Tommy stared at the girl up on the stage. _She’s gorgeous! That smile, her beautiful voice…and what a body._

He smiled at the petite girl. _She’s so beautiful, but she’s also friendly and so sweet even though she’s the new girl._ "I’m Tommy Oliver. Let me guess-you’re my new locker partner."

"You’re the one who made that mess in there?" Stephanie questioned, gesturing to their locker.

Tommy grinned at the horrified expression on her face. "Unbelievable, huh? Yeah, that’s all mine. I’m sorry, though. I didn’t know I’d be sharing with anyone," he explained.

Stephanie held up her hands, silencing him. "It’s okay! You don’t have to apologize," she assured him. "Trust me, I’ve seen worse. So, how long have you been here?"

"So what are you trying to tell us?" Rocky asked their mentor, his curiosity piqued.

"What the floating head up there is trying to tell you people is that there’s another Ranger," a new voice spoke up.

Tommy and the others spun around, startled, to see the Purple Power Ranger standing before them. "Who are you?" Tommy demanded, falling into a fighting stance and not letting his guard down for an instant.

"Relax, Tommy!" she laughed. "I’m not here to attack you. Zordon brought me here to help the Power Rangers."

"Then who are you?" Aisha questioned softly.

The Ranger’s hands moved towards her helmet and popped the latches, then pulled the helmet off slowly, her curly hair falling into place as she did so. She placed her helmet on a nearby console and turned to face the assembled Rangers.

Kimberly’s eyes narrowed. "Oh, this is just great!" she hissed upon recognizing the new Ranger.

"Stephanie?" Tommy whispered, stunned. _Oh God, you look so good in spandex, Stephanie. It’s going to be very interesting around here with three new Rangers, one of which looks absolutely gorgeous as one! Boy, am I in serious trouble!_

A leg sweep caught Tommy Oliver by surprise and he tumbled to the mat in the Angel Grove Youth Center. It hadn’t been anything he couldn’t spot early, but it caught him off guard. He groaned and closed his eyes.

"Tommy, that’s the third time today I’ve been able to take you down!" Jason Scott told his best friend, crossing his arms. "You’re not usually like this. What’s up, bro?"

Tommy sat up, grabbed the hand that Jason offered to him, and got to his feet. "It’s nothing, Jase," he replied, retying his ponytail. Except for the fact that I think I’m falling in love with Stephanie Marks, he mentally added.

Jason fixed him with a look. "That’s bull and you know it. It’s about the new girl Stephanie, isn’t it?" he responded.

Jase, I love you and everything, but sometimes you’re a little too damn insightful, Tommy thought. "Why would you think that?"

"Because you just spaced out for a minute or two there after I said that," came the immediate reply.

Tommy sat down at the Rangers’ regular table and motioned for Jason to join him. "Ernie, two sodas, please," he called to the portly man behind the counter.

"You got it," Ernie called back.

Tommy turned to Jason. "You’re right, Jase. It’s about Stephanie," he admitted.

"You’re in love with her." It was a statement, not a question.

Tommy stared at Jason. How does he know that? his mind screamed. "How did you know that?" he stammered.

"It’s kind of obvious, bro. When we all found out that Steve was the Purple Ranger, you looked like you had gotten hit by a truck when you saw her," Jason informed him. "I don’t think Kimberly’s noticed yet, though."

Tommy sighed. "I don’t know what to do, man. I love Stephanie, but I don’t want to hurt Kim. She’s my best friend," he explained.

Jason sipped on the soda that Ernie placed in front of him. "Thanks. All right, Tommy. Now look. Kim’s gonna get hurt eventually with this. You’re breaking up with her. It’s going to be painful for her," he pointed out.

Tommy shook his head. "I know, Jase. I can’t help it, though."

Jason looked up and was about to reply when he saw a flash of purple out of the corner of his eye. Coming into the Youth Center was none other than the object of Tommy’s affection, Stephanie Marks, along with Aisha Campbell, Rocky DeSantos, Kimberly Hart, and Adam Park. They spotted Jason and Tommy sitting at their table and made their way over, Rocky, Aisha, and Adam pulling over chairs from another table.

"Hey, you two! What’s up?" Stephanie chirped as she sat down.

"Not much. What’s up yourself? Between the three of you girls, it looks like you bought out the entire mall!" Jason teased them, gesturing to the packages they had set down.

"Yeah, and Rocky and I had to carry them!" Adam groaned. "Remind me never to agree to go to the mall with the girls ever again."

"Gosh, Adam, I could’ve told you that," Tommy chuckled. "I’ve gone to the mall with Kim before. Man, my arms ached for days afterwards!"

"I only bought a few things!" Stephanie replied innocently, her brown eyes twinkling. "I still need to buy a swimsuit, though."

Rocky looked up from the hamburger and plate of fries he had ordered. "Count me in! I’m coming!" he grinned, much to the amusement of the others.

Stephanie rolled her eyes as she stood up. "Down, boy. All right, everyone-decision time. I’m gonna put a CD on. Who’s it gonna be-Backstreet Boys, Spice Girls, Mariah Carey, or Savage Garden?" she asked, holding the CDs up.

"Eww! Don’t play Mariah Carey!" Kimberly whined.

"Backstreet Boys!" Aisha cried out.

"I’ve gotta agree with Aisha," Adam spoke up. "Mariah scares me, and they’re better than the Spice Girls."

"Savage Garden," Tommy suggested, smiling at her. Stephanie, I need to tell you something, but I don’t want to hurt Kimberly!

Stephanie grinned back. "Okay. Savage Garden it is! Be right back!" She bounced over to the CD player, leaving Kimberly biting her lip.

"Kimberly? Is something wrong?" Aisha asked, drawing attention from the rest of the table.

Kimberly tore her gaze away from Stephanie at the CD player and looked into the concerned eyes of her best friend. Pasting on a smile, she replied, "No, everything’s fine." Just then, the opening chords to the Savage Garden song, "Violet," filled the Youth Center and everyone’s attention turned to the mats as Stephanie began to dance.

Fitting song, Stephanie, Tommy thought, smiling inwardly as he heard the lyrics of the song. It’s definitely describing you.

If there’s a way that you could
be everything you want to be,
Would you complain that it came
too easy?
Just like the games with you and me
A resolution hard to see
But that’s O.K. ‘cause I don’t
see things that are plain to see

I’ve got a dream to take you over
Exploding like a supernova
I’m gonna crash into your world
And that’s no lie

You want to give ecstasy delivered
with certainty
But you’re afraid that the pleasure
won’t be needed
In a way, we’re the same two people
looking out to sea
For a wave that would carry all our
fantasies

If there’s a way to infiltrate you
Sway your mind and complicate you
I’m gonna crash into your world
And that’s no lie

Let your body move into the doorway
To the disco inside your head (Violet)
Wear a color that you want to
cling to
The color inside your head (Violet)

Comtemplate jealousy intermixed
with urgency
A million thing take a damned
good shot at you and me

If there’s a way to infiltrate you
Sway your mind and complicate you
I’m gonna crash into your world
And that’s no lie

Let your body move into the doorway
To the disco inside your head (Violet)
Wear a color that you want to
cling to
The color inside your head (Violet)

I’m gonna take you
I’ll do my best to break you
I’m gonna take you higher
And that’s no lie

Common sense is a game many
people don’t like to play
But give it in and the moment takes
you either way

I’ve got a dream to take you over
Exploding like a supernova
I’m gonna crash into your world
And that’s no lie

Let your body move into the doorway
To the disco inside your head (Violet)
Wear a color that you want to
cling to
The color inside your head (Violet)

If there’s a way that you could
be everything you want to be
Would you complain that it came
too easy?
In a way, we’re the same two people
looking out to sea
For a wave that would carry all our
fantasies

Lord Zedd watched the Purple Ranger dance in the Youth Center. "That girl is going to sorry she ever agreed to be a Power Ranger!" he shouted angrily as the room, depending on what type of mood he was in, glowed pure blood red.

He stood up and walked to the railing surrounding the balcony that faced the planet Earth. "Soon, Stephanie Marks, you will be the first to die." A plan began to take shape in his diabolical mind. "GOLDAR!" he roared.

Goldar came into the throne room. "Yes, master? How may I serve you?" he growled.

"Go to Earth and bring me that Purple Ranger, but don’t kill her…yet. I want her alive…for now," Lord Zedd explained, curling his left hand into a fist.

"I won’t fail you," Goldar promised.

"See that you don’t! Well, what are you waiting for? An invitation? Go!"

After Stephanie finished her dance, she ran back to the table, smiling brightly. She gave Rocky a look of disbelief as she sat down. "My God, Rocky! First a burger and fries, now three hot dogs and a bag of Starburst? What’s next? An ice cream sundae?" she teased him as she snagged a handful of his candy.

"Hey, I’m a growing boy!" Rocky protested in his defense.

"Keep eating like that, and you’ll be growing outward," Jason snickered.

At that remark, everyone doubled over in laughter. "Ha-ha. Very funny, guys," Rocky retorted mock-angrily, and stuck his tongue out at Stephanie.

Tommy recovered from laughing first and recognized the music of the song that had just begun to play. He made a face as he asked, "Stephanie?"

"Hmm?"

"You just had to play Spice Girls, didn’t you."

Stephanie grinned. "Guilty as charged." Then she turned to Adam. "Adam, do you want to dance?"

Adam blushed. "Why not?" he managed to respond, and got up.

"What about you, Jason?" Aisha questioned.

Jason grinned. "Sure."

Love is blind, as far as the eye can see
Deep and meaningless, words to me
Easy lover, I need a friend
Road to nowhere, twist and turns but will this never end

Well my dear you’ll know that he pleases me
But sometimes illusion ain’t no revolution
That ain’t no release for me

Too much of something is bad enough
But something’s coming over me to make me wonder
Too much of nothing is just as tough
I need to know the way to feel to keep me satisfied

I wrapped myself from around your finger
Hold me too tight or left to linger
Something fine built to last
Slipped up there I guess we’re running out of time too fast

Yes my dear you know he soothes me (moves on)
There’s no complication there’s no explanation
It’s just a groove in me

Too much of something is bad enough (bad enough)
But something’s coming over me to make me wonder
Too much of nothing is just as tough (just as tough)
I need to know the way to feel to keep me satisfied

What part of no don’t you understand
(understand understand)
I want a man not a boy who thinks he can

Boy who thinks he can

Too much of something is bad enough (bad enough)
But something’s coming over me to make me wonder
Too much of nothing is just as tough (just as tough)
I need to know the way to feel to keep me satisfied

Too much of nothing so why don’t we give it a try
Too much of something we’re gonna be living a lie

Tommy watched Stephanie as she danced with Adam. She looks like she’s having a good time. That’s good, he noted. But does she like me? That’s what I have to know.

Kimberly reached across the table and took Tommy’s hand at the same moment that Stephanie glanced in their direction. She looked away quickly, but not before Tommy caught sight of the tears glittering in her eyes. Kimberly smiled at him. "I love you, Tommy," she told him.

"I love you too, Kim," he automatically responded, but his smile never reached his eyes.

"What’s wrong, Stephanie?" Adam asked when he saw tears running down Stephanie’s face.

Stephanie wiped away the tears angrily. "Nothing." At Adam’s look, she sighed. "I guess I’m jealous of Kim. She’s got a great body, she’s fantastic in gymnastics, and she’s got the perfect boyfriend. The man that I just happened to fall in love with, she mentally added.

Adam twirled her around as they continued to slow-dance. "Well, you’ve got a great body too, you’re great at dancing, you’re unstoppable on the soccer field, and you sing unbelievably well," he told her, "but that last one’s a given."

Stephanie smiled. "Thanks, Adam. I guess what I’m trying to say, though, is…I’m in love with Tommy. I want him," she explained to her friend, glancing over at Kim and Tommy again, who were talking softly to each other. "I don’t know what to do."

Adam thought about her situation for a moment. Stephanie liked Tommy, but he was dating Kimberly. No one was too sure about Tommy's feelings on the subject, however. I'll have to ask Tommy about this, Adam realized suddenly. In the meantime, however, he had absolutely no idea what to tell Stephanie. "I don't know what to tell you, Steve. All I can say is that whatever will be will be."

Stephanie nodded as a fresh wave of tears cascaded down her cheeks. "Thanks. If you don't mind, I'm going to walk to the lake. I need some time to myself right now."

Adam smiled charmingly at her. "No problem. Thank you for the dance, milady," he replied, bowing.

Stephanie cracked a smile. "I'll see you later," she giggled as she left the Youth Center.

Tommy watched Stephanie leave the Youth Center, not paying attention to one word his girlfriend was saying. Steph, don't leave, he pleaded mentally.

To his surprise, a voice answered him back. I have to know how you feel about me, Tommy. Do you love me? Or is this all just a figment of my imagination? the voice replied.

He sat there for a moment, stunned. I've been thinking about her too much lately. Now I'm hearing her voice in my mind! He looked up and focused on Kimberly. I have to tell her and get it over with, he realized sadly. "Kim?"

"Yeah?" she looked up, smiling. Tommy could practically feel his heart breaking in two. She looked so vulnerable, so beautiful, so trusting. He loved them both, but he wanted Stephanie.

"I don't know just how to say this, Kim, but I think we should just be friends."

So crushed. She looked down for what seemed like forever, than looked back up at him, tears in her eyes. "I was wondering when you'd finally break up with me," Kimberly spoke softly, her voice quavering.

Tommy stared at her, disbelieving. What is this? Does everyone in the whole damn world know I'm in love with Stephanie? he momentarily wondered. She'd known all along that he'd liked the Purple Power Ranger.

Wiping away her tears, Kimberly continued bravely. "I'm not mad at you, Tommy. I understand that I don't control your heart. I don't have any say over who you fall in love with. I hope you and Stephanie are happy together. I just want you to be happy."

Tommy was speechless. Finally, he found his voice and came around to her side of the table and gave her a hug. "You know I'll always have a special place in my heart for you, Kimberly Anne Hart. I'll always love you," he whispered.

Kimberly nodded, blinking back tears. "I know. Same goes for you, Thomas James Oliver. You are not an easy man to get over. Now get going. Stephanie's at the lake."

He looked at her quizzically. "How would you know?"

"Because Adam just told me." She pointed to someone standing behind her and sure enough, there was Adam.

Tommy smiled. "Thank you, Kim. Thanks, Adam."

"You're welcome, Tommy." As soon as Tommy had left the Youth Center, she burst into tears. I've lost him...forever.

Stephanie walked around the perimeter of the lake slowly, taking in the picturesque scenery. "It's beautiful here," she breathed, awed. "I had forgotten how peaceful it was." Out of habit, she headed for a large, flat rock that jutted out into the lake, which just happened to be Tommy's favorite place for practicing katas.

"I'm all by myself," she spoke aloud. "But I don't want to be. I want Tommy here with me."

Immediately, the words of one of her favorite songs by Mariah Carey, her idol, popped into her head. It's perfect, she thought as she began to sing quietly.

If you only knew
What I feel for you
If you only lived for me
The way I live for you
I'd be in heaven
My dreams would come true

'Cause all I've ever wanted
Is you
And you alone
And I love you so
More than you could ever know
All I've ever wanted
Is you

If you were my own
To caress and hold
I would shower you with love
And drown within your soul
Because I live and breathe for you
And I really need to know

That all I've ever wanted
Is you
And you alone
And I love you so
More than you could ever know
All I've ever wanted
Is you

Everything I do is for you
You are every part of me
And I don't want to face
Another day
Alone
Without your love

'Cause all I've ever wanted
Is you
And you alone
And I love you so
More than you could ever know
All I've ever wanted
Is you

All I've ever wanted
Is you
Is you
You

Tommy could hear a voice singing long before he crested the last hill to the lake, but he couldn't figure out where it was coming from. He looked around, but the only likely place was the rock that jutted out into the lake and was surrounded by tall grasses and reeds, which were swaying gently in the wind. She wouldn't be there...would she? My favorite place? he thought as he approached.

Stephanie's tears had begun to fall again before she had even finished singing and she was now stretched out across the rock on her stomach, crying harder than she ever had before. God, I can't take seeing Kimberly and Tommy together much longer. I love him too much. I have to know how you feel about me, Tommy. Do you love me? Or is this all just a figment of my imagination? she wondered silently. Then she felt a hand on her back.

"Stephanie? Are you alright?" a voice asked.

She froze, not daring to breathe. It can't be...can it? Tommy? "Tommy?" Stephanie finally managed to speak.

"Yeah, it's me. Sit up, will you?"

Biting her lip, Stephanie sat up and faced him, her tears stopping now that he was so close to her. "Hi."

"I saw you leave the Youth Center. Why were you crying?" he asked quietly.

"It's silly. You don't want to know," she responded, sniffling.

Tommy couldn't take it any longer. She looked so incredibly beautiful to him, even when she was sad. Before he realized what he was doing, he had tipped her chin up gently and covered her lips with his own.

Stephanie was surprised at first, but she quickly melted into Tommy's embrace. I can't believe I'm finally kissing him, she thought dreamily. Kimberly's boyfriend...

Suddenly, she realized what her mind had just told her. "No!" she cried, and wrenched herself free of Tommy's embrace. Feeling her tears welling up again, she turned to run, wanting nothing more than to go home and cry herself to sleep. Then she felt a hand on her arm, stopping her. She turned around to find Tommy looking at her, concerned. "Let me go," she sobbed.

"Stephanie, I-"

"Let me go!" she screamed at him. "Just leave me alone!"

Wordlessly, Tommy released her and she ran straight into what felt like a brick wall. Looking up, she screamed. Less than a foot away was a huge winged monkey. "Who the hell are you? Actually, WHAT are you?"

"I am Goldar. Lord Zedd requests your presence at his lunar palace immediately, Purple Ranger," the mutant snarled.

"Oh, really? Over my dead body!" she snapped, regaining control of herself.

"That can be arranged!" Goldar yelled. "Tengas!"

Out of nowhere, a flock of birds appeared and surrounded Stephanie. "Oh, boy. I get to fight a bunch of brainless birds," she groaned as she assumed a fighting stance. "This just isn't my day."

The attack came out of nowhere. As she was fighting the tengas, she was dimly aware that Tommy had jumped into the fight and was keeping the being named Goldar off her back, and then more tengas came to restrain him. Suddenly, pain flooded her skull and she fell limply to the ground. The last thing she heard was Tommy screaming her name before she lost consciousness.

"Stephanie!" Tommy yelled, struggling futilely against the tengas as he watched Goldar hit her in the back of the head with the flat side of his broadsword and she pitched forward onto the sand.

Goldar laughed at the look of terror on Tommy's face. "What's wrong, Tommy? Afraid? That's good. Don't worry...she'll be well taken care of," he snarled.

Tommy's face hardened in anger. "You bastard!" he yelled as he wrenched himself free of the tengas. He executed a spin kick and knocked Goldar down. "Don't you dare touch her!"

A flash of red light enveloped Goldar and Stephanie on the ground and they disappeared. Tommy looked up into the sky angrily. "Damn you, Zedd!" he yelled. "So help me God, if you hurt her, there won't be enough left of you be thrown into the scrap heap! Zordon, Alpha, get everyone to the Power Chamber immediately. Zedd's got Stephanie."

Katherine Hillard, Zack Taylor, and Tanya Sloan were hanging out at the park having a picnic when Zack's communicator beeped. "Oh, great. Zedd would have to ruin our day," Katherine groaned. "What now?"

Zack rolled his eyes. "You got that right. Zack here. What's up?"

"RANGERS, YOU MUST TELEPORT TO THE POWER CHAMBER IMMEDIATELY. WE HAVE AN EMERGENCY. THE OTHERS ARE ALREADY HERE," Zordon explained.

"We'll be right there," Tanya replied, and looked at Kat. "All clear?"

Kat glanced around. "Clear."

"Alright. Let's go."

With pink, black, and yellow flashes of light, the three Rangers teleported.

Tommy was standing in the middle of the Power Chamber when all of the Rangers teleported in. "What's wrong?" Jason asked as soon as he caught a glimpse of his best friend's face.

Billy Cranston, their resident scientist, took a quick head count, his green eyes scanning the crowd. Alright. Kim's here...there's Aisha, Adam, and Tanya...Katherine's with Trini and Rocky...Jason, Zack, Tommy, and Trey are over there...where's Stephanie? he asked himself. "Tommy, where's Stephanie?"

Tommy looked around at his friends. "Zedd has her," he spoke quietly. Suddenly, he punched a console in anger and frustration. "I was there with her, and I couldn't help her! The tengas and Goldar kept me busy and I didn't see Goldar swing at her until it was too late! This is all my fault!" Tommy cried out.

Kimberly gasped as she watched her ex-boyfriend. I've never seen Tommy act like this before. He must really love her, she thought, tears filling her eyes yet again.

Meanwhile, everyone had figured out that something had happened between Kim and Tommy. "All right, Kimberly Anne Hart. Out with it," Katherine spoke up. "What happened? Your eyes are all red."

To her surprise, Tommy answered Kat. "We broke up," he responded quietly.

Everyone looked to Kimberly, who nodded in confirmation. "Jason, you were right," she said softly.

Jason put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed it gently. "I'm sorry," he whispered to her. To Tommy he spoke in a slightly louder tone, "We're gonna find Steve, bro. Don't worry."

Tommy laughed, but there was no humor in his voice. "That's like telling the fly not to worry because the spider won't eat him, it's just gonna kill him," Tommy responded.

Zordon looked down at the Rangers from his tube. "RANGERS, THIS POSES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IF LORD ZEDD HAS HER IN HIS POCKET DIMENSION, IT WILL PROVE TO BE VERY DIFFICULT TO GET HER BACK," he told them.

Billy, Adam, and Trini moved to the main console and began to search for Stephanie on the moon and the Earth. "Zordon," Trini spoke after a moment, "it's going to take a few hours to find her. There are shields around the lunar palace on the moon that we can't punch through yet, and there are a few naturally shielded areas on Earth that are blocked from our scans."

Tommy stood up from where he was sitting on the steps, Kimberly, Jason, and Zack next to him. "I'm not going anywhere until we find her," he spoke forcefully.

"Neither am I," Jason added as he stood up also. One by one, all of the others followed suit. Zordon smiled as he looked upon his Rangers. I hate to do this, but they need to go. It won't make Billy, Trini, and Adam find Stephanie any faster. "RANGERS, YOUR LOYALTY TO YOUR TEAMMATE IS COMMENDABLE, BUT YOU MUST GO BACK TO WHAT YOU WERE DOING BEFORE YOU WERE CALLED HERE SO YOU WILL NOT AROUSE SUSPICION AS TO WHO YOU TRULY ARE. IF YOU DO NOT LEAVE, I WILL HAVE ALPHA SEDATE YOU AND SEND YOU HOME."

Kimberly, Tanya, Katherine, Tommy, Jason, Zack, Trey, and Aisha all traded glances and teleported out of there in a hurry, leaving Billy, Trini, and Adam doubled over in laughter. The thought of Alpha wielding a syringe was simply unimaginable to them.

Katherine, Tommy, Tanya, Jason, Kimberly, Zack, Aisha, and Trey landed in the park, and they immediately sat down in a circle. "I feel so helpless, just sitting around until they find Stephanie back at the Power Chamber," Aisha complained. "I want to actually be doing something, not sitting around and waiting."

Trey nodded in agreement. "That's how I feel, too. Back on Triforia, everyone would help search for whoever was missing. Of course, they were usually found dead because of the Varox bounty hunters," he explained.

Kimberly made a face. "I just want them to find Stephanie, and soon."

Tommy stared off into space, not paying any attention to the others' conversation. Stephanie, please be okay. Just hang on for a little bit longer. We're trying to find you. I need you.

Jason looked at Tommy. "Bro, are you okay?" he asked.

Tommy came out of his trance and focused on Jason. "Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine. I just need some time to myself." Abruptly, Tommy got up and started for the lake.

Lord Zedd looked at the body of the Power Ranger lying before him. "Good work, Goldar. You actually did something right," he nodded approvingly.

Rita snorted. "I'm actually surprised he could even capture a Power Ranger!" she retorted sarcastically.

"Shut up, Rita," Zedd reprimanded her. "Now, where to keep this little Power Pest?"

"How about your pocket dimension, Lord Zedd?" Goldar suggested. "No one may enter it unless they have been inside once before."

"Tommy's been in there once before, you idiot!" Rita screeched, much to Zedd and Goldar's discomfort. "All he'll have to do is teleport in, grab the girl, and get out!"

"Rita, there's a special trap laid out for Tommy. I'm perfectly aware that he's been there before," Zedd replied. "The mist in the dimension will slowly rise unnoticed by the Ranger until it's too late and by then, he'll be reliving some of his worst memories!"

Rita laughed. "I like it, Zeddy! You are just too evil!"

Zedd nodded in agreement. "I know, my dear. Now, to send this little powerless Ranger to the Dark Dimension!" He pointed his staff at Stephanie's unconscious form and a bolt of energy surrounded her, transporting her to the hidden dimension. "Finally, we are going to destroy those meddlesome Power Rangers!"

Tommy walked around the perimeter of the lake as Stephanie had done an hour earlier. "Stephanie, I swear if Zedd lays one hand on you or hurts you in any way, I will kill him," he swore.

He turned and walked to the rock and sat down. Without warning, a Backstreet Boys song popped into his head. Great. I'm already picking up on her habit of using songs to express my feelings, he noticed wryly. I'm sorry, but there is NO way I'm gonna sing out loud!

Although loneliness has always been a friend of mine
I'm leaving my life in your hands
People say I'm crazy and that I am blind
Risking it all in a glance
How you got me blind is still a mystery
I can't get you out of my head
Don't care what is written in your history
As long as you're here with me

I don't care who you are
Where you're from
What you did
As long as you love me
Who you are
Where you're from
Don't care what you did
As long as you love me

Every little thing that you have said and done
Feels like it's deep within me
Doesn't really matter if you're on the run
It seems like we're meant to be

I don't care who you are
Where you're from
What you did
As long as you love me
Who you are
Where you're from
Don't care what you did
As long as you love me

I've tried to hide it so that no one knows
But I guess it shows
When you look into my eyes
What you did and where you're comin' from
I don't care, as long as you love me, baby

I don't care who you are
Where you're from
What you did
As long as you love me
Who you are
Where you're from
Don't care what you did
As long as you love me

Three hours later, Tommy was watching the sunset when his communicator beeped. Jumping to his feet he answered it quickly. "Tommy here. Have you found anything?"

"Tommy, just teleport to the Power Chamber," Trini scolded him.

"Sorry, Trini," he replied meekly before he vanished in his red teleportation stream.

Jason's communicator beeped as Kimberly, Katherine, Trey, Zack, and Aisha jerked awake. Aware that all eyes were on him, he answered cautiously, "We're here. Go ahead."

"Teleport to the Power Chamber," Adam informed them. "We've got something."

The eight Rangers all teleported into the Power Chamber at the same time and immediately began to pepper Billy, Trini, and Adam with questions. "Quiet!" Billy finally yelled over them, causing them all to fall silent. "Alright. Tommy, we found her."

Tommy's gaze was filled with hope. "Where is she?" he demanded.

Adam exhaled slowly. "You're not going to like this, Tommy," he warned him. At his friend's angry glare, he bit his lip. "She's in Zedd's pocket dimension."

Tommy's eyes blazed with anger. Billy quickly jumped in before Tommy started swearing in every language known to man. "There's just one catch. No one can get into the dimension unless they've been there before."

Tommy nodded. "All right. I'm going after her. I'm the only one besides Jase who's been there before."

Right then, the alarms began to wail. "Now what?" Aisha groaned as they all glanced at the viewing globe.

"Great. Goldar, putties, cogs, and tengas are in the park," Rocky observed. "So, what's the plan?"

"This is the plan, Rocko. Jase, you take the others to deal with our friends. I'll get Stephanie and meet you back here," Tommy ordered.

"Let's get out there," Trey responded as he summoned his power staff.

"It's morphin' time!" Tommy yelled.

"ZEO RANGER I-PINK!"
"ZEO RANGER II-YELLOW!"
"ZEO RANGER III-BLUE!"
"ZEO RANGER IV-GREEN!"
"ZEO RANGER V-RED!"
"GOLD RANGER POWER!"

"Ninjetti power, power up!" Jason called.

"BLACK NINJETTI POWER!"
"PINK NINJETTI POWER!"
"BLUE NINJETTI POWER!"
"YELLOW NINJETTI POWER!"
"RED NINJETTI POWER!"
"GREEN NINJETTI POWER!"

Tommy teleported to the coordinates that Alpha and Billy had given him as the remaining Rangers teleported to Angel Grove Park.

"Hey, knock it off!"

Goldar, the cogs, the putties, and the tengas stopped what they were doing and turned to see where the voice had come from. The blue Zeo Ranger stepped forward. "Yeah, I'm talking to you! Go back to where you came from!"

Goldar growled with anger. "Missing a Ranger? Soon your precious Purple Ranger will be the first to be destroyed!" he roared as he ran toward the teens. "Putties, tengas, attack!"

The Rangers broke apart as the enemies charged them. Jason and Trini fought back to back against the tengas, sending them flying with well-placed punches and kicks. "Trini, incoming!" Jason yelled to her.

Trini looked up in time to see Jason sending a tenga flying her way. "Gotcha, Jason!" she called back as she executed a flying kick and the unlucky tenga crashed into Goldar, effectively taking out half of Rocky and Katherine's attackers. "Thanks, Trini!" Katherine called out in her soft Australian accent.

"No problem," Trini gave her a thumbs-up before she dived back into the fight.

Meanwhile, Kimberly, Aisha, and Tanya were executing tumbling runs, which had the intended effect of making the putties and the tengas that were attacking them dizzy. "Now, Trey!" Kimberly yelled as they backed out of the way.

Trey appeared on the scene and raised his staff. "It's time for a gold rush!" he called as bolts of energy disintegrated the putties and the tengas. Then a bunch of cogs snuck up on him from behind.

Adam, Zack, and Billy worked together, an exact mirror of each other as they used their combined energies to take out the cogs. "Take this, railroad tracks!" Zack cried as danced around three cogs and then side-kicked them, knocking them into each other.

Adam and Billy stood side-by-side as they went through a complicated combination of a kata and gymnastics moves. Then they did a back flip and a back handspring, moving their cogs into a good position for Rocky to attack. With a Tarzan-like yell, Rocky sprang into action and knocked the cogs over from behind.

One by one, they finished off their attackers and faced off against Goldar. "Looks like they've all left you alone, Goldar," Rocky taunted him. "Can you take us all on by yourself?"

Tommy landed in a dark passageway with only torches on the walls every few feet or so to light his path. Somewhere, he heard a cry of pain. "Stephanie?" he shouted.

Unnoticed, a white mist began to slowly rise around Tommy. By the time he realized it, it was too late. By then, the Red Ranger was reliving his worst memories.

Tommy looked at Zordon. "So that's it. Rita's won," he said flatly.

"THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO STOP THE TRANSFER OF POWER NOW. TOMMY MUST CHOOSE ANOTHER RANGER TO GIVE HIS POWER COIN TO," Zordon told them.

Tommy looked at them-Zack, Trini, Billy, Kimberly, and Jason. _I don't want to give up my powers, but I don't want anyone to go through what I went through, either._ "Take care of the power, Jason."

Tommy stared at the exact duplicate of himself. _Oh God, no!_ his mind screamed as he recognized the coin the other man held in one hand. _Rita recreated the Green Ranger!_

"It's morphin' time!" White Tommy called out.

Green Tommy smiled nastily, but his brown eyes remained as hard as stones. "I was hoping you'd say that."

"TIGERZORD!"
"DRAGONZORD!"

Tommy struggled with his memories. Giving up the Green powers was the worst, but I learned to move on. When I came face-to-face with myself though, everything that I did while under Rita's control came rushing back, he reflected. "I accepted my dark side and the mistakes I made, though. It doesn't haunt me any longer-it's a part of me."

Very good, Thomas James Oliver. You may proceed and rescue your fallen teammate, a voice told him.

Tommy looked around in surprise. It sounded amazingly like Stephanie's voice, yet it wasn't. "Whoever you are, thank you," he whispered as he continued on down the passageway.

He came into an opening and found Stephanie lying unconscious on a flat rock. "Oh, Stephanie. I'm so sorry I let you down out there against Goldar. Please wake up. We need you." He took off his helmet and placed it on the floor, allowing his long brown hair to fall in his face. He drew one finger slowly and gently across her face, tracing its contours. "I-I need you."

Stephanie's eyelashes fluttered and Tommy realized that she was starting to wake up. "Come on, Steve. Wake up. I...I love you."

At his confession, Stephanie's eyes opened fully. Focusing on the Red Ranger, she managed to croak, "Where am I?"

Tommy crouched down in front of her. "Lord Zedd brought you to his hidden dimension. Are you all right?"

Stephanie tried to sit up, then fell back down, grimacing. "What happened? I can't remember anything after I came to the lake. Why do I have a killer headache?"

"You were attacked by Goldar and the tengas. Goldar hit you in the back of the head when you weren't looking and knocked you out."

"Oh." Stephanie stood up and shook her head, as if she was trying to clear it, and swayed dangerously.

"I've got you," Tommy said as he caught her. "You want me to help you out of here?"

"That would be great," Stephanie replied. "Thank you."

"Come on, Goldar. What are you waiting for? Or are you too chicken to fight?" Kimberly crossed her arms.

"He who fights and runs away will live to fight another day, Rangers. I'll see ya later!" Goldar growled before he teleported back to the lunar palace.

"Guys, let's get back to the Power Chamber," Jason suggested. "Maybe Tommy and Stephanie are back."

The others agreed and they returned to the Power Chamber to find Tommy by himself. "Tommy, where's Stephanie?" Katherine questioned gently. "Did you get her back?"

Tommy turned around and smiled the first real smile they had seen out of him all day. "Yeah, I got her. She was tired, so Alpha sent her home to sleep. I'm pretty tired too, so I'm gonna go home and crash. I'll see ya all tomorrow," he informed them before he melted into his red teleportation stream and left the Power Chamber.

The next day, Stephanie was sitting down on the mats next to the CD player when Tommy, Jason, Kimberly, Zack, Aisha, Katherine, Tanya, Billy, Adam, Rocky, and Trini came in and sat down at the Rangers' regular table.

"Why does it seem like Stephanie's avoiding us?" Kimberly asked Tommy quietly.

"I don't think she knows we broke up, Kim," Tommy responded as he got up. "I'm going to go talk to her."

Stephanie looked up to find Tommy walking toward her. I know what you're up to, Tommy, but I'm not gonna make this easy on you. I think you need to hear a few songs first! she thought as she turned up the volume on the CD player and stood up. Do you know what takes to love me, Tommy?

Don't you know I can see what you're doing
Runnin' around with your cheap talk, cheap talk
What I need is a man who can do me right
If you got what I need I can guarantee
To return all the love that you've given to me
But I got to be sure that you'll always be around

Do you know what it takes to love me?
Do you know what it takes to do me right?
Do you know what it takes to love me baby?

Heaven knows in my time I've been lonely
Feelin' my love echo in my mind
A never satisfied girl's what they call me
But I just can't keep goin on livin' lies
There's so much that I need
please don't let me down
There's so much I can give but it's buried so deep
I just got to be sure that you'll always be around

Do you know what it takes to love me?
Do you know what it takes to do me right?
Do you know what it takes to love me baby?

Don't waste my time with your lies
You got to prove that you will always be around
I'll give you everything, boy,
will you do you same for me
Will you do anything I gotta know what will it be

Do you know what it takes to love me?
Do you know what it takes to do me right?
Do you know what it takes to love me baby?

Stephanie smiled as the people in the Youth Center clapped. "Tommy, hey! What's up?"

"Can I talk to you?" he asked quietly. "It's kind of important."

"Sure." They sat down on the bench nearby and Tommy took her hand.

"Stephanie, I'm so sorry I let you down yesterday against Goldar."

Stephanie covered his mouth with her free hand. "Tommy, be quiet. I heard everything you said in the hidden dimension yesterday. I don't blame you for my getting captured, okay?"

"Stephanie, I almost lost the chance to tell you how I felt about you yesterday. I was so scared that I would never get you back. Stephanie...I love you. I've loved you since I first saw you at the assembly," he confessed.

Stephanie blushed and glanced up to find his chocolate-colored eyes reflecting sincerity. "I've loved you since I first saw you at the assembly too," she spoke quietly. "But you're dating Kimberly...aren't you?"

Tommy shook his head. "No. She let me go when she realized I loved you. Believe it or not, I think all of the Rangers knew we liked each other ever since you first came to Angel Grove."

Stephanie giggled. "I bet they did know we liked each other. I happened to see the look on Kimberly's face when I saw you sitting behind her. She looked like she had seen a ghost!" she told him.

Tommy laughed, then he went serious. "Stephanie, will you go out with me?"

Stephanie grinned. "Tommy, I have something you need to hear first," she told him mischievously as she put the CD on number nine and stood up. "I suggest you listen very closely to the lyrics."

Stephanie stood in the middle of the Youth Center and faced the Rangers' table as the music to Robyn's "Do You Really Want Me (Show Respect) came on.

Boy listen carefully to me now
'Cause this is something every man should know
Oh this is a lesson about how
You treat your girl right just let it show
That you love her that you need her say
That you want her in every way
You gotta show your girl a little respect
Or you won't get nothing back but hate
It's those little things that mean so much
You gotta treat her right
Or get out of her sight

Treat her right, Tommy, Kimberly smiled wistfully as she watched Stephanie sing to Tommy. Make sure you listen to whatever it is that she tells you. It may be important.

Do you really want me am I really special
Taking is so easy boys giving back unusual
If you really want me don't make me wait too long
Respect and love is the key just listen to my song

Safe is how she wants to feel
Protect her with all you've got
Oh she wants to know your love's for real
And be a good lover make her hot
Then she'll do everything love you day and night
She'll do anything just do her right
It's those little things that mean so much
You gotta treat her right
Or get out of her sight

Stephanie smiled as she advanced on Tommy, admiring his body. I love you, Tommy. You know I'm gonna be your girlfriend. Did you ever have any doubt?

Do you really want me am I really special
Taking is so easy boys giving back unusual
If you really want me don't make me wait too long
Respect and love is the key just listen to my song

Tanya and Aisha got up at the last word of the chorus and walked toward Adam, and Zack, who had joined Tommy at the edge of the mats, and began to sing with Stephanie as the three girls advanced on the guys.

Girls don't give up, give your best
No part-time job, no time to rest
Let himm know what's up before
So he can give you more and more

You gotta show your girl a little respect
Or you won't get nothing back but hate
It's those little things that mean so much
You gotta treat her right
Or get out of her sight

Tommy grinned as Stephanie stopped before him and sang while Aisha stood in front of Zack and Tanya before Adam. Stephanie, I love you so much and I'll love you until my dying day. I'll treat you right all the time. Just say you'll be my girlfriend! You guys are torturing me...and Adam and Zack as well!

Then he laughed as Aisha gave Zack a kiss on the lips and at Zack's look of surprise while Tanya did the same thing to Adam, who blushed fire-engine red. Aisha and Tanya then joined Stephanie in singing the final verses of the song.

Do you really want me am I really special
Taking is so easy boys giving back unusual
If you really want me don't make me wait too long
Respect and love is the key just listen to my song

Do you really want me am I really special
Taking is so easy boys giving back unusual
If you really want me don't make me wait too long
Respect and love is the key just listen to my song

Stephanie bounced up to Tommy with a huge grin on her face as Tanya left the Youth Center with Adam and Aisha left with Zack, matching smiles on their faces. "So, Tommy, would you like to hear my answer?" she asked him.

Tommy looked at her with hope in his eyes. "Sometime this century might be nice, yeah, beautiful," he agreed.

Stephanie glanced up at him. "Tommy," she began, looking down, "I really like you..."

"But what?" Tommy asked her bitterly, cutting her off. She wasn't going to go out with him...or so he thought.

"But nothing. I'd love to be your girlfriend," Stephanie finished, smiling brightly at him.

Tommy's expression changed to one of joy and he spun her around. "Yes!" he cried as Stephanie laughed at his antics. Then he leaned down and kissed her gently.

Stephanie wrapped her arms around his neck as the kiss deepened. Vaguely, she heard the remaining Rangers at the table whistling (and Rocky hooting) as they kissed, but she didn't mind. All that matters is that I'm finally together with Tommy. In a matter of seconds, she had forgotten everything except for the fact that she loved to be kissed by Tommy Oliver.

As they finally broke apart for air, Tommy leaned his forehead against hers. "I love you, Stephanie Marie Marks."

"I love you too, Thomas James Oliver."