Extra T/K fluff in this chapter :)

OLIVER RESIDENCE

ONE MONTH LATER

Her finger gently traced along the faintly raised skin of the sutures that once ran vertically up her thigh. The incision hadn't healed as miraculously or as fast as the rest of her body following her near-fatal accident. Perhaps whatever power had saved her from certain death, had dissipated by the time the surgeon had opened up her leg to operate.

A cold shiver rippled down her spine at the memory of that day. How close she had come to losing her girls and leaving Tommy and Charlotte. Nightmares still plagued her. She could see the effects of all the sleepless nights. Dark circles marred the once bright and youthful skin below her eyes. Not only did the babies wake to feed every 2-3 hours, but every time in between, when she'd fall asleep, the accident played out like a never-ending reel in her dreams. She felt the pain as real as if it were happening all over again.

The memories of the Morphing Grid, feeling her family there. She'd always heard of it, felt its power every morph, but nothing like what she'd experienced. A part of her knew she had indeed died that day. It was a hard truth to come to terms with.

Warm, strong arms engulfed her from behind. His lips pressed affectionately to her bare shoulder as their fingers intertwined across the skin of her abdomen. Tommy pulled her flush to his chest, breathing in the intoxicating scent of her.

Looking into his tired eyes, Kim knew she wasn't the only one affected. Tommy was having nightmares as well. She had to wake him at least once most nights since. And he'd always be in the same state: panicked, tears brimming his eyes, breaths coming hard and fast. He'd hold her until he was able to compose himself. It was his reassurance she was okay, that she was there with him and, most importantly, alive.

"Beautiful, I made you lunch," he said, lips brushing her skin as he gently moved her hair aside and peppered small kisses up her neck.

Their eyes met in the mirror. She smiled, closing hers and leaning her head against his chest.

"Baby, are we okay?"

"Of course we are," he replied, an edge of panic to his tone as he tightened his hold around her waist.

"No, Tommy, I know that we are good. I mean…" she turned in his arms, looking into his worried eyes, "I'm talking about the nightmares."

He pressed his forehead to hers, shutting his eyes tightly. "I just need time, Kim. Almost losing you… it was one of the worst days of my life. I don't know how I would have survived losing the three of you like that, all at once. It would have destroyed me."

She lay her head against his chest, hands splayed across his back, holding him to her as close as physically possible.

"We're all still here, baby. We're going to get through this. But I also want you to be open to seeking help if it gets to a point where it's too much. I have an appointment for myself, next week. I just can't keep doing this."

Tommy nodded, kissing the top of her head. "I promise."

Satisfied with the sincerity of his answer, she simply relished in the feel of his warm embrace.

"Where are our moms?" she asked after several minutes.

Laura Oliver and Caroline Hart had arrived in L.A. the night of Kim's accident and the following day, respectively. They offered to stay and help with their granddaughters while Kim recovered. Neither were informed of the severity of Kim's initial injuries. It would have needlessly worried them more than they already were, not to mention explaining away her miraculous healing would have been damn near impossible without disclosing secrets about the Morphing Grid and their time as Rangers.

"I sent them both to lunch," he chuckled kissing her lips softly. "I love them to death and appreciate everything they've done for us and the girls, but I just needed some time alone with you. They understood."

He reached down over the swell of her backside and lifted her into his arms. Hers circled around his neck, and she laughed over his lips, nuzzling his nose.

"Oh, really? And just what did you have you in mind?"

While having his beautiful wife wrapped around him so tightly in nothing but a pair of black panties was tempting every carnal instinct he possessed, he knew it was too soon. The last thing he wanted was to hurt her somehow. They'd been advised to hold off for at least six weeks due to the trauma she'd suffered, coupled with the emergency c-section of the girls.

"Just to hold you, baby," he murmured, squeezing her to his chest.

She caressed his face and kissed him passionately. "I love you."

Tommy walked back towards the bed until his legs touched the mattress. He let himself fall over the comforter, bringing Kim down with him. She laughed as she fell softly over him, legs on each side of his abdomen. Her hair fell like a curtain over his face when she leaned in to capture his lips.

"I love you," he breathed, a hand on the side of her neck, the other gently placing strands of hair behind her ear.

Kim slanted her mouth over his, tongue slowly swiping over the swollen skin there, coaxing his to come out and play. He groaned, smiling and obliging his beloved.

Slowly rolling them over, he kissed her more deeply while Kim locked her ankles at his back, thrusting into him. A loud growl resonated deep in his throat as he wanted nothing more than to make love to his wife. But the fear of causing her pain was stronger than his lust.

"Kim," he whispered over her lips, "I don't want to hurt you."

She grasped the sides of his face, their foreheads touching. "You're not going to hurt me," she panted, while playfully nipping on his lips.

"I haven't had you in so long, beautiful… there's nothing soft and gentle about the things I want to do to you right now." He shook his head and let himself fall beside her in the bed.

She turned towards him, rising on her elbow. "You're a damn tease."

Tommy laughed outright, reaching for her again, and hauling her against his chest.

"I'm the tease? I'm not the one walking around here in underwear, looking so damn sexy."

"It's not my fault you happened to walk in after my shower," she countered, kissing the tip of his nose.

Tommy's expression darkened suddenly, and he closed his eyes, inhaling deeply as his hold on her tightened. He'd been doing this since she'd come home from the hospital. Guilt consumed him, irrational as it was. Nothing he did or didn't do would have prevented what happened.

Despite the years that had gone by, he was always in leader mode, taking on the responsibility for those around him and the people he cared about most.

One particularly hard night, Tommy had woken up from a nightmare, his mind and heart in complete disarray. Kimberly had framed his face with her hands, attempting to soothe his tortured soul. He crushed her to him and sobbed in her arms, repeatedly apologizing for what had happened to her. And the things he'd said during their argument that morning. Tommy had confessed how much it haunted him, the possibility that she could have passed away and the last thing he'd done was throw the past in her face with such venom. She knew he never would have been able to recover from that.

The apologies were endless that night. From his asking her to leave her career and the dig about their breakup. He revealed his insecurities had stemmed from John Ford. It was obvious that the death of his wife had taken a huge piece of his soul. The light in his eyes had dimmed over the years, his smile never quite reaching. He was almost an empty vessel. Tommy hated to think what would have become of him had it not been for Caden.

The thought terrified Tommy and he took the coward's way out. But he'd come to his senses. Kim was the strongest woman he knew. And he had to trust in her instincts and capabilities… and that a higher power would always protect her, even when he couldn't.

"Hey, look at me, let's have a good day today, yeah?"

She kissed his forehead and Tommy nodded.

"I love you."

"I know," she chuckled.

As the words left her lips, they heard a soft cry over the baby monitor. Tommy glanced at the clock.

"I guess they know it's lunch time. I'll keep her busy while you get dressed," he said kissing her one last time before heading to the nursery.

Tommy made his way to where his little Amelia was whining in her crib. The darker-haired girl reminded him so much of Charlotte as a baby, though a little more high maintenance than his firstborn. She was usually the one up first, always ready to eat. Jules was a little more laid back, preferring to sleep through feedings and her sister's very healthy lungs.

"Hey, you squirmy thing. Your mom is coming with your food." he whispered, kissing his daughter's forehead. "Those used to be mine, you know."

Kim chuckled from the doorway.

"Always yours," she assured him with a wink as she cradled her baby, sitting to feed her.

Tommy was in awe of his beautiful wife. Watching her as a mom moved something so deep inside him. She was such a natural. So sure of herself, so patient, and loving. He shuddered at the thought that just a mere month ago, he'd come so close to losing everything.

Pushing those thoughts and fears from his heart, he sat on the ottoman in front of her.

"Charlotte seems not to have been tainted by everything that happened. She had a couple of bad nights right after but nothing since. Mostly while you were still in the hospital."

"It's definitely helped having her grandmothers here to distract and spoil her, too. She's going to miss them terribly when they head back home."

Tommy agreed with a nod. "You know, my parents are thinking about buying a house nearby. Mom wants to spend more time with the girls and see them more often."

Kim smiled, enthralled with the idea of having her mother-in-law within driving distance. She and Kim had always gotten along so great. She'd become a second mother to her, especially since her own lived overseas. Laura and Charlotte were pretty close as well. She was her first and only grandbaby for a long time. And now, Tommy's mom was completely over the moon with Jules and Amelia.

"That's great news! I know Char will be so excited."

In that moment, light smacking noises and cooing were heard coming from Julianna's crib. Unlike her sister, it took a bit for her to get riled up. Tommy drew her into his arms, rocking the small bundle and caressing the whisp of light brown hair at the top of her tiny head.

"Just a few more minutes, little one."

He did a quick diaper change and resumed swaying with the baby, keeping her calm. Tommy's cell phone started buzzing in his pocket. Without missing a beat, he flipped it open, mouthing the name of Charlotte's school. Kim watched him intently, a smile on her lips. Something about her husband, holding their child, being such a hands-on father, made him look so incredibly sexy. Doctor's orders be damned. As soon as both girls were fed and napping, she would surely jump his bones. He wouldn't deny her. She had a few dirty tricks up her sleeve, and she intended to make good use of them.

Tommy suddenly stopped moving, his eyebrows creased with worry, a reaction to whatever the person on the other line was saying. Kim's heart clenched in her chest.

As if reading the direction of her thoughts, Tommy looked at her and shook his head, letting her know Charlotte was fine. Kim breathed a sigh of relief.

Tommy assured the caller he'd be there within the next twenty minutes and hung up soon after.

"What happened with Charlotte?" she asked in a hurry.

"Nothing. That was for Caden."

"Caden?"

"Yeah. They've been trying to get ahold of John but he's not answering his phone. And his brother is out of town. We're next on the list. Apparently, he got into a fight with two older boys. The secretary assured me he's fine."

Kim briefly wondered if his altercation had involved Charlotte, somehow. It wasn't like Caden to get into trouble at school, much less start fights.

"Go, Tommy. I'll be fine. Something tells me this has to do with Charlotte in some way or another."

"I have the same feeling. I'll give our moms a heads up."

Tommy placed Jules in Kim's arms and took a now sleeping Amelia. He kissed her tiny nose and set her down carefully into her crib. "I'll keep you updated," he said, kissing Kim then heading out the door.

PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE

Caden sat on the far side of the room, away from the two eighth-grade boys. Both of whom were nursing injuries. The taller of the two had spiky blonde hair and was holding an ice pack to his bloody and swollen lip. The second boy was leaning his head back against the wall, a blood-stained tissue covered his nose, grass and debris still clinging to his dark curls.

Caden would alternate between staring them down or looking out the window impatiently, waiting for whatever punishment was headed his way. No matter what happened to him, he regretted nothing. He knew he was raised differently than those boys and could never fathom doing what they'd done or saying the disgusting things that were said. While his feelings wouldn't have changed, he probably wouldn't have reacted with violence had it not involved people he cared about. But he could never stand by and let anyone disrespect his friends, especially Charlotte. They'd certainly chosen the wrong girls to mess with.

Principal Randall had stepped out of her office to meet and intercept Tommy and brief him on what had occurred after lunch and during the outdoor break. She'd left the boys with her secretary.

The woman contemplated herself briefly in the reflection of a glass partition and smoothed out her hair, conscious of exactly who she was waiting on. Mr. Oliver had always been an involved parent, so she'd certainly seen him and his little wife on numerous occasions and events at school.

Despite the circumstance of their meeting, she couldn't help the smile that now tugged at the corners of her mouth. He was an undeniably handsome and well-muscled man. Always the gentlemen, with a killer smile, and warm pools of chocolate brown eyes a girl could easily get lost in. He moved with confidence and discipline, ever an alpha male if she ever saw one. He was a man whose presence alone commanded respect and attention. She supposed his years of running his very successful martial arts schools had had a hand in that.

"Mr. Oliver, I'm so sorry to have to bother you. You were next on our list of contacts for Caden Ford. I understand he's your student."

Tommy nodded. "Yes. Is he alright?"

"Caden is fine. The other two boys, however, didn't fare as well, but they will be okay."

Principal Randall inched two steps closer; Tommy's cologne was simply intoxicating.

"So, what exactly happened?" he asked, taking a step back and crossing his arms over his chest. The woman had the subtlety of a freight train.

"Seems like the boys were having a bit of a misunderstanding during outdoor break. Our aide wasn't within earshot, but she tells me the older boys were walking away when Caden just attacked."

Tommy furrowed his brows, knowing Caden would never instigate a fight without provocation.

"Were there any words exchanged?"

"Frankly, Mr. Oliver, words or not, we have a zero-tolerance policy for fighting at this school. At a minimum, he'd have to be suspended for a week. One boy suffered a bloodied lip and the other a possible broken nose."

"Miss Randall, I know Caden well. He's been my student for many years. He's not the type to start fights unless in self-defense. Something serious had to have occurred for him to lash out like that. Did he explain what happened? Was my daughter involved in any way?"

She put a hand over Tommy's arm, her breath catching for a second at the feel of his rock-hard bicep.

"Erm… n-no, neither boy has mentioned Charlotte."

Tommy shrugged off the woman's hand, dark eyes trained on her.

"I'd like to speak to Caden."

Her cheeks blushed hotly under his hard glare. She knew she might have crossed a line with that lingering touch. A part of her admonished the lack of professionalism, especially considering the circumstance. Yet another part felt even more attracted to the tall, chiseled man standing before her. His presence was intense, intimidating even. She just knew he'd make a very skilled and passionate lover.

Miss Randall exhaled forcefully, collecting herself and dispersing all inappropriate thoughts about a very married Tommy Oliver… At least for now.

"Of course. I'll send him right out."

Tommy rolled his eyes as the woman disappeared into the small corridor that led to her office. Several seconds later, Caden was in front of him, his eyes plastered on the recently waxed floor.

Caden was in many ways like a son to him. He'd had a big part in raising the boy into the confident, disciplined, and passionate kid standing before him. From the moment he and his father had walked into his dojo, barely a year after its grand opening, Tommy knew Caden was different. At just three years old, he demonstrated self-control and an eagerness to learn beyond his years. He took instruction well, always with rapt attention to detail, and excelled through the ranks faster than his peers.

While Charlotte and Caden had been good friends as preschoolers, they drifted apart through the years. Their sudden strong friendship had taken him by surprise, though he welcomed the boy into his family with open arms. As protective as Tommy was with his little girl, he trusted his student and knew he was a good kid, despite the puppy love crush.

"Hey, look at me. You going to tell me what really happened?" he said, putting a hand on his shoulder.

The boy slowly raised his gaze, determination suddenly etched onto his features. "I'm sorry, but they deserved what they got."

"Caden, if you get suspended, I can't allow you to compete in the tournament next week. I can't make exceptions, you know that."

Caden looked away from him, shoulders slumping forward at the news. He'd been preparing for this tournament for weeks.

"I know," he muttered. "I'm sorry."

"Sit," Tommy requested, motioning towards a set of chairs. "Now, tell me exactly what happened."

The boy let out a heavy breath.

"I was playing ball with the guys. And Charlotte and Soph were just hanging out with some friends across the yard. The next time I looked over, those two guys had walked up to them and sat on their bench."

Tommy's jaw was set tight, sensing where this was going.

"Go on."

"I stopped to watch them because I know those guys are trouble. Probably the reason they weren't allowed to go to their class trip today and had to have lunch with the fifth grade. And even though I was too far to hear, I knew they were being jerks because Char and Soph looked pissed. They both said something, then stood up to leave." Caden suddenly swallowed hard. "The taller one grabbed Charlotte's wrist. And jerked her back. Zach, Jay, and I took off running at that point, but she had already broken his hold and socked him good." His demeanor had softened an ounce and there was a shadow of a smirk on his face.

Tommy was also proud of his girl for using her skills to defend herself.

"I couldn't just leave it at that. They had to know not to mess with them again. So, I told him as much and that's when he said what he said and I… I don't know, I just saw red."

"What did he say?"

Caden shook his head.

"I won't repeat it. Please don't make me. It was disgusting and inappropriate… and it was about Charlotte. I'd never be able to look at you again if I told you." He begged Tommy for his understanding.

"Did Charlotte hear any of it?" Tommy asked through clenched teeth.

"No, she had already walked away with Zach and Jordon." Caden brought his eyes up to meet Tommy's. "I couldn't let him get away with that. He grabbed Charlotte, disrespected her, and laughed about it to my face. He did it purposely, to get to me." His eyes darkened. "I wasn't going to let him do that."

Tommy put a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Come on. We're going to have a talk with the principal and those two sons of bitches."

OLIVER RESIDENCE

"Has Tommy updated you at all?" The older Mrs. Oliver asked from behind the counter as she peeled some potatoes in preparation for dinner.

Kimberly finished loading the last of the morning's dishes into the dishwasher, turning to her mother-in-law.

"Yes, he's on his way home with both kids. He didn't give me any details beyond everyone being okay. Apparently, Caden's father was tied up across town at one of his other jobs. They'll both be joining us for dinner tonight."

The brunette gently caressed the top of Julianna's head. The newborn was fast asleep in a sling, snug against her mother's chest.

"From what Tommy has told me about that boy, seems odd that he'd get into trouble like that at school. He's always been one of his favorites. I've been hearing about him for years now."

Kim nodded. "I'm sure Charlotte is involved in all of this somehow. He's very protective of her." She turned to face the older woman. "He reminds me a lot of Tommy, you know. Same huge heart, disciplined, honest to a fault, and such passion for what he does. But there's also something else…"

She wasn't sure how to explain Caden to Laura without making a Ranger connection… more specifically, a Green Ranger connection. Caden had a fire in him. She didn't want to associate the word darkness with the boy, since he had been such a bright light in their lives thus far. But like Tommy, there lived something deep inside him. She recognized it because she sees that sleeping demon inside her own husband. Natural talents aside, perhaps it was the very reason Tommy had been drawn to the boy in the first place.

Before Laura could probe further, Caroline walked into the kitchen with a freshly changed, but fussy Amelia.

"Your little firecracker gave me hell up there. She's hungry and did not have time for me as far as changing her goes."

Kim chuckled, handing her mom a bottle of freshly pumped milk for her feisty little girl.

Several minutes later, Charlotte and Caden made their way into the kitchen. Both kids had large cups of milkshakes and bags of fast food.

"You are going to spoil your dinner, young lady," Laura chided playfully, kissing her granddaughter on the forehead and hugging her tightly. "How was school?"

"Good!" she replied happily, while making her way to Caroline, and embracing her from behind her shoulders. Kim's mom reached a hand up and lovingly caressed her beloved granddaughter's cheek.

"Are you okay?" Kimberly asked, an arm now around Charlotte. The girl nodded, pressing a kiss to the back of her sister's head.

She then walked over to Caden, and gently lifted his chin, eyeing a red spot near his left eye. "Would you like an ice pack?"

"No, ma'am. Thank you."

Caden politely greeted the other women before he and Charlotte bolted out the back door to eat on the lawn.

Kim fixed her husband a death glare. "Tommy, there's no way either of them will have room for dinner! And you treated Caden to a milkshake and burger? I thought he was in trouble?"

Tommy pulled his wife in for a kiss, mindful of the baby strapped to her chest.

"He deserves that meal."

Kim arched a brow. "Explain."

"Some boys tried to get a little too close to Charlotte and Sophia. They weren't having it and attempted to walk away. One of those bastards put their hands on Charlotte." Kim's eyes widened. "Don't worry. She handled herself. But you know Caden. He wasn't going to walk away without saying anything. At that point, the one who'd grabbed Charlotte decided to make some vile comments about our daughter. And well, Caden acted accordingly."

The brunette exhaled heavily, digesting her husband's words. "What exactly did he say?"

"Caden wouldn't tell me. But once we got back to the office you're damn sure I gave Randall the whole story. Those boys were shitting themselves when they saw me. And I made that kid repeat what he'd said about Charlotte." Tommy took a deep breath and adjusted his neck. "I don't condone violence, and never against children, but when I tell you that it took everything in me…"

Laura put a hand on Tommy's shoulder. "I'm glad cooler heads prevailed, Tommy. Kids that age are stupid. And it wouldn't have been worth it."

Tommy gritted his teeth.

"Principal Randall decided to suspend the kid instead of Caden. Though he still got a few days detention for fighting, at least now I won't have to withdraw him from the tournament."

"Baby, what did he say to Charlotte?"

He glanced out the window, making sure the kids were still outside before he revealed the disgusting and sexually explicit comment the boy had made about his young daughter. All three women gasped at the shocking revelation.

"I'm going to be sick," Kim said, her blood simmering with rage.

"Thank God she didn't hear any of it. I took care of it, Kim. I also suggested he get some help. Something is clearly not right in his head."

Caroline cradled a sleeping and satisfied Amelia in one arm as she walked to the window, watching the kids with a smile on her face. "That boy defended my granddaughter's honor, against boys three years older, no less. Hm. Talk about Déjà vu," she mused, clapping her son-in-law on the shoulder.

Tommy didn't say anything, just simply offered to take his baby. He kissed her head, then motioned for Kim to follow him to the nursery.

Each deposited a twin in their respective cribs before heading back to their bedroom. He closed the door behind them and quickly embraced his wife, pressing her against his chest and inhaling the sweet scent of her hair.

Kim knew what he was doing. He needed to quell his anger, relax, and collect himself inside the soothing and safe circle of her arms. Tommy was fiercely protective of his daughter, his first-born little girl, as any good father would be. But Tommy wasn't just any ordinary man. She felt him shudder, his hold tightening. This was the darkness that lay dormant inside the deepest recesses of his soul. It was the reason Rita had chosen him to become the Evil Green Ranger all those years ago, and why he'd bonded so thoroughly with the tainted coin.

"Baby, she didn't hear it. It's okay." Kim could only imagine the self-restraint he'd had to exercise in order to keep his composure. The fact that they were children certainly helped keep his demons at bay.

"Purge those words from your mind, Tommy. That kid is gone. And I'm sure after you got done with him, and once he returns to school, he won't even breathe in Charlotte's direction." She smiled and caressed the side of his face. "And what a friend she has in Caden."

"Yeah," he simply replied, cracking a small smile. Lifting her chin gently, he kissed her, slow and tender at first, then hard and passionate, pressing her body against the door. Kim's fingers raked across the nape of his neck.

"Did Principal Randall behave this time? Or do I need to go down there and have some words with her?" she chuckled as he kissed down her throat.

"She doesn't matter," he swore, lips nipping at that spot behind her ear that always made her melt. "No other woman does. Only you."

Tommy scooped her up and walked toward their massive bed, tossing her onto the mattress with a little more force than she was expecting. She squealed his name and laughed as he crawled over her, playfully swatting at his chest.

"Aisha and Rocky will also be here for dinner."

"Oh, yeah?" Tommy said, feigning interest as his mouth descended her abdomen.

"Your mom is making pork chops and mashed potatoes. She won't let me help," she complained, her fingers running through his hair.

"Sounds about right," he muttered around a groan, nipping at the skin on her hip.

"That's a lot of food, baby. I mean, Rocky alone equals at least three people," she laughed, closing her eyes as his tongue swirled seductively around her navel.

"Kim, what are you trying to tell me?" he grumbled, face buried over the skin of her belly.

She cupped the sides of his face, tilting it to meet hers. "Aisha will be here shortly. And it just feels wrong not helping at all." Tommy's face soured like a child deprived of their favorite candy. She grinned, pulling him towards her by the collar of his shirt. "But, I promise, tonight, I'm all yours." She purred, kissing him slowly and seductively.

"I have a better plan. We cancel the whole thing!" She burst into laughter. "Hear me out; it's Wednesday. Who has a big dinner get-together on a Wednesday? Especially when there are other, more satisfying things we could be doing."

Tommy used his teeth to pull her bottom lip from its hiding place. They shared a sultry kiss as he rolled her over so that she was now on top.

"Nice try," she giggled over his lips. "But you know we can't do that."

Tommy groaned in protest.

"Fine, fine." He sat up, bringing Kim with him.

"Baby," her tone had suddenly turned serious. "Thank you for handling things today. I don't know what I'd do without you. Our girls are so incredibly lucky to have you." She framed his face and pressed a loving kiss to his forehead. "And so is Caden. You stood up for him today. And that's something he won't forget."

"He didn't want to involve or embarrass Charlotte, so he was taking the blame for the whole thing. I couldn't let him do that."

"That's because you're an amazing and honorable man, Tommy. You know, possible end of the world aside, that day I agreed to come out of retirement and throw on that damn spandex suit again, even when I thought you hated me, was the beginning of one of the many best days of my life. Now look at us."

He chuckled over her lips. "You know I could never hate you. And you look damn good in spandex, by the way."

She kissed him one more time before climbing off his lap and pulling him up and towards the door. "Come on, handsome. The sooner this day is over, the faster we get to come right back here. The grandmas can be on baby duty tonight. I have plenty of pumped milk."

"We'd be going against the doctor's orders."

"I feel great, Tommy. And I'll show you exactly how great," she promised, looking back at her husband with a wink.

OLIVER BACKYARD

Charlotte and Caden sat on the grass under an oak tree. They'd finished up their food and milkshakes.

"What do you think your dad is going to say?"

Caden shrugged his shoulders. "He sounded pretty pissed over the phone when your dad called him. Hopefully, he understands. But maybe he won't. I'll just have to deal with it, I guess."

"Cade, you really shouldn't have done that," Charlotte repeated for probably the third time since they'd been back.

He would have been a little agitated had it not been for that one small detail he'd just heard.

"They deserved it. And… are you calling me Cade now?"

She smiled, a rosy blush to her cheeks. "Yeah, I guess I am. Is that okay?"

He grinned and nodded. "Yeah."

She watched him silently, guilt eating at her for what had happened that afternoon.

Charlotte's back had been to where she'd left those two guys, blood boiling. How dare he touch her. The kid had asked her name. But there was something about him that didn't sit right. The way he'd been looking at her, the vibe he and his friend were giving. Sophia had felt it, too, because her expression had been the same. They'd told them to leave and got nothing but taunting laughs in return. Surely, they were under the impression that because both she and Soph were smaller in size, that they'd cower. But being submissive and scared just wasn't part of the girls' DNA. Those boys might have been stronger and much taller, but the girls were faster and more skilled.

The moment his hand had wrapped so tightly around her wrist, her instincts and all her training kicked in. She broke his hold easily, her hands connecting with his abdomen and face in rapid succession. He fell to the ground, cursing up a storm. By the time she'd turned around, her friends had shown up. Jordan had to put a hand on Caden's chest, coaxing him back because he looked like he wanted to pounce. She watched Caden's stance relax and thought he had followed them as they made their way inside… until she heard the commotion and the other kids chanting.

"Are you hurt?" she asked, eyeing a reddening mark on the corner of his eye.

"This?" he asked, touching the sore spot. "It's nothing. Don't even feel it."

She pursed her lips, rolling her eyes. "Let me see." Grabbing the side of his face gently, she tilted it up, immediately noticing a small abrasion and redness that extended to the white of his eyes. "You might have a black eye tomorrow."

He shrugged his shoulders. "It doesn't hurt."

"That's not the point. There were two of them. You could have gotten badly hurt."

He scoffed, "But I didn't."

"Your eye says differently," she countered defiantly.

Caden huffed, reaching up, and gently grabbed her wrists away from his face.

"Charlotte, you think I'm going to stand there and just let some stupid kid think he can touch you like that? I was raised better than that." He never told her about the comment. The real reason for the fight.

"I had already handled it?"

He shook his head and chuckled in disbelief as he lay back against the grass, eyes closed and arms behind his head. "You are impossible sometimes."

"And yet, here you are," she laughed, throwing some blades of grass at him.

Caden grinned, eyes still closed. The breeze, mixed with the warmth of the sun on his skin, and the sweet chime of her laughter had relaxed him to the point of almost dozing off. But he could still feel her gaze and he suddenly hoped he didn't have ketchup on the corners of his mouth.

"Look, I'm not trying to be annoying. I just got scared for you. I would have helped but Zach and Jay wouldn't let me."

"Char, you've never been in trouble a day in your life. I certainly wouldn't have wanted your first time in Randall's office to be because of me. And worst yet, you get hurt by one of those guys."

"Oh, so they can't hurt you, just me? Why because I'm a girl?"

"No, because you're you." He sat up and looked at her. "I care about you, okay," he admitted with a slight blush. "I don't ever want you to be in a situation like that… not if I can help it."

"Well, I don't want that for you, either," she said, softly tracing the abrasion near his eye.

They looked at each other for several seconds before bursting into laughter.

It had never truly dawned on her how handsome Caden was. Emma and her friend Layla would always talk about his dimples and how bright and blue his eyes were. They'd gush about how cute and mysterious he was. And other things that were trivial to Charlotte, but fascinating to the girls. Like, how his mom's family was from Spain and the fact that he'd been born there as well, on a U.S. military base in a city called Sevilla. It had been where his dad had met his mom. Caden understood the language, as his father wanted him to be able to stay in communication with his mother's family after she passed. He and Sophia would have small conversations sometimes, though their accents were completely different. Emma and her group thought it was the coolest thing. Charlotte, however, didn't care about any of that.

Caden's friendship was important to her. Although they'd only been hanging out for a few months, it felt as though she'd known him her whole life. In reality, she had. They'd been training at her father's dojo together since they were three. In fact, according to her dad, the two had been drawn to each other as preschoolers and were the sweetest of friends. As they grew, and Charlotte had initially begun to spend more of her time at gymnastics, while Caden's martial arts became the focus of his young life, the two had gone their separate ways. By the time she quit competitive gymnastics and their schedules synched up at the dojo… well, the opposite sex had cooties, and each remained in their own circle of friends.

"What?" Caden asked curiously, his laughter subsiding.

Charlotte hadn't realized she was staring or rather that she'd been lost in thought.

"Nothing… just that…" she suddenly engulfed him in a tight hug. "Thank you. For today. I'm sorry if I didn't say that sooner. I mean, what you did was a little reckless," she laughed. "But brave. Thank you for having my back."

Caden had a huge Cheshire grin on his face when she broke their embrace.

"I always will," he promised.

His gaze was too intense for her to hold.

"But also—"

"Yeah, yeah, you're not a damsel," he quipped, taking a long, noisy slurp of what was left of his chocolate milkshake. "I was definitely impressed with how you let him have it."

Her brow quirked and she quickly rolled her eyes. "Impressed? Did you forget we train at the same place? My belt is just as black as yours, Caden?"

Ouch. Back to being Caden, he thought.

"Sound the alarm, the great Caden Ford was impressed with my skills," she declared in a high-pitched voice, the back of her hand over her forehead in a show of over-the-top theatrics. "My life is now complete!"

"Charlotte, that's not what I meant."

She laughed and softly nudged his shoulder. "You want to spar, Mr. Incredible?"

"No! No way! Your family will come out here and kill me."

"Maybe my grandmothers, but my parents would know the difference. Besides, my mom and dad used to spar all the time while they were dating."

Charlotte felt a blush rushing to her cheeks but got to her feet hopefully before he noticed. She didn't know why that bit of information was relevant or why she'd said it, but she pushed it out of her thoughts and got her head back in the game.

"Well?"

Caden looked toward the window directly in front of them and across the yard, then back to her pleading grin. Try as he might, he couldn't say no to her. Pushing to his feet, he relented with a sigh.

"Fine. But just one round."

"Best out of three. And don't you dare hold back."

Before he could say another word, she had run off toward the shed to retrieve a mat.

Charlotte's eyes instinctively darted toward the trap door and the mysterious room that had caused those strange visions weeks ago. A small shudder rippled down her back at the thought. She shook her head, grabbed the large blue mat, and hauled it outside. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she'd remembered it being a bit heavier.

Caden couldn't help but smile at the sight of Charlotte's small form pulling the bulk of blue mats across the grass. He was about to question why she hadn't asked for his help but thought better of it and kept his mouth shut.

Both kids kicked off their shoes and got into a fighting stance, facing each other. It didn't take long before Charlotte was on her back. Her fist hit the mat in frustration. Caden held out a hand to help her up. She accepted his gesture with a slight pout.

"Char, you're really good. Better than a lot of people honestly," he praised, hand still clasping hers.

"Except you?" she admitted sheepishly.

"No, that's not what I meant. I just know your fighting style… so I kind of anticipated a lot of your moves." He instantly regretted his confession, basically admitting that he'd spent a lot of time fascinated by her skills.

She narrowed her eyes. "How would you…" Before she could finish her sentence, her head snapped to the right. "Do you hear that?"

"Hear what?" he asked, relieved the subject had been changed.

"Humming," she said in a whispery sort of tone before suddenly taking off towards the side of the house.

Caden took off after her, realizing where she was headed. "Charlotte! You're not going where I think you're going, are you?"

By the time he stepped inside the shed, the girl had tossed the rug aside, feeling for a way to open the small door.

"I have to know. I have to try."

"Don't you remember what happened last time? Please, Char, don't."

The door gave way. She looked back at him as if to say she was doing this with or without his help. He briefly questioned whether he should run inside the house and say something but immediately knew he couldn't do that to her. With a huff, he walked forward, taking her hand as they descended the stairs.

Charlotte walked right up to the door, placing the palms of both hands against the cool metal. Her eyes closed slowly as the hum of energy flowed through her. It was calming and thrilling all at the same time. Looking up at the square panel, she took in a deep breath.

"I have to know what this all means," she muttered softly.

Turning toward Caden, she wasn't surprised to find him standing close, but his arms were firmly folded across his chest, indicating he was having no part in any of this other than to make sure she was okay.

Charlotte suddenly felt a surge of energy deep within her core. Without thinking, she leaped up, and her palm connected with the panel. The crackle of power threw her back. Caden did his best to catch her, but they both ended up tumbling to the ground.

"Oh, my god," she murmured as the large door slid open with a rumble.

Caden tightened his hold around her shoulder.

"We can't go in there. This is crazy. Let's go back!"

Charlotte attempted to break his grasp, but he held her firmly.

"Let go."

"Char, you're acting really strange again. Please don't ask me to do that. Let's just get out of here. What if that door closes and locks us in?"

She tilted her head so that their eyes met. And with a strength he hadn't expected, she broke out of his hold, rushing to her feet and bolting through the door. Caden jumped to his feet and raced after her.

Charlotte had stopped about ten feet in, staring around in astonishment.

"What… is this place?"

"The better question is, are we still in your backyard?"

The room was massive, inexplicably so, corridors stretching out for what seemed like miles. The ceiling was also impossibly high, at least three stories tall, which made no sense at all.

Charlotte reached out and grabbed Caden's hand. They looked at each other and nodded, moving forward together. As they walked, lights began to turn on one by one. It didn't take long before they came to an abrupt stop, mouths gaped open at what they saw next.

In rows inside the wall and encased in glass were the uniforms of the Power Rangers.

"Are you seeing this?"

Caden nodded slowly.

The first glass held the figure of a Black ranger, his weapons on either side of him, near his feet. A small plaque below the glass case was engraved with the name Z. Taylor.

"Z… Taylor?" Caden read.

Charlotte's eyes widened. She broke from his grasp and moved forward to the next one.

Yellow.

T. Kwan.

Her breathing accelerated slightly.

Blue.

W. Cranston.

She shook her head in disbelief. "It can't be. This must be a coincidence?"

Pink.

K. Hart.

K. Hart?

Her pulse raced at a thunderous pace, so much that she felt as though it was swaying her body back and forth.

K… Hart!

"My m-mom?" Her voice was barely audible. "Oh… my gosh." Throat suddenly dry, she ran to the next.

Red.

J. Scott.

"Uncle Jase?"

Her head snapped to the next.

Green.

T. Oliver

An audible gasp left her lips as she stumbled a few steps back. Caden held her hand again, watching her closely. Her skin paled as if she was about to pass out. Truth be told, he was just as shocked as she was. His mentor, Charlotte's dad—Tommy was the Green Ranger? Her mom… her whole family. He suddenly felt overwhelmingly dizzy as well.

Charlotte took tentative steps toward the next glass case.

White.

T. Oliver!

"My… dad? Again?"

Black, Red, and yellow repeated themselves.

A. Park

R. DeSantos

A. Campbell

A chorus of Oh, my god's sprung from her lips.

"Is this real? Were they really them? Was your family… the Power Rangers?"

Caden's eyes were wide as he shook his head in amazement.

Charlotte kept going. Shock gripped her each time she saw the names of her aunts and uncles, her mom and dad, now under cases of multicolored Ninja robes. There were several more sets of uniforms, but it was almost too much to take in at once.

She recalled what her uncle Jason had said that day at the hospital: "Oh, just wait. One day, I'll tell you the stories."

Everything suddenly made sense. Their family was unique. Related and bonded by love and kinship rather than blood. They were all athletic, into various martial arts. The visions she'd had. The pull she and Sophia had felt.

"I-I don't believe this." She looked around and closed her eyes. The humming reverberated throughout her body. It almost felt as though the room was somehow alive.

"To those who possess the great Power, all things are possible," Caden read the words inscribed into the wall.

Reaching out to touch the glass case of her father's White Ninja robe, Charlotte closed her eyes, and it sang to her the loudest.

"Charlotte!"

Both kids were startled at the familiar, feminine voice that unexpectedly echoed from behind them. Tommy and Kim stood stunned, side by side.

Silence reigned for several agonizing seconds. Neither knowing what to say. Kimberly stepped forward, making her way to Charlotte.

"How on earth did you get in here?"

"Mom… I'm sorry. The panel on the door; I touched it. There were lights and it just opened."

Kim looked back at Tommy. "Is that possible?"

"The Grid doesn't make mistakes," he affirmed, kneeling in front of his daughter, clasping her hands. "I know you must have a lot of questions, Nugget. This… is a lot to take in."

"Dad, that night on my birthday, we accidentally found the door. Caden, Sophia and I." She reached out with one hand and touched the glass. "I can feel it. Why?" she whispered. "And we saw visions. And you, Mom, Uncle Jase… all of you. Are you… were you the Power Rangers?"

Tommy looked to Kim who had her hands on Caden's shoulders. She nodded an unspoken response.

Meeting his daughter's eyes once more, Tommy began, "Charlotte, Caden, I won't insult your intelligence by trying to explain away the things you've seen in here. But what I'm about to tell you is so serious, so important—I have to know I can trust you. You cannot tell anyone about this. Caden, you can't imagine how conflicted I am to have to ask you not to share this with your father, but…"

"I promise I won't say anything. I give you my word."

"Dad, I won't either. I promise," she vowed, hand on her father's cheek.

Tommy and Kimberly began their story cautiously, careful with details, especially where the Green Ranger was concerned. But soon thereafter, the words flowed as the children listened on, enraptured by what seemed to be the most extraordinary truth they'd ever heard.

Everyone knew of the Power Rangers, the heroes that had once fought and purged the earth of evil forces. There was a lot of speculation about their identities over the years, whether they were even human, if they were still living amongst the population or had long gone to continue their battles on other worlds.

Charlotte would have never, in her wildest imagination, thought that her parents, her whole family, had served as Earth's greatest warriors. Even crazier yet, that she was also connected in some mysterious way to what they called the Morphing Grid, the source of that power.

She suddenly felt the need to sit on the floor.

"Whoa… I don't even know what to say."

"What exactly is this place? It seems so big and out of place. Are we still in your backyard?" Caden asked, taking a seat beside a bewildered Charlotte.

"Yes and no. This place was built using a lot of special technology. The door is sort of a gateway…" Kim tried to explain.

"Like to another dimension or something?" The boy's eyes were wide.

"Something like that. Some of the different corridors you see lead to other doors located in very specific places and only accessible to those connected to or with access to the grid."

They all looked at Charlotte and she bit her lip nervously.

"I'm sorry… I didn't mean to."

Kim pulled her daughter into a tight hug.

"Charlotte, this access point has been dormant for years. In a stasis of sorts. When you and Soph touched it, you somehow activated the power." She tilted the girl's chin so that their brown eyes met. "Char, I don't know how, but because of that… the day of the accident, I believe it could have very well saved my life."

Charlotte's eyes became misty, and she buried her face into her mom's shoulder.

"Is she a Power Ranger, too?" Caden asked with genuine curiosity, recalling his friend's enhanced strength from earlier.

"No, but the grid is a part of her DNA, like Sophia. We don't know how they will be affected, if at all beyond the connection. It's never happened before on earth."

"Cool," he said, nodding his head.

"What about Sophia? Shouldn't she know all this, too? And Zach and Jordan?" Charlotte questioned, wiping at her eyes.

"Only Rocky and Aisha can decide whether they want to inform Sophia or not. The same goes for the rest. It's not our place. I just need you two to promise—"

"Dad," the young brunette interrupted," we're not going to say anything to anyone. We promise."

Caden agreed.

OLIVER RESIDENCE

Kimberly's hand caressed the hard planes of her husband's bare abdomen, tracing one of his many tattoos. Their breaths had finally slowed, though a thin sheen of moisture still covered their bodies. The last two hours had seen them nearly burn the whole house down, starting in the shower, then spilling over to the bed. There was even a point where the couple had been so ensnared in the throes of passion, that they had rolled off the mattress. After a short moment of laughter, they devoured each other with even more fervor on the floor, arms and legs tangled in a mess of frantic, almost animalistic coupling.

It had been the first time in a month they'd made love. And even longer since they'd had no restrictions of movement or positions. And it was fucking glorious.

The brunette smiled at the memory of it all, then reached out and playfully nipped at the skin on Tommy's chest with her teeth. He chuckled, gripping her at the waist with one arm until she was partially on top of him.

"One more time?"

Grinning, she shook her head. "I think that's enough for one night, handsome, or we may not be able to get up in the morning. We are so not spring chickens anymore," she groaned, stretching out. "I haven't even gotten up to pee yet because I don't trust my legs."

He laughed, kissing her forehead. "No wonder we got pregnant so soon with Charlotte. You were insatiable back then."

"Oh, just me, huh?"

With his hands on the sides of her neck, he arched his chin to meet her lips, their tongues sliding against the other in languid, sensuous strokes.

"You know I could never get enough of you, beautiful. Even now," he moaned into her mouth, taking her wrist and pulling her hand over his hardening erection.

She giggled over his lips. "I love you, but you're going to have to take care of that on your own."

Tommy laughed, teasingly biting into her neck. She wriggled free, kissed him one last time before finding the strength to get to her feet and pad slowly to the adjoining bathroom. Tommy grabbed some boxers from a drawer and pulled them on. He heard the spray of the shower and considered joining his wife, but knew she probably wanted some time alone to clean up. Letting himself fall over the bed, he contemplated the events that had occurred that day.

Charlotte and Caden had stumbled into his Command Center and discovered the truth about their past as Rangers. The notion was a bit terrifying, knowing both were just children. Yet somehow, he knew they'd honor their word.

His hand covered his face as he let out a growl. There was no way to prove the theory, but Charlotte awakening the power of the dormant chamber could have very well been the cause that Kim and his girls were still alive. If he thought he couldn't possibly love her more…

Tommy jumped up, quickly washing up in the bathroom, pulling on some plaid flannel pants, and heading to his daughter's bedroom. A smile crept over his lips when he saw her still figure fast asleep, an open book across her lap, and her night lamp still lit.

He sat beside her, removed the hardcover, and placed it on the nightstand while admiring Charlotte's beautiful, sleeping face.

Tommy felt his heart swell with love. His girls were everything to him. He'd grown up always feeling like a piece of his soul was missing. As loving and devoted as his parents had always been, knowing he was adopted… well, there was always a part of him that yearned for a blood connection, to know from who and where he'd come from. Sure, he'd found his brother, for which he would be forever grateful, but nothing in the world compared to the feeling of becoming a father. Having a family of his own. Creating and nurturing life with the most amazing woman. He was truly blessed beyond measure.

"N-no… you can't go," Charlotte whimpered in her sleep. "You said… always… you promised." Her lip trembled, tears gathering beneath her lashes.

Tommy caressed her face tenderly. "It's okay, Nugget. It was just a dream," he whispered, hoping to soothe her angst.

The girl's eyes fluttered open, tears spilling over. "Daddy!" She breathed, engulfing him in a tight hug, breath shuddering.

"I'm here," he crooned softly. "You're okay."

She nodded, wiping her face.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

She shook her head somberly. Tommy wiped the last of her tears and kissed her forehead.

"Dad, can you stay with me for a little bit? At least until I fall back asleep?"

"Of course," he grinned. "You want me to read to you? It might help take your mind off that nightmare."

Charlotte smiled and nodded, laying her head against her father's shoulder. "But first, can I ask you a question?"

"Shoot."

"So, you were the Green, White, and Red rangers. Which one was your favorite?"

He exhaled, a wistful smile on his face.

"Well, Green started off a little rocky, but it changed the course of my life forever and brought me to your mom and to friends that would eventually become my family. But if I had to choose a favorite, I would have to say, White. It was like a clean slate for me. As team leader, I had more responsibilities, but I also had your mom by my side every step of the way. In some ways, that time was some of the best and most memorable of my life." He kissed her temple. "After you and your sisters, of course."

"I like White, too," she declared, just above a whisper.

Tommy hugged her tightly, kissing her hairline again and sighing. He loved her so much it hurt. Before his emotions could get the better of him, Tommy picked up Percy Jackson and began to read where she'd left off. Charlotte snuggled closer to him and smiled as she closed her eyes. Her nightmare forgotten. Her father's arms had always felt like the safest place in the world to her. Knowing that he'd been a Power Ranger, a legendary one at that, gave that feeling an entirely new and incredible meaning.

Kim had set off to find Tommy after her shower but was sidetracked by a wailing Amelia from her mother's guest suite. Caroline had subsequently dozed off while Kim fed the baby. Deciding to let her mom rest, she took the very wide-awake newborn with her and closed the bedroom door behind her.

She'd already had her fun with Tommy, after all.

"Come on, let's go find your daddy." Amelia stared contently at her mom's face.

The brunette was on her way downstairs when she noticed the door to Charlotte's room was open, lamp on. Upon walking inside, she smiled at the sight before her. Charlotte and Tommy were in a deep sleep. He had an open book over his chest and Charlotte was snuggled at his side.

Kim didn't have the heart to wake him. She also knew that the only time Charlotte needed company to sleep was when she'd had a nightmare. Several crazy things had happened to them in the last weeks. Kim couldn't even begin to guess which of those events had been plaguing her daughter's dreams.

"Looks like it's just you and me tonight," she chuckled quietly, nuzzling Amelia who immediately tried to eat her face. "Again? Oh, you sweet little porker."

A/N - Thanks so much for your reviews! Keep them coming :) There are probably two more parts and an epilogue.