Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers.

Chapter 3 – Bonded

"Kira!" cried Kim, rushing over to her daughter. She checked for a pulse and for signs of breathing and was relieved to find both. Tommy and Ethan rushed over as well and checked Connor, discovering both signs of life.

"Kira, can you hear me?"

"Dude, get up."

"They're unconscious." Tommy said.

"Way to state the obvious." Snapped Kim. "Why are they unconscious?"

"And why are their hands glued together?" Ethan asked. Kim and Tommy turned their attention to the younger boy and saw him try to pry their hands apart, only to fail miserably.

"This is bad. This is no ordinary sleep." Said Kim.

"Were they attacked?" asked Tommy.

"We were all just feet away from them, Dr. O. I find it hard to believe that they could be attacked without us even knowing." Tommy ran his hands through his hair in frustration. Why do things always have to happen to my family? He thought It's not bad enough that we're Power Rangers, but we also have to be part of a prophecy that will affect Kira's life…. He trailed off as his brain caught up to his line of thinking. The prophecy…

"Tommy…?" Kim asked, seeing her husband's calculating look, and where his line of thought was headed.

"The prophecy…" he muttered, turning to look her in the eyes. Those eyes widened in shock as she reached the same conclusion he had.

"No…" she breathed. "Him? Now? She's ten!" Kim was starting to panic and Tommy leaped into action, doing all he could to stop it.

"I know, I know. I'm not any happier about it then you are. But what other explanation could there be?"

"We're Power Rangers Tommy! The realm of explanations is nearly infinite to us!"

"Yes, but even for us falling unconscious when someone touches you, when that someone isn't trying to hurt you, or using any kind of power, is weird. And the prophecy is about as weird as you can get."

"I know, I just….I don't like it." Tears were now streaming down Kim's face and Tommy pulled her to him, rubbing soothing circles on her back. Ethan looked at the two as if they had gone off their rocker. However, given that his two new teammates were still lying unconscious on the ground, maybe they hadn't.

"Dr. O, Mrs. O, what's going on?" he asked. Their heads snapped up in Ethan's direction, both having forgotten that he was there.

"Oh, umm…" They were saved having to reply, however, as Connor and Kira both groaned, opening their eyes and sitting up at the same time.

"Kira!" her parents cried. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah, I think so." She murmured.

"You ok, Connor?" Tommy asked, once he ascertained that his daughter was ok.

"Yeah." He said. No one said anything, Ethan, Connor and Kira all confused, and Kim and Tommy were just waiting for something to happen. Finally, Tommy saw that Connor's eyes kept flashing to Kira, with something other then concern or indifference.

"Connor…?" he asked.

"I don't…Dr. O I don't know what's going on. I feel…I don't know what it is, but…" his eyes flashed to Kira again and Tommy got the hint.

"Close your eyes, Connor. Look deep inside, listen to your instincts; find that feeling and tell me what it is."

"I…NO!" he shouted, his eyes frantically moving between Kira, Tommy and Kim. Tommy leaned down close to the younger man and spoke so only he could hear.

"If your instincts are telling you to have sex with my daughter, tell me now." His voice was low and threatening, a shred of Tom coming out and promising a world of pain should that be the case, ancient prophecy be damned, as Tommy allowed his power out in search of the truth. However, his power was unnecessary as Connor's reaction alone had Tom retreating, for there was nothing but the truth on his face or in his words; Tommy's power merely corroborated it.

"What!?" he cried, his voice going up several decibels. "No, no that's not it at all! Dr. O I swear…you gotta believe me!"

"Good." Said Tommy. "I do believe you." He turned to his wife wondering what the hell was to happen next. It was obvious something needed to happen, Connor's jitteriness and inability to concentrate on anything but Kira for any length of time confirmed it, and though they had the assurance that there was absolutely nothing sexual in his feelings towards their daughter, what happened now was a mystery to them. Using their bond to communicate, Tommy and Kim warred over what to do next. They had no idea what to do, and both of them were instantly brought back to Kim's challenge all those years ago to retrieve her Zeo Shard. In it, the one Kira had been bonded to had taken her away from them, and though at the time his features had been obscured, the only discernable ones being his height, skin colour, and hair colour, both admitted that the man Kim had seen at a distance could very well have been Connor, and both were terrified that that was their future. Eventually though, with no other idea on what do to, they agreed to get one more assurance from Connor before finalizing a course of action.

"Connor," Kim spoke this time, allowing her own power to overtake Connor, both in search of the truth as Tommy had been, but also in warning of her wrath should he cross her. "If we leave you alone to do…whatever it is you need to do." She ground that part out, hating the very sound of it. "Do you promise both of you will be here when we get back?" Connor looked at her weirdly, unsure where this was going.

"Of course. Where would I…why would you think I'd take her anywhere?" Kim didn't answer him, not willing to get into it now, if ever, and merely stood to leave before she lost her will power to do so. Tommy stood alongside her and they both helped a completely overwhelmed and confused Ethan up, leading him towards the door, though Tommy stopped before they left.

"You hurt her, I'll hurt you." He growled back, preparing to leave once and for all but Kira jumped up, calling out to her parents before they left.

"Mom, dad…what?" The two turned to their daughter and gave her small, reassuring smiles, or tried to at least.

"Don't worry. Everything will be alright." Said Tommy.

"But what's going on?"

"You know who you are, Kira." Kim said in a gentle tone, trying to soothe the obvious panic rising in her child. "We've told you all about the Ninjetti, and what has been foretold must happen for you to become who you really are." Kira looked on confused before it finally clicked.

"This has to do with the prophecy?" she looked to Connor and back at her parents, a disbelieving look on her face. "Him? He's the one?" Tommy and Kim merely nodded.

"It's going against every fatherly instinct I have to leave you alone with him, but it has to happen. It'll happen either way." Kira nodded, unsure what to think. For as long as she could remember she'd been told about the prophecy, and her part in it. But it was only this past summer that her mother had had 'the talk' with her. Near the end, her father had joined them and they'd taken it one step farther, explaining the final aspect about the prophecy which they had kept from her till she was older, the part about her being bonded to another, and how that bond would be similar to their own. They told her about the bond they shared, about Tommy's time as the Evil Green Ranger and Kim's subsequent capture. They told her about the spell and showed her the mark that was still clearly visible on Kim's back. The only part they glossed over was how she had been conceived. They knew one day, when she was old enough to truly understand everything they said, that she'd put two and two together and realize the truth, and though they'd never deny it, confirming to their child that they'd been conceived through rape was never something they'd do.

Although she knew her parents were deeply in love, it was hard for Kira to hear of the beginning of their lives together and that her father had complete control over her mother, should he choose to exert that power. What came as a bigger shock was that one day she would share a bond similar to theirs with a complete stranger. The fact that this person would love her as much as Tommy loved Kim, a fact her parents re-enforced many times, was nearly lost on the ten-year-old. She already had so much of her future taken out of her control because of this prophecy, she didn't relish being completely under someone's control, or anything else the bond entailed.

When the door shut behind them, Kira turned her attention to Connor. He was breathing heavily and looking at her with a mixture of confusion and worry.

"What's happening to me?" he asked, taking a deep breath as he fought for control of his body which was currently intent on doing something, he didn't know quite what just yet, to the girl in front of him.

"It's the prophecy." Kira said softly.

"The what?"

"I can't explain it right now, there obviously isn't time." She indicated to his shaking form; he was beginning to lose the battle of wills. "All I know is that whatever this is, it's brought on by the ancient power of The Ninjetti. I don't know exactly what's happening to you, Connor. I just know that whatever your instincts are telling you to do, it's supposed to happen." Then, proving that she was indeed her mother's daughter, Kira smiled softly and tried to reassure him, regardless of how scared she really was. "It's ok, don't fight it. The Ninjetti were an order of warriors sworn to protect the light; they are all that is good in this universe. Just let it happen. Whatever it is, it can only be for the better of the universe. We can explain the whys and hows of it later." Connor debated over his options, weighing what she had just said, and what his instincts were screaming at him, against what his mind was telling him. Finally he sighed in defeat and gave in, stopping his battle of wills and allowing his instincts to take over. He reached up with his free hand and brought it to cup her cheek looking into her doe eyes and staring back with ones that had taken on an animalistic quality.

"Connor, talk to me." She said. Looking down at her he became very aware of how tiny she was. She came up to just passed his elbow; there was a near two foot height difference. One hand was still fused to hers keeping her close, which for some reason didn't bother him; though it bothered his human mind that whatever this part of him was, liked having her close.

"I feel…I don't know what this is." He admitted, deciding to be, and knowing he had to be, completely truthful with her. "I need to…claim you." He spat out, disgusted with himself. "But not…not like that. I need…"

"To mark me." Connor's eyes snapped back to hers, seeing the recognition on her face and realizing she knew far more about this then she was letting on.

"Yes." He said. Once she had said it, he knew exactly what his instincts were telling him to do. "How did you…?"

"You'll get the answers soon, I promise." She smiled up at him, trying to tell him that it was alright. He seemed to get the hint because he nodded and then gently laid her down on the ground. Kira did nothing but continue to hold eye contact as he allowed his instincts to take over completely. He lifted her shirt up to just passed her belly button and pulled her jeans down and inch so they rested low on her hips. His hand came up to cover the bared skin on the front of her hip, just above her left hipbone. Connor felt a power well up inside him and he finally broke eye contact, closing his eyes and concentrating on the power. They both felt it as it entered his hand leaving his body and entering hers. Kira cried out at the sudden pain that enveloped her. It felt like he was carving into her skin with a knife. Little did she know how close to the truth that was. Connor cringed when he heard her cry of pain, but held her firmly in place with his one hand. Though a part of him knew she was in pain, he was too absorbed in the power and the strange relief it gave him. Eventually he felt the power recede and Kira's whimpers pushed through the haze he had been in. He took in her tear-stained face and looked down to where his hand was still pressing into her. Slowly he removed his hand and his eyes widened at the angry red mark he had left behind. A lion. It was an outline of the head of a lion that had been left behind, etched into her very skin. Connor's heart quickened at the sight. He had thought perhaps, a tattoo, or something else, he wasn't quite sure what, but he never thought the mark would be carved into her skin. Turning his full attention to the girl before him, Connor gently pulled her shirt back down and gathered her in his arms, the power fusing their hands together having released.

"I'm sorry." He murmured.

"It's ok." She said. Her tears had stopped but her eyes still glistened.

"Rest." He responded. His voice didn't leave much room for argument but she was too tired to argue anyways. Apparently, being marked took a lot out of you. Kira felt her eyes close and she sagged against Connor, asleep before she could even agree with him. Connor smiled softly and stood up, cradling her in his arms. He walked through to the kitchen where Tommy, Kim and Ethan all sat waiting.

"I swear she's just asleep." He said when Tommy and Kim both bolted off their chairs. They nodded, though the tension didn't leave them; they'd all heard Kira cry out. Kim came over and mumbled that they should get Kira to bed. She then led the way upstairs to her daughter's room where Connor laid her down and Kim covered her up before the two immediately retreated back downstairs.

"So are you guys going to tell me what this is all about?" Connor demanded. Tommy and Kim both sighed but knew they couldn't keep it from them.

"I'll make some coffee." Said Kim.

"There's some whiskey in the cupboard." Said Tommy, deciding he needed a stiff drink to have this talk about his daughter with two teenage boys.

"Tommy!" scolded Kim, shooting him a disapproving look.

"What? I'm gonna need a drink for this talk."

"Thomas James Oliver, you are not getting drunk in front of your students!"

"I didn't say drunk, I said a drink!"

"Tommy." Kim warned.

"Fine, deny me my drink. But these two are part of the 'Power Ranger Family' as you're so fond of calling it. They're better off knowing what we're really like." He turned to his students and gave them one of his best glares. "But no matter what you see or hear, I'm still Dr. Oliver until the day you graduate." Connor and Ethan nodded, both intrigued and scared. Kim finished with the coffee and set a mug down in front of each of the three boys. Tommy took a big gulp of his, feeling the scalding drink burn his throat.

"So…what's going on?" Connor asked again when the silence lasted too long for his liking. Tommy and Kim shared another look and Kim decided to begin.

"Well, it all began mid September 1993. It was our first year of high school-"

"Wait, you were 9th graders in '93?" asked Ethan. "That only makes you 26 years old. How the hell do you already have a PhD?"

"I'm smart, I studied, I found the Dino Gems and it became a necessity that I become an expert in palaeontology. The PhD was just a formality." Came his swift reply.

"Should have known something was up." Muttered Kim. "You're not Billy."

"Yeah, well, this is a long story and if you keep interrupting we'll never get through it." Tommy said, ever the expert on changing subjects.

"Right, sorry." Said Ethan.

"Anyways." Continued Kim. "That September was when we first became Power Rangers; the first group of Power Rangers ever. Our mentor, Zordon, was an ancient cosmic being from the planet Eltar. He was the one to create the Morphing Grid. If he hadn't, Power Rangers wouldn't exist. Zordon created five Power Coins that contained the powers of the animals we call dinosaurs."

"There are many planets out there that contain life. Despite how vast and diverse the universe is, there are very few species that are native to only one planet." Imputed Tommy, he and Kim seamlessly going back and forth in their narrative.

"I was given the Pterodactyl Power Coin and became the Pink Ranger. Our friends, Billy, Zack, Trini and Jason held the powers of the Triceratops, Mastodon, Saberthooth Tiger and Tyrannosaurus, and became the Blue, Black, Yellow and Red Rangers respectively. Together the five of us protected Earth against the evil sorceress Rita Repulsa."

"What about Dr.O?" asked Connor.

"He came to Angel Grove a couple months later, shortly before Christmas. It was then that we learned that Zordon had created a sixth Power Coin, containing the powers of the Dragon. Rita had stolen the sixth Coin thousands of years earlier and had since used her magic on it. She gave it to Tommy and her magic turned him into her Evil Green Ranger."

"Not that this isn't interesting and all, but what does this have to do with what happened to Connor and Kira?" asked Ethan.

"We're getting there." Assured Kim. "You just need some background info first. So Tommy was evil," she continued when they voiced no more complaints. "He nearly destroyed us, and our powers. But there was something more. Tommy and I had met before he was turned evil and we felt an instant connection."

"And we don't mean metaphorically. More on that later."

"When he was evil, that connection got warped and twisted. He became obsessed with me and ended up capturing me; holding me at Rita's Moon Palace for a few days. During that time, he used the combined power that Rita had given him, as well as his own innate power to cast a spell on me that bound me to him, essentially marking me as his. It was also during that time that I became pregnant with Kira." Connor and Ethan looked between Kim and Tommy, the latter of which wouldn't meet their eye, and drew their own conclusions.

"Eventually, we freed Tommy and he joined us. But his powers as the Green Ranger were unstable as they were still partially bound to Rita. So Zordon, his trusted companion Alpha 5, and Billy created a new Power Coin and Tommy became the White Ranger. Then summer before 10th grade, Kira was born and couple months later, Rita got replaced by Lord Zedd."

"Only to have her return a few months later and join with Zedd, marrying him of all things." Tommy shuddered.

"Then, summer before 11th grade, everything changed." Kim paused, unable to gloss over anything anymore and preparing to delve deep into their past. "Six million years ago, the universe was ruled by an evil being known as Ivan Ooze. Zordon, along with six other warriors, trapped him in a hyperlock chamber on a planet which at the time, had no intelligent life."

"We now call that planet Earth." Quipped Tommy.

"Yes, well that summer Ooze was accidentally set free. He destroyed our Command Centre, our Zords, our powers, and destroyed Zordon's energy tube."

"Zordon lived in a time warp." Said Tommy when both Ethan and Connor looked confused. "That's how he lived for millions of years. Outside of his time warp, he was aging rapidly and dying."

"So now we not only had to find new powers and save Earth, we were racing against to clock to save Zordon. We traveled to the distant planet of Pheados where there was a Great Power."

"It was heavily guarded against intruders; all who had tried for it had failed. Until us. There we met Dulcea, master warrior of Pheados. She was an ancient cosmic being like Zordon and was also the High Priestess of the Ninjetti."

"Now listen closely, from here on in it gets even more complicated and vastly more important."

"The Ninjetti are an ancient order of warriors, sworn to protect the light. They called on the power of Animal Spirits, and for an unknown number of years, were the protectors of the universe."

"Inside each of us is an Animal Spirit, waiting to be released. Most people go through life never knowing they have an Animal Spirit, and of the few who know, most are never able to release them."

"That was the power we sought and the six of us became the first Ninjetti warriors in millions of years."

"Long ago, evil forces realized that to rule the universe they'd have to destroy the Ninjetti. So they hunted them down and killed them one by one until only seven remained. Dulcea was one of them, but as High Priestess, it was her duty to remain on Pheados and protect The Great Power, for it must always have a guardian. The other six, the same six who helped Zordon seal Ooze away, cast all their power, giving up their lives to destroy evil. Though they were gone, the Ancient Warriors' Animal Spirits remained. They joined with the Great Power and became the Sacred Animals."

"Our Animal Spirits are the same as the Sacred Animals, and that fact is very important because of a prophecy."

"A prophecy?" Ethan asked, and had Connor perking up, finally going to get some answers.

"Yes." Said Tommy. "A prophecy made by a Ninjetti warrior millions of years ago, that spoke of the Sacred Animals, long before there were Sacred Animals."

"This is where our story had been leading us." Continued Kim. "It's because of the prophecy that this happened to Connor and Kira."

"So you're saying that we're part of this prophecy?" Connor asked sceptically.

"That's exactly what we're saying." Said Tommy, both his face and voice proclaiming he was dead serious.

"So what does this prophecy say?" asked Ethan. Tommy and Kim shared a look wondering if they should repeat it word for word, or give an abbreviated version. Ultimately they decided on the full truth for Connor was a part of it, and Ethan needed to know as a member of this team.

" 'When the Sacred Animals are reborn, to the Winged Lord and Lady of the Sky comes The Child of Power. Conceived of pain and born of love, The Child will have Power unknown, unforeseen, and unbeatable. The Child will be bound to another as the Lady is to her Lord; both bearing the mark of their love and master. If the bond prevails, with a heart of Light The Child will be the saviour. However, should it fail, with a heart of Darkness The Child will bring forth the silence, destructor to everything around.' "

"Ok, and what does that mean?" asked Connor after a few moments of silence.

"Well, let's break it down shall we?" said Tommy entering teacher mode. 'When the Sacred Animals are reborn.'"

"In you guys, right?" asked Ethan. "You said your Animal Spirits are the same as the Sacred Animals, so when you released your Spirits, they were effectively reborn."

"That's right, Ethan."

"So then the two of you must be this Winged Lord and Lady. And Kira would be the Child of Power." Concluded Connor. Tommy and Ethan looked shocked that he had figured that out on his own. "Hey, I'm not as much of a dumb jock as everything thinks."

"Alright then. And yeah, you're right. Kim has the spirit of the Crane, me the Falcon."

"'Conceived of pain and born of love.'" Continued Kim. "Tommy and I love each other, unquestionably. But Kira was conceived while he was evil. I'm sure you've drawn your own conclusions on that one. 'The Child will have power unknown, unforeseen and unbeatable.' Basically, Kira is incredibly powerful."

"Now this is the part that affects you, Connor. 'The Child will be bound to another, as the Lady is to her Lord.' "

"We told you that Tommy cast a spell on me and marked me as his."

"Kim…" said Tommy, both warningly and pleadingly.

"They need to know, Tommy." She said, laying a gentle hand on his shoulder. "It affects Connor directly and Ethan is a part of this team. Just like Jason and the others had to know, so does he." Tommy hung his head in resignation and let his wife carry on. She turned to the two younger boys and silently begged them to be mature and serious about this. Both gave her a small nod of understanding. Seeing their teacher like this, they both knew it was indeed serious. "The spell Tommy cast, literally bound me to him; his to have, his to control. I couldn't speak or act against him, every command he gave me I had to follow, and I could never leave him. If I did leave, or if I was ever disobedient, the mark he left on me would burn, and only he could relieve the pain. When we freed him from Rita's magic, the spell he placed on me remained. We learned then that when it comes to us, to the Power Rangers, everything is complicated. Tommy cast the spell using Rita's magic. When her spell on him was broken, he lost the magic she gave him, and so without the magic to sustain any spells he cast, they should have disappeared. But they didn't."

"Think of this way," Tommy spoke up when they looked confused. "Your Morphers are the tools that allow you to become Power Rangers, but the Morphers alone aren't enough. The Dino Gems are the power source, the Morpher merely draws on that power and converts it into something usable." The two teens nodded, grasping onto the concept, even though it was kinda fleeting.

"The power source of the spell Tommy cast was his feelings for me, that connection we felt when we first met. His goal in casting that spell was to ensure I'd never leave him. As that was still his desire after he was turned good again, the spell remained. The only way it could be broken is if Tommy ever stopped loving me."

"But how is that possible?" asked Ethan. "If it isn't broken, how come you can speak against him about the whiskey, and threaten him?"

"We were able to alter the spell. While the goal behind the spell remained the same, the way he was willing to go about it when he was evil was different then when he was good. When evil, he wanted to keep me close and control me, when good he just didn't want to lose me. He wanted me to be able to be myself, make my own decisions, walk away from him if that is what I wanted. So the two of us channelled our powers and moulded the one sided spell into a mutual bond. Well, mutual 99% of the time. The power originally used was Tommy's, and as the spell was never broken, his power remains more dominant. Adding my own power, and him controlling his power, allows us to live like two normal people. Or at least as normal as Power Rangers get. However, in times when Tommy's emotions run away from him, when his control weakens,"

"The spell reverts back to it's original state." Said Ethan. "Kind of like a dam. You build it and keep it up to control the water flow, but if there's a crack, the water runs free." Kim and Tommy nodded.

"So that's what's happening with me and Kira?" asked Connor. "'The Child will be bound to another, as the Lady is to her Lord.' Kira is now bound to me, I now control over her like Dr. O has control over you?"

"Yes." Said Tommy, his face hard as stone. "But unlike us, where we've altered our bond and I control my power so it's more of a mutual thing, you haven't; at least not yet. At the moment, we have to assume Kira is bound to you in the same manner that Kim was to me when I first cast the spell." Tommy turned his stone face towards Connor who's own face drained of all colour. "Which means you're going to learn how to control it, and fast."

"Tommy…" said Kim softly.

"No Kim." He said forcefully, all his feelings towards what he had done to Kim all those years ago, as well as his concern for his daughter coming up all at once. "This is my daughter and I am not letting any harm come to her."

"Dr. O I'd never hurt her." Said Connor, his voice small but strong.

"You say that now." He answered rounding on the younger man. "But you don't know how hard it is to keep that control, to watch what you do and say every minute you're around her."

"Dr. O, I will control it. I'll learn and-"

"And what's worse," he continued as if Connor hadn't spoken, getting lost in his thoughts. "You don't know what it's like to have that kind of power, how hard it is to want to not have it, to give up the control!"

"Dr. O-"

"I know what's it's like, I know how painful it can be for her. And I am not trusting my ten-year-old daughter to some hormonal teenage boy!" A loud roar, sounding greatly like Mufasa from the Lion King, was heard following his outburst and Tommy found himself flying through the air and being slammed into the wall, Connor's now enraged face directly in front of him, with the younger man's hand closing off his windpipe.

"Tommy!" cried Kim, rushing to her husband's aide. However when she came within arm reach, Connor knocked her back with one swipe of his arm.

"Mrs. O!" said Ethan as he jumped up and ran to help her. Kim let him help her up, but neither approached Connor.

"You may have known what it's like but obviously you've forgotten. Because if you still knew you'd know that there is nothing more important to me then she is, and I will not stand for you, or anyone, saying that I can't or won't protect her." Connor growled, his voice taking on a guttural tone. He was clearly being ruled by the power that so recently had entered his body, the power that bound him to Kira. Connor tightened his grip on Tommy in warning. "And don't think for one second, that I will allow you to keep her from me. She is mine. She is mine and I will not be separated from her. Make no mistake." The two stared each other down for a moment before Connor released his teacher; all aggressiveness leaving him nearly instantaneously as the power abated and he came back into his own mind. Connor's eyes widened as he realized what had just happened and he stumbled back away from Tommy.

"Man, Dr. O, I'm sorry, I don't know what just happened!"

"It's the power." He responded, rubbing at his throat. Kim took that moment to rush over to him and ensure he was ok. Satisfied, she forced him to sit down and went to get him a cold glass of water. "It's compelling you to be with her. For her to be yours."

"Dr. O I swear to you that I don't want Kira to be mine in any way. Well…not in any…sexual way." He amended quietly when he realized that that was an utter lie. He did want her to be his. Actually, he knew she was already his; though there was absolutely no sexual attraction involved.

"Well I'm glad to hear that." Said Kim as she re-entered the room, handing Tommy the glass of water and standing over him as he drank it down.

"I think we're all glad to hear that." Muttered Ethan, who was completely uncomfortable with the entire situation.

"Yeah, but that might change." Said Tommy, more to himself, and Kim, then anyone else. "The prophecy says, The Child will be bound to another, as the Lady is to her Lord. There was definitely sexual attraction with our bond. Kira's ten right now, but as she physically matures the bond might do the same."

"So not helping here, Dr. O." Ethan muttered. A sex talk with his teacher, any kind of sex talk, was not something that was anywhere near being on his to do list.

"We know, Ethan." Said Kim, shooting him a reassuring smile. "But this affects two Rangers on an active team directly. No, that's wrong, it affects the entire team. What affects one Ranger affects them all. You need to know what's going on, and what to expect. Granted, we don't know exactly what we're dealing with. The prophecy says their bond will be the same as ours, and if that's true it will affect the team."

"We're running a bit blind now with Kira being so young." Tommy added. "Kim and I were both fifteen when our bond formed. But until we can run some tests, Connor you're going to have to watch what you say to her. Any commands you give her, good chance she'll have to follow them or the mark I'm assuming you left on her will burn. If that happens in battle, it could mean the difference between life and death."

"You're also gonna have to stick by her for a bit; literally. The mark might burn too if the power interprets any of her actions as leaving you. For me it happened if I left the room. The minute I was out of Tommy's sight, it burned."

"How's that gonna work with school? And my parents?" Connor asked, panic setting in.

"Well, we've got the next couple of days covered at least." Said Tommy. "As horrible as it is, the amount of destruction the Bio Zords caused works in our favour at the moment. School will be closed for a couple days, the city will be cleaning up longer then that, and the next couple of days will be utter mayhem. Rescue centres will be set up, people will be looking for family and friends as the rescue teams pull them out of the rubble. A simple call to your parents, both of yours if you want to stay too Ethan, should be more then enough to keep them off your backs for a bit. Simply tell them that you were caught on the edge of it all, but your safe and that one of your teachers has opened their home to help people. The probability of your parents being so happy you're alive and not wanting you to go anywhere near downtown will have them telling you to stay put until things clear up."

"You've done this before." Commented Ethan.

"Many times, unfortunately."

"I guess I'll stay. Our parents will probably ask less questions if we're with a classmate. Well, mine will anyways."

"Mine too."

"Alright, give them a call." Connor and Ethan did just that, both taking at least five minutes to assuage their parents' fears and assure them they were safe. Finally their parents calmed down and just like Tommy had predicted, they told their kids, under no uncertain terms, were they to stay put and not try to pick their way home through the rubble. They told their parents they understood, and after talking to Tommy and getting confirmation of their children's safety, the parents hung up, much happier then they had been fifteen minutes ago.

"Hey, uh, Dr. O? Can I use the, uh, bathroom?" Connor asked when he had finished talking to his parents. "It's upstairs right?" Tommy and Kim shared a look, knowing what Connor really needed. In the two seconds they looked to each other they both accepted that Connor was as much a part of their ten-year-old daughter as they were a part of each other, and agreed they couldn't, and wouldn't, keep Connor away from her.

"Yeah. Go check on her." Connor looked only mildly surprised that they knew exactly what he was really after, before he dashed upstairs.

A/N - Ok...so I know I'm kind of treading on thin ice given the subject matter, largely Kira's age, but it will all work out, I promise. Now I'm gonna give you guys another point of reference to try and help explain where I'm going with this, and then unless you ask a specific question or someone brings up something I feel really needs to be addressed, I'm done explaining myself, cause there's really just no other way I can explain it. Outside of the story that is. The characters will certainly be going more into it.

I can't believe I'm referencing this, but Connor and Kira's bond is similar to Jacob's imprint on Renesmee from Twilight. For those of you who know Twilight you will know what I am talking about, so you can feel free to stop reading. For those who don't, I've copied two things from Wikipedia that should give you some idea of where I'm going with my story.

"It's not like love at first sight, really. It's more like... gravity moves... suddenly. It's not the earth holding you here anymore, she does..."

Stages of imprinting:
There are stages to imprinting, especially if the shape-shifter imprints on a child, or otherwise someone very young.
1st stage - If the imprintee is young, the shape-shifter will act as an older sibling.
2nd stage - As the imprintee grows older, the shape-shifter will also come to be their best friend.
3rd stage - They become intimate friends. Meaning, their feelings for each other are beginning to change into romantic feelings.
4th stage - When the imprintee is old enough, the shape-shifter's feelings grow into romantic/sexual love.

I hope that helps. I swear I'm not trying to be creepy with the whole kid & teenager relationship thing, but unless I wanted to screw up my planned timeline (and thus the rest of the story) this is how it worked out.

If you have anymore questions or concerns please let me know, otherwise long explanatory A/Ns are done!

Review please!