Searching
By Capri Wooden
Part Two- Something In Between
April 1997
"It's official," said Devin as she joined her friends at the Youth Center, "Jason is missing."
After losing the Gold Ranger powers, Jason disappeared without a word. At first Devin thought he was hiding out at home, feeling depressed and useless. But as the days went on and she still hadn't heard from him, she began to worry that he was a little more than depressed. When she voiced her concerns to the gang, they just shrugged and said he'd come around when he was ready.
"Devin, he's not missing--"
"Yeah, yeah, Tommy. I know what you're gonna say, so spare me, please. I can't find him anywhere. I went to check on the plants for his mom-- cuz she knew Jason would forget. Well when I got there I went looking around the house for him and instead I found his entire room missing-- well everything in it anyway."
"Maybe he went on a little vacation to this mind off of losing his powers." said Tommy only loud enough for the group to hear him.
"With his entire room?" said Rocky.
"Thank you Rocky." Devin said, "And they say you have no sense." she mumbled. "Tommy your best friend has disappeared without a trace and you don't seem to care."
"Devin, you don't know what it's like to lose your powers. Jas and I know better than anyone does; we've both done it more than once. All you want to do is get anyway from anything-- or anyone-- that reminds you of it."
"Screw the power! It's nothing compared to your-- well my relationship with Jason. I'd give it up in a second if I knew it would make him happy. There's more to his leaving-- especially without saying goodbye-- there's more to it than losing his powers and if you were really his best friend, you would care enough to want to find out!" she yelled punching him on the shoulder and then stormed out of the Youth Center.
Tommy stared after her dumbfounded-- rubbing the hurt shoulder-- not making an attempt to go after her.
"You're not even gonna go after her?! Some boyfriend." Adam grumbled.
"I got her." called Rocky as her ran after Devin. "Devin, wait up."
"I'm not really in the mood Rocky." she moaned as she stopped in her tracks.
"It'll be okay Devin. Jason will turn up."
"I doubt it and I think we have our fearless leader to thank."
"Devin."
"I'm sorry I didn't mean that, but Tommy hasn't exactly been very comforting." she sighed.
"Well look at it from his point of view. This isn't the first time he's lost his best friend to power loss. It really hurt him when Jason went to Switzerland. And he was so excited when he helped Jason get the Gold Ranger powers. He had felt guilty for letting him go to the peace conference and taking over as leader of the Rangers. It killed Tommy to not be able to save Jason the pain of losing his powers and his place on the team all over again.
"Tommy knows how horrible it feels to lose the power, to not have it flowing through your veins, to lose the closeness of the group. One of the things that makes this group so close is the fact that we share the power."
"Then how come I still feel like an outsider."
"Devin." came Tommy's voice as he jogged toward them.
"Arg!" she groaned and started in the other direction.
"Devin!" Tommy called slipping into a run to catch her. "Wait-- stop for a minute!" he insisted.
She complied with a sour look on her face. "Don't look at me like that. Honey, I'm sorry if I seem like I don't care. Not thinking about it is the only way I can keep from missin' Jas so damn much. Devin he's my best friend." His look was so completely sincere that it melted away her anger.
"I know Tommy, and I'm sorry I'm acting so pissy, but Jason's been my best friend since I lost my parents-- he was there for me. It was tough to lose him and Zack at the same time. I was so happy to finally get one of them back only to lose him again. I can't handle it."
"I'm sorry." he said and enveloped her in his arms. "I was so busy thinking about me, that I forgot how close you are to him." Devin wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him back. "How 'bout I spend the day pampering you? Helping you to get your mind off of everything."
"Yeah, so Mondo can ruin it?"
"C'mon Devin, I'm trying to make up here."
"I know and I'm sorry."
"So how 'bout it?"
"You know I think I'd rather be alone for a while."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
"I love you."
"I know. I love you too." she said the got on her tiptoes and pulled him down into a kiss. As his tongue slipped into her mouth a vision shot through Devin causing her to pull away abruptly.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I'm sorry." She kissed him softly on the lips, "I gotta go."
"I'll stop by later?"
"Okay." she said and headed off towards home. Thank goodness she had walked because she wasn't really in the right state of mind for driving. Jeez Devin what's wrong with you?! she scolded herself as she revisited the flash that had occurred when she kissed Tommy. It had been that exact same moment in time only.only she was kissing Jason.
She shrugged it off, not wanting to analyze it for fear of where it might actually lead. She only missed Jason and it wasn't as if she and Jason had never kissed. She was just missing her best friend and that was all.
Devin cut through the park on her way home, hoping that things remained as quiet as they had been since Jason had lost his powers. All she could think about was Jason being gone. He wouldn't have gone away for a vacation without telling her, would he? Maybe his parents knew, but who knew when they would return from their business travels. "Where could he be?!" she sighed to herself.
* * *
Devin was pulled awake by the sound of banging. Her head was still cloudy and the last thing she remembered was.lying down on the couch. She must have fallen asleep while she was thinking of what to do about the Jason situation. There was another pounding sound followed by the doorbell ringing several times hurriedly. "Someone's at the door." she groaned and opened her eyes. "Dark? God how long have I been asleep?" she wondered aloud and sat up rubbing her eyes.
She looked across her at the VCR clock, which blinked 12:00. Hmm.must have had a power outage. she thought as she stretched and prepared to stand up. There was another barrage of knocking and ringing telling her that she had better wake up and see who was so anxious to see her.
"Coming," she called through a yawn and stretch.
Devin opened the door just as Tommy prepared to knock again. "There you are. Jesus you scared me." he said sweeping her up into a bear hug.
"I'm glad to see you too baby." she giggled.
"It's not funny Devin, I've been calling for hours. At first there was no answer so I figured you were still out, but then all I got was a busy signal."
"Really?" she said screwing up her face a bit.
"Yes 'really'," he said sarcastically coming inside and flipping on the light, "Finally I got worried and called around to see if anyone had talked to you, but no one had. So I came over here and saw the house all dark. One of the neighbors said he had seen you go in early this afternoon and hadn't seen or heard you since. I've been banging on the door for five minutes-- What were you doing?!" he exclaimed.
"Oh, I'm sorry honey," she said sweetly, hugging him, "I guess I fell asleep on the couch."
"What about the phone?"
"The cat probably knocked it off of the hook."
"I was worried Devin." he said with a frown.
"I know baby, but I'm okay. I'm sorry I scared you." she said kissing him softly. "Forgive me?"
"Maybe." he said still frowning.
"Please." she said kissing him again, this time more deeply.
"Okay." he said and kissed her passionately.
Tommy kicked the door shut behind him and began walking Devin over toward the sofa. The back of her legs hit the couch and Devin tumbled onto it. Tommy followed covering her with his body. He kissed his way down her chin to he neck, nipping and licking her sensitive flesh. "When do your parents get home?" he whispered between kisses.
"Tomorrow night." she sighed, loving the way his mouth felt on her neck.
"Can we go upstairs?" he asked sucking her earlobe between his teeth.
"Ohh.okay, but."
"I know, not too much." he said capturing her lips once more in a searing kiss. Tommy wrapped her legs around his waist then stood the both of them up. He carried her upstairs to her bedroom, laying them down on her plush bed.
His mouth began kissing lower, nipping at her collarbone; licking a trail along her cleavage. "Oh Tommy." she sighed.
At the sound of her moans, Tommy knew it was okay to go a little further. His hands slipped inside her shirt, skimming up the expanse of her flat stomach to the swell of her breasts. Tommy's large hands cupped her large mounds just barely covering them. "Mmm," she purred as he squeezed them threw her brassiere.
"Take it off," she sighed, "Touch them."
Tommy pulled her shirt off over her head then unsnapped her bra. He kissed down her arm as he eased one strap down, then the other. He pulled the bra away revealing her chocolate colored mounds. Tommy kissed his way down her chest, stopping at her nipples and working his mouth around one then the other, teasingly.
"Suck 'em Tommy, please," she entreated desperately, taking hold of his head and pressing him deeper into her bosom.
"Easy Devin," he soothed, "We've got all night." he said then took one taut bud into his mouth, flicking it with his tongue at first then sucking it.
"Oh yeah," she sighed arching her back up off of the mattress. Devin ran her fingers through his long silky locks. "That's it baby, suck it," she all but growled as he moved on to her other aching nipple.
Tommy lavished her big brown tits with licks, sucks and nips; hitting all the right spots, bringing her into a lustful frenzy. His sweet mouth then descend to her stomach, kissing and nipping along the way, stopping to drive his tongue into her navel, making her squirm, then continuing southward stopping at the waist of her white cotton pants. He turned his eyes up to hers as he licked back and forth along the edge of her pants.
Her eyes bored into his with a lusty gaze. She bit her lip and nodded slightly. "Yes! I want your mouth on my pussy."
Tommy could have shot his load just from hearing that one sentence. Devin never talked like that. She was so.enthusiastic about fooling around today. Normally it would have taken him a good fifteen minutes just to get her upstairs, let alone already being allowed to lick her muff. He didn't look a gift horse in the mouth though, and in one tug pulled her pants and panties off.
He moaned to himself when he looked down and saw that she had shaved. God how he loved a smooth pussy, and Devin knew it. His eyes caught hers and saw that she knew just what he was thinking.
Tommy began kissing where her bush normally started and kissed all over the soft flesh. He kissed her lips wetting his with her warm pre-cum. God she's soaked! he screamed to himself as he licked up every drop of her tangy nectar. He ran his broad tongue along the length of her slit causing her to shudder with tiny little orgasms. "Oh, oh!" she moaned, "Lick me Tommy! Eat my pussy!"
That was all the invitation he needed. Using only his tongue he delved deeper past her fleshy outer lips to the flowery folds of her inner lips. "Oh yes. That's it!" she cried.
Her excitement turned him on and him quickly got down to business, hoping that this encounter went all the way. Using his fingers he spread open the layers of pink cuntflesh and gave the swollen bud the full attention of his tongue. Tommy flicked at her clit with his tongue. Her hips bucked against his face. Tommy began licking more seriously, capturing the glistening little pearl between lips and attacking it with his wide tongue.
Devin gripped the sheets and held on as Tommy took her for a ride of orgasmic proportions. She was 'oohing and ahhing' and getting louder by the minute. Soon her moans were coming out in screams as Tommy sucked her clit into his mouth and stuck a finger in her clasping channel. Tommy moaned into her muff when her velvety walls clamped down on him akin to the way her mouth sucked on his dick.
Devin's hips were thrusting in time with his finger. "Oh Tommy. Oh Tommy. Oh Tommeeeeey!" she shrieked as her orgasm hit and spread out throughout her body, shaking her. Tommy continued sucking her clit and pumping his finger inside her tight walls.
He finally pulled away when the shaking had stopped and Devin was purring contentedly. He wiped his chin and licked his fingers clean of her juices. Slowly he kissed his way back up her body, stopping here and there to nip at a sensitive spot. "That was some orgasm." he whispered against her lips then kissed her. Devin kissed back wrapping her arms around his neck. When she pulled away, "You ain't seen nothing yet."
Devin rolled him beneath her and attacked his lips biting and sucking them. She moved to his neck moving right to his sensitive area. "Ahh," he moaned as he melted into the bed. Devin being aggressive drove him wild. She grabbed the hem of his red tee and couldn't seem to get it off fast enough, ripping a seam in the process. Once she had his chest naked she went straight to his nipples, licking long teasing circles around them, coming so close then pulling away and moving to do the same to the other. She moved down his stomach, leaving his nipples untouched and aching for gratification. She nipped at his sides, tickling his ribs and causing him to squirm. Then she moved on to his navel circling it, then dipping her tongue inside.
Meanwhile her hands were stroking his cock through his pants, bringing it up to full steam in a very short time. He pushed his hips up, pressing his confined tool against her hand. "You want me to suck it don't you?" she said in a husky voice.
Tommy almost didn't recognize it as Devin's, but answered immediately. "Yes, please!"
Suddenly her mouth was covering his nipple, licking and sucking it. Tommy gasped at the sudden unexpected sensations that were running from his nipple straight to his now pulsating rod. She captured it with her teeth flicking it with her tongue. Then as quickly as her mouth was there it was gone, covering his other nipple. "God Devin, fuck!" he growled as his hips jerked forward.
Devin took that as the sign that he was ready to blow and left his nipples to kiss a path to his prick. She licked the trail of hair that disappeared inside his Levi's. She tore open his pants and pulled them off hurriedly. His cock was pointing straight up, bobbing back and forth. With the tips of her fingers she gentle touched the smooth surface, causing him to inhale sharply. She didn't waste anytime in teasing him, but instead wrapped her hand around the base and pumped it a few times.
When her mouth engulfed half of his straining cock Tommy called out in pleasure. Devin backed off a bit, swirling her tongue around the tip then relaxing her throat and taking him in her mouth to the balls. "Oh God! Fuck!" he shouted when he felt the tip of his head brush against the back of her throat. He still had no idea how she managed to do it, but God how he loved it when she deep-throated him. It always made him wonder how well she would take his long rod inside her tight little pussy.
All thoughts were scattered as Devin began her mind-blowing strokes up and down his prick. She liked to go slow at first, taking him into the back of her throat and looking up at him with a look of complete and total wanton lust. But soon she got into sucking him off and abandoned her long deep strokes for faster shorter ones. She wrapped her hand around the base of his cock and sucked the rest into her mouth.
Tommy placed his hands on the back of her head, to keep her hair out of her face, and for leverage as he fucked himself in and out of her sucking mouth. She began moving faster as he began fucking his prick into her mouth. "Oh yeah! Oh yeah!" he cried as she began sucking him off at warp speed. "Yes! Yes!" he called as he felt his balls tighten and his cock swell. "Oh oh oh oh ohhhhhhhhh!" he shouted as his dick exploded and shot jet after jet of hot cum into Devin's mouth.
Devin felt the first spurt of cum hit the back of her throat and swallowed it down quickly. She backed off of his long prick a bit so that she could catch every drop of his yummy load.
* * *
"Not that I'm complaining, but what got into you tonight?"
"What, I was just horny that's all. I mean just because I won't let you take my virginity doesn't mean I don't get horny."
"Whoa, where did that come from?"
"I don't know. I'm sorry. I just.I don't know."
"Worrying about Jason has got you on edge."
"Yeah."
"It's understandable. All this time I've been trying to hide my feelings, hoping that they'd go away."
"And here I've been thinking you were an insensitive jerk. Jason is like a brother to you, and I should have known that your, "it's no big deal" attitude was your way of hiding how much you miss him."
"Where'd you get all that from." he chuckled.
Devin laughed as well knowing that he was trying to take the spotlight off of his feelings. "You don't fool me Oliver. I know how much he means to you, and I promise to not be so horrible about how you show them."
"Thank you princess. And I promise to be more sensitive to your feelings. I know what he means to you too." The question is, do you? he added to himself.
"Okay, deal. Now lets make up."
"I didn't know we were fighting."
"Oh if you don't want to make up, then it's no problem."
"I didn't say that." he said pulling her to him and capturing her lips in a passionate kiss.
The next day Devin and Tommy spent the day making up. Doing anything they could think of to keep from missing Jason so much. It worked for Tommy, but Devin kept losing herself in old memories. Finally Tommy decided it was best if he took her home. She was still apologizing to him as he walked out the door and headed for his own home. Man could he kill Jason for doing this to her.
Devin put on a brave face for her parents, but her mother saw right through her. She managed to get Devin to confide in her about Jason's disappearance and about how horrible it had her feeling. It was obvious to Mrs. Taylor that there was more to Jason's leaving than losing his powers-- having long since found out about her daughter's occupation as a Ranger. It was also clear to her that Devin was worried for more reasons than being his best friend, but she didn't share her thoughts with her daughter. She figured she would wait and see just how long it would be before she finally stopped denying her true feelings for Jason.
The next day Devin stayed in her room. She figured it would be better to stay there and mope than to do it around her friends and bring them down too. There was a knock at her door followed by her mother entering.
"Why do you knock again?"
"To warn you incase you're doing something I shouldn't see."
"Oh like I'd ever be crazy enough to do something bad in the house while you're here." she laughed.
"Ha, ha. You have a visitor, I'm sorry to say it isn't Jason, but I think you'll be happy to see them anyway."
"So send 'em up."
"You're gonna have to come down stairs for this one."
"Okay." she said shrugging. She got up from her spot in the corner of the room on her floor and followed her mother to the kitchen. "Here she is."
When her mom stepped to the side Devin was met with the smiling face of, "Kim!" she squealed and without a second thought hurried to embrace her old friend.
"Devin!" she said equally excited. "It's so good to see you!" she squeaked as she returned the strong embrace of the younger girl.
"I can't believe it's you! It's been so long."
"Too long."
"When did yo get home, and what did you do to yourself?" she asked noticing for the first time that Kim was in a cast.
"I've been back for about a week and I had knee surgery."
"I'm so sorry. Now you won't be able to compete for a spot on the Olympic team."
"It's not so bad. Being home after all this time more than makes up for it."
"So tell me all about Florida, especially this so called 'other guy'."
"Saw through that, huh?"
"Like Cher's dress at an awards ceremony."
Kim laughed as she wrapped her arm around Devin and walked towards the back deck.
Like Devin had always believed, Kim never fell in love with another guy or out of love with Tommy. She had decided that it wasn't fair for him to wait around for her, and knew that if she tried to discuss it with him that he wouldn't go for a break up for that reason. So she did the only other thing that she knew would work. She made Tommy believe that she found happiness else where, knowing that Tommy wanted nothing more than her happiness and so he wouldn't confront her about the letter.
"Well it worked, though you hurt him bad."
"I know, but it worked out for the best, he's got you."
"Who told you?"
"Rocky."
"I knew that boy was keeping in touch with you on the sly. He's got so much more depth than people give him credit for."
"I know, and I'm beginning to think he likes it. He says it gives him an advantage over people."
"I would have jumped him in a minute if he wasn't so weird about my age."
"He is a cutie. I figured since Tommy got with you that maybe he would go after Kat."
"Lord I can't stand that girl!"
"Why not?"
"She was after Tommy not five minutes after you left. She's still dying to get her claws in him, but she doesn't want to mess with me."
"I wouldn't want to either."
"But I'd step back if that's what you wanted."
"That's a sweet offer, but I didn't come home to cause trouble. I just want to be with my family and friends again."
"Yeah, me too." Devin sighed, looking off into space.
Kim knew that look. "Rocky filled me in on the Jason thing. If you ever need an ear to bend or a sympathetic shoulder, I'm here."
"Thanks Kim, that means a lot. You're the only one who's known Jason as long as me-- longer even. And it seems like you're the only one who understands how I feel. Everyone keeps telling me not to worry and that it'll be okay, but no one wants to lend an ear when I need to talk about it. Rocky's not bad, but I think he feels weird around me."
"He does-- whoops."
"What?!"
"You did not hear this from me because I will deny, deny, deny."
"My lips are sealed." Devin said, happy to be having a real girly conversation for the first time-- really since Kimberly left for Florida.
"He's got this monster crush on you, and no matter how hard he tries to not like you it gets worse."
"Oh my God I had no idea!"
"I don't even think he's told Adam. Aiesha maybe."
"Wow!"
The girls went on talking like that way into the afternoon and evening. Finally they called it quits when it was time for Kim's pain medication. Devin drove her home promising to stop by the next day and spend time with her.
Devin had secret meetings with Kim for about a week when she finally convinced her to come and see the gang. So far the only people who knew were she, Rocky and Adam. Devin knew she didn't want to see the others because she still felt weird about her breaking up with Tommy in a letter.
It was at a Sunday afternoon picnic that Devin brought it to the attention of the other rangers that their original pink ranger had returned home. Tommy was shocked to say the least. He barely said two words the entire picnic, while everyone else fawned over her.
Tommy arrived at the Taylor household much earlier than usual. Her parents had already left for work, but Devin hadn't even finished dressing when she heard his truck pull up. She hurried downstairs to greet him, wonder what she did to deserve such an early visit.
"Hey baby wha--"
"How could you keep something like that from me?!" he demanded as he stormed into the house."
"And good morning to you too Sunshine."
"I'm not in the mood for games Devin."
"Had I known you were gonna act like this, I would never have told you she was back."
"And what does her boyfriend have to say about her being back in Angel Grove?"
"She never had another boyfriend-- I did not just say that!" she said wanting to kick herself for letting her anger get the better of her mouth.
"What did you say?"
"If you wanna know, ask Kimberly, because I wash my hands of this whole situation."
"What?"
"You heard me Tommy Oliver! If you wanna know about why she broke up with you, you go ask her. Now get out so I can finish getting ready for school."
Tommy stood there for a moment, not wanting to leave, but knowing that he would only test her patience if he refused to go. As angry as he was with her for keeping secrets, he didn't want her to get mad at him in return.
Devin went to school in a foul mood that day, only to have it worsen before classes had even started. Mr. Caplan, the school principal, had called her down to his office first thing that morning. He told her that he had been informed by Mr. and Mrs. Scott that because of extenuating circumstances, Jason wouldn't be returning to school. And since he had enough credits to graduate, they were willing to give him is diploma early.
"An.and why are you telling me this?" she asked half dazed from his bombshell.
"Well, Jason isn't in town to accept it, and his parents didn't want it to be lost in the mail, so they said it would be alright to give it to you for safe keeping."
"Oh."
After leaving the principal's office, Devin was ready to break down. She left campus and headed straight to Kimberly's house. "Devin, hi.shouldn't you be in school?"
"Remember when you said I could come to you for a sympathetic shoulder?"
"Yeah."
"Well, I need it now." she said breaking down before she got the words out of her mouth. She fell into Kim's arms and cried for the longest time. After a while Kim calmed her down enough to find out what had gotten her so upset. She was stunned by the news that Jason wouldn't be returning for graduation. This had to mean that he wasn't planning on returning-- atleast not anytime soon. And as much as she wanted to soothe Devin, she couldn't lie about what she was thinking. She was just opening her mouth to give her opinion on why she believed Jason left when the phone rang.
It was Devin's mother looking for her. Kim never got the chance to tell Devin her thoughts because after the phone call she went home to have a talk with her mother, and after that she didn't bring up Jason any more.
Everyone was thrown for a loop at how she suddenly was over Jason's sudden departure from her life, but no one was fooled. If anything she was putting on a brave face for her family and friends, that or she was in denial.
For weeks Jason's name never came out of her mouth. The only thing she did seem adamant about was Tommy and Kimberly sitting down and talking about the letter thing and how they were both feeling. She thought it was the only way any of them could truly get on with their lives. They needed closure. To an outside party it was almost as if she was trying to push the two back together again.
June 1st
It was graduation time for the Angel Grove High seniors. The ceremony was beautiful and everyone looked great. Devin was so happy for her friends. They went through four years of missing class to battle evil space aliens, clones, evil spells, and horrible excuses, and they had all managed to graduate with honors. She was proud of them. But mostly she missed Jason.
"Hey space cadet. Whatcha thinkin' about?"
"I was just thinking that it's a shame Jason wasn't there today-- I mean--"
"Ah ha! I knew you hadn't completely turned off your feelings."
"I just think it's a shame that he missed walking with his class."
"No you were thinking about how much you wanted him to be there."
"Kim, let's not get into this. Let's get back to the party."
"When are you gonna stop being stubborn and accept the truth about your feelings for him?"
"What are you talking about?"
"The fact that you love him. And I'm not talking about the way Rocky loves Aiseha."
Devin was so stunned by what she had insinuated, that she was speechless.for a second. "Okay, I'll admit that when you stop denying how much you love Tommy and how badly you want me to hand him over to you on a silver platter." she spat and then stormed off.
A few minutes later, "Kim, what happened between you and Devin? She came in fuming and when I tried to find out what was wrong, she told me to ask you.and then she stormed off." Tommy said with a concerned look on his face.
Kim didn't say anything for a minute. She was too stunned to think, let alone speak. Devin's words loudly echoed through her head. She was right, of course. Kim had never denied to herself that she still loved Tommy and wanted him back, she just denied it to everyone else. But if the one person she was trying hardest to hide it from knew, then she might as well tell the second person she was trying desperately to hide it from.
"Tommy, Devin's right. You and I need to sit down and talk about what's happened between us."
"What? Is that what the fight was about? Because I can't see Devin storming--"
"I still love you Tommy!" she cut him off. "I never stopped."
"I--I.I can't believe you just said that." was all he managed. He turned to leave, but was stopped by Kim's hand on his arm.
"You're as much in denial as she is."
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about the fact that Devin's in love with Jason and not you."
"Devin is not in love with Jason! She loves me." he exclaimed, insulted that she had the nerve to say something like that.
"Tommy if anyone would know, it should be you. You're best friends with the both of them. And you mean to tell me that you've never once noticed that those two are in love?"
"Kim, are you saying this because you want to break Devin and I up so that you can have another chance?"
"I can't believe you would even think that of me."
"Well--"
"You have every right in the world to be pissed off at me-- maybe even hate me, but when have you ever known me to do things for my own benefit? I broke up with you so that you wouldn't be lonely; so that you wouldn't be tempted to cheat and then beat yourself up over it. And I'm living with the decision I made and the fact that I gave you up and that I don't have a chance with you anymore. I would never try to come between you and Devin for myself."
"Then why are you saying this?"
"Because it's true. Jason and Devin love each other, but they're either too blind or too stubborn to see that the other feels the same way. I love them both and right now they're torn up inside. I mean, you have to know that this is the reason why Jason left Angel Grove."
Tommy bowed his head and turned away from her. He had no answer for her. Actually he did, but he didn't like it one bit.
"Oh my God! You knew! All this time you knew and you did nothing about it? How could you--" Kim couldn't finish. The realization that she would never really have Tommy washed over and it brought tears to her eyes.
"That's something else I live with everyday Tommy.the fact that you have always loved Devin and always will love her.more than me. I guess it's good that I broke up with you, because if not I would have been living as second best throughout our entire relationship." she said and began walking off.
Suddenly she stopped in her tracks, and turned to say one last thing. "If you truly love her Tommy, let her go. Let her go find happiness.I mean you never know, she might chose you." and with that she left, much in the manner of Devin.
Rocky, being Devin's only other friend in Angel Grove, went to her house to check on her.and to tell her of what had transpired between the former couple.
She was lying on her bed, half-crying, half spaced out. "Just think Rocky, if you hadn't been so adamant about not dating a girl the same age as your little sister, that could have been you."
"Uh-uh, no thanks, I'll stick to my crushes. Besides, even then I knew no one would ever stand a chance against Jason."
"You know too, huh?"
"Thanks to Kim's outburst, everyone does." he grinned.
"Oh great."
"What's wrong, you do love him, don't you?"
"Without a doubt I love Jason.it's just how that I'm confused about."
"Not sure if it's developed into more than friendship?"
"I don't know.I mean, I think it's always been something more than friendship with Jason and me. I just don't know what."
"So you're not sure if it's romantic love?"
"I don't know, I mean, am I willing to give up what we have now to try something that might not work? But is it any better sitting here miserable without him? God Rocky, what do I do?" she cried and buried her face in the pillow.
"Only you can answer that one." he said and gently rubbed her back as she sobbed.
Devin stayed locked in her room for the next few days trying to figure out what to do. If she left things as they were, she and Jason would always be best friends. But if she went after, whatever else there was, all of that could end. Her and Jason might very well end. Jeez why did everything have to be so complicated?
But they weren't really, she was just making it that way. Deep down she knew that no matter what happened between Jason and her, the two of them would always cling to their friendship. It was a strong bond, and nothing could break that. Plus.she had been the one to say that the two of them would one day marry.that he would be the one to take her virginity.
Was that why she was clinging to it so desperately? I mean, what girl in their right mind wouldn't want Tommy Oliver to be her first?! Her obviously, but then, she wasn't exactly in her right mind. So maybe she was holding out for Jason. There was only one way to find out.
A week later Devin called a meeting at her house. All of the current Rangers came, as did Kim. They were all a bit confused as to why Devin had called this big meeting. Tommy was just plain worried. "So Devin, why did you call this meeting?" Tommy asked, hoping his nervousness didn't show.
"In a nut shell? I'm leaving."
"What?!" was the group consensus.
"Calm down and let me explain." she said shushing her friends. "As you all know, I'm sure, Jason's gone and it's driving me crazy not knowing where he is, or if he's okay. I can't concentrate on anything else these days and after much thought, and advice from my parents, as well as Zordon, I'm leaving the Rangers to go look for Jason."
"You're gonna do what?"
"Are you listening?! I am going to travel this state and any other one I think he might be in until I find him and learn why he left and if he ever plans to return to Angel Grove."
Most everyone was left speechless. They all knew how desperate she was to see Jason again, or to just know that he was alright, but to leave home to look for him.no one had imagined that.well no one but--
"So what about the Rangers?" Rocky asked, knowing all along that it would eventually come to this.
"I'm glad you asked that." she said and got up from her place on the arm of the sofa. She called forth her morpher, then removed it from her arm. She then walked to where Kim was sitting and held it out to her. "Congratulations, you've got your powers back."
"Huh-- what?"
"They were always yours. I was just keepin' 'em until you got back, remember?"
"Devin, I--"
"Look just save me the trouble of convincing you and take the morpher. They're your powers, you're back home-- plus the power will help heal your leg faster."
"Are you sure?"
"As sure as you were when you chose me to take your place." she said smiling down at her friend. Devin truly did love Kim. She was probably the only real girlfriend she'd ever have.
"Okay Devin. You can count on me. And if you ever--"
"Like that's gonna happen." she chuckled, causing the room to erupt with laughter.
The group talked for a while longer, reliving memories of Devin's first days as a Ranger and how she fought being a "joiner" tooth and nail. Soon the group began to break up and people were making their exits, separately so that they could say their own private good-byes.
"So you're really gonna do it?" Rocky said with a knowing grin.
"As if you didn't know. You practically begged me to." she giggled.
"I'm gonna miss you." he said suddenly taking on a serious tone.
"I'll be back. This is my only home, I could never leave it for good." she said, knowing that this was not what he meant.
"I meant--"
"I know Rocky. I had a huge crush on you when I first met you. If you had asked me out I would have said yes.but Jason would have popped up eventually."
"I know. And I would have cherished any time I had with you.but then, who'd want to give you up. It's best that I don't know what I would be missing."
"Thanks for being so wonderful to me Rocky. You're very special to me. And I know you'll find that someone you're looking for-- she can't be me cuz I'm meant for someone else-- I think. But I still think you're meant to have the Pink Ranger." she grinned.
Both Rocky and Devin looked over to where Kim was talking with Adam and Tanya. "She's gonna need you. And I think you need her too. Just give it a chance, as one last favor to me."
"What's this 'one last favor' stuff. I thought you said you'd be back."
"I just meant--"
"I know, Devin, I'm just messin' with ya. I hope you find happiness, cuz your smiles are worth a million bucks."
"I'll miss you." she said and hugged him good-bye.
"I can't believe you're going after him."
"Well if you hadn't confronted me at the party, I might still be moping on the inside and putting on a brave face for you guys on the outside. So thank you for being such a good friend."
"Thank you for letting me be your friend. It's a very prestigious title." she giggled.
"Ha ha. So I was thinking that you should forget about Tommy and go for Rocky. He'd love you like you deserve."
"Playing match maker Devin?"
"C'mon, I know you two talk a lot. You must know almost all there is to about one another. I think you'd be cute together."
"Maybe, but I'm not sure I should jump into anything."
"Kim you've been single for quite a while now. And I know you still love Tommy, you probably always will, but in those months, you had to have gotten over him somewhat, especially when you found out that he was with me."
"You're right, I did." she said after a pause. "I'm just afraid."
"Please don't make the mistake I made. If you have any feelings for him-- or anyone else for that matter-- go for it. Promise me."
"I do. I promise you Dev." she said and hugged her.
Devin's good-byes to Tanya and Adam weren't lengthy because she really didn't know them very well. Plus the hardest was yet to come and she wanted to get it started (the quicker she began the quicker it would be over). The house was empty save those two, Tommy and Devin. They stood across the room from one another, afraid to look at each other, but unable to look away.
Finally, Tommy found the courage to speak. "I know that I can't.talk you out of this, so can I just.just hold you tonight? Please?" he practically begged, near tears.
Devin went to him and wrapped her arms around him. He enveloped her in an almost crushing embrace. He lifted her into his arms and carried her to the chair where he sat brining her down on his lap. There he just sat holding her; breathing in her scent; stroking her hair; wondering if this would be the last time he ever did this.
By Capri Wooden
Part Two- Something In Between
April 1997
"It's official," said Devin as she joined her friends at the Youth Center, "Jason is missing."
After losing the Gold Ranger powers, Jason disappeared without a word. At first Devin thought he was hiding out at home, feeling depressed and useless. But as the days went on and she still hadn't heard from him, she began to worry that he was a little more than depressed. When she voiced her concerns to the gang, they just shrugged and said he'd come around when he was ready.
"Devin, he's not missing--"
"Yeah, yeah, Tommy. I know what you're gonna say, so spare me, please. I can't find him anywhere. I went to check on the plants for his mom-- cuz she knew Jason would forget. Well when I got there I went looking around the house for him and instead I found his entire room missing-- well everything in it anyway."
"Maybe he went on a little vacation to this mind off of losing his powers." said Tommy only loud enough for the group to hear him.
"With his entire room?" said Rocky.
"Thank you Rocky." Devin said, "And they say you have no sense." she mumbled. "Tommy your best friend has disappeared without a trace and you don't seem to care."
"Devin, you don't know what it's like to lose your powers. Jas and I know better than anyone does; we've both done it more than once. All you want to do is get anyway from anything-- or anyone-- that reminds you of it."
"Screw the power! It's nothing compared to your-- well my relationship with Jason. I'd give it up in a second if I knew it would make him happy. There's more to his leaving-- especially without saying goodbye-- there's more to it than losing his powers and if you were really his best friend, you would care enough to want to find out!" she yelled punching him on the shoulder and then stormed out of the Youth Center.
Tommy stared after her dumbfounded-- rubbing the hurt shoulder-- not making an attempt to go after her.
"You're not even gonna go after her?! Some boyfriend." Adam grumbled.
"I got her." called Rocky as her ran after Devin. "Devin, wait up."
"I'm not really in the mood Rocky." she moaned as she stopped in her tracks.
"It'll be okay Devin. Jason will turn up."
"I doubt it and I think we have our fearless leader to thank."
"Devin."
"I'm sorry I didn't mean that, but Tommy hasn't exactly been very comforting." she sighed.
"Well look at it from his point of view. This isn't the first time he's lost his best friend to power loss. It really hurt him when Jason went to Switzerland. And he was so excited when he helped Jason get the Gold Ranger powers. He had felt guilty for letting him go to the peace conference and taking over as leader of the Rangers. It killed Tommy to not be able to save Jason the pain of losing his powers and his place on the team all over again.
"Tommy knows how horrible it feels to lose the power, to not have it flowing through your veins, to lose the closeness of the group. One of the things that makes this group so close is the fact that we share the power."
"Then how come I still feel like an outsider."
"Devin." came Tommy's voice as he jogged toward them.
"Arg!" she groaned and started in the other direction.
"Devin!" Tommy called slipping into a run to catch her. "Wait-- stop for a minute!" he insisted.
She complied with a sour look on her face. "Don't look at me like that. Honey, I'm sorry if I seem like I don't care. Not thinking about it is the only way I can keep from missin' Jas so damn much. Devin he's my best friend." His look was so completely sincere that it melted away her anger.
"I know Tommy, and I'm sorry I'm acting so pissy, but Jason's been my best friend since I lost my parents-- he was there for me. It was tough to lose him and Zack at the same time. I was so happy to finally get one of them back only to lose him again. I can't handle it."
"I'm sorry." he said and enveloped her in his arms. "I was so busy thinking about me, that I forgot how close you are to him." Devin wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him back. "How 'bout I spend the day pampering you? Helping you to get your mind off of everything."
"Yeah, so Mondo can ruin it?"
"C'mon Devin, I'm trying to make up here."
"I know and I'm sorry."
"So how 'bout it?"
"You know I think I'd rather be alone for a while."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
"I love you."
"I know. I love you too." she said the got on her tiptoes and pulled him down into a kiss. As his tongue slipped into her mouth a vision shot through Devin causing her to pull away abruptly.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I'm sorry." She kissed him softly on the lips, "I gotta go."
"I'll stop by later?"
"Okay." she said and headed off towards home. Thank goodness she had walked because she wasn't really in the right state of mind for driving. Jeez Devin what's wrong with you?! she scolded herself as she revisited the flash that had occurred when she kissed Tommy. It had been that exact same moment in time only.only she was kissing Jason.
She shrugged it off, not wanting to analyze it for fear of where it might actually lead. She only missed Jason and it wasn't as if she and Jason had never kissed. She was just missing her best friend and that was all.
Devin cut through the park on her way home, hoping that things remained as quiet as they had been since Jason had lost his powers. All she could think about was Jason being gone. He wouldn't have gone away for a vacation without telling her, would he? Maybe his parents knew, but who knew when they would return from their business travels. "Where could he be?!" she sighed to herself.
* * *
Devin was pulled awake by the sound of banging. Her head was still cloudy and the last thing she remembered was.lying down on the couch. She must have fallen asleep while she was thinking of what to do about the Jason situation. There was another pounding sound followed by the doorbell ringing several times hurriedly. "Someone's at the door." she groaned and opened her eyes. "Dark? God how long have I been asleep?" she wondered aloud and sat up rubbing her eyes.
She looked across her at the VCR clock, which blinked 12:00. Hmm.must have had a power outage. she thought as she stretched and prepared to stand up. There was another barrage of knocking and ringing telling her that she had better wake up and see who was so anxious to see her.
"Coming," she called through a yawn and stretch.
Devin opened the door just as Tommy prepared to knock again. "There you are. Jesus you scared me." he said sweeping her up into a bear hug.
"I'm glad to see you too baby." she giggled.
"It's not funny Devin, I've been calling for hours. At first there was no answer so I figured you were still out, but then all I got was a busy signal."
"Really?" she said screwing up her face a bit.
"Yes 'really'," he said sarcastically coming inside and flipping on the light, "Finally I got worried and called around to see if anyone had talked to you, but no one had. So I came over here and saw the house all dark. One of the neighbors said he had seen you go in early this afternoon and hadn't seen or heard you since. I've been banging on the door for five minutes-- What were you doing?!" he exclaimed.
"Oh, I'm sorry honey," she said sweetly, hugging him, "I guess I fell asleep on the couch."
"What about the phone?"
"The cat probably knocked it off of the hook."
"I was worried Devin." he said with a frown.
"I know baby, but I'm okay. I'm sorry I scared you." she said kissing him softly. "Forgive me?"
"Maybe." he said still frowning.
"Please." she said kissing him again, this time more deeply.
"Okay." he said and kissed her passionately.
Tommy kicked the door shut behind him and began walking Devin over toward the sofa. The back of her legs hit the couch and Devin tumbled onto it. Tommy followed covering her with his body. He kissed his way down her chin to he neck, nipping and licking her sensitive flesh. "When do your parents get home?" he whispered between kisses.
"Tomorrow night." she sighed, loving the way his mouth felt on her neck.
"Can we go upstairs?" he asked sucking her earlobe between his teeth.
"Ohh.okay, but."
"I know, not too much." he said capturing her lips once more in a searing kiss. Tommy wrapped her legs around his waist then stood the both of them up. He carried her upstairs to her bedroom, laying them down on her plush bed.
His mouth began kissing lower, nipping at her collarbone; licking a trail along her cleavage. "Oh Tommy." she sighed.
At the sound of her moans, Tommy knew it was okay to go a little further. His hands slipped inside her shirt, skimming up the expanse of her flat stomach to the swell of her breasts. Tommy's large hands cupped her large mounds just barely covering them. "Mmm," she purred as he squeezed them threw her brassiere.
"Take it off," she sighed, "Touch them."
Tommy pulled her shirt off over her head then unsnapped her bra. He kissed down her arm as he eased one strap down, then the other. He pulled the bra away revealing her chocolate colored mounds. Tommy kissed his way down her chest, stopping at her nipples and working his mouth around one then the other, teasingly.
"Suck 'em Tommy, please," she entreated desperately, taking hold of his head and pressing him deeper into her bosom.
"Easy Devin," he soothed, "We've got all night." he said then took one taut bud into his mouth, flicking it with his tongue at first then sucking it.
"Oh yeah," she sighed arching her back up off of the mattress. Devin ran her fingers through his long silky locks. "That's it baby, suck it," she all but growled as he moved on to her other aching nipple.
Tommy lavished her big brown tits with licks, sucks and nips; hitting all the right spots, bringing her into a lustful frenzy. His sweet mouth then descend to her stomach, kissing and nipping along the way, stopping to drive his tongue into her navel, making her squirm, then continuing southward stopping at the waist of her white cotton pants. He turned his eyes up to hers as he licked back and forth along the edge of her pants.
Her eyes bored into his with a lusty gaze. She bit her lip and nodded slightly. "Yes! I want your mouth on my pussy."
Tommy could have shot his load just from hearing that one sentence. Devin never talked like that. She was so.enthusiastic about fooling around today. Normally it would have taken him a good fifteen minutes just to get her upstairs, let alone already being allowed to lick her muff. He didn't look a gift horse in the mouth though, and in one tug pulled her pants and panties off.
He moaned to himself when he looked down and saw that she had shaved. God how he loved a smooth pussy, and Devin knew it. His eyes caught hers and saw that she knew just what he was thinking.
Tommy began kissing where her bush normally started and kissed all over the soft flesh. He kissed her lips wetting his with her warm pre-cum. God she's soaked! he screamed to himself as he licked up every drop of her tangy nectar. He ran his broad tongue along the length of her slit causing her to shudder with tiny little orgasms. "Oh, oh!" she moaned, "Lick me Tommy! Eat my pussy!"
That was all the invitation he needed. Using only his tongue he delved deeper past her fleshy outer lips to the flowery folds of her inner lips. "Oh yes. That's it!" she cried.
Her excitement turned him on and him quickly got down to business, hoping that this encounter went all the way. Using his fingers he spread open the layers of pink cuntflesh and gave the swollen bud the full attention of his tongue. Tommy flicked at her clit with his tongue. Her hips bucked against his face. Tommy began licking more seriously, capturing the glistening little pearl between lips and attacking it with his wide tongue.
Devin gripped the sheets and held on as Tommy took her for a ride of orgasmic proportions. She was 'oohing and ahhing' and getting louder by the minute. Soon her moans were coming out in screams as Tommy sucked her clit into his mouth and stuck a finger in her clasping channel. Tommy moaned into her muff when her velvety walls clamped down on him akin to the way her mouth sucked on his dick.
Devin's hips were thrusting in time with his finger. "Oh Tommy. Oh Tommy. Oh Tommeeeeey!" she shrieked as her orgasm hit and spread out throughout her body, shaking her. Tommy continued sucking her clit and pumping his finger inside her tight walls.
He finally pulled away when the shaking had stopped and Devin was purring contentedly. He wiped his chin and licked his fingers clean of her juices. Slowly he kissed his way back up her body, stopping here and there to nip at a sensitive spot. "That was some orgasm." he whispered against her lips then kissed her. Devin kissed back wrapping her arms around his neck. When she pulled away, "You ain't seen nothing yet."
Devin rolled him beneath her and attacked his lips biting and sucking them. She moved to his neck moving right to his sensitive area. "Ahh," he moaned as he melted into the bed. Devin being aggressive drove him wild. She grabbed the hem of his red tee and couldn't seem to get it off fast enough, ripping a seam in the process. Once she had his chest naked she went straight to his nipples, licking long teasing circles around them, coming so close then pulling away and moving to do the same to the other. She moved down his stomach, leaving his nipples untouched and aching for gratification. She nipped at his sides, tickling his ribs and causing him to squirm. Then she moved on to his navel circling it, then dipping her tongue inside.
Meanwhile her hands were stroking his cock through his pants, bringing it up to full steam in a very short time. He pushed his hips up, pressing his confined tool against her hand. "You want me to suck it don't you?" she said in a husky voice.
Tommy almost didn't recognize it as Devin's, but answered immediately. "Yes, please!"
Suddenly her mouth was covering his nipple, licking and sucking it. Tommy gasped at the sudden unexpected sensations that were running from his nipple straight to his now pulsating rod. She captured it with her teeth flicking it with her tongue. Then as quickly as her mouth was there it was gone, covering his other nipple. "God Devin, fuck!" he growled as his hips jerked forward.
Devin took that as the sign that he was ready to blow and left his nipples to kiss a path to his prick. She licked the trail of hair that disappeared inside his Levi's. She tore open his pants and pulled them off hurriedly. His cock was pointing straight up, bobbing back and forth. With the tips of her fingers she gentle touched the smooth surface, causing him to inhale sharply. She didn't waste anytime in teasing him, but instead wrapped her hand around the base and pumped it a few times.
When her mouth engulfed half of his straining cock Tommy called out in pleasure. Devin backed off a bit, swirling her tongue around the tip then relaxing her throat and taking him in her mouth to the balls. "Oh God! Fuck!" he shouted when he felt the tip of his head brush against the back of her throat. He still had no idea how she managed to do it, but God how he loved it when she deep-throated him. It always made him wonder how well she would take his long rod inside her tight little pussy.
All thoughts were scattered as Devin began her mind-blowing strokes up and down his prick. She liked to go slow at first, taking him into the back of her throat and looking up at him with a look of complete and total wanton lust. But soon she got into sucking him off and abandoned her long deep strokes for faster shorter ones. She wrapped her hand around the base of his cock and sucked the rest into her mouth.
Tommy placed his hands on the back of her head, to keep her hair out of her face, and for leverage as he fucked himself in and out of her sucking mouth. She began moving faster as he began fucking his prick into her mouth. "Oh yeah! Oh yeah!" he cried as she began sucking him off at warp speed. "Yes! Yes!" he called as he felt his balls tighten and his cock swell. "Oh oh oh oh ohhhhhhhhh!" he shouted as his dick exploded and shot jet after jet of hot cum into Devin's mouth.
Devin felt the first spurt of cum hit the back of her throat and swallowed it down quickly. She backed off of his long prick a bit so that she could catch every drop of his yummy load.
* * *
"Not that I'm complaining, but what got into you tonight?"
"What, I was just horny that's all. I mean just because I won't let you take my virginity doesn't mean I don't get horny."
"Whoa, where did that come from?"
"I don't know. I'm sorry. I just.I don't know."
"Worrying about Jason has got you on edge."
"Yeah."
"It's understandable. All this time I've been trying to hide my feelings, hoping that they'd go away."
"And here I've been thinking you were an insensitive jerk. Jason is like a brother to you, and I should have known that your, "it's no big deal" attitude was your way of hiding how much you miss him."
"Where'd you get all that from." he chuckled.
Devin laughed as well knowing that he was trying to take the spotlight off of his feelings. "You don't fool me Oliver. I know how much he means to you, and I promise to not be so horrible about how you show them."
"Thank you princess. And I promise to be more sensitive to your feelings. I know what he means to you too." The question is, do you? he added to himself.
"Okay, deal. Now lets make up."
"I didn't know we were fighting."
"Oh if you don't want to make up, then it's no problem."
"I didn't say that." he said pulling her to him and capturing her lips in a passionate kiss.
The next day Devin and Tommy spent the day making up. Doing anything they could think of to keep from missing Jason so much. It worked for Tommy, but Devin kept losing herself in old memories. Finally Tommy decided it was best if he took her home. She was still apologizing to him as he walked out the door and headed for his own home. Man could he kill Jason for doing this to her.
Devin put on a brave face for her parents, but her mother saw right through her. She managed to get Devin to confide in her about Jason's disappearance and about how horrible it had her feeling. It was obvious to Mrs. Taylor that there was more to Jason's leaving than losing his powers-- having long since found out about her daughter's occupation as a Ranger. It was also clear to her that Devin was worried for more reasons than being his best friend, but she didn't share her thoughts with her daughter. She figured she would wait and see just how long it would be before she finally stopped denying her true feelings for Jason.
The next day Devin stayed in her room. She figured it would be better to stay there and mope than to do it around her friends and bring them down too. There was a knock at her door followed by her mother entering.
"Why do you knock again?"
"To warn you incase you're doing something I shouldn't see."
"Oh like I'd ever be crazy enough to do something bad in the house while you're here." she laughed.
"Ha, ha. You have a visitor, I'm sorry to say it isn't Jason, but I think you'll be happy to see them anyway."
"So send 'em up."
"You're gonna have to come down stairs for this one."
"Okay." she said shrugging. She got up from her spot in the corner of the room on her floor and followed her mother to the kitchen. "Here she is."
When her mom stepped to the side Devin was met with the smiling face of, "Kim!" she squealed and without a second thought hurried to embrace her old friend.
"Devin!" she said equally excited. "It's so good to see you!" she squeaked as she returned the strong embrace of the younger girl.
"I can't believe it's you! It's been so long."
"Too long."
"When did yo get home, and what did you do to yourself?" she asked noticing for the first time that Kim was in a cast.
"I've been back for about a week and I had knee surgery."
"I'm so sorry. Now you won't be able to compete for a spot on the Olympic team."
"It's not so bad. Being home after all this time more than makes up for it."
"So tell me all about Florida, especially this so called 'other guy'."
"Saw through that, huh?"
"Like Cher's dress at an awards ceremony."
Kim laughed as she wrapped her arm around Devin and walked towards the back deck.
Like Devin had always believed, Kim never fell in love with another guy or out of love with Tommy. She had decided that it wasn't fair for him to wait around for her, and knew that if she tried to discuss it with him that he wouldn't go for a break up for that reason. So she did the only other thing that she knew would work. She made Tommy believe that she found happiness else where, knowing that Tommy wanted nothing more than her happiness and so he wouldn't confront her about the letter.
"Well it worked, though you hurt him bad."
"I know, but it worked out for the best, he's got you."
"Who told you?"
"Rocky."
"I knew that boy was keeping in touch with you on the sly. He's got so much more depth than people give him credit for."
"I know, and I'm beginning to think he likes it. He says it gives him an advantage over people."
"I would have jumped him in a minute if he wasn't so weird about my age."
"He is a cutie. I figured since Tommy got with you that maybe he would go after Kat."
"Lord I can't stand that girl!"
"Why not?"
"She was after Tommy not five minutes after you left. She's still dying to get her claws in him, but she doesn't want to mess with me."
"I wouldn't want to either."
"But I'd step back if that's what you wanted."
"That's a sweet offer, but I didn't come home to cause trouble. I just want to be with my family and friends again."
"Yeah, me too." Devin sighed, looking off into space.
Kim knew that look. "Rocky filled me in on the Jason thing. If you ever need an ear to bend or a sympathetic shoulder, I'm here."
"Thanks Kim, that means a lot. You're the only one who's known Jason as long as me-- longer even. And it seems like you're the only one who understands how I feel. Everyone keeps telling me not to worry and that it'll be okay, but no one wants to lend an ear when I need to talk about it. Rocky's not bad, but I think he feels weird around me."
"He does-- whoops."
"What?!"
"You did not hear this from me because I will deny, deny, deny."
"My lips are sealed." Devin said, happy to be having a real girly conversation for the first time-- really since Kimberly left for Florida.
"He's got this monster crush on you, and no matter how hard he tries to not like you it gets worse."
"Oh my God I had no idea!"
"I don't even think he's told Adam. Aiesha maybe."
"Wow!"
The girls went on talking like that way into the afternoon and evening. Finally they called it quits when it was time for Kim's pain medication. Devin drove her home promising to stop by the next day and spend time with her.
Devin had secret meetings with Kim for about a week when she finally convinced her to come and see the gang. So far the only people who knew were she, Rocky and Adam. Devin knew she didn't want to see the others because she still felt weird about her breaking up with Tommy in a letter.
It was at a Sunday afternoon picnic that Devin brought it to the attention of the other rangers that their original pink ranger had returned home. Tommy was shocked to say the least. He barely said two words the entire picnic, while everyone else fawned over her.
Tommy arrived at the Taylor household much earlier than usual. Her parents had already left for work, but Devin hadn't even finished dressing when she heard his truck pull up. She hurried downstairs to greet him, wonder what she did to deserve such an early visit.
"Hey baby wha--"
"How could you keep something like that from me?!" he demanded as he stormed into the house."
"And good morning to you too Sunshine."
"I'm not in the mood for games Devin."
"Had I known you were gonna act like this, I would never have told you she was back."
"And what does her boyfriend have to say about her being back in Angel Grove?"
"She never had another boyfriend-- I did not just say that!" she said wanting to kick herself for letting her anger get the better of her mouth.
"What did you say?"
"If you wanna know, ask Kimberly, because I wash my hands of this whole situation."
"What?"
"You heard me Tommy Oliver! If you wanna know about why she broke up with you, you go ask her. Now get out so I can finish getting ready for school."
Tommy stood there for a moment, not wanting to leave, but knowing that he would only test her patience if he refused to go. As angry as he was with her for keeping secrets, he didn't want her to get mad at him in return.
Devin went to school in a foul mood that day, only to have it worsen before classes had even started. Mr. Caplan, the school principal, had called her down to his office first thing that morning. He told her that he had been informed by Mr. and Mrs. Scott that because of extenuating circumstances, Jason wouldn't be returning to school. And since he had enough credits to graduate, they were willing to give him is diploma early.
"An.and why are you telling me this?" she asked half dazed from his bombshell.
"Well, Jason isn't in town to accept it, and his parents didn't want it to be lost in the mail, so they said it would be alright to give it to you for safe keeping."
"Oh."
After leaving the principal's office, Devin was ready to break down. She left campus and headed straight to Kimberly's house. "Devin, hi.shouldn't you be in school?"
"Remember when you said I could come to you for a sympathetic shoulder?"
"Yeah."
"Well, I need it now." she said breaking down before she got the words out of her mouth. She fell into Kim's arms and cried for the longest time. After a while Kim calmed her down enough to find out what had gotten her so upset. She was stunned by the news that Jason wouldn't be returning for graduation. This had to mean that he wasn't planning on returning-- atleast not anytime soon. And as much as she wanted to soothe Devin, she couldn't lie about what she was thinking. She was just opening her mouth to give her opinion on why she believed Jason left when the phone rang.
It was Devin's mother looking for her. Kim never got the chance to tell Devin her thoughts because after the phone call she went home to have a talk with her mother, and after that she didn't bring up Jason any more.
Everyone was thrown for a loop at how she suddenly was over Jason's sudden departure from her life, but no one was fooled. If anything she was putting on a brave face for her family and friends, that or she was in denial.
For weeks Jason's name never came out of her mouth. The only thing she did seem adamant about was Tommy and Kimberly sitting down and talking about the letter thing and how they were both feeling. She thought it was the only way any of them could truly get on with their lives. They needed closure. To an outside party it was almost as if she was trying to push the two back together again.
June 1st
It was graduation time for the Angel Grove High seniors. The ceremony was beautiful and everyone looked great. Devin was so happy for her friends. They went through four years of missing class to battle evil space aliens, clones, evil spells, and horrible excuses, and they had all managed to graduate with honors. She was proud of them. But mostly she missed Jason.
"Hey space cadet. Whatcha thinkin' about?"
"I was just thinking that it's a shame Jason wasn't there today-- I mean--"
"Ah ha! I knew you hadn't completely turned off your feelings."
"I just think it's a shame that he missed walking with his class."
"No you were thinking about how much you wanted him to be there."
"Kim, let's not get into this. Let's get back to the party."
"When are you gonna stop being stubborn and accept the truth about your feelings for him?"
"What are you talking about?"
"The fact that you love him. And I'm not talking about the way Rocky loves Aiseha."
Devin was so stunned by what she had insinuated, that she was speechless.for a second. "Okay, I'll admit that when you stop denying how much you love Tommy and how badly you want me to hand him over to you on a silver platter." she spat and then stormed off.
A few minutes later, "Kim, what happened between you and Devin? She came in fuming and when I tried to find out what was wrong, she told me to ask you.and then she stormed off." Tommy said with a concerned look on his face.
Kim didn't say anything for a minute. She was too stunned to think, let alone speak. Devin's words loudly echoed through her head. She was right, of course. Kim had never denied to herself that she still loved Tommy and wanted him back, she just denied it to everyone else. But if the one person she was trying hardest to hide it from knew, then she might as well tell the second person she was trying desperately to hide it from.
"Tommy, Devin's right. You and I need to sit down and talk about what's happened between us."
"What? Is that what the fight was about? Because I can't see Devin storming--"
"I still love you Tommy!" she cut him off. "I never stopped."
"I--I.I can't believe you just said that." was all he managed. He turned to leave, but was stopped by Kim's hand on his arm.
"You're as much in denial as she is."
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about the fact that Devin's in love with Jason and not you."
"Devin is not in love with Jason! She loves me." he exclaimed, insulted that she had the nerve to say something like that.
"Tommy if anyone would know, it should be you. You're best friends with the both of them. And you mean to tell me that you've never once noticed that those two are in love?"
"Kim, are you saying this because you want to break Devin and I up so that you can have another chance?"
"I can't believe you would even think that of me."
"Well--"
"You have every right in the world to be pissed off at me-- maybe even hate me, but when have you ever known me to do things for my own benefit? I broke up with you so that you wouldn't be lonely; so that you wouldn't be tempted to cheat and then beat yourself up over it. And I'm living with the decision I made and the fact that I gave you up and that I don't have a chance with you anymore. I would never try to come between you and Devin for myself."
"Then why are you saying this?"
"Because it's true. Jason and Devin love each other, but they're either too blind or too stubborn to see that the other feels the same way. I love them both and right now they're torn up inside. I mean, you have to know that this is the reason why Jason left Angel Grove."
Tommy bowed his head and turned away from her. He had no answer for her. Actually he did, but he didn't like it one bit.
"Oh my God! You knew! All this time you knew and you did nothing about it? How could you--" Kim couldn't finish. The realization that she would never really have Tommy washed over and it brought tears to her eyes.
"That's something else I live with everyday Tommy.the fact that you have always loved Devin and always will love her.more than me. I guess it's good that I broke up with you, because if not I would have been living as second best throughout our entire relationship." she said and began walking off.
Suddenly she stopped in her tracks, and turned to say one last thing. "If you truly love her Tommy, let her go. Let her go find happiness.I mean you never know, she might chose you." and with that she left, much in the manner of Devin.
Rocky, being Devin's only other friend in Angel Grove, went to her house to check on her.and to tell her of what had transpired between the former couple.
She was lying on her bed, half-crying, half spaced out. "Just think Rocky, if you hadn't been so adamant about not dating a girl the same age as your little sister, that could have been you."
"Uh-uh, no thanks, I'll stick to my crushes. Besides, even then I knew no one would ever stand a chance against Jason."
"You know too, huh?"
"Thanks to Kim's outburst, everyone does." he grinned.
"Oh great."
"What's wrong, you do love him, don't you?"
"Without a doubt I love Jason.it's just how that I'm confused about."
"Not sure if it's developed into more than friendship?"
"I don't know.I mean, I think it's always been something more than friendship with Jason and me. I just don't know what."
"So you're not sure if it's romantic love?"
"I don't know, I mean, am I willing to give up what we have now to try something that might not work? But is it any better sitting here miserable without him? God Rocky, what do I do?" she cried and buried her face in the pillow.
"Only you can answer that one." he said and gently rubbed her back as she sobbed.
Devin stayed locked in her room for the next few days trying to figure out what to do. If she left things as they were, she and Jason would always be best friends. But if she went after, whatever else there was, all of that could end. Her and Jason might very well end. Jeez why did everything have to be so complicated?
But they weren't really, she was just making it that way. Deep down she knew that no matter what happened between Jason and her, the two of them would always cling to their friendship. It was a strong bond, and nothing could break that. Plus.she had been the one to say that the two of them would one day marry.that he would be the one to take her virginity.
Was that why she was clinging to it so desperately? I mean, what girl in their right mind wouldn't want Tommy Oliver to be her first?! Her obviously, but then, she wasn't exactly in her right mind. So maybe she was holding out for Jason. There was only one way to find out.
A week later Devin called a meeting at her house. All of the current Rangers came, as did Kim. They were all a bit confused as to why Devin had called this big meeting. Tommy was just plain worried. "So Devin, why did you call this meeting?" Tommy asked, hoping his nervousness didn't show.
"In a nut shell? I'm leaving."
"What?!" was the group consensus.
"Calm down and let me explain." she said shushing her friends. "As you all know, I'm sure, Jason's gone and it's driving me crazy not knowing where he is, or if he's okay. I can't concentrate on anything else these days and after much thought, and advice from my parents, as well as Zordon, I'm leaving the Rangers to go look for Jason."
"You're gonna do what?"
"Are you listening?! I am going to travel this state and any other one I think he might be in until I find him and learn why he left and if he ever plans to return to Angel Grove."
Most everyone was left speechless. They all knew how desperate she was to see Jason again, or to just know that he was alright, but to leave home to look for him.no one had imagined that.well no one but--
"So what about the Rangers?" Rocky asked, knowing all along that it would eventually come to this.
"I'm glad you asked that." she said and got up from her place on the arm of the sofa. She called forth her morpher, then removed it from her arm. She then walked to where Kim was sitting and held it out to her. "Congratulations, you've got your powers back."
"Huh-- what?"
"They were always yours. I was just keepin' 'em until you got back, remember?"
"Devin, I--"
"Look just save me the trouble of convincing you and take the morpher. They're your powers, you're back home-- plus the power will help heal your leg faster."
"Are you sure?"
"As sure as you were when you chose me to take your place." she said smiling down at her friend. Devin truly did love Kim. She was probably the only real girlfriend she'd ever have.
"Okay Devin. You can count on me. And if you ever--"
"Like that's gonna happen." she chuckled, causing the room to erupt with laughter.
The group talked for a while longer, reliving memories of Devin's first days as a Ranger and how she fought being a "joiner" tooth and nail. Soon the group began to break up and people were making their exits, separately so that they could say their own private good-byes.
"So you're really gonna do it?" Rocky said with a knowing grin.
"As if you didn't know. You practically begged me to." she giggled.
"I'm gonna miss you." he said suddenly taking on a serious tone.
"I'll be back. This is my only home, I could never leave it for good." she said, knowing that this was not what he meant.
"I meant--"
"I know Rocky. I had a huge crush on you when I first met you. If you had asked me out I would have said yes.but Jason would have popped up eventually."
"I know. And I would have cherished any time I had with you.but then, who'd want to give you up. It's best that I don't know what I would be missing."
"Thanks for being so wonderful to me Rocky. You're very special to me. And I know you'll find that someone you're looking for-- she can't be me cuz I'm meant for someone else-- I think. But I still think you're meant to have the Pink Ranger." she grinned.
Both Rocky and Devin looked over to where Kim was talking with Adam and Tanya. "She's gonna need you. And I think you need her too. Just give it a chance, as one last favor to me."
"What's this 'one last favor' stuff. I thought you said you'd be back."
"I just meant--"
"I know, Devin, I'm just messin' with ya. I hope you find happiness, cuz your smiles are worth a million bucks."
"I'll miss you." she said and hugged him good-bye.
"I can't believe you're going after him."
"Well if you hadn't confronted me at the party, I might still be moping on the inside and putting on a brave face for you guys on the outside. So thank you for being such a good friend."
"Thank you for letting me be your friend. It's a very prestigious title." she giggled.
"Ha ha. So I was thinking that you should forget about Tommy and go for Rocky. He'd love you like you deserve."
"Playing match maker Devin?"
"C'mon, I know you two talk a lot. You must know almost all there is to about one another. I think you'd be cute together."
"Maybe, but I'm not sure I should jump into anything."
"Kim you've been single for quite a while now. And I know you still love Tommy, you probably always will, but in those months, you had to have gotten over him somewhat, especially when you found out that he was with me."
"You're right, I did." she said after a pause. "I'm just afraid."
"Please don't make the mistake I made. If you have any feelings for him-- or anyone else for that matter-- go for it. Promise me."
"I do. I promise you Dev." she said and hugged her.
Devin's good-byes to Tanya and Adam weren't lengthy because she really didn't know them very well. Plus the hardest was yet to come and she wanted to get it started (the quicker she began the quicker it would be over). The house was empty save those two, Tommy and Devin. They stood across the room from one another, afraid to look at each other, but unable to look away.
Finally, Tommy found the courage to speak. "I know that I can't.talk you out of this, so can I just.just hold you tonight? Please?" he practically begged, near tears.
Devin went to him and wrapped her arms around him. He enveloped her in an almost crushing embrace. He lifted her into his arms and carried her to the chair where he sat brining her down on his lap. There he just sat holding her; breathing in her scent; stroking her hair; wondering if this would be the last time he ever did this.