Chapter 5: Tommy

Thomas Oliver, more commonly known as Tommy, walked around the town he had lived in throughout the majority of his high school years. The town he had risked so much to protect. He had left almost two years earlier to get away from the world he had sacrificed so much for. He had found happiness, a new life. He had even found love.

Beverley Louise Bernardi was the best thing that had happened to him in a long time. Almost a year younger than him, she was graduating that coming June from the same high school he had received his diploma from. The same place he had first met her.

His first day at AHS, he had seen her marching in that blasted uniform. He had noticed her because she had been the only one to turn the wrong way. For some unknown reason he had stopped to watch, perhaps to see if she would be the only one to make the mistake again. He would admit, it was a bit nerve-wracking when the man he later learned to be "Chief" came over to him. After all, its not everyday a man as tall as you just strides over in an Air Force uniform. And yes, he had seen the man in more impressive uniforms since then, but that first time...

The man hadn't been overly friendly, but had answered his question about why they were marching and proceeded to tell him all about the AFJROTC program. The entire time his focus had been on the girl with her blonde hair in a tight bun that made his scalp hurt from just looking at her. Marching in a skirt and heels. Often times she was hidden behind "Mr. Tall and Broad" behind her. But he still didn't miss when she started to sway slightly, while trying to get the attention of the person calling commands.

The group had turned and was going past him and Chief in, what he later understood to be, a column left movement. She was second to last in the line closest to him when she started to go down. He reacted on instinct, not even knowing he had moved until she was in his arms. Everything was crazy after that.

Marching was forgotten as half the group of twelve rushed to the two of them, including "Mr. Tall and Broad" he later learned was named Mike. The other half split up, part running across the quad to a building all by it's lonesome, the other three going to Chief to see what he wanted them to do. By the time she came to, an ambulance was on its way and Major had arrived, a man who seemed to care about her a great deal besides just being in charge of the Corp.

But the only person she saw was him, then back to unconsciousness she went. He had seen something in those pale green eyes, and had been there in the hospital when she woke up. They had talked about everything under the sun those first hours, and she was the first friend he in his new life. She had helped him forget the things he had seen as a ranger. The nightmares he had never been able to escape. Helped him find his heart again.

He had come back because Zordon had called. Although the last thing he had expected to hear was that Jason and Kim were dying. Or that they had been through this before, and neither had ever told him.

The last thing he wanted to do before his 20th birthday was bury his best friend and his ex-girlfriend, who just happened to be his other best friend. He couldn't believe this was happening. They always thought that one of them could die in the line of duty. But not like this, not to cancer.

He stopped when he heard the familiar ring on his cell phone. Flipping it open he couldn't help the smile that graced his face when he said, "Hey baby."

"Hi darlin'. How are you?"

He sighed deeply, not sure how to reply or what to say.

"Tommy what's wrong."

"Nothing Bev."

"Don't lie to me Thomas Jethro Oliver, I know that something's wrong." She scolded over the phone and he gave a small smile even with all the saddness. Only she could get away with his middle name in that tone of voice, other than his mother.

"Kim and Jason are dying."

"Oh Tommy." She replied and he could hear the sorrow in her voice. After a moment she continued. "Do you still want me to join you?" she asked softly.

"It's up to you. I don't know if you want to come. It won't exactly be a happy time."

"How long do they have?"

"I don't know, I sort of ran out after I heard..."

"You ran before you heard everything... Tommy you need to go back there and hear them out... God knows I'll come in a moment's notice. But do you really want me to come. This is going to be hard enough on you as it is..."

Tommy sighed as he thought. "I know, I know. I act before I think a lot of the time. But yes, I think I'm going to need you."

"Alright love. I'll be there in the morning."

"Thanks. I see you in the morning. But don't you dare drive more than you can."

"I promise darlin'. I'll call when I stop for gas. Now get your butt back to Jason's and make amends." She threatened, but he knew she wouldn't do much even if he didn't. "Goodnight love." She continued softly.

"Goodnight baby." He replied then ended the call. Sighing he turned back towards Jason's house. He had to apologize to them for leaving like he had. Bev was right about that, though he knew that without her telling him. Then he had to let them know that Bev would be arriving in the morning.