A/N - Not as long as before, but still not up to the speed I want with the updates. I'll try to write faster but school's in full swing now and life is hectic, so no promises.
Disclaimer: Don't own Power Rangers
Chapter 10 – Lunar Wolf
Cole told the Lightspeed Rangers to meet him at Turtle Cove park and he'd take them to the Animarium. They had only been searching for five minutes when they saw Cole feeding a bunch of squirrels.
"Cole!" Carter shouted jogging up to him. This effectively scared off the squirrels, but Cole couldn't stay mad for long.
"Carter!" a big smile broke out on Cole's face and he waved like he was two instead of twenty-two. Though his maturity level grew when he wasted no time asking questions. "Alright let's go guys, a fellow Ranger is counting on us. I have to warn you though. Princess Shayla might have gone back to sleep meaning she won't wake until the Earth needs her and the Wild Zords again."
"Well take us to her and we'll think of something if she's asleep." Cole nodded and led them to the other side of the park where the entrance to the Animarium still remained. He almost forgot about finding Merrick when he saw Red Lion again, but led them to the Sacred Fountain after promising to visit with Red Lion later.
"Princess?" he called. There was no sign of her anywhere but Cole knew from experience that she could still be there.
"Princess Shayla?" A ball of light appeared at the Sacred Fountain and disappeared to reveal the Keeper of the Wild Zords.
"Cole!" she reached over and gave him a hug. Her attention then turned to the Lightspeed Rangers. Carter repeated the need to find Merrick and saw a look of longing pass over Shayla when he did.
"I don't know where he is. I let him go. As much as I would like him to be here he deserves to live his life. He's the reason I haven't gone to sleep, I'm sure of it. And-" she continued talking to herself and those present thought it best if her feelings for Merrick, which she had finally voiced, were not mentioned until she was ready.
"Princess what about the Wolf Zord?" asked Cole. "If the rest of us are connected to our Wild Zords won't Merrick be connected to his? Can't the Wolf Zord call him, or at least sense where he is?"
"Yes, of course! And it's happened before. The Wolf Zord's howl is his way of calling Merrick. Come on, this way." She led them through the woods toward the lake where the Wolf Zord was lounging lazily in the sun. It wasn't hard to convince the Wolf Zord to call to Merrick. He missed his friend and was eager to see him again. The Wolf Zord howled in distress and they knew it wouldn't be long before Merrick either arrived on the Animarium, or called if his journey took him out of the country. Sure enough, barely an hour later Merrick came dashing out of the woods, stopping in front of the Wolf Zord.
"What's wrong?" He demanded while trying to catch his breath, having run the entire way. Like him the Wolf Zord was serious and tended to go things alone. If he was calling to him after all this time, something was terribly wrong. "Is it the Princess? Is she ok? What happened?"
"Merrick?" Princess Shaylay stepped away from the group, who Merrick had over looked in his panic. Merrick's eyes widened and he dropped to his knees.
"Princess." He murmured. Shayla hesitated only a second before rushing to him and engulfing him in a hug, holding on for dear life. She had missed him so much. He was the reason she wasn't asleep. He was the reason she kept breathing, the reason she lived. She finally understood why people used those incredibly corny lines. Because no matter how corny they were, they were true. Merrick wrapped his arms around Shayla, forgetting his reasoning for keeping his distance. Though he never really went that far. He barely left Turtle Cove. Even though he didn't see her, knowing she was close by got him through. Shayla cried on his shoulder, happy that he wasn't pushing her away. But she knew that as much as she wanted to stay like this, there would be time later. Right now Kira needed them.
"Merrick I asked the Wolf Zord to call you."
"Princess we can't-" Merrick began the protestation he had repeated a hundred times.
"It has nothing to do with you or me. As stupid as I was, and as much as I should have gotten the Wolf Zord to call to you earlier simply so I could see you, this isn't about us. Kira, the Yellow Dino Thunder Ranger is in danger. She suffered severe blood loss and needs a transfusion. Due to The Power flowing through her veins she needs another Ranger's blood and you're the only match." Merrick didn't hesitate.
"Where do I find her?"
"We'll take you to her." Said Carter. Merrick looked over at the others.
"And you are?"
"Carter Grayson, Pyro Rescue 1-Red Ranger, Lightspeed Rescue. These are my friends Chad Lee, Aqua Rescue 2-Blue Ranger, Joel Rawlings, Aero Rescue 3-Green Ranger, and Kelsey Winslow, Haz Rescue 4-Yellow Ranger." Merrick nodded at each of them.
"You'll take me to Kira?" Carter nodded.
"My wife Dana, Med Rescue 5-Pink Ranger, is the doctor looking after her."
"Then what are we waiting for?" They started walking toward the portal that would take them to the park. When they weren't to far away Merrick caught sight of something black and rolled his eyes. He wasn't surprised though. The black figure had been following him since Master Org was destroyed.
"Don't hide in the shadows Zen. I need you to do me a favour. Protect the Princess until I return." Shayla gasped when Zen-Aku stepped out of the trees. The Lightspeed Rangers took a defensive stance while Cole looked between Merrick and the org before deciding he posed no threat. Merrick would never ask someone to protect the Princess if there was even the slightest chance that that person would harm her. Zen-Aku nodded slightly but said nothing. Merrick turned to Shayla.
"He won't hurt you. Since Master Org was destroyed he's joined me on my quest for redemption for everything we've done." He paused when Shayla nodded before taking her hand in his. "I will return, Princess. And this time you won't be able to get rid of me so easily." The last part was said quietly enough that only Shayla heard him. She smiled at him and stepped back to allow the others to pass through the portal.
The ride to Reefside was filled with tension. Every occupant was filled with worry that they were too late. Cole had opted to join them. He said that he was worried about Kira, and although that was true, Carter knew that it had something to do with him mentioning that Tommy would be there. The kid was still awestruck by the Original Rangers even though he was hardly a rookie anymore and a veteran Ranger himself now. The new rookie, who was currently enclosed in Kira's hospital room, was far from impressed with the Technicolour Ranger. Finally after what felt like hours they arrived at the hospital, Carter parking right at the entrance, thankful that no one could call the cops on Lightspeed, and dashed into the emergency room. Tommy, Ryan, Ethan, Kat, Hayley and Kira's parents all jumped up when they saw them. Carter turned to a nurse.
"Please inform Dr. Grayson that the donor for Kira Ford is here." The nurse nodded and walked away.
"Merrick, thank god they found you." Said Tommy.
"I'm glad they did. There are obvious downsides to traveling with no form of communication. I'm glad I could help. Though with all of us out there I'm surprised I'm the only match."
"You're not." Said Kat. "It's just that the other match is currently pregnant and can't give up enough blood to help her." Merrick nodded in understanding.
"Carter!" Dana called practically running into the room.
"Dana, we found him."
"I guessed that when you sent the nurse in." She smiled at him before turning to Merrick.
"Let's get you in there. We need to run a few tests to make sure you are indeed a perfect match and in perfect health. If you are we're all set to go." Dana led Merrick through the doors to the side of the waiting room. Everyone sat down and began the wait.
A half hour later Merrick was led back to the waiting room so they could prepare Kira and the room next to hers for Merrick. They all heard a struggle and raised voices, Dana's demanding that Connor leave, and Connor's refusing. In the end Dana had to call Tommy, Ethan Joel, Chad, Carter and Ryan in to force Connor out, as Dana alone couldn't catch him while he used the power of his Gem. Merrick turned to Ryan while Ethan sat on Connor to stop him from getting up.
"It took all of you to get him out?" he asked in disbelief.
"Yea, that kid's fast. We had to surround him and trick him with Tommy's invisibility." Merrick laughed and held out his hand.
"I'm Merrick by the way. The Lunar Wolf Wild Force Ranger."
"Ryan Mitchell, Solar Rescue 6-Titanium Ranger, Lightspeed Rescue." They were barely able to shake hands before Dana pulled Merrick into the room next to Kira's. It wasn't long after that that Connor was able to force Ethan off him and began pacing.
An hour after Connor began his repetitive walk across the waiting room Dana came out with a smile on her face.
"She's going to be fine." Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and many fought back tears, though Connor let his flow freely.
"Merrick's blood is as perfect a match as you can get and there should be no lasting side-effects. She's not awake yet, though I suspect it won't be to long."
"How's Kim?" asked Tommy.
"Kimberly's fine. I've refused to discharge her until tomorrow though as I want her to rest and make sure that her blood is replenishing itself. Merrick is fine as well. He gave up a quarter of his blood and looks like he'd be fit to run around the world if he gave up another quarter." Dana said that they could visit Kira and Tommy and Ethan had to restrain Connor to allow her parents in first. It was the longest thirty minutes of Connor's life, but finally his not so patient waiting paid off.
"She's awake." Said Elaine with tears in her eyes. "That blood has done wonders for her. I don't know what was different about it but I don't care. My baby's alright." Mark hugged his wife to him before turning to Connor.
"She's asking for you." Connor bolted into Kira's room, closely followed by Ethan, Hayley, Tommy and Kat. They wanted to see her to and weren't going to let Connor shut himself up with her before they got to see her. Connor was holding Kira close to him, while mindful not to disrupt the IV. He was murmuring into her hair, fresh tears flowing down his cheeks, while he rocked them back and forth. The four took one look at them and decided against their earlier plan. They saw that Kira was indeed awake and knew she was in good hands. They quietly backed out of the room and turned to the Lightspeed Rangers and Cole.
"Thank you." Said Tommy. "I don't know what we would have done if we'd lost her."
"Dude we wouldn't have just lost Kira, we'd have lost Connor to. Did you see the way he was holding her? He looked like he'd never let go." Tommy sent Ethan a glare.
"Yes thank you, Ethan. And don't call me dude." Kat laughed and poked him in the ribs, remembering his high school days when almost every sentence from him included the words "man," "dude" or "bro." Tommy glanced at her before turning back to the Rangers.
"Do you guys need some place to stay tonight? You're welcome to stay at my house." The Lightspeed Rangers and Cole thanked him and readily agreed. None of them looked forward to driving at 11:00pm especially after a day like today.
"We'll have our own little slumber party!" said Kelsey. Dana laughed at her friend's enthusiasm.
"Not for us I'm afraid." Said Tommy.
"We've got work tomorrow and can't be late again."
"Yeah Randall almost had our heads." Muttered Tommy.
"Well I've got to check on Kira, Kim and Merrick before I go." Said Dana.
"We'll wait for you." Said Carter.
"Cole we'll drive you to Tommy's place after we stop at my apartment to pick up some things." Said Kat. Everyone parted and headed in their respective directions.
The ride to both her apartment and then to Tommy's was shorter then Kat remembered although that was probably due to Cole's non-stop questions about Tommy's Ranger life. She couldn't stop laughing at his expense and received a few glares that promised retaliation. After they arrived home Tommy quickly grabbed all the pillows and blankets he owned and dumped them in the living room deciding that he'd let the others fight over who got what before he picked Kat up carried her to his room.
"I think it's time for some payback." He said dumping her on his bed.
"Oh really?" Kat asked challengingly. Tommy leaned in and captured her lips with his. When he knew he had her, an unsuspecting a smirk broke out on his face and he pulled away and began tickling her mercilessly.
"Tommy! Tommy…s-stop!" Kat said between giggles.
"And why would I do that? You laughed at me when I was playing a game of 21 000 questions."
"Yes…but that was…funny!"
"And this is funny."
"No it's not!" Kat said but Tommy didn't stop until tears of laughter formed in her eyes.
"That wasn't funny!" insisted Kat when she caught her breath.
"It was very funny to me."
"And how would you feel if I kissed you senseless, only wanting to lead you into a false sense of security?"
"You wouldn't do that."
"And why not?"
"You're to nice." Said Tommy, utterly convinced of that fact.
"Don't be so sure, Dr. Oliver."
"Alright, I'll question your motives every time you kiss me from now on."
"Well…I wouldn't go that far." Said Kat as she quickly kissed him before settling herself into his arms. They laid there in silence until shouting could be heard from downstairs.
"Guess the others got back from the hospital." Groaned Tommy. Kat nodded.
"I'm so glad Kira's ok." She said after a few moments.
"Me to. I don't know what we'd do if we had to deal with a Ranger death. I don't know how the Galaxy and Space Rangers coped when Kendrix died. Even though she was brought back."
"Yeah. You know, we should hold a party for her when she gets out of the hospital." Said Kat. "Celebrate her return."
"That's a great idea Kat. Though I think we can have our own little celebration now." Tommy smirked, rolling them over so he was on top.
"I don't think Kira would appreciate this kind of celebration." Joked Kat.
"Then we won't tell her about it." Said Tommy as he claimed Kat's lips.
A/N - She's awake! Of course she's awake, I coudln't kill her off, I'm not that heartless. I little bit of Tommy/Kat, but at least I got them in. I wanted to end Kira's coma and wasn't sure how much Tommy/Kat I'd have. As promised there will be more in the following chapters. I hope this chapter wasn't to bad, I had a little trouble with it. But I'll let you guys decide in your reviews!