Authors Notes: Oh wow, I'm soooo sorry about the long delay on this chapter. Something about it wasn't sitting right with me, I kept rewriting it over and over. I finally am satisfied with this version. It was also starting to run long so I broke it into two separate chapters. Real life is really taking a toll on my writing time, so updates are going to be more sporadic than I'd like, but hey that's life. I have two jobs, two kids, and summer school, so to my own disappointment this story has taken a back burner. Hope y'all understand, I really want to get this story done, I really do, and I will as soon as I can.

Shoutouts: Keepsmiling- Thank you for crossing your fingers for me. The name of my book is Married to Danger. Hopefully it's a hit, if not I'll try again with something else. Actually it's my original work that inspired this fic. As I was working on my book I kept thinking that I'd like to see Kat portrayed as such a strong character so I did just that with this fic. Speaking of Kat, I agree with you. Jason is so good for Kat. Hopefully she'll get her head screwed on straight and realize that for herself. Maybe she'll come to realize just how much she needs him, or even better, that he needs her. Thanks for the review, hope to hear from you again!

brankel1- As always, it's nice to hear from you! I'm glad that you liked the last chapter, I'm having so much fun writing Lilly. She's kind of combination of my friend's little girl and my own five year old son. Gotta love kids! Hope you enjoy this next chapter.

Ghostwriter- Glad that last chapter was good for you, hope this next one is enjoyable. Gotta love any Jason/Kat time I can give this couple ;)

sz2000- Well, wow, I'll have to make sure to get you a copy of my book once it's printed. We're in the editing and minor rewriting phase right now. I'm so looking forward to seeing my own book on the shelves, it's exciting. I'm glad that I got the military thing right, no one in my family was in the military but my boyfriend is former army, special ops, so I got to pick his brains a bit. LOL I'm glad that you liked that chapter, and who doesn't like sappy romance? I know I adore it! This chap has got some of that too. Couldn't help myself. Hope you enjoy!

Neuanfang- Thank you so much for adding my story to your favs list. Makes my day to find an email like that in my inbox!

Chapter 37

"Are you sure you're ready for this?" Jason asked once more as they arrived at the airport.

"Jason, I'll be fine." Kat assured him. "I have to get my apartment cleaned out and I can't have just anyone do it."

"I know." Jason nodded. "I just... you haven't been in your apartment since..."

"I know." Kat nodded slowly. "I'll be fine."

"All the same, if you change your mind I can clean your apartment and you can stay at the hotel."

"Jason, you worry too much." Kat rolled her eyes as she climbed out of the truck. Jason sighed and followed suit, making sure to lock the doors and grab the suitcase.

It had been three weeks since Kat's release from the hospital, and everyday she was proving what a strong woman she was. Only twice during the past few weeks had she woke in the middle of night from a nightmare. Everyday she wore a bright smile and chatted happily with her family and friends. Her parents had left back for Australia the week before. Todd and Katie had decided to head back to their home too, anxious to wait for their baby, especially after Katie held baby Marcus at the baby shower. John and Heather had planned to stay for an extra week along with Kevin, while Jason and Katherine were in New York, in order to help watch Lilly.

Jason shook his head again as he spotted Kat already halfway across the parking lot from the truck. She had insisted her foot was healed enough to go without the medical boot, while he hated to admit it, Jason lost that argument. The last week she had been nearly impossible to keep up with.

"Come on slow poke." Kat called back to him over her shoulder. Jason snorted, but offered her a half smile before jogging to catch up with her, the two-wheeled suitcase dragging behind him.

"Anxious?" Jason raised an eyebrow.

"We were supposed to be here twenty minutes ago for check in." Kat rolled her eyes yet again.

"That's just a recommended time Snowflake." Jason chuckled. "They can still check in people twenty minutes before the flight, and our flight isn't for another hour and half."

"Enough time for breakfast?" Kat asked.

"If you want." Jason nodded.

"Good." Kat grinned as she took hold of Jason's free hand. "I hear the airport diner has some of the best french toast in town."

"That's the rumor." Jason laughed. As they walked toward the main entrance, Kat let go of Jason's hand and slowly slid hers across his back, drawing lazy patterns against his tight blue t-shirt. Letting her fingers trail lower and lower down his back. "It's not there." Jason said suddenly, causing Kat to look up at him.

"Hmm? Pardon?"

"My wallet, it's not in my pocket." Kat pulled her hand back like she'd been burned and raised a blonde eyebrow at him.

"Who said anything about your wallet? Can't I show you my affection without it turning into a pick pocket event?"

"Sure, but I know you well enough to know that you're not this touchy feely in public without an ulterior motive." Jason grinned. Kat's eyebrow went slightly higher, before she shrugged and marched on ahead of him. Jason's grin broadened in a silent victory as he followed behind his lovely fiance.

The couple quickly checked in at the front desk and passed through security... not so quickly. But finally they were sitting in the diner, which luckily was a short distance from their gate.

"Honestly, did that man think it necessary to search the whole contents of my purse?" Kat grumbled as she slid into the booth.

"He's just doing his job Kat." Jason shook his head.

"Yeah, well, he's just a rent-a-cop." Kat rolled her eyes. "Did you see his eyes pop out of his head when he found my FBI badge in the back pocket?"

"I think everyone saw it." Jason chuckled.

"Should have pulled a double whammy on him, and flashed your AGPD badge." Kat laughed.

"And taken your spotlight away?" Jason shook his head with mock seriousness, to which Kat rolled her eyes.

"Hey, whatever works." Kat grinned. "They seemed to rush us straight through after that."

"At least you didn't have your gun with you." Jason chuckled. "That would have been an event to see."

"She's back in my apartment." Kat shrugged.

"'She'?" Jason repeated.

"'She'." Kat nodded with a serious expression. "I call her Bebe."

"All the time I've spent working with you, I never heard you call your gun 'Bebe' or even refer to it as 'she'." Jason rolled his eyes with a shake of his head.

"I never talked about my gun, and you never asked about it." Kat said matter-of-factly. The couple enjoyed their leisurely breakfast of french toast and coffee as they waited for the boarding call for their flight.

"I was beginning to think we'd never get here." Kat huffed as she opened the door to her apartment for the first time in many months. Due to layovers and delays it was nearly midnight, California time, when the final flight landed in New York. A half hour waiting for luggage, and then another half hour in a smelly cab to her apartment building.

"Six hours in Denver was insane." Jason agreed with a roll of his eyes. "Next time, I make the travel arrangements. Tom and I made it here in under eight hours including layovers. Thirteen hours was just completely ludicrous."

"Not my fault." Kat protested as they stepped inside. She slipped off her shoes and set them beside the door, Jason followed suit. a two hour layover in Denver, it's not as if I went out and sabotaged the plane so we got stuck there longer."

"At least we're here now." Jason sighed as he looked around Kat's apartment for the first time. It was tastefully decorated, reminding him of a cover picture from a Better Homes magazine. Her couch and loveseat were a royal blue with oak finishing, with matching end tables and coffee table. White lacy curtains hung neatly over her full length window with a view. Royal blue drapes were pulled back with white satin ties. Thanks to her location and floor level, he could see out onto the brightly lit city. It amazed him that even at the ungodly hour, the city was still bustling with life.

Perfectly placed pictures decorated the walls, he smiled as he recognized most of the pictures to be of former rangers or her family. Right beside the door was a glass, waist high table. There was a dark blue ceramic bowl, which Kat tossed her keys into, and a clear glass vase with a silk daffodil bouquet. The kitchen was just off to the side, and decorated in cream and accented with the same royal blue. It was a gorgeous looking apartment, though it gave off the feeling of being unused. It was as if it were decorated for nothing but show.

"Have a thing for blue now?" Jason chuckled.

"I uh... I... I didn't decorate." Kat shook her head with shrug. "I hardly spent time in here. It was a Christmas present from my team a few years ago. They felt that my apartment needed more than a small table and heavy blinds over the window so they hired an interior decorator and bought me furniture."

"I figured as much." Jason nodded. "I was going to say that your office had more of your personality than this place."

Kat stared at him in confusion before she remembered that Jason had been to New York already. "Oh that's right, you've been to HQ without me."

"Yeah." Jason replied slowly. Kat gave a final shrug before turning and walking down the hall toward the last door on the left, her bedroom. Jason followed her slowly, waiting to see how she would react being back to the scene of her abduction.

As he feared, Kat stood in the doorway of her bedroom, practically shaking and her feet seemed frozen in place. "Someone finished cleaning the wine out of my carpet." She said softly after a long while.

"Russ said they had your apartment cleaned for you." Jason replied. "Do you want to go to a hotel?"

"No, I... I'll be fine." Kat shook her head and took another few steps into the bedroom, letting a chill ran up her spine as the memory replayed itself unwillingly. She dropped to her knees and flattened herself out so she could peer under the bed.

"Kat!" Jason was quick down to the ground next to her as she rested her head on the carpet, fearing she'd collapsed.

"This is where he was, right there." Kat said just above a whisper as she pointed under the bed with a slightly shaky hand. "I was just like this when I found him. He smiled at me, even greeted me by name. I was so... so scared."

"Oh honey." Jason said softly as his large hand gently rubbed circled on her slender back.

"I guess I was half expecting him to be here now." Kat said with a sad laugh and turned her head to look at Jason. "Waiting for my return."

"He's gone Kat. He can't ever hurt you again."

"Why me, Jason?" Kat said as a single tear slid down her nose. "Why did I survive and so many others didn't? Why couldn't Liz have been the one to live? Lilly needs her. No child should have to grow up without their mother."

"Kat, come here." Jason soothed as he held out his arms for her. Kat sat up and crawled into Jason's lap, allowing him to hold her close and tucked her head under his chin. His strong fingers drew unrecognizable patterns onto her back. They remained silent as they sat on the floor of her bedroom, just being with one another.

"You know what's funny about all of this." Kat said bitterly. Her tone indicating her thought was anything but funny.

"What's that?"

"See how close we are to the closet?" Kat gestured with her chin. Jason looked up and realized the closet doors were only about two feet away.

"Yeah, what about them."

"Watch." Kat stood up from his lap. She opened the door revealing a small box, with a press of her thumb to the small id pad, the box flipped open revealing her morphers and her favored gun. "They were right here, within my reach the whole time. I put them here for easy access, just in case. I could have gotten these out before he even crawled out from under the bed."

"But he sprayed chloroform into your face Kat. Getting your gun wouldn't have done you any good." Jason shook his head as he too stood up.

"But these would have negated the affects of the chloroform." Kat raised an eyebrow as she picked up her zeonizers. She stared at the precious trinkets for a moment before giving a heavy sigh. "I would have loved to have used my zeo blaster on the bastard."

"I bet." Jason nodded. "Either way, he got what was coming to him."

"What about Rachel?" Kat sighed as she replaced her morpher and closed her safe box. "What does she deserve in all of this?"

"I honestly don't know." Jason sighed before sitting down on the edge of the bed. His eyes scanned around the room, noticing that this room seemed to have more Kat-like personality than her livingroom and kitchen. Soft pink shear curtains covered another full length window, with deep rose red drapes pulled back by pink satin ties. The bedspread was the same rose red, with cream colored flowers across the top. The sheets were the same cream color as the flowers. Her bed was a beautiful mahogany sleigh bed, with matching dressers and nightstands on either side of the bed. A bouquet of daffodils sat in glass vases on both nightstands, as well as matching gold and glass lamps with a soft pink shade.

In the corner by the window sat a single, high backed cream colored chair, which Jason knew had belonged to Kat's grandmother. Sitting on the chair were two stuffed animals. A simple pink teddy bear that Tommy had won for her at the fair shortly after they had started dating, and a black panther with a neon pink collar that he had gotten her for her birthday the first year he knew her.

"You still have that thing?" Jason laughed as he stood up from the bed and walked over to the chair, taking the stuffed animal into his hands.

"Of course I do." Kat grinned. "You gave it to me."

"Did I ever explain why I bought you a panther?" Jason chuckled as he turned to look at his fiance.

"No, not that my memory can recall." Kat shook her head. "I never really questioned it, but since you brought it up, why don't you tell me."

"I never really saw you as a crane." Jason explained. "I mean, you are agile and graceful, but the crane never suited you."

"I know." Kat nodded. "I was never attuned to the crane powers. I was so much more comfortable as the pink zeo ranger."

"I bet." Jason smiled. "I was thinking about it one day, what animal you would have gotten if you'd gone on the quest instead of Kimberly, or even in addition to her. I think the panther suits you."

"Really?" Kat raised an eyebrow. "Imagine that, a giant cat."

"You're more like your namesake than you think Kat." Jason chuckled as he moved across the room, taking her into his arms. "You're graceful, agile, sleek, observant, and deadly. The perfect combination for a warrior."

"I wish I could believe that." Kat sighed.

"Someday you'll see what I see Kat." Jason sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. "You're amazing."

"You're the one that's amazing Jason." Kat argued. "You've gone through so much hell in the last few months; From losing your daughter's mother, to my near death, my uncertain outcome at the hospital, and now my slow and unstable mental recovery. I don't know how you keep functioning and being as wonderful as you are."

"You and Lilly are my reasons, Kat." Jason tucked a finger under her chin and gently forced her to look at him. "Everyday that I wake up and see Lilly in her happy-go-lucky mood makes me want to see another thousand years just to enjoy her smile. Every morning that I feel your body heat next to mine, or hear your airy accented voice that I love so much, or see your beautiful blue eyes makes me want to be the best man that I can be." He stared into her eyes, hoping to relay exactly what he was feeling to her.

"You're so cheesy." Kat giggled, breaking the mood. Jason gave a short laugh and stepped away from her.

"But you like it."

"Yeah, I do." Kat said wistfully. "I'm tired, we should get to bed."

"I agree." Jason nodded. "You promised your team that we'd go see them tomorrow... er, today."

"And I'm not buying them coffee first." Kat huffed.

"I don't think they'll mind too badly." Jason laughed before he left the room to get the suitcase still in the livingroom. Kat, in the meantime, took one of her nightgowns out of her dresser. She'd missed having her own stuff right within her reach, it would be so nice to have everything of hers back at Jason's.

Kat paused mid-thought as she stared at her bed. She was already paying shipping for all her belongings, and she did like her bed more than Jason's... Oh well, that was a conversation for later with Jason. They could decide who's furniture was better later.

"So, other than seeing your team, is there anything else you need to do while we're..." Jason paused mid-sentence as he walked into the bedroom. Katherine stood there in a short lavender shear lace nightie, revealing her long creamy legs. Her blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders in waves of gold, covering her nearly perfect breasts from his view. She had never worn anything like that in front of him, and now all he could think was that he wanted to see her in that every night. "Oh Kat." He nearly groaned.

Kat gave him a saucy smile as she crossed her arms around her waist. "You like?"

"Mmm..." Jason hummed as he nodded his head. "Do you have a lot of those?"

"This is my favorite sleep attire." Kat grinned. "I just didn't pack any to California with me, I was, after all, in a house with a small child and no one to wear them for."

"You look good in purple." Jason teased as he sauntered across the bedroom toward her, the suitcase forgotten on the floor.

"I have other colors." Kat replied with a husky tone to her voice, her accent coming out thick and heavy. Jason slowly circled his arms around her waist and gently claimed her lips with his own. Kat wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down harder onto her lips. She carefully caressed Jason's thick lips with her tongue, pulling a deep groan from him.

"The things you do to me woman." Jason muttered as he broke the kiss for a moment. He took a deep breath, inhaling her scent.

"I take it that I have an affect on you." Kat purred.

"One might say that." Jason nodded. Kat let her hands slip from the back of his neck to the front of his chest.

"Jason, I want you." She said softly, just above a whisper.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea Kat." Jason said as he reluctantly pulled away from her. "You've got a lot of recovering left, and me sleeping with you right now isn't..." His words trailed off as Kat took another step forward and gently caressed his throbbing manhood through his jeans. He squeezed his eyes shut as another low moan tore from his lips.

"Tonight, it's just you and me." Kat said seductively. "Help me forget the past Jason, make new memories with me. Please. Don't let my last memory of this place be of my abduction. Be with me Jason. Please, I need you."

"Kat... I... Oh God!" He stuttered as she continued to fondle him through his pants. She had never been so forward and it was killing him to not just throw her on the bed and ravish her, it had been nearly five months since he'd last had her. He craved to kiss her naked skin, caress every inch of her glorious body, and bury himself within her; Even as his mind screamed at him that it wasn't the right time. She was still recovering, what kind of man would he be if he... "Oh God!"

Kat smirked as she felt him twitch in her hand, and his head fell back with his eyes screwed shut. Without a word she dropped to her knees in front of him and made quick work of his jeans and boxers, letting them puddle around his ankles. Jason just barely registered what she was doing and looked down at her just moments before she took him deep into her warm wet mouth.

"Oh Kat!" Jason moaned as his hand instantly flew to her head. His long fingers tangling in her golden locks, more for need of contact than anything. She looked up at him with her big blue eyes, and a knowing smirk at the edges of her pink lips. She hadn't done this to him before, it was something he always wanted but would never ask for. It was a dream come true to have her kneeling before him now. He watched her as she continued to work her magic on him, amazed at how good it felt, even as his logical side yelled at him to make her stop before they did something she might regret.

It didn't take long for the pressure to build up in his loins. His fingers tightened in her hair as he gently tried to get her to stop. "Kat, baby, I'm going to..." He started to say, but she cut him off as she increased her speed and took him deeper still. That was it, he couldn't hold back anymore. He came with a shout and her name on his lips like a quiet prayer.

Kat licked her lips as she stood up in front of her quivering fiance. "Any objections still?" She laughed. Jason took hold of her by her biceps and pressed his lips to hers in a fierce kiss. She ran her slender fingers through his thick hair, letting her nails lightly scratch against his scalp.

"To hell with logic." Jason muttered as he scooped her up into his arms and stepped out of his jeans, leaving them puddled on the floor. He dropped her on the bed, covering her lithe body with his own and slowly kissed along her jawline and down her neck, savoring the taste of her on his tongue. Kat's hands pulled at his shirt, his only scrap of clothing remaining. Jason sat up long enough to allow her to remove it before nearly attacking her neck once again. Kat's fingers roamed all over his bare back, leaving a trail of goosebumps, which she would smooth over again with the palm of her hand moments later.

Jason put an arm behind Kat's back, bringing her up to a sitting position. He quickly stripped her out of the lavender gown, leaving her in nothing but a pair of white lacy underwear. "Hmm, I do believe these have to go." Jason teased as he hooked his thumbs in the waistband and she lifted her hips to make it easier. His midnight eyes locked onto hers as he slowly pulled the material down her long legs. Kat chewed on her bottom lip as he pressed kiss after kiss to her soft skin. Jason smirked as he tossed the lacy garment over his shoulder, not caring where they landed. He began to kiss her legs again, working his way back up her body.

Kat writhed under his kisses as he gently forced her legs apart. Her sapphire eyes locked onto his midnight ones as he offered her a lopsided grin. Slowly, almost torturously, he bent his head down as he gave her the most intimate of kisses. Kat cried out his name as she thrust her hips up toward him. His answering chuckle vibrated through her entire body, sending delicious shivers racing down her spine.

Jason held tight to Kat's hips as her climax tore through her. He crawled up her still quivering body and held her tightly against his chest as he pressed kisses against her forehead.

"That was... amazing." Kat panted as she looked up at him through her thick lashes. Jason smiled warmly at her before claiming her full pink lips with his own. Kat smirked against his lips as she rolled her hips against him, letting his once again hardened member slide across the outside of her thigh. Jason bit back a groan.

Taking charge, Kat rolled Jason to his back and flung her leg over his slender hips, letting him sink deep into her. "Oh, Snowflake!" Jason cried out once he was buried deep within her. He'd nearly forgotten how good she felt wrapped around him as she was now.

"Make me feel again Jason." Kat pleaded as she rocked her hips against him.

"Whatever you need." Jason nodded as he rolled them over once again.

XXXXXXXXXX

The clock on his phone, set to California time, read five am, but outside the sun was shinning and the city was bustling. Then again, New York never seemed to tire. Kat was curled around her pillow, sleeping soundly. Her naked skin glowing in the morning sun.

He'd hardly slept, but Kat had fallen asleep contentedly against his chest. He'd held her for most of the time, until she'd rolled over with her pillow to the position she was currently in. Careful not to wake her, he crawled from the bed and picked up his jeans laying in the middle of the floor. He slipped them on, not caring that he didn't put on his underwear first. He padded barefoot out to the seldom used kitchen and looked around hoping to find a container of coffee. Luckily, Kat had a small can stashed in the freezer.

After setting up the coffee pot, Jason found a phonebook to order some breakfast. He knew they'd have to go shopping if they planned to stay in the apartment for the few days they were in New York, but this morning he wasn't in the mood to find a corner store and leave Kat alone.

Breakfast ordered and coffee finished, Jason made his way back to the bedroom. Kat was sitting up against her headboard as he walked in. "Morning." He smiled at her.

"Morning." She replied back, her eyes staring ahead unfocused.

"Kat? Are you okay?" Jason asked as he slowly moved toward the bed.

"Yeah, I'm okay." Kat replied unenthusiastically.

"Don't try to bullshit me Kat." Jason nearly snapped as he sat directly in front of her. "You regret last night, don't you?"

Kat stared at him wide eyed for a few moments before shaking her head viciously. "No! I don't regret it! It was amazing!"

"Then what's bothering you?" Jason raised an eyebrow.

"I just... I don't feel any different." Kat muttered as her gaze fell to her toes.

"You were expecting that?"

"I don't know. I was expecting... well... something." Kat shrugged.

"Kat, tell me you honestly didn't think that having sex with me would make everything better."

"That's not what I thought, I just... I can't really explain it." Kat shook her head as a single tear slid down her cheek. Jason quickly wiped it away with his thumb as he cupped her cheek with his hand.

"Try to explain it to me." He pleaded softly.

"I was expecting to not... well... maybe not feel him on me anymore. I swear it's like he's haunting me Jason. Everywhere I go, I feel his hands on me. I can still the look in his eyes as he forced himself on me. I was hoping that by making love to the man I love, that I could put him out of my mind." Kat looked up at him with her big blue eyes.

"Oh Kat." Jason sighed as he leaned forward and took her into his arms. Kat buried her face into his neck and hugged him tight. "It's just going to take some time Kat. We can't rush into anything that you're not ready for."

"I don't regret last night Jason, I really don't." she muttered against his skin. "I needed that, I really did."

"So long as you don't regret it." Jason said softly.

"I could never regret you."

"Good." Jason smiled as he released her and stood up. "I ordered us some food, it should be arriving soon."

"Nice thinking Ace." Kat grinned as she slipped out of the bed. Jason bit back a groan as his eyes roamed her still naked body. "I should probably get dressed."

"Yeah." Jason nodded. Kat smirked at him as she made her way to the closet, retrieving a white short sleeved, button down blouse and a pair of black dress pants and then disappeared into the master bathroom. Jason picked up the suitcase and took out his clothing. He quickly dressed in pair of dark blue jeans and a black short sleeved, button shirt.

He had just barely finished buttoning his shirt when the doorbell chimed. He quickly grabbed his wallet and went to the door. After paying for the breakfast, Jason set the table and dished up the food onto plates. Kat sauntered into the kitchen a moment later, fully dressed and her hair brushed back into a low ponytail.

"Smells good." Kat grinned.

"Cost an arm and a leg."

"It's New York, Jase. Everything costs a fortune here." Kat laughed.

"Yeah, I'm learning that." Jason nodded. "We'll have to go pick up a few groceries while we're staying here."

"I thought of that too." Kat nodded. "Come on let's eat, I'm starving."

"Once again, I think you've spent too much time with Rocky." Jason rolled his eyes.

"Shut it." Kat quipped as she took her seat.

"Love you too Kat." Jason chuckled as he joined her at the table with a smile.