God Only Knows Chapter 2: Settling In, a power rangers fanfic

God Only Knows
Chapter 2: Settling In
By: Pink-Green-White-4ever
Started: March 15, 2010
Finished: April 16, 2010

Summary: The hardest part of faith is the last hour. -- David Wilkerson
Rating: M
Characters: you'll see

Author's Note: Okay, so, this story is going to be a departure from some of the other stories I've done over the years, but in some ways, this story involves the one character I like to think I know best in the entire PR universe. This is not going to be a story returning the Rangers as we know them back to the way they were in the good 'ol days. The Rangers in this story have lives, real lives, and they're going through real, everyday experiences, and for one of those Rangers, it means discovering what she's really made of. Life has not been kind, nor will it be in this story. What this is, above all else, is a journey of self discovery, of finding who you are and what you're made of, and in the end, it's learning that in each of us, there's the power, no matter how vast or how small, to change the world.

Special Thanks: Shawn, thank you for listening to me plot and plan, and for giving me tips when you felt I needed it. Ang thanks for the enthusiasm and support. Enigma thank you so much for the constant faith in my work. Liz, my dear, thanks for being such a sweetheart! And last but not least, Rapunzl, thank you for the wonderful balance, the quiet strength, and the unwavering belief in me you give. You five don't know how much I appreciate it all, or how much you've enriched my life simply by being who you are. As Shawn once said, thank you doesn't seem enough. I love you works best

Please Visit http : // www . valhallaboard . com / forum / (without the spaces) - this is the multi-fandom message board I co-run with the five people in my "Special Thanks" section.

I feel so alone,
Can't seem to find my out of this low?
No, it don't seem right
I didn't have a chance to say goodbye.

In this silent space,
I close my eyes I can hear you say
That it's alright,
But my world's such an empty place tonight.
Cause I know that,
It's all part of life.

I wish I had the chance to say goodbye,
Yeah I still miss you.
So hard to see through the tears I've cried.
Yeah, I still need you.
Cause I don't want to,
If I don't have to ever let you go.
The longest I'll hold on... God only knows.

As the time goes by,
It gets a little easier to smile.
I know I'll never forget
Everything that you said.
You said it's alright,
It's all part of life.

And the lights above you will never fade if you keep looking up
Right around there is a better place if you believe in love.
Cause I know that, it's all part of life.

I wish I had the chance to say goodbye, yeah I still miss you.
So hard to see through the tears I've cried.
Yeah, I still need you.
Cause I don't want to, if I don't have to ever let you go.
The longest I'll hold on, the longest I'll hold on.
The longest I'll hold on... God only knows.
God only knows.
Ya, God only knows.
God only knows.
-- Orianthi, God Only Knows --

11:30 A.M.
Thursday
April 9, 2009
I-5 Northbound to Los Angeles

"Thanks for coming with me," Kim grinned, navigating off the I-5 freeway toward the traffic of downtown Los Angeles. Jason sat in the passenger seat next to her, his head thrown back, dark sunglasses over his eyes and the wind brushing at his hair. Adam was kicked back in the backseat, his arms spread over the top of the seat. The top of her car was down and the music was blaring, all of them enjoying the ride.

"Not a problem Sis," Jason laughed, inching his glasses down. "Nothing better than spending a sunny day off with friends and browsing downtown L.A."

Kim giggled, a sound Jason wasn't sure he'd ever hear again, and nodded. "Billy said there was a book store up here I should check out."

"Good. Maybe I can get a couple of the Karate magazines Rocky and I haven't been able to find," Adam piped up.

"Tommy's meeting us for lunch at one," Jason reminded them.

Kim nodded as she navigated through a maze of streets. "You're going to have to direct me, cause I have no clue where that restaurant is."

Jason winked before pushing his glasses back up. "It's out at USC, no problem."

11:55 A.M.
Mystic Teachings Books
102 E. 4th St.
Los Angeles, CA

"You've got to be kidding!" the petite former Ranger laughed insanely as she parked in front of the hole in the wall bookstore Billy had given her the address for.

"Leave it to Billy to find a bookstore with that title!" Jason cracked as the three friends headed inside.

The interior was lit by low burning lamps and strategically placed candles of varying colors. The rows of books were tightly packed, some of the spines old and worn while others were shiny and new. The walls were lined with paintings of mythical scenes – Arthur pulling the sword from the stone, Gandalf the White riding into battle upon his great steed, a unicorn herding a large black bull into the ocean, Aladdin discovering a genie in a lamp, and many more. Adam grinned and pointed out the cloth covered doorway, causing Jason to shake his head. "This looks more like an occult shop than a book store," the former Red and Gold Ranger quipped.

Kim rolled her eyes at them before moving to browse the books. The selection was definitely eclectic – she found classic fairytales, Shakespeare, and poetry mixed in with Windows for Dummies, Harry Potter, and organic gardening. For some reason, she inexplicably found herself drawn to the darkest corner of the store where she found obscure international fairytales. As she browsed through the titles, she found one written in an Asian script. When she pulled the book out, the front was emblazed with a crane taking flight. "Adam?" she softly called.

A few seconds later, Adam appeared from around a corner. "Yeah?"

"Can you read the title?" she softly asked, holding the book out to him.

"I think it's in Kanji, but I should be able to," he murmured back, studying the characters. "It basically translates to Flight Of The Crane," he told her. Without a word Kim took the book and opened it, finding the inside written in all English. "That's weird," Adam commented.

"I think I want to get it," Kim quietly told him, her eyes glazed over a little. Adam frowned, noting how she seemed to grow quieter by the second.

"You two ready to go? If we're going to get to USC, we'd better leave now," Jason started as he popped up out of nowhere. Adam looked down at his watched and noticed they'd been there nearly a half hour.

"Coming," Kim responded absently, following the two of them to the register.

Adam's eyes widened in shock when Kim moved to pay for her book; the cashier at the register was the woman in white from his dream. "Thank you for your patronage," she thanked them. Her eyes, which seemed to be more violet than blue, locked with Adam's. Her smile was sensual and knowing, and she seemed to know more than she should. Kim and Jason paid no attention as they headed out, but Adam remained.

"Beware, courageous teacher," she spoke elegantly. "The evil one comes, and he will tempt the guardian in ways you cannot fathom."

"Who are you?"

She smiled. "They call me Kallisto. Go now, and guard her well."

Adam walked out of the shop, troubled and worried. Jason eyed him carefully as he got into the backseat of Kim's car. "You okay, Frog-man?"

The former Black and Green Ranger nodded. "Tell you later." Jason shrugged and let it go as he directed Kim into traffic and toward USC.

12:30 P.M.
Mc Kay's
3540 South Figueroa Street,
Los Angeles, CA 90007-4313

Tommy noticed Adam's preoccupation as soon as the group sat down to eat. Having known the Asian man over ten years as well as having trusted him with his life, Tommy knew when something was bothering his friend. While Kim and Jason were debating lunch, Tommy leaned over toward Adam. "You okay, Bro? You look upset."

The former Ranger debated a few seconds before speaking. "Something weird has been going on," Adam told him, letting out a long, quiet sigh.

Tommy chuckled. "Define weird."

"Ranger weird." Adam knew that would get his attention.

The legendary former Ranger sat up a little straighter at that. He, Jason and Adam had been the only ones of their team called back to duty over the years. If Adam said something was up, it probably was. Tommy trusted his friend's instincts better than almost anyone's. "Adam?"

"I don't have coherent details yet. When I do, I'll tell you." Tommy simply nodded before the two of them looked back at the menu and entered the conversation with their friends.

7:45 P.M.
42096 Stone Garden Terrace
Angel Grove, CA

As Kim pulled up outside Adam and Tanya's, she felt the tension build. Adam had been silent since they'd left lunch, the former Ninja obviously lost in his own thoughts. "Want to talk about it?" she finally asked, turning to him after she shut off the car.

"Nothing's wrong," he told her. "I'm just trying to work something out in my head."

Biting her lip, Kim brought up something she hadn't earlier. "You seemed like you knew that lady at the bookstore."

Adam was surprised she had noticed and his expression said as much. "Know of her," he supplied.

The former Pink Ranger nodded. "She upset you."

"Perplexed me actually. She speaks in riddles."

Kim laughed. "After Dimitria, you should be use to it."

Adam's smile was genuine as he nodded and reached for her hand, squeezing it. "Be careful going home, and I'll see you bright and early tomorrow."

The brunette squeezed his hand back. "Are you going to tell me why you're so adamant about training me?"

The former Black and Green Ranger sighed. "Times have chanced, Kim. Angel Grove isn't how it use to be when we were kids. Besides, I'd sleep better knowing you're up to date on some self defense moves. You do happen to live in the sticks."

With a heavy sigh, she nodded. She'd learned long ago to trust not only her instincts but those of her friends as well. It was time she got back in that habit again. "See you in the morning."

She waited until he was inside the building before she moved away from the curb. As she pulled up to a stop sign at the end of the block, another car pulled up behind her. When she looked in the mirror, she started shaking; in the car was the creepy man who'd been stalking her since she'd moved home. Part of her wanted to get out and demand he tell her why he was bothering her, and part of her wanted to flee. Deciding on neither course of action, she headed for the market a few streets over to get some groceries, knowing he would follow her.

Kim realized she'd pegged him right when she saw him pull into the parking lot behind her. Parking as close as she could to the doors, she hurried inside, hoping to hide among the other shoppers before making her getaway. Quickly, she went through the aisles, gathering what she needed and hurried to the cashier.

"Are you alright sweetie?" the older woman at the register asked, watching Kim nervously scan the front of the store.

"Fine, just in a hurry to get home," Kim murmured, eyes alert. She knew what she must have looked like – someone who was hiding something – but she didn't care. Once she was checked out, Kim dashed out to her car, throwing her bags into the backseat. So far so good, she thought as she backed out of the space, only to find herself blocked in. Eyes widened in panic when she saw him getting out of the car and coming to her door. He tapped on her window, but she kept her attention forward and reached for her cell phone in her purse.

"Ms. Hart…" he started, his voice slightly distorted from the glass.

"I'm sorry, but that's not my name," she responded. Hadn't been her name since she'd gotten married in 2003.

"Excuse me, you're correct, Mrs. Donovan."

"I don't mean to be rude, but I have to be going. Could you please move your vehicle?"

"Kimberly, I need to speak with your urgently, and you're being rude. What would Zordon say?"

Her body froze, her heart stopped, and her mind began to race. "Look, I don't know who you're talking about. Now move your car before I call the police."

"We'll talk again, Guardian Crane."

Kim watched in fascinated terror as he and his car disappeared into thin air. Her breathing was erratic, her ability to cope with weird having been reduced over the years, she felt herself heading for a panic attack and she knew it. Her movements were jerky as she backed the car out of it's spot and headed home. The ten minute trip proved to be her undoing as every sound on the drive made her jump, cry out, and bite her lip.

'I just want to be normal! I do not want to be dragged back into Ranger business! Why can't people get that? I'm powerless, leave me alone!' she cried to herself as she dragged her groceries into the house and shoved them into the refrigerator. Before the door of the appliance even shut, Kim was charging up the stairs to her room, where she collapsed on her bed, face buried in her pillow.

The sun was warm on her face, the sand soft between her toes. It felt like it was the first time she'd been free in almost five years. Ever since she'd moved from California, her life had revolved around gymnastics – training, competing, doing press, studying, trying to make each move and each routine better than the last. The one bright spot in the last three years was the man lying next to her on the beach blanket. They'd met at the University of Miami, where they were both studying for careers in law – his dream was to get a job with the prosecutor's office while she wanted to go into family law. He'd be graduating next year and going to law school while she had one more year to go. It still amazed her how well they meshed, and how he'd help heal the break in her heart. As surely as she'd hurt her best friend, she too had turned around and found her heart being shattered. The man before her had been patient, kind, compassionate, and romantic in his pursuit of her. It amazed her that he knew jus when to push and when not to; it was hard not to compare him to the boy she'd loved once, but the similarities in how the two of them handled her and her moods was uncanny.

"What's got you smiling?" his warm baritone called out to her seconds before he gently slid his fingers up and down her back, causing her to shiver.

"Just thinking…" she smiled, laying back on his arm before turning her head in his direction. "Have a nice nap?"

He grinned and rolled over, pulling his arm from under her to prop up his head while he drew her to his chest with the other. "Would have been better if you'd napped with me," he teased, leaning forward to kiss her softly.

She rolled her eyes at him before snuggling close and relaxing. "This is has been the best vacation in recent memory."

"No teachers, no parents, no jobs, and no demands on our time but the ones we put on it," he laughed, and then looked down at his watch. "If we're going to make our dinner reservations, we need to head back to the hotel and clean up."

"Food! Yum!" she chirped, making him chuckle as she scrambled up.

"Only you, Kim, only you."

Head buried under the pillows, she flailed her hand toward her nightstand as she woke to the annoyingly shrill chirp of the alarm. Groggy, and not quite sure why, she heaved a sigh and crawled out of bed and dragged herself toward the shower.

Under the hot, misty spray, memories slowly filtered back into her mind. Her and Chris' first vacation to the beach was a cherished memory of days gone by; the crazy man from the night before had been real, not a dream. And the memory made her shudder. She'd come back to Angel Grove for peace and quiet. Zedd, Rita and all their other goonish friends were long gone. Weird things weren't supposed to happen now, especially to her.

"MOMMY!"

Her whole body jerked on instinct when she heard the tiny, happy voice calling out to her. Tears sprang to her eyes as she threw the shower curtain open. "EVAN!" she called back, quickly wrapping a towel around her trembling body and rushed from the bathroom. "Evan!" she cried out, searching every room for her little boy but finding no sign of him anywhere.

"Mommy!"

Sick with fear and worry, she flew down the stairs, taking them two at a time even as she stumbled. Just like before, every room on the first floor was empty. Panting, sobs stuck in her throat, she saw the front door wired open. Out on the street, she saw her little boy bouncing a ball just beyond the curb. "Evan Christopher Donovan!"

Eyes wide with a sickening fear, she watched as a car sped over the crest of the hill. She pushed her body to its limit as she sprinted across the lawn but was too late. Her voice ripped from her throat as the car struck her son, sending his tiny body up and over the roof before his limp body crashed down on the pavement, limbs splayed in unnatural positions.

Every mother's worst nightmare.

"EVAN!"

7:45 A.M.
Friday
April 10, 2009

Kim jerked awake, her chest heaving, body covered in a horrible sheen of sweat as it seemed to burn up on the outside despite the chill that went all the way to her bones. Biting back a sob, she shook her head to clear out the misty from the dream. She hadn't had a nightmare like that in several months. Worse, it wasn't a nightmare like the ones she'd had after Evan and Chris had died. This was way worse. Her son had been killed before her very eyes. Sobbing almost hysterically, she grabbed her pillow and laid back against the headboard, clutching it to her chest. She let her emotions go, knowing her body needed to purge the feelings. Trying to swallow, she felt herself starting to dry-heave. With a speed and strength her sluggish body should have had, Kimberly dove off the bed and stumbled into the bathroom. Her retching echoed off the walls and out into her bedroom but she didn't seem to notice. Exhausted, she curled into a ball on the floor, letting the cool tiles soother her over-heated body.

"Oh God!" she moaned. "Why?" came the pitifully sounding cry. Just when life was settling down again, she was plagued again by more horrific nightmares, these ones more intense than any she'd had before.

Closing her eyes, the petite former gymnast pulled inward, trying to regain her equilibrium. She'd learned to cope by pulling everything inside and sealing it off until she had time to take it out and deal with it. This was no different; it was only a lot larger than anything she'd ever experienced. Once she was calm again, Kim pushed up off the floor. Her arms and legs shook wildly with the effort it took to get up and get moving. When she was standing, she wondered if her knees would just give out on her from all the shaking they were doing. If she didn't know any better, she'd have thought she had the flu. After her first physical step out of the bathroom, she stopped worrying and made up her mind that she wasn't going to fall, that she would make it to her bed. Her determination and steel will made her force herself to get her clothes around and head back in to the shower. She had a few appointments to keep.

9:50 A.M.
Parker, Parker, Grimes and Associates
303526 Urbana Drive
18th Floor
Angel Grove, CA

She strode confidently out of the elevator wearing a black Versace power suit, black hose, and as close to black fuck-me heels as she dared. The suit was offset by the white pearls that rode the hollow of her throat, the pink and gold cameo crane on her lapel, the diamond tennis bracelet on her right wrist, the diamond teardrop earrings shooting fire from her ears and the wedding ring set still adorning her left hand.

Her smile was warm and friendly, just as it had been nearly two decades before when the cute new kid in school had saved her from the school bullies. Her skill and magic with makeup and clothes covered any and all signs of her hellish morning. If a person hadn't known she'd been a crying mess, they'd have never suspected. "Can I help you?" the receptionist asked, looking up from the computer.

"Kimberly Donovan to see Ms. Parker please."

"One moment."

While the receptionist made the call, Kimberly took the time to look around the outer office of the law firm. It was done in a modern Japanese motif. Several ornate fans hung on the walls, each adorned differently; one held a phoenix, one a dragon, one was a city scene and the last one was a flock of cranes in flight. Hardwood floors were expertly and strategically covered with expensive oriental themed rugs. The furniture was all made from bamboo and looked ridiculously expensive. The walls were painted black with golden trip at the top and bottom while the ceiling was white. Overall, it had a quietly dignified look to it.

"Mrs. Donovan, Ms. Parker will see you now. Follow me please."

Kimberly followed the receptionist around the large frosted glass wall that separated the receiving area from the rest of the offices. They walked down a long hallway to the last door on the left. "Ms. Parker, Mrs. Donovan," the woman said after she opened the door.

A tiny woman of obvious American Indian descent sat behind a large oak desk. At her back were two walls of nothing but crystalline glass, giving a perfect view of Downtown. "Thank you, Elisa," Ms. Parker spoke. "When Stefano is done with his client and Vivian returns from the courthouse, will you tell them I'd like to speak to them?" At Elisa's nod, the woman in the black pinstripe suit turned her attention back to Kimberly. "Have a seat, Mrs. Donovan."

Kimberly set her briefcase on the floor as she took a seat in one of the plush leather chairs in front of the big desk. An unadorned plague in black and gold sat on the edge, engraved with the words 'Serenity Parker'. "I'm afraid my sister and our partner won't be able to join us, they're a bit preoccupied with clients."

"I understand."

Nodding, Serenity looked down at the folder that was open on her desk. "You're from Angel Grove, aren't you?"

Kim's smile grew, an affection for her hometown entering her voice. "I grew up here, yes."

"What brings you back? I saw your resume had you at Tirrell and Hobbs in Miami, but that was over a year ago."

Taking a deep breath, Kim tried to reign in her emotions. Talking about what had happened was only that much harder after the morning's events. "My husband and son were killed last year. I took time off, to get myself in order."

The former Pink Ranger sighed when she watched the sympathy flash across the woman's features. Genuine or not, Kimberly didn't want sympathy. She wanted a job, and a chance to get her life back in order. "What are you looking to accomplish, Mrs. Donovan?"

Kim bit back a sarcastic remark. "I want to start back part time, possibly work up to a full time position with a firm. I've taken over a year off, sitting at home isn't going to help me," she bluntly told the woman before her.

"Your forte is family and business law," Serenity read from the resume.

"Yes."

Nodding, she wrote something down. Kimberly watched her go through the resume. "You've got quite an eclectic set of references here," Serenity spoke, looking up. "Both personal and professional."

Kimberly smiled. She had Billy, Tommy, Aisha, Michael Donovan and the dean of the Law School at University of Miami. It still made her laugh to know she had a NASADA scientist, a famous Paleontologist, one of Angel Grove's most popular business owners, her father in law, and the dean of her law school on her references list. "I know. Mixture of friends, and adults I've trusted."

"You sat in on some pretty important cases in the Miami area, courtesy of the dean, and then you got a job before you graduated working at Tirrell and Hobbs."

"My husband was Christopher Donovan."

"One of the most prestigious lawyers in Florida, and the country; a family legacy of law," Serenity noted, making the connection to Michael.

Kim nodded. "I'm not ashamed to admit he and his father helped me get my position at Tirrell and Hobbs, but I worked my tail off, starting from the ground up."

"Yes, I'm aware of that." Serenity looked back at the file and then up at Kimberly. "You passed the Florida bar on the first time."

"You know how it is, you study your brains out for three months and pray that you get lucky and retain all of it."

"Can you be ready to take the California bar at the end of the summer, say around July?"

The former Pink Ranger's eyes sparkled. She knew she had the job in the bag. "Absolutely."

"Good. Once you pass the bar, you'll be a junior associate. When you're ready to go full time, there will be a place for you here."

With a confident, bright smile, Kimberly nodded. "Thank you."

"You'll be expected to work at least five hours a day, Monday through Friday. Given your experience, I'll let you decide your hours, but we'd prefer you be here by noon. You can start Monday, as that's when your office will be free. When you come in, just let Elisa know who you are, alright?"

The two stood and Kimberly extended her hand. "Thank you for the opportunity."

"You're welcome," Serenity told her, her face turning serious. "But believe me, you're going to earn it. We'd already spoken to your previous employer before we called you in. They were sorry to lose you but did nothing but sing your praises. Plus, you're a hometown girl; it played highly into your favor."

Tears filled Kim's eyes before she blinked them back. She'd done her best to make an impression at Tirrell and Hobbs; it was nice to know someone had recognized her hard work.

8:15 P.M.
The Power Bar
2010 Main Street
Angel Grove, CA

Rocky had insisted they celebrate, so an impromptu party had broken out at the bar across the street from his apartment. The Power Bar was filled with an assortment of friends, most of them former Rangers. Kim couldn't help but laugh when the drunken former Red and Blue Ranger talked an equally drunk Jason and Billy into singing Karaoke with him. Sitting with Adam and Tanya, Kim clutched her sides and watched her friends make idiots out of themselves.

As she was lifting her drink, Kim felt a tingling at her spine, one that hadn't been felt in years. Blinking, she half expected to hear a six tone signal interrupt their fun. She began to panic when everything went in slow motion around her before the world completely stopped. Turning, she saw none of her friends moving, the bartender was suspended in mid-pour, the sounds from the karaoke machine were gone; everything had ground to a halt. And then she looked behind Adam, and felt her heart speed up.

"Hello my dear," he whispered soothingly.

Kimberly began to tremble from head to toe, staring at the man who'd chased her the night before. "What do you want?"

"To talk to you."

"About?" she bit out.

"Not here. We should be celebrating your good fortunate. You've been hired by one of the top firms in Angel Grove."

The former Ranger did her best to hide her trembling from him; he shouldn't have known that, or anything about her. "Talk. NOW."

"You're being awfully rude, my lady," he whispered in a hard, dark voice that shook Kim to the core. It was reminiscent of Lord Zedd at his worst. "Our time to talk is soon. And you may call me Hayden, graceful Crane."

Kim blinked rapidly as the world began to spin back into motion at the speed of fast forward. "You okay?" Tanya curiously asked, leaning close to her and rubbing a hand up and down her arm.

"Fine. I've just been really spacey lately," Kim muttered.

"A lot of changes in a short amount of time. Give yourself a break," Tanya told her, patting her shoulder. "How are your lessons coming?"

The former Ranger grinned at that. "Adam is a slave driver," she quipped, making Tanya chuckle. "I'm a little rusty, but it's coming back quickly."

"He's gotten more demanding in his old age," Tanya teased, watching her husband shoot her a sidelong glance, his eyebrow cocked up, before a slow, easy grin split his lips.

"Isn't that the lady from the bookstore?" Kim suddenly asked, pointing toward the door.

Adam sat up straighter, looking over to where his sister was pointing. Tension knotted his muscles; his eyes went dark with the power at his command. "Yeah."

"Mrs. Donovan?" the woman asked softly, brushing her long black hair from her face. Violet eyes shimmered with power. Adam knew it shouldn't be possible, but being a Ranger taught him otherwise.

"Yes?" Kim almost quivered before her. Adam flinched. The Pink Ranger's courage and spine were still shaky at times. It left him heart-sick to see her fear anything or anyone.

"You left this at my shop yesterday," Kallisto told her, holding out a circular gold object. Kim's eyes widened. She hadn't left that anywhere but home.

Shaking her head, Kim whispered, "That's not mine."

Kallisto smiled indulgently. "Yes, it is, just like the one in the teacher's pocket is his; emblazed with a frog, courageous in spirit."

Adam moved to stand with his hand on Kimberly's shoulder. "If she says it isn't hers, it isn't."

The tall woman's violet eyes snapped with impatience. "Remembering is only half the battle," Kallisto snapped. "Being prepared to accept your destiny is the other."

"Leave me alone, both of you! I'm just a normal woman!" Kim argued, shaking her head. She wanted to run but the tight, reassuring grip Adam had on her shoulder kept her in place.

Kallisto's expression went blank. "Kimberly, take the coin," she commanded. "Don't speak to him again if he comes."

Adam felt he shift in Kimberly's emotions. The former Pink Ranger didn't take kindly to being told what to do, he'd learned that from the few times Jason and Tommy had commanded her to do something. "Who the hell do you…" Kim started.

"Kimberly, he's trying to trick you," Kallisto passionately told her. "He'll lie, scheme and cheat to turn you in his favor. And when you least expect it, he'll destroy your soul and kill those you love most."

It was then that Adam noticed none of the others, save for Jason, recognized what was happening around them. "Problem?" the former Red and Gold Ranger asked, aligning himself with Adam at Kimberly's side.

"Rain can only do so much, the rest is on your shoulders," Kallisto told the two men. "And the final choice is yours." Her eyes were locked on Kim's.

In the blink of an eyes, Kallisto disappeared but not before placing the coin in Kim's hand. The trip looked to one another for answers and got none. "Kim…" Jason started, only to be stopped by Adam. The blank expression on Kim's face was more telling than any words – the former Pink Ranger was blacking out the strange happenings.

"Something's going on," Adam's voice dropped. "And I know just who to ask."

1:30 A.M.
Saturday
April 11, 2009

While Tanya slept in the comfort and security of their bedroom, Adam sat on the floor of their living room. Thick, black candles surrounded him on the floor. Each were lit and each were inscribed with the Chinese symbol for the direction they faced – North, South, East, West, and with an element – Fire, Water, Earth and Air. He sat in the center, legs folded beneath him, eyes closed, as he began to meditate and pray for protection. While he did so, the golden flames of the candles began to turn green, bathing him in their light. Slowly and quietly, he began to call the one Kallisto had called Rain. The former Ranger had the sneaking suspicion Rain was the shape shifter from his dreams.

"You called me, Teacher," the familiar voice of the woman in his dream sounded. When Adam opened his eyes, he was on the beach again.

"I need your help."

"You have all you need."

"Physically. I need information." Adam watched in fascination as half of Rain's face changed from woman to man. The rest of the body followed suit. "Neat trick."

"Come, Teacher, walk with me," Rain beckoned. As they walked along the beach, Adam watched scenes play in the sky and the rolling water. Scenes that were as familiar to him as the day they had happened – becoming a Ranger, losing the power, watching Kimberly struggle with her loss of power, and the funeral of her family. "Ask your questions."

"The Guardian?"

"You know who she is already."

"Kimberly."

"The Crane's wings were clipped many years ago, and those not of your plane of existence believed she was no longer the key to the war," Rain explained, sighing heavily. "Kallisto never gave up her belief that Zordon's chosen would yield the key. She's always suspected it was one of the first two."

"Trini and Kim."

Rain nodded. "With the death of the Griffin, and Zordon's unfortunate passing, Hayden realized the Crane was still the key."

"I don't understand." Rain seemed to smile at Adam's frustration.

"Zordon's death broke the cloak over her. From the very moment he made her a Ranger, he shielded her from all eyes. Her choice to fight for good topped the balance in his favor."

Adam was starting to make sense of the situation, slowly. "So why does she have to choose again? Why now?"

Rain looked saddened. "The death of her family has set her on the edge."

"Did they die because of this?" Adam fiercely demanded, his voice rising. He'd damn and curse whoever had killed them to get to Kim. Innocents, both of them.

"No," Rain murmured. "It was their time, no one from the other side had anything to do with their deaths. This I can promise you."

"I just don't understand…"

"In her own pain, the Crane's sense of right and wrong has been shattered. She no longer has the faith that made her so strong before. Her heart is broken, her will to fly gone. You know this as well as I. Your job, along with the others, is to strengthen her, mind and body. She alone can make her choice."

Adam felt a resolve he hadn't had since facing Thrax. "Kallisto said Hayden would try to trick her."

"Hayden is a master of manipulation; Kallisto is a master of guilt and duty. I serve neither, but I know which way the war beyond your world will go should the Guardian align herself with Hayden."

The former Ranger swallowed hard. "And?"

"Everything you know and hold dear will perish; all the hope and love of this world will be destroyed. If Earth falls, others will follow. Zedd and Zordon knew this, hence their ten thousand year battle."

"Adam?"

The Asian man slowly cam to at the worried sound of his wife's voice. Cool, soft hands pressed against his cheeks. When he opened his eyes, Tanya was leaning over him. "Baby?"

"Are you alright?" she shakily asked.

"I think so," he uttered, pushing up from where he was sprawled on the floor. The candles he'd lit were gutted out and the sun was coming up, shining through the window.

"What happened?" Tanya questioned.

"I don't know."

9:00 A.M.

She sat in the center of her bed, covers and pillows mounded around her. In her lap was the old book she'd gotten at Mystic Teachings. The inside bore no author's name, simply an image of a crane in flight. Tears moistened her eyes, bringing an ache to her heart. She'd lost so much over the years, but until Chris and Evan she'd always weathered the storm destiny had wrought. She had always understood that some things were just meant to be, while a good portion of destiny was decided but the choices a person made. She liked to think it was fifty-fifty. In her heart though, it was just too hard to accept that her husband and sun had died for any reason. They had been innocent, unaware of the terrible dangers of the world beyond a normal human's perspective. Their deaths had been tragically needless. When the pressure of her emotions threatened to suffocate her, she fought to push them back, struggled to breath, and tried to think calmly. Focusing her attention pas her racing heartbeat, Kim opened the book and began to read.

The story spoke of a beautiful young Crane who'd saved her flock from the disastrous beings known as humans. Her flock was not an ordinary one – they were ancient and mystical beings who loved in the forest; the sensitive Griffin, the noble Lion, the mighty Ape, the cunning Bear, the sure Wolf, the courageous Frog, the protective Dragon, and the just Falcon. For many years they lived in harmony and peace, only fighting when the humans threatened the heart of the forest. And then came the day when the graceful Crane was captured by an enterprising hunter.

The young man sent her off, bound in a cage, to lands far away from her home and family. The further from the forest she was taken, the weaker her magic, until she was completely helpless. Her wings had been unused for so long as she sat in the cage that she knew she'd never fly again. And then a gentle man with a caring heart found her, bought her from the traders, and took her home.

He let her out of the cramped cage she'd been forced to endure, knowing she was grounded. Over time, the pair slowly fell in love, and the young man eventually revealed that while he was a human sorcerer, his true form was that of a crane. The love that grew between them produced a small chick, one that was much loved by both. They lived together, peacefully and happily in the sorcerer's mountain home. Until the war came.

Both sides wanted the sorcerer's power, and to get it, they threatened the little family. Without warning, the once happy Crane watched as the armies cut down her beloved and their child, both in crane form, in an attempt to get the sorcerer's attention. When the armies finally learned what they'd done, when they watched the sorcerer's body revert from crane to man, they left for their next conquest, leaving behind the shattered hear of a crane who'd been ready to fly once more.

Tears coursing down her face, Kimberly closed the book with an audible snap. The story hit too close to home for her, way to close. It was yet another oddity in a string of occurrences she just wanted to forget. The doorbell sounded, causing her to jump. Taking a deep, steadying breath, Kim climbed out of bed, slipped her robe on, and went to answer her door. When she got downstairs, there was no one on her front porch. However, there was a package sitting on the top step. Furrowing her brow, she bent to take a closer look. Her name was on the front, and there was no return address. Intrigued, Kim picked up the box and took it inside. She never saw the figure standing at the end of the driveway, watching her intently.

Inside, she set the package on the island in her kitchen. It was wrapped in simple brown paper and scotch tape. Her name had been written on it in black marker. It looked innocent enough, but she knew looks could be deceiving. Quietly, she opened the package, gasping when she saw what was inside – a picture frame held a black and white photo of Chris with Evan on his shoulders. They'd been at the beach when she'd taken the photo. It was from the summer before they'd died.

The frame crashed to the tile floor, the glass splintering into shards at her feet. Her whole body shook; someone was messing with her and she wasn't going to put up with it. She was done being helpless. Quickly and efficiently, and seething with a newfound rage, Kim cleaned up the shattered remains of the frame the same way she planned to clean up the shards of her life.

Once the unpleasant task was out of the way, she headed upstairs to dress and head into the dojo.

10:30 A.M.

Dressed in a form fitting black tank top and white gi pants, Kim stood at the back of Adam's adult beginner's class. Since Adam was teaching her during his free time for nothing, she'd signed up for the beginner's class at her own expense. They were currently stretching, each mentally preparing for the class to come. It had been fun for her to discover the moves again, to have the regime of workouts and lessons again. Each time she rediscovered the ability to do something, it gave her more confidence.

Three classes in and she was starting to feel steady again. Her goal was to use the calming routine to give her life in Angel Grove a base. Besides, she needed to make more friends not just stick to the ones she'd had all her life.

"Okay class, today we have a guest teacher joining us," Adam announced, drawing the class' attention to the front of the room. "He's a friend of mine, who also teaches some of our black belt classes during the summer."

Kim's back stiffened when she felt the charge in the air. A certain level of awareness opened up inside of her and then she knew. Turning her head, her eyes latched onto the tall, muscular form of one of her closest and dearest friends. He was dressed in black gi pants and a black tank top. Tied securely at his waist was a belt that signified one of his martial arts accomplishments – a sixth degree mastery of karate. She knew he had other belts in other disciplines, but this was his passion. Her eyes finally locked with his as he stopped midstride, the two of them sharing a slow, easy smile. For some odd reason, Kim felt both relaxed and tensed. Maybe it was the combination of knowing Tommy as well as she did and not wanting to disappoint him, again. She figured she'd done that enough to last a lifetime over the years.

Once Tommy began teaching the class, Adam began moving among the students. Kimberly's attention was focused on her friend, the man she still considered her White Knight. He even still blushed at the nickname, whenever Jason teased him about it. Which reminded her that it was still amazing that for all the violence that had touched his life, Tommy had remained the same gentle soul as he had been in the beginning; perhaps a bit more wary of the world, but still gentle. His capacity to remain a caring, honorable man was something she was extremely proud of him for it.

"Tighten your form a bit," Adam whispered in her ear, his hands molding her body. Kim's eyes searched his face as he chuckled. "Pay attention to what he's saying."

The former Pink Ranger shot him a withering glare, but they both know she was only kidding. "I am."

"No, you're paying attention to other things, like always," he teased.

"We aren't in high school anymore," she muttered, making Adam laugh out loud.

The whole class turned and watched them, with Tommy shaking his head at their antics. He couldn't completely hear what they'd been saying, but he knew the looks on their faces well enough. "Don't make me put you in detention Kim."

Embarrassed, Kim's cheeks went apple red. "I blame Adam," she told Tommy, who was smirking at her.

"Alright, alright, let's get back to business," Tommy called the class back to order, though he, Adam and Kim continued to smile.

12:00 P.M.

While everyone else was cleaning up to go home, Kim sat at the back of the room stretching by herself. Adam was getting ready to teach his next class, so Tommy was going to be handling her private lesson. She was a little apprehensive about that, but then reminded herself, it was only Tommy. She was safer with him than with almost anyone. "You looked good today," the former Ranger leader grinned as he crouched next to her.

"Thank you," she smiled up at him. "It sorta amazes me that all the things you guys taught me are coming back, and how fast they are."

Tommy nodded. Both he and Adam had noticed her struggling to do the basic moves without adding the more intricate ones they'd taught her long ago. It warmed him to know despite the years, she still remembered the moves. "You'll be taking a belt test before you know it," he quipped. "Ready to get started?"

Kim noticed Adam's next class coming in and nodded. "Back room?"

He grinned and nodded, holding out a hand to help her to her feet. After she gathered her things, she followed him out of the main room and into the back room Adam and Rocky had set up for her.

2:15 P.M.

Sweat dribbled down her back between her shoulder blades and down the back of her neck. Her muscles san from the abuse she was putting them through. She'd already had two separate workouts before lunch and now she was putting herself through yet another. Perched on the balance beam, arms completely straight, legs spread perpendicular to the rest of her body, she focused on the burning in her arms. Tommy and Adam were busy teaching a class in the other room; she could hear the students' ki-yah's echoing through the halls. She was aware of the figure leaning against the doorframe, but she gave no sign that she saw him. He had her utmost trust, and had ever since kindergarten when he'd beaten up Alex Stoley for breaking the head off her favorite Barbie doll.

"Doesn't that hurt?" he finally called out. "I mean, you haven't worked out on the beam since Evan was born."

"Hence why my arms are shaking like fuck," she uttered, causing him to chuckle. "What are you doing here?" she shot back, bringing her legs down and balancing her weight on them before she sat on the beam. "Don't you have to work?"

"Finished early. Client liked the changes to the building design," he grinned. "Figured you'd still be here when you didn't answer your cell."

"Beginners class and private lesson with Tommy," she told him, watching his eyebrows shoot up.

"Really?"

Kim had no time to respond when they both heard the terrified screams. Jason spun and Kim dove off the bean, both running for the other room. Tommy was surrounded by Maligore-wannabes while Adam tried to protect his students, all kids, from stray attacks.

The former Red and Gold Ranger jumped right into the fight while Kim moved toward Tommy. The second she was beside him, the creatures stopped paying attention to the guys and started attacking her. Tommy and Jason did their best to help her, but the creatures kept pulling her away from them.

"KIM!" Tommy hollered in warning. He grinned when she went down in the splits and then thrust her fist up, nailing the creature between the legs. He felt a grim satisfaction when the thing hit its knees and collapsed.

"Tommy!" Kim's voice cut through the chaos. He spun just in time to get nailed in the side, sending him to his knees. Jason and Kim reacted simultaneously, coming to his rescue. Both kicked out, each catching one of the creatures off guard. "That is ENOUGH!" Kim's voice seemed to boom out. There were visible waves coming off her. The sound did more than any of their attacks. All of the creatures went down, leaving the ex Rangers and Adam's students standing in shock.

"What the hell?" Jason muttered.

"Adam, get them out of here," Kim ordered even as she moved to help Tommy to his feet. "You okay?"

"Caught me off guard," he rasped, rubbing a hand gingerly over his ribs. "Nothing broken."

"My apologies," a new voice entered the conversation. All three turned sharply to see a figured dissolve out of nowhere.

Kim immediately stiffened. "YOU!" she hissed.

Tommy and Jason took up positions on either side of her just as Adam rushed through the door. He stepped up to Jason's side, presenting a united front. "My lady," the man whispered, eyes on Kimberly.

"Who are you and what do you want?" Jason demanded to know. One look and anyone could have understood he had his game face on.

"My name is Hayden, and I've come to ask the Lady for her help."

"Help?" Kim incredulously asked. "You tried killing me and my friends and you want my help? Are you fucking nuts?"

The three males beside her grinned at the tone she used. It was the same one she use to use with Bulk and Skull when they were being dense, or Goldar said something incredibly stupid. "You're being rude again," Hayden seethed.

"Look, what do you want?" Tommy all but snarled.

"The falcon still has feelings for the crane, how romantic," Hayden sarcastically gushed. His eyes narrowed when Kimberly reached out and wrapped her fingers around Tommy's wrist. "The teacher, the protector and the lover. I should have know."

Kim's eyes widened. "What do you want from me?" she wearily asked.

"Your help," he told her, his voice taking on a hypnotic quality. "I need your help ending this war, once and for all."

"By taking her soul? By destroying everything she's fought to protect with her very life?" Adam snapped. Jason, Tommy and Kim looked at him in shock.

Hayden's eyes sizzled with power while his body glowed with it. "Tame your tongue, teacher."

"I'm not going to stand by while you hurt her!" Adam argued, unafraid of pissing this guy off.

Power shot out, slamming into Adam's chest. Or it would have, if the former Ranger hadn't started flowing black with a green tinge. Jason, Tommy and Kimberly felt their jaws drop. "Impossible!" Hayden gasped.

"I still have Ranger Powers," Adam grinned. He hadn't used them in two years, but he still had them. He wasn't about to admit he'd reconnected to his spirit animal though, needed to keep some things a secret.

"You will pay for your interference teacher!" The group blinked as he winked away, leaving them alone.

"What is going on?" Jason demanded, turning to look at Adam like he'd lost his mind.

"Adam?" Kim turned wide eyes his way.

"Let's get the kids out of here first, and then we'll talk in my office," he offered, already moving out of the room toward his students and their arriving parents.

3:00 P.M.

They gathered in Adam's office, each wearing worried expressions. Jason sat in a chair with Kim perched on the edge of Adam's desk. Tommy paced back and forth, arms folded over his chest. Not one of them had uttered a single word after having entered the privacy of the room. Adam walked in and before they could say a word, he was holding a hand up to ward them off. He knew a flurry of angry questions were about to come his way, and he needed a minute to settled. Once he was sitting behind his desk, and had gotten his breath back, he started. "The night we moved Kim into her house, I had a weird dream. I was told it was my duty to train the Guardian, to make sure she was well informed and trained before she made her decision."

"Does this have to do with Kallisto?" Adam's eyes lifted to Jason's, and the former Black and Green Ranger saw the barely restrained fury in the former Red and Gold Ranger's face.

Adam nodded, choosing his words carefully. "Has to do with a lot of things; Hayden's the guy from that first night, the one on the beach.

"He chased me down the night we went to L.A.," Kim finally told them, her face blank.

"Why didn't either of you tell us?"

Kim trembled under Tommy's intense gaze. "I had a nightmare, I thought it was part of it, but he was at my party the next night…"

Adam said nothing, simply giving Tommy a look that said more than words could. "This is that something weird you were talking about that afternoon." It wasn't a question, it was Tommy remembering Adam's mood that day.

"Adam, what the hell is going on?" Jason finally asked.

"Rain said Kim would have a choice to make, and that both sides were going to be hard on her before she made it," he spoke, then turned his attention to Kim. "You've got to choose, Kim, between the light and the dark."

"Why me?" Kim not only sounded small, she suddenly looked it too, more so than at any other time Adam had known her.

He held his hands up helplessly. "I don't know. All I was told was that you were the Key, the Guardian."

Tommy shook his head. "None of this makes sense," he grumbled. "Why Kim? Why now?"

Adam leaned back in his chair and sighed. "Rain told me that Kim had already made her choice once, by choosing to be a Ranger. When she left the team, they figured she wasn't the one they were looking for. I guess after Evan and Chris died, it tipped you back into indecision." The look in Kimberly's eyes told Adam she was thinking the same thing he had. "Rain said they weren't killed because of this, sis. I flat out demanded to know that when we spoke. They died because of someone else's carelessness, not because of some sick twist to get you to choose your destiny."

"Who is Rain?" Jason asked. "And how can we trust him?"

"He's not a he, nor a she. Rain is a shape shifter, one who has no love for either side. The vibe I got though was if Rain had to choose, it'd be Kallisto. Rain was adamant that if Kim chose Hayden, Earth was going to fall."

The three men looked to Kimberly, who sat shaking her head on Adam's desk. "I don't want this. I just want to be normal. I left behind weird when I got eaten by a monster with the munchies!" she cried out, her voice rising in pitch. Jason stood from his chair, reached out wrapping his arms around her and pulled her into a hug. One hand held her head against his shoulder while the other rubbed up and down her back in a light caress. He knew the signs of hysterical Kim; it didn't happen often but when it did it was bad.

"He called us teacher, protector and lover," Tommy quietly spoke, his eyes on Kim's shaking form. "He got two out of three right."

Adam and Jason shared a look but said nothing. Despite having had a husband and son who were the center of her universe, Kim still loved Tommy in a way she'd never love anyone else. There was just too much history between them for it to be otherwise. It was something they'd both been impressed by when it came to Chris; the man had not begrudge Kimberly her past, or the close relationships she held with the men she considered her friends and brothers. "Relax, baby girl," Jason murmured. "I've got you, nothing's going to hurt you."

"Make it go away Jason!" she pitifully cried against his shoulder.

"Kimberly, snap out of it!" Tommy's voice barked out the command.

The former Pink Ranger's head reared up and her wide, startled eyes took him in. "Tommy…" Jason started.

"No! She's got to stop running!" he heatedly responded.

"Is that what you think I've been doing?" Kim croaked.

"For the last ten minutes? Yes. You're a Ranger…"

"No, I'm not! I haven't been one since 1995!"

Tommy reached out and took her face in his hands, his thumbs caressing the tears from her cheeks. "At the heart of it all, yes, you are. You will always be a Ranger; the original Pink Ranger. No matter how long it's been or how far you've gone, that will never change. We don't run from danger, we run towards it, meeting it head on."

The betrayal she'd felt melted at the faith and confidence that shone from his eyes. Tommy had always had the strongest belief in her, that she could do anything, be anyone. Of all her friends, he'd always been the one she'd let in the furthest; even Jason didn't know half of what she feared, not like Tommy did. "I don't want to do this, but I've got no choice, do I?" Turning, she looked steadily at Adam. "How long do I have?"

"I don't know," he honestly answered. "All I know was that I was to train you, and that others would be brought in on it at a later date."

Tommy smiled. "Then we train her," he grinned at Kim. "We make sure she's ready for whatever's to come." The former Pink Ranger's eyebrows shot up, she didn't like the look on his face one bit.