Running Away to Stockton Hurts (Power Rangers Dino Thunder)

[estinose]

This one's a WIP - well, a complete first draft, anyway. It's about Trent trying to run away (again), this time to Stockton, CA. Well, kinda. He doesn't get there, though he tried to convince Anton to send him there. It's set after copy that, is a cowrite with Tptigger, and it is Trent/Kira.


Disclaimer: Characters don't belong to us. They belong to BVE and VRP and all that good alphabet soup.

Note: This is a cleaned up, though not finished, fic Beth and I wrote one evening. It is slightly Trent/Kira. It is also here more for historical reasons than anything else, because we never did get beyond a rough draft.

Running Away to Stockton Hurts
by EstiRose & TPTigger
c 2004

Trent looked at the cleaning supplies again. He knew that the Dino Thunder Rangers had only somewhat accepted him... which hurt. But there was nothing he could do about it, any more than he could do something about the reputation he'd gotten at school.

"Finished cleaning the zords?" Kira asked.

"I think so," Trent said. "Um... I'm sorry what I did... you know, when I was under the Gem's control."

"It wasn't you, Trent," Kira said, shifting uncomfortably.

"Yes it was," Trent said. "All my evil side... brought out by the Gem. All I could think of to do is make you guys suffer. For being too good."

"Evil side?" Kira asked.

"It's the best way I can explain why I did what I did," Trent said softly. "How else could I have hurt you guys so badly?"

"You were possessed by an evil gem?" Kira asked. "Look, Trent, you should really talk to Dr. O about this..."

"Dr. O thinks I'm not evil, that what's done is done," Trent said. "I didn't hurt him as much as I did you guys. Especially you, Kira."

Kira wasn't sure how to respond to that. "I knew it wasn't you. Look, Trent, Dr. O..." she paused, unsure how to explain, "ask him to show you the video diary OK? Then you'll know why I think you should talk to him."

"But you're the one with pain in your eyes, Kira. Conner and Ethan don't trust me."

"They will," Kira said. She wanted to make things better for Trent, but she wasn't sure how.

"But they don't," Trent said. "And neither do you. I'm sorry."

"If I said I forgave you, would it help?"

"Only if you meant it."

"I'm just not sure *you* did anything to forgive."

"It was me, Kira. Just... I can't explain it, I only know what I did. To Conner and Ethan and Dr. O. And especially to you."

"Just because you know doesn't mean you were the one who made those choices," Kira said.

Trent took her hand. "I know... but it was my body. I recognized me in some part of him."

Kira squeezed his hand, blushing a little. "I seem to remember you walking away when you realized who was in the yellow suit."

"That's one of the few times I had control," Trent said. "Before Mesogog told me I was going to become evil. Before I forgot how to fight the Gem."

Kira squeezed his hand a little harder.

There was a coughing sound from behind them.

The two dropped each others' hands like hot potatoes.

"Oh, hey, Dr. O," Trent said, blushing a little.

"Hi, Trent, Kira," Dr. O said. Trent couldn't help feeling a pang of guilt that his science teacher was stuck morphed.

"I'll go now," Kira said.

"No, don't," Trent pleaded, not wanting to be away from her. To deal with Dr. O and what he'd done. He wasn't ready to be alone with the pain quite yet.

"Um..." Kira hesitated, not sure what to do. Dr. O didn't like to talk to them about his time as the evil Green Ranger, but that was exactly what Trent needed.

She wasn't sure that what needed to be said would be said in her presence.

"Trent, I'll see you tomorrow. Okay?" she asked gently.

"Kira, stay? Please?" Trent asked.

"You two really have a lot to talk about," Kira said, quietly. "And I think it'll be easier on Dr. O if it's just you."

"But, but...." Trent decided it was better not to cling, though he desperately felt like it. At least the scars Kira wore were psychological, not physical.

"I don't bite, Trent," Dr. O said gently, resting a hand on Trent's shoulder.

Trent looked at the gloved hand and shuddered. Why had he stayed, again? He should make his excuses, go to Mercer relatives up north where he couldn't cause any problems.

"It's OK, Trent," Dr. O soothed. "I got this one, Kira. You should get home before your Mom freaks out."

"Or Chris," Kira muttered, but got up. "I'll see you later, Trent."

Trent sighed. How was he supposed to tell her how he felt if everybody kept interrupting?

"Oops, was I cramping your style?" Dr. O asked after Kira had left the Lab.

"Trying to work up to how I feel about her," Trent muttered. "Nothing major."

"Sorry," Dr. O said. "I guess my timing's not the best."

Trent shook his head. "So, you wanted to talk to me about something?" The sooner Dr. O finished, the sooner he could get back to Kira. Ask her to forgive him. Go on with his life.

Dr. O sighed. "Have a seat."

Trent sat at the console, scraping his feet on the floor.

Dr. O leaned over his shoulder. "There's something that you should see. I'll be upstairs."

Dr. O tapped a few buttons, and something appeared on the screen.

The gloved hand patted his shoulder, and the black-clad form disappeared upstairs. Trent looked despairingly at the screen.

"This is the story of my life... as a Power Ranger."

* * *

Trent leaned on the console and sighed. So, Dr. O had been evil when he started. Big deal. He hadn't caused pain like Trent had. He hadn't deceived his friends like Trent had.

"Trent?" Dr. O asked from behind him.

Trent turned around.

"Video ended a few minutes ago. I wanted to check on you."

Trent shrugged. "I watched it."

"You ready to talk?" Dr. O asked, taking the other seat at the console.

"No," Trent said. How could he explain? How would he make Dr. O understand?

Dr. O just sighed. "Look, Trent, I know you think what happened was your fault. That you hurt us..."

"Dr. O, you can't demorph!"

"It's temporary," Dr. O said. "Hayley will get me out."


Trent shook his head, looking at the helmet. "I'm sorry, Dr. O." He got up and dragged himself out of the Lab.

Dr. O sighed, watching Trent go.

* * *

"Hey, Trent!"

Trent stopped at Kira's cheery shout and headed over. He wasn't used to having lunch with the others, though he knew that Dr. O would be concerned if he didn't. Then again, Dr. O wasn't there to be a pain. His father was teaching his science class, and his father mostly ignored him... probably so that he wouldn't shift into Mesogog in the middle of class.

"Hey, dude," Conner said. "School lunch? Brutal."

"That's why Dad packs mine," Trent said. "All important businessman and teacher and he packs lunch every morning. It's eerie." Especially since Trent had started finding notes from his father every morning about Mesogog's moods and whether it was likely he'd be able to stay in his own form that day.

Kira gaped. "Your Dad packs your lunch every day?"

"Yeah," Trent said. "I don't get either, when I hit sixth grade my real Mom said it was time I packed my own."

"And now Anton Mercer, CEO of Mercer Industries, packs you a sandwich, an apple, and juice?" Kira asked.

"Lots more than that since... well, we stopped arguing quite so badly."

"Dude," Conner said, poking at what the school claimed was mashed potatoes.

Trent wordlessly started passing out food.

"What are you going to eat?" Ethan asked.

"Dad really overpacks lately," Trent said.

"You need to eat more than you think," Kira scolded.

"Bottomless lunchbag," Trent said simply. "Dad's a really good packer."

"He fattening you up for the pot?" Ethan asked.

Trent raised his eyebrows.

"It is a lot of food, dude," Conner said, biting into an apple. "Not that I'm complaining."

"We had a little... discussion after I kept eating him out of house and home," Trent said.

"Oh?" Conner asked.

"You didn't tell him..." Ethan added.

"No, no," Trent assured them, mentally crossing his fingers behind his back. "Just that I needed to eat more."

"Just checking dude," Ethan said.

"I know, I know, can't be too careful," Trent said.

"Yep," Kira agreed. "So, did you see Dr. O's video?"

Trent shrugged. "It was interesting."

"Did it help, man?" Ethan asked.

"It's nice to know I'm not the first evil Ranger."

"You sound so... excited," Ethan said.

"Well, it's a nice video."

"Did Dr. O answer all your questions?" Kira asked.

"Look, I need some time to absorb everything," Trent said, getting up. "Enjoy lunch."

The three others looked at each other, concerned.

"This is so not good," Kira said. "I wonder what happened?"

"He probably blew Dr. O off," Conner said. "Like our history meant nothing to him."

"Dude, this is so not a good sign," Ethan said. "Are we sure we can trust him?"

"Are we sure he doesn't think what he did was worse?" Kira said. "I mean, he was evil a lot longer than Dr. O."

"Yeah, he holds the record for the longest time as an evil Ranger, but still...."

"I'm going after him, and then I'm gonna ask Dr. O."

"Look, Kira," Conner said.

"He needs our help, Conner."

"So, let me go," Conner said valiantly.

"Why you?" Kira asked.

"I'm a guy. He's a guy. If he's stupid, we can go at it."

"Huh?" Kira asked.

"Listen to Conner on this one, Kira," Ethan said. "It makes sense from the Y side of things."

"That's it! I'm asking Dr. O for some female Rangers' numbers. You guys make no sense!"

"Hey, I'm perfectly capable of talking to Trent without punching him out!"

Kira raised an eyebrow and stared.

"I am!"

"Just, you know don't be... maybe I should talk to him," Ethan said.

"Give me one good reason why?"

"I'm less blunt."

"Guys, why don't I talk to him?" Kira suggested.

"Because this is guy talk, Kira."

"Yeah, Dr. O did such a great job," Kira said sarcastically.

"Who knows how Dr. O did, Trent's sulking," Conner said. "Come on, Ethan. Let's talk some sense into the guy."

The two guys took off after their newest teammate.

Kira sighed. "Great, now I'm nerd girl eating by herself."

* * *

Trent reappeared, after watching Ethan and Conner go past him. He sighed. Didn't they get it? He didn't deserve to be with them. He didn't deserve Kira. But he wouldn't go without making sure she understood he was sorry. Dr. O, too.

He walked back to where Kira was sitting. "I'm sorry, Kira. I'm just... I want to make things right."

"Talk to Dr. O, he's been there before," Kira said.

"He doesn't understand!"

"Have you tried explaining?" Kira asked. "Dr. O's a pretty good listener."

"Um."

"Idiot."

Trent nodded shamefully.

"Look. Go to Dr. O's after school and *talk* to him. He doesn't bite."

"Um."

"I'll have Conner drive you."

"Not the point," Trent said.

"Then what is the point?"

"Look, you can't understand. Dr. O can't understand. I did this. It was me." He sighed. "I'm going to ask Dad if I can go live with some Mercer relatives up north."

"Why?" Kira asked. "Trent, we need you here."

"No, you don't. You don't need a teammate you don't trust. I'm sorry, Kira." He paused. "I love you too much."

"I love you too," Kira blurted.

"If you love something, let it go," Trent said.

Kira shook her head. "Dr. O's not going to like this."

"It's safer for you, for me, for all of us. He doesn't have to like it."

"Safer?" Kira echoed. "Trent, how is it safer?"

"I'm not around," Trent said softly. "See ya."

Kira sighed. She didn't want her parents seeing Dr. O's number on her cell phone bill, so there was really only one other option. She activated her Dino Brace.

"Kira for Dr. O."

"Dr. O here. What's up, Kira?"

"Trent's running away. He says it's not safe to be around him."

"What?" Dr. O asked.

"He said he's going to ask his Dad to go live with a bunch of Mercer relatives up North," Kira replied.

"I'll find a way to talk to him, Kira. Actually," Dr. O paused, "I have a friend coming up that might be able to help him even more. The guy who helped me through this when I was new."

"Whatever you're going to do, Dr. O, I think you'd better do it soon," Kira replied.

"Try not to fret, Kira," Dr. O said. "We'll get through to him, we just have to keep trying."

"And what do we do first?" Kira asked.

"I have a call to make to Anton."

"Dr. O?"

"If anybody can reason with Trent, slow him down, Anton can. He has legal custody of Trent. He and I don't get along, but...."

"Good luck, Dr. O," Kira said.

"Thanks, Kira, I'll need it."

"Just one thing?"

"What's that?"

"Please don't tell Trent I told you this," Kira said.

"What, Kira?"

"Please don't tell Trent I narked on him running away," Kira repeated.

"I won't," Dr. O promised.

"Thanks, Dr. O."

"You're welcome. Dr. O out."

* * *

Tommy Oliver sighed and picked up the phone, dialling a number he shouldn't even know.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Anton, this is Tommy."

"How did you get this number?"

"I'm worried about Trent."

"What about Trent?" Anton asked warily. "You're supposed to be sick. How do you know about my son."

"I keep in touch with some of my students, and his behavior's got them worried."

"Oh?"

"It's like... something happened to him, something that's scared him."

"He has asked if he could move. I'm considering it."

Tommy sighed. How did he explain that was a bad idea without explaining why. "Don't you think you should find out what's scaring him first? You can't let him learn to solve problems by running away."

"He's told me that with the monster attacks escalating, he doesn't feel safe," Anton said. "I understand that, and he has some very good reasons. Not the least that he's heir to my empire."

Tommy bit back a sigh. "Trent's hardier than you think he is. And I don't think he's being forward about his fears."

"I'll take what you say under consideration," Anton said. "Goodbye."

Tommy stared at the phone emitting a dial tone. "Yeah, that when well."

* * *

"So, any luck talking to Dr. Mercer?" Kira asked as they met after school.

"Trent's got him convinced that it's safer to be out of town," Tommy said gloomily.

"Great," Kira said, moping.

Tommy patted her shoulder. "I know you don't want to hear this, but here it goes anyway. You're seventeen. There's plenty of guys out there."

"But I can't give up on Trent!"

"Look. There's a friend of mine that's going to be talking to Anton on business matters. Maybe he'll talk some sense into Trent while he's at it."

"Friend like a friend or friend like another Ranger?"

"Ranger friend," Dr. O said.

Kira nodded. "Think he'll have any better luck than we have?"

"He managed *Eric*, and that's saying something."

"So, he's used to stubborn idiots?" she asked.

"Yeah," Dr. O said, a bit of a laugh in his voice.

"I don't suppose he's a technical person too?" Kira asked.

"Wes? No. He's a businessman and fighter. Kind of like Trent in a way. They're both sons of CEOs."

"Oh," Kira said, sounding a little disappointed.

"Kira?"

"I think it might help Trent if we could manage to, you know, actually get you demorphed again."

"True," Dr. O acknowledged. "Hayley's trying. All we have to do is convince Trent not to move to Stockton."

"Stockton?" Kira echoed.

"That's where Anton's brother lives up north," Dr. O said. "Where it is isn't important."

"Oh," Kira said. "You guys really did used to be close, huh?"

"Yeah," Dr. O said, regret in his voice. "Anyway, Wes will try to talk to Trent. And everybody loves Wes."

"Really?"

"Wes is really likeable."

Kira nodded.

* * *

"Dr. O?" Trent called, glaring in frustration at the non-fuctional secret door. "Let me in!"

The door finally slid open.

"Trent? Are you okay?"

Trent glared.

"Okay, you're not okay. What happened?"

"My father changed his mind. Decided he wanted me to stay here." Trent shook his head. "I don't belong here."

"Yes, you do," Tommy soothed. "You saw the video, right?"

"Yeah," Trent snarled. "So?"

"So, you know I was evil?"

"That was ten years ago!"

"Trent, I can help you. If you let me."

Trent threw himself down on a chair and glared at Dr. O.

"Why are you angry at me?"

"You sent that guy to Dad."

"Who, Wes? Yeah, he's a former Ranger, but Biolab wants Mercer Industries to manufacture a new product for them."

Trent snorted. "With instructions to talk my Dad out of sending me up north."

"Trent, we need you here. And we all understand it's not your fault."

"Right. That's not what Ethan and Conner said when they walked right past me."

"What did they say?"

"That they don't believe that I was doing this to them again."

"Doing what to them again?"

"I don't know!"

"Then why do you assume it's bad?" Dr. O asked. "And why did they say that if they were walking right past you?"

Trent shrugged.

Dr. O sighed, leaning back in the console chair--a gesture magnified by the suit.

"You called me here, then you locked me out. Now you're annoyed with me. Can I leave now?"

"If you want," Dr. O said. "But I really think we should talk. About Gems and spells and evil."

Trent glared and sat down on the floor.

"Look, Trent, Kira's going to be no safer if you leave town. She needs you by her side, as her teammate. We all do."

Trent stared up at him.

"I'm a teacher, I see all, know all."

"Right."

"And I've been a Ranger for years. We need you. We need your powers, and your experience. We need you, and we're not going to reject you because of something you had no choice about."

"You should," Trent said quietly.

"But we're not," Tommy offered. "Look. I'll make you a bargain. You stay here, be part of the team. If you still feel you don't belong after two months, then I'll help you move up north."

Trent looked at him skeptically. "How could you possibly help?"

"I could convince your father that it is safer to move up north," Dr. O offered.

"Like you convinced him to make me stay?"

"I have more aces in the hole besides Wes you know."

"I bow before your might, o lord," Trent said sarcastically.

"You get one free one," Dr. O said. "Next time you have to clean out the raptor pen."

Trent made a face. "How do you know I'm going to be here to worry about that?"

"At the rate you're going? Could only take ten minutes."

"You have a point."

"So, ready to listen to me?"

"I guess."

"Let me tell you the story of a cursed power coin, an evil sword, and five courageous teenagers...."

Trent settled in, knowing it was going to be a long haul.

* * *

"Kira?" Trent asked softly as she tuned her guitar. "Can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Sure," Kira said, putting down the guitar.

"I'm sorry for what I said the last few days."

"Forgiven. Forgotten," Kira said. "You want to go get some ice cream?" She said the last in a conspiratorial whisper. This was likely because Hayley was nearby--though whether it was because Hayley might suggest staying for coffee instead or Dr. O would get wind of their junk food adventures was hard to tell.

"I'd like that very much," he said, a shy smile on his face. "I guess while I'm here, we might as well get used to each other. And ice cream sounds *really* good right now."

"While you're here?" Kira repeated, putting away her guitar.

"I promised Dr. O I'd be here at least two months," Trent said. "He drives a hard bargain."

Kira giggled.

"What?" Trent asked in exasperation.

"It's just... Dr. O... driving a hard bargain... I don't know," Kira said. "I didn't think he bargained, I guess."

"Oh, Dr. O's pretty good at bargaining. And making people listen." Trent sighed inwardly, hoping that he could hold up his end of the bargain. "So I'm here. For you. Um. The others. And you."

Kira blushed.

Trent blushed right back, and leaned in, as if to kiss her. "You know what?" he whispered. "I think I'm going to find it worthwhile."

"You think?" Kira whispered back.

"I think so," he said, and leaned in to give her a gentle kiss. "Thanks for believing in me."
Kira paused for a moment, as if regaining her composure. "Anytime."

Trent smiled.

-end