The following morning, Summer woke up after a trying night. She was thankful for the meds she had received from Dr. Young that night, following the humiliating experience of the Winchester's rehearsal dinner, she was sure she wouldn't have been able to sleep, even if it wasn't for the nightmares she had been on medication to suppress.
She had known that there was likely to be an atmosphere at the party, since it was the first time the Winchesters and the Landsdowns had been in the same place at one time since the failed wedding. She knew that Chas and his family would have felt a loss of face when she had called off the wedding. Since then, both she and the Winchesters had refused to comment to the press, and eventually the interest died down. Now though, since the newspaper article had been published, the population's interest in the whys and wherefores of how the dream wedding had ended in disaster was renewed. The fact she had been seeing a psychiatrist was now public knowledge, and given the whispers and averted looks at the party, she knew who everyone believed to be responsible for the break up.
She pulled herself out of her bed and looked down on the newspaper on her bedside table, showing her leaving Dr. Young's office with the headline "Psycho Ranger". She had concentrated simply on getting through the rest of the party without embarrassing herself any further, and so she only had the chance to read the article in full after the party. It was a scathing piece of character assassination. Her blood boiled even more every time she read it, the reporter had been fed no shortage of damning statements about her. She read part of it again.
'A source close to both Ms. Landsdown and Chas, who asked not to be named, had this to say.
"I've known Summer a long time, and I loved her dearly but even I can say she was never quite right in the head.
"She was always more interested in her martial arts and blasting around the place on that bike of hers than she was in Chas. He was able to accept it at first; he was even willing to put up with it when there were rumours that he wasn't the only man in her life if you get my drift."
When asked about the wedding, the source simply said,
"It was a disaster. She seemed to be distant and uninterested, almost as if she was angry about something. I think it has something to do with the evacuation. It's well known she walked most of the way because of the lack of transport vehicles. We all thought it was a miracle when we saw her alive and well again, but she wasn't the same. Personally I think being in the sun too long did something to her brain."
A damning statement indeed from one of Ranger Yellow's closest friends.'
Summer just wanted to march over to the Winchester estate and slap Brie for that. She didn't need to be named as the source in that quote, the only person who would know she walked most of the way was her. She had shoved Summer out of the truck in the first place. She knew that Brie had always wanted to be with Chas, but the Landsdowns had an agreement with the Winchesters. When that broke up, Brie should have been doing cartwheels. Of course, now it seemed that she wasn't merely content with 'winning' and getting Chas, now she wanted to make sure no one believed that she was the second choice, the "consolation prize" so to speak. She read on.
'When asked about his response to the news, Chas Winchester, Ranger Yellow's former fiancé refused to comment. All he was willing to say was "we parted ways for our own reasons, which I refuse to talk about. All I'll say is that I have moved on and hope Summer the best for the future, and hope she finds happiness as I have."
Summer just threw the paper aside. His refusal to say anything about what had happened was more damning than any lie he could ever tell. He hadn't said anything that could be disputed, even if Summer's family had the financial means to fight the article. He had refused to say anything, of course, while the few at the wedding knew his refusal to speak was down to him not wanting to admit that Summer left him, in light of the therapy, his silence and well wishes only seemed to imply that they had parted ways over her alleged psychological problems.
She went into her en-suite and showered, taking one of the few times she was alone to sort through everything that had happened. Since reading through the article, she was quickly coming to the same conclusion as Dr. K, that it had been Chas, or at least one of his family, that had followed her and released the picture of her going to her therapist to the press. The timing of the article being released just seemed like too much of a coincidence. Of course it wasn't like she could fight the article. She wouldn't be able to afford the legal fees for a long court case, and it would just invite even more press attention. The quicker this whole thing could die, the better.
As she finished getting dressed, she made her way to the door and opened it. As soon as it started to open, breaking the sound-proof seal, she immediately heard Dillon and Dr. K arguing. By the sounds of Dillon's raised voice, they had been arguing for a while.
"How many times do I have to tell you? I'm sorry!" He roared angrily. "I know I was an idiot for getting suckered into fighting Chas, but you didn't hear what he said!"
"I don't care what he said Ran...Dillon." Dr. K answered matter-of-factly, waving around a newspaper. "The fact is that your actions last night have weakened the public image of Project Ranger."
"I wasn't aware you were concerned what people think of us." Dillon said sarcastically, turning his back on her and making his way to the counter, grabbing a banana.
"The fact is that the public trusts and respects the Rangers." Dr. K reminded him, rushing around in front of him and getting into his face. "We're able to function and attain the co-operation of the public because they trust us. Your actions last night made you look like a lunatic."
Do you want to keep it down a little?" Summer asked them, making her way between them. "What's this about?"
Dr. K handed that morning's newspaper to Summer, showing her the front page. It showed a double picture of Chas, one of him in his uniform, taken before the party, and another of him having his cheek stitched up after the match with Dillon. She read the headline aloud.
"Berserk Ranger Causes Debacle at Winchester Residence?"
"It seems that Chas isn't done using the papers against us." Dillon said apologetically. "Summer, I'm sorry."
"It's alright; I guess we should have been expecting this." Summer sighed, taking a seat and beginning to read the article. It had more of the usual stinging barbs.
"It's no wonder she ended up with the Black Ranger. He's as crazy as she is!" Summer read aloud, quoting her one-time best friend Brie. "It was a friendly exhibition, and he took it too far. The way he was swinging that sword, it's no wonder it broke. He sliced his face open; he could have scarred him for life! He's lucky he didn't kill him!"
"They're just not milking it then." Dillon said a little sarcastically, coming to her side and stroking her back gently.
"Dillon, what did he say to you?" Summer asked him. "What could he have said that was so terrible?"
"Summer, I don't want to talk about this anymore." He told her in a frustrated sigh. "He pushed my buttons, that's all you need to know. I was an idiot for letting him get to me, I should have walked away, I know I should."
"You don't normally let people get to you like that." Summer commented. "Dillon, whatever he said that upset you like this, I want to know about it."
He shook his head and took a seat with her.
"Dr. K, would you mind leaving us for a second?" He asked her. Dr. K realised she wasn't going to get anywhere with him anyway and just left the room to check on Tenaya's recovery. Dillon looked around to make sure they were alone before telling her. He hated how much this business had hurt her already; he didn't want to hurt her anymore. "He started saying some stuff about you."
"I already know that much." Summer told him. "You told me that last night."
"Summer, he started making comments about when you and he were arranged." He told her. "He said some stuff about you and it just messed with my head. I got all these images in my head and I just saw red."
"Dillon, you know I don't care about him." She told him reassuringly.
"He made some...inferences...about you." He admitted. "Some of the things he said..."
"Dillon, Chas and I were never involved like that." She assured him. "I know he would have wanted that, but we never slept together. Our parents wouldn't have allowed it; they wanted me to be "pure" for the wedding. That was the things were done with families like ours."
"Pure?" Dillon asked her. Summer nodded.
"I've never slept with anyone." She told him. "Dillon, whatever he told you, whatever he said it's all in your head. That's what Chas is like."
"I guess I should have been able to see through him." Dillon muttered, feeling more than a little foolish. "He just got to me."
"Listen, I have another session with Dr. Young today." She told him. "I'm sure there's going to be people waiting. I can't face that alone, it would mean a lot to me if you would go with me."
"I will." He assured her. "You don't need to worry."
Meanwhile, across town, Scott was at a tailor's office, getting his dress uniform adjusted in time for the ceremony. He had been as upset about the events of the night before as anyone, but he had been talked into going about his business regardless. His father was no stranger to controversy, and knew that any deviation from the normal routine would likely be taken as some sign of guilt by the press. The tailor was just finishing taking some measurements, before taking his uniform from him.
"We should have this ready in a couple of days." The tailor informed him.
"Thanks, give me a call when I can pick it up." Scott told him, handing him a card. As the tailor left, he noticed that Gates and Chas were also there for a fitting. Chas had a large dressing taped to his cheek, covering his injury from the night before.
"I see you had the same idea." Chas commented. "I just wanted to make sure I looked my best for the big day."
"Me to, now if you'll excuse me, I have things to do." Scott said, beginning to walk away. He knew that Dillon's actions had drawn an unhealthy level of interest from the media. It galled him to speak with Chas, but he knew creating a scene wouldn't do any good.
"Just in case you see that Black Ranger of yours..."
"Dillon." Scott corrected him. "His name is Dillon."
"Well, if you see Dillon, just tell him there are no hard feelings." He said with a cocky little smile. "I will admit to getting a little over-excited myself."
"I'll pass along your message." Scott told him. Chas shook his hand, followed closely by Gates. Gates' handshake was once again weak and insincere. Scott gave him a little glare as he turned to leave. Gates leaned in and whispered to Chas.
"Did you see the way he looked at me?" He hissed angrily. "Is it time?"
"I think I've done enough damage with my vendetta for now." Chas stated. "I guess it's time to start working on yours. Just don't screw up our hard work."
Gates got a little smirk on his face and left the room.
"Everything's falling into place." Chas chuckled to himself.
Meanwhile, Scott was walking down the street, when he saw a man, dressed in the characteristic business suit of the Scorpion Cartel, talking with a man in jeans with a leather jacket. The man with the leather jacket handed over some money, before accepting a package of white powder.
"I thought you Cartel guys were supposed to be smart." Scott said sarcastically, approaching them. "You're doing a drug deal in broad daylight? Are you trying to get caught?"
The two men ran into the alley behind them, being followed closely by Scott. He pursued them at high speed until he cornered them in a dead-end.
"You guys really are dumb aren't you?" Scott asked them. "RPM, you're both under arrest."
"You know, you aren't that smart yourself." The guy in the leather jacket told him, pulling out a business card, indicating that he was a member of the Scorpion Cartel. "Like you said, do you really think we'd do a business deal in broad daylight in the middle of a crowded street?"
Suddenly, Scott was sprawled across the ground as he felt a savage blow connecting to his kidneys. The offending baseball bat was pulled around his throat, yanking him onto his knees and strangling him. Two more men circled in front of him, throwing bats to the two he had been chasing. The five surrounded him. One of them kicked him hard in the stomach, doubling him over, before reaching into his jacket and pulling out his morpher. He threw it into a nearby trash can.
"Let's see how tough these Rangers really are." The one in the leather jacket commanded. With that, they all descended on the Red Ranger, beating him savagely. He did all he could to protect himself, but his injuries had taken most of his strength already. He quickly lost consciousness under the ferocious beating, leaving him in a bloody, battered heap on the concrete. Gates came out of a nearby hiding place once he was sure Scott was unconscious.
"Is he still alive?" He asked them.
"Of course." One of the Cartel members told him. "It's bad enough risking this; Fresno Bob told us the Rangers aren't to be touched. You know how much we're risking by taking this job for you? There's no way we'd risk the heat he'd lay on us for actually killing one of them."
"I think I've paid you enough to compensate you." Gates told him, handing him a large pile of cash. "You just need to make sure Fresno Bob never finds out."
"That's easier said than done." He grumbled, accepting the cash. "I hope you're satisfied with this."
"I am for now." Gates replied, inspecting the Red Ranger's stricken body. "He still had more to repay me, but I can wait until the time is right."
"Anyway, we need to get out of here." The Cartel member told him as they started to beat a hasty retreat. "Fresno Bob will not be happy if we're gone for too long."
"They're idiots, but they get the job done, and I couldn't risk exposing myself too early." Gates said to Scott's unconscious body. He laid a white rose on his chest carefully. "You don't need to worry though, when the time comes for me to put my plan into action and you pay the ultimate price? I'll make sure it's done with a little more class."
He turned and walked away, pulling his coat around himself as he went, making his way out onto the street. "After all, if you want to kill a king, you don't poison him in his sleep. You behead him in public where the whole court can see you do it."