Disclaimer: Saban owns Power Rangers, I own nothing but ideas concerning the power rangers universe
A/N: Apologies for taking so long to update. Things have been crazy. However, I'm excited to say that this story is finished being written, just in the process of being edited! So you won't be hanging much longer! Also, I have started on working the sequel to this (and Ghost of Me), called Whispers in the Dark. It will be over in the buffy the vampire slayer/Power Rangers Section soon! Check my profile for updates on when it comes out!
By Your Side – Chapter 9
Jason teleported right into Kim's room, and the first thing he noticed was the mess on the floor. Kim's trash can and hamper were both toppled over, the contents of both spilling out onto the floor. Jason was starting to wonder how bad this could be, when he heard the door open.
"J-Jason?" The petite brunette in the doorway asked, tears staining her face. He rushed over towards her and enveloped her into the biggest hug he could give. After what seemed like forever, they finally let go of one another, and Jason guided his distraught friend to her couch, and they planted themselves on the seat.
"What happened Kimmy?" He asked, his voice trembling, concerned what her answer might be.
"I broke up with Trevor," she said, struggling to hold tears back.
"Did he hurt you?" Jason asked, his body tensing up.
"No... he's a good guy... but I'm sure I hurt him."
"What do you mean?"
"I was... we, were making out." Jason felt sick thinking about his 'little sister' doing that with another guy. "I'll spare you the details. But, I called him Tommy in the middle of it." Jason stood stunned. This is what she had called him about? "He... he tried to ignore it. But I couldn't."
"Couldn't ignore what?"
"I meant to say it. His name. I wanted Tommy in the moment, and instead I tried to replace him to the 'T' in his first name, and it didn't work." Tears began to glide down from her eyes down her cheeks. "I shouldn't have called you so late to come here... but I needed to talk to someone."
"Kim, you don't have to apologize," Jason replied. "I'm glad that you called. I just wish I could have done something sooner."
"You tried, but I didn't listen."
"What do you mean?" He asked gently.
"When I broke up with Tommy... I should have listened." Jason remained quiet as Kim continued to process. "I... I need to get out of here, Jase."
"What?"
"I need to leave here, leave the pan-globals."
"Kim, don't you think..."
"That I should think about it?" Kim completed Jason's thought. "I already have. Ever since I've come down here, all I've done is try to replace my old life with new pieces, but I want the old ones back. I want my old life back, to be a power ranger again, to be with you and Billy, Rocky, Adam... and I want Tommy back."
"Kim..." Jason started to speak, and then hesitated.
"What?"
"He... he's dating Kat."
"Oh," was all she could say for the time being. He stayed silent, somewhat kicking himself for giving her bad news on a night that was already difficult for her. Finally, she found her voice again. "Anything else you want to tell me? Like maybe they're considering getting engaged, or they're expecting?" Kim rattled off, starting to get upset. However Jason stopped her in her tracks.
"Kim, you're one of my closest, if not THE closest, friend I have. But you're the one who gave him up, remember?" Kim sighed, but Jason wasn't done. "I'm really sad for you, but you gave up the right to an exclusive relationship with Tommy the moment you dropped that letter in the mailbox."
"But..."
"No buts," Jason interrupted gently. "You had an opportunity to get him back when I came down here to find out what was going on."
"Well... fine." She said, somewhat defiantly. "I could hang out with the rest of you, we'd have three fifths of the original team back together."
"Well... that's not entirely true either."
"What happened to Billy?"
"He... well... he's on another planet right now."
"What!" For a few seconds it looked like Kim was going to strangle Jason, but then the reality of Jason's statement of Billy's departure seemed to be the straw that broke the camel's back, as she broke down into tears. "Why is my life falling apart? Why is everything that I knew being taken away?" Jason put his arm around Kim as she began to cry. He became the great comforter to her as she let out all her sadness and the pain that had been plaguing her heart since she had gotten to Florida. "I really am alone now, aren't I?" She asked, looking up into Jason's eyes. "I... I mean, the team is new, Tommy's taken, Zack and Trini are in a different country, Billy is on another planet... and you..."
"Hey... unless I die suddenly, you're not losing me," Jason reminded her. "I took that big brother's oath with you back in 6th grade?"
"Yeah. I made you promise that you wouldn't let me go off dating any stupid guys."
"You may have just wanted me to say that for guys, but I meant it for much more."
"Thanks Jase..."
*Off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean*
"I found two of them, your evil-ness!" Elgar shouted aboard the odd-shaped submarine. "One still has his powers!" Divatox approached with purposeful steps, causing both Elgar and her piranhatrons to quiver with fear. "Uhhh... your evilness?"
"You're sure that these humans will satisfy Maligore?" She asked. Elgar looked jittery, nervous that he may have screwed up again. "Your silence is so assuring," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Send the piranhatrons to capture them, and then we will go to my future beloved's home!"
*Kim's Dorm, in the hallway*
Jason had spent the night sleeping outside Kim's dorm room in the hallway, wanting to respect Kim's privacy in the morning. Though he had spent most of the night on a very unforgiving floor, he seemed to sleep rather well. However, as he began to wake up, he noticed a very large man standing over him.
"Normally, I would throw you out the 3rd story window, since you're a guy in the girls dormitory," the large man said. "However, I remember you, and I remember how much Kim liked you."
"Joe?" Jason asked, still staring up from the floor.
"Hey, you remembered!" Jason staggered up from his blanket and pillow that he had used.
"Yeah..." Jason said, unsure of what he was going to do. "Are you patrolling the dorm?"
"Yep, most of the time I'm on duty at the actual gymnastics facility, but I'm on dorm patrol twice a month. What are you doing here? And how did you get past the front desk without signing in?"
"Uhh... well," Jason fumbled, trying to think of a rational explanation. Suddenly a door opened, Kim's petite frame standing in between the doorway.
"I thought I heard my favorite security guy," She said, flashing Joe a giant smile.
"Haha, you're too kind!"
"So, I see you found Jason," she said, in a much happier mood than the one Jason had found her in the night before.
"Yeah, I was just asking him how he got in here and how he was able to sneak past the front desk without signing in."
"Oh, that's all my fault!" Kim said. "Trevor and I broke up, and Jason was in the area so he came by to check on how I was doing. I was so sad yesterday that I must have completely forgot that I needed to sign him in! I'm sorry for the inconvenience!"
"Not a problem, though I'm sorry about you and Trevor. I know that you really liked him."
"It's ok, we both thought it would be best."
"Well, it's good of you Jason to come down and check on her. I'll be on my merry way, you two take care of yourselves."
"Will do," Jason said. Joe turned and walked down the rest of the hallway, and then went through a door that led to a staircase, which was when Jason let out a very low whistle, signaling his relief. "Thanks for the save."
"Anytime," Kim said.
"So, after I get cleaned up, can I take you out for some breakfast, and maybe grab some time at the beach?" Jason asked.
"I'd love that. Thanks Jase."
*Power Chamber*
"RANGERS," Zordon's voice boomed. "A WIZARD NAMED LERIGOT HAS LANDED IN AFRICA, AND PHYSICALLY CANNOT HANDLE THE HEAT OF THE SUN. WE NEED TO GO AND RESCUE HIM, AND FIND OUT WHAT HE'S DOING HERE."
"Sounds good," Tommy replied, the other rangers behind him.
"Wait," Kat said. "Where's Jason?"
"I don't know," Tommy replied. "Alpha, have you tried contacting him?"
"Yes, but he hasn't responded to any of our communications."
"Ok," Tommy replied "Adam, Rocky, and Tanya, you guys stay here, keep trying to get in touch with him. Kat and I will go and rescue Lerigot."
"GOOD LUCK RANGERS, AND MAY THE POWER PROTECT YOU."
*Miami Beach*
"Thanks for doing this, Jase," Kim said.
"Anytime," he replied. They had been relaxing on the beach, after a nice breakfast. Though Kim seemed much more chipper than the night before (or, really earlier that morning), Jason could tell that she was still very sad. But he wanted to let her enjoy life a bit before asking her again how she was feeling. They had been walking along the coast, when suddenly, they were knocked to the ground by an explosion. Jason briefly opened his eyes to see Kim unconscious, surrounded by fish-looking men. He heard someone step near his head, and then was knocked out by a blow to his head.
*Power Chamber*
Tommy and Kat returned with Lerigot, who was currently recuperating on one of the medical tables. He seemed very peaceful the last few hours, but he suddenly looked as if he was having a panic attack, and was convulsing on the table.
"What's wrong?" Rocky asked.
"Here, connect these to his head," Alpha said, handing Rocky wires that would hook up to their brainwave scanner.
"Got it," he said. The rangers looked over to the viewing screen to see an beautiful, yet wicked, looking female pirate.
"Hello, rangers of Earth," the woman said. "I am Divatox, and I seek Lerigot, who holds the key to my future husband, Maligore. Give him to me, and I will see to it that your friends won't be hurt."
"Friends?" Adam asked.
"See for yourselves." Suddenly the screen switched to see a makeshift dungeon containing two people.
"Jason?" Tommy asked. "What... how?" Then the screen showed the other person, Tommy feeling like the wind was knocked out of him. "Oh my gosh... Kimberly."
To Be Continued...
Please remember to review! Thanks for reading!
- Googz333