Author's Notes: OK, I get it, you're still interested! Thank you to all who reviewed recently. I have a renewed vitality for this story because of you. I seriously lost my groove after getting sick for almost a month and doing a week of night shift. I'm on my way back into it now. Things are starting to pick up, aren't they? To those of you who have inquired about my posting schedule, alas, I'm sorry to report, I don't have one. It takes me anywhere from 4 days to a week and a half to complete a chapter. It depends on how difficult the scene is and how I feel. I do write something everyday, though, even if it's only to proofread and edit what I wrote the night before. I apologize if it's a pain to constantly check back for an update, but I really can't put myself on that kind of schedule. I wouldn't want to make any promises I can't keep. My only suggestion would be for you folks to become registered with and put this story on your author alert list. That way, you'll be e-mailed when it updates. You don't have to be a writer yourself to register. Enjoy! (Yep, it's you, V.)

Chapter 17: Busted!

Tommy didn't exactly follow Principal Randall's instructions by reporting to her office immediately. He wanted to wait until Reefside's students were tucked safely away in second period in order to avoid all of the teasing, staring, and giggling he knew was coming. The Rangers stopped by his desk on their way out of his classroom. Ethan, Trent, and Kira appeared hesitant to approach him, realizing that his privacy had been invaded enough in the last couple of days. Conner, however, had no such reservations. As usual, his bravado and general dinginess had him opening his big mouth before thinking.

"Busted, Dr.O! So tell us, how long has this been going on? Who is she?" His smart-ass grin was wide enough to swallow his whole head. The Red Ranger genuinely seemed to be under the impression that without the rest of the class around, Dr. Oliver would be more willing to dish the dirt on his new lady friend. Boy, was he mistaken.

"I thought I made it clear during class that my personal life was not up for discussion." Tommy knew it was wrong, but he had visions running through his head of knocking the smirk off Conner's face with a roundhouse kick in the teeth. He knew that the kid didn't mean any disrespect, and that it was normal for him to be curious about this new aspect of his mentor's life, but the Red Ranger sometimes had a tendency to talk to his teacher with the same familiarity he used with his buddies. It had been a struggle to draw the fine line between teacher, mentor, teammate, and friend. The other four didn't seem to have any difficulty developing a comfortable relationship with Tommy composed of the proper respect, but Conner sometimes didn't get it.

"Come on! It's just us. Now that everyone has sold you out, you don't have to hide her anymore. Don't you think your teammates should get to meet your girlfriend?"

The other Rangers looked at Tommy hopefully, but didn't say a word. They were as interested as Conner, but none of them had the impoliteness or the nerve enough to ask. For once, they were glad he had no diplomacy. Trent did have one question, though. "Does she know about us, I mean the Rangers?" The others nodded their approval and agreement.

"Guys, listen to me for just a minute. I'm more than a little perturbed right now about my business being invaded like this. Cassidy had no right. Haley had no right. And you all have no right, either. I would have had to tell you about her eventually, but I didn't plan on doing it just yet. Since the choice has been taken away from me in the worst way possible, I know we have to talk. School is not the place, though, especially right now between classes. Later on, at practice, I'll fill you in a little bit, but don't expect any juicy details. I'm only doing this because I've been forced to. I expect that you'll keep whatever I choose to tell you to yourselves." Tommy's expression left no room for argument. "Now get going, or you'll be late for your next class." He managed a slight smile to let them know that he wasn't mad at them, but at the situation.

Tommy returned to his after-class duties before the Rangers even left the room in preparation for the dreaded meeting with Randall. It took him longer than usual to get his papers together in a vain effort to put off the inevitable just a few moments longer. The last thing he needed to do was erase the board. As he removed the chalk notes on the cosmology lecture, he heard footsteps followed by a muffled laugh and a whispered "stop it!" come from behind him. Turning around, he found Conner and Ethan standing in front of his desk. They quickly wiped the grins off their faces once they saw the teacher's disapproving frown. "What is it, guys?" The second period bell would ring any second now, and the two boys were back in his classroom instead of in Phys. Ed., which he knew they had next.

"Uh, well…we were just wondering…is practice still at four?" Ethan stuttered the question, appearing noticeably hesitant about bothering Dr. Oliver again.

"Yes, Ethan. Four o'clock," he replied briskly before returning his attention to the blackboard.

Conner couldn't help the loud snort that unintentionally escaped. He bit his lip to contain any further outbursts just as Ethan smacked him in the arm with another murmured "Stop it, you moron!"

Sighing, Tommy faced the Rangers again, unable to comprehend why the kids were still standing there. "What is it, Conner?" he asked, his irritation at another interruption evident in his voice.

"Uh, nothing, Dr. O," the Red Ranger spit out, making an exaggerated show of rubbing the back of his neck while shifting his weight from side to side in a self-conscious manner. His valiant attempts at keeping the wise-ass smirk from returning were to no avail. Ethan grabbed his arm and tried to drag his tactless friend from the room, but not before their teacher spoke up.

"Conner! What's your problem! You're both supposed to be in gym by now." Tommy had crossed the line from just annoyed to completely pissed off. He gave the two his most severe, no-nonsense look.

Ethan seemed to want to sink right through the linoleum floor. He glanced at Conner, paralyzed with fear over what he would say next. His terror wasn't for nothing.

"Youhaveahickeyonthebackofyourneck," the Red Ranger spit out in a rapid blurb. "Just thought you should know." This time it was Conner that took hold of Ethan and the boys fled from the science lab just as the second period bell rang.

Upon hearing those words, Tommy's stomach dropped to his knees. His hand automatically went to the back of his neck, as if he could feel the mark. Gathering up the rest of his things, he ran from the room himself, headed straight for the restroom in the teacher's lounge. When he roughly flung the wooden door with the frosted glass window open, the only other faculty member in the room, a pretty, young art teacher named Miss Walsh, startled at the abrupt noise. She accidentally knocked her cup of coffee over, due to both the unexpected sound and the sudden appearance of Dr. Oliver. He was the most gorgeous man she'd ever seen, and she became dumbfounded and speechless whenever he was around. Before she could gain enough composure to say 'good morning', he disappeared into the restroom without so much as a look in her direction.

Tommy shut the bathroom door with more force than he intended. For just a split second, he realized that he didn't acknowledge the other teacher in the lounge when he flew by. Oh, well! Manners were the last thing on his mind as he craned his neck in order to find the sucker bite. With a couple contortionist moves, he finally spotted the quarter-sized red mark on the back of his neck towards the right side, just below the edge of his dark hair. The collar of his shirt didn't even begin to cover it unless he walked around with his shoulders shrugged all day, clearly not a practical solution. Goddamnit! Kim must have done that last night, or maybe even this morning in the shower.

Just the thought of Kim and the activities that got him into this predicament calmed him down. He knew she didn't do it on purpose, so he wasn't angry at her. Actually, Tommy was more than a little proud of himself that he could make her lose control like that, but that was beside the point. The lingering evidence of her passion was a serious problem for a high school teacher. What was he going to do, compare hickeys with his students? And he was due in Randall's office ten minutes ago. What would she say if she saw it? God, I'm so screwed. Bad pun.

Deciding that after Haley's temper tantrum and Cassidy's top story, he had been embarrassed as much as humanly possible, and like anything else, how he dealt with it could make or break him. It was up to him not to let it get to him. Taking one last grimacing look at the angry mark and adjusting his shirt collar one last time to no avail, he flushed the toilet to make it seem like he had a reason for being in there, then grabbed his briefcase and took off at a rapid clip for the school office. Halfway there, he remembered that he ignored Miss Walsh in the teacher's lounge again. A brief twinge of guilt dumped itself right on top of all of the other negative emotions filling his psyche. He was incredibly dense where women's signals were concerned, but even he couldn't mistake the petite, blonde art teacher's intentions. She practically drooled whenever he walked by. It seemed strange to him since she was such an attractive woman. There should have been no lack of male attention in her direction. Tommy had even considered asking her out once or twice, but he didn't want to take the risk of getting into another relationship full of secrets and lies. Another reason why Kim was perfect for him. She knew and understood everything.

The office door was upon him in no time. Closing his eyes for a second to center himself, he turned the brass doorknob and let himself in. Mrs. Reynolds immediately looked up from her typing. When she saw him, she rushed from behind her desk to his side. "Dr. Oliver, I saw the broadcast. I'm appalled! That busybody young lady had no business…"

Tommy cut her off. "Mrs. Reynolds, it's OK. I'm fine," he tried to reassure her. It was important that he didn't show his tension to anyone, not even other faculty members. The more he thought about it, this challenge reminded him of one of the many creatures he fought during his tenure as a Power Ranger. They started out small, but still packed quite a punch. Inevitably though, they grew into larger than life monstrosities. Well, there hasn't been one yet that he hasn't somehow defeated, and he was determined that the HaleyCassidyMsRandall monster was going to be no different. All it took was honor, confidence, and perseverance. He had plenty of that.

"She's in there waiting for you, dear." The elderly secretary laid a gentle hand on his arm in a kind gesture of support. She had seen other good-looking teachers garner unwanted attention from students in her forty years at the school, but this was the worst. Not only did the poor young man have his personal life splattered all over Reefside High, but he had to deal with that nasty Principal Randall, too. Mrs. Reynolds had a sneaking suspicion that the mean woman had a bit of a crush on Dr. Oliver, herself. If that were the case, this news would make her insanely jealous, and of absolutely no help when it came to punitive measures for Cassidy and Devin.

"Thank you, Mrs. Reynolds." Tommy barely managed a polite smile for the lady. "Well, here I go," he mumbled as he approached the closed door to Randall's office. He knocked lightly, and then awaited his doom.

It seemed like eternity, but in reality was only a few moments before Ms. Randall swung the door open and motioned him inside without a word. If that was the game she was playing, Tommy would show her that he could play, too. He strolled in casually, also silent, but rather than taking a seat, he remained standing in a subtle show of insubordination.

After closing them in, Randall slowly stalked Dr. Oliver, circling him like a vulture waiting for her prey. She didn't speak until she finally came to a stop in front of him. "Sit down!"

"No thanks, I'd rather stand," Tommy replied defiantly. He didn't know what the woman was up to, but already he could tell that he could not count on her for support with this matter.

"Fine." Randall haughtily spun around and strode behind her desk. For several moments, they engaged in a stare-down competition, neither of them relenting in this battle of wills.

Finally, Tommy decided that there was no point in continuing the stubborn match. She had called him in there, but since she didn't seem in a hurry to tell him why, he figured he'd start the ball rolling before they wasted any more time. "Ms. Randall, did you want to talk to me about something?" His tone was respectful enough, but couldn't be considered polite.

"Yes, Dr. Oliver, I do," she drawled. "I saw the school news report this morning."

"So did I. What's your point?" In the past, Tommy would have never dreamed of talking to his boss that way, but Randall's attitude toward him just pushed all his wrong buttons. He was in no mood for her crap today.

"A redhead? My, my, my, Dr. Oliver, don't we move fast? It looks like you had a nice weekend. No wonder you didn't have time to meet me for that drink. You were extremely occupied. I suppose I no longer have to worry about your well-being." Sarcasm dripped thickly from her voice.

"I asked you what your point was." He was a mere inch from stomping right out the door, but retained enough control to stay put, if for no other reason than curiosity.

"Who says I have a point to make? I just wanted to congratulate you on your new 'relationship'. The two of you looked very happy together."

"Thank you." He could tell she was instigating a conflict, but he wouldn't give her the satisfaction of giving her the reaction she expected.

"So…who is she, Tommy? You don't mind if I call you Tommy, do you?"

"Whatever."

"Well? Fill me in. I want all the sordid details." Her tone was taking a more seductive turn, reaffirming his suspicion that she would be jealous since he turned down her invitation Friday morning. Her efforts to sound sultry did nothing to cover up her true meaning.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Randall, but that's personal information. It's no one's business but mine and hers, and it certainly isn't fodder for the school's gossip pool. Now what do you plan to do about Cassidy and Devin?"

"Do? What would I do? They haven't done anything wrong." She knew that Dr. Oliver would want the kids punished in some way, so that was exactly what she would refuse to give him.

"What do you mean 'they haven't done anything'? They followed me and my friend around with a video camera, then showed it in every classroom in the school! They had no right. I can't believe you think there's nothing wrong with that!" Tommy's temper was barely hanging by a rapidly-fraying rope. He couldn't help pacing the floor in the small office, taking one deep breath after another in a vain effort to gain some serenity. In the end, he figured there was no use trying to hide his anger. It was too late now.

"Your 'friend'? Come now, Tommy. I hardly think a lady you wined and dined all evening, and then escorted back to a hotel could be called just a 'friend'."

"What difference does it make what I call her? Cassidy and Devin were out of line, and I expect that something be done about it!" Tommy was about to explode. His irate pacing came to a stop in with his hand in the door knob. He wanted to get out of there before he said or did something that would put his job in jeopardy.

Ms. Randall grinned wickedly at the progress she'd made. Tommy was livid and about to storm out. It was time to move in for the kill. Just as she was mentally planning her final blow, she noticed the bright red blotch on the back of his neck. Perfect. "Oh, Tommy! What did she do to you?" She hoped her innocent tone would cause him to momentarily let his guard down. Slinking over to where he stood with his back to her, breathing heavily, she delicately laid a hand on his shoulder, running it up to his neck in a seductive caress. Her index finger began to lightly circle the mark before he forcefully shrugged her away.

"Cut it out!" He turned the knob, ready to escape, but she wouldn't let him go.

The attractive principal placed her hand over his on the doorknob, leaning close to him. He was visibly sweating now. She had him just where she wanted him. "You know, Tommy, if you would only give me a chance, I could put an even bigger one on the other side." Her voice was a delicate whisper in his ear. She allowed her warm breath to float over his face and neck, her lips only inches away from his skin.

Tommy broke out in goose bumps at her touch despite his revulsion to the woman. Damn neck fetish! He was determined that whatever she was trying to do wasn't going to work, so he broke loose of her using a basic martial arts technique that freed him without injuring her. His briefcase was lying on one of the chairs so he grabbed it and sidestepped her next effort to contain him, deciding that if she put up too much of a fight this time, he wouldn't be so concerned about hurting her. He fled Randall's office as well as the outer section where Mrs. Reynolds sat. A couple of students were gathered around the woman's desk, but he didn't care. He slammed the door behind him and practically ran down the hall back to his classroom, dodging stray students and their odd stares as he went along.

Ms. Randall just watched him flee, satisfied that she was able to get under his skin. The pang of envy and desire she felt upon seeing the love bite on his neck flooded her senses and prompted her to come on to him even stronger. Her mind was reeling with the unfamiliar emotions. Maybe the key to winning Tommy, uh, winning Tommy's trust, might just be to give him what he's craving. If it's sex he wants, then that's what he'll get. And if his little slut were to find out, even better.

A flash of sinister light flared in the office as Ms. Randall transformed into Elsa, henchwoman of Mesogog and sworn enemy of the Power Rangers. I will make you proud, Master. You'll see… And she disappeared into the glowing, green invisiportal that appeared in the room, eager to report the news of Tommy Oliver's relationship and of her plan to ruin it.