A/N: Thanks again to Pern for the lovely reviews; you're the only one reviewing but it is because of your loyal and positive reviews that I am posting the rest of the story. So thank you again.
The revelation about Billy's past is the second thing I did not intend on adding into the story, but there were two things sticking out in my mind to have happened to Billy in his past since I kept mentioning that he didn't want to get hurt again and I wrote that one down thinking I could change it if it didn't sound good but it seemed to go with the flow of the story, so I hope you enjoy it. This is also the longest chapter of this story so far I think, this one and chapter 8, which will be out tomorrow.
After dinner while Kat went to check in with the other rangers, Tommy and Billy went to rent a movie and then went upstairs.
"We should have ordered another pizza." Billy said, still hungry. "You and Kat can eat, man."
Tommy laughed. "Would popcorn help?"
Billy laughed. "Definitely." He said, flipping the T.V on and waiting until Tommy sat down before popping the movie in.
"What's going to happen when we get back home?" Billy asked suddenly.
"What do you mean?" Tommy asked.
"I mean, with this. This isn't just going to be a weekend fling? Because if it is, tell me now so I can prepare."
"Billy," Tommy said. "For a genius, you're not very smart. I would never do that to you, if I'm going to be with someone, I'm going to be with them fully." He told him. "I have only one question – since you harness such doubt, if you want this only to be a weekend thing, then that is fine. Is that what you want, Billy?"
"No," said Billy. "But I don't want to be hurt again, either. I'm scared of being hurt again, I can't go through it."
"Billy, who hurt you?" Tommy asked, sensing the genuine fear in his friend's voice.
"My uncle." Billy barely whispered. "When I was ten, shortly after my mom died. He – he took advantage of my pain, tried to convince me that he only wanted to help. But he didn't. He – he –" Billy trailed off, shaking his head to clear the memories.
Tommy couldn't believe what he was hearing. Billy had always been the strong one, but nobody had known he'd been harboring such hatred and resentment. "Billy, tell me honestly – did he do what I think he did?"
"He raped me, Tommy." Billy whispered, tears coming to his eyes. It hurt just to relive it.
"My God! Billy, please tell me that you told someone."
"Jason's dad. He called the cops and they arrested my uncle."
"Billy, how did you keep all of that inside you all these years?"
"My dad would have never believed me, which is why I went to Jases's dad. After I told him everything, he went to talk to my dad after he made sure Jason and I were safe at school. My dad was horrified. Anyway, to make a long story short, whereas you, Jason, Rocky and Adam can you relieve your stress and tension through karate, I threw myself into my school work and dedicated myself to studying and getting good grades."
"Wow. Have you seen your uncle since?"
"Once." Said Billy. "A few months ago, before the zeo crystals were discovered. He came right up to me, but Jason shielded me and told him that if he came within three feet of me, he'd see him back in jail. Other than you, Jason remains the only one who knows about this."
"Billy man, that's harsh. But you trust me, don't you? You know that I'd never hurt you?"
Billy took a deep breath, then nodded. "I trusted you with my life on the battle field, I trust you with my life off it." He said.
"I'm glad to hear it." Tommy said, pulling his friend close and capturing his lips in his.
'Tommy, you'd better not hurt me.' Billy thought to himself. 'I'm trusting you with my life, you'd better not let me down.' He returned Tommy's kiss fiercely, feeling comforted, protected, in the other boy's arms. "Stay with me tonight, Tommy." He murmured in the other boy's ear.
"Are you sure?" came the whispered reply.
"Absolutely." Billy replied, laying down on his side and pulling Tommy down to face him, his lips tasting the salt of the other boy's lips.