Disclaimer: Don't own 'em.

Author's Note: I'm glad quite a few of the reviewers caught on to the Power Coin's reaction as a symbol of hope which is what I meant it to be. I just feel that no matter what happens you have to have some kind of hope with you. Maybe I'm just naive in believing that but it's what I want and need to believe. And for everyone suffering all over the world I quote Bon Jovi, "You gotta keep the faith."


Chapter 14
Kindling an Old Flame


Tommy was all set to collapse onto his bed and fall asleep after the wake was finally over. When he put the Power Coin back into it's original owner's hand being the worst and best moment of that long day. The whole thing had been an emotionally draining experience and Tommy knew tomorrow would be worse. How was he going to face going to Jason's funeral? The concept still seemed unreal to him. It felt so unnatural, so wrong to have to go to his best friend's funeral. And it hurt so badly at times Tommy wondered if he would be able to keep up a strong front for the others. How did one go on after losing a friend such as Jason?

Sighing to himself Tommy quickly showered and got dressed in more casual clothes. He was about to pull on a red shirt he grabbed from his closet when he paused. Looking down at the shirt he held in his hands it actually registered in Tommy's mind what he was about to put on. He stared at the crimson garment of clothing remembering the day it had arrived for him at his parents house just after the Zeo quest. He had called Jason about the new set of Powers, feeling somewhat awkward in red to begin with. A few days later the shirt arrived. It had been a joke then, something his best friend sent from half a world away to help him adjust to holding his new Powers.

"Jason..." Tommy whispered to the barren apartment. For the first time since they had met Jason was not there to answer Tommy when he needed him. The realization that never again would Jason be there hit Tommy hard and fast as it had many times since Jason's death, the fact still trying to secure itself in Tommy's tenacious mind.

Sinking to his knees Tommy held his head in his hands and began to sob in the very empty apartment. The red shirt lay crumpled on the floor a short ways away from him as Tommy wept loudly with no one to hear him cry and no one there to comfort him as he let out his sorrows. All that had happened was so much to bear and Tommy didn't want to bear it alone. 'But the only person who's ever been able to lighten the load before...' Tommy thought miserably, 'Oh hell! Dammit it all to hell!'

Curled up in a corner of his dark, lonely apartment, Tommy cried, wanting something, someone who could no longer be within his grasp.

"Hello?" A soft female voice called. Tommy was so lost and engulfed in his own grief that he didn't hear the quiet word.

Kim quietly entered the dim apartment finding the door unlocked. She didn't want Tommy to be alone there tonight. She knew what he was like better than most and could guess he was going through a private hell because of the last few days events, refusing to show it in front of his friends. She also knew Tommy would be too bullheaded to come to any of them for comfort. So instead she decided to stop hiding from her first love. Jason had tried to get them back together and she would be damned if she let his efforts go to waste because she was too scared to act now that the initial awkwardness had been dispelled. She wanted and needed Tommy too much anyway. If he wouldn't come to her for comfort, she would go to him and Kim would not let Tommy pull away from her tonight.

Kim entered Tommy's room slowly. The lights were off and it was dark and shadowy. Kim could make out Tommy's figure in the dim light. He hunched over in a corner, leaning up against a wall. His shoulders were heaving with violent sobs. His back was bare, a red shirt lying a few inches away from him, apparently the catalyst of this scene. Kim recognized it as a spur of the moment present from Jason just after Tommy had been appointed Red Ranger. Jason had sent it directly from Geneva. To get the red clothing kick going, he had said in the note that came with it. Tommy had laughed, calling his friend later that night and telling him he should have just sent over his old wardrobe. Soon after Jason had returned to take the Gold Ranger powers for Trey. Kim remembered a letter from him, written in barely suppressed excitement, he had been so happy to be part of the team again. He had been so happy to help and make a difference again...

A choked sob brought Kim out of her wayward thoughts. Kim felt her heart clench at the sight of her former boyfriend so heartbroken. Tommy had been strong for Jason, he had been strong even when his own heart was breaking, he had been strong for the others and kept up the leader role he managed to take on so well. But he couldn't keep a strong front up forever. It was especially hard for him when he walked into his empty apartment. The apartment that was now devoid of the sparkling midnight eyes and kind, open smile Jason had always never been without.

"Tommy..." Kim said softly reaching out and putting her hand on his shoulders. Tommy flinched at her touch and whirled around quickly. His face was pale and streaked with tears, his eyes were red and puffy.

"It's so hard. Oh, Kim, why did this have to happen?" Tommy whispered before dissolving into strangled sobs again.

Kim didn't answer but drew Tommy into a tight hug. Tommy clung to her as if she was the only thing keeping him on the Earth, much like Jason had clung to him during the harder times before he died. Of course, Tommy thought of Kim in a different fashion than Jason thought of him but the need for an anchor was still there. In a way she was one of the only things to keep him here and he needed her to hold him. He needed someone else to be strong even if just for a short while. The only other person who could have born Tommy's sorrow was now out of reach forever. Kim rubbed Tommy's back gently and whispered words of comfort, being strong for him just like he had been strong for her and everyone else.

"It's not fair." Tommy whispered trying desperately to stifle his sobs and regain some control, "It's not right. All he ever did was make things better. Why was he taken away from us so soon?"

"I don't know, Tommy. I can't answer that for you. I wish I could but no one can," Kim said gently. Her heart ached from losing Jason, her big brother, and from the sorrow in Tommy's heart.

Kim hugged Tommy as tightly as she could, letting him release all his grief and pain that had been building up for months now. Tommy cried for all he was worth until finally his tears began to slow. Even then Kim held him close to her, stroking his long hair gently and rubbing his naked back. Tommy tried to pull himself together and failed miserably. Kim could sense him struggle to get his remaining tears under control.

"You don't have to be strong, Tommy. Not in front of me," Kim whispered.

Tommy let out a few more choked sobs at those words. Kim didn't say anything more just hugged him closer. As his tears ran dry, no more coming for now, Tommy realized how good it felt to have Kim's arms around him. Blushing softly in spite of himself Tommy drew away to look at Kim.

"Feel any better?" Kim asked gently brushing a long strand of hair off his face.

"Yeah." Tommy replied looking into her eyes. Something in them spurred him on and remembering Jason's attempt on his behalf said, "You're good for me, Kim."

Kim smiled gently a small flicker of happiness warming her slightly, "The feeling is mutual."

Tommy had the sudden urge to sweep her into his arms and kiss her but for all the courage Tommy possessed in battle he was incredibly shy around women, especially ones he had fallen for this hard. Kim blushed self consciously as she tucked a few strands of hair behind her ears. Chocolate brown eyes, still somewhat red from crying, met misty doe eyes. Kim bit her lip gently as Tommy ran his hand through her silky hair. Kim leaned in first, knowing Tommy wouldn't, and Tommy followed her lead...

Their lips met in a soft kiss. Tommy drew his arms around Kim's waist as the kiss deepened gently. Kim trembled as shivers ran down her spine. Tommy felt tingles run through his body as the sensation and realization of kissing *Kimberly Ann Hart* rushed him just as it had the first time their lips met in the park.

They broke away completely breathless. Tommy now drew Kim into his arms, not knowing what was better having her hold him or holding her. Kim hugged Tommy back as she snuggled into his shirt, lying her head on his shoulder. After a few minutes had passed Tommy broke the silence wanting to share something with her that he had been planning to do if not right away than later.

"Kim, will you come with me to the Command Centre?" Tommy asked softly.

Kim looked up at him, clearly puzzled, "I thought it was destroyed."

"It was. I just need to go up there. I can't explain it." Tommy replied quietly.

"Of course I'll go with you, strange as it sounds I was thinking of taking a trip up there myself later on." Kim replied squeezing Tommy tightly once more before untangling herself from his arms.

The two headed out of the apartment together, hand in hand.