Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who has given me a review. It is nice to know what others are thinking, and it helps to receive helpful, constructive advice and comments. I usually prefer to write in a more reflective style with not as much conversation, but I wanted this fic to be a series of conversations. I will admit that I like certain conversations/chapters/one-shots more than I do others. It all sounded better in my mind, but I suppose we are all that way.

Note: This originally started as a one-shot centering on "King for a Day," but then I wanted to do other episodes and moments. Anyways, I wanted to finish this fic for those who have been reading and for those who do want to see an end. This is the second to last chapter. This chapter will be a series of phone conversations between Tommy and Kat that take place in "Dino Thunder." The next and last chapter will take place after "Dino Thunder." So, now we will go on to "Dino Thunder."

"So," Kat's voice purred from the other end of the telephone, "I've been watching the news lately, and I've been hearing a lot about these new Power Rangers in Reefside. Apparently they call themselves the Dino Rangers, and they have dinosaur power. You wouldn't by any chance know anything about these new Rangers, would you, Mr. Oliver?"

Tommy grinned to himself. "I might know something about them," he responded teasingly.

"I'm happy for you, Tommy," Kat said. "I know that you and Hayley have been working hard to get to this moment."

"I wish it had not been necessary, though," Tommy replied. "I feel like I'm ruining the kids' lives. Being a Power Ranger is a huge commitment. The kids are doing great, but I still wish it could have been different."

"I know," Kat responded. Then, in a lighter voice, she said, "Tell me about your Rangers. What are they like?"

"Well, Conner reminds me of Rocky in some ways," Tommy began. "Like Rocky, Conner has no problem with speaking his mind. Conner is also very passionate. I just have to show him how to channel that passion more effectively. I do think, though, that Conner will make a great leader in time. He's already a leader on the soccer field. He just has to learn how to apply those same skills to being a Ranger.

"Ethan loves his computer and his video games, but he is able to think about things in a fresh, different way. He clashes with Conner every now and then, but they are slowly learning to accept each other's differences. I think they will be good friends one day.

"We all have a soft spot for Kira because she's our only female Ranger, but she's the one that keeps the rest of us in line. She's perfectly capable of taking care of herself, and she's very resourceful. I think Tanya would like her; Kira also loves singing. And Kira's really good. She knows how to move an audience."

"I hope I can meet them one day," Kat said. "They sound wonderful."

"They're teenagers," Tommy corrected.

Tommy and Kat both laughed.

"By the way, how is your teaching going?" Tommy asked.

"I'm fortunate to have a wonderful group of kids that really are committed to learning ballet," Kat answered.

"I'm sure that you're a wonderful teacher, Kat," Tommy said in a genuine voice.

"Thanks, Tommy," Kat replied. "I still can't believe that you're a teacher, especially a science teacher."

"I know," Tommy laughed. "I didn't even like science in high school, but I finally discovered how fascinating it was when I got into fossils. Have I ever told you how wonderful fossils are?"

"More than once," Kat laughed.

Tommy looked at his watch. He jumped slightly in his seat when he saw the time. "I better be going now," he said. "I need to be getting to bed. Good teachers need their rest, you know."

Kat laughed. "Get to bed then, Mr. Oliver," she said, "because you're going to need a lot of rest."

"Ha, ha, ha," Tommy replied. He and Kat then spent several minutes exchanging "good-byes."

…

"I really would love to learn more about this new Black Dino Ranger," Kat said seductively from her end of the telephone. "There's just something about him that's so familiar."

"You're good, Kat," Tommy laughed. "What gave it away that I'm the Black Ranger?"

"Well, I know how much being a Power Ranger means to you," Kat answered, "and I also know that you're not the type that just likes to stand on the sidelines. You always have to be in the thick of the action. Besides, the color black fits you. It gives you a dark and sexy presence."

"You think I'm sexy in black?" Tommy grinned.

"Now don't get too full of yourself, Mr. Oliver," Kat laughed. "I really need to stop stroking that ego of yours."

"Oh, no, please don't do that, Kat," Tommy pleaded. "You know how much I need my daily ego stroke. I don't think I could function without it."

"You should have gotten into acting," Kat laughed. "You're dramatic enough for it. But in all seriousness, how are you doing? What does it feel like to be a Ranger again after all these years?"

"It feels wonderful, exhilarating," Tommy confessed. "I feel more alive than I've felt in a long time. But I do truly hope that one day Power Rangers will no longer be necessary. Until that day arrives, though, I just want to be in the fight for as long as possible."

"Just be careful," Kat said in a concerned voice. She knew from personal experience that Tommy had a bit of a hero syndrome, which caused him to often place himself in danger.

"I will be," Tommy promised. "And you take care of yourself too."

"Always."

…

"What's up with this new evil Ranger?" Kat asked in concern. "Are you and the kids all right?"

"Our pride has been hurt a bit," Tommy admitted, "but it could have been a lot worse. I just feel like I failed the kids, Kat. I'm afraid that I won't have enough strength to protect them. If something was to ever happen to Conner, Ethan, or Kira, I would never be able to forgive myself. They look up to me, Kat. They know that I was a Ranger before this, and they expect me to always have the perfect solution to everything."

"You just have to remember that you're trying your best," Kat replied. "I know how big your heart is, Tommy."

"Kat," Tommy breathed, "I'm feeling a bit murderous right now. A part of me wants to find that White Ranger and kill me. I shouldn't be feeling that way. I've been in his shoes before, more than once. I'm trying to remember all this, Kat, but it's so much harder when you're on the opposite side of evil. Now I really know how Jason and the others felt when they were fighting against me. I guess its Karma. I just wish that Conner, Ethan, and Kira didn't have to pay the price for my sins."

"This isn't your fault, Tommy," Kat insisted. "We both know how much the enemy loves to use evil Rangers. But you and I turned out okay. I just know that this new Ranger will turn out okay too."

"I know, Kat," Tommy sighed, "but it's still hard to deal with all this. I want to help this White Ranger, but I can't allow anything to happen to the kids or to any innocent civilian. I'm really understanding Jason more and more."

"And that is why everything will turn out okay," Kat said. "You understand both sides. You have walked both sides. Just hang in there, Tommy. I wish there was more that I could do."

"Hearing your voice is enough, Kat," Tommy replied. "You help me to keep my sanity." Tommy then sighed. "I probably should get some rest while I can. Evil Rangers have a tendency to be relentless."

"Okay, I'll talk to you later," Kat responded. "Just remember, you can call me as much as you need to. I'll always be here for you."

"I know. I love you."

"I love you too."

…

"So, let me get this right, you're stuck in your suit and you can't demorph?" Kat asked, a part of her tempted to laugh. "I thought we've been through everything, but this really takes the cake."

"It's not funny, Kat," Tommy pretended to growl. A part of him was annoyed by this new situation. But a part of him was also amused.

"Well, it could be worse, Tommy," Kat smiled. "I've seen you on TV. At least you still look good in spandex."

"I'm glad that someone is enjoying themselves," Tommy replied in mock anger.

"The spandex does provide for a good view," Kat admitted. She then turned serious. "Have you and Hayley come up with any solutions?"

"Not yet," Tommy answered "but we're working on it. Hayley's brilliant. I know that she will find a way to demorph me. Until then, though, I probably will be calling you a lot more. I can't exactly teach in my condition, and I'm already bored with cleaning."

"I definitely won't mind hearing your voice more," Kat replied. "I'm just glad that, besides your suit condition, you're all right."

"A part of me is tempted to say that I deserve this and much worse," Tommy sighed, "but I already know that you will say otherwise."

"And you better remember that, Tommy Oliver," Kat said firmly. "You don't deserve any of this, and you never have."

Tommy was silent for a moment. He knew that Kat was right, but it was hard to fully get over all the guilt he still carried. And he knew that Kat felt the same way about herself.

"I probably should get some cleaning done," Tommy finally said, "before Hayley gets on my case again."

"Well, I'm glad that you have someone to keep you in line," Kat smiled. "Take care of yourself, Tommy, and don't be too hard on yourself."

…

"Zeltrax is Smitty?" Kat breathed in disbelief. "Oh, Tommy, I'm so sorry. I know that he was a good friend of yours."

"What if I have to kill him, Kat?" Tommy cried. "How can I just kill a friend?"

"I don't know what's going to happen," Kat replied, "and I don't know what you will end up having to do. I just wish that you didn't have to go through all this."

"Me too, Kat," Tommy choked out. "Me too. All I do know is that I have a duty to protect the innocent. I just hope that I can find a way to bring Smitty to his senses.

"I have to go now, Kat. I just need time to think."

"I understand," Kat replied.

…

"I finally have a piece of good news," Tommy told Kat over the phone. "I don't know how, but Trent's on our side now."

"That is good news," Kat smiled. She then turned serious. "How is Trent doing? How are the Conner, Ethan, and Kira doing?"

"Trent obviously feels guilty about everything that he did," Tommy answered, "but he's strong. He did try to fight it, Kat, he really did. Now he just needs some time to adjust.

"As for the others, they're definitely glad that we don't have to worry about Trent anymore. Conner, though, is going to need a little bit more time to adjust. He has a good heart, but he is also passionate like I have mentioned before and a bit hot-headed. But I can understand that. I use to be a bit hot-headed myself."

"I'm glad that things are slowly starting to look up," Kat said. "Now we just need to get you demorphed." Kat took a deep breath. "How are things going with Smitty?"

"I'm afraid that he's about to completely lose his mind, Kat," Tommy answered. "Mesogog just may have twisted his mind beyond repair."

"I'm sorry, Tommy," Kat breathed.

"Me too," Tommy replied. There was a brief pause. "I think I hear the kids. I better be going. I'll talk to you later."

…

"I had to do it, Kat," Tommy sobbed. "I had no other choice. Smitty was completely gone. There was nothing left of him but Zeltrax."

"I'm so sorry, Tommy," Kat breathed. How many times had she been saying that lately? But she didn't know what else to say. What could anyone say in a situation like this?

"At least Smitty's at peace now," Kat finally managed to say.

"Yeah," Tommy replied in a weak voice. Then, there was silence.

"I wish there was something that I could do for you, Tommy," Kat suddenly spoke, breaking the silence, "but I know that nothing can fully take away the pain of losing a friend."

"It's okay, Kat," Tommy replied. "Your support means the world to me." Then, there was silence again. "I think I need time to think again, Kat."

"I understand."

…

"You are invisible now!" Kat exclaimed over the phone. She didn't know whether to laugh, to scream, or to cry.

"Yeah, this is what I get for having the power of invisibility," Tommy couldn't help but laugh slightly. "Ethan, though, thinks that it's cool to have an invisible science teacher."

"He's probably just trying to keep your spirits up," Kat replied.

"I'll get through this, Kat," Tommy responded. "One day I'm going to look back on all this and laugh."

"There truly is never a dull moment in your life, Tommy Oliver," Kat said.

"But that's one of the things that you love about me," Tommy grinned.

"Fortunately for you, yes," Kat laughed. "This must look so strange on your end, a phone just seemingly hanging there in midair and a voice coming from nowhere."

"Well, I have already freaked out Hayley and the kids a few times," Tommy admitted with amusement in his voice.

"I'm glad that you're staying positive about this, Tommy," Kat laughed, "but I do hope that you're visible again soon. I don't want to marry an invisible man."

"You mean you don't want invisible children," Tommy said in mock fright. "Think about it, Kat. If we can't see them, then we don't have to change their diapers."

Kat laughed. "There's no way you're getting out of diaper changing."

"It was worth a try," Tommy mocked sigh. There was a brief pause on the phone. "I think I hear Hayley coming down. I better go before I freak her out again."

"Okay, talk to you later."

…

"Great news, Kat!" Tommy exclaimed excitingly over the phone. "I'm me again! I'm visible! I'm not morphed! I'm just me!

"That is great news, Tommy," Kat replied earnestly.

"But I do smell."

"I thought I smelled something bad," Kat said teasingly.

"Ha, ha, ha," Tommy replied. "I guess I should take a shower. It's been too long since I've been able to."

"Enjoy yourself, Tommy," Kat smiled. "You deserve it."

…

"Smitty is back?" Kat breathed.

"Yeah," Tommy said softly, "and he's completely insane now. I'm afraid, Kat. There's no telling what he might do. Even Mesogog can't control him anymore."

"Why do these things have to keep on happening to you, Tommy?" Kat cried. "I'm so sorry."

"I'll be all right, Kat," Tommy replied, "but thank you anyways. I've dealt with Zeltrax before. I can deal with him again. I have no other choice."

Kat shuddered slightly at the coldness in Tommy's voice, but she could understand why it was there.

That didn't stop her from wishing, though, that things could be different.

…

"Randall is Elsa and Anton is Mesogog?" Kat finally managed to say. Power Rangers naturally went through strange, unbelievable things, but this was too much.

"Yeah," Tommy said through gritted teeth.

"Trent," Kat suddenly said. "Did Trent know this about his father?"

"He did," Tommy answered. He sighed. "I don't know what to think about all this, Kat. A part of me can understand why Trent didn't tell us, but a part of me is also really angry at him. What if we one day have to face Mesogog directly? Would Trent be able to bring himself to hurt his own father? And Conner, Ethan, Kira, and I would be standing there and wondering why Trent was hesitating so much.

"I wish Trent had told me about this. Anton was my friend once. I would do anything to help him, especially since Smitty is as way gone as he is.

"I can't bear to lose another friend, Kat, and I also can't bear to place Trent in such a sensitive situation. He's still a kid. He shouldn't be worrying about whether or not he might have to one day kill his own father."

"I know," Kat said softly. "What are you going to do about Trent?"

Tommy was silent for a moment. Then, he said, "I'll leave that up to Trent. What he does from now on will tell me whether or not the kids and I can trust him. I'll let Trent's actions speak for him."

"That sounds reasonable," Kat replied.

"I need to go speak with the kids," Tommy said. "I need to make sure that we're on the same page before Mesogog attacks again."

"Okay, bye."

…

"It's over, Kat," Tommy breathed over the phone. "It's all over. Our powers are gone. But Elsa has been saved. And Anton has been saved. And Mesogog has been destroyed." Tommy paused for a moment. "And Zeltrax has been destroyed again, along with Smitty."

"I wish it didn't have to end that way, Tommy," Kat replied. "How are you feeling otherwise?"

"A little empty," Tommy confessed. "Don't get me wrong. I'm glad that Mesogog is no longer a threat and that Reefside is safe now, but I already miss the power.

"I don't know what I'm going to do now, Kat. I guess I'll continue teaching, but it's just not the same."

"I know," Kat replied, "but I also know that evil will never rest. You should rest while you can."

"You're right, Kat," Tommy responded. "And let's not forget, I will now have more time to speak with you."

"I'm glad that you find that to be a good thing," Kat said teasingly.

"Well, some people say that talking is a form of therapy," Tommy said seriously. There was a brief pause. "I can't believe it. The kids are already back."

"They love you, Tommy," Kat laughed. "It's hard not to love you."

"Gee, thanks, Kat," Tommy said in mock annoyance, "it's so nice to know that I'm so lovable. Don't touch that, Conner! Sorry, Kat, have to go. I'll talk to you later."

"All right, Tommy," Kat laughed. "Have fun."

Author's Note: I really did not mean for this chapter to go on for as long as it did, but I wanted to try to capture some of Tommy's key moments from "Dino Thunder." I hope to one day write a fic that focuses more on the dynamics between Tommy and Zeltrax because the show really dropped the ball with them. Anyways, there's only one more chapter to go for "Inner Demons." Thanks for reading.