OK, so this was NOT what I started writing, but it kind of evolved and now I have a direction and a full plan… as I've expressed, I am more of a "one-shot" author, so chapters really need to come to me and I have to map them so they make sense in the big picture…

Sorry for the delay, so I wrote a longer chapter!


"It already seems to be almost healed," Tanya put down the scanner and looked at Billy's back. There was still a red mark slashed across his back, but any sign of blistering was gone.

Thank goodness for the quick healing abilities of a ranger, Kim thought.

Billy looked over to her and gave a chuckle. Kim realized he could "hear" her. She returned the chuckle and looked down.

I'm still getting used to that.

Me too, Billy kept his smile and gave a nod.

Tanya glanced between the two and raised an eyebrow in question.

"Gemini mind reading?" She guessed.

The two laughed and nodded.

"Sorry," Kim apologized.

"We aren't used to it yet," Billy added.

Tanya gave a soft smile as she grabbed some burn gel and went over to apply it to Billy's back.

"It's nothing to apologize for. I couldn't imagine hearing another teammate's thoughts. Is there a limitation? I mean…is anything private?"

Billy looked down at his shirt. It was only rolled off his body, but still on his arms, so he could easily (and quickly) put it back on. He had been very self conscious about having any part of his shirt off at all.

"I certainly hope some thoughts can't be heard," he said honestly. "Sometimes I forget that we are linked and she pops in my head with a thought."

"I can hear "loud" thoughts," Kim informed him. "When you are upset or frustrated about something…"

Like how you can't seem to sleep.

Billy didn't look at her, as he felt his cheeks and ears burn.

"You are good to go," Tanya said, closing the gel and walking over to wash the residue off her hands.

Billy quickly slid off the treatment table and pulled the shirt back over his head to cover himself, while being mindful of the treatment on his back. Tanya and Kim noticed something sharp in his movement and looked at one another. Kim shrugged.

"I guess there are some things we are able to hide from each other." Kim said quietly.

Billy looked at the girls and then gave a reassuring smile as he turned to Tanya, "Thank you for your help."

"Of course," Tanya smiled at him. "There have been so many times I have been the one sitting on the slab, while you helped me. I'm glad to return the favor."

"Hey…"

The three turned to the doorway to see Rocky, accompanied by Tommy and Kat, in the doorway.

"Rocky, you're back," Billy approached him, and was stopped by his friend flinching away from him.

"Rocky?" Tanya asked, cautiously.

"Sorry… I…" Rocky mumbled out.

"You got this man," Tommy encouraged him.

"We're here for you."

Rocky looked at Billy. "It's not bad, is it?" He asked him. "Your back?"

Billy gave him a smile and shook his head, "it's already almost all healed up." He started, slowly, towards Rocky again. "I'm just glad you're better."

Rocky shook his head in disbelief. "I hurt you and you're concerned about me?"

"Of course," Billy looked confused. "Just like you guys were worried about me when I was hurting you."

Rocky took a moment and nodded. "Sorry, I'm just-"

"Angry with yourself?" Billy finished.

The blue zeo ranger nodded.

"It was a quick moment," Kat placed a hand on Rocky's shoulder. "At least we were able to keep a hold on you, before you fell into the wrong hands."

Rocky nodded.

Kat glanced up and locked eyes with Billy, who smiled and nodded at her.

"You should get some rest," Tanya told Rocky. She turned her attention to Billy. "You too."

"I think we all could use some," Tommy said.

The group nodded.

-PR-

"Mind some company?" Tommy asked Kim as she headed back through the park.

"Depends on the company," she said with a smirk.

He chuckled and fell into step with her and they quietly walked for a bit.

"Crazy handful of days," Tommy finally broke the silence.

"Yeah… not quite the homecoming I was hoping for," Kim said with a shrug of her shoulders. "But still a very fitting 'welcome home'."

Tommy shook his head with a smile, "what else could you expect from Angel Grove?" He looked and studied her. "And how are things with you and Billy? Your connection."

"I think we are alright. Before you guys came into the Medbay, we were talking about how we don't always 'hear' each other, but we can't always seem to control it."

"When you 'hear' him, is it in his voice? Or do you just get a random thought that you need to realize is his."

"It's in his voice," Kim answered. "That would be even more confusing if it was just a random thought I was suddenly having."

Tommy nodded and they walked again in silence for a bit.

"I've… missed you," Tommy confessed.

Kim looked at him and gave a smile. "I never really apologized for…everything."

"You were following your heart. It must have been hard," he said.

"I never wanted to hurt you. It wasn't easy. It just seemed like it was the right thing…at the time," she bit at her lower lip.

"Look, I get it," he gave a little shrug. "How many people truly end up with their high school sweetheart. You were out in the world, experiencing new things and meeting new people."

There was something in the way that he said it that made her study him.

"Is there someone..?" She let the question hang.

"I…don't know," he replied, honestly.

"You know," she turned her head to face the walkway, "I did suspect maybe you and Kat…"

"We…" he stopped giving his head a little shake. "I feel weird talking about this."

"Don't," Kim said. "How else are we going to be a team if we can't be open and honest with one another?"

Tommy stopped walking, which caused Kim to stop.

"It's confusing," he told her. "It took a while to get over…us. And Kat was there every step of the way. I was afraid of being accused of just liking whoever was wearing pink, but she's not you."

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Kim tried to read his face.

"It's a good thing, I think," he answered. "You're fire, she's water. You've been there to pump me up, and she has been there to calm me down."

Kim nodded, understanding.

Tommy sighed and started walking again. "I just don't want any of this to get in the way of our duty."

Kim shook her head, keeping time with his stride, "we're all friends, aren't we?"

"What about how you feel?" Tommy asked her in return.

"I think… I feel the same," Kim let the words come out with a heavy breath. "I don't know if there are feelings there, or if it's just me remembering the good times, without acknowledging any of the bad."

"That's funny, I said the same to Kat about us," he gave a smile and a little chuckle.

"Really?" Kim almost felt relieved.

"So when Helena tried to put that spell on us, do you think it was any affection for me that may have protected you?" Tommy asked hesitantly.

"Wow. You are nothing if not bold" Kim gave him a smile, and then laughed. "The thought crossed my mind…"

"But there's someone else you have been thinking of," Tommy realized. "Just like I wondered if it was Kat…"

Kim nodded.

"You still feel for your ex?"

"Oh, no. Definitely not him," Kim recoiled and shook her head. "Forget that jerk."

Tommy was confused. "So…then who?"

Kim took in a breath and looked down.

"Someone on the team?" He gave her a nudge. "We're all friends."

"Billy," she admitted, quietly. "Seeing him again after all this time and given our history…"

"And your new connection," Tommy pointed out.

Kim nodded, "But that's what makes me afraid that it might not be 'real'. Ya know? This bond that we now have goes deep, but is it because of the power, or does our history make it strong?"

"Chicken or the egg situation," Tommy related it. "Although, to be fair, he has had the biggest glow-up on this team." He made light of the situation, which made her feel better.

"He sure has," she agreed.

"You know," Tommy said, thoughtfully. "He didn't fall under Helena's spell."

"Neither did Kat," Kim noted.

Tommy sighed, "Why does fighting seem easier than dealing with feelings? It used to seem easier. We were so natural. What changed?"

"We did," Kim considered. "We grew up, we discovered what we want from life and it wasn't what it used to be." She turned toward him again. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel for you," Kim told him. "But I can't deny that those feelings are in question."

Tommy nodded.

"It's OK, Kim. I feel the same."

Kim smiled, having gotten everything out in the open.

But the moment was cut short as she felt a sudden grasp on her chest, making it hard to breathe. She lurched forward, her hand going to her chest. Tommy rushed forward to grab onto her.

"Kim!" He searched over her, looking for some kind of wound or cause of her pain.

Kim focused, slowing her breathing so she could breathe through the sharp tightness.

"I'm OK," she said, gritting her teeth.

Tommy's eyes went wide with realization.

"Billy!" He steadied Kim onto her feet. "Can you 'hear' him?"

Kim shook her head, "we need to find him."

-PR-

Billy had seen Kim walking toward the park, and almost hurried to join her, but then Tommy had approached her and Billy felt that they needed time together.

So he took a different path through the park, walking closer to the lake.

"Oh…why are you all alone?"

He turned to see Helena, and instinctively moved into a defensive stance.

She held her hands up, "I am unarmed, Midnight Ranger. I only wish to talk."

"Excuse my caution," he raised an eyebrow. "You did just place my friend under a spell to attack us."

"Oh, that," she waved her hands dismissively. "Yes, I suppose that sends the wrong message."

She turned to look toward the lake. Billy lowered his defense. "I know you must be busy… what with my sisters all demanding the crystal."

"Actually you're the second one to voice a claim to it," he informed her. "I have only had the pleasure of meeting your twin, Clytemnestra."

She turned towards him, clearly interested, "Really? I'm surprised. Philonoe is just as adamant about that crystal. And the other two…" a smile crept across her lips, "well… you'll find out I'm sure. Unless you just want to hand it over right now."

Billy shook his head.

"If I am deemed unworthy, I will accept it. But I'm not going to just hand the crystal over."

Helena gave a sigh and a roll of her eyes.

"That's what I figured you would say." She stepped closer to him. "You know I was a bit disappointed when I couldn't turn your heart. But seeing you with your Twilight counterpart cleared that mystery up."

Billy took in a sharp breath, his cheeks flushing slightly at the accusation.

"You wouldn't let anything happen to her…would you?" There was an unspoken threat in her question.

"Don't bring her into this," he warned.

"Ooh," Helena cooed. "Protective. Strong. Intelligent. What a specimen you are. I wonder…"

She stepped closer to him.

He tensed, but didn't raise his hands.

"I wonder if she would do anything to protect you…" She gently raised a hand to his cheek, but his eyes were set on her, not faltering. She dropped her hand to his chest and there was a pulse from her hand into him.

He felt a sudden burst of heat and pain flash into his chest, as if he had just pulled every muscle.

Stupid, I should have kept her at a distance.

It was hard to expand his chest to breathe. He let out a couple of coughs and dropped to his knees, leaning forward to try to relieve some of the pain.

Helena squatted down and placed her hand under his chin.

"This can go away if you give me the crystal," she offered. "Your Twilight Ranger can balance your energy, but this pain will return…" She leaned her face towards his ear, so close he could feel her breath on it. "And you're not the only one who feels it."

He gasped at that, realizing this isn't something only he has to suffer through. The pain weighed on his chest again as he looked at her, determination still in his eyes.

She stood and gave a little wave. "All you have to do is call me. I'll be waiting…"

And with that she was gone.

Billy let out a few more gasps, trying to stand back up, but his head was getting fuzzy from the shortness of breath.

He rolled onto his back, unsure of when he ended up laying on the ground, and reached for his communicator.

But he was too weak to press it.

-PR-

Kim's chest was still burning, but it wasn't as bad as when it first started.

She was careful with her breaths as she and Tommy waited on Alpha to lock onto Billy's coordinates.

"How are you doing?" Tommy asked her, making sure she wouldn't call over again.

"I'm OK," she reassured him. "It hurts, though."

"Tommy, I found Billy! I'm sending you the coordinates now." Alpha's voice came over the communicator.

"Got it, thanks Alpha," Tommy and Kim both pressed their communicators to teleport.

-PR-

They appeared by the lake and looked around.

"Billy!" Tommy called out, grabbing a hold of Kim's elbow to direct her towards their fallen friend.

They rushed over as Billy was clinging to consciousness. He was trying to focus his breathing past his chest and to his diaphragm, to minimize the chest movement.

"Is he hit?" Kim asked Tommy, who had dropped down by the Midnight Rangers side.

Tommy ran his hands over Billy, searching for any wound.

"Not that I see," he leaned over Billy, to look him in the eye. He tapped his cheek slightly to try to get him to focus. "Stay with me, Buddy."

Billy, can you focus? Kim tried to sort through the fog that she felt, trying to reach out to him.

Billy's eyes looked at Tommy, who gave him a hopeful smile.

"Hey," the red ranger said softly.

Billy turned his head slightly, his eyes traveling to Kim.

Kim…Helena… I need…you.

Kim dropped to his other side and placed her hand onto his chest. She could feel the pain even more now, but breathed through it, as she closed her eyes.

The palm of her hand tingled as she focused her energy into Billy.

The pain subsided, and after a few moments, both of them started to breathe normally.

"Thank you," he managed to get out.

"Come on," Tommy said. "Let's get you somewhere safe."


If you are still here reading, I commend you. Lol. Thank you for sticking with this odd story this far. Btw- can you tell I'm typically a "whump" writer?