ONWARD to part 2. Here we get to meet Dell, the Buddhist/hippie/mechanic/once-in-a-blue-moon-psycho, and we get to see most of the Power Rangers Jungle Fury cast! Like I said, I love to do crossovers, so expect lotsandlotsandlots. It's our goal to manage to get a crossover with everyone ever here, eventually.

ANYWAY, enjoy it, and reviews are love!

She looked dejectedly at the crowds, ambling by. The city was huge, and so busy, and she was so lost and this was not how this was supposed to go. She stood from the bench, hiking her pack up on one shoulder, once again missing her tiny, old teal car. She planned to obey the new recruit's rules, but when she'd woken her car was gone and Shaw was no where to be found. She been resigned to public transportation and hiking for the long trip.

A young couple consisting of a young man of Asian descent in a blue polo holding the hand of a spunky girl in a yellow top and black skirt headed toward her, and she stopped them politely with an awkward smile, "I was wondering if you guys could help me..."

"Sure," the blonde smiled. "Whatcha need?"

"I'm lookin' for a place called Jungle Karma Pizza," She winced awkwardly. "Have you heard of it?"

The couple gave each other a loaded look, the boy raising a brow, "Jungle Karma Pizza?"

"Yeah," She nodded, sighing with irritation, "I need to speak with the owner, RJ. Business. He should be expecting me."

"Sure!" The girl chirped again, with a smile, "Follow us. We were actually headed there right now."

"Thank you so much," She groaned dramatically, falling into step on the other side of the girl.

The blonde grinned, and they began their trek. The blonde tossed a warm smile her way, motioning to each of them in turn, "I'm Lily, and this is Theo."

"Hello," He greeted with a smile, which she returned, "Jess. Thanks again for the help."

Lily nodded, still smiling, "No problem. But what brings you to our humble city?"

"And how do you know RJ?" Theo added curiously.

"I don't, actually," Jess explained. "He knows my boss. I'm just the go-fer. We need some help back home, and RJ had a recommendation."

"I see," Lily smiled, and Jess couldn't shake the feeling that Lily was awfully amused over something she had no idea about.

"It's not far now," Theo commented, and within five minutes they had arrived at the eatery.

-0-0-0-0-

Jess followed the couple in the door, looking around as Theo called out, "Hey, RJ! You've got a visitor!"

She wasn't much for pizza, but she enjoyed the atmosphere of the place. He decorations, of course, were jungle themed, the energy warm, welcoming, and very laid-back, and just a unique feel.

The first thing she noticed on the man that exited the kitchen was the tiger-striped bandana on his head, and then his knowing, gray eyes. He was tall and lanky, his hair a bit longer than her own and the same tawny shade, a bit of scruff along his jaw. He gave a slow smile, "Ah, our guest has arrived!"

She smiled slightly and gave a nod, watching as he clapped a couple times softly, "Time to clean up!"

Lily and Theo took to stacking chairs, while another young man with short, light brown hair, and big, brown eyes began to sweep. RJ pulled a rag from a bucket, preparing to wipe down the tables, but Jess deftly snatched it from his hand, moving to wipe off the tables before he could. RJ met the brown eyes of his other employee, giving a soft smile as the young man shrugged and went about his work.

-0-0-0-0-

"You've met some of my cubs," RJ smiled as Jess followed him up the stairs, the other three behind her, "Theo and Lily."

"And I owe them immensely," She smiled at them gratefully, "'cause I'd never have gotten here in the first place."

"And my other cub," RJ grinned at the young man, who rolled his eyes despite the smile on his face, "is Casey."

"Nice to meet you," Jess smiled, giving him a firm handshake. He returned the gesture, "Same here."

They moved into the loft, where they all settled into a circle on the large mat. Beverages were passed around, and RJ tilted his head in her direction, "Shaw certainly keeps interesting company now."

"Shaw is an interesting man," Jess commented. RJ nodded his agreement with a small smile, then continued with one of his hand gestures, "But to keep company with two drastically different women? He was never one for violence."

"Violence?" Jess questioned in confusion. "Me and Lil might argue and tease each other, but there's no violence there. We've been best friends for years."

"Really?" RJ perked up slightly, obviously interested. "I just assumed with such different spirit animals you wouldn't get along very well."

"Well, we bicker a lot," Jess conceded, then quirked a brow, "Spirit animals? You know ours, even though we just met, and you've never met her?"

"It's not difficult to figure out," RJ explained. "You're friend, this Lil, very helpful, quiet, tends to stay away from fights? Most definitely a fox."

"Huh," Jess made a thoughtful face. "I can see that, actually..."

"And you," RJ continued, "tend to be quick to temper, with an inclination to the unknown and loyal? And as long as I've lived with these cubs, I feel that I can adequately make this guess. You strike me as a black panther."

"A panther?" Her brows shot to her hairline.

RJ only smiled, "You're in very good company here, though, being a panther."

Before she could question the statement, his students spoke.

"Cheetah," Lily grinned.

"Jaguar," Theo said proudly.

"Tiger," Casey smiled slightly.

RJ did another hand gesture, which Jess found to be highly distracting, and then raised his brows once, standing, "I've got a few questions."

"Then I've got a few answers," Jess shrugged. RJ nodded once, cupping the elbow on one arm in one hand while the other held his chin, "Shaw wasn't very...forthcoming with information over the phone. Why does he need another master?"

She weighed her options, contemplating a lie, but having the overwhelming feeling that RJ would be able to sense it, and thus decided to tell the truth. She couldn't, however, figure out a way to tell the truth eloquently, and without sounding completely insane, so she just said it, "Shaw is getting ready to build zords for the next set of Power Rangers just outside of Angel Grove, and there are only three of us to train the Rangers. We need help."

RJ brows were nearly to his hairline after that explanation, though he was impressed with her honesty. Casey, Theo, and Lily began to laugh, the first commenting, "Small world."

When Jess looked confused, Lily gave her a sympathetic smile, "We're Power Rangers."

Jess brows shot up once again, and she really looked at their clothes. Considering Theo's blue polo, Lily's yellow shirt, Casey's red jacket, and the purple lines running through RJ's shirt, that suddenly made a lot more sense. She calmed, nodding as she chuckled, "That's good. I don't sound as crazy as I figured I would with that."

"Not at all," Casey smiled, reassuringly. "Besides, RJ's the crazy one here."

"You mistake insanity for a higher level of thought," RJ smiled softly, which had Casey rolling his eyes again. He turned his attention back to his visitor, "And why did he send you? Why not come himself, or just send for him?"

"Who knows?" Jess grumbled in frustration. "It's Shaw! He sent my friend after the other one, and sent me here with a bunch of crap about 'it's not the destination but the journey'!" She mocked, rolling her eyes before planting her face in her hands, "I follow a mad man."

"Shaw always was a genius," RJ noted absently before nodding and going his quiet clap again, "That's all my inquiries. Now, we spar!"

Jess made a face, "Spar? I was under the impression that I was here to meet a hopeful, not be analyzed myself."

"Not a hopeful," RJ corrected. "He's already been hired. And before I hand over one of my best friends, I want to make sure he's in good hands, since you'll be working together."

Jess had not heard about that part of the deal, and she growled, "I am going to kill him."

"And I have sparred a jaguar, cheetah, and tiger," RJ smiled, but the gesture was almost animalistic, "and I'd like to add a panther to my resume."

Jess seriously contemplated just getting up and calmly walking out the door, going back to Angel Grove, and getting a normal job. Which was a pointless thought, because she'd never do it. As frustrating as the job could be, it was about ten times as amazing.

She tried to keep her smile friendly, but knew it was a thin veil over the dark, challenging smirk underneath, "Let's go."

-0-0-0-0-

RJ reentered in his dark purple and black shirt with black pants, while Jess restrained her short hair into a ponytail, now wearing a teal tank top and black pants.

They were both stretching as Casey, Theo, and Lily moved toward the stairs. RJ watched them for a moment, "Whoa, whoa, amigos. Where are you headed?"

"Oh," Casey paused in the front of the line, effectively stopping the other two. "We thought you might want some privacy."

RJ cast a glance at Jess, who smirked, "Don't think your teacher's gonna beat me so easily."

Lily made a noise of excitement, darting past the others to assume her spot against the railing of the landing, her friends following.

The opponents faced each other, assuming their positions, and just kept them for a moment. RJ was the first to move, darting her way with an open palm strike that she easily caught, tossing him over her shoulder, where he landed on his feet. They circled one another, not unlike animals, when RJ commented, "I'm surprised you didn't go first."

"Never go first when they've got the home field advantage," Jess replied.

"Wise words," RJ nodded sagely, and Jess smiled wistfully, "Old soul."

RJ's next kick was solid, but Jess easily blocked it with her forearms. From there, the hits got faster, but were still relatively harmless. It continued on like that, until a punch thrown at RJ resulted in her getting tossed across the mat. She was back up in a second, helpless to prevent the pointless anger that bubbled. Her shoulders tensed, and RJ gave a wolfish smirk, "Shaw may hold control in battle above all else, which is good, but right now, I want to see what you've got. Don't hold back."

She didn't need to be told twice, and he was momentarily knocked off balance, surprised with the amount of power her kick contained. She really had been holding back earlier. He regained his footing quickly, and tried to use her momentum against her, but she had firmly planted her feet, and gave him a smirk, "Can you handle my all, RJ?"

"Don't count me out yet," RJ smirked back.

When he dropped, sliding his feet toward her own and throw her over his head, they were both in for a surprise. Casey, Lily, and Theo skirted back from the railing as Jess headed for it. She managed to flip, grabbing the railing, her legs crouched under her as one hand held onto the rails. She blinked down at herself, then gave an alarmed looked to RJ, who looked surprised himself, "You learn fast."

"Learn what?" She questioned. "What is this?"

"Probably your panther spirit coming through," RJ smiled. "The best Rangers learn how to harness their spirits."

"But I'm not a Ranger," She said slowly, and he nodded, "Indeed..."

"So this is a panther thing?" She questioned, motioning to herself with her free hand.

"Dunno," RJ shrugged, and Casey added, "Let's see!"

The tiger peeled her hand from the bar, sending her falling toward the floor with a startled cry, where she land in a crouch, but on her feet. She rose slowly, giving Casey a glare, "Thank you, really, for dropping me from several feet."

"You're welcome," came the tiger's cheeky reply.

Jess turned back to RJ, and they started at one another again. Punches, kicks, a dozen other attacks flew until the opponents slid back, chests heaving as sweat poured down their faces. RJ suddenly stepped from his stance, smiling broadly, "Capable hands indeed."

She bowed, smiling, "Thank you, RJ. That was the best fight I've had in a long time."

"Same here," The master offered, ignoring the protests of his students behind him.

The sparring partners had clasped forearms when another voice echoed out, "Don't you think it's Del's decision as to whether those are capable hands or not?"

They turned, watching the blonde had with a cheeky grin climb the stairs, a dark haired man behind him.

Her steel blue eyes were drawn to him instantly, knowing instinctually that he was the one she'd been sent after. He was a solid six-three, with a stocky build, and even from the distance she could see that a lot of his tanned skin left visible by the pale orange t-shirt was covered in scars and ink. In fact, several long, pink scars cut through the sleeve of tattoos on his left arm. His dark hair was cut short, in a simple, easy-to-fix style, and his coloring was perfectly suited to his moss green eyes. He gave her a bright smile.

RJ motioned to them, "Dominic, and your new partner, Del. Dom, Del, this is Jess, one of Shaw's assistants."

"Good, ole Shaw," Dominic laughed, shaking his head. "Crazy bastard, but a brilliant bastard. And keeping the company of ladies, exclusively, I assume?"

"Of course," Jess rolled her eyes. "I don't know if I should be more shock at the sheer number of women he manages to sleep with, or that they actually sleep with him."

"Money will get you a lot of things," Dominic commented, and Jess snorted, "So will pride."

Dominic's brows shot up, and he regarded her in a new light, "You take pride over money? That makes a dangerous opponent, and a dangerous woman. Make sure it doesn't bite you on the ass."

"There is a difference between pride and arrogance," She smirked. "I keep them well-established but separate."

"My apologies," Dominic said with a theatric bow, before leaning close to Del, "You'd better watch yourself with that one, buddy."

Del only gave him a laugh before moving to stand in front of his new partner. Jess balked for a moment, shocked at the fact that she actually felt small standing by him. He offered a big, calloused hand a bright smile, "I'm Del Doyle. It's nice to meet you."

"Jess," She swallowed slightly, floundering as his hand nearly swallowed her own in the handshake. She let go faster than she should have, faster than was strictly necessary, and could now feel the awkwardness closing in as everyone else in the room watched in interest. It was an instant feeling, not quite of dread, but that she was definitely in over her head with this one. Why, she had no idea, but that didn't make the feeling go away.

Dominic leaned against the railing by Casey, motioning to them, "Seriously, though. Fran won't be back for a couple hours and I'm bored. If you two are gonna be partners, you need to spar."

"Really?" Casey quirked at brow at the Pai Zhua master. "Because that's just how all good relationships start?"

"All the interesting ones," Dominic laughed. "Come on, you two. Let's see what you've got."

Del glanced down at his partner, who was feeling more and more uncomfortable by the second, with a slight smile, "Whattya say?"

She didn't know what to say, didn't know why she'd suddenly lost the ability to speak, and that caused another spike in her temper. RJ motioned to her, "We did just get done with a fairly serious sparring session, Dom. The body needs exercise, but it also needs rest."

Her temper was rising by the second, for an unexplainable reason, and that only caused her more irritation and anger. She scowled at the wolf master, crossing to the map, "I'm not a wimp. Get your side of the mat, let's go."

RJ's brows rose slowly as he glanced to Dom and Casey, the former shrugging as Casey watched her intently. The wolf master climbed to the land, standing just behind Casey and Dom, while Dell cast his new partner an unsure look, though he ultimately followed her instructions.

When he blocked her first punch effortlessly, she knew she was in trouble. As the fight continued, the feeling of in-over-her-head increased tenfold, and she felt helpless. She continued to throw vicious blows, but the big man only blocked, and never made an effort to actually attack her. Only when her muscles began to protest any further movement and her lungs felt like they were on fire did she stumble back, bent over with her hands braced on her knees, chest heaving viciously.

That wasn't the way that was supposed to go down. She wasn't supposed to lose, which she very blatantly just did. She shook her head, gasping quietly for air. She'd just lost a battle where her opponent hadn't thrown an attack. Not a single attack. That was definitely a blow to her ego.

The hand on her shoulder was gentle and warm, but startled her all the same. She glanced up through the fringe of her bangs, meeting Del's concerned, mossy green eyes, "You okay?"

She nodded, still breathing hard, "Yeah. Fine."

"Good," He smiled, offering a bottle of water, which she took reluctantly. She noticed that his hand didn't move.

When her breathing was mostly back to normal and she felt she had her feeling under control she looked up. Everyone was staring intently, and she shifted uncomfortably, knocking Del's hand from her shoulder. Dom began to clap, a wide grin on his face, "Very nice. You've got way more power than I thought! You really had better watch yourself, Del, she might getcha."

"I could think of worse people," Del grinned back, giving her neck a quick squeeze. She couldn't name the feeling, but it came back, and she took a step away, squeezing her own neck, getting ready to make an excuse so as to leave, when she remembered the rules that had been placed before Del would join.

She whirled, glaring at her partner, pointing unrepentantly at him, "Why couldn't I bring my car? It would have saved me a lot of time and frustration."

Del blinked at her, "What?"

"Shaw said that you said you'd only agree to help us if I left my car, and that I was supposed to come here and that RJ would give me the rest of the deal," Jess explained in a growl. "I figured it was some bullshit about 'it's the journey not the destination' and all that."

"I never said anything about a car," Del explained, stifling a smile. "RJ and JKP, yes. I did give those orders. But not the car."

"Oh that asshole," She growled demonically. "I will kill him! He took my car when I woke up!"

"Really?" Del asked. "Older Cavalier? Teal? Manual transmission?"

"He left it outside, didn't he?" It occurred to Jess suddenly, and when Dom busted out laughing, she slapped her forehead, squeezing the bridge of her nose as she took a deep, supposedly-calming breath. She looked up, shaking her head, "I'm happy I have my car but I'm still gonna kill him."

"You won't let her get into trouble, will you?" RJ smiled at his friend, but the young woman could see the loaded look the wolf master gave. Del gave a bright smile that hid a secret one, "Of course, RJ. Friends don't let friends go to jail for murder."

"Or they're sitting in the cell beside you," Jess added in complete seriousness. "Depends on how good of a friend you are."

"You want me to help you hide a body?" Del chuckled, joking, and Jess made a face, waving it off, "I know where to hide one...but you look like a healthy guy, you could move the body for me."

RJ was the only one that genuinely laughed, and Jess granted him a bright smile, while the others just chuckled nervously.