Chapter 10

Tearful Goodbyes

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(Jason's P.O.V.)

We're in the airport's shopping area getting Kat some Advil. I certainly wish I could drink myself into a stupor but I'm officially Tommy's second in command. If he's down for whatever reason I'm the one that has to take point. I'm just glad Conner was the red ranger back when he was in that amber and in a coma the first time around. He's certainly a good kid. A little rough around the edges but I'm sure I was when I first became a ranger. Looks like the yellows are having a good time. Wait minute where's Kim and Kat?

Looks like Kim is getting upset again, but, why is she walking so fast towards Trini? Now why is Kat trying to avoid… Oh SHIT! Smooth move, Jase. If Tommy doesn't kill you for the Kim, Kira, and Hayley thing he'll certainly kill you for this. Well I better talk to Kat. Just stay calm Jason and remember what Emily said. Kat wouldn't have said anything unless she was pushed.

"What happen?"

"Jason, I don't want to talk about it."

"Katherine, believe me when I say that you would much have me around right now then Trini. Plus hopefully this will keep me from having to deal with a repeat of this morning."

"What happened this morning?"

"Let's just say it's not a good idea to get on Kira's bad side."

"Who's this Kira you guys talking about? This makes it the second time in less then thirty minutes I've heard her name."

"Tommy's yellow, and, trust me she has a temper on her."

"How bad?"

"Bad enough to have me a little scared." Actually I'm not, but, she doesn't have to know that.

"Ouch."

"Now tell me what just went down or face the only two yellows that will ever intimidate me." I hope Kat believes that.

"Well she asked me about Tommy and mine's break-up back then and if I blamed her for it."

"Is that it?"

"Yes."

"Katherine?" God I shouldn't use this tone unless I'm morphed and having to argue with Tommy.

"Fine, she asked me about how I felt about Tommy's suicide."

"You said you did blame her didn't you?" I already know she's going to lie so I better give her the stare I use to give a certain green ranger.

"Jason, I have a hangover and was in no mood to argue with her plus she did dragged it out of me." To hell with it I'm going to cover my face with my hands for a moment.

"Tommy if you don't die from this I'm going to kill you for this headache you gave me."

"What was that, Jason?" I can't believe I said that out loud, but then again I was talking into my hands.

"Never mind I'm just talking to myself. After you pop a couple aspirin I'm going to steal a couple from you ok."

"Sure because you starting to look like you need it some more then I do."

"Jason can I talk to you for a second." Great I forgot Tanya. More then likely Trini sent her over to distract me while she gives Kat an earful.

"Tell Billy's lover that I have it covered."

"But Jas… never mind." Oh yeah I'm definitely going to kill Tommy. Because now I had to give a glare I normally save for him to Tanya who is now going to report to my favorite yellow before talking to her husband who will probably have a few choice words for me and to top it all off my headache is slowly becoming a migraine.

"Trini?"

"Yeah."

"Thanks."

"Don't thank me yet, I still have a yellow dino thunder ranger to contend with."

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(Tanya's P.O.V.)

I can't believe Jason. Just because he was a red ranger doesn't mean he should glare at me.

"Tanya, why aren't you distracting Jason?" Great know I'm getting a glare from Trini.

"He said and I quote 'Tell Billy's lover that I have it covered"

"Oh he did, did he? I'll show him covered."

"Trini stop it. I asked Kat those questions so forget it." It's a wonder Kim hasn't started crying again.

"Yeah, Trini, Kim knew what she was getting into before hand." It's a wonder Aisha was able to hold Trini back when I left to attempt at distracting Jason.

"I agree with Kim, and Aisha on this one."

"I don't care she had no right to say what she said to Kim and I'm going to let her know it."

"Trini, I asked her. As a matter of fact I pushed her into answering them so drop it or I'll turn Kira on you."

"I can take her."

"Trinity Marie Kwan, you are not to do anything. Understand!" Oh My God! Not only did Kim shock me and Aisha, but, she shocked Trini to by using her full name.

"Ok I'll back off, but, if something like that happens again there's no stopping me Kimberly Ann Hart."

"I know."

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Everyone was in the normally busy high school hot spot when Jason and the girls arrived. The first two people to greet them though were the last two someone would expect.

"Elsie, Dr. Mercer, what are you doing here?" asked Jason

"Well Anton called me this morning and told me about Tommy so I figured we would try to find Hayley and she how she was doing after brunch. It wasn't until after we arrived here that we saw that there was a small convention going on. Is anyone else coming?" answered Elsie

"Besides Tommy's parents no. I don't want to make any unnecessary phone calls until I have to. Which I hope I won't."

"Well if there is anything I can help with let me know." said Anton.

"There is one thing."

"Name it."

"Can Ethan, Kira, Trent and Justin stay at your place? Conner is going to be bunking down at Tommy's with me and the gang. I need to keep everyone situated or we are going to end up with one big mess."

"You don't need to ask. I'm happy to do it." said Anton before exiting the building with his other personality's one time evil minion.

"Ok time to get to business. Tanya will you introduce Aisha and Kat to Justin and the Dino thunders."

"Sure."

"Kim will you and Trini be ok sticking with Rocky and Adam. I need to talk with Emily and David."

"No problem, Jason." With that the group split up as Jason headed for his wife and best friend's brother.

"Hey David, Emily, how did it go?"

"It was alright. Good thing you told David to go along or we would never gotten the other note. The police cleared the place and didn't find the secret entrance to the lab." Emily responded handing over one of the reasons for this discussion.

"That's great. Now there just a two more things we need to take care of."

"Which are?" asked David.

"Tommy's parents are part of it. Do you think that everyone will chip in and get them a room at the hotel by the hospital? We don't want to risk them finding the lab either. That's why I've decided on having Zack and Cathy stay at Hayley's tonight."

"Good idea and I'm sure everyone will be more then willing to pitch in. " concurred the red ranger's wife.

"Well I'll talk it over with them, but, first… Cathy, will you come over here?" Jason called to the psychiatric therapist. She excused herself from Zack's side and walked up to the man that called her.

"Yes, Jason, can I help you?"

"I hate to ask this of you again, but, will you go with Emily and David and check on Tommy's place? I got to read the note to them, and, even though everyone here either does or will like you…"

"I understand. This has to be a private moment. All of you were close to Tommy and you don't need some one on the outside of your group interrupting."

"Thanks, Cathy, I owe you one."

"Think nothing of it. I'm ready to go now if you want, Emily."

"Yeah we better go. The sooner we do this the sooner we can go to the hospital." Emily responded leading the way outside to David's car. The very moment they exited the building Zack was right on top of Jason.

"Man this is the second time you had Cathy leave so what's the plan this time?"

"You'll see. Guys I need everyone to have a seat somewhere because we need to discuss something." While everyone was making their way to one of the many chairs in front of bar Billy decided to ask the all important question.

"Did they retrieve the other note?"

"Yeah, Billy, they got the other note, but, before I read the notes I need to ask you guys if you'll be willing to chip some money in?"

"What for Jason?" asked Katherine.

"Tommy's parents are coming in sometime early this evening and I was thinking get them to stay at the hotel near the hospital. Now I know some of you are wondering why do I want them at the hospital its because I already have the sleeping arrangements already figured out, but, I need them at the hotel for everything to go as planned. Besides these are Tommy's parents we are talking about. They raised him from when he was in diapers, and they are going to more concerned about Tommy then we are. So I don't want to cause them undo stress either financially or accidentally finding the his secret lab. So what do you say?" At that moment Rocky stood up.

"Jason, why do you have to ask? I'm sure everyone here will agree to doing this for Tommy. Right guys?" Cheers of agreement were the response.

"Thanks guys." Jason picked up. "Now that's out of the way. It's time for something that I really wish I didn't have to do. I'm going to read these notes, and everyone the first one I'm going to read is the one Hayley found beside Tommy. The one Tommy wanted us to have. So here goes…." Jason said before reading the letter.

Dear guys,

It's been ten years. Ten years to the day since I received that god awful letter. Ten years of not knowing what I did to lose her. Granted we didn't talk every day but still. She had her gymnastics, and I was a ranger. Maybe if I didn't let her go we would still be together.

Billy, you were the only one out of all of them that I could talk to after what happened. You've might not be the best person to talk about feelings, but you helped me early on before you left.

Trini, sweet Trini. You were the guiding star for all of us. Did you guide, Kim, or did she make this decision on her own?

Zack, always the light hearted one. Your jokes helped me survive up until now.

Adam and Tanya, you two are the only ranger couple that made it work. What I wouldn't give to have just a small amount of what kept you two together.

Rocky, you have to be one of the craziest people I know. You were always pushing yourself instead of relaxing.

Kat, you've might of healed my heart some, but, you couldn't hold the stitches together. I appreciate the effort though.

Justin, you were a great kid. I wished I got to hangout with you more. But sometimes we don't get our wishes.

Hayley, I would have never made it through college if you weren't there. You're definitely a Power Ranger in my book.

Conner, you've finally becoming the man I saw while you were the Red ranger. Keep on leading.

Ethan, you remind me a lot of Billy. Always refraining to use the inner strength you had. Hopefully now you'll be able to.

Kira, you are a great girl. Having you around pushed me to my limits. You were so much like Kim. From the zord you piloted to your angelic voice. Don't let anybody hold you back.

Trent, I'm not sure what to say to you. I guess there is nothing can be said. The two of us were cut from similar cloth. Good luck, and don't make my mistakes.

Jason, I know that this will probably be the hardest on you. We were like brothers. Maybe after this you would buy a beer for all of them a have a drink in my honor. I know your reading this because I called you just after I wrote this letter. I'm officially handing leader duties back over to you. This is note is just for the rangers. I have another note on my nightstand for the police to find. Ask Hayley for help when it comes to contacting the Dino rangers.

Sincerely,

Tommy Oliver

By the time Jason was finish even he was doing his hardest not to cry while reading with a steady voice. He knew he had to. All of them will be turning towards him for strength and keeping his emotions in check. But alas he did shed a few silent tears just like the rest of the men of the group, and to think the girls were hurting just as much. Trini had her face buried in Billy's chest while his chin rested on top of her head sobbing. Rocky and Adam were holding Aisha and Tanya respectively while they cried on their shoulders. Kira was unleashing tears she didn't know she still had into Trent's shirt. Even Conner held Hayley while Ethan was comforted Katherine while both of them drenched the boys' clothing with their tears. But out of all of them Kimberly was being effected the most. She was curled up in a ball with her back against the front of the couch madly crying into her knees.

"He said something to everyone except me." she choked out in-between breathes, for the pink ranger was bawling. For the first time since the whole ordeal began Kat and Hayley felt horrible for saying what they had said towards her. Not to say they didn't feel bad to begin with, but, at that moment they felt like they were either Rita or Mesagog in their treatment of Kimberly and it made them want to vomit. It's always the fewest words that can make you think your lower then dirt. And that was what those women were thinking when they made their way to the gymnast taking a seat on either side of her.

"Kim, I'm really sorry for what I said to you at the airport."

"Me, too, Kim. I should have known better to go off like that. I was wrong."

"For…get it guys… I just… need some… time ok." Kim gasped out.

"Kim, I still have the other letter to read. Do you mind?"

"Go ahead… Jason."

Dear everybody,

I'm sure by the time you read this I'm no longer on alive. I know you are wondering why I did this so I'm going to tell you. I'm just not happy. What I mean is that I just can't go on feeling empty. Like a piece of me is missing. And it's been that way for along time. To long in fact. Granted I did have great friends that made me smile every once in awhile like the gang, Smitty, and Hayley. But at the end of the day is when I just get depressed all over again.

Mom, Dad, I made sure you won't have to worry about my final expenses so there is twenty thousand dollars for the funeral. I want you to cremate me and give the ashes to Jason. He'll know why so please don't ask any questions. I also want him to have my place. Don't worry I'm sure he'll let you have what ever you want that belongs to me that's in there. Now that that's over there is one last thing I need to write before I go on with this.

Hey Beautiful, if I know Jason he is either reading this to you or has sent it to you, and if I know you somewhere in that mind of yours that for whatever reason you blame yourself for me committing suicide. Please don't. I don't blame you for me doing this so you shouldn't either. When I let you go I pretty much gave up on happiness. Granted I'm sure you know I got together with Kat, but, I still gave up. And I'm sure from past experiences the moment you give up things won't get any better. So please Kimberly don't give up, don't blame yourself, and don't let anyone blame you either.

Sincerely,

Tommy Oliver