Hello all! I know, I know this one's taking a bazillion years to get into gear, but by my estimation we're only a few chapters away from the start of the good stuff. I just really need to build up this whole Heather and Tommy thing and you'll all understand why later. So please bare with me! And of course enjoy and review.

Tommy settled into the soft queen sized bed with his thoughts buzzing a thousands miles per minute. Spending the day with Heather had been so perfect and it just felt so right even in spite of several awkward moments. He knew it was much too soon to be thinking about the future right now but he couldn't help but seriously consider the possibility of not returning to Reefside High at the end of the summer.

He really couldn't afford not working for a whole year but maybe if he went back to writing for the various paleontology journals and magazines he would be fine for a little while. Then it occurred to him that earlier in the year he had received an offer for a position as a professor at a small but prominent university in northern California. At the time he turned it down because he was still contending with Mesogog, but now that he was gone maybe it wasn't such a bad idea. The college was less than two hundred miles from Shady Mountain, which meant he could spend the weekends with Heather.

What a strange thing for Tommy to be thinking about; it had been forever since he had to make a decision with another person in mind rather than just himself. But this whole Heather thing was so brand new that he was most definitely getting ahead of himself. She was just so perfect in every way and most of all she was perfect for him. The only other girl that he had ever been convinced that he belonged with was Kimberly. This scared him and understandably so because she obviously was not meant for him.

Rolling over Tommy decided it was best for right now to just focus on the present and so he played the events of the day over in his head as he drifted to sleep. After Tommy and Heather's earth shattering make out session, they slowly exited the lake together with her hand in his. The look in Tommy's eye was quite mischievous and even more urgent. But, Heather knew better, she had played this game before and lost. Sure, she wanted Tommy, all of Tommy just as much as he wanted her but her better judgement won out. Knowing that she couldn't stay with the man and manage her self control, as well as controlling his urges; she decided it was best to just call it a day.

Tommy was disappointed when she announced that she thought it was time for them to end the evening but he was also relieved. He naturally had a lot of pent up desires that really needed to be fulfilled but he also had a stronger desire for Heather to stay in the picture. He knew that if they were to take things to the next step so soon then they would most likely not get anywhere beyond that. Simply put, going all the way would complicate things that just did not need to be complicated right now.

Saying their good-byes the couple separated, anxious for the next time they would meet again, which was agreed upon for the next day. Heather had invited Tommy to her home the following evening, it was her turn to wine and dine him. She knew it was a horrible idea to bring him to her house where there was a bed and absolutely no distractions, but she just slipped. Of course there were a few thoughts circling through Tommy's head about the events of the following night as well as some predictions that a part of him longed for to come true. But he was going to leave that decision up to Heather because he was completely torn on the issue.

Tommy arrived at Heather's monstrous mansion, which sat on a large bluff overlooking the valley where the town of Shady Mountain rested. The gigantic home was constructed of red and gray brick and was complete with a sauna and a swimming pool. Tommy felt rather intimidated as he buzzed the doorbell, shocked to hear Heather's voice sound from the small speaker beside the button. "Come on in," she said happily, "it's open."

'What in hell am I doing here?' thought Tommy with a sudden doubt. More importantly, what in the hell was Heather doing with him? All of this time she had questioned his motives for asking her out when really he should have been questioning her motives for accepting. His income wasn't even enough to pay for these bricks much less afford for them to be assembled into a house, and of this size! He hadn't realized just how good Heather had done for herself, but considering that she had a signature line of ski wear and ski gear, it should have been pretty obvious. Tommy was just not used to being associated with someone of such wealth; even Anton Mercer tried his best to hide his good fortune from Tommy while they were working together.

"Hey there," said Heather with a hint of cheer in her voice as Tommy entered the rather large, wooden paneled kitchen with a window over the sink the size of his bedroom wall. Heather's eyes lit up like a firefly at the sight of Tommy and he definitely took note of it. He also took note of the low-cut ice green satin dress which draped over Heather's shape perfectly. Tommy was relieved to discover that he wasn't over dressed in his gray dress slacks and black dress shirt.

"Hi," answered Tommy returning Heather's warm gaze, noticing that she was preparing dinner herself.

He felt somewhat awkward now knowing just how different they were from each other and still yesterday they had managed to connect perfectly. Deciding that this was all just bricks and concrete Tommy pushed the negative thoughts to the back of his head and gave Heather a proper greeting. Wrapping his arms around her waist he began to nibble at her neck.

"Forgive me for my shortcomings," he muffled into her ear as she giggled, "allow me to give you a proper greeting."

That was all Tommy needed to say and Heather dropped the knife she had been using to cut the carrots and gave Tommy her full attention. As Heather wrapped her arms around Tommy's neck and returned his affections with an intense kiss, Tommy began to get those feelings again. He wished that he hadn't been such a hormone case, especially at this age, but if there was one thing Heather was good at it was turning him on.

Eventually, Heather was able to focus her attention back on dinner and refused to let Tommy help her.

"Why don't you go ahead and take a look around the house. Dinner will be ready in fifteen," said Heather as she leaned over the open oven door, checking on the baked potatoes.

"Sure," replied Tommy in amazement. He really didn't care to see the rest of the oversized house; it would only discourage him. But, he really didn't want to explain his anxiety to Heather so he let himself out of the kitchen and entered the living room.

Heather's taste was quite unique from his other girlfriends'; of course they were pink rangers. Kimberly would have cringed at the site of this place and in some strange way this comforted Tommy. Maybe Heather was more his taste, he liked the way the room was decorated. One would have never guessed that this was the house of a single woman in her late twenties. The walls were covered in intricate wool tapestries constructed in earth tones. The sectional sofa was a nice smooth brown leather, almost a milk chocolate color and the coffee table was solid cherry with tiny etchings of forest animals bordering the top surface. The room was very rustic, showing no sign of femininity. The theme was consistent throughout the rest of the house; the only room that differed was Heather's study. There really wasn't much room for a décor because the walls were completely consumed with trophy cases, which proudly displayed medals, trophies, and other memorabilia representing Heather's accomplishments.

Finally, on what Tommy thought to be the third floor, the top floor, he came across Heather's bedroom. It was there that her feminine side was apparent. Her king size bed was covered in a satin pink comforter and a mountain of lacey pillows. Tommy chuckled as he realized that Heather too had a different side to her. Her vanity was covered in various cosmetics and hair care products, while the dressers were topped with white lace doilies and porcelain vases of dried flowers. On the far end of the room near the closet were the remnants of Heather's search for the perfect outfit for the evening. That corner of the room was covered in scattered garments including blouses, skirts, pants, shoes, and even a bra or two. Tommy blushed at the site of the black lacy undergarments, nervously picturing Heather in them.

"Tommy," interrupted a voice as Heather entered the room, "dinner's ready."

Tommy head snapped back staring at Heather like a deer in the headlights, but then realizing that his thoughts were only in his head and Heather had absolutely no idea what they were he was able to relax. But Heather had seen Tommy staring at the mess on the floor.

"Oh sorry about that," she apologized, "I didn't have a chance to clean it up. I was having one of those fashion victim days, you know?"

Tommy stopped dead in his tracks, "No I don't know," he replied suspiciously.

"Well, I guess guys really don't have those days but us girls do, and some days I just cannot find an outfit that looks right on me," Heather stopped herself from going on and boring Tommy, she was here to impress him not scare him away with her girly insecurities.

Tommy sighed to himself as he tried to convince himself that Heather Thompson was nothing like Kimberly Hart. All girls were shallow like that when it came to appearances. Besides, the rest of the house was a man's dream.

Heather led Tommy down the tremendous staircase in silence and once they reached the den, Tommy broke the tension.

"This is quite a place you've got here," he declared once again, scanning the room for reassurance.

"Thanks," said Heather modestly, "I hope you don't think me a glutton. The house was actually my father's vision. He helped design it and he even decorated it for me as a present. He just really wanted me to settle down and stop living out of hotel rooms. So one day he drove me up here and yelled 'surprise'."

"Wow," said Tommy in amazement, not at the story but at the fact that Heather had absolutely no say in the décor.

"Yeah," continued Heather, "practically the only room that I can really call mine is my bedroom. It's much more me than anything else in the house."

Tommy could feel his stomach take a dive even though he knew he was being ridiculous. Big deal, so the girl liked pink, what girl didn't?

During dinner Heather found Tommy to be distant once again, which was rather disappointing to her especially since he had seemed so transformed the last couple of days.

"Is everything okay?" asked Heather as she served Tommy his apple pie a la mode. "You seem a little distracted." Heather took her seat across from him once again.

"Yeah," began Tommy, realizing that if he wanted this to work then he was going to have to be honest with Heather from the get go. "Here's the thing Heather," he took a deep breath. "I guess you could say I was a little put out when you said that you were having a fashion victim day and more so when I discovered that your favorite color was pink."

Heather stared at him like a bird had just flown in the window and perched itself on Tommy's shoulder, but she said nothing.

"Here, I'll explain," said Tommy. "I hadn't planned on telling you this until at least the fifth date but I've only really had two girlfriends in my life…"

"Kat and um, um, oh don't tell me, Kimberly!" declared Heather, proud of her good memory. "So what's the big deal, I already knew that. But I guess it is kind of strange." Heather suddenly became distracted as she processed the information.

"Anyway," cut in Tommy a little annoyed, "both of them were ridiculously girly and absolutely adored the color pink, especially Kim." Tommy's attention now wondered as he recalled just how justified Kimberly's adoration for pink was because she did look amazing in it.

"Tommy," said Heather interrupting Tommy's train of thought. "Are you afraid that since it didn't work out with either of them who liked pink, then it won't work out with me who also likes pink? That's a little ridiculous don't you think?"

"Well yeah," admitted Tommy, "I guess I didn't realize how stupid it was until you said it out loud. I'm sorry Heather; it's just that this is all so new to me again. I really haven't had much time to date since high school."

Heather chuckled as she rose from her seat. Although Tommy's lack of women was odd he was still insanely cute. "Come on," she said grabbing his hand and pulling him up from his seat.

Heather led Tommy into the den and up the stairs once again, not speaking until they reached the threshold of her bedroom.

"What are we doing here?" asked Tommy with a confused expression.

"It's been a little long since the last time you were in a woman's bedroom, hasn't it?" asked Heather lightly.

"Um, yeah," replied Tommy, "but, I don't really see what-" Tommy stopped mid sentence realizing what Heather was hinting at and then he blushed profusely. "Are you serious Heather?"

Heather smiled at the gorgeous guy as she leaned up on her tiptoes and playfully pecked at Tommy's soft lips. It didn't take long for Tommy to take control of the situation and before they knew it the couple was standing at the foot of the bed, kissing aggressively.

"I'm only going to ask this one more time Heather," Tommy managed to mumble in between kisses, "are you sure?"

"Umhmmm," replied Heather into Tommy's mouth, as she leaned into him knocking him down onto the bed.

Tommy was truly excited by the unexpected turn of events but as sure as Heather seemed he wasn't sure that he was as confident. Was he making a mistake? Did he really love Heather or was he just in love with her? Was it worth risking what they had and the future that they could have together for just one incredible night? No, it wasn't. But how in the hell was he going to stop this without offending her or looking like a prude? He was supposed to be the man. Then suddenly, as bad as the idea was, it hit him.

"Oh," he said suddenly tearing away from Heather and grabbing his abdomen. "My stomach," he declared, raising from the bed and running into Heather's bathroom.

"Tommy?" asked Heather, too stunned to follow him. "Are you okay?"

"I don't know," yelled Tommy as he closed the bathroom door and immediately began making noises associated with barfing.

Finally, Heather made her way over to the bathroom door and once the noises died down she knocked. "Tommy, that sounds pretty bad, maybe we should just call it a night. Why don't I set up one of the guest rooms for you?"

That really wasn't what Tommy had had in mind, he needed to get away from Heather, but at this point he would take whatever he could get.

"That would be fine Heather," he choked. "Thank you."

Aisha Campbell stared at herself in the full-length mirror quite impressed with what she saw. "Damn girl, you look fiiiine," she said to herself in satisfaction.

The dress she had chosen for the special evening was a brand new yellow Gucci slip dress, which had been extremely expensive, but if her predictions were correct it would have been well worth it. Tonight was Zack Taylor's and her first anniversary and although Aisha was a patient person she was allowed to get the ball rolling.

Aisha had returned to the states from Africa once the destruction of evil had been initiated by Andros, the red space ranger. Shortly after her return Aisha enrolled in college and continued work as a veterinarian's assistant. Once she graduated she opened her own practice in Stone Canyon, California where she had spent most of her childhood. Not long after, she hesitantly agreed to a blind date set up by a girlfriend of hers from middle school. Once on the date she was shocked to discover that the gentleman she had been set up with was none other than Zack Taylor, former black ranger and current man of her dreams.

Zack had also gone through college and graduated finally with a masters in dance. There really wasn't much money in the field, but he spent a few years as a back up dancer for various pop stars in music videos and even went on tour with some of them. Eventually, Zack was tired of the industry and was ready to settle down. So he opened a hip-hop dance studio in San Francisco, where he met and dated Aisha's friend Zoe. The relationship didn't really have much potential but the two remained friends anyway. Then one day Zoe suggested that he take a chance with a childhood friend of hers who was back in the area, and although it was an hours drive to Stone Canyon from San Francisco Zack agreed, mostly as a favor to Zoe.

Neither Aisha nor Zack could believe the coincidence, but they made the best of the evening. In high school they met briefly on a few occasions but nothing major and they never really got the chance to get to know each other before Zack went off to the peace conference in Switzerland. But now they were astonished to find that they had a ton in common. Now, a year had passed and Zack still caused Aisha to get butterflies in her stomach every time she saw him.

Aisha was shocked and amazed when she glanced at her bedside alarm clock and realized that she was actually ready with time to spare. She still had a half-hour before Zack was due, but she was so excited about the evening that she decided to give him a pre-date call. Aisha absolutely loved being in love and it wasn't until she had met Zack that she realized that she had never actually been in love before. Sure it was silly and sappy to call Zack five times a day, but hey he did it too.

Aisha eagerly dialed Zack's cell phone number from her downstairs portable and took a seat on the gray plush sofa; careful not to ruin her dress. The other end rang about six times and just as Aisha was beginning to become concerned, Zack answered the phone.

"Hey baby, what's up?" he said charmingly into his cell phone.

"Nothing sweetie, I was just getting a little antsy. What time are you going to be here? I can't wait to give you your present."

Aisha had put a lot of thought into Zack's gift, but really she was more concerned about what he had chosen for her.

"Oh girl, you are a sly one. Seriously though Isha, be truthful you just can't wait to get your present," Zack laughed mockingly into the phone.

Aisha pretended to be offended by his assumption but she couldn't get too angry with him especially since he was absolutely correct.

"Whatever," she mumbled, "but you still didn't answer my question."

Zack paused for a moment not wanting to break the news, but he had no choice. "Well to be honest, I'm sorry to say that I am running a little late," he waited for Aisha to blow up at him but she said nothing. "I'm sorry, traffic was bad on the freeway and I just stopped home real quick to change."

Aisha didn't say a word, she was disappointed but she didn't want to ruin the evening before it even began. "Okay, Zack. I guess I'll see you around nine then?"

Zack was shocked at his girlfriend's sensibility, "If even that late," he answered immediately, "I'm practically out the do-" he was cut off by the sound of the knock at the door and Aisha heard it too.

"What was that?" she asked as she allowed the disappointment to sink in.

"Hang on baby, someone's at the door," he replied as he made his way to the front door.

Aisha considered just hanging up the phone but she didn't want Zack to think she was upset with him so she just held on the line and listened to the dead air. As she watched her own gorgeous reflection in the television screen she noticed her face take on an alarming expression and before it registered as to why she realized that she could hear the most horrific cry on the other line and it was coming from her boyfriend.

"Zack! Zack!" she cried in frustration. "Zack, answer me! What's going on!" tears welled up in her eyes. She could no longer hear Zacks struggling moan and she could have sworn that she heard the words, "the other yellow one is at home now, go get her," on the other line, but she wasn't sure. Suddenly the other end went dead and as the tears fell from Aisha's dark brown eyes panic began to set in.

First she dialed Zack's cell again, but all she heard was the cheerful sound of his voicemail message, which only shook her up even more.

"Oh my go-" she began to say, unable to finish her phrase because she felt her lungs clog up.

After taking several deep breaths Aisha once again grasped her phone tightly and began to dial 911, when suddenly there was a knock at her door. She turned her head slowly in the direction of her entryway, which had always seemed so welcoming to her. But now as she starred at it shaking like mad, it scared her to death. She noticed that her phone would not complete her call because it had already gone dead.

"Who is it!" she screamed, trying to sound assertive and somewhat threatening.

But, nobody answered; they just rang the bell this time. Aisha was frozen, and for a moment she wondered if she was going to survive this night alone. It had been quite a while since her ranger days and although she never would have choked then like she was now, she knew that she had to be strong. Quietly she kicked off her silver stilettos and reached for the nearest weapon to her, an umbrella and approached the door cautiously.

"Look," she yelled furiously, "I've already called the cops and they're on their way so you might as well do the smart thing and get the hell out of here!"

The doorbell continued to ring, almost as if it were taunting her. Aisha knew that she had to face whatever was out there and going out the back door just wasn't an option because she had a feeling that no matter how she exited her house, whatever it was would be waiting for her. So she held her breath and slowly cracked open the door, but before she could even take a peak she was shoved back hard, so hard that she fell to the ground and collided with the base of her couch. Luckily the piece of furniture was soft but unluckily the beast whom had pushed her was now standing above her. The site of the creature nearly caused her to hurl and although she had seen ugly monsters in her day, there had never been an ugly quite like this one.

"Get away from me!" she screamed as she kicked at the monster while trying to get up at the same time, but before she could get her footing she was immediately detained by two henchmen.

The henchmen weren't as slimy and grotesque as the other creature but they did smell just as bad and were determined to capture Aisha. As she struggled with all her might she was easily overpowered and soon the leader overtook her face with what appeared to be his hand and the room went foggy and then dark.

"Yes, oh yes, my plan is flawless!" cheered the wicked demon as he watched the weak little yellow ranger faint to the ground into a useless heap. "I never imagined it would be this fun to avenge the death of my brother and create a brand new destiny for my family's legacy. It's just too easy!" The evil lord rose aggressively from his black throne and began pacing back and forth through his sizeable and dimly lit chamber. His feet clanked heavily on the cold stone floor and the sound echoed throughout the palace. "I made a promise to you brother that I would destroy those power rangers once and for all and I will not fail you! Ha, ha, ha…"