ALWAYS ME

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Takes place in the first season, but before the episode "The Green Candle". Based on his question "Why me?" in the Evil Green Ranger mini-series. All familiar characters Haim Saban and Fox Kids.

Tommy Oliver looked at the lake and sighed. His mind drifted back and he thought about how Rita had kidnapped him and turned him into her evil Green Ranger. Man, why me? he wondered. Why did this stuff keeping happening to him? He probably wouldn't have been so vulnerable to Rita's spell if it hadn't been for...her. Tommy's stomach knotted and he shuddered, thinking of Tressa, the woman he had stayed with before the Olivers had adopted him. He hadn't told anyone what she was, he had only mentioned the abuse she had put him through and the courts had taken him away.

"Tommy? Are you okay?" a voice asked. Surprised, he turned around to see Kimberly Hart.

"Hey, Kim," he greeted. Then, "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just...memories of what I did."

"Tommy, that wasn't your fault. You were under a spell," Kimberly reminded him.

"Yeah, but...if I hadn't been so vulnerable..." Tommy stopped when he realized what he was saying.

"Vulnerable? What are you talking about?" Kimberly wondered.

"No. Never mind," Tommy said quickly.

"Tommy, what is it?" Kimberly asked, reaching out to touch his arm.

"Kim, please don't push it," Tommy pleaded.

"All right," she agreed. Then, "Do you want to be alone?" He nodded. She left. Once she had left, he rolled up his right pant sleeve and stared at the long scar on his leg.

"Oh, man. Why me?" he wondered.