Author's Note: This fic takes place after the Power Rangers Turbo episode "Passing the Torch Part 2." I only have about two more chapters planned after this one, so we are drawing to the near of "Inner Demons." I do, however, plan on writing more Tommy/Kat fics in the future; so it's not completely the end.
Tommy, Kat, Adam, and Tanya were sitting around a table at the Angel Grove Youth Center, having small-talk and just enjoying each other's company. The four former Turbo Rangers knew that they would soon be going on different paths and that it might be a while until they saw each other again.
"A part of me still can't believe that it's over," Tanya remarked.
"I know what you mean," Tommy muttered softly.
It seemed to Tommy that the other three knew what they were going to do with their lives. Kat, of course, was going to be joining the Royal Academy. Adam wanted to open up a dojo. Tanya wanted to continue her radio career, even though she also had plans to get into the music industry.
Tommy, however, had no idea what he was going to do now that he was no longer a Power Ranger. He loved racing, but he also knew that he didn't want to race for the rest of his life.
Tommy especially didn't know what he was going to do without having Kat as a constant presence in his life anymore. They had already made plans on how they were going to keep in contact, of course, but it wouldn't be the same.
Kat was looking at Tommy in concern. As always, it was as if she had a sixth sense that told her when Tommy was going through some inner turmoil. Everyone else thought that Tommy was doing okay and was perfectly normal.
But Tommy could never fool Kat.
"Hey, Tommy," Kat spoke, "would you like to go for a walk with me before it gets too late?"
Going on a walk was Tommy's and Kat's code for 'We need to have a conversation.'
"Sure, of course," Tommy answered.
"We'll see you two later," Kat told Adam and Tanya.
The four friends exchanged good-byes before Tommy and Kat left.
"Shall we go to the park?" Tommy asked.
"It is our special place," Kat smiled, taking Tommy's hand in her own.
Tommy and Kat walked silently until they had reached the park. Then, Kat said, "I'm glad that everything turned out okay." She looked straight into Tommy's eyes. "I'm glad that you're okay. Are you okay?"
Tommy took a deep breath. He was rarely truly okay.
"I've been better," Tommy answered, "but I've also been much worse. I'm me."
Kat nodded head, understanding what Tommy was trying to tell her without him having to try to express it with words.
"Tommy," Kat said in a soft voice before stopping. She didn't want to cause Tommy any more pain, but she needed to know. Especially since she had just recently learned about the abuse and the torture that Tommy had suffered as a child.
"Tommy," Kat said again, this time in a stronger voice, "TJ and Cassie told me about how they found you." Kat took a deep breath. "But did Divatox do anything else to you?"
Tommy didn't answer for several moments. "I don't think so," he finally asked. "When I woke up, I was already tied up. I don't think she did anything to me while I was unconscious. I don't want to think about whether or not she did something to me while I was unconscious." Tommy shuddered slightly.
"If I ever found out that she did something else to hurt you," Kat hissed, "I would kill her myself, powers or not."
Tommy stared at Kat for several moments. Kat could have a strong, forceful personality when necessary, but she definitely was not known for being violent.
Then again, Kat had always been a bit protective of Tommy, just like Tommy had always been a bit protective of Kat.
And Kat was probably still thinking about everything that Tommy had told her about his childhood.
"Then, I hope for Divatox's own well-being and health," Tommy said, "that she didn't do anything to me." Tommy couldn't help but smile. "You really are a wildcat at times, Kat, but that's one of the things I love about you."
"Well, we are all about embracing our darker sides," Kat laughed slightly.
Tommy laughed in return. He then grew serious. "Kat," he said, "I have no idea what I'm going to do with my life."
While Tommy could be blunt at times, he would only make a confession like this to Kat. Both Tommy and Kat had spent most of their lives hiding their insecurities from the world. They were only comfortable with sharing their insecurities with each other.
"Being a Power Ranger meant everything to me," Tommy continued. "It gave me purpose. Before I arrived here in Angel Grove, I felt worthless and as if I had no reason for existing. But then Rita decided that I had enough worth to be used as a weapon against the Power Rangers. That meant so much to me, even though I will always hate what I did because of her spell."
"I know what you mean," Kat replied. "When I first arrived here with my parents, I was so scared and nervous. I've never been good at making friends, probably because I have a tendency to be shy. And then suddenly I found myself in a strange country. Angel Grove is so different from Australia.
"I don't know if I would have ever met you and the others, Tommy, if it had not been for Rita. If Rita had not ordered me to befriend you and the others, I may never have had the courage to say anything to any of you. Especially to you, Tommy."
"For an evil witch, she did a few good things," Tommy couldn't help but laugh. "She bought us out of our shells, she gave us a purpose, and she bought us together. I can't imagine life without you, Kat."
"Same here," Kat smiled.
"I'm going to miss you, Kat," Tommy said. "We have numbers to keep in contact with each other, but it won't be the same. And I still have no idea of what I'm going to do with my life. Racing is fun and all, but it's not what I'm meant to be doing.
"I'm meant to be a Power Ranger. That's the only thing besides you, Kat, which has ever given me a true purpose."
"I understand why being a Power Ranger would mean so much to you, Tommy," Kat replied, "but is one of the reasons because you still fill guilty for what you did under Rita's spell?"
"That's part of the reason," Tommy admitted, "but it's not the full reason."
"I know," Kat said. "You want to keep the world safe, so that others won't have to suffer as you did."
"Kat, I swear sometimes you are a mind reader," Tommy couldn't help but smile.
"It's funny that you should say that," Kat smiled back. "I sometimes feel the same way about you." She then turned serious. "I think you need to get in contact with Zordon and speak with him. Perhaps he could direct you to another source of power that taps into the Morphin Grid."
"Are you suggesting that I should try to create my own Power Rangers?" Tommy asked, his eyes wide. "You really think I could do that, Kat?"
"It's your passion, Tommy," Kat answered, "and when you're passionate about something, there's nothing that can stop you. Nothing."
"Dinosaurs," Tommy suddenly breathed. "It will have to be dinosaur power. That is, after all, how it began with me."
"It looks like I will be keeping my eyes on the TV," Kat smiled.
"It will be wonderful, Kat," Tommy promised. "I already know that I'm going to need some help, but I also know that it can be done. It has to be done because evil will never rest."
"Tommy," Kat said, "if you ever need my help, I will always be only a phone call away."
"I hope that it doesn't come to that, Kat," Tommy replied, "because I would never want to ruin your ballet career. But I will always keep you in mind. Thank you, Kat. Thank you for everything. I feel better now."
"Things are going to change, Tommy," Kat said, "but my love for you will never change. Promise me that if you ever need me, you won't hesitate to call me because what you're doing is important."
Tommy looked at Kat for a moment before saying, "I promise, Kat. Thank you again."
Kat pulled Tommy closer to her. "I can't see into the future, Tommy, but we will always have each other."
"I'm glad for that," Tommy said softly. "You truly are the best thing that's ever happened to me, Kat."
"Same here," Kat smiled before kissing Tommy on his lips.