All disclaimers in Part One.

Note: Okay, I know I said this was going to be ready sooner, but Real Life interfered heavily this summer, and so I thought I'd at least share what I already HAVE done - if only to reward all those kind folks who reviewed and commented. Thanks, guys! Much appreciated! (And yes, there's lots more to come ...)DB, Fall 2001

Letters Pt. 2

By

Dagmar Buse

Rocky to Tommy

" .... We can't wait to have you here, man. Student enrolments for the fall are looking pretty good, and all three of us will be kept too busy.to breathe. Jase is already making the arrangements for you getting your Karate Association License. Anyway, you just keep your car on the track, and your sorry butt out of hospital, you hear? We're counting on you to be here bright-eyed and bushy-tailed by September 1st."

With a grin, Tommy scribbled a quick reply to his friend and future business partner. It had taken nearly a year for him to fulfill his obligations to his uncle's racing team, but the idea he'd first conceived in London, to quit racing and go into business with Rocky and Jason, was finally coming to pass. To say that the other former Red Rangers were glad to have him join them was putting it mildly, and Tommy was looking forward to working alongside his friends, to teach karate much as they'd all done as teenagers.

His parents were pleased, too; while they had always supported his choice of profession, Tommy's mother especially had always worried herself sick during the races, and while he was touring the circuit. Not that she didn't trust her son to be careful, but ... Mrs. Oliver had tried not to let it show, but he knew that his decision to return to the martial arts scene came as a vast relief to her and all of his family.

*And I can't say that I'm all that unhappy, either.*

It hadn't been easy to turn his back on racing, especially not as during this last summer Tommy had managed to finally score a handful of victories, placing him fifth overall at season's end, but he figured it'd be better to get out while the going was still good instead of having to quit because of an injury or worse. Besides, a major sponsor had reduced his contribution, and John Rush's second driver had a wife and children to support; he needed the job more than Tommy. The young man got up from his motel room desk and started to pack his last suitcase. Most of what he'd brought with him on the road was stowed and ready to be shipped home from the crew's headquarters near Las Vegas; the rental van would be there first thing in the morning. And Tommy himself would be driving home in a brand new sports car - a 'going-away present' from his uncle, who certainly regretted losing so promising a driver, but supported his nephew nevertheless. After all, he didn't want Tommy to be discontent and thus less focussed in what was still a potentially dangerous job.

Half an hour later, the nondescript room was cleared of all things, looking as impersonal as the first time Tommy had set foot in it years ago. He checked the drawers and closets one last time; everything except his shaving kit and a change of clothes for tomorrow was packed to go. Suppressing a slight feeling of nostalgia - after all, he'd called this room home whenever he was at Team Rush headquarters - Tommy grabbed his wallet, barely remembered to pocket his keys, and let himself out, to say goodbye to the crew.

~*~

"The place looks great, guys!" Tommy beamed as Jason and Rocky conducted him around the recently opened school. It was really a superb setup - a large, airy room looking out onto the street through a wall-to-wall one-way window, the left-hand wall fully mirrored, served as the main dojo. The floor was covered with practice mats in an attractive shade of muted red - the color all three of them had shared as Rangers. Door- and window frames were painted a pleasant blue, light fixtures done in gleaming brass. A combat area was outlined in forest green, the walls were painted eggshell-white, and another wall sported flags - the Stars and Stripes crossed with Japan's Rising Sun in the center, flanked by the Korean and Chinese banners, to symbolize the origins of the martial arts styles they were teaching.

"It does, doesn't it?" Rocky grinned, opening the door to the hallway with a small flourish. The color scheme was repeated there. "Locker rooms and showers are over there, extra restrooms right here." He indicated two doors, each bearing one half of the yin/yang symbol.

In one corner, a small counter with four barstools was set up, together with a couple of tables and half a dozen chairs.

"We've set up a deal with AGH; deserving kids can work here for a small salary and free instruction," Jason explained, stepping behind the counter and taking three bottles of juice from the refrigerator. He offered them to his friends. "This doesn't compare to the Juice Bar, of course, but it's a place to meet before or after classes."

"It's a great idea," Tommy approved with a delighted look around. There were four more doors, one leading to a large office where he would have his own desk soon, a small lounge/locker room for the instructors, and two practice rooms, identical to the main dojo except for their lesser size, either for smaller groups or private lessons. Plus, the property was on a large enough plot that they could expand later on, provided they made a success out of it. "I've always enjoyed relaxing after training, or after a match. Much nicer than swigging water out of a bottle in the locker room."

"Our thoughts exactly," Jason smiled, opening his orange juice with a deft twist and raising the small bottle towards his friends. "A toast, guys?"

The other two followed suit, suddenly serious underneath their banter and lightheartedness.

"To success," Rocky ventured.

"To the Art," Tommy put forth.

"To our friendship," Jason concluded.

"And the Dragon Dojo!"

"The Dragon Dojo," Tommy and Jason echoed Rocky's words emphatically.

The bottles clinked together, and the three young men drank deeply, each vowing to himself and the others to do his best to keep the bargain they were sealing here and now. When they were done, they grinned at each other, a bit embarrassedly, but trying not to let it show too much. To that end, Jason put his juice into one corner.

"Well, Tommy ... now that you've seen the premises, what do you say to a little sparring session?" he suggested with a slight smirk. "We gotta see how much karate you've forgotten, driving in circles for so long."

"I've forgotten nothing," Tommy protested automatically, but privately he had a few doubts. Sure, he'd worked out as much as possible to keep in shape while racing for his uncle, but except for general fitness exercises and a couple of katas each morning and night, he hadn't had many chances to actually practise any form of martial arts. It just might be that he was possibly a little ... rusty?

But he was not about to admit that to his fellow ex-Rangers. So, all he said out loud was, "I'm game whenever you are."

Rocky and Jason exchanged amused glances, knowing their friend well enough to detect the bravado in his voice and stance. But they said nothing, leading Tommy instead into the men's locker room, where all three changed into sweatpants and tank tops. Together, they entered the smallest exercise room and went through a series of warm-ups, accompanied by a steady stream of friendly insults.

*Just like in High School,* Tommy couldn't help remembering as he hid a grimace over a particularly strenuous stretch Jason had suggested. He noticed out of the corner of one eye that neither Rocky nor Jason seemed much challenged, and he increased his efforts. *Feels great. Ow!*

When they were ready, Rocky retired to a corner, sat on a bench and picked up some weights. This way, he could keep limber while watching Jason and Tommy, who were already bowing to each other in the center of the room.

For the next twenty minutes there was silence, interspersed only with dull thuds and sharp slaps as feet, hands and backs hit the mats time and again. The match seemed fairly even, but then, Tommy and Jason had always been equals in their sport. Only, when Jason bowed out, he was breathing maybe a bit heavily while Tommy's shirt was soaked with sweat. Nevertheless, he sent a challenging look towards his former second-in-command.

"You ready?" he panted.

Slowly, Rocky sauntered towards the mats, flexing his muscles just a little challengingly.

"I am," he drawled, brown eyes twinkling. "Are you?"

Stung, Tommy drew himself up to his full height. He stared down at the shorter young man with glittering eyes.

"For you? Anytime!"

With that, the bout was on. A flurry of kicks, punches and throws, circling, waiting for the other to make a move, a feint here, an attack there ... Tommy soon realized that this match was quite different from what he'd done with Jason. His best friend had unobtrusively led him through a demonstration of every technique and style they'd ever learned, and managed to surprise him with a few moves Tommy had had to work hard to counter. As usual, they had pitted Jason's strength against Tommy's speed, and it had been a close call - much too close for Tommy's liking. He was uncomfortably aware that, had it been a real match, under competition rules, Jason would've wiped the floor with him, equals or not.

Rocky, though ... he had almost as much speed as Tommy at his best, and was incredibly agile - even more so than when he'd joined the Rangers. Tommy knew that, and yet it took him by surprise. Rocky was going all out against him, sticking mainly to straight karate moves, but still Tommy was hard - very hard - put to keep up. *Dammit, he nearly broke his back when we got the Turbo Powers! Shouldn't he be handicapped by that? Just a little, anyway?* Apparently not; he barely managed to duck a sweeping kick that would surely have winded him for good.

During a lull when the two were prowling in a tight circle around the room, watched by an attentive Jason who had appropriated Rocky's weights and was lifting them with slow, measured movements, Tommy came to the rather sobering conclusion that he had far more work to do to regain his former prowess than he'd dreamed. Even tired out from the match against Jason, he should've been able to defeat Rocky easily. Instead, rallying all his willpower and the last reserves of strength he had, Tommy barely managed to achieve a draw.

"Aw man," he moaned, sinking onto the mat when Rocky signalled an end to the torture he'd put him through. "I don't believe this!"

Jason and Rocky just laughed heartlessly, which made Tommy blush in mixed shame and anger. He nearly bristled when Jason came over, pulled him up again and punched him gently on the arm.

"Hey, Bro, don't sweat it. All things considered, you did okay. To be honest, I kinda expected you to be somewhat out of shape."

"I'm not ..."

"Come on, Tommy," Rocky cut off the protest. "I had one devil of a time myself to get back up to speed after my injury - and if Trini hadn't sent me to a therapist she knows, I'd never have made a full recovery, even though it was only eight months I had to stop training. You've been on the circuit how long? Five years?"

"Yeah," Tommy grudgingly admitted. Had it really been that long?

"And how much did you train - seriously train - during that time?"

"Er ..."

When Tommy had no answer, Rocky just gave him a Look that spoke louder than words. "That's what I thought."

"It's no wonder you need to brush up a little on everything," Jason said in his no-nonsense instructor's voice, a tone Tommy knew quite well. "Tom, there's no need to feel embarrassed about this. You haven't lost all that much, just some speed and a few fine points. It won't stop you from getting your Karate Association license, and Rocky and I will help you get your form back, won't we, Rocko?"

"Sure," the former Blue Zeo Ranger smiled back, draping his towel around his neck. "Just like you did with me after my injury."

"Hey, that's what friends are for, right?" The two grinned at each other; they had gotten quite close since they started working together, despite Rocky's initial jealousy of Jason. Observing this, Tommy let go of his irritation and conceded their assessment with what grace he could muster.

"Right."

Jason laughed. He'd known that ultimately, Tommy would be too honest to deny what was so obvious to anyone who knew him as well as they did. "So, as our friend, will you let us help you?"

Chuckling almost despite himself, the tall young man nodded.

"Yeah."

"Great! I'll get the schedule and we can set up a timetable for you!" Rocky practically bounced towards the office. The other two sauntered after him, back towards the bar area to finish their juice before showering. About to drink, Tommy lowered his bottle once more and cast a sardonic look at Jason.

"Why do I get the feeling I'm going to regret this?"

Jason just shook his head and smirked. He was going to love the next few weeks until Tommy regained his former expertise.

~*~

"Mom, Dad ... no offense, but ... would you mind very much if I started looking for a place of my own?" Tommy asked his parents diffidently over dinner one night about two months after his return. He'd always enjoyed coming home, but after living more or less on his own for quite some time, he was rapidly finding out that he wasn't prepared any longer to conform to the restrictions his folks placed on him. Nothing unreasonable, it was just that he'd grown to like his independence...

Beth Oliver exchanged a look with her husband, who nodded slightly, then turned towards Tommy with a smile that was part sad, part understanding.

"Of course not, Tommy."

"To be honest, we expected something like this sooner or later," Jeffrey added. "After all, you're an adult now."

Relieved, Tommy rounded the table and hugged both his mother and father. "Thanks for understanding," he murmured. "I'd hoped you would."

"We love you and want to see you happy, Tommy," Beth said quietly, swallowing a few maternal tears despite herself. "And you'll always be welcome here. I hope you know that."

"Yes, son," Jeff Oliver confirmed. "Now, is there anything we can do to help?"

"Nothing I can think of at the moment, but I'll let you know ..."

"That's fine," Beth smiled. "Do you have an idea where you want to live?"

"I thought I'd ask Jason," Tommy replied, sitting back down and digging into his dinner with a gusto he hadn't shown for a long time. "It hasn't been that long since he moved out from home; maybe he can give me a few tips and pointers."

~*~

"Funny you should ask," Jason said when Tommy put the question to him a few days later during their lunch break. "As a matter of fact, I may be looking for a new place myself."

"But why? You only moved into your place ... what, six months ago?" Tommy wondered, surprised.

"Yeah, but word is the owners want to convert the apartments into condos; there's no way I can afford to stay there if it's true."

"That sucks."

"Tell me about it." Jason sighed, biting into his sandwich. "Just when I'd gotten everything straightened out, too."

"Well, we can go through the classifieds together, then," Tommy answered, waving to Rocky who breezed into the instructors' lounge just then. At his inquiring look, the two quickly filled him in on their problem. "Maybe we can even find something close to each other," Tommy proposed. "It'd be kinda neat if we could hang out together some nights without having to drive halfway across town."

Rocky snorted, knowing quite well how rare affordable singles' housing was in Angel Grove. His own apartment was in Stone Canyon, in a former neighbor's house; otherwise he could never have his own place. Not as long as he was still paying off the medical bills from his accident, anyway.

"You might as well move in together," he commented, only half seriously. "From what I've heard, it's easier right now to find a family-sized place than something small enough for a single guy in a decent neighborhood."

Slowly, Tommy turned around from his locker where he'd been rummaging for a clean t-shirt. His eyes met Jason's dark ones, who seemingly had forgotten all about his lunch as he pondered the suggestion. Finally, the broad-shouldered young man remembered to swallow his mouthful of food, took a swig of gatorade to wash it down, and cleared his throat.

"Actually ... I've heard about an apartment with two bedrooms that's becoming available next month," he said quietly. "It wouldn't need much in the way of renovations, the rent is okay ..."

The hopeful look was unmistakeable, and Tommy met it with a somewhat bashful grin of his own. Strange as it seemed, he was more comfortable at the thought of having a roommate. Especially if that happened to be his best friend.

"I'm game, if you are," he tried for a nonchalance he didn't quite feel.

Jason barely suppressed a whoop of joy. "Well then - let's take a look soon, and if it's as good as I've heard, we can decide then. Okay?"

"Sure."

~*~

"That's it; I've had it. Let's send for pizza and call it a day," Tommy declared as the last box had been removed from the moving van and carried up to the third-floor apartment he now shared with Jason. He received enthusiastic agreement from his two colleagues, and while the three waited for the delivery guy, they quickly cleared the couches so they could sit down for dinner at least. Their bedrooms were set up, and unpacking the rest of the crates could wait for tomorrow. After ten minutes, the pizza arrived and they pounced on the boxes as if they'd been starving all day.

"Man, I never thought you two would have so much stuff," Rocky groaned as he stretched out his legs, munching on a slice dripping with melted cheese. "If I had, I would've been elsewhere today."

"Oh? Where?" Jason asked idly, biting into his own pizza.

"Dunno. Far. Edenoi, maybe. Couldn't you have at least gotten a place with an elevator?" he complained good-naturedly.

"Next time," Tommy promised with an evil grin. "After you've helped us carry everything down again when we decide to move out." He laughed at the groans and curses from both Jason and Rocky. Even strong and fit as they were, it hadn't been easy, and physically exhausting work. Both Mrs Scott and Mrs Oliver had agreed to come by the next day and help their sons get settled, but the bulk of the labor had been done by the young men themselves.

"Don't even think about it," Jason warned, settling back into his comfortable armchair, an heirloom from his grandfather. It fit him perfectly, and was just right to relax aching muscles in. "I've moved twice within a year now; no way am I doing it again any time soon!"

"I hear you on that, Bro," Tommy agreed, looking around at the light-grey walls and lightly-patterned carpet with a satisfied smile. They didn't have much in the way of furniture, but together they could furnish the place with a hodgepodge of items donated by both sets of parents that was quite sufficient for the needs of two bachelors. Rocky's girlfriend Sarah had promised to bring by some easy-care plants as soon as they were finished, and Tanya was going to try and coordinate their belongings into a pleasing whole with whatever came handy, scrounged from all of the former Rangers' families. Neither Jason nor Tommy was quite sure whether they should be excited or scared at the prospect.

As the three friends wound down from the day's strenuous activities, sharing a bottle of wine Mrs DeSantos had sent over as a housewarming gift, their talk turned to other things - their dojo, their friends, their whereabouts, world politics, local news and plans ... like the upcoming 75^th anniversary of the very first commencement of Angel Grove High School.

"Anyone have an idea how many of our class are attending?" Tommy idly wanted to know.

"No, the Angel Club is handling registration," Rocky answered. "They may be a bunch of stuck-up scocialites for the most part, but you gotta hand it to them - organizing an event like this is right down their alley. They even found two surviving members of the first AGH graduates."

"Wasn't Kim an Angel Club member?" Jason asked without thinking, before he remembered that Tommy might not appreciate the reminder. But a quick glance showed no noticeable reaction on the lean features, and he relaxed again.

"Yeah - and Aisha, too," Rocky went on, seemingly oblivious to any undercurrents. "At least after that cat Veronica was sacked."

"And?"

"And what?" Rocky grinned, enjoying being the center of attention for once.

"And has Sarah - who I know was in the Club - given you any hints yet about who has signed up yet, or not?" Jason's deep voice dripped with exaggerated patience.

"Not yet, but she sort of promised to let me know as soon as she's got definite confirmations," Rocky said with a small huff that had his friends chuckling. "Are we going?"

Jason and Tommy shared a look, then shrugged somewhat sheepishly. "I dunno," Tommy mumbled. "I mean, we both missed Commencement; wouldn't it look kinda weird if we went now?"

"All the more reason to attend now," Rocky declared. "For that matter, I'm pretty sure Kat will attend; after all, she was our valecdictorian."

"Oh, right," Tommy brightened. "I haven't seen her since I went to London; it'll be great to catch up in person. Letters just aren't the same."

*And never mind that I'm not really all that fond of getting letters anymore,* he thought to himself. *Ever since I got the one from Kim ...* Quickly, he shook off the memory. There were still too many unresolved issues between him and the first Pink Ranger, their brief meeting right after Muranthias notwithstanding. Something must've shown in Tommy's eyes, because Jason and Rocky didn't pursue the matter and tactfully changed the subject.

***

Aisha to Tanya

" ...I'd sure love to come to the Anniversary, but unfortunately I simply can't afford to. Not if I want to make it to your wedding next year, anyway. You'll remember to let me know the exact date in time? But please say hi to the guys - especially Adam and Rocky - I'm sooo sorry I'm going to miss them!

Work on the animal plague is going well, and I've decided to go to Veterinary School . Dad is trying to pull a few strings; if all goes well, I might qualify for a scholarship, and if I get it, I'll make sure it's at Angel Grove University, or at least close by; I'm dying to see all of you guys again! ...."

"Pity," Adam remarked as Tanya finished reading the relevant passage of Aisha's letter at the friends' next dinner meeting, at Rocky's apartment this time. "I miss her, too."

"I think we all do," Tommy noted, with a slightly apologetic glance at Aisha's replacement. "Not that it wasn't great getting to know you, Tanya, but ..."

"I understand, Tommy," Tanya smiled. "I'm just grateful that you guys accepted me so readily when I took her place. Not only as a Ranger, but also as a friend. I just wish Billy could've gotten a Zeo Crystal, too."

There was a brief moment of silence as the assembled former Rangers thought of their absent friend - the longest-serving of them all. How they missed his presence, his mind, his gentle support and often surprisingly astute insights! But, they were all agreed rthat it was a far better thing to know he was on Aquitar, happy and alive instead of having stayed with them and died prematurely of old age - just because he'd selflessly saved his teammates' lives. Again. Then, just before the memories and nostalgic feelings became too uncomfortable, Rocky rallied himself and tried to lighten the mood.

"Maybe it's just as well you didn't give him your shard," he said to Tanya, straight-faced. "You look ten times better in yellow than he would've! HEY!!!" Laughing, he dodged the pillows the others immediately lobbed at him. When the ensuing laughter and mock-serious threats had subsided, Jason took a sip from his soda.

"You know ... Aisha's the only Ranger I've never met," he mused thoughtfully. "Except for that moment at the Command Center when Zack, Trini and I passed our Powers on to you guys." He nodded at Adam and Rocky, who sighed fondly at the memory. "Strange, really, when you consider that I even got to know Andros and his crew."

"When would you have had the time?" Tommy asked reasonably. "What with getting your records in order, passports, packing and everything? The Peace Conference folks were in such a blasted hurry, we didn't even have time for a farewell party!"

"Yeah, Ernie was complaining about that for weeks afterwards," Rocky recalled. "That guy sure loved to party!"

"He knew how to throw one, too," Jason remembered with a small grin, "even if things didn't always go quite as smoothly as he wanted."

"Oh? Do tell," Tanya demanded eagerly, sensing a story of the early days coming up. She just loved hearing those!

Jason laughed. "Well ... there was this one time when he bought a cake for a party and all he could get at short notice was one that said "Happy Birthday Mom". Bulk ended up face-down in it. And another time - that was before you moved here, Tom - Kim, Trini, Billy and I were throwing a surprise birthday party for Zack, and Billy had modified a microwave oven into what he called a 'cake-o-matic'; only the silly thing wouldn't work like it was supposed to; Ernie ended up covered head to foot in cake mix at least twice. Wet cake mix. Definitely not one of Billy's finer efforts," he snickered.

The others laughed appreciatively. "You guys sure had some fun then," Tanya sighed a bit enviously. "Somehow, it seems my own time as a Ranger was much more serious. More work, less play, you know?"

"Don't let the stories kid you, Tanya," Jason warned, getting serious. "Sure, there's a lot of fun stuff to remember, but it wasn't all roses for us most of the time. For one thing, we were pretty young still when we got our Powers; Trini, Zack and Billy had just got their licenses then. We barely had any warning, much less somebody around to show us the ropes when Rita crashed on the moon; if the Power hadn't given us most of the know-how directly ... " the former Red Ranger shook his head. "I really don't want to think about that!"

"You got that right," Adam added. "Zack managed to call me the night before you guys left, but obviously he couldn't get into too many details on a regular phone line, and as we were called into action almost immediately, it was just as well the knowledge we needed came with our coins. But it still helped to have the others to ask about things - like operating the Command Center machinery."

Rocky nodded his agreement, but before the ex-Rangers could discuss the matter further, the doorbell rang, and he jumped up to admit his girlfriend. The greeting between the two was such that Tanya couldn't help a speculative look or three; was it her imagination, or had a new intimacy developed between Rocky and Sarah lately? She hid a small smile. *About time, too; they've been dating for quite a while now, and I KNOW Sarah just adores Rocky. If he could only see how perfect she'd be for him ...! Even Mrs DeSantos likes her...* Just then, the oven timer went off, and a general scramble for utensils, plates and seats started, distracting Tanya from her musings as the hungry crowd descended on the paella Rocky had coaxed out of his mother.

After a fun-filled meal, Sarah settled on the comfortable couch next to Rocky, not quite across his lap, a position which the others good-naturedly pretended to ignore. She smiled at the group of friends who had so readily accepted her. "We have registered the 300^th anniversary guest today," she gushed. "Isn't that great?"

"Awesome," was the consensus. "Anybody special? Rocky already told us about the two 'originals'."

Sarah grinned mischievously. "Weeeeell .... There are a few highlights; you'd be surprised to learn what successes - and what weird characters - AGH has produced in 75 years. Tommy's stock car racing is not the only unusual career. In fact, compared to some it's downright normal."

Tommy pulled a comical face. "Thanks. I think." The others chuckled, but joined him in asking questions about people they knew. However, the pretty Mexican wouldn't answer.

"You'll see at the opening ceremony," she hedged, knowing full well what information they were after.

"Oh come on, cara," Rocky cajoled, turning towards her with his best little-boy expression. "That's still four weeks away; can't you just give us a teensy little hint about our class? Please?"

She flushed a little at the endearment, but struggled to resist the pleading brown eyes. "I sort of promised I wouldn't tell," she murmured. "If somebody on the organizing committee found out I spilled the beans to anybody ..."

"You have our word it won't leave this room," Tanya reassured her, just as curious as the guys. "Besides, we only want to know about the gang - not everybody!"

"I really shouldn't ... but if you all promise...?"

Adam spoke for all five. "Cross our hearts."

With a defeated sigh, Sarah reached for her purse and pulled out a list. "Okay, I guess I can trust you guys ... so what names are you looking for again?"

The ex-Rangers eagerly scooted forward in their seats. Jason was the first to begin the 'roll call'.

"Uh - you're going alphabetically by year, right? Let's see ... we're Class of '97 ... Aisha Campbell, Billy Cranston ... we already know they're not coming. Next is ... Kimberly Hart?"

Sarah had already flipped to the appropriate page.

"Hmm ... how do you spell Hart? With or without an e? Okay ... confirmed are ... Hansen, Jack ... Harrell ... Hart, Kimberly. Panglobal and Olympic medalist. Yes, she'll be here."

"Yay!" Rocky's grin was matched by Adam and Jason's, with Tanya and Tommy slightly less enthusiastic - if for differing reasons. "What about Kat Hillard?"

"Confirmed," Sarah smiled.

"Told ya!" Rocky crowed triumphantly towards his partners, who grumblingly conceded.

"What were Trini and Zack's last names again?" Tanya wondered. Somehow or other, last names rarely cropped up in conversations about their predecessors, and she had yet to meet both in person.

"Trini Kwan and Zack Taylor," Jason answered quietly, seeing that Tommy seemed lost in thought all of a sudden. *Probably fretting about seeing both his exes again at the same time,* he realised. *I just wonder who's making him more upset - Kim or Kat? Likely Kim. Too many things still unresolved. Well, he knows where to find me, or any of the others, if he needs to talk.* Jason was abruptly recalled to the present when Rocky jumped up excitedly.

"They're coming, too? Man, I can't believe we'll be seeing everybody except Aisha and Billy in little over a month! It'll be like old times!"

"Actually, Rocky, it'll be the first time we'll come together like this," Adam tried to reason, but he was smiling as hugely as his childhood friend. "But you're right, it's going to be great!"

~*~

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