Chapter 9: Reaching Out

The next afternoon, Billy once again found that he was serving detention duty for Bethany, once again. Nonetheless, it didn't mean that Billy wasn't going to find some way to help the teenager work through the aggression she felt.

For Billy, he saw firsthand just how deep it all ran for Beth. He'd passed her locker on the way towards preparing for homeroom, when he saw that her locker had graffiti drawn on it. On the locker door written in Sharpie was the word "whore". And when Beth had gone to open her locker, garbage had gone flying out of it, as well as rolls of toilet paper. Shortly after that had occurred when Billy had gone to help Beth gather her books, she'd received a text message of a hot dog, with the message stating she liked sausages that were "long and thick". When Billy had approached her to help her clean up her locker, he could see that Beth had been shaking with rage and that tears had been threatening to flow from her eyes.

Billy knew that Beth's issues ran deep. He also sensed that Chloe was suffering more than she was letting onto people.

This was why Billy had gathered his students to go to his home for Beth to serve detention for the day. He knew thoroughly that he had to start training these kids and whip them into shape.

"Doctor C, why did you want us to meet here for the day?" asked Chloe.

"Ranger 101," Billy told them, rolling up the sleeves of his collared shirt. "You guys need to learn how to fight, out of uniform. I felt that it was only necessary to call forth the best of the best, if only they'd get here, on time that is."

"Who did you call to meet us here? And why do we need to learn how to fight, per say? Can't Miles just teach us everything?" Beth asked.

"Miles is good, but, there's only so much one person knows. By all means, you might as well have the perspective of multiple people in order to truly learn what it takes," Billy said.

"That, he is right about," said the voice of Katherine Scott as she rounded the corner with her husband, Jason Lee Scott.

"At least you two are here, precisely on time," Billy said, grabbing Kat and Jason into embraces. "And I've got much great appreciations for you two arriving. I know you have other obligations you must adhere to."

"Hey, you said you needed us here, we're here. Plain and simple," Jason said, before turning to face the newest Ranger team. He and his wife extended hands forward. "Jason Lee and Katherine Scott."

The teens shook hands with both former Rangers. "Former teammates?" asked Chloe as she eyed Kat, who was still dressed in her signature pink.

"Yes," Kat said. "Former pink Zeo and Turbo Ranger. Jason was the original red."

"Jason, you didn't have to come out here," Billy said. "You have your own team to worry about."

"The Beast Morphers team is perfectly capable," Jason said. "I've got every ounce of confidence in them."

Billy nodded. "While you were on your way here, did you happen to see Kimberly and Tommy?"

"No," Katherine said.

However, before Jason could answer, they turned heads to see Kimberly and Tommy sprinting towards them.

"Hey, Billy, sorry for the tardiness," Kimberly said, pulling her denim jacket off to reveal her pink tank to which she had paired with ripped jeans.

"Where were you two?" asked Jason.

"It took us a while to get a sitter," Tommy explained. "Plus, J.J was throwing a fit that we were leaving him even if it was just for a couple of hours. You know how he reacted when we went off to the Middle East together, remember?"

"Affirmative," Billy said with a nod, remembering how J.J had cried for his daddy not to leave him all those months.

"Add to that, it's both his parents who are away from him. Last time I was away from my son was for my fortieth birthday," Kimberly said with a heavy sigh.

"Yeah, I know you're a good mummy," Kat said, hugging her fellow pink Ranger firmly before allowing Kimberly and Tommy to shake hands and introduce themselves to Billy's team. After doing so, Kimberly pulled her long, dark hair out of her face and into a bun.

"So, how are we going to start?" Miles asked.

"Well, first of all, you're not going to hit each other using your fists," said Jason, who had returned from retrieving punching bags from his cars. "You're going to punch these. Yes, we will spar, but I want to give you guys a different way of striking. Hitting anything with your fist is painful. And if you don't know what you're doing, and you're up against a player, like a wrestler, or a football player, you're screwed."

"That he's right," Kimberly said. "It depends on whoever you are fighting and whether or not they have experience. And personally, for me, I'd rather kick someone in the knee to get away. We are living in the age of cellphone cameras. Someone records you, and they get footage of you punching somebody, they will use it against you. Trust me on that."

"So, what are you going to start us off with?" asked JT.

"We'll start off by showing you how your fist should be when you are about to punch. Rule of thumb is keep your thumb positioned outside your knuckles to protect your thumb. You jam your thumb, you're going to experience pain unlike anything you've felt," said Tommy. "Also, I want to mention this especially for the ladies. Use your elbows and your forearms to your advantage, plain and simple. You get somebody with an elbow to the jawline, it'll knock them out. They won't be coming back from that. And also, knees; utilize that. You knee someone in the bladder or the kidneys, they won't come back from that, either. For now, make a proper fist, knees bent. If you're right-handed, keep your right leg behind you, left leg in front, and move your right foot underneath you as though you are squishing a bug underneath it. That's where most of your power comes from."

The kids nodded, complying. They proceeded to do as they were told, keeping themselves in fighting stance.

"Alright, good beginning," Jason commended. "Now, how about we pair up, and we begin practicing. We aren't sparring just yet. This is just so that you guys know where to aim if you must use your fists. Tommy, Kim, by all means, demonstrate."

"Jase are you kidding me? I'm not going to aim a punch at my wife," Tommy said, crossing his arms.

"Good then this should be fun. I like a challenge." Kimberly stepped around Tommy and surprised him by sweeping him out from underneath his legs, causing him to fall to the grass. Luckily, Tommy managed to break fall by slamming his forearms against the grass. He locked his left foot around Kim's ankle and got her in the knee, taking her down to the ground before locking her down into chokehold, both arms around her neck.

As Chloe watched, she couldn't help but feel a sickness forming in her stomach as she watched Tommy and Kimberly wrestle each other in the grass. It just reminded her of how her father would grab her and start beating her or choking her. However, she watched Tommy and Kim rise from the ground, sealing it with a kiss.

"Okay, you win. That was fair, babe," Tommy told Kimberly with a smile.

"Now, it's not going to be quite like that," Billy said, shaking his head and sharing a smile with Tommy and Kimberly. The couple chuckled.

"He's right. But that's also a piece of advice not to mess with my wife. She's a spitfire and a beast," Tommy said.

Kim's face went bright red at Tommy's words.

"Alright, let's pair up and start. Remember, just rehearse movement. Don't truly cuff anybody," Billy said. "And I will alternate between you guys, just so you know. And when we begin smiting, we will use the bags."

The kids nodded and proceeded to line up. Beth paired up with Miles, JT paired up with Tommy, and Billy lined up with Chloe.

"Are you guys ready?" Jason asked.

Chloe nodded, uncertainly. She felt nervous being stared down by Billy. She knew her teacher wouldn't hurt her and touch her. He'd tended to her injuries just the other day.

"Alright, my side will go first," Billy said. However, as he looked at Chloe, he couldn't help but worry. "Are you up to this?" he asked her quietly. "If you don't wish to do it with me you could do it with Kimberly or Katherine."

Chloe nodded. "Yeah, yeah I'll do it I'm fine."

"Alright, begin." Billy's hand formed into a fist as he went into position. Chloe saw from the corner of her eye Tommy and Beth beginning to punch the air. However, when Billy's fist came flying forward, she jumped backwards, tears coming to her eyes as she felt she was beginning to panic. Her breath caught in her throat as her eyes went wide with fear.

She could see it before her eyes.

Her father coming towards her . . .

Her father coming towards her . . .

Her father starting to smite her in the face, and yell about how worthless she was . . .

She quickly ran, snatching her bag up and running into the house.

"Chloe!" Miles yelled, preparing to go after her. He knew her situation better than most. He knew of how harsh her life at home was.

However, before he could run after her, Billy turned to look towards Kimberly in silence. He spoke to her with his eyes. She seemed to get it. Maybe it was due to their past connection as spirit brother and sister as the wolf and the crane. But they both got the sense that there was something wrong with Billy's pink Ranger.

"Miles, I'll manage this. Kimberly, with me," Billy claimed.

Kimberly nodded in agreement, and they took off after Chloe. Entering the house, they could hear the teenager somewhere crying. Following the sounds of crying, they traced it to the bathroom.

"Chloe," Billy said, knocking on the door.

"You alright?" Kimberly asked.

Chloe didn't answer. She continued sitting there, sobbing. However, Kimberly leaned in. She could smell a metallic smell in the air. It hit her hard.

"She's a cutter," Kim whispered to Billy, worried. She knew the signs of someone cutting. Wearing long sleeves, covering scars with makeup and bracelets . . .

Billy nodded. Together, he and Kimberly used their combined strength to slam their bodies into the door, knocking it open. They saw Chloe sitting in the bathtub, her wrists dripping with blood. Her face was tear-soaked, and sobs were coming deep from within her chest. In her hands was a bloody boxcutter. Kimberly and Billy ran to her, closing the door quickly.

"Chloe, give me the blade," Billy whispered, his hand reaching forward.

Chloe shook her head, continuing to sob as her hands shook.

"Kim, fetch me the first aid kit, please," Billy requested. Kimberly did as he asked while Billy tried getting Chloe to surrender and hand over the boxcutter. "Chloe, please, give me the boxcutter."

Chloe shook her head again even as Billy reached over to grab the tool. He tried prying it out of her hands as Kimberly placed herself behind the pink Ranger, holding her arms.

"Chloe, surrender," Billy said in a commanding tone. "Please, just hand it over to me."

He gently pried the sharp tool away from Chloe's hand, and placed it down on the floor next to him. He grabbed a towel and soaked it with cold water. Gently, he began cleaning the cuts, pressing down to stop the bleeding. Once the bleeding stopped, he placed antibiotic cream on the cuts and wrapped Chloe's wrists in bandages.

Closing his eyes, Billy turned his head up towards Kimberly. Kim sat down in the tub next to Chloe while Billy moved in closer.

"I don't need to ask you why you do it," Kimberly whispered. "It's a way of expressing pain, and placing that blame upon yourself, because you think you deserve to suffer."

Silence fell over the three, before Billy began rolling up his pantleg on his slacks. Kimberly did the same by rolling up her pantleg on her jeans.

"You want to see ours?" Billy asked the teenager, showing her the faint scars that were on his ankle. Kimberly did the same.

"W-Why'd you – you do it?" Chloe asked through heavy breathing.

Billy closed his eyes as a memory came over him. It was a memory of before he met his friends in Angel Grove. It was a memory of when his life had been terrible.

Flashback

Twelve-year-old Billy Cranston felt the humiliation of being lifted up and thrown into a garbage can by his classmates, Kyle Stellings and David Caulfield. His face went red as the two boys got into his face.

The crowd surrounding them pointed and laughed hysterically as the trashcan Billy was sitting in got pushed to the ground. The two bullies grabbed him, pulled his glasses off, and stomped on them, before dragging him to the bathroom.

Billy screamed as the two bullies continued dragging him until they reached the bathroom. They lifted his head and shoved it down the toilet, before flushing it.

"Aww, little Billy thought he could run away," mocked David as he threw Billy against the bathroom stall, punching him repeatedly in the face. "And just so you know, Cranston, if anyone finds out about this, we're gonna kill you!"

A kick got aimed at his stomach, and the two boys left Billy there alone, soaking wet and shaking all over . . .

End of flashback

"That was the day it began," Billy explained. "It was also a year after my mom had passed away from breast cancer. I just – I'd felt as though my life was insignificant . . . like I was never going to ever be good enough. It wasn't until my father walked in on me doing it that I told him, and he transferred me to Angel Grove. It didn't seem like anything would ever get better, until I met Kimberly, Jason, and our friends Zack, and Trini. They made me feel as though my life was worth living. They made me feel normal, again."

"I could say the same. It – It started after my mom and dad divorced when I was nine," Kimberly admitted, her brown eyes glazing with tears. "My dad would always verbally abuse me, and – and he hit my mother. He would always tell me that I would never amount to anything . . . that I was fat . . . that no boy would ever love me or want me. But it was Jason who walked in on me doing it, and he – he stopped me. I'd also began at that time making myself throw up, too."

Chloe's eyes filled with tears as she stared down at her bandaged wrists. She sniffled.

"Do you wish to continue training?" Billy asked. "Would you feel more comfortable doing it with a woman?"

Chloe nodded, brushing the tears out of her eyes and sliding the bracelets back onto her wrists.

"You can pair up with me, alright?" Kimberly whispered.

Chloe nodded again.

After the kids left to go home, Billy sat in his home with Kimberly and Tommy. Jason and Katherine had left an hour prior, but Billy had wanted to speak with both Tommy and Kimberly in private regarding Chloe.

"Why'd you insist we say behind, Billy?" Tommy asked, looking over at his best friend in concern.

"We walked in on Chloe earlier when she'd ran off. She was cutting herself," whispered Kimberly.

"What?" Tommy asked, staring at Kimberly in worry as he reached over to pull her into his side.

Billy nodded. "She had a boxcutter, and she was self-mutilating. According to Miles, she suffers a lot at home. Her parents fight all the time. Apparently, her father speaks rather viciously to her."

"Do you think she's being abused?" Tommy asked.

Billy nodded. "As much as I abhor the thought, I do believe my estimates to be precise."

"Is it bad that I just understood what you were saying?" Tommy asked.

Billy nodded, closing his eyes.

Tommy swallowed hard, kissing Kimberly on the forehead as a shiver ran down his spine. He remembered the life he'd once had before the Olivers adopted him. He'd been adopted by an abusive foster father who would molest him, until child protective services came and got him out of there, placing him in the care of Melissa and Johnathan Oliver. The couple had taken a broken, orphaned boy and gave him a life of love. And Tommy didn't realize he'd fall in love with Kimberly, who was just as broken as he had been at the time. Her parents were divorced and she consistently blamed herself for it. Add to that, her father used to verbally abuse her and put her down.

"Tommy, Kim, what do I do?" Billy asked them.

"You be there for her," Kimberly said, her brown eyes blazing with emotion.

"And if it gets worse, you get her out of there," Tommy added. "That's the best advice that I can possibly give, Bill. Be there for her; be what she needs. Because those kids need you; just like how my Dino Thunder team had needed me. Be the father that those kids might not have. They don't know it now, but they do need you. You're not just their teacher, now. You're also their mentor, and their friend when they need it most."

Billy nodded. "Thank you, Tommy." Billy stepped into the hugs Kimberly and Tommy both offered him. "Give my Godson a hug and kiss for me."

"Of course, Billy," Kimberly said, cupping her friend's face into her hand before she and Tommy left the house.

A/N:

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