.

Who wasn't sleeping anymore.

"Kim?"

His hair was sleep tousled, his eyes slightly glazed from slumber and he wasn't quite conscious yet. She had about thirty seconds to flee if she wanted to escape without him remembering her as more than a dream. He blinked almost comically, as if not believing his eyes, and then in an adorable move for a half-clad man, rubbed his eyes. She was given her opportunity, but she didn't take it. Couldn't. Watching him sleep and seeing the bruises had reminded her of just how dangerous their double life was.

When he opened his eyes again and focused on her, he pushed himself up on his forearms and stared at her in surprise. "You're still here."

"I'm not a dream, Tommy."

"Why not?" His regard was intent. "You've been a dream every other time."

She smiled faintly. "I doubt I pop in to yell and scream at you in your dreams."

"Yell and scream?" His echoed statement was accompanied by a hand running over his face. "What'd I do this time?"

Kimberly couldn't find her tongue as he sat up, reaching for the jeans hanging from the back of the chair. She turned away, her face heating with embarrassment as she heard the fabric slide against his skin, the slight rasp of the zipper and finally the sound of the snap being done. Even then she took a deep breath and counted backwards from ten before turning.

Tommy was shrugging into a red sweater, his chest covered in one of the white sleeveless t-shirts she remembered so well. "I don't hear your screaming, Kim."

"I can't."

He arched his eyebrows in surprise, pulling the sweater over his head. "Can't or won't?"

"Does it really matter? I was all set to give you a piece of my mind - before I saw those bruises."

"They're nothing."

"They cover half of your chest and back, Tommy. They're not nothing - and their brand new."

He finished dressing, all except his socks and his bare feet poked out from under the hems of his jeans as he settled back on his bed, tossing the covers casually to the other side of the mattress. "The Machine Empire has a habit of dropping in at inopportune times, Kim. We've all been injured to some degree or another. The bruising will fade in another couple of days."

"You're speaking from experience." It wasn't a question.

Tommy shrugged. "Not to sound crabby, but why are you in my room at ten in the morning on a Saturday?"

"Kat told me about the whole time-thing mess. She said you guys fought one hell of a battle without me."

"So you thought you'd come over and yell at me - I don't follow Kim."

"No one told me, Tommy, not until Kat and I spoke earlier. I didn't even know you'd been in a battle, let alone been injured! And I only found that out because I happened in on you while you were sleeping."

"You didn't think to call ahead?"

"I wanted to get the drop on you..." she faltered and Tommy began to chuckle as she blushed.

"Well, I don't hear any screaming yet; should I brace myself?"

For someone who was supposed to be on the receiving end of her wrath he was remarkably good humored. "Did you get those bruises in that battle?"

"What does it matter?"

"It matters."

He nodded, leaning back and using his arms to brace his weight on the bed. "Yeah, that's where I got them. The Protectron was determined to keep me from Chronosapios. I got the one in the side when I was able to grab Chronosapios and Protectron grabbed me. Fortunately I maintained my grip on the orb that was Chronosapios. Smashing those two monsters together was enough to obliterate them both and set time back to how it was supposed to be."

Kimberly clasped her hands together at her waist. "So why not tell me after the fact? I know I said absentee Ranger, but I didn't mean to cut me out completely unless I was needed."

"I thought Jason would tell you."

From his tone of voice she knew he was telling her the truth. Kimberly smiled faintly. "Jason doesn't even remember I exist right now, Tommy. Why would Jason tell me anything when he can talk to Kat instead?"

They shared a knowing look before each looked hastily away, the awkwardness of their relationship still a hurdle to overcome. After several long moments of charged silence, Kimberly plunged ahead. "I can't really yell at you when you've got injuries like that you know. It'd be like... like kicking a cat when it had a broken leg."

"I'm fine Kim, just sore."

"Are you sure?"

"They look worse than they are." He nodded to her arm, changing the subject. "How's the elbow?"

"Good as new." She twirled it for his observation. "Coach was furious about the trainer's recommendation to stay off it for a few days, but they insisted that if I wanted to compete I'd do as they said."

"The competition's in what, two weeks?"

"Two and a half - do you have your flight booked?"

A shadow crossed his face and she instantly regretted reminding him of their bargain, even in such a roundabout fashion. He stared at her for a long moment before replying. And when he did, she knew he wasn't talking about the event but referring to her promise to return to Angel Grove afterwards. "Do you?"

"Not yet," her admission was reluctant. "I have to set a few things straight with my coach after Pan Globals."

"Things? You found out more?"

Kimberly's smile was sour. "Lots more. Let's just say he's not the honest, hardworking, caring individual I thought he was."

"Didn't we establish that a couple of weeks back when you found out he was diverting your mail?"

"I still don't have proof."

"So why not search his office?"

Kimberly stared at him as if he'd grown another head. "Are you nuts?"

"It'd get you what you need."

"It'd also get me cut and brought up on criminal charges if I got caught! I can't just go waltzing in there, rifle through his office and confront him if I happened to find something."

"I could."

"And what?" She placed her hands on her hips and glared at him hotly. "You'd slap it across his face and demand he meet you for a duel of honor or some other such macho thing?"

He laughed - laughed! - at her idea. "Nothing so drastic, Kim."

"Then what?"

"I was thinking of having a discussion with him about it."

"He knows you, Tommy. If coach sees you, he's sure to take it out on me."

"So I'll go in disguise. Having him interfere with you, now that you're a Ranger again, makes it Ranger business. It's our best interest that he doesn't make your life more miserable than necessary."

"Let it go, Tommy." She couldn't help but feel the uneasy truce they seem to have come to since he'd awoken was unraveling. She'd seen him relaxed, almost friendly even, and he was withdrawing from her. "I'm already intending to have words with him once the competition is over. I have it on good authority that I'm being scouted for the Olympic team; coach has made no secret that the scouts will be at Pan Globals and he's pushing me accordingly."

"You haven't told him you're leaving."

It wasn't a question and the flat tone of his voice made her wince. It was almost an accusation. "I also haven't told him I'm staying. He's trying to push me into a commitment and I've told him I need to consider it and ask me again after Pan Globals. Once that competition is finished I can have it out with him with a clear conscience."

"And what, Kim? Have him kick you to the street the same day?"

"Give me some credit for forethought. It's not like I've been idle. I may not have booked my ticket yet but almost everything I own is still in storage. And it's my own storage locker, not on the compound controls." She smiled faintly, keeping her temper firmly in check. He was being civil at least; that was something. "Everything else fits in one or two duffle bags."

"And that's what you're bringing to the competition?"

She nodded. "Coach is going to expect me to fly back to Florida from there; it'll be hard, but I don't intend to get on the plane with them."

"You're just going to what - teleport back to Angel Grove?"

"Ha!" She grinned. "I was thinking of flying standby."

"Uh huh, no way." He pushed to his feet, his expression dark. "Do you have any idea what kind of weirdoes hang around air ports just waiting for people who fly stand by to fall asleep?"

"What other choice do I have Tommy?" She matched his dark look, careful not to glare at him. "I'm not rich, I can't ask for mom's help in this and I can't very well alert coach to the fact I'm leaving. What other options do I have?"

He was quiet for a long minute, his gaze searching hers. Then, to her surprise, his expression cleared, as if he'd reached some kind of decision. His lips kicked into a half-smile. "What other option? You're going to fly home with me."

Her eyebrows almost hit her hairline. "Excuse me?"

"I'll buy your ticket home when I buy mine. It's one way so it'll be less expensive."

"You can't be serious."

"Why not? It give you a travel buddy and it means I can bring the ticket with me instead of worrying about you being on standby. Plus, your coach will never know."

She stared at him, completely floored by his unexpected and generous offer. It would solve everything, give her a chance to enter the competition without that worry. It would mean a safety net, the knowledge that she was taken care of once more. She opened her mouth to accept and then snapped it shut before the words passed her lips. Could she accept that from him? Dared she? Was it a gesture on his part or did he want something more in return?

"Why, Tommy?"

"Why what?"

"Why would you do that for me?"

His smile turned amused. "For you? It's not for you, Kim, it's for me. So I'll be able to sleep knowing you're taken care of and not being taken advantage of my some scum bag because you're too exhausted to realize it. To make sure you keep your promise."

She wanted to slap him, to tell him in no uncertain terms that he could take his offer and shove it someplace indecent, but once again her lips refused to say the words she wanted to. No matter the motive behind his offer, no matter what kind of reason he gave her, he had offered and that was the real point of the issue. She inhaled deeply and nodded once. "Regardless of your reasons, Tommy, I accept your offer."

"Good. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to get on with enjoying my weekend."

Stung, she turned away and dialed her communicator to the appropriate section. She didn't even spare him a last look as she hit the button that would take her to Kat, and missed seeing the pained expression that crossed his face.