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ROCKY: Apparently, this is where the fic ended up.
ADAM: I don't know why anybody would claim it.
>
> The Power Rangers paced back and forth as they waited for an
>update on Tommy Oliver, the Green Ranger. The police were
>questioning Billy Mitchell in a conference room. Jason Lee Scott
>slumped into a chair with a sigh.
TOM: <As Sigh> Hey, get your own chair!
> He mentally played back his
>conversation with Tommy. _"You don't know shit about me!"_
>Tommy had wailed out before the alarms went off and Jason was
>ushered out of ICU. _Tommy, what is wrong?_ Jason asked
>himself. _What is hurting you inside?
TOMMY: If I had to take a guess, I'd say several bullet wounds.
> And, why are you pushing
>us away?_
> "Damn!" Jason swore. Zach looked at his friend.
> "What's wrong?" Zach asked.
> "It's like he's falling over the edge of a cliff and we are
>the only rope he can cling to and that rope is greased!" Jason
KIM: It's like we're trapped in a bad fanfic and forced to speak in long, forced similes!
>growled. "Dammit, Zach, we're loosing him! He's slipping
>farther and farther away from us!"
> "Tommy?" Zach whispered.
TOM: No, our single fan.
> "Yeah. He was very upset when I talked to him. I don't
>think he wants to live anymore." Jason ran his hand through his
>short dark hair.
> "What do you mean?" Zach frowned.
KIM: What part of that last sentence didn't you understand?
> "I can't explain it, but I'm really worried about Tommy.
>He's been tense since the charity race was announced and now
>this!" Jason said. "I mean, what is going with him?"
> Zach sat next to his friend. "I wish I knew. Maybe Billy
>knows something since he's living with Tommy now." The Black
>Ranger suggested.
> Jason got up and walked over to Kimberly who was still
>crying. Trini and Trixie, Speed Racer's girlfriend, were trying
>to comfort her.
> "How is she?" Jason asked.
> "Worried sick about Tommy." Trini answered. "Have you
>heard anything from the doctors?"
> "Nothing." Jason said. "I've asked the nurse several times
>and she won't tell me anything!" The Red Ranger always had a
>short fuse, and that night he struggled to keep it on a tight
>leash.
ADAM: Well there's your problem! Leashes make really bad fuses.
> Just then, Amazonia lead Billy out of the conference room.
>A police officer spoke to the nurse, then left. At the elevator,
>the officer ran into Mr. Mitchell.
BILLY: Literally.
> He was carrying a brown paper
>bag. Mitchell warily approached the Rangers. The temperature in
>the room dropped several degrees. Mitchell stood infront of his
>son.
'BOTS: Mitchell!
TOM: Joe Don Baker, eat your heart out.
> "Um, Billy, the hospital called me to get premission to
>treat you." Mitchell started hesitantly. "And, they told me
>that you lost your glasses. Here. I brought you some clean
>clothes and your spare glasses." He handed Billy the bag. Billy
>took it with out speaking. Mitchell looked at his feet. "How is
>Tommy?" Mitchell asked.
> "We don't know." Hacker spoke up. Mitchell turned around
>and gasped when he saw his oldest daughter.
> "Trystan." He whispered. He stared at the little girl in
>her arms. Except for having dark hair, Tara could have been her
>mother at the age of three. "Is she yours?" He asked, nodding
>towards Tara.
ROCKY: No, we stole her from the Pediatrics Ward.
> "Yes. She's mine and Racer X's. She's our daughter. Your
>granddaughter." Hacker said.
TOMMY: Yeah, the man with a supergenius son couldn't figure out that his daughter's daughter is his granddaughter.
> Mitchell walked up to the couple. He smiled softly at Tara.
KIM: <Scarlett> Tara! I'll go home to Tara!
>"What is your name, honey?" He asked the little girl.
> "Tara." She answered. She held out her little hand to
>shake.
> Mitchell shook his granddaughter's hand. "I'm very pleased
>to meet you." He said formally. Tara giggled.
> "Mommee, where is Yogi?" Tara asked suddenly.
TOM: Jellystone Park?
> "He's sick dear. He's with the doctor." Racer X answered.
> "Yogi?" Mitchell questioned.
> "Her name for Tommy." Hacker explained.
CROW: As opposed to KIM'S name for Tommy, which is-
<Before he can finish, Kim wraps duct tape around his beak, sealing
it shut.>
KIM: Now if it only worked that well on Rocky.
> "Oh." Mitchell nodded his head. Before he could say
>anything else, the doctor came out of the ICU unit. The Rangers
>stood up. "How is Tommy?" Jason demanded.
> "Tommy'll be all right in a few weeks." The doctor
>answered. The Rangers clustered around the doctor with a shout
>of joy. "He's been sadated,
ALL: <singing> I wanna be sedated!
> so if you want to go and see him,
>you can." The doctor added.
> "What was wrong with him?" Jason asked quietly. "What did
>those alarms mean?"
> "You know that your friend was shot in the chest, right?"
>Jason nodded. "Well, he suffered so much damage to his left lung
>that we had to remove part of it. His oxygen supply has been
>reduced. His body is not used to the reduced oxygen supply and
>when he got upset, he stopped breathing. He'll adjust to it in
>time." Then, the doctor paused. He looked over his notes. "He
>smokes doesn't he?" He added quietly.
TOMMY: No I don't!
> "Yes, he does." Billy spoke up.
> The doctor sighed, then handed Billy the ciggerattes Tommy
>had in his pockets when he was shot. "He'll have to quit now."
> Billy nodded the best he could considering he had a
>concussion.
ROCKY: Then he ought to be LYING DOWN! Geez! And he's in a freaking HOSPITAL?
> "I'll get rid of these, and the ones at the
>apartment, when I burn these bloody clothes."
ADAM: Not to mention the rest of the evidence.
> The Blue Ranger
>sighed as he stared at his ruined clothes. They were coated
>with blood and grime.
> Mitchell also looked at his son's clothing. Billy and
>Hacker tensed, waiting for Mitchell to go into a tirade about the
>state of his clothes and the bad impression that they would make
>on people. "Billy, why don't I take you into the men's room so
>you can change." He offered. "I'm sure you'd be more
>comfortable."
BILLY: I am fifteen or sixteen years old here, and I need my father to help me change clothes?
> "Ok." Billy followed his father into the men's room.
>Hacker relaxed as the two men left. Once they were inside,
>Mitchell helped Billy pull off his stained clothes. Billy's
>jeans had been cut so the doctors could get to the gunshot wound
>on his right leg. Mitchell tossed the bloody jeans into a heap
>on the floor. That was followed by Billy's shirt and
>underclothes. All were stained red-brown from Billy's own blood
>and streaked black with soot. Then, Mitchell helped Billy wash
>off the best he could using the hospital's wash room facilities.
>Not looking his son the face, Mitchell dressed Billy.
ROCKY: So what exactly was he looking at?
CROW: MMmmph!
> The shocks
>of the day were starting to catch up with the Blue Ranger. He
>leaned back against the wall and groaned.
> "Are you OK?" Mitchell asked in a worried voice.
> "Just tired." Billy murmured.
> Mitchell slipped Billy's glasses on his face. "Son,"
>Mitchell hesitated. "When the doctors called me and told me that
>you had been shot...." His voice broke off. Tears fell out of
>Mitchell's blue-gray eyes. "I thought that I'd lost you!" He
>sobbed and held his son close.
TOM: Then I found out you were alive, so I called off the party.
> "Billy, I know what I did was
>stupid." Mitchell said when he calmed down. "I only wanted
>what was best for you and Trystan. "But," He shook his head. "I
>seem to do what is worst for you." He sighed. Before Billy
>could protest, Mitchell said: "Son, I would be happy if you
>would stay with me until your friend is well. Tommy is to stay
>too. Neither of you are in any shape to be alone." Mitchell
>added before Billy could decline. "Please. Give me this one
>chance." Mitchell pleaded. "Please..."
KIM: <Singing> Please please me, oh yeah, like I please you.
> Billy was exhausted both mentally and physically. He sighed
>once, then said: "OK. I'll go home with you tonight, but I want
>to see Tommy before I leave."
> "Of course, son." Mitchell said. He held the door for his
>youngest child. They passed Hacker, Racer X and Tara in the
>hallway. Mitchell paused. "Trystan, Billy is staying with me
>tonight. He's had too many shocks to be alone in an apartment."
> "Very wise, father." Hacker said in a guarded voice.
> "I would appreicate it if you and your family stayed with me
>also." Mitchell added. "William will be in the downstairs guest
>room. It has its own bathroom. He can't handle the stairs with
>his crutches. You can have your old room back." Mitchell added
>in a rush.
> Hacker nodded. "OK. Are you leaving right now?"
> "No. William wants to see Tommy." Mitchell paused. "If
>you are leaving right now could you make sure that Jedi doesn't
>try and run Willam down when he gets home?"
TOM: They let the dog drive the car?
> "Of course, father." Hacker laughed. Then, she, her
>husband and her daughter left the hospital.
> Mitchell joined Billy at the door of the ICU. Billy was
>struggling to put on a sterile gown so he could go in and visit
>his friend. Mitchell aided his son, then donned a gown of his
>own.
CROW: <Works tape loose> Strapless, showing a little bit of leg.
KIM: <Sighs> I knew it was too good to last.
> "You can have five minutes." The nurse told them, then lead
>the Mitchell's to Tommy's tiny cubicle. The other Rangers had
>left by that time.
> Tommy was deep in the arms of a drugged sleep. Billy
>quietly gripped his friend's still hand, then left. He couldn't
>find the right words to say to the sleeping Green Ranger.
ROCKY: I hate you, you moron.
> "Let's go home, son." Mitchell put his arm around Billy.
>Billy followed his father out of the hospital. By the time they
>were home, Trystan had the downstairs guest room ready for her
>younger brother. Wearing a pair of his father's old pajamas,
>Billy fell asleep as soon as he arrived home.
BILLY: Right there in the foyer.
> Racer X looked at his sleeping brother-in-law. Billy was
>wearing pajamas too big for him and he was pale, making him look
>younger than his sixteen years. Racer X had seen the haunted
>look in the boy's eyes when Billy was at the hospital. He shook
>his masked head, then closed the door.
TOMMY: Does he ever take that thing off?
CROW: Sure! Just ask Hacker!
> "How is he?" Hacker asked her husband when she saw him
>leave Billy's room.
> "Asleep." Racer X answered. Then, he sighed. Hacker
>looked at him questioningly. "I'm worried about him. Did you
>see the look in his eyes?"
ROCKY: <Racer X> I think he wants me.
> "No."
> Racer X shook his head. "I have a feeling that Billy is
>going to have to grow up very fast." He said grimly, then laid
>down next to his wife.
BILLY: You're about half a year too late, bud.
> "What do you mean?" Hacker sat up. "Rex," She implored,
>using her husband's real name when he didn't answer immediately.
>"What is going on with Billy?"
ADAM: He spends his afternoons in blue spandex, getting his butt kicked.
> Racer X sighed. "If Brewster had not showed up when he did,
>I think that Billy would have killed the gang bangers. Those
>aggressive feelings are new to him. It's a side of himself that
>he's never faced before."
BILLY: Um- Exhibit A- Madame Woe.
> "Oh, poor Billy!" Hacker wailed. "What can we do for him?"
> "I'll talk to him tomorrow, after I arrange for some tighter
>security for Yoshi in the hospital. Oh, damn!" Racer X slapped
>his forehead. "I forgot to give the doctor Yoshi's medical
>records! Damn!"
> "You've been hanging around Yoshi too much." Hacker
>giggled, then snuggled up against her husband.
> "You!" Racer X growled, then pinned his wife under him,
>being mindful of the baby she carried. Hacker pulled Racer X's
>head down and kissed him....
ALL: WHEW!
TOM: Tasteful fade, thank you.
>*_*_*_* [THE MITCHELL HOUSE, LATER THAT NIGHT]
>
> Racer X slept with his young wife in his arms. Suddenly, he
>hear Billy cry out: "No! No!" Rex Racer slipped out of bed and
>gripped his gun. He ran down the stairs and burst into Billy's
>room. The young blonde boy was thrashing about his bed, trapped
>in nightmare.
CROW: Nah, he just can't open the door to his closet.
> "Billy," Racer X shook the boy's shoulder. "Billy, wake
>up, you're having a nightmare!"
> "NO!" Billy sat up. A rush of pain forced the Blue Ranger
>to lay back down. He opened his eyes, to find a gun wielding
>Racer X leaning over him. "Oh!" He exclaimed. "Racer X, you
>startled me." Billy said lamely.
ADAM: My nocturnal visitors generally aren't armed.
KIM: Adam?
ADAM: Sorry... Sitting next to Rocky is getting to me.
> Racer X sat on Billy's bed. "What's wrong, Billy?"
TOM: This scene is wrong on SO many levels.
> Billy rolled over and buried his head in his hands. He was
>crying. "I killed them! In my dream! I couldn't stop shooting,
>even when the gun was empty!" He wailed. Racer X put his arms
>around his little brother-in-law. The mysterious, masked man
>rocked back and forth, humming a song his mother had sung to him
ALL: <Laugh hysterically.>
>when he was a child. When the crying fit had passed, Billy
>looked up at Racer X. "Racer X, what is wrong with me?" He
>sobbed.
> "What do you mean, Billy?"
> "Those gangbangers. I would have killed them if Brewster
>hadn't appeared when he did and I know that if it were to happen
>again, I _would_ kill them with out hesitation!" The Blue Ranger
>cried.
BILLY: Good for you!
> Racer X lifted Billy's chin so that his brother-in-law was
>facing him. "Billy, those feelings are normal. They are your
>survival instints. You were acting in the defense of yourself
>and your good friend who couldn't defense himself." Rex Racer
>said in a gentle voice. "Don't be ashamed of them."
> "But, I was going to _kill_ another human being!" Billy
>exclaimed.
TOMMY: "Human" is debatable.
> "Yes, you were, but they were going to kill you and Yoshi,
>er Tommy. It was self defense." Racer X responded.
> Billy looked the masked man in the eye. In Rex's brown
>eyes, the Blue Ranger could see the same horror and
>disillusionment that he had felt reflected back at him. "You've
>killed people before." He whispered.
> "Yes. Protecting myself, my country, and my loved ones."
>Racer X sighed. "It's not easy, but it is something that I have
>done and will do again."
> Billy shivered and pulled his blankets around him. "How do
>you do it?" He asked.
ADAM: Well, there's a lot of ways. I generally like to fracture the
fifth
vertebra, myself.
<Others edge away from him.>
> "You have to do what you can to survive. There is no way
>around it." Racer X said. Billy looked down at his cast. The
>bullet had passed through his right thigh, breaking the bone.
> "I know, but it is hard." Billy sighed again. He laid back
>against his pillows.
> "Get some sleep, Billy." Racer X advised. "Things will
>look clearer in the morning."
> "OK. Good night." Billy murmured. He closed his eyes as
>soon as Racer X left.
>
>*_*_*_* [THE NEXT DAY, ANGEL GROVE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL]
>
> Kimberly Harte pushed back the sweat soaked hair of her
>boyfriend, Tommy Oliver.
CROW: Wow! I guess Tommy got better in a hurry.
> He had been moved from ICU and put in
>an isolation room with heavy security. Sometime during the
>night, he developed a high fever.
> "Poor thing." Kim murmured gently. She wiped his face with
>a cool wash cloth. The cool dampness revived the Green Ranger
>slightly.
> "Shio." Tommy suddenly murmured. "Buko-no...Shio-chan..."
>He whispered, then fell into a fevered sleep.
> Kimberly looked at her boyfriend. _Who is Shio?_ She asked
>herself. She kissed Tommy's forehead and flinched when she felt
>the intense heat searing her lips.
ROCKY: Everybody thinks Tommy's hot.
> Her tears ran down her face
>and struck Tommy's eyes. He didn't open them.
> "Tommy." Kim sobbed. She continued to bathe his face with
>the cool water.
> Just then, Jason walked into Tommy's room with a quiet
>greeting to one of the guards, a former student of his.
ADAM: Isn't EVERYBODY in Angel Grove one of Jason's former students?
> "Paul," Jason asked. "How is Tommy?"
> "Not good, _Sensei_ Jason." Paul answered.
> "Damn." Jason sighed. He approached Kimberly. The Pink
>Ranger spoke before he could.
> "Jason, could you refill this basin? The water is too
>warm." Kim said in a distracted tone.
> Jason gripped her shoulder. "Kim, why don't you go home and
>get some rest. There's nothing you can do for Tommy right now."
> SPLASH! Kimberly tossed the contents of the basin onto
>Jason. Paul stepped forward and wrenched Kimberly's arms behind
>her back. The Pink Ranger cried with pain.
> "Let her go, Paul." Jason ordered.
> "Yes, Sensei!" Paul obeyed his former teacher and released
>the girl.
TOMMY: This guy is a few sandwiches short of a picnic.
ADAM: Must be related to Bulk and Skull.
> "Buku no tomodachi-tachi! Dame da yo! Mama-san! Papa-san!
>SHIO-CHAN!!" Tommy screamed out in his delirium.
> Kimberly spun around and cradled Tommy, ignoring all the
>wires and tubes that surrounded him. When Tommy wailed in pain,
>Kimberly let go and ran out of the room and out of the hospital.
>She didn't stop until she reached the Mitchell house. She
>pounded on the door.
> "Kimberly!" Racer X exclaimed. "What are you doing here?
>I thought that you'd be at the hospital with Yoshi, er, Tommy."
KIM: You know, for a man who has kept his identity secret from his own BROTHER for years, he's doing a really BAD job of protecting Tommy's.
> "I have to talk to you." Kimberly cried. Racer X backed up
>and let her into the house. The masked man lead the Pink Ranger
>into the living room, where Hacker and Billy were talking. Both
>stopped when they saw Kimberly's tear-streaked faced. Hacker
>stood up.
> "Kimberly, what's wrong?" Hacker asked.
> "What is going on here!" Kim wailed. "Why was Tommy shot!?
>Why? Why are there so many guards around him!? What is going
>on!?" She sobbed out in one breath.
> Racer X lead the distressed girl to the couch. "Kimberly,"
>He said. "Kim, Tommy was shot by the orders of a man named
>Malcum Brewster. He killed all of Tommy's family and friends a
>few years back in San Fransico."
> "How?" Kim asked.
> "In the Shinjuku fire." Billy spoke up. "Tommy is the only
ADAM: Shinjuku is in TOKYO! Not San Francisco!
>survivor. He used to be known as Yoshi Kurukawa."
> "Impossible!" Kimberly gasped. "Yoshi died! I mean, it was
>in all the papers! He died three months after the fire!"
ROCKY: I'm not quite dead yet!
> "No, he didn't. After we realized that Yoshi was going to
>live, we put out that he had died and put Yoshi in a witness
>protection program. Not the offical one, mind you. And, we
>changed his name to Tommy Oliver." Racer X explained.
> "Why wasn't I told any of this?" Kim demanded.
> "For your own protection. If Brewster found out that Yoshi
>was still alive, he'd kill Yoshi, or someone close to him, to
>silence him." Racer X said.
> "Did he think that I'd betray him? Doesn't he realize that
>he could trust me completely?" Kimberly sobbed. "I thought
>Tommy and I really had something special, but I guess I was
>wrong." She turned to leave.
KIM: Soo- I'm an insecure moron?
> Billy snagged her sleeve as she passed him. "Kim, I'm sure
>that it wasn't a lack of trust. Tommy probably just wanted to
>protect you...." Billy protested, but Kimberly ran out of the
>house before he could finish.
>
>*_*_*_* [THE HALL MANSION, THRITY MINUTES LATER]
> Kimberly stormed into the house. She slammed the ornate
>Tiffany stained glass and polished oak door behind her. "MOM!"
>She screamed. Kim ran up the stairs. She threw open the door to
>her mother's suite of rooms. Her mother was perched infront of
>her large, glided mirror, applying make up.
TOMMY: You're rich? Your bedroom doesn't LOOK like you're rich.
CROW: And how would you know?
> "Kimberly Anne Harte!" She scolded with out turning around.
>"What is wrong with you?"
ROCKY: Got an hour or so?
> "Mom, where are you going?" Kim asked.
> "Out with Malcum Brewster, dear. He's a charming man."
>Mrs. Hall sighed. "So refined, so genteel. Not like my
>previous husbands." She scowled. Kim rolled her eyes.
KIM: Billy, I see your point.
BILLY: Yeah, your mom is a LOT nicer than this.
> "Mom, maybe you shouldn't date Mr. Brewster so much." Kim
>said hesitantly.
> "Why?" Mrs. Hall's eyes narrowed.
> "Well, I mean, he had all those people killed in the
>Shinjuku Projects a few years ago. And, he tried to kill Tommy
>and Billy the other day. What if he tries to hurt you..." Kim
>said. Her mother cut her off.
> "Who told you that?" Mrs. Hall demanded. "Was it that
>horrid Oliver boy?"
> "Mom, Tommy isn't horrible!" Kim protested.
> "No, I never liked him! He's got longer hair than you,
>dear! And, that earring! He's just a poor, street punk! I
>don't want you associating that trash! It's bad enough that you
>spend time with that Vietmanese girl! And, that black boy!"
>Mrs. Hall shivered with distaste. "Always dancing around.
>Probably high from the drugs he gets from Tommy!"
RANGERS: <Laugh hysterically>
TOMMY: Well, I think she's basically managed to offend everybody in
two paragraphs.
> "MOTHER!" Kim yelled.
> "Don't yell at me, Kimberly! See the way you've been acting
>since you started dating that Oliver boy!" Mrs. Hall stopped
>layering on the make-up to turn around and face her daughter. "I
>don't want you to continue see that Oliver boy." She said.
>"Maybe Malcum will know of a nice, wealthy boy that works in his
>business you can date." Mrs. Hall said, ignoring Kim's protests.
>"Yes, I'll ask Malcum during dinner tonight. It's about time you
>start associating with people of your own class." Mrs. Hall
>humphed.
KIM: English?
BILLY: Chemistry?
ROCKY: Sex Ed?
KIM: BAKA!
> Kimberly rolled her eyes and left her mother's rooms. She
>ran to her personal suite of rooms and slammed the door. Kim
>flung herself onto her frilly pink bed. She hugged her little
>toy, white tiger cub close to her chest. Tommy had saved up his
>money to buy the stuffed animal for her birthday and Kimberly
>treasured it. The tiny Pink Ranger buried her nose into the soft
>fur with a sigh. She could smell Tommy's cologne on it.
CROW: Oh, really?
> "Tommy..." She sobbed into the tiger.
>
>*_*_*_* [LE CHEZ JEAN-PIERRE, AN HOUR LATER]
TOM: Okay, now if this isn't the most ridiculous name for a restaurant I've ever seen.
>
> Mrs. Hall lowered her glass of red wine and smiled at her
>date. "The wine is excellent, Malcum, dear." Mrs. Hall cooed.
> "Anything for you, Carolyn." Brewster said. He leaned in
>closer towards Mrs. Hall. "So, how is your sister, I mean,
>daughter Kimberly? I still can't believe that a beautiful, young
>woman like you has a teenage daughter."
RANGER MALES: <BLEAH>
ROCKY: Even I'M not that phony on dates.
ADAM: What dates?
> Mrs. Hall blushed. "Well, I finally put my foot down and
>told her that she is not to see that awful Tommy Oliver again."
>She shivered. "The crazy lies he has been telling her about you,
>Malcum, dear!"
> Brewster covered her hand with his. "There, there,
>Carolyn." He comforted her. "You did the right thing. As sorry
>as I feel for that poor boy, he is insane in his grief. It was a
>tragic accident that caused him to loose his family. And, that
>accursed D.A. didn't help him either. I honestly believe that
>Yoshi, I mean, Tommy is being forced to purger himself by those
TOM: Anybody want to tell me what this sentence said?
BILLY: I believe that word is supposed to be "perjure."
TOM: Oh, good. For a minute, I was afraid Tommy had bulimia.
>cretins! They are only taking advantage of a poor, helpless
>child's tragedy!" Brewster growled.
> Mrs. Hall dabbed at her heavily made up eyes. "And, they
>are attacking you." She straightened her posture. "I never
>thought that a _woman_ should be D.A. Especially one so
>masculine. Uh!" She shivered.
TOMMY: Okay, now, let me see. She's managed to slam Asians, blacks,
and women, right? Who's next?
ROCKY: I'd say Hispanics, but I probably don't have that big a part
in this fic.
CROW: The way she writes, you're probably part Eskimo, anyway.
> "Don't worry about it, dear. My lawyers will handle this
>little misunderstanding. Let's go on to more cheerful topics."
>Brewster suggested.
ADAM: Like you signing the ranch over to me.
BILLY: You must pay the rent!
KIM: But I can't pay the rent!
> "Of course, Malcum." Mrs. Hall smiled. "Which reminds,
>Kimberly needs a new boyfriend. I was hoping that you would know
>of a nice, rich young man that worked for you."
> "I do. My nephew, Austin. He's a few years older than your
>Kimberly, but he's my protegee. I'm grooming him to take over
>Brewster's Industries."
KIM: I smell a rat here...
> "Prefect, just the man I want Kimberly to date." Mrs. Hall
>clapped her hands. "When can we meet him?"
> "I'm having a small gathering next week, only three hundred
>or so of the world's finest. Austin will be there. And, I was
>hoping that I would have the honor of escorting you."
> "Of course, Malcum, dearest." Mrs. Hall smiled.
>
>*_*_*_* [ANGEL GROVE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, LATE EVENING]
>
> Jason Lee Scott nodded a quiet greeting to Paul as he
>entered Tommy's private room. He tensed when he saw a Putty
>Patroler leaning over his helpless friend.
> "Hey, Claybrain, ya lookin' fer trouble!" Jason hollared.
TOM: Good, Jason, wake the WHOLE HOSPITAL and explain why a Putty is there.
>The Putty looked up and waved.
> "Herrroo, Jaassoonn!" Miguel said. Jason relaxed.
> "Sheesh," Jason blushed. "I'm sorry, man. Force of habit,
>I guess." He apologized.
> "Okkee dookkee!" Miguel answered.
> "How's Tommy?" Jason asked as he sat down next to the bed.
>He took one of Tommy's still hands into his own.
> "Siikk." Miguel shook his head. "Feebbeerr noo goo
>doowwnn."
BILLY: Doctor Marcus Putty, MD.
> "Dammit, Tommy, you've got to get better." Jason sighed.
>"We need ya, buddy."
> Miguel looked tenderly at Jason. The mighty Red Ranger, his
>one time enemy, didn't see so fierce now. This quiet interlude
>allowed the Putty to see a new and different side of Jason.
ROCKY: PLEASE tell me this isn't leading where I think it is.
> _I
>know he cares greatly for his friends._ Miguel thought. _This
>is really hurting him. He feels so helpless. I wish I could do
>something, but what can I do? I'm only a Putty. I don't know
>about healing. Dammit, why couldn't I have been made into a
>Nurse Putty. Then, I would have been able to help Tommy!_
>Miguel sighed, then patted Jason on the shoulder.
> "Biiee." Miguel chriped and left the room.
CROW: Bite me?
TOM: Not even close, Crow.
> Jason didn't hear the Putty. He brushed Tommy's sweat
>soaked hair away from his face. The Green Ranger was flushed
>with a dangerously high fever. "Please, buddy, please..." Jason
>whispered, then put his head down on Tommy's bed and cried.
>
>*_*_*_* [HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM]
>
> Speed Racer put the newspaper down when Miguel entered the
>waiting room. Despite having a face that never changed
>expression, the Putty was able to convey his great sadness to
>Speed.
ADAM: Charades work wonders.
> The young racer stood up and approached his friend.
> "Yoshi's not any better, is he?" Speed asked. Miguel shook
>his head and sighed. Rare Putty tears fell down his gray,
>mottled cheeks. He reached up with his large hands and lovingly
>fondled a mood charm necklace.
> When Tommy had worked for Rita, Miguel had been one of the
>many Putties under Tommy's command. He was decent to his clay
>underlings and treated them with respect. Even when Tommy joined
>the side of goodness, he was never as rough with the putties as
>the other Rangers had been.
TOMMY: Excuse me? But I seem to remember consistently beating the crap out of them...
> Miguel had been like a confidant to
>the young Green Ranger, being with him while he spied on Kimberly
>in the shower (his favorite passtime.)
KIM: WHAT?
TOMMY: I didn't! I swear!
> or just listening to him
>talk. Before Tommy had left the castle on what would be his last
>fight as the evil Green Ranger, Tommy had given Miguel his
>necklace with a mood charm on it. Miguel hid it from the other
>putties and his superiors. That simple necklace was his only
>treasure. Miguel now wore it as part of his racing costume.
BILLY: And we had this interlude because?
> "I can't believe this happened so close to the trial,
>Miguel!" Speed growled. "Racer X called the D.A. and told her
>to get an extension. But, we don't know how long to get it for!
>I mean, the doctors can't tell us when Yoshi'll come out of that
>coma! If he even comes out of it at all." Speed whispered. He
>noticed Miguel stroking his necklace. "Where did you get that,
>Miguel? I've never seen you wear it before." Speed asked.
> "Loonngg sttoorrii. Ollddu Frriieenndduu giivvee
>beeffoorree hee goo." Miguel answered.
> Speed smiled at the Putty. Then, he realized that his
>strange friend was crying. Speed hugged the Putty, comforting
>him the best he could.
TOM: Now that was just WEIRD.
>
>*_*_*_* [THE HALL MANSION, LATE NIGHT]
>
> Kimberly woke up from her troubled sleep when she heard her
>phone ring. "Hello?" She asked when she answered.
> "*Hi, Kim, it's me, Billy.*"
> "Billy, what are you doing calling at such an ungodly hour?"
KIM: Yeah, it can't be more than seven in the morning!
> "*I just heard from Jason. He's staying with Tommy at the
>hospital.*"
> "How is Tommy?" Kim bit her lip.
> "*No change. The doctors are really worried about him. If
>the fever doesn't go down soon...*" Billy left the rest unsaid.
> Kimberly wiped angrily at the tears that clouded her eyes.
>"My mother decided that I can't see Tommy any more." She
>whispered. "She wants me to date somebody in my own class."
ADAM: Math?
TOMMY: Let's not start that again.
> "*What kind of nonsense it that?*" Billy yelped.
> "That's not the worse of it. She's dating Malcum Brewster.
>She's been seeing him since she divorced Allen."
> "*I can't keep track of your mother's boyfriends and
>husbands anymore. How do you do it, Kim?*" Billy asked.
ROCKY: Flow charts.
> "I have to. It's not easy." Kim sighed.
> "*Um, Kimberly, are you still mad at Tommy? I mean, for not
>telling you the truth?*"
> "Yes. How could he lie to me like that? Did he think I
>wasn't able to handle it?" Kim snapped.
KIM: I want the truth!
TOM: You can't handle the truth!
BILLY: Okay, who DIDN'T see that one coming?
> "*No, he was just doing what he felt was best. Beside, can
>you imagine how painful it would be for him to talk about loosing
>everyone he ever loved in one night?*"
> "Billy, who was Shio-chan?"
> "*Shio-chan?*" Billy yelped. "*Where did you hear that
>name?*"
> "Tommy was calling out for him or her while I was there."
>Kim responded.
> "*She was Tommy's girlfriend in San Fransico. She died in
>the fire too.*" Billy answered. "*Poor guy must still love
>her.*" He commented.
> "And, he doesn't love me?" Kim yelled.
TOMMY: Not if you yell so much that you sound like Rita.
KIM: Baka! <Smacks him>
> "*No, Tommy loves you, but Shio was like his first love. He
>lost everyone, Kim, not just his girlfriend. All his friends,
>family, neighbors. People he grew up with. Don't begrudge him
>the memories of those he loved.*" Billy admonished. "*How would
>you feel if you lost all of us in a tragic fire?*"
ADAM: I'd go out and order champagne.
> "I couldn't handle it. I'd want to die too so I could be
>with you guys." Kim answered honestly.
> "*So, you can imagine how Tommy feels. He lost EVERYONE,
>Kim, everyone. I know I'm harping on this, but I don't think
>you fully understand. I know I don't. We've never had to go
>through something like what Tommy has had to go through.*" Billy
>sighed.
> "Do you think that's why he was so susceptible to Rita's
>spell?" Kim asked with a sudden burst of insight.
CROW: No, that's because his head was so empty.
> "*Yes. He had just been released from a rehab center. He
>spent a year in the hospital and a year in the rehab center. He
>would have been very weak when he came to Angel Grove.*" Billy
>mused out loud.
> "I guess so." Kim frowned. Then, she added in a rush: "I
>should be with him! Tommy needs me!" She sobbed. "Billy, I'm
>gonna go. I hear my mother comin' home. She'll freak if she
>thinks I'm talkin' to anyone _inappropriate_."
KIM: Guess I can't call Snake tonight.
> "*OK, Kim. Bye.*"
> "Bye." Kim hung up her pink, heart shaped phone. She was
>still clutching her toy tiger to her chest as she laid down.
>_Tommy, I love you!_ Her mind whispered.
>
>*_*_*_* [ANGEL GROVE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, NEAR DAYBREAK]
>
> Jason Lee Scott had drifted off to sleep by his friend's
>bed side. Suddenly, he heard Tommy moan. Jason jerked awake
>and hovered over his friend. The Green Ranger was shaking with
>cold. Jason looked at one of the monitors and laughed. It read
>98.6.
> "YES!" Jason yelled, alerting the nurses. The white
>clothed women pushed Jason aside. The Red Ranger had the sudden,
>irrational urge to grab the nearest nurse and dance.
TOM: Do the Macarena.
TOMMY: <Shudders> Thanks for the image, Tom.
> Paul pulled
>his teacher aside, so he wouldn't get in the way of the nurses.
>One ran out to retrieve clean linen and a fresh, paper thin gown.
>No one noticed the nurse slip out of the knot of people and make
>a quiet call on a cell phone.
> "Mr. Brewster, I have some bad news." She said.
ROCKY: The Cubs lost again.
CROW: This is not news.
>*_*_*_* [THE BREWSTER MANSION]
>
> Brewster slammed the phone down and swore. His nephew,
>Austin, looked at him.
> "What's wrong, Uncle?"
> "That damned Yoshi is going to live!" Brewster growled.
> Austin smirked. "Well, why don't you order Nurse Nancy to
>inject his IV full of poison?" He suggested.
BILLY: Um, because it's traceable as all hell?
> "Very good, my boy. Very good. Call Nurse Nancy and give
>her the order."
> "Of course, Uncle." Austin bowed and left.
>
>*_*_*_* [ANGEL GROVE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, 5TH FLOOR NURSING
>STATION]
>
> Nurse Nancy tapped her pencil against a thick sheeth of
CROW: Sheeth, and I thought Ratliff was bad.
TOMMY: Okay, I call no more spelling flames.
>papers. Just then, her beeper went off. She picked up the phone
>and dialed a number.
> "*Nurse Nancy, you have to get rid of Tommy Oliver. Inject
>him with the poison of your choice.*"
ADAM: What's your poison, sailor?
> "Of course, Mr. Austin." Nurse Nancy said then hung up.
>She slipped a prepared syringe into her white coat pocket. The
>nurse strolled over to the door to Tommy's private room. She
>smiled at Paul, then entered the room. Jason was still keeping
>watch over Tommy.
> "Excuse me, Jason." Nurse Nancy said. "I have to give this
>shot to Tommy." She brandished the needle. Jason flinched and
>scooted aside. She checked the needle for air bubbles and some
>of the liquid squirted out. The sharp smell of bitter almonds
>filled the room.
BILLY: GIVE ME A BREAK! She's a NURSE and she doesn't know that someone can identify cyanide in three seconds?
> "What's in that?" Jason grabbed her wrist.
> "None of your business, little boy." She sneered. She
>tried to jerk her wrist free, but Jason's vise like grip held
>firm. As the nurse attempted to free herself, the needle slipped
>and landed in her leg. Both people watching in horror as the
>syringe emptied its contents into the nurse. The poison hit
>Nurse Nancy immediately. She screamed once and collapsed.
ADAM: Cyanide doesn't work THAT fast. It suffocates the victim-
KIM: Adam, could you just skip it, please?
> Paul
>ran into the room, alerted by the nurse's final scream.
> "What happened, _Sensei_?" Paul asked as he pushed the
>button to call for security.
> "This bitch was working for Brewster!" Jason growled. "He
>sent her kill Tommy!"
> Medics rushed into the room and removed the body. Tommy's
>doctor ran in after the medics to examine his patient.
>Amazingly, Tommy slept through the entire fight.
> "How is he?" Jason asked the doctor quietly.
> "Fine. Now that the fever has broken, your friend is out of
>danger." The doctor announced.
TOM: And if you believe THAT, I have a crater on the dark side of the moon to sell you, cheap.
> "How long will he be asleep?" Jason whispered.
> "Oh, not too much longer, I think." The doctor smiled
>gently at the sleeping Green Ranger. "His body needs to recover
>its strength, so he'll be doozing on and off for a while. Just
>let him sleep when he falls asleep." The doctor advised, then
>left. He bumped into Zach on the way out.
> "Excuse me, sir." Zach said.
> "Yo, Zach, you missed all the excitment." Jason smirked.
> "What happened?" Zach asked.
> "Brewster had some nurse try to kill Tommy." Jason
>answered.
ROCKY: You know, generally it's good to have EVIDENCE before you make these accusations.
> "Damn, he won't give up, will he?" Zach sighed. "Well,
>good night, Jase, you've earned it."
> "Yeah. I'm gonna stop over at Kimberly's to let her know
CROW: If you know what I mean.
KIM: Crow...
>that Tommy's gonna be OK." Jason ran his hand through his short,
>dark hair.
> "OK, see ya." Zach smiled.
>
>*_*_*_* [HALL MANSION, TWENTY MINUTES LATER]
>
> The limo was not parked in its usual spot in the garage.
>Mrs. Hall was at a social function and would mostly not return
>until three or four in the morning. Jason jumped over the fence
>and ran towards the back of the house, where Kimberly's room was
>located. Using the climbing rose trellis, the Red Ranger climbed
>up the side of the house and onto the balcony. There, he
>scratched at the window.
BILLY: Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou knocking at this time of night?
> "Kimberly, wake up." He called out softly. "It's me,
>Jason."
> Kimberly opened the large French doors and stepped out onto
>the balcony. "What's wrong, Jase?" She asked.
> "Just thought you'd like to know that Tommy's fever's
>broken. The doctor says that he'll be OK."
> Kimberly leaned against the side of the door suddenly weak
>with relief. She blinked her eyes hard to avoid crying. "Thank
>God!" She exclaimed.
> Jason smiled at the Pink Ranger. "Yeah, I thought you'd
>like to know." Then, he sobered up. "Kimberly, I know that
>you've heard some negative things about Tommy from your mother
>and from Brewster. You can't believe them. Just tonight,
>Brewster had a nurse try to kill Tommy with poison.
ADAM: Of course, you have no PROOF!
> He's getting
>desperate now that the trial is coming up." The Red Ranger
>paused when he saw the hesitation in Kimberly's eyes. "Kim, I
>know that you're hurt that Tommy didn't tell you the truth about
>himself. I felt hurt too, but then I realized that Tommy was
>doing what he felt to be the right thing."
> "Was he afraid that I'd betray him?" Kimberly snapped.
TOMMY: <Jason> Yes. Face it, Kim, you're a bubblehead.
KIM: Excuse me?
TOMMY: Not you.
> "No, not intensionally, but he knew that your family is rich
>and would most likely be around Brewster a lot. It would be too
>easy to let something accidently slip that could have put us all
>in danger. He knows now that he can trust you and all of us, but
>at first, he felt that he couldn't." Jason grabbed Kim by the
>shoulders. "Kimberly, he's one of US. He's a Ranger. Don't you
>think THAT fact alone should give him more credibility than
>Brewster and his high priced lackeys?" That one statement was
>Jason's philosophy. He and his friends were Power Rangers, an
>exclusive group that none of the other students could join. It
>made them slightly better than a normal teenager and much better
>than an adult. When the newscasters praised the Power Rangers,
>Jason would gloat quietly. He couldn't help it. Kimberly looked
>at him, the nodded.
> "I guess so, but..." Kim sighed. "I'm glad Tommy is
>better. Give him my love." She said, then left.
CROW: <Jason> Oh, I will, heh heh.
>*_*_*_* [BREWSTER MANSION, LATE THE NEXT AFTERNOON]
>
> "What? She killed herself instead of Yoshi! Damn!"
>Brewster swore angrily. Just then, there was a knock at study
>door. Brewster jerked it open. "What is it?" He demanded.
> "Malcum Brewster, you are under arrest for the attempted
>murders of Tommy Oliver and Billy Mitchell and for the arson
>burning of your warehouse." Lt. Stone said. He handcuffed
>Brewster and read him his Miranda rights. Then, Lt. Stone hauled
>the protesting millonaire off to the Angel Grove Police Station.
ROCKY: That was- short.
>*_*_*_* [ANGEL GROVE POLICE STATION]
>
> Brewster looked around the interrigation room in disgust.
>It was plain and gloomy, but yet clean. His lawyer sat
>faithfully by his side. Just then, Lt. Stone, the San Fransico
>D.A. and the Angel Grove City Prosecutor entered the room.
> "Well, Mr. Brewster, what do you have to say for youself?"
>Lt. Stone asked.
> The lawyer stood up. "Mr. Brewster refuses to answer your
>questions, Lt. Stone."
> "Couldn't he tell me that himself, Mr. Bailey?"
BILLY: Well, no, because then he'd be answering one of your questions.
> Lt. Stone
>sneered. "Miss Jones," Stone addressed the young City
>Prosecutor. "Is the judge ready for the bond hearing?"
> "Yes sir." Miss Jones said.
> "Fine, we shall see you in court." Bailey sneered.
>
>*_*_*_* [ANGEL GROVE COURT HOUSE]
>
> The judge banged his gavel and glared at all the persons in
>the court room. Then, he pointed the gavel at Miss Jones. "Miss
>Jones, your case?"
KIM: Darn, left it on the bus.
> "Your Honor, the defendant already has alread been charged
>with arson, conspiracy to commit arson, conspiracy to commit
>murder, murder by arson, felony murder, and asseccory to murder
>before and after the fact. With these new charges, we feel that
>Mr. Brewster should not recieve bail on the grounds that he is a
>danger to the community." Miss Jones read from a prepared
>statement.
> The judge nodded his head. "Mr. Bailey."
ADAM: I've really enjoyed your circus.
> "Your honor, these new charges are frivilous. My client had
>nothing to do with the recent attacks on Thomas Oliver and
>William Mitchell. My client is a respected member of the
>community. Just recently, Mr. Brewster donated money to the
>Salem Courts Housing Projects so that the Shinjuku Tragedy will
>not be repeated." Mr. Bailey said in an oily slick voice.
> "Bail is set at $500,000." The judge slammed his gavel
>down. "Next case."
ADAM: That's it? No evidence presented, witnesses heard, nothing?
TOM: The show's got a time limit.
>*_*_*_* [HOSPITAL, 5TH FLOOR WAITING ROOM ONE HOUR LATER]
>
> Ms. Phillips, the D.A. from San Fransico, paced back and
>forth infront of Racer X, Speed, and Miss Jones. "I can't
>believe that jerk granted Brewster bail!"
> "But at least the bail is pretty high." Speed offered.
> "Not for a man like Brewster. I'm sure he had that in
>pocket change on him!" Ms. Phillips spat.
TOMMY: Yeah, he's got all those millions.
> Just then, Ms. Phillips' secretary ran up to her. He handed
>her a sheet of paper then left. Ms. Phillips read the paper and
>swore.
> "What's wrong?" Racer X asked.
> "Brewster posted bail!" She growled and crumpled the note
>into a ball.
> "So, where does that leave Billy and Yoshi?" Speed asked,
>concerned.
CROW: Up a proverbial creek?
> "Racer X, can you stay with your brother-in-law at all
>times?" Ms. Phillips asked.
> "Sure. What about Yoshi?"
> "Miguel and I can alternate staying with Yoshi." Speed
>spoke up.
> Just then, Jason tapped Racer X on the shoulder. "Mr. Racer
>X, sir, can we help?"
> Racer X turned around and smiled. "Of course, if you want
>to. Yoshi'll need all the friends he can get right now."
> Jason grinned and left to visit Tommy, who was still deep in
>the arms of a drugged sleep. Trini was sitting by Tommy's bed,
>reading a copy of "The Stars Like Dust."
> "Hi, Jason." Trini whispered.
> "Hey. How's Tommy?"
ROCKY: Not dead yet. I'll have to try harder.
> "Still asleep." Trini answered. She put her science
>fiction novel down and brushed Tommy's bangs from his forehead.
>The Green Ranger murmured in his sleep. The Yellow Ranger stood
>up so that her leader could sit down. "Well, I guess I'll go
>home and get some rest. Call me if anything happens."
> "OK, bye." Jason settled down in the plastic chair. He had
>a new martial arts magazine.
TOM: BIG surprise.
> He started to read it when Tommy
>moaned and opened his eyes. The Red Ranger dropped his magazine
>and leaned over his friend. "Hey, Tommy." Jason whispered.
>Tommy rubbed his eyes with a hand covered in medical tape and
>I.V. lines. "Jason?" Tommy's voice was weak.
> "Yeah, buddy?" Jason took Tommy's hand and squeezed it
>gently. "You OK?"
> "Yeah." Tommy closed his eyes. "How's Billy?"
> "He'll be OK. The bullet passed through his leg. Broke
>it." Jason explained.
ADAM: The bullet, or the leg?
> "Dammit!" Tommy cried. "Why does everyone I love end up
>getting hurt because of me?" He wailed.
CROW: Could it be because you're an arrogant idiot who charges into
situations without thinking?
TOMMY: Excuse me?
> Jason grabbed Tommy's uninjured shoulder and shook him.
>"It's not your fault! It was Brewster's!" Tommy glowered at his
>friend, not believing him. "Tommy, I want to tell you something.
>I do know shit about you. I know that you are a loyal and caring
>friend that I know I can count on." Tommy looked down, feeling
>ashamed. Tears fell down his pale face. Jason wiped them away
>with his fingers. "Tommy, Yoshi," Tommy looked up at Jason's
>use of his old name. "Racer X told us everything."
ROCKY: Even about the llamas?
RANGERS: ROCKY!
> "Kim too?"
> "Yeah." Jason answered.
> "How did she take it?" Tommy asked, a knot forming in his
>stomach.
> "I don't know. Her mother has been keeping her on a tight
>leash since the shooting. She hardly lets her leave the house!
>But," Jason smiled. "Kim stayed by your side until her mother
>made her leave."
> "Really?" Tommy perked up.
> "Yeah, and she calls several times a day to check up on
>you." Jason added. "That is when her mother isn't home."
> "I guess she loved this shooting, huh?" Tommy snorted.
>"She never liked me. I guess she was right. I'm not good enough
>for Kimberly." He sighed.
> "Dammit!" Jason swore. "Kim loves you! You make her very
>happy!" Jason brushed the long strands of hair out of Tommy's
>face. "We all care about you, bro. Why didn't you tell any of
>us? Didn't you know that you could trust us?"
CROW: God, don't let this turn into another Tommy/Jason lemon.
TOMMY: Yeah. <Pause> ANOTHER one?
> "I know, but I just wanted to forget about it. It just
>something that's too painful to talk about. And, besides, I
>didn't want to put any of you in danger. I guess that back
>fired." Tommy snorted.
> Jason clasped Tommy's hand. "We're here for you, bro. All
>of us."
> "Thanks, man." Tommy smiled weakly, then his eyes fluttered
>shut.
TOMMY: He died, end of fic.
TOM: Not necessarily.
>
>*_*_*_* [THE MITCHELL HOUSE, A FEW WEEKS LATER]
>
> Tommy stretched out on the couch. He had been released from
>the hospital only a week before and was still extremely weak.
>Little Tara was curled up against his stomach, sleeping. Billy
>and Hacker were quietly talking while Racer X napped on the
>recliner. Mr. Mitchell was cooking in the kitchen. The warm
>smells filled the house. Jedi yawned and plodded into the living
>room and curled up in front of the fire place.
> _A perfect scene._ Tommy mused.
ADAM: And the point of this was?
>*_*_*_* [LATE NIGHT, OUTSKIRTS OF ANGEL GROVE]
>
> Kimberly Harte sighed as Austin Brewster drove her home from
>the Angel Grove Country Club. There had been a large social
>function there. She missed the fun filled dates she had with
>Tommy. Austin smiled sideways at the Pink Ranger. He put his
>arm around her. Kimberly shrugged his arm off.
> "What's wrong, Kim?" Austin asked.
> "Oh, nothing. Just thinking." Kim frowned out the window.
CROW: Don't strain yourself.
> Suddenly, Austin pulled the car over to the side of the
>road. He wrapped his arms around Kim and tried to kiss her.
>Kimberly pushed him away.
> "Austin, stop it!" Kim snapped.
> Austin growled and slapped Kimberly. The Pink Ranger put
>her hand over the red mark on her cheek. She backed against the
>door as Austin grabbed her wrist.
> "Ow! Lemme go!" Kim yelled. Austin ignored her. He
>kissed her again, letting his lips trail down her throat. Kim's
>struggles were useless against his large body. Desperate, Kim
>jammed her hand in between Austin's legs and squeezed the
>delicate package that rested there. Calling on all the strength
>in her tiny body, she kept up the pressure until Austin passed
>out from the pain.
MALE RANGERS: OUCH!
> Kim shoved his body off her and ran out of
>the car. Her high heels slowed the Pink Ranger down. A small
KIM: The heck? No woman who is constantly getting ambushed is gonna wear heels!
>hole, hidden by the night tripped the girl. She fell, twisting
>her ankle.
> "Oh no." Kim moaned. She kicked off her shoes and
>continued to run, ignoring the pain from her ankle and from her
>tender feet as the sharp gravel tore into them.
>
>*_*_*_* [FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER, THE MITCHELL HOUSE]
>
> Tommy was on the couch watching a late night soap opera.
>Since he came to live with the Mitchell's, he had become a soap
>opera addict. He jerked up when he heard some one pound on the
>door.
> "Help me! Please! Lemme in!" Kim cried out.
TOM: There's a terror dog out here!
> Tommy pushed himself off the couch and went to the door. He
>was still weak and it took him longer than normal.
> "Kim!" Tommy called out. "I'm coming!"
CROW: Already?
> He yanked the door
>open and Kimberly fell against him, sobbing. "What happened to
>you?" He lifted her face up and gasped when he saw the bruised
>cheek and bloodied lip. "Did that bastard Austin do this to
>you?" Tommy demanded.
> "Yes." Kim sobbed.
> Tommy held her close as he guided her to the couch. He
>looked down and noticed the bloody trail of foot prints she left.
>"Baby, you're hurt!"
BILLY: The bruised cheek and lip didn't clue you in?
> He hugged her tightly, then, pushing aside
>his own pain and weakness, picked Kim up and carried her into the
>living room. He sat on the couch, draping Kim across his lap.
> The commotion had woken up the Mitchell family, who quickly
>joined Tommy in the living room. Racer X and Hacker examined
>Kimberly while Mr. Mitchell called the police. Billy held Tara
>on his lap, keeping her out of her parent's way.
> "What happened, Kim?" Racer X asked.
> "Austin tried to... We were on Country Road..." Kim
>swollowed. "He's still out there, unconscious. I squeezed his,
>um..." Kim blushed and pointed to Racer X's groin. "Until he
>passed out." Tommy, Billy, and Racer X shuttered.
TOMMY: Tell me about it.
> "I'm so sorry, Kimmie." Tommy whispered in her hair, as he
>held her. "I'm so sorry that bastard tried to hurt you."
>Kimberly clung to her boyfriend. "I promise I won't let him hurt
>you again."
> Tommy held Kimberly while the police questioned her and a
>paramedic, Adam Park, the same one who had treated Tommy at the
>fire at Brewster's warehouse, cared for the cuts on her feet and
>her twisted ankle.
ADAM: When did I become a paramedic, anyway?
> "What are you gonna do about Austin Brewster?" Tommy
>demanded of the officer in charge.
> "Well, we are going to go and talk to him. If we find
>evidence of a crime, then he'll be arrested. Of course, if Miss
>Harte wants to press charges against Mr. Brewster, then he'll be
>arrested immediately." The officer said.
> "Kim?" Tommy asked quietly. "Do you want to press charges
>against Austin?"
> "No, oh god no!" Kim sobbed. "My mother would kill me if I
>did. She'd freak if she thought that I had done something to
>endanger her relationship with Brewster!"
KIM: You know, this is why rapists are rarely convicted.
> Tommy held her tightly, murmuring nonsense words into her
>ear. Kim shuttered with sobs. The officer looked grimly at
>Tommy. He could understand the anger that was shining in the
>Green Ranger's tortured eyes.
> "Mr. Oliver, it won't do your girlfriend any good to go
>after Brewster's nephew. You'll just get yourself into trouble."
>The officer advised, then left with Adam. Adam smiled
>sympathicly at the two Rangers.
ADAM: Sympathicly? Is that some new type of medicine?
> "Kimberly," Mr. Mitchell said. The Pink Ranger looked at
>him. "I want you to stay here for the night."
> "OK." Kimberly sniffed.
> "Um, Mr. Mitchell, I think I have an old shirt Kim can
>wear." Tommy offered. "That old flannel one of mine." He added.
>Mitchell nodded.
> "Alright. I'll drop it off. Um, Kim, you can sleep in
>Billy's old room, if you think you can handle the stairs."
>Privately, he knew that Kimberly would not be sleeping alone that
>night.
KIM: Excuse me? I've nearly been raped, so I'm going to hop into bed with somebody?
> And, he didn't mind a bit. _Frankly, if I were Mrs.
>Hall, I'd be thrilled that such a sweet, gentle, caring boy was
>dating my daughter. I'll have to speak to her the next time I
>see her._ Mitchell thought.
> Mr. Mitchell helped a sleepy Billy back to the downstairs
>guest room. Soon, the entire living room was empty, except for
>Tommy and Kimberly. The Pink Ranger was still shaking with sobs.
>Tommy lifted her chin up, so that her fawn colored eyes looked
>into his chocolate colored ones. Her tears wet his fingers.
> "Tommy, I feel so stupid!" Kim wailed.
> "What do you mean?" Tommy asked quietly.
> "Cuz I almost _believed_ what Mom and Mr. Brewster said
>about you! I let Mom fix me up with Austin Brewster!" Kim
>cried. "I can't believe how..."
> "Stupid your mother was." Tommy finished for her. "Kim,
>it's not your fault. Your mother wants what she thinks is right
>for you." He sighed. "And, she couldn't have known what Austin
>would try to do to you. She had no reason to believe that he'd
>try to attack you."
ROCKY: Aside from the six counts of assault awaiting trial.
> Kim laid her head against Tommy's hard chest. "You're not
>mad at me?" She whispered.
> "No, Kimmie, I'm not." Tommy kissed her soft lips gently.
>She threw her arms around his neck as the Green Ranger deepened
>the kiss.
> "Love me, Tommy." Kimberly purred when they parted. Tommy
>laid her down on the couch...
ADAM: Whew! Tasteful fade number two!
>*_*_*_* [THE NEXT MORNING, THE MITCHELL HOUSE]
>
> Kimberly yawned and stretched. Her face was pressed against
>a hard, bronzed chest. She opened her eyes and found herself on
>the Mitchell's couch, completely naked, and in Tommy's arms. _I
>guess it wasn't a dream._ She thought as she snuggled into
>Tommy's arms. The Green Ranger sighed in his sleep and held her
>tighter. Just then, Billy hobbled into the living room.
ALL: <GROAN>
BILLY: Here we go again!
> He
>looked over at his two friends entwined on the couch. Kimberly
>looked up when she heard the gasp.
> "BILLEE!" She screamed. "Get out of here!"
> "OH MAN!!" Billy backed up and fell on his rear.
> Kimberly wailed and covered her chest. She tried to use
>Tommy's thin body as a shield from the Blue Ranger's gaze. The
>Green Ranger was still fast asleep. Mr. Mitchell ran down the
>stairs and helped his son up.
> "What's going on?" Mitchell asked.
> "She's... He's... No clothes!" Billy wailed. He buried his
>face against his father's chest.
BILLY: I'm not reading this. Tell me when it's over.
> Mr. Mitchell tossed Kimberly the old flannel shirt that was
>draped across the recliner. The blushing Pink Ranger slipped the
>shirt on. It came down to her knees and hid her hands. Mr.
>Mitchell quickly dressed Tommy in his boxer shorts with squirrels
>on it and a Garfield T-Shirt that proclaimed: I don't do
>mornings!
>The Green Ranger was still asleep.
> "What happened?" Mitchell asked.
> "Billy walked in on us!" Kimberly cried out.
> Billy looked at the Pink Ranger and blushed. Kim's cheeks
>were still colored a faint pink. She looked over at her
>boyfriend. Sighing, she poked him in the ribs. She noticed how
>prominate they were. He had lost too much weight in the
>hospital. Tommy moaned and opened his eyes.
> "What?" He slurred.
> Kimberly and Mitchell laughed and shook their heads.
>
>TO BE CONTINUED...
>LOST AND FOUND PART THREE
KIM: You can look now, Billy. It's over.
TOMMY: Let's go.
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