Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: Hasbro/Saban Owns Power Rangers and the Characters within, not I.

Jason Lee Scott let out an audible groan as he shut the door behind him to his home. He glanced around the living room and took a peek towards the kitchen to confirm his parents were not home.

Jason sighed as he tossed down a backpack near the door and limped towards the stairs leading up to his bedroom. He stopped at the bottom and glanced up them. He then looked down at his knee and instinctively reached down to rub it. He grimaced a little as he found the tender ligament on the outside of it.

Jason gritted his teeth and went up the stairs as fast as he could, shutting out the pain. He walked into a bathroom and popped open the medicine cabinet. He scanned it contents until his eyes settled on a tube of pain relieving ointment. He grabbed it and a nearby washcloth. He then exited the bathroom and made his way into his nearby bedroom.

Jason quickly removed his sweatpants and sat down on the edge of his bed clad in his boxers. He examined his knee as he twisted his leg around to get a better view of it. He could see the swelling and let out an audible sigh.

"Great," Jason commented to himself as he reached over and grasped the tube of medicine on the bed next to him. He picked it up and examined it briefly for directions before twisting the cap off. He was concentrating so hard that he had not heard the knock on the door downstairs or the footsteps ascending the nearby staircase.

Jason was just about to squeeze some ointment out of the tube when he saw a silhouette in his doorframe. He knew who it was without focusing his eyes. The pink hues along the sweet smell of her perfume tipped him off immediately.

"I'm sorry," Kim said as she quickly turned upon discovering Jason in his boxer shorts. Jason for his part crinkled his brow, not understanding her response. He had forgotten his state of dress.

"What for?" Jason questioned.

"You're in your underwear, Jase," Kim replied with an amused tone of voice. Jason's face lit up as bright a shade of red as his shirt beneath it as he reached over and grabbed a nearby pair of shorts and quickly as he could he slipped them on.

Kim caught the faint groan of pain as he moved to dress. She lowered her head slightly and began to fidget with a couple of rings on her hands.

"Okay... I'm decent now," Jason replied as he watched Kim from behind. Before she turned he covered the tube of medicine and washcloth with his sweatpants on the bed next to him. Kim fully rotated and locked eyes with him. Jason offered her his usual smile. Her eyes moved to the bed next to him.

"Are you okay?" Kim asked.

"I'm good, you?" Jason responded. Kim studied him for a moment before she moved into his room and sat on a chair next to the doorway.

"You are a bad liar," Kim said with a slight smirk and gesture down to his knee.

"What are you talking about?" Jason feigned innocence.

"I saw you just now... what you were doing..." Kim stated. She waited for his expression to change and when it did she continued. "I saw it earlier too."

Jason shifted slightly on the bed and moved forward. He searched for the best response to diffuse the worried tone she had in her voice.

"How bad is it?" Kim questioned.

"It's nothing," Jason said, he gave her a smile of assurance. She studied him for a moment and held his gaze.

"Promise?" Kim questioned.

"Just a little tender... twisted it in the fight with the putties and Goldar," Jason responded. "It happens."

"I know..." Kim reacted. Kim considered the many little injuries each of the team had suffered. Usually, morphin would take away the pain. Earlier the fight had not escalated to that point and she noticed the slight limp Jason had left the group with as they parted. "You always try to hide your pain though."

"Eh..." Jason shrugged.

"You do," Kim persisted.

"I'm fine," Jason commented.

"Let me see?" Kim questioned as she scooted the chair closer to him. Jason watched her for a moment and then hesitantly reached down and lifted the shorts off of his knee. Kim's eyes moved from the knee up to meet Jason's. "It's pretty swollen."

"It'll go down in no time," Jason replied with a dismissive wave of his hand. Kim reached across him and lifted up his crumpled sweatpants. She grabbed the tube of medicine and washcloth. "What are you doing?"

"Just relax," Kim responded as she applied some of the ointment to the cloth and then lowered it to his knee. It was cold to the touch and Jason shivered slightly. Kim grinned at his response as she began to rub the medicine in gently.

"I... I could do this myself," Jason said, his tone low as he studied Kim. He was trying to understand her motivation.

"What are friends for?" Kim countered as she finished applying the ointment and then hopped up. She smiled down at Jason. "Do you have an ice pack?"

"Um... I might... I think mom keeps one in the freezer," Jason replied. "But it's..."

Jason didn't get to finish his sentence before Kimberly had disappeared down the hallway. He shook his head briefly and allowed himself a smile before examining her work on his knee. He felt the coolness give way to heat as the medicine began to be absorbed through his skin. Jason leaned back a little and relaxed his posture.

"I found it," Kim's voice invaded the room even before she had appeared in the doorway. She held the pack in her hands as she moved to sit next to him on the bed this time. She handed it over to him. "Hold this and I'll wrap it."

"Okay," Jason replied as he sat up and placed the cold pack to his knee, he jumped slightly and then lifted his leg a little to allow Kim to wrap it. Within seconds he was all bandaged up and Kim was admiring her handiwork. "Thanks."

"Don't mention it, Jase," Kim said as she sat back next to him. There was silence between them for a moment.

"So what did you come over for?" Jason asked. Kim turned to him. "I mean... you know you are always welcome over... I just meant... like did you have something you needed or did you just come to hang out?"

"I..." Kim paused. "Honestly... I came to check on you."

"Oh," Jason responded. "You didn't have to worry about me."

"No... but I do," Kim said as she averted her eyes down to her hands. Jason smiled as he reached over and gave her hand a squeeze.

"Thanks, Kim," Jason said. He stood up gingerly and made his way to the other side of his room and opened the window. He glanced out of it as the sun as it began to set. "It's a beautiful night."

There was no response from Kim and Jason turned back to her to see her still looking down at her hands.

"You okay?" Jason asked, his tone gentle. Kim seemed to snap out of whatever thoughts she had been lost in and hopped up to join him by the window. She saw out of the corner of her eye his focus was on her. She turned to him. "You okay?"

"Oh... yeah... I'm sorry... I was spacing out there," Kim replied with a slight laugh. Jason nodded and they shared smiles.

"Okay," Jason responded as he turned to look out the window.

"Does it hurt to put weight on it?" Kim turned the conversation back to Jason's injury.

"No... not too bad now," Jason replied.

"You should still take it easy," Kim said.

"I will..." Jason assured her.

"I know you usually train on Saturday morning," Kim stated.

"I can train," Jason said. He saw the look Kim was giving him. "I can... I'll take it easy."

"I'll join you," Kim said.

"Okay?" Jason responded. Kim didn't train with him nearly as much as they used to before they were Rangers.

"If that's okay?" Kim questioned.

"It's fine," Jason replied. "It will be like old times."

"I'm sorry... we don't hang out as much as we did," Kim said, seizing on the moment to address it.

"It's cool," Jason replied. "We still hang out, all of us."

"Yes... but you and I never do much these days," Kim countered. Jason shrugged.

"You've got Tommy... I get it," Jason said as he offered her a smile. Kim shook her head.

"I..." She hesitated. "That's not..."

"What?" Jason questioned.

"I don't know..." Kim answered honestly.

"It's fine... like I said we all hang out all the time," Jason said as he folded his arms across his chest and leaned back against the window frame. Kim locked eyes with him. They both seemed to be searching for answers within each other.

"I miss you," Kim blurted out. Jason unfolded his hands and pushed off the wall. He cocked his head.

"I'm... I'm right here," Jason responded as he reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I know... but..." Kim searched for her words as her own hand moved up and covered his. "I just feel like we are drifting apart... with the ranger duties... and Tommy."

"Kim..." Something about the way he said her name always made her feel nice. She couldn't explain it, but it just always had a positive effect on her. Jason smiled before he continued. "I'm always here... never going anywhere."

Kim moved in and embraced him first. She sunk her head into his chest and wrapped her arms around him. He held her tightly and rested his chin on top of her head. Kim smiled into his chest.

"Love you, Jase," Kim said.

"Love you too," Jason replied. They pulled apart.

"You think I'm being silly?" Kim questioned. He shook his head.

"No..." Jason responded. "I get it..."

"You do?" Kim asked.

"Yeah... things are changing... that's life," Jason answered. "But... you and I... no matter what... that won't change."

"It's a deal," Kim said with a smile. Her eyes moved to a clock on the wall nearby. She shifted her feet slightly. Jason noticed.

"You got a date?" Jason asked.

"I..." Kim paused.

"Go on," Jason said with a smile.

"I could call it off if you want to hang," Kim replied.

"Nah... I don't want to explain that to Tommy," Jason said with a chuckle. Kim reached up and pushed a stray hair behind her ear as she searched his face.

"Okay... but tomorrow morning... we are training right?" Kim questioned.

"Right," Jason agreed with a nod.

"Just the two of us?" Kim asked.

"If you want it that way," Jason replied.

"I do," Kim stated. She started to back towards the exit of his room. "The old spot?"

"Yep," Jason replied. Kim stopped as she took in the silhouette of him with the setting sun coming through the window behind him. She took a deep breath. Things were changing for sure. Some changes she believed she may not be able to ignore any longer. Unspoken things that may someday come to light. For now, though, a training session with her oldest friend would do. It would be perfect.

"Bye, Jase," Kim said as she paused in the doorway.

"Bye," He responded with a slight wave before he turned back to admire the view once more, he flexed his knee a little and smiled at how much better it felt already.

Chapter Text

Kimberly threw her backpack into the corner of her room and let out the biggest sigh she could ever recall. She stopped in the middle of the room and gathered her thoughts. She walked over to the mirror and shut her eyes to hide the sight. She looked every bit as awful as she felt.

"What a day," Kim spoke aloud as she sat down in front of her dresser and grabbed a brush. She tried to fix the mess that was her hair. All of her attempts seemed to be futile so she reached for a hair tie and popped it up into a quick ponytail. She glanced down at her muddy boots and cringed.

A bird chirping and sunlight coming through her window betrayed the fact that the morning had seen a torrential downpour. She kicked off her boots and socks and found a fresh pair along with her tennis shoes. She quickly changed from her dress to put on a shirt and shorts.

Kim moved back in front of the mirror satisfied that her current look would have to do for the rest of the evening. A breeze came through her window and it put a small smile on her face. She walked over and peered outside. The neighborhood was alive with kids out and about on the streets. The sounds of laughter filled the room. One particular laugh caught her attention.

"Jason..." Kimberly spoke as she searched outside for the voice to match the person. Eventually, he came into view. He was walking alongside Zack and deep in a conversation about something. They stopped on the street below her house so Kim turned and made her way outside to join them.

Kim opened the front door to her house just as the two teens parted and Zack began to cross the street. She hurried down the front porch and closed the distance on the sidewalk to come up behind Jason. He heard her approaching and turned.

"Hey," Kim greeted him first as he stopped to allow her to catch him.

"Hey," Jason returned in kind with a smile.

"Zack going home?" Kim asked as she nodded in his direction.

"Yeah... he said his mom was making his favorite tonight," Jason said with a slight chuckle. Kim smiled when she heard it.

"So what are you up to?" Kim asked. Jason looked in the direction he was walking before turning back to her.

"Just heading home," Jason answered.

"Any big plans?" Kim inquired. Jason paused for a moment before shrugging his shoulders.

"Sadly... no," Jason replied with a grin. "You?"

"No..." Kim answered.

"Tommy?" Jason questioned.

"He has that competition in Stone Canyon," Kim responded. Jason nodded his head as he remembered.

"Ah... almost forgot about that," Jason stated as a group of neighborhood kids came through on their bikes.

Both teens watched them ride off before closing the gap between them again.

"Maybe be should?" Kim pointed behind her to her front porch steps. Jason nodded and the two walked over to sit down and be out of the way. There was a comfortable silence.

"Are we still on this weekend?" Jason asked as he turned to her.

"I actually won't be able to," Kim said, the disappointment evident in her voice. "Got a family wedding to go to."

"Oh... your aunt?" Jason asked.

"Yep," Kim responded. Jason nodded. "But hey... I've been enjoying training again."

"Same," Jason replied with a smile which Kim matched. "Do you and Tommy ever train?"

"Not really," Kim replied. "Sometimes we run together, but other than that we hardly ever do."

"He's great," Jason commented. "Learned a few things from him."

"Yeah," Kim agreed. "Bet you've taught him a few things too."

"Maybe," Jason said with a smile.

"You are too modest," Kim said with a playful slap on his arm. Jason studied her for a moment and she suddenly started to feel self-conscious and in need of a mirror. "What is it?"

"Did your day get better?" Jason questioned. Kim furrowed her brow. She couldn't recall telling Jason how her day was going.

"Umm..." Kim considered her response. "Yeah, it's getting there."

"Good," Jason replied with a smile as he turned to look out at the street in front of them. Kim watched him.

"I never said I was having a bad day," Kim commented, garnering his attention back to her.

"Oh... yeah... it just seemed like it when I saw you today at school," Jason said. Kim recalled their encounters throughout the day and in her memory, she was always putting on a facade that everything was great.

"Perceptive of you," Kim reacted. Jason shrugged.

"I don't know," Jason replied as he stretched his legs on the steps and leaned back. "Just seemed like you weren't your usual self."

"I overslept... the weather was awful... I was late to school... I couldn't find my homework... " Kim took a deep breath and glanced over at Jason who was grinning. "So yeah..."

"I'm glad it has gotten better," Jason stated.

"Thanks," Kim responded. "What about you... how has it been for you?"

"Pretty mundane," Jason replied. "Typical Thursday."

"At least Rita has been quiet today," Kim stated.

"Yes... always a good thing," Jason replied. Kim glanced down at his knee.

"How is your knee?" Kim asked.

"Good as ever," Jason replied.

"No other injuries you are hiding?" Kim teasingly questioned.

"You tell me?" Jason responded as he found her gaze and held it. She studied his eyes, getting somewhat lost in them.

"No... I... I think you are good... hiding no injuries," Kim responded. "I've seen no limps or grimaces."

"I did grimace once today," Jason responded. Kim waited for him to explain. "When I saw what was for lunch."

"Oh good grief," Kim said with an amused laugh and shake of her head. "That's why I bring mine."

"Yeah... wise thinking," Jason said with a chuckle before he sat up and crossed his arms over his knees.

Silence enveloped them again as a breeze blew by and Kim closed her eyes. She opened them to see Jason was glancing at her. He turned away when she opened her eyes. She cocked her head slightly, intrigued by that reaction. She watched him for a few moments as she tried to focus all the different thoughts she had going on in her mind about him.

Something about him... something about how she thought of him was changing. She wasn't sure how else to explain it. She wasn't even sure what the change was entirely or why it was happening. She just knew that when she thought of him, really thought of him, there was something there that was alluring her into addressing it.

"Jase?" Kim got his attention. She started to speak again but the sound of her front door opening stopped her. Both teens turned to see Kimberly's mother sticking her head outside.

"Hello Jason," She greeted him.

"Hey, Mrs. Hart," Jason responded in kind.

"You have a call," Kim's mother said in the direction of her daughter. "It's Tommy."

"Oh..." Kim replied. She glanced over at Jason and then back to her mom. "I'll be in a minute."

"Okay," Kim's mother replied before disappearing back inside the house.

"I'd better take that," Kim said. "Probably wanting to update me on how the competition is going."

"Right," Jason agreed.

"I won't be long if you want to wait," Kim said.

"No... it's okay," Jason replied. "I am going to head home and get started on my exciting evening of nothing to do".

Jason laughed as he spoke and then stepped down off the stairs. He turned back to Kim.

"See you at school in the morning?" Jason questioned.

"Yup," Kim replied. Jason started to walk down the sidewalk and Kim turned to go inside. Suddenly he stopped and turned.

"Hey Kim," Jason spoke. She stopped and turned to him. He stuffed his hands into his pockets and leaned forward on his feet a little. "I hope tomorrow starts out better for you."

"Thanks," Kim responded with a big smile and returned a wave from him before he turned to walk away. She watched him for a few moments, getting lost in her thoughts. She found herself already wanting to talk to him again. She suddenly remembered her call and stepped inside.

Chapter Text

Jason gritted his teeth as he pressed the barbell off his chest for one more rep. He smiled when he achieved his new personal best. He placed the bar back on the rack and sat up. He grabbed a towel and wiped some sweat off of his forehead and arms.

"Shouldn't you have someone spotting you?" Kimberly's voice from the opening of the garage nearly startled him. Jason glanced up to see her in the doorway.

"Hey... uh... yeah I guess I should have but everyone was busy and I wasn't going heavy anyway," Jason replied as he scooted to the end of the weight bench and reached down to retrieve a water bottle to get himself a drink.

"You could have called me, I'd have come over," Kim replied. Jason lowered the bottle from his lips and glanced at her. He noticed how made up she was. She looked stunning.

"I just figured you'd be busy getting ready for the dance," Jason said with a gesture towards her dress.

"Yeah... but safety first and all of that," Kim replied before moving into the garage fully. Jason chuckled.

"Noted," Jason said. Kim eyed him and he furrowed his brow. "What?"

"Don't you think YOU should be getting ready for the dance?" Kim questioned. Jason shook his head.

"Nah... I'm sitting this one out," Jason responded as he got up and made his way over to a nearby workbench.

"For real?" Kim asked as she walked over next to him. He retrieved a wrench and then glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.

"Yep," Jason replied before he moved over to the red truck he had been fixing up to drive. He leaned over the engine and began to tighten a bolt. Kim followed him over.

"I thought we could ride up together," Kim said. Jason glanced up at her.

"Tommy isn't picking you up?" Jason questioned.

"No... he is just meeting me there," Kim replied.

"Oh..." Jason responded before returning his attention to the bolt. Kim cleared her throat slightly.

"So... Jase... why aren't you going?" Kim asked. "You usually go."

"I don't know... just busy I guess..." Jason replied.

"Uh-huh," Kim responded. Jason stood up and looked across at her on the other side of the car. "I know some girls that will be disappointed is all I'm saying."

Jason stepped back and placed the wrench on the bench and leaned back against it. He folded his arms.

"Let me guess..." Jason began. Kim walked around the car to be closer to him and await his guesses. "Peyton..."

"Right," Kim agreed with a nod.

"Rebecca and... Tiffany?" Jason finished.

"Yes and yes," Kim replied. Jason shrugged. "Oh come on... not one of them is your type?"

"They are okay..." Jason replied. "I'm just not really looking for anyone right now... got other things to focus on."

"Like fixing cars?" Kim asked with a smile.

"Well... that was just this evening's plan... I meant bigger picture I guess," Jason replied. Kim furrowed her brow. She glanced up at a clock on the wall and knew she should be leaving soon. Something in her wanted to stay and dig into this conversation with Jason though.

"Like what?" Kim asked. Jason shook his head.

"You are going to be late," Jason replied. He moved over to the door of his truck and opened it. He turned to her. "I can still give you a ride... nothing says I have to go in."

"I can wait if you want to get changed," Kim said.

"It's okay... there will be other dances," Jason responded. "Hop in."

(****)

Jason pulled his truck into the school parking lot and shut it off. He turned to Kim.

"This is your stop," Jason said with a smile. She returned it and reached for the door handle. She hesitated and then turned back to Jason. "What?"

"About what you said earlier..." Kim began. "Other things to focus on."

"It's nothing," Jason replied.

"If you'd like to talk about it... I'd like to listen," Kim stated. She searched his face for a reaction. He simply nodded.

"Okay... but right now..." Jason pointed out the window at Tommy standing by the door of the school. "You go and have a great time."

Kim turned to see Tommy. He offered them a wave a smile. She returned it and turned back to Jason. For some reason, it was taking all of her strength to get out of the truck. She couldn't understand the way things with Jason were changing but it was captivating her. He was captivating her. She knew she could spend all night in the cab of the truck talking with him.

Kim finally pulled the handle to release the door and stepped out of the truck. She shut the door behind her and leaned into the open window.

"Thanks for the ride, Jase," Kim said. He nodded.

"Anytime, Kim," Jason replied with a smile.

Chapter Text

Kimberly blew a stray strand of hair out of her eye as she straightened up from perusing videos on the bottom shelf of the rack in front of her. She examined the back of the case in her hand to read over the movie description. It sounded somewhat interesting, but Kim figured there had to be something better so she returned the case and continued down the aisle.

Another video caught her eye and she repeated the action of reading the back of the case. She was mid-sentence when she heard a laugh that she instantly recognized. Kim quickly turned around a full three hundred and sixty degrees to spot him. She found however she was too short to fully see over the racks in front of her and she silently cursed her genetics.

Kim put the case back and made her way to the end of the aisle. She peeked around the corner to catch a glimpse of him with her back to her. He was in the horror movie section and he was not alone. He seemed to be deep in a conversation with a girl. A girl they both knew from school. A girl Kim knew had it bad for him.

"Peyton," Kim voiced softly to herself as she watched the two of them converse. A light touch on his arm followed by a giggle. Kim squinted her eyes as she recognized what was happening. Suddenly she felt overprotective of him and it confused her. She liked Peyton so that was not an issue. Something, however, was making her very uncomfortable about the situation.

Kim suddenly realized she was just staring at them now and quickly averted her attention back to the movies all around her. She picked up a case and pretended to read the back. She couldn't understand why she was feeling the way she was about seeing a girl flirting with him. It had never bothered her before. She had seen him with girls in the past and as long as he was happy she was good. After all, that's how friends should feel about each other as far as she knew.

Kim shook her head and tried to focus on the case in front of her. It was then she realized it was some action movie she had no current interest in and she quickly returned it to the shelf and made her way back over to the comedy section. It was then she heard another round of laughter from him. His laugh made her smile in an involuntary reaction. Quickly the feeling from before came over her again and she grew annoyed with herself.

Kim placed the case back on the shelf and turned to make her way towards the exit of the store. When she reached the end of the aisle she saw Peyton at the front counter. Kim quickly spun back down the aisle to disappear out of sight. She peeked as best she could through the space between the shelves to see if she saw him leaving with her. She saw no sign of him. She watched as Peyton paid for her movies and then walked swiftly out the door.

"Find anything good?" the voice from behind Kim startled her and she spun to see a smiling face behind her.

"Jason," Kim spoke as she tried to regain her composure. He was still smiling and she found it hard to gather her thoughts.

"Sorry if I scared you," Jason commented on her state.

"Oh.. it's... no... I'm good," Kim stammered out as she rocked back and forth on her feet a little.

"You seem it," Jason said with a sarcastic chuckle and a wink. Kim could only smile and return it with a sarcastic roll of the eyes.

"Just wasn't expecting to run into anyone here I guess," Kim commented as the two wordlessly began to walk in step together down the aisle.

"Well... it is Friday night, and the video store can get a little busy at this time," Jason replied.

"I suppose..." Kim responded she glanced down at the movies in his hand. She gestured to them. "You find anything good?"

"A couple..." Jason responded as he held them up for her. "I was in the mood for something scary."

"Really?" Kim was surprised, it wasn't his usual go-to genre.

"Yeah... it happens every once in a while," Jason stated with a chuckle as they reached the end of the aisle. "What about you?"

"I was having trouble finding anything," Kim answered with a shrug.

"What are you in the mood for?" Jason inquired.

"That's the problem, I'm not sure," Kim responded as she reached over and picked up a nearby movie and skimmed over the writing on the back. She glanced out of the corner of her to see Jason doing the same with a different case. She cleared her throat a little. "So... um... I gotta confess something."

"Yeah?" Jason reacted as he placed the case down and turned to look at her.

"I kind of saw you in here before you saw me," Kim confessed.

"Oh?" Jason responded.

"Yeah... you were... um talking to Peyton so I didn't want to interrupt," Kim explained. Jason nodded in understanding before he returned his attention back to the videos in front of him. Kim eyed him. He sensed that and turned back to her with a grin. "What?"

"I mean... I guess it's none of my business but..." Kim hesitated.

"It was just small talk about school," Jason said.

"Oh," Kim responded. "Cause I know she is crazy about you."

The last words of that sentence came out of Kim's mouth quieter than the rest and she then turned back to the movies. Jason cocked his head slightly but decided not to react.

"Well... be that as it may, we are just friends," Jason said.

"Got it," Kim replied. "So... do you have any recommendations?"

"On?" Jason questioned.

"Movies," Kim answered.

"Oh," Jason responded. "If you want you can come over and watch these with me."

Kim considered the offer but for a second.

"Sounds good," Kim responded with a smile that he returned. The two made their way towards the front of the store. Jason pointed to the snack kiosk.

"Get us something good," Jason said as he presented his videos to the clerk. He watched as Kim picked out snacks.

"Date night?" the clerk spoke and got Jason's attention. Jason turned to see him gesturing to Kimberly as he was ringing up the videos. Jason turned to Kim and then back to the counter he lowered his head for a moment and started to respond. The sound of many different boxes of candy being placed on the counter next to him interrupted him. He turned to see Kim smiling up at him and he returned it.

Chapter Text

"This bites," Kim lamented to herself before reaching up and wiping the sweat from her brow. She glanced around at her half-mowed lawn before turning her attention to the push mower in front of her that would no longer start after she had shut it off to grab a drink. She leaned down and opened the gas lid to make sure she still had some. She furrowed her brow when she saw it still had plenty.

Kim stood back up and put her hands on her hips as she considered her predicament. She glanced back at her house for a moment before turning her attention back to the mower. She glared at it in frustration. She gave it one more try to start it, yanking back on the starting chord with all her might. Nothing. Not even a hint of life. Kim let out a small groan.

"Problems?" Jason's voice from behind her startled her. She spun around to see him approaching her across the lawn. He was smiling and gesturing to the mower.

"It just quit," Kim responded throwing her hands up. Jason nodded as he reached her. He glanced over at the mower.

"May I?" Jason questioned.

"Please," Kim responded. Jason walked over and repeated Kim's actions from a moment ago in an attempt to start the mower. He also got nothing. He stepped back and turned to Kim.

"Spark plug," Jason stated.

"Really?" Kim questioned. Jason nodded his head and gestured towards the shed in the back of her house where the mower was kept.

"Think your dad has a spare?" Jason questioned.

"No idea," Kim replied. "Let's go check."

The two made their way into the shed and started looking along the walls and on a tool bench for a replacement spark plug. Jason turned to Kim as she rummaged through a drawer.

"I don't usually see you mowing," Jason commented. Kim turned to him.

"I don't usually... but the yard needed it and..." Kim paused, her eyes darted to the ground for a moment before she raised them back to Jason. "Things are... with my parents... my dad stays gone... and yeah..."

"Oh," Jason responded with a nod. He gave Kim a sympathetic look. "You wanna talk about it?"

"Not really much more to it... they fight... constantly," Kim responded as she fidgeted with the items in the drawer she still had open.

"Is it bad?" Jason questioned as he leaned up against the wall of the shed opposite her.

"Yeah," Kim replied. "I... I don't think they'll make it."

"That sucks," Jason said before sighing. "I hate that you are having to go through that."

"Millions of kids do," Kim replied with a shrug.

"You know you can always come over if things get too much," Jason stated. This prompted Kim to turn her attention to him. She responded to his reassuring smile with one of her own.

"That's one reason I was trying to mow... take my mind off things and all that," Kim explained. Jason nodded. He then moved towards her to within just a few inches of her. Kim's breath caught in her throat and her pace quickened she looked up at him just as he reached behind her and retrieved something off the wall. He lowered it in front of her and she glanced over to see it was the part they were looking for.

"Found it," Jason said as he glanced down at Kim. He was also suddenly very aware of how close he was to her. He cleared his throat and backed up a little as he fidgeted with the package as he attempted to open it. Kim closed her eyes briefly and regained her composure. She had so many thoughts. So many feelings. She refused to acknowledge any of them though and gestured to the package Jason was opening.

"Can you fix it?" Kim asked. Jason glanced up at her and smiled and nodded as he got the plug out, grabbed a nearby toolbox and headed out of the shed. Kim followed him and watched as he went over to the mower and went to work. She stayed a few paces behind him as she admired him.

Kim would like to think she didn't know what was happening with her when it came to Jason. She knew what it felt like. Knowing that however she still searched for something else it could be. She was not ready or willing to accept what she was feeling. It would complicate things. She couldn't even entertain it.

Kim continued to watch him as her mind continued to wander. She noted his appearance and scolded herself for it. He was wearing a black tank top and she very clearly noted his musculature underneath. That had to be it. It was just a physical thing. She was noticing that her very dear friend was growing into a very good looking man. That was natural. That is all it was.

"I think that should do it," Jason's voice derailed Kim's train of thought and the beat before she answered was too long for it not to be uncomfortable. She mentally kicked herself before searching for a response.

"Oh... that's it?" Kim asked.

"Yep," Jason answered as he moved to start the machine and it fired up the first try. He smiled before shutting it off and bending down to retrieve the toolbox. He started to make his way towards the shed and Kimberly found herself following him again.

"Thanks," Kim said.

"No problem," Jason replied as he glanced behind at her and smiled. His smile made her feel... she wasn't sure what the word was but suddenly she felt very shy. She stopped outside the shed as he stepped inside to return the toolbox.

"Hey Jase," Kim said as she shuffled her feet a little. After a moment he stepped back outside.

"Yeah?" Jason reacted.

"I was just wondering... if... um... what made you stop by?" Kim questioned.

"Oh... well actually I was going to ask to see your notes from third period," Jason responded. "I don't know where my head was when I took mine but it clearly was not on the French Revolution."

He laughed a little and she found it ridiculously charming.

"Of course... you want me to run in and get them?" Kim asked.

"No hurry, if you want to finish this first," Jason stated gesturing to the lawn.

"Might take me a little while, you sure?" Kim questioned.

"I'm sure," Jason replied. "I can help if you want."

"I only have the one mower," Kim stated. Jason glanced behind him at the weedeater propped up inside the shed.

"I can take care of the weeds?" Jason suggested.

"I would gladly let you do that..." Kim replied with a smile. Jason turned to walk back into the shed. He stopped at the doorway and became fixated at a spot on it. Kim immediately knew what it was. She walked over to him.

"I forgot about this," Jason said as he glanced down at initials carved in the door.

"How could you forget?" Kim feigned being hurt as she nudged him in the side slightly with her shoulder.

"We were like seven or eight," Jason replied. He let out a small chuckle. "Your dad was so mad... the shed was brand new."

"I remember," Kim responded with a small laugh of her own as she reached up and traced the initials "KAH + JLS". "You ran home."

"I did..." Jason agreed with another laugh. He watched as she traced the carvings before he moved to look at her features. She turned to him. "It was worth it."

Kim knew she was going to blush and she struggled to find a way to change the subject. She retracted her hand but found it too hard to break eye contact with him. He saved her when he turned and grabbed the weedeater. Kim took a deep breath and stepped back.

"I guess I'll start over by the house," Jason said as he gestured with his free hand. Kim nodded as he started to walk away from her.

"Jase," Kim called out to him softly. He turned to her expectantly.

"Thank you," Kim said.

"I'm always happy to help," Jason said.

"Not just with the yard work," Kim clarified.

"I know," Jason replied with a smile before he turned to continue towards the house.

Chapter Text

"Jason?" Kimberly spoke as she stuck her head outside of the door to the Command Center. She searched the surrounding area until she spotted his silhouette on a rock overlooking the vast desert beneath them. She approached tentatively and took in his appearance. Like her, he was in full ranger gear, sans his helmet. He seemed to have his eyes closed and to be deep in thought.

"Hey," Jason spoke, his voice surprising Kimberly a little. She believed she was being quiet enough to sneak up on him.

"Hey," She responded in kind as she stopped next to him.

"You okay?" Jason asked as he glanced over at her.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Kimberly replied. Jason nodded.

"How is it coming along?" Jason questioned.

"They are scanning him now," Kim answered. "Hey..."

"Yeah?" Jason reacted.

"Are you okay... I mean... you just kind of walked off..." Kim inquired.

"Oh... yeah... I'm fine," Jason responded.

"It's not your fault," Kim stated. Jason locked eyes with her. "It isn't Jase."

"Thank you for saying that but..." Jason began. Kim's hand on his forearm stopped him.

"Don't blame yourself... he doesn't... none of us do," Kim interjected. Jason averted his eyes briefly before returning them to hers.

"I get it... but the responsibility was on me to save those powers and...." Jason took a deep breath.

"If you had chosen to save the powers, then we may be discussing losing Tommy instead... no... you made the right choice, Jason," Kimberly stated. She moved her hand down to his and gave it a squeeze. He offered her a small smile. "I know that you feel all this responsibility being a leader, but we are here for you, we trust you, we have your back."

"Thanks," Jason said. "I don't know what I'd do without you guys."

"The feeling is mutual," Kimberly replied with a big smile. Kim studied him for a moment and could see he was still troubled.

"I guess I should go in and check on him," Jason suggested. He started to make his way towards the command center but Kim reached out and grabbed his hand. He stopped and turned to her, surprised by her action.

"Jase..." Kim's voice was softer than usual.

"Yeah?" Jason replied. He took note that they were still holding hands.

"Please don't," Kim said.

"What?" Jason questioned her.

"You don't have to pretend with me," Kim responded. Jason started to speak but stopped himself. Kim moved to stand directly in front of him.

"I'll try to not let it bother me... I promise," Jason stated as he made eye contact with her. "That may not be easy."

"I know," Kim replied. "Just remember that we are all in this together."

"Yeah," Jason replied as he offered her a smile as she moved in and gave him a hug. They held it for several seconds. Kim was determined to make it known to him that she was there for him and communicate it through this gesture as best she could.

(****)

Jason flipped the page on the book in front of him from his position resting up against the headboard of his bed. He smiled as he began to read the first words on the next page. Suddenly a noise outside of his cracked window got his attention. He put his bookmark in the book and quickly tossed it onto the table next to his bed.

Jason made his way over to his window and looked out onto the poorly lit lawn next to his house, illuminated only by a nearby street lamp. He didn't see anything at first but suddenly he heard what sounded like a sniffle. He strained his eyes to see a dark silhouette on the edge of his property sitting in the grass.

Jason turned and quickly made his way out of his room and down the stairs as quickly as possible. He rushed out the front door and around to the side of the house. It was when he rounded the corner he finally was able to recognize who the person was and he quickly made his way across the lawn towards her.

"Kim?" Jason spoke softly as he approached her. She quickly got to her feet and began to wipe at her eyes in a weak attempt to compose herself. Jason reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Hey... what's wrong?"

"N... nothing... I mean... my parents..." Kim spoke between sobs. Jason moved quickly to embrace her in a hug and allowed her to openly weep into his chest. He rubbed her back in gentle circles as she continued to cry. He held her there until the crying subsided enough for her to get her breath. She finally pulled away and looked up at him. She began to wipe at his now wet t-shirt with her jacket sleeve.

"It's fine..." Jason said as he moved a hand up to hers and gripped it. "What happened?"

"They... we just had a talk and they told me that they are getting a divorce," Kim spoke as she blinked away a few tears and reached up to rub her eyes. Jason nodded. "I mean.. I knew they were fighting but I didn't think it had got to this point you know?"

"Yeah... I figured they'd work it out," Jason replied. Kim shook her head.

"They made sure... made sure to tell me that I wasn't to blame and..." Kim paused and took a big breath. She looked at Jason and saw the sympathetic look on his face. "Gah, I don't know why this hit me like this... I should have been prepared but I just..."

"It's understandable..." Jason responded as he reached out and rubbed her arm.

She glanced around and then back at him.

"I'm sorry to come here and dump this on you... I just had to leave and I ended up here," Kim explained with a small shrug.

"Don't apologize for that," Jason said. "I'm always here when you need me."

"I know," Kim responded without a thought. "Do you think... um... maybe I could stay here for a little while... I'm not ready..."

"As long as you need," Jason replied. She made eye contact with him and it was her this time that initiated the hug. She held him tighter than she ever had anything in her life, but he didn't complain. He just wrapped her up in his arms as fresh tears began to fall.

Chapter Text

Jason hit the ground with a hard thud and immediately attempted to get his feet. He found his breath had been knocked from him and a wave of dizziness hit him as he got to his feet. He felt two hands grip his arm and steady him. He turned to see the Pink Ranger standing next to him.

"You okay?" Kimberly asked. Jason could envision the concerned look on her face despite it being hidden by her visor.

"I..." Deep breath. "I'm good."

"Had enough Red Ranger?" Golder taunted before leaping down from his perch on the hill above them. He landed a few feet in front of them and Kimberly instinctively stepped between the still recovering Jason and their opponent.

"Stay away from him!" Kim's tone was stern but calm. Goldar chuckled as Scorpina landed behind him. Jason moved to stand next to Kimberly, having now fully recovered from his fall. He placed a hand on Kim's shoulder to signal he was okay. She nodded and the two charged their golden foes.

Jason threw a kick at Goldar, while Kimberly flipped over Scorpina and then hit a kick of her own.

"It'll take more than that to stop me," Scorpina said with a scowl as she swung at Kimberly with a back fist that Kim managed to duck. Kim connected with a slash from her blade blaster and Scorpina stumbled backward.

Jason dodged a swing from Goldar's sword and then summoned his own to retaliate. The two metals clanged and sparks flew covering the battlefield. The two were locked into a test of strength in wills until Jason finally won the fight by igniting a red bolt of energy down the length of his sword which knocked Goldar to the ground at Scorpina's feet.

Jason and Kimberly fell in line next to each other and waited for their opponents to get to their feet. Scorpina helped Goldar up and started to charge but Goldar grabbed her arm and shook his head. With a flash, the two were gone.

"Zack, do you read me?" Jason called into his communicator.

"Loud and clear," Zack responded.

"We are on our way," Jason stated.

"No need, we took care of the monster," Zack replied. "You two okay?"

Jason glanced over at Kim who nodded in the affirmative.

"Yeah, we are fine... Goldar and Scorpina fled," Jason responded.

"Typical," Zack commented.

"Yeah... hey... good work guys," Jason said.

"It's chill," Zack replied. Jason chuckled as he lowered his wrist and glanced back over at Kimberly. He noticed a group of onlookers approaching the field where the fight had taken place.

"We should get out of here," Jason stated with a nod in the direction of the crowd.

"Right," Kim agreed. "Back to my place?"

"Sounds good," Jason agreed before the two teleported.

(****)

"You don't have to do this you know?" Kim said as she looked over the top of a large box she was carrying out into the hallway.

"I want to," Jason said with a smile as he took the box from her. It seemingly becoming much lighter in his larger frame. Kimberly smiled as she watched him make his way over to the staircase.

"Jase," Kim called to him before he began to descend. He turned back to her. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it, gets me out of the house for a bit," Jason replied.

"Not just for this... for everything," Kim clarified. Jason nodded and offered her another smile before he turned to head back down the stairs, nearly bumping into Kim's mother who was ascending.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Hart," Jason apologized at their near miss.

"It's fine, Jason... I am not the one carrying a big box," Mrs. Hart responded with a laugh as she moved aside to allow Jason passage down. He swiftly made his descent and out the front door on the way to the moving van outside.

"How much more do you have?" Mrs. Hart asked as she approached her daughter.

"A couple more boxes," Kim responded as she stepped into her bedroom with her mother behind her.

"Kimberly," Mrs. Hart spoke. Kim turned to her. "You are sure you want to come live with me?"

"Yeah... we've gone over this," Kim replied.

"I know..." Mrs. Hart said. "I just want to make sure... this has always been your home and just because I'm moving out you shouldn't have to."

"It's better... I'll be closer to school in the new place..." Kim responded. She traced the box on her bed with her finger as she took a look around her room. "Besides, Dad said I was always welcome to stay here anytime I wanted."

Kimberly's voice cracked a little as she was finishing her words. There was a silence between the two before Mrs. Hart came over and put her arm around Kimberly's shoulders. Kim looked up at her.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart," Mrs. Hart said in response to the mood her daughter seemed to have suddenly fallen into.

"Don't do that, Mom," Kim replied. "It's not your fault... and I'm okay... I promise."

"I love you," Mrs. Hart said before she placed a kiss on her daughter's forehead. "You are so much stronger than me when I was your age."

"I doubt that... where do you think I get it?" Kim replied with a smile. Her mom matched it. Kim scooped the box next to her up into her arms. "Let me get this down to Jason."

"He's been a big help," Mrs. Hart commented as she watched her daughter. Kim smiled. "He's a good friend."

"Yeah, he is," Kim responded as she paused in the doorway for a moment before continuing down the hall and stairs. Kim made her way out the door and almost ran into Jason who was coming through.

"Here, let me," Jason said as he reached for the box in her hands.

"It's just clothes, I got it," Kim replied.

"Okay... any more up there?" Jason asked.

"Mom is getting it I think, just another box of clothes," Kim replied.

"Are you leaving any here?" Jason teased with a grin.

"Plenty," Kim responded with a small laugh as she made her way over to the nearby van. Jason followed behind her and opened the door for her. Kim sat the box into an empty spot and then turned to look back at the house. Jason watched her as she took it in.

"Are... are you... I mean do you think you'll ever stay here any?" Jason asked as he crossed his arms and leaned back against the van. Kim considered him for a moment before nodding.

"I'm sure I will," Kim replied.

"Good," Jason said with a grin. She saw the relief on his face.

"If I didn't know better, I'd think you are going to miss having me live a few houses down," Kim replied as she walked over to stand in front of him.

"Nah," Jason replied with a sly grin. Kim squinted her eyes at him.

"Uh-huh," Kim said with a playful swat to his chest. She moved to stand next to him, mimicking his posture of leaning against the van. There was a comfortable silence between them for a couple of minutes. "I won't be going far..."

"I know," Jason replied.

"We'll still see each other just as much," Kim stated. Jason nodded.

"Probably," Jason agreed.

"But..." Kim paused, prompting Jason to turn to her. "I admit I will miss being a few houses down from you."

Jason smiled before he moved to put his arm around her and pulled her to him. She embraced him around the waist as he hugged her.

"It's not that far away," Jason stated. Kim nodded and squeezed just a little bit tighter. Their embrace was interrupted by Kim's mom announcing out of her bedroom window that she had a phone call from Tommy checking in from where he was staying with his uncle in Stone Canyon.

"I'd better go update him," Kim said as she walked backward away from Jason.

"I'll wait here," Jason said as he gestured to his nearby truck. "Until you guys are ready to make the drive over to the new place."

"Okay," Kim replied with a smile before turning to make her way back in the house.

Chapter Text

"I have to ask..." Zack said as he caught a football thrown to him by Jason. He grinned as the two approached each other across the length of the grass in front of them.

"Ask what?" Jason inquired as he reached Zack.

"Now don't get mad," Zack requested. Jason furrowed his brow.

"Mad?" Jason questioned.

"Well... I mean..." Zack paused. "Lately... some of us have been noticing how much time you and Kim have been spending together lately."

"Yeah?" Jason reacted. "So?"

"Well... I can't help but to remember what you told me about her," Zack continued as the two made their way over to a park bench.

"That was years ago," Jason responded with a dismissive wave before sitting down.

"More like a year ago... singular," Zack stated as he sat next to Jason and placed the football between them.

"No... nah... you got it wrong," Jason replied as he looked out over the park. "It's not like that..."

"So you don't feel like that anymore?" Zack questioned. Jason didn't respond immediately. A telltale sign if there ever was one to Zack.

"She and Tommy have a thing," Jason answered.

"Yeah... I guess," Zack replied. Jason turned to him with a quizzical look. "He left."

"He'll be back," Jason stated.

"Okay... you're probably right," Zack agreed. "But that still doesn't really answer my question."

"Well... giving that, does the answer really matter?" Jason questioned before he retrieved the football and made his way back out onto the grass. Zack watched him for a moment, feeling a slight ping of sympathy for his best friend. Following a gesture from Jason to rejoin him. He jumped up just in time to catch an incoming toss.

(****)

"So how are you liking it here?" Trini questioned as she took in Kimberly's new room.

"It's fine," Kim answered with a shrug. Trini watched her as she moved about her room.

"What's wrong?" Trini asked. Kim stopped and turned to her.

"Nothing," Kim replied. She took a deep breath. "I mean... maybe the stress of the move and the... the split has been bumming me out a little."

"You want to talk about it?" Trini asked as she walked over and placed her hand on Kim's forearm.

"I mean... not much to say at this point," Kim replied as the two sat down on the edge of her bed. "I just kind of want to wake up and everything be back to like it was..."

"I understand," Trini responded. "I can't imagine how I'd feel."

"But Mom seems happier now..." Kim continued. "And Dad as well... so it's probably for the best."

"For them," Trini said. Kim turned to her with a sad smile and a nod. Trini embraced her in a hug. "How about we go out, just a girl's night?"

"That sounds honestly amazing," Kim responded as she pulled apart from the hug.

"Good... it will be my treat," Trini replied.

(****)

Jason stepped out of his truck and closed the door behind him. He took in the crisp night air and smiled before making his way toward the front door of his house. He was slightly startled to see someone sitting on the front steps leading up to his porch.

"Kim?" Jason inquired as he got closer. She smiled and stood up. He noticed she seemed to be dressed for a night out.

"Hey," Kim greeted him with a smile.

"What's up?" Jason questioned.

"Oh... nothing... I mean... I just kind of wanted to swing by," Kim replied with a sheepish smile. Jason nodded. He glanced around.

"Did you walk?" Jason asked.

"No... Trini dropped me off," Kim answered. "We kind of had a girl's night out."

"Oh... sounds like fun," Jason replied. "Explains why you look so... are dressed nice."

Kim took note of his slip of words but attempted to brush it off. She looked up at him as he got closer to her before he moved to lean up against the railing on the stairs.

"Did you have fun?" Jason asked. Kim took a moment to answer and he gave her a funny look. She snapped out of it and began to nod.

"Yes... we did... a movie... something good to eat..." Kim replied. "It was much needed."

"I'm glad," Jason responded as he stole a quick glance up at the night sky before returning his attention back to Kimberly. He had to admit he found her much more striking.

"So yeah... I just thought I'd come over and see how your night went," Kim stated.

"Well... much less eventful I'm afraid," Jason responded. "Did some training, took a walk in the park and stopped for a burger and now here I am."

"That sounds nice," Kim replied with a smile. Jason shrugged.

"I was gonna stop for ice cream but I talked myself out of it," Jason confessed.

"Silly..." Kim responded. She let out a little laugh. "Never talk yourself out of ice cream."

Jason chuckled a little of his own.

"Good advice," Jason agreed. Kim shuffled her feet a little. Jason watched her until he suddenly had an idea. "Um... it's still kind of early... the ice cream shop is probably still open if you wanna..."

"Yes," Kim responded softly with a smile. "I'd love to."

"I'm afraid I'm underdressed for... I mean to go out compared to you," Jason replied with a gesture first to himself and then to Kim.

"You look great," Kim rebutted. Jason smiled.

"Okay... then... let's go," Jason said as he turned and walked toward his truck. He felt Kimberly close the distance between them quickly and glanced over to see her pass him on the way to the passenger side of his truck. He stopped and smiled as she opened the door and hopped in. His conversation with Zack from earlier popped into his head but he quickly pushed it aside, content to just enjoy an outing to get ice cream with Kimberly.

Chapter Text

Jason's hand slipped off the rock in front of him. He quickly reattached his grip and pulled up using all of his core strength to hoist his frame up onto the ledge above him. He quickly turned and caught his breath as he looked around and took in the view in front of him. He smiled.

This was his secret spot. He liked to come here and meditate and get lost from the world for a short while. He shifted his back up against the rock behind him and closed his eyes. A breeze blew gently through his hair, finding it hard to budge from the slight dampening of sweat.

Jason opened his eyes and glanced across the small canyon to see the Command Center tucked away hidden from the world. He smiled wistfully for a moment before reaching down to the bag on his side and pulling out a water bottle and taking a sip.

Jason attempted to clear his mind to meditate. He found himself interrupted by the sound of his communicator going off. He let out a slightly frustrated sigh before moving to answer.

"Jason here," He spoke.

"Jason," Alpha's unmistakable voice came through the small speaker on the wristband. "When you have time Zordon would like for you to come to the Command Center to go over some of the upgrades done to the Zords."

"Okay... now?" Jason inquired.

"At your leisure," Zordon's voice came through this time.

"Got it... I'll be there in a couple of hours if that's cool?" Jason responded.

"That will be fine," Zordon replied. Jason nodded his head and lowered his arm. He glanced down at his communicator and considered it for a moment. He began to recall the simpler times of not being a Power Ranger and smiled just for a moment.

Jason loved being a Ranger and considered it an honor in the highest regard. Sometimes though, he couldn't help but to recall, the pressures were very taxing. He knew the other Rangers felt it too. Although none would outright voice it.

A strong breeze blew some of the trees down in the canyon beneath him and stirred up some birds. The sound momentarily derailing his train of thought before he settled back and raised his knees up to rest his arms on them. He glanced down at a small red stream of blood coming down his bicep. One of the hazards of making the climb.

A large bird flew close by his opening in the cliffside. He watched how it gracefully glided across the wind before it disappeared out of his view. He wasn't surprised that he suddenly thought of Kimberly. Graceful, beautiful, and elusive.

The last adjective stung a little. It was also a bit of a contradiction. Kimberly was anything but elusive in his life. Even after her move down the street he still saw her daily. Whether at school, his place, hers, the Command Center or beside him in the cockpit of the Megazord. She was an ever-looming presence in his life.

The elusiveness that his mind conjured up though was of a specific variety. Maybe it wasn't even the right word for it. Taken. She was taken. Her affections and heart belonged to someone else.

A large sigh that even surprised Jason left his body. He found his hand clenched around a loose rock at his side and he picked it up and tossed it off the ledge. He never heard it hit, but his attention left the rock long before it ever hit the ground as his mind had drifted back to Kim.

Earlier Tommy had come back into town. It was good to see him. It really was. But within hours the group had dispersed and he found himself the third wheel of a blossoming romance once again. A position he was all too familiar with. He felt some pain in his heart. Not physical. Objectively worse to the young warrior.

A half-finished curse word left his lips as he shook his head slightly. He had come to this spot to meditate and forget everything and here he was now overthinking everything to death. Kim was one of his best friends, if not his best. Sure she was gorgeous. For that matter so was Trini. But it was different with Trini. She was available and Jason surmised she might even be receptive to an invitation to date.

A small shrug before he stretched his legs out to hang loosely over the edge. He wasn't sure though. He suspected she had eyes for another one of the group but he had no concrete proof to go on. How she felt though, didn't matter when he himself could find himself thinking of only one girl.

"Kimberly," Jason audibly spoke her name. His voice was barely above a whisper but in his head, it felt like it echoed and resonated all throughout the canyon.

He could go to her now. He could tell her about his feelings. If he could even articulate them, it would only be a mess. She could reciprocate and then he is the jerk that stole his best bro's girlfriend. She could be repulsed and things between them could be forever changed for the worse.

Jason lightly pounded his fist down on the rock beside him. His fist gave more than it did and he mentally scolded himself for the gesture. It was fitting that he was here hidden in the rocky hills and crevasses as he truly felt stuck between a rock and a hard place.

A chuckle. The first one in hours as he poured over the lameness of his analogy. He fidgeted with the rope tied around his waist, weighing it in his hand for a moment and then letting it dropped. A quick tug to make sure it was still secure before he scooted forward and twisted his body to begin his descent.

(***)

Kimberly sat down and blew the hair out of her eyes as she did so. She squinted as she looked up at the sun. It was nearly down but still unbearably hot. She glanced back behind her to the bed of Jason's truck. It was mostly clean, betraying it's slightly beaten up exterior. She wished she had a blanket because she would lie down and get comfortable.

She hopped off the bed and made her way over to the cabin of the truck. She found it unlocked and opened the door. She smiled when she saw a blanket loosely draped over the passenger side of the seat. She pulled it out and made her way back to the bed of the truck. She laid the blanket out before hopping up and leaning back.

Kimberly began to ponder why she was here. At this place. In this moment. Tommy was in town. They had spent most of the day together, parting only minutes ago. Him to join Zack and Billy at the park and her to... come lie in the bed of Jason's truck. A small laugh escaped her.

"Boo!" a deep voice washed over her the same time a handsome face came into view over the side of the truck bed. She was only slightly startled and just stared up at the smiling features of the boy staring back down at her. He looked her over and furrowed his brow. "Comfortable?"

"Uh-huh," She replied with a nod.

"That's nice," Jason said as he folded his arms on the truck and looked down at her. She saw the scrapes on his arm and reached up tentatively to point them out.

"Those look like they hurt," Kim stated as her eyes darted from the wounds to his eyes.

"Nope," Jason responded with a shake of his head. "Just some scratches."

"That one looks deep," Kim said moving her finger over his bicep without touching it. Jason looked down to confirm her observation.

He moved around to the cabin of the truck and his upper body disappeared from Kim's view. She strained her neck to get a glimpse. After a few seconds, he reappeared this time at her feet. She sat up on her elbows and saw him placing a bandaid on his arm. He smiled at her when he saw her watching him.

"What are you doing here?" Jason asked. Kim crinkled her nose at him.

"You are such a charmer," She kidded him. He shrugged.

"You know what I meant... I figured you'd still be with Tommy," Jason replied.

"Yeah... I guess I kind of did too but he was going to hang out with the guys at the park and I just wasn't feeling it," Kim replied. She sat fully up and then crossed her legs.

"Oh," Jason responded. He leaned his hands on the bed of the truck and began to play with the edge of the blanket that Kim still sat on.

"So... you kind of disappeared," Kim commented, drawing his attention up to her.

"Yeah, I guess you could say that," Jason replied. After a few moments, a sly grin came over his face.

"You are just gonna leave me hanging aren't you?" Kim questioned, squinting her eyes at him. A laugh confirmed it.

"So... did you come here looking for me or my truck?" Jason questioned with a slight pat on the tailgate.

"Definitely the truck," Kim teased with a smile.

"If you love it so much, you want to help me paint it tomorrow?" Jason asked with a gesture to the garage beside of them.

"Maybe," Kim replied.

"If you aren't busy," Jason continued.

"I can spare some time," Kim answered. Jason nodded.

"Red?" Kim asked.

"I don't know... I'm thinking maybe black," Jason replied with a shrug. "I may have enough red in my life at the moment."

"Never," Kim replied with a small laugh watching as he pulled his red tank top away from his stomach in a gesture to go with his words. "Maybe black with a red stripe?"

"Maybe," Jason replied with a grin. "I'll let you put the stripe on it."

"You'd better not if you want it to look good," Kim countered.

"I see," Jason replied. There was a moment of silence before Kim lied back down and patted the spot next to her.

"Stars are coming out," Kim spoke to go with her gesture. "You wanna gaze at them awhile?"

Jason watched her. Graceful, beautiful, taken. He swallowed and then followed her hand to look up the stars she was now pointing to. He moved swiftly up into the bed of the truck and lied down next to her. Making sure to put a few inches between them, he'd estimate at least six, maybe seven. Felt safe enough.

"Jase?" Kim's voice was soft to match her relaxed state.

"Yeah?" His was huskier in its attempt to be relaxed.

"You ever gonna tell me where you run off to?" Kim inquired. He could send her head turning in his direction.

"It's a secret," Jason replied. He smiled as he denied her the eye contact he knew she now wanted.

"Now I must know," Kim said.

"I know..." Jason replied. He finally turned to her. "Maybe someday."

"I'll hold you to it," Kim replied as they held each other's gaze. Kim was the first to break it as she resumed looking up at the stars. Jason followed soon after. He closed his eyes and as his companion began to explain the many different constellations she could spot, the peace and relaxation he had sought earlier began to wash over him.

Chapter Text

Jason ducked a kick and stepped away to throw one of his own. It would have landed clean if he had not pulled his foot back. He lowered it, furrowed his brow and ran a hand through his slightly dampened hair.

"You are a bit rusty, bro," Jason stated with a small green at the white-clad teen across from him on the mat.

"Yeah a little," Tommy agreed with a slightly embarrassed chuckle. "Guess I didn't train as much as usual while I was gone."

"You'll be back to your old self in no time," Jason said as he walked over to a gym bag on a nearby bench and retrieved a water bottle to get a sip. Tommy mirrored his actions with his own bottle.

"Jase?" Tommy began after swallowing his water and reaching up to wipe his mouth.

"Yeah?" Jason replied as he set his bottle down and took a cursory glance around the crowded Youth Center.

"Can we talk?" Tommy inquired.

"Sure," Jason replied, focusing his full attention to Tommy now.

"Can we?" Tommy asked picking up his gym bag and gesturing toward the door.

"Lead the way," Jason replied as he picked his up and followed him out of the Youth Center and into the parking lot. There were a few moments of silence as the two began to walk over to Jason's truck. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah..." Tommy replied as he watched Jason open the door to his truck and pitch his bag inside. "It's a little embarrassing I guess."

"Embarrassing?" Jason inquired as he walked around to the side of his truck and watched as Tommy placed his gym bag onto his car parked a couple of spots down from Jason.

"Well... not really embarrassing I guess... I just need some advice," Tommy replied turning back to Jason.

"I'll help if I can," Jason stated as he folded his arms and leaned back against his truck. Tommy momentarily ran his eyes down the length of the vehicle, noticing the new paint job.

"Looks good," Tommy said with a gesture to the truck.

"Thanks," Jason responded with a smile as he remembered painting it with Kim.

"So... uh..." Tommy began as he leaned on his own car. "You are probably Kim's oldest friend right?"

"Yeah... I think so," Jason replied, he stood up a little straighter at hearing her name.

"I gotta be honest..." Tommy said, he sighed a little. "Things have been sorta weird since I've returned."

"Weird?" Jason asked. Tommy shuffled his feet a little.

"Well... I was gone for a while... and we didn't talk a whole lot during that time," Tommy paused. Jason nodded for him to continue. "I don't want to take her for granted."

"What do you mean?" Jason questioned.

"I wasn't sure... I'm not sure if we are still..." Tommy kind of threw up his hands a little. "Not sure if we are still a thing."

"What are you talking about?" Jason asked. "Did she say something to make you think otherwise?"

"No... no... not really," Tommy answered quickly. "We haven't really discussed it at all."

"Okay..." Jason unfolded his arms and stuffed his hands into his pockets.

"We flirted a little like old times but I don't want to assume while I was gone she just considered us still a thing... feels selfish and presumptuous to do that," Tommy explained.

"Yeah... I get where you are coming from," Jason replied. "But if she never broke things off with you then you should probably consider everything is fine."

"That's what I thought, but last month when I came back... that first day, she just kind of left and I expected us to hang out that night," Tommy said with a small shrug. Jason remembered the night in question.

"Oh..." Jason replied, his tone quiet. "Well... that was my fault I guess."

"Your fault?" Tommy inquired pushing up off his car into an upright position.

"Just she came over that night looking for me," Jason stated. "She was worried or whatever cause I had disappeared from the group earlier that day... so yeah that was my fault."

"Oh," Tommy replied as he considered the information.

"I'm sorry," Jason apologized.

"That's not your fault," Tommy dismissed it with a shake of his head. "Kim's a worrier."

"Yeah," Jason agreed. "And hey... this time you are back for good too right?"

"Of course," Tommy agreed.

"And we've got you back on the team and I think everything will go back to the way it was," Jason said. He offered his friend a smile. "I think maybe you are the one worrying too much now. "

"Maybe," Tommy said, returning the smile.

"Sure you are," Jason continued. "Kim cares about you a lot."

Tommy walked over to admire the new paint job on Jason's truck a little closer as he considered the conversation.

"You know she got asked out a lot while you were gone," Jason stated shifting his eyes over to Tommy to see his response. Tommy stood up from his knelt over posture and met Jason's look.

"She did?" Tommy inquired. Jason nodded.

"I saw it with my own eyes a handful of times," Jason stated. He shook his head. "Turned 'em down flat."

"She did?" Tommy echoed his last response with a big grin on his face.

"Oh yeah," Jason answered. "You don't have to worry about anything, bro."

"Thanks for talking to me," Tommy said as he walked over to stand in front of Jason.

"No problem," Jason said. "It's good to have you back to talk to."

"It's good to be back," Tommy replied. "And hey... I just want you to know just because I've got the new powers and everything as far as I am concerned you are still..."

"Nah... we are all a team," Jason stopped him. "Some times you'll take the lead, sometimes Zack will, sometimes we all will."

Tommy nodded, his respect deepening for his teammate.

"So... you let me go on and on about me... what about you?" Tommy asked.

"What about me?" Jason replied.

"You and Peyton ever get together?" Tommy questioned with a grin. Jason shook his head.

"No... no..." Jason answered.

"Still holding out on her huh?" Tommy replied. "I don't get it, bro... she is a knockout."

"Definitely," Jason replied. "But... I don't think it would work out."

Tommy considered him for a moment. He was debating prying further.

"Can I ask you something?" Tommy inquired.

"Yep," Jason reacted.

"Why don't you... I mean why do you stay single?" Tommy asked. Jason studied him for a moment considering if he should be truthful.

"To be honest," Jason began. "Being a Ranger... I'm not sure it would work out with someone who isn't."

Tommy nodded as he considered the situation.

"I never really thought about it that way, being with Kim and all... but yeah if we weren't both Rangers I'm not sure how it would work," Tommy reasoned out loud. Jason nodded his head, pleased his partial truth had worked.

"What about Trini?" Tommy asked. Jason quickly shook his head. "She's beautiful."

"Yeah... but," Jason paused. "I think she is interested in someone else."

"Really?" Tommy responded.

"Yeah... but it doesn't matter, I'm happy, and I've got other things to focus on," Jason stated. He glanced behind Tommy to see Kim approaching from the park. She looked amazing with a beautiful pink sundress and her hair up in a ponytail. Jason swallowed a lump in his throat and then cleared it. "But hey... I think maybe now is your chance to get things cleared up."

"What?" Tommy reacted. Jason nodded behind him and Tommy turned to see Kimberly approaching. He too was taken with how nice she looked. She noticed the two guys and started picking up her pace.

"I'm gonna head out and let you do your thing," Jason said as he moved around to the driver side of his truck.

"You don't have to go," Tommy said. Jason hopped in his truck and started it. He glanced back at Kimberly one more time and then to Tommy.

"Good luck," Jason said with a bittersweet smile to Tommy before he backed out and pulled away.

(****)

Jason checked his backpack one more time before he placed into the cab of his truck. He was satisfied he had everything he needed for his hike. He glanced up at the sun overhead and smiled as it disappeared behind a fluffy white cloud. Weather was perfect for his trip. He was just about to hop up into his truck when he was startled by someone appearing in the passenger side window.

"Where you off to?" Kimberly asked as she folded her arms on the door of the truck and poked her head slightly inside. Jason feigned feeling of his chest and having a heart attack, garnering a laugh from her.

"Just going for a hike," Jason answered as he hopped up into the truck.

"Where to?" Kim asked.

"Maybe up in the hills, by the canyon," Jason replied.

"Oh?" Kim responded as she watched him fumble around his pockets trying to retrieve his keys. "Another one of your disappearing acts?"

"Nah... you know I like to go out in nature," Jason replied dismissively as he finally retrieved his keys and stuck them in the ignition, leaving them there while he placed his arms on the steering wheel and faced Kimberly.

"I know... but you seem to do it on your own a lot lately," Kim responded. Jason shrugged.

"I guess," Jason reacted. He was surprised when Kim opened the door and hopped in the truck next to him.

"Can I ask you something?" Kim inquired as she was able to maneuver her small frame around on the seat to be facing Jason.

"Shoot," Jason responded as he leaned back in the seat.

"Last night..." Kim began. "I kind of got the feeling you were avoiding me and now you are going off today..."

"Kim..." Jason replied, cutting her off gently. "Don't be silly... why would I avoid you?"

"I don't know," Kim replied with a shrug. "You didn't even stick around to say hi when I was approaching you and Tommy... just sped off."

"I didn't speed off," Jason replied shaking his head.

"Sure... but you left," Kim countered.

"I just thought I'd give you and Tommy some time to catch up," Jason stated. Kim studied him as he spoke.

"Honest?" Kim asked. Jason took a deep breath and avoided looking at her. He summoned all of his willpower to make eye contact.

"Yeah," Jason answered. "Did... uh... is everything good with you two?"

"Uh-huh," Kim responded.

"Good," Jason said with a nod as he absentmindedly ran his hand along the bottom of the steering wheel. "Glad... to hear that."

Kim watched him. Something wasn't right. She had known this boy since pre-school. He couldn't lie to her. This didn't feel like an outright moment of lying but something was wrong. She scooted across the seat closer to him and watched as he tensed slightly.

"Jason..." Kim got his attention. He turned to her and raised his eyebrows. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Jason answered.

"Are you and Tommy into it?" Kim questioned.

"No... of course not," Jason replied with a vehement shake of his head, considering the question out of the left field.

"Okay..." Kim replied. "It's just since he's been back you seem... different."

"No... you're just imagining that Kim," Jason dismissed it.

"I thought it was maybe because he was given the new powers and..." Kim paused.

"No..." Jason responded.

"Yeah... that wouldn't be like you," Kim agreed. There were a few moments of silence between them.

"You are worrying over nothing," Jason stated, his tone soothing. He offered Kim a smile of assurance and despite herself, she felt better upon seeing it.

"Besides... this hike will clear my mind and even if something was bothering me I'm sure it will take care of it," Jason said. Kim nodded. She glanced down at her attire.

"I'm not really dressed for a hike but I think I can make it work," Kim said. Jason furrowed his brow. "Unless you don't want the company."

"I... uh..." Jason paused. A smile began to come over his face. "I'd love the company."

"I'm ready when you are then," Kim replied as she turned in her seat and snapped the seatbelt across her. Jason watched her do all of this and it was only when she finally turned back to him that he reached over and turned the key in the ignition and the truck roared to life. He gave it a couple of quick revs, to let the world know how obnoxiously loud the old V-8 engine could be and smiled as Kim just shook her head. She eventually gave in to his goofing around and laughed. With that, he pulled out onto the road.

Chapter Text

"Good thing I did stop and change... sheesh this is really out of the way," Kimberly commented as she moved a branch out of her way and kept her eyes glued on the back of Jason who was moving at a steady pace in front of her. He turned and smiled at her words. She nearly collided with a branch as she focused on him.

"Careful," Jason commented as he stopped and allowed her to catch up to his side.

"I hope you know where we are," Kim said as she stopped and looked around at the tall trees and thick brush around them.

"I do... not much further now," Jason responded as he nodded ahead of them. They continued up the incline. Kim following in his steps as he led the way. After a few more minutes of walking the area began to get brighter and Kim saw a clearing up ahead.

"Wow," Kim remarked as they entered the clearing and she looked around them. It was a breathtaking sight to see the large canyon in front of her. She ventured a little closer to see if she could peer down into it.

"I wouldn't get too close, the rocks are loose there," Jason said as he stepped forward and took her by the hand. Kim gripped his hand tight as she allowed him to gently pull her back to him as a few loose rocks began to give away under her. Soon she was flat up against Jason and she was suddenly very aware of her own heartbeat.

"Thanks..." Kim whispered. He smiled before stepping back and putting his backpack on the ground. He knelt down and unzipped it. Kim watched as he removed some rope and hooks. She furrowed her brown.

"What's that for?" Kim inquired as she stepped around him. He stood up and began buckling the climbing gear around him. He pointed up. She followed his arm. She saw a large cliffside behind them and a ledge a couple of hundred foot above them. "Wait... are you going up there?"

"I am..." Jason answered. He looked up from his harness and gestured to the bag. "Are you not coming with?"

"Coming... up there?" Kim considered his inquiry as her eyes went from the pack to the cliff. "I... that's pretty high up."

"It is," Jason agreed. "But if you think the view down here is great, wait till you see it up there."

"It's that good?" Kim asked. Jason nodded and smiled. He bent down and retrieved a harness and rope for Kim out of the bag. "Well... if it's THAT good."

Jason walked over to the cliffside and began to synch up the main rope for them. Kim watched as he masterfully prepared everything. She knew he liked to climb but had never really seen him applying the skill in the wild. She admired him until he turned to her and at which point she began to fumble with her harness, unsure of how it went.

"Here," Jason said softly as he closed the gap between them and began to place the harness around Kimberly. He was intent and focused on making sure it was on her properly and she was focused on watching him do so. He was gentle, but she could tell everything was being secured tightly. After a few moments, he stepped back and shook his head, satisfied with his work.

"Thanks," Kim commented as she ran her hands over her harness.

"No problem," Jason replied. He gestured to the cliff. "You go first and I'll follow."

"Okay..." Kim said as she walked past him and over to the cliff side. She looked at the rope and down at her harness. Jason wordlessly moved in behind her and connected her to the rope.

"There... you're all set," Jason said, his face just inches away from her cheek. Kim felt a shudder go down her and she became very confused. She had no time to think about it though and grabbed on to the rope in front of her.

"Like this?" Kim asked.

"Yep," Jason answered. "Just pull yourself up the rope until you see places to grab onto and then just...."

"Climb?" Kim finished for him, turning to him and smiling.

"Climb," Jason replied matching her smile. "I'll be behind you."

Kim felt comfort at those words come over her and she turned and began to ascend up the cliffside. A few unsteady attempts to move over from the rope to climbing followed until she began to get the hang of it and was moving at what she felt was a pretty consistent pace. She glanced beneath her to see Jason was following patiently behind her. Clearly, he could move faster but seemed content to let her go at her own pace.

"Halfway there," Jason said from beneath her. She glanced down at him and saw just how far they had come. She fought a little bit of disorientation and gripped the rock wall tight. Jason sensed this and moved to where he was next to her but still only halfway up her body. "You okay?"

"Yeah... I just got a little dizzy," Kim replied sheepishly.

"It's natural..." Jason said as he moved his hand behind her and rubbed her back gently. "You got this."

Feeling emboldened at his support Kim nodded her head and began to climb. Jason stayed still until she was a full body's length above him again and he moved beneath her.

"From here on out the rock is much easier to climb," Jason said with a grunt as he propelled himself up a couple of positions in one swift motion. Kim glanced around to see what he meant. It was almost as if it was meant to be climbed now and she found hand grip much easier now. She quickened her pace and soon her head was above the ledge.

"Well..." Kim began as she pulled herself up onto the ledge and moved back to allow Jason to follow suit. "That was a bit of a workout."

"Oh yeah," Jason replied as he moved to sit beside her on the ledge. He was much bolder with his positioning near the edge than she was. She moved up a little.

"Wow...." Kim said as she took in the view in front of her. "It's beautiful."

"Told you," Jason replied as he reached down into a bag on his side and pulled out a water bottle. He took a drink and then offered it to her. She gladly accepted it as she was still a little out of breath.

"So this is where you disappear to?" Kim asked after her drink. Jason nodded. "I see why."

"It's a good place to clear your head," Jason stated. He pointed to a spot to the left of them. "Just over there is the Command Center."

"For real?" Kim asked as she tried to see if she could see it.

"Yeah... it's a bit hidden from here," Jason answered. "Squint and look between those rocks and over that tree... you see it?"

He moved closer to her and pointed. She followed his hand and did as he said and saw the top of the building.

"I see it," Kim said with a grin. "Wow... is that how you found this place?"

"Yeah..." Jason answered. "I went exploring around one day after leaving there and saw this canyon..."

There was a comfortable silence between them as Kim shifted to get more comfortable a bit more brave with her feet hanging over the edge. Jason noticed this and grinned.

"Jase..." Kim broke the silence turning to him. He looked at her. "Did you really sign up for the Peace Conference?"

"Mmm..." Jason responded before clearing his throat. "I did."

"If you are selected..." Kim paused.

"A lot of people signed up, it's a big if," Jason reacted.

"Not really..." Kim shook her head, confident in his talents. "You are a shoo-in."

"We'll see," Jason responded. He pulled his knees up and rested his arms on them.

"What will become of us?" Kim asked. This got his attention.

"Us... what do you mean?" Jason responded with his own question.

"The team... the Power Rangers," Kim clarified.

"Oh," Jason said as he looked out back over the canyon. "Zordon has a plan for it."

"A plan?" Kim reacted.

"Yeah..." Jason answered. "If any of us leave... I mean we have to be replaced."

"Replaced," Kim digested the word. She shook her head. "You can't just be replaced."

Jason made eye contact with her. Touched by her words.

"The powers will be transferred," Jason said. Kim was still shaking her head. She suddenly regretted bringing up the topic.

"I don't..." Kim let out a sigh. "It's a great opportunity for you but..."

"What?" Jason prodded as he sat up a little straighter.

"Selfishly I don't want you to go," Kim said with a whisper and a shrug. "I don't want the group to be broken up."

Jason nodded. He lowered his head. She watched him.

"It's for the best though... I mean... being a Ranger, it's about doing what's right for the world... this is right," Jason explained. Kim nodded. She understood, but that didn't make it any more palatable. "No matter what... we'll always still be friends right?"

"Of course," Kim's answer was quick.

"And I wouldn't be gone forever," Jason said, offering her an assuring smile. She couldn't help but reciprocate. She never could. She placed her hand on his arm, and he moved to wrap his arm around her and pull her into somewhat of a hug. They stayed that way for a couple of moments.

"Jase..." Kim's voice prompted Jason to pull apart from her and lower his arm. She watched as he made eye contact with her. She smiled. "I still hope you don't get picked."

He chuckled and shook his head.

"Noted," Jason replied. He ran his hand down the rope between them before giving it a tug to test the slack. "You ready to head back down?"

Kim glanced down at the rope and at the edge of the cliff. She crinkled her nose.

"Can't we just morph or teleport?" She questioned with a raise of her eyebrows. Trying to tempt their leader into breaking the rules. A cause she knew was lost before she even asked, but she loved to watch him pretend to contemplate it.

"Well... maybe Zordon would never know..." Jason replied.

"Jason Lee Scott!" Kim replied with a playful smack on his arm. "You cannot be seriously suggesting breaking the rules."

He grinned as he swung over the ledge, leaving just the upper part of his torso visible.

"Of course not..." Jason replied. "I'll see you at the bottom."

Kim watched as he disappeared out of sight and she took in the view once more before copying his actions from before, albeit a bit more tentatively. She began to descend down and glanced down to see Jason hadn't gone very far before waiting on her. Once he was she was safely over, he began to move down and she mimicked his movements.

Chapter Text

"Here you go, sir," Jason said as he placed an envelope on the desk in front of him and then scooted back in his chair. He glanced around the room, not too accustomed to being in the principal's office. His eyes eventually landed on his principal as he retrieved the enveloped and opened it.

"Jason," Mr. Kaplan spoke as he held the envelope in his hand. He paused.

"Sir?" Jason responded. Mr. Kaplan cleared his throat and leaned up in his chair. He rested his arms on his desk.

"I am asking this of most students who are applying, so you know," Mr. Kaplan began. Jason nodded. "Are you sure this is for you?"

Jason furrowed his brow as he considered his question. He sat up a little in his chair and looked down at his hands. He opened his mouth to answer but stopped as he pondered the question further.

"Wh... why do you ask?" Jason inquired. Mr. Kaplan studied him for a moment before answering.

"Frankly... because this is a life-changing thing... I just want to be aware each student has considered it," Mr. Kaplan responded.

"Oh," Jason uttered as he glanced around the room and collected his thoughts. "I mean of course I've thought about it."

"And you are sure this is right for you?" Mr. Kaplan questioned. "Because I think you are a shoo-in once I hand in this paperwork to the committee."

"You do?" Jason responded. Mr. Kaplan nodded.

"Your resume speaks for itself Mr. Scott," Kaplan clarified. "In all of my years in this position, I must truthfully say you are one of the most all-around exceptional students I've ever had in my school."

"That's very nice of you to say, Mr. Kaplan," Jason replied with a smile.

"Well... it's just the truth," Mr. Kaplan replied. "So I have no doubt you will be chosen... you and probably some of your friends."

Jason watched as he pulled the paperwork out of the envelope and began to peruse it to determine if everything needed was present. Before walking in the door he was fairly sure he was doing the right thing, even if some doubt lingered. Now though... being put on the spot he couldn't help but feel something was off. His mind kept going to his friends. The team.

"Everything looks to be in order, so..." Mr. Kaplan began as he placed the papers back in the envelope.

"Wait..." Jason interrupted him, garnering the older man's attention to him.

"What is it?" Mr. Kaplan asked. Jason stood up and stuffed his hands into his pockets.

"I... when is the deadline?" Jason asked.

"I have to have the paperwork turned in by this evening... so I can give you to the end of the school day," Mr. Kaplan answered.

"Okay," Jason replied with a nod.

"I'll have to know by then," Mr. Kaplan clarified.

"Got it... I'll stop by after the last bell and let you know," Jason said, before turning and heading out the door into the hallway.

(***)

"You look lost in thought," Billy said as he glanced down across the lunchroom table at Jason who was staring blankly into the air.

"Oh... hey Billy," Jason said slightly startled out of his thoughts. Billy sat across from him and began to open the brown paper bag that had his lunch inside. He studied Jason as he seemed to go back into his thoughts. He moved the bag over as he began to open the plastic baggie that contained his sandwich.

"You okay, Jase?" Billy questioned. Jason once again appeared to be snapped out of his thoughts.

"Oh... yeah I'm fine," Jason replied with a grin before he glanced down and began picking at the mashed potatoes on his tray.

"You don't seem it," Billy commented before taking a bite of his sandwich. Jason looked up at him.

"Sorry... just thinking I guess," Jason replied.

"Anything you want to talk about," Billy asked. Jason was just about to open his mouth when Trini slid into the seat next to him.

"Hey guys," Trini greeted them both before she started opening her bottle of water.

"Hey," Both guys replied in unison. Billy's greeting was decidedly more enthusiastic than Jason's, Trini noticed. She turned to him to study him.

"You okay?" Trini asked him with a slight shoulder nudge to his arm. Jason turned to her and then looked back at Billy who was watching for his response as well.

"Did you turn in your paperwork for the peace conference? "Jason asked her.

"Yep... last week," Trini answered before taking a bite of an apple.

"Today is the deadline isn't it?" Billy chimed in. Trini nodded. She glanced up at Jason.

"When did you turn yours in?" Trini questioned. Jason's eyes went wide for a moment and he straightened his posture.

"I went to turn it in before school today," Jason replied.

"But?" Trini asked.

"I told Mr. Kaplan to hold off... and I'm going to let him know by the end of the day if I for sure want to attend," Jason explained.

"What happened?" Trini asked. "I thought you were sure you wanted to go?"

"Well... I mean..." Jason considered her thought just as Zack plopped onto the seat next to Billy. He was all smiles as he immediately began munching on a chicken tender before making contact with the rest of his friends.

"What's happening?" Zack asked between bites.

"Did you turn in your paperwork for the conference yet?" Trini asked him in response. Zack nodded vigorously as he attempted to swallow the large bite of food he had just taken.

"Yesterday," Zack mumbled out before getting a drink of soda. He glanced over at Billy. "Can't believe you didn't sign up, you'd be the first chosen."

"My mom... she didn't like the idea of me being across the ocean that long... a bit overprotective," Billy stated with a shrug and bemused smile. Zack nodded.

"I get it," Zack said. "Mine were both cool with it."

"Same," Trini replied. Zack smiled at her and then turned to Jason.

"What about you, you didn't forget to bring yours did you?" Zack asked.

"No... I brought them," Jason answered. He pushed his tray forward and leaned his elbows on the table. "I just... am not sure I'm going to go."

"Really?" Zack reacted with surprise. "You basically talked me into going and now you are backing out?"

"Yeah... I mean... I may not back out," Jason clarified. "I told Mr. Kaplan I'd let him know by the end of the day."

"Is everything alright?" Zack asked.

"Yeah... I just... I'm not sure it's something I want to do right now is all," Jason answered, glancing around the group. Zack shrugged.

"I understand... it's a big decision," Zack replied before taking another bite of food.

"Yeah," Jason responded. His eyes moved past his friend and out the large windows peering out of the lunchroom on to the grounds next to the school. It was then his eyes fell on two figures walking hand in hand across the length of the grass approaching the direction of the cafeteria. He watched as the stopped for a moment and Tommy pulled Kim into a quick kiss before resuming their approach.

Trini watched Jason and followed his eyes to see what he was looking at. It was then she too saw Kim and Tommy approaching. Realizations started to sink in when she saw the look on Jason's face. She placed a hand on his arm, startling him. He turned to her and offered her a smile before standing up and excusing himself. He took his tray and dumped it before disappearing out of the lunchroom on the opposite side that Kim and Tommy were now approaching.

"Hey... I..." Trini stood up. "I'll catch up with you guys later."

"Okay," Billy and Zack responded in unison before trading looks with each other as Trini followed the same way Jason had left.

"Jase... wait up!" Trini called out Jason as she entered the hallway and saw him about to round the corner. He stopped and waited for her to catch up.

"What's up?" Jason asked as she reached him.

"You tell me," Trini replied crossing her arms.

"What do you mean?" Jason feigned ignorance.

"You can talk to me..." Trini replied offering him that look she always gave him when he needed to vent. Since they had met, they had always had a relationship where they could just spend hours training and venting to each other. She considered him closer than a brother in a lot of ways and could tell he was troubled.

"It's..." Jason began. He took a deep breath.

"It's Kim isn't it?" Trini questioned. Jason looked down at her and then back towards the cafeteria.

"Not... it's more than her... but," Jason hesitated.

"But she's a big reason why you don't want to leave," Trini surmised. Jason looked at her and knew it would be fruitless to not follow the conversation to the logical conclusion.

"I don't really know how to say this... this is going to sound weird saying out loud," Jason said. "Would it shock you if I told you I may have some feelings for Kim?"

"Not really," Trini replied. Jason studied her, slightly shocked himself at her response.

"Really?" Jason inquired.

"I mean... sometimes the way you look at her," Trini shrugged.

"I don't... I don't look at her in any kind of way..." Jason began to defend himself. Trini let out a small laugh.

"Sure, Jase," Trini said. "You are pretty good at hiding it... I was never really sure, but sometimes I wondered."

"Honestly Trini... I am not even sure what I'm feeling," Jason began. "I've known her the longest out of all of you... we've been friends forever... it's really complicated."

"I can imagine," Trini responded.

"And I mean... clearly even if I were having feelings for her... there is no way that could ever happen... I couldn't," Jason replied with a nod towards the cafeteria. Trini followed his reasoning.

"Yeah..." Trini considered his predicament.

"But the thought of leaving... with these feelings or whatever is happening unresolved... I don't know," Jason said. His tone lowered. "It was hard enough considering stepping down as a Ranger... but add that to it and I guess that's why I froze when Kaplan asked me if I was sure."

Trini placed a hand on his arm and offered him a sympathetic smile.

"Have you ever talked to her about how you feel?" Trini questioned. Jason shook his head.

"I can't," Jason replied. "For a myriad of reasons."

Trini nodded in understanding. She started to speak just as the bell overhead rang and people began filing out of the cafeteria.

"I'll see you after class," Jason said as he backed way from Trini before falling in line with the group of students shuffling past them.

"See ya," Trini responded just as Kim walked up next to her.

"Where is he off to in such a hurry?" Kim asked as she watched Jason go down the hall.

"To class I guess," Trini replied as the two began to make their way across the hall, dodging students scurrying every which way. Trini opened her locker and stuck her head inside to find the right books she needed for the next class.

"Is he okay?" Kim asked. Trini backed her way out of the locker and turned to Kim.

"I think maybe you should catch him before school is out today and talk to him," Trini suggested before she closed her locker.

"Okay," Kim replied as she looked at Trini and then back down the hall in the direction Jason had disappeared to.

(***)

Jason sat down at an empty table in the library and opened the chemistry book in front of him. He walked into study period intent on doing just that. However, now as he looked at the words on the book in front of him it was all looking like gibberish. His mind was too full to take on any new information. He closed the book slightly louder than he intended and glanced around to make sure he hadn't garnered too much attention.

"Get it together, Scott," Jason spoke under his breath to himself. He jumped at the touch of a hand on his shoulder. He quickly spun around to see Kimberly standing next to him. He froze.

"Is this seat taken?" Kim asked as she pointed to the chair next to him. Jason didn't respond for a moment as he gathered his thoughts.

"No... of course not," Jason responded offering her a smile.

"Chemistry getting to you?" Kim questioned as she sat down and nodded at the chemistry book in front of him. The same book she had witnessed him slamming as she approached him.

"Oh..." Jason replied with a small embarrassed chuckle. "Yeah... I guess it was."

Kim faced him in her chair and put her elbow on the table. She rested her head in her hand and watched him. He fidgeted with the cover of the book in front of him. Clearly, he could tell she was looking at him and he was purposely avoiding looking at her. She knew something was wrong.

"Jase," Kim spoke softly in an attempt to get him to look at her. It worked and he turned. He locked eyes with her and she could tell he was trying his best to put on a poker face. She shook her head slightly. "Spill it."

"You talked to Trini I take it?" Jason questioned in response.

"Maybe," Kim replied. Jason nodded.

"I'm fine..." Jason started. She shook her head again. "I was just having some second thoughts about the peace conference."

"Why?" Kim inquired. Jason turned to look at a bookshelf across from them. He furrowed his brow as he considered his response.

"The team... doesn't feel right leaving you guys," Jason said, turning back to her. She nodded as she studied his eyes to see if there was any truth hidden behind them. He couldn't hold her gaze and glanced back down at the book in front of him.

"What else?" Kim asked. He smiled slightly at her persistence.

"Who said there was anything else?" Jason responded, glancing at her. She raised her eyebrows incredulously. "That's really it, Kim... I just don't know if I should give up being a Ranger..."

"Okay..." Kim responded.

"I mean... I know if I leave, the team will be fine... Tommy is back now and everything will be fine," Jason said as he nodded his head.

"Then what's bothering you?" Kim questioned.

"I guess..." Jason began, he stopped when he saw someone approaching them from across the room. "Nothing really... I'm just being silly."

"Jase," Kim replied, not buying his words. He turned to her and smiled.

"Thanks... I promise, I'm okay," Jason replied. He then turned just in time to greet the approaching figure. "Hey, Tommy."

Hearing Jason speak his name first alerted her to her boyfriend's presence and she turned just in time to see Tommy sit across from them. He offered a big smile before opening a folder in front of him and retrieving a pen he had placed behind his ear.

"Hey Jase, hey beautiful," He greeted them both respectively before he began to write some notes on the paper in front of him.

"Hey," Kim responded in kind before turning to see Jason had buried himself back in his chemistry book. She started to get his attention but Tommy spoke again.

"Hey... turns out I am free after school if you still wanted to catch that movie," Tommy announced to Kimberly with a smile. She returned it.

"Okay," Kim responded.

"It's a date," Tommy said before turning to Jason. "We still on to head up to the tournament tomorrow?"

"Yep," Jason replied, glancing up at him.

"I'm still a little rusty, but I think you can carry us to a win," Tommy said with a grin. Jason returned it, amused by his friend's self-depreciation.

"Maybe," Jason replied. Tommy returned back to his notes and Jason turned to see Kim was once again looking at him. Tommy spoke to her once again getting her attention and Jason kind of tuned out what was being said as he watched their interaction. After a few moments, he felt a bittersweet smile come across his lips and he stood up to excuse himself.

(***)

"Mr. Kaplan?" Jason said as he stuck his head just inside the door to the principal's office.

"Come in, Mr. Scott," Kaplan replied as he looked up at him from his desk. "Sit... sit."

"That's okay... I just popped in to let you know my decision," Jason stated.

"Okay.... so what did you decide?" Mr. Kaplan asked. Jason took a deep breath and gripped the strap on his backpack a little tighter.

"I'm in," Jason said with a nod.

"Alright," Mr. Kaplan responded as he moved Jason's folder from his desk over to a stack of them on a filing cabinet behind him. "I think you'll be a great asset to that team."

"Thanks, sir," Jason replied before he turned to walk out into the hallway. He glanced around as students were filing out all around him to make their way to the exit. He saw the other five of his friends leaving going through the door out into the brightness of the sunny afternoon.

Kim stopped in the entrance and turned back. She looked around for any sight of red. She thought she saw a glimpse of it near the door to the principal's office but a student moved into her line of a vision and when he got out of the way whatever she saw was gone. She then turned and joined the rest of the group who were now waiting on her at the edge of the parking lot.

"Did you see Jase, is he coming?" Tommy asked as she reached them.

"I thought I did... but I guess not," Kim responded.

"Oh... he's probably still talking to Kaplan," Zack stated.

"Should we wait?" Billy asked.

"Yeah... it shouldn't take too long," Trini replied.

The group gathered around Jason's truck and began to make small talk about their Friday night plans, about Jason, and the peace conference. Finally, a new voice added theirs to the group and they turned to see Jason behind them.

"Hey... you guys didn't have to wait," Jason said.

"Well... we were curious," Zack replied. "Are we potentially gonna be roomies abroad?"

"Well.... that all depends on if they choose you to go," Jason replied with a grin. Zack returned it.

"Oh... they'll have to take the Zackman," Zack replied as he clasped hands with Jason.

"They'd be stupid not to," Jason replied. He glanced around the group and everyone had a smile for him.

"So these two... have some courting to do tonight..." Zack said with a nod and grin in the direction of Tommy and Kimberly. "But the rest of us were gonna catch the game at the park tonight if you wanna join us."

"It'll be fun," Trini said. Billy nodded. Jason glanced at Kim and then back to them.

"Sure..." Jason replied before everyone began filing out to their respective rides home. Tommy and Kim began to walk towards his car but she stopped them and turned to him.

"Give me a moment?" Kim asked of him as she nodded back to Jason.

"No problem," Tommy said as he continued on across the parking lot to his car. Kim caught Jason just as he opened the door to his truck.

"Don't kill me for asking again... but are you okay?" Kim spoke. Jason turned back to see her standing behind him. He nodded.

"I'm fine, Kim," Jason replied. "Honestly... I was just in my head too much... we had all decided what we were going to do the first time we heard about the peace conference... nothing has changed."

"It hasn't?" Kim asked. Jason made eye contact with her. He considered the question.

"No... nothing has changed," Jason responded his tone a bit softer now.

"Okay..." Kim replied. Silence hung in the air between them for a few seconds. Jason hopped up into the cab of his truck and shut the door. He stuck the key in the ignition and turned to look back at Kim.

"You coming to the tournament tomorrow... Tommy said he thought you were," Jason asked.

"I'll be there," Kim answered. She placed a hand on the door. He nodded.

"I'll see you tomorrow then," Jason said as he offered her a smile. He then started the truck and let it idle for a moment. Kim felt like he was going to say more but instead, he put it in gear and pulled away.

Chapter Text

"Thanks... great match guys," Jason called behind him as he stepped out of the door from the locker room into a hallway. He smiled as he considered the victory he and Tommy had picked up today in their tournament. He glanced down the hallway, slightly unfamiliar with the layout of the school the tournament was being held in.

Jason surmised where the nearest exit would be and glanced around to see if Tommy was anywhere to be seen. He had gotten out of the shower sooner than Jason and said he'd wait for him outside.

Jason walked down the hallway glancing around at the various pictures and paintings on the walls. He took a sharp right turn and ran into someone. He stopped and steadied them as he felt their weight shift away from him.

"I'm sorry..." Jason apologized quickly as he determined who it was he had run into. "Peyton?"

"It's okay, Jason," Peyton replied as she regained her composure from being nearly run over. She noticed Jason was still holding her. She smiled and he let go.

"Hey... uh...what are you doing here?" Jason asked, not meaning it to be as abrupt of a question as it sounded. "I mean... you know... at the tournament."

"Oh..." Peyton hesitated. "Mike."

"Mike?" Jason questioned. His brain considered the name before it did the math and realized one of his opponents in the finals had the same name. "From the finals?"

"Yep," Peyton replied. "Is he still in the showers?"

"Um... yeah," Jason replied. "Are you and he...?"

"Yeah," Peyton replied, her eyes darting back and forth waiting for his reaction.

"I didn't know," Jason said with a nod. "That's great.... how long?"

"A couple of months," Peyton responded. "I was here to support him."

"Cool," Jason said, suddenly feeling very awkward and unsure of how to react. "He seems like a nice guy."

"Very," Peyton agreed. She shifted her feet a little and then spoke again. "I guess I got tired of waiting for you to call."

"Peyton, I'm sorry... I..." Jason began but she stopped him by shaking her head.

"I'm just messing with you," Peyton stated. She offered him a smile. "I get it... you have eyes for someone else."

"No... what..." Jason paused.

"Come on now," Peyton said. "It's pretty obvious."

"What is?" Jason played dumb.

"All of us girls who were interested knew it," Peyton said. Jason started to say what again but she continued. "That you have eyes for Kimberly."

"She's a good friend," Jason countered.

"Yes... but that doesn't mean you don't want more," Peyton said, raising her eyebrows at him. Jason shook his head dismissively but didn't say anything. "It's okay, Jason... like I said I get it."

There was a moment of silence between them as Jason looked for a way to change the subject. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and shrugged his shoulders.

"Well hey... I'm happy for you and Mike," Jason said, offering Peyton a genuine smile. She returned it. Just then Mike rounded the corner.

"Hey, babe... hey, Scott," He greeted both of them as he made his way over for a hug from his girlfriend.

"Hey, Mike," Jason returned the greeting.

"What are you guys plotting?" Mike said with a good-natured tease.

"I didn't know she was the girl you were telling us about earlier," Jason said. Mike's eyes got wide and Peyton turned to him.

"Oh really?" Peyton questioned, intrigued what about her had been discussed in the locker room.

"Gee thanks, Scott," Mike said seeing the look he was getting.

"It was all good," Jason blurted out. Peyton looked at him and he nodded. She squinted her eyes and looked back at Mike.

"Okay..." Peyton said with a smile. All three laughed.

"Well hey... I'll catch you guys around?" Jason said as he started walking back towards the exit to leave the couple. They nodded and Jason turned and made his exit.

Jason took a big breath and widened his eyes as he got out into the fresh air. Glad to be out of that awkward scenario. When he had seen Peyton, for a moment he considered she might have come to the tournament to see him. It was a silly thought since they hardly spoke and he never gave her any reason to continue to pursue him.

For the briefest of moments though, Jason was very flattered at the thought and started to feel a little differently toward her. None of which mattered now obviously. Jason shrugged and put it all behind him as he made his way down some steps into the parking lot. It was here he found himself nearly running over yet another girl. This one was a little more familiar.

"Watch were you are going," Kim said playfully as he patted Jason's chest and backed away from where they had made the slightest of contact.

"Kim..." Jason said, a little taken back from running into her. He thought she'd be long gone with Tommy by now. "Sorry."

"No harm was done..." Kim replied with a smile, she was suddenly very aware they were still nearly touching and she stepped back a little.

"I thought you would be gone by now..." Jason said with a gesture out to where Tommy's car was. It was then he saw him approaching.

"She insisted we wait," Tommy said with a smile as he walked up to stand next to Kim. "Thought I was gonna have to come in there and make sure Zedd didn't send a monster to attack you in the showers."

"Ha... no... nothing like that," Jason said with a chuckle. "Ran into a friend."

"Oh..." Tommy responded. "Well hey... Kim and I were gonna go grab a bite in town since we are never up this way, maybe hit up their mall and see a movie... you wanna join us?"

"Uh..." Jason considered the offer he stole a glance down at Kim just as Tommy moved to hold her hand. Jason looked back at Tommy and smiled. "Nah... you guys go have fun."

"You sure?" Kim asked. Jason turned to her and nodded.

"Yeah," Jason replied. "Long drive home."

"Okay... well... I'll probably catch you around tomorrow," Tommy said.

"Yep," Jason agreed and he stepped off the sidewalk and into the parking lot to make his way to his truck.

(***)

Jason ducked the punch swung at his head. He quickly countered with an uppercut that clanged against the chin of the Putty in front of him. It flew backward and crashed into three more.

Jason then hit a sidekick on a Putty approaching from his left and then swept the leg from the one on the right. He then hit both with fists to the chest as both lied at his feet. They exploded just as a Putty grabbed him from behind, it was quickly overpowered and flipped overhead into the earlier pile that was attempting to stand.

Jason retrieved a bo staff of a nearby table and moved in hitting each Putty in the Z on their chest before any of them even saw what was coming. Jason stepped back with a twirl of the bo and then looked around for any more. He saw he was now alone and went to place the bo back on the table next to him.

"Wow..." Kim's voice from behind him startled him. He turned to see her enter the room and press a button on the wall at the doorway. The room turned from a simulation of Angel Grove park into its normal state. It was the new training center Billy and Alpha had designed in the Command Center. It was able to use holograms to simulate real-life battle scenarios.

"Hey..." Jason greeted her. He furrowed his brow, unsure what she was doing there considering the hour of the night it was. "It's late."

"And yet here you are," Kim said with a grin. Jason shrugged.

"I just needed to blow off some steam I guess... the tournament today got my juices flowing," Jason surmised. He walked over to the same table the bo staff was lying on to retrieve a towel to wipe the sweat from his face. He placed the towel around his neck to help him cool down.

"How long have you been in here... you've worked up quite the sweat," Kim observed as she walked over and hopped up on the table to sit facing him. He stepped back and hit her with a sheepish smile.

"Not long..." Jason replied.

"Uh-huh," Kim didn't believe him. "At least two hours?"

"Give or take," Jason agreed. Kim shook her head.

"You are a machine, Jase," Kim stated turning to look at the various weapons he had laid out on the table next to her.

"You... uh... been back from your date long?" Jason questioned, folding his arms.

"Not long," Kim answered. "We just got back into town."

"So... what brings you here?" Jason asked. Kim shrugged. "I went over to your place to see you and you were there and I had a thought..."

"I could have been anywhere," Jason said.

"But here you are," Kim said, crinkling her nose at him. He smiled and nodded.

"Was there something you needed to talk to me about?" Jason inquired. Kim glanced up from the bo staff she had been focused on.

"Just kind of felt bad about earlier," Kim confessed. Jason was confused.

"Bad?" Jason questioned.

"It seemed like something was on your mind and then we just kind of went our separate ways..." Kim said. "Stuck with me."

"Shouldn't have..." Jason said with a shrug. He walked over and hopped up on the table next to her. "I'm good."

"Really?" Kim asked, turning to look up at him. He turned.

"Yeah... I mean... I had a little bit of an awkward encounter at the school but..." Jason stopped.

"Do tell?" Kim urged him on.

"Did you know that Peyton and Mike are dating?" Jason asked. Kim wasn't prepared for the topic and straightened up a little, feeling odd and suddenly uncomfortable.

"Um... yeah... I did," Kim replied.

"Well I didn't," Jason responded. He looked forward focusing on a spot in the middle of the large room in front of them. "I ran into her and she told me."

"You ran into her?" Kim asked.

"Yeah... we started chatting and that came up and I just didn't know... guess it was awkward for some reason," Jason said.

"Oh... awkward?" Kim inquired. Jason turned back to her.

"Yeah..." Jason answered. "I mean... you know how she'd always seemed to be interested in me..."

"Yeah..." Kim agreed. "A girl can't wait forever though."

Jason didn't respond and they made eye contact. Kim got lost in his eyes at the moment and couldn't look away if she tried. Her body was full of electricity and she was suddenly very confused. Jason showed her mercy and broke the contact first as he glanced down at his hands and shrugged.

"No... I guess not," Jason said, he had a half-smile. Kim was suddenly overwhelmed with the urge to make it a full one. She mentally shook herself and glanced down at her own hands. She cleared her throat.

"There are plenty of girls that are interested though," Kim said, her voice lower than she had meant to make it. He turned to her and she offered him a smile. "I mean... I must know at least half a dozen off the top of my head."

"Yeah..." Jason said before shrugging. "Well... probably doesn't matter anyway."

"Wh.. why do you say that?" Kim asked.

"No real use in starting anything when I may end up halfway across the world in a couple of months," Jason clarified. Kim felt her heart drop as she was suddenly hit once again with the very real possibility of that being his future. She glanced up at the room and now suddenly found herself needing to blow off some steam.

"Well... hey... that's months away and we don't know why can happen right?" Kim postulated as she hopped off the table. She gestured around the room. "You up for a little team-up or are you spent?"

Jason smiled as he hopped off the table and tossed the towel on it. He walked past Kim and over to the button on the wall. He turned to her.

"I've still got some left," Jason said with a wink. She smiled and shook her head.

"A machine, Jase... a machine," Kim said as he pushed the button and the room around them began to change. She waited for him to join her side before both of them moved into their defensive postures and waited for the oncoming attack.

Chapter Text

"Okay, spill," Trini said as she watched Kimberly peel off what was left of her Halloween costume. The petite brunette turned to her before walking over and checking her frazzled hair in the mirror and began to brush it. She shrugged her shoulders.

"Nothing," Kim replied as she turned to Trini who was wearing normal attire, having long since changed out of her costume from the Halloween party they had all attended at the Youth Center earlier.

"Really?" Trini responded incredulously, which prompted a side glance from Kim. "You were not yourself at all tonight."

"How so?" Kim inquired. Trini walked over to stand next to her.

"For starters the way you were looking at him," Trini said bluntly. Kim's eyebrows raised a little.

"Tommy?" Kim reacted.

"Jason," Trini clarified. Kim turned to her fully and opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out.

"I.... what are you talking about?" Kim asked as she moved over to her closet door and disappeared out of Trini's view so she could change her undershirt.

"You barely talked to him all night and when he left with Brittany..." Trini paused for effect and it worked when Kim's head poked around the closet door. Trini raised her eyebrows and shrugged. "Wanna talk about it?"

Kim closed the closet door and walked over to open her bedroom window. She saw that there were still some kids going throughout the streets from house to house getting their candy. She smiled and then sighed.

"I don't know," Kim finally voiced as she turned back to Trini, sitting down on her window sill. Trini walked over and sat on the edge of Kim's bed.

"About?" Trini asked.

"Jason," Kim answered.

"Why all the tension with you guys tonight?" Trini continued.

"I..." Kim hesitated. She folded her arms, a gesture that immediately made her think of the subject in question. "I think... I'm going crazy."

"Okay?" Trini was perplexed. Kim uncrossed her arms and ran her hands down the length of her thighs before settling them on the sill on either side of her. She let out a big breath.

"I think I've messed around and developed a crush on him," Kim said, her voice barely above a whisper. She avoided eye contact with Trini for a few seconds after speaking.

"A crush?" Trini finally said as she digested the information.

"It's no big deal..." Kim responded with a shake of her head. "It's just you know... it makes things weird."

"I can see that," Trini said.

"I mean... it's obvious he is a great looking guy," Kim said with a shrug of her shoulders, making full eye contact with Trini now. Trini nodded. "That's it."

"Is it?" Trini inquired. Kim furrowed her brow and started to answer but stopped. She turned to look back out the window to think of how to respond.

(***)

Jason parked his truck in an open spot between two cars and shut it off. He turned to his passenger and smiled.

"You want some popcorn or something to drink?" Jason asked, gesturing to the snack bar located in the middle of the field between them.

"Not right now," Brittany replied, smiling back at Jason. "Maybe we could just talk until the movie starts."

"Sure," Jason replied as he leaned back in his seat. He looked at all the cars and up at the big screen in front of them that was yet to be lit up with the feature of the evening. "Looks like it's going to be packed this year."

"Yep," Brittany agreed as she slid over in the seat a little closer to Jason. He smiled as he noticed and turned to her.

"Thanks for coming with me," Jason said.

"Thanks for asking," Brittany replied. Jason nodded. "I thought you'd never ask."

"Well... I'm sorry I didn't get around to it sooner, I just stay busy I guess," Jason replied.

Brittany scooted a little closer and Jason matched her initiative by putting his arm up and around her. She smiled as she leaned into him just as the big screen began to show the first reels of the movie.

(***)

"I'm happy with Tommy..." Kim said in response to Trini.

"I know," Trini replied.

"It's just a crush," Kim affirmed from her place in the window. "We've grown up and he's turning into a very attractive guy, no big deal, so are Zack and Billy."

"Right," Trini agreed. Kim eyed her as she could she didn't finish her thought.

"What?" Kim pried.

"Do you have a crush on Zack or Billy?" Trini questioned. Kim got it. She shrugged.

"Well no," Kim answered. "But Trini... I... I got to let this go."

"Okay," Trini replied as she got up and walked over to sit next to her.

"Any advice on how to?" Kim asked.

"Honestly?" Trini responded. "Not really."

"Gee thanks," Kim said, offering her a half-smile. Trini returned with one of her own.

"It's quite a pickle," Trini said. Kim nodded in agreement.

"But hey... you are happy with Tommy, and this thing with Jason... if it's just a crush then it will pass," Trini stated reassuringly.

"Right," Kim agreed. Silence fell over them, with nothing but the sound of the trick or treaters in the streets below.

(***)

Jason felt his heart rate increase as Brittany turned to look up at him. Her face was lit from the glow of the large screen in front of him and he found her to be stunningly beautiful. Something, however, was bothering him. He couldn't shake it. It must have shown on his face.

"You okay?" Brittany asked as she sat up straighter.

"Yeah... I'm good," Jason replied with a smile. "I could go for something to drink though, you want something?"

"Sure... I'll take a Coke," Brittany replied. Jason nodded and opened the door to his truck, careful to not hit the pole holding the speaker for the film. He glanced back at Brittany who has refocused on the film, he paused for a second before shutting the door and making his way back to the concessions building.

"Get it together, Scott," Jason voiced under himself as he tried to refocus on the moment. He walked into the snack bar and glanced up at the menu board.

"Soo... how's it going, Casanova?" Zack's voice from behind him startled Jason. He turned to his friend and smiled.

"It's going," Jason replied. "How about you?"

"You know the Zackman isn't about to strike out," Zack replied as he stole a glance back at his car and date for the evening.

"Of course not," Jason said with a chuckle.

"But seriously... I know you've been out of the game," Zack began.

"By choice," Jason chimed in.

"Yeah... by choice... you've benched yourself lately," Zack said. He grinned. "You remember all the plays?"

"Yep," Jason replied before moving up to the counter to order his drinks.

(***)

"I just want the awkwardness to go away," Kim stated as she turned her car down the lane leading to the Drive-in ticket booth.

"I understand," Trini said. She waited for Kim to interact with the guy selling the tickets. After they had concluded she continued. "So Tommy isn't coming?"

"No..." Kim said. "He said he wasn't feeling well... I told him he snuck too much candy at the party."

"Probably," Trini replied with a laugh. "Well... maybe I'll do as a substitute then."

"Of course," Kim replied with a head shake and a smile at her friend. She found an open spot and parked her car.

"I don't think we've missed much," Trini said as she glanced up at the film.

"Nope... the Zombies haven't even appeared yet," Kim said as she shut the car off. The two girls got settled in. After a few moments. "You want popcorn?"

"Sure," Trini replied.

"Me too," Kim said as she grabbed some money out of her purse and opened the car door. "My treat."

"Thanks," Trini said as she watched Kim close the door and make her way back to the snack bar.

(***)

Jason rounded the corner with two drinks in his hands and if not for his reflexes they would have been spilled all over him and the person he nearly collided with.

"I'm sor..." Jason began but stopped. "Kim?"

"Hey," Kim replied. "You got to quit trying to run me over, Jase."

"Yeah... that does seem to be happening a lot," Jason replied with a smile as he got over the shock of nearly running over his friend again. "I should have guessed you'd be here though.... we never miss them."

"No... we never do," Kim replied. Memories of the many years of making the Halloween movie marathon with Jason an annual event.

"Is... uh... you with Tommy?" Jason asked.

"No... no... Trini," Kim answered.

"Let me guess... he isn't feeling well?" Jason asked.

"How'd you know?" Kim asked in return as the two stepped out of the way of a group approaching the door to the snack bar.

"I told him he was overdoing it on the candy bars," Jason replied with a slight chuckle.

"Yeah..." Kim smiled. She noticed the two drinks in Jason's hands and felt awkward all of a sudden. Jason followed her eyes and then shifted his feet a little. He cleared his throat as the awkwardness hit him. "I'd better get in there, Trini is waiting for her popcorn."

"Oh... okay... yeah I guess I'd better get back..." Jason said with a nod to his truck. They exchanged smiles before parting ways. Jason found himself turning back as he walked back to his truck. He saw a glimpse of Kim at the counter and let out a sigh. He mentally shook himself before reaching his truck.

"I thought you got lost," Brittany said with a small laugh as Jason hopped back into the seat next to her and handed her her drink.

"Sorry... I ran into some friends," Jason responded with a sheepish grin. She smiled and then took a drink. Jason's eyes, however, were focused on his side mirror as he saw Kim exiting the building and making her way to her car. She glanced over at his truck and Jason felt like she was looking right at him.

(***)

Kim parked her car and shut the engine off. She felt like crying. She and Trini had left the drive-in early. She told Trini she was tired, which while not completely untrue, it was more of her not being about to concentrate on anything other than her current situation.

Kim opened the door and stepped outside. The cool night air felt nice and Kim glanced down her street. The late hour meant all of the trick or treating had long since ceased and all was quiet. If not for a vehicle approaching down the street she'd be the only thing stirring.

Kim turned to make her way towards her front porch when she fumbled with her purse and dropped it. She let out a small curse as she knelt down to retrieve contents that had fallen all over her walkway and yard. She heard the vehicle that had been approaching pull into her driveway. She turned to it.

"Need some help?" Jason through the open window of his truck as he parked it behind Kimberly's car. He could tell by the look on her face she was surprised to see him. He hopped out of his truck and approached her before kneeling down and helping her pick up her things

They were silent as both went about retrieving things from the ground, stealing glances here and there. Finally, everything seemed to be returned back to Kim's purse and the two stood up.

"Jase?" Kim finally spoke.

"Yeah?" Jason replied.

"What are you doing?" Kim asked.

"What... what do you mean?" Jason countered.

"You were on a date," Kim said. Jason nodded as he stuck his hands into his pockets.

"Yeah... but it's over now," Jason replied.

"Already?" Kim asked. Jason made eye contact with her.

"I was tired... and so we bailed early," Jason stated. Kim studied him. "But after I dropped her off I realized the night was still early and I saw that you had left early too and so..."

Jason turned and walked back over to his truck and reached into the cab. He turned back to Kim with a couple of VHS tapes in his hands. He smiled.

"It didn't feel right not watching a scary movie with you on Halloween... it's tradition," Jason said with a shrug. Kim watched him intently for a moment, before feeling a smile creeping up on her lips. She shook her head and walked over to him.

"Whatcha got?" Kim asked as she looked at his movie selection. "'Return of the Living Dead' and 'Fright Night'.... two good choices."

"Yeah I think so," Jason agreed. "So you game?"

Kim considered him for a moment, looking up at her oldest friend. Earlier she couldn't think of him without everything becoming confusing. Right now though, he was just Jason. The same Jason she had spent Halloween watching scary movies with since they were way too young to even be watching them.

For all she knew this might be the last chance they got to do it together with the Peace Conference looming. Maybe it wasn't ideal, given her confusion, but for now, she didn't care. She was going to spend her evening honoring a tradition with her friend.

"I'm game..." Kim replied with a smile and motion for Jason to follow her into the house.

Chapter Text

Kimberly watched him from over the top of the campfire that burned in between them. He seemed to be lost in the flicker of the flames with his mind a million miles away. She knew why. It was the same reason she couldn't take her eyes off of him. He looked up and made eye contact with her and smiled.

"Whatcha thinking about?" Kim asked as she shifted slightly on the log she was sitting on to get more comfortable.

"That this is the last weekend we all will get to spend together for a long time. Jason said as he glanced over at the nearby tents. The rest of the group had retired not long ago with only he and Kimberly left up at such a late hour.

"Sucks," Kim remarked which got Jason's attention back to her. Kim gestured around the campsite. "This was fun tonight though."

"Yeah it was, like old times," Jason responded with a fondness in his voice. It had been his suggestion the gang comes camping up in the mountains as one last hurrah before he, Zack and Trini left the next week to head to the Peace Conference. The evening had been spent with laughter, reminiscing, stories and smiles. It was just as he had hoped.

"Hey," Kim's voice was soft. Jason made eye contact with her. He saw a sadness in her gaze and he frowned.

"Don't do that," Jason said.

"I can't help it," Kim said as she reached up to quickly wipe a tear away before it fell. "Tonight was perfect... but..."

Jason got up and moved around the fire to sit next to her. He put his arm around her. She looked up at him.

"I really don't want you guys to go... sorry... I know that's selfish," Kim stated.

"I know..." Jason replied. "I hate to leave too... but it's too late to back out now."

"Are you sure?" Kim asked. Jason offered her a smile and a nod.

"It's gonna be okay," Jason said.

"Liar," Kim remarked, squinting her eyes at him. He chuckled.

"It will... the time will fly by and we'll all be back together soon," Jason affirmed. Kim shook her head.

"I don't know Jase," Kim replied.

"Do you trust me? "Jason asked. Kim gave him the most incredulous look.

"You know I do," Kim responded.

"Then trust me when I say everything will be okay," Jason said. "You guys here will be fine... the Rangers will be better than ever... we will do some real good over there at the conference and then before you know it we will be back."

"You make it sound like you aren't even gonna miss us," Kim said. Jason squeezed her tighter at those words before letting her go and resting his arms at his side.

"Don't be silly," Jason said. "We are all gonna miss each other."

There was a silence between them as both got lost in the dancing flames in front of them. It would be quiet if not for the crackling of the fire and the occasional snore from the guy's tent.

Jason stood up and stretched. He glanced up at the moon.

"It's gotta be getting really late," Jason said. He turned towards his tent before looking back down at Kim. "We should probably get some sleep."

"Jase?" Kim responded.

"Yeah?" Jason said.

"Will you stay up with more a little while longer?" Kim asked. Jason considered her for a moment before he nodded and sat back down next to her. "Sorry."

"It's fine... I understand," Jason said. "Too bad the rest of the gang gave in."

Kim laughed a little and pulled her arms close to her. Jason saw this and grabbed another fresh piece of wood threw it on the fire. Kim watched him and smiled.

"I bet you are already packed right?" Kim asked.

"Mostly," Jason replied without looking up from the fire.

"Trini is procrastinating, which is not like her, I'm supposed to go over tomorrow afternoon and help her pack," Kim stated. "I think she's a little nervous about it."

"Yeah, I think so..." Jason agreed.

"What about you?" Kim said as she stretched her feet out towards the fire and loosened her posture.

"I'm good," Jason answered.

"Do you ever get nervous?" Kim inquired. Jason grinned.

"Of course," Jason replied. Kim nodded.

"Don't tell him I told you but I think Tommy is nervous too," Kim stated. Jason turned to her and furrowed his brow.

"About what?" Jason asked.

"Taking over the team without you here," Kim clarified. Jason shook his head.

"He'll do great... he's already doing great," Jason said with a dismissive wave.

"But you are are," Kim explained.

"You and Billy will still be here, and you guys have been at this as long as me," Jason said.

"Not as team leader though," Kim countered.

"The leader thing... it's... we are all equal... no one means more than the rest," Jason dismissed the notion as he went about stoking the fire in front of them.

"You say that... but we all look up to you," Kim said. Jason started to rebut that but Kim shook her head and stopped him. "We do."

"That's funny..." Jason said, his voice barely audible above the crackle of the fire. His eyes met Kim's. "Cause I'd be pretty lost without you guys."

Something about the vulnerability in Jason's tone and words moved Kimberly. She leaned forward and placed a hand on his forearm.

"But you think we can all just go our separate ways and everything will be okay?" Kim questioned. Jason shrugged.

"I never said it would be easy... but we gotta do what we gotta do," Jason reacted. He stood up and walked over to the edge of the woods surrounding them. From his posture, Kim could tell something was bothering him. She got up and followed him, she approached him from behind and he turned to her.

"Did I say something?" Kim asked. Jason shook his head. He opened his mouth to speak but stopped. "Use your words, Jase."

"I'm sorry... maybe I am a little nervous... maybe deep down I think we are making a mistake... maybe... maybe I'm gonna miss you guys like crazy," Jason took a deep breath. "Maybe I'm gonna miss my oldest friend."

Kim stepped in and wrapped her arms tightly around him as he enveloped her smaller frame in a hug. The force in which he held her said more than he probably would be able to speak in words. He didn't want to let her go and she responded in kind with a vice grip around his waist. She buried her head in his chest and her heart fluttered.

It was this involuntary reaction that prompted her to loosen her grip and she stepped back. He put up no resistance as she broke the embrace. She looked up at him and his expression was unreadable. She wasn't sure she'd ever seen it on his face. She had to break eye contact and get her thoughts under control.

"I...." Kim stammered. Jason's hand moved down to hers and he gave it a gentle squeeze before he walked past her.

"I think it's time to call it a night," Jason said with his back to her. Something about the way he was feeling was scaring him and he wanted to refocus his thoughts. He had to give up on this idea that he had feelings for Kim. She was his best friend. His beautiful and wonderful best friend. That where things had to stand.

Kim turned to see Jason, despite his words had not made a move toward the tent. The way his profile was lit by the campfire just emphasized his handsomeness and she hated it. But she also loved it. That was a problem. She had a crush, that was all. She didn't want the emotion of the moment make it into anything it wasn't. Or couldn't be. She took a deep breath.

"Yeah... I guess I'll head to bed," Kim said as she walked past Jason. She stopped before reaching her tent and turned back to him. "Goodnight, Jase."

"Goodnight," Jason responded as he offered her a smile. She responded, both broke off eye contact quickly and ducked inside of their respective tents.

Chapter Text

18 Months Later...

Kim plopped down on her couch and sighed. Practice had worn her completely out today. She glanced around her small apartment and frowned. It was in dire need of tidying up but she had been neglecting it due to spending much of her day in training for the games. Her eyes went to the far wall, a picture frame next to the window.

Kim got up and dragged her tired body over to the picture to get a better look at it. She traced it lightly with her fingers, her eyes lingering on each face as floods of memories overwhelmed her. The original group.

Kim's eyes moved to look out the window out onto the parking lot and street below. Her mind was still on the picture though. It had been six months since she had seen any of them. Much longer since she had seen some of them. She opened the window to let some fresh air in and then turned and walked over to her fridge. She started to open it but then glanced at an unopened letter on a nearby table.

Kim walked over and retrieved the letter. It was from Tommy and it had come yesterday. She was in such a rush when she got it and had been so busy she had forgotten to open it. She slid the letter open and walked back over to the window. The setting sunlight lit the page as she read his words. She smiled somewhat bittersweetly as he went about updating her on him and her friends.

She finally reached the end of the letter and then folded it back up. She glanced over at a nearby desk and walked over to it. She opened a drawer and pulled out a notebook. She opened it to a blank page and then glanced around to see pen lying nearby. She put it to paper but found her mind go blank as to what to write.

Kim leaned back in her chair and tapped the pen against the paper. She unfolded Tommy's letter once more to refresh her on things she should respond to. As she skimmed it, she felt her heart sinking a little. Something wasn't right.

Writing to Tommy used to be one of her favorite things to do. Sometimes she'd find herself impatiently waiting for his return letter and would send him a second one before he even had a chance to. Now though, here she was stumped as to what to say and having to skim his letter for content to reply to.

Kim dropped the pen and leaned forward with her head in her hands. She tried to understand how she was feeling but wasn't sure what it was. All she knew was that at the moment she had no desire to write to Tommy because it felt like she had nothing to say. She knew the long-distance thing would be rough, but for the first few months, it had proven to be easy. Now... six months later, something was different.

Kim's eyes moved to a stack of letters on the corner of the desk and her attention was caught by a particular one sticking out with red writing on it. She smiled. It was the only letter he had sent her since she moved to Florida. She reached over and pulled the letter out and began to reread it. She found herself smiling and even laughing quietly to herself as she did.

Suddenly she felt sad again though as she reached the end and saw the date he had penciled in at the bottom. Two months and she had not gotten another. She had written him two in response and had heard nothing. Trini had written her recently and had updated her on all three of them. Still, she really wished she could read something else from him.

"Gosh, Kimberly," Kimberly whispered as she leaned back and blew some stray hairs out of her face. She glanced back at Tommy's letter. She decided to focus on it and picked her pen back up again. She moved Jason's letter to the side and began to write.

A knock on her door interrupted her after only a couple of sentences in. She glanced at the clock and then back at the door. She wasn't expecting any company. She got up and made her way over to the door just as another soft knock came from the other side.

Kim was not prepared for what she saw when she opened the door. He was smiling from ear to ear and a wave of emotion overtook her. She gave him a quick once over before locking eyes with him. Her hand went up to cover her mouth and her excited scream.

"Hey... I probably should have called but..." Jason barely got the words out before he found himself being wrapped in a fierce bearhug. He laughed as he returned Kim's embrace.

"Jase!" Kim said as she pulled her head up briefly before returning it back into the hug.

"Hey," Jason replied as he lifted her off the ground and gave her a twirl. She was all smiles as he put her down. Her eyes shifting all around his face to take him in.

"Oh my gosh... it has been too long," Kim said, her voice back to its regular octave. She quickly grabbed his hand and pulled him inside her apartment before their interaction caused a scene. "What are you doing here?"

"Well... I was going home and I decided to visit the opposite coast first," Jason said with a shrug as he set his bags down on the inside of the door.

"You are coming... I mean going home?" Kim said, suddenly reminded she herself was no longer home.

"Yeah, I decided to leave early and come back home," Jason responded as Kim continued to lead him into her small apartment. She maneuvered him to the middle of her small living room to get a better look at him.

This also allowed him to get a better look at her as well. She was dressed the most casually he had seen her in a long time. Her hair was up in a very loose ponytail and she had sweats on with a cutoff sweatshirt. Her bare midriff was exposed and he got a good glimpse of the kind of shape she was in when he saw her abdomen.

"Wow," Jason commented, his eyes on her six-pack. She saw where he was looking and felt herself blush slightly. "Someone is clearly training hard."

"You could say that," Kim said before reaching over and poking his bicep. "Looks like I'm not the only one training for something."

"Ha... Nah..." Jason dismissed it with a grin. "I spent a lot of time working out over there I guess, to pass the time."

"You make it sound boring?" Kim asked as she gestured towards her couch. He took the hint and sat down, with her close behind.

"Well... I mean it wasn't all bad... but it wasn't for me," Jason replied with a shrug as he got comfy on her couch and glanced around her place. He turned his gaze to her as she simultaneously did to him. He noticed her attire again. "Almost weird to see you not in pink."

"I was going to comment on that with you and the red as well," Kim said as she motioned towards his white shirt.

"Guess things change," Jason reacted with a small smile.

"Soo... what really brings you to this side of the country?" Kim questioned as she shifted her position so one leg was up and under her. She leaned back on the couch and waited for his response.

"You," Jason answered. "I've missed you."

"Jase..." Kim couldn't put into words how touched she was to hear him say this. They locked eyes as he said it to and she felt powerless to break it.

"I've missed you too," Kim said, her voice barely above a whisper. He nodded.

"Good... because the trip might have been awkward otherwise," Jason joked with a big grin. Kim playfully rewarded his leg with a slap.

"So how long do I have you for?" Kim inquired.

"I don't want to get in the way of your training," Jason answered. Kim shook her head.

"Nope... you know better than that," Kim stated. He nodded.

"I hadn't thought about it really, I just thought I'd maybe spend a day or two around town," Jason said. Kim smiled. The way she felt in the moment was what she had been missing in her life lately. This was perfect.

(****)

"I can get a motel, I really don't wanna put you out," Jason said as he glanced at his makeshift bed on Kim's couch.

"We aren't going over this again," Kim said. "If you go to a motel you are taking me with you."

"Okay," Jason responded with a chuckle as he fluffed his pillow. "Do you have an early day tomorrow?"

"Nope," Kim replied as she sat on the edge of the coffee table in front of the couch. "You got great timing actually as I'm off training for a couple of days."

"How is it going, the training?" Jason asked as he sat down on the couch, careful to avoid a pillow and the blanket.

"Great actually," Kim answered. "It's exhausting but it's a dream come true you know?"

"Yeah," Jason responded with a nod. "You are going to kill it, I'm sure."

"Thanks," Kim said. Her eyes moved over to the desk nearby. "Hey, Jase?"

"Yeah?" Jason replied.

"You didn't respond to my last couple of letters," Kim said with a gesture to a stack of them.

"Yeah... I'm sorry about that..." Jason replied. "But I was afraid if I did write to you, I'd spill the beans and spoil my visit."

"Oh..." Kim reacted. "How long you been planning to leave there?"

"About a year," Jason answered. "I just kept putting it off... and I hated to leave Trini and Zack."

"You really hated it huh?" Kim asked as she moved over to the couch next to him.

"Hate is a strong word," Jason replied. "We did some good over there and I'm proud of it, but I'm not sure it was ever for me."

"I wish you had never gone if I'm being honest," Kim confessed with a shrug. "Selfish of me I guess."

"I appreciate it though," Jason replied with a smile. "So how are things with you and Tommy?"

Kim felt caught off guard by the question for reason's she wasn't sure she understood. She shifted on the couch and took a deep breath. Jason immediately noticed her response.

"Is everything okay?" Jason inquired, sitting up straighter.

"Yeah... it's great," Kim said. "I was working on a letter to him when you knocked."

"Oh..." Jason considered her. "Because for a minute you seemed uncomfortable..."

"No... no..." Kim countered. "Just a little tough being a long-distance thing I guess."

"I get that," Jason replied.

(***)

Jason's eyes fluttered open as he took in his surroundings. At first, he was a little confused about where he was before it all came back to him. He was suddenly very aware he was asleep in a sitting position on Kim's couch. He started to move a little but felt a weight on his legs.

Jason looked down to see Kim's legs resting across his own. He looked over to see she was sound asleep. He rubbed his eyes and glanced at a nearby clock to see it was a little after two in the morning.

He considered the position he found himself in as the events of the evening began to come back to him. They had assumed this position hours deep into a conversation as they both got comfortable on the couch. He couldn't remember the last thing they were talking about but he remembered nodding off a couple of times as the travel caught up with him.

Jason suddenly noticed that Kim's sweatshirt had ridden up to expose more than was probably appropriate for him to be seeing. He reached over and pulled a part of the blanket they were entangled in over Kim to cover her up. His eyes went to her face.

An old familiar feeling washed over him as he took in her features. Feelings he had tried to lose overseas. Feelings he had convinced himself were not real. He mentally scolded himself and tried to put a block on his thoughts. He leaned back on the couch and took a deep breath.

Despite himself, Jason was right back to where he was when he got on that plane eighteen months ago. This was not what he was hoping for. In truth, he has missed Kim and wanted to see her. But also he had hoped that in doing so he could prove to himself that his crush was just that a crush.

He had met and dated a few girls during his time away and although none of them had been particularly serious they had managed to convince him that he had just been confused about Kimberly. But now, here, in her apartment with the weight of her body resting on him and the soft glow of moonlight from the window gently cascading across her face. He found himself as convinced of his feelings for her more than ever.

Chapter Text

Kimberly removed the goggles from her face and took a deep breath. She smiled as she looked next to her to see Jason was also removing his diving gear. She glanced around the cove they found themselves in and found herself taken back by its beauty. The sound of a zipper got her attention and she turned to Jason once more.

"This place is beautiful," Jason remarked as he removed his diving suit. Kim nodded as she noticed his now shirtless appearance. She shook her head and went about removing her own suit. As her bare skin met the sun she heard the shuffling from Jason next to her stop and she glanced over just in time to see him turn away and start busying himself with their tanks.

"I had heard it was nice, but this is my first time getting out this way," Kim replied as she fully removed her suit and adjusted her bathing suit. "Thanks for bringing me out here."

"Thanks for coming," Jason replied as he stood up and turned to the water. "I never could get you to come with me back home."

"Well... I think that was a mistake on my part," Kim commented as she found a nearby towel and attempted to dry her hair partially.

"There is a place back home... that is even more gorgeous than this," Jason stated as he turned and walked over to lean upon a large rock next to Kim.

"Really?" Kim questioned. Jason nodded as he looked at her out of the corner of his eye with a smile. Kim couldn't resist smiling in return. The last two weeks spent with Jason had been some of the most fun she had ever had.

Every day he insisted on taking her out to lunch. Sometimes it was a simple as a picnic in the parking lot of her training facility, sometimes it was a three-hour drive to go scuba diving. Each time was special and made her day.

"It's getting late, we should probably head back home soon," Jason said as he glanced down at his watch.

"Do you think we could stay a little while longer?" Kim suggested as she laid out a towel down on the sand and sat down. Jason watched her as she got situated. She eventually looked up at him for a response.

"I don't really have nowhere to be," Jason answered with a shrug and a smile. He grabbed another towel from their stuff and placed it next to her, before joining her seated posture.

Kim looked up to see the sun was still high enough in the sky that she could take advantage of it and work on her tan. She reached over to her nearby bag and retrieved some suntan lotion and began working it in. She glanced at Jason periodically to see him leaning back on his elbows with his eyes closed as if he was meditating or deep in thought.

Kim had realized during his visit just how much she cared for him and how much he meant to her life. He had kept her sane when her training was reaching its apex. His voice when she got home welcoming her, telling her stories of his time across the globe. The late nights sitting up listening to her new music she was working on in what spare time she had.

Kim found herself smiling as she placed her lotion back in her bag and turned back to Jason. Her mind went to the way he held her hand the whole time they were under the water. She hadn't told him she was afraid, but somehow he had sensed it and made sure she was safe. It's what he had always done.

Kim's eyes trailed down his body to notice the great shape he was in. She mentally scolded herself. She, of course, had always noticed he was a very good looking guy. That was something though she had always been able to compartmentalize to this safe space in her mind. He was her best friend, there were other guys.

She watched him as leaned up slightly and his muscles flexed. She knew she was out and out gawking now. She lowered her eyes but her mind was still on him. She was finding it harder and harder to not be attracted to him and she really didn't know what to think about it. Not just physically either, and that was what scared Kim the most.

"What's on your mind?" Jason's voice from out of nowhere caused Kim to jump a little as she was rattled out of her thoughts. She glanced up at him to see him smiling. She took notice of his dimples and let out a little noise she wasn't even sure how to classify. She quickly tried to cover it by clearing her throat and loosening her tense posture to appear nonchalant.

"Nothing... just thinking about what a nice day this has been... best one in a long time," Kim answered.

"I'm glad to hear that," Jason said. He leaned back on the ground placing his hands behind his head. "I've enjoyed it too."

"Jase?" Kim's voice was soft. He turned his head so he could make eye contact. "Thank you for everything... coming out here... staying... and just everything?"

"Thanks for having me," Jason responded. "I thought you might have kicked me out by now."

"No," Kim replied shaking her head. Her response had sounded more urgent than she intended and she saw his eyebrows raise a bit. "I don't think I even realized how lonely I was getting."

"I can understand that," Jason said. "I thought about you a lot."

"You did?" Kim asked as she lied down to be parallel with him.

"Yeah... out here by yourself," Jason said with a slight shake of his head. "I wished I could teleport out here and just check in on you from time to time to see if you needed anything... is that silly?"

"Not at all," Kim replied. She felt a little water welling up in her eyes and was taken back by it. Something about the way he had said it. Jason was a leader in every sense of the word. As a Ranger, as a friend. Not in a pushy way. In a caring and make sure everyone is okay kind of way. This was why all of the gang followed him into any battle or circumstance without hesitation.

Kim turned her head the opposite way from him to compose herself. In her mind, she somehow knew he would be thinking about her, maybe even worrying. To hear him confirm it, the way he worded it. She turned back to face his direction.

"You keep talking like that, and I may not let you ever leave her," Kim stated. Jason let out a small laugh and Kim took a deep breath. They settled into a comfortable silence with only the sound of a crashing wave nearby.

(****)

"You sure you don't mind if I shower first?" Jason asked as he stopped in the doorway to the bathroom and turned to Kim who was in the kitchen digging through her cupboards for a snack.

"No... you take like half the time I do, so I go first you will be showering in all cold water," Kim replied with a smirk. Jason winced at the thought.

"That doesn't sound fun, so thanks," Jason replied. "I'll leave you a little hot water."

"You'd better," Kim replied. She turned to see him slip off his tank top before he closed the bathroom door behind him. She fixated on the door for far too long before turning back and giving up her search for a snack. They had got something to eat on the drive back from the beach anyway.

Kim made her way over to her bedroom, passing by the doorway to the bathroom to hear the shower turn on. She entered her room and moved to her closet to grab her sleeping attire. A pair of shorts and an overly large t-shirt would do for the evening. She turned back to see herself in the mirror and crinkled her nose. The sea had not been kind to her hair and she was a little redder than she would have liked.

She walked over to open her bedroom window and let the crisp night air into the room. She glanced up and the sky and it stole a smile from her. She was in the middle of star-gazing when she heard the shower shut off in the bathroom and she walked over to exit the bedroom.

Just as she exited the room, the door to the bathroom creaked open slowly. Kim stopped to see Jason stick his head around the door with a sheepish look on his face. She furrowed her brow at his odd behavior.

"Um... I didn't check before I hopped in the shower and there doesn't appear to be any clean towels in here," Jason explained with a pleading look on his face.

"Oh... sorry," Kim said as she hurried into the bedroom to retrieve a freshly washed towel from a pile of them that had been neglected to be put in their proper place. She brought it out and over to the bathroom door.

"I think I left you a little hot water... maybe lukewarm," Jason joked with a grin as she placed the towel in his outstretched hand. She tugged back playfully at the towel in response to the joke. She squinted her eyes at him, which only broadened his grin. She let go of the towel and he quietly disappeared back behind the door. "Did you find anything to snack on?"

"No I gave up," Kim replied as she leaned her back up against the wall next to the door.

"I can run out and grab something while you shower if you want," Jason said, his voice slightly muffled through the closed door.

"You don't have to do that... we ate like two hours ago," Kim responded.

"I don't mind if you want something... no judgment here," Jason stated. Kim smiled.

"I think I'll manage, we can get some groceries tomorrow if you want," Kim suggested.

"Sounds good," Jason said, as the door to the bathroom opened and he walked out with his towel wrapped around him. He made his way over to his luggage next to the couch to retrieve some clothes. He glanced at Kim and gestured to the bedroom.

"You mind if I get dressed in there?" Jason asked.

"That's fine," Kim answered she was making a conscious effort to not notice his state of undress. It's not like everything wasn't fully covered that should be. He was probably more exposed at the beach earlier. Something about a loosely tied towel felt more... dangerous.

Kim was full-on reprimanding her thoughts now, almost to the point of outwardly rolling her eyes. The curiosity was starting to drive her a bit crazy and she lowered her eyes to the floor, as opposed to Jason was shuffling back through his bag for another item of clothing. He found it and turned to make his way to her bedroom. He stopped in front of her.

"You know..." He reached a hand out tentatively touching her cheek. "I think you might have a wicked sunburn in the morning," Jason commented at her red nose and cheeks.

"I... uh... I think you may be right," Kim said her eyes meeting his. He didn't speak another word before disappearing into the bedroom. The door was just about closed when Kim put her hand on it gently. Jason stuck his head around the other side of it.

"What's up?" He asked, a curious tone in his voice. Kim froze for a moment, lending to the tension.

"I could maybe go for some ice cream... if the offer still stands," Kim finally spoke. "The shop across the street is still opening and by the time you get back with it, it will be melted just right."

"I got you," Jason replied with a nod. Kim lowered her hand from the door and turned to go into the bathroom. She stopped before she closed the door and called over to him.

"Cookies and cream," their voices rang out from opposite rooms in unison. Kim laughed. He knew her all too well.

Chapter Text

Jason walked over to put his now empty luggage bags into the bottom of his closet. He lingered a gaze on them for a moment before he slowly closed the closet door. He took a deep breath and glanced at the clock. He was still not used to losing and gaining time with travel and he walked over to the window to get a glimpse of the sun as it set.

Jason found himself drifting off in thought to the summer spent in Florida. It was his best summer since he had left Angel Grove originally. Maybe his favorite ever. A smile crept up on him at the thought, it soon morphed into a more bittersweet and introspective version of itself as he put an arm up and leaned against the window sill.

It had been really really hard to leave Florida. To leave Kimberly. The months had made them closer than ever before. She seemed to enjoy having him around as much as he enjoyed being there. That was something he was unsure of when he first showed up on her doorstep fresh off the plane.

The worst part of leaving her was the uncertainty of when he'd see her again. She had mentioned a few times she had considered making her new state her permanent residence although she didn't seem to have full conviction behind her statements. At least he hoped he was right on that assumption. He really hoped the whole group would one day be reunited on one coast again, but also knew he may have to accept that would not happen.

Jason's thoughts were interrupted by the phone ringing. He at first was going to ignore it, before he remembered he was the only one currently home. So he made his way over to the phone he kept on his nightstand and picked it up.

"Hello," Jason answered the call.

"So.. I see you made it home okay," Kimberly's welcome voice came through the receiver. Jason smiled.

"Hey... I'm sorry, I just got settled in and was going to call soon," Jason replied, remembering his reassurance he would let her know he made it home safely.

"It's okay... I guess I got a little impatient," Kim responded.

"It's late there... don't you have training in the early morning?" Jason stated.

"I do," Kim's voice trailed off slightly at the end. "I'm not really tired though."

"I see," Jason replied. He walked over to glance back out the window as he spoke.

"Also..." Kim paused. "It's too quiet here now with you gone."

"Kim," Jason replied. He wasn't sure how to respond to make the situation better.

"You spoiled me," Kim replied, her attempt to cheer up the situation with some levity.

"Hey... I'm sorr..." Jason began.

"No," Kim cut him off. "I'm fine Jase, I don't want you to feel bad for leaving."

"Okay," Jason responded. He could tell she was only trying to make him feel better, but he wouldn't push it.

"It's just... I had a lot of fun with you here," Kim replied. Jason could sense the smile on her face.

"Same," Jason responded. "I was actually just thinking about that when you called."

"Really?" Kim inquired.

"Yep," Jason answered. "It was much needed."

The phone was silent.

"Kim?" Jason asked, making sure the call hadn't got disconnected.

"I'm here... just thinking," Kim stated.

"About?" Jason asked.

"It's nothing," Kim deflected. Jason was tempted to press but he knew the long-distance call wouldn't be cheap.

"You should probably try to get some rest, I think you're coach already dislikes me from distracting you all summer," Jason suggested with a small grin. Her small laugh on the other end of the phone made it turn into a full smile.

"I'll try, but I'll probably just lay in bed and look at the ceiling for a couple of hours," Kim answered honestly.

"Would it make you feel better if I told you I'll probably do the same tonight?" Jason questioned.

"A lil'," Kim replied. "I'll write to you."

"I'll write back," Jason countered.

"Promise?" Kim asked.

"Yes, Jason answered.

"Okay... I'm going to go now," Kim said.

"Okay, I'll tell everyone hi for you when I see them," Jason responded.

"Thanks," Kim said. "Bye, Jase."

"Talk to you later," Jason replied before walking over and hanging up the receiver.

(****)

Kim hung up the receiver on her phone without taking her glance off the ceiling fan slowly rotating above her bed. She was trying to picture Jason and it made her smile. She couldn't get over how she missed him already. It was true that having him around had spoiled her.

She wouldn't have had it any other way though. It had been years since the two had got to spend so much time together. Back in Angel Grove, the majority of their time spent hanging out included at least one other member of the friend group. It was incredibly nice to get to know her oldest friend better.

Kim found herself letting out a little sigh. The word friend had unconsciously forced it from her. She closed her eyes and gave her head a slight shake before she sat up in the bed and crossed her legs. She stretched her arms before having a thought.

Kim reached over on her nightstand and grabbed a notebook and a pen from it. She leaned up against the head of the bed and rested the pad on her knees. She considered the paper for a few moments before putting the pen onto it. She hesitated.

This would change her already changing life. If she wrote what she was feeling and sent it, there would be no going back. Her longest relationship, her first love, it would be over. Her mind lingered on the thought for a moment before she came to the realization that whether she wrote it or not it was already over on her end, at least based on how she had been feeling the past several months.

With that in mind though, she also couldn't help but think about how people say it's never really over until there is someone else. Her eyes went over to the phone she had hung up only a few minutes earlier. She smiled a bittersweet smile before she continued moving the pen across the paper.

Chapter Text

Jason shifted on the bench he was sitting on. He sat up as he watched the group of teens across from him disappear off behind some trees. He smiled bittersweetly before lowering his eyes back to the letter he stopped reading when the group had caught his eye.

Jason had only got another sentence in when he felt the air next to him change and he glanced up to see a familiar face. He smiled as the blond-haired teen sat down next to him and returned his smile.

"What's up, Billy?" Jason asked as he stuffed the letter back into the envelope and slid onto the bench next to him.

"Nothing much, I just wanted some fresh air," Billy replied as he leaned back and stretched ever so slightly.

"Couped up in the command center all day?" Jason asked as he stole a glance at his watch to see that it was growing late in the evening.

"Yeah, it's the Power Chamber now," Billy replied with a smirk and a shoulder shrug. Jason nodded his head and let out a small chuckle. "You know if you want to come by and see it, I can arrange it."

"Nah... I appreciate it but..." Jason hesitated.

"Not ready?" Billy inquired.

"I guess not," Jason replied with a shrug of his own as he leaned back into the bench and glanced around the park. He turned to Billy. "I don't know how you can be there all the time and not you know..."

"Be a Ranger?" Billy finished the thought for him.

"Yeah," Jason confirmed. Billy let out a noise somewhere between a sigh and a chuckle.

"I keep busy," Billy answered.

"I didn't mean to imply you weren't as much a part of the team because..." Jason began but stopped when Billy made a dismissive gesture with his hand.

"I know what you meant," Billy said. "It was tough at first but honestly... now I'd find it funny suiting up again."

Jason nodded.

"What about you?" Billy asked. He considered his longtime friend for a minute before smiling. "I'd think you could go back to being a Ranger tomorrow without missing a beat."

"I don't know," Jason replied. "Maybe."

"So I saw you had a letter..." Billy shifted the subject, sensing the subject was something Jason was a little closed off on.

"Yeah... Kimberly," Jason answered, absentmindedly running a hand along the bench until he found the letter to grip.

"I'm going to say yours was not as much of a downer as the one Tommy got," Billy stated. Jason turned to him and furrowed his brow. Billy registered his confusion. "You haven't talked to him?"

"Not in a couple of days... I just kind of keep to myself," Jason answered honestly. He sat up in the bench, suddenly concerned. "Is everything okay?"

"I guess it depends on how you feel about Tommy and Kimberly as a couple," Billy responded raising his eyebrows. Jason studied him, trying to piece together what he was being told.

"You mean?" Jason inquired.

"She broke it off with him," Billy confirmed. Billy watched Jason for a response and his face was mostly blank as if too many thoughts were going on his mind to process. "I guess he is pretty down about it."

"I'm sure..." Jason replied with a nod. He reached a hand up and cupped it over his mouth as he thought. "I feel bad... that I didn't know...."

"Yeah the gang has been trying to cheer him up, Kat especially... he seems to be better than when he got the letter," Billy explained.

"I'll catch up with him later... is there a battle going on?" Jason asked pointing across the park. "I saw them heading off to teleport out."

"No... Zordon just wanted to debrief them on the last battle," Billy replied.

"Oh... I'll call him or run by his place later," Jason stated.

"He'd probably like that," Billy said.

(***)

Jason reached for his telephone. He was going to check in on Tommy and see if he wanted to hang out. It rang before he could lift the receiver. It caused him to momentarily jump. He then picked it up.

"Scott residence," Jason answered.

"So formal," Kimberly's voice came through. Jason smiled upon hearing it. They rarely spoke on the phone due to the cost.

"Hey," Jason responded as he sat down on his bed.

"You got a minute to talk?" Kim asked. Jason detected an unsteadiness in her voice.

"Is everything okay?" Jason countered her question with one of his own.

"Umm... I'm not sure," Kim said. "Have you talked to Tommy?"

"Not in a few days," Jason replied. There was silence on the other end. "I heard about the letter though."

"Oh..." Kim's tone was quiet.

"Are you okay?" Jason inquired.

"He called me earlier," Kim replied. Jason leaned forward on the bed and prepared to listen.

"How'd that go?" Jason asked.

"He sounded hurt," Kim stated. Jason nodded. "But... we agreed it was for the best."

"You did?" Jason wasn't sure how he was feeling about this conversation. He just knew he wanted Kim to feel good.

"Yeah... I just.." Kim paused.

"What?" Jason pressed gently.

"Hearing his voice again... it made it real," Kim confessed.

"I'm sure," Jason understood. "You did the right thing though."

"I did?" Kim pried for encouragement. Jason smiled.

"I mean... if that's how you were feeling... it wasn't fair to either of you to just keep things going just because," Jason surmised.

"I know," Kim agreed. "We agreed to remain friends."

"Good," Jason replied with a small hint of relief.

"Friends is good," Kim said.

"Friends are the best," Jason countered. He somehow could tell Kim was smiling.

"Thanks, Jase," Kim replied, her tone more upbeat now.

"Anytime," Jason meant sincerely.

"I'd better go... this call is gonna cost," Kim stated.

"Send me the bill," Jason said.

"Silly," Kim counted with a small laugh. "I do have to go though... some friends and I are going out tonight."

"Good... sounds fun," Jason replied.

"I hope so... nothing crazy, just to eat and some dancing I think," Kim stated.

"Have fun," Jason said.

"I will... and Jase?" Kim said.

"Yeah?" Jason responded.

"Thanks for listening and everything..." Kim said.

"The pleasure was all mine," Jason replied. "Now go.. have fun..."

"K... bye," Kim replied.

"Bye," Jason returned in kind before hanging up the receiver. He sat in silence for a few moments before he picked it up again. He dialed a different number. It rang a few times and he was just about to hang up when someone finally answered.

"Hello," Tommy's voice came through the receiver.

"Hey bro, how are you doing?" Jason asked.

"Jason..." Tommy responded with seemingly a happily surprised tone. "Hey bro... I've been better."

"You busy?" Jason asked.

"Not especially," Tommy replied.

"Wanna meet up at the Juice Bar and talk?" Jason inquired.

"Yeah... yeah I would," Tommy said.

"I'm leaving for there now," Jason stated. "See you there.

"Okay," Tommy replied. "Thanks, Jase."

"No problem," Jason replied as the two mutually hung up at the same time. Jason got up and made his way past the dresser. He stopped and glanced down at the letter on top of it he had just received from Kim. He smiled bittersweetly before taking a deep breath and exiting the room to go be there for his friend.

Chapter Text

"I'm okay," Jason assured his new girlfriend as she pulled away from a kiss and gave him a concerned look. She could sense he wasn't into it and his default reaction was to assure her things were fine, whether truthful or not.

"Jason... I don't think I believe you," Emily said as she straightened up and moved over to sit parallel to Jason in the seat of his truck.

"Emily..." Jason began but stopped when he saw her piercing gaze. He hesitated. He couldn't tell her what was really going on and it's what led them to this awkward moment.

"Jason... if this is going to work... you have to be able to talk to me," Emily studied his expression for a reaction to her words. Jason shifted his eyes to look out the windshield at the ocean in front of them. The sun was setting and it was very scenic. Beautiful view. Beautiful girlfriend. It should be perfect. He sighed.

"You know I haven't been feeling well..." Jason paused. Emily nodded.

"You've not told me why though," Emily reminded him. He turned to her to see the hurt expression. He reached his hand over and took hers. He gave it a gentle squeeze.

"It's nothing serious... just an immune system issue, the doctors say I'm pretty much over it," Jason explained.

"Okay..." Emily processed this. "So what is wrong tonight?"

Jason's mind immediately went to earlier in the day when he had surrendered his Gold Ranger powers. He let out another audible sigh. He opened his mouth to speak but found himself unable to come up with anything he felt would be satisfactory. He felt Emily's hand move away from his and the door to his truck open.

"Emily..." Jason called out for her as the door shut. He climbed out of the truck and moved to catch up with her as she walked down the parking area and closer to the water. "Please... just wait."

"I don't get you, Jason," Emily said as she stopped and turned to Jason as he caught up with her. "You can be so sweet and caring and then... there is this side of you that just seems to closed off."

"I know..." Jason agreed.

"I've tried to overlook it Jason, but it's been months of this now," Emily reminded him.

"I..." Jason paused and put his hands on his side as he felt the frustration growing in him. "I'm sorry... it's not right."

Emily watched him, clearly in turmoil and felt sympathy for him overtaking her own frustration. She moved closer to him.

"What is it, Jason?" Emily questioned. "Is it something I'm doing wrong?"

"No... no..." Jason was quick to reply. "It's not you."

"Are you going to give me the speech about how it's not me, but it's you," Emily shook her head. "'Cause I don't think I want to hear that."

Emily folded her arms and studied Jason intently. At this moment he felt pretty helpless. Sharing that part of his life... it could be dangerous and reckless. Sure at the moment, he was no longer in active duty as a Ranger but he last several months have shown that that can change at the drop of a hat.

"You got anything to say?" Emily asked as the silence had grown uncomfortable.

"You know I care about you... and what we have going... it's been great," Jason started.

"You are using the past tense," Emily noted. Jason locked eyes with her a moment and felt a sadness come over him. He nodded.

"I'm just not ready to be in a relationship right now..." Jason continued. "I thought I was but..."

"I don't get it..." Emily stated as she tried to understand what was happening.

"I know... I wish I could explain it to you... but some things I'm not even so sure of myself," Jason said. "I just know it's not fair to you to keep doing you like this... you deserve better than what I can give you right now."

Emily reached out and placed her hand on his arm. She shook her head.

"I should be mad at you I think..." Emily began. "I just don't think I can be."

"I'm really sorry," Jason explained.

"I know... I'm not mad at you because I can tell that whatever this is hanging over your head is not your fault..." Emily explained. "I'm not mad... but I'm sad I couldn't make it better."

"Don't... it's nothing you could do," Jason stated. Emily nodded. She lowered her hand from his arm.

"Maybe not... but I would have liked to have been given a fair chance," Emily responded. She reached up and caught a tear before it fell and quickly wiped it away. Jason wanted to say more... but at the same time had nothing he could say to make the situation better. "Bye Jason."

"I can give you a ride home..." Jason offered as Emily backed up and started to turn to leave.

"No... I'll be fine... I'll catch a ride with a friend," Emily said gesturing over to the beach club in down from them. Jason swallowed and nodded as she turned and continued on. He watched her for a moment before turning back to the ocean and muffling a curse under his breath.

(***)

Kimberly took a deep breath and stared at the door in front of her as if it would harm her if she moved too suddenly. She blinked a few times and tentatively reached out for the doorbell. She had imagined this moment so many times lately but somehow now she found nerves getting the best of her. Nerves she wasn't sure she could even explain.

She let her finger hover over the button of the doorbell and hesitated to press it. Her mind was still racing. Jason would be surprised to see her. She had not told him she was coming although she'd like to think she dropped some hints in her letters and calls. She hoped he would be pleasantly surprised.

She summoned the courage and was just about to press the doorbell when she heard a vehicle pull into the driveway behind her. She turned and was momentarily blinded by the headlights until the engine shut off. She smiled nervously as she saw the driver step out and begin to approach.

"Surprise," Kim said softly raising her arms. Jason smiled. The last thing he had expected to find when he got home was Kimberly on his doorstep. He had so many questions but his body went into auto-pilot and he moved swiftly to take her in his arms and wrap her in a hug.

Kim let out a small gasp as she felt herself being literally swept off the ground and enveloped in Jason's arms. She felt a warmth go all over her body and she began to squeeze him back as tightly as he was her. He gave her a small twirl before sitting her down. She expected this would be the moment the embrace would end but he hadn't moved to do so and she felt no compulsion to do so either.

"Kim... "His voice... deep and breathy in the crook of her neck. Goosebumps. She closed her eyes and tried to understand everything she was feeling. He was the first to pull back and make eye contact. It was then she saw the look in his eyes. Behind the surprise and the joy, there was something else.

"Jason..." Kim reached a hand up and gently caressed his cheek. "What's wrong?"

"Why..." Jason began to respond but just shook his head.

"You can tell me," Kim urged him gently with her tone. He found himself smiling. Something he hadn't expected to do this night. Something about her. Something about having her here. In his arms. Asking for his secrets. Able to handle all of them.

"I've missed you," Was all he could say. It was the forefront thing most on his mind and made it's way to his lips before anything else. She smiled.

"I've missed you too, Jase," Kim echoed his sentiment. She searched his eyes. They seemed brighter now.

"I have so many things I want to tell you... to ask you," Jason said. He smiled in delight at the thought of talking to her in person again. She felt his joy radiating from him.

"Same," Kim said. He was still holding her. She was aware. He was aware. It wasn't a conflict. It felt natural. "But do you think we could talk over food cause I'm starving."

"Of course..." Jason said. He gestured to his truck. "Anywhere you want, it's my treat."

"You may regret that," Kim said with a laugh as she made her way over to his truck and opened the door.

"I doubt it," Jason replied as he approached the vehicle. The events of the day that had worn him down and felt like a weight too hard to bear. A burden he couldn't unload. It all felt like a lifetime ago.

Chapter Text

"So...." Kim turned to look at Jason as he went about checking some gauges on their oxygen tanks. He turned to her, waiting for her to finish her words. "What was it really like?"

"What was what like?" Jason asked. He rested one of the tanks up against the rock wall behind him and turned fully to Kim.

"Being a Ranger again," Kim asked. She smiled as she spoke, a fond remembrance washing over her. Jason got a little lost in her smile with the backdrop of the ocean behind her and for a second forgot he had left a question hanging in the air.

"Well... um..." Jason considered the question. "It was honestly great... it felt right... you know?"

"I think so," Kim agreed.

"If not for the effects it had on me physically," Jason shrugged. Kim's smile dimmed a little. She suspected he had always downplayed what it was doing to him. "But morphing... feeling that power again... yeah it was nice."

Jason smiled bittersweetly before turning back to the tanks and squatting down to continue his checks on them. He soon felt a hand on his shoulder. He instinctively moved his hand up to it to cover it with his own.

"Don't do that... I'm fine now," Jason said. He cocked his head up at Kim and gave her a smile of assurance.

"You say that... but I suspect you never really told me how much it took out of you," Kim stated, her eyes searching his. His smile disappeared and he shrugged his shoulders.

"It's over now though... I'm better than ever," Jason replied as he stood up straight and shifted their eye lines so that he was now looking down at her.

"Promise?" Kim questioned. Her eyes holding his gaze.

"Promise," He countered. The smile on his face assured her he was being truthful. He was the first to break eye contact as he looked out at the ocean behind them. "We should probably get under soon... while we still have a little daylight."

"Okay," Kim agreed as she reluctantly turned to look out over the water herself. As beautiful as the view was, she found Jason's eyes to be more captivating. "This... this spot really is as nice as you described it back in Florida."

"Yeah... it's my favorite," Jason confessed. He walked over to a bag and pulled out his wetsuit. "Nice and quiet and private."

Kim noted how it did seem to be secluded as they had not encountered anyone on the beach for some time now. A small shudder overtook her body. She wasn't sure if it was from the cool breeze as it blew up from the ocean or from something else. She swallowed it down and walked over to retrieve her wetsuit from Jason's hand.

"So are we going to go very deep?" Kim asked with a gesture out toward the water.

"Not too deep," Jason responded as he slid off his shirt and tossed it onto his bag nearby. Kim eyed him momentarily until his eyes met hers and she quickly averted hers. She saw him out her peripheral vision retrieving a different shirt for wearing under the wetsuit.

"Jase?" Kim found herself talking without even being sure what she wanted to say. She saw the movement in her peripheral vision stop as he waited for her to continue. She turned to him to notice he still was shirtless. She knew she shouldn't be feeling the things she was and she tried to regain her composure.

"Something wrong?" He asked as he approached her. Kim took a deep breath.

"No... no..." Kim assured him, he was now within arms reach of her and she found her hand moving up to rest on his chest. She quickly lowered it and felt her face flush with a mixture of embarrassment and excitement.

"Are you sure you are okay?" Jason furrowed his brow in confusion. He absentmindedly moved his own hand up to his chest where hers had just touched him.

"I'm fine... I guess I was just thinking," Kim continued to try to come up with an excuse for her behavior. She was avoiding eye contact and he subtly moved to make it even harder and she mentally cursed him for doing so. She met his eyes.

"What were you thinking about?" Jason inquired as he fumbled with the shirt in his hands.

"It's just nice..." Kim said.

"What is?" He questioned.

"Being back in Angel Grove... seeing everyone again... being with you again," Kim answered. Jason watched her for a moment to see if there was more. She simply smiled.

"It's good to have you back again," Jason said, he met her smile before slipping his shirt on and moving back over to retrieve his wetsuit. Kim watched him as he went about continuing to get ready for their dive. She felt stupid. She wasn't sure why. Maybe it's because she was having trouble even understanding her own self so she was sure she seemed like a nutcase to Jason.

She started to squeeze into her suit, never really taking her eyes off of Jason until he would sneak a glance her way. Then like a schoolgirl with a crush she would avert her eyes and suppress a grin. It was silly. But she loved it. At least she loved it up until the point that it scared her. She straightened up as he approached her again.

"Here..." His tone was soft as he offered to help her put her tank on. She slid her arms into the straps and waited as he moved behind her to secure everything there. She found herself fighting the urge to crane her neck around to see him. Soon he moved in front of her. He pointed down at the front straps that hang loosely over her chest and abdomen.

"You'll..." He began. His voice sounded suddenly unsure. He cleared his throat. "You'll have to pull it here and here."

"Okay," Kim nodded as she understood his instructions she reached down and tightened the straps. "That good?"

He gave the straps a gentle but firm tug to make sure everything was locked into the place it should be, while also being careful how he touched her. He stepped back and nodded at her before he moved over and slipped his own tank onto his back. Kim watched his expertise at work as he fluidly and quickly readied himself.

"You ready?" Jason asked. His voice breaking through Kim's thoughts enough to startle her. She smiled at him.

"As I'll ever be," Kim replied before the two began to make their way toward the water.

Chapter Text

Jason sat in his truck looking out over the park in front of him. His eyes hadn't moved but he wasn't focused on anything in particular. He thought a trip to the park for some fresh air and a walk would help clear his mind. He had yet to however make it actually into the park and out of his truck. Once he put the truck in park he found himself zoned out.

Jason shifted slightly in his seat trying his best to clear his mind. He kept getting flashes. Unpleasant flashes. He could see his friends in front of him. Begging and pleading for him to stop but he couldn't. He found himself to his horror attacking them and delighting in it.

Jason took a deep breath. He would give anything if the visions were the result of some bad dream. In fact, they were very real events from merely a week previously. Events that happened thousands of miles away on an island in the middle of nowhere had somehow followed him home to torment him even now alone in the cab of his truck.

Jason felt his grip on the steering wheel tighten to the point his knuckles were turning white. He relented and let his body go limp up against the back of his seat in an effort to release everything that was tormenting him inside. He still felt it though, a fire inside of him. It felt like it was bubbling up. Like a monster racing to the surface to break his skin.

Jason let out a groan as he attempted to sit up in his seat again. He closed his eyes and found himself back on Murianthias. Tommy was firmly in his grip and he was squeezing. The look on Tommy's face as he saw it now was breaking his heart, but he could still feel how much joy it brought him at the time. It scared him and exhilarated him all at once.

The flashes again. One by one the Rangers fell at his hands. They were actively trying not to engage with him and he was reveling in their perceived weakness. Jason's skin felt hot. He felt some sweat beads forming on his forehead as his hands once again gripped the steering wheel in front of him. His heart was racing and he was nearly convinced that if he didn't move soon he might have an actual heart attack.

Suddenly he felt a hand gently rest on top of his own. It was soft and smaller than his own. He caught a faint glimpse of her scent and opened his eyes. She was seated next to him, facing him with a look of concern on her face. Her mouth was moving but he couldn't hear her voice over the sounds of anguish in his mind.

Jason focused as best he could on her lips before moving up to make eye contact with her. Her eyes were pleading. She was gently alternating between shaking his hand and stroking his arm. He focused harder on her, her movements, her eyes, her smell, her presence. He felt the heat in his body began to go from a raging fire to a comfortable warmth and his heart began to slow.

"Jason... are you okay, please talk to me," Her voice now audible. The panic clear. Jason shook his head and opened his palm, she immediately slipped her hand into it and began to squeeze his hand tight. Her thumb rubbing the back of his hand.

"Kim..." Jason finally was able to break through the dry heat sizzling at the back of his throat. Her expression attentive now, relief washing over her features at his acknowledgment. Jason felt different now... he couldn't explain it. "What's happening to me?"

"Oh... Jase..." Kim moved in and wrapped her arms around him as best she could and pulled his head into her chest. She gently began to brush her hair through his hair in an effort to soothe his panic.

"You'll get through it... just come back to me... here... now," Kim whispered her lips hovering just above his head. He nodded his acknowledgment. He pressed his head deeper into her. Moving her body closer to him with his hand on her waist.

She held him there for what seemed like hours although it was in reality just a few moments as Jason felt himself coming back to reality. He took a deep breath and pulled his head up from Kim's body to make eye contact with her. She searches his eyes trying to look behind the unshed tears welled up in them to discover something deeper. To see if he had made it back to her.

"Hey..." Kim's voice was barely above a whisper as she waited for him to react. Give her some sort of sign. "You're going to be fine... it will get better."

"I..." Jason opened his mouth, it felt as dry as the desert so he took a few swallows. "It was almost too much."

"I know... I could tell," Kim replied. She gently caressed the side of his face. "But you got through it."

"No..." Jason shook his head. "Not if you..."

"I'm here... I'll always be here," Kim assured him. He considered her appearance for a moment. How had she showed up here, now? He hadn't told anyone where he was going. Jason reached out and touched her gently on her cheek. She closed her eyes and smiled. "What is it?"

"Are you... is this real?" Jason wasn't sure anymore.

"Very real," Kim responded, her smile assuring.

"Why are you here?" Jason asked. "Did you just happen..."

Kim's shake of the head stopped him.

"I just knew..." Kim shrugged. "I couldn't get you out of mind, and I got in my car and I ended up here. Kim pointed out the window behind her. Jason glanced out the window to see her car, parked haphazardly as if done quickly.

"I... don't know how," Jason's confusion was as evident as his relief.

"You know we are connected somehow... what happened on that island, remember what Zordon told us?" Kim reminded him. Jason nodded. He remembered speaking to him after both had collectively spent a night having these visions and being tormented a couple of nights after returning from the island.

"I know... I just don't understand how it works," Jason replied. Kim nodded in understanding as she too didn't fully understand what had happened to them. "I remember what Trey said too.."

"It won't be for long..." Kim responded. She too remembered how Trey got a message through to the Power Chamber after feeling something was off with Jason. He had warned that the Zeo power was not fully out of Jason's system and whatever had possessed them on the island was feeding off that power.

"I hope not," Jason replied. His voice trailed off to a whisper as he continued. "I hate it."

Kim gave his hand another squeeze.

"How about a walk to get some fresh air?" Kim suggested nodding toward the park. Her tone was lighter now, intent on relieving the tension. Jason felt that. He also felt how effective it was as a smile crept over his lips.

"That is what I came here for," Jason responded. Kim raised her eyebrows.

"Well... that's perfect then," Kim stated before she winked at him and hopped out of the passenger door. Jason watched her slightly mesmerized momentarily before he pulled the keys out of the ignition and followed her.

"You know... you really should learn how to park," Jason teased as he moved around the back of the truck and over to Kim. She just crinkled her nose at him and mean-mugged him as best she could.

"Yeah... well... I had a good reason," Kim shrugged as he made his way to within inches of her. He smiled down at her and she felt her feet grow a little lighter. She wasn't ready for his hand to extend down and take hers. Momentarily her pulse quickened and she nearly froze. Something in his eyes now though comforted her and she matched his grip as both of them made their way toward the park entrance.

Chapter Text

Jason ducked just as Adam's foot went over his head. He countered with a leg sweep that Adam effortlessly avoided. Jason made it to his feet just in time to join an exchange of strikes and blocks with Adam, finishing with a block of a sidekick from Adam and a judo takedown from Jason to end the exchange.

Jason stepped back to regain his breath as he offered his hand to help Adam to his feet. Both exchanged smiles and deep breaths before making their way over to their respective water bottles on a nearby bench.

"Thanks for doing this," Adam stated between sips. Jason lowered his bottle and shook his head.

"Don't mention... it... but uh... I don't you need me to teach you anything," Jason said with a slightly winded chuckle. He was always thoroughly impressed with Adam's speed and precision. Probably the best of anyone he had ever met.

"I don't know... I like to always keep learning," Adam shrugged off the compliment in his humble and shy manner before the two friends and ex-teammates took a seat next to each other on the bench at the back of the Youth Center.

"Same," Jason said. The hours I've spent sparring here. Jason smiled fondly as he eyed the mats in front of them.

"It's good to have you around still to spar with," Adam said. Jason turned to him. Adam shrugged. "After... you know... the gold powers I wasn't sure if you'd stick around."

"Angel Grove is my home... powers or not," Jason replied with a shrug. He considered Adam's words and how perceptive they truly were. "Although... honestly... a part of me was considering it."

"Leaving?" Adam asked for clarification. Jason nodded. "I kind of felt that."

"That obvious?" Jason asked.

"I don't know... I guess I just know I'd probably feel the same," Adam replied. Jason considered him for a moment. He hadn't noticed how alike they were in a lot of ways. Or maybe he had but hadn't ever really given it a lot of thought. "What changed your mind?"

"Kim," Jason responded without hesitation. Adam's expression made Jason realize he would need to expand on his answer. "Her coming back here... it didn't feel right leaving after that.

"I understand," Adam replied. Jason smiled despite himself. He shifted his eyes over to Adam before lowering them to the mats nearby them. "At least I think I do..."

"What do you mean?" Jason asked. Sitting back, furrowing his brow and feigning ignorance. Adam shrugged his shoulders.

"Well... I mean... it just seems like you two are really close," Adam responded. Jason studied his expression to see if there was more to his words. He nodded.

"Yeah," Jason agreed. There was silence between them in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the Youth Center. Both were searching for ways to either continue the conversation or avert it elsewhere.

"I mean... maybe I'm overstepping my bounds a bit here," Adam began. He hesitated when Jason made eye contact. "Nevermind."

"No... it's okay..." Jason urged him and offered him a smile.

"You and her... are you guys..." Adam paused. He offered a shy grin and small chuckle. "Just seems maybe you two are more than friends."

"What?" Jason responded with an incredulous tone. He shook his head. "No... no... what... you really think that?"

"I mean... I guess... maybe I'm just bad at reading that kind of stuff, but Tanya suggested..." Adam responded.

"Tanya thinks that too?" Jason cut him off. Adam furrowed his own brow a bit now, unsure of how to continue.

"Sorry... I..." Adam began. Jason held up his hand and shook his head.

"No... no... you don't have to be sorry," Jason reacted. "I'm not mad you think that."

"You aren't?" Adam asked. Jason shook his head again. "So... wait does that mean...?"

"We are just friends," Jason reiterated. He grabbed his water bottle and took another big sip. He could see Adam studying him out of his peripheral vision. He really had grown close to Adam, other than Tommy he considered him his closest guy friend in town. He knew couldn't really go to Tommy to talk but maybe he could with Adam.

"Okay..." Adam accepted his response.

"Well..." Jason said, garnering Adam's full attention away from the crowd in the Youth Center. "I've got to be honest... lately I've been feeling some things."

"Some things?" Adam echoed. "Toward Kim?"

"Yeah," Jason responded.

"Like... more than friends things?" Adam asked for clarification. Jason nodded.

"I mean... I've known her forever and I love her to death but..." Jason paused, he hadn't ever really admitted it to himself. "It's different now... I've always thought she was beautiful and all that... these days though the way I feel it's like..."

Jason took a deep breath. He glanced at Adam who seemed to be catching his drift.

"I get it," Adam said. "She is very pretty and fun to be around."

"Yeah... but..." Another deep breath from Jason. "Tommy is my friend and..."

"Oh..." Adam considered Jason's plight. "I see what you mean... with their past."

"Yeah... so there isn't much I can really do about how I'm feeling," Jason stated. Adam detected the hint of defeat in his voice.

"Hey... I mean Tommy has Kat now and things seem to be really great with them now," Adam explained. "He and Kim also seem to be on friendly terms... so maybe..."

Adam shrugged as if to finish his sentence. Jason sat back on the bench. He folded his arm and stretched his legs out to cross them at the ankles. His mind was racing, deep down the path of what approaching Kim with his feelings might mean.

"You gotta be happy too, man... and if you really are feeling that type of way towards her then can you be happy just never acting on it?" Adam questioned. Jason's eyes shifted over to him as he spoke.

"I don't know," Jason replied. "Thanks though... for listening to me... I've been kind of bursting holding this all in."

"No problem, I'm always here if you need to talk," Adam responded before standing up. He gestured towards the mats in front of them. "Or if you feel like doing some sparring."

Adam smiled at Jason who responded in kind before getting up and joining Adam.

(****)

"It is really good to have you back Kim," Kat said beaming as she glanced across the table at her.

"It is really good to be back here," Kim replied with a smile in return before taking a sip of her drink.

"Today has been a lot of fun," Tanya spoke up from next to Kat as she sat her drink down.

"It has... and this is the perfect way to cap it off... gosh this place is so nice," Kim responded glancing around the new beach place Ernie had opened up. She had spent the day reconnecting with Kat and getting to know Tanya better.

"It really is... I love the Juice Bar but you can't beat the view and fresh air here," Kat agreed. Tanya leaned forward on the table and began to absentmindedly play with the straw in her drink. She smiled and then cleared her throat.

"So... Kim," Tanya began, getting her attention. "You are staying at Jason's place right?"

"Yeah... for now," Kim agreed she perked up at the question focusing her attention on Tanya.

"How is that?" Kat questioned.

"It's good," Kim replied. She saw the look on both of the girls' faces and felt anxious. "Why do I feel like this is going somewhere?"

"Well... I mean..." Tanya shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe not I think I was just wondering."

"Wondering?" Kim prodded further.

"It's just that maybe we all kind of noticed that you and Jason..." Kat said. "It's none of our business really but we didn't want you to feel like you had to hide anything."

"Hide..." Kim tried to read between all the lines. "What would.... oh... wait..."

Kim shook her head and crinkled her nose.

"You don't think he and I..." Kim continued.

"Well, it just seemed like maybe..." Tanya suggested.

"He's like my oldest friend," Kim defended the suggestions.

"Okay... sorry we misinterpreted things," Kat said before taking another sip.

"No, I'm... it's okay I just can't believe it I guess," Kim countered. "Me and Jason?"

"Yeah but we were just way off I guess," Tanya replied. There was silence for a couple of beats. Kat started to speak to change the subject.

"I mean..." Kim spoke and immediately regretted it seeing Kat was almost about to bail her out. Both girls were now looking at her with smiles waiting for her to continue.

"Yes?" Tanya baited her to continue.

"I... shouldn't," Kim said. "I just wanted to clarify it's not absurd because Jason is not a great guy or gorgeous or anything like that."

"Yeah... he totally is," Kat said glancing at Tanya who nodded in agreement.

"It's just our history and friendship and it's never been like that..." Kim expounded. She made eye contact with Kat. "And then you know with Tommy."

Kat nodded in understanding.

"I know... Tommy and Jason are best friends and I know you guys are all close..." Kat said. She cleared her throat and sat up a little straighter. "And maybe it's not my place to say this... but Tommy... he really just wants you to be happy."

"I don't mean to imply... I mean I know you guys are happy now... "Kim began. Kat shook her head.

"No... I know you didn't mean to imply anything, you just didn't want to cause a fuss with the group... I get it," Kat said. "Tommy and I are very happy and you two seem to be on good terms... and I know he'd just want you to be happy with whomever."

"Yeah... I know I'm new to the group but I think if you did feel something toward Jason... Tommy would understand," Tanya chimed in with an assuring smile.

"I didn't say I felt anything for Jason..." Kim responded.

"No... no, you didn't," Tanya agreed.

"I uh... maybe though... I'm not sure what's happening," Kim confessed, feeling a weight come off her at the words leaving her mouth. Kat and Tanya shared a look and smile.

"We are all ears if you want to talk," Kat offered. Kim glanced back and forth between them and took a deep breath.

"Things have been changing..." Kim started to speak but her voice trailed off as her eyes caught sight of someone approaching on the beach. She felt a smile form as both of the other girls follow her gaze to see Jason and Adam approaching.

"Maybe we'll talk later," Kat suggested as Kim nodded just as the two guys reached their table.

"Mind if we join you?" Adam asked gesturing to two seats at the table.

"Of course not," Tanya replied patting the seat next to her before Adam plopped down in it with smiles for the group.

"Actually..." Jason spoke, getting everyone's attention. His own gaze was waiting for Kim to look at him. She eventually did. "I was wondering if you and I could go somewhere and talk?"

Kim stole a quick glance at both Tanya and Kat before turning back to Jason.

"Sure," Kim replied in her best casual voice even if inside she was feeling anything but. She wasn't sure what Jason wanted to talk about, but with the things now fresh on her mind and the look on his face she was both scared and excited in the best of ways. She tried to not overthink it as she got up and joined Jason and they began to walk down the beach away from the group.

"Is everything okay?" Kim asked as they got out of earshot of everyone else. Jason smiled.

"I hope so," He responded simply as he took a deep breath and gathered all of his courage to have what he assumed would be a life-altering conversation.

Chapter Text

Kim couldn't help but to notice the nervous demeanor Jason was displaying as he walked along next to her. It was something very unlike him. She wanted a few times to reach out to him to calm him but she found herself fighting her own nerves in response to his.

"Is everything okay?" Kim finally spoke, breaking the silence that had fallen on them along their walk. Jason stopped and turned to her.

"It's nothing bad," Jason responded in an attempt to hopefully soothe any worries she had. He wrung his hands together and took a deep breath before continuing. "I mean... I hope it is a good thing."

"Jase," Kim said with a smile. "I love you, but you are confusing me so much right now."

Jason went silent as he focused on her words. He knew in what context she meant she loved him. The same way he had felt about her for pretty much their whole lives. Friend. Best friend. Teammate. Fellow soldier. Confidant. All the things he was about to alter if this talk continued. He froze in uncertainty, opening his mouth to speak before closing it right after.

"What is it?" Kim quizzed as she took a step closer to him and reached a hand to place it over his still clasped hands.

"Kim," Jason finally found the words. "I..."

A deep breath.

"Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?" Jason asked. Kim furrowed her brow in confusion. They had dinner almost every night since she had come back to Angel Grove. She didn't understand the formality.

"Of course... but..." Kim cocked her head slightly.

"Maybe you don't understand..." Jason continued. He reached out and took her hand and held it gently in his. "I'm asking if you would like to formally go out with me tonight... like on a date."

Kim was flabbergasted now. Secretly she had pictured a moment like this for longer than she would readily admit. Standing here in the moment now she realized how little she was truly prepared for it. Her mind was racing but it was too slow to keep up with her even more quickened pulse.

"Um..." Kim's mouth was suddenly dry. "A d...date?"

"Yeah, I'd like very much to take you on a date tonight if you would join me," Jason replied with a hopeful but cautious smile on his face. He was past the point of second thoughts now, but his body was racked with nervous energy and he found it hard to stand still and keep any semblance of a cool demeanor.

"I..." Kim searched his eyes to see how sincere this offer was. It didn't feel real. She knew that no matter how she replied to this it would no doubt change their relationship significantly going forward. She realized she was overthinking it and decided to just go with her instinct. "I'd love to."

Jason's smile widened. His posture loosened.

"Is seven okay?" Jason inquired.

"It's perfect," Kim replied. She felt like she was blushing and it made her feel a little silly so she turned her head slightly.

"It's a date then," Jason confirmed. He realized he was still holding her hand from earlier. He gave it the most gentle of a squeeze before he let go and took a step back. Kim gathered her courage to face him once more.

"So... umm... I should probably get back to the girls... "Kim said with a gesture down the beach.

"Yeah... I've got some things I need to do so I'm gonna head home," Jason replied. The two found themselves walking slowly away from each other. Kim stopped and turned back.

"Jason," She got his attention. He turned.

"See you at seven," She said with a big smile. He nodded and matched her smile.

(***)

A smile crept over Jason's face for what seemed like the hundredth time on his drive home as his mind went back to the beach. He almost couldn't believe it. He had built it up so much in his head that he was sure it would not go off without a hitch the way it had.

Something on the side of the road in front of him caught his attention as he approached it. He recognized the red car on the side of the road with the hood up and smoke coming from the engine bay. He slowed his truck and pulled off the road behind the car. He hopped out and started making his way around the vehicle.

"That doesn't look good," Jason commented to the person bent over the engine with a puzzled look on his face. His eyes raised to meet him and he smiled.

"Yeah... hey Jase," Tommy replied as he straightened up. "It just popped and left me here... I'm thinking the radiator hose..."

Jason glanced at the motor for a moment before nodding. He walked back to his truck and reached into the bed of it. He pulled out a large jug of water and made his way back to the car.

"I think you are right..." Jason stated. "We can probably get it running to get you home."

"Think so?" Tommy asked.

"Yeah... get some water in it, and... you got a knife?" Jason inquired. Tommy reached into his jeans to pull out a small pocket knife. "In a few minutes we'll have you back on the road but you are gonna need a new hose and I'm betting you have a leak somewhere in your radiator."

"When did you become a mechanic?" Tommy asked. Jason pointed back to his fixer-upper of a truck.

"When that came into my life," Jason responded with a chuckle. Tommy nodded and laughed before the two began to go about their task of getting his car operable again.

The two worked wordlessly for several minutes before Jason felt a sense of guilt tugging at him. It was something he had hoped he would not feel. However, he had expected he might and knew he had to tell Tommy.

"Hey bro," Jason replied as he straightened himself up from under the hood of the car. Tommy followed suit. He reached over for an old rag and began to wipe his hands off while waiting for Jason to continue. "Listen... uh..."

Jason walked around to retrieve the water jug off the ground and picked it up. He set it down on the car and took a deep breath.

"I got a date tonight," Jason said. He focused his eyes intently on Tommy as he spoke, intent to maintain eye contact.

"Really?" Tommy replied. "I'm happy for you... after Emily and all."

"Yeah..." Jason continued.

"Anyone, I know?" Tommy inquired.

"Well... yeah..." Jason answered truthfully. "That's the thing..."

"What's up, Jase?" Tommy inquired sensing Jason's nervousness.

"I'm just gonna be upfront about this... it's with Kim," Jason stated. There were a few beats of silence between them. Jason studied Tommy's expression for a clue to his reaction before it could manifest. He wasn't sure what he expected but he wanted to be ready.

"Really?" Tommy finally broke the silence.

"Yeah... and listen... I know with the past between you two and..." Jason began.

"It's okay, bro," Tommy cut him off. He reached over and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"It is?" Jason questioned.

"Yeah... you don't have to explain anything to me," Tommy clarified.

"But I just wanted you to know..." Jason began again. "I fought the way I was feeling for a while because I don't want to hurt you Tommy... or make things weird."

"I get that and I appreciate that," Tommy reacted. "But everything is cool with me and Kimberly... we weren't right for each other... and now I have Kat and man... I'm the happiest I've ever been."

"That's great to hear," Jason said, feeling relief and legitimate joy for his friend as he spoke.

"And I want you and Kim both to be happy and if it's with each other then that's even better," Tommy replied with a smile. Jason nodded in understanding. "I will be sore at you over one thing though."

"What's that?" Jason asked.

"If you don't help me finish getting this thing up and running," Tommy responded with a big cheeky grin. Jason let out a small laugh and shrug.

"Fair enough," Jason said as he uncapped the lid on the jug and the two went back to repairing the car.

Chapter Text

"Just take a deep breath and relax my man," Zack's voice came through the phone into Jason's ear. Jason did as was suggested and glanced at himself in his bedroom mirror one more time. "Everything is gonna be fine."

"You think so?" Jason asked in an unsure tone.

"Are you kidding me right now?" Zack responded. "Of course I think so... what has got you bugging?"

"I mean... it's Kimberly..." Jason replied with a shrug as he continued to give his appearance a once over. He had dressed somewhat casual but was now thinking it was too casual.

"Yeah... exactly... you know Kimberly, you know her well," Zack assured him.

"Not... not like this though, bro," Jason replied as he pulled at the collar of his shirt with his free hand.

"Yeah but don't be thinking about all that," Zack countered.

"How can I not?" Jason inquired. "I am going on a date with Kimberly... I mean..."

"Yes but don't get too caught up in that and psych yourself out," Zack advised. "You know what she likes... what she doesn't... this should be a piece of cake."

"I... don't know about that..." Jason responded. "Was it easy for you and Trini?"

"Yeah... I mean... our circumstance was a little different being in a brand new country and all that," Zack explained. "Once we realized that connection was there, I asked her out, she accepted and we had a great first date."

"Right... and everything went smooth?" Jason inquired.

"Of course... it's the Zackman you are talking to here," Zack said with a confident chuckle that caused Jason to smile. He shook his head.

"I know... but I guess I'm worried maybe it will be awkward and I'll screw the whole thing up," Jason replied.

(****)

"Awkward?" Trini replied incredulously into the phone. "With Jase?"

"Yeah... I mean he is my oldest friend," Kim explained with a shrug as she modeled a dress over her clothes into the mirror in front of her.

"Exactly... when is anything awkward with you two?" Trini asked.

"Well... there have been a few times over the last several months... some tension and stuff," Kim answered.

"Not bad tension though right?" Trini inquired.

"Oh no... no... like you know... different tension," Kim explained with a shrug before she reached for another outfit on her bed and held it up to see if it was the one.

"I got you... and well... that's not bad at all," Trini said. "That should help move things along tonight."

"You think so?" Kim asked.

"Yeah... I mean it's clear this is something that has been building with you two," Trini responded. "I mean... tonight you finally can just let go and not worry about it... embrace it."

"Yeah... you are right," Kim said, a smile creeping over her lips as she considered her words.

"You are smiling ear to ear aren't you?" Trini teased. Kim let out a laugh.

"Noo..." Kim fibbed.

"Uh-huh..." Trini replied. "Wow... you really are feeling something for Jase huh?"

"Yes..." Kim answered honestly. "It's been like this for months but I couldn't do anything you know?"

"I get it," Trini replied. "I got to tell you that I am really happy for you two."

"Thanks, Trini," Kim reacted. She examined the skirt in front of her and smiled. She knew the top to go with it.

"Jason is the best and..." Trini paused.

"What?" Kim prodded.

"I think he has always had this crush on you... though he would never really admit it," Trini confessed.

"No... you... no... you really think for a long time?" Kim asked.

"I do," Trini answered. "But Jason cherished your friendship and is such a loyal guy... I think he probably had himself fooled all this time."

"I don't know..." Kim pondered this scenario. "I just hope tonight goes well."

"Of course it will," Trini stated.

"I want it to be perfect..." Kim said. "Something about this... this feels right."

"And that's why it will be perfect," Trini said. "If it's right... it will work out."

"Thanks for talking me through my nerves," Kim said.

"Don't mention it, I'd be upset if you didn't call me first," Trini replied. Kim laughed. "You may regret that when you get your phone bill."

"Maybe," Trini laughed.

"Do you think the nerves are getting to Jason... he is always so cool," Kim pondered.

"If I'm right about his feelings for you, I'd say they are," Trini answered.

(****)

"You are always so cool, you will be fine," Zack stated dismissing Jason's nerves.

"I appreciate that... but this feels different," Jason responded as he stepped back and gave his final look a nod of approval before turning to find his watch off the nightstand. He slipped it on.

"That's a good thing though... harness that energy... those nerves and make it a memorable evening for you both," Zack advised. "And look... real talk... I'm really happy for both of you."

"Thanks, bro," Jason replied with a smile.

"I love the both of you and I want you guys both to be happy," Zack continued.

"Feeling is mutual you know," Jason replied.

"I know... not save the mushy stuff for Kim," Zack joked with a laugh. Jason responded in kind and shook his head.

"I should probably get off here, I'm supposed to pick her up in a few minutes," Jason said.

"Alright... just be cool... have fun and sweep her off her feet... I know you can," Zack replied.

"I'll do my best," Jason replied. "Talk to you later."

"Later," Zack echoed.

Jason hung up the phone and took one last look at himself in the mirror. Satisfied he made his way over to the door of his room, flipped off the lights and closed it behind him.

(****)

"Okay... I'm ready," Kim said as she put the phone receiver back up to her.

"I know you look gorgeous, you always do," Trini assured her.

"Thanks," Kim replied with a smile. She glanced at the clock on her nightstand. "I should be going, he will be here any minute."

"Okay," Trini replied. Kim heard Jason's truck pull up and she walked over to the window to peek out.

"He's here now," Kim announced, her tone more excited than she had planned.

"How does he look?" Trini asked. Kim took in Jason's appearance in his black button-up shirt, blue jeans and black boots. She bit her bottom lip and smiled.

"I'll tell you about it later.... but... this is gonna be fun," Kim replied. Trini's laugh on the other end indicated she understood.

"I look forward to that," Trini said. "Have fun."

"I will... later?" Kim responded.

"You got it," Trini confirmed.

Kim hung up the phone and stole one more glance in the mirror just as the doorbell rang to the front door of her small apartment. She hurriedly made her way out of the room and down the hall. She reached for the door handle and took a deep breath. No going back once the door was opened, it would all change. She hesitated for just a moment before she smiled and twisted the knob and opened the door.

Chapter Text

Kimberly considered her life and the things that had led to this moment. Walking along the beach with just the faintest hint of sunlight still peaking out over the farthest part of the ocean's edge. She was conscious of the big smile on her face but couldn't for the life of her do anything about it but steal glances up the shoreline to try to compose herself.

Moments earlier Jason had reached down and taken her hand in his own. They were now walking in step with each other and he was telling her about some experience he had on a beach while he had been overseas. She was listening as best she could but her mind was racing as hard as her heart.

The evening had been perfect. The movie was fun. Dinner was amazing. The drive out to the beach had been full of laughter and shared stories. Now they were here, hand in hand strolling on the beach. A simple first date, but yet somehow perfect for her to allow her to come to terms with how she was feeling sharing all of these experiences with her oldest friend. Slowly but surely over the course of the night, she had become smitten by him in a way that made her almost forget their history.

"But yeah... anyway that's my embarrassing story," Jason finished up his tale with a small chuckle. He turned down to see Kimberly smiling. "You didn't catch any of that did you?"

"Hmm? Kimberly responded turning up to him. He just laughed in response.

"What's on your mind?" Jason questioned.

"Oh... no... I was listening," Kimberly defended herself. "It's just..."

She paused not sure how to put into words what she was thinking and feeling. Jason stopped and they turned to face each other.

"I think I get it," Jason said, his eyes searching hers.

"You do?" Kim asked. He nodded. "You sure?"

He didn't respond vocally instead reaching up to brush a hair from her face the persistent ocean breeze had put there. He let his hand linger momentarily feeling the moment swell.

"I've been thinking a lot too," Jason finally broke the silence.

"And?" Kim's posture felt nervous as she shifted her feet slightly.

"I think..." Jason paused. "I think this is going well."

"I do too," Kim replied in kind as she smiled up at him. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and they continued walking now in the direction of his truck off in the distance.

(****)

Jason lowered the tailgate on his truck. And offered his hand to Kim. She effortlessly made her way up to sit on the tailgate with a cheeky grin.

"Gymnast," Kim said with a wink as she settled into her position on the edge of the truck bed. Jason nodded and smiled. He started to move to sit next to her but hesitated as he took in her appearance. He instead placed his hands on the gate and leaned forward.

"So... Kim," Jason began. Kim watched him as he spoke taking note of his tone. "Would you find it cheesy if I told you how beautiful you are?"

"No... not at all," Kim replied, she felt her cheeks burning slightly. He smiled. "You've told me that before."

"Yeah... but..." He paused and took a breath. "That was then."

"Okay..." Kim found herself hanging on what the next words out of his mouth would be.

"All those times I said that... there was this filter on it..." Jason attempted to explain. "She's your best friend, don't think like that."

"And now?" Kim asked, her hand moving down to rest on top of his.

"Now I want you to know... no filter... that I think you are beautiful," Jason said. "Not just physically... god, that's the obvious part... but you are a beautiful soul, Kim... and I consider myself very lucky to be here with you now."

"Jason," Kimberly felt his words. Almost physically she felt them. She smiled and took him by the hand. She gently led him to stand in front of her his body resting between her legs as they dangled off the tailgate.

"You know..." Kim started speaking her hands coming to rest on his chest. "I didn't know how I would feel when I said yes to this...

Kim made eye contact with him as she continued.

"Can I be honest?" Kim asked. He nodded. "Would it be awkward, could I get past our history, could he?"

Kim felt her face instinctively moving towards his.

"But none of that matters now Jason Scott," Kim stated. "It's not awkward, I love our history... but now I'm just thinking about our present.

His face was now just inches apart from hers.

"I've realized now that sometimes things change... and sometimes... that's exactly what I want," Kim said. Her eyes darted momentarily down to his lips and back up to his eyes. "And right now... in the present, I just want to kiss you."

The words barely left her lips before she moved in to kiss him. The first one gentle and tentative. The second less so.

"I should say... I don't usually kiss on the first date," Kim said as their foreheads rested against each other.

"Me either," Jason replied his lips curling into a smile.

"I have a feeling nothing is going to go like usual with you Jason," Kim replied feeling a wave of excitement and warmth wash over her at her own words.

"I hope not," Jason replied.

With those words, he pulled her up from the truck bed and into his arms returning them into a kiss.

Chapter Text

"So you liking this place?" Jason asked as he closed the apartment door behind him. Kim turned to look back at him as she entered the living room.

"Yeah it's okay," Kim responded as she placed her purse on a counter that separated the living room and kitchen. "Much more space than the one in Orlando."

"Yeah," Jason agreed as he glanced around the room. Far from his first visit here. In truth, he had helped her move in and get settled. Seeing it now, under these circumstances, it felt different and foreign somehow.

"Want a drink?" Kim asked gesturing to her kitchen.

"I'm good," Jason replied as he moved farther into the room and closer to her. Her eyes watched his every move as he came to stop a few feet from her. He smiled. Kim moved over to sit on her couch, she kicked off her shoes and put her feet up under her.

"Sit?" Kim asked. He nodded as he made his way over to sit on the couch close to her. As soon he was settled he moved to put her hand in his. The gesture made Kim's cheeks fill with warmth. She attempted to speak but found her throat to be a little dry. She cleared it. "So..."

"How would you feel if I asked you to do this again sometime?" Jason inquired. Kim smiled.

"Well... I'd say... I hope the night isn't over yet," Kim replied playfully as she reached up to run a finger through his hair.

"It's not," Jason confirmed.

"And then I'd say of course I'd love to do it again sometime," Kim continued. Jason nodded as they made eye contact. What Jason was feeling would have been nearly impossible to describe but he was sure only Kim would have the ability to make him feel it. All of the nervous energy he started their date with had fittingly enough morphed into something else.

The feeling could categorically fall somewhere between really scared and really happy. It scared him how easily he was feeling things with Kim now. Things he had always managed to bury at even the slightest hint or suggestion. It also somehow made him extremely happy to have the freedom to feel things for her.

"Jase?" Kim asked.

"Hmm?" Jason responded.

"What's on your mind?" Kim had been observing him and could see his brain was working overtime. She knew Jason was a thinker. He would analyze and plan. In school, in training, on the battlefield. These were his traits. It's what made him such a great leader.

"Honestly?" Jason responded. Kim nodded. "I was thinking about what I'm feeling and how you scare me."

"I scare you?" Kim was intrigued. She scooted closer. She knew she was being overly flirty and playful and it actually went against her usual nature. Something about this evening with Jason had made her feel things she hadn't before.

"For years..." Jason paused. "For years I've noticed you... but... I never allowed myself to think..."

Kim was really interested now and she smiled at him.

"I didn't want to think about you like that... think that... you were Kim... and I don't know..." Jason said. "I didn't want to let you down."

"Let me down?" Kim asked.

"I didn't want to just be one of the guys... one of the guys that crushed on Kimberly Hart," Jason replied with a chuckle. "I knew you meant more to me than that... that I couldn't just be that guy without jeopardizing our friendship."

Jason shifted on the couch to face more toward Kim.

"I felt like if I let myself get swept away in that you would look at me as just another guy," Jason explained. He took a deep breath. "Maybe that sounds stupid now that I'm saying it out loud."

"No," Kim assured him. She understood what he was saying. In some ways, she had felt similar things toward Jason. He had always been eye candy for all the girls at school. She saw it. She just chose to ignore it.

"So... lately and specifically tonight... it is hitting me that if we are going to do this," Jason placed his hand on her knee. "Then I can't allow myself to recognize the parts of you I have always tried to be blind to."

He smiled.

"And that scares me..." Jason stated. Kim nodded and moved in to kiss him.

"It's okay," Kim said as her lips left his. "I'm ready for this to go where it goes."

"Me too," Jason replied. Another kiss.

"And Jase..." Kim began. "You would never just be another guy to me."

She moved into his lap as the kiss deepened. A smile formed on Kim's face.

"It's sweet though," She said as she pulled back to make eye contact with him. "Sometimes I think you may be too good to be true."

Back to kissing. It was going to quickly progress if kept up.

Jason broke the kiss and put his hands on either side of Kim's waist. He smiled up at her. A few strands of hair had fallen to the front of her face and her eyes were searching his. He realized at that moment he had never seen her look more beautiful and also that he felt like the luckiest man on the planet.

Drawing on as much discipline as he could muster he resisted to urge to go in for more and following the night where it was leading. Something in him wanted to savor every moment in their change of status. He didn't want to rush anything.

"Hi," Jason said as she continued to smile at him. Her smile broadened. She understood and felt a sense of relief wash over her. She wasn't sure she was ready for things to progress so quickly but she also wasn't sure she could stop.

"Hi," Kim replied with a small laugh. She gave him one last small peck on the lips before she untangled herself from his lap and moved to fall into the couch next to him. He put his arm around her and she snuggled up against him.

Kim was realizing more and more how different things were going to be with Jason. He really was not just any guy and what she was feeling she was pretty sure was not just any typical feelings.

(***)

Kim opened her eyes and found herself looking up at the slowly spinning ceiling fan on her bedroom ceiling. She sat up quickly and looked around for Jason. She must have fallen asleep while sitting with him on her couch. She glanced over at nightstand to see a piece of paper lying on it. She rolled over and retrieved it and got up and moved to the living room to look for Jason.

She saw no sign of him and then flipped on a lamp to read the note.

"Kim,

It seems I talked you to sleep. My bad. In your defense though, you did seem pretty comfortable. I hope it's okay that I moved you to your bed but I thought I might wake you as I left if I didn't.

Tonight was great. If you are free, tomorrow night could be even better.

Jason"

Kim placed the note up against her chest and smiled. She glanced at the clock on her nightstand considered it for a moment doing some quick math in her head. She then made her way to her phone and picked it up and dialed. After a few rings, a familiar voice came through the other end.

"Why didn't I do this sooner?" Kim asked rhetorically as she plopped down on her bed.

"I take it everything went well then?" The glee in Trini's voice was barely contained.

"Trini... it was perfect," Kim replied.

"I knew it would be," Trini boasted proudly. "I would like the details."

"Of course," Kim laughed. "I think he may be perfect."

"Oh this is gonna be good," Trini replied.

"Yeah, I think it will be," Kim said before she went into detailing the night and how it felt.

Chapter Text

Kimberly was frantic as she watched Tommy and Adam lay Jason down on a bed in the medical bay of the Power Chamber. Her mind was reliving the last few hours. A normal evening hanging out with their friends in the park had turned into a nightmare when Jason had collapsed. It was sudden and with no warning.

The first instinct to call 911 had been squashed when Tommy's communicator beeped. Zordon had insisted Jason be brought to him as he knew what was happening to him. All of the enemies she had faced to this day lined up one after the other wouldn't have been able to prevent Kim from being teleported with him.

"So what is going on?" Kim looked around at the room searching for answers. Alpha Five made his way into the room and over to Jason's body. He was holding some sort of wand. He ran it up and down Jason's body before moving over to a nearby console. He pushed a few buttons and Zordon's image appeared on a screen above them.

"Zordon, what is happening to Jason?" Tommy inquired his hand still on his fallen friend's shoulder.

"Is he okay?" Kim interjected frantically, attempting to calm herself when she heard herself out loud.

"Jason is under attack," Zordon stated matter-of-factly. His statement elevated Kim's panic all over again. "It appears something is attempting to drain his life force."

"What... could be doing that?" Katherine beat Kim to asking as the taller blonde moved next to Kim.

"I am not sure currently, but the tests Alpha is running should give us the answers," Zordon answered. "I detected a disturbance with him immediately before his collapse."

"Is it the gold powers?" Kim inquired, reaching down to take Jason's hand. "'Cause I thought he had recovered from that."

"He had, so it can't be that," Alpha responded to her question as he moved over with a new device and placed it gently on Jason's head. Kim looked it over intently trying to determine what it could be doing.

"Anything Alpha?" Kim asked.

"Not yet," Alpha answered. Adam moved over to the console and leaned on it. He then turned back to the group.

"Do you think Divatox is behind this?" Adam questioned.

"She must be," Tanya surmised.

"I'm not so sure," Alpha spoke up. "There appears to be something draining his life-force, and it is coming from within."

"Within? Tommy inquired, trying like the rest of the group to make the puzzle pieces fit.

"Yes," Alpha responded in the affirmative.

"It HAS to be the gold powers," Kim added, finding herself subconsciously squeezing Jason's hand.

"Can we get ahold of Trey?" Tommy questioned looking back and forth from Alpha and Zordon.

"I will attempt to reach him now," Zordon responded. The group all focused on Jason and watching Alpha's movements around him. After a few minutes, there was a flash of light in the corner of the room prompting all to turn.

"Trey!" Tommy was the first to recognize who had joined them in the room. The Gold Ranger nodded in greeting and moved up to stand next to the Red Turbo Ranger.

"Trey, is it the gold powers causing this?" Adam asked. As if on cue the Golden Staff materialized in Trey's hands and he lifted if over Jason's prone body. The group all watched slightly mesmerized as it hummed with gold energy, specks of it seemingly discharging and flowing in and out of Jason's body.

"The golden power no longer resides in Jason's body at all," Trey finally stated as the glow left the room and it returned to normal.

"Man..." Tommy sighed with frustration. "Then what could this be, any idea?"

"The golden power is gone, but it did keep something active within him," Trey continued. All eyes were on him now. "This is Zedd."

"Zedd?!" Kim's surprise was not hidden in her response.

"The dark energy of Maligore..." Zordon's voice entered the equation once again. "He is after it."

"I don't understand," Tommy shook his head, looking back and forth from Zordon and Trey now, stealing a glance at Kim in between.

"I'm afraid the residual golden powers mixed with Maligore's essence and created a rather powerful reaction inside of Jason," Trey explained.

"So what can we do?" Kim asked, her voice breaking slightly.

"There is only one thing I can think of..." Trey began. "I must transfer the power back to Jason in an attempt to restore his life and absorb what is left of Maligore's essence."

"Wait..." Adam moved forward closer to Jason's bedside. "Your powers almost killed him before."

"Yeah... you can't," Kim agreed, feeling extra appreciative at Adam for looking out for Jason.

"Yes... but that was only after a long time of holding them," Trey reacted. "This will not be a repeat of that."

Kim locked eyes with Tommy momentarily before both turned to look up at Zordon.

"I concur with Trey," Zordon said.

"Okay... everyone, stand back," Trey said glancing around at the group. All followed his suggestion with Kim being the most reluctant to let go of Jason's hand. Kat's hand on her shoulder prompted her to fully let go and sink back from the bed.

Trey stepped forward and placed the staff in Jason's hand while holding it firmly in his own. After a few seconds the staff began to glow again and this time Jason's whole body began to crackle with gold energy.

Kim watched with concern as Jason's body began to rise off the bed. She shared a concerned look with Tommy who was across the room from her. He mouthed an "it's okay" even as Jason now hovered a good five foot into the air.

In one instant flash, Jason's body was enveloped in the gold power suit once more. Trey opened his eyes and Kim saw the flash of horror in them even as Jason's body disappeared into thin air.

"No," Trey's voice was barely above a whisper as he attempted in vain to reach out and grab onto Jason before he completely vanished.

"Where did he go!?" Tommy questioned as he quickly moved up next to Trey, the rest of the group following suit to gather closely around the bed.

"He..." Trey paused and made eye contact with Zordon. "Did you feel that too?"

"I did," Zordon agreed.

"How did he do that?" Trey asked. The rest of the group going more confused and frustrated with the situation.

"Please... someone tell me what is going on?" Kim said closing her eyes wishing the whole scenario was a nightmare.

"It was Zedd," Zordon informed the group. "The connection he had with Jason... allowed him to tap into the power surge caused by the transfer to teleport him out."

"What?!" Kim was exasperated now. "Tele... wh... where did he take him?"

"I'm working on finding him now," Alpha chimed in as he hurried from the room to make his way into the main control room of the console. The rest of the group followed behind him quickly, Tommy and Adam even making it there before the robot.

Kim was pacing behind the group as all were working the controls on the consoles in front of them. She could barely work her way around any of them in the old Command Center but these were all foreign to her. She fought the many emotions bubbling up in her. She wanted to scream and cry all at once.

"I got a fix!" Tommy shouted excitedly from his place on the far end of the console. Alpha moved quickly to his side to confirm. "Alpha where is this?"

"Let me see," Alpha said as he hovered over the monitor beneath him. He pushed a few buttons nearby. "Somewhere in the Pacific Ocean."

"Ocean?" Tommy furrowed his brow. "That can't be right."

"Can you be more specific?" Kim asked as she squeezed into the group to stand next to Tommy.

"Unfortunately I cannot get any closer than this," Alpha pointed to the monitor. A large red circle engulfed a large part of the aforementioned sea."

"I don't understand," Trey spoke up.

"I don't either, it appears something is interfering with the signal... not allowing it to be pinpointed," Alpha responded.

"It... must be the power surge caused by the transfer," Trey surmised. "The energy emitted will be erratic until it fully embraces its new host."

"So... in other words, the gold powers are causing surges that are spreading out this far?" Tommy questioned, his finger pressed against the monitor. Trey nodded and Tommy let out a quiet curse.

"How strong are these powers, sheesh," Adam voiced the thoughts of the group collective.

"It's why they drain a human host," Trey explained.

"I'd say," Tanya added with a shake of her head.

"How long until you think it stops surging?" Kim asked.

"I'm not sure... normally I'd say within minutes..." Try paused. "But I don't know what Zedd is doing with him."

(****)

Jason opened his eyes to see the immediate darkness of a visor encasing his vision. It was a familiar but somewhat forgotten sensation. He blinked a few times to make sure he wasn't hallucinating. Suddenly the surge of adrenaline coursing through his body brought him very much into reality and he sprung to his feet much faster than his normal reflexes would allow.

Jason glanced down to see his gloved hands and made a fist. His eyes moved up his arm to see the familiar gold and black pattern along the length of it. His eyes widened under the visor as confusion and shock set in.

"Wha... how..." Jason quickly glanced at his surroundings to find himself on a beach. He quickly surmised it was not any beach he had ever been on before. A quick spin on his heels brought his situation into further clarity. The tall trees and thick plant growth encroaching on the beach behind him suggested he was somewhere fairly remote.

Some rustling from nearby caused his natural defenses to take over and he faced it with fists clinched.

"There you are," the voice sent a chill down Jason's spine.

"Goldar..." Jason glanced at the similarly golden villain making his way out of the growth and down the beach toward him. "Care to tell me what is going on?"

"Come with me and you will find out," Goldar suggested. Jason shook his head.

"Yeah right," Jason replied, still somewhat in a state of shock from his current situation. Some clarity as he reached down and pressed against the buckle on his belt in an attempt to teleport. A few futile pressed gave way to laughter from Goldar.

"What's a matter, Jason?" Goldar taunted as he twirled his sword. "You aren't getting off this island like that."

"Island?" Jason questioned at the new information.

"We like to call it our little slice of paradise... although I suspect you may not agree," Goldar replied.

"We?" Jason inquired. Goldar smirked.

"Are you going to make this easy or not..." Goldar questioned.

"I think you know the answer to that," Jason responded shifting his feet slightly to get a better fighting stance.

"I hoped you would say that," Goldar replied, as a group of putties materialized around him as a small army of Tenga warriors came into view over the trees behind him.

"Great," Jason's tone was sarcastic as he eyed up his opponents. He found himself momentarily glancing around for his team, quickly reminded how alone he was when he saw only sand. He collected his thoughts, took a deep breath, and charged.

Chapter Text

Jason glanced behind him as he stopped to catch his breath. He could hear the squawking of the Tenga's close behind him. He cursed between breaths and took in his surroundings. In an attempt at not being ambushed and overwhelmed he had run inland to find somewhere to hide and gather his bearings.

Jason noticed a cave to his left and more trees in every other direction. He found himself torn on which direction to go. A loud rustling behind him prompted a quick decision to duck into the cave.

He made it until the light from the outside could no longer penetrate the opening and then he abruptly stopped and turned on his heels to see if he was followed. He waited for only a few seconds before he saw a group of Putties go running by with Goldar close behind them. He didn't breathe until he was sure the last one had made it by.

Jason finally took a breath and straightened his posture. He glanced down at his suit once more, reliving the surprise of finding himself in it again, all over. He shook his head and closed his eyes. He could feel the gold power surging throughout his body. It felt more powerful than he had ever felt it. Also, it felt different somehow. He opened his eyes to see a crackle of red and black energy shoot up and down his wrists.

Jason backed up, confused at what he had just witnessed. His last step backward found nothing solid underneath him and before he could regain his balance he found himself falling backward at a high rate of speed. The ceiling of the cave got farther and farther away until his back impacted hard with the ground once again.

(****)

"Any lock on him at all?" Kimberly was hovering over the control panel in front of her. She still had no clue what she was looking at it but was awaiting some news expectantly.

"Not yet, but the area is narrowing even as we speak," Alpha answered.

"Good, the surge is leveling off," Trey added.

"We should morph and get ready to teleport," Tommy looked around at his fellow Rangers.

"Right," Kat agreed. "You should let Justin know."

Tommy nodded and went to raise his communicator just as the siren went off in the chamber.

"What now!?" Adam questioned.

"The Rangers are needed downtown, it is under attack," Zordon replied.

"Of course," Tommy responded, with a glance at Kim.

"What about Jason?" Tanya asked.

"We will continue to monitor here, but currently there is nothing we can do until we get a lock on him," Zordon stated. "In the meantime, you are needed in Angel Grove."

"Okay..." Tommy nodded in understanding. He looked at the group. "Let's make quick work of this and get back here."

Kim watched as the team teleported out, leaving the chamber in silence as she made eye contact with Trey. He had a worried look on his face and she walked over to him.

"What is it?" Kim inquired. He started to shake his head but the look he was getting from Kim suggested it wouldn't go over well.

"Listen..." Trey paused. "Time is of the utmost importance... the powers... he won't make it long."

"I don't understand... before he held the powers for months," Kim was the one shaking her head now.

"Yes, and his body never fully recovered," Trey replied. "Taking on the power in his weakened state..."

"How long?" Kim asked. Trey avoided eye contact with her. "How long?!"

"Maybe an earth hour, maybe a little more," Trey responded, the eye contact returning fleetingly.

Kim's knees felt weak. She did some quick math in her head to determine Jason had already held the powers for nearly half an hour. She retreated back to the console to lean on it for support. She turned up to Zordon.

"Zordon..." Her voice was quiet but it got his fully attention. "We have to do something."

"I know," Zordon replied. "Alpha move me to the grid."

"Zordon..." Alpha's tone was one of surprise. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," Zordon replied. "It is our only choice at this point."

"Okay," Alpha replied before pushing some buttons on the console that caused Zordon to vanish.

"What is he doing?" Kim's eyes moved from the now empty tube to her robot friend.

"Searching," was Alpha's cryptic response.

(****)

Jason gasped in an attempt to regain his breath from both the shock and impact of the fall he had just experienced. He quickly got to his feet and glanced around him. Everything was pitch dark except for the small bit of light up above him where he could make out the hole he fell down.

Jason moved his arm out and summoned his Power Staff. It began to emit a soft gold glow that lit up the area around him. He was directly facing a rock wall. He turned around and was startled when the gold glow reflected off of a shiny metal surface. The shock caused him to momentarily deactivate the staff.

Before the gold could begin to fill the room again, it was instead replaced with an ominous red glow. Jason shook his head as he began to realize that what he feared he had seen was exactly that. Soon the source of the glow was obvious as his eyes fell on Lord Zedd standing in the center of the large expanse in front of him.

"Welcome," Zedd taunted. His voice as unpleasant as ever to Jason's ears. "Finster... some light please."

The room was slowly illuminated in a more traditional yellow glow from artificial light. Jason glanced around him at crude light structures lining the walls. He began to see all kinds of machines and other unsavory objects all around him.

"What is this place?" Jason found his voice.

"My home for now," Zedd answered.

"Our home," a voice came from an opening behind Zedd. Jason glanced beyond him to see Rita entering the room with a smirk on her face.

"You are gonna have to excuse me if I am a little confused at what is going on here," Jason stated.

"Well... Jason, let me fill you in," Zedd responded as Rita made her way to his side and handed him his staff. "You see we have a bit of proposition for you."

"Zedd... you know better," Jason shook his head.

"I'd hear him out," Rita replied with a shrug before she made her way toward Jason who raised his weapon in a gesture of warning. She raised her hands before walking over and sitting down in what appeared to be a makeshift throne.

"You see... I don't think this is an offer you can afford to refuse," Zedd continued. As he spoke, Jason was carefully studying his surroundings for a way out. "That is if you value your life."

Jason's attention was fully returned to Zedd. He cocked his head slightly.

"What are you talking about?" Jason inquired.

"Well... you know that those powers were killing you before," Zedd began to clarify.

"Right," Jason agreed as he moved a few steps out from the wall behind him, not liking how cornered he was.

"What I bet you don't know is that they are also killing you now," Zedd stated. "Not only are they killing you, but they are doing so at a rapid rate."

The word rapid made Jason suddenly very aware of his heartrate. It was elevated, much more than he had ever felt it in any battle situation.

"It's true," Rita chimed in from her place still sitting on her throne. Her smirk widening.

"I'd guess... from my research that you have maybe minutes to live at the most," Zedd added.

Jason shook his head even as his vision began to blur.

"I don't believe you!" Jason exclaimed, his frustration and fear growing.

"I mean... that is your choice, but I suspect by now you must be feeling it, correct?" Zedd countered. He studied Jason's body movements. He began to chuckle slightly. "Yeah... you can feel it."

"It takes months," Jason responded.

"When you were fully healthy," Zedd said. "Your body was still drained from having the powers before... that... and the energy from Maligore created quite the deadly mix inside of you."

"Maligore?" Jason's first instinct was not to believe anything he was hearing. The feeling overtaking his body was telling him otherwise.

"Oh yes..." Rita spoke up again. "His energy latched on to residual gold energy in your body and was feeding off of it like a wonderful little parasite."

The glee in Rita's tone was convincing enough to Jason to make him begin to understand the true gravity of his situation.

"I don't..." Jason paused as a wave of dizziness hit him. "What do you want from me?"

"You see... Finster here has been working overtime on a device that can save your life," Zedd replied as he walked over to the device and began to pat on it. Jason eyed the pod-shaped object and shook his head.

"Why would you save me?" Jason rightly questioned the motives of his archnemesis.

"That's the delicious part," Rita said as she rose and made her way to stand a few feet from Jason. "In order for us to save you... we need you to relinquish those golden powers."

"No," Jason immediately shook his head.

"Don't be a fool," Zedd chastised him as he gripped his staff tightly with both hands.

"I will never give you these powers," Jason reaffirmed his stance.

"Well you see... we expected that," Zedd stated. "So you may keep the powers."

"What?" Jason wrinkled his brow under his helmet in confusion.

"You see... the powers are useless without a host anyway," Zedd replied. "The Triforian has seen to that."

"So what are you offering then?" Jason questioned.

"You keep the powers," Zedd stated as he reached over and opened the pod next to him. "We however will control them."

There was a hush that fell over the room.

"Which means of course... we control you," Rita stated the obvious her smirk forming into a full malicious grin."

"I'd never do your bidding," Jason shook his head a put more comfortable distance between himself and Rita.

"Well... you see..." Zedd began. "Normally your will would be very resistant to any attempts to corrupt you..."

"But you already have evil inside of you now," Rita finished the thought for him, with a point at Jason's chest.

"With our magic, the energy from Maligore and the golden power... you would be all the army we would ever need," Zedd stated.

"Think about it Jason... but not too long... you don't have much time left," Rita taunted.

(****)

"Searching for what?" Kim questioned.

"Searching the power grid," Alpha replied.

"He is searching for any active energy isn't he?" Trey spoke up with a question directed at Alpha.

"Yes, he is checking to see if anything other than the Turbo powers are able to be activated," Alpha explained further. Kim shook her head.

"What does that mean?" Kim questioned just as Zordon materialized in his tube.

"Found them," Zordon announced to the room just as two streaks appeared at the far end of the room. Kim immediately took note of the colors of the streaks and her eyes widened as she saw Trini and Zack approaching her. She ran to embrace them.

"Kim!" Trini excitedly exclaimed as she wrapped her arms tightly around Kim even as she felt Zack's arms envelop them both.

"What is going on?" Zack asked as he glanced up at Zordon.

"We need your help, Jason is in dire trouble," Zordon reacted.

"What?!" Zack was shocked and alarmed at this news as he released the girls and moved closer to the control panel. Trini and Kim were close behind him.

"We used my powers to restore his health from an attack and he was captured," Trey began to explain as Zack noticed him for the first time. Zack began to respond.

"We don't have much time," Zordon chimed in. "I will explain everything later but for now just know we need your power coins."

"Our coins?" Trini asked.

"Yes... hold out your hands," Zordon instructed the former Rangers. Both did as directed and instantly their respective coins materialized in their palms.

"Unfortunately there is not enough reserve power in the grid to activate both," Zordon informed the group. "I will need to combine the two into one."

"Okay," Zack replied extending his hand closer to Trini's.

"Only one of you may take on the power," Zordon stated.

"Then let me?" Kimberly spoke up as she stepped forward. "Can we do that?"

"I can do it, Kim," Zack began to protest but the look he got from Trini suggested to him that maybe it was better not to.

"Zack... I have to be there for him now," Kim stated as she made eye contact with her friend. He saw the look she was giving him and nodded.

"Okay... yeah... if we can do that, let's do that," Zack said.

"Can we?" Kim looked up at Zordon.

"Yes, you will always have a connection to the Morphin Grid," Zordon responded. Just then the two coins in Zack and Trini's hands began to glow and then shot up in the air. They combined in a whir of black and yellow light before it the energy flowed rapidly in Kimberly's direction. The light changed to pink as it neared her. Kim closed her eyes as the energy began to flow through her once again.

(****)

"I will never let you control me," Jason stated firmly as the staff in his hands began to glow.

"Then you leave us with no choice," Zedd replied as he moved menacingly toward the Gold Ranger. He paused momentarily. "I'll put you in there myself."

Zedd moved to within striking range and Jason wasted no time planting a warning kick in the chest of his longtime foe. Zedd stopped his momentum and reached a hand down to his chest. He seemed surprised at the impact. He glanced over to Rita who nodded and raised her wand. She fired a beam at Jason who was able to deflect it with his staff.

He however was not ready for the swiftness of Zedd moving in on him again and found himself being lifted off the ground by the neck. Zedd effortlessly tossed him back up against the rock wall, prompting pieces of it to crumble next to Jason as he fell to his knees.

"Give it up, Ranger," Zedd taunted as he moved over and grabbed Jason's arm and flung him out into the center of the room, ever closer to the pod. Jason performed a quick roll and got to his feet. He opened his and called over his staff. It landed in his hand and began to glow.

"I will... bring down this whole place around us if I have to," Jason warned.

"Very well," Zedd said straightening his posture. He waved his hands and the view surrounding them changed. Jason soon realized they were located outside of the cave now. He searched for a way to escape his situation.

"If you are thinking about escaping... you might want to think again," Rita's voice emerged from the cave as she gestured above Jason. He glanced up to see an army of Tenga's encircling the treeline all around them. His eyes moved to the ground to see them similarly surrounded by putties, with Goldar in front of them directly behind Zedd.

"You see... you can't escape," Zedd explained. "I am perfectly willing to fight you for those powers... to your death."

Jason's mind was racing as he considered his options. He glanced behind Rita to see Finster leading a group of putties who were carrying the pod out to him. He fought a wave of dizziness and attempted to calm his heart rate as he could tell it was now dangerously high as his body fought off the power draining it of its lifeforce.

Jason fell to a knee, prompting a sinister chuckle from Zedd. He laid his staff on the ground in front of him and glanced down at his hands, the red and black energy crackling over them once more. He found the strength to glance up at his enemies. With a resolved nod he reached down and retrieved his staff and used it to help himself stand.

"To the death then," Jason stated. The words prompting Zedd's laugh to cease.

Jason fixed his gaze on Zedd.

"It's time for a gold rush!" Jason exclaimed as he raised his staff high and felt an incredible surge of energy flowing from him. He pointed the staff first at Zedd before quickly pivoting and directing the blast at the pod to his right.

"No!" Zedd screamed as he quickly raised his staff and fired a blast of energy in the same direction the golden power was now quickly pulsating toward. The two energy blasts met, and the gold one began to power its way past the red energy from Zedd. "Rita!"

Rita understood the call and she raised her own wand and added her own energy blast to the mix, a purple and black mixture that target only the golden light of Jason's energy.

It was a standstill now as the collective energy all worked together in a powerful test of strength. Goldar quickly moved and retrieved the pod just as the gold energy moved with inches of obliterating it.

"Clever move," Zedd exclaimed as all the parties lowered their weapons. Jason's shoulder's slumped as he felt the defeat come over him. He knew his best chance was to eliminate anyway for the transfer of power even if it meant his sure death. Now that chance had left as he watched Goldar disappear inside the cave with the pod in his arms.

Jason found the will to continue and moved to chase Goldar. He found himself being blasted hard in the back from a wave of energy by Zedd that caused him to tumble fast first in the dirt and gravel beneath his feet.

Jason grunted in both pain and frustration as he attempted to get to his feet. As he pressed his hands on the ground for leverage he momentarily felt the dirt in contact with his bare palms and glanced to see his suit flicker off and then back on. Just then everything went black for him.

"Bring it back out!" Zedd exclaimed as he placed a foot on the back of the prone Gold Ranger. He knocked the golden staff away from reach of his foe with his own staff. He watched as Goldar brought the pod back out and placed it on the ground in front of Jason.

Zedd handed Goldar his staff as he himself used both hands to reach down and pick up the fallen Ranger. He turned him to face him and moved over to the pod dropping him inside harshly.

"Finster!" Rita motioned for her henchman to come forward and activate the machine.

Jason heard voices as he struggled to open his eyes. They fluttered open just in time to see the clear lid to the pod being slammed closed by Goldar. Jason's mind told him to flee but his body had no energy to follow suit. He watched in horror as the inside of the chamber began to glow an ominous mix of black and red energy. He cried out just as everything went dark again.

Chapter Text

Kim was still coming down from the high of feeling a morph and teleportation again when she opened her eyes and they widened in horror at the scene in front of her. Putties clouded her vision on every side. A sea of ominous gray that overwhelmed her senses.

A groan from behind her that sounded way too familiar for her liking broke her attention from the army surrounding her. She quickly spun just in time to catch a glimpse of Jason having a lid to a sinister-looking device slammed over him. She quickly surveyed the scene and clenched her fists.

"Hey!" Kim called out. Her anger overriding any concern she might have otherwise had for her well being. It was then all eyes focused solely on her. She took a step forward. "Let him go Zedd."

"Well... long time no see Pink Ranger," Zedd responded as she squared his body to face her fully. "I am afraid I can't do what you are asking though."

Kim saw the pod Jason was in glowing from within with energy and she held her hands out, praying her trusty weapon would still appear for her. She smiled as she saw the pink energy form her bow. She took a quick and aim and fired at the pod. Her heart sunk as she watched Goldar slash her arrow out of the air with his sword with a low growl.

Kimberly was on instinct now as she charged at the pod. She just had to get to it and try to get him out. She felt arms gripping her and turned to see the gray army had descended on her and was trying to hold her back. She used all of her strength to throw as many of them off her as she could. They eventually overwhelmed her and brought her down to one knee. She looked up helplessly as the pod remained just out of reach.

"Let me go!" Kimberly screamed between grunts of trying to break free.

A loud explosion came from behind the army of putties and caused them to scatter. Kimberly fell onto her hands and turned just in time to see Trey running up to her with a large gun of some sort still smoking in his hands.

"Trey... we got to get him out," Kimberly said as he reached her and helped her to her feet. He nodded even as Goldar stepped in front of them and swung his sword in a warning.

"Get to him... I'll distract them," Trey replied as he stepped in front of Kim and the blaster in his hand transformed into a golden sword not too dissimilar to the one Goldar was wielding.

"You stand no chance," Goldar sneered as he charged Trey, and the two engaged in a sword battle. Kim glanced behind them to see Zedd peering down into the pod. She summoned her bow and fired another arrow, this one exploding hard into Zedd's back.

Kim was slightly disheartened when he didn't go down and instead turned and fired a blast back at her with his staff. She managed to dodge it and roll clear dispatching a few stray putties in the same motion. She stood up and ran towards the pod again.

"It's too late for him Pink Ranger, you should save yourself," Zedd taunted as he fired a couple more blasts at Kimberly's feet impeding her path.

"Don't play with her... end her," Rita said stepping up from behind Zedd and firing a blast with evil intention directly at Kimberly's head. Kimberly dropped to the ground face-first in order to avoid the contact. She stole a glance at the pod that was glowing brighter now. She cursed as she got to her feet and went into a series of flips to throw off her enemies.

"Be still!" Rita screeched as she blasted away in a blind rage, tearing the ground up but never hitting her intended target. She was eventually surprised to see a white boot rise up from beneath her chin and make contact sending her stumbling back into her husband.

Kim was satisfied the blow bought her enough time as she scrambled over to the pod and tried to yank the door open. To her dismay, it would not budge. She yelled in frustration before producing her blade blaster and striking the glass as hard as she could. One strike. A crack. Two strikes. The shattering sound music to her ears.

A blast of energy knocked Kimberly backward. She landed and quickly rolled over and reached up into the pod feeling a burning pain engulf her body as she grabbed Jason's prone body and pulled him as hard as he could. His body came tumbling out, landed on her, and rolled out of her grasp.

"Jason!" Kimberly called out to him as she crawled over and took his helmeted head into her hands. The energy crackling over his body ceased and she reached for the clamps on the helmet to remove it. A large hand engulfed hers and yanked her up to her feet.

"You fool!" Zedd bellowed his voice shrill to Kimberly that close to him. He moved his hand to her throat and began to squeeze. Kimberly began to hit his arm with all her might but he didn't release his grip but continued to squeeze. Kim looked for Trey but saw him being thrown to the ground by Goldar.

A groan from beneath Kimberly prompted Zedd to become distracted enough for her to wiggle herself from his grasp and roll away from him. She fought losing consciousness as she tried to regain some air. She glanced up and saw Zedd standing over Jason's body.

She felt her heart jump a little as he began to move his arms. Zedd stepped back and focused his direction towards Finster who was standing nearby.

"Was it enough?" Zedd asked.

"I am not sure," Finster responded.

Zedd refocused his attention on Jason who was moving more now. Zedd reached out a hand for him. Kimberly felt her heart sink when she saw Jason reach for him and allow himself to be helped up.

"No," Kimberly's voice was barely audible as she got to her feet. She barely noticed Trey join her side as he too watched the scene in front of him.

Zedd turned to face both of them as the Gold Ranger straightened his posture. He shook his head a few times.

"You were too late," Zedd taunted over at Kimberly. "You have lost him to us."

"This is bad..." Trey spoke as he gripped his sword tight. He turned to Kim. "It... it's too late we got to get back and warn Zordon."

Kimberly shook her head.

"No... no..." Kim said. "It can't be too late... we can't just leave him."

"I understand how you feel but..." Trey responded.

"I don't think you do," Kimberly said as she took a glance over at him before turning back to Jason. She took a deep breath and began to approach him. A group of putties began to cut her off but a dismissive wave from Zedd cleared her path. She watched as Zedd took a few steps back and planted the sharp end of his staff in the ground and allowed her to approach.

She was within a few feet of him now. So close she could hear his heavy breathing under the costume. She stopped when she was close enough to touch him.

"Jason," Her voice was soft even as she kept herself at the ready for what might happen. It was not her first encounter with a loved one gone evil. She reached up and put a hand on the golden armor surrounding his chest. "Talk to me..."

No response from him prompted her to become bolder. She reached up and unclasped her helmet. She slowly removed it and allowed it to fall to the ground. She glanced at Zedd and Rita and saw the satisfied smile on Rita's face. She took another deep breath and reached tentatively up to the helmet covering Jason's head.

She jumped when Jason's hand moved up to clasp around her wrist. She heard Trey moving in from behind her but she held up her hand for him to stop. Although Jason had gripped her it was not tight. She continued to move both of their hands towards his face. Her fingers reached the clasp on the left side of his helmet and she clicked it open.

Jason tightened his grip momentarily as it released before he lowered his hand completely. Kimberly wasted no time to in undoing the other side and then calmed herself as she reached both hands up to clasp his helmet as it made her more vulnerable now. She lifted it from his hand moved it up and over so she could see him.

She held a gasp as she saw the red flashing from his eyes. His face was twisting somewhere between sinister and confused. Kim tossed his helmet down next to hers.

"Jason... please... look at me," Kimberly implored him. A low growl from deep in his chest frightened but did not deter her. "Please... I know you are still in there."

"I...." Jason started to respond. The low register of it disheartened her. She shook her head.

"Please... you have to fight it," Kim said as she reached down and took one of his hands in hers.

"No..." Jason spoke. Kimberly embraced him as hard she could.

"Please," Kim was now practically begging.

"You..." Jason began. For a moment his regular voice broke through and Kimberly felt her heart swell she pulled back to look up at him. The red left his eyes and he looked down at her. "You have to get away from here... I can't stop this."

"Jason... no..." Kim shook her head feeling a tear welling up. "Fight it... I know you can... you can!"

"I am... but...." Jason stopped. His eyes flickered red.

"Kimberly!" Trey's voice rang out from behind Kim and she glanced to her side just in time to see Jason's hand come up over her head and start to come down. She heard a blast over her head and the impact knocked her away from Jason. She glanced up to see him stagger backward with the Golden Power Staff gripped firmly in his hand.

"No!" She didn't want to believe what was happening. She fought the urge to run to him again even as another blast from Tray's blaster hit Jason squarely in the chest dislodging his footing again.

She saw Jason reach down and pick up his helmet and put it back on as he squared up to take another blast. This one he knocked aside with his staff.

"Don't make me do this," Kimberly said quietly as she retrieved her helmet and then her bow. She watched as Jason began to charge Trey who was in the process of converting his blaster to a sword once more to block the blow from the staff coming down at his head.

Kim saw he wasn't going to make it in time and she fired an arrow that exploded in Jason's back. He lowered his arms and squared his posture. He cocked his head and turned it over his shoulder at Kimberly. He started to turn but delivered a powerful kick to Trey's chest that knocked him to the ground.

"Jason... please... stop!" Kim called out to him as she moved into a defensive stance as Jason fully turned to her. "You don't want to do this and neither do I."

Jason didn't respond and instead charged at her. She barely had time to roll clear to miss a flying kick from him. She landed and found he was already on her again. She threw a kick designed to put distance between them but found her foot connecting with his chest only served to knock her back off balance and she fell down and found herself looking up at Jason as he moved to stand over her.

She let out a startled cry as he knelt down and clutched her by the throat and lifted her to her feet. He pulled her in close to him to their helmets were almost touching. Kimberly felt her heart breaking as she realized what he was about to do. She leaned forward and allowed her helmet to rest on his.

"I love you," Kimberly said as she felt his grip on her neck momentarily loosen. The words seem to hang in the air over them for a fleeting moment before his grip tightened again and she felt herself being slammed into the unforgiving ground beneath them.

If all the air had not been knocked out of her his quick movement of jerking her back off the ground and tossing her effortlessly through the air into the side of a nearby hill would have stolen her breath.

Kimberly felt sharp pains all over her body as it crumpled down to the ground. She had never felt such strength. She summoned her bow but could barely raise it and it get off a shot before falling flat-faced again. She saw Jason catch the arrow and break it in his hands. She pushed up from the ground and to her knees and moved her hands out in front of her.

Jason walked towards her and called for the golden staff once more. It appeared on cue and he began to charge it with golden energy as he approached her. Kimberly tried to stand but felt woozy. She found herself introspectively asking if she was a fool to come here. She knew the answer. Yes, she was. But she knew she could never make any other choice. She had to try to save him. She closed her eyes as he reached striking range and raised the staff.

The blow should have hit her within seconds but Kimberly felt nothing. She opened her eyes to see him still standing over with the staff raised over his head. He seemed frozen but she could hear his breathing behind the mask.

"God... no...." Jason's voice came from beneath the helmet. "I am sorry... I can't..."

It was him. It was Jason. Really Jason. His tone but with anguish corrupting its normal soothing quality. She reached up to him. Both were startled when another hand reached out from behind and grabbed the staff. Kim glanced behind Jason to see Trey.

There was a flash of blinding light that engulfed both of them and Kimberly shielded her eyes. When she lowered her arms she saw Jason's unmorphed body fall to the ground in front of her with a Gold Ranger standing behind him clasping the staff.

"What?" Kim was confused but she instinctively crawled over and put her hands on Jason in an attempt to roll him over. She kept one eye on the Gold Ranger. "Is that you Trey?"

"Yes... the power is reclaimed," Trey responded as he knelt down to help her roll Jason over. Kimberly breathed a sigh of relief momentarily before she saw the state of Jason. "Is he?"

"He still has a pulse," Kim said as she took his wrist in her hand. She was trying to avoid panic mode as she glanced behind Trey to see Goldar approaching.

"You have got to get him to wake up, you know what to do," Trey said as she reached his hand out and took Kimberly's free hand in it. With his other one, he placed something in it. She closed her hand around it and nodded. "He will die without it."

With that, Trey stood up to face the army approaching them. He moved to meet them head-on.

"Jason... baby... you have got to open your eyes..." Kim said as she moved her hands up to his head and tried to gently shake him awake. "Please... please..."

A groan from him prompted her to go still as she watched his eyes flutter slightly.

"Jason, can you hear me?" Kim asked.

"Kim?" His voice was weak and she barely heard it above the battle raging behind her.

"I'm here... can you open your eyes?" Kim inquired. She smiled as he did so. No red, just the dark pools she got lost in so often. "I need you to try to sit up."

"I..." Jason began he stopped and looked up at her. He moved a hand up to rest it on her cheek. "I am sor..."

"It's okay... don't... you couldn't help it," Kim replied as his hand wiped away some blood and tears from her cheek.

"I couldn't..." Jason shook his head.

"Can you stand?" Kim asked as she shook her head, wanting to refocus them.

"I think..." Jason took a deep breath and started to sit up. He got halfway and started to collapse again. Kim moved her arm under him and helped him get all the way up to a sitting position. It was then Jason saw the Gold Ranger fighting valiantly against overwhelming odds.

"Listen to me..." Kim tried to compose herself. "Trey says you..."

She hesitated as she couldn't bring herself to say the words.

"I am dying," Jason finished for her. He felt it.

"This is the only way..." Kim said as she reached her hand out to him and opened it. The gold sparkled as she did so. He glanced up at her and back down at her open hand.

"I don't think..." Jason began before he nearly lost consciousness.

"You have to try," Kimberly said, gently shaking him back to himself. He reached his hand up and clasped it over the object in hers. There was a flash of pink mixed with red electricity as their hands met. "Say it."

"T...t..." Jason stuttered as things went black for him again. A gentle shake brought him back around again. And with the last energy he believed he had remaining, he said a word he hadn't in years. "Tyrannosaurus"

Kimberly beamed with hope and pride as she watched the transformation take place her in arms. The familiar red suit never looked as good. She felt Jason's body stiffen in her arms and he moved free from her grip to stand on his own. She let out a small laugh of joy as she stood up to face him.

"Better?" Kim asked reaching a hand up to place it on his chest.

"It's perfect," Jason replied. "Once more for old time's sake?"

"Yes please," Kim replied before the two ran to stand next to Tray's side. All three brandished their weapons as Zedd's army retreated slightly upon seeing their new foe.

"No... this can't be happening," Zedd muttered as he saw the sight in front of him.

"You okay?" Jason asked glancing over at Tray. He turned to him.

"I am now," Trey replied. "It's good to see you again."

"Same," Jason responded.

"We can't teleport out, something on this island is jamming the signal... it was hell just getting in," Trey explained the predicament to Jason. "I think we got to get through them to find out what is jamming it."

"Good," Jason said. "I owe them."

"Right... so let's do this?" Kim suggested.

"Let's," Trey agreed. They waited for Jason's signal and then the three charged together.

Chapter Text

Jason backed up and found himself back to back with Trey. He turned his head slightly over his shoulder.

"So exactly at what point are they going to run out of putties to keep throwing at us? Jason asked.

"I am not sure, they seem to be creating them as soon as we can destroy them," Trey responded as both watched Kimberly explode several with an arrow just feet from them.

"We have to go to end this and get inside of that cave," Jason said, his voice clearly echoing his frustration.

"I agree," Trey said. "Enough playing around."

Jason turned to see the Gold Ranger charging directly at the entrance of the cave with his staff held high over his head. He glanced over at Kimberly and nodded for her to join him as they both took off running after Trey.

The Golden Power Staff began to glow with energy as a fresh army of putties appeared at the entrance of the cave. Jason put his hand up and stopped Kim as they watched Trey fire a large blast of energy at the putties, effectively clearing the path.

"This is our chance," Jason said. He and Kim then began to move again toward the cave entrance. Just as the shade of the overhanging rock covered them there was an explosion that caused Jason to turn and see Kimberly knocked to the ground. He spun around to see it had collected Trey as well.

"That is far enough," Zedd bellowed as he stepped into Jason's line of sight. Goldar and Rita flanked him from behind. Jason clenched his sword tightly and stepped forward so that the other two fallen Rangers were behind him.

"I agree... this has gone on far enough, Zedd," Jason stated. "We are going to get off this island, either you step aside and allow it to happen or we will go through you."

"That is awful big talk human..." Zedd's body began to glow. "I am not sure you have yet fully grasped who you are talking to."

"Maybe..." Jason said. "But maybe you haven't either."

"Your arrogance amuses me," Zedd replied. He motioned for Goldar to move forward.

"Always making others fight your own battles," Jason remarked. This caused Zedd to hold his hand up for Goldar to stop advancing. "Kind of seem like you may be a coward."

"Is that what you think?" Zedd asked. "Am I a coward?"

"I think maybe you are," Jason shrugged. Zedd took a couple of steps closer to Jason.

"Or maybe I just think you are so far beneath me that I can't be bothered," Zedd stated. He then motioned for Goldar to advance again. Jason met his advance with a block from his sword and a kick to his chest that staggered him back at Zedd's feet.

Goldar got to his feet and charged again, this time a blast of energy blindsided him and knocked him clear of the immediate battlefield. Jason turned to see Trey standing next to him, his staff still glowing with energy.

"Rita..." Zedd spoke without turning to her. "I think it is time I finished them once and for all."

"Please do," Rita responded in a gleeful tone. She then disappeared and reappeared next to Goldar who was just now getting on his feet.

"So you think me a coward?" Zedd replied as he gripped his staff in both hands. Red energy crackled down the length of it.

"Are you sure about this?" Trey whispered to Jason.

"We just got to distract him long enough," Jason replied, glancing over at Kimberly who nodded. She understood the unspoken plan.

"I got ya," Kim replied.

"Well... I'm waiting," Zedd responded. With that Jason charged him first with Trey close behind him. Jason stopped and ducked allowing Trey to flip over his shoulders. Kimberly jumped even higher than Trey and landed on his shoulders in the air long enough to fire an arrow down at Zedd.

Zedd batted away the arrow but found Kimberly in front of him now throwing a kick that he barely had time to duck. He rose from his duck with a backhand that hit Kimberly and knocked her aside just as Trey reached him and kicked him square in the chest.

Zedd grunted as his footing was loosened from beneath him. He recovered in time to catch a second kick by Trey and toss the Gold Ranger to the side where he crashed next to Kimberly.

A loud clang sound echoed throughout the battlefield as Jason's fist connected square with the armor around Zedd's face. Zedd had no time to even register what had happened before Jason's other fist rocked him the other way with another blow.

Zedd went to raise his staff to put it in between him and the onslaught by Jason but found it being held down by a knee from Jason, who used it to propel himself upward with an uppercut that rocked Zedd a few steps backward.

Zedd stuck the sharp end of his staff in the ground to regain his composure. He saw another white blur of a fist coming directly at his visor and he was able to move up and catch the fist in the palm is hand.

Jason's arm stiffened in Zedd's grip as he struggled to pull it free. He felt the pressure closing around his fist and could feel the protection his suit afforded him giving way. He tried to come with his left hand but it was batted away quickly and now Jason felt a crushing pain in his fist as his hand was seconds from behind broken.

An arrow hitting Zedd perfectly between the gaps in his chest armor caused the pressure on Jason's hand to cease as Zedd groaned in pain. Jason was able to break his hand free as he fell to his knees and caressed it.

Kimberly moved in and Zedd was finding her quickness an ever greater problem that Jason's as she connected with a flurry of punches, kicks, and chops. The stinging from her arrow in Zedd's chest was making matters even worse for him as he could not concentrate on stopping her.

Kimberly's mistake was stepping back to fire another arrow, which gave Zedd breathing room to raise his staff and fire first. The blast his Kimberly in the shoulder and sent her spinning. She landed and glanced down to see her suit had a whole revealing her bare shoulder. Her eyes widened with the realization of Zedd's power.

Kimberly glanced up just in time to see the arrow that had been piercing Zedd's chest was now flying at her at a quick rate of speed. Before she could react the Golden Power Staff moved into view and batted the arrow away. Kimberly scooted back and looked for Jason who was reaching his feet but still holding his hand.

A large explosion startled her as dirt and debris kicked up around her and she held her arms up instinctively to shield her face.

Zedd surveyed the damage as saw the Gold Ranger nearly embedded into the nearby rock near the cave entrance, due to the force of his blast. He lined up another shot at the nearly unconscious Triforian.

Jason charged at Zedd, brandishing his sword. Zedd turned to meet him and fired in his direction. Jason was able to roll under it and continue his charge. Another blast, another miss. Another. Finally, Jason reached him and swung down with his sword, prompting Zedd to go from using his staff for an offense to defensive purposes.

Jason pressed as hard as he could as he felt Zedd's strength pressing back against him. A sickly sound of metal scraping could be heard as Jason's sword dug against the metal of Zedd's staff.

Kimberly struggled to her feet to move over and check on Trey. She placed a hand on his shoulder as he sat slumped forward, his breathing quick.

"Are you okay?" Kimberly asked. Trey raised his head and nodded.

"I'll survive," Trey replied. "Now is the time... go find a way to lower the forcefield."

Kim glanced up to see the test of strength Jason had Zedd locked in. She saw that Rita and Goldar were both watching this intently. She saw that Zedd was slowly starting to overpower Jason and she shook her head.

"Go... I will help him," Trey replied as he slowly got up to his feet and rested a hand on the rock wall behind him. He glanced up at Kim and the two shared a nod. Kimberly then hurried along the wall and disappeared inside the cave.

Jason felt himself becoming powerless against Zedd so he quickly relented and created separation. He used the distance to blast Zedd with a shot from his blade blaster. He followed that immediately with a slash from his sword and then rolled himself behind Zedd.

Zedd turned to see Jason's glowing red sword coming at him, the energy of it crackled all around him, and for the first time in his life, he felt overwhelmed as he dropped his staff and moved his hands up to shield his head.

Jason reached down and retrieved Zedd's staff from the ground, as he lifted it, it suddenly became very heavy and hot. Energy coursed through the staff and suddenly Jason felt like he had just been hit with a bus as he felt himself being propelled back and through the air. He caught sight of Trey advancing on Zedd as he flew through the air.

Zedd knelt down and grabbed his staff just as a boot came directly at his face. It connected with his visor and Zedd was momentarily blinded, so much so he didn't even see the Golden Power Staff coming as it was swung violently at his head. A loud clanging thud echoed as Zedd went crashing down from the force of the swing.

Trey stepped back as he regained his stance after the force of his swing nearly caused him to topple himself forward to the ground. He found a steadying hand on his shoulder as he glanced next to him to see Jason.

"Nice shot," Jason commented.

Trey didn't have time to respond before he felt himself being lifted off the ground. He saw Jason was suffering a similar fate. He felt himself being driven into Jason and the two crashed together before crumping to the ground in unison. The familiar snarl of Goldar coming from above them providing evidence of what had happened to them.

Jason and Trey recovered and got to their feet just in time to see Goldar and Rita helping Zedd to his feet.

"How dare you do this to Lord Zedd," Goldar remarked his glare focused intently on the two Rangers.

"You will pay for that," Rita said as she handed Zedd his staff as he turned around and faced the Rangers.

"This is the end of the road for the two of you, finally I am..." Zedd paused. He cocked his head slightly. "Where is the other one?!"

"Oh no..." Goldar exclaimed. Zedd growled as he raised his staff. Rita crossed hers of Zedd's and the two prepared to deliver a fatal blast to the two Rangers in front of them.

"It's too late for that," Jason said with a smile from beneath his helmet as he felt the familiar sensation of being teleported washing over him.

(***)

Jason opened his eyes to find himself in the friendly surroundings of the Power Chamber. He glanced to his side and saw Trey. He glanced to the other side and his heart sunk when his eyes were not met with a pink silhouette. He started to open his mouth in protest until a hand on his shoulder from behind prompted him to turn.

Kimberly was standing there with her helmet off but still clad in her ranger attire. Jason quickly undid his own helmet and tossed it aside as he enveloped Kimberly in a hug. He lifted her off her feet and held her tightly burying his face into her neck.

"God... I was so afraid that..." Jason paused.

"I'm here," Kim assured him moving her hand to rest on the back of his head as she caressed his hair. Noise from around him jarred him out of the moment as he glanced over to see an unmorphed Tray grimacing in pain as he rested up against the control panel behind him. Jason untangled from Kim and turned to him.

"Are you okay?" Jason asked. Trey nodded.

"I think so, they should be able to fix me up back on Triforia," Trey answered as he offered a reassuring smile to Jason.

"Thank you... if you two hadn't come for me... I don't know..." Jason began.

"Don't mention it, Jason," Trey replied. "I know you would have done the same for me if I needed you."

"Without a doubt," Jason said as he placed a hand on Trey's shoulder. He felt Kim's hand slip into his and he smiled. Just then streaks of light lit up the Chamber and the Turbo Rangers having just vanquished their latest enemy raced over to fuss over the three wounded Rangers.

"Bro... I wanted to come but..." Tommy began to explain to Jason who shook his head.

"I understand," Jason stated. Tommy pulled him into a hug.

(****)

Kimberly frowned as she saw the large purple bruise covering her shoulder. She lowered the strap of her tank top so she could get a better look in the mirror in front of her. A low knock on the door interrupted her concentration.

"Hey," Jason's voice from outside the door softened her features, something she noted a she was looking at herself in the mirror. "Mind if I come in?"

"Sure," Kim responded. She glanced up in the mirror to lock eyes with him as he moved up behind her. She watched as his eyes moved down to her bruised and suddenly the look on his face made her want to comfort him. "Jase, it's not that bad."

She turned to him and saw his gaze was still on her battle wound. She placed her hand on his chest in an attempt to distract him from his thoughts. She knew how much he worried about them, he always had. From scraped knees on the playground to life and death battles against evil forces, no one could or would fuss over any of them like Jason.

"Kim..." He spoke softly, his eyes finally moved up to make eye contact with her. "I don't know how to put it into words how thankful I am to you for what you did for me today."

"Jason... any of us would have done it for you," Kim stated. Jason nodded. "I just...

"I love you," Jason's words stopped her. She smiled involuntarily. His hands came to rest on her waist and she felt like the room was suddenly charged with electricity.

"I love you too," Kim replied. There were a couple of beats of silence between them as they held each other's gaze. Kim was feeling something she had never felt before, at first she wasn't sure what it was but it didn't take long before she understood. She smiled and reached down and took his hand in hers. She interlocked their fingers and gently led him out of the room and down the hall.

Chapter Text

"When did everything change?" Kimberly pondered this in her mind as she watched Jason cross at the foot of her bed and make his way into the adjacent bathroom and flick the light on. She scooted up in the bed a little and readjusted the sheet over her.

Kimberly smiled as she turned her gaze over to her bedroom window at the moonlight sneaking in between the curtains. She crossed her hands across her abdomen and sighed contently. A small ache in her shoulder prompted a wince and a raised hand up to absentmindedly caress it.

"You okay?" Jason's voice came from the doorway of the bathroom, prompting Kim to shift her eyes to him and nod.

"I told you you didn't have to worry about that," Kim dismissed him with a smile. He returned the smile before making his way over to the bed. She took in the sight of him clad only in boxers and felt heat moving to her cheeks, which she found incredibly silly considering how the last hour had been spent.

Jason sat down on the bed next to her and turned to face her. He moved a hand over hers that was still resting on her stomach. He lightly traced the back of her hand with his thumb before bringing her hand up to his lips as he observed her response.

"What you thinking about?" Jason asked, his breath warm on the back of her hand. She smiled and crinkled her nose slightly.

"Us," She responded. He nodded.

"What about us?" Jason asked further.

"Just thinking about how happy I am that we... that you are here," Kim replied.

"I am happy to be here too," Jason replied before he moved to lie back down next to her. She immediately moved over to allow him to pull her close with his arm around her.

"I never would have expected my first... I mean... it..." Kim paused as she moved her eyes to look up at him admiring his jawline and features. "It was perfect."

Jason smiled and his response prompted her to snuggle in even closer to him intertwining their legs.

"Kim..." Jason spoke. "I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought of this in the past."

"This?" She prodded, intrigued.

"Us... I mean being together," He clarified. He raised his eyebrows. "Probably longer than I should have."

Kim ran her fingers in lazy circles around his chest as she considered his words. Maybe the same was true of her too. The connection she had long felt with Jason was different than anyone else.

"I'm just really glad that we got here," Jason continued. "Not just here... you know... but like together."

"Mmhmm," Kim agreed, her mind still filled with their history.

"I hope..." Jason hesitated slightly. She moved her gaze back up to him. "I hope I can make you as happy as you are making me."

"Gosh," She smiled. He had no idea.

"What?" Jason cocked his head slightly.

"I can honestly say I have never been happier than I am right now," Kimberly started moving her hand up to his cheek, prompting him to turn his head down to her. She moved up to kiss him. It deepened.

(****)

Jason leaned up against the grill of his truck as he glanced out over the ocean in front of him. His eyes moved down briefly to the people enjoying the beach beneath the hill he had parked on.

He brought his hand out of the pocket of his jeans and opened his palm. The gleam of the evening sun catching the gold just right almost blinding him. He moved the coin up to rest between his thumb and finger and shook his head. He heard the low rumble of an engine approaching from behind and turned to see who was joining him. He smiled.

"Hey bro," Tommy greeted him as he shut his car door behind him.

"Hey," Jason returned the greeting as the slightly taller teen joined his side and glanced down at his hand to see the power coin.

"So what did you find out?" Tommy asked.

"Kim and I just left the Power Chamber and it seems the powers are still active," Jason answered.

"So does that mean you guys are back on the team?" Tommy responded, the excitement evident in his voice.

"Well..." Jason hesitated as he picked up on Tommy's excitement. "I mean I considered it..."

"But?" Tommy could sense the direction this was going.

"Kim's mom really wants her to come to spend some time with her..." Jason continued. "She said she didn't want to go without me and..."

"I get it," Tommy replied. He placed his hand on Jason's shoulder. He smiled as Jason turned to him.

"We are not sure how long we will stay over there, but I think we should be back in time to finish school here," Jason shrugged.

There was a silence between them as the news sunk in for Tommy.

"I don't blame you honestly," Tommy said. He shook his head. "I mean... sometimes I think about what else is out there you know?"

Jason nodded.

"I love being a Ranger but..." Tommy paused he shifted his glance over to Jason and ducked his head slightly.

"I know what you mean, you don't even have to say it," Jason said.

"Just a small break as I figure out my life I guess would be nice," Tommy shrugged.

"Have you talked to Zordon about it?" Jason inquired. Tommy shook his head.

"No... I'm not there yet," Tommy replied with a smile, it is just a thought I have sometimes. "So like I said... I get it."

"But hey... maybe somewhere down the road..." Jason began. "We'll be fighting side by side again."

"I'd like that," Tommy replied with a smile.

(****)

Kim zipped up what she hoped would be her last piece of luggage and turned to see Jason entering the bedroom, placing his hands on his hips and scanning it for anything he had yet to load into the truck.

"Hey," Kim got his attention. "You sure about this?"

"Yeah," Jason answered. "Why are you having second thoughts?"

Kim paused.

"Should I start unloading?" Jason gestured behind him and chuckled.

"No... no..." Kim laughed. "I just... it feels like I just got back here and now to leave again."

Kim shrugged as she walked over to the open bedroom window and looked out. Jason walked to stand behind her and she leaned back to rest against his chest.

"And I feel guilty for uprooting you again too," Kim admitted. Jason's arms came around her.

"Don't... I am an old pro at it by now," Jason replied with a smile. She leaned her head back to look up at him. "Seriously... I honestly just wanna be wherever you are."

Kim turned to face him.

"Besides it doesn't have to be forever, nothing is in stone right?" Jason continued.

"Right," Kim agreed. "And Jase?"

"Yeah?" He responded.

"I just want to be where you are too," She stated before leaning up to kiss him.

Chapter Text

Jason looked over and took in the sight of Kimberly's features. He found himself smiling as she noticed him and bit her bottom lip. His smile widened as she rolled over and placed her hand on his chest just over his heart.

"What are you thinking about?" Kimberly asked him adjusting to her new position to make eye contact with him.

"It's crazy," Jason responded.

"What?" Kimberly prodded with a wrinkled brow.

"My life right now," Jason replied as he placed his hand over hers.

"Yeah?" Kimberly questioned. "I mean all things considering this is probably the most normal our lives have been for a while isn't it?"

"Maybe... but if you would have told me even a year ago that I would be lying in bed in Paris with you right next to me... I'd have lost that bet," Jason replied with a smirk. His eyes moved past Kim to the open window behind her. The street lights from beneath their bedroom window offered the faintest of light to cascade against the wall.

"Are you happy?" Kim asked her eyes searching his. He returned his gaze to her and cocked his head slightly.

"Are you kidding?" Jason replied. He sat up a little to get a better look at her. "I'm living the best time of my life right now."

"Good," Kim replied before moving to steal a quick kiss from him. She pulled apart and moved her hand up to play with the soft brown curls that were threatening to spill down his forehead if a trip to a barber was not made soon. "Sometimes I catch you..."

"Catch me?" Jason questioned. Kim nodded.

"Daydreaming... just staring out the window... like you are lost," Kim explained. Jason considered her words.

"Kim..." Jason began.

"You miss home don't you?" Kim gently cut him off with an assuring smile.

"I can't lie to you," Jason replied with a slight shrug. "I do think about it sometimes."

Kim moved her hand back down to his chest.

"I know it has been a while," Kim stated. "It is just... being around mom, it has been so long since we have been able to spend this kind of time together and she is so happy and so am I."

The last words caused Jason to have a warmth come over him and he took her hand and moved it up to place a kiss on the back of it.

"I love seeing you so happy," Jason confessed. Another quick kiss. "I just want to be wherever you are so if I get homesick just know I'd be more miserable across that ocean without you."

"I miss Angel Grove too," Kim said. "And since Trini and Zack are back there now it has even more appeal to me."

"Yeah?" Jason reacted. Kim nodded again.

"Maybe tomorrow I will talk to mom and we can make some arrangements to go back," Kim suggested.

"Only if that is what you want..." Jason said. Kim made eye contact with him again before moving over to him.

"We can talk more about it in the morning," Kim stated with a grin.

"You tired?" Jason asked. Kim shook her head and bit her lip again. Jason got the picture.

(****)

Jason took a deep breath as the cool night air filled his lungs. His mind had been racing ever since his conversation with Kim about moving back to Angel Grove hours previously. She had drifted off to sleep soon after but he just couldn't seem to follow suit. A late-night walk was conjured up as a response to that.

He glanced over the fence lining his path to see a nearby park. He stopped as he suddenly had memories of the one back home. It was funny how much he seemed to always be pulled back there. No matter where he was or what he was doing it just seemed that city wouldn't let him go.

Jason stuffed his hands in his coat pocket and continued along the sidewalk glancing up to see his apartment in the distance. His eyes moved to the cloudy sky above and his heart caught in his throat. He shook his head as he briefly saw a silhouette in the clouds he thought he would never see again. He blinked a couple of times and it disappeared. He stood for several minutes searching the sky but saw no more signs of anything unusual.

He heard a noise behind him and glanced over his shoulder to see a person approaching from several yards away. He turned back to face his destination with his senses heightened and continued to move.

Soon he heard footsteps approaching him loudly and could tell whoever he saw was running now. Jason stopped and turn to focus on who was approaching him. For a moment he thought himself hallucinating once again.

"Jason!" Trey called out to him seemingly in a panic as the suited Ranger ran at him at full speed.

"Trey... what?" Jason couldn't form a full sentence before he heard a metallic groaning in the sky above him that sent shivers down his whole body. He glanced up just in time to see the clouds roll back and the towering silhouette of Serpentera looking down over the city.

"Watch out!" Trey called out again as he tackled Jason and teleported him just as a blinding flash emanated from the mouth of the zord and cascaded over the city.

Jason came to on a hillside outside of the city as he watched the explosion of the blast, meant for him, flatten the whole block.

"NO!" Jason called out as the realization hit him that Kimberly was in that direct path. Jason glanced briefly at Trey who seemed to understand. Jason wasted no time in calling on his Morpher and morphing. Within seconds he teleported into the still-smoking wreckage of where he had just been standing. His eyes focused on his apartment building to see the smoke billowing out of all the windows.

He barely noticed Trey teleport next to him as he took off in a full run towards the building. He was stopped by another blinding flash and Trey grabbing him by the arm.

"He is going to destroy this whole city unless we get away from here," Trey explained, the desperation evident in his tone. Jason shook free and continued running towards the building even as another blast wave cascaded across the sky and he felt the heat and force of it sending him flying before he slipped out of consciousness.

(****)

Jason's eyes shot open and he sat up, feeling like he had just had the worst nightmare of his life. He quickly acclimated to his surroundings and felt his pulse quicken as he recognized where he was and knew he had not just been having a nightmare. He got off the floor and raced out of the room and down a hallway to an open door he knew would lead him into the cockpit of Pyramidas.

Just as he expected he saw Trey sitting at the helm and raced over to him.

"Trey!" Jason could not contain the panic in his normally cool voice.

"Jason..." Trey replied solemnly.

"I got to get back to Kim!" Jason removed his helmet to gather his bearings and glanced out the glass in front of him to see them floating in the air above a city he could not make out. Jason tossed the helmet on the ground next to him, he took small notice of how covered in ash and suit it was.

"I understand but hold on," Trey said as he put Pyramidus on auto-pilot and got up to face Jason. He removed his own helmet and placed it on the console next to him.

"I can't... she needs me," Jason said as he reached down and retrieved his helmet. Trey placed his hand on it and prevented him from raising it to his head. Jason gave him an incredulous look that prompted him to hurriedly try to explain his actions. "We will both go and look for her but our presence there currently is going to cause more destruction."

"I... I... don't understand what is happening," Jason said, blinking his eyes a few times as if trying to will himself out of his current existence. "How did Serpentera come back... Zedd hasn't been able to power it... and we thought it..."

"It's not Zedd," Trey explained.

"What?" Jason shook his head in confusion.

"At least not the one you know," Trey continued. He could see his explanation was losing Jason. "It is a long story, but just know that this Zedd is from another... let's say universe or timeline in which he still has Serpentera."

"W... what... another," Jason felt faint all of the sudden as steadied himself on the console next to him. A mixture of his predicament and the impact he has just withstood was taking its toll on him.

"It gets worse," Trey explained, he sat down and took back control of Pyramidas. "He is not alone."

"What are you doing?" Jason asked as he felt the large vessel lurch forward through the night sky.

"Going back to find Kim," Trey explained. Jason nodded appreciatively. "And Jason....?"

"Yeah?" Jason responded.

"Whatever happens, I need you to trust me and stick with me," Trey stated as he glanced back up at the Red Ranger.

(****)

Jason was quick to step outside the open door of Pyramidas and glance down at the burning city beneath him. He swallowed a lump in his throat as he glanced over at Trey was close behind him.

"I think it is safe for now," Trey explained as he scanned the skies. "But we got to get in and find Kim and get out quick... our presence here will no doubt bring him back and will only do more damage than good."

Jason nodded as the two teleported down to the city below. They were immediately met with sounds of screaming and crying as people were racing around the carnage. Jason fought the urge to help everyone as he focused his eyes on his apartment building that was now fully engulfed in flames and partly collapsed.

Jason ran as fast as he could toward the door, making his way past people reaching out to him for help. Their faces were too hard to look at his so he avoided doing so as much as possible. He cursed under his helmet and glanced back at Trey who was also being mobbed with people in pain and confused.

"Go on... I'll do as much as I can for them but as soon as you find her we got to go," Trey told Jason as he stopped and began to attend to people and pull some clear from the rubble.

Jason quickened his pace and entered the lobby of his building eve as his vision filled with smoke. He raced over to the stairwell to see it engulfed in flames. He stopped and glanced up before teleporting upwards through each floor until he found his. He found the floor to be weak and felt himself nearly sink through it as he fully came out of his teleport.

Jason groaned as he began to feel the heat even through his suit. He focused on his task and made his way down the hall. His foot fell through the floor multiple times slowing his pace. He reached the doorway to his apartment and he kicked it open. His eyes were met with an even thicker smoke and he turned his head momentarily before he pressed into the room.

"Kimberly!" Jason called out into the darkness, hopeful to get an immediate response. His heart sank when he got nothing. He made his way through the living room taking note of the rumbling of the building around him. He pushed open his bedroom door and felt his way over to the bed. "Kim... Kim..."

No response came so he frantically began to run his hand across the bed. He cursed as he felt nothing and heard the ceiling above him began to groan and creak. He felt a lump and moved in closer to feel more.

"Kim... please... please..." Jason realized now he was moving his hands over her body. He wasted no time in scooping her up into his arms blankets and all. He teleported out just as the floor and ceiling simultaneously collapsed around him.

(****)

Jason's eyes struggled to readjust to the normal light of the night as he stood outside of Pyramidas still holding Kim's body in his arms. He got his first good look at her as he placed her on the ground. Her face was black with soot and he immediately moved to cup her face in his hands before reaching to feel for a pulse.

Jason barely noticed Trey teleport in and kneel down next to him. He was too busy moving into CPR mode as he struggled to find a pulse. He was near frantic as he went about his movements. Seconds turned into minutes quicker than time had ever moved for Jason as continued to try and will some life back into Kim's body with his movements and breaths.

He felt a hand on his shoulder and cursed out loud.

"NO.... no... don't," Jason said, nearly out of breath now.

"Jason... it's not..." Trey began to respond.

"It will!" Jason snapped back.

"Come on..." Trey hesitated when Jason's head snapped around to look at him. Trey's reflexes caused him to flinch at the motion. "Listen... let's get her inside, it is her only hope."

Jason's features softened slightly as he nodded in understanding. He gently picked Kim back up into his arms and the two made their way inside of the large craft.

"Get her into the medical bay," Trey explained as he led the way for Jason down the hallway into the room. Jason quickly followed suit as he placed her on a table.

"What can you do?" Jason asked as he took her by the hand and implored Trey with his eyes.

"Does she have a pulse?" Trey asked as he reached down to feel for one.

"It... I... it was so faint..." Jason replied. Trey nodded as he felt the slightest of pulsation coming from her neck.

"Watch out... we got to get air into her quick," Trey replied moving over to a console nearby and pressing a button. Jason watched as a clear mask came down from the ceiling and Trey grabbed it and placed it over Kim's face. "I am going to give her the purest oxygen I can... I don't know if it will be enough."

"It will... it has to be," Jason replied blinking away a tear as he looked down at her.

"Give me your coin," Trey said as he held out his hand. Jason asked no questions as he quickly produced it and gave it to him. Trey took it and placed it in Kim's hand and closed her hand around it. He then produced the golden power staff. "Her body is weak... but the right boost from her powers might be enough."

"She can't morph..." Jason explained.

"I know, so our powers will have to stand-in," Trey explained.

"Okay....what do we do?" Jason asked.

"Here," Trey said as he gestured for Jason to hold Kim's hand that held his own coin. As Jason moved in to put his hand over Kim's, Trey held the staff over her. "Put your other hand on this."

Instantly Jason felt power surge through his body as he the gold and red powers coursed throughout his body. He added a silent prayer into the mix even as he began to feel the power nearly overwhelm him. The gold and red powers were similar but very unique and he could pinpoint on his body where each was coursing.

Jason's eyes shot open as he felt something new, something different. A power he was unfamiliar with. Something about it sent chills all over his body and felt a tear fall down his cheek. Even though he had never felt it, he had been in its presence enough that he began to recognize it. He glanced down at his body to see pink energy crackling down his arms.

He then heard Kimberly take a big breath just as Trey lowered the staff and Jason moved up to the head of the table. He glanced down to see two brown eyes looking back up at him.

"Jason?" her voice was weak, but hearing it again was the best sound Jason had ever heard.

"I'm here," Jason answered her as he knelt down and took her hand and moved it up to clasp it between both of his. He glanced briefly up at Trey who smiled down at him before motioning that he was going to move up to the helm of the ship. Jason understood as he focused his attention back down on Kim.

"We have to get moving, but when she is able, come up and I will feel you both in on everything," Trey explained as he backed out of the room and disappeared down the corridor.

"What is happening?" Kim asked as she noticed that Jason was morphed but for his helmet.

"I am not sure, but get your strength and we will go find out," Jason answered.

(****)

Zedd surveyed the earth beneath him before looking down at a screen on the control panel of his Zord. He chuckled to himself as he heard the door to the cockpit open.

"I can't locate the Triforian or the other two Rangers anywhere... either they are hidden or we have eradicated them," Zedd announced gleefully to the presence in the room with him.

"Good... hopefully, it is the latter," a voice responded.

"I have us on a course to Angel Grove to finish off the rest of them," Zedd explained proudly.

"How soon?" was the question as Zedd felt the person move closer to his side.

"Minutes now," Zedd replied. "They won't stand a chance... just like the resistance on the last planet."

"Oh... I wouldn't mind if they put up a little fight," the person moved into the view of Zedd as he leaned forward over the console and turned to face him with a grin. Zedd beamed with pride at his new ally. Once possibly his greatest enemy.

"Well... you always did like a fight, Jason," Zedd replied.

Chapter Text

Jason let Kimberly enter the cockpit of Pyramidas first, careful to not take his eyes off her. They made their way to stand on either side of Trey who was intently studying a screen on the control panel. He turned to Kim.

"You feeling better?" Trey asked.

"Yeah... thank you for everything," Kim replied with a grateful smile to him. He reciprocated and then turned to lean his back up against the panel and face the other two Rangers. "I suppose you guys need some answers."

"That would be nice," Jason responded running a hand through his hair and then crossing his arms, still stealing glances at Kim.

"I received a distress call... maybe that will be a good place to start," Trey explained gesturing to a monitor on the far wall. Jason and Kim followed his direction and turned to it to see a video start. Immediately both of their eyes widened when they saw the image of a very distressed Kimberly come up on the screen. Both immediately shot looks to each other and Trey who held up his hand and gestured back to the screen as the Kimberly on it began to speak.

"I don't know if anyone can hear this... I am not even sure I did this right," Kimberly said as sparks flew from off the camera and filled the screen momentarily. She stepped back and then back up to the screen. "You are in danger and a lot of it."

Jason studied the background to see it was the same cockpit they were standing in that Kimberly had recorded the message. He shook his head in confusion.

"They are coming to your universe... your timeline... I am not even sure if that is the right term for it, but if you get this message you have to be ready," Kimberly continued. "It's Zedd and he has Serpentera... and..."

There was a pause as Kimberly looked briefly off-screen as some explosions could be heard. She turned back and seemingly had become teary-eyed. Jason instinctively stepped closer to the screen.

"It's worse... he is also with Jason," Kim continued. This news gobsmacked both Jason and Kimberly who turned to each other again. Jason shook his head. "But he is not like what I suspect your Jason is... he is evil... very evil... and powerful."

Another explosion followed by a soft curse from Kimberly and her moving off-camera. Within a few seconds, she returned as the screen started to get staticky.

"He has the gold powers... the red... and Maligore's dark energy is in him," Kim continued. "I think he has some of Rita and Zedd's magic too."

There were voices coming from somewhere behind Kimberly in the video and she turned briefly before hurrying her speech pattern.

"There are no Rangers left here... no one to stop them, I am it," Kim said, her voice nearly breaking. "I hope you get this in time and can do something..."

Kimberly was cut off by a gloved hand reaching into the view of the camera and spinning her around just as the video cut out and the transmission ended.

"Is that it?!" Jason asked turning to Trey. His tone was a mixture of seething anger and crippling confusion.

"I'm afraid so," Trey replied. "I am not even sure how she managed to get the message to me."

"So wait... I... she is from a different time?" Kimberly spoke up.

"A different universe or timeline as I understand it," Trey answered with a nod.

"I don't understand... did you try to trace the signal?" Jason asked.

"I did but I haven't had any luck so far," Trey replied as he turned back to the panel.

"We have to get to Zordon and let him know," Kim suggested locking eyes with Jason.

"I have warned him that Serpentera seems to be on a path to Angel Grove, he has told me he will mobilize the Turbo Rangers to try and hold it off," Trey explained.

"We should teleport there and help them, it will be faster," Jason suggested.

"Yes but without Pyramidas I am afraid we will not be much help," Trey countered. Jason was about to protest but he had flashbacks of what had happened back in Paris and knew that Trey was correct. He nodded before turning to walk out of the cockpit and down the corridor. Kim quickly followed him.

"Hey... are you okay?" Kim asked as she caught up to him and took him by the hand. He stopped but didn't turn to her immediately.

"I don't get it..." Jason replied slowly turning to her and throwing up his free hand. "How could I?"

"Jase," Kimberly reached up and took his other hand. "Don't do that to yourself."

"It sounded like I...." Jason choked back the rest of the sentence. "You saw the way that transmission ended."

"Yeah... but it wasn't you," Kimberly tried to assure him, even as her mind was racing with thoughts of what had become of the other version of herself.

"That is what would have happened if you hadn't gotten to me here," Jason said, his tone softening as he closed his eyes. Kimberly pulled him into a hug that he gratefully reciprocated.

(****)

"How far are we?" Jason asked as he stood next to Trey and glanced out of the window to try and see if he could recognize their location.

"Just a few hundred miles out now," Trey replied as he glanced between the two fully morphed Rangers on either side of him. "We have to be ready for anything."

"Do you think the Turbo Rangers have had any luck holding them off?" Kim asked the room.

"I don't know but you know Tommy won't stop trying to," Jason answered.

"That is what worries me," Kim replied in earnest as she tried to not consider the worst for her friends. An alarm sounded inside the cockpit and Trey quickly pressed a button and Zordon's voice rang out from the control panel.

"Trey!" Zordon's voice sounded unusually panicked.

"I read you, and I am here with Jason and Kimberly," Trey replied.

"It's too late for us," Zordon's words caused both Jason and Kim's hearts to drop into their stomachs.

"What?!" Kim exclaimed.

"Serpentera has destroyed the Zords and we have lost contact with the Ranger team," Zordon explained.

"We are nearly there Zordon," Jason spoke up.

"Jason... Kimberly..." Zordon's voice seemed to become gentle upon saying their names. "I am afraid you will not have the power to stop them."

"We will try," Jason replied. Trey turned up to him upon hearing the conviction in his voice. He was once again reminded how good of a choice Jason had been to trust with his own powers.

"I know you will," Zordon answered. There were a few beats of silence. "Alpha and I are working to get you some help."

"Good, we are just a few miles out now from the city," Jason informed him.

"Try...." Zordon's voice cut out only to return moments later. "...power protect you."

"What happened?" Kim asked as she put a hand on Trey's shoulder.

"I'm not sure... we lost contact, and I can't get a response," Try answered.

"There it is," Jason explained pointing in the distance to see Serpentera towering over the skyscrapers.

"What do we do?" Kim asked.

"We can engage it in battle... but I am not sure if it is a fight Pyramidas can win," Trey answered honestly. Jason balled his fists as he fought the anger welling up in him.

"I think if you can at least distract him... maybe pull his focus away from the city and then Kim and I can try to find the Turbo Rangers... I think for now that is the best we can hope for," Jason suggested. The other two Rangers nodded in agreement.

"Hopefully that help Zordon mentioned will arrive as well," Kimberly added.

"Okay... you two teleport down to the city and I will fly Pyramidas past Serpentera and hopefully attack him from behind and shift his focus," Trey said as he stood up. "And guys... be careful down there."

"We will," Jason replied. He stepped forward and placed a hand on Trey's shoulder. "You be careful as well, if you take too much damage get out of here."

"I won't leave you guys," Trey countered.

"Please..." Jason said. "We will need to be smart at this... if we run into too much trouble we will get out and rendevous with you and vice-versa okay?"

Kimberly stepped beside Jason and nodded in agreement with his words.

"Okay... got it, if either part of the plan goes south we will meet up at the beach, that should give us enough distance to figure out our next move," Trey suggested looking back and forward between the two.

"Got it," Kim spoke for the duo as they stepped back and teleported out.

(****)

Jason looked around the city to see it very much resembled what he had seen in Paris, just on a grander scale. He audibly cursed, garnering Kim's attention. She placed a hand on his wrist. She started to speak words of comfort before what she saw prompted her to need it instead.

"Jase," Kim pointed behind him. He turned to see the head of the Turbo Megazord lying face up partially hidden inside of a collapsed building. He turned to Kim briefly before both began to run as quick as they could toward it.

Kim reached it first and began to scale rubble to try and get up to see inside the cockpit. Jason was quick behind her and began to close the distance in the rubble. He actually reached the glass first and wiped away the ash from off it. It was so dark inside he could barely make out anything. He glanced over at Kim who was also trying to see inside.

"Watch out," Jason said before he conjured his sword and with a couple of swings made a crack in the glass. A third swing later and it shattered and he wasted no time in going through the opening with Kim behind him.

Both were relieved to find the cockpit empty as opposed to what they were preparing to find. Jason moved to the back to make sure. He found nothing and turned to Kim.

"They must have gotten out," Kim suggested.

"But where did they go?" Jason pondered. "Zordon said he lost contact with them."

"They must be out there somewhere," Kimberly reasoned as she was already halfway back out the opening they had come in. She leaped down to the blacktop and scanned the area. Jason was soon beside her doing the same.

"Tommy!" Kim called out into the wreckage and rubble of what was left of what was known to them as the business district of the city.

"These people... they didn't stand a chance," Jason said as he eye saw a row of bodies in the street behind them. He let out a big sigh as he watched Kimberly run down the street continuing to call out the names of their friends. He heard some explosions overheard and glanced up to see Pyramidas engaged in battle with Serpentera. He then jumped down and caught up with Kim.

"I don't know how we are going to find them in all of this," Kimberly said turning in a circle of what was left of an intersection.

"Yeah... hopefully they got clear of this," Jason replied. He then saw the fist of the Megazord lying down a side street and he patted Kim on the arm before taking off in the direction of the broken piece. She saw it and ran in step with him.

"Kat!" Kim called out as she did a spin to examine the area around the fist.

"Anyone?!" Jason shouted down an alleyway to no response. He turned back to see where Kim was but saw someone else standing in between the two.

"Looking for someone?" The familiar voice prompted Kim to spin around. What she was was an unmorphed Jason staring down a Red Ranger. She shook her head in confusion as her brain began to put the pieces together, just as the unmorphed Jason glanced over his shoulder at her and grinned.

"You..." Jason said as he moved closer to the alternate version of himself. He was clad in all black, muscle shirt, pants, boots, all of it black except for a red belt.

"Like looking in a mirror," the alternate Jason responded seemingly unfazed as the Red Ranger began to quicken his pace to close the gap between them. He stood with his arms folded a smirk on his face.

Kimberly was having a lot of internal conflicts as she produced her power bow and lined up a shot at the person standing with his back to her. She took a deep breath before she let the arrow go. She watched as it was on a trajectory to pierce him between his shoulder blades. She also watched in amazement as the target spun around and grabbed the arrow out of the air.

Alternate Jason shook his head at her before snapping the arrow with his bare hands. He then turned just as the Red Ranger reached him and spun kicked him directly against the side of his helmet and sent him flying through a nearby storefront window.

"You two have no idea what you are up against," Alternate Jason sneered as he turned back to the Pink Ranger.

Kimberly put aside how she felt about preparing herself for an attack against Jason. She reminded herself of what he had done and what had to be done and dropped into a defensive stance with a tight grip on her bow.

"Cute," Alternate Jason remarked as he began to walk toward her at a methodical pace.

Kimberly quickly fired an arrow that was dodged. Then another. Another. He was closing the distance faster than she was comfortable with. She surveyed the surroundings to look for higher ground. She saw a stack of rubble behind her and flipped back upon it to take aim again.

She was shocked to see no one in her sights as she held her arrow in the bow at the ready. She lowered it slightly as she tried to survey the area. She didn't even hear it coming until a muscular arm came around behind her and wrapped tightly around her neck.

"Boo," Alternate Jason said as he moved his face next to her helmet. Kim tried to break his grip but to her amazement, she found she couldn't. It had to be Maligore's energy giving him the strength. She remembered how powerful she felt while under his influence. She dug her fingers into his flesh as she continued to fight.

"Please..." Kim managed to get out as his arm pressed against her arteries even through her suit. She felt the grip loosen slightly and momentarily at her words. The reprieve didn't last long though as she fought for breath and consciousness again. She was just about to blackout when she felt a force from behind her knock them both forward and she tumbled down the rubble.

Jason lowered his still smoking Blade Blaster as he watched the other version of himself loosen his grip on Kim and her limp body go crumpling down the broken up blacktop and building rubble. He quickly raced over to her to catch her at the bottom.

"Kim... are you okay?" Jason asked as he held her.

"Yeah," Kim's voice allowed Jason to let out the breath he was holding in as he set her on her feet. He glanced up to see the alternate version of himself rip off what was left is burning black shirt.

"I am going to give you one chance," He warned them from his perch above them. "Go... get out of here... or I will kill you both."

Kimberly turned to her Jason and saw him clenching his fists. She placed her hand over one of them and got his attention.

"Remember what we agreed to," Kim reminded him.

"We can't just let him destroy everything," Jason countered.

"We don't know what we are up against, you saw what he can do, and Jason...." Kim paused. "He isn't even morphed."

Jason swallowed the lump in his throat along with his pride and nodded his head as he realized the frightening truth in Kim's words.

"We will regroup with Trey and find a way to stop him," Kim assured him. Jason agreed as the two backed away from the alternate version of Jason who began to laugh as they teleported to safety.

"That was it... that was your one chance..." the lone Jason spoke to himself as he watched the pink and red streak across the sky. His smile turned somber. "I had to give them at least one for you..."

Chapter Text

"Do you see him?" Jason asked as he frantically looked at the skies above the ocean and the surrounding beach area.

"No," Kimberly responded as she too looked around. Jason jogged over to a tall sand dune and jumped up at it to get a better look.

"I see him!" Jason informed her as he pointed back toward the city. Jason started to point but instead quickly leaped off the dune and took Kimberly by the hand and began to run back behind a lifeguard tower.

"What is it?!" Kimberly asked as she ducked in behind Jason. She peered around the building to see Pyramidas fast approaching. "Shouldn't we let him know we are here?"

"No, look," Jason replied gesturing behind the large Zord at a much larger Zord looming close behind it.

"Oh no," Kimberly's heart sank upon seeing Serperntera in pursuit of Pyramidas and closing fast. "What can we do?"

"We are sitting ducks down here," Jason replied as he understood that Trey was now leading the threat out over the ocean and away from them. Once they were a safe distance away Jason slowly started to move out to get a better look. Kimberly followed close behind.

"We got to do something..." Kimberly stated as she walked out to the edge of the water. Something caught her eye floating in the distance. "Hey, Jase..."

"What?" Jason walked up to her and his eye caught sight of the same thing. "Is that what I think it is?"

Kimberly nodded and began to run out into the water until she had to start swimming. Jason followed close behind and overtook her as both of them neared what appeared to be wreckage.

Jason reached a piece of it first and stopped. The symbols on it did not appear to be anything he had ever seen before although they were for some reason oddly familiar. Kimberly moved past him in the water heading toward a large piece of what appeared to be the cockpit of the craft. She let out a scream when she reached it that caused Jason to head to her.

"Billy!" Kimberly was frantically tearing through glass and metal as she attempted to reach inside for her friend. Jason joined her and the two were able to pull him free just as what was left of the spaceship sank in the water beneath them. Jason felt for a pulse before he teleported out to the beach and laid Billy's unconscious body on the ground.

"Is he?" Kim asked as she materialized beside him. Jason was just about to answer but Billy's sudden coughing and gasping for air answered for him.

"Billy?" Jason tried to gather his attention as his eyes were wide and filled with panic. Kimberly knelt next to him and took his hand in her gloved on.

"Billy... it's okay... it's us you are safe," Kimberly's voice seemed had the desired calming effect as Billy settled down and looked between his two old friends.

"Jason... Kim..." Billy instinctively shot up to wrap the latter in a tight hug as Jason placed a hand on his shoulder and glanced back at the wreckage.

"What happened?" Jason asked as Billy broke from the hug and turned to him. They helped him to his feet as he began to speak.

"It was Serpentera," Billy said as he searched the sky. "We...uh... I and the uh Alien Rangers were responding to a distress signal and we were blindsided by an attack and that's the last thing I remember until just now."

Billy's eyes lowered to the wreckage he had been pulled from, his eyes widening in horror again. He turned to Jason.

"Did... did you find anyone else?" Billy asked.

"No... we only saw you," Jason replied, sensing the dread in Billy's voice and body language.

"They... morphed and were going to go out to meet him head-on... and I... I... warned them," Billy explained in a very shaken and weak voice. "They didn't know what it was capable of but I had seen it..."

Kimberly moved to wrap an arm around Billy's waist as she saw him start to sway. He glanced down at her.

"I don't... they must have," Billy was frozen with the thought.

"Maybe they got away and are just missing," Kimberly tried to assure him.

"If they are out there we will find them," Jason added with an encouraging nod.

"What is happening?" Billy asked glancing back to see nothing but a large cloud of smoke over what should be the Angel Grove skyline.

"It's a long story... we need to get off this beach though and try to get some help," Jason replied.

"We should get to the Power Chamber," Kimberly agreed. She took Billy's hand as the three teleported away.

(****)

Jason couldn't see anything but pitch darkness in front of him. He felt next to him and found Kimberly's free hand.

"What is going on here?" Billy's voice rang out from the other side of Kimberly.

"I don't know... can you find the control panel?" Jason asked as Kimberly moved to take him by the arm to lead him along with her and Billy.

"I think it should be right up here," Billy replied as he felt around in front of him finding some familiar knobs and levers. He let go of Kimberly to use both hands to find his way down the length of the console for the lever he was looking for. He pulled down on it and the whole room was filled with a soft hum and lights on the panel was the first thing to light up the darkness.

"What happened?" Jason asked as suddenly the room was filled with its normal light but there was no sign of life from Alpha and Zordon's tube was still dark.

"I..." Billy paused as he studied a screen. "It appears that all of the power was converted to the Zord holding bay."

"Wonder why?" Kimberly asked as she moved up to try to make sense of what Billy was seeing.

"Any idea where Zordon is?" Jason asked as he stepped beyond the control panel to the tube and took off his helmet.

"My guess is he is in the bay with all the power," Billy answered as he stood up straight offered a trademark shrug.

"So we should probably get down there," Kim surmised as she removed her helmet and looked between the two guys.

"Okay... but first..." Jason moved around to the same side of the console as the other two. "Billy see if you can get a read on any of the other Rangers out there."

"Okay," Billy agreed as he began to do so. "I got Trey... he is moving west... very quickly."

"Good," Jason replied.

"He is here to help as well I take it," Billy guessed correctly. Nods from the other two informed him as much. He turned back to try to locate any other signals. He furrowed his brow and stepped back. "No one else is coming up... no other power signals."

Jason cursed as he turned to walk toward the back of the room. His eyes falling on the line of old suits on the back wall. He then quickly turned back to Billy.

"What about Zack and Trini?" Jason asked hopefully as he walked back over to stand with Kim.

"Let me try to hone in on them to see if anything comes up," Billy replied as he understood that they may be giving off a faint signal due to their dormant powers. After a few seconds, he got a hit and turned with his first smile since arriving back on earth. "I got them.... they are together and just outside of the city."

"Okay... can you get them here?" Jason inquired.

"Let me see," Billy answered as he went to work trying to lock on them to pull them in for a teleport. He shook his head.

"We are on auxiliary power... just enough to basically keep the lights on," Billy explained.

"Right..." Jason considered his options. "Okay... you two go to the Zord bay and see if you can find Zordon or Alpha and figure out what is happening here."

"What are you going to do?" Kim stepped into his line of sight and prompted him to look down at her. He could tell she was going to resist his idea.

"I will teleport down and get to Trini and Zack... and to check on everyone," Jason replied. Kim shook her head.

"We need to stay together," Kim replied.

"I won't be gone long, I am going to get them, go to my neighborhood and check on my family and make sure they are safe and then we will come right back," Jason explained. Kimberly took his hand and he knew she would probably not be letting it go. He glanced up at Billy.

"You two go... I will be safe here," Billy replied. "I will try my best to find out what is going on."

"Okay... but we won't be long," Jason responded before the two teleported out.

(****)

Jason and Kimberly suddenly found themselves in the streets in the middle of a mass exit from the city. Cars and people were all around them and moving due east to evacuate. No one had seemingly even taken notice of their sudden appearance in all of the chaos. Rangers moved out of the roadways and to the sidewalks.

"How are we going to find them in all of this? Kim asked as she frantically looked around for any familiar faces.

"Well... we just need to find the people going the other way," Jason answered knowing that his friends would stay and help. Kimberly understood and agreed as the two began to run in the opposite direction of the masses scanning for any trace of their friends.

Jason kept glancing up at the sky and back to the ground weary that their presence might prompt a return attack from Serpentera. He stopped himself and Kim and pulled her aside into a deserted coffee shop.

"What is it?" Kim asked unsure of what he was doing.

"I think we should de-morph," Jason explained. Kimberly started to protest. "We have to be giving off a greater signal to Serpentera like this."

Kimberly glanced back outside at the chaos and felt uneasy about what would happen if an attack did happen. She took a deep breath and turned back to Jason and nodded and the two de-morphed together.

Jason started to move back out into the streets but Kimberly took his hand and stopped him. He turned to her and saw that she was starting to tear up. He placed a hand on her cheek.

"What is it?" Jason asked as she finally moved her eyes up to him.

"I... just... I don't know how anyone is... my mom... dad..." Kimberly answered him. Jason understood what she was feeling and felt a lump in his own throat.

"Come here," Jason said as he pulled her into a hug. He admired how she had been able to retain her focus on being a Ranger and stopping what was happening but like him, he knew deep down they were sharing the same fears. "When we get back to the Power Chamber and get it back up and running we will be able to search for them and get you to them."

"I... just... they are out there and I don't even know if they are hurt or trapped... or..." Kimberly buried her head into Jason's chest as she tried to pull herself together.

"I know..." Jason replied as he kissed the top of her head. He pulled back and looked down at her. "Your mom and stepdad were out of the city when it was attacked... I really believe they are okay."

Kim nodded as she knew what he was saying was true.

"But my dad is here... out there somewhere," Kim replied, with a point to the open door.

"Yeah... let's go find him and everyone else," Jason stated as he led the way out.

(****)

Zedd pressed a button in front of him, firing another blast of energy at the elusive gold target in front of them. It managed to evade it once more.

"Easy on that... each one of those blasts drains a lot of power, Jason's from beside him prompted him to tilt his head in that direction.

"I built this Zord remember?" Zedd scoffed at his new ally who just shrugged and focused on the view out of the cockpit. Zedd studied him. Jason could feel his eyes on him and turned to him.

"What?" Jason asked. Not appreciated the look he was getting.

"You had a chance to kill them back there," Zedd replied. Jason rolled his eyes as his suspicions were confirmed that he was being watched instead of trusted fully.

"No wonder this one got away if you were too busy spying on me instead of trying to end him," Jason averted the accusation with one of his own. He stood up and started to leave. Zedd's hand reached out to grab his wrist.

"You better keep in mind that yes I am watching you," Zedd's tone was a warning as his body began to glow red. Jason glared down at the hand on his wrist before he smirked and chuckled. The response prompted the red glow from Zedd to become more intense.

"Don't worry about me," Jason responded easily pulling himself from Zedd's grasp and continuing to walk away. "Just try to hit the target for once."

(****)

Kim's eyes lit up as she saw a familiar face finally.

"Trini!" She could barely contain her excitement as she called to her friend who was helping a family load into a car. She stopped and searched for the voice calling to her and smiled when she saw Kim running to her and Jason not far behind.

"Kim," Trini could barely get the word out before she found herself wrapped in a hug from her best girlfriend. She felt Jason's hand on her back as he reached them and turned her head to smile at him as well.

"We have been looking all over for you and Zack," Jason informed her as the two girls broke their hug.

"Zack is..." Trini spun around and pointed to a house across the street. Zack was helping that family load into their car much the same as she had been. "We have been going house to house to see if everyone was okay and helping them get out."

"Right..." Jason smiled as he expected no less from them.

"Do you guys know what all is going on?" Trini asked as the three began to cross the street and approach Zack.

"Yeah... and it's a long messed up story... we will explain it to you two back at the Power Chamber," Kim answered.

"Power Chamber?" Trini inquired as Zack caught sight of them and closed the distance instantly clasping hands with Jason.

"What's going on?" Zack asked as he joined the conversation. "Reports are it was Serpentera but I thought we had seen the last of it."

"Right... let's teleport," Jason responded with a glance around before the four teens disappeared in streaks of light.

(****)

"Woah..." that's... that's messed up," Zack as he glanced next to him as his best friend led them down a corridor deep under the Power Chamber.

"Another you?" Trini was gobsmacked at the thought as she stole a look at Kimberly who nodded as the two girls walked in step behind Jason and Zack. "An evil you with all of those powers?"

"Yeah..." Jason turned back to her with a crestfallen face and she could read how serious it all was on his face.

"I really hope Billy has got some answers," Kim chimed in as they neared the large door to their destination.

"You are in luck then," Billy replied as he appeared in the doorway and smiled. Zack and Trini both ran up to him to envelop him in a hug as Jason and Kimberly stood back shared a glance.

"It is good to see you, man," Zack said holding Billy with his hands on either of his shoulders.

"Likewise," Billy replied with a soft smile at Trini. "Now come on in... I've got something to show you."

The group of five poured into the large Zord bay and immediately their eyes widened in sync as they slowly approached the sight in front of them. Five towering and familiar behemoths stood at the ready.

"No way..." Zack was the first to find his voice.

"I thought they were gone," Trini shook her head.

"Billy are they... I mean do they work?" Kim asked turning to him. He nodded in the affirmative.

"They do," Billy replied as he pointed over to a control panel underneath the five original Zords.

Jason couldn't take his eyes off the T-Rex Zord even as its eyes began to glow as if it was seeing him too. He smiled and walked toward the railing overlooking the pit they were standing in.

"Alpha!" He heard Trini exclaim as the robot approached from across the large bay.

"Rangers!" Alpha replied excitedly upon seeing the group. Four of them closed the distance between them to meet their old friend and fuss over him. Jason turned to look back up at his old Zord and the rest of them and took a deep breath.

"Guys..." Jason got the attention of the group. He then turned to face them. They all waited expectantly for him to speak again. "The world needs us right now... the other Rangers need us... our families need us..."

Jason paused and glanced back at the Zord and then to Alpha.

"If this means what I think it means then we can't waste any time... we got to get back to action," Jason finished. And the rest of the group nodded in agreement as Alpha went over and pressed a button on a nearby slim console. A flash of light on the wall next to them prompted them to turn to see Zordon's image appear.

"Jason is correct in saying there is little time to waste," Zordon's voice echoed in the large expanse of the bay as the group gathered underneath him. "Alpha and I with the help of Billy have been able to convert most of the power of the morphin' grid and used it to bring life back into your Zords."

"We were also able to energize your power coins, so you should all be able to morph again," Alpha added excitedly as Morphers appeared in the hands of the group as they looked around among each other.

"I know for some of you you have already been back in action and for others, it has been a while," Zordon continued. "The world needs you now more than it ever has so I call upon you once again to come to its defense... if you are willing."

"Count me in," Jason was the first to respond.

"Same," Kim agreed.

"I'm with you," Zack added.

"Of course," Trini replied with a nod.

"It has been a while but that is an affirmative from me as well," Billy stated as the group collectively stepped forward and looked back up at Zordon.

"I am proud of each of you and I know that you will do your best as you always did to protect and defend... but I must warn you that this power is unmatched by anything you have faced," Zordon responded.

"We got a taste of that," Kim stated turning to Jason.

"Right and we have been unable to locate any of the other Rangers," Alpha added with an unusually solemn tone. "The last transmission we received from Tommy was a grim one reporting that the Turbo Megazord was being ripped apart.

"Oh my God," Trini responded to this news with a hand over her mouth.

"We need to go back down and find them," Jason said. "I know Tommy... I know he got them to safety."

"Right... they got to be out there somewhere," Zack agreed.

"I share your optimism and with Serpentera still being led away by the Gold Ranger I think your first move should be to return to the city and try and locate the other Rangers," Zordon informed the group. "Alpha and I will try to restore contact with Pyramidas and inform Trey of the new developments and get him to safety."

"Alright then..." Jason said before he made eye contact with Kimberly. He then turned back to Zordon. "Zordon before we go is there any way you could check and make sure that our families are safe."

Kimberly smiled and moved closer to him at his request.

"We anticipated your concern and have located each of your parents and confirmed their safety," Zordon replied.

Kimberly let out an audible sigh of relief as they all collectively smiled.

"That's good to hear," Billy said.

"Right... but where we go now we will be putting them in danger..." Jason's words were sobering to the group. "So we have to get in and get the Turbo Rangers and get out of the city."

"Agreed and we will continue to monitor Serpentera to give you a warning," Zordon said. "When the times come to engage him in battle we will have to do so away from the city."

"Okay... well... I think we got it, so what do you say guys?" Zack said with a shrug to the group and holding up his Morpher.

"I think it's Morphin' time," Jason responded.

(****)

Zedd's fingers hovered over the trigger on the chair next to him. He thought he had a shot and went to press the button. A hand on his wrist stopped him from doing so and he turned to see a fully morphed Jason next to him in his Gold Ranger attire.

"Don't waste the energy... just get me close enough," Jason directed him. Zedd reluctantly moved his hands over to accelerate the Zord instead of going for another blast. Jason stood up and summoned the gold power staff as he waited for the gap to close.

(****)

"Trey... can you read me?" Zordon's staticky voice filled the cockpit of Pyramidas breaking Trey's concentration from holding it in a steady acceleration. He glanced over to the panel to see if the connection was strong enough to send a response. "If you can hear me, please acknowledge."

"Don't bother," a voice from behind Trey prompted him to spin his chair and the large vessel to lurch downward. He steadied himself on the controls before putting it into auto-pilot and standing up to face a mirror image of himself.

"How..." Trey began to ask but soon understood that this Jason would have the same power to enter Pyramidas as he himself would. Trey summoned the Golden Power Staff and put some space in between him and Jason who was stood unmoving in the doorway.

"I am going to be really blunt with you," Jason began to speak, taking one step inside the doorway. "I really need you out of the way..."

"You know I won't go down without a fight," Trey replied.

"Oh... I know... believe me, I know," Jason reacted with remembrance to Trey in his own time. "So... I am going to give you a chance to teleport out of here and give me command of this Zord... or...

"That is not going to happen," Trey replied in defiance.

"Yeah... well..." Jason replied with a shrug before closing the distance between them.

Chapter Text

Trey braced for impact as the ground quickly approached beneath him. He was relieved to see he was gonna hit the sand but the relief was short-lived as the fall was even more jarring than he had anticipated.

He barely had time to adjust to the numbness overtaking him when he heard a thud nearby. He rolled over to see Jason approaching him with Pyramidas hovering over both of them blocking the view of the sun on the small deserted island they now found themselves on.

"Jason... this can't be you... you have to stop," Trey pleaded as he struggled to his feet just as Jason reached him and threw a sidekick that barely dodged. Trey got his footing and attempted to counter with a front kick of his own but Jason brought up a knee and stuffed the blow.

"Concentrate less on who you think I am and more on what I am about to do to you," Jason sneered as he grabbed Trey by the neck and lifted him off the ground before tossing him to the side into the only row of trees on the entirety of the island.

"Despite everything I would really like to not hurt you," Trey responded rising to his feet once more.

"God... I wish you would try that," Jason remarked as he approached slowly at first but then in a dead run with his fist cocked. Trey barely had time to move as Jason splintered the tree directly behind his head. Trey used the moment to land a back elbow to Jason's ribs and then he rolled clear.

Jason spun around and reach for Trey who batted away Jason's hands and raised a knee up to his stomach then followed it with a rising kick under the chin. The blow barely budged Jason and he instead caught Trey's leg as it was on the way down and spun him around and around tossing him out into the water's edge.

"Come on!" Jason shouted. "Fight me... stop holding back."

Trey felt rage bubbling up in him as he rolled out of the water onto the sand. He punched the ground beneath him and then summoned the Golden Power Staff. He charged Jason who matched him move for move and strike for strike with his own staff.

Jason won the match with the two weapons as he swept Trey's legs out from under him and then pressed his own staff against his neck after he hit the ground. Trey struggled under the pressure but found despite his best efforts his strength was not enough to counter Jason's.

"Is... there any humanity left... in you?" Trey struggled to get words out with the heavy metal up against his windpipe. Jason shook his head.

"It's all gone... it was ripped from my body... and you made it all possible..." Jason responded increasing the pressure. "Your humanity and good intentions cost me mine... and it's gonna cost so many more."

Trey felt himself blacking out and in a last-ditch effort, he summoned a gold rush of energy through his staff, causing an explosion upward that was so intense the backlash sunk him into the ground. Despite this when the smoke cleared he still felt the pressure against his throat as the blast had not dislodged Jason or deterred him.

"Don't..." Trey's new last-ditch effort was to now plead. To his surprise, he felt the pressure relax and Jason stood up straight over him. He tried to gather his bearings just as the Power Sword materialized in Jason's hand. He didn't have time to even raise his hands before it was plunged into his chest, breaking his armor and piercing his suit.

Jason pulled the sword clear and walked over to lower the blade into the ocean water allowing it to wash the blood clean. He glanced back up at Pyramidas and then back down at the sword to see if it was sufficiently clean.

"What do you think you are doing?" Zedd's voice from behind him prompted a glance over his shoulder. Jason cocked his head slightly.

"What does it look like?" Jason asked he turned and brandished his sword. Zedd turned to the body of Trey and then back to Jason.

"I'm not sure I understand but I am also not sure I like it," Zedd remarked. With those words, Jason's suspicions were confirmed and he approached him.

"I wondered when you would rear your head," Jason stated walking to stand face to face with him.

"Your brashness will be your undoing," Zedd replied as a portal opened behind him and Goldar appeared with a group of Putties and Tengas.

"Still playing with your old toys huh?" Jason chuckled. "You should have grown up and moved on to bigger and better things."

With those words, Jason materialized his Golden Power Staff and crossed it over his sword just as Pyramidas above them began to glow. An energy blast from the Zord came down and Jason channeled it through his own weapons and incinerated Zedd and his entire army.

(****)

Tommy opened his eyes and felt an immediate rush of pain through his temples. He raised his hands up surprised to find his was no longer morphed. His lungs felt like they were on fire and he coughed a couple of times in an attempt to clear them. He glances around to see everything covered in ash and smoke all around him and billowing up and out a hole in the roof.

He rolled over and attempted to try and understand where he was. The row of washing machines that met his vision alerted him that he was in a laundromat. He used the handle on one of the industrial-sized machines to help himself get to his feet and he used it to support himself as he scanned the room for a sign of anyone else.

The sound of coughing on the other side of the room prompted him to move toward it. He fought to see through the smoke and tripped a couple of times over some debris on the ground.

"Hello..." Tommy called out between coughing.

"Tommy?" Kat's voice called back to him as she appeared in view of him and he hurriedly moved to help her onto her feet.

"Are you okay?" Tommy fussed over her trying his best to make out any visible injuries in the cloud of smoke and darkness.

"I think so..." Kat replied as she brushed his hair back from his face to see the blood on his forehead. "Oh, Tommy."

"Is it bad?" Tommy asked seeing the expression on her face.

"We need to get you to a doctor or back to the Power Chamber to get that seen to," Kat answered.

"We got to find the others," Tommy dismissed her concerns and reached over into a nearby laundry basket to get a white sheet. He ripped a large piece off of it and tied it across his forehead covering his wound.

Kat had made her way to the blown-out glass door and windows to the building and stopped with a hand over her mouth as she took in the devastation surrounding them.

"Oh god, Tommy," Kat whispered as she felt him approaching her from behind.

"Man..." Tommy felt anger rising up in him as he saw the fires and the collapsed buildings around them. He stepped out into the street and done a full turn taking it all in. "Look."

Kat followed his gesture as he pointed down the street to a broken piece of their Megazord. His eyes lit up as he saw someone crawling over it and standing up.

"Adam!" Tommy called to him and took off in a run with Kat close behind.

Adam turned to see the red and pink Rangers approaching him and he gingerly lowered himself to the blacktop just as they reached the base of what appeared to be a piece of Megazords leg.

"Are you okay?" Tommy asked him.

"I've been better," Adam replied as he felt a sharp pain in his ankle and lifted it to move it around to test for a sprain.

"Any sign of the other two?" Kat asked as she reached the two.

"No... but the last thing I saw in the Megazord was Tanya moving to shield Justin," Adam informed them as he put some weight on his ankle again and ignored the pain. "My communicator is toast."

Tommy glanced down to see his was missing. He turned to Kat to see hers was missing a chunk out of the face of it.

"Help!" Tanya's voice echoed down the broken and barren street prompting all three Rangers to turn to meet its direction.

"That's Tanya," Adam remarked before taking off in the direction of the voice with Tommy and Kat following close behind. They came to a partially collapsed alley.

"Tanya!" Tommy called out to her.

"Tommy, over here!" Tanya called out from behind a pile of rubble. Adam was the first to scale it and landed to see Tanya on her knees cradling Justin in her arms. He raced over to kneel next to her he heard an audible curse from Tommy behind him.

"Justin, buddy," Tommy raced over to kneel in front of his young teammate.

"I can't get him to respond," Tanya responded the panic evident in her voice and the tears in her eyes.

Kat reached them and felt for a pulse.

"It is weak... he probably has some internal injuries," Kat stated noting the blood around the sides of his mouth.

"Here," Tommy said taking Justin's body from Tanya's arms as he stood up.

"Is your communicator working?" Adam asked noting it on Tanya's wrist.

"I haven't tried it," Tanya replied as she got up. She pressed a button on it and got a response. "I... I... uh think so."

"Okay then you got to get us to the Power Chamber," Tommy stated as the group started to gather around Tanya.

"Going somewhere?" Jason's voice from behind the group startled them and they turned to see him standing on the rubble.

"Jason?" Adam was the first to react. "What are you..."

He didn't finish his sentence before Jason leaped down in front of him and batted him away into the side of a nearby dumpster.

"Hey!" Tanya screamed at him as she raced over to help Adam to his feet. Kat moved in between the approaching Jason and Tommy who was still cradling Justin.

"What are you doing Jason?" Kat's tone was hurt and confused.

"Look around you," Jason replied stopping to make eye contact with her. "This... all of this... is what I am doing."

He gestured behind her to Justin.

"That is what I have done," Jason replied with a smirk.

"No...." Tommy's voice was barely above a whisper as he saw the look in the eye of Jason and he could feel the evil energy radiating off of him. "Kat... here."

Kat turned to have Justin placed into her arms.

"You guys go...." Tommy directed them as he pointed behind him.

"I think they should stay," Jason countered.

"I don't know what is going on, but I am not leaving you," Kat replied as she handed Justin to Tanya with a gesture to her communicator. She mouthed for her to go.

Tanya disappeared with Justin in a streak of yellow light as Adam and Kat moved on either side of Tommy.

"What has happened to you?" Adam questioned as he moved into a defensive stance glancing at Tommy for approval to attack. Tommy held his hand up.

"Jason... buddy," Tommy approached him cautiously. Jason stood unwavering as he got within inches of him. A flicker of red and gold in Jason's eyes caused Tommy to stop. He felt a strange surge of energy go through his body and his own eyes flickered with green and white energy. This caused Jason to cock his head.

"Interesting," Jason remarked unsure of what he had just seen.

"Zedd did something didn't he?" Tommy asked searching the eyes of who he thought to be his best friend.

"That is the boring explanation I guess," Jason answered with a shrug.

"I thought Kim got to you..." Tommy replied shaking his head.

"Kim?" Jason's hardened expression softened momentarily. "No one came... no one was there.

Something in those words broke Tommy's heart for reasons he couldn't quite consider at the moment.

"She was there... you came back... everything was okay," Tommy explained.

"You have me confused for someone else," Jason countered. Tommy's confusion grew. "As much as I enjoy chatting... there is something I enjoy much more."

Tommy couldn't react in time as Jason kicked him hard in the chest and sent him back into Kat and Adam, knocking all three to the ground.

Adam was the first to get up and mount an offensive attack against the dark version of Jason. His quickness allowed him to pass some of the defenses of Jason but his blows had no effect even when landing. He was unprepared for Jason to catch his fist and hit him in the jaw with a forearm shiver that made his legs go limp momentarily and he slumped to the ground.

Kat moved over to pull Adam away from Jason and she stood up to defend him.

"I don't know what has happened to you but you can't do this Jason," Kat pleaded with him even as she stood ready to defend herself.

"Oh, I can..." Jason replied as he stepped to her. He blocked a kick from her and grabbed her arm and twisted it behind her back and shoved her up against the nearby brick wall. "And I'm going to."

Tommy tackled Jason from behind and both of them rolled to the ground and got up at the same time mirroring each other's movements. Jason grinned but Tommy was not amused.

"You are sick, Jason... I want to get you some help," Tommy replied with a glare.

"Yeah... and I want to rip you apart," Jason replied charging Tommy and throwing a punch. Tommy ducked it and went for a leg sweep that Jason flipped over. The two began to mirror each other again, neither able to land a blow.

Tommy stepped back from the exchange and threw a spin kick that connected with Jason but only served to turn his head slightly. Upon seeing this Tommy backed up to the recovering Adam and Kat.

"Morph!" Tommy called out and all three of them did so, feeling the powers rejuvenate them and begin to heal their injuries. They stepped up to Jason. He readied for their attack, blocking a kick from Tommy, dodging a punch from Kat but failing to do so one from Adam.

"What the..." Adam remarked as his punch didn't seem to faze Jason. He stepped back and turned to Tommy.

"It's Maligore's energy...." Tommy stated.

"Oh it's much more than that," Jason replied as he reached behind him and effortlessly lifted a piece of broken-up pavement and chucked it at the three Rangers. Tommy and Adam were able to roll clear but the side of it slashed against Kat's chest and sent her back in a flash of sparks. Tommy turned to check her as Adam raced to counterattack Jason.

A flying kick from Adam was batted aside and a punch ducked. Adam pushed Jason in the chest as hard as he could in an attempt to dislodge his footing. It worked enough to allow him to connect with a jumping knee and a quick succession of sidekicks to either side of Jason's face. He heard Tommy approaching behind him and ducked as the Red Turbo Ranger leaped over him and hit a dropkick to Jason's chest that knocked him back into the rubble behind him.

"Well... color me impressed," Jason said as he hurriedly got to his feet and dusted himself off. "But... come on... I know you can do better."

"Gladly," Tommy replied moving in to throw a series of punches and kicks before rolling clear and allowing Kat and Adam to land a tandem flying kick to Jason's chest, once again knocking him back down and into the rubble.

"Alright!" Jason bellowed as he got up again. "Now we are getting somewhere."

"Come on Jason... just stop this," Adam pleaded.

"You don't get it, do you?" Jason replied once again dusting himself off. "This will not end without death... maybe mine... but probably all of you."

Jason reached over and pulled a steel wire clear of some of the rubble and brandished it. This prompted Tommy to reluctantly call forth his sword.

"I wouldn't do that," Tommy warned him as Jason raised his weapon.

"You don't have the guts to really stop me..." Jason taunted. Jason cocked his head once again as he saw a green glow light the normally black visor on Tommy's helmet.

"Don't..." Tommy again warned, feeling a surge of something overtaking him.

"Oh what the..." Jason shrugged and then charged with the weapon. He was met with Tommy's sword piercing him in the stomach. He stopped and took a couple of steps back allowing the sword to slide out of him. He started to laugh maniacally. "You son of a..."

"Tommy?" Kat moved to the side of her boyfriend and teammate as he held his stance with the sword now sticking into nothing but the air but also dripping with blood.

"Kat?" Tommy turned to her and then down to his sword. He was horrified to see the blood on it. Jason's blood. He threw it down and started to step toward Jason but the laughter coming from him stopped him.

"I guess you did have it in you after all," Jason shrugged as he glanced down at the blood oozing from his midsection. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "Unfortunately for you... you should have finished the job."

The wound on Jason's chest became to close up slowly as black energy crackled over it and it began to move all over his body and become mixed with red and gold energy. Pretty soon he was fully armored in the Gold Ranger attire.

The Turbo Rangers had no time to react before they were under attack. Jason was a blur of energy as he moved between all three of them landing bludgeoning blows with his Golden Staff.

After he slowed his movements and stepped back he was satisfied by the sight of all three Rangers lying face down on the ground at his feet. His laughter picked up again and echoed down the alleyway and out into the streets.

"Do you hear that?" Zack asked as he turned to the group of Rangers canvassing the streets on either side of him.

"That sounds like..." Billy responded as all turned to Jason.

"Let's go," Jason instructed them as they moved toward the sound

Chapter Text

"Is he going to be okay, Alpha?" Tanya asked Alpha as she exited the medical bay with him by her side.

"Yes, I believe he will be, but it may be a long time before he is able to morph into the blue Turbo Ranger again," Alpha answered solemnly. The two walked in silence into the main control room of the Power Chamber and Tanya stopped shocked to see the blue Turbo Ranger in front of her.

"What..." Tanya looked back and forth to Alpha and Zordon. The Blue Ranger removed his helmet to reveal Rocky underneath.

"Hey," Rocky greeted her with a sheepish smile.

"How?" Tanya was full of questions.

"Zordon..." Rocky gestured with his thumb behind him.

"I knew Rocky would be healthy enough to take on powers again and unfortunately right now we cannot afford to be down another Ranger," Zordon explained. Tanya nodded.

"It is good to see you back," Tanya gave him a hug.

"Good to be back, just wish it wasn't under the circumstances," Rocky responded as they broke apart.

"Rocky, Tanya, I need you two to go a mission to locate Trey," Zordon spoke prompting both to turn to him.

"But shouldn't we get back and help the others?" Tanya protested.

"Jason and the others are there now... but I feel like Trey is in grave danger if we do not get to him," Zordon countered.

"Okay... do you know where he is?" Rocky inquired.

"I have managed to get a lock on him, he is somewhere in the Pacific Ocean," Zordon responded.

"In the ocean?" Tanya shook her head.

"I believe he is on a very small island but I can't get a visual, just a very weak reading from him," Zordon elaborated.

"Okay, why two of us to get him?" Rocky asked, itching to join the fight, back in the city.

"As a precautionary measure," Zordon answered. Rocky nodded, satisfied with the response.

"Okay well let's get going," Tanya said before morphing."

(****)

Jason stuck his arms out in an effort to stop the other Rangers who were running next to him. They all stopped in unison just as the Gold Ranger appeared in front of them in the street.

"Trey?" Billy spoke taking a tentative step toward him. No response, just a cock of the head. Billy stopped. Before he could realize his mistake he was punched hard in the side of the helmet and sent flying back into Jason who steadied them both.

"Well... I guess the gang is all here now," Dark Jason said looking down the line at the original Rangers in front of him. He glanced down at his suit and then back up at the group. Suddenly a red flash overtook him and he was now a mirror image of the Red Ranger. "I think this is more fitting."

"Nah... you ain't it," Zack responded as he stepped up to attack. Dark Jason blocked all of his moves, as he was very familiar with them from his own time. He caught Zack's fist and pulled him in to headbutt him back into the group.

Trini was the next to attack as the group tended to the fallen Zack. She used her quickness to dumbfound her opponent. Dark Jason grew frustrated with her speed, as he often did during their sparring sessions. He resolved to eat a couple of blows so he could find an opening and return a back elbow under Trini's chin that flipped her backward into the group.

"You okay?" Kim moved over to Trini and help her up.

"Enough," Jason stepped forward. "Let's settle this between us."

"I have no problem with that," Dark Jason countered, this time making the move toward Jason and the two began to engage in a test of skills. Kicks blocked, punches ducked, flips. Mirror images of power and agility.

"You can't beat me, Jason," Dark Jason taunted as he blocked a forearm shot. "I am just toying with you..."

Jason grunted as his evil counterpart grabbed his wrist and he found he couldn't pull free. He tried to raise a knee but it was batted down and he found another hand on his neck.

"Any... time... I wanted... I could end you... and then who would protect them?" Dark Jason nodded to the group behind Jason.

"You.... talk.... too... much," Jason said as he twisted his body to send both Rangers rolling across the ground. Jason met his dark counterpart with a kick as the two scrambled to their feet. He then landed another and another. His target was moving back slightly but he felt like he was kicking a solid rock wall.

"Come on!" Dark Jason taunted, welcoming the shots now as Jason moved to land a series of punches to his chest and then an uppercut to his face. Jason was unnerved by the way his opponent was eating his best shots. He was sure he had never hit anything as hard as he was hitting him.

Jason drew his sword and slashed madly at his opponent. The introduction of the weapon prompted Dark Jason to step back out of harm's way and to cease allowing free shots. He retrieved his own sword and then stepped back into the fight. Metal clashed together and sparks flew.

"This will be your undoing," Dark Jason warned as he pressed his own sword against Jason and caused them both to go falling back into a nearby overturned van. He relented enough to step back and slash at Jason who barely managed to duck as he looked up in wide-eyed horror to see the gash in the van from to the attack meant for him.

He never saw the knee coming until it filled his visor, nearly cracking it and he felt himself flying up and over the van landing on the sidewalk beside it. He shook his head to clear the stars and saw his doppelganger flying down with his sword aimed directly at his heart. He started to roll just as an explosion from behind knocked Dark Jason off his trajectory and forward into a brick building.

Kimberly ran over to Jason with her bow still in hand and reached her hand down to pull him off the ground and away from the fight even as the other three Rangers moved in on Dark Jason.

"You got to let us help," Kim said as she helped Jason steady himself. "You will get yourself killed, and I am not about to let that happen."

Jason reached down and ran his hand along the side of her helmet and nodded. He knew she was right. This was no time to be a hero. They were stronger together. He turned with Kim just in time to see Trini and Billy rolling towards them.

Zack was left alone with the Dark Jason and was putting up a valiant fight. He hit a spin kick that caused his foe to roll clear and counterattack by throwing his sword at Zack. Much to the horror of the group of Rangers as they watched he was unable to get clear and the sword went into his shoulder and pinned him back into the wall behind him.

Jason ran over and got between Zack and the approaching Dark Jason, as Kimberly ran behind him and pulled the sword from Zack as he slumped forward. She was relieved to see the energy from the Morphin Grid close up the wound and hole in the fabric.

"You have to stop this!" Jason called to his doppelganger. His tone somewhere between pleading and fury. "Fight it!"

"There is no stopping this... do you understand that?" Dark Jason answered him with a shake of his head. "Even if I wanted to... I couldn't."

"I know you want to... I know you do," Jason reacted. "I know what is going through your mind and your heart right now."

"Do you?" Dark Jason questioned. "Do you really?"

"We are the same," Jason answered glancing behind him at his team tending to each other. "We would never willingly hurt our friends."

"Friends?" Dark Jason responded crossing his arms. "Friends... friends are there... friends don't abandon each other."

"I don't know what you are talking about, but none of us would abandon each other," Jason stated.

"That is easy for you to say..."Dark Jason countered. "Clearly someone... someone was there... you weren't alone when Zedd came for you."

"Look... I don't know what happened in your life in your time but..." Jason started.

"You are right... you don't," Dark Jason cut him off shaking his head. He took a couple of steps closer. "I envy you... what you have here."

Dark Jason looked beyond Jason to set his eyes on the Pink Ranger. Jason noted this and cocked his head slightly. He tentatively took a couple of steps closer himself.

"Listen... let us help you... we can beat Maligore's darkness," Jason pleaded. The mention of the dark beast prompted Dark Jason to snap his head back to Jason.

"I know what I have to do, and I will enjoy it," Dark Jason replied before he moved behind Jason and gripped him around the neck and began to squeeze.

"Jason!" Kimberly called to him as she ran and attempted to pry the arms from around his neck. She pulled with all her might but couldn't budge them, recalling how helpless she had felt when she found herself in the same position before. She moved her hand over to Jason's as his grip on his attacker's arm loosened. "Hang on, Jase... please..."

"He really does mean a lot to you huh?" Dark Jason taunted even as he felt the life leaving his counterpart's body.

"Please..." Kim pleaded as the other Rangers ran over and joined in the effort to pry Jason out of his grip. Their combined strength still couldn't budge his arms.

"Why didn't she feel the same?" Dark Jason's words were quiet and only Kimberly heard them in the chaos. She locked gazes with him and to her relief, he relented and let Jason fall to the ground. Dark Jason stepped back with his hands up glancing to the skies and then back to the group in front of him, who was now standing over their fallen leader.

Dark Jason spotted the looming presence of Serpentera approaching on the horizon and he screamed out a curse before running over and grabbing his sword from the ground and then making the move toward the group of Rangers.

"Don't," Kim said but Dark Jason shook his head and swung at them causing both Kim and Trini to roll clear as Zack and Billy picked up Jason and began to carry him away.

Trini fought back with her own daggers and landed some slashes that were largely ignored before Dark Jason grabbed her by the arm and spun her into a nearby street light bending it over to the ground.

Kimberly fired an arrow that was sliced apart. She fired another that exploded and sent Dark Jason to a knee before he charged her and shoulder tackled her to the side. She landed next to Trini.

"Stay with him," Zack said as he released Jason fully into Billy's arms who lowered him to the ground behind a car. Billy nodded.

Zack moved around the car and retrieved his power ax, converting it into cannon mode, and began to fire blast at Dark Jason. Much to Zack's chagrin, he didn't bother ducking the blasts but just began to eat them even as the energy crackled around his suit and black ashy streaks stained it from the heavy blasts.

Zack switched the weapon around to swing the ax down at Dark Jason as he closed the gap between them, but he found the strike blocked by his opponent's sword and then found the ax knocked from his hands as the butt of the sword hit his visor and cracked it slightly momentarily obstructing his vision even as he felt a shark blow to his chest knocking him back into the car Billy was kneeling behind with Jason.

Billy stood up at the impact and brandished his Power Lance in a warning for Dark Jason to stay back. Dark Jason chuckled before reaching down to the bumper of the car and flipping it out of the way. Billy was amazed at his strength and caught off guard by a punch that knocked him down. He quickly attempted to get to his feet to get over to Jason.

"No," Dark Jason kicked Billy hard in the ribs as he crawled across the sidewalk toward his fallen friend. The force of the kick sent him airborne and through the glass window of a store lining the streets.

Dark Jason turned his attention to his fallen counterpart. He walked over and stood over top of him. He shook his head, feeling a small wave of sadness come over him even as he raised his sword to plunge it down. He hesitated only a moment before thrusting the sword down.

Before his sword could penetrate Jason's flesh he was stopped by a sharp pain in his own back and he stumbled forward and turned to see the Red Turbo Ranger standing there with his sword fresh with his own blood fresh on the blade.

"You again?" Dark Jason shook his head. "How...?"

"Get away from him," Tommy warned as he stepped forward to put himself between the two Jasons. Dark Jason straightened his posture and cocked his head at the Red Turbo Ranger.

"There is... something... with you," Dark Jason stated as he took a couple of steps back. "Something familiar."

"I don't..." Tommy paused. He felt it too. Something flowing through him he hadn't felt in a long time. It both scared and energized him. He glanced behind him at the carnage and then back to the cause of it. He shook his head before activating his communication with Zordon. "Zordon... get us all out of here."

"Coward," Dark Jason spoke even as the streaks of light lit up the streets and the Rangers all vanished.

(****)

Kimberly sat quietly leaning up against the back of the control console in the Power Chamber with Jason sitting next to her staring off in the distance. She leaned into him took his hand in hers. He barely seemed to notice other than to open his hand for her. She studies his features as she was caught up in the faraway look in his eye.

She had feared the worst on the battlefield but he had revived once the group got to the Power Chamber. He had barely spoken since coming to and she had followed him back here to their current location and helped him to steady himself down into a seated position before she came to rest next to him.

She could hear the rest of the Rangers behind them all in different conversations with each other and Zordon to try to understand what to do. Some were questioning Tommy's call to pull them out of the fight but she knew it was the right one and right not she was determined to tune it all out and focus on Jason, feeling he needed her now.

"Hey," Kim finally spoke softly to get his attention. He didn't react immediately but eventually turned to her. She searched his eyes and he offered her a small smile. She knew he was trying to keep her from worrying but it wasn't working. "What are you thinking about?"

Jason didn't immediately respond, instead, turning his eyes to their interlocked hands. He took a deep breath and dropped his head back onto the console before turning to face Kim again.

"It was something he said," Jason said.

"What?" Kim inquired.

"About no one being there for him," Jason explained. "When he was taken... he was alone... but..."

Jason paused as he straightened his head back up and gave Kim's hand a squeeze.

"You were with me when Zedd came for me... and you came for me," Jason said.

"Mmhmm," Kim agreed.

"If he feels the same as me," Jason said.

"He said something... something when he was holding you," Kim stated. "Something about me caring you... and "her" not feeling the same."

Jason furrowed his brow as he started to understand. He stood up just as Tanya and Rocky teleported into the command center holding up a wounded Trey. The group of Rangers surrounded them as Tommy reached out to take Trey from them and to support him.

"Trey... what happened, buddy?" Tommy asked.

"It was Jason... he attacked and left me for dead," Trey answered. "He... he... destroyed Zedd... this time's Zedd... he and his army are gone."

The group looked amongst themselves, stunned at the news. Jason moved up to Trey.

"Where is Pyramidas?" Jason asked. Trey shook his head.

"He has it," Trey answered. Jason grimaced.

"That's no good," Adam commented as he exchanged glances with Zack."

"Is there any way you can retrieve that transmission you got from the other time... from the other Kimberly?" Jason asked. Trey considered the question for a moment before straightening his posture as best he could and materializing the Golden Power Staff. He held it up and pointed it toward the viewing screen on the wall of the Chamber. The video began to play on the screen.

"Zordon... can you trace that signal's origin?" Jason asked.

"Alpha see if you can trace it," Zordon instructed.

"What are you thinking, Jase?" Tommy asked.

"If Alpha can trace that signal and we can find out where it came from and how to get there... I think we can stop all of this," Jason answered as the group exchanged looks.

(****)

Dark Jason walked down the dark corridors of Serpentera before he ducked into a room and sat down in a chair and flipped on a monitor. Soon the darkened room was lit up with a soft white glow from the screen. After a while, an image began to pop up on the screen. Jason watched intently for several moments before a small smile came across his face.

He watched her as she went about trying to help people clean up from what he and Zedd had done to their planet. She was surrounded by a group of people who were going about trying to recover and find food and supplies, but he couldn't see anyone but her.

Suddenly she stopped and moved away from the crowd. Jason watched intently as she leaned her back up against a lone tree that stood where a row of them normally would. She lowered her head and Jason pushed a button to get another view. She was holding something in her hands and he focused as best as he could on it. He sat up straight when he saw what it was.

A picture. A picture of the group of them. Together on the beach making silly faces for the camera. Jason shook his head. She raised her head and he saw the tear running down her cheek. He cursed and reached up to flip the monitor off and darkness filled the room as he sat in silence.

Chapter Text

Jason paced back and forth behind Alpha and Billy as they continued to press buttons and turn dials, none of which he quite understood what their function was. He felt a hand slip into his and he stopped to see Kim looking worriedly up at him. She gently pulled at him to follow her across the room and he did so.

"Give them some space huh?" Kim asked, noting the glances Billy was giving to indicate Jason's posture was making him nervous and being a distraction.

"Yeah..." Jason glanced back at the console and back to Kim. He then nodded. "I guess I just really want this to work."

"I get it," Kim replied with an assuring smile as she led him through the doorway and down the hall. "We all want this to work."

They continued to walk hand-in-hand in silence until they reached the door leading to the outside of the building. It automatically opened for them and they walked outside into the light of dusk surrounding the desert around them.

"Kim..." Jason stopped them and turned to her. She waited expectantly for him to continue, noting the troubled expression on his face.

"What is it?" Kim asked taking his other hand in hers as well.

"If this doesn't work..." Jason hesitated. He shook his head. "I don't know if we can stop them from destroying it all."

"I think it will work," Kim shook her head. "They got here somehow, so there has to be a way to where they are from."

"Yeah... I just hope we can find it and in time," Jason responded as the two continued to walk and came to rest up against the side of the large structure they had just exited.

"My worry..." Kim stepped around to face him again. "Is that even if we find her... what makes you think she can do anything?"

Jason gave her a look as if he wanted to explain but couldn't vocalize his thoughts. He took a deep breath and then offered her a smile.

"He is me..." Jason began.

"He is not you," Kim cut him off gently but sternly to make her point.

"Under all that dark magic... he is me..." Jason defended his statement. "So... I know him... and I know what he feels."

There was silence before Kim moved in to embrace Jason.

"He spared her because no amount of dark magic could make me..." Jason paused and Kim squeezed him tighter as he rested his chin on top of her head. Jason's eyes moved nearby to a set of rocks and he saw a figure sitting on top of them. He immediately knew who it was and he gently untangled himself from Kim and pointed in the direction he was looking. "Give me a minute?"

"Yeah... I'm gonna head back in to see if there has been any progress," Kim replied as she followed the point to see Tommy sitting with his arms crossed on his knees in the distance. She turned back to Jason and leaned up to give him a kiss before making her way back inside. Jason watched her until the door closed and then he began the short trek over to his friend.

Tommy must have sensed his approach because he cocked his head slightly to put eyes on him and nodded.

"Jase," Tommy spoke first as his friend settled down next to him on the rock.

"What's on your mind?" Jason asked turning to him and giving him that look that told him there would be no use in trying to lie. Tommy shrugged and turned back to look out over the desert with the faintest of light still painting strokes along the sand.

"Where do I begin?" Tommy responded. "I mean everything that has happened, this is all crazy enough but..."

Jason waited for him to continue noting how his tone changed with the last word.

"Something... something is happening Jase," Tommy turned to him with a pained look on his face. "I... I... don't know what it is what is going on with me... but I've felt it twice now..."

"What is it?" Jason inquired.

"I haven't felt it in years," Tommy continued. "But I can never forget it..."

Jason watched as Tommy held out the palm of his hand and opened it to reveal the Dragon power coin in his palm with crackling green energy all around it.

"What..." Jason didn't know what to make of it.

"I just appeared to me earlier as I walked out here," Tommy explained, filling in the blanks he knew Jason had. "I felt the energy and felt this in my hand."

"Did you tell Zordon?" Jason asked to which Tommy immediately shook his head.

"I'm scared, Jase," Tommy replied. "I haven't moved from this spot since because I don't know what it means and with everything else going on."

"You got to tell him, maybe it has something to with him restoring our powers," Jason surmised.

"I thought that but..." Tommy hesitated again searching his former leader's face for a reaction before he even finished his sentence. "The way it makes me feel... it's not right... it's evil, Jase."

"Evil?" Jason wasn't sure how to process this news.

"Like before... like the beginning," Tommy elaborated with a remorseful expression.

"You have to tell Zordon," Jason said as he stood up. Tommy followed his lead and stood up as well. He considered the coin in his hand for a few seconds before looking back up at Jason and nodding.

(****)

"I got it!" Billy proclaimed excitedly, turning to the large group of his fellow Rangers gathered behind him.

"Awesome!" Zack returned his jubilee just as Jason and Tommy entered the room.

"We got a lock on his dimension," Billy repeated the news to the two.

"Can we get there?" Jason inquired, hurriedly making his way up to Billy.

"I think so, we just need a lot of power to make it through, it will take a very large energy source," Billy answered.

"Here," Trey handed his staff to Billy. "Will it work?"

"I think it will do just fine," Billy replied with a nod as he moved around to the end of the console and placed the staff down, and begin to press some more buttons. Tommy used this moment to step up to the front of the group and face Zordon.

"Zordon, there is something I need to talk to you about," Tommy said as he opened his hand to reveal the Dragon coin. There was a silence as Alpha walked over to him.

"This is great, we had hoped we could restore the energy to the coin but wasn't sure it had worked," Alpha said.

"I wouldn't be too happy just yet," Tommy said with a shrug. "There is more..."

"What is it, Tommy?" Kat asked walking up to his side for support.

"I have been feeling some uh... negative energy from it... like from before," Tommy explained. Kim shot Jason a look at these words.

"This is very unfortunate," Zordon replied. "Alpha run a scan on the coin."

"Right," Alpha replied as he retrieved a wand from the base of the control panel behind him and waved it over the coin. He let out his familiar cry as the wand began to loudly screech. He moved it back and turned to Zordon.

"How... how can this be happening?" Tommy asked.

"I suspect it has something to do with the energy from the Jason from this other dimension," Zordon surmised.

"He is that powerful?" Adam shook his head.

"The dark energy he is filled with is interacting with the Green powers," Zordon continued. "The powers are susceptible to contamination from dark energy... it is why we created the White Ranger powers."

"Hey... do you have those back?" Trini asked as she stepped forward. Tommy turned to her and then opened his other hand.

"I don't know..." Tommy replied before white energy crackled in his palm replaced by the Tiger coin. He smiled and held it up for the group.

"Finally some good news," Rocky said with a grin.

"Yeah... but what can I do about the green powers?" Tommy turned back to Zordon.

"I suspect there is nothing that can be done, short of you staying away from the other Jason," Zordon answered.

"I can't stay out of the fight," Tommy stated emphatically with a shake of his head.

"Very well," Zordon agreed. "Just make sure you are aware of what you are feeling and react accordingly."

"I will," Tommy said.

"Hopefully the White Ranger powers will keep it in check," Jason suggested and Tommy agreed with a nod and a smile.

"It is done," Billy chimed in walking to the center of the group with the golden staff in his hand. "We can use this to open a portal to and from the other timeline."

"Great," Trey explained as Billy handed him the staff. Trey weighed it in his hands for a moment and then glanced down at his bandaged chest. He turned his eyes up to Jason and stepped forward. "I think you may have to take this one."

Jason didn't verbally respond. He could tell by the look in Trey's eyes that he knew that he would have to do it.

Jason took the staff and stepped back, he looked around the group just as a thought hit him. His eyes widened.

"He is coming here," Jason stated. His words causing some panic in the room.

"What?" Kim was the first to collect herself. "How do you know?"

"Remember what I said earlier?" Jason asked in return. "I know what he feels and what he thinks."

"Jason I suspect you are right," Zordon agreed.

"Yeah... the whole reason he and Zedd are here is for more power... they are going to come straight to the source... they know they can overpower us," Jason replied.

"We need to set up a parameter around this place and head them off," Tommy spoke to the group.

"Right," Jason agreed.

"We will buy as much time as we can for you to get her back here," Tommy said to Jason.

"Maybe I shouldn't leave..." Jason began.

"She may be our only hope, remember?" Kim stepped up and put her hand on his chest. Jason nodded, remembering very well.

"I will be as quick as I can," Jason stated placing his hand over Kim's.

"Alright, everyone let's get morphed and get outside," Tommy instructed.

"Hey..." Jason said. "Remember we got the Dinozords back... use them to establish the perimeter."

"Right," Tommy agreed. "What about the T-Rex?"

"He will follow your lead," Jason responded with a smile. Tommy returned it and then the group collectively morphed and all teleported outside sans Kimberly and Jason.

"You be careful and come back to me, you hear me?" Kim stated before moving in for a kiss.

"I promise you... nothing could keep me from returning," Jason replied as they broke apart and he placed a kiss on her forehead. Kim lingered with her hand on his chest for several moments before finally morphing and teleporting out.

"Welp..." Jason turned to Alpha and Zordon. "Here goes nothing."

Jason held up the staff and it crackled with energy before the Gold Ranger armor materialized all over his body and Jason disappeared into a black hole that swallowed him up.

Chapter Text

Jason squinted as the darkness around him suddenly filled with light. He took a deep breath and gathered himself before doing a quick spin to examine his surroundings. His heart sunk while simultaneously kicking off a quickening of his pulse as he saw where he was.

"Man..." Jason remarked out loud as he glanced up to see the roof missing off the structure he stood in. He then glanced around to take in the sight.

He shook his head as he saw the Power Chamber in shambles. Holes in the wall, collapsed roof, and everything ripped apart. He fought the anger welling up inside of him as he carefully maneuvered himself around the large pieces of debris on the floor.

Jason recognized that he was in the main chamber as his eyes fell on the broken tube on the wall where Zordon would normally greet him. He gripped the Golden Staff tight in his hand as he walked up to it and placed a hand on a piece of the tube that still remained. A low groan followed by an audible curse echoed through the wreckage as Jason turned and hurriedly made his way to the exit.

(****)

Tommy glanced down at the Dragon Dagger in his hand. He smiled beneath his Turbo helmet. He reached up to undo the snaps on the helmet and lowered it to the ground before raising the Dagger to his lips. He blew a familiar tune and closed his eyes waiting to hear a response. Nothing yet. He blew again.

"Is he coming?" Zack asked from Tommy's immediate left. The distinct roar in the distance answered the question and Tommy smiled. He saw the towering Dragonzord approaching across the expanse of the desert. It walked up to stand directly in front of Tommy who peered up at it.

"Hey, old friend," Tommy's voice was full of fondness as he reached out and patted the foot of the Zord in front of him. He turned back to the other Rangers who were in circle formation behind him. He looked beyond them to see the original Dinozords approaching and forming an outer circle around the whole group. He reached down and retrieved his helmet and prepared himself for what was about to come.

(****)

Zedd sat silently in the cockpit of Serpentera as it made it's way across the sky. He glanced over at a reading showing the power supply and found it satisfactory as he leaned up to look down to see they were approaching the desert. He leaned back in his seat just as Dark Jason entered behind him and walked up to stand next to him.

"They will be waiting for us," He spoke matter-of-factly. Zedd nodded.

"Of course they will," Zedd responded. "It won't make much difference though will it?"

"No... no, it will not," Dark Jason agreed as he glanced back at the doorway and then turned back to Zedd. He still couldn't get the image he had just seen from their own time out of his mind, but something about being around Zedd helped him ease what he was feeling. The guilt.

(****)

Jason turned to look behind him at the broken building he had just exited. He took a deep breath and clenched his fists. He knew with the Power Chamber broken that teleporting was out of the question so he took off running in the direction of the city with speeds far beyond what any human could equal. Soon the surrounding area was nothing but a dust cloud being quicked up from the pounding of Jason's feet in the sand.

His emotions were all over the place and he was trying to focus on where he was going and why he was here. He glanced up to notice in the distance what seemed to be smoke many miles away. He surmised what he was about to see when he reached the outskirts of Angel Grove. His suspicions were confirmed as he made his way down a hill and leaped over a rock formation, landed on the first paved road he had gotten to.

His home... or at least the mirror image of it was burning. Smoke filled the already hot sky as Jason looked along the length of the skyline. His emotions threatened to get away from him again before he centered himself with some deep breathing exercises and then focused on the area he was going to start his search. He started to run again but stopped.

Jason glanced down at the golden suit of armor on him and shook his head. He suddenly realized that going into the city looking the way he did might not be for the best. He powered down and the staff disappeared from his hands. He stood now at the precipice of the city in street clothes as he slowly began to walk down the road.

He saw a truck approaching and he ducked out of the way onto the sidewalk as it sped by full of people both in the cab and the bed. He glanced to the left of him to see what used to be a suburb outside of the city now in pieces. He shook his head as he stopped at the crossroads and looked in every direction. Nothing but senseless destruction.

"What did I... he do?" Jason spoke out loud to himself as he considered where he should begin his search. He tried to think of where Kimberly might be and soon realized she might be anywhere. He knew time was precious so he wanted to maximize it and decided to go straight for her old neighborhood.

(****)

"It looks like some old faces are waiting on us," Zedd remarked gesturing in the distance at the row of Zords surrounding the Power Chamber. Dark Jason nearly smiled out of instinct when he saw them. It had been too long. He reached a hand to rest on Zedd's shoulder.

"Let me go in for a ground attack first," Dark Jason suggested.

"Why bother?" Zedd replied with skepticism as he sat up straighter in the seat and turned to Jason.

"Listen... we are here for their power correct?" Dark Jason began to elaborate. "Zordon has used up a lot of it to resurrect these powers and Zords... the more we attack the more they burn up, the less for us."

"I think I am following you," Zedd responded.

"Plus... if we can capture the power of the grid then the Zords will be ours to command as well," Dark Jason continued his sell. Zedd nodded.

"Very well," Zedd stated as he sat back and clasped his hands together. "You go do your worst."

(****)

Jason turned down the street leading both to his home and Kim's old one. He tried not to get caught up in the sights, sounds, and smells feeling his senses as he found it suffering just like every other neighborhood he had made his way through. He glanced around hoping to see a sign of any life. Even just some police presence, or firefighters, anything to indicate people were getting some help.

He found no sign of anything anywhere. Just raging fires and smoke. Jason walked around a large crater in the center of the street. He peered down to see a boulder at the center. He shook his head and picked up the pace as he neared where his home would be. He stopped and closed his eyes as he saw that where a home once stood there was nothing but barely a sign of a foundation.

"God..." Jason voiced under his breath as he turned to look down the street. His eyes brightened a little when he saw a group of people sitting along the sidewalk with another group gathered around them tending to them. Finally a sign of life and a glimmer of good.

Jason approached the group. He could see some were badly injured and others just seemed to be lost and scared. The group tending to them seemed also to be mostly regular citizens doing what they could. He walked past the group finding it hard to make eye contact with anyone as they looked at him desperately.

He cleared the group and stopped in the street. He heard the sound of a child crying nearby and glanced around to see a smoldering house. He didn't wait to see if anyone else heard before he ran to the home. He glanced behind him briefly to see if anyone saw him before he morphed into the Golden suit before breaking down the front door.

The interior of the home was filled with smoke and darkness. The only light was from flames licking around the corner of the rooms leading out into the foyer. Jason called for the staff and illuminated it with light to help him see. The smoke was so thick it barely provided him any help as he felt his way around and stopped to listen for the direction of the whimpers.

A crash in the same direction the crying was coming from stepped up Jason's pace as he made his way down the hallway and found himself tripped up over something. He looked at his feet to find his fears confirmed as the lifeless body of a woman lied prone with her arms outstretched to the doorway he was making his way to.

Jason swallowed a lump in his throat and kept going. He reached the doorway and could feel the heat surrounding it. His adrenaline and anger were at such a point though, that he paid no attention to the atmosphere around him as he tore the door off the hinges and entered the room. His eyes were met with sunlight from a hole in the wall in the back of the room.

The hole was suddenly filled with a silhouette. A familiar one. Jason shook his head as it entered the room and moved across it to retrieve the crying child hunkered in the corner. Jason reached his hand out as the two moved across the room in front of him again and out of the hole in the wall.

"Kim..." Jason spoke above a whisper as he watched her take the child to safety. He made his way outside and looked around for any sign of her. He didn't see her in the backyard anywhere so he demorphed and begin to run around the side of the house. It was then he was met with a swift kick to his chest that knocked him back into the grass below him.

Jason barely had any time to register what had happened before the long handle of a shovel was pressed against his neck. He struggled to breathe as he looked up into the focused eyes above him.

"Wait... it's...." Jason was struggling for his words. She had maneuvered herself on top of him skillfully and he found himself unable to overpower her. "I... I'm.... not.... him."

A glimmer of something in her eye at his words, but the pressure didn't relent. Jason felt himself seeing spots and tried to kick his legs but she had then wrapped around her own. He moved his hands from the shovel up to her arms. He squeezed, but gently. Not enough pressure to hurt her.

Again another glimmer and she cocked her head. Jason felt the slightest hint of relief and he moved a hand up to her cheek. She quickly moved it away from him.

"It's... not... I'm not who..." The pressure returned stopping his words momentarily. Jason locked eyes with her and released his grip from her and let his hands fall. The act was risky but it worked the way he had hoped as she relented. She straightened up slightly but still did not move from on top of him. She kept the shovel hovering over his neck as her eyes roamed his face. He started to speak again but she shook her head.

"Shut up," She finally spoke. Jason found so much relief in her voice regardless of the harshness of her command. He took this opportunity to examine her much the way she was his. Her hair was shorter, she was sans any makeup, and she had a new scar on her forehead. She was still Kim though. In any time or universe, seeing her would always cause his heart to do a little jump.

Jason tentatively reached his hand up. She eyed him suspiciously but did not immediately retreat. He gently moved his fingers to her forehead and ran it over the scar. He swallowed a lump in his throat and closed his eyes momentarily.

"What did he do?" Jason spoke softly, moving his eyes from the scar to her eyes. She shook her head quickly for a moment before averting her eyes. After a few seconds, she returned eye contact and held it for several moments before Jason noted the water welling up around her eyes.

"Who.... who... Jase... who are you?" Kim stammered out as she found herself overcome with so many conflicting emotions.

"I'm... Jason... but not... him... not the one who," Jason found himself nearly choking on the thought of describing all the carnage he had seen and attributing it to a version of himself.

"You... are lying," Kim replied.

"I promise... I'm not," Jason answered. "I came here to find you."

"Find me?" Jason felt her stiff posture on him loosen ever so slightly. "I don't know how you expect me to believe you... you are cruel..."

Jason felt his heart breaking fresh at those words. Cruel? Him. Cruel to her? Never. He didn't know what he could say to convince her or to get that image of him cleaned from her mind.

"Look... you know... you have let your guard down enough that if I wanted to I could flip you and that would be that... but I'm not... and you know he wouldn't tell you that," Jason stated. He felt her start to stiffen her posture again but stop midway through his words.

"Jason... it's... " Kim moved the shovel from his throat and laid it down next to them. She moved her hands back and cupped either side of his face. "You are not him... and not evil like him... you are like the old Jason?"

"I am," Jason nodded as he moved his hands to rest on the outside of her hands. "In my time... you saved me..."

"I did?" Kim inquired. Her tears were flowing freely now. She believed him. Maybe she shouldn't. But the softness in his eyes. It was there. It was just like before. The way he looked at her was the way her Jason always had. Before...

"Yes, you did..." Jason replied with a smile. She nodded vehemently before returning the smile and throwing herself back down on him in a tight hug. Jason gripped her back just as tight. Feeling a sense of responsibility for the state she was in. He wanted her to feel his sorrow and resolve to make it better.

Kimberly found herself sobbing into his shoulder. Maybe it wasn't like having her old Jason back. However, at this moment, it felt like it. For his part, he seemed content to hold her and let her pour her emotions over him. That much was very much like the boy she missed dearly.

Chapter Text

Jason knew they were walking past a large group of people with chaotic energy all around them, yet he found he couldn't stop looking at the girl next to him. Seeing this Kimberly, somehow struck him as more strange and confusing than even seeing the alternate version of his own self.

Jason surmised this was because he knew how to feel about the dark version of himself. He was evil and his feelings matched accordingly. With this version of Kimberly though things were different. It was the woman he loved, his oldest friend, except... it wasn't.

Jason noted how Kimberly's eyes moved around to all the different people seemingly seeing if there was anyone she could immediately help. He smiled. She hadn't spoken much as they walked along the streets of the broken neighborhood. Just allowed him to explain where he was from and who he was.

"So..." She spoke and commanded Jason's full attention. "He is in your timeline?"

"Yeah, he and Zedd," Jason answered as the two moved in unison up on a sidewalk and down a path leading to the Angel Grove park.

"And you made it out alive?" Kim continued as she made eye contact with him for the first time since they began their walk.

"I did..." Jason answered with a nod.

"And everyone else?" Kim inquired as the two rounded a bin that was all too familiar to Jason, even if he was not in his own world anymore. He smiled briefly seeing the Juice Bar way off in the distance. Kimberly stopped and he instinctively did so as well. He realized she was waiting for an answer to her question.

"Everyone is still alive," Jason finally answered her. She furrowed her brow and shook her head slightly. "The other Rangers I mean."

"So..." Kim ran a hand through her hair and shifted her feet. "Why are you here again?"

"He has continuously overpowered us, the Turbo Rangers... you have those powers here right?" Jason asked. Kim nodded. "Also the original team, we got our powers restored but so far we have been unable to stop them."

"So far?" Kim questioned.

"The battle is still going on... when I left both teams were set up to guard the Power Chamber," Jason explained. Kim turned and began walking again, slowly and not putting much distance between them before turning to him again.

"So why are you here?" Kim asked.

"For you," Jason answered. Kim's expression was one of confusion tinged with fear.

"What do you mean?" Jason stepped closer to her, noting the slight flinch when he did so. He chose to ignore how that made him feel for sake of continuing the conversation.

"We need your help," Jason stated. Kim shook her head and started to walk away from him. He moved to keep up with her. "Hey..."

She stopped as he moved to stand slightly in front of her. He watched her for a moment to see if she would look at him. He tentatively reached a hand out to hold hers. No recoil and instead she moved her gaze up to him.

"We... I think..." Jason began to speak.

"Come with me," Kim cut him off to his surprise and there was silence for a moment before Jason nodded.

(****)

"Why isn't it coming any closer?" Adam asked as he pointed in the distance at the hulking presence of Serpentera.

"I don't know, but everyone stay alert," Tommy answered looking around at the army of Rangers on all sides of him.

"Don't worry, I have no desire to sneak attack you," The voice from the middle of the group sent chills down Tommy's spine as he turned to see the dark reflection of his best friend standing with his arms crossed staring directly at him. All the Rangers moved into defense mode as they began to slowly circle around their unmorphed foe. Dark Jason smirked.

"I must admit though... the voices in my head... they don't care if things are fair," Jason made a small move toward Tommy. The other Rangers started to move but Tommy held his hand up for them to stop as he allowed Jason to get in his face. "What are the voices telling you, Tommy?"

"Why are you doing this?" Tommy asked, ignoring the taunt. "You have got to fight it."

"Like you did?" Dark Jason countered back raising his eyebrows. "If it wasn't for me... you'd have taken out my whole team with no remorse."

"No..." Tommy's response was quiet as he felt anger welling up in him.

"You deny it?" Dark Jason questioned.

"I couldn't..." Tommy stopped glancing around to avoid staring directly into the dark eyes directly in front of him.

"Yet you set here and ask me to do something you couldn't," Dark Jason chuckled. "Of course there are a lot of things I have always been able to do that you couldn't."

"Really?" Tommy mentally scolded himself for being taunted and giving in. He clenched his fists.

"Yeah... for one thing..." Dark Jason moved an inch closer. "If I hadn't decided to step down from the team... none of this would be happening."

"Alright, that is enough!" Zack stepped up next to Tommy. Dark Jason turned to him. "You got anything you want to say to me?"

"Nope," Dark Jason said as he put his hands up and stepped back before crossing them again. He glanced around at all the Rangers. "The only thing I will do..."

They watched as Jason opened his hand and revealed the Tyrannosaurus coin. He closed his hand around it and soon he was clad in the Red Ranger suit.

"I am going to give you all a chance to surrender your Morphers to me and go on home," Dark Jason continued. "Live your lives in peace and forget all about ever being Rangers."

"You are delusional," Rocky spoke up shaking his head.

"You have my word that we will be out of here as soon as we have the power," Dark Jason said, ignoring directly responding to Rocky.

"No chance of that, buddy," Adam answered him.

"What say you, Oliver?" Dark Jason questioned with a shrug of his shoulders.

"You know me... you know what my answer is," Tommy answered him stepping a few steps closer to him.

"Yeah... yeah, I guess I do," Jason replied before swiftly connecting with a kick to the Red Turbo Ranger's chest that sent him tumbling back across the sand and rock. Dark Jason grinned as the rest of the Rangers began to close in on him.

(****)

"Where are we....?" Jason started to question Kim as she had been leading him toward the city for some time now. He stopped though when after they reached the top of a hill she pointed in front of them. He closed his eyes and shook his head.

Before him lay the crumpled and wrecked heap of both two Megazords. He cursed as he followed her down the hill. There were pieces of individual Zords strown about leading all the way up into the heart of the city as best he could tell. She stopped and began to run her hand over one in particular.

"You..." Jason paused as he looked along the length of the Pterodactyl Zord in front of him. "You got your powers back too?"

"Mhmm," Kim answered turning her back to the Zord and facing him. "It didn't matter."

Jason walked up to her and placed his hands on either of her shoulders.

"Listen..." He began to soothe her.

"You don't get it," Kim cut him off, her tone more forceful. "He took everything from me... they are gone..."

"Everyone?" Jason swallowed a lump in his throat.

"We were fighting and I never saw the first blast coming but the second and third I watched as it hit them... and it just kept hitting them..." Kim began to recount. Her words coming faster as she went on. "I rolled clear and ducked behind my Zord and I saw them all taking direct hits from Serpentera.... after... it seemed like forever, everything went quiet..."

Kim crossed her arms in a motion Jason recognized as trying to comfort herself.

"It... they left and then I went to them," Kim continued as a tear rolled down her cheek. "There was nothing... there was no one... just this."

Kim gestured around them and then made eye contact with Jason. Her watery eyes were more than Jason could take as he felt his own welling up.

"I'm so sorry..." Jason spoke softly, his voice nearly betraying the strong front he was holding onto. He moved to embrace her and was comforted by the fact she allowed him to. He held her for several moments as he glanced around and fully took in the carnage around him.

"So..." Kim's voice was above a whisper and if Jason hadn't felt her breath on his neck he might not have even noticed she spoke. He broke the embrace and waited for her to continue." I don't know what you think I can do... but I have nothing to give..."

Jason studied her intently as he tried hard to find a way to appropriately and sensitively broach the topic of why he came to get her.

"He um...." Jason hesitated. "He spared you."

Kim shook her head, not sure what direction Jason was going.

"I mean... he could have..." Jason stopped himself. The words didn't feel right to say.

"He killed them all... he is a monster and he knew that I couldn't do anything on my own," Kim dismissed Jason's words.

"I don't think that is all there was," Jason countered.

"What are you saying?" Kim asked bluntly.

"I think for some reason he spared you," Jason reacted.

"What reason?" Kim threw her hands up.

"I..." Jason stopped. "I don't think he could bring himself to..."

"But for them he could?" Kim gestured once again to the broken Zords around them.

"I...I... can't explain his actions fully," Jason replied. "I just know that for whatever reason you are still here."

Kim folded her arms and shook her head.

"Do you still have your coin?" Jason asked. Kim waited for a bit before nodding in the affirmative.

"It is useless though... all the power is gone," Kim stated. Jason walked past her to move into the middle of the heap of Zords. He walked over to what would be the cockpit of the Mastadon. He knelt down and looked inside. He studied it for a moment before turning back to Kim who was looking off in the distance, seemingly in an effort to avoid looking at any of the remnants of the battle.

Jason raised his eyebrow slightly as he examined the Zord interior more closely. It was a movement from Kim behind him that broke his concentration and he turned to see her walking away, back in the direction they had come. Jason stood up and moved after her.

"Hey," Jason called to her after reaching a few paces behind her. She glanced back at him. "Listen..."

"I can't help you," Kim cut him off. Jason picked up his pace to move in front of her. She stopped and looked up at him. He locked gazes with her before moving it back up to the wreckage and then back to her.

"I understand," Jason said. Kim cocked her head at him. "I can't force you to go back and help and honestly..."

Jason shrugged.

"I don't want to put you in more danger..." Jason confessed. Kim watched him with a sense of curiosity and felt warm feelings for him rising up in her. He was just like him. Like him before the change.

"I just... I don't know if we can overpower him..." Jason continued. "So I know that he... that I have one really big weakness and I thought maybe... maybe he was like me."

"Weakness?" Kim asked moving closer to him to get his attention to her. It worked and he made eye contact with her.

"Yeah..." Jason responded. "The same thing nearly happened to me... if not for you and Trey coming to save me... but before you did I felt the same energy he did and I know what it was telling me to say and do..."

Jason took a deep breath as he glanced back at the downed Zords.

"I don't know how... but despite myself, I know that I would have done the same thing... I couldn't stop myself," Jason said. His eyes moved back to Kim. "Yet... with all those dark thoughts and everything going on in my head... there was something that... something I couldn't ignore."

"What?" Kim asked, hanging on his words.

"The thing that kept just nagging at the dark thoughts, the thing that wouldn't let them be at peace... that resisted them," Jason took another deep breath. "Was you."

"Me?" Kim shook her head.

"From my time... my world... you there," Jason explained. "I kept thinking about you, I kept hearing your voice... even as my body moved to hurt you, my mind... my heart, Kimberly could only think about what I felt for you... the fact that I love you."

Kimberly felt like time was frozen as the words left Jason's lips. She was trying so hard to process them rationally but she wasn't sure she was understanding it the way he meant it.

"Love me... her... you love her?" Kim finally formulated a question.

"I do," Jason answered.

"Love?" Kim was searching for clarification.

"Yes," Jason's reply was blunt, with no sugar-coating but it was exactly what Kim needed to hear to put it all in perspective.

"You mean on your world, you are in love with me?" Kim asked as she stepped a step closer.

"Yes... I am..." Jason smiled for the first time in a while. "We are in love with each other."

Kim walked toward and then past him as she came next to a tree and placed a hand upon it absentmindedly running it over the rough bark. Jason turned to her and waited for her to speak. He wanted her to be the one to continue the conversation as he was unsure how she was processing the news.

"Here... we aren't...." Kim spoke without turning to Jason. "I mean... I love him and he loves me but I..."

Kim didn't finish but turned to Jason. She eyed him for a moment.

"Do you think he feels... or felt the way you do?" Kim questioned. Jason shook his head.

"I don't know... he has said some things... and then when I found out you were spared," Jason tried his best to explain his reasoning. "I just thought maybe... for whatever reason here... maybe he felt it but..."

"He never said anything to me... ever," Kim finished for him.

"Well..." Jason searched for how to continue. "It wasn't easy for me to accept what I felt either and do anything so I get it... maybe the timing was never right here, or the circumstances."

Kim turned to rest her back to the tree.

"Maybe not," Kim responded, her mind racing.

"And then of course... maybe he knew you didn't feel the same way," Jason suggested with a small shrug. Kim made eye contact with him again as he offered her an unsure smile.

"Maybe..." Kim replied. There were several beats of silence between them before Jason walked up and past her. He turned.

"I won't ask you to come with me..." Jason began. "I understand now that things are different and I don't want to put you through anything else."

Jason summoned his Golden Power Staff.

"I promise though, that I will do whatever I can to avenge them," Jason said nodding in the direction they had left. "I hope there is a way to do it without..."

Jason stopped before raising his staff in the air.

"Wait," Kim spoke just before it began to glow. Jason lowered it. "I'll come with you."

Chapter Text

Rocky grunted as he crashed back-first into Trini who in turned collapsed back onto Kat. Zack ran over to get in front of them as Dark Jason approached.

"Try that with me," Zack taunted as he stepped toward his best friend's counterpart. He threw a kick but it was easily ducked. A counter-punch was blocked by Zack. He started to throw a front kick but Dark Jason blocked downward to crash Zack's foot back onto the ground and causing him to stumble forward into a forearm in his neck.

Adam raced in just as Zack collapsed to the ground. He kicked Dark Jason and helped Zack roll clear. Adam stood up for his faceoff with his new foe. His quickness once again proved a problem for Dark Jason as he landed some punches and a spinning back fist before flipping away and getting his foot to spring forward and dropkick Dark Jason in the center of his chest. He stumbled backward and gave a mocking clap.

"You're too cocky," Adam responded as the two circled each other.

"Really?" Dark Jason countered.

"Yep," Adam said before he moved in for a punch that was batted away. Adam moved back instinctively in time to avoid an elbow mean to land right between his eyes. Adam grabbed Dark Jason's arm and attempted a throw but found his opponent to be too strong and found himself being spun around before he crashed down next to Zack.

Dark Jason didn't have time to catch his breath for a blue and pink blur came flipping by him. He turned to see two boots connecting either side of his helmet. The shot jarred him enough to go to one knee. He glanced up to see Billy and Kimberly spinning into position in front of him, seemingly satisfied with their teamwork.

Jason moved in and grabbed Kimberly's legs and jerked them out from under her. She fell flatback and Billy turned to reach for her just as Jason sprung up and hit him with an uppercut that sent him in a full flip back and facefirst in the dirt.

"I taught you both well," Jason got up and cracked his neck. "Just not well enough I guess."

Jason sensed someone approaching from behind and his visor filled with Yellow as both Tanya and Trini came at him. He stepped in between them and began to counter each of their strikes in a fluid movement. Kicks and punches failed to land each time until Dark Jason saw an opening and he caught Tanya's fist and flipped her with a flick of his wrist.

Trini didn't see it coming before she had a hand around her neck and she was being lifted in the air. She glanced down at Dark Jason to see him shaking his head before he tossed her aside and on top of Tanya.

The sound of the two crashing against each other nearly masked a distinctive Kiai from behind Jason as he turned to see a spinning boot from the Red Turbo Ranger approaching his head. He couldn't duck in time and took the full force of the attack. He stumbled to his side even as Tommy moved in to land another spinning kick from the other direction that stopped Dark Jason's momentum and sent him stumbling the other way.

"This has to stop," Tommy said as he landed and squared up.

"I... told you what would stop it," Dark Jason replied as he fully gathered his footing.

"Never happening," Tommy reacted.

"Right..." Dark Jason said. "That will be a mistake."

"We'll see," Tommy responded.

"Also," Dark Jason paused. "Never let up when you have the advantage."

Dark Jason moved in on Tommy and kneed him hard in the stomach, doubling him over. Hands gripping him from behind the back of the neck sent him flying in the air and down a hill near the battleground.

(***)

"Are you sure?" Jason asked as he fully faced Kimberly.

"Yeah," Kim responded as she rubbed her hands along the shorts covering her thighs. She shrugged and gestured behind her. "I can't let this happen to your world too."

"Right," Jason nodded and smiled. She found herself returning it. She stepped toward him.

"Also..." Kim began. "It is hard to say no to you... always was... I mean... you know."

Jason nodded.

"I am not sure what we will be returning to... I just want to warn you," Jason stated. "I just hope it is before..."

Kim stepped forward and placed her hand on his wrist. He moved to make eye contact with her. The gesture. Something his Kim had always done.

"I want to..." Kim hesitated. Jason searched her face. "Do you think he can be..."

Kim stopped. She turned to avoid looking at Jason. Seemingly ashamed to finish her sentence. It felt wrong somehow.

"Do I think we can save him?" Jason finished the question for her. She hesitated before turning back to face him.

"I don't know... maybe it is wrong... after everything he has done..." Kim's voice broke. She shook her head. "I just... I know it is not really him... and I don't have anyone now and I really don't want to face all of this alone anymore."

Jason stepped forward and pulled Kim into a hug. He pulled back to look down at her.

"I won't lie to you," Jason stated. "You know I can't do that."

Kim knew this was true of the Jason she knew as well. He was always honest and practical. Even when he did try to tell her even a white lie, she has always been able to see through it.

"My priority is stopping him and Zedd," Jason stated. "Whatever it takes."

Kim closed her eyes for a moment before opening them to nod.

"If there is any way to stop what is happening... and also save him," Jason said. He offered a small reassuring smile. "I will try."

"Gotcha," Kim replied nodding faster now and with a bittersweet smile. She cleared her throat. "So... should we go?"

Jason reached a hand out and she took it. He then used the other one to raise the Golden Power Staff.

(****)

Tommy started to crawl back up the hill he had rolled down. He crested the top of it just in time to see Dark Jason with one hand holding Kat around the neck and with the other he had Kimberly.

"No..." Tommy felt like he had shouted but in reality, due to the catch in his ribs, it had come out as a hoarse whisper. He watched as both women fought to break the grip of their attacker. Tommy glanced around to see the other Rangers in various states of recovery and none in any shape to help.

Suddenly Tommy felt something rising up in him. He shook his head. It grew stronger. Another shake of his head. Green energy crackling down his arm. A curse under his breath as the red suit covering his arm began to change to green.

"Not now..." Tommy stated as he buried his head in the dirt trying to will the surge away. He glanced up once more to see the scene in front of him and lost the will to fight what was happening.

Tommy pushed himself up to the top of the hill and stood up. A primal yell left his body involuntarily as the Red Turbo Ranger suit fell away to reveal the Green Ranger underneath. He could feel the energy flowing through him again as all of his muscles seemed to flex on their own as energy and power coursed through his body.

Dark Jason turned at the noise and cocked his head at the sight in front of him. He loosened his grip on the women he had in his grasp and both broke away together and backed up, having also laid eyes on the Green Ranger now.

"Well well well," Dark Jason remarked as he pointed at Tommy. "Haven't seen this side of you in a while."

A low laugh was the only response that came from the Green Ranger suit.

"Something funny?" Dark Jason questioned moving toward him.

"Oh yeah," Tommy responded as he materialized the Sword of Darkness and thrust it at Dark Jason. Caught completely off guard the sword plunged into his stomach. Dark Jason looked down in surprise as the sword was pulled from him just as a kick to his open wound doubled him down and to a knee.

"You son of a..." Dark Jason was laughing now. He looked up at the Green Ranger. He shook his head. "That was a good one... I love this."

Dark Jason stood up as Tommy moved into a defensive stance. He thrust the sword again but this time Dark Jason gripped the blade and stopped it.

"Bloodthirsty..." Dark Jason remarked as Tommy attempted to pull the sword from his grip. "Arrogant and impulsive."

Tommy pulled harder but could not pull the sword from the grip of the Red Ranger.

"Those traits will get someone killed," Dark Jason continued. With a yank, he pulled the sword from Tommy's grasp and flung it to the ground beside them.

Tommy moved with a series of kicks that Dark Jason countered. Tommy moved to sweep the leg but it was jumped over. The position left Tommy vulnerable for a knee strike that sent him back to the ground momentarily before a kip-up put him back in front of Jason again.

Dark Jason moved this time to land a punch but it was reflected by energy from Tommy's golden shield. Dark Jason rolled clear and attempted another kick that also crashed against energy from The Green Ranger's armor.

Dark Jason gathered himself as Tommy began to laugh.

"You'd think you'd learn," Tommy taunted.

"I do," Dark Jason reacted with a charged punch to the center of the shield. The energy of the shot was enough to knock both through the air. Dark Jason landed on his feet but Tommy slid across the dirt on his back before going into a roll.

Tommy clutched at his chest as his armor began to fade in and out. He glanced up to see Dark Jason approaching with his own sword drawn and coming down at him. Tommy retrieved his Dragon Dagger in time to block the downward thrust. He attempted to use all of his strength to stand from the down position but could not overpower his foe.

"Give it up..." Dark Jason said. "Even the green powers won't save you this time."

Tommy was relieved to see a bunch of the other Rangers getting to their feet. The energy began to flow from both his dagger and Jason's sword and it began to build and move from the weapons to interact with the atmosphere around them. Suddenly a crack down the center of Tommy's visor even as the red and green energy began to flow out even more.

"Jason...." Tommy began to come to himself as the green energy began to flow from him and into his dagger. "Stop... before."

Tommy didn't finish his sentence before an explosion happened between the two of them and he found himself flying helplessly backward across the desert. He landed with a thud as the Green Ranger suit disappeared from his body.

Tommy felt himself losing consciousness just as a shadow came across his body. He looked above him to see two people stepping out of a portal and moving over to him.

(****)

Dark Jason stood and brushed himself off. It was soon apparent to him that the blast had blown off half his helmet and he raised his eyebrows impressed at the damage. He turned to see that he had crashed up against the exterior of the Power Chamber. He smiled and turned to go toward the entrance.

"Stop," Billy ran over and tried to get in between him and the entrance but was met with a punch that knocked him to the ground. He grabbed Dark Jason's ankle but was quickly kicked off just as Zack jumped over him to deliver a tackle.

"No!" Zack cried out as he and Dark Jason hit the ground. Jason pushed him off of him and got to his feet his grabbed Zack behind the neck and ran his face into the side of the Power Chamber. Zack crumpled to the ground and Dark Jason looked up to see Rocky and Tanya standing in front of the entrance now.

"None of you will ever learn will you?" Dark Jason shook his head before he charged forward and pushed both of them completely through the solid stone door and into the building. Dark Jason glanced behind him to see Trini coming dragging her leg. He pulled out his blade blaster and blasted her in the leg she was favoring. She screamed in pain as she went to the ground.

Dark Jason kept moving until Adam grabbed him from behind around the throat. He could tell it was Adam's intent to stop all the blood flow to his brain as he fought against the tenacious Turbo Ranger. He got a hand under Adam's arm and broke his grip and flung him high over his head watching as he crash-landed somewhere on top of the Chamber.

"Please...." A voice from behind Dark Jason caused him to stop just as reached the threshold of the building. He glanced behind him to see the Pink Ranger approaching him with her hands out.

"Get away from here," Dark Jason warned her.

"I can't let you do this..." Kim replied as she stepped up her pace and she grabbed him around the arm. She focused on the one eye she could see that was revealed by the hole in his helmet. She had hoped to see anything other than the darkness staring back at her. She was so focused that she did not notice when a hand moved on her own arm and yanked it free.

Dark Jason moved her in front of him and studied the Pink Ranger for a moment. He shook his head.

"It is all a lie... you are not her," Dark Jason remarked before he tossed Kimberly aside and into Kat who was just making it over to them.

Dark Jason glanced around one more time to survey the scene before he stepped inside of the Power Chamber.

Chapter Text

"Jason... please..." A voice from behind Dark Jason prompted him to stop just as entered the threshold of the Chamber. He cocked his head to the side and glanced next to him to see the Pink Ranger still lying prone on the ground. "Please..."

Dark Jason spun around to see her approaching him tentatively with Jason by her side. Kimberly. His Kimberly. At least the one from his world. He tensed his fists as his eyes moved to Jason before relaxing them again when they fell on Kim.

"I don't... how?" Dark Jason questioned.

"It doesn't matter... I am here and..." She spoke as she inched closer to him.

"No..." Dark Jason replied. "It is all a trick and it doesn't matter I have a mission to complete."

"No... no tricks," His Kimberly reached him and reached out to place a hand on his wrist. He heard the voice telling him to yank away and yet he didn't. "I came here to help you... to make everything better and take you home."

Dark Jason locked his eyes with hers before closing his. He suddenly felt really helpless. The voice in his head was screaming now. Loud. Evil. Overwhelming.

"Will you let me do that?" She asked, moving into his personal space now.

"I..." Dark Jason opened his eyes again. She saw a flicker in his eyes momentarily that made her heart swell. He was there, she saw him, the black gave way to the brown. "I can't...."

"You can," She insisted.

"Get out of here... go home..." Dark Jason responded. Suddenly the voice was all he could hear and the darkness clouded his eyes again. He yanked his hand from her grasp and she fell back but found herself being caught by this world's Jason.

"Get to cover," Jason whispered to her. She wanted to persist, she didn't want things to go this way, despite all that he had done the person in front of her was still her oldest friend and she loved him. She knew though what was about to happen so she ducked her head and ran for cover.

"Nice job," Dark Jason spoke to his counterpart now. "I will give you credit, it was clever that stunt you just pulled... but it also..."

There was a hesitation as Dark Jason stepped from the Chamber and back out into the dirt to square up with Jason.

"It also made me mad," Dark Jason finished his statement, his voice distorting more with each word.

Jason glanced around at all of his fallen teammates and friends. His eyes specifically falling on Kimberly who was leaning back first up against the Chamber.

"This.. what you are doing... it is going to end today," Jason stated.

"On this, we agree," Dark Jason responded.

"It is not going to go your way," Jason countered.

"We'll see," Dark Jason replied. He started to take a step toward Jason but was stopped by a blast of energy at his feet that backed him up. Both Jason's looked to see the White Ranger holding Saba.

"Big mistake," Dark Jason replied as his broken and tattered Red Ranger suit gave way to the Gold Zeo suit and he raced to meet both the White and Red Ranger. He elbowed Jason out of the way before tackling Tommy to the ground.

Tommy used Dark Jason's momentum to flip him backward off of him and get to his feet. He got up just in time to block a spinning kick and return one of his own that was ducked. A punch from Tommy landed, but immediately triggered one in response that knocked Tommy to the ground.

Dark Jason stood over Tommy and started to kneel over him to deliver another punch when Jason grabbed him from behind and spun him around to land a punch of his own, followed by a front kick. A side-kick was blocked and one was returned that landed on the top of Jason's chest and sent him back to the ground.

Tommy wasted no time in taking Jason's place throwing a series of quick punches followed by two elbows that landed, rocking Dark Jason back. A jumping knee strike by Tommy was missed and it opened him up to a spin kick that sent him twirling violently before crashing hard into the dirt.

"I can do this all day," Dark Jason taunted.

"Same," Jason replied from beside him as he threw a kick that landed squarely in his opponent's side and caused him to stumble to his side.

Dark Jason attempted to counter with a punch but it was ducked and another hard kick to the chest landed. Another stumble back gave Jason the confidence and space to throw a jumping kick at his evil counterpart. It landed and was enough to knock Dark Jason to the ground.

Jason stepped back just as Tommy moved to his side.

"Nice," Tommy remarked with a nod to his friend.

"You two..." Dark Jason began as he got up and dusted his golden armor off. "Genuinely think you can beat me don't you?"

"The thought crossed my mind," Tommy responded twirling Saba.

"You are going to learn a very hard lesson today," Dark Jason warned. "You are not only going to suffer defeat... and hear me clearly... not be able to do ANYTHING to stop it... but you are also going to feel what it is like to have all the power drained for you and know you can never get it back.

"Enough talking," Tommy countered before charging with Saba. A downward strike was blocked by a suddenly materialized Golden Power Staff.

"Agreed," Dark Jason responded before raising a knee to Tommy's midsection and then a spin with the staff connected to Tommy's helmet and sent him flying sideways.

Jason moved in with his sword and attacked. The blade clashed against the golden staff and sparks flew. Another swing, another block. A return swing from the staff, a duck, and a slash across the chest with the sword. No effect.

Dark Jason laughed as the sword bounced off his armor and caused Jason's stance to become unsteady. He used the opening to perform an uppercut under his chin with the staff that flipped Jason backward and crashed him hard into the dirt.

Jason attempted to lift his head but he felt dizzy and immediately felt a force on the back of his helmet for him face first back to the ground. He tried to press up against the force but could not.

Dark Jason pressed his foot as hard as he could down on the back of the Red Ranger's helmet, determined to crush it under his feet. He felt like he was well on his way to do so when he was struck in the chest with a sharp flying object. He stumbled back to see Saba flying back into the hands of the White Ranger who was in a full-on sprint his way.

Dark Jason attempted to move into a defensive stance but Tommy reached him before he could and slashed at him with Saba. It bounced off his armor but Tommy was not deterred and instead used the moment to spin and slash at the hamstrings of the evil Gold Ranger, effectively sending him to a knee.

Tommy maneuvered in front of Dark Jason and began to throw kicks that were hard to block with him in his downed stance. Tommy moved back enough to throw a spin kick that cracked off the black helmet of Dark Jason and caused him to roll away from him.

Dark Jason got to his feet just as Tommy moved in again and threw a flying spinning kick that connected again and prompted another roll away. Once more to his feet and once more a kick flying at him. He ducked his head back just in time to see the sole of the White Ranger's boot go whizzing past his visor.

Dark Jason used Tommy's attempt to recover from the miss to club him hard in the back with the Golden Power Staff. It knocked Tommy to his stomach and he looked over in time to see a kick coming straight at his helmet but couldn't react in time to avoid it and the strike sent him from flat on the ground to airborne and flying into the stone wall of the Power Chamber.

Tommy got all fours and raised his head to see Dark Jason running at him now. He attempted to get up to defend himself but was surprised when he was suddenly surrounded on either side by Rocky, Adam, and Kat. Tommy got up behind them just as the rest of the Rangers joined the line in front of him. He smiled under his helmet as he watched Dark Jason stop his charge.

The Rangers began to form a circle around Dark Jason leaving one spot open as Jason stepped up to fill the spot now in his own Gold Ranger suit.

"One last chance to give up?" Tommy posed to Dark Jason as he glanced down the line at Jason who gave him a nod of approval.

"Never learn," Dark Jason replied before there was a loud explosion coming from the distance.

All the Rangers turned to see that the Dragonzord had been toppled by a blast from Serpentera as it breached the Zords. The individual Zords fired up the behemoth but to no avail as one by one, they were blasted by it on one side and Pyramidas on the other.

The Rangers were so focused on that they never saw the Gold Rush attack happening before it crashed through their bodies sending them all slumping to the ground, leaving only Dark Jason standing in the middle of the circle laughing in a distorted and sinister tone.

(****)

"You are needed outside, and may the power protect you," Zordon spoke gazing down to the Pink Ranger in the center of the room in front of him.

"Thank you," Kimberly said as she smiled as the power flowed through her body once again. After losing them in her own world she didn't think she'd ever experience it again. She turned and ran down the hall to the exit hoping she could join the battle before it was too late. She reached the exit just as Dark Jason stepped inside of it.

"Whoa..." Dark Jason said upon seeing her. He spun around to confirm that the Pink Ranger was lying in a heap with the other Rangers outside. He turned back to the one standing in front of him. "It's you isn't it?"

"Yes," Kimberly from his world replied.

"Why... why did you do this?" Dark Jason questioned.

"You know why," She responded clenching her fists. "You know what you did to them... you know I can't let that happen here."

"Kimberly," His voice, the tone, no evil distortion. She felt her breath catch in her chest. "You don't know..."

"What are you talking about?" She questioned as she watched his helmet dematerialize and made eye contact with him. He held up his Golden Staff and she instinctively flinched. He raised his hand to calm her.

"Look," He spoke softly pointing to a globe forming above the staff. An image began to appear in it.

Kimberly shifted her gaze back and forth from the globe to him, not fully trusting him. What she saw in the globe got her full attention. It was her friends... all of them. They were bound with chains in a place that she knew all too well.

"No..." She remarked feeling her knees become weak and she couldn't stop herself from falling to them. She reached up to removed her helmet and her eyes moved to his. "Is this real?"

"Very much so... I sent them here," He responded. "He wanted them dead... I just gave him the power instead."

"I... don't... you are lying," She felt her heart being torn in so many directions.

"No, I am not," He replied. He lowered the staff and the image from the Dark Dimension disappeared. He dropped the staff on the ground and he reached his hand out to her. "Join me?"

Kimberly blinked some tears from her eyes as she studied his expression. Her eyes moved down to his outstretched hand.

"I promise... we will just take the power and return home and they will all be there waiting for us," He sounded sincere. Her heart ached for him to be sincere. "Please help me... and everything can go back to the way it was."

Kimberly's eyes moved back up to his. Brown and pleading. She felt drawn to them. Her oldest friend. Her leader. She loved him. She wanted it all back. She reached her hand out and placed it in his.

Chapter Text

Dark Jason smiled as he looked down at Kimberly's hand in his. He pulled her close to him.

"I knew you would make the right choice," Dark Jason said before letting go of her hand and reaching down, and picking up his staff from the ground. When he stood straight up he never saw the arrow coming at his chest until it exploded on contact and sent him flying back outside of the Power Chamber.

"I'm sorry but... for years the power has protected me and now it is my turn to protect it," Kimberly said as she stepped out into the daylight with an arrow drawn and pointed down at the fallen Ranger's chest.

"Wow..." Dark Jason shook his head as he got to his feet, careful to keep his eyes on her hands. "I guess... I didn't expect that."

"As much as I want everything back to normal, the cost is too high, Jason," Kim explained.

"I really hoped it wouldn't come to this but," Dark Jason began just as another arrow came flying at him. He managed to duck it but was surprised by a flying kick from the Pink Ranger. She hit him and flipped away to draw another arrow. She raised it but was surprised to see her target nowhere in sight.

Two arms grabbing her from behind gave away his position as she fumbled the bow out of her hand and was suddenly stuck in his grasp. She fought but couldn't break his grip. He slipped an arm up around her neck and Kim yelped with panic.

"Why... why didn't you just join me?" Dark Jason spoke softly, his emotions seemingly torn.

"I... can't..." Kim replied in the midst of her struggle.

"You never... I..." Dark Jason stopped himself as the voices in his head began to scream so loud it audibly hurt him. He felt his grip around her neck tighten despite himself. Kim's cries were cut off when he secured his position, he felt her body starting to go limp when he was struck from behind and dropped her.

"Put her down!" was the command from behind him as Dark Jason stumbled forward and turned to see the mirror image of himself brandishing the staff he had just taken a hard shot with.

"Will none of you ever just die?" Dark Jason asked before he summoned his own staff, only to realize he had lost it somewhere in the fight with the Pink Ranger. He looked around in a bit of a panic as Jason came rushing at him with his version of the staff crackling with energy. "Wait!"

Dark Jason's cry was too late as he took the full energy from the Gold Rush attack and it sent him tumbling backward and onto his back. He felt pain... real... honest pain... something that had almost alluded him since his possession. He rolled over to try to stand to see himself once again surrounded by an army of Rangers. He fell flat back again and writhed in the pain coursing through his body.

At this point, he knew he was also under attack from Maligore and Zedd's magic that was seemingly showing him their displeasure with him. He screamed in agony and reached a hand up in the direction of Serpentera floating overhead.

"Watch out!" Tommy called out the team as he saw what was about to happen. All of the Rangers began to scatter as a beam came from the large mouth of the Zord and came crashing down on the ground below. The impact of the blast sent the fleeing Rangers flying through the air uncontrollably.

Jason landed first and rolled to look back toward the blast zone. He saw that the Power Chamber had survived but it was cracked in many places. He glanced stood up and looked to his fellow Rangers who were landing all around him. He raced over to help Kimberly to her feet and then Zack and Tommy. The rest of the Rangers had recovered and were running to join each other in a tight formation.

"We got to get it away from the Chamber," Tommy stated gesturing up to Serpentera that was circling back for another strike. The Rangers glanced around at the fallen Zords creating a circle formation around the whole area.

"I am not sure how we do that," Zack responded with a shrug. He glanced over at Jason who was walking away from the group and back over to the still smoldering blast zone.

"Hey bro," Tommy called to him and jogged up behind him. "What is it?"

"He..." Jason stopped and pointed. "He didn't get clear."

The Kimberly from the other universe ran past the Gold and White Ranger to where Dark Jason would have still been laying. The rest of the group followed suit in an attempt to catch up with her.

She reached the area first and began to look around, she turned to Jason who reached the area right behind her.

"He is not here," She stated. The Rangers all began to scan the area for any sight of their nemesis.

"Maybe... maybe..." Adam began. He shrugged. "Maybe there is nothing left."

"No..." Jason shook his head. He glanced up to see Pyramidas hovering off in the distance. He turned to the group. "Get inside the Chamber and down to the lower levels and hunker down."

"What are you doing?" Kimberly responded moving over to him.

"Pyramidas is our only chance," Jason suggested as he pointed over to it. "I don't know if it is powerful enough but it is all we have."

"Jason..." Kim shook her head. He put his hands on her arms.

"Just get to safety please..." Jason responded.

"I am going with you," Kim stated. Her tone was insistent and Jason knew that even if he had the time he wouldn't be able to change her mind. He nodded.

"Okay... but the rest of you got to get to safety... if this goes wrong, be ready..." Jason stated.

"You got it," Tommy agreed as he stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder. He turned to the rest of the team.

"Okay... let's go," Zack said as everyone began to run to the relative safety of the Power Chamber.

(****)

"Do you think we can stop it?" Kimberly asked Jason as she watched him take the controls of Pyramidas. "Is this thing powerful enough?"

"It is powerful... but this isn't just Serpentera we are dealing with... it has the power of the Morphin Grid from that other timeline powering it," Jason responded as he moved forward to intercept Serpentera as it turned and began a reapproach.

"Can I do anything?" Kim asked.

"Um... yeah... over there on that panel, open it," Jason said with a point on the wall behind them. Kim followed his direction and opened it to see a large dial inside of the panel.

"What now?" Kim asked, turning back to Jason.

"Turn it all the way over," Jason replied. "Full power, all she has."

"Got it," Kim replied as she turned the dial as far as it would go and heard a whir coming from somewhere deep inside the large vessel.

"Now... come here and hang on," Jason said. Kim moved over to him and held on as she watched him initiate an attack sequence. The cockpit lit up to nearly blinding levels as a beam of energy shot from the peak of the pyramid formation on top of the Zord.

Kim and Jason watched as it was a direct hit right behind the head of Sepentera as it still had not completed its turn. The explosion was massive and both Rangers instinctively shielded their eyes momentarily.

"Yes," Kim said as she lowered her arms and saw Sepentera in nose dive to the ground below. Both Rangers' delight turned to shock though as the Zord corrected itself right before impact and flew beneath their own ship.

"Oh no," Jason said as he frantically moved to propel the ship forward to be able to turn it with some distance. He glanced at the radar just as the whole Zord rocked from an attack from beneath it.

Kimberly fell as the Zord turned on its side, she was bracing for an impact with the wall but Jason's hand grabbing hers jerked her to a stop. He pulled her to him with one hand and with the other tried to upright the Zord and move it forward. He glanced at the radar again to see he had put distance between them and the larger Zord lurking beneath them.

"What are we going to do?" Kim asked.

"We got to get turned around and hit it again," Jason responded as Kim steadied herself to allow Jason to use both hands to perform his task. He glanced up at Kim and down at the console. He pressed a button to allow him to communicate with the Power Chamber. "Zordon!"

"I am here, Jason," Came the voice of their leader. "Can you redirect the Morphin Grid's energy into Pyramidas?"

"I can," Zordon said. "But that might overload the Zord and could be catastrophic."

Jason glanced back up at Kim. She shook her head.

"I am not leaving you," Kim stated before he could even suggest it.

"Okay... Zordon, I think that is a risk we will have to take," Jason responded, he moved a hand over to place it over Kim's.

"Very well," Zordon stated. "I want both of you to know how proud I am of you..."

"We know," Kim replied for the two. There was silence on the other end for a moment before a different voice came over the line.

"Listen, guys... you make this count and I will see you both back on the ground, you hear me?" Tommy was trying to play it cool but his voice betrayed his worry.

"You got it, Bro," Jason said. "We will see you soon."

The line went silent as Jason maneuvered Pyramidas around and hovered it over the Power Chamber to wait. His eyes widened when he saw Seperntera closing the distance at a far faster rate of speed than he would expect from the Zord.

"Hang on!" Jason said, just as a bolt of energy flowed from the top of the Power Chamber and into the Pyramidas. He acted quickly to initiate an attack sequence.

The flash of light and impact of what happened next knocked both Jason and Kimberly to the floor of the cockpit and shattered the window looking out. Both Rangers instinctively sought one another out on the ground and Jason wrapped his arms around Kimberly. After a few seconds, both of them helped each other up and to peer out to see what the damage was.

"Wow..." Kim spoke as she saw Serpentera lying on the ground below in two pieces.

"That was..." Jason shook his head.

"We did it..." Kim said. Jason started to turn to embrace her but saw her being jerked back away from him. His eyes widened as he saw her in the arms of Dark Jason. Helmetless with his suit hanging off him and in tatters. His eyes glowed red as held his sword to Kimberly's neck.

"Don't..." Jason said as he started to step forward. Kimberly cried out as her captor moved the sword blade closer to her neck.

"No... you don't move!" Dark Jason bellowed, his voice distorted, more Maligore than human.

"Look..." Jason held up his hands. He reached up and removed his helmet. "Just don't do anything stupid that we will all regret."

"Regret?" Dark Jason countered. "I... am incapable of that at this point..."

Dark Jason moved both himself and Kimberly back toward the door leading out of the cockpit and Jason instinctively stepped toward them which prompted the sword to moved right up against the suit around Kim's neck. Jason stepped back and raised his hands back up.

"I don't have anything left... nothing to regret, nothing to gain," Dark Jason continued. "You have stolen my power from me..."

"No.. we..." Jason began to interject.

"EVERYTHING is gone," Dark Jason shouted over him. "This body is failing... it will be useless to me soon."

"We can help," Jason stated.

"No one can help me..." Dark Jason dismissed. "It is too late for that... but..."

There was silence as Dark Jason moved his eyes down to Kimberly and then back to Jason.

"If I must go... I will make sure you remember me," Dark Jason warned before he quickly stepped back and spun Kimberly around, and thrust his sword toward her. Jason acted just as quick and threw his helmet at the sword knocking it off its trajectory and scraping along the side of Kimberly who was moving away.

Jason wasted no time and grabbing his evil counterpart. He wasn't expecting to still have the strength he did as he found himself being pressed back on and he lost his footing and the two went flying over the control panel and out of the hole where the front window once was.

Kimberly got to her feet and raced over to the climb to the opening to see down just as the two Rangers impacted the ground and a cloud of dirt and sand filled the air.

"Jason!" Kim called out before she teleported down to the ground.

Kimberly teleported in the middle of the cloud and could not see anything. She ran around in circles feeling near the ground looking for a sign of someone.

"Jason!" Kimberly called out. She turned to see a silhouette in the cloud approaching her and she raced over to him. She recoiled when she saw it was not her Jason though. He stumbled toward her like a zombie. As the cloud began to dissipate she was horrified to see him dragging her Jason by the arm.

Dark Jason let go of Jason and slumped forward to the ground. Kim moved around him to Jason and knelt down to him. She ran a hand across his face, keeping one eye on him and the other on the threat in front of her.

"Jase... Jase... come on baby," Kim said as she gently shook her boyfriend. "You have got to get up."

Kim was relieved to see the other Rangers running from the Power Chamber over to them. Her relief was short-lived though as a black hole opened up between them and Lord Zedd stepped out of it.

There was a stand-off as Zedd wielded his staff and the Rangers all fell into a defensive stance. Zedd glanced back at Kimberly as she attempted to revive Jason. His eyes then moved to his partner lying face-first on the ground and he shook his head with contempt.

Zedd backed up and held his staff over the fallen body of the dark version of Jason. Kimberly watched as red and black energy began to rise up from the back of him and flow into Zedd's staff.

"Jason... please..." Kim lowered her head to rest it on his chest. She watched as the energy stopped flowing from the dark version of Jason and Zedd moved away from them to square off with the other Rangers again. Soon she heard the fighting commence and she focused all of her attention on Jason.

Kim checked for a pulse and was relieved to find one. She moved her ear over his chest and was comforted by the sound of his heart beating. Soon he moaned and she lifted her hand and put her hands back on either side of his face.

"Come on... that's it," Kim said as she waited for him to open his eyes. She glanced up briefly to see that the other Jason was no longer lying next to them. Panic set in as she glanced around to make sure she wasn't about to be ambushed.

She was relieved and shocked to see that instead, that version of Jason was methodically walking toward the fight going on. She watched as he retrieved his Golden Power Staff from the ground and soon the Gold Ranger suit covered his body again.

She was about to warn the other Rangers who were locked in battle with Zedd, but to her shock, she watched as that Jason instead made his way behind Zedd and blast him point-blank in the back with energy from the staff. Zedd fell to the ground and the Gold Ranger retrieved his staff from the ground and crossed it with his. In a flash, both Zedd and the other Jason were gone.

"What's.... going on?" Jason's voice from below Kimberly moved her attention back to him and she smiled as she saw his eyes looking around.

"Hey..." Kimberly said as she rubbed his face.

"Is he... is everything..." Jason began.

"Everything is okay I think," Kim said as she glanced up to see the Rangers making their way over to them.

(****)

Zedd grunted as he hit the ground. He immediately raised his head and the heap of destroyed Zord's in his line of vision clued him in as to his whereabouts. He heard someone approaching from behind him and he quickly rose to his feet and turned, his body glowing a bright shade of red.

"So..." Zedd eyed up the Gold Ranger in front of him. "You have decided to end our partnership I take it."

"No... you did that remember?" Jason replied. "And I want to thank you for it."

"Just what exactly is your plan, boy?" Zedd taunted.

"To bring you back here... to stop you from doing any more damage anywhere else," Jason answered.

"Fool," Zedd dismissed his words. "I guess you just wanted to die on your homeworld."

"Maybe..." Jason replied. "But one way or another you will never leave this world again."

"Empty threats," Zedd stated. "You are no match for me."

"Prove it," Jason suggested. Zedd studied his posture for a moment. He glanced around for any sign of his staff. Jason pointed to his left.

"It is over there," Jason informed him. Zedd cocked his head at him. "You will never make it that far."

Zedd laughed before holding up his hand and summoning the staff over to him. He was not prepared for the sword that came through the air and pierced his hand. He growled in pain as the force of the throw spun him around. He glanced down at his hand to see the blood flowing from his wound. He reached down and picked up the Power Sword from the ground he spun around and threw it back in the direction of the Gold Ranger but it hit nothing but air as he was no longer there.

"Over here," Zedd spun to locate the source of the voice and to his horror, he saw the Gold Ranger wielding both his own staff and that of the Rangers.

"You will never stop will you?" Jason asked as he approached him. Zedd straightened out and shook his head in defiance.

"Never," Zedd responded. "You would have to destroy me first, but you don't have it in you to do that do you?"

Jason stopped his approach and glanced behind him at the Zord graveyard and then turned back to Zedd.

"Because of you... I have destroyed so much and so many..." Jason stated. "What is one more?"

"You don't mean that," Zedd countered. "I could feel you fighting the dark magic the whole time."

"Really?" Jason asked. "So did you feel the hatred in me for what you were making me do?"

Zedd took a step back as Jason began to approach again.

"Did you feel the rage flowing behind those dark walls you kept me, prisoner, in?" Jason continued. "Did you?"

Another step back from Zedd as Jason was close now. Too close.

"Because if you did..." Jason stopped. "Then you know what it is going to happen now."

"No... no, you won't do it," Zedd's voice was unsure now as he watched the Gold Ranger cross both staffs over his head.

(****)

Jason watched as both Kimberly's stood talking to each other at the entrance to the medical bay of the Power Chamber. He smiled at the sight even as Alpha moved a scanner into his line of vision, prompting a chuckle from him.

"It appears you are going to be fine," Alpha informed him and Jason nodded. He got up from the bed, the action prompting one of the Kimberlys to rush over to him.

"Hey... hey... are you good?" Kim asked, concerned to see him up on his feet so soon.

"Clean bill of health," Jason replied with a smile. Kim eyed him suspiciously. "I mean I am sore but... I am fine, really, Alpha said so."

"It is true," Alpha confirmed before he moved over to check on Rocky who had seemingly re-aggravated his back injury in the fight.

"Okay... well still that was a nasty fall, you best take it easy," Kim said. Jason leaned down to give her a quick peck on the kiss to show his appreciation for her concern. He glanced back at the doorway to see the other Kimberly looking at him. She lowered her gaze and backed out of the room and disappeared down the hall.

"Hey... do you mind if I check on her?" Jason asked gesturing to where she once stood.

"No... of course not," Kim replied with a smile. Jason nodded and then moved out of the room and down the hall in an attempt to catch up with the other Kimberly.

"Hey... hey... Kim," Jason said, finding it strange for some reason to refer to her that way having just left his Kimberly. She turned to him.

"Hey," she responded. "You going to be okay?"

"Yeah... good as gold," Jason replied with a smile. The wording got a half-smile from her as well.

"That's good..." She said as she continued walking toward the exit of the building, now with Jason in tow. "It is weird you know?"

"What's that?" Jason inquired.

"Meeting yourself," She answered with a shrug and an eyebrow raise.

"Hah... yeah, it is," Jason agreed.

"At least my other version is not an evil demon," Kim stated.

"Yeah... yeah... you have that going for you," Jason reacted as the sunlight from the exit of the Chamber hit them and they continued out into the hot desert air outside of the building. "But hey... from what I was told it seemed like at the end there the other me kind of saved the day."

This got no response as they continued to walk stopping just outside of the crater that was left by the Serpentera blast.

"Hey... are you okay?" Jason asked her as he turned to her. She stood still looking straight ahead.

"I... don't know," She answered, before turning only her head to him. "I am just really... I got so much going on in my mind."

"I can understand that," Jason responded with a nod.

"He... he asked me to join him," She informed him. "He showed me a vision of my friends back home... they were still alive just being held captive."

"Really?" Jason was shocked by this new information. He sat on it for a couple of moments. "Do you think... I mean... could it have been a trick?"

"Maybe," She had already considered this. She shrugged. "I mean... I want to believe it but..."

"Hey..." Jason got her full attention. "If there is a chance they are still alive we got to get you home and see if we can get to them. She searched his eyes and felt the warmth of his gaze and words make her feel emotional.

"No..." She glanced back at the entrance of the Power Chamber and then back to Jason. "I won't ask you to do that."

"You don't have to ask," Jason said. "It is the least I can do after you came here to help."

She started to protest but then she saw his eyes move past her and she turned to see a black portal opening and the Gold Ranger stepping out of it. She faced him fully as Jason started to move around to stand beside her. They watched as the other Ranger unmorphed and Jason's counterpart stood with his hands up in a gesture of surrender.

"I'm not..." He spoke. "The possession is over."

Jason glanced down to see that her eyes were transfixed on the other Jason. After a moment she looked back up to meet his eyes. She nodded.

"It's okay... I will be okay," She stated before she stepped closer and Jason backed away to allow them to talk.

Kimberly searched his eyes, in them she saw the same warmth and concern in them she had seen many times before. She had been fooled before but the more she stared into them the more at ease she felt.

"I promise..." Jason paused. "I promise it is all gone... but if you don't believe me, say the word and I will go."

"No..." Kim's response was hurried as she shook her head. "Don't... don't go."

Jason nodded.

"It's really you isn't it?" Kim spoke softly as she made another advancement toward him.

He nodded again.

"Kimberly... I am so sorry... for what I have done," Jason's words were heavy as the sorrow was evident.

"It wasn't you," Kim replied, resisting the urge to comfort him. She was conflicted between seeing her oldest friend and the monster that had callously killed.

"No... but the memory... that is mine to live with," Jason replied hanging his head slightly. The gesture was unbecoming of him and Kim had only seen it when he was at his lowest points. It was too much and she reached out a hand to place on his wrist. He raised his head at the gesture.

"You will have to learn to let those memories go," Kim said, blinking away some tears.

"I don't know if I can do that," He replied in earnest.

"We will get you through it," She stated, moving closer to him. She over in front of him now just a small emotional barrier keeping them from embracing. Maybe they weren't there yet.

"Listen..." He spoke softer now, with her short distance from him. "Everything I showed you..."

Kim internally winced a little being reminded of her fears of deception.

"It was all true," Jason said. "I got them all out, but I couldn't let Zedd know... so I hid them in the Dark Dimension."

"You did?" Kim was once again searching his eyes for the truth.

"Yeah... and I went and brought them home... they are there, waiting for you," Jason explained. Kim moved a hand up to her mouth as she felt the sobs coming on. The thought of it being true was overwhelming her. She had to see them again.

"Please take me to them?" Kim was practically begging she wanted it so much.

"Of course, whenever you are ready," Jason agreed with a smile. Kim turned to see this world's Jason standing near the entrance of the Power Chamber with his Kimberly. She made her way over to him.

"We are going to go back," She informed them.

"Are you sure he is back to normal?" Jason asked.

"I am," She answered. Jason looked from one Kimberly to the next.

"Um... I believe you... but," Jason turned to Billy who was standing behind him and who was reaching out something to him. Jason retrieved it and turned back to her. He held his hand out to reveal a communicator within. "Take this... it has the ability to move between our worlds, either by talking or teleporting right Billy?"

"Right," Billy confirmed with a nod and smile.

"Oh... okay," She smiled as she slipped the communicator on her wrist, and warm memories of having her own flooded her.

"If you ever need us, please..." Kim said to the other version of herself as she reached out and clasped her hands over hers.

"I will... I definitely will," She replied gratefully before turning to look back at her Jason standing by. "I'm gonna go now but... hopefully maybe I will see you guys again someday."

"Anytime you want," Jason replied as she backed away and then turned to leave. Jason and Kim watched as the other two disappeared together. Jason smiled as he felt a hand slip into his.

"Do you think they will be okay?" Kim asked, leaning her body into him.

"I do," Jason replied.

Chapter Text

"He just hasn't been the same since it all happened," Kimberly frowned as she scooted back on the bench and rested her back against it. She turned to face the person next to her.

"Yeah... I've kind of noticed too," Tommy replied with a sympathetic smile before he turned his attention across the park to Jason who was alone and going through a series of katas.

"Good," Kim responded. Tommy turned back to her. "I mean good that it's not just me that has noticed."

"You would see it more than the rest of us," Tommy shrugged. Kim studied him for a minute. She wondered if it was even appropriate to be talking to him about Jason like this. She knew though that above everything else they were all friends.

"I mean... he just seems distant," Kim clarified. "I will be talking to him and I can tell his mind is a million miles away... and that's just not Jase."

"No, it isn't," Tommy agreed, watching his best friend from afar. "Have you talked to him about it?"

"I tried, but he insists everything is okay," Kim responded her eyes firmly on Jason as well. "Have you?"

"I have asked a couple of times if everything was okay and got the same response," Tommy stated as he leaned forward to rest his elbows on his legs.

"I don't really know what to do," Kim confessed. "I just want him to be okay and he says he is but..."

Tommy straightened up again.

"I think..." Tommy hesitated, drawing Kim's eyes to him. She took note of his expression having seen it before and she suddenly was reminded of her days of having to comfort him when she saw it.

"What is it?" Kim asked, her tone soft and assuring.

"Seeing an evil version of himself like that..." Tommy took a deep breath. "And seeing the destruction he caused when he went to that other time... that has to cut pretty deep..."

Kimberly nodded as she watched Jason finish up his training and walk over to sit next to a tree and fold his arms. He seemed completely unaware of anyone's presence.

"I have considered that that is what is wrong, but I don't know how to make things better," Kim said. Tommy turned to her.

"Can I be honest with you?" Tommy questioned.

"Of course," Kim answered.

"Speaking from experience..." Tommy began. "Having you there and the rest of the team around me got me through all my guilt, but it took time."

Tommy sighed.

"And to be honest, I've been kind of rattled myself after everything that happened a couple of months ago," Tommy confessed. He shook his head. "So I get how he is feeling."

"Are you doing okay?" Kim asked, suddenly feeling ashamed she hadn't considered he might be struggling himself.

"Yeah, I think as sad as it is, I am used to that kind of stuff by now," Tommy answered candidly.

"I'm glad to hear that," Kim offered him a smile. He reciprocated and then turned his attention back to Jason.

"Jason is strong... heck sometimes I envy his strength," Tommy stated. "He will be okay in time, we just have to be there for him until he is."

Kim smiled again. She always admired the bond that Tommy and Jason had. Hearing the words from Tommy made her feel like what he said was true and that everything would be okay. She stood up.

"I think I'm gonna go to him," Kim said. Tommy stood up next to her.

"Okay, I think he'd like that," Tommy replied with a nod. "I'll catch you guys around."

Kim watched as Tommy turned to walk in the opposite direction. She couldn't describe how nice it felt to be able to be friendly with him. A part of her had feared that was something she was losing when she mailed that letter, his friendship more than anything else would have hurt to lose the most.

Kim turned to see Jason was still in the same spot and she took a deep breath and began walking across the grass to reach him.

(****)

Jason closed his eyes and immediately opened them when he was greeted with sights of destroyed Zords. He cursed under his breath and rested his head up against the tree behind him. He knew he shouldn't feel the burden that he did but despite his best efforts it would not lift.

He heard the sound of footsteps in the grass next to him and turned to see Kimberly approaching him with a concerned look on her face. The sight caused the grief in him to rise up but instead of letting it show he smiled at her. She returned it as she reached him.

"Hey," Jason said as he stood up to greet her.

"Hey," Kim responded walking up to him to greet him with a quick kiss and hug.

"Sorry... I'm a bit of a sweaty mess," Jason said as she clung to him.

"I don't care," Kim replied squeezing even tighter as the sound of his voice gave her all the same warm feelings it usually did. He chuckled at her words and her ear pressed against the top of his chest relished in the deep sound from within his chest. It was comforting to hear.

"It is unseasonably hot right now," Jason continued before leaning down and placing a kiss on the top of her head.

"So you choose to do your katas in the direct sunlight?" Kim responded moving back to look up at him with a grin. He just shrugged.

"Watching me huh?" Jason asked with a teasing tone.

"Maybe," Kim winked before she placed a hand on his chest. He smiled. "That is nice."

"What?" Jason asked.

"Seeing you smile," Kim answered. She regretted mentioning it when she saw the recognition come over his face and the small slowly fade.

"Yeah," Jason raised his eyebrows.

"Hey," Kim got his attention to her. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to ruin the mood."

"No... you didn't," Jason said. "I know it is me."

Jason moved to take her hand as the two began to walk toward a pathway in the park.

"Jase, I just want you to be okay and I am sorry if I keep bringing this up but..." Kim began.

"Kim," Jason cut her off, his tone was gentle and understanding. "I know..."

She studied his expression and she felt her breath catch a little as it seemed like maybe he was going to open up.

"Honestly..." Jason began. "If I didn't have you right now... I'd probably have gone crazy."

"Is it all the stuff from a couple of months ago?" Kim inquired. Jason's nod confirmed her suspicions. "I assumed it was but I didn't want to push you because I can't imagine how you feel."

"I'm sorry that I have kind of kept it all closed off," Jason responded. "I just didn't want to... I am happy and I want you to know how happy I am with you and I guess I felt like if I told you what I was feeling that maybe you would think..."

Jason paused and they stopped their pace.

"No, Jase... I understand," Kim assured him. "You don't have to bottle that up."

Jason let out a breath he felt like he had been holding in for months.

"I love you," Jason stated. Kim smiled.

"I love you, too," She responded.

(****)

"So you want to talk about it?" Kim asked as the two reached Jason's truck parked at the edge of the park.

"It just keeps going through my mind... when there is a quiet moment, a lull, trying to sleep, I keep seeing the sight of the destruction and chaos and it just makes me sick," Jason replied. "I know... I KNOW that it wasn't me, but I having such a hard time making that stick."

"I can imagine," Kim said with a nod as the two reached the back of the truck and Jason put the bed down and she hopped up to sit on it.

"It's hard when I keep seeing my own face and hearing my own voice," Jason said moved to stand in front of her.

"It wasn't you though," Kim said reaching out to run her hand across his cheek. "And that Jason is back to normal now, so it wasn't even him either, it was Zedd and Maligore."

"I know," Jason agreed, placing his hands on her knees.

"And they are both gone now," Kim continued. He nodded. "And you are here with me, and everything will be okay now."

Jason smiled.

"I'm sorry," Jason stated. She shook her head.

"No, you don't have to apologize," Kim reacted. "Take as long as you need to get over everything... there is no rush... just..."

Kim leaned in to place her forehead up against his.

"Know that I am here and want to help," Kim stated before kissing him on the forehead.

His smile widened.

"God, I'd be so lost without you right now, you have no idea," Jason confessed. He moved in to kiss her to show his gratitude. Her hands went around the back of his neck to pull him in deeper.

"I think I'd be just as lost," Kim responded when they broke apart, a little breathless. Jason grinned. Kim noted the look in his eyes. Something she had not seen in too long.

"Wanna head home?" Jason inquired. She nodded.

"I do," Kim replied as he pulled her into his arms, held her up with one arm, and closed the bed of his truck with the other. He walked her around to the side of the truck and opened the door. Kim's pulse was off the charts. It had been too long since she experienced his passion. She nearly fought him sitting her in the truck but reluctantly let him move around to the driver's side and jump in.

He didn't start the vehicle immediately, instead, he watched her. His gaze prompted her to smile and blush momentarily before he started the vehicle and sped them off.

(****)

Kim opened her eyes tried to adjust the darkness of their bedroom. She noticed a glimmer of light from her right and she turned her head to see the balcony door opened. She got up and made her way over to it to see Jason sitting in a chair seemingly deep in thought. She frowned as the deja vu came to her.

She walked up behind him and leaned over the chair wrapping her arms around him and hugging him tightly.

"Everything okay?" Kim asked before placing a kiss on his jawline. She was relieved to feel a smile form on his cheek under her lips. He turned to face her and nodded.

"It is," Jason responded. "It really is."

Kim's heart felt full even as he moved to pull her fully into his lap. She didn't dare break eye contact with him as she searched for any pain behind them only to find none. She allowed herself to lower her head on his chest and be wrapped up in his arms as they both got lost in the peaceful night surrounding them.

Chapter Text

"Have you taken a test?" Trini asked as she watched Kimberly pace back and forth on her front porch. An emphatic shaking of her head gave Trini the response to her question. "Don't you think that might be a good idea?"

"I mean... it is but..." Kim paused as she stopped her pace and faced her friend. "I... guess I am just kind of scared."

"Understandable," Trini said as she took Kim by the hand and led her over to the swing on her porch. She sat her down and followed suit. "You should probably get one though you know... to be sure."

"I know..." Kim agreed placing one of her hands in the other and staring at them intently.

"Is it..." Trini hesitated and Kim turned to her. "I don't know how to ask this, but is it a bad thing, I mean you and Jason..."

"No... no..." Kim cut her off. "If I am, it is not a bad thing at least not because of Jason."

"Okay," Trini offered her a smile.

"Just wow... we are still so young you know?" Kim asked rhetorically as she began to swing them both slowly with her legs.

"Yeah... that's true," Trini agreed, trying to put herself in Kim's place and realizing how scared she would be as well.

"We have college coming up and it would just... wow," Kim raised her eyebrows and sighed.

"I mean you don't even know if you are or not," Trini placed a hand over hers. "I mean if you guys are safe then..."

"Always," Kim assured her. She rested her back against the swing and focused her eyes down on her stomach.

"For what it is worth," Trini said. "If you are... I know you and Jason would be okay, I have no worries about that, you could get through anything."

Kim smiled.

"I know... I'm not sad... just a little scared," Kim replied turning her eyes up to her.

"You want me to go with you to the store to get a test?" Trini asked. Kim nodded and the two girls got up together and made their way off the porch.

(****)

Jason looked at the selection in front of him. He moved his eyes down the line of boxes trying to find his preference. He was reaching up to grab a box when he saw out the corner of his eye someone entering the same aisle he was in. He lowered his hand and stuck both into his pockets, trying to be as casual as possible as he turned to make eye contact with the people who had joined him in the aisle.

He was not prepared to meet the eyes of his girlfriend and best friend together and his eyes widened momentarily out of confusion before he moved away from the area he was in to meet them in the middle of the aisle.

"Hey," Jason greeted both of them with a smile. "Whatcha guys out doing?"

"Oh we were just out for a drive and I remembered I needed to get a couple of things," Trini responded when she saw Kim was still to shook to speak.

"Oh," Jason nodded, glancing at Kim.

"Yeah..." Kim agreed once she found her voice. "What... what about you?"

"Me?" Jason moved a hand up to run it through his hair. "I was just looking for some stuff."

Kim saw the look in his eyes and realized his vagueness was because of Trini and she shook her head.

"Well..." Kim glanced back and forth from Trini to Jason. "We should get your stuff."

"Okay," Trini agreed.

"Yeah... and I'll catch you at home later," Jason said before leaning down to give Kim a quick kiss. She smiled at him and nodded. He then walked past them and out of the aisle. Kim watched him go before turning to Trini with wide eyes.

"Oh my gosh," Kim let out a small laugh. "That was unexpected."

"Yeah," Trini agreed. She glanced down the aisle and back at Kim. "Also... I'm not dumb, I know what he was here for."

"Oh... well... I told you we were always safe," Kim said with a small shrug. Trini laughed before the two made their way down the aisle.

(****)

Jason raised his head from the book he was reading when the front door to the apartment pushed open. He smiled when Kimberly stuck her head in first before making her way all the way in with a bag in her hand.

"Hey," Jason greeted her.

"Hey," She replied before walking over to the nearby kitchen counter and placing her bag and purse on it. She kicked off her shoes and then turned to face Jason.

"Everything okay?" Jason asked, taking note of her tense posture and the look on her face. She reached over and picked up the paper bag and made her way over to sit on the couch next to him. She sat down with one leg folded underneath her. She placed the bag on the coffee table in front of her and then placed both her hands down on her thighs and took a deep breath.

"Well..." Kim turned to face him as he straightened his posture to match hers.

"Hey..." Jason said as he moved a hand over to place it on hers. "What's up?"

"Trini and I were not at the store to pick up anything for her," Kim confessed. She studied Jason for a response but his expression didn't change.

"Okay?" Jason nodded for her to continued.

"We were there to get something for me," Kim said before reaching over and grabbing the bag, and pulling it to her. Jason's eyes briefly moved down to the bag but then back up at her face.

Kim turned to him briefly to see a soft look in his eyes, which comforted her momentarily before she fidgeted with the bag and reached inside. She slowly pulled out the box withing that contained the pregnancy test. She made sure Jason could clearly see it and waited a few seconds before turning back to him for his reaction.

Jason's eyes settled on the box and then moved back to Kim when she turned her head to look at him.

"Have you taken it?" Jason asked.

"Not yet," Kim answered.

"Okay," Jason collected his thoughts. After a moment a big smile came over his face and Kim furrowed her brow at him.

"What is that?" Kim asked, finding herself smiling slightly as she spoke.

"I mean," Jason's eyes lit up a little as he spoke. "You are saying there is a chance that you are pregnant... that I am going to be a dad?"

"I mean... yeah I am really late and..." Kim paused. "You aren't freaked out?"

"No," Jason shook his head. "I mean, it is a lot to take in but at the end of the day, all I care about is how much I love you and the thought that we might have a child... wow."

Jason was practically beaming now. Kimberly wasn't sure how she expected him to react to the possibility of her pregnancy but seeing how happy it was making him was making a lot of her worries vanish. She found herself smiling as he pulled her over into his lap and into a hug.

"Listen, I know that it would change everything," Jason said. "But we will figure it all out and everything will work out."

"We are just so young and have our lives ahead of us, and I guess I was kind of caught up in all of that," Kim said as she moved to lock eyes with him.

"That's true, but I promise that I will do everything I can to make sure everything will work out okay," Jason said with a smile. Kim felt his words and she smiled too.

"I should probably make sure..." Kim gestured over to the box lying on the couch cushion next to them. Jason nodded as she got up from his lap and retrieved the box.

(****)

Jason felt like he had been sitting on the couch staring at the bathroom door for what seemed like hours. He glanced up at the clock over the television set and then scooted himself even closer to the edge of the cushion, nearly to the point of falling off. He steadied himself just as he heard the doorknob turn.

Jason stood straight up as Kimberly made her way from the bathroom. In her hand was a little stick that looked like a thermometer. Not being overly familiar with them, Jason assumed this was the test. He studied her expression to see if he could read her before to see if she already knew. He couldn't.

"So?" Jason asked, his voice a little dry. He cleared his throat. Kim made her way around the coffee table and held the device up to him. He looked at it but couldn't tell what he meant so he pleaded with his eyes for a response from her.

"It's negative," Kim said as she studied him for a response.

"Oh... okay... I couldn't tell," Jason replied. There was a moment of silence. "So..."

"Are you disappointed?" Kimberly asked. He thought a moment.

"I mean... I was pretty happy but..." Jason moved to put his arms around her. She rested her head on his chest. "How in the world can I be disappointed with anything when I get to do this?"

A tear fell from Kim's eye and left a wet spot against Jason's shirt. It wasn't a sad tear. She never felt more comforted or in love than in this moment in his arms. She was going to be happy either way she knew that as long as she had him. She closed her eyes as she felt his lips press against the top of her head.

"I love you," He whispered.

"I love you too," She replied with a smile.

Chapter Text

"Either you are getting better or I am getting worse," Zack teased as he patted Jason on the shoulder.

"Yeah," Jason twirled the football in his hands and grinned at his friend who started to walk back across the grass to receive a pass. He stopped halfway when he saw the look on Jason's face. He reapproached him.

"Hey... you good?" Zack asked standing in front of Jason with a concerned look on his face.

"Oh... uh yeah," Jason said, his eyes moved past Zack to a nearby picnic table. His eyes fell on one in the group gathered around it. Zack followed Jason's eyes and then turned back to him.

"So what's up?" Zack asked. "I know she is your girl but you seem unusually distracted by her today."

Jason smiled sheepishly as he twirled the football once more and nodded for Zack to follow him. He led them farther away from the picnic table and the group of friends. He stopped underneath a tree and turned to face Zack.

"So..." Jason began, he took a deep breath. "I have been thinking."

"Uh-oh," Zack teased, prompting a grin and shake of the head from Jason.

"I have been thinking about... Kim and I... and you know I am crazy for her right?" Jason continued.

"I have noted that, yes," Zack agreed with a wink.

"Well... I was considering," Jason's eyes moved over to the table and back to Zack. He raised his eyebrows.

"For real?" Zack asked, his tone excited. "IS my boy thinking about poppin' the question?"

Jason gestured for Zack to keep his overly excited voice down. He then nodded and grinned.

"Yes... I have been thinking about it," Jason confirmed.

"That's great," Zack commented.

"The only thing though..." Jason paused. "We got college coming up, and we are young and..."

"Now don't stand here and talk yourself out of it," Zack said.

"Well... it's... things have happened recently that made me think more about that you know?" Jason elaborated. Zack nodded as he recalled Jason confiding in him over a pregnancy scare a couple of weeks back.

"Yeah," Zack agreed.

"So I don't want to rush anything that maybe she isn't ready for, heck maybe I am not," Jason said.

"I get that," Zack said. "If you want my two cents..."

"Please," Jason urged.

"I love both of you, and more than that I love how happy you guys make each other," Zack smiled. "If you are happy there is no rush... you are young like you said."

Jason nodded as he glanced past to see Kim looking in their direction. She smiled at him and he reciprocated.

"I think you will know when it is right... you won't have any doubts or fears if it is time," Zack continued. "That's what I think anyway."

Zack shrugged and gave Jason a good-natured pat on his shoulder and grin.

"Thanks, man," Jason said.

"It's nothing," Zack reacted. "If you do decide it is the right time, you know I will be over the moon for you guys."

"You're the best," Jason said as the two clasped hands before making their way back over to the group of friends.

"The food is ready," Trini greeted them as she fussed over the spread on the table.

"Looks great," Zack picked up his pace as his stomach growled.

Jason was slower to reach the table and was more focused on Kimberly. He slid onto the bench next to her and immediately reached for her hand to give it a squeeze. This prompted her to turn to look up at him.

"I love you," Jason said just loud enough for her to hear before he focused on getting him a plate of food.

(****)

"This is really nice," Billy said as he leaned up against the tree behind him. He glanced over at Kimberly who was sitting next to him finishing off a piece of watermelon.

"It really is," Kim said as she looked out across the park to see Jason, Trini, and Zack involved in a rather spirited game of dodgeball. A laugh from Trini as she nailed Zack with a hit to his backside prompted a giggle from Kimberly and a smile from Billy.

"So..." Billy spoke up. Kim turned to him.

"I can say... on some level I didn't expect to return to earth and see you and Jason had gotten so close," Billy stated. He shrugged. "BUT in some ways, I am not surprised at all."

"Really?" Kim asked as she glanced over at the subject matter as he chased Zack with the ball looking for the perfect time to hit him with a throw.

"Do you remember right before we became Rangers?" Billy asked. The question perked Kim up as a memory immediately came back to her.

"I think I know what you are talking about," She answered surprised to feel her cheeks blushing slightly.

"In my garage... we had all gathered to study," Billy continued as Kimberly nodded. She now knew exactly to what he was referring. "Everyone left but you..."

"Oh gosh," Kimberly let out a small laugh.

"You just blurted it out," Billy now laughed.

"I did," Kimberly agreed with a shrug.

"When did he get so cute... I think were your exact words," Billy grinned as he recalled the moment.

"I was so confused," Kimberly said. She leaned back up against the tree to match Billy's posture. "We had been friends for years but for some reason... I guess hormones were catching up with me..."

Both laughed.

"That evening he was right next to me as we studied, he kept hovering over me and he smelled soooo good," Kimberly recalled with a big smile as she watched Jason expertly duck a throw from Trini. "I felt like I got hit with a Mack truck."

"Yeah... it showed," Billy responded prompting Kim to turn to him with a sheepish grin.

"Do you think he noticed?" Kim asked, suddenly feeling very self-conscious about that evening.

"I am not sure," Billy replied with a shrug. "If he did, he never mentioned it to me."

"I avoided him like the plague for the next couple of weeks," Kimberly confessed. "I was not ready to deal with whatever was happening."

"I noticed that too," Billy replied. "It was weird for a couple of weeks but then everything returned to normal... until the.. well the Ranger stuff happened."

"Yep," Kim agreed.

"From time to time over the last few years I thought about that," Billy confessed. "So that is why I say I am not totally surprised to see you guys together now."

"In some ways... I wished I had just gone with that feeling then... but in others, I am glad I fought it," Kim said. "Because maybe things would have worked out differently... and I am glad they are just as they are now."

Kim returned her attention back to the other three just as Zack got beaned by Jason and waved his hands in surrender as all three laughed. She made eye contact with Jason and suddenly she was transported back to similar thoughts she was having that night in Billy's garage. Only this time she knew exactly what to do with them.

(****)

"You are quiet," Jason commented as he glanced over at Kimberly sitting next to him in his truck. She was staring out the window with a smile on her face. She turned to him.

"Just thinking," She replied.

"Deep thoughts?" Jason asked.

"Maybe," Kim answered as she shifted in the seat to turn more in his direction. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course," Jason replied shifting his eyes from the road in front of them and then back to her.

"This might seem random," Kim began. "Do you remember about two weeks before we became Rangers, a Friday night studying for the big history exam in Billy's garage?"

Jason recalled for a minute before the evening came back to him and he nodded.

"Okay..." Kim said. "That night... does... do... anything special about that night to you?"

"Special?" Jason asked. Kimberly wrinkled her brow as she attempted to search for a better way to ask the question.

"Like... that night where you trying to..." Kim paused. She laughed a little. "This is silly."

"Silly can be good," Jason replied amused at her.

"You were..." Kim paused. "All night you kept like... every time I turned around you were right there, and your body was always touching mine and why oh why did you wear that cologne that night?"

Jason stared blankly at her for a couple of moments as she sat there exasperated. He then began to laugh, a deep chest laugh at first before it came out in its full-blown nature. Kim shook her head at him.

"Seriously though... do you know what I am referring to?" Kim asked reached over to playfully swat his arm.

"I..." Jason caught his breath between a laugh. "I think I do..."

"What is so funny then?" Kim asked.

"It took like four years for you to say anything?" Jason asked the smile still firmly on his face.

"I didn't know what to feel or think about all of that," Kim replied, defensively but partially smiling herself.

"I'm sorry," Jason shook his head as he shifted down a gear and slowed the vehicle to make a turn down their street. "You want the truth?"

"Yes I do," Kim replied.

"I was maybe fishing a little bit," Jason said, this time with a sheepish grin of his own. Kimberly's eyes widened in mock outrage.

"Jason Lee Scott!" Kimberly scolded him. He defensively put up a hand.

"Normally I would never... you know... cause we were friends," Jason continued. "That night though, I kind of... I don't know... you smelled nice too by the way."

Jason shook his head.

"Well... I guess I got carried away, but you did not show it if it had any effect and I honestly considered the whole thing a big failure," Jason replied with a chuckled before slowing the vehicle to pull it into the parking lot of their apartment. He got their usual parking spot and shut the vehicle off.

"Ask Billy if it had any effect," Kim replied.

"Really?" Jason asked, intrigued.

"You hadn't much more than got out of the door than I was spilling my guts to him... poor guy... I don't think he was ready to comprehend any of that then," Kim replied laughing fondly.

"He never told me," Jason said.

"He knew I'd kill him," Kim countered quickly as the two turned to each other. There was a silence that fell over them as Kim reached out to take his hand. She held it in hers running lazy circles over it while grinning at him.

"Is this your way of getting back at me for that night?" Jason asked as Kim bit her bottom lip.

"Maybe," Kim answered with a small shrug. "Is it working?"

"Maybe," Jason echoed. After a few more seconds he opened his door and got out. He stuck his head inside right before closing the door. "Should I go put on some cologne?"

The smirk on his face was too much for Kimberly and she scooted across the seat and stuck her head out to give him a kiss.

"Not too much," Kim whispered as their lips parted.

"Got it," Jason replied as he held her hand as she got out of his truck and the two made their way up and into their apartment

Chapter Text

"I think that about does it, fire her up," Jason called out over the hood of Tommy's Firebird.

"Got it," Tommy responded from inside the car. He turned the key and the engine roared to life. He smiled and looked up at Jason who shut the hood and grinned himself. Tommy revved the engine a couple of times the sound echoing throughout the surrounding garage. Satisfied, he shut the engine off and climbed out.

"Sounds great, bro," Jason replied wiping his hands on a nearby rag.

"Yeah it does," Tommy agreed. He walked over to Jason. "Thanks for helping me out."

"You kidding?" Jason reacted. "You know I love messing around under the hood."

Tommy nodded and smiled.

"Plus it is always nice to get to hang out with you, seems like we don't get much time to do that anymore," Jason continued. Tommy furrowed his brow as he considered the subject.

"Yeah..." Tommy agreed. "Hey..."

The hesitation from Tommy got Jason's attention to him.

"Listen... you know I had my heart set on UCAG..." Tommy continued.

"Yeah," Jason responded.

"But uh..." Tommy began to wipe his own hands off on another nearby towel. "Kat she uh... well she has heart set on studying abroad."

Tommy sighed as he turned and rested his back up against a workbench. Jason studied him for a moment.

"I see..." Jason replied. "So what are you thinking?"

"That's just it," Tommy turned to him. "I honestly don't know what to think."

"Have you guys talked?" Jason asked turning to mimic his friend's stance resting up against the workbench.

"I mean... not really... just been brought up in passing a couple of times," Tommy answered. "Honestly, I think we have both been kind of avoiding it."

Jason focused on the car in front of them as he gathered his thoughts to give his friend some advice. He started to talk but Tommy got to it first.

"What about you... are you still going to Angel Grove?" Tommy asked.

"Yeah... I think so," Jason responded.

"And Kim?" Tommy inquired.

"Same..." Jason replied. "I mean that was the plan the last time we talked about it."

"That's good," Tommy said. "I just... I want to be with her but to uproot myself like that you know?"

"Yeah I get it," Jason agreed.

"But honestly," Tommy paused. "I don't think I can do long-distance again."

There was a silence that hung over the room for a second. Slightly awkward but not in a confrontational way, rather just neither man unsure of how to keep the subject flowing.

"I mean... considering what happened, I can understand that," Jason finally said. "I'm sorry."

"It's water under the bridge, bro," Tommy shrugged. "But you know, I did learn from that experience."

Jason straightened his posture, prompting Tommy to follow.

"Look... I know you are crazy about Kat, but only you know if you can handle being away from her like that," Jason stated. Tommy nodded.

"Can I be candid?" Tommy asked.

"Sure," Jason answered.

"With Kim... when she left..." Tommy took a breath. "It didn't bother me that much... I mean looking back that was probably a sign... but I was so wrapped up in my life here that I didn't give it much thought... now... with Kat..."

Tommy shook his head.

"I can't imagine not seeing her every day," Tommy confessed as the two began to walk out of the garage and down the driveway to Jason's truck. Both stopped at the door. Jason turned to his friend and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I think you kind of already have your answer," Jason said with a small smile. Tommy considered his words and felt himself smiling as well.

(****)

"Oh my gosh... I forgot in what kind of shape you have to stay in as a Ranger," Kimberly said between breaths as she attempted to keep jogging pace with her taller blonde companion.

Katherine laughed as she glanced slightly behind her at Kimberly. She slowed her pace so the two were running next to each other again.

"Like you are not in great shape," Kat responded.

"I am out of practice," Kim said with a slight laugh. The two girls came upon a nearby park bench and Kat pointed to it.

"Rest for a bit?" Kat asked.

"Don't have to ask twice," Kim replied as the two stopped their pace and melted into the bench. Kat glanced over at her as both attempted to catch their breath.

"You know... I don't usually go this long," Kat said. "It is nice to have a companion to keep me company."

"Thanks," Kim replied. The two fell into a comfortable silence as they watched the other park-goers going about various activities.

"Hey... can I talk to you about something?" Kat asked. Kim turned to her.

"Sure," Kim replied.

"It is about Tommy," Kat clarified. Kim nodded.

"Go on," Kim urged her, putting her at ease.

"Things have been kind of odd between us lately," Kat confessed.

"Oh?" Kim reacted.

"Yeah, but I think I know why," Kat continued. She sat up straighter. "It is because I have mentioned my desire to study in London."

"London... wow that sounds great," Kim replied.

"I think it would be yeah," Kat agreed. "But I know Tommy wants to go to college here."

"Oh," Kim responded.

"Every time the subject comes up we kind of just brush over it but..." Kat shrugged. "It has kind of put some tension between us."

"I can imagine," Kim said. "So you haven't talked about it?"

"Not really... not in any type of meaningful way," Kat replied. "It's just... I have had my heart said on London for a while now... the classes, the opportunities..."

"I mean if that is what you want..." Kim began. "You have to go for it."

Kat turned to her.

"Take it from me... if you don't you will probably regret it," Kim continued.

Kat considered her words for a moment.

"I mean... I know you are right of course but..." Kat stopped.

"Are you sure he wouldn't want to go with you?" Kim asked.

"I don't know for sure... but like me has been planning as well and it seems our plans are in conflict," Kat replied.

"I am probably the worst person to talk to about a long-distance thing," Kim replied. "I proved I kind of suck at that."

There was a beat of silence before they made contact and began to laugh. Both were glad to be able to share that moment and to find it was not awkward.

"I don't think Tommy is very fond of them either," Kat replied still laughing.

"I might take some of that blame," Kim giggled.

The girls laughed and for a moment Kat forgot what was troubling her and she suddenly felt very close to the girl she succeeded as a Ranger. She gestured to the path in front of them.

"Feel like finishing the course?" Kat asked.

"Yeah... I think I might have my second wind now," Kim replied with a grin as the two got up simultaneously and made their way back to the path.

(****)

Jason stepped out of the shower running a towel through his hair. The cool air from the bathroom hit him but despite the shiver it gave him, he felt much better having cleaned up from an evening spent under the hood of a car.

He wrapped the towel around himself and walked to stand over in front of the mirror over the sink. He glanced down at the stubble on his face and reached for his razor. He had just gotten it in his hand when he heard the bathroom door creak open behind him. He glanced up in the mirror to see Kimberly resting against the door frame smiling at him.

"Hey," Kim greeted him returning his smile but also stealing a quick glance down at his bare torso in the mirror. It made her smile wider.

"How was your run?" Jason asked.

"Exhausting," Kim replied. She made her way into the bathroom and over to a shelf on the wall. She retrieved a black towel from it. "Did you save me any hot water?"

"Uhh.... maybe?" Jason shrugged.

"You'd better," Kim replied laying her towel out.

"I was really dirty," Jason responded. "That stuff is hard to get off."

"Uh-huh," Kim teasingly replied. She walked over to stand next to him, content to watch him as he began to shave. "Hey."

Jason looked up to make eye contact with her through the mirror.

"You and I... we..." Kim paused. "We are both going to UCAG right?"

Jason cocked his head slightly, remembering his discussion with Tommy and now suspecting Kim had had a similar one.

"If that is what you want," Jason replied.

"What do you want?" Kim asked nudging him slightly with her shoulder.

"I want to go there but you know..." Jason put down his razor and turned to her with dabs of shaving cream still on certain parts of his face, the sight causing Kim to smile. "If you wanted to go somewhere else and felt strongly about it... and you know wanted me to come along... I think I'd probably go."

"Would you now?" Kim asked.

"Probably," Jason replied, his tone teasing.

"Probably?" Kim played the teasing game with him.

"That is the best I will give you," Jason said. Kim eyed him up and down. She turned and walked over to the shower and turned on the water. She felt her hand under it for a moment until she felt the warm water take over. She smiled and reached down to lift her shirt over her head, glancing over her shoulder at Jason.

"The best you can give me huh?" Kim asked as she continued to remove articles of clothing, sneaking peeks at a very interested Jason all the while. He was trying to keep a poker face but there were subtle hints he was failing.

"I mean..." Jason cleared his throat. "You know I could... I think that is...."

Kim stepped under the shower, turning to face him.

"You know you aren't winning this game," Kim replied with a grin.

"Oh... I don't know... Jason walked over to her. He stuck his head under the water and gave her a kiss. "It all depends on your definition of winning."

Chapter Text

Jason's eyes shot open and he focused his hearing to see if he could determine what the noise was the had woke him. He glanced around the room cautiously, instinctively looking over at Kimberly sleeping next to him. Whatever he had heard had not apparently disturbed her sleep as she was still doing so soundly.

Jason sat up and swung his feet onto the ground. He glanced over at the clock to see it was a little after two in the morning. He started to stand when he heard something and so he stiffened up and got quiet. It sounded like a slight scratching noise coming from somewhere in the kitchen.

Jason got to his feet, stealing a glance back at Kimberly to see if she had woken up. His movement had not stirred her so he made his way barefoot and shirtless out of the bedroom and down the short hallway that led into the kitchen located at the back of the apartment. He stopped in the hallway as he heard the noise again.

A swift movement in the kitchen to surprise any would-be intruder garnered no results as he found the kitchen empty. A rumble of thunder outside followed by the room lighting up with thunder prompted Jason to move his eyes over to the sliding glass door to his left leading out onto the small back porch area.

Another flash of lightning caused Jason to tense up as he was sure he saw the silhouette of someone lurking just outside the door. He made his way slowly over to the door and slowly moved aside the blinds that covered the glass. He shifted his eyes around to see nothing. He reached over for the porch light switch and flipped it on. Nothing happened and Jason cursed himself for forgetting to replace the bulb earlier that evening.

Jason took a deep breath and moved to the other side of the blinds to peer out to see if he could see anything from that vantage point. A loud rumble of thunder startled him in his tense state. He focused his eyes knowing lightning would soon follow. Within seconds the whole backyard was lit up. Jason's eyes widened as he saw something that he couldn't believe.

Jason stepped back and shook his head. No way he had seen what he thought he saw. He noted a pair of boots against the wall next to him and he hurriedly slipped them on, not taking the time to tie them. He gripped the door handle, reaching up to unlatch it. He stretched over to the kitchen counter next to him and popped open a drawer to retrieve a flashlight. He steadied himself again and pulled the door open to step outside.

Jason walked a few steps out onto the front porch, his guard heightened as he moved the flashlight around the large expansive backyard of the apartment complex. He focused the light of the flashlight where he had seen something earlier but nothing was in view this time. He glanced behind him and suddenly felt very vulnerable. He considered making his way back inside but a rustling sound to his right stopped him.

"Don't go..." a familiar voice in an unfamiliar tone came through the darkness, prompting Jason to instinctively switch to a fighting stance. He focused his eyes where he had heard the voice and it was then it dawned on him he had dropped the flashlight in the movement to defend himself. A rumble of thunder... a flash of lightning and he got a clear view of who was now standing a few feet away from him.

"What are you doing here?" Jason asked, his eyes surveying the yard around them.

"Jason," Rita Repulsa's normally shrill tone was softer now. It was causing a surreal sensation throughout Jason's body as it made its way into his ears.

"What do you want?" Jason questioned.

"I have looked everywhere..." Rita responded, lifting her head to look up at him.

"For what?" Jason inquired, confusion overtaking even his sense of alarm.

"Zedd," Rita replied. Jason furrowed his brow as he looked at her. Her countenance was sad, her appearance decidedly unkempt. If it were anyone else he might almost feel sympathy for her.

"Don't you know?" Jason asked, taking a small step back.

"What... know what?" Rita asked, her interest piqued as she in turned stepped closer to him.

"He is gone," Jason shook his head. He wasn't sad about it, but something about delivering this news to Rita felt somber.

"Gone... gone where?" Rita inquired.

"Dead," Jason dropped the hammer and he watched Rita's eyes go from inquisitive to closed. She remained that way for several seconds.

"How?" Rita asked.

"It... was... the other me... from the other timeline... at least that is what I was told," Jason answered.

Rita's eyes opened and she fixed her gaze on Jason. The way she stood without blinking made him grow more uncomfortable as it continued.

"You took him from me," Rita finally spoke, without breaking her gaze. Her eyes were piercing a hole through Jason.

"No... not me," Jason deflected.

"It was you..." Rita's tone was growing angry now. Not in the cackling and the almost comical way Jason was used to though. Darker, serious.

"It was not me... it was the other Jason... and he was under the influence of dark magic... you know this," Jason tried to reason with her.

"I somehow knew he was gone... I couldn't feel him anymore," Rita replied. She shook her head. "I loved him... I hated him... I loved that I hated him...."

"Look... I won't pretend to understand whatever was going on with you..." Jason began. "Just know I was not the one that took him from you... not that I would go out of my way to have saved him either."

Rita's eyes focused on Jason again as he stood up straighter to deliver the somewhat brutal truth to her.

"You will pay for his death, Jason," Rita replied. "I thought... maybe... this dance between me and you and your team was history... but..."

Rita stepped back a little, her features now shaded completely in darkness again.

"Maybe it is time I finish what we began all those years ago," Rita continued. More thunder, another lightning flash, and she was gone.

Jason backed his way up to his door and slipped inside. He turned to rest his back against the closed door. His mind was racing. His adrenaline was on a high. He barely noticed as Kimberly made her way into the room.

"Jase?" Kim took in the sight of him and she hurriedly made her way to him. "Are you okay?"

"I don't know," Jason answered her honestly.

(****)

"Wow that is heavy," Zack commented from his spot sitting on top of a picnic table. He glanced around the group.

"I can't even imagine what that must have been like," Trini added.

"It was weird," Jason responded. He ran a hand through his hair nervously as he glanced around the table at the group.

"It makes no logical sense she would hold it against you," Billy stated.

"She wasn't thinking logically," Jason shrugged.

"Did you talk to Zordon?" Zack asked. Jason shook his head.

"Not yet... I wasn't sure what to make of it and wanted to let you all know first," Jason answered. Kimberly reached over and took him by the hand.

"I don't like the idea of her threatening Jason like that," Kim said. "And the way she did it... that is not like her at all... to just show up in the night and not to make a scene."

"Definitely not her usual modus operandi," Billy agreed.

"What do you think she will do next?" Trini asked. Jason turned to her.

"I'm not sure, but I have never seen her so intense... so whatever it is I don't look forward to it," Jason answered.

"I'm surprised she didn't just attack you then and there," Zack said.

"She is not a fighter... she is a thinker," Billy responded. "She will no doubt be planning something, an attack from someone or something else."

"Like one of her monsters?" Trini asked.

"Yeah or those!" Zack alerted the group as they turned to see an army of putties forming around them in the park.

"This is like deja vu," Trini commented doing a circle to see the putties all around them. They were the original putties, with no mark of Zedd on them.

"I guess she has made her first move," Kim commented.

"Yeah... what do you say, guys?" Jason glanced at her and then the rest of the friends. "For old time's sake?"

"I'm already on it," Zack said with a smile as he ran across the park doing a flip over a group of putties and surprising them with a flurry of kicks.

The rest of the group fanned out in different directions and began to engage the putties on their own.

Jason clotheslined a putty sending it into a twirl before he hit a spin kick to another and then straight punch to a third sending them into a pile.

Trini grabbed a putty by the arm and flipped it over her shoulder into another. She ducked a swing from one behind her and then countered with a knee in the midsection and leg sweep.

Billy cartwheeled by an oncoming attack and landed with a front kick that knocked one putty into another. Two ducks in succession followed by an uppercut yielded the desired results as Billy glanced around him to see putties all around his feet.

Kimberly did a roll under a swing from a putty and then sprang to her feet to punch another in the chest. She spun gracefully to block a sucker punch from behind to then counter with a front kick and then a back kick to another both putties falling in unison.

Jason lifted a putty up into a fireman's carry and flipped it over onto another group charging him. He then lept over a putty charging from the other direction, hitting a sidekick directly in its face when it stopped and spun. He glanced around to see the rest of his team fending off the attack as effortlessly as they had always been able to.

He smiled momentarily until something caught his eye. A flicker of sunlight reflecting off something in the distance. His eyes widened as he recognized it as the staff in Rita's hand as she moved out from behind a nearby tree and held it high over her head.

"Watch out!" Jason called out but his call was timed with a blast from the staff. A blinding flash filled his eyes and he shielded them even as he ran in the direction of his friends.

The force of the blast knocked him backward and he crashed hard into a nearby picnic table. He fought losing consciousness as he felt a stinging pain in the back of his head. He struggled to his feet as dirt and dust settled in the air in front of him. He ran into the thick cloud of it and nearly stumbled over the body of Trini at his feet.

"No..." Jason called kneeling down to check her. The dust cleared more as he saw the bodies of the other teens lying all around him. A lump developed in his throat as he took in the sight. In the middle lying on her back with her leg bent awkwardly underneath her was Kimberly. Jason made his way over to her and gently scooped her up in his arms. "Talk to me..."

Jason glanced up to see Rita was still standing nearby, her staff still glowing from the charge of her blast. She was grinning and the sight of it was sending him into a rage. He reached for his Morpher in a blind rage. He could barely morph through his anger and shock and he immediately reached for his blade blaster and began to fire at her.

Rita vanished as his blasts obliterated the tree she had once stood in front of. Jason threw the weapon to the ground and knelt back down to pick Kimberly up once again.

"Come on... please..." Jason urged her as he felt for a pulse. An anguished cry came from him as he pulled her close and coddled her limp body in his arms.

Chapter Text

Jason ran a hand across the forehead of Kimberly's still body as she lied on a table hooked to many devices and wires. He glanced his eye down to her chest relieved to see it moving rhythmically up and down. He moved his eyes over to the table next to her to see Zack looking very much like her. He closed his eyes.

"Any change Alpha?" Jason asked opening his eyes to look across the room at Alpha who was reading some results from a machine connected to Trini. Alpha turned to him.

"No change," Alpha grimly responded.

Jason hung his head and focused his eyes on Kimberly again. He felt an angry outburst coming on but it was halted by a hand on his shoulder. Jason turned to see Tommy looking at him, sympathy all over his expression.

"Hey man," Tommy greeted him. "I know that look... but you got to have faith that they are gonna come around."

Jason stared at him blankly for a moment. His body was nearly vibrating with emotions. He shook his head.

"I..." Jason hesitated. He closed his eyes. He felt the emotion overtaking him and was only slightly surprised when Tommy pulled him into a tight hug. Jason didn't resist, allowing himself to take a deep breath and appreciate the gesture.

"Bro... I know how you feel, these are my friends too... but we got to keep it together, for them," Tommy stated as the two broke the hug, Tommy keeping his hands on either side of Jason's shoulders.

"I know you are right but... you weren't there, you didn't see it," Jason said, his eyes pleading for understanding. Tommy felt an overwhelming sadness come over him at seeing the usually unshakeable Jason in this state.

"I can't imagine..." Tommy relented as he glanced down at Kim and then over to Billy.

"I've never seen Rita like this... I know she always wanted us dead but I've never seen her..." Jason paused as images of Rita's grin post-attack filled his mind.

"Jason, Tommy, come to the Power Chamber please," Zordon's voice rang through the medical bay perking up both of them. They barely exchanged glances before making their way quickly out of the room and down the corridor to the main chamber.

"What is it Zordon?" Jason asked reaching him first. Tommy moved quickly in beside of him.

"I have been monitoring readings that Alpha has been doing and I am afraid I have some grim news," Zordon responded. Tommy stole a glance at Jason to see the worry on his face.

"What news?" Tommy asked.

"What is it Zordon?" Jason followed right behind.

"The other Rangers did not suffer any life-threatening damage in the attack," Zordon informed them. Jason's furrowed his brow in confusion.

"But... they..." Jason gestured behind them.

"What you are seeing is the result of a spell..." Zordon continued. "Not just any spell, however..."

The hesitation in Zordon's voice caused both Jason and Tommy to tense up.

"It is a spell that can only be cast once in the lifetime of the one who casts it," Zordon clarified.

"What... why?" Tommy inquired.

"Because the spell is so powerful that it was made to drain the lifeforce of the most powerful beings in the universe," Zordon stated. "In doing so though it has a side effect."

Jason and Tommy both nodded for him to continued in unison.

"It also drains the lifeforce of the person who casts the spell," Zordon informed them.

"Wait so... Rita is dying too?" Jason asked.

"Yes," Zordon answered.

"Can the spell be broken?" Tommy inquired. The pause from Zordon caused dread to creep over him.

"Can it?!" Jason asked more forcefully in a tone he normally would never use with the ancient being.

"It can only be broken by the one who cast it," Zordon replied.

"No...." Jason answered placing his hands on the console in front of him as his knees suddenly felt weak. Tommy began to pace next to him.

"So Rita would have to break it?" Tommy asked for clarification.

"I am afraid so," Zordon responded.

"She would never," Jason stated, shaking his head.

"I mean... maybe..." Tommy started to reply but Jason turned to him and he could see he was not having it right now. Tommy held up his hands. "Listen... if it is killing her too, there is a chance she won't want to die."

"She acted like she had nothing else to live for...." Jason replied. "She wouldn't do this if she did."

"We have to try," Tommy countered.

"Try to reason with her?" Jason inquired.

"What choice do we have?" Tommy asked. Jason studied him for a moment, realizing of course that he was right, but finding his head foggy with emotion and anger. He took a deep breath as images of the time spent in the park with his friends hours before filled his mind.

"Okay... you are right," Jason agreed. Tommy placed a hand on his shoulder before turning to Zordon.

"Where do we find Rita?" Tommy asked just as Alpha came into the room and walked over to the control panel and pushed some buttons.

"I am trying to locate her now," Alpha explained his actions. Jason moved closer to study what he was doing as Tommy began to pace again.

"Anything?" Jason asked.

"Nothing so far.... wait..." Alpha reacted. "I have her."

"Where is she?" Jason asked.

"This can't be right," Alpha replied gesturing to the nearby monitor. An image formed on the screen of what appeared to be a barren landscape. The ground was rock and dirt, no sign of any vegetation as far as the eye could see and the sky was a crimson red.

"What is this?" Tommy inquired as Alpha glanced up to Zordon.

"This is Zedd's home planet," Zordon informed them. Jason turned to him. "Zenora."

The image of a large stone castle came into view on the monitor before it faded out with static.

"She is located somewhere within the palace," Alpha said.

"Can you get me there?" Jason asked. Alpha nodded.

"Woah...," Tommy interjected. "You are not going alone."

Jason turned to him.

"You might be needed here," Jason said. Tommy shook his head.

"If Divatox does anything, the other Rangers can hold her off I know it," Tommy countered with a side glance up to Zordon.

"Tommy is correct," Zordon backed him up. "I don't recommend anyone go there alone, but I do not want all of the Rangers to be off-planet in case of an attack."

"I'm going with you, bro," Tommy stated. Jason nodded.

"Okay... thanks," Jason replied. He turned to Alpha. "Can we teleport there?"

"Yes... but once there you will not be able to teleport anywhere and will have to move completely on foot or risk us losing a lock on you and you being lost there," Alpha explained.

"Got it," Jason answered. "So you get us in and you get us out."

"Right," Alpha said.

Jason glanced in the direction of the medical bay and then to Tommy.

"You want to let Kat know what is going on?" Jason asked. Tommy took note of the way he was looking at him and realized the depth of his question and he suddenly very much wanted to talk to Kat and say goodbye.

"Yeah... I do, give me a minute," Tommy answered before he teleported out. Jason leaned back against the console and waited for his partner to return.

(****)

Jason felt dizzy from the length of the teleportation. What was usually a quick process seemingly had taken forever and he was not used to that. He glanced next to him to Tommy clad in the Red Turbo Ranger attire who also seemed to be gathering his bearings.

"Which way?" Tommy asked.

Jason glanced down at a map he was holding in his hands. He looked up and to the right.

"That way," Jason replied as he began to walk with Tommy close behind. They both took in the barren wasteland of a planet around them. Both startled by the ground rumbling beneath their feet and a loud explosion to the west of them.

"Geez," Tommy remarked as the two took notice of a volcano erupting off in the distance a black lava-like substance poured from it. "This place is messed up."

"And to think Zordon said it was once a nice planet before Zedd came to power," Jason stated as the two continued walking keeping a wary eye in the direction of the volcano.

"I can't imagine that looking at this," Tommy said.

"Yeah," Jason agreed as they made their way across the rough terrain toward what appeared to be a row of dead trees.

"Hey..." Tommy spoke garnering Jason's attention to him. "What exactly are we going to say to her?"

Jason considered his question as they kept their quick but cautious pace.

"Honestly," Jason began. "I'm not sure."

"She has never been exactly reasonable," Tommy commented.

"She's even less now... all of this was to punish me... when I wasn't even the one who killed Zedd," Jason replied. "We will just have to figure it out when we find her."

The two reached the edge of the tall dead trees and stopped. Jason glanced down at his map.

"We got to go through here," Jason stated.

"Right," Tommy replied as he began to slowly make his way past the first tree. Jason followed quickly behind him.

"Listen... we don't know what could be in here so keep your guard up," Jason said. Tommy glanced behind him and nodded.

The two made their way through the darkened forest for several minutes before Tommy stopped and Jason nearly crashed into him from behind.

"Look," Tommy pointed up a nearby tree. There was a single putty patroller watching them intently. Jason glanced to the left of them to see a similar sight. A full turn later and both Rangers noticed they were being watched the whole time.

"Why are they not attacking?" Jason asked. Tommy shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't know," Tommy answered. "I kind of wish they were... I don't like this."

"I feel you," Jason agreed as the two began to move, more slowly now, both extra cautious.

"When have you ever known a putty not to attack?" Tommy inquired.

"When it was up to something else worse," Jason answered.

"That's what I am afraid of," Tommy stopped again.

"You thinking what I am thinking?" Jason asked. Tommy turned to him.

"That we are walking into a trap?" Tommy responded. Jason nodded. "Yes I do... but what choice do we have?"

There were several beats of silence between the two as both glanced around at the various sets of red eyes watching them from the treetops.

"We don't have one," Jason answered as he took the lead now with Tommy watching his back.

After walking what seemed to be miles there was a small ray of light coming through up ahead.

"I think we are almost out," Jason stated.

"Whatever is on the other side of that we got to be ready for," Tommy reacted as he moved to walk next to the Red Mighty Morphin Ranger.

Both men exited the forest at the same time to see a rocky and broken path ahead of them and off in the distance was the stone palace they had seen back in the Power Chamber. They turned to each other.

"Man... I got a bad feeling," Jason said.

"Same, bro," Tommy agreed.

"She knows we are here," Jason stated.

"Yep," Tommy replied with a nod. "Whatever happens let's just stick close together."

"Agreed," Jason said as the two began to walk down the path in front of them. Large stone pillars lined the path with statues of various people resting on top of each. The statues depicted many different types of creatures and warriors. Neither guy wanted to focus too much attention on the depictions for fear of letting their guard down.

"This road seems to go forever, it feels like we haven't made any ground at all here," Tommy noted as he looked at the Palace in the distance, still not fully in view due to the gap between them.

Suddenly both stopped as they saw someone approaching them on the path. They were too far in the distance to immediately make out and both Rangers dropped into combat stances.

"There will be no need for that at the moment," the voice was familiar to the two as they glimpsed the face of Rita's chief monster manufacturer, Finster.

The somewhat distinguished creature stopped a few feet away from them and opened a book in his hand. He thumbed through some pages, glancing up at the two Rangers in between studying the images.

"Where is Rita?" Jason asked. Finster looked up from his book.

"In the palace of course," Finster answered. "NOT... that that matters to your current situation."

"What are you talking about?" Tommy quizzed as Finster closed the book and held it close to his chest.

"In this book are my most cherished creations," Finster ignored his direct question. "The best of the best if I do say so myself."

"Stop rambling and get out of the way," Jason warned.

"Of course, of course," Finster replied. "Itching for a fight all the time you Rangers are."

Finster took a few steps back and smiled.

"I do hope to be able to adequately accommodate that," Finster stated turning to walk away from them just as a loud rumble could be heard down the path in the direction he came from. A deep fog clouded the source of the noise as Finster disappeared into it.

"This can't be good," Tommy commented as the fog approached. "Should we back up?"

"No... let's hold our ground," Jason answered. Tommy nodded, willing to defer to him in this instance, trusting him.

The fog was without a hundred feet of them now before it suddenly and supernaturally seemed to stop. Slowly it began to disappear just as an object flew out of it and crashed hard against Tommy's chest and sent him to the ground. Jason immediately recognized it even as a chain pulled it back into the fog.

He helped Tommy to his feet as the Frankenstein monster roared and emerged from the fog. On either side of him was the Lizzinator and the Invenusable Flytrap. To Jason and Tommy's horror as more of the fog lifted more and more creatures came into view.

"Oh man," Tommy remarked turning to his partner.

"You know what we came here to do," Jason stated. "We can't get around them so we will have to go through them... we can't let them stop us."

"Yeah... well..." Tommy held up his fist and Jason bumped it with his own before they attacked first.

Chapter Text

Jason straightened himself up and ran his hand across his chest to assure himself his ranger armor was still holding. He had just looked up in time to his visor fill with red as Tommy's prone body came flying at his feet. He reached down to grab him to cushion the landing but did very little to do so.

"You okay?" Jason asked him.

"Yeah..." Tommy answered struggling to catch his breath. "I mean... I have been better."

"I hear you," Jason replied glancing up as he helped Tommy to his feet. There were still several opponents left for them despite the effort they were exerting.

Jason's glance went behind him to see they had actually landed at the doorstep of the palace. He turned to see Tommy looking at him and nodding.

"Go on... I will hold them off," Tommy stated. Jason shook his head.

"I can't leave you to fight all of them alone," Jason was vehement.

"I get it... but we don't have a lot of time..." Tommy placed a hand on his shoulder. "If we wait until this is all clear it may be too late."

Jason surveyed the scenes as the army of monsters grew closer to them. He cursed a few times under his breath and then handed Tommy his sword.

"Okay... but here," Jason said. "If you need me..."

"I will call for you..." Tommy finished for him. "But bro... we know that won't happen."

Jason studied the red-clad Ranger in front of him solemnly. It felt wrong to leave him, but it would no doubt be their only chance to save the others. He closed his eyes momentarily.

"It's okay... go..." Tommy's voice was reassuring.

Jason didn't respond, instead, he pulled out his blade blaster and blasted a hole in the large stone Palace door. He didn't look back as he ran and leaped inside quickly converting his blaster into the blade functionality.

Jason glanced around as the sounds of Tommy engaging in battle behind him filled the large expansive foyer of the Palace. The battle echoing off the walls and going down the halls.

Jason put some distance between him and the door and came to the bottom of a large flight of spiraling stairs. He took one last glance back out the door before speedily making his way up the steps. He passed several candleholders on the walls, the only source of light in the building.

The flames flickered from the speed of his movement as he reached the top and gazed down a large hallway, his eyes settling on an oversized door at the end of it. He stepped a foot into the hall which prompted a group of putties to materialize in front of him.

"No time for you," Jason remarked as he expertly and skillfully dispatched of one after the other. None posing much of a hindrance to him. He was no a few feet from the door and that was when he was hit by a large thump in the back that toppled him forward and to the ground. "What the..."

"I can't let you do that," Finsters's somewhat meek voice came from behind Jason. The Red Ranger got to his feet and turned to see Finster with Rita's wand in his hands.

"I'm going in there... so if you are going to make an effort to stop me, I warn you that I will go through you," Jason stated brandishing his blade.

"I..." Finster hesitated. "I am no fighter... but I am under strict orders to not allow anyone in her chambers."

"So you want her to die?" Jason asked.

"Well no..." Finster answered honestly.

"Then let me go in and stop this," Jason reasoned. Finster lowered the staff, confusion all over his face.

"I can't defy my queen," Finster reacted, lifting the staff once more.

"Please..." Jason shook his head.

"I... I..." Finster's hand shook as he spoke.

"At least give me a chance," Jason said lowering his own weapon. "I just want to end this for all of us."

Finster let out a small yelp as he dropped the staff to the floor and turned his back to Jason.

"Very well," Finster spoke. "I won't stop you."

Jason eyed the staff momentarily and then glanced back up at Finster who had his head buried in his hands. For a moment he felt sympathy for him but refocused on the task at hand turning to the door behind him and pushing it open.

Inside the room, there was a bed and a throne. The bed was empty but on the throne sat Rita. Her body seemed lifeless as a strange green glow surrounded her. Jason hesitantly approached her. He made it about halfway across the room when the sound of the door closing behind him prompted Rita's eyes to open. Jason's eyes locked with hers and despite his visor, he could feel her gaze piercing him.

"You," Rita spoke. Her voice was weak and low.

"You have to end this," Jason spoke. "Please."

An amused chuckle from Rita as she raised her hand and waved dismissively at him.

"Listen to me!" Jason's voice echoed throughout the chamber. The passion behind it prompting Rita's eyes to widen in surprise.

"I won't let you take that tone with me here," Rita responded attempting to stand but not having the strength to.

"You don't have long... they don't have long... please end this," Jason stated.

"End this?" Rita responded. "End what I have always wanted."

"Always wanted... this... this is what you always wanted, four dead Rangers and to die yourself?" Jason shook his head. "I don't believe that."

Rita didn't respond she just cocked her head slightly at him.

"If that were the case you would have cast this spell on day one and got your wish," Jason continued.

Jason reached up and removed his helmet, tossing both it and the blade blaster to the ground at his feet.

"Do you want me to beg you?" Jason asked. "Cause I will..."

"The great Red Ranger Jason begging at my feet..." Rita smiled. "The thought does please me."

Jason dropped to a knee much to the surprise of Rita. Envisioned it? Maybe. Thought she'd ever see it? No.

"Rita... end this..." Jason said. He hung his head. "They are dying... you are dying... this is not the way."

"This IS the way..." Rita replied. "You took everything from me... I cannot defeat you on my own... I can never rule... not without him."

Jason raised his head to look at her.

"What can I say... what can I give you to make this end?" Jason replied. There was silence for several moments before Rita leaned forward in her chair.

"You know Tommy is being beaten outside don't you?" Rita informed him. "He is losing."

Jason shook his head. He had never felt so helpless in his life.

"End this... save yourself... you have a chance to make this right," Jason continued trying not to think what was happening outside the Palace walls.

A groan from Rita as her eyes closed and she seemed to struggle to open them again. Jason got up and moved over to her.

"We are almost out of time..." Jason said. "If you don't end this now it will be too late, and you will have gained nothing."

Rita looked up at him as he stood over her. She studied his face for a moment. She reached out a hand to him. He glanced down at it for a moment furrowing his brow in confusion.

"Take it," Rita stated.

Jason hesitantly took her hand in his own.

"I will undo this," Rita stated. Jason's expression grew lighter.

"You will?" Jason asked.

"I will," Rita confirmed. Jason nodded. And watched as the green energy began to grow and fade around the edges. "However I cannot let you win."

Jason's expression changed to concern.

"I will undo this, I will even stay in this world and leave yours alone on one condition," Rita said. She smirked. "I want my Green Ranger to stay with me."

Jason shook his head.

"What?" Jason asked. "No... I can't let that happen."

"It is my condition... I want my Ranger to stay here and help me rebuild this world under my rule," Rita replied. Jason dropped her hand and stepped back. He glanced behind him and then back to Rita.

"I can't," Jason shook his head.

"Then leave me," Rita replied as the green energy encircled her again.

"No..." Jason shook his head. His tone was resolute. "I will stay... take me instead."

Rita's eyebrow raised. She stared at him for a few seconds for a wicked smirk came across her face.

"Yes... yes... that will do," Rita replied. She raised her hand and waved the green energy away from her, but it hovered over them, not completely gone. She stood up.

Jason glanced behind him to see Tommy being drug through the door by an army of Putty Patrollers. They threw him to the ground and he landed with a groan.

"Here is your chance to say goodbye," Rita said walking to stand next to Jason.

"What?" Tommy responded as he fought to his feet, holding his chest. He looked at Jason who lowered his eyes. "What is going on?"

"She has agreed to remove the spell," Jason said. He walked over to Tommy to help him straighten up. "The only condition was that one of us stayed."

"No," Tommy shook his head.

"I am staying... go home and take care of the others," Jason said.

"I can't let you do that," Tommy pleaded.

"It is the only way," Jason countered. "It will save their lives."

"But you... Jase," Tommy's eyes moved over to Rita and burned a hole through her. "You are evil."

"You think I don't know this?" Rita remarked with a grin. "So were you once... you were much more fun that way."

Rita moved to stand between the two Rangers.

"Now begone with you," Rita replied. "If you come back here, you... and he will regret it."

Tommy stepped back glancing behind Rita to make eye contact with Jason. The sadness was evident in them but he nodded for him to go. Rita turned to Jason.

"Give him your communicator," Rita said. Jason turned to her and then powered down so he could remove the communicator and place it in Tommy's hand.

"I will come for you... this is not over," Tommy said to Jason in a whisper. Jason didn't respond. He instead straightened up and swallowed a lump in his throat.

"Tell her...." Jason paused. "Tell her I love her... tell them all."

"I will," Tommy said. He pulled Jason into a hug.

"Enough of this, leave now before I change my mind," Rita stated, rolling her eyes.

"Go," Jason said as the two broke the hug. Jason stepped back to stand next to Rita. And Tommy reluctantly activated his communicator.

"Alpha?" Tommy spoke into it.

"I read you Tommy," was the reply.

"Is everyone okay there?" Tommy asked.

"Yes, everyone is recovering now," Alpha answered excitedly. Tommy glanced up at Jason.

"Then... bring us home," Tommy said. Jason glanced down at the communicator in Tommy's hand until it disappeared in a red flash of light along with his friend.

(****)

Tommy walked into the medical bay and peered inside. Inside sitting on their individual tables sitting up and looking around were the recovering Rangers. All of their faces lit up when they saw him and he tried to respond with the bravest face he could.

"How are you guys feeling?" Tommy asked.

"Tired but... good I think," Billy replied as he hopped off his bed and walked over to help Trini to the floor.

"Yeah... that was weird," Zack agreed. "Feels like I was having the deepest sleep of my life but yet I got no rest."

"Alpha explained to us what happened and that you and Jason were responsible for saving us," Trini said as she made her way over to Tommy and wrap him in a loose but affectionate hug.

The name of Jason had struck a chord in Tommy that didn't go unnoticed.

"Where is he?" Kimberly asked as she walked up to Tommy, who was desperately trying to avoid eye contact with her. "Tommy... look at me."

Tommy's eyes moved to Kim's and for the first time the emotion of what had happened hit Tommy and he closed his eyes.

"Tommy... where is Jason?" Zack made his way over to stand next to Tommy, suddenly very concerned about the turn everything was taken.

"He uh..." Tommy hesitated, glancing around at all four of the group gathered around him. "Rita would not break the spell unless..."

"Please just tell us," Kim was nearly pleading.

"Unless he stayed behind with her..." Tommy's voice was pained as he spoke. Kimberly was speechless, only Zack's hand on her back was keeping her upright.

"What... stayed with her?" Trini asked for clarification.

"I don't know... but it was the only way she would lift the spell," Tommy responded. "I promised him though we will find a way to get him away from there."

"Let's go," Kim finally spoke.

"We can't just rush in there," Tommy replied. Kim pressed both hands against his chest.

"Yes we can... yes we will," Kim replied.

"Kim... please..." Tommy shook his head.

"No... I won't just leave him there!" Kim's voice was above a yell now.

"She has threatened his life if we go back... if we just show up there it could kill him," Tommy stated. Kim was still shaking her head.

"So what... what do we do?" Kim's voice was lower as she glanced back at the other Rangers. Zack moved up and put his arm around her and pulled her into him.

"We will think of something but we got to have a plan," Tommy stated. "We can't risk his life."

Kim allowed herself to be enveloped in Zack's hug.

"Tommy's right..." Zack spoke softly to Kimberly. He then glanced around at the other three. "But you best believe I will be going for him no matter what..."

Chapter Text

One month later...

Jason moved swiftly and expertly through a kata in the large expansive courtyard at the back of the Palace that had now become his reluctant residence. He moved with purpose and passion as anger and sadness overtook his normally serene nature when doing a kata. He tried hard to put his circumstances out of his mind to gain some benefit from the practice.

One kick, two kicks, three. A quick roll, back up, punch, a swing down, and then quick punch upward. His movements were fluid but his mind was in disarray. He cursed a couple of times as his state of mind caused him to pull a kick. Suddenly the mistake brought a memory back to his mind and he smiled.

(3 Years Earlier... Fall of 1994)

"You've got this," Jason encouraged with a smile.

"No... I keep getting that wrong," Kimberly scolded herself with a frustrated sigh.

"Just clear your mind and let your body flow into it naturally," Jason suggested. Kim glanced up at him from next to him on the blue mat. She shook her head.

"That is really easy for you to say... you do these in your sleep I am convinced," Kim teased. Jason chuckled and shook his head.

"Hardly," Jason replied with a bemused grin still on his face. "After the uppercut, let the momentum of your body coming back down to move it into the back kick... here... watch."

Kimberly stepped back off the mat onto the cold floor of the Youth Center. She glanced around at the dimly lit building. After-hours training had become a ritual with Jason. Neither could even remember when or how it started but it had now become their thing. She watched as Jason moved into his place on the mat.

Kimberly raised her eyebrows as Jason seemed to effortlessly move through the motions. His movements were so fluid she could barely even see a crinkle develop in his black tank top as his muscles flexed beneath it.

Kim crinkled her nose at her own thoughts. She was meant to be watching and learning and for some reason, she was noticing these things. She started to reflect on it when Jason's body stopped moving and she could sense him looking at her.

"Did you get that?" Jason asked, looking at her with his head slightly cocked.

"Umm..." Kim's grin was sheepish. Jason laughed, heartily this time.

"You are impossible sometimes you know?" Jason teased with a shrug.

"Sorry... I was distracted," Kim shrugged in response. Jason straightened his body and walked over to grab a towel off the bench behind Kim.

"What's on your mind?" Jason inquired as he patted his forehead dry. Kim's eyes widened momentarily when he couldn't see her. She had to think quickly. She did not want to awkwardly admit she was admiring his physique. She wasn't even sure she wanted to admit that to herself.

"Oh... uh... I don't know..." Kim was floundering. Jason's grin grew as he lowered the towel and straddled the bench. He patted the spot in front of him, urging Kim to join him. She did so, mimicking his seated posture.

"Is everything okay, school, family, relationship issues?" Jason inquired, his expression inviting.

Kimberly studied his face while he waited for a response. It had been a long time since they had had a really deep conversation. Most of their interactions were just training and then hanging with the group which amounted to group conversations that never got too deep or personal. She found the state of him currently so endearing and something about the opportunity to open up to Jason at this moment filled her with warmth.

"Um... school is school," Kimberly began. "My parents are cordial now... so it is still kind of weird but at least it is improving."

Jason nodded and smiled, genuinely happy to hear her home life was improving.

"And things are fine with Tommy," Kim shrugged. There was a few beats of silence as both waited for the other to speak. Kim for Jason to indicate an acceptance of her statement and Jason for Kim to elaborate.

Jason raised his eyebrows and chuckled as he placed his hands on the bench in front of him and readjusted his position. Kim again took notice of the new development in his triceps and mentally scolded herself.

"Not to pry..." Jason paused when Kim's eyes locked with his. "But should Tommy be worried?"

Kim was gobsmacked. She was not sure how to interpret that question. She was a few ways she could and wasn't sure she was comfortable accepting any of them.

"What?" Kim asked, her brow furrowed with confusion.

"I mean... fine?" Jason asked. "Just didn't seem too enthusiastic."

Kim studied Jason as if he was a book she desperately needed to finish to do a report on before class started. She had never had Jason pry into her relationship before. In fact, it was a subject they really never talked about. What had gotten into him?

"I mean... I meant fine as in 'everything is perfect'," Kim attempted to clarify. She squinted at Jason, trying to get an even better read on him. A thought occurred to her. "Has he said something to you?"

Jason raised his hands in a gesture of surrender.

"No... nothing," Jason grinned.

"Jason..." Kimberly wasn't satisfied. Jason held out his hand and extended his pinky to her. She remembered the gesture well from when they were kids. She smiled and shook her head before locking her pinky in with his.

"I am not sure I can trust these anymore... it's been too long," Kim stated.

"I think they are still good," Jason replied as he tugged gently on her pinky finger before breaking contact. "I promise I have heard nothing about you from Tommy."

"Nothing?" Kim inquired.

"Nothing bad," Jason clarified.

"That's better," Kim smiled teasingly. Jason straightened his posture and clasped his hands behind his head in a stretch. Kim on instinct averted her eyes to the darkened corner of the Juice Bar where the arcade games were.

"Well if that is not what is distracting you... what is on your mind?" Jason asked, bringing the conversation back around.

"It was nothing," Kim replied with a dismissive wave, returning her eyes to meet his. They held each other's gaze for several moments.

"Okay then..." Jason replied. He glanced up at the clock on the wall next to him. "It is getting late, we should probably call it on this session."

He started to stand and Kim found herself reaching out to take him by the hand, surprising them both.

"Wait..." Kim found her voice. Jason held his posture somewhere between half standing and half sitting as he waited for her to continue.

"I want to try it again," Kim nodded to the mats near them.

"Cool," Jason replied as he fully stood and back his leg over the bench and approached the mat. Kimberly watched him and found herself smiling. In truth she wasn't overly concerned with getting the training right... she just didn't want to end the night with him just yet.

(Present day)

Jason opened his eyes from his daydream. His smile faded as he took in his surroundings. He gritted his teeth as he tried to swallow the emotions down that were threatening to overtake him. He was not prepared for what he heard next.

"Jason?" the voice from behind Jason rocked his very core. He spun as quickly as his body would move to find his eyes locked with hers.

"Kim?" Jason didn't trust his vision right now. She was standing there, fully clad in her Pink Ranger suit, sans the helmet. He blinked a couple of times as he took in her face. No. It wasn't right. Something wasn't right.

"We are here to get you," Kimberly stated, keenly aware of the way Jason was looking at her.

"You... wait... I know..." Jason nodded as he started to understand what he was seeing. "But how?"

"I will explain on the way but come with me please?" Kimberly extended her hand to him. He glanced down at it for a moment before reaching out and taking it. She smiled and then turned to lead him out.

Chapter Text

Jason kept his eyes on her as she led him through many ruins located just on the outskirt of the Palace. She stopped them behind a large stone pillar and he ducked in behind her barely noticing what had prompted the cautious reaction. His mind was full of questions but at the moment he knew he could not get his answers.

"Look," Kim pointed off in the distance at the end of what used to be a stone street that was now all broken up and in tatters. At the end of it, an army of Putty Patrollers fanning out in every direction. They were clearly searching for something and Jason had a suspicion he knew what.

"How do we get past them?" Jason questioned both Kimberly and thinking out loud to himself. Kimberly glanced around at the surroundings. She turned to him with a furrowed brow.

"I am not sure, this is the way I came in and help is just on the other side of those walls," Kim nodded past the Putties.

"We can take them..." Jason surmised.

"Yeah but we would expose our location," Kim countered and Jason acknowledged her reasoning with a nod. He then surveyed the scene.

"Maybe we can hunker down in there until they move through," Jason pointed to the right of them at what was left of what looked to be a primitive shop. The mostly stone building would provide some cover even if it did appear to be very unsteady.

"Okay," Kim agreed, she glanced out at the putties and then reached her hand back for Jason. "We got to be quick and move together."

"Gotcha," Jason agreed as he took her hand and followed her lead as she took off in a sprint across the broken street and hurriedly pulled them both into the doorway and up against the wall next to it.

"Do you think they saw us?" Jason questioned as both caught their breath.

"If they did, I am sure we will find out soon," Kim answered looking around the building. She spotted a staircase in the back of the room and gestured for Jason to follow her. He did so as she ascended the stairs with him close behind.

"Must have been a storage area," Jason surmised as he took in the now mostly empty space sans for some broken wooden boxes and shelves lining the walls. Kimberly walked over to a small window that looked out onto the street. She was too short to reach it to see out and turned to Jason.

"Would you?" Kim asked. Jason glanced up at the window and then down at Kim. He realized he also would not be able to reach it and so he made his way over and clasped his hands together and hunkered down so he could give her a boost. Kim stepped onto his hands and he lifted her so she could glance out the window to see the street still crawling with Putties and the occasional Monster.

"Crap," Kim remarked. She then looked down at Jason. "Okay."

He lowered her back to the ground and then waited for her report.

"It's crawling... we may be here a while," Kim informed him with a frown.

"Great," Jason replied, folding his arms and leaning up against the dusty shelf behind him. He studied Kim as she seemed lost in thought. "Hey... while we have a moment..."

"Right... I am sure you have some questions," Kim responded. Jason nodded. "So... Trey... visited my world... to check on us..."

Kim sat gingerly on one of the large boxes across from Jason.

"I guess he just wanted to make sure everything was settled and you know... over," Kim shrugged. "Whatever his reasoning he showed up this morning."

Kim paused, contemplating the time and what it even meant on this planet.

"When he uh... got there we asked for updates from your world and that is when he tracked you here and saw your predicament we weren't even really sure what was happening but knew we had to come," Kimberly explained. "He and my Jason are just on the other side of that far wall about a couple of miles."

"Why did they not come with you to the Palace?" Jason asked.

"Less chance of being caught if there was only one of us," Kim explained. "And I am the smallest and quickest."

"Right," Jason agreed with the sound reasoning. "Did he get in contact with anyone from my world to let them know you were coming?"

"No, we tried but it is so hard to get a message through and we didn't want to wait so we just came," Kim answered.
"Yeah, I understand," Jason said.

"They are waiting by the portal," Kim got up and started pacing. "The thing is... we aren't sure how long we can keep it open so we got to get back as soon as we can."

Jason considered this information walking past her to the top of the staircase.

"What..." Kim started to speak but Jason turned to her and held his hand up. He then pointed down the stairs. Both of them stopped moving as Kim heard the rustling downstairs. She glanced back at the window to see if it would be a viable exit.

After a few moments, Jason stepped back and exhaled.

"They left," Jason whispered as he approached Kim.

"Hopefully no more decide to check this place out," Kim responded.

"Yeah," Jason agreed as he rubbed the back of his neck, slightly worried about the new information Kim had given him before the scare. "I think maybe we should make a break for it soon."

"Maybe... but if we expose our location you know she will show up," Kim suggested.

"Yeah... but we may just have to take that chance," Jason stated. "Any idea how long the portal can stay open?"

"No..." Kim answered quickly. "It wasn't exactly stable... hence why only three of us came through and Trey decided not to risk closing and reopening it."

Jason took a deep breath and nodded.

"Listen..." Jason began. "I wanted to say thank you... for you know risking so much to come here to save me."

"Are you kidding?" Kim dismissively shook her head. "It wasn't even a question after what you did for us... for me."

Jason smiled.

"How are things... back on your world?" Jason asked. He was relieved to see the slight smile on Kim's face.

"It's getting better," Kim responded. Jason studied her features, she was starting to look more like his Kim, her hair was growing back out and she had applied some makeup.

"And the other me... is he good?" Jason asked.

"Very much so," Kim answered, she ducked her head ever so slightly and Jason grinned. He decided not to pry but was very happy to know things had gotten better for them.

"Wanna check out how it looks out there now?" Jason asked pointing back to the window before going over and getting into position.

"Yep," Kim agreed and made her way over to him so he could boost her again. After a few seconds, she turned to him and he lowered her back. "It's all clear now."

"Do we trust that?" Jason questioned. She looked up at him now from her spot on the floor in front of him.

"I think we have to," Kim replied.

"Right," Jason agreed as both of them in unison headed for the staircase.

(Back on Earth)

Billy walked into the Power Chamber and smiled bittersweetly when he saw Kimberly sitting on the floor up against the console. She immediately looked up at him and sprung to her feet.

"Did you stay here again overnight?" Billy asked. Kim nodded quickly before turning to the console.

"Where did we leave off?" Kim asked over her shoulder as Billy moved to stand beside her. He reached his hand over and placed it on hers.

"Hey," Billy spoke softly, catching her attention. "You need to get some real rest."

"We have been over this," Kim shook her head. "I'll rest when he is back..."

"I get it... we all want him back," Billy replied. "But without keeping our minds sharp, I am not sure we can figure this thing out."

"My mind is sharp," Kim replied as she stifled a yawn. Billy gave her a sympathetic smile. "Besides I think we are close to getting this."

Billy relented despite his concern and turned to the console. He pressed a button in front of him to bring up some specs on the viewing screen. He walked over to it and rubbed his chin. Kimberly watched him intently.

"What is it?" Kim asked.

"I just... I can't figure out how to power it," Billy replied. Kim studied the schematics on the screen. A rectangular device with various parts she didn't fully understand. She was mostly moral support for Billy, Trini, and Adam as they had designed the device as a tandem.

"Can't we use the Morphing Grid?" Kimberly suggested.

"Well... that would power it of course, but it won't work it," Billy answered. "I can't quite figure out how to make the cloaking work."

Kimberly walked over to stand next to him. She put her hands on her hips and stared at the screen, mentally trying to will the answer to Billy.

"Any progress?" Trini's voice entered the room as both Billy and Kimberly turned to see her and Adam approaching them.

"Still stuck on how to make it actually cloak us," Billy said with a defeated shrug.

"I have been thinking about that," Adam responded. Kim's expression changed as she saw the hopeful look on Adam's face as he spoke. "What if we use the Zeo Crystal?"

"Zeo Crystal?" Billy furrowed his brow for a moment before nodding.

"Wait... that might work..." Billy hurried over to the console and began pressing some buttons. Kimberly was soon at his side.

"I was remembering once how I was able to use the Zeo powers to create a mirror image of me in a battle and I was wondering if we could harness that ability to cloak us instead," Adam explained his theory to Trini, Kimberly, and Zordon who had been observing the scene from the beginning.

"I think that could be possible," Zordon agreed.

"Can the Zeo Crystal still be used?" Adam asked.

"Yes," Zordon answered. Adam smiled.

"Got it!" Billy stated excitedly turning to the group. "This may take some time but I think we can do this."

Kimberly beamed as she started to have hope. Her mind and heart had been on that planet with Jason ever since he didn't come back and now she couldn't wait to bring him home.

(****)

"I think we are clear," Kim looked behind at Jason as he too walked close to the side of a building just a few feet away from the large gate in front of them.

"Good..." Jason responded as the two rushed over to the towering gate and squeezed through a crack in it.

Kim made it through much easier with Jason struggling. She turned and helped pull him through and he offered her a grateful smile as both of his feet firmly planted on the ground.

"It is just a couple of miles through there," Kim stated, gesturing at the clearing in front of them.

"Let's move then," Jason said.

"Leaving so soon?" Rita's voice stopped both of the Rangers in their tracks and prompted both of their helmets to immediately materialize over their heads. They turned to see Rita standing on top of the wall behind them.

"Just let us go, Rita," Jason responded.

"You KNOW that I can't do that," Rita replied. "We had a deal."

"Some deal," Kimberly spoke up, Rita turned her gaze in her direction. She cocked her head slightly.

"Who are you?" Rita asked. Jason turned to Kim.

"I think you know," Kim answered.

"No... you are not her," Rita replied. "Wait a minute..."

Jason and Kimberly took a few steps back as Rita floated to the ground in front of them.

"You are from that other world," Rita continued as she sized up the Pink Ranger.

"What of it?" Kimberly replied as Rita inched closer to her. Jason instinctively moved closer to Kimberly. This got Rita's attention. She looked back and forth between the two.

"Is he here too?" Rita asked.

"What are you talking about?" Kim feigned ignorance. Rita's expression grew very cold, even for her.

"He is isn't he?" Rita questioned. "The one responsible for everything..."

"Come on, let's get out of here," Jason whispered to Kimberly.

"He will come for you if you don't get back to him..." Rita stated with a half-grin.

Jason took Kim by the hand and pulled her away both breaking out in a dead run. Jason glanced behind them to see Rita levitating and her staff crackling with purple energy. His eyes widened and he pushed Kimberly to the side as a wave of energy hit him dead center in the back, toppling him face-forward into the ground.

"Are you okay? Kimberly was quick to his side and helping him stand.

"Yeah... but she won't stop... she wants revenge on your Jason," Jason stated. "We got to get out of here before he comes looking for us."

"Right," Kim agreed but was suddenly very disheartened by the sound of Putties all around them. "Oh joy."

"We got to make quick work of them and get through," Jason said looking at the wall of clay around them.

"We can do that," Kim said reaching over and placing a hand on Jason's forearm. "You good?"

"I am," Jason responded he then turned and caught an approaching Putty with a straight punch at the same time Kim hit one on her side with a jump kick to the chest.

"Two down..." Kim commented as she took in the hundreds of warriors closing in. "Well... let's not keep count."

"Good idea," Jason responding before tackling two at a time to the ground and kipping up to spin kick two more. Kim smiled watching him in action before she herself rolled clear of two attackers and swept the leg of one and elbowed the other under the chin as it turned to her.

(****)

"Heads up!" Kim called out as she used her momentum to flip a Putty toward Jason caught it and launched it into a group of about five of them. She surveyed the scene to see a break in the wall of Putties and hurriedly rushed over to Jason. "Look... we gotta make a break for it."

"Right," Jason agreed as he slammed two more Putties into each other and stole a quick glance at Rita who was on her perch on the wall again. He glanced back at Kim. "Here... let's distract her."

"I'm with you," Kim answered as both of them pulled out their blade blasters and dropped low to fire through some Putties and hitting the wall Rita under Rita. It started to crumble and both then turned and made a break for it at top speed.

Jason stole a glance behind them scarcely able to see through the dust they were kicking up. He turned to Kim.

"Is it much farther?" Jason asked.

"Just around those rocks," Kim answered with a point.

Jason glanced up at a row of large boulders off in the distance. He turned once more to look behind them and through the dust. His breath caught in his throat when he saw a hint of purple mixed in with all the brown of the dust. He cursed which prompted Kim to turn to him.

"We aren't going to make it," Jason replied. He closed his eyes as he made his choice and then he came to a full stop. Kimberly ran a hundred feet before she realized he was no longer beside her. She stopped and turned back to see him standing there.

"What are you doing?!" Kim called to him as she started to approach him. He held up his hand.

"Go!" Jason called back." If she gets to him, she will kill him!"

" Jason... no..." Kim said, her voice lower now, not sure if he could even still hear her. She was stuck. She felt like she couldn't move. She knew what he was saying was true but she couldn't bring herself to just leave him. She looked behind him to see Rita closing in on him and she clenched her fist and shook her head even as she startled walking backward.

"It's okay... thank you... but I won't let her get to him," Jason said as he took off his helmet so she could see his face.

"I..." Kim's voice caught in her throat as she turned and began to run again despite herself.

She glanced back once to see Rita had reached Jason who had turned to her and surrendered. Kim felt her heart breaking at his sacrifice and a tear ran down her cheek as she picked up speed.

(****)

"Well well well," Rita replied looking down at Jason on bended knee in surrender in front of her. She smiled. "You know... I think in time we will get along very well."

"Let's just go back," Jason responded staring intently at the ground. He wanted to get her as far away from the portal and the other Rangers as possible. He glanced up to see her intently looking at him. Her eyes started to shift past them and he stood up so he would be directly in her line of vision.

"I'd almost admire you... if you weren't so foolish," Rita responded. "You think you are protecting them... but it is only a matter of time before our paths cross again, you can't save them forever."

"We'll see," Jason responded. Rita looked as if she was going to take exception to his words but instead materialized a group of putties to surround them and push Jason forward as they all began to make their way back toward the Palace.

"You really thought you could get..." Rita's voice was interrupted by an explosion taking out the two putties at the back of the group. Jason and Rita turned in unison to see Kimberly with her Power Bow in hand and preparing another shot. "You have to be kidding me."

An arrow landed and exploded between Jason and Rita and filled the air with smoke. Kimberly raced up to Jason and reach out her hand for him.

"What are you doing?" Jason questioned shaking his head.

"I am not leaving here without you," Kim replied.

"THAT... is very true," Rita replied as she stepped through the smoke. Jason stepped between her and Kimberly. "Don't be a fool."

Rita raised her wand.

"Leave now... and I will let you go," Rita stated. "One last chance."

"Not gonna happen," Kimberly replied as Jason glanced over his shoulder at her. He was moved by her resolve.

"Very well..." Rita raised her wand higher and fired a blast at Kimberly. Jason moved to step into the path but it never reached them. He instead saw it evaporated by some gold energy. He turned to see the Gold Ranger and other Red Ranger standing next to each other in the distance. He turned back to see the look of recognition on Rita's face as she saw the other version of him.

"No..." Jason whispered as he realized what was about to happen.

Chapter Text

Jason lifted his face out of the dirt, some of it hindering his vision as it caked in the sides of his visor. He shook his head and immediately regretted it as the pain circled around it. He closed his eyes and mentally willed the sharp pain to go away. He opened his eyes again as it eased off to examine the scene in front of him.

To his right was Kimberly lying on her face in a similar posture to what he had been in. To his left was Trey, lying on his back with smoke still billowing across his body. Directly in front of him, about twenty feet was the other version of himself. He was behind held up by two putties on either side of him with Rita directly in front of him.

Jason tried to force himself to his feet but found no strength to propel him. He groaned mightily to at least get someone's attention but noticed Rita didn't flinch. She instead removed the helmet from the Jason in front of her and tossed it aside, stepping back as if to get a good look at him in his helpless state.

"No..." Jason punched his fist in the ground, one after the other as he again attempted to stand. The beating that Rita and a slew of her minions had put on them was unlock anything he had seen since he had been under attack by the very one that Rita now had at her mercy.

Jason's eyes widened in horror as he watched Rita hold up her staff and the bottom of it elongate into a sharp point. She smiled wickedly as she hovered it just above the heart of the Red Ranger in front of her.

She was talking but Jason's head felt like it was underwater and whatever she was saying was muffled to him. He propped himself up on his left shoulder and arm and fumbled down at his side for his blade blaster. He pulled it loose and fumbled it momentarily to the ground as the strength left his forearm. He quickly recaptured his grip on it and rolled over to take aim.

Jason's finger had not yet reached the trigger when an explosion struck Rita square in her chest and prompted her to drop her wand as she crossed her arms across her wounded midsection.

"What the..." Jason mouthed to himself as he glanced around to see no sight of anyone else in the area. Another explosion to Rita's shoulder and she shrieked and fell back behind a row of Putties as they dropped the other Jason to the ground.

One by one the putties were being taken down in front of Jason's eyes with no visible cause. He was starting to wonder if maybe he was still unconscious and he dropped his blade blaster and rolled onto his back staring up at a dark red sky. The faintest hit of light came through the dark clouds in front of him and Jason saw a flicker of movement go through the light.

"Jason?"

Billy's voice. Muffled and low. On the left side of his helmet. Jason blinked a few times before he felt a hand on his chest.

"Jason!?"

This voice was louder. Clear. More persistent.

"Kim?" Jason answered with a hoarse voice. "What is going on?"

"We are here."

Jason could feel her body embracing his, her small body weight pressing down on him. He began to wonder if maybe he hadn't made it. Maybe he was gone. Maybe this was his Heaven? Maybe it was his Hell?"

"I don't understand," Jason voiced even as he moved his arms up and felt her body on him. He searched for her face and it came into view. At least her helmet did.

"We are here, buddy," Tommy's voice now as he felt a hand move into his. He turned to see the Red Turbo Ranger kneeling down next to him offering him a hand to help him up.

Tommy easily pulled Jason to his feet, despite Jason's lack of being able to help him. He quickly moved Jason's arm around his neck and Kimberly moved under his other arm to prop him up.

"How?" Jason asked looking back and forth between them.

"Billy," Tommy answered.

"Oh," Jason replied. It didn't really require any further explanation currently. That was enough.

"Let's get you out of here," Kim's voice to his right caused Jason to turn back to her. He felt his head drawn to hers and wish he could see her face under the helmet.

The sound of battle jarred Jason back to reality as he snapped his head forward to see both the Turbo and original Rangers in battle with Rita's army of putties and monsters. Zack held the alternate Kimberly in his arms and was making his way toward them.

Adam was hunkered over Trey and Kat was kneeling next to the alternate world's version of Jason. The rest of the Rangers were holding back Rita's forces as best they could but they were starting to be overwhelmed.

"Okay, Billy," Tommy spoke to Billy who produced a device in his hands. He held it up and pushed a combination of small buttons on it.

"Everyone is locked on," Billy replied.

"Do it," Tommy instructed him.

With that Jason's world went black before the red appeared all around him.

(****)

Kimberly's eyes roamed the length of Jason's body as he lied before her. Everywhere she looked she saw bruising peaking out from the exposed skin of his clothes. She grimaced as Jason groaned a little when Alpha accidentally bumped in him while doing a scan.

"Gosh, Jase," Kimberly took his hand in hers. "You are a mess."

"Thanks," the reply came with a half grin as Jason shifted his attention from Alpha to her. Kimberly found his wit in this situation to be refreshing as it lightened some of her worries.

"I can't believe Rita did this," Kimberly said reaching down to tentatively lift up the hem of his t-shirt and get a better look at a bruise that ran in a large circle around his navel.

"That makes two of us," Jason replied as he watched Kimberly. "She was enraged and I swear somehow... she had some of Zedd's magic too."

Kimberly's gaze shifted back up to meet his.

"How is everyone else?" Jason asked, noting he was the only one in the medical bay.

"They are... um..." Kimberly cleared her throat which caused Jason to tense up.

"Tell me," Jason stated shifting up onto his elbows and ignoring the pain.

"Relax," Kimberly gently pressed her hands onto his shoulders to coax him back into a lying position. He reached up to enclose his larger hand around hers.

"Please," Jason urged.

"Trey is good... his healing ability is crazy," Kim responded. Jason nodded for her to continue.

"The um... other Jason, is up and moving around," Kimberly continued. "We got to him just in time."

Kimberly felt Jason's hand squeeze hers. She broke the eye contact.

"And the other Kim?" Jason asked. He noted how Alpha froze his actions at his question and Kimberly still hadn't resumed eye contact with him. "Please, Kim."

Kimberly's face was the tell. She finally made eye contact with Jason once more.

"No," Jason shook his head.

"Please... don't overdo it," Kimberly took note of the rise in his pulse on the monitor over his head.

"Just tell me she is okay," Jason's tone was low, husky, and barely audible.

"I'm sorry Jason but there was nothing we could do... she was... she was gone when we got there," Kimberly said lowering her head. Something about delivering this news was surreal to her and the look on Jason's face now was breaking her heart.

Jason fell silent and stared blankly at the ceiling. He released Kimberly's hand from his and his hands fell stiff at his sides. Kimberly started to speak but he suddenly sat up and made his way past her before she could even protest. She started after him.

"Jason... where are you going?" Kimberly asked but he didn't respond. Instead, he made his way down the corridor and to the exit of the building. The door slid open for him and he disappeared into the night. Kimberly picked up her pace to catch up with him and found him bent over just a few feet outside of the building. He was rubbing his mouth and she could tell he had just been sick.

"I..." was the only word he got out before he straightened up and started to walk away from the building. Kimberly moved behind him reaching out for him. She took his hand in hers and was relieved when he didn't immediately jerk away. She moved to get a look at his face and she could see all of the emotions he was going through written on them.

"Jason," Kimberly moved to stand fully in front of him. He was looking down at her but Kimberly could tell that currently, he was looking straight through her.

"If she hadn't come back for me... she just had to come back..." Jason was speaking but Kimberly could tell it wasn't to anyone in particular.

"She..." Jason's eyes shifted slightly so Kim could tell he was seeing her now. "You know that any of us would do that for any of the rest of us."

Jason didn't respond vocally. The tear slowly streaming down his cheek spoke for him. Kimberly reached up to wipe it away and allowed him to momentarily rest his cheek in her palm.

"Does the other Jason know?" Jason asked after a couple of moments of silence.

"Yes," Kimberly answered. Jason nodded his head as she wrapped him around the waist in a hug of comfort. She knew this was something Jason was gonna take all on himself but she was determined to help him bear the burden.

As if on cue the faintest sound of footsteps behind the two prompted Kim first to take notice and then Jason. Both turned to see the other Jason walking toward them still morphed sans his helmet. He seemed to notice them but just barely.

"Let me..." Jason spoke down to Kim as she let him go and backed away.

"Okay... I'll be right inside," Kimberly said as she glanced back at the other Jason who had almost reached them. She walked past him on the way back and noticed that his eyes flickered over to her briefly as she did. She turned and watched him until he stood next to her Jason.

Both Jason's stood in silence for several full minutes staring out at the very distant lights of the city miles into the horizon.

"Hey... man... I wish I could tell you how sorry I am."

"You don't have to say it... I know what you are feeling."

"Right."

"You know... she would be so mad at you if she knew you were doing what you are doing now right?"

"What...?"

"Blaming yourself."

"If she hadn't..."

"She was responsible for that though... no force in the known universes would keep her from coming back for you... god, you know her."

"I... still..."

"Just... I get it... I want to blame myself too, I shouldn't have let her go alone and all that... but Kim was a warrior, as capable as any of us... it was the right plan."

Both fell into silence again for several beats.

"I am really sorry."

"I know..."

"She said things were getting better with you."

"Yeah, they were."

"If I can do anything... anything for you."

"Just let your Kimberly always know how special she is... love her... that's all I can ever ask of you."

The two Jason's made eye contact for the first time through the convo and the understanding was there. Nothing more would need to be said.

(****)

Jason shifted his power coin from one hand to the other. He weighed it one hand and then moved it back to the other. His eyes were fixated on the coin, his body was sitting on the hood of his truck at a secluded part on the shore of the lake, his mind however was back on the battlefield millions of lightyears away. Replaying the last words he exchanged with Kimberly as he told her to leave him, to accept her freedom.

The moonlight gleamed off the gold coin and brought him somewhat back to reality as he eyed the object in his hands. How much joy it had brought him. A sense of purpose. Belonging. Being needed. It also held darkness in it. Pain. Loss.

"Why?" Jason spoke out loud not expecting any kind of response. There was nothing but the sound of trees all around him rustling in the breeze.

In all of his fights. All of the battles. He had never lost anyone on the battlefield. Never a fellow Ranger who had fought at his side. It was something he had thought about a lot. Dreamed about. Nightmares. He tried to prepare himself but here he was now. He was supposed to be out of the game. Out of the fight, but it wouldn't let him go and now he had to feel what it was like to lose someone.

"Not just anyone," Jason remarked again to himself.

It had to be Kimberly. Sure it wasn't his Kimberly. The girl he loved who was in their bed right now, safe under the cover, sleeping with the expectance he was right by her side. This Kimberly was her own. With her own life. Her own experiences. Different. Yet the same.

Jason was subconsciously grinding the heel of his boot into the hood, paint threatening to chip under the pressure. It was at the moment acting as the relief valve for the pressure building up inside of him. His eyes moved again to the coin in his hand. If he had the strength to go with his urge he would probably just crush it in his hands and walk away.

He couldn't do either. He couldn't crush it. He couldn't walk away either. He wasn't sure it would matter anyway as he took special note of the tyrannosaurus carved into his coin. He was bonded to it and it to him. It would probably always find him and vice-versa. He expected it to find its way into his casket with him when they placed him six foot under.

The thought jarred him back to why he found himself out in the chill of the night by himself and he hopped off the hood and planted his feet firmly into the slightly damped and soft soil along the shoreline. He fixated on a spot in the middle of the water in front of him and tightened his grip on his coin. With a swift motion and lack of a second thought, he watched as the coin flew through the air and splashed into the water where his eyes had been fixated.

Jason stood there until the water stopped rippling under the moonlight and then he turned and walked over to the door of his truck and climbed in. He placed both of his hands on the steering wheel in front of him and closed his eyes for just the briefest of moments before he shoved his hand into his pocket to retrieve the keys for the ignition.

He pulled his hand out of his pocket. In his fingers were not a set of keys. He moved his hand up and placed it on the steering wheel again. He studied the object between his thumb and finger for a moment. A half-grin crept up on his face as the realization hit him.

He could never walk away. He would always will it back to him, and it would always come. He closed his hand around the power coin and felt its energy absorb itself into him to wait until he needed it again. It would be ready, and despite himself, he knew he would be too.

Chapter Text

"Stop doing that," Kimberly spoke softly but directly as Jason across the bedroom. He had been watching her for several minutes from the doorway as she went about getting dressed for the day. She knew why and fully expected denial from him if she pressed the issue.

"What?" Jason responded, seemingly suddenly aware she was speaking to him.

"I'm fine, Jase," Kim stated as she made her way across the room to the dresser with a slight limp very evident.

Jason didn't respond verbally but she saw in his expression that he wanted to protest. He instead ducked his head and backed out to disappear down the hallway.

Kim rested her hands on the dresser in front of her and flexed her leg a little. It was still very sore from the landing she had taken back when Rita had blasted all of them. Morphing again had helped and of course, Alpha did what he could but she suspected something had been broken.

She would be fine though in time she knew that. It was Jason she was worried about. He had been mostly quiet ever since learning about the news of the other Kimberly's death. That had been three weeks ago.

Sometimes Kim would wake up in the middle of the night and he would be nowhere to be found. It alarmed her the first couple of times. He'd always assure her it was nothing when he was there in the morning. She didn't want to press because she could sense he wasn't ready.

Kim opened a drawer to retrieve some socks and then made her way over to sit on the edge of the bed. She grimaced slightly as she bent over to slip a sock on.

"Here, let me," Jason's voice came suddenly and softly as his hands came into view at her foot. She looked up to shoo him away, but the expression on her face told her he needed to do this so she allowed it.

"It's really not that bad," Kim tried to assure him as he went about putting her socks on and then retrieving her shoes.

"You should see a doctor today to make sure," Jason replied.

"It would be a waste of money," Kim shrugged. Jason paused his movements to look up at her. "Believe me, it is getting better every day."

"Okay," Was all he said but she again could tell he wanted to say so much more. She watched as he gently went about his task and she was secretly relieved he had offered as she felt no pain with his touch and support. "You're set."

Jason stood up and extended his hand for her. She looked at it briefly before accepting his offer and allowing him to raise her to her feet. She smiled gratefully at him and he returned one, not a full one, but he was trying.

"I made breakfast if you are hungry," Jason gestured toward the direction of the kitchen.

"I can eat," Kim replied as she waited for him to move first. He took the hint and started to exit the room. She tried to keep pace with him as best she could. He glanced back briefly to see her struggle and paused. She patted him on the back. "Please... it's okay, Jase."

(****)

"You seem to be getting around a lot better," Trini commented as she watched Kimberly make her way to her car and climb inside.

"Yeah," Kim responded as she plopped down in the passenger seat of the bright yellow sedan. She sat back and stretched her leg. "It is definitely getting better..."

"Why do I sense a 'but'"? Trini reacted as she put the car in drive and pulled away from the apartment parking lot. She glanced sideways at Kim who was staring down at her leg deep in thought.

"It's Jason," Kim replied finally after the car made its way out onto the street.

"He okay?" Trini asked.

"Gosh... I don't know," Kim answered honestly. "Physically he is fine but mentally, Trini... I don't know where he is."

"Still?" Trini responded stealing a glance over to make eye contact with her friend.

"Yes, nothing has changed, maybe he is getting worse," Kim replied shuffling slightly in her seat. "I catch him all the time watching me and I know... I know what he is thinking."

There was a moment of silence between them. Nothing but the low hum of the engine and faintest musical tones coming low from the radio.

"He has always taken responsibility for everything," Trini commented finally breaking the silence.

"I know," Kim agreed. "I've never seen him like this though."

"No one has ever died before," Trini stated, prompting Kim to turn to her. Trini glanced in her direction. "And it was her you know... and she is..."

"I know," Kim gently cut her off turning her attention to the road in front of him. "He looks at me like I am so fragile now and Jason has never done that."

"Have you talked to him?" Trini asked, sensing she knew the answer already.

"Not really," Kim confirmed her suspicions "I can tell he is not ready and will shut off if I try."

"It has been three weeks though," Trini countered.

"Oh, I know... longest three weeks of my life I think," Kim replied. "It's just... I don't really know what to say to him to make him feel better, he blames himself and I know... I just know when he looks at me he is thinking about losing me too and..."

Kim audibly sighed and Trini reached a hand over to take hers into it.

"I hate seeing you so upset," Trini stated.

"I just want things back to the way they were," Kim confessed.

"I think you may just have to talk to him and get it out of the way," Trini suggested with a small shrug.

"I know... but... later... right now can we just talk about something else?" Kim leaned back and turned her head to her friend. Trini smiled and nodded.

"Sure," Trini responded.

(****)

"Hey bro," Tommy greeted Jason who was mid-lift on a bench press in the Youth Center. He watched as Jason's eyes flickered over to him momentarily in recognition as he continued his set.

Tommy sat down on an unoccupied bench next to him and watched him.

"Hey uh..." Tommy began shifting his body slightly in Jason's direction. The bar stopped moving finally and Jason sat up.

"What's up?" Jason asked as he got his breath for a moment before reaching over for a nearby towel.

"I was just checking in on you," Tommy replied. Jason eyed him as he lowered the towel from his face.

"You speak to Kim?" Jason asked in response. Tommy shifted nervously as he recalled running into her with Trini at the mall.

"I saw her briefly at the mall," Tommy answered truthfully.

"I'm okay," Jason answered. He started to stand but Tommy's hand on his shoulder stopped him.

"Bro," Tommy spoke softly. "You can talk to me."

Jason sat silent for a moment his eyes moving back and forth from Tommy to the crowded Youth Center.

"It's... I..." Jason hesitated. "Was Kim getting around okay?"

"She was fine, Jase," Tommy responded. Jason's attention was completely on him now. "She is going to be fine."

"Yeah," Jason responded but Tommy could tell it was just a word to him at the moment with no meaning behind it.

"Jason," Tommy began. "She was hurt... we have all been banged up before but she is gonna get better... and...."

Tommy stopped when he saw Jason's expression. He could sense that he was looking for some validation of his feelings and Tommy was here probably to do the exact opposite of that.

"And?" Jason urged him to continue.

"She's not her," Tommy replied, his words quieter than before. Jason stood up and walked over to retrieve his gym bag. He stood stoically with it gripped in his hands for several moments as he considered his response.

Tommy got up and made his way to stand over with Jason.

"You know..." Jason began without directly looking at Tommy. "We are supposed to be out of all this you know... supposed to be normal... trying to figure out what to do with our lives and yet..."

Jason released the grip on the handles to his gym bag and turned more in Tommy's direction.

"What I am realizing though is that you can never fully get out can you?" Jason asked. Tommy sensed it was more rhetorical than something that begged an answer. He also couldn't help but think about how he himself had been thinking more and more about his life after being a Ranger. Hearing this from Jason was making him do his own soul searching.

"Hey," Tommy began to vocalize his thoughts but stopped not knowing what to say.

"I just don't want anyone else to get hurt or..." Jason paused as he hung his head momentarily before regaining his stoic composure.

"I know what you mean," Tommy responded, knowing all too well the responsibility Jason felt. Jason finally turned to him at his words. Tommy sensed that his honest response had been what Jason wanted to hear based on his reaction.

"Yeah..." Jason replied. "I guess you would understand."

The two stood in silence together for a while, both feeling the weight of who they were but both happy to be in each other's presence.

"You want to grab a bite to eat?" Tommy suggested.

"You know... I would," Jason replied, grateful.

"My treat," Tommy smiled at him and Jason for the first time in a while felt himself smiling genuinely in response.

(****)

Kimberly turned the key in her front door, shifting the bags in her hand slightly. She found the door unlocked and slipped the key out and gripped the knob to turn it. She pushed the door open and found the apartment dark. She fumbled for the light switch by the door and flipped on the light before making her way into the apartment.

Kim walked over and sat down her bags on the couch, relieved to lighten her load. She turned back and shut the front door. She turned back to look around to see any sight of Jason. She suspected he wasn't home based on the silence and darkness of the apartment, so she walked over to make her way down the hall, jumping at the sound of Jason's voice coming from inside of the bedroom as she passed the doorway.

"Oh my gosh!" Kim responded with a jump. She turned to see him leaning in the doorway.

"Sorry," Jason replied with a small grin. Kim focused in on the grin, forgetting how startled she was.

"It's okay," Kim was feeling relief she couldn't explain seeing him smile.

"I was just meditating and didn't hear you come in," Jason replied. Kim looked behind him at the floor to see the candles still softly flickering. She then made eye contact with him, his expression was still light and the smile was still slightly on his lips. She couldn't stop herself from moving in to embrace him around the waist.

"I'm happy to see you," Kim said, her words buried into his bare chest. His arms moving around her made her feel something she had been longing too long for. She wasn't sure how long he held her before she spoke again but it didn't matter. What mattered was that she was in his arms again.

"I love you, Kim," His voice moved over her as leaned down rest his chin on the top of her head. She smiled broadly into his chest. "I'm sorry..."

Kim shook her head and looked up at him.

"Don't... I understand," Kim replied. He moved to wipe a tear off her cheek, his expression turning to concern. "No... it's okay... I'm happy."

"You are?" Jason asked. She nodded her head.

"Can you... can you hold me again?" Kim asked. His expression softened again and he smiled as he pulled her back into a hug. Kim closed her eyes and breathed him in. They would have to talk eventually, she could sense he was finally ready. For now, though she was just happy to him back and didn't want the moment to end. She gently coaxed him back into the bedroom.

Chapter Text

Author's Note: I just wanted to thank everyone for reading and reviewing this. This, the fic that would not end. lol. In all seriousness, I have had so much fun writing this and just rolling with all my ideas and have them be warmly received. I think it is time that this part of the story comes to an end. Someday I may decide to tell the future for them in another story, we'll see.

"So he is his old self again huh?" Trini replied with a smile as she glanced into the passenger seat to see Kimberly beaming.

"The last week, yep," Kim responded. "It's been amazing."

"I bet," Trini replied.

"Haven't you noticed it?" Kim asked.

"I mean, yeah, but I haven't seen Jason much this week," Trini answered.

"That is probably my fault," Kim replied sheepishly. "I haven't really let him leave my side much."

"It's fine," Trini responded with a small laugh. "I'm just glad to see you both happy."

Kimberly sat up in her seat and crinkled her brow as Trini drove past their turn.

"Hey, you missed the turn," Kim informed her with a gesture behind them. She saw Trini avoiding eye contact with her and trying to not smile.

"I did, didn't I?" Trini stated. "We will turn around at the park."

"Oookay?" Kim eyed her suspiciously. "What are you up to?"

"What are you talking about?" Trini replied innocently. Kim shook her head.

"Don't try that with me, you are up to something," Kim dismissed her. She started studying their surroundings. Sure enough, Trini was turning them into the park. She pulled the car into a parking lot and shut it off. "Umm... I thought we were turning around here."

"Well... it is a beautiful day and I thought maybe you'd be up for trading the mall for the park?" Trini suggested.

"I mean... sure," Kim responded. "But you didn't have to be sneaky about it, you could have just asked. Trini smiled as the two got out of the car.

"Yeah, I guess I could have," Trini replied as she shut her door. Kimberly followed suit and then both made their way to the front of the car. Kimberly noted Trini stopping and turned to her.

"Now what?" Kim asked.

"I think maybe this is where you should go on alone," Trini gestured in front of them. Kim turned to see Jason standing at the top of the hill. She cocked her head in confusion and turned back to Trini who was now the one beaming. She playfully shooed her away.

Kim turned to focus on Jason as she made her way up the small hill. His silhouette was all she could make out from the sunlight shining between the trees behind him. She reached him.

"Hey," Jason greeted her.

"Hey... what is all this about?" Kim greeted him in response. He reached out for her hand, and she accepted his.

"Well..." Jason paused. He reached into his pocket and then dropped to a knee. Kimberly's free hand moved up to cover her mouth as she watched him retrieve a box with a ring inside and hold it up. "I had something I wanted to ask you... something I've wanted to ask you for a while now..."

Kimberly felt faint but in the best way possible. It was such a weird sensation. She felt tears welling up in her eyes as she tried her best to focus on what he was saying.

"Will you marry me, Kimberly?" Jason popped THE question.

Kimberly tried to verbally respond but couldn't find the proper words to convey how much of a yes was wanting to leave her body. Instead, she frantically nodded her head and then knelt down to meet him so she could capture his lips in a kiss. She wrapped him in a hug and he moved his arms around her, lifting her off the ground as she stood. He gave her a small twirl before lowering her and reaching for a hand.

Kimberly readily parted her fingers to allow for him to slip the ring on. She admired it for the briefest of moments before found the urge to seek out his face again. His smile right now was officially her favorite thing she had ever seen. She couldn't resist and moved in for another kiss.

"I love you," Her words were barely intelligible with her lips still pressed against his. He smiled into the kiss.

"I love you too," He responded. Kimberly wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed tight again.

(****)

Kimberly glanced down at her hand resting on Jason's on the seat in between them in his truck. She was transfixed on the ring on her finger and what it symbolized. She glanced up to look at Jason as he drove them home. She saw him grin as he could tell she was looking at him.

"You happy?" Jason asked.

"Mmhmm," Kim responded.

"Good," Jason said.

"Jason?" Kim got his attention. "You said you had wanted to ask me for a while... how long?"

Jason grinned as he focused his attention on the road ahead of them.

"Oh... awhile," Jason replied.

"Long time?" Kim pried.

"I think so," Jason answered.

"Why did you wait?" Kim asked. Jason slowed the truck down and turned down a different road.

"We were young..." Jason answered.

"We still are," Kim replied with a smile as he glanced at her.

"True..." Jason agreed. "But the past year so much has happened... sometimes time isn't what we think it is."

Kim nodded. She knew all too well how despite their age they had lived more than most.

"No matter how many times I tried to picture my future... the one thing that was always constant was that I wanted you there," Jason took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "So I figured whether I asked you now... or in few years... it was inevitable."

Kim considered his words.

"I feel the same way," Kim informed him.

"I figured... since you said yes and all," Jason grinned. She brought his hand up and kissed the back of it.

"Look at us," Kim said. "Who would have thought that we'd end up here?"

"I don't know..." Jason shrugged. "Things change you know..."

"Yeah they do," Kim agreed. She considered him and their lifelong relationship and how it evolved. The time when she could hardly even admit to herself that she had a crush on him seemed such a distant memory. Now she could never imagine feeling this way or having this moment with anyone else. "I'm glad."

"Me too," Jason stated. He too was considering their relationship, but the more he thought the more his mind took them to their future together. Every moment in their lives that got them here and would get them there was worth it. He wouldn't trade any of it.

The End. (For Now)