Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter two of "Running From Here." I can't believe I got three reviews for chapter one. I didn't think that would happen, but I'm happy it did. I want to thank everyone who reviewed. As for other readers, don't hesitate to review. I'd love to hear your ideas for this fic. Anyway, this chapter introduces the Power Rangers and the Jurassic Park survivors. It has some Tommy/Kim, Jason/Trini, and Alan/Ellie. The groups will meet in the next chapter or the one after that. Stay tuned for chapter three.

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Chapter 2: At the Zoo

Clouds covered half the late morning sky above the Angel Grove Zoo. European starlings scurried past people along the walkways. They squawked and spread their wings apart. They flapped their wings in which they aired them out. A starling pitched up a big cracker crumb and gobbled it down very quickly. It tilted its head a bit.

A month had passed since Tommy returned to the Power Rangers as the White Ranger and became its leader. The fights against Lord Zedd became a bit easier for them. The most recent attack was a week ago. Goldar, Scorpina, and a gang of Putties attacked the town square. The Rangers put up a good fight against them, but Zedd made his warriors grow to giant size. They battled them with the Thunder Megazord and Tigerzord. They were beaten down for a short time before gaining the upper hand and defeating them.

Tommy, Kim, Jason, Trini, Billy, and Zack made their way toward the scarlet macaw exhibit. They talked about the macaw being the biggest and most colorful of the parrots. Two girls rushed out in front of them, forcing them to stop in their tracks. The teens shook their heads in disbelief. Zack crossed his arms, an irritated scoff leaving his mouth.

"Those kids need to watch where they're going," Zack muttered while narrowing his eyes at the girls.

"I wonder what manners their parents have been teaching them," Tommy said as he ran his hand through his hair.

Kim blew a raspberry. "I don't think walking is one of them."

"Running around on a ferry is very dangerous. You can slip and fall into the water without anyone seeing you," Jason added.

"This is especially true on the ferry that goes to and from San Juan Island," Billy pointed out.

Trini snorted. "That does not stop kids from running around on one. It is up to the passengers to stop them."

"No denying that," Zack agreed.

"At least we do not have to worry about falling into the water if we slip and fall here. That is unless we are at a fountain," Kim said and cringed somewhat.

Tommy put his arm around her. "You got that right, Kim."

Tommy kissed Kim's temple. He adjusted to his new position very quickly with Jason's help. He and his girlfriend began spending much time together in order to make up for time lost when he was at his Uncle John's cabin. This was especially true at the lake in which it happened to be their special place. They even got caught making love in the guest room of Billy's house by Zack two weeks after his homecoming.

Jason and Trini began dating not long after Tommy's return. They went on several double dates with him and Kim. At least one date had to be canceled because Jason had to babysit his five-year-old fraternal twin siblings, Ryan and Kylie, while his parents, Derek and Katie, went to dinner. He did not like doing that, but he was glad his girlfriend was allowed to help him. Ryan and Kylie were annoyed at first, yet they relaxed and enjoyed spending time with her.

The teens resumed going toward the exhibit. They stopped before the railing and grabbed it. The exhibit happened to be one-third of an acre. It contained leafless tree-like structures to resume rainforest habitat. They twisted in different directions. A small stream flowed under them into a pool. Ropes connected the two in the front. Buckets of nuts hung under them. Two scarlet macaws sat on one branch. Another was not far from them.

The first macaw moved down the branch. It bent down and reached into the bucket to grab a nut. It grabbed its meal with its foot and proceeded to eat. The second macaw flapped its wings to air them out. It folded them against its back. It flew over to the third macaw and picked at its neck feathers with its beak. Its companion did the same to it. Tommy, Kim, Jason, Trini, Billy, and Zack couldn't help but smile.

"Talk about scarlet macaws giving each other a preening of feathers," Zack said with a chuckle.

"Parrots are popular as pets, especially macaws. Hunters will cut down trees to get the chicks and smuggle them into countries in tiny tubes," Kim mumbled, a frown forming on her face. "Most chicks do not survive the cruel confinement."

"People do such horrible things to animals for money," Billy said, shaking his head in disbelief. "It makes my blood boil."

"Why wouldn't it?" Jason commented with an angry scoff. "Some parrot species are endangered because of the pet trade."

"Parrots are not the only exotic animals that are kept as pets here. Tigers, lions, bears, hyenas, and others are among them," Trini pointed out.

"I heard a guy had an Asian elephant as a pet once," Tommy said while putting his hands on his sides. He clicked his tongue while shaking his head in disbelief. "That is crazy."

"I can only imagine the guy's monthly bill in caring for his elephant. I bet he is really wealthy. That would be only way he could afford it. This zoo has four African elephants. That requires a lot of dough to care for them," Zack suggested.

"The explosion of tourism to Angel Grove due to the Power Rangers has helped with that a lot," Jason added, crossing his arms.

"Elephants need four hundred pounds of food a day in order to survive. They digest only a little over half that," Billy said, giving a shrug.

"Elephant dung is very beneficial for the ecosystem. It contains seeds that grow into plants for other herbivores," Tommy whispered, a warm sigh coming from him.

"Jackals play with this dung. That is weird," Kim commented and spoke gibberish. She made a funny noise. "Dung beetles roll it up into balls to provide food for their offspring. That is even weirder."

"We all have a little weirdness in ourselves, Kim," Tommy pointed out as he squeezed her shoulder. "It's nothing to be ashamed of."

"I know, Tommy, but some things are too weird for my tastes," Kim responded while looking up at him.

"It's okay," Tommy whispered soothingly. "No one faults you for that."

Tommy kissed his girlfriend's hair twice before running his hand over it. He gave it a very gentle pat. The first macaw grabbed another nut to feast on. The third macaw jumped up to a branch above it. It emitted a loud caw before bobbing its head.

"It has been nice to have not dealt with any attacks from Lord Zedd in over a week," Billy said as he adjusted his glasses.

"It is likely he is planning his next move," Jason pointed out truthfully. He emitted a fearful shudder. "There is no doubt he is enraged his attacks have not been going as well since Tommy's return."

Trini wrapped her arm around his. "Tommy has kicked Goldar and Scorpina's asses all over the place lately. So have we."

"I dealt Goldar his first major defeat when I fought him as your powers were being drained by the candles. Scorpina suffered a similar one not long after," Jason added with a smile.

"They are still a dangerous duo," Zack said and cringed somewhat. "They beat us down for a time in the last giant fight."

Kim laid her head on Tommy's shoulder. "Whenever he attacks, we will be ready for him."

Tommy hugged Kim tightly. He rubbed her arm in a light way as the second macaw raised its head and let out a squawk.

00000

Alan, Ellie, Ian, John, Lex, and Tim were walking down the walkway in another area. They watched people pass them on either side and direction. The children sipped coke through straws. They smacked their lips before sighing in much content. They looked around at a slow yet steady place. They turned to each other, chuckles leaving their mouths.

"Look at all these people, Lex. I have never seen so many since last Christmas's trip to SeaWorld Orlando," Tim said excitedly.

"Angel Grove is such a unique city. Its tourism exploded after the Power Rangers first appeared. They battled Rita Repulsa for a year before Lord Zedd took over," Lex explained.

"You would think everyone would be leaving the city due to the monster attacks. Nope. The population is increasing," Alan commented honestly as he slipped his hands into his pockets.

"Why would anyone not want to move here? The weather is balmy. The crime rate is low. Schools are great. Jobs are plentiful," Ellie added, laughing to herself. "It is two hours away from Los Angeles."

"The drive to that city is even longer if you hit heavy traffic during rush hour," Ian pointed out truthfully.

"Many cities have problems with traffic, regardless of their size," John commented and tapped his cane on the pavement twice. He adjusted his hat somewhat. "Still, this was the perfect place for all of us to take a vacation. I have always wanted to see Angel Grove, especially its most popular tourist attractions."

John inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. He ended up settling all the lawsuits brought against InGen out of court not very long after returning home from Isla Nublar. He did not feel bad about losing a lot of money because he still had a fortune from his other theme parks. He began taking walks more often. He enjoyed the fresh air. He even invited his grandchildren to come along with him when they visited at Halloween.

John invited Alan, Ellie, Ian, Lex, and Tim to join him in Orlando for a vacation in which it spanned the entire two weeks of Christmas Break. They agreed much to his delight. He asked them to vacation with him in Angel Grove for a week in the summer. His friends and grandchildren agreed happily as they were eager to see it. They visited the Angel Grove Aquarium yesterday and saw most of its exhibits, including the orca stadium.

Lex and Tim looked around once more. They listened to the starlings chirping and people talking. He focused his attention on her while she turned hers to the walkway. He smiled mischievously and moved his hand toward the back of her head slowly. He gave her a slap upside it. She glared at him as he put his hand behind his back.

"If you slap me upside the head again, Tim, I will tie your arms in a knot," Lex warned sternly.

"Okay," Tim said and slapped her upside the head again. "Oops. My hand forgot about it."

Lex growled in playfulness. "Oh, you!"

Lex ruffled Tim's hair while speaking gibberish. He did the same to hers in retaliation. He put his thumb on his nose and wiggled his fingers. She blew a raspberry at him. Chuckling sounded, causing them to look at Alan.

"You kids can't resist messing around, can you?" Alan asked with a raised eyebrow.

"No way. Of course, she usually starts it," Tim said, jerking his thumb in his sister's direction.

Lex shook her head. "No, that's you."

John laughed softly. "Kids. They are so delightful."

"Hey, there is a bench," Ellie said as she turned away.

"Great. I need to sit down. My back is hurting a little bit," John said, letting out a soft groan.

Ian furrowed his brow. "We have the whole day to spend here. There is no rush at all."

The entire group went to a metal bench. John sat down with a light grunt and placed his cane between his legs. He laid his hands on the top of it. Lex and Tim came to his side. They seated themselves while sipping their cokes. They cleared their throats.

"It's hard to believe this area was once covered in wilderness," John said, looking around. "California was primarily forest and grasslands in the days of the dinosaurs."

"Albertosaurus was one of the dinosaur species that lived in this state, Grandpa," Tim replied. "Its primary range was the western area of North America."

"I know, my boy," John said, chuckling to himself. "You could call it a miniature version of the Tyrannosaurus. It looked very much like that theropod."

Tim sighed softly. "If only your dinosaur park could have gotten off the ground. It would have been so cool to see the rest of it."

"I wish that just as much as you do, but it is for the best that it never happens. Ellie was right. We never really had control of the place," John admitted sadly.

"You can't clone sixty-five million years of instinct out of a prehistoric species. That is why Rexy would not eat that goat," Alan pointed out and put his arm around Ellie.

Ian crossed his arms. "Of course, her hunger got the best of her pride. She ate it right up."

"The image of that bloody leg still goes through my mind. It was so icky," Lex grumbled, shuddering in disgust.

"At least we can still see dinosaurs in museums. They may be just skeletons, but they are very valuable," Ellie commented in a soft yet firm voice.

"Still, seeing dinosaurs in person was an experience I can't forget," Alan said.

"Me neither," Ellie agreed.

Lex pressed her lips together. "The same goes for the rest of us. Some museums have robotic dinosaurs. It gives people a chance to see what they may have really looked like, especially kids."

"The Cumberland Science Museum in Nashville had such a thing. Do you remember when we visited it with our parents, Lex?" Tim asked, his eyebrow raising.

"Sure. It was four years ago," Lex said, smiling warmly. "I recall you hitting the robotic Apatosaurus on the nose. Mom and Dad scolded you for it." She snickered under her breath. "You looked mad as heck."

Alan laughed. "What kid wouldn't be?"

Tim took another sip of his coke. John tapped his cane on the pavement three times before taking a deep breath.

"Though my park failed, I do hope the dinosaurs were able to survive and establish an ecosystem of their own," John whispered.

"I believe they have. Dinosaurs were known to be resilient. Some species survived beyond the period they first appeared in," Alan pointed out truthfully.

"So did some plant species. Each has its own adaptations for survival," Ellie said, touching his shoulder.

John breathed deeply. He proceeded to tell the others about the time he played a prank on his grandchildren.