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AN: Here's chapter 15! Enjoy and please leave us review!

Quiet Evil

Chapter 15

By Andrea McPherren and Tanya DePass

Lilacmoon@hotmail.com and Direwolf1211@attbi.com

"Kim, I wanted to apologize, I really did--- but I can't help myself. I am still in love with you, even if you did taint yourself with Billy. Let me show you how much I still love you Kim," Tommy moved forward and kissed Kim before she could get away.

Billy and Adam stood stock still as Kim stood there in shock while Tommy kissed her. Billy couldn't move or breathe for the moment. He wanted to go to Kim, but he knew if he interfered it would undermine what he had promised. Adam put a hand on his shoulder as they watched the drama unfold.

~*~

Kim shoved Tommy away, breaking the unwanted kiss.

"Kim...please," Tommy said, as he tried to advance on her again.

"No Tommy, you had no right. You said that you wanted to talk to me, not try and make a move on me," Kim replied.

"But I love you Kim," Tommy replied.

"No Tommy, you just want me back, because you don't like defeat. Sorry, but I love Billy with all my heart, not you," Kim replied.

~*~

Billy smiled and Adam patted his shoulder. Seeing no reason to continue watching, Billy and Adam teleported back to the youth center. While they chatted with the others, Tommy looked at Kim in equal amounts of disbelief, shock and anger. How could she love him, when what they had was so amazing?

He looked away for a moment and then came to her. "Kim, you're going to regret turning on me for Billy. Both of you will, believe me. Powers or not I'll have my revenge on you two." Tommy strode off in the falling dusk as Kim stood there in shock at what Tommy had said. He had threatened revenge on them for something they couldn't help feeling. She raised a shaky hand to her teleporter and headed to the youth center.

Billy turned at a point in the conversation and saw Kim enter the building. He noticed something was wrong and went to her. "Kim, why do you look like that? What happened to you?" Billy held her close and stroked her hair.

Kim took a deep breath to calm herself before she started to speak. "Tommy vowed to get us back one way or another. He said powers or not he would have his revenge. The look in his eyes was horrible. Just like when he was evil. I'm scared he is going to do us harm Billy." Kim said as she buried herself deeper into his embrace. Billy said nothing as he comforted Kim.

As they stood and wondered what to do about Tommy, the others were in the park catching up on things. Trini and Jason were only aware of each other as the others relaxed and chatted in the park.

"So he tried to kiss her and she shoved him away?" Rocky asked.

"Yep, I gave Billy a good pat on the shoulder after that one," Adam replied.

"I can't believe he would do that. What's the matter with him," Aisha said. She didn't like to see her best friend unhappy. Billy made her happy and Tommy didn't, so naturally Aisha had some harsh feelings for Tommy as well. As she said that, Adam spotted Billy and Kim coming toward them. But they did not harbor the happy expressions that he had expected they would.

Something was wrong. What had Tommy said to Kim after he and Billy were no longer watching? Adam wondered this as he approached the couple. "What happened guys? Did Tommy say something Kim?" Adam asked. By now, everyone was gathered around Billy and Kim.

"He's threatened us again. He said power of not, he will have his revenge," Kim uttered, while Billy stood stock still, fuming over Tommy's words.

"We better tell Zordon," Rocky said.

"It won't do any good," Billy replied sullenly. "We can't act on verbal threats. As always, we have to wait for the first move to be made," Billy said, not liking the answer one bit.

"Billy's right, Tommy's not a physical threat until he makes himself so. And to be honest, he's not stupid. He intends to keep himself in that fine line that we have to follow.

Suddenly, they were surrounded by Tengus and a new monster that had Master Vile's fingerprints all over it.

"Great, this is something we could have done without," Adam muttered.

"It's Morphin Time!" Jason called. The morphing cries commenced and the rangers were battle ready. A few moments later, the falcon ranger arrived morphed and ready to help as well. Though, there were some on the battlefield that wished he didn't have to show up.

Billy growled under his breath, he knew that they needed Tommy for the battle but it didn't mean that he had to enjoy his presence. Kim kept her distance as much as she could during the battle. The anger most of the rangers was feeling was enough to dispatch their enemies quickly. Once the battle was over, Billy and Kim stayed away from Tommy as well as the rest of the gang. No one wanted to even acknowledge his presence--- but they also had to deal with the threat he had given to Kim.

Surprisingly enough, Adam and Aisha spoke up about it. "Look Tommy, we know you're pissed off that Billy and Kim are together but you cant go around threatening people just because you cant have what you want." Aisha said as Adam came up behind her.

"Tommy, the long and short of it is this. You continue to remain a threat to anyone on this team, then you'll be dismissed. Irregardless of the past history we have with you as leader and former friend. Are we clear?" Adam said in a tone that brooked no argument.

Tommy looked over everyone there and gave Billy and Kim a long look before answering. "Very well, you have made your point Adam. As long as I am a part of this team I'll keep my personal feelings aside. The good of the team and the planet is more important than a personal feud." Tommy said this as he attempted to burn a hole in Billy with is gaze.

No one said anything else, as it was apparent that Tommy was only acting the part of a team player. "Just remember Oliver, if you do decide to become a threat, you'll get one hell of fight. Stay away from Kim, or I might indeed consider you a threat," Billy said dangerously.

"Whatever you say Cranston," Tommy said, as he brushed past Kim, intentionally rubbing against her side. That alone, nearly made Billy go off, but he held his position using all the self-control he could muster.

"I'm going to try and talk some sense into him, I'll see ya guys later," Jason said, as he jogged after Tommy.

"Are you okay Kim?" Billy asked, as he looked at her crestfallen face. "I don't know Billy, can we just go somewhere to be alone?" Kim asked.

"Of course," Billy said, as he wrapped his arm around her waist. "We'll see you guys later," Billy said, as he and Kim started walking to his house.

"Bye guys," Adam said, as he and the remaining rangers decided to go back to the youth center.

~*~*~*

"Hey Tommy! Wait up bro!" Jason called.

"I'm not in the mood for your bullshit Jase," Tommy spat.

"Look Tommy, I just think you're being hard headed with all of this. Kim loves Billy and if you really loved her, you would only want her to be happy, even if that means letting her be with Billy," Jason reasoned.

"That's crap Jase. I love Kim, so she should be with me. That bastard has poisoned her mind against me," Tommy spat.

"Tommy, please be reasonable," Jason pleaded.

"What would you do if Billy and Trini were together?" Tommy shot back.

"I'd accept it," Jason answered.

"Whatever you say Scott," Tommy said, as he walked off. Jason threw his arms up in disdain. With a frustrated sigh, he turned and headed for the youth center.

~*~*~*

"Kim, are you going to be okay?" Billy asked. "I'll be fine, I just need to be with you right now," Kim said, as she snuggled into his embrace.

"Kim, I'll never let anything happen to you," Billy told her, as he raised her chin so he look into her eyes.

"I know, I just need to feel your touch," Kim said, as she looked up at him with desire lidded eyes. Billy responded by kissing her hungrily, giving her exactly what she wanted... They made tender love long into the early morning hours, falling into a blissful sleep entwined in each others arms.

Unbeknownst to the peacefully sleeping lovers, Tommy was lurking outside their window, waiting for the right moment to attack Billy. He had lost all reason after going home and sulking for a couple of hours. No matter what anyone said he felt as if Billy had stolen Kim. It was if Tommy just couldn't understand that Kim fell out of love with him, no one coerced her into loving another man. Tommy crept into the Cranston home using the key that was on top of the door sill. He entered the hallway, using his Ninjetti skill to avoid waking the elder Cranston. His object of hatred was further down the hall. He opened the door, and stopped for a moment to stare at the entwined lovers.

Tommy let his mind trip over how that should be him draped over Kim happily dreaming. Tommy thumbed the revolver he had stolen from his father's room a few days before. One small part of him knew that if he did this he would more than likely end up in jail for the rest of his days. The rest of him, the part that only knew and felt anger, betrayed and alone was over-ruling his good judgment. Tommy raised the revolver, pointed it above Billy's head and spoke. "This is your wake up call William. Sit up slowly." Billy sat up, cracking one eye to see what the hell Tommy wanted in his bedroom at the ungodly hour of 3 am.

He growled under his breath when he saw the revolver pointed at him. It brought back memories he had worked hard to suppress. "Shit" was all Billy was able to get out before Kim sat up as well and screamed. Tommy somehow managed to ignore her frightened screams as he focused on Billy and a good place to shoot him. He had planned it out, but discarded the plan as untenable. Instead he had decided to kill Billy, kidnap Kim and run off. The last variable was the elder Cranston. Hank had done him no wrong but what would happen once Billy was gone.

"Shut up! Stop that damn screaming Kimberly! Are you trying to wake the whole neighborhood?" Tommy asked as he leveled the gun at her. Billy pulled her behind him and stared Tommy down. "Do you have any idea what will happen to you if you shoot us? Your life will be over; there won't be a jury who wouldn't convict you Tommy. I know you hate me but if you love her the way you claim to, why the hell would you terrorize her like this?"

Billy said as he put a tight lid on the emotions that were flaring out of control in his head. He was close to losing it; but had to control it until they were safe again. Hank Cranston had heard the terrified scream that Kim had let loose upon seeing Tommy hovering over them. Fortunately there was a phone in his room and he was able to call 911. The question was would they get there in time to save them.

"Yes, there is an armed intruder in my home. He is in my son's room; I think it's a former friend of my son. Please hurry. I will, I'm locking the door now. 1256 Phoenix Avenue, Cranston is the name. Thank you." Hank hung up and for the first time in many years prayed to a god he felt had let him and his son down.

************************************************************************

Billy and Kim sat there, as they waited for Tommy to either to take action or leave. They both knew that wouldn't happen, so they were stuck with however it played out. Tommy stared at Billy, attempted to assess what this was doing to his enemy. Fortunately, Tommy couldn't see how hard Billy gripped Kim's hand under the blanket. He kept a tight grip on the panic and flashback that threatened to destroy his ability to deal with what was happening.

"You're quiet Cranston. Not so brave now are you?" Tommy asked with a sneer as he figured out potential ways to dispose of Billy. "Get up, get dressed and kneel in front of me. Kim watch as I make him grovel for me." Billy got up and did as he was bade. Until he felt the barrel of the gun pressed at the back of his head. It set off the fear and terror he had suppressed for so many years. He closed his eyes and prayed for the first time in a long time. 'Please, I swear I'll join the choir if I get out of this alive. Please if there is a god, I could really use a minor miracle now.'

Kim watched in horror as Tommy released the safety and pressed the barrel deeper into the back of Billy's head.

"STOP IT!!! I'll do what you want. Please don't kill him; it's not worth it. You'll be a fugitive... Stop it please!" Kim sobbed as she implored Tommy to stop his torture of Billy. Tommy smiled cruelly as he let the barrel trail down Billy's back. He saw the tremor's that threatened to overwhelm Billy.

"What's the matter? Can't take the pressure of being in jeopardy now?" Tommy didn't get a verbal answer to his query. Instead all he heard was a whimper, uncharacteristic of the wolf ranger. Many people could say Billy Cranston was shy or timid, no one could say he was a coward. He had faced years of being picked on and abused by his classmates, never once did he fear them he may have come to hate them or despise them, but he never feared. Once he had survived the robbery that had taken his mother's life from him; fear was no longer something he knew.

Kim was near hysteria--- sure they had faced monsters, evil beings from other galaxies but to have one of their own turn against them like this was mind numbing. "Tommy, what do you want from him? Can't you see what you¹re doing? I said I'd do what you want, isn¹t that enough?" Kim asked as she picked up the faint sounds of sirens that were headed toward their location.

Tommy heard them and cursed as he kicked Billy in the back and forced him to stare at him. "Real slick Cranston, well they¹re too late to save your sorry ass." Tommy sneered as he fired on Billy while Kim screamed for what seemed like an eternity. Hank Cranston ran into the room after the police to find Billy writhing on the floor in agony.

************************************************************************

Lower your weapon and put your hands behind your head! Do not make any other movements, otherwise you will be shot!² Tommy dropped the revolver and did as he was told. Kim and Hank were doing their best to find out where Billy was shot.

D---dad. Please call an ambulance." Billy whispered before passing out on the floor. He had been shot in the abdomen and had lost a lot of blood. The ambulance arrived shortly after the police, and the EMT¹s were doing the best they could until they got Billy to the hospital. He was going straight to surgery; both Kim and Hank prayed he would come out alive.

"Kim, I'll go with Billy, call your friends and have them come to Angel Grove Memorial Hospital. Go!" Hank pushed Kim to the door while he ignored the police officer who attempted to question him while they attended to Billy.

"Look, I'm only concerned with whether my son will live or die officer. Once I know what his medical condition turns out to be, I'll happily come down and file a report. Now please get out of my way. Can I come with you?"

"Sir, please follow us in your car. In case we need the room to work on him." The EMT said as Hank grabbed his keys and headed to his car.

"Very well, Officer's I'll be at the precinct office in the morning. Whom do I ask for?" Hank said as he watched Billy get loaded into the ambulance.

"You can ask for me Hank, now go Billy needs you." Detective Joe Scott said as he came in to assess the crime scene that was his old friends home. Hank nodded his thanks and left to trail the ambulance. Joe shook his head in disbelief at what had happened at the Cranston home that night. It wasn't enough that they had lost a wife and mother from violence, now Billy's life hung in the hands of the ER surgeon who was on duty.

Meanwhile Kim had been driven home and she was on the phone placing calls to everyone so that they could come to the hospital. Kim almost let the part of her mind that wanted to shut down and run around in circles screaming take control--- almost. She managed to place calls, give their friends any necessary information and then make the next call in a calm voice that didn¹t sound like her at all.

"Kim, honey do you need me to do anything for you?² Ms. Hart queried gently as Kim placed the receiver back in the cradle once she finished talking to Aisha. She turned to her mother with haunted eyes and nodded yes.

"Mom, take me to the hospital please. I need to be there for Billy. He placed his life in danger to shield me. The least I can do is be there for him." Kim said as she grabbed her keys, a sweater and waited for her mother to join her at the door.

Coming next----

Will Billy live or die? What will happen to Tommy now that he's crossed the line? Will the team fall apart or rally together in light of what's happened---

Tune in next chapter for the answers and more.

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