DISCLAIMER: Nope still not mine. Wishing just ain't the same as having.
SUMMARY: Tommy, Rocky and Billy are in Florida to help with Kimberly's injuries. Aisha's back from Africa and Jason, Zack and Trini have flown in from Switzerland. Can they get their friend back on her feet? Can Tommy be a part of Kim's life once again?
A/N: I know some of you are probably wondering how Tommy and Rocky are going to be able to be away from Angel Grove for any length of time. That will be explained in this and future chapters. I'm hoping that I can keep things moving along. My beta's working as fast as she can on the proofs for the chapters but unfortunately we have to live in the real world. My ideal world would allow me to write all the time and not have to worry about bills or rent or any of that adult stuff that we all have to deal with at some point in our lives.
For the next three days, Trini, Aisha, and Ana kept Kim company while the guys started setting up a plan for Kim's rehabilitation.
"Now, Miss Hart, I hope you understand that while your physical therapy will not allow for a complete recovery, it will make your life easier and allow you some small degree of independence."
"Doctor Johansen, we plan on getting her back on her feet regardless of the difficulties. We simply won't be satisfied with limited independence," Trini said. Aisha and Ana nodded in agreement.
"We need to be realistic, ladies. Kimberly's back was seriously damaged in that fall. Not to mention the fact that she is blind and we don't know how long that state of affairs will persist."
"Doctor, if you can't be positive, don't bother us. Kim needs positive people around her in order to recover," Aisha declared, taking Kim's hand to offer support.
The doctor shrugged and left the room.
Back in Angel Grove, Kat, Adam and Tanya wondered where their three friends had gone.
They went to the Power Chamber to ask Zordon what was going on.
"Zordon, do you know where Billy, Tommy, and Rocky went?" Kat asked.
"THEY HAVE GONE TO MIAMI TO ASSIST IN KIMBERLY'S RECOVERY."
"But what about the Machine Empire?"
"PRINCE TREY OF TRIFORIA IS COMING TO ASSIST US. ALSO, I HAVE CALLED ON SOME OTHERS TO AID US AS WELL. FOR RIGHT NOW, YOUR TEAMMATES ARE NEEDED IN FLORIDA MORE THAN THEY ARE HERE."
"I'm surprised that Tommy went. Especially after that letter," Tanya said.
"TOMMY HAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS MORE TO THE LETTER THAN IT ORIGINALLY APPEARED. KIMBERLY NEEDS HIS STRENGTH NOW MORE THAN EVER. AND HE IS SHOWING MATURITY BEYOND HIS YEARS BY GOING TO HER."
"Zordon, who are these new people you plan on bringing in?" Adam asked.
"THE FIRST ONE IS A SUGGESTION FROM ROCKY. HIS NAME IS JUSTIN STEWART. HE WILL BE TEMPORARILY TAKING OVER THE MANTLE OF THE BLUE RANGER." Justin's image came up on the viewing globe.
"But, Zordon, he's just a little boy!" Kat exclaimed.
"HE MAY BE YOUNG BUT ROCKY BELIEVES THAT HE CAN FULFILL THE DUTIES OF THE BLUE RANGER ADMIRABLY." Zordon paused. "TOMMY HAS ASKED A FELLOW RED RANGER TO COVER HIS POSITION TEMPORARILY." Andros' image flashed up on the globe. "ANDROS HAS BEEN TRAINED FROM A YOUNG AGE TO BE A RANGER AND COMES FROM A LONG LINE OF RANGERS. HE IS LEAVING HIS TEAM ON KO-35 TO HELP US."
"What will happen to his team?" Adam asked.
"THEY HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS IN QUITE SOME TIME SO ANDROS DOES NOT FORESEE ANY PROBLEMS WITH IM LEAVING FOR A SHORT WHILE."
Just then, a red flash of light entered the Command Center. A young man stood in front of them with light brown hair with blonde streaks.
"I'm Andros."
Kim was alone for the first time in hours. 'I love them. But I need a little time to think.'
Tommy hadn't even been in to visit in hours. Right now, she just wanted him close. He was her anchor in this chaos.
Trini and Aisha were trying to keep her spirits up. But them trying so hard was only stressing her further. Tommy had come in each night and just sat with her in silence until she fell asleep. Then, he would go out to the waiting room in order to be close to Kim in case she needed him.
'Tommy, where are you?'
"I'm right here, Beautiful." He sat down on the bed, brushing the hair back from her face. "I was just waiting for everyone else to leave you alone for the night."
"Will you brush my hair? You know, like you used to back - - back in Angel Grove?"
Sitting her up on the bed, Tommy picked up her brush before sliding her forward so he could sit behind her. Ever so gently, he started running the brush through the satiny, caramel colored locks he had always adored.
He could almost see the smile crossing her face as he brushed. She was always so happy when he brushed her hair. He remembered the time she had fallen asleep on him in her mother's living room.
FLASHBACK
It had been a rough battle. Kim had gotten home to find her mother had gone out with some guy.
"Why don't you wait here while I go up and shower?" Kim said, blushing.
"Okay," Tommy answered. Kim walked upstairs.
She returned ten minutes later carrying her hair brush. "Would you mind brushing my hair for me?"
He took the brush and allowed her to settle herself between his legs. She leaned forward as he began running the brush through the soft caramel locks.
Within an hour, Kim had started dozing off. Tommy set the brush on the coffee table and leaned back on the couch, a smile crossing his face. His teammate lay back with her head on his chest. Both of them were asleep in moments.
Mrs. Hart woke them up around midnight, her expression disapproving. Kim was awake in an instant.
"Kimberly, go to your room," she bit out.
"Mommy, nothing happened. I swear to you nothing happened." Kim was standing between Tommy and her mother. "Mommy, you have to believe me! Nothing happened!"
"Kimberly, go to your room. Young Mr. Oliver and I need to talk."
Tommy turned her around. "Go on, Kim. I'll be okay." He leaned in and kissed her forehead.
Tommy and Mrs. Hart never got to have the talk she mentioned to her daughter. Tommy got a phone call from his parents and had to go home.
END FLASHBACK
Thinking about the night we fell asleep in my mom's living room?" she asked, her voice soft and sleepy.
"Your mom never really approved of me, did she?"
"No. But I never thought she'd stoop so low as to try to break us up."
Tommy set the brush aside. "I didn't either. At least we're together now. And I'm not leaving." When Kim tried to stifle a yawn, Tommy chuckled. "I should move so you can get some sleep."
"No. Stay." She leaned back against him and he simply wrapped his arms over her shoulders. She was asleep in no time with him following shortly after.