Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Power Rangers…this is for entertainment only…
Is Wes okay? What happened to Vinnie?
Chapter 13 up! Enjoy!
A Trial of New Beginnings
Each officer stared at that mop of dirty blonde hair, all knowing exactly who that was.
Jen stared at it, her fear being confirmed. Wes was dead and Vinnie was gone. She stood there as tears started to fall again.
Her voice was barely above a whisper. "No…"
But her eyes caught something, something on his left wrist.
Or maybe something that wasn't on his left wrist. Miraculously, the figure began to move, and a cough was heard. Medics rushed over to where he lay. Her eyes widened open, her heart became hopeful.
Her voice became stronger. "That's not Wes…" Jen bolted off in the other direction, shouting commands like her normal self. "Search the perimeter! I don't want any piece left unturned!"
Logan came running up to her. "Lieutenant, what's going on?"
Jen looked at the man lying in the rubble. He was now sitting up, his face revealed. Logan gasped. Jen looked at him. "That's not Wes."
"He's alive then?" Logan muttered. Jen nodded. Logan looked at the surrounding woods and development. "Search everywhere, go!" Officers bolted off and searched through the area.
Jen looked around, finally recognizing where they were. She took off running down the street, around a corner and into a house.
"Mom!" Jen's voice rang out. "Dad, anyone home?"
Her mother and father walked out of the kitchen, and saw the desperate look on their daughters face. "Jen, honey, what's wrong?" Angela said. She finally saw the tattered look of Jen's clothes and the dirt on her face. "What happened to you?"
"That's not important." Jen said quickly. "Did Wes come by here?"
Jack shook his head. "No, not all. Why?"
"That fire that was down the street," Jensaid quickly. "Wes ran into it before the building exploded. We found Vinnie, and he's alive. But we can't find Wes anywhere. I thought that he may have come here."
"We haven't seen him since the last time we saw you." Angela said.
"But if we see him, we'll call you immediately." Jack added.
Jen thanked her parents and left, finally getting that annoying dirt wad off of her face.
Back at the building, officials were scattered around. "Jen," Logan said. Jen walked over in haste. "We've done a complete scan of the debris, and the only body in there was Vinnie's."
Jen looked off to where Vinnie sat in hand cuffs and an oxygen mask over his face.
"That bastard doesn't deserve to live." Jen muttered.
"Lieutenant!" someone called. She looked off in the direction where a few officers were waving their hands. "Over here, we've found something!" Jen ran towards the woods where two figures were seen walking out from a hidden door. The man on the left wore a dark blue outfit, while the one was covered in black soot, with hints of white coming through it.
"Oh my god," Jen ran towards them. "He'a alive!" She called out.
He looked at her, quickening his pace. He coughed as he tried to say something. He collapsed to the ground, clutching his chest.
Jen dropped next to him. "Where's the medics? We need oxygen and a shit load of meds now!"
A few moments later, Wes and the man besides him were sitting inside an ambulance.
Jen walked around the rest of the officers, making sure everything was going as planned. After another round, she made her way to the ambulance where Wes lay in a stretcher.
The medics were watching him closely as he slowly came around.
"Alicia," Jen said to one medic. "Is he going to be okay?"
The woman shook her head. "I don't know. He deprived of a good amount of oxygen for a while. We're going to take him to the hospital, clean him up. The doctors will take it from there." Alicia saw the look in Jen's eyes. "Hey, don't worry, Lieutenant. He'll be fine." Jen thanked her as Alicia and her colleague left to check up on the other man and Vinnie. Jen crawled into the carriage and sat down next to Wes.
As his eyes opened, his vision blurred. Wes's head began to spin. His hand slowly made its way up to his eyes as he shut them from the light. They dimmed as the young woman besides him smiled. Everything hurt beyond telling.
"Jen?" Wes asked. His voice cracked and his throat burned.
Her hand went around his, her eyes shines. "I'm here, Wes." He was about to speak, but Jen shushed him. "Don't talk, Wes. You need to rest."
He moved his head in a dizzy circle and closed his eyes. "Everything…hurts." His voice died away as he fell into a painful slumber.
Jen sat there for a moment later, watching him sleep. All she could be thankful he was alive.
"Lieutenant," Alicia said. Jen got out of the rig. "we're taking him to Silver Hills Central. As well as the other two."
Jen nodded. "Just watch Harting, he's a sly bastard."
The blonde laughed. "Please, Lieutenant. We have him sedated just in case he does try to escape."
Alicia got into the driver's seat and drove away.
Jen watched the back of the ambulance pull out, hope filling her heart. A little while later, she left and went back to her office.
But she did know one thing. There was going to be a large pile of paperwork on her desk, no doubt about that.
At Time Force
Jen walked into their apartment. "I'm taking a shower, come hell or high water." She muttered.
She disposed of her dirty uniform in a bag and was going to have it sent down for repairs. She looked at her face in the mirror. Dirt caked most of her face, and soot covered her arms and legs.
Steam was seen coming out from behind the shower curtain. As soon as the water hit her skin, Jen relaxed and tried to work out a cramp that was in her neck. It did feel good to get cleaned up again. She hadn't taken a shower in a little over three days, due to the fact Vinnie took her to that warehouse, then decided to blow up the warehouse.
Twenty minutes later she immerged, refreshed. Jen was going to put on her uniform, but wasn't in the mood. She grabbed a pair of white jeans and a pink uniform top.
"Casual Friday, I like the sound of that." Jen chuckled to herself. It was indeed Friday. She hadn't realized how much time had passed. Valentine's Day had come and gone. It was the 21st. Jen went to put her hair up, but took a double look. She laughed at herself. "Before you know it, you're birthday's right around the corner."
Two weeks from today, March 7th, it was Jen's birthday. Was she really going to be 26?
She shook her head and grabbed her jacket. All of a sudden her stomach growled, reminding her of the fact she hadn't eaten in a while either.
Jen went over to the refrigerator, but found nothing appetizing. She rolled her eyes and left for her office.
Later
The smell of pizza drifted into the elevator, making Jen's mouth water. She walked into the lounge to see a bunch of officers crowded around the boxes.
"Hey guys." Jen walked up between Kyle and Davis. "What's the occasion?"
Allie shrugged. "We were hungry for pizza." A few other officers nodded. "Want some?"
Jen grabbed a piece. "I'm starving." Once everyone had their piece, the Ensigns and a few street officers sat down just to chat. "Not too long, everyone. We have a lot of work to get done." She said. Allie gave her a look.
"Not even back for ten minutes and she's ordering us around all ready!" Allie protested.
She rolled her eyes and se took another bite. Jen ate quickly and left for her office.
As usual, she was correct. A thick stack of papers lay on her desk. Jen popped a CD into her small stereo and got to work.
5:30PM
"Last file." she muttered. Jen sat in her office for four consecutive hours doing paperwork and was finally down to the last few pieces.
One was for the inspection of the warehouse.
The next one she pulled out made her smile. Certificate of Promotion Jen looked at the name on the line. Wesley Alan Collins. Is here by promoted from Officer to Lieutenant under the recognition of bravery and loyalty. With this promotion, the named persons above shall receive the rights to the Red Chronomorpher.
Jen scanned the sighed names and quickly added hers to it as well. She placed that aside.
An envelope fell out of the file, her name on it. Curiously, she opened it.
Jennifer-If you are reading this now, chances are that I am all ready back at my post in New York. I only wish I could be telling you this in person, but I needed to get Wes's paperwork in before I left.
You're probably wondering why I gave Wes the morpher back. I can't really describe why I gave Wes his morpher back. Part of me couldn't bear to see you unhappy. I remember when we were younger, before Ransik all started. We'd sneak off somewhere for five minutes, just to talk about the weather or something. I remember the look in your eyes, how hurt you were that we had to hide our relationship. I figured that since you two would be the same rank and all, there'd be no controversy between you two being in love. And for the fact that Wes would make a better Ranger then I would. He knows what are good times to have fun, and when it's time to be serious. I hope everything goes well for you two, I truly do.
Before we left to get you back, I took Wes up to my office and talked with him. I told him that he should have had the morpher in the first place. Maybe everything that happened could have been prevented. Not to mention, you two would probably work better together. But promise me, Jennifer. Keep your hands off of him long enough to actually get work done.
Jen smiled and shook her head. It wasn't like Alex to make a joke, but he pulled it off rather easily.
I think you'll be happy to know that Wes and I have worked everything out between us, and it'll be smooth sailing from here.
I want to thank you, Jennifer. You've given me everything I wanted. You were right, though. Times have changed and it's time to move on. I just didn't want to see you get hurt. A part of me will always love you, Jennifer.
You and me, friends forever.
AlexanderP.S. I think you'll be happy to know I have a date tonight with an old friend of mine from High School, her name's Brianna Kenton. I'll keep you updated on that story from here.
Jen reread the letter over. "As long as you're happy. That's all I'll worry about."
She kept the letter in a drawer for safekeeping. There was one more thing sitting in the file. Jen's happy mood dampened.
COURT SUMMONS:
LIEUTENANT JENNIFER A. SCOTTS-
You have been called forth for the trial hearing of VINCENT NATHANIAL HARTING. He is being charged with the following:
1 Count First Degree Murder
1 count Attempted murder
2 counts kidnapping
2 counts armed robbery
5 counts robbery
10 counts of illegal drug smuggling
"Oh no." Jen said. She read the last charge, her heart nearly stopped.
1 count rape
Jen threw the court summons down and looked at it. He was being tried on what he did to her, and everything else. Everyone in Time Force would know now. They'd know he raped her.
She sat in her office for a while, unsure of how this court case would go. She'd have to testify against him, recalling the night he raped her again. But this time, Vinnie would be there to comment on it.
A headache was developing from staring at the paper. Jen closed her eyes and tried to think of something else.
The clock blinked 6:30PM. Jen put the file aside and left. She decided to go see how Wes was doing. But she wasn't going to tell him about the trial.
Even if it killed her.
Time Force Infirmary: Room 103, 7:35am
Wes watched the snowfall from his window. It was just a powdering, but was getting heavier.
Machines beeped all around the Red Ranger. One for his heart, one for his lungs, and one for his brain functions.
Ever since that fire, the doctors watched him closely. His lungs were still healing. He had barely lived, since he was deprived of oxygen for a while. His heart nearly failed from not enough blood. Although he wasn't as badly burned as some thought, he did have sufficient burns on his legs and one on his arm.
"Lieutenant Collins," a nurse walked in. "There is someone here to see you."
Wes cleared his throat. "Who is it?" his voice was raspy.
Jen walked past the nurse. Wes's eyes lit up. The nurse said something to Jen, who nodded. The nurse closed the door behind her.
Jen walked over to the ledge where Wes sat. "Well, is this a role reversal or something?"
Wes smiled. "Why would you say that?"
She shrugged. "It's normally you who visits me here." She paused. "How are you feeling?"
"Fine. A little sore from the bruising and burns, but I'm doing okay. I have one question though. Why did that nurse call me Lieutenant?"
Jen sat back against the wall. "Well, maybe it's because Time Force is promoting you. Bringing you up to Lieutenant, since now you have the morpher."
Wes coughed. "Speaking of morpher, where is it anyway?" He glanced down at his left wrist, which was now bare.
"Our scientists took it to make some needed repairs, and an upgrade." Jen stated.
"Oh," Wes glanced out at the snowfall again. "When am I getting out of here?"
"I was talking to the doctors before. They're saying another week or so, just so they can monitor you, in case anything's wrong."
Wes rolled his eyes. "Another week?"
"Oh, stop complaining." Jen said. Her watch beeped 7:45. "I have a meeting with the Board now, I'll come see you later." She got up and was about to leave when Wes grabbed her arm. He slowly got up.
"Oh my god," Wes said.
Jen's face shrunk. "What?" she asked nervously.
He smiled at her. "You're beautiful."
Jen chuckled. "Don't scare me like that!" Her voice became soft. "It's taken you six years to figure that out?" she said playfully.
"I guess you could say that. I was just worried about you all the time he had you." Wes hugged her tightly, and Jen gladly accepted. "I love you so much."
Jen gazed into his eyes. "I love you, too." Wes nonchalantly kissed her, like he did so many times before. Jen stood there for a moment, happy that everything was going to be fine. "Now, I have to get going. If I'm late for another meeting, Datas'll have my head."
Wes gave her a playful push. "Then go."
Jen smiled at him, then walked out of the room.
1 week later
"Here we are, home sweet home." Jen opened the door. Wes walked in, tired from his exploits from the past week and a half.
Wes sat down on the couch. "Finally, something more comfortable then a cot."
Jen sat down on the chair across from him. "Hungry? I'll cook dinner."
He covered his eyes. "As long as you don't burn it again like you did the last time you cooked."
"For that smart remark I should make you cook me dinner." Jen muttered. "Baked macaroni and cheese sound good?"
"Sounds good." Wes said.
Thirty minutes later, they sat down at the table and ate what Jen cooked.
"Not bad, Jen." Wes said.
Jen chuckled. "I'm glad you approve."
Once they were finished, Jen began to clean up while Wes went to grab a sweatshirt.
He walked in to find the bedroom surprisingly neat, with a few papers scattered around on Jen's dresser. But one caught him eye.
Wes picked up the paper. "Court summons?" he asked himself. He read through file, his eyes widened. He looked at the date of the trial. March 4th. He glanced at the calendar. That was three days from today.
He walked out slowly, as Jen was sitting down on the couch, reading a book. Jen glanced up at him, emotions overtook his face. "Wes, everything okay?"
"I don't know, Jen. You're being summoned to court?" Wes held up the paper, Jen's face dropped. He sat down next to her. "Why didn't you tell me, Jen?"
Her voice trembled. "I'm scared, Wes. He could take this to a totally different level and get it thrown out. He'd be free to roam the streets again."
There was obviously more going on then met the eye.
And the trial was only the beginning…
ch 14 up soon…
So Jen's being summoned to testify against Vinnie…will her statement be enough to have Vinnie thrown in jail for good? What will Vinnie say to rebut Jen's statement about her being raped?