Disclaimer: I do not own the Power Rangers. They belong to Saban, blah,blah,blah

Summary: A new girl arrives in Angel Grove, and captures Jason's attention. But what will happen when he learns her secret? Sorry it's been so long since I updated, but college life tends to suck up my free time. I'll try to get the next chapter out by the end of the weekend though!

The Phoenix Saga

Erin sat on the warm sand, knees pulled up to her chest, looking out over the waters of the lake. It was late, but she didn't feel like going back to her apartment. This was her favorite place to come when she needed peace. The waters were calm and dark, and the moon reflected off of them just right, providing all the light she needed. Normally, this was a very calming place. But today wasn't a normal day. Today her world had been turned upside down. Jason, and the others, now knew her secret … who, no what, she was.   

And Jason didn't want anything to do with me. Just like my parents.

 She set her chin down on her knees, and thought back to the day her parents had found out. A tear slid down her cheek.

He told me I was going to hell for what I was. That I was evil. He didn't want me anywhere near him; he was ashamed at me for having gotten involved with "witch-craft." At least that's what he thought it was. I guess it was my fault, to a point. I did accept these powers. But who wouldn't have? I lost everything that day. My family, my home, my life. I was forced to leave, and I couldn't tell anyone why, so I lost my friends as well.

By this time she was sobbing silently.

I was so lost when I got here. But then I met Jason, and Tommy, and the others. I started to feel like I could be happy again. But I guess I should have known better. I'm not meant to be happy.

She closed her eyes and sighed, then went back to staring at the water.

Jason stood in his backyard, staring up at the full moon, wondering what Rita had up her sleeves. With a shake of his head, he slipped into a relaxing kata. He did this on nights when things got to be too much and he couldn't sleep. This was a common occurrence lately, what with having to balance his Ranger duties and trying to live a semi-normal life.  The day's events came rushing into his thoughts. First the encounter with Rita's monster, then being sent to the dark dimension, then the revelation by Goldar that his girlfriend was in reality Phoenix.

How could he have known that if she didn't work for them?

He knew that was unfair. He really didn't think that Erin was working for Rita anymore. Even if he didn't know a thing about Phoenix, he did know his girlfriend.

At least I thought I did.

 What he was more upset about now was the fact that she had lied to him, but told his best friend who she was. And his best friend hadn't even had the decency to tell him.  As his anger rose, he shifted into a more energetic kata, punching and kicking in an effort to wear himself out. After awhile he finally succeeded, and slip down against a tree in an effort to catch his breath. With a sigh, he pushed himself up and walked home.

Billy, Tommy, Kim, Zack, and Trini gathered outside Angel Grove High the next afternoon, as soon as school was out.

"Hey guys, have any of you seen Jason or Erin today?" Zack asked.

"Neither of them were in math today." Tommy answered.

"Erin wasn't in English." Kim added.

"Jason wasn't in biology." Billy noted.

"I don't think Jason really wanted to see anyone today. Remember what he told Erin about not wanting to see her anymore?" Trini said.

"Yeah." They all agreed.

"Maybe we should split up and go talk to them." Kim suggested.

"I'll talk to Erin. The rest of you go find Jason." Tommy told them.

"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you Tommy?" she asked.

           "I'm sure. I think I stand the better chance at getting her to open up. And I really think she's going to need someone to talk to."

"All right. We'll go find Jason." She turned to Trini. "We should try the Youth Center first."

"I agree." With that they turned and went their separate ways.

"My plan is working perfectly Goldar!" Rita Repulsa cackled.

"With the Red Ranger distracted, they are effectively leaderless!" Finster stated.

"Now would be the perfect time to send your monster back to Earth!" Scorpina grew excited.

"He will crush the Power Rangers!" Goldar added.

"And Earth will finally be mine!"

Jason was in the process of beating up a very defenseless punching bag when Trini approached him. He had seen his friends come in, but still didn't feel like talking to them, so he ignored them. They had grabbed a table and ordered drinks, all the while watching their friend and leader. Trini decided it would be best if only one of them went up to him.

"Jason."

"Trini."

"Feel like talking?"

"Not really." He continued beating the lifeless bag.

"It might be good for you." She didn't get a response. "You can't keep this inside Jason. You need to get it out. Come on. We have a table if you want to join us." He looked from her to the table his friends were sitting at, knowing full well that he wasn't going to be able to get out of this one.

"All right, I'll come over there. But I don't even want to hear a word about yesterday."

"Agreed." Trini was concerned for her friend. This isn't like him. The two walked silently towards the table where Billy, Zack, and Kim were seated. Trini shook her head slightly at them, warning them not to mention anything. They all understood.

"Yo Jase, what's up man?" Zack raised his hand to give Jason a high five. The other teen just took a seat in the empty chair, silently.

"I'll go get our drinks." Kim got up and walked over to Ernie, who handed her their order.

"Hey Kim, what's the matter with Jason. He seems so down. And yesterday he and Tommy looked like they were really going at it."

"It's kinda complicated Ernie."

"Girl troubles?"

"You could say that." With that she picked up they tray and walked back to the table. Everyone grabbed their drinks. They sat in uncomfortable silence, looking at each other nobody wanting to be the first one to say anything. Trini was about to speak up when they heard an all too familiar beeping. Jason automatically covered his communicator and looked around to make sure nobody heard it. They casually got up and walked over to a secluded spot.

"Go ahead Zordon." Jason answered.

"Rangers, teleport to the command center immediately."

"On our way." They disappeared in 5 streaks of light.

Tommy stopped for a moment before walking up to the miserable girl sitting beside the lake.

She looks horrible. I can't believe Jason is doing this to her.

It had taken him more than an hour to find her. She wasn't at her apartment, or the park, or anywhere else he had checked, so he finally resorted to contacting Alpha and asking him to locate her.  He hadn't even thought to check the lake area. He walked up to her slowly, not wanting to startle her.

"Hey. How are you doing?" He asked. She didn't even look up. "You weren't in class today."

"I was here. I've been here since last night."

"You spent the night out here?" he was shocked. "Why?"

"I didn't feel like going back to my apartment." She was still staring at the water. "I didn't feel like being alone." she added quietly. Tommy sat there silently.

"Erin, look, you just need to give him some time. He will calm down, and he won't be angry anymore. You just have to be pati…."

She finally turned to look at him.

"Tommy, I'm leaving."

to be continued… soon, I promise.