Summary: Tommy has an important announcement to make but he seems a little nervous to make it. Can the other rangers convince him to "pop the question?"

Author's Notes: Just to let you all know, the woman in a few chapters back. That's only meant to be humorous. Anyway, my friends, I hope you're enjoying the story so far.

XXXXXXX

December 11th, 2005

A week had passed since Andros had left for the mission and the air around the Oliver homestead grew with anxiousness. Everyone could see the new side to their mentor; the worry written across his face. Things had also become interesting at school with rumor's abuzz. Many people had taken up a mock vote on who'd win what award/trophy. Even the teachers had got in on the little entertainment; mock voting as well.

"So Trent, who do you think is going to win the art contest?" Kimberly asked, leaning forward on the desk. "You've got some amazing students in your class."

Trent frowned, scratching his forehead and shrugged. "To be totally honest, I thought Sierra would be here to join because she had the best talent out of the class." He scratched his chin and frowned again. "But with her no longer here, well…I'd probably have to say Michael. He uses my style of art so I can relate more closely to him."

"I heard you got a Letter of Recommendation from DC Comics?" Kim asked, sipping on pop. "You going to accept it?"

Trent shrugged lightly and bit into his fry. He glanced up at her, seeing the loving grin and then looked away. "I don't know; probably not. DC is the king of superheros, but I think Marvel has more down to earth characters. If I'm going to do a comic, I want to relate to my characters. In DC, sure you can get a long with some of the characters; perhaps know what it's to lose someone you love, but that's it really. Marvel really makes you like their characters. I mean, take Spiderman for example. Your everyday, average kid becomes superhero with everyday problems. Name a DC character that has those problems."

Kim thought for a moment and then shrugged. "Maybe DC prefers to look at the more superhero issues rather then everyday, mortal issues?"

Trent shrugged defiantly and leaned back in the chair. "Marvel does that and more. They show you two sides of a character where-as DC only shows you one. With Marvel characters you can relate to money issues, or home life problems. DC, you rarely ever see them. The closest ones I can think of are maybe Green Lantern or Batman. But even then, the true focal points of those comics are the supernatural."

"X-Men doesn't focus on everyday issues?" Kim countered and took a bite of her hamburger. Ah…such delicacy…a cheeseburger.

"Perhaps not as in depth as Spiderman, but the X-Crew needs to deal with racism and being treated fair while at the same time trying to protect the world and universe, at times." Trent popped another fry into his mouth and grinned. "Marvel is all about everyday issues rather then just superhero issues."

Kim frowned and rolled her eyes. "Alright, comic genius, who are you signing with? DC or Marvel?" She pressured again, swirling her pop around before taking a drink. "You can't just turn them down."

Trent looked at the table almost worriedly. "To be honest, I really don't want either. I'd much rather start my own independent business. That way I can focus on whatever issues I want, whatever plots I want without having some giant corporation breathing down my neck every second." He looked around the mall, trying to find Conner and the others. "Speaking of giant corporations, where's Mr. Billy Gates himself, Ethan at? I thought he was bringing Conner and Kira to have lunch with us?"

She shrugged and looked around as well. "Last I know they were coming up from home. You do have to realize from Tommy's place to here is about an hour's drive. It's not like they can just zip here in an instant." She bit her tongue as Trent grinned. "Alright, maybe they can, but I doubt they would. Do you see Ethan, Conner or Tommy being logical?"

Trent shook his head. "Ethan I could see as the most logical one of the three. Tommy only ranks over Conner for the simple reason he's a doctor of paleontology. Otherwise I think Conner has him beat in logic."

"There they are!" Kim squeaked, pointing towards their friends. Trent turned and nearly fell over at the sight before him. Ethan was dressed in the most horrendous blue tuxedo he'd ever seen in his life. The bow-tie was a different shade of blue and had "Ethan" sued in it. Conner looked like the walking devil himself; dressed in a bright, blood red jacket with a red-shirt and black pants. Dr. O…was well Dr. O; dressed in a tight fitted, long sleeve black shirt with loose fitting black khaki's. Nothing out of the ordinary, but definitely a Tommy thing.

"Well look who showed up: Mister and Misses Fashion Statement. Conner…Ethan…what the hell is wrong with you guys? I think you two broke every fashion rule there is in the history of mankind." Trent mocked, shaking Ethan's tuxedo. "Oh man…you two look horrendous. By the way, where's Kira?"

"Thanks." Ethan frowned and rolled his eyes. "Kira is at home; she didn't feel like coming."

Trent glanced at Conner, nearly glaring. "And you left her alone?"

Conner threw his hands up in defense, waving them around. "No, no. Don't blame me. Dude, she kicks hard as hell. So I didn't have much of choice. She practically threw me out the door."

"Ouch. What'd you do to piss her off?" Trent asked, looking around at the other two. Conner shrugged and let his head fall.

"Your guess is as good as mine." Conner sighed and shook his head, letting his shoulders sink. For a moment there was silence but Kimberly glanced at Tommy, seeing him sweat and shake slightly.

"Tommy, are you okay?" She asked, leaning forward on one arm.

Perfectly fine Kimberly. Oh, by the way, will you marry me? "Yeah, I'm fine." He gave her a fake smile and shrugged. "Just thinking about Andros; hoping he's okay." He fiddled with something in his pocket.

"Oh really? Then what is that in your pocket?" She asked, almost in an interrogative-like voice.

I just asked you to marry me, isn't that a good enough clue? "Oh, it's the Green Ranger Power Coin. That's the other thing that has me nervous." He lied and stopped fiddling with it. "It has me, Billy and Hayley baffled at why Zordon switched out my Dino Gem with the Dragonzord powers."

"Can you still use your invisibility powers?" Trent asked, raising a brow. Tommy nodded his hand as his hand went invisible.

"The difference between this invisibility power is I can control which part of my body goes invisible rather then everything at once." He said as his hand reappeared. "I think it's also because of the Dragonzord coin's power that affects the Dino Gem's power. I mean…I can still go completely invisible…but…I just have more control."

"Interesting…do you think you'll ever get your Dino Gem back?" Conner asked, glancing between Trent and Tommy. "It feels kind of awkward having a Ranger then isn't Dino Thunder."

Tommy laughed and then shrugged. "I don't know, to be totally honest. For all I know, the Dino Gem maybe destroyed." Conner winced and looked away. "Billy and Hayley are trying to pinpoint the location of the Dino Gem now."

"Do you think Zordon has it?" Kim said, eating another fry. "Considering he did recharge your Power Coin."

Tommy shrugged and rolled his eyes. "To be honest Kim, I really don't know. I'd much rather have the Dino Gem over this power coin though." He glanced down at it and scowled. "At least with the Dino Gem I don't have to worry about someone turning me evil."

Kim winced at that. "True. Anyway, enough chatter about Ranger duties. Aren't we here to see a movie?"

Cheers erupted from the Rangers, except for Tommy. He had gone back to his brooding mood; shaking, sweating and staring blankly into the distant. Kimberly smiled and gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek before leading him towards the movie…

XXXXXXX

"Dude! Did you see that car chase? It was sick, man!" Ethan exclaimed, his eyes wide with wonder. "How cool was that?"

Kim yawned. "The most god awful movie I've seen in my life." She said, hanging onto Tommy's arm. "Fast and the Furious 3 was nothing like the original. The original smoked this one."

Ethan stood before them all, his mouth wide. "Blasphemy! How could you say that to one of the most anticipated car movies of all time?"

"She's got a point, man." Conner said, hands jammed into his pockets. "That movie sucked something else. Hell, even 2 Fast, 2 Furious was better then this movie. Critiques rated that movie an all time low."

Ethan shook his head and fell in line with the others. "My best friends are turning against me. What is the world coming to." He sobbed mockingly, holding his head.

Conner slapped his friend on the back, grinning. "Don't worry, buddy old pale. Thinks will be looking up in now time when we get home. Kira was heading out to the movie store and I guess picked up some more movies for us to watch."

Tommy raised a brow and leaned forward. "Oh lord. My stomach hurts just thinking about the movies she picked out." He winced, feeling Kim sock him in the air. "Gone with the wind…" He pretended to be ready to puke. "Old Yeller…" he faked throwing up now, clutching his stomach. Kim hissed and smacked him on the back, exciting a roar of pain from the teacher.

"That's what you get for mocking her." Kim scoffed and headed off without him. Tommy rolled his eyes and smacked his forehead.

"This was the number one reason I dreaded going out with women!" He whispered whiningly and stormed after Kimberly.

Conner glanced at Ethan and shook his head. "Worst comes to worst: we find him sleeping on the couch tonight."

XXXXXXX

Kira lay on the couch, staring at the ceiling. The others had been gone for nearly an hour now; the movie set to start in a half hour. It was only 7:30 and already it was pretty dark out there. It was the beginning of December after all and over the past few days they'd been receiving snow off and on. She smiled at the ceiling, thinking about Christmas Time with Conner; one that would be full of joy, laughter…and hopefully lots of presents. She scratched her chin, staring at the ceiling bewilderedly; she never really saw herself as the type of girl who wanted presents, but for some reason this year was a bit different. She smiled lightly and closed her eyes, remembering all the past Christmas's she had. They had been usual ones, considering her parents were divorced; being at ones parents place one year and then another parents place another, it made it difficult to really enjoy the spirit of Christmas. But now she had Conner, Ethan, Kim and Dr. O; people she could family and someone she could call a lover.

Her hand rested on her stomach as she smiled and glanced over at the wall, seeing a picture of the Dino Team, minus Kimberly. The picture had been taken just before they had found out Trent knew about Mesogog. Those times were some of the happiest memories she ever had. Having just met Trent for the first time, a lot of the Ranger past was finally disclosed. Most of had been about Tommy's experience as an evil ranger, but history none-the-less. She even learned about the Ranger Reunions that had been going on. Unfortunately, Tommy had absolutely refused to go to any of them, the thought still lingered now. She'd met the Ninja Rangers, the original Pink Ranger and Andros, but there was still so many more she didn't know.

But then she remembered Billy, the original Blue Ranger and Blue Ninja Ranger. He hadn't said much to her or the other rangers since his arrival, but it wouldn't hurt to ask him. She stood up and quickly made her way to the basement and saw the light on. She heard voices coming from the computer station and grinned. Good, he's still up.

She rounded the corner and saw Billy sitting there, tapping away at one computer while Hayley jotted notes down on a pad of paper. Clearing her throat, she startled the two geniuses and waved.

"Sorry, I just came down to talk to Billy. I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" she asked politely, glancing at the computer screens.

"Kind of." Billy said and shrugged. "What'd you want, Kira?"

"Well…I was upstairs thinking and I wanted to ask you a question. Tommy told us about his ranger past, but he never told us much about the original rangers. Seeing as you w-"

"No." Billy interrupted and looked away. She could of sworn she heard anger in his voice. "I already know what your question is and the answer is no. Go bug Kimberly; I'm sure she'd love tell you the story of how she broke Tommy's heart."

"Look, I'm sorry I didn't mean to anger you. Considering I'm a Power Ranger I thought it would d-"

"Leave!" Billy snapped, turning his chair. He glared daggers at the young woman and the very sight of it had her recoiling in fright. "Go bug Tommy and Kimberly some more."

Kira said nothing more and quickly bolted up the stairs. Billy sighed and shook his head lightly before cradling it. "You didn't have to get angry with her, Billy." Hayley said, resting a hand on his shoulder. "She is right. Tommy doesn't say much about the past rangers."

Billy glanced at her and sighed. "Yeah, I know, Hayley. Sorry for getting angry, but the past is a sensitive subject for me. With the death of Trini and all...it's hard to get used to the fact she's dead. Anyway, can we get back to fixing up the Megazord?"

Hayley frowned and nodded reluctantly. Kira looked away from the duo and looked at the ground. Now she realized the anger and quietly made her way up the stairs. She was determined to get her answers now…

XXXXXXX

What's this? Another CHAPTER? OHMIGODHEARTFAILURE! Anyway, I'm sorry about the woman-Adam scene in one of the previous chapters. It was never meant to bring about anger or anything and I'd like to state this very clearly: that is no, nor has ever been my outlook on women.

Anyway, now that little matter is cleared up, can anyone guess what is coming up in the next couple chapters? I do.

Smack Tiger, you better know what the fuck is coming up. You're the author. Sierra smacks Koji again

May the Powers Protect You…