Hello hello. This chapter will seem very familiar, I assure you. But read it anyway, I have made changes to it so it's not the same one you once read.

Dedicated to my cousin, and all hurricane victims.

Disclaimer: Don't own 'em. Would be nice though, give me something to do… Ah well. I do own the plot. Yay for me.

Of Paying Attention

Kira walked slowly to her first period science class. The song she had yet to write the words for demanded to be completed. And the conversation with her Gram hung just on the outskirts. It wasn't until she ran, literally, into Ethan that she focused her eyes somewhat to her surroundings.

"Good morning to you too" he said smiling.

"Morning Ethan" She was spacing out again.

"Are you ok?" He lowered his voice slightly "That side of yours isn't still hurting from the fight on your birthday is it?"

"No. It's a song mostly. I've had the chords written for over a week now," Ethan shrugged and took his seat. Kira then noticed she was in class. She blushed slightly when she realized the bell had rung and she was the only one left standing.

Dr. Oliver was staring at her. She still had a slightly hard time meeting his eyes. Having had that hard time since Hayleys' comment the week before. She sat down and told herself to work on the song after class.

"Good morning class, today we will be continuing with the Jurassic period, discussing the difference between prehistoric birds, also known as the pterodactyl-"

"Bet you'll ace this." Conner whispered to her from across the table. She smiled.

"-And common birds found in the area. Just because this is the last section and graduation is in less then two weeks…"

Kira felt her concentration slipping. She could hear the cords of her guitar perfectly in her head. If only she could come up with the right lyrics.

XXX

She wasn't sure how long she had been sitting there working out the perfect chorus. Having mentally wrote the first stanza. She almost had it.

A poke was issued to her side, and she turned towards Ethan.

"Pay attention" He scolded her. She rolled her eyes, and tried to do as he asked.

"Kira" She heard her name, but the chorus was playing in her head again, and it was winning the battle of her attention. She did, however look over to her teacher, who had called her. Presumably to tell her to pay attention.

"Will you please pay attention?"

"Yes Dr. Oliver" she answered absentmindedly. She had the first stanza and the chorus down. She was now tackling the second stanza.

"Kira, did you answer the questions on the board?" She heard Dr. Oliver address her again.

"Yes Dr. O" she again absently answered. She had the perfect hook.

"Will you have dinner with me tonight?" She tested out the lyrics she had with the guitar in her head, hearing Dr. Oliver's voice aimed at her once more.

"Yes Dr. O"

"DEVIN! Did you get that? Devin! Wake up!" Was vaguely registered in her head.

Some one poked her again. She looked over towards Ethan. He was gaping at her.

"What?" She asked, her thoughts temporarily broken. She looked at Conner who was making weird noises. Then at everyone else in the room. They were all staring at her. "Am I drooling or something?" she brought her hand to her face. The bell rang, as she reassured herself that her face was drool free. Dr. O was staring at her intently.

"Finish the questions on the board, due tomorrow. And Kira," She looked over at him. The class was moving slowly, like they wanted to hear what was to be said. "I'll pick you up at 7." He smiled at the class, then went back to his desk and began a lesson plan for his next period.

Pick her up at 7?

"Kira! I can't believe it!" was what she heard as she was packing her bag.

"What is everyone talking about?" She asked herself. She forgot about the comment from Dr. O as people came up congratulating her. She made a hasty retreat form class.

"What would Randall say?" Asked some guy that sat in the table next to hers. She swore she never met him before.

"Cassidy Cornell, Reefside reporter. Any comment on your date?"

"Cassidy, I know who you are," Kira rolled her eyes and pushed Devin's camera away. "What date?" She asked, crossing her arm over her chest. If people kept this up, she would be late for her next class.

"You're date with Dr. Oliver," she said in a you-know-perfectly-well-what-date voice.

"WHAT?" Kira asked dumbfounded. Then it clicked.

'Pick you up at 7' Oh god! With wide eyes, and questions swimming in her mind, mainly ones of 'when did he ask me?' and 'why do I have a feeling Hayley is involved?' she walked back to her science class. Cassidy was yelling questions at her, but she ignored them.

Tommy was still sitting at his desk writing when she walked in. Very few people were in class already. For that she was glad.

"Dr. O?" she asked hesitantly. Where did all her courage go?

"Kira, is there something you needed?" He smiled at her. The same smile as the one they shared last week. Ptera help me. She swallowed. Then decided to go with it, remembering the argument she had with herself. You're 18, and only his student for 1 week and 3 days.

"Is 7:30 ok? I may need more time to get ready. I have an after school program, and the instructor can be tough." She smirked when she saw him at a loss for words. He clearly didn't expect that. Kira took great pride in rendering the greatest power ranger speechless. The students that were in the room, looked questioningly at them, then each other, then back again.

"I'll take that as an O.K." She smiled. "See you later." She left the class with a swirl of different emotions and thoughts running through her. And somewhere in there, her song and Gram were trying to fight their way to the front of her mind.

XXX

Kira had sadly little time to work out the next stanza, or worry about what to do when she saw her Grandma again. Though at the moment neither seemed very important.

Word travels fast though high school and it seemed what happened in science earlier was the talk of the school. Though more then slightly on edge of what people might be thinking of her, Kira ignored and brushed off comments from her fellow students. She kept reminding herself that if it were a month later, no one would care that much.

Deciding she needed to finish the song, so at least there would be one less thing distracting her, she pushed all thoughts of her Gram's revelation aside, and welcomed the song once lunch rolled around.

She made an appearance at the table Conner and Ethan sometimes sat, Knowing they would look for her if she didn't say show, bought a muffin, and headed to the music room.

XXX

"Thanks for letting my use the room Mr. Anderson" Kira smiled at her music teacher.

"Anytime Kira, just make sure the door locks on your way out." He looked at her strangely for a moment before smiling and leaving her alone.

"Great, does everyone know what happened?" She asked the empty room. "I'll take your silence as a yes." She sighed and picked up her guitar from behind the teachers desk.

Finish the song, worry about Gram later, She reminded herself.

The first few chords were rough, but soon she got the proper rhythm.

She was pleased by the time lunch ended, she finished the song- minus the fine tuning- and now all she had to really distract her was Grandma Ford knowing her secret.

And I don't even want to think about that yet…

After making sure the door was locked and her guitar safely back in its case and behind Mr. Andersons desk, there was no where else to store it, Kira made her way through the crowded halls towards her locker.

Things were going well as she passed by numerous class mates. Most of which have already talked to her more then once already, so none stopped her. Which is why she almost screamed when she heard someone clear their throat from behind her.

"Miss Ford," Principal Randall stood with her arms crossed, and a face of pure loathing.

"Yes Ma'm?" Kira braced herself, and tried to think of a good excuse to get out of talking to her. She knew why Randall was there.

"It is going around school that you have a date with Dr. Tommy Oliver," She could have sworn she heard Randall almost choke on the words.

"Most things you hear in high school are rumors."

"So you are saying that you are not going out with your teacher Dr. Oliver," she emphasized the word teacher, "tonight?" Randall raised an eyebrow and Kira had to think fast.

"No Ma'm." Kira said deliberately, knowing full well that she could be denying the date, or denying that that was what she indeed was saying. Randall raised an eyebrow. "If you'll excuse me, pre calc waits for no one." With that Kira hurriedly left the principal behind with a mix between annoyed, angered, and confused look.

XXX

"Kira, I saved you a seat."

"Thanks Eth." She sat down and realized she never actually got a chance to get her book from her locker. She groaned and look over at Ethan.

"Can I share your book? I forgot to get mine from my locker." She gave him a pouty face, and he laughed but moved to book over for her to see.

"What is with you today?" He asked as the class began to fill. "First that episode in Science, which by the way we are talking about after school, then you blow me and Conner off at lunch, now you forget your book?"

Kira sighed. And went on explaining about going to work on her song at lunch, using the music room, so she wouldn't get another detention for singing in the quad.

"Yea, then you may have found a whole new super power, and belong to two different teams." Ethan whispered, causing Kira to laugh.

Then she told about how Randall stopped her in the hall before class. She steered the conversation away, however, when that led to Ethan questioning her about Dr. Oliver, and brining up the, until now for Ethan, forgotten comment and looked from Hayley the previous week.

"Did you do the homework?"

"Of course, do you even have to ask?" Ethan looked appalled. She rolled her eyes, and looked to the front of the class as the teacher begun her lesson.

XXX

Kira was glad when the school day finally ended. She was exhausted. Pre-calc was brutal. She walked out of it with 2 pages of homework, and the promise of a pre-test the next day.

After grabbing her guitar from the music room, she collected the right books from her locker, and headed out of the school. She had to meet everyone at the lab later, and then she had a test to study. It was going to be a long day.

Going to the lab was not something she was looking forward to. She would no doubt have to answer questions about accepting a date with her teacher. And being in a tiny lab with said teacher was not high on her to do list. Not to mention she would be there with two teenage boys who tend to meddle in her life, and possibly a woman who had been in on the entire thing. Yes It was going to be a very long day.

"Kira, Need a ride?" She heard her name, and looked behind her. Grimacing slightly, she hesitated, and had every intention of declining- having now an ever harder time meeting his eyes- but stopped and mentally berated herself.

You have to save the world with him. No use avoiding him when your not.

"Sure," She smiled slightly. Dr. O was just walking out of the school when he had called her. Now he was beckoning her towards the parking lot.

"Were you going to walk with that all the way to my house?" He asked, after a short silence. Kira had the impression the silence was getting to him.

"No, just to my house, then I would have called Conner to come pick me up. We've been doing that for a while now. He likes to stay after school to practice a little." It's actually gotten to the point where he just shows up an hour after she gets home. She only calls to say she's running late, or was able to get the car. Kira looked at Dr. O, and saw his face frown at her mention of her routine with Conner. But she wouldn't let herself think about that.

"So do you want me to take you home first?" He asked as they neared his jeep.

"Yea, if you don't mind. I need to tell my mom that I won't be able to make dinner tonight, before she leaves for work." She only realized what she had said, after it had come out of her mouth. 'Oh well, to late to take it back.' she thought.

Neither of them spoke until they were driving away from the school. Besides the quick instructions from Kira on how to get to her house.

"Listen, about-" Dr. O started at the same time Kira said;

"Why did you-?" The both laughed nervously. "You go first" He nodded.

"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry about what I asked you and where I did it. I hadn't planned on asking you until after graduation, but I meant what I asked. I would love to have dinner with you tonight. Now, if you don't want to, that's-"

"I'd love to," she said simply, cutting him off. He smiled, and looked slightly surprised. "Why do you look so surprised?"

"I didn't think you would say yes."

"I did once already. Or, so I'm told" she blushed slightly.

"You were also not paying attention to what I said. By the way, remind me to talk to you about paying attention in class."

Kira just smiled, and pointed out which house was hers. "I can get Conner to drive to your house if you don't want to wait for me to do the dishes." She said as she got out of the jeep.

"That's alright, I'm here. Besides, I could talk to your mom about your class room behavior." He smirked.

"I don't think so! Save it for a parent teacher conference. It's hard enough explaining why I have to run out every time you call." She grabbed her guitar, leaving her bag in there so she could study later, and led the way to the front door. "I don't want to explain why you're taking me home, and then why I'm leaving with you again after my chores."

"Good point. What would she say if she knew we had a date tonight?" He asked smiling. Kira shrugged, and opened the door. That was something she hoped she would never have to explain to her parents.

"You know that means, no telling her you're my teacher." Kira stopped them from entering and looked over at him.

"She'll find out eventually." He reasoned.

"I know, but just don't tell her ok?" She didn't get to hear his agreement, since her mother came down the stairs.

"Kira, your home early. How was your day?"

"It was pretty good." Kira glanced at Dr. O. That caused her mom to notice him.

"Well, don't just stand in the door way! Come in, and introduce me to your friend." The two followed Mrs. Ford into the living room where she was folding laundry.

"Mom, this is D-"

"Tommy," Dr. O supplied, cutting Kira off. "It's nice to meet you" Kira looked at him, and silently thanked him for cutting her off. She was about to blow the whole thing.

"Nice to meet you too." She smiled and motioned for him to have a seat. "Kira, the dishes need to be done before you go out, lord only knows where, again tonight, and could you put these under the sink." She said holding out a stack of dish towels.

"Sure mom."

"Kira runs off at the strangest of times almost everyday," Mrs. Ford said to Tommy as she handed over the towels.

Kira looked over at her team mate and they shared a secret smile. "I'll be right back D-Tommy."

Boy, that is something that will take time to get use to saying. She made her way into the kitchen, hoping her mom wouldn't ask to many questions.

"Crap!" She shouted some 5 minutes later. Two people came running into the kitchen.

"Are you O.K.?" Asked Dr. Oliver

"What happened?"

"I cut my hand on a knife." Kira held up her bleeding left hand.

"Come here, let me clean that. Tommy, can you go into the bathroom there," Mrs. Ford pointed to a door underneath the stairs, "And get the first aide kit out from under the sink?" Tommy nodded and quickly went to retrieve it.

"He's cute" Kira heard her mom say as she rinsed away the blood.

"Mom," Kira groaned.

XXX

"Alright honey, I have to head to work. Your father should be home within the hour, there steaks thawing in the fridge." Mrs. Ford said as she slipped on her coat.

"Oh, mom, I wont be able to make dinner tonight. You think dad can handle it by himself?" Kira asked hopefully. She knows her father got his cooking talents from his mother.

"Where are you going now?" Her mother sighed.

"I um, kinda have a, a date."

"A date huh?" Mrs. Ford grinned. Kira only blushed when she heard Tommy try not to laugh.

"Yes mom. So I cant make dinner. And you're going to be late for work."

"Alright, but you're telling more about this date tomorrow." As Kira ushered her mom to the front door, she elbowed Dr. Oliver slightly, who was standing, holding a laundry basket. That caused her moms eyes to widen.

"It's with Tommy isn't it?" She asked as Kira handed her purse to her.

"Bye mom!"

"Good choice sweetie, just don't let your father find out he's older then you!" Kira closed the door on her mom and sighed loudly. Vaguely in her head, she was wondering how exactly her mother knew he was older.

"So, I'm a good choice huh?"

"Shush, and go put those away." Kira said, her head leaning back against the door.

"One, for the next week and a half I'm still your teacher, and two, I don't know where they go," Dr. O looked at her, slight smirk on his lips.

Kira lifter her head and smiled. "Fine, you win, I'll put the towels away."

XXX

The ride to the Lab and Tommy's house was spent in comfortable silence. Something for which Kira was deeply thankful for. She made a mental note to give thanks for it next Thanksgiving.

It allowed her to push the song out of her head and think about her grandma and all that she knew about her being the yellow ranger. It was still something hard to grasp. Someone else knowing she's a ranger. When she felt a tap on her shoulder she brought her attention back to the present.

"I'm sorry, what?"

Dr. O laughed. "I said we're here."

"Oh," Was all she could say.

"You've barely paid attention all day, is there something wrong?" He looked truly concerned, and slightly happy about her lack of attention. She supposed that was because he took advantage of that state.

"Just thinking of the conversation I had with Gram yesterday," she smiled, grabbed her backpack and hopped out of the jeep.

"The one who knows you're a ranger?" Tommy asked. Kira nodded. They paused at the door while Tommy unlocked it.

"She promised she wouldn't tell," She assured him as they walked inside. Putting her bag down next to the door, she glanced at the clock on his VCR and realized she was early. And that Conner would be showing up at her house soon.

"Dr. O?" She followed him into the kitchen.

"You know Kira, when it's just us, you can call me Tommy. We are having dinner tonight," He smiled at her. That caused her to blush again. If someone where to tell her that she would have a date with her teacher, she would have had them checked by a professional. No I wouldn't she amended Not after that look he gave me.

"Right, Tommy, can I use your phone? I need to call Conner and tell him not to pick me up," She accepted water bottle he was offering.

"Sure, I think I left it on the sofa."

Kira nodded, and walked back to the living room. She easily found the cordless, and dialed Conner's' number.

"Hey Conner, listen, I don't need a ride today." She rolled her eyes at his response.

"I'm already here, that's why," She came close to hanging up on him. He can be a typical boy sometimes.

"Bye Conner, I'll see you soon," She sighed and put the phone back in its place. She looked over at her backpack, and new she should get as much of her homework done as possible before Mesogog decides to attack the city. She grabbed it and headed back to the couch.

It was then, as she sat on the couch going through her assignments, did she remember she didn't get the questions from science.

"Hey Dr.- Tommy?" She called from her place, not wanting to move from the comfortable spot she found.

"Dr. Tommy? Well, it's an improvement," He chuckled as he came into the room, sleeves rolled up.

"Old habits," She rolled her eyes. "Could you give me the questions from class today?" She put her pouty face on.

"You know I shouldn't." He sighed, and she intensified the look. "Alright, but if anyone in class asks how you got them it wasn't from me." Kira thought that was a strange thing to request. She knew people would wonder how she got them when she wasn't paying attention all through class. Then it hit her, and caused her to laugh slightly. They would think she did something for them on her date.

"What's so funny?" Kira didn't even hear the door.

"Nothing, just thinking about something" She smiled at Conner and Ethan.

"About what?" Conner looked at her, and Ethan marched straight to her, and sat down.

"You practically ran out of class today. Why do I get the feeling it was cause of that talk I said we'd have?" Kira looked away, and became fascinated by her notebook.

"Here Kira, they're due at the start of class." Tommy returned with the questions and looked at Conner and Ethan curiously. "What's going on?"

"Kira owns me-" Ethan began,

"Us," Conner interrupted.

"-Us, a little talk"

"Guy, we'll talk later" Kira said grabbing the paper from Tommy.

"No, now." Conner said, sitting on her other side.

"I'll leave you guys to talk, come down to the lab when your done."

"Oh no you don't! It's because of you that we're having this talk! You're staying." Kira pointed at him, then at the coffee table. "Sit," She was mildly surprised when he did.

XXX

The teams little talk, turned out to be a big talk, as they were soon joined by Hayley, and had to start from the beginning. And Kira learned that the older girl was in fact behind the idea. Having told Tommy to look past Kira being his student. Which, she pointed out on more then one occasion, was only for a few more weeks.

There was some debate, mostly from the other two males, that over looking it didn't count. That debate lasted a good portion of the talk, only ending when Conner said something incredibly jock-like, and everyone began laughing uncontrollably.

Kira sat back and laughed at her best friends, marveling at how her life has changed. As Tommy began telling everyone what some of his students said to him through out the day, she let her finished song again occupy her attention. Deciding she would deal with her Gram when the time came.

"…Mesagog hasn't done anything lately. Should we be worried?" Ethan asked as the laughter died down. The name alone brought Kira out of her thoughts.

"I don't think so. We really got him good last time, I wouldn't be surprised if we don't have any action for a few more days at least," Dr. Oliver supplied, looking around at everyone. His gaze landed on Kira, who still sat on the couch in front of him.

Kira looked back at him, and they shared the same smile that started it all. It was still sinking in that they had a date. It would take a while to fully grasp the concept, and even longer to be able to tell people about the concept she had to grasp, but in the mean time, she was content to just sit back with her friends and laugh about it. So with one more shared smile, Kira allowed her thoughts to be consumed by her song, once more.

FIN

I know this all seems really familiar. That's 'cause it is. This story was already posted once, but I didn't like it a week later. So I took it down, edited, remodeled, and rearranged it. I'm much happier with the story the way it is now. This chapter was originally the first, but it didn't work that well. So now it's the second, and is somewhat different. Hope you liked it.

Thank you to those who reviewed, I love you all!

Next chapter out soon.