My, but things do look different when the suns up, don't they. I read this
story and was like, oh myyyyy. Not exactly the kind of thing that'll get
you story of the year, right?
I sincerely thank the people who saw some good in it, and those who reviewed. :) Everyone else: Pleeeeaaaaaase give me another chance. I promise to be better....well, I'll try anyway.
Few comments, first of all: I know it seemed odd that only Rocky believed her; Jason belonged on her side. But I needed someone who cared about Tommy and knew him as long as she did on the other side. There is a reason.
Also, be watching out for that Blue Ranger guy, tee hee. You'll never know when he's gonna make an appearance...
Back Where We Started
Chapter Three
Jason hung his coat up on a hanger, and shut the closet door. He sighed, and collasped onto the first available chair, than ran his hands through his hair.
This had to be the week from hell.
His best friend had died; his 'sister' had blown up at him, and the rest of his friends were now on opposing sides. After Kim had stormed out, followed closely by Rocky, the real arguing had begun.
Trini had been mad at herself; she should have gone with her friend.
Kat had dissolved into tears again, begging them all to let her mourn Tom's death like she needed to.
Zack was uncertain about the whole situation. Kimberly was unstable; should they have let her leave? What if she hurt herself?
Tanya sided with Kat.
Adam thought they should have stuck together. Aisha agreed.
And every one was looking to him for answers.
You were the leader once, Jason reminded himself, as he sat alone in his small apartment. You should know how to make these desicions. But what? Jump up, seek out Kimberly, and pretend like Tom was still alive? Remind the friends that reality was cold, harsh?
His eyes fell onto a picture, hanging on the wall.
He was six, Kimberly and Billy five. They were in the play area of Mrs. Bartel's kindergarden class, wearing turkey hats and carrying their newly created placemats. She was grinning, and the front two teeth were absent. Billy's hands were behind her, making bunny ears, while he, Jason, stuck out his tongue.
It was all so long ago, before the Power, the fights, the distance tearing them apart.
Slowly, Jason's gaze traveled downward, until another picture drew his attention.
They were at an amusement park, all six of them. It was a treat, Rita's plans had failed for the fiftieth time, according to Billy's calculations. A huge number, Jason thought, as he remembered posing for the picture, Kimberly between him and Tom, her head resting on the Green Ranger's shoulder, but her hand around his shoulder. Trini and Billy were to their left, struggling with identical blue slurpees, while Zack danced along the short stone fence behind them.
The team.
Jason blew out a deep breath. Tommy had drew him aside, that same day, and in a hushed voice asked what Kim's favorite gem stone was. On the trip home, she'd been presented with a souvenier necklace, centered by a feax- ruby.
You're the leader right now, Jason, what do you think? Should you have gone with Kimberly? Crazy or not, should you have left her to struggle alone?
If Tommy really is dead, is that what he would have wanted, for you to abandon her? If he's alive, will he hesitate to kick your a$$ when he comes back and finds out how much you hurt her?
His hand hovered above the phone, then slowly dialed Trini's number.
**********
Kimberly was on the beach, in a wispy pink dress, and no shoes. She laughed, and ran her feet through the sand, then broke out in a run, taunting him, daring him to catch her.
He pursued. She let him win, he was sure. She'd always been the faster runner. They fell together in the sand, rolling until the waves licked at their sides.
She was laughing, but staring at him. Her eyes never left his face. Her fingertips, always so soft, touched face, and he quickly pulled her hand to his mouth and kissed it.
Isn't this the way it should be, she said, just us two? I think I'm falling in love with you, Thomas Oliver. What are you going to do about it?
He stole a small kiss on the lips. I promise, he said, I'll meet you down there at the bottom. I think I'll get there first.
Lightening cracked overhead, but he didn't pay it any attention. He had an angel in his arms.
The ocean grew closer, and this time it drenched them. She pouted. Not the new dress! Maybe we should go inside.
He wouldn't let her up. I'll buy you a new one. He kissed her again.
The waves were jealous. They attacked again, stronger, and yanked her from his arms. He shouted, but Kimberly was getting farther and farther away. Help me!
He tried to get to her, but someone was holding him back. He turned and saw Kat, dressed in Kimberly's pink gown, her arms wound around his neck. Let me go!
But she was the one refusing now, sad eyes boring into him. I need you too, you're the only one who can understand me. Kim doesn't want you, she'd happy now.
She gestured to the ocean, which had spun and shaped itself into a man's form. It was holding Kimberly possesively, placing a coral crown on her head. She was smiling.
Yes. She didn't need him.
He looked back at Kat.
**********
Tommy woke up suddenly, feeling sweat pour down his face. The chains were chafing his wrists, and he groaned.
He hadn't meant to fall asleep; it wasn't safe. But the exaustion had hit him rather suddenly.
She was waiting for him again, sitting on the small step. "Your awake. Good. I was getting worried."
"It'd be a shame if I died before you had a chance to murder me."
"I have to leave now, Tommy. I'm sorry. I have certain...stuff...to attend to."
"Yeah. Things to do, people to betray."
"That wasn't funny. You should leave the jokes to Rocky."
"You should've left the sinister plots to people we didn't trust."
"I have to go."
"Thank God."
The retreating figure spun around. "You'll be thanking *me*, begging me, when this is over and I'm the only thing between you and my kind."
****************
"We have been here for hours. What are we even trying to find?" Rocky asked, "A Tommy mask taped to the back of his head, or what?"
His companion shook her head and furrowed her brow as she ran her hands along the cold face of Thomas Oliver. It was easier now, since she didn't have to believe that it was really him. "Its only been three hours, and its not my fault that the director talked on and on and on. You're the one who got him started."
"How was I supposed to know that asking: havin' a good day, sir? would send him on a round trip through memory lane?" He crossed his arms and waited for his partner to speak.
"Oh God," she said at last. "This really isn't him. Look, the scar on his neck isn't here."
"Scar?"
She traced a path on his skin, just below his neck. "It should be here. He got in a fight with a putty once, before he had a chance to morph the thing slammed him into a tree. There was so much blood, I was scared out of my mind. Turns out it was just a little nick." She laughed softly. "He didn't let me live it down."
"I never noticed it."
"Yeah well, I probably got to know his body a little better than you."
Rocky grinned, "I guess he never told you about our secret rendezvous."
And then suddenly, for no reason, she laughed. Not a regular, happy laugh, but a delighted, estatic, wildly joyful sort of laugh. "Look." He stared over her shoulder, a bit uncomfortably, and saw Tommy's chest. When he didn't respond, she giggled even more.
"There's no tatoo."
"I didn't know he had a tatoo."
"You wouldn't. It was this small little rose. Hardly noticeable. So sweet."
"When did he get a tatoo?"
"On our first annivesary. I picked it out for him. An everlasting reminder of the way we felt."
"He got a tatoo?"
"Its not that shocking, Rock. I got one, too."
"YOU have a tatoo?"
She folded up his shirt and jumped up, a certain spring back in her step. "This isn't our Tommy. Even if it were removed with like lasers, it would leave a scar. But there's nothin'. Nada. Come on." Kimberly tugged him by the sleeve, dragging him through the halls. "We've got to tell Jason."
"Does Jason have a tatoo?"
"He's got two, now let's go."
"What?!"
They went out to the car with a renewed sense of hope. Things were looking up.
Kimberly stopped short as she reached for the handle. Someone was lurking in the shadows, moving ever so slightly. She held her breath.
The figure started walking towards them, at a slow pace. Finally, the street light bled onto it, and a girl with curly brown hair was revealed, carrying in her hand something shiny.
"Gwen!" Rocky shouted. "What are you doing here?"
"You are very keen, Kimberly of Pink. I can see why he enjoys your friendship."
"He?" Kimberly gulped, feeling nervous. Girls didn't just hang around at night for no reason. What was she holding?
"I'm afraid I have to intervene in your quest at the moment though."
"What?"
Gwen held up the object and pointed it towards them. "Its time for you to join your friend."
*********************
And so ends chapter 3. So, it may not really be all that much better, but its going somewhere right? I tried to make the characters a little more, well, in character, but I realize I'm outta practice with my Ranger pals.
Questions? Comments? Coconuts? I'm at Eileenblzr@yahoo.com
'Til next time!
I sincerely thank the people who saw some good in it, and those who reviewed. :) Everyone else: Pleeeeaaaaaase give me another chance. I promise to be better....well, I'll try anyway.
Few comments, first of all: I know it seemed odd that only Rocky believed her; Jason belonged on her side. But I needed someone who cared about Tommy and knew him as long as she did on the other side. There is a reason.
Also, be watching out for that Blue Ranger guy, tee hee. You'll never know when he's gonna make an appearance...
Back Where We Started
Chapter Three
Jason hung his coat up on a hanger, and shut the closet door. He sighed, and collasped onto the first available chair, than ran his hands through his hair.
This had to be the week from hell.
His best friend had died; his 'sister' had blown up at him, and the rest of his friends were now on opposing sides. After Kim had stormed out, followed closely by Rocky, the real arguing had begun.
Trini had been mad at herself; she should have gone with her friend.
Kat had dissolved into tears again, begging them all to let her mourn Tom's death like she needed to.
Zack was uncertain about the whole situation. Kimberly was unstable; should they have let her leave? What if she hurt herself?
Tanya sided with Kat.
Adam thought they should have stuck together. Aisha agreed.
And every one was looking to him for answers.
You were the leader once, Jason reminded himself, as he sat alone in his small apartment. You should know how to make these desicions. But what? Jump up, seek out Kimberly, and pretend like Tom was still alive? Remind the friends that reality was cold, harsh?
His eyes fell onto a picture, hanging on the wall.
He was six, Kimberly and Billy five. They were in the play area of Mrs. Bartel's kindergarden class, wearing turkey hats and carrying their newly created placemats. She was grinning, and the front two teeth were absent. Billy's hands were behind her, making bunny ears, while he, Jason, stuck out his tongue.
It was all so long ago, before the Power, the fights, the distance tearing them apart.
Slowly, Jason's gaze traveled downward, until another picture drew his attention.
They were at an amusement park, all six of them. It was a treat, Rita's plans had failed for the fiftieth time, according to Billy's calculations. A huge number, Jason thought, as he remembered posing for the picture, Kimberly between him and Tom, her head resting on the Green Ranger's shoulder, but her hand around his shoulder. Trini and Billy were to their left, struggling with identical blue slurpees, while Zack danced along the short stone fence behind them.
The team.
Jason blew out a deep breath. Tommy had drew him aside, that same day, and in a hushed voice asked what Kim's favorite gem stone was. On the trip home, she'd been presented with a souvenier necklace, centered by a feax- ruby.
You're the leader right now, Jason, what do you think? Should you have gone with Kimberly? Crazy or not, should you have left her to struggle alone?
If Tommy really is dead, is that what he would have wanted, for you to abandon her? If he's alive, will he hesitate to kick your a$$ when he comes back and finds out how much you hurt her?
His hand hovered above the phone, then slowly dialed Trini's number.
**********
Kimberly was on the beach, in a wispy pink dress, and no shoes. She laughed, and ran her feet through the sand, then broke out in a run, taunting him, daring him to catch her.
He pursued. She let him win, he was sure. She'd always been the faster runner. They fell together in the sand, rolling until the waves licked at their sides.
She was laughing, but staring at him. Her eyes never left his face. Her fingertips, always so soft, touched face, and he quickly pulled her hand to his mouth and kissed it.
Isn't this the way it should be, she said, just us two? I think I'm falling in love with you, Thomas Oliver. What are you going to do about it?
He stole a small kiss on the lips. I promise, he said, I'll meet you down there at the bottom. I think I'll get there first.
Lightening cracked overhead, but he didn't pay it any attention. He had an angel in his arms.
The ocean grew closer, and this time it drenched them. She pouted. Not the new dress! Maybe we should go inside.
He wouldn't let her up. I'll buy you a new one. He kissed her again.
The waves were jealous. They attacked again, stronger, and yanked her from his arms. He shouted, but Kimberly was getting farther and farther away. Help me!
He tried to get to her, but someone was holding him back. He turned and saw Kat, dressed in Kimberly's pink gown, her arms wound around his neck. Let me go!
But she was the one refusing now, sad eyes boring into him. I need you too, you're the only one who can understand me. Kim doesn't want you, she'd happy now.
She gestured to the ocean, which had spun and shaped itself into a man's form. It was holding Kimberly possesively, placing a coral crown on her head. She was smiling.
Yes. She didn't need him.
He looked back at Kat.
**********
Tommy woke up suddenly, feeling sweat pour down his face. The chains were chafing his wrists, and he groaned.
He hadn't meant to fall asleep; it wasn't safe. But the exaustion had hit him rather suddenly.
She was waiting for him again, sitting on the small step. "Your awake. Good. I was getting worried."
"It'd be a shame if I died before you had a chance to murder me."
"I have to leave now, Tommy. I'm sorry. I have certain...stuff...to attend to."
"Yeah. Things to do, people to betray."
"That wasn't funny. You should leave the jokes to Rocky."
"You should've left the sinister plots to people we didn't trust."
"I have to go."
"Thank God."
The retreating figure spun around. "You'll be thanking *me*, begging me, when this is over and I'm the only thing between you and my kind."
****************
"We have been here for hours. What are we even trying to find?" Rocky asked, "A Tommy mask taped to the back of his head, or what?"
His companion shook her head and furrowed her brow as she ran her hands along the cold face of Thomas Oliver. It was easier now, since she didn't have to believe that it was really him. "Its only been three hours, and its not my fault that the director talked on and on and on. You're the one who got him started."
"How was I supposed to know that asking: havin' a good day, sir? would send him on a round trip through memory lane?" He crossed his arms and waited for his partner to speak.
"Oh God," she said at last. "This really isn't him. Look, the scar on his neck isn't here."
"Scar?"
She traced a path on his skin, just below his neck. "It should be here. He got in a fight with a putty once, before he had a chance to morph the thing slammed him into a tree. There was so much blood, I was scared out of my mind. Turns out it was just a little nick." She laughed softly. "He didn't let me live it down."
"I never noticed it."
"Yeah well, I probably got to know his body a little better than you."
Rocky grinned, "I guess he never told you about our secret rendezvous."
And then suddenly, for no reason, she laughed. Not a regular, happy laugh, but a delighted, estatic, wildly joyful sort of laugh. "Look." He stared over her shoulder, a bit uncomfortably, and saw Tommy's chest. When he didn't respond, she giggled even more.
"There's no tatoo."
"I didn't know he had a tatoo."
"You wouldn't. It was this small little rose. Hardly noticeable. So sweet."
"When did he get a tatoo?"
"On our first annivesary. I picked it out for him. An everlasting reminder of the way we felt."
"He got a tatoo?"
"Its not that shocking, Rock. I got one, too."
"YOU have a tatoo?"
She folded up his shirt and jumped up, a certain spring back in her step. "This isn't our Tommy. Even if it were removed with like lasers, it would leave a scar. But there's nothin'. Nada. Come on." Kimberly tugged him by the sleeve, dragging him through the halls. "We've got to tell Jason."
"Does Jason have a tatoo?"
"He's got two, now let's go."
"What?!"
They went out to the car with a renewed sense of hope. Things were looking up.
Kimberly stopped short as she reached for the handle. Someone was lurking in the shadows, moving ever so slightly. She held her breath.
The figure started walking towards them, at a slow pace. Finally, the street light bled onto it, and a girl with curly brown hair was revealed, carrying in her hand something shiny.
"Gwen!" Rocky shouted. "What are you doing here?"
"You are very keen, Kimberly of Pink. I can see why he enjoys your friendship."
"He?" Kimberly gulped, feeling nervous. Girls didn't just hang around at night for no reason. What was she holding?
"I'm afraid I have to intervene in your quest at the moment though."
"What?"
Gwen held up the object and pointed it towards them. "Its time for you to join your friend."
*********************
And so ends chapter 3. So, it may not really be all that much better, but its going somewhere right? I tried to make the characters a little more, well, in character, but I realize I'm outta practice with my Ranger pals.
Questions? Comments? Coconuts? I'm at Eileenblzr@yahoo.com
'Til next time!