Ethan pulled up to Tommy's house and saw the black jeep there, indicating that Dr. Oliver and Trini were home. He took off his seat belt and got out, going around to the passenger side to Naomi.

"Where were you guys?" Ethan heard Tommy ask. He turned and saw the older man standing at the door of the house. He figured that he must've heard them pull up. His eyes fell on the car. "What happened?" Ethan opened Naomi's door and slid off her seatbelt.

"Back of the car-Zeltrax happened, window-Trent happened." Ethan replied, adding a little more venom when he spoke Trent's name. He bent down beside Naomi and shook her gently. "Naomi." He said softly. "Naomi, wake up." He said. Naomi sighed as she woke up, yawning a bit. She looked at Ethan. "Hey, we're back at Dr. O's." He said. He took her arm and helped her get out of the car. Tommy saw that her hair was messy and frazzled more so then simple car bed-head.

"Don't tell me Trent attack-" Tommy began, looking at her.

"Don't worry; I think I've made it so he'll think twice before messing with me again." Naomi grinned. Ethan sighed and helped her walk into the house. Tommy stepped aside to let them go pass then followed them. Ethan eased Naomi onto the living room couch. Naomi tried to sit up but found it added pressure to her hurt stomach so she laid on her side, putting her head on one of the throw pillows that rested against the armrest. Ethan bent down and lifted her legs up onto the couch so she was lying completely on it.

"Is there some way you can run interference with Dr. Hart or something about the car?" Ethan asked Tommy.

"What about the car?" Came Kimberly's voice. Ethan jumped and turned around.

"Wh-What are you doing here…So early.." Ethan stammered. Kimberly narrowed her eyes and walked over to him.

"I didn't have any more patients and my shift ended early today. Now, what about the car?" She asked. Ethan paled. "Ethan." Kimberly growled. Tommy's eyes widened as he quickly got in between the two.

"Now, Kim, sweetie, you can't really blame Ethan it-" He began, trying to save Ethan's hide from the wrath of Kim. Kimberly's eyes went wide and she shoved past the two men and ran out the door. Tommy winced. "5…..4……3…" He said softly.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Kimberly shrieked so loudly Tommy wouldn't be surprised if it could be heard all the way in Angel Grove, or even Florida. Naomi sat up; wincing at the pain that caused to her stomach and Trini came pounding down the stairs.

"What's going on?" The little girl asked. "Why did my mommy scream?" Tommy looked at her.

"Uh, it's nothing, angel, just go back upstairs." He said. Trini turned around and went back up the stairs. Tommy ran his hand through his short hair and ran outside to check on Kimberly. He found her standing by her car, her eyes wide as saucers. "Kim?" He asked gently. She didn't respond as she was transfixed by the damage done to her car. "Honey?" He asked again, putting a hand on her shoulder. "You okay?" He asked.

"My car…" She whimpered. Tommy gently too her arm and led her back into the house.

"I know, sweetie, I know." He said. He led her to the couch. Naomi quickly pulled her knees up, moving her legs out of the way to make room for the catatonic doctor. Tommy silently thanked the young girl and eased Kimberly into the seat. He kneeled before her. "Can I get you something? Water, tea?" He asked. Kimberly's eyes glowed with anger as she slowly turned to look at Ethan.

"I want his head on a stick." She said lowly. Ethan gulped and took a step back.

"Dr. Hart, in his, well, our defense, we were attacked." Naomi said. Kimberly blinked and looked at her.

"What?"

"Yeah, she's right. Zeltrax lifted the back of the car and kicked it and Trent broke the window." Ethan said quickly. Kimberly instantly went into maternal/doctor mode and got up, going to Naomi's side.

"Are you all right? Did Trent hurt you?" She asked, checking Naomi's face for any visible bruises…..Well, any new visible bruises.

"No, I'm fine." Naomi lied. Ethan gave her a look. He went over and poked her stomach, causing her to hiss.

"You're not fine." Ethan said. Naomi glared at him.

"Thanks a lot." She said through gritted teeth. Kimberly looked at her.

"What happened?" She asked.

"What didn't happen is more like it." Ethan said, answering for Naomi. "He grabbed her through the broken window, dragged her out, slapped her, kicked-"

"Ethan, will you shut up!" Naomi snarled. "I'm fine, really."

"Well, I'd feel better if I knew that for sure. Now, the window broke, meaning broken glass, did you get cut?" Kimberly asked.

"I might've gotten a little scratched up on the back of my legs, but it's nothing." Naomi said. Kimberly took her arm and gently pulled her up to her feet.

"Let me see." She said. She turned to Tommy. "You've got a first aid kit in the bathroom, right?" She asked. Tommy nodded. "Good." She took Naomi up the stairs to the bathroom to get a better assessment of the girl's wounds, much to Naomi's chagrin. Ethan let out a long breath of air once the two ladies disappeared upstairs.

"Guess I'm off the hook about the car, right?" Ethan asked. Tommy looked at him and chuckled, shaking his head slightly.

---

Kimberly took Naomi to the bathroom and shut the door. Naomi stood by the sink.

"So, where'd you get hurt? Just your stomach and legs?" Kimberly asked. Naomi nodded. "Okay, let me see." She said gently. Naomi looked a little uncomfortable. "Think about it as just how it is when you get a physical."

"Not helping, I hate the undressing part of the physical." Naomi sighed. Kimberly gave her a soft smile.

"Don't worry; it's just us girls here." Kimberly said. Naomi sighed, knowing Kimberly wanted to see if she was all right. She nodded in a sign of going along with it and unbuttoned her jeans.

----

Trent sat in his room in the large Mercer Mansion with ice on his bruised shoulder. His body was filled with rage at the fact that Naomi fought against him.

"Now, explain to me why it is you insisted on taking Zeltrax and Elsa down there?" Anton asked as he walked into his son's room.

"I needed Zeltrax to get the blue ranger out and Elsa to distract him while I-"

"Terrorized your ex-girlfriend?" Anton asked. He gave a mean chuckle. "You really are just a pathetic teenage boy." He said. Trent glared at him.

"Excuse me?" He said in a tone that was dangerously close to a growl.

"You're the scorned little boy, trying to get revenge on the stupid girl who broke your little heart. It's so sweet." Anton smirked. Trent's eyes narrowed angrily as he rose to his feet, setting the ice pack aside.

"I'm not trying to get revenge." Trent snarled, getting into Anton's face. Anton stared right back at him, his demeanor calm cool and collected, which only enraged Trent more.

"Then what was it that caused you to attack some girl who has nothing to do with what we wish to accomplish?" Anton asked.

"Weren't you the one who said you wanted me to get closer to her in hopes of getting information on the rangers?" Trent asked.

"You're right, but that was before you let her find out who you were. Besides she wouldn't have given us any information anyway. Even when she was angry at them she was loyal to them."

"Then why did you make me go after her?"

"On the off chance that she might slip up and give us something, like perhaps their base of operations."

"Whatever. And I didn't let her find out anything." Trent said, angry that Anton was somehow implying he was incompetent.

"How else would you explain her finding out, Trent?" Anton asked.

"It's not my fault she saw the gem!" Trent yelled, his anger reaching fever pitch. Anton glared at him. In a lightening quick movement, he grabbed Trent around the neck and held him in a tight grip. Not tight enough to restrict airflow, but enough to cause discomfort.

"Listen you insolent bastard, do not dare to defy me." He growled, his cool demeanor gone. "I could snap your neck like a twig." Trent smirked.

"You wouldn't kill your son." He said. Anton chuckled and released Trent, pushing him back a bit, his previous collected attitude returning.

"Correction, you're just some boy that I've graciously taken under my wing because your parents decided to trust me with your welfare. I couldn't care about you in the least." Trent's face twitched. Although corrupted by the gem's evil, Trent was still a normal teenage boy at heart and hearing Anton, a man he had called father, say these things did hurt him.

"And what about all that crap you've said about me being the heir to your empire once you succeed in turning the world into your own Jurassic Park?" Trent asked, refusing to believe that Anton didn't care. Anton eyes held Trent's answer. "So, now that your daughter is in reach, I'm nothing?" Trent asked.

"Hmm, perhaps you're not so stupid after all." Anton said.

"You're right, I'm not stupid. I also know that your daughter's mother has no interest in letting you near the girl. So it looks like you've got to relay on your back up bastard, since your first choice bastard isn't as in your reach as you'd like to think." Trent sneered.

"And what makes you think you'll be able to complete the task of being my heir?" Anton asked, keeping his monotone façade even though he wanted to punch Trent for referring to Trini as a bastard.

"And what the hell is that supposed to mean?" Trent asked, not liking what he was getting to. Anton got closer to Trent.

"That gem," he said in a tone very close to a whisper. "The very thing binding you to me and my plans is slowly destroying your mind." He gave a cold smile. Trent stared at him.

"You're lying." Trent said.

"Maybe I am, maybe I'm not." Anton said. He turned around as if to leave, and then paused, casting one last look at Trent. "Although, don't you think that would explain how you've become more and more violent as of late?" Anton stated, letting it make its way into Trent's mind. Trent's eyes slowly began to show some fear. Anton laughed and left his room. Trent sat down on his bed and stared at his gem. Could he be telling the truth? He asked himself. Well, I'm not going to stick around to find out. He began pulling at the bracelet, trying to get it off and rid himself of the gem. He wanted to hold onto the power the gem gave him, but he wasn't dumb enough to wait until the aftereffects of the gem turned him into some sort of vegetable. He grunted against the non cooperating piece of metal. Why won't this damn thing come off?!

-----

Naomi sat on the edge of the bathtub in Tommy's bathroom with Kimberly with her pants on and her shirt lying on the floor, leaving her in just jeans and her white cotton bra. Kimberly had already checked the back of her legs and saw it was just some scratches, nothing to worry about. She was now checking Naomi's stomach, which had yet another bruise on Naomi's body. It was a large blotch of blue/purple discoloration across her abdomen. Kimberly placed a hand on the small of her back, holding her in place as she placed the other against Naomi's ribs. Most of them seemed fine, except when she reached the bottom few. Naomi jumped slightly and put her hand against Kimberly's hand to push it away out of reflex.

"That hurt?" Kimberly asked.

"Yeah, a little." Naomi said.

"Define a little." Kimberly said.

"Not enough to make me wish I was dead, but enough that if Ethan pokes my stomach again I'll make him wish he was dead." Naomi said. Kimberly chuckled.

"Well, seeing as the pain isn't too bad and you've been able to move around and have had no trouble breathing, I say you've got some bruised ribs, thankfully not broken."

"So……?" Naomi asked, meaning what would be needed to be done in order to get better.

"I suggest not doing a lot of moving around for a couple of days." Kimberly said, standing up. She handed Naomi her shirt.

"Thanks, Dr. Hart." She said as she pulled her shirt back on, careful not to aggravate her ribs. She slowly got up with Kimberly's help and the two of them made their way back to the living room. Ethan and Tommy looked up from their positions on the couch and easy chair respectively. Kimberly helped Naomi onto the couch next to Ethan and then sat down on the armrest of the chair Tommy was in. He wrapped his arm around her waist.

"Everything okay?" Tommy asked.

"Uh huh, she's just got a couple of bruised ribs; she'll be fine in a few days." Kimberly said. Ethan put an arm around Naomi's shoulder. Naomi shrugged it off. Ethan stared at her. Tommy and Kimberly picked up on it and decided to leave the two kids alone.

"I'm going to go see how Trini's doing on her homework." Kimberly said, getting up. Tommy got up as well.

"Same here." He said. The two adults disappeared up the stairs. Naomi sighed and turned around, putting her feet up on the couch and resting her head on the other side so that Ethan was facing the leg end of her.

"Are you mad at me?" Ethan asked. Naomi didn't respond. Ethan got up and went around to the side where her head was and kneeled beside her. "Naomi?" He asked.

"I just don't feel like being touched right now." Naomi sighed. "I'm in pain. And besides I don't want to deal with you lecturing me about what happened."

"I wasn't.." Ethan began.

"I can see it in your eyes." Naomi said, cutting him off. Ethan rolled his eyes and sat down, his back leaning against the couch and not facing Naomi.

"Well can you blame me?" Ethan asked. "You could've gotten yourself killed. You should've just run when he got you out of the car."

"And let Trent think that I'm just going to play into his psycho episodes like that? I don't think so." Naomi said. Ethan rolled his eyes.

"Oh yes, pride is so much more important then your safety." He said sarcastically. Naomi closed her eyes and clenched her fists, trying to contain the anger that she was getting from his sarcasm.

"Do you want me to just be your little damsel in distress or something?" Naomi asked, forcing herself to keep her voice steady. Ethan sighed, knowing he had offended her and that was the last thing he had wanted to do. He turned around and faced her. He slowly got up and lifted her shoulders as he sat down on the couch, placing her head on his lap. Naomi wasn't having any of that. She sat up, her back to him.

"No, I just.." Ethan began, unsure how to say what was on his mind. He looked down. "Do you remember when I left the necklace on your windowsill?" He asked. "Remember what I said in the card, about how I'd feel if anything happened to you?" Naomi turned her head to the side, looking at him through the corner of her eye. "I just…..When Trent knocked you down and kicked you in the stomach, I got worried. I thought he was going to.." His voice trailed off. Naomi slowly turned herself around and looked at him.

"You thought he was going to what?" Naomi asked. "Ethan?"

"I wanted to get to you but Elsa just kept getting in my way." Ethan continued. "I……I would never be able to forgive myself if Trent had….."

"Killed me?" Naomi asked. Ethan slowly nodded and raised his eyes to meet hers.

"It's not like he's not capable of doing crazy shit. Look at what he did to you and Kira the other day outside of school? Or better yet, what he did to Conner and Kira, or what he did to you at.."

"I get it." Naomi said. "Trent's got some screws loose."

"They're so loose they're falling out." Ethan said. Naomi chuckled slightly at his joke. "Are you still mad at me?" He asked, smiling at the sound of her laugh.

"I wasn't mad, I-" She paused and gave a smile. She scooted closer to him. "No, I'm not still mad at you." She said. "I'm sorry I made you worry. I just wanted to stand up to that creep after all he's put us all through in just the last three days." Naomi paused. "I didn't want him to think I was some scared little girl he could beat the crap out of." Ethan looked at her carefully. It felt like Naomi was changing right before everyone's eyes. When he first met her she was this awkward yet quirky girl who seemed to have a smile on her face for the majority of the time. When she had found out the truth about him and the others she had become angry and perhaps a little vindictive towards him but after he talked to her he felt like the old Naomi was coming back. And now, he wasn't sure what she was now. It was almost like a mixture of the two sides and with some other things thrown into the mix. Before she was a girl fresh out of boarding school dealing with the changes, now she seemed to have lost the innocent naïveté she possessed. Ethan wasn't sure if this was a good thing or a bad thing. He didn't want her involvement with everything to change her drastically but he also knew it was a change that was bound to happen at some point in time. "Ethan?" Naomi's voice invaded his thoughts.

"Huh?" Ethan asked, looking at her.

"You okay?" She asked. "You kind of spaced out on me." She said.

"I'm fine, just thinking."

"Oh, well, I was going to ask you something but if you're too busy thinking…" She kidded. Ethan laughed.

"What?"

"Well, I was wondering, maybe, after my ribs feel better…Maybe you could teach me how to fight….I mean, just so next time I don't need to relay on a well placed kick and a heavy object."

"Naomi." Ethan groaned. "There isn't going to be a 'next time'."

"I'm not saying I'm going to go looking for a fight with him, I just mean if for some reason I'm on my own and have to protect myself."

"You won't be on your own." Ethan pointed out. Naomi rolled her eyes.

"Ok, what if, hypothetically you're knocked unconscious or otherwise unable to come to my rescue, what then?"

"You run."

"And leave psycho boy to have free range in hurting an unconscious you? I don't think so."

"Naomi, I'm the super hero, I can-"

"I'm sure even Superman let Lois have his back a few times."

"He didn't need to, he had the Justice League." Ethan pointed out. He paused and thought for a second. She's comparing us to Superman and Lois Lane…….is she implying something?

"Ok……..well………." Naomi said, trying to come up with an excuse. She gave up. "Come on, Ethan, please!" Ethan sighed.

"Fine." He groaned. "But I'm only showing you enough to fend Trent or his buddies off if you absolutely have to." Naomi smiled.

"Thank you." She said. Now satisfied that she had gotten her way, she turned on her side and laid down, resting her head on his lap. Ethan chuckled ruefully at how much of a pushover he was and gently twirled a loose strand of Naomi's hair in his finger and tucked it behind her ear. Naomi discreetly bit her lip at the sensation the brush of his fingers against her ear caused. Part of her didn't understand it. It was just a simple gesture. But another part of her sensed the feelings Ethan had behind that simple gesture and it was enough to make her purr like a content kitty. After tucking her hair back, he rested the now free hand on her shoulder and absentmindedly ran it up and down her arm. Naomi closed her eyes and gave a soft sigh.

"Comfy?" Ethan asked gently.

"Mmhmm." Naomi said. I will be as long as you keep doing whatever it is you're doing. She thought.

------

Later on that night, Eric sat in Conner's hospital room with Kira, both silently watching him.

"Do you want some coffee or something?" Eric found himself asking Kira. She looked at him.

"Sure, I guess." She said. Eric nodded and stood up, leaving the room. As soon as he was out of the room, he leaned against the wall and put his head in his hands. He cried softly into his receiving palms. He wasn't sure how long he was standing there before he felt strong arms wrap around his shoulders and pull him close so his hands and face were gently resting against a broad chest. Eric looked up and was shocked to see Kyle holding him.

"K-Kyle? What.." Eric tried to ask through the lump in his throat.

"Shhh." Kyle said, putting one of his hands on the back of Eric's head. He gently pushed his head back onto his chest and stroked his hair in a comforting manner, telling him, without words, that he could let it all out. Eric clung onto Kyle and cried. After a while his tears subsided and he looked up at Kyle, wiping his eyes.

"Thanks." Eric said. "I just…….With my mom and Conner's girlfriend…I just…I've been feeling like I have to be the solid rock guy, y'know?" Kyle nodded. "Anyway, what are you doing here?"

"Well, what do you expect? I mean you leave a voice mail message saying coming up this weekend's not good because your brother's in a coma and you think I'd actually just go on with my day?" Kyle asked. "I had to come see how you were holding up."

"But what about school? And work?" Eric asked. Kyle shook his head.

"Screw school and work. You're much more important." He said. Eric couldn't help smile softly at that. He leaned in and the two shared a soft sweet kiss. After it ended Eric looked at Kyle.

"So, how'd you know which room was Conner's?" Eric asked.

"I saw your mom. I recognized her from the picture you had when you were in Blue Bay. I told her who I was and asked where you were."

"Something tells me there's more to this story." Eric said. Kyle laughed.

"Your mom gave me a huge hug and said she was really happy to finally meet me-albeit she said she wished it was under better circumstances-and she said she was glad that I came to see you." Eric groaned, feeling a little embarrassed. Kyle laughed again and kissed Eric's forehead softly. "So, can I see your brother?" Kyle asked. Eric sighed and slowly nodded. He led Kyle back into the room. Kira looked up as the two of them entered, Eric sans coffee, not that she was really expecting he really went to get coffee.

"Hey." She said.

"Hey, uh, Kira, this is Kyle, Kyle this is Kira, Conner's girlfriend." Eric said. Kira gave Kyle a weak friendly smile and Kyle gave her a slight nod.

"It's nice to meet you, Kyle." Kira said, knowing that he was Eric's boyfriend.

"Same here." Kyle replied. He looked at Conner. It was a little eerie to him how much the two brothers looked alike. They were completely identical, except for the hair. Kyle's stomach churned at the thought of Eric lying in a hospital like Conner was. He reached over and took Eric's hand in his, squeezing it gently as a reassurance that Eric was actually there standing beside him. Eric looked at him and leaned against him, resting his head against his shoulder. Kira looked over at them and felt a pang of jealousy. She wished she could be holding her McKnight's hand and feel him holding her hand right back at that very moment. She sighed and turned back to Conner, gently sweeping some of his hair off his forehead. Please wake up, baby. She mentally pleaded.

---

Trent grunted as he continued to pull off the bracelet. He alternated between pulling at the bracelet and trying to take the gem itself out of the setting in the bracelet, but both attempts resulted in being painfully futile. He closed his eyes and fell back onto his bed, Anton's words echoing in his head. "That gem, the very thing binding you to me and my plans is slowly destroying your mind."