Disclaimer: Saban owns Power Rangers and the characters within, not I.

Doomsday

Jason

"I mean did he even have to ask at this point?" Zack asked as he looked over to his two companions as they both looked up from their books at his words.

"Negative." Billy responded with a grin before looking over to Jason.

"What he said." Jason added with a nod as he leaned back in his chair and scanned his surroundings. He and and the other two guys were choosing to use this evening as a chance to study for a big test in the morning at school. They had decided to gather in Billy's garage and hit the books hard.

"Of course we weren't going to just stop being Rangers." Zack stated as he also leaned back in his folding chair referencing an earlier conversation with Zordon.

"Rita is still out there." Billy added.

"And we won't stop till she is powerless." Jason said as he finally stood up and walked over and out the open garage door into the crisp night air. The other two guys decided to follow his lead and stretch their legs a bit as well. All three just kind of instinctively looked up in the direction of the moon where they knew Rita was probably plotting her next attack. What could she be planning now?

"Hey.. it was good to see Tommy today." Zack said, changing the subject as he leaned up against the side of Billy's garage.

"Yes it was." Billy agreed as he moved to stand next to Zack. "Did you get a chance to talk to him?"

"Nah.. there was so much going on at that celebration that I really didn't." Zack answered. "What about you Jase?"

"No.." Jason answered before turning to the other two. "I didn't get to talk to him today."

"So is he back for good?" Billy questioned.

"I don't know..." Jason responded.

"Man.. he seemed to be doing good.. maybe he is getting over what happened." Zack stated.

"Maybe." Jason replied.

"I'm sure Kimberly was probably the most happy to see him." Billy added. "She seemed to be pretty down before."

"Yeah.. I wonder if he ever called her?" Zack asked looking back between the other two teens.

"Something tells me.. yeah he did." Jason answered for him before turning his attention back to the night sky. I wonder if they are together now?

"I expect he had some 'splaining to do if he did." Zack said with a laugh, picturing Kimberly chewing him out.

"Most assuredly." Billy agreed with a chuckle of his own.

"Maybe we should get back to studying." Jason chimed in before turning to head back towards his books. The other two nodding and following him inside.

Kimberly

"So he didn't tell you he was coming back?" Trini asked as she watched Kimberly take a sip of the smoothie that had just been placed in front of her.

"Not a word and we talked for hours." Kim answered as she lowered the drink back to the table.

"Wow. Guess he wanted to surprise us all." Trini stated before taking a drink of her own smoothie.

"Or maybe he didn't know, but either way it's good to have him back." Kim responded with a smile.

"Yes it is." Trini agreed, returning her smile. "So when do you think he'll get here?"

"Should be anytime." Kimberly answered as she eyed the doorway to the Juice Bar.

"So you two are settling right back in huh?" Trini commented raising her eyebrows slightly at her friend.

"Um.. I guess." Kim answered turning her attention back to Trini and trying not to blush at the look she was giving her.

"Safe to say you have forgiven him for not calling then." Trini said in a half question and half statement.

"Yeah.. he was going through something none of us could really understand." Kim reacted. "That night when he called he just opened up to me and it suddenly all made sense."

"Did he say why he suddenly decided to call?" Trini asked before taking another sip of her drink. She noticed Kim's smile widened a bit and then she let out a small laugh.

"Not exactly, but I think I know who deserves the credit for it." Kim answered as she followed suit to take another drink.

"Oh?" Trini asked.

"Jason totally went to see him Saturday and talked to him." Kim stated rather matter-of-factly although she had yet to confirm this with either of the two.

"Way to go Jason." Trini said with a big smile and a fist pump. Kimberly couldn't help but to burst out into laughter.

"What do you mean by that?" Kimberly said after her laughter subsided.

"I mean, you were clearly hurt and we all hated seeing you like that and I'm just glad Jason did something about it.. but I mean.. of course he did." Trini explained. Something in the way she was looking at Kim now indicated to her that there was a deeper meaning behind the last part of her statement.

"Of course?" Kim questioned.

"I mean... if you are hurt, that boy is not going to stand for that." Trini explained. "It was only a matter of time before he done something to make you feel better."

"Yeah.. he is pretty great like that." Kim said as her mind went to him. She had never gotten to properly thank him for what he had done for her. The recent events had kind of taken precedence over everything. She had also not come to terms with what she was feeling before Tommy's call and now with him back in town it was even harder to think about it.

"He's the best." Trini responded.

"The best." Kim echoed before she caught sight of green out of the corner of her eye. She turned to see Tommy approaching their table and she jumped up to greet him with a hug. Trini followed suit and got a hug as well.

"I've missed you ladies." Tommy said as he and Trini broke apart.

"We've missed you too." Trini responded before sitting back down. Kimberly pulled a seat out for Tommy but frowned when she saw he didn't sit down. He suddenly looked very troubled.

"Is everything okay?" Kim asked as she placed a hand on Tommy's arm.

"Um.. we'll it's just..." Tommy hesitated searching for the best way to break what was no doubt going to be unpopular news. "I've got to be heading back."

"Back?" Was all Kim could say as she removed her hand from his arm. Why?

"But you just came back." Trini stated.

"I.. I know but.. I'm just not ready, being back here kind of proved that to me." Tommy explained turning his attention to Trini. He didn't want to see the look in Kim's eyes as he said that.

"Oh.." Was Trini's sole reply. Unlike Tommy her gaze was trained on Kim as she watched her friend sink down into her seat and try to hide her emotions but she was doing a poor job at it.

"So you are coming back eventually though right?" Kim finally asked after a couple moments.

"Yeah.. I think.. I think so." Tommy answered as he finally turned to see Kim looking up at him. He waited for a moment for her to say something else but she didn't. "So I was kind of hoping the rest of the gang would be here so I could say goodbye to them too... will.. will you guys..?"

"Of course." Kim answered before Trini could so the girl in yellow just nodded in agreement. Tommy still hadn't broke his eye contact with Kim.

"I'll call this time.. I promise." Tommy stated to her with a sympathetic tone. Will you? "I just need a little more time."

"We are here for you Tommy when you are ready to come back." Trini said as she reached over and gave his hand a squeeze.

"I know." Tommy said with a nod and a smile in her direction. "I better go, my uncle is outside waiting."

"Take care of yourself." Trini told him as she released his hand and he turned to leave. He stopped and turn back around to Kimberly.

"Bye Kim." He said.

"Bye Tommy." She replied as she watched him turn and hurriedly head for the door. She let out a sigh as he disappeared out the door before turning her attention back to Trini. She knew she should be more upset, but somehow she was at peace with him leaving.

"Hey.. I'm sorry." Trini broke their silence.

"It's okay.. I'm okay." Kim responded with a dismissive wave of her hand. "I mean.. I know he'll call this time and I just want him to be able to be around this place again, however long it takes."

"Yeah.. you sure you are okay with all of it?" Trini reacted.

"I'm sure." Kim offered with a genuine smile.

Jason

Does the soreness ever go away? Jason sat on his bed rubbing his sore neck. He wasn't sure if the other Rangers stayed as sore as him but every night it seemed like he discovered a new ache or pain. Jason moved his neck from side to side trying to locate from which side of his neck the pain was coming from. The left.. definitely the left. Jason had discovered the spot and moved to massage the tender muscles. His thoughts were interrupted by a slight knock on his window. He turned as best he could and saw Kimberly standing at the window.

"Since when do you have to knock?" He asked offering her his warm smile. She smiled in returned and climbed inside of his room.

"You okay?" She asked as she noted the way he was holding his neck.

"Yeah.. just a little sore." He answered as he watched her make her over to him and crawl up on the bed behind him. He was about to turn around to face her but he felt her hand slide across the back of his neck. The touch sending shivers up and down his spine. He started to protest as she moved his hand away from his neck and replaced it with hers.

"Allow me." She said softly as she began to massage his neck.

"Oh man.." He reacted to her and gave in to her touch. That's the spot. "You don't have to.."

"It's the least I can do." She responded. "I owe you."

"Owe me?" He asked unsure of what she was referring to.

"Where were you Saturday?" She question in return.

"Um.. well that morning I hung out in the Juice Bar with Zack and then I just..." He began but stopped when he felt her stop and lean around so she could see his face.

"How did you find him?" Kim cut him off and watched as he looked at her for a moment out of the corner of his eye before lowering his eyes. He waited several moments before answering

"Zordon helped me track him down.. told him I was worried about him." Jason answered. "Tommy wasn't supposed to say anything."

"He didn't." She answered before moving to sit down next to him on the edge of the bed.

"So.. how did you know?" He questioned further.

"I just knew.." She responded. "It was really sweet of you."

"Just hated to see you so down, and I knew he could cheer you up." Jason replied. "Sorry if I kind of mettled in your business."

"He is not the only one who can cheer me up you know.." She said she took him by the hand prompting him to turn his attention to her. She leaned up and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He smiled and leaned into her kiss.

"I try." He replied as she broke their contact.

"You Jason Lee Scott are the best." She said in a whisper as she was still close to his face. She could see the big grin forming on his face and pulled back to get a better look at it.

"I bet you say that to all the boys." He said in a teasing tone prompting her to scrunch her nose up and him and shake her head playfully.

"No.. just you." She said as she couldn't fight the urge to wrap her arms around his neck and squeeze him in a tight hug. It probably should have hurt his sore neck but in truth nothing could have probably felt better in that moment. After they broke apart she moved to stand in front of him. "So I'm hungry you feel like going for pizza."

"Sure." He answered before looking down and realizing he was not dressed to go out. He was suddenly embarassed when he realized he was hardly dressed at all wearing only a pair of shorts. He hoped his face wasn't turning as red as it felt like it was. This was just another side effect of his new feelings for her. He never used to care to be shirtless in front of her. "I suppose I should put on some clothes."

"Maybe you should." Kim agreed as she too was suddenly very aware of his state of undress as he moved over to his closet to find some clothes. She had to mentally scold herself as the thoughts in her mind were not the type usually reserved for a best friend. She watched as he grabbed a shirt and turned to her.

"Um... where's Tommy?" Jason asked as it suddenly dawned on him that he had not expected to see Kim this evening because he assumed she'd spend the evening catching up with Tommy.

"He had to go back.. he told me to tell you bye and he was sorry he missed you." She answered. "Aaaand before you say it.. I'm fine."

"Oh.. okay.." Jason responded. He thought about prying further but decided against it as she actually did seem to be okay.

"I'm sure he'll call this time." She said offering him a knowing smile as he slipped a red tank top on and sat down to put on some shoes. He smiled and shook his head slightly before leaning down to lace up his sneakers.

(****)

"I told you I was hungry." Kimberly said as she picked up another slice of pizza and took a bite. Jason smiled as her and took a sip of his soda.

"Don't gotta justify it to me." He said as he reached down and rubbed his now stuffed stomach. She smiled between bites.

"They have such good pizza here." She said after swallowing another bite and then took a quick glance at their surroundings. She and he had decided to come to this place because since they were kids it had been their favorite. Back then it was mostly due to the large arcade that was in the back of the building.

"Best since we were kids." Jason agreed as he leaned back in their booth.

"Yeah.. but you know we only chose this place because of the games." She answered motioning in the direction of the large game room that the place still offered.

"Speaking of that..." He started before nodding in the direction she was pointing. "For old time's sake?"

"Okay." She said enthusiastically before jumping up from the booth and heading towards the game room with Jason in tow. Immediately upon entering she ran over to the coin operated basketball machine. He followed her over and sunk two quarters into the machine and watched as the balls began rolling down into her reach. She grabbed one and took a shot, sinking it. She repeated the action as the next one came into reach.

"You are better at this than when we were kids." He commented as he watched her make her third shot in a row.

"Maybe." She responded with a smile before shooting another shot.

"I remember when we were kids.." He started before inching his way closer to her.

"Don't you dare.." She admonished him noticing the gleam in his eyes and grin forming on his face.

"Whenever I wanted to distract you.." He continued.

"I mean it.." She warned him again but it was too late as he had moved in behind her and began to tickle her unmercifully. She writhed in his arms and began to laugh. She tried to tell him to stop but it all came out in a breathless giggle. Finally he relented as the buzzer on the game sounded indicated her time was up. He still held her though a she was coming down from her laughing fit. He was suddenly very aware of how nice she felt in his embrace. You'd better let her go before you do something you'll regret Jason.

"You absolutely suck!" She exclaimed as she leaned back into him and shook her head. She slowly turned to face him so she could give him a piece of her mind but once she locked eyes with him she suddenly got lost in them. The next thing she knew, she was moving up to kiss him and she could swear he was inching closer to her as well. No going back if you go there.

"Jason.." she got out in a whisper as they were now mere inches apart. Before they could close the gap completely they were jarred out of their thoughts by a voice calling across the room.

"Hey guys!" Came the voice. Both of them turned to see Trini calling to them standing next to both Billy and Zack. Jason and Kim quickly seperated and Kim gave them a wave as they began to make their way over. Jason snuck a quick glance at Kim before smiling at his approaching friends. Thankfully they seemed to be blissfully unaware of what they had almost walked in on. For him though it was all he could think about. He had so many questions and feelings but they would have to wait for now as Zack reached out for a high five and he obliged.

"You two had the same idea huh?" Zack said as he began to dig into his pockets for some quarters to put into the basketball game. "That high score is going down."

Jason smiled and turned his body towards Zack but his eyes instinctively were on Kimberly as she went with Trini over to a different game. On the walk over she turned and made eye contact with him once more. He offered her a smile and she returned it. He wasn't sure what was about to happen, but despite himself he wanted it to. Even if he regretted it later. He wanted it.