Disclaimer: I do not own the Power Rangers
Tommy believed in certain things in life, amongst them that his friends knew him to be someone who took his friendship seriously, and was always loyal. He'd learned a great deal about friendship from Jason, who had openly accepted him as a Ranger and a friend mere moments after Tommy had announced his plans to kill him. Of course, there had been a broken spell in those moments, but Jason had put aside everything Rita had told Tommy to do in favor of making a new start with a new friend. As Tommy showered, he vowed that he would do the same thing for Rocky. From the few things that Aisha and Adam had said, almost cryptically, Rocky probably hadn't found much acceptance before, and hadn't expected to find it with the team. As he shut the water off and grabbed his towel, he took a deep breath and vowed that he wouldn't let Rocky's sexuality stand in the way of their friendship.
As he walked back into his bedroom, the phone rang. He hurried down the hall to the upstairs phone and answered, "Oliver Residence?"
"Tommy? It's Aisha," Aisha said, her voice wasn't as down as she'd been before she'd left to join Adam at the hospital.
"Is something wrong?" Tommy asked.
"Mrs. Ramos just arrived," Aisha said, "she spoke to Rocky's doctor. He broke his arm in two places, his leg and ankle as well. Three of his ribs are broken and he's concussed. Other than that, he's fine. They put pins in his ankle to stabilize it, and he's not awake yet, but he'll be one hundred percent. Dr. Ramirez said he was luckier than he had any right to be."
"Thank the Power," Tommy replied softly, "How's Adam holding up?"
"He hasn't moved yet," Aisha said, "As soon as they let him in, I think he's going to give Rocky a piece of his mind. He's not talking to me, but he's taking what happened hard."
"Is Billy there?" Tommy asked.
"Yes, he's trying to get Adam to talk. Tommy, when are you going to be here?" Aisha asked.
"I need to get dressed, and then I'm coming," Tommy replied.
"Dressed?" Aisha asked.
"I needed to think, so I went up against the punching bag. I didn't think the hospital would appreciate my arrival if I smelled like old gym socks, so I grabbed a shower. Kim got snagged by her mom, but she'll be by later." Tommy replied.
"I'll let you go then, but I'll call you if we here anything." Aisha replied and hung up.
Tommy follow suite and walked down to his room to dress in a pair of white jeans and a white button down shirt, he brushed out his hair and fastened it back, then pulled on some white sneakers. As he refastened his communicator to his wrist, it beeped. He closed his eyes, "This is Tommy."
"Tommy, please come to the Command Center," Zordon said, his calm voice not revealing anything.
"On my way," Tommy replied. He punched the button and the world disappeared in white sparkles. When they cleared, he was at the Command Center, "What's going on, Zordon?" He asked, walking to the central portion of the computer banks.
"Billy has informed me of Rocky's condition," Zordon said, "he will be unable to fight for some time. I have a candidate for Red Ranger, but he will require your approval, and the team's. Observe the Viewing Globe."
Tommy turned to look, and the person shown there made him smile, "I don't think there will be objections, Zordon," he said, turning to look at his mentor. "Let me talk to them, though. It may be easier if I made the suggestion."
"Very well, Tommy. Tell Rocky that we are with him, and we wish him well." Zordon said.
Tommy teleported to the hospital and hurried to the waiting room where the others sat. "Guys," he said, walking over and jerking his head. Billy and Aisha stood instantly, but it took Adam a moment to follow. In a private corner, he spoke softly, "Zordon has a candidate for our temporary person," he looked at each of them. "I think it's a good idea."
Billy looked at him and then said, just as softly, "I trust your judgment, Tommy."
Aisha nodded, "If you think he's good, I'll go along, as long as he's only until Rocky gets better."
Adam, his dark eyes burning with some unidentified emotion, nodded, "Remember, I go with Rocky," he said quietly, "I promised him, no matter where he went, I'd be right behind him. If he doesn't come back, I don't come back."
Tommy nodded, "Just tell Rocky that his resignation isn't accepted." He saw a flicker in Adam's eyes, almost of relief. "I'm going to talk to Kim, and I'll bring our back-up by later for you to meet him."
"You aren't going to tell us who?" Aisha asked.
Tommy grinned, "It's a secret until I get back. If you trust me, everything's going to work out fine."
The trio nodded and Tommy left the hospital, hurrying to Kim's house. She was with her mom in the kitchen, and Tommy decided to talk fast, "Kim, everyone's agreed on our alternate for the basketball team, but I wanted to check him with you first."
Kim nodded, "If everyone's agreed, I'm agreed."
"All right," Tommy stepped back, "don't forget to talk with Aisha later, or Billy. I think they're going to wait on Rocky for as long as they can."
"How's Adam?" Kim asked.
"He's taking it hard," Tommy replied, "Aisha thinks he's going to be having a very long chat with Rocky as soon as he can. I have to go; I have to talk with the alternate. Take care."
Kim gave him a quick hug and Tommy hurried out, heading for a safe teleportation spot. He arrived in the Command Center and nodded, "Let's go get him," Tommy told Zordon, "everyone agrees."
"Good luck, Tommy," Zordon said as Alpha input the coordinates for Tommy's next stop.
He arrived just outside a hostel in the evening hours; he checked his place and turned his eyes on the doors. Hopefully, he'd find his target soon enough. It took five minutes for the trio he was looking for left the building. He had a small rock to hand and he tossed it, and snickered when it bounced off the head of the one he wanted. It took them a few moments to notice him in the shadows, and when he gestured them closer, they did so carefully. Tommy waited until they were close enough to hear him speak softly, "We need help in Angel Grove," he said, "and I need a private place to explain why."