1. Strangers

"Strangers in the night, two lonely people

We were strangers in the night

Up to the moment when we said our first hello, little did we know…"

"Strangers In The Night", words by Charles Singleton & Eddie Snyder, music by Bert Kaempfert, preformed by Frank Sinatra.

The truth was that it gave him the creeps. Wandering about the Angel Grove Park was fine in full daylight, but in the hours of pre-dawn it was rather scary. Plus he hated getting up early. No, he didn't like roaming the park all by himself, but it was his only way of getting some alone time. As much he enjoyed the company of his friends, he needed time to reflect upon his own thoughts and feelings.

A sudden noise made him freeze in place. For a second he wasn't sure that he really heard something, but then he heard it again. The sound of footsteps on the wet grass. The black Ranger looked around him. There were some trees to his left, and he knew that there was a slope hidden behind them. He was pretty sure that the noise came from there. He crept silently, careful not to step on fallen twigs, or make any other sound. He pushed the branches aside slowly, looked down and caught his breath.

She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Her long dark hair swirled around like a veil, reflecting the first rays of light. The red sleeve-less shirt revealed a pair of latte colored arms, but her figure was obscured by a pair of khakis. For a moment he thought that she was dancing, so flowing was the way she moved. Yet she was not dancing: she was shadow-sparring. Most of her elements were taken from Korindo-Aikido, but some others seemed to originate from Kung Fu, Karate and even Takwando. She was one of the most skilled fighters he had ever seen.

Suddenly she opened her eyes, and all her tranquility was gone: she had seen him. She fell back to a classic Korindo pose.

"Hi," he said. His voice sounded strange to his own ears.

"Explain," she answered chilly.

"I'm not an enemy. I was just – passing by."

"Oh were you?"

"I never saw anything like that before."

"You know martial arts than?"

"Some."

"Come down here and prove it."

He slid down the wet slope and stepped towards her. Close up, she was tiny, less than 1.5 meters in height and her weight most likely 45-50 kilograms. With all her skill, he felt that she had no chance against him. Not only was he much bigger and stronger than she was, but he had his Ranger's stamina and speed.

"You'd be surprised," she said quietly, as if she read his thoughts, "Are you ready?"

He arranged his body in his favorite attack position. "Whenever you are."

Whatever he was expecting, it wasn't this. Her speed made his strength unimportant, and she turned her size into an advantage, undoubtedly counting on the fact was not used to sparring with a person so much smaller than he was. She was smart and skilled, and had him lying on his back panting for breath before he understood what had hit him.

She stared down at him. "You're good," she said, "Care for another round?"

"I don't think I can beat you."

"You won't know if you won't try."

"Are you sure you're ok?"

"I told you like a hundred times, yes."

"Are you sure?"

"Are you going to keep this up?" Carlos turned around and faced his friends, "Because if you are, I'm going to beat the shit out of you right here in the hall."

"You're making a scene," said Cassie, looking around at their fellow students.

"How am I to believe that everything is find when you're yelling at us in the middle of a school corridor?" pointed out TJ.

"I wouldn't be yelling if you two didn't bug me so much. I told you, I didn't sleep very well."

"Why?"

"Because. None of us are lacking in reasons," he teased, referring to their common secret, "Are you through?"

TJ was about to say something, but Cassie stepped on his foot, hard. He bit his lip. "Yes."

"Good." Carlos turned on his heels and stormed away.

"What was that for?" complained TJ as soon as Carlos was gone.

"We were just annoying him."

"Slept bad my ass."

"I know, but there's really nothing we can do."

"We're his friends! Why won't he let us help him?" TJ slammed his fist to the wall.

"He's hurting."

"All the more reason to talk to his friends!"

"I think he's afraid we'll hurt him too."

"It's ridiculous."

"Not consciously, but he's afraid. Ashley once told me that they were friends since both could remember. He's taking it pretty bad."

"This is bad for the team. These two need to speak."

"Do you really think it would help?"

"No," he admitted, "It would just make Ashley feel miserable."

"And Andros."

"And it certainly won't make Carlos feel any better." TJ sighed. "We can't go on like this."

"I know," said Cassie quietly, "But there's nothing we can do."

"Actually," said TJ slowly, "I just might have an idea."

The princess of evil smiled maliciously. "I'm so glad you called me to see this, Ecliptor."

"I'm very happy that you are pleased, my princess."

"At times like this, I know that the universe is on our side and that evil will surely win. Why, with the Rangers distrusting each other like that!"

"I would not quite call it 'distrust'."

"Not yet, but soon enough. The black Ranger's confidence in his teammates is wavering. A little push, and he will fall."

"And with him, all of the accursed Rangers. What a lovely plan, my princess."

"We still need a way to hurt the black Astro Ranger," commented the princess. "I want you to watch his every move, Ecliptor. Let me know if there is anything that we can use against him."

The warrior bowed his head. "Of course, my princess."

"Hi, little sister. I think that winter is almost over, you know? And about time it did, it's so long this year. They said just the other day that the last time we had such a long winter was when… you know. I wonder if it means anything. Probably not, but I'm thinking about it anyway. That's me alright, worrying about things I can do nothing about.

"Anyway, I brought you some fresh flowers. Lilies, your favorites, and some red clovers too. I like the red clovers; they make the lilies stand out so much. Oh, what am I bubbling about?

"I'm ever so sorry that I'm late. Someone walked in on me when I was in the park. I think I was a little nasty to him. Fine, a little more than nasty. I know I shouldn't take it out on people, but sometimes it's very hard not to. It has been so long since the last time I was really able to talk to someone. I suppose I will never quite accept what happened. I know I'm being silly, but I can't help it. I will never accept it, and you know it. Mom and Dad know it too. We're never giving up, ever.

"I have to go now. I know, I know, I stayed really short this time. But I promise to come back this evening, right after the sparring session. He's one of the best I've seen, and it's been so long since I last had challenge. No, you're right. It's not just the challenge I like. I wish you could meet: I think you would like him"

"Hi, Carlos!". He turned around and saw the yellow Astro Ranger running towards him with a big smile on her face. "I've been looking for you everywhere!"

"What for?"

"You're not going to believe this. I couldn't."

"What are you talking about, Ash?"

"Lunch."

"What?"

"Oh, come on." She looked around quickly, dragged him to an empty classroom and teleported them on board the Astro Mega Ship.

"What is this all about?"

"They're probably down in the mess hall, c'mon."

"Are you going to tell me what is it that you are so excited about?"

"No."

"No?"

"It's a surprise."

"I hate surprises."

"You'll love this one."

The elevator's doors opened. The rest of the team set around the table, obviously waiting for them.

"I don't like synthesized burgers, thank you."

"These are synthesized."

"They don't look like take-away from Adel's, either."

"That's because they're not," said TJ proudly, "I made them."

"We arranged a kitchen on board."

"You're kidding," said Carlos in disbelief.

"They're not," said Andros, "They drove me crazy all morning instead of going to school, where they should have been." He shot his two teammates a look. Cassie smiled innocently.

"Speak for yourself, I thought it was fun," said Zhane.

"That's because…"

"I hate to interrupt you guys," said Ashley, "But the food is growing cold."

"Oh, I don't know," said Carlos, "The less they eat, the more left for us."

"You are a mean person," accused Zhane, "But I'll might forgive you if you pass me the pepper."

"Don't let him near the pepper!" cried a panicked Cassie. "You don't want to know what he did with it before."

"I might as well have guessed."

"You look a bit tired," commented the girl. She was waiting for him at the same place they met that morning.

"Hard day," he smiled at her, "I'm definitely in the mood for some sparring."

"That's good."

"Just one question."

"I don't promise to answer."

"What's your name?" He waited a few second, and after she didn't answer he said "I'm Carlos."

"Shiera," she answered.

"Pretty name."

"Look, Carlos…" she hesitated, "You don't have anything in mind, do you?"

"Apart from sparring, you mean?"

"Yes."

"Just one thing." This is going to be funny, he though, then finished: "I want to figure what makes you so good."

She almost laughed, relieved. "I can try and teach you. After a couple of rounds, that is."

"All right with me."

"So shut up and let's go."

"Remind me to never bet against you again," grunted Cassie.

"Aren't you glad that my idea worked?" teased her TJ.

She threw the wet towel at it. "Of course I am. I just happened to hate washing dishes."

"So do I. This is why it was such a great thing to bet on."

"Only because you won. Do you have to sit here and watch me?"

"I'm just keeping you company."

"Yeah, right. Oh…" she giggled, "It was worth it just for the sake of watching Andros. The guy thinks that kitchenware is evil."

"Now that we spoiled him with some real food, he won't revert to the food synthesizer any more than he would to living on his own. But I have to admit, he couldn't cook if his life depended on it."

"He's sure to learn, now that Ashley promised to teach him," said Cassie with a sly smile, "I believe that she promised to come over tomorrow morning and show how to make waffles."

"So it's a double win: not only that the prospect of real food on board made Carlos less grumpy, but Ashley and Andros get to spend some quality time together. If Zhane won't intrude, that is."

"I don't think they mind him. Besides which, Ashley is going to come here before school. I don't think Zhane wakes up so early."

"He would he if an opportunity for a prank will present itself."

"Triple win than."

"How come?"

"He's been a little down lately. Nothing like having Andros yell at him to make Zhane happy."

TJ rolled his eyes. "I'd rather face Ecliptor when stripped of my morpher, than Zhane armed with a waffle toaster."

"That can be arranged."

"You're a horrible woman, Cassie."

"I'm a girl, not a woman", she said with indignantly.

"Don't girls usually like to be referred to as women?"

"Girls don't usually have the responsibility of saving the galaxy on their shoulders." She wrinkled her nose. "I feel more than mature enough even without being call a woman."

"Come on, let's go."

"Go where?"

"Out."

"I need to finish the dishes."

"I'll do it later."

"Where are we going again? And please be more specific."

"The movies, the mall, I don't know. Wherever you want."

"Seaside. I haven't walked on the beach for ages."

"So grab your coat, it's still chilly."

"TJ?"

"Yes?"

She kissed him on his cheek. "You're sweet."

Next time: "They're dead."