DISCLAIMER: I own nothing, sadly, but this plot bunny and the character of Meredith.

"Hello," he said.

"Tommy, I have some news. I just talked to Trini and Zack," Kimberly said.

"And," he said. Meredith was perched on the edge of the bed, close enough to hear what was being said.

"They're going," she said. Tommy and Meredith, knowing Kim as well as they did, knew she was partially happy and upset at the same time. She and Trini had grown up together and Zack had been in their group since second grade. When Meredith arrived at Angel Grove High, she had been immediately accepted by Kimberly and her friends. Tommy arrived a short time later, having wanted to finish his semester out in Dallas.

"Have you heard from Billy or Jason," Tommy asked.

"Billy didn't apply. He said he couldn't leave all his family and friends and was afraid they might not understand what he was talking about. I thought Meri might have heard from Jase. He's not answering his phone," Kim said.

"No, Mer's been home for a few minutes and Jason never said anything to her. Maybe I'll try calling him," Tommy said.

"OK, call me if you hear from him. I'll talk to you later. I love you," Kim said."Love you, too," Tommy said.

"Trini and Zack are going? Wow, that's amazing. I wonder who the third person is and if we know them," Meredith said.

Tommy shook his head, but had a feeling he knew who the third person was. "Don't know, Meri. We should try Jason," Tommy said.

Meredith picked up the phone and called Jason's house.

"Hi, Mrs. Scott, sorry to call so late, but I needed to talk to Jason," Meredith said."No problem dear, but Jason's not here at the moment. He said he needed to go for a walk, but I'll tell him you called. He should be back soon," she said."OK, thanks," Meredith said, before hanging up. "His mom said he went out. I don't know where he is. He must have dropped me off and then went home and told his parents he was leaving for some reason."

"Oh, he probably heard about Zack and Trini and needed to take a walk. Why don't I head over to the park? Mom has those movies she wants to return and I can do it now instead of before school. You stay here and see if he calls," Tommy suggested. Meredith reluctantly agreed to Tommy's terms and settled in at her desk to do her homework.

Tommy headed downstairs and greeted his mom in the kitchen. "I've got to meet Jason, so I thought I'd take those movies back since I might forget in the morning," Tommy said.

"OK, but don't be out too late. It is a school night," his mom reminded him.

"I know, mom," he said, kissing his mom on the cheek and heading out the back door. He hopped in his Jeep and headed to the video store. He dropped off the movies in the return slot and then, locking his car, he headed across the street toward the park. After walking up the path toward the beach, he spotted Jason, sitting on a rock near the dock.

"Hey bro. I've been trying to call you," he said.

Jason turned and looked at him and Tommy knew he had been right.

"You got picked for the conference," Tommy said. Jason just nodded his head. He was afraid if he spoke he might start crying and he wasn't going to do that.

"What are you going to do," Tommy asked, sitting next to him and looking out over the water.

Jason shook his head. He still didn't trust himself enough to speak.

"I understand. I don't know how I'd feel if Meredith or Kimberly were chosen and I wasn't. I can't imagine what you're feeling right now, but you can talk to me about it. I know you've got to be feeling really bummed about what it will do to Meredith if you decide to leave," Tommy said.

Jason took a deep breath. "I don't want to hurt her," he said in a near whisper.

"I know. But, dude, if you give up this opportunity just so you don't hurt Meredith, she's going to hate you for it. If I know one thing about my sister, she won't want anyone to give up their dreams for her. She loves you too much to allow you to refuse if this is something that you really want to do," Tommy said.

"I know. I feel really guilty for wanting to do it, but at the same time I understand how Meredith is going to feel because I can't see how we can still be together during this. I'll be halfway across the world and she'll be here. I can't force her to be with me and not physically 'be' with her, you know what I mean," Jason said.

"I get it man, I do. You need to tell Meredith that. Let her decide if that's what she wants. No matter what, I know my sister loves you. She'll always love you. Be honest with her," Tommy said.

"Is it too late to talk to her tonight," Jason asked.

"Probably. Why don't you talk to her tomorrow. You two usually go out on a date Friday nights. Should be a perfect time for you two to talk," Tommy said.

"Ok. Don't tell her you found me. I don't want her to know that we talked. She might get upset about that," Jason said.

Tommy nodded and he and Jason stood and shook hands and did the one-armed man hug.

Tommy headed back out of the park toward his Jeep, the whole time wondering how he was going to keep this from Meredith. He knew it was wrong, but he wasn't looking forward to the pain Meredith was going to go through, especially when she found out that not only was Jason going, but he wouldn't be there for her birthday. Well, it was Tommy's birthday, too, but he wouldn't be nearly as disappointed at the absence of Jason as his sister would be.

***Hope things are going like you want them. What will Jason tell Meredith?***-mereditholiver