The Terran Ranger Saga Volume 5 by Heather Ray (novel24 .txt) 📖

before I didn't really have that much to occupy my time, other than classes and meetings with the other delegates at the Peace Conference. In Angel Grove, I have to juggle school, hanging out at Ernie's, extra-curricular activities, and of course fighting off Zedd and Rita. I just haven't had the time...

Jason frowned to himself as a wave of guilt hit him.

That's not good enough,

he decided. No matter how busy I was, it wouldn't take all that long to drop Lex a message, asking how she's been doing. I could've if I really wanted to. But, why didn't I want to?

As if in answer, his mind conjured an image from only minutes ago, when he and Katherine were holding hands over an apple juice and a heart-felt conversation. Jason's guilt increased exponentially, and he shampooed his hair harshly, as if to relieve some of the tension building.

That was nothing,

he reasoned, Kat and I are just friends. Nothing more. Besides, it's pretty plain to see she'd never go for me. I'm so... rough around the edges. She's so sophisticated and proper. And she's in love with Tommy. She'd never admit it, and Tommy doesn't have the faintest idea, but I can see it in her eyes. She's in love with Tommy, and I love Alex. Sort of...

Jason shut off the water and wrapped his body in a towel. He wiped the condensation off the medicine cabinet mirror, and gazed deeply into his own eyes, as if trying to see into his mind from outside rather than from within.

Of course, Tommy is in love with Kimberly, and I doubt that'll ever change. They've bonded in such a way that every couple aspires to. I don't think they're breaking up anytime soon, so I really can't see Tommy getting together with Kat. And Alexis probably hates me after I've all but ignored her the past few months.

Jason knew he wasn't fooling anyone. If Alexis hated him, she wouldn't have sent him such a warm letter. It was obvious Alexis still had strong feelings for Jason. But he, on the other hand, didn't know what his feelings were for Alexis.

"Ah, I should stop thinking about all this," he decided, "Alexis and I just have to get reacquainted is all. Spend some time together. I mean, it didn't take me long to fall for her in the first place. We've just been separated for so long, that I just kinda...forgot about her. No, I didn't forget her! I just...put her out of my mind. It's probably some kind of psychological defense, so I don't end up dwelling on thoughts of her and getting all depressed, like Tommy always did when Kim left..."

Jason cracked a smile, and rolled his eyes. This new argument was even more ludicrous that the previous one. He decided to drop the subject, and hurried to his bedroom to get changed. After throwing on a T-shirt and some black sweat pants, he combed through his curly wet hair, and gazed at the letter. He sighed again, and slipped the folded lavender paper into his front pocket before hurrying out the door.

Chapter Two

Katherine parked behind the Gym and Juice Bar, and got out of her car. She saw Aisha walk into the Juice bar with Kimberly and Tommy following behind her, strolling hand in hand. She smiled wistfully when she saw the serene expressions on both of their faces. Obviously, a few hours of shopping didn't disagree too much with Tommy. So long as he could spend time with the love of his life.

Katherine cast her eyes down to the pavement as she locked the car door. Every time she saw Kimberly and Tommy together, a wave of mild depression struck. At first, it was jealousy towards Kimberly. No matter how much she tried to fight it, Katherine couldn't help but fall for Tommy. Rita's spell, that made her evil when they first met, fed off that initial attraction, turning Katherine into an obsessed maniac, willing to do anything in order to have Tommy. Including kill Kimberly. Fortunately, Katherine broke the spell before she could harm Kimberly too much. And Kimberly forgave Kat for all she did while evil, and even offered her a place on the Power Ranger team. Kimberly obviously harbored no ill will. And Katherine learned Kimberly was one of the sweetest, nicest people on the planet. That just made Kat feel guilty about being attracted to Tommy.

But lately, her feelings toward Kim and Tommy had changed. Of course, she was still attracted to Tommy, but the type of jealousy changed. At first, Katherine wished that she could be in Kimberly's place...the woman Tommy loved. But now, she was happy for them. They made a fabulous couple, and Tommy was so happy, Katherine would never wish them to break up. It would break Tommy's heart, and he'd probably never recover completely. Rather, Katherine found herself wishing for a relationship like the one Kimberly and Tommy have.

Kimberly found her Prince Charming,

Kat thought, walking towards the building. That's what I'm envious of. Their love is so true and pure, and so all encompassing, they would do anything for each other. Kim always supports Tommy's athletic pursuits, even though she doesn't much like being a spectator. And Tommy always goes with Kimberly shopping, even though he loathes shopping in its own right. Slowly, they've reached a point where just being together is joyful, no matter the activity. Just seeing Kimberly makes Tommy's eyes shine, and the same goes for her. I so wish I could find a love like that. A love so strong and true, nothing could break it. Not distance, not time, not responsibilities... nothing. When will I fall in love, I wonder? Its true, I'm attracted to Tommy, and I'll even venture to say that, to some extent, I love him. Of course, I don't think I could ever love him as much as Kimberly does. But that's not what I want. I want a love that is reciprocated, so it can grow and flourish. When will I find my

Prince Charming?

As Katherine walked into the Juice Bar, her mind turned to earlier that morning, when she and Jason were together. Although they rarely spent time together, and they didn't know each other all that well, Katherine found herself so comfortable with him that she could divulge her deepest feelings. Her feelings of alienation, of inadequacy, and of vulnerability. And she knew she could trust him. He wouldn't share her secrets with anyone, and he would always try to make her feel better. However, he wouldn't lie to her to lift her spirits. He is truthful and caring, and he always knows what to say. He is much more sensitive than his husky exterior would have one believe.

Kimberly did refer to him as a "big teddy bear"

,

Katherine thought with a smile, as she looked across the room. Kimberly and Aisha were seated at the group's usual table, and they were both sitting with their backs to Katherine. It was simple to see they were looking at something on the table, because Aisha was sitting extremely close to Kim, and both had their heads nodded downwards. Katherine moved over to them and sat down.

"Hello," she greeted, sitting beside Kimberly. She saw a lavender piece of paper, with flowing black lettering on it. Kimberly and Aisha looked up, and smiled at Katherine.

"Hey, Kat," said Aisha. "What've you been up to?"

"Rocky, Zack, Jason and I played some basketball," Katherine related.

"Well that's nice," said Kim, grinning widely, "but you would've had a ball at the mall."

"Yeah!" chimed Aisha. "There was a huge sale at The Gap, and I found the cutest little dress at Nordstrom's --"

"I can imagine," said Kat, smiling with amusement. "So where's Tommy?"

"Bathroom," said Kim. Kim then turned back to the letter for a few moments, reading over the last paragraph. She then turned back to Katherine, practically bubbling with excitement.

"What's going on?" Katherine asked.

"You're not going to believe this! Lex is coming back!!"

"Who?" Kat asked. Aisha and Kimberly looked shocked.

"Alexis Darling?" Aisha said quietly. "You know, the Purple Ranger?"

Katherine rubbed her chin, as if trying to recollect. She then shook her head. "I've never met a Purple Ranger."

"Well, of course you didn't!" said Kimberly. "She moved to Philadelphia before you moved to the US. But I'm sure I told you about her at some time."

"I'm sorry, I don't recall," said Kat, shrugging. "What's she like?"

"Well," said Aisha, "she's tall with red hair, and green eyes. She's lots of fun, and a great fighter. Hmm, I didn't know her all that well...only for a few weeks. You should ask Jason. He can tell you the whole story."

"Why would I ask Jason?" Kat asked curiously.

"Because she's Jason's girlfriend."

Kat's eyebrow rose slightly, and her small grin fell into a straight, tight line. Kimberly noted Katherine's expression with interest. It seemed like Kat was trying to control her reaction, without doing too good of a job.

"Hey girls!" called a voice across the room. Everyone turned around to see Rocky, Zack, Billy, and Adam. The four guys sat down at the table.

"How're you feeling, Adam?" Aisha asked with concern. He smiled warmly.

"My heart's fully healed," he announced, "but I still shouldn't strain it."

"Right," said Billy. "He shouldn't re-absorb a Zeo shard for at least three more months, although he can go about his other activities unhindered. He may tire more easily than usual, but other than that he's fine."

"That's fantastic!" said Rocky, giving his best friend a high-five.

"Yeah," said Adam, "and I got a postcard from Tanya today, too."

"Really?" asked Zack, "I'm sure you're excited."

Adam blushed slightly, causing all the others to grin.

"Well, yeah I am. She's having a blast in Kenya."

"Wow," said Tommy, walking over to the table from the bathroom, "the gang's all here!"

"Not quite," said Katherine, moving over so Tommy could sit next to Kimberly, "Jason's not here yet."

"Guys," said Kimberly, "I have some terrific news! Alexis is coming back next week!" "That's great!" said Rocky excitedly. "Man, that girl can sure help Zack and I lighten up this crowd!"

"We could use a hand," said Billy thoughtfully, "I doubt the Eaglezord can morph with the Terra Megazord, but it's still an efficient vehicle."

"I thought she wasn't coming back until May or June," said Zack. "Doesn't her sister have to finish Law School?"

"She finished early," said Aisha. "They're arriving on Saturday --"

"Hey everyone," called Jason, running across the Youth Center. "Wow, am I late?"

"No," said Katherine, watching him as he sat down across from her, "you're just on time. Did you know that Alexis Darling was coming back to Angel Grove?"

Jason nodded. "Yeah,