Color was everything to a Power Ranger. It seemed like every one so far had been inexplicably attracted to their own as far as wardrobe went. It was just a thing.

Of course, things were a little different now. Kira had added a new color to her closet, one she was slowly growing very fond of.

Green.

She wore it because of him. Yeah, he'd had other colors in the past, but there were reasons she'd picked the one she had. Red was also Conner's, white was also Trent's. Black was a little too basic. Not only was green the only option not linked to another team member, or just a little too classic, it was his first. She never could be sure if he still felt the guilt that came with being Rita's chosen and almost killing his friends while under that spell, but if he did, this was her way of saying it didn't matter to her. It could all happen again tomorrow and it still wouldn't matter. She knew who he was: a hero and the man she loved.

Yeah, she still wore her own, but with an added bonus. Yellow and green went great together, and so did they. Whenever she wore it, no matter where she was, it made her feel closer to him. It was almost like he was there, watching over her, taking care of her like she knew he loved to do.

Green just felt good on her, because to her, green was Tommy Oliver.

So let me lay it out for you.

There's this girl who goes to visit an old friend on her birthday. This friend happens to be a guy, and he got this awesome amber necklace and everything, even though she kind of surprised him with the whole coming to town thing. So he decides to cook her dinner, then after dinner, stuff happens. Romantic stuff.

( Now this might not sound like a problem... )

Kira slowed reached for the dagger under her pillow. A noise had stirred her from her sleep. She needed to be ready for anything.

"Whoa! Kira!" Tommy stood there, hands up in surrender. "It's me."

She relaxed considerably and lowered the knife. "Oh my God, you scared the hell out of me."

"My house, my room."

She sighed and flopped back against the pillow, sliding the blade back into it's hiding place. "I know. Just forgot where I was for a second."

He shook his head as he looked around the room. "Yeah. I was just coming to check on you. Which, by the way, is something you should get used to while you're here."

"Go to sleep, Dr. O," she mumbled. "I can take care of myself."

She heard him sigh and felt the bed shift as he sat. "You're sleeping in my bed. I think we can drop the formalities."

"Not like we're gonna have sex, Tommy." She paused a second. "Unless, ya know...you want to."

"Kira."

"Right. Not funny."

( *** )

Birthday breakfast with Mom? Check. Cussing out Conner? Check. Hayley's would be the logical next stop, but instead she found herself driving down Valencia Road to see Dr. Oliver.

He was the only one she hadn't called ahead to let him know she'd be home, and hopeful no one had told him. She wanted it to be a surprise visit. He'd known her birthday was coming up, but the last time they'd talked she hadn't been expecting to be back. That had changed, of course, but the element of surprise would be fun. Not like she's going in without knocking.

She got out of her car and took a big breath of fresh air before heading to the door. It was so good to be back here again.

"I wonder what kind of person would come out if I ever did erase all my inhibitions at once, what kind of being is bottled up inside me now."
-Joseph Heller


When Kira realized she was actually going home for her birthday, her mom was the first one she called. Next came Conner, but while he was in Reefside now, he'd be gone by the time she got there. Ethan didn't pick up his phone, but she seriously doubted he was there. She skipped Trent altogether. Not that she didn't want to call him, but things were just...awkward between them lately.

Next person on her list? Cassidy Cornell.

( *** )