It’s been ten years since the Rangers were all together in Angel Grove.

Thank goodness life is nice and quiet, or is it?

All things Power Rangers belong to Saban and Disney. All things Carri belong to KJ, with many thanks. Demonking belongs solely to Daniel White and Teeg and Rexo belong to KS. The premise of the Coin Series has been borrowed from a story written by Terry, Chris, Daniel, Brice, Katey and myself.

It should be noted that all events in The Coin Series take place in an alternate dimension.

Power Rangers: The Coin Series
Reunions

Kim wanted to strangle Carri. The day was supposed to have been a fun day of pampering and preparation for the reception tonight. Somehow, someway, Carri had parlayed their day into a reunion special for her television show, Boutique Style. Registration began at six thirty and the cocktail reception began at seven. It was now past one in the afternoon and they had yet to get to the spa. Kim was hungry, tired, bored, and more than a little pissed. But in a way, she was also kind of impressed.

When the two had been filming their show, Hidden Adventures, they had done it with a very small crew. Off road, it just hadn’t been practical to try and take along a lot of people and equipment. Carri’s new show, by contrast, was a lot different and way more complicated. Carri’s director was a funny little man, shorter than Kim, with huge plastic glasses. He barked and fretted and, in Kim’s opinion, was more of a nuisance than anything else. No less than three cameras circled around them, complete with sound crews. There was a lighting crew, makeup and hair people, a wardrobe advisor, script people, techs, assistants, assistants to assistants. It was chaos.

Not that Hidden Adventures had ever been off the cuff, everything was well planned before they ever arrived, but it had been a lot more spontaneous than this. This show had a script to follow. It had sponsors to please and a magazine to correspond with. Kim had thought the premise of Carri’s show was so simple. Shop, travel to some place glamorous, shop some more. The reality was that Carri worked very hard.

Today had also seemed like it would be a simple affair. Sign on to do a reunion special with Carri and let the spa and boutiques pamper and dress them for free, well almost free. Working with Carri again had sounded like so much fun. It was supposed to be a great way to get her mind off the butterflies in her stomach. But right now, Kim wasn’t having much fun.

They were at the Power Rangers memorial in Angel Grove Park. Carri was shooting the intro scene and was on take five. When the director said he wanted to shoot it again from a different angle, Kim stood up from her seat on the white Ranger’s foot and stretched. Pretty good likenesses, she thought, evaluating the ten-foot stone replicas. Except the pink Ranger was too tall. She frowned, both hands folded upside down on top of her head. Not that anyone except a select few would notice the pink Ranger statue looked a lot more like Kat than it did her. The boobs were just way too big.

“It won’t be this bad for long.” Carri said as she passed her. “Once we get to the spa, it’ll be just you, me and the cameras….and a few sound people.”

“Thank the Power for small favors.” Kim muttered.

Carri responded by turning around, puckering up her lips, and blowing a kiss.

“Have I mentioned lately that I hate you?” Kim called. Carri waved absently over her shoulder.

The cameraman assigned to Kim chuckled and she turned to glare at him.

“That’s gonna be great for the blooper reel.” He said. Kim looked around the camera to the middle aged man behind it. She had actually known him from the other show, but not well.

“Carri didn’t exactly mention it was going to be like this.”

“Little dif from the Andes, eh?”

Kim rolled her eyes and worked her jaw, arms crossed in front of her. This was definitely not like the old days. There was no time to be spontaneous, to work the chemistry. It felt odd to be with Carri, out of place. Kim found herself feeling uneasy with the camera. After two hours of Look happier! Loosen up! The director has assigned Kim her own camera and taken Carri off to get some better footage. Kim had simply sat down and brooded. Then and idea hit her.

“Bloopers?” she asked, “You want to hear about bloopers? Did Carri ever talk about the time she hyperventilated half way up Mt Hood?”

“Oh yeah baby, here we go.” The cameraman said into his headset. The next thing Kim knew, she was surrounded by a small crew who followed her through the park. She found her stride and started flirting with the camera they way she used to. The crew was in stitches and every time she got a laugh, she dove into more accounts of disasters, prissiness, and just plain bad behavior on Carri’s part.

It took Carri about half an hour to figure out what she was up to. By all rights, she should have been furious, but she was thrilled to see Kim get back into the swing of things. The closer she got to the little group, the bigger her smile became.

“Oh yeah?” she said, coming up from behind Kim and wrapping her neck in a mock choke hold, “How about the time that guy in Africa kept trying to buy you off the cameraman?”

After several minutes of one-upping each other, they burst out laughing and hugged tightly. Chemistry restored, they spent an extra hour shooting little scenes around town before heading to the spa. Kim watched as the owner gushed over Carri, assuring her that they were not at all late and brushing aside her apologies. She covered her mouth to hide a smile as Carri demurred. In truth Carri felt the man would get more business off this one episode than a year’s worth of advertising. She didn’t feel at all bad about asking him to close his salon for half a day or keeping his employees waiting an hour.

For the next three hours, Kim and Carri were fed, massaged, exfoliated, polished and manicured. They kept up their banter as their nails were polished, hair styled, and eyelashes curled. When they emerged for the final shot dressed to the nines in Ashley Hammond’s latest creations, the little director bit his finger and pronounced this to be the best episode in years.

Way behind schedule, they jumped in a van waiting to take them back to Jason’s condo, where they’d leave for the reception. The two giggled like girls for a good ten minutes until the van hit traffic and then sat back in their seats.

“Wow,” Kim said simply, turning to look at her friend. Carri was dressed in a simple, yet very fashionable gold, pantsuit with a halter-top around her neck. It was backless and the top was cut down to her waist. A large tortoise shell broach just below the bust held it together and kept it from being more daring than it could have been. Her long dark hair was pulled up fashionably and a pair of chandelier earrings dangled from her ears. Carri had been looking out the window, but turned when her friend spoke.

“What?” she asked.

“You look like you just stepped off the cover of a fashion magazine.”

“Thank you.” She said. “You too.”

“Do you think it’s a bit much?” Kim asked.

“What?”

“Us.” Kim said. She gestured at her own outfit. It had a short white jacket, which made it slightly more conservative than Carri’s, but only slightly. She adored the soft, crepe like fabric of her top with its swirling shades of red and pink, but it had been a long time since she had worn something cut this low. “It’s a reception, the party’s tomorrow.”

Carri made a dismissive gesture, “It’s still a cocktail hour. We’re dressed for cocktails.”

“At the Ritz maybe,” Kim replied, “But Angel Grove High?”

“Everyone was dressed up for the cocktail thing at my reunion three weeks ago.”

“Yeah, but Carri, Jason and I went to public high school, not some fancy prep academy in Manhattan.”

“It wasn’t in Manhattan,” Carri countered testily, “It was just outside.”

“Same diff.”

Carri crossed her arms and looked out the window as the van stopped and started in traffic. Her reunion had been horrible. She wasn’t sure what she had expected when she had gone back to New York with Jason, but certainly not what happened. Oh sure, her old friends had embraced her, going on and on about how wonderful her show was and how they all watched and told their girlfriends they knew her. Even David’s new fiancé said she was a big fan. Carri just hadn’t expected them to all be so… well, hollow. There was nothing to them. Some had married, others were about to be married, some had vowed never to marry, and some were actively looking.

They all slept late, lunched with their mothers, shopped all day and clubbed at night. Those who had become mothers had become carbon copies of their own mothers. They talked about nannies and preschools or music and riding lessons. This was the life she had fled in panic, vowing to break out and change, and yet they acted as if she was the same old Carri. They believed she lived the same life they did, she just did it on TV and had become wonderfully famous and successful in the process.

Jason had endured it all stoically. Smiling, nodding, returning useless conversation about mindless topics. They loved him because he was with her and she was one of them. On the last night, she and Jason had dragged back to the small apartment she kept for layovers and to visit her family. He had dropped his jacket on the chair and pulled his tie off roughly.

“Jesus.” He swore, “And I thought California society was fake.” He said, “You owe me for this one Car. Seriously, you owe me.” She had said nothing. She simply walked into her bedroom and shut the door. She waited until she heard him close the door to his own room before she rolled over on her bed and burst into tears.

“Alright, I take it back.” Kim said, misreading the look on her friend’s face. “We both look fabulous, I had an awesome time, and you’re the best friend in the universe for putting it together.”

Carri waved her away, still looking out the window. “It’s not that.” She said, wiping a stray tear. Kim saw it and leaned over, putting her hand on Carri’s arm.

“What is it sweetie?”

“Do you think,” Carri started, then paused trying to think of the best way to phrase it. “For the first nineteen years of my life, I was a total clone of my friends. Social, doing the pack thing. Then I broke out, did my own thing, re-created my life. I told myself for nearly twenty years I was a fake Carri, but now I’m a liberated and free woman.” She turned her head away from the window and looked Kim straight in the eyes. “Do you think maybe the Carri on Hidden Adventures was actually the fake Carri and I’ve just been deluding myself into thinking I’ve changed my life around?”

“Why would you say that?”

“Because at the reunion in New York, they were all so willing to embrace me. It was like I never left, nothing had changed. They still consider me part of the pack. David actually shook Jason’s hand.” Carri added, referring to her ex-fiancé. “You should see them Kim. They sleep all morning, shop all day, club all night.”

“Okay..” Kim said slowly.

“That’s what I do! That’s what my show is all about. I travel somewhere, I shop. I go someplace else I spa. I go to the beach, I tan. They pay me to do it.”

“Such a hard life,” Kim drolled.

“It is a hard life damnit.” Carri snapped. “Always traveling, the jet lag, the hotel rooms. God, the hotel food.” She made a face. “Always working to make it new. The sponsors want this, the fans were disappointed about that. What we did in Turtle Cove, just the two of us? That was fun. The show is…its work. And those women totally identify with it. That’s their life, the life I left, and they see no difference between them and me. They think I just live it on TV.”

“When are you up for renewal?” Kim asked softly.

“September.” Carri answered. “They want me to commit to three more seasons. I should be flattered; it’s an awesome offer. They’re going to pay me a ridiculous amount of money.”

“But you don’t want to do it?”

Carri shrugged. “I’d be stupid not to. Do you know how many people are waiting in line to be the next me?”

Kim giggled, she couldn’t help it. She quickly covered her mouth, but Carri crossed her arms and turned her face back to the window. “I’m so sorry.” Kim apologized. “If you could hear the way that sounds.” She reached her hand out, but Carri shrugged it off and didn’t turn back around.

“For the first time since I left home, my mom said she was proud of me.” Carri sulked. “And I’m so burnt out it isn’t even funny. But what else can I do? I mean, it’s not like I need the money anymore, but where do I go from here? Everyone keeps insisting this job is perfect for me.”

“Do you think maybe you want to quit because your mom approves of it?” Kim asked. Carri shrugged again, but still didn’t look back.

“I don’t know why I want to quit. I just feel like I’ve taken this thing as far as it can go.”

The van was picking up speed now as it broke free of the bottleneck. Carri finally turned around and met Kim’s eyes. “I’ll be nearly thirty-one when the next contract’s done.”

Kim took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I don’t think you’re burnt out at all.”

“You don’t?

“Nope, I think you’re cremated.”

Carri chuckled softly, but quieted after a moment. “Remember Everest?” she asked, referring to the trip where she and Kim had known their TV run was over.

“Do you think you’ve reached Everest again?”

“Yeah,” Carri said. “I think I’ve gone about as far up as I can go. I’m numb and I need oxygen or I’m going to turn blue and choke.” A short silence settled between them and both girls looked out separate windows for a while.

“I don’t think you’re anything at all like those girls you grew up with.” Kim said finally.

“Why? Because I’m so ADD I keep quitting while I’m ahead and still can’t figure out what I want to do when I grow up?”

“Nope, I think you know yourself very well. I think you play a good spoiled princess on TV, but when it comes right down to it you’re a focused and driven woman who has done a damn good job of making it on her own. You co-produce that show now right?” Carri nodded and Kim continued. “You know you’re capable of more than you’re doing right now and you understand that the road you’re on isn’t going to take you where you need or want to go.” She paused and clasped Carri’s hand in her own. “You’re not weak Carri, you’re very brave. You’re not afraid to recognize what’s going on and call a full stop to your life so you can change directions. The power knew what it was doing when it touched your life.” She said, referring to Carri’s brief tenure as a yellow Ranger. “You understand it and you understand it’s moving you again.”

Carri shrugged and shook her head. They had been speaking softly, but she leaned closer to make sure the driver couldn’t hear them. “I accidentally fell through a damn time portal.” She whispered. “It wasn’t like I was handpicked to be a Ranger, it just happened. I was there, Zordon needed a body, so I got tapped.”

Kim shook her head. “The power only chooses the best. It would have been very easy to leave you behind in the Power Chamber. Instead, you suited up and joined the team. There are no accidents Carri, no coincidences. Zordon knew that deep down inside you, you have the strength and the courage to change the world. It’s up to you to recognize that in yourself.”

The van had slowed and was turning into Jason’s complex. Carri wiped the tears from her face with her palms as it came to a complete stop, but she didn’t open the door.

“I’ve missed you so much.” She said as she leaned over and embraced Kim. “You really are the best friend I’ve ever had.”

“Sisters.” Kim said, returning the hug.

“Yeah.” Carri sniffed.

“If you two lovers are done,” Jason Scott said in a gruff voice, “We’re late.”

“Ok, ok, we’re coming.” Carri sniffed again as she exited through the door Jason had opened. He frowned when he saw her face. “You ok?” he asked.

“Yeah.” She said, nodding. “Kim just convinced me I need to quit my job.”

“Great.” He answered sarcastically, helping Kim out of the van. “Good job pinkie.”

“Watch it monster breath.” She shot back.

Jason rolled his eyes, “The car.” He pointed. The two girls laughed and allowed themselves to be herded towards the waiting car.

It took another forty-five minutes for them to get from Jason’s lake front condo to the school. Kim’s heart was pounding as she entered the door and headed for the old gym.

“Smells the same.” She commented. Jason nodded and directed her toward a registration table marked E-H while he and Carrie joined a small line for Q-T.

“Kimberly Hart!” the woman on the other side of the table exclaimed. “I’d thought for sure you’d be a no show tonight; better late than never.”

Kim stared at the woman. She was dressed to the nines, with big jewelry and even bigger nails.

“Oh come on,” The woman laughed. Kim wondered if it was a fake laugh or if it always sounded forced. “Cherry…Cherry Pingly.” She said. “Well, Cherry Lewes now.” She held out her left hand and waved a huge diamond ring.

Recognition dawned on Kim’s face. Cherry must have had massive amounts of surgery in the last ten years. She had a smaller nose, a higher cheeks, and a gigantic chest. Nothing of the woman before her even remotely resembled the girl Kim had known. Except the tone of her voice, Kim remembered that now.

“Total weight eleven carats” Cherry nodded, still waving the hand. Kim looked at the large ring.

“It’s beautiful.”

Cherry smiled a sticky sweet smile. They had never particularly gotten along. Cherry had been queen bee at Stone Canyon and had reestablished her territory with a vengeance when redistricting had brought her to Angel Grove sophomore year. Kim, who was related to two of the oldest and most established families in Angel Grove, had always been considered popular and it burned Cherry to no end that Kim, who was actually a very busy pink Ranger, could have cared less about befriending her. She had also hated Kim because Tommy wouldn’t look twice at Cherry, no matter how available or willing she made herself.

“Let’s get you registered.” Cherry said sweetly. “Here’s your nametag. No date tonight?”

Kim shook her head as Cherry handed her a clear plastic nametag with her yearbook photo from junior year.

“Oh well, I’m sure you’ll find a single or two to converse with.” She pointed at the nametag. “Don’t forget you’ll need that both tonight and tomorrow to tour the school or if you’re coming to the dance at the Lakeside Grand Hotel. You never got to go to a dance here did you?”

Kim was quickly remembering the downside to high school. Cherry belonged to what Tommy had once referred to as the snot pack; ever so popular and ever so stuck up. She smiled tightly, “Tommy and I went to the Jr. Policeman’s Ball.”

“Oh I remember that thing. I went with Garret Masters. He plays pro ball down in LA now. So what have you been doing with yourself?”

Kim didn’t answer right away, trying to think of a way to cut and run. She neatly pinned the nametag to her hip, then looked back up. “I just started work on my masters.”

“Oh? What subject?”

“Botany.” Kim said and Cherry just nodded. “Plants.” she explained.

“As in, farming?”

“No, biotechnology.” Kim said.

“Huh?”

“I’m studying how to making better flowering house plants.” Kim said simply.

“Oh that’s right, you were in a club for that weren’t you?”

Kim nodded lamely. Good God, was Cherry going to keep here all night with polite conversation? She looked over her shoulder and found Jason and Carri still waiting in line. The one time in her life the H line was actually shorter than the S, she was stuck with Cherry Pingly…uh, Lewes.

“I finished my masters years ago before I got married. My Robert’s a surgeon.”

“Plastic?” Kim asked before she could stop herself.

“Yes! Have you heard of him? He’s very well known with the celebrity crowd.”

Kim shook her head politely no.

“Oh, well.” Cherry continued. “I just can’t picture you locked away studying house plants. You were always so...bouncy.”

Kim just smiled.

“Well, I guess that’s what happens to those of us who peak too early.”

“It was good to see you again Cherry.” Kim said abruptly, gathering her reunion booklet and backing away from the table. “Maybe we’ll see each other inside.”

“Oh I’m sure.” Cherry replied. “I’m the head of the reunion social committee.”

“Great.” Kim said flatly and smiled as much as she could force herself to. She turned and walked to the other table.

Carri took one look at her face and immediately asked what was wrong.

“Nothing.” Kim said tightly. “The one girl in high school I just happed to hate with a passion just checked me into the reunion. This is going to be a hell of a night Carri.” She said through clenched teeth.

Carri looked back at Kim’s registration table. She had trouble believing Kim could actually hate anyone and her curiosity was tweaked. The object of her gaze looked like a walking Barbie doll with poufy hair.

“Who? Big boobs?”

Kim burst out laughing. She couldn’t help it, all the tension of a few minutes before suddenly released. Every eye in the registration hallway turned to look at her. She looked back at Carri and the two giggled like schoolgirls.

“Great.” Jason said, handing Carri a nametag. “We haven’t even hit the bar yet.”

“It’s the gym Jase. You think someone will spike the punch?” Kim asked.

“We’re adults,” he said. “Adults get the real stuff.”

“And if we don’t?” Carri asked.

“Then we move the party off campus.”

Jason wasn’t exactly thrilled about putting himself in the middle of a large crowd. Crowds tended to send his powers into sensory overload. A few years ago, an event like this would have been impossible. The sooner they could round everyone up and move off school grounds, the sooner he’d relax a little and enjoy this thing. The late arrival of the girls and heavy traffic back to the school had put him in a grouchy mood. Not that being grouchy was all that uncommon for him anymore, he thought sadly. He enjoyed his powers, they came in very handy most of the time, but learning to control them had been the most difficult task of his life. He’d suffered months of vertigo and migraines as his vision constantly shifted from pictures to heat signatures. Understanding what he now saw had been like learning a new language. Learning how to turn it on and off seemed impossible.

It wasn’t like being a Ranger, where you suddenly and instinctively knew how to do something. It fell into place slowly, a micron at a time, and he’d spent hours curled in a ball with his eyes pressed shut against his fists until he could gain control over the images. Managing the aggression that came with his new physical strength had also been a challenge. In desperation, he’d thrown himself into martial arts, honing his focus through the repetition of endless forms and physically beating out his anger out on the practice bags. Slowly, painfully, he’d mastered his powers and begun to develop them. Now they were second nature. He loved who he was, what he was. His power was part of him…and no one could take it way.

His gaze drifted over to Kim. She’d had an equally hard time adjusting, but they were through the worst of it now. He knew she’d been up to something recently, he just didn’t know what. It rankled him. The two had died together in Maligore’s pit of eternal fire. They were the same creature, twins of a sort, regenerated at the same time, and made from the same power. He didn’t like being shut out.

The rational side of him supposed he had only himself to blame for her distance. He had behaved badly when he found out she was soliciting advice from Rita. He’d been scared though. He knew his own struggles and temptations. Their powers were connected, it was far too easy to give into the darker side of them. He didn’t want her misled by the former evil sorceress. He understood her desperation though, and he had to grudgingly admit, Rita had helped her tremendously.

“I’m for going right now.” Kim said and turned toward a door marked as an exit.

“Too late Cinderella.” Carri said, reaching out and turning her around. The ball has just started and you’ve got a long way to go before midnight.”

“I was afraid of that.” Kim muttered.

The gym hadn’t changed much in 10 years. Seniors Rule, Class of 2007 was painted in bright green and gold across one wall. Painted next to that was a figure Kim assumed was James Bond and another 007 in big, black numbers. The bleachers had been folded up and tables had been set out along the side. It was very crowded. Kim was frankly amazed, she hadn’t remembered going to school with this many people.

To Kim’s chagrin, it took Carri about a minute to locate her cousin Katherine. Kim slowly backed away and merged into the throng. She would leave that particular reunion to Carri for a while. Conversations buzzed around her, people hugged, shouted, called to each other. She felt lost and very much aware that she was alone and not part of a group. She was so intent on her surroundings, she failed to notice when a small hand reached out and grabbed her arm. She jumped and spun around coming face to face with a small black haired woman with kind eyes.

“Kim?” the woman had asked her.

“Oh my God! Trini!” Kim exclaimed, hugging her friend tightly. Trini had been her best friend and fellow Ranger. Although they had stayed in touch, Trini had moved to Switzerland to work on the Junior Peace Council and had stayed in Europe after graduating absentia like Kim had and their contact had been limited over the years to emails and an occasional Christmas card. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

“Neither can I.” Trini said. “I wasn’t going to come.” She admitted.

“Me neither.” Kim confessed. “Can you believe this? She asked, indicating the busy gym. “I can’t believe this is all our class.”

They were bumped and jostled by a rather large group of guys moving past them who were loudly trying to get the attention of another group of equally loud guys.

“Were those the football players or the baseball players?” Kim asked. Trini shrugged her shoulders and gave her an amused look.

“I saw some tables over there, want to sit down?”

Trini nodded and the two worked their way to the other side of the bleachers. Refreshment tables and a small bar had been set up and Kim was amused to note it was non-alcoholic.

“You’re husband didn’t come with you?” Kim asked as they sat down.

Trini paused slightly. “No.” She said quietly. “He’s in Stockholm visiting his family.”

“Oh.” Kim said simply. “Well, I can’t tell you how glad I am to see you. E-mail’s just not enough.”

“He’s divorcing me.” Trini said flatly watching Kim closely for her reaction.

“Oh.” Kim said, caught off guard. Trini nodded and looked away.

“Are you ok?” Kim asked.

“I guess.” Trini offered. “I mean, I only just found out a few hours ago. Well, I guess it’s been a few days since I knew it was coming.”

“Oh.” Kim said. She hadn’t been expecting that. The last she had heard, Trini was exploring the option of having a family. “Is it a good thing?”

“The divorce?” Trini asked. Kim nodded. “I guess so.” She answered, looking a little uncomfortable. “Do you think I’m going to be the only divorced one from our group here?” She asked hesitantly.

“Oh no.” Kim assured her, reaching out and grabbing her hand. “Uhm, that is, Billy. Billy’s ah, I’m not sure what they called it. Jason said something about a dissolution of conjoinment or something or another. Actually I’m not entirely sure they were really married, but Billy calls her his ex and he’s told everyone he’s divorced now.”

Trini nodded and the two just looked at each other for a moment. Kim took a deep breath. She wondered briefly if she should say anything more at all, then decided she should.

“And me.” She added.

“You?” Trini asked incredulously. Kim nodded, then broke into a long explanation of how she had met Elemi, a red Ranger and one of the sons of the emperor of Rheiga 4, and how he had tricked her into marrying him. She avoided any mention of Zordon or the coins, but told of how he had chased her across the galaxy and tracked her down on Earth. She told of how arrogant and controlling he had been and how he had turned around and become so loving and kind to her. She admitted that she had, at one point begun to return his affections, but in the end the marriage had been dissolved and it was for the best that it had.

“Did your family or anyone from Earth ever find out?” Trini asked.

“My mom thinks I had a mishap in Vegas.” She admitted. “She told me every girl needs a practice husband and I’ll get it right the next time around.”

“I like that.” Trini said. “Practice husband. I wonder if my mother will buy it. She’s devastated. No one in our branch of the family is divorced. At least she’s held off from saying she told me so.”

Kim nodded understandingly. She knew that Trini’s family had emigrated from Vietnam less than twenty years ago. Her mother was very old fashioned and had not been particularly excited about her only daughter marrying a Swede she’d met on the Peace Council.

“Mind if I join this conversation?” A voice interrupted and Kim looked up into the face of Billy Cranston.
“Hi!” she exclaimed and stood up to hug him. Smiling, Trini came around the table and also embraced her old friend.

“So, what are we discussing?” Billy asked as he took a seat.

“Divorce.” The two said together.

“Wonderful,” Billy said, shaking his head a bit. “I know all about that subject. My ex took everything, I came home with the clothes on my back.”

“That’s about all I’ve got right now.” Trini replied.

For the next few minutes Trini told them both of how she had come home one day to find her husband with a woman she didn’t know. The woman was pregnant, and her husband had basically given her a few minutes to pack before his girlfriend moved in. Since she was an American, the house and all the bank accounts were in her husband’s name. Geirge was technically Swedish by birth, but his mother came from Switzerland and that connection allowed them both to live there full time. Now that he was divorcing her and she didn’t have a work permit, she was forced to leave.

It had all happened so fast. She just wasn’t sure what her rights were. Fortunately, she had already purchased her ticket to the reunion. So, she had basically come home to her mother with a suitcase and nothing else. She grieved for a few of the things she’d been forced to leave behind and was incredibly embarrassed by the whole situation.

“Bastard.” Billy muttered and Kim nodded in agreement.

“Other than volunteer work, I haven’t had a job in five years.” Trini said. “Geirge wanted me home. I don’t know what I’m going to do. The idea of living the rest of my life with my mother…” Trini let the sentence die.

“Anything I can do to help.” Kim said. “I’ve got plenty of room in my house. It’s only a few hours from here. And clothes, my God, Carri’s idea of house cleaning is to throw everything on the floor into a box and ship it to me. She’s a lot taller, but when I like something, I just have it altered. I’ve got tons of clothes that I’ll never have the chance to wear and it looks like we might still be about the same size.”

“Anything I can do as well.” Billy said. “I reside on base at NASADA, but I can think of half a dozen employment positions you’d be more than qualified for. In fact, I’m been searching for several months to procure an associate who’s qualified to mediate between the NASADA hierarchy and myself. You’d be perfect.”

“Billy, why would you hire me? I have a degree in political science, not the physical sciences.”

“I need a mediator who can keep the other scientists and chain of command off my back.” Billy said dryly. “A degree in astrophysics is the least requirement. Besides, there are very few I’d trust inside my lab unattended.” He smiled reassuringly. “You’d be perfect. That is, if you wouldn’t mind dealing with me on a daily basis, I seem to have developed a reputation as a curmudgeon.”

“I wouldn’t mind working with you at all. I just hope I don’t disappoint you.”

“Trust me,” Billy said. “If you want, I can have you gainfully employed by the morning.”

“All right then. Thank you.” Trini said earnestly. “I feel so much better now.”

She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Life had seemed so hopeless this afternoon. She hadn’t wanted to come, to face her old friends. For the first time since she left Europe she actually felt like she might be ok.

“Here’s to practice spouses.” Kim raised her can of soda up high and both Trini and Billy clicked it with theirs.

“You ditched me!” Carri said testily as she came up from behind with Kat and Jason in tow. “I was beginning to think you bolted and took a cab home.”

“Jason, hi!” Trini exclaimed and came around the table once again. The next few minutes were taken up with introductions. Carri was introduced to Billy and Trini and Katherine Hillard introduced her new fiancé, Chris Black. As the table filled, more of their old pack found them. Adam and Rocky brought with them Tanya, Aisha and her boyfriend Grant, and Rocky’s girlfriend, a pretty girl named Marie.

A new table was brought up alongside the first one and before long, Kim found herself at the end of a long table with just about every Ranger she had ever worked with as a girl. Tommy and Zack were the last to arrive, informing Jason that they had made all the arrangements and everything should be ready in about an hour.

“What’s going on?” Kim asked and Tommy looked up, as if just noticing she was there.

“Hi.” He said simply.

“Hey.” She said back. “What are you guys up to?”

“You’re look’n good Miss Kim.” Zack chimed in. “The years haven’t touched you.”

“Thank you.” Kim said, nodding in Carri’s direction. “Carri dressed me and forced me here.”

“She did a good job.” Zack said, glancing over at Jason’s girlfriend. He was envious, Carri was a knockout.

“Flirt.” Kim said, unimpressed. “You’re changing the subject.”

Zack leaned closer. “Moving the party off school grounds.” He said conspiratorially. “Rangers only, no civilians.”

“Ah.” Kim said. She wondered how long it would take them to change the venue. Not that the gym wasn’t a good place for the reception. It was just, the gym.

“We checked into a suite this afternoon over at the Lakeside Grand.” Zack continued, indicating Tommy. “It’s apparently about half a mile from Jason’s place.”

“That’s where the dance thing is tomorrow right?” Kim asked. Zack nodded.

“We’ve got real food and real beer on the way. Thought with so many of us in one place again, it might be better to have our own little reunion where we can talk without being overheard.” He said.

“Fabulous.” Kim said. “I’m starving.”

Zack laughed at her, but the truth was she hadn’t eaten much of anything the whole day and was feeling more than a little queasy. Her head had started to ache a bit. She guessed the day had just been too long. Getting out of the noisy gym and getting something to eat sounded wonderful.

“So what’s the conversation on this side of the table?” Tommy asked, indicating the females on the other half of the table who were animatedly ooing and ahing over Kat’s engagement ring.

“Divorce.” Trini said plainly.

“Oh.” Tommy said, “That’s uh, interesting.” and he turned back to the females talking about weddings. He was stuck in the middle of the table and couldn’t see or hear anything except his ex girlfriend on the right showing off her new ring and his other ex girlfriend on the left who was looking way to good to be at a high school reception. It was going to be a long night.

“So was the marriage annulled or did you actually go through a formal termination?” Billy asked Kim. That got Tommy’s attention, he turned around and gave her a questioning look.

“Actually,” Kim said, trying to avoid the looks by Zack and Tommy, “Not many people even know about it. It’s kind of hard to explain to people outside the, well, you know, on the outside.”

Billy, nodded, “My apologies. I still have difficulty remembering we live in a closed society.”

“No offense taken.” She assured him, “Actually, I’m not sure. I just know that the Rheigan government declared it dissolved. We just sort of left it at that.”

“They call it a disolvement on Aquitar too.” Billy said. “It was difficult to swallow at first, but it was to our mutual benefit.”

“You got married?” Tommy asked quietly. Kim nodded; the look on his face was precious. “When?” he asked.

“Last year.” She said. Tommy sat back in his chair, stunned. He’d been a little busy recently, but still, he should have known about that. Someone, somewhere would have mentioned it. Wouldn’t they?

“And you’re, uh, divorced now?” Zack asked

Kim nodded, “Almost immediately.”

“What happened?” Zack asked again.

“Zack…” Trini chided.

“No, it’s ok,” Kim added. “Nothing happened Zack.” She leaned closer to him so the rest of the table couldn’t hear. “We were two Rangers, from two very different teams, and from totally different worlds. It was completely doomed from the start.”

“You might say, what happens in Vargas stays in Vargas.” Billy added.

“What?” Kim asked.

“Vargas, the capital city of Rheiga 4. It’s a parody. Vargas, Vegas.”

“You made a joke?” Kim asked incredulously.

“Is that such a difficult conception?” he asked.

“I’m so proud of you.” Trini laughed. “It’s actually funny.”

Kim sat back in her seat. “Look at him,” she said, “He thinks he’s so cute.”

“Actually, my lab assistant thinks I’m very cute.” Billy retorted.

“Oh ho!” Zack chimed in.

“I’m going to the bathroom.” Kim announced and stood up. She looked over at Trini, “You wanna come or do you want to sit here and listen to more from these wise-asses?”

“I’m coming with you.” Trini said. As she edged her way out and around the table, she slid her hand along Billy’s shoulder and smiled at him.

“Good job.” She said. “You actually ruffled her.”

Billy smiled, his heart beating a little faster than he knew it should. Trini divorced? That was the best news he’d heard since returning to Earth. Trini had always been nice to him. Despite the social challenges of his youth, she had always understood him, encouraged him. He’d had a massive crush on her when they were younger, but as she had never given him any encouragement that she returned his romantic inclinations, he remained silent. Youthful insecurities had eventually given way to adult confidence, but by then she was gone, as if she’d never been there to begin with.

He was in a good position to help her now, possibly the best position of his adult life. Despite his young age, he had a very senior position at NASADA and had become very, very wealthy from his inventions over the years. Fortunately, his ex wife had been far more concerned with his inventions on her home planet than any he might have developed for his own. What she didn’t know about, he had never bothered to volunteer. He wanted to help Trini, if nothing else, she was a friend and a former Ranger. But possibly, just possibly, the power was sending him a much desired second chance.

Katherine had seen Kim and Trini stand up and make their way through the gym to the exit. She stood up and excused herself.

“Where are you going?” Aisha asked.

“I’ll be right back.” Kat smiled. “Save my seat for me will you?”

Aisha nodded and Kat walked off in search of Kimberly. She found her, not at the closest Ladies room, but one located further down the hall past the lockers. Trini greeted her as she came in, but Kim just continued tore-apply her lipstick.

“The other girl’s room still overflowing?” Trini asked.

“Ah… yes. Yes, I can’t believe how crowded it is. I was always told no-one ever attended reunions.”

Trini smiled at her and she returned the smile. This was only the second time she had met Trini, although the Ranger community was a small one.

“Uhm, Kimberly, do you have a sec?” Kat asked. Kim had been focusing intently on her lipstick and trying her best to ignore her. She turned the color down slowly in its well, replaced the cap, and slid the tube into her clutch.

“Sure.” She said simply, not looking at Kat, but examining her hair for flyaway strands. Trini frowned slightly, but all she said was, “I’ll meet you back at the table then.”

“Want to go sit down on the stairs?” Kat asked, indicating the main stairway by the lockers outside.

“Why not.” Kim said and followed Kat out the door.

Once on the stairs, Kat started the conversation a bit hesitantly. She didn’t blame Kimberly for acting a bit cold towards her. In fact, she didn’t blame Kim for a lot of things anymore; she just wasn’t sure how to say it. Once upon a time, they had been good friends, but that was before she had gotten serious with Kim’s ex-boyfriend.

“I wanted to say,” Kat began and stopped. “That is, I’ve been wanting to speak with you for a while. We live so far apart now, I just didn’t think a letter would suffice. I’m really glad you came tonight.”

Kim simply looked at her, hands folded on her lap. Well, Kat wondered, what had she thought? The last few occasions the two had gotten together had ended in shouting matches. “Kimberly I’m sorry.” Kat said at last. “I’ve been awful to you for a very long time and you haven’t deserved it. I blamed you for Tommy’s inability to let go of the past, that had nothing to do with you and it wasn’t fair.”

Kim took a deep breath and looked away, letting it out slowly. Her first instinct was to reach out and smack the blond woman sitting next to her, but that was uncalled for. If Kat was trying to make amends, she would at least hear her out. In his last days, Zordon had frowned deeply on the grudge that had developed between the two and Kim knew firsthand what could happen when Rangers quarreled against each other. Anger was good for no one; everyone lost.

“Nothing ever happened between us Kat. We broke up when we were seventeen. We were kids when we were together. We talked about it adnauseam after Muirantias and again a few years later. We were two kids in puppy love who grew up into different people, going different directions. Tommy never told me he regretted the fact that we broke up and he never asked me to come back.” In fact, Kim thought silently, he had flatly refused to take her back when she had tried to retract that stupid Dear John letter she had written him. But that wasn’t something she was going to say now. “We never had an affair.” She said firmly.

“I know that.” Kat answered.

“But you’re wrong about Tommy not regretting you left him. I lived that relationship for over four years Kim. Anytime someone would bring up your name he’d instantly want to know what they had to say. He watched every sports and media event, every TV show; he’d even buy the magazines and save the articles. He’s kept every picture of you stashed away. I found the box once and I was so jealous I couldn’t stand it.”

Kim looked at her hands and worried her fingers together. That information she hadn’t known about. She frowned, it just didn’t coincide with what Tommy had told her himself. He’d been very adamant. She had left, it was over. Period.

She wondered how much of it was Tommy holding on to the past and how much was Kat’ own jealousy. There could be perfectly good reasons for his behavior. For instance, the Tommy she had known was a pack rat, never throwing anything out. And it could just be simple curiosity. Wasn’t she guilty of ordering a satellite dish just so she could watch the Reefside news in the evenings? It wasn’t that she was pining for Tommy; she just wanted to know what was happening to him and his team of Rangers. Still, having been through several relationships herself, she could understand how his girlfriend would have been upset by his continued interest in her. Katherine reached out and put a hand on her arm.

“I just wanted you to know that I understand now that I was angry at Tommy. I unfairly directed that anger it at you.” Kat said, “I wanted that relationship to work so badly. I really loved him Kim. But, after the Rangers, we had so little in common. I wanted to dance and go to recitals and he wanted to go dig up fossils in the dirt. Our whole relationship was based on something that didn’t exist anymore.” Kat swallowed hard before continuing. “The harder we tried to make it work, and we did try, the more we ended up being angry with each other.” Kat removed her hand and placed it back in her lap. “I couldn’t stand the idea of being angry or disappointed with him, so I lashed out at you. You had done nothing wrong, I was unfair and I’m a big enough person to admit it. Will you forgive me?”

Kim closed her eyes and bit her lip, wonder just how many years of therapy Kat had undergone to come up with that statement. Her head was pounding so hard she could barely focus on the conversation. She wanted to go lie down. What was with her? It was like all her energy was draining away. When she opened her eyes, Kat was still looking earnestly at her.

“Thank you for the apology,” she said softly. “Of course I’ll forgive you.”

“Can we start our friendship over?” Kat asked hopefully. Kim didn’t answer, but smiled at her and nodded. It was going to take more than one conversation to erase all the years of angst, but if Kat was willing to make amends, she’d also give it a try. Unexpectedly, Kat reached out and hugged her, catching her off guard.

“I’m so happy.” Kat said, relief heavy in her voice. “I just wasn’t sure. I mean, after all these years…”

Kim waved her away. “It’s fine Kat. I appreciate the olive branch. So you and Chris are engaged huh?” Kim asked, changing the subject. She wasn’t sure what she thought Chris Black was going to be like. Carri pretty much despised the guy. The only picture she had seen, Chris was sporting dreadlocks and looking really goofy. She had to admit, the cleaned up version escorting Kat to the reception tonight was kind of cute… and he was very charming; in a weird sort of way.

Katherine nodded and smiled broadly. “Yes.” She held out her left hand and showed Kim her engagement ring.

“It’s lovely.” Kim commented.

“Yes, I love it. It was his mother’s.”

“She must be happy too then.”

“Mmm, yes, she’s a wonderful lady. She’s been hoping Chris and I would make it official for a long time now.”

I’ll bet, Kim thought, but she held her tongue.

Kat looked down at her ring and smiled wistfully. She loved Chris, even for all his faults. She wasn’t entirely sure if Chris had asked his mom for the ring or if his mom had given it to him and insisted he propose, but at least it was official.

Chris had moved in with her a little over three years ago on the presumption that they would soon be getting engaged, but nothing ever happened quickly with Chris. He had his own timetable. After a few years of substitute teaching, she had just been offered a plumb job teaching Kindergarten a one of Angel Grove’s oldest and most exclusive K-8 academies. It didn’t pay much, but the hours were very easy and she managed to rent out the small school auditorium after school and teach dance lessons.

She adored her students and the parents loved her. Mothers now vied to get their children into her classes. After school dancing had increased from three classes a week to twelve and she had just added on two etiquette classes for the older girls. She wasn’t making a fortune, but she was doing very well for herself. She swallowed hard. She understood that taking on Chris meant she was going to have to do well for herself.

He was a good man, she reminded herself, he was the kind that would always be there for her. He’d never run off at a moment’s notice to go who knew where for who knew how long or keep secrets from her. He was just a little too willing to let her and his parents take care of him. It was easier to ask his mother to give him the money for his half of the bills than go out and work at a job he hated. After a while, she hadn’t even tried to ask him to take responsibility for his share. She’d pay the bills on time, write up a statement, and mail it to his mother. A check would simply come back to her within a few days.

“I’m happy for you.” Kim said.

Katherine looked up at her old friend. “Me too.” She smiled.

“There you guys are.” Carri said, walking up and sitting down on the stairs near her cousin. “I was getting a bit worried when you two disappeared.”

“Nah.” Kim said dismissively. “We were just talking about boys.”

“Ah,” Carri answered, “And just what about boys were we discussing? Come on girls, dish it up.”

Carri was thrilled. She’d been worried when she saw her cousin leave and follow Kim. She had expected a catfight out in the hallway, yet here her cousin and her best friend were, easily conversing like there had never been a rift.

“What was that about boys?” Jason asked, walking up to the stairs followed closely by Tommy. Carri grinned at him. Apparently she wasn’t the only one anticipating a fight.

“Boys?” Kat offered innocently, “We weren’t talking about boys.”

“Then what were you talking about?” Tommy asked.

“Toys.” Kim said flatly. “Are you guys sure you want in on this conversation? It might get a little intimidating for you.”

Just then a white light exploded inside Kim’s head. She gasped and clutched the side of her head protectively, body swaying on the step.

“What is it?” Katherine asked concerned.

“Nothing.” Kim said a bit too breathlessly. The actual pain had only lasted a second and the light was dimming, but the experience had left her shaken. She felt weak, like a truck had slammed into her.

“It’s nothing.” She insisted, sitting up shakily and resting her head on the wall.

“It’s not nothing.” Jason insisted, pushing in-between Kim and Katherine. He sat down next to Kim and put an arm around her protectively.

His eyes glowed for just an instant and Tommy realized he was adjusting his vision, reading her heat signatures. He’d heard of Jason’s abilities, but it was a bit eerie to see them in practice.

Jason’s fingers traced the side of Kim’s head; she was sweating and breathing heavily. Kim lifted her hand and clasped Jason’s fingers as a small energy passed between them. It was a trick they had learned since Muirantias. Their powers were born of the same energy; it was easily shared from one to the other and they gave and took without asking anymore. Kim’s eyes came into focus again and she realized Tommy, Kat, and Carri were staring.

“What happened?” Jason pressed.

“A flux in the continuum.” She said. “Someone opened a portal to our sector, a big one. It was as if the whole morphin grid just got knocked on its axis.”

“What does that mean?” Tommy asked, a familiar knot forming in his stomach.

“I don’t know.” Kim admitted. “But it’s definitely effecting the balance of the continuum in our system.”

“How can you tell?” Kat asked. At Kim’s hesitation, a realization dawned on her.

“Oh my God, you’re still a…” She stopped herself. Carri was sitting just a few inches away and she was suddenly very unsure what to say. Kim had just spoken of portals and morphin girds right in front of her cousin. Did she know? She was Jason’s girlfriend, they had been together a long time, had he told her about the Rangers?

Kat looked at Tommy and the look on his face said he was wondering the same thing. She looked at her cousin, who was busying herself with an imaginary speck of dust on her knee, then looked back at Kim, who looked away from her and said nothing.

“Come on Kim,” Jason said, pulling her up to a standing position. “Let’s get you home.”

“I’m fine.” She insisted. “It’s over and gone. I can’t feel anything now except the hunger pains in my stomach. I let myself get too hungry, it’s over heightened my sensitivity… are we going to Tommy’s for some real food or do I need to seriously attack the cookie table?”

“I think we should go home and get changed first.” Carri offered. Kim didn’t look so good and if she was going to get sucked through another portal or get pulled into a fight, she wanted to be wearing real clothes; not Prada heels.

Katherine was just staring at her. Carri felt very uncomfortable, she had never told her cousin of her experience as a Ranger or that she had retained her Ninjetti powers. Things had been weird between them at the time and afterward it just didn’t seem like she should. She broke eye contact and gave Jason a questioning look. He nodded, obviously thinking along the same line.

“You’re still shaking, we’ll go home first.” Jason agreed giving Kim a look that meant no arguments.

“Need any help?” Tommy offered casually.

“Believe me bro, you’ll be the first one I call if we do.” He put an arm around Kim, and helped her down the last few stairs.

Kim avoided looking at either Tommy or Kat. Damn, she had really messed things up. Was she ever going to be able to control her powers? The headache should have been the first clue that something wasn’t right on the grid and she’d ignored it.

Carri leaned down and kissed her cousin on the cheek. “I’ll catch you later.” She said. Kat reached up and grabbed her arm, giving Carri a questioning look. Carri smiled regretfully.

“I’m sorry.” She said lamely. “I couldn’t tell you Kat.” It wasn’t exactly the truth, but pretty close to it. She had simply felt like she couldn’t tell her cousin. She jerked her right arm in a fast counter clockwise motion. On her wrist appeared a thin silver band, which encased a gold Ninjetti power coin. Katherine stared at it for a second, her eyes lighting with recognition, and then nodded. Carri jerked her arm back clockwise and the band and coin disappeared.

“We’ll talk later ok?” she said, squeezing her cousin’s shoulder. She brushed past Tommy and headed down the hall to catch up with Kim and Jason.

“Good Lord.” Kat said to Tommy. “Did you know?”

Tommy gave her a wry look and shook his head. “Well,” he admitted “I knew Jason had experienced some pretty huge side effects from that Muirantias adventure with Divatox…and I kind of figured if he had them, then Kim must have had a few too. I’ve just been so busy the last few years I haven’t paid as close attention as I should. It makes sense they’d both gravitate back to the Rangers though.”

“And my cousin?” Kat asked.

Tommy shrugged, but didn’t answer.

“I guess we should go back in and join the others.” Kat said. Tommy nodded and allowed her to walk ahead of him into the gym.

“Are you coming over tonight?” He asked her, referring to the get together he and Zack had put together.

“I wasn’t going to, it might be hard to explain to Chris why I’m going out again by myself, especially with you there. Maybe I’ll just ask him if he’d mind me going along with Aisha and Tonya. He’s bored. He might not want to go out with you guys again, no offense.”

“None taken.” Tommy said. He wasn’t all that impressed with Chris. Even if he removed himself from the fact he was Kat’s ex-boyfriend, Chris was just not someone he’d hang out with or offer a beer to. He wondered briefly what Katherine saw in him, then decided not to let his thoughts take that route.

It was nearly ten that evening when Jason, Carri, and Kim joined the others at the suite Tommy had checked into at the Lakeside Grand. The conversation was in full swing when Tommy opened the door and it came to a sudden and abrupt halt when they walked in. All eyes were on Carri and she felt very conspicuous.

“Carri’s one of us.” Kim said nonchalantly jerking up her thumb at her friend. The conversation paused for a few more seconds while Jason nodded confirmation and then resumed as if it had never ceased.

“Ok,” Carri said stiffly, “No pressure. Maybe I should just go back to the condo.”

“Excuse me?” Kim asked, turning to face her friend. “Didn’t we just have this conversation earlier?

“Very funny.” Carri shot back making a face.

“Where’s the food?” Kim asked, turning to Tommy. He pointed to a small dining table pushed off to one side with open containers reading Bulkmyere’s.

“Fabulous,” she said, putting one hand flat on his chest and pushing him out of her way. “I’m starving.”

Tommy gave her an amused look, and turned at Jason questioningly.

“Everything ok?” he asked. “I would have expected that from Rocky, not Kim.”

Jason shrugged, looking more indulgent than concerned. “Whatever opened that portal didn’t want to be found.” He said simply. “Kim burned a lot of energy searching…didn’t find anything to speak of though.”

“You think it’s still here?”

“My luck is never that good.” Jason said casually. “It’d be too good to be true if this was just was just a short visit. We’ve got a pretty good idea who it is, the question is where.”

“Who do you think it is?” Tommy asked, mentally going through a list of known possibilities.

“I’ll be honest with you bro, we’re not positive, but there just aren’t that many that can jostle the grid like that and then hide from Kim, she’s good at what she does.”

“And that would be?” Tommy pressed.

“Ah the six million dollar question.” Jason responded. “For that my friend, you need to offer me a beer.”

“Right over here.” Tommy steered Jason toward the table.

“Car, you want one?” Jason asked over his shoulder. She nodded and started to follow, but Katherine and Aisha ambushed her.

“So sit down,” Aisha urged, gesturing to the long sofa against the wall, “Tell us all about it.”

“About what?” Carri asked, taking a seat in the center next to her cousin. Carri looked a little hesitantly around the group of people surrounding her. Some she knew, but most she really didn’t. Aisha had sat down next to her on the couch. A guy introduced to her earlier as Rocky was sitting in a large overstuffed chair, opposite them. She’d heard about him from Adam, but they’d never met before tonight. Off to one side Adam and Tonya shared a seat on the footstool. Tonya she knew a little, but not well. She and Adam would visit on the rare occasion all three were in New York at the same time. She was actually quite a famous singer, but Carri hadn’t heard much of her music. Beyond the sliding glass doors, out on the balcony, Carri could see Billy, Zack, and Trini talking quietly. She looked back over at Jason, who had his head together with Tommy and then Kim, who was nearly attacking a chicken sandwich at the other end of the table.

“It’s alright honey.” Tonya encouraged. “We’re all family here.”

Adam nodded. “I have to say, I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised, but I am.”

Carri smiled at him and rubbed her palms against her jeans. She and Kim had changed at Jason’s condo. No matter how hard she tried, Kim couldn’t find any trace of the disturbance that had rocked her earlier, but the three agreed to stay prepared.

“Uhm, I’m not sure what to say.”

“So what kind of Ranger are you?” Aisha asked.

“Yellow.” Carri said uncomfortably and that drew a round of soft laughter from the group.

“We kind of guessed that already.” Aisha said.

“How?”

“Your tank top.” Katherine chimed in. “Some things never change.”

“Oh.” Carri said, absently pulling the yellow cotton fabric.

“She means what team.” Rocky offered.

“What team?” Carri asked numbly. She looked up and met Rocky’s eyes, noticing for the first time they were really quite nice. She had a thing about eyes. She stopped herself, remembering he had a girlfriend and she supposedly was serious with Jason.

“Carri’s a Ninjetti.” Kim said, joining them from across the room and sitting on the floor by Aisha. “The team was based out of Phaedos, it became defunct after we sacrificed the zords. We turned in our morphers and came home.”

“Duclea?” Rocky asked and Kim nodded, her mouth full of sandwich.

“So you have an animal spirit guide?” Adam asked. The others groaned, but Carri smiled at him.

“Panther.” She said, feeling a bit more confident now that Kim was close by.

“Aw man.” Adam sighed and the others laughed.

“He’s the frog.” Aisha offered by way of explanation. “He’s got a bit of a complex.”

“Cirno’s was the cockroach.” Carri offered helpfully.

“A roach?” several people asked at once.

“It’s actually a very powerful and ancient little beast.” Kim offered in defense of a teammate who couldn’t be present. “Nearly invincible in fact, not to mention a cool looking zord.”

“I’m not sure I feel so bad anymore.” Adam offered.

“It actually suited him.” Carri admitted and Kim choked on a bit of her sandwich. Their eyes met and she could see Kim silently agreed with her.

“I’d like to meet him someday.” Adam said, but Kim shook her head,

“I’m afraid that’s not possible.”

“Why not,” Kat asked. “Ranger code keep you from revealing identities even to retirees?”

Carri cringed. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to understand she was a bit put out Carri hadn’t confided in her. She understood Kat’s feelings and resolved to talk it out privately with her.

Kim shook her head, swallowing the last of the sandwich. “He’s dead.” She said simply.

Carri gulped hard, her stomach sinking. It was true, she realized. After six thousand years, both her other teammates were long gone. It was just odd to think about it that way.

“I’m sorry.” Kat said, grabbing her cousin’s hand. An uncomfortable silence followed before she added. “Well, that certainly explains why you dropped everything and ran off with Kim on that TV show.”

Carri readjusted her seat, but remained silent. Kat still didn’t know that the show had been long over by the time the whole Ranger thing happened. She gave Adam an annoyed look and he grinned at her.

“I mean,” Kat continued, “It was just so completely out of character for you. What you’re doing now is so much more the Carri we all know.”

Carri removed her hand from her cousin’s, the other fisted tightly by her side. For a brief second, there was a look of pure murder in her eyes. She willed her fist open and forced herself to relax. Kat loved her, they had been very close once. Her comment was not meant to be mean, it was the opinion of a family member who had known her well as a child. It was from someone, Carri realized, who simply didn’t know her anymore. If it had touched a raw nerve, that wasn’t her cousin’s fault.

Kim had seen the look on Carri’s face, as had Rocky, but Katherine hadn’t. Katherine was smiling brightly at her cousin. “I’m so happy we don’t have that secret between us anymore,” she said, genuine warmth in her voice. “I have so much I want I want to share with you that I haven’t been able to tell anyone in our family.”

Carri returned Kat’s smile, but then turned and shot Kim a brief, overly annoyed look. From the other side of the room, Rocky had been able to observe both and briefly wondered about it. The two cousins looked obviously related, but they also looked very different from one another. Where Katherine had naturally light blond hair and blue eyes, Carri’s were both dark brown. The way they held themselves was different too. Where Kat was elegant and sweet, Carri seemed to border on audacious. She had a saucy confidence about her, even when she was uncomfortable in her surroundings, that was striking. Jason’s girlfriend was, quite simply, the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen in his life. He’d had to force himself not to stare at her at the reception earlier. He certainly hadn’t been expecting to see her again tonight. He had had seen his girlfriend Marie home to her apartment, kissed her with a promise to see her tomorrow, and looked forward to a casual evening with old friends.

He was content with Marie. They had known each other since childhood, but she was five years younger than he was and he hadn’t paid much attention to her as a girl. His mother had set them up when Marie returned home from college two years ago and they had been together ever since.

For Marie, Rocky was a good, honest, hard working man who made a good stable living at his karate school. For Rocky, Marie was everything his mother wanted for him. She was a good girl, from a good family, and she’d make a good wife and a good mother. Rocky knew both families expected him to make things permanent fairly soon. Marie had mentioned more than once on the way home how pretty Katherine’s ring was and how happy she looked. For his part, Rocky was just uneasy about it. He loved Marie, but there was just something missing.

He had to admit, he was more than a little envious of Jason. His friend had scored himself a smart, beautiful, successful woman who could share every aspect of his life; even the Rangers. Not that he was really part of the Rangers anymore, but it would be nice to have someone to share that experience with.

When he’d turned in his morpher, he’d actually been more than thankful for the break. He was the oldest of his mom’s kids and felt a huge responsibility to take over what his dad had left behind. The demands of helping to support his mother and his five siblings had all but consumed his life since graduation from high school. But looking at Carri now, he felt the first rumblings of being sorry he left.

“What I want to know,” Tommy said, joining the group from across the room, “Is if that shirt of yours is pink… or red.” He’d pulled a chair over and now straddled it, arms folded across the back, looking directly at Kim. He looked more than a little pleased with himself, like a cat with feathers floating about his head. All eyes in the room turned on her. She regarded him casually for a moment.

“I’m not a morphing Ranger at the moment, if that’s where you’re going.” she said casually “So I guess I don’t have any color.”

Tommy grinned, “That’s not exactly what I heard. I heard you three still have your Ninjetti powers.”

Kim turned her eyes calmly to Jason, as if evaluating what else he might have already disclosed. To the best of her knowledge, he knew very little of her involvement with the Nova Rangers, other than she was once married to Elemi. Jason, for his part, simply pulled up a chair next to Katherine, handed a beer to Carri, and took a swig from his bottle. Kim turned her head back to Tommy.

“What, the legendary Tommy Oliver can’t distinguish colors?”

“I’m not sure I can even tell the difference in this light.” Adam offered.

“Pink is only one shade removed from red anyway.” Kim answered dismissively.

“Oh hold on a second,” Jason broke in, “Those are fight’n words.”

“Never, underestimate the power of pink baby.” Kim bantered back and smiled seductively.

“Oh please...not that line again.” He answered.

“So what is it?” Rocky asked, “You wearing red now?”

“I was born a pink Ranger,” she said, looking at Jason, “and I will die a pink Ranger.” She concluded, looking over at Rocky. Then her eyes met Tommy’s, “Whatever other colors may happen in-between.”

Outside the sliding glass doors of the suite, the full moon shone brightly and innocently in the distance. On the other side of that glowing orb, however, a dark and massive shape lurked.

“You brought us too close.” Rexo hissed. “She knows we’re here. We should retreat immediately before she can call the Rangers.”

“Not until I have the staff.” A soft, feline voice purred. “I’m but moments away from securing it. Go and supervise the viratrons… Do not return empty handed.”

“We should return to our mission.”

“First thing first.” Teeg purred, sliding one long nail languidly across the viewing globe. Once that staff is in my possession, precious Kimberly will have her little hands far too full defending her pathetic little world to be of any further assistance to the Nova Rangers. Then, and only then, will we resume the mission.”

The End

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