Aisha rode the elevator back down to the ground floor alone. She was glad she didn't have to make eye-contact or small talk with strangers. Under normal circumstances she wouldn't have minded, but this day had been nothing close to normal and she enjoyed the solitude while she had it. Part of her attention was focused on finding Kim and Kira, wondering where they were and how she'd find them; but another part of her continued to stay focused on Adam and Rocky even though she was no longer physically with them. Aisha had been relieved when Kanoi sent her on this errand, but already she was feeling the need to return to her friends; she hoped Kim wouldn't need her for long.
The elevator discharged Aisha on the ground floor and she followed the signs back to the emergency room. From there she wandered around for a bit searching for Conner's room. She hadn't spent enough time in the ER to become familiar with the layout, though she had intimate knowledge of the burn unit. After a few minutes of fruitless searching Aisha had a moment of panic where she was convinced that all the other Rangers had abandoned them. Then she spotted Dana and rushed toward her.
"Dana!" she called out.
Dana looked up distractedly from the bundle of paper in her hands. "Aisha," she answered back, "is everything okay?"
Aisha nodded her head. "Nothing's changed. Sensei Kanoi sent me down here to find Kim and Kira. Do you know where they are?"
"Kira rushed out of here pretty fast with Kim on her heels. I think she was having a hard time dealing with Conner's parents. My guess is that if Kim caught up with her, they're probably in the coffee shop or cafeteria…Kim feels the need to make sure everyone eats."
Aisha smiled. "I know how that is. I've got to keep Rocky fed." The women shared a chuckle. "Can you tell me how to get to the coffee shop?" Dana obligingly gave Aisha directions then hurried away with her nose deep in the sheaf of papers she'd been reading when Aisha caught her attention.
The coffee shop wasn't hard to find. And the round table where Tommy, Jason and Kim were seated drew Aisha like a magnet. Though she wasn't aware of everything that had transpired while she'd been upstairs with Rocky and Adam, it was evident that something had shaken Tommy badly. Forgetting her own bruised feelings, Aisha rushed forward. She approached the group on Kim's side. Laying a hand on Kim's shoulder she leaned in to speak to her friend. "Can I help?"
"Aisha." Kim acknowledged the new arrival with a relieved yet tight smile. "I'm glad you're here." Kim's expression drew Aisha in closer and she drew the former pink Ranger into a one-armed hug. Aisha caught Kim's eye and asked in a voice she hoped was too low to carry the short distance to Tommy, "Conner?" Kim gave her head a slight shake to indicate that Conner's status was unchanged, but she couldn't elaborate with Tommy in such close proximity.
Jason spoke for the first time since Aisha had joined the group. "Kimmy, you've done the most walking around the hospital, is there anywhere we can go for a little privacy?"
Kim thought for a moment and then nodded. She and Jason rose simultaneously pulling Tommy up between them. Jason pulled Tommy's arm across his shoulder and tried to get him steady before they started walking. Aisha was shocked at the state Tommy was in – she had never seen the former Red Ranger in such obvious emotional distress and it was devastating to see him that way. Kim tried to support Tommy on his free side, but he pulled his hand away so he could continue to cover his face. Aisha hoped Kim could find them a private retreat quickly before Tommy totally collapsed.
Understanding the need to move fast, Kim took the lead. Aisha stepped up to Tommy's side and guided him holding his elbow; Jason was really doing most of the work keeping him upright. The trip through the hospital hallways was a blur to Aisha; she knew if she had to retrace her steps she'd never be able to find their destination, she was far too focused on keeping Tommy moving. She was therefore surprised when Kim declared that they had arrived. Aisha took a look around and was taken aback by the abundance of green. She took a deep breath and inhaled the scent of vibrant, growing things. Kim had led them to the hospital's atrium.
From what Aisha could make out, the atrium had once been an outdoor courtyard. The trees and plants growing there were not planted in artificial beds; the ground underfoot was actual dirt and grass. At some point in the hospital's past, someone had come up with the idea of enclosing the courtyard so that long term patients could enjoy the outdoors without the danger of being rained on. The glass paneled roof of the atrium was about four stories high, giving ample growing room for the variety of trees nestled within. Scattered throughout the wide atrium were many low benches sporadically placed near the wide wheelchair friendly paths.
"This is great, Kim. Better than I expected." Jason said. He didn't lead Tommy to the closest bench, which surprised Aisha. Instead he brought the group to a bench further into the courtyard. There was a tall oak nearby and a small clearing surrounded by a border of pink and purple impatients. Jason let Tommy slump down onto the bench, but didn't sit down next to him; instead he crouched near Tommy's feet in front of him. Aisha slid onto the bench on the side where she'd been supporting Tommy, and Kim worked her way into the other side. Tommy hunched forward with his elbows on his knees and his face hidden once again in his hands. Sitting this closely to him, Aisha could feel the tension he was transmitting from every muscle.
Jason was busily attending to something Aisha couldn't see. Aisha gave Jason a quizzical look; she couldn't figure out what he was doing. She and Kim exchanged a glance; Kim gave her a little shrug. When Jason sat back onto the grass, Aisha got a better look at what he'd been doing. For some reason he had removed Tommy's shoes. And now he was removing his own.
"Jase…what are you…?" Kim began.
Jason cut her off with a look, got up on one knee and turned his attention back to Tommy. He placed his hands on Tommy's shoulders and said, "Tommy…listen to me, bro. You've got to get focused." Tommy made no indication that he heard Jason, but that didn't bother Jason at all; it seemed that he was expecting to get no reaction. Getting to his feet, Jason pulled Tommy to his feet as well. He pulled Tommy forward and wrapped him in a giant hug. He held one hand at the base of Tommy's neck. Tommy's arms were caught between him and Jason, but he did lean his head forward to rest on Jason's shoulder. It appeared Jason was getting through after all.
"Tommy," Jason continued as he held Tommy tightly, "I know what you're feeling…but you can't let it crush you. No matter what you think, those kids still need you…Conner most of all. If you give up on yourself now, you're giving up on him too. You can't do that Tommy. You can't."
Aisha could see a tremor work its way through Tommy's body. The emotion generated between the two men was so powerful that Aisha unconsciously sought Kim as a buffer; Kim was doing the same. The women drew together on the bench and wrapped their arms around each other. Neither one spoke, they did not want to disturb what was happening between the others.
Jason had continued to speak, but now, instead of encouraging Tommy to calm down, he was directing him to breathe. Still wrapped in Jason's embrace, it was clear Tommy was following his directions. Slowly Jason loosened his grip and he stepped back. Now face to face, he and Tommy continued to breathe together. Aisha couldn't tell what signal Jason was looking for, but after a few moments of breathing he moved to Tommy's left side and the directions he was giving changed. Jason called out a starting position for a complex kata that he and Tommy used to practice together. Though Tommy had his back to the bench, Aisha could tell he was already relaxing by the set of his shoulders.
For a few quiet minutes Aisha and Kim sat in companionable silence watching Jason move Tommy through the kata. Now Aisha understood why Jason was so happy Kim had brought them to this place. Here they were surrounded by living plants and running water; it was a far better place to find one's center than the sterile setting of a hospital waiting room. Once Aisha was sure the men were so involved in the kata that some conversation wouldn't distract them, she turned her attention to Kim.
"Sensei Kanoi sent me down here to find you and Kira. Where is she? Is everything okay?"
Kim leaned into Aisha a little. "Kira went into overload when Conner's parents showed up. Luckily her mom arrived at nearly the same time. Between her and Ethan, and a few tricks I shared with her, I think Kira will be okay" Quietly, so as not to disturb the others, Kim relayed everything she knew about Conner's condition, his hysterical mother and the other Dino Thunder Ranger's parents. Aisha listened attentively; she hadn't realized how cut off she'd felt being so far away from the others.
Kim easily picked up on her feelings. "Oh, Aisha!" she pulled the former Yellow Ranger to her in a hug. "We didn't mean to leave you guys alone!" And Aisha, reading the sincerity in Kim's plea hugged her back, feeling reassured and revitalized. Kim insisted on hearing everything Aisha had to relate about Adam and Rocky. Aisha was surprised at how unburdened she felt by sharing her concerns and fears. She only wished Rocky could find the same release.
"I left Rocky with Sensei Kanoi. I don't know, Kim." Aisha shook her head worriedly. "Rocky's never been the type to hold back with his emotions. It's that Latin blood in him…he's very demonstrative." Kim smiled at her friend knowing from past late night girl talks they'd had just how demonstrative Rocky could be. But Aisha didn't smile back; she was worried. "It's like he's crushing himself with his emotions. I can see it happening, but I can't stop it. He opened up a little, but then he shut down again. And he won't let me in – I know it's because he doesn't want me to hurt too…but he just doesn't see he's making things worse."
Kim didn't have an answer, but she did have a shoulder that Aisha freely cried on for the next few minutes. As Aisha cried herself out, her attention was caught by Jason once again. She knew enough about karate to realize that he'd changed what he'd been doing.During the time when she and Kim were talking, Jason was directing Tommy in a kata meant to focus and center the person who was doing it; they stood side by side, mirroring each other's slow movements. But now the Jason's directions had changed; he'd moved Tommy into a combat ready position. Tommy was so focused on Jason's voice; he was so deep within himself that Aisha didn't think he realized how things had changed. She watched them with curiosity.
The final movements of the kata had brought Tommy to stand perpendicular to the bench. In profile, Aisha could see that the expression on his face was deeply relaxed and he stood with his eyes closed waiting Jason's next direction. Jason started calling out attack moves, singular and in succession. Aisha recognized the movements – they were training moves you'd use with a novice. Tommy responded automatically – though his eyes were now opened, he looked like he was in the zone. He was so focused on the feeling of his own body and the sound of Jason's voice that there was nothing else in his universe at the moment. Kim was caught up watching the display as well.
Aisha had forgotten how much she enjoyed watching Tommy and Jason spar. But she was struck with a strong pang of longing for Rocky and Adam. Jason increased the tempo, and Tommy responded. To Aisha it looked like he was much more aware of his surroundings and totally in control of his movements. On his face was a look of anticipation. It seemed now that he understood what Jason was doing he knew what was coming next.
Tommy reset his position and looked at Jason eagerly. Jason gave him a silent nod. Without warning, Tommy attacked. Jason was ready to meet his every move. Tommy was fighting all out and Jason was hard pressed to keep up with him. Aisha could see on Tommy's face that whatever he was fighting against had nothing to do with Jason. Tommy's yells punctuated his punches and kicks. Jason ducked and dodged. He was very much aware of Tommy's injuries and had to hold back in order not to aggravate them. But at the moment Tommy wasn't feeling any pain or holding back at all; it put Jason at an extreme disadvantage.
Aisha could feel that Kim shared her concern. Jason was just letting Tommy pound on him, and if something didn't happen quickly, he could be seriously injured. Aisha didn't see a signal or hear a command, but by mutual assent the fighting stopped as quickly as it has begun. Jason flashed a triumphant grin at Tommy who looked much more like his old self. Then with exaggerated care Jason lowered himself to the bench next to Aisha. "Hey man, I don't have a Power Coin anymore, remember?" he mock complained.
Tommy eased himself gingerly to the ground near Kim and leaned against her legs for support. He didn't see the surprised and happy expression on her face when he settled back against her, but Aisha did. "I'm not the one who engineered this spontaneous spar…" Tommy responded. After a moment, Tommy leaned forward slightly so he could catch Jason's eye. He nodded, and his face was filled with all the emotions he was unable to express. "Thanks."
Jason nodded in return. "Anytime, bro."
Tommy returned to his position leaning against Kim. Aisha didn't think either one of them noticed when Kim started to run her fingers through his hair; it was such a natural motion to the two of them, it didn't seem like anything out of the ordinary. But Jason caught it, and then winked at Aisha. She grinned back. The atrium became silent once again. The four of them soaked in the vitality of the place and the energy of each other. In a short time they felt refreshed enough to face whatever other challenges that the rest of the day might bring them. Kim and Aisha headed back to the coffee shop to get supplies to bring up to Rocky, and Tommy and Jason went in search of Conner's new room.
TBC
Author's Note: Well, school has started. I'm not completely swamped yet…and as a reward for getting my lesson plans organized I let myself write a new chapter! I'm so pleased it came together so quickly – I've got two more in the works:-)
Thank you, as always, for everyone who has taken the time to read and respond. Your amazing support has kept me going for so long, and I hope you continue to enjoy this story as much as I enjoy writing it. Thank you – Etcetera Kit, ljstagflower4e, Jenna Summers, the real vampire, sparxxa, sky's girl forever, TrueRomantic, MzDany, Funky in Fishnet, LeosGurl876, Kaki and Tygerwind8. Thank you so much for all your time and patience! You guys rock!
Tygerwind – you asked why Trent's not in this story – originally when I began writing, I'd only seen the series up through Ocean Alert. There was no White Ranger at that point and very little Trent. However, if I ever finish this story (I swear the end is in sight! Really!) there is a potential (much shorter) sequel. If I write that, Trent will play a part.
Kaki – I can see why you totally relate to Kira. I totally relate to Ethan. Maybe that's why we work so well together :-)
LeosGurl – Thank you for your enthusiastic response. I have thought most of this up on my own – sometimes in the middle of the night. I know what you mean about school, I'll do my best to keep the updates coming.
Funky in Fishnet – Conner's dad really needed to blow off a lot of steam, Tommy was just a convenient target. He'll be learning a lot more about Rangers than he ever imagined, and he won't be able to maintain his anger at Tommy for long.
Dany – You are right about Sensei playing an important role in chapters to come, but maybe not in the way you might expect. Keep an eye out for more than simple "brotherly" feelings with Cam/Hunter. But, you know it won't be that easy, right? I've got to torment them just a little first.. :-)
sparxxa – I changed the rating back, hopefully that will help avoid some problems there's been with placement of this story.
EK – Nothing is ever as simple as it seems. Definitely more of Kanoi to come!
Akume – Kim and the older Rangers have pretty much lost perspective about their own Ranger days – they can't help but seen the current Rangers as kids. It's a perception they just can't shake, and I like that contrast. Conner's past has been haunting me for quite some time and I was so happy when I finally got to the point in the story where I could write those chapters. Dustin will be returning soon, have no fear!