JASON

The night was far too short. I had way too much to think about to get any real good sleep. Fortunately, with my job, I'm used to functioning on little to no sleep for long periods of time. I get coffee from the kitchen on the ship before I access my email. I'm surprised to see how many there are in just the few hours since I sent the one to Hayley. As I look over the email addresses, I realize that they are all from former Rangers. Making my decision, I open Hayley's email first.

Jason-

Another thing that was my fault. When I first contacted or tried to contact everyone, it was technically Tommy's third day in the hospital and he was sleeping a lot. At the time, I told everyone that - until we knew more - it made no sense for everyone to put their lives on hold. You know as well as I do that Tommy wouldn't have wanted that. Then came the testing that determined that he'd have to go to rehab.

Believe it or not, I did research the place. I wasn't happy about the not visiting thing, but they said that a reluctant patient like Tommy would adjust faster if he didn't have visitors to remind him he didn't want to be there. Again, with nobody being able to visit, it made no sense for people to come. And then I was under the mistaken impression that he was refusing visitors. I didn't think it would have mattered who showed up to see him, I thought he still would have refused.

Now I see that none of that 'logic' makes any sense, but at the time - it did. I have no good excuse for - well, failing Tommy like that. I know that nothing I can say or do will make it right, but I am sorry.

Hayley

I frown as I read the email. Something isn't quite right here. Making a quick decision, I have Deca patch me into the Dino Thunder Rangers' communication system.

"Mighty Morphin' Red Ranger to Dino Thunder Yellow Ranger. Kira, it's Jason. Come in."

A minute later, she answers. "Go ahead, Mr. Scott. What's up?"

"Jason, please. I need some information and I think you can help me."

"Whatever you need" she answered instantly.

"How'd Hayley handle everything when Tommy was in the hospital?"

"I'm not sure what you mean. She was doing the best she could but she was really stressed. I'm pretty sure she wasn't getting a lot of sleep or eating well. She was having to deal with the Cybercafe, being tech support for us, visiting Dr. O in the hospital, arranging for rehab and - eventually - being the Black Dino Ranger." Her voice fell off as she realized that she might have said something she shouldn't.

"I knew that she had the gem, Kira. And now - except for visiting Tommy - she's still doing all the same stuff? How?" I'm more than a little stunned at all she's having to handle alone. Why didn't she ask some of the others for help?

"I have no idea. I'm pretty sure that if it weren't for the Ranger powers, she'd have fallen apart a while ago."

"She's got too much going on and needs help. I'll see what I can do. Let me know if anything happens."

"Will do. Kira out."

I scroll through the emails, looking for a couple of addresses in particular. When I find them, I read their messages before sending back one of my own. After that, I turn my attention to the other messages.

By the time I'm done, I'm not sure if I should tell Tommy about all this or not. After all, his best female friend - while having good intentions - actually hurt him, however unintentionally. On the other hand, he really needs to know that he wasn't totally abandoned. Maybe I should run this past Pina and Zedd first.