Before he knew what had hit him his mother came in his room and announced that dinner was ready. Just as they were about to sit down, there was a knock at the door, Jason got up to answer it, and was pleasantly surprised by who was there.
"Grandpa" He said giving the older man a hug.
"Hey Rex, how's it going. " The older Italian asked.
"C'mon in." came a voice from the dining room.
Jason grabbed another plate and set of silverware for him and sat down. No sooner had Jason sat down than there was another knock on the door.
"Popular tonight huh Rex." His grandfather said to Jason. Jason once more rose from the table and greeted their next guest.
"Hey Jace I know I should have called." the brunet said.
"Of course not, " Jason said grabbing Tommy's shoulder. "c'mon in." he brought in his friend and into the dining room and sat him in the chair closest to him.
"You want anything Tommy?" Asked Mrs. Scott.
" No thanks Mrs. Scott, I just got off a date with Kim, I could use a drink though."
As Mrs. Scott got Tommy's drink they introduced Tommy to the grandfather. Everyone was enjoying Mrs. Scott's cooking and the night was turning out rather well.
Then Jason's grandfather asked "So Rex any lucky girl in your life?"
Tommy almost choked. ' he's asking that now?' he thought.
Jason was just as shocked. "Um...no not really." came Jason's answer.
"Why not, you're not going to look this good forever kiddo." the older man asked.
"Well..." Jason stammered.
"Tommy did you need something" asked Mrs. Scott. Jason was relieved that his mom had changed the subject when she did, if he was honest he didn't know why there wasn't a special girl in his life. there was certainly not a shortage of girls who liked him, or guys for that matter.
"Yes actually I did." He turned to Jason. " I'm having some trouble with chemistry you think you could help me.?" He asked.
Jason agreed and they headed up to Jason's room.
While they were getting their books and assorted materials ready Tommy said "Your Grandfather is really cool."
Jason only nodded and wiped his eyes. "Jace what's wrong?" Tommy asked concerned. ' Is he crying, damn it what did I say?' he thought.
"Nah T I'm good."
"Bullshit you are." Tommy snapped back, "In all the years I've known you, you have never once shed a tear, so c'mon out with it."
After several minutes of silence Jason responded
"I just can't get into that right now." they worked through the chemistry that Tommy was having problems with and had some time to talk. They talked about school and how good his mother was at cooking, and Tommy brought up the subject of his Grandfather.
"Jace why does he call you Rex?."
"It's a long story." Jason said.
"You're not getting out that easily Rex c'mon out with it." Tommy said jokingly
"He's not even my real Grandfather."
Tommy looked confused.
"He was a good friend of my mom's back before we moved to Angel Grove, his real name is Antonio Fazzari. We lived right next-door to each other and when my father left he kind of took over as father and a support for my mom. I must have been eight or nine, I was going through all the emotions connected with father's day one year, and couldn't take it . I decided that I had to get away from it all so I ran into the woods behind his house. I don't remember much about it other than I ran, and ran and ran until I couldn't run anymore. I was leaning up against a tree to catch my breath when I looked around and realized I didn't know where I was, it was a part of the forest I hadn't explored before. I began to panic thinking I was never going to see anyone ever again, and that I was going to die out there. it was then that I heard a voice over my shoulder 'Jason?' it called softly I turned to see him standing there. how he got there I never found out, but anyway he got down on one knee and extended his arms out to me. I ran over and hugged him as hard as I could. 'What's wrong?' He asked 'I thought I was going to die out here, cold and alone.' I said in between sobs. ' Jace I'll tell you something, if you keep the people you love close to your heart, and never forget them, you'll never be truly alone, but sometimes Jace you need strength to beat life's battles' he said looking into my eyes. 'I don' think I can ' I said sadly he asked what my favorite Dinosaur was. I told him it was a T-Rex and he said. ' Well then Jace, when you are scared, or feel like your world is caving in, just look to the bravery and strength of the T-Rex, Think would a T-Rex let this keep him down? Would a T-Rex be scared of that? and I think you'll find that you can make it through whatever life throws at you, you little T-Rex.' ' I'll try' I said. smiling he said ' Alright let's get you home your mother is probably worried sick. ' after that the nickname just kind of stuck" Jason finished. He looked at Tommy tears trickling down his face.
"He was always there for me and now when he needs me I can't do a damn thing." Tommy reached over and grabbed Jason's hand.
Jason pulled over to Tommy and began to openly sob into his shoulder. Tommy just hugged him and let him get it all out.
Eventually Jason pulled back wiped his eyes and said angrily "I must look like a big baby."
"Not at all," Tommy said comfortingly ,"This is a hard time for you I'm sure."
Just then Mr. Fazzari opened up the door, Jason quickly turned his head. "Hey Rex, I'm going to head out, some of us aren't as young as we once were." he said jokingly. "Jason turned back around and got up and hugged him one last time.
"You be careful on those roads Old Man." Jason said half joking
"He's worse that a mother hen." Fazzari said in the same joking tone. Tommy couldn't help but laugh.
"It was nice to meat you Tommy." He said
"Nice to meat you to sir." Tommy replied.
Fazzari turned and headed back down the stairs. when he was out of sight and the door was closed again, Jason said
"Thank you Tommy."
Tommy was confused
"For what?" He asked.
"For everything" Jason responded Tommy looked his leader in the eyes and said
"I'm always here for you Jace, you know that." Jason's red eyes were just like poison to the green ranger, he hated to see them.
"Jace it's getting late I need to be getting home," Tommy said "but if you need me just give me a call." he said holding his phone up.
"I will, and T" Jason said quietly. "thanks again."
Tommy said "Your welcome" and headed for the door.
"Leaving so soon?" Asked Mrs. Scott. who was still talking to Fazzari.
"Yah it's a school day tomorrow and I need to get to bed." Tommy said
"Where do you live son?" Asked Fazzari.
Tommy gave him his address and Fazzari told him he could get a ride with him. On the way Tommy and Fazzari Got talking
"Jason says you not his real grandfather." Tommy said
"Well he's right I'm not I'm just a friend of the family who stepped in and forgot to step out." He laughed
"From what Jace said you basically brought him back to the world and kept him sane." Tommy continued "I'm just wondering why do all this for a family that's not even yours?"
Fazzari got real quiet.
"I don't really know why Tommy, perhaps it's because my father left us when I was his age and I didn't want him to go through the things I did as a child, perhaps it's because I wanted to do something for someone other than myself for once."
Tommy hadn't realized how involved these events ran in the people involved.
"I Honestly don't know why Tommy." Fazzari finished.
"I'm sorry." Tommy said
Fazzari laughed and asked. "For what dear boy?"
"I'm just trying to figure something out." Tommy tried to explain but he didn't have enough time, they reached his house and as he got out Fazzari called out to him.
"Hey Tommy, take care of Jason ok." This only made Tommy even more confused.
"Sure." He replied Fazzari smiled and drove off waving as he left. Tommy returned the wave then went inside. He heard an angry voice call from the living room "Tommy is that you?"
"Yah mom." soon Mrs. Oliver was standing in front of her son.
"Just where have you been?" She angrily asked
" I was at Jason's getting some help in Chem." Tommy snapped back.
" I need to just hire a professional tutor for you." she continued
" Mom my friends are more than capable of helping me." Tommy said almost yelling.
"Don't raise you voice at me young man, your friends don't have the patience for you."
Tommy looked confused, 'man' he thought ' this is just not my night for understanding things'
"Look Tommy sometimes you have to have things explained over and over, sometimes you're a bit thick, you're not like your friends."
Tommy was hurt by the things he heard his mother say.
"You're not smart, you'll never be an A-student." She said
Tommy lowered his head and said. "Your right mom."
Mrs. Oliver walked over to her adopted son, and said " Tommy I know having friends is a new feeling for you but don't expect them to last forever."
With that Tommy snapped his head up to look her in the face.
"You're wrong." He shouted
"Look Tommy the only thing you have to do is get A's in all your subjects, if you friends can't help you in a month then I'm hiring a tutor. END OF STORY." She put special emphasis on the last three words.
Tommy left and went up to his room. It was vastly different from Jason's. Where Jason's room could hold a small family quite happily Tommy's room was only big enough for a small table, his twin bed, and a small dresser. In order to fit Tommy had to bend his neck and hunch over just to walk around. He turned on the light closed his door and changed into his sleeping boxers. Sleep did not come easily to the green ranger that night. He kept thinking of Jason and Fazzari, and how two people from to very dark backgrounds can still be happy. He looked over at his clock ,'12:40' he said to himself 'its going to be a long night. He began to remember his days as the Evil green Ranger. As he closed his eyes one more time he began to hear the green rangers laugh echo all around him. He then saw him strike Jason in the chest, causing sparks to come off, " Tommy please stop." came the plea of his leader and friend but Tommy couldn't do anything, " Your Pathetic red ranger I will destroy you for my mistress and soon your world will belong to Rita" he heard himself say with a mighty plunge Tommy forced the blade of darkness through Jason's torso. Tommy woke up screaming. It was just a dream' he told himself ' a really friggin messed up dream.'