Jason's POV

I breathed deeply, trying to calm down and meditate. . . or something. I was really nervous about seeing Hayley again; I hadn't seen her since Tommy's funeral. I hoped it'd turn out all right for her now.

Finally, with this settlement, life could go back to normal. We could try to move on, try to forget.

Not that we'd be able to.

I pulled up to the address given me. Hayley's, I assume, since it wasn't Tommy's. I got out and knocked on the door. I took a deep breath and steeled myself for the worst.

The door opened and there she was. "Hi," I said, uncertainly.

"Oh, God, Jason," she said throwing herself at me. "Thankyouthankyouthankyousososososososososo much!!!!!!!!"

I couldn't help but laugh. "Hey, no prob. This is what. . ." My throat closed.

She looked at me, sympathy and sadness in her eyes. Damn, I hate women.

"Hey," I said, "let's get going. Can't stand here all day."

We got in the car and were silent for a while.

"This was really sweet of you, y'know," Hayley said abruptly.

"'S no big deal. Gotta make it up to my bro somehow, don't I?"

"Are you gonna let me tell 'em?"

"Nope. As you said, they'll think I'm tryin' to mock him."

"Now, I'm not so sure. They've grown up a lot. I think they'd understand now."

I was silent. What was I to say?

"Thanks for coming yourself."

I half-smiled. "Couldn't leave a pretty thing like you in the car alone with some of my colleagues. Wouldn't end up nicely."

"Hey!" she objected. "I can take care of myself. I didn't spend all that time with Tommy for nothing."

I smiled, a full smile now. "I know. That's what I meant. They'd be bloody messes by the time they got home."

We both laughed long and heartily, probably the first time for both of us in a long, long time.

Hayley's POV

I have to say, I was impressed with the scope of work Jason had undertaken. In addition to all his regular work, he'd had to prove a lot of stuff. Couldn't have been easy.

As it turned out, I signed a few things and the house was mine. I couldn't believe it was so easy and said so on the way out.

"Why not?" Jason replied, shrugging. "All the work got done earlier. You understand your legal obligations, though, right?"

I nodded. Jason had explained very well.

"Good," he said, relaxing.

On the drive home, I sprung on him.

"Stay for a while?"

"And let you drag me into the wolf's den?" he replied. "No thanks."

"Please Jason?" I begged. "I know they'd really appreciate it."

He was silent, then he acquiesced. I grinned. This would turn out well.

Conner's POV

When Hayley called, telling us to meet at Dr. O's place, I wondered why. We were already losing it. . .

Oh. She needed help moving some things and dismantling the lab entrance. I sighed as I gunned my car and headed over.

I stepped in, noting the crowd at the door.

"Hey, guys," I said. "What's going on?"

The other three Rangers stepped aside to let me see, their faces stunned.

Puzzled, I stepped in. . .

. . . And dropped into a fighting stance. "What is he doing here?" I demanded. "That bastard has no right!" The others came to back me up.

The original Red Ranger and Dr. Oliver's murderer was here.

"Guys, chill!" Hayley said.

"What? You're backing him up?" Ethan demanded furiously.

"Let me explain," Hayley began, but Jason cut her off.

"I told you this was a bad idea," he said. "Please, can I just go?"

Hayley ignored him. "Guys, we get to keep the house."

I know that was a pleasant surprise for all of us. Hayley had called just yesterday to say we'd lost it. Dr. Oliver's house was all we really had left of him, besides his Lab and his Legacy of Power.

Yes, that was all capitalized in our minds. We'd even held a meeting about it.

"That's great," Kira said, "but that doesn't explain him."

Even Trent, laid back, nice guy that he is was showing signs of hatred for this our teacher's murderer.

"Guys, Jason is, in large part, the reason we get to keep it," Hayley said.

We were all in shock. "What?" I asked, flabbergasted.

"He's been working on it for a while, knowing a little about us and what we do," she explained. "He thought it might be useful to us. He was right. Guys because of him, we don't have to leave this place, or do anything to it. It can stay just how it is."

I looked at him, at this man. He couldn't meet my eyes.

"Guys," he said, "I am so sorry for all the pain I've caused you, for all the pain I caused him. I can't change the fact he's gone, but I can try to make things easier for you guys."

"You know," Hayley put in, "I really think Tommy would have liked us to like his best friend."

"We do," Trent put in. "You."

"No, Jason holds that position, and Tommy's actions proved it," Hayley said. "Still, don't you think it's time we healed the breach?"

The others turned to look at me. They wanted me to make this decision.

I looked at Hayley. She wanted me to give him a shot. I looked at Jason. He expected the hatred we felt, welcomed it even. That surprised me. He did feel guilty, then.

I stepped forward, taking a deep breath. "I really don't think Dr. O would have wanted past and present Rangers to remain separate, even though we have always had a protective complex about him," I grinned at Hayley, "and he knew it."

I put out my hand. He stared at me, not believing it. Then he smiled, shook it. Hayley began to cry.

Past and present united to create the future.

Uh. . .Wait. . .That was outta one of those damn sci-fi movies Ethan dragged me to see once. The memory still haunts my dreams.

A Few Years Later

I stepped onto my home planet for the first time in five and a half years. I'd had to call in a few favors, visit a lot of 'old friends', but I'd pulled it off. It had taken me five years, but I'd managed it.

I sighed. I wished I didn't have to be there. I didn't want to be there. All I wanted was to flee back into the ship and leave, never to return.

I couldn't, for my friends were counting on me.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped outside into the sunlight of Angel Grove for the first time in more than ten years.

I pulled my hat down farther on my head, covering my face. I couldn't risk anyone recognizing me. Not yet. It wasn't time.

Not yet, but soon.

Behind me, I heard the ship power up and leave. Well, there went my ticket home.

Wait, I was home. Wasn't I?

Pushing the thought away, I went off, searching for the beginning of my quest.

It was time. It was finally, after so many years, time to begin.

Elsewhere

There was a party going on, a party of villains. All the old ones from Ranger past. You name 'em, they were there. Together, they were to take over Earth.

Why were they celebrating? Tommy Oliver, the one power in the universe that could start their destruction, was dead by his own hand.

It was too good to be true.

Nothing would stop them now.

Divatox cackled. The Blue Robot thing had been right. They were to rule the world! And those Power Punks couldn't stop them this time! Not without their damned precious leader! WHO WASN'T THERE ANYMORE!!!!!

The evil party went on for a long time. There was, after all, a lot to celebrate.