Hi again! Just a quick note to thank my one loyal reader, Vamp468! Your encouragement keeps me going. THANKS!

OK - Standard disclaimers apply - and no suing the single mother! Enjoy!

Jennifer had just gotten another glass and filled it when she heard voices in the front hall. She went to check out the newest Power Rangers. She found herself face to face with four teenagers that she recognized. She smiled at them. The girl smiled back and introduced herself.

"Hello. I'm Kira Ford."

"Hi, Kira. I'm Jennifer Allen. Thank you for saving my briefcase yesterday."

"No problem. This is Ethan James, Trent Fernandez and Conner McKnight." Jennifer's eyes lit up in recognition at Conner's name.

"Nice to meet all of you." She looked them over. 'Tommy chose well.'

Kira and the boys returned her appraisal. They were all thinking the same thing. 'Can we trust her?'

Conner spoke first. "Who needs a drink?"

The teenagers requested water and when he returned from the kitchen, he tossed the bottles to the others keeping one for himself and one for Tommy. As he turned toward the family room, he called out, "Let's go."

The others followed, but Kira paused. "Coming?"

Jennifer returned the smile that Kira offered. "Yes, thanks." She followed the girl down the stairs to the Command Center. She stood near the edge of the mat and watched the teens begin to stretch and warm up. She had already set her drink down on a desk as she had come in and she thought about stretching out as well, but feared butting in where she might not be wanted. She caught a look in Kira's eyes, but before she could question it someone grabbed her from behind. Before she could think, she grabbed her attacker, dropped to one knee and flipped them over her shoulder onto the mat. She gasped as she realized who it was.

"Oh my God. Tommy, are you all right?"

"Well, that was the last thing I expected. I guess I don't have to worry about you getting mugged or anything." Tommy joked.

Ethan and Conner grabbed Tommy's arms and helped him up. Tommy turned to her. "Where did you learn that?"

Jennifer looked away for a moment then back to him. She opened her mouth reluctantly, but was saved from answering when the secret passage suddenly sprang open. Hayley rushed in. "Downtown - monster - attack." she gasped out between breaths.

Tommy immediately took charge. "All right, guys, let's go."

"I'm coming with you." Jennifer spoke.

"No you're not. You're staying here."

"Why? I can fight too! I can help!"

"No! You stay here and help Hayley, but you do NOT go out there." He looked at the team who took their places in the familiar formation.

"Dino Rangers - power up - Hah!" they called out with one voice.

Unhappily, Jennifer watched the Rangers leave the Command Center and took a seat next to Hayley. After a few moments of silence, Jennifer looked sideways at Hayley. "You don't really need my help, do you?"

"I might." offered Hayley. After another minute of silence, she spoke again. "He cares about you. That's why he wouldn't let you go. I think it would kill him if a friend got hurt when he could have prevented it."

Jennifer relaxed. Another thought crossed her mind. "Why don't the Rangers just teleport?"

"We don't have that kind of equipment."

Jennifer turned her attention to the monitor in front of her. The Rangers were just arriving at the scene of the monster attack. She watched helplessly as the battle raged on. After several minutes, she got up and paced for a while, and then she returned to her seat. She couldn't watch and she couldn't stay away. On one of her pacing trips around the Command Center, she slammed her fist into a punching bag that hung from the ceiling. The sound startled Hayley who jumped, but said nothing. Jennifer continued to attack the bag, punching and kicking it to release her frustration. 20 minutes later, Hayley spoke.

"They're on their way back. Everyone is all right."

Jennifer bent low and tried to catch her breath. "I'm going to get a shower and then I am going to order pizza. Are you and the kids going to stay?"

"We'll probably be here for a while, but we can leave before the pizza gets here."

Jennifer waved her hand. "That's not what I meant. I was wondering how many to order."

Hayley looked at her carefully. "I think we'll leave. We can have a pizza party another time." Jennifer nodded and headed up stairs.

She stood under the spray and cried. She had never realized how hard it would be to watch someone she cared about go off to battle when she had to stay behind. She cried out all the frustration that she had been unable to get rid of during her workout. Finally, she felt better. She washed her face and shut off the water. She stepped out, dried herself and got dressed. She tidied the bathroom and went to order pizza.

She hung up the phone and went to the mirror to comb her hair. There was a tap at the door. Jennifer called, "Come in."

Kira poked her head into the room. "Hey, are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Why?"

"You seemed upset when we left. I just wanted to make sure you were okay." she paused. "If you want to talk about anything, I'd be glad to listen. I know we just met and all, but…"

Jennifer spoke softly. "Thank you, Kira. I'm used to having friends around to vent to, but I'm still new here. I haven't really made any friends yet. I would be happy to count you among my first."

"I would be honored." Kira smiled and the two hugged. "I gotta go, but I'm sure I'll see you soon." At the door, Kira looked over her shoulder and said quietly, "Try not to give Dr. O too hard a time. He was just doing what he thought was best."

Jennifer nodded and Kira left, closing the door behind her. Jennifer finished her hair and grabbed some money out of her purse to pay for the pizzas adding a hefty tip for the delivery boy. She stuck the money in her pocket and left her room. She could hear the shower going upstairs. She settled herself in front of the television and flipped through the channels. Just a minute after she heard the shower turn off, the doorbell rang. Jennifer paid for the pizzas and made sure the door was shut and locked behind him. She set the boxes down in the kitchen and opened them inhaling the aroma of the pizzas. Suddenly starving, she grabbed plates and napkins, loaded one and sat down to eat.