Two months later...
"He just hasn't been the same since it all happened," Kimberly frowned as she scooted back on the bench and rested her back against it. She turned to face the person next to her.
"Yeah... I've kind of noticed too," Tommy replied with a sympathetic smile before he turned his attention across the park to Jason who was alone and going through a series of katas.
"Good," Kim responded. Tommy turned back to her. "I mean good that it's not just me that has noticed."
"You would see it more than the rest of us," Tommy shrugged. Kim studied him for a minute. She wondered if it was even appropriate to be talking to him about Jason like this. She knew though that above everything else they were all friends.
"I mean... he just seems distant," Kim clarified. "I will be talking to him and I can tell his mind is a million miles away... and that's just not Jase."
"No, it isn't," Tommy agreed, watching his best friend from afar. "Have you talked to him about it?"
"I tried, but he insists everything is okay," Kim responded her eyes firmly on Jason as well. "Have you?"
"I have asked a couple of times if everything was okay and got the same response," Tommy stated as he leaned forward to rest his elbows on his legs.
"I don't really know what to do," Kim confessed. "I just want him to be okay and he says he is but..."
Tommy straightened up again.
"I think..." Tommy hesitated, drawing Kim's eyes to him. She took note of his expression having seen it before and she suddenly was reminded of her days of having to comfort him when she saw it.
"What is it?" Kim asked, her tone soft and assuring.
"Seeing an evil version of himself like that..." Tommy took a deep breath. "And seeing the destruction he caused when he went to that other time... that has to cut pretty deep..."
Kimberly nodded as she watched Jason finish up his training and walk over to sit next to a tree and fold his arms. He seemed completely unaware of anyone's presence.
"I have considered that that is what is wrong, but I don't know how to make things better," Kim said. Tommy turned to her.
"Can I be honest with you?" Tommy questioned.
"Of course," Kim answered.
"Speaking from experience..." Tommy began. "Having you there and the rest of the team around me got me through all my guilt, but it took time."
Tommy sighed.
"And to be honest, I've been kind of rattled myself after everything that happened a couple of months ago," Tommy confessed. He shook his head. "So I get how he is feeling."
"Are you doing okay?" Kim asked, suddenly feeling ashamed she hadn't considered he might be struggling himself.
"Yeah, I think as sad as it is, I am used to that kind of stuff by now," Tommy answered candidly.
"I'm glad to hear that," Kim offered him a smile. He reciprocated and then turned his attention back to Jason.
"Jason is strong... heck sometimes I envy his strength," Tommy stated. "He will be okay in time, we just have to be there for him until he is."
Kim smiled again. She always admired the bond that Tommy and Jason had. Hearing the words from Tommy made her feel like what he said was true and that everything would be okay. She stood up.
"I think I'm gonna go to him," Kim said. Tommy stood up next to her.
"Okay, I think he'd like that," Tommy replied with a nod. "I'll catch you guys around."
Kim watched as Tommy turned to walk in the opposite direction. She couldn't describe how nice it felt to be able to be friendly with him. A part of her had feared that was something she was losing when she mailed that letter, his friendship more than anything else would have hurt to lose the most.
Kim turned to see Jason was still in the same spot and she took a deep breath and began walking across the grass to reach him.
(****)
Jason closed his eyes and immediately opened them when he was greeted with sights of destroyed Zords. He cursed under his breath and rested his head up against the tree behind him. He knew he shouldn't feel the burden that he did but despite his best efforts it would not lift.
He heard the sound of footsteps in the grass next to him and turned to see Kimberly approaching him with a concerned look on her face. The sight caused the grief in him to rise up but instead of letting it show he smiled at her. She returned it as she reached him.
"Hey," Jason said as he stood up to greet her.
"Hey," Kim responded walking up to him to greet him with a quick kiss and hug.
"Sorry... I'm a bit of a sweaty mess," Jason said as she clung to him.
"I don't care," Kim replied squeezing even tighter as the sound of his voice gave her all the same warm feelings it usually did. He chuckled at her words and her ear pressed against the top of his chest relished in the deep sound from within his chest. It was comforting to hear.
"It is unseasonably hot right now," Jason continued before leaning down and placing a kiss on the top of her head.
"So you choose to do your katas in the direct sunlight?" Kim responded moving back to look up at him with a grin. He just shrugged.
"Watching me huh?" Jason asked with a teasing tone.
"Maybe," Kim winked before she placed a hand on his chest. He smiled. "That is nice."
"What?" Jason asked.
"Seeing you smile," Kim answered. She regretted mentioning it when she saw the recognition come over his face and the small slowly fade.
"Yeah," Jason raised his eyebrows.
"Hey," Kim got his attention to her. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to ruin the mood."
"No... you didn't," Jason said. "I know it is me."
Jason moved to take her hand as the two began to walk toward a pathway in the park.
"Jase, I just want you to be okay and I am sorry if I keep bringing this up but..." Kim began.
"Kim," Jason cut her off, his tone was gentle and understanding. "I know..."
She studied his expression and she felt her breath catch a little as it seemed like maybe he was going to open up.
"Honestly..." Jason began. "If I didn't have you right now... I'd probably have gone crazy."
"Is it all the stuff from a couple of months ago?" Kim inquired. Jason's nod confirmed her suspicions. "I assumed it was but I didn't want to push you because I can't imagine how you feel."
"I'm sorry that I have kind of kept it all closed off," Jason responded. "I just didn't want to... I am happy and I want you to know how happy I am with you and I guess I felt like if I told you what I was feeling that maybe you would think..."
Jason paused and they stopped their pace.
"No, Jase... I understand," Kim assured him. "You don't have to bottle that up."
Jason let out a breath he felt like he had been holding in for months.
"I love you," Jason stated. Kim smiled.
"I love you, too," She responded.
(****)
"So you want to talk about it?" Kim asked as the two reached Jason's truck parked at the edge of the park.
"It just keeps going through my mind... when there is a quiet moment, a lull, trying to sleep, I keep seeing the sight of the destruction and chaos and it just makes me sick," Jason replied. "I know... I KNOW that it wasn't me, but I having such a hard time making that stick."
"I can imagine," Kim said with a nod as the two reached the back of the truck and Jason put the bed down and she hopped up to sit on it.
"It's hard when I keep seeing my own face and hearing my own voice," Jason said moved to stand in front of her.
"It wasn't you though," Kim said reaching out to run her hand across his cheek. "And that Jason is back to normal now, so it wasn't even him either, it was Zedd and Maligore."
"I know," Jason agreed, placing his hands on her knees.
"And they are both gone now," Kim continued. He nodded. "And you are here with me, and everything will be okay now."
Jason smiled.
"I'm sorry," Jason stated. She shook her head.
"No, you don't have to apologize," Kim reacted. "Take as long as you need to get over everything... there is no rush... just..."
Kim leaned in to place her forehead up against his.
"Know that I am here and want to help," Kim stated before kissing him on the forehead.
His smile widened.
"God, I'd be so lost without you right now, you have no idea," Jason confessed. He moved in to kiss her to show his gratitude. Her hands went around the back of his neck to pull him in deeper.
"I think I'd be just as lost," Kim responded when they broke apart, a little breathless. Jason grinned. Kim noted the look in his eyes. Something she had not seen in too long.
"Wanna head home?" Jason inquired. She nodded.
"I do," Kim replied as he pulled her into his arms, held her up with one arm, and closed the bed of his truck with the other. He walked her around to the side of the truck and opened the door. Kim's pulse was off the charts. It had been too long since she experienced his passion. She nearly fought him sitting her in the truck but reluctantly let him move around to the driver's side and jump in.
He didn't start the vehicle immediately, instead, he watched her. His gaze prompted her to smile and blush momentarily before he started the vehicle and sped them off.
(****)
Kim opened her eyes tried to adjust the darkness of their bedroom. She noticed a glimmer of light from her right and she turned her head to see the balcony door opened. She got up and made her way over to it to see Jason sitting in a chair seemingly deep in thought. She frowned as the deja vu came to her.
She walked up behind him and leaned over the chair wrapping her arms around him and hugging him tightly.
"Everything okay?" Kim asked before placing a kiss on his jawline. She was relieved to feel a smile form on his cheek under her lips. He turned to face her and nodded.
"It is," Jason responded. "It really is."
Kim's heart felt full even as he moved to pull her fully into his lap. She didn't dare break eye contact with him as she searched for any pain behind them only to find none. She allowed herself to lower her head on his chest and be wrapped up in his arms as they both got lost in the peaceful night surrounding them.