Disclaimer: I have never, nor will I ever own any part of Power Rangers, though the characters of Samantha, Rebecca, and Chris Travis are my own creations. This is just for pure fun.

Summary: Kim is married to the guy in "the letter" but she is miserable. Her husband ignores her mostly and she is stuck in the monotonous life of the suburban housewife. Is she stuck in this limbo forever, or can someone change her life for the better?

Pairings: Kim/OC, with mentions of Jason/Kat, Billy/Hailey, and Connor/Kira

Time: Post DT

A/N: Wow, that last chapter really stirred up some serious Chris hate! Not that I am at all surprised and agree with everything said! How will Tommy and the rest deal with all of this? Read on to find out!

A/N 2: I have to give a huge thanks to my new beta reader kimtom4eva. Thanks to her keeping me on my toes, this story will get even better!

Chapter six: Bruises heal

How did it come to this? What had happened to make this surreal series of events unfold and end right here on Tommy's doorstep? It did not really matter now; all that mattered was seeing that Kim and her two precious girls were safe and protected. He had called Jason and Adam into the room as soon as Kim had fallen into his arms. He needed their help now more than ever. Especially Adam's, he had just started this third year as an emergency room intern. It was just lucky that he was here, he did not want to get her anywhere near a hospital anytime soon, considering that HE worked there.

Let her heal a bit physically and emotionally before we take that step.

Adam and Jason came running into the front room, hearing the urgency in Tommy's voice.

"What's up bro? What the hell? Kim?"

"Yeah Jase, it's Kim, she is hurt pretty bad and those girls with her look scared out of their mind. Can you take care of them please? Adam, can you take a look at her please?"

Without hesitation, Adam took Kim in his arms and carried her to the couch where he could look her over, with Tommy following close behind. Jason was shaken, seeing his "sister" in that state did not sit well with him and he vowed to pay back the bastard that did that too her a hundredfold. Still, he had a job to do and he set about doing it.

He went to where Kim's two daughters still stood rooted to their spots on the front step. This was a new place for them and they were not sure what to do. Their mom was hurt and that more than anything accounted for their tear stained faces. Jason's heart immediately went out to them as he knelt down in front of them.

"Hi. My name is Jason. What are yours?"

Neither girl spoke for a few seconds, until Samantha broke the silence.

"My name is Samantha and this is my sister Rebecca. Is my mom going to be ok sir?"

"Yes she is honey, I promise you that. Me and your mom's friends are going to do everything we can to make sure that she is. Would you like to come in and put your bags down? Maybe have some juice or something?"

They were both still scared. Jason had warmed them up a bit, but there was still fear there.

"Hey, I promise you, you are safe here. No one here will hurt you and I am pretty certain that everyone here will also protect you." He dropped his voice to an exaggerated whisper "And I am sure that Tommy has some cookies in here somewhere too."

That did it. Both girls smiled and came into the house. Jason took their bags and placed them in the entranceway. He would take them to whatever room Tommy gave them later. For now, they needed the comfort that only cookies and juice could provide.

Kim was still unconscious as Adam gave her an examination, Tommy hovering over him. Finally, he finished and turned to Tommy.

"Well?"

"Without x rays Tommy I can only make a guess. But from what I can see and feel she has two black eyes, at least two broken ribs, and a broken nose. Not to mention the bruises. The good news is that I do not think that there are any facial fractures and I can set the nose and rib with the stuff I have in my medical bag.'

Tommy gave a sigh of relief "Then why did she pass out?"

Adam smiled "You have always had that effect on her." When Tommy gave him a glare, Adam gave a more serious answer "To be honest, there is no medical reason why she did it. I think its because she was so worried about getting herself and her girls to safely that when she did that, she just let go and passed out. She should wake up soon."

"Can I move her?"

Adam nodded. "But be careful Tommy."

"I will. Hey, can you do me another favor?" Adam nodded.

"Can you call Hayley and let her know what happened. I don't know why, but I think it would be best to have a female around just in case. Kim may trust us, but she is going to have a very hard time trusting other men after this."

"Good point. I'll call now."

"Thanks man, for everything."

"Think nothing of it Tommy. That's our Kim there. I would do anything in the world for her, you know that."

Tommy nodded, and went over to pick up Kim tenderly. He carried her slowly and deliberately to his own bedroom. He wanted her to be as comfortable as possible. He was passing by the kitchen when he glanced in and saw Jason and the two girls bonding over Oreos and grape juice. He smiled and motioned for Jason to come over, which he did.

"Is she…."

"Adam said she is going to be fine man. He is just going to call Hayley and Billy and set her broken nose and ribs. Can you settle the girls in the bedroom next to mine and then meet me in the hallway?"

"Sure, but…"

"Please Jason."

Jason saw how this series of events had affected his best friend and nodded. If he knew him, Chris was in for a world of hurt.

A few moments later, Tommy laid Kim down on his bed and held her hand as he stroked her hair. That face, so hurt, he would love her no matter what she looked like of course; and the bruises would heal, but what about the emotional ones.

"I failed you Beautiful. I am supposed to protect you and I let you fall into his hands. I swear to you, he will never hurt you or your daughters again. I will die before that happens." He whispered.

"No."

Tommy jerked his head up. Kim was awake and speaking.

"What was that Beautiful?"

Through cracked and swollen lips, Kim spoke again.

"No, this is not your fault Tommy. Chris did this on his own, so don't blame yourself. I am just glad that we made it here."

"You are safe now; forever.'

Kim smiled. "I know….Handsome. I have always felt safe with you. Why do you think that I came here?" She started to cry. Tommy climbed into his bed and put his arms around her, seeking to comfort her.

"Why Tommy? Why did he do this to me? I just told him that I wanted to leave him and he just….went off. I am so sorry, so sorry, so sorry."

Kim kept repeating how sorry she was while sobbing and rocking in his arms.

"You have nothing to be sorry for Kim. The blame is totally his. What kind of man does this to the woman that he loves? What kind of man does this to a woman period? I meant what I said Kim, I will protect you, forever if you want it."

"I do want it Tommy. I need it."

"Then you can stay here as long as you want; you and the girls."

"Thank you so much Tommy. You don't have to do this. You could be dragged into a lot of stuff, you don't need that."

"I told you before Beautiful. I am aware of the risks and I will go through them willingly, all because I love you so much."

"I love you too Tommy. Please forgive me for not coming to my senses sooner."

"You don't have to ask, I forgive you now and always."

Kim smiled as she heard those words and then drifted off back to sleep. Tommy waited to make sure that she was out of it, and then got up. He met Jason in the hall.

"The girls are in their room and in bed, though I doubt that they will sleep much."

Tommy nodded, he had though as much. "Look Jase, I need you to look after Kim for a bit, I need to go somewhere."

"You are going after him aren't you?"

Tommy said nothing, but over ten years of friendship made Jason pretty good at reading his body language.

"You can't Tommy." He said simply.

"And why not Jason? That bastard just beat the hell out of her, your best friend may I remind you and you are telling me NOT to go after him?"

"Calm down and think about it bro. If YOU go after him and beat him, when it comes time to the divorce trial and custody battle, how do you think it's going to look when it comes up that the plaintiff's boyfriend had beaten up her husband while they were still married?"

Tommy started to protest, but Jason just held up his hand. "I know that he beat her first, but you have to understand how these things work. Right now, you need to just lay low, take care of Kim and let others do the dirty work."

Tommy smiled, knowing what his friend was getting at. "You always did like the dirty work."

"You know it. I will be right back, and while I am gone, you may want to call Skull."

Tommy laughed. "I still can't believe that that guy ever got into law school, much less practicing law."

No one could believe it when Skull had gotten into law school and got his law degree. He was now working on becoming a partner at one of the biggest law firms in Reefside. Bulk however, had gone in the opposite direction and was serving three to five years for trying to rob a liquor store. Skull had tried to defend his friend, but all he could manage was to lighten his sentence.

"Anyway, let him know what is going on here. He will be more than willing to help Kim out. Hell, after tonight, I might need him too."

Tommy hugged his best friend. "Be careful man."

"I always am." Jason quipped before making his way down the stairs and out the front door. Tommy headed back into the bedroom to look after Kim. He was soon joined by Adam with his bag and Hayley. She and Tommy took seats on either side of the bed and watched Adam do his thing. It was going to be a long night.

Five miles away, Chris Travis was sitting in a bar across the street from the
hospital where he worked and working on his fifth martini. He had come here after he had taught that cheating slut a lesson and left her lying on the floor of their bedroom. He did not know if she was alive, and found himself not really caring if she was or not. If she died, he could get away with no jail time. Money and powerful friends would make sure of that. Also, the added perk would be that he could finally be free of Kim and be with Karen. The girls he could care less about. He would either find a relative to shovel them off to or invest in a boarding school.

Slightly buzzed, he got up and decided to see if he could get a hold of Karen this late. He paid his tab and walked on slightly steady legs toward the front door.

Outside of the bar, Jason was waiting in his car. He had asked around at the
hospital and found out that Chris had been seen heading into this bar a few
hours before so all he had to do was wait. Finally, he saw him walking out of
the bar. He recognized him from the party, so he was sure that it was the right person.

He waited until he was away from the building and near his car before he made his move. Chris was about to unlock his car when he was shoved to the ground from
behind. His assailant said nothing, just landed on top of him and started
raining blows onto his face. Chris felt his nose shatter and at least two teeth leave his mouth. He tried to fight back, but his attacker was heavier than him and had him pinned to the pavement. Finally, he was released and was about to get up when he was kicked four times in the side, adding broken ribs to his injuries. His eyes watered in pain so when he looked at his attacker, all he saw was a blur.

"Now you know how she feels." These were the last words he heard as he began
to lose consciousness. He could barely make out the figures in hospital
scrubs running towards him. While he hadn't seen who attacked him, he had a
pretty damn good idea who was behind it. His last thought before the world
around him faded to black was of revenge and how he would repay one Tommy
Oliver and all of his friends.

It was an exhausted group that sat in Tommy's living room the following morning. Kim and her daughters were still asleep, after having just spent one of the least restful nights of their life. Jason was sleeping on the couch, having returned from his errand hours before, only telling Tommy that the situation was handled. Hayley was laying on the loveseat with her head in Billy's lap. She had spent about two hours talking with Kim after Adam had done his thing, giving her the kind of talk and comfort that only a woman could provide. Tommy and Adam were both sitting on the floor in front of the couch, both showing the effects of a night without sleep.

Skull had called Tommy back a hour before telling him that he was more than happy to give Kim his services for free. He would be there within the hour to get Kim's side of what happened. He also told Tommy that he should get the police involved as well. Tommy was hesitant about this at first, but eventually gave in to Skull's professional judgment. At least this way Kim would only have to tell her story once, and anything that made things easier on her was alright with Tommy.

Suddenly, there was a loud and constant knocking at the door. Tommy got up and headed to get it.

"That must be Skull. I swear that that man has never been accused of being suble."

But when Tommy opened the door, it was not Skull's smiling face he saw, but one that made him instantly boil with anger.

"Where are you keeping my wife?" Chris Travis stood less than a foot from Tommy and from the looks of it, was not going anywhere anytime soon.

Ooooh! How did Chris find out where Tommy lived? I guess you will have to wait until the next chapter to find out! 

As always, please rate and review. You guys are pretty much awesome!