Chapter 18 Life Goes on Chapter 18 Life Goes on
For the next two weeks life went on, the new team trained, the commanders, the doctor, and the head of the science and technology department worked hard to make the transition for the young people as painless as possible. Carter called on Wes Collins and asked him to help them with the training since both he and Eric Myers were trained fighters. They also called in others such as Jason Scott, tom Oliver and Leo from Mirinoi. The latter was home with his wife visiting their family on earth. True it was not supposed to happen but with Kendrix expecting Leo didn't like the idea of her not being with her family. He was worried about losing her as it was. He had already done that once and didn't want to risk Kendrix any more than necessary.
While he was helping with the training though Kendrix and Dana got to spend a great deal of time together. They found out they had a lot in common. That was when Kimberly Scott and Katherine Oliver Accompanied their own husbands they too began to become friends.
"Carter tell Dana to come shopping with us." Kimberly called as he entered the infirmary one afternoon.
"Look, I told you I have a job to do." Dana said sighing as she looked from Kim to Kendrix to Katherine. Why were they so hard headed? "And there really isn't time."
"Actually Dane. You've been working harder than ten of us." He said glad that someone else was telling her she worked too much.
"But Carter the deadline's getting closer." Dana argued, she hadn't gone shopping for no reason in so long but she knew that there was just too much to do. She knew that much was done but not all. She didn't want to let things get backed up, not now.
"Yes." Carter said moving to take her by the arms and lift her from the chair. "And there's nothing for you to do." He said smiling down at her annoyed expression, he loved when she had that fire in her blue eyes. "If anything comes up we'll page you." He told her and gave her a nudge towards the other women.
"You should give up, she won't give in. When Kendrix wants something she gets it." Leo said coming into the room having been coming down the hall when he'd heard the argument.
"Oh?" Katherine looked at the scientist with new admiration.
"I wanted Leo." Kendrix blushed and all eyes went to her. Had she really been that blunt?
"Oh." Dana said not sure what else to say.
"I guess you haven't reached that part yet?" Kimberly smiled and Dana frowned, what were they talking about?
"Excuse me?" Dana felt like she'd stepped into the twilight Zone.
"The part where there's nothing else in the world you want but the one you love." Kendrix explained and Dana saw Carter smile. She knew what he was thinking.
"Oh, I think we've gotten there." He said and she sighed, did he have to be so blunt?
"Boohoo, come on I have to hear about this." Kimberly giggled making a grab for Dana's arm.
"Go on, I'll see you when you get back." Carter urged when she shot him a look pleading for help.
"But Carter…" She tried to argue but he just shrugged.
"Come on you heard him." Katherine smiled and caught Dana's arm.
"but I need to get my…' Dana began thinking if she could just get to her room she'd be able to lock herself in until they'd gone.
Carter saw that look in her eyes and knew she was up to something. He caught her arm, pulling her to him and kissing her hard. He knew it was time she find out his little secret.
"No you don't doc, time to have fun." Then he didn't even think about it, he just reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet.
Dana couldn't believe what she was seeing; he was wrapping her fingers around his gold card.
"Here." He saw the shock in her eyes and grinned, Lord he loved doing that to her. Lord he just loved her, any way he could get her.
"Carter I…" She began, what was she supposed to do? It wasn't that she was broke, but then she knew he knew what she was about.
"Go on, have fun." He told her, as he leaned down one last time to kiss her.
"Oh…" She breathed and he was gone leaving her with Leo and the girls.
"Come on girls, we have some serious shopping to Kimberly grinned and then they were off, Dana following still dazed by what had just happened.
***
Four the last three hours the others had dragged Dana in and out of shops boutiques and specialty shops. Now all she wanted to do was sit down and eat something. She didn't think even being attacked by Queen Bansheera's minions was so taxing. Then there was the clothing they were picking out.
"That one." Kat said thirty minutes later as the four women raided another shop.
"No way it is so not me." Dana argued seeing the short black skirt Kimberly was holding and Katherine agreeing to. It would barely even reach her knees, not at all her style, not anymore at any rate. She was more into the long ankle length dresses these days. She didn't have any need for anything flashy,. She hadn't' even been interested in that stuff since she'd been the Glitz Girl.
"Exactly." Kim grinned adding. "It's time you get that boyfriend of yours to forget everything but you."
"But…." Dana Thousands of thoughts rushed through her mind, the taste of his kiss, the way his eyes could darken with passion and the sound of his deep voice that never failed to make her smile.
"Come on you so need to
Lighten up." Kim spoke up happily dragging Dana from her musings.
"But…" Dana breathed as she realized that Kim had passed the skirt to Kendrix who put it on the steadily growing pile.
"And this." Kendrix said when she finished that task, holding up a low cut pink top.
"Ok, I am so not wearing that." Dana Protested and Kendrix frowned.
"Why? His eyes will totally bug out." Kim beat her to asking.
"Um the price tag for one." Dana pointed out looking at the over priced label.
"Carter said to use his credit card." Kendrix reminded her with a shrug.
"For a couple things not for a whole store." Dana reminded them adding. "We're dating not married." Then as an after thought she added. "Even if we were I'd never spend this much."
"Fine, one more outfit and then we'll find something for him." Kat conceded happily and moved to another wrack.
"I…' Dana never had a chance to protest as the others were off again.
***
To Dana's relief after leaving that last boutique they headed for a small outdoor café. That was where they sat now, plates of their favorite foods before them.
"So you love him." Kendrix said taking a sip of her milk as she watched the blonde seated across from her.
"How do you know that?" Kat asked looking form Kendrix to Dana in surprise.
"Look at her eyes; don't you see the sparkle just behind the intelligence?" Kendrix smiled.
"come to think of it." Kat smiled too.
"Hey!" Dana yelped, what was this pick on the doctor week?
"Well, it's true." Kim put in munching on her frozen yogurt.
"But I'm right here, remember?" Dana waved a hand before Katherine, Kim and Kendrix.
"The thing is you need to catch his eye and keep it from straying." Katherine said looking right at Kim who nodded.
"Hey Carter won't…" Dana began but the others just exchanged looks.
"He's a man honey." Kendrix said and she thought of Leo, he was a great husband and lover but sometimes she saw him looking at other girls. That was when she'd get herself a new look. It was rare so she didn't have much to worry about but Dana should know the pit falls of a relationship and how to deal with them before they kick in.
"Yeah, men have to be watched." Kim said knowing that only some did, like Tommy. That's why she loved Jason. He'd never even so much as looked at another girl since they'd gotten engaged.
"Fine." Dana sighed knowing they'd not let up until she gave over. "I just think that a doctor shouldn't wear short skirts and low cut tops."
"Come on we're not in the middle ages." Katherine said laughing; didn't the other woman know the power of herself?
"Yeah and about that hair." Kim put in and Dana rolled her eyes.
"Hey what is this a makeover?" The doctor asked in mock annoyance.
"She gets it at last." Kim laughed.
"Ha ha ha." Dana stuck out her tongue.
"We have an appointment at Cassie's at one." Kendrix spoke up and they all glanced at their watches.
"Well we better motorvate, it's quarter till." Katherine announced and motioned for the bill.
"Right." Kendrix said and then they were all on their way.
***
"Ok, something a little shorter and…" Kim said as she glanced over at the blonde in the back seat.
"With some body." Kendrix said fluffing Dana's hair a little and watching the long golden strands flop back on her shoulders.
"Hey my hair has body." Dana grumbled.
"For Rita repulsa." Kim smirked.
"Come on." Katherine said as they pulled up in front of a small silver/grey house.
Ringing the doorbell they women waited until a pr3etty Asian woman opened the door. She and Kendrix were hugging and Dana who'd heard about what had happened to the two women. They'd been two of the most courageous pink rangers of all time. Now though as they broke apart Dana also watched as Cassie and Katherine embraced. She'd almost forgotten that the two had known each other first. Still standing there with Kimberly Dana felt like an outcast for the first time in a long time.
"Ok, Cassie Chan I'd like you to meet Kimberly heart and Dana Mitchell."
"Oh, now I know where I've seen you. Dana, you were the pink lightspeed ranger."
"Yes until a few weeks ago." The doctor shook her hand and then found herself pulled into a bear hug. It struck her that the pink rangers loved to hug.
"That's good; you can never have too many rangers." Cassie smiled and then hugged Kimberly.
"Right this way." Cassie said and then led them down the steps in the front hall into what had to be her basement.
"Woe, you have this in your basement?" Kendrix asked in awe of just how fancy the facility was. There were a line of dryers while the other had sinks and then yet another had work chairs.
"Yep, I was always good with hair and makeup so I figured I'd make it work fro me." Cassie explained and motioned Dana to a chair.
"That's great." Kendrix smiled taking Dana's purse and setting it on a nearby counter.
"You know it." Cassie grinned and then put an apron over Dana's clothes. Then she began to examine Dana's long blond tresses.
"So?" Katherine asked and Cassie looked thoughtful for a long moment before saying.
"Give me about three hours." The stylist told them.
"Ok, well we'll go call the guys and let them know what's up." Kendrix said and Dana turned in her seat.
"Ok, tell Carter I'll pay him back." The doctor said and Kim rolled her eyes as they reached the door.
***
Carter glanced at the clock on the wall above his desk and wondered where she was, it had been four hours and she'd not called in once. He was glad she was having fun but he was also worried, she was always worrying about work so where was she? Had she found someone else? Man, he was totally losing it; she'd barely been gone half of a day,
"Hey you look lost." Wes's voice had Carter's head swiveling to see the red timeforce ranger standing in the door.
"Just thinking what's up?" Carter asked, was there a problem? Did Hollie get hurt again?
"Well, we finished up the morning training and are now…' Wes told him.
"Dragging you out of here." Eric chimed in joining his partner.
"I have…' Carter began looking back at his desk, it was neat but he still had work to do.
"To get a life man." Jason put in joining the others.
"Yeah you need to relax and lunch is the perfect way." Leo grinned and Carter wondered if they'd all come.
"Oh…" Carter said when he saw Brian and Tommy joining them as well.
"Come on bro." Jason nodded to the corridor. He was just getting up when the phone rang. "Right." Carter got to feet, maybe it would keep his mind off of Dana.
"Just a minute." Picking up the receiver he hoped it was Dana and not the beginning of the alien attacks. "Hello?"
"Carter?" Kendrix asked and she sounded fine.
"Yes." Carter assured her.
"It's Kendrix; I just wanted to let you know things are fine." She said cheerfully.
"Where's Dana?" Carter asked frowning, what were they up to.
"She's um in the rest room but she insists I tell you she'll pay you back." Kendrix told him in a rush, as if the words were very distasteful. He had the feeling she knew his little secret and so didn't say a word about it.
"Tell her if she tries I'll ban her from the medical bay for a week." Carter said a little smirk on his face, he'd love to see her face when she told her that.
"Ok, I told her not to worry about it but you know Dana." Kendrix sighed wearily.
"Yeah…" Carter smiled, thinking of how she must have been struggling against everything.
"Well, we'll talk to you later." Kendrix was saying.
"Ok, tell her…" Carter blushed, how could he tell Kendrix to tell his girlfriend he loved her?
"You love her?" Kendrix asked knowingly.
"Yeah." Carter smiled it was funny how intuitive the women who were the pink rangers were, on the emotional front.
"Will do." Kendrix said breaking into his thoughts before hanging up..
***
"Lets go Bro." Jason said and Carter knew it was hopeless to sit around her like this. He should go, would go.
"Yeah." The captain smiled and got to his feet leading them out of his office.
"I should go and…' Brian protested.
"Typical red ranger." Eric shook his head in amusement.
"Come on kid you can't let yourself become like this guy." Jason indicated Tommy with a nod of his head.
"Funny." The longest ranger present muttered.
"So what's good here?" Wes asked scanning the cafeteria line.
"Paper." Brian said cheerfully and Jason laughed.
"No, the chicken salad's not so bad." Carter laughed.
"Sounds good to me." Tommy smiled and headed for the trey holder.
"Come on." Jason said and pulled Brian along with him.
"Hmm?" Brian stumbled , he'd been thinking about Marie, wondering if she'd be sitting alone again. She was but he wondered if Hollie would join her.
"Man snap out of it," Leo said spotting the brunette the rookie was watching.
"Yeah I thought Carter was bad." Eric shook his head taking a trey.
"It's a red ranger trait." Jason laughed.
***
"Ok, may I present the new and improved Dr. Dana Mitchell." Cassie said when at four thirty the three women returned to Cassie's little salon.
Although all had hoped Cassie could do something with Dana's appearance one had even dreamed of the change the clothes, hair and makeup made. Where her blonde tresses had been straight they were now barely to her shoulders and curling to frame her face. The light coat of cosmetics accented her cheekbones. Even the pink top she'd fought Kendrix on looked great with the short black skirt. She looked her own age now, not as she had before.
"Now, that's what I'm talk'n about." Kimberly grinned surveying this new form.
"I feel silly." Dana blushed under their scrutiny.
"You look great." Kendrix told her honestly. She looked not as flashy as the magazine she'd seen with Dana's face on it but more subtle and professional.
"Yeah, the eye shadow really brings out your eyes and the curls…" Katherine smiled fluffing one of said curls.
"But the question is what will Carter think?" Cassie said and Dana blushed, was everything that obvious?
"Well, lets go and find out." Kendrix grinned and moved to pay Cassie. The pink clad hair dresser shook her head.
"Rangers help rangers.' Was all she said.
***
"What's going on here?" Tommy asked in a stern voice.
"We're back." His wife replied kissing him happily. They were in rescue ops.
"Kendrix what did you guys do?" Leo asked his wife in amusement. He'd seen her go shopping with Karone and Maya before but they never bought this much stuff.
"We just did a little shopping." She smiled innocently up at him.
"A little?" Tommy asked a brow raised in amused mockery.
"Kim was in charge." Katherine volunteered.
"Is there anything left in the poor store?" Jason asked laughing as his wife swatted at his arm.
"A few things." Kendrix admitted and Leo just shook his head at his little wife. She was so sweet and cute and…
"Where's Dana?" Carter asked impatiently as he looked at he rest of the assembly.
"Dana come on stop stalling." Katherine called and after a few seconds of muttering there was the click of heels on the floor.
"I'm telling you this is…" Dana called as she made her appearance.
"Woe…" Carter breathed, was that his doctor? He'd forgotten what she'd looked like all dolled up. The only time he'd really seen her like this was when she'd been a model.
"Dang…" Brain couldn't believe that that was the doctor. She looked so normal.
"Another Kimberly success." Jason grinned at his pretty wife.
"Yep, I always get what I want." Kimberly grinned right back smugly.
"Must be a pink ranger trait." Brian shook his head looking at Marie who'd joined them.
"Hey, you look great." Carter told Dana as she started for her quarters.
"Yeah, look I'm just going to go and…" Dana never had the chance to finish as his mouth covered hers in a passionate kiss.
"I mean it Dane, you look really great." He said pulling back after a moment.
"Well it cost enough." Dana mumbled in disgust.
"Did Kendrix give you my message?" Carter asked and she sighed.
"Yes and Carter I can't let you pay for all of this it's so…' Dana said and he shook his head then took her hands in his.
"You can and you will, Dana when we get married I'm going to take care of stuff like this all of the time." Carter told her matter-of-factly.
***
"I think he likes it." Marie smiled at the three pink clad women.
"I'd say." Kendrix smiled happily as she hugged Leo one handedly.
"Think she'll let him live?" Wes asked.
"Not when he tells her the truth." Eric shook his head woefully.
"What truth?" Kimberly asked narrowing her eyes on both men.
"Carter!" Dana shrieked in outrage.
"Time to go!" Tommy said exchanging a look with Jason.
***
"Why the hell didn't you say anything before?" Dana demanded feeling like a fool, all this time she'd thought he was just like then,
"Dana, it's not that big of a deal." Carter
"You own half of town!" Dana
"Dana calm down, I don't own that…' Carter
"I can't believe you never…' Dana
"Dana what are you doing?" Carter asked in shock as she dumped the contents of the shopping bags on the ground at his feet.
"There are your clothes Mr. Grayson." She said and stalked off.
"Dana wait!" Carter started after her.
TBC
***
Bet you didn't see this little twist coming. *smirks*