Author's Note: And once again, it is time for the next chapter! I hope you guys are liking the story so far and I hope that you all will continue to read this fanfic and support me as I write it! So, let's get on with the next chapter shall we?

Disclaimer: I do not own the Power Rangers, any of its series, or any of its characters. I do not entirely own the plot for this story but I do own a huge chunk of it. I do own Collin, Jacob, and any other made up character names that you will see!


Saying Goodbye

Kimberly was seated on one of the living chairs as one of the cops continued to question her. She was shaking in fear as she finished giving her testimony for both of the shootings she'd witnessed that day. Jason, Trini, and Collin were each talking to their own personal cops as they went over their testimonies. After the questioning was finished, a few more cops came in. One of them was Adam.

"Hey guys." He greeted as he walked in with the chief. "How are you holding up?"

"We're all unharmed." Jason answered. "Just a little shaken up."

"Well that's understandable." He said. "I'm really sorry that all of this had to happen Kimberly."

"You and me both." Kimberly muttered as she pulled her ponytail holder out of her hair to let her hair dangle loosely over her shoulders.

The chief and Adam walked over to the window and began looking at the damage the riffle had caused. The chief clicked his tongue in disapproval as Adam stared through the hole.

"What were you all thinking coming out here?" the chief asked with a sigh.

"We thought it would be safe out here." Jason said. "I suggested we come here because not too many people know about this cabin. We didn't think the killer would find us out here."

The chief shook his head before looking up at the remaining officers in the room. "Clear the area and search for evidence. Park, you need to determine where the shooter was shooting from."

Adam nodded as he headed outside with the other cops. Jason stood up and handed the chief the duffle bag he'd found outside. "The sniper was shooting from the bushes on the other side of my car. I found this duffle bag behind them when I chased after him. He got away though."

The chief nodded as he carefully took the bag and set it on the floor.

"I'm scared…" Kimberly whimpered as Trini embraced her in a hug. "This guy… he killed that poor boy… and now he's after me and he isn't gonna stop until I'm dead…"

"Do you have any idea what the trajectory of the bullet was?" the chief asked all of them.

"With all due respect sir," Kimberly said through gritted teeth, "I don't have any idea. I was too busy being shot at to pay attention."

The chief nodded. "I was just making sure."

Trini hugged Kimberly tighter as she tried her best to soothe the shaking girl.

"So?" Trini said. "Do you think you guys are gonna be able to catch this Zeke guy that's after Kimberly?"

"It's likely to happen." He answered.

"Well it needs to happen." Kimberly said through tears. "This guy isn't gonna stop until he gets me. He's just gonna try again and again until"

"Enough Kimberly." Collin's voice came from behind her. "You don't know that."

"What do you mean I don't know! That guy has tried to kill me twice now! And you know what they say! Third time's a charm! That guy killed that boy and I saw him! He knows that I'm a threat to him!"

Collin looked away from Kimberly as he ran a hand across his face.

"You can't deny it." She said. "This guy is a cold-blooded murderer and he's just gonna keep coming after me until he gets me."

The door swung open and two officers walked in and over to the fireplace. One of them crouched down with a pair of tweezers and pulled something off the floor. "We found a bullet captain." He said.

"Alright. Get it down to the lab."

"Have you guys found anything else?" Trini asked.

"What else is there to find?" Kimberly asked. "This guy is probably a professional killer! He succeeded in doing away with his first victim. It's only a matter of time till he gets me. He knows that I can I.D. him. He knows that I will be a witness at his trial. So, he's not gonna stop till he kills me, am I right?"

The chief and Collin look at each other briefly before turning back to Kimberly.

"Alright." The chief sighed. "I'm gonna double the man power for our search. Ms. Hart, you'll be under police protection. You'll have a guard on you twenty-four seven."

"What else can we do to keep her safe?" Jason asked worriedly.

"Well… there's only one thing to do."

"What?" Kimberly asked as she ran a hand through her messy hair. "I'll do anything to stay clear of that criminal."

The room grew silent as Kimberly and the others awaited the commander's plan.

Before the commander had time to speak, the door had flung open. Billy ran inside with panic on his face. "Kimberly! What happened? Are you okay?"

"Physically, I'm fine Billy…"

"What happened? Do you know who tried to kill you?"

"It was the same guy that killed my old neighbor."

"Now wait a second." The commander spoke up. "We aren't positive about that. It could be someone else."

"So… what do we do now?" Billy asked the commander. "I mean, what happens next?"

"The commander has a plan to protect me." Kimberly said. "He just hasn't told us what that plan is quite yet though."

"Yeah." Collin said. "So commander… what is this plan of yours?"

The room grew silent as everyone anxiously awaited the commander's answer. He sighed before locking eyes with Kimberly. "Ms. Hart… to ensure that you are going to be safe at all times and to make sure that the culprit won't find out where you are… we are going to put you into a temporary witness protection program."

Gasps filled the room as Kimberly's eyes widened in shock.

"A witness protection program?" Kimberly asked in disbelief. "No way."

"Now come on Ms. Hart. It won't be forever. Just until we can catch the guy that's after you."

"And how long will that take?" Kimberly asked. "I can't do that to Jacob. I can't put him in a strange place away from his family, the people that he knows and loves!"

"He won't be going with you."

Kimberly's eyes widened at this news.

"This is getting better and better." She said with heavy sarcasm in her voice. "You want me to be separated from my son?"

"Listen to me. Think about what just happened in here not even twenty minutes ago. What if your son had been in this room when those shots were fired? What if you had gotten killed by one of those shots? Then, your son wouldn't have a mother. Am I right?"

Kimberly looked down at the floor as new tears formed in her eyes.

"Commander" Jason tried to reason.

"No." The commander cut him off. "Ms. Hart… you're gonna have to face the facts. You won't be safe until that killer has been locked behind bars or has a needle put in his arm."

"Oh really?" Collin said. "And with the Angel Grove PD's record, how long will that take."

"If you know what's good for you, you'll shut your mouth right now." The commander snapped.

"Commander…" Kimberly's voice came again. "How can you ask me to be away from my son for that long?"

"Kim…" Jason said walking over to her and Trini. "Even if you were to stay here in Angel Grove… you couldn't be with Jacob. Being in the same room with you puts him at risk."

"Oh my God…" she whispered as pain filled her heart.

"Kim…" Trini said calmly. "Jacob will be safe. I promise you that. All of us will look after him and see to it that he is well taken care of and safe."

"She's right." The commander says. "And you have my word on this. We won't rest until that killer is within our custody."

"I can't do it." Kimberly said shaking her head. "I can't do it. I am Jacob's mother and he needs me. Sure, you, Jason, and Billy are already like family to him… but that's not enough. He needs his mother."

"And father." Collin cut in. "I'm gonna have to say that I agree with Kimberly on this one. Jacob needs both of his parents in his life. When you're right, you're right Kim."

"Butt out would ya?" Jason said in annoyance.

"Excuse me, but this concerns my son." Collin smiled. "Kimberly doesn't need to go into the witness protection program. She can stay here in Angel Grove with me. I'll protect her."

"Are you kidding me?" Jason snapped. "And what makes you think she's gonna be safe in the house that's right next door to the house the first murder was committed in huh?"

"Actually, me and Katherine are moving in with my parents. They have a mansion you know and an entire security team. I'm positive that no one will get within ten feet of Kimberly."

Trini rolled her eyes. "As if. Being around you and Katherine would be like hell to her."

"Exactly." Kimberly said. "And besides. I don't wanna have to live around your new baby. It'll be a constant reminder of what the two of you did behind my back."

"Oh come on!" Collin protested. "She'll be safe there! And besides, it's better than having her whole life uprooted."

"That's enough arguing." The commander's voice boomed through the living room.

"I couldn't agree with you more." Collin said as he held out a hand to Kimberly. "Come on Kim. Let's go home."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa." Trini said. "Not so fast! Kimberly's home is not with you. Not anymore."

"I said enough arguing." The commander said more sternly. "Now, I'm gonna go call a friend down out the bureau. I'll be right back."

Kimberly groaned in frustration as the commander disappeared for a few short minutes.

"Kim…" Billy said. "I think the commander's right. Look… I know you don't wanna leave Jacob. We don't want you to leave him either. But you're gonna have to put your happiness aside for a few minutes and really think about this. Think about what's best for Jacob. You've gotta do what's right to keep him protected and safe."

Kimberly took in Billy's words as her right hand dropped to her slightly swollen stomach. Finally, she made her decision. "You're right. I have to do what's best for my child."

"What?" Collin asked.

"I said Billy's right… Look… I'm sorry that I'm being so difficult everyone."

The commander came back into the room and stared at the scene before him.

"What's going on?" he asked as his eyes studied the faces of those in the room.

"Well… Billy made me realize that I need to put my child first."

"I did?" Billy asked.

Kimberly nodded. "You did. That's why… I've decided to go into the program."

Collin ran a hand over his face as he sighed angrily. "Kimberly, you don't have to do this."

"Yeah Collin." She said correcting him. "I do. So commander… go ahead and tell your friend I'll do it. I guess… I'll go and grab the bag I packed from the back room and I'll get ready to go."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa." Collin said pushing her back into the chair gently. "You were just one-hundred percent against this whole witness protection thing and then two seconds later you're doing a complete one-eighty?"

"Billy's convinced me that this is the right thing to be doing."

"Don't give me that crap." Collin said. "Look Kim, I know you. I mean I really know you and what you are doing right now… it's so out of character."

"Look Collin… I've been through a lot today. I was shot at. I was humiliated, embarrassed, and yelled at and I had a very important decision to make that affected both my life and everyone's around me. Please don't try to change my mind or figure out why I feel the way I do about this situation."

"Can we talk about this at least?"

"No." the commander commanded in a firm voice. "She's made up her mind, now let it be."

Collin growled as he crossed the room to walk off some of his anger. Trini hugged Kimberly another time.

"Maybe this is the right thing to do." She said. "No matter how much we don't want you to go… I just don't see another way to resolve this issue."

Kimberly nodded as she wiped her eyes free of tears. "So… when do I leave?"

"As soon as possible." The commander answered. "We can't give this guy a chance to regroup. We need to get you to the safe house as soon as possible."

"Can… one of you bring me Jacob?" Kimberly asked. "I… wanna say goodbye."

"It isn't too late to change your mind Kim." Collin said convincingly. "You don't have to do this."

"I have to." Kimberly said in a whisper. "It's the only way that I'll know for sure that he'll be safe."

"Here's mommy." Billy said with a smile as he came into the room. Kimberly held her arms out as Billy walked over and handed her Jacob.

"There's my sweet little boy." She cooed as she smiled at the little boy. Jacob pointed up at the ceiling and began babbling something as he smiled. Kimberly nuzzled her head against his curls as she inhaled deeply.

"What are you doing?" Collin asked.

"I wanna remember everything about him. The way he looks. The way he smiles. The way he smells…"

Collin and Trini smiled at her as Jason walked into the room carrying two suitcases.

"You almost ready to go?" the commander asked.

Kimberly looked up at him, teary eyed, as she nodded. "Yeah… just give me a few minutes to say goodbye."

"Trini?" Jason called out to her. "Can you carry this other suitcase for me?"

Trini nodded as she stood to assist him. Billy and the commander also headed outside.

"Sweetie…" Kimberly said to Jacob. "Mommy… she has to… go away for a little while… but I want you to know that I love you. I love you so much Jacob and nothing is ever gonna change that. Hey! I have an idea! I want you to draw mommy pictures everyday! And when I get back, I'm gonna look at all of them and you can look at them too. How's that sound?"

Collin smiled at Kimberly. "I'll be sure to buy him a box of crayons."

"Thanks." She said without bothering to look at him.

Suddenly, Kimberly grew stiff as Jacob began to gently pat her belly. "Ba-Baby!" he cooed.

Kimberly froze as Collin looked at her questioningly.

"Baby?" he asked as Kimberly's mouth fell open.

"What did you say Jake?" Collin asked curiously.

"Oh, he didn't say anything." Kimberly said quickly. "He's just babbling."

"Kimberly, what the hell did he just say?"

"He said a word Collin. Baby. It's just a word. He's been learning all kinds of new words recently. Like… play, doggy, kitty, hungry…"

"No. He said baby. He's said it plenty of times. What I don't understand is why he was touching you when he said it this time?"

"How could I possibly know the answer to that Collin? I can't read the mind of a one-year-old."

"Why are you acting so… suspiciously?" he asked curiously as he took a seat in the matching armchair.

"How am I supposed to act Collin? I was shot at today, in case you've forgotten, and there's a man that wants to kill me. Lest we not forget, I'm being pursued by the guy and I have to go into the witness protection program because of him. What do you expect me to do? Pop open a can of beer and dance around the room singing Madonna songs?"

"Kimberly"

"Collin… you just don't understand! I'm acting this way because I am worried and scared. I have to leave our son to protect both him and myself and I don't know how long I'm going to be gone! I'm gonna miss out on so much of his life! He might be speaking in complete sentences when I get back! Or maybe he'll be applying for college or something! Point is… I don't know how long I'm going to be gone and… I'm gonna miss out on so much of my son's life…"

Kimberly stood up from the chair and walked into the kitchen to calm herself.

"Easy Kimberly…" she whispered once Collin was out of sight. "You need to calm down. All of this pressure and freaking out isn't good for the baby…"

Collin walked into the kitchen with the commander and Jason behind him.

"Is it almost that time?" she asked growing sad again.

"Yeah." The commander said. "I'm giving you five minutes to finish up your goobyes."

"Make that seven." Collin said. "Kimberly… I still would like to know what my son meant by what he said earlier."

"I already told you Collin. He said the word baby. He's been learning tons of words. How the heck am I supposed to know what he meant by it."

"It's probably his own little secret language." Jason joked.

"Yeah." Kimberly said, smiling slightly. "Babies do things all the time that their parents just don't understand. Oh well. I love him anyways. Which reminds me… Collin… even though Jacob will be staying with… you and the witch… I want you to promise me that you'll allow him to visit Jason, Trini, and Billy. I mean… they're his godparents and he loves them dearly. They're like family to him."

"I understand." He said as he folded his arms across his chest. "I'd never keep a child from its family."

Kimberly felt her stomach grow heavier at his words. The commander cleared his throat.

"It's… about that time." He said. "Finish saying your goodbyes."

Kimberly nodded as she carried Jacob into the living room. Trini and Billy were standing by the fireplace with Adam.

"Hey guys." She greeted with a sad smile. "It's… time…"

Trini nodded as she crossed the room and grasped her friend in a huge hug. "Be safe Kimberly." She whispered in her ear. "Both of you…"

Kimberly nodded as she looked away. "I'm gonna miss you so much Trini. You're my best friend! I don't know how I'm gonna go on without seeing your smiling face every day!"

Trini nodded as Adam hugged Kimberly. "Hey there." He said. "You'll be fine. I'm gonna make sure that we catch this killer and then you'll be able to come back here to see all of us and your son."

"Thanks Adam. I'm gonna hold you to that."

Adam smiled as he released her. Billy grabbed onto her next.

"Oh Billy…" she whispered.

"I know Kim."

"Thanks for everything you've done for me these past couple of days. And when you finish that new invention of yours that you were talking about earlier, hide it because you said I was gonna be the first to see it."

Billy laughed as he pulled away from her. Kimberly turned around and began crying again as Jason kissed her cheek and hugged her close.

"You are the greatest friend that I've ever had." He said. "I love you like a sister. I always have and I always will. I will keep a close eye on the two demons that are guarding little Jake and I promise to keep them in check."

Kimberly nodded as he let go of her. She then turned to Collin.

"Come here little man." He said as he pulled the baby out of Kimberly's arms. Kimberly felt her heart break as her arms became empty.

"Say bye to mommy buddy. Say bye bye."

Jacob squealed as he waved at Kimberly. Kimberly smiled through her tears at the little boy. "That's right baby. Bye bye." She whispered.

"Goodbye." Collin said with an encouraging smile. Kimberly nodded as the commander walked over to hold the door open.

"Let's be on our way Ms. Hart." He said.

Kimberly walked over to the door and paused to turn around to her friends. All of them stood in the living room with sad faces as she waved her final goodbye. Adam ushered her out and shut the door behind them.

"So…" she said wiping her face free of tears as she walked through the dark. "Where is this… safe house exactly?"

"That is classified information." Adam answered, "but I'll be the one taking you there."

"Thanks Adam." She smiled as he held the door open to his undercover cruiser. Kimberly climbed into the back of the cruiser as Adam closed its door behind her. He then hopped into the driver's seat and cut the engine on.

As they drove down the stone path and turned to the left, Kimberly looked out the rearview window sadly as Angel Grove disappeared from her sight.


Author's Note: And so ends another chapter! I hope you guys liked it! So, what's gonna happen next? I know you're just itching to find out! Well, leave a review and sit tight because the next chapter is coming your way very soon!