"He's been what!?" Tommy's voice came over the receiver, forcing Billy to pull it away from his ear.

"According to Jason's partner, the skin samples found under Justin's fingernails matched Jason's DNA. Currently he's answering questions with his lawyer at the police station," Billy told Tommy.

"It can't be Jase!" Tommy said. "I don't believe it."

Billy shook his head and sighed. Although if the detective was right, all the evidence pointed toward Jason being the assassin, but something in his gut told him that this wasn't the case. "I tend to concur. There is something about the situation that doesn't quite make sense at this time. I feel like I'm missing a crucial piece of data."

"I would have thought he'd be on the top of your list," Tommy said carefully, and Billy suddenly got the feeling that he was walking on dangerous ground with his newfound lover.

"He was, up until I saw Justin this morning. There was something there that didn't make sense, and I can't quite figure out what it is." He shook his head, "I need my lab."

"Then get the stuff out of storage and set it up in my basement. I don't mind. I've got plenty of room, and I'll do anything it takes to clear Jason," Tommy told him.

"So I'm not alone in thinking Jason can't be the assassin?" Billy asked.

Tommy chuckled into the receiver, "I don't think you'll be able to find a single person in Angel Grove that believes Jason is guilty of murder."

Billy smiled, "Good, that will make my endeavors that much easier." Billy could sense a hesitancy from Tommy over the phone, "What is it, Tom?"


"I was just wondering… ," Tommy began. For a moment, Billy considered asking him about what, but decided to let Tom finish on his own before interrupting. "I was wondering, how you were feeling about staying at my house for a while?" He quickly added, "Just until you can get a place of your own."

Billy smiled into the telephone and then answered, "I think I would like that Tommy. Thanks."

"Good, you can bring your stuff over tonight then," Tommy's voice sounded lighter.

"That may take a little while, Love," Billy told him. "I'm going to be focused on getting some equipment from storage set up for the investigation. I've got a lot of boxes to go through."

"Okay. Just keep in mind that you're welcome to stay as long as you want."

Billy caught himself smiling when he answered, "Be careful with comments like that. After last night, I'm afraid you're going to see much more of me than you might want."

He could almost sense Tommy's grin through the line, "I don't think I can ever not want to see you Bill. There's been a hole in my life since you left. I don't think I want you anywhere where I can't put my hands on you quickly."

"You can put your hands anywhere you want," Billy grinned as he continued, "any time you want."

"That's the whole idea." Tommy snickered back into the phone. "Listen, I need to get off here. Keep me updated on Jase, and let me know if he needs help making bail."

Billy smiled, "Will do, but I don't think he's been arrested yet- they're just asking him questions for now."

"Okay," Tommy said. "I'll see you at the house later." Before Billy could hang up, he added, "I love you Billy."

"I Love you too, Tommy. I always have, and I always will." Billy told him.



Zack whistled quietly to himself as he walked through the lobby of the hotel where he was staying. It was almost ten in the morning and he was just getting in from a night of major league partying. It had been a long but very enjoyable Saturday night, and he had to admit that he really missed Angel Grove and his friends here. Being a part of the State Department meant that he couldn't allow himself to party like he really enjoyed. Somehow, he got the feeling that Secretary Powell wouldn't approve of the junior attaché to the German Embassy dancing on the tables of a bar in Berlin like he could here.

He couldn't help but smile at the thought of how well this whole trip home had turned out. Tommy and Billy were finally getting their act together and realizing just how much they were meant for each other. Jason had finally made peace with who he was, and had found a niche for himself, and in general all was well with the world.

As he reached the elevator, he heard a familiar voice call his name. "Zack, my main man!" Jase called from one of the large overstuffed chairs surrounding the lobby.

Turning he saw Jason walking toward him, with a strange smile on his face. At first, he didn't recognize his old friend, dressed as he was in a blue polo shirt and a pair of jeans. "Hey Jase, what's up?"

Zack never saw the first blow coming. One minute he was standing there with his arms out to his side, the next he found himself bent over a sucker-punch to the stomach. Suddenly, the world lit up around him as the former Red Ranger's fist slammed into the side of his face, and he felt himself thrown to the ground.

Rolling with the blow, he came to his feet shaking his head in time to see Jason closing the distance between them. He didn't have time to think about what was happening, he was in too much shock at being attacked by one of his oldest friends. "What the hell's going on buddy?" he demanded as he went into a defensive stance, bouncing lightly on the balls of his feet. Reaching up he wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, where Jase's fist had hit. Zack knew he was in trouble- Jason Scott is one of the finest martial artist he'd ever been privileged to know, and beating him was not going to be easy.

"Poor Zack, too stupid to even become cognizant of what just hit him in the mouth," Jason said, and then swung wildly at his head.

"Huh?" Zack asked as he easily blocked the punch and countered with a quick kick to the former Ranger's groin.

Zack had never expected the kick to land, much less for the bigger man to doubled over from the attack. Without thinking, he followed up with a quick jab to the side of Jason's head. "What's this all about Jason?" Zack demanded as Jason collapsed to the floor groaning.

For long moments, the former Black Ranger stood over his old friend wondering what new madness this was. Finally, a voice not entirely Jason's came from the form on the floor, "It's about power, Zachary. It's about respect, and making sure that I get it for now on."

Neither Zack, nor the hotel clerk who came to check on the disturbance, ever saw what hit them. Two quick bursts from a hidden laser and both men collapsed to the ground, a neat hole burned through their brains.

Ten minute's later, a hotel guest came down to the lobby to find the decapitated body of the former Black Ranger lying on the floor in a spreading pool of blood and the hotel clerk slumped against the wall.




It had not been a pleasant morning for Jason Scott. He'd spent several hours answering questions about where he was last night and with whom. Fortunately, his partner, Jack could verify his whereabouts for most of the night, and there were at least a half a dozen witnesses who could corroborate Jack's testimony. Jason was confused and concerned that his DNA had showed up under Justin's fingernails. He even went so far as to agree to a medical body search to prove he had no such scratches.

After several hours of answering the same questions repeatedly- Jase recognized the same tactic he'd used several times on suspects- and the rather demeaning strip search, he was beginning to give up hope. Out of nowhere, a beat-cop had come in, and pulled the Captain aside. Ten minutes later, the Captain came back in and asked him point blank, "Jason, you don't happen to have a twin brother do you?"

Jason looked up at him in surprise, "No sir. I'm an only child."

Captain Fox shook his head and said, "Okay. Sit down. This case just fell into Federal Jurisdiction, and I've got some bad news for you." The older man had a sad look on his face, and Jason was worried. Captain Fox had been like a mentor to Jason, and his tone was more of what he'd expect from his father trying to soften some kind of blow.

"What's going on Captain?" Jase asked, hoping the worry in his voice didn't sound through. This week had turned weird really quick- weirder than anything he'd ever faced as a Ranger- even weirder than Rita's pig that tried to eat their weapons.

"You have a friend who worked for the State Department don't you- a Zachary Taylor?" Fox asked.

Suddenly Jason felt his blood run cold. "Yes sir. He's assigned to the German Embassy. He's home on leave for sort of a school reunion," Jason replied.

"I'm afraid he's been murdered," Fox told him.

"How? Why?" Jason asked.

"I think you should see the security tape. We've already checked the time stamp, and that's accurate." Fox got up and opened the door for him.

Five minutes later Jason watched in horror as he coldly attacked Zack and then murdered the former Black Ranger. When it was over, all he could do was sit in the chair supplied for him, feeling a deep sense of loss. Finally, he looked up, "Captain, I didn't do it. Zack has been one of my best friends since we were in second grade. I'd sooner cut my own arm off than hurt him."

"We know you didn't do it, Jason," Captain Fox told him. "According to the time stamp on the security camera- which know is accurate- this happened while you were downstairs being examined by the physician. Whoever did this looks amazingly like you, Jason- so much so that your friend thought it was you." He put a comforting hand on Jase's shoulder and said, "Look, I know that you had some contact with the Power Rangers when you were in high school- and that weapon looks like something they would have. Do you think it might have anything to do with them?"

Jase felt his heart drop into his shoes. He shook his head, and lied, "I don't know. I'll ask around if you want." Right now, he felt like his world was crumbling. Billy had told him that somebody had been killing Rangers, but somehow he didn't think it was going to hit this close to home.

Captain Fox sighed, "It's been a long day for you. Why don't you go home and get some sleep. Take a couple of days off- hell, I'm sure the department will put you on administrative leave until this is cleared up anyway."

Jason stood and nodded. Feeling like his world had been just shot out from under him, he left the station and headed home.