I'm so close to finishing, so here's another chapter...

Chapter 11: The Dance

At the park…

"I want to thank everyone who came here today and helped out with the project. It really means a lot to the community and you all did a spectacular job. Angel Grove is well on its way to becoming beautiful and strong again," Cheers rang through the audience. "And to thank you for your wonderful work, we will now proceed on with the dance!" More cheers split the air as volunteers shouted in merriment and satisfaction. "So, everyone go and get cleaned up that we can begin the fun. By the time you guys come back, the park will be transformed into the party you've earned." A final round of applause hits the June atmosphere, and people began to scatter, going their separate ways to get ready for the celebration.

Elizabeth dismounted the small podium, turning to one of the volunteers. "Thanks, Emily. Want me to help you take this back?"

"No, that's okay. I borrowed it from Lieutenant Stone and my house is on the way to the station, so I'll just drop it off. Go get ready for the party. You worked hard too, girl." Emily beamed, shoving Elizabeth in the direction of the shelters. Elizabeth waved goodbye, joining her friends in a single line.

"Ready to roll?" Rocky asked, swinging one arm over his friend.

"Absolutely, it's time to mingle." Elizabeth replied. She frowned slightly as she noticed that Kat was looking slightly put down. She untangled herself from Rocky's embrace, walking over to Kat. The other Rangers continued chatting amongst themselves, leaving Kat and Elizabeth to talk quietly.

"What's wrong, Kat?" Elizabeth asked softly, in case this was a private matter Kat didn't want to discuss with the others.

The Pink Ranger sighed heavily. "I have no idea what I'm going to wear to this dance," Kat complained. "I know I shouldn't worry about my appearance since it's just a casual dance, but I don't want to look like a mess either."

Elizabeth smiled, "Don't worry, Kat. I've got some clothes that you can try and choose from, if you'd like. Since my house wasn't completely burned down, I managed to save a majority of my clothes, and you're more than welcome to borrow some."

Kat beamed with relief. "Oh, are you sure?" Elizabeth nodded. "Thank you Elizabeth! That's so nice of you."

"No problem, Kat. Although I don't really see why you're so worried about what you're wearing," her voice dropped to a whisper. "Tommy thinks you look good in anything you wear."

Kat blushed, "Thanks."

"Or anything you're not wearing," Elizabeth smirked, earning a playful punch from her friend.

At the shelter…

"Are you going to change?" Rocky turned to his best friend inquisitively, his left hand clutching a clean, pressed blue shirt. He was lucky enough to have found it after digging into the contents of his bag, searching frantically for something that wasn't worn or unsuitable for the dance. True, it was going to be a casual event and many of the survivors didn't have many clothes to begin with, but Rocky wanted to make a favorable impression on his date tonight.

"Yeah, I managed to find a clean shirt for tonight. Do you need one? I have another one if you want to borrow it." Adam replied, taking off his soiled green top and hastily putting on a spotless green checkered shirt. He flattened his unruly hair as best as he could and tossed a smile to Rocky.

"No, it's okay. I've got one," Rocky held up his clean shirt.

"Got a date for this?" He asked nonchalantly, sliding to the floor as Rocky began changing his shirt.

"Yeah," Rocky replied, slightly embarrassed. He hadn't told Adam that he was taking their best friend to the dance, and he was deathly afraid that Adam would seriously consider the date an act of betrayal on his part. Nevertheless, he gritted his teeth and said, "I asked Elizabeth to go with me and she said yes."

Adam's heart flipped. He raised his face to meet Rocky's, crestfallen. He concealed his feelings though as he encountered Rocky's nervous expression. Adam almost smiled. He thinks he hurt me badly by asking Elizabeth. He thinks he betrayed me by taking out my ex-girlfriend and our best friend. Part of him agreed. He was slightly upset, a portion of his heart wounded, and for a moment, he felt immense treachery on Rocky's part. But the more rational side of him, the side that always considered Rocky his best friend, gave way. It's not like she's my property or something. She's certainly at liberty to go with whomever she wants. And I never told her that I loved her. I never told her how I felt about her to make her want to stay with me. Rocky has every right to go out with her. And besides, I'd rather Rocky date her than anyone else.

"Hey," Adam stood up and stepped over his overflowing bag, grasping Rocky's shoulder and giving it a tight squeeze. "It's alright, Rocko. I'm not mad at you or anything. You deserve Elizabeth; you're the only person that makes her genuinely happy who I can trust," he smiled slightly, "besides me, of course."

Rocky relaxed into his familiar, trademark grin. "Since when did you build such an enormous ego?"

Adam shrugged, laughing. "Probably when I realized how crazy I was to have let Elizabeth go."

Rocky immediately sobered, "Adam…"

Adam waved his hand to stop his best friend and smiled gently, "Rocky, I said it's okay. I mean it. I had no idea you had feelings for her, but it doesn't matter. Elizabeth deserves someone like you- someone who's blatantly honest and open, who's witty and loyal, and who's possibly the greatest friend a person could hope for." Stunned and touched, Rocky searched Adam's face for any signs of wavering, of suppressed anger and hatred, but found none.

"And someone who has a handsome, rugged outdoorsy look." He added, laughing as Adam rolled his eyes, the two Rangers exiting the shelter and falling into the complementary rays of sunlight and moonlight.

"You may have the rugged, outdoors look, but I, my friend, have the sweet and sensitive look you could never achieve." Adam retorted, laughing.

"Sweet and sensitive? Where did you get that from?" The third voice of the Trio chimed chirpily. Adam and Rocky both turned around, Adam ready to retort with his jesting, but the two boys stopped.

"What?" Elizabeth asked, staring blankly at her friends.

"Uh…nothing…" Adam said; any form of wit left in him vanishing in a fraction of a second. Rocky stood besides him, dumbfounded, not uttering a word.

"Is something wrong, you guys? Do I look really bad?" She asked.

"No! No…you look…amazing." Adam replied after a moment's hesitation, gazing at his former girlfriend. Amazing was an understatement. She was truly breathtaking, not a single girl could hold a candle to her illuminated beauty. The moonlight touched her skin, casting a golden ray upon her. Her hair tumbled down her back in ripples of dark silk. She was wearing a splendid green dress that paled considerably at the moon's touch, twisting into the curves of her slender figure, and flaunting her tanned, lean arms and legs. She wore a familiar necklace, one that Rocky had given her for her fourteenth birthday, in the shape of a flickering blue heart. She also tackled on an equally recognizable pair of dangling silver earrings, ones that Adam had bestowed upon her for her fifteenth birthday.

"You look spectacular," Rocky murmured, reaching for her hands and planting a kiss on her rosy cheek. "Like a dream,"

Elizabeth blushed furiously, striking a twinge of torture at Adam's heart. Once upon a time, he thought only he had the power to make her flush like that, to be the only one to stir the generous effect that weakened his heart, to make her look at him with those bright, shining eyes, as though he was the only one that mattered most in her eyes.

Adam crossed to her right side, a smile evident in his eyes. "FYI, Lizzie, I am sweet and sensitive. Even you couldn't deny that."

Elizabeth's countenance flushed at the use of her affectionate nickname as she took his arm and planted a kiss on his forehead. "I suppose, but then again, when have you become so egotistical to be referring to yourself in such qualities? That's not the Adam I know."

Grinning, Rocky entwined his hand with hers. "Told you, Adam,"

"Alright, alright, I admit defeat." Adam laughed. He chanced a look around and frowned slightly. "Where are the others?"

Elizabeth and Rocky glanced around as well. "I guess they're still inside." Elizabeth reasoned.

"Not anymore," Kat replied as she joined her three teammates. She had donned on an elegant black halter dress, bejeweled with countless pink swirls. Her hair was piled neatly on top of her head, pink gem earrings slinging humorously on her ears, and a pink diamond-shaped necklace to match. She looked remarkably spectacular and properly dressed as well.

"You look beautiful, Kat." Rocky smiled, examining the Pink Ranger with approval. Adam nodded in agreement.

"Kat, you look great," Elizabeth beamed as her friend performed a complete rotation, parading her dress.

"Thanks," Kat smiled, tucking a strand of blond hair that escaped, "You look great too." She replied.

"Everyone does," Jason's voice lingered as the Gold Ranger marched outside. Rocky, Elizabeth, Adam, and Kat turned around, smiling as Jason sided besides them, decked in a black short-sleeved shirt and clean khaki pants. A few minutes passed before Tommy and Tanya joined their teammates, Tommy sporting a red blouse over a black sleeveless top and black trousers, Tanya clad in the sleeveless flowery dress that she had worn for Ernie's luau.

"Let's go then. I'm starving." Rocky announced.

"When are you not?" Tanya teased. Jason stared at her glowing figure with admiration. He shyly reached for her hand, interlacing her fingers with his. Tanya turned to Jason with an inquisitive smile, a somewhat shocked and pleased expression planted on her face. She squeezed his hand, beaming with delight.

Adam watched the scene unfold with indifference. He realized awhile ago that he had never been in love with Tanya. The feelings he held for the Yellow Ranger were plainly devotion and awe of her strong independence and bravery. He smiled to himself as he watched Jason and Tanya smile at each other, obviously with affection. I hope one day I can find that sort of love.

"Adam? Sweetie?" A soft yet gentle voice tickled his ear and he slowly turned to face Elizabeth's kind green eyes. She tilted her head slightly, curious.

"Hey there, gorgeous," he grinned. He extended his arm to the Green Ranger, who smiled gladly and accepted it, grasping her hand onto his arm. They walked on, silent but contemplative, into the glimmer of stardust at twilight.