Disclaimer: I don't own the Power Rangers. I do own Jeff Carter, Emily Oliver, James Park, and Mary Scott.

Chapter 20 Kimberly and Kira

July 19, 2001

Kim moaned as Tommy got up. He tried to be quiet, but Kim was such a light sleeper.

"What are you doing waking up this early in the morning," Kim asked.

Tommy smiled and kissed the top of Kim's head.

"Sorry, Kim, but some of us are trying to get a PhD here," he said.

"When are you getting it anyway," she asked.

Tommy made his way to the dresser to grab his clothes for the day. Kim was still lying in bed, but slowly making her way out of it.

"If I have it my way, I'll get it in March," Tommy said.

"Good. Make sure you don't wake up Emily," Kim said.

"Alright. I'll stop by the studio after school," Tommy told her.

Kim smiled as Tommy kissed her cheek.

"Okay," she said.

After Tommy started the shower, Kim cracked the door to Emily's room to see if she was still asleep. The almost two year old still had her eyes closed. Kim smiled and slowly shut the door. The longer Emily stayed asleep, the more Kim could get done in the morning.

xxx

Tommy's head was on the desk, eyes closed. His professor walked over to him and tapped him on the shoulder.

"You alright, Mr. Oliver," Dr. Rogers asked.

Tommy slowly picked his head up.

"Oh, sorry, Dr. Rogers. My daughter was up all night," he said.

"Why don't you take the notes and head on home," he suggested.

"I'm going to take you up on that offer," Tommy laughed.

After Tommy finished the notes, he took off to the house to take a nap.

xxx

A young girl walked into Kim's studio carrying her guitar. She was wearing black boots and a yellow fishnet shirt with a black camisole, paired with jeans, hair up in pigtails. Kim walked up to the girl.

"Hey there," she smiled.

"Hi. Are you Kimberly," the girl asked.

She was very straight forward with her question.

"Yes, I am. I take it you want to register," Kim asked.

"Um, yeah," the girl said.

"Okay, follow me to my office," Kim replied.

The young girl took deep breath.

"Is your mom or dad with you," Kim asked.

"Yeah, my dad's…" the girl began.

A man then ran up to them.

"Kira, there you are" the man said out of breath.

Kim's mouth dropped to the ground.

"Uncle Steve," she gasped.

"Kimberly," he asked.

Steve took his niece in his arms.

"How come you never told me I had a cousin," Kim asked.

"Kimberly, your aunt and I adopted Kira a year ago after her parents were killed in a car accident," Steve said.

"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry," Kim apologized.

Emily came running to Kim. She wrapped her arms around her mother's leg.

"I have a great niece," Steve asked.

Kim rolled her eyes as she picked up Emily.

"You knew you did. I sent announcements," she said.

"I'm just kidding. So, where is that husband of yours," Steve asked.

"He's right here," a voice said.

They turned to find Tommy behind them.

"Tommy, you remember my Uncle Steve," Kim said.

"Oh, yeah. How are you," he asked.

The two shook hands.

"I'm doing quite well, Tommy," Steve said.

"Tommy, this is Kira. Uncle Steve and Aunt Claire adopted her a year ago," Kim told him.

"Oh cool, it's nice to meet you," he smiled.

Kira just gave a small grin. Steve then looked over at Emily.

"Kim, this little one is you all over," he said.

"Thanks, now let's get you registered, Kira," she replied.

As Kim and Steve walked into the office, Tommy noticed Kira's hesitation and stopped her.

"Hey, I know how you feel," Tommy said.

"You have no clue what it's like not to have your real parents," Kira snapped.

"Kira, I do. I was adopted at birth," Tommy said.

Her hand went down.

"I miss them," Kira chocked out.

"Of course you do," Tommy said.

With a little resistance, he put his hand on her shoulder.

"Does the pain every go away," Kira asked.

"No, but you'll learn to deal with it," Tommy said.

Meanwhile, Steve was wondering why Tommy and Kira hadn't come into the office yet.

"What do you think they're talking about," Steve asked.

"Uncle Steve, Tommy was adopted too. I'm sure he's just telling her everything will be alright," Kim said.

"Yeah, but it's been a year," Steve replied.

"When Mom and Dad divorced when I was thirteen, I kept blaming myself until I was sixteen. It's not the same, I know, but it hurts just the same," Kim sighed.

Tommy and Kira walked into the office.

"Alright, let's get started. Kira, how old are you," Kim asked.

"Thirteen," she said.

Kim continued with the registration as Tommy left to start dinner.

"What time would be best for you," she asked.

"Five to six," Kira told her.

"Alright," Kim said.

"That's it," Kira asked.

"Yup. Your first lesson will be in a week. I'll see you then," Kim said.

xxx

Kim sat down to eat after putting Emily in her highchair.

"What did you tell Kira today," she asked.

"I noticed she felt a little out of place, so I told her that I was also adopted to make her feel more comfortable," Tommy said.

"She didn't seem as distant as she was before you talked to her. I'm really glad you did," Kim smiled.

The two then began to eat.

AN:

I should hopefully be able to update the next chapter to The Truth Behind the Pink Dino Gem today or tomorrow.