Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter eighteen of "Just Away." This chapter features Kim's return. It features some Tommy/Kim and Rocky/Aisha. The next one will introduce Dex and Lexian. Stay tuned for chapter nineteen.
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Chapter 18: Spilling Beans
An American robin flew through the sky. It spotted Angel Grove Memorial Hospital and flew downward. It landed on the windowsill to Kim's room. It looked inside with a soft chirp. It spotted Tommy, who was telling her about Vile's arrival as he sat next to her on the bed. Billy, Kat, Rocky, Adam, and Aisha stood around it. She was in an inclined position. She had the bear in her lap. She petted one of its arms.
"Ninjor managed to get away from Zedd and Rita because of Rito's clumsiness. He told us Master Vile wanted the Zeo Crystal and the remainder of his family on his side after he arrived in the Command Center," Tommy explained.
"I am so glad Ninjor was able to finally escape Zedd and Rita," Kim whispered in much relief. "I am not surprised Rito was clumsy. You would think he'd learn not to carry a jar around due to such a flaw."
"He may be stupid, but he can brilliant at times," Rocky admitted with a shrug.
"Before you ask about the Zeo Crystal, it is one of the most powerful forces in the universe. The people of the M-51 Galaxy hid it inside the Caves of Deception beneath Zedd and Rita's palace. They placed a force field around it to keep those not pure of heart from touching it," Billy commented seriously.
"Talk about dangerous," Kim whispered in fear.
"No shit," Aisha agreed. "I am amazed Ninjor did not get a scratch on him when he got away from Rita and Zedd, especially since they have Motha. I guess they were too shocked at Master Vile's arrival to recapture him easily."
"Let's not forget they are bumbling fools," Adam said while crossing his arms. He emitted a quiet sigh. "It is funny how they can be so powerful, yet they can't complete simple tasks such as recapturing someone who has escaped their grasp in their line of sight."
"The good news is Ninjor accepted me instantly when I told him about how I came to be the new Pink Ranger," Kat said warmly.
"That is good, Kat," Kim responded in happiness. "I had no doubt you would do well in your first fight."
"I was a little nervous at first, but I became confident as I fought the Tengas," Kat commented, clasping her hands together.
"Unfortunately, Motha handed our asses to us," Rocky grumbled with a roll of his eyes. He stretched his arms above his head and scratched his neck. He placed them at his sides. "Who knows how dangerous Master Vile's monsters will be?"
Kim hugged her bear somewhat tightly. She flicked at one of its ears before tracing it and the other one with her finger. She rubbed its back so lightly that it seemed she was not even touching it. She let out a heavy sigh as a tear slid down her cheek.
"Anyway, I am not surprised that my father wants my baby and me," Kim mumbled, her body shaking a bit. She wiped another tear from her eyes. "He could try to get me while I am in the hospital. I won't be going home for a couple of days."
"Kim, I understand you are scared, but we will do everything in our power to protect you," Tommy whispered in determination. He touched her cheek and stroked it with his thumb. "If you want me to, I can ask the front desk if I can stay overnight."
"Tommy, I would like that very much," Kim responded, choking back a sob. Tears fell from her eyes, some merging with each other. "How did I get so lucky to fall in love with you?"
"How did I get so lucky to fall in love with you?" Tommy commented, smiling softly.
She sniffled and leaned close to his ear. "Do you think we should tell them?"
He nodded. "Yeah."
Billy, Kat, Rocky, Adam, and Aisha expressed a bit of confusion. Kim pulled away from her fiancée. They looked at them. She wiped more tears from her eyes. She emitted a shuddering breath. He took her hand into his in which he gazed it a gentle squeeze.
"Guys, there is something Kim and I would like to tell you," Tommy said, a small smile forming on his face.
"Which is?" Kat wondered in much curiosity.
"We are…are…" Tommy stammered and touched his throat. He took a deep breath before swallowing hard. "We…we…"
Rocky held out his hands. "You are what?"
Kim showed off her engagement ring. "We are engaged to be married."
Billy, Kat, Rocky, Adam, and Aisha felt their jaws drop to the floor. They opened and closed their mouths, but they could not get any words to come out. Tommy and Kim took a closer look at them. They wondered when they would say anything.
"I am sure you think we are too young to get married, but we really want to," Tommy said eagerly.
"Seventeen is a very young age to marry," Adam responded seriously and exhaled sharply. "Two thirds of teen marriages do end in divorce."
Kat nodded in agreement. "That is true."
Billy furrowed his brow. "Let's not forget your parents may not approve due to your young age."
"We are aware of that, Billy. We are determined to make this marriage work," Kim said in a firm voice. "To make things easier for us, Tommy and I will ask his parents if I can move in with them."
"That would be a good idea," Aisha agreed. She went over to the other side of the bed to sit down. "My parents would love for you to stay in our house, but I believe they would feel you should be near Tommy. He would not have to worry about you calling in the middle of the night because you were craving a fast-food milkshake."
"What expectant father likes that?" Rocky asked.
Aisha glanced at him. "I could see you getting milkshakes for both of us if I was pregnant. After all, you never pass up an opportunity to snack on something."
Rocky shrugged. "That is true. Maybe Zack and I should have an eating contest. We could see which of us is the bigger eater. Tommy mentioned he had a big appetite once."
"Yeah. Zack ate a whole bowl of grapes in twenty minutes a month before you, Adam, and Aisha moved to town, Rocko. He said he was able to that because he used to pop gumdrops into his mouth three at a time," Tommy explained.
Adam snickered under his breath. "Talk about having a very big mouth. I am sure some wacky stuff has come out of it."
Tommy emitted a soft sigh. He wondered what Jason, Zack, and Trini would think of his and Kim's engagement. He believed they would be uncertain at first because of their age, but they would accept it. He was glad Coach Schmidt gave them his blessing. He hoped their parents and grandparents would do the same, especially hers.
"I consider teen marriage to be very challenging, but I will support your engagement," Aisha said, warmth echoing from her voice.
"Me too," Kat said, holding up her hand.
"Me three," Billy added with a smile.
"Don't forget us," Rocky and Adam blurted out while holding up their hands. "We support your engagement too."
"Thank you so much, guys," Kim said, happiness echoing from her voice.
"We appreciate it," Tommy added and sighed in relief. "This will be great."
Aisha touched Kim's shoulder, causing her to look at her. She wrapped her arms around her to give her a big hug. Kim responded by hugging her more tightly. They stayed this way for ten seconds before letting go of each other.
"So, have you thought about when you want to have your wedding?" Aisha asked curiously.
"Actually, no," Kim admitted with a shake of her head. She placed her hand on her stomach. "We are more concerned about the baby at the moment."
"We can't forget about Master Vile either," Tommy added with raised eyebrows. "Who knows how he is going to get the Zeo Crystal?"
"Like Zordon said, Master Vile's infinite wisdom in the ways of evil will help him come up with a way," Billy pointed out matter-of-factly. "The good news is the Thunderzords have been rebuilt. They had their weapons upgraded in Thunderzord and Dinozord mode. Alpha created a replica of the Dragon Dagger in order to summon the Dragonzord."
"I can't believe the Thunderzords are back, Billy. I thought they could not be repaired," Kim said in shock.
"That's what Zordon and Alpha thought too, but I was confident I could do it. Alpha helped me. It took three months to complete the task. We finished them last week," Billy explained.
"We still have to get the Falconzord and Pink Power Coin back, but at least we have a chance," Rocky said and smiled.
"Yep," Tommy agreed. He started talking about the time he and his teammates fought Frankenstein.