Hey guys, I'm back with another one! This one's mostly gonna be a filler for some character development for Taz, and may contain some triggering content (anorexia/self-harming behaviors/rape & sexual abuse), so consider that if it may affect you. Hope you guys like it, anyways!
Taz sat alone in her room, listening to the bustling sounds of everyone else in the house. Her house wasn't exactly hectic, but everyone else seemed to be rather busy all the time, even if they didn't really have a reason to be.
If anything, Taz was the one who had the most reason to be busy, with a job like she had. That didn't appear to be the case, however, as her family were always on the move or doing something.
Meanwhile, she was sitting around, waiting for them to leave so she could do what she wanted to do.
She sighed to herself, briefly wondering when she was finally going to move out of her family home. Taz had done so when she was with Junior, moving in with him until he kidnapped Sean and her, and then moved back into her parent's house because she had nowhere else to go.
Sean had his own place, and the two were doing extremely well, but she didn't want to ask to move in so soon in their relationship. Not only that, but he always had his little sister coming over and Taz wasn't sure that he would want her there as well.
Then again, it's not like she had ever even tried to ask, so she couldn't fault anyone else but herself for that.
Listening carefully to hear if anyone was still home, she heard the front door open and close. Smiling to herself, Taz stood and walked towards the door when a knock startled her. "Yeah?" She asked cautiously.
"Taz, honey?" Her mother's voice flooded in, making Taz long for a time when they were close - for a time before her step-father and step-brother. "Are you hungry? I'm about to leave, but I'll leave some breakfast on the table for you."
"Oh, okay," Taz replied back, through the door. "I'll get it sometime."
No response came, but she could hear her mother's footsteps dwindle away before the front door was used once more. Making sure it was silent, Taz opened her door and walked out into the main room, before walking into the kitchen.
The table had a place set nicely for her, with a full plate of food on it. Taz walked up to stand behind her chair, staring down at the food and feeling her stomach growl.
Her hunger, however, did not motivate her to eat, and it hadn't for a long time. She looked off at the wall nearby, staring at herself in the large mirror standing there. Taz turned to the side, lifting her shirt up slightly to see her stomach.
It was more than flat - she was so skinny that her stomach indented and her ribs showed. This wasn't obvious with her sweatshirts and baggy pants, but it would be if she was wearing anything less.
In fact, her body was another reason she didn't want to move in with Sean. They had yet to move their relationship onto a sexual level, with Taz telling him that she wasn't comfortable yet, but she never explained the reason why.
To Taz, her body didn't look as it truly did. It looked much bigger most of the time, and then sometimes she felt much too skinny. She had never felt really satisfied with it, and assumed no one else would either.
That was why she wasn't comfortable showing herself to Sean, no matter how much she trusted and loved him.
She let her shirt down and picked the plate and fork up, walking over to the trashcan and pushing the food off of her plate and into the can. Taz walked over to the sink to wash the dishes when she felt someone staring at her.
Turning around, she was startled to find her step-brother, Liam, standing there and smirking at her. "Taz," He greeted, looking her over.
"Hi, Liam," She smiled briefly at him, before turning back to the dishes in the hopes that he would leave her alone.
Unfortunately, that didn't seem to be the case when she felt him move closer to her and put an unfamiliar hand on her shoulder, rubbing it over lightly. "So, how are you doing today?" Liam asked, acting as if nothing was wrong.
"Please don't touch me," Taz pleaded, putting her dishes to the side, but otherwise not moving. "It's wrong, Liam. I want you to stop."
"You don't get to tell me when to stop. I'm the man," Liam growled, his hand clasping her shoulder hard. "You remember that, don't you? Besides, we're not really siblings, right?"
Taz tried to move away from him, but he blocked her from doing so. "Yes, we are, and even if we weren't and it wasn't wrong, I wouldn't want it. Let me go. I have to get to work and they'll worry if I'm late."
"I don't know if I'll be able to wait until you get back," Liam forced her to turn around and face him. "Maybe you should give me something to wait for."
He leaned in to kiss her, but she shoved him off and ran outside of the house, glad she was fully dressed and ready to go so she didn't have to stay in the house. Taz knew that while she was outside, he would never follow her because he was afraid of others seeing him.
She turned back to the house and looked up at the window to see him staring out of it at her, his expression hard. Taz immediately turned away and began to walk towards her car, taking a deep breath as she prepared herself for the day ahead.
- Cue Opening -
By the time Taz got into work and made her way to the chief base, Masters was already there and addressing the other three rangers. Tori, who had recently been out of work with her injuries, had finally been allowed back at work and was listening very intently to Masters, ready to get back to her normal routine.
Sean and Joey were also listening, but were more prone to distraction, which is why only the two of them turned to look at her when she walked in late.
When they looked, however, this attracted the attention of Masters and Tori as well. She assumed it would've caught Sera, Nat, or Logan's eye too, but they weren't there, surprisingly enough.
"Taz," Masters addressed her, his tone stern. "You're late."
"I know, I'm sorry." She apologized. "I was caught up at home. It won't happen again."
Masters nodded. "No, it won't. I don't need any of the rest of you out of commission anytime soon." He said, looking at all of them. "Which is why I was about to tell you all that you're all taking a physical test today, like you did when you first started here. This test will let me know how healthy you are so I can keep you that way."
"Today?" Joey was the first to speak up, though none of the others looked very happy about it either. "Don't you have to give us a little warning first before you spring these things on us?"
He glared at the yellow ranger, making him cower a bit. "No, I do not have to give you a warning. You four should not have anytime to prepare for this, as I want your average, everyday health on display today. That's the point of this."
Tori shrugged, the only one not affected by the news. "I don't have a problem with it. I assume I'm up first, since I'm the leader?"
"Actually, we're going by last name, which means Sean is up first," Masters told her. "After our interns are done getting ready for us in the gym. Either way, you're not going to be tested today, Tori."
She was taken aback. "Why not? Am I not a member of this team? Not only that, but I'm the leader!"
"Yes, and you're also still recovering from a gunshot wound." Masters pointed out, much to her chagrin. "You may be allowed back at work, but that doesn't mean you're back up to par. I will conduct an individual test with you another day,"
"That's not..." She trailed off as Masters held a hand up, and resorted to standing there irritatedly while the others were escorted out of the room to wait for Sera and Logan.
- Cue Opening -
A bit later, Autumn sat alone at a table in the cafeteria, yawning idly as she poked at a salad she was eating slowly. She ate a small bite and looked around the room, bored and exhausted. She leaned her head on her hand and closed her eyes for a moment, nearly falling asleep when a noise startled her.
Looking up, she found Owen standing next to the table, before sitting across from her. "Morning, sleepyhead." He quipped.
"Why did you do that?" Autumn muttered, rolling her eyes.
"I figured you needed a wake up," Owen chuckled lightly. "Why were you falling asleep on your hand in the cafeteria?" He countered.
She shrugged. "I just haven't been getting any good sleep lately,"
Owen frowned in concern. "Is something going on?"
Autumn looked to the side, almost ashamed. "I've been having nightmares since the kidnapping. I can't sleep and it's hard to eat, and I can't even talk to Tori about it because she doesn't remember, not even the important stuff."
"Maybe you should talk to someone else about it," Owen suggested. "Like a therapist or something." He then gave her a strange look. "And what important stuff did she forget, exactly?"
"I..." Autumn sighed. "First, I don't need a therapist - I'll be fine with some time. Second... We kissed."
He gaped at her. "You kissed Tori? How did you ever manage that?"
"We have a connection." Autumn responded, grudgingly. "But now she'll never know that. It's not important." She shook her head, before looking back at him. "So, what's going on between you and Nikki?"
"Nice way to change the subject." Owen commented, "But, for your information, we're in a relationship. We haven't really come out and told everyone yet, so just keep it on the down low for now."
"Let me guess," Autumn gave him a pointed look. "Jason?"
The green lieutenant looked down. "Yeah. It's not that I'm worried about him doing anything," He assured her. "I just don't want him to get upset or jealous or anything. I wouldn't be mad if he did, but I don't want a problem."
"So, is she gonna tell him?" She asked.
"Yeah," Owen nodded. "They've always been closer so we figured it was better that way."
She opened her mouth to respond, when she saw Moran come into the room and go towards the food at the front. "That's Moran, right? The new lieutenant?"
"That's her." Owen confirmed. "You've been back for a few days; you have talked to her yet?"
Autumn ran a hand through her hair. "No, not yet. I've been busy getting back into it and talking with Lia about everything." When Moran turned around, Autumn waved her over. The purple lieutenant looked a bit hesitant, but did so anyways. "Hey, Moran," Autumn greeted.
Moran looked between her and Owen, before smiling shyly. "Hi. Do I know you?"
"No, not yet," Autumn chuckled. "I'm Autumn DeWitt, the red lieutenant. We haven't really been introduced, sorry about that."
"Oh, I didn't know that was you," Moran told her. "It's nice to meet you."
She smiled. "You too. You can sit with us if you want,"
"Okay," Moran responded after a moment, sitting down at the table with them.
- PRER -
Meanwhile, Sean and Taz sat in the chief base, waiting for names to be called for their physical tests. Sean was sitting across a small table from her, eating carelessly, not seeming worried at all, while Taz was looking around anxiously.
After a few more moments of silence, Sean looked up from his food and took in the way she was acting. "What's going on, Taz?"
"What?" Taz turned to him quickly, as if he had frightened her. "Nothing. Why?"
Taking a bite of his sandwich, Sean resisted the urge to scoff at her. "I know something's going on. Is it something about the test? Or did something happen at home?"
She bit her lip. "No, I'm just nervous for the test. That's all," Taz tried to assure him.
He chuckled, "How could you be worried about that? You're gonna do great. You've been a ranger for a while, and you're in good health. Nothing should be too bad. It's just like the tests we took in the academy."
"I know," Taz shook her head, playing with the hem of her sweater. "I guess I just always get nervous before one of these things."
"Yeah, it'd be bad if they found something," Sean commented. "Like if there was something wrong we didn't know about. That wouldn't be good."
Taz raised an eyebrow, but ignored his comment. "I think it's just my nerves. I doubt they'd find something."
"Well, just consider yourself lucky that you get a normal test," Sean pointed out. "I have to take a special test so they can make sure I have a good mental state too, since I'm bipolar." He rolled his eyes. "I don't know why they worry so much. I've been doing better than I have in a long time."
"That's great," Taz smiled, grateful to have some good news. "I'm glad things are looking up."
Sean nodded. "Yep, me too," He looked up at her, almost guiltily. "So good, actually, that I might ask them about going off my meds for good, and just have regular therapy."
The green chief breathed out in shock. "Really? Are you sure that'd be good for you?"
"Don't know until I try," Sean said, rubbing a hand over his face. "Would you be alright with that?"
"Oh, I didn't realize you had to ask me," Taz commented, looking back as Joey made his way into the room, amplifying her nervousness.
"You're my girlfriend, so I figured I should ask you to make sure you're alright with it," He explained as Sera called to him. "Hey, just think about it, alright? I'll be back soon."
She watched him leave and sat back, sighing to herself as her heart pounded in her chest. Taz eyed Sean's leftover food, but instead of eating it, she picked it up and dropped it in a nearby trashcan before leaving to get some fresh air outside.
- PRER -
After lunch, Nikki walked around ER, trying to locate Jason. She had checked around for him at lunch, but had been unable to find him, so she figured it would be easier to do now. She passed by the lieutenant base and made her way into the forensics lab, finding him typing away at his computer.
Taking a deep breath to compose herself, Nikki knocked lightly on the wall, attracting his attention.
"Hey," She greeted, walking into the room slowly.
"Hi," Jason replied, turning back to his work as she made her way towards him. "What's up?"
Nikki sat down in a chair next to him. "Can we talk?" She asked. "Or, is this a bad time?"
"I guess it's an okay time," Jason told her, nonchalantly, though he still wasn't looking at her.
"Well, I should just come out and say it," Nikki took another deep breath. "Owen and I are in a relationship, and have been for about a week so far."
He shrugged. "Why is that a big deal?"
She rubbed her arm nervously. "You don't care?"
"It's not a big deal." Jason said. "Owen's a good guy, and you guys are dating. People start dating all the time."
"That's a relief," Nikki chuckled, "I thought you would be upset."
Jason raised an eyebrow, finally stopping his work and turning to her. "Why would you assume that?"
"I suppose I just know that I'd be kinda upset if someone I liked started dating someone else," Nikki explained, relaxing in her chair. "I'm glad you're taking this well, cause I wouldn't want anything to ruin our friendship."
"Wait a minute," Jason held a hand up, anger rising up in him slightly. "You know that I like you? And you didn't say anything before now?"
"Yeah, that probably would've been better," She sighed. "I'm sorry, Jason. I didn't know what to say about it, and since you never acted on it, I figured it wasn't something I should just bring up one day."
The blue lieutenant shook his head. "So you let me wait around with hope that something might go somewhere one day? It's one thing to not know and start dating someone without saying something first - I can't fault you for that, but this? You knew and still let it continue until you just started with someone else."
"You act like I was leading you on," Nikki frowned. "I have always tried to make it clear that I was just your friend, besides just outright saying it."
"It's not fair," Jason rolled his eyes. "You were leading me on. The fact that you never said anything makes me think you don't know so I still have that chance."
Nikki scowled. "Don't act like I'm your property, Jason. I'm sorry that I never told you I wasn't interested, but you have no right to be so upset like you have the right to claim me or something."
"I've never thought that," Jason responded, matter-of-factly. "But I do think you should leave. Right now."
"This isn't..." Nikki trailed off, before putting her hands up in surrender and leaving, holding back tears as she did so.
- PRER -
While Taz was taking her physical test, Sean was walking around the chief base aimlessly. He looked over at Joey and Nat talking across the room, seeming to be deep into conversation and even flirting every so often. He turned to Tori, who was sitting at the small table, looking irritated. He walked over to her and sat down.
"It's not that big of a deal, you know," He commented. "Masters only doesn't want you to take the test yet because he wants you to be at your usual when you take it."
"Yeah, I know," Tori muttered, leaning her head on her hand. "It's not important."
Sean studied her facial expression, before saying, "Thinking about Autumn, maybe?"
"That's also not important, and none your business regardless." Tori said, shortly.
"So, I'll take that as a yes," Sean gave her a pointed look. "There's no shame in that. You feel guilty for lying and even worse about yourself for pushing away the one person you got really close to. I understand."
She snorted. "Do you? Somehow I feel like you've never been in this position. Besides, it's already over, so it doesn't even matter."
"It doesn't have to be over, though. Just tell Autumn you know and how you feel. She'll understand." Sean suggested.
"You think she'll understand that I lied to her at a time like that?" Tori questioned. "Because I don't think so. If someone did that to me, I'd never forgive them."
"Autumn isn't you," Sean pointed out. "No offense, but you're very closed off. Autumn isn't like that; she's friendly and very open with everyone, so I doubt that she'd react like that unless there was something else going on."
Tori shook her head. "You don't know that. You should've seen the look on her face when I lied to her. She looked like a kicked puppy."
He raised an eyebrow for a moment. "Well, do you think she knows you lied?"
"No," Tori responded. "But I'm pretty sure she's upset about it, despite that. She's probably worried that everything that happened doesn't mean anything."
"Does it mean anything? To you, I mean," Sean asked.
The red chief looked to the side, sighing to herself. "I don't know.. yes? It's complicated. I can't just come out and say it does because I was in shock when it happened. I have no idea if the way I felt then was real, mostly because it's so hard for me to determine how I feel around her normally."
Sean shrugged, "Maybe you should..." He trailed off when Logan ran into the room, frantically. "Is everything okay?" He asked, standing.
Logan shook his head. "Taz collapsed. We're calling an ambulance."
"What?!" Everyone was shocked, and made their way towards the other room without hesitation.
- PRER -
Taz groaned a bit as she came to, feeling a soft bed beneath her. She fisted the blankets in her hands and rolled her head to the side, opening her eyes slowly. To her surprise, she found herself in a hospital room, with Sean sitting worriedly beside her. "What happened?" She mumbled, looking to him.
"Taz? Oh, thank god," He stood quickly and kissed her forehead, before sitting on the bed beside her with her hand in his. "You collapsed during your physical test at work."
Her eyes widened. "What?"
Sean nodded, before looking at her seriously. "Yeah, from poor nutrition. The doctor said it was serious," He looked down at her body, seeing how big the hospital gown was on it, before carefully asking, "Have you stopped eating?"
"No, I..." Taz was about to make an excuse, but stopped herself when she saw how worried he was. "I'm sorry." She whispered.
"Don't be," He moved forward to wipe a tear that fell down her face. "Just tell me what's going on."
"When I was little and my dad died, I kinda didn't know how to deal," Taz started. "I started binge-eating and, by the time my mom remarried, I had gained a lot of weight. My step-brother would tease me about it, but he liked it too, in an unnatural way. He..." She took a deep breath and told him, "He assaulted me,"
He clenched his fists. "I'll kill him."
She ignored his comment. "He would always tell me how I should never get pretty so he could be the only one that had me. I stopped eating because I was afraid that he wouldn't stop. I got skinny, and I liked the way I looked, so I've been keeping it up for a while." Taz bit her lip. "He still won't stop, though. I just hate being near him."
"You need to press charges against him," Sean said, angrily. "We need to throw this scumbag into jail,"
"Sean, no," Taz squeezed his hand to calm him. "I just need to get out of there. I don't need to bring everybody into this. Once I get my own place, it'll be okay. He won't come by there."
The blue chief sighed and shook his head, "No, I don't want you to have to be alone if he's out there, and while you need someone. I know this is sudden, but I want you to move in with me. I'll be there for you, whatever you need, and I'll never make you leave."
"Really?" She stared at him in shock. "You'd let me move in?"
"Of course, as long as we start getting you healthy again," Sean responded. "If you promise that, I would want nothing more than to have you stay with me."
Taz leaned forward and hugged him tightly, tears coming to her eyes. "Thank you," She whispered. "I love you."
"I love you too," He said as he held her.
Next time on Power Rangers Emergency Responders: Jason must decide how he feels towards Nikki now that she's in a relationship, and wonders if they will remain friends.
Next Chapter Title: Decision
This chapter dealt with some serious stuff, but keep in mind that this story does deal with that kind of content (being similar to a cop-show), so you should expect more things like that to pop up. I'll always warn you in the beginning though, just in case you wouldn't like a particular subject.
Also, in terms of the Jason/Nikki/Owen situation, it will be resolved in the next chapter. Jason seems a bit out of character, but I figured that he would be upset when he found out that she knew and never said anything to let him move on from pining over her. I should mention that he doesn't think she's his to claim, but he does feel betrayed by her.
I have a poll up for your favorite Chief ranger, if you're interested, and I should say that Nat is in it. She's coming in as the pink chief in the chapter after the next one, but I don't have much time to leave the poll up since my 5th anniversary is two days away, so I've put it up early since I've already introduced her and had her in for a while! I can't wait to see who you guys choose!
Here's the lineup for the next five chapters!
Ep 17: Pink Chief - Nat focused chapter.
Ep 18: Animals - Moran focused chapter.
Ep 19: Mood - Sean focused chapter.
Ep 20: Rush - Joey focused chapter.
Ep 21: White Lieutenant - Final new ranger!
I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I'll see you guys back with the next one!
© Copyrighted by Charlotte 'Charlie' Hartley