"I'm okay," Jason assured his new girlfriend as she pulled away from a kiss and gave him a concerned look. She could sense he wasn't into it and his default reaction was to assure her things were fine, whether truthful or not.

"Jason... I don't think I believe you," Emily said as she straightened up and moved over to sit parallel to Jason in the seat of his truck.

"Emily..." Jason began but stopped when he saw her piercing gaze. He hesitated. He couldn't tell her what was really going on and it's what led them to this awkward moment.

"Jason... if this is going to work... you have to be able to talk to me," Emily studied his expression for a reaction to her words. Jason shifted his eyes to look out the windshield at the ocean in front of them. The sun was setting and it was very scenic. Beautiful view. Beautiful girlfriend. It should be perfect. He sighed.

"You know I haven't been feeling well..." Jason paused. Emily nodded.

"You've not told me why though," Emily reminded him. He turned to her to see the hurt expression. He reached his hand over and took hers. He gave it a gentle squeeze.

"It's nothing serious... just an immune system issue, the doctors say I'm pretty much over it," Jason explained.

"Okay..." Emily processed this. "So what is wrong tonight?"

Jason's mind immediately went to earlier in the day when he had surrendered his Gold Ranger powers. He let out another audible sigh. He opened his mouth to speak but found himself unable to come up with anything he felt would be satisfactory. He felt Emily's hand move away from his and the door to his truck open.

"Emily..." Jason called out for her as the door shut. He climbed out of the truck and moved to catch up with her as she walked down the parking area and closer to the water. "Please... just wait."

"I don't get you, Jason," Emily said as she stopped and turned to Jason as he caught up with her. "You can be so sweet and caring and then... there is this side of you that just seems to closed off."

"I know..." Jason agreed.

"I've tried to overlook it Jason, but it's been months of this now," Emily reminded him.

"I..." Jason paused and put his hands on his side as he felt the frustration growing in him. "I'm sorry... it's not right."

Emily watched him, clearly in turmoil and felt sympathy for him overtaking her own frustration. She moved closer to him.

"What is it, Jason?" Emily questioned. "Is it something I'm doing wrong?"

"No... no..." Jason was quick to reply. "It's not you."

"Are you going to give me the speech about how it's not me, but it's you," Emily shook her head. "'Cause I don't think I want to hear that."

Emily folded her arms and studied Jason intently. At this moment he felt pretty helpless. Sharing that part of his life... it could be dangerous and reckless. Sure at the moment, he was no longer in active duty as a Ranger but he last several months have shown that that can change at the drop of a hat.

"You got anything to say?" Emily asked as the silence had grown uncomfortable.

"You know I care about you... and what we have going... it's been great," Jason started.

"You are using the past tense," Emily noted. Jason locked eyes with her a moment and felt a sadness come over him. He nodded.

"I'm just not ready to be in a relationship right now..." Jason continued. "I thought I was but..."

"I don't get it..." Emily stated as she tried to understand what was happening.

"I know... I wish I could explain it to you... but some things I'm not even so sure of myself," Jason said. "I just know it's not fair to you to keep doing you like this... you deserve better than what I can give you right now."

Emily reached out and placed her hand on his arm. She shook her head.

"I should be mad at you I think..." Emily began. "I just don't think I can be."

"I'm really sorry," Jason explained.

"I know... I'm not mad at you because I can tell that whatever this is hanging over your head is not your fault..." Emily explained. "I'm not mad... but I'm sad I couldn't make it better."

"Don't... it's nothing you could do," Jason stated. Emily nodded. She lowered her hand from his arm.

"Maybe not... but I would have liked to have been given a fair chance," Emily responded. She reached up and caught a tear before it fell and quickly wiped it away. Jason wanted to say more... but at the same time had nothing he could say to make the situation better. "Bye Jason."

"I can give you a ride home..." Jason offered as Emily backed up and started to turn to leave.

"No... I'll be fine... I'll catch a ride with a friend," Emily said gesturing over to the beach club in down from them. Jason swallowed and nodded as she turned and continued on. He watched her for a moment before turning back to the ocean and muffling a curse under his breath.

(***)

Kimberly took a deep breath and stared at the door in front of her as if it would harm her if she moved too suddenly. She blinked a few times and tentatively reached out for the doorbell. She had imagined this moment so many times lately but somehow now she found nerves getting the best of her. Nerves she wasn't sure she could even explain.

She let her finger hover over the button of the doorbell and hesitated to press it. Her mind was still racing. Jason would be surprised to see her. She had not told him she was coming although she'd like to think she dropped some hints in her letters and calls. She hoped he would be pleasantly surprised.

She summoned the courage and was just about to press the doorbell when she heard a vehicle pull into the driveway behind her. She turned and was momentarily blinded by the headlights until the engine shut off. She smiled nervously as she saw the driver step out and begin to approach.

"Surprise," Kim said softly raising her arms. Jason smiled. The last thing he had expected to find when he got home was Kimberly on his doorstep. He had so many questions but his body went into auto-pilot and he moved swiftly to take her in his arms and wrap her in a hug.

Kim let out a small gasp as she felt herself being literally swept off the ground and enveloped in Jason's arms. She felt a warmth go all over her body and she began to squeeze him back as tightly as he was her. He gave her a small twirl before sitting her down. She expected this would be the moment the embrace would end but he hadn't moved to do so and she felt no compulsion to do so either.

"Kim... "His voice... deep and breathy in the crook of her neck. Goosebumps. She closed her eyes and tried to understand everything she was feeling. He was the first to pull back and make eye contact. It was then she saw the look in his eyes. Behind the surprise and the joy, there was something else.

"Jason..." Kim reached a hand up and gently caressed his cheek. "What's wrong?"

"Why..." Jason began to respond but just shook his head.

"You can tell me," Kim urged him gently with her tone. He found himself smiling. Something he hadn't expected to do this night. Something about her. Something about having her here. In his arms. Asking for his secrets. Able to handle all of them.

"I've missed you," Was all he could say. It was the forefront thing most on his mind and made it's way to his lips before anything else. She smiled.

"I've missed you too, Jase," Kim echoed his sentiment. She searched his eyes. They seemed brighter now.

"I have so many things I want to tell you... to ask you," Jason said. He smiled in delight at the thought of talking to her in person again. She felt his joy radiating from him.

"Same," Kim said. He was still holding her. She was aware. He was aware. It wasn't a conflict. It felt natural. "But do you think we could talk over food cause I'm starving."

"Of course..." Jason said. He gestured to his truck. "Anywhere you want, it's my treat."

"You may regret that," Kim said with a laugh as she made her way over to his truck and opened the door.

"I doubt it," Jason replied as he approached the vehicle. The events of the day that had worn him down and felt like a weight too hard to bear. A burden he couldn't unload. It all felt like a lifetime ago.