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Established Pairings: Tommy/Kim, Jason/Trini, Rocky/Aisha, Adam/Tanya, and Billy/Kat, Dustin/Marah
Pairings in Progress: Conner/Kira, Hunter/Tori
The Year is 2005
Reefside
Thunderstruck
Chapter 3: Ghost
Tommy pulled into his driveway and grabbed the grocery sacks in the passenger seat, before going inside. Kim greeted him with a kiss, as he came into the kitchen. They were both excited for tomorrow, because it was her first ultrasound appointment.
"Hey beautiful," he whispered in her ear.
"Hey yourself handsome," she replied, as their lips met tenderly.
"Oooh...is that my ice cream?" she asked, as she noticed the carton poking out of the sack. He chuckled.
"Yes and before you ask, I remembered your pickles, chocolate sauce, and peanut butter too," he replied. She let out her cute little cackle, as she opened the ice cream and took a big spoonful, before popping into her mouth. He chuckled at her antics and started putting away the rest of the groceries.
"Mmmm...I think the baby really likes ice cream," she mentioned.
"I think you like ice cream," he joked.
"Are you making fun of me?" she asked playfully. He shook his head.
"Nah, I've just never seen you eat so much. I think you could give Rocky a run for his money," Tommy joked. She gasped, her mouth dropping open in mock outrage.
"I'm kidding, beautiful. No one eats as much as Rocky and Conner and you are eating for two, after all," he said lovingly, as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek. She turned her head and their lips met again, telling him that his joke was forgiven.
Blue Bay Harbor
After soccer camp, Tori and Hunter made the thirty minute drive back to Blue Bay Harbor and dropped Charlie off after grabbing some pizza together. Since there was still a few hours of daylight left, Tori wanted to catch a swell or two and Hunter agreed to accompany her to the beach. She had promised all her friends after the incident where she wiped out and ended up in one of Lothor's wacky, twisted alternate dimensions that she wouldn't surf alone.
In the past year, Hunter had been her companion of choice to go with her to the beach and originally it had begun when she offered to teach him how to surf. She was floored when he actually took an interest in learning, as none of the guys, even Blake, had let her teach them how to surf, for more than an hour anyway. Truthfully, Hunter wasn't crazy about surfing, though he now had a much deeper understanding and respect for the risky, difficult sport. But the look on Tori's face when he asked her to teach him had done it for him. To him, seeing her face light up the way it had was worth a million wipeouts.
He was well aware of his growing feelings for her, but knew she would probably never look at him that way, not the way she had looked at his little brother. Blake and Tori's parting had been amicable, as nothing more than a chaste kiss and a good friendship had developed between them. Still, he doubted she saw him as anything other than "one of the guys".
"Hey…" Tori said, finally getting his attention, as she returned from changing into her bathing suit. He was already wearing his trunks with a crimson muscle shirt.
"You were like a million miles away," she mentioned. He gave her a lazy smile.
"Sorry, just thinking," he replied lamely.
"Charlie seemed to have a lot of fun today," she mentioned. He nodded.
"I think he did and I don't think Conner was just being nice when he said Charlie was a natural at soccer," Hunter responded.
"Most thunder Ninja's excel at sports though," she mentioned with a smile, referring to Charlie's recent status as a new student at the Thunder academy. The boy's interest in martial arts and difficult personal life reminded Hunter greatly of himself and he recognized his potential right away. Talking it over with Charlie's ill mother, she agreed that him attending what Hunter described as very disciplined martial arts classes was a good idea. Charlie, of course, loved learning martial arts even more than playing soccer.
"I'm just happy I can actually stay on my surfboard for more than sixty seconds now," Hunter replied. She smiled.
"You're doing really great. You've picked it up really fast for someone who has only been learning for about a year now. Just think of the looks on the guys faces when you finally show them up. None of them will even touch a surfboard," she complimented.
"It will be kind of fun to rub it in their faces," he agreed, as he pulled off his crimson shirt and picked up his board. And not for the first time in the last year, Tori found herself staring at her friend's toned physique, his years of hard Ninja training obvious, as powerful muscle ripped through his arms, chest, and abs.
"Ready?" he asked, snapping her back to reality. She smiled and grabbed her board, as they headed out into the waves.
Virginia
Katherine Cranston parked her car at the grocery store and prepared to head inside. She had about an hour before she needed to pick up the twins from the babysitter and since trying to take them shopping with her was usually a hassle, she opted to get it done now. Billy would be home tonight and she planned to make him all his favorites. Kat had her teaching degree and enjoyed the flexibility of substituting while the twins were little and had decided that she wouldn't look for a permanent position until they were in school full time since Billy's salary supported them comfortably.
In high school, she and Billy wouldn't have been two people most would have put together. Most were convinced that Katherine had eyes for Tommy and while she admitted she had a crush back then, she wasn't the type of person to steal someone else's man, least of all Kimberly's.
After passing on the powers and rescuing Kim and Jason from Muranthias, they had parted ways, except Tommy and Kim. She had gone off to a prestigious dance school in New York and dated a few guys in college, but never anything serious became of those relationships. It was by pure chance or fate some may say that she ran into Billy in a huge place like New York City in 1999. He was the last person she expected, especially since he was supposed to be on Aquitar.
Catching up over coffee, she found out that he decided to come home after Astronema's attempted conquest, citing that he and Cestria had broken up and he was severely homesick. Upon returning, he went to school, receiving numerous degrees in record time and instead of using his vast knowledge to make millions, he opted instead to choose a career where he could really help people. Jason had recruited him to the FBI and the bureau was highly impressed by his unprecedented hacking and computer skills. Thanks to his ranger days, he passed the physical training and weapons handling with flying colors and within a year, he was an agent, fast tracked thanks to his skills. His first and long term mission, embedded in a corporation suspected of criminal dealings, lasted two years and by the time the case broke, which resulted in the FBI taking down several of the executives and key proponents, he and Katherine had fallen in love. She was finished with school by that time and in 2001, Billy proposed. They moved to Virginia where the FBI headquarters was located and married in 2002. Their twin girls were born in late 2003 and they named them Carly and Michaela.
Dropping her keys in her purse, Kat started toward the building, her flaxen blonde hair blowing in the breeze. She noticed an elderly woman that was struggling to lift bags out of her cart and into her car. She slowed in concern and was about to continue on when it seemed the woman could handle it when she saw her lose her balance and fall. Katherine jogged over and crouched down.
"Are you okay?" she asked, as she helped the woman up.
"Oh…I'm so clumsy, thank you so much, dear," the woman replied. Kat smiled.
"It's no problem. Are you hurt?" Kat asked.
"No…but you're about to be," the woman snarled. Kat's eyes widened, but it was too late, as the woman jabbed a taser into her side. Kat screamed, but she and the woman disappeared in a flash, before anyone could be alerted to her plight.
"Paging Dr. Kwan-Scott," the nurse said over the intercom. Trini made her way there, trying to finish her rounds. She was excited since she and Jason had planned to go out for a romantic dinner. He'd been gone for four days on a case in Dallas, along with Billy and his team, but they were due to land at the airport very soon. Their careers, his as an FBI agent and hers as a doctor were very busy, but they found time to be together and she never imagined being so happy, especially with a man that had once been her childhood friend.
"What's going on Stella, you know I'm trying to get out of here," Trini said pleasantly, as she approached the nurse's station.
"I know, but there's a young woman in room 236. She thinks she is pregnant and she's really scared. I think she might be uncomfortable with one of the male doctors, at least that's the vibe I'm getting. I know you're trying to get out of here, but you have such a way with people…" Stella pleaded. Trini rolled her eyes.
"Okay, this shouldn't take too long, but that's it," Trini said, pointing her finger in a teasing manner. Stella chuckled.
"I promise. As far as I'm concerned, you're gone already," Stella replied, as Trini walked into the room, after snatching the chart from the holder outside.
"All right…Ms. Stephens, is it?" she asked, noticing the meek looking woman on the exam table. The Asian woman nodded.
"Did you take an at home pregnancy test?" Trini asked.
"Three and they were all positive," she replied, as tears welled in her eyes. Trini put a hand on her arm.
"It's okay, I'm going to do a routine exam, take some blood, and once we find out for sure, we can discuss your options from there," Trini promised, as she averted her eyes to the chart.
"You're very kind," the woman mentioned, making Trini smile.
"It's really too bad," the woman added, making Trini frown slightly in confusion.
"What do you mean?" she asked, as she felt searing pain in her abdomen, before losing consciousness. The nurses had heard her cry out, but by the time they burst into the
room, it was empty.
Angel Grove
Aisha Desantos closed the door to her vet clinic that she proudly owned and locked up, before walking to her car. It had been a long, yet another rewarding day for her. After helping the situation return to normal in Africa, Aisha returned to Angel Grove shortly after the Muranthias incident to attend the vet program at Angel Grove University. She immediately reconnected with her best friends, Adam and Rocky. She often saw Adam at the University, but she and Rocky grew close while he was attending the police academy. They married after graduation and now had a three-year-old son they named Zeke.
She was on her way now to pick him up from daycare and hoped that Rocky wouldn't be too late that night. His career demanded long hours, especially with the growth Angel Grove had experienced in recent years. With that growth in size and people naturally came with increased crime.
A year ago, his time had been absorbed by the serial killer that made his way to Angel Grove, murdering four women, previously hitting Mariner Bay and a slew of other towns. But despite his long hours, they still managed to make it work and eke out time for each other and with their son. She just prayed there were no more cases like that one.
She unlocked her car and suddenly felt the eerie feeling that she was being watched. She turned and was ready to sink into a defensive stance, as she called out to her surroundings.
"All right, you can come out and show yourself. I know you're there," Aisha called. But nothing prepared her for the man she was now facing.
"You're…dead," she stammered, as she fell into a fighting stance. Victor Goldman chuckled.
"A clone is so easily created when you have the right tool…a magical tool that is," Goldman said mysteriously.
"So that whole standoff with Jason was a set up then? Mind telling me what exactly you expect to accomplish?" she spat. He chuckled again.
"You'll learn that in due time, little bear, but right now it's time to go," Victor said.
"I'm not going anywhere with you, freak," she spat and he rolled his eyes.
"Why must you all insist on doing this the hard way?" he asked, as she launched at him. He blocked her punches and kicks, before knocking her onto the ground. Her eyes widened, as she saw Zedd's Z staff appear in his hand. She cried out in pain, as he used the sizzling energy to knock her unconscious. He scooped up the petite woman and waved to the security camera, though he kept his back to it the whole time. He knew it would be the first thing Rocky looked at, Once he had her, he disappeared.
Reefside
"Freak you out…freak you out…" Kira sang idly, as she strummed her guitar. She was waiting on Conner to finish with his older student's game and then they were going to grab dinner together.
"You're very good," a woman said, as she passed by. Kira smiled.
"Thank you, I'm hoping it will be a career someday," the former yellow Dino ranger mentioned.
"If you don't become famous, then it will be a huge injustice. I'm surprised someone with your talent doesn't have a gig somewhere," the woman mentioned.
"Oh, well I know the owner of Hayley's Cyberspace so I actually have a regular spot there a few times a week. I'm just waiting for my boyfriend right now," Kira explained. The woman gazed out onto the field.
"The one in red?" she asked. Kira nodded.
"Handsome, I bet he'll miss you," the woman sneered. Kira looked at her in confusion, as the woman yanked her to her feet by her arm.
"Let me go!" Kira cried.
"Sorry little songbird, time to sleep," Sabrina hissed, as she used the taser on her neck, dropping her instantly.
"KIRA!" Conner screamed, as he used his super speed to run to her. But Sabrina was ready and launched a blast of red energy. Her magic had been returned to her, thanks to Goldar and the former red Dino ranger went flying back. He landed hard on his side, but that didn't stop him from climbing to his feet.
"Sorry pretty boy, but little miss rock star here is coming with me," Sabrina hissed, as she disappeared with Kira in tow.
"NO!" Conner cried, as he took out his cell phone and dialed Tommy's number.
Angel Grove
Tanya Park arrived home and dropped her purse and keys on the table. She sifted through the mail and then headed to the bedroom to change. She and Adam were having Rocky and Aisha over for dinner, along with little Zeke, their Godson, which they often did. She returned to the kitchen later in jeans and a yellow t-shirt and took the meat that was thawing out of the fridge. She started taking things out to make a salad when she heard a noise in the living room.
"Adam…is that you?" she called. When she received no answer, she ventured into the living room and gasped, wondering if she was seeing a ghost. Being a reporter, she had seen this man's face splashed all over the news days after he was supposedly shot by Jason.
"Hello Tanya…you look like you've seen a ghost," Victor hissed, as the former yellow zeo and turbo ranger slowly backed away.
"You're dead…" she whispered in disbelief.
"Magic makes things very easy, like creating a quick clone to take your place when necessary. I'm afraid that I need you to come with me now," Goldman said. Tanya slowly backed away and toppled over a plant to try and obstruct his path, as she ran for the back door. Running out into the backyard, she grabbed a baseball bat near the shed and held it defensively, as Goldman approached calmly.
"Aisha tried to fight me too and things didn't go well for her either. Put down the bat and come quietly. I won't have to hurt you that way," Victor stated.
"Yeah right," Tanya hissed, as she took a swing, but a zap of red energy left his fingers, immobilizing her. She tried to move, but found it impossible. With another zap, Tanya lost consciousness, as Goldman tossed the former yellow ranger over his shoulder, before disappearing.
Reefside
Kimberly Oliver clapped, as one of her small students successfully dismounted the balance beam.
"That was great Kristin," she complimented, as another of her students came up to her.
"Ms. Hart, Valerie says there's a concerned parent that wants to speak with you. He's in the reception area," the girl informed. Kimberly nodded.
"Okay girls…take a ten minute break," Kimberly called, as she grabbed her clipboard and headed out into the reception area of her small studio that she owned in Reefside.
"Can I help you, Sir?" Kimberly asked, as she saw the man turn. She immediately gasped in horror and then noticed her receptionist Valerie, who was lying behind her desk in a pool of her own blood, throat slashed. Kimberly was about to scream, but the man raised a very familiar looking sword.
"Scream and all your little girls are dead," he warned. Kimberly stifled her scream, as she clasped her hand over her mouth and tears welled in her eyes.
"You're coming with me, pink ranger," Goldman said, as he grabbed her arm and pulled her close.
"You recognize my sword…don't you Kimmie?" he hissed, as tears slid down her cheeks.
"You know, I always did have a thing for you and I always wondered what you saw in a fool like Tommy. Maybe we can get…reacquainted later…" he hissed, as he disappeared
with her.
Blue Bay Harbor
"You were awesome out there!" Tori cheered, as she and Hunter trudged onto the beach from the water.
"It's all your teaching," he complimented.
"Say what you want, but I think that was all you out there, thunder boy," she said, as they plopped down in the sand beside their gear.
"You killed it out there too, like usual," he replied. She shrugged and dried off with her towel.
"Yeah, she wasn't bad…for a chick," one of the surfer guys that frequented the beach commented, intruding on their conversation. Hunter glared at the pair of guys, Jeremy and Lance. They were always harassing her and she could easily handle herself, but that didn't make him want to pound them for disrespecting her any less.
"Walk away dude," Hunter warned. The two chuckled, seemingly not threatened by Hunter.
"What's it to you, dirt boy?" Lance goaded, knowing of Hunter's reputation on the motocross track
"Excuse me, I missed the part where we invited you idiots into our conversation," Tori spat. Unfortunately, this only egged them on.
"Sorry babe, but we were just watching your moves out there. You're good, but you'll never be as good as us," Jeremy goaded. The last time he had said something like this to her, she had gone back into the ocean with fury, leaving him and his buddies behind to laugh at her. But Tori wasn't taking the bait this time.
"Like I'd want to be anything like you or near you for that matter," Tori said shortly.
"Yeah, be our guest and please go catch a wave, preferably one that's far away," Hunter added, making Tori smile. Jeremy scoffed and eased back under Hunter's intimidating stare.
"Forget it Lance, let's get out of here," Jeremy said.
"Yeah, let us know if you get tired of playing with dirt boy. You'd look great on my arm…and in my bed," Lance sneered, as his friend laughed. Faster than they could blink, Hunter was suddenly in front of them, much to theirs and Tori's surprise.
"Listen, unless you want me to crack your heads open and spill out what little brains you have, you'll leave her alone. Don't go near her, don't talk to her, and don't even look at her. If you mess with her, then you'll deal with me," Hunter warned dangerously. Still baffled at how he had moved so fast, the two idiots held up their hands in surrender.
"Fine…freak," Lance spat, as they trekked off. Hunter sighed and turned back to Tori, who was watching him in surprise.
"Sorry…I probably shouldn't have done that," he said, though truthfully, he wasn't sorry for telling them to step off Tori.
"No…they definitely deserved it," she replied, as he sat back down.
"I know, but you're perfectly capable of taking care of yourself. I know how you hate when we go all "caveman" on you," Hunter said, giving her a half smile, which she returned.
"Usually I do…but sometimes it's kind of nice when someone wants to take care of you. Thanks," she said. He smiled.
"Anytime," Hunter replied. He understood what she meant by that, given her history with her parents. The Hanson's loved their daughter dearly, but they were busy with their careers and traveled a lot. They had left their daughter on her own much of the time during her teen years, always well provided for with plenty of money, but Tori would have been happier living in a cardboard box if it meant being with her parents more. Her independent streak had developed from being left on her own most of the time and it was one of the many things he loved about her.
"It's getting dark…we should probably go," Tori mentioned, breaking the awkward silence between them. He nodded and stood up, extending his hand to help her up. She accepted and he pulled her, their eyes meeting as he did. Time seemed to stop for a moment, as they stared into each other's eyes, before it grew awkward again.
"Um…I'll drive you home," she mentioned, as they packed up their stuff and tossed it in her van.
"Thanks," he replied, as he got into the passenger side. Tori drove a few miles to his apartment complex, which was only about five minutes from her parent's beach house.
"See you tomorrow," Hunter called. She smiled and waved, sighing as she watched him go inside, before driving off.
"Get a grip Tori…this is Hunter we're talking about," she mumbled to herself, aware of the stirring feelings inside her.
As she parked her van, she dragged her stuff into the darkened beach house. Her parents were on a trip to Paris this time. Last month it had been business in Seattle and the month before was New York City. Tori dumped her things by the door and padded into the kitchen, turning on the light.
"Hello Ms. Hanson," a deep voice said. Tori screamed, as she saw a man standing there. Falling into a defensive stance, she launched herself at the intruder and found all her kicks and punches being blocked with ease.
"Impressive blue ranger," he chuckled and her eyes widened in disbelief.
"Who are you?" she asked, as she started backing away.
"You'll find out soon enough, but for now, I'll ask you to kindly come with me," Goldman stated calmly. Tori ran and grabbed her cell phone, speed dialing Hunter. Goldman rolled his eyes at her antics and grabbed her around the waist. She screamed and fought, before biting his arm. He growled and threw her into the kitchen table. She crashed painfully and cried out, as she heard Hunter's voice on the other end of her phone.
"Hello…"
"HUNTER HELP ME!" Tori screamed, before the man hit her in the head, knocking her out cold.
"Tori…TORI!" Hunter cried through the phone.
"Tori is unavailable, crimson ranger," Goldman spoke into the phone.
"Who are you? What did you do to her?!" Hunter screamed. Goldman chuckled.
"Red rangers are always so hot headed, especially when it comes to their women. She's mine now and I suspect Dr. Oliver is about as angry as you right now. You might want to call him," Goldman replied, as he dropped the phone and then stepped on it, smashing it to pieces. He slung the unconscious blonde over his shoulder and teleported out…
