Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Power Rangers…this is for entertainment only!! I do own all non-PR characters and ideas…
cmar- your question about birth control in the future will be answered in this chapter.
Jen is pregnant again? Lance makes an astounding discovery…
Enjoy ch 13!
Steph
Code: Activation part 1
"Oh my god." Jen muttered. She felt the cold stone of the tank against her upper back. But this didn't strike her as much as what she had just found out.
"This can't be happening." Jen said. She drew in a deep breath. "I'm pregnant."
Jen placed her hand on her lower belly. She had noticed she gained some weight and tried to shed it, but she kept gaining it. She had decided on buying the pregnancy test just to make sure, knowing it was nothing.
But now it was something.
After Jen pulled on some clothes she went out onto the balcony. It was a pleasant 72 degrees outside, but Jen didn't care.
A knock came at her door. "Jen?" Katie's voice called from outside the door. With no response, Katie walked in and saw Jen sitting outside on the balcony. "Jen…" She saw her outside, her face was emotionless. "Jen, is everything okay?" Katie asked.
Jen shook her head. "I wish it was." Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Katie knew exactly what it was. "Don't worry, Jen. Lance is a big kid. He can take care of himself." Katie sat next to Jen, trying to comfort her.
"It's not that I'm not worried to death, but this time it's not him." Jen said slowly.
Katie gave her a confused look. "What do you mean?" Jen didn't answer her right away.
"Can you keep a secret, Katie?" Jen asked.
"Of course! We've been best friends for how long?" Katie smiled. Jen had no response. "Well?" Katie asked.
Jen remained silent for a few moments. Before Katie asked again, Jen spoke.
"I…I'm pregnant." Jen said. Katie's eyes widened.
"Oh my…Jen." Katie didn't know what to say. "It's Wes's I hope."
Jen laughed quietly. "Of course." She paused.
"How far into the pregnancy are you?" Katie asked.
"A month, I think. I'm just hoping it's too early to tell. But the test wasn't as accurate is it would be in our time." Jen whispered. In the year 3009, doctors could tell right away if a couple was going to have a baby. It was no way compared with tests in his time. The test consisted of a piece of paper with tow little lines. This was nowhere near as accurate as tests were in the future.
"You know my mom is a doctor, maybe it is. After all, according to Mom only 85 of all pregnancies actually make it to the second month." Katie said.
"I thought I did everything right." Jen said. Her eyes were unfocused.
"Yes, by not having sex for a while." Katie joked. Jen didn't laugh.
"After I found out I was pregnant with Lance, I decided no more kids. No matter how much I loved the guy. The minute after Lance was born I had one of those five-year birth control shots. When Lance was four I got it again."
"Lance is ten now." Katie whispered.
"I got it when he was four because I never thought I'd see Wes again. Let alone make love." Jen said. "I wasn't expecting this to happen at all."
Katie hated seeing her best friend in distress. "Is there anything I can do, Jen?" Katie asked.
"Don't tell Wes." Jen muttered.
"Why not?" Katie asked. "It's his kid, shouldn't he have the right to know?"
"I want to tell him when the time is right. If I really am pregnant." Jen said. Respectively Katie agreed.
"I better get going. Have a lot of work to catch up upon." Katie said. Jen nodded and thanked Katie for not telling Wes.
When Katie left, Jen rubbed her lower belly again.
"Just don't tell Wes." She whispered into the night air.
LaterKatie sat on her bed, Jen's words running through her head. Katie had known Jen was on birth control since Lance was born. With all the technology advantages scientists were able to create a method of birth control that lasted for a few years, but it was expensive. It lasted five years for the woman.
But it wasn't guaranteed. Ninety-nine perfect of woman didn't get pregnant after using the shot. But there was that one percentile where the shot didn't work. Apparently Jen fell into that one spot.
Katie knew that Jen wouldn't have an abortion. It may be 1000 years into the future, but abortion was still illegal.
Katie sighed. She hated seeing Jen in so much angst and pressure.
But there was one thing on her mind.
Was Jen going to tell Wes at all?
A few days later"Time Force!" Lucas called.
"Give it up, Frax! This is getting old." Jen called. Katie looked at Jen with a discomforting look, knowing what secret Jen held within.
"You're right, Pink Ranger. Why don't you rangers just DIE!" Frax screamed as he threw a blast towards them, but Ransik stepped in its mist. It did nothing to him.
"I'd ask you that same question!" Ransik struck Frax hard.
Frax screamed in pain. "I'll be back." He was gone in the blink of an eye.
"DAMN IT!" Jen yelled. She kicked the wall fiercely with alarmed Katie.
"Easy Jen!" Katie called. Jen glared at her, even through the helmet.
Wes looked at Jen, uncertainty in his eyes. Why was Katie being so protective of Jen?
Collins Estate
"This is getting to be ridiculous! We go out for five minutes them Frax runs." Jen said. She was obviously frustrated from today's events, but Katie looked more worried then Jen. Wes had to get to the bottom of this.
"Katie, can I talk to you for a minute, please?" Wes asked.
"Sure Wes!" She smiled. Once the two were in a room, Wes closed the door. "What's up, Wes?" Katie asked.
"Tell me what is going on with Jen. And why you were so protective of her today." Wes said.
Katie didn't answer. "It's a girl thing, Wes." That's all she said. "You know, hormones and stuff…" Katie stopped mid sentence.
"Mood swings?" Wes suggested.
"Yea." Katie answered quickly. 'Almost let that slip. Be careful, Katie. He's suspicious.'
Wes seemed to ease up. "I'm worried about her. That's all."
Katie put a hand on his shoulder. "I know you are. She's fine."
Wes smiled. "Thanks." Wes rushed off in a hurry, leaving Katie alone.
"Almost." Katie muttered. She went up to her room for a well-deserved shower.
That night
Wes was lying on his bed when Jen walked out of the bathroom. She looked at him and his face was content.
"What's gotten into you?" She asked.
Wes smiled. "Nothing." He sighed happily. "I'm just glad we're here, together. That's all."
Jen sat down on her side and slowly lay down. After Wes turned the light out, he put his head over hers and smoothed out her hair.
"Do you know how much I love you?" Wes asked.
"I don't know. How much do you love me?" Jen smirked.
"All to much to measure." Wes kissed her tenderly. Jen returned his kiss with one of her own.
"Get to sleep, Wes. We've got to be ready for Frax." Jen pushed.
"I know. I just wanted to tell you that I love you." Wes said.
"I love you, too." She responded.
Wes had a question on his mind. "And if anything was wrong, you'd tell me, right?" Wes asked.
Jen seemed to hesitate for a split second. "Of course, Wes."
He kissed her again before falling into a fast sleep.
The next afternoonIn downtown Silver Hills, blaster fire was exchanging between Ransik, Nadira and the rangers.
Jen was getting mad at his, and decided to hold back a bit.
"Just keep them occupied." Jen whispered to herself. She crept up behind Frax and his cyclobots.
She jumped off of the ledge. "Frax!" Jen called.
"What?" Frax exclaimed. Jen poised her blaster towards him. "I don't think so!" Frax aimed his fist towards her and fired.
Jen cried out in pain as the blast hit her abdomen. She gasped for air as she hit the ground.
"Jen!" Wes called. He ran over to her. Blood seeped through her clothes as she automatically powered down. "Oh god." Wes said. "Jen, wake up."
Jen stirred ever so slightly but collapsed from pain. Wes picked her up and the rangers went home.
Later on that night
Jen awoke with a strong pain in her abdomen. She noticed her stomach was flatter and instantly ran for the bathroom. She grabbed the second pregnancy kit from underneath a hidden cloth.
After a few moments, only one pink line showed. Katie's mom was right in saying that 15 wouldn't make it to the second month, no matter what happened. Jen let out a reluctant breath.
She wasn't pregnant after all.
The next morning
Wes had awoken at 6:45am. He looked over at Jen's side to reveal an empty space. "Probably working out like she normally does." Wes said. He walked into his bathroom and then soon walked out again. He went downstairs for breakfast.
In the park
Jen was breathing heavy. Another punch to the tree sent a bead of sweat dripping down from her face, soaking her shirt.
"I'll never give up on you, Lance." She punched the tree again. "Never." She round kicked the tree, sending a bit if dust flying from it.
It was ten years ago when she was standing at this tree, mourning the so-called death of Alex. Now it was about Lance.
She punched the tree again. "When I find Frax I'll tear him to pieces." Jen said. Out of nowhere, something whizzed by Jen's head missing her by an inch. Jen jumped out of the way as a blast blew up the tree, sending a spray of wood.
"I'll do the honors of destroying you, Lieutenant." Frax said.
Screams came from around the park as Jen collected herself to face Frax.
"Well, the Lone Ranger. Where is your pathetic team?" Frax taunted.
"Let's just settle this. You and me, Frax. No one else." Jen said. Her voice was dangerous.
"Fair enough. I came to offer you a proposition anyway." Frax said. Jen didn't move. "Your son, for the activation information on the Star of Venus."
"Where is Lance?" Jen asked.
"That is of no concern at this moment." Frax said. Jen was still thinking about her son. "This is an interesting position you are in. Your son's life for the activation code. But if you refuse, your son is dead."
"And if I give it to you, more people are dead." Jen eyed him.
"And yet, how does one way human life? Your son's versus millions of innocent people." Frax smiled evily. "I await your decision, Lieutenant."
"I don't know how to activate it." Jen said.
"Liar." Frax said.
"Time Force has no records on it. It says there is a way to activate it, but it hasn't been found. You can check your sources for that." Jen responded.
"We'll see about it." Frax said. He was gone.
Jen stood there, stunned by Frax's proposal. She gathered up her belongings and began a slow walk home.
How does one way human life? Jen thought about this. If Frax found out how to activate the Star, millions of innocent people would lose their lives.
But if she didn't tell, she would loose everything she's worked so hard for.
Even Lance.
Somewhere
Lance had been itching to get out of his stone room and explore his surroundings more. Out of curiosity he pushed on the door and surprisingly it opened.
"Hello?" He asked in a small voice. No answer. Lance cautiously made his way out of his room and down steps to reveal a stone room full of robots that were sleeping. As he looked at some computer readouts, having no idea how to even read them, something caught his eye.
On the table was a box. Inside of it, something glowed. In awe, Lance walked over to it.
"Wow." He said. "This must be the new crystal Time Force was working on." As soon as Lance touched the case, the crystal began to glow faintly. In shock, Lance withdrew this finger, only to have the light recede.
He cocked his head to one side and pressed his finger against the glass again, and the crystal began to glow dimly. He pressed his whole hand to it, causing the crystal to glow brighter.
"I wonder…" He trailed off. He ran off to where the entrance was and listened for a few moments.
Silence.
Making sure no one was coming he slowly opened the case and took the Star of Venus out.
Lance gawked in awe as the crystal dispersed a light bright enough to light up the entire room, and got brighter as he strengthened his hold.
An engraving cut itself out of the stone as Lance held it. He read it and was confused by its meaning.
The Star of Venus is a heavenly peace, but at a mortal price…