Masquerading Deception

"Curse you!" Agent Morrigan cried slamming a fist besides Aisha's head.

She peered over at her comatose form bound and chained to the flat-board.

She picked up her companion sliding it inside the terminal-console typing in a string of keystrokes on the board and soon images of each all the former rangers flashing across the wide-screen.

Agent Morrigan continued typing in various sets of instructions into the terminal.

"Target cannot be found" flashed across the screen.

She turned away from the terminal shaking her head having spent the past four days frantically searching for any signs of the morphers. Her search had been thwarted on numerous occasions while trying to keep up her facade as Aisha Campbell. Agent Morrigan hadn't realized how difficult and strenuous being human was. Even with all the pre-programming and observations Lord Robogog created and planned for her it still didn't suffice for the experience that she acquired shape-shifting into Aisha. She had yet to figure out happened to the morphers, she tracked it down while at Tommy's place. It stuck her as odd that her pad could no longer track them after returning to the local a couple hours later.

She tried scanning the vicinity on several other occasions but to no avail.

How the morphers suddenly disappeared?

Agent Morrigan turned her attention back over to the terminal wide screen.

"Tommy Oliver!"

She sat down at her commander chair peering at his still image trying to convey how he could be connected to the disappearing morphers.

Until, Agent Morrigan could come up with a plausible connection between and Tommy and the morphers, she would not only take full advance of her human shape-shifting mechanics and would have some fun while it.

Agent Morrigan pressed the eject button on the board extracting her pad.

"Here we go!" she purred staring back over at Aisha.

"Time to have some fun," she said transporting out of the colony...

She pulled out her pad pressing the screen it started scanning the local vicinity pulling her cardigan closer to her body as a cold shiver sent a chill down her spine. It was another one of those irritation aspects of being human, having to experience the effects of the atmosphere such as the chilly fall weather. Times like so made her miss being a metroid, especially when she had to deal with the jarring emotional facets that came with being human. Aisha continued down the windy narrow path, she peered into the cloudy skies shaking her head.

"What am I doing wrong?!" she growled.

"Huh…what was that?" she said continuing up the pathway.

As she headed down the pathway the tune of various guitar chords grew louder and clearer.

"Oh…it's him," she said stopping a few feet from the source of the sound.

He finished playing the chord, setting aside the acoustic.

"Hey…why did you stop playing?!"

He turned peering in her direction. "Aisha…is that you?"

"In the flesh," she called making her way over to him.

"It's good seeing you…" Adam said embracing her.

"Nice seeing you too."

"So…what's up?"

"I thought I would take a minute to clear my head before heading over to the radio station," Aisha said sliding next to him.

"Something on your mind?" he asked turning towards her.

"No…I needed some time away from my super busy life," she said staring into his warm dark eyes, leaning closer to him.

Adam chuckled as he placed his guitar back inside the case.

He propped back against the wooden bench.

Aisha took note of the pensive expression written across his face.

"Adam is everything alright?"

"No…everything is cool."

"C'mon Adam…you can't fool me I know you like the back of my hand I know something is up with you," she said elbowing his side.

Adam sighed taking in a long deep breath. "I've just had this feeling that Tanya is really pissed off at me."

She peered over at him. "What would make you think something like that?"

"We had a long talk after the dinner last weekend and I discovered that she was pretty upset with me…"

"Over what if I may ask."

Adam shook his head. "Something that happened a couple of years ago…we discussed it and I apologized and she said she forgiven me but…"

"You don't think she had?"

"Yeah," he said turning towards her.

"Adam, I'm so sorry to hear that…but you know that Tanya loves you so I'm sure she meant what she said."

"If that was case…why hadn't I heard from her since then?" he asked crossing his arms.

"I don't know…but have you tried calling her?"

"Of course I have…but she's been really short with me and when I asked her if she wanted to hangout or get dinner she's always busy or something…"

"Maybe you just need to give her some time that's all."

"I guess…" he sighed turning away.

"Aisha…thanks but I think I'm going to head home," he said stepping away from the bench.

"No…no…wait…." Aisha said grabbing his arm.

"Why? What is it?"

"I know the perfect way you can see and cheer up Tanya and promote your music."

"Really?!"

"Yeah…how about you come down and play for our radio show."

"I…don't know about that?" he said shaking his head.

"Adam…come on this will be the perfect chance for you to see her and try and talk to her."

"Aisha…I'm not too sure…"

"What are you afraid of?"

"Honestly, I don't want to just show up and surprise her like that…"

"If it makes you feel better I will call her letting you know you'll be coming by."

"Oh…alright…"

"Awesome! Our show starts at 2 p.m. prompt so if you can get there around 1:30 p.m. that would be great so we can help you set-up all your equipment."

"Okay…Aisha I'm taking your word on this."

"Have I ever given you a reason not to trust me?"

"No…you haven't," he said with a grin.

"Great, so I'll see you soon…" she glanced down at her watch. "In an hour."

"Okay," he chuckled leaning over embracing her.

Aisha hopped from the bench, making her way back down the narrow pathway, glancing back at him. He threw up a hand her way and she smiled waving back...

Aisha stepped inside the KATC radio station; peaking around the corner of the empty hallway.

"Follow me," she said.

She and her companion stepped inside one of the empty boardrooms shutting the door behind them.

"Now…I'm ordering you not to come out until I command you too," Aisha said typing a command on her pad.

She placed her pad back inside her purse heading over towards the elevator. The doors of the elevator opened, she quickly rushed over to the adjacent room was Caroline her recording engineering standing over near one some of the equipment.

"Caroline?" she called opening up the door.

"Hey Aisha!" Caroline said turning to her.

"Girl…I need you to do me a favor."

"Sure."

"I'm heading over to Studio B to help our guest set-up their equipment so I was wondering if you could let Tanya know for me. I would but the show is starting soon and silly me left my phone in the car…"

"Yeah…no problem."

"Thanks Caroline…you are the best," Aisha said embracing her.

She stepped out of the room, leaning against the door before heading back over to the elevators...

"Tanya?"

"Yeah?" she called looking up from her call-sheets.

"Aisha wanted me to let you know that she would be over in Studio B helping the guest set-up their equipment."

Tanya swung around in her chair peering at Caroline. "She found a guest?"

"Apparently so…"

"Do you know who it is?"

"I don't know…she didn't say who it was…" Caroline said shrugging.

"Okay, thanks for letting me know."

"No problem," she said shutting the door.

Tanya sat up in her chair peering ahead. This news was a bit strange, she and Aisha were discussing the idea of having a guest on their daily radio show, and suddenly she found someone without letting her know. Tanya sat there debating if she wanted to find out who the guest was or just be surprised. After a couple of moments of internal debating she stood to her feet making over way over to the door, her curiosity had gotten the best of her, and besides she wasn't one for surprises anyways. Tanya and her curiosity headed out of the door making their way over to Studio B.

She stepped around the corner peering down the long, empty hallway.

Tanya strode down the hallway stopping at the ajar door near the end of the lobby.

"It's Adam!" she said peering inside the room.

A slight pang of butterflies attacked her stomach; she was surprised to see him.

Perhaps this is why Aisha didn't tell her who the special guest was because she wanted it to surprise her.

"Thanks Adam for coming by I'm know Tanya will be so stoked to see you!" she said embracing him tightly.

"Of course!" he said wrapping his arms around her waist leaning his body closer to hers.

"Adam…?"

"Aisha…you really look great today."

"Oh…thanks…"

"No really…you're looking really hot today," he said running his hands down her hips.

"Adam…what are you doing?" she said stepping away from him.

"What do you mean?"

"Why do I feel like you're coming on to me or something?"

"Maybe…because I am…"

"Seriously? Adam how could do something like that?"

"Because I really…really like you," he said nuzzling her ear.

"No…how dare you!" she called shoving him.

"Aisha, what's the deal?!"

She shook her head peering at him. "We are just friends…I don't like you like that…besides what about Tanya she is your girlfriend after-all."

"Pft…whatever she ain't my girlfriend…and like I told you she's still bitter over some crap that happened between us years ago…"

Tanya gripped her chest, her breath caught in her throat.

"Adam…don't be like that I told you that you just need to talk to her and understand how she was feeling."

"Whatever…you know…"

She turned away leaning against the studio window shaking her head running from the hallway back over towards the recording studio...

Tanya leaned back against the chair, wiping the cold, wispy tears.

Humiliation and dread and panic ran through her body as she cupped her head in her hands sobbing.

Adam ran his fingers through his thick spiky hair. Pangs of nervous tensions were running through him from the moment he stepped foot inside the radio station. He peered inside the studio adjusting his acoustic on his back. He glanced inside and saw Tanya with her face cupped in her hands sitting in the swivel-chair.

"Tanya?" he said stepping inside.

"Please…I don't want to see you now…"

"Is everything okay?" Adam asked placing a hand on her shoulders.

"No…it's not!" she cried jerking away.

"Tanya…I'm sorry to just pop in here like this but…I thought I would come by and jam with you guys on your show today…and I was thinking-"

"Well…Adam thank you for coming by…but you can leave now!"

"But…what about the show? Aisha…"

"Look that wouldn't necessary…"

"Tanya…what's the matter with you?!"

She stood to her feet turning to him.

"Tanya…what the matter? Why are you crying?" he asked stepping closer to her.

Black matted tears were streaming down her face. "Don't…"

"What's the matter with you?"

She turned away shaking her head.

"Tanya…please?" he urged.

"I know…that I've been somewhat short distance with you…but what you and said back there was completely and utterly disgusting!"

Adam clutched his chest, trying to recover his breath. "Tanya…I don't know what you're talking about!"

"So…now you want to play stupid huh?"

"What?!"

"I can't…deal with you now…" she said shoving past him.

"Tanya…wait," Adam said grabbing her arm. "Look, I wanna know what is going on?!"

"Let me go?!"

"No…not until you tell me what's the matter with you."

"Look guys…I don't know what's going on here…but I'm trying to run a station here so could you take your dispute somewhere else," Caroline said stepping inside.

"Whatever…" Tanya cried rushing out of the studio.

"Wait…Tanya come back…"

"Adam…let her go…" Aisha said pulling his hand.

"No…I need to talk to her."

"I think you need to let her cool off first," she said.

He leaned against the wall taking in a deep breath.

"Adam…"

"Aisha?"

"Yeah?"

"The show is starting in five minutes…where is Tanya?"

"Girl, I don't know…"

Caroline sighed. "Wow…I don't know what just happened but the show has to go on."

"Right…but what are we going to do about Tanya leaving?"

"Girl I don't know but I guess I'll be sitting in here for today," Caroline said disappearing inside.

"Aisha…I'm sorry…but I think I should go."

"But…Adam…"

He turned towards her clutching her hand. "Aisha, I will call you later okay..?" Adam said grasping the strap of his acoustic striding over towards the elevators...

He stepped outside his brooding mood clashing with the bright chilly mood in the air. Adam made his way over towards his car; he peered around the parking lot and Tanya and her car where nowhere in sight. He pulled out of the parking lot heading out into the busy streets. Once Adam arrived home he ran out into his patio plopping into one of the canvas chairs. He pulled out his acoustic frantically plucking random chords. His chest was heaving, as he was trying to hold back the tears...

"Great show girl," Caroline said clicking off the air.

"I know that was great impromptu show," Aisha said laughing.

"Right," Caroline chuckled.

"Well, girl I'm going to head out now and see if I can find Tanya."

"Yes, girl I have no idea what happened with her and what's his name…"

"Adam."

"Yeah…who is he anyways?"

"That's her…boyfriend."

"Oh…okay…well I hope everything works out between them."

"Yeah…me too," Aisha said standing to her feet.

"See you girl."

"Later Caroline."

She smiled a deep feeling of elation coursing through her body. Her plan of dividing their loyalties was now set in motion. She hurried over to her car, pulling out her pad typing in the name Katherine Hillard.

The data started scanning the local area and vicinity.

"Target found"

"Great!" she called firing up the engine...

"Katherine!"

"Aisha?" she called with her golden hair flashing in the bright afternoon sunlight.

"In the flesh,"

"Hey what's up?" Kat said stepping over to her.

"Girl, I'm sorry I know you're probably busy now but I wanted to talk to you about something."

"About what?" Kat asked peering at her.

"It's nothing major but I wanted to talk to you about some promotions Tanya and I were thinking about doing for our radio show."

"Oh…okay…Tanya hadn't mentioned anything about that to me…"

"Well, Tanya probably just hadn't gotten the chance to talk it over with you yet."

"Okay…" Kat said peering apprehensively at Aisha.

"We've been discussing about the possibility of bringing different people down to the station to talk about the different events and activities going around Angel Grove and I know that you just opened up your branch so I thought it would be a great way to get the word out there about your dance studio."

Kat crossed her arms staring at her. "Alright…I suppose it never helps to get some promotions for the company."

"If you have some time I was thinking that maybe we go over to the Starbucks and talk about it," she said gesturing behind her.

She nodded. "Okay, I'm done with work so we go chat over there for a while."

"Awesome, so how about you follow me over there?"

"Okay," Kat said pacing over to her car...

"I totally forgot how much I love this place," Kat said taking a seat next to her.

Aisha nodded taking in the rich invigorating aromas around her.

"What did you order?" she asked.

"Peppermint mocha," Kat said.

"Mmmph sounds good," she said taking in the rich aroma.

"What about you?" Kat asked.

"Mocha Frappuccino," she said taking a sip.

It felt cool and refreshing as it slid down.

"So Aisha tell me about this promotion you guys been thinking of doing."

"Well, I wanted to add a new segment to Tanya and I radio show. I was wanted to start bringing in some people from the local community to talk and discuss events going around town."

"We've been bouncing around many ideas such as artists, and gymnasts and local business owners; I really want to get the local community involved."

"Okay…I like the idea of that. I think its great getting the community involved."

"Right, so I started thinking of you and your dance studio and thinking that it would be a great idea if you could come on the show and talk about your dancing career and your life in England and how it has helped shape and influence your life…stuff like that."

Kat chuckled. "Well, thanks Aisha for thinking of me…"

"Tanya is always talking about how great of a dancer you are and she evened showed me picture of you while you were abroad so I'm eager to hear about your career and life abroad…that must have been such a wonderful experience."

"Yeah, it was an incredible experience…although I must say…" she said leaning in closer, "I don't think anything can top being a power ranger," Kat said laughing.

"Yes, most definitely," Aisha said joining in on the laughter...

"Katherine, what else has gone on with you?"

"Besides running my studio…nothing really has been going on with me kind of the same old…same old…"

"That sounds like fun," Aisha chided.

Kat cut her eyes at her. "Sometimes it's for the better…especially with me trying to run my business stability has definitely been a welcomed changed."

"Stability huh?" she remarked leaning in closer to Kat, "like being closer to the ones you love?"

"Yeah…something like…that," Kat said taking a sip of her drink.

"I understand…that's how I felt about moving back to Angel Grove."

"Is that so?" Kat asked.

"Yeah…" Aisha said nodding, "spending all those years in abroad was great, I met some really wonderful people and it was great getting to travel. And not to mention watching kids learn to read and write. Those were definitely some of the best moments in my life. But all in all those were some great moments it just felt great being able to come back here to my home."

Kat snickered. "That's exactly how I felt about leaving London. I enjoyed every moment that I spent there…well expect for that…" she trailed off.

"Expect for what?"

"Whenever Tommy left me."

"He left you? What do you mean by that?"

"The teaching job over in Reefside," she said staring out of the window.

"Oh…wow…I knew about Tommy teaching over there, but I had no idea that he had left you…"

"Yeah…he did…"

"But wait…weren't you guys living together in England?"

"Yeah…we were."

"So how could have left you then, if you guys were together?"

"He didn't leave me per-say," Kat said sighing, "when he was offered the teaching position, we sat down and talked about it and decided that it was best for him to take the job. It was a really bittersweet moment for me, I was happy for him but at the same time torn that he would be leaving me once again. Sometimes I wish I could back in time and tell him that he should stay with me…" she trailed off cupping her head in her hands.

"Katherine…I'm so sorry to hear that," Aisha said reaching over embracing her hand.

"Wow…I'm sorry…about that…I don't know what came over me," she said regressing back into her chair.

"It's cool; we're friends after-all?"

"Of course," she said with a grin.

"Everything going ok between you and Tommy now?"

"Yeah…things are going great…especially now that him and his research partners maybe opening up a center here in town things are definitely looking better for us."

"That's great to hear," Aisha chirped.

"Thanks."

"So what has Tommy been up since he's been back in town?"

"He's been hanging out a lot with his uncle. I think he's really been trying to keep his mind off of work as much as possible."

"That's great…can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"I don't know if this is…would be out of line but is everything ok with Tommy?" she asking peering into her bright blue eyes.

"What? Why wouldn't it be?!"

Aisha sucked in a deep breath recoiling herself she had to execute this in the perfect manner.

"You know the other day when I stopped by your place…well whenever I was getting ready to head out to the patio, I overheard Tommy on the phone…and he seemed very…upset and agitated with whoever he was speaking with…"

Kat's face grew pale; she sat back in her chair seemingly trying to recall something.

"I wonder if that had something to do with him waking up in the middle of night saying something about meeting his uncle."

She glared at her, Kat seemed to be speaking more to herself than to Aisha. She didn't want to interrupt her thoughts, seeing how this could be the break that she needed to locate the morphers.

"He woke up in the middle of the night…saying that he was going to help his uncle out on his house…and I remembered asking him who in the world works on their house in the middle of the night…that…Tommy!" Kat growled.

"Katherine…do you know if he ended up going over to his uncle's house?"

She remained quiet staring down at the table.

"Aisha…I'm really sorry but I think…I should go…now," she said standing.

"I apologize if I may have upset…you."

"No…" she cried shaking her head, "there…is…something that I need to do…Aisha please keep me updated on the promotional stuff. Okay?"

"Sure thing."

"Bye," Kat said rushing passing all the patrons disappearing in the parking lot.

Aisha took a long sip of her drink savoring its rich, sweet favor.

"Let's see…that's two down…and two more to go…" she snickered...

"Please have a seat."

"Thanks," she said plopping back against the canvas chair.

"Would you like anything to drink?"

"Water please."

She turned watching Adam slip inside.

Aisha glanced around his immaculate patio.

"Here you go."

"Thanks."

"No problem," Adam said taking a seat beside her.

"Thanks so much for coming over," he said sighing.

"Of course…you know I'm always here for you."

"Aisha…I…just don't know what to do about Tanya…"

"What do you mean?"

"I don't understand why she was so pissed off at me today."

She shrugged. "I don't know Adam…she was just fine this morning when I saw her…"

"That's just it…I know that we haven't really been talking that much but the way she just went off on me…"

"I don't understand …wow I should have never stopped by the station…maybe that set her off or something…she hadn't really been speaking to me so I don't know why I thought it would be a great idea to go there and surprise her…"

"Oh…Adam…I'm really sorry If I had any idea…I would have…never-"

"No…no…Aisha it's not your fault…I should have known better than to try and surprise her like that especially seeing how fragile things have been between us lately."

"I'm so sorry…" she said reaching over for his hand.

"It's cool…" Adam said embracing her hand.

He turned away sniffing.

"Adam…are you?"

"No…of course not," he said wiping his face.

Aisha smiled shaking her head. "You know it's okay…you are upset and hurting…"

"Aisha, did she say or mention anything to you?"

"About what?"

"I don't know…about being upset…oh never mind," he cried throwing up his hands...

"Thanks for hearing me out…I really appreciate it."

"Anytime…anytime…I'm just happy that you're feeling better…somewhat."

"I'm definitely feeling better after talking to you."

"I'm glad to hear that."

"I must get going," she said reaching over hugging him.

"My bad for keeping you out so late," Adam said wrapping his arms around her.

She clutched her arms tightly around his slender muscular frame. "It's cool anything for my best friend."

"Thanks girl…well take care have a good night," he said with a bright smile.

"You too Adam…" she said stepping away from him. "Don't hesitate to call or text me if you need or want to talk."

"Definitely…see you later."

Aisha threw up a hand as she made her over to her car.

Tanya shifted inside her seat. She sucked in a long cool breath massaging her throbbing temples. She turned her attention back over towards Adam's house. Aisha's car was gone and he was back inside. After spending a few hours trying to cool down and collect her, Tanya decided the best way to get to the bottom of what she seen today was to confront Adam about it. Once she worked up the nerve she arrived at his place a little over thirty minutes ago and she hesitated once she saw the familiar car parked in his driveway.

She didn't know what to make of the situation as she watched the two of them embracing one another outside his door. She kept contemplation back and forth in her mind whether she should just go and talk to him. But the longer she sat there the more furious she became so in the end she decided it would best not say to anything to him for now and try to mule over her anger at the situation...

Tanya arrived home to a silent and seemingly empty house. She dragged over to her room, lying down on her bed not bothering turning on any lights. She turned over peering at the cracks of lights shining from the blinds.

She shut her eyes trying to concentrate on anything but Adam and what transpired between him, her and Aisha today.