---
Alex sat quietly on the side of the street, looking around slowly, trying to appear as inconspicious as he could in his pure, white uniform; he glanced at his watch, ten minutes till eight o'clock, the Rangers would be arriving soon, to start another day of searching. He tapped his foot on the concrete, not in impatience, but in apprehension---they had made an infuriating little amount of progress, and he knew the frustration was growing in all of them; but they could not ignore it, soon they would strike again, he was sure.
"Ready?"
He looked up, blinking quickly when he spotted Jen standing a few feet away, a coffee cup in each hand a small, shy smile on her face; for a second, she looked just like the young girl he had known years ago, so insecure and nervous. He returned her smile.
"What'd you have there?"
"Ah . . . well, I figured you could use a little pick-me-up." She shrugged. "I know I did anyway." She bit her lower lip, chewing on it uncomfortably. "You still like it black . . . ?"
"Yes." She remembers. "Sit down . . . let's see if we can wake up."
She reluctantly sat at his side, handing him a cup and sipping her own, closing her eyes briefly and enjoying the calming aroma and taste; Alex watched her, his face softening as his eyes focused only on her, she glanced out of the corner of her own eye and saw him, a light blush appeared in her cheeks. "What? Did I dribble?"
He chuckled. "No. It's just . . . " What can I say? Definitely not what I'm really thinking. "You really do look wonderful."
She stared at him for a moment, obviously surprised by his kind words, but---to his shock---not rejecting them, instead she smiled again. "Thank you," she said, "you don't look so bad yourself, you know." She immediately blushed, as if embarrassed to return the compliment, hastily changing the subject: "So I guess you stayed up all night working?"
"No . . . not all night."
"We promised."
"And you mean to tell me you went to bed early?" Alex's eyebrow shot up skeptically. "You've never been a liar, Jennifer." Damn it, why did I call her that? He was only one who ever used her full name, as was she the only one who ever used his, but that was when they were in love . . .
She didn't seem to notice. "I went to sleep early," she insisted, then added: "Early for me." As he opened his mouth, she cut him off with a wave of her hand: "I did a little work, then ran into some old files I had saved." Her face paled, as if she had mentioned something unintentionally.
"Oh? What were they?"
You just had to press it, Alex. "Nothing," she said, too quickly to be the truth, "just some clips I had taken with that old camera of mine, and forgotten to delete."
A flash of memory . . . a much younger Alex with his strong arms wrapped around his waist protectively, his head resting on the top of her's as she smiled up at him . . . Jen shuddered, taking another sip of her coffee as Alex looked away slowly, his own thoughts torturing him.
"Listen, I . . . " his voice trailed off aimlessly, and she heard his quiet curse when he couldn't finish whatever it was he wanted to say. His elbows rested on his knees and he stared down at his hands clasped around the cup in front of him, avoiding her heavy gaze efficiently; a wave of hurt washed over her, not just her own, but to see him struggling.
"Alex---"
"Hey, guys!"
Trip's voice stopped her before she could continue, and she sat back as if nothing was about to happen; Lucas and Katie trailed behind the young Xybrian, who walked with his usual enthusiasm, the dangers of the jobs hadn't dappened his spirits any---and, secretly, they were all grateful for it.
"You're late," Jen teased, a small smile playing on her lips as an assurance to her friends. "Five minutes."
"Well, we can't all be perfect," Katie pointed out, glancing at Alex as he looked up. "What're you two up to?" She smiled curiously at Jen, who shot a warning glare at her.
"Nothing," she snapped, "just discussing what needs to get done."
"Coffee . . . " Katie sniffed the air, "smells good."
"Needed something to get us awake," Jen spoke again, turning back to Alex: "Well, shall we?"
"Let's get started," Alex agreed, standing and walking over to join them, "I did some research last night, trying to track Frax's whereabouts." He paused. "I'm pretty certain that's who we're really dealing with her. Jen and I talked about it, and I'm sure she agrees." He looked to her, and she nodded her confirmation. "So we know some of Frax's strengths and weaknesses already, a bit of an advantage."
"He is human," Trip put in, "despite being 'rebuilt' as a robot. Part of him still thinks like a human . . . even feels like one."
"Which means he's not as dangerous as real robots," Lucas said, "at least he can feel pain."
"Unfortunately," Alex went on, "he's also aware of our strengths and weaknesses. Our best bet there is that, after nearly a millenia, he's forgotten." He shrugged. "Somehow I doubt that."
"But we're stronger now," Katie said, "more experienced . . . better technology. He can't possibly be aware of Time Force's new equipment."
"Correct," Alex said, "the Force doesn't exactly make a habit out of handing out classified info to known criminals."
"But," Jen stepped in, "it has been known to happen." Flashes of memory . . . Steelix's betrayal and arrest, his vicious return that nearly cost her the Pink Chrono Morpher, and her life. "We have to keep that in mind, he might have an ally within the ranks."
Alex nodded. "Unfortunately, Jen's right about that." He sighed quietly, it seemed there was no way of tracing Frax's next move . . . until it really happened, and was too late for the victims. "He doesn't seem to have a pattern, like all he wants is to get his revenge on everyone, not just us."
"I think he's trying to bait us," Jen said, "he knows wherever there's trouble, we'll be there."
"It has to be us he's after," Katie agreed.
As she finished speaking, Alex's communicator beeped wildly, a red light flashing from where he wore it on his wrist; quickly, he raised and asked: "What is it?"
"Seems our mysterious robot has moved again," came Logan's voice, "you need to get to San Francisco, ASAP."
"Roger that." He snapped the lid shut and looked at the Rangers: "Well, we heard him. Lucas, you drive."
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He was engulfed in misery, and it was all that filled his mind as he crouched in the dark corner, tears streaming down his hidden face, beneath the golden mask he was constantly forced to wear; he cursed himself silently for even bothering to resurrect himself. I should have died in that fire . . . but he hadn't given up, instead had rebuilt himself as a 'better being', determind to someday---somehow---get his revenge.
Despite his outward appearance, he was still very much a human, and was reminded of it everyday by simple things such as hunger, or thirst . . . or loneliness; and now, as he huddled against the brick bakery, the latter was taking hold. He heard snickers coming from the dark streets as people saw him there, covered in a long cloak and shivering uncontrollably, it was constant now, and sometimes he even thought it didn't bother him anymore.
"You there!"
He jumped and turned at once, instantly seeing a silhouette of a broad-shouldered man standing at the end of the alley; it was impossible to see his face, but he appeared to be strong, and wearing some sort of weapon on his hip.
"What are you doing?" the man demanded.
"J-Just trying to stay warm . . . " He cursed his mechanical voice, watching the man stiffen when he heard it. "It's a chilly night, you know."
"Yes." The man stepped into the light shining down from an apartment room above, revealing a chiseled face with dark hair and shockingly pale, blue eyes---he wore a Time Force uniform. "What do you have in your arms?"
Damn it. "N-Nothing---"
"Sir," the man cut him off, "I'm sorry, but I have to check. There have been numerous robberies in the area recently---"
"I didn't steal anything!"
The officer again took a step. "Give it to me."
His defenses shot up, his eyes flickered and his blood boiled within him---how dare this man accuse him of anything? And, even if he did steal, did it ever occur to him that it was because it was desperately needed? No, of course not. This man has never known what it's like to be an outcast. To eat out of dumpsters.
"Get away," he snapped.
As he spoke, he reached for the weapon he kept hidden in his coat, alarming the officer enough so he snatched his blaster and levelled it at him: "Don't move! Don't you dare put your hand back in your coat."
"You selfish bastard," Dr. Louis Ferricks snarled, "you have no idea what it's been like---"
"Nor do I give a shit!" the man shouted, "now put your hands up!"
Ferricks laughed, a cold laugh that obviously disturbed his new opponent enough to catch him off-guard, giving the former doctor enough time to speak before making his move: "Well . . . maybe now your family will suffer as I have!" He shot out his robotic arm, red lasers streaming out before the officer could make a move, striking him square in the chest; he flew back several feet, landing on the sidewalk wih a painful thud.
The man-turned-robot strode forward boldly, still laughing as he watched the officer moan and struggle to get to his feet, helpless with his injuries and no help for miles; yet no fear shone in his eyes, a fact that angered Ferricks even more. "You think you're so much better than me," he muttered, "now who is superior?"
"Just because . . . you defeated me," the man gasped, his voice weakening as he fell back on the ground again, "doesn't mean someone . . . someday . . . won't bring you in."
"Ha! Too bad you won't live to see it!"
The man's light eyes narrowed ever-so-slightly, flashing with life and anger. "Why . . . are you doing this?" he whispered.
"Because you---and your kind---treated me like nothing!" Ferricks screamed, "and now will die because of it!"
In one final burst of defiance, the officer sat up on his elbows with great effort, staring up at his enemy and saying in as strong of a voice as he could muster: "You are nothing. Nothing of any worth . . . to anyone."
Without another word, Ferricks---now Frax---killed him in one shot to the head, blood splattered up on him, the man's body collapsed, limp and lifeless on the side of the road. Frax clenched his fist, glaring down at the young officer, so cocky in life . . . and now so . . . dead. Nothing? We'll see . . .
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Jen watched anxiously as they sped into the ancient city, civilians outside were clearly frightened, running down the streets, tears in their eyes and on their cheeks; her stomach tightened and convulsed threateningly, her hometown was under attack, her neighbors and family running for their lives. Instantly, her fear was replaced by overwhelming anger---he's crossed the line now.
"Jen?"
Oddly, she felt a sense of calmness surround her at his soft voice, she shook it off dismissively and turned to see Alex suiting up for a fight; he looked at her quickly, focusing on loading his weapon: "We're almost there. You ready?"
"Of course," she replied, confidently.
She ran her fingers through her thick hair, taking controlled breaths, studying Alex as he readied himself and checked the others; he sat down again, reaching for something and holding it close for a moment, Jen looked harder and saw a handsome man in the picture, wearing a uniform and standing by . . . Alex and his mother.
"Your father?" she assumed.
Alex started, then tucked the picture away quickly. "Yes."
"Your mother once told me he was killed," Jen said, softly, "but you never talked about him. I always wondered . . . well, it's none of my business."
"I was fourteen," Alex told her, "when they found his body on the sidewalk after a night patrol. They never caught the killer." He shuddered, lifting something else, a piece of paper with slobby writing across it. "Whoever it was . . . left this."
Jen leaned forward. "May I . . . ?" she held out her hand, surprised when he handed it to her, and even more surprised when she read the message:
It has begun. Hatred never ends. And nor will my revenge.
Soon you will all know.
Dr. F
She repeated it softly, then stared at Alex in disbelief: "Is this . . . ? I mean, 'Doctor F', who is he . . . " her voice trailed off, afraid to ask the question she was sure she knew the answer to. Alex nodded, taking the paper from her:
"I guess it's weird that I carry it with me into battle," he admitted, "but it reminds me of why I joined the Force, and why I fight." He swallowed. "Not for revenge, Jennifer, that was his way. For justice." He slipped the note into his jacket. "Doctor F . . . Doctor Ferricks . . . Frax . . . it doesn't matter what he goes by, I know what he did."
"Oh my god."
"Hey, guys!" Lucas called, as the vehicle rocked under fire, "perp at twelve o'clock!"
Alex locked gazes with Jen, they spoke silently, then leapt out of the moving vehicle as it slowed down, giving them cover long enough so they could aim and return fire; Cyclobots fell away, revealing the golden robot who led them all. Jen looked around, spotting her team, then straightened:
"Time for Time Force!"
As they morphed, Alex dove behind the vehicle again and shot from below, taking out the legs of some of the Cyclobots before moving to his next position while the Rangers ran forward fearlessly, their Chrono Sabers drawn; he followed them cautiously, more vulnerable in his unmorphed form. Quietly, he took out Frax's army one-by-one, unnoticeably, while the others tried to reach the main one; finally, Jen got through and struck Frax across his chest with her saber, sending sparks flying over them. Frax yelled in pain, shoving Jen aside carelessly as Lucas arrived, shooting three good shots into his chest and neck; the robot again groaned, then his leg shot forward and sent Lucas flying back a few meters.
Jen jumped up from behind, kicking Frax in the back of his knees, then wrapping her forearm around his thin neck and yanking mercilessly till he fell back and lay on the ground, but he was still undefeated; unexpectedly, he kicked back and hit Jen in the helmet, she staggered back, dazed for a moment. Katie and Trip attacked as one, slashing at him wildly, trying their best to inflict some damage, but to no avail; Frax elbow Katie in the stomach, then smacked her in the upper back, sending her to her knees before gripping Trip's neck and flinging him across the street.
Alex gritted his teeth, charging forward from the side and jumping up, kicking first with his left leg into Frax's back, then twisting in mid-air so his right leg connected with the back of Frax's head; Jen had recovered enough to be back in the fight, and she again came from behind, striking Frax in the lower back with her saber. But the robot struggled away, then turned, facing them for the first time in a thousand years:
"Still as useless as ever," he laughed, "just like before. With that weak Quantum Ranger . . . " his red eyes flashed, and Jen stiffened. "And that pathetic Red Ranger. I did away with him easily."
Jen looked at Alex, but he avoided her gaze, speaking only to Frax: "There's no point in trying to intimidate us, Frax. We defeated you once, remember?"
"Yes, yes," Frax admitted, "but I've had a millenia to grow from that experience. To learn . . . to make certain adjustments."
"We can adapt just as easily," Trip said, staggering over.
Frax laughed insanely. "We shall see!"
He shot out both arms, flashes of red light flew through the air toward the Rangers, who tried in vain to dodge the blows; one hit Katie in the stomach, another glanced off Lucas' shoulder, causing him to lose his balance. Alex and Jen dove forward into somersaults, coming upright just a few feet from Frax, their blasters firing in unison straight up into the robot's midsection; he screamed in anger and pain, turning his attention to them. Jen jumped to her feet quickly, agile as ever, missing the bone-crushing blow; Alex moved as fast as possible, but as he twisted to get away, he felt his back flare in defiance, shooting pain up to his neck, he gasped, nearly falling. Frax reached for him, his hand outstretched and lasers online, but he rolled away as Jen turned back and ran to help him, she gripped his arms, pulling him up and away in time; he nodded his thanks to her, but she hardly noticed, already going on the offensive.
Alex shook off the pain and followed closely behind her as she leapt into the air, her foot striking Frax across the side of his head, he spun away, dizzy; Alex brought up his blaster, firing directly into the robot's chest, Frax stumbled backward. Jen continued forward, unafraid, and for a brief moment, Alex allowed himself a smile as he watched her confidently going on . . .
. . . "You were really awesome out there today," he said, softly, tucking a strand of wild hair behind her ear as he lay back on his elbows, watching her sitting beside him on the grass. She shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips but her eyes full of dismay, and shame:
"No. You saved my ass . . . again."
"Come on now," he said, almost chuckling, "I couldn't have done it without you."
"Yes, you could have," Jen insisted, "you're the Red Ranger, I'm the . . . I don't know what I am. The dorky sidekick." She tried to laugh it off, shrugging as if she didn't care; Alex frowned, sitting up so he met eyes with her.
"Jennifer," he spoke, sternly but lovingly, "you are a great officer, and you'll get even better." He touched her cheek gently. "I can see it in you, you're not sure now, but I am."
"Really?"
"I'm positive." He kissed her slowly, feeling her relax beneath his touch, then he leaned back and smiled again. "Someday, you'll be better than I can ever be . . . "
. . . Alex heard the blast before he felt the impact, then he found himself lying on his back on the concrete, he looked around frantically, finally seeing a flash of pink and Jen still fighting fiercely with Frax, who---despite his damages---was still very much in the battle. Alex got to his feet slowly, grabbing his weapon that had slid several feet away during the blast; he looked away for a second, then felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up with horror as he heard a painful scream and the whining of a laser beam.
Not thinking, he snatched up his weapon and began running as fast as he could for Frax, who was tossing Jen aside carelessly; she collapsed on the ground, demorphing as she hit to reveal a battered face and bloodied uniform. Alex levelled his blaster at Frax's head, his finger pressed on the trigger . . . just as the robot disappeared in a blinding flash of light.
Alex stopped, breathing heavily and cursing for his failure, then he dropped his weapon and hurried over to Jen, who was struggling to sit up. "No," he said, firmly, "let me help. You need to be taken to an infirmary."
"Shut up, Alex," Jen said, smiling despite her obvious pain, "I'm fine."
"Yeah, okay." Alex rolled his eyes, slipping an arm around her waist and pulling her up, supporting her weight as her legs gave out. "Let's get you out of here."
Her glazed eyes turned to him, and for a moment she didn't appear to know where she was or what was going on, then she spoke: "Alex . . . ?"
"Jennifer?"
She fell into his arms, her eyes rolling up into her head and her body becoming limp, Alex held her tightly, scooping her up and carrying her away as the other Rangers rejoined him, still reeling from their own injuries; one-by-one, they stepped aside, staring as he walked through the rubble, Jen's arms around his neck, her head resting on his shoulder.
When no one was looking anymore, Alex gazed down at Jen, peaceful in unconsciousness, and still beautiful; he leaned over, kissing her forehead gently.
TBC