Disclaimer:The usual here. The Power Rangers belong to Saban. I do not have permission to use the characters, however I mean neither harm nor disrespect by doing so. I don't get paid for writing these stories, unless you count personal satisfaction as payment.
Notes and Timeline:Post-Powers, well into adulthood. When this story was written I was unfamiliar with current laws concerning same sex marriages, but because this story is set in the future, I have made the assumption that certain laws exist granting equal rights to same sex marriages as to heterosexual ones.
Special Thanks:A special thank you to Peregrine, who gave me the original quote "When the tide washes away your sandcastle dreams...you build new ones." That bit of poetic philosophy is hers, and I'm honored she let me use it.
Warning:This story depicts a loving, sexual relationship between two men. If you don't like that, don't read this story. July/August 2000
Author's Notes 2015: Well the laws for same sex marriages has certainly changed, and I believe for the better overall. I will not be following up this story, but Cobalt Blue did a sequel.
Vigil
By Mele
Friday, 4:23 p.m.
"We interrupt this newscast to bring you the following special bulletin…" the newscaster's voice was solemn enough to capture the attention of the three people sitting in the room chatting, and as one their attention turned to the television.
"We just learned that Ranger Airlines Flight 1706 from Paris to New York went down in the ocean approximately eighty miles off the coast. Coast Guard Search and Rescue ships have been dispatched to the area where contact with the airliner was lost. We are going live now to our New York correspondent, Stuart Graham, who will give us an update on the situation. Stuart?"
Zack turned his attention from the newscast to the man sitting by him on the couch as Jason reached into his back pocket and pulled out a worn notepad. He flipped through it quickly, his hands trembling just slightly, to a newer entry. Zack could easily see the notation from his position and felt his heart clench in fear as he read it. There in Jason's neat handwriting were the stark words: 'Ranger Airlines, Flight 1706.'
"Oh, God, no. Not that flight. Please, no, let it be wrong," the usually strong voice was a mere whisper, pain and fear evident in the hushed tones.
Zack felt a sickening chill in his stomach as the implications of that notation and Jason's reaction hit home, and he shot a glance at Trini, seeing from her expression that she'd reached her own accurate conclusion. He nodded to confirm her suspicions and watched his wife's eyes dim with worry as they filled with tears.
"There are preliminary reports, unsubstantiated at this time that the aircraft was floating above water long enough for some passengers to escape," Stuart Graham's voice came from the television. "However, we are awaiting official confirmation of that. There are no details available yet as to the cause of the crash, a spokesperson for the Ranger Airlines indicated that an official announcement would be made within a half hour. While we wait for that announcement let's take a moment to speak to Frank Garr, who coordinated the rescue efforts three years ago when a Polar Airlines plane went down near Hawaii…"
Zack grabbed onto that faint hope desperately, turning to his friend with forced optimism, wanting nothing more than to see a spark of hope in those dark eyes. "See, Jase. There's hope, you have to believe there's still a chance. Aren't you the one who always tells me I have to believe in taking a chance on life?"
The spark the former Black Ranger had tried for was faint, but it did exist. "Yeah, okay. There's a chance," he muttered, still staring at the television. He tried to rally his optimism, telling himself it couldn't be over yet, there was still so much they wanted to do. It seemed like just yesterday that they first got together…
Eleven Years Ago
The sign was tasteful at least; a softly glowing muted blue and gold, with the name of the bar, Options, written in a stylized script. The location wasn't bad, either. Two blocks off the main business district of Stone Canyon, set back between two large professional buildings. Still, Jason felt conspicuous as he approached, halfway expecting to hear jeering voices or laughter as he opened the ornate door. Instead the young elm trees lining the street stood as disinterested sentries, casting elaborate shadows from the streetlights.
The inside was as tasteful as the outside, and frankly he was grateful for the dim lights and quiet background music. He made his way around the perimeter of the room toward the bar, greeting the bartender with a slight smile.
"What's your pleasure?" the tall man asked genially.
"Beer, whatever you'd recommend on tap," Jason replied, reaching for his wallet and laying a five on the counter. With beer in hand, pocketing his change, he looked around with mild curiosity, trying to appear casual. He took a deep drink from his beer to steady his nerves and mentally shook his head. **What were you thinking?** he chastised himself. **This was definitely not a good idea. Just finish your drink and go home.**
Finishing his beer quickly, he'd just set his empty glass on the counter when a throaty whisper came from slightly behind and to the left of him.
"What brings you here, sailor?"
Irritated, embarrassed, and disgruntled, Jason turned, ready to deck his antagonist, only to be stopped by the sight of very familiar blue-green eyes.
"Bill! Oh, man, that's like the worst line ever," he snickered, any anger he'd felt dissolved by the sight of the smiling man standing before him. "God, what are you doing here? I thought you were out of town again."
"Nah, got back last week. And that 'what are you doing here' line should be mine, I think. Why don't I get you another beer and we can sit and talk for a while," the former Blue Ranger offered, signaling the bartender.
A few minutes later the two men were seated at a private table along the wall, hands wrapped around their drinks, the silence thick between them. Years of being friends had not prepared them for dealing with the implications of finding each other in this sort of situation.
Finally Billy broke the stalemate. "So, Jason, you here undercover, or for personal business?" he queried, cutting right to the heart of the matter in his straightforward way.
Jason looked into those light eyes and quirked a rueful half-smile. "We've been friends too long for me to start lying now, I guess. I'm here for personal reasons," he admitted.
The paler eyebrows went up, but the expression was far from judgmental. "Would you be offended if I said I'm surprised to see you here?"
The former Ranger shrugged. "I'm kind of surprised to see me here, actually," he commented. "But I'd heard this place is discreet, and…well…"
"…it's not in Angel Grove," Billy concluded.
"Well, yes, there's that," Jason agreed. "How about you?"
"Same reason. But I've been here a few times. It's as good as its reputation, actually. And, let's face it, there aren't that many places around that cater to such a specific clientele."
"By that you mean there aren't a lot of gay bars in Angel Grove," Jason corrected wryly.
"Yeah. I keep hoping that I might meet 'Mr. Right' one of these nights. Usually the best I can do is a 'Mr. Sorta Okay'," he chuckled, enjoying Jason's quiet laugh. "However, all too often it's 'Mr. Wrong', and we won't even discuss the night it was 'Mr. Not A Chance In Hell.'"
Jason's baritone laugh increased in volume, even as he was pleasantly surprised by Billy's very open attitude. Gone was the stammering, blushing shy teen of their early high school years. In his stead was a serene, quietly humorous, open man whose blue-green eyes sparkled behind the gold-framed glasses. He looked like a young, studious college professor needing only the requisite tweed jacket to complete the illusion. Though Jason knew full well his companion was a much sought-after research scientist-slash-engineer.
Billy spoke again, his tone serious once more. "Never thought I'd see you here, though. I don't want to offend you, but I can't help but be surprised. I thought you were…you know…'dedicated to the fairer sex.'" He held up the first two fingers of each hand, creating quotation marks in the air to make his point.
Jason found himself sighing a bit. "I thought I was, too. Guess I was wrong."
"Want to tell me about it?"
"Maybe. How about you first? I mean, you were Mr. Popular there for a while in high school. Did you know then?" he inquired, keeping his question as discreet as possible.
"You mean, did I know I was gay?" At Jason's nod Billy continued. "By what turned out the be my senior year, yes, I knew. That was about the time of the switch to Zeo Powers, and my decision to forgo the Powers. I think Tom and Adam were the only ones who really noticed my pretty much perpetual bad mood during that time. It was then that I was struggling with these…feelings. I thought I was going nuts." He sighed quietly; his eyes fastened on his half-finished beer. "I'd done everything I could to make myself as 'normal' as possible. I got contacts. I styled my hair, quit wearing the overalls, stopped talking technobabble. I just wanted to be normal, you know? Not a geek. Not a freak. Just…normal-whatever that might be. I thought I'd succeeded, then one day I found myself staring at Tom's butt…" he trailed off with a frown as Jason snickered.
"Ah, man, sorry. I'm not laughing at you, I promise. Finish your story, please, and I promise I'll explain. Okay?" Jason looked at his friend contritely.
"Hmph. Well, as I was saying, I found myself checking out Tom. And Adam. And Rocky. Showers in the gym were agonizing for me. Looking back, I know those tendencies had always been there, but I'd managed to suppress them. Or ignore them. But, as soon as I started suppressing most of my familiar behaviors, this sprang to the forefront with a vengeance. The stress of trying to…to…check my every impulse, of watching my every reaction to be sure no one…and I mean NO ONE…could figure out what was up with me…well, it was tiring. And it played hell on my mood. You might have noticed when you came back."
Jason snorted a bit. "Might have noticed? Geez, Bill, you were a royal pain in the ass then. Moody doesn't begin to cover it."
"Hell, thanks, Jase. I feel so much better now," the former Blue Ranger said with mock anger, a slight smile curving his lips. "Going to Aquitar was a Godsend. They have a much different attitude about sex than we have here. Male, female, it doesn't matter in the least to them. Multiple partners, all sorts of unusual practices. It was an eye-opening experience. Cestro and I talked about homosexuality quite openly, and quite often. I had a lot of questions, which he helped me find the answers for. He was also my first lover."
"Oh." Jason took a moment to consider what Billy had said. "And the story about staying for Cestria?"
"Fabrication. I didn't think any of you were ready to hear I was staying for Cestro. Cestria knew what was going on, and agreed to help." Billy shrugged his shoulders dismissively, but Jason could see the ghosts of past struggles in the light eyes.
"You didn't give us a lot of credit, did you?" Jason asked pointedly.
"Jason, we were all 17, 18 years old. Think about it. Realistically. Hell, I was semi-freaked by it, and it was my 'problem.' I just couldn't say anything."
"Okay, I'll concede the point. You're probably right. Still, it bugs me you didn't think you could tell us. Why'd you leave Aquitar?"
"Aquitar is wet. And cold. And I don't like being wet and cold," Billy smiled a little as he said that. "After six months I felt it was time to find my way on my own world. And so back I came, to school and graduate studies, and way too much financial success far too soon," he concluded, his voice heavy with irony.
"You didn't get involved with anyone in college? After college?"
"What is this? Twenty questions?" Billy sighed again, shaking his head with a mildly exasperated smile. "A couple of short relationships. One had potential, but he was determined to go to France to study art and I was just as determined not to. The other was a mistake. Maybe they both were, if I really sat down and thought about it." He finished his beer and set the glass down with a muted bang. "The end, as they say in all the great novels. Your turn. When did you first discover your were attracted to men?"
"Just like that, huh?" Jason asked jokingly. Seeing Billy was quite serious, he took a deep breath and organized his thoughts as much as possible. "Okay, to answer your question, about a year or so ago. Up until then I'd only dated women, had slept…successfully, I might add…with women. Well, one woman. Emily. The idea that I preferred men never even crossed my mind. I just figured things didn't work out with Emily because of our different attitudes. Now I know my orientation was at least partly to blame."
"What made you realize…" Billy started to ask.
"…that I had a thing for men? I got an offer. I had done my two-year stint in the Air Force, taking college courses whenever possible, pleasing both my father and my mother. Still, no matter what they wanted, I still wanted to be a cop. The military had been close, but not close enough. I wanted my detective's shield. So, finally, I went to the Academy. A week after I'd joined I knew I had made the right decision; it was like I'd come home. I threw myself into the training, ended up top of my class in almost everything. I was so focused on my training, I didn't even think about dating. My idea of a relaxing evening was cleaning my gun." At Billy's snicker the former Ranger leader glanced up.
"That's a new term for it."
Jason found himself chuckling. "Smartass. I mean literally cleaning my firearm. Get your mind out of the gutter, Cranston. Anyway, another trainee, Darrell, approached me, invited me out for a late coffee one evening. It didn't even occur to me that he would have anything else in mind. We enjoyed the coffee, talked for a couple hours, and then headed back to the apartment complex where most of us trainees lived. We were walking across a deserted lot when he asked me to stop and tried to kiss me. I swear I almost decked him. I freaked, albeit rather quietly. Told him I wasn't interested, called him a pervert, threatened to turn him in for sexual assault, for God's sake. I mean…I was shook up. He apologized, said it would never happen again, told me to do whatever I thought was best. Thank God it got through my thick skull he was sincere. I went back to my apartment, still pissed, but not planning to do anything about it. I didn't see him as a threat. And I tried to forget what he'd done."
"How did you feel afterwards?"
"Confused as hell. Especially when I got back to my room and settled down enough to realize I was hard as a rock. Guess my body knew what my mind refused to consider. I jerked off and told myself to forget all about it. But the funny thing is, I couldn't get it out of my mind. I started researching homosexuality, for God's sake. It was like…I don't know…like I had to learn more about it to prove to myself that I wasn't gay. I had a home computer by then, and Internet access. I did the research, and the more I learned, the more I realized that it did apply to me, and I started to accept the fact that I wasn't as straight as I'd thought. And the more I accepted that, the more I wanted to try sex with another man. But, the world of a cop can be damned harsh for a gay man, and I wasn't ready to take any chances of being outed. Then, a few months ago I attended a seminar in Texas. I met another attendee, and…well…we hit it off, and I ended up spending the three nights with him. And damned if I didn't get more satisfaction and enjoyment from three nights with this guy than I got in almost a year with Emily." He paused and looked at his companion. "So, here I am, in the only gay bar in a hundred mile radius, talking to a man I've known since we were little kids. Funny thing, life is."
"Yeah, that's true. You never spoke to…Darrell, was it?…again? To see if that had potential?"
"Darrell was killed two months out of the Academy. Hit by a rig that had lost its brakes on the grade outside town."
"I'm sorry, Jase," Billy said softly, laying a comforting hand on his friend's arm. Jason looked down at that hand, then back up into those familiar eyes.
"Thanks," he said, hiding his sudden nervousness behind an abrupt change of subject. "And to keep my promise, the reason I laughed when you mentioned Tom's butt is that recently I've had much the same reaction. Damn, but he's got a fine ass."
Billy chuckled. "You ever check out Rocky? Whew! I wonder if Kim really appreciates that?"
Jason nearly choked on his beer. "Oh, man, I'd love to see her face if you asked her."
"I have a better idea. You ask and I'll watch her face," Billy suggested with a grin.
"No way, I value my life far too much," the former Red Ranger protested. They chuckled quietly, then fell silent again, lost in their thoughts, awkwardness beginning to creep in again.
"I can't believe I'm going to do this," Jason muttered at last. He took a deep breath and looked his friend right in the eyes. "But my parents always taught me that if I wanted something, the first step was to ask for it. Would you be interested in going out with me?"
Friday, 5:12 p.m.
"The latest report from searchers looking for survivors in the tragic crash of Ranger Flight 1706 is that their efforts are at this time being hampered by high winds and darkness. We have been assured that the rescue is not being called off, however it is progressing very slowly at this point. Earlier we learned that the pilot did not contact the airport with a report of trouble prior to dropping below radar range…" Stuart Graham's voice droned on, stating again the sparse facts that had been uncovered at that time.
Zack tuned the newscaster out, and instead concentrated on his friend, who stared at the television with such intensity it seemed as if he thought he could somehow spot his lover in the ocean barely visible behind the reporter. Jason hadn't spoken since the initial report, but every line of his body telegraphed his worry, and Zack turned to Trini with a anxious frown.
"Jason, are you 100% certain Bill left as scheduled?" she asked, desperate to offer some hope…to feel some hope herself…and knowing that Billy being held over at meetings was perfectly normal.
"He would have called by now if he hadn't. The flight was due to leave Paris almost twelve hours ago. He was on board. I'm certain of it."
"Then I'm going to make some phone calls," Trini said. "Your parents should know what's happening, as should our friends."
"Trini, I'd don't know if you should be bothering them all with this. We don't really know anything yet," Jason began.
"Jason, they're our friends. They have a right to know," she insisted, sitting on Jason's other side and taking one cold hand in hers. "You seem to forget we all love Bill, too." Her voice wavered a bit, betraying her own pain and reminding Jason far more eloquently than her words did that there were others that would be affected by this event.
"Okay, you're right," he agreed reluctantly. "But don't bother with my parents, they're on vacation in Hawaii," he advised, watching the slender woman stroll to the kitchen to use the phone in there.
"Speaking of calls, is it possible there's a message on your home phone?" Zack queried.
"I checked before I left, and I put the phone on call forwarding to my cell phone," he replied, pulling out the small device and checking the charge and status automatically.
"Okay, well, then there's no reason you can't stay right here," Zack declared. "The girls are at a sleepover, so we have the place to ourselves." The Taylors' two energetic daughters would normally have been scurrying around underfoot.
"Thanks, Zack." Jason's tone was distracted as he kept one eye on the newscast, which currently was displaying statistics on airliner crashes for the last five decades.
"Just keep the faith, Jase. He'll be okay, you two have bucked the odds all along…"
Eleven Years Ago
Billy had moved into a spacious house on the outskirts of Angel Grove the year before, after outgrowing the apartment he'd moved into after finishing college. Though he traveled extensively for his work, he needed the extra room for lab work, a large library, and a multimedia communications room filled with electronic gadgetry, most of which he'd designed or modified himself. He'd breezed through college, having taken most of the basic requirements during high school via correspondence courses. He had his doctorate in just over three years, and had immediately been in demand as a freelance consultant, a career move that had proven very lucrative.
It was there that Jason picked Billy up for their first official date. It wasn't Jason's first visit to Billy's home; he'd visited occasionally in the past, along with a lot of the other former Rangers. But there was no denying this time was different-very different-and Jason found himself absurdly nervous as he approached the front door.
"Hey, Jase, come on in. I just need to finish setting this up and I'll be free to go," Billy greeted him, turning immediately toward the door to the huge basement, which had been a major selling point when Billy first looked at this house.
"What's this?" Jason asked, walking carefully around the large device.
"A multi-function industrial surveillance and defense 'droid. A prototype I created from notes I made when I was working so much with Alpha," the former Ranger explained. "Still has a few bugs, though. Where were you thinking of having dinner?"
"Casa de Angelos, if you still have a fondness for Mexican food," he suggested.
"Need you ask?" was the dry reply. "Sounds great. I think we're clear to go now," he finished, setting down his tools.
Smiling, Jason led the way back upstairs and out the front door to his waiting car. They remained silent as they piled into the three-year-old Ford and buckled up. It wasn't until they left the curb that Jason spoke.
"Is it just me, or does this feel awkward?" he said softly. He was more nervous than he'd ever been when picking up a girl for a date.
There was a barely discernable snort of laughter at that. "No, it's not just you. Are you having second thoughts?"
"No, not really," Jason replied thoughtfully. "I mean, I have to admit I find you attractive, and it's certain I like you a lot. No question there. It's just…just…this feels so different from what I'm used to. Geez, I wish I could explain it."
"I know what you mean. Maybe it's because we're redefining each other to a degree in our minds. You know?" Billy said hesitantly, trying to put words to something he could feel, but not quite understand.
"You mean, seeing each other differently?"
"Yeah. I guess. I mean, I never really thought about dating you before."
Jason smiled a bit. "You confessed you realized you were gay in high school. But you never fantasized about being with me, huh?" He turned to Billy with a grin that faded almost immediately when he saw his companion's deep scarlet blush. "Oh. I guess that answers that question."
Billy swallowed almost audibly. "Uh, you know, you were one of my best friends, and…well…you do have one hell of a body…" he shrugged uncomfortably, his voice fading.
"Well…um…if it makes you feel any better, I've had some…impure…thoughts about you since the other night as well."
If anything, Billy's blush deepened. "Can't say as how that helps much," he muttered.
"Sorry, man. Change of subject, maybe? Did Kim get ahold of you yet?" he asked.
"No, I haven't talked to her in a while. Something up?"
"Yeah, actually. She's pregnant again," Jason grinned happily.
"That's great!" The conversation turned to the happy news from the DeSantos family, and from there went on to cover the rest of their former teammates.
More than one of the former Rangers had speculated that it seemed destined that former Rangers married other former Rangers, since there were now four married couples amongst the first eleven. Trini and Zack, Kimberly and Rocky, Adam and Tanya, and Tommy and Katherine. Aisha was still in Africa, and frankly none of them knew if she even remembered Angel Grove and her friends there. That left only Billy and Jason unattached, and both had been giving every sign of being confirmed bachelors, at least as far as their former teammates could tell.
Dinner went pleasantly, their conversation moving effortlessly over a variety of subjects, their nervousness fading with every passing minute. Though they had kept in touch since Billy's return from Aquitar, they had never conversed quite like this. It seemed that despite having known each other for just short of two decades, it was all for the first time, the traditional 'getting to know you' stage of a relationship. And after being discomfited earlier in the evening, they kept to 'safe' subjects, and before they realized it, hours had passed.
"Ah, man, I have to be at work in just over six hours, we better call it a night," Jason said at last. The restaurant had long since closed, but the bar was still open and they'd drifted in there after dinner.
"Yeah, I have a lot to do tomorrow as well," Billy agreed as they headed toward Jason's car.
They were quiet during the short drive to Billy's house, until Jason pulled up at the front curb.
"I was thinking of going for a day hike in Angel Grove Forest on Saturday. Care to join me?" Jason offered.
"Sounds great. It's been too long since I've been up there," Billy agreed, smiling. **Am I supposed to kiss him? I want to, but does he?**
"I'll meet you about seven that morning? We can meet here, then take off?" **I wonder what he'd do if I kissed him?** Jason wondered.
"Okay, I'll pack the lunches," Billy countered. "Guess I'll see you then." He exited the car and hurried up the front walk, not allowing himself to admit he was taking the coward's way out of the kissing dilemma, noting with fond amusement that Jason remained until he had opened the front door. Smiling to himself, he found he was already looking forward to Saturday.
The weekend arrived gift-wrapped in picture-perfect California weather, and Jason was looking forward to the hike, and spending the day with Billy, with keen anticipation. He hurried up the walk, smiling when he heard Billy's shout through the open front door telling him to 'come on in.'
He found his friend in the kitchen, cheerfully packing their lunches in a daypack.
"I brought my pack too, so I can take whatever won't fit in there," Jason offered.
"Great, you can have the drinks. I have the food and first aid kit," Billy told him, handing over the fitness drinks.
"Okay, then we're ready to go," Jason enthused. "Want to take my car? Or yours?"
"I have a pickup in the garage, that would probably be the handiest, in case we want to go off-road," Billy suggested, handing Jason the keys since he knew Jason liked to drive more than he did.
They laughed and joked as they drove to the trailhead, and set out on their hike in high spirits. Going on a hike together was a more familiar, comfortable activity for them to do together, and they were both far more relaxed. The trail was steep, but well maintained, and they made great progress. Even stopping often to admire the scenery, they were deep into the forest, at one of the summits the trail crested, when they decided to stop for lunch.
Finding a couple of 'comfortable' boulders a little ways off the trail, near a steep drop-off to a stream far below, they settled down to eat. They didn't talk much but relaxed, enjoying the day, the pleasant sensation of muscles warmed by exertion, and each other's company. When they finished, they packed up their trash, then Billy wandered closer to the edge of the drop-off.
"God, it's so beautiful here. We're so lucky, Jason, to have someplace like this so close to Angel Grove. Thanks for inviting me," he said without turning.
"Thanks for coming," Jason replied, stepping up beside him and putting an arm across the shorter man's shoulders. Billy deliberately turned toward Jason, bringing them face-to-face.
Time seemed to stand still for a moment, as the deep brown eyes searched their light counterparts. Praying he read his companion's expression correctly, Jason moved his hand to the back of Billy's head, and twining his fingers in the fine, light hair pulled him close for a gentle kiss.
Jason's heart soared as he felt Billy's eager response to the kiss, surprisingly strong hands moving over the larger man's broad back and shoulders. Jason teased the soft lips with his tongue, delighted when they parted to grant entry. The kiss intensified as Jason probed his friend's mouth eagerly, thrilling to the sensation of Billy's tongue returning the favor. The two tongues dueled and tangoed happily as the young men pulled each other in close. Parting at last to breathe, they remained in a tight embrace, pulling apart only far enough to see each other.
"Man, you better be careful, kiss me like that and I may never let you go," Jason gasped, noticing how Billy's eyes had darkened to an almost teal color in his passion.
"Who says I want you to?" Billy countered, leaning in to recapture the enticing lips of his companion. Lost in the increasing intensity of their kisses, the two men eventually began rubbing their bodies together, their hands roaming freely, an occasional rumbling moan of pleasure disturbing the afternoon quiet.
They never knew how far that encounter might have gone if it hadn't been interrupted by the sound of approaching horses and riders. Releasing each other hurriedly, they turned their backs toward the path, appearing to simply be enjoying the view. When the riders had passed they looked at each other with some consternation.
"It's a little too public here, I think," Jason observed.
"Maybe it's time to head back?" Billy agreed, his expression hopeful.
"Oh, yeah. Good. Yeah, I think we've hiked enough for the day." Jason grabbed his pack and the two started down the trail, walking as quickly as they could.
The hike down and subsequent drive back to Angel Grove passed in a blur, both men so caught up in their thoughts and desire they barely spoke ten words the entire time. Jason pulled the truck up the driveway and hastily followed as Billy unlocked the front door. The former Blue Ranger had barely had time to set down his pack when he found himself again in Jason's heated embrace.
Though Billy had tacitly admitted to being attracted to Jason in high school, he'd not told Jason just how deep that attraction had been. Finding himself in Jason's arms was tantamount to a dream come true for the blond, and years of sublimated desire bubbled to the surface. Jason couldn't help but respond to Billy's enthusiastic participation, and trusting himself, and the man he was with, he gave in to the moment without hesitation.
They eagerly continued what they had started up in the mountains, holding each other as close as humanly possible as they explored each other's oral cavity and let questing hands and fingers roam wherever they so desired. Jason moaned deep in his throat as he felt Billy's hand rub questioningly over his crotch, roughly massaging his engorged length through the thick denim. He mirrored the movement, rubbing his friend's clothed manhood firmly before turning his busy hands to the task of untucking Billy's flannel shirt and tank top so he could reach the warm flesh underneath.
Breaking apart for a breather they simultaneously reached for each other's shirts, determined to remove the impediment to their explorations. Laughing a bit breathlessly, they quickly bared their upper bodies and returned to their embrace. Jason wrapped both his muscular arms around his slighter lover and squeezed gently while moving his lips down Billy's throat in a series of nipping kisses. Placing his large hands on the blond's firm ass, Jason lifted him up slightly, kissing and nibbling his shoulders while grinding his lower body into Billy's. The former Blue Ranger's head was tilted back, his breathing heavy and rapid as Jason continued his sensuous assault.
"Jason. Jason," Billy gasped breathlessly as the former Gold Ranger lowered him gently.
"Yeah?" was the distracted response.
"Bedroom," Billy suggested softly, as Jason's eyes lit up in understanding.
"Good idea," the dark haired man rumbled, reluctantly releasing his partner.
Turned out they did spend the afternoon exploring, just not what they'd originally planned to.
Friday, 6:07 p.m.
"FAA officials are unwilling to speculate as to the cause of the tragic crash of Ranger Flight 1076 earlier this evening pending retrieval of the wreckage…" Stuart Graham made this rather obvious observation sound profound, but Jason wasn't fooled in the least. He knew it meant that rescue efforts were still being stymied by weather conditions, making the chances of finding any survivors even less. Lost in his brooding thoughts, he didn't even look up when the doorbell sounded again.
"Hey Tom, Kat, come on in. Glad you guys could come over," Zack greeted them at the door with a strained look.
"How's he doing, Zack?" Tommy asked quietly, looking toward the door to the living room. Since Trini's call Tommy's mind had been focused on Jason, knowing his best friend had to be going through hell. He'd not even dared let his mind wander to what might be happening with Billy yet.
"Not good. The news is still uncertain as to whether or not anyone survived, and attempts to call for information have failed completely. He alternately paces and sits staring almost blindly at the TV. Adam and Tanya got here a while ago and I'm not even sure he realizes they're around," Zack reported, running a hand over his close-cropped hair.
"How're YOU doin', man?" the tall former Ranger asked sympathetically.
"Okay. Well, not okay, really…but hanging in there, you know? Damn, I can't believe we could lose Billy this way!"
Tommy noticed the use of the old nickname for the former Blue Ranger, and recognized it as a sign that Zack was more upset than he realized. **Well, no surprise there,** he thought. **We're all upset.** He followed Zack into the living room, giving a subdued greeting to Adam and Tanya who were sitting around a small table with Trini while Jason perched on the couch, watching the newscast intently. Katherine first gave Jason a quiet greeting, then went to join the Parks and Trini while Tommy stayed with Zack at Jason's side.
"Jason," Tommy greeted his former teammate, placing a gentle hand on the strong shoulder. "Any news yet?"
"No. They keep saying they have 'unconfirmed reports' of survivors in rafts, but they can't provide pictures, or any details. The weather is so bad the rescuers can't see where they're going, and have to be careful for fear they'd hit the escape rafts if they were actually launched. So there may be people out there alive-hurt, cold, wet, scared. And no one can reach them. This is so frustrating!" Jason's voice cracked at the last, then quickly calmed.
"I'm going to go brew some coffee. You want anything? Tom?"
"I wouldn't say no to herbal tea if you have any," Tommy replied as Jason shook his head in a negative response to Zack's offer.
"I keep that tea around just for you," Zack grinned, heading toward the kitchen, guiltily grateful to get away from the situation - if only for a few minutes. He changed course when he heard the doorbell ring again.
"I got it," he called to Trini as he approached the door. It opened to reveal Kimberly standing alone on the front porch, her expression a combination of worry, fear, and odd guilt.
"Kim, thanks for coming," he said with a sincere smile, then his expression hardened. "I see you're alone."
"We couldn't find anyone to watch the kids at the last minute," she explained.
"The man has seven siblings and no one could spare an evening to watch the kids? Right."
Kim sighed wearily. "Zack, please, let's not get into this. Please?"
"I'm sorry, Kim," he said contritely. "You're right. Come on in and say hi. The gang's all here now."
The former Pink Ranger looked up at Zack with shadowed eyes. "No, they aren't. They haven't been for way too long," she sighed, a single tear spilling down her pale cheek. They hadn't really all been together since…
To be continued...