A/N: Time for a new fic! I was trying to add a preview on my last fic but ff has been acting up something awful lately. I know she's an old site so I give her all the credit in the word for sticking around this long.
Anyway, here is the longer summary of the fic:
When evil draws Tommy and Kim into an unknown universe, it's a race against time (and fiction) to stop evil from destroying all universes surrounding the Morphing Grid. Help comes from an unexpected source, a struggling college student named Meadow who is left with an impossible mission; saving the world and surviving Comic-Con.
Raging a war against evil forces and trying to work on algebra homework in between battles can take a toll on anyone. Tommy and Kimberly are feeling the effects of it on top of trying to find moments of privacy while working on a team with their friends and parents who are trying to understand what their kids are hiding. It's beginning to take a toll on their two-year relationship, with tension rising between the two of them when they can't find the time to celebrate an important milestone together. Tommy, determined to make things work between the two of them, sets out to surprise Kimberly with a weekend away at his uncle's cabin. Kimberly hopes they can take their relationship to the next level, a commitment that neither will be able to forget. All that changes though when there's a massive Earthquake and the power couple experience a vision at the same time, throwing them into a world of uncertainty.
Meanwhile, Meadow Townsend is rolling hard on the struggle bus these days. She's in her last semester of her senior year at college but she is in a tough spot. Her boyfriend just dumped her for her roommate, leaving her to figure out how to make rent and pay off the rest of her tuition. When another friend tells her about a writing contest with a $10,000 prize, Meadow decides to take a chance. She never expected it would take her on the adventure of a lifetime.
Hope you guys enjoy! Let me know in the reviews.
Kim
"Kimberly Ann Hart! Do you have any idea of what time it is?" Mom's voice asked as I slipped through the front door of the house. I groaned internally, coming to realize my hope of her being asleep was now dashed. I turned, seeing her standing in the doorway of the dining room across from the front door. She was dressed in her red house coat, hair pinned back and the look on her face told me that she had been frowning for a while now. She crossed her arms and gave me an expectant look, waiting for an answer that I didn't know how to explain to her without sounding like I was lying which I would be regardless of what I said.
"I'm sorry, Mom. I lost track of time and didn't have the chance to get to a phone."
"It's almost 2 am! What on Earth were you doing that you lost that much track of time?" She asked as I shut the door. "Were you with Tommy?" She gave me another look and I knew what she was asking me in so few words.
"I was with everyone. We were studying for the algebra test on Monday." I said, fighting the urge to roll my eyes at her.
"So if I call Aisha's mother she will tell me the same story then?"
"We were at Billy's," I said quickly. "His dad is out of town for the weekend so he offered to let us work there." She sighed, shaking her head at me.
"I want to trust you, Kim, but you make it so hard with your behavior lately. It's like every time I turn around, you're coming home late or sneaking out without asking permission. I was a teenager once. I know what it's like when you have a boyfriend and want to be with them all the time. But you need to be safe about this kind of thing. A lot of things can happen when you aren't safe and I want to make sure you don't end up like one of those girls that has to attend a special school because of a silly mistake you made with a boy."
"Mom!" I exclaimed, turning towards the stairs. "I'm not sleeping with Tommy. Besides, even if I were, I wouldn't be dumb enough to not use protection. Can I go to bed now, please?" She sighed again.
"I wish I knew what was going on with you lately. You can talk to me. You know that right?" She looked at me with concern and that pang of guilt came back like it always does. I hated when she looked at me like that. There was so much I wanted to say to her that I knew I couldn't. It was too risky and too complicated to explain.
"I know, Mom. I promise if something bothers me, I will talk to you about it. Nothing bad is going on. Just algebra and school."
"Alright." She gave me a hug and a kiss on the temple. "You need to start calling when you're going to be late."
"I will. I promise."
"Go to bed. It's late and I have overtime tomorrow." She gave me a small reassuring smile before heading towards her room. I walked up the stairs and beelined it for my room. Once I was inside, I collapsed onto the bed and buried my face into the pillows.
I hated lying to my mother. It was something I never used to do and I felt like a complete jerk when I had to, especially when she looked at me like I was hiding top-secret government agendas from her. Or a teen pregnancy. I have been tempted on some many occasions to just tell her the truth about being a Power Ranger. Would it really be that bad if she knew? Honestly, it would be a lot easier for everyone on the team if our parents knew. The excuses of us having to run out at all hours to save the day were getting worse and worse with every passing day.
In the beginning, it wasn't as hard because it seemed like it happened more during school or the daytime hours. But now, with Lord Zedd coming into the picture and Rita worming her way back into the Moon Palace, the attacks were growing in number and frequency. I couldn't tell you the last time I got a full night's sleep. Months at least. They were cooking up more and more monsters to send to Earth, each one stronger than the last. Zordon, Alpha, and Billy were working nonstop to try to figure out what was going on to make the attacks happen more but kept coming up short. If I keep getting grounded for it, I was going to make a special trip to the Moon myself to deal with it. At this rate, Mom would be grounding me until I'm 30.
Rolling over, my eyes glanced over at the pictures on the wall. I thought about Trini, Jason, and Zack who were smiling at me as they posed in front of a tree somewhere in Switzerland. I wondered what they were doing and if they had any luck with the assignments that they had been given since we had last seen them. With the increased number of attacks, Zordon had called on them to help as needed and when they are able to. It was draining on everyone and the Morphing Grid with the constant changing of Power Coins and teleporting so they had been put on reserve more now, Trini helping with the research we needed. With everyone feeling the pressure, it was becoming increasingly harder to get a free moment with her and Aisha to talk about anything outside of being a Ranger.
Including Tommy.
His smiling face was next to theirs in the picture he had given me as a surprise after our first date. His kind face and warm smile still brought a smile of my own to my face but it was short-lived. I couldn't even tell you the last time I had seen it in person for more than just a passing moment. I also couldn't tell you the last time him and I had a free moment to be alone that didn't end up being an argument about one thing or another. It constantly felt like I was playing a game of tug of war that I didn't realize I needed to win in order to be happy with my boyfriend. We've been together for almost two years now and it felt like we were careening straight towards a breakup at this rate. The very thought of that made tears burn the back of my eyeballs. I loved Tommy with every piece of my heart and couldn't imagine not being with him. The thought of breaking up felt foreign or forced. It was meant to happen and I was trying to stop it.
But days like to do just made it so damn hard.
Tommy and I had just settled down to some pizza at his house when we were called into action. There was a monster resembling a horse trampling through downtown Angel Grove that needed to be stopped. He and I headed off to the action, fighting with the damn thing for a while before we were able to defeat it. By the time we got back to his house, the pizza was cold and we were arguing about nonsense. That went on for about an hour and we were able to come to a truce for the moment. That's when we heard that putties were going after guys on the night shift at the docks. So we were off again until about half an hour ago. I had dreaded coming home because I knew it would be trouble with my mother but I needed to do it. Tommy drove me home, promising we would do something special tomorrow to celebrate our anniversary.
I hoped he was right. I could really use some time with him. It feels like someone flipped a switch and we were suddenly a couple trying to fight off divorce. Half the time, I don't even know what we are fighting about or why we are so mad. It's like something causes it to happen. I suppose it's the stress and constant worry about the world ending if we aren't there to stop it from happening. That pressure was hard to carry and Tommy liked to shoulder it all alone if you let him. I hated it when he looked stressed because I knew what he was going through. Or at least I used to. We hadn't had an open conversation in a long time, something that made me frown.
Maybe we weren't as connected as we were before because we were growing into new people. I bit my lip, thinking about what my mother had said and had assumed. Maybe Tommy was ready for the next step between us and just didn't know how to approach it. Maybe it would be a surefire way to connect us and bring us closer together again. If that was the case, I'd be willing to take the leap of faith with him. It scared me a little but not in a way that would cause any kind of regret or second thoughts. Would he want to be with me that way too?
I nearly jumped out of my skin when the communicator on my wrist beeped three times. I realized it was the private link calling me. I hit the button, bringing it to my face. "Kimberly," I said into the speaker.
"Hey, beautiful." Tommy's voice said. "Couldn't go to sleep without hearing your voice one more time." A smile crossed my lips at his corny little greeting.
"You're so sweet," I said softly. "I was just thinking about you too."
"I hope it's good thoughts. I know I haven't done anything to cause any lately." I could hear the sad smile behind his voice.
"We're going to be okay, Tommy," I said, confidence in my voice but not in my chest. "With everything going on right now, things are stressful. We're going to get through all this though."
"I know. I just want you to remember that above all things, I love you. You're the reason I fight so hard and why I am trying to find a way to deal with Zedd and Rita before they manage to do any actual damage to us." I closed my eyes, thinking back to when I first met Tommy and how simple things were then.
"You can't do it alone. We're going to figure this out as a team and stop it."
"I sure hope so." He took a deep breath. "In the meantime though, I have something special planned for tomorrow. Could you let your mother know that you'll be having dinner with me followed with a movie? I don't want you to get in any more trouble because of me." Opening my eyes, I smirked.
"Well, I'm already grounded until Dooms Day so I suppose that one more night of sneaking out while she's at work won't do me any harm." I loved the idea of spending some quality time with him.
"Good. I already talked it over with the rest of the guys. They aren't going to bother us unless it's life or death. It'll be just you and me, beautiful."
"I like the sound of that."
"Popcorn?" Tommy whispered, holding out the bucket of buttery snacks to me. I nodded, taking the bucket from him and setting it in my lap. The trailers had just ended and the movie was about to begin. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and stroked my bicep with his thumb as he took a sip of his soda. I snuggled into his arm, feeling happy and content to be there for the first time in a long time. Plans had to change due to an earlier fight with some putties right after school. Tommy and I helped out, skipping our dinner plans to make sure everything was okay. I was worried at first that our plans would be ruined like normal but we managed to make it here in time for the last showing of the movie. Tommy promised me a bite to eat after the fact and my Mom was working until midnight. I was in the clear.
Tommy kissed the top of my head as the movie began to play. I looked up at him and he gave me a soft smile, nuzzling his nose with mine before giving me a kiss. I returned it, my lips lingering on his for a few moments. I could feel the familiar spark between us as I set the popcorn down in the empty seat next to me. Shifting in our seats, Tommy and I both turned so we were facing each other more. His hand stroked my cheek as I deepened the kiss, my fingers sinking into the soft tresses of his long hair. I could taste the soda on his lips and his tongue as mine skated across the surface of his, exploring places I hadn't been in a while. I missed kissing him like this, thinking back to just months ago when we'd sneak off to make out late at night in the park when our parents were sleeping. Normal teens doing normal teen things.
He pulled me closer to him, the armrest the only thing between us besides our clothes. We were the only ones in the theater. I could tell even though it was dark in here. We had opted for a throwback movie, an oldie from the 1950s about some kind of detective. Tommy had let me pick the movie and I knew that this wouldn't be one to get too many people in the seats. I wanted Tommy all to myself for once and I knew this would be one way to make it happen. Pulling myself up, I slid over the armrest until I was straddling Tommy's lap. He took it as a chance to wrap his arms around my waist and pull me closer, his firm body underneath me as we continued to explore each other's mouths.
I thought about what my mother had accused me of last night. I could feel underneath me the proof that Tommy could probably perform if the occasion called for it. Was it a good idea? It had been something I had thought about off and on over the last two years. Being 17, it wasn't too uncommon for it to be pretty rampant in my mind. I wondered for a moment if it would be rushing it. I knew I wouldn't have any regrets about it being Tommy but the fear of it being the only kind of comfort we have together made me afraid to try. What if it became the only thing we did together? There would be no fixing, just adding a distraction that would make us think things were okay.
Plus, I wasn't about to lose my virginity in a movie theater.
I was so deep in thought (and Tommy's mouth) that I mistakenly believed the distant noise I had heard was coming from the movie. When I heard it again, this time louder, I realized that I was indeed hearing screaming. I pulled away from Tommy, panting as I looked around the room.
"What?" He breathed, looking up at me confused. Screaming filled the arm again, followed by a loud roaring noise from somewhere. There was a cracking noise above our heads, causing both of us to look up toward the dark ceiling. An ear-piercing screech filled the air and I covered my ears to stop the pain from it.
"What is that?" I called out to Tommy who was covering his ears too. His eyes suddenly widened as he gazed passed my head.
"Kim, look out!" He wrapped his arms around me and dove forward, sending both crashing to the floor. Tommy rolled over, tucking us both underneath the row of seats. I could see just under his arm as something ripped the roof of the theater off, sending bricks and other building materials raining down on us. Tommy covered my head with him as I could feel the bricks bouncing off the floor and the seats just inches from us. There was another roar and more sounds of destruction. I peeked out again and this time saw what resembled a monster that was part bird and part gorilla standing tall above the building, looking into the theater. It had a bright yellow beak with a sharp tip, orange eyes that seemed to glow in their sockets, and an upper torso that made him look like he was ready to face off against any muscled bodybuilder. The feathers on his head, leading into his neck were a light gray color while the fur on his body was a darker color. He was searching for something in the room, the beady eyes darting from one side to another.
"Don't move." I whispered. I clung to Tommy, afraid to move a muscle as the bird looked around. It's eyes narrowed after a moment and he tipped his head back, letting out a loud cawing noise before turning and heading away from the crumbling building.
"What the fuck is that?" Tommy asked, turning his head to see what had happened.
"I don't know but it was like it knew we were in here." I said. "It was searching for us." Carefully, Tommy rolled out from under the chairs and helped me get to my feet. The monster was further down the road now and sounds of him destroying other buildings carried into the night. I sighed as Tommy gave me a hesitant look.
"Kimberly, I'm so sorry." He said. I shook my head.
"It's not your fault." I snapped, grabbing for my Morpher behind me. "I shouldn't have expected anything differently." I blinked back tears as I glared up at the night sky. "It's morphing time!"
The fight against Mega Beak (a name that Rocky coined halfway into our first attempt to stop it) had been one of the longest and most difficult we've ever faced. It felt like every time we had an upper hand on him, he just got stronger or had a new tactic to use against us. It wasn't until Billy was able to paralyze him with some kind of laser that we were finally able to corner him and take him down. He exploded in a shower of feathers and sparks but at least was taken care of.
I would rather be fighting him again right now than sitting in the front seat of Tommy's Bronco like I currently was. He had pulled up in front of my house about twenty minutes ago after a silent ride from what used to be the movie theater. I had said I was going to teleport back home but he asked me to ride with him instead. In my chest, there was such a flare of anger and dread building up inside that I thought I was going to ignite as well. It's only gotten worse in the time we've been sitting here, neither of us saying a word. I had a million things in my mind that I wanted to say out loud but I knew that they were unfair and angry. I wanted to scream and yell at someone for how cheated I felt but knew that once I did, I wouldn't be able to stop either.
"Are we breaking up?" Tommy asked. His voice was so low that I almost didn't hear him through my stewing thoughts. I turned, looking at him and seeing that his eyes were filled with sadness. My chest ached looking at him and his eyes.
"I don't know," I said honestly. He nodded, gazing at the steering wheel in front of him.
"I'll understand whatever decision you want to make." He said softly. I shook my head, scoffing.
"No. You don't get to play the nice guy right now, Tommy. And it isn't just about me and what I want. I don't even know what I want right now. I would have liked a night with my boyfriend on our anniversary but I was apparently asking too much from the universe." I felt tears building again and I bit my lip to try to make them fade away. "I want to know whether or not it's even worth trying to have a relationship when we can't find the time to even be in it."
"Kimberly, I am trying my hardest." He pleaded, moving closer to me in his seat. "I really am. I planned this whole night for the two of us."
"I know that, Tommy. None of this is on you. It's on everything else going on around us. I am so tired of fighting with Power Ranger shit just to be able to get some time with you." A tear slid down my cheek. "Sometimes, it feels like we have to choose between saving the world or being with one another. I hate that feeling but I can't shake it."
"It's like an uphill battle." Tommy replied, nodding his head. "The harder we fight back, the more powerful they seem to counterattack."
"Lord Zedd and Rita aren't going away. The world is always going to need saving, regardless of what we do or how we try to stop it." I closed my eyes, tilting my head back in the seat. "I'm struggling to see the point anymore." I felt him move next to me and he took my hand in his. I raised my head, opening my eyes to look at him.
"Listen to me," He said. "I can't explain why everything is like this right now but I can feel it too. It's like there are days when I just get so angry at being a Ranger and resent it and everything attached to it. Even you. It comes out of nowhere and I can't stop it. But then there are times like right now that when I look at you, I know that you are the person I was destined to be with for the rest of my life. Something in the universe brought us together. I don't know if it was by chance or something to do with us being Rangers. I just know that deep in my heart and soul that we were meant to walk this Earth together. I don't care if we have to quit the team to make that happen. You matter more to me than anything else."
"We can't quit," I whispered.
"Why not? Jason, Trini, and Zack did. Zordon found replacements. He can do the same for us. I'd rather be with you and be happy than try to justify the purpose of all this to myself every night before I go to sleep."
"You love being a Ranger."
"I love you more." He said, kissing the back of my hand. "I'd sacrifice anything I could to make sure you are happy and safe." I took a deep breath, looking away from him.
"I don't want to quit being a Ranger."
"Then we gotta figure out a way to make this thing between us better somehow." Gently tucking a finger under my chin, he moved my head to face him again. "I'm willing to fight for us as long as you want to."
"I want to," I replied. "I want this to work so badly."
"Well then, I think I might have an idea." He smiled, pressing his lips to my forehead. "I think a weekend away might be a good idea for the both of us."
"Away?" He nodded.
"My uncle told me that I could use his cabin any time I want. I was going to surprise you on our date tonight but it didn't go as planned. This weekend, I made plans for us both to go. Aisha already called and asked your mother if you could spend the night at her house to cover for you."
"Really?" I asked.
"Yes."
"But what if Rita or Zedd attack?" Dread filled my voice.
"I have that covered too. Trini and Jason will be home visiting anyway. They are both going to take our morphers for the weekend and cover our Power Coins while we're gone. Jason instructed the team to only reach out to us if there's a life and death threat and they have no other options. Zordon agreed too."
"Wow," I replied, realizing that it meant being alone with Tommy for an extended period of time. And spending the night together. I bit my lip, glancing at him. "A whole weekend together. Alone."
"It doesn't have to be what you're thinking." He replied, stroking my hands. "It can just be some quiet time at the cabin. Nothing that makes you feel pressured or uncomfortable. So…what do you say?"
"Okay," I smirked. He grinned.
"Yeah?" He asked, leaning in.
"Yeah." He pressed his lips to mine and I wrapped my arms around his neck, holding on to him. I love this boy so much that it was scary and exciting in the same breath. I didn't know how else to describe it beyond that. Tomy enveloped me in a hug, pulling me into his chest. I could hear his heart beating widely in his chest, telling me he had been nervous about asking me. In every thump of his heart, I could almost hear the place I belonged.