Pawns
Chapter Two: Call Waiting
Wednesday, February 12, 1997
In the Gym and Juice Bar in Angel Grove, the teenagers who regularly saved the world as Zeo Rangers enjoyed some downtime after an arduous day at school. Tommy was the center of attention, bench-pressing while the others watched and cheered him on.
"Okay," said Rocky, "you got two more sets. You ready?"
"I was born ready," responded Tommy enthusiastically, rolling up his sleeves and lying back down on the bench. The Rangers watched as Tommy lifted the weights and counted aloud.
Ernie, the restaurant's owner, wove his way through throngs of students, carrying a small envelope with a Florida postmark. "Hey Tommy, a letter came for you."
"It's from Kimberly," Billy added with a smile.
The lines of focus instantly smoothed Tommy's young face, leaving a wide grin. "Cool! Hey Adam, could you do me a favor and read it? I have one more set to do."
"You got it," said Adam, taking the letter and opening it, "'Dear Tommy, everything is going great here in Florida. Coach Schmidt has me as ready as I'll ever be for the competition.'"
"Man," said Rocky, "Kimberly is gonna do great!"
"What else does she say?" Tanya coaxed.
"'Tommy, this is the hardest letter that I'll ever write,'" A frown crossed the Green Ranger's face, but he continued. "'You've always been my best friend, and in some ways you're like a brother to me. But, something has happened here that I can't explain. It's both been wonderful and painful at the same time. Tommy, I've met someone else-'"
Adam stopped short, and looked up from the letter, aghast. Tommy, who was in the middle of a lift, nearly dropped the weight. He set down the dumbbell and jumped up.
"What?" Kat murmured, horrified, "That can't be right!"
"Tommy," said Adam uncomfortably, "maybe you should finish this another time?"
"Let me see," he ordered, nearly snatching the letter from his friend. His gaze hardened as he continued. "'Tommy, you know I would never do anything to hurt you, but I feel like I've found the person..." His throat closed, forcing him to choke out the rest. "…I belong with. He's wonderful, kind, and caring. You'd really like him...'"
Tommy chuckled bitterly at that statement, dark eyes burning. Despite the emotions strangling him, he continued to read aloud. "'Everything would be perfect if it weren't for hurting you. But, I have to follow my heart. I'll always care about you Tommy. Please forgive me. Kimberly...'"
Tommy's voice had gradually lowered greatly as he read, to the point where he merely exhaled her name. He squeezed his eyes tightly, and slowly folded the letter. His fingers dragged carefully against the creases as his mind swam.
"Are you all right?" asked Billy gently.
"Huh?" asked Tommy, snapping back to reality, "Uh… yeah."
Tommy rose to his feet, and turned to face his friends. "I uh, I have to go, um, I'll uh... c-catch up with you guys later."
Then, the valiant leader of the Power Rangers hurried out of the Youth Center, not looking anyone in the eye. The remaining teens watched him go, completely stunned.
Katherine's wide azure gaze stared at the exit through which Tommy retreated long after he was gone.
* * *
In Angel Grove Park, Tommy sat beneath the long, protective arms of a large maple tree, gazing out at the still waters of the lake. He rose to his feet, and walked along the shore, his eyes blank with stubborn disbelief. As he walked, he came across a large stone slab, surrounded by flowers and grass at the very edge of the water.
His face remained numb when he remembered the day he lost his Green Ranger powers for the first time. That day, he came to this very spot, to work out some of his anxiety in the fresh air. He felt powerless and lonely, much like he felt now. It had seemed that his life was over. At least, until she came for an impromptu visit.
Earlier that day, Tommy had decided that he would ask his charming, beautiful pink teammate to an upcoming dance, but when the opportunity arose, they were attacked by Rita's Putty Patrol. After the painful, exhausting loss of his powers, he had felt more self-conscious than ever, and looked away from Kimberly's soothing gaze, for fear of losing himself in their golden shimmer. So Kim decided to take the first step. Ever so shyly, she started a conversation that culminated in the most tender of kisses, which finally gave him the chance to express the feelings he'd struggled with since the day they met.
Believe it or not, it was the happiest day in Tommy's life. Even though he had lost his powers, the loss was coupled by a great gain: the knowledge that Kimberly Hart loved him. From that point onward, Tommy had looked at that special stone with fondness. It was where his life truly began. He gained unsurpassed strength that day, even though his powers were gone. That inner strength, that he never really knew was there, showed itself time and time again… especially when Kimberly was in danger. That strength and self-confidence helped him mature, and grow into a fitting candidate for the White Ranger powers later on, and even the leadership of the Power Rangers. He owed it all to Kimberly, and the kiss by the lake.
Simply put, her love laid a solid foundation upon which he reconstructed himself.
Tommy touched the stone with his fingertips, dragging his hand against its porous surface. Just what was he supposed to do now?
He jumped when a warm hand tapped his shoulder.
"Tommy, are you okay?"
Tommy quickly wiped his face and turned around to see Katherine.
"Yeah," he murmured. Katherine wasn't so easily convinced.
"Everyone's really worried about you."
"I'm sorry," he sighed, looking to the side, "but I just don't get it. I mean, Kimberly's never mentioned anything about this..." He added weakly, "until now."
"I wish there was something I could say to make you feel better," Kat admitted, "but I know there isn't."
"Thanks anyway," Tommy said with a forced smile.
"Will you call one of us?"
"Yeah, sure," said Tommy, looking back at the water, "No problem."
"You take care," Kat said sternly.
"Yeah."
Katherine stared at her leader, watching as his screaming dark eyes turned back to the lake, effectively dismissing her. She sighed deeply as she gave up, and walked back to the path leading out of the park. On her way, she found Billy waiting.
"Hey," she greeted quietly.
"Any luck?"
"He's really in bad shape," Kat sighed.
"This calls for drastic measures," Billy decided, "We're going to have to do something to cheer him up."
"What? Do you have something in mind?"
"I think I just might," the genius answered, a smile of inspiration forming on his lips, "Come on."
* * *
Thursday, February 13, 1997
In their small apartment nestled deep within Coach Schmidt's training complex, Kimberly and Renee enjoyed a rare evening of relaxation, watching a comedy recently released to video on their small television.
Occasionally, Renee crumbled into near-hysterical laughter. More than once she almost choked on her salt-free popcorn by suddenly laughing at one crude joke or another. Yet, despite Renee's mirth, the atmosphere was anything but amusing. For while Kimberly's eyes stared straight ahead at the movie, her mind was three thousand miles away.
For what must have been the thirtieth time that evening, Kimberly's gaze slid to the digital clock beside her bed.
The harsh red light flared eleven-thirteen.
Despite herself, Kim released a small sigh. Renee glanced at her friend, heaving a sigh of her own as she put the movie on pause.
"Kim, you're depressing me," she grumbled.
"Sorry, 'Ne," said Kim, "but Tommy always calls me at ten o'clock. He's over an hour late!"
Renee smirked. "I thought you said your boyfriend would be late to his own funeral."
"Yeah," Kim sighed, "but he's usually on time when he calls me."
"You also said he's very forgetful," Renee pointed out.
"True, but he doesn't forget me!" Kim practically whined.
"I understand that, but maybe something important came up, and he was distracted."
That was entirely possible. After all, Tommy was still a Power Ranger, and duty always came first. Their telephone conversations never touched upon Ranger issues, considering the phone lines weren't necessarily secure, but when she visited California in December Billy had given her all the details of the team's newest enemy: the Machine Empire.
The Zeo Rangers had a lot on their hands. Of course, world security would come before a simple phone call.
She was overreacting.
"Or," continued Renee, "maybe he wanted to save his money to call you tomorrow. Don't tell me you forgot what day tomorrow is!"
"You're right, 'Ne," said Kim with a smile, "He'll call tomorrow."
Renee snickered as Kim dove her hand into the warm bowl, tossing the puffed kernels into her mouth one at a time.
"So... what's this movie about again?"
Kim squealed as Renee tossed a fistful of popcorn at her.
* * *
Friday, February 14, 1997
"Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday dear Kimmie...
Happy Birthday to You!!" sang the entire squad of gymnasts.
"And many moooore..." added Gunther Schmidt in his deep baritone. The entire group screamed and shouted, and Kimberly couldn't help but laugh hysterically. She had stepped into the gym for evening practice at six, as usual, and was surprised by her friends singing a capella.
"Surprise!" cried Renee in excitement, "Happy Eighteenth, Girl!"
"You guys shouldn't have..."
"Nonsense," said Trevor, kissing her cheek, "How could we not celebrate the birthday of one of our favorite gymnasts?"
"Come on, now," said the Coach, "let the Birthday Girl through! She has to cut the cake!"
Trevor gave Kim his arm, and escorted her to the table, where three gallons of milk and a large sheet cake, with white frosting, small pink flowers on the sides, and a little balance beam in icing, were waiting. Renee handed Kimberly the knife, and she started cutting the first piece.
* * *
Meanwhile, at a ski resort nestled in the serene mountains several hours north of Angel Grove, Tommy stood beside Heather Thompson, a beautiful champion skier, atop a snow covered cliff. They had met not long after Tommy, Katherine, and Billy arrived at the resort, and the two immediately hit it off. And after Tommy heroically saved her from falling off a treacherous slope, Heather couldn't help but find this mysterious young man intriguing… and attractive.
"This place is amazing," Tommy marveled, taking off his helmet and gazing down the cliff, "Look how far it is to the bottom!"
"I come up here to get excited before I compete," Heather revealed, "It's like there's no one else in the world when you're up here. No pressures."
Tommy nodded his agreement, a faraway look in his eyes.
"No one expecting anything from you," Heather continued, gazing intently at Tommy. He turned to her, and looked deeply into her warm golden brown eyes. He smiled.
"Listen Tommy," Heather said quietly, "I hope you don't mind, but Kat and Billy told me a little bit about Kimberly-"
Tommy's smile fell, and he turned away, staring down the high cliff again. Heather swallowed her concern, and continued.
"I'm sorry; it sounded like you guys has something really special."
"We did," he said in a bitter tone, "but I guess nothing lasts forever, right?"
Heather touched his shoulder and smiled up at him. "Want to talk about it?"
"No," said Tommy with an uncomfortable laugh, "Thanks anyway."
"Okay," she breathed, once again losing herself in his soulful eyes. Tommy met her gaze, drinking in golden brown kissed with traces of gray… and for a moment, a familiar feeling came over him. Their faces inched closer together, her warm breath tickling his lips.
Suddenly, Tommy blinked in shock. What am I doing? She's not Kimberly!
He quickly turned away from Heather, and pulled on his helmet to hide the flush of embarrassment.
"Hey, uh, we'd better go," he decided, walking towards the snowmobile that brought them to the cliff, "Ready?"
Heather stared at him, shocked at his instantaneous change of heart. "Yeah," she grumbled, unable to hide her disappointment.
* * *
After a few hours of singing, dancing, and far too much sugar, Kimberly excused herself at a nine-thirty. At five minutes to ten, she plopped onto her bed, utterly exhausted.
"He should be calling any minute now..."
But he didn't call. Kim spent over an hour waiting by the telephone, flipping through television stations or fashion magazines, and constantly glancing at the clock, or the telephone. She sighed deeply, and picked up the romance novel she was reading; but she couldn't concentrate. By eleven o'clock, Kimberly had resorted to staring intently at the phone, as if it would ring at any moment. By eleven fifteen she picked up the telephone, checking to see if there was a dial tone and that the ringer was turned on. Once she was certain the phone was in service, she returned to her vigil.
That's how Renee found her when she stepped into the room just shy of midnight.
"What on Earth are you doing?" she asked. Kim grimaced, and looked up at her roommate.
"Waiting for Tommy to call," she said simply.
Renee tried her best to mask her surprise, but she doubted she could hide it from Kim. "Well, maybe you should call him. Just to check up on him."
Kim nodded, picking up the phone. "He probably didn't think I'd be home… or something."
She dialed the familiar number of the Oliver house, and let it ring. After the third ring, a young boy answered the phone.
^Hello, Oliver residence.^
"Hiya, Jesse. It's Kimberly."
^Oh, hey Kim!^ The boy perked up. ^How are you?^
"Fine. Listen, is your brother there?"
^No, he went away for the weekend.^
Kimberly couldn't keep the surprise from her voice. "Really? Where did he go?"
^He went skiing with Kat.^
Silence.
^Kim? You there?^
"Uh…" her mind was in a daze. "W…what did you say?"
^He went skiing with Kat for the weekend. He should be back Sunday. Want me to tell him you called?^
"No!" Kim said quickly, "Nevermind. I... I'll try again Sunday. Take care, Jesse."
^G'bye, Kim.^
Kim's hand inched from her face, slowly hanging up the receiver. Then, she stared at it in a daze.
"What happened?" asked Renee.
"That was Tommy's little brother Jesse," Kim mumbled, "Tommy's not home."
"Oh?" said Renee, "Well, that's not such a big deal, Kim. It's still early in California. He'll probably be back in an hour or so."
"No, he won't."
Renee blinked. Suddenly, Kim's tone rolled from detached to desperate. Tears began to build, a psychological dam bursting before Renee's very eyes. "He... he went skiing for the weekend. He went skiing with Kat on my birthday! On Valentine's Day!"
"Who's Kat?"
"My replacement!" Kim whimpered. She then gathered her knees to her chest, tightly hugging her legs as she struggled to regain some composure. Renee was thunderstruck until she shook off her surprise, and sat beside her friend.
"I'm sure it's a misunderstanding," she soothed, squeezing Kim's quivering shoulder, "Jesse could've gotten the facts wrong. I bet a whole group of them went. Why don't you call one of your other friends and find out?"
"No!" Kim gasped, "I… I don't want to look like I'm checking up on Tommy. I don't have the right to keep tabs on him or anything. Jesse said he'll be back Sunday. I'll call him then, and we'll straighten this whole mess out."
"Right," said Renee, "and don't worry about it, Kim. I'm sure it looks worse than it really is."
Kimberly's lip quivered, but she couldn't form words to answer.