A/N Power Ranger Zeo Settings and Characters all belong to Haim Saban and Toei Company and the Fox. Any original characters and this story are copyright © 2011-2023 to Hopelessromanticgurl, all rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

Thank you mae-E for being my beta!


At the Youth, Center Kat sat at the counter with a chocolate, banana smoothie in front of her. She stirred it with her straw just staring into it.

"You ok, Kat?" Ernie asked. "You seem a bit down."

"Kim and I had a fight. I said and did things I can't take back. I don't know if Kim will ever forgive me." She sighed.

"You and Kim have been friends for a long time. I'm sure you'll make up. How is Kim, by the way?" Ernie asked.

Kat shrugged. "She doesn't speak to me anymore. She won't even go near me."

"I'm sorry."

"Thanks. Me too."

"How about another smoothie, on the house?"

"Extra chocolate and less banana?" Kat asked.

Ernie laughed. "You got it."

"You're the best," Kat said with a small smile.

Ernie went back to the kitchen. Kat continued to stir her smoothie not paying attention to anyone around her. She failed to notice a guy in the distance watching her.

"JJ! Stop drooling!"

The guy watching Kat jumped and turned to the young girl next to him. "I'm not drooling, LJ, I dropped my drink."

"Yeah, yeah, sure." the girl laughed.

The guy blushed. His name was Jacob Johnson or JJ for short. The young girl was his twin sister Lily Johnson or LJ for short. Even though their gender was different, they were very identical. Brown hair, blue eyes, and a few freckles.

JJ had the biggest crush on Kat. They had just moved to Angel Grove a few months ago and were still getting to know people. JJ was completely awestruck by Kat and couldn't wait to get to know her. The only problem was he was too terrified to go talk to her.

"Go talk to her, JJ. You know you want to," LJ said.

"Of course I want to. That isn't the problem. The problem is I can't. The last time I tried at school I tripped and fell into an open trash can."

LJ giggled. "I'll be here this time to make sure there are no trash cans."

JJ sighed.

"JJ, you helped me when I needed it the most. You got me through the darkest moment in my life. Please, let me do this for you."

JJ looked to her with a small smirk, "You had to play that card, didn't you?"

LJ smirked back. "It's the truth."

Finally, he inhaled and exhaled a deep breath. "Ok, I'll do it. But if I make a fool of myself, you can pay for the new house when we move."

Giggling LJ nodded. "You got it."

JJ slowly started to walk toward Kat. He began to envision their first meeting. They would gaze lovingly into each other's eyes and fall instantly in love. He was so deep in thought he failed to see the steps leading up to the counter. Once again he tripped. This time he stumbled into another person carrying a smoothie. To make the situation worse that smoothie fell right into the lap of none other than Kat herself.

JJ started to apologize quickly and frantically. He didn't know if he should cry or just run. Kat would never give him a chance now. He looked up to face the music, and he couldn't have been more shocked by what he saw. Kat was laughing, she was actually laughing. He had spilled smoothie all over her, and she was laughing?

His face turned bright red, and he forced back the urge to cry. He was so embarrassed.

Kat finally made eye contact with him and noticed the look on his face and tried to get control of her laughter. "I'm so sorry. I don't mean to laugh. Well…I did just not at you, more at the situation."

"You're handling this surprisingly well," JJ said.

"Honestly, with everything else I have going on in my life right now, a spilled smoothie is the least of my problems. That's why I'm laughing." Kat explained.

"Well I really am sorry, are you sure I can't make this up to you somehow? I can buy you a new shirt or pay for dry cleaning? How about another smoothie on me, this time I promise you'll be able to drink it not wear it."

Kat giggled softly. "Honestly, I'm ok. Haven't you ever heard of the expression no use crying over spilled smoothie?"

"I thought it was spilled milk?"

"Same thing." Kat smiled. It had been so long since she had last smiled a real smile.

"Well at least let me be your ear," JJ said gently.

"I'm sorry?" Kat looked confused.

JJ blushed once more. "I mean an ear. You said you had a lot going on. If you'd like to talk about it, I'll listen."

"Oh…uh…well…it's not really something I can talk about it." Kat looked down. She'd love to talk about to someone who could be objective, but there was so much she wasn't allowed to talk about.

"How about we just go for a walk in the park or something like that. You can tell me as little or as much as you want. I'll listen or just keep you company."

Kat smiled. She had been alone for too long. "I'd like that. It's just…" Kat looked down to her now ruined shirt.

"I'll buy you a new shirt first." He promised.

Kat smiled and nodded. "You've got yourself a deal. I'm Kat by the way."

"JJ."

JJ put his hand out to her, and she took it feeling small sparks rush through her when they touched. Together, hand in hand they left the Youth Center.


Just as they were walking out, Jason and Trini were walking in. None of them noticed each other.

Jason and Trini went and took a seat at the counter.

"Hey Guys, what can I get for you?" Ernie asked.

"Just a bottle of water will be fine," Trini said softly.

"I'm not really hungry or thirsty for anything at the moment," Jason said.

"You two look like you just lost your best friends," Ernie said. "Is everything ok?"

"We did," Trini whispered.

"Does this have anything to do with Kimberly?" Ernie asked. "I know Kat just told me she and Kimberly were having some problems too."

"It's like she doesn't trust us anymore," Jason said.

"The more we try to be there for her the more she pulls away," Trini added.

Ernie sighed. "You know, my niece went through something like this, and after it happened, she didn't go near any male human being, including myself and her father. It was hard, and it hurt me so bad because all I wanted was for her to know that I loved her and I wanted to be there for her but every time I got within a foot of her she'd instantly run away and hide behind her mother. But I never gave up and continued to love her and be there for her as much as I could. Even if we had to have conversations from separate corners of the room, I still made an effort. One day, I'll never forget it was Christmas Day, and I was talking with my nephew, and my niece walks over to me, sits directly next to me and places a present in my lap. She gave me a hug and wished me a Merry Christmas. Till this day, I don't remember what the gift was. I didn't care because the best gift I could have ever gotten was her speaking to me and sitting next to me."

Trini sniffed and wiped a lone tear as it slipped down her cheek.

"She told me that she appreciated me continuing to try and be there for her even if she tried to push me away. She said I reminded her of a yo-yo. No matter how many times she pushed me away, I always came right back. Now she calls me Uncle Yo-yo."

Trini and Jason chuckled.

"That's a beautiful story," Jason said.

"It's all true."

Jason and Trini shared a look and seconds later they were up and out of their seats.

"Where are you going?" Ernie called out to them.

"To be Yo-yos," Jason called back as he and Trini left the Youth Center.

Ernie chuckled. He looked out, and a young girl caught his eye. He smiled and waved her over. The young girls rushed over with a smile and took a seat at the counter.

"Hey LJ."

"Hey, Uncle Yo-Yo…"


Jason and Trini landed in the Command Center in a flash of red and yellow.

"Zordon where..."

"I have teleported Kim and the others back to her room," Zordon answered cutting him off.

"Is she ok?" Jason asked again.

"Of course she is. The other rangers are with her." Trini answered.

"Actually, I think I might have been mistaken earlier. Once you left Kimberly's attitude changed drastically. She became very quiet and withdrawn. She didn't want to speak to anyone and clung to Tommy not wanting to let go. Whatever is happening to Kimberly you two are a big part of it."

Jason and Trini smiled softly.

"I was ready to be a yo-yo." Jason teased.

Trini giggled.

"I'm sorry I don't understand," Zordon said.

Both Trini and Jason chuckled. "It's ok, Zordon. It's not important. Can you teleport us to Kimberly?"

"Of course. Teleporting now."

In a flash of yellow and red, they were gone.

They arrived in the bedroom to see Kimberly curled up on the bed in Tommy's arms. Everyone was talking to her and trying to coax her from Tommy's arms, but she didn't budge.

"Kim…" Jason said.

Kimberly looked up at them, and a second later she leaped off the bed and rushed over to them with tears streaming down her cheeks. She pulled both Jason and Trini into her arms as tight as she could. "I'm sorry!" She cried. "Please don't ever leave me again. I'm so sorry! I love you both so, so much! I'm so, so sorry!"

"No, Kim, we're sorry. We shouldn't have just left like that." Jason rubbed her back and hugged her tighter. "We know you love us and you know we love you!"

"Even if we're not a part of whatever magical thing is happening to you we're going to be by your side the entire time too," Trini said.

"Actually…" Tommy said as he climbed off the bed and walked over to them. "I think Zordon might have made a mistake. The second the two of you left Kimberly withdrew into herself again. She didn't speak or anything."

Tommy knew Kimberly better than anyone. So he knew most of her quietness was due to the guilt of hurting her two best friends. But he also knew Kimberly had enough going on without adding the guilt to it. So he decided to make everyone feel better. Besides, it wasn't a complete lie. Kimberly did need Jason and Trini by her side to get through this.

"It's ok, Tommy. You don't have to lie to us." Jason chuckled.

"Yeah we appreciate what you and Zordon are doing, but we're ok." Trini nodded.

Kimberly looked up at them. "He isn't lying."

"Yes, he is, and we appreciate it, but it's not necessary." Jason smiled. "We are going to be by your side no matter what."

Kimberly gave them both another tight hug and then let them go. She already felt a little better.


JJ and Kat shopped around for a while looking for a new shirt for Kat to wear. She was currently wearing JJ's sweater to cover the stains.

"Hey, how about this one?" JJ held up a white shirt with a mock pink ranger suit on the front. On the back, it said "pink kicks butt."

Kat giggled at the irony of the shirt. Even though she didn't feel much like the pink ranger these days.

"I could see you kicking butt just like the pink ranger," JJ said.

Kat smiled as a rush of confidence went through her. It had been a while since she had someone have faith in her. It felt nice. All of a sudden butterflies tickled her stomach making her blush. "Thanks, that means a lot."

"So is this the one?" JJ asked.

"Yeah, that's the one." Kat smiled.

JJ went to the register and bought the shirt and then handed it to Kat and waited for her as she changed.


After Kat changed, she walked out with her dirty shirt slung over her arm. She walked over to JJ. He reached over and took it from her.

"What are you doing?" She asked.

"I'm not going to let you pay for dry cleaning. I'll get it cleaned and returned to you."

"That's sweet JJ, but you don't have to do that."

"Of course I do. I'm the one who spilled the drink on you. I should be the one to get it washed."

"Are you sure? You really don't have to."

JJ smiled. "I know I don't have to. I want to."

Kat smiled as the butterflies tickled her belly once more. It was official she had a crush on JJ.

JJ returned to The Youth Center and went over to the counter. He leaned against it smiling widely.

"JJ, are you ok?" Ernie asked.

"Isn't life just grand?" JJ asked.

Ernie and LJ laughed.

"I'd say someone had a good time on their date." LJ teased.

JJ blushed. "It wasn't a date."

"You wish it was though."

JJ just blushed redder.

"All right, Bashful back to work." Ernie chuckled. "Table six need to be wiped down."

JJ sighed but nodded. "Oh by the way...can I have some money for dry cleaning?"

Ernie and LJ laughed. "Tell you what," Ernie said. "You can earn it."

"Deal." JJ laughed. He headed over to wipe down the tables.


That night Tommy and Kimberly laid in bed wide awake. They both thought the other was asleep so neither of them said anything. Finally, Kimberly rolled onto her side letting out a small sigh.

"Why are you still awake?" Tommy asked.

She jumped startled by his voice. But then countered back "Why are you still awake?'

"Can't sleep. You?"

"Can't sleep."

"What's on your mind?" Tommy asked.

"I think it's pretty obvious what's on my mind, Tommy. Why don't we skip that and you tell me what's on your mind?" Kimberly answered.

"It's nothing important. Do you want me to call the others and we can have a sleepover? That might help you sleep."

"No, I don't think that will help."

"Talking about it might..." Tommy told her.

"It doesn't matter. It's not going to change anything." Kimberly sighed.

"No, it won't. But might make you feel better. "You can at least. Tell me what happened with Rocky the other day. Why did that phrase upset you? I thought you were getting passed it."

"I'm actually exhausted. I think I'm going to go to sleep. Good night, Tommy." She rolled onto her other side and closed her eyes pretending to go to sleep.

Tommy sighed. He went back to staring at the ceiling. He had a horrible feeling he knew what Kimberly was hiding. He just wished she'd tell him...or at least tell him he is wrong. Either way, he'd have an answer. Until then he'd just have to wait. With that final thought, he fell into a restless sleep.


Tommy felt like he had just fallen asleep when he heard his name called. He stirred and groaned softly. He opened his eyes to see Zordon had teleported himself to the room he was in.

"I'm sorry to wake you, Tommy. However, there is a battle in the park. The Rangers need your help." He said.

Tommy looked to Kim and back to Zordon. "If she wakes up and I'm gone…"

"I have already taken care of that."

Seconds later a flash of red and yellow landed in the room.

"Jason, Trini, Aisha." Tommy smiled.

"Go, we will take care of Kim," Jason said.

Tommy nodded. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

In a flash of red, he was gone.

Almost as if she could sense it, Kimberly started to stir. "Tommy…"

"Shh." Jason soothed. "You're safe. Tommy will be right back."

Kimberly slowly opened her eyes and looked around. "Jason, Trini, Aisha what's going on?"

"Tommy was needed in a battle. We are here to spend time with our favorite pink ranger." Jason smiled.

"In other words, Zordon and Tommy want you to babysit me." Kimberly teased as she slowly sat up.

"Not exactly." Jason chuckled. "We know you don't need a babysitter, but even you have to admit you feel better when you're not alone."

"That's true." Kimberly yawned and stretched.

Aisha, Jason, and Trini joined her on the bed. Kimberly leaned back into Jason letting out a content sigh.

"How did you sleep?" Jason asked noticing the dark circles under her eyes.

"About the same as I've been sleeping for the past several months," Kimberly answered.

"Nightmares keeping you awake?" Trini asked gently.

Kimberly just nodded.

Knowing Kimberly wouldn't talk about her nightmares Jason decided to change the subject. "Do you guys remember when Rita took control of our dreams and gave us all nightmares?"

"Oh yeah." Trini nodded. "Those were weird."

"I think I'd rather suffer through a Rita nightmare than the current ones," Kimberly said honestly. "Compared to my current ones the Rita ones weren't that bad."

Kimberly grew quiet after that. Jason, Aisha, and Trini shared a look, unsure of what to do or say?"

"Do you want to talk about them? They might help?" Aisha asked softly.

"No," Kimberly answered softly. "I'd rather forget."

"Hey Kim, should we tell Aisha about that time we gave Jason a makeover and made him look like his mother?"

Aisha laughed. "Uh yes! You have to tell me that story."

"No, you really don't." Jason blushed.

Kimberly smiled softly. "I remember that."

"We were having a sleepover and Jason fell asleep early. So Kim and I decided to put makeup on him while he slept. When he woke up we convinced him we were going to play dress up, but Kim and I were going to wear boys clothes, so he had to wear girls clothes. He wore one of Kim's dresses and high heel shoes. His mother walked in and was so thrilled to see him all dressed up that she just had to take pictures. She kept saying how much he looked just like her." Trini laughed.

Kimberly giggled as Aisha bust into hysterical laughter.

"That is awesome! Please tell me I can get a copy of that picture?"

"I'll have to check with his mother, but I'm sure you could."

"Awesome!"

"Kim, do you remember that time we made Jason pee his pants?"

"Did you really?" Aisha gasped.

"No, they didn't." Jason defended. "I spilled water on myself."

Kimberly giggled and shook her head. "Your mom never let us have drinks in the living room before she didn't want us to spill anything on the couch."

"We scared you so bad that you wet yourself."

"I did not wet myself! I spilled a cup of water."

Trini and Kimberly laughed and shook their heads.

"I've got to hear this story," Aisha said.

"No, we don't," Jason said. But he couldn't help but smile as Kimberly laughed hysterically with Trini and Aisha. He was glad Kim was laughing and having a good time. He just wished it didn't have to be at his expense.

"Sounds like someone is having a good time."

Kimberly smiled at the voice. "Tommy!"

She jumped off the bed and rushed into his arms. He picked her up and swung her around making her laugh.

He set her down and kissed her forehead. "Having fun?"

Kimberly nodded. "Yes, we're telling Aisha stories of when we were kids."

"Or more specifically embarrassing things I did when I was a kid," Jason said.

"Sounds like fun." Tommy chuckled. "Did you tell her the one about the petting zoo?"

"Oh yeah!" Trini laughed. "I forgot about that one!"

"OK, that was not my fault. That sheep was going to attack!" Jason said quickly.

Kimberly laughed hysterically with her friends. It felt nice to laugh and have fun again.


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