Day of the Dumpster

Kimberly

What a day. This was the only thought that Kimberly Hart could formulate at the moment. She rolled over in her bed to take a glance at her alarm clock. Currently it read 12:33 AM. Normally Kim would be fast asleep by now but after the day she just had she just couldn't shut her mind off. Unbelievable, was it a dream?

Kim's day had started as any normal Thursday. Painfully normal in fact. The biggest thought that dominated her mind as she awoke that morning was if she would do well on a chemistry test or not. Little did she know she would be tested in a completely different way just a few short hours later. Power Rangers, that's what they were now?

As Kimberly rolled back to lie flat in her bed once more her mind was still racing with thoughts of the past days events. She remembered being so frightened and disoriented upon being teleported for the first time. I literally thought I was dying. She could almost feel the lightheaded feeling return once again even now as she lie there now watching the shadows dance on her bedroom ceiling. The only comforting thing about that experience was seeing her friends surrounding her when she came to in her new surroundings. This thought made her now consider said friends and each of their roles in the day that unfolded.

So fascinated, like a kid in a candy store. That was the best way she knew to describe Billy Cranston's reaction to seeing the Command Center for the first time. Where the rest of them seemed scared or confused the intelligent teen was overwhelmingly intrigued by his surroundings. Almost if he was finally home after a long trip. His fascination was at first unsettling to the frightened Kim but eventually it put her at ease as she watched him look over all of the buttons, knobs and screens on the control panel. Only Trini seemed to really understand his fascination on anything more than a superficial level.

She was quietly taking it all in, comparmentalizing every detail of everything she saw and heard. This was how Trini Kwan handled every situation Kim had seen the beautiful and wise teen in. Trini seemed to regard every experience as a chance to learn and grow and this situation seemed to overload her senses. I've always admired her ability to stay calm and level-headed in every situation. Never more than during the course of this incredible day. Her reactions were the polar opposites of Zack's.The glass is always half full. This was the way Kim had always known Zack Taylor to approach life. He was always positive and full of energy. Even in the face of this great unknown they were stepping into Kim could still see that familiar sparkle of excitement in her friend's eyes as he was being introduced to this new adventure of becoming a Power Ranger. She was sure Zack understood very little about what was happening to them, just like the rest of them, but despite his better judgment he wanted to ride it all out and see what would happen. His positivity is so infectious, it's hard to be sad around him. Kim glanced at her dresser to fix her eyes on a framed picture of her and her childhood best friend taken at her 7th birthday party. She smiled widely as she thought of his reaction to the day.

It was easy to understand why Zordon chose him to lead us. Of the five teens Jason Scott had seemed to be training to be superhero his whole life. Superbly conditioning his body through martial arts and excercise it seemed as if he always knew he would one day be trying to save the world. Heck, it was Jason who had gotten the whole group to learn martial arts and self defense. As if he was preparing us to join him all along. Kim had taken speacial notice of Jason's response to Zordon's recruitment speech. He stood in his trademark pose of having his arms crossed(something he developed as a shy youth) with his gaze intently on Zordon. Kim knew she'd follow Jason just about anywhere, she trusted him fully. He always looked out for the whole group. If he's in then I'm in.

Kim was startled out of her thoughts by the faint sound of thunder off in the distance. Within moments rain drops began to hit her roof. I wonder if I'm the only one not able to sleep. As if in answer to the question she had silently posed in her mind, she heard the distinct sound of a pebble hitting her window. She grinned and quickly ran over to her window, already knowing whom she would find awaiting her. What took you so long? Kim opened her window to see handsome features of her best friend and new teammate smiling up at her.

"In or out?" Jason posed the seemingly vague question, understanding that Kim would know it's exact meaning.

"In. There is a storm coming." Kim replied as she motioned him up. She watched as Jason skillfully and easily climbed the tree that wove it's way from the gound to her window allowing him easy access. His entrance. "I was just thinking about you."

"Same." Jason responded as he finally stepped his foot on the hardwood floor of Kim's bedroom. Careful to not step on any of the boards that he knew would creak under his weight. She's fast asleep, and he's not here, you're safe.

"She can't hear." Kim bemused as she watched the newly annointed Red Ranger run his hand through his slightly dampened dark hair.

"Just don't wanna get caught, she'd probably freak." Jason responded before turning to lower the window, careful to leave just a small crack in it. Probably, but less so than if it were any other boy. "A guy can't be too careful."

"Couldn't sleep either?" Kim asked as she sat down on her bed and looked up at her visitor.

"Not a wink." Jason replied as he quietly made his way over to sit next to her. Has he always been this handsome? Kim quietly scolded herself for her thoughts. Truth is she had been noticing the attractiveness of her best friend more and more these days. "Can you believe it?"

"Gosh no, it's like today was a dream." Kim bemused as she lowered her gaze from Jason and tried to recapture her thoughts. "I'm not fully convinced it wasn't, maybe you should pinch me."

"It was real, but I can pinch you anyway if you want." Jason responded with a slight amused chuckle as Kim gave him a playful slap on his thigh. She watched as his expression went from amused to concern. "How are you, are you hurt anywhere?"

"I'm fine, not a scratch." Kim answered as she tugged the hem of her nightgown down past the top of her knee, hoping Jason hadn't noticed the bruise on her thigh. He'd worry needlessly.

"Good..." Jason let the word linger to express his relief to her.

"You?" Kim asked as she absentmindedly placed her hand on his wrist. A gesture that had became a habit many years ago.

"Couple scratches from the fight before we... changed?" Jason searched for the word to describe their transformation into the Rangers. "Your tree does more damage sometimes as I'm coming up here."

"So I guess this is gonna become our new normal huh? Protecting the city." Kim asked rhetorically. Jason nodded in agreement and locked eyes with Kim.

"Kim?" Jason paused and considered his next question before posing it. "Does it scare you at all?" Not while you are with me.

"Maybe a little, but I'm glad we are in it together," Kim answered honestly.

"Me too." Jason agreed. He had finally taken notice of Kim's hand on his wrist. He gently manuevered his hand up until he interlocked his fingers with hers. Oh my. Kim's mind was racing now and she felt her heartrate increase. They had held hands before but this felt different. She looked down at their hands and back up at his reassuring gaze. Gorgeous. There were those thoughts again.

"I..." Jason's thought was interupted by the sound of a hallway lightswitch being flipped on. "Shoot"

"Go." Kim reacted as she hurriedly but quietly led Jason over to her window. They both tried to stiffle their laughs at the silliness of their situation. Superheroes deathly afraid of the scolding of a sleepy and shocked parent. Don't go yet.

"I'll see you before class tomorrow right?" Jason questioned as he balanced himself on the sturdy branch beneath his feet that swayed gently in the breeze.

"Of course." Came Kim's quiet but definitive reply. They both seem to become aware instantaneously of the fact they were still holding hands. Powerful but gentle. Jason let go first so he could slowly climb down the tree. As he reached the ground he made a little spectacle of jumping off the tree with theatrics before turning around towards Kim flashing a smile and bowing.

"Silly" Kim mouthed silently before waving at Jason and watching him disappear down the street. Gosh, I love him.

Jason

I love her. Jason's mind hit him with a resounding thought as he made his way down a dimly lit street from her house to his. Jason shook his head and smiled. He knew he loved her, she was his best friend afterall. So he wasn't sure why his mind seem to be urgently trying to convey those thoughts. He took note of his house and ducked into his yard. Having her live just a few houses down had been invaluable to him growing up in Angel Grove.

I'd be lost without her. Jason paused before the window of his first floor bedroom. He turned to look back in the direction from which he'd came and could vaguely make out the roof of her house through the treeline. I wonder if she feels the same way. Jason pondered that thought a moment before sliding his window open and effortlessly climbing inside of it.

(****)

She's late. Jason thought as he glanced down at his watch and back towards the parking lot of Angel Grove High School. He repositioned himself on th bench he was sitting on and glanced around to watch as students stood in the nearby grass passing the morning with various activities and morning rituals before school.

Jason was just about to retrieve his backpack and standup when he caught a glimpse of her approaching him from across the grass. I wonder if she knows how beautiful she is? Jason was startled by his own thoughts and shook his head slightly trying to clear his mind.

"Hey Jase." Kim spoke as she reached her destination and stood before him. She frowned slightly as he didn't acknowledge her instead he looked deep in thought with his eyes focused on her. "Earth to Jason."

"Oh.. hey." Jason finally responded reclaiming his thoughts. Smooth.

"You okay?" Kim questioned as he stood up to stand next to her. Am I?

"Uh.. yeah I was just thinking." Jason reacted as he picked up his backpack and they began to make their way towards the school entrance.

"'Bout what?" Kim asked as she alternated between looking towards and the school and stealing glances at her companion. You.

"You." Jason answered honestly. Honest to a fault, that's what Zack had always described him as.

"Me?" Kimberly questioned as she turned her attention fully to Jason.

"Yeah, was worried because you were late." Jason replied.

"Oh... Mom overslept. " Kim chuckled a little as she thought of how her mom had raced around trying to get ready for work. "You worry too much... is that all you were thinking about?"

"Yeah, and about last night too. Our talk." Jason added. And how beautiful you are.

"Me too... thought about that all night and this morning." Kim confessed as she stepped inside of the door Jason was holding open for her. "Why thank you."

"Anytime." Jason responded with a grin as he followed her into the school and walked in step with her to her locker. Wish we had first class together.

"Do you think we'll have to be Power Rangers today?" Kim whispered the last part of her question before reaching up to open her locker.

"I don't know, guess we should be ready for it at about anytime." Jason responded as he looked around to see if anyone was within earshot. "I expect Rita will be eager to try again." We'll stop her.

"She probably will," Kim agreed as she placed the books she didn't need for her next class inside of her locker and closed it behind her gently. "We'll stop her."

"You read my mind." Jason responded with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh Scott, you know I've been able to do that for years now. " Kim teased with a wink. Did you read it earlier? Are you reading it now? There was a long pause between them as they stood silently in front of her locker. There seemed to be a certain electricity in the air all of the sudden.

"Hey you guys!" came Zack's voice from down the hall. It was enough to startle both.

"Hey." Jason and Kim greeted him in unison as he reached his locker next to them.

"You guys ready to see if today is gonna be as exciting as yesterday?" Zack asked smiling widely knowing the other two teens would understand him perfectly. Before either could answer though the sound of a loud bell echoed throughout the hall and students began to scatter and head into their respective classrooms. "Well on that note I'll catch you later."

"Later," once again both Kim and Jason replied in unison. Zack cocked his head slightly and laughed.

"Jase you do remember we have 1st period together right?" Zacked asked amusingly.

"Oh yeah. I don't know where my head is at?" Jason responded embarrassed slightly. Where exactly is my head?

"Hey, we are hanging out after school right?" Kim spoke up as Jason started to follow Zack down the hall. He stopped and turned around and flashed her a smile.

"You can read my mind, you tell me." Jason answered with a wink.