It was the end of another long day at Swanfield Gym and Rachel was ushering the last patron out the door. Locking the main door she turned around whilst letting out a deep sigh, "What a state," she grumbled, surveying the disorganised state of everything, "this will take ages to clear away." Grabbing some discarded cups from the bar area along with a trash bag, she slowly made her way around the gym, "Strange how everyone disappears when it's time to clear up," she continued to grumble. Looking over at the door which led to the upstairs apartment, she added, "Where did Harley get to?"

Opening the door, she shouted up the stairs, "Harley, get your butt down here and help or you're on toilet duty for the rest of the month."

"You bellowed," Harley's voice from the other side of the gym, making the white ranger jump, "I reckon they heard you in the next state," he added with a cheeky grin.

"Where the hell have you been?" Rachel asked.

The black ranger pointed behind him, "Clearing out the storage and loading area like you asked, boss."

"I asked you to do that nearly two hours ago," Rachel fumed, "what's the point of you working here if you don't do any actual work?"

"For my charming wit and personality?" Harley almost recoiled under the white ranger's glare, "I might've had a few smoke breaks along the way then I got this really important phone call about a deal I'm workin' on-"

Rachel held up her hands, "I'd stop right there before you dig yourself an even bigger hole." She stomped over to the black ranger and thrust the trash bag into his hand, "Pick up the trash then make a start cleaning the machines. We might get to bed before midnight if you pull your finger out."

Harley dramatically placed his hand to his chest, "We might get to bed?" he wiggled his eyebrows, "What would HR say if they heard about the boss propositioning her employee in that way?"

The white ranger rubbed her temples in a vain attempt to ward off an oncoming headache, "I'll rephase, do your job and clean up otherwise you'll be sleeping in the dumpster outback." She forcefully pushed the door to the backroom open before adding, "I'll check your work out here, make sure you've actually done something."

The door slammed shut before she could hear Harley's inevitable retort. Rachel allowed herself an irritated groan before reviewing Harley's handiwork. To the black ranger's credit, the storeroom hadn't been this organised since opening day. Everything was in it's correct place and there was even a detailed inventory attached to shelf, "He's even listed items we need to order," the white ranger commented whilst scanning the paperwork, "not sure this is two hours' worth of work but it's more than I asked," she added begrudgingly.

Opening the rear metal shutters that led to the outside, Rachel nodded her approval at the state of the loading bay, "I'll admit, this does look pretty tidy." She looked up where a bright light illuminated the area, "He's even fixed the security light," she added in surprise.

Moving towards the narrow access road which led to the street, Rachel thought she spotted something moving in the gloom. Cautiously she shuffled forward, making sure her morpher was ready just in case, "Hello, anyone there?" she called. For a few moments there was nothing but silence, until the screech of cat made her jump, "Damn," she hissed as one of the neighbourhood strays bolted down the alley.

She turned around but almost bumped into someone, she was expecting Harley but they were smaller than the black ranger, barely taller than Rachel. It was a male, barely old enough to be out of high school with greasy brown hair that reached his shoulders. He was dressed in several layers that didn't fit with the desert climate of Southern Arizona. He was nervously clutching a scruffy backpack, in fact most of his attire had seen better days, "Oh, hello," Rachel began hesitantly, "I'm sorry but we're closed now."

The unidentified male didn't speak for a few moments, almost looking awestruck in the presence of the white ranger, "I can't believe it's you," he finally blurted out, "I wasn't sure I had the right place but all my searches pointed to here."

Rachel took a couple of apprehensive paces away from the stranger, "So a fan," she guessed, "I appreciate the support but everything really should go through my management team."

"Oh I tried them," the male began at a rapid fire pace, "but they always took so long to respond so I tried DMing you and I was so surprised that you actually responded but then you stopped responding-"

"Hang on," Rachel interrupted the teen, "are you Zanianfan99?" the long haired male nodded almost too eagerly for the white ranger's liking, "You look nothing like your profile pictures."

"You look exactly like yours, better even in person, your pictures don't do you justice," the teen fired off.

The white ranger let out a small sigh, "Look I'm flattered but if you have a personal request, you really need to talk to my manager."

"You don't understand," the teen said suddenly and forcefully, "I needed to see you," he began to fumble with the zip on his bag.

"I really think you should leave," Rachel replied firmly, moving away a little quickly.

"I need to do this," the teen's shaking hand finally opened his bag, "I won't have the courage to do this again."

Rachel was a split second away from grabbing his arm to stop him pulling anything out the bag but suddenly Harley barrelled out the open door, "You heard the lady," he growled whilst marching towards the stranger, "leave, now."

"But, but," the teen stuttered, startled by the appearance of the black ranger, "I have this," and shakily offered his bag.

Harley though slapped the teen so hard on the wrist that he dropped the bag instantly. He grabbed the petrified male by the front of his dirty hoodie, "You have till the count of five to get outta here, otherwise I won't be responsible for my actions." He pushed the teen roughly to the floor but he didn't get the chance to start counting as the stranger scrambled away as quick as he could.

There was a brief silence between the two rangers before Rachel turned fiercely towards the black ranger, "What did you do that for?" she scolded.

"You're welcome, I think that's what you meant to say," Harley scoffed. "Is he the weirdo that been messaging you for the last few days?" Harley asked, Rachel said nothing in response, "yeah, you've been handling that situation real well."

"He was just a harmless kid," Rachel crossed her arm across her chest.

"Harmless?" Harley shouted, "he snuck up on you in a secluded alley after dark, harmless people tend not to do that in my experience."

"He was just a fan," Rachel countered, "some get a little more obsessed than others."

Harley picked up the bag and began rummaging through, "One half empty water bottle, a pot of instant noodles and this," he tossed a notebook towards Rachel, "I completely agree, he's obsessed alright."

Rachel flicked through a scrapbook with numerous photos and clipping of her over the years. Rather worryingly, a few picture had been photoshopped to show her standing next to tonight's visitor, "Fine, I'll admit this isn't normal," she reluctantly agreed with Harley, "but you didn't have to go all Alpha male on him."

"Maybe," Harley shrugged, "but he could've pulled anything outta this bag," he paused for a moment, "so if you want an apology for watching your back, you ain't gonna get one." He dumped the bag on the ground, "Now if you'll excuse me, I have cleanin' to do," he walked back inside, leaving a shaken Rachel alone with her thoughts.

The following morning Rachel's convertible pulled up outside a rundown apartment block on the outskirts of the city. Ricky was sitting in the passengers seat, fidgeting every few seconds as he surveyed the neighbourhood, "Want my advice, put the hood up on the car when we leave," he commented, "this is probably worth more than most of the properties around here."

"Duly noted," Rachel replied absently before turning around and retrieved her visitor's bag from the previous night, "which apartment number is he in?"

Ricky scrolled through his phone, "3B according to Jazz's research," he replied, "it's registered in the name of Amelia Estervez but she has a son, Daniel," he turned his phone towards the white ranger, "is this the guy at the gym last night?"

"Yeah that's him," Rachel sighed, "he looks better in that picture than he did yesterday," she added.

"Says here that he barely graduated High School last year, no record of employment since," Ricky shrugged, "travel record suggests he's been to Mexico, Dubai, the United Kingdom and Germany during that time."

There was a brief silence before Rachel answered quietly, "I went to all those places last year."

Ricky removed his seat beat and turned toward the white ranger, "Why are we here Rachel? I don't want to say it but maybe Harley was right about this guy."

"No", Rachel shook her head firmly and unlocked her phone, handing it over to Ricky, "I've had an online presence for five years, this is a snapshot of what I get sent everyday."

Ricky quietly scrolled through the content, his expression shifting from a slight frown to complete disgust with each swipe. Suddenly he let out a yelp of error and the device practically jumped out his hand, landing in Rachel's lap, "What the hell is wrong with some people?"

"Well in this guy's case, nothing a good urologist couldn't fix," Rachel shrugged, "but the guy who showed up yesterday, he didn't seem like someone who would send dick-pics."

"So he's classier than your average stalker," Ricky countered, "we really should let the Police handle this."

"Then he'll end up with a record which will probably ruin his life and really push him over the edge," Rachel pleaded with the yellow ranger, "maybe if I can just talk to him, it'll stop him doing something stupid."

Ricky let out a loud sigh, "I really hope you're right," he said whilst stepping out the car, "one last question, why did you ask me to back you up?"

Rachel waited for the roof of her car to lock into place before answering, "Honestly, you're the least intimidating member of the team."

Ricky scoffed, "Mark and Harley I'll give you but is Stevie scarier than me?" Rachel stared at the yellow ranger for moment, "Actually don't answer that one," Ricky groaned.

The pair crossed the street and climbed the rusty metal steps towards apartment 3B. When they reached the door in question, they were alarmed to find it open, "This is getting weird," Ricky whispered, "I've seen enough cop shows to know an open door on a suspects house isn't a good thing."

"He isn't a suspect," Rachel countered defensively but reluctantly, she called her Jet Blaster into her hand, "but best to be safe," she added to the yellow ranger.

Quietly the white ranger pushed the door open wider and they crept into the apartment. The whole place smelt musty with piles of rubbish dotted around the hallway. Rachel stuck her head into what he guessed was the main living area, it was dominated but empty pizza boxes, dozens of empty noodle pots and worryingly, piles of pictures of her, "I don't want to say I told you so," Ricky began.

"Then don't," Rachel snapped but before she could continue, she heard a voice, "do you hear that?" she asked.

Ricky nodded, "It's coming from down there," he pointed towards the back room of the tiny apartment, "it's not too late to go back," he pleaded with the white ranger. The blonde ignored him and slowly crept further into the hallway.

She paused at a door slightly ajar, through the gap she could see Daniel Estervez slumped over a grimy table, "It didn't work," he grumbled, "I had a chance to talk to her but I blew it."

Rachel felt sorry for the teen but that instantly evaporated when she saw who he was talking to. It was a giant white pot, similar to the empty instant noodle pot that littered his apartment. Sprouting out its side and bottom where thick bunches of noodles in place of arms and legs. More noodles tumbled out the top to give the illusion of hair. The facial feature protruding from the side of the pot were set in a permanent snarl, "There will be other chances," the monster replying with an almost soothing purr, "I am almost as eager to meet Rachel Zane as you are."

"Yeah she's the best," Daniel grinned, "my idol, my everything," the white ranger wasn't sure but she thought the monster almost smiled at that comment, "but I can't go near the gym again and I don't know when I'll get another chance to see her again."

"Trust me, she is closer than you think," the monster suddenly shot a noodle rope from it arm which smashed through the wooden door, wrapping itself around Rachel's waist. "Ah, the famous Rachel Zane," the monster greeted, "my masters will be pleased that I've captured you."

"I didn't want this," Daniel pleaded with the creature, "I just wanted to talk."

"Stupid child, I'm not talking about you," the monster scolded the teen, "the Vyglass gave specific instruction on how to deal with the white ranger." Rachel groaned at the leak of her secret identity, Daniel looked equally shocked at the revelation, "They said they wanted you in one piece," the monster continued, "but never said what condition that one piece needed to be in."

Two things happened simultaneously, firstly Daniel pushed the beast to free his idol. A round of laser fire hit the appendage holding the white ranger, dropping her to the floor with a thud. The monster groaned and began to rummage in his 'hair', "Impudent humans," he grumbled and threw a giant chunk of carrot towards the two rangers.

Instinctively Ricky pulled Rachel away as the projectile exploded against the wall, sending splinters of plaster and wood flying everywhere. When the dust cleared, Rachel spotted that Daniel and the Vyglass monster were gone and Ricky was moaning in pain on the floor. Reluctantly she called on her communicator, "The Major is going to kill me," she groaned before making the call.

At the air base an hour later, Ricky had been patched up and was sporting a bandage on his left arm. The other Rangers and Major Earhardt were in the briefing room and true to Rachel's prediction, the blonde wasn't pleased, "So let me get this straight," the Major began deliberately, keeping her gaze firmly on the white ranger, "we have a Vyglass monster in league with a civilian, a civilian that not only knows you're a Power Ranger but also has a dangerous obsession with you."

"I wouldn't call it dangerous," Rachel replied weakly.

"His pet monster nearly blew us into tiny pieces," Ricky added hotly.

"He could be under a spell," Rachel tried to defend her position, "we've done some crazy stuff, just look at Mark."

"Don't bring me into this," the red ranger began, "you should've reported this guy to the Police, or at the very least brought it to our attention."

Harley snorted, "Knew I should've pounded the guy when I had a chance last night."

"You know about this?" Taylor said towards the black ranger.

"I was there when the little creep popped over," Harley replied, "thought I scared him off, had no idea that blondie would try and track him down."

"What have I told you about the stupid nicknames Harley," Rachel snapped.

"Don't think you have any business calling me stupid," the black ranger scoffed in return.

"Enough!" Taylor jumped to her feet and shouted over the arguing Rangers, "I'm inclined to agree with Harley, your actions were reckless and they've endangered the team, maybe even the entire city." Taylor groaned and dropped back into her chair, "Right now we need a solution and fast, before this Daniel has a chance to spread his story over the internet."

Rachel shook her head, "I don't think he'd do that."

"Yeah cause your judgement's been spot on so far," Ricky snapped to the surprise of everyone in the room.

"Wow, you know you've screwed up when Ricky's pissed at you," Stevie snorted.

"Just give me one last chance to fix this," Rachel pleaded to Major Earhardt, "at least to get him away from the Vyglass,"

Taylor rubbed the bridge of her nose before looking in Mark's direction, "You're the leader here, this is your call."

Mark looked towards the white ranger, letting out a loud sigh at her pleading look, "Fine but we do this as a team, the first thing we need to do find Daniel, chances are the monster will be close by."

"They could be anywhere in the city," Stevie began, "it'll take ages to search."

"Maybe not," Rachel pulled out her phone and began typing, "I've sent him a message, telling him to meet me in the park in an hour. I doubt he'll be able to resist a personal invitation."

Mark sighed, "Could you have at least run that by us before sending the message?" Rachel sheepishly shrugged her shoulders, "Well you heard Rachel, let's move out."

At the Rangers left the room, Taylor slumped back in her chair whilst fumbling for a bottle of aspirin, "I have such a headache," she groaned.

It was approaching the meeting time and at the park, all seemed quiet. The Rangers had picked the quietest spot they could find, an out of commission children's playground. Despite this, Rachel was still feeling nervous, "I still think we should've evacuated the park," she commented as hundreds of people went about their business,

"Yeah so do I," Mark replied, "but this park should be busy this time of day, it would look suspicious if it was deserted."

"Maybe pick the abandoned warehouse district next time," Harley snorted.

"It was the first place I could think of," Rachel sniped, "plus that would've looked even more suspicious than an empty park.

"I hate to interrupt your argument but I think we've got company," Stevie pointed at a figure in grey shuffling towards them.

"Alright positions, Rachel takes point over there," Mark pointed towards the swing set, "Ricky you stay back, your job will be to protect the civilians if this goes wrong," the yellow ranger nodded, "Stevie, go with him and make sure he doesn't hurt his other arm," the blue ranger gave him a cheeky salute and the pair jogged off together.

Mark and Harley hung back as Rachel slowly moved into position, "What's our job boss?" the black ranger asked.

"First line of defence," the red ranger replied, "protect Rachel, even if its from herself," Harley nodded grimly before taking shelter behind a tree, never taking his eyes off the white ranger.

Rachel emerged from the shadow of the trees and opened the gate to the playground. Calmly she sat down on a swing and rocked herself gently. She didn't have long to wait for Daniel to join her, it might've been the fact she was seeing him in natural light for the first time but he looked unwell. His face was pale and his hair more unkempt than yesterday, "I can't believe it," he stammered, "you responded to my messages."

Rachel smiled tightly, "I've come to return this," she dropped his bag carefully into the dirt, "and I've looked through this," she waved Daniel's collage book, "it's very, interesting," Rachel added after a brief pause.

"Wow, this is incredible," Daniel's pale face broke into a broad grin, "I've got others back at my place."

"I'm sure you have," Rachel muttered under her breath, "if you want to show them to me then you need to tell me where that Vyglass monster is."

"Noodlehead?" he asked, "but he's my friend, him and that red headed woman said they could help me meet you and they have."

"Red headed woman?" Rachel groaned, "Lena, I knew this was one of her ideas," she hopped off the swing and got as close to Daniel as she felt comfortable, "The Vyglass aren't your friends Daniel, they've killed dozens of people, injured countless more."

"I know," Daniel shifted awkwardly, "but the only thing that matters to me is you."

Rachel took a deep, calming breath, maybe it was time to change tactics, "Daniel this isn't healthy, when was the last time you slept?"

The teen shrugged, "I don't remember, a few days ago, maybe longer."

"If you're truly my biggest fan, you'd get away from this city," Rachel began, "once the Vyglass have been defeated, we can reconnect then."

For a brief moment the white ranger thought he was going to accept but their moment was interrupted but the Vyglass monster, "Don't listen to her," he began, "she just trying to manipulate you into leaving."

"Rachel wouldn't do that," Daniel cried, "would you, tell him that you wouldn't do that."

The white ranger hesitated for a moment which was long enough for the monster to pounce, "See what did I tell you," it crowed in victory.

"I just want you to be safe," Rachel said defensively, "you've seen the damage that Noodlehead did to your apartment."

Rachel was sure that she could pinpoint the moment Daniel's heart broke just by the look in his eyes, "You lied to me?" he muttered quietly.

"I didn't lie," the white ranger countered firmly.

"No but you did use his obsession to say whatever was needed to get your way," Noodlehead chuckled loudly.

The blonde turned furiously to the monster, "I thought you were a pot of instant ramen, not Doctor Phil," she quickly called on her morpher, "Jet Force, Take-" but before she could finish the morphing sequence, the monster fired a rope of noodles which wrapped around her right arm. The force of the attack push her back into the metal frame of the swingset, at which point the noodles wrapped around the pole and pinned the white ranger in place, "Hey, what's the big idea" she cried, struggling to break free.

"That should hold you in place," Noodlehead summoned a giant golden fork, "now to finish the job for the Princess," he began to walk menacingly towards the white ranger.

"Don't hurt her," Daniel called out, surprising himself with how forceful he sounded, "please," he added meekly.

"Oh alright but only because you said please," the monster chuckled, "go back home kid with the rest of the insects in your place."

As Rachel struggled against her bonds she muttered, "Any time guys." The monster was uncomfortably close when the black ranger swooped in and swatted the monster away with his Jet Sword, "Took your time," the white ranger grumbled.

"Ain't you ungrateful," Harley shook his head and turned his attention to Rachel's bonds, "if you value your fingers, try not to move," he added whilst raising his Jet Sword.

"You're not coming near me with that," Rachel complained, "there must another way."

"Yeah, I leave your ungrateful ass here," Harley snapped, "what's it gonna be, I ain't got all day."

Rachel grumbled under her breath before finally answering the black ranger, "Fine but if I see so much as a scratch on my skin…"

"Yeah, yeah sleeping in a dumpster or whatever," Harley interrupted the white ranger and he started trying to cut through the noodles with his blade, "Jesus what are these things made from," he grumbled as his Jet Sword struggled to cut through the various layers.

"Wouldn't you like to know black ranger," Noodlehead laughed, swatting the black ranger away with his giant fork, "don't you know how tough noodles are to wash off?" Three rounds of laser fire struck the monster in the back as Mark, Stevie and Ricky jumped into view. The attacks seemed to annoy Noodlehead more than injury him, "Can't I have a few minutes peace with my victim," he grunted and slapped the three rangers away with his noodle hair.

With the path clear, the Vyglass continued his menacing walk towards Rachel. The white ranger moved behind the metal swingset pole but she knew it would offer little protection from the monster. All the while Daniel stood and watched, shocked into inaction by devastation around him, "Daniel please," Rachel cried to the teen, "I know you didn't want this, get out of here while you can."

"But what about you?" he called back in response.

"I don't care what happens to me, just save yourself," the white ranger replied.

The teen started to move away but spotted Harley's discarded blade stuck in the ground a few feet away. Plucking the blade from the soil whilst on the move, he charged at Noodlehead and swung the blade with all his strength. The blade succeeded in hacking off a chunk of its noodle hair and cause a crack in Noodlehead body just above its right hand. The monster cried in pain, "You foolish human," it roared and slapped Daniel away with a swing of its fork.

The dark haired teen flew for what felt like an age, eventually crashing into a metal jungle gym with a sickening crunch. His body landed head first in the dirt and stayed there, completely lifeless and immobile, "You sick bastard," Rachel bellowed furiously and pulled with all her strength against her bonds.

The noodles didn't break but her enhanced strength separated the metal pole from the rest of the swing. Realising she was basically wielding a giant metal bo-staff, the white ranger battered Noodlehead with a string of furious blow. One blow hit the same crack that Daniel opened and suddenly the monster began to crackle with energy, "No yet, it's too soon," he cried and began to grow into its giant form.

"What the hell happened?" Mark looked up at the giant monster.

"No idea," Ricky replied, "maybe Rachel managed to hit the Dimensional Bug and damaged it enough to trigger giant mode."

"Either way it needs to go down," the red ranger looked at Rachel, "can you morph?"

"Unless you know how to break this off," she indicated towards the noodle bonds, "apparently I'm strong enough to break metal but not dried noodles."

"OK, we'll have to use the zord autopilot," Mark sighed, "its not as responsive as having a human pilot but we haven't got a choice."

Rachel nodded, "Alright, give him hell from me," the other Rangers nodded as they took to the skies to meet up with their zords. The white ranger looked over and remembered about Daniel, still lifeless on the ground. Running as fast as she could with a metal pole stuck to her arms, she knelt down next to the teen, "Chest is rising so still breathing, that's a good start," she muttered.

Looming above the pair, the Jet Force Megazord had engaged Noodlehead. The bad news was there a very real chance of getting stepped on, "I really wish I could get these off," the white ranger tried again to break her bonds but it was no use. Suddenly she spotted boating lake just through the trees, "Maybe if I get them wet like an actual pot of instant noodles, it'll loosen the bonds," she wondered out loud.

Deciding it would be easier to go through obstacles than tried to go over them, Rachel broke through a wooden fence and trotted over to the water. Emerging her arms it only took a few seconds to begin to work, "Oh that's good," she smiled and began to pull herself free. A few tugs later the metal pole sunk beneath the surface and the white ranger's hand came free, "That feels amazing, I thought I'd never be free."

Up above, the Jet Force Megazord was dodging away from Noodlehead's exploding vegetable attacks. A rapid fire blast of peas was batted away by its sword, unfortunately they were dropping into the park, detonating on the ground and sending terrified civilians running in all directions, "Guys can you get the monster away from the park?" Rachel asked through her communicator, "we're getting friendly fired on down here."

"Easier said than done Rachel, you know that," came Mark's reply followed a few seconds later with a follow up question, "did you manage to get yourself free?"

"Yeah all I had to do was soak the noodles, obvious now I'm thinking about it," the white ranger responded, "do you need my help? I really should get Daniel to safety if I can."

The Jet Force Megazord deflected a fork attack from the monster, following it up with a strike against its weak spot, "We can handle it for now," Mark said, "try not to move him unless you have to, that could cause more damage."

Rachel didn't need a second invitation and dashed over to the fallen Daniel. She frantically felt around his neck and found what she thought was a pulse. He had a nasty gash on his head and his left shoulder looked out of place, "I really wish I learned some proper first aid rather than watching episodes of Grey's Anatomy," the white ranger grumbled. She knew Mark was right though, the teen could have a neck injury so no moving him unless in an absolute emergency.

At least the team had done their best to move the battle away from the park. The Megazord's Rocket Punch attack managed to knock Noodlehead's giant fork away, Rachel felt the vibrations of the weapon crashing to the ground from her position. With the monster staggered, the Avian Sabre appeared in the Megazord's hand. A crackle of energy and one big swing later, Noodlehead was struck down, "Wow, never appreciated how strong that explosion is," the white ranger commented as the giant monster detonated on impact with the ground.

With the immediate danger over, Rachel frantically pulled out her phone and dialled 911. To her surprise the number didn't connect straight away, "Surely 911 can't be busy," she chewed a finger nail before double checking Daniel's pulse. Her call was answered moments later and she let out a sigh of relief. She relayed Daniel's details to the operator, oblivious to the gathering crowds.

Later that night at Duality, Harley was nursing a glass of whiskey, anything to drown out the terrible singer on stage, "I really hate open mic night Horace," he said to the bartender, "why do you insist on holding them?"

"Why do you insist on coming back?" the grizzled bartender answered, "I'm sure I've barred you at least twice."

"Ah simple misunderstanding," the black ranger shrugged, "I'm your best customer and you know it."

Horace the bartender shook his head but stopped when he noticed someone walking down the stairs, "Looks like you have a visitor," and nodded his head towards the entrance.

Harley frowned but that instantly disappeared on seeing his blonde visitor, "Rachel, what brings you to this lovely circle of hell."

"I'll make it three times Harley if you keep that up," Horace grumbled.

"Maybe do what you're best at and fix Aaronsdale's favourite celebrity a drink," Harley teased, Rachel's expression though showed she was in no mood for the black ranger's humour, "seriously though, what are you drinking?"

The white ranger pointed towards Harley's glass, "Whatever he's got is fine with me."

"You sure sweetheart," Horace frowned, "that's pretty strong stuff."

"And I don't drink it for the taste," Harley added.

"Just hit me with it," Rachel snapped, "after the day I've had, I think I need it." The bartender shrugged and poured the white ranger's drink, dropping it down in front of her. She took a quick sip, her expression instantly turning sour, "It's no Johnnie Walker," she managed to gasp from her burning lips and throat.

Harley grinned, "A whiskey connoisseur, ain't you full of surprises," the white ranger shook her head and took another sip, "saw your face all over the news, labelling you as a hero for saving that kid."

"Yeah, saved him," Rachel scoffed, "he took a nasty hit to the head, the doctors aren't sure if he'll ever wake up." Harley locked eyes with the bartender and subtly indicated to give them some space, something he duly obliged, "I suppose it saves him from getting dropped into a dark hole by the Major," Rachel added bitterly, "you can say it you know, I won't hold it against you."

The black ranger had a little of his drink, "Say what?" he asked coyly.

"I told you so," Rachel replied, "I should've just gone to the Police after he showed up last night."

"So why didn't you," Harley said, "you seemed pretty set on trying to help the kid."

Rachel slid her glass between her hands on the bar, "Maybe I felt responsible, like it was my fault."

"It wasn't your fault," Harley snorted, "he obviously had issues, if he wasn't obsessing over you then it would've been someone else."

"Not sure that makes me feel better," the white ranger shook her head, "he didn't have anyone, apparently his mother died a couple of years ago. If they do decide to withdraw life support, he won't have anyone with him."

There was silence between the pair for a moment until Harley uttered, "Well shit," he waived towards the bartender, "Horace bring the bottle over,"

"No, I shouldn't get too drunk," Rachel sighed, "it won't make me feel better."

"It'll make me feel better," Harley shrugged, "way I see it, you did your best but he threw his lot in with the Vyglass, what did he think was going to happen?" He spotted a frown on the white ranger's face, "We're all ultimately responsible for our actions, there might be a reason he acted in a certain way but he still chose to do it, no like anyone forced him to seek out the Vyglass for help."

"Who said he went looking for the Vyglass," Rachel countered, "sounds like Lena set up the perfect trap for him, manipulating him using his favourite food with a promise of meeting his hero."

"He could've said no," Harley shrugged, "call me cold but he gave into that temptation."

Rachel took another drink whilst shaking her head, "Don't tell me you've never been tempted to do something wrong."

"I might've broken the law numerous times but everyone I've conned deserved it," Harley replied hotly, "never robbed an honest man or woman me."

The white ranger raised an eyebrow, "And what made you this way Harley?" she asked, "Like you said, something fuelled Daniel's obsession, what drives you to be so conniving and cold."

"You really wanna know?" Harley poured himself another drink, "my Dad was a terrible person, used to beat my Mom for no reason. I spent most of my childhood angry, thinking of ways I'd pay him back," he took a long gulp of whiskey, "one day when I was sixteen he turned his attention to me, long story short I beat the piss outta him."

"Jesus Harley," Rachel slipped her hand over to his, "I had no idea."

"I dreamt of the moment I would stand victorious over his beaten body for years but do you know what I felt in that moment?" Rachel shook her head, "absolutely nothing, just empty. Packed my bags and left home, never looked back."

"And you spent the next few years helping out the little guy where you could?" Rachel finished for him.

"Well, I skimmed a bit for myself but I can't stand a bully," Harley quickly finished his drink, "there you go, now you know."

"What about your mother, do you still speak?" Rachel asked the black ranger.

Harley froze, tightly shaking his head, "No", he finally manged to mutter, "and that's a story for another time, need a lot more of this in me before I tell that story," he added whilst shaking the whiskey bottle.

Rachel finished her drink, never taking her eyes off the black ranger, "I need to use the bathroom, pour me a short measure would you?"

Once she was out of sight, Horace slyly moved towards Harley, "Is that the girl you keep talking about," the black ranger just glared as the bartender, "trust me, she's way out of your league."

"We'll see," Harley replied shortly, pouring himself and Rachel another drink.

The white ranger was gone a long time, eventually returning to her stool and quickly downed her drink, "I had you all wrong Harley," she began, "I don't want to be alone tonight," she added.

"Well we got all night here," the black ranger replied, "plenty of whiskey for both of us."

Rachel shot him a coy smile, "Then pour me another one barkeep," she dramatically raised her glass, "we'll see who the best drinker is between us." Harley grinned as Horace shook his head and left the pair to it.

A/N - This chapter was based on the Cup Noodles episode where Ako (Blue Swallow) is the victim of unwanted attention. Felt more appropriate to switch it to the team's celebrity.