***"Hey, Kim!" A voice called out behind me as I walked the familiar stone path away from the youth center. Turning, I saw Jason jogging towards me. His hair was combed back on his scalp and I could tell her had just taken a shower. I didn't blame him. The competition had been fierce today in the tournament. He has been covered in sweat at the end of his last match, resulting in a few sweaty hugs to Trini and me before he headed off to the locker room. Jason had his gym bag over his shoulder as he caught up to me.
"Hey, Jase. Feel better now?" I asked. He nodded, running his fingers through his wet hair.
"Yeah. I don't feel like a sweat sock now. Where'd everyone go? I thought we were going o meet at the juice bar to get smoothies."
"Alpha called and needed Billy and Trini for something. Zach went chasing after Angela." I replied. He nodded, glancing around the park.
"How come you stuck around?" I shrugged, tucking my hands into my jean shorts.
"Have no where else to be, I guess." Sighing, Jason wrapped an arm around my shoulders and started walking on the path deeper into the park.
"I know you are worried about Tommy. We all are. We will figure something out and get him back."
"You think so?" I asked, glancing up at him. He nodded, smiling.
"I know so. Just promise me that when he's back to normal, you'll make him take you somewhere really nice for your first date." A blush filled my cheeks as I shook my head.
"Yeah. Okay. What date? There's nothing between us. We had a grand total of one conversation before he turned evil. I wouldn't call that the foundation of a solid relationship in my book."
"Hey, they all have to start somewhere, right?" Shrugging, he pointed at a picnic table off to the right in the gross. Walking over, we sat on the edge of it. I looked at Jason, jealous of his bronze tan. His hours practicing in the sun had done well for his color. Trini and I always tell him how jealous we are of his ability to tan. Trini always burns, and I can never get any darker it seems.
"Jase, would it be wrong of me to still have feelings for Tommy even after all the rotten stuff he's done to us?" I asked, looking out towards the pond. The surface sparkled in the sunlight, people enjoying the view around it.
"No. He's not a different person. He's just not him right now. I don't think it's wrong." Setting his bag on the table behind him, he shifted to face me. "You are a good person, Kim. Nothing could ever change that. The same goes for Tommy. The only reason he's acting the way he is right now if because of Rita's spell. Once we break it, he'll be back to normal and won't be trying to kill us every time we turn around. Don't feel bad because you are having feelings for him. It just means that you can look passed those things to see the real him." He was right. After all this time of feeling silly for how I felt, I knew that it was because I could still see the real Tommy through that horrible spell.
"Thanks, Jase. That was some good advice." I nudged his arm with mine. "You know, maybe you could follow it and talk to a certain yellow ranger friend of ours…" I trailed off. Scoffing, he shook his head.
"Why did I ever tell you that?" He muttered.
"Cause we're best friends and you tell me everything. You should just tell her how you feel. It would make you feel so much better."
"I can't do that. If she doesn't feel the same way, it would make the entire team feel awkward. I can't risk peoples lives over teen hormones." Rolling my eyes, I shook my head at him.
"You're just asking her out on a date. It's not going to put everyone in harm's way." I pointed out. "Plus, if she says yes, you two would be the only Ranger couple."
"You're such a hopeless romantic."
"Well, someone has to be. I'm currently in no position to be living fairytale romances over here. My only chance is running around somewhere, trying to kill me. Let me live my fantasies through you."
"Kim…" He warned.
"Fine. But at least think about it. I know you think it's just a silly crush that will go away but you never know. Maybe you two are meant for something great!"
"The same goes for you and Tommy." He said, smiling at me. "I'm gonna try like hell to get him back for you, Kimmy. Don't give up hope yet."