Disclaimer: I don't own the Power Rangers, or the settings where they have taken place. They are owned by Saban. I don't wish to get sued.
Authors Note: This is a really long chapter, because I had a lot of stuff saved up from a while ago. I apologize for this not being updated in a few months.
A/N: Woo hoo! Let's get the T/K Back into action! It's gonna happen soon! I promise!
Tommy and Kimberly will be back and better than ever in the next couple of chapters!
PLEASE R/R I really enjoy feedback about what you want you like/what you want to see. Without reviews it makes it a bit hard to update! Please keep them coming! You all are amazing!
June 26, 1997
Dear Diary,
Today, Tyler and I went out to Daytona for a race, and you'll never believe who was racing her, Tommy! I went to the race with Tyler because he is a total nut when it comes to races, and I promised him a while ago that I'd go with him. Well, I was bored, drinking a bottle of water when I heard they announce a car, sponsor, and a driver named Tom Oliver. I damn near choked on my water. I figured it couldn't be him until they showed a picture on the big screen, and yup, it was Tommy Oliver. I couldn't help but smile at the chosen name… "Tom". I have never known him as Tom, and I really don't think I like it. He is and forever will be Tommy.
Anyway, he won the race and I went closer to the winner circle. I saw how happy he was and found myself looking around the crowd for Kat, but I didn't see her. I figured I wouldn't, her being in Europe and all, but who knows, stranger things have happened… like me seeing Tommy after three years.
So anyway, he was coming back, I'm guessing so he could get the hell out of there, and I called out to him, his mouth dropped open, and we ended up going out for dinner.
It was really good seeing him.
Love,
Kimberly
"Oh my god!" Kimberly exclaims as she sees a very familiar face come over the big screen.
"What?"
"That's Tommy!" She says in shock.
"Tommy!" Tyler asks, "You're Ex-Tommy?"
"Yes." She says, still shocked at the events taking place. "I don't believe it!"
"He's one of the newest racers… they say he's good."
Kimberly barely heard what he said, and suddenly she was very into the race taking place before her eyes. She found herself cheering for his number and team as they zipped around what would have been an endless track. After what seemed like minutes, which was really hours, the race ended and Tommy had won. She watched him take his victory lap, and found herself nervously walking toward the former leader. She was nervous as all hell approaching the benches close to the winners circle. She didn't know what drove her to head that direction and congratulate him, but she did… just like she did at the end of the karate match a little over two years ago.
She watches him accept his trophy and start to walk back in her direction, full of smiles, she smiles briefly at him and calls down to him, "Couldn't stay away from fast cars could you?"
She watched him freeze and glance up in her direction, his mouth opened wide and he smiled at her, "Well, you know how it is with guys and fast cars… we can't stay away from them."
He slowly walks up to where she is and they both embrace each other in an awkward hug, "How ya been Kimberly?"
"Good, how about you?"
"Good." He smiles, before looking over at the guy standing next to her.
"Tommy, this is Tyler, Tyler, Tommy."
"Nice to meet you man." Tyler says, shaking Tommy's hand.
"You too."
"So, how long are you in town for?" Kim asks him.
"Till Sunday, so only like three more days… well two full ones."
"Oh, that's cool…" she says, before silence takes toll on them, "Well, it was good seeing you Tommy, tell the guys I said hello when you see them."
"I will." He says, but as she starts to turn away he calls her back, "Hey… do you wanna go grab something to eat… or are you…"
"I'd like that." She says, nodding, before realizing Tyler's still there, "Do you wanna go too?"
Tyler smiles, shaking his head no, "I've got my car, you've got yours… we'll part ways for now. I'll see you when you get home?"
"Ok." Kim says, nodding her head, before hugging Tyler, "I'll see you later then."
"Bye Kim, and nice to meet you Tommy, good race."
"You too man, thanks."
"Bye Ty."
"Bye Kim."
"What time do you wanna do dinner?" Tommy asks.
"Um, when ever. I'm only an hour and a half away from here, so any time is fine with me."
"Well, I need to go back to the hotel and change, grab a shower and all, so do you wanna just come back with me and then we'll head from there?"
"Sure." Kim says, "What hotel?"
"Double Tree, right down the road, to the left."
"Do you want a ride?"
"My Uncle will probably want me with them… but meet me there in about twenty minutes ok?"
"Sure thing." Kim says, as she heads out with Tyler to her car.
"So, That's Tommy?" He says, waiting at the door way for her.
"That's Tommy." Kim nods, looking at him, "I'm gonna grab a bite with him and then head home, are you sure you don't wanna stay?"
"Nah, that's alright." He smiles, "You guys have a lot of catching up to do."
"Alright, I'll see you later then."
"Bye hun." He says, as he walks her to her car. They head in different directions.
Kimberly waits at the double tree for a little under twenty minutes. She laughs a bit as she sees them pull up. He steps out of the car and she smiles, "So, not running late anymore?"
"With my uncle? No way. He has me on time everywhere… it sucks." Kim laughs,
"Come on up to my room, I'll be ready in about twenty minutes."
"That's fine, take your time." She says, following him into the hotel room. She waits in the room to finish his shower. She flips through the TV channels a while until he is ready to go. After twenty minutes he comes out in a red collared shirt and black shorts.
Kim laughs, "What? No white or green?"
Tommy grins, "No, and I don't see you wearing pink."
Kim looks at her white sleeveless v-neck shirt and aqua shorts and says, "Touché."
"Where do you wanna go?"
"Oh, I don't care, anywhere."
"You're the one who lives out here."
"I live an hour and a half away… but I'm sure if we go down the main strip we'll find somewhere nice."
"Sounds good."
They hop into Kim's car and head down the road to the center of town. They find a nice restaurant with outdoor seating on the patio. They sit down and order quickly. They talk about college life and how their friends are, and then Tommy asks, "So, how's your boyfriend?"
"Actually, Matt and I broke up, a long time ago." She says, sensing he was asking about the one she broke up with him for.
"Oh, and you and Tyler?"
"We broke up two months ago, but stayed good friends."
"That's great."
"How's Kat doing?"
"She's doing great. Loving England."
"Are you two still…"
He laughs a bit, "No. Not for about a year."
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"It's alright. We just realized that we weren't heading in the same direction with our relationship, but we still talk."
"That's good, you are too good of friends to stop."
"I learned my lesson." He says, taking a sip of his drink.
Kim smiles and nods, "So, how's college?"
"It's going really well… when I'm not practicing." He laughs, "I love paleontology. It's really interesting."
"What do you want to do with your degree?"
"I don't know, get my doctorate and probably teach high school."
"That suits you."
"What about you?"
"Elementary Education when I'm not at the complex. I love it. I am getting my minor in Physical Education. I can't believe one year has gone by so quickly."
"I know. Pretty soon we'll be done."
"Yeah."
"So you want to coach?" Tommy questions, "After you're done with gymnastics?"
"I was thinking about it. I really do think it will be nice to have that option. I know I don't want to do it as my life, but it could be fun as a part time career."
"That would be cool. Rocky, Adam, Jason, and I were thinking about opening up a gym after we get the money and finish up our degrees."
"That would be cool." She smiles, "What would you call it? Secret Ninja Studios?" She giggles.
"That's not bad." He grins, "I'll have to run that by them. Only one problem with that Kim."
"What's that?"
"Jason was never a ninja." He laughs.
"No, but I'm sure you can help him find his spirit animal." She grins. "Let's see, he was the gold ranger… we could always use the Eagle."
Tommy smiles, "Falcons still cooler."
"Not as good as the Crane buddy." She says.
"That has to be your coolest Zord, but the falcon is the coolest zord of ALL."
"Remember, I was a flyer all my life, you were a land and water to begin."
"I'm well rounded." He says, as they laugh a bit.
"So, everyone's well?" Kim asks.
"Yeah, everyone's great Kimberly."
"Good."
Dinner went surprisingly well for the two of them. Then it was time for them to part ways.
"Are you ok to drive all the way home?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." Kim smiles.
"Do you wanna stay, I have another bed."
"It's only an hour and a half away, I'll be home by 11:00, plus I have to be at the gym by 6:00 tomorrow morning. I have a competition on Saturday that I really need to practice."
"Where is it?"
"At the University of Miami."
"Do you mind if I go? I haven't seen you compete in ages."
"Sure, come on down. I'll give you directions, do you have a pen?"
"Yeah." He says, fishing around for one in his car. She writes the directions down and puts at the top 9:00 SHARP, he looks at it and says, "It starts at ten doesn't it?"
She laughs, "I know you too well."
"I'll be there, 9:30 ok?"
"Sounds good, but hey, if you can't make it, it's ok. Really."
"I said I'll be there, and I'm gonna be there Kimberly."
"Alright, well, I'll see you Saturday then."
"See ya then." He says, smiling. They then share a quick hug, before heading back to their respectable places.
Kim bit her lip and lost herself in her thoughts the entire way home. She was still shocked to see Tommy, and hurt. They had talked like old friends, which thrilled her, and she was hoping to keep the friendship relations going on. He was coming to her competition….
She has a lot to think about now. She was emotionally exhausted, and just wanted to go to sleep. It was a long day. She pulls up to the dormitories and walks in, saying hello to the resident advisor on duty at the front desk. She heads up to the third floor, finding Renee still awake.
"Hey."
"Hey." Renee smiles, knowingly.
"You know don't you."
"Yeah." She laughs, "I ran into Tyler."
"Figures."
"So? How was it?"
"Great... and weird all at the same time. I was stressing out, but not wanting to leave. He's gonna come Saturday to my competition."
"Awesome!"
"Yeah." Kim smiles, "It will be nice having someone from home there cheering me… us on."
"Nice cover up Kim. I'm glad you saw him."
"Me too surprisingly." She says.
Saturday morning, Kim pulled on her pink and black leotard, and her black shorts with a pink racing stripe down each side. Renee comes into her room, "Kim, I need you to do my hair please."
"You got it." Kim says, as Renee smiles at her outfit. "What?"
"You choosing pink again?"
"I never stopped."
"No, but it did stop becoming a normal occurrence."
"I figured I'd pull this one out…"
"You just got it." Renee laughs.
"You are SO not helping." Kim smiles, "And I got it months ago."
"This is true, but you are choosing today to wear it."
"So? I was planning on it…"
"Still."
"Oh shut up." She laughs.
"Come on Kim, do my hair, and I'll do yours next."
"Sit." She says.
By 8:30, the girls are in the gym stretching. Coach Schmidt was there talking to them as they stretch, "Kimberly, I want you on the bars for ten minutes, working on your dismount. Yesterday I was a bit disappointed at it."
"Yeah, me too." Kim says, "No problem coach."
"And Renee, your vault, ten minutes"
"You got it coach."
"Any more for me coach?" Kim asks.
"Me too?"
"Run through your tumbling passages on the floor, but you both can go through that at the same time. Then we'll see how much time we have."
"Right." The girls say.
At 9:15, Tommy comes to the gym and grabs a seat. He watches Kim and Renee warm up on the floor and smiles. 'I didn't think she could get any better than she was.' He thinks, 'but she proved me wrong.'
Kimberly walks over to some guy in the stands and smiles at him. Tommy later knows him to be Cooper.
"Looking good out there Kim." Coop smiles.
"Thanks… I'm a bit nervous with my bar routine… I don't know if it's up to par."
"You're fine." Cooper laughs.
"Thanks Coop."
"Any time, now get out there and kick some ass." He says, as he notices her eyes everywhere in the gym except for where he is, "Who are you looking for Kim?"
"Huh!"
Cooper laughs, "Who are you looking for? Your eyes are all over the gym. Who is in the stands, or suppose to be in there?"
"Tommy…"
"TOMMY! As in Tommy Oliver, ex boyfriend Tommy?"
Kim looks at him, "Yeah."
"Where the hell did you see him?"
"He was racing in Daytona, the one when I went with Tyler, and I caught up with him. We had dinner and he said he was coming."
"Oh?"
"It's not like that… we're just friends, and that's how it's gonna stay. Tommy and I were High School." She says, trying to make herself sound 100 sure of herself, but like every girl knows, you can never fully get over your first true love.
"Ok, well…" He says scanning the crowd looking for the guy he has only seen in pictures.
"There he is." Kim says smiling, pointing over to Tommy behind the beam three rows back. She smiles at him and waves, getting a smile and a wave back.
"Kick some ass Kim."
"You bet Cooper." She says winking at him. She heads back over to her team and waits for the competition to begin.
"Alright girls." Coach Schmidt says, smiling at them, "You girls have it in you to win this competition."
Kimberly, Renee, Lindsey, Holly and Sarah all listen closely to him speaking, "Renee, watch the beam. You are still taking a few seconds too long to dismount. Kimberly, the bars, keep your legs together. You are loosening them on your dismount. Holly, watch the boundaries on the floor… you too Sarah, and Lindsey, the vault... stick the landing."
"You got it Coach." They say, and head over to the bars first.
Kimberly and Renee look at each other. They are now the senior members, along with Lindsey on the team. "He has always been great with words." Linds says, cracking a smile.
Kim laughs, "That's for sure."
"Come on girls, let's do it." Renee says as she pushes Holly out towards the bars, "Come on Holl!"
The meet goes well, Tommy watched and cheered for the girls. He waited for Kim outside to say goodbye to her. He was leaving tomorrow, and didn't wanna do it without seeing her again.
She walks out of the complex and smiles when she sees Tommy, "Hey."
"Hey, good job in there." He smiles.
"Thanks…"
"You've gotten a ton better since I saw you compete last."
Kim smiles and blushes a bit, she would have pushed a piece of hair behind her ears if she had one free, "Thanks… it's been a while hasn't it?"
"Well, I watched you on TV during the Pan Globals with the others, but since it was in person, I'd have to say, probably you auditioning for a spot here."
Kim laughs, "Two years ago?"
"Damn near." He smiles, "Well, I have to leave tomorrow, but do you wanna grab lunch now?"
Kim looks at her watch, "Yeah, alright. I need to get changed and grab a shower quickly though, do you mind waiting in my room?"
"Of course not." He says, "I'll drive you. My car's right over here."
"Great." She says, "Thanks."
"Any time." He says, as they head to his car and go back to her place. She quickly showers and changes. Before too long they were on their way to search for a place to eat. They spend three hours together and then he drops her back off at her place.
"It was really good to see you again Tommy." Kim says, smiling.
"You too Kimberly."
"You be safe driving out there ok? And if you're ever in the area stop by."
"The same goes for you… only, practice and compete safe, and come home now and then. Everyone misses you."
"I know, and I'll be home soon. I promise."
"You better."
"Tell everyone I said hello."
"You bet, but you'll probably talk to them before I do." He laughs.
"But you'll see them in person. I miss them."
"They miss you."
Kim sighs, looking at Tommy, smiling, "It really was good seeing you."
"We covered this, but you too."
They lean in for another hug, only this one was less awkward. They break and Kim gets out of the car, "Bye Tommy."
"See you soon Kimberly." He says, and he watches her turn and go inside with a final wave. He drives off smiling, finally finding peace between the two of them.
Kimberly walks into her room and smiles at Renee, "So!" Her nosey roommate asks.
"You're nosey you know."
"I know, give me info!"
"We had lunch, we talked, everything is good… we did NOT bring up our previous relationship which was nice. It was like when we first met each other. We talked as friends. That's it."
"Are you ok with that?"
"We've been friends too long for us not to be. It was awkward at first, but we got over that. I hugged him goodbye and he left."
"Cool." Renee smiles.
"I think I'm gonna head home sometime this winter. It will be nice to see my friends."
"Sounds like a plan." Renee smiles.
June 29, 1997
Dear Diary,
This was a great few days. I saw Tommy, we went out for dinner, and pretty much picked up where we started, as friends. We are both ok with that too. I think we are both doing good with our break up, but come on, that was a year or two ago that it happened.
Anyway, for the past two days we have hung out, talking about our past and future. We talked about home and our current jobs and college life. I told him that I'd come home next, because he came down, as well as Rocky and Aisha already. I miss them anyway.
Aisha was talking about going camping in the Pocono mountains. That would be cool, especially if Kaitlyn could go to keep Rocky Company. We always go camping, so we are use to it. It's about 2 ½ hrs away from me, then I'd have to drive to the mountains. It would be worth it though.
Anyway, the phone's ringing. I gotta go.
Love,
Kimberly
"Kim. It's Jason."
"Alrighty." She says, picking up the phone, "Hello?"
"Hey Kimberly."
"Hey, whats up?"
"I hear you and Tommy saw each other!"
"Yes we did."
"How was that?"
"Great actually. It was good to see him. I hung out with him twice in three days. It was fun."
"No bloodshed?"
"I honestly think that we are both ok with it. It was years ago the breakup."
"Not quite… but go on."
"We talked like friends. I am pretty sure that we're cool."
"That's exactly what he said. I can't believe it… what are the chances."
"I know."
"Ah, hold on, call waiting…" Jason says, clicking over to the other line. Kim patiently waits, "Kim, can I call you back?"
"Yeah sure, not a problem… who is it?"
"Katherine."
"Really!"
Jason laughs, "Yes, really…"
"And what's up with you two?"
"Nothing… yet. I gotta go though, I'll catch you later."
"Right bro, love ya."
"You too. Bye Kim."
"Bye… Tell Kat I said hi."
"I will." He says, and hangs up. She places the phone in the cradle and grabs a bottle of water, relaxing with her roommate for the rest of the evening.
Over the next couple of weeks, Tommy and Kim e-mail and talk on the phone to each other, much like they do with all of her friends. Kim isn't afraid to go home anymore, and as the time drones on, She decides to go camping with the group.
"So are you going camping?" Tommy asks Kim.
"Yeah, I decided to. I mean, I asked off and the coaches gave it to me, plus I'm only a two hour plane ride away, and an hour and a half drive, so I can pick Kaitlyn up on the way and…" She says, hearing Tommy laughing on the other end, "What!"
"Nothing." He says, but continues laughing.
"What!"
"You're excited about this aren't you?"
"I'm excited to see all of you. It's been a while since we've hung together."
"Yeah it has. The last time, was when you and Jase came up for the benefit."
"Yeah, but even then we really didn't HANG out. Ya know?"
"Yeah." Tommy says, sitting back in his chair.
"It'll be nice all having a few days together."
"A week to be exact."
"Is Kat coming down?"
"Yeah, that's why we planned it for that week. She is a bit homesick, so she's been calling us and is coming for a visit."
"Yeah, the last time I talked to her, she sounded a bit down." Kimberly says.
"She's doing good though. Did you hear about her and Jason?"
"A little bit. Jason was a bit vague with it."
"He was vague with me to, but it started about six months ago when she was home and has been going on since. I don't think they consider it a steady relationship, but it's something more than just friends. He talks to her like, three or four times a week. They call each other."
"That's good… how are you with it?"
"I just want them to be happy. Kat and I were an item, but we were never serious. Anyway, Adam and Trini are now official."
"Please Tom, they have been official for around four months." Kim laughs, "Next you'll tell me Zack and Aisha are an item, which they have been for a while, or Rocky and Kaitlyn.'
Tommy laughs, "Yeah, well it's something to talk about."
"Am I that boring?"
"No, we just haven't had phone conversations in a while."
Kim laughs, "Yeah, well I have to cut this one off soon. The gym is calling."
"That's fine. I promised Jason I'd work out with him tonight."
"Alright, we'll I'll talk to you soon… and I'll see you in a couple weeks."
"You bet. Night Kimberly."
"Night Tommy." She says, and hangs up.
August 5, 1997
Dear Diary,
I just got off the phone with Kaitlyn and she and I will be meeting at the Philadelphia Airport to head up to the Pocono Mountains. It will be quite an experience. She's is visiting home now, which is in Connecticut so she'll fly down and meet me. She is really excited to see Rocky, but I can't blame her. She knows kind of where we are going since she goes to Lehigh, and they are right around the corner from each other. I have to call Aisha and get the final say on what's happening. She and Zack are official now, so it's gonna be an interesting week together. I can't wait! Tomorrow I'll be on the plane at 12:00, to Philly by 2:30 (god willing) and to the campground around 5:00 or 6:00. The others will be there setting up early. They are taking a red eye, which is fine because all of them can sleep on the plane. It's not going to bother them.
Anyway, I better call Aisha and finalize all the plans and then I have to finish packing.
Love,
Kimberly
Kimberly calls her best friend and pulls out a suitcase, finishing what she already started two days ago. She double and triple checks the items chosen, and throws in a few more shirts, shorts, pants, and a sweatshirt, just in case.
"Alright… I think I'm just about packed…" She heads to her bathroom and grabs the last items which include her toothbrush, toothpaste, a bit of makeup, not much, but some, her hairbrush and hair ties.
"You ready Kim?" Renee asks.
"Yeah, but I wish you were coming too."
"Nah, I need to get home and see my family. You are closer to your family up there then I am."
"Next time."
"You bet. Cooper is gonna drop us off at the airport tomorrow right?"
"That's what he says. I told him what time to be here, so hopefully he'll remember. I'll call him to make sure tonight."
"Sounds like a plan." Renee says, packing the last of her things.
"He's pretty dependable, but still, things come up."
"We'll just have to share a cab if he can't."
"Right." Kim laughs.
3:00 on Friday, Kimberly grabs her bags on the carousel in the Philadelphia Airport, Terminal B. She scans the room quickly to see if she can find Kaitlyn with no luck. She checks the arrival times for her flight and sees it is to arrive in twenty minutes. So they should be on their way around 3:45. She sits in the terminal and waits. Finally in about twenty minutes she sees Kaitlyn get off the plane with her carryon.
"Kate!" Kim calls.
"Hey Kimberly!" She says, hugging her when she gets over to where she was standing. "How was your flight?"
"Great, how was yours?" Kim asks.
"Fine."
"Great. Let's grab your things and go rent our car."
"Ok… Oh Rocky called me, they are there and all set up."
"Cool." She says, "I can't wait to get up there."
"Me neither." Kaitlyn smiles, as she grabs her bags, "Alright, next stop, rent-a-car… then head up to the Pocono's."
"Let's go…"
"We totally need a cute car."
"Kaitlyn, this is why you are my best friend." Kim laughs, as they head out the door and over to rent a car. They rent a cute red sports car and head up to the mountains. Kaitlyn gives her directions until the exit they need and then they rely on the directions Adam gave them.
"Ok, take the next left Kimberly… yeah." She says, reading the directions, "Adam says keep following this road till we meet see a "T" then bear right."
"Alright…" Kim says, "Then what?"
"The campground is right around the corner. We'll see the check in desk, then follow it around past the lake to the second loop, they are on sites 10 and 12, right next to each other. Pull into site 12, that's the smaller lot and they are parking their cars there. "
"Ok… um… site six…. Seven…. Eight… there they are. I see Jason!" Kimberly smiles. It was now 6:30 and they were just arriving. They beep and pull in back of the other two cars.
"Hey girls!" Rocky calls, walking over to them, "How were the flights?"
"Great! How are you?" Kaitlyn says, as he gives her a kiss and a hug.
"Better now that you are here."
"You're making me puke Rocko." Kim laughs, as he walks over to her and hugs her, kissing her on the cheek.
"Pay back Kimberly." He laughs, "Come on, I'm guessing it's you two and Aisha in one tent, and the others in the second tent. I'll help grab you're stuff."
"Thanks Rocky." Kaitlyn says.
Kim and Kaitlyn pull their things out of the trunk. Tommy comes over says hello to them, hugs them and also helps take their things over to the tent.
"Where is everyone?" Kimberly asks.
"Kat and Jason are cooking, Rocky and I stayed back, the others are off walking."
"That's fun." Kate smiles.
"Dinner's in like twenty minutes." Tommy says. They drop their stuff in the tent, and walk over to the two cooking.
"It smells good gang." Kim says, as Kat turns around quickly.
"Kim! How are you!" She asks, hugging her.
"Good Kat, how about you?"
"Good." She smiles.
Jason hugs her too, kissing her cheek, "How's it going sis."
"Pretty good bro. What about you?"
"Never better." He smiles.
"What's for dinner?"
"Pasta tonight… we didn't feel like making anything too fancy."
"That's no problem." Kaitlyn smiles, "It smells good."
"Thanks." Kat smiles, "How've you been Kaitlyn?"
"Good Katherine, you?"
"Great."
"It's about time you two got here, I think these two were getting worried." Jason says, pointing to Rocky and Tommy.
"Yeah, we were a bit late, because Kate's plane didn't come in on time, but that's alright. We made it."
"That you did."
"Aisha was so excited to see ya that they headed out for a hike until you got here." Kat smiles, "Trini, Adam, Zack, Tanya, and Billy all went."
"They should have waited for me." Kim laughs, "I so would have gone."
"We've got plenty of days for that." Kat laughs, "Unless it rains."
"What are you talking about? Kim would be out there hiking in the pouring rain if she wanted to." Jason says, "We've done it before… and she didn't even mind her hair was wet."
"Ass." Kim says, hitting him in the back."
He smiles and continues stirring the pasta.
"Kimberly!" A voice comes screaming after her.
Kim turns her head and smiles, "Hey Aisha!" She says, hugging her friend.
"How ya been girl?" Zack asks, picking her up into a hug.
"Bout time you got here." Adam smiles, hugging his friend as well.
"Well, I would have been here sooner if Kaitlyn's flight wasn't delayed like a half hour." She says.
Trini smiles, "At least you're here."
Kim hugs her, "I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Hey Tanya!"
"Hey Kim. Good to see you again." She smiles, hugs all around.
"You too." She replies, "And Billy, I'm a bit pissed off at you."
"Me! Why!"
"You leave and don't tell me, come back and go to school on the east coast and don't visit me."
He blushes, "Sorry. I'll get down there one of these days."
Kim laughs, hugging him, "I'll forgive you, this once. It's good seeing you."
"You too."
"Dinner's done if you want it." Kat says.
"Sounds good." Kim smiles.
"Dinner! This is lunch." Rocky huffs.
"Not on this side of the world." Kaitlyn laughs, "Welcome to my world."
"Your side of the world is screwed up." Rocky says, adding on, "but not as screwed up as Katherine's… I mean come on! Your toilets flush the opposite way!"
"Hey, where I come from, your toilets flush the opposite way, mine are perfectly normal." She laughs.
"You crazy Australians." He laughs, getting slapped on the back of the head by Kat.
"I'm by far more normal than you." Kat winks.
"I'll agree with that." Aisha says.
"Me too." Kim smiles, nodding.
"Thanks a lot, I love you guys too." Rocky says, rolling his eyes, with a smile on his face.
"Come on guys, let's eat." Tommy smiles.
"Wait… who made the sauce?" Kim asks, with a twinkle in her eye.
"Kat, why?" Jason asks.
"Because, the last time I had your sauce I was sick for a week."
"Hey! It wasn't my fault you can't handle a lot of spices."
"No, I could handle them, just not all mixed together. Your brother wasn't feeling too great afterwards either."
"Hey, don't worry, I learned my lesson." Jason smiles.
"Yeah, and I learned mine, never eat any of your spaghetti sauce."
"Well, I'll never eat your…"
"Hey, I'm a good cook." Kimberly says, causing Tommy to laugh, "Ok, I'm a good cook except for that ONE time I forgot about the chicken, and it was burnt to a crisp. That wasn't ENTIRELY my fault Thomas." Kim says, scowling at him.
"Really now!" Rocky says grabbing some food.
"Not like that!" Kim says, "He came over, and we were outside, and I TOLD him to remind me in twenty minutes that the food was done, well next thing I know after we were JUST TALKING the smoke alarm goes off, and we run in, smoke is pouring from the stove… and my mom and I had pizza that night."
"It smelled like burnt chicken for hours," Tommy laughs, "days even."
"Hey, it wasn't my fault…"
"Keep telling yourself that Kimberly." Tommy laughs.
"I plan on it." She smiles as she pushes Rocky out of the way to grab a small plate of food.
Aisha and Trini smile at each other. It was a lot easier and enjoyable when everyone was getting along. They had their doubts about the two vacationing together, but after hearing about their time together in Florida, figured it would be alright.
"Save some for me." Trini smiles, as Adam hands her a plate, "Thanks."
"Sure." Adam smiles, and blushes a bit as she kisses his cheek.
Kim smiles, and sits next to Aisha at the picnic table, "They are really cute together."
"Who?" Aisha asks.
"Adam and Trini."
"Yeah. He's pretty wound up with her right now. They make a really good team. He's a bit shy still around the physical aspect, especially in front of people, but she's teaching him."
Kim laughs, "I bet."
"You know what I give you kudo's for?"
"What?" Kim asks, cocking her head towards her best friend.
"Finding someone to actually put up with Rocky." She giggles.
Kim smiles, "Kaitlyn is very patient. Nah, but if you saw him the first time he saw her, you'd laugh. He was into her from day one. I didn't even exist."
"I can believe it. You never met Lourdes."
"Who?"
"This chick he went with years ago at Stone Canyon. He was head over heels in love with her. Then she broke his heart."
"Who's heart?"
Aisha looks over at Adam and smiles, "Lourdes."
"Ugh. I remember her."
"We weren't too fond of her, but he loved her… or thought he did, so we had to deal."
"It was painful." Adam says, "Kaitlyn isn't torture. I actually like her." He smiles.
"Hey, I wouldn't set Rocky up with just anyone… or you two." She laughs, "I've done good with you guys. You are generally happy."
"What about you Kim?"
"I'm happy being single right now." She laughs.
"So what happened with you and what's his name?" Tanya asks, sitting across from the former yellow and pink rangers.
"Tyler? Nothing really… well, he started talking about marriage and I froze. I didn't want to hear it. I realized that he wasn't the one I was meant to be with. I have been with enough people to know that if I freeze talking about the future it isn't a good thing, and he just wasn't the one. We are still really good friends though."
"That's good. Sometimes friend's is the way to go." Tanya smiles.
"And sometimes it isn't." Trini tells her friend, sitting next to Tanya.
"You know something Kat…" Kim calls over to the girl standing by the stove.
"What's that?"
"We are out numbered here."
Katherine laughs, "That we are… Three against two, this just isn't fair."
"Nah, we stayed strong, the yellows faltered."
"Never. Me and my fellow yellows just wanted to switch it up a bit." Aisha grins.
"Yeah ok." Kimberly says smiling as she moves down to make room for the others.
"So who's dishes tonight, did we figure that out yet?" Aisha asks.
"Kim and Kaitlyn can do it tonight, since they didn't get here early enough." Rocky smiles.
"Thanks, I love you too." Kaitlyn says to him, slapping him in the chest.
"I don't mind cleaning up." Kim shrugs.
"Neither do I." Kaitlyn says, "We'll do dishes. I mean it's not that much, just things they cooked with and forks."
"You'll just have to tell us where the sink is."
"I'll show you." Tommy shrugs.
"Cool." Kim replies.
"I'm not going anywhere around a sink if I don't have to do dishes." Rocky smiles, "You're on your own Bro."
"Leave it to Rocky to not finish the job." Jason smiles.
"Yeah, not finish the job?" He teases, "I did a better job than you did." He winks, "Two colors, not one."
"But I was number one." Jason says, "Can't beat the first."
"I agree with that." Kim says smiling at Kat, getting a nod from Trini.
Kat smiles, "Yeah, BUT I got to save your butt a few times."
"Do I wanna know?" Kaitlyn asks, as Rocky kisses her cheek.
"No." Rocky laughs.
"Just making sure." Kaitlyn replies, shaking her head.
They eat dinner and Tommy shows the girls where to wash the dishes. They take the two tubs down to the sink and dishes, "Thanks Tommy." Kim smiles.
"No problem." He says, passing her a towel, "DO you girls want a hand?"
"You actually are offering?" Kaitlyn says, smiling.
Tommy laughs, "I'm here, I may as well."
"If you want to." Kimberly says smiling.
"I'm here." He says again, grabbing soap and dumping some in.
"Alright, let's get some type system going." Kate smiles.
"I'm all for Tommy putting his hands in the extremely hot water." Kim smiles.
Tommy laughs, "Yeah thanks a lot Kimberly."
She smiles, lightly punching him in the arm playfully, "Any time."
"I'll wash, if you girls rinse and dry." Tommy says.
"Alright, sounds like a plan." Kim says, as she dumps the dishes into the hot basin. "I'll rinse, Kate you wanna dry?"
"Sure." She smiles, "I am so not scalding my hands."
"It's not that bad." Kimberly replies rinsing the plate off.
"Yeah, you're not the one who has your hands constantly in the water." He says, wincing.
"Do you wanna switch?" Kim asks.
"No, that's ok, besides I always wanted scarlet hands, besides, I thought Pink was out for you."
"Oh shut up!" She says, splashing water at him, smiling.
"Hey!" He says, laughing at her, cupping his hand with the dirty water.
"Don't even think about it!" Kimberly says as he gives her a sly grin, "Thomas James
Oliver, I swear if you do it…"
"You'll what?" He says, smiling.
"Just wait and find out." She says trying not to smile.
He smiles and continues to wash the dishes. Kaitlyn and Kimberly were engrossed in some conversation about their childhood when he grabs a cup from Kimberly's pile and splashes her, "OH!" She says, shocked at the warm water, "You are the BIGGEST JERK!" She says, pushing water over in his direction.
"Payback's a bitch." He says, winking at her dodging most of the water.
"YOU!" She says.
"Hey, you started it." He smiles.
"You did." Kaitlyn smiles.
"Hey, who's side are you on?"
"The side who didn't start it." Tommy smiles.
Kim laughs, "You deserved it… I don't know why, but you did."
They finish the dishes and head back to the camp site.
"What the hell happened to you two?" Jason asks.
"She started it." Tommy teases.
"Yeah! Well you got more water on me than I did on you!" Kim says, laughing.
"Alright kids, do we have to separate you two?" Aisha asks.
"No." They say laughing.
"How did you end up dry?" Rocky asks Kaitlyn.
"I'm not entirely sure, but I wasn't targeted this time... THANKFULLY"
"I'll get you one of these days." Kim says, "I don't want you feeling left out."
"Oh don't worry I won't." Kate smiles.
The night was chilly in the Pocono's so the guys decided to keep the fire going.
"How cold are the nights going to be?" Aisha asks.
"Normally around this time they get as cold as the upper fifties to the lower sixties. It's nicer to sleep in anyway." Kate smiles.
"I'm gonna freeze." Kim laughs.
"You and your warm weather." Kaitlyn smiles.
"You've been spoiled Kimberly." Tanya smiles, "You've forgotten what it's like to spend your nights in the fifties."
"Hey, I'm a Florida girl now." She laughs.
"You'll NEVER be a Florida girl." Jason replies, "And your valley girl slang proves it."
Kim laughs, "Come on, I'm not that bad anymore."
"No girl, not anymore, but you had a few years of it." Zack smiles, "And I wouldn't have you any other way."
"Yeah, I know, haven't seen me in ages, have to pick on me thing." Kim smiles.
"We got sick of picking on Aisha... she's been back too long." Adam says, "And Kat was the entire way down."
"Adam… you're hanging around these guys way too much." Kat laughs.
Adam shrugs, "What do you expect? I live with Rocky."
"And I'm quite jealous of that." Kaitlyn says, smiling.
"Hey, you snooze you loose. You had your chance to come to UCLA. You chose not to." Rocky says, smiling.
"Well, maybe that's going to change this next semester."
"Why?"
"Because I'm transferring to UCLA in the fall."
"This fall!"
"Yup. As soon as I get home, I'm shipping all my stuff out and I'll be moving into the dorms on August 21st."
"That's awesome!" Rocky says smiling, kissing her cheek, "I can't believe this! Why didn't you tell me! Did anyone know?"
"Besides Kim? No." She smiles.
"This is gonna be great!" Tanya smiles.
"Who you living with? Do you know yet?" Aisha asks.
"Some girl named Morgan. I'm hoping she's cool."
"Hey, if not, we'll be around." Tanya smiles.
Kim smiles, "Take care of her girls."
"We will." They smile.
Kim can't help but think that Kaitlyn will be moving into her empty space there. Kaitlyn would be seeing her best friends more than she would. She shakes the thoughts from her head, 'stop it Kimberly, nothing is going to change!"
"So, yeah, I'm looking forward to it." Kaitlyn smiles.
"Me too!" Rocky grins.
By midnight, Kimberly and Kaitlyn were exhausted, "I think I'm gonna call it a night gang." Kim says, yawning.
"It's early!" Trini says, smiling.
"Not on the east coast." Both girls reply.
"You turning in too Kaitlyn?" Rocky asks.
"Yeah. I think so. I'll catch you all later!"
"Yeah, night guys." Kim smiles.
Rocky stands up and walks the girls over to their tents, "Night ladies."
"Night Rocko." Kim says, as she goes into the tent. She hears Kaitlyn and Rocky talking a bit, and then silence. She smiles, she was truly happy that Kate and Rocky were together. She couldn't have chosen a better person for either.
Kaitlyn comes in and changes, "It is so good seeing everyone."
"Yeah, I know what you mean."
"How are you?"
"With what?"
"Seeing everyone again. I feel like I see them more than you do." She says, "Are you ok with that?"
"I am. I'm so happy that you and Rocky worked out." Kim smiles, "You're one of my best friends."
"You're mine too." Kaitlyn says, "I can't wait for next semester."
"Me neither. I'll have to visit you guys more. Now I won't have to split up my time between you, my family, and the gang, now it will only be my family, and the gang." Kim laughs, "I'm crashing though. Night."
"Night."
The next morning, Kimberly was the first one up. It was 7:00 am, and she was still on her gym schedule, but she was wide awake because this was sleeping in for her. She looks around the tent and sees Aisha and Kaitlyn still asleep. She didn't even remember Aisha coming to bed. She grabs her clothes and pulls on her black stretch pants, a white tank top and a pink hoodie. She searches through her duffel bag for her socks and shoes, finding them quickly, and ties them. She unzips the tent quietly and stands up stretching. She heads to the bathroom with her toiletry bag in toe and brushes her teeth, and ties her hair up into a ponytail and lightly does her makeup. She knows she's camping, but still, she can't stand going without some type of makeup. It was a beautiful morning as the sun was rising nicely. The skies were bright blue through the trees, and she decides to head out for a run after she puts her things back in the tent. She stretches and takes off down the loop. On her third time around she sees Tommy by the fire. It was around 30 minutes after she left. She stops running and walks up the short path towards him.
"Morning Kimberly."
"Morning Tommy." She says smiling back at him, "Just you up?"
"No, Rocky's up too. He's grabbing a shower. What are you up to?"
"I woke up about an hour ago, so I went for a run."
"I'll go with you next time." Tommy says.
"Alright, if you are awake." She winks.
"I'll be awake. Don't worry."
"You never were much of a morning person."
"Look who's talking." He teases.
"Hey, I've adapted to a morning person in the past two years. Ya kind of have to be."
"I bet." Tommy smiles. "How's it going down there?"
"I've been busy. We have had competitions a lot, but its fun."
"That's all that matters." Tommy smiles.
"Yeah. I saw my dad about three weeks ago."
"How is he?"
"Doing well. There has been talk about him moving to Maryland for his job, but who knows."
"How's Mackenzie?"
"She's good. She is really getting big. Larissa's got her in gymnastics, well, tot class. Basically she runs around and plays."
"Taking after her sister eh?"
Kim laughs, "Yeah, I guess so, only she's getting an earlier jump on it then I did."
"You were what, six?"
"Yeah… that was around thirteen years ago."
"Well, you were able to stick with it, which is good. Go all the way."
"No, all the way are the Olympics."
"You ever think about it?"
"All gymnasts do, but I don't think I'm going for it. I like gymnastics, but Pan Globals is probably all I can handle now, especially with college."
"At least you're prioritizing."
Kim laughs, "I'm trying. I have a lot to do with education. I mean, I have been working on my tests to get certified. I got three of them down, I have three to go."
"That's not bad."
"No, it's not. What about you?"
"I'm gonna end up teaching I think. I'm gonna get my doctorate and teach paleontology… at least, that's what I'm going to do this week."
Kim laughs, "You've wanted to do that for a while now."
"Yeah, now all I have to do is finish it."
"We only have two more years."
"I have four." He grins.
"You've always tried to out do me." She winks. "How are your parents doing?"
"Great. Oh, and speaking of family, I have a brother now."
"What!" Kim asks, "Your mom!"
"No, not my mom. My actual mother." Tommy says, getting a confused look from Kimberly, "I told you that I was adopted, remember?"
"Yeah."
"Well my biological mother had a son, and he's the oldest. It's him and me."
"What's his name?"
"David… Trueheart."
"Good last part of the name." Kimberly smiles.
"He spells it correctly." He winks at her.
"Hey, I like my spelling, it's unique and it isn't the part of the body that can kill you."
Tommy laughs, "Yeah, Ok. That makes almost as much sense as Rocky's comments."
"That hurts." She smiles.
"You know I'm kidding."
"Me too. " She nods.
Kimberly sits in the chair by the fire and pokes at it with a stick.
"Morning." Rocky says, coming up to the pair sitting by the fire.
"Hey Rocko." Kim smiles.
"The others aren't up yet?"
"No, and I don't expect them to be for a while." Tommy says.
"What time did you guys crash?"
"Around two." Rocky replies.
"Jeeze." Kim says.
"We're still on California time." Rocky smiles.
"Not for long." Kim grins.
"I figured by this time tomorrow, we'll all be set in the Eastern Coast ways."
"Yeah, you will."
"So, what's for breakfast?" Rocky asks.
"How about we wait for the others to get up first." Tommy replies.
"Because, the only people who MAY be up in the next thirty minutes are Kaitlyn, Jason, Aisha, and POSSIBLY Trini. The others will sleep until the sun wakes them up."
"Well then, let's just do bagels and cream cheese today." Kim suggests, "I'm hungry too."
"That's my girl!" Rocky smiles.
"Hey, I'm usually up by five… I slept in today, and I'm hungry." Kim laughs.
"Alright, let's get out the bagels and cream cheese." Tommy says, "We're gonna need more ice today."
"I'll go get some later." Rocky says, "I'll drag Kaitlyn for a ride with me."
"So we'll see you guys in about three hours after?"
"Probably." Rocky smiles.
"In that case, I'll pick it up myself." Tommy smiles.
"So, what are we doing today?" Kim asks.
"I'm going swimming SOMETIME today." Rocky says.
"I'll go too." Kim smiles.
"We all probably will end up going. Then I wanna go hiking on the trail with all the waterfalls." Tommy says.
"More swimming, AWESOME!" Rocky grins.
"Easy Rocky." Kim grins. "I'm gonna go grab my sunglasses. I'll be back."
"Ok." Rocky says. He gets out the bagels and calls to Kim, "What kind of bagel do you want? Toasted or not?" Realizing she didn't hear him.
Tommy looks over his shoulder, "Plain, toasted, a little bit of cream cheese for her."
"I couldn't remember." Rocky says.
Tommy shrugs, "It's been a while since we've all been together."
Rocky nods, "It's nice being a group again isn't it?"
Tommy smiles, "Yeah it is."
By the time the bagels were toasted, Kim was back with her sunglasses perched on top of her head. She smiles at Rocky, "Not too much cream cheese ok?"
"Tommy made it." Rocky says, handing her the bagel.
She looks at it, "Perfect, thank you boys."
"Any time." They reply.
"Alright, so Kaitlyn's grandfather lives in Cape May New Jersey." Rocky begins, "What do you say we stay a few more days and hit the beach? We can transfer our tickets no problem."
Kim shrugs, "I was going to go and visit my dad for a few days, but I could make the change… but I have to check with practice."
"Ok, well if you have to practice, we'll all head down to Florida with you. How about that?"
Kim laughs, "Ok."
"So it's settled… at least with us."
"Did you check with her grandfather?" Tommy asks.
"He loves me, and I asked him a while ago. He says, 'when ever you want, your house is my house. Bring your friends!' So I automatically took that as a go ahead."
"I'd check with Kate about that." Kim says, smiling.
"I will, but she'll go for it." Rocky says, "She's more of a beach person anyway."
"This is true." Kimberly says shrugging her shoulders.
"She doesn't like camping?" Tommy asks.
"No, she likes it, but she LOVES the beach." Kimberly responds.
"Ah." Tommy says, looking over towards the second campsite they have. He sees Kaitlyn coming out and over to them, "Kaitlyn's up."
Rocky turns towards her, "She looks like death."
Kim looks back over her shoulder, "He Kaitlyn."
"Hey." She says, "You didn't by any chance bring any Excedrin did you?"
Kim nods, "I did. You need some?"
"Yeah." She says, as Rocky kisses her cheek.
"What's wrong?" He asks.
"I have a bad migraine, and I forgot to bring up my pills." She groans closing her eyes.
"You think you'd learn." Kimberly says smiling, as she stands up and heads over to the kitchen supplies, that also holds a first aid kit. Kimberly will choose Excedrin over any medicine, and always has it around. She searches through her kit and pulls out the bottle, taking out two and presenting them to Kate with a bottle of water.
"Thanks."
"Any time." She smiles.
"Do you want anything to eat?" Rocky asks.
"No…" Kaitlyn says, keeping her eyes closed, "If I do, it'll come right back up."
Kim agrees, "I know first hand." She giggles.
"That day was SO not funny Kimberly Ann."
"No, it was totally disgusting, and you still didn't learn."
"What happened?" Tommy asks.
"Well, Kaitlyn here, has had migraines since we were what, eight? When we were around sixteen and I went home to visit my mom's family in Connecticut and saw her we ended up going to a carnival. She decided to ride this ride that spins you like crazy after she told me she had a headache. I'm not too fond of those rides, but I will ride them." Kim continues, "She ends up getting off the ride and throwing up all OVER our friend Kelsey. It was so disgusting. Since then she vowed never to leave home without her medicine… until you go camping right Katie?"
Kaitlyn frowns at the nickname, "Until now Kimmy."
"I don't think you've ever gotten a migraine around me." Rocky says.
"That's a shock." Tommy says, "Because I always get them around ONLY you."
"Funny Tom." Rocky says, punching him in the arm.
"I have gotten them around you, but I can usually catch them before they get this bad." Kaitlyn replies, as Rocky stands her up and sits beneath her, pulling her down on his lap.
"So what can I do?"
"Give me an hour or so and I'll be fine." Kaitlyn says, sighing, leaning back against him.
"Why don't you go back to the tent and lay down?" Kimberly suggests.
"I don't wanna disturb Aisha." Kaitlyn shrugs.
"That girl can sleep through anything." Rocky shrugs.
"I don't know…"
"Come on, I'll walk ya back." Rocky says, smiling.
"Sleep for a while and then come out and have some fun." Kim smiles.
"I think I'm gonna take you up on that." Kaitlyn says, before standing up, with Rocky on her heals.
"So they won't be back for a while." Tommy smiles.
"Probably not. They make a really cute couple."
Tommy smiles, "You did good Kim."
"Why thank you." She smiles brightly. "I think I am gonna go kayaking later on today."
"That sounds fun. I haven't been in a while."
"You can come too." Kim smiles, "We all can go."
Tommy smiles and nods.
For the next two days, everything went smooth, until swimming. Then all hell broke loose. Kimberly was sitting on the pseudo-beach, right next to the lake with the gang. There had been some tension today between Tommy and Kimberly, but nothing to big. Kimberly was talking to the girls about what happened with Matt and then Tyler. She wasn't discussing him around Tommy, but he over heard it when he was walking up to the beach.
"So Matt lasted what, a few months?" Kat asks.
"Yeah, it was like four months. Tyler was for a year, but that didn't last either."
"It happens." Kat shrugs.
"Was it worth it?" Tommy asks, standing next to the girls.
"Was what worth it?" Kim asks Tommy, not knowing how long he was standing there for.
"Matt. Was he worth it? Was he worth breaking up with me?"
"What the hell does that mean?" Kim asks getting defensive.
"Well, since you broke up for me because of Matt, I'm glad to see he was worth it. You being able to ditch me after three years for a three month fling!"
"Ditch you! I ditched you? Yeah, ok Tommy. The ONLY thing I did was end it before you did! I didn't start it!"
"Oh, so explain it to me Kimberly, how did you not start it?" He says, as he watches Kim stand up.
"How did I not start it! Let's see, was it all my phone calls to you that got unanswered? Was it all my letters that got unanswered. Was it that every time I did call your house, you were out!"
"You KNOW why I was out."
"I can understand SOMETIMES Tommy, but not five times a day, and not always with the guys, because your parents told me exactly who you were out with all those nights."
"Kim, Tommy…" Kaitlyn says, taking Kim's hand. Kim pulls it away and stares stone cold into his eyes.
"You didn't tell me that Billy left! You didn't tell me that Aisha was leaving! You didn't have time for me!"
"I did to!"
"The last time I called you, before I sent that letter, do you know how long it was until that letter came?"
"What a week?"
"Try around two months. I didn't talk to you for two months! You told me that you would call me after the battle and you didn't! You were too busy with Kat!"
Kat looks up from her spot, and stares wide eyed.
"I was not! I didn't start dating her until we broke up!"
"I find that hard to believe! Infact I don't believe that at all."
"Unlike YOU…"
"I didn't date Matt until after!"
"YOU SENT THE LETTER TO THE YOUTH CENTER!" He says raising his voice, his blood boiling. "I didn't even read it first! Adam did! HE read it to all of us!"
"You DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TIME TO READ MY LETTERS! I read all of yours! I called you! I called you back when I said I would. I called and wrote and called and called, and I got nothing in return, NOTHING!" Tommy thinks about what she was saying. "And you know what, I have nothing more to say to you. This was two fucking years ago, and I'm not worrying myself over it anymore. Maybe I shouldn't have come, but I thought you and I were ok. Boy was I wrong." She says, turning on her heals, hearing him call back to her,
"Ya know what? I was wrong too, to think that a self centered girl like you could ever hold a serious relationship."
She stopped and turned around, shooting him a glance, before quickly walks back to their campsite, wiping angry tears away. The group stands there amazed at what had just happened.
"Ok… what the HELL was that about!" Aisha asks Tommy, "She wasn't even talking to you! She was talking to US! You just butt into the conversation and totally screwed everything up!"
"Just shut the hell up Aisha." He says, fuming.
"Don't you talk to her like that." Zack says, frowning at their former leader, "She's not the one who blew up at Kim for nothing."
"It wasn't for nothing!"
"You guys were doing so well. No fighting…" Trini begins before getting cut off.
"Just drop it." Tommy says, turning away from them, "I'll be back." He calls, as he heads in the opposite direction of Kimberly.
When he was out of ear range, Rocky looks at the group and shrugs, "Well, that's over."
"It was bound to happen." Jason says, "I knew they could only last so long before the letter came up."
"I don't blame him for being angry." Kat shrugs.
"I don't blame her for dating others while they broke up. He really didn't keep in touch… none of us did." Adam says. "It's hard."
"I think he took their relationship for granted… not on purpose, but still." Billy says, shrugging his shoulders.
Tanya nods, "He I guess always thought it would be there."
Trini looks at the guys, "I'm gonna go see if she's ok."
"Trini, you don't even know where she is." Adam says.
"Yes I do."
"She won't talk to you." Rocky says.
"I'm not asking for her to talk right away, but she will."
"Well, I'm going back too." Zack says. The others gather their things and start to head back to the campsite.
August 8, 1997
Dear Diary,
The others are just getting back from swimming and we have been here for two days so far. Everything yesterday went WONDERFULLY! Tommy and I were getting along, I was having a blast seeing all my friends, and then something happened. Tommy and I got into our first HUGE fight. We have never been in a fight before, not even during the breakup. Everything came out. I don't know what happened… and I'm repeating myself constantly in this entry. I know I'm gonna look back at this and laugh… but not right now.
Anyway, we were all swimming and having a great time, and then he brought up the letter. I got defensive, he got mad, and we started screaming at each other. Jason came over and tried to stop us, but everything came out. I stormed out and came back here. It's funny, I almost didn't pack 'you' but I'm glad I did. I need to just vent.
He started it though! I mean, I didn't ask for him to bring up the letter infront of EVERYONE! No one knows the whole truth about how scared I was, and it wasn't my fault! I was confused. How the hell could I have known that he still loved me before I dumped him! He was with Kat I though…
Shit, I hear their voices, I'm gonna go. I know I won't be alone for much longer…
Love,
Kimberly
Kimberly was right, because after she puts away the diary and lies down on her bed, the zipper opens and Trini comes through. She lies on her back, looking up at the top of the tent next to Kimberly. Trini doesn't say a word. She knows that if she does, Kimberly would get pissed off, instead, she waits for Kim to start talking, which didn't turn out to take that long.
"Why did he bring it up Trini?"
"I don't know." She answers honestly, "It was bound to surface sometime, but he choose a shitty time to surface it. There was no reason for him to do that."
"He deserves to hear the truth." Kimberly sighs, "I just don't understand why he is doing this now! We saw each other a few months ago, and we talk a ton on the phone. Why couldn't he choose one of those times to flip out on me. Why did he have to be there when I was talking about my Ex's."
"We always do that… it's girl talk."
"I know, but still."
"I am not the one you should be talking to." Trini says.
"I know…" Kim replies, "But I can't face him just yet. I'm too mad."
"Understandable." Trini shrugs, "Just don't waste too much time not talking."
"I won't." She sighs, before going silent again.
"What truth?" Trini asks her friend after a bit of silence.
"Huh?"
"What truth? You said that he deserves to know the truth."
"Oh. That I thought he was dating Kat, that I was too worried about him being all the way out in California with her while I was in Florida."
"They are all understandable fears though."
"I know Trin, but it's just so hard. I mean, she was there… she was beautiful… and she really liked him."
"But that doesn't mean that he wanted her. What made you think he did."
"The fact that every time I called him she answered, or his parents told me that they were out, or that he was out with 'Kat…. And the gang'. I just couldn't take it anymore. Wouldn't you think the same thing? I mean, he never called me back, and letters became fewer and fewer. What was I suppose to think Trin? I didn't want to hold him back. I figured he was already dating Kat and just trying to give me the hint by not calling. Even his parents were acting weird."
"And you never talked to him?"
"I would have IF he answered my calls. What did he expect me to do? What did he expect me to think? He NEVER Talked to me! What? Did he expect me to hang around while he stayed with Katherine? I didn't know what was going on Trini. What did he expect me to do!"
"I don't know Kimberly…"
"Well neither do I." Kim says, before starting again, "How would you feel? What would you think? Was I stupid for feeling that way?"
"No. I'd probably think the same thing if Adam never called me back. I can't blame you Kimberly. I don 't think anyone would."
Trini and Kim lie in the tent for an hour, enjoying each others company before heading back outside.
"Has Tommy come back?" Trini asks looking around the campfire.
"Not yet." Adam says, as his girlfriend takes a seat next to her.
"How's Kimberly?"
"She'll be alright. I really do agree with her that Tommy chose a shitty time to bring that up."
"We all agree with that Trin, but it was going to occur at one time or another." Jason says, poking at the fire.
"I know."
"I didn't think that she thought Tommy and I were dating." Kat responds, shrugging her shoulders. "I would NEVER do that to her."
"Tommy didn't make it any easier on her. He did stop calling." Rocky says.
"We can sit here and contemplate this the entire week if we choose to do so, but this is something that Tom and Kim have to work out. No one else can figure it out except for them." Billy responds.
"He's right." Kaitlyn shrugs, "And they will."
"I don't know Kate, they are both pretty stubborn." Rocky replies shrugging.
"They will." Aisha smiles, before disappearing to the tent holding her best friend. In fifteen minutes, she manages to get Kimberly out of the tent and hanging with the group by the fire. She stayed put, smiling and laughing for an hour when an un-settling silence overcomes the group. Tommy had come back and Kim stopped talking in mid-sentence, watching him. He comes over to her and says, "We need to talk."
"I have nothing to say to you." She replies.
"We need to talk now Kimberly."
"No. There is nothing more to talk about." She says, standing up, "I'll be back you guys. I'm gonna go for a walk."
"I'll go with you." Tanya suggests.
"No, it's fine. You stay here, but thank you. I'll be back in a bit."
Kimberly quickly makes her way down the circle and out in the direction of the lake. She didn't want anyone following her, and she had succeeded for the time being.
"You aren't gonna go after her?" Zack asks.
"To hell with her." Tommy growls, "I haven't been with her in two years. I thought we could be friends, but obviously we can't be."
"Why not! She didn't start this, YOU did." Aisha responds.
"It doesn't matter, I deserve to know."
"Do you still have feelings for her?" Jason asks, "I mean, we always remember our fist loves. Mine was Emily, sorry Kat, but it's the truth, she sticks in my mind, no matter how much I love Katherine."
Kat smiles and nods, "I had Dave."
Aisha looks at Zack, "And Zack had Angela."
"Ah Angela." Zack says, letting his mind wonder before feeling a punch from Aisha, "But then I met Aisha and the world became a better place for me. I love ya babe."
"Uh huh." Aisha says, laughing.
"I'm over her. I have been for around two years. When she dumped me I got over her. I still deserve to know." HE says, and with that he stands up and heads towards the direction she was going.
He looks around and finds her sitting on a rock pile by the lake. He walks up to her and says, "We need to talk Kimberly."
Kim looks up at him, "I can't talk to you, without us yelling at each other."
"Explain to me what the hell the letter was about?"
"What it was about! It's exactly what I told you it was! I met someone else. Matt, he and I hit it off, he was there! He returned my phone calls! He…"
"You KNOW what the hell I was doing Kimberly! I was saving the world! Remember, your priorities BEFORE you left! The ones you gave up to pursue your dream!"
"YOU TOLD ME TO! I wasn't going to go but YOU told me to go. You said that EVERYTHING would be fine, but it wasn't fine. You were my best friend and now we can't even get through a sentence without fighting! God Tommy!"
"You know how important we were! THE WORLD DEPENDED ON US!" He says.
"And I understood that, but it didn't depend on you six times a day! It didn't depend on you so much that you didn't have time to call me once a week Tommy, JUST ONCES A WEEK! I wasn't asking for every day! I called you EVERY day for two months, and you got back to me MAYBE three times. I wrote you letters and then I stopped getting response. What about e-mail! I e-mailed you a few times, and don't even say that you didn't know the address was mine because it was pnkcrane78. Who the hell else would put pink and crane together along with my FUCKING BIRTHDATE!"
"I WAS BUSY KIM!"
"Which is why I wrote you the letter!"
"How the hell did you think I felt when you dumped me IN A LETTER!"
"How the hell do you think I felt when every time I called, I talked to your mother and she told me you were out with Kat! What was I suppose to think huh? What Tommy? That you and her were just hanging out? SHE LIKED YOU TOMMY! You know she did! She was ALL OVER YOU!"
"She was under a spell!"
"I just wish you had the decency to call me and tell me that you and her were an item!"
"WE WEREN'T AN ITEM TILL AFTER YOU DUMPED ME! Jesus Kimberly, how many times do I have to tell you!"
"It doesn't matter! What mattered is that you NEVER CALLED! You NEVER WROTE! You were ALWAYS OUT! You left me."
"Dammit! I didn't! "
"YOU DID!"
"I loved you Kimberly! I…"
"Didn't have time. I know. You were too busy chasing monsters while I was chasing my dream." She says with venom dripping from her lips, "But, throughout my practicing and classes, I always managed to call you. I waited up late for you to call, and it never came. It NEVER CAME! You were always with Kat or the guys!"
"When I DID call you weren't in the room! I did call Kimberly, but you were probably at that gym! It's not my fault that after a while I got sick of talking to your machine and not you! This wasn't ONLY my fault Kimberly! I wasn't going to dump you! I didn't do it so cold heartedly as a fucking LETTER! He says as they continue to scream at each other within arms reach. "A LETTER KIMBERLY!"
"I KNOW! I feel AWFUL about it! Do you remember when I came home with Jason! Do you know how HARD it was to even look at you, let alone say words to you! I hated coming home Tommy! Then we see each other after two years again, and it was like my best friend was back. The THIS happens! I wouldn't have come if I had known that you and I would be fighting again!"
"Again! We NEVER fought! Well, we never fought without being under the influence of a potion! How the hell was I suppose to know that the letter was coming! I DIDN"T END US KIMBERLY! YOU DID!"
"I KNOW!" She says, "I know I did, but you didn't help! I moved to the other side of the country! Do you know how scared I was, then I realized that I still have my friends and my boyfriend back home! I LIVED for your phone calls, letters, and e-mails. Then they stopped coming! WHAT THE HELL DID YOU WANT ME TO THINK! WHAT! That everything was fine! Well news flash Tommy, EVERYTHING WASN'T FINE! It's not going to BE FINE, and I don't think your excuses are FINE either! We broke up because of you NOT CALLING ME! I LOVED YOU TOMMY!"
Tommy looks at her and in the middle of her venting he does something he didn't expect, he advances to her and takes her into his arms, kissing her deep. She was surprised at first, but did not pull away. His hands wrapped tightly around her waste as hers wrapped around his shoulders. They pull away after a few seconds and he says, "Kim, I'm sorry… I don't know wh…" he was cut short after the petite nineteen year old pulls him back into a kiss.
When they broke, they stare at each other for a few seconds, "What was that?" Tommy asks.
"I'm not sure." Kim says, not stepping away from his embrace.
"Well…"
"Tommy, we were two years ago… I was over you…"
"I know, I was over you too, but that doesn't mean that we can't get back together… does it?"
"I'm still in Florida, and you are in California. What the hell is going to be different?"
"Well, I'm not a ranger anymore… and we are both two years older. We can work through this Kimberly, we can make this work."
"I don't know…" She says, biting her lip, "I…"
"Kim, I love you… I always have loved you, and if you can tell me that you don't love me anymore, well then that's it."
"Tommy, I love you too, but I can't emotionally take another breakup. Why didn't you call after the letter came if you still loved me?"
"I just wanted you to be happy." He sighs, "If you were happy with the new guy then I was happy for you…. But I was also jealous as all hell."
"But…"
"I took our relationship for granted. God Kimberly, I didn't realize that one day you wouldn't be there. I was busy, but I didn't mean to make you feel neglected. I didn't mean anything by not calling you or writing you. I loved you. I just figured you were busy living your life down there, and you didn't need a reminder from me all the time that you were 3,000 miles away."
"I needed you Tommy. I just wanted you to call and tell me that you were still there. I can't do that again Tommy. I can't."
"It won't happen like that again… we both grew up… had serious relationships after each other. Do you love me?"
"I do… I do love you, but Tommy, we have a lot to figure out. Let's just take this one day at a time, please? We have a lot to talk about… lets just take it slow."
He kisses her again, feeling her melt into his touch, "I don't think I can." He smiles.
Kimberly smiles up at him, "I've really missed this."
August 8, 1997 10:00pm
Dear Diary,
Well, Tommy and I had more of our arguments which ended up me and him SCREAMING our heads off at one another until reality finally set in. Somehow, we ended up kissing. I don't know how it came to that, but I didn't pull away. I'm still really nervous about starting the relationship up with him again, but I love him I realized. I always have loved him. Tommy told me that just because we fell out of love doesn't mean we can't start over again, and I think that we can. Who knows what will happen, but I know that something already is. This happened for a reason… everything happened for a reason.
I love him, and we still have our differences to work out, but it should be ok this time around. The guys know that something's up, but they don't know what. I didn't tell them yet, because we still have to discuss our relationship status. I'm gonna tell him that I think I'll give it another go, as long as we start off slow and get to know each other again. I wanna make sure we aren't in love with who we were in high school. That is my biggest fear. Right now I am pretty happy at our status though.
Anyway, snack time.
Love,
Kimberly
Next chapter: More of camping, the gang finds out, and more relationship problems and successes.
Well? What didcha think? I'm going to be taking it all throughout High School, college and adulthood, snip-its of the diary through out the entire story.
Please R&R! I'd really appreciate it. It helps me to know what you all want or don't want to see in the story.
Don't forget about my other story "Are We Over!" Which will be updated very soon. I had a bad case of writers block. The chapter is ½ way done!
Thanks!
LUNA