Part Sixty-Four: Regrets and Doubt

Summary: After the discovery of finding out Zeltrax is still alive, it sparks up even more rage in the black dino thunder ranger. But will he tell the others what is going on with him and can he find comfort in Kim?

Disclaimer: Power Rangers doesn't belong to me.

A/N: Okay, it's a little out of the way, and since I haven't done a whole lot with 1st POV, here you go. It's not much. Just a few wedding discussions and a little anger that will tie into the very last battle for the Dino Thunder Rangers. But that's all I'm gonna tell you guys. If possible, tell your friends to read this. I'm really looking for some more reviews. Thanks all. New and old. Without you this would have already been placed on the shelf months ago. Until another time. Peace.

"When living in this kind of life, one must expect anything to happen. I just never thought something like this would." -Eclyptyk Neo

School was done for another week, but meant setting up the agenda for the following week. That that I really didn't mind that, but there was something that was bothering me more and more. Only hours ago I had witnessed new life being born with a few other teachers and students on the spot where the ancient tree once stood.

I held a huge grudge. A burning rage that just couldn't be tamed. And I didn't know why. No, wait, I did. There would be no real satisfaction until it was fulfilled. It was that simple. Damn it! Zeltrax was still alive. Out of all the people--or more so evil beings--Zeltrax. And as much as I never want to go back to that very day where I had destroyed him with a killer blow, or so a thought, with a cold heart, he was still around. Why must he ruin this for me? I actually felt happy and relieved to have one less problem, but he just decides to come back and haunt me more.

I mean, I know this evil power is no longer a problem, but there is still rage where I once felt happiness. And I wouldn't have it any other way of saying this, but this is Zeltrax's fault. I thought he was gone, but on the aerial assault craft played in my head like a broken record. I felt this new surge rise up in me.

I ran a hand through my hair, trying to grade the papers I issued out earlier. Yeah, being a teacher during a time like this wasn't good. It was just so frustrating. I just could not concentrate knowing that Zeltrax was out there. And he wouldn't take kindly to anyone. Including Mesogog, the man who had given him life.

It was late in the evening hours of a Friday night. And I had promised Kim I would look over some wedding plans with her once I got done. Yeah, that was four hours ago. I said I would be done in an hour.

I heard the footsteps echo through the hall, coming to a halt at the threshold. And I knew it was Kim, but I buried my head further into getting the grading done. I didn't want her to know I wasn't doing anything now for four hours except thinking about that last battle with Zeltrax. I just didn't want her to know, but knowing her, she'd probably figured it out in what I was doing.

"I'll be out there in a few moments, Kim. I'm almost done." I said quietly, hoping she'd leave it at that.

Kim walked over to me, holding a concerned look on her face. "Are you sure? You've been in here for four hours now." She ran a caring hand through my hair and laid a kiss on my cheek.

I turned away, entering in scores into the computer. "I'm fine, Beautiful."

"No, you're not. I know what's bothering you, Tommy."

"Nothing's bothering me." I tried to say calmly, but I felt the rage surge again.

"It's Zeltrax." she said simply.

I looked away and forced out a breath. I didn't have to lie to her. She got it in one guess. And when that name escaped her lips, I felt the fire in my heart grow. I turned the chair back to face her as she walked over into my waiting arms. I pulled her closer, as I shuddered in fear. "How could this happen? All this time. I thought he was dead. I was sure I killed him."

Kim laid a kiss on my head. "Well, now you know you're not to blame for his death."

"I mean, I offered him help, but now his call for vengeance is much worse. He isn't after just me and the other rangers, but also Mesogog."

"Everyone is given another chance to right their wrongs. Maybe Zeltrax is around to fix what he did." she suggested.

I didn't really want to believe her, but I figured she could be right. And I wouldn't know how else to put it. I tried to help Zeltrax multiple times, but he wasn't gonna have it. He just didn't see eye to eye with me. That last battle on the aerial assault craft changed everything.

"C'mon." she pulled me to my feet. "Take a break."

I followed her out of the room, hand in hand. And I was glad to have her here now. It was hard not seeing her in nearly a month, and if I had to go on without seeing her for that long again, I wouldn't know what I'd do.

We walked into the living room, where several wedding magazines were laid out on the table. The stereo was on quietly in the background running through the XM stations to find songs to play at our wedding.

I collapsed on the couch beside my fiancee and wrapped an arm around her waist pulling her closer. "So, what do we got?"

"Color schemes." she began as she grabbed one of the magazines. "I was thinking of having a sorta baby pink-creme color."

"Hey, whatever works. I'm up for anything." I shrugged.

"C'mon, baby, I can't do this on my own."

"Yeah, I know. But, you also know that I'm not a wedding planner either."

"Well, neither am I, but this is our wedding."

I nodded, laying a kiss on his cheek. "I know. Whatever makes you happy." I looked up as I heard the start of 'My Boo' by Usher and Alicia Keys play in the background. I couldn't help but smile. "Isn't that ironic?"

Kim blushed. "I think it's a sweet song."

"Well, I know. I just find it funny that it's almost true about us."

"Wedding song?" she suggested.

I shrugged. "Actually, I'm still looking at some other options. But it could be a possiblity. You should write it down."

She pulled out a notepad, thumbing through it and tossed it in my lap. Apparently, she already had several songs in mind. And many, I hadn't really heard of. I guess I need to catch up a little with the love songs. "Well, okay, I take that back. It seems you already have some in mind. So, what else do we got?"

"My mom called up saying they have the centerpieces and floral arrangement already done for the reception hall. And they also booked the place we were gonna have it at."

"Which would be?"

"That little resort called 'Ranger Paradise.' Isn't Bulk and Skull running that place?"

I couldn't help but smile. I nodded. "Yeah, they are. I was up there a few years ago for a visit when that huge red ranger battle went down. I didn't want to believe it myself, but it was even funnier when they realized it was me. I guess they never would have thought I'd chop off all my hair. They're still going on about meeting Rita and Zedd, and their determination to figuring out who the rangers were."

"Still?" she seemed surprise.

"Yeah." I nodded again. "But, ya know how it is. Made a promise to Zordon."

"Speaking of that, are we still up for starting fresh? Are we gonna tell our parents our deepest darkest secret?"

"Can I say that I'd prefer to keep it that way?"

"They're family, Tommy." she protested. "And I mean, by now, I think they have a right to know. There have been plenty of ranger teams after us to cover up for what we did for the people of Angel Grove."

"True, but, mind running that by me again? Yes, there have been plenty of teams that have come to pass in the last few years, but what about me and the teens?"

"They have every right to know, Tommy. I think we owe to them more now that we're gonna be one big family."

I sighed. And she was right. We had discussed it briefly upon her return, but I guess it was more for me to say that she was right about this. Starting off fresh with this whole marriage life thing. "Yeah, you're right."

"Oh, and before I forget, since that 'White Tiger Ranger' isn't around anymore, I promised Joey he could meet a Dino Thunder Ranger to replace that promise you made to him all those years ago."

"That was nearly 10 years ago." I breathed, not believing that Kim's kid brother still had that plastered in his mind.

"He still has that little 'napkin contract' you both signed off on. It's only fair, I mean, he did leave us alone after you did that."

"But that's just wrong. He wouldn't stop whining about getting a friggin' smoothie and we had to take him everywhere we went that day."

"I'm surprised you remember that day."

"Remember?!" I breathed. "I lost nearly $100 bucks to that little snitch."

"I told you to never make a bet with him. He usually wins all the time." she instructed with a laugh.

But how would you feel to be outsmarted by an eight year old at the age of 16? Yeah, don't ask. I mean it. That boy would have it coming to him if Kim made sure I wouldn't smack him upside the head for setting up all those scandals. I don't take kindly to competitions, and we had to do everything he wanted to that day, or he'd make a big deal about the times he had caught me and Kim making out in her room. But it never went beyond that, and it wasn't like we were done with our homework, I was just hoping for some alone time. He was always out with friends, and if we did it at my house a few times--well, my mom is a very nosy person. And if he'd back off, and give us our space, I promised him he'd get to meet a Power Ranger. Damn it, unfortunately for me, he still wants that to happen.

"Don't think of it as something bad, Tommy. He's just a curious boy."

"Yeah, okay. Okay. I guess we could consider fessing up, as long as I ain't the one doing all the talking."

"Trust me, you won't. I wouldn't want to leave you hanging after all these years. I mean, I'm right there with you being an original."

"Don't tell me your pregnant, too?" I asked with some curiosity. "I mean, I'm sure I used protection."

"I might..." she said quietly, looking away.

"Hey, I'm serious, Kim! I mean, kids would be nice, but I don't want to rush into it..." I said in a panic.

She put a finger to my lips, silencing me. "I'm kidding. I'm just checking to see if you're awake."

I let out a sigh. "Are you sure?"

She nodded. "I'm sure. I'm not pregnant. Not yet, anyways."

I let out a breath. "Do you have any regrets?"

She looked at me startled and confused. "No. Why would I?" She got to her feet and pulled my arms around her as she wrapped her arms around me. "Don't tell me you are."

"No. Of course not." I shook my head. "I'm just kinda looking at the 'what if's'. I don't really know why, though."

"I know why." she laid a kiss on my lips. "It's Zeltrax. C'mon, why don't I make it go away?"

I didn't have to object as I got to my feet and followed her upstairs.

To be continued...

A/N: Okay, so I'm obviously clear that my writer's block is hitting me more and more. And I'll be cutting this series short—well, I guess I can't with all these chapters already, but I'm still up for doing a sequel if you want it. Review and keep doing what you're doing. This will probably be my last post for awhile, so enjoy what you can. I'll see ya'll on the flip side. Isang Diwa! Isang Mahal!