Disclaimer: I don't own them. I just borrow them every now and again.
Author's Note: To all the previous thankees, consider yourselves thanked again! And special thanks to Shawn for writing such a lovely review after anonymous soured the page with his/her blabbering. I usually update every Friday but if I don't get at least two reviews I'm going to assume no one is interested and not post the next chapter. If you want more you gotta let me know!
Chapter 6
Return of an Old Friend
Twenty four hours came and went. Jason was in a feverish delirium for most of it. The time he spent slightly coherent was when he was retching uncontrollably. Some disgusting twist of fate made him more aware during that time than the rest of the time. Tommy could see in Jason's eyes how ashamed he felt and all he could do was try to offer him comfort in his gentle words. Adam and Rocky had stayed in intervals for the entire time. Rocky responded more calmly to Jason throwing up than Adam did. Adam had a terrible time seeing that and had been sick himself for quite awhile afterward. Tommy could tell Jason was sorry they had to see him that way. Jason was sorry any of their former teammates had to see him like this.
All of those teammates had been informed of what was happening and all of them we're going to be on the first available plane to Angel Grove.
All of them, save one.
"We need to contact Billy." Tommy said glancing toward the closed door that lead to where Jason lay sleeping, letting the last of the drugs out of his system. Tommy would have been sitting with him at that moment but this was something they needed to address quickly, before it was too late. Rocky nodded, agreeing fully with their former leader.
"He and Billy were---are really close, I mean they've known each other for most of their lives." Adam added briefly wondering what would happen if Rocky, his best friend since kindergarten, died without him getting to say good bye. The thought of that happening made him shudder slightly but the other two were so caught up in their own thoughts they didn't notice.
"But how are we going to get in touch with him? I mean, you can't call long distance to Aquitar." Rocky mentioned. "And we don't have Zordon's technology to send a message there either."
"No we don't." Adam said speaking up, "But I know someone who does."
Half and hour later Adam walked into the crowded Surf Spot trying to find five distinct people in the mass that flocked to the local hangout. He didn't have to look hard; the Space Rangers were at their table. 'Just like the we had our table in the Youth Centre', Adam mused to himself.
"Hey, isn't that Adam?" Cassie asked seeing the Carlos' predecessor walk in.
"Yeah, we haven't seen any of those guys around lately. But we haven't been around much lately either." Carlos added.
"Adam was replaced by Carlos, right?" Andros asked. The current Space Rangers had outlined the 'graduation' to him and who the former Rangers were. He had met Adam before and had been briefly introduced to Rocky but the Rangers had been called into battle so the meeting was short.
"Hey Adam, pull up a chair." TJ offered with a friendly smile. Adam returned the smile with his own but his was hollow.
"I need to ask a favour of you concerning contacting someone on another planet." Adam said quietly in all seriousness. Carlos looked slightly shocked as did the other Rangers but nodded.
"Let's go for a walk then. This place is, um, pretty crowded." Carlos mentioned.
Soon enough they came across a deserted part of the park. All eyes turned to Adam now.
"What's up, Adam? What do you need? There's nothing wrong, is there?" Carlos asked when he was sure there was no one around.
"There is something wrong but it's not with me." Adam sighed. "I need you to send a message to Aquitar asking Billy Cranston to come home for a few weeks, at least."
"That can be arranged, but why do you need him to come to Earth?" Andros asked, not wanting to send for someone unless it was a necessity.
"Do you guys know who Jason Lee Scott is?" Adam asked softly. TJ, Cassie, Carlos and Ashley nodded, they had heard the former Rangers talk of him and had seen him around a few times. They had nothing but respect for the former Rangers, Jason and those they hadn't met included.
"The original leader of the Earth Rangers?" Andros asked somewhat surprised. Adam looked at the current Red Ranger in shock. There was a distinct tone of awe in his voice.
"Yes, how do you know him?" Adam asked.
"Tommy Oliver and Jason Lee Scott are considered to be two of the best leaders the Power Rangers have seen. They were always Zordon's most prized warriors, especially when they were working together." Andros replied.
Adam suddenly felt like bursting into tears. 'Great, just great! What does that get Jason now?! NOTHING!' Carlos noticed the sudden change in Adam's face. A shadow had fallen over the brown eyes that glisten slightly with unshed tears.
"What's wrong with Jason? Why do you need Billy to come back?" Ashley asked softly.
"Jason is dying." Adam finally replied in a strange voice. "He hasn't got much time left. Billy is one of Jason's oldest friends, we have to get in touch with Billy to let him know and so they can say good
bye to each other."
"What?" Cassie managed. "How?"
"Cancer. It's gotten really bad now. It started out in Jason's lungs and it's spread all over. It's only been a few months since he was diagnosed. The cancer was too far advanced to do anything about it from the beginning." Adam felt tears in his eyes, they never seemed to far away these days. "There's nothing left to do but make him comfortable. We've gotten in touch with everyone but Billy. They'll both be upset if they can't say good bye."
"Oh, my God. There wasn't anything anyone could do for him?" Ashley whispered. 'Rangers don't die like this', She thought, 'If they die at all they die in battle or... Rangers just don't die like this!' Adam just shook his head.
"We'll send the message to Aquitar as soon as we get back to the ship and let you know as soon as we've gotten a reply." Andros said, knowing what it was like to lose---or almost lose, a close friend. "We'll go send the message, right now."
"Thank you." Adam whispered. "It means a lot to all of us to have Billy here when Jason..."
"We'll let you know the second we've got a reply, Adam." Carlos said, not minding that Adam had trailed off.
With that the Rangers teleported to their ship to send the message. Adam stood there for a long time after they had gone. A lone tear streaked down his cheek. Billy was coming back but they were paying a large fare for his return, or at least that's how it seemed...
Adam would never get used to the pain attacks. They weren't as bad now. Jason was on too much medication to let them get really bad now. When they came there was nothing to do but stay with him until they passed. It wasn't ever pretty but Adam stayed for most of the time. At some points it became to much, Adam had had to run to the bathroom before he gagged all over the floor a few times. It was hard seeing a friend like this. Rocky was the same way; only Tommy seemed to be able to stay though anything.
Adam had to leave the room during this attack. It was one of the worst ones he'd seen. Except, the ones at night, when Jason's medication dosage was cut so he could be more 'awake' during the day. Adam didn't stay in the room for those ones, and Tommy wouldn't let him or Rocky in until it was all over. Too many people overwhelmed Jason and just made it worse on him.
'Those are the bad ones and I've never even seen one. Tommy won't leave Jason at night, he sleeps during the day. He said you can't even touch Jason during those attacks. That's what the morphine shots are for.' Adam shuddered briefly, not wanting to think about it.
Three streaks of light in the shades of blue, black and white appeared in the living room where Adam now sat. He had been trying to regain some composure when Carlos and TJ appeared. Adam almost smiled when he saw who they had with them. Carlos and TJ said hello but left quickly, feeling out of place, almost like intruders.
"Billy." Adam whispered. "It's good to see you again, I only wish the circumstances were better."
Billy, who was rather pale, said softly, "I got your message but there weren't too many details. Please, tell me it's not true."
"I'm sorry, Billy. I...I can't do that. I wish I could but..." Adam trailed off. Billy only nodded slowly.
"How is he?" Billy asked softly.
"Not so good right now." Adam closed his eyes briefly and cringed a little. "He gets pain attacks a few times a day. They aren't as bad as they used to be, at least that's what Tommy says. Jason's on more medication now, but it's still bad."
"Where is he?" Billy asked knowing, he couldn't stay away. Since he got the message Billy knew he was coming back to Earth, possibly to stay. He had finished his treatments against aging a few months ago and, while things were going well with Cestria, Billy longed for his home and the people who he held dearest.
"In his room, just down the hall. Tommy's with him now. I was there but I couldn't stay much longer without it getting to me." Adam admitted sheepishly. "Tommy hardly leaves Jason's side and when things get really bad Jason gets overwhelmed by anyone else."
"I have to go see him." Billy said not able to stay away any longer than he already had. Adam nodded.
"Alright, but I...I've got to warn you, it's not easy to see." Adam confessed. Billy just nodded. Adam lead him down the hall and opened the door to Jason's room.
The first thing to greet Billy was a low moan followed by the sounds of someone retching. Billy felt as though everything that was certain had been ripped away at the site of Jason curled up in fetal position because of the pain. He didn't even have anything to throw up anymore, they were just dry heaves that caused his throat to burn and his body to shudder in painful spasms.
Tommy glanced up at Billy from the midnight eyes he held with his own. Jason was clutching one of Tommy's hands hard, trying to keep an anchor to the world. With his other hand he was gently rubbing Jason's back in an effort to comfort him at least somewhat. The drugs made it able to touch Jason without causing him more pain, but they couldn't take away everything.
"Oh, Jesus." Billy muttered. He quickly regained his senses and slowly walked into the room. Very cautiously and remembering what Adam had said about overwhelming Jason, Billy took a seat beside Tommy. They didn't speak, not just yet at least.
As gently as Billy could he reached out and stroked Jason's hair. Jason's pain filled eyes flickered in Billy's direction.
"...billy?..." Jason gasped out. Another fit of dry heaving overtook his body. The convulsions were never easy but they had gotten worse over the past day. Tommy knew the medication dosage was probably going to be upped.
"I'm here, Jase." Billy whispered as he continued to stroke Jason's hair in an effort to help Tommy comfort him.
Jason stiffened when Billy touched him. Billy could see that he felt ashamed, but why he wasn't entirely sure. Midnight eyes suddenly met light green ones and Jason would find nothing but kindness, compassion and acceptance in the eyes of his oldest friend. He relaxed as much as the fit allowed him to, feeling at ease with Billy being there. The only other person who had that effect on him was Tommy.
Slowly the pain subsided and Jason's body became more relaxed. The murmured words of comfort from his friends and soothing actions made it hard for him to regain his senses after the attack was over. He was lulled into a peaceful sleep by Tommy and Billy, it was just what he needed after the attack, to rest.
Author's Note: To all the previous thankees, consider yourselves thanked again! And special thanks to Shawn for writing such a lovely review after anonymous soured the page with his/her blabbering. I usually update every Friday but if I don't get at least two reviews I'm going to assume no one is interested and not post the next chapter. If you want more you gotta let me know!
Chapter 6
Return of an Old Friend
Twenty four hours came and went. Jason was in a feverish delirium for most of it. The time he spent slightly coherent was when he was retching uncontrollably. Some disgusting twist of fate made him more aware during that time than the rest of the time. Tommy could see in Jason's eyes how ashamed he felt and all he could do was try to offer him comfort in his gentle words. Adam and Rocky had stayed in intervals for the entire time. Rocky responded more calmly to Jason throwing up than Adam did. Adam had a terrible time seeing that and had been sick himself for quite awhile afterward. Tommy could tell Jason was sorry they had to see him that way. Jason was sorry any of their former teammates had to see him like this.
All of those teammates had been informed of what was happening and all of them we're going to be on the first available plane to Angel Grove.
All of them, save one.
"We need to contact Billy." Tommy said glancing toward the closed door that lead to where Jason lay sleeping, letting the last of the drugs out of his system. Tommy would have been sitting with him at that moment but this was something they needed to address quickly, before it was too late. Rocky nodded, agreeing fully with their former leader.
"He and Billy were---are really close, I mean they've known each other for most of their lives." Adam added briefly wondering what would happen if Rocky, his best friend since kindergarten, died without him getting to say good bye. The thought of that happening made him shudder slightly but the other two were so caught up in their own thoughts they didn't notice.
"But how are we going to get in touch with him? I mean, you can't call long distance to Aquitar." Rocky mentioned. "And we don't have Zordon's technology to send a message there either."
"No we don't." Adam said speaking up, "But I know someone who does."
Half and hour later Adam walked into the crowded Surf Spot trying to find five distinct people in the mass that flocked to the local hangout. He didn't have to look hard; the Space Rangers were at their table. 'Just like the we had our table in the Youth Centre', Adam mused to himself.
"Hey, isn't that Adam?" Cassie asked seeing the Carlos' predecessor walk in.
"Yeah, we haven't seen any of those guys around lately. But we haven't been around much lately either." Carlos added.
"Adam was replaced by Carlos, right?" Andros asked. The current Space Rangers had outlined the 'graduation' to him and who the former Rangers were. He had met Adam before and had been briefly introduced to Rocky but the Rangers had been called into battle so the meeting was short.
"Hey Adam, pull up a chair." TJ offered with a friendly smile. Adam returned the smile with his own but his was hollow.
"I need to ask a favour of you concerning contacting someone on another planet." Adam said quietly in all seriousness. Carlos looked slightly shocked as did the other Rangers but nodded.
"Let's go for a walk then. This place is, um, pretty crowded." Carlos mentioned.
Soon enough they came across a deserted part of the park. All eyes turned to Adam now.
"What's up, Adam? What do you need? There's nothing wrong, is there?" Carlos asked when he was sure there was no one around.
"There is something wrong but it's not with me." Adam sighed. "I need you to send a message to Aquitar asking Billy Cranston to come home for a few weeks, at least."
"That can be arranged, but why do you need him to come to Earth?" Andros asked, not wanting to send for someone unless it was a necessity.
"Do you guys know who Jason Lee Scott is?" Adam asked softly. TJ, Cassie, Carlos and Ashley nodded, they had heard the former Rangers talk of him and had seen him around a few times. They had nothing but respect for the former Rangers, Jason and those they hadn't met included.
"The original leader of the Earth Rangers?" Andros asked somewhat surprised. Adam looked at the current Red Ranger in shock. There was a distinct tone of awe in his voice.
"Yes, how do you know him?" Adam asked.
"Tommy Oliver and Jason Lee Scott are considered to be two of the best leaders the Power Rangers have seen. They were always Zordon's most prized warriors, especially when they were working together." Andros replied.
Adam suddenly felt like bursting into tears. 'Great, just great! What does that get Jason now?! NOTHING!' Carlos noticed the sudden change in Adam's face. A shadow had fallen over the brown eyes that glisten slightly with unshed tears.
"What's wrong with Jason? Why do you need Billy to come back?" Ashley asked softly.
"Jason is dying." Adam finally replied in a strange voice. "He hasn't got much time left. Billy is one of Jason's oldest friends, we have to get in touch with Billy to let him know and so they can say good
bye to each other."
"What?" Cassie managed. "How?"
"Cancer. It's gotten really bad now. It started out in Jason's lungs and it's spread all over. It's only been a few months since he was diagnosed. The cancer was too far advanced to do anything about it from the beginning." Adam felt tears in his eyes, they never seemed to far away these days. "There's nothing left to do but make him comfortable. We've gotten in touch with everyone but Billy. They'll both be upset if they can't say good bye."
"Oh, my God. There wasn't anything anyone could do for him?" Ashley whispered. 'Rangers don't die like this', She thought, 'If they die at all they die in battle or... Rangers just don't die like this!' Adam just shook his head.
"We'll send the message to Aquitar as soon as we get back to the ship and let you know as soon as we've gotten a reply." Andros said, knowing what it was like to lose---or almost lose, a close friend. "We'll go send the message, right now."
"Thank you." Adam whispered. "It means a lot to all of us to have Billy here when Jason..."
"We'll let you know the second we've got a reply, Adam." Carlos said, not minding that Adam had trailed off.
With that the Rangers teleported to their ship to send the message. Adam stood there for a long time after they had gone. A lone tear streaked down his cheek. Billy was coming back but they were paying a large fare for his return, or at least that's how it seemed...
Adam would never get used to the pain attacks. They weren't as bad now. Jason was on too much medication to let them get really bad now. When they came there was nothing to do but stay with him until they passed. It wasn't ever pretty but Adam stayed for most of the time. At some points it became to much, Adam had had to run to the bathroom before he gagged all over the floor a few times. It was hard seeing a friend like this. Rocky was the same way; only Tommy seemed to be able to stay though anything.
Adam had to leave the room during this attack. It was one of the worst ones he'd seen. Except, the ones at night, when Jason's medication dosage was cut so he could be more 'awake' during the day. Adam didn't stay in the room for those ones, and Tommy wouldn't let him or Rocky in until it was all over. Too many people overwhelmed Jason and just made it worse on him.
'Those are the bad ones and I've never even seen one. Tommy won't leave Jason at night, he sleeps during the day. He said you can't even touch Jason during those attacks. That's what the morphine shots are for.' Adam shuddered briefly, not wanting to think about it.
Three streaks of light in the shades of blue, black and white appeared in the living room where Adam now sat. He had been trying to regain some composure when Carlos and TJ appeared. Adam almost smiled when he saw who they had with them. Carlos and TJ said hello but left quickly, feeling out of place, almost like intruders.
"Billy." Adam whispered. "It's good to see you again, I only wish the circumstances were better."
Billy, who was rather pale, said softly, "I got your message but there weren't too many details. Please, tell me it's not true."
"I'm sorry, Billy. I...I can't do that. I wish I could but..." Adam trailed off. Billy only nodded slowly.
"How is he?" Billy asked softly.
"Not so good right now." Adam closed his eyes briefly and cringed a little. "He gets pain attacks a few times a day. They aren't as bad as they used to be, at least that's what Tommy says. Jason's on more medication now, but it's still bad."
"Where is he?" Billy asked knowing, he couldn't stay away. Since he got the message Billy knew he was coming back to Earth, possibly to stay. He had finished his treatments against aging a few months ago and, while things were going well with Cestria, Billy longed for his home and the people who he held dearest.
"In his room, just down the hall. Tommy's with him now. I was there but I couldn't stay much longer without it getting to me." Adam admitted sheepishly. "Tommy hardly leaves Jason's side and when things get really bad Jason gets overwhelmed by anyone else."
"I have to go see him." Billy said not able to stay away any longer than he already had. Adam nodded.
"Alright, but I...I've got to warn you, it's not easy to see." Adam confessed. Billy just nodded. Adam lead him down the hall and opened the door to Jason's room.
The first thing to greet Billy was a low moan followed by the sounds of someone retching. Billy felt as though everything that was certain had been ripped away at the site of Jason curled up in fetal position because of the pain. He didn't even have anything to throw up anymore, they were just dry heaves that caused his throat to burn and his body to shudder in painful spasms.
Tommy glanced up at Billy from the midnight eyes he held with his own. Jason was clutching one of Tommy's hands hard, trying to keep an anchor to the world. With his other hand he was gently rubbing Jason's back in an effort to comfort him at least somewhat. The drugs made it able to touch Jason without causing him more pain, but they couldn't take away everything.
"Oh, Jesus." Billy muttered. He quickly regained his senses and slowly walked into the room. Very cautiously and remembering what Adam had said about overwhelming Jason, Billy took a seat beside Tommy. They didn't speak, not just yet at least.
As gently as Billy could he reached out and stroked Jason's hair. Jason's pain filled eyes flickered in Billy's direction.
"...billy?..." Jason gasped out. Another fit of dry heaving overtook his body. The convulsions were never easy but they had gotten worse over the past day. Tommy knew the medication dosage was probably going to be upped.
"I'm here, Jase." Billy whispered as he continued to stroke Jason's hair in an effort to help Tommy comfort him.
Jason stiffened when Billy touched him. Billy could see that he felt ashamed, but why he wasn't entirely sure. Midnight eyes suddenly met light green ones and Jason would find nothing but kindness, compassion and acceptance in the eyes of his oldest friend. He relaxed as much as the fit allowed him to, feeling at ease with Billy being there. The only other person who had that effect on him was Tommy.
Slowly the pain subsided and Jason's body became more relaxed. The murmured words of comfort from his friends and soothing actions made it hard for him to regain his senses after the attack was over. He was lulled into a peaceful sleep by Tommy and Billy, it was just what he needed after the attack, to rest.
