Disclaimer: I do not own anything Power Ranger related, including characters that appeared in the show. These stories are what I perceive as character development, which Power Rangers lacked a lot of.

Author's Note: So, I'm attempting to get this out sometime in the same year as the last chapter, as well as chapters to my other stories. Unfortunately I keep getting these great ideas that I probably won't ever get to, I might even try to get them into stories that I have started already. Not this one though, I intend to keep this between the teens, no rangering business involved. Let me know what you all think.

The morning was mostly uneventful for Billy. He woke up as usual, got dressed and headed over to the school. His classes were the same, mostly busy work to get in as much information before the holidays as possible. Vacation assignments were being handed out as well, many Billy finished in the class following.

Only one thing brought him out of his routine that day. Kimberly Hart, one of his best friends, ran up to him in a rather big commotion. "Was it you?" All she could frantically utter from her mouth were those three words, and even then he couldn't seem to comprehend the situation. His head faced the direction the rest of the girls seemed to be congregating around. Unfortunately in the center of it all was Katherine Hillard.

His jaw clenched, and Kim knew his answer. It was as she had suspected, it wasn't Billy who made the attempt to get Kat to go with him to the dance. Her eyes turned to once again see their flushed friend looking over the package that blocked off her locker.

Again Billy felt a hand on his shoulder, this time it was Kim. Together they moved forward into the crowd and found themselves next to the blonde.

Katherine was speechless. A large dressing bag hung off her locker with a clear sign asking her to the dance. There was no signature though. Curious, she unzipped the bag to find the dress - no – her dress. The beautiful violet dress she saw in the window, and then she knew. She smiled till it reached her eyes - that is until she turned to see Billy and Kimberly standing next to her.

"That dress is gorgeous Kat!" Kim reached out to touch it, feeling the soft fabric. Billy stood silent, not sure what to say. Really he wanted to protest, scream his heart out till he couldn't yell any more. Thankfully Kim spoke again, "Are you going to say yes?"

Kat watched Billy, hoping that he would step in. She wasn't sure what she wanted him to say, or if she wanted him to say anything at all. Her head fell as the moment passed, and finally she spoke up. "No," she said it clearly sure that everyone heard it, including the deliverer.

Zipping the dress back up, she pushed it aside to get her things from her locker. Inside she could feel her heart solidify over. She picked up her books and walked away, just as if none of this had happened. And with her, the crowd dispersed. Only Billy and Kim stayed behind, a dumbfound expression on one and a determined look on the other.

He played, yes. His hands frantically moved over the keys in a flurry of emotion. The tune told a story of rage and anger, and then a surprising turn to a deep slow sadness of loss. Skull played even though his fingers hurt. He played even though school had ended an hour before.

The grand piano before him had just permitted the abuse of many different stanzas and moments where none of the notes went together. It was the sole witness of the break down of her friend of many years. Through all of this emotion, the only thing she could not do for him was cry, and cry is what Skull did. A final rupture of keys and he could only stare feeling his emotions release.

He was glad for this moment without his best friend. How could he explain his stupidity? What words could Bulk say now that Skull hadn't already though of? Worse yet, he could agree that he was out of his league.

Once he was done he stood, remembering a few nights previously, and the wonderful time he had. It must have been a dream, his thoughts got the better of him. But he knew it was real, he was sure. Just as sure as he felt her warmth linger from her hug. He could only imagine what could have gone wrong.

Rocky walked through the park waiting for Sarah. He could not help but think of the relationships that kept popping up around him. Usually spring was the time of loving and lusting, but this winter has been quite dramatic. As the sun shone warmed his skin under the black jacket he wore he saw her. Her flaming red hair looking like fire in the wind. Boy, did he hope that this crush of his did not cause him to fall fast.

At the sight of him, she began a slight jog towards him. Her enthusiasm caused a big grin to flash on his face. His arms unconsciously opened and wrapped around her at exactly the right times. Everything felt right in this moment. He could not help but think whether this is what Tommy and Kimberly feel when they are together.

"My mom wants you to have dinner with us sometime this week," her face looked worried, "before the dance that is." She winced, worried what he would think. Most of the boys she dated were turned off at meeting her mother so soon.

Taking her hand and directing her down the path he was giddy and really wanted to dance now. "Of course, I wouldn't have it any other way." He felt her relax and they strolled closer to the Youth Center. "Don't worry, I'll be a gentleman. Your doctor mom and military father will not have one fear that I won't take care of you." He chest puffed out in an extravagant courageous manner.

"Oh Rocky," she laughed, covering her mouth. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and couldn't help but think this was bliss. As the sun lowered the wind blew cooler and a light drizzle began to fall over them.

The crying never seemed to stop. Most of the time she could zone it out, almost to the point as if it were never happening. She had asked her father if she could take her mother to a psychiatrist just the day before. It did not go well, but eventually he conceded.

So here they were, Kat and her mother, or maybe it was the other way around. Through most of the session Kat stayed silent, mostly listening to nothing, not even the words her mother or the psychiatrist spoke. She didn't need to hear the story again; she lived it. One thing was certain though the crying didn't stop.

Her arm unconsciously draped over her mother's shoulder. Kat continued to stare in the direction of the nearest window. The slight drizzle allotted a few rays of light to shine through the sky's many clouds. It brought her back to the last day she saw her mother and father at the same event together. Everyone was gathered around the casket, watching the soil they were tossing on it matte down to the glossy exterior. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to remember..."the priest started in front of them.

She was grateful that it was only raining so much. It prevented the other attendees from seeing her lack of emotion. It was not that she did not want to cry; she tried! She had tried to all week but she was unsuccessful. The rain slid down her face and she could almost feel the sadness seep from within her. She could feel the other members of the congregation staring at her in a kind of morbid fascination. Maybe it was the fact that she should also be in a casket next to this one. It was so nice of her parents to hold off on the funeral to see if she would survive as well. That very thought caused a chill to go up her spine.

"Katherine," the voice came from someone behind her, amongst the many people in black. She could not pin point exactly from where. "Katherine? Can you hear me?" Again, the voice. The burning sensation from her eyes caused her to focus back on the polite doctor.

"Sorry about that," the hoarseness of her voice made her think they were there for more than just the hour. She coughed a bit to clear her throat and allow more saliva to coat her throat. "I was just lost in thought."

She could feel her mother's dead eyes turn to her in a confused gesture. Oddly enough she was more worried about the woman that sat across from them. There was a sense of judgment and pity that reminded her of home. "I was just telling your mother here that perhaps your father could come to our next session?"

Her mind remembered just this morning. Katherine had made breakfast before school. She set a plate in front of her mother, and the chair where she was going to sit. Just as she started to put a plate together for her father, he stepped from his office. They made eye contact for a moment and she knew to put back the food and clean the plate. The light pink tinge around his eyes could only mean one of three things, none of which she was happy about. He stormed from the room moments later.

Was this a joke? She could barely stand in a room with her father without him instantly leaving and shutting the door behind him. "Sure, I'll be sure to ask him," this time the voice came from within her. Hopefully this will please the kind doctor and keep her from asking the questions she knew were to come.

"Will you be here again, Katherine?" Easy enough.

"Yes." She could almost feel the next question burst from the doctor's mouth.

"How are you holding up? It must be difficult to start a new school, let alone in a new country." Katherine's muscles tensed, she knew it was coming.

"School is good. I have met a lot of people," it felt like a lie, even if it wasn't. Really she just wanted to keep all of her answers short.

Green eyes looked disappointed. This family has been through a lot and she could understand why they would not want to open up to a stranger. "I will see you at the next session then."

Katherine grabbed her mother's bags and rose to her feet instantly. "Thank you Doctor Peterson." She could not make eye contact. Her mother slowly got up next to her and mimicked her gratitude. She could see in the peripheral view that there was a brief exchanging of hugs as the doctor escorted them out.

The receptionist met them with a huge smile. "We will be seeing you on Saturday, Mrs. Hillard? Trevor will be here to check you in, I promised to chaperon the dance that afternoon." Why did it always seem that receptionists tend to share more about their lives when you are a repeat patient? Didn't they realize this was embarrassing enough?

"Dance? Oh, yes, my daughter will be going to that," Doctor Peterson chipped in as she walked around the desk. Again Katherine could feel the tension build up from inside her. Perhaps the questions that formed in her mind did not form in the good doctor's. "Aren't you going with any of your new friends, Katherine?"

She felt as if she could vomit, the day's events still lingering in her mind. "Um… I thought it would be best to be here with Mum." No relief came from her answer. She wondered if her face was as green as she felt.

"Oh. If your father agrees to come, you should go to the dance," the cheeriness of her voice reminded Katherine that there wasn't always crying in the world.

"Of course. Doctor Peterson," another lie, and it only led to bitterness on her tongue. She walked her mother out to her car. As the ignition growled to life it drowned out the sobbing her mother emitted next to her. In her rear view mirror she could see the dress bag in the back seat. Maybe she should go…

I hope you enjoyed that, especially since it took forever to get it out of me.

Hate it? Love it? Wish I would finish it? Leave a comment.

Teaser: "I'm just asking you as a man to a woman, will you please go to the dance with me? I promise you'll have the night of your life."

Kharishma