Unavoiadable Secrets

Summary: The first nine Rangers reunite, and secrets prove to be a problem when discussions are held.

Rating: R. If it doesn't become evident in this chapter, it will in the next. I think. Maybe.

Disclaimer: Yeah, again?? No. Nothing belongs to me apart from all characters that make you go 'Hmm. Never heard of them before'. They're mine. Ask before taking!

Author's Notes/Thank You's: I'm going to need some serious help with the next chapter, and I mean serious, because I'm stuck!! Please, anyone who thinks they can help, e-mail me on flyingchopstick@hotmail.com. It may take me 2 seconds or 2 weeks to reply, but I will seriously consider any offers of help sent to my in-box. Again, thanks to all people who have sent in positive reviews. I like you people!

The phone rang as Trini whirled around her apartment, picking up keys, lipstick, and finally her purse. She picked up the phone after four rings, and said impatiently, "Hello?"

"Trini, it's Kim," she said. This was the first time that Kim had made contact with Trini after their parting at the mall. Trini hadn't been surprised at that, the more that she thought about it, the more she realised that Kim hadn't been herself that day. "I just phoned to say I'm going to be a little late. I ran into a bit of trouble."

"Nothing to do with...after school activities?" Trini asked worriedly. they'd developed a code for their Ranger business after they learned that their phones could be bugged at any time.

Kim sighed. "I wish. No, I'll be there in about fifteen minutes, and I'll see you there. Bye!" And the phone went dead.

Trini didn't pause to think why Kim wished that her trouble had something to do with their time as Rangers. She flew down the stairs of her apartment building, her purse thudding against her thigh painfully. In ten minutes she'd reached Tullo's, and could see four people she recognised standing outside. Rocky deSantos, Adam Park, Aisha Campbell and Tommy Oliver.

"wow, hi Trini!!" Aisha hadn't changed, she was still as bubbly and friendly as she'd ever been. As Trini looked around, she saw that they'd all changed in ways that were hard fro others to understand. They knew from experience what it was like to list saving the world as one of your afterschool activities, and how hard it was to give it up. They had a maturity beyond their years, but still acted their age at all times.

After the hugs and embraces, Trini told them,"I know two people are definitely going to be late. Zack's dance rehearsal is running late, and Kim's going to be here in fifteen. The others should be here soon."

"Aww, man! When do we get to eat?" Rocky asked. "I only had two hamburgers at lunch, I've been saving myself specially."

"I vote that you sit next to Jason. We'll finally get to see which one of you eats the most, and which just likes to brag." Adam suggested. Rocky rubbed his hands together, and said wickedly, "Bring it on!"

"Shall we go inside then, and wait for them in there? Tommy asked the group in general. He wanted to get this night over and done with, he didn't want to open old wounds unnecessarily. The break up with Kat had been unhappy, he had wanted it, she hadn't. If he saw Kim today, he wasn't sure he'd be able to keep his eyes off her.

"Yeah, let's," Aisha said, opening the door to the eatery. "I don't want to sound too much like Rocky, but I hope the others hurry up and get here."

They stepped into the restaurant, and immediately saw why it was the most expensive in the city. It was gorgeous, with a table set for nine in the far corner which was obviously theirs. There were only a few other people in the establishment, and no sign of the missing friends. A waitress came up and led them to their table, saying, "I'll leave you until the rest of your party turn up, and then take an order for drinks."

The five old friends chatted for about ten minutes, uninterrupted until the door once again opened and Jason and Billy stepped in.

Trini stared at the two as they came and took their seats at the table, leaving the two end seats for Kim and Zack. Two men, one that she had adored in the past, and one who could so easily be her future.

Don't think about this, Trini told herself. Billy's engaged, and Jason's involved. Neither would want her, and she didn't want to break up any kind of relationship with them. They'd been friends for eleven years, almost twelve, and she loved them both. But which one did she want?

Again, her thoughts were interrupted by Kim and Zack coming up to the table. Trini looked at both of them as they took their seats at the end of the table. Kim had looked inexpicably relieved that her seat was out of sight of the door, and Zack wasn't his normal bubbly self either. Neither of them had said much to any others, although Trini had noticed that Kim and Tommy were sneaking galnces at each other.

The drinks flowed, and the food was served, which was great. When the coffee was brought to them, Trini decided to bring the two silent members into the conversation. She was worried, Zack was never this quiet, and Kim hadn't eaten much of her food.

"So, how's the dance going, Mr Taylor?" Zack looked up from his coffee cup, which semed to hold the answers to the mysteries of the universe considering the attention that he was paying to it.

"Um, ok. I got chewed out a couple of weeks ago, but apart from that it's really good."

"How'd you get chewed out man? I thought you were the best there." Rocky asked, smiling at him. Trini hadn't been the only one to pick up on the uncharacteristic quietness on one side of the table.

"I had to take off for a couple of days," Zack said, giving a cautious glance to Kim. Noticing that she had gone pale, he craned his neck to look at what had caught her attention. Suddenly he swore softly under his breath, "Oh shit, not here."

Only Jason and Tommy, the closest to the two, heard what was whispered next between them.

"What the hell are we gonna do?" Zack hissed, casting another glance at whatever had captivated their attention.

"I don't know, but I sure as hell wish I didn't talk our escorts into having a night off."

Jason and Tommy looked at each other in disbelief. What on earth was going on?

"We'd better get out of here."

"Everyone's going to know now, aren't they??" Kim said, swiftly looking at Billy. "Well, maybe it's for the best. You tell them we have to go. We'll go back to my place, and I'll ring what's-his-face."

"Guys, I hate to bring this party to a close, but we HAVE to get out of here," Zack said. Aisha looked at him strangely and said,

"Why do you say that, it's just beginning?"

"Look, we'll go back to my place, ok?" Kim said frantically, and signaled to the waiter. On receiving a stern look from Jason, she said defensively, "What, you think I'm a poor layabout? I have a credit card. Besides, it's down to us that we have to leave, so..." Now everyone was loooking at Kim and Zack, but Kim signed the credit card receipt, and she and Zack bolted from the restaurant, their friends hastily grabbing their coats and following.

"Where is your place, Kim?" Adam yelled, she and Zack were so far in front of the rest of the group. She looked back at him, and said,

"About five minutes away."

Tommy and Jason, the group's natural leaders, easily caught up to Kim and Zack, who had resumed their low-toned conversation.

"Alright you two, what the hell is going on? Who are these people you called escorts, and why do you need them?"

"Look, we'll tell you once we're at Kim's, we can't afford to stop right now." Tommy gave him a doubting look, at which Kim laid a quick hand on his arm and said,

"We'll tell you. Just let us get inside, okay??"

Tommy calmed down immediately, but the other old friends who had now caught up to them didn't look satisfied with Kim and Zack's hasty explanation. It would just have to do...until they entered Kim's tiny apartment and began to see just what the secret could be...



Sorry this is so rushed at the end, but I have to work in..hmm 5 minutes. So I didn't exactly have time to write War and Peace if you get my meaning. But, everyone wanted to know more, so I'll do anything to satisfy people if they like me and my stories. Still looking for suggestions, and reviews of course!! Love you loads, hannah