Author's Note:  Thanks to QuesTails for her support during the writing of these chapters.  Thanks to Julia and Starhawk for the proofs.  Thanks also goes to Starhawk and Blue, "The HTML Masters", for getting "Do You Remember?" posted to my site.  :)  And thanks to everyone who has waited this long for this.

 Tommy observed how Adam balled up his fists and put them up in front of him.  Something looked different and Tommy couldn't quite place it.  He wiped his face and held his hands up, balling them into fists as well.  That's when it hit him.  It wasn't exactly sweat he'd just wiped away.  Tommy looked up quickly.  Had Adam seen him crying?  Obviously so, and Adam didn't know how to react.  Tommy closed his eyes and dropped his arms to his sides.  His stomach felt like it was being seared with lava.  He opened his eyes to see Adam just standing there  Evidently quite nervous, his guard was dropped as well.

 Tommy shook his head and swallowed, "Um, I'll take a rain check, OK?" he chortled in a half-ass attempt to laugh.

 Adam walked up trying to hide his relief and clapped Tommy's shoulder, "No problem."  He started to leave it at that, but thought better of it.  "Tommy, are you OK?  Do you want to talk?"

 Tommy just shook his head.  He was so unsure of his voice that he dared not answer aloud.

 "Tommy," Adam started, but got no further.

 "Adam, I really got to go.  I... I'll see you later."  Tommy rushed to get the words out.  He quickly picked up his gym bag and tried to run out of the Youth Center without drawing any more attention to himself.  He was only partially successful, as Tanya and Rocky noticed his abrupt exit from their table.

 Adam found himself alone and thought it was about time he went to find out what was going on between Tanya and Rocky that had them both so upset.  He walked over to their table, expecting the worst.

 "What's gotten into him?" Rocky asked, pointing after Tommy as Adam took a seat beside Tanya at the table.

 Adam shook his head.  "He's got a lot on his mind."  He looked over to see Tanya emotionlessly staring off into the distance.  He looked back to Rocky, "What's up with you guys?"

 Tanya just silently shook her head.  Rocky motioned with his eyes from Tanya to Adam.  Yup, Adam thought, something had been up.

 Rocky stood and scooted his chair in.  "See you guys later."  Adam caught himself mentally reaching out and begging him, 'Don't go!'.  He knew Tanya wasn't in a, what you may call, pleasant mood.

 He rubbed his sweaty hands on his pant legs and asked, "So, do you want something to drink?"

 Tanya looked over at him slowly, "If I want something to drink, I'll get it myself."

 He just stared; his gut telling him to stay quiet.

 "Oh," she said sarcastically, putting her hand to her face, "I'm sorry Adam.  Did you want to get something to drink?  And I turned you down again!  I'm so sorry."

 Adam only looked at the table, sucking on his bottom lip.  He couldn't find his voice, and he wouldn't have known what to say if he could have.

 "I guess I'm just such a terrible person because I won't go to one concert with you,"  she said, staring hard enough to burn a hole straight through him.  "Funny, you didn't seem so hurt when you were stuffing all that pizza down last night."

 Pizza her folks had paid for, he thought.  But it was about more than just one concert.  And he hadn't wanted Rocky to say anything.  He had to try to explain; he had to try to stand up for himself.  "Tanya, let me explain..."

 She held up her finger, "Not a word."

 That just made Adam realize how mad he really was.  But for some strange reason he found himself sitting quietly staring at her.

 After what seemed like an eternity of unbroken silence, Tanya stood.  "I'm going home."  She scooted her chair in and turned her back on Adam.

 He stood and put a hand on her shoulder, "We need to talk about this."

 "You're right," she turned, raising her eyebrows as she attempted to stare him down, "we have a lot to talk about."

 "Why don't you sit down and we can--"

 "I said I'm going home."

 "Can I call you?"  He asked hopefully, his anger quickly disappearing.  He only wanted to make things right.  And unfortunately, lately it seemed to involve him doing the apologizing.

 Tanya looked away.  Making eye contact was suddenly hard to do.  His eyes look so innocent, she thought.  She started to hate herself for allowing her defensive wall to fall so suddenly, just by looking into those eyes that had made her melt so many times before.

 "Can I?"  He asked again, putting his hands on her shoulders.

 She looked up, but still couldn't make it to his face.  "Rocky and I said some pretty bad things to each other."

 Adam looked down at Tanya's face.  "I didn't know he was going to blow it out of proportion like this."  She finally looked up and Adam felt his heart flutter.  "The last thing I want is to hurt you Tanya."

 She shook her head as she wrapped her arms around his neck and his arms went around her waist.  He suddenly felt her grip tighten as she talked, "I'm sorry Adam."  She's crying, he thought.  Maybe not.  She sniffed.  Yup, she was crying.  Adam looked around, not exactly knowing how to handle the situation.

 He patted her head, "Please Tanya, don't cry..."  He felt his own eyes burning, almost like he was going to join her if she kept up.

 Adam was the best thing (outside of finding her parents) that had happened to her since she had come to Angel Grove.  To think that something so silly could've driven a wedge between them like that.  She pulled away and looked at him.  The tears streaking her cheeks gave her face a strangely attractive glow.  She feebly smiled, "You know I can't stay mad at you."  She wiped her nose across the top of her hand, "especially when I started it."

 "You didn't start anything," he humored her.  He wasn't going to sweat the details now.  "Everything's cool."  He kissed her cheek, tasting her salty tears on his lips.

 She hugged him again.  Just then applause broke out around them.  They looked around to see everybody smiling and clapping.  Adam felt his face on fire from blushing.  They'd just given a nice little soap opera performance for everybody to observe.  Tanya bowed to the crowd, turned to Adam and pulled his face down to her as she kissed his cheek.

 "They'll also be performing next week at the Beach Club!  Don't miss it!"  Ernie yelled out as everyone laughed. Adam waved sheepishly as he grabbed his bag and put his arm around Tanya.  Together they walked to the door.  "See you guys later."  Ernie said smiling, throwing up his hand.  Tanya grinned back at Ernie and leaned into Adam and they walked out.

The hamburger was in her mouth, but she couldn't taste it.  She swallowed, and it raked down her throat in lumps.  She was being spoken to, but she couldn't make out the voice.

 "You all right Kat?"  Robert asked her.  He stared at her with a concerned look from over his hamburger platter.

 "Yeah," she answered with a nod.  She looked back down at her tray, observing the shine that the grease left on everything.

 "So how long have you been teaching ballet?"  he asked, sucking his drink down.

 "Huh?"  She had her concentration interrupted again.  It's just, the grease... , it was suddenly so interesting.

 Robert's eyes kind of sank, "Umm, maybe you need to be alone right now."

 "Why?"  she asked, shaking her head as if to dismiss the very thought of him possibly leaving.

 "It's just, well... you act like you got a lot on your mind, that's all," he answered.

 "No," she played with a 'chip', "I just got a load taken off my mind."  She observed the smear she'd mindlessly been making in the ketchup.  "Things couldn't be better."

 He stared at her for a minute.  "Okay."  He looked down at his food.  "So, how long?"  He asked again.

 "How long what?" she answered confused.

 Robert shook his head and decided to change the subject.  "How long until you're ready for dessert?"

 She smiled and wrinkled up her nose, "I don't think I could go for it."  She took a bite off the fry she'd been playing with.

 "It was really cool of you to invite me to the Cheap Trick concert."  He smiled, "I really appreciate it."

 "My pleasure," she said smiling back and resting her head in her hand.

 "I wonder if this will be a regular concert, part of a 'three night stand', or one of their 'Budokan' dates."

 "What's a 'Budokan'?"  Kat asked, clearly puzzled.

 "You know, At Budokan?  They have specific concerts where they only sing songs from that album to commemorate the album's 20th anniversary.  They also have 'three night stands' where they sing songs from their first three albums on consecutive nights.  But since they're only playing here one night, I assume it's not a 'three night stand'."  Robert watched her expression, "Have you even heard of Cheap Trick before?"

 "Of course I have," Kat responded, a little irritated.  She knew very little about the group, but wouldn't admit it.  "They sing that song "The Flame"."

 "Okay, okay, I'm sorry.  You have heard of them.  They won't sing "The Flame" at the concert, but that's them all right."

 "Why won't they sing it?" Kat asked, a little disappointed.  It was the only song she was sure that they sang.

 "They just won't sing it anymore."  Robert was starting to get suspicious about the situation.  "How did you get these tickets anyway?"

 "I bought them, how else?  Do you normally quiz people this way?" she asked defensively.

 Robert sat back in his chair, a look of understanding crossing his face.  Kat suddenly felt exposed.  "I'm flattered...," was all he said.

 "By what?" she asked, her stomach knotting up.

 "Of all the guys in Angel Grove, you chose me to try to make Tommy jealous."  He rubbed his hands together.  "I must say, it's an honor."

 Kat stared at the table, not able to look up.  When she had asked Robert out, she hadn't intended to use him to make Tommy jealous.  But she was beginning to realize that that was exactly how it looked.  "It's not like that."

 "Oh?"  He motioned for the waitress.  "How is it then?"

 "It's just..."  Think Kat!  "You're a good guy and a good friend..."

 He grinned as the waitress started over.  "It's okay.  I'm just teasing.  I'll let you off the hook... this time."  He ordered a piece of cheesecake for himself, looked at her and asked, "What about you?"

 Kat shook her head, "No thanks."  Her mind was turning back to Tommy.  She balled up her fists.  How could he say that to her?  How could he treat her that way?  Okay, no revelation here; he was still hung up on Kimberly.  But for crying out loud, was that a reason to lash out at the people who care about you?  People who think the world of you?  People who are hopelessly in love with you?  Kat felt her eyes starting to cloud.  Damn you Tommy!  You're not making me cry, she thought, not now and not ever again, but especially not in front of Robert!  He's supposed to help me forget about you.  She looked at Robert as he sucked down more soda, not a care in the world.  She suddenly felt so envious.

 She stood, "I'm going to visit the little girls' room."

 "Don't get lost!" he said after her with a smile.

 She walked into the bathroom and went up to the mirror.  Sure enough, the whites of her eyes were a nice shade of pink.  Her face contorted in anger and she bit into her bottom lip as the tears began to flow.  She hated Tommy for this, but even more she hated herself for letting herself reach this point of desperation.

 Behind her a toilet flushed and an old woman stepped out of one of the stalls.  Kat sniffed and made an attempt at clearing up her smeared eyeliner.  She wasn't quick enough as the woman saw her face.

 "What's the matter honey?" the old woman asked.

 Kat shook her head and attempted to grin, "Did you ever know somebody so stupid that you couldn't help but feel sorry for them?"

 "Honey," the old woman patted Kat's back, "don't call yourself that.  I'm 83 years old, and I've been where you are."  She grinned knowingly at Kat.  "Only a man could make you feel like this."

 Kat turned and leaned against the sink.  "Is it that obvious?"

 "Trust me, you're not wrong for having feelings."  The old woman walked up to the sink and started washing her hands.  "You wouldn't be human if you didn't."

 "It sucks being human," Kat said smiling, attempting to joke.

 "Yes," the old woman agreed, shaking the water from her hands.  "But please, don't think it's the end of the world.  Things always get worse before they get better.  Always remember that."  She ripped off a towel and started drying her hands.  "Tell yourself, 'This too will pass'.  You're too young to suffer like this."  She put her hand on Kat's shoulder.  "Besides, I'll bet a girl as pretty as you has guys beatin' down your door," she said with a grin.

 "Well," Kat found herself wanting to smile from the slight relief the woman had given her, "I wouldn't say beating."

 "Do you need a cattle prod to keep them off?"

 Kat laughed and looked down at the old woman.

 "Bless you child."  She patted Kat's shoulder again and left.

 Kat peeked out the restroom door and watched the old woman walk up to an old man, who stood holding her sweater for her.  Kat smiled as she saw the old man help her put the sweater on.  She pulled her head back in the restroom and went back to the mirror.  Looking into her own eyes she sighed and whispered to herself, "This too will pass...."

Tommy lay on his bed and stared at the ceiling.  What was he becoming?  He wondered how could he let himself slip the way he had.  All the years of martial arts and self-discipline obviously hadn't prepared him well enough for everything that was going wrong now.  He thought about the scene at the Youth Center when he had almost cried in front of Adam.  He knew tears weren't a sign of weakness, but it bothered him to lose control, as he had with poor Kat.  Kat had put out a warm, caring hand and he had bitten a bloody chunk right out of it.  And why?  Because I'm a spoiled brat, he answered himself, wanting someone I can't have.  How typically human.  "It sucks being human," he told himself as he headed for the bathroom.

 He stood in the tub with the shower blasting his face.  Tommy ran his hands over his long hair as it filled with water and matted to his back.  The water pelted his tense muscles and gave him a little relief.  His eyes closed, and for a second he was able to forget about Kimberly, the suicide mission, about Kat and how he had treated her.  He ran the bar of soap over his broad chest and worked down his hard belly.  Sleeping was something he wouldn't mind doing after this shower; a nice, long, relaxing, preferably dreamless sleep.  The idea was enticing.  He felt the tension in his legs easing out as he stood there.  For a second he could almost feel Kimberly's hands coming up from behind and rubbing the soapy lather over his body.  This kind of excited him, but he was too tired to even fantasize, but... her lips kissed the back of his shoulder.  He could feel her naked body grazing his back.  He snapped his eyes open and shut off the water.  He leaned on the shower wall, feeling the water drip off of him as a steady stream ran out of his hair.

 "I wish she would just say something..." he mumbled, thinking back to the prank calls.  "It was her.  I know it was."  He put on a pair of boxers and sat on his bed.  He stared at the phone for all of 15 minutes, towel drying his hair.  "One phone call..." he told himself, "Just do it and get it over with..."

 He dropped the towel and picked up the receiver.  He stared at it in his hand and then finally hung it up.  "I can't...," he whispered.  After what he had said to Kat that day, how could he even think about calling Kimberly, the woman he stilled loved but hadn't seen in an eternity?  What would he even say?  'Uh, hi Kimberly.  I'm hung up on you and am sure to kick myself everyday of my miserable life when you're not with me.'  Yeah, miserable.  He thought, I need you to make me whole 'cause I'm just a desperate jerk who can't get his priorities straight and who treats his friends like crap.  He glanced around his room in disgust.  I have to get out, he thought.  I have to get away from here and think.

About a half hour later, Tommy found himself in a gas station phone booth again attempting to dial that long distance number to Florida.  He had gone for a walk but could not get Kimberly out of his mind.  Every phone he passed seemed to scream out at him as an opportunity to talk to her again, or just to hear her sweet voice.  He knew if he was calling anyone that he should be calling Kat.  But his fingers disagreed because they continued to dial that long distance number.  He fed the pay phone a handful of quarters and waited while the call went through.  *Ring*  *Ring*  *Ring*  Probably no one there, he thought.

 "Hello?" said the voice on the other end of the line.

 It was Kimberly.  What could he say?  What should he say?

 "Hello?" she said again.  "Who is this?"

 "K-Kimberly?" was all Tommy could manage.

 "Last I checked.  Who is this?" she asked in the same noncaring monotone voice.

 *Click*  He hung the receiver back on its hook.  He took a breath, his stomach burning like liquid fire.  There had been too many months, too many nights spent wallowing in his own pain.  The few scars that had healed, Tommy was ripping back open.  He had enough on his mind at this point.  Anymore pain would be devastating.  He shook his head, unable to get Kimberly's image to leave his mind.  Stupid bastard, he thought, she left you.  She made her decision; let her live with it like she's forced you too.  Tommy stepped out of the phone booth and closed the door.  The gravel of the parking lot crunched beneath his feet.

 *DINK DINK DUN DUN DINK DINK*  His communicator sounded, interrupting his thoughts.  He scanned the area before answering.  "I read you Zordon."

 "Tommy," Zordon began, "teleport to the Power Chamber at once."

 "Right away Zordon."  Tommy signed off quickly.  He balled up his fists and gathered his courage.  Could this really be it?  Could 'D-Day' have arrived so soon?  He took a breath to calm his nerves, but he couldn't help but think about how silly he was.  He was teleporting possibly to his death, yet all he could think about was that if he was going to die today at least he had heard Kimberly's voice one last time.  He jogged behind the gas station, looked again for watching eyes, and disappeared in a beam of red light.

 Tommy's molecules dispersed in a beam of red light as he teleported to the Power Chamber.  If Tommy had had a foot at that moment, he would have been kicking himself.  Of course even if he had a foot, there was nothing for the foot to connect with, as his molecules sped through the air.  How could I have called her, he thought.  I must be a severe glutton for punishment.  Hearing Kimberly's voice for the first time in months had affected him more than he wanted to admit to himself.  It also bothered him how she sounded.  He wanted to believe there was something wrong; something he could fix and then she'd be back.  But part of him knew the truth.  She didn't recognize his voice because she had moved on, and he could not.  As much as he wanted to moved forward, as much as he wanted to start a new life with Kat, something kept holding him back, forcing him to stay in a torturous limbo between the two women.  A song ran through his head and he agreed with it totally, 'please forgive me, I can't stop loving you'.  If he had been able, he would have sighed deeply as his molecules reassembled in the Power Chamber.

Tanya stared at Adam and wondered what was running through his head.  He was giving no hints as he remained suspiciously silent.  They had just made up at the Juice Bar.  It had been a real 'touchy-feely' moment.  And they were now walking to the basketball courts in the park.

 On a normal Saturday, after class Tommy, Rocky, and Adam would train together for a few hours.  Then Tanya and Adam would go play basketball.  Since this was far from a normal Saturday, they were off schedule.  Rocky had cut out without exercising a single muscle and Tommy had run off to God-knows-where.  So when Tanya and Adam arrived at the courts, it was still occupied by Raymond and his friends.  Raymond said they had to be somewhere, so they would be leaving the court early.

 "Do you want to wait?" Tanya asked.

 Adam only nodded with a smile in return.  She was worried by his silence, but was unsure of what to say.  He had sat down on the asphalt and seemed content to pick up and throw the little pieces of gravel.  She figured he might still be upset about the remarks she had made.  Naw, that's not it, she thought.  She knew they were fine.  If he's got a problem with me, he better tell me, not Rocky, she thought.

 Truth be told, she was having problems with their relationship, although she was upset about different things than Adam was.  They had been dating for several months now and she wanted to take their relationship to another level.  She wanted a more physical relationship, but Adam was so shy that he seemed afraid to even touch her.  Every time they started to get close, every time things started to get even a little bit steamy, Adam would make up some excuse and leave as soon as possible.

 Tanya had tried everything to bring them closer together, except one thing.  People always said, 'absence makes the heart grow fonder'.  She figured if she distanced herself from Adam, maybe even ignored him on occasion, that he would appreciate her more and want to be closer also.  She hadn't tried it yet because she knew it would be as hard on her as it would be on him.  She loved him dearly and didn't want to be away from him, but it was all so frustrating!  She didn't want to play games with his heart, but she felt that this was her last option.  Heaven forbid that a teenager actually said what was on their mind!  No, it was much easier to try a crazy plan then to be blunt and simply say, 'Honey, I'm horny as hell.  Let's get busy.'  No, hormones have a tendency to cloud the mind and prevail over logic.  So Tanya decided that she would play 'hard-to-get' and see what it got her.

Adam watched the small piece of broken asphalt skip and bounce its way across the court.  How did she do it, again?  Better yet, why did he let her do it again?  She had twisted him around so that he had apologized to her for a fight between her and Rocky, a fight he had truly had no part in.  She had used his shyness to her advantage and made him feel bad that she was crying.  It was probably part of the act anyway, he thought.

 Another stone went across the court.  This one bouncing 4 times before it rolled off to a stop.  He thought about his and Tanya's relationship.  He knew he had liked her the moment she teleported with the Zeo Crystal from Africa.  He had made it a point to show her around and he realized later that he had become very protective of her.  So when she started dating Sean, he was crushed.  Crushed, but still he was happy for her.  She had settled in; she didn't need a 'tour guide' anymore so she had moved on.  Then she and Sean had broken up.  But she had bounced back quickly... like immediately.  Pretty soon Tanya was dating Adam and things seemed great.  They had kept a low profile.  Adam being the quiet one of the gang, his exploits often took a welcomed backseat to Tommy's letters from Kimberly or Rocky's many girlfriends.

 Another stone.  Now as things between them became more serious, their relationship had been thrust more into the open, and there wasn't as much to distract people as before.  Kimberly had left Tommy and he was on the rebound with Kat, Rocky had settled down (supposedly), and Jason had only been in town a couple of months and he had met someone too.

 Another stone.  Tanya loved the attention they got.  He knew she did.  She played to the gang, the crowd, or anyone watching.  She liked being the center of attention; the bow she gave at the Juice Bar after they made up proved it to him.  In his mind it also helped to prove that the whole thing had been an act.  And at the time he had bought it, hook, line, and sinker.  He wanted to kick himself for again being so gullible.  He liked her... hell, he loved her.  But sometimes...

 Another stone.  Besides everything else, she seemed to have something against his best friend, Rocky.  Not counting today's fracas, they seemed to get into it with each other a couple times a week.  The vast majority of them were instigated by Tanya in some way.

 Another stone.  Adam remembered with a grimace the argument Tanya and Rocky had had about practical jokes back when Robert first moved to town and a rash of practical jokes was plaguing Angel Grove High.  He had wanted to defend Rocky, but he had kept his mouth shut.

 Another stone.  He remembered the fight from when the gang had been invited to take part in Detective Stone's murder mystery party.  Instead of trying to figure out who did it, Tanya just insisted that Rocky had done it because he was playing the butler and 'the butler always does it'.  She knew it was really getting on Rocky's nerves, but she loved egging him on, unable to let it go.

 Another stone.  Adam threw this one hard with frustration.  He loved her, God knows he did, but he didn't think he could let her do this to him anymore.  He just didn't know what to do about any of it.

 Another stone.  He sighed, knowing he would just let this fight pass, as he had all the others.  What else could he do?  He was going to be the bigger person and move on.  It seemed easier to roll with the situation until he figured out what to do.

 Another stone.  This stone bounced off a white Nike.  Adam then realized the wearer of the white Nike was talking to him.

 "Adam.  Earth to Adam."

 "Huh?"

 "You ready to play?"  Tanya asked, smiling sweetly.

 "You bet!"  He smiled in return, stealing the ball.  He dribbled it down the court and made a lay-up with ease.  Yeah, he loved her, and that's why he was going to try so hard to work through this and figure things out.

Kat and Robert had walked out of the restaurant together.  Robert promised to call her that week, then he said good-bye and left.  He had promised his parents he would help out around the house.  This guy is too good to be true, she thought with a smile.  She wandered slowly through the park on her way home.

Tanya and Adam had been playing for an hour or so and the score was tied.  Normally the score wasn't that close, but both of their shots were off.  If someone asked, they wouldn't have admitted it but maybe their thoughts were elsewhere.

 It had been a long day and Adam didn't know how much longer he could play.  There were things he had to do, problems he had to fix.  He just didn't know how to tell Tanya.  If he said he had to talk to Kat, she would ask why.  If he said he was going to find Rocky, that might start things all over again.  He didn't have to worry though, because Tanya said she had to go.  And Adam was embarrassed to discover he was sort of curious as to where she was going.

 "Remember?  I'm singing at the Youth Center tonight.  I've got to go home and practice."

 "Oh, yeah.  Have fun."

 "I will," she said, kissing his cheek.  "'Bye babe."

 "'Bye," he waved as he watched her go.

 Adam aimlessly dribbled the ball until he realized someone else had come to use the court.  "Here man," he said, throwing the park's ball to one of the players.  Guess I can't stall any longer, he thought.  Time to go clean up the messes, do the damage control.  That's me, fixer-upper extraordinaire.  Oh well, better get busy.  He knew where Rocky probably was, so he decided to tackle finding Kat first.  Luck was with him, because he met up with her as she wandered home through the park.

 "Hey Kat."

 "Hi." Kat answered.

 Adam didn't know what to say next.  He didn't want to just jump out and say, 'So Tommy really let you have it, huh?  Gosh you pissed him off!'  He couldn't say that.  Meanwhile Kat stared at him as he continued his awkward silence.

 Finally he said, "I saw you and Robert talking earlier."

 "Yeah," was all she said.

 "Umm, you two looked pretty chummy when you left together."  Boy, he thought, that was tactful!  And where did I get a word like 'chummy' from?  Strike one mister.

 Kat immediately wondered what he had seen and heard, but she answered anyway.  "Yes, he's going with me to the Cheap Trick concert."  People were going to find that out sooner or later.  She figured someone might as well know now.

 Whoa, she said it.  "I thought you were going ask Tommy."  Smooth Adam, he thought, strike two, now you only have one strike left for Rocky.

 Kat thought that Adam must have been fishing for something.  "Well I asked Robert instead.  Haven't you ever heard it's a woman prerogative to change her mind?"

 "Yeah, and I guess it's true."  Okay, be more direct, he thought.  "Kat, are you okay?"

 What does he know?  "Yes.  Why do you ask?"

 Sigh!  "No reason,"  What else could he say?  "You just looked upset."

 "I'm fine... really.  I've got to be getting home."

 "Okay, 'bye."

 "Yeah, 'bye," she said waving, even as she walked away.

 "Oh that went real well!" Adam remarked sarcastically to himself.

He found Rocky where he thought he would, playing football on the other side of the park.  As Adam arrived, Rocky had just been tackled 2 yards short of the goal line and his team lost by 3.

 Adam walked over to help him up.  "I told you man, fake a field goal and let the kicker pass the ball for a touchdown.  They'll never expect it."

 "Nice to see you too," Rocky retorted, "This is just another chapter in the wonderful day I'm having."

 "Hey, I warned you to leave Tanya alone."

 "If you'd stand up for yourself, I wouldn't have to.  I mean, I don't have to, but I hate seeing you get run over."  Rocky said, brushing the grass from his clothes and casting a well-meaning glance at his best friend.

 "It's okay, I can handle it.  We're working everything out.  Trust me, really."

 "She's all yours Adam."

 "You bet she is."

 Adam sat and watched his fingers smooth out the wrinkles in his pants.  Mindless entertainment for a guy who had a lot on his mind.  So much he needed to say, so much to get off his chest.  Instead, all he heard was Rocky's voice coming from the bathroom.

 "Remember after the fire, after all the rain, I will be the flame, I will be the flame!" Rocky sang loudly, but very well, from the bathroom.  He stared into the mirror, combing his wet hair into place.  He smiled, then winked at himself.  Aye, he thought, snapping his fingers and pointing at his reflection.  "You know they won't sing it don't you?" he called.

 Adam, frustrated, cut a quick glance down the hallway to the bathroom.  Of all the things to talk about, why did Rocky have to do this now?  "What?"

 " "The Flame", man!  They're not going to sing it." Rocky shouted, sticking his head out the door.

 "I know,"  Adam answered nonchalantly, gazing down at the carpeted floor.

 "Yeah, it's sad when a band turns against its hits."  Rocky came out of the bathroom, slipping a blue tank top on.  He was already wearing his jeans and sneakers.  "You got your twenty bucks for your ticket, right?."

 "Huh?  What?  Oh, yeah."  Adam looked up suddenly, his concentration broken again.  "You got enough money?"

 "Yup,  forty bucks."  He saw Adam's confused look and explained.  "I'm buying Penny's ticket for her."  Rocky said, walking over to stand beside the couch Adam was sitting on.  "I really want to do this for her."

 Adam stood, "You know how independent she is.  Are you sure she doesn't care?"  They both walked out of the house.

 "She's changed.  She knows that people can help each other and still stand on their own.  She's really becoming more open-minded."

 Adam nodded, watching his own feet, as he put one in front of the other.  "You're a lucky guy."  He caught his mind drifting back to Tanya, but attempted to fight it.  "So you think you'll stay with Penny?"

 "Until she runs me off," Rocky joked.

 "Wish Tanya was...," Adam mumbled to himself, but meaning for Rocky to hear him.

 "What?  Wanting to run you off?"  Rocky asked with a grin.

 "Ha ha," Adam said sarcastically.  "No, open-minded."  He paused, "Do you think I should be more outspoken in my relationship with her?"

 "Maybe not so much outspoken, just a little less whipped," Rocky teased, stepping out of Adam's reach in case he tried to take a swing at him.

 Adam stopped and stared at Rocky in anger and disbelief.  Rocky kept walking till he noticed that Adam was no longer beside him.  He stopped and looked back at Adam who was looking at him like he was nuts.

 "What?"  Rocky asked innocently.

 "You serious?" Adam asked incredulously.

 "I'm not saying a thing," Rocky retorted.  "You're aware of your situation, so I'm staying out of it."

 Adam nodded and resumed walking.  "Well, don't think I don't appreciate your sticking out your neck for me."  He grinned and fluttered his eyes, "You take such good care of lil' ol' me."

 Rocky laughed, "Well, it's the last time, so remember it."

 "Do you really think that about me?"

 Rocky couldn't tell if Adam was joking or hurt.  He knew he needed to explain his joke or at least distract Adam.  He turned, "Look, my opinion on your relationship will be kept to myself, okay?"  He folded his arms, taking an authoritative stance.  "I'm not going to bring down the wrath of Tanya again.  I'm not the bad guy, okay?"

 The silence was heavy between them as neither spoke.  They didn't know what to say to bridge the distance that had suddenly sprung up.  To break the tension, Rocky jokingly blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

 "So," Rocky began, "have you?"

 Adam looked over at him, "What?"

 Rocky grinned looking ahead and returning the gaze, "You know..."

 Adam felt the blood rushing to his face, "Man..."

 "Okay," Rocky said holding his hands up.  Adam's shyness was nothing new to him.  "Fine.  Just hold out on me."  After a few awkward seconds of silence he added, "Just keep your trusted chum in the dark."

 "No disrespect, but what happens between Tanya and I is our business, nobody else's."

 "Except Kat's?"  Rocky said, turning to face Adam as he suddenly broke stride again.

 "What about Kat?"  Adam asked.  He felt the blood racing back to his face again.

 "Oh come on," Rocky smiled.  "Kat and Tanya are like this," he said holding up his hand to show his crossed fingers.  "And women are known to talk."

 "So?"  Adam looked around.  "You mean Tanya would talk about that kind of stuff to her?  Why?"

 "They're friends man!"  Rocky said as if he desperately wanted the point driven home.  "Friends share things with friends."  He grinned and added, "Answer the question?"

 "What?"

 "Have you 'made yourself impure in the eyes of the Lawd'?  Hallelujah Brother," Rocky said assuming a televangelist voice, waving his arms like he was behind a pulpit.

 Adam glanced around, desperately hoping nobody could see him walking down the street with this raving lunatic.  "None of your business, okay?"  His anger was creeping up again.

 "Hey Bro, don't sweat it," Rocky smiled, his voice suddenly full of reassurance.  "Penny and I are still pretty platonic.  You'll find that in the end sex isn't the do all end all."

 Adam's stomach knotted, " I know it isn't.  I'm not a kid."

 "So if you know that, answer the question."

 "If it isn't the do all end all, why is it so important that you know?"

 "I guess what I'm driving at is, well, you know... touching, holding, kissy kissy," Rocky grinned.  "You guys do get frisky, am I right?"

 "Yeah," Adam answered, "we get frisky.  Feel better?"  At least I think we do, he thought.

 "She do anything you particularly like?"

 "I don't know," Adam put his hands in his pockets and gathered his thoughts.  "I kinda like the way her lips feel when I kiss her."  Again, Adam found himself thinking, why am I telling him this stuff?

 "Cool, now we're getting somewhere.  Go on."

 "They," Adam paused, "I'm trying to think of how I can word this... it's like she's got muscles in them."

 "Muscles?  Interesting," Rocky replied.

 "Yeah, they're strong, but she's gentle with them."  Adam turned to look at Rocky, "Sounds silly, huh?"

 "Not really."

 "One time," Adam started grinning, "I bit into her bottom lip."

 "You cannibal you," Rocky said, gaining a look of fake shock and giddiness at the same time.

 "Not enough to draw blood," Adam began, "just enough to kinda chew it."  The more he talked, the easier it was to fill in the details.

 Rocky started smiling, "You get into that kissing, don't you?"

 "It can be pleasurable, yes," Adam looked back at the ground, finally feeling like he had something to add to the conversation.

 "So can I guess that you're so afraid you'll miss her kissing that you'll let her walk on you from time to time?" Rocky asked.

 Adam lost his grin.  That's right, he remembered he was supposed to be bummed out.  He had been so busy thinking about some of her good points, that he had forgotten her flaws and why he was upset.  "I guess so," he sighed.  "Sounds like a good enough reason.  At this point I'd believe anything."

 "Well, she's hanging around for a reason herself, let us not forget."  Rocky watched the sidewalk turn into grass as they began down the shortcut to the Youth Center.

 "It's 'cause I'm adorable," Adam grinned all goofy-like.

 Rocky snorted, "Please!  Seriously, what have you done for her?"

 "God forbid she stays 'cause she actually loves me," Adam said thinking about everything he had done for her over the past few months.

 "That's one possibility, but personally I think she stays because of  something else."

 "Something else?"

 "Well, has Tanya's trolley derailed?  Is she a few fries short of a Happy Meal?  The lights are on but nobody's home?  One Fruit Loop shy of a full bowl?"

 Adam grinned, "Shut up!"

 "Her elevator doesn't go to the top floor.  She's got bats in her belfry.  Her engine's running but no one's behind the wheel.  The wheel spinning but the hamster's dead."  Rocky continued to list the 'crazy' euphemisms as fast as he could, trying to make Adam laugh and outrun his friend at the same time.  "Not playing with a full deck.  Belt doesn't go through all the loops.  A few eggs short of a dozen."  That was all Rocky got off before Adam caught up to him and a friendly shoving match began.  They were still laughing as they ran into the Youth Center.

"Coordinates are set," Alpha said into the control panel.  "All is ready for your arrival.  We will be expecting you in a few days."

 "Thanks Alpha.  It'll be good to be home.  I'll see you then."  A voice answered back as Alpha walked over and pushed a button ending the transmission just in time, as red light poured into the Power Chamber and formed into Tommy.

 Zordon looked at him, "Greetings Tommy."

 "Hello Zordon," Tommy answered, "Alpha."  He took a deep breath, filled with nervous anticipation.

 "Tommy," Zordon began, "I called you here for an update."  Alpha walked off into a dark corridor and out of the Power Chamber.  "While Alpha is busy narrowing down the exact location of Zedd's battle fortress," Zordon paused, "and translating the antidimensional bomb plans," Zordon looked away from Tommy.  He couldn't believe that he and Alpha had not looked at the plans at all in all those years.  The translating was cutting into precious time that Tommy needed.  "I wanted to bring something to your attention."

 Tommy felt his insides untense.  The suicide mission wasn't upon him yet.  "What's that?"

 Alpha returned, holding something behind his back.  "I wanted to test our memory," Zordon said.  "Alpha?"

 "Surprise Tommy," Alpha said, pulling his arm from behind his back, offering Tommy what he had hidden in his hands.

 Tommy's eyes grew wide, a smile coming to his face.  "It's- it's -- ," he was at a loss for words.

 "Of course, you will need a Zord for the mission."  Zordon managed a solemn grin and nodded, "You have Alpha to thank entirely."

 "It was nothing really, Tommy," Alpha said, the meekness in his voice sounding a little phony.  That was okay though because Tommy felt like kissing him.  Tommy took the Dragon Dagger from Alpha's hands and just stood staring at it, a flood of memories rushing back all at once.  "Man, all right!"  Tommy finally managed.

 "I was able to modify the power source of the DragonZord so it could function off the Zeo Crystal," Alpha said.  "Try it out."

 Tommy put his arms through the motions and then, "Zeo Ranger 5, Red!"  Within seconds he was suited up.  He was excited about being reunited with his favorite Zord, but he couldn't stop himself from thinking that by fixing it so he could use the DragonZord, Zordon was actually saving the various Red Zeo Zords, the Phoenix, the Red BattleZord, and Super Zeo Zord V, for his inevitable successor after his death.

 "Prepare to teleport to the test site," Zordon said as Tommy found himself again dispersing and flying off.  Only this time it was Zordon doing the teleporting, so he had no idea where he would end up.

"Robby?  Robby!"  He could hear his father calling.

 "Yeah Dad?"  Robert asked, looking over toward his dad.

 "Hand me that 3/8," his dad said in an aggravated tone.  "Where's your head today?"

 Robert handed him the wrench.  "It's just, ah... nevermind."

 His father looked up from the dryer.  "You aren't on drugs are you?" He teased.

 Robert rolled his eyes and shook his head.  "No, I'm not on drugs.  Come on Dad."  His father started snickering and went back to working on the dryer.  Robert found his attention drifting back to the blonde-headed cutey who had invited him (not the other way around) to see the biggest concert Angel Grove had seen in a while.  What would she wear that night, he wondered.  He started picturing Kat in a little cut-off tank top and tight blue jeans.

 "Seriously though, what are you thinking about?" his dad interrupted his thoughts yet again.

 Robert grinned, "Women."  He looked at his dad's smile and wondered what he should say next.  "Well, actually a woman.  Katherine to be exact."

 "She a friend of yours?" his dad asked, definitely curious, but his real attention still on the broken dryer.

 "Yeah, you remember me talking about her.  That girl from Australia?"

 "Oh yeah?"  His father looked up at him, "The one with the... ," he moved his hands back and forth simultaneously to simulate curves.

 "Yeah," Robert looked away, slightly embarrassed.

 "Are you thinking about asking her out?"  His dad stood and stretched.

 "We are going out."  When he saw his dad's interest perk, he went on to say, "Just as friends.  We're going to a concert next weekend."

 "You asked her out huh?"

 "Well actually, she asked me.  She had two tickets and she asked me if I wanted to go with her."

 "Well, all right!"  His dad lightly punched his shoulder.  "We aren't in town six months and you got women taking you places!  You know, I said to your mother, 'That boy's going to be a real heartbreaker.' "

 Robert laughed, "You did not!"  His grin started to disappear, "Actually, I'm kind of being used."

 "How so?"  His dad asked, walking toward the door.

 Robert followed him.  "She's got this hang up on a guy named Tommy.  I don't know what happened, but she's pretty fired up at him right now.  I think the tickets, no, I mean I know those tickets were meant for him and her."  Robert stepped through the door and closed it behind him.

 "Well, hey, at least you're not the one who lost money.  I mean, if she's paying, get used as much as she wants!"  His dad smiled reaching the back door of the house.  "You just better hope this Tommy doesn't get jealous and decide to take it out on you."

 Robert immediately remembered Tommy teaching karate classes down at the Youth Center and found himself getting a little nervous.  "I'm paying for my ticket at least."

 "Sucker," his dad said, looking over his shoulder at him.

 "I know.  I just can't take advantage of her like that."  He thought back about how Kat had made him feel so welcome when he first came to town.

 His dad reached into the refrigerator, turned and tossed a can of soda to Robert.  "Well, if it'll make you feel better."

 "Yeah," Robert popped it open and took a sip.  "She sure is cute though."

 "Who knows?  Maybe she'll be so impressed with you, she'll give Tommy the ol' heave-ho," his dad said, popping one open for himself.

 Robert smiled, "That would be cool... but I kind of doubt it'll happen."

 "And even if she doesn't," his father gained a serious expression, "enjoy yourself at the show.  Enjoy her company, even on a friendly basis.  Lord forbid, you might realize she's smart too."

 "Cute and smart?  That's it, I'm marrying this one!"  Robert said with a smile.

 His father shrugged, "Just don't pawn the grandkids off on me."  He grinned, "I haven't even run you out of the house yet!"

 They both laughed and walked back outside.  Again, Robert caught Kat's face coming back into his mind.

Rocky and Adam were leaning against the wall in the Youth Center.  Adam looked up, the line was still pretty long.  He shook his head and looked at Rocky.  "I didn't think this many people in Angel Grove liked Cheap Trick."

 "Yeah," Rocky said, "it looks like half of Stone Canyon is here too."

 "I didn't think I'd ever find this place!" said the unfamiliar voice behind them.  They turned to listen in on the guys behind them in line.

 "Good thing we got here early," the second guy said.  "I can't imagine Cheap Trick playing here."

 "Me either," guy #1 said.  "I know I would never come here."

 "Really.  Talk about nerdsville," guy #2 answered.

 Rocky and Adam only looked at each other and grinned.  Angel Grove was different all right.  After growing up in the tough city of Stone Canyon, Angel Grove was a pleasant, laid-back change of pace.  Unless you count the constant monster attacks.

 "So, Kat's taking Robert."  Rocky stated, starting a conversation to pass the time.

 "Yeah," Adam answered, not wanting to go into the details of the situation that lead up to her decision.  "Shame."

 "I know."  Rocky said, "She should have sold the tickets to us."

 Adam grinned and shook his head.  "Man, you're an ass."

 "What?"

 "You shouldn't have told Kat that Tommy liked this band.  You know how gullible she is when it comes to him."

 Rocky nodded.  "The girl's got it bad, no two ways about it."

 Adam turned and leaned back against the wall.  Yeah, he thought, nice to know he wasn't the only fool in love around here.  Finally, he could see Ernie, Bulk, and Skull standing behind the counter selling tickets.  Hopefully the line would move quickly.

Tommy found himself standing knee-deep in snow.  Before he could realize how cold he was, he raised the Dragon Dagger to his mouth.  A familiar tune played and within seconds he heard a rumbling.  He looked out over the river (or ocean, he didn't know which) and up rose the mighty DragonZord.  Its metal jaw fell open letting out that all too familiar roar.  Freezing water fell off its powerful frame and blew into a spray in the swift winds.  Its eyes were glowing red as it stood up to its waist in water.  Its hands clenched, fingers moving slowly.  Its tail broke through the surface throwing water into the air, some of it raining down on Tommy.  All he could do was stare and smile, the water freezing onto his visor.

 Only one thing was different, Tommy noticed, other than its new hiding place.  The centerpiece on the DragonZord's chest had the Zeo 5 symbol of a star on it.  The pieces of the star were separated though, almost as if it had been drawn there.  Alpha did say he had modified it.

 "Welcome back old friend," he whispered.

 "REEEAAAGHHH!!"  it said again, almost as if it was a living creature responding to Tommy's greeting.

It had been a while since Adam and Rocky had left the Youth Center.  Rocky had gone to Penny's house and Adam had gone straight home.  He grabbed a snack out of the cupboard and sat down in front of the TV.  As Adam channel-surfed, he found himself wanting to give Tanya a call.  First, to tell her that he had his ticket.  Second, because he thought that they really needed to talk about what had happened earlier.  Something was changing between them and he wasn't sure what was going on.  "Just what's wrong with our relationship?" Adam said to no one in particular.  He had gotten the impression that Tanya had been unhappy for awhile.  He just couldn't figure out why.  He clicked off the TV, went to his room, and flopped down on his bed.

 Call somebody, he thought, talk it out, that's what I need to do.  Tommy?  Hmm... maybe not, Tommy had enough problems right now.  Rocky?  Out with Penny, and while Rocky had made him feel better, the conversation earlier hadn't answered many of his questions.  Jason?  Maybe, that is if Jason was even home.  He and Emily had been practically inseparable since the day they met.  And since Jason had lost the Gold Ranger powers, the gang had seen less and less of him.  Kat?  Doubt it, she had problems too and Rocky was right.  Kat and Tanya did talk about everything.  If he talked to Kat, anything he said was sure to get back to Tanya.

 *Ring*  The phone startled Adam out of his thoughts.  "Hello?"

 "Hi," Tanya said, "Did you have to wait in line very long?"

 Adam felt his heart pounding, "Umm, no," was all he could think to say.  Actually they did have to wait a long time.  Adam just wasn't one to complain.

 Tanya sat listening to Adam's silence.  Something was up; she could tell.  "Baby, what's wrong?"

Red light filled Tommy's bedroom.  It disappeared as quickly as it had appeared and Tommy stood in its place.  For the first time in a while he felt a little at ease with the situation he was facing, though he had not been able to get the long rest he so badly needed.  He chalked his improved mood up to the all-too-welcome but long overdue feeling he got from piloting the DragonZord.  Had the behemoth really been vastly improved?  Or was it just the comfort he got from going back to his roots as the Green Ranger?  That feeling that only came from piloting the DragonZord, the Zord that had become a part of him, had lain dormant for too long.  "It's good to be back," he sighed and laid down.

 Before he could even try to sleep he knew that he needed to try to apologize to Kat.  He just couldn't live with himself after the way that he had treated her.  He stared at his phone, willing himself to pick it up.  He told himself, just call her and say something.  He dialed the seven digits and listened for someone to pick up.

 "Hello?" Kat said on the other end of the line.

 "Hi Kat," Tommy started, gathering his thoughts on what to say.

 "Tommy."  Kat responded stiffly.

 "I, um, I think we-"

 "Look, I got to go.  I'm late," she interrupted him, unwilling to even hear his voice.

 "Where are you going?  Is it some place I could meet you, because I really need to talk to you."

 "No.  You can't come.  I've got to get to the pool."

 "The pool?  You're diving again?  That's great.  I didn't know."

 "Oh really?  Gee, and I thought I bothered you all the time.  Maybe you don't know me at all either!"  She slammed the phone down before he could utter another word.  She grabbed her gym bag and finished throwing her things inside.  She zipped it up quickly and stormed out of the house.  Kat was thankful no one else was home.  She took out her frustrations by slamming every door she passed.  Better to cool down now than get behind the wheel of a car mad.  That would not have been smart.  The last door she allowed herself to slam was the back door of her house as she ran to her mom's car.  She opened the car door and threw her bag at the passenger seat, imagining it smacking Tommy in the face.  Her anger disappearing, Kat climbed into the car and calmly shut the door.

 She sat there blinking quickly.  He may have made me mad, she thought, but he won't make me cry.  I'm over him dammit!  He's out of my life!  Realizing that she was going to be late, she started the car.  She thought back to what she had said to Tommy.  Besides her parents, only two people in Angel Grove knew she was a platform diver:  Tommy and Kimberly.  And now Kim was gone.  Kat wasn't just a diver though, she was a champion.  She remembered her final meet well, most of it anyway.

 She had been one dive away from winning a spot on the Australian Pan Global Diving Team.  She had stood at the end of the platform and watched her whole future stretch out before her.  With a deep breath and a leap she was gone.  But something had gone terribly wrong.  Her head had struck the platform and the world went dark.  When she came to in the hospital her parents told her she had lost by one point.

 At that moment she had given up diving forever, or so she thought.  She was terrified to climb those steps ever again, afraid that this time she would not wake up.  She wouldn't even go swimming.  She later moved to America and tried not to think about her shattered dreams.  Rita Repulsa had helped there, when she placed Kat under a powerful evil spell.  While under the spell Kat inadvertedly caused Kimberly to take a nasty fall off the balance beam.  Kat fought off the spell and rushed Kimberly to the hospital.

 Kimberly would be okay, but she felt the same way Kat did:  scared to death to return to the sport she loved.  Determined she had to somehow fix what she had done, Kat asked Tommy and Kimberly to meet her at the local college's pool.  When they arrived, she was waiting at the top of the platform.  When they walked up to the pool, she had a sense of deja vu as she took a breath and a leap and was gone.  This time it went right, this time was perfect.  She would live to dive again.  And she had given Kimberly back her nerve, her ability to get up and try again.  Kimberly had done just that and followed her dream to Florida.  Kat, on the other hand, had unintentionally given up her dream again.  She became so involved in the Rangers that she forgot for a while what she had regained as well.

 Watching the Olympics on TV that summer had been especially painful.  She had vowed to return to her chosen sport, determined to make it to the 2000 Olympic Games.  She had contacted a local coach, Paul Brandt, and was surprised to find that he had heard of her.

 He had heard Kat Hillard was moving to Angel Grove, but when she had suddenly stopped diving, he thought she must have given it up.  He was eager to work with her and had set up a training schedule for her.  She went to practice almost religiously and Coach Brandt was amazed at her progress.  She had told no one outside of her parents, and no one ever asked where she had been.

 Kat thought she must be wrong.  One other person knew about her diving; Tanya must know.  Tanya had lived at Kat's house for months.  Surely during that time she had seen all of Kat's trophies and medals which took up several shelves in her room.  Kat now found it strange that Tanya had never mentioned or asked about them.

 As she arrived at the college's pool, she saw Coach Brandt was just arriving too.  Good, she thought, I'm not that late then.  As she got out of the car, she patted her hair to be sure it was all in place.  She had changed her hair from a bun for ballet to a French braid for diving.  Her hair had sure grown since she had come to Angel Grove, she thought.  The braid was getting long enough now that she had trouble tucking the end under the hair on her head.  She walked up to the pool and took off her t-shirt and shorts to reveal a pink 'Baywatch-style' swimsuit.

 "Ready?"  Coach Brandt asked.

 "Totally," she responded.

 "Then get up there and show me what you got."

 Kat began the slow climb up 33 feet to the platform.  With each step she put Tommy further out of her mind.  He may have been ready to apologize, but she wasn't ready to listen.  She remembered all too well what he had said to her and that last line had meant the most.

He had said that sentence quietly, while the rest had all been almost shouted.  She knew what it meant.  It was what she had feared all along.  He was still in love with Kimberly, hung up on her totally.  And she couldn't do it any longer.  She refused to stand back and let herself get strung along and hurt while he pined away for Kimberly.

 10 feet.  She refused to be his doormat that he left behind.  She refused to be treated this way and she refused to feel this way any longer.  She absolutely refused to be used and abused anymore.

 20 feet.  She wanted to live.  She wanted to love and be loved, but she wanted to be free from second-guessing her emotions, thoughts, and actions based on Tommy.  She was independent from any man.  She didn't need one to define her as a person.  She had let it take over her life and she wanted her life back.  She wondered if he knew just how hung up on Kimberly he really was.  Till he did and came to grips and dealt with it, she wanted no part of him.

 30 feet.  For the last 3 feet, she spoke three simple words:  I'm over him.  As she walked to the edge of the platform she thought, he's got to help himself, only he can.  There's nothing I can do anymore.  It's up to him to leave her behind.  When, or if, he does, I'll see him on the other side.  And with a quick breath she promptly cleared her mind of all thoughts of him and dove, quite literally, into the next chapter of her life.

Tommy stared at the dead phone in his hand, the dial tone droning on endlessly.  Only when the dial tone switched to that annoying 'off-the-hook' beep was the spell broken and he carefully set it back in its cradle.

 A million thoughts went rushing through his head at once.  What have I done.  What have I done.  I've driven away one of people who means the most to me in the world.  I wouldn't blame her if she never spoke to me again.  Did I really think I could treat her that way and she'd take it?  I asked her out because I genuinely like her, but I spent the whole time comparing her to Kimberly.  It was spooky how much Kat and Kim were alike though.  Beyond both being the Pink Ranger, they were both tops, champions in their chosen sports:  Kimberly in gymnastics, Kat in diving.  Both loved to dance and taught it as well:  Kat taught ballet, Kimberly taught a little of everything.  She had even briefly taken up country line dancing and had tried to teach Tommy some basic steps.  She had even bought him a pair of Dingo boots which he had worn because they had come from her and he knew how much they had cost her.  The boots now sat untouched in the box in his closet, where he couldn't see them and be reminded.  Both women were kind, brave, strong, good, community-minded, and more willing to give than to receive.  He realized how he must have been making Kat feel all along:  like a sorry, second-rate substitute.

 Frustrated and upset, he just wanted that rest he had been trying so hard to get.  Tommy laid back on his bed thinking that with all that was on his mind it would be impossible to fall asleep.  So he was genuinely surprised when he drifted off almost immediately.  He must have been more tired than he realized.

 He needed the rest, but he also wanted to sleep to escape his problems.  But for Tommy, lately his problems only got worse in his sleep.  Sleep inevitably led to dreams and that was one thing he wanted to avoid.  All of Tommy's dreams lately were either about Kimberly or about an all too recent traumatic couple of days he was trying very hard and unsuccessfully to forget.

 Unfortunately, this one was of the latter quality.  He didn't remember everything when he woke up, but what he did remember was disturbing.  He knew the dream was about Gasket's arena and what he had done there.  He felt like a war was going on in his head, with different parts of him jockeying for control; just as there had been in those terrible couple of days.  He fought with himself without really knowing if he was winning or losing.  And he was terrified of where it would all end, because somewhere inside he felt that Gasket hadn't totally left him.  He prayed he was only being paranoid.  It was with this raging on in his mind that he continued to fitfully sleep, reliving his friends' screams and knowing he was inflicting the pain that caused them.

"Wrong?  What could be wrong?  I've got you, right?"  Adam hated how he had begun lying to Tanya lately.  He had lied while they were playing basketball when she wanted to know about the concert.  She had asked if he knew if Kat was using her tickets.  He had lied and said he didn't know, but he and Rocky weren't going to wait and let the concert sell out.  He told her he and Rocky would just eat the cost of Kat's tickets if she didn't use them.

 By the time he found Rocky, Adam had talked to Kat and she had told him that she was taking Robert.  He then felt okay in telling this to Rocky because he had heard it 'officially'.  If he had told this to Tanya earlier, she would have wanted to know what else he had 'overheard' and he was not one to gossip.  Adam wanted to discuss nothing of what he had overheard except with the two people involved.  He only hoped he could help.  He had struck out with Kat.  Maybe he should try talking with Tommy.

 "So I guess you'll see Tommy and Kat at the concert then?" Tanya asked, obviously fishing for information.  She was trying to see if he knew if Kat had asked Tommy out yet.

 Now that he had talked to Kat, he was willing to tell Tanya the 'official' part of the story.  "No, actually Kat is taking Robert."

 "What!?!  Where did you hear this?"

 "I ran into Kat right after I left the basketball court.  She told me then."

 "Robert?!  Did she say why?"

 "She said something about she had changed her mind.  I don't know.  Maybe that's all it is," he lied.

 "I don't know about that.  Maybe I should call her."

 There she goes, butting in, he thought.  But he let it go, hoping Tanya could help Kat where he could not.

 "I'm gonna go Babe.  I'm going to try to find Kat," Tanya said, sounding anxious.

 "Okay.  Youth Center, tonight?"

 "You bet.  'Bye."

 "'Bye."  Adam hung up hoping he had done the best thing for him and Kat.  He loved Tanya, but it seemed now was not the time to talk to her about their problems.  He just hoped neither of them got hurt when they did.

Kat arrived home from the pool exhausted and decided she desperately needed a nap if she was going to go to the Youth Center that night to hear Tanya sing.  Darn, she thought as she went to sleep, I should have asked Robert if he was going tonight.  That might have helped prove to him that she wasn't using him to make Tommy jealous.

 She thought about Tommy one last time.  His problem was he was 'addicted' to Kimberly.  But then, Kat had almost become addicted to him.  But that was in her past.  When Tommy decided to move on, she might still be here, but she wouldn't wait long.  He had to do it himself and she had a life to get back to.  And with that she fell asleep.

 Tommy shot up from the bedsheets, heaving, clenching at empty air with his fingers.  His heart raced, his body covered in a film of cold sweat.  He swallowed, his throat cracking painfully from the dryness.  He put a hand to his chest, trying to calm the erratic pace of his breathing.  He closed his eyes.  Just a dream, he thought, just the same damn re-occurring dream.  A small soft hand found its way to his lower back.  He tensed, his eyes staring straight ahead, frozen with fear.  The hand moved up to the back of his rib cage, feeling more welcome as the seconds ticked.

 "Lay back down Honey," Kimberly said, raising up, moving the hair out of her freshly woke-up face, her T-shirt slipping down one shoulder.  "It was just another dream."

 Tommy turned to face her.  "K-Kimb-," he was cut off as she put a finger to his lips.

 She smiled, "It's all going to be okay.  Just lay back down."

 Tommy lay back down, staring up at the dark ceiling.  Kimberly snuggled up to his side and he found himself putting his arm around her, pulling her near.  She rested her face on the side of his chest, her hand on his stomach.

 "That's it.  Just put those silly dreams out of your head."

 His eyes closed and he smiled.  Everything was suddenly made perfect.  But then, Kimberly was there and he knew that that was all he wanted, all he needed to be at peace.

 "How do you feel now?" she asked.  He noticed her voice took on a whispery, almost intentionally seductive tone.

 "Relaxed," he answered, eyes still closed.

 "And?"  She asked, sounding a little more natural this time.

 "At peace."  He smiled, opening his eyes to make eye contact with her.

 "Whoa, getting heavy here," she smiled back at him.

 His hand grazed her arm, feeling the warmth and softness of her flawless skin.  "You're all I need Kimberly."

 "I know," she whispered, making eye contact with him again.  "We two are one."  She rolled over on top of him.  "This is the way it was meant to be," her soft breath hitting his chin as she spoke.

 Tommy adjusted slightly to sustain her slight weight.  "I wouldn't have it any other way," he said raising up to kiss her forehead.  He felt so safe, so at ease, like he had died and gone to heaven.

 "Show me you love me...," she said, closing her eyes and moving to where their faces were even with each other.

 Tommy closed his eyes and planted his lips on hers.  Her lips had a soft texture that he loved; her breath tasted warm and sweet.  His tongue rolled and snaked around hers, grazing the top of her mouth and then down her cheek.  His heart banged in his chest, the excitement increasing with each beat.  He felt her hands running through his hair.  This moment was long overdue, he thought, but it was finally here.  Kimberly was back, that was all he needed.

 "Kimberly."

 "Kimberly."

 Tommy slowly realized that someone was calling her name.  Someone else was in his room!  His eyes snapped open as Kimberly pulled away.  She smiled down at him and winked as she climbed out of his bed.  Tommy sat up quickly, scanning the room for the source of the voice.  Kim walked slowly to a dark corner of the room.  A quiet chuckle came from the shadows of that corner.

 "Who's there?!" Tommy shouted, feeling very ill-at-ease.  He scrambled out of bed, still wearing his jeans and a T-shirt, but he stopped at the end of his bed, staring at Kim.  She stopped just at the edge of the light, not quite crossing into the shadows of the corner, but standing in its wake.

 She turned to face him.  "Come out Darling," she called over her shoulder.  "Let him see you."  Tommy heard footsteps approaching the edge of the light.

 "If you insist," the voice answered.  "But I was enjoying watching him panic."

 Out of the darkness of the corner stepped a tall, muscular young man.  His face had an Asian look, though his skin was dark.  He had hard, piercing eyes and a sinister twist to his mouth.

 "Who are you?!" Tommy yelled.  "What are you doing in my room?"

 "I'm no one you need to worry about," the man said, draping his arm around Kimberly's shoulders as she leaned against him.  "I'm just here to have some fun."

  "Kim...?"  Tommy looked at her questioningly, hoping for an explanation, any explanation.

 "You don't need to concern yourself with Kimberly here," the young man snickered.  "Besides, you already have a girlfriend, don't you?"

 His words startled Tommy.  But what bothered him even more was what he heard next.

 "Tommy?" a familiar voice called from the other side of the room.  He looked over and was surprised to see Kat standing there.  "Tommy, how could you?"  Her voice echoed eerily.  Her hair started to blow in slow motion from a wind that wasn't there.

 "Kat?"  He asked, "Is that you?"  He reached out for her, but she came no closer.

 "How could you use me Tommy?  She asked, the pain in her voice showing also on her face.  "I loved you."

 "Kat, please I-"

 "Why?  Why did you hurt me?  I thought you cared."

 "I-I do, I mean-"

 "It hurts."  She held her stomach, "It hurts so much to be treated like that!"  Her voice began to shriek with her physical pain.

 "Please Kat!"  Tommy ran towards her, but she held up a hand stopping him in his tracks.

 "It tears you up Tommy!"  She began to cough up blood.  "It tears you up inside and out!"  She was coughing up so much blood now that she began to gag on it.  He started running to her again.  Suddenly she reeled upright so fast that it startled him to another stop.  "Inside-" Her stomach ripped open, gushing entrails, "-out!"  Her body collapsed in on itself.  The worst part was her eyes.  She never moved them away from him, letting him know that he was the sole cause of her suffering.  The grotesque sight caused him to squeeze his eyes shut.

 "Geez Tommy!  What is it with you and women?"  The young man teased, "You can't love Kim, you can't love Kat... what's wrong with you?"

 Tommy whirled to confront him.  "I do love her!" he shouted.

 "Yeah, you said 'her'.  But which 'her'?"  The young man smiled, sending shivers down Tommy's spine.  He continued, well aware of Tommy's discomfort, "Personally, I don't think someone as evil as you is capable of loving anyone."  Tommy just stood still, shocked and staring at him.

 "Oh, come on, admit it.  You're evil!" he stated as if it were law.

 "No," was all Tommy could whisper in his defense.

 "Yes," the young man whispered back mockingly.

 "NO!"  Tommy screamed, closing his eyes.  His hands went to his head, holding it as pain wracked him.  Suddenly, yet another voice was heard in the room.

 "Yes Tommy," the sinister voice sneered.  "Return to the fold and all will be forgiven."

 Tommy looked up to see Lord Zedd standing in front of him.  "What?"  Tommy muttered almost incoherently.  He didn't have any idea what was going on.

 "Why fight me when it is your destiny to join me?"  Zedd walked up and put his hand on Tommy shoulder.  "Return to the dark side my son," Zedd beckoned, sounding a little too much like Darth Vader.

 "NO!!"  Tommy screamed, "LEAVE ME ALONE!!"  He threw off Zedd's hand and backed away from him.  The young man and Kimberly still stood just outside the darkness, laughing at him.

 "Tommy...," Zedd called, advancing on him.  Tommy continued to retreat until his legs hit his bed, causing him to take an abrupt seat.

 "Tommy...," Kimberly called, coming toward him also, still arm in arm with the strange young man.  The man just grinned at him.  It was an evil smile and Tommy could not look away.

 *BANG BANG*  "Tommy?  Tommy?"  Tommy shot up in bed.  He could hear his mother calling him from outside his room.  He looked around the room quickly.  It was empty, of course.  Did he really expect anyone to be there?  It had been another damned nightmare, worse than the rest actually.  The unknown young man had never been in any of his nightmares before and the smile he had worn was burned in Tommy's memory, mocking him, scaring him still.

 "Tommy?"  he heard again.  "I think he's asleep," his mother said.

 "Well, I guess I'll head out then," he heard Adam reply.

 Tommy stood and shook his head, trying to clear it of the disturbing memories.  He could hear his mother answering, "I'll tell him you stopped by."

 Tommy opened the door, startling his mother.  "Who is it?" was all he could think to say, even though he knew who was there.

 His mother pointed past him, down the hall at Adam.  "I didn't mean to wake you."

 Tommy shook his head, waving his hand, "It's okay, Mom."  He smiled at her as she went back to the living room.

 "Well," Adam joked, "if it isn't Sleeping Beauty.  Sorry about waking you up."

 Tommy just grinned, "Don't worry about it," Tommy said looking down at the floor sliding his hands into his pockets.  "Sleep's for wimps anyway."

 Adam laughed, "So what do you have planned for tonight?"

 "Nothing really," Tommy started.  "I don't really know if I'm up to doing much."

 Tanya was singing, searching the crowd at the Youth Center, wondering when Kat would show up.  She kept thinking about the conversation they had had earlier on the phone.  It had posed more questions than it had answered.

 "No," Kat said rubbing her eyes, "you heard right.  Robert and I are going to the concert."

 "Any particular reason?" Tanya asked.

 "I don't-," there was a pause while Kat yawned.

 "Sorry about calling and waking you up."

 "That's okay.  Like I said, I don't know, change of mind I suppose."

 "Change of mind?"

 "Gee Tanya, if I didn't know better, I'd say I heard doubt in your voice."

 "Not so much doubt as shock," Tanya answered.  "Is everything fine between you and Tommy?"

 "Sure," she answered, "couldn't be better.  Now that I have my priorities straight, everything's peachy."

 "Priorities?  Did I hear you right?"

 "I hope so," Kat answered defensively.

 Tanya paused, trying to think of another way to drill Kat for information.  Then she noticed the time on her clock.  "Holy-  Kat?  I gotta head out."

 "Youth Center?" Kat asked.

 "Yeah, song time is upon me again.  Ah, my public," she said jokingly with a sigh.  "They love me."

 "Well, I believe I'll be there too, that is if I can work it into my schedule," Kat joked.

 "Oh, you don't mean it!  You'll show up for the likes of me?"  Tanya asked teasingly.

 Kat just laughed, "Right now there's nothing else I'd rather do on a Saturday night."

 "Seeya girl," Tanya said, hanging up the phone.  Well, I didn't get many answers, she thought.  Tonight, face to face, I know I can find out what's going on.

 "So where is she?" Tanya wondered as she sang the next verse.

 The crowd began to applaud as the lights went from 'slow dance mood' to the 'everyday' atmosphere.  Tanya bowed with a smile, noticing Robert sitting to stage right clapping his hands.  Oh boy, she thought, everybody's going to show up tonight, huh?  This could be fun, to say the least.  Ernie walked up and took the microphone.

 "There you have it folks.  One more round of applause for 'The Diva of Angel Grove', Tanya Sloan!" Ernie shouted enthusiastically, spurring on the crowd.  Tanya bowed once more and left the stage to go do some mingling.  But she really hoped to find Kat somewhere in the crowd.

She ended up seeing Kat as she walked in the door.  The two friends quickly made their way to their usual table.

 "Sorry I'm late," Kat said.  "I hope I didn't miss much."

 "That's okay," Tanya replied.  "I'll do another set here in a while."  Now Kat, Tanya thought, you're going to tell me what's up with you.

 "Nice singing Tanya!" Jason said, walking out of the crowd.

 "Thanks," Tanya silently cursed Jason's timing.  "So, where's Emily?"

 "Off powdering her nose," he answered, smiling and mimicking with his hands.  Then he saw Kat at the table also, wearing a short little pink dress.  It was very becoming and showed off her figure well.  "Whoa!  Is that Kat?!"  he teased.

 Kat blushed, turning a shade of pink herself, and grinned.  "Yes," she answered with a smile, waving her hands, "it's me."

 Tanya looked her over, "You're particularly done up tonight.  What's the occasion?"

 Kat only smiled, "I'm not any more 'done up' than usual."

 Tanya and Jason looked at each other and said almost simultaneously, "Uh huh, right!"

 "So where's Tommy?" Jason asked.  Tanya watched Kat to see her reaction.

 Kat lost her smile and responded indifferently, "Home, I guess."

 Jason saw Kat's sudden change of mood at the mention of Tommy's name, and he quickly put two and two together.  Just then Emily walked up throwing her arm around Jason's shoulders.  "Hi guys!"

 "Hello Emily," Tanya said with a smile.

 "Hey there," Kat managed a grin.

 "So where's Tommy and Adam?  Are you ladies alone tonight?" Emily asked.

 Jason thought it best not to bring up Tommy again until he knew what was going on and he wanted to see if Emily knew what was up.  He put his arm around her waist saying, "Let's go get some drinks for everyone, shall we?"  He made eye contact and she caught on to his signal immediately.

 "Sure, what would you two like?"  Emily asked, more than a little curious as to what Jason wanted to talk about privately.

 "Grape," Tanya said, grinning thankfully.  If Jason and Emily leave, she thought, I will finally get to talk to Kat.

 "Nothing for me, thanks," Kat answered.

 "Okay, we'll be back in a few," Jason said.  And they were soon lost in the crowd.

 "So," Tanya began, "what's this about-"

 "Hey everybody!" Robert called as he suddenly appeared at the table.

 GGRRRR!  "Hi Robert," Tanya answered, barely containing her frustration.

 "You were really great up there," Robert said to her, motioning to the stage.  "So when's your first record deal?"

 "Whenever," please leave, Tanya thought, as she smiled politely.

 "And you Kat," Robert said, stepping back to fully take her in, "you look quite stunning."

 "Gosh," she said, shaking her head and smiling, "thank you.  What's so bad about me any other time?"  Robert gained a puzzled look, but grinned and shrugged it off.

 Kat's attention suddenly shifted to the door, where she couldn't help but see Tommy and Adam step inside.  "So Robert," she said quickly, looking back at him, "would you care to dance?"

 "I'd love to," Robert answered, offering his arm.

 "But Kat-," Tanya interjected.  Kat cut her off before she got any further.

 "Yes, Tanya?"  Kat was obviously annoyed at all the questions everyone continued to ask her.  Even Tanya could tell that.  Fine, Tanya thought, let her dance with Robert, but she will answer my questions soon.

 "Nothing.  Go on," Tanya replied.

 Robert had taken Kat's hand instead and was just out of earshot when Kat answered, "Thank you.  Nice to know I have your permission."  She then turned and walked off with Robert.

 Tanya sat and watched them in disbelief.  Had Kat just mouthed off to her?  No one mouthed off to her!  All right, now Tanya was pissed.  She was going to corner Kat and get some answers before she sang her next set or else.

Tommy and Adam had reached the table by then.  But Tanya paid them no attention.

 "What's going on?"  Adam asked, seeing Tanya's face and expecting the worst.

 "Nothing, absolutely nothing."  Tanya replied sourly, never looking in their direction.

 Oh no, Adam thought, she's in a bad mood already and the night is still young.  "Sorry I'm so late.  Things to do, people to see."

 "Uh huh, okay."  Tanya's eyes and attention never left the dance floor.

 "Umm,... I know you must have been great.  I can't wait to see your next set."

 "Yeah, okay."

 Geez, what's her problem?  "Look, I'm going for something to drink.  Want anything?"

 "Jason's getting it."

 Adam looked at Tommy.  He quietly shook his head 'no'.  Adam left and went to the juice bar, with Tanya still staring at something he couldn't see on the dance floor and Tommy sitting there, just sort of spaced out.  Adam didn't know what was going on and he didn't think he wanted to find out.

 Jason and Emily were at the bar waiting on their drinks.  "So, what's going on?"  Emily asked.  She had gotten to know all of Jason's friends very well, and she could tell that there was something very big going on that she didn't know about.

 Jason, for his part, didn't have an answer.  Ever since he lost the Gold Ranger powers, he had spent more time with Emily and less with the Rangers.  They were his friends, but they were also a painful reminder of what he had lost.  He had voluntarily given up his powers before, but this time had been different.  He had been unable to control, his body unable to contain, powers greater than he ever could have imagined.  For a brief time he had enjoyed being a Ranger again.  Now he felt like a failure because he could not use the powers to help his friends and had had to give them back to save his own life.  If anyone truly understood how he felt, it was Tommy.  For one reason or another in the old days he would end up powerless.  Tommy had been robbed of his powers so often, more than any of them ever had.  Jason knew that Tommy had felt like an outsider, someone who desperately wanted to be included but was no longer able to participate.  If only he had confided in Tommy, if only he had told him how bad he was feeling.  But Jason's macho attitude had prevented that.

 Right after the power transfer Tommy had tried to talk to him, to comfort him.  And Jason had blown him off.  'One thing for sure, I'll have more free time,' he had said while looking at Emily walking down the beach.  Tommy had agreed with him.  Before Tommy could say much else, Jason had said good-bye and had gone to walk with Emily and forget his failings.  He wished he had just talked to Tommy about it.

 He cursed himself for not keeping in closer touch with the gang.  Sure he still saw them, but he had also avoided them.  From that brief exchange at the table and from what he now saw on the dance floor, he suspected he had missed quite a bit in the last few weeks, including a few fights.  He was one of the original Rangers and he felt he owed it to his friends to pay more attention to what was going on in their lives.  Of course, he had had a very good reason for being away recently, he thought with a smile as he looked at Emily.

 "I'm not exactly sure, but I think that it's a safe bet that Tommy and Kat are what 'not' to talk about tonight."  Jason said, picking up their drinks and pointing to the dance floor.

 "Interesting development," Emily remarked.

 "What is?" Adam asked as he joined them at the juice bar.

 "That," Jason said, taking a drink and nodding his head at the dance floor.  Adam looked and saw Robert and Kat.  They were one of the few couples on the floor who were actually doing the elaborate line dance that usually accompanied that song.  Most of the other dancers had stepped back to fully appreciate the dancers attempts to Shadish.

 Adam wanted to say he wasn't surprised that Robert and Kat were together, but he was.  This meant this was bigger than the concert.  That fight Kat and Tommy had wasn't just going to blow over.  As Adam watched Kat and Robert dance, he knew that things had really changed.  And he wondered if it would ever be the same.

 "I should have expected this."  Adam sighed, not really realizing he was saying it out loud.

 "What?  You know something about this?"  Jason asked, clearly surprised.

 Adam looked down, not sure what exactly to say.

 "Oh, go ahead.  Clam up on us.  No one else is talking about it either."  Jason said sarcastically.

 Adam looked up quickly, afraid he might have really offended Jason with his silence.  But he saw the smiles on Jason's and Emily's faces and knew they were only teasing him.  "All right, I can tell you what I know," he lied.  "Kat bought some tickets to the Cheap Trick concert and was going to surprise Tommy with them.  But she asked Robert to go instead.  Tommy doesn't know anything about the tickets or Robert.  All Kat will say is that she changed her mind."

 "Wow," Jason said in response to Adam's revelation.

 "To say the least," Emily remarked, smacking Jason lightly on the arm.  "Don't you dare tease either of them till they work this out."

 "Work this out?  What, you think Tommy and Kat had a fight?"  Jason asked.  "Why would you say that?"

 "Women's intuition," she said with a smile.  " I could be wrong, but I bet something happened."

 Yikes, Adam thought, she's good.  I wonder what she thinks about Tanya and me.  That thought led him to look back to the table.  Tanya had finally stopped staring at Kat and Robert and was now concentrating all her attention on Tommy.  And she was really letting him have it.  Tommy looked utterly confused, but he was getting mad; Adam could see that all the way from the bar.

 "Oops, gotta go," Adam said, forgetting the drinks and pushing his way through the crowd.

 Jason saw that Emily had been standing on her tip-toes to see over the crowd to find out what was going on at the table that had cause Adam to panic so.  He pulled a barstool over for her to stand on.  She looked at him curiously, feeling a little embarrassed.

 "Go on, it's like a car wreck.  You can't look away, I know.  Just tell me what's going on."  Jason smiled at her saying this.  She smiled in return and stepped up.

 Tommy had sat down at the table and watched Adam head off to the juice bar.  He looked around the Youth Center, taking in all the people.  He noticed how intently Tanya was staring at the dance floor.  He followed her gaze to discover what was so interesting.  That's when he saw them, Kat and Robert.

 Tommy didn't know what to say or think.  He would have liked to try to convince himself that the dance meant nothing, but he knew better.  It's not like they had never danced with other people before; all couples did at one time or another.  But after what had happened that morning, what he had said to her, he knew there was more to the dance.  She had left him and he didn't blame her.  As he watched them whirl around the dance floor, Tommy was in a state of shock.  He found himself talking, saying the first thing that ran through his head, "I didn't know Kat could line dance."  He didn't even realized he was talking out loud.

 "What?" Tanya turned around quickly, staring at Tommy incredibly.  Tommy realized he had said that out loud and knew how stupid he must have sounded.

 "Umm, hi Tanya," was all he could think to say.  He knew Tanya had been oblivious to his existence at the table until then, so he meant it as a joke, a little something to lighten the moment.

 Tanya just stared at him.  She was mad.  Kat kept brushing her off and wouldn't tell her anything.  She knew something must have happened between Tommy and Kat.  It had to have!  Everyone knew how bad Kat had it for Tommy.  What could have made Kat suddenly overnight forget Tommy, ask another guy out, and go out dancing with the guy?  Tommy must have turned down the tickets!  That's it!  Tommy must not like Cheap Trick and he rejected Kat.  Man, he must have been really hard on her!

 Tanya suddenly had a target for her anger.  She couldn't get to Kat right then, but she could talk to Tommy.  She'd teach him to be so unfeeling.  It didn't bother her in the least that she didn't know if it was true or not.  She knew she must be right and she was going to interject on Kat's behalf.  She opened up both barrels and let them fly, fully loaded, at a totally unsuspecting Tommy.

 "You must really be proud of yourself!"  Tanya yelled at him.

 "What?"  Tommy was surprised, but not in the mood to take any crap from anyone.

 "Oh, come off it!  You know what I mean!"

 "Tanya, actually I have no idea what you're talking about," he said, barely controlling his temper.

 "Don't you even pretend you don't know!  Did you really think I wouldn't find out?"

 "Find out what?  I'm not a mind reader.  How am I supposed to know what you mean if you don't tell me?"  Tommy was getting frustrated with the conversation very quickly.

 "Oh, I'll tell you all right, it's Kat!"  Tanya revealed, marveling that Tommy was still trying to deny any knowledge of what (she thought) had happened.

 Tommy's eyes shifted suddenly.  He was still mad but he feared the worst:  that Kat had told Tanya how he had exploded on her earlier.

 "That's right.  You should feel guilty."  She thought she had seen a flash of shame on his face and immediately tried to use it to her advantage.  "How could you reject her like that?  She bought those tickets to make you happy!  Even if you didn't like them, you could have went along with her.  You didn't have to crush her like that!"

 "What?!"  Tommy looked up again, more confused than ever.  He figured Tanya was jumping to conclusions.  He just didn't know what about.

 "Oh, don't start that again!"

 "Well, if you'd quit speaking nonsense, I might be able to understand you!  What tickets?"

 By that time, Adam had fought his way through the crowd enough to be within earshot.  He heard the rest of the argument, but could not reach the table to say anything.  He wanted to stop Tanya.  He knew Tommy felt terrible about how he had treated Kat.  Adam didn't want him to find out that the tickets had been meant for him.  There was no reason for Tommy to know because it would only make him feel worse.  But Tanya was about to spill the beans and Adam couldn't get there to stop her.

 Exasperated, Tanya was tired of playing games.  If Tommy wanted her to spell it out to him, then fine!  She would.  "The Cheap Trick concert tickets!  You know!  She bought them for you and you turned her down!  It was a cruel and heartless thing to do 'cause you know how she feels about you.  That's why she asked Robert to go!"

 Tommy had been right.  Tanya was jumping to conclusions again.  He was going to tell her the truth, that he knew nothing about the tickets, even if that's not what she wanted to hear.  "I don't know where you get your information from Tanya, but it's all wrong.  I don't know anything about any tickets, any concert, or about Kat and Robert.  It's all a mystery to me."

 Then it was Tanya's turn to be surprised.  "What?" she said, sounding a lot like Tommy had only minutes before.  She couldn't believe she had been wrong.  "You're kidding me.  I don't understand it.  Then Kat really just changed her mind and asked Robert?"

 Suddenly Tommy was tired:  tired of the crowd, tired of the noise, tired of the argument, and just plain tired.  He wanted to end it all and just go home.  He was truly regretting that Adam had talked him into coming.  "Apparently!"  Tommy found himself yelling at one of his friends for the second time that day.  And he really didn't care what he said.  "She wants to go out with Robert, fine."  Tanya did notice the sorrow and regret in his voice as he said that.  He continued on, "But what happens between Kat and me is our business, not yours.  So stay out of it!"  Tommy stood up quickly and made his way as fast as he could to the exit.

 Tanya sat fuming, staring at Tommy's back as he headed for the door.

 "Tommy!  Wait!"  Tanya heard Adam behind her yelling after Tommy.

 "Just let him go," she said.

 Adam reached the table and glared down at Tanya.  "What did you do?  Why did you have to tell him about that?"

 He had startled Tanya by speaking up like that.  "What do you mean?  Didn't you hear what he said to me?"

 "Yeah, and I heard what you said to him.  There is no reason he ever had to know about those tickets.  His girlfriend takes another guy out and you rub it in."

 Adam was defending Tommy and Tanya didn't know what to think.  "Well, why shouldn't he know?  Tommy must have done something for Kat to act this way toward him."

 "But you don't know that.  And even if he did, why did you have to make him feel even worse?"  Adam felt like such a hypocrite saying this.  He knew very well that Tommy and Kat had had a fight.  But he wasn't going to spread any gossip.  It wasn't any of Tanya's business, heck, it wasn't even any of his business.  He had just unfortunately overheard it and now he was stuck in the middle.  On one hand he was trying to help Tommy and Kat and on the other he was trying to get the others to leave them alone until they worked it out.  "It's obvious that Tommy's been feeling down lately," that's an understatement, he thought, "and I talked him into coming here tonight hoping to lift his spirits.  He gets here, sees his girlfriend out with another guy; okay, that's bad.  Then you tell him that she bought tickets for him but gave them to the other guy.  Imagine what he feels like now!"

 "Whatever."  Tanya didn't want to listen to a lecture.  And she was more curious than ever as to what had really happened between Kat and Tommy.

 Adam didn't want to argue with her.  He wanted to follow Tommy and see if he was okay.  Adam had said what he had to say, but now he had to get out of there.  He felt like a spineless weasel for doing it, but he was going to have to swallow his pride and end this thing the only way it could end quickly and happily:  with him (gulp) apologizing.  He knew he had done nothing wrong, but he had defended Tommy against her.  And if he wanted to get out of there to find Tommy, he had to smooth things over here.

 Suddenly suspicious of his behavior, Tanya turned to interrogating him.  "Adam, what's going on?  What do you know?"

 Panicking slightly, "I don't know anything," he lied, "I just hate to see anyone feel that bad.  Look," here goes nothing, he thought, "I'm sorry," yuck! "Forget I said anything.  I didn't mean it.  I gotta go."

 "Don't go Adam.  We should talk."  Tanya was concerned with his sudden change of tune and apparent brush-off.

 "Tanya...," Adam started.

 "Hey Tanya," Ernie approached the table, "you're on, come on.  You have to sing."

 "Ernie, I-"

 "Come on, your public awaits."

 Tanya looked at Adam.  She wanted to tell him to stay, but she knew she couldn't make him.  And he did seem truly worried about Tommy.

 "Adam-"

 "Tanya, go on.  You'll be great.  I'm sorry, but I have to leave.  Just forget about all of this.  I'll make it up to you."

 Tanya quietly shook her head.  She would let it drop, for now.  Even if Adam left she could still corner Kat later.  That would probably be easier without Adam around anyway.  Tanya would just deal with him later.

 "'Bye.  I'm sorry."  Every time he said it, he felt worse.  He kissed her and headed toward the door as she headed toward the stage.

 As Tanya stepped onto the stage, she scanned the Youth Center.  She found Kat and Robert, still on the dance floor.  Kat was giggling at something Robert had whispered in her ear.  Tanya didn't know if she was mad anymore or not.  She felt like she was on the outside looking in.  People were hiding things, and she didn't like it.

Emily looked down at Jason and he offered her a helping hand.  She stepped off the stool, quickly and gracefully.

 "Shall we dance while you fill me in?"  Jason offered her his arm.

 "Absolutely," Emily answered, wrapping her arm around his massive bicep as they walked to the dance floor.  "Something is definitely wrong here Jason," she said as an introduction.

"Ladies and gentleman, Tanya Sloan!"  Ernie yelled, passing off the mike.  Tanya scanned the room again before she began to sing.  The slow intro music began and the crowd cheered when they recognized it.  It had been a #1 hit for a favorite California band.  The couples that were not already on the dance floor, headed there now.  Tanya saw Robert and Kat chatting away, Jason and Emily were deep in conversation, all of the them dancing along to the opening music.  Everyone looked so happy, it made Tanya want to share the feeling.  She searched for Adam and found him at the door.  He turned around and looked up at her up on the stage, as if he knew what she was thinking.  He used a smile of his pride in her to try to mask the sorrow and regret on his face, but she saw it all anyway.  His smile finally faded and he seemed poised in quiet indecision, unwilling to go and unable to stay.  Tanya put on her best stage face and began to sing.

 Adam stopped at the door and turned to the stage.  Tanya was watching him walk away.  He wanted her to know he was proud of her, but he suspected only his unhappiness was showing on his face.  He didn't want to have to leave her, but he had to, for the good of his friend.  With a deep sigh, he turned and walked out the door.

 He ran out into the parking lot.  He could see the tail lights of Tommy's jeep as he pulled out.  He's headed toward the park, Adam thought, as he saw the jeep turn onto the long road that led to the small section of the park where the playground was.  Adam had rode to the Youth Center with Tommy and now watched as his ride disappeared over the hill.  Well, it's not that far and the moon's out, he thought, why not go for a walk up to the park?  If he wanted to check on Tommy that was the only way.  So Adam started out in a slow jog up the hill to the park.

 Rocky and Penny walked into the Youth Center and he looked around for the gang.  They had missed Adam totally, never seeing him in the parking lot.

 "Well, we're here," Rocky said with a grimace.  He would have been perfectly happy not to have been there at all.  He really didn't want to see Tanya any time soon.  But Penny had wanted to hear her sing, so here he was.  Hey, if it made her happy, fine by him.

 "Don't be so sour Rocky.  Listen, she's singing No Doubt." Penny answered as Rocky led her to a table.

 "She doesn't sing it as well as Gwen does," Rocky countered, referring to the charismatic lead singer of No Doubt.

 "Of course not.  No one can compare to Gwen.  That doesn't mean Tanya isn't good though.  Come on, forget the table, let's dance," she said, pulling him, correctly, in the direction of the dance floor.  Rocky thought, as long as Tanya stays on the stage, or just away from me, I could really have fun here tonight.  And his attitude brightened as they stepped on the dance floor.

 Tommy brought his jeep to a sudden halt in the small parking lot in the park.  His headlights shown on the swing set.  He turned off the engine and the headlights.  There were no lights in that area of the park, but he didn't care.  He got out of the jeep and walked to the bottom of the slide.  The moon was bright and he knew his way around here well.  Kimberly and he had often come there at the end of their dates.  They had spent many hours talking away the night on that very spot.  He looked at the slowly moving swing and remembered the many times he had pushed her as she would swing higher and higher, laughing louder every time.  Or over on the wooden fort, where they had chased each other in crazy games of tag, that usually ended up with him tickling her 'til she begged him to stop.  Or over on the see-saw, where they had slowly tilted back and forth, deep in philosophical discussions about love, life, and their future plans.  Funny, he thought, our future plans always included being together no matter where we went in the world.  He hung his head and felt despair wash over him, just like the sand that was washing over and covering his shoes.  Where did we go wrong?

 "Well, that's all I could see.  Unfortunately I couldn't hear a thing."  Emily remarked, summing up what she had seen of the events that had transpired at the table.

 "Hmm.  Well, Tommy and Adam headed out the door and Tanya probably won't tell us anything.  So I guess we'll have to wait 'til tomorrow and ask the guys, if we see them."  Jason answered, trying to figure out what had everyone so upset.

 "Jason, technically it is tomorrow," she said smiling and pointing to the clock on the wall.  It read 12:15 a.m.  The Youth Center would close at 1:00 a.m., so they decided to forget the others for now and have fun.

 Tommy continued to look down, staring at the shifting sand as he kicked it with his boot toe.  A smile was trying, unsuccessfully, to form on his face.  He had finally found a place where he could be happy.  Unfortunately, that place was the past.  He was lost in his memories.  His thoughts were on Kimberly when a voice came from behind and scared the hell out of him.

 "Tommy?" was all that was said, but that was enough.  In a split second, several parts of Tommy's body fought with all the others.  His ears told his brain that it was a friend behind him and there was no need to panic.  His nerves, on the other hand, were shot and wanted to react to anything as if it were an attack.  His heart got into league with his imagination and it used his current trip down memory lane to try to convince him that Kimberly was behind him.  That's just wishful thinking his brain told his heart.  And since his nerves were yelling the loudest because Tommy had been startled, his brain said, go for it.  Tommy whirled around in a fighting stance, poised for action.

 Great, Adam thought, twice in one day!  Is Tommy going to make fighting me a regular daily event?  Adam, for his part, did not even flinch when Tommy whirled around.  He stood there, staring at him.  "Easy man," he said, making downward motions with his hands.  Tommy just stared back at him.

 Tommy suddenly felt terribly silly and lowered his hands.  He looked sheepishly at Adam and mumbled, "Sorry."

 "No problem man, so... what's wrong?"

 Tommy looked down and appeared to become very interested in his shoes again.  Actually he was confused.  He had so many problems, so much going on.  What could he tell Adam and could Adam even help him?

 But Adam was prepared for Tommy's resistance.  He knew how to make him open up.  "I heard what you said to Kat today," he announced simply and waited for Tommy to react.

 Tommy was truly surprised.  He thought no one had heard or seen the exchange between Kat and him.  But it also worried him.  He knew Adam looked up to him.  He wondered what kind of jerk Adam thought he was now.  Tommy couldn't raise his eyes to meet Adam's; he didn't want to.

 "It's okay Tommy.  If you need to talk about anything, just let me know.  You know I'm good at reading people.  I've known something's been bothering you for a long time.  You haven't been the same since you got Kimberly's letter."  Adam said this, wondering just how bad of a reaction the mentioning of that 'Dear John letter' would generate.

 Again, Adam had surprised Tommy.  He thought he had been hiding his unhappiness well.  He hadn't even known how much it was bothering him until he started dating Kat.  He liked her and wanted to be with her, but he couldn't help comparing everything to Kimberly.

 "You can't forget her, can you?"

 Tommy continued his silence.  How could he talk about this to Adam?  What could he say?  He was afraid if he started talking that he would never stop.  That he would blab everything about Zedd, the bomb, and worst of all, the suicide mission.  But he had made a promise to Zordon and he was determined to keep it.  There was no reason to worry anyone else, no reason for anyone else to die.  He tried to answer Adam as best he could, trying to limit the details.

 "...No, I can't," Tommy mumbled, not raising his head.

 "It's going to be okay Tommy.  These things take time."

 "But I can't help thinking I did something wrong, that I made her leave."

 "I hate to say it like this but distance can make people lonely and she met someone else."  Adam tried to bring Tommy back to the fight with Kat.  "How did all this come out today against Kat?"

 "I don't know."  Tommy sighed.  "I know I've been treating Kat very badly lately.  I've been mad at myself and then today I took it out on her.  I still don't know how it happened."

 "You hurt her Tommy.  You two will have to get past this quick to work as a team for the Rangers.  But it may take a while, and a big apology, to repair the friendship."

 "I know.  The part that really confuses me though is what's going on between Robert and her."

 "I can't help you there.  She did buy the concert tickets for you.  But after the fight she asked Robert instead and all she'll tell anyone is that she changed her mind."

 "I've screwed everything up.  Kat will probably never speak to me again, and I deserve it."  Tommy sighed, "I know this will sound silly, like I'm living in the past or something, but things were easier when Kim was here.  There was more to life than just going through the motions."

 "Tommy, I don't want to state the obvious, but I really don't think she's coming back.  I know it's hard, but things will get better and you move on.  I mean look, you've moved on after that whole Gasket thing."

 Now Tommy finally made eye contact.  There was a distressed look on his face and fear in his eyes.

 "What?  What's wrong?  Everything's okay.  That happened weeks ago.  You're fine now."

 "Am I?"  Tommy said before he could stop himself.  He hadn't expected Adam to bring up Gasket's arena and he found himself answering Adam and telling more than he cared to.  "I've had some... nightmares...," the worst I've ever had.  Even worse than any I have had about being the evil Green Ranger, he thought.  "I can't forget what I did or how I acted.  I could've killed you all and it didn't bother me.  I thought I was right."

 "It's all over now Tommy.  Bulk and Skull said Tridor destroyed the Brain Drain machine.  Everyone's fine, including you.  Chalk your actions up to an evil spell, but we trust you Tommy.  Nothing's going to change that."

 Tommy let it drop at that.  He just couldn't admit to anyone the extent of his nightmares; how thoughts of evil still haunted his sleep.  He couldn't tell Adam how confused he felt inside.  Adam was right, they trusted him.  But they shouldn't, because he almost didn't trust himself.  Strangely though, it had really helped to talk to someone, even if it was just about the mess with Kimberly.

 "Thanks man, for everything.  I know I've pretended to be over Kim.  I've lied about a lot of stuff.  I've got to stop avoiding things and face them," especially since the time I have left is limited, he thought.  "Unless I come to terms with my feelings, I can't even begin to make it up to Kat."  Tommy looked at Adam and suddenly felt so much younger than his younger friend and he was grateful for somewhere to lean.  "Thanks, I mean it."

 "Anytime.  If you ever want to talk, you know where to find me.  And I mean that."

 "You know," Tommy started, "sometimes it really helps to remember the old times.  Like the only way to exorcise the past is to get it out in the open and talk about it."

 "It always helps," Adam answered.  He sensed that Tommy wanted to talk about Kimberly.  And if Tommy was ready to stop bottling up his feelings for her and discuss them, Adam was ready to listen.  Getting over her was the first step Tommy needed to take before he could start over with Kat.

 Tommy walked up and put a hand on Adam's shoulder.  "Do you remember how many times we fought Putties in this very playground?"

 "Sure I do."

 "Well, I remember one time Kimberly and I were ambushed right over there..."

 "Or how about the time you told me about when Rita created evil Rangers.  Kim and you fought your doubles over there and..."

 Tommy and Adam talked, reminiscing as Tommy tried to dispel some of his demons.  They walked slowly back to the jeep and drove off into the early morning darkness.

To be continued...

song credits
"Sistinas"  by Danzig  (Chapter Eleven)
"Ain't Going Down (Til The Sun Comes Up)"  by Garth Brooks  (Chapter Twelve)
"Don't Speak"  by No Doubt  (Chapter Twelve)