Mighty Morphin Power Rangers - Love Is Series, Heather Ray [best beach reads TXT] 📗

?!"

Tanya grinned mischievously. "I know you like the view from here, but it's even better from up close."

Kat's faint blush erupted into full-blown embarrassment as the two women crossed the Youth Center. "Tanya Sloan... you aren't actually encouraging

my crush on Tommy, are you?"

Tanya shrugged. "Hey... just because you can't buy, doesn't mean you can't browse."

Out of all the Zeo Rangers, Tanya was the only one entrusted with Katherine's secret regarding her feelings for Tommy. She only opened up to Tanya because she was her best friend, and also because she, unlike the other Rangers, wasn't acquainted with the original Pink Ranger. Katherine couldn't get over the feeling that her love for Tommy was wrong, and she feared that anyone who knew how sturdy a relationship Tommy and Kimberly had would judge her harshly.

It wasn't rational to think her friends would condemn her. After all... you can't control your feelings. You can only control your actions. Katherine couldn't help loving Tommy. But she could restrain that love by not acting upon it.

That was all that was in her power to do.

"Hey ladies," Adam greeted, grinning widely at Kat and Tanya, "What brings you to this neck of the Youth Center?"

Kat cast her gaze away from the Green Zeo Ranger, allowing her companion to answer. "Well, it was getting a little lonely at the Juice Bar, so we figured we'd see what all the fuss is about here. It doesn't take three men to spot Tommy, now does it?"

"No," Billy answered, stepping forward, "but Tommy is utilizing a new workout regime he and I developed. It is intended to strengthen the person's durability and endurance, which are invaluable to an active Ranger."

"Yeah," Rocky chimed, his hands hovering over the metal bar Tommy was lifting, "So far, Tommy's acclimating to the new workout pretty well." He then turned his attention back to Tommy. "Okay, you've got two more sets. You ready?"

"I was born ready," said Tommy enthusiastically. With a frown of effort, Tommy lifted the heavy bar into the air, and began another set of repetitions.

Katherine couldn't help but stare as Tommy continued the exercise. His healthy arm muscles rippled as he extended and contracted them, and his tan skin glistened with a light film of sweat. But what Katherine most attended to was his face. He wore his grim expression of determination.

He never failed at anything he put his whole heart into. He always walked away the victor. That was because of the devotion he put into everything he did.

If it wasn't worth doing whole-heartedly, then it wasn't worth doing. It was the motto of Tommy's life. It totally encompassed how he lived his life. He put all his effort into all of his activities. No battle was too insignificant to merit his full attention.

And on the flip side of that, nothing was too much for him to handle. No emergency would shake him, no challenge would shatter him. Every stumbling block became a stepping stone, forcing him to become stronger.

How could someone with that amount of dedication fail at anything?

Katherine was completely convinced, as she watched his determined expression in awe, that there was absolutely nothing Tommy Oliver couldn't do. There was no challenge too great... no mountain too high. There was no pain too excruciating for Tommy to heal from.

Nothing could break Tommy's spirit.

Nothing.

Just one more reason why Tommy deserved

her complete trust and support. And yes... even love.

I'll reach out my hand to you
I'll have faith in all you do
Just call my name
And I'll be there

"Hey Tommy," Kat heard Ernie say, "a letter came for you."

"It's from Kimberly," Billy added. Katherine's expression was neutral as she watched Tommy. She keenly noticed how Tommy's determined expression brightened into a wide grin of joy.

She couldn't help but feel saddened as she considered how only one person in the whole world could give Tommy joy of that degree. And it wasn't her, either.

"Cool! Hey Adam, could you do me a favor and read it?" Tommy asked, looking back at his friend enthusiastically, "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," Rocky interrupted, "Kimberly is gonna do great!"

"What else does she say?" Tanya inquired, leaning closer.

"'Tommy, this is the hardest letter that I'll ever write,'"

read Adam, a frown crossing his face.

"'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, his eyes wide with alarm. Tommy, who was in the middle of a lift, nearly dropped the weight on his chest. He set down the dumbbell and sat up urgently.

Katherine blinked in utter astonishment. She wouldn't have been more alarmed if someone started firing a round of bullets in the establishment. "What?!" she shouted, her voice raw, "That can't be right!"

She felt a pit of pain in her stomach when she noted Tommy's confusion and frustration. She had never seen him so... unnerved.

It was a sight she never thought she'd see.

"Tommy," said Adam, fidgeting slightly, "maybe you should finish this another time."

"Let me see," said Tommy, turning around and snatching the letter from his friend's grasp. After a moment, he continued to read.

"'Tommy, you know I would never do anything to hurt you, but I feel like I've found the person... I belong with. He's wonderful, kind, and caring. You'd really like him...'"

Tommy chuckled bitterly at that statement, his dark eyes starting to glass over. With deep breath, he continued to read the letter to the astonished audience.

"'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.'"

He paused for a moment, as if lacking the strength to continue.

"'Please forgive me.

Kimberly...'"

Tommy's voice had lowered greatly as he read, to the point where it was a barely audible whisper. He squeezed his eyes tightly, and slowly folded the letter. His proud shoulders were uncharacteristically slumped, and his face was hidden by loose strands of chestnut brown hair.

Katherine felt herself tremble, as she tried to look past the curtain of hair that covered his eyes. She couldn't help but feel... slightly scared. And guilty... as if somehow, her desire to be with Tommy had caused this incredible turn of events.

"Are you all right?" asked Billy gently, keenly watching Tommy's hazy expression.

"Huh?" asked Tommy, snapping out of his tortured reverie, "Yeah."

The valiant leader of the Power Rangers then rose to his feet, his legs barely managing to hold him up. He turned to face his friends, keeping his gaze away from any of their faces. Moisture began to spill out of the corners of his eyes.

"I uh, I have to go; um, I'll uh... catch up with you guys later."

Then, the young man pushed past the rest of the crowd, rushing to the door. And all Katherine could do was watch, wrapping her arms around her body and biting down on her trembling lip as she stared at the door through which the one love of her life passed.

It didn't take long before she reached a decision, and hurried out of the Youth Center after him... desperation speeding her stride.

I'll be there to comfort you
Build my world of dreams around you
I'm so glad I found you
I'll be there with a love so strong
I'll be your strength
You know I'll keep holding on

Katherine practically burst through the doors of the Youth Center. No doubt many pairs of eyes were on her back after her abrupt departure, but it didn't matter to her one bit.

Now wasn't the time to be reserved. Now was the time for action.

She blinked in astonishment, tossing her gaze around the green grass just outside the Youth Center. She saw groups of friends sitting around, enjoying the warm weather. She saw cars buzz along the road. She saw teens walk into and out of the Youth Center.

But she didn't see Tommy.

"What did he do? Break into a run?" she whispered to herself, folding her arms. She was right on his heels. How did he get away so quickly?

And where was he going?

"He's probably at the lake," said a voice, almost sighing with a heavy heart. Katherine quickly noted Billy's presence, as he appeared alongside her from the Youth Center.

"The lake?" she repeated.

The young genius nodded. "That's where he sorts out his problems. He's always been one to like bodies of water. The shore, a river... it's easier for him to delve into his own mind in serene surroundings. And considering what's on his mind now... the lake is definitely the place to look for him."

"Thanks," Kat said, quickly directing herself towards Angel Grove Park. However, after just a few steps, Billy's words brought her to a rapid halt.

"He's not going to want you there."

Katherine turned around urgently. "I'm sorry?"

"He's not going to want you there," Billy repeated, catching up to the Pink Ranger, "He's going to want to be alone."

"I understand that, but..."

Katherine let her sentence