2A/N: I really didn't want to get rid of these lyrics, but I had to. So, for this one, hit up the radio or however you get your music and find Mario Winans' "I Don't Wanna Know" and of course, Hoobastank's "The Reason". We cool? All right. See you when I do.
THE REASON - Part Seventeen: I Don't Wanna Know
Summary: Tommy can't believe the news he has just heard. He goes home with an empty heart, and decides to go online to run into his friends. Now, what will happen since Ethan gets pulled into the plot?
Disclaimer: Power Rangers belongs and will always belong to Saban Entertainment, BVS Entertainment Inc., Renaissance Atlantic Entertainment, Village Roadshow KP Producations Limited, ABC Kids, ABC Family and Disney. And to all other affiliates with the Power Rangers concept (ie. Sentai–the original Power Rangers). And, yes, before I forget, the main title of the story does tie in with Hoobastank's "The Reason". And, to Mario Winans' "I Don't Wanna Know" does tie into this chapter. Gotta give you guys credit, so don't sue me, please!
A/N: Just a chat among friends. I was hoping not to cut it short, but since the obvious about avoiding chatroom conversations in chapters, I had to. But it's not that important. Hope you like it, and thanks for the support. Enjoy!
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"What more can be said? How much is being said? Who can and should you trust? I just don't wanna know anymore." –Eclyptyk Neo
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Tommy slammed the door shut behind him, throwing down his jacket and keys. He could feel the rage surge up inside him all over again. He slammed his head into the wall, frustated.
"Damn it, Tommy! You were finally clicking with her all over again, and this is how it has to end up? How you gonna do this to yourself? To her?" he punched the wall, wincing when he realized it was his sprained hand. "Oh, damn! That hurted."
He grabbed it, stumbling over to the study finding his laptop a way to relax. It was late, anyways. Besides, what has the bastard send me? He thought, recalling the many times Jason had dogged him for not doing the on-line chatting.
He was on-line instantly. Thanks to wireless cable internet connections. He signed into his e-mail account, finding the multiple un-read messages in the past few weeks. He wasn't much for the internet thing, unless it was really needed. "Damn. 50 unread messages. Man, J, what seems to be so important since we last talked?"
He began to read through each of the messages. Each leaving the same message: work ethics, love life, teaching ideals/methods, and the ranger party.
He ran his hands through his hair with frustration, forcing out a deep breath. He didn't have much to say in email when it was said in person or on the phone. He scanned through the other set of mail. A few notes from the high school about upcoming events and meetings. Junk mail.
Then one seemed to catch his eye. The sender was Ethan. And it was sent the previous night.
Tommy did recall that he did give the three Rangers his email and AIM screen name if they ever needed to contact him outside of school. But he didn't really expect them to use it with the many visits they make as part of a daily routine to his house.
He opened it up.
Hey, Dr. Oliver. How ya doin'? Hope ur aiight. Sorry dat I decided to catch u at such a bad time on Sunday. I didn't know. And I hope there arent 2 much of any hard feelings about me intrudin'. But this is some serious stuff whether u'd like to think or not. This is kinda a big situation that needs to get settled. And it was too late to call or whatever, considering I'm here playing a computer game at 11:00 at night. Sorry. Not the point. But it's about you, teach. I know, I shouldn't bring it up, just thought it wouldn't hurt to tell her the truth. And I kno u kno who I'm talkin' bout. Or give Conner and Kira the heads up. I mean, either way their gonna find out. Plus, we're all gonna need some answers when things begin to settle down. Just a fair warning to u. I know this may seem a little pathetic, or crazy, but is it possible for us to meet the old ranger crew? Ya know, the one you were rollin' wit bak in high school. I'd like to have some other opinions bout this whole ranger livin'. And about this afternoon at the cove, when u called us up, I was juss kinda wonderin where u were at. Did Zeltrax have u preoccupied like always? Hey, it's kewl, I guess. But I will say this, Kim can still kick ass after all these years. So, I'd try to avoid makin her mad or watever. And sorry if u havnt noticed, but I think Conner is takin' some interestin' in Kim, too. IDK. Hope things work out between you two. I figured if this works out, than Kira and Kim can really hit it off as friends. That be kinda kewl. Well, g2g. Hope u're doin better. I'll see u later. –Ethan aka BlueDinoRanger
Tommy couldn't help but manage a smile for Ethan's kind and concern gesture. Yet, he wondered what advice the other rangers would tell them about their adventures, especially dealing with the years in high school as well. He just wished it could have been one of the guys. Not Kim.
The familiar chime on the AOL Messenger indicated that two people on Tommy's buddy list had just signed on. BLACKFROG4: Adam and 3REDNINJA: Rocky.
Adam was the first to send the chat invite for Tommy, as he entered the chatroom with no hesitation.
3REDNINJA joins chat
BLACKFROG4 joins chat
DINOBLACK5 joins chat
BLACKFROG4: Well, if it isn't the party pooper. What up, T?
3REDNINJA: Never thought to see you on the net.
BLACKFROG4: Seeing as you don't have time for us anymore.
DINOBLACK5: Ha. ha. Very funny guys. How u guys?
BLACKFROG4: Not much. How's life in reefside? Any recent monster attacks we should know about?
DINOBLACK5: Nope. Mesogog seems to be planning something big. Just can't seem to figure out what, tho.
The conversation went on for some time involving the recent visit from Kim and her plans to go to Greece for the Olympics. They also talked of the recent attack at the cove with the Tyrannodrones and the obvious goal to snatch Kim. But lucky for her, the Rangers showed up just in time to assist her, while Tommy had to go attend to a matter involving a certain cyborg with a huge attitude problem with the doctor.
BLACKFROG4: The past is rubbin' the wrong way. Lemme guess u heard the news of why yo u guys broke up?
DINOBLACK5: And u two knew about it, didn't u?
BLACKFROG4: Sorry, man. Guess it kinda comes with talkin to her.
3REDNINJA: No offense man. We kno da deal.
3REDNINJA: But past is past. Rite? U gonna get over it rite? I mean, that happened like eight years ago.
BLACKFROG4: Not a good thing 2 say, Rocky.
DINOBLACK5: I don't know.
3REDNINJA: What about that gift of yours?
Tommy sat back, groaning. He did in fact have a gift–a few–he wanted to present to her since the funeral. But he just couldn't do it. It was suppose to be some sort of collateral to win back her heart, if that ever had to be the case. Pictures. Poems. Songs. Etc.
Tommy continued to deny the fact that presenting those gifts wouldn't help much in their relationship when he was hurting even more than she was, yet again. It was three years since their last confrontation and even then, they couldn't talk to each other. Something was wrong, and Tommy hoped that it wouldn't get worse considering he hadn't spoke of his darkest secret to her.
3REDNINJA: After 3 years no one can blame u
DINOBLACK5: but I am. I mean I want to be wit her. I love her so much. But rite now, isnt the time
BLACKFROG4: u didn't tell her?
DINOBLACK5: Tell her I'm back in the suit? And hav it only be harder for us to kiss and make-up? Sorry, adam, it's not that easy.
3REDNINJA: U gotta tell her.
DINOBLACK5: I kno. Juss not now. I need some more time.
A door opened, indicating another on-line visitor on Tommy's buddy list. CYBERBLUE: Ethan. An IM message popped on Tommy's screen.
CYBERBLUE: hey, dr. o. didn't expect u to be on.
DINOBLACK5: hey, ethan. I'm not on a whole lot. And I got ur message.
CYBERBLUE: Ooh, rite. Hey, about that. Nothin personal.
DINOBLACK5: no. it's kewl, ethan. Ur rite.
CYBERBLUE: I am?
The chatroom grew scarce of talk coming from the doctor, as the two rangers confronted him of his absence in IM messages. Tommy ignored it, saying quickly that Ethan had logged onto the net, or AIM anyways, and was looking for some talk time with his mentor. With hoping no harm done, Tommy added the invite for Ethan to join in their little ranger bonding in the chatroom.
CYBERBLUE joins chat
BLACKFROG4: so, this is the new blue ranger?
CYBERBLUE: And u must be adam.
BLACKFROG4: U figured that out already?
CYBERBLUE: The name says it. And it isn't hard to read what u've all talked about.
3REDNINJA: Smart kid.
DINOBLACK5: Ur tellin me. Ethan is the computer whiz.
3REDNINJA: A regular billy. Always gotta have that one partake some ranger of the past.
CYBERBLUE: So, dr. o, u tell the whole world bout my cyber-net expertise?
DINOBLACK5: Only those wanting 2 know. But sorry, ethan, u'd b talkin to adam park and rocky desantos. Second generation of us rangers.
CYBERBLUE: Oh rite. The frog and ape.
3REDNINJA: He knows about that.
Ethan mentioned his finding about another video diary, that Rocky or Adam didn't seem to like. The exposure of their past was open to prying eyes man enough to hack into the legendary rangers computer system. Of all the people, it was the computer whiz of the group. Adam and Rocky started to explain their stature on the team, and how Adam turned out becoming Tommy's doctor in the process. Adam went to Korea to earn his degree in medicine and returned to San Francisco to help Rocky with his studies. Along the way, he began to use the ancient healing process of the Far East to help out Rocky. And a certain brother to the legendary ranger was in the area wanting to learn more about it. Eventually, Eric had re-introduced Tommy to Adam in hopes the two could pass along their own skills with nature to each other. Soon after that, Eric died and Tommy was constantly visiting Adam hoping to find answers to his brother's death. But not much was answered. And soon, Tommy had dropped it, figuring it was something he had to seek out on his own. When the island exploded, the first person Tommy seeked out was Adam, who monitored his condition, but found no serious damage done to the paleontologist.
Another knock came to Tommy's screen, making him groan. GOLDENREX1: Jason.
The room grew quiet, and Ethan figured something was about to happen between the older rangers.
GOLDENREX1 joins chat
GOLDENREX1: What up, bastards.
CYBERBLUE: Bastards!
DINOBLACK5: Not the best intro, jase.
DINOBLACK5: Relax, ethan, he's always like this.
GOLDENREX1: Oh damn. Y didn't u tell me?
3REDNINJA: I did. Juss didn get that last message I sent u.
GOLDENREX1: whoa, sorry, ethan. Mah bad. Name's jason scott.
CYBERBLUE: So u heard about me? Lemme guess. Original red ranger.
GOLDENREX1: Only about everyone on da old crew. Hey, t, did u tell her yet?
DINOBLACK5: No. I didn't jason. No thanx to u, dat was not cool.
DINOBLACK5: U sent her, didn't u, jase?
GOLDENREX1: Could have. Yes. But no. she wanted to see u, I juss set the hook.
DINOBLACK5: Without tellin me? Bullshit.
CYBERBLUE: Whoa! Dr. O, didn't think u'd have it in u.
DINOBLACK5: sorry, ethan. Pardon mah french.
BLACKFROG4: And here we go again.
The next few minutes of the room were dominated by the constant badgering from the original red ranger against his best buddy. Rocky, Adam and Ethan sent off small remarks toward each other that the two leaders didn't seem to notice. Rocky telling Ethan a little about his college years and how after high school, he and Tanya Sloan, third generation yellow ranger, began to go out. Adam filling in more gaps to their friendship and how long they've known each other.
GOLDENREX1: Tell her u love her to death and marry her already.
CYBERBLUE: whoa. U gonna marry kim, dr. o?
DINOBLACK5: hey. Slow down.
DINOBLACK5: First of all, don't assume anything.
DINOBLACK5: Second, don't bet on it.
BLACKFROG4: U do got the ring, t.
3REDNINJA: ouch.
CYBERBLUE: brutal.
Ethan began to realize why his teacher wasn't much of an internet guy, considering the constant badgering over his love life and work ethics. Yet, he couldn't help but feel that he was connecting with Rocky and Adam quite well in the process. Every now and then, Jason would ask him a question or make a comment to him, but it wasn't much.
CYBERBLUE: And it wasn't my fault I stumbled in at a bad time on Sunday. I said I was sorry.
CYBERBLUE: And I did need help.
GOLDENREX1: He saw kim?
DINOBLACK5: Yes, jase. He did.
CYBERBLUE: That's not all I saw.
3REDNINJA: Are u serious? U saw...
DINOBLACK5: Hey, not dat, rocko. Damn.
CYBERBLUE: Nah. Juss a side of Dr. O I didnt think I'd see.
BLACKFROG4: Ohh, mr. World's greatest ranger dark side.
CYBERBLUE: Bingo.
Again, the old rangers brought up Tommy's status as the "World's Greatest Ranger", and he didn't like it one bit. Ethan couldn't help but agree with them, seeing the video diary and finding out a lot about his time in the suit through the years. But eventually, Adam and Rocky had to call it a night to attend to some certain ninja business leaving the blue dino ranger to confront the best friends.
GOLDENREX1: well, looks like it's the three of us.
CYBERBLUE: Guess so.
GOLDENREX1: So, ethan. U got the blue gem?
CYBERBLUE: Yeah, that's me. Mr. Triceratops.
GOLDENREX1: So, T, when am I gonna meet the new crew?
DINOBLACK5: Not anytime soon. Don't u gotta work.
CYBERBLUE: Hey, I'm up for it.
DINOBLACK5: Slow down, ethan. U still got school to worry about.
CYBERBLUE: Hey, I said it'd be nice to have another ranger's opinion on this.
GOLDENREX1: And clear up some of the air. C'mon bro.
But Tommy wasn't feeling the offer yet again, and bailed before the original red ranger and blue dino ranger had a chance to change his mind.
GOLDENREX1: good. Thought he'd never leave. Hey ethan. Gots a favor b4 I head out.
CYBERBLUE: Sure. What's up?
GOLDENREX1: I'm already in reefside.
CYBERBLUE: Really?
GOLDENREX1: Actually, me rocky and adam. And we need u to get tommy out to the park tomorrow. Think u can do that?
CYBERBLUE: Sure. I guess so. Did u want me to bring conner with me?
GOLDENREX1: The new red ranger?
CYBERBLUE: Yeah.
GOLDENREX1: Sure. The more the merrier. Besides, it'll get us all talkin. I kno he aint gonna do anything. Trust me.
CYBERBLUE: As his best buddy?
GOLDENREX1: IDK. Haven't seen him in a few months. But hope things haven't completely changed. See ya later. U need to get to bed.
CYBERBLUE: Rite. School. Later, Jason.
GOLDENREX1: Bye, ethan.
GOLDENREX1 exits chat
Ethan looked at the computer screen sighing. He wasn't sure what Jason had in mind for his teacher, he just had to find a way to drag him out to the park just like he requested. But than again, he wondered what happened between Dr. Oliver and Kim. There was a bad vibe around it in.
To be continued...
A/N: It seems that the guys are already in town. But what do they have in store for Tommy? And what tie will Ethan have in it?