Billy found himself waiting again, and as he spent hour after hour in the room he became more and more restless. He didn't dare go very far, afraid that if he left and Kimberly couldn't find him she wouldn't ever return. As he laid on the bed and absently watched a talk show, he glanced at the clock. It was almost twelve noon, and the nagging feeling at the back of his mind would not let him hold off the call home any longer. Picking up the receiver, he asked the front desk to dial out for him, and then let the phone ring. He listened to the message that Katherine had recorded, but hung up without leaving a message. He held the phone in one hand while holding down the button on the phone with the other, taking a moment to think before redialing the desk. This time he asked to be connected to another number, and in the middle of the third ring he heard someone pick up.

"Hello?"

"Hi Lily, it's Billy. Is Tommy there?"

"Billy, we've been trying to get a hold of you all morning," he could tell that she was motioning to some one, probably Tommy, as she spoke.

"What's wrong?" there was silence for a moment, and he thought for a moment that the line had been disconnected.

"Billy?"

"What is going on Tommy?!" Billy found himself almost shouting, his mind racing with the possibilities.

"Kat called us last night, and told us that she wasn't feeling well. I brought her to the hospital just to make sure. She's all right, but she is there now for observation."

"Observation? What's wrong, is..."

"The baby is fine Billy. Katherine said that we should give you the number at the hospital if you called, and not to worry."

"Should I come home?"

"She says that is the last thing that you should do." Tommy gave him the number, and then reassured Billy again that Kat was going to be all right. Billy hung up the phone, unwanted tears coming to his eyes. He knew that coming to Florida was a mistake, but he had to find out what was wrong with Kimberly. She had seemed so happy when she showed up that morning, so full of life and energy like she had been as a Power Ranger. He looked at the number written hurriedly on the memo pad, and was about to dial the number when there was a knock at the door. After a second, he stood and went to the door. There was no screaming welcome when he opened it this time, and he had to open the door almost all the way before he could see who it was. Kimberly stood with her arms across her chest, and her eyes were red and puffy.

"Kim?" he took a step into the hall and with a rasping cry she fell into his arms. Leading the distraught girl into the room, he sat with her on the bed.

"I'm sorry Billy," she cried in between sobs.

"What?" he laughed a little and turned her face up towards his.

"I shouldn't have asked you to come here." she broke away from him then, starting for the door.

"Wait a minute!" he jumped up and grabbed her arm, trying to stop her from leaving again. He wanted to know what was going on right now. With a cry, she pulled her arm away forcefully, as if Billy's touch had burned her.

"A lot has changed since the last time that we saw each other." she said quietly, no longer moving towards the door, but standing just in front of it with her arms again crossed across her chest. "I shouldn't have called you."

"If you are in trouble I want to help you Kim." Billy didn't know what to do.

"You can't help me Billy, no one can. I got myself into this mess, and now I have to live with it."

"What mess."

"He isn't bad Billy, I am just always making him angry." Billy's mind started realizing what she was saying, but a part of him wouldn't believe it.

"Kimberly, does Gregory..."

"It's my fault!" Kimberly started to cry, the tears streaming down her face. Billy stepped forward and grabbed her arm again, forcing the sleeve up as far past her elbow as he could.

"Don't!" she tried to pull it down again, but Billy had already seen what he was looking for. Huge bruises covered her arms, and probably the rest of her body. Billy couldn't remember ever being as mad as he was that instant.

"How could he do this!" Billy fumed, and Kimberly rushed to try and calm him.

"It isn't his fault!" she stammered. "If I didn't keep doing things to make him have to hit me.."

"Nothing gives him the right to do this to you Kim, to anyone." Billy finally understood why she had called, and went to the phone.

"What are you doing!" she already knew what he was doing, and rushed forward to stop him.

"What should have been done a long time ago!"

"You can't Billy!" her voice was desperate. "I love him! I am having his baby!"

This stopped both of them, as if the world had just been put on pause. Slowly he sat on the bed again, everything too much for him to handle.

"Does he know?" "Not yet. Oh Billy, I know that once he does know, he will change, and we can be a happy family."

"Cone off it Kimberly!" he stood to face her, her eyes widening in fear. He quickly backed down physically but not verbally. "do you really believe that?"

"He loves me Billy, I know he does!"

"If he really loved you, then he wouldn't beat you."

She was silent for a moment, and then her face became angry.

"How dare you!" Kimberly screamed at her old friend. She couldn't believe how insensitive he was being. "How dare you come here and presume to tell me about my own life."

"If you don't remember, you called me!" Billy retorted, making Kimberly even madder.

"I thought that you were going to help. I was wrong." she opened the door, and turned to face him one last time. "I never want to see you again!"

"Kimberly!" Billy tried to reason with her. "Please come back with me. You are just hurting yourself and the baby by staying with him!"

"The baby and I will be just fine without your help Mr. Cranston."

"Kimberly, Please! I don't want anything bad to happen to you!"

"Good bye!" she slammed the door and started down the hall.

"I am booking two tickets to Angel Grove for tonight! She heard him faintly and then she was out of ear shot. She bumped into people in the lobby, their faces full of concern as she sobbed uncontrollably. She didn't know how, but she managed to make it to her car and take off.

"He does love me," her own voice sounded hollow even to her own ears, and the shock of it made her swerve. With shaking hands she was barely able to pull over to the side of the road before at last breaking down, crying like she had never cried before. She had been so happy with Gregory, the first few years of their marriage had been the best years of her life.

She couldn't remember the exact date when she had noticed his drinking. At first it had only been a few beers after dinner, but he had now escalated way beyond that point. Everything she did made him mad now, but things would be different. She kept telling herself that as she started down the road again, and until she pulled into her driveway. Her house was beautiful, two stories and a front yard. She had everything she ever wanted here. Enough money, food, clothes, everything. Kimberly reached down to turn off the motor and heard the radio playing softly. Turning the knob, she heard the beginning of a song

Black eyes, I don't need ‘em, Blue tears, gimme freedom!

Kimberly froze, her hand still on the knob. She looked in front of her at Gregory's car, confirming that he was home.

Positively never going back

I won't live where things are so out of whack

No more rollin with the punches

No more usin' or abusin

I'd rather die standing, than live on my knees

Begging please--no more

Black eyes--I don't need ‘em, Blue tears gimme freedom

Black eyes--all behind me, Blue tears'll never find me now

The words stung at her soul, and she realized that what Billy had said was right. She had called him because she was scared, and he had come because he was her friend. Throwing the car into reverse, her heart raced. She couldn't believe what she was doing, but it felt good. Like a weight was being lifted from her shoulders, and she could finally breathe again. As the car wound through the busy streets she knew exactly where she had to go.

Definitely found my self-esteem

Finally--I'm forever free to dream

She parked the car and again made her way through the hotel lobby and up the steps. Her whole body ached, but she felt more brave than she had in years. It terrified her that she was leaving everything behind, trusting in a truth that her tired mind told her was right.

No more cryin' in the corner

No excuses--no more bruises

All along she had wanted to believe that he could change, but when the doctor told her she was pregnant, she could imagine what her baby's life would be like. Always scared of its father, always making excuses for the bruises like she had. Never. She would not let her child be raised in that environment.

I'd rather die standing

Than live on my knees

Begging please--no more

Black eyes I don't need ‘em, Blue tears give me freedom

Black eyes are behind me, Blue tears will never find me now

It was like the world was moving in slow motion as she pounded on the door and waited for an answer. Her stomach turned as she thought that maybe he had already left.

I'd rather die standing

Than live on my knees

Begging please

Begging please

Begging please...ha

The door swung open, and Billy automatically embraced her.

Black eyes I don't need ‘em, Blue tears give me freedom

Black eyes are behind me, Blue tears will never find me now.

It's all behind me, they'll never find me now

Billy hugged her tightly and she finally felt safe. She was going home where she belonged, and as he led her into the room a smile crossed her face...

Find your self-esteem and be forever free to dream.

Comments can be sent to me at cricker_gmc@Yahoo.com. During the time of my fanfic, there are no rangers (I mean actually defending the world), and I haven't decided if there are going to be yet. The song is by Shania Twain and is from her Come On Over Cd. It is called Black eyes, Blue Tears, and seemed to really fit the mood here. I know that this is a long time coming and I apoligize. I am trying to finish up this series and To Sleep, Perchance to Dream, then after that I don't know if I will be doing any more writing until the summer at least. I am just too busy with my school work and real work to do any good writing, and I hope that the rest of this series is as good as I want it to be. Thanks for hanging in there. I would love to hear from ya, until then keep smiling~