The last thing in the world that I needed was another story to write, you know? But since I've been writing everyday, I have to explore different ideas. Unfortunately, if you are someone who likes canon, it doesn't live here. It's been a long time since I've watched MMPR and I don't want to research street names, birthdays, house colors or anything else. I might be lucky enough to stay in character but no guarantees. I do not own Power Rangers and can no longer see any mistakes I've made but no doubt they are there. If you feel like continuing past this, thanks!

Song

Zack Taylor walked down the street with three of his best friends.

It was the middle of summer and the days spread out long and carefree before them. Kim had called that morning to find out what his plans for the day. She had offered a trip to the community pool and he hastily agreed. There was something about girls in bikinis that made his day just a little brighter.

Trini lived two streets over from him and that's where they were headed. Kim, Jason, and Billy lived a little further away so they met up first because none of them were old enough to drive yet.

They turned onto Madison Street and strolled down to the Kwan's. It was a tidy two-story house painted a deep gold. Trini was crouched in the garage door with her back to them so they walked around to where she was. "Trini!"

Trini glanced over her shoulder with a smile. She brushed her dark hair from her face and stood. "Hey, everyone."

"What are you doing?"

"Straightening up the garage."

"Oh. We're going to the pool and we wanted to know if you could come."

She shrugged and glanced at them all before responding. "Maybe after I'm finished. I could walk over when I'm done."

"How long do you think you'll be?"

"I would be most honored to help you," Billy interrupted quietly.

"Yeah," Kim seconded. "If we help, you'll get done faster."

Zack wanted to get to the girls but if he mentioned it, he'd just get a withering look and a head slap from Kim and a bunch of garbage of how they were the five musketeers. One for all and all for one. It would be easier just to get it done. And if he daydreamed about seeing Marcy Robinson in a bathing suit, with all that pale skin showing, who would know but him?

Jason and Zack traded looks. "Okay," Jason agreed.

"Zack?" Kim pinned him with an evil eye.

"Let's get a move on."

They spent over an hour straightening up boxes, a job made easier by the fact that the Kwans didn't want anything thrown away – just labeled and neatly stacked. Mrs. Kwan popped her head in. She shook her head. "Thank you all for coming over and helping Trini. It would have taken her twice as long to get it done because of that." She gestured toward her daughter and the group laughed. Trini had her head stuck in a book. "I have sandwiches and drinks up at the house," she announced. "Come up when you're finished."

Billy and Jason walked out of the garage behind Mrs. Kwan. Kim stood up and dusted off her pink shorts before marking something on her last box.

"C'mon, Trini. Your mom has lunch ready."

"Be right there, Kim. I just want to finish this."

"Zack, you coming?"

"Yeah." He stood up and stretched when Kim left. He glanced over at Trini, who was still engrossed in the book. Some things never change, he thought with a private smile.

"Girl, don't forget to eat."

She smiled, not looking up. "I won't."

"Watcha reading?"

"One of Grams' songs. I'd forgotten it until I saw it again."

"You want to sing to us?" he teasingly asked.

"Maybe one of these days," she slanted him a look from underneath her eyelashes and for a moment, he was intrigued.

Zack shook his head to clear it. "Okay. Catch ya inside."

He walked out and onto the lawn. The Kwan's garage sat about ten feet from the house so he started across the lawn. The front door was closer but they had always been welcome in the kitchen door.

Trini hadn't been flirting with him, had she? No. There was no way that his buddy; a girl he had played with since they were in diapers would have been flirting with him. He didn't think of her like that and he didn't poach on his friends.

Resolved, he took one step but they all disappeared with a whisper of voice, floating on the hot spring air.

Sometimes I lie awake at night

Wondering if you think of me

Trini was singing.

Zack froze. He didn't know anyone could sound like that, that she could sound like that. His nerve endings were prickling as her voice ran down his spine.

And at fifteen, Zack Taylor slipped over the edge of friendship into unchartered territory.

As he finished the trek towards the house, he only had one thought.

What was he going to do now?