Author's Note: First, I'd like to say with this chapter, as it seems I do quite often, I apologize for how long it took to get out. I've been writing a lot lately, but this story just hasn't been as much of a focal point for me as I would like it to be.
Secondly, I suppose you could call this chapter the calm before the storm. My story is approaching a climax, which will be seen over the next few chapters (looking like I should be able to wrap up this story with about 20 chapters, though I don't want to promise a number). This chapter doesn't have as much as action as some of the others, but I tried to keep it interesting, none the less. I'll try (but once again no promises) to write the end of this story on a fairly regular basis. I hope you enjoy. Please read and review.
Chapter 16
The next day, Kim is standing at her locker when Zack comes over to her.
"What going on, girl?" Zack says. "You alright?"
"Tommy was gone again this morning." Kim says. "Can you believe he didn't give me a ride after he apologized for that yesterday?"
"That's weird." Zack says. "Doesn't seem much like him. So how'd you get to school?"
"I called Billy." Kim says. "He was just picking up Trini when I called. It was a little out of his way, but he at least he was nice enough to pick me up. When I see Tommy, I'm going to give him a piece of my mind." She slams her locker shut.
"Well, here's your chance." Zack says, pointing. Tommy comes in through the door, and walks up some stairs. He sees Kim and runs over.
"Kim, I'm so sorry." He says. "I just realized I forgot to call you again."
"Oh, it's OK, Tommy." Kim says. "I didn't even care that much."
"Way to give him a piece of your mind, Kim." Zack says under his breath to himself.
"You have every right to be mad at me." Tommy says. "I'm going to be busy tonight, so I went to the Youth Center this morning to get my daily workout in, but I forgot I was supposed to give you a ride."
"Don't worry about it." Kim says. "What's done is done."
"Really?" Tommy says. "Thanks for being so cool about this. Hey, so, uh, Kim…"
"Yeah, Tommy?" she asks.
"So, this weekend is the homecoming dance." Tommy says. "I know it's kind of last minute, but, I was kind of wondering if maybe…"
"Yes?" Kim says urging him to go on.
"You'd see if Trini was interested in going with me." Tommy says. Kim's jaw dropped.
"What!?" She exclaims.
"I'm just messing with you." Tommy says. "So you want to go with me?"
Kim laughs and shakes her head. "You had me going there for a second." Kim says. "Of course I'll go with you Tommy. Sounds like fun."
"Great." Tommy says. "So I'll pick you up Saturday night around 6, and we can go out to eat before we head to the dance."
"It's a date." Kim says smiling.
"I'll see you then." Tommy says. "Unless, you still need a ride from school."
"Nah, Billy as planning on giving me a ride home. Plus, I was thinking about stopping by the youth center and I know you said you're busy tonight."
"Alright." Tommy says. "See you later." He runs off. Kim turns back to Zack.
"Well you were right." Kim says to Zack.
"Of course I was." Zack says. "What was I right about?"
"You said the other Tommy was acting weird because he wanted to ask me to the dance." Kim says. "Well, he just asked me."
Zack stops in his tracks. "Oh crap." he says. "That's this weekend already. Oh ma, I hope Angela doesn't already have a date. I'll see you later, Kim. I've got to go find Angela before it's too late. Angela!" He also runs off. Kim starts shaking her head, and keeps walking to class.
After school, the 5 ranger teens meet up at the youth center. They take a seat at a table up by the bar. Ernie comes over to them and takes their drink orders. Kim begins to tell tell them about how Tommy asked her to the dance earlier that.
Zack butts into the conversation. "You're not the only one who got a date today. Guess who's going to the dance with Angela Griggs?"
"Bulk?" Trini asks.
"No, me." Zack says.
"I wasn't talking to you." Trini says, pointing behind Zack. Bulk and Skull are standing behind them. Bulk doesn't look very happy.
"What do you want Bulk?" Jason asks.
"You geeks are sitting at our table." Bulk says.
"Yeah!" Skull says. "Now get lost!"
"Sorry, guys." Trini says. "We were here first. Besides, how could we possibly have expected you. Detention isn't set to get out for another half hour."
"Haha, very funny." Bulk says. "I'll have you know that we don't have detention this week."
"Well, there's a first for everything." Kim says.
"Technically, that's not true." Billy says. "Everything has the possibility of a first happening, but there's not a first time for every event. For example…"
"Billy, we get it." Jason says. "Why don't you guys just take one of the other tables? There are a bunch open."
"Yeah, but none of them is OUR table." Skull says.
"None of them ARE your table." Billy says, correcting his grammar.
"That's what I said." Skull says.
"Hey!" A voice from behind them says. They turn and see Tommy walking up behind them.
"Oh look Skull." Bulk says. "It's the 6th geekoid who go us in trouble with Lt. Stone."
"What do you want, Tommy?" Skull says. Bulk gives him a look. "What? I couldn't come up with an insult?"
"I believe they said they weren't moving." Tommy says. "Now, I don't want to get in trouble with the cops, but if you don't move on, I won't mind kicking your asses again."
"Oh yeah." Bulk says inching closer to him.
"Yeah." Tommy says. Bulk stares at Tommy, and his eyes flash Green. Both Bulk and Skull see this and freak out.
"Sorry to have bothered you." Bulk says. He grabs Skull by the collar and they rush away.
"What was that about?" Jason asks.
"I have no idea." Tommy says. "Mind if I join you guys. I called my uncle, and it turns out my plans fell through. Kim said you guys might be here."
"Yeah, man. It's cool." Jason says.
"So anyway, back to my story about getting Angela to go with me to the dance." Zack says.
"What?" Tommy says. "Did you blackmail her?" The others laugh.
"Not cool, man." Zack says. "Not cool. I just asked her. Said it was a no pressure date. Just two people, going to the dance together."
"Sounds serious." Trini says, sarcastically.
Ernie comes over to the table and passes milkshakes out to the 5 teens. "Oh, Tommy, didn't see you there? What can I get you to drink?"
"Strawberry Protein Shake please." Tommy says.
"You got it." Ernie says. "Be right back."
"So what about you hotshot?" Tommy says to Jason. "You got a hot date for the dance on saturday."
"Actually, I don't think I'm going." Jason says.
"What?" Kim asks.
"Yeah, I'm just not a huge fan of dances." Jason says.
"But you've got to go." Tommy says quickly.
"What? Why?" Jason says.
"It's just…" Tommy pauses trying to say something. "Well, it would just be weird to not have the whole group together. You guys are basically a team, right?"
"A team?" Trini says, inquisitively.
"Why would you say that?" Jason asks.
"I didn't mean anything by it." Tommy says. "You guys just seem to stick together. That's all."
"Well, I'm going to go use the restroom." Trini says. "Kim, you wanna come with?"
"Well, I'm not…" Trini kicks her leg. "Sure, why not." Kim and Trini get up and head towards the restroom.
Tommy looks over at Billy.
"What about you Billy? You going to the dance."
"At this time, I've been unable to acquire a female companion to go with me." Billy says. "I'm not sure if I'll be in attendance."
"Well, you're never going to get a date saying things like you haven't be able to 'acquire a female companion'." Tommy says. "Loosen up a bit, man. Now, there's gotta be some girl you could ask. What about Trini? She doesn't seem to be talking about a date. I'm sure if she'd love to go with you."
"You seem awfully eager to help us find dates." Jason says. "What's going on?
"Look, here's the deal." Tommy says. "I really like Kim, and you guys are Kim's closest group of friends. If I end up dating Kim, which could happen, I'm going to spending a lot of time with you guys. I just want you to like me. That's all."
"Look man, you don't have to set us up or act like you've been apart of the group for a long time to get us to like you." Zack says. "You're the new guy here. Embrace the role. Let us meet the real Tommy. We can't like you if we don't know you."
"I guess you're right." Tommy says. "But I was serious about you asking Trini to the dance. I can tell she likes you. There doesn't even have to be any pressure. Just ask her to go as a friend."
"I suppose I could do that." Billy says.
Meanwhile Trini pulls Kim aside in front of the restroom.
"What the hell was this about, Trini?" Kim says. "You're not the type of girl who brings other girls with her to the bathroom.
"Why is Tommy suddenly so comfortable around us?" Trini asks. "Last time we were here with him, we got teleported away. We've never really hung out with him, outside of you, but all of a sudden he's acting like he knows everything about us. Even calling us a team?"
"Trini, calm down." Kim says. "You're overreacting."
"It's just doesn't make sense to me." Trini says.
"He's probably just trying to get to know my friends." Kim says. "I am going on a date with him. I know him. He's a good guy. You're worrying over nothing."
"Maybe." Trini says. "But no one is that comfortable around new people. Plus, his use of the word team makes me feel like he knows that we're..."
"Trini, listen to me." Kim says slowly. "There is no way he knows that. No one knows that besides Zordon, Alpha, and the people at D.E.T.A. That's it. We do have a tight group. I can see him calling us a team. You're overthinking it."
"You're probably right." Trini says. "Speaking of Zordon and Alpha, I wonder Alpha's had any luck finding Zordon yet?"
"Alpha said he'd contact if there was any news." Kim says. "Look, we've been gone for a few minutes. We should really get back to the table soon."
The girls come back to the table and sit down. "So, Trini, Billy has something he'd like to ask you." Tommy says, as they sit down.
"He does?" Trini says.
"Um… Trini, I was wondering if you would acquire me to the dance on Saturday night." Billy says. "You're on of my closest female friends and one of the few people I would really feel confortable going with."
Trini gives Kim a look, thinking this has Tommy written all over it. "Sure Billy, I'll go with you." She says nervously.
"Really?" Billy says, that's great.
Just one question." Trini says. "Why did you wait so long to ask? I mean, we've known about the dance for a while. Seems kind of last minute."
"It just became clear to me that most of the group was going, so why shouldn't we." Billy says.
Trini glares at Tommy. "It just became clear to you, huh?" She says.
Kim leans over to Zack "I think it might be a good idea if we get Trini away from Tommy." She whispers to him. "She freaking out about how buddy buddy he's gotten with us. Plus, I think she's worried about Zordon."
Zack nods. "Look, Tommy, it's been real man, but we've got to run." He says standing up. He and Tommy do a quick handshake and the others stand up. Jason gives Zack a look wondering what's going on, but goes along with it.
"Already?" Tommy says. "Seems like you guys just got here, but I guess that's cause I just got here. Look, I gotta wait for my shake, so I'm going to chill here for a while. You guys have fun." The 5 ranger teens run off. As they do Ernie comes back with Tommy's milkshake. He sets it down in front of him. Tommy looks at it for a second. "Pink." He says.
"Yeah, Tommy, it is pink." Ernie says. "That's what you get when you order a strawberry shake. Why, do you have a problem that it's pink?"
"Whoa, calm down. I was just noticing it's color." Tommy says, watching the rangers leave. "Besides, I love pink." He says, then sips on the milkshake.
The rangers meet up in the hallway, out of Tommy's sight. "So why did we have to leave so quick, Zack?" Jason asks.
"Kim said Trini was freaking out about Tommy being so friendly." Zack says. "I know what he said about wanting to get to know us, but I'm on her side. He's acting weird."
"We really don't have much context to base that off us." Billy says. "Weird is a way of saying different than normal, but we've only met him for a short time. It could be the way he normally acts."
"Could be, but I thought it was best to get out of there." Zack says.
"Billy, did Tommy pressure you into asking me to the dance?" Trini asks.
"What?" Billy says. "I wouldn't say he pressured me into it. He asked if I had a date, I said no, he suggested you as a possible date, and I agreed that it made sense."
"Wait, he suggested me?" Trini asks.
"Guys, keep it down." Jason says. "Since we said we were leaving, it might be best to continue this conversation elsewhere."
"We should check on Alpha's progress on finding Zordon." Zack says.
"Can't hurt I guess." Jason says. "Let's go."
The rangers teleport to the command center. "Alpha, you had any luck finding Zordon yet?" Jason asks.
"Not yet." Alpha says. "The computers have been scanning all known galaxies for his signal, but it seems like the Green Ranger made it nearly impossible to find him."
"Well, keep looking Alpha." Zack says. "We could really use some answers."
"Is there any update on the identity of the Green Ranger." Trini asks.
"I haven't really been looking into that at this time." Alpha says. "Most of the Command Center's power is being used to search for Zordon."
"I thought we decided that wasn't a big deal at this time?" Zack asks.
"Well, any information we have on the guy is a piece of information we can use to beat him." Trini says.
"At the very least, learning his identity could help in our search for Zordon." Billy says. "He's the one who sent Zordon away. Maybe he knows how to get him back?" He slides onto the computer next to Alpha and starts pressing some buttons.
"Yeah, but that's a long shot, at best." Jason says. "Assuming he can find out who he is, and capture him, there's still no guaranteeing he'll talk or tell us anything useful."
"Honestly, I'm surprised Rita hasn't tried to attack us today." Zack says. "I'm not complaining, but we're at an incredible disadvantage without Zordon. Plus, she's the Green Ranger, Goldar, and now Scorpina on her side. Not to mention armies of putties, and who knows how many other monsters."
"Yeah, that's part of the reason I'm not going to the dance." Jason says. The other turn and look at him. "I wasn't going to say anything in front of Tommy, but I don't think it's a great idea for us all to be engaged socially at the same time. Trini and Billy going together, makes some sense considering if they have to leave, no one is really going to question it. If Rita attacks at the time of the dance, how do you propose on telling Angela or Tommy that you have to leave without saying 'I'm a Power Ranger.'?"
"I guess I hadn't really thought about that." Zack says.
"Do you think I should call Tommy and tell him something came up?" Kim says.
"No, no." Jason says. "Look, I don't mean to guilt you guys into anything. Zack, I now how long you've liked Angela, and Kim, ever since you've met Tommy, you've been even bubblier than usual. I'm not saying you shouldn't go. I'm just saying, it's not a good idea for us all to go. I'm refraining from going so I can be ready should Rita attack. Who knows if she will or not?"
"That makes a lot of sense, actually." Kim says. "I'll be sure to have some cover story with Tommy so he knows I may have to leave in a rush."
"Same here." Zack says. "Only, with Angela. I doubt Tommy will care that much if I have to leave."
"If he continues acting like he was today, he might." Trini says.
"Let it go." Kim says. "If he hadn't used the word team, you wouldn't have freaked out this much. He doesn't know we're rangers."
Kim and Trini start to argue back and forth, but Jason sets in between them. "Look, we already have enough enemies to deal with right now! We can't afford to be fighting with each other. Maybe Tommy was or wasn't acting weird today, but does it really matter that much? We shouldn't be fighting right now. We're all frustrated that Zordon is missing, but we'll get him back. Mark my words, we will get him back, and we will stop Rita, but we won't do any of that unless we stop fighting with each other and work together.
Kim and Trini look at each. "I'm so sorry, Trini." Kim says rushing towards her and hugging her.
"No, Kim, I'm the one who should be sorry." Trini says. "I'm fighting over nothing. I'm just being paranoid."
They stop embracing. "So glad that is over with." Zack says. "I wasn't sure how much of that fighting I could take."
"I've got it." Billy says.
"You've got Zordon?" Trini says rushing over to him.
"No, but I've found a way to expand the search parameters. If I'm right, we can draw power away from the Command Center's shielding, without completely taking it down, of course. It should speed up the process exponentially."
"Billy, you're a genius." Jason says. "You continue to amaze me everytime you figure this type of stuff out."
"Thanks, I just hope it helps us find Zordon." Billy says.
Tommy walks into Rita's palace.
"Ah Green Ranger, I trust everything is going according to plan." Rita says.
"Almost, my queen." Tommy says. "The Red Ranger is not planning on attending the dance. My plan may require some tweaking, but it should still work. I just have to move more quickly once the plan is set into motion. Once I have the pink ranger in my possession, Goldar will have to execute the remainder of the plan. By this time on Saturday, you should have the Power Coins in your possession. Then no one will stand in your way of ruling this planet." He laughs.
"Excellent." Rita says, and she join with him in laughing.
END CHAPTER