"Tommy?" Trent called out, filling a glass with cold water and handing it to the customer who had ordered it. "When is Hayley coming back?" He asked, wiping his hands dry on a near-by towel, before moving onto another customer. Trent and Tommy had been running the café since Hayley left. The two loved working in the café, yet they both missed Hayley terribly.
Tommy smiled as he heard Trent's question. "Tonight." He said, a hint of happiness in his voice. He paused in sweeping up the floor and glanced back to Trent. "Would you and the others like to come with me? I'm sure that they're all just as concerned about her as we are."
Trent grinned and nodded, eyes sparkling happily. "I'd love to go." He said excitedly. "I'll be seeing them all in a while. I need to pick up Kira from band practice and we were going to go and watch Connor, he's got a game at the school. Ethan and Kelly are already there, they have clubs. So I can talk to them all there."
Tommy nodded, checking his watch. "You should get going, her practice ends soon." He added, running a wet cloth over the counter to wash it. Over the short time that Oliver had known the group, he had grown extremely close to all of them. He knew their schedules even better than his own. "I'll close up and be there for the second half of the game, tell Connor I'm sorry that I couldn't make the first half."
"You got it, Doc." Trent saluted Tommy and placed his rag on the counter, before taking out his keys and heading towards the door.
Dr. Oliver sighed quietly as he heard the door closer. He still couldn't believe that Karen and Keith were gone. He had only met Hayley's sister and brother-in-law once, and that was a few years ago. Yet, they had been nice all the same. What made matters worse was that the two had a son, Allen or something along the lines. Tommy couldn't even imagine what the poor kid was going through and he hated to think of what Hayley was putting herself through. Hayley and her sister had been six years apart, though they had been as close as anything.
Tommy had never lost a sister or a mother, though he had lost two of his close friends and that counted just the same. The first had been with his ex-girlfriend and teammate, Kat. He had never had the proper time to grieve her, for he was too busy worrying about Jason and Julie. The second friend he had lost had been Trini. They had grown close from their common interest of karate, caring about Kim and their roles as rangers. She had been a wonderful friend and it had hurt him beyond words when she had died. He hated to think of what it was like to lose a mother or a sister.
A few tears entered Tommy's dark eyes, though he quickly blinked them away. He had to be strong for Hayley, for Trent, for everyone…
At the soccer field…
Connor felt a pang of jealousy rise up inside of him as he watched Kira and Trent walk up the field. He sent a wave over to them, pushing his feelings away, as he headed over to them. He grinned as he spotted Ethan exiting the school and walking over to them as well.
"Hey you guys." Ethan said once they were finally all together, smiling as they all replied in a happy 'hi'.
"Where's Kelly?" asked Kira suddenly, noticing that the newest ranger hadn't exited the school with Ethan.
"Her club let's out later than mine, she said she'd come as soon as she could." Ethan explained, frowning slightly as he noticed Connor looking slightly upset. "Something wrong?"
Connor sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "It's just Kelly I guess…" He said softly, knowing better than to lie to his friends. They'd find out eventually, it was better if he just told them. "We just met her and we're already doing everything together…"
Kira frowned, placing her hands on her hips. "She just moved here, Connor, it's not like she has anyone else. Plus, she needs our help; we know a lot more about being rangers than she does."
"I know, I know…it's just-" Connor began to say, though he was cut off by a cough from Trent.
"Chill, Connor...here she comes." Trent added softly, smiling in greeting to Kelly, who joined the group moments later.
"Hi guys, what's up?" Kelly asked, eyes sparkling brightly as she looked around at the group as they greeted her, all except for Connor that was.
Kira sent a small glare Connor's way before looking to Kelly. "How'd your writing club go?" She asked, eyes glittering with happiness. Hayley was wonderful, yet it was nice finally having a girl her own age around.
Kira's face lit up happily as her club was mentioned. "It was great, the people here are so nice and inviting, just like you guys. I can't thank you enough for all you've done." She added, smiling shyly up at them all, causing Connor's eyes to avert to the ground – feeling horrible about what he had said earlier.
Trent smiled back, opening his mouth to say something before he remembered what Tommy had asked him to do. "Hey, guys, Dr. O is going to pick up Hayley after the soccer game. He wanted to know if any of you guys wanted to tag along?"
"Of course." Was the unanimous reply from everyone but Kelly.
"Kell? What about you?" Trent asked, looking over to her, frowning slightly as he noticed that she hadn't answered his question like everyone else.
Kelly opened her mouth to answer, though Connor interrupted her with a quick, "Did you just call her by a nick-name?"
"Yeah...so what if I did?" Trent asked, a hint of anger in his normally calm voice
"Just shut up, Connor." Ethan snapped, sensing that Connor was itching for a chance to yell at someone.
Connor frowned and growled softly. "Am I always the one who's wrong?" He asked, speaking mostly to himself.
"Yes." said Ethan, Trent and Kira in unison, earning a quiet laugh from Kelly.
Kira smiled, turning her head to look at Kelly. "So, Kell, is it a yes or a no?"
The dark haired girl sighed softly and shifted uncomfortably. "I don't know you guys…"
"Why not?" Trent asked, looking slightly hurt. "Please come...I really want you to go."
Kelly sadly shook her head. "I'm sorry, Trent…I just can't deal with death again." She whispered.
"Again?" Ethan asked, frowning in confusion, brow furrowing together.
Kelly sighed, brushing some hair from her face. "Can we not talk about it?"
"If you don't want to." said Connor, shrugging slightly.
Trent bent his head to whisper softly to Kelly. "If you ever need to talk to someone…just know that I'm here, ok?" He asked quietly, knowing how it felt to lose someone.
Kelly nodded, looking up to him and smiling slightly. "Thanks, Trent…"
"McKnight!" The shout rang across the field, reaching the ears of the group. "Chat on your own time. We're starting!" The coach yelled.
"Be right there, coach." Connor shouted back, before turning to his friends. "I gotta get going you guys, I expect to hear cheers when I'm kicking butt."
"Sure, Connor." Kira said, a tint of sarcasm in her voice as she gave him a gentle push towards his team.
"Ok coach, I'll be right there." He turned to his coach, and then to turned back to his friends. "You guys, I have to go. Watch me kicking there butt."
"We will" Kira replied
Dr. Thomas "Tommy" Oliver headed onto the field just as the referee was blowing the whistle for the second half to start. He walked up silently behind the rangers sitting in the stands. He bent down low and yelled, "Boo!"
The group jumped and Kelly let out a shout of surprise as they turned around to look back at Tommy. Ethan laughed and nodded, saying, "Nice on, Dr. O."
"But, Dr. O, you're a teacher…doesn't that mean no fun?" Kira pointed out, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Where on earth did you hear that?" Tommy asked, taking a seat and looking at the group.
"It's the law." Kelly put in, eyes sparkling playfully as she looked over at her teacher.
"I'm a law-breaker." Tommy said with a smirk.
Trent shook his head as he said, "No, you're not."
Tommy grinned, turning back to the game. "How was the first half?"
"It's been pretty good so far…Connor scored a goal and blocked a few shots...They're winning, three to two." Kira explained, hugging her knees to her chest as she watched the game with a happy expression, though fifteen minutes later she was anything but happy…..
"Oh my god..." Kira whispered, jumping to her feet as she watched Connor fall to the ground. "Connor!" She shouted, leaping from her seat and rushing onto the field, tears beginning to fall from her eyes. She fell to her knees beside him. "Oh my god…are you alright?"
Connor forced a smile and reached up, brushing away her tears. "Stop crying..." He whispered softly, ignoring the pain he was feeling, just wanting her to stop crying. "It's just my leg…hurts like hell, but I'll be fine…"
"Someone call 9-1-1!" The coach yelled.
"I already did." Tommy answered, rushing over and coming to a stop behind Kira.
"And you are?" Connor's coach asked, a hint of suspicion in his eyes.
"Dr. Thomas Oliver, I'm a teacher her." The dark haired man explained.
"Ah." answered the coach. "Well thank you for calling."
Tommy nodded, "No problem…" He said softly, worried for his student and teammate. "I'll go to the hospital with him..." He added in an after thought.
The coach nodded, shooing away the other players, who were beginning to crowd around him and Tommy, wondering what was going on. "Tell him to give me a call as soon as he can." He added, nodding before turning and following his slowly retreating players.
"Dr. O!" Ethan called out, rushing over. "The ambulance is here, they just loaded Connor and Kira in, they're waiting for you before they go." He added, panting softly, having run across the field.
Tommy nodded, beginning to quickly head to the ambulance. "Are you all coming?" He asked, as Kira reached out a hand. He took her hand and pulled himself up into the ambulance, looking down at Ethan, who nodded.
"I'm gonna take Connor's car, Trent's taking Kelly in his." He explained, holding up the keys to Connor's car.
Dr. O nodded, beginning to close the doors. "Meet you there." He said quickly, before the doors closed on him and the ambulance sped off, sirens sounding.
At the Hospital…
"He's going to be fine, Kira, don't worry." Tommy's assured voice told his young team mate.
Kira looked up at him, eyes sparkling with worry and unshed tears. "You sure?" She asked in a shaky voice.
Tommy was silent for a few moments. He hated to lie and let her know that he truly had no idea what he was talking about. Yet, he couldn't tell her the truth of the matter. He had to be strong for her and for the others. He put on a confident face, masking his fear with a nod. "Yes, Kira, I'm positive." He said in a firm tone, hoping for the best.
Kira bit her lip, tears beginning to fall from her glittering eyes. "I'm so scared, Dr. O…" She whispered softly.
"Come here." Oliver said gently, pulling her into a warm embrace, as if she were more of a sister than a student to him.
Whilst Tommy was comforting Kira, Kelly's eyes were scanning the waiting room. Her eyes rested on Ethan, who had been pacing back and forth ever since they arrived, before moving onto Trent, whom was sitting in silence, staring worriedly at the floor. Kelly sighed and brushed some hair from her face. She wasn't sure how to feel, having only met Connor a week ago. She was horribly worried about him, yet not in the same way as the others were. Kelly wanted to be as worried as they were, yet she simply couldn't….She watched as Trent's head snapped up at the sound of the doctor's footsteps.
"How is he?" Was the first question, coming from Tommy. He gently released Kira and moved forward, taking on his usual role as leader of the group.
The doctor gave them all a kind smile before speaking. "He's fine. There's a small break in his leg, yet nothing that can't be fixed in good time. He mentioned that his parents were out of town, I take it that one of you will bring him home?"
Tommy nodded. "Of coarse..." He said quietly. "Is he free to go tonight?"
The doctor nodded, scribbling something down on his clip board. "Of course, I'll go get him for you."
The doctor turned and left the group, smiling as he heard Kira let out a soft shout of happiness. "Thank god he's alright." She said happily, looking quite relieved.
Tommy laughed and smiled, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I told you." He teased lightly, acting as if he had known the entire time that Connor would be fine.
Kira smiled and laughed. "I know…I had hoped before, but now that I'm sure I feel so much better…"
"Aw." A deep voice said from behind them. "Kira, you really do care!"
The female ranger turned, gasping in surprise as she spotted Connor. There was a cast on his leg and he was using crutches to walk, though other than that he looked fine. "Connor!" She shouted happily, rushing over to him. She threw her arms around him and held him close, not caring if he saw how much she had been worried.
Connor laughed, balancing one of his crutches against his side and wrapping an arm around his fellow ranger. After a few moments he cleared his throat, smiling down at Kira. "Um...you know, this is great an' all...but...could you let go now?" He asked, laughing once again.
"Sorry..." The blonde replied, releasing her friend and taking a step back. "I just was so worried…"
There was a comfortable silence between the two, as they simply stood and smiled shyly over at each other. Tommy finally cleared his throat and all eyes turned to him. "Sorry to break that up, I just really need to be getting to the airport to get Hayley. And if anyone's coming with me we'll need to go soon."
"Everyone but Kelly was gonna go." Trent explained, shooting a small look to the girl in pink before his gaze returned to Tommy.
"Right..." Dr. O said, nodding. "Connor, I want you to stay at my house while your parents are out of town – you shouldn't be left alone when you're hurt. Kira, would you mind going and helping to take care of him while we're gone?"
Kira nodded to say that she'd go and Thomas smiled. "Thanks, you know where my bedroom is – take him in there. And make sure he eats something." He added before looking to Kelly. "Since Kira can't drive I'm going to need to ask you to drop them off there…are you doing anything tonight?"
Kelly shook her head, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "Nope." She said softly, a small smile on her face – glad to be able to do something to help.
"Would you mind hanging in the basement and watching the town?" Tommy asked her gently, grinning as she agreed. He glanced up to the last two. "Trent, Ethan. You two ready?"
The boys nodded and Tommy smiled. "Great...we'll be off then. Take care Connor..." He called, heading for the doors with Trent and Ethan trailing along behind him.
AN: This again is a 2 part episode like the last one. Next we see what is new with Hayley, what Kelly uncovers in Tommy's computer, what happen to Connor and Kira, and the promise visit from an old friend and plus we get to Ethan getting yelled at by someone in airport..
BN: WHHEEEEEEEE! "Spiffy" chapter! I apologize that this took so long to get up. It was sent to me a long while ago and I've been steadily working on it, though I haven't had as much time as I would like to work on it. I'll try to get chapters up faster in the future. Feedback is appreciated!
You know what to do now, hit the review button below this and tell me what you think.