***************************************************************
Rocky sat by the bed and watched the kid- no he was a young man now- lying so still. The steady rhythm of the breathing tube was the only indication of life that his protégé was showing. For the hundredth time he mentally kicked himself for getting Justin involved with the Power Rangers in the first place. He heard someone enter the room but didn't look up- he didn't have to- something deep inside told him it was Billy and Tommy.
For long moments, they just stood there, as if reluctant to break the peace of the room. Finally, he felt a hand on his shoulder, as Tommy squatted next to him on the floor. "It doesn't look good, Bro," Rocky told him. "The doctor's say that there's probably. . .. , " he fought to say the words, ". . . , brain damage." The idea of a brain as brilliant as Justin's being damaged beyond repair was worse than him being dead. "They don't even know what's keeping him alive." Looking over to where Billy was studying the medical chart on the wall, he said, "Do you think this might have something to do with who ever it is that Billy's looking for?"
Tommy shook his head, "I don't know Bro, but I promise you this much: We'll find out who's responsible. If Jase doesn't find them- which isn't likely, he's damn good at his job- then I will. Justin is important to me too."
"Thanks man," Rocky told him. "I'm sure he'd appreciate it."
Billy walked over and put a hand on Rocky's shoulder, "I'm sorry, Rocky. I'm not sure there's much that can be done." He gave Tommy a strange look and asked, "Has anyone contacted his family yet?"
Rocky looked up at Billy, "No. His dad is out of the country right now."
Billy nodded; squeezed Rocky's shoulder and said, "I'm really sorry, Rocky. I wish there was something I could do." He then quietly left the room.
Rocky smiled and watched Billy leave the room. The man had always been hard to read; now he was simply impossible. Then remembering that Adam had told him that Billy and Tommy had a date last night he asked, "How're things with him going?"
Tommy grinned broadly and blushed. Rocky got the impression that something rather significant had occurred. Tommy told him, "Let's just say sweet, and leave it at that."
"At least something is going good right now," Rocky told his friend. Even with Justin being stuck in the hospital close to death, he was glad to see that his former leader was finally getting his head together about a few things.
"Yeah, but right now we need to figure out what we can do for Justin," Tommy said. "Billy and I can wait a little while longer."
Rocky smiled at him weakly, "Just don't wait too long, Bro. He may get tired of it."
Tommy looked toward the door through which Billy had disappeared and said, "Somehow I don't think so. Jason tells me that Zordon called him wise and patient. I think that's pretty accurate."
Rocky chuckled, "Don't put too much stock in that. Remember, Dulcea called me smart, or was it intelligent?"
Tommy patted his knee. Coming from any other man Rocky knew to be gay, he'd probably slugged them, but he knew that Tommy only meant it as a gesture of comfort. "Somehow I don't think that's too far off. I think you just do a really good job of hiding it." He checked his watch, "Look, I've got to get to the track. I'm leaving Billy here to meet Jase. Would you mind keeping an eye out for him in case Jason doesn't show? You know, make sure he gets home okay."
Rocky smiled, "Will do."
"And Rocky?" Tommy said. "Be careful. Billy and I were attacked by some new kind of creatures on our way over here this morning. They're tough, but they've got a weak spot at the base of their skulls. Try not to go out by yourself, and keep an eye open. One friend in the hospital is one too many."
Rocky smiled, "Will do 'Oh Fearless Leader."
********
Jason watched as Billy exited of the hospital room with a contemplative look on his face. He'd seen him look that way many times before; usually when there was something about a situation that didn't add up. "What's up, Bro?" At first Billy didn't hear him, so he reached out and touched him on the shoulder before asking again, "Billy, is there something wrong?"
Billy looked over at him, as if suddenly realizing that he was there. "Oh, I'm sorry Jase. I was thinking." A strange scent that Jase couldn't quite place permeated the air around his old friend. It wasn't unpleasant- on the contrary, it was pleasantly familiar- he just couldn't place it.
"Obviously, Bro," Jason teased, "Want to tell me what has you so deep in thought."
Billy just shook his head, "Maybe later." Then, he seemed to have remembered something and he asked, "Jase?"
"Yeah, Bro?"
"After my dad died, who moved the stuff out of my lab into storage?" he asked. The tone of Billy's voice told Jason it was important.
Jason thought about it. That was well after he'd given up the Gold Powers and during his convalescence. He remembered helping Tommy and the other Rangers with the rather sad job of cleaning out the Cranston home to get it ready for sale. It had been a major low point in his life, reminding him of just how many people he'd lost in his life of late. "Let's see, I was there, kind of directing things. I think the whole team helped, even Rocky who was getting over his injury. There was him, Tommy, Adam, Tanya, and Kat. Oh yeah, Justin was there too. He and Tommy took care of your lab. Tommy wanted somebody who knew what the stuff was before he put it in storage." He looked at his oldest friend, and wasn't sure if he liked what he saw in his eyes. He asked, "Why?"
"You were there, then?" Billy asked.
"Yeah Bro, I was there, though I wasn't in much shape to do anything. I was still pretty weak from what the Gold Powers had done to me." Jason answered carefully. He stopped and thought about how strange Billy had been acting lately. Wondered what had brought him back to Earth. "Why? What's up Billy? Does this have anything to do with the Rangers?"
Billy just shook his head, "I don't know Jase, I honestly don't know." He smiled up at Jase, "Tell you what, let me buy you breakfast and we'll discuss it."
Jason smiled and said, "You're on," he grinned at his friend and asked, "How 'bout the Intergalactic House of Pancakes?" He used their old junior high term for their favorite breakfast restaurant.
Billy just grinned and replied as they headed back toward Justin's room. "Just let me tell Tommy and Rocky I'm leaving, and IHOP it is!"
Jase followed Billy into the room to see Tommy talking quietly to Justin. He nodded to the former team leader and said, "Billy and I are going for some breakfast. I'll give you a call later if I find out anything else about the case."
Tommy nodded to Jase and said, "Sure thing, Bro."
Jase watched as Billy approached Tommy and said hesitantly, "I'll call you later at the track." Jason realized that Billy was unsure of how to act around their friends now that the two had seemed to reach some sort of understanding.
Tommy nodded to him as he gently reached out and cupped the former Blue Ranger's face, "That sounds good. You'll have to come by sometime and meet my crew."
"We'll talk about that," Billy said. Then, cautiously he said, "Tommy. . .?" Jase was touched by the gentle tenderness the two were using to skirt around each other. He watched his two best friends get lost in each other's eyes.
"Yeah?" Tommy replied with almost as much trepidation.
"Oh kiss him good-bye already, and get it over with," Rocky interrupted, breaking the spell of the moment.
"Rocky DeSantos, you're a bounder," Billy said.
"No, I'm just tired of watching you two tip-toe around each other. Just kiss him and you and Jason get out of here," Rocky said.
Billy gave Rocky as smirk worthy of Kim and turned back to Tommy expectantly. Before anything else could be said, Tommy pulled Billy into a kiss. Jase found himself touched by the emotion behind such a small gesture. Tommy had always been sort of a tragic figure, never quite able to find happiness- until now. Billy on the other hand, had always been the quiet researcher, timid when it came to romance. Now he was getting his heart's greatest desire, and Jason found himself just a little jealous of his "Little Bro", for it.
"Now, that's more like it," Rocky said grinning.
**********************************
Half an hour later, Jase and Billy were seated in their favorite booth waiting for their order. Jase ventured, "So, I take it you and Tommy are finally getting your heads straight."
Billy blushed and said, "Straight isn't exactly the word I'd use Jase."
Jason smiled, "You know what I mean, Billy. Are you two finally connecting the way you should?"
Billy smiled, "Actually, it's going much better than I ever dreamed it could. I never had an inkling that Tommy might feel the same way about me as I did him."
"You both are good at hiding your feelings," Jase replied. "Add in interstellar distances, and you guys almost made what is supposed to be never happen."
Billy smiled and looked up from his coffee, but his voice had a much more serious tone, "What do you know about supposed-to-bes, Jason?"
Jason put his cup down. It was time for him and Billy to lay their cards on the table. "I know that your coming back from Phaedos isn't a happy coincidence. I know that there's something going on with the former Rangers that you haven't shared with me yet." Jase wasn't going let Billy get away with thinking that he hadn't noticed what was going on. "Outside of that you've managed to leave me pretty much in the dark."
Billy sighed and put down his coffee cup. "Let me ask you a question Jase. Have you ever had a case where you desperately wanted to clear a suspect, but didn't know how? I don't mean couldn't find any evidence to prove them innocent, I mean not knowing how to do it."
Jason smiled, and answered, "No. My job is usually to find evidence to prove them guilty. But at least you WANT to believe I'm innocent." Jason realized that Billy was talking about him. His IQ may not start with a two, but he wasn't stupid either.
Billy's voice became very soft, "That's because you're one of my closest friends, Jase, and when I find the person I'm looking for, one of us is very likely not to walk away from the conflict." The tone in Billy's voice was very serious.
Jason was shocked at what Billy was saying. "If they've committed a crime, then let the police do their job. Billy, you can't take the law into your own hands. Don't do something that's going to make me have to come after you. If you do, then WE are going to come into conflict. I can't sit by and let you kill somebody, even if it is Ranger business."
"Jase I wish it were that easy. Somebody has been assassinating Rangers off planet, using Earth Ranger technology and the Morphin' Grid to get around. The only people who have access to that are former Rangers. How am I supposed to explain that to the police?" He sighed, "So far ten alien Rangers and two Earth Space Rangers has been murdered. I have to stop it now, before the Master Warriors take things into their own hands."
"What Earth Space Rangers?" Jason asked.
Billy sighed and replied, "Andros, and Zhane."
Jason felt like he'd been hit in the gut. He'd only met the Red Space Ranger a few times, but liked the guy a great deal. He reminded Jason a lot of himself. "When? How? Where?"
"They accessed the Morphin' Grid, teleported in, evidently caught them asleep and killed both. Dulcea managed to find out that whoever was responsible collected a rather hefty bounty on their heads."
"There are bounties on Ranger's heads?" Jason asked.
"Let's just say that Zed wasn't the only big bad evil out there in the universe, and several of them are more than willing to pay someone else to alleviate their problems." Billy made little quotation marks with his fingers to emphasize the last word. "Dulcea has given me one month to find and deal with the traitor. After that, the Master Warriors will move in and deal with all the former Earth Rangers as if we're guilty."
"Not you too?" Jason asked. "I mean, you've been on Phaedos for the past two years."
Billy nodded, "Me too. They're using some support technology I developed while on Earth. I'm just as much a suspect as any of the rest of you guys." He leaned back, "Besides, do you think I'd let them try and take you guys without a fight?"
Billy sat quietly while Jason considered what he'd told him. Finally, he asked, "So how do you clear someone when you don't know how?"
He thought about Billy's question as their food arrived. Finally, after the waiter left he said, "I don't know, Billy. I realize you can't share what you're looking for until you've cleared me, but I can't really tell you how to do that unless I know what you know- which you can't tell me in case I am the person you're looking for."
"Exactly," Billy said as he tore into his breakfast with a fervor that would have made Rocky proud.
"Do you have any idea what the weapon used was?" Jason asked.
Billy nodded, "You remember that laser I developed, not long after Tommy came on the team?"
"The one he used from inside that creature?" Jason asked.
"Yeah."
"The one YOU invented?"
Billy nodded. "That's not the only piece of my former equipment he or she's used. Now you see why I have to find the killer. They're using my technology to kill other Rangers. I'm responsible."
Jason listened to what his friend had to say. "I don't know what to tell you Billy- except that you're not responsible. They may have stolen your equipment, but that doesn't make you responsible for their actions- they are. We'll find them, and we'll fix it."
"How, Jason?" Billy asked.
Jason shook his head. "I don't know. But we'll put our heads together and figure it out." Jason took a bite of his omelet. "Now eat your breakfast." Then realizing what smell he detected on Billy earlier was, he decided to try and lighten the atmosphere some by asking, "Why do you smell like chocolate?"
He watched as Billy turned crimson.
Rocky sat by the bed and watched the kid- no he was a young man now- lying so still. The steady rhythm of the breathing tube was the only indication of life that his protégé was showing. For the hundredth time he mentally kicked himself for getting Justin involved with the Power Rangers in the first place. He heard someone enter the room but didn't look up- he didn't have to- something deep inside told him it was Billy and Tommy.
For long moments, they just stood there, as if reluctant to break the peace of the room. Finally, he felt a hand on his shoulder, as Tommy squatted next to him on the floor. "It doesn't look good, Bro," Rocky told him. "The doctor's say that there's probably. . .. , " he fought to say the words, ". . . , brain damage." The idea of a brain as brilliant as Justin's being damaged beyond repair was worse than him being dead. "They don't even know what's keeping him alive." Looking over to where Billy was studying the medical chart on the wall, he said, "Do you think this might have something to do with who ever it is that Billy's looking for?"
Tommy shook his head, "I don't know Bro, but I promise you this much: We'll find out who's responsible. If Jase doesn't find them- which isn't likely, he's damn good at his job- then I will. Justin is important to me too."
"Thanks man," Rocky told him. "I'm sure he'd appreciate it."
Billy walked over and put a hand on Rocky's shoulder, "I'm sorry, Rocky. I'm not sure there's much that can be done." He gave Tommy a strange look and asked, "Has anyone contacted his family yet?"
Rocky looked up at Billy, "No. His dad is out of the country right now."
Billy nodded; squeezed Rocky's shoulder and said, "I'm really sorry, Rocky. I wish there was something I could do." He then quietly left the room.
Rocky smiled and watched Billy leave the room. The man had always been hard to read; now he was simply impossible. Then remembering that Adam had told him that Billy and Tommy had a date last night he asked, "How're things with him going?"
Tommy grinned broadly and blushed. Rocky got the impression that something rather significant had occurred. Tommy told him, "Let's just say sweet, and leave it at that."
"At least something is going good right now," Rocky told his friend. Even with Justin being stuck in the hospital close to death, he was glad to see that his former leader was finally getting his head together about a few things.
"Yeah, but right now we need to figure out what we can do for Justin," Tommy said. "Billy and I can wait a little while longer."
Rocky smiled at him weakly, "Just don't wait too long, Bro. He may get tired of it."
Tommy looked toward the door through which Billy had disappeared and said, "Somehow I don't think so. Jason tells me that Zordon called him wise and patient. I think that's pretty accurate."
Rocky chuckled, "Don't put too much stock in that. Remember, Dulcea called me smart, or was it intelligent?"
Tommy patted his knee. Coming from any other man Rocky knew to be gay, he'd probably slugged them, but he knew that Tommy only meant it as a gesture of comfort. "Somehow I don't think that's too far off. I think you just do a really good job of hiding it." He checked his watch, "Look, I've got to get to the track. I'm leaving Billy here to meet Jase. Would you mind keeping an eye out for him in case Jason doesn't show? You know, make sure he gets home okay."
Rocky smiled, "Will do."
"And Rocky?" Tommy said. "Be careful. Billy and I were attacked by some new kind of creatures on our way over here this morning. They're tough, but they've got a weak spot at the base of their skulls. Try not to go out by yourself, and keep an eye open. One friend in the hospital is one too many."
Rocky smiled, "Will do 'Oh Fearless Leader."
********
Jason watched as Billy exited of the hospital room with a contemplative look on his face. He'd seen him look that way many times before; usually when there was something about a situation that didn't add up. "What's up, Bro?" At first Billy didn't hear him, so he reached out and touched him on the shoulder before asking again, "Billy, is there something wrong?"
Billy looked over at him, as if suddenly realizing that he was there. "Oh, I'm sorry Jase. I was thinking." A strange scent that Jase couldn't quite place permeated the air around his old friend. It wasn't unpleasant- on the contrary, it was pleasantly familiar- he just couldn't place it.
"Obviously, Bro," Jason teased, "Want to tell me what has you so deep in thought."
Billy just shook his head, "Maybe later." Then, he seemed to have remembered something and he asked, "Jase?"
"Yeah, Bro?"
"After my dad died, who moved the stuff out of my lab into storage?" he asked. The tone of Billy's voice told Jason it was important.
Jason thought about it. That was well after he'd given up the Gold Powers and during his convalescence. He remembered helping Tommy and the other Rangers with the rather sad job of cleaning out the Cranston home to get it ready for sale. It had been a major low point in his life, reminding him of just how many people he'd lost in his life of late. "Let's see, I was there, kind of directing things. I think the whole team helped, even Rocky who was getting over his injury. There was him, Tommy, Adam, Tanya, and Kat. Oh yeah, Justin was there too. He and Tommy took care of your lab. Tommy wanted somebody who knew what the stuff was before he put it in storage." He looked at his oldest friend, and wasn't sure if he liked what he saw in his eyes. He asked, "Why?"
"You were there, then?" Billy asked.
"Yeah Bro, I was there, though I wasn't in much shape to do anything. I was still pretty weak from what the Gold Powers had done to me." Jason answered carefully. He stopped and thought about how strange Billy had been acting lately. Wondered what had brought him back to Earth. "Why? What's up Billy? Does this have anything to do with the Rangers?"
Billy just shook his head, "I don't know Jase, I honestly don't know." He smiled up at Jase, "Tell you what, let me buy you breakfast and we'll discuss it."
Jason smiled and said, "You're on," he grinned at his friend and asked, "How 'bout the Intergalactic House of Pancakes?" He used their old junior high term for their favorite breakfast restaurant.
Billy just grinned and replied as they headed back toward Justin's room. "Just let me tell Tommy and Rocky I'm leaving, and IHOP it is!"
Jase followed Billy into the room to see Tommy talking quietly to Justin. He nodded to the former team leader and said, "Billy and I are going for some breakfast. I'll give you a call later if I find out anything else about the case."
Tommy nodded to Jase and said, "Sure thing, Bro."
Jase watched as Billy approached Tommy and said hesitantly, "I'll call you later at the track." Jason realized that Billy was unsure of how to act around their friends now that the two had seemed to reach some sort of understanding.
Tommy nodded to him as he gently reached out and cupped the former Blue Ranger's face, "That sounds good. You'll have to come by sometime and meet my crew."
"We'll talk about that," Billy said. Then, cautiously he said, "Tommy. . .?" Jase was touched by the gentle tenderness the two were using to skirt around each other. He watched his two best friends get lost in each other's eyes.
"Yeah?" Tommy replied with almost as much trepidation.
"Oh kiss him good-bye already, and get it over with," Rocky interrupted, breaking the spell of the moment.
"Rocky DeSantos, you're a bounder," Billy said.
"No, I'm just tired of watching you two tip-toe around each other. Just kiss him and you and Jason get out of here," Rocky said.
Billy gave Rocky as smirk worthy of Kim and turned back to Tommy expectantly. Before anything else could be said, Tommy pulled Billy into a kiss. Jase found himself touched by the emotion behind such a small gesture. Tommy had always been sort of a tragic figure, never quite able to find happiness- until now. Billy on the other hand, had always been the quiet researcher, timid when it came to romance. Now he was getting his heart's greatest desire, and Jason found himself just a little jealous of his "Little Bro", for it.
"Now, that's more like it," Rocky said grinning.
**********************************
Half an hour later, Jase and Billy were seated in their favorite booth waiting for their order. Jase ventured, "So, I take it you and Tommy are finally getting your heads straight."
Billy blushed and said, "Straight isn't exactly the word I'd use Jase."
Jason smiled, "You know what I mean, Billy. Are you two finally connecting the way you should?"
Billy smiled, "Actually, it's going much better than I ever dreamed it could. I never had an inkling that Tommy might feel the same way about me as I did him."
"You both are good at hiding your feelings," Jase replied. "Add in interstellar distances, and you guys almost made what is supposed to be never happen."
Billy smiled and looked up from his coffee, but his voice had a much more serious tone, "What do you know about supposed-to-bes, Jason?"
Jason put his cup down. It was time for him and Billy to lay their cards on the table. "I know that your coming back from Phaedos isn't a happy coincidence. I know that there's something going on with the former Rangers that you haven't shared with me yet." Jase wasn't going let Billy get away with thinking that he hadn't noticed what was going on. "Outside of that you've managed to leave me pretty much in the dark."
Billy sighed and put down his coffee cup. "Let me ask you a question Jase. Have you ever had a case where you desperately wanted to clear a suspect, but didn't know how? I don't mean couldn't find any evidence to prove them innocent, I mean not knowing how to do it."
Jason smiled, and answered, "No. My job is usually to find evidence to prove them guilty. But at least you WANT to believe I'm innocent." Jason realized that Billy was talking about him. His IQ may not start with a two, but he wasn't stupid either.
Billy's voice became very soft, "That's because you're one of my closest friends, Jase, and when I find the person I'm looking for, one of us is very likely not to walk away from the conflict." The tone in Billy's voice was very serious.
Jason was shocked at what Billy was saying. "If they've committed a crime, then let the police do their job. Billy, you can't take the law into your own hands. Don't do something that's going to make me have to come after you. If you do, then WE are going to come into conflict. I can't sit by and let you kill somebody, even if it is Ranger business."
"Jase I wish it were that easy. Somebody has been assassinating Rangers off planet, using Earth Ranger technology and the Morphin' Grid to get around. The only people who have access to that are former Rangers. How am I supposed to explain that to the police?" He sighed, "So far ten alien Rangers and two Earth Space Rangers has been murdered. I have to stop it now, before the Master Warriors take things into their own hands."
"What Earth Space Rangers?" Jason asked.
Billy sighed and replied, "Andros, and Zhane."
Jason felt like he'd been hit in the gut. He'd only met the Red Space Ranger a few times, but liked the guy a great deal. He reminded Jason a lot of himself. "When? How? Where?"
"They accessed the Morphin' Grid, teleported in, evidently caught them asleep and killed both. Dulcea managed to find out that whoever was responsible collected a rather hefty bounty on their heads."
"There are bounties on Ranger's heads?" Jason asked.
"Let's just say that Zed wasn't the only big bad evil out there in the universe, and several of them are more than willing to pay someone else to alleviate their problems." Billy made little quotation marks with his fingers to emphasize the last word. "Dulcea has given me one month to find and deal with the traitor. After that, the Master Warriors will move in and deal with all the former Earth Rangers as if we're guilty."
"Not you too?" Jason asked. "I mean, you've been on Phaedos for the past two years."
Billy nodded, "Me too. They're using some support technology I developed while on Earth. I'm just as much a suspect as any of the rest of you guys." He leaned back, "Besides, do you think I'd let them try and take you guys without a fight?"
Billy sat quietly while Jason considered what he'd told him. Finally, he asked, "So how do you clear someone when you don't know how?"
He thought about Billy's question as their food arrived. Finally, after the waiter left he said, "I don't know, Billy. I realize you can't share what you're looking for until you've cleared me, but I can't really tell you how to do that unless I know what you know- which you can't tell me in case I am the person you're looking for."
"Exactly," Billy said as he tore into his breakfast with a fervor that would have made Rocky proud.
"Do you have any idea what the weapon used was?" Jason asked.
Billy nodded, "You remember that laser I developed, not long after Tommy came on the team?"
"The one he used from inside that creature?" Jason asked.
"Yeah."
"The one YOU invented?"
Billy nodded. "That's not the only piece of my former equipment he or she's used. Now you see why I have to find the killer. They're using my technology to kill other Rangers. I'm responsible."
Jason listened to what his friend had to say. "I don't know what to tell you Billy- except that you're not responsible. They may have stolen your equipment, but that doesn't make you responsible for their actions- they are. We'll find them, and we'll fix it."
"How, Jason?" Billy asked.
Jason shook his head. "I don't know. But we'll put our heads together and figure it out." Jason took a bite of his omelet. "Now eat your breakfast." Then realizing what smell he detected on Billy earlier was, he decided to try and lighten the atmosphere some by asking, "Why do you smell like chocolate?"
He watched as Billy turned crimson.
