Title: Rising Hopes
Characters: Jason, Zack, Trini, an unnamed doctor, Kim; mentions of Tommy, Kim's previously unnamed mom, Kat and Dulcea, with implied mentions of Rocky, Adam and Tanya
Rating: T
Warnings: vague implications of an eating disorder and a stress induced injury, vague spoilers for the first movie and the end of season 3/beginning of Zeo
Summary: In the hospital, Jason and Kim have a talk.
Word Count: 509/7,327
Author's Note: Again with the angst, though this one starts to get a little better. On Jason's part, at least.

Before I go any farther, I'm going to explain my explanation for The Letter. In this particular story, neither Kim nor Tommy actually wrote The Letter. Neither did Kat, before anyone jumps on me. I may not have originally been much of a Kat fan, but she's really grown on me and I think she's better than that.

The Letter was actually one of Rita's attempts to demoralize and weaken the Rangers. She sent Tommy The Letter that we see in No Business Like Snow Business, but at the same time, she also sent Kim a similar letter. Both teens think that the other cheated on them before breaking up with them.

The rest of the Rangers are divided by which one they spoke to first after the event. The Zeo Rangers are on Tommy's side while Jason, Trini, Zack and Aisha are on Kim's side. Billy is most likely on Tommy's side as well, just because it's easier for him to get in contact with Tommy who is still an active Ranger, than it is for him to get in contact with Kim, who is a civilian now.

The misunderstanding never gets completely cleared up because no one ends up talking to anyone else about it.

Anyway, Tommy had the Rangers and the battle with the Machine Empire to distract him and keep him from falling into depression, while Kim was on her own in Florida. She began training to the point of exhaustion so she could forget the heartbreak and also got to the point where she wasn't eating anymore. The combination is what led to her collapse in the last chapter.

Anyway, I hope that makes sense, but if anyone has any questions, just let me know and I'll try to do a better job of explaining.
Fae


Rising Hopes
He was pacing.

It was annoying the other two, but he couldn't help it. He was worried.

They hadn't been able to get a hold of Tommy or the others. They figured they were out saving the world.

They had called her mom, though. Charlotte was distraught, but was eight months pregnant and not able to fly.

So it was the three of them. Zack was holding Trini. He was pacing.

The doctor came. He didn't hear what she said. Something about family only.

What the hell? We are family.

Trini explained to the doctor. Kim's mom couldn't make it. They were standing in.

Peaceful negotiations. That was Trini.

He, on the other hand, wanted to hit something.

He wasn't sure how she did it, but he was soon following the doctor down the hall. She asked him a question. He didn't know what he said, but it must have been the right thing because she looked satisfied before leaving him at the room.

He drew in a breath and opened the door. He slipped inside and stood at the edge of the bed, looking down. She looked so fragile and tiny.

She opened her eyes and looked at him. "Jason," she said with a faint smile. "I thought I was dreaming."

"No, I'm really here."

"But how? I thought you were in Switzerland."

"Zack, Trini and I wanted to surprise you. We came to see you compete."

"Zack and Trini are here?"

"They're in the waiting room." He sat on the edge of the bed. "We were so worried, Kim. Seeing you fall like that."

"It 's not something I planned on repeating."

"What happened? You look horrible, Pinky."

She smiled faintly. "I haven't been doing very well lately. I've had a lot of things going on and I haven't been able to eat or concentrate on anything."

"What's going on?"

"Do you remember when the world went back in time a few months ago?" He nodded and she continued. "Right before everything was restored to normal, the Power Coins were destroyed. Even though I had given mine to Kat, I still felt the death of the Crane."

"The Power Coins were destroyed? Why didn't we feel anything?"

"They weren't the original Coins. They were the Ninja Coins that Dulcea had given us."

"Oh."

Silence. "I'm really glad you're here, Jase. I've missed you. All of you. But especially my big brother."

He returned her smile, but it wasn't from his heart.

Brother. That's all she sees me as. Nothing more. Never anything more.

"I've been trying to reach Tommy for you," he said.

The smile faded. "Don't. I don't want him here."

His eyebrow rose. So did his hopes. "Why not?"

"I- We're not together anymore. We haven't been for about a month."

His hopes went higher. "Really?"

"Yes. Just please. Don't tell him."

He nodded. "All right." She closed her eyes. "I'll let you sleep." He started to get up but her hand gripped his.

"No, please. Stay with me?" She looked so hopeful.

Always. "Sure."