Disclaimer: I am a college student, so that means I am poor, which means that I do not own the Power Rangers or anything to do with them, unfortunately. I own Tracy Andrews and any other non cannon character that may come along.

Timeline: The story starts in 2001; about six months after the end of Light speed.

Summary: Carter has seen a lot in his life, and been through more than anyone should have to go through. His past is scarred, but is there anyone who might break through the shield he has erected over his heart and help him start the healing?

Pairings: Mainly Carter/Dana, but there is mentions of Joel/Angela and Kelsey/Ryan.

A/N: Thank you all for the reviews. This story is coming along very nicely and I hope that you all enjoy this chapter. Oh, major props for anyone who can tell how the chapter title fits the content of the chapter.

Chapter four: Call Jerry!

The next few weeks passed like a dream. Carter had forgotten what it was like to be in a healthy relationship, and now Dana was showing him what it was like to actually have a girlfriend that cared for and uplifted you instead of always criticizing you and walking all over you. They were still taking it slow, but he knew that it would not be long before they would get even more serious. That very thought did unsettle him a bit, but not as much as he had thought it would in the past.

Of course, their friends had to find out sooner or later, no matter how much either of them wanted to keep it a secret. As expected, all were happy for them, and all were relieved that he had finally come to his senses and started dating Dana. Kelsey turned out to be right. Ryan did ask Carter to be his best man, and Carter was more than happy to accept, because not only was Ryan his best friend, it would also mean that he got to escort the prettiest girl in the church down the aisle, that being Dana of course.

It was because of all this, he was currently in the local men's formal wear shop trying on tuxedos with Ryan, Joel, and Chad. The other three guys were in other parts of the story trying on their tuxedos so he was currently alone and trying his hardest to tie the stubborn red bowtie around his neck. He just about had it when he heard a female voice behind him.

"Still as clumsy as ever I see."

Carte's hands froze in the middle of tying the knot, and every ounce of blood in his body started running cold. Just when his life was going damn near perfect, SHE had to show up.

Tracy, wearing a nametag that identified her as an employee of the store, came up behind him and put her face near his ear so she could whisper in his ear.

"You may have thought that you got rid of me Carter, but like it or not, I am back in your life."

At this, Carter snapped out of his trance and turned around to face her, anger clear on his face.

"You will never, ever be back in my life again Tracy! Where have you been the past eight years Tracy? Did you get busted again?"

"Well, well, you got an attitude since we last met. I like that. To answer your question, yes, I was sent back on a parole violation, but that's neither here nor there. What really matters now is that I am here, you are here, so we can be 'here' together."

"Are you even listening to me Tracy? I am NOT back in your life, and I never will be. I have moved on from your vile ways, and I am happier now than I have been in a long, long time, so please, just go away."

"Oh, you will have to try a lot harder than that to get rid of me Carter. You should know that about me by now. When I want something, I get it, and nothing anyone can do or say can change that, and right now, I want you."

"Well, that's just too damn bad Tracy. I am happier without you, and even happier with the beautiful girl I am dating now.'

"Oh, so you are dating now? Who is this wench?"

"That would be me."

Carter was never as glad to see his girlfriend as he was just then. She was standing behind them flanked on each side by Joel, Chad, and Ryan. All four looked like they would be more than happy to escort Tracy out of the store. Tracy looked daggers right into Dana, and Carter looked proudly as his girlfriend shook it off and walked over to him. Still looking straight at Tracy, she put her arms around him in a possessive manner, turned his face to hers, leaned over and whispered in his ear that she had just stopped in to see if he and the other guys would be interested in joining her, Kelsey, and Angela for lunch. That being said, she kissed him long and deep. Behind them, the guys cheered among themselves. Joel muttered something to Chad that sounded something like "take that bitch."

When she finished attempting to suck out Carter's tonsils, she faced Tracy, still holding onto her boyfriend in such a way as to make it very clear who he was with.

"I'm sorry; we have not been properly introduced. My name is Dana Mitchell. I have the honor and privilege of being this man's girlfriend. Who may you be?" Dana asked, knowing full well who she was talking to.

If looks could kill, Tracy would be sent to prison again, this time on five counts of murder. Instead, she just stood there with her hands on her hips and glaring at Dana.

"Tracy Andrews," she said in a falsely sweet voice, "Dana huh? You must be the whore who can't find at man on her own, so she has to stoop to picking up MY leftovers."

Dana could feel Carter trembling with rage after hearing his girlfriend being called such a derogatory name; she gave him a slight squeeze as if to tell this that she had this under control.

"It's not my fault you treated him like crap, that you were so busy getting high and screwing around on him that you could not see what a gold mine you had right in front of you. You don't deserve him."

"You don't know me. You have no right talking to me about what I missed. I made him what he is today."

"Oh yes, I will agree with you on that, you made him the puddle of goo that was so scared of women that he nearly lost me, and I swear I will spend the rest of my life fixing what you did, and you know what? I will do it gladly because I love this man."

The room was deadly silent, even Dana was shocked that she had just proclaimed that she loved Carter.

She loves me? I always kinda thought she did, even hoped she did, but she just said it. I will have to talk with her more about this later, but his is not the time.

Tracy was the first to break the silence. "Listen here bitch, Carter is mi…." she never finished her sentence. Dana had led go of Carter long enough to send her right fist crashing into Tracy's nose. She fell to the ground holding her now bleeding nose. If they were not shocked before, the four guys with her now were now completely in awe.

"You tell her sis!" yelled Ryan.

"I never knew she had it in her," Chad said to Joel, who for once, was completely speechless.

Dana came to stand over her. "You had your chance and your ruined him. He is mine now, not yours, so the sooner you get used to that fact, the better off you will be. Understand me?" Tracy just got up, trying in vain to staunch the flow of blood coming from her broken nose.

"This is not over bitch, not by a long shot."

"Oh I think it is. Now why don't you go tell your boss that you are no longer fit for duty and go back to whatever hovel you live in and think about what happened today."

Tracy looked as though she wanted to say something else, but wisely thought better of it and turned and left, leaving a trail of blood behind her. Carter turned to look at his girlfriend, amazed.

"Dana, I have never seen that side of you before. What made you do something like that?" She could see that he was really curious. She had been afraid that he would be angry with her, so she relaxed measurably when she saw that look on his face.

"it's simple my Prince," she said using her name for him and starting to tie the tie that he never did finish, "no one insults my friends, especially ones that I lo…care for."

Carter caught her slip and grabbed her hand, stopping her from completing the tie job.

"Stop, it's alright. You can say it."

"Say what?" she asked with her voice cracking. She knew damn well what he was talking about.

"You said that you loved me. You don't have to be afraid to say it Princess, because, as much as I told myself that I would never say those words again, I have reason to now. I love you Dana Mitchell. There, now that I have said it, and from the bottom of my heart I may add, you don't have to be scared to say it."

Through a mask of tears, Dana replied "Who says I am scared? I do love you Carter Grayson. With all my heart and will not let HER or anyone else for that matter stop that." She tightly embraced him and they spent the next few minutes just holding onto each other. They would have likely continued to do so had not Ryan interrupted.

"Um, if you guys don't mind, can we finish fitting tuxedos for my wedding? I mean, unless you are expecting another psycho ex girlfriend showing up Carter."

Carter and Dana both had the good grace to look embarrassed.

Later that night, Carter and Dana were walking into his home, after a long day of shopping. They were both exhausted and wanted nothing more than to have a quick dinner and relax. Dana reflected that she spent more time here than she did at her own home these days, and wondered if it would not be long before she and Carter moved in together. She put that thought on hold however, as they were moving fast enough as it was. She had not planned on professing her love for him until much later. She had felt it for some time, but did not want to scare him off, especially seeing as what he had gone through. In time, she thought to herself, still reliving the events of the day. More specifically when she had punched Tracy and when Carter had told her that he loved her too. Yes, things were defiantly looking up.

Carter started putting away their purchases for the day, which of course, included his tuxedo and her dress for the wedding, while she started getting plates for the pizza they had brought home.

"Carter what do you want to drink? I see you have tea and beer in here, or if you want, I can make some…"

She never finished her sentence; there was a loud crash that sounded like glass breaking coming from the front room. Instantly, her ranger reflexes kicked in and she made her way slowly to where the sound came from. Carter was evidently thinking the same thing she was as he was moving just as carefully toward the spot. When they saw that there was no intruder, they relaxed slightly and took in the damage. The front window next to the door had been smashed, and from the brick laying on the floor in front of it, there was no doubt as to what caused the damage, and neither of them had to guess who had done it either, for there was a note attached to the brick.

I told you this was not over. Payback is a bitch and this brick is the least of your worries. Watch your back Blondie. I love you Carter.

Wow! Drama for our favorite couple, and this story is just getting started! Don't get too disappointed, because I have decided to take this story pretty far. Will Carter and Dana make it through all the hardships that a crazy ex can dish out? What else will come their way? Tracy is NOT the only issue they will face, I promise you that. As always, please rate and review. They make my day!