A/N: This chapter has some language.just to warn you.and it gets * cough *
violent.you've been warned
Chapter 10: Love, slaps and shopping
Joey walked around. She ended up in the woods again. She was so angry. Angry that Summer got hurt, angry that Hunter just had to come along with them. Angry that she wouldn't be able to talk to Summer about what happened to get the full story of what happened. She was pretty sure she knew what did happen already though. She came to a tree and sat down, reminiscing the day everything went to hell.
~Joey, Summer and Larissa were in the courtyard of there home, the academy. Joey was painting a portrait of her two best friends when she heard hushed voices. She looked over and saw her mom and Larissa's mom talking. "Something wrong?" Larissa asked from her sitting pose by the tree. Joey looked at her and shook her head. "Our moms are talking." She said. Larissa looked over, as did Summer. "Must be something major." Summer commented. She looked at Larissa. "You're the psychic, read their minds." She joked. Larissa laughed and rolled her eyes. "I'm not the psychic, mom is. Besides, it's premonitions, not mind reading." She said. "Oh, well, then what purpose do you serve?" Joey joked. "Ha ha, very funny." Larissa said. Summer laughed. "Josephina." Came the voice of Joey's mother as she and Larissa's mom walked over. Joey put down her paint and looked up. "Si mama?" She asked. "Come here with me, I need to give you something." She said. Joey looked at her, puzzled. "Mama, can't it wait? I'm painting Summer and Larissa." She said. Her mother looked at her sharply. "Ahorita." She stated. Joey stood up. "Ay voy." She sighed. She looked at her friends. "We'll finish this later." She said as she followed her mother as she went into the academy temple. Her mother went to the back of the temple where the tech base was located; it was usually Larissa's domain. She pulled out a disc and a box, handing it to Joey. "Que es esto?" Joey asked. "Mija," her mother said softly. "Something bad is going to happen, and these things are important." "Bad? How bad?" Joey asked. Her mother dawned a pained expression. "Bad." She said. "Well, what is it?" Joey asked. She went to open the box. Her mother stopped her. "It will help you. Do not open it yet." She said. "Pero.... Mama, si nos puede ayudar, I have to open it now." Joey said. ((AN: Translation: But mom, if it can help us...)) "Deja lo." Her mother ordered softly. ((AN: Leave it.)) Joey could do nothing but nod. ~ Tears came to Joey's eyes as she remembered her mother. She sighed and leaned her head against the tree. The box had contained the Fire morpher, the Lightening morpher, and the Thunder morpher. The disc was a message from her and Larissa's moms telling them what the morphers where, how to use them, explain what had just happened, and other information.
~After her mother gave her the box and the disc, Joey hid them in her room, not sure what else there was she could do. She didn't tell Summer or Larissa. She just went back out to the courtyard. A little while later, the ground shook. "What's happening?" Larissa exclaimed. "It's happening." She said. Joey's mother looked at the three young girls. "Come." She said. And with that, they grabbed Summer, Larissa and Joey, pulling them toward the academy's storm shelter. "What's going on?" Summer asked. Joey turned her head and saw a woman with pink hair, another with brown, a man with a mask on his face dressed in some sort of royal attire or something, and two weird looking aliens. Joey gasped as some of the academy students began to fight. "Mama!" Joey exclaimed. "I know, keep going!" She ordered. The five of them ran into the storm shelter. "Stay here, you will be safe." Larissa's mother said. She and Joey's mom went to leave. "What? Where are you going?!" Joey exclaimed. She grabbed her mother's hand. Her mother hugged her and kissed her cheek. Larissa looked at her mom. "Mom, what's going on?" She asked. Her mother went to her and stroked her cheek. "Stay put." She whispered.
"Stay put." She whispered. Joey's mom let Joey go. "Taheaira, let's go." She said. Larissa's mom nodded. The two left. They shut the door, locking it behind them.
Joey slammed her shoulder against the door. She ignored the intense pain shooting down her arm and kept going. The three girls could hear screams and fighting going on from outside. "Hurry up!" Summer yelled. "I'm trying!" Joey replied. "How about a little help!" Summer and Larissa ran over. Joey stepped back. "Count of 3." Larissa said. "1." Summer said. "2." Larissa said. "3!" Joey called out. The three pushed at the door together, it finally gave way and opened. The girls fell out of the room. They scrambled to their feet, that's when they realized the screams had begun to lessen. "I don't like the sound of that." Summer said. "You think their...Dead?" Larissa said, tears in her eyes at the thought of her mom being dead. The screams were now non-existent. "Let's go." Joey said. The three of them ran to the edge of the temple doors. They saw Larissa's mom, Taheaira, fighting off the two women who had appeared before. Joey searched around the area. All the other students were gone. She then saw the man with the mask, approaching her mother, Carmen. "Carmen," he said softly. "So good to see you again." He sneered. Carmen stood in a fighting stance. "Too bad I can't say the same for you, Lothor." She replied. "AH!" Someone yelled. The girls turned to see some large bubble incase Taheaira. "Mo..mmmph!" Larissa tried to scream, Summer put her hand over her mouth. The girl's watched in horror as the bubble disappeared in the sky. "What the hell is going on...."? Joey said softly. She looked over to her mom, who was fighting the man. She delivered a kicked to his gut. He staggered back. He growled and ran to her. He smacked her with the back of his hand, hard, sending her to the ground. Joey growled and went to help her, Summer grabbed her arm and pulled her back. Then, another bubble incased Carmen. "No." Joey gasped. The bubble disappeared as well. The man laughed and looked at his comrades. "We'll, all is done here, let's go." He said. "Coming uncle!" The two women said gleefully. ~ Joey blinked, trying to hold in her tears, but she couldn't. After her and Larissa's moms, the students, and those goons disappeared, the three girls ran around the base, trying to find anyone else, but they realized it was only them. They were scared, confused, angry and sad for a while, then Joey remembered the box and the case. She brought it to the other two. Larissa played the disc for them on the computer, and they then had all their answers.
The man who attacked them was Lothor. The two women, Kapri and Marah. The aliens, Chooboo and Zurgane.
Joey had a feeling it was one of them who attacked Summer. Did that mean they knew about the three of them? They knew who they were? Joey shook her head. He wouldn't remember them. That Zurgane thing probably just wanted to terrorize some poor young girl. Sighing, Joey closed her eyes and fell asleep.
))))))))))))))(((((((((((((((((((((~~Summer's Dream~~ Summer was walking along a stone path in some sort of garden, in the far distance she could see a school, but it wasn't the Fire Lightning Academy, it was from somewhere else. Walking closer she began to see people, but she couldn't see their faces. 'Weird' She thought. She continued walking, until she slammed into a metal body. Glancing upwards she saw Zurgane. She tried to back away, but she couldn't. She was standing on the edge of the cliff. Zurgane gave her a shove, and she fell to her doom. ~~
Summer's eyes shot open and she took a sharp breath. She clutched Hunter's shirt and let loose a few tears. She was so scared. Hunter felt Summer grab his shirt and opened his eyes. He saw that she was crying. Concern filled his face. He gently touched her cheek. Summer gasped and sat up. She blinked a few times and realized it was Hunter. She sighed and settled back into his arms. "Hey, you OK?" He asked softly. Summer nodded against his chest. "Yeah...Just...Bad dream." She whispered. Hunter held her closer against his body. "About what happened at the store?" He asked. "Yeah." She said. It wasn't a total lie. Hunter kissed the top of her head. "It's OK." He said. "I'm here. I'll always be here for you." He whispered against her hair. Summer sighed. She usually didn't like people feeling the need to protect her. But now, she was glad Hunter was up for the job. "Thank you Hunter." She told him.
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Shane walked along the woods. He heard about what happened from Dustin. He figured Joey would be in the woods, and he wanted to see if she was all right. He found her sitting by a tree, her head against it. She was sleeping. He walked over to her. She seemed troubled, as if she was having a confusing dream.
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Joey was in her studio painting her landscape when she heard footsteps coming down the stairs. She turned, expecting to see Larissa or Summer, who she did see took her by surprise.
"Shane?" She asked.
"Hey." He said softly. "What are you doing here?" She asked. "You should go." She went to escort him out the door. Shane looked at her.
"Do you really want me to leave?" He asked. Joey blinked. She looked into his eyes. They hypnotized her, as they seemed to bore into her. She slowly shook her head. Shane gave her a warm smile. He got closer to her. "What are you doing?" She asked.
"Something I know we've both been wanting to do." He said as he lowered his lips to hers.
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Joey sat up straight, awaking from her dream with a start. She looked over and saw Shane sitting beside her. She gave a surprised yelp and jumped to her feet. "What the hell are you doing here?" Joey practically screamed. Shane fell backwards holding his ears. "Geez, could you not scream?" He asked gently. Joey glared at him. "What are you doing here?" She asked again. "Looking for you." He replied. "Why?" She asked. "Dustin told me what happened. Is Summer OK?" He asked. "I wouldn't know, she's holed up in her room with her new boyfriend." Joey replied in a disgusted tone. "How'd you know I was here anyway?" She asked. "Because you're always here. I'd think you lived here if I didn't know any better." He smirked. "Ha ha...funny...not" Joey retorted. Shane sighed. "Was sarcasm a way of life in your family or something?" He questioned. Joey shot him a look. He backed off. "Ok ok, Geez." "I'd appreciate it if you didn't talk about my family." She said. She sat back down. Shane sat next to her. "Unhappy childhood?" He asked. "If you consider growing up not knowing half of where my genetics come from unhappy, sure." She sighed. "What do you mean by that?" Shane questioned. Joey gave him another look. "I don't know who my father is." She growled. Shane nodded. "Must suck." He replied. Joey rolled her eyes. "No Shane, it rocks... idioto." "Sorry." He said. "Do you know anything about him?" He asked. "Only what my mom said. Which is he's the devil incarnate himself and she hopes he dies a thousand deaths." "So that's why you got so pissed when I called you Lucifer's Spawn." Shane commented. Joey shot him a look. "Sorry." He amended. "Why do you care anyway?" She asked. "Because you seemed upset and I was worried." Shane said. "About me? Aw, how sweet." Joey said dryly. "But, I don't need some huebon worrying about me." She added. Shane sighed. "Look, just because your dad was obviously brain damaged, doesn't mean all guys in the universe are the same." "Brain damaged?" Joey asked. "Well, he must've been, to not want to be a part of your life." Shane said, looking at her. "And what makes me so special?" Joey asked sarcastically. "Do you even need to ask?" He replied in a soft tone that surprised Joey. She looked at him. "It doesn't matter know anyway." She said, shrugging it off. "I never knew him, and I turned out just fine, so I can survive without him." "Detesting males isn't a sign of 'turning out just fine'." Shane said. Joey rolled her eyes. "I have yet to meet a male who deserves otherwise." She said. Shane blinked. "Ouch..." He muttered. "That stung a little." Joey looked at him. "Just being honest." She said. Shane nodded. "Brutally, but honest, I guess so." Shane said. "I'll admit I haven't given you the best first impression. Although, you haven't exactly done so either." He pointed out. "Well, there's the difference between u and I. I don't give a damn." She replied. "Why are you so cold?" Shane asked. He received. "I don't want to talk about it." Joey growled out. "So, just so I'm sure, anything that just happens to be about your personal life, you don't want to talk about?" Shane asked. Joey looked at him. "Not with you, at least." She replied. "Joey." He sighed. "I'm trying to make an effort here, can't you at least do the same?" He asked. Joey scoffed softly. "Why are you even bothering with me?" She asked. "Because...I dunno...I just.... agh!." Shane screeched. He crashed into Joey holding his arm. "Shane!" Joey yelled. Joey grabbed his shoulders and proceeded to drag him away. Joey set him down a few feet away and proceeded to examine the cut. It wasn't a cut. "Shane..." She whispered. Shane looked at her. "You were stabbed." She told him. His eyes went wide. He shoved her out of the way, and was stabbed in the shoulder again. "OUCH!" He screamed. There was a monster standing between Joey and Shane. "Hello, children." The monster said. "Didn't your mothers ever tell you it's dangerous to be in the woods at night?" It chuckled lowly. Shane looked at Joey fearfully. "Joey, get out of here!" He said. Joey looked at him. "No freakin' way!" She replied. The monster turned to her. "Lothor wants you." It bellowed. Joey's heart stopped. Lothor knew.... Lothor knew who she, Summer and Larissa were. She decided to play dumb, so as not to be exposed to Shane. "Who? What? What's going on?" She said. Shane growled. He mustered all his strength and launched at the monster, kicking it in the back. "Shane, don't!" Joey screamed. "Oh are you worried your little boyfriend's going to get hurt?" The monster laughed. Joey went up and kicked the laughing monster. "Fuck you buddy. He ain't my boyfriend." She growled. The monster stumbled and was kicked again by Shane. The monster slashed at Shane with his sword. Shane fell back, the sword barely missing his stomach. "Shane, get out of here, you're hurt!" Joey ordered. "I'm not leaving you with this thing!" Shane replied. The monster turned to Joey again. Joey stepped back. "What do you want with me?" Joey said, still acting clueless. "Lothor's seen you fight, he says your a good warrior, and would like you with our side, girlie." Joey blinked. 'They're totally clueless about us...thank god.' She thought. "Well, good warrior this!" Joey exclaimed as she jumped up and kicked the monster in the face. "Jesus Joey, where the hell did you learn to fight?" Shane asked dodging the falling monster. Joey whipped around and grinned cheekily. "Trust me...if you knew, a) I'd have to kill you and b) you wouldn't believe me if I told you." Shane shook his head. The monster got up again. "Shane, you go that way, I'll go this way...meet outside the forest and run like hell." Joey whispered. Shane stopped her. "It's after you." He said. Joey looked at him. "And you're hurt. Now go!" She yelled. She ran away from him and the monster. The monster got up, and as predicted, went after Joey. Shane wanted to help her, but he knew in his state, he needed backup. He pulled his communicator to his mouth. "Cam, it's Shane. One of Lothor's goons is after Joey in the woods, need help." He said. "Were on it." Cam's voice replied. "Ninja Storm, Ranger Form ha!" Shane called out. He streaked after the monster, and attempted to get in front of Joey, to save her.
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"Cam to Hunter, Dustin, Tori and Blake." Cam's voice rang through their morphers. He only received three answers back. 'Where's Hunter?' He asked silently. "Guys get to Ninja Ops immedality. Cam told them. About 5 minutes later he had a yellow and two blue rangers. "Where's Hunter?" Blake asked. Cam shrugged. "Can't reach him so we'll have to deal without him for now." Cam replied.
()))))))))))))))))((((((((((((((( Larissa sat in her room. She heard her computer beeping. Which only meant one thing-trouble. She went over to it and picked up her headset. "Joey to Lars, Joey to Lars." Came Joey's frantic voice. "I'm here, what's going on?" "Monster..." Joey sounded like she was running. "It hurt Shane, I'm trying to get it away from him...Need help." "Summer's with Hunter." Larissa said. "Don't get her. She needs to rest." "OK, I'm on my way." Larissa said. She shut off the transmission. And stood up. "Lightning Storm, ranger form." She called out.
())))))))))))(((())))))))))))))))))))) Joey had finished her talk with Larissa when she tripped over a root. "Shit!" She called out as she fell. The monster finally got up to her. She looked up. She tried to get up to fight, when she saw something red streaking towards her. The red ranger fought off the monster. Soon, something in blue, navy, yellow and green streaked over and helped him. Joey sighed.
"Tell Lothor if he ever tries to terrorize these citizens again," The red ranger growled once he knocked down the monster, "we'll personally deal with him." The monster stumbled to its feet. "No one said Rangers would be here, I'm out of here." He said as he left. The Red ranger turned around and knelt beside Joey. "You alright?" He asked softly. Joey nodded then her eyes went wide. "Shane." She whispered. She pushed herself up and took off running towards the exit of the woods. Everyone's facemasks opened, except for Cam's. "Uh dude you might wanna get there before she does." Dustin told him. Shane demorphed and streaked towards the entrance beating Joey by a few seconds. "Joey! Your alright!" Shane exclaimed embracing her. Joey stiffened. "Let go of me." She told him. Shane looked at her. "What?" He asked. "I say I'm glad you're OK, and all you say is 'let go of me'?" Joey sighed. "You should've left when I said so. Now, look at you." She muttered, looking at his wounded arm. "I'll be fine." He said.
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The rangers put their masks back up as something orange appeared. They all looked at her. "What happened?" She asked, looking around. "If you're looking for a baddie, we took care of it." Dustin said. The orange ranger looked at him. "I was told there was a girl getting attacked..." She said. "Uh, yeah, she's OK." Tori nodded. "She's just checking on her friend." The orange ranger nodded. "Well, see ya then." She said as she streaked away. "And we still have no idea who that girl, or her fellow rangers, are." Blake commented.
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Summer awoke around 3am, nice and warm with a nice comfy pillow. Stirring slightly, she saw Hunter lying on his back one hand wrapped around her, and the other intertwined with her's. He looked so cute asleep. Slowly she unwrapped herself from his warm grasp and climbed off her mattress. Slowly, and gingerly she walked out of her room and down the stairs to the kitchen to get a glass of water and some more aspirin. Summer turned the tap to fill her glass. She also popped the bottle of aspirin and shook some out when the front door opened. In walked Larissa.
"Rissa? What are you doing outside at...3am?" Summer asked quietly. Larissa took her shoes and jacket off and walked into the kitchen. "Joey was having some 'issues,'" Larissa told her. Summer gasped. "Why didn't you come and get me?" Summer growled. Larissa rolled her eyes. "Hunter being a key reason." Larissa told her. Summer nodded. "Lets see your bruise" Larissa told her. Summer turned around and lifted her tank top. From where her shirt ended, until half way up her back, there was a nasty purple-blue bruise. "That, is one ugly looking thing" Larissa told her. Summer chuckled. "Thanks Riss." "So, is Joey OK?" Summer asked. "I dunno. Our new ranger friends where there. They said they took care of the thing and that Joey went to check on Shane." "Shane?" Summer asked. "Apparently he got hurt." "What was Shane doing there with Joey in the first place?" She asked. Larissa shrugged. "We'll find out when she gets back."
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"Joey, are you sure you're OK?" Shane asked. Joey sighed. "Yes, I'm fine. That thing barely touched me. As supposed to you, who got stabbed in the arm twice." She looked at his wound. "I should get you to a hospital." She said. Shane looked at her. "So, you do care about me?" He asked with a smile. Joey rolled her eyes. "No, just don't want the guilt if that thing gets infected and you die. A joyous day it would be though." "Well, I guess near death experiences don't change your attitude, huh?" Shane asked. Joey rolled her eyes. "Whatever, I'm outtie. Later." She told him. Shane thought about stopping her, but it was late, and his arm was killing him. He sighed and walked home.
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Joey walked up the driveway to the house, but stopped short. There were lights on in the kitchen, and two shadows standing there..."Maybe I shouldn't go in." Joey said out loud. Joey sighed. She knew she had to come in sometime. She walked into the house. Summer and Larissa saw her. "Are you OK?" Summer asked. "What happened?" Larissa asked. Joey walked in and sat with them in the kitchen. "Is Hunter still here?" She asked. Summer nodded. Joey sighed. "I'll tell you later then. Might as well, I need some sleep." She said as she stood up and went to her room. Larissa and Summer looked at each other. Summer shrugged. "I'm going back to bed then." She told Larissa, who smiled and nodded. "Don't give me that look. Geez...according to you people, Hunter and I are already sleeping together." Summer told her. Larissa laughed. Rolling her eyes, Summer trudged back upstairs. Summer walked up the steps and into her room. She found Hunter to be sitting up rubbing his eyes. "Hey." He called softly. Summer smiled. "Hi." She replied. She stepped onto the mattress and kneeled beside Hunter and kissed him gently on the lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck. Hunter placed one hand on her upper back, and the lower, gently, but hard enough to cause Summer to whimper. Hunter pulled away from the kiss quickly and Summer leaned her head against his shoulder trying not to cry again. "Oh my god Summer. I'm so sorry." Hunter lifted her head up and kissed away the few fallen tears. "It's ok Hunter. It's just a little tender" She told him gently. "Turn around." He told her. Summer turned around and Hunter lifted her tank top. "I thought we were gonna stay at PG-13 for now. Were sitting at 14A Hunter." Summer joked. He chuckled. "Your bruise is huge Summer. You sure you're going to be ok?" He prodded gently. Summer swung around. "I'm not made of glass Hunter. If you touch me I'm not going to break." She told him angrily. "Summer...I'm sorry I was just worried." He told her. Summer sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. "No...I should be the one to be apologizing...I shouldn't be taking my anger out on you Hunter...it wasn't your fault." she replied. "But it feels like it was my fault." He told her. She looked at him, tears now freely streaming down her face. "It wasn't your fault Hunter...please don't blame yourself...I should have been more careful." Summer replied. Hunter pressed his lips against Summer's in a very gently, sort of calming way. When they pulled away Summer looked Hunter in the eyes. "Hunter..." She began.
"I...I...." She tried to get the words out but they wouldn't come. "What baby?" He asked. Summer looked at him. "I love you." She said. Hunter's eyes widened a bit. Summer looked down. "And now I feel incredibly stupid that I just said that." She whispered. Hunter looked at her. He gently took her chin and tilted her face up. "Why do you feel stupid?" He asked. ". Because I just said I love you and you obviously don't feel the same." She sighed. Hunter leaned in and kissed her gently. "I don't recall saying that I didn't feel the same." He said softly, a smile playing on his lips. "You...you do?" Summer said, a smiling creeping up on her face. Hunter sighed slightly. "I'm not sure if it's love Summer.... but I defiantly feel something that just might be love." He replied. Summer smiled again. "For now...I can live with that." She said. They both smiled and kissed again. They settled back into bed and fell asleep in one another's embrace.
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The next morning, Hunter and Summer walked down the stairs to see Joey and Larissa sitting in the living room. "Morning." Hunter greeted. Larissa smiled, Joey simply grunted in reply. Summer looked at him.
"I'll see you later." She said softly. Hunter nodded and kissed her. Summer walked him out. Before Summer could get two words, nasty words at that out of her mouth. The phone rang. "Hello?" Joey asked. She nodded. "I can tell her. Yup, thanks...bye." Joey hung up the phone. "That was Kelly...you have the next two days off because of your 'injury'" Joey growled. Summer's eyes went wide. "Uh, ok." She replied. Summer sighed and sat down. "So, who's first?" Larissa asked. Summer and Joey looked at her. "Huh?" They said. "Well, someone's going to tell the rest of us what happened, so, who goes first?" "Well, why don't we go in time order."? Joey said sarcastically. "Take it, Sum." She said. Summer sighed. She looked at her friends. "It was Zurgane." She said. The other two were silent. "Do you think they know about us?" Larissa asked. "No. He seemed like he just wanted to reek some havoc on some poor unsuspecting chick." Summer said. "Well, that's good...I mean...Well, you know." Larissa said. Summer rolled her eyes. "Your turn Jo." She told her. Joey sighed. "Short version.... I was in the woods again, had a "Shane" encounter, got attacked by a monster that stabbed him. Power Rangers appeared. End of story." Summer chuckled. "Nice story Joey." She said Joey made a face at her, causing Summer to laugh harder. Larissa just shook her head. "Your both nuts." "Anyway," Joey said, trying to get back on track. "It said something about Lothor wanting me on his side...About me being a good warrior." Joey shuddered. "As if I'd ever want to be on that asshole's side." "So, now both you and Summer have gotten attacked." Larissa said. "I don't like it. Not one bit." "Well, getting attacked isn't usually pleasant." Summer pointed out. Larissa rolled her eyes. "So what does that mean? I'm next?" She asked. Both Joey and Summer shrugged. "Maybe." They said. "Oh, how comforting." Larissa replied. Joey sighed. "We can avoid it if we stick together." Joey said. "At all times, at least two of us together." "Uh, yeah, hi, girl with boyfriend here, don't know how I'll explain this to Hunter." Summer replied. Joey looked at her. "Well, I guess you'll have to break up with him then." She shrugged. Summer glared at her. Larissa whimpered slightly, knowing another fight was brewing. "Excuse me?" Summer growled. Larissa looked from Joey to Summer and back again. Two hotheaded girls in the same room was not a good thing. "I said...maybe you should dumb him." Joey replied, not caring that she had majorily pissed Summer off. Summer stood up. "I'm not dumping him just because you said so." Summer retorted. Joey snorted and looked at the blond. "He'll lose interest in you soon enough." Joey told her. Summer's face darkened. "Shane was right when he slapped you Joey...you deserved every fucking bit of it...bitch." Summer spat. She turned on her heal and grabbed her jacket and keys. "Don't be surprised if I just come back to get my stuff. Hell knows I wouldn't want to be in the same household as the person who hates the person I love. Later." And with that Summer walked out the door, jumped into her car and drove away. Joey stared at the door. Larissa got up and glared at her. "What the hell did you do that for?" Larissa asked. "You don't say a guy's going to loose interest to Summer, how could you?" Joey looked at her. "Because they always do! Men never stick around. And I'm just saving Summer the heartache of having to find that out the hard way." "You know, just because your mother has brainwashed you in to believing that, doesn't mean we have to believe it too." Larissa said. Joey glared at her. "Shut up." She spat out. "What the hell makes you think you can boss us around anyway?" Larissa continued. Joey scoffed. "Oh, I don't know, cause I'm the oldest? Oh, and the leader?" "Excuse me? Who said you were the 'leader'? Who said anyone was the 'leader'?" "My mother. She gave the morphers to me. Not you, not Summer, me." Joey countered. "Yeah, right before she and my mom locked us in the storm shelter, abandoning us." Larissa replied bitterly. She looked at Joey. "Wow, now I know where you get the need to walk away all the time. Both your mom and dad walked away, didn't they?" **SMACK*** Joey's hand flew across Larissa's face. Larissa stumbled back. She looked at Joey. Joey gasped. "Oh my god, Lars.... I'm sorry." She went to her. Larissa stepped back. "How dare you!?" Larissa spoke, her voice wavering. "Christ Joey...you might get away with that with Summer, or some guy...but not me...I don't need this." Larissa stalked off to her room. "What have I done."? She cried.
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Summer pulled her car off the road and dialed Tori's cell phone number it and let it ring. "Hello?" Tori answered. Summer started to say something but broke down into tears. "Summer? What's wrong?" Tori asked, her voice filled with worry. Summer continued to cry. "Ok...ok... meet me at the beach in 10 minutes ok?" Tori asked. "ok." Came the tiny reply.
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Summer drove to the beach. She sat on the sand, looking out to the ocean. Tori soon showed up and walked over. "Summer?" Tori asked quietly. Summer turned her head. Her face was red and puffy from her tears. "Tori." She replied. Tori went over and hugged the blond girl who broke into sobs again. Summer sniffed. "I had a major fight with Joey." She told Tori. Tori eyes went wide. "What happened."? She prodded. Summer repeated the story, except for the fact that, she, Joey and Larissa were rangers, ending with how she wasn't going back there until Joey apologized for what she said. Tori was dumbfounded. "I can't believe Joey would say that Hunter would break up with you." Tori told her. Summer sniffed. "I know...but now I need somewhere to stay." Summer told her. Tori nodded thoughtfully. "You should talk to Hunter..." Summer looked at her. "People are going to start getting ideas Tor.... I mean he's stayed at my house like the past three nights...Larissa already thinks were sleeping together...Which we aren't!" Summer exclaimed seeing Tori's face. Tori smiled. "OK, well, you can talk to Hunter later...right now...you need to shop!" Summer smiled. She wiped at her cheeks. "OK." She said, taking a deep breath. Tori smiled and stood up. She pulled Summer to her feet. "Let me park my car at Storm Chargers then we can go ok?" Summer asked. Tori nodded and they set off towards Storm Chargers.
Chapter 10: Love, slaps and shopping
Joey walked around. She ended up in the woods again. She was so angry. Angry that Summer got hurt, angry that Hunter just had to come along with them. Angry that she wouldn't be able to talk to Summer about what happened to get the full story of what happened. She was pretty sure she knew what did happen already though. She came to a tree and sat down, reminiscing the day everything went to hell.
~Joey, Summer and Larissa were in the courtyard of there home, the academy. Joey was painting a portrait of her two best friends when she heard hushed voices. She looked over and saw her mom and Larissa's mom talking. "Something wrong?" Larissa asked from her sitting pose by the tree. Joey looked at her and shook her head. "Our moms are talking." She said. Larissa looked over, as did Summer. "Must be something major." Summer commented. She looked at Larissa. "You're the psychic, read their minds." She joked. Larissa laughed and rolled her eyes. "I'm not the psychic, mom is. Besides, it's premonitions, not mind reading." She said. "Oh, well, then what purpose do you serve?" Joey joked. "Ha ha, very funny." Larissa said. Summer laughed. "Josephina." Came the voice of Joey's mother as she and Larissa's mom walked over. Joey put down her paint and looked up. "Si mama?" She asked. "Come here with me, I need to give you something." She said. Joey looked at her, puzzled. "Mama, can't it wait? I'm painting Summer and Larissa." She said. Her mother looked at her sharply. "Ahorita." She stated. Joey stood up. "Ay voy." She sighed. She looked at her friends. "We'll finish this later." She said as she followed her mother as she went into the academy temple. Her mother went to the back of the temple where the tech base was located; it was usually Larissa's domain. She pulled out a disc and a box, handing it to Joey. "Que es esto?" Joey asked. "Mija," her mother said softly. "Something bad is going to happen, and these things are important." "Bad? How bad?" Joey asked. Her mother dawned a pained expression. "Bad." She said. "Well, what is it?" Joey asked. She went to open the box. Her mother stopped her. "It will help you. Do not open it yet." She said. "Pero.... Mama, si nos puede ayudar, I have to open it now." Joey said. ((AN: Translation: But mom, if it can help us...)) "Deja lo." Her mother ordered softly. ((AN: Leave it.)) Joey could do nothing but nod. ~ Tears came to Joey's eyes as she remembered her mother. She sighed and leaned her head against the tree. The box had contained the Fire morpher, the Lightening morpher, and the Thunder morpher. The disc was a message from her and Larissa's moms telling them what the morphers where, how to use them, explain what had just happened, and other information.
~After her mother gave her the box and the disc, Joey hid them in her room, not sure what else there was she could do. She didn't tell Summer or Larissa. She just went back out to the courtyard. A little while later, the ground shook. "What's happening?" Larissa exclaimed. "It's happening." She said. Joey's mother looked at the three young girls. "Come." She said. And with that, they grabbed Summer, Larissa and Joey, pulling them toward the academy's storm shelter. "What's going on?" Summer asked. Joey turned her head and saw a woman with pink hair, another with brown, a man with a mask on his face dressed in some sort of royal attire or something, and two weird looking aliens. Joey gasped as some of the academy students began to fight. "Mama!" Joey exclaimed. "I know, keep going!" She ordered. The five of them ran into the storm shelter. "Stay here, you will be safe." Larissa's mother said. She and Joey's mom went to leave. "What? Where are you going?!" Joey exclaimed. She grabbed her mother's hand. Her mother hugged her and kissed her cheek. Larissa looked at her mom. "Mom, what's going on?" She asked. Her mother went to her and stroked her cheek. "Stay put." She whispered.
"Stay put." She whispered. Joey's mom let Joey go. "Taheaira, let's go." She said. Larissa's mom nodded. The two left. They shut the door, locking it behind them.
Joey slammed her shoulder against the door. She ignored the intense pain shooting down her arm and kept going. The three girls could hear screams and fighting going on from outside. "Hurry up!" Summer yelled. "I'm trying!" Joey replied. "How about a little help!" Summer and Larissa ran over. Joey stepped back. "Count of 3." Larissa said. "1." Summer said. "2." Larissa said. "3!" Joey called out. The three pushed at the door together, it finally gave way and opened. The girls fell out of the room. They scrambled to their feet, that's when they realized the screams had begun to lessen. "I don't like the sound of that." Summer said. "You think their...Dead?" Larissa said, tears in her eyes at the thought of her mom being dead. The screams were now non-existent. "Let's go." Joey said. The three of them ran to the edge of the temple doors. They saw Larissa's mom, Taheaira, fighting off the two women who had appeared before. Joey searched around the area. All the other students were gone. She then saw the man with the mask, approaching her mother, Carmen. "Carmen," he said softly. "So good to see you again." He sneered. Carmen stood in a fighting stance. "Too bad I can't say the same for you, Lothor." She replied. "AH!" Someone yelled. The girls turned to see some large bubble incase Taheaira. "Mo..mmmph!" Larissa tried to scream, Summer put her hand over her mouth. The girl's watched in horror as the bubble disappeared in the sky. "What the hell is going on...."? Joey said softly. She looked over to her mom, who was fighting the man. She delivered a kicked to his gut. He staggered back. He growled and ran to her. He smacked her with the back of his hand, hard, sending her to the ground. Joey growled and went to help her, Summer grabbed her arm and pulled her back. Then, another bubble incased Carmen. "No." Joey gasped. The bubble disappeared as well. The man laughed and looked at his comrades. "We'll, all is done here, let's go." He said. "Coming uncle!" The two women said gleefully. ~ Joey blinked, trying to hold in her tears, but she couldn't. After her and Larissa's moms, the students, and those goons disappeared, the three girls ran around the base, trying to find anyone else, but they realized it was only them. They were scared, confused, angry and sad for a while, then Joey remembered the box and the case. She brought it to the other two. Larissa played the disc for them on the computer, and they then had all their answers.
The man who attacked them was Lothor. The two women, Kapri and Marah. The aliens, Chooboo and Zurgane.
Joey had a feeling it was one of them who attacked Summer. Did that mean they knew about the three of them? They knew who they were? Joey shook her head. He wouldn't remember them. That Zurgane thing probably just wanted to terrorize some poor young girl. Sighing, Joey closed her eyes and fell asleep.
))))))))))))))(((((((((((((((((((((~~Summer's Dream~~ Summer was walking along a stone path in some sort of garden, in the far distance she could see a school, but it wasn't the Fire Lightning Academy, it was from somewhere else. Walking closer she began to see people, but she couldn't see their faces. 'Weird' She thought. She continued walking, until she slammed into a metal body. Glancing upwards she saw Zurgane. She tried to back away, but she couldn't. She was standing on the edge of the cliff. Zurgane gave her a shove, and she fell to her doom. ~~
Summer's eyes shot open and she took a sharp breath. She clutched Hunter's shirt and let loose a few tears. She was so scared. Hunter felt Summer grab his shirt and opened his eyes. He saw that she was crying. Concern filled his face. He gently touched her cheek. Summer gasped and sat up. She blinked a few times and realized it was Hunter. She sighed and settled back into his arms. "Hey, you OK?" He asked softly. Summer nodded against his chest. "Yeah...Just...Bad dream." She whispered. Hunter held her closer against his body. "About what happened at the store?" He asked. "Yeah." She said. It wasn't a total lie. Hunter kissed the top of her head. "It's OK." He said. "I'm here. I'll always be here for you." He whispered against her hair. Summer sighed. She usually didn't like people feeling the need to protect her. But now, she was glad Hunter was up for the job. "Thank you Hunter." She told him.
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Shane walked along the woods. He heard about what happened from Dustin. He figured Joey would be in the woods, and he wanted to see if she was all right. He found her sitting by a tree, her head against it. She was sleeping. He walked over to her. She seemed troubled, as if she was having a confusing dream.
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Joey was in her studio painting her landscape when she heard footsteps coming down the stairs. She turned, expecting to see Larissa or Summer, who she did see took her by surprise.
"Shane?" She asked.
"Hey." He said softly. "What are you doing here?" She asked. "You should go." She went to escort him out the door. Shane looked at her.
"Do you really want me to leave?" He asked. Joey blinked. She looked into his eyes. They hypnotized her, as they seemed to bore into her. She slowly shook her head. Shane gave her a warm smile. He got closer to her. "What are you doing?" She asked.
"Something I know we've both been wanting to do." He said as he lowered his lips to hers.
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Joey sat up straight, awaking from her dream with a start. She looked over and saw Shane sitting beside her. She gave a surprised yelp and jumped to her feet. "What the hell are you doing here?" Joey practically screamed. Shane fell backwards holding his ears. "Geez, could you not scream?" He asked gently. Joey glared at him. "What are you doing here?" She asked again. "Looking for you." He replied. "Why?" She asked. "Dustin told me what happened. Is Summer OK?" He asked. "I wouldn't know, she's holed up in her room with her new boyfriend." Joey replied in a disgusted tone. "How'd you know I was here anyway?" She asked. "Because you're always here. I'd think you lived here if I didn't know any better." He smirked. "Ha ha...funny...not" Joey retorted. Shane sighed. "Was sarcasm a way of life in your family or something?" He questioned. Joey shot him a look. He backed off. "Ok ok, Geez." "I'd appreciate it if you didn't talk about my family." She said. She sat back down. Shane sat next to her. "Unhappy childhood?" He asked. "If you consider growing up not knowing half of where my genetics come from unhappy, sure." She sighed. "What do you mean by that?" Shane questioned. Joey gave him another look. "I don't know who my father is." She growled. Shane nodded. "Must suck." He replied. Joey rolled her eyes. "No Shane, it rocks... idioto." "Sorry." He said. "Do you know anything about him?" He asked. "Only what my mom said. Which is he's the devil incarnate himself and she hopes he dies a thousand deaths." "So that's why you got so pissed when I called you Lucifer's Spawn." Shane commented. Joey shot him a look. "Sorry." He amended. "Why do you care anyway?" She asked. "Because you seemed upset and I was worried." Shane said. "About me? Aw, how sweet." Joey said dryly. "But, I don't need some huebon worrying about me." She added. Shane sighed. "Look, just because your dad was obviously brain damaged, doesn't mean all guys in the universe are the same." "Brain damaged?" Joey asked. "Well, he must've been, to not want to be a part of your life." Shane said, looking at her. "And what makes me so special?" Joey asked sarcastically. "Do you even need to ask?" He replied in a soft tone that surprised Joey. She looked at him. "It doesn't matter know anyway." She said, shrugging it off. "I never knew him, and I turned out just fine, so I can survive without him." "Detesting males isn't a sign of 'turning out just fine'." Shane said. Joey rolled her eyes. "I have yet to meet a male who deserves otherwise." She said. Shane blinked. "Ouch..." He muttered. "That stung a little." Joey looked at him. "Just being honest." She said. Shane nodded. "Brutally, but honest, I guess so." Shane said. "I'll admit I haven't given you the best first impression. Although, you haven't exactly done so either." He pointed out. "Well, there's the difference between u and I. I don't give a damn." She replied. "Why are you so cold?" Shane asked. He received. "I don't want to talk about it." Joey growled out. "So, just so I'm sure, anything that just happens to be about your personal life, you don't want to talk about?" Shane asked. Joey looked at him. "Not with you, at least." She replied. "Joey." He sighed. "I'm trying to make an effort here, can't you at least do the same?" He asked. Joey scoffed softly. "Why are you even bothering with me?" She asked. "Because...I dunno...I just.... agh!." Shane screeched. He crashed into Joey holding his arm. "Shane!" Joey yelled. Joey grabbed his shoulders and proceeded to drag him away. Joey set him down a few feet away and proceeded to examine the cut. It wasn't a cut. "Shane..." She whispered. Shane looked at her. "You were stabbed." She told him. His eyes went wide. He shoved her out of the way, and was stabbed in the shoulder again. "OUCH!" He screamed. There was a monster standing between Joey and Shane. "Hello, children." The monster said. "Didn't your mothers ever tell you it's dangerous to be in the woods at night?" It chuckled lowly. Shane looked at Joey fearfully. "Joey, get out of here!" He said. Joey looked at him. "No freakin' way!" She replied. The monster turned to her. "Lothor wants you." It bellowed. Joey's heart stopped. Lothor knew.... Lothor knew who she, Summer and Larissa were. She decided to play dumb, so as not to be exposed to Shane. "Who? What? What's going on?" She said. Shane growled. He mustered all his strength and launched at the monster, kicking it in the back. "Shane, don't!" Joey screamed. "Oh are you worried your little boyfriend's going to get hurt?" The monster laughed. Joey went up and kicked the laughing monster. "Fuck you buddy. He ain't my boyfriend." She growled. The monster stumbled and was kicked again by Shane. The monster slashed at Shane with his sword. Shane fell back, the sword barely missing his stomach. "Shane, get out of here, you're hurt!" Joey ordered. "I'm not leaving you with this thing!" Shane replied. The monster turned to Joey again. Joey stepped back. "What do you want with me?" Joey said, still acting clueless. "Lothor's seen you fight, he says your a good warrior, and would like you with our side, girlie." Joey blinked. 'They're totally clueless about us...thank god.' She thought. "Well, good warrior this!" Joey exclaimed as she jumped up and kicked the monster in the face. "Jesus Joey, where the hell did you learn to fight?" Shane asked dodging the falling monster. Joey whipped around and grinned cheekily. "Trust me...if you knew, a) I'd have to kill you and b) you wouldn't believe me if I told you." Shane shook his head. The monster got up again. "Shane, you go that way, I'll go this way...meet outside the forest and run like hell." Joey whispered. Shane stopped her. "It's after you." He said. Joey looked at him. "And you're hurt. Now go!" She yelled. She ran away from him and the monster. The monster got up, and as predicted, went after Joey. Shane wanted to help her, but he knew in his state, he needed backup. He pulled his communicator to his mouth. "Cam, it's Shane. One of Lothor's goons is after Joey in the woods, need help." He said. "Were on it." Cam's voice replied. "Ninja Storm, Ranger Form ha!" Shane called out. He streaked after the monster, and attempted to get in front of Joey, to save her.
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"Cam to Hunter, Dustin, Tori and Blake." Cam's voice rang through their morphers. He only received three answers back. 'Where's Hunter?' He asked silently. "Guys get to Ninja Ops immedality. Cam told them. About 5 minutes later he had a yellow and two blue rangers. "Where's Hunter?" Blake asked. Cam shrugged. "Can't reach him so we'll have to deal without him for now." Cam replied.
()))))))))))))))))((((((((((((((( Larissa sat in her room. She heard her computer beeping. Which only meant one thing-trouble. She went over to it and picked up her headset. "Joey to Lars, Joey to Lars." Came Joey's frantic voice. "I'm here, what's going on?" "Monster..." Joey sounded like she was running. "It hurt Shane, I'm trying to get it away from him...Need help." "Summer's with Hunter." Larissa said. "Don't get her. She needs to rest." "OK, I'm on my way." Larissa said. She shut off the transmission. And stood up. "Lightning Storm, ranger form." She called out.
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"Tell Lothor if he ever tries to terrorize these citizens again," The red ranger growled once he knocked down the monster, "we'll personally deal with him." The monster stumbled to its feet. "No one said Rangers would be here, I'm out of here." He said as he left. The Red ranger turned around and knelt beside Joey. "You alright?" He asked softly. Joey nodded then her eyes went wide. "Shane." She whispered. She pushed herself up and took off running towards the exit of the woods. Everyone's facemasks opened, except for Cam's. "Uh dude you might wanna get there before she does." Dustin told him. Shane demorphed and streaked towards the entrance beating Joey by a few seconds. "Joey! Your alright!" Shane exclaimed embracing her. Joey stiffened. "Let go of me." She told him. Shane looked at her. "What?" He asked. "I say I'm glad you're OK, and all you say is 'let go of me'?" Joey sighed. "You should've left when I said so. Now, look at you." She muttered, looking at his wounded arm. "I'll be fine." He said.
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The rangers put their masks back up as something orange appeared. They all looked at her. "What happened?" She asked, looking around. "If you're looking for a baddie, we took care of it." Dustin said. The orange ranger looked at him. "I was told there was a girl getting attacked..." She said. "Uh, yeah, she's OK." Tori nodded. "She's just checking on her friend." The orange ranger nodded. "Well, see ya then." She said as she streaked away. "And we still have no idea who that girl, or her fellow rangers, are." Blake commented.
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Summer awoke around 3am, nice and warm with a nice comfy pillow. Stirring slightly, she saw Hunter lying on his back one hand wrapped around her, and the other intertwined with her's. He looked so cute asleep. Slowly she unwrapped herself from his warm grasp and climbed off her mattress. Slowly, and gingerly she walked out of her room and down the stairs to the kitchen to get a glass of water and some more aspirin. Summer turned the tap to fill her glass. She also popped the bottle of aspirin and shook some out when the front door opened. In walked Larissa.
"Rissa? What are you doing outside at...3am?" Summer asked quietly. Larissa took her shoes and jacket off and walked into the kitchen. "Joey was having some 'issues,'" Larissa told her. Summer gasped. "Why didn't you come and get me?" Summer growled. Larissa rolled her eyes. "Hunter being a key reason." Larissa told her. Summer nodded. "Lets see your bruise" Larissa told her. Summer turned around and lifted her tank top. From where her shirt ended, until half way up her back, there was a nasty purple-blue bruise. "That, is one ugly looking thing" Larissa told her. Summer chuckled. "Thanks Riss." "So, is Joey OK?" Summer asked. "I dunno. Our new ranger friends where there. They said they took care of the thing and that Joey went to check on Shane." "Shane?" Summer asked. "Apparently he got hurt." "What was Shane doing there with Joey in the first place?" She asked. Larissa shrugged. "We'll find out when she gets back."
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"Joey, are you sure you're OK?" Shane asked. Joey sighed. "Yes, I'm fine. That thing barely touched me. As supposed to you, who got stabbed in the arm twice." She looked at his wound. "I should get you to a hospital." She said. Shane looked at her. "So, you do care about me?" He asked with a smile. Joey rolled her eyes. "No, just don't want the guilt if that thing gets infected and you die. A joyous day it would be though." "Well, I guess near death experiences don't change your attitude, huh?" Shane asked. Joey rolled her eyes. "Whatever, I'm outtie. Later." She told him. Shane thought about stopping her, but it was late, and his arm was killing him. He sighed and walked home.
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Joey walked up the driveway to the house, but stopped short. There were lights on in the kitchen, and two shadows standing there..."Maybe I shouldn't go in." Joey said out loud. Joey sighed. She knew she had to come in sometime. She walked into the house. Summer and Larissa saw her. "Are you OK?" Summer asked. "What happened?" Larissa asked. Joey walked in and sat with them in the kitchen. "Is Hunter still here?" She asked. Summer nodded. Joey sighed. "I'll tell you later then. Might as well, I need some sleep." She said as she stood up and went to her room. Larissa and Summer looked at each other. Summer shrugged. "I'm going back to bed then." She told Larissa, who smiled and nodded. "Don't give me that look. Geez...according to you people, Hunter and I are already sleeping together." Summer told her. Larissa laughed. Rolling her eyes, Summer trudged back upstairs. Summer walked up the steps and into her room. She found Hunter to be sitting up rubbing his eyes. "Hey." He called softly. Summer smiled. "Hi." She replied. She stepped onto the mattress and kneeled beside Hunter and kissed him gently on the lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck. Hunter placed one hand on her upper back, and the lower, gently, but hard enough to cause Summer to whimper. Hunter pulled away from the kiss quickly and Summer leaned her head against his shoulder trying not to cry again. "Oh my god Summer. I'm so sorry." Hunter lifted her head up and kissed away the few fallen tears. "It's ok Hunter. It's just a little tender" She told him gently. "Turn around." He told her. Summer turned around and Hunter lifted her tank top. "I thought we were gonna stay at PG-13 for now. Were sitting at 14A Hunter." Summer joked. He chuckled. "Your bruise is huge Summer. You sure you're going to be ok?" He prodded gently. Summer swung around. "I'm not made of glass Hunter. If you touch me I'm not going to break." She told him angrily. "Summer...I'm sorry I was just worried." He told her. Summer sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. "No...I should be the one to be apologizing...I shouldn't be taking my anger out on you Hunter...it wasn't your fault." she replied. "But it feels like it was my fault." He told her. She looked at him, tears now freely streaming down her face. "It wasn't your fault Hunter...please don't blame yourself...I should have been more careful." Summer replied. Hunter pressed his lips against Summer's in a very gently, sort of calming way. When they pulled away Summer looked Hunter in the eyes. "Hunter..." She began.
"I...I...." She tried to get the words out but they wouldn't come. "What baby?" He asked. Summer looked at him. "I love you." She said. Hunter's eyes widened a bit. Summer looked down. "And now I feel incredibly stupid that I just said that." She whispered. Hunter looked at her. He gently took her chin and tilted her face up. "Why do you feel stupid?" He asked. ". Because I just said I love you and you obviously don't feel the same." She sighed. Hunter leaned in and kissed her gently. "I don't recall saying that I didn't feel the same." He said softly, a smile playing on his lips. "You...you do?" Summer said, a smiling creeping up on her face. Hunter sighed slightly. "I'm not sure if it's love Summer.... but I defiantly feel something that just might be love." He replied. Summer smiled again. "For now...I can live with that." She said. They both smiled and kissed again. They settled back into bed and fell asleep in one another's embrace.
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The next morning, Hunter and Summer walked down the stairs to see Joey and Larissa sitting in the living room. "Morning." Hunter greeted. Larissa smiled, Joey simply grunted in reply. Summer looked at him.
"I'll see you later." She said softly. Hunter nodded and kissed her. Summer walked him out. Before Summer could get two words, nasty words at that out of her mouth. The phone rang. "Hello?" Joey asked. She nodded. "I can tell her. Yup, thanks...bye." Joey hung up the phone. "That was Kelly...you have the next two days off because of your 'injury'" Joey growled. Summer's eyes went wide. "Uh, ok." She replied. Summer sighed and sat down. "So, who's first?" Larissa asked. Summer and Joey looked at her. "Huh?" They said. "Well, someone's going to tell the rest of us what happened, so, who goes first?" "Well, why don't we go in time order."? Joey said sarcastically. "Take it, Sum." She said. Summer sighed. She looked at her friends. "It was Zurgane." She said. The other two were silent. "Do you think they know about us?" Larissa asked. "No. He seemed like he just wanted to reek some havoc on some poor unsuspecting chick." Summer said. "Well, that's good...I mean...Well, you know." Larissa said. Summer rolled her eyes. "Your turn Jo." She told her. Joey sighed. "Short version.... I was in the woods again, had a "Shane" encounter, got attacked by a monster that stabbed him. Power Rangers appeared. End of story." Summer chuckled. "Nice story Joey." She said Joey made a face at her, causing Summer to laugh harder. Larissa just shook her head. "Your both nuts." "Anyway," Joey said, trying to get back on track. "It said something about Lothor wanting me on his side...About me being a good warrior." Joey shuddered. "As if I'd ever want to be on that asshole's side." "So, now both you and Summer have gotten attacked." Larissa said. "I don't like it. Not one bit." "Well, getting attacked isn't usually pleasant." Summer pointed out. Larissa rolled her eyes. "So what does that mean? I'm next?" She asked. Both Joey and Summer shrugged. "Maybe." They said. "Oh, how comforting." Larissa replied. Joey sighed. "We can avoid it if we stick together." Joey said. "At all times, at least two of us together." "Uh, yeah, hi, girl with boyfriend here, don't know how I'll explain this to Hunter." Summer replied. Joey looked at her. "Well, I guess you'll have to break up with him then." She shrugged. Summer glared at her. Larissa whimpered slightly, knowing another fight was brewing. "Excuse me?" Summer growled. Larissa looked from Joey to Summer and back again. Two hotheaded girls in the same room was not a good thing. "I said...maybe you should dumb him." Joey replied, not caring that she had majorily pissed Summer off. Summer stood up. "I'm not dumping him just because you said so." Summer retorted. Joey snorted and looked at the blond. "He'll lose interest in you soon enough." Joey told her. Summer's face darkened. "Shane was right when he slapped you Joey...you deserved every fucking bit of it...bitch." Summer spat. She turned on her heal and grabbed her jacket and keys. "Don't be surprised if I just come back to get my stuff. Hell knows I wouldn't want to be in the same household as the person who hates the person I love. Later." And with that Summer walked out the door, jumped into her car and drove away. Joey stared at the door. Larissa got up and glared at her. "What the hell did you do that for?" Larissa asked. "You don't say a guy's going to loose interest to Summer, how could you?" Joey looked at her. "Because they always do! Men never stick around. And I'm just saving Summer the heartache of having to find that out the hard way." "You know, just because your mother has brainwashed you in to believing that, doesn't mean we have to believe it too." Larissa said. Joey glared at her. "Shut up." She spat out. "What the hell makes you think you can boss us around anyway?" Larissa continued. Joey scoffed. "Oh, I don't know, cause I'm the oldest? Oh, and the leader?" "Excuse me? Who said you were the 'leader'? Who said anyone was the 'leader'?" "My mother. She gave the morphers to me. Not you, not Summer, me." Joey countered. "Yeah, right before she and my mom locked us in the storm shelter, abandoning us." Larissa replied bitterly. She looked at Joey. "Wow, now I know where you get the need to walk away all the time. Both your mom and dad walked away, didn't they?" **SMACK*** Joey's hand flew across Larissa's face. Larissa stumbled back. She looked at Joey. Joey gasped. "Oh my god, Lars.... I'm sorry." She went to her. Larissa stepped back. "How dare you!?" Larissa spoke, her voice wavering. "Christ Joey...you might get away with that with Summer, or some guy...but not me...I don't need this." Larissa stalked off to her room. "What have I done."? She cried.
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Summer pulled her car off the road and dialed Tori's cell phone number it and let it ring. "Hello?" Tori answered. Summer started to say something but broke down into tears. "Summer? What's wrong?" Tori asked, her voice filled with worry. Summer continued to cry. "Ok...ok... meet me at the beach in 10 minutes ok?" Tori asked. "ok." Came the tiny reply.
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Summer drove to the beach. She sat on the sand, looking out to the ocean. Tori soon showed up and walked over. "Summer?" Tori asked quietly. Summer turned her head. Her face was red and puffy from her tears. "Tori." She replied. Tori went over and hugged the blond girl who broke into sobs again. Summer sniffed. "I had a major fight with Joey." She told Tori. Tori eyes went wide. "What happened."? She prodded. Summer repeated the story, except for the fact that, she, Joey and Larissa were rangers, ending with how she wasn't going back there until Joey apologized for what she said. Tori was dumbfounded. "I can't believe Joey would say that Hunter would break up with you." Tori told her. Summer sniffed. "I know...but now I need somewhere to stay." Summer told her. Tori nodded thoughtfully. "You should talk to Hunter..." Summer looked at her. "People are going to start getting ideas Tor.... I mean he's stayed at my house like the past three nights...Larissa already thinks were sleeping together...Which we aren't!" Summer exclaimed seeing Tori's face. Tori smiled. "OK, well, you can talk to Hunter later...right now...you need to shop!" Summer smiled. She wiped at her cheeks. "OK." She said, taking a deep breath. Tori smiled and stood up. She pulled Summer to her feet. "Let me park my car at Storm Chargers then we can go ok?" Summer asked. Tori nodded and they set off towards Storm Chargers.