Reefside Marina

Saturday, May 27, 2006

There was nothing more satisfying than the sound of fresh Louboutins tapping on the teak floor aboard a luxury cruise ship. That is, unless you count the sound of a credit card being charged during a trip around Rodeo Drive.

Kimberly Hart made the deck her catwalk as she strutted to the hosts stand on the 3rd floor, making puddle of any crew member she passed by. Her minimal jewelry reflected off the lights lighting the ship, giving eyes to dusk.

Although she looked mighty and confident on the outside, she couldn't shake the feeling of her heart trembling in her throat.

"I can't believe I let her talk me into this again," Kimberly murmured to herself.

Of course this would be the work of Trini Kwan. When Kimberly confided in her best friend that she felt she needed to get back out there after her recent break up, Trini offered her match making services. However, Kimberly mentioned it more so to vent, she never thought the former yellow ranger would actually go through with it.

There was Mr. midlife-crisis, Mr. self-absorbed, Mr. I-don't-believe-in-showers; hell, she even gave Ms. let's-sell-our-belonging-and-live-off-the-land a chance because why the hell not?

Kimberly was done with Trini's failed attempts and completely protested against going out again. Her best friend, on the other hand, wouldn't take no for an answer. Trini offered her an all expense paid dinner courtesy of her own wallet. She couldn't really say no to that. So after a series of terrible dates, here she was... giving mystery date number five a chance.

This date seemed to be starting off better than the previous and from the excitement in Trini's voice, this might be a good match.

Trini mentioned nothing more than that he was a doctor that preferred to live a quiet life and loved to travel to exotic places. What girl wouldn't swoon over that? If he was even remotely good looking, she might just walk out of here with a second date. And if he wasn't then she will walk out of here with a free dinner.

Kimberly stopped at the entrance of the dining room to greet the young girl at the hosts stand losing a fight with slips of reservations.

She stood there for a moment going unnoticed and she chuckled at the young girls struggle. Been there, done that.

Nothing says newbie like a perfectly pressed uniform and full blown fear in the eyes. That... and well, her lovely name tag read as 'Lori - trainee'.

"Hello," Kimberly smiled.

Lori's head shot up, eyes wide. "I'm so sorry, ma'am. I didn't see you. Reservations?"

Kimberly smiled again, anything to keep the nerves down, "Kwan, please."

"Kwan?" The hostess fumbled with her list of expected arrivals, skimming over the names quickly until she landed on the grand prize. "Umm... yes, it'll be table eight to your... left."

Kimberly nodded, thanking the girl.

"I think," Lori whispered to herself as Kimberly stepped aside to enter the main dining room. She thought about calling out to her and inform her of a possible error, but a small crowd began to gather at her stand.

Kimberly stepped into the dining room with all the confidence in the world. Her red flowing dress was a bold move, but she was ready to meet the man that would sweep her off her black stilettos. Her light brown hair was parted to the side, loose waves falling down the length of her hair. A feast finer than anything they could serve at this five star restaurant.

She looked radiant. A perfect complementary piece to striking views of the sun setting on the Pacific Ocean in every window. Of course, she knew that. She busted out the best of the best because she was done being played with. She wanted success and while she wasn't sure this mystery date would be her happily every after, at least his credentials offered her more than any of the last few had.

Kimberly was successful in her own right. She'd earned her masters in business and marketing, landing her a job at a local firm in Reefside. While all of that was exciting, it didn't offer her the thrill she was hoping for. She was stuck behind a desk pushing papers from nine to five. When Trini suggested she leave Florida for good and move Reefside where she was currently residing with Jason. It was a charming, up and coming city that would offer her a change in scenery. She immediately fell in love with the atmosphere.

That's when the idea to open up her own business was born. Instead of advising corporate sell outs, she advised those that wished to open up their own business. She wanted to help out the little guy and stick it to the big man. Although her business was new, it was booming. Her appointments would fill out fasts due to her genius marketing strategies.

The 29 year old was on top of her game when it came to her career.. unfortunately, that same level of success didn't include her love life. She'd been through her share of rejects, one of which included her ex-husband, Luke. She wasn't necessarily proud of that time of her life. She barely knew the guy when they decided to get married at 19, but she wanted to prove to everyone she was a mature adult. What she came to find out was that a part of maturity included not making impulsive decisions. She filed for divorce 3 months later. While this may have knocked people on their asses, she didn't let it bring her down. Kimberly pushes herself into her studies and came out the other side of it. It led to her current success and she regretted nothing.

However, so much work left for little time to herself. Sure it was rewarding, but she was beginning to neglect herself. She hadn't been out with her friends or even to see her family. She had no time for hobbies anymore.. and the last time she had been on a date without the services of Trini was painfully embarrassing.

"Almost as dreadful as this," she mumbled to herself as she toyed with a wilted rose pedal that fell from a centerpiece arrangement.

Was that a sign of what was to come?

Being alone never really bothered her... at least not until she realized she was one of the few of her friend group that hadn't settled down yet. Jason and Trini went through a roller coaster of a relationship, mostly due to Trini traveling so much due to her time in the Peace Corps. Jason took over his fathers construction company and had seen great success in it. They eventually settled down and started their own family. Zack wasn't technically married, but he's been in a long term relationship with his girlfriend Tianna. While that may not seem settled, it definitely was for the man that couldn't be tamed. Billy even found the time to meet someone. While things didn't work out with Cestria, he still devoted his time in Aquitar. It just made more sense to settle down there once he met Kalista, another resident of Aquitar.

Kimberly didn't really keep in touch with anyone else. She'd get the random letter from Aisha, but she was so busy giving her all to her Veterinary clinic in Africa that there wasn't much time to catch up. She couldn't possibly even begin to guess what she was up to.

She sighed, letting all the negativity release from her body. Right now wasn't the time for that.

Her legs moved on their own, gliding across the gold patterned carpet below her. Every inch of her trembled as she slowly counted the tables from her left as the lovely trainee informed her.

"Three, four, five..."

God, why did she have these flutters? It wasn't like she hadn't been on a date before... so why did this feel like the first time?

"Six, seven..."

She paused for a moment as she let her eyes make the adventurous trip to the golden number.

His back was to her. Figures.

She wasn't sure exactly what to expect. Trini's choice of dates had been nothing but failures. If she didn't know any better she'd think that Trini was doing that shit on purpose...

While she couldn't make his face out from where she was standing, she could tell the gentleman was... ahem, more mature in age. His hair was peppered a dusty gray and she could faintly make out his scalp from the evidence of thinning. Well, he was a doctor. Stress, maybe? His camel colored suspenders crossed in the back, making the distinct "X" that haunted her dreams. The correct time to wear suspenders was never.

She could live with a silver fox, however, a fashion disaster was out of the question.

"Please be hot, please be hot, please be hot..," she recited as she inched closer to table eight.

The woman that always had the right words was suddenly speechless when she turned to face the mystery man that was indulging in a glass of wine.

Holy shit. He looked like he could be her grandfather.

"Hi," she managed to croak out.

Why the hell was she suddenly thirsty?

The gentleman nearly chocked on his Chardonnay from behind his glass, "Excuse me." He chuckled, wiping the remnants of the alcohol from his sagging skin. "Hello."

It wasn't everyday that a beautiful woman such as Kimberly walked up to him.

She smiled for a moment, meeting his soft blue eyes that were surrounded by the lines of wisdom.

He didn't make a move to formally greet her, but she figured that maybe his age didn't allow for it. Did it make her a horrible person for thinking that?

"I'm Kimberly," she told him before taking a seat across from him.

He nodded before looking around the room as if in search for someone, "Nice to meet you, I'm Milton."

Milton? Who named their baby Milton? Was he born an 80 year old man?

Again, speechless. That was the last time she let Trini talk her into doing anything ever again.

Did Trini really think this was a good idea?

She sat in silence for a moment, allowing the awkwardness between them to brew a breath too long. There was nothing more she could do but force a curve to form on the side of her lip.

The older gentleman did the same as neither spoke. He was nearly as confused as she was.

Kimberly had always hoped to grow old with someone, but having someone with a 50 year head start wasn't exactly what she envisioned.

The sun damage on his cheeks and hands were only emphasized by the paper white color of his skin. He'd lived a life outside, that was for certain. Now she was curious. Trini mentioned that he was a doctor that loved to travel to exotic places. Did the spots on his hands have a story?

Kimberly looked up as she felt the heat from his stare. His eyes slowly widened as if he were willing her to speak. Her palms were moist, drenched by the silence between them.

She decided to cure the quiet by clearing her throat. "So... let me tell you, you are not what I was expecting at all."

His head tilted, "And what were you expecting?"

"I'm not sure," she shook her head, smiling lightly.

They allowed silence to come between them again. He looked around as he gulped the remnants of his wine. The other guests were slowly trickling in to the restaurant and finding their seats.

Kimberly was suddenly wishing she was anywhere but here. Sure it was a lovely scenery and dinner was expected to be delicious, but at what cost? She was sure to spend the rest of the evening sitting in painful silence, praying for the night to end. The age difference was evident. Especially considering that she probably appeared to be a gold digger. Why else would someone in their 20s be with such an older gentleman.

She could hear the whispers around her. Sure they probably weren't about her, but she didn't know that for certain. The feeling of your intentions being questioned didn't feel right.

How long was she willing to sit there and pretend that she wasn't feeling all eyes on her? The time to leave was now.. at least bolt it before the ship set sail and she was stuck with no way out.

"I can't do this." She exhaled, slowly rising from her seat.

"Pardon me?" Milton's eyes turned to her, brows quirked.

"Look, Milton," she chewed her lip while attempting to collect her belonging, "I'm sure you're a sweet man and if this were 60 years ago then maybe there would be a chance, but it's not."

"Uhh.."

Kimberly couldn't exactly read his facial expression at the moment. It was a blur of confusion and insult, and she honestly didn't care. Screw Trini and putting her in this predicament. The position for new Best Friend was suddenly opened.

"I'm sorry that Trini put you up to this," She continued, "but she's been getting it wrong a lot lately. I'm looking for something real. Maybe having children within the next 10 years, not grandchildren. So please enjoy the free meal. I'm getting out of here—"

"I'm sorry, honey. I got lost on my way back. The hostess gave me the wrong directions," a woman chuckled.

Now it was Kimberly's turn to be confused. She turned to the new guest that took her previously occupied seat, a woman that matched Miltons age.

"Um.. am I missing something here?" She asked, turning back and forth between Milton and the woman

"I'm sorry, dear, this is our waitress Kimberly. Kimberly, this is my wife Beverly."

"Waitress? Wife?" Kimberly didn't know whether she should be insulted or relieved.

"Nice to meet you, hon," Beverly offered a warm smile.

"I.. I'm not your waitress."

Talk about misunderstanding of the year. She let out a small smile, content on how things worked out. Still, she was curious.

"So, how long have you been married?"

Miltons eyes remained trained on Beverly's, not releasing his hold on them for even a blink. He took his wife's hand, lovingly kissing the back of it, "Celebrating 58 years today. "

Kimberlys smile grew even wider. That was such a large feat. How she wished someone would look at her like that if even for a moment. A love so pure that it would transcend over half a century. Damn, who would have thought that her opinion of Milton would change in the span of seconds? She'd be lucky to find someone like him. Her day would come.

"Congratulations," she told them sincerely. "I'm sorry... I must have grabbed the wrong table."

Her body tensed as she heard a series of steps approaching.

"Table eight?" A voice came from behind her.

Kimberly paused, feeling a fiery heat radiating from behind her. Her lips parted to release a breath that was vibrating up her trachea.

While deeper than she remembered, there were remnants of familiarity. It could only be one person. And now she hated Trini an infinite times more.

She gulped, feeling the familiar presence but she made no movements to turn around.

Instead, she leaned in closer to Milton before letting out a quivering whisper,

"Is there a tall guy standing behind me?"

He looked past her shoulder, making direct eye contact with the bronze man standing behind her. Milton quirked a brow before giving a quick survey of the man. 'Bout a few inches taller than when he was a lad. Tall? Sure.

"Yes?" He replied.

Kimberly closed her eyes, still feeling the heat from his behind her. Would she dare turn around and see the faceless man that hadn't run through her head in over ten years? The man that was essentially still 19 in her eyes. The man that was frozen in age in her mind from the last time she saw him.

"Long brown hair?" She asked.

She knew he could possibly hear her. Hell, she knew he could hear her. Even without seeing him she could feel hip lips curving up. Odd how this connection was forced open once again.

Milton chuckled, before shrugging, "Well, it isn't long."

Her head lifted, this time by curiosity more that anything. She felt her body betray her as she turned to face the essence of her existence when she was 16 years old. Finally putting an answer to the question mark that he played in her life.

Her round eyes softened at the toned image standing before her. He was dressed well.. very well. A man plucked right out of GQ. His glowing tan proved that he had more than enjoyed the outdoors of California.. or wherever he frequented now. He was, for all intents and purposes, a complete stranger to her.

She fought the unconscious response to nibble on her lip as she witnessed what could be heaven on earth. Attraction has never been an issue when it came to him. However, seeing him in a perfectly tailored blue suit nearly had her knees trembling.

The blaring roar from the ship signaled its departure, leaving her with nowhere to run… she didn't know what to think about that yet.

He didn't hide his glee as he greeted her with an adoring smile.

She stepped forward, unsure of how to greet such a perfect stranger.

"Tommy… hi."

Author note: Wow, hello there! It's definitely been a minute since I've been on here. I've been super busy this last year with school and life. I don't really get too much time to myself or to even write, but I miss it so much. I'm reading on here but I often don't get the opportunity to review. Anyway, this is something that I've been trying to write for several months. I've been slowly writing a paragraph here and there, but it finally came together. I was originally going to do a one-shot but I think this just felt like an organic stopping point. I'll be back with the second part or maybe even a third.. we'll see. It won't be more than that. Protectors of the Right will continue once this is completed! As always let me know what you think in a review or PM! I feel a little rusty so please be kind! See you guys next time!