It took about three hours for Jason's leg to heal. He was out of the chamber and walking around on crutches while Zach and Billy made a run to Angel Grove for some food. Tommy, Trini and I were in the Command Center going over the scan I had managed to get when Jason limped into the room. "What did I miss?" He asked, smirking at the rest of us. Trini smiled, walking over to him. Wrapping her arms around Jason's shoulders, she whispered something in his ear that made him sigh. He shifted to look at Tommy and me. "I take it you know?"
"Yeah. Congrats, man!" Tommy said, giving Jason a quick hug. I did as well when Tommy let him go.
"I'm so happy for you guys!" I exclaimed, kissing his cheek.
"Thanks. You get why we didn't say anything, right? Trini refused to let me fight without her and we couldn't let you guys fight without us." Jason replied, smirking at Trini who nodded.
"Food's here!" Zack's voice called as him and Billy walked into the room. They both carried boxes of Chinese food, brown bags surrounded by white cartons in each box. "Look who's up! How you feeling, bro?"
"A lot better now. Thanks, Billy." Billy nodded, smiling shyly.
"My actions were only in response of your injury. No gratitude necessary." Billy replied. "Perhaps though we should discuss the pressuring issue at hand. Without Jason and Trini, we are left two Rangers down."
"What do you mean without us?" Jason asked. "Trini is out but I'm still up to fight." Tommy shook his head, placing a hand on Jason's shoulder.
"We can't risk you getting killed out there. You have kids to think about and Trini. I think it's best if you and Trini sit this one out. You both can man things here at the Command Center. We need someone here helping Alpha monitor the hotel and guiding us." Jason moved to object, but Trini cleared her throat. He shot her a look, quickly realizing he was not going to win this battle.
"Fine. Who are you going to have take our place?" He asked, looking sad. I felt bad for Jason. Being a Power Ranger was the most exciting and proudest part of his life. He loved defending the Earth and keeping the city of Angel Grove safe. After he had stepped down, he almost immediately regretted it except for the fact him and Trini were able to connect while at the Peace Conference. During his time as a Zeo ranger, he was able to enjoy being back even though it was only short lived. He always told me that he hasn't found anything that has felt more like his calling since being the red Ranger.
"We called Rocky and Aisha. They are on their way back here now." I replied, giving him a sympathy smile. "They were both willing to fill in for you both." Jason frowned, rubbing the back of his head.
"Well, shit. Kimmy, I know how you felt before now. It sucks knowing that you guys will be out there fighting while I'm here sitting on my ass like an idiot."
"You can't think of it like that, man." Zack said. "You're going to be helping us a lot here."
"Yeah I suppose so. I think I'm going to turn in for the night." Without another word, he brushed by Trini and headed out of the Command Center. She sighed, watching him leave before turning to face us.
"Thanks for everything, guys. He just needs some time to cool down. You know Jason." She said before following her husband out. Biting my lip, I glanced over at Tommy. He was staring intently at me, his eyes focusing on my face.
"You guys hungry?" Zack asked, breaking us out of our stare down. Turning my head, I saw he was holding up a container of Chinese.
"Kim and I have to talk quick before we eat." Tommy said, grabbing my left hand. I let him pull me from the control room and towards the training rooms at the back of the Command Center. He tapped the third door down the long hallway and it slid open. Walking in, I followed him. The door closed behind me. Inside, it was one of the smaller training rooms we used to use. In the far right corner was a set of weights and a computer that could generate an interactive hologram of any type of enemy. On the right side was a bench and a single locker to hang stuff in. Sighing, Tommy leaned against the wall next to the locker and rubbed his face with his hands. "I'm sorry."
"For what?" I asked, confused.
"For trying to tell you what to do. I was scared and thought it would make me feel better by trying to stop you. Obviously, it didn't work."
"Oh yeah? What part gave you that idea?" I snorted, crossing my arms. Walking over, I sat on the bench and ran a hand through my hair. It was down now, and I had changed into a plain pink t-shirt and a pair of black leggings. I was still a bit sore from my crash landing yesterday but not enough to cause any really discomfort.
"All of it. And after watching Trini and Jason right now, I get it. I really do." He pushed himself off the wall with his hands and sat next to me. "Kim, I just got you back in my life. I was so terrified of losing you again that I let that fear get the best of me. I don't know what I would do if something like that were to happen to you again. I thought for sure you were dead when I was finally able to break through the glass. You were so cold and lifeless. I thought I was holding your dead body. That shook me right to the core. But then when I got you back here and Billy was able to revive you, I realized just how close we had come to being apart forever. It got the best of me when you woke up. I don't know what I thought it would accomplish though. You're more stubborn than you should be."
"I get that from my mother, I suppose." I replied, turning so I was facing him. I shifted so I was straddling the bench. "Tommy, this job comes with risk. You and I both know that. And yeah, I do have a higher change because of my back. I can't let that stop me from doing the one job I was destined to do. Being a Power Ranger is important to me and so is trying to stop Rosita from trying to take over the rest of the world. We never let Rita or Zedd win, why should their little brat? I know you're scared but so am I. That's why we need to do this together as a team." He sighed again, raising his leg so he was also straddling the bench and facing me.
"I hate when you're right." He muttered, rubbing the back of his head. He looked exhausted, dark bags under his eyes. "Just promise me that you won't go running after trouble. No more solo missions and any type of pain, you need to tell Billy pronto, okay?"
"Alright. Why don't you go get some sleep? You look so tired. Have you slept since we came back?" He shook his head.
"I haven't slept since that night we spent together at my house. As I recall, there wasn't much sleeping done that night either." I smirked, leaning in closer to him.
"I don't recall you complaining, Dr. Oliver." I whispered before pressing my lips against his. He laughed into the kiss, sliding his arm around my waist and sliding me across the bench closer to him. I raised my legs so they were over his and he lifted me up so I was sitting in his lap. Pulling away, he looked up at me.
"I love you." He whispered, cupping my face in his hands. "I loved you then just like I love you now. Nothing has ever changed that, and nothing ever will. I promise you."
"I love you, too."