Genius Force
Written by: PernDragonrider
Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers. I'm only claiming ownership of the plot for this story. Fictional work for entertainment, no money being made.
A/N: This storyline is the result of an evil, evil plot bunny that wouldn't go away. First of all; thank you so much to all of those that have send a review for this tale.Secondly; I have to apologize to everyone out there. I made a very glaring time line error author's note for Chapter One of this story. It didn't take place in the fall of 2005, but sometime in mid-November of 2004. My sincerest apologies for the erroneous and misleading timeline note. Okay, I said in the note at the end of chapter 1 that I'd be going back in time for the next chapter. Well I have. The events in this chapter take place immediately after the end of Power Rangers Wild Force episode Forever Red. Now that the timeline mess is cleared up; on with the tale.
Chapter Two
Since remnants of the Machine Empire survived this long, what about all the other villains that we've fought over the years? We still don't know where Scorpina went off to and for all we know Ivan Ooze is still laying in pieces on Ryan's comet, just waiting to be revived by some new evil that the rangers have to face. Shouldn't we try to ensure that never happens? These thoughts passing through the mind of Jason Scott caused an almost instant and complete panic in his brain. I've got to get Tommy and Andros in on this. We don't need another disaster, like today could have been, happening. Ever! Jason looked up from where he'd stopped, with the other six Red Rangers of Earth were walking toward their vehicles and preparing to meet back up at Bulkmeyer's with Tommy. "Andros!" Jason called out. His voice held just enough of the panic he was valiantly trying to suppress that Andros stopped and looked at him.
"Go on, guys." Andros said with a small smile on his face; even then smiling was difficult because a worried frown of concern wanted to take over his face. "I'll see what Jason wants and then we'll all three catch up with you at Bulkmeyer's." Andros turned and walked back to where Jason had stopped, about fifteen feet behind the others. "What's up?"
"We need to get Tommy in on this first." Jason said his old command tones jumping so quickly into his voice and the serious expression on his face was starting to give Andros some doubts about sending the other Red Rangers on ahead of them.
"All right, Jason." Andros said with a serious nod and both started walking toward the hangar that housed the Megaship. Once inside the hangar, Andros lead the way to where Tommy was working on the report that they needed to file with the NASADA officials about the details of their mission.
Tommy looked up with a smile as Andros entered the room; however his smiled dropped quickly into a concerned frown when he saw Jason enter just after Andros did and the look on Jason's face brought Tommy into instant awareness that something was troubling his friend. "What's going on, you two?" Tommy asked with a small frown and a tone of concern in his voice.
"Tom," Jason said with a frown. "Those Machine Empire generals that we fought against today. What if they're not the only evil that's left over? Scorpina is still out there, unaccounted for and what happens if some new nasty finds Ivan's remains on Ryan's Comet and uses them against the Earth? Which of us are tracking these things and making sure that a repeat of this mess with the Machine Empire isn't going to happen again. Today could have turned out so much differently if Andros hadn't been following their activities."
"That…" Tommy stopped what he was going to say and looked at the expression on Andros' face. Tommy's thoughts were instantly sent back to the terrible time the Ninja Rangers had had keeping Ivan from taking over the planet. It then quickly jumped to the many battles against Scorpina and how tough the beautiful looking evil woman really was. "What do you think we should do about it?" Tommy's voice was stern, yet at the same time a note of relief crept in because he'd been thinking almost the same thoughts as Jason just voiced. Those thoughts had been chasing around in his mind the whole time he'd been working on the report for the NASADA officials.
"Send me out with Andros to Ryan's Comet." Jason said with a determined look in his eye that Tommy instantly recognized there was no room for argument. "Cole, Carter, Wes, Eric, and Leo have to get back to their duties. You have to get back to your research work for your Master's degree. TJ and the other Astro Rangers will most likely insist on accompanying us; but that gives us an edge if something goes wrong. We can't just sit back and pretend that Ivan nor Scorpina will ever rear their ugly heads again. Something's got to be done to insure that, at the least, Ooze's remains are completely destroyed and can't be used against the Earth again. None of the other Ninja Rangers are available and since I'm actually the only one of us that's free to go gallivanting off planet for an extended period of time; I can go with Andros and the others."
"It's settled then." Andros said with a small smile starting to appear on his face and his body was slowly relaxing from the tension that had filled him since Jason's slightly panicked voice had called to him out on the field. "We head out to Ryan's Comet and make sure that there's nothing left of his Ivan Ooze. Should we find remains that could possibly be used by some other evil out there; then we destroy those remains completely. Jason's right. None of us are tracking that comet or Scorpina's whereabouts and we should be."
"All right; that's settled." Tommy said and finally allowed a relieved smile to take over his serious expression. "If you two will give me ten minutes to bang out this report for the NASADA officials, we'll go and join the others at Bulkmeyer's for our celebration, Red Ranger Style."
"How soon would we be taking off again, Andros?" Jason asked as he relaxed slightly. "I need to let my roommates know I'm haring off to parts unknown for a while and will be out of touch. I also need to pack some clothes and things too."
"At least a week, Jason." Andros said with a smile as the two men took seats at the back of the room and continued their conversation while Tommy finished the report. "It'll take at least that much time for TJ and I to contact Cassie and Ashley and find out if they'll be going with us. Zhane and Karone are on KO-35 and we'll make a short stop there to pick them up. Perhaps you'd like to make a quick stop by Aquitar and Triforia too?"
"I'd like to hit those on the way back to Earth, Andros." Jason said with a small happy smile starting to slip over the worried frown he'd still been wearing. "I'd love to see Billy and Trey again; however I'd rather have the Ivan Ooze question cleared up before I take time to visit old friends."
"That's the Jason I know; that's my bro." Tommy said as he got from the chair and stretched. "Business before pleasure as always. Okay, I'm done with this damned report. Let's get over to Bulkmeyer's and join the other Reds before Eric and Leo drink the place dry." Tommy's smile showed that he was teasing about his worries over Eric and Leo; however his smile was guarded.
Tommy took Andros with him in his Jeep while Jason followed behind on his motorcycle. The NASADA officials were pleased with the report and had no problems allowing Andros to leave the Megaship Mark II docked in the hanger it currently occupied.
The party at Bulkmeyer's went until Bulk shooed them all out three hours after his normal closing time. The nine Red Rangers tried to find another place to continue their celebration; however at two in the morning all of the local entertainment establishments were closed. The finally decided to go their separate ways after another hour of searching.
Those with a long distance to drive back home had their keys absconded with by Jason and Tommy. The rowdy group eventually found themselves at Jason's house.
"Your parents are going to kill you for coming home at four in the morning with eight guests, all in various stages of drunkenness, bro." Tommy said slightly concerned for their more rowdier and drunker counterparts.
"It won't be a problem, bro." Jason said and Tommy just barely managed to catch the tightening of Jason's jaw and the sharp hitch in Jason's breathing before he'd spoken in a dull, flat voice.
"What is going on, bro?" Tommy asked as he stopped Jason from inserting his key into the lock on the front door.
"Later, not now." Jason managed to choke out past the tears that were quickly clogging his throat and filling his eyes. Jason jammed the key into the door and twisted it so violently that Tommy was afraid the key would snap off in the lock. He reached for Jason's hand but was batted away as Jason practically stormed into the house. Tommy was surprised when a large Irish Setter came bounding and barking toward Jason from, as far as Tommy could tell the family room at the back of the house. "Hey girl, did ya miss me?" Jason asked as the lively large dog almost jumped into Jason's arms. "ZACK! AISHA! KIM! COMPANY'S HERE!" Jason roared and Tommy was shocked when the three came stumbling down the stairs in their pajamas.
"JASON!" Kimberly said sharply. "It's four in the morning what the hell is going on?"
"Morning, Kim." Jason said with a sappy smile on his face as he knelt next to the large reddish brown dog that was practically beating Eric to death with her tail. "Sorry, got some unexpected company and needed a hand to get them all settled." Jason voice was just slightly slurred and his eyes were just glassy enough that Kimberly took one look him and all the other men behind him and her face twisted into a grimace.
Kimberly stalked over and stood in front of Tommy with an angry yet sad expression on her face. "How much did you let him drink now?" She demanded as she poked Tommy in the chest with her right index finger.
"What?" Tommy asked as he watched Zack lead Jason and the dog into, what he thought was the kitchen.
"I asked you how much he had to drink tonight, Tommy Oliver." Kimberly demanded in a louder and now much angrier tone of voice. "Tell me before I toss your drunk ass out the door and you wind up sleeping on the porch or in the yard."
"He had at least eight drinks." Eric said sternly as he dropped his drunken act and helped a very inebriated Wes, Cole, and Carter to remain standing. "I think at least four of those eight drinks were non-alcoholic."
"Good, then he won't curl up into a ball and bawl all day long." Kimberly said with relief as she took a good look over the motley looking collection of Red Rangers standing in the living room.
"Sha, take the ones that look to be able to move under their own steam and put them in the family room." Kimberly said with a smile directed Aisha's way. "The guy holding up three of our esteemed Reds by himself can help Tommy and I with the others. The sleeping bags already out."
"I've got TJ and Andros." Aisha said as she slipped an arm around the waist of both men and smiled. "This way Teej, Andros." She cajoled soothingly as she started maneuvering them toward the back of the house.
"I can take Leo." Zack said as he returned to the room with a grim smile on his face. "Once we get these guys bedded down, you or Sha are going to have to go take Jase in hand again. He's in the kitchen trying to cook."
"Oh, shit!" Kimberly said as she quickly and unceremoniously shoved Tommy toward the kitchen. "Go, make coffee and keep Jason away from the stove! Go!"
Tommy turned and went into the Scott family kitchen. He was shocked when Jason was standing in front of the counter with tears running down his face as he slowly stirred up what looked to a batter of some sort. "Bro?" Tommy questioned quietly.
"Just going to cook some pancakes." Jason said with a hitch in his voice and the tears clearly visible. "Mom wouldn't want me to let my guests go hungry."
"Jase." Tommy said calmly and soothingly as he placed his hand over Jason's and made him stop what he was doing. "Most of your guests won't be ready for any solid food for a few more hours. You need to get some sleep, bro. Then you can cook pancakes for us. All right?"
"They're gone Tom." Jason said as he let Tommy lead him back to the chair in the kitchen. "All the monster attacks in Angle Grove they lived through and the last one took them. Quanatrons, I think is what they were called. Mom and Dad were trying to get to the house and Quanatrons blasted them to bits. First Trini, in that senseless car accident, and now Mom and Dad; it's too much, bro."
"Hell, Jase." Tommy said as Jason's tear-filled words washed over him like a tidal wave of pain and remorse. "Why didn't you call us? You know we'd have been here."
"Kim, Zack, and Sha came." Jason said flatly and his voice was still filled with the pain and sorrow of his parent's deaths. "I didn't have numbers for Rocky, Adam, Tanya, Justin, or you. We tried, but you were gone on a dig someplace and unreachable. Sha called Rocky; however she found out he'd lost his little brother and sister in that last big attack by Astronema too. Adam and Tanya were picking up the pieces of their house while Justin's dad wouldn't let him out of his sight for a few weeks. Billy, Billy's so far away that I had no way to reach him. After Divatox destroyed the Power Chamber, there's just been no way to get a message to him at all."
"Come on, you need to go to bed, bro." Tommy said as he put his arms under Jason's shoulders and Jason went with him without resisting. Tommy led Jason up to the room he just knew Jason still slept in. He got Jason laid down and the bed and sat with him until he'd fallen asleep. Tommy went back downstairs and found Eric, Kim, Aisha, and Zack in the kitchen. Zack was washing up the mess Jason had made attempting to cook pancakes for everyone.
"You didn't call me or even write to let me know?" Tommy accused as he entered the room.
"I did write you a letter, Tommy." Kimberly said as a lone tear ran down her face. "He still misses them you know. Rocky, Adam, Tanya, and Justin came by, after the funeral and they stayed for few days until Zack and I could get moved back here. Aisha moved back about a week later. We've been here ever since. I think the worst thing is that he has no way to let Billy know that his father was a causality of the same attack that took his parents. They're both orphans, adult orphans, but orphans nonetheless. Jason still keeps Billy's house and won't rent or sell it. He says Billy will need his home when he comes back. Rocky, Adam, Tanya, and Justin come by as often as they can, but it's not enough. Having us here seems to help, some. This team up was a godsend for Jason. It gave him a chance to do something to relieve the burning anger that's eating him up from the inside."
"Oh shit." Tommy said as he realized why Jason had wanted to wait until after going to Ryan's Comet to see Billy. "Jason and Andros will be leaving in about a week to go and check on Ryan's Comet, guys. He plans on getting Andros to stop by Aquitar and Triforia on the way back."
"Ryan's Comet!" Aisha said sharply. "Why's Jason going to Ryan's Comet?"
"Because he said he was the only Red from Earth the could pick up and take off without losing his job." Tommy said quietly. "Eric and Wes have to get back to Silver Hills and the Silver Guardians later on today. Carter is going to be needed back in Mariner Bay. Cole has to get back to Turtle Cove; he's the current team's Red Ranger. Andros is going to drop Leo off on Mirinoi and then pick up the rest of the Astro Rangers and head out to Ryan's Comet to be sure there's nothing left of Ivan Ooze that can come back and haunt us like Serpenterra and the Machine Empire did today."
"I'm going to kick his ass over the moon." Zack said with an angry tone of voice. "This is the fifth time since his parents died that he's taken off on some Ranger business or another in the last two years. He needs to stay home, in Angle Grove, and get a job; not run around trying to save the world single handedly."
"I haven't heard of any Ranger business going on that Jason was involved in." Tommy said with a small frown of concern. "I think I'd have heard of anything that Jason participated in through one of the teams while we talked tonight."
"He goes up to the ruins, Tommy." Aisha said with a small sad smile on her face. "I followed him one day, carefully. He goes up to the Power Chamber's ruins and just sits around the place for days on end. Then he comes back home and throws himself into weight lifting and martial arts training. This cycle has gone on for about four years now. Maybe going away with Andros and assuring himself that Ooze is destroyed will stop it once and for all. He's not the same person we all knew. His parent's death has changed him a lot, Tommy."
"Now I wish I could go with him." Tommy said with a worried frown deepening the laugh lines on his face and creasing his brow. "He's going to have to handle his own emotional turmoil and Billy's too; once he gets to Aquitar."
"We'll be there with him, Tommy." Andros surprised them all, as he spoke from the doorway with a soft and understanding tone of voice. "He's a fellow Power Ranger and a friend. We'll be sure to be there with him when he tells Billy of his loss."
"Andros." Tommy said with a relieved tone and inclined his head to show he understood.
"I should go and shake Wes awake." Eric said rising with a rarely seen smile showing on his face. "I think I'll listen to some Metallica or Van Halen for the trip back to Silver Hills. That should keep my partner awake enough to navigate."
"Let him sleep until he wakes up." Kimberly said sternly standing up and facing down Eric even though she only came to the middle of his chest. "You are not going to inflict Metallica or Van Halen on a man that's recovering from a night of trying to out drink all the rest of the Red Rangers."
"Yes ma'am." Eric said and quickly sat back down into his chair with a smirk on his face. "I wouldn't dream of giving Wes a worse headache for the trip back home." Eric's sarcasm wasn't lost on any of them and he was rewarded with a devilish smile from Kimberly as well as a small chuckle from the woman he found to be a fascinating combination of himself and Taylor. "I should kidnap you and take you back to Silver Hills to meet Taylor. I think the two of you would get along just fine."
"Your wife?" Aisha asked with a smile as she sipped her coffee while still wearing her bright yellow pajamas that she'd had on when Jason had yelled for them about two hours earlier.
"My girlfriend." Eric answered with a small smile. "Just don't ever tell Wes I said that."
"My lips are sealed." Kimberly said with a smile as she got up and pour coffee for everyone at the table. She held the pot up for Andros to see and smiled when he shook his head no. "Hot chocolate or something else, Andros?"
"Just some milk please, Kim." Andros replied with a smile of his own.
Kimberly got Andros his glass of milk and sat back down at the table with the others. Tommy was surprised when the large Irish Setter came into the kitchen and put her head on his lap. She whined slightly until Tommy started petting her. "What's her name?" Tommy asked as he continued to stroke the dog's gleaming fur.
"That's Alpha." Zack replied. "Jason named her before we knew she was a she. The name's stuck."
"What's Alpha doing down here and not in Jason's room?" Aisha asked with a small frown. "She always sleeps with Jason."
"I think that might me be my fault, Aisha." Tommy said with a small smile as the dog's ears pricked up at the mention of Jason's name. "I closed his bedroom door so I don't think Alpha here could get into sleep with him."
"I'll take her upstairs." Zack said rising and rinsing his coffee cup out in the sink. "Have to go and get ready for work anyway. Come on, Alpha. I'll let you into your person's room." Zack left the room with a very evidently happy dog on his heels.
"She doesn't bark?" Tommy asked as he watched Zack playing with the large dog as they left the room.
"Alpha was a rescue from the pound." Aisha said as her and Kimberly exchanged glances over their coffee cups. "She was one of the thousands of animals left behind after the destruction Astronema caused. Jason fell in love with her while he was volunteering with the animal shelter. She's been here ever since and she's never barked at anyone. She'll bark when she's outside and playing with one of us, but she doesn't bark in the house unless she doesn't like someone."
"I'm surprised that she accepted all of us strange men coming into her house without a growl or bark." Eric said as Andros nodded his agreement. "Most dogs, no matter how well behaved, will bark and growl when a stranger comes into their home."
"Alpha's not like most other dogs." Aisha said with a smile. "It's like she can sense what's left over of our Ranger Powers in us and since all of you just recently morphed, she accepted that. I think one of the Astro Rangers was responsible for her being at the shelter where Jason found her."
"That would be Carlos." Andros said with a small smile. "He wanted to adopt that pup so badly, but his parent's are allergic to dogs so he had to give her up. He'll be glad to know that she's found a good home."
"That explains why she took to Jason so quickly then." Aisha said with a smile. "I kind of bullied Jason into coming and helping at the animal shelter; just to get him out of the house and try and break through the morass of grief he was in. Alpha didn't like anyone that came into feed or care for her; but Jason went into the cage where she was and she just jumped up and licked his face like she was happy to see him. She wouldn't even do that with me and I'm used to dealing with frightened and hurt wild animals."
"Perhaps," Andros said with a smile. "I think Alpha wanted a male owner and not a female; however her reaction to Jason seems to have been just what he needed at the time."
"It was what he needed." Kimberly said with a small sad smile. "He had someone to protect again. That's all he's ever needed was to protect those he loved and cared for. Which is why he won't sell or rent out Billy's house. Kat and Rocky are living there and keeping the place up. They insisted on doing that for Billy and for Jason too. Adam and Tanya are due to move back from New York by the beginning the school year. So all of us are going to be here to help out Jason and eventually Billy when he comes home from Aquitar for good."
"He may never come home, Kim." Tommy said sadly. "I'm not sure when I'm ever going to be able to get back to Angel Grove, if I ever do. We can't all stay here and baby Jason because he lost his parents. We're adults. We have to get on with out lives."
"Then stay away and quit calling Jason back for these intermittent missions!" Kimberly turned on Tommy and unleashed the full force of her anger; stunning Andros and Aisha with her vehemence. "He was almost back to normal; then out of the blue you call and tell him he's needed again. He's never been anything other than our friend, big brother, sounding board, and finally leader and first class worry wart for the rest of us. You know how badly he beat himself up over the mess with Rita's Green Candle and how happy he was when you came back. Murithanis followed up by losing his parents to an evil he was powerless against almost cost all of his life! You need to grow up and quit being selfish, Tommy Oliver. We take care of each other and we help each other out. We all agreed that LIFE wouldn't get in the way of that, ever."
"Enough!" Jason's soft yet stern baritone issued from the kitchen doorway and startled everyone in the room. Kimberly quickly sat down and blushed a deep red while Aisha grinned slightly and hid it behind her coffee cup. Andros looked around the room and his eyes made contact with the humorous twinkle hidden behind Eric's stunned and surprised look. "You promised me that if I brought Tommy home after this mission that you wouldn't try and lay a guilt trip on him, Kimmy. Now apologize and get me some coffee, please."
"I'm sorry Tommy." Kimberly said and Tommy could tell from her tone that she wasn't sorry for what she'd said but for getting caught by Jason saying it.
"No problem, beautiful." Tommy said and was shocked when Jason laughed, truly laughed, for the first time since they'd met earlier the day before.
"Maybe I should let you keep at him, Kim." Jason said between his gasps of laughter. "That response sounded like one from before I left for Switzerland and everything went to hell around here."
"Jase," Tommy started and was cut off by Jason laying his hand on Tommy's arm.
"I know, bro." Jason said surprising Tommy with the depth of understand that was in that simple phrase. "We're not kids anymore, but sometimes old habits are hard to break. Do you have any idea how badly I wanted nothing more than to shove Cole into the background and keep him safe today? Do you? He's the only Ranger that was there today that has a team he's responsible for. The rest of us relics were expendable; but Cole, he had to survive, bro. He had to."
Eric and Andros blinked a couple of times and then smiled grimly when Jason's words had worked into their shock-numbed brains. "You're right Jason." Eric said and smiled as he looked up and saw Wes and the other Red Rangers arranged in the doorway. By the looks on their shocked faces they'd all heard Jason's words. "Everyone one of us knew the score; but I don't think or believe that any of us took the time and looked at this they way you just did. We're all Reds and yet out of all ten of us, you were the only one to think of who would have to survive over everyone else. I'm not saying that some or all of us didn't have that same sentiment in back of our minds, but you came into this for one reason and one reason only. You came to make sure that an active team didn't lose their leader, their friend. I salute you for that courage and conviction, Jason." Eric stood and snapped off a salute and Jason jumped when all the other Red Ranger's behind him erupted in a chorus of "Hell yeah" or "You tell him, Eric" and other affirmations of Eric's words and tribute to Jason.
"Is that why you teamed up with Cole?" Tommy asked and watched a blush spread over Jason's face.
"I am perfectly capable of protecting myself, Jason." Cole said stepping into the room and standing behind Jason's chair. Cole placed both of his hands on Jason's shoulders and gave a quick, reassuring squeeze before he continued speaking. "However, it was my pleasure and an honor to team with someone like you. You are our role model, Jason. You were the first; the bar we all measure, unconsciously or unknowingly, our abilities and actions against all the time. Tommy, I'm sure, did the same thing when he first found himself in red. I am proud, very proud, to say that I had the chance to fight by your side and to see the first Red Ranger of Earth in action against the forces of evil. Knowing how much you wanted to insure I survived our battle doesn't make me angry with you; it only helps me to understand the complex and giving person that resides under the armor of a Red Ranger better than ever. Thank you, my friend."
"He's right, bro." Tommy said gently as he placed his hand on Jason's bare forearm and gave a gentle squeeze. "You're the one we all look up to when we talk of Red Rangers. You were the first and from the stories I've heard from the others, the only reason you walked out on Zordon was because Zack pulled you away. You've always needed to protect the ones he loved and cared for. It's the way you're made and nothing is ever going to change that. I grieve to know that your and Billy's parents were killed in the big attacks by Astronema; but you couldn't have done anything if you were here except to have joined them in death. The Zordon Wave hadn't happened and you would have died morphing to protect them. Once the wave re-energized your coin you were safe to morph again; but before that…" Tommy's voice trailed off as tears appeared in his eyes.
Kimberly got up from her chair and gently wiped the tears from his eyes as she continued for him. "Before the wave passed and re-energized all our coins; your body couldn't have survived morphing for even a short time, Jase. Justin found a way into the computer core, under the Power Chamber, and he's the one that informed Adam of just how badly rejecting the Gold Ranger's Powers hurt your body. Between the rejection and what happened on Murithanis Zordon surmised that accepting another power or morphing at all would kill you almost instantly. That's why you were never asked to replace Justin; not because you weren't wanted, but because it was our turn to protect you from yourself."
"This is getting way too maudlin for me." Carter said with a small smile to show he understood and was just trying to relieve the tension in the room. "I smell coffee and I'm going to need a lot to wake up enough to get Cole back to Turtle Cove and myself back to Mariner Bay in one piece. Any chance I could get a cup?"
Aisha smiled and proceeded to provide them all with coffee and anything else they needed. Alpha padded quietly into the room and went straight to Jason. She laid her head in his lap and huffed at him until he started petting her. "Thanks, Alpha, I needed that girl." Jason said as he stroked her head and found his balance enough to finally look up and smile a genuine smile. "I can't do much in the kitchen; but I make a mean pancake for whoever's interested in breakfast."
"Not today, Jase." Kimberly said smiling as Aisha grimaced behind Jason's back. "Sha and I have everything under control and we'll get food ready for everyone today. You can cook pancakes for Zack, Sha, and me tomorrow. Now go on and get yourselves into the family room. We'll call when food's ready. Go, Shoo!"
Jason stood up laughing and smiling as he and Alpha led the way back to the family room. Tommy stayed behind to help but was shoved out of the kitchen by a very determined Aisha. "Get out, Tommy." Aisha said with a smile to soften her barking tone of voice. "We've got this covered."
Tommy left and joined the other men in the family room and no one noticed when Carter snuck back into the kitchen and surprised Kimberly and Aisha. "I'm a fireman and I know my way around cooking for a large group of men. Can I lend a hand to you ladies?" Carter asked as he stood just inside the doorway.
"A man that can cook?" Kimberly asked and then looked up and smiled brightly at Carter's smiling face and laughter filled eyes. "Sure, grab a pan and start flipping pancakes. I'd have Jason do it, he does make the best pancakes I've ever had; but he needs to spend time with Tommy and the rest of you. He's not been very like himself over the last few years and he's just now almost back to normal."
"Losing a parent at any age is tough." Carter said with a small grief filled smile gracing his rugged face. "I lost my dad in a fire when I was young; so I have an idea of how hard it's been on Jason. Even losing a parent as an adult is devastating."
"Jason was really close with his parents, after the mess on Murithanis." Kimberly said sadly. "I distanced myself from everyone and Jason was the one that came and brought me back to Angel Grove. His mom and dad gave me exactly what I was too stubborn to know I needed; unconditional acceptance. It helped and it really hurt when the were killed."
Carter let Kimberly talk through her grief over the loss of Jason's parents while he continued to help out with the large meal she and Aisha were preparing for them. He smiled when Aisha chased him out of the kitchen and back to the others in the family room once most of the cooking was completed. "Go on Carter, sneak back into the family room with the other guys. Jason will shoot us if he finds out we let you help and not him."
Carter left and was sure he'd managed to sneak back into the room with the other guys without his absence being noticed until Jason asked, "Did they have you flipping pancakes or scrambling eggs, Carter?"
"Huh?" Carter said in stunned shock. "How?"
"Those two can't cook a pancake worth a damn." Jason replied with a laugh. "I just recently managed to teach Sha how to scramble an egg without it coming out so well done it was powder and inedible. Zack and I usually share the cooking chores; but Kim and Sha complain about the mess we leave. No, truthfully, they're both great cooks; but I'm glad they let one of us in there to help them out."
"You're a fraud, Jason Lee Scott." Kimberly teased from the doorway that led into the large family room. "Sha is the one that had to teach you to scramble an egg where it was edible. Left to your own devices you'd starve."
"Ah, so that's why you decided to move in here, Kimmy. To make sure I didn't starve to death?" Jason teased right back and Tommy smiled to see that nothing much had changed over the years.
The men followed Kimberly back into the large country kitchen and ate. Tommy, Jason, Kimberly, Aisha, and Alpha stood by the front door as they all left, except for Andros.
"TJ will get Cassie and Ashley." Andros said as the others finally left to return to where they were needed and the three men and a dog settled down in the kitchen to discuss plans. "We need to sit down and talk this through. Also I've already had Alpha 7 working on tracking down possible places Scorpina could be. Onyx would be the most likely place to find rumors; however neither I nor any of my team can set foot on the planet and live. We're not very welcome on a world of evil."
"I'll go down." Jason said so suddenly that Tommy and Andros both gasped in surprise. "What? I can go down and leave my morpher with Andros. They can keep an open communications channel with my communicator and if I need help they can come to the rescue."
"Jase, you've never even been off planet; except for this last mission." Tommy said sternly. "What makes you think you can handle being on this Onyx at all?"
"First Andros can be there, so I should be able to handle being there too." Jason replied calmly. "Secondly, I have never been off world so no one there would recognize me at all."
"We'll only go to Onyx as a last resort." Andros said quickly attempting to forestall the argument between Tommy and Jason he saw quickly brewing. "I have other contacts that I can use before having to resort risking someone's life on that planet."
"I think you should go and check on Ooze's remains first and come back to Earth." Tommy said his leader voice starting to appear in his tone and a frown of concern creasing his features. "After a stop on Aquitar to see Billy and a quick stop to see Trey on Triforia. We can work on the Scorpina thing after we know Ivan won't be coming back to haunt us."
"We'll do Ryan's Comet first." Andros said and his tone booked no arguments from either man. "Finding Scorpina's whereabouts can be done while in transit to and from the comet. Once we've determined that the collision with the comet eliminated any threat, or we eliminate that threat; then we can swing by Aquitar and Triforia while still searching for any news of Scorpina and her activities."
"You're the boss." Jason said with a small smile directed at Tommy. "It's your ship and your crew. I'm just going to be along for the ride."
"You'll be doing your share of things too, Jason." Andros said with a smile starting to form on his face as the tension level dropped back down to a livable level. "You're going to have to learn how to handle a Galaxy Glider, how to help pilot the Megaship Mark II, and learn to do emergency repairs too."
"Sound like I need to kidnap Billy from Aquitar before we start this trip." Jason joked with a laughter filled voice and a large smile on his face.
"Actually I think I've left you in capable hands." Tommy said as he returned the teasing. "Andros will keep you busy enough that you won't have time to think about anything but getting back home to rest."
"I'm sure Andros won't keep me so busy I don't at least take the time for a five minute phone call." Jason said his voice dropping the laughter and holding a slightly hurt tone now.
"I know, I know." Tommy said with regret and a sad expression taking over his face. "I could have made the time to call; but everything has just been so hectic with school, research work, and digs for the research that I haven't had the chance. I'm on break for the week and I'm planning to get in touch with everyone while I'm here. Well, everyone but Billy. I'm going to mend the fences, Jase. I promise."
"You'd better." Jason said with a gruff tone and then smiled quickly. "Stay here, Tommy. Kim, Aisha, and Zack won't mind and it will give Alpha someone else to spoil her rotten."
"Mom and Dad…" Tommy started to say then stopped as he saw the grief jump into Jason's expressive eyes. "Mom and Dad will understand and I'll take you up on that offer, bro."
"Thanks." Was all Jason managed to say before excusing himself and retreating from the kitchen to his bedroom.
"He'll be back in a little while." Tommy told the shocked Andros. "I should have remembered not to bring up my parents."
"Jason will survive." Kim said coming into the kitchen now dressed in a pair of pale pink shorts, a white tank top, and a pale pink short sleeved shirt tied at her trim waist; that matched the shorts exactly. "He just took Alpha out back and is tossing the Frisbee for her. You know you guys should take her to the park. Much more room to run and you could take Jason with you too."
"Tommy is going to stay while I'm gone with Andros." Jason said as he unexpectedly came in from outside. "Just ran into to get a glass of water, guys. Alpha's not ready to end her play session yet." Jason got a bottle of water out of the fridge and left as quickly as he'd come in.
"Matchmaker." Kimberly said with a smile as Jason left the kitchen with a laugh. "You do realize he wants you and I back together again?" Kimberly turned and smiled at Tommy's now shocked look. "Why else do you think he'd insist on you staying here while he's gone?"
"He's what?" Tommy asked as he started to get up out of his chair; his anger and shock both written plainly on his face. "Why?"
"Because he's impossible and he's playing big brother again." Kimberly said with a smile as she shoved Tommy back into his chair. "He wants his world to be as close to what it was before his losses as he can, Tommy. That means ignoring me when I say we're just friends and doing everything he can to toss us together again. He'll come around; eventually."
"Jason, matchmaking." Tommy sighed as he relaxed into his chair. "What next? Trini's ghost taking Zordon's place and mentoring a team of Rangers?"
The three at the table laughed happily even though they couldn't know just how prophetic Tommy's random comment was going to turn out to be in just over three years time.
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A/N: All right everyone. That's the second chapter of this tale. I hope you enjoyed reading it enough to send me a review and let me know what you think. Next chapter is going back to the future and what's going on in the restored Power Chamber.
My wishes for a very happy, healthy, and safe Independence Day to everyone in the US.
Pern.
