Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter four of "Just Away." It features the first appearances of Tommy, Schmidt, and Billy. Rocky, Adam, and Aisha will be introduced in the next one. Tommy will be reunited with Kim in the one after that. Stay tuned for chapter five.

XXXXX

Chapter 4: Shocking News/Getting Word

The midmorning sun beamed its rays on Angel Grove Memorial Hospital the next day. A nurse was monitoring Kim's vitals in the ER. The heart monitor beeped at a steady pace. Kim began to stir and let out a soft moan. The nurse looked at her as the girl opened her eyes. Kim found blurry vision. She blinked them three times, clearing it.

"Oh, good," the nurse said in relief. "You have finally woken up."

"Where am I?" Kim asked in confusion. She winced in some pain and touched the top of her head. She glanced at her. "What happened? Why does my head hurt?"

"You are in the ER at Angel Memorial Hospital. You fell off the balance beam and hit your head at the Youth Center. Your friend, Kat, found you and called 911," the nurse explained gently. "It seems it stemmed from exhaustion in training for the Pan Global Games."

"What was Kat doing at the Youth Center last night?" Kim wondered as she touched her cheek.

"She never did say," the nurse admitted with a heavy sigh. "She might have been out on a walk and came upon the place. She got a bad feeling and went to check it out."

"That is possible," Kim admitted and licked her lips. "I have not been in a hospital in years. The last time was when I broke my left arm while playing in the park at age seven."

"Was the break bad?" the nurse said and stroked her chin.

"It wasn't bad, though it took about four weeks to heal," Kim whispered and blew in a soft manner. "Some people end up with shorter arms due to fractures."

"My brother did when he broke his arm at five years old," the nurse pointed out truthfully. "Anyway, I will get Dr. Jacobs."

The nurse opened the curtain and stepped outside. She closed it while taking three deep breaths. Kim listened to her departing footfalls. She could hear talking, but she couldn't make out what was being said. Just then, approaching footfalls sounded, causing her to raise her eyebrows. Alan opened the curtain and stepped inside. He held a folder in his hand. He closed the curtain before coming to her side.

"Good morning, Kim," Alan greeted and let out a relieved sigh. "I am so glad you are awake."

"I am glad to be awake," Kim responded and swallowed hard. "I never thought I'd end up in the hospital ten years later."

"I looked at your medical records and found you had suffered a broken arm at age seven," Alan said.

Kim exhaled sharply and let out a small yawn. "It wasn't pleasant, but I got over it. Anyway, is it bad?"

"We ran a lot of tests. Everything came back negative. You will probably have a nagging headache for a few days, but there is nothing permanent," Alan said truthfully.

"Oh, thank God," Kim said in great relief while looking away. She turned back to him, seeing a serious look on his face. "What's wrong?"

Alan pressed his lips together before clearing his throat. "We did discover something else."

Kim became quite confused as her heart started to beat faster. Her body began shaking badly. She bit her lip as she let out a shuddering breath. He opened the folder and looked at it.

"I ordered blood tests to make sure you didn't have any sign of infection. They revealed high levels of human chorionic gonadotropin. This hormone is present only during a pregnancy," Alan explained.

"You mean, I'm—" Kim started.

He closed the folder. "Yes, you're pregnant."

Kim gasped in much shock. Her lower lip quivered as her trembles increased to the point that it seemed they would not stop. Her heart pounded against her chest. She felt sobs rising in her throat as she knew there was no way she would able to compete in the Pan Global Games. Nor would she be able to fight as a Power Ranger for a long while, though she understood she wouldn't have been able to for a few days, anyway.

Her thoughts shifted to Tommy. She feared he would react badly to this situation, possibly even dump her. She didn't want to lose him after all they had been through together. Of course, she knew she couldn't make him be part of her life or the baby's if he decided not to be. The prospect of raising their child alone still made her nervous.

She started thinking about her coach, her friends, parents, grandparents, uncle, brother, and stepfather. She feared bad reactions from them as well, especially her mother, who was hoping she'd join her in Paris once school was finished. She didn't want to think about how Aisha's parents, Greg and Mina, would react. She was so grateful to them for allowing her to stay with them after Andre and Caroline left the states following their wedding.

She thought about the teachers and students. She didn't doubt many would judge her and Tommy for this. It made her angry they did that to teen parents. She was grateful that Angel Grove High School had a teen parent program that she and Tommy could enroll in. It would allow them be excused from classes for doctor's appointments and such. That was if his reaction to the situation wasn't bad.

Kim closed her eyes. She took deep breaths in which she pushed those thoughts out of her head. She opened them slowly as tears formed in them. They fell down her cheeks, some merging with each other. She wiped them away before letting out a soft sniffle. Her breathing came out in shudders. Alan reached into the folder to pull out pictures.

"We were concerned about the baby's condition, so I had Dr. Wingo do an ultrasound. He was the obstetrician on duty last night. He found the baby was fine and that its growth was on track. He determined you were four months along and would be due March 26," Alan said.

"Four months?" Kim said in much shock. "I am not tall at all. You would think I'd already be showing."

"That is the case for most petite women. Because you are a gymnast, any weight you may have gained would've become muscle. That makes it easier for a pregnancy to remain undetected," Alan murmured in much gentleness. "Let's not forget every pregnancy is different."

Kim looked ahead while emitting another shuddering breath. She recalled the night she and Tommy made intense and passionate love four months earlier. They had been through a tough battle with Goldar and Scorpina, whom were sent by Zedd and Rita to attack the town square and Downtown Angel Grove. They did it unprotected as they wanted to feel each other fully. They had not been as sexually intimate since then due to her training. When they were, it was very intense and passionate. Alan cleared his throat, causing her to look at him.

"Dr. Wingo took some pictures. He thought you would like to look at them," Alan said, handing her the pictures.

"Thanks," Kim whispered with a soft sigh. "Are Tommy and my friends—"

"Yes, they are here," Alan answered. "Tommy was in the waiting room when I updated him about you a few hours ago. So was Coach Schmidt. I am sure your friends are too. It is possible some of them went for a walk to clear their heads."

"I am sure Tommy has contacted my parents and stepfather. It is likely they are having problems getting here. I know his parents would be worried about my condition," Kim explained and sniffled. "Are you going to let everyone know what is going on now?"

"I will once we get you in a room," Alan said. "I am not going to tell them about the baby. You should be the one to tell them."

"Okay," Kim agreed with a small nod. "Tommy wouldn't like it if someone told him something about me before I had a chance to tell him."

"I will see you in a few minutes," Alan responded while patting her shoulder. "Enjoy looking through the pictures."

"Mm-hmm," Kim said as the doctor opened the curtain and stepped away. She watched him close it. She turned to the pictures. She looked at the first one. She cracked a small smile at how clear the baby was in it.

00000

Two nurses walked down a long hallway an hour later. They chatted to each other while passing the waiting room. Tommy was on the payphone with Caroline. Billy stood close to him. Kat sat in a chair near the entrance. Schmidt was seated in one to the left of her. Both of them looked quite worried, especially the former. She felt tears come to her eyes. She wiped them away as her heart beat fast.

Billy scratched his neck. He, Tommy, Rocky, Adam, Aisha, and Schmidt arrived at the hospital not long after they were called. They decided to stay for a few hours. Tommy informed them Louise told his grandparents, Kenny and Carrie, about Kim's situation. When they learned Kim had not woken up, all of them headed home to rest with the exception of Tommy and Schmidt. The duo was determined to stay. They even fell asleep for a long while.

Rocky, Adam, Aisha, Billy, and Kat returned to the hospital three hours ago. They were disappointed to learn from Tommy and Schmidt that Kim still hadn't woken up. After an hour-and-a-half, Rocky, Adam, and Aisha headed to Angel Grove Park to clear their heads. Tommy called Danny, Louise, Jason, Zack, Trini, Benny, Steve, Ryan, and Caroline to give them an update an hour later. Ryan was unable to book a flight out of Chicago due to a severe thunderstorm. Benny managed to get one out of Nashville, but he would not get in town for several hours. Steve could not leave the ranch because his parents were sick with stomach viruses. Jason, Zack, and Trini were staying put at the Peace Conference because they were leaving for Kenya tomorrow. Danny and Louise told their son they would let his grandparents know.

Kat looked toward the window. She observed three nurses walking by and pointing their fingers at her. She had a feeling they were talking about her. She hoped that it was positive. She looked toward Tommy, who sighed heavily. She frowned as she knew something was wrong. She felt bad for Ryan due to being stuck in Chicago. She looked ahead and folded her hands in her lap.

"Yes, Mrs. Hart," Tommy said while nodding slowly. "As soon as we hear anything, we'll let you know." He emitted a soft exhale. "You too. Bye."

Tommy hung up the phone and went over to Billy. He felt his heart skip a beat while seeing him put his hands in his pockets.

"Kim's mom is going to be really upset, huh?" Billy said sadly.

"Yeah," Tommy agreed and groaned. "The worst thing is the flights out of Paris are booked. She's stuck with no way to get here."

"Kim's dad is too. That is until the storm passes. Benny was lucky to get a flight out of Nashville, though he won't be here for several hours. Steve is stuck at home with his parents because they are sick. Jason, Zack, and Trini can't leave the Peace Conference due to tomorrow's trip to Kenya," Billy pointed out matter-of-factly. "I don't blame air control for grounding the planes. They do not want to risk them crashing due to turbulence."

"Snow is just as bad to fly in. Ice can form on the wings," Tommy added and swallowed hard. "Increment weather hasn't stopped planes from flying."

"When a plane crashes, a lot of finger-pointing results," Billy said while shaking his head in disbelief. "Why not focus on the survivors before playing the blame game?"

"People have to find someone to blame," Tommy said with an annoyed huff. "It makes them feel better."

"Except it really doesn't," Billy murmured and patted his friend's shoulder. "Anyway, what about you? How are you holding up?"

"I'm hanging in there," Tommy replied. "Hmm."

Tommy and Billy looked toward Kat, who was fidgeting a bit. They heard her sigh heavily and watched her fold her hands and lay them in her lap. The former pressed his lips together.

"Damn," Tommy muttered with a heavy sigh. His heart skipped a beat again. "Kat's taking this really hard."

"Yeah," Billy agreed in a quiet way. "It must have been difficult being the one to find Kim." He turned to him. "You know, I still don't understand what she was doing there."

Tommy emitted a long exhale. "I'm just glad she was around."

Billy nodded in agreement. "I say we all are."

Schmidt rose to his feet and went to Tommy, who turned to him. He frowned quite a bit, his heart beating somewhat fast.

"Tommy, I just want to say how again how sorry I am," Schmidt apologized with much guilt. "I feel as though this is somehow my fault."

"Nah. It was an accident, coach," Tommy assured. "Things like this happen."

"Even if you were there, it could've still happened. It is impossible to keep an eye on our surroundings every second," Billy added.

Schmidt shook his head in disbelief while walking off. Just then, Alan came into the room as he held the folder. He stopped next to Tommy, who glanced at him along with Billy.

"Good news. Kim has woken up," Alan announced.

Kat looked up, her eyes full of uncertainty. She stood up and went over to the doctor, as did Schmidt. Everyone breathed in a heavy way.

"Is she going to be all right?" Tommy asked hopefully.

"There was no permanent damage," Alan said warmly. "She's going to be on her feet in no time."

Kat sighed in relief, as did the others. "Thank God."

"Can we see her?" Tommy wondered.

"Sure. You better go one or two at a time, though," Alan said gently.

Billy gazed at Tommy and patted his shoulder. "Tommy, you go first. I'll call the others."

Tommy nodded. "Okay."

Tommy went over to the payphone. He stopped next to a table and grabbed a white stuffed bear. He headed out of the room and made a right turn. He passed a laundry cart. Bulk, Skull, and Jerome stuck their heads out of it. Skull had binoculars over his eyes.

"I'll never understand why I let you two drag me into these things time and time again," Jerome admitted annoyingly. "I ought to have my head examined."

"Sure, you do," Skull replied in much sarcasm.

"You won't be sorry, sir," Bulk assured. "The fate of this great nation of ours rests upon what we are about to show you."

"All right. Let's have a look at this world class spy then," Jerome commented eagerly.

"He's right over there, sir." Skull explained.

Bulk took the binoculars from his best friend. He gave them to Jerome, who looked through them. Another doctor pushed the cart away. The trio kept watching Alan, Kat, Billy, and Schmidt when they noticed they were moving. Skull turned to see a laundry chute.

"Bulkie, what floor are we on?" Skull asked.

"First. Why?" Bulk responded with a raised eyebrow.

"What floor is the laundry room on?" Skull asked.

"I would say the, uh..." Bulk said while turning to see the chute along with Jerome. "Basement!"

The trio screamed in much fear. They ducked as the cart entered the chute. They got louder as they went toward the basement. They landed there with a loud crash.