Chapter 3: Together again

Billy Cranston walked up to the Kwan's doorstep. He wasn't really sure what waited for him on the other side, but he knew it couldn't be good.

Zordon had contacted him last night, informing of Jason's relapse, and that Trini, Zach, and Kim would be arriving today and hoped to see him. He hadn't heard about Kim's condition since he went to Aquitar over a year and a half earlier, but somehow he had a feeling it wasn't a good sign.

He should have stayed in contact from Aquitar more. Somehow he could have done it... But in truth he had been so happy with Cestria that he didn't want to be woken from the spell. He should have, that was the truth. Shaking the thoughts from his head, he knocked on the door and waited for someone to answer, and was happily surprised to find himself looking at Zach seconds later.

"Billy my man." Zach said giving him a bear hug, "How have you been?"

"I'm great. How are you and Trini?" Billy asked as they walked inside.

"We're both fine." Trini said walking up and giving him a hug.

"Trini, you look wonderful, as do you Zach." Billy said with a smile. "Looks like the peace conference has been good for both of you."

"That it has, but we are glad to be home." Zach said as they sat down in the living room.

"That's good. So, where's Kim?"

"In the shower." Trini said as her mom poked her head in and waved.

"Alright, so how is she?" Billy asked as he waved back and Mrs. Kwan went back the way she had come.

"Well, she doesn't look like we remember her, she's hiding how she really looks. And her mom will be here in a week, although Kim doesn't know that yet." Trini explained.

"Oh, how come?" Billy asked, slightly concerned.

"The doctors can't do anything else. That's why they let her come. We don't know if she knows it or not. Her mom is coming to be with her and say goodbye." Zach said softly.

"Oh no." Billy whispered, "And Jason?" he asked knowing fear had crept back into his voice. A fear he hadn't heard in five years.

"We don't know anything yet. Kim is the only one who has talked to him so far. He hasn't told the others, and no one knows where Tommy is. Zordon is trying to get a hold of Aisha to let her know what's going on." Trini explained, stopping as Kim walked in.

"Billy!" Kim cried, causing Billy to see her and jump up to receive a hug.

"Hey Kim, how are you?" he asked

"I'm okay. And you?"

"I'm fine." He said as they sat down. "So how's Jason?"

"Well, all I know is that the doctor told him its back. And, if I'm right, he's at the Youth Center now. So should we go see him?"

"Of course, let me go tell my mom. And you need some shoes." Trini said with a smile.

Kim laughed then replied, "Why, I thought I'd start a new trend."

"Some reason I don't think it would catch on." Zach said with a smile as Kim and Trini stood up.

"You never know Zach." Kim said as the two left the room.

"You're right. She doesn't look good. Maybe being here will help." Billy said.

"I hope so, but deep down, I'm afraid that it won't." Zach said softly.

They looked at each other, and recognized a fear they had hoped to never see again showing in their eyes. The same fear, they knew shinned in Kim and Jason's eyes as well.