DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but this plot bunny and the character of Meredith. However, she is willing to appear in other stories, if she's asked to do so. J
The Scott's dropped Meredith off at her house and she thanked them and headed inside. Her parent's were still not home, but Tommy's Jeep was parked next to hers in the drive, so he would be home. She wasn't sure if she was happy about that or not. She knew that Tommy would want to talk, but he might just let her do her thing and only bother her if she asked him.
She opened the door and sat her purse on the table in the hallway.
She glanced in the living room and saw Tommy wasn't there. She saw the light coming from the basement and headed downstairs. She figured he was probably working out, trying to take his mind off the events of the day.
Sensing Meredith's arrival, Tommy turned around and approached his sister.
"Hey, sis. You want to talk about it," he said.
"Jason got on a plane and he's headed for a new life. I have to move on with mine now, so I'm going to do that. But I might cry a bit first," she said.
"Well, we can always spar. I'll take it easy on you. Might help," he offered.
Meredith mulled Tommy's offer. Sparring with Tommy and even Jason usually helped her figure out what she was trying to solve. She nodded to her brother and they both headed upstairs. She headed to her room to change into her workout clothes and he went outside. They performed katas and simple karate moves in their basement, but when they couldn't get the Youth Center, they sparred in their backyard.
Meredith exited the house in her workout clothes.
"Want to work on your bow staff moves," he asked. Tommy was a pro at most of the 'weapons' and was trying to get Meredith more proficient.
"Yeah. I would like to get better with that," she said.
Tommy handed her a staff and they faced off in the center of the backyard. They were halfway through their workout when their parents arrived back home. They heard the noise in the backyard and headed out to watch their children. They had discarded their staffs and started sparring. Jane Oliver was amazed when she saw her daughter flip Tommy over her back.
Tommy had called his parents and told them what happened with Jason. They wanted to come right home, but Tommy convinced them to stay. Meredith felt bad enough already without ruining her parents weekend.
They finished their workout by bowing to each other. Tommy tossed his sister a towel and water bottle, then noticed their parents.
"Hey, mom, dad," he said taking a long swig of his water.
"That was impressive, Meri," her mom said.
"Thanks, but he was taking it easy on me," she said, shooting a smile at her brother.
"Tommy called us and told us about Jason. Anything we can do," her dad asked.
"I have to work it out on my own. I'm going to shower and go to bed," Meredith said.
She hugged her parents and Tommy kissed her on the forehead. He didn't have to communicate with words what he was thinking, because Meredith already knew. They would probably talk about it tonight, after everyone else was asleep. Tommy also knew she would get a communicator message from Jason when he arrived. Tommy knew a lot things. It was one of the benefits of being the leader of the power rangers.
He hugged his parents and took the staffs inside and put them in the cabinet in the basement.
He headed upstairs when he heard the phone ring. Meredith and Tommy had their own phone line, so Tommy went to his room to answer the phone, since he heard the shower running in the bathroom.
"Hello," he said.
"Tommy, it's Rocky. I was just calling to check on Meredith. I know today had to be really rough on her," he said.
"She's handling it her own way. We haven't talked about it, but I'm sure she'll be a mess at school tomorrow," Tommy said.
"Yeah, I can only imagine. I also wanted to warn you about something. Someone is putting up posters in the school about the voting for the Spring Fling King and Queen. Someone is using Meredith and Jason's picture from last year to spur on the voting. Apparently the committee didn't know Jason had been selected and by the time they found out, it was too late. I just didn't want Meredith to be too shocked when she sees her and Jason on the flyers, since they are the reigning King and Queen," he said.
"Thanks for the warning, Rocko. I'll make sure to warn her when she comes out of the shower. I'll catch you tomorrow," Tommy said.
"Yeah. Oh, tell Meredith that when ever she's ready to work on our drama project, I'll make the time. It's due in three weeks and I don't want her to forget," he said."Thanks, man. I'll tell her. See you tomorrow," Tommy said.
"Bye."
Tommy hung up the phone and heard Meredith unlock the door on his side of the bathroom. They shared a common bathroom and had a connecting door to their rooms that didn't lead through the bathroom. Meredith always locked his side of the bathroom when she was in there and only locked the door connecting their bedrooms when she wanted to be alone. If he wanted to talk to her, he waited until he either heard the door to his side of the bathroom unlock or checked the lock on the bathroom himself.
He knocked on the door not connected to the bathroom. "Come in," Meredith said.
"Hey, sis," he said coming into the room. Meredith was wearing a pair of gym shorts and a red t-shirt that he assumed had belonged to Jason.
"Who was on the phone," she asked.
"Rocky. He wanted to let you know that he'd be ready whenever you are to work on your drama project and to warn you," Tommy said.
"Warn me about what," she said.
"The Spring Fling is in a month and they're putting up posters around school regarding the voting. They are using the picture of you and Jason from last year to announce the voting for the King and Queen," he said.
Meredith was quiet. She had forgotten about the dance and was now worrying about it. She and Jason had been crowned King and Queen the previous year and now, he wouldn't be there.
"Well, I guess it's only right, I mean they do have to promote the dance and the penny for votes program does raise a lot of money for the Angel Grove Little Haven. It's cool. I'll deal with it tomorrow. Thankfully I have either you or Rocky in my classes," she said. She suppressed a yawn.
"Go to sleep. You'll hear Jason when he calls, trust me," Tommy said. He gave his sister a hug and walked back into his room.
Meredith put her communicator and morpher on her bedside table and turned off the light. She hoped when she woke, this would be a dream, but she knew it wouldn't be. She would start her first day as a Jason Scott's ex-girlfriend and she knew it wouldn't be a good day.
***Poor Meredith. I'm ready to cheer her up, but it's a bit soon and I have something really cute in mind. Enjoy!***-mereditholiver