This chapter is a little longer then the others but I so no reason to break it up. Most of the first half of this chapter run congruently with the last one but follow Kimberly's side. This means there is a lot more freelance writing here. Thanks again to those who have been following and reviewing this story. I get excited by each and every one and that is what helps keep me going.

Kim doesn't know how far from the surface she is as her aching legs push her upwards. Her lungs are burning as they cry out for oxygen. Those few frantic seconds she was hung up during her exit are beginning to catch up with her. The cold water is having a numbing effect on her but she manages to force her extremities to work against the growing strain and swims a little faster.

Looking ahead, she watches as the white light that has to be the sky gets brighter by the second. With one final push her head cuts its way out of the water. Kim gasps and coughs as her body fights to take in as much fresh air as it can. Water rolls down her face as she looks around trying to find Bulk and Skull. The should have surfaced by now but all she can see is a land mass a hundred feet or so away.

Where's Jason? Kim turns in a circle as she treads water looking of any signs of movement. She knows he should have been right behind him and in fact being a stronger swimmer should have come up within minutes of her. She strains her ears to listens for anything but the only sound is that of the water lapping against her.

Oh God, where is he? Panic begins to set in as the seconds tick by. Her eyes scour the ocean searching desperately but as far as she can tell she is alone. Her heart sinks when she suddenly recalls how much physical effort Jason put into opening the panel. What if… She doesn't dare let herself finish the thought. No. He is fine. He has to be.

Her fears and fatigue starts to wear on her body which is dangerous given her current location. Her muscles protest as she makes them go back to work. Kim moves slowly as she swims for the shore. Just when she thinks her body is going to fail her, she feels her foot brush what has to be the bottom.

Kim's feet keep slipping as she tries to get her footing. The waves have gotten rougher the now that she is closer to land. Each one shoves her forward before trying to pull her back out to sea. She musters as much strength as she until her fingers are able to dig their way into the soft, gritty sand under the water. Clawing her way forward, Kim is finally able to push herself clear of the strong undertow and collapse on the warm beach.

The heat of the sun feels good as it begins to dry her wet skin and warm her tired body. Kim wipes the drops of water on her forehead off with the back of her hand as she lays flat on her stomach. She moans against the ache the movement causes her. Her heart is pounding in her ears as she tries to catch her breath.

You have to get up. The words sound hollow in her mind. She has no idea where she is or where any of the others are for that matter. When she finally forces her head up to look around she finds herself surrounded by a large group of armed men in tribal masks and attire.

"What are you doing?" Kim gasps as she tries to get to her feet only to have them grab her. "Stop it!" She struggles against the strong hands as they lift her.
"Let go of me! Stop it! Put me down!" Her words go unheeded as the men carrying her up the beach toward the tree line. "Help!" Kim calls out desperately hoping that one of the guys are close enough to hear her pleas.

Kim continues to struggle against the tight grip of her captors but in her weakened state only manages to tire herself even more. In the shade of the trees she can see more of these natives spreading flowers over some sort of wooden stretcher like thing. Oh God.

"No!" Kim struggles harder when the men holding her move toward it. Laying her down on the hard surface, she is quickly secured to the wood with heavy ropes. "Let me go!" She demands again as she feels the ground fall away below her. Drums begin as the group moves as one carrying her through the woods. "Where are you taking me?" Her head falls back to the flat surface under her as she lets out a frustrated sigh. Obviously they don't speak English…

With no other choice, Kim lays quietly watching the island move around her. The vibrant colors around her are rather pretty and under better circumstances this might have been a nice place to visit. Yeah, not tied up and being hauled to God knows where…

Suddenly there is a shift in the behavior of the people around her that draws her attention. The drums get faster as armed men make their way to the front. Kim raises her head to see what is going on. She looks up just in time to see Jason flip a black hood off his head.

Oh, thank God. Kim gives him a small smile as he looks with eyes full of emotions. Surprise. Concern. Relief. Fear. Love. Each one pulls at her as she stares at him ignoring everything going on around them. She wants nothing more than to be able to go and hold him close again.

Her gaze is torn away when she feels herself dropping. As her transport is set on the ground she sees her new captors all bowing fanatically. She glances up and sees that Jason seems just as confused as he too watches the scene. Before she has the chance to fully digest what is happening she sees Divatox leading the way toward a stone door in the side of the nearby mountain face. Kim feels the stretcher rise again as the group of natives fall in behind the others.

Kim looks around as she is carried through a dimly lit passageway. She tries to find Jason but he is nowhere in sight. Is it getting hotter? She struggles against her restraints trying to see where she is being taken. Ahead of her she can see a large chamber that is glowing with an orange-red light. Looking to around she is somewhat relieved when she sees Jason again. He too is examining their surrounds but doesn't seem to have noticed her until he yanked over to her side.

"Kim?" His voice is low and filled with concern as he crouches down beside her.

"I'm okay." She tries to reassure him with another small smile.

"Bulk and Skull?" He asks glancing round them.

"I don't know." She follows his eyes and watches as henchmen and native scurry about the room. "What's happening?"

Jason shakes his head in an I-don't-know response. He rises quickly to his feet and blocks Kim as a pair of Divatox's creature come toward them. A quick tug of the chain and he is pulled aside as they go to work shackling her as well before lifting her to her feet.

"Jason?" Kim's voice is filled with apprehension they are both forced closer to a large hole in the center of the room.

"It's gonna be okay." He tells her as someone removes the cloak from his shoulders. They are pushed together back to back. A rope is thread through their shackles and tied firmly around the. Jason looks back over his shoulder. "The Rangers are coming."

"Soon, I hope." She says before letting out a gasp as they are lifted off the floor. She can feel Jason struggle behind her as they are swung over deep pit full of molting lava. "Jason, in case.."

"They're coming, Kim."

The determination in his voice is reassuring but her doubts linger in the back of her mind. "I know but I have to say this." Kim turns her head wishing she could see his face but can only see his shoulder and raised arm. "I'm sorry. You came all the way to Florida to see me. To tell me… And I…" Her heart is pounding in her chest as her words stick in her throat.

"It's okay, Kimmie." Jason voice is calm as he shifts shaking them both.

"No, it's not." Kim argues. "I know I never actually said it. It's hard to explain but I do love you, Jason. More than I've ever loved anyone. If we die here I just want you to know that. "

"I know, Kim." Jason smiles at her even though she can't see it. "We are not going to die here."

Flames shoot up from below, causing them both to jump and twist against the ropes. On one side of the room natives are jumping around and chanting the name of the creature they are to be fed to. Kim hopes Jason is right about their friends coming as she watches one of Divatox's henchmen unlock the wheel that is keeping the rope and them in the air.

Suddenly the room falls almost completely silent. Turning her head Kim smiles when she sees the brightly colored suits that announce the arrival of their closest friends. Finally!

"Hey did we miss the party?" Tommy's voice is a blessing to hear.

"Who invited you?" Divatox snarls from the other side.

"We did." Kim smiles down at the evil woman. Her head turns back to the new arrivals as she continues. "Rangers, this is Divatox. Divatox, "She grins at the other woman again, "this is your worst nightmare."

"Hah," Divatox is not about to be shown up. "Lower them into the volcano."

"No!" Kim gasps.

She and Jason begin to struggle as they feel themselves starting to descend slowly. They can see the Rangers engage their new enemy in a battle to save them. The relief they feel when the Blue Ranger is about to stop their downward motion is too short-lived as one of Divatox's larger henchmen takes over and they start moving again.

"You guys, help!" Kim calls out as they fall faster than before. She can seem them fighting harder but it is becoming clear that they are not going to make it in time. Still she calls out as Jason struggles harder at her back. "Help, you guys!"

The room and the battle being fought disappear as the bound couple drops below the top edge of the volcano pit. The heat and gases are extreme but do no harm to their flesh. They both fall silent as they are overcome with a prickling sensation that begins to spread and pushes its way into their heads locking their personalities away in the furthest reaches of their own minds.