A/N These two weeks went by faster than I expected. I know it's late and I'm really sorry about that. But as promised, here is the full chapter of "Stealing Pink". Now I am going to warn you, the next chapter will be all about the journey for Tommy, Kat, and Kim. I really want it to turn out good and I really want you guys to like it. So, it might take more than a week to get it finished. But I promise when I do publish it, it will be epic! So please hang in there with me as me and my co-writer get it written. Thank you. Now without further ado, here is the full chapter.
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.
Kimberly sat on the small bed in the doctor's office waiting for the nurse to come in and give out the shots. The others were in the room with her. They had all already gone, and gotten their shots. Now it was her turn.
Kimberly rolled up her sleeves and the nurse cleaned the area. Then she neared Kimberly with the shot.
"NO! STAY AWAY FROM ME! HELP! STAY AWAY FROM ME!" Kimberly screeched. She leaped off the table and ran to the other corner of the room. "STAY AWAY FROM ME!"
"This shot will help you. I promise. It's a small pinch and it's all over. Now be a good little girl and hold still." The nurse said.
"GET AWAY! GET AWAY!" Kimberly screamed. Suddenly the nurse turned in her Coach and the rangers vanished.
Kimberly let out a blood curling scream, her crane screeching out in pure fear.
"PECAN PIE! PECAN PIE!"
Suddenly the room started to vanish. She looked around and realized she was in the simulation room at the Command Center. She panted softly as Tommy rushed over to her. "It's ok, you're safe. I've got you."
They had been practicing in the simulation room for a few days now and it had always ended up with Kimberly on the floor in the corner crying hysterically.
Tommy was honestly starting to wonder if she was really ready to get her flu shot or not. He just hoped that when it came time for the real thing she was ready.
That day came fast, faster than Kimberly would have liked. She had hoped when the time came she'd feel ready and confident. Now all she felt was nervousness as her mind continued to think of the worse possible things that could happen.
"You ready, Beautiful?" Tommy asked.
"No, not really. Can Zordon write me an excuse note to get me out of it?" She asked softly.
Tommy chuckled. "I don't think Doctor notes work if you're trying to get out of going to a doctor."
"What if I hurt this person? I really should stay here. It's safer for everyone."
Again Tommy chuckled. "You're not getting out of this, Beautiful. Remember, you said it yourself. You're ready to start healing and moving on. You're ready to face your fears."
"That wasn't me. That was my evil twin." Kimberly mumbled.
"I'm sure it was." Tommy chuckled. "Let me guess, is your evil twin a vampire who can't get shots or else they will explode?"
Kimberly didn't answer, but she didn't have to. Tommy laughed and took her hands in his own. "You're going to do great, Beautiful. I'm going to be right by your side the entire time."
Kimberly inhaled and exhaled a deep breath. Then she nodded.
They locked hands and together they left the Command Center.
They arrived at the Doctor's office and took their seat as Jason checked them in.
"This is going to be easy, Kim." Rocky said. "We are going to go inside, we will take a seat on the table, and roll up our sleeves. Then the nurse clean the area with a cold wet wipe, and then we get the shot, and it's over. 1...2...3 and it's over."
"I know how getting shots works, Rocky. I certainly got enough of them!" Kimberly snapped. Then she bowed her head and frowned. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you."
"It's ok. Just try not to worry about it. You're going to do great." Rocky smiled.
"Thanks." Kimberly said softly.
Less than five minutes later Kimberly stood up and walked over to one of the magazine racks.To anyone else it looked as if she was searching for a good magazine to look at. Tommy walked over and wrapped his arms around her waist. She leaned back into him.
"What makes you so scared of the shots, Beautiful? Is it the pain? The pain will only last a few seconds and then it's over." He asked through their connection.
"It's not the pain. I've gotten used to the pinch. The thing I fear most is not having control of it, being held down and forced to endure the shot without having consent of when or if it's given to me. Plus lately whenever I see a needle it causes flashbacks." She answered through the connection. "Right before...right before he took advantage of me he drugged me. This one was different. It made me weak, it made me tired. He made sure I was powerless to fight back. That's what I'm scared of."
"I promise you will not be given the flu shot until you're 100% ready and you tell the nurse you're ready. The medicine in the flu shot may make you a little sleepy or feel a little sick. But I promise you it will not make you feel powerless to fight if you need to. I promise this will not be like the injections you've been given in the past."
Kimberly just nodded and inhaled and exhaled a deep breath.
Their names were called and everyone went to the back room.
Jason went first and took a seat on the bed. It had been decided that Kimberly would go last. Seeing all the ranger get a shot and be perfectly fine would help ease her fear.
After watching all the rangers, including Tommy get theirs it was Kimberly's turn.
She shook her head. "Tommy, I can't do this. Let's just go home."
"You can do this. I know you can. I have faith in you. It's time to have some faith in yourself."
Kimberly nodded as she inhaled and exhaled a deep breath. She stood up and walked over to the bed.
She slowly started to roll up her sleeves. As she saw the faded white dots on her arm she felt sick. The flashbacks started and she quickly pulled her sleeves down and went to run to Tommy, but he was already by her side. She shook her head as she buried it in his chest. "I can't. I can't. No more needles, please no more needles."
"Shhh." Tommy soothed rubbing her back. "You're safe. I'm right here. This shot will only help you. It won't hurt you. I just got the same one and I feel fine. I promise."
Tommy noticed the nurse walking toward them needle in hand, ready to inject Kim. Tommy put a hand up and shook his head at her. The point of this was to help Kimberly overcome her fears of needles. That wasn't going to happen if the nurse injected it into her while she was distracting.
"He always said that. He always promised it wouldn't hurt me but then it did. It always hurt me." She whimpered, not even noticing the nurse.
"I know, Angel. But that was your Coach, he always lied to you. This is me, I would never lie to you. You know that. So trust me, Beautiful."
Kimberly looked up from his chest. He had a good point. Her Coach always lied to her. Tommy always told her the truth. If Tommy said the needle wouldn't hurt her than it had to be true. She looked back to the nurse who was waiting for her to be ready. She looked to her friends who nodded encouragingly at her. With one last deep breath she turned to the nurse and nodded.
The nurse slowly walked toward her. Tommy grabbed her hand and held it, kissing her knuckles.
Kimberly held her breath as the nurse lifted her sleeve and cleaned a small area.
"Breathe, Angel. Breathe. I'm right here." Tommy said softly.
Letting out her breath the nurse injected her arm and then pulled it out.
"There you go, all done. See that wasn't so bad, was it? Although based on the marks on your arm, I'd assume you'd be used to it." The nurse said and left the room.
Kimberly looked down feeling ashamed, but seconds later she was swept off the table and spun around causing giggles to spill from her mouth.
"Tommy!" She giggled.
"You did it! I am so proud of you!" Tommy cheered.
"I'd say a celebration is in order. Smoothies from Ernie's on me." Jason said.
"I just want to go home, please." Kimberly said softly as Tommy set her down. She tugged on her sleeves making sure all her marks were covered.
"Don't let that nurse get to you. You just overcame one of your biggest fears. You should be proud. You should celebrate." Tommy said. He leaned closer to her and whispered. "Besides you kicked Dragon's butt. If you can do that, that nurse doesn't stand a chance."
Kimberly giggled and blushed. She nodded her head. "You're right. Let's go. If Jason's buying I'm getting three."
Everyone laughed as they headed out of the office.
Meanwhile in Angel Grove park Kat sat on a large black and white checkered blanket with JJ and LJ. They had the day off and decided to spend some time outside since the weather was so nice.
"So Kat, JJ told me he showed you his comics." LJ said.
"Yeah, they are amazing...you are amazing." Kat smiled.
LJ blushed. "You're right. They are amazing. But I was really wondering if you knew anything about this new character he's creating?"
"No, and it's driving me crazy!" Kat groaned.
JJ chuckled. "I told you both, you have to wait and see when it's finished."
"You can't get it out of him either?" Kat asked.
LJ shook her head. "Nope. I've tried everything, even tickling him."
Kat chuckled. "Have you tried sneaking into his room and reading it while he wasn't home?"
"Excuse me, whose side are you on?" JJ asked playfully.
"Yeah, I couldn't find it. He's got it hidden under lock and key somewhere." LJ answered ignoring him.
"I guess we have no choice." Kat sighed. "We have to wait and see."
LJ nodded. "Even though it's not really fair." She said with a long deep sigh. "Those comics are the only thing that make me happy in life. It's would be nice to have something to look forward to."
Trying not to laugh Kat nodded. "Yeah, you're right. It does make me really sad that we have to wait so long to find out. I'd be so much happier if we could just get a little peek." They both popped out their bottom lip and looked at JJ with their biggest, best puppy dog eyes.
JJ laughed and then groaned. "You two are unbelievable. I knew I shouldn't have introduced you two. Now it's double trouble."
"Pwease, JJ. You're the bestest big brother." LJ said.
JJ laughed and shook his head. "Ok, ok, put the lips away. I'll give you guys a hint."
"Yes!" They both cheered.
"The new character is going to be a sidekick, well...more like a partner. The Statin Sash, can't keep fighting crime on her own. She needs a partner."
"Finally, please tell me it's a boy, who she can fall in love with?"
JJ laughed. "You know that would completely destroy everything The Statin Sash stands for."
"I know but still. She does need someone in her life."
"Trust me, she'll be getting someone even better than a boyfriend." JJ said and looked at Kat with a smile. "Both of you need to trust me. That's all the information I'm giving you."
"Awww!" The both whined.
He chuckled. Then he knocked them both backwards onto the their backs and started to tickle them as they laughed and squealed.
"This will teach you both to team up on me!"
Seconds later a dozen cogs appeared out of nowhere.
LJ let out a scream as she noticed them. JJ gasped and quickly pulled both girls to their feet.
"What are those things?" JJ asked.
"I don't know but we need to get out of here." LJ said.
"Go, go, I'll be right behind you." Kat said urging them away. Zordon would kill her if she actually ever ran away from the cogs.
LJ ran first with JJ close behind her. He assumed Kat was right behind him. But as soon as they were both far enough away Kat turned around to face the cogs. She glared at them and then began to fight.
LJ and JJ continued to run as fast as they could.
"Are they still chasing us?" LJ asked as she stopped to catch her breath.
JJ stopped and looked behind them. He gasped. "Kat! She's not here."
"What! Where did she go?" LJ asked.
"I don't know. But I have to find her! Stay here, get behind one of the trees."
"JJ no!" LJ cried. "If you're going I'm coming with you."
"It's too dangerous." JJ argued. "I don't want you getting hurt."
"So leaving me here by myself is better plan?"
"You're right. Come on. Just stay behind me and do as I say."
LJ nodded.
Together they took off running again, back toward where they had left Kat.
Kat paused for a moment to catch her breath. "What do you ugly robot heads want anyway!" She groaned.
A few dozen more cogs appeared and Kat groaned once more. "I can't keep this up much longer. I'm going to need some help." She put her wrist to her mouth. "Zordon, I'm in the park, I'm outnumbered by cogs. I need help."
Then she grabbed her pink zeo crystal. "Zeo Ranger 1 Pink." She cried out and was changed into her ranger outfit. "That's better, now where were we?" She said to the cogs. She started to fight them away.
Not too far away LJ and JJ stood shocked by what they had just seen. Unknowing to Kat, they had seem her morph into the pink ranger.
"Wow." LJ said. "She is even cooler than I thought."
JJ was too stunned to speak. He had just realized something very important. He was in love with the pink ranger...what did he do now?
"JJ, look!" LJ said pointing to where Kat was.
JJ looked to see more rangers appear and help Kat fight the strange robot things.
"There is more of them!" LJ said.
JJ just nodded, still too shocked to speak.
A few moments later the cogs vanished and everyone stopped fighting.
"Thanks." Kat said. "I couldn't handle all of them by myself."
"Don't worry about it. We're just glad you're ok." Tommy said gently.
"Yeah, what did those robot heads want anyway?" Rocky asked.
"I don't know." Kat sighed.
"I should get back and check on Kim." Tommy said. "If they were after the pink ranger, Kim might be in danger."
"You're right. Let's go." Rocky said.
In a flash of different colors they were all gone.
Kat was just about to power down when she heard her name. She turned and saw JJ and LJ rush over.
She panicked then remember she was still in her suit. "Are you two ok? You weren't hurt were you?"
"No, we're both fine." JJ said. "Thanks to you."
"It's my pleasure." Kat said nicely. "I'm glad neither of you were hurt. But I think they are all gone now if you would like to get back to...whatever it was you were doing."
"Only if you join us." LJ said.
"That's very nice of you, but I have to get back to my boss. I'm sure that other lady friend of yours will be back in just a moment."
JJ shook his head. "Kat, we know that's you in there."
"I'm sorry, I don't know who this Kat is..."
"We saw you change." LJ cut her off.
"You weren't behind us. So we ran back to get you and we saw you change." JJ said. "We know it's you, Kat."
Kat sighed and bowed her head. Her secret was out so she powered down.
"This explains so much." JJ smiled. "This is that one thing that you were never allowed to talk about, isn't it?"
Kat nodded. "One of the rules of being a ranger is to keep our identity a secret. I wasn't allowed to tell you."
"It's ok. I'm not mad." JJ said. "I think this is so cool."
"Me too. Now you're just like the Statin Sash." LJ smiled.
"Nah, she's much cooler than me." Kat giggled. Then she frowned. "You guys knowing this could be dangerous."
"Don't worry your secret is safe with me." JJ said.
"Yeah, I won't say a word to anyone." LJ nodded.
Kat just sighed. "I have to tell my boss. It's the right thing to do."
"Are you going to be in trouble?" LJ asked.
"I don't know."
They all just looked to each other unsure of what to do or say.
"Take us with you." JJ said. "Maybe if we tell your boss that we will keep the secret you won't be in trouble."
"It's worth a try. Just prepare yourselves." Kat said. She grabbed both of their hands and teleported them away.
They landed in the Command Center. Kat started to speak a mile a minute.
"Zordon, I'm really sorry. My friends JJ and LJ found out who I was. I swear I didn't tell them. They promised to keep the secret and I trust that they will. Please don't kick me off the team. I swear I didn't tell them."
"Kat, please take a breath." Zordon said.
"Whoa! He's a talking, floating head!" LJ said.
"Shhh," JJ said softly. "Don't anger him."
"Alpha and I have been watching the entire thing. You did the right thing by coming to me and telling me what happened. For that, I will not kick you off the team."
Kat let out a breath of relief.
"As for your friends JJ and LJ, going back for your friend, even knowing it could be dangerous take real courage and shows true bravery. I admire that about both of you."
"Thank you, Uh...Sir?" JJ said nervously.
"My name is Zordon, and you do not need to worry. You will come to no harm from me."
LJ and JJ let out a breath of relief.
"However, now that you two know about the rangers, I must ask you to promise not to speak a word of it to anyone."
"Of course. We already promised Kat we'd keep quiet."
"Yeah, nobody will hear it from us." LJ said.
"Thank you. Now, I must ask you all to return home. There is some ranger business I need to discuss with Kat and the other rangers on the team. Out of respect for their privacy it would be better for you two to head home."
"We understand." JJ said.
"We will see you later Kat."
"Thanks Guys. See you later."
In a flash they were both gone.
"Now that we are alone…am I really in trouble?"
"No, Kat. I meant what I said. I really do have business to discuss with you and the others. They should be here any moment." Zordon answered.
As if on cue there was a flash of different colors and the rangers appeared.
"Zordon, what's going on?" Tommy asked.
"Kat…" Kimberly said softly. "Is everything ok?"
"Yes, as far as I know." Kat said.
"I have asked you all here for one reason." Zordon started. "I have received word from Ducla. She has requested a meeting with you all."
"Don't worry, we will watch over Kim." Jason said.
"Actually Jason, she is requesting a meeting with Tommy, Kat, and Kimberly too. I wasn't given a lot of detail other than she would like to meet with you three. I will be able to teleport you to the right location, but you'll have to teleport to get home."
Everyone shared a look. Kat and Kim were slowly reconnecting, but Kim was in no way ready to trust Kat again. Now they'd have to go on an adventure and face who knows what together.
"I think this will be good for you all." Zordon said. "It will help fill the gap that has formed."
"Zordon, I don't know if I'm ready to go on an adventure like that. I just barely feel comfortable leaving here." Kimberly.
"You will have your Falcon with you, My Crane. You have no reason to be scared."
"Yeah, I've got your back." Tommy smiled.
Kimberly inhaled and exhaled a deep breath. She nodded. "Ok, let's do this."
"I'm in." Kat nodded.
"Let's do this." Tommy agreed.
"I will give you all some time to prepare. When you're ready I will teleport you."
Everyone nodded and teleported away to get ready.
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