Note from 'Z': Hey all! Yup, 'Syd' and I are still alive and still writing together, so in case anyone was worried otherwise (perhaps more so the latter), worry no more! Anywhoo, for those who've been waiting a while for a new Barely Breathing chapter, sorry for making you wait so long and hope you still love us haha. Well, without further adieu, we present you the next chapter of Barely Breathing—

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"Anything?" Hayley asked. Trent had come down to help look for Kimberly and Ethan. He'd been staring at the large computer screen in the base for most of the time he'd been there. Hayley had figured it best not to engage him. Superficially, she'd say it was to leave him with his, no doubt, jumbled thoughts and search his scrambled memory as he looked at the dimensional grid. But, a part of it was out of fear. As much as he seemed to be okay, maybe even good, Hayley couldn't look at him without seeing the large sentry who blocked her, Kimberly, Trini and Naomi from leaving her café that fateful night. She could still feel Trent's hand clamping around her throat before he flung her away like a rag doll.

Trent shook his head. "Nothing yet." He replied as he continued his search. He hesitated to turn and look at Hayley to give her the information. He knew that everyone was avoiding him, and keeping him here. He clicked a few more times, before sighing. "I'm sorry," he finally said with a defeated tone. He sighed again and put his elbows up on the console, resting his head in his hands. "None of this…none of this makes any sense, it's not like I recognize anything." He shook his head. His memories, what few of them he could make sense, squeezed his heart. "By the time my d…..he…..was doing all this, I was…….too far gone to be aware of anything." Hayley's heart went out to the teenager. He was trying his hardest, despite everything.

"It's not your fault Trent. You're doing everything you can to help." Trent gave a self deprecating scoff before looking up at Hayley.

"Isn't it my fault?" He asked. His breath caught in his throat the second his eyes landed on her face as a memory crept into his mind. He quickly looked away, down to the console. "If I hadn't…..been there that night……if I hadn't blocked the exit to the café……..none of this would've happened," he spoke softly. Hayley took a deep breath.

"You remember that night," she said. She'd meant it as a question but it left her lips as a statement of fact. Trent nodded.

"Well," he clarified, "it's like everything else…bits and pieces….but…yeah, I remember…." He shot a guilty look her direction, avoiding her face. Hayley paused for a moment, thinking.

"Trent, we've all made mistakes. What's important is that we acknowledge that, and move forward."

"What if it's not that easy?" He asked. He gave a wry chuckle. "No one here is exactly scrambling to give the go ahead for me to move forward. No matter what, I'm still the person who was a part of all this, who hurt Naomi, Kira, you…….The person who didn't exactly make any attempts to save Ethan and Dr. Hart successful."

"Give them some time," Hayley suggested. "You've got to imagine how hard this has to be…Even if you are your real self, it's going to be hard-" Her sentence was cut short by Trent suddenly rising to his feet and turning to her. Out of instinct, Hayley recoiled in her seat.

"Even if?" He hissed. "So, what, you all think I'm still my father's lapdog?" He asked. "You think I'm still one of them?!"

"Trent, I'm sorry...It was a slip." She replied, trying to push herself backwards. Trent's eyes widened as he looked at her, really saw her and saw how he must've looked right then. He took a step back and turned away.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have…I didn't mean to…" He sighed and ran his hand tiredly over his face. "That's not…that's not me, I'm just…I'm sorry," he said. Hayley let out a shaky breath before nodding.

"It's okay." She replied honestly. Trent shook his head.

"No it's not," he said. He sat back down. "Maybe I should just go to…Elsa and Zeltrax and let them re-do whatever the hell it was that made me like that." Hayley blinked.

"Is that what you want?" She asked. "To be under their control, not knowing what you're doing, just some mindless ape?" Trent closed his eyes and took his breath.

"Right now, I think I'd take mindless over having to deal with all this….guilt and everything."

"Guilt is a part of life." She countered.

"Yeah, but to this degree?" He argued. Hayley sighed and gave him a slow nod.

"Okay, yes, you're dealing with an exceptionally large case of it," Hayley answered. "No one's arguing that." She slowly rose to her feet. Without thinking she made her way over to him. A part of her still feared him, but another part, a part that was overwhelming that, wanted to reach out to him. He was alone, she could see that. She could also see that he needed someone, someone to lean on or at least show they cared about him. She carefully placed a hand on his shoulder. She felt him slightly tense in surprise beneath her touch. "All the more reason why you should see this as a chance to build upon yourself. Show your inner strength by persevering, not giving up and taking what seems like the easy way out." She felt the tense muscles underneath her hand slowly ease. Hayley was glad to see her attempt to reach out to him seemed to work.

"Thanks," he said after a deep breath. Hayley nodded.

"Hey," she said, giving his shoulder a squeeze. "We've been at this for some time, how about we take a lunch break?" She suggested. Trent nodded.

"Sounds good to me," he said. Hayley nodded. She made her way to the stairs out of the basement with Trent following her. They made their way to the kitchen, where they saw Conner and Kira sitting together having lunch. The second Trent entered the room, Conner, who's expression had been jovial as he was caught mid joke with his girlfriend, turned into a hard sneer.

"What are you doing out of the dungeon?" He snapped at Trent. Trent clenched his fists at his hand. A myriad of possible actions ran through his head. A part of him wanted to snap back at Conner, another wanted to turn and run back to the underground lab, and another wanted to just use this as his chance to leave.

"Conner, stop." Hayley commented.

"Oh what, you're a Monkey Boy sympathizer too?" Conner said, rolling his eyes at Hayley. Hayley shot a look at him.

"Because you've never screwed up Conner." Conner opened his mouth to shoot off a reply but was stopped by Kira putting a hand on his arm.

"Conner," she stepped in, "why don't you go up and check on Trini," she pointedly suggested. Conner gave her a look that suggested he had little intention to leave, but Kira returned the look with a slight glare. Conner sighed and nodded.

"I see I'm reduced to kid duty in Naomi's absence," he muttered as he got up and left. Kira just rolled her eyes as he exited the room, glaring at Trent. Trent let out a breath and sat down at the kitchen table.

"Thanks," he said. Kira blinked and looked at him.

"Don't mention it," she replied. Trent nodded. Kira narrowed her eyes. "Seriously, don't mention it," she said. She had thought she could be diplomatic and neutral towards Trent, but having him sitting across a table from her told her she couldn't. In her mind, he was no better than Harold, and she needed to get away. "I'm going to go help Conner with Trini, he can be all thumbs with kids," she hurriedly muttered before making a quick exit. Trent's mouth fell open slightly as Kira darted from the room. He thought that with her defending him, she might be on his side, or at least willing to listening...But apparently not. Hayley saw his expression and sighed, taking a seat next to him.

"As much as it sucks, those two are probably up there on the list of people who you're going to have to be the most patient with if you hope for them to forgive you," she said. Trent sighed and nodded.

"Yeah, I know," he said softly. "I just thought…maybe people would understand that…I had no control over it…" He looked at Hayley. "I swear, Hayley, it wasn't me. It was all the gem, you've got to belie-" Hayley held up a hand.

"I know, Trent," she said softly. "But unfortunately a big white gem didn't mess with Conner's car and cause it to crash," she said sadly. "It was you, being controlled by the gem yes, but still. They can't be angry at a gem, they can't be wary of a gem. For now, all the things the gem did, you have the misfortune of being held at fault for in their eyes."

"That's comforting," Trent sighed.

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Upstairs, Kira and Conner sat by a still sleeping Trini's bed.

"I figured that you'd still be downstairs talking to the traitor." Conner whispered angrily. Kira sighed.

"Okay, technically he's not a traitor," she whispered. "I mean, a traitor implies he was actually on our side at one point and then turned baddie."

"As supposed to once being a friend and then turning baddie?" Conner countered.

"Touché," she said. They were both silent for a moment before Kira spoke again. "Look, I thought that I might be able to get past it, but I can't. But he might have information or ideas on where we can find Ethan and Kim...We need to be somewhat civil to him at least."

"I think the fact that I wasn't pouncing on him and beating him to a pulp was civil enough for me," Conner muttered. Kira sighed and placed a hand on his arm.

"Conner, please. If he thinks we're the enemy, what's to stop him from not helping us or even worse going to Elsa and Zeltrax?" Conner said nothing, so Kira continued. "He knows too much about us... If he were to go to Elsa and Zeltrax..." She trailed off, and Conner nodded.

"I know the consequences of that Kira." He sighed. "I mean all we have right now is that they don't know where our base is. If Trent went trotting back to them, he could tell them exactly where to find us," he noted. Kira nodded.

"And we can't have that, I mean it'd be one thing if our base was…" she paused, shrugging, "I guess Cyberspace or something," she said, "but not here, not with.." her voice trailed off as she tilted her head towards the sleeping child. Conner nodded, knowing what she meant. It would be one thing if the only people put in danger if their location went to enemy ears were Tommy, himself, and Kira…even if the idea of having Kira in danger bothered Conner immensely. It was a whole other thing to put Trini in danger if her home became primary target number one. All further conversation was cut off as Trini, as if knowing she was being talked about, slowly roused from sleep. She opened her eyes and sleepily looked up at Conner and Kira. Kira smiled and gently touched the child's forehead.

"Hey there sleepy, have a good nap?" She softly asked. Trini nodded in response. She stretched slightly before looking at Kira.

"Can I have a snack?"

"Sure," she said. She went to suggest they go down to the kitchen before remembering Trent was there. She didn't think Trini would understand him sitting at the kitchen table as if all was well. "How about I go get it for you?" She suggested. Trini slowly sat up.

"Okay," she agreed. Kira smiled.

"Alright, you just stay here with Conner and I'll go get us all a nice little snack," she said before standing up. Trini turned and looked at Conner.

"Wanna play house?" She asked. Kira covered her mouth to muffle her giggles at Conner's horror-stricken face as she left the room.

"Um….okay," she heard him say as she walked down the stairs. Kira reached the bottom of the stairs and went to head to the kitchen when she saw the front door opened. She paused as she saw a head of short nearly platinum blonde hair walk in. Kira's eyes widened.

"Excuse me wha-" her voice cut off as the person looked up and shut the door behind her. "Oh my god," she blurted out. Naomi blushed at Kira's comment.

"Do you like it?" She questioned. Kira blinked.

"I think I'm still getting over the shock," she muttered without thinking. Naomi's face fell. Kira quickly shook her head. "No, I mean….yeah……it looks good…..just…..really unexpected," she said. "Wha….I mean….why…?" Naomi chuckled.

"Well, I'd heard somewhere that blondes have more fun, thought I'd test that theory," she joked. Kira smiled.

"We do have more fun..." She replied. Now over her initial shock, Kira took in Naomi's new look. Her formerly long red locks were dyed light blonde, lighter than Kira's own blonde hair. The length had been reduced from its mid-back reach to coming just at the middle of her neck. Her hair was now layered, with long bangs reaching the sides of her eyes. "What brought this on?" Kira curiously asked. Naomi gave a nonchalant shrug.

"Felt like a change," she replied.

"Quite a change," Kira remarked. Naomi chuckled.

"I figured that if I was going to change it at all, it should be drastic." She replied.

"Well, you certainly achieved that," Kira stated. "I almost didn't recognize you." Naomi grinned.

"Good to know." She laughed. Kira eyed her for a moment as Naomi absentmindedly twirled the back ends of her hair in her finger, getting used to its new length.

"Can I ask why you needed to make such a change?" Kira asked. She couldn't help but feel a little worried. Naomi had been spending most of the time under a dark cloud of despair over Ethan's disappearance, Kira couldn't help but wonder there was more to this change. Naomi sighed.

"Jeez, Kira, can we quit with the line of questioning? If you think my hair sucks just say it," she muttered before walking past her to the kitchen. Kira's mouth fell open as Naomi walked past her.

"Naomi, I don't think your hair sucks." She replied.

"Alright then quit harping on it. I told you I felt like a change, no need to analyze it to death," she said. She stopped as she saw Trent and Hayley sitting at the kitchen table. Both seemed to share Kira's surprised looks. Naomi rolled her eyes and walked to the refrigerator to grab a bottle of water. Hayley opened her mouth to say something but caught a warning look from Kira. Hayley cleared her throat and rethought of what she should say.

"Love the hair," she finally said. Naomi gave her a skeptical look, preparing for her to question her like Kira had. Hayley gave her a smile. "I mean, kind of sad I'm back to being the lone redhead of the group," she kidded, "but the new look suits you," she said. Naomi smiled.

"Thank you, Hayley," Naomi said.

"No problem." She replied honestly. Kira sighed and walked to one of the kitchen cabinets to find an appropriate snack for Trini. Trent remained silent through the entire ordeal. Kira found a box of Ritz crackers and set a bunch on a plate before finding some fruit in the fridge to add in as well.

"Where's Trini?" Naomi commented.

"Upstairs in her room, with Conner," Kira replied as she busied herself with arranging the food on the plate in a cute design for the little girl. Naomi nodded, understanding without being told that Kira and Conner were watching her for the time being.

"If you want, I can take that up to her and you and Conner can go off and do something," she offered. Kira shook her head.

"That's okay," she replied before picking up the plate. Without another word she left the kitchen. The room remained silent until they heard Trini's door click shut again. Naomi sighed.

"Well, I guess I'm not needed," she muttered. Hayley gave her a sympathetic look.

"Hey, you can come down and help us with the dimensional scans," she offered. Naomi cast her a look before looking at Trent. On one hand there was the plan she had discussed with Conner, about gaining Trent's trust, but on the other hand, Naomi wasn't sure if she was ready to put that plan into motion just yet. She opened her mouth to politely decline Hayley's offer but saw the pleading look the redhead was giving her. Hayley needed to show Trent that people could see past the things out of his control and not treat him like a leper.

"Sure," Naomi finally said.

"Glad to see that someone else doesn't mind being forced to be in my presence." Trent muttered. Naomi sighed and took a sip of water.

"Yeah, apparently being a crazed psycho can dwindle your popularity stock," she muttered. "Who'd a thunk it?"

"Okay, stop. Both of you." Hayley chastised.

"I'm sure it's no worse than being an oversensitive whiner," Trent muttered, ignoring Hayley's command. Naomi narrowed her eyes.

"At least people don't have to feel like I can't be trusted," she shot back.

"Yeah, they just don't want to spend all that much time around you," Trent replied. Naomi snorted.

"Well thank you pot, but I'm well aware that I'm black," she replied.

"Alright, that's enough," Hayley snapped. They both fell silent.

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Kira set down the plate of crackers and fruit in front of Trini, who sat at her small table in her bedroom. Trini smiled.

"Thank you Kira," she said before munching on her snack. Kira smiled and sat down beside Conner on Trini's bed. She sighed and leaned her head on his shoulder.

"That's not a good sigh," Conner commented. He brought a hand to the back of her neck and gently massaged it.

"Well I'm not in a good mood," she muttered just to him. Conner frowned.

"What's wrong? Did Monkey boy say something to you?" He asked, an edge to his tone. Kira placed a calming hand on his thigh.

"No, no," she said. She gave another sigh. "Naomi's back and apparently being a concerned friend translates to harping or whatever, to her," she said.

"Concerned?" He asked.

"Oh yeah, our dear friend Naomi dyed and chopped off most of her hair today," Kira informed.

"Oh? How short and what color?" He inquired.

"Very short, blonde," Kira replied succinctly. Conner gave a low whistle.

"That's a bit of a change," he said. Kira nodded.

"And apparently I'm awful for thinking that…you know this sudden desire to totally change her look now, when she's not exactly in the best of spirits…is something to be concerned about," she vented. Conner nodded.

"I agree."

"Thank you," she said. Conner pressed a kiss to her temple.

"Welcome," he replied softly. He shrugged slightly. "Well, if you're right and this is….I don't know, out of all the stuff that's going on, I guess there's nothing that can be done about it. Maybe this huge change it's her way of coping….and if it's just a huge lapse of judgment when she's not in the best state of mind, she's going to have to deal with it. She's the one who's being distant and not talking about how she feels. There's only but so much any of us can do." Kira nodded.

"I know, I just wish there was something we could do..."

"Something tells me nothing short of getting Ethe and Dr. Hart back will fix things," he muttered gently. He chose to speak lowly, afraid that drawing attention to their missing comrade—namely Kim—would have them dealing with an unhappy seven year old. "Other than that, all we can do is be there whenever she does decide to talk or whatever." Kira just nodded in reply.

"Yeah," she said. "You're right." Conner chuckled.

"Aren't I always?" He asked. She elbowed him gently in the side.

"Don't push it," she playfully warned. Conner grinned.

"And what happens if I do?" He continued. Kira gently swatted his thigh.

"Not now," she quietly warned, giving a pointed look over to Trini who was finishing up her snack.

"But later," he teased. Kira simply blushed and coyly looked away. Conner grinned again as Trini looked up.

"Kira? Can we go to the park?" She questioned. Kira willed her Conner induced blush to fade away as she looked over at the little girl.

"I guess that could be done," she said, smiling at her. She didn't bother joking that the little one had been to the park once already that day, with Naomi, since she remembered that trip to the park had been cut short by news of Jason being on the mend. Trini smiled and all but bounced in her seat.

"Thank you!" She said. Kira and Conner chuckled at the child's adorable antics. Kira looked over at Conner.

"Want to come with?" She asked.

"As much as I'd love to," he said, the regret clear in his tone, "I think, with Tommy still over at the hospital, it'd be best if I stuck around here," he said. "You know…" He began. Kira nodded, telling him he needn't continue. He didn't want to leave Trent, someone that no matter all their best efforts couldn't shake the distrust about, alone in the house with Hayley and Naomi. If Trent truly was worthy of all the distrust, the two non-rangers would have little means of defending themselves if he chose to show his true colors.

"Got'cha," she said. She looked over at Trini. "Alright, kid, guess it's just you and me," she said. Trini jumped up and started for her door.

"Can we play on the swings?"

"I don't see why not," Kira replied. She gave a quick kiss to Conner before standing up and joining Trini. She took her hand and left the room with her. Conner followed them down the stairs.

"See you later." He commented as Kira and Trini headed out of the house, closing the door behind them. Once they were gone he ventured to the kitchen to see if his current self-imposed charges could be found. The only one to be seen was Naomi, sitting alone at the kitchen table sipping from a bottle of water. Though Kira had warned him about Naomi's new look beforehand, seeing it for himself was still a bit of a surprise.

"Hey," she said when she saw him come in.

"Hey," he replied.

"What's up?" She asked. Conner shrugged and took a seat across from her at the table.

"Not much, Kira just left with Trini for the park," he said.

"Oh...But she went earlier today." Naomi commented.

"She wanted to go again?" Conner shrugged. "Kids do like to frequent parks," he added.

"Gosh, really?" Naomi replied, rolling her eyes. Conner shot a glare at her, and Naomi put her hands up in defense. "Sorry." She replied. She looked down at her bottle of water. "Hope she's having fun with Kira." Conner smiled.

"I'm sure she had fun with you this afternoon." Naomi made a noncommittal 'hmm' noise and took another sip of water.

"Why didn't you go with them?" She asked.

"Eh, wasn't in the mood," he replied.

"Uh huh, sure." She replied.

"What?" Conner innocently asked. Naomi snorted.

"In the—albeit short—time I've known you guys, there hasn't been many occurrences of you 'not being in the mood' to be joint at the hip with your girlfriend," she teased. Conner rolled his eyes and glanced around.

"It didn't feel right leaving you and Hayley alone with Trent." He commented honestly.

"Ah, the truth comes out," Naomi replied. Conner shrugged. "He's downstairs with Hayley. I was banished up here since Trent and I can't seem to be in the same room without trading snide remarks," she informed.

"I thought you were going to pretend to be his buddy," Conner pointed out, referring to the plan she herself had come up with. Naomi shrugged.

"Guess I need more prep before attempting to play nice with the guy," she said. Conner nodded.

"We all do."

"Yeah," she replied. "I don't get how Hayley can do it, I mean it's not like he didn't do anything to her," she said, thinking back to that night at Cyberspace when Trent knocked Hayley unconscious. "I guess the quantity of sucky things inflicted by him correlates with ability to be okay around him," she joked.

"Well when you put it like that, I'm surprise you're not ripping his head off and splattering the walls with his innards," Conner replied in kind. Naomi chuckled.

"Hmm, that is a tempting thought." She sighed. "But maybe to some degree I brought that shit upon myself," she muttered.

"Naomi," Conner sighed. Naomi continued regardless.

"I'm serious," she said. "If I hadn't had such a hissy fit about…" she paused as her jaw tensed ever so slightly, like she was holding back a sudden urge to cry, "Ethan….being less than truthful about the whole wooing blue ranger thing….Trent wouldn't have been able to slither in….and who knows what could've been avoided," she said. Conner shook his head.

"My mom always says that everything happens for a reason."

"I'm having trouble finding the reason in a lot of things that have gone on," Naomi replied. Conner nodded.

"Yeah," he agreed. "But it's not like anything can be done about what's happened in the past. And who's to say things would've played out any differently anyway?" Naomi nodded.

"Yeah, I guess so." She finished off the last of the water in the battle and leaned back in her chair. She reeled back and launched the empty bottle to the garbage can from her seat. The bottle fell short from it's destination by at least half a foot. "Well that sucked," she chuckled.

"Good job." Conner teased.

"Oh, you think you could do better?" Naomi challenged.

"I don't think, I know," he replied. She reached down and picked the bottle up, throwing it at Conner.

"Give it a try hot shot." She commented. Conner caught the bottle.

"Prepare to be dazzled," he boasted. He leaned back and held the bottle like a basketball player preparing for a lay-up. He aimed for the garbage can and launched the bottle. Unfortunately the projectile overshot the can completely and hit a figure coming up to the kitchen from the underground base, Trent. The bottle clattered noisily to the ground. Trent stared down at the plastic bottle that had bounced off the front of his thigh before hitting the floor. The room was quiet as both Naomi and Conner weren't sure whether to say something or burst out in the snickers they were holding back. Trent slowly brought his eyes up from the bottle and narrowed them at the two.

"What. The. Hell?" he snapped. Naomi suddenly snorted and broke out into a fit of laughter. Trent glared at her. "This is funny to you?" He growled.

"Yeah," she said between giggles. She wrapped her arms around her sides as she couldn't help laughing even harder. Her laughter became contagious as Conner began to chuckle as well. Trent's glare intensified before he stealthily reached down and picked up the bottle. Conner's chuckles quickly ceased as the bottle hit the side of his head without warning.

"Hey, you're right," Trent chuckled, "it is funny."

"What the hell man?!" Conner snapped.

"What, you can dish it out but can't take it?" Trent countered. Naomi scoffed.

"Funny to hear you say that," she remarked.

"Indeed it is. And by the way, the bottle hit your thigh, and was meant for the can. You hit my head."

"Oh well," Trent snidely replied.

"Gosh and you wonder why people don't like you," Naomi stated in a false astonished tone.

"Nobody asked for your opinion, ms queen of the peanut gallery." Naomi rolled her eyes and stood up. She glared at Trent with her arms folded across her chest.

"And yet there you have it. Sort of like a few things I didn't ask for but happened anyway. Funny how that is, huh?" She asked. Trent tightened his jaw.

"You're not the only one who had to endure unpleasant things," he said between clenched teeth.

"Well I'm looking at one of the unpleasant things I had to endure," she snapped. "I wish you fell in your dad's little pit of doom instead of Ethan," she hissed.

"I thought I told you all to stop arguing." Came Hayley's voice from the stairs. Naomi rolled her eyes.

"Not arguing, just making a statement," Naomi called back before returning her glare to Trent.

"I doubt that." She replied.

"Whatever," Naomi muttered to herself. Trent looked away.

"I didn't ask to be forced to stay here," Trent commented. "You want me gone, I'll go."

"I'm sure your little buddies would love that," Naomi replied. Trent gave her an odd look.

"What are you talking about?" He asked. Conner quickly stood up and went over to Naomi. Having her voice all their suspicions wouldn't be the most prudent thing in the current situation.

"Naomi," he gently warned, trying to tell her to stop.

"Who knows who you're actually trying to help Trent. Maybe you're conveniently forgetting things about that time," Naomi went on, ignoring Conner's warning. Trent scoffed.

"You know what Naomi, I may be a lot of things but a masochist isn't one of them," he replied. "If I could 'conveniently' forget anything believe me I'd have no memory of any of the things that went on back then. But unfortunately that's not the case. Instead of having the slightest idea of where your friends are, I have to suffer through knowing I hurt people who were my friends." Naomi rolled her eyes.

"Last time I checked, friends didn't cut friends brakes and nearly kill them. Or kidnap their friend's girlfriends." Trent quirked an eyebrow at her.

"Technically, wasn't that more kidnapping my own girlfriend?" Trent countered. Naomi narrowed her eyes in to thin slits.

"I'd rather not be reminded of vomit inducing things, thank you very much," Naomi hissed. She wished she could block out ever falling victim to Trent's false charms and ever agreeing to go out with him in the first place. Conner snorted, unable to keep a comment to himself.

"And something tells me giving the girl a black eye beforehand sort of removes any illusions of her being your girlfriend," he replied. Trent's jaw tightened at that before he quickly looked away.

"Like you're perfect." Trent snarled.

"I'm sorry," she said, casting a look at Conner, "did you ever deceive and lie to Kira? Did you ever kidnap her? Did you ever inflict any bodily harm on her whatsoever?" She paused before turning back to Trent. "Hmm, you know I really don't think you've got much of a leg to stand on in the sucky significant other department, stumpy."

"You know, for someone who claims to want to blank out any memory of dating me and goes on about her little blue ranger, you sure seem to bring up things about our time together quite a lot," Trent sneered. "What's wrong, did someone get her little heart broken by yours truly?" He asked. Naomi's eyes blazed in anger. Before Conner could think of stopping her, she strode towards Trent and slapped him across the face.

"You're right," she hissed. "You broke my heart when that little pit of doom closed up and you weren't in it."

"Well gosh, Naomi," he replied, lightly touching his stinging cheek. "If I'd fallen in the chasm, who'd be around to help you find your precious Ethan?"

"You know, that'd mean something if you were actually helping," Naomi spat back. "But you're playing selective memory boy it seems."

"I'd rather play that than stuck up bitch." He snapped back.

"Of course," Naomi shot back, "I mean, I guess playing that role would be a bit close to your former one, right? You know the one of your daddy's little bitch." Trent's eyes darkened.

"Do. Not. Go there," he hissed.

"Oh? Why not? It's true." Trent clenched his jaw and took a step back. He pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath.

"I wouldn't talk about parents if I were you," he said after a moment.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Naomi asked. Trent looked at her and tilted his head to the side, showing he seemed to know something.

"If you really want me to go there, I'd gladly do so," he said in a low tone. Naomi didn't react.

"You have no 'there' to go to," she replied. Trent smirked.

"You know," he began, returning to his normal tone, "since you feel like discussing things going on when my dad was controlling things, let's have at it. I'm sure you figured it was his idea I ask you out, to get info and all that."

"Aw, you mean you didn't have genuine feelings for me? Oh, I'm hurt," she replied dryly.

"Well a part of that was…well, let's just say, surveillance," he pointed out. Naomi's face fell. Now that she didn't know.

"Excuse me?" She asked. "….You were spying on me? You pervert!"

"Don't flatter yourself," Trent shot back. "As if I wanted to see that," he said. "But what I did see was a certain someone's mom and dad being noticeably absent…..quite a lot," he said. Naomi glared at him.

"At least my parents are still alive, absent or not." She spat.

"My parents might be dead, but at least they cared about me when they were alive," he hissed.

"Doubt that." She replied. Trent didn't back down. He was certain about the bond he had with his deceased parents. They never failed to shower their love on him, but he knew the subject of parents was a sensitive one for Naomi.

"You know," he said with a smirk. "You've said how deceptive I was when I asked you out, but what about you?"

"What about me?" Naomi countered.

"What was it Naomi, feeling so starved for someone to care about you that the second someone even pretends to you buy it hook line and sinker?" He asked. "I mean why else was it so easy to reel you in?"

"Shut up," Naomi growled. Trent shrugged.

"Gosh, who knows what could've happened if I was actually trying," he sneered.

"You're a pig," Naomi hissed. Trent chuckled.

"So you don't deny things could've gone there? Wow, it's like a movie of the week. Poor love starved little girl." He cast a look over Naomi's shoulder at Conner. "You better be careful about how much of a good friend you are to this one. She might take it the wrong way."

"At least she has friends," Conner replied.

"Who cares? Friends will only get you so far in life." Trent snarled.

"And yet you have no friends and…I really don't see you going very far," Conner replied.

"Unless you count someone drop kicking you far," Naomi smirked. Trent glared at her.

"I'd like to see you try," he threatened.

"Is that supposed to scare me?" She innocently asked.

"Obviously." Conner snorted from behind her. Trent's eyes narrowed.

"I don't think you'd be so tough if your little bodyguard wasn't standing behind you," Trent stated.

"I don't have a bodyguard." She replied calmly. Trent snorted.

"Whatever. If Conner wasn't standing right there, you'd be a scared little bunny," he stated. Naomi smirked.

"You think so, huh?" She asked.

"Oh, I know."

"Conner, why don't you go see what Hayley's up to?" Naomi replied, challenging Trent's assumptions.

"No offense Naomi, but if Monkey Boy's here, I'm staying," Conner replied.

"STOP CALLING ME MONEY BOY!" Trent raged. Conner stepped forward and took hold of Naomi's elbow to pull her away from Trent. He wasn't going to chance him trying anything in this outburst. What he wasn't expecting was Trent's fist to collide with his cheek, sending him crashing into the counter. The side of his head hit the corner of the counter before he fell to the floor. Naomi gasped and stared wide eyed at Trent.

"What the hell?!" She cried. Trent stared down at Conner for a moment, surprised by his own actions. He hadn't intended on even actually hitting Conner. He had meant to just swing at him to get a reaction out of the red ranger. Naomi kneeled beside Conner. "What, being the cause of one head trauma to Conner wasn't enough for you?" She snarled at Trent.

"I....I didn't...." Trent began.

"Conner, Conner wake up," Naomi spoke as she shook Conner's shoulder.

"What the hell is going on up here?" Hayley commented as she finally came into the kitchen after hearing a loud thud. She froze at the scene before her. "Oh my god, what happened?" She worriedly asked.

"Ask him," Naomi snapped, looking at Trent. Hayley's gazed flew towards Trent for an explanation. Trent blinked and looked at her.

"I….I didn't mean to…." He breathed out.

"Really?" She questioned, her skepticism obvious in her tone.

"I wasn't going to actually hit him," Trent replied.

"You know what a great way to avoid actually hitting someone is? Not swinging at them!" Naomi replied. She looked back at Conner. "Conner, come on, wake up." Conner groaned.

"Ow, my head," he grumbled.

"Oh thank god." Hayley breathed. She kneeled down at his other side. "Can you get up?" She asked.

"Yeah, I think so…" Conner muttered.

"Come on, let's get you over to the couch," Hayley suggested. She and Naomi took hold of his arms to help him up. Behind them, Trent decided to take his chance. Without a word he quickly shoved past Naomi and took off for the door.

"Trent!" Hayley called out to stop him, but to no avail. The front door slammed shut, leaving the three with the house to themselves.

"That's not good," Naomi commented.

---------------------

Meanwhile at the park, Kira was busy pushing Trini on the swings.

"Higher!" Trini called out between bursts of laughter. Kira chuckled.

"Alright, but just a little bit," Kira replied, putting a little more force behind her push. Trini giggled as she enjoyed the added height the harder push gave her. Kira smiled and continued pushing her. After a few moments, the hard pushing stopped, as Kira resumed a normal pace. "Sorry kiddo, my arms hurt!" She commented as she continued to push Trini.

"Aw," Trini pouted, but quickly made due with the change in pushing. Kira laughed as she continued to push the little girl.

"Oh, well isn't this precious?" Came a sneering voice that Kira knew all too well. Kira gasped and quickly wrapped her arms around Trini's waist as the swing came back toward her, snatching the young child up in her protective grasp.

"What do you want?" Kira demanded, backing away from the swings. Elsa smirked as she sauntered through the park.

"Simple, the destruction of all you power brats," she replied. Kira rolled her eyes.

"Glad to see nothing changes." Trini fearfully clung to Kira. Kira slowly put Trini down on the ground

"Do not stop running until you get home." She told the 7-year-old quietly. Trini stared up at her.

"But-"

"Go," Kira gently ordered. Trini nodded and took off back towards the house. Elsa chuckled.

"You should've taken your own advice," she said. Kira rolled her eyes.

"Don't think so Elsa... I'm prepared this time," she said, flashing her gem.

"Oh how nice," Elsa sneered. Kira grinned.

"Dino Thunder, Power Up, HA!" She yelled as she morphed into her ranger gear. "Bring it, Elsie," Kira taunted. Elsa growled and charged at the yellow ranger. Kira quickly reacted and swung her leg out, catching the villainess in a roundhouse kick. Elsa screeched as she flew backwards.

"You bitch!" She screamed.

"Look who's talking," Kira replied, standing in a defensive stance ready for any further attacks from Elsa. "Now you can either run on with your tail between your legs or get more of a butt kicking," Kira threatened. Elsa growled.

"I believe it is you who will be getting the butt kicking," she replied before charging at Kira again. Kira rolled her eyes. Dodging Elsa's attack was easy. She threw a few well placed punches before the villainess threw up her arms, and screamed with defeat. "This isn't over!" She yelled before disappearing.

"Funny how it sure looks like it is," Kira chuckled before powering down. She glanced around the park before starting back to Dr. Oliver's house. She prayed that Trini had made it back to the house without incident.

------------------

Back at Tommy's house, Conner was laying on the living room couch. Hayley had sequestered her self back in the lair after being too frustrated with what had just transpired to be around him and Naomi without feeling the need to yell at them.

"Here, but this on your head," Conner heard Naomi say as she came in from the kitchen, a towel of ice in hand. Conner accepted the towel and placed it gingerly on his head.

"Ouch." He muttered. "So, is Hayley still mad?" He curiously asked.

"Oooh yeah," Naomi said as she leaned against the arm of the couch. They remained silent for a moment. "How's your head? You don't have a concussion do you?" She questioned.

"Nah," Conner replied. "It just hurts a bit." He cast a look over at her. "Are you okay?" He asked. Naomi shrugged.

"Um yeah, why wouldn't I be? You're the one that got hit, not me," she reminded him.

"Well yeah. But Trent was the one who freaked out on you." He pointed out. "And said those things about your parents," he added. Naomi scoffed.

"What, did you actually buy that crap?" She asked. She looked away. "That was just little orphan Trentie trying to make himself feel better by making stuff up." Conner looked up at Naomi and decided not to press the issue anymore. Clearly she wasn't comfortable with the subject, so he felt it better not to pry. "The whole...'surveillance' thing though…eeccch," she muttered, shuddering a bit. "I think I could've gone without knowing that." Conner chuckled.

"No kidding." Just then, the door was shoved open as Trini ran into the house. Naomi turned and looked at the young girl.

"Trini?" She questioned. "Where's Kira?" Trini quickly ran over to Naomi and latched onto her.

"The mean lady showed up at the park," she whimpered. Conner's brows furrowed and he quickly sat up, holding back a hiss at the slight pain the sudden movement caused.

"What mean lady?" Conner asked. Naomi gently rubbed the frightened child's back.

"The lady that was with the dinosaur man," Trini replied.

"Elsa?" Conner pressed. Trini nodded against Naomi. "I knew it!" Conner hissed. Naomi glanced up at him with a questioning look. "Oh, what, it's just a coincidence that Elsa makes an appearance right when Trent breaks lose?" He asked.

"He wasn't there." Trini commented.

"Doesn't mean he's not involved," Conner replied. He rose to his feet.

"Where are you going?" Naomi asked.

"Where do you think?" Conner replied.

"Oh no you don't, sit down Mr." She chastised.

"I'm not going to leave Kira alone out there," Conner argued.

"You wouldn't be." Came a voice from the door as Kira walked in. Conner looked at her.

"You're okay," he sighed with relief before grabbing her in a hug.

"Yeah I'm fine...Why the hell are you bleeding!?"

"It's nothing," Conner quickly replied.

"Conner, people don't spontaneously bleed," Kira countered.

"Trent hit him," Naomi informed. Kira looked at Naomi.

"How would Trent hitting him cause him to bleed from his forehead?"

"Trent's hit knocked him head first into the counter," Naomi replied. Kira blinked and looked at Conner. She was silent for a moment before she smacked his arm.

"You left that part out!" Conner groaned.

"I'm fine," Conner replied.

"Really?"

"Yes, really," Conner insisted. Kira nodded.

"Well, where's Trent? I'd like to give him a piece of my mind," Kira said, though her tone suggested she'd like to give him a piece of her fist.

"Um….well…." Naomi began.

"...Um....Well...What? Where is he?"

"We're not all that sure about that," Naomi said. "He ran out of here."

"He what?" Kira asked, astonished. She blinked. "Oooh Dr. O's going to be maaaad," Kira commented.

"Oh well, who cares?" Conner replied. Naomi sighed and looked down at Trini.

"Hey hun, how about we go upstairs and play?" She suggested, deciding to engage the still shaken little girl in something enjoyable. Trini nodded and headed upstairs. Naomi looked back over at Conner. "You better keep that ice on your head, you wouldn't want it to swell up more than usual," she kidded before following Trini upstairs. Conner just rolled his eyes in her direction before focusing back on Kira.

"Are you okay?" He asked. "Elsa didn't hurt you or anything, did she?" He asked. Kira smirked.

"Elsa didn't lay a finger on me," she chuckled. Conner smiled and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"Good." He replied. Kira returned the smile.

"Come on, let's sit down so you can keep the ice on your head," she suggested. "Alright." Conner replied. The two went to the couch and sat down. Kira took the towel of ice from him and made him lay his head on her lap as she held the ice on his cut. They sat quietly for a few moments before Kira spoke. "Are you sure you're okay?" She questioned gently.

"Yeah," Conner replied. "Don't worry."

"Can't help it," Kira replied.

"I'm fine," he assured her. "Trent just got a lucky shot in and got me by surprise."

"Obviously." She replied. Conner sighed and simply let Kira care for him.