Disclaimer: Saban owns Power Rangers and the characters within, not I.
"I don't get it..." Kimberly said as she examined Jason's abdomen. Her eyes moved up to meet his as he slowly pushed his bandage back down and let his shirt fall from where he was holding it up.
"I don't either." Jason said as he glanced over at the doorway leading out into the hallway outside of his hospital room. "It has the doctors pretty baffled as well I think."
"I mean as Rangers.. we had some healing powers, but nothing like that.." Kim commented as she crossed her arms.
"I know." Jason agreed.
"How do you feel?" Kim asked.
"I feel fine... maybe a little tired." Jason answered as he walked over to corner of the hospital room to retrieve his shoes off the floor. He sat down and winced ever so slightly. "It's still a little tender.."
"Yeah.. but Jase... the way it has healed, I'm not even sure it's gonna leave a scar.. that's not normal." Kim stated as she eyed Jason who was now tying his shoes.
"Oh I know... I'm at a loss.." Jason said raising his head momentarily to look at her, before resuming his task of tightening his laces.
"Maybe.. you should go see Zordon and Alpha." Kim suggested.
"You think.. they would know what's going on?" Jason asked.
"I think if anyone would, it'd be them." Kim answered with a slight shrug as she leaned up against the window ledge.
"You're probably right.." Jason agreed. Jason stood up and a wave a real quick vertigo hit him, but it was so quick, he wasn't sure Kim even noticed. He walked over to his bed and began stuffing items into a bag that Kim had brought him from home.
"We shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth." Kim said as she walked over to stand next to him, prompting him to give his attention to her. "I'm glad you are healing like this."
"Me too." Jason agreed as he bent down and pulled Kim into a hug. There was a soft knock on the door, prompting the two to break the hug and turn in that direction.
"Hey.. so I heard you are getting to come home today?" Rocky said as he stuck his head in the doorway.
"Hey Rock.. yeah I'm free." Jason said with a smile.
"That's crazy.. how..?" Rocky asked as he walked over to stand on the other side of the bed from Jason and Kimberly.
"We were just talking about that.." Kim answered. She nodded to Jason who nodded back and lifted his shirt and bandage for Rocky to see his wound, or lack thereof.
"Wait.. wait.. what.. how?" Rocky asked as his eyes went up from the bandage to dart back and forth between the two former Rangers across from him.
"Don't know.." Jason replied with a shrug. "Something is healing me."
"Yeah.. clearly.. but.. it can't be Ranger related right... I mean I never healed like that." Rocky responded.
"We didn't either." Jason stated as he glanced over at Kim and back at Rocky. "But something is happening to me.. if it's not Ranger related then I have no idea what it could be."
"That's wild." Rocky said as his face conveyed how deep in thought he was. After a moment his expression changed to a smile. "It's pretty cool though.. right?"
"Yeah.. I mean.. I can't complain." Jason replied with a smile to match Rocky's. "Just would like to know what's going on."
"I'm sure." Rocky replied.
"We were going to go see if Alpha and Zordon could shed some light on it." Kim stated.
"Hey.. they just might be able to." Rocky said. He glanced behind him at the hallway before turning back to the other two and lifting his wrist to display his communicator. The other two made their way over to his side of the bed and placed their hands on his shoulder as he teleported them all out.
(****)
"All done." Alpha Five said as he lowered the device in his hand away from Jason's chest and stepped back.
"So what's the verdict?" Kim asked as she turned to the robot who was examining the handheld apparatus.
"It appears from my reading that Jason's body is still flowing with energy.." Alpha began.
"Energy from what?" Jason asked. Alpha pushed a couple of buttons on the device and waited for something to come up on the screen. After a moment he lowered the device and glanced up at Jason.
"From the Gold Ranger powers you held." Alpha answered. Jason furrowed his brow and turned to Kim and then up at Zordon.
"I don't get it.. I don't have those powers any longer, and what's more.. they were killing me, it doesn't make sense." Jason stated.
"Right.. but from the readings it would seem that there is residual energy from your body absorbing the powers." Zordon responded.
"But like Jason said.. those powers almost killed him.." Rocky added from his position closest to Zordon's tube.
"Indeed they were, but that was because Jason was holding the full extent of the powers, which were not designed for humans.." Zordon explained. "The residual energy is just enough to not harm Jason, quite the contrary, it is enough to actively seek to restore and heal his body."
"So.. what does that mean?" Kim questioned as she glanced back at Jason.
"It means that until the residual wears off... Jason's body will be able to heal itself." Alpha answered. "Before you feel invincible Jason, just know that there is only a trace amount left.. and it could fade at any time."
"Got it." Jason replied. "Just glad I still had it when I did."
"Same." Kim replied as she reached over and placed her hand on Jason's wrist.
"Hey guys.. I got a class starting.. I'm gonna get out of here.. but it sure is good to see you back up and good as new Jason." Rocky said as he walked over to stand in front of Jason.
"Thanks Rocky." Jason said as he stuck his hand out and Rocky clasped it with his own. Rocky smiled at Kim and glanced over at Zordon before he teleported out.
"So how are you both?" Zordon asked, prompting Jason and Kimberly to turn and glance up at him.
"Good." They both answered in unison.
"That's good.. any more nightmares?" Zordon questioned. Jason and Kim exchanged glances before turning back to Zordon.
"A couple nights ago." Kim answered and Jason nodded.
"I'm sorry you are still plagued with those.." Zordon responded, his voice heavy. "I have faith they will soon disappear."
"I hope so." Jason responded. "That's some residual energy I'd be happy to get rid of."
"I have faith, soon what happened on that island will be a distant memory." Zordon stated.
(****)
"It's good to know you are going to be sleeping in that bed again." Kim said as she walked behind Jason into his bedroom.
"It's gonna be good to sleep in it again." Jason responded as he turned to Kim. "If not for the drugs they had me on.. I don't think I'd been able to sleep much at all at the hospital."
"Yeah." Kim responded as she gave Jason a once over. He smiled.
"Thanks again for staying up there." Jason stated.
"Of course." Kim responded.
"Between you, mom and the nurses, I was well taken care of." Jason stated.
"That's what we were going for." Kim said with a small laugh that settled into a smile as Jason moved closer to her and leaned down for a kiss. Kim's hand moved to rest on his stomach as they kissed. She instinctively jerked her hand away when she felt his bandage. The kissing ceased and Jason moved back to look at her.
"It's okay Kim.. I'm fine.." Jason said as he took her hand and placed it back on him to prove the point.
"It's just.. I guess I'm still having a hard time believing in just a couple days you could go from.. death's door, to good as new." Kim said, her voice barely above a whisper. Jason pulled her into an embrace.
"I know.. but it's true, and I'm okay now." Jason said. Kim nodded and turned to look up at him. She shook her head. "What?"
"I was so mad at you.. you know?" Kim answered.
"For?" Jason asked.
"Nearly getting yourself killed." Kim responded. Jason started to protest, but Kim shook her head. "I know.. you did what you had to do.. I'm also proud of you."
"I understand.. I'm sorry I put all of you through that." Jason stated.
"Can take you out of the Ranger suit, but can't take the Ranger out of you huh?" Kim said with a smirk.
"Something like that." Jason agreed with a shrug.
"I'm just glad it all worked out.. the girl is safe, you are home now, and the.. thugs that did it are behind bars." Kim said as she walked over and sat down on Jason's bed.
"Yeah.. I'm glad too." Jason said as he remained in his position and crossed his arms. Kim glanced up to see he was in thought over something.
"What is it?" Kim asked, prompting Jason to turn to her.
"It's just... as a Ranger, we were only concerned with stopping monsters and attacks on such a larger scale.. it makes me wonder how many people we could have helped.." Jason began.
"Don't do that to yourself Jason." Kim cut him off gently, but sternly.
"I know.. I shouldn't but.." Jason paused. "It's got me thinking.. that maybe.. I can still do something to stop things like that."
"What do you mean?" Kim asked.
"I don't know for sure.. maybe a career in law enforcement some day.. something." Jason responded.
"Really?" Kim asked.
"Yeah.. but enough about that." Jason said as he turned to her with a smile. "Right now.. I just want to get in that bed.
"Jason.." Kim replied, her eyes widening.
"To sleep.. I'm tired.." Jason said as he plopped down next to her. He glanced over at her with a huge grin. "Get your mind out of the gutter, Hart."
"Oh no.. you did not just say that." Kim responded, trying to look stern but fighting a laugh. In truth she had took his words entirely in a manner that were not strictly pure.
"Well.. maybe I'm not that tired." Jason quipped, prompting Kim to playfully smack his arm before standing up.
"You really should rest." Kim said as she stood up. Jason took her by the hand and gently coaxed her back down to the bed. She leaned over him and kissed him.
"I can rest tomorrow." Jason said, after their lips parted.
"Yeah?" Kim replied as she looked over his features below her.
"Yeah." Jason answered as he moved up to meet her lips again. Just as the kissing intensified there was a noise behind them that prompted them to promptly scramble to break apart. Both turned to the doorway at the same time to see Jason's dad standing in the door with his arms crossed.
Jason sat up and Kim moved to sit next to him. Jason glanced at her briefly before standing up and turning his attention to his dad. He braced himself for what was about to come, fearing the worst. He watched his dad for a moment as he looked back and forth between the two of them. Jason moved to get closer to him to apologize. He started to speak but his dad beat him to it.
"Considering what you've been through son... I'm not gonna say nothing.. no lecture.. no parental advice.. nothing." Mr. Scott, said in a quiet tone to Jason. He reached up and patted Jason on the shoulder. "But.. just be glad it was me and not your poor mother that walked by here... close the door next time."
"Yes sir." Jason replied, as he felt relief when he saw his dad shake his head and turn to continue down the hallway chuckling to himself. Jason took a deep breath and turned to face Kim. "Um.. sorry..."
"Are we in trouble?" Kim asked.
"No.. surprisingly everything is cool." Jason replied as Kim got up and joined him next to his door.
"Well.. in that case I think I'd better go to my room.. before our good luck runs out." Kim said with a smile. Jason smiled in return and offered her a quick kiss.
(****)
Jason sat up in bed and took a deep breath. He focused his eyes on the doorway of his bedroom to see a silhouette standing there. He somehow knew there would be. He also knew who it would be.
"Nightmare?" Kim asked as she made her way into his room and sat down on the edge of his bed.
"Yeah." Jason answered.
"Same." Kim stated. "We were back there again."
"Yeah... maybe this will be the last one." Jason said as he sat up in bed.
"Maybe.." Kim responded. "Jase?"
"Yeah?" He reacted.
"I get the feeling we are going to have to go back there." Kim stated.
"There.. you mean the island.. Murianthias?" Jason questioned. Kim nodded in response with a concerned look coming over her features. "What makes you think that?"
"You don't feel it?" Kim asked in return. Jason considered her words for a moment. He had to admit, he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that at some point he would have to step foot on that awful island again.
"I mean.. why would we?" Jason questioned.
"I have no idea.. just a feeling I get." Kim replied.
"Well... here's hoping it's wrong." Jason said. The room fell silent for a few moments as both seem to be collecting their own thoughts.
"I just wish the nightmares would stop.." Kim said as she shook her head.
"Hey.." Jason said as he swung his legs over the bed and scooted next to Kim. He put his arm around her. "They will.. and no matter what.. you are not alone in this."
"Thanks Jason.." Kim said as she looked up at him, before she leaned in and buried her head into his chest allowing him to hold her. Kim smiled. Suddenly being here with Jason, once again she felt at ease. Her fears were quickly disappearing again.
"Anytime." Jason responded in a whisper. Kim looked up at him and he smiled at her. His eyes moved behind him and he gestured with a nod in that direction. "Wanna crash in here tonight?"
"Yes." Kim answered without hesitation. Jason nodded his head and lied back in bed. Kim crawled around him and came to rest on the other side of the bed. She moved to rest her head on his chest once more and the lazy circles he was tracing on her back were the last things she felt before drifting off to a peaceful sleep.