The days passed quickly, and turned to weeks. Beth devoted all of her free time to training. She studied constantly, devouring every bit of information she could get her hands on. Her power flourished, but her friends worried.
It wasn't that Beth had forgotten to take care of herself. She ate regularly, and a lot better than most teens her age. She also made sure to get plenty of rest. Or at least she tried. Beth's sleep was frequented by visions, terrible visions of groping around in the dark, surrounded by the sound of battle. Her visions were filled with fear and certainty.
Kim was the one who decided to confront her about it. It was a Saturday afternoon and most of the rangers had left on a camping trip. Beth sat on a boulder, meditating. She felt soothed by the warm sunshine, and the sound of waves breaking on the beach in front of her.
The young woman felt her sister in everything but blood approach. Kim sighed and sat beside Beth in companionable silence. It was a while before either of them spoke. "Peaceful, isn't it?" asked Beth.
"Yes, it's a great place to sit and think," replied Kim.
"I found this place a few days ago; it's an oasis for someone who craves peace at last."
"Someone like you?" inquired Kim.
"Yes, someone like me."
"I know you're chewing on something in that crazy head of yours. Why don't you just spit it out?"
"I don't want to worry anyone."
"Bethie, I'm already worried, your team is worried. Talking can help, trust me I know."
"It's just that I wonder why I can't ever stop. I'm strong physically, but I feel like I'm falling to pieces under the weight of my responsibility." Beth's head dropped to her knees. Her shoulders slumped, and Kim saw a single tear streak down Beth's cheek.
Kim reached over and gave Beth a comforting sisterly hug. "Oh Bethie, you shouldn't have kept this to yourself. I know you can't tell me all the specifics, but you can always talk to me, or to any of your current and former teammates."
Beth cried harder. "It's just so hard! I don't see a light at the end of the tunnel."
"There's always a light at the end of the tunnel, but you'll never see it if you don't keep walking."
Beth smiled. "I wonder who told you that."
Kim laughed, and then replied seriously, "the wisest, bravest, smartest, kindest nine-year-old I ever met."
"I would like to meet that person someday, and give her a nice and solid left hook to the jaw. Now, I have to stop my pity party."
Kim smiled, "That's what I thought when you told me that."
"I'm glad you didn't. I was nine; Jason would have got Trini to murder you in your sleep."
"Why would he have had Trini do it, too cowardly?"
"Nope, he wouldn't have been able to bring himself to hurt a girl."
Kim nodded laughing.
"Thank you," Beth said.
"No problem, just try to relax. You have teammates for a reason."
Just then Beth's morpher beeped. She looked across at Kim, and wordlessly stood. "Go for Beth."
"Beth, there's trouble, I'm sending the coordinates now," Cam's voice rang out over the morpher.
"Okay, see you soon."
Kim smiled at Beth, and Beth Ninja streaked out.
Late that night, after the rangers had won their battle against Zeltrax, Dustin walked into his apartment to see Beth sprawled out on the couch, eating pizza, and video chatting with a friend. He let out a relieved breath and headed up to bed.