"Tommy Oliver who ever taught you how to be organized failed or you didn't listen!"Peyton grumbled as she joined him in the lab. "Your worse than Jason if that's possible".
"At least i make an attempt to organize unlike you who would leave stuff out for days" Tommy fired back causing Kira and Ethan to giggle.
"Tommy that was one time, well maybe two or three. Ethan shut it!" Peyton grumbled pointing her finger at the blue ranger.
"I never said a word" Ethan defended putting his hands up. "Uh Dr.O?"
Tommy turned to see a book floating. He reached up and grabbed it. "Peyton no using powers for personal gain"
"But i can't reach the shelf" She pouted. "Here's an idea how about we three finish this and you go get me a smoothie. Kira will have a brownie and Ethan will have a chocolate chip cookie".
Tommy rolled his eyes as the three rangers gave each other a fist bump. "Okay fine but you owe me".
They all laughed as he left the house. "So how are you doing?" Kira asked her.
"I'm doing okay Tommy convinced me to move here but i am having some weekends at Jason's" Peyton replied as they cleaned.
Tommy walked out of the Cyberspace with his hands full. "Darn it" He mumbled as he dropped a bag. "Thanks" He spoke as a hand grabbed it. Tommy went white as a ghost at the man in front of him. "Dad?"
Colin Oliver stood in front of his son. "Tommy"
Tommy put the snacks in his jeep. "What on earth are you doing here?"
"Business trip among other things. How have you been? how is my daughter?"
"i'm fine. Peyton is fine."
"Is she here with you i would love to see her"
"No. You don't get to see her not after what you did. You abandoned her when she was a kid." Tommy told his Father.
"Tommy i am not here to try an take her away from you. There is something i want to share with the two of you thats all".
Tommy's face softened as he noticed how upset his Father looked. "Then why? why now?"
"Just please meet me here tomorrow?"
"I will try and give you the time i think you deserve as for Peyton she will make her own decision" Tommy snapped back as his Father nodded and walked away. Tommy watched as his Dad went to his car. His eyes narrowed as he was seen hugging a woman about the same age. Tommy spun the tires and sped back to his house.
Tommy pulled into his driveway to see his three rangers talking on the front porch. He handed them their snacks. "Peyton can i talk to you for a second?"
"Sure" He led her inside. "Are you okay? you look like you've seen a ghost"
"I ran into someone today. Peyton i saw Dad".
She stumbled back. "What? where?" She grabbed the chair and sat down.
"At Hayley's. Look i know you hated him for leaving but he wants to tell us something but it has to be your decision".
"Tommy is he going to take me away?" Her voice shook.
"No he can't i made sure of that a long time ago. Look if you want i will go with you"
Peyton ran her fingers through her hair. "I don't know. I haven't seen him in years, did he say what he wants?"
"No but i have an idea. Look just think about it. He wants to meet us tomorrow" Tommy patted her shoulder. Peyton walked outside to her friends and noticed Conner was there.
"You alright?" Conner asked with concern. "Dr.O just told us your Dad is in town. What are you going to do?"
Peyton sat down next to Kira."I have no idea, a part of me wants to see him but if Tommy goes with me he might kill him. But i also don't want to go alone"
"I'll go" Conner offered causing everyone to go silent. "What? i can have a heart to you know even thought i am a cool guy".
"Thanks Conner"
"Peyton can i ask what happened with your Dad?" Kira asked slowly as Tommy leaned against the rail.
"Our Dad was a drunk. After Peyton was born he promised Mom he would stop but he never did so our Mom told him it was either us or she would get a divorce" Tommy started. "He chose to drink. Before our Mom died she had stated in her will that i would be Peyton's guardian. When she died our Dad came back but due to his history the courts awarded me full custody of her and I made sure he couldn't take her away"
"That's rough" Ethan mumbled.
Peyton sat in silence and Tommy told their story. "Yeah and he was the one who killed mom to"
Tommy whipped his head to his sister so fast he thought it was going to crack off. "How do you know that?"
"I read the file" She stated bluntly.
"Peyton that file was locked in the safe"
"Well it wasn't always locked. When i turned thirteen you threw a party for me at the house. I remember you went upstairs to get something from it but you left it unlocked. I remember you telling me to shut it afterwards but i found the file and read it after you went to bed. I was only a teenager but i wasn't stupid"
"Why didn't you ever say anything?"
"Because you had enough on your plate raising me. I didn't want to worry you any more than you already did".
"You will always come first Peyton" He told her as he walked inside.
"Peyton have you made your decision?" Kira asked referring to the pink dino gem.
"I told you i am not becoming a ranger. I am not worthy enough" Peyton replied sternly.
"Are you crazy?" Conner piped up. "You are sure worthy enough your Tommy Oliver's sister"
"Exactly" Peyton replied. "Conner if i become a ranger then everyone who is one will compare me to him. They will expect me to be like him, fight like him but i am not him nor will i ever be"
"Does he know you feel this way?" Ethan asked crossing his arms.
Peyton sighed leaning her chin on her knees. "No. Look i'm sorry but i can't. You three have made the perfect team and don't want to be that stranger that breaks it apart". Peyton stood up and walked inside.
"Guys we have to help her! convince her to join" Kira exclaimed. "Maybe we should tell Dr.O"
They all agreed. They each left and decided to head home for the night.
The Next Day...
"She said that?" Tommy spoke turning to face Conner as they were waitng for Peyton to go see her Dad. Conner hated to tell Tommy what she said about being a ranger but he was the leader and he cared for her. "I never knew she felt that way"
Conner was about to speak but Peyton appeared out of her room. "Hey"
"Hey Conner, you ready?"
He nodded and grabbed his jacket. "Yeah" He led her to the door.
"Peyton" Tommy called out as they walked out.
"Yeah?"
"I will be meeting Jason so if you need me i will be close."
Peyton nodded and followed Conner to his car. They drove in silence until Conner parked outside the Cyberspace. Peyton swallowed as she saw her Dad sitting at a table outside. "Will you come with me?" She asked Conner.
"Off course".
Peyton and Conner walked up to the table. "Dad?"
Colin looked up to see his daughter. "Peyton" He moved to hug her but she stepped back. "This your boyfriend?"
"Uh N-" She began but Conner cut her off and held her hand in his causing her to look up.
"Yeah i am" He stated. Peyton grinned a little as they sat down. "He kissed her cheek softly"
"Dad what do you want?"
Colin fixed his tie as a woman with brown hair wearing a light blue dress came to sit next to him. "Peyton i came here to tell you and your brother" Colin stopped as Tommy decided to sit down. He gave a look at his sister. "Tommy, as i was saying i came here to tell you both that i have been sober for 2 years now"
Peyton looked at her brother. "And i care because?"
"Peyton i am trying okay" Colin defended. "I also wanted to introduce you to Amanda. Amanda and I are engaged and are planning on having our wedding this summer. Peyton i would love if if you and Tommy would come"
Peyton held Conner's hand tighter. "No"
"Peyton please".
She stood up. "No you left me when i was a child now you think you can just walk into my life all of a sudden and expect me to believe you've changed. I have a life here and i am for you Amanda get out while you can"
They all turned their heads as drones appeared. "Great" Conner sighed. " go get out of here"
"Peyton come please!" Colin begged.
"Dad go!" Tommy argued."Peyton go get them out of here".
Peyton nodded knowing she couldn't morph. "Come on!" Peyton dragged them to safety behind a dumpster. She cursed as Zeltrax walked towards them.
Peyton got into a stance in front of her Dad. She ducked as Zeltrax went to punch her. "Zeltrax go away!".
"You weakling, family troubles" He taunted. Peyton was fuming. She could see Conner and Tommy morphed. "No one to help you".
Peyton screamed and kicked off of the dumpster to land a kick but Zeltrax landed his shield into her leg causing her to crash to the ground. Peyton yelled as she rolled. She held her leg as blood covered her jeans on her shin.
"Peyton!" Colin screamed getting Tommy's attention.
"This is a warning of whats to come" Zeltrax spoke as he left through a portal. Tommy and Conner demorphed out of sight and ran.
"Peyton!" Tommy yelled as he ran over. "Here let me see" She cried out as her brother took her knee between his hands. "The rangers got them" He told his Father. "Peyton this looks bad"
"She fought him off all alone" Amanda stammered out.
"Can you patch it up please?" Peyton begged her brother.
Tommy nodded as he helped her up. Peyton wrapped her arm around Conner's neck. Tommy eyed the two. "Conner get her to my jeep"
Tommy turned to his Father. "She'll be fine"
"She never hesitated she just went after him" Colin whispered.
"Dad, Peyton may be angry but she still loves you."
"Tommy i didn't know Reefside had rangers like Angel Grove did, do you know them?"
"No Dad i don't. Look let Peyton cool down since you dropped a bomb on her today. I will talk to her and i am sure she will come around". Tommy told his Father. Tommy turned and walked to his jeep. Peyton was in the back with her leg across Conner's lap. Tommy gave her a look that said to be quiet.
Dino Lab...
"SIT!" He ordered his sister. Tommy was fuming. "Conner if i were you i would go home" Conner nodded and left
"Tommy calm down".
"Calm down? are you serious? Peyton this could have been a lot worse! You were told to get them out of there not for you to fight alone!" He yelled at his sister as he rolled him her jeans.
"Tommy, hey stop" She tired as his hands were shaking. "Tommy" She took his face in her hands. "I'm alright"
"Did you do this because your trying to prove something to me?" He asked as he turned his back to her to grab bandages.
"What?" She winced as he cleaned the gash on her shin.
"Conner told me why you won't accept the gem" Peyton went quiet. "Is this why you went after Zeltrax alone because your trying to prove something?"
Peyton looked at the floor. "I failed. Today proves i failed. I failed Conner. I failed you" She looked up at Tommy as he bandaged her leg. "I will never be as good as you"
Peyton hopped off the bed. She allowed Tommy to help her up the steps and into her room. She changed into a tank top and shorts. Her eyes went to the dino bracelet on her nightstand so she picked it up. She rested her leg on a pillow.
"Here" Tommy spoke as he entered the room handing her hot chocolate and two painkillers. He lid on his side propping his head on his hand so he was facing her. "Okay kiddo talk"
Peyton sighed laying the gem on the bed. "Conner told you the truth. Tommy to them i am just a stranger, they don't know me so why would i break the bond they have, i just can't"
"Peyton when i first became a ranger i felt the same way after my green ranger curse was broken but i also saw how much the others cared and accepted me and now Kira, Conner and Ethan have accepted you so trust me they want you to be a part of the team and more importantly they want to be your friend" He told her. "Listen every ranger finds their own path now you have to find yours".
"But i won't be as good as you, i couldn't even take Zeltrax alone"
Tommy could hear the shame in her voice. "Peyton you let your emotion get the best of you because of what happened today with Dad and trust me it happens. Stop comparing yourself to me and focus on yourself. You will never fail me" He assured her kissing her cheek as he sat up.
"Tommy Zeltrax said something big was coming"
"Whatever it is we will deal with it together like we always do. Rest the leg okay"
She saluted him. "Thanks Tommy"
"Anytime oh and by the way remind me to kill Conner for flirting with you".
"You will do no such thing" She argued pointing her finger at him. He smiled as she placed the dino bracelet on her wrist. "You really think i can do this?"
"I do. Peyton listen i really think Dad is trying so all i ask is that you give him another chance sp please just hear him out"
"I'll think about it"
Tommy nodded and headed for her door. "For the record i really think Conner likes you but if he hurts you i will pummel him into the ground with Jason's help"
Peyton grinned and threw a teddy bear at him. "Out!"
Meanwhile in Angel Grove...
"Zeltrax have you found it yet?" Mesogog hissed pacing back and forth.
"Yes my lord" Zeltrax replied handing him the box.
Mesogog hissed in delight. "The rangers will not see this coming" Inside the box was none other than the green power coin.