THE REASON - Part Twenty-Two: The Love of Two Worlds
Summary: Kira goes to Tommy about concerns with his love life and her own. But he isn't as helpful as she had wished. Now, with another attempt to this ranger reunion, Kira runs into two yellow rangers of the past while confronting Kim about the recent events.
Disclaimer: Power Ranger, not mine. The main title, not mine. But the story's plot and concept is mine. So, ha!
A/N: Just a friendly chat among the ranger sisters. Sorry, I just seem to like that statement or whatever. But enjoy. I cut it down a great deal, and it's still pretty long. My apologies. But read and review.
"Let love be your guide. But one must understand how it works first before they can let its power take control of your life." –Eclyptyk Neo
Next day. Lunch time.
Kira, Ethan and Conner sat along a tree on the school grounds eating their lunches. Or tried to. The events of the previous day were still fresh in each of their minds. And they exchanged notes during first hour discussing their teacher's stern and cold shoulder during class. Lucky for them, he didn't take away the note as he passed them by discussing the day's lesson. But something was wrong, and none of them had any idea if or how far it would get. They just prayed that it would end soon.
Kira forced out a breath. "We gotta do something. I mean, this is some serious shit we've gotten ourselves into."
"We have?" Ethan raised her eyebrows. "In case you haven't noticed, but Dr. O didn't exactly break the news to Kim all too well."
"And just as much, we got a new enemy in town." Conner pointed out. "I mean, what can we do? Hayley told us to give the guy some space."
"Yeah." Ethan nodded, agreeing with the red ranger. "I mean, I don't think any of us want to deal with his dark side. Not after yesterday."
"Do you remember what happened last night, Ethan?" Kira grew slightly angry. "He hit his own best friend. And not once, but several times."
"He was mad." Conner concluded.
"And that would be his dark side." Ethan added.
"I don't get it, Ethan. A few days ago you wanted to try and help him, now you don't want to go anywhere near him." Kira stated. "You still have a few things to explain to us. Like that other video diary you stumbled onto."
"I would. But I think Dr. O wouldn't like us snooping." Ethan tried to defend himself.
"Dude, I think it's a little late for that." Conner agreed with Kira.
Ethan knew they were right. He did have most of the answer out of the three of them, but he was still at a loss in the reality of things. They all were. And they all needed answers. Especially after what had happened in the past day.
Then a light went off in his head. "I got it. We don't ask him. Not yet, anyways. I mean, we're the ones stuck in the middle of all this. So, why not go to some other sources? I could talk to Hayley after school. And Conner, why don't you check up with Jason? I hear he's gonna be in the park with another surprise for Dr. O. And Kira, you seemed to have kicked it off with Kim. See what you can get from her. Then we can fill each other in later on."
Kira and Conner exchanged a look and shrugged. Then they turned toward their blue comrade, nodding.
"All right. It makes sense." Kira said.
"I'm in." Conner stated. "And I thought that I was suppose to be the leader of the group."
"You are." Ethan announced. "But you're just competing with my strategic ideals."
Kira let out a light smile. She knew and could see their friendship as she saw it with their mentor and his friend. But than again, first impressions weren't working out for any of them at the moment. But she also had her own mountain to scale with Dr. Oliver concerning what advice he might have about her own personal issues. She got to her feet slowly. "Well, I gotta go take care of some things. Go finish a test. So, we start after school?"
The guys nodded firmly and let her go.
She disappeared into the main building, looking at her watch. There was 15 minutes left of lunch left, and she figured that was all she needed. She headed up the stairs and into the science wing, knocking on the door to her science teacher's room, as she entered.
Dr. Oliver was sitting at his desk looking intently at the contents on his laptop. He obviously didn't seem to hear the knock from his student.
Kira cleared her throat, getting his attention. "Hey, Dr. O, can I talk to you?"
Dr. Oliver jumped off the chair startled, removing his glasses. He relaxed when he saw it was only his student. He nodded slowly. "Sure. What's up?"
Kira forced out a breath, walking over to his desk. "I was wondering if I could talk to you about a few things concerning you and Kim."
He nodded slowly displaying a light smile. "Sure. I mean, I guess I can't get away from it. So, what do you want to know?"
"Dr. O.." she began as she pulled a stool up to his desk to sit down. "I know how you guys went to high school and every thing. But I never would have thought that saving the world and every thing would give you the chance to go out."
He only chuckled lightly. "That was probably the best part of high school. Knowing you had friends who would know how your situation was, saving the world and all. We'd all exchange excuses with our teachers, but it was never that easy to get out of some of the excessive amounts of homework. But than again, it helped loosen the load on making up excuses with someone you were trying to date outside of the ranger circle. I didn't really have to worry about that. With those two I dated."
"Two?" Kira questioned, an eyebrow rose.
"I don't know how I do it, but they were both the pink ranger. Kimberly Anne Hart. Katherine Ashley Hillard." he stated their names, a smile to his face as he recalled the memories spent with each of them. "Alike in many ways, but different in every respect."
"So, what happened?"
"Well, Kim moved out to Florida and gave up her powers as the pink ranger. She gave them to Kat. And, if you haven't figured out, Kim and I broke up. I got a letter stating she had found someone new and had to let me go. A few weeks later, I began to date Kat. But I could admit that having the pain of losing Kim, it was hard. And Kat was sort of collateral to ease the pain, until I realized that our relationship wasn't getting that far. We broke it off before college. She went to London, and I went to Cal Tech."
"Where you met Hayley?" she asked as he nodded. "But I thought she was a MIT grad."
"Well, she was. She transferred over to MIT when I began to get involved in more digs throughout the West Coast. Up to about junior year in college, I began to create my thesis. And with the many digs, I began to get acquainted with Dr. Anton Mercer. He shared my same interest in dino bones and well, worked on an island for two years. And you seem to know how the story goes."
Kira nodded slowly. At least she was getting him to talk. That's what she was hoping for. She only hoped that her fellow ranger counterparts wouldn't be too upset that she had decided to talk to their mentor even after the warning about what happened last night. But this was planned the moment he stepped into the classroom that morning. She was just growing concern for her teacher's welfare.
"So, this whole thing with Kim and Kat. Is there still anything there between any of you guys?"
Dr. Oliver forced out a sigh, leaning back in his chair. "Well, I can admit that ever since I met Kat, she always had that ideal of wanting to be with me. I guess that's how I'm like that with most girls I see. Kinda a girl magnet as my friends put it. I mean, I loved her. But I could never love her like I did with Kim. We were rushed, me and Kat." He admitted whole-heartedly. "Our friends thought it best that to rid myself of pain, find the next best thing to take Kim's place." He shook his head, laughing. "Man, were they wrong. Hello! In case you haven't noticed, they both have the same initials. They both wore pink. And they both had dreams of being in the Olympics. Tell me that won't get rid of my pain of being without Kim. And Kat saw this, and she let me go. I let her go. What me and Kim share was special and it will always be special."
"So, does this mean you guys are back together?"
"After last night, it's hard to really say. I mean, yeah." he shook his head. "We never argued like that when we went out. Never. But I guess just because our past still haunts us greatly. I mean, I didn't expect any of that to happen. I don't even know how or why I struck Jason the way I did."
"Maybe you were just mad?" Kira made the suggestion with a smile.
He looked up and saw her smile. He couldn't help but return it. "That tends to be the case. Or upset. But ya know, when the White Ranger disrupted my powers, I never felt so weak. I never felt so helpless. And I thought losing the green powers were tough. No, not like that. I guess the long years apart makes that difference. I'm not exactly as quick as I was ten years ago." Dr. Oliver looked at his student, seeing the shift she made in the chair.
"This White Ranger thing is really bothering you, isn't it?"
Kira nodded slowly, looking up displaying a smile that made it obvious she was. "It kinda has the three of us run down."
He nodded, agreeing. "Yeah. But look, we'll find out who this is and stop him. We'll get him some help. Trust me. I've been in the situation before." He looked at her again, noticing the uneasiness in how she sat. "Something else is bothering you."
"It's about Trent," she said quickly, trying to hide her blush.
"Don't tell me you're thinking he could be the white ranger?" The black ranger made the conclusion quick with some surprise.
"Well, no. Yes. I mean, I don't know." she shook her head. "He wasn't even at school today, Dr. O."
He shook his head. "That was one day, Kira. Trust me, if Mesogog is smart, he wouldn't have waited this long to find someone with the potential to be the White Ranger. And even if it was Trent, which I highly doubt, than Mesogog is even more stupider than Rita. First day in school. Bam! Dubbed the evil green ranger. Trent's been here for months now." "But could it be that the gem's energy that you collected, be the one that's harnessing the White Rangers powers?"
Dr. O nodded slowly. "It might, yes. But until we get more answers we can't conclude who this white ranger is."
BRING!
The two looked about the room, startled at the sound of the bell. But knew they had to attend to other things. And Dr. O knew that Kira had more questions to ask him, but that would have to wait.
"Well, um..thanks, Dr. O," she commented getting off the stool.
"Any time, Kira." he nodded. "I'm always here."
Kira headed for the door, but stopped to turn back and look at her teacher. "I know you're having a rough time, but you should really call Kim."
He nodded. "Yeah, I know. But for now, you have a class to go to."
"And you have a class to teach," she stated as several students began to file into the room.
He left out a half-grin and gestured her out the door. She waved a good- bye and left.
-----
After school.
Kira didn't know how she managed to be seen sitting in the food court of a shopping mall as she waited for the three older women she ran into get their heap of food. She ran into Kim at the student parking lot, Kim offering her some time to talk. But she wasn't alone. Aisha Campbell and Tanya Sloan. The two yellow rangers following after Trini's footsteps. And when the three finally returned, it was clear that they were all starving.
Kim and Tanya sat on one side of the table. Aisha took a spot beside Kira as she handed her a super-sized drink and fries.
"Wow." Kira blinked as she took a drink of her soda. "You guys must be really hungry."
"Well, thanks to Miss Former Pink Ranger who doesn't offer us any place to eat until now....." Tanya teased as she stuffed some fries in her mouth.
Kim elbowed her. "Stop. I said I was sorry. I just wanted to show you guys the sights first."
"Yeah, without showing us to where Tommy's been hiding these past few years."
Kim and Kira exchanged a look, taking a stuff of fries and looking away.
The two black woman exchanged a look turning to the quiet duo.
"Uh-oh, something happened." Tanya stated.
"No doubt. What's up, home girl?" Aisha asked with great concern. "What happened? Did he hurt you?"
"Please, 'sha. Like he would." Kim gave her a friend a slight glare. "Why didn't you guys tell me he was back in uniform?"
Tanya and Aisha had their turn of looking away.
"Hey, he told us individually. And we had figured keep all conversation with him, hush hush." Tanya shrugged.
"Besides, ya know how easily the guy could just roll up in his shell and shut out the world." Aisha stated as she took a drink of her soda.
"Private guy." Kira added, remembering the day she had found her dino gem in his lab. "Yeah. So, what brings you guys into town? Is this one of Jason's ideas for Dr. O to start talking to you guys? Or does he know you're in town?"
"Man. Dr. Oliver." Tanya shook her head in dismay, still trying to get used to calling her former leader a doctor. "Of all people to get a PhD, I never would have thought he'd be the one to get."
"No doubt. Adam, sure." Aisha nodded. "But Tommy? No. Ya know, if I could I'd probably kill Jason for even coming up with this idea, but home boy's got a point. I hear the good doctor ain't exactly all too cool with how life is running these days."
Kira nodded as she took a bite from her burger. "I guess you can say that. I mean, being back in suit and all. He didn't expect it at all."
"Yeah, how he couldn't make that choice to take the gem as his own." Tanya nodded.
"Is it true that Kat is in town, too?" Kim asked trying to relay any thought of the ranger topic.
Tanya and Aisha nodded.
"Wait." Kira held up a hand. "Dr. O's other girlfriend?" They all exchanged a look, nodding.
"Well, former." Tanya corrected. "Now, she's with Jason."
"No way." Kira couldn't believe her eyes. "Dr. O never mentioned that."
"Because he doesn't know." Aisha said.
"He doesn't know?!" Kira and Kim said in unison.
The two black women jumped at their shock. Obviously both Tommy and Jason weren't spreading the news like wildfire. Unlike the rest of the group, they talked constantly. But still had their respect for what had come from their times spent with the black dino ranger. And Kim was stuck in the middle just as much as the young rangers.
"Yeah." Tanya leaned in, as each followed suit. "They are. Jason proposed to her and she accepted."
"Kat's also pregnant again." Aisha held up two fingers. "Second child."
"Second child?!" Kim beat Kira to the punch.
"You didn't know about the first?" Tanya was surprised.
"Well, obviously Kat or Jase failed to mention that." she exclaimed with some frustration.
"No lie." Tanya stated with a firm nod. "Two years old, now. The name's Marcus."
"Wow." Kira managed to get her say in. "Well, that's a big turn of events. But do they love each other, or is it out of child support?"
Tanya shook her head. "Nah. Those two are in love."
"It may not be something that Kim and Tommy shared, but it's there." Aisha stated, recalling the moments she'd see the two in high school.
Kira nodded slowly.
"So, how are things with you and Trent?" Kim asked.
"Kim." Kira looked away blushing.
"Who's Trent?" Tanya grew interested.
"Some guy from school."
"He also works at the cyber café the teens and Tommy hang out at." Kim filled in the gaps.
"Oh, Kira has a crush." Aisha clasped her fellow yellow ranger's shoulders happily.
"No, I don't." Kira tried to cover her red face.
"Hey, you're still in high school." Tanya exclaimed.
"But how do you know it's love?" Kira asked suddenly.
The three older women looked at each other, sighing deeply.
"You just know." Tanya stated.
"It's that certain feeling in your stomach. And that inability to find words to say when you've just met. Or go beyond the ideal factor of friends." Kim sighed again. "Man, the first time I saw Tommy, those eyes. Those eyes just pulled me in."
"Oh yeah," Tanya agreed, clasping her friend's hand in an agreed gesture. "The eyes. The window into a person's soul and the only thing needed to answer all the questions to truth and lies."
Kira turned to Aisha who rolled her eyes. Obviously, she was annoyed at how those two seemed to drift off into their own world. Especially when it came to love. Those two seemed to make a bigger deal over it than her.
"Home girl here is going out with the second red ranger, Rocky DeSantos." Aisha explained. "I'm kicking it with Zack Taylor, the first black ranger. But, he's been busy trying to create a musical career for himself. So, I don't see him much."
"I'm sorry." Kira apologized.
Aisha held up a hand. "Hey, as long as he's happy. I'm cool with it. Ya know, Kira, I won't lie to you. Love can come in and out of your life at the wrong time. Some people know who they're gonna marry when they're born. Then there are those who go their entire life in misery trying to find it. Others are lucky to have it fall in their lap. While another group struggles to keep it alive. But when you find that one person, you just can't let them go. In many cases, I've dated a lot of guys. And I don't know if it comes in the suit, but guys in the ranger family are definitely loyal and committed to whatever cause that is before them. I guess that was why we were all chosen to take our place in the living legacy. We had attitude, but we had a commitment to protecting the planet."
Kira smiled, just as the second yellow ranger followed suit. In the back of her mind, she would have wondered how the first yellow ranger was. But knew that the powers went to right person when Trini left. And looking at Tanya, Kira knew that Aisha had made a formidable choice to have her take her place on the team. And looking at the three of them, they were close like sisters. And she was the baby of the group, for now. Until the rangers of the future would enter into the big ranger family.
It was nice to have some girls to talk to, now. Even if it might be short- lived. At least, it would push away the count of testosterone in the room. Kira thought to herself.
"And we hope that Kim will finally tie the knot with Tommy." Tanya threw an annoyed glare at the former pink ranger.
"Stop it, Tanya." Kim huffed. "That probably won't be happening after what happened last night."
"Scoop time." Aisha leaned in closer.
The four began to gossip and fill in gaps where they felt was right. Kim and Kira explained the recent issues revolving around a new threat in town, the White Ranger. Kira stated what she had learned from her teacher in the past few months. Kim explained what she's been up in the past few months. Tanya and Aisha followed when their turns were permitted. Than Kira began to question their pasts as rangers and how much of connection was still held in the old team. They stated that poor, shy Adam was the loner of the old crew and agreed to find a person suitable for him when time permitted. They mentioned some of their battles faced, especially with the hardship on Tommy. His loss of powers. His rank to gain himself the leader position. His brainwashing days. Anything and everything they could think of that Kira had to ask. They even mentioned the isolationism Tommy had an easy way of escaping into and why he appeared that way. They explained the loss he had faced through the years, of his biological parents and his brother. But losing him to an illness unidentifiable a few years later. The same year the team lost Trini.
Kira was glad of connecting with the girl rangers of the old crew. But all she had left was to see what Kat had to say.
"Wow. I had no idea." Kira looked down, feeling the respect for her teacher grow.
"He's a true fighter." Tanya commented.
"A great leader. And teacher." Kim added with no hesitation.
Kira nodded, agreeing. "He's kinda like a father figure to me, Conner and Ethan."
"Just like Zordon." Aisha nodded.
"I guess it comes with mentoring the team." Tanya shrugged.
"But you're in good hands, Kira." Kim encouraged, reaching over to grab the yellow dino rangers arm in reassurance.
"And so are you, girl." Aisha huffed, looking directly at Kim. "Stop stallin' and hook up with him."
"Yeah." Tanya nodded. "Put the past behind you. Clear up a few things. But once that's settled, drop it."
Kim looked at the former yellow rangers feeling offended at their gestures. She had not hoped that this pressure was the same with Kat and Tommy in their high school years. Now, she got the picture. But they were right. She wanted to be with him. And she was a fool for acting the way she did the night before. She looked over at the yellow dino ranger, who took her hand in turn nodding, agreeing greatly with her predecessors. Kim forced out a breath, nodding along with her ranger sisters.
I'm sorry, baby. I just didn't expect that to happen. I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I want us to share those kisses like we did at the cove again. She thought to herself, recalling the happy moments she spent with her love in the past few days.
tbc....
A/N: So, the yellow rangers talk some sense into their counterpart. But will Kim take their advice and call up Tommy? Stay on-line and find out.
Summary: Kira goes to Tommy about concerns with his love life and her own. But he isn't as helpful as she had wished. Now, with another attempt to this ranger reunion, Kira runs into two yellow rangers of the past while confronting Kim about the recent events.
Disclaimer: Power Ranger, not mine. The main title, not mine. But the story's plot and concept is mine. So, ha!
A/N: Just a friendly chat among the ranger sisters. Sorry, I just seem to like that statement or whatever. But enjoy. I cut it down a great deal, and it's still pretty long. My apologies. But read and review.
"Let love be your guide. But one must understand how it works first before they can let its power take control of your life." –Eclyptyk Neo
Next day. Lunch time.
Kira, Ethan and Conner sat along a tree on the school grounds eating their lunches. Or tried to. The events of the previous day were still fresh in each of their minds. And they exchanged notes during first hour discussing their teacher's stern and cold shoulder during class. Lucky for them, he didn't take away the note as he passed them by discussing the day's lesson. But something was wrong, and none of them had any idea if or how far it would get. They just prayed that it would end soon.
Kira forced out a breath. "We gotta do something. I mean, this is some serious shit we've gotten ourselves into."
"We have?" Ethan raised her eyebrows. "In case you haven't noticed, but Dr. O didn't exactly break the news to Kim all too well."
"And just as much, we got a new enemy in town." Conner pointed out. "I mean, what can we do? Hayley told us to give the guy some space."
"Yeah." Ethan nodded, agreeing with the red ranger. "I mean, I don't think any of us want to deal with his dark side. Not after yesterday."
"Do you remember what happened last night, Ethan?" Kira grew slightly angry. "He hit his own best friend. And not once, but several times."
"He was mad." Conner concluded.
"And that would be his dark side." Ethan added.
"I don't get it, Ethan. A few days ago you wanted to try and help him, now you don't want to go anywhere near him." Kira stated. "You still have a few things to explain to us. Like that other video diary you stumbled onto."
"I would. But I think Dr. O wouldn't like us snooping." Ethan tried to defend himself.
"Dude, I think it's a little late for that." Conner agreed with Kira.
Ethan knew they were right. He did have most of the answer out of the three of them, but he was still at a loss in the reality of things. They all were. And they all needed answers. Especially after what had happened in the past day.
Then a light went off in his head. "I got it. We don't ask him. Not yet, anyways. I mean, we're the ones stuck in the middle of all this. So, why not go to some other sources? I could talk to Hayley after school. And Conner, why don't you check up with Jason? I hear he's gonna be in the park with another surprise for Dr. O. And Kira, you seemed to have kicked it off with Kim. See what you can get from her. Then we can fill each other in later on."
Kira and Conner exchanged a look and shrugged. Then they turned toward their blue comrade, nodding.
"All right. It makes sense." Kira said.
"I'm in." Conner stated. "And I thought that I was suppose to be the leader of the group."
"You are." Ethan announced. "But you're just competing with my strategic ideals."
Kira let out a light smile. She knew and could see their friendship as she saw it with their mentor and his friend. But than again, first impressions weren't working out for any of them at the moment. But she also had her own mountain to scale with Dr. Oliver concerning what advice he might have about her own personal issues. She got to her feet slowly. "Well, I gotta go take care of some things. Go finish a test. So, we start after school?"
The guys nodded firmly and let her go.
She disappeared into the main building, looking at her watch. There was 15 minutes left of lunch left, and she figured that was all she needed. She headed up the stairs and into the science wing, knocking on the door to her science teacher's room, as she entered.
Dr. Oliver was sitting at his desk looking intently at the contents on his laptop. He obviously didn't seem to hear the knock from his student.
Kira cleared her throat, getting his attention. "Hey, Dr. O, can I talk to you?"
Dr. Oliver jumped off the chair startled, removing his glasses. He relaxed when he saw it was only his student. He nodded slowly. "Sure. What's up?"
Kira forced out a breath, walking over to his desk. "I was wondering if I could talk to you about a few things concerning you and Kim."
He nodded slowly displaying a light smile. "Sure. I mean, I guess I can't get away from it. So, what do you want to know?"
"Dr. O.." she began as she pulled a stool up to his desk to sit down. "I know how you guys went to high school and every thing. But I never would have thought that saving the world and every thing would give you the chance to go out."
He only chuckled lightly. "That was probably the best part of high school. Knowing you had friends who would know how your situation was, saving the world and all. We'd all exchange excuses with our teachers, but it was never that easy to get out of some of the excessive amounts of homework. But than again, it helped loosen the load on making up excuses with someone you were trying to date outside of the ranger circle. I didn't really have to worry about that. With those two I dated."
"Two?" Kira questioned, an eyebrow rose.
"I don't know how I do it, but they were both the pink ranger. Kimberly Anne Hart. Katherine Ashley Hillard." he stated their names, a smile to his face as he recalled the memories spent with each of them. "Alike in many ways, but different in every respect."
"So, what happened?"
"Well, Kim moved out to Florida and gave up her powers as the pink ranger. She gave them to Kat. And, if you haven't figured out, Kim and I broke up. I got a letter stating she had found someone new and had to let me go. A few weeks later, I began to date Kat. But I could admit that having the pain of losing Kim, it was hard. And Kat was sort of collateral to ease the pain, until I realized that our relationship wasn't getting that far. We broke it off before college. She went to London, and I went to Cal Tech."
"Where you met Hayley?" she asked as he nodded. "But I thought she was a MIT grad."
"Well, she was. She transferred over to MIT when I began to get involved in more digs throughout the West Coast. Up to about junior year in college, I began to create my thesis. And with the many digs, I began to get acquainted with Dr. Anton Mercer. He shared my same interest in dino bones and well, worked on an island for two years. And you seem to know how the story goes."
Kira nodded slowly. At least she was getting him to talk. That's what she was hoping for. She only hoped that her fellow ranger counterparts wouldn't be too upset that she had decided to talk to their mentor even after the warning about what happened last night. But this was planned the moment he stepped into the classroom that morning. She was just growing concern for her teacher's welfare.
"So, this whole thing with Kim and Kat. Is there still anything there between any of you guys?"
Dr. Oliver forced out a sigh, leaning back in his chair. "Well, I can admit that ever since I met Kat, she always had that ideal of wanting to be with me. I guess that's how I'm like that with most girls I see. Kinda a girl magnet as my friends put it. I mean, I loved her. But I could never love her like I did with Kim. We were rushed, me and Kat." He admitted whole-heartedly. "Our friends thought it best that to rid myself of pain, find the next best thing to take Kim's place." He shook his head, laughing. "Man, were they wrong. Hello! In case you haven't noticed, they both have the same initials. They both wore pink. And they both had dreams of being in the Olympics. Tell me that won't get rid of my pain of being without Kim. And Kat saw this, and she let me go. I let her go. What me and Kim share was special and it will always be special."
"So, does this mean you guys are back together?"
"After last night, it's hard to really say. I mean, yeah." he shook his head. "We never argued like that when we went out. Never. But I guess just because our past still haunts us greatly. I mean, I didn't expect any of that to happen. I don't even know how or why I struck Jason the way I did."
"Maybe you were just mad?" Kira made the suggestion with a smile.
He looked up and saw her smile. He couldn't help but return it. "That tends to be the case. Or upset. But ya know, when the White Ranger disrupted my powers, I never felt so weak. I never felt so helpless. And I thought losing the green powers were tough. No, not like that. I guess the long years apart makes that difference. I'm not exactly as quick as I was ten years ago." Dr. Oliver looked at his student, seeing the shift she made in the chair.
"This White Ranger thing is really bothering you, isn't it?"
Kira nodded slowly, looking up displaying a smile that made it obvious she was. "It kinda has the three of us run down."
He nodded, agreeing. "Yeah. But look, we'll find out who this is and stop him. We'll get him some help. Trust me. I've been in the situation before." He looked at her again, noticing the uneasiness in how she sat. "Something else is bothering you."
"It's about Trent," she said quickly, trying to hide her blush.
"Don't tell me you're thinking he could be the white ranger?" The black ranger made the conclusion quick with some surprise.
"Well, no. Yes. I mean, I don't know." she shook her head. "He wasn't even at school today, Dr. O."
He shook his head. "That was one day, Kira. Trust me, if Mesogog is smart, he wouldn't have waited this long to find someone with the potential to be the White Ranger. And even if it was Trent, which I highly doubt, than Mesogog is even more stupider than Rita. First day in school. Bam! Dubbed the evil green ranger. Trent's been here for months now." "But could it be that the gem's energy that you collected, be the one that's harnessing the White Rangers powers?"
Dr. O nodded slowly. "It might, yes. But until we get more answers we can't conclude who this white ranger is."
BRING!
The two looked about the room, startled at the sound of the bell. But knew they had to attend to other things. And Dr. O knew that Kira had more questions to ask him, but that would have to wait.
"Well, um..thanks, Dr. O," she commented getting off the stool.
"Any time, Kira." he nodded. "I'm always here."
Kira headed for the door, but stopped to turn back and look at her teacher. "I know you're having a rough time, but you should really call Kim."
He nodded. "Yeah, I know. But for now, you have a class to go to."
"And you have a class to teach," she stated as several students began to file into the room.
He left out a half-grin and gestured her out the door. She waved a good- bye and left.
-----
After school.
Kira didn't know how she managed to be seen sitting in the food court of a shopping mall as she waited for the three older women she ran into get their heap of food. She ran into Kim at the student parking lot, Kim offering her some time to talk. But she wasn't alone. Aisha Campbell and Tanya Sloan. The two yellow rangers following after Trini's footsteps. And when the three finally returned, it was clear that they were all starving.
Kim and Tanya sat on one side of the table. Aisha took a spot beside Kira as she handed her a super-sized drink and fries.
"Wow." Kira blinked as she took a drink of her soda. "You guys must be really hungry."
"Well, thanks to Miss Former Pink Ranger who doesn't offer us any place to eat until now....." Tanya teased as she stuffed some fries in her mouth.
Kim elbowed her. "Stop. I said I was sorry. I just wanted to show you guys the sights first."
"Yeah, without showing us to where Tommy's been hiding these past few years."
Kim and Kira exchanged a look, taking a stuff of fries and looking away.
The two black woman exchanged a look turning to the quiet duo.
"Uh-oh, something happened." Tanya stated.
"No doubt. What's up, home girl?" Aisha asked with great concern. "What happened? Did he hurt you?"
"Please, 'sha. Like he would." Kim gave her a friend a slight glare. "Why didn't you guys tell me he was back in uniform?"
Tanya and Aisha had their turn of looking away.
"Hey, he told us individually. And we had figured keep all conversation with him, hush hush." Tanya shrugged.
"Besides, ya know how easily the guy could just roll up in his shell and shut out the world." Aisha stated as she took a drink of her soda.
"Private guy." Kira added, remembering the day she had found her dino gem in his lab. "Yeah. So, what brings you guys into town? Is this one of Jason's ideas for Dr. O to start talking to you guys? Or does he know you're in town?"
"Man. Dr. Oliver." Tanya shook her head in dismay, still trying to get used to calling her former leader a doctor. "Of all people to get a PhD, I never would have thought he'd be the one to get."
"No doubt. Adam, sure." Aisha nodded. "But Tommy? No. Ya know, if I could I'd probably kill Jason for even coming up with this idea, but home boy's got a point. I hear the good doctor ain't exactly all too cool with how life is running these days."
Kira nodded as she took a bite from her burger. "I guess you can say that. I mean, being back in suit and all. He didn't expect it at all."
"Yeah, how he couldn't make that choice to take the gem as his own." Tanya nodded.
"Is it true that Kat is in town, too?" Kim asked trying to relay any thought of the ranger topic.
Tanya and Aisha nodded.
"Wait." Kira held up a hand. "Dr. O's other girlfriend?" They all exchanged a look, nodding.
"Well, former." Tanya corrected. "Now, she's with Jason."
"No way." Kira couldn't believe her eyes. "Dr. O never mentioned that."
"Because he doesn't know." Aisha said.
"He doesn't know?!" Kira and Kim said in unison.
The two black women jumped at their shock. Obviously both Tommy and Jason weren't spreading the news like wildfire. Unlike the rest of the group, they talked constantly. But still had their respect for what had come from their times spent with the black dino ranger. And Kim was stuck in the middle just as much as the young rangers.
"Yeah." Tanya leaned in, as each followed suit. "They are. Jason proposed to her and she accepted."
"Kat's also pregnant again." Aisha held up two fingers. "Second child."
"Second child?!" Kim beat Kira to the punch.
"You didn't know about the first?" Tanya was surprised.
"Well, obviously Kat or Jase failed to mention that." she exclaimed with some frustration.
"No lie." Tanya stated with a firm nod. "Two years old, now. The name's Marcus."
"Wow." Kira managed to get her say in. "Well, that's a big turn of events. But do they love each other, or is it out of child support?"
Tanya shook her head. "Nah. Those two are in love."
"It may not be something that Kim and Tommy shared, but it's there." Aisha stated, recalling the moments she'd see the two in high school.
Kira nodded slowly.
"So, how are things with you and Trent?" Kim asked.
"Kim." Kira looked away blushing.
"Who's Trent?" Tanya grew interested.
"Some guy from school."
"He also works at the cyber café the teens and Tommy hang out at." Kim filled in the gaps.
"Oh, Kira has a crush." Aisha clasped her fellow yellow ranger's shoulders happily.
"No, I don't." Kira tried to cover her red face.
"Hey, you're still in high school." Tanya exclaimed.
"But how do you know it's love?" Kira asked suddenly.
The three older women looked at each other, sighing deeply.
"You just know." Tanya stated.
"It's that certain feeling in your stomach. And that inability to find words to say when you've just met. Or go beyond the ideal factor of friends." Kim sighed again. "Man, the first time I saw Tommy, those eyes. Those eyes just pulled me in."
"Oh yeah," Tanya agreed, clasping her friend's hand in an agreed gesture. "The eyes. The window into a person's soul and the only thing needed to answer all the questions to truth and lies."
Kira turned to Aisha who rolled her eyes. Obviously, she was annoyed at how those two seemed to drift off into their own world. Especially when it came to love. Those two seemed to make a bigger deal over it than her.
"Home girl here is going out with the second red ranger, Rocky DeSantos." Aisha explained. "I'm kicking it with Zack Taylor, the first black ranger. But, he's been busy trying to create a musical career for himself. So, I don't see him much."
"I'm sorry." Kira apologized.
Aisha held up a hand. "Hey, as long as he's happy. I'm cool with it. Ya know, Kira, I won't lie to you. Love can come in and out of your life at the wrong time. Some people know who they're gonna marry when they're born. Then there are those who go their entire life in misery trying to find it. Others are lucky to have it fall in their lap. While another group struggles to keep it alive. But when you find that one person, you just can't let them go. In many cases, I've dated a lot of guys. And I don't know if it comes in the suit, but guys in the ranger family are definitely loyal and committed to whatever cause that is before them. I guess that was why we were all chosen to take our place in the living legacy. We had attitude, but we had a commitment to protecting the planet."
Kira smiled, just as the second yellow ranger followed suit. In the back of her mind, she would have wondered how the first yellow ranger was. But knew that the powers went to right person when Trini left. And looking at Tanya, Kira knew that Aisha had made a formidable choice to have her take her place on the team. And looking at the three of them, they were close like sisters. And she was the baby of the group, for now. Until the rangers of the future would enter into the big ranger family.
It was nice to have some girls to talk to, now. Even if it might be short- lived. At least, it would push away the count of testosterone in the room. Kira thought to herself.
"And we hope that Kim will finally tie the knot with Tommy." Tanya threw an annoyed glare at the former pink ranger.
"Stop it, Tanya." Kim huffed. "That probably won't be happening after what happened last night."
"Scoop time." Aisha leaned in closer.
The four began to gossip and fill in gaps where they felt was right. Kim and Kira explained the recent issues revolving around a new threat in town, the White Ranger. Kira stated what she had learned from her teacher in the past few months. Kim explained what she's been up in the past few months. Tanya and Aisha followed when their turns were permitted. Than Kira began to question their pasts as rangers and how much of connection was still held in the old team. They stated that poor, shy Adam was the loner of the old crew and agreed to find a person suitable for him when time permitted. They mentioned some of their battles faced, especially with the hardship on Tommy. His loss of powers. His rank to gain himself the leader position. His brainwashing days. Anything and everything they could think of that Kira had to ask. They even mentioned the isolationism Tommy had an easy way of escaping into and why he appeared that way. They explained the loss he had faced through the years, of his biological parents and his brother. But losing him to an illness unidentifiable a few years later. The same year the team lost Trini.
Kira was glad of connecting with the girl rangers of the old crew. But all she had left was to see what Kat had to say.
"Wow. I had no idea." Kira looked down, feeling the respect for her teacher grow.
"He's a true fighter." Tanya commented.
"A great leader. And teacher." Kim added with no hesitation.
Kira nodded, agreeing. "He's kinda like a father figure to me, Conner and Ethan."
"Just like Zordon." Aisha nodded.
"I guess it comes with mentoring the team." Tanya shrugged.
"But you're in good hands, Kira." Kim encouraged, reaching over to grab the yellow dino rangers arm in reassurance.
"And so are you, girl." Aisha huffed, looking directly at Kim. "Stop stallin' and hook up with him."
"Yeah." Tanya nodded. "Put the past behind you. Clear up a few things. But once that's settled, drop it."
Kim looked at the former yellow rangers feeling offended at their gestures. She had not hoped that this pressure was the same with Kat and Tommy in their high school years. Now, she got the picture. But they were right. She wanted to be with him. And she was a fool for acting the way she did the night before. She looked over at the yellow dino ranger, who took her hand in turn nodding, agreeing greatly with her predecessors. Kim forced out a breath, nodding along with her ranger sisters.
I'm sorry, baby. I just didn't expect that to happen. I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I want us to share those kisses like we did at the cove again. She thought to herself, recalling the happy moments she spent with her love in the past few days.
tbc....
A/N: So, the yellow rangers talk some sense into their counterpart. But will Kim take their advice and call up Tommy? Stay on-line and find out.