A/N: The last chapter acted like a cliffhanger, so in this chapter I want to tie up the loose end. This will focus on four people: Tommy, Kim, Kat, and Jason. Jason for obvious reasons, and Kat because of her lingering thoughts about Tommy. (They never sat down to speak about the breakup.)
A/N: No Kat bashing will not be done. Her character is not at fault for what the writers of Power Rangers thought was best.
Chapter 9- The Apologies
May 2008
Kat's House-Backyard
Beverly Hills, CA
Sophia and Bailey, Kat's three year old, rambunctious daughter, were in the shallow end of the expanse pool. They were playfully and joyfully splashing around. Though Sophia was a bit older than Bailey, she didn't treat Kat's daughter like a 'little kid'. Whenever they got to spend time together, the two gravitated towards each other like a big sister to a little sister.
Their mothers intently watched their daughters from their seats. Each sipping their cucumber waters slowly.
Earlier in the day, Kim called Kat, and she asked if her and Bailey wanted to come over for a play date. Kat suggested Kim and Sophia come to her newly purchased mansion.
Mike Corbett, Kat's husband, Leo's brother, former Magna Defender of the Lost Galaxy rangers, had obviously done really well for himself and his family. He was a prestige doctor, specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, at Cedar's Siani Medical Center in Los Angeles. With Kat owning, now three, dance academies, she added to his pronounce income. That allowed the husband and wife to close on this property.
Their residence was located in the affluent 90210 zip code. The five bedroom, four bathroom home was close to 6,000 square feet with granite counter tops in the kitchen and stainless, steel appliances throughout, a three car garage and an underground entertainment center. The backyard housed a gorgeous bbq set, six foot deep pool with an immaculate stone design, along with a spa.
Kat's sparkling blue eyes glanced at Kim. She placed her tumbler on the table. "Any new leads," she asked.
Kim turned to Kat, but still kept her ears opened for the girls. She tightly smiled a bit. "No. Jayden isn't a common name, so that should make the search easier but the Jayden we are looking for seems to be non-existent," she sadly answered.
"Nonexistent," Bailey's mom said in an incredulous tone. She furrowed her brows. "He has to be somewhere. With all the technology from past power teams, the knowledge of certain rangers, they should be able to find him if he was in Timbuktu!"
"They've combed through the school systems of every single district in the nation. He's not on the radar, not even a little blip," the search for Kim's son was partly weighing down on her.
"I'm sorry, Kim," the other woman sincerely apologized. She bit her lip a bit. "How's Tommy taking all of this?"
"Not well."
"Well, that's expected," she contritely answered, as she watched the kids interact with one another.
Kim overheard the lovely blonde's tone, and this was exactly why she wanted to meet with Kat.
The distance between Tommy and Kim and Kat was clearly noted by others. The animosity, the hurt, the betrayal, and this revelation about a son weighed heavily. For Tommy, he felt the worse. He never truly wanted to hurt his ex girlfriend the way he did, but he knew there was only one person who could make him happy. Unfortunately, Kat wasn't her. As for Kim, she wanted to bridge the gap. She wanted to be friends with Kat like how she was before. The successor to Kim wasn't necessarily in love with Tommy. She still had some feelings though, and that's why she's been avoiding the couple. Part of her felt guilty for still lusting after her former leader, and another part couldn't contain the jealously she had for her predecessor.
"Tommy wants to have a talk with you," Kim revealed, unsure of how Tommy's ex was going to take it. Once she saw the look of shock on Kat's face, she continued. "He would have contacted you himself, but, well, he didn't want Mike to think otherwise, and he wasn't sure if you wanted to even speak to him."
"He is a man, Kim. He shouldn't have to care what my husband thinks."
"Are you sure, Kat? He's respectful of the relationship you and your husband have. It's not like Mike doesn't know about you and Tommy, and the feelings you had for him," the Crane reminded her as a matter of fact. She carefully watched Kat, as she flinched from her truthful words. "Tommy can fight all the monsters, putty patrols, tenga warriors, hell, he can even fight Lord Zedd to the moon and back, but that still won't change the fact he can't handle what he did to you."
"But that happened such a long time ago," Kat nonchalantly waved her words away, shaking her head at the thought of talking to Tommy. "Kim, we don't have anything to talk about."
"Do you still have feelings for him," the petite woman bluntly asked.
Surprised by her question, she wasn't sure whether to ask her to leave or punch her friend. She felt attacked all of a sudden. "You know I don't. I love Mike with all my heart. He's my husband, the father to my, our, child, and there's no room for me to love Tommy," she replied, hurt by her.
Kim wasn't having it. She wasn't at all upset if Kat had feelings for her husband. She knew the lanky blonde would never act on her emotions anyways. "You need to be free of this though," she comforted, and topaz pools and ocean colored eyes met. She watched the hesitancy play on Kat's face. "You have to do this, for yourself. You need to end this torture."
"I'm not in torture," she anxiously denied once more, hoping Kim would stop this madness. "I'm two seconds away from kicking you out of my home," she threatened with some malice.
"But you won't," Tommy's wife stated confidently. "I see I struck a chord. You do want to talk to him, but you think I or Mike would be angry. That's the farthest from the truth. I can't speak on Mike's behalf, but I can speak on mine. You need this release."
Kat stared at Kim. The words stung like a bee. She hadn't realized her afterthoughts of her ex boyfriend was still prevalent. In addition, there were many unanswered questions. She was suddenly jarred out of her thoughts by her daughter.
Bailey was definitely beautiful. Like Sophia, she had curls in her caramel hair, with striking blue eyes of her mom. Her skin was tanned due to the dad's half Latino features. She also had high, pronounced cheekbones. She sort of looked like a beauty pageant contestant but more natural. "Mom," she wanted her attention. "Pizza, please."
"Of course, you can have pizza. I'll get the take out book, and we'll order for everyone," she smiled because she was thankful for the distraction. "Kim, Soph, why don't we all head inside." She grabbed her daughter's Hell Kitty towel, and she thoroughly wiped her down.
"Did you have a good swim, baby," Kim asked her daughter, while she helped to dry her. She didn't want to ruin anything in Kat's immaculate and spacious home.
"It was really fun. Can we have a pool," Sophia hopefully requested. She innocently smiled at her mom. "Pretty, pretty please."
"We'll talk to your daddy about that," was her mom's reply.
The four females walked inside. Immediately, Bailey headed for her bedroom. Sophia soon trailed her, while Kat went to one of the kitchen drawers. Kim sat at the kitchen island in silence. Bailey's mom ordered the pizza and extras via telephone. She, then, turned to Kim. She sighed.
"Kim, I just don't know," she resumed the talk from earlier. She walked to her refrigerator, took two wine coolers out, and she opened them. "As I said, Tommy and I broke up a long time ago. There's not much to say. We've both moved on."
Sophia's mom received her wine cooler, and she listened to the words. But, that's all they were—just words. It's clearly evident Kat wanted answers, but she held back. Once more, Kim prodded. "You can keep denying this, but I know this keeps you up at night—sometimes. You love Mike. I won't deny that, but in order for you to fully invest your heart, you and Tommy need to sit down and speak to one another."
Kat countered with her own request. She knew Kim's bullheaded ways, and she definitely wouldn't give this up. So, Kim needed to be put in her own predicament. "Then, you talk to Jason," she ordered firmly.
The Crane almost fell out of her seat at the demand. She didn't understand what Kat was saying, or at the very least, hinting to. She observed the taller woman, her stare rather intense. There wasn't anything to say to her brother. She wasn't in love, or had an everlasting desire to want him. Their relationship was healthy in her opinion. And, if Jason did have anything to say, he should be comfortable enough to talk to her.
"There's nothing me and him need to talk about."
"Are you sure about that," Mike's wife contradicted her statement.
"I'm positive," confidence was laced in Kim's voice.
Kat lightly popped her right shoulder up. Her eyes slightly swaying to the side, not necessarily agreeing with Kim. "If that's what's you think, then I'll leave it at that," she headed to Bailey's room, so she could give the girls juice boxes.
For a moment, Kim stayed in her seat. Without notice, an uneasy feeling washed over her. She shook her head, not believing there was tension between them. She went to meet Kat in Bailey's room.
"Mommy, I want a tv like this," Sophia piped up from her spot on Bailey's twin sized bed. She pointed at the pink item that had Hello Kitty's face plastered throughout the frame. "Auntie Kat, that's so cool."
Kat laughed. "I'm sure your mom and dad can swing something like that," she sided with her. "Right, Kim?"
"Right," Kim agreed, trying to conceal her sudden fear that something was wrong between her and Sophia's Godfather. "Are you guys having fun?"
"Yes," the girls chorused, while watching an episode of 'Winx Club'.
"Alright, we'll call you once the pizza has arrived," the dance school owner said, and she walked down to the elongated, winding stairs, hearing Kim's light footsteps following her. They went to sit in the living room. Successor and predecessor faced head on. "I've struck a chord in you, haven't I?"
Kim nodded.
"Look, a majority of us," Kat started about Zordon's 12, "felt you and Tommy did hide a very, very big secret. Majority were quick to accept, while others, particularly Jason and I," she finally confessed, "are still feeling betrayed."
"I've-I've been blind this whole entire time," the truth dawning on Kim's sunkissed features. There was no reason not to believe Kat. This explained Jason's sudden outburst from their most recent visit to the Megaship. As a result, she felt immense guilt. "Is he mad at just me, or is he mad at Tommy as well?"
"Both," Kat looked at Kim closely, watching the brave woman grow small in her seat. She supposed both needed to hear the truth today. "I will talk to Tommy," she reluctantly gave in. "As long as you talk to Jason."
"That's all I ask for," Kim replied.
The doorbell resounded in the house, and Kat rose to pay for the pizza.
Xxxxx
One Week Later
Spago Restaurant
Beverly Hills, CA
"Good evening, Tommy," Kat had been seated at the table for two for about ten minutes. She sipped her luscious, red wine. She ascended on her feet, and she placed a subdued kiss on his left cheek. She resumed sitting, grabbing her tall flute of decadent, fermented, grapes. Her blue eyes gravitated his way.
"Sorry, the traffic was killer," he explained the reason for his tardiness and sat down.
"It's quite alright," she understood. "The 101 Freeway is a bitch," she lightly joked.
Tommy nodded with a small chuckle. The server came by, and he ordered his drink—scotch on the rocks. He browsed the menu. "Have you ordered yet," he questioned.
Kat shook her head. "No, no, I was going to order once you arrived," she nervously smiled and finally placed her glass down. "Everything looks good; I wouldn't know what to order anyway."
The two sat in silence, uneasily enjoying each other's company.
Once more, the server returned. He took their orders. Kat opted for the Farfalle Pasta with Maine lobster, spring onions, and micro basil, while Tommy requested the Sonoma lamb rack, harrisaaioli, falafel "macroons," and eggplant "caviar". Their alcoholic beverages were refilled at once.
The silence, then, resumed.
After their pool date, Kim and Sophia came home. Tommy asked how the meeting went, and that's when Kim revealed Kat accepted to talk to him. He thankfully kissed his wife; she got through to his ex-girlfriend. A day later, Tommy called Mike. He asked if it was okay for him to speak with Kat privately about this matter. Mike, at first hesitant, agreed.
When their schedules were clear, Tommy and Kat would meet with one another for dinner at an exquisite restaurant—her choice of course. However, he would pick the time. He promised if the traffic was clearer, he would've arrived promptly. She played with her silverware; he fiddled with his glass. Their divide clearly shown with their conspicuous movements.
They weren't like this in high school.
As Rita's evil puppet, she lured Tommy to a different dimension. In the Ford Mustang, she intermingled her arm with his. She clung like a leech, acting as if she was scared. That wasn't the case. She helped to mastermind this deceptive act, and she subtly loved feeling his tanned, pronounced muscles against her milky skin. And once they escaped the paranormal activity, she altered herself to her cat form, acting as Aisha and Kim's adopted pet, all the while, resuming in obeying her dark lord and empress.
Successfully, she stole Kim's power coin and infiltrated the Falconzord.
The strong hold Rita had on Kat was beginning to temper off upon seeing Kim strapped to Lord Zedd's mechanism. The Crane's pink power, slowly draining from her already frail body. The dichotomy of the 'puppet'—her head wanting the demise, her heart being remorseful over this, was tearing her apart. Kat actually saw a bit of herself in Kim. Back in Australia, Kat was a renowned diver. People around her were cheering for her to be in the Olympics. Instead, she suffered an injury and wished to never ever be near a diving board. Finally, that fateful night, she broke through Rita's spell and ran into the Youth Center where Kim was privately training. Her heart shattered at watching Kim, the person that welcomed her with open arms, fall off the balance beam. She called for the paramedics.
While Kim was hospitalized, Kat profusely apologized for the errors of her way. She wasn't born like this, and she never asked for this either. She just came to Angel Grove because her dad took a job here, and she believed this was her break after the horrifying fall from the diving board. While at the park, Rita came out of nowhere and made her an unwilling servant Then, she was participating in the same acts as Goldar and Rito. Kim understood, and she didn't hold a grudge. Once Kim accepted her spot with Coach Schmidt, she chose Kat to take her place. At first, Kat wasn't sure she could accept this type of responsibility. Kim convinced her, and the rest was history. She became the Pink ranger on the Mighty Morphin team, followed by Zeo, and part of Turbo.
And every step of the way, Tommy was with her. She fell deeply in love with him, from the moment she laid eyes on him. A spell didn't dictate her real feelings. She enjoyed all the time she spent with Tommy. Kim's absence made the endeavor easier. So, once the letter came, the game changed. At first, she was upset, not believing her predecessor could say such horrid things to the man she supposedly loved. Then, Kat just wanted to help her leader, her friend, the one she held strong feelings for to get over his heartbreak. Instead, he began to reciprocate her feelings. She was so happy with the development; wedding bells were eventually resounding in her head.
That's how well things were going between the two, until, she was on Divatox's ship.
"How is the teaching gig going," Kat snapped out of her thoughts.
"Great, really great. Elsa is planning to retire. She wants to spend her free time with her husband and daughter," he spoke of his current boss, Elsa Mercer.
Once reformed, Elsa fell in love with the real Dr. Anton Mercer. They married, and she became a mother to Trent. Following the nuptials, Elsa became pregnant with a daughter. Anton and Elsa agreed to name their daughter Francesca Kimberly Mercer. Though she actually loved her job overseeing Reefside High School, she loved her family more. She wished to be a stay at home mom, and of course Anton had the means to take care of his family.
"Knowing her background I can see why," Kat relayed knowingly. Again, there was that pregnant pause. Her eyes wandered around the restaurant, trying to break the frigid ice. "And, the hotel venture?"
"We're doing well, very well. You know, I'm actually surprised."
"Me too," Kat stated; she brought the glass of wine to her lips once more.
"Kat," Tommy requested, and she looked at him. This wasn't easy for him either, but they needed to finally talk about the past. "I'm sorry. I, I never should've led you on."
The weak apology caused Kat to bitterly laugh. "Led me on," she repeated, strategically tapping her fingernails on the table. Her eyes pierced Tommy, her dormant emotions coming to the forefront. "You know, when I relinquished the Turbo powers, I didn't know I was relinquishing you as well."
Tommy winced. If her words were a knife, he'd be dead where he sat. He saw the pain in her eyes. The pain he placed there. "You were there for me when the break up happened. You helped me to move on, and I genuinely cared for you, but you aren't her."
"And what if she had never been on board Divatox's ship," she supposed that was when his feelings for Kim came back.
"Then, I would've mustered the sense to come to her—wherever she would've been. Whether it was Florida or France."
"Even if we were together."
"I would've ended things eventually."
Kat took her turn and winced at his words.
"I'm sorry, Kat," Tommy genuinely apologized for his actions from all those years ago. "I know this is hard for you to hear." She nodded. "We really should have had a long, thorough talk about this when I decided to end things, but you rushed me out so quick."
"Well, what would you have done," she rushed whispered her question. "One minute, I'm going to England, confidently thinking my love life is going to be intact, but then, it was broken by you."
Other occupants of the restaurant curiously glanced at the two. Their fellow restaurateurs' words were climbing an octave.
Ignoring the stares, Tommy forged on. "You would've been even more heartbroken if we continued with our relationship. Somehow, some way, we would've broken up, whether it was you breaking up with me or one of us demanding a divorce."
"You don't know that," she lowly barked at him. The daggers appeared in her eyes once more. "Do you think I really wanted our relationship to happen?"
"Yes."
"No," she swiftly countered, a little hurt by his reply. "Yes, I fell in love with you from the moment I laid eyes on you, but I respected Kimberly, your beautiful. I was only supposed to be her replacement, which I did successfully. I replaced her on the battle field but also in her personal life. It was you, who reciprocated."
Shocked by her words, Tommy nodded as a form of surrender. Again, he was taking Kat's emotions for granted. She wasn't disposable at all. She was human for feeling like how she was. Guilt ridden, he spoke. "You're right, I did want the relationship."
Satisfied, she continued. "You've already made it clear. You love Kim, have always loved Kim, and I realized I could never compare to her. As much as I wanted to be your Crane, your Beautiful, I couldn't do it. I couldn't be her," she admitted. "And when you broke things off, I knew she was the reason. You know, I used to think she had everything."
"Everything," he wondered.
They received their plates of food. They took a break from the emotionally draining conversation, and they ate in silence. Each requested for more liquor. They supposed this was the liquid courage they needed to reopen stitched wounds.
"Everything," Kat repeated, after wiping her mouth. She earnestly looked into Tommy's chocolate brown eyes. "A great set of friends, a budding career in gymnastics, and a loving, supporting boyfriend. Part of me was envious of her."
"Kat, you have nothing to be envious about," Tommy was confused. "You're gorgeous, funny, smart, and I know Mike was smitten with you from the moment he laid eyes on you. There was no reason for you to be jealous of my wife."
My wife, the words rang in her ears. The title she couldn't snag. "You still don't understand how much it did hurt. I cried all the way to England. I lost you, and that was a terrible feeling. You don't know how that felt," she accused, forgetting about the letter.
Tommy shook his head. "I do," he firmly stated.
"If that was the case, then you should've never broken up with me!"
"It had to happen."
"Because you two had a son," she threw salt on his wounds by bringing him up. "Everything made a lot more sense after you two revealed the severity of your relationship." She watched Tommy's pained expression. "I wasn't your first, but you were mine."
"Kat..." he gravely said her name.
"You and Kim, you guys are meant for each other. Both of you are resilient, having bounced back from giving birth to move on with your lives the way you guys did. I know you and your wife are strong."
"Thank you."
"It's not a problem, Tommy. I had came to this conclusion you were fake, prancing around with this good guy facade, and you used me to get over her," she held her hand up, wishing he wouldn't interject. She smiled sorrowfully, since she was finally relieving herself of the pent up anger and love towards Tommy. "Let me continue," she wished, and he nodded. "Then, you and her became a couple, got engaged, had a child, marriage, and the fact there was this hidden son, I witnessed it all. My anger was so great because I could never have all of you, but she could."
"It has always been Kim. She's held my heart, since the halls of Angel Grove High School. We definitely had our downs, but that's only made me love her more," he heartily confessed.
She nodded in understanding. Her thoughts drifted to her loving and faithful husband. "I've actually experienced the love you have for Kim. It's from Mike. He truly loves me inside and out, and I feel so guilty. Ever since getting with him, I've been emotionally cheating on him with you, or at least, what we used to share. I love him though. I truly do love my husband."
"No one, not even for second, doubts your feelings for him."
"Thank you, Tommy," she wiped under her eyes, preventing chips of mascara from descending. "I am not Kim, and I can finally let go of the past. You are a good guy and deserve everything you have."
"But Kat, I, thank you, but I never truly wanted to hurt you. This must've been so hard for you to say and talk about."
"We finally needed to talk and sit down, Tommy. I've missed our friendship. Before we became a couple, we were friends, right," she witnessed him nod. "Now, we are tolerable strangers. I hate this feeling more than the time you actually ended things with me," she softly laughed, which caused his lips to form into a smile for the first time since he's entered this establishment. "You were my first love, and I'll cherish you for as long as I live."
"And you will always have a place in my heart," he informed. "Thank you, Kat for no longer hating me," she gave an obligatory nod. "Mike's really lucky to have a wife like you."
She basked in his compliment. "I couldn't hate you even if I tried. Same goes for Kimberly. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have the life I have now. Everything happens for a reason," she confided.
Their waiter reappeared at their table. "Dessert, sir, madame," he questioned.
Kat's eyes brightened, and she eagerly nodded.
"Go ahead, Kat, order your dessert. This whole meal is on me," he winked at her. This was the least he could do, and this acted as a peace offering.
She ordered, and Kat thankfully smiled at Tommy. The animosity dwindled, and they were friendly with one another. That's all either could ask for.
And, she finally got the answers she's always wanted.
Xxxxx
June 2008
24 Hour Fitness
Reefside, CA
"Good morning, Jase," Kim greeted, as she went to the weights. Two hours ago, she asked if her brother wanted to workout this morning.
His gym pass allowed him access to all 24 Hour Fitness clubs, so he agreed. "Morning, Kim," He indifferently said, as he picked up 100 lbs dumbbells. Then, he walked in front of the mirror. He began to work out his arms, making sure his form was good.
She followed suit, grabbing a free barbell and placing 20 lbs weights on each side. She started with sumo squats.
One rep... two reps... three reps...
Inhale... exhale... Inhale... exhale...
Sweat began to surface, as they continued. Pretty soon, they switched the equipment. Kim, now, had 20 lbs dumbbells, and Jason increased the weights on the barbell to 100 lbs. The strenuous workout went on.
Soon, Kim became wholly invested with her workout. She was nervous to talk to Jason, but she needed to clear the air. He really did seem to avoid her, which caused so much hurt in her heart. She would never hold anything back, so why he began, she just didn't get it.
Kim and Jason had been close since they were young. Their moms worked at the same marketing company; their dads often met for golf on the weekends. Blood was the only thing to determine they weren't brother and sister, but that didn't matter to them—especially to Jason. He would protect her no matter what.
In the first grade, Jason and Kim met Zack, and then the duo became a trio. When third grade came, Billy entered the picture, and the trio became a quartet. Finally, the quartet formed into a quintet when Trini transferred to Angel Grove Middle School. The quintet was very close, and in high school, they took on the responsibility to protect the world together. After a very rough and rocky start, Tommy became the sixth person to join their group. All were indefinitely bonded.
Since the power, they were still like a family. They knew about each others' lives, and they often had get togethers. They were this force; no one could break them, not even a malicious being.
Sadly, as of right now, there was a divide between a few, and Kim believed she started it.
"Ow, ow," Kim overworked her muscles. The sharp pain shot throughout her right arm. She winced at the uncomfortable feeling.
Immediately, Jason dropped his barbell. He went to check on Kim, and he felt the tenderness forming. He shook his head. Sometimes she overdid her workouts. He went to his duffel bag and grabbed a towel and Biofreeze spray. The spray would alleviate sore muscles by casting a cooling sensation.
Two pumps.
He checked on her once again.
"How are you feeling," he asked, concerned for her well being.
"I'm good," her eyes squinted, as she moved her position, telling otherwise. "There's just been a lot on my mind."
"You need to be careful, Kim," he wished, as he examined once more. "You might do worse damage next time." Once he was done, he resumed his workout. He exhaled heavily, as he pulled the weighted bar upwards.
Kim watched, and then she finally spoke up. "You're mad at me," she stated rather than questioned. She felt the void from him. He put up a good front, but after Kat's heads up, she wanted this talk. She wanted to make everything between them right.
Jason almost dropped the item in his hands after hearing her words. He ignored what she said, and he kept pushing through this intense exercise. "Nothing's wrong," he tightly said, as he continued.
"You're a horrible liar, you know that."
"Takes one to know one."
"I don't think I lied. I just kept a certain part of my life from you."
"You didn't need to."
"I had to."
"You know, that's been said a lot lately," he mentioned through gritted teeth. The facade he held slowly dissolved, and the truth came to light. He was very, very angry with her. She kept her son from him. "I've known you since you were little, never did I judge you when you couldn't get the potty training thing down," he reminisced. "And you were the jelly to my peanut butter." He placed the bar down gently. He turned to her. The hostile emotions were clearly painted on his muscular features, while sadness was plastered all over her pretty face. "Why?"
Kim shrugged. "At that time, we just felt it was best. We were a little embarrassed we began to have sex so soon, and when we found out I was pregnant... that day was so, well, emotionally draining," she painfully described. She looked at Jason, hoping to see a little glimmer of understanding. Instead, all she saw was even more darkness behind his brown eyes.
Jason believed she was too young to engage in such an act. "I'm sorry, but didn't we take the same reproductive class during freshman year? I'm positive we did. You watched, though at that time it was hard for us to swallow, hell I couldn't even look at banana the same way again, but the condom was placed on the banana. That would help to prevent pregnancies," he lectured her as if she was a pubescent girl.
"We tried them," she revealed angrily, wanting him to understand that they were actually hurting Tommy. Yes, the circular, protective rubbers were actually cutting off his circulation. "He's not exactly of normal size."
"Oh, that's way more than I wanted to hear about him," he covered his ears dramatically, contorting his face into a disgusted expression. "Do you always have to talk on his behalf?"
"He's not here to defend himself, is he," she countered bravely. "He is my husband, the father to my daughter... and son."
He clenched his fists. "Well, haven't you heard of abstinence?"
"Pshhh."
"What the hell do you mean 'pshh'," he asked her, mad that she was being so careless about this whole entire thing.
"If I remember correctly, you and Trini began to have sex in Switzerland. She had a pregnancy scare."
"Scare, it was just a scare."
"Obviously, you hadn't take the right precaution either," she spat with venom laced in her voice. She was not backing down from her brother. At this point, she was on a warpath, hell bent on making him see he was being unreasonable.
"It was one fucking time, at least a baby didn't actually result," he responded with malicious intent and without thought, he said the most hurtful words he could to Kim. "If I did have a baby that young, I damn sure wouldn't give the child up for adoption."
The words broke the straw on the camel's back. She hastily rose from the bench she was resting on. She damned the piercing pain that was still relevant. All she wanted to do was attack her brother, but she refrained. There was no point. Hitting him wouldn't get them anywhere. She stared at Jason, and she was about to cry. Tears broke on the surface of her eyes.
That was a low blow.
She grabbed her pink duffel bag and rushed out.
Jason was about to pick up the exercise equipment once again, since he felt satisfaction from getting his point across. But, then, the hurt in Kim's eyes kept flashing in his mind. He was never supposed to be the one to do that to her. He, too, grabbed his stuff and rushed out the establishment.
"Kim, look, I'm sorry," he apologized sincerely. He jogged up to her. They were by her White Nissan Armada with pink accents. "I was out of line there."
"Way out of line," she shouted at him, and she could no longer hold the sadness in. The tears were unleashed. She cried for what seemed like five minutes, unable to contain her emotions. She felt Jason's strong arms wrap around her. She almost became stiff at the gesture, but she knew they weren't enemies. She finally reciprocated. "Jase, we," she cleared her throat, "I was scared. I was young, just about 15, pregnant, fighting supernatural forces, going to school, and training for gymnastics. How was I supposed to add taking care of a child on all of that?"
"Honestly... I don't know," he finally confessed. "If you told all of us, we would've protected, helped, made sure you had support every step of the way."
"I had great support. Trust me. With Tommy, Alpha 5, and Zordon," she huskily whispered into his shirt. "They did a great job."
Zordon
"But, I'm your brother," he stressed, as a reminder.
"Who was about to leave Angel Grove, with the love of his life, and help with the Peace Conference in a different country, different continent at that. If we did have him, you still wouldn't have been able to care for him," she reasoned.
"I would've of found a way."
"How," she detached from him and looked him seriously in the eye. "It's not like you would've given up an opportunity like that." She shook her head. "You are my brother, to the hell with DNA! But, no one else needed to be put in the predicament Tommy and I placed ourselves in. He would've been captured, he would've been used as a pawn, and all of you would've been taken because you would've protected him."
"But."
"No, buts, Jason," she interjected forcefully. She brushed her palm underneath her nose and used her fingers to wipe under her eyes. "We knew when we told you, and everyone else, about him, that we would be met with backlash, but what really hurts the most was when you kept your disgust and anger away from me and Tommy. I had to find out from Kat, who wasn't exactly happy with Tommy and I either."
"I wanted to be hero. Be able to get my little sister out of jam, watch out for her, and I couldn't do that."
She smiled at him because that wasn't his job anymore. "You know, sometimes you have to let go," she said softly. "I'm not the same Kimberly that always ran to her big, stand in brother, Jason. I got older, became stronger, and I have a husband who makes me better. Truly, Jase, I'm sorry for keeping the pregnancy hidden after all these years, but we believed it was for everyone's benefit—especially his."
"Don't you mean, Jayden," he asked, reminding her they actually had a name. He slung his arm around Kim in a loving manner. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been so selfish. I should have had trust in you and Tommy. After all, he's looked out for you when I couldn't."
"Thanks, Jase, I love you, as in a big brother type of way," she lightly laughed.
"Well of course, your husband would try to kick my ass if otherwise," he readily agreed with a smile.
"Right," Tommy's wife rolled her eyes. "The sad part, your wife could kick your ass worse than my husband could."
Jason winced. "You are so right." He motioned for her to lead the way back to the gym.
Kim laughed again and genuinely smiled. This was her big brother alright, and all he wanted to do was protect her. She understood, but she had her reasons for keeping the pregnancy and adoption a secret. For once, she wanted to protect him.
Xxxxx
July 2008
Bulkmeier's Hotel & Cabana-Pool Side
Angel Grove, CA
Jason escorted his wife and his children to the pool. He gave a cordial nod to Bulk and Skull, part owners to this place. He helped to put sunblock on his kids, and he waited for his friends and niece to come meet them.
Bulkmeier's Hotel & Cabana was established in early 2000. Bulk and Skull made a proposition to their investor about opening this spacious, upscale hotel, so the tourists, who were excited to be in the 'Home of the Power Rangers', had a place to stay. Seeing that this was a lucrative opportunity, the investor couldn't pass this up.
Dr. Thomas 'Tommy' Oliver wasn't only a high school teacher; he was the one who put money up to make this hotel he co-owned with Bulk and Spike. The bumbling idiots from high school had matured, and Tommy credited that to the things these two have seen—becoming officers of Angel Grove, traveling far distances, and being witness to several incarnations of Power Rangers. Of course, the two put everything together, and they were very much honored to be close friends to past rangers. In addition, Skull had a son, named Spike, so this was a way to provide stability for him.
Tommy, Kim, and Sophia arrived at the pool about ten minutes later. Sophia immediately ran up to the former bullies of Angel Grove High. She gave them bear hugs. She enjoyed these two like no other. Husband and wife also smiled at them. Tommy went to give them a manly hug, and he spoke about business. Kim made sure to place their items next to the Scott Family. She, too, protected her daughter from the sun's rays.
After that, the kids went to the pool, and they began to peddle in the cool water, while Trini and Kim talked and watched the kids.
Jason took that as his cue to head over to the bar. There, he saw Kim's husband, and he wanted to talk to him about his talk with Kim. He wanted to make sure there were no hard feelings, and he even felt obligated to apologize for his hostility. He arrived at his destination, and he ordered a Budweiser. He sat right next to Tommy.
For a little, the men drank in silence.
Finally, Jason spoke. "I just want to tell you, I am sorry for how I've acted lately. The shock of your guys' secret was an emotional blow, an act of betrayal. I thought I knew everything about you two," he said his sorry with honesty laced in. "I hope you understand."
Tommy throatily swallowed his swig of beer. "Of course I understand. Jase, do you remember the time I told you I was going to ask Kim to the dance?"
Jason smirked. "I'm not the one with the memory problem," he placed his beer on the counter and nodded.
"I was so nervous to ask her, but I came to you because I wanted your approval. I knew how close you and Kim were; I just wanted to make sure it was okay. You were the first one to know how deep my feelings for her ran."
"It's not like they weren't obvious."
"But you were the closest to her."
"I did approve, but Kim was her own person. If I said one thing about that greasy ass ponytail you had, she would smack me across my face," Jason laughed about his little sister. "I've always wanted to protect her, but my talk with her made me realize something."
"And what's that," Tommy questioned, playing with his empty bottle. He ordered another beer.
"All the protection she needed was in the form of you," the first leader to a group of Power Rangers genuinely stated. "Of course, I approved of your guys' relationship. Your friends and your parents, your adopted parents, were the only people that really approved. Remember, Kim's mom wasn't exactly too happy about the relationship."
Tommy's eyes bugged out at the recognition. "Who are you telling?"
Jason chuckled. "But, obviously Charlotte warmed up. She loves you, and she knows you have been taking care of Kim, since you guys got back together," he looked at Tommy earnestly. "At first, I was very angry about you two not cluing me in about this hidden adoption. I mean, I would've helped. I would've found a way," he repeated because he was that serious. "You guys are the closest to me, besides Trini," he, then, glanced at his wife, who looked absolutely gorgeous as the sun illuminated her features, "I just felt left out."
"But you aren't left out anymore. Like Kim said, you could've pulled me to the side, talk to me about this, sparred with me. It's been four years since the truth was unleashed; you didn't have to hold your anger in for so long," Tommy firmly relayed. He really thought of Jason as his brother. Jason was his best man at the wedding, Godfather to Sophia, and he knew that if they kept their son, Jason would've been the Godfather to him too.
"You're right," Jason agreed, and then he ordered beverages for the closest people around them. The waiter went to take the drinks over. "I was so used to protecting and knowing every single aspect of her life, your life, I was in utter surprise when this was revealed. My hurt got the best of me, rather than trying to really help."
"You've always been there for us."
"Lately, I haven't."
"I know you want to find him just as much as we want to."
"I admit though, I did have some jealously towards you," Jason revealed, much to Tommy's surprise. "Yeah, before Trini, Zack, and I got the news we were going to Switzerland, you come back as the White Ranger and sudden leader to the team. I became your subordinate. That hurt to the core. Coupled with you being there for Kim in ways I couldn't, I became overwhelmed and it boiled over."
"Bro, let's just not worry about the past. We need to move forward, but just know I apologize too," the Multicolored ranger clanked his beer bottle with the past Red and Gold ranger.
With this understanding between them, the two went back to the their families. On the way there, Tommy spoke about the plans he's been devising. He clued Jason in.
"What took you so long," Trini asked, as she took a drink of her margarita.
"We were talking," Jason answered his wife's question. He looked at Tommy. "Do you think they can handle this?"
Tommy glanced over his shoulders. Bulk forgot to place the cap on the blender, and the drink he was mixing spurted all over the large man. This was just like old times. He heard the cackling laughter from Skull. "I believe they can handle it."
Kim nodded. "Alright, then talk to them," she ordered, and she placed her drink down. She walked towards the pool, since she was ready to take a dip.
"What's going on," Trini curiously questioned them. Lately, she seemed to be full of questions. "Is someone gonna answer?"
Jason kissed his wife. "You wouldn't believe me, if I told you," he ushered her to the pool.
Tommy returned to his business partners.