DISCLAIMER

Of course they don't belong to me. It's all owned by Haim Saban and Fox Kids. Except for Pauline, of course. And I know Jason may seem a little harsh in this chapter, but it's how I figured he'd handle it.

The next morning, Jason approached Ernie.

"Hey, Ernie, you mind if me and Tommy use the gym after hours tonight?" he questioned.

"Sure. No problem," the man answered.

"Thanks," Jason said. Then, looking at the clock behind the counter, "Oh, geez! I'm gonna be late!" With that, he turned around and ran out of the building. Ernie shook his head and laughed. Meanwhile, back at Angel Grove High, Kimberly, Billy, Trini, and Zack were waiting for their friends.

"Where are they? They're gonna be late," Trini stated.

"I'd expect this from Tommy, but not Jason," Zack commented.

"Yes. This conduct is veritably contrary to Jason's regular pattern," Billy agreed.

"Huh?" everyone else asked.

"He said that this isn't normal for Jason," Trini explained.

"Oh," the others said. It was at this time that Jason walked up.

"Hey, guys," he greeted.

"Cutting it pretty close, man," Zack stated.

"Yeah, I know," Jason responded. "Hey, have you guys seen Tommy?" he continued.

"Not yet," was the reply.

"Dang. I need to talk to him," the boy said. Just then, Kimberly noticed someone walking up.

"Well, here's your chance," she stated coolly. Jason turned around to see Tommy.

"Kim, I---"

"You know what? Just save it," Kimberly interrupted angrily. She strode past him.

"Kimberly," Billy and Trini chorused, following her.

"Whoa. She's ticked," Zack said with a shake of his head. Then, he caught sight of Angela, who was walking into the classroom.

"Hey, Angela! Wait up!" he called, hurrying past Jason and Tommy.

"Hey, Zack," Angela greeted. They began to talk as they walked to their seats. Tommy started to follow, but Jason caught his arm.

"Tommy, hold up," he stated. The White Ranger stared at his friend in confusion.

"What's up?" he asked.

"We're meeting tonight at the youth center, just the two of us. We need to talk," the other boy stated. The White Ranger opened his mouth to protest.

"Non-negotionable, Tommy. Be there," the Red Ranger snapped.

"Fine," Tommy conceeded while blowing out a breath. Then, they walked into class. That night, Jason waited inside the youth center.

"Come on, Tommy. Don't you dare bail on me," he muttered, looking at his watch. Finally, the door opened and Tommy walked in.

"Okay, I'm here," he said. Jason led him to a punching bag.

"Hit it," he instructed, positioning himself behind the bag.

"What?" Tommy asked, confused.

"You're gonna hit this thing until you're ready to talk," Jason told him.

"I told you: there's nothing to talk about!" Tommy exclaimed.

"Then hit the bag. Either way, you're not leaving here," Jason said. With a growl, Tommy punched the bag. He let loose with a sequenced combination.

"So...talk," Jason finally stated.

"Jase!" Tommy cried.

"Look, Kimberly was really hurt when you snapped at her," Jason told him. His friend sighed.

"I know. I didn't mean to hurt her," he replied.

"Well, you did," the other boy declared. "Look Tommy, holding in your emotions...isn't healthy for you. You need to say how you feel," he continued.

"How do you think I feel? Huh?" Tommy queried, delivering a kick to the bag.

"I don't know, Tommy. I wasn't in your situation. So why don't you just tell me?" Jason retorted. The ex-leader knew he sounded harsh, but he needed his friend to open up if he was ever going to heal.

"You wanna know I feel?" Tommy asked, letting loose with a right hook.

"Yeah, I do!" Jason responded.

"I feel sick!" Tommy yelled.

"That's good! Now come on!" Jason encouraged.

"I'm upset! Angry! Scared! I'm just confused right now!" Tommy continued, while dealing hurtful blows to the bag in front of him.

"Good! Now why are you feeling this way?" Jason questioned.

"Why do you think?!" Tommy exclaimed.

"Say it, Tommy! Say why you're feeling the way you are!" Jason cried.

"I WAS RAPED!" Tommy screamed, executing a tornado kick. "THERE! I SAID IT! ARE YOU HAPPY!?" he continued. Something wet touched his eyelids and he turned around so that Jason wouldn't see that he was about to cry.

"Tommy," Jason said softly. He walked up behind his friend and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Just...just let it out, bro. Just let it out," he said softly.

"I never---I never dealt with it. Not really. Oh, I told CPS and they got out me out, but...after that...I didn't even go to counseling or anything. I just pretended it never happened." He sniffled and wiped away his tears.

"So, you finally show some remorse," a voice sneered. Tommy and Jason whipped around to see Pauline.

"Aw, man! Not again!" Tommy cried. "It's morphin' time! Tigerzord!" he continued.

"Tyrannosaurus!" Jason called. Instantly, they became the White and Red Power Rangers. Pauline began to summon her powers, but the White Ranger pulled out Saba and let out a blast of his own which finished her off.

"Power down," the Red Ranger stated. Once again, they were normal teenagers.

"It's over. This time, it's really over," Tommy said softly.