Disclaimer: Once again, I don't own the power rangers, or anything to do with them. That's just the way it is.
A/N: This chapter is not a happy one. Just thought I would warn you ahead of time. Sorry.
Jason got a cab at the airport, the cabby throwing his suitcase in the trunk for him. Jason got into the back of the cab and looked at the cabby. "Is there a hotel near Richmond General," he asked.
The cabby nodded. "There's one right across the street from it," he said. "Is that where you want to go?"
Jason nodded. "Please," he said.
The cabby nodded and pulled away from the curb. It took them about twenty minutes to get to the hotel.
Jason got out as the cabby put the taxi in park. Jason pulled money from his pocket as the cabby got his suitcase out of the trunk. Jason paid the fare, leaving the cabby a good tip, then picked up his suitcase, entering the hotel.
The clerk smiled at him as he approached the front desk. "Can I help you sir," she said.
Jason nodded at her. "I'd like a room," he said. "I don't know how long I'll need it. Maybe a week."
The clerk nodded and looked up the information on her computer. "I have single rooms with a regular double bed," she said. "Or, we have plenty of double rooms available."
Jason pulled out his credit card, and ID, handing them to the clerk. "Just a single room will be fine," he said.
The clerk handed him a form to fill out while she typed his information into the computer. She took the form after he signed it. Then she handed him his card and ID back along with two key cards. "I put you in room 212," she said. "It's on the second floor. Just get on the elevator and turn right off it. Your room is three doors down from the elevator."
Jason took the items from her and nodded his thanks. He picked up his suitcase and headed for the elevator. He got off the elevator and walked to his room. He entered the room and set his suitcase on the bed. He didn't even bother to unpack. He left the room and exited the hotel, walking across the street to the hospital.
The man at the front desk greeted Jason with a smile. "How can I help you," he asked.
Jason walked up to the desk. "I need to get to the ICU," he said. "Could you tell me what floor it is on?"
The man directed Jason to the elevators, telling him to get off on the fourth floor.
Jason exited the elevator on the fourth floor, approaching the nurses' station with nervousness. He didn't know what news he might hear.
The nurse at the desk smiled at him. "How may I help you," she asked.
Jason let out his breath in a long sigh. "My parents were brought in here," he said. "They were in a car accident."
The nurse's smile faded slightly. "What are they're names," she asked.
"Michael and Karen Scott," Jason answered.
The nurse's smile vanished completely. "You must be Jason," she said.
Jason nodded.
The nurse came from behind the desk. "Come with me," she said. "Dr. Thompson said to expect you and bring you right to his office."
Jason followed her down the hallway, not liking this at all. Something must be seriously wrong with his parents.
The nurse knocked on the doctor's office door and opened it when permission to enter was given. "Jason Scott is here, doctor," the nurse said.
Dr. Thompson got up from behind his desk and walked around it. "Thank you, Nancy," he said. "Please let the nurses know that I'll be in here for a few minutes. I'll take Jason to see his parents after that."
Nancy nodded, giving Jason a small smile, then left the office, closing the door behind her.
Dr. Thompson held out his hand to Jason. "I'm Dr. Wayne Thompson," he said as Jason shook his hand. "Please have a seat. I need to talk to you before we go to your parent's room."
Jason sat down, waiting for Dr. Thompson to sit down. He was surprised when Dr. Thompson sat down next to him, instead of behind his desk.
"I'll be perfectly honest with you, Jason," Dr. Thompson said. "The news is not good. Your parents were involved in a head on collision. They sustained very severe internal injuries. They've all ready had surgery, trying to repair the damage." He sat back in the chair, letting his breath out in a long sigh. "That's not the worst of it," he continued. "I'm worried about the head trauma they both sustained. According to the police, the car that hit them was going about ninety miles an hour. Even with them wearing their seat belts, their heads collided with the windshield. The impact was that severe."
Jason sat back in his chair, letting the words sink in. He didn't know what to say.
Dr. Thompson leaned forward, putting a hand on Jason's knee. "I'm sorry," he said. "I really wish that I had better news for you. I've consulted a neurosurgeon. He wants to conduct a test on their brain wave activity. I told him we would have to wait for you to arrive. See what you wanted to do first."
Jason let out his breath in a long sigh. "I'd like to see them first," he said. "Then talk to the neurosurgeon. Would that be all right?"
Dr. Thompson nodded and stood up. "Of course," he said. "I'll take you to them right now. Follow me."
Jason stood up and followed the doctor out of his office. They walked down the hall, going into the ICU.
Dr. Thompson stopped in front of the door to one of the rooms. "I have to warn you," he said softly. "They have all kinds of machines and monitors hooked up to them. Plus, their injuries have caused some swelling. They don't look good."
Jason nodded. "I understand," he said.
Dr. Thompson opened the door, leading Jason into the room.
Jason walked into the room and looked to his parents. They looked worse than he imagined. He silently walked over his mom, taking her hand carefully in his own. He felt his emotions churning as he looked down at her still form. She had always been so full of life, a smile almost constantly on her face. Now, she just lay there, looking so fragile and worn. Jason fought the lump in his throat as he leaned down to kiss her cheek. "Hi, mom," he said softly. "I just want you to know that I love you."
Dr. Thompson fought the lump in his own throat. He quietly left the room, giving Jason some privacy. He walked up to the nurses' station and looked at Nancy. "Get a hold of Dr. Fredericks," he said. "The sooner Jason can talk to him, the sooner he'll know what options are available."
Nancy nodded and picked up the phone, paging Dr. Fredericks. She hung up the phone and looked at Dr. Thompson. "How is he holding up," she asked.
Dr. Thompson shook his head. "I don't know," he said. "Just send Dr. Fredericks to my office when he gets here. Let Jason stay with them for a little while, as long as he wants."
Nancy nodded and watched Dr. Thompson head back to his office.
Jason stood holding his mom's hand for a few minutes. He finally let go of her hand and walked around her bed, going to his dad's bedside. "Hi, dad," he said quietly as he took his hand. He leaned down and kissed his dad's cheek. "I love you." He stood up straight, holding his dad's hand, looking down at the motionless face. His dad had always seemed larger than life to him. Now, he lay in this hospital, not moving at all.
Nancy looked up as Dr. Fredericks approached the nurses' station. "Dr. Thompson wants you in his office, Dr. Fredericks," she said. "The Scotts' son is in with them now."
Dr. Fredericks glanced to the door of the Scotts' room. He sighed. "How long has he been here," he asked.
Nancy sighed. "About half an hour," she said. "Dr. Thompson said to let him have as much time with his parents as he wanted."
Dr. Fredericks nodded. "I'll be in with Wayne," he said. "Just let us know when he comes out."
Nancy nodded as Dr. Fredericks walked away.
Jason pulled up a chair between his parents' beds. He sat there, holding their hands for a good forty five minutes. He talked to them quietly, letting them know that he was there. He finally let go of their hands and stood up, moving the chair back to the side of the room. He looked up as a nurse came in with fresh IV bags.
The nurse gave him a small smile. "I'm sorry," she said. "I don't mean to interrupt you."
Jason gave her a small smile. "It's okay," he said. "I need to talk to the doctors. I'll come back later if that's all right."
The nurse nodded. "Just let us know at the nurses' station," she said. "We'll make sure you get plenty of time with them."
Jason thanked her and left the room, heading for the nurses' station.
Nancy saw him coming and walked around to meet him. "Dr. Fredericks, the neurosurgeon, is in with Dr. Thompson," she said. "They said to show you in there when you came out."
Jason entered Dr. Thompson's office after knocking.
Dr. Fredericks stood up, holding his hand out to Jason. "I'm Dr. Jonathon Fredericks," he said. "I'm sorry to meet you under these circumstances. Please have a seat."
Jason sat down in an empty chair as Dr. Fredericks sat next to him. Dr. Thompson was sitting behind his desk. Jason looked at Dr. Fredericks. "Dr. Thompson told me you want to do a test on my parents," he said. "What kind of test?"
Dr. Fredericks met Jason's gaze. "I want to test their brain wave activity," he said. "I'm worried about their lack of response to pain stimulus. It's like their nerves are not functioning."
Jason sat silent for a minute. "You're afraid they're brain dead," he said, rather than asked. "Aren't you?"
Dr. Fredericks nodded, reluctantly. "Yes," he said. "I am."
Jason stood up and moved to the window, looking out over the parking lot. He stood there in silence for a good two minutes before turning around. "How long do the test take," he asked. "When would you get the results?"
Dr. Fredericks stood up. "The tests would take about half an hour for each of them," he said. "I'd have the results in about an hour after that." He walked over to Jason. "I'm not going to lie to you, Jason," he said. "It is not looking positive at this point. I'm sorry."
Jason looked at Dr. Fredericks, meeting his gaze without flinching. "Do the tests, doctor," he said. "I want to know the results as soon as you get them. We'll take things from there."
Dr. Fredericks put a hand on Jason's shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze. "I'll have them set up right away," he said. "I'm really hoping that my original assessment was wrong. I'll let you know as soon as I do what is going on, okay?"
Jason nodded, keeping silent.
Dr. Fredericks turned away from Jason and looked at Dr. Thompson. "I'll see you later, Wayne," he said quietly. He left the office without another word.
Jason turned to look at Dr. Thompson. "Is there a pay phone that I could use," he asked. "I promised my friends that I would let them know what was going on."
Dr. Thompson stood up. "I'll show you where it is," he said. "I can show you to the waiting room also. It will take about an hour to set the tests up, so you have plenty of time to kill."
Jason followed him out of the office, heading towards the waiting area.
Dr. Thompson showed Jason to the waiting room, pointing out the pay phones just outside of it. "I'll let you know when the tests are done," he said.
Jason nodded and walked up to the pay phones, picking one up to dial Kim.
Kim turned to her mom as she hung up the phone from talking to Jason. Tears were rolling down her cheeks.
Jennifer took Kim in her arms without a word, letting her cry. She looked to her husband. He nodded at the unspoken request and went into the kitchen. He picked up the phone and dialed the airport. He was going to get Kim and Jennifer on the next flight out to Virginia.
Jennifer held Kim for a few minutes, then stepped back. "Go get packed, honey," she said quietly. "We're going to Virginia. I have this feeling that Jason will need you."
Kim gave her mother a small smile, then wiped her tears away. "Thanks, mom," she said softly. "It doesn't sound good." She turned to leave the living room, then stopped short. "I'll need to call Tommy," she said. "Let him know what's going on."
Jennifer shook her head. "Get packed first," she said. "You can call him after Jeffrey gets off the phone."
Kim nodded and headed for the stairs. She ran up them to her room, pulling out her suitcase and packing as quickly as possible.
Half an hour later, Tommy hung up the phone from Kim's call. He didn't hesitate. He teleported to the power chamber, appearing before Dimitria suddenly.
Dimitria looked at Tommy in concern. "What's wrong," she asked. "You don't come here unless something is wrong."
Tommy looked at her, swallowing the lump in this throat. "Could you contact Dulcea and Zordon," he said. "Jason's parents are in really bad shape. I think they should know what is going on."
Dimitria nodded and headed for the control console. She contacted Phaedos as Tommy contacted Billy on his communicator. "Billy," he said, when Billy answered him. "Get the others and come to the power chamber. I have to tell all of you something."
Ninjor listened to Dimitria tell him what was going on. "I'll let Zordon and Dulcea know right away," he said. "They should be there soon."
Jason sat in the waiting room of the ICU, only half watching what was on the television. He was deep in thought, memories rushing at him. He remembered the time that he won his first tournament, how his mom and dad had been there, cheering him on the whole time. He remembered making the football team and how proud his dad had been, seeing Jason in his uniform for the first time. Jason let out his breath in a sigh and stood up, walking over to the window. He looked down over the parking lot of the hospital. In his mind he was seeing his dad, sitting in the passenger seat of the car, teaching him how to drive a stick shift in the parking lot of an empty store. He smiled as he remembered stalling the car several times before he got the hang of it, his dad patiently working him through it. Jason remembered his mom, coming home from her shift at the hospital early in the morning, to find that he and his dad had completely trashed the kitchen, wanting to make sure that she had breakfast for mother's day one year.
Dr. Thompson stood in the doorway to the waiting room, watching Jason quietly. His heart went out to this young man. He knew that some tough decisions might lay ahead for him. He turned quietly, leaving Jason alone with his thoughts.
Kim looked at her mother as their plane taxied to a stop at Richmond International. She was anxious to get to the hospital to be with Jason. She was having a bad feeling creep up on her. She impatiently waited for their luggage at the baggage claim, then again for them to get a cab. She felt that time was running out. Jason would need her and she only wanted to get there as soon as possible to be with him.
Jason looked up from his chair as Nancy came into the waiting room.
She walked over to Jason, not smiling as usual.
Jason felt his heart drop at the look on her face. He stood up slowly. "They've got the results back," he asked quietly.
Nancy nodded, her face an unreadable mask. "Dr. Thompson and Dr. Fredericks are in Dr. Thompson's office," she said. "They wanted to tell you in private."
Jason followed her without a word. He looked at Dr. Fredericks as Nancy closed the door behind him. He knew from the look on Dr. Fredericks face that the news was not good.
Dr. Fredericks shook his head as he met Jason's eyes. "I'm sorry, Jason," he said softly, his voice so quiet that Jason almost didn't hear him. "Neither of your parents have any brain wave activity at all. They are clinically brain dead."
Jason closed his eyes, pain and grief overwhelming him. He stood there, his eyes closed as he tried to compose himself. He opened his eyes after a few minutes, tears there but not falling. He felt a numbness start to come over him. He looked at Dr. Fredericks. "There's nothing else that can be done," he asked, his voice strained.
Dr. Fredericks walked over to him, putting a gentle hand on his shoulder. "No," he all but whispered. "Nothing else."
Jason met his gaze, pain and grief showing in his own. "Then, draw up the paperwork," he said quietly. "I'll sign to have the life support removed."
Dr. Thompson walked over and put his hand on Jason's other shoulder. "Do you want some time with them," he asked.
Jason nodded slowly, a single tear making it's way down his cheek. "Please," he said. "I'd like to say goodbye to them."
Dr. Fredericks squeezed Jason's shoulder gently. "Take all the time you want," he said. "I'll have the papers drawn up and ready while you are in there."
"Thank you," Jason said. He turned and left the office without another word.
A/N: Told you it wasn't a happy one. The next one will be up soon. LOL.