Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of Power Rangers just the ones I make up in the story.

Chapter 20: The Plea Deal

Southwood County Courthouse, Angel Grove

March 18, 1997

11 am

Kim, Tommy, Aisha, Trini, Jason, and Tommy's Parents were sitting behind the prosecution in the county courthouse. Today was the day that Kat and Tanya would enter a plea. The district attorney decided that both Kat and Tanya were not a threat to the community and that what happened to Kim was a targeted incident. He and the prosecution have decided to offer Kat and Tanya a plea bargain. According to the plea bargain, if Kat and Tanya would plead guilty, their sentences would only be 7 years in jail with 3 years of probation. Then the defense had countered the plea bargain, saying that if their clients plead no contest they would serve 3 years in jail with 3 years extended supervision. The prosecution said they wouldn't take the offer unless it had a stay away order, which means that Kat and Tanya couldn't come within 500 feet of Tommy, Kim, and Luca. Kim, who thought that 7 years in jail and 3 years of probation was a little too extreme plus wanting to move on with her life, she accepted the third choice.

According to Kat's statement she wanted to get revenge on Tommy for ignoring her attempts to make him leave Kim for her. She thought that if she did something to Kim and took his son that it would eliminate her competition and Tommy would have no choice but to go to Kat.

According to Tanya's statement she would do anything for Kat and help her get her way. As for stealing the silver car she said that she just "borrowed" the car to help Kat get away with Luca.

As for how come they abandoned Luca at Tommy's church they said they were being watched wherever they went, and that people were suspicious. They said that the baby didn't want anything to do with them when they tried to take care of him. Kim confirmed that Luca was very shy around strangers. That started when he was two months old. Whenever a stranger tried to hold him he would squirm and cry and flail his arms.

The judge came out then and sat down.

"Well, I see that both the prosecution and defense have agreed on a plea deal with the defendants. 3 years in jail and 3 years extended supervision plus a stay away order which I'll explain to the defendants and the victim and her boyfriend separately as soon as courts adjourned. Now to enter the pleas," the judge said.

"Okay, Tanya Lynn Sloan, do you understand the charges against you?"

"Yes, I understand," Tanya said.

"Now that you understand the charges against you what do you plea?"

"Guilty, your honor."

"Now, Katherine Mae Hillard, do you understand the charges against you?"

"Yes. I…I understand," Kat said.

"Now that you understand the charges against you, what do you plea?"

Katherine thought for a minute and her lawyer shot her a warning look, that said that she had to plea what she agreed to when the plea deal was signed.

Tommy squeezed Kim's hand and Kim gulped, like the worst was about to happen.

"Guilty…No, I can't…agree to the plea bargain…I mean, that's my right, right?" Kat asked her lawyer.

"You can, but you'll be held in contempt in the judge's chambers," her lawyer said.

"Kat don't do this! Think about me, and your family…" Tanya said.

"Are you turning against me?!" Kat asked incredulously.

"No, I'm not…" Tanya started to say.

"So I'm taking that your client won't agree to the plea deal even though she signed it beforehand?" the judge asked Kat's lawyer.

"I think we need to have a meeting in your chambers, your honor. The defendants, their parents, the defense, and the prosecution. Right now," Kat's lawyer said.

"Okay, court is adjourned for 15 minutes for a brief recess," the judge said as both parties filed out of courts and headed for the judge's chambers.

Kim looked like she was about to cry. Then she got up and left the courtroom.

After a few minutes Tommy got up and went to find Kim. He left the courtroom and looked down the hall. He saw Kim sitting on a bench, her head in her hands. She was crying.

"Kim, it's going to be okay…" Tommy started to say when she interrupted him.

"But it's not okay! Kat's going to change her plea and I won't be able to sleep at night!" Kim sobbed.

"Maybe the judge will talk her out of it," Tommy said.

"What if he can't?" Kim asked.

"Then we'll have to deal with a trial," Tommy said.

Soon the 15 minutes were up and both parties came back to the courtroom. They sat down on their respective sides and the judge took his seat.

"Okay, after that meeting I had with both parties, one of the defendants…Miss Hillard, in this case, wished to withdraw her guilty plea after the fact that she signed papers agreeing to the plea deal. She doesn't agree with the stay away order. I have come to the decision after talking with the prosecution separately that it would be in the best interests of the victim, her boyfriend, and son that Miss Hillard's plea withdrawal be rejected. The papers are already signed so she has to enter the guilty plea, which we'll do now," the judge said.

Kat looked dejected as she sat in her seat, waiting for the judge to ask her the plea question.

"Okay, Katherine Mae Hillard, now that you understand the charges against you, what do you plea?"

"Guilty, your honor," Kat said quietly.

"Okay, we got both guilty pleas entered so there will be no further action taken in the court system. Case is dismissed, court is adjourned," the judge said as Kim, Tommy, and their friends and Tommy's parents hugged each other in relief.

Kat and Tanya were taken away to the bus that would take them to jail. Kim and Tommy walked out of the courthouse hand in hand.

"I think it's time we get you home, beautiful. Luca is probably waiting for you to give him his bottle," Tommy said.

"Yes, let's go home," Kim said as they headed to Jan's van for the ride home.