"Getting Acquainted"

[vinceryder]

The youth center, A normally peaceful place for the Youth of Angel grove to come and hang out or do homework. Vince was here for one big purpose. He wanted to meet one of his team mates. He was here to Meet Eliza Oliver, The sister of Tommy Oliver the man who used to carry Vince's morpher and power coin. He had been in the command center thinking about the purge when he remembered the Green ranger on his team Kat and the Aqua ranger she had fought alongside. Vince had Alpha look her up and then send her a message to tell her to meet Vince at the youth center.

Vince went down to the youth center with his communicator and his morpher tucked away into his white cargo shorts deep right pocket and sat down at a table in a white T-shirt with matching bandanna on his head. He had found an old picture of Tommy and wanted to make sure that for someone who knew Tommy from the old days he would be easy to spot. After only getting up to get a banana smoothie he heard the door open and saw her walk in. Vince gave a small wave to her and smiled a smooth smile.

"Hey Eliza, Ive been wanting to meet you. Ive got so much to tell you."

[mavican]

The day had started out so well, no one trying to kill her, a nice day out with Kat was on her planning. She wanted to spend more time with her old friend and big sister like figure. Eliza was not sentimental or even weakhearted but family always has been a week spot in her heart for sure.

Eliza sighed as she stood in the kitchen with a glass of water hearing her communicator bleep and buzz like some big emergency was happening, and this time it was hers and not tommy's or kim's. Eliza raised a brow as she made her way over to her communicator.

whats up alpha? she said softl releasing a yawn as a sign of being tired and being bored. hello Eliza.. Vince told me you should meet him in the youth centre. alpha said and eliza turned the communicator off and sighed.

She didnt really know this vince guy but he sure did seem to know her a lot. Maybe he was the team stalker, with a chuckle of that thought she packed up and left the house. Her red car was parked in front of tommy's home and with a smirk she jumped into her red convertable and drove it to angel grove.

Parking again on the lot of the youth centre Eliza jumped out of her car and pushed the door to open it hearing some happy kid voice calling her. She preferred he walked up to her instead of calling her name around. The brown haired teenager walked over to him with a blank expression and stopped in front of him.

She wasnt impressed by his smile or his need to tell her something. you could've called me on my cellphone.. was all she said as she gave a charming smile on a hot guy passing by.

[vinceryder]

Vince just frowned at the welcome he was given when Eliza approached him. He would have called her cell phone if he actually owned one. He didn't have the money for it so he had to rely on his communicator to talk to the other rangers. He just sighed as he saw Eliza check out a few guys and just rolled his eyes. She was treating him like a child and he did not like it. It actually down right pissed him off. Vince just shrugged and sat back down at his table.

"I didn't call your cell phone because I don't have a cell phone to call with. I don't have a home phone to call with because I have no home. I have been living in the command center for a long time now. I'm the kid who had...his parents killed in a monster attack..the orphan. I called you because I need to get to know my team and since your brother..well used to wear my colors and I heard your kind of new at this job too, maybe we could have smoothies together and talk or something, be friends.

Vince had a small hopeful tone in his voice. He really needed friends on his team. That way they could work well together, but more over so he wouldn't be so alone. He had lost his family earlier that year before becoming a ranger so the pain was still fresh. He just sighed and looked at Eliza guessing that like most people she would just shrug him off. In a way, he kind of needed Eliza. He needed to be close to someone. If he didn't find a close friend in someone soon, he would drown in lonliness.

[mavican]

Eliza wasnt really in the mood, she was a nightclub dancer, she had all her outfits stalled somewhere safe but it didnt mean some hormonal men here didnt recognize her and she just wished she didnt had to be here. Eliza looked back at vince not very pleased with what she saw and raised a brow waiting for his reason to call her here.

one of the reasons i get a job. But no i am certainly not new to the job. she said feeling a bit insulted by that. She was no new ranger, she did this for three years and she was damn proud of it. Tommy though, well he probably isnt proud of her at all but what could she care?

He would forgive her one day, he had too. Eliza didnt make friends easily because she wasnt one of the girls like those others. She always had some rebellish attitude none of them had, not even kim. Hell Eliza didnt even like kim. The dark haired girl shrugged and sat down in front of him her arms crossed over her chest.

i should tell Alpha what the difference is with an emergency and a nice chatter. I dont have long, i need to prepare for work in a few hours. she sai but didnt really care, she kinda looked forward to her work, she might be a poledancer but it brought money on her table.

[vinceryder]

Vince just inhaled through his nose deeply to keep himself calm. He needed this to go well so he needed to keep a clear head so he could make better thoughts about his actions. He listened to how mad Eliza was about him calling her here and he had to admit he had acted rashly. He just wanted to meet his team he didn't mean any hard by it. Vince just took a sip from his smoothie to finish it and tried to smile at Eliza.

"I'm sorry I had Alpha call you here Eliza. I don't own a cell phone being homeless and stuff. The only way I ever get to have social time with any of my own team is if I find them or get them to come to me. I live in the command center so I can't really have normal friends over ya know?"

Vince did wonder what she did for an outside job but frankly was afraid to ask. He just gulped quickly and looked at Eliza. He saw so much fight in her heart it was both exciting and scary all at the same time. He needed to be brave and keep trying.

"I won't keep you here if you don't want to be here. I understand your busy with what ever work you do. I'll be more careful with my actions from now on. Would you like some ice cream or something on the way to work? My treat."

Vince then smiled at her hopefully. He didn't want one of his own team mates to hate him.

[mavican]

Eliza never meant to sound bad at vince, okay maybe she did but not to make him look like a beaten puppy. As he apologized and said he was homeless eh got mad at her brother, of course he took a few abused kids in, but not a homeless boy who actually was a part of the big team? Eliza kept her mind calm though and just nodded.

Its okay kid, being homeless aint easy. I know it. she spoke softly herself and sighed as she thought of what he said. He had nothing, no roof above his head, all he did was annoy alpha, and obviously a very new ranger. You could see the rookie in his eyes, even smell it a bit. Eliza heard about Vince, parents died during a monster attack.

Just tell me this Vince. Not meant in any offend possible, but why did you become a ranger? When you joined we were forced to read a file about you, your family. How the team was too late to save their lives. If it was me out there, I would live to kill them. Both of them. she whispered the last few words and walked over to the bar.

One mandarin lemon smoothie please. she spoke softly and paid for it, waiting for her drink to be made. Eliza shook her head. Don’t apologize, how sweet you mean it, I would stop apologizing so much. And I will buy my own drink, you need your money for clothes, and save for a home. There are teenager homes. You will get supervised once a month, unless you don’t want them too. she shrugged and took her drink.

Take the chance I never got. You will find that that what we are is more rough than being a fireman, police officer or even a family member. It takes sacrifices, lives, and pride. Especially pride cause I got none. she said and waved goodbye , heading out so she could go to the club which wasn’t too far away from here.

[vinceryder]

Vince was shocked at how Eliza's mood had shifted. She went from harsh to understanding in minutes. He thought about the question she asked him. Why did he not hate and blame the rangers for not being able to save his parents from the monster. He had never truly thought about it until now. He just looked at the communicator on his wrist as Eliza continued to say he shouldn't apologize so much or spend money on other people and that he should look into Teenage housing. She then got up to leave. As she did with her drink he stood up sure of his answer and ran out the door with her.

"I don't hate them because I know it wasn't their fault. I became a ranger so I could prevent what happened to me happening to everyone else. I know I'm new at this but I know I could make a big difference. I know I can make my parents proud. Zordon chose me for a reason. My parents went down fighting for the side of good and I intend to keep fighting until I can't fight anymore. Sure none of my team even look twice at me but I don't need their attention or praise to do the right thing. I am a ranger now and I intend to live up to the name."

Vince had no idea where he was following her too but as he followed he saw a strip club coming up in the distance. Could Eliza really be a dancer there? He just tapped her shoulder and gave her a promising smile.

"Do you work there Eliza? Don't worry I won't tell anyone. I know how hard it is to work while being a ranger. Your secret is safe with me."

He then stopped outside the door unsure if she would tell him to buzz off now. He knew that if he was right it was a big secret and she might not trust him. He trusted her with his life because she reached out to him. He hoped she felt the same.

[mavican]

Eliza took a sip of her drink and felt the drugs burning in her pockets , and sighed thinking about that poor boy. He had nothing, started with nothing and look at him. All proud and alone, yet the pride kept him up and alive. Eliza sighed again and had to admit, the kid needed its credit. Eliza looked around when he actually ran her way, he sure didn’t gave up.

Raising a brow she smiled as he gave her his answer on her question. It was meant as material to think about, but instead it seemed an easy question to that boy. well you sure got nerve kiddo, I have to credit you for that. she said with a friendly smile and kept walking towards work.

Eliza saw it coming closer and also that Vince was chasing her like a lovesick puppy. With a sigh she nodded when he asked if she worked there. hun, work is not why I am a low active ranger lately. Its not all that easy, but one day you’ll see why. she said as they reached the door and he bouncer opened up.

Who is the kid Eliza? she looked at Vince and back at the bouncer. my towel boy, see it as a slave, he needs money too. You got the stuff or not? I am running out. she spoke as she took a small package from him and gave him a shit load of money. Taking vince’s hand she took him to her dress room and sighed.

okay go to the bar and sit down a few inches from stage, forget what you get to see, or who I am when I am there. I might not be the sister you need up there anymore. she said softly and motioned him to the door towards the inside of the club, and closed the dress room door behind her.

Getting dresses in a glitter suit with gold and white looking like a sailor girl. Opening the package she took two pills and a bottle of water gulping them down, then she took some cocaine and left the room to the stage. Eliza responded to the music, her whole vision was black and white, she saw no one but her goal to get out of here.

Eliza unleashed her hair, usually tied back, her hair was lower back length and moved on the music jumping on the pole first and then into the cage where she locked herself in and hid the key in her bra, winking at the youngsters here tonight. Pressing herself to the cage she beggingly looked at them to take it out.

Rolling her eyes cause no one had the nerves to, she took them out herself and unlocked the cage with the key to walk over to vince and smile. Her pupils had minimized, and she was so high she didn’t even know who he was. She placed his hands on all the curves of her body and used his fingers to remove her top then she left it there and took off to catch money on the stage.

After she did she slowly walked over to the dress room where she closed the door behind her and sat down on the floor.

[vinceryder]

Vince watched as Eliza bought something from the bouncer and then was allowed in. Vince didn't know what she bought but by the terms she used it could not have been good. Vince went to the front row as instructed and watched as Eliza stepped out in her sailor outfit and began to dance around the stage. She then unlocked the cage she was in and to his surprise took his hands and put them on his body, the real Eliza wouldn't do this. As she used his hands to unlock her bra he got a good look into her eyes. Her pupils were dilated. She was high on drugs. Vince had been right.

Normally Vince would have been excited by the show but seeing his new friend in such trouble overtook any feelings of excitement with feelings of concern. After Eliza scooped up the money he quickly ran after her back to her dressing room after grabbing a towel. When he walked in he felt his heart drop seeing her huttled on the floor. He draped the towel around her to cover her up and then sat down next to her and held her close to him so her head was on his shoulder.

"Eliza, I won't leave you. Your my friend. I know what you did before the show, You don't have to do that. I'm not mad at you or hate you and I would still love to have you as a big sister."

He then stroked her arm softly and gave her a soft smile. Vince had seen the signs before while he lived on the streets. She had snorted coke before the show, she probably didn't even realize it was him who she had unhook her bra. Vince wish he could have enjoyed it but not like this, not when someone so strong had fallen so far. He just held her close.

"I promise, I swear to you I won't abandon you and I will help you get past this. You have people who love and care about you. I'm one of them."

Vince then smiled at her with a gentle kind smile and hoped she understand that what he said came from his heart and that even though she felt like it, she was not alone.

[mavican]

Her head was pounding really hard and badly. She could feel the cool wall against her warm forehead and smiled happily for the coolness. Her door opened and closed, not cRing who entered a towel was wrapped around her chest and all she heard was a younf boy's voice. She couldnt place it yet and she sure tried, but she just couldnt think straight. Her grey eyes moved towards what looked like a guy.

Being held close made her struggle. ice.. she mumvled and just closed her eyes, this wasmessed up, she didnt take more than she used to and right now her mind went wild! Taking her head in her hands she shook it a few times,and finally saw shapes and coudl think straighter.

Looking at vince she quicklt wrapped the towel closer to her chest, why was she naked with him around!?! Not aaking questions she frowned. you think life exists in sunshine dont you? she asked and got up, stumbling towards her closet to grab some fresh clothes and her gear. Her ranger equipment was hidden away but still she carried it with her, hating what she became.

vince, the least i need right now is being a ranger. she said softly and got dressed.