Chapter Seven

Nothing moved, nothing made a sound, it was as if the earth stood still. Slowly Cam got to his feet; the other Rangers also stood. He shook his head to clear it of the stars that danced in front of him. Cam's heart stopped when he saw Lothor standing above Jasmine's limp form, his uncle's face twisted into a malicious smirk. So it was true, Jasmine had been dying. A single tear ran down Cam's cheek, he glanced at the other Rangers. They too were staring at Jasmine as Lothor reached down to take her amulet. A look was exchanged between the six friends and they morphed quickly.

"Don't touch her." Cam commanded his uncle, who stopped with his hand right above Jasmine's throat.

"And what are you gonna do to stop me?" Lothor grinned wickedly.

"This!" Shane said, leading the Rangers towards Lothor for an attack. The evil ninja deflected their assaults easily. Lothor called down kelzacs, and while the Rangers were busy fighting them off, he knelt down to grab the amulet. He had it in his grasp when a strong hand pried it from his fingers.

"What?" Lothor yelled as he stared into Jasmine's blazing eyes, "You're supposed to be dead!"

~*~*~

"Sorry to disappoint you Lothor." Jasmine growled as she jumped to her feet, knocking Lothor down in the process, "But that which does not kill you," she placed her hands in front of her, palms facing out towards the ninja, "makes you stronger." A ball of blood red fire flew from her hands. Lothor jumped out the way and the fire only singed the edge of his coat. Fire blazed in Jasmine's eyes, and she growled low in her throat. Lothor stood back up and looked at Jasmine with a menacing stare.

"This is not over." He said and with that disappeared in a flash.

~*~*~

The kelzac that was attacking Cam vanished and he paused mid-kick. He placed his foot back on the ground and looked around. Jasmine stood before him, her face quickly changing from fire red to pale white. She started to shake and sweat and began to fall towards the ground. Cam quickly ran to catch her. She was light and heavy at the same time, and her skin was clammy and frozen. Despite her appearance Cam couldn't help but think how beautiful she was at the moment, especially since he had thought she was dead.

"What just happened Jasmine?" he asked her when her breath had become less ragged.

"I don't...I don't know." Jasmine choked out, "The amulet, I think it had something to do with it." Everyone looked down at the small pendant.

"Rangers you must return to Ninja Ops at once." Sensei's voice sounded around them, "We must make sure Jasmine is alright."

"We'll be right there dad." Cam said, he started to stand while still holding Jasmine in his arms.

"It's okay Cam," Jasmine said, "I can walk."

"Are you sure?" he asked concerned.

"Yeah, I am." Cam placed her on the ground gently and when Jasmine began to sway he picked her back up.

"Maybe after you rest." He said with a smile. The group walked back slowly, careful to keep an eye on Jasmine. Cam couldn't believe how light she felt in his arms and how perfectly she fit, almost like she was made to be held by him. Cam mentally shook the thought from his head. Jasmine and he were from two completely different worlds, no way could they be destined to be together.

~*~*~

Jasmine rested her weary head against Cam's chest, listening to his heartbeat. She sighed and closed her eyes, ready to sleep for eternity. Cam's strong arms held her gently and tenderly like she was a treasured jewel. His heart beat steadily and began to lull Jasmine to sleep. She yawned and caught the soft chuckle that Cam released. The teen smiled lightly and let herself drift off to sleep.

~*~*~

"It seems as if Jasmine's medallion has some kind of mystical powers." Sensei said once the group of Rangers had reached Ninja Ops. Jasmine lay asleep in one of the back rooms, and the Power Rangers stood around the computer terminal.

"We kinda guessed that when she blasted Lothor with that fireball." Dustin said, "All I want to know is how come we didn't pick this up earlier, I mean isn't the computer supposed to have some sort of thingy that detects stuff like that."

"No Dustin," Cam replied somewhat exasperated, "We don't have a "thingy" that picks up that kinda stuff, the radar is only able to detect alien activity."

"Oh." Dustin said.

"Now that that's cleared up," Tori broke in, "Where did Jasmine ever find a medallion that has that kinda power?"

"I don't know." Cam said, "I've never even heard of anything like it."

"I suggest that we wait until Jasmine wakes up, and then proceed to answer these questions." Sensei, ever the voice of reason, said.

"Wait a second!" Shane cried, "Sensei, yesterday you said that Jasmine's being here wasn't an accident, that Lothor brought her here for a reason. You guys it's the amulet, that's what Lothor wants!" Realization donned on Cam. Of course, Lothor wanted the medallion Jasmine wore for the power if possessed. But where had the powers come from, and how had Jasmine come to own such a weapon?

~*~*~

Deep, slow breaths resounded through the room, and an occasional soft snore would echo in the room. Cam looked down at Jasmine's sleeping form with a smile. He lovingly brushed the hair out of her face and watched as a pleasant smile spread across her serene face. Blake had been right, Cam did care for Jasmine, but it was because he cared about her that he knew he could never pursue a relationship. Why did things have to be so complicated? Why couldn't Lothor have simply left Jasmine in her own world, why did he have to bring her into Cam's? It all seemed like a plot against him. Make the ninja's nephew fall in love with the girl from another universe and break his heart when he finds out he can't have her. A quiet sigh escaped him, and Cam let his eyes travel across Jasmine's form memorizing every contour of her face and body.

"You alright dude?" Cam looked behind him to where Hunter stood leaning against the doorframe arms crossed in front of him.

"I'm fine." Cam replied, an edge of sadness in his voice, "Why do you ask?"

"Blake told me about your feelings for Jasmine." Hunter responded sheepishly.

"Oh, so now my life's an open book." Cam retorted.

"Jeez man calm down." Hunter said, "Blake thought that you might just need a push in the right direction. I am, after all, the one who FINALLY got him to admit that he liked Tori."

"Whatever Hunter. I don't need your help, I'm perfectly capable of saying what's on my mind without any help from you."

"Yeah, but what about what's going on in your heart." Hunter left with those words hanging in the air in his place. Cam looked back down at Jasmine, his face clouded with the many thoughts running through his head. He took the young woman's hand in his own and slowly traced circles on the back of her hand with his thumb as he contemplated Hunter's words. As much as Cam hated to admit it, the Crimson Ranger had a point. He sat back in his chair with a sigh, Jasmine's hand still encompassed in his own.

~*~*~

Voices sounded in the room, but Jasmine refused to open her eyes to see whom they belonged to. Her ears perked up at the mention of her name. Jasmine listened intently to the conversation that she now recognized Cam and Hunter having. She tried to keep her breathing the same as she listened, but she was certain that they could hear the hammering of her heart as the fact that Cam liked her was revealed.
It was heaven on earth to Jasmine to hear those words. Was it true that the brainiac had felt the same connection that she herself had felt? Jasmine had never been so lucky in her life. Heavy footsteps walked away from the room and a sigh sounded above her. A warm hand held hers and Jasmine knew it was Cam. She tried to hide the smile that sprung to her lips at his gentle caress. A few minutes passed and the warm hand let go of hers. Jasmine felt her whole body go cold at the lose of the contact. Tender, warm lips kissed her forehead and Cam left the room. The teen sighed contentedly and let herself fall back to sleep.

~*~*~

I hope that you enjoyed this chapter. I know it was kinda short, and I apologize for that. Anyway please review and tell me what you think so far.

Will Cam tell Jasmine how he feels, or will Jasmine make the first move? What will happen to Jasmine now that the powers of the moon medallion have made themselves known? And what about Kirstin? Stay tuned to A WORLD APART to find out the answers.