Mighty Morphin Power Rangers - Love Is Series - Heather Ray (suggested reading .TXT) 📗

How can I say this enough? Thank you to everyone that has kept up with all my books! You all are awesome! When I started adapting my fanfiction to these books, I was just doing it in order to introduce the Power Rangers to a new generation and to also help reluctant young readers to find a new love for reading. But I have found out that with each new book there is resounding success! Thank you all so much!

True love is something so rare many people never experience it. When I refer to true love, I don't simply mean an emotional connection, or even an exchange of vows. I mean a union of souls, a dedication to each other that is so complete, they might as well be a single person.

When a love like this is found, it must be celebrated. And that is the purpose of this tribute... to celebrate the romance of two young individuals who's love for one another grew into something so powerful, it changed their lives. I am referring to Tommy Oliver, and Kimberly Hart: the original Power Couple. Each story is written to a song, which I feel aptly describes what's happening through the various stages of their romance.

This fanfic is the final installment in the Love Is collection. A companion piece to "Un-Break My Heart"

, it reflects back to some scenes alluded to in that story, and what happened afterwards. As always, comments are welcome. "All At Once"

is one of many gems sung by Whitney Houston.

Katherine Hillard appeared in a flash of bright pink light outside her home in Angel Grove, California. Usually, she would be more cautious about teleporting to a highly visible location even at night, but she had more pressing concerns, in her opinion. Also, she knew she lived in a very quiet neighborhood, and her parents wouldn't be home for hours still. For the briefest moment, as she fumbled through her bookbag for her house keys, it occurred to her that Zordon would be displeased about her using the teleporter for non-Ranger transport. But the thought quickly dispersed from her consciousness, and she blinked back bitter tears. Finally, after an exhasperating search, she pulled out the keys. With quaking hands, she unlocked the front door, and pushed it open with all her might. She stepped inside the haven of her family's residence, and slammed the door behind her. At that moment, all the strength left in her body gave out, and she fell to her knees, only a few feet from the door. She buried her tear-stained face in her palms, and sobbed bitterly. She didn't realize until this very moment how risky romance truly is. Its like a game of roulette. You can be winning fabulously for a while, but one unlucky spin of the wheel can take it all away. Love's a gamble, pure and simple.

All at once
I finally took a moment and I'm realizing that
You're not coming back
And it finally hit me
All at once

The past two weeks had been utter hell for Kat. She clearly recalled the day when her high-flying hopes for the future came crashing down in one minute's worth of silence. It was Friday night, and as usual, she was spending the evening with Tommy Oliver, the young man who stole her heart with his warm smile and tender mannerisms months earlier. They had shared a romantic evening of dinner at an enchanting French outdoor restaurant in uptown Angel Grove. The evening was going splendidly, and during dessert, after over an hour of relaxed conversation, Kat was feeling adventurous. Her gentle blue eyes locked with Tommy's soulful hazel ones for a long moment, and a smile crept to Kat's face. Tommy mirrored the expression, but it was only that -- a reflection. There wasn't any deeper emotion to it. But Kat didn't notice it at the time.

"This night has been fantastic," Kat commented, still gazing into Tommy's eyes, "Going out tonight was a terrific idea, Tommy."

Tommy shrugged modestly. Typical Tommy.

"I really enjoy spending time with you," Kat continued, reaching across the table. She touched her fingers to Tommy's hand, which was casually placed on the table. "Its the best way to relax, and forget about our troubles for a few hours. I --"

Kat suddenly stopped herself. She realized that she had Tommy's undivided attention, and he gave her a perplexed glance. She took a deep breath, fortifying her courage to admit to him for the first time her true feelings.

"I love you."

There, she said it. It felt like a tremendous weight had been lifted off her heart. Although she and Tommy had been casually dating for some time, she never declared her feelings. They had never reached that point in their relationship. Katherine hoped, and planned, to bring the relationship to the next level. But rather than cement their relationship, Tommy's reply weakened it.

His reply was no reply at all.

All at once, I started counting teardrops
And at least a million fell
My eyes began to swell
And all my dreams were shattered all at once

Time passed ridiculously slowly in the seconds after Kat's revelation. It was easily the longest, most painful minute in Katherine's young life. As each torturous second passed, Kat's anxiety tripled. She held her gaze on Tommy the whole time, watching him carefully. When she had declared her love, the two were eye-locked. Tommy's first reaction was surprise, as evident by his eyes widening significantly. When he realized Katherine was expecting an answer, his gaze quickly fell to his unfinished chocolate mousse cake before him. First his eyes fell, and then, his head bowed slightly. A sigh, barely noticeable, passed between his lips. But Kat noticed it. In silence, she withdrew her hand, which still lay on Tommy's, and brought it to her lap. She clasped her hands together tightly, releasing the building tension. After nearly a minute of awkward silence, tears began to blur Kat's vision. His lack of a response was all that was needed. She squeezed her eyes shut, forcing herself not to cry. Her breathing grew labored, and she reached for her purse, her eyes still clamped shut. She didn't want to open them-- she didn't want to see Tommy's face. She felt embarrassed, exposed, and worst of all-- betrayed. She offered him her most valuable possession-- her heart-- and rather than accept the gift gratefully, he brutally rejected it. In sixty taxing seconds, Kat's life turned completely around.

After taking a cleansing breath to calm herself, Kat opened her eyes. She saw Tommy gazing at her with a truly apologetic expression. He realized what he had done to her, without doing anything at all. What he couldn't express through words, he managed to relate with that single glance. It was all she needed.

"I understand," Kat said quietly, forcing her voice not to crack. She hastily rose to her feet, and left the restaurant, clutching her purse with all her strength. She wove her way through the restaurant as quickly as she could walk, without breaking into a run or arousing suspicion. She could feel Tommy's eyes on her back, but she also knew he wasn't moving. If anything, Tommy was an empathic person. He understood Kat's feelings, and knew the best thing for him to do right now is give her some space. Kat was silently grateful Tommy didn't follow her outside. She didn't want to let him see her cry-- to show him just how much he had hurt her. As she hailed a taxi cab outside, her strength and self control began to ebb, and tears began to spill over her eyes,