Here's chapter fourteen.

After receiving twelve reviews for the last chapter, I decided to get the ball a-rolling right now.

Forgive me if this chapter seems a little off or whatever. It's late and I'm not really all there. But I wanted to put this chappie out there right away.

Anyway, on with the tale.

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(Angel Grove Hospital)

(Wednesday morning)

It was now two days later. Jason'd been diagnosed with temporary paralysis- they didn't know how temporary, of course. Anyway, his friends were FURIOUS. They were spending all their free time searching for Dawn. The police, of course, were searching as well. Jason hadn't said much of anything, though.

At this particular moment, the former red/gold ranger was in his hospital bed, staring down at his legs with cold eyes. His first physical therapy session would start in a few hours. Lovely.

'Is this really temporary? Am I really gonna be able to ever walk again?' he wondered for the zillionth time. Doctors weren't always right.

Feeling helpless and useless was something Jason'd always loathed. Always. He suddenly thought back to an accident he'd had back in Switzerland during the Peace Summit days. It'd left him temporarily blind. He'd almost gone crazy. He hadn't been a lotta fun to be around. He'd become bitter. Mad at the world because he couldn't see it anymore.

It was simply because he preferred being the helper, not the helpee. He'd been that way long before the wise, floating head had called on him and four other fourteen-year-olds to be planet defenders.

Jason lay his head back on the pillow and stared up at the ceiling. He wasn't looking forward to this PT session at all. He hated being weak and dependent. He hated this stupid hospital bed. He hated that he had no choice but to lay here like a damn log. He hated Dawn Russell.

He closed his midnight eyes. Thanksgiving was coming up... and he'd have to celebrate it as a cripple. Bitterness coursed through him. 'Thanks for this, you psychotic bitch,' he thought darkly. Oh, yeah. He really had to buy her a nice gift for this one. Maybe jewelry.

He heard someone approach him, but, didn't open his eyes. The scent of the familiar body mist filled his nostrils and his jaw clenched.

"What are you doing here, Kim? You're supposed to be at work," he said dully.

"I know, but, I really wanted to see you, Rex," his girlfriend said in a quiet tone.

The words caused him to feel a crazy mixture of happiness and irritation. He didn't like her seeing him this way. She was the one person he couldn't quite look in the eye right now. She was the last person he wanted here yet the only person he really needed near him.

Kimberly. Geez! Their relationship had barely started and he was lying in a hospital, unable to walk. He wasn't supposed to be here. He was supposed to be teaching martial arts right now. Martial arts. A wave of misery crashed over him. He was in his element when he was doing anything related to martial arts. Who knew how long it'd be before he was able to get back into it?

And, worst of all, Kim had to deal with an invalid boyfriend. His chest tightened. God, he really wished she wasn't here right now!

"Jase... you'll never know how much I wanted to run after that bitch and blast her outta the world with her own gun. But you're way more important. I couldn't leave you," she said, taking his hand in her smaller one.

Jason didn't respond- verbally or physically. He was too focused on his bitterness and annoyance at his situation at the moment.

"I don't even really remember what went through my head when you leapt in front of me," she said softly.

Jason remembered what'd been going through his. He'd been thinking of nothing but saving her. Keeping her outta harm's way.

He felt her run her fingers through his hair then. "Jase, open your eyes," she said. There was a plea in her tone.

He slowly opened his eyes and turned his head towards the original pink ranger. His heart twisted and that damn helpless feeling washed over him once again.

"You should go to work," he said flatly.

"No. I wanna be with you. Don't bother arguing because you'll lose. I'm staying here," she said.

"But, Kim..." his voice trailed off.

"I know you, Jason. I know you're not thrilled about having me see you like this," she said.

"Then, you should go," he said.

"Forget it. This doesn't make you any less of a man or anything in my eyes. This is just a temporary setback. You're gonna-" she was saying.

"Temporary setback?" he snapped harshly. "Is it really or is that just a load of crap?"

She looked away. She wasn't annoyed or hurt or anything because she knew he didn't mean anything by it. She knew this was hell for him.

Jason sighed, feeling a surge of guilt. Sure, he was frustrated, but, it wasn't right to take it out on her. "I'm sorry, baby. I just- I hate that... this is a nightmare. I'm sorry," he said, shaking his head.

Kim leaned forward and kissed his forehead, silently accepting the unnecessary- in her eyes- apology.

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(Angel Grove Hospital)

(The same day)

Jason grinned when Kim entered his hospital room a few hours later. He was in a slightly better mood. Anyway, she'd gone home for a while. "Hey, Firebird," he said.

She grinned. "Hey, baby," she said before kissing him firmly on the lips.

"Whatcha got in the bag?" he asked, gesturing towards the white paper bag she was holding.

"A Philly cheesesteak sandwich for my gorgeous hunk," she said cheerfully.

"My angel in shining armor. You saved me from hospital food. Bring it on, Pinky," he said.

She laughed and handed him the bag. "So, how'd your session go?" she asked as she sat on the edge of the bed.

"It was okay. She's nice and all," he said.

Kim cocked a brow. "She? Is this 'she' pretty?" she demanded in a mock envious tone.

"Oh, yeah. Babelicious. But I swear I was thinking of you the whole time," Jason said, mock serious. The couple laughed. Jason took a deep breath. "Kim, I really am sorry about this morning. I didn't-"

Kim waved her hand dismissively. "It's okay, Jase. Seriously. You always act like that when you're sick or whatever," she said.

"Do not," he quipped.

"Do, too," she said teasingly. Then, she shook her head. "I just hate this happened to you, sweetie. Damn Dawn to Hell. I don't ever wanna lay eyes on that witch again."

"Yeah. I can go a few lifetimes without seeing her myself. I never thought she'd be such a head case. I sure know how to pick 'em, don't I?" he said dryly.

Kim giggled. "But you hit the jackpot when you picked me," she joked, her eyes dancing.

"Damn straight," he said, meaning it. "I'd take that bullet all over again." He honestly didn't know how not to protect her.

"I know," she said, squeezing his hand.

"You know what? Screw what I said. This is temporary. I'm gonna be walking again- as soon as possible. For us. You're my motivation, baby."

A bolt of happiness went right through the petite brunette. "And you're the sweetest guy in the universe. God, I'm so lucky," she said, looking into his eyes.

"No argument there," he joked, a playful glint in his eyes. He laughed when she growled and hit him on the shoulder. "But I'm pretty lucky myself," he said seriously. "Come here."

She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his.

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Sorry it wasn't longer. Anyway, more Jason and Kim to come. Hope ya liked. If not, it'll get better. DON'T GIVE UP ON ME. LOL. Cya. ;-)