First Boyfriend

Parking his jeep in the Roccas' driveway, Tommy climbed out and headed up to the house. He'd left his parents' house a little later than he intended, so he hoped he wasn't too late to meet Madison's boyfriend. She'd been extremely excited to have him meet the kid and he'd promised to stop by before he left town that evening. Knocking on the door, he only paused for a moment before heading inside.

"Tommy!" Madison exclaimed, coming to meet him.

"Hey, Maddy," he smiled hugging her back as she threw her arms around him. "Sorry I'm late. Got a little caught up at home."

"It's fine," she grinned, grabbing his hand and tugging him toward the living room. "Grant is still here. Mom said he could stay for dinner tonight. Are you staying for dinner?"

"Not tonight," he said. "I've got a boat to catch and I don't want it to leave without me. Anton is expecting me back on the island tonight."

She pouted for a moment, but it didn't last long as they walked into the living room. Jason and Vida were both there along with a boy Tommy hadn't seen before. He knew right away that it had to be Grant. From the way Jason was laughing as he talked to the kid, Tommy could tell he approved. Vida seemed to like him, too. Letting go of Tommy's hand, Madison darted over and tugged Grant up off the couch.

"This is Tommy," she smiled, bringing him over. "He's my other big brother. Tommy, this is Grant."

Grant slung an arm around Madison's shoulders as he held out the other hand to Tommy.

"It's nice to meet you," he said politely. "Maddy's told me a lot about you."

Tommy nodded curtly, shaking his hand as he eyed him warily. Something about the kid seemed off to him. But he shrugged it off for the moment, not wanting to ruin Madison's good mood on a hunch. He'd watch for a little while before he said anything.

"Hey, man," Jason grinned, coming over to greet him. "How's the internship thing going?"

Tommy shrugged, grinning back.

"It's not just an internship anymore, bro," he said. "Anton made me a partner in the research."

"Really?" Jason exclaimed. "That's great! When did this happen?"

"Just before I left to come home for a visit," Tommy said. "Haven't had a chance to talk to anyone about it. But I thought you'd like to know before I left again."

"My turn," Vida announced, inserting herself to give Tommy a hug. "Do you really have to go all the way back out to that island? You're never home anymore…"

"Sorry, V," Tommy said, hugging her back. "But I've gotta work. Once our project is done I should at least be back on the mainland."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," she grumbled. "Why did you have to grow up? I liked it better before you and Jason had to work…"

Jason and Tommy both laughed and exchanged looks. Grinning at each other, they grabbed Vida and hugged her between them.

"Hey!" she protested. "I can't breathe!"

"You're still talking," Jason retorted. "You're breathing."

She wiggled her way out, glaring at them. Tommy glanced over to see what Madison was doing and saw her and Grant sitting back down on the couch. She was smiling and ducking her head at something he'd said. But the way Grant was looking back at her set off warning bells in his head.

"Jase, let's run out to my car real quick," Tommy said quietly. "I need to talk to you about something."

Jason frowned, following Tommy's gaze. But he shrugged and followed.

"What's going on?" Jason asked the moment they were outside.

"It's Maddy's boyfriend," Tommy said, running a hand through his hair.

"Grant?" said Jason. "What about him? He seems like a nice kid."

"I don't think he is," Tommy disagreed. "He's just putting on a front for our benefit. How well have you gotten to know him?"

"I don't know," Jason shrugged. "I've only met him a couple of times. He's always been polite and extremely respectful."

"But did you see the way he was looking at Maddy just now?" Tommy asked. "I don't like the look he was giving her."

"Come on, Falcon," Jason said. "Now you're the one being paranoid. I've heard nothing but good things about this kid. He's new to the school but everyone seems to like him just fine."

"Rex, I'm serious," Tommy replied. "I grew up around kids like him in the orphanage. They're experts at playing the good kid just to get what they want. He'll play everyone he can until he gets what he wants and then he'll be gone."

Jason frowned, looking back toward the house.

"Are you sure?" he asked slowly.

"I wouldn't have said anything if I wasn't," Tommy said. "He may speak respectfully, but the way he was looking at Maddy just now was anything but."

Taking a deep breath, Jason didn't say anything for a moment.

"Alright," he said grimly. "Let's go have a talk with the kid about his—intentions—toward Maddy. I'm not about to let him hurt my little sister."

He headed back inside, Tommy trailing behind him. Pausing in the living room doorway, he leaned against the frame as he watched Jason stalk over to Grant.

"We need to talk, kid," Jason said, looking at him expectantly. "Outside."

"Umm… Alright…" Grant frowned, standing up. "Maddy, I'll be right back."

"Don't count on it," Jason muttered, following Grant as he headed for the door.

Madison watched them go in shock. Tommy waited for Grant and Jason to pass him before turning to follow, so he didn't miss the look of hurt in her eyes as she realized what was going on. Vida was frowning at them, too. Back outside, Grant stopped and turned to face them both, crossing his arms.

"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" he asked.

"What game are you playing?" Jason growled. "We saw the way you were looking at my little sister."

"What are you talking about?" Grant said.

"Don't play innocent with me," Jason snapped. "What are your intentions toward Maddy?"

"Have I done something wrong?" Grant asked, avoiding the question.

"I don't know," Tommy said quietly. "Have you? Why the change of schools in the middle of the school year?"

"No reason," Grant shrugged. "Parents just thought I'd be better off here."

"Uh huh," Jason said doubtfully. "And is that what they would say if we asked them? Or the school?"

Grant's eyes narrowed. Jason had hit on something.

"It's none of your business," Grant said shortly. "I moved schools and that's the end of it."

"Is it?" Tommy said. "So then you're telling us that you didn't cause whatever problem prompted your parents to move you to a new school? That you're completely innocent of any wrongdoing?"

"I don't like what you're implying," Grant snapped, losing his cool. "You don't know anything about me. And besides, you aren't in charge of Maddy. She gets to make her own decisions and she likes me. So deal with it."

"Oh, I'm dealing with it," Jason snarled, taking a step forward. "Get out of here. I don't want to see you around my sister again and, if I do, you aren't going to like the consequences."

Grant scoffed.

"You can't do anything to me," he said. "This isn't your house, she's not your kid, and you can't touch me. I can do what I want and there's nothing you can do about it."

"We don't have to touch you to make you wish you'd never laid eyes on her," Tommy said sharply, grabbing Jason's arm to stop him from hitting Grant. "But this is going to be your only warning: Stay away from Maddy or else."

Grant glowered at them both for a moment, but something must have told him not to try pushing because he suddenly spun and stalked away down the street. Madison, who had apparently followed them out and had been standing on the porch, suddenly let out a cry and went flying down the street after him. Jason started to follow, but Tommy stopped him.

"Give it a moment," he said. "I think he got the message."

They watched as she caught up to Grant, trying to stop him and bring him back. He jerked his hand away from her, snapping something and gesturing toward them before stalking away again. Madison stared after him for a few moments before she slowly came walking back.

"You're both jerks!" she shouted when she reached them. "I can't believe you did this to me. I hate you both!"

"Maddy—" Tommy started to say, but she just darted toward the house and slammed the door shut behind her.

"Great," Jason muttered as they headed back inside. "Just great…"

Tommy sighed, shrugging.

"She won't hate us forever," he said as Jason opened the door.

When they walked inside, Vida was standing at the bottom of the stairs. She turned to glare at them when she heard them come in.

"What did you do?" she exclaimed. "And where's Grant?"

"He's not staying for dinner," Jason said shortly. "And he won't be around anymore."

"Jason! Tommy!" Vida said in surprise. "Why would you do that to her?"

"The kid is bad news, V," Tommy said. "I know Maddy doesn't want to hear it right now, but he would have hurt her sooner or later. Haven't you seen the way he's been looking at her? Like she's a prize or some kind of toy? This was all a game to him."

Vida frowned, thinking about what Tommy was saying.

"I guess so…" she said slowly. "I mean, he was always trying to get rid of me so that the two of them could be alone…And I'm not just saying that because I'm jealous of Maddy spending time with someone else."

Jason chuckled, reaching over to ruffle Vida's short hair.

"We believe you, kiddo," he said as she swatted his hand away.

"Dinner is ready!" Mrs. Rocca called from the kitchen.

"You sure you can't stay for dinner, bro?" Jason asked.

Tommy sighed, shaking his head.

"I can't," he said. "Mom already made me eat before I left anyways and if I don't get going I really will miss my boat."

Jason nodded.

"Take care of yourself, Falcon," he said.

Tommy grinned.

"Bye, Tommy," Vida said, giving him a tight hug. "Maddy went up to her room if you want to say goodbye to her."

"I'll try," he said. "Though I have a feeling she isn't going to talk to me right now…"

He headed up the stairs to try anyways. Madison's door was shut, so he knocked.

"Hey Maddy?" he said. "It's Tommy. You in there?"

She didn't answer him. Sighing, Tommy ran a hand through his hair.

"I'm heading out," he said, trying again. "Do you want to come out and say goodbye to me?"

Still no answer.

"Alright," Tommy sighed. "I'll see you in a few months. Bye, Maddy."

Turning he headed back down the stairs. Jason was waiting at the bottom. Tommy shook his head in answer to the silent question.

"She'll forgive you," Jason said. "Well, both of us. She always does."

"Yeah, I know," Tommy said. "But it's a little harder when I know I'm going to be so far away… Keep an eye out for that kid, though. He could still cause trouble."

"Oh, don't worry," Jason growled. "If he tries I'll get some of the others involved. He'll go away real fast."

Tommy snorted.

"One phone call to Hayley would fix any problem with him," he said. "Though I would recommend saving that as a last resort. She doesn't exactly hold to our Code unless it's a requirement."

"Don't I know it," Jason muttered. "Good thing she likes most of us or everything would be out for the world to see."

"You two are weird…" Vida said.

She had just walked back out into the hallway to hear the last of what they were saying. Laughing, Tommy nodded and headed for the door. As he walked out, he heard Mrs. Rocca calling for Madison to come down for dinner. He didn't pause, though, heading out to his car and climbing in. Vida waved from the door, grinning as he pulled away.

"Well this doesn't make sense…" Tommy muttered, staring at the papers in front of him.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"Maybe I've been staring at them too long," he sighed. "I really should get something to eat…"

But he didn't get up. Instead he shifted to the next set of reports, trying to figure out just what was going on with the project. They'd hit a bit of a stumbling block and it was driving him nuts that he couldn't find out why. The phone started ringing, though, so he set down the report and picked it up.

"This is Thomas Oliver," he said absently, shifting through a few more papers.

"Tommy?" a familiar voice sobbed on the other end. "Tommy, I'm sorry…"

He immediately set down the papers, turning his full attention to the phone call.

"Maddy?" he said. "What's wrong? Are you ok?"

"I'm fine," she said, despite the fact that he could hear her crying still. "I'm sorry…"

"Sorry for what?" he asked, frowning.

She sighed.

"For saying I hated you…" Madison mumbled. "You were right about him…"

Tommy's eyes narrowed.

"What did he do?" he asked sharply.

"He was cheating on me!" she cried. "We were dating for two weeks and the whole time he was going out with another girl from his old school and—"

She cut off, taking a deep breath.

"And what?" Tommy prodded gently.

"The other girl is pregnant…" she said quietly in answer.

Tommy grimaced, taking a deep breath of his own as he ran a hand through his hair.

"I'm sorry, Maddy…" he said. "I wish I had been wrong for your sake…"

"It's ok…" she said. "I'm glad you and Jason interfered—I really don't hate you."

Tommy chuckled.

"I know you don't," he said. "Never thought you did."

"When are you coming home again?" she asked.

Leaning back in his chair, Tommy sighed.

"Not for another couple of months," he said. "We've got a lot going on here right now…But if I could get away I would come back now."

"I know," she mumbled. "But I could really use a hug right now—and Jason is gone for the week at some karate competition…Mom and dad are trying, but they just keep trying to tell me to be more careful next time. I know they're just trying to take care of me, but…"

"But that's not what you want to hear right now," Tommy finished for her. "Well, I have an idea. I actually just got off the phone with my mom a little while ago and she told me she was making cookies. I'm sure she'd be happy to see you—and I also happen to know she gives great hugs."

Madison laughed faintly and Tommy smiled.

"I guess I could walk over there," she said. "I should probably take sis, too. Mom and dad are trying not to lecture her, but she's going to hear it eventually…"

Tommy frowned.

"Lecture her for what?" he asked.

"Umm…Vida's been suspended for two days," Madison answered hesitantly.

"Why?" Tommy sighed.

"Because she may have punched Grant in the face," she said.

Tommy snorted, turning his laugh into a cough.

"And why did she do that?" he asked. "Not that he doesn't deserve a lot worse."

"Well, once they found out about the other girl, Vida, Chip, and Xander all went to confront Grant and demand an apology for me," she explained. "I wasn't there, but I guess he said some things about me that weren't so nice… V kind of lost it and decked him. Chip and Xander are both mad she hit him before they could…"

Tommy couldn't help it. He burst out laughing.

"Good for her," he said. "And if I ever get my hands on that kid he's going to regret anything he's said. Does Jason know yet?"

"No," Madison said quickly. "I'm going to wait until he gets home to tell him. I don't want to distract him during his competition."

"Alright," Tommy said. "Then I won't say anything to him, either. But may I make a suggestion?"

She paused.

"Umm… ok?" she said.

"Tell him at the dojo," he said. "That way he has something to hit that's not going to break."

Madison started laughing.

"I will," she said, sounding a lot happier than she had.

"Sounds good," he said. "Now go get your sister and head to my house for some cookies. I'll talk to you soon, ok? And I promise that your house will be the first place I stop next time I come back to Angel Grove."

"Deal," Madison said. "Bye…"

Hanging up, Tommy shook his head as he stared up at the ceiling for a moment.

"Alright," he muttered to himself as he sat back up. "Now what is going on with this?"

"What is going on with this stupid computer?" Nick exclaimed, glaring at the register system. "Why won't it let me log in?"

Chip and Xander just shrugged in response. They'd already tried logging in with no success. All of the rangers had been having trouble with the computer system at the Rockporium for the past couple of days. Toby walked out of his office to see what the fuss was about just as Nick started banging on the side of the machine.

"Hey!" Toby exclaimed. "If you break that it's coming out of your paycheck."

"Toby, it's already broken," Xander sighed. "It hasn't been working for days…"

Toby frowned, walking over to take a look.

"It should be working perfectly," he said. "I just got it upgraded last week. Move over."

Nick shrugged, moving out of the way. Toby stepped over to the computer and typed in his log-in information. It logged him right in.

"See, works perfect," he said.

"But I just did that!" Nick exclaimed.

Toby chuckled, shaking his head.

"You're probably using the wrong password," he said. "Reset it and try again."

Turning, he headed back toward his office. Nick just sighed.

"Already changed it four times," he muttered as he tried again. "See! It's still not working! I give up…"

Throwing his hands up, he stalked away from the computer. Chip and Xander sighed and followed, not wanting to deal with it themselves either.

"Your turn, Leelee," Xander said as they walked past, glaring at her. "You're officially the cashier for the rest of the week."

"Umm…Ok," she said, smiling faintly.

Shaking their heads, the three boys joined Madison and Vida over in the corner. They were both sitting quietly.

"Everything alright?" Chip asked. "You two have been kind of quiet the past couple of days."

They shrugged.

"It's nothing," Vida said, shaking her head.

"It doesn't seem like nothing," Xander said, sitting down in a chair. "What's going on?"

"It's Jason," Madison said quietly. "And Tommy… And everything that happened last week…"

Nick frowned.

"Maddy, there's nothing we can do about that right now," he said. "You know that."

"We do know that," Vida said. "Doesn't make it any easier… Jason is our brother. And Tommy's been like a big brother to us, too, for as long as we can remember…"

Sighing, Nick grabbed a chair and sat down with the rest of the team.

"I can't make it easier," he said, looking at the girls. "But you know we're all behind you. And as soon as we can, we'll give saving them a shot."

Madison and Vida nodded in gratitude.

"But right now," Nick continued. "We have to keep our focus here. If you let them distract you and keep you from fighting, then the darkness wins and everything we've done will have been in vain. You can't let this get in your way."

The girls sighed, nodding as they listened to Nick.

"You're right, Nick," Vida finally said. "There's no point in getting all worked up over this. It'll just distract us."

"We'll try and let it go for now," Madison agreed. "At least until we have the time…"

He smiled at them.

"See?" he said. "That's better. And, if anything does start happening with them around your family, we'll act then. Ok?"

The girls nodded, smiling faintly. Then the morphers beeped and they sighed.

"Back to work," Nick said, leading the way out the door.