Part 15

Tommy arrived as Kimberly was stretching out at the end of a tough routine. The lights were dim in anticipation of her departure and her things were packed to head back to the dorm. She was just straightening from a bend at the waist, her hands flat on the ground in front of her, when the familiar sensation of being watched touched her. She didn't look up, didn't need to, to know he'd arrived.

"I was starting to think you weren't going to show."

"I got side tracked."

Kimberly took her time to get the full feel of the stretch before shifting her position to stretch out another muscle and cocked her head at him; he was slightly skewed from her vantage point. "I take it you enjoyed your party?"

"It was fun."

She waited for him to elaborate, but he remained silent, looking away and around the room, as if seeing it for the first time. She held her tongue, wanting him to make the first move - needing him to make the first move - and continued to stretch. He shoved his hands in his pockets as she straightened, collecting her bag in the same motion.

"Kim?"

She shouldered the strap, hoping she was hearing the hesitation she thought she was hearing in his voice. "What is it, Tommy?"

He inhaled and then exhaled deeply, a sheepish smile crossing his features. "I thought this was going to be easier."

Arching her eyebrows, she linked her fingers together on the strap. "You thought what was going to be easier?"

"I owe you an apology."

"You do?"

He nodded, meeting her gaze for the first time since his appearance. What she saw made her heart leap into her throat. The pain was still there, but it was tempered with understanding and acceptance - something she hadn't dared hope for. He held her gaze for a long minute and took a step towards her, almost as if he was unable to resist the pull, before stopping with obvious effort. "I wasn't sure you were up to jumping right back into the whole Ranger thing. I mean, it's been almost a year."

"Don't tell me you had doubts when you were sprouting my virtues to the other Rangers."

"A couple." His smile was apologetic. "Zordon showed me the footage of your fight with Archerina."

"Is Zordon's recording our fights now?"

"Just the solo ones. Usually we analyze the tactics we use individually as a group and point out weaknesses so we can all learn from each other's mistakes." He shrugged. "Usually. I watched it on my own since I didn't think you'd like Tanya and the guys nitpicking."

"And?" She was ridiculously eager for praise. She could almost feel it coming and she was self-aware enough to admit she needed it to salve her ego. Praise from Tommy had always done wonders for her self-confidence and, while the fight had helped, acknowledgement from her fellow Rangers - especially this one, had always meant more than just winning a battle.

"You could have been more inventive with your taunts and you certainly didn't use your surroundings to your advantage." His eyes twinkled and it took her a moment to realize he was teasing her. "You're a little rusty."

She burst out laughing. "Tommy!"

His responding grin was one she'd sorely missed and one she hadn't really expected to see when he'd first said he was going to come and chat about the fight. It was uninhibited and free; the Tommy she remembered. "You did good, Kim. Really good. I don't think Kat could have taken Archerina by herself but you had her."

"I didn't finish her though." She motioned for him to join her as she headed for the door.

Tommy fell in beside her, matching his stride to hers. "Without Gasket's interference you would have. You had her beat and she knew it."

"Won't that just make it harder the next time?"

"Possibly," He smiled faintly. "But you outclass her. A year off hasn't dulled your reflexes or your instincts - in fact, I'd venture to say you've gotten better."

Kimberly shrugged the compliment away despite the way it made her heart swell. "I may not have been a Ranger, but there are other dangers in the shadows in Florida. Jason helped a lot with that."

"So I gathered."

They continued to walk, neither saying a word as Tommy held the door for her, but for the first time in the month since she'd seen him again, the silence wasn't strained or accusatory. It was comfortable, companionable and reminded her of better times between them. Their eyes met and Kimberly knew he was thinking the same thing. He arched his eyebrows, as if to ask if she was as surprised as he.

She grinned. "Feeling better?"

"You could say that."

"Me too." She started down the steps from the gym, pausing at the bottom when he didn't immediately join her. She turned back, cocking her head. "Something on your mind?"

Tommy was watching her, a strange expression on his face, and one she didn't readily recognize. His steps were slow, deliberately so, as he descended to join her. He stepped close, stopping barely a hand span away as he watched her intently.

She was forced to look up into his face and her hear skipped a beat. The intensity in his gaze stole her breath and for a wild moment she thought he was going to kiss her. It wasn't that he seemed inclined to do it that made her face flush, it was the fierce, almost overpowering desire to let him. She was frozen, immobile by the heat in his gaze, and her breath escaped on a small gasp as his hand lifted, his fingers trembling slightly as he brushed the tips over her cheek bone. Her stomach roiled, coiling as it always did upon his touch, as if begging for more.

Their eyes remained locked and Kimberly saw the inner struggle he seemed to be fighting. She could clearly read his indecision and had no trouble interpreting the hesitation that was a lingering after affect of her actions. Yet, despite it, or maybe because of it, he seemed inclined to overlook her previous transgressions. His fingers were gently, tender on her face as they traced the curve of her cheek, up to her ear and carefully hooked a lock of her hair behind her ear. His fingers continued, sliding down, over the curve of her jaw and she unconsciously leaned into the caress.

A flare of something in his eyes - possession, desire, and something she couldn't understand - stole whatever resistance she might have had left to his touch. She cried out in soft denial when his fingers suddenly dropped away from her face - yet he didn't step back, didn't break the intimate discussion their eyes seemed to be having. Kimberly found herself wondering what he was reading in hers if she was able to read so much in his.

"What is it about you, Kim?" His voice was soft, almost a whisper that did nothing to break the spell between them. "What is it about you that draws me like no one else?"

She had no answer, in fact wouldn't have dared voice one if she did, for fear of shattering the moment. The longing in his voice struck a chord in her that brought her hand up of its own accord. It hovered, just shy of his chin, as if silently seeking permission. His eyes gave it when his voice did not, and the tips of her fingers lightly came to rest on the curve of his jaw. The touch of him was exactly as she remembered and her fingers began a quest of their own, tracing his face as he'd done to hers, but backwards. The soft touch did little to ease the ache inside her, the fierce need for a more substantial caress, but she didn't dare more. Couldn't. Not when she feared his rejection almost as much as his acceptance.

Tommy was still her weakness and tonight proved that like nothing else could.

Her fingers brushed over the curve of his jaw, barely touching the sensitive spot just beneath it, and she saw him swallow convulsively, his eyes closing against the surge of emotion that sprang to their depths. The spell on her seemed to snap as his eyelids dropped and she came back to her senses with a rush.

They were standing at the base of the well lit steps just outside the main gym in full view of anyone who walked by. She was flirting with danger and hadn't thought twice about it.

Somehow she found the strength to pull her hand away and take a small step back, but she couldn't bring herself to completely lose the intimacy they shared. It had been too long since Tommy and she had simply been for her to stand losing it now.

His head bowed and his hands clenched at his sides as she watched him struggle with some kind of inner demon. Yet - he didn't step away.

Kimberly glanced about nervously, wondering if she'd be caught this time, yet she kept being drawn back to the slightly pained expression on Tommy's face. He hadn't yet opened his eyes and the sight tore through her with sudden, swift agony. She never could stand to see him hurt.

Acting without thinking and simply wanting to ease his pain - to share his burden - she stepped close once more. Decisively, deliberately, she took an extra half step and slid her arms around his waist, pressing close as she placed her head on his chest and squeezed.

His arms were around her in an instant, his entire posture relaxing into her embrace as his cheek came to rest on the top of her head.

Kimberly closed her eyes, fighting against a tightness in her throat and the renewed nervous jump in the pit of her stomach as she clung to him. The feeling of homecoming, of rightness in his embrace had never ceased to amaze her, but this time, it was almost mind-boggling. No matter what had passed between them, no matter the figurative distance, her heart found solace in the protective circle of his arms.

Tommy's embrace eased first. "I should walk you home, Kim."

She laughed shakily against his chest. "I thought you said I could take care of myself."

"You can - I just want your company."

Her breath caught. Her company; he wanted her company. The thrill that ran through her system made her shiver and Tommy's arms tightened around her again despite the balmy night air. She found herself nodding against his chest.

"Alright."

Despite her acquiescence, it took several minutes for them to separate. When they finally did, there was a different kind of tension between them. Not the strained, angry vibrations from before - those had all but vanished on the night winds - but the tense, almost anticipatory kind of tension would-be lovers enjoy. They didn't touch as they walked, though Kimberly could feel every brush of his arm as it came near. She felt electrified, charged and a little terrified at the intensity of her feelings.

Tommy broke the silence after several feet, seeming loathe to let it continue. "So I never did ask how your felt getting back into the Ranger suit."

"Awesome!" Her answering smile was uninhibited and just a touch crazed as she used it as an outlet for nervous energy. "It was like... like overdosing on double chocolate shakes at Ernie's."

He laughed at her comparison. "That good, huh?"

"I never thought I'd miss it with everything else I had going, you know?" She was surprised at how true it was, never having realized what was missing until that moment."I guess I didn't realize just how much until today."

"A little addicting, isn't it?"

"Just a touch," she grinned impishly at him. "But I think I missed the teamwork more than the battles"

"Would you mind letting the guys analyze your battle with Archerina?"

"Why would I mind?" She arched her eyebrows surprised. "If you can't find fault with it, I can't see Tanya being able to. It might just help smooth things over."

"That's what I was thinking." Tommy slid his hands into his shirt pockets. "I can't believe Pan Globals are only week away."

"You mean it starts in eight days. The competition is actually several days long with different qualifying rounds."

"So?" He cocked his head at her. "Are you nervous?"

"Nah, I have my own personal cheering squad."

"Anyone I know?"

Kimberly punched him on the shoulder, an affectionate and friendly jab. "You're awful!"

"Then it's a good thing I've already got my tickets." His eyes twinkled. "And that you're already packed."

Her smile faded a touch. "Yeah."

The sparkle in his eyes slowly died and the smile on his lips dropped. "You are packed, aren't you?"

"It's not that." Kimberly looked away, towards the compound they were hastily approaching and was suddenly loathe to go in. She stopped so abruptly that Tommy over took her by an extra couple of steps before turning back to look at her quizzically. Kimberly wasn't watching him though; her eyes were on the lights, the beacons left for the gymnasts protection. Her lips twisted into a mirthless smile.

"Kim?" His tone was concerned; the Tommy she remembered and the one who wanted to slay all her demons. "What's wrong?"

She sighed, waving towards the compound. "Everything, Tommy. I'm living my dream but I'm getting more pleasure out of morphing than I am sticking a landing."

"It's the thing with your coach."

Grimacing at his astuteness, she didn't deny his observation. "He's really a great coach when it comes to gymnastics, I just don't think he realizes what he's doing to these girls. I mean, look what he did to me!"

"He turned you into a world class athlete, Kim. That's not something to be ashamed of."

"But at what cost?" She turned to face him, her expression miserable. "If he hadn't come to Angel Grove none of this mess would have happened."

"Which mess?"

"The Rangers, the Pan Globals - you and me." She looked away, unable to meet his gaze and feeling suddenly awkward. "I think out of everything that hurts the most."

"It was your choice, Kim."

"I know, but it was the wrong choice for the wrong reasons and I messed everything up because of it." The breath she took was shaky. "I lost your friendship, Tommy, and that meant - means - more to me than any dream of success."

He was silent, and she didn't dare look at him, gathering her courage as she fought to find the words for the question that had been eating at her since their reunion a month ago. Her knuckles went white on the strap of her bag as she fought against the sudden urge to run. The fear of his rejection was almost overpowering, yet somehow she managed to find her voice. Her mouth was dry when she finally pushed the words past her lips, wincing as her voice cracked.

"Do you think... Can we ever be friends again, Tommy?"

He didn't move, or react immediately, which she hoped was a point in her favor, and she chanced a glance at him through her lashes. His posture had changed and her question had dampened the tension between them, but at least his expression wasn't closed; it was simply thoughtful. Progress from their initial heated conversations - even from her surprise visit in his bedroom. That memory brought a flush to her cheeks and she ducked her head to hide it, waiting for his answer as her fingers began to cramp.

She jerked as his hand slid onto her shoulder and squeezed, her head coming up so quickly something in her neck cracked. His smile was easy, though a touch guarded. "I'd like to think so."

"Does… does that mean you'll be able to forgive me for this whole catastrophe someday?"

"Someday." He looked away, dropping his hand back to his side and sliding both into his pockets once more, as if to avoid touching her - or to resist the temptation. She hoped it was the latter since he was doing that a lot tonight. "I should get back; I promised Zordon I'd do an analysis of the fight with Archerina to look for weaknesses."

"Watching it once wasn't enough?"

"It's always a pleasure to watch you work, Kim, not a chore. Kat was good, capable as a Ranger, but you've always been better. Three years of experience under your belt and now this," he waved one hand around them. "It's helped hone your skills, something she never had the chance to in her short time with us."

"Are you going to show the footage to the gang tonight?"

"I'm thinking about it. Tanya's being stubborn about this whole mess so I'm hopeful a battle analysis of your techniques will get her thinking. Not just thinking, but maybe start to change her opinion of you."

"Good luck; she's not exactly the friendliest person towards me."

"She'll get over it eventually." Tommy finally turned to meet her gaze once more. "Adam and Rocky aren't too impressed with their mail having gone astray, but I think I got through to them so Tanya's the last obstacle to be overcome."

"Unless the Machine Empire figures out who I am in the next week." She smiled faintly, worry lines tiling her lips a little off. "Prince Gasket might remember he's seen me morph and then I'll be back to square one."

"It won't come to that. Gasket's too immersed in the battle with Sprocket over who's going to take over now that King Mondo's gone that he won't likely think about it."

"And if King Mondo somehow returned?"

"Then we'll deal with it. I won't let them endanger you like Rita did, Kim. If we have to retire the Pink Ranger for a week than we retire the powers for the week and you can reclaim them once you're back in Angel Grove."

"That's not such a bright idea. If the pink powers had been retired, Archerina would have gone after Kat and killed her without thinking twice and the rest of you would still be stuck in that other dimension." Kimberly's smile turned teasing. "What do you think it would be like spending the rest of your life with Tanya, Bulk and Skull?"

"Not nearly as bad a listening to Jason whine about Katherine and his inability to get her to see him as more than a friend."

They shared a knowing laugh and a smile.

"Well, I'm glad I could spare you that at the very least. Speaking of Kat and Jason… I happened in on a cozy scene at the hospital which makes me believe that gripe might not have much substance anymore."

"Oh?"

A knowing twinkle appeared in her eye. "Let's just say that I'm optimistic that something more will come of it. You should get going if you're going to do that fight break down with the team."

"You'll be alright?"

"I'm not going anywhere but to bed," she assured him tartly. "I'm hopeful nothing will happen in the next week, but I know it's probably wishful thinking, so I'll see you then."

"I'll be in touch Kim. Sweet dreams."

She smiled, biting her lip as he flashed a smile in return. A quick glance around and then in the flash of red light he was gone. She sighed deeply, fighting the urge to hug herself. The surreal sense of the evening didn't pass her by and she couldn't resist pinching herself. She wince as she did, rubbing her arm with a rueful smile.

It was no dream.

With a much lighter step than she'd had since sending that awful letter, she turned towards the dorm and the seclusion of her room. Tommy was thawing towards her, the Rangers weren't nearly so hostile and the Pan Globals were just over a week away. Her smile was uninhibited in its excitement; life couldn't get any better!