October

Reefside

"You're not supposed to lift heavy things, remember," Lieutenant Stone's voice spoke gently as he led her into Angel Grove High School for her first day. "If you have trouble, just phone me and we'll talk, okay?"

Laura Hammond, new to Angel Grove and still very much emotionally and physically sore after giving birth several weeks earlier, silently nodded, "I'll carry your bag," Lieutenant Stone said. "Your classroom is this way…"

"Mommy?"

Troubled by the dream that had haunted her for years, Laura sat up in bed and sighed when she saw Ziggy standing beside the bed where she and Jason shared, "Mommy, Aunt Ashley is here," Ziggy spoke softly.

Wondering why Ashley was there and not still in Europe with her family, Laura got up and followed Ziggy to the front door, taking care not to wake Jason, Nick, or Kira. To her surprise, Ashley was standing on the front step holding a folder while a car with tinted windows sat parked in front of the house as if it belonged there.

"Laura, we need to talk," Ashley spoke softly. "Detective Stone…he came to me about Emily."

Laura paled, "Mommy, who's Emily?" Ziggy asked, clinging to his mother's leg.

"Ziggy, honey, why don't you go wake your dad?" Laura asked gently, having dreaded this day for years.

Nodding, Ziggy ran off to the bedroom, "The couple you gave her to never signed the papers and they don't want to be foster parents to her any longer," Ashley spoke quietly. "They handed her off to Detective Stone and said…"

"That means she's still mine," Laura whispered in a scared voice. "I…I never told anyone about Emily, Ashley."

Ashley sighed and gave Laura a hug just as Jason wandered into the foyer, "Ziggy said you needed me?" Jason asked in a tired voice, confusing registering on his face as he saw Ashley. "Ashley, back from Europe already?"

Laura sighed heavily as tears filled her eyes, "Jason, I'm so sorry I never told you, but I had a baby while I was still in high school," she spoke shakily. "I…I was assaulted by an addict friend of my parents and…"

Jason paled and he silently drew Laura into his arms and held her as he looked at Ashley for an explanation, "It was a girl and she named it Emily. She gave it to a couple who already had a child and couldn't have another, but the couple only kept Emily as a foster child and never…"

"So Emily still belongs to Laura?" Jason asked quietly, sighing as Laura continued to cry. "Where is she?"

Ashley sighed, "She's with Detective Stone," she explained softly. "Her foster parents gave her up willingly."

"Okay," Jason spoke quietly. "Well, it's a good thing there's room for another bed in Kira's room, isn't it?"

Laura stopped crying and looked at him curiously, "If Emily's still yours, she'll need a warm bed and a lot of other things," Jason spoke gently, caressing her face with love. "If you want, I can even legally adopt her as mine too…"

"Detective Stone and a social worker are going to come and inspect the house and they want to talk to Jason," Ashley spoke quietly. "Detective Stone called me because he didn't know where you and Jason were now."

Laura nodded, too shocked and saddened about the situation to offer a reply, "Ashley, I wanted to take her with me, but I wasn't allowed," she replied in an anxious voice. "I could only get emancipation for myself…"

Ashley nodded and sighed just as the phone rang, "I'll get that," Jason spoke softly, kissing Laura's cheek.

"School starts Monday, so they want to come tomorrow," Ashley spoke softly. "If it's too soon, Laura…"

Laura suddenly heard a gasp from behind her, so she turned around to find Jason on the phone looking shocked, "Kat's on the phone," Jason spoke in a worried voice. "Malcolm…they were on their way here when Malcolm started complaining of severe pain and so she took him to the hospital. She's there with Laura and Ethan…"

"Jason, if you need to go to the hospital, I can wake the kids and get things ready for Emily," Laura spoke softly.

Jason nodded, sighing as he grabbed the keys off the wall rack and hurried outside to the Suburban without speaking to Ashley, "I have a terrible feeling that whatever power Tommy is welding is behind Malcolm's illness," Laura spoke in a quiet voice. "I don't know how to explain it, but I've just been feeling so uneasy lately."

"Me too," Ashley spoke in soft voice. "While Jason's gone, did you want Eugene and I to help around here?"

Emily nodded and sighed, "I'd love help waking the kids and explaining Emily to them," she replied softly.

Ashley nodded, motioned at the car, and came inside the house. Moments later, Spike and Eugene joined her.

A faint hiss escaped Malcolm's lips as a lab technician filled several vials with blood from his arm and Katherine gently rubbed his back. Malcolm let out a weak sigh at Katherine's touch, but slowly began to relax.

"I called Jason," Katherine spoke softly. "He said he was coming immediately. Who else should I call?"

Malcolm sighed heavily, "Is…Doctor Cranston moved here with Billy and Kim, right?" he asked weakly.

"Doctor Cranston is the chief of this hospital," the lab tech commented. "Would you like me to call him?"

Malcolm attempted a nod, cringed, and suddenly vomited on the floor, "M…Migraine," he whispered softly, closing his eyes in an attempt to block the pain out. "Please…he's a miracle worker…call his son too…"

The lab tech finished drawing the blood, bandaged Malcolm's arm, and left to find someone to clean the mess up and also find Dr. Cranston, "Tommy…something he did caused this," Malcolm spoke in a weak, tired voice.

Katherine sighed, feeling that Malcolm was right, "The power he seeks is destroying me," Malcolm whispered.

"I can't and won't let that happen," Katherine spoke firmly, taking his hand. "I love you too much."

Malcolm sighed weakly just as Ethan came into the room, "Mom, Laura needs changing," Ethan spoke softly.

Katherine nodded, grabbed the diaper bag from the chair, and then took Laura from Ethan, "Stay with your father," she spoke in an anxious voice, grateful for Ethan's presence. "Malcolm, we'll be back soon."

Ethan silently sat beside the gurney so he could look his new father in the face, "Dad, what's wrong?" he asked in a quiet voice, resting his hand on top of Malcolm's IV-laden hand. "I'm feeling funny. This watch feels weird…"

"It's a power that is wanted by one who used to be my friend, but has allowed power to overtake the goodness in his heart," Malcolm explained with closed eyes. "That watch contains some of the power that he seeks."

Ethan was silent for several moments and then he silently removed the watch from his wrist, gently placing it back over Malcolm's, "I'd rather not have any power at all if it means I can save your life, Dad," he spoke quietly, his eyes filling with tears as he closed them. "Power means nothing if it can't be used to help those in great need."

An electric current suddenly filled Ethan, "You're a good son," Malcolm spoke softly. "I love you."

Ethan watched as his father's breathing relaxed into a steady rhythm and he silently removed his hand from the watch, willing to lose it rather than his father. Just then, Katherine returned with a happy looking Laura.

Katherine immediately could sense that something was different, "Ethan?" she asked in a quiet voice.

"I think Dad will be okay, Mom," Ethan spoke quietly, gazing at her. "I just feel it in my heart that he will be okay, but he might need a lot of rest. The doctors are gonna find what's wrong with him and then he'll be well."

As Katherine was trying to figure out what Ethan had done, Jason suddenly came into the room and frowned at seeing Malcolm in bed, "Kat, what happened?" Jason asked anxiously. "You said he was driving and…"

"I was driving because Malcolm was feeling tired," Katherine spoke softly. "Billy told him about a business opportunity here and we were coming to take a look at it. It's some sort of cyber-café…"

Jason nodded, "I left Ethan for a minute to change Laura and something happened," Katherine spoke softly.

It was then that Jason noticed that Malcolm was again wearing the special watch that he had gifted to Ethan as an adoption present. He also knew that the watch was the blue gem that Rocky had told Malcolm to safeguard.

"Katherine, I know Malcolm told you about the gems," Jason spoke softly. "Malcolm gave his to Ethan and it seems that Ethan transferred the power back to Malcolm to try and help him. Do you recognize the blue watch?"

Katherine's eyes widened in shock and she hugged Ethan while crying, "We have a basement suite at our house and I think you guys can stay with us while you figure things out," Jason spoke quietly. "Laura…she's going through something very hard right now and she starts teaching part-time Monday, so she'll be grateful for company…"

"Is Laura okay?" Katherine asked softly, now concerned for her friend. "She seemed fine a few days ago…"

Jason sighed, "It's not my story to tell, but I'm going to support her through it," he replied quietly.

Just then, Billy and Dr. Cranston came into the room, "I heard Malcolm was here," Billy spoke worriedly.

Ethan nodded and moved away from the bed, allowing the two access to his father, "Jason, can you take Ethan and Laura back to your house?" Katherine asked softly, suddenly feeling tired. "I want to stay with Malcolm…"

Billy gave Katherine a look, "Kat, he's going to be fine, but you should take time to rest," he spoke quietly, sensing that a Power Transfer strong enough to stabilize Malcolm had taken place. "My father can care for him…"

Without waiting for anyone, Ethan silently slipped out of the room and suddenly found himself joined by Jason, Laura, and his mother, "Why don't we go by the grocery store and get groceries?" Jason suggested in a kind voice, offering a reassuring smile to Malcolm's family as he led them out of the Reefside Hospital.

The weather had been sunny, but was quickly turning stormy and Tommy felt as if it was nothing compared to the storm that was raging within himself. He could feel the power of the black gem taking hold of who he was and he could feel Mesogog trying to take control of both. Asking for help from others was out of the question.

Instead of hiding at home in his lab, Tommy resorted to running errands to keep his mind busy simply because he would be able to add teaching to his list of things to do when school started Monday. He had just gone into the store when he noticed a scruffy looking kid wearing a backpack run out in front of an approaching car.

Jason swore as he braked and barely missed hitting the kid who had run out in front of him, "Gimme your money, mister!" he heard the scruffy kid say anxiously, tapping on the driver's side window. "I mean it; all of it!"

Katherine's eyes widened in shock and she looked worriedly towards Ethan and Laura in the backseat, but Jason calmly rolled the window down, "Conner McKnight?" he asked, recognizing the boy from the motel.

Conner froze and eyed Jason nervously, prompting Jason to quickly park the car and get out, "Why are you trying to rob me and why do you have that big bag with you?" Jason asked, unaware that Tommy had seen Conner and was coming to help subdue him. "Conner, I thought you were living at the motel? Do you have all your…?"

Cursing suddenly filled the air as Tommy grabbed Conner's arms and forced them behind his back, "I saw everything and I can have the police here quickly!" Tommy growled. "Robbing people is a crime, kid!"

"Tommy, let him go!" Jason snapped, alarmed by Tommy's aggressiveness towards a child. "It's all right!"

Tommy swore, but released Conner, "I can have you arrested," he growled, glaring at Conner.

"Tommy, I think Conner is homeless and he's stealing so he can eat," Jason spoke firmly, shocked at how aggressive Tommy had become over the years. "If it weren't for your uncle, you'd be in the same boat!"

Thunder boomed overhead and Tommy glared at Jason darkly before leaving, "I didn't mean to steal," Conner spoke quietly. "The motel fired me and kicked me out. My brother and I were separated after our parents died and he got placed somewhere, but I ran away. I don't want to go to a foster home and end up being beaten."

Jason frowned, "Doctor Oliver teaches at the school and I go there Monday, but I hear he's really mean," Conner spoke nervously, rubbing his arms where Tommy had grabbed them. "Is he really gonna put me in jail?"

"How many people have you tried to steal from?" Jason asked quietly, giving Conner a parental look.

Conner sighed, "You're the first," he admitted nervously. "I…I didn't want to try robbing anyone."

Jason nodded, "Look, why don't you help me with my shopping and I'll see what I can do to help you?" he suggested, wondering what he could do to help Conner stay away from the terrible life of homelessness.

Nodding, Conner followed Jason into the store and kept silent while Jason filled his cart with groceries, keeping his head down and his gaze to the floor. Jason was worried, but didn't comment on it while shopping and he also noticed that bruises were starting to form on Conner's arms where Tommy had manhandled him.

Conner helped Jason get the groceries to the vehicle, "Hop in the back," Jason spoke gently. "I'll take you to my house and get you some clothes that I don't wear anymore. They might be a bit big, but they'll be warm."

Sighing, Conner got into the vehicle and looked at the floor, "Jason?" Katherine asked softly, seeing Conner.

"Conner, this is my sister-in-law, Kat," Jason spoke kindly. "Kat, this is Conner McKnight."

Katherine nodded and frowned when she saw a car tear out of a nearby parking space and down the street, but she didn't say anything because she noticed the expression on Jason's face. The ride back to the house was quiet.

When the Suburban arrived back at the house, Katherine took Ethan and Laura inside, but Conner stayed outside because he felt like an intruder, "Conner, come inside and I'll explain things to my wife," Jason spoke gently.

Sighing, Conner held his backpack close as he followed Jason inside the house and lingered in the kitchen while Jason went into the living room, "…Laura, we need to talk," he could hear Jason say softly. "In the kitchen."

Conner froze as Jason brought Laura into the kitchen, "Conner McKnight, right?" Laura spoke gently, recognizing Conner immediately. "I remember seeing you at the motel when we were staying there. How are you?"

"Conner needs a place to stay," Jason spoke gently. "I was thinking he and Ethan could share a room in the basement suite while Kat and Laura take the other. He had a little issue with being beat up at the store…"

Laura frowned, "Beat up?" she asked in a concerned voice. "Jason, why haven't you called the cops?"

"Tommy did it," Jason spoke softly in a voice only Laura could hear. "I didn't want it to escalate…"

Laura's eyes widened and she nodded as Ethan came into the house with Katherine and Laura, "There's a spare bedroom in the basement for you, Conner, and I'll notify the foster system that you'll be in our care," she spoke in a calm, reassuring voice because she didn't want Conner to turn and run. "Would that be all right?"

Conner nodded nervously and cringed as his arms trembled with pain from Tommy's actions, "I think I need to lie down," he finally spoke in a shaking voice as he looked at the floor. "I'm sorry. I don't feel too good."

"Why don't you rest on the couch in the family room?" Laura spoke gently. "I can get you a blanket."

Katherine gave Conner a kind look, "Kat, the rooms need sheets and things," Laura spoke anxiously.

"Did someone go out and get Emily a bed and everything?" Jason asked anxiously. "She…"

Laura nodded, "Ashley and Skull took Spike out with them and they're getting things with my credit card and a note of authorization," she spoke in a quiet voice as a sleepy looking Kira came into the foyer. "Kira…"

Kira yawned, "Ziggy's sleeping in your bed and Nick went back to bed," she spoke sleepily. "Is Emily…?"

"Can you help your Aunt Kat and your cousins get settled downstairs, please?" Laura asked in a kind voice.

Kira nodded, "Uncle Malcolm's in the hospital, so they'll be staying for a little while," Laura spoke in a concerned voice, pleased that Kira was being so helpful. "I need you to take Aunt Kat and your cousins downstairs."

Even though she was concerned for her uncle, Kira nodded and led Kat, Ethan, and Laura off into the house, "Can I do something to help?" Conner asked in a shaky voice. "You're being really, really nice to let me stay…"

Laura sighed and led Conner to the family room, "Why don't you rest on the sofa for a bit?" she suggested gently.

Conner nodded and silently retreated to the couch, unsure of what to say or do, "Let me take this and wash your clothes so you'll have clean clothes for school tomorrow, all right?" Laura said, taking his backpack.

"Th..thanks," Conner replied nervously. "Um, do you want me to do any housework or anything?"

Jason's eyes narrowed and Laura could instantly feel that he was going to go and tell Billy what Tommy had done to Conner, "Jason, could you please go to the bookstore and see if you can find a few books that Emily might like?" Laura asked in a concerned voice. "I never expected to see her again, but now that she's coming…."

Nodding, Jason assumed a calm expression and kissed Laura before he left with the keys, "Conner, did you want to help me with laundry?" Laura asked kindly, sensing that Conner just wanted to feel useful and accepted.

Exhaustion crippled Malcolm, but he found himself at peace as he lay asleep in his hospital bed after surgery repaired internal damage and also removed tumors that had grown. He wasn't sure if he had cancer, but he knew that Dr. Cranston would take good care of him and that Billy would foot the bill so Kat wouldn't have to.

The hospital room was one of the nicest in the building and Malcolm had only been semi-aware of Billy and Dr. Cranston talking about how to help him, but he wasn't scared. As Malcolm lay there, he could hear quiet talking and footsteps, "…Is Malcolm awake?" he suddenly heard Jason ask. "I was running errands and decided to…"

Billy, who had decided to hang out near his friend's room, sighed, "Malcolm's sleeping and my father just wants him to have a few hours of quiet," he explained gently, offering a smile to Jason. "I'll tell him you came by."

Jason nodded, "Um, Billy, can I have a word?" he asked softly. "I witnessed Tommy getting rough with this kid named Conner McKnight at the grocery store. Conner tried to rob me and I set him straight, but he grabbed Conner. I don't know why Tommy acted that way, but that's not like him."

Billy frowned, his expression concerned as he pondered how much Tommy had lost himself to the gems he had created and if he could be dangerous in the future, "You're the head of all the schools around here, so I thought I'd mention it in case Tommy is too dangerous to teach," Jason spoke in an uncertain voice.

"I'll have a word with Tommy before school begins," Billy spoke softly. "You have my word on that, Jason."

I gave up my Powers because I was struggling with keeping Emily a secret. That's why I wasn't a Zeo Ranger. I don't even know how I actually got pregnant but how do I explain that to Jason? How do I explain that I gave Emily up because it was becoming too much for me? Laura thought in a distressed voice as she sat on her and Jason's bed, silently staring at the box of Emily's baby things she had kept secret.

A knock sounded at the door and Laura sighed, "Laura, are you awake?" Kat's concerned voice filled the air.

Laura sighed heavily; "The door's unlocked," she spoke quietly. "You might as well come in."

The door opened and Kat came in carrying shopping bags, "I found things for Emily," she replied softly.

"I had her when I came to Angel Grove," Laura spoke softly. "When I was in school, Lieutenant Stone would babysit and I did my best to see her when I could, but it just got harder as Emily got older. I had to give her up…"

Katherine's eyes filled with compassion and she set her bags on the floor before sitting on the bed, "I visited her when I was going to university and the foster parents said she was difficult and that they would be contacting me, as their natural daughter was going to be a Power Ranger," Emily spoke softly. "I got my schooling done as fast as I could so I'd be able to care for her when they contacted me. I hadn't expected them to reject her so badly…"

Katherine looked at the papers and items in the box, "Kira's in high school and Nick and Ziggy are in elementary school," Emily spoke softly. "I hope Jason doesn't hate me for keeping it from him, but I had no choice…"

"I…I could never hate you," Jason spoke quietly as he suddenly came into the room. "I overheard…"

Laura sighed anxiously, "The last few years have been very hard," she replied softly. "I couldn't keep her as much as I tried and she's only a little younger than Nick now. I didn't know they wouldn't end up adopting her and if I had known, I would have simply made it work. Jason, I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but I didn't tell anyone…"

Just then, Ashley came in bearing more shopping bags, "Hey," she spoke kindly. "Kat, thanks for doing that."

Kat nodded, "It gave me something to do," she replied calmly. "Ashley…we should leave them alone."

"We should set things up," Laura spoke softly, exhaling. "Emily's set to be here tomorrow, right?"

Ashley nodded, "We can get started and Kira can help," she said. "Come on, Kat."

Once Ashley and Kat were gone, Jason closed the door and sat on the bed, "She's only been out of my life for a few years, but I don't know if she remembers me," Laura spoke softly. "I'm sorry I kept from you and our friends."

"You stop apologizing," Jason replied gently. "You are truly amazing for enduring all of that by yourself."

Laura sighed and Jason smiled before kissing her gently, "I want to adopt her," Jason replied softly. "Please?"

"Sure," Laura replied in a quiet voice. "I…we should have a barbecue to welcome Emily…tomorrow."

Jason smiled, "I'll man the grill," he replied calmly. "I…I'd like to include Malcolm somehow, though.

"How is Malcolm?" Laura asked softly, looking worried. "Do they know why he's not well?"

Jason sighed, "They did surgery and took tumors out," he replied softly. "And repaired internal damage."

Laura sighed as the phone rang and Nick ran down the hallway with the cordless, "Dad, it's Uncle Billy," he said.

Jason took the phone, "Hello, Jason Scott speaking," he spoke in a concerned voice. "Billy, what's up?"

"Malcolm's doing remarkably well," Billy replied softly. "We're still running tests on the tumors, but the anesthetic's worn off and he's asking to be released. Since you have medical training, it might be easier…"

Jason frowned, "Let me talk to Kat," he replied worriedly before covering the phone. "Hey, Kat?"

Katherine poked her head out of Kira's room, "Yeah?" she asked in a kind voice.

"Billy's on the phone," Jason replied. "Maybe you'd better talk to him."

Kat took the phone and listened as Billy explained the situation, "I…If Malcolm feels well enough to come home and wait for results, Jason's here if he needs help," she finally said softly. "Do you want me to come get him?"

There was more talking and Kat sighed, "Kat, I can take you," Laura offered softly. "I need to make an appointment."

Jason looked worried as Kat hung up the phone, "This day has been overwhelming and I need to see if Doctor Oliver is a practicing therapist through the hospital," Laura spoke softly. "He should know about this."

"Want me to come with you?" Jason asked quietly as Ziggy came running down the hallway. "Ziggy!"

Ziggy stopped, "Mommy forgot to eat breakfast," he said anxiously. "Isn't breakfast important?"

"Daddy did too," Laura replied, unable to get mad at her special youngest son. "Mommy has to go to the hospital with Aunt Kat because Uncle Malcolm was sick and is coming home, but Daddy can eat breakfast with you."

Jason nodded, "Nick, Kira, Ethan, breakfast!" he called out. "Ethan, will you bring baby Laura upstairs?"

Laura smiled at Kat reassuringly and Kat nodded, "Thank you," Kat spoke in a relieved voice.

"Malcolm Scott, what do you mean you want to leave the hospital?" Katherine asked in a stern voice as she sat on Malcolm's hospital bed while Malcolm, who was wearing sweats and a loose shirt, sat in a wheelchair and Laura lingered nearby. "You just had surgery hours ago and I worry that something could go wrong…"

Malcolm sighed tiredly, "Kat, I already know I'm sick," he replied softly. "I know my body's failing me."

Kat frowned, "How do you know this?" she asked softly. "Did someone…did someone tell you?"

"Dulcea sent me here and my mortality is failing because she needs me," Malcolm spoke softly. "The gems have very dangerous power that will destroy much if abused. Tommy…he has created evil and doesn't even know it."

Kat and Laura exchanged a look, "Years ago, when we were on Phaedos, we were given powers to defeat Ivan Ooze and Tommy took that science and developed something with Anton Mercer, but Mercer died," Malcolm spoke in a weak voice. "I…I talk to Dulcea in my head sometimes and she showed me these things…"

"So Tommy's experiments are killing you and Dulcea?" Laura asked softly. "And he doesn't know it?"

Malcolm sighed, "I have a heir in Ethan and I'm grateful for that," he replied softly. "Nothing can be done to change what is going to happen and I would rather not spend what time I have cooped up in a hospital."

Katherine nodded and sighed as Billy came into the room, but Laura quietly slipped out before anyone could speak to her. She knew she had no power to help Malcolm herself, but she also knew that Dr. Oliver might.

It was a quiet walk up to the floor that housed Counselling Services and Laura was both surprised and relieved to see Dr. Oliver in his wheelchair near one of the open-floor desks, "Doctor Oliver," Laura called out softly.

"Laura, how are you?" Dr. Oliver asked kindly. "I…I just became a part-time counselor here to help supplement what I'll be making working for the schools. Rocky will be teaching, but I told him to save his money as he can…"

Laura nodded, "Malcolm's become ill and he says he's going to die," she spoke softly. "Are you free to talk?"

A somber expression crossed Dr. Oliver's face and he gestured to a nearby room, which Laura followed him to. Once the door was shut, Laura sat on the couch and waited for Dr. Oliver to speak his mind.

"You have to remember that Malcolm is not of this world and carries different power than the rest of us," Dr. Oliver explained softly. "During the galactic war that turned Phaedos to ruins, Dulcea sent her twin sons to Earth to save them, but they are affected by any abuse of the higher power. Tommy's experiments are an unfortunate abuse of power, but he is infected by a demon called Mesogog and is determined to carry on with that power."

Laura frowned, "How do you know all this?" she asked in a confused voice. "You act as if you've been there."

"I was a warrior in Dulcea's kingdom and I was part of that war," Dr. Oliver replied softly. "After Zordon was imprisoned, she used her powers to send me away. When I learned Tommy was a Ranger, I met with Zordon and he restored my memories of that time. I swore an oath to Zordon that I would watch over Power Rangers of past, present, and future til I was no longer able. I know what Tommy has become and how it is hurting other people."

Laura nodded, unsure of what to say, "The worst is yet to come, I'm afraid," Dr. Oliver continued in a soft, but concerned voice. "Mesogog will influence Tommy to do other terrible things that will affect many, including you."

Swallowing hard, Laura felt that Dr. Oliver was right and she suddenly knew that she had to do her part in making sure the powers were protected even if she herself was not, "What else can you tell me?" she asked softly.

"You do not EVER manhandle any youth like they're a common criminal," Billy spoke in a cold voice as he stood before Tommy, both of them in the office at Reefside High after Billy had invited Tommy in for a serious chat. "Jason told me about Conner McKnight."

Tommy scoffed, "The kid was trying to rob Jason, Billy," he argued. "I was really just trying to help."

"This feud between you and Jason has got to end," Billy snapped. "Leave it out of the classroom!"

Pretend to apologize so you'll be left alone. Tommy suddenly heard Mesogog speak in his mind.

Assuming a remorseful expression, Tommy nodded, "I'm sorry," he replied softly. "I guess I forgot myself."

Billy's expression softened, "Look, Tommy, I know you're struggling because you were abused as a kid and that kind of thing never fully goes away, but you're better than your past," he replied gently. "Just take it as a lesson and be nice when school starts on Monday, okay? I don't want Principal Randall to end up firing you."

"I'll be nice; I promise," Tommy replied in a somber voice. "I…I've been thinking about going back to counseling."

Billy nodded, "Anyway, I've got to go and get my classroom in order," Tommy said in an anxious voice.

"You can go," Billy replied in a calm voice, wondering if Tommy had simply lied in order to avoid trouble.

Nodding, Tommy quickly retreated to his classroom and closed the door. A moment later, Mesogog appeared.

"You have to put on a facade for now," Mesogog hissed coldly. "Your time will come soon, I promise."

With that, Mesogog faded away, leaving Tommy alone and caressing the black gem around his neck hungrily.

Hours later, after Malcolm was downstairs resting under Kat and Ethan's watchful eye, Laura found herself putting the finishing touches on Emily's side of the room that she and Kira would share. The room had a single bed with a daisy bedspread, a daisy pillow, and a closet filled with clothes and a semi-empty bookshelf.

"Mom?"

Laura looked at the door and saw Kira standing there, "Dad says we're having a barbecue tomorrow and he's invited all your old friends, but we don't have a lot of food," Kira spoke softly. "He was wondering…"

"If I'd go shopping and take you?" Laura replied softly. "I'm just about finished with Emily's things…"

Kira smiled, "No, Dad says he's going to go himself and take Ziggy and Nick so that they can get used to knowing where things are," she replied kindly. "He wants to know if you want to add anything to his list."

"Your father is pretty organized and knowledgeable about what our friends and us will eat, so I trust him," Laura replied, deeply relieved that she could just stay home with her thoughts now. "Kira, come sit with me for a sec."

Kira nodded and sat with her mother on the bed, "What's up, Mom?" Kira asked in a worried voice.

"I just thought we could have a moment to ourselves since things will be different when Emily arrives tomorrow," Laura replied in a kind voice. "I know this was a sudden change and I just want you to know that even though Emily will be here, I'm not going to love you or favor you any less. In fact, I'm counting on you to be a good example."

Kira smiled, "I think it'll be cool to have a little sister," she replied softly. "I won't be outnumbered anymore."

Laura chuckled, "Since you're the oldest and are going into a new chapter in your life, there's something I want to give you," she spoke gently as she removed her heart necklace. "This used to be mine and I want you to have it."

"This necklace is so pretty," Kira replied as she looked at it nervously. "Is it something Dad gave you?"

Laura shook her head, "I got it from a friend, but I think it will help you and give you a little confidence as you start high school here," she replied gently. "I know you'll take care of it and I know you're meant to have this."

"Okay," Kira replied softly, accepting the necklace. "Can…can you help me put it on? I want to wear it."

Deeply relieved that the gem had seemingly accepted Kira, Laura nodded and put the necklace on Kira just as Jason came into the doorway, "Hey, I'm about to take Ziggy and Nicky to the store," Jason said. "Wanna come, Kira?"

"I'm just gonna stay with Mom," Kira replied softly. "Do you have marshmallows and smores stuff on the list?"

Jason smiled, "I can get some," he replied kindly. "Laura, do you want anything? I have chips, pop, hot dogs, hamburgers, buns, condiments, juice, salads, coal for the grill…I also texted everyone and invited them…"

"I'll get Kira to help me set up the yard," Laura replied softly. "Don't forget paper plates, plastic cutlery and cups, and napkins. Maybe also get a little bit of candy for the kids and the bigger kids we call our friends…"

Jason smiled and nodded as he added things to the list on his phone, "Got it," he replied. "Love you."

Laura smiled and blew Jason a kiss, chuckling as he hurried off to get Ziggy and Nick for another trip to the store.

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