Summary – Jason isn't giving up just yet, despite Tommy wishing he would.

Authors Note – Okay C a fast update just for you now, lol...well and considering I got 6 reviews on part 1. Enjoy. Oh and yes everyone I know 'Mars Attacks' came out in 1996 and this setting is 1992-3 but pretend.

By the by has anyone seen that movie 'The 10th Kingdom' it's bloody brilliant! I hadn't watched it in ages but caught site of a few 'Wolf' music videos on YouTube and yep had to give it another watch. Gotta love Wolf. The actor was much better in that movie as the half wolf then in 'Gilmore Girls' as Max. Pfft, Max whatever.

-o-

'Behave'

Tommy

-o-

I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine. I am perfectly fine. So why am I acting like some pathetic child who's just been beaten down by the school yard bully. Splashing some more water on my face I take a calming breath. Relax, just relax Tom.

Okay so they don't like me, so what? I didn't expect them to. I don't care. Why should I care what they think? "Bunch of stuck up jerks."

"Yeah but they have their moments." Holding back a growl as I catch Jason's reflection in the mirror, I do not need this right now.

"Aren't you supposed to be in class?" There that was cool, calm, collect, and slightly snappy, but I don't care, as long as it wasn't pathetic. They want a coldhearted evil Ranger, well I can sure as hell give them one…okay so I really can't but I can fake it.

"Was worried about you." Damn it. It's hard to be evil when someone's nice back. "Besides, shouldn't you be in class?"

"No." Growling as I flick the water off my hands and turn off the faucet, I don't know whether to punch him or thank him as he holds out a paper towel for me. Taking it and thanking him quietly, I wonder what uncle John would say if I came home only halfway through the day. "I think being classified as a mass murderer gives me a good enough reason to skip a class." No my voice didn't just crack, no I'm not about to have a nervous breakdown, or puke my lunch up, what little I managed to get down.

Swallowing hard and looking torn between anger and guilt, I don't see what he has to feel guilty about, he didn't even say anything from what I heard, nor was he the one that trashed half the city and killed how many people in the trashing process and yep there's that sick to my stomach feeling again. "They didn't mean that. Tommy they're just…well I don't know what they are besides in trouble right now, but that's not the point. The point is…"

Looking at him expectantly as he falters seeming to not know what said point is, I don't think he had things planned out very well after the whole finding me hiding in the bathroom part. "You got nothing."

Face falling, he offers a weak shrug. "I know. Do I get points for at least trying?" I suppose he should. After all not many people would even bother to try after nearly being shot, stabbed, and…yeah let's get off that train of thought.

"I guess."

"You know they're really not bad people. It's just, well, I guess we've all been friends for so long it's almost like we're family and when they nearly lost me it hit sort of hard." Yeah I'm feeling better already, thanks there Jason. Really needed to be reminded how close you all are and how I nearly ruined it. "And by your expression I'm not helping."

"Not really, no." Tossing the paper towel in the trash and picking up my bag, I hoist it on one shoulder and look at the door. Can I go or do you have more leader-like words of wisdom for me? Okay that's mean, breath, Tommy. "Can I go now?"

Seeming to give up on winning me over, he nods reluctantly and moves aside. "I just wish you and the others could…"

"Can't we all just get along?" At his slightly confused look, I heave a sigh. "Jack Nicholson? Mars Attacks?" Clearly movies are not his strong suit. "It was just out last month, he was the president, said that to the aliens before they killed him…never mind."

"Sorry haven't had much free time to go to the movies lately." Eyes suddenly lighting up, I do not like that look. "You like movies don't you?" Um, yes. Where is he going with this?

"Yeah."

"You know my dad just got a new VCR." And you're telling me this because? "We have a lot of horror and comedy movies." Oh, okay seeing where this is going now and I have to say I'm not loving it.

"That's cool." Edging closer to the door, I am not getting roped into some group movie watching activity. No way, no how.

"You're welcome to come over and hang out sometime. You can maybe school me in the great art of movie trivia since you seem to know so much about it." That's an unavoidable side effect of having no friends and never going out, dude.

"Thanks but um, I don't like to impose and you know I've got all this homework and –"

"We have snack food too." Why is he doing this to me? "Plus if you're having trouble catching up in classes, Billy is very good at-"

"No." Okay that was said a little too loud and a little too suddenly. "I mean, no, I'm not having trouble catching up, I'm fine." That's such a lie, I fail one more test and Uncle John will skin me like a cat.

"Okay." Doesn't look like he's buying it. Though can't say I blame him as he is in the same science and history class as me and has no doubt seen the big red Fs on my papers.

"I really have to get going. Thanks, um, for the offer though. Maybe some other time." Like when your friends stop putting me in the same category as Hannibal Lector. Pushing through the door and back into the hall, I head off at what I guess would be considered a brisk run. No sense waiting around and inviting another, well invite from him.

"Tommy." Oh that's just grand. Definitely has to be a karma thing.

Cringing and forcing myself to stop as I nearly collide head on with Zack, I really do not see why it is so hard to get them to leave me alone the one time I want them too. Any other time, they act like I'm contagious, but no, want some alone time and bam suddenly I'm mister popular. "Hey."

"Hey. Listen man, about what um, you heard, or think you heard earlier…" Think I heard? I know what I heard. Sighing and seeming to mull over his approach, the Black Ranger starts again. "Anyway, I just wanted to apologize and say that I'm really sorry if we hurt your feelings. I swear we're not mean people, it's just been a bad week with school and attacks, ya know?"

Whatever. Forcing myself to hold back on any smart remarks that might damage this new found relationship of talking, I give a nod. "Yeah it's fine."

"It's not fine, but it's better at least." Oh great, just keep it coming. Watching Jason calmly walk up to join our sharefest, I really wish I'd just gone home now.

Giving his friend a shrug Zack has apparently forgotten about me now. "We were worried." Worried about what? "Figured one of us should come find you and Tommy before you both got detention for wandering around during class hours."

"Yeah. Well we're heading back now." Why are you touching me? Okay hand on the shoulder is not worth freaking out about Tom, cool it. Okay Jason please take your hand off my shoulder, seriously dude, it's making me uneasy here.

"Yeah." Casually stepping away from Jason, I breath a small sigh of relief when his hand is dropped and I'm free. "Um, speaking of that, I should get going. So again uh, yeah, bye."

Not caring in the least if that sounded as weird to them as it did to me, I head off down the hall once more, not daring to fully relax until I reach the main doors and am outside in the fresh spring air. "Free at least."

"Mr. Oliver." Turning to see none other then Mr. Kaplin right behind me, I think I'm going to kill myself. "Leaving early today are we?" Apparently not.

To be continued……..

-o-

It was short, I know, I'm sorry. The next part is longer and Jason is VERY leaderish in it. He makes a very stern and Red Ranger like speech to the others on Tommy's behalf…I'm proud of said speech.