Zordon Says chapter 7:

Kim was wiping down a table when Hayley called her over to a table where two women that appeared to be just out of college or there about were sitting. "Kim this is Amy and Emily Foster, they own the Ready, Steady, Learn Preschool here in town. I heard you mention to Tommy that you wanted to see if you couldn't get Jaslee into a preschool."

Kim smiled and shook their hands as she explained that she had relocated to give her family a fresh start after her divorce. The older sister, Amy, smiled, "I understand, I got a divorce a couple years ago, in fact, I have two little girls myself."

Hayley smiled, "I heard that your girls want to take gymnastics, but you haven't been able to afford it."

Amy nodded, "Yes, that's right, they're seven and five and they keep begging me for lessons."

Hayley clapped a hand on Kim's shoulder, "Kim here teaches Gymnastics, in fact, she won gold in the Pan Global Games. She's partnering with Dr. Oliver in opening up a gym here in Reefside that teaches Karate and gymnastics to Kids of all ages."

"We're also going to teach self-defense classes on Saturday nights. I just haven't told Tommy about that." Kim added, it was a spare of the moment thing, but she knew that Tommy would agree with her.

Amy smiled, an idea forming in her mind, "Why don't we trade services, I'll deduct the girls' gymnastics classes from your Jaslee's tuition."

Kim nodded, "Okay, that sounds fair," Kim froze an idea entering her mind, "Do you have a two-year-old program?"

Emily nodded her head, "I teach two, two days a week classes for two to three-year-olds, Tuesdays and Thursdays, one in the morning and one in the afternoon."

Kim nodded, "I think I'll enroll my two-year-old as well, I fear she is behind in development."

…

The next day, Monday, found Jaslee staring up at a warm friendly-looking building that was painted a cheery red color. She didn't like this one bit. Her mommy was going to leave her here with some stranger for three hours. No way, her Mommy needed her with her, who was going to take care of Ellie and Inya while Mommy worked?

"I don't want to," Jaslee stated digging in her heels and folding her arms to get her point across.

"Why not?" Kim asked, "I think you will like preschool, I met your uncle Billy in preschool."

"You knew Uncle Jason was going there before you went to the school," Jaslee pointed out, "I don't know anyone."

Tommy knelt down in front of Jaslee, he had offered to come along seeing as he had been put down as Jaslee's emergency contact and was the only person besides Kim that was allowed to pick her up. A precaution they had decided to make after receiving a phone call from Mr. Scott informing them that Luke had escaped with some help from obvious aliens. "Tell you what," Tommy said, "I'll stay for the first ten minutes of class, and if you don't like it, I'll take you to the gym with me."

Jaslee nodded her head and grabbed his hand, "Okay that works."

Tommy leaned over to Kim and whispered, "I hope she has your personality or this could backfire painfully on me."

As they entered the classroom Amy smiled at them, "Hello, you must be Jaslee!"

Jaslee nodded her head and went to explore the classroom as Kim and Tommy answered some questions that they needed for the records, "Who all can pick Jaslee, and when she starts tomorrow Ellie."

Tommy laid a hand across Kim to stop her from answering, "Only the two of us or a power ranger, though if it is a power ranger ask to see their weapon. Only a true power ranger can pull their weapon out of thin air. Don't even give them to the police or social worker unless instructed to by a power ranger."

Kim gave him a puzzled look, "What are you talking about?"
"TJ Johnson called last night, he was the blue Astro ranger, Luke escaped from prison with the help of Goldar's brother, who has been keeping a low profile until now. Due to that, the power rangers are keeping a close eye on you and your kids. He gave me this number to have you call if you have any questions." With that Tommy handed her a phone number that Hayley had helped to set up.

…

Tommy watched as Jaslee was deep in conversation with some girls at the dress up box, talking about princesses and who was the best. He smiled, just like he had predicted, ten minutes in and she already had some friends, she really was her mother's daughter.

He walked over and tapped her on the shoulder, "Jaslee, it's been ten minutes do you still want to go?"

"Can I stay, please, we have to figure out who is better Cinderella or Snow White."

Tommy laughed, "Okay, I'll pick you up after school."

…

Kim smiled as her last student dismounted the balance beam, it had been three weeks since she had moved to Reefside and a week since the gym had opened. It had been an immediate success. "That's great guys, have a great Halloween and I'll see you next week."

As the children left Kim shook her head, it was hard to believe that it was Halloween, not that her children would let her forget. They were excited about going trick or treating, something they had never done in Florida. They just never lived in a good neighborhood for her to feel safe taking them out after dark. Jaslee was excited and Ellie was working with her speech therapist to learn how to say trick or treat like all of the other kids her age.

That was another thing that had changed in the past few weeks, Ellie had started speech therapy and was now talking more and more. Kim was seeing her blossom into a growing toddler. She couldn't believe that she would be three in just over a week. Maybe she could take the day off at the Café and do something for Ellie's birthday.

Tommy, who had just finished up with his class walked over to Kim, "I was thinking maybe I can help with taking your kids trick or treating."

Kim nodded, "That would be wonderful, I was worried about how I was going to manage Inya and take the girls trick or treating."

Even though they weren't dating, Tommy did a lot with the girls to give Kim some time of her own. Rather it was taking the girls to preschool or the park, he enjoyed spending time with them and had to remind himself that they weren't his kids.

But they could be, Zordon pointed out.

But they will be, Tommy countered, he wasn't going to let Kim get away from him again.

…

The next night Tommy found himself walking from house to house with Ellie and Jaslee while Kim stayed home with a fussy baby who was cutting a new tooth. He felt stuck. Kim had been living in the same town of him and nothing was happening. He understood that she wanted to take her time, but it felt like they were walking backward.

He knew from Jaslee that Kim would sometime have a nightmare that would wake her up. Jaslee had no idea what it was about, and Kim refused to talk about it. He was starting to wonder if Kat and Aisha were correct and that there was something that Kim was hiding from them. Something that she didn't want them to find out, or more importantly, him to find out.

Was there more to her not wanting to date again than just a bad relationship? There was only one way to find out, and she was refusing to talk about it.

Tommy sighed as he scooped up Ellie, who had tripped climbing up to the porch of one of the houses and had decided that she was too tired to do anything more than sitting there and cry. "Jaslee, this is the last house, your sister is tired."

Jaslee looked up at him in disbelief, "But I'm not tired!" she whined, stomping her foot angrily while sticking her lower lip out in a pouty face.

Tommy frowned, the screaming almost three-year-old and the arguing four-year-old was drawing a lot of attention and he knew that arguing wasn't going to help any, "But I am," Tommy insisted, "And your Mommy must be wondering where you are."

Jaslee thought about it for a moment, "One more house," she pleaded.

Tommy nodded, grabbing her hand, "One more house, but that's it, you have enough candy here to put Uncle Rocky into a sugar coma."

Jaslee, however, didn't giggle, "That's not funny, Mommy was in a sugar coma and it was scary, she had to stay at the hospital for a long time, she was really sick. Coach Schmidt helped pay for the medicine to keep her healthy until we got Medicaid."

Tommy frowned, he hadn't known that, was that what Kim was hiding from them? She had seemed upset when they found out about her diabetes, was she afraid of them finding out the fact that she has a life-threatening disease that landed her in the hospital. Why would he care about that, everyone has a struggle of one sort or another. Or was it the fact that her Coach had to help her get the medication that she needed.

Tommy shook his head, it would do no good asking Jaslee, she wouldn't understand the questions, and he highly doubted that Kim would talk to him about it.

…

Kim had finally put the baby down for the night when the door to their apartment opened and in trooped a mini pink ranger and a mad scientist carrying a Minnie Mouse that was fast asleep. The Mad Scientist nodded to Kim before heading towards the small bedroom that Ellie and Jaslee share.

Kim followed him in and smiled as she watched him lay Ellie down on the bottom bunk bed and remove her Minnie Mouse Costume that they had found at a second-hand store. She went to the dresser and pulled out a pair of footie pajamas, which she handed to Tommy who carefully put on Ellie without waking her up.

Kim had to admit that Tommy was amazing with the kids and the kids loved him. She wished that they could get their old relationship back, but it was gone and Tommy wouldn't want to date someone like her. She was broken, bruised, and faulty, she had nothing to offer him, nothing at all.

She expected Tommy to leave once he had tucked both Jaslee and Ellie into bed, but he didn't, instead, he found her in the kitchen, "My mom's wondering what your plans are for Thanksgiving, my biological brother and his adoptive father plan on coming up, and she wants to know how many to expect."

"Are you trying to invite me to Thanksgiving Dinner with your family?" Kim asked with amusement, after all these years he still had a hard time asking a girl out, even if it was one that used to always say yes. Then again, she had said no recently.

"Yeah, I mean, I understand if you want to have it with the Scott's or if you want to have it here alone, but I would love to have you come with me, I'm sure that Mom and Dad would love to see you."

In Kim's mind, Zordon sighed, My precious crane, you can't live in fear forever, you have to tell Tommy the truth before your heart breaks again. Kim groaned, Zordon was right, then again, Zordon was always right.

"Tommy, before I accept there's something you need to know."

"What is it?" Tommy asked, possibilities running through his mind.

"You aren't going to like it, and I understand if you don't want anything to do with us afterward. I just can't let you continue helping without you knowing the truth. The girls are growing attached to you and I don't want them to get hurt again."

…

A/N: Cliff hanger, what do you think Kim's secret is? Is she going to tell Tommy it? Why doesn't she want a relationship with Tommy? Leave your review below.