Summary – Kat reflects back on how Jason's leaving for the second time affected her best friend.

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Healing a Heartache

Kat

-o-

Speeding down the highway, I really wish Jason had let me drive. Especially since he had the grand idea of showing up a days early as an added 'surprise' to our friend.

"So like I was saying I figured we could swing by the school and kidnap him for a late lunch and then check out this Cyber café thing he's always going on about." Chatting on as if all is right with the world, Jason seems oblivious to my personal troubles.

Don't get me wrong, I'm extremely elated to be seeing my best friend again. I've missed him more than I can say over the years, and while phone calls have been frequent and pleasant, it's not the same as actually being with him. However, there is the downside. The downside which happens to be sitting happily beside me. The downside that while filled with only the best intentions will most likely end up hurting our friend beyond words with this visit.

-ooo-

(8 years ago, Angel Grove)

"Tommy, I'm home." Tossing my keys on the hall table, I rebalance the shopping bags in my arms and kick the door shut. "Tom, come help me with these bags will you?" When I get no response and no help, I heave a sigh and quickly head to the livingroom to see what the trouble is.

Curled up on the large black couch, under a pile of blankets and pillows, my darling best friend lays sound asleep. Oh Tom, poor thing must not have felt well after he got up. Right and let's just pretend this hasn't been the pattern for the past week. Thanks a lot Jason, go off to New York and leave me here to clean up the pieces of your best friend's heart, again.

"Tommy, Tom, wake up." Shaking him gently, and pushing his bangs back, he is so adorable when he's sleeping. Well, when he's sleeping peacefully that is.

"Mmm." Eyes opening slowly and letting a lazy yawn escape him; he finally seems to wake enough to focus on me. "Kat? Hi."

"Hi, not feeling well?"

"No, felt sick, so I laid down to rest for a little bit and watch TV." Yeah I can see you found the Twilight Zone DVD set.

"Is that all you did all afternoon?" Retrieving the remote and turning down the volume on the TV, I really have to get him outside into the fresh air and sun. At this point I'm almost hoping for a battle, at least he'll be moving and I'll be sure he's not lapsed into a sugar coma.

Sitting up and stretching, he glances around the mess that is now my livingroom. You know one of the perks of living alone in the US was the fact that I didn't have a family leaving chip bags and soda cans everywhere. "No, I, I um…I made the bed, and I cleaned the kitchen, and did the dishes.." Okay staking the dirty dishes on the counter is not 'doing the dishes' darling. Men.

"Well that's great you attempted to clean up and do the dishes."

"But?"

"But, I'm just becoming a bit concerned with how much you're nesting in the apartment. I know you still don't feel well, and you miss the others, but you can't just stay here forever hiding from the world, our friends, and the sun." Getting up and pulling the drapes open, I heave a sigh as he hisses dramatically and pulls the blanket over his head.

"It burns."

Moving to him and swiftly taking his covers, I fix the boy with what I hope is a good imitation of my evil look. "Oh shove it 'Spike'. Now I really think it'd be good if you maybe went out to run some errands with me, or headed over to the park, or lake, or we could go to the beach, hm? That'd be fun, don't you think?"

"No." Sigh.

"Tommy..." I think I'm going to have to get a lot of help on this mission. Maybe if I can get Adam and the gang to come with, we can all convince him to go out to the beach this weekend.

Snatching the blanket back and curling up under the covers once more he's getting on my nerves, and you know I do have to wonder why his uncle hasn't shown up question his whereabouts considering he's been here for the past week. Though he probably just figures he's eighteen and we're still 'celebrating' graduation. "Don't wanna talk about it. Don't feel good."

"Okay that is it, totally and completely it." Throwing my hands up and storming out of the room, I head into the kitchen and grab the phone.

Poking his head up and slowly moving to the entry way that divides the two rooms, he is in for it now. "What are you doing? Ordering pizza? I don't want anchovies this time."

"No I am not ordering a pizza, I'm calling Justin to come over and bug the ever loving crap out of you until you stop acting as annoying as he is." Waiting through the rings and for once wishing the exasperating child was home, I barely make it to the fifth one before the phone is promptly snatched from my hand and slammed back down on the counter.

"That is not funny." I wasn't joking. Ten minutes of the preteen's incessant rambling and I know you'll agree to sell your soul to be let out of this apartment.

"Then get dressed, shave, and come with me to the lake."

Crossing his arms stubbornly and seeming to debate it for a good minute, he finally relents when I reach for the cordless once more. "Alright, alright, geez, sadistic female." Walking off towards the bedroom to get some clothes from his duffel bag, it's only a few moments before I hear the shower start up and drown out his grumbling.

I swear next time we need some substitute Ranger to take over some Gold Power staff like hell if I am letting it be Jason again. I swear the boy finally makes progress with other people and bam mention the name Jason and it's vampire sulk session for how many weeks. Not again. Not for this cat.

-ooooo-

(present)

"So what do you say?" Drawn out of my reminiscing by Jason's nudge, I return focus back to the present conversation.

"Sorry, what?" Yeah, I was paying attention.

Snickering and putting his shades on his head, he gives me a bit of a look. "I said do you think Tommy will be happy to see me? I mean he sounded kind of, I don't know, hesitant and off on the phone. You think something's up?" Do you have a year to kill?

"No, he's probably just tired training the kids. It must be hard for him having to play Ranger and mentor now. I'm sure he'll be happy to have us there." Sinking back in my seat and knowing I've just lied to my friend through my teeth, I really should have tried to stop this sooner. Still though, I honestly didn't think Tommy would be so uneasy about it. I thought for sure he had some love interest happening now. After all he's constantly telling me about his friend Hayley when we talk.

Pointing to the welcome sign, Jason seems not to notice my slight shift in spirits. "Check it out. Welcome to Reefside. We're here." Oh well, the best laid plans…

To be continued………