DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Power Rangers. I do, however, own the characters/places of Gahaleigh, Belstan, Denlione, the Tinneanites, Angelina Gomez, Andie Pridgen, Katie Oliver, Anthony (also known as Tony/Andy) Viktor, Keema, Win, Alexa, Daniel, the planet Denlar, Garrett Till, Kasi Freedmon, Principal Wingard, Anderson Marks, Alison Hutchinson, Dr. Vestwick, Leza, Phillip, gogmors, anondrones, Alegia, Maddie Viktor, Edward Viktor, Patsy Viktor, Teresa Scott, and Kevin Scott.
"Good morning," Tommy whispered as he buried his face in Kim's hair and let out a contented sigh. He was so glad to be home and back in his own bed with Kim by his side, he just didn't know what to do with himself. Every other time he had finished a mission like this, it had been back to work the next day, but this felt different. This felt like it might really be the end for him and he was ecstatic to feel this way. He was ecstatic to know that he really was at the end of his ranger career.
"Morning," Kim said as she rolled over and looked at Tommy, who had a happy look on his face. He usually did not wake up in a good mood, so she couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking about to put him in this good of a mood. "You sleep good?"
"I always sleep good with you here," Tommy said as Kim smiled at him and then gave him a kiss on the cheek before scooting out of bed. "Leaving so soon?"
"I thought you'd want some breakfast, goodness knows what is in store for us today. Zordon let us come back too easily, you know that. There's got to be more going on that we don't know about, we still have our powers, for one. I thought we'd lose them right when we got home," Kim said as she walked over to the dresser and pulled out a pair of shorts and a fitted shirt, before gathering her hair in a sloppy ponytail.
"Yeah, I thought about that too, but I don't think that we need to ruin Katie, Jason, and Conner's days just yet," Tommy said as Kim nodded her head in agreement. If Zordon didn't contact them, they were not going to mention any of it, but when he did then they were definitely going to have a talk with the others before they went anywhere.
"I agree. Do you know where Conner went last night?" Kim asked, as she had to admit that she was worried about him. He had his girlfriend ripped away from him by a fellow ranger and the both of them seemed happy that it had happened. That was definitely something that was hard to swallow, especially considering how happy the two of them had been.
"He probably went with Kira, Ethan, and Trent, they'll know how to help him get out of this slump that he's in and I can imagine that he'll be dating again soon enough. He doesn't usually stay down on himself for a very long time," Tommy said as he finally rolled out of bed and walked over to put on a pair of shorts over his boxers. It didn't much matter if he walked around without a shirt on, as long as no one just showed up and he doubted that at this time of morning. He knew that most of his friends would definitely sleep in today, especially if they had any sense left in their bodies.
"I'm sure your friends thought that when we were in high school, too, but look at what happened to us," Kim said as Tommy looked up at her, no matter how many times he told her that everything was fine with them, she was going to go back to that situation. He didn't know how to cure her of it, but after ten years, he surely thought that she would be over it as well, especially since he took her back.
"Kim, stop beating yourself up over that, I love you and I'm happy with you and only you. I know you believe me, you have to believe in yourself now, Beautiful," Tommy said as he walked over to her and gave her a hug.
"I know, but Tommy, I still have to live with everything that I've done. I don't know if I'll ever get over it completely," Kim said as they both heard what sounded like knocking and they just looked at each other. It wasn't even nine o'clock in the morning and it was Saturday, why on Earth would someone be here? They both could only imagine that this was not a good thing, but neither of them could have guessed who was on the other side of the door.
"I'll go get it and you go ahead and start on breakfast. It's probably Jason or Conner or Hayley or some other ranger that needs to talk," Tommy said as the two of them went towards the stairs and Kim went to the kitchen, while Tommy walked over to the door and opened it and saw Andie standing there.
"Tommy…I'm so sorry, I didn't think that you would answer in that, I just wanted to make sure that you were all right, obviously you are, I'll just be going now," Andie babbled as Tommy caught her by the wrist and looked down at her. She was worried about him and he was sure that it surprised her that he was not wearing a shirt, but they had to talk. "Tommy, really I can go."
"Come in and let me put on some thing that I can talk to you in," Tommy said as Andie looked at him. She heard pans clanging in the kitchen and she highly doubted, by the fact that there was a third car in the yard, that Tommy was alone. She was not sure that she wanted to meet his new girlfriend right now, when he was in so little clothing. It made too many imaginations pop into her head and each was worse than the last.
"It's obvious you have a guest, I'll go, I really don't mind," Andie said as Kim walked into the living room to ask Tommy where some flour was, but she stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Andie. This must be Tommy's ex and she was sure that the impression she was giving was not exactly the best in the world, considering the fact that she looked rather disheveled.
"Andie, we need to really talk," Tommy said as he noticed that Andie was no longer looking at him, but over his shoulder and he could only imagine that it was at Kim. "Can you go get me a shirt, Kim?"
"Yeah, can you get out the flour for me really quick?" Kim asked as she walked up the stairs and Tommy nodded his head, then closed the door, as Andie just walked over and sat down on the couch. She was in shock to actually see the woman that he had chosen over her, but she was taking Alison's advice and she was going to listen to Tommy, that was all he was asking of her. He was not asking for her to accept it, he just wanted her to know why, even if she didn't like hearing it.
"That's her?" Andie asked as Tommy sat down on the other couch and she looked up at him. He hated that she had met Kim this way, because they had actually been salvaging a friendship, now he was pretty sure that was about to fall apart. The only way he might be able to save any friendship was by being honest with her now, but that was going to be hard.
"Yeah, I was trying to tell you about it when I got lucky enough to keep my job. You kinda threw me out of the office before I could get around to it though," Tommy said as Andie nodded. Alison had warned her about it and now she was seeing just how much Tommy was trying to be the nice guy, it must be hard for him to always try to do that.
"Here you go," Kim said as she tossed him a shirt and she walked into the kitchen to see he had set out the flour. "Thank you!"
"You're welcome," Tommy said as he smiled towards the kitchen then looked back at Andie. "Sorry about that."
"It's fine, Tommy, are you all right?" Andie asked as Tommy let out a sigh. He didn't like the way that this sounded. He did not look like he had been sick, although he did look like he had been beat up, for some odd reason.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Tommy said as Andie gave him a curious look and he quickly glanced away.
"Look, Principal Wingard sent me out here yesterday and there were cars, but Zack stopped me from coming in, Tommy what the hell is going on here?" Andie asked as Katie stumbled down the stairs in a sports bra and shorts, which revealed the tattoo on her back as she walked into the kitchen.
"It's not really something that I am able to talk about," Tommy said as he noticed that Andie was staring over at where Katie had been and he suddenly remembered the tattoo and Anthony. That must be something that had gotten her attention and he had no clue how to explain it away. "Shit. Kim!"
"Yeah," Kim said as she walked back into the living room and Tommy looked up at her. There was something going on in his eyes that honestly scared her. "What's wrong?"
"Katie is only in a sports bra, right?" Tommy asked as Kim nodded her head and then her eyes widened as she looked over at Andie. She must have seen the marking on her back and Andie had to know that although Tommy had a tattoo he wouldn't let his sixteen year old sister get one.
"Shit," Kim said as Katie stumbled back up the stairs, to go back to her room.
"Kate! Just put on a shirt and come back down!" Tommy yelled as Katie walked over to the balcony and glared down at Tommy, then she noticed Andie was sitting on the couch and her eyes widened.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," Katie said as she backed up and placed her hands over her lower back.
"What's going on here?" Andie asked as Kim and Tommy exchanged a glance before Kim stood up and walked out of the room. She was not going to be in on this fight if she could help it.
"I can't tell you, I can talk to you about why our relationship failed until I'm blue in the face, but what you are asking is off limits," Tommy said as Katie walked back down and looked over at Tommy. "Go help Kim."
"That is bull shit, Tommy, you can tell me," Andie said as they heard a loud curse from upstairs and Tommy just covered his face as Katie raced up the stairs and dove into her room. There was no telling what Anthony had run into and now he was sure that Andie was not going to leave until she got a straight answer.
"I can't tell you, I can't tell anyone," Tommy said, seriously, as Kim peeked back in and looked between the two of them.
"But she knows?" Andie asked as Tommy hung his head and tried to think of a way to dig himself out of this hole as quickly as possible, but nothing was coming to him right now.
"She's part of the secret and that secret is part of the reason that she came back here," Tommy said as Andie gave him a careful look and just shook her head. If Tommy was not going to tell her what was going on, she couldn't really push him. He had offered to talk about their relationship and that was much more than she thought she would be able to get out of him.
"Okay, Tommy, I'll give you that you can't tell me about whatever it is, but you have to talk about our relationship. Why did it have to end?" Andie asked as Tommy looked down at the floor and then over at Andie.
"It had to end because I didn't love you the way I thought I did. You're a great person and I'm sure that if my parents' hadn't died I would have never started having second thoughts about you. They were the first people that loved me unconditionally and the second person that did is the one that holds my heart. I knew then that I'd rather be alone than not be with the one I couldn't live without. I'm sorry I put you through this, I didn't mean to let it keep going, but I did, for some reason and I don't know what that was," Tommy said as he just shook his head. He was angry with himself for putting her through all of the pain that she was feeling, but he couldn't keep doing what he had been trying to do, which was convince himself that Kim was not right for him.
"So it was you, not me. I didn't do anything to make you change your mind?" Andie asked as Tommy shook his head no and Andie then nodded her head that she understood. "Can I expect you back at school Monday?"
"Yeah, do I still have a job?" Tommy asked as Andie shrugged. She was not sure what Principal Wingard had decided, but she was going to try to keep Tommy there, even if he hadn't told her why he was really absent. "Well a maybe is better than nothing. Do you want to stay and eat breakfast?"
"No, I was heading out to the lake for the day and I just thought I'd stop by and check on you. You have been gone for a week Tommy," Andie said as Tommy nodded as she stood up to let herself out. "Thank you, I'm glad that I know the truth now."
"If you had asked earlier, I would have told you," Tommy said as Andie nodded that she now understood that and she then reached over and gave him a hug before turning to leave.
"Have a good weekend," Andie said as she walked out the door and Tommy stood there for a few seconds, trying to get everything in perspective.
"Can we come out?" Katie asked as she peeked her head out of her door and looked over the balcony at Tommy, as he nodded his head yes.
"Are you all right?" Kim asked as Tommy walked into the kitchen and wrapped both of his arms around Kim. Right now he felt horrible about the way that he had had to explain everything to Andie, but he did feel relieved. She now knew the full truth and she would live with it, one way or another.
"I'll be okay," Tommy whispered as she felt him place his head on top of hers and she could imagine that he had closed his eyes, which he had. She knew that he was living with the decision he made very well, but she got the feeling that he still hated to hurt someone, not that that was a bad thing.
"All right," Kim said as she continued to work on breakfast as Tommy clung to her. She knew he needed some support for some reason and she had to give it to him.
"What are we doing today?" Katie asked as she sat down at the kitchen table and Anthony let out a long yawn, as he sat down in the chair next to her.
"I don't know yet. We may have to go back to Angel Grove to finish some business, but other than that I think we can just rest all day," Kim said as Katie smiled, as Tommy released Kim and then sat down at the kitchen table as well. "How did the two of you sleep?"
"Good," they said in unison as Kim and Tommy exchanged a glance.
"We didn't do anything Tommy, I do remember my promise," Katie said as Tommy just nodded his head and walked over to fix himself a cup of coffee.
"I know, but after my first mission, I had nightmares for weeks," Tommy said as he looked back at her and Katie just shrugged her shoulders. She couldn't explain why it was not bothering her, but she was sure that if Tommy had been able to sleep with Kim, he wouldn't have had any nightmares either.
"How do you think Hayley and Jason are doing?" Kim asked as she looked over at Tommy. She had to admit that she was worried about both of them right now, especially since Jason's memories were still haunting him.
"Who knows, I just hope that everything is all right between them," Tommy said as Kim nodded her head. She could only imagine the trouble it would cause if the two of them started having problems right now.
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Hayley's Home"Jase...Jase," Hayley said as she rolled over and noticed that he was no longer in bed. She had been sure last night that she would notice if he had gotten up and left, but she hadn't. She had to get up and get dressed so she could go into work, although she was not feeling so hot this morning. This pregnancy was not an easy one and she knew that she was going to have to find a manager that she could rely on soon, because there were bound to be days when she couldn't come in. "I'm going to kill him."
"Who do you want to kill? Because, I'm sure that your doctor would suggest against anything of that nature. I believe that falls into the category of overexerting yourself," Jason said as he walked in carrying breakfast and Hayley's eyes lit up in surprise. She was sure that he had left and now she could see why he hadn't been in bed.
"You didn't have to do this, Jason," Hayley said as he handed her the tray and she took a good look at the food. He had obviously stayed away from anything that he thought might be remotely upsetting to her stomach and she was glad about that. She had not been feeling well most of this week, although he didn't know that.
"Yeah, I did, just don't get used to it; it's not going to be an every day occurrence," Jason said with a smile as Hayley sat up and took a bite of the toast.
"What time is it?" Hayley asked, as she had not bothered to look over at the clock, yet.
"Almost ten," Jason said as Hayley almost jumped out of bed, but he held her in place as he hurried on, "I asked Trent to look out for the cyberspace today. You need to get more rest, Hayley, I figured out that much last night."
"So you'll be my servant for a day?" Hayley asked as Jason nodded his head yes and she smiled up at him before giving him a hug. "Do you have anything else up your sleeves, mister?"
"Yeah, I do," Jason said as Hayley looked up at him expectantly. She expected it was good, but she didn't know if she really wanted another surprise. "I've invited our parents here for supper tonight, I want to tell them in person."
"Jase, I don't know if I can take this so soon," Hayley said as Jason sat down on the bed next to her and slipped his arm around her. He knew that she was worried about it, but they had to do this and he would rather do this now. He didn't want to wait until it was obvious that she was pregnant before they told their parents.
"We need to go ahead and do this, Hayley, if we wait any longer it is going to be harder to tell them and there are some other things I need to do," Jason said as Hayley gave him a curious look as she continued to eat her breakfast.
"What do you have to do?" Hayley asked as Jason reached into his pocket and set a box on her breakfast tray. "Jason...you don't have to do this."
"I want to, I should have done this a long time ago Hayley," Jason said as Hayley hesitantly opened the box and then reached over to give Jason another happy hug. "So you will?"
"Of course, Jason," Hayley said as she looked up at him and saw the concern in his eyes. "You were really worried that I wouldn't want to marry you?"
"Yeah, there was always a chance that you wouldn't want to get married," Jason said as Hayley looked over at him and just laughed. "It's not funny, Hayley."
"I know and you're not the first man that has ever had doubts about it, but you knew how I felt long before you asked," Hayley said as Jason nodded his head that that was quite true. "It's all right, Jason, it's part of what I love about you."
"If you can love that flaw in me, then I don't know why I've been so worried," Jason said as Hayley nodded her head in agreement and Jason then took a piece of toast for himself.
"How do you think the others are?" Hayley asked as Jason shrugged his shoulders, he could imagine how Tommy and Kim were feeling, but he had no clue about the rest of them. He could only take a wild guess about what was happening to them right now.
"I think that they'll be all right, for the most part. You know how we all have things that haunt us from missions like this, you've been around Tommy long enough to figure that out," Jason said as Hayley nodded her head in agreement, then leaned against his shoulder. She was quite content to stay like this, but of course Jason's communicator had to go off. "Damn."
"You can say that again," Hayley said as she pushed her breakfast away and walked over to her closet so that she could put on some clothes.
"Yes, Zordon?" Jason asked as he looked down at the communicator, hoping it was not Zordon or Billy.
"Guess again," Billy said as he heard Jason sigh and he could only manage a grimace on the other side. His friends were going to be positively pissed at him when they found everything out about their powers. He hadn't known anything about them until Zordon came back and now they were just going to have to live with them.
"Let me guess, all of us are going to be teleported to the Command Center," Jason said as Hayley walked over and grabbed his hand. She was not going to be left alone here this time, she was going with him, no matter what.
"Yeah, I'm sorry about that Jason," Billy said as he pressed in the teleportation code and the five rangers, plus several others landed in front of him. "I expected you to come alone."
"There was no way in hell I was letting him come alone again," Hayley said, as she released Jason's hand, while the former Dino Rangers struggled not to laugh at Hayley's reaction.
"And we wanted to make sure that Conner was going to be all right," Kira said as she glared over at Billy as well.
"I don't have an excuse," Anthony said as Katie laughed, which brought many of them out of their melancholy.
"Why are we here?" Jason asked as he looked over at Billy. He surely knew what was going on here, he just wasn't saying anything about it to them yet.
"Jason, you know that it was all too easy last night. There is no other evil that we know of in the universe and for some reason, we still have our powers," Tommy said as the other three rangers exchanged a glance and then began shaking their heads.
"I'm not going on another mission," Jason said as Tommy looked over at him. He didn't blame Jason for feeling this way, especially with how his life was going right now.
"I'm not asking you to do that," Zordon said as he entered the Command Center and they all looked over at him. Something about his tone of voice scared them. "The powers are yours until another is in need of them."
"Okay, but why does that sound like a bad thing?" Katie asked as Anthony looked between her and Conner. The longer the two of them held their powers, the more they were going to hurt them, as they were not following what the powers wanted.
"The way the powers affect us," Conner said, quietly, as he looked over at Katie. They had seen what had happened to Kim and Tommy while they were apart; it was bound to happen to the two of them as well.
"That is correct Conner. In order to be able to save Eltar, the rules of these powers had to be broken, but the affects will become more obvious as time goes on. The two of you are definitely going to begin feeling it very soon," Zordon said as Katie just shook her head and looked back at Anthony.
"And I'll start playing with my evil side even more," Kim said as Zordon nodded his head yes and Tommy looked down at Kimberly. "So we're just stuck?"
"In a way," Billy said as he walked over to his fellow rangers and pulled Kimberly, Jason, and Tommy together. "The three of you, however, should be able to live normally with few side affects."
"What about us?" Katie asked as she looked over at Conner. Sure she expected that some things were going to go wrong, but she didn't like the way it sounded.
"It's going to get worse before it gets better," Zordon said as Katie glanced over at Conner and he just shook his head. Neither of them wanted to hear that, but they would accept it, considering the circumstances.
"So, like Kim said, we're stuck?" Conner asked as Zordon sadly nodded his head yes and Conner just shook his head in disbelief. He had been sure that these powers would just leave them as soon as they were through with them, not that they would store them in their bodies until they needed to be taken somewhere.
"Will it be as painful as what happened on Eltar?" Katie asked, as Zordon looked over at her and saw the dead look in her eyes as she remembered it all.
"I'm afraid so, these powers like to cling to their human sources," Zordon said as Anthony wrapped his arms around Katie, as she looked close to fainting.
"Is this all?" Tommy asked as Zordon nodded his head yes and Tommy looked over at his fellow rangers, then back at Zordon. "Are we allowed to go home and try to take this in?"
"Yes, Tommy," Zordon said as Billy punched in the teleportation sequence that sent them away to Reefside. "You may go as well, Billy, the rangers are not going to need you as support staff any longer. They are going to need you as a friend."
"Yes, Zordon," Billy said as he punched in his own teleportation code that would send him home.
"Now it is time that I truly begin my work," Zordon said as he looked around the Command Center. Although these rangers were through with their duties, he was sure that they would not be his last rangers, by any means.
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Hayley's Home (evening)
"Hayley, you look fine," Jason said as Hayley came out in yet another skirt and fitted shirt. Their parents were due to be here in the next ten minutes and Hayley was worried about tonight, to say the least. "I promise."
"Jase, I don't want them to even be able to guess it," Hayley said as she looked in the mirror and Jason wrapped his arms around her and settled his head down on her shoulder.
"You're not showing any, honey," Jason said as Hayley looked over at him as he gave her a smile.
"Thanks for reassuring me about that," Hayley said as Jason continued to hold onto her and she settled back against him. "You know, I could really get used to you being here every day."
"About that," Jason said as Hayley looked back at him and then settled herself back in her other position. "Tommy is looking to expand his dojo and he needs another teacher, so I'm thinking about taking the job. I can sell mine and I'll get to be here."
"You're serious? You're going to be living here soon?" Hayley asked as she spun around to face him and Jason merely nodded his head yes, as she gave him a kiss, before they heard the doorbell ring. "I better get it, it is my house after all."
"Yeah and Hayley...it's all going to be fine," Jason said as Hayley nodded her head as she continued towards the door.
"Hayley! It's so good to see you!" Patsy said as she gave her daughter a hug and smiled up at her. "I was surprised to get the call this morning, it's been awhile since you've had us up here."
"Well, it was about time that I invited you up again. I've been letting it get away from me," Hayley said as she walked over and gave her father a hug as well as the Scott's pulled up in the driveway.
"Who else is joining us?" Edward asked as Hayley looked up at him.
"The Scott's, my boyfriend's parents," Hayley said as Edward gave her a curious look. She hadn't mentioned a boyfriend, but they didn't necessarily like talking about relationships, especially after what had happened with Maddie.
"When did that happen?" Edward asked as Hayley shrugged her shoulders and then released her father so that she could welcome the Scott's as well.
"Nice to see you again, Hayley," Teresa said as she gave Hayley a hug. "What is my son up to?"
"I'm not sure, Mrs. Scott," Hayley said as Teresa gave her a confused look before she just shook her head. She was sure that they would find out what Jason was doing all in due time. "Come on in."
"Mom, Dad," Jason said as he saw them walk in and he walked over to give the both of them hugs. "You find your way all right?"
"You gave good directions, for once," Kevin said as Jason smiled over at him. He knew what his father was insinuating, but he was not going to confirm or deny it in front of Hayley's parents.
"Supper will be ready in a little bit, make yourselves comfortable," Hayley said as she grabbed Jason and pulled him into the kitchen with her.
"I guess we're doing our own introductions," Kevin said as Teresa nodded her head in agreement. She could tell by the way that Jason was acting that something was going on, she just didn't know what it might be. "We're Kevin and Teresa Scott."
"Edward and Patsy Viktor," Patsy said as the Scotts' settled themselves on the other couch. "How do they know each other?"
"I can only guess they met through Tommy," Teresa said as Patsy nodded her head and they soon fell into conversation about their children and their jobs.
"So, you watch sports?" Edward asked as Kevin nodded his head that he indeed did and thus, they fell into their own conversation as well.
"You okay?" Jason asked as Hayley sat down on one of her kitchen chairs and took in a deep breath. "Hayley..."
"I think that I'll be fine Jase, I just need to get something to eat," Hayley said as Jason gave her another concerned look before he walked over to the cabinet and pulled out some crackers and peanut butter. He then quickly fixed a couple of peanut butter crackers and handed them to Hayley.
"That should last you until we really eat," Jason said as Hayley merely nodded, while Jason pulled the chicken out of the oven and the rice out of the microwave. "Are you sure?"
"Give me a few minutes before you go get them," Hayley whispered as she slumped down in the chair and Jason walked over and wrapped both of his arms around her.
"We've got to get this under control," Jason whispered, as Hayley merely nodded her head as she rested it on his shoulder. He was perfectly fine with letting her stay like that as long as she wanted to if it made her feel better.
"Oh, Jase, I'm not sure I'm up to it," Hayley whispered as Jason looked down at her and gently placed a kiss on her cheek.
"We'll both feel better once they know the truth, Hayley," Jason said as Hayley nodded her head in agreement, the problem, however, was that she was feeling horrible right now.
"Go ahead and finish up supper and then we can go get them," Hayley said as she released him from her grip and leaned back in her chair.
"What did those tests say?" Jason asked as he placed the food on the table and looked over at Hayley. He hadn't thought anything about them since he had been gone for the last few days, but now that he could think clearly he realized how important they were.
"I haven't gotten the results yet, I didn't want to go in without you," Hayley said, worriedly, as Jason looked over at her and nodded. Everything was ready for supper, he just hoped that Hayley could handle it all.
"We'll go as soon as you can next week," Jason said as Hayley nodded her head in agreement and he then walked over next to her. "Are you ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be," Hayley said as she stood up and gripped his hand, as she suddenly felt dizzy.
"Maybe you should just sit down at the table and I'll go get them," Jason said as Hayley nodded her head as they walked over to the table and she sat down in her normal seat.
"Is supper ready?" Teresa asked as Jason nodded his head and then walked back into the kitchen. He did not like the look that his mother was giving him right now. She seemed to have some sort of idea about what was going on and that did not comfort him any.
"Well, why were we brought here?" Patsy asked as Hayley gripped Jason's hand under the table and tried not to allow her facial expression to betray her.
"No particular reason," Hayley said as Jason's parents gave him a curious look. The food had been wonderful and everything seemed to be going well, but the both of them had been tense the entire night.
"Oh come on, you wouldn't have just called us out of the blue for nothing, Jase," Kevin said as Jason picked up Hayley's and his own plate and took them over to the sink.
"I'd rather tell you in the living room," Jason said, as he wanted to get as far away from the lethal objects as he could manage. Hayley's parents didn't even know him and they were about to find out that he had gotten their daughter pregnant.
"I'll be in there in a minute," Hayley said as her parents gave her an odd look as she scooted back her chair and then looked over at Jason. "I guess it's now or never."
"Yeah," Jason said as he helped her stand up and they walked into the living room and sat down in a plush chair.
"Well, what did you bring us here for?" Edward asked, as he did not like the look on Hayley's face, at all. He had seen that look on his other daughter's face and that had not been a good thing.
"We have some news," Jason began as his parents began shaking their heads in disbelief.
"Oh, Jason, I never thought...of course this isn't how I thought it would happen...oh, my goodness," Teresa rambled as four of the adults looked at her, half comprehending what he was talking about.
"What are you talking about?" Patsy asked as Hayley let out a long sigh and looked over at her mother. Yes, she was only two years short of being thirty, but she was still scared to tell her parents about this.
"We're going to have a baby," Hayley said as her parents could only stare at her, while Jason's parents hurried over to give both of them hugs.
"Hayley, I never thought that you would be like this too," Edward said as Jason looked over at her parents, as his mother jerked up from giving Hayley a hug and glared at them. No, this was not wonderful, but they were adults and she had given up on grandchildren so long ago, it was hard to believe it might be a reality again.
"We know that it's not the best of circumstances, but we are going to get married, soon," Jason said as Edward just shook his head and Patsy dissolved into tears.
"Marriage comes before children," Edward said as Hayley dissolved into tears of her own, as Jason gathered her in his arms. He did not want for her worries to come true, he didn't want for her to feel as if they didn't accept her anymore.
"I'm not losing another child, Ed, I can't do it," Patsy sobbed as Edward looked down at her, while Hayley looked up at the two of them. "We should have tried to be understanding with Maddie; we have our chance to make it right now."
"Patsy, it's not right," Edward said as Patsy nodded her head in agreement.
"I know that it is not right, but she's our daughter and that's our grandchild she's carrying. I don't think we can do it again," Patsy said as Edward looked over at her and then glanced up at Hayley.
"You know I don't like this, Hayley, but we love you anyway," Edward said, as Hayley looked over at her father, completely surprised.
"Dad," Hayley murmured as she was released from Jason's grasp and then walked over to give her father a hug. "You're not going to disown me?"
"Not tonight, Hayley," Edward said with a wry smile as Hayley smiled up at him and then gave him another bone crushing hug. "How is your sister?"
"I'm not sure, her cards don't say much," Hayley said as Edward nodded his head and she then let him go. She didn't feel quite right again and she knew Jason could tell it.
"You okay?" Jason asked, as Hayley hastily shook her head no, before she placed her head against the side of the couch. "Come on, let's get you to bed."
"Have you been to the doctor?" Patsy asked, worriedly, as Hayley nodded her head yes, as Jason gently picked her up. "What did they say?"
"That she needs to rest and not overly stress herself," Jason said as he walked towards their bedroom and then gently put her down on the bed. "I'll be back as soon as I can."
"I know, Jase, just assure them that I'm fine," Hayley said as he gave her a kiss on the cheek then nodded his head that he would.
"She'll be all right?" Teresa asked as Jason nodded his head yes and then sat down in between his parents.
"I know that I'm not your favorite person right now, but I promise I won't treat her wrong," Jason said as Hayley's parents nodded, as they continued to take it in. "I really don't want to leave her alone right now, though."
"That's fine, we'll go on home, we know that she's under enough stress as is," Patsy said as she stood and walked over to Jason to give him a hug. "Take care of our baby."
"I will, good-bye," Jason said as he shook Edward's hand and they then walked out of the house without another word.
"Take care of yourself too, Jason. I know that you get stressed too," Teresa said as she gave her son a hug and he nodded his head in agreement. "We'll see you soon. Let us know when you are going to get married and I might suggest that you do this sooner, rather than later."
"I will Mom, bye," Jason said as he gave his father a hug and then watched them walk out of the house. "Hey."
"I'm cold," Hayley murmured as Jason kicked off his shoes and then climbed into bed behind her.
"Do I need to take you to the hospital?" Jason asked as he wrapped his arms around her and felt her shiver against him, although her skin felt hot to his touch. "You're sick, honey."
"I know, I've felt like I was coming down with something all week," Hayley said as Jason held her even closer and she then turned to face him. "You're not going to leave, are you?"
"No, you need me here," Jason said as Hayley fell into a fitful sleep at his side as he stayed up for several more hours, watching her struggle to sleep. This last night had gone better than he imagined it would, but there was still so much more he needed to do and he just wondered if Hayley was going to feel up to any of it in the near future.
AN: I hope that you like this chapter and tell me what you think about it. Toodles!
