How You Found Me series, Installment 1:

Disclaimer: All the usual Disclaimers to the Power Rangers characters apply. I do not own these characters, I am just enjoying using them in the stories I write and the episodes I tweak.

This is an installment series, which means there are going to be many stories that follow the same plot line and character developments. This is the first of my installments. There will be a total of ten. Some of the installments contain multiple chapters inside. I plan to post a new chapter each Sunday and Wednesday to make it easy for you to track new updates from me. Why I am not posting everything at once is because I am currently only half way through on writing them. So posting it in increments gives me time to continue writing while it keeps you engaged as a reader and not waiting for long periods of time for updated material.

My stories include mature adult content: meaning rape, torture, mild language, and slash fiction. You have been advised. If you do not enjoy reading stories with any of that content, please do not read. Overall, "How You Found Me" is rated M due to the nature and content involved (though most chapters may not deserve that rating).

Also, though this is intended as a Tommy/Jason slash fic, it does not start out this way! If you are only interested on when that development starts to happen, please look for installment 3: The Cave. Because of what I plan to put the characters through, I warn you that the slash will take its time and pace carefully.

Author's note: This is my first Power Rangers fan fiction. I have never taken a Martial Arts class, and I will try to steer clear of making myself look like a fool in that area (and in general), but I am writing for the enjoyment of character development and story plot. Some of the stories are of my own imagination and creation, but for the most part I am taking episodes and tweaking them or re-writing them.

To begin with, some plot changes with the original series: the Power Rangers are out of high school. They are all working at Ernie's Juice Bar and Gym. Ernie, the owner, does know about all of their secret lives as Rangers, and he is a very nice and understanding boss to let them leave as often as they have to in order to keep Angel Grove a safe place. My story takes place after the episode Green with Evil: Part 5. For the most part I kept with everything that happened in all of the previous episodes (keeping in mind about the Power Rangers having jobs and not just volunteering at Ernie's), except for a few parts, like changing around some things that happened between Goldar and Jason when they fought in the Dark Dimension. The details of that will be revealed in the plot.

And last, there is much cheesy goodness in the original episodes, so I do keep cheesy goodness in my stories too. What do I mean by that? All of the Power Rangers are open about communicating with each other (for the most part), they say cheesy lines and sappy friendship type stuff to each other, and they get over things pretty quickly because something happens to them again in the next episode. The latter I am only planning to follow to a small degree (as it suits with what I want to have happen in the story), but I do like cheesy goodness. It is a staple to the show. Also, this story by and large contains mostly scenes with Jason and Tommy, and just a little bit of the other Power Rangers and the megazord fights that they have. The story I plan to take these characters through deals largely with emotional and personal development through life's hairy situations.

Very last, to any of you who take the time to read this and don't mind the content involved, thank you very, very much. Feedback is always appreciated and welcome. I hope that you enjoy!

Chapter 1: Green with Evil, Part 6

Sitting at Ernie's Juice Bar sipping a mango pineapple smoothie, Tommy quietly watched the sparring practice match going on between Jason and Zach. Both had worked up a healthy sweat in their friendly but serious rivalry, each receiving and returning various defensive and offensive fighting patterns. If this was a true match and points were to be scored, Jason would have won several rounds ago.

Tommy watched Zach hit the mat for the fourth time, knocked flat on his back by Jason's last move. Zach grimaced in pain, and immediately Jason's fighting stance disappeared and he was reaching a hand out to help Zach to his feet. He couldn't hear the exchange as Zach grabbed the proffered hand, but he knew that Jason was asking if Zach was okay. Back on his feet and shaking off the impact, Zach was all smiles and seemed in respected wonderment at his friend's skills. He must've said as much, because Jason smiled in humble pride, and a bit more red came to his already flush cheeks. The two did a hand shake of sorts of symbolize no hard feelings, something he noticed all of the rangers did with each other. The two smiled and laughed at something else that Zach said, and then they turned around and walked to the opposite ends of the mat for their drinks and towels.

Getting off the bar stool, Tommy took one step forward, intending to go down and see if one of them might be interested in sparring next with him, but he stopped in his tracks. Jason's bright smile faded almost instantly after turning his back to Zach. He watched as the red ranger drank deeply from his water bottle, eyes forward at the wall in front of him, staring intently at nothing. His brows were furrowed, and darkness loomed in the depths of those irises. Being new in town and even newer to the Power Rangers team, he didn't know Jason all that well, but he knew a troubled expression when he saw one.

Suddenly Tommy felt very aware that he had been staring, and turned his eyes away. Looking around the room, Zach had his back turned still and unaware of what Tommy was observing, and it seemed everyone else in the place was engrossed in their own surroundings, talking amongst others. Tommy cast a quick glance back at Jason, whose expression hadn't changed, who was still staring ahead at nothing, lost in an invisible world Tommy couldn't see. Should he go over and talk to him? Make sure he was okay?

"Hi Tommy!"

Startled, Tommy jumped slightly at the cheerful voice that greeted him, interrupting his thoughts. Snapping his head in the direction of his greeter, he saw that Kimberly had walked right up next to him without him noticing. The smile on her face was as bright as her voice, eliciting an automatic smile from Tommy and sending butterflies stirring in his stomach. Her hair was pulled half up, secured with a fuzzy pink band that matched the color of her exercise tank top. She taught gymnastics and a few exercise classes here at Ernie's. All of the Power Rangers had various jobs here. It sort of worked in their favor when the owner, Ernie, knew about their secret life as Power Rangers and didn't fire them when they suddenly had to leave work to go save Angel Grove for a few days . . . or more.

"Hey Kimberly!" Tommy greeted back in an oddly bright tone, feeling a blush redden his cheeks in embarrassment. His voice didn't normally go that high, which made it seem like a beautiful girl had caught him doing something he shouldn't have. He hoped futilely she hadn't noticed.

Kimberly giggled and gave him an inquiring look. No such luck. "Whoa there little grasshopper. Didn't mean to make you jump so high out of those deep thoughts you seemed to be having."

Tommy laughed nervously and looked down at the ground, running his hand anxiously through his hair. "Haha, yeah, um . . . I just didn't hear you coming, that's all."

Kim's smile remained, turning mischievous. She nudged him playfully. "I noticed. You were thinking pretty hard there. About what?"

Tommy looked up at Kimberly for a brief second but couldn't hold her gaze, feeling embarrassed. He looked back down at the ground. "Oh, nothing," he replied, shoving his hands in his pockets. He was new to the team, and he wasn't sure if his observations about Jason were worth mentioning.

Kimberly picked up on his nervous behavior, her smile vanishing and turning to one of perplexed concern. "Is everything okay?"

The compassion in her voice forced Tommy to meet her eyes. She was concerned about him. The air caught in his throat.

"You know you can talk to me, right?"

He really wasn't good at keeping his thoughts invisible. But he didn't want those kinds of butterfly thoughts out just yet. "Yeah, I do," he replied, and a forced a smile. "I'm fine, thanks for asking. It's just –" he stopped momentarily, looking back in Jason's direction. Jason was back by Zach's side, laughing and joking. The haunted expression was completely erased, the darkness inside those eyes gone, as if it had never been there to begin with.

Kim's eyes followed Tommy's. She looked back at him, prompting him. "It's just . . . what?"

Had Tommy simply imagined it? He blew out his breath, deciding that if anyone were to know Jason, it would be Kimberly. "Well, I don't know. How's Jason been since he was in –" he paused, looking around to see if they would be overheard. Kimberly caught his drift and leaned in close. Her perfume smelled of apple blossoms. He lowered his voice. "Since he was in the Dark Dimension with Goldar and – and me?"

Looking back over at Jason, Kim studied him, considering Tommy's words. After a minute she shrugged, turning back to Tommy. "He seems fine to me. Why? Are you worried about him?"

Maybe he was imagining things then; Feeling paranoid that there might be something residual going on because of Jason's time in the Dark Dimension, just like there was for himself. Maybe he was just pushing his own fears onto something else that didn't exist.

Embarrassed, he combed his hand through his hair. "I don't know. Just being paranoid I guess. Wanting to make sure things are okay for everyone."

Kim smiled compassionately, bringing her hand up to his arm and squeezing gently. His heart thudded. "Things are okay, Tommy. I know you two almost fought to the death in that place, but he doesn't blame you for it. We all know you weren't yourself. And after the spell was broken, you chose to come fight with us. You're on our team now. So please don't blame yourself. We don't."

Trust a girl to see through to the heart of things. No, not a girl. A woman. Whose name was Kimberly. Tommy's heart gave a flutter inside. She was right; he had to stop blaming himself. It was the spell that drove him to do everything that he did. If he had been in control of himself . . . those things just weren't in his nature.

He smiled gratefully at her. "Thanks Kimberly. I don't know what I'd do without you guys. It's like getting a whole new family."

Kim's smile widened, and she gave his arm another squeeze before letting go. Nodding her head, she motioned toward Zach and Jason, who were now joined by Trini and Billy. "Come on, let's go join the others."

They walked down the steps from the juice bar, and Tommy was greeted with warm friendship from everyone, Jason included. Whatever Tommy thought he had seen in the red ranger was no longer there.

Breathing hard, with the familiar wild beating of the heart during good exercise, Tommy stopped and offered his hand to Jason, who was lying flat on the mat, breathing equally hard. "You okay, man?"

Jason laid there a moment longer, staring past Tommy. It was brief, so brief that the green ranger second guessed himself, but no, there was that look in Jason's eyes again, same as yesterday. Anguish and anger rolled into one split second of time, and then gone. Those eyes blinked, focused back on Tommy, smiled, and accepted the hand that pulled him back to his feet. "Yeah, bro. That was a wicked smooth move!"

"Nah. I thought you had me for sure. If your foot hadn't caught, you totally would have! I was just lucky."

Jason's smile faltered for the smallest moment. They were both Martial Arts masters. They knew that if your foot slipped up and lost its ground, it meant you had lost concentration somewhere. But just why Jason lost concentration, Tommy could only guess at.

But the smile was back in place. "That's why practice makes perfect, huh?"

In lightening quick speed, Tommy was blocking several parries from Jason, who laughed good naturedly. Round four was on, and the two continued sparring back and forth until sweat was dripping in their eyes, their breathing was ragged from good exercise, and both voiced contentment that it was a draw.

Grabbing the towel on his side of the mat, Tommy wiped sweat from his face and neck, and then took several large gulps from his water bottle. He glanced over at Jason who had been doing the same thing, but his eyes froze. That haunted expression was back on Jason's face, those eyes troubled and staring off into an invisible world.

So Tommy hadn't been imagining it after all. They were in one of the private karate classrooms at Ernie's Juice Bar and Gym. It was just the two of them. They had combined their last class together, teaching the students defensive moves by showcasing them with each other first and then letting the pupils practice amongst themselves. Since he began working at Ernie's, he had to admit the classes he enjoyed teaching the most were the ones that combined with Jason's. There was discussion with Ernie about the two of them co-teaching every class together, because of the natural chemistry that existed between the two of them as martial arts masters.

Even before Rita cast her spell on him, Tommy and Jason discovered how well they sparred together. They challenged each other's knowledge and skill. They pushed the other to think quicker, react faster, and rely on clear, precise instinct.

He tried hard not to dwell on their duel in the Dark Dimension. Rita's evil spell opened up a cruel and harsh fighting style Tommy would never have guessed lurked within him. The spell turned him into a well-honed weapon, capable of battling with cold, mathematical precision. Jason had fought Tommy with every ounce of his being. If the Power Rangers hadn't intervened, it wouldn't have been enough. But then, Rita's orders had suddenly changed, and Jason wouldn't have been destroyed like Tommy was ordered to do. Jason and the others didn't know that though. He hoped he'd never have to tell them what those orders had been changed to. . .

Tommy took another sip of water, watching Jason burn invisible holes through the wall he was staring at. He may not know Jason the person too well, but he knew Jason the Martial Arts master, and fought against Jason the Red Ranger, and the person he was sparring with resembled someone fighting for a very personal reason.

"Hey Jason?"

Startled, the ranger whipped his head toward Tommy, those troubled eyes blinking and disengaging from the private hell they had been taken to. "Yeah?"

"You okay?"

Jason blinked again and rubbed at his eyes, like he was trying to rid himself of unknown images. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just spaced out for a second I guess."

It was an obvious lie. There was a split second's hesitation before Tommy decided whether or not to let it slide by. "You sure? You looked a little bit more than spaced out there."

Jason looked down at the ground, giving the comment a moment's consideration before looking back up. There was a sly grin on his face, and Tommy found the red ranger's sweat drenched towel being hurled at him. He caught it impulsively, but immediately dropped it, making a face. Jason's grin grew wider. "You gave me a really good long run for my money there. Haven't worked up a sweat like that in a long time. If I looked more than spaced out, it's cuz you made me run hard with all the twinkling lights dancing before my eyes."

It was a nice compliment, and Tommy wanted to be flattered by it, but it was an aversion to his question. Kimberly was probably right, but he needed to know that whatever problem Jason was protecting, it was not about all the deeds Tommy did as Rita's evil Ranger. But how to ask?

"Darn it, those twinkling lights were supposed to look more like huge planets."

Tommy tossed his own sweat soaked towel at Jason who laughed while easily dodging it. Tommy tried to smile back, but he knew he was losing his opportunity. Sobering up, he took a quick breath and went for it. "Look, Jason, all kidding aside, I know that I'm on your team as a Power Ranger now and all, but. . . all the stuff that I did when I was under Rita's spell – it was pretty intense. Especially with what went down in the Dark Dimension between you and me. And –" Tommy paused, trying to find the right words to say. "I don't know. I felt a difference in our sparring today and . . . I guess I just want to make sure that if you're having trouble with any of the things that I did, to let me know so that I can try to make things right in whatever way that I can."

If words could weigh anything, Tommy would've sworn he lit a bomb that had yet to explode. By the look on Jason's face, he knew he had hit the mark very close. The smile was gone, the brows were slightly furrowed, and his eyes held an emotion Tommy couldn't name.

The silence stretched uncomfortably long, but Jason finally spoke. His tone was very soft. Tommy almost missed the words. "Who was it that invited you to be a Power Ranger with us?"

There was no judgment in the words, just a simple question.

"It was you," Tommy replied.

"That's right. There's no way I would've done that if I believed for one second that anything you did under Rita's spell was a shadow of who you really are as a person."

It wasn't the explosion Tommy expected, but those words slammed into him with a tremendous force all the same. It knocked the air out of him and tightened the sphincter muscles in his throat. Jason, someone he had every intention of killing under Rita's spell, was saying these things to him. Forgiveness wasn't even a word he could use to describe, because there had never been any judgment to begin with from the Red Ranger.

"You're going to be great for the team, bro. And for Ernie's Juice Bar and Gym here. Work has been a lot more fun to come to since you started. Teaching classes together with someone as experienced as you is going to be a treat. So please don't worry anymore about that stuff, okay? Trust me."

And Tommy did. Everything in Jason's voice and in his eyes and body language told Tommy that he was entirely sincere and genuine. Not trusting his throat to work properly and give his vocal chords the right amount of air, he merely nodded in agreement.

"Okay," Jason said, smiling briefly before sobering back up. It seemed he wasn't done talking yet, but he was choosing his next words carefully. "And . . . yeah, you're right, my fighting hasn't been at peak performance lately. Things have been on my mind. I guess it's shown. But it has nothing to do with you, okay? There's just . . . something I have to work through on my own."

Again, Tommy could only nod his understanding. Relief was washing through him too strongly still. He could finally begin to let go of some of the memories that kept haunting his sleep and his conscience.

No more words were exchanged between the two rangers. There was an unspoken understanding that it was time to clean up the room and head home for the day. One thing was clear as they left Ernie's, though. They left as newfound friends.

Though Tommy felt as light as he'd ever been since breaking free from Rita's spell, a shadow of worry clung to him when he went back to his apartment. Not all memories were clear from his mind. There were a few his new friends didn't know about, that he didn't want anyone to know about. And yet . . . something inside of him knew it couldn't stay that way.

Though he had peace of mind that Jason wasn't, nor had he ever, been blaming Tommy, the Green Ranger was still carrying around his own unknown piece of hell. He caught the flinch in the Red Ranger's eyes when he mentioned the Dark Dimension. And if Jason was being genuine to Tommy about not bearing any ill will or judgment about what went down between them – and Tommy believed that he was – then there was only one other person he fought with in that place. Only one person that could have given him the nightmares he was living with.

Goldar.

With a fist that clenched and tore at his stomach, Tommy was now fairly certain why Rita's plans for Jason changed that second before Tommy delivered the killing blow. The very second that saved Jason's life. He thought Jason would be spared from ever having to know what that plan was. But now he knew that he had already received a taste of it, and it was why Goldar was so enraged that he had escaped through the Green Ranger's hands.

Her hands tore impatiently at his shirt, yanking it off his head and tossing it aside. She ran her hands greedily over his torso, digging her nails into his sides and yanking him close to her, tilting her head upwards and pressing her mouth against his. Her tongue darted out hungrily, trailing across his lips, demanding entrance into his mouth. He obliged, groaning aloud for her pleasure as her tongue explored everywhere inside of his, demanding his full attention, demanding to have everything that was his to give.

And give it he would.

Her right hand left the indented marks of his side and found his right hand, clasping it and bringing it to rest on her left breast. He gave a rough squeeze and began fondling it through the clothes, hearing her breathing become more ragged with desire. Her hands roamed up to his shoulders and found new areas to puncture and bruise. The pain didn't matter, though. Only the thought of pleasing his Empress. Rita desired him, demanded him, and she would have him. All of him. He was hers to do with as she pleased.

His hand left her breast and trailed to her back, in search of clasps or zippers that would undo the clothing barring their skin from contact. At the very top of her collar, he found it. He reached –

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Tommy sat up in bed, screaming out in rage. For a few moments the images played out before his opened eyes, unrelenting in the detail he knew all too well. The taste of her tongue was in his mouth. The feel of her skin was crawling all over his; the way her body pressed against him was almost as if she was in the same bed with him . . .

Crying out again, Tommy threw the sheets off of him and jumped out of bed. Running for the master bathroom, he barely made it to the toilet before he retched. His stomach spasmed and contorted, bringing up everything that it could.

This was the worst re-visitation yet. All of his senses were turned on, recalling images and scents and the touch of things he wasn't sure he was aware of when it actually happened. But it was all flooding his mind's eye and not turning off.

The taste of her began filling tommy's mouth, and though his sick episode was over, he reached a finger down his throat and gagged until bile came up and took over all of his taste buds.

He hated it. His first experience with anyone, and it had to be Rita. Tommy's skin was crawling. He could still feel her. Worse yet, he was still hard with shameful desire. Not for her, but all the same, his body was on fire. It craved.

Flushing the toilet, he reached over to the bathtub and turned on the cold water, then popped the nozzle for it to spurt out of the shower head. Throwing off his boxer briefs, the only piece of clothing he wore to bed, he climbed into the shower. The cold cascade of water raining down on his feverish, sweat-drenched skin was a welcome shock to his overloaded senses. His chest tightened and squeezed out air from his lungs at the drastic change of temperature against his skin, a sensation he embraced. The feel of her was washing away, and his libido was subsiding.

Tommy stayed in the freezing shower until his senses were completely numb and he was shaking uncontrollably from the cold and nothing else.

The bathroom clock read four thirty in the morning. Knowing sleep was far from him, Tommy dried off and got dressed in workout clothes. His classes didn't start until seven, so he would have plenty of time to get a good, strenuous workout at Ernie's to wash away the memories for another day of moving forward.

The Gym didn't open until six, but Ernie allowed the Power Rangers to practice inside when they needed, and so they all had keys to the place. After entering the building, Tommy locked the door behind him and made his way toward the gym. It was faint, but the closer he got, he picked up the sounds of someone else already in the building. Puzzled, Tommy stopped just outside the gym entrance to hear what was going on. It sounded like someone else had in mind to get an early morning workout as well. He had a good idea of who that person was.

Stepping inside the gym, he saw Jason, which confirmed his suspicions. He was at the punching bag, delivering several brutal kicks and punches, making the bag swing with good force. He hadn't heard Tommy enter. His eyes were deeply focused on the punching bag, concentrating on tearing that thing open. Tommy made note of Jason's high kicks and punches. Whoever the invisible enemy Jason was knocking the crap out of, they were a very tall and large person . . . or creature.

It was rude to sit and stare at something so very personal, but Tommy couldn't take his eyes away, and he couldn't find the manners to announce his presence. He could see that Jason was building up to a crescendo. His kicks became more vicious, more punches were thrown with fierce strength. And then all that he was throwing was punch after angry punch, pummeling the bag with rigorous, repetitious blows that were blurred by the speed with which he was moving. His face was contorted in blind fury, seeing only the invisible enemy. His muscles, gleaming with sweat, were rippled with honed precision and bulging, all of its energy being spent toward the faceless invader.

Finally, with a cry of defiance, Jason delivered one last powerful thrust at the punching bag, and then dropped to his knees, panting in great laborious breaths, completely spent.

Now would be a good time for Tommy to back quietly out and then re-enter, acting like he was just coming in. That was going to be his intention, but the slightest movement of his leg backing up alerted Jason to his presence, and he was suddenly caught in a stance that showed he had clearly not just walked in.

Ashamed, Tommy looked down at the floor. The shocked look on Jason's face revealed that he too was embarrassed at the discovery of having been watched.

"Sorry," Tommy said softly, still looking at the floor. "I was going to let you know I was here, but . . . seeing you go at that thing, I just couldn't interrupt what you were doing. Seemed like that would've been worse."

Still panting and catching his breath, Jason didn't say anything. After a moment he nodded, seeming to accept Tommy's words. "Didn't expect anyone else to be here," he said in between breaths.

Tommy heard the unspoken acceptance of his apology and walked further into the gym. After witnessing such a personal display of emotion from Jason, Tommy felt obligated to share his own vulnerability. "I guess you could say I came here to deliver the same kind of message to that punching bag there."

Walking down the steps from the Juice Bar, Tommy reached Jason, who was still kneeling on the floor. He offered him a hand up, which Jason accepted. He seemed grateful for Tommy's admission of words. His breathing was mostly back to normal now. He walked over to grab his water bottle, taking a few swigs. "Everything okay?"

Tommy shrugged. He wasn't comfortable revealing absolutely everything. "Bad dreams," he replied.

Jason nodded. "Bad dreams," he agreed.

There was an awkward silence between them. There was the open admission that they came here because of problems. But that didn't mean they came here wanting to talk about them.

With Jason being here now, Tommy knew he wasn't going to be able to go through quite the same exercises he was originally intending on. And it wasn't good to spar with a partner when emotions and problems filled your head, so they would both have to improvise on what exercises to work on.

Tommy cleared his throat. "Those high kicks that you were throwing were really good. That gives me an idea on a series of moves that you could try. Do you mind if I show you?"

Jason seemed relieved that Tommy had found a way to bring the conversation to karate. "No, go ahead."

For the next half hour, the two of them practiced on the punching bag, showing each other different tactical moves and kicks, and began choreographing them into defensive and offensive patterns in executing them. Though nothing was said, it was silently understood that the focus of the techniques was against a large predator.

After one specific set of choreographed movements that Jason executed particularly well, Tommy let out an exulted cry.

"Yeah! Take that, Goldar!"

Tommy regretted the words the instant they came out of his mouth. Jason's smile immediately dropped and he stiffened. Uncomfortable, heavy silence followed.

Tommy gave himself a mental kick in the head. "Jason, I am so sorry bro, I didn't mean –"

"How'd you know this was about Goldar?" Jason demanded, turning to the Green Ranger.

Tommy closed his eyes, cursing his stupid mouth. He didn't answer right away, choosing his words very carefully. Softly, delicately, he said, "Because of Rita and who I was at the time – I know."

Tommy opened his eyes, and saw a world of anguish and pain in those brown irises staring back at him. It was almost whisper-like when Jason replied, "Just what exactly do you know?"

Here it was. What he hoped he would never have to say to anyone. He was such a fool! But it was too late, now. He had to say it.

"That Goldar wanted Rita to make you his tribute gift because of his service to her. That he didn't actually want you destroyed."

Heavy silence. Heavy knowledge that was revealed that should never have had to be revealed. If Tommy had just kept his mouth shut!

They seemed like such simple words. Tribute gift. But with Jason's reaction, it meant he had been exposed already to the meaning of those words. In Goldar's race, a tribute gift was usually a slave given to a warrior to appease his sexual appetite. Gender didn't matter. The tribute could be used any way the warrior wanted. Rita had explained that to the Green Ranger, but he deeply regretted knowing such rancid information.

He could see the revelation stabbing at Jason's heart. Such fierce affliction and anger weighed in those eyes, affirming more than words could ever say.

"I thought you wouldn't have known about that. It was just he and I. You weren't around yet. And I escaped during our battle, so . . ." Jason didn't try to finish the thought. He swallowed audibly.

Tommy wanted to look away, he didn't want to keep looking into those eyes that were completely opened to all the emotions going on inside the Red Ranger, but he knew that he had to keep eye contact. Jason was choosing to reveal his pain. His anger. Maybe he really was in need of someone to talk to. And he needed to know he wasn't alone.

"I didn't know. Not until the very end. When I was about ready to bring the blade down on you, I held it for as long as I did because – because Rita was privately sending me new orders not to kill you. That you were to be Goldar's tribute gift."

Jason's eyes flinched slightly at those words. But he kept eye contact with Tommy. "You still tried to destroy all of us though, including me."

Tommy nodded. "I did. You escaped from me. I was mad at you for that. Goldar wanted me to capture you, but it was Rita that I was designed to please, not him. She didn't care. I wanted you gone."

Jason blinked and broke away from Tommy's gaze. He turned his attention to the punching bag and gave it a blow with his right fist. His face was contorted in anger.

"You know what he did then?"

Tommy took a deep breath. There was no going back. "Yeah, I do."

Jason took several more swings at the bag. "You've known all this time then."

"No," Tommy began slowly, making Jason stop and face him. He wanted to, but he didn't flinch away from the fire he saw in those eyes. "Well . . . About Goldar wanting you as his tribute gift, yes, I have known. But not – that. I didn't think he had already acted on it. I only figured that out recently."

Jason wasn't looking at him. His body was facing toward Tommy, but he was staring intently at the punching bag. "When?" he asked through clenched teeth.

"After our talk yesterday. After finding out that you really weren't blaming me for everything I did under Rita's spell."

Slight confusion crossed the Red Ranger's face, eyes still staring at anything but Tommy. "That tipped you off?"

Tommy forced his breathing to stay steady. That was part of it, yes. What really tipped him off was catching Jason's expressions the last couple of days, but he had a feeling to steer clear of admitting to staring at the Red Ranger. "Yeah. But like I said yesterday, I've noticed a difference in your fighting when we've sparred, and that was my first sign that something might be wrong. When I found out you weren't having issues because of me, that only left one other person – well, creature – that would have given you . . . problems."

Jason nodded his understanding, then stiffened again. "The others . . . they know, too?"

Tommy was quick to reply. "No! No, they don't. They haven't noticed anything, actually."

Jason relaxed, obviously relieved. "I've been trying hard to keep it that way. It's – embarrassing, you know? I'm their leader. I help keep everyone together. If they knew – "

"I won't say anything, Jason. I promise. I understand, this is very personal. Believe me, I do."

Jason cast a sideways glance at Tommy, his expression inquisitive and disbelieving. "You do?"

Now it was Tommy's turn to stare intently at the punching bag. His jaws clenched when he ground out the words.

"Rita."

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Jason's eyebrows rise in surprise.

"She forced you?"

The Green Ranger felt heat rise to his cheeks; anger boiled up underneath. "It was . . . consensual. Because of the spell," he quickly added. "And only because of that. So . . . believe me when I say I understand how personal this is."

There was a moment of silence as Jason processed the news. "Does anyone know?"

"Just you, now."

He saw Jason nod. The two stood there, not saying anything, not looking at each other. A secret that neither of them meant to share now existed. An unspeakable event in both of their lives now united them. Tommy hadn't meant for it to happen, but maybe it was good that it had. They both knew they weren't alone now. And no one else had to know.

Stepping aside, Jason pointed to the punching bag. "Go for it."

Tommy didn't need to be told twice. For the next ten minutes, all of the emotion he had been holding back unleashed itself. Jason stood back, keeping silent as the Green Ranger pummeled the bag with all of the moves they had choreographed, plus some. Raw emotion came out, and instead of feeling embarrassed because of Jason being present, Tommy felt empowered to free himself from all of the poisonous memories and actions that clung to him. He knew Jason understood. They both had an enemy they would be battling inside of themselves for all of their lives.

Panting and exhausted, Tommy leaned against the punching bag, quieting it from its whirling motion he had sent it through. He was spent. He felt purged, though. The mental weights inside of his mind had eased up quite a bit.

In quiet awe, Jason whistled softly. "You are a wicked fierce fighter, bro. That is for sure."

The comment succeeded in pulling a smile to Tommy's lips. "Evil had better watch out then. Because here comes double trouble," he replied, extending a fisted hand toward Jason. The Red Ranger smiled, extending his hand in a fist, and hitting it atop Tommy's in a hand shake of sorts. Tommy brought his up and bumped it atop Jason's, then they bumped the flat side of their knuckles together, ending the fisted handshake.

"Is this Ranger practice or are my two favorite martial arts masters here for an early workout before classes?" Ernie asked with a smile as he walked into the juice bar area.

Turning around, the two rangers looked up at the clock to see that it was already six in the morning.

"Hey Ernie," the two of them called out.

Tommy took over answering the question. "No Ranger practice going. Just a good solid workout before classes. Didn't realize what time it was."

Ernie nodded, busying himself with opening up the juice bar. "It's a good thing you both are here anyway. Wanted to talk to you guys about our discussions of you teaching together."

Jason and Tommy looked at each other, anticipatory smiles on their faces.

Ernie continued on. "I've been getting great feedback from the parents whose kids attend your classes, and your combined styles of teaching are really having a positive effect on everyone. There are still parents who want private one-on-one sessions for their children, so I need you to continue taking on some of those pupils, but as far as I'm concerned, this place needs that extra step forward, and with you two teaching together, that could be the ticket."

Grins broke out on both ranger's faces. Jason was the one to speak up. "Does this mean a raise then? Because you have two excellent martial arts masters who are taking this gym to the next level?"

Ernie dipped his head down briefly and groaned. "How did I know you would ask that?" He took a big dramatic sigh before answering. "The answer is yes, but just don't let me down!"

Jason broke out in a full fledged smile. "Don't worry Ernie, you have nothing to worry about!"

Ernie gave a half hearted smile, but couldn't resist grumbling to himself, trailing off about money as he continued on with his opening tasks.

Tommy turned to Jason, and the two of them high fived each other, sharing a laugh of celebration.

"Well bro," Tommy began, "I'm gonna head back to my place and get showered up and changed into my work clothes. I didn't bring them with me."

Jason nodded. "Sounds good, man. I brought everything with me so I'm just gonna shower here. I've got a private lesson at seven, but we'll combine our eight o'clock classes?"

"Sounds like a plan to me," Tommy agreed. "I'll catch you back here in a little bit then."

Jason nodded. "Okay." He hesitated slightly. There was that awkward pause, both thinking about everything they had just shared, but aware of present company. "Um, Tommy?" Jason began, unsure.

"Yeah?"

Jason ran his fingers through his hair, looking down at the ground briefly before looking back up. "Well . . . I just wanted to say . . . thanks. For saying what you did. It helps to know I'm not alone."

Relief washed across Tommy's face. He smiled genuinely. "I was so afraid I'd goofed up. I'm glad I didn't. We'll keep an eye on each other. Make sure things don't get too bad. Show the punching bag a thousand times who's who if we need to."

Jason laughed. "We're gonna owe Ernie a new punching bag I think."

"Probably," Tommy agreed, laughing.

Tommy and his pupil bowed to each other, marking the end of the lesson.

"You're doing well, Greg. I can tell you're practicing and really trying. Keep up the good work. I'll see you next week, okay?"

"Okay! Thank you Sensei." Greg walked over to where his parents were waiting at the door of their private practice room and left, waving goodbye. Tommy smiled and reciprocated the gesture.

He grabbed his water bottle and headed out of the room, in search of Jason. Their next class was going to start soon. He started wondering past the different private rooms, looking to see if Jason was still with his pupil.

"Hey Tommy!"

Tommy turned his head and saw Kimberly walking out of the gymnastics room. She was smiling at him. His heart gave an automatic flutter.

"Hey Kimberly," he greeted, smiling back at her. Thankfully he sounded much smoother this time around. "Have you seen Jason? He and I have a combined class that starts soon."

"I just got here a few minutes ago, but I haven't seen him, no."

"Hmm. He had a private lesson at seven. I thought maybe he might be in one of these rooms still."

"Maybe he went back to the lockers?"

"Maybe. Guess that's where I'll check next. Wanna tag along? That is, if you don't have a class you need to be to."

Kimberly smiled wide. It brightened her whole face. She had on pink shimmery lip gloss and a pink cami over her black leotard. "I've got time to help you look," she said brightly, stepping up next to him.

The two walked cozily side by side, making their way back toward the employee locker room. Before entering, however, Ernie called out Tommy's name, stopping him.

"Where's Jason?"

Tommy and Kim looked nervously at each other. Tommy answered, "I don't know. I was just looking for him. I was going into the locker room to see if he might there."

"Okay. Let me know if you see him. He didn't show for his private lesson at seven."

Tommy's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "He didn't?" Ernie shook his head. "But . . . that is so weird. Jason said this morning he was staying here to shower up, that he brought everything with him."

"I thought I heard that too. Didn't know if," he paused, looking quickly around before continuing. "Well, you know, duty called. But obviously it didn't."

Tommy and Kim exchanged alarmed glances. Kim pointed to the locker door. "Let's hope we find him in there."

Opening the door and stepping inside, they walked right away to Jason's locker, but it was empty.

"That's not a good sign," Kimberly said worriedly.

Tommy didn't like the feeling he was getting. He looked over to the men's employee shower area. "Let me look in there, see if I find anything."

"Okay, I'll wait out here," Kim replied.

Stepping inside, Tommy cast his eyes around. It was a large blue tiled room. To the left were several curtained partitions for showering, but no one was in them. It was quiet. Off to his right were a few more benches and lockers. He saw Jason's backpack sitting on the farthest bench.

He called out to Kimberly, "I found his backpack! But I don't see him. No one's in here."

Walking over to the bench, Tommy grabbed at Jason's bag just as Kimberly walked into the room. He opened it up and searched.

"His towel is in here, but it's dry. And his work clothes are in here too. He never changed into them."

He turned to Kimberly, whose eyes were wide. She pointed to Tommy. "Tommy, look. Below you. Under the bench."

Quickly bending over, Tommy saw what Kimberly was staring at. A red morpher lay on the floor, along with a communicator watch. Both belonged to Jason.

Tommy's heart thudded loudly in his chest.

He held them up for Kimberly to see better. They exchanged stunned expressions.

"Oh my God. This isn't good," Kimberly's voice was full of concern. "Where's Jason?"

Blood roared in Tommy's ears. White, hot anger was prickling his senses.

"Tommy?"

This couldn't be happening. This shouldn't have happened. Not to him. Why didn't he expect it, though? He should have prepared for something like this! He knew how angry that ape had gotten . . .

"Tommy?"

Kim's voice registered in his ears. It was hard to focus on her. There was a red hue around the edges of his vision, thunderous blood roaring through his veins.

"What do you think happened to Jason?" Kim's voice sounded far away.

"I know where he is."

"You do?"

He welcomed the rage exploding from inside. Embraced it. He was going to need it to get his friend back.

"He's in the Dark Dimension. With Goldar."