Disclaimer: I don't own PR, I just wish I did.

"So you have to go to Reefside to help teenagers avenge Tommy's death?" Emily said, cocking an eyebrow. To her credit, she'd swallowed it all down, and had never moved from her seat. He had long since dropped her hand, undergoing a pattern of fidgeting as he went through his tale.

"Something like that," he said.

"God, Jason, why didn't you ever tell me this? It's been years."

"I don't know. Things were always so risky. You never knew what was going to happen next, and I was worried that something might happen to you. I still am. Especially now that I know what Mesogog is capable of." He sighed. "Maybe it would be better if you did stay in L.A. At least until this is resolved."

"Jase…"

"It's better this way, I think. You'll be safe, and you don't have to give up your life."

"No, I just have to give up my life with you."

"Postpone," he said. "That's all. I have to do it, Emily. I promised Tommy, and these kids need me. I hope you understand."

"I'm not entirely sure I do…but if it's important to you, then I can't stop you. Just be safe."

"I won't go until after the funeral," he said. "And when I get back, we'll get married. I promise."

"I know we've been waiting until we have the money," she said. "But I don't want a big fancy wedding. I really don't. I just want to be with you."

"I promise," he said quietly, insistently, and leaned across the table to kiss her. The last day or two had been miserable, but Emily was his light. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

Angel Grove Cemetery was an enormous, beautiful place with lush grounds. The last time Jason had been here had been for Trini, and it had been raining that day. But for Tommy, the sun gleamed. It seemed somehow appropriate, as far as Jason was concerned. The brightness was representative of the effect that Tommy had on others, to make other people happy.

Seeing Zack in black, and wearing black himself, were things Jason was well accustomed to. Seeing Kim in a color other than pink was a bit jarring, though. He wrapped her in a tight hug. "How are you holding up?"

"We're not here, are we. This isn't real."

"It's real," he said glumly. "Oh, God, Kim, it kills me, but it's real."

He gave hugs to Kat and Tanya in turn, exchanging back pats with Adam and Rocky. Smiling and chatting with Zack and Marie, who was bursting with pregnancy. A tall young man, approximately twenty something in age was clutching onto Kat's arm, looking like a ghost. Jason assumed this was Justin. Billy was standing off to the side. He didn't appear to be as bad as he'd been for Trini's funeral, but that didn't mean he was doing excellently, either. None of them were at their best.

Jason made his way over to the Olivers. Mrs. Oliver was crying again --still-- and Mr. Oliver looked waxen. He found himself giving them both hugs before returning to the crowd of ex-Rangers. He stood during the ceremony with one arm around Kimberly's waist as she pressed against him, crying, and the other hand clasping Emily's so tightly he thought it might cut off the circulation for one or the both of them.

Towards the edge of the crowd he spotted Hayley and the kids. He waited until the ceremony was over before he made his way to them. "Reefside goes unguarded today?" he asked.

Kira was crying. Conner had his arm around her shoulders gently. "Look, the man gave his life protecting them," Ethan said, his hands jammed into the front pockets of his slacks. "And they don't even give a crap. So we can be here now."

Jason smiled and nodded. "You should get back soon, though."

"We're already on our way," Hayley explained. Jason patted her shoulder. "He's glad you came." He glanced at each of them. "All of you. He had the utmost faith in the three of you, and pride, and he respected you all immensely. I think he would have wanted you to know that."

"Thanks, Dr.--" Conner shook his head, a troubled look crossing his face. "Mr. Scott."

"Jason," Jason corrected automatically. The three teens --Hayley too, for that matter-- all looked as though they'd been stabbed in the gut by Conner's accidental almost-admission of the name. "Please, call me Jason." Though his karate students always showed him the greatest respect, Jason already had a far different relationship with these three.

"Our plane leaves in an hour," Hayley said, breaking the awkward silence, as the students had refused to look at Jason.

Jason nodded, and as they started away, he found himself adding, "I'll be there Friday."

"Permanently," Hayley supplied.

"Until this is over."

"I'm beginning to think it will never be over," Hayley said darkly, and the quartet headed in solemn procession to the funeral gates. Jason found Emily at his side, clutching his hand and resting her head against his shoulder. "It'll be okay, Jase," she said softly, and Jason kissed her forehead, still watching his charges. Of the two women, he was more inclined to believe Hayley's prediction of the future.