Disclaimer: Own Power Rangers, I do not. The OC's own I do. Talking like Yoda why I don't know. Joking around I am. Read the story you will. Review, commands the force.

sign language

telapathic comunication and thoughts.

Normal comunication aka talking.

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Chapter 9:

Chain Lightning

After all of the hugs and occasional kisses on the cheek were over including the introduction of three male dino rangers. Everyone began to ask questions. Mostly the expected ones like what is she doing here and how did she find out. Of course Trini had to admit on having prior knowledge of her whereabouts. And Michael admitted that his knowledge on the prior night's thoughts where more then he let on.

"Dang, Hayley, no wonder you over reacted so much."

"Conner, I would have done it when Michael told me Tommy had no intension of keeping his promise if he hadn't came up with a plan for getting Kim here."

"But still you had us scared to death when you started chasing Dr. O around with a knife." stated Trent much to everyone's glee.

"I don't know what I wished to see more. Hayley chasing Tommy with a knife, or Trini playing 'handball' with him." said Kim with a hint of disappointment.

"Oh don't worry, Kim. Most of us didn't see them either." stated her African American teammate.

"But me and Adam got to see Tommy putting an ice pack on." Tanya's statement caused another fit of laughter roll through the room.

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Katherine Hillard had just stepped off her plane from London. This was her first time back in the U.S or California for that matter since she left. She was dressed in a designer pink dress. The last time here left her with many memories. Being a power ranger was one of her most fond times she had. Being with Adam, Tanya, and Tommy. Thinking of Tommy left a small pang in her heart. When she first meet him she was under Rita's spell. But eventually the love she had for him broke the spell.

When she saw Kim's fell off that balance beam sent her over the edge. She knew Kim was his world and when she got hurt she realized she was hurting Tommy as well. She had to make things right so she brought back Kim's power coin. That was when Kim left for the Pan-Globals. It wasn't until after her predecessor broke it off with Tommy she felt it wasn't right to try and pick him up. If he wanted Kat he was going to come and get her not the other way around. So she try to set him up with that other girl. Fortunately Mondo screwed that up and Tommy started looking at her for a relationship. Kat was so deep in thought she didn't notice four people standing in front of her.

"Kat, god I haven't seen you since graduation." said a man as he hugged her quite to her surprise. He was wearing a red t-shirt and blue jeans.

"Rocky, I didn't recognize you." Kat said noticing his hair was slightly shorter then she remembered.

"Hey, Kat, long time." said another man wearing a red plaid shirt button shirt and black pants. His hair was how it use to be back when she first meet him.

"Jason. Why aren't you wearing black?" she joked while hugging him.

"Well I was a red." he retorted

"Hi, Kat." greeted a man wearing a blue button shirt with a pocket in the front and a pair of blue jean pants. He's hair was the way she remembered it before he left.

"Billy, I'm so glad to see you again." she said before giving him a vice like hug. "I don't remember him being this handsome. Whoa, where did that come from, Kat?"

As Kat pulled away she saw someone that she hadn't seen since a few days after passing her powers on to Cassie.

"Hey, Tommy." she said a little nervous and looking at her feet.

"Is that all I get, a sheepish 'Hey, Tommy.' Not even a hug?" he said in a wounded tone. When he said this she leapt at him and wrapped her arms tightly around him.

"Your not mad at me?" she whispered

"You said that you didn't want to hurt me, and you didn't." Her ex-boyfriend said as he pulled away.

"Well that's a relief. Are we ready to go?"

"Follow us."

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"Kim, Tommy and the rest are here."

"Thanks, Michael." said Kim as she went returned to her hiding spot. Much to the confusion of the other individuals that didn't have prior knowledge of her arrival. Zack was about to ask a question when a former blue, three ex reds and Kim's successor walked in.

"Are we to late to join the party?" asked Rocky. Finding his way to the large buffet of food.

"If I didn't know better I would say him and Conner are related."

"Very funny, Ethan." Replied the tyrano ranger dryly. Tommy just shook his head before introducing Kira, Michael, and his best friend in college to the rest of the team. Hayley decided this is just the moment for them to hear Kira's new album and put on song no. 2 'Power of a Hero'. The group was floored by the lyrics and rhythm of the song.

"Kira, your singing never ceases to amaze me."

"Thanks, Dr. O. I hope you don't mind the cover." Kira said while handing him the copy she was going to give him yesterday. Much to the surprise of everyone he laughed.

"Well that's one way to hide in plain sight." Seeing as this was the best time to spring this on him, Michael gave Kim the go ahead to come out. When Kim stepped out and watched as the room turn silent minus Kira's music. All the members of the original team minus Tommy were sitting around four square tables. Everyone of them looking from her to Tommy and back.

Jason was on the far left end and going clockwise it was Rocky, Adam with Tanya on his lap, Kat, Zack, Trini on the far right end, Billy, and Aisha. The Dino Thunder team was standing by the bar minus Kira. From back to front it was Conner, Trent and Ethan. Hayley was standing behind the bar and Michael was helping her. Kira and Tommy were in front of the couches Michael and Hayley brought off to the side so everyone would have room if they felt the need to dance. Tommy's back was to Kim so he didn't know of her presence until.

"Hi, Tommy." Tommy froze thinking he was hallucinating.

"She can't be in Reefside the flight here alone would have token five, six hours tops. Plus there's her packing that would have took another four or five hours."

"I think you need to turn around, Dr. O." said Kira as she walked off to join her teammates. All of the ex-rangers watched as he slowly turned around and meet eye to eye with Kimberly 'She broke my' Hart.

"Hey, Kim," said Tommy looking for the other man she mentioned, "how was your flight?"

"It was alright."

"And your boyfriend?" When that question escaped his mouth he heard Michael groan.

"Kim, you better tell him the truth." Michael ordered.

"Oh I don't have a boyfriend, Tommy, I was just doing that to bug a certain psychic. Getting at you was a nice bonus." Tommy's face turned to stone as he brought his head up looking at the man who had a hand in this ambush.

"What can I say Tommy? I lied about not hearing a certain thought when it came to Kim." You didn't have to be psychic to know what Tommy was thinking. Then his head snap back towards Kim.

"So I guess there was no other guy back then either." said Tommy curtly his anger flaring and Michael knew it. So Michael did the only thing he could do, close his eyes. He knew that if he didn't focus then he might lose control of his emotions.

"There was another guy, Tommy. Someone that happened to be there when I need him." snapped Kim.

"What, your going to make it sound like I wasn't there for you? I was constantly saving your ass left and right. Not to mention I let you cry on my shoulder the day your parents said they were getting a divorce."

"You know what I mean. Every time I called, you weren't in because you were off having the time of your life while I was stuck on the other side of the country, training."

"Having the time of my life? Excuse me for trying to protect the world so you can win a gold medal."

"I'm not talking about being the white or red ranger, Tommy. Since when did that stop you from calling me as well. The telephone can go both ways."

"I was still in High School, remember!"

"So was I. But that didn't stop me from calling, and it didn't stop Billy or anybody else for that matter. Hell Aisha was in fucking Africa and she still called me on a regular basis. What was your excuse having to much fun with your new pink ranger."

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Michael felt multiple emotions come over the room. Most of them he could handle. Two people were giving off anger. But there was an argument going on in front of him. And he was having trouble keeping his emotions in check because of it. Four people had fear. But seeing someone they cared about so much raise his voice at someone that wasn't them was strange. That was why they were scared. The other ten were full of shock. They weren't surprise this argument was happening but shocked that it was transpiring before their eyes. But one of the ten felt something else. It was guilt. And that guilt was on the move. Like it was running a way. Michael opened his eyes just in time to see the doors swinging. Michael did a mental head count to figure out who it was.

"I should have know it was going to be her." Michael thought before he decide to let his emotions go.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Michael roared grabbing both of the arguing factions and throwing them onto the couch telekinetically. He wasn't sure what he was going to say as he stormed over to them, but, he was going to put an end to this that was for damn sure. He stared them down the whole trip. Tommy on his left and Kim on the right. Kim's anger turned to surprise and fear. But considering that she saw what he did last night it was understandable. Tommy on the other hand still had his anger.

"What is the big..."

"SHUT UP, CHRISTMAS!" Michael snapped. Tommy's was already seeing red and hearing Michael call him Christmas made him snap. He leapt up and grabbed Michael's leather jacket with his left hand and he cocked back his right.

"You told me you weren't going to going to say anything about being my teams black ranger!" Tommy spat out poise to throw the punch.

"I just called you Christmas, not BLACK CHRISTMAS, Oliver." Michael watched as Tommy's eyes reveal that he was the one that made the mistake. That moment of surprise was all Michael need. Utilizing his powers once again, Michael forced Tommy's hand open and brought his entire left arm in a telekinetic armbar. Kim was sure Michael was going to dislocate Tommy's elbow when he gave a swift punch to the stomach releasing the armbar then following with an uppercut. The multicolored ranger was just stunned as he fell back onto the couch.

"Close your eyes!" Michael barked. Kim obediently did what she was told but Tommy was a little more belligerent by standing up to Michael once more. So Michael shoved him back into the couch and grabbed his face, middle and ring fingers covering his eyes. Then he took Kimberly's hand and all three slipped into a meditative trance. When Michael released them both had a strange sensation.

"Open your eyes." Michael hissed. When they did they were surprised but only one knew what he did and thought why did he do it.

"Simple, Kim, if you two want to argue, your going to argue here that way no one will be affected by it."

"What do you mean no one will be affected?" Tommy asked with venom seeping from every word.

"Look down there, Tommy," said Michael pointing to the black and white forms of their ranger

comrades, "notice someone missing?" That was when both of themsaw why Michael snapped.

"Why did she leave?" asked Kim

"Simple, she felt guilty. Guilt that was brought on by your argument, and she wasn't the only one's emotions I felt. Your friends were shocked by this outburst, and your dino ranger team was scared because of it, plus both of yall's anger caused me to loose control. So both of you are going to talk this out. I don't care what you have to say to each other but your going to say it here and the moment your done I'll let both of you back into your respective bodies, because you'll only be able to with my help. Got it!" Both of the ex-lovers slowly nodded their heads.

"I'll leave a telepathic connection with both of you that way you can get a hold of me." Michael told them before returning to his body.

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Everyone was stunned by what just happened. Kim being here, the argument, and Michael's attack. They were slowly approaching the three of them. They haven't moved in the past thirty seconds when Michael removed his hands from their friends. Obviously still pissed.

"Hayley..."

"I know." Everyone just stared at both of them and watch Michael headed for the door until Jason grabbed his shoulder.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"To find Kat." Michael said shrugging the former gold ranger off before leaving. He was about to follow when Hayley grabbed him.

"He'll bring her back. Let's just make sure nothing happens to them." she said. Jason gazed into her eyes. Everything about them said trust her, and he wasn't about to do otherwise.

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Michael was standing outside the Cyber Cafe trying to sense Katherine. He closed his eyes when he heard someone talking to him.

"Michael?"

"What is it, Tommy?"

"Kim's telling me what happened when you and Hayley went after her."

"And?"

"Thank you. I guess if it wasn't for you..."

"Listen, B.C., now isn't the time nor the place. Right now I need to find, Kat. You and Kim should talk about whatever you two need to talk about and leave me out of it."

"Alright."

After Michael had that brief conversation Michael returned to his search. Michael was hunting for her emotions. He knew she would still feel guilt. If he could find her guilt he can find her. After a few seconds of searching he found her and began running. She had a few blocks head start but he was catching up quick. He found her sitting at the bus stop crying into her hands. He slowly strolled up beside her and took a seat.

"Hi, Katherine." startled by this she looked up to see who was addressing her.

"Michael, was it?"

"Yeah."

"What do you want?"

"I came to find you."

"Are you the only one?"

"Well I was the first person that noticed you leaving, and I did sense your emotions."

"I don't need to hear it. I've heard it from to many people already."

"Heard what?"

"That Kim and Tommy's break up wasn't my fault. That I didn't keep them apart." she said with a sob.

"So that was why you felt guilty. I thought so." Caught off guard by his statement Kat looked at him speechless.

"Listen, Kat, I'm not going to tell you shouldn't feel guilty. Just tell me why you feel guilty."

"Do you remember back when Divatox kidnapped Jason and Kim?"

"Yes."

"Well when she dumped those dummies into the ocean Tommy franticly went to both. At first I thought it was because he was hoping one was Jason. But after he removed his helmet trying to reach out to her and she rejected him, I saw the hurt. I saw the pain inside his eyes. It was like she sent him that horrid letter again. Something inside of me told me every time she told Jason to throw Tommy into the fire it killed him. And then the look theyboth sharedafter they pulled Jason out and when she handed back his helmet. I knew he was still in love with her and she still had feelings for him. I think that when she saw Tommy hugging me after everything was said and done a piece of her died." Kat said pausing just to make sure he was listening. Michael just nodded his head so she sucked in a breath and continued.

"This stayed in the back in my mind for weeks, months even, and then I passed my powers to Cassie. I knew deep down that he was only with me because I was the pink ranger. So I told him that we need to break up. I said to him that I didn't want to hurt him like Kim did. Of course he was a little hurt by this and he said that I'm not Kim. He was fighting to keep me, and I was thinking that the only reason he didn't fight for Kim was because of me."

By this time Kat was sobbing again. Michael did the only thing he could think of. He pulled her into a hug.

"Kat, I think he fought because he knew you were special to him. Just like Kim was. And he didn't fight for that special someone once. He wasn't about to make the same mistake twice."

"But it's still my fault." she wailed into his shoulder.

"Kat, there has been a lot of theories about their breakup. Some thought Kim got pregnant either by him or someone who raped her, either way she wrote the letter out of fear. Some think she wrote the letter out of jealousy. Others believe she was forced. Hell a couple say that someone else wrote a letter to her and the letter to Tommy. But, it doesn't matter it was their fault. Kim, because she wrote the letter, and Tommy because he decide to accept it without bother to find out why. I don't know if what I'm saying is going to help, but, if anyone's to blame it's those two." Michael said as he hugged her tight while rubbing her back as if to say 'it's ok.'

Michael closed his eyes so he can gauge her emotions. It was slow, but, she was calming down. The guilt she carried was removed. She wasn't happy, but, she was far from upset. Michael felt her begin to pull away. So Michael opened his eyes and let her go.

"Thank you, Michael. You're a good listener."

"What's the good of being an empath if you can't make people feel better?" Kat just gave a small smile knowing that he was able to help her. After carrying this burden for so long this is the first time she felt she could move on.

"Umm, Michael?" said Trini casually walking up to the pair.

"Yeah." he answered as he looked over his shoulder towards her.

"The guys' were wondering if everything is OK."

"Well I'm OK. Thanks to Michael."

"I'll check on Tommy and Kim when we get back."

"What happened?"

"Let's just say I'm filling this incident as empathy being a bitch." Michael's joke was well received because of the laugh.

"Kat, why don't you go on ahead. Me and Trini will be two steps behind you."

"Sure." Kat said as she began her walk back towards the cyber cafe.

"How long have you been there?"

"About when you asked her why she felt guilty. She's right you know. You are a good listener."

"Thanks. But don't start thinking I'm a yellow. If anything I'm a stereotypical black and green."

"Well whatever color stereotype you are, I'm just glad that I didn't have to play therapist. I do that enough because it's my job."

"Funny, I expected you to do something with computers." Michael joked as he got up from the bench.

"Shall we." Michael said indicating that he was following her.

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A/N: Ok I just want to say that the bit with the disclaimer was me being silly. Come on how many times do we place a disclaimer up before posting a new chapter. It does get redudant after a while. Ok I just want to say that the empathy being a bitch bit was in a way inspired by 'Charmed'. The episode where Wyatt conjured a dragon and Pheobe lost control because of someone else's anger. I also want to say that Kat's monolouge was in hopes of keeping people from hating Kat in this story. Trust me I'm sure their are a few AntiKats out there.