Rated: This chapter, R

Timeline: I'm fudging the timeline a little and making every one a tad older. Kim is 22 and has just graduated from the University of Florida. Assume that Angel Grove has been monster free for a few years now. There is no Ranger action here, though there will be mention of it from most of the characters. Spoilers up until the end of Power Ranger in Space. This series
is very character driven.

Characters and their age: Original...Kim 22, Tommy 23, Trini 23, Aisha 21, Kat 22, Jason 23, Rocky 22, Billy 24.

Characters and their age: New.........John 24, Mr.Bang 47, Shayla 23.

Distribution: Anywhere as long as you tell me first.

Category: Romance, Angst, Sight Humor, Sexual Tension, Sexual Situations
Couples: Slight Kim/Other, slight/sexual Kat/Tommy, Kat/Jason, Rocky/Aisha, Billy/Trini, Kim/Tommy <come on, you know I'm going there!!!>

Feedback: send it to mrsinister@mailhost.chi.ameritech.net

Authors Notes: This series will be mature and as realistic as possible. I want everyone to really be able to see the things written here happening in the real world. This fic is really about the characters we know and love becoming adults and dealing with everything that comes along with that title. I hope you enjoy.

Authors Notes 2: I would like everyone to think of this as a TV series. I don't have a set ending or how many chapters this will go. So I'm leaving all my options open. This series is opened ended and can go on forever as long as people want to read it. The Ranger's are going to face real life problems. Money problems, relationship problems, social issues, everything and anything that is in the real world. I hope to create something all of us who have wanted a mature, realistic series with these characters will enjoy.

Chapter 2
By Ozmandayus

Katherine's Condo
4223 North Saxon
Monday, January 18, 2001 6:40 PM
Angel Grove, Ca


Tommy hung the phone up after ordering dinner. Since Kat sprung for yesterdays meal he decided to return the favor today.

Then he remembered something he forgot to tell her. "I called my apartment manager, Kat. He said I might be able to move in two weeks instead of three."

Kat, dressed in her comfortable around the house outfit of pink sweat shirt and faded blue jeans, walked into the living room of her spacious condo and sat next to him on the couch. "Good. I'll be rid of you sooner than expected," she smiled at him.

"Kat!," Tommy said in a mock tone, hand over his heart. "How could you say such mean things to me?" <And how can you make casual jeans look so sexy?>

"You drank the last of 'MY' chocolate milk. I could kill you for that alone."

"I thought you were watching your figure. I didn't want it to tempt you."

"I don't obsess over my weight and you know that. Chocolate milk is my only guilty pleasure."

"I thought I was your guilty pleasure," he teased with a grin.

Kat rolled her eyes. "I've never felt guilty over you. Frustrated, yeah. Pissed off, oh hell yeah," she tossed at him, her face in a self satisfying smirk.

"Hey, our relationship ending wasn't just my fault," he said with a smile because they are so past these issues. "Your 'my way or the highway' attitude played a part as well."

Kat smacks him on the arm playfully. "You make me sound like a bitch."

"I don't mean to, Kat. But you are not very compromising when it comes to things."

"And you are not very open with how you feel. We are closer now than we were when we were dating. While we were dating you let me in, but not enough. Not like you did with Kim."

"Can we not talk about this."

"You know I'm right. After she left you, you never let anyone in as close as you did her. Now don't get me wrong, I know you loved me. And I loved you too. But I need 100% of a man, not the 69% percent you could give."

"Interesting number you brought up. I can remember a few..."

"Enough Tommy," she added with a slight blush. Kat wills a particular memory of days past out of her mind. He has always made her feel attractive, even sexy. They are the best of friends now because they know each other so well.

"What did I say?"

She looked at him closely, then moved into his personal space. Her face is right in front of his, so close she could feel the warmth of his breath. Kat stared into his eyes and placed both of her hands on his face.

"You are not getting any pussy. No matter how much innuendo you toss my way."

A wide smile grew on his face. "We'll see, Kat. But I know you still want me."

The tension was building again, as it always did when they were alone. "My, my, my, it seems your ego has somehow grown even more over the years.......And please do not turn that statement into another cheap come on."

Tommy reached out and caressed the side of her face. A slight tremble told him all he needs to know. "I don't need to use a cheap come on. All I need to do is kiss you one time, and it's over."

"Fuck you, Tommy."

"That's what I'm trying to talk you into," he whispered before his lips found hers. They playfully moved against one another, chasing, teasing, deepening the kiss. Tommy pulled Kat into his lap and wrapped his arms around her.

She knew she should stop.

She knows this is a bad idea.

But God could he kiss.

Kat found herself moaning into his mouth as his hands smoothed over her thigh. She could feel his arousal hardening against her ass, begging for her for what only she could provide.

Tommy suckles her lips, tasting her in a dance they know all to well. Her soft, sexy body has always driven him wild with desire. In the back of his mind, Tommy knows they shouldn't be doing this. But his desire for her, at least sexually, is something he always had a hard time controlling.

Katherine has only slept with two men in her entire life. Tommy, and the guy Aisha called "The Big Mistake." Luckily, that was only one time. Kat has no interest in sleeping around, but she is a normal, healthy adult woman.

To put it bluntly, she has needs.

The last time her 'needs' were met, nearly seven months ago, it was a mistake. She misread her boyfriends affections and made the time honored mistake of 'trying to keep him home'.

You know what I mean.

Kat's hands are now coursing through Tommy's hair. Somehow she is on her back and he is on top of her. His solid, muscular body rests between her thighs, teasing her, causing her to remember days past when Tommy would make love to her all night long.

Make love to her until she couldn't see anything but him.

He is kissing her like kissing is about to be outlawed.

She gives her hips a little thrust, eliciting a deep groan from his mouth to hers.

She can feel him.

She can have him.

Right now.

No ghost's of past loves stand in the corners haunting this moment.

A part of her revels in the fact that she can take Tommy as she pleases, with full knowledge that he wants her.

She's not the 'replacement'. That dark, evil word that caused her subconscious so much pain in the past no longer applies.

Her legs rap around his thighs, drawing him closer, allowing not an inch between their
bodies.

"Kat, if you don't tell me to stop now, I'm not going to be able to," Tommy moaned into her neck, suckling her, turning her on like crazy. His lips ran up and down her satin-like skin as his hips returned and earlier thrust, this time causing Kat to moan softly.

"Stop."

Immediately he ceases his tender ministrations. Tommy raises up and looks into her eyes. "I knew you were going to say that."

He rested his forehead against hers, both breathing heavily. Kat still cradles him between her legs.

"Tommy, it would be so easy to fall into this again. But we both know that a relationship between us doesn't work and I don't fuck casually. I need my best friend to remain my best friend and sex would complicate things between us."

Tommy closed his eyes and sighed. "You're right," he admitted. "I got caught up in the moment. I'm still ridiculously attracted to you."

His compliment was warmly recieved. "You do realize that I would like nothing better than to fuck you right here on this couch."

"I know," Tommy replied while brushing an errant strand of blonde hair off her face. "When you want it you always get this little blush on your face."

"I do not."

"You do, too."

Kat shook her head. "Tommy, go get dinner."

The former White Ranger moved his body off of her, and they both sat up on the couch.

"I'm sorry, Kat."

"Don't be. You certainly didn't push yourself on me. We just click physically. But we don't relationship wise."

Tommy sat back. He understands and agrees with her. "You're my best friend, Katherine."

"And you're mine."

"Okay, now that we've settled that. I'm going to go get dinner."

"So get up and go you lazy bastard."

"You treat me so bad."

Kat leaned over and hugged him. "Are you ready to talk about Kim yet?"

"After everyone leaves tonight, yeah, we can talk."

Kat knew the tone of his voice and the look on his face. <He still loves her. Even after all this time.> "You should never be ashamed of how you feel, Tommy."

He didn't answer. Emotions are not now and have never been his strong suit. "Is Jason comming by tonight?"

"Of course."

"Great. I'll talk to him and make sure he knows where me and you stand. I don't want him to get jealous."

Kat nodded in agreement. "Are you going to tell him about what almost happened here?"

"At the end of the day, nothing really happened. And nothing will happen."

They both understood that. Neither had any regrets.

Tommy stood to his feet. "I love you, best friend"

"I love you too, best friend."


******


Taking a deep breath of California fresh air, Tommy drives his Kat's car down the street with a sense of calm he has not had in a very long time.

His thoughts switch to Shayla, his ex-girlfriend. They met at a party one of his uncles sponsors was throwing. He looked up from the drink he was nursing and her fiery red hair captivated him from across the room.

Shayla was about 5'5, with a slim athletic figure. She has green eyes and red hair. Shayla always reminded him of Gillian Anderson from the X-Files. Tommy was taken the moment he laid eyes on her.

When he asked around about her he found out she was an executive on the rise in marketing at a company called Sparling Athletics.

Introductions were made. Small talk evolved. Tommy could tell she was attracted to him. They took a walk outside and eventually exchanged phone numbers.

About a month later they were an official couple. Her late hours at the office worked well in an odd sort of way because he was on the road so much. She had her own life before him and was up front about still living that way with him in her life.

For a little over a year they were involved. He taught her how to horseback ride and she taught him how to cook, one of the few skills he never seemed to master.

One he is actively still trying to master.

But Tommy could feel the same thing that happened with Katherine happening with Shayla. They laughed and talked well together. Their sex life was great and they were enthusiastic about it. The really liked being with each other.

But with the exception of sex, what was the difference between what they had and any of his friendships with other women over the years. He enjoyed talking to Trini, Aisha, and Tanya. He laughed with them and confided in them, at least partly. It was not odd for Tommy and Aisha to take in a movie together. They were never romantic, just two friends with busy schedules that found themselves bored on the same day.

Tommy had eaten lunch alone with Tanya on at least five occasions. Trini and him had even taken a three day road trip to see Korn and Limp Biskit in concert.

The only difference between what he had with Shayla and his other girl-friends was sex.

That spoke volumes.

Tommy never told her about being a Ranger. When he woke up in cold sweats from horrible memories of people he couldn't save, he never told her why when she asked what he saw in his dreams.

Kat knew already, since she had the same from time to time.

He never got the chance to sleep with Kimberly. Never had the joy of waking up with her in his arms.

He can still feel an ache from that longing.

Shifting back to Shayla, Tommy remembers coming home from a three week racing tour not long ago. Shayla told him she had found someone else. They hadn't kissed or dated, but they were talking. She told Tommy she liked this new guy, but would pursue nothing if he told her he saw a long-term future for them.

They aren't kids anymore and she didn't want a long casual fling.

Truth be told, Tommy had only given serious thought about marriage with one woman in mind. And that had been a long ago. He saw himself being close to Kat for the rest of his life. But marriage,.....Tommy doesn't think either of them ever seriously considered that.

Tommy had another three week tour lined up and he signed for it without telling Shayla first. When she broke her news about the new guy what he felt couldn't be described as jealousy or extreme hurt, like he anticipated.

What he felt was something akin to resolve. It was like 'no big deal as long as you're
happy'.

And that was the whole point. Neither were happy with there current relationship. She couldn't get a long-term commitment out of him and he couldn't bring himself to open up to her.

So they mutually decided to break up, albeit on good terms.

That was when Tommy realized that he needed to take a step back in his life. Reconnect with the things that make him happy, fulfill him, then he could go on from there.

Although the pay was great and he has over $200.000 dollars in the bank, the hectic hours, pressure from his sponsors, and a tremendous work load caused auto racing to become the first casualty in his plan to take control of his life again.

Now retired and back home, he feels a peace settle over him. Tommy once again feels like he's finding himself, who he is and where he belongs.

He is home again.


******

******


The Lace Room
Monday, January 18, 2001 8:28 PM
Angel Grove, Ca


Tommy walked into the restaurant and approached the counter. he scolded himself he prepared to pay for his order. "Excuse me ma'am?" he asked the checkout lady. "Can I get an extra large order of rib tips, fried chicken, and pasta."

"Sure, but that will be about 15 minutes."

"That'll be fine," he replied as he turned around.

Tommy has seen plenty of things in his life that took his breath way.

The first time he morphed.

The first time he traveled through space.

That one time he even time traveled.

But the sight before him now leaves him breathless.

Kimberly sits at a table not more than ten feet away from him.

She is not alone.

Tommy takes a deep breath as his eyes fall over the man who is currently holding her hand, gazing into her eyes. His sandy blonde hair compliments the eyes that are now focused on his date.

Kimberly.

As if on cue, she turns and their eyes meet.

Her expression betrays none of the inner dialogue she must be having with herself.

Tommy does the same. His heart is in his throat.

Kimberly is holding her date's hand . His love is with another. It's one thing to know that she is involved with someone when she is ten thousand miles away. He doesn't ever have to see her significant other. But this...

This is just painful, to say the least.

Still, she is looking at him and he will not act like a jerk. Steeling himself, he walks over to the table.

"Hi."

"Hi."

John watches the non-verbal exchange between the two. "Excuse me?"

Kim steps in. "John,. this is Tommy Oliver. He's an...old friend who recently moved back to Angel Grove." She is proud of herself for keeping her voice in check. Her mind is racing. "Tommy, this is my....date, John Astin."

Tommy moves around the table with a polite smile and extends his hand. "Nice to meet you."

John accepts his hand. "My sentiments exactly."

"I was going to call you.....later," Kim said. "Me and John had made plans for awhile
now." Her eyes met Tommy's again. She could see the faintest hint of hurt behind his brown eyes, even though he tries to hide it.

"It's okay. I'm just here to pick up dinner for me and Kat. I just ordered more food since the guys are coming over," Tommy offered.

John was somewhat startled at how quickly Kim released his hand when Tommy approached
the table. he thought to himself.

Kim drunk in the sight of her ex like a starving women in the desert. <Damn, he looks good.>

Tommy had never seen Kim wear such a short, sexy dress. He tries to fight it, but the jealousy he feels is evident, even though his face hides it. "Well, it's nice seeing you again."

Kim nodded politely. "Same here."

Everything so akward. They both seem to be suppressing ......something. John notices.

"I'll leave you to your dinner. It was nice to meet you, John."

"Nice to meet you too, Tommy."

Impulsively, Tommy leans over and brushes a kiss on Kim's cheek. Her face burns from the slightest touch of his lips.

"Take care of yourself, beautiful," he whispers in her ear before walking away.

Kim turns to face John. She smiled as their food arrived, hoping to diffuse the situation. Her eyes wanted to follow Tommy out of the restaurant.

Part of her wanted to follow him out of the restaurant. Follow him wherever he went in life.

But that's a fantasy. What she destroyed cannot be re-built.

But hope springs eternal.

******


Tommy lays the food done in the passenger seat, then moves to the drivers side. He sits back a moment and closes his eyes.

Of all the things he thought might happen today, discovering Kim on a date was not one
of them. Finding her holding another mans hand, being intimate, hurts him still.

God, how it hurts.


******

******


Kat's Condo
Monday, January 18, 2001 8:40 PM
Angel Grove, Ca



Kat heard the doorbell in her bedroom and walked toward the front door to open it.

"Where is he? Trini asked as Aisha and Rocky followed her through the front door. Trini quickly moved toward the guest bedroom door. "If you're getting dressed I don't mind," she joked as she opened the door. "Kat?"

"Calm down. Trini. He went to pick up dinner."

Aisha took a seat on the couch. "Well he better get back soon. I haven't seen him in over a year."

Rocky extended a bottle of wine to Katherine. "See, I brought something. Can't say I eat you out of house and home anymore, can ya."

"One bottle of wine versus thirty pounds of ham and at least one hundred boxes of twinkies. You will owe me until the day you die."

"And if you ever repay Kat back, you will never finish paying me," Aisha teased. "I've known you since you were six. You owe me gallons of little hug juices and boxed lunches."

Rocky waved them off as he took in a seat in Kat's recliner. "The older you girls get, the meaner you are."

Trini was about to reply when her eyes caught something most interesting. "Umm, Kat?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you having an insect problem at home or in here?"

Kat turned her head sideways, wondering what this was about. "Of course not."

Trini grinned as she walked around the room. "Well maybe you should invest in bug repellent because you I know that red mark on your neck is from an insect bite. I mean, what else could have caused it." Trini loves teasing her friends and she knows Kat is a prime target right now.

Kat looked away, hoping no one would notice her blush.

Fat chance.

"Damn girl, he's only been in town for twenty-four hours," Aisha spoke while shaking her head.

Kat remained silent. <Damn, I should have known. How in the world am I going to tell Jason? I wonder if my blue turtle neck sweater is clean?> "Nothing happened."

"Yeah right," Rocky fired her way. "It's a well know fact that you to could never keep your hands off of each other. I just didn't think you would let him hit it so soon."

All three women gave him the evil eye.

"Hey, my fault. I didn't think you would let him fuck you so soon. See, I'm all class."

"You're all ass, Rocko," Trini responded. "Asshole to be precise."

"Seriously though," Aisha interceded. "What happened. And don't say nothing. I know when you're lying."

Kat looked down at the floor. "We almost made a big mistake this afternoon. Things got hot and heavy, but we didn't go any further than kissing. We stopped and decided that friendship works best for us."

"Is that the truth?" Trini asked.

"Yeah, it is. Sex would confuse both of us. And right now he's trying to get his life in order."

"I understand and agree with your decision," Rocky said with eloquence and maturity.

He stunned all of the girls.

"Thank you, Rocky," Kat replied.

"So for the record, you're horny as hell, right?"

Kat leaned toward him and said, "I would rather do Bulk and Skull at the same time than even see you with your boxers on, much less have sex with you."

"So what do you really mean?"

The room filled with laughter as three couch pillows fly toward Rocky's head from different directions.

******

Jason noticed, after the hugs and 'I'm so happy you're home' reunion talk, that Tommy had grown rather quiet. He cornered him in the kitchen. "Have I grown that much uglier since the last time you saw me?"

Tommy looked up from his glass of wine. "What?"

"What's going on, Bro. Spill it."

Tommy knew he couldn't hide anything from Jason. They had the connection of being former leaders and both knew the evidence of brooding when it was staring them in the face. "Guess what happened to me today?"

"You realized you're still in love with Kat?" Jason asked. He was trying to be subtle, but felt they are both grown now and it makes no sense beating around the bush.

Tommy alleviated his fears. "Jase, me and Kat are best friends. Nothing more. She told me she likes spending time with you. I think you're in there," he grinned.

"I was trying to be subtle."

"Yeah, well it didn't work. And for the record, bro. You have absolutely nothing to worry about."

"I like Kat alot, Tommy."

"I can see."

Jason nodded, now ready to deal with whatever Tommy is going through. "So tell me what happened to you?"

Tommy shook his head and took a long drink from his glass. "I picked up our food from the Lace Room."

"I know, Tommy. I can read the bag it came in you know."

Tommy laughed. "When I walked into the restaurant to pick up the food I saw Kim there with a her date. They were holding hands over a candle lit table."

Jason exhaled loudly, feeling for the man he thinks of as his brother. "That's bad."

"Tell me about it."

"Did you talk to her?"

"Briefly. I introduced my self to her date. Me and Kim didn't say much. I gave her a goodbye kiss on the cheek and left."

Jason watched his friend closely. "You still love her, don't you?"

Tommy closed his eyes and leaned back on the sink. "I still feel something. It's strong, whatever it is. Maybe we need closure."

<Or maybe you just need each other,>? Jason thought to himself. "What are you going to do."

"Get another glass of wine."

"After that?"

"Go find her date and put him in a coma."

"Don't call me if you need bail money. A cops salary aint much."

"I forgot to even congratulate you on that."

"I'm not surprised."

They shared another laugh. "That's a great thing you're doing, Jase."

"Thanks. It was a hard rode, but it's worth it."

"You seem happy."

"I am, bro. Kat's a big part of that, too."

"At least one of us has a clue about their love life."

"From what the girls tell me this guy she's dating isn't serious. Since you're both single....."

"Don't start."

"Just making a suggestion, bro. Just making a suggestion," Jason offered with a pat on Tommy's shoulder.


******


"So you saw them?" Kat asked while shaking her had. Everyone had left and she is cleaning up the living room while Tommy does the kitchen.

"Let it go, Kat."

"You're jealous."

"No I'm not."

"Yes you are. I can tell. Your eye brow is twitching. I know my Tommy signs."

With the last dish in the dish washer, Tommy moved back to the living room and took a seat on the couch, with Kat sitting on the arm rest. "It hurt to see her there with that guy."

His admission came softly and without any further comment. Kat was surprised she got that out of him so soon. "She was jealous today at lunch, you know."

Tommy looked up at her. "How do you know?"

"When I told her you were back in town and was staying with me she got very quiet. She said maybe five words the rest of lunch."

"Whatever."

Kat smacked the back of his head. "Men."

"Women," he fired back with a grin.

"She still cares, Tommy. A woman can tell these things."

Tommy shook his head. "I think she just feels weird because we never discussed the breakup. She's probably worried about me still holding a torch, which I'm not by the way."

Kat sits next to him and lays her head on his shoulder. It will never cease to amaze her that this man who has never shown fear in her eyes, fears rejection more than anything else.

He doesn't want to be rejected Kim her again. Kat knows this.

"Things won't be right until you make peace with her."

Tommy remained silent.

"You won't be able to move on until you two hash everything out."

Still more silence.

"I love you, Tommy. And nothing can change that. Not if you reunited with Kim or not. Not even if you were gay or ugly or sick. Nothing could make me feel any different about you."

Feeling truly grateful to have such a good friend, Tommy leans over and kisses her temple.

Then the doorbell rings.

"I'd love you more if you got the door, Tommy," Kat joked as she stood to her feet.

"You're so mean to me."

"I know."

Tommy rose and walked to the front door.

He opened it to find Kimberly on the door step.

"Hi. Can I come in."

The night just got a whole lot more interesting.

The End of Chapter 2