So guys, I don't own anything you recognize, yada yada. This is my first fic, so I'd really appreciate reviews! They'll help keep me going!! Sorry for the long wait!
p.s. the character is not named after me. And to let everyone know, kim's currently in Florida.
As Nicole situated herself upstairs in Tommy's guest bedroom, Tommy was struggling to come up with an explanation for his students.
Kitchen" So…" Ethan began, breaking the silence that had descended upon the group.
"Well, I guess I better, uh, explain a few things," Tommy suggested, rubbing the back of his neck.
"You bet, " Kira stated, crossing her arms and leaning back against the counter, waiting for her teacher to continue. Trent stood by her, while Conner pulled out a chair from the table and straddled it, facing the back end. Four sets of eyes looked to Tommy. He sighed and dropped into a chair across from Conner.
"So, Nicole's my niece, she's seventeen, but she's not really my niece. You see, my best friend adopted her years ago, when he turned eighteen. At that time, I was the White Mighty Morphin Power Ranger. Lord Zedd was what your Mesagog is. Real evil, bent on destroying the world, yada yada. He attacked the city one day, and it was pretty devastating. Many people were killed that day. When we got there, a six-year-old girl was caught in the battle. Jason, our red ranger at the time, saved her life. Her parents didn't seem to be around, everyone had evacuated the areas. So, we took her back to the Command Center with us. She was clinging onto Jase for dear life; she just wouldn't let go. All she could tell us was that her name was Nicole. We didn't find out 'till later that her parents were killed right in front of her. They died trying to protect her."
Kira gasped, "Oh my God," she brought a hand up to her mouth, revolted. Trent laid a comforting hand on her arm.
"Yeah, it was pretty bad. We didn't know what to do; no one had come looking for the girl. None of us could taker her home; our parents would ask too many questions. But we didn't' just want to turn her over to an orphanage either. So, Alpha let her stay at the Command Center for awhile, and Zack, Trini, Kim, Billy, Jase, and I would all spend most of our free time down there, so she wouldn't get lonely.
"You let a robot take care of a little girl?" Conner asked, incredulous.
"Hey, it was the best we could do. And we were there with her most of the time. Plus, Alpha wasn't' that bad."
"So then what? Obviously she couldn't stay at the Command center forever." Kira asked.
"Well, Jase was turning eighteen soon, so he made all of the legal arrangements to adopt her. There were some questions, but everything worked out in the end and Jase became Nicole's legal guardian. He got his own apartment and the two of them lived there. He struggled for a period of time, adjusting to this new way of life. But we all helped him out. Even though Jason was now her parent, we were all part of her family now. We were all she had. Which made it even sadder when Zack, Trini, and Jason left, taking Nicole with them, for the Peace Conference. But they still came home for visits, which was even harder when Kim moved to Florida. And then, when they were no longer needed, the four of them moved back to Angel Grove. But I was gone by then, working with Anton. Trini and Jase got married, and Trini also adopted Nicole."
"Wow," Kira breathed.
"So she was raised by the original Power Rangers? That's freakin' awesome!" Conner said from his seat.
"Does she know about your, erm, extracurricular activities?" Ethan pondered.
"No. I haven't told my friends that I'm back in the suit yet. So I highly doubt she knows. And I'd like to keep it that way," he glared pointedly at Conner.
"What?" Conner cried, throwing up his hands indignantly.
"I don't want Nicole getting involved, at all. I don't want her getting hurt."
"That means keep your mouth shut, Jockstrap," Kira said to Conner.
"Ok, well I guess that means we better head home," Ethan stated, getting to his feet.
"You need a ride?" Trent turned to Kira.
"Sure, thanks," Kira beamed at him, as she followed him out the door, waving to Dr. O as she left.
Conner was the last one to leave. He paused, taking one last glance up the stairs, where Nicole was most likely already asleep. Life was about get even more interesting; Conner smirked as he walked out the door to his red Mustang.
Tommy sighed, running a hand over his face as the last of the teens left his house, sides for the one sleeping upstairs. Seeing Nicole had brought up many memories; some good, some bad. He hadn't seen his old partners in crime in a long time. He missed them. It had been too long, he thought. What would they think if they found out that he was still donning the suit, as the new Black Dino Ranger? Kind of broke his running title as the Christmas Ranger, he smirked.
Nicole also brought up Kim. He hadn't seen her since their last chance meeting at Muranthias. They hadn't even really spoken to each other either. He had just started up a relationship with Kat at that time. It was the first girl he went out with, after Kim had sent the letter. It had taken him a long time to get over Kim. She had been his first love. She had stolen his heart. And then she ripped it out, and stomped on it. He wasn't even sure if he was totally over her yet, even thinking about her sparked a certain feeling within him. Then again, he would probably always feel something for her, even if they weren't together anymore.
Tommy ran a hand through his hair as he trudged up the stairs to his bedroom. He layed down on his bed, hoping that the next day would be a better day.