Disclaimer: The characters belong to Saban, blab-blab-blab! I think everyone gets the picture by now! This fanfic is rated R by me because of graphic domestic abuse and language. This takes place after Kim has written Tommy ‘the letter’. Tommy has not started dating Kat yet. I have changed a few things though. They still have the Ninja powers and Kim and Tommy are friends even though they broke up. Other than that everything is the same. So on with the story. PS-this is not related to any of my other stories!

Whispers in the Dark
by Trini

"I thought I told you to get rid of that stupid white falcon and lame green dragon!" yelled Kim’s new boyfriend, John

"You did but I can’t get rid of it! It was a gift!" Kim yelled back

"I told you NEVER talk back to me!!!!" screamed John as he slapped Kimberly hard across the face, the force knocking her to the ground

"Leave me alone! Go away!" yelled Kim from the floor of her room

"No! I won’t leave you alone until you put your stupid life in Angel Grove behind you and if I have to beat it into you, so be it." said John lunging at Kimberly

He pulled her back to a standing position by her hair and repeatedly punched and kicked her. Granted, Kim knew self defense but John’s attacks were coming so quick and hard she couldn’t mount a defense. He continued to beat on her until she was unconscious or so he thought. As he left the room, Kim quietly whispered "Tommy, help me." and then she collapsed onto her bed

***
3,000 Miles Away in Angel Grove

"Great job, Rocky!" yelled Adam

"Thanks, buddy." replied Rocky

The gang had all gotten together at Rocky’s house for the day and they were in his backyard playing a little volleyball. It had been about a month since Tommy had gotten the infamous letter from Kim. They all really didn’t understand why she would write it. Tommy and Kim were the definition of a perfect couple! That’s what made it seem even more unreal. They hadn’t been having problems or anything it was just good-bye. No explanation, just good-bye. Rocky had talked to Kim the most out of everyone. For some odd reason she seemed to trust Rocky with her secrets. Rocky usually was somdwhat of a blabber mouth yet Kim trusted him with everything.

It was this latest secret he had trouble keeping. Rocky was quickly brought out of his thoughts as a volleyball smacked him in the head.

"OW!!!!" yelled Rocky

"Sorry, man! Didn’t mean it!" shouted Tommy as the others giggled

"Yeah, whatever Oliver! Who’s serve?" asked Rocky as his mother stepped out onto the porch

"Augusta, telephone!" she yelled

"It’s Rocky, mom, Rocky." he whined as the others laughed

"You are my son and I will call you what I want and I want to call you Augusta. So get your butt in here and answer the phone!" she shouted smiling

The DeSantos’ Kitchen

"Hello, this is Rocky." he said

"Hey, what’s up?" asked Kim looking into a mirror and slowly touching the purple flesh that was once her cheek

"Not much, the gang is here and we were just playing some volleyball. You, on the other hand, don’t sound too good." he said hopping up on the kitchen counter

"John and I got in another fight." she said

"I was afraid that happened. Did he hit you again?" asked Rocky softly

There was a long silence and Rocky knew that he had.

"Why haven’t you broken up with him yet?" questioned Rocky

"I can’t!" started Kim

"Why not?" asked Rocky heatedly

"I’ll give you 2 reasons. One-I don’t think I could handle being alone here and Two-If I broke up with John he would kill me." said Kimberly loudly

Rocky knew that Kim wasn’t kidding. If she tried to break up with John, he knew that the next phone call he would get would be from Kim’s mother telling him she was dead. How Kim got messed up with him in the first place was Rocky’s question. Kim had told him that John looked a lot like Tommy. He was sweet and caring and loving, for two weeks and then he became mean. Kim told Rocky about how John had wanted her to get rid of all of her stuffed animals and pictures of her friends. He wanted her to completely isolate herself from Angel Grove. She wouldn’t do it and that’s when the beatings started.

"How bad is it?" asked Rocky

"Really bad. I have the beginnings of a black eye, my cheek is an ugly shade of purple, a couple of my teeth are loose, my upper lip is split and my lower lip is huge. There is a patch of hair missing from my head, I have a cut on my forehead, I have a bruise on my tummy the size of Africa and I hurt everywhere." she said

"How do you keep it from everybody?" he asked softly

"The miracle of make-up. The only other person that knows is Kallie." she replied

"Kim, I can’t keep this secret any longer. I have to tell Tommy." stated Rocky

Tommy and Kim stayed friends even though they broke up and Tommy had a right to know, being that he was Kim’s ex-boyfriend.

"You can’t tell Tommy! If you tell Tommy I swear, Rocky, I’ll kill you myself! He can’t know." begged Kim

"Why, Kim? Because he’ll come down to Florida and kick the shit out of John. Because he would be on the next flight to Florida to save your ass. Because he would kill John. Why Kim?" yelled Rocky into the phone

"Because he would see me like this and I don’t want that. I don’t want him to see me looking like a punching bag." said Kim crying

"Well at least let me tell your mom or your coach. Let me help you, Kim." said Rocky as everyone walked into his kitchen

"Who are you talking to?" asked Kat sweetly

"Yeah, who is it?" questioned Tommy

"Rocky, don’t tell them it’s me, please. Say it’s your Grandma or something just don’t tell them it’s me!" pleaded Kim over the phone

"It’s my Grandma, guys. I’ll be off in a minute." said Rocky

"OK. Well we’ll be waiting outside." said Adam as everyone walked out

"Kim, you have to tell someone! I mean pronto because if you don’t I will." he stated sternly

"OK, I’ll try. Call me later?" she asked

"Yeah of course. Do me a favor and stay away from John, OK?" asked Rocky
"Sure, bye." she said

"Bye." said Rocky hanging up the phone and walking outside

***
Later at the Juice Bar
"Guys, what would you think if I told you I was planning on taking a trip to Florida to see Kim?" asked Tommy sitting at the usual table with his friends

"That’s a great idea, Tommy. It would give you and Kimberly time to really work things out." stated Billy

"Yeah, Billy’s right. You should really work things out face to face." said Aisha

"Um Tommy could I talk to you....alone?" asked Rocky

"Sure man." said Tommy getting up and walking with Rocky to a table in the corner of the juice bar "What’s up?"

"Are you sure Kim wants to see you?" said Rocky as Tommy raised his eyebrow to him "I mean she might be too busy practicing and stuff."

"I never thought about that but maybe seeing me could refresh her, ya know." said Tommy

"I don’t think so. You might be too much of a distraction." replied Rocky

"You seem to be coming up with an awful lot of reasons why I shouldn’t go. Why don’t you want me to see Kim?"

"I just don’t think it’s the best thing for Kim right now. I mean she's awfully busy with practicing and she’s being tutored and everything. I just think that you might be too much. You know how Kim is, if she didn’t spend a lot of time with you she’d feel bad." stated Rocky

"I see where your coming from but I really think it might lend her some support, especially now that she’s gotten to the semi-finals. I think it would mean a lot to Kimberly if at least one of her friends was in Florida to cheer her on. Look, I’ll think about it. Maybe even give her a call. How's that?" asked Tommy hoping that the compromise would satisfy Rocky

"OK, but please call her first to make sure it’s OK." said Rocky

"Yeah, sure man." replied Tommy as they made their way back to their original table

***
Later That Night at the DeSantos House

"He said he wanted to lend support but I think he really misses you. You were, after all, his best friend not to mention girlfriend." said Rocky once again talking to Kim

"I don’t need to be reminded of that, Rocko. I was so stupid! I never should have broken it off with Tommy." said Kim giving herself a soft smack to the forehead

"Kim, don’t blame yourself. How could you have know that John would have beat you? Besides I think that Tommy still cares for you." stated Rocky

"I know, but Tommy and I are just friends and that’s it." said Kim sadly

"No, I think that Tommy still loves you. Why else would he want to come to Florida?" asked Rocky

"Because he’s my friend and he wants to support me." said Kim plainly

"Kim, do you honestly think that? If he wanted to show his support he could buy a card or send you some flowers. He’s planning on flying 3,000 by himself to see his ex-girlfriend. If that doesn’t say ‘I love you’, I don’t know what does." replied Rocky

"You really think he still loves me?" questioned Kim

"Yes, I do. Look I have homework left to do and if I don’t get it done my mom will kill me. Why don’t you give Tommy a call and talk this thing out." said Rocky

"I might. Tell everyone I say hi. Talk to you later." said Kim

"Of course, bye." he said hanging up his phone and getting out his math book , paging through it "God, I hate math!"

***

A Few Minutes Later at the Oliver Household
"Hello?" questioned Mrs. Oliver

"Hi, is Tommy home?" asked Kim

"Kim, is that you? Oh my gosh! It’s so good to hear from you! How are you?"

"I’m good, Mrs. Oliver." replied Kim

"Oh please call me, Mom. How is the competition?" asked Mrs. Oliver

The two continued to chat until Tommy walked down the stairs. "Well, look who it is. Telephone, Tiger. It was nice talking to you, Kim. Here he is." said Mrs. Oliver handing the phone to her son

"Kim? Is it really you?" asked Tommy

"No, it’s an evil clone. Of course, it’s me! Your mom calls you Tiger?" said Kim

"Same old Kim." said Tommy laughing "It’s a nickname from a long time ago before...ya know...the Rangers. So what’s up with you?"

"I just got off the phone with Blabberboy." stated Kim

"So what did Rocky have to say?" asked Tommy

"Well, he said that you were thinking about coming down to visit." she replied

"Well, I’m thinking about it. Rocky suggested that I not. He says you’re too busy with practicing and school." stated Tommy

"Well I am busy." said Kim

"Too busy for me?" asked Tommy softly

"Tommy, I would love to see you..." said Kim

"There’s a but coming isn’t there." said Tommy
"...but I really couldn’t spend the kind of time we need to spend together." said Kim

"Kim, I just want to come and see you compete. I don’t need to spend time with you although I would like to." stated Tommy

"Yeah but there is so much going on here and I...." started Kim trying to find some excuse that would keep Tommy in Angel Grove

"I think I know what’s going on." said Tommy

"You do?" asked Kimberly confused

"Yeah I do, Kimmy. You don’t want me to see you with John." said Tommy "Look, Kim. I understand you found someone new but I would be lying if I told you I wasn’t jealous."

"Tommy, things aren’t as peachy keen as they seem." she said instantly regretting what she had said

"What do you mean?" he pushed

"Well, you know how we never fought. How we never had an argument. Well it’s not the same with John and I. We have our fights." said Kim. ‘If THAT isn’t the understatement of the year, I don’t know what it is!’ she thought

"Oh. I guess I just assumed that your relationship was as strong as ours was." stated Tommy

"Tommy, our relationship is still strong just not in the way it used to be." she stated

"I know but sometimes I just wish that things could go back to the way they were. Ya know, you and me together again." said Tommy softly

"Me too, Tommy, me too." she said soft enough that Tommy didn’t hear

"Look Kim, if you don’t want me to come down..." he started

"You’ll ignore me and come anyway." Kim finished "Tommy sometimes you forget that you’re talking to me. I’m Kim, the person that knows you better than you know yourself. If you have your mind set on something, you’ll do whatever to get it done."

"If you really don’t want me to come to Florida just say it." said Tommy

"I want you to but I don’t want you to." said Kim

"What does that mean?" asked Tommy confused

"It means that things here are really confusing and I don’t know if you being here would help." she said on the verge of tears

"I understand. Things are confusing here too. I can respect that." said Tommy

"Thank you for understanding. You really are my best friend." said Kim as a loud knock came from her door

Kim immediately tensed up. If John found her on the phone with Tommy she would be dead!
"Uh, Tommy can I let you go? There is somebody at my door and I have some homework to finish up." she said hurriedly
"Sure no problem. I’ll talk to you later, OK?" asked Tommy as the knock came again

"Yeah, sure Bye." said Kim quickly hanging up the phone and walking to her door

She looked through the peep hole and saw a tall, skinny girl with long curly blond hair. She had bright blue eyes and small pursed lips. She had on a blue leotard with a red, white, and blue jacket and black windpants. Her roommate, Kallie, fidgeted nervously at the door. Kim quickly opened the door and Kallie rushed in and gave Kim a big hug.

"When you didn’t come to the door, I got worried. I thought John had come back to get you again." stated Kallie breathlessly

"I’m fine. I was on the phone." replied Kim

"With Rocky?" asked Kallie as she removed her boots

"No, Tommy." said Kim as Kallie snapped her head up

"Girl, spill the beans!"

*** The Next Morning at the Oliver House

Tommy sat in his bed and thought about his conversation with Kim. She seemed really weird. ‘She was right though.’ thought Tommy ‘When I have my mind set on something I don’t give up.’ Tommy reached over to his nightstand and grabbed his phone. He punched in 3 numbers and waited.

"Hello, information? Can you give me the number for American Airlines 555-2397. Thanks." said Tommy as he hung up the phone and got ready for school

***
That Afternoon at the Oliver House

Tommy had decide to keep his decision to go to Florida a secret. Rocky would try to talk him out of it and knowing Aisha and Kat, they would want to come along. It would be better if they didn’t know. He had talked to his teachers and gotten his homework so taking a little ‘vacation’ wouldn’t be a problem. His parents knew that he had his mind set and they better go along with their son or they would just waste their energy. As Tommy packed he wondered what was so wrong that Kim wouldn’t want him to come to Florida. He had hoped that it wasn’t too serious. He would soon find out it was.

***
That Evening on American Airlines Flight 328

‘Why am I so nervous?’ thought Tommy ‘I’m only going to see Kim.’ Butterflies fluttered as he said her name. ‘I really do have it bad for her. I guess I will always love that girl.’ he thought smiling

"We are about to land in sunny Tampa, Florida. The temperature is 78 degrees and the night skies are partly cloudy. I’d like to ask you to put your tray tables to their upright positions and to move your seats back to a upright position. On behalf of the flight crew I’d like to thank you for flying American Airlines and we hope you have a wonderful stay in Florida." stated the captain

‘This is it!’ thought Tommy ‘I’m really going to see her!’

***
The Same Time at Kim’s Room
"Did you think I wouldn’t find out?" yelled John He had burst into Kim’s room earlier that evening. Somehow he had found out she had called Angel Grove. He more than likely found her phone bill from last month and saw her phone calls to Rocky.

"So who have you been calling? Your ex-boyfriend Tommy? You’re still dating him aren’t you! You are such a slut. Did you have sex with him? God knows you won’t have sex with me! How is he in bed, Kim? Is he good?" asked John grabbing a hold of her arm

"Back off, John. What Tommy and I did is none of your business!" she yelled ripping her arm away from him

"I told you NEVER to talk back to me!!! You don’t listen very well. You need to be taught a lesson!" said John moving to beat Kimberly once again

*** Minutes After, at Kim’s building

Tommy walked up to Kim’s fifth floor room and saw the door was partially open. He quickly dropped his bags and slowly made his way into Kim’s room. What he saw completely threw him for a loop. He saw Kim lying over her bed and he heard he whisper ‘Tommy help me.’ From what Tommy could see she had a black eye, a bloody nose, and a fat lip.

"I’m here, Kim." he said quickly moving over to her and cradling her against his body

"Tommy what..." she said slowly

"It’s all right. I’m really here. You were right, when I set my mind to something I don’t stop until I get it. Who did this to you?" he asked

"No one. I fell." she whispered

"I’m sure, Kim. Did John do this?" said Tommy the anger starting to bubble up from deep within him

Kim didn’t say anything, she just nodded her head and cried. Tommy felt the anger rise up through his body. All thoughts centered around finding John and killing him. He hadn’t been this angry since his days as the Green Ranger and that scared him. If he couldn’t control himself, John was as sure as dead.

"Tommy, please, don’t be thinking what I think your thinking." said Kim finally getting her bearings back

"Why not, Kim? This John guy has messed with the one thing that I hold dearest to me, you! Why shouldn’t I kill him!" said Tommy

"Because you wouldn’t be any better than him. If you want to help me, get me cleaned up and give me the strength to tell my coach what is going on." said Kim trying to get up

"Aren’t you afraid of what John will do to you if you tell?" asked Tommy

"Not anymore. I’ve got you here to help me." she said

"And protect you. Kim, I can promise you that I won’t go after him but if he comes after you, I’m going to take him down." said Tommy solemnly

"That’s all I can ask that you do." said Kim walking to her bathroom. "Oh and Tommy?"

"Yeah"

"I really glad that you are here."

"I’m glad that I’m here too."

***
That Evening Around 11:30 p.m. in Kim’s Room

Kim had went into her bathroom and cleaned up. Tommy had asked where Kallie was and Kim had yelled through the door that Kallie was spending the night with her parents at some hotel in town. When Kim came out of the bathroom, she told Tommy everything that had happened since she arrived in Florida. About how she met John and how everything was going great until John wanted her to forget everything and everyone in Angel Grove.

"When I wouldn’t forget about Angel Grove, he started to hit me. At first I thought it was only a one time thing, ya know. As he continued to do it, I would blow it off or convince myself that I asked for. Pretty soon it was too late for me to get out." said Kim sadly

"You couldn’t leave because John would come after you." stated Tommy sitting next to Kim on her bed

"Yeah, I told Kallie about it and Rocky started getting suspicious so I told him too." she replied

"And that’s why you both didn’t want me to come here. You didn’t want me to find out about this, but why? Why didn’t you want me to know?" asked Tommy turning to face Kim

"I didn’t want you to worry and I thought I could fix it myself. I really didn’t want you to see me like this. I guess I feel like I let you down somehow." she said softly

"You let me down?! I think you got that a little backwards, Kim. I let you down. God, I should have been here! I should have protected you!!!" shouted Tommy

"But you won’t always be there to protect me. I had hoped I could solve this on my own." Kim said

"But when you go through something like this you shouldn’t be alone." he said

"I know that now but at the time I thought asking for help would look weak." she stated

"Kim, you are one of the strongest women I know. You have fought space aliens, putties, and spell-driven friends bent on destroying you. If that doesn’t qualify for strong, I don’t know what would." he said

"That’s the point, Tommy! I fought off all of those things but I couldn’t fight off John! That is why I felt weak." she said exasperated

"I know that you care for this John guy even though he beats you. You can’t fight back for the same reason you wouldn’t fight me as the evil Green Ranger." he stated

"God, I hate having feelings! I’m so confused right now. I don’t know what I’m feeling and who it’s for!" she yelled

"Everything will settle into place. Hopefully your gymnastics will help you sort some stuff out. I want you to know that I will stay with you as long as you need some one to lean on. Kim, we maybe friends but I still love you." he said gently

"Thanks, Tommy. I really needed to hear that. Once I’ve sorted out my feelings, I promise I’ll let you know where we stand." she said climbing under the covers of her bed "You’re welcome to sleep in Kallie’s bed."

"Are you sure?" he asked

"I don’t think I can be alone tonight, Tommy." she replied

"All right. Good night, Beauti...I mean Kim." he said blushing slightly

"Good night, Handsome." she said giving him a kiss on the cheek