Disclaimers: Characters are owned not be writer of this particular fan fiction. Please do not sue me for I'm definitely not making any money off of this story and this is for amusement only.
Warning: Rated NC-17 for content and language.
Note: The former rangers have moved on in their lives but are pulled back into the game by a little gift left behind from an old "friend." While they fight for their lives yet again, they learn more about each other.
Age check: Billy, Tommy, Jason, Zack-27. Adam, Aisha, Rocky, Trini, Kimberly-26. Katherine, Tonya-25.
Acknowledgements: This one is for Shawn (Ozmandayus), for all the encouragements he has given me and for inspiring me to do this story with all this great writing. Thanks! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter Five – First Night and Information
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April 21, 2002 – 9: 52 p.m. London Time
ISS London Headquarters – Director's Office
London England
"That's all you have?" Emmerman looked over the files faxed over just the hour before.
"That's all there is." Ballard muttered into the phone. "I'm telling you, there's nothing on these guys."
"There's got to be a missing file somewhere." Jonathan refused to believe that there's nothing here, not even a goddamn traffic ticket.
"I'll keep looking." Ballard groaned but felt resigned to it. "But I have to tell you, I'm beginning to believe these guys are the real thing."
"Why?"
"Yearbooks, community center interviews, newspaper clippings. I've seen some of it, they appeared to be genuinely good people."
"No one is this good."
"Jonathan, go home and sleep. You are beginning to sound like Mulder on a alien hunt."
"Who?"
"Never mind. Go home."
Emmerman hung up the phone and stared out the window at the busy London streets. He had a hard time believing that there are people that are this good. No way in hell would he believe that they didn't have so much as a parking violation. Something was fishy.
Picking up the phone, he decided to call in a very personal and very important favor.
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April 21, 2002 – 10: 54 p.m. Berlin Time
ISS Warsaw Headquarters – Billy Cranston's Quarters
Warsaw Poland
"Are you sure you're okay?" Katherine asked as she helped Billy into the room. The man looked tired, his movement was slow and halting. His usual cheerful self seemed to have disappeared under a load of stress.
"Yeah, just a little tired. NASA's been really drilling us lately over this whole thing. No one bothered to tell us everything. Thank god for Kimberly and Trini." Billy said with a sigh. He was glad to be sitting down again, relaxed this time and not hunched over the keyboard of a computer.
Kat fiddled with the edge of the dresser drawer and wondered if she should even approach this question. "How long have you known?"
"About what?"
"Kimberly and Trini."
He shrugged out of his jacket and undid the top buttons of his shirt. He was tired, so very tired. "About a year and a half. Trini needed someone to help disarm a computer-trapped warhead. So she turned to her ever-friendly computer expert."
"So you've know for some time now." She bit the inside of her cheek. She felt like a fool to be even getting into this. It was ridiculous for her to be doing this yet some part of her needed to know. Needed to move on if…… if anything.
"Yeah," he sat down on the bed. He really didn't want to get into this with her. Especially not now. "Look I know that everyone thinks that I should have told but you know what, I really don't care right now. Trini asked for my help, I gave it to her. She asked me not to say anything, I didn't. I was trying to help a friend."
"That's it?"
"That's it."
Kat looked at him with sober eyes. "I always thought you were in love with her."
He nodded, missing the whole point. "I was."
She didn't say anything. Didn't know what to say. "Was?"
"Yeah, I was. A guess a part of me will always love her in some level but that's long past. She belongs with someone else. She needs someone other than me. Lordy, we're both such introspective people, we'd drive each other out of our minds. You simply can't put two highly intelligent people together and hope they don't have a mental melt down together. Workaholics should never be allowed to date workaholics; they bring out the worse traits in each other. Besides, she needs someone that can bring things out of her." He smiled. "And by the looks of things, she's probably going to get it."
Kat nodded her head, understanding it. "Was she ever in love with you?"
"Trini?" he shook his head. "No, Trini always thought of me as her friend. And probably loves me as a sister would a brother. But no, she never felt for me what I had for her."
"You regret it?"
"No, not in the way most people would think. We're both intelligent enough to know that it would never have worked out." He looked rather wistfully. "She was beautiful though."
"She still is."
"Yes she is." He looked out the window, completely missing the look of hurt on Kat's face.
She didn't know what to say. Outright like or dislike would be easily to combat. It certainly won't be the first time she's combated for the affections of a man. But to fight sibling affection? That was almost impossible. And she liked Trini, thought her a wonderful person. Could even easily see why Billy loved her. But damn it, she wanted Billy. And it appears that Billy still wanted Trini, no matter what he says.
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April 21, 2002 – 11:00 p.m. Berlin Time
Underground Caverns
Cracow, Poland
The long legs of the creature probe the ground. These weren't much nutrient left around here. The years had been long, so very long. But now he was ready to serve his masters. He had his order, written directly into his genetic code, he grew up knowing what to do.
The runner will find them. They will be able to bring them to him. The runners, yes they would have to be place out of this jail he was confined in. The human before, they had fed him enough energy to give him strength to send out runners. Yes, the runners. The runners will go, they will find what he needs, they will find them.
Or simply bring more humans for him to feed. He needed his strength to serve his master.
Yes, he will serve, he will serve will and being free of this place shall be his reward.
They will reward him. They will be glad he had survived to serve them. Yes, he shall be free.
Breath, just breath slow. The rumbling will bring the humans again. They will feed him, give him what he needs. They will return.
The runners. Yes, the runners. They must be sent out soon. Soon.
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April 21, 2002 – 11: 07 p.m. Berlin Time
ISS Warsaw Headquarters – Agent Kimberly Hart's Quarters
Warsaw Poland
Tommy held her from behind. He was still having a bit of trouble wrapping his brain around the fact that she had asked him in. She had wanted him to stay with her. And here he was, holding her. It was nice, too nice.
"It's lovely." He said as they shared the view.
"Yes it is." She wanted to cry. She wanted to laugh. She wanted him.
"You should sleep."
"Stay with me?"
"What ever you need, baby." He held her. Just held her. There was comfort in that.
She cried then. Tears from the soul that's been buried so long, she almost forgot about them. It hurt so bad, this tear in her heart she's been carrying around for almost eight years. "Tommy."
"Shh…." He turned her around and allowed her to sob into his shirt. "It's okay, I'm right here."
"I'm so sorry." Her tears came on their own accord now. The floodgates had been opened and she didn't know how to stop them. It's been so long since she last shed tears of anger, sadness, happiness, or even forgiveness. She hadn't cried in so long, not since she wrote that damn letter to free him from her. To free him, let him go with her heart still his to take. "I'm so so sorry."
"Doesn't matter," he whispered, feeling his own eyes tear up. He knew what she was talking about. They've never needed words to communicate before, never needed them. "Doesn't matter anymore."
"Tommy," she gasped for breath as the tears won't stop. "I….. I….."
"Shh…." He brushed a lock of hair way and looked into her eyes. "We're going to be okay."
"No, you…..don't….. you don't understand." She face contorted in pain. "I… I was so lost." She couldn't get the words out it hurt so much. "I needed something, anything……. to fill that void……and……and I didn't have you……..so ……so ….…everything……….. was bad."
"Shh……" he held her tight, didn't want to hear anymore. She was in pain. In so much pain that it hurt him to see her in so much agony over things long past. "Don't worry, we'll get through this. Together."
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April 21, 2002 – 6:10 p.m. EST
Pentagon – Conference Room #3
Washington DC
The large glass table was covered with papers and files. Boxes after boxes were being cart in and unloaded. It was one hell of a mess and they have very little time to go through it. Sixteen officers sat in chairs, on the table, leaning against the wall, was currently reading through the materials. It was going to be a really long night.
A lieutenant came running into the room and picked up the phone with the flashing read light. "General Davidson, Director Emmerman of ISS London for you."
Picking up the phone, the gray hair man frowned. "What is it Emmerman? I'm kind of busy right now."
"I can imagine." Emmerman could hear the rustling of paper in the back. "I need a little favor."
"What do you want?"
"Information."
"What else is new?" Davidson grabbed another file, he wondered if there was any order to any of this or if there was any point. Chances are there isn't anything in there they can even use.
"Seriously, I need something." He smirked into the phone. "Call it a return favor for not beating the shit out of you when you eloped with my sister."
Davidson rolled his eyes. "What can I do for you then?"
"Can you get me files on a couple of people?"
"FBI or CIA?"
"Anything."
"Don't your people have ways of getting info?"
"Yeah, but I've hit a couple of clean slates."
"So? Ever thought that not everyone is a bad egg?" Davidson flipped through several photos of Power Rangers from the early 1990's. "You're too paranoid."
"Nobody is this clean. And especially when the entire fucking group came up with nothing." He scratched down a note to himself to call his sister in the morning. "Can you get me the files if I get you the names?"
"Sure, fax them over."
"Thanks. Kiss your daughters for me and tell them their uncle misses them."
"Sure." He paused for a minute. "What's so special about these people?"
"They're the ones in Poland right now."
Davidson stopped and stared at the phone. "You're kidding?"
"Nope."
"What the hell were you guys thinking sending a couple of unknown in?"
"Didn't really get much of a choice on this one."
"Oh man. You better pray these guys are boy scouts or we could really be screwed."
"Yeah, I know." Emmerman was about to say his good-bye when something occurred to him. "Hey Bobby?"
"Yeah what?" He was only half paying attention now. There was an article on a couple of kids going Power Ranger hunting in the newspaper some eight years back. Maybe it was time to interview those kids.
"Heard anything upside about nukes?"
"What?" That got his attention real fast. "What are you talking about?"
"The Russians and the Chinese. Someone from over here heard that they are talking about nuking Poland."
"You've got to be kidding!" He put the file down. The Power Rangers were forgotten for the moment. "When was this?"
"This afternoon. You hear anything about it?"
"I was locked way with a couple of the NASA boys this afternoon. I haven't heard anything."
"Can you check it out?"
"Yeah, I'll do that." He picked up a pen. "Get me the names and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. By the way, you might want to think about sending the wife and kids this way for a little while. Emily would be happy to have them over."
"Thought about it but Karen won't hear of the idea. Said that she isn't running."
Davidson sighed. "Okay, but the offer stands."
"Thanks. Get back to me, okay?"
"Sure, see ya."
Davidson hung up the line and punched in another number. "Get me General Hammond."
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April 21, 2002 – 11:14 p.m. Berlin Time
ISS Warsaw Headquarters – Aisha Campbell's Quarters
Warsaw Poland
Aisha sat in the darkness, silent and thoughtful. She hadn't missed the look she got from Rocky when they made their way to the personnel quarters area. He looked rather wistful, regretful. She wondered what was going through his mind right now. It was hard to tell.
She missed him. Missed them all. Being a Power Ranger had been a big part of her life then it was gone. She was happy in Boston. She's got a great job, which is currently on hold with that horribly lame excuse she gave them, and lots of friends. But she was beginning to feel the pressure there. Maybe it was time to consider coming home. Home! Angel Grove, no matter what, no matter how long, will always be home to her.
Getting up from the bed, she looked out the window. But first, they had to save the world.
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April 21, 2002 – 11:17 p.m. Berlin Time
ISS Warsaw Headquarters – Adam Park's Quarters
Warsaw Poland
Adam took his shirt off and climbed into the bed. He didn't want to think anymore. Everything led to the current problems and he was simply too confused and too tired to think clearly. It was times like this that he wished to hell he had never heard of the Power Rangers.
But that wasn't true. Being a Power Ranger had given him meaning, given him so much more than he could say. It was a part of him and his life. He won't have traded it for the world.
Rocky would understand if the boy were even talking to him. Hum…… He wondered for the moment before falling into sleep if Aisha knew what he was doing? And did Rocky suspect? They would both kill him if they knew. He was trying to be subtle about it, really he was.
Let's hope they are both slow in picking it up. He would like to live long enough to help Trini and Kim over this thing. Maybe Tanya can help……. Yes, he'll talk to Tanya tomorrow about it. In the meantime, sleep was a good thing.
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April 22, 2002 – 2:15 a.m. Berlin Time
ISS Warsaw Headquarters – Dr. Trini Kwan's Quarters
Warsaw Poland
Jason woke up abruptly when the back of Trini's hand smacked him in the face.
"Ouch," he rubbed his nose and was about to yell at Trini when he realized that she wasn't even awake.
Her movements were jerky, struggling against some unseen foe. Wetness leaked from the corners of her eyes. She whimpered in pain and panted her distress. She was in the mist of a nightmare, a nightmare that was causing her pain.
"Trini, wake up." Jason said as he took hold of her shoulders. "TRINI! Wake up. You're having a nightmare!"
She woke up prepared to scream but caught herself in time before she blasted Jason's eardrums out. Her eyes were like two great big wounds on her face. It took her another moment to recognize him. Her arms came around him so quickly that Jason lost his leverage and fell on her.
"Jason," she whispered the word as if it was a life preserver that she could hang on to. "Jason."
"It's okay, I'm right here." He held her tight. She was shaking like a leaf. He rubbed her back slowly, trying to calm her. "It's just a nightmare, it can't hurt you now."
She shook her head but says nothing, clutching him for dear life. "Jason." She didn't want to let go. It felt good to be in his arms. She was safe with him. They can't get her then.
"It's okay, I'm right here." He wiped the tears from her eyes, the salty tears that created such pain in her face. "It's okay." Jason kissed her soft brows wanting nothing more than to stop her tears.
Trini sniffed and then grabbed Jason by the back of his neck. His eyes went wide a split second before their lips met. The kiss was furiously hot and infinitely passionate. She came to him opened mouthed, wanting to taste what she had never before. He couldn't possibly resist under the sudden onslaught of emotions, nor did he particular want to. They moved restlessly against each other, passion feeding passion.
His hands moved to clutch her tight to him. Her soft body molded itself to fit his so perfectly. He could feel her hands, those delicate hands that were so use to picking up fragile beaker and test tubes, dig themselves into the hard muscles across his back. She was all liquid heat. So wonderfully passionate in her state of mindlessness that he wanted to devour her alive. He couldn't get enough of her.
She found the weight of him on her wonderfully safe and comforting. He was so much bigger than she, so much stronger in the physical sense though she knew she could probably hold her own against him in hand-to-hand. It felt breathtaking to be so soft, so wonderfully helpless. He could take care of her; he could protect her from the rest of the world.
Jason's mind was slow to catch up to the rest of him; of course it was hard to think when there was no blood left in his brain. She had just woken from a nightmare; she was vulnerable. He'd be a monster to take advantage of her now when all her defenses were down. He couldn't do that to her, couldn't hurt her like that. But damn, this was so good, better than any dream he's ever had of the two of them together, at last.
He slowly untangled her arms from him. It took all his will power, and then some, to push himself away from her and sat up with his back to her so he could breath again. He could hear the rushing of his own blood has they pass through his brain to other areas of his body.
"Jason?"
"Trini, we can't." He prayed she couldn't hear the desperation in his voice. "You aren't ready."
"What the hell does that mean?" She scrambled up to her knees, her heart drummed fast and furious in her chest. She wanted him, all of him. "Look at me."
"I can't." He whispered into the darkness. "If I do, I'm not going to be able to stop." He prayed she understood. Prayed that she stayed as far away from him now as she possibly could. Damn it, he was a young healthy man. It was only natural that……. He was only human.
Her warm, soft hands came around him. He silently berated himself for not wearing the damn shirt. Her lips graze the side of his neck and his eyes crossed as her lips nibbled her way up to his ear. "I'm not asking you to."
He needed to move away from her….. needed to put distance between them….. needed to……… Damn! She was like a drug to his system. Now that he's had a taste of her, he wanted another, and another, and another……. Before he knew it, they were knelt on the bed, locked in another passionate embrace. She pressed her body nearer to him craving more. He undid the buttons of the pajama top, taking it off in slow sensual motions even as his mouth feasted on her lips. She tasted so good, so right.
Her head was thrown back as his lips left a hot trail down her throat. She was on fire. Everywhere touched by his lips, his hands, and his body, felt as if the sun had scorched it. He was infinitely slow and gentle with her even as she wanted more, yearned for more. Her hands touched the skin bared to her. She was eager, she was passionate, she was his.
He pressed her gently back down to the bed, covering her body with his down. He wanted to enjoy her, to savor each touch, each kiss, each moment of sheer delight. But he instinctively knew that's not what she needed tonight. Tonight, she needed something more, something else.
Her soft little hands explored his body with bold strokes. "Jason?"
"You are very bad." He muttered against her mouth. "So very bad."
"Thank you." She smiled against his kissing lips.
She was like sugar and honey, only a hundred times better.
Their coupling was fast and furious, hot and wild. They peaked together blindingly and crashed over the edge of ecstasy. Neither one had ever known the meaning of making love until that very moment. It was magnificently beautiful.
Trini pressed her lips to his just before she slip over into unconsciousness. She slept peacefully and dreamt of him.
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September 30, 2002 - This chapter has been altered from the original format to comply with FanFictions.Net's new ratings rule.