Rated: A hard R here, but NC-17 in some spots. They will be clearly marked.

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

Characters and there 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.

Chapter 1
By Ozmandayus

The Riviera Nightclub
Friday, January 15, 2001 9:30 PM
Angel Grove, Ca



A remix of Jennifer Lopez's 'Love Don't Cost a Thing' kept the dance floor packed as the beat swam through the club. People of all ages and races danced the night away, happy to be done with another work week.

The smoky atmosphere gives the place a sexy, sassy feel. It seemed everyone was enjoying themselves, especially the three women dancing in the middle of the crowd.

Kim, Trini, Aisha are in the process of tearing the dance floor up. Not only are they three of the prettiest girls in the club, but also the sexiest.

Each had at least two guys dancing real close, trying to get there attention. Trini tossed Kim a smirk as one of the guys tried to slip her his number. Kim shook her head, smiling.

Trini could attract a dead man out of his grave, Aisha joked once. Men flocked too her. The shy, demure girl that left for the Peace Conference years ago came back a confident, grown woman with a new playful personality that exuded sex appeal.

Aisha, dressed in black leather pants and a tight, low cut top, shimmied and shakes all over the place. She has always been something of a wild child, but like Trini, she changed over the years. When she returned form Africa, now a registered nurse, her maturity level went through the roof. Gone was the fashion conscious teenager. Now stood a fun loving, but mature, introspective woman.

Kim politely waved off another guys unwanted advances as the song died down. She motioned for Trini and Aisha to follow her to the bar. All that dancing has made her thirsty.

She's only been in town the last two months, having graduated from the University of Florida in the winter. The offer to come and live in Paris with her mom was tempting, but she decided to go home.

Angel Grove was, and always will be home to her.

Of course Trini and Aisha were over joyed to have her back home. So was Kat, who if she wasn't laid up at home with the flu, would have been right on the dance floor with them. Trini and Aisha had both moved back to Angel Grove more than a year earlier.

Kim orders her drink and leans against the bar. Trini and Aisha ordered theirs, then took a seat.

"Crowds jumping tonight, girlfriend," Aisha said as she sips her drink. The ladies don't drink often, mostly only on weekends when they hit the clubs. They also weren't opposed to a bottle of wine when sharing dinner together.

Trini looked around the club. Masses of scantily clad flesh kept the club jumpin. "You can say that again. This place is packed. Wall to wall people."

"I know Kat will hate us tomorrow when we tell her how many cute guys are here tonight," Kim smiled, waving at one guy who winked at her. <Single and ready to mingle,> she thought. Though her and Craig have been over for nearly six months, she just now feels ready to enter the dating pool again.

"So Kim, how is the new building manager?" Trini asked, her belly button ring shining under the lights. She used to live in the building Kim now calls home.

Kim shook her head in annoyance. "His name is Mr.Larry Bang. Imagine the sleaziest, slimiest, fat, balding guy that probably plays with himself while surfing the Internet for naked pictures of Brittany Spears."

Trini rolled her eyes while Aisha laughed at Kim's description. "Damn, girlfriend. Did he raise the rent?"

"No, thank God. But he gave all of his single female tenants a funny look if you know what I mean. The kind of look that say if you're late with your rent one month, come to my place and we can 'work' something out," she finished, accentuating the word work. It was obvious this man rubbed her the wrong way.

"Ewwweee!!!," Trini exclaimed. "Sounds like a real creep. I know you wished Mrs. Parker had not retired."

Kim nodded, then remembered something just as their drinks arrived. "Hey, Aisha. Don't forget to tell Rocky that one of the three apartments in my building has been rented. If he wants one of the other two he better act now."

"I'll remind him. I know he wants out of his current apartment in the worst way. Plus with Adam and Tanya out of state, I think he would like to live a little closer to all of us."

Trini and Kim agreed. When Tanya was offered the station manager position at in Washington, it was the biggest hurdle she and Adam ever had to face in their relationship. But when Adam confessed that he had sent his resume to all of the martial arts schools near DC, it told her how committed he was to them.

Adam was hired at one of the fastest growing schools in DC as an instructor. A massive going away party was thrown for the couple. Kim had only been in town two weeks at the time, but attended.

Kim watched the dance floor again, but decided to rest for a while. Trini tossed a 'suit yourself' look her way, then pranced back onto the dance floor, leaving Kim and Aisha behind.

"So, Kim. Two months into the new job. What do you think?" Aisha asked, her head nodding to the music.

"It's cool," she replied. "I still can't believe I would ever get into accounting."

"Neither can I."

"In high school, I was not Ms. Math-Master. But once my interest in gymnastics, at least on a professional level began to fade, I needed to pick a career that paid well. Boring though it is sometimes, it does pay well."

"I'm happy for you."

"Thanks."

Aisha decided to bring up another subject they hadn't spoken of yet. "So, Kim. Have you watched the news lately," she said, trying to sound innocent.

Kim wasn't buying it. She tapped her temple, playfully trying to contemplate something. "The news, the news. Oh, I think I heard something about a local guy who won the Trackstown 500. What was his name...."

Aisha looked at her with a smirk, sipping her drink. "Tommy, Kim. You can say his name."

Kim quickly took another sip of her drink. Not only had she seen his interview on TV and the coverage given to his win. But she also saw his girlfriend, Shayla Monroe.

She cursed her heart for it's jealousy, even years later. His arm was around her on the victory podium. It made her change the channel immediately.

Years ago a girl saw a guy across a crowded room. They didn't fall in love.

It felt like they already were and just hadn't met yet.

Fast forward a few years to the girl getting the opportunity of a lifetime. The guy encouraged her to go, pursue her dream, no matter how much he would miss her. The girl, with sadness for all that she was giving up took the offer and left town.

Then an older guy took advantage of the young, and now lonely teenage girl. He whined and dined her, told her everything she wanted to hear, showered her with attention. All the warning signs about men her mother spoke of were her blaring in her head.

But her last-namesake at the time would hear none of it.

Then the girl broke the first guys heart in a cruel and immature way.

Years later they would meet again, under dangerous circumstances. But the moment was so ackward and painfull neither said much of anything. The guy was with a new girl, a friend.

They were and are over.

Easily, her greatest regret in life.

"Kim.....Kim, you spacing out or what?"

The former Pink Ranger looked up. "Huh..oh, I'm alright."

Aisha knew what was going on. "It's okay to think about him. I'm sure he still thinks of you."

Kim looked away. Neither Aisha nor Trini could get her to open up about what happened in Florida with Craig. The faraway look in Kim's eyes when they brought him up gave them reason to fear whatever happened was bad.

Very bad.

They also had not even heard her mention Tommy's name. Not once. Not even by accident.

"It doesn't matter, Aisha. He's successful, lives out of state, and is involved. He's not thinking of me," she explained with a note of sadness.

Still, her heart did hold out some hope that he still thought of her from time to time.

The heart is funny that way.


******


******


Continental Airlines
Sunday, January 17, 2001 5:45 PM
Angel Grove, Ca



<At least the magazines are new,> Kat thought to herself as she waited in the airport
lobby. Despite finally feeling better from her bout with a particularly nasty strain of the flu virus, she has been drafted into emergency airport pick up duty.

If it were anyone one else, she would have stayed in bed.

A smile crosses her face as she waits for his arrival.

Her first love.

Tommy.

They dated for two and a half years before breaking up on good terms. In the long run they realized they didn't work as a couple. They are best friends now.

Maybe even a little closer than best friends....on certain occasions.

"Hey."

Her eyes lift from the magazine she is reading. She couldn't fight the smile if
she tried. "Hey." She stood and embraced Tommy, hugging him close. "It's been too long."

He nodded, dressed in black jeans and a tight long sleeve grey t-shirt. "I know. But that's all going to change now," he whispered in her ear. Tommy has not seen Kat in nearly eight months, though they have spoken on the phone a few times.

As he pulls back, he notices the slightly pale complexion her face has, the tired eyes. "Kat, are you alright?" he asked, his hand rising to caress her cheek.

She smiled at his apparent concern. "I'm fine. I'm just getting over the flu. That's why I don't have my usual cover girl look going today."

"You're still beautiful, Kat."

"Flirting will not get you back into my bedroom, Mr. Oliver," she tossed back at him with a playful grin.

"But we had so much fun their, Ms. Hillard," Tommy replied with a knowing grin as Kat led him to the baggage counter to get his luggage.

While they had their problems in most all areas relationship wise, none could be found in the bedroom.

They clicked big-time there.

"Tommy, what would Shayla say if she heard that?"

"Me and Shayla broke up about three weeks ago," he replied with no trace of regret, much to Kat's surprise.

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"I'm not. Me and Shay were not happy together because neither of us were happy with they way our individual lives were going. But I'm here to fix my life. It's time I got back to the things I love the most. The things that make me happy. My friends and my martial arts."

"And what does that mean?"

"I am officially retired from auto racing. I'm back in Angel Grove for good."

"I thought you loved racing?" Kat asked as they exited the airport and made there way to the parking lot.

Tommy tossed his bags over his shoulder. "I did. But there is a lot of the behind the scenes stuff that I'm tired of. The constant traveling and the demands of your sponsors. I've had enough. I made a nice chunk of money and a few investments. I have no regrets. As a matter of a fact, I've already got a job lined up."

"You cannot be my personal slave, Tommy," Kat flirted shamelessly. They weren't going to get back together, but oh, how they loved to 'play the game'.

Tommy moved really close to his ex-girlfriend, now right in front of her. "Well, I will be living with you for the next three weeks. I wouldn't have to fight traffic in the morning if my only job was to please you," he replied with a smirk. He is staying with her because the building he is moving into is updating the apartment he signed his lease for. The apartment manager told him he could move three week from this past Friday.

Kat licked her lips just to mess with him. "Tell me about the job?" she asked to break the playful tension.

"I'm going to be teaching advanced Jeet Koon Doo full time at the Miles Dojo," he said with no small amount of pride. The Miles Dojo was one of the most prestigious martial arts schools on the West Coast.

"That's fantastic."

"Thanks." Tommy tossed his luggage in the trunk of her 1998 Blazer. "How is your job been treating you."

"Pretty good," she replied. "Membership for the club is very high right now and business is going well. It's a lot of late hours, but I wouldn't trade it for anything." Kat is the manager and part owner of the Total Workout Health Club on York Road.

Tommy sat back in the passenger seat and relaxed, happy to be home again. <Mom and dad will have to visit me now.> His parents moved to Arizona about a year ago. "Kat, what made you want to buy such a large car? I thought women wanted to drive smaller cars."

She simply could not resist her the naughty reply that came to mind. "When I ride, I like them big."

"There's a big back seat behind us," he tempted, just to see her reaction.

"My hospitality and home does not come with fringe benefits," she added. There is a part of her that wouldn't mind 'going there' again. Not romantically, but....well, she doesn't sleep around. And it's been awhile since she's....

"So, what's new with everyone?"

His question pulled her away from a nice little couch fantasy. <I'll start with the small stuff and work my way to....> "Well, you told me you had a chance to visit with Adam and Tanya in DC"

"Yeah, they are doing great. By the end of this year, I bet we will all have a wedding to go to."

"I agree," Kat replied while pulling onto the highway. "Rocky is looking for a new apartment. He still works for that construction company on Laramie. Billy is courting six figure offers from three technology firms. He's freelancing his services right now and still making more money than all of us combined. Aisha is doing great, though her hours at the hospital are grueling to say the least. Trini is going to graduate in May with a degree in Toxicology."

It felt really good to Tommy to hear of how well all of his friends were doing. "Can't miss that. How about Jase?"

<Hmmmmmm.> "He passed the police exams with high marks."

"As expected."

Jason was now a member of the Angel Grove Police Department. His friends couldn't be prouder.

Tommy could also detect something else in Kat's voice. "What?"

"Me and Jason have been spending time together lately. Nothing serious, but...something. We pick up movies from Blockbuster and watch them at my place. We've gone out to dinner a few times. He hasn't tried to kiss me yet, but it seems inevitable."

Tommy was mildly surprised when no jealous feelings arose, Sure, he's still attracted to Kat, and will always love her. She healed him after Kim. But he knows they don't work as a couple.

"How do you feel?" Tommy asked with a mild tone.

Kat thought for a moment as she drove off the express way and headed for her two bedroom
condo. "I like him. I'm attracted to him. We have fun together. I find myself wanting to spend more time with him."

"Well that's good," Tommy added. "He's a good guy. I know I can't choose a man for you, but if I could it would be someone like Jason. You deserve the best."

"Thank you."

"So, anything else I need to know?"

Kat took a deep breath. "Kim moved back to town about two months ago."

Kim.

In Angel Grove.

Tommy didn't want to open old wounds.

Still hurting wounds.

He paused for a moment before asking, "Did she come back alone?"

<So, he still cares after all this time. I knew it. Maybe there is hope after all.> "Yes. She's working in accounting and has her own apartment."

Tommy nodded while staring straight ahead. "Is she alright?"

"Yeah, she seems fine. I talk to her almost everyday. Kim, Aisha, Trini, and I go out together on the weekends."

Tommy didn't want to ask his next question, but Kat knew what it was.

"She has a friend, Tommy. Not boyfriend, but a male friend she spends time with. She told me she feels single even though she has a friend. But she also said they could become more. It's possible"

"Good for her." Tommy hoped that came out as unemotional as possible.

Kat knew him well enough for her to know this is affecting him. Her Tommy emotion radar is working as good as ever.

He doesn't know what will happen when he lays his eyes on the only women he imagined spending his entire life with again. She hurt him worse than he had ever been hurt before.

But time heals old wounds, or at least covers them enough where they don't hurt so bad.

Kat walked into his life like a breath of fresh air. His smile returned, as did his zest for life. And though they didn't work out, a strong friendship was forged, one that will last forever, even though their romance didn't.

"Did you ever think we would be able to talk like this, Tommy. About old loves and hopes for new ones?"

"Yeah, I did. Me and you always knew where we stood with each other. I feel like I can tell you anything. Plus you're great in bed," he teased at end with a wink.

Kat turned a little with a smirk on her face. <He's got a little tan and that pony tail is still as sexy as the first day I saw it. This is going to be in interesting
three weeks.>


******

******


The Old Country Buffet
Monday, January 18, 2001 12:17
Angel Grove, Ca



Kat dug into her salad as Aisha and Kim told her all about there night at the club on Friday. She spoke and asked questions, but was trying to figure out a way to bring Tommy into the conversation. <Kim needs to know, whatever happens between them.>

"Kat, are you even listening to us."

The native Australian looked up with a smile. "Cute guys everywhere, got it."

Aisha tossed her a raised eye brow. "We were talking about Kim getting the oil changed in her car."

Kat knew the not to beat around the bush with Aisha. <If you know something and don't tell her she will find a way to get it out of you. I might as well just say it.> "Yesterday, I picked up an old friend from the airport."

Kim laid her chicken sandwich down. "Oh yeah, who?"

"Tommy."

Kim’s face fell, but she recovered quickly. "He's in town to visit."

"No. He's back for good."

Aisha smiled, happy to hear the good news. "Why? How? What did he say."

Kat noticed the faraway look Kim's eyes took, but she pressed on. "He's retired from auto racing. He told me he wants to get back to the things that make him happy. He's already got a job lined up at the Miles Dojo."

<Back to the things that make him happy?> Kim remained quiet, wondering if he came home for Kat.

"Tommy's home. That's great. I haven't seen that boy in years. Does he still have that great hair?" Aisha asked.

"Yep, it's a little shorter, but the pony tail is still there."

"I know you have his address. We should all go visit him after work," Aisha added, then realized how weird it might be for Kim. <Girlfriend, you can't dodge that man forever.>

"He's staying with me," Kat replied.

Kim looked up briefly, then turned away.

Aisha knew the history Tommy has with both women and didn't really know what to say, so she remained quiet.

Kat could feel the somberness of Kim's mood come over her. She quickly told the rest of her story. "He's got his own apartment, but it won't be ready for another three weeks. That's why he's staying with me. He also broke up with Shayla. He said neither of them were happy in their personal lives. That's one of the reasons he's moved back to town."

Kim sat quietly and sipped her Sprite. A part of her is jealous that he and Kat are so
close. She knows that is irrational, but her heart still feels possessive of Tommy, even now.

It also doesn't help that she knows they were intimate before and with neither of them involved, they could easily resume where they left off.

It is none of her business.

She knows that.

But dammit, she still cares.

Dammit.

"I'm busy tonight, Kat," Kim explained. "I made plans with John. But you can tell Tommy I'll call him later."

Kat and Aisha knew she was chickening out of seeing him in person, but both ladies decided to let it go.

"Alright Kim," Kat replied. "Aisha?"

"Oh yeah, I'm there. I've missed him. I know Trini will be there too."

"Okay, come over around 6:00 PM. Is that cool?"

"You bet. When I get back to work I'll leave a message for Jason and call Billy and Rocky," Aisha finished, then turned to Kim. "Are you sure you can't cancel your plans. Nothing heavy is going to happen tonight. We're just welcoming a family member home."

Kat smiled, hoping to alleviate Kim's fears, her apprehension over seeing Tommy again.

"I'm sorry. I made these plans a week ago. I can’t break them." She was lying and they
knew it. <I'm not ready to see him yet. I hope you guys understand.>


******


******


The Lace Room
Monday, January 18, 2001 8:20 PM
Angel Grove, Ca




It was obvious from the amount of times John looked at her that her choice of attire pleased him. Dressed in a short, tight black dress, with matching purse and heels, she felt sexy and was pleased to see someone else felt the same way.

John Astin. He works at her accounting firm, two floors above her. They met on an elevator when he dropped his newspaper at her feet, reached down to pick it up, looked back up, and said "You are the most beautifull women I have ever seen."

Not the best come on line, but certainly not disrespectful. John is about 6'2, sandy brown hair similar to Billy’s. He has a nice physique and works out regularly. He's an executive in the firm.

John is also a nice guy. He's polite and listens very well for a man. He hasn't pushed her or made any unwanted moves.

He's been a perfect gentleman. The likes of which she has not seen since.....

"You look wonderful tonight," John complimented over the candle in the middle of their table.

"Thank you," Kim replied with a smile. "You look handsome too." He did and she meant it. John is interested in her and she knows it. She likes it. Her disastrous relationship with Craig left her with more scars than anyone realizes. But being out again, trusting her judgment again, feels good.

When you get knocked off the horse, sometimes you just have to get up, dust yourself off, and get back on.

John and Kim ordered their dinner and began making small talk about work and office gossip. She laughed at his jokes because he has a natural sense of humor. John is down to Earth, rooted in the here and now.

Not like the manipulative Craig.

Or the passionate Tommy.

Try as she might, she couldn't keep her mind off her former love. Kim looked away, but was suddenly brought back as John’s hand found hers across the table, lacing their fingers.

"I really like you, Kim," he began. "You are a breath of fresh air in my life. I sincerely hope we can do this again, soon."

A genuine smile crossed her face. Before she could reply, some force, some intuition, told her to turn around.

And there he is.

Flesh to the ghost of her heart.

Tommy stood at the check out counter, obviously picking up a take out order.

Dressed in jeans and a leather coat, he stared right at her.

Right into her soul.

The first time they met years ago as shy teens, they knew the other was attracted. It was instantaneous.

But right now.

With her hand still in Johns, Kim stared at Tommy and had no clue what he was thinking.

His eyes focused on the joined hands across the table, then back up to Kim.

He slowly made his way over to the table.

******

The End of Chapter 1