03

Yo, I'll tell you what I want, what I really, really want. So tell me what you want, what you really, really want

I don't want no scrub; a scrub is a guy that can't get no love from me. Hangin' out the passenger side of his best friend's ride, trying to holla at me.

Because maybe, you're gonna be the one that saves me. And after all, you're my wonderwall.

"Zack, will you please stop messing with the radio station and pick something?" Jason's irritated voice came from the backseat of Tommy's truck.

Zack rolled his eyes and decided to stick it on a rap station, knowing he was the only one who truly did enjoy it. Just to smite Jason of course. He clearly didn't know anything about having a good road trip meant there needed to be some good music to set the tone of the trip. With a smile, Zack turned the music up as loud as it would go, seconds before Tommy reached out and turned it back down.

"I need to concentrate on the road," Tommy said, when he noticed Zack's appalled glance.

Pursing his lips, Zack said, "Then it's a good thing I called shotgun when I had the chance." Now Kimberly, who had her nose buried in a magazine, sitting next to Jason, reached out her foot—which thankfully was bare as she decided to take off her heels—and kicked him on the arm. "Ow!"

"I should've gone with Billy, Trini, and Av," Jason remarked. "You guys are too lively for me."

"Too lively for a road trip?"

"It's making me nervous! I don't want to get into an accident."

"Hey, I've never gotten in an accident as long as I've had my license," Tommy defended himself. To prove his point, he took a quick glance in all the mirrors before tightening his grasp on the steering wheel. His lips pulled up in a smirk, making Zack roll his eyes.

"Oh my God, you guys suck the fun out of everything!" Zack declared, throwing his hands in the air. He slouched low in the passenger seat, crossing his leg at the knee. Smacking his knee into the handle of the glove compartment. He'd extend the seat further but Jason had insisted he sit behind Zack not wanting to be behind Tommy. (He explained to the black ranger it was because he didn't want to accidentally see any of the 'looks' that Tommy and Kim would exchange in the rearview mirror).

They'd already gotten enough of how much Kimberly gushed over how 'romantic' and 'exciting' everything was going to be when they were just packing up the cars early that morning. Okay, so Zack was a little irritated about it. But who wouldn't be at the butt crack of dawn? What surprised him was that Avalon, who seemed to almost have a perma-scowl, was the one who was very chipper about the whole thing. She bounced out of the Cranston house with a steaming mug of tea clasped in her hand, smiling warmly.

"You lot ready to go?" She asked with a bright smile, free hand shoved into the front pocket of the blue sweatshirt she was warning.

Zack lifted an eyebrow as he glanced at her. He made a show of rubbing his eyes and yawning. "Who are you and what have you done with Av?"

Her smile widened. "I'm always in a good mood once I've had my cuppa," she pointed out.

"So what makes you so irritable all the other times?" Bailey asked, grinning cheekily as she followed her sister out of the house, holding onto a large duffle bag under her arm.

"People are annoying."

Zack laughed and pointed at Avalon, showing his solidarity with her statement, while she made a show of lifting her mug to take another large cup of tea. He also couldn't help but notice but the orange ranger seemed to make sure she wasn't the one who actually loaded the cars with everything that was needed. Zack did the same. Not because he was lazy, but because he was careful to handle a delicate situation.

A situation to make sure that Angela really was coming on the trip. She'd hemmed and hawed about it all night, wondering what the point of it would truly be. And it kept Zack on the line. How many times had he looked at his phone while the rangers trooped back and forth to put everything in the trunks of the cars? Enough he was starting to get whiplash from looking every time it even made a slight sound.

Now he sat in the passenger seat of the truck continuing to look at his phone. The moment he laid eyes on it, it lit up with a text.

Angela: I've got my stuff, I'll meet you guys up there.

Zack: And you can't give me a little hint?

Angela: No! I want it to be a surprise!

Zack: Please?

Angela: No. You're cute, but no. I'm not telling you until we're there.

Zack: Ugh. Fine. But at least you said I'm cute. XD

Angela: I always thought you were.

Zack couldn't help the smile that came to his face as he read the text. Read it, read it, and re-read it. How many times could he read it before he stopped grinning? He probably never would. This was going to be awesome! He was smiling so much he hadn't noticed Kimberly leaning over his shoulder, reading his texts until she popped the gum she'd been chewing in his ear. Zack jumped so hard, letting out a startled yelp that made Tommy jump, pulling on the steering wheel.

A loud car horn blared through the air as Tommy quickly corrected himself. Jason shot his hands out and grasped the arm rest and seatbelt that held him in place at the same time. "Can we get there in one piece?" He asked.

"It wasn't my fault, it was Zack's!" Tommy practically screeched, heart hammering in his throat from the sudden noise.

Holding his hands up defensively, Zack said, "Don't blame me, man, blame your girlfriend. She's the one who's trying to kamikaze us into a straight shot at death." He gestured towards Billy's truck in front of them, steadily chugging along at just above the speed limit. "And apparently trying to take all of us with her. We're completely innocent, you know, but this one?" He reached back and tweaked the tip of Kimberly's nose. "This one is devious."

"Oh please!" Kimberly shoved Zack hard on the arm then plucked his cell phone from his hands. She leaned back in her seat and scrolled through the text messages. Her eyes lit up and a squeal escaped her lips. "Oooh, Zack, looks like things are getting serious with you and Angela!"

"As serious as what?" Jason smirked. He slowly relaxed his grip on the armrest and seat belt. "As drooling after her in the halls? Or watching her from afar? Of trying to use your ranger powers to get her attention? From what I've heard, she does seem to have a thing about the black ranger."

Reaching up, Zack grabbed the visor that sat above his seat and flipped it open. He angled the mirror sitting inside to focus on Jason and narrowed his eyes into a glare. Jason's lips pulled into a smirk. One so imperceptible that not even Kimberly who—ironically—was finely tuned in all matters of the heart, didn't notice. Of course Jason was just busting his balls. He was the only one Zack truly talked to with his feelings for Angela and what their relationship was really like. It was embarrassing and…Zack really needed Jason's level head to figure things out.

Not to mention, Billy blushed like crazy when the topic of sex came up and Tommy always seemed to be a little smug about it. He needed someone who could handle it. Jason had bene his best bud for years, he'd been the one who—admittedly—Zack had corrupted a bit early, sharing his father's magazines he'd found in the back of his parent's closet while playing hide and seek. He was the one who Zack worked to get over his embarrassment to try dancing as well, though the two did quickly snap back to their 'cool attention' whenever a girl did go walking by.

If there was anyone who could keep his secret insecurities it was Jason. No matter how much he'd teased him and threatened to tell when the time came. (Or when Zack got out of hand with his antics, it'd get him to settle down reaaaal quick).

"Well, we all know the black ranger is the best ranger, anyway," Zack said, then stuck out his tongue as he started to laugh.

"I don't know." Tommy shook his head, ponytail swinging. "I've heard the white ranger is pretty good. And he is the leader, you know."

"That doesn't mean anything, he stole that role from the red ranger," Jason pointed out. His smirk widened, making Kimberly then shove him on the arm. Instead of verbally responding to him, she said to Zack, "I'm being serious, it looks like Angela's really turning around on you."

"I hope so," Zack agreed. He flipped up the visor and ran his hands over his face. "This girl has been on my mind for years now. I need this to happen." He shifted to the side and turned his attention to the scenery they passed. It was beautiful. They were really climbing up into the mountains. The clouds hung lower the higher they drove, he could see more pine trees sticking out over the mountain range than he'd ever seen down in Angel Grove. Angel Grove was nothing short of Palm Trees and oak trees.

This was different.

It was a different world. He could already feel his stresses melt away from him. No Rita. No Zedd. No monsters. Nothing. Just a good time. With the best friends he could ever imagine. Sucking in a deep breath, Zack turned back and looked Kimberly in the eye to say, "You have any advice? You guys are on the cheerleading squad. You listen to each other and…braid each other's hair and stuff."

Kimberly snorted. "When was the last time you ever saw me braid my hair?"

"When you thought you were going through a 'hood' phase," Zack pointed out. Kimberly's cheeks bloomed with color while Jason burst out laughing. Tommy's eyebrows rose in surprise, looking at his girlfriend in the rearview mirror. "You should've seen it, Tom. She really got into some of the rap and R&B I was listening to and thought she could hang with that lifestyle. Picture little Kimmie in one of those big jackets and hair pulled back into braids. It was the funniest thing I'd ever seen."

"It didn't last too long," Jason added.

"Right, she was back to our perky, bubblegum pink lady that we know and love within a weekend."

Kimberly huffed, sticking her nose in the air. "I was just…experimenting, okay? Going through a phase. Everyone does. I seem to remember a time where you were into country music." Then she switched her target to Jason. "And you were so much of the goody-goody."

"He's not that good," Zack pointed out.

Jason smiled. "Not since I met you."

"And your life has only been better since then." Zack reached his hand back and Jason slapped his palm against it, making the two laugh, Tommy joining in a few moments later. Then Zack heaved a heavy sigh and settled into his seat. Nerves rumbled through his stomach when he saw Billy flip on the blinker and pulled off the highway with Tommy following right behind him. Glancing at the printed directions that lay across Zack's lap—he'd been stuck as the navigator—Zack knew they were very close. Only a few more minutes of driving.

Only a few more minutes until they would have a bomb ass time. Zack rubbed his hands together, then wiped them on the legs of his jeans when he realized how clammy they were. Get it together, man, he scolded himself. Kimberly seemed to have read his mind as she handed his phone back. Then she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Hey," she said quietly. "If Angela doesn't like you for you, then you don't deserve her. You deserve everything and more, Zack."

Zack smiled. He brought up his hand and placed it on hers. Then he curled his fingers around her hand and squeezed gently. "Thank you, my dear." He said it with a funny accent to his voice but meant every word he said. He knew she knew that. Kimberly squeezed his shoulder before removing her hand. Then she gasped loudly—a gasp that made them all jump again pressed her face against the window.

"Oh my gosh! We're here! We're here! Oh, it looks so beautiful!"

Zack looked up at the chalet, his lower jaw dropping. Beautiful wasn't the word. It was something he couldn't even describe. He had so many words for everything and it was the only time he couldn't figure out what would be the one to adequately convey it. Shocking. That had to be it. He could only imagine his parents having enough money to get a place like that. Yeah, in a million years, he thought. Then his eyes shifted as Billy pulled wide around another car that was already parked in front of the chalet.

A Volkswagen Beetle with Angela leaning against the trunk, face buried in her phone. She looked up, pushing her hair back from her face when the other cars pulled up and grinned the grin that made Zack simultaneously grow weak and feel emboldened at the same time. He hardly waited for the car to come to a stop before flinging open the passenger door and jumped out. Angela waved, putting down her phone as he approached.

"How'd you beat us up here?" He asked. "We left before you." She had made special mention she needed to stop for something before she left. Hence why they hadn't driven together.

Angela's grin widened. "You're too slow," she teased. "The roads were practically empty, you know going a little past the speed limit isn't going to kill anyone." She waved to the rest of the rangers, making them slowly wave back. She'd never paid them too much attention before. Maybe being away from the school cut down those social boundaries they had.

I can only hope, Zack thought. He wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug, surprised when she loosely hugged him back. "So, where am I sleeping?" She asked, turning her attention to the other rangers. "I know it's your place, William, so I guess I should be directing the question to you."

Whether it was that he was surprised to be called by his full name—or irritated by Avalon's and Trini's snickering at it being mentioned—Billy blinked for a second and looked around, being sure if he was being addressed. When he found he was, he cleared his throat and said, "I guess we don't have to worry about unpacking now. We've already arrived early enough so that we can put off getting groceries as well." He gestured towards the chalet. "I'll give you the tour."

The moment Billy opened the door for everyone, they squeezed by him and barged into the house to find the rooms. Bailey started to run and turned back to Avalon. "Av? You coming? Or are you and Billy going to share a room?"

"Good question." The orange ranger turned back to the blue ranger, who suddenly looked like he swallowed a bitter pill. "Are we sharing a room?"

"Uh…"

Zack noticed Billy's gaze shift to him, silently asking for help, but ducked his head and continued towards the rooms. He would help him out a little if Angela wasn't already beckoning him towards a room with a curl of her finger. And Zack really couldn't resist that. He entered the room and closed the door behind them. It was probably going to be the only privacy they got that week and he'd take full advantage of it.

"So?" Zack asked as soon as they were alone. He rubbed his hands together, moving closer to Angela, who grinned at him as she stood in front of the bed, tilting her head to bat her eyelashes at him. "What'd you get?"

"Mm?" Angela lifted her head to look at him clearly. Her eyes flickered with mischief, holding her hands behind her back. "What do you mean?"

"You said you were going to bring some sort of your own party favors," Zack reminded her.

"Did I say that?"

"Yes, you did." Zack continued to advance towards her. She didn't move away. That was a good sign. A very good sign. Instead, she continued to giggle as he moved closer and closer. Soon her was standing right in front of her, with nowhere left to go. Zack lowered his head and pressed his forehead against hers. His eyes flickered over hers. The mischievous shine continued in her eyes. Those same eyes he worked hard to lock onto as the days passed. "What? Is it a secret?"

"Can you keep a secret, Zack?" Angela's whisper brushed over his lips, making him shudder in delight. "For me?"

Oh boy, was she asking the right person. Could he keep a secret? He could only keep the biggest secret of his life with little effort. Being a ranger. He had no need to go blabbing that around, didn't ever want to lose his abilities to help save people daily. If he could keep something that big quiet, then this was nothing. "Yeah, I can keep a secret," Zack replied. "Come on. What is it?"

Angela continued to giggle. Continued to sway her head, watching Zack watch her. Finally, she removed her hand from behind her back. For a moment, Zack wasn't sure what he was looking at. Honestly, he thought it was a bottle of root beer. But as Angela continued to sway, looping an arm around Zack's shoulders to pull him closer, he got a good whiff of what it really was.

Beer.

A/N: Hmm, looking over the last chapter, I realized I really need to work on my transitions of something that happened to the past (in a pseudo-flashback) as things are simultaneously are still in the present. Anywho, I'm so sorry for the wait and I hope you guys continue to enjoy the story. I'm really enjoying writing Zack. It's funny, I love writing Power Rangers in general, but it becomes super fun when I'm working on one ranger specifically. Especially with their differing personalities.

I hope you guys enjoyed it.

~Av