Disclaimer: PRZ does not belong to me, and neither does the title of the story belong to me, the only thing I own in all this is the plot line. Which I hope you enjoy.

Timeline: Before the golden homecoming. (Since the title of the fic is that too) but it's around the before and after deal. grins

Golden Homecoming

"And this is the last bag," a deep voice said as he dumped the last of his personal belongings in the truck of his parents' car.

"Good lord, Jason!" His mother scowled at the piles of stuff he had gathered over the two years away. "Are you sure Zack isn't coming home too?" She eyed her son, who had beefed up during his time away. And she also knew how much Rene Taylor wanted Zack to come home too.

Jason Lee Scott, the former Red Ranger, grinned at his mother. "Nope, he ain't, he's gone to London with Trini," he told her as he opened the car door and got in.

"Rene's going insane without Zack around," she told him. Jason winced. "And she will hit the roof when she learns he's gone to London without telling her." She shook her head as she blended into the rush hour traffic.

Jason studied his mother; her hair was shorter, more styled, she had lost a bit of weight, not that he was complaining; she looked good, he admitted. More rested, since he had left. Maybe she had gotten used to him being away, he wondered. But he knew in her letters she always told him how much she missed him. Once she did slip in a letter from Tommy, but he never replied to the White Ranger. Still keeping his distance, still trying to block out the memories that haunted him.

But he wanted to know: how keen were his parents to have him back? How would he adjust to being back home? He looked out to the perfect autumn day; the sky was clear of the clouds, the sun shone warmly, and watched the familiar streets go by; he then closed his eyes and sighed. It was great to be back home. He missed Angel Grove, he now realized, more than he counted on. Lost in his thoughts, he didn't see where they were headed.

"Jason?" his mother shook him out of his haze.

"Huh?" He blinked at her blankly.

"We're here," she announced with a wide smile. "I told Tommy you were coming home today."

"You did what?" he asked her, keeping his temper under control as he avoided looking at the place where he had spend so much of his time. He didn't want to look at the juice bar, knowing that Tommy was waiting inside for him.

"I told Tommy you were-" she began.

"You told Oliver I was coming?" he closed his eyes and breathed calmly as he placed his head on the headrest of the seat.

"Well, yes..." She spoke nervously; she knew her son, he was boiling inside, waiting to explode. Her mother's instincts had told her there was a rift between the boys, but she didn't know what caused it and didn't know how to fix it. As Ryan told her, a few days before Jason's return: let Jason and Tommy deal with their problems, let them sort it out on their own. But as a mother she couldn't sit back and see her baby hurt.

"You had no right." His voice was dead calm when he spoke.

"Jase, I…" She failed to continue.

"Just take me home, Mom," he said, without looking at her. "Just take me home." He felt the car go in reverse before going forward.

"And again!" Rocky shouted, as he watched the Red and Green Rangers spar. Both Rangers had been out on the mat since morning, and it was nearly noon.

"Are you trying to run us into the ground?" Adam stopped and looked at the former Red Ranger.

"If I was, you would know!" Rocky told him, when he joined them on the mats.

Tommy laughed at the scene before him, it didn't surprise him either, their bickering always reminded him of Jason and himself, before the original Red Ranger left. The thought of Jason pained him, but he didn't show it, wouldn't show it. Lately, Adam and Rocky's bickering reminded him more than usual, but it was something worth remembering in the end.

"Good god, I don't know how you can stand him, Adam." Tommy, the current Red Ranger, shook his head and mocked them at the same time.

"Are you implying I'm doing something wrong?" Rocky asked, pretended to be hurt when he placed a hand over his heart.

"No, I'm just saying…you're good, but is it a façade?" Tommy winked at Adam, who snickered.

"Now that did sting," Rocky said and walked away.

"Oh, come on, Rocko, we're kidding," Tommy called out after the Blue Zeo.

"Yeah, yeah." Rocky did all but wave their apologies away when the two of them joined him at the Rangers' Table, which was dubbed that by the former Pink Ranger Kim Hart.

"Hey guys," Kat greeted the trio with Tanya by her side, "So what's new?"

"Rocko has been running us into an early grave," Adam said with his loopy smile.

"Ow!" Rocky winced as he looked at Kat, who naturally had punched him.

"Wimp," Kat cooed in her Australian accent and poked her tongue out at the Blue Ranger.

"Whatever," Rocky mumbled.

"Waiting for someone?" Adam asked his leader, when he noticed him looking at the entryway of the Juice Bar.

"Huh?" Tommy looked at Adam, "Yeah, Jason's home today, and his mom said she would drop him by the Juice Bar after she picked him up."

"Who's Jason?" Tanya, the newest addition, asked.

Oh boy. Tommy winced, but remained quiet.

Rocky got the message; he had gotten the same reaction from Tommy when he became the Red Ranger. "He was the Red Ranger before me."

"Oh," Tanya said when she understood. "But?" She could sense there was a 'but' somewhere in there.

"But nothing." Tommy's voice was calm and in control. "He was the original and that's it." Even saying that after two years nearly killed him. Jason was his best friend and always would be; no amount of time could change that. No amount of best friends in the future could change that either. He didn't want to get into that topic; he found it easier to avoid it than answer it. He didn't need their sympathy.

They didn't know how much it hurt Tommy to see Jason leave, and watch someone else take his place. But to Tommy, he meant everything. Even their fight before the former leader left changed nothing.

"I told you, it's not my team, it's not my place and it's not my goddamn powers anymore!" Jason had said.

Those words Tommy always wished were lies; everyday he hoped Jason would walk through those same doors - as he had walked out two years ago - and take his rightful place in the team where he belonged.

But his expression gave him away to the current team without his realizing it.

"Tommy?" Kat asked.

Tommy stiffened when he thought he saw Jason walk in, but shook his head in defeat after he took another look at the face. It wasn't him, it would never be him.

He looked at the worried faces of his teammates before grabbing his duffel bag and leaving. "I'm fine, Kat," he said, then walked out of the bar.

"Did I say something wrong?" Tanya looked worriedly at Rocky and Adam after a few minutes of deafening silence.

"Not that I know of," Rocky told her, but said nothing more.

"Billy, you're working late again," Alpha said when he teleported to the Zord holding bay.

"Uh huh, just fixing the parts the others didn't get to." Billy wiped his oily hands on the blue towel he held in his hand. Liar, his subconscious said.

"Billy, go home, it's getting late."

Billy shot Alpha a look. "You sure?"

"No, I'm not," Alpha told him sarcastically. "Yes, I'm sure, I'll finish the rest before I recharge."

Billy sighed and nodded, then walked over to the counter and began to replace the tools in their proper places. He hesitated, wondering if Alpha remembered what day it was, but then again he knew the robot would remember. He shook his head, and settled for, "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Good night, Billy," the android replied softly, as he watched the boy teleport out in white light; he knew why Billy worked late; it had been the same routine for the last two years with the former Blue Ranger on the anniversary of the Red Ranger's departure. He knew Billy was the most hurt by Jason's leaving, on a different level than Tommy. Billy and Jason shared more memories together than anyone else. But today was totally different, and Alpha wasn't sure why.

Tommy closed the door behind him when he got home, and sighed. It had been a rough day, it always was. Things never got easier, they just got worse, to a level he couldn't handle. But his stubborn side always won; at times he was brutal with his team, but that was him – Tommy Oliver. He couldn't show his weakness anymore, since they had a different enemy altogether. With Rita and Zedd he knew what to expect, but with Mondo he wasn't sure. He had never been sure with the Machine Empire, the tricks of their trade were more nasty then Zedd's had been. Their monsters were uglier, tougher, and well… different.

He sighed again as he switched on his room light, and was greeted by the worst mess he had ever seen in his entire life. His whole room looked as if the Christmas colors had just been separated. There were piles of green, white and now red clothes added to the mix. When his mind registered the red color, the sight of Jason seemed to flash before him.

First he had gotten the leadership from Jason, then he got his color, what kind of moron was he? He had taken everything that meant something to Jason, but he had lost the final battle in this; he lost Jason. Completely and totally, without even knowing.

He shook his head, then sighed before throwing himself fully on the bed and staring at the ceiling. Tears trickled down the side of his face; Jason didn't come, didn't come to see him. Why should he? Why should he come and try to patch up a friendship that was doomed? Jason had moved on, it was him who still was sitting here wasting his time, wishing and praying. But he couldn't let go, he just couldn't. It hurt too much to think about it, he'd rather go to hell than let go of Jason. Rather die than live with the guilt he was carrying. He gave out a sob and reached for the stuffed red tyrano he had been given by Kim, after Jason left.


"Here," she said, as she shoved a medium sized package in his hand.

Tommy frowned at Kim and the present she was giving him. "What is it?" he asked.

"If I told you, it will ruin the surprise." She beamed and waited for him to open it. "Come on, open it, Tommy."

Feeling like a fool, he opened it; a beak peeked out; giving an amused frown he opened the remainder of the gift and pulled out a cute red tyrannosaurus. The amusement fled, replaced by a cold hard look. He nearly raged at Kim, but then realized none of them knew about the fight and that he and Jason weren't friends anymore.

"You don't like it?" Kim asked as she bit her lip.

He managed a small smile. "I didn't expect this, that's all." It was true. "It's cute," he said, trying to make her feel better, and placed the toy in his locker. He saw her sigh in relief.


And he hadn't touched the toy since, once he brought it home and placed it on his bedside table where it had stayed, till now. He hugged the soft plush harder, fearing if he let go of his last connection to Jason, he would be lost. He missed Jason. He just wanted his friend back; even he had to give up his powers to do so.

But he knew nothing in the world would bring Jason back, nothing. And all he could do was try to move on too. He sighed, left the toy on his bed, and walked out of his room into the hallway bathroom. He emerged from the bathroom five minutes later, feeling refreshed and lightheaded. His eyes drooped; he forced himself to stay awake as he dragged himself into his room, closing the door behind him.

He looked at the familiar crowd in the school hallway, and saw few old faces. He grinned, not much had had changed. It was still loud and chattery, he thought as he rubbed his ear. He'd had peace and quiet for two years, and getting back to this old routine would take time. And patience. He staggered as someone bumped into him.

"Hey watch it!" a familiar voice spoke. His hair were shorter and his outfit was different, he wore grey trousers and a blue shirt with a rose red tie, rather than the jeans and leather jacket he used to wear. Jason double checked the face, and his jaw dropped.

"Skull?" he stammered. The former bully he knew was…changed. That's a large understatement, he thought. He was impressed. The Skull he had known before leaving had worn jeans, a singlet under a leather jacket, and a dog collar, but the new Skull was different. The only thing that hadn't changed was the gum chewing habit.

"Jason?" Skull exclaimed in surprise as he shook the other man's hand. "Wh…when did you return?"

"Over the weekend." Jason still clearly absorbing the new Skull.

"Wow, welcome back," he said. "Are you back for good?" Skull narrowed his eyes. Jason shrugged at the question. Skull nodded, "I see," he said.

"What've you been doing?" Jason asked as he placed the strap of his backpack in a comfortable spot on his shoulder.

"Well…um…I joined the police force." Skull grinned sheepishly.

"No kidding?" the former Red Ranger said in surprise.

"Nope, Bulk and I decided…" he looked at Jason and knew Jason wasn't buying it. "Ok…" he nodded, "…so Bulk dragged me into the police force, since he was tired of trying to find out who the Rangers were." Skull shrugged.

Jason laughed; it felt good to laugh again. "Bulk got tired of his adventures?" That was something new.

"Yep," Skull confirmed.

"Boy." Jason shook his head in disbelief.

"Yeah, well, don't look too surprised. He has a habit of taking pride in what he is now." He gave way to a student coming down the stairs and saw Jason smirk. "Well..." Skull looked at his watch. "I gotta run."

"Yeah, sure, I'll see you around," Jason said. A few moments after that he blinked, then laughed at himself; he was waiting for Skull to return with Bulk, and start doing their crazy old stuff. God, how long ago was that, nearly two years. Those old days had been the best, but with time he might enjoy the changes too, and make new friends.

New friends. Jason froze, and the pain in his heart flared up, something he denied to himself. He had blocked it out, drowned himself in work and studies. It was easier than facing the pain and remembering the power. He had been so busy adjusting and getting to know the people, he hadn't paid any attention to the news about the Rangers. But why should he have to; he had left, and that part of his life was over, thanks to a certain friend.

"Mr. Scott." A sharp voice announced its presence and cleared its throat. "Are you just going to stand there or are you going to make an attempt to get to class?"

Smilingly Jason turned to face the principal. "Mr. Kaplin, it's good to see you, sir."

"My boy, it's good to see you as well," the principal said lightly.

"Well umm…" Jason trailed off, "where's the reception?"

Billy watched his old friend talk with Skull with the surprise of Jason's return still in his system. With tons of questions overflowing his brain. On the other hand he was fuming; Jason didn't bother telling anyone he was returning. Didn't tell his 'little brother' of his arrival. How long had he been back? Was he hiding? Or he just didn't want anyone to know he was back? Billy thought, then sighed.

Jason was now more of a stranger than a friend. He hardly kept in touch, except for the four letters Billy had received over the last two years. But then, there was hardly very much in them, only how well the Peace Conference was going and nothing more. Jason hadn't even asked how Rocky was doing as the Red Ranger.

From what Billy could tell, Jason had very much moved on. The former Red Ranger didn't look back at his friends or the place that had been his home. And more importantly he didn't want to know what had happened to the original Coins.

He had once asked Tommy if he had gotten a reply from Jason. Much to the White Ranger's regret, Jason hadn't answered.

For the last two years, they had only had about six phone calls between them. Which was hardly anything. He knew friends grow apart, but how could people who had together held the fate of the world in their hands become strangers, not only to their friends, but themselves too.

Anger dwelled in his eyes, but he blinked it back. Jason, Trini, and Zack's leaving hadn't been easy on Kim or him. He had more than once called Rocky, Jason; Aisha, Trini; and Adam, Zack. He had never been able to accept the changes in the team. But from time to time he didn't care.

He had even turned himself into a bit of a jock, for a foolish reason. He wanted to feel Jason's presence around him, but even that change didn't work. He also missed Zack and Trini.

In Zack, he found the comfort others denied him. Zack made him laugh, Trini gave him the freedom to be himself, with Jason he had discovered the warrior inside him, Kim taught him to see the joys of life. Each of these had something to contribute, so where did it all go wrong? Why had the team he had known fallen apart?

When Jason, Trini and Zack left he was shattered. But he found himself lonely when Kim left, with a realization that he was the only original Ranger left. That was the only thing that kept him going; otherwise he too would have quit the team.

He saw Jason go past him, and Jason wasn't aware of his presence at all. He sighed and rubbed his hand over his face. God, what a mess, he thought. But to this day he still didn't understand why everything had turned upside down.

Or why exactly Jason had left. With Kim he could understand, she was given a chance to live her dream. But with Jase things didn't add up. He shook his head; he was trying to break down a wall with a toothpick. This was something that would take him a long time to muddle over.

At that thought his knees buckled but he forced himself to stand straight, and walk to home room.

You better have a good reason, Jase, he silently growled at his old friend.

"And we have one of our former students who has returned," Mrs. Applebee said.

Tommy's ears picked that up. He had a feeling who that would be. His stomach tied itself into a knot; he forced himself to keep his eyes to the front, not wanting to see the face that was buried in his memory. Good God, Jase, it's been a long time, he silently said to himself.

"Welcome back, Jason." Mrs. Applebee smiled at her former student.

Tommy closed his eyes and muffled an oath. He took a deep breath, and tried to build up courage. Just doing that took a few minutes, he then turned his head and upper body to see the back of the class clearly from one side to another. Jason was seated to his left and few seats back on the row left of him.

The former Red Ranger hadn't changed that much, except he had gained a few pounds here and there, and had stopped wearing red. Instead he wore a mix of white, black and blue. Tommy hated to admit it, but the sight of Jason wearing other colors annoyed him, he was too used to seeing his one time friend in red.

When their eyes met, Tommy could tell Jason was surprised. Welcome back, Bro, he said mentally. But he held the gaze; without breaking the contact he saw Jason look at him, carefully, trying to find the changes. His former friend's eyes were blazing when Jason's eyes meet Tommy's once again.

Tommy gulped, and broke away from Jason's gaze. He knew exactly why the blaze was there and he couldn't blame his one time leader. But for the rest of the day, even if Jason wasn't in any of his other classes, he could still feel the heat from those midnight eyes.

He hoped that Jason would understand about the changes to the team.

He punched the bag that hung from the ceiling. That sonofabitch, Jason fumed as he punched the bag harder and harder each time, not caring if his knuckles hurt. He was beyond mad, he was nearing insanity. He gave a slow sideways smile. Insanity would be better than the rage he was feeling.

He brought his mind to the current situation, Tommy Oliver, someone he had tried hard to avoid in the last two days. He gave a low growl at the bag, as if it was the face of the guy he most resented. First Oliver takes the leadership, then the color. Was there anything else Tommy might want that Jason still had?

Oh wait, Jason thought sarcastically, he didn't have a girl whom Tommy could take. Since everything had been given to the White Ranger on a silver platter.

What pissed him off even more was that Tommy was dressed in red. He frowned as he continued beating the crap out of the bag. How in the hell did Tommy become the Red Ranger; if his memory served him correctly, Rocky was supposed to be the Red Ranger. So what changed?

He stopped punching and took a few deep breaths, and grabbed his drink; taking a few large gulps of the water, he wiped the sweat off his face and chest. From the corner of his eye, he saw two girls….well he wouldn't exactly call them girls, but female teens, whispering to each other, giggling and taking quick glances at him. One was an African-American in yellow and her blonde friend was in pink. The pinkie seemed as if she was from overseas, but from where it was hard to tell, unless he heard her accent.

He smirked and looked at the black singlet he wore. He still had the ability to make girls drool. Point one goes to me, he laughed, then grabbed his bag and headed to the showers.

"Hey check the guy out," Tanya said as she sipped her drink.

"What guy?" Kat asked, as she was seated beside her friend and the current Yellow Ranger.

"The one who's beating the crap out of the bag," she told the Pink Zeo and directed her friend's gaze to the gym side of the bar.

Kat studied him, tall, lean and sexy. Dressed in a black singlet; not much was left to a woman's imagination as to what type of a chest he had. Strong and bold; lean and tight. Wonder what would be on the bottom half of that body... The thought made Kat laugh. "He's gorgeous," Kat admitted. "Who is he?" The Pink Ranger looked at her friend.

Tanya shrugged. "I don't know, he seems to be new." She glanced at the cute face. "But I admit he is cute." She whistled, softly, and giggled along with Kat, stealing another quick glance at the guy.

"Aww," Kat said disappointedly, "he left." She pouted, making Tanya laugh again.

"Too bad," Tanya said, clearly disappointed as well. "We can catch a glimpse of him around the school."

"What trouble are you two causing?" Rocky asked when he seated himself.

"What type of trouble are you suggesting, Rocko?" Adam asked and saw Rocky shrug. Adam let out a laugh.

"What are you two up to?" Tanya said.

"Keeping tabs on you ladies."

Kat rolled her eyes, "As if," her accent mocked. All four of them had a good laugh at that.

Tanya saw the bag-punching guy again. "Do you guys happen to know who he is?" she asked when she saw him nod at Rocky and Adam.

"He's in my history class," Rocky told her as honestly as he could without giving away more. It wasn't his place to tell the girls, if anyone had to let them know, it was Zordon, Billy or Tommy. He doubted that would happen, unless a miracle took place.

"Oh," Kat and Tanya said in unison.

Before Kat or Tanya could ask further questions, their communicators went off. The four of them glanced at each other before taking off to the place which had become the regular teleporting spot.

"We read you, Alpha," Rocky said over the communicator.

"Aye yi. We've got an emergency!" Alpha's panicked voice came over the watch-like device.

"We're on our way," the blue Ranger confirmed and disconnected.

As he hit an invisible button on the communicator the four of them teleported out in their color coded lights.

Jason turned abruptly when he heard the familiar old beeping. He knew where it was coming from, but he never turned to see the four friends leaving; their footsteps and the teleporting sound indicated that.

He frowned, what had happened to Kim and what's-her-name, and where was Billy? How much had the team changed since he had left? What was the pinkie doing in Kim's spot? Why was Rocky in blue and Adam in green? Why not in their respective colors of red and black?

He shook his head, clearing it from the building thoughts. Till he spoke to Tommy or Billy, he wasn't going to jump to any kind of conclusion. So instead he would sit here, bored and waiting for the battle to be over before he grabbed the former Green Ranger.

TO BE CONTENUED......

Ok, I was supposed to make this as one part, till I realized that if I was to bring in the Gold Ranger, and shove in the talk between Tommy and Jason, it's going to be a two parter…. I can't put everything into one part this time.

Sorry, folks.