The rain was still falling outside; sometimes softly, sometimes hard. Though the thunder and lightning had passed, the rain and wind continued. Hunter found it very soothing. The thick cloud cover gave the sky the appearance of evening, though it was only late morning. Hunter somehow found the lack of sunlight appropriate to the day. Though he had much to celebrate, the other Rangers did not.

Once Carter had led them to Blake's room, Hunter had been glued to his side. Cam seemed to have difficulty finding a place to settle; though Hunter found all the pacing and movement unusual for Cam, he was still glad that Cam was there. Hunter had pulled the chair from the corner of the room closer to Blake's right side. He could sit there and hold Blake's hand without having to go anywhere else; at this point, there was no place he'd rather be. Eventually, safe in the knowledge that Blake was healing and would be able to walk, Hunter lay his head down on the bed near Blake's hip and fell asleep.

His sleep was so hard and deep that he was startled when something woke him up. He didn't move or open his eyes; he just extended his attention outward to see if he could pick up anything unusual in the room. There was the sound of movement, but it was only Cam, not a doctor or nurse. There was no strange sound from any of the machines hooked to Blake, so that hadn't woken him up either. Hunter waited; sure that whatever had happened would happen again.

Blake squeezed his hand.

Desperately holding himself in check from jumping up and whooping for joy, Hunter held himself still and kept his eyes closed. He squeezed Blake's hand in return and waited. There were rules to be followed.

After their parents had been killed and they were taken in by Sensei Omino, the brothers found that the days were hard, but the nights were much harder. Blake in particular suffered from horrible nightmares, and to fight the fear that Hunter would inexplicably taken from him too, he would crawl into his brother's bed just to be near him. Some nights that was all he needed; Hunter was a deep sleeper and Blake joining him did not wake him up. On those nights simply being close to Hunter was enough to make Blake feel safe enough to go back to sleep.

But there were other nights too; nights when Blake felt so adrift and frightened that being close to Hunter was not enough to soothe him. On those nights, Blake had to wake him up. The younger Bradley would take one of Hunter's hands and squeeze it; one, tight squeeze. He would wait a minute or so if he got no reaction, then squeeze again. This could go on for quite a while before Hunter responded, but eventually he would. Then the messages would begin.

One squeeze – Blake – Wake up.
One squeeze – Hunter – I'm awake.

Two squeezes – Blake – I'm scared.
Two squeezes – Hunter – You're safe. I'm here.

Three squeezes – Blake – I want to talk.
One squeeze – Hunter – I'm way too tired, go back to sleep.
Or
Two squeezes – Hunter – Let's talk.

The sequences of the messages weren't always the same, but the messages themselves didn't change. If Hunter gave the "I'm too tired" response, Blake didn't mind. The silent communication between them was enough to comfort him and he'd roll away from Hunter feeling safe enough to return to sleep. But if Hunter gave the "let's talk" squeeze, the brothers would turn toward each other on Hunter's pillows and talk in urgent whispers, sharing fears and comfort until they were both ready to return to sleep.

As Hunter lay with his head on Blake's bed, he waited to see if Blake's squeeze had been deliberate or some kind of twitch in his sleep. His heart was hammering in his chest in anticipation of Blake's response. He felt two squeezes on his hand. He immediately responded with two strong squeezes of his own. Then Blake squeezed his hand three times. Hunter grinned though he knew no one could see it. He squeezed Blake's hand two times and finally looked up at his brother. Blake was looking right at him, waiting for Hunter to raise his head.

In one fluid motion, Hunter stood and leaned over Blake's bed to hug him fiercely. Though not as strongly, Blake hugged him back. Hunter was unashamed of the tears streaming down his face. He had no qualms about leaning in to give Blake a kiss on his head. His brother was back, and he felt nothing but joy. Releasing Blake, Hunter turned and moved toward the empty bed on the other side of the room. Snatching a pillow from it, he walked around Blake's bed until he was on the left side. As kids, Blake had always climbed into Hunter's bed on the right side so Hunter had to be on the left when he climbed in with Blake. It wouldn't have felt right otherwise. Letting down the guard rail, he settled the pillow next to Blake's and climbed in.

Cam had been startled by Hunter's sudden movement. He was overjoyed to see that Blake was awake, and as Hunter walked past him to get around the bed, Blake gave Cam a little wave. It was nice that he'd been acknowledged, but he felt like an interloper watching something that was far too private for him to share. Mumbling something about letting the others know that Blake had awoken, Cam made a hasty exit.

Both Hunter and Blake watched Cam go, and then they turned toward each other. Blake couldn't really roll onto his side, so he just turned his head. Hunter lay on his adopted pillow facing Blake on his left side. One last rule to follow – Blake always spoke first.

"I hate hospitals."

"I know- you always have. But everything's okay. You're going to be okay." Hunter reached over with his right hand to squeeze Blake's left arm reassuringly; the connection also served to assure Hunter that the conversation they were having was real and Blake really was awake.

"Thanks to you and Cam."

Hunter nodded in agreement. "Thanks to Cam is right. Who knew that Samurai has healing powers hidden up his sleeve?"

Blake's gaze drifted toward the ceiling. "I don't remember what happened…not really." His right hand unconsciously fingered the bandage on his chest. "You were so far away from me, Hunter." Blake shivered with the memory. "But then…you came back. Cam brought you back…" Blake turned his gaze back toward Hunter and was startled by the haunted expression on his face. He reached out with his left hand to take Hunter's left hand in his grasp. It was ice cold.

That's when Blake realized this was one of those talks. A talk that Blake started, but Hunter finished. They were rare, and getting Hunter to the point where he would actually talk about what he was feeling was difficult. It wasn't often that the older Bradley would seek the counsel of the younger, but on some of the darkest of their dark nights, it was Hunter who needed comforting, not Blake.

Hunter couldn't make eye-contact with Blake; instead he looked down at their clasped hands resting between them. He didn't respond at first, but he didn't really have to. In this close proximity, with his defenses way down, Hunter couldn't hide from Blake all that he was feeling. Normally the Crimson Ranger was much more reticent with his feelings; he didn't like to share. But he had come too close to losing his brother to be shy about sharing now.

Blake waited silently, giving Hunter the time he needed to gather his thoughts and get his emotions under control. Blake wasn't surprised to identify joy, panic and anger in the emotional tide around Hunter, but the guilt and failure did surprise him. Hunter also strongly felt that Blake would not forgive him for what he'd done, though exactly what it was that he did escaped Blake. Apparently that's where Hunter's thoughts were most focused, because that was where he started. Hunter's voice was emotion choked and raspy, and even with only a few inches between them, Blake struggled to catch what he was saying.

"I thought you were dead, Blake." Hunter twitched as if voicing the words aloud caused him physical pain – perhaps they did. "I was running to get to you…I saw the whole thing happen. There was nothing I could do to stop it. I watched you as you fell. The light went out in your eyes." A shudder wracked Hunter's body and a peal of thunder responded outside. Blake had to satisfy himself with tightening his grip on Hunter's hand instead of pulling him into an embrace; Blake just didn't have the strength to make that kind of movement, and any interruption might stop Hunter from his recitation.

"I ran toward you…but I couldn't go all the way. I couldn't make myself. There was blood…and water floating everywhere. I couldn't get any closer." Hunter took a deep shuddering breath. "I lost control of everything – the lightning, the storm, everything. I had to destroy the thing responsible for hurting you. It was all I could think of. All I could do. So I left you." Hunter's voice dropped to the barest whisper as he finally looked over at Blake. "I'm so sorry I left you."

Blake looked at Hunter in confusion, not understanding why Hunter was stuck on that moment, when obviously the final result was that Blake had survived. He didn't even know all of that had happened – how could he hold it against Hunter? But Hunter misread Blake's confusion, and in a panicked rush, tried to explain.

"I thought you were dead." He repeated. "All that was left to me was to make sure I put an end to the one responsible. The monster they sent down, Zeltrax, had Conner pinned in this energy dome. I couldn't help you, but I had to help Conner." Now things were becoming clearer to Blake, but he didn't jump in; he just let Hunter talk himself out. "Conner was in agony. I could feel it, just like when you…" He took another deep breath. Then his tone changed; his voice carried his angry determination. "I was going to kill that son of a bitch for what he did if it was the last thing I did."

Though Blake wasn't a mind reader he could feel Hunter's suicidal intentions; he was startled at the depths Hunter was willing to go to avenge him. It was a scary thing for Blake to realize; almost as scary as Hunter to admit it. Blake had always known that Hunter felt responsible for him; it was the whole big brother thing. But he had no idea the level of influence he had on Hunter's actions until Hunter described them this way. Blake felt a great weight settle around him as he realized he was just as responsible for Hunter's life as he was for his own.

Blake could feel Hunter's satisfaction as he recalled the destruction of Zeltrax; but he could also feel how close Hunter was to jumping off the ledge of sanity and how little he cared about his own life without his brother. The intensity of Hunter's anger directed at Cam also frightened Blake. Only the fact that he'd waved to Cam just a short time ago reassured Blake that the Samurai had survived the encounter.

Blake was so lost in his own thoughts and trying to decipher Hunter's feelings that he hadn't responded verbally to anything Hunter had said. Hunter took that as an indication that he was right, and Blake would never forgive him. In a voice that was lost and bereft, Hunter whispered, "I'm so sorry, Blake. I never should've left you. I gave up too soon, gave in to my anger. I'm sorry."

Hunter tried to pull away from Blake, but Blake took the opportunity to pull Hunter in closer. Blake maneuvered Hunter until his blonde head was resting on his shoulder. Reaching over with his right hand, Blake grasped Hunter's left shoulder and tilted his head to the side so he could lean his head against his brother's. It was a difficult way to give at hug, but the best Blake could manage with his injuries and their awkward position on the bed.

Mustering every ounce of power that he had, Blake poured all of his energy into making sure Hunter absolutely understood what he was about to say. "I love you, Hunter. There's nothing to forgive. You and me and Cam…we're all here. And we're going to be okay."

Hunter sobbed in relief as he allowed himself to soak in the sincerity of Blake's response. The power behind Blake's statement left no room for residual guilt or fear. Hunter was utterly relieved to lay down that emotional load. Hunter instead allowed the positive feelings of relief and joy to overwhelm him. He was so overcome with the intensity of all of the emotions coursing through him that they quickly drew him down again into sleep. But not before he managed to give Blake's hand a rapid succession of five quick squeezes.

Translation: I love you too.

TBC

I know these chapters have been short, but I'm just trying to get as much out as I can before school responsibilities really start to kick in. I was so inspired by the idea of the secret handshake-code with Hunter and Blake, that I had to get this chapter out ASAP.

Jenna – The change Kira thought she saw was really all in her head. Sometimes sitting in a hospital room for a length of time does weird things to the way you start thinking – that's what was going on with Kira.

EK – That was one of the things that always turned me off about Lightspeed Rescue – they were totally man-made. (I guess you could argue that about SPD too, but at least they have their genetic powers.) But I always liked Carter.

P-G-W-4Ever – Kim and Kira will be coming up soon. There won't be more on the overheard conversation with Jason and Kim, but the same topic will come up again, so it'll be addressed. Conner – no comment. Adam – no comment. (P.S. I love the Frog!)

No hints on the final ranger count – it's always changing. But I'm excited about another graphic (:dance of glee:)

BridgetLynn – I'm glad I wrote Kira realistically – I was really trying to make her feelings and reaction to the situation real.

Funky in Fishnet – Can't you just see Kim working her way around the room food in hand? Oh, my poor Rocky. I love to beat that boy up emotionally! I'm glad you found it to be powerful – I found it very hard to write. I've been a Haley/Billy fan ever since DT started and I began envisioning Tommy's former teammates interacting with his new ones.

sparxxa – Yep, back already – I'm trying to write as much as possible before school really gets back in gear. Once I'm back to teaching, all bets are off!

CMR – I'm glad you like hearing from individual characters. Sometimes I worry that I focus way to much on people, and not enough on action. Personally, I think I'm better writing characters than action, so I should just stick to what I know.