Chapter 10: Billy's Date and Teresa's Story

Billy stopped in front of Hayley's Cyberspace Café to drop off Teresa's backpack, which she left at the house.

Teresa looked up from her drink to see her dad come in with her bag. "Dad, over here," she called. Billy walked over and handed her the bag.

"Next time, don't leave it at home," he insisted.

"I know, thanks," she sighed.

Billy nodded and was about to leave when he stopped when Hayley came out. "Hi, Mr. Cranston, would you like something to drink?" Hayley asked. Billy sat down and nodded.

"Sure, just give me a cup of coffee and I'll be set," he replied.

"You've got it," she stated.

She placed the cup in front of him with a smile.

"Hey, Teresa, check it out," Ann whispered. Teresa looked up from her homework to see Billy and Hayley talking. "They're flirting," Ann stated.

"Nah, not my dad. He hasn't dated since mom," Teresa objected.

"Hey, just because we're around doesn't mean dad can't have a girlfriend," Brock stated.

"It would just feel weird. I mean, it's always been the three of us then if dad does start dating Hayley, what would happen then?"

"Dad would be happy."

Teresa looked at her brother with a quizzical yet angry look. "What do you mean? He's already happy with us," she objected.

"Dad could use a little bit more happiness. Sure, Hayley may not be mom, but she could help lift his spirits. Maybe he'll be home a lot more," Brock stated.

"He works at home, Brock," she snapped.

"Fine let me rephrase that, he'll take a break from his work once in a while," he snapped back.

Teresa sat back and looked over her shoulder when she heard them laugh. "The last person that made him laugh like that was mom," she stated. Brock placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Dad is a big boy, Teresa, he knows what he's doing," he assured.

Billy and Hayley were laughing until they heard his beeper go off. "Duty calls," he sighed. He was about to leave when he turned around to look at Hayley. "Hayley, what are you doing Saturday night?" He asked. Hayley acted like she was thinking about it before answering.

"Nothing...Billy Cranston are you trying to ask me out on a date?" She asked.

"Well, I'm trying to," he replied.

"I'd like to go out with you. How about eight o'clock?" She asked.

"Yeah, I'll see you then," he agreed.

Billy left and then Teresa felt her blood boiling.

When Saturday night came, Teresa was reading a book when Billy came downstairs. "Dad, where are you going?" She asked.

"I'm meeting Hayley tonight," Billy replied.

Teresa's eyes widened. "You are?" She asked.

"Yes, I am. I'll be back as soon as I can," he replied.

Teresa flopped down on the couch with a huff. She picked up the phone and called Ann. "Oliver Residence, Ann speaking," Ann answered.

"Ann, its me," Teresa stated.

"Hey, you sound like someone just ran over your dog," Ann commented.

"My dad went out on a date."

"Now I see why Hayley's been acting like she's been flying. Hayley always had a crush on your dad, but she was waiting for him to come around."
"Hey, it's not like your dad is going out on a date."

"Hey, I know what it is like for your parents to date. My parents were dating when I was a kid. I was their flower girl at the wedding."

"At least your mom is still alive."

"Hey, your mother's death was never your fault."

"It felt like it was though."

"You never told me what happened that night."

Teresa took a deep breath and began to explain everything.

(Flashback)

Teresa and Brock were playing in their playroom while a thunderstorm was going on. Trini came into the room with a smile. "Teresa, Brock, I'm going to the store. You two be good okay?" She asked.

"Mommy, may I go with you?" Teresa asked.

Trini went down on one knee in front of her daughter with a sigh. She knew that Teresa was just as stubborn. "Okay, get your raincoat. Brock, are you going?" She asked.

"No, I want to help daddy," Brock replied.

Trini laughed as her son went downstairs and she left with Teresa.

Teresa was looking at the rain. "Mommy, do Power Rangers exist?" She asked. Trini smiled and held onto her hand.

"They sure do, sweetie," she replied.

"Did you meet one?"

"You can say that."

Trini gasped as a car went zooming right at them. "MOMMY!" Teresa screamed. Trini covered her daughter as the car went spinning out of control. Teresa could feel the car flipping over onto the back and rolled into a ditch. Someone ran to the car after it stopped.

"HELLO! IS EVERYONE OKAY!" The person called.

Teresa felt her mother hold her tightly. "I love you, Teresa," she whispered.

"I love you too, mommy," Teresa whispered back.

The person kept calling, but Teresa lost consciousness.

"Teresa," a familiar voice whispered. She was able to open one eye and she saw her father sitting at the edge of her hospital bed.

"Daddy?" She asked.

"I'm here, sweet heart," he assured.

"Where am I?"

"You at the hospital. That car took a terrible beating."

"Where's mommy?"

Billy remained quiet. "Daddy?" She asked.

"Sweet heart, when your mommy covered you from the crash, she got hurt pretty badly.They tried saving her, but sweetie, mommy died," he replied.

"Mommy's dead?"

"Yes, she's dead, angel."

She began to cry and Billy held her close. "It's all my fault, daddy. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have gone," she sobbed.

"No, sweet heart, it wasn't your fault. Mommy loved you very much," he whispered.

"She died because of me."

"No, she died because she loved you."

Teresa cried as hard as she could against him.

(End Flashback)

Teresa wiped a tear away from her eye after telling Ann the story. "Hey, Billy was right though, your mom loved you very much," Ann assured.

"Yeah, but I wondered what would've happened if I didn't go with her," Teresa sighed.

"She would've still died. You said yourself she lost control of the car," Ann assured.

Teresa agreed sadly and then she had to get off the phone.

Billy got home later that night and found the photograph of Trini clutched against his daughter's chest. He walked over and placed a kiss on the side of her head. Teresa opened her eyes to see her father sitting next to her. "Daddy?" She asked.

"Hey, sweetie, why are you sleeping on the couch?" He asked.

"I was looking at the picture of mom and I fell asleep," she replied.

Billy looked at the photograph with a sigh. "Sweet heart, you always look at the picture of your mom when something is bothering you," he remarked.

"Right, you know that something is bothering me when I have mom's picture," she stated.

"Yes. When Brock went away to Science Camp you picked up your mom's picture. When you started middle school you stared at her picture. The time you started high school you kept looking at her picture. See every time you look at your mom's picture you have something on your mind."

Teresa sighed and looked at her father. "Dad, I still think it was my fault that mom died," she stated.

"No, it wasn't your fault. Your mom loved you," he insisted.

Teresa leaned against him and Billy held her close.

(The Dark Wizard's Lair)

The Dark Wizard looked at his screen to see Teresa's fear. "I have the most perfect idea, Lizard. We have to find every fear the Power Rangers' have. Their weaknesses, then we use them against those rotten teenagers," he cackled.

"That is perfect my lord," Lizard agreed.