Chapter 29 – Red with integrity.

Green with evil, part 5. Fall, 1993.

What a day! What a day the power rangers had.

Rita Repulsa only went and procured herself her very own, evil, power ranger. Juiced up to the maximum with Rita's evil magic. The rangers fought one of their own for the very first time.

And to top it all off. The identity of the evil green ranger was none other than Tommy Oliver. The new Angel Grove High student. He came with a pretty good reputation as a martial artist. And had nearly defeated the undefeated Jason Lee Scott in the finals of a karate tournament.

It looked set to be over. But the red ranger Jason, went one on one with the evil green ranger, destroyed his sword of darkness and defeated him. Causing the spell to be broken in the process.

Tommy was distraught by his actions, but the rangers, Zordon and Alpha 5 explained that it wasn't his fault at all. Tommy was asked to join the team, and he quickly agreed, in the hope of one day, making amends for his actions.

The rangers were exhausted. Mentally and physically drained, but they had managed to make it to the youth centre to celebrate their achievement. They were all sat at a table at the juice bar, having just finished some drinks and some food that Ernie had made for them. They were in good spirits, even though they looked like they would collapse any minute now.

"Hey umm, Jason..." Tommy lowered his voice so that only their group could hear him. To be fair, the rangers couldn't even make out all of his words, he was that quiet. Except Jason two seats away, and Kimberly in the middle of them. "I just want to say, thank you for today, breaking the spell and everything."

Jason smiled up at the new addition to their team. "You don't need to thank me bro. I was just doing my job." A job that was very, very difficult mind you. Jason was beyond tired. If he was being honest, he didn't feel the same after leaving the dark dimension. But he had to keep going. Not for himself, but for his teammates who looked up to him.

The rest of the team leaned in to try and catch every word. They wanted to know exactly what Tommy was saying.

Tommy returned the smile. "You are a true leader Jason. I will do everything in my power to make this up to you."

Jason shook his head. "You don't need to make anything up to us. Just you joining our team will make us stronger and stop Rita from her evil ways."

Everyone beamed at the thought of this, excited to be fighting alongside the green ranger instead of against him.

Tommy reached over and fist bumped the red ranger.

Jason looked up at the clock once Tommy began to talk to the rest of the team. It wasn't late. But he just didn't feel good. He felt weak, he felt sleepy and he felt like he didn't have much energy in him at all. He didn't even eat much of the food of which the empty plates, Ernie was now cleaning up from their table.

Kimberly noticed Jason's eyes, they weren't as alert as usual. The rest of the group resumed talking, not noticing, but Kimberly didn't take her eyes off of Jason's until finally, their gazes met. "You okay?" she mouthed silently.

Jason shrugged his shoulders in response and mouthed the word ' tired'. Rolling his eyes back and mimicking sleep for a second. Kimberly looked beautiful, as usual, but for some reason, his eyes just couldn't focus on her. If his eyes were failing him with Kimberly, he was definitely in need of bed.

"How about we call this a night guys. I'm totally spent." Kimberly said, breaking eye contact reluctantly and looking over at the rest of the guys.

"I agree. It is quite late, and we must all be rather fatigued after today's tribulations." Billy replied.

Zack let out a huge yawn and nodded at Billy. "What he said."

"How's everyone getting home?" Tommy asked.

"Usually, me and Jason go home together because we live on the same street. The rest of the guys go home together since they live in the same part of town." Kimberly said, standing up and collecting her things, glancing at Jason in process, who hadn't even touched his banana milkshake.

"Where do y'all live?" Tommy asked them all.

"We live out towards the West Side. Jase and Kim are just on the other side of the park." Zack answered, knocking back the last of his milkshake.

"Damn. I live right on the other side of town." Tommy said, collecting his things from the table as they all prepared to leave. "But hey, umm. Do you guys want a lift? I go past there on my way home anyway."

"You have a car?" Zack asked, surprised but also impressed.

Tommy gave him a sheepish grin. "Yeah, but don't expect much. It's a crappy Suzuki swift. It was my uncle's old car."

Tommy continued his conversation with Zack whilst they began to make their way out. Most of their group had recently passed their driving test, but had not yet bought a car.

They all said there goodbyes once they were outside. Jason and Kimberly turning left towards the park, the rest of the guys going with Tommy towards his car.

"You look really tired you know." Kimberly told her oldest friend.

"Thanks. Do I look that bad?" Jason replied, quieter than usual, glancing down to his right at Kimberly who had taken his hand into hers, now that they were alone, no questions would be asked of this. They could totally be themselves.

"I never said you look bad." You never do, she thought.

"Mmhmm." Jason teased.

"Are you okay though? We've all had a horrible couple of days. But nobody has had it as tough as you." Kimberly said, tracing the back of Jason's hand with her thumb. He felt chills go up his arm that had nothing to do with the cool winter weather.

Jason glanced down again at Kimberly, this time catching her gaze. "Not really to be totally honest with you. I think I need a good, long sleep." He could always lower his guard a little around her.

"Well, we best get you home real quick then huh. Lucky we don't have school tomorrow." Kimberly rubbed her cheek against his exposed tricep. She had worried herself sick today. Kim cared a lot about her friends, and if something happened to any of them, she would get upset and want to do everything possible to get them back. But today was even a shock to herself. She totally lost herself. The moment Jason disappeared, she panicked. She never expected to feel this strongly, she even surprised herself. Almost scared herself by her reaction.

"Are you okay?" Jason asked her, looking down as she continued rubbing her cheek against his arm.

"Yeah, I just got scared that I- that we lost you today Jase." She lifted her head up to look him in the eyes, almost pleading him never to do that again. "I was so scared."

"Well, I'm here now Kim. I ain't going anywhere."

But even as he said those words, he began to feel light headed. He looked around and saw that they had exited the park and their street was just a few blocks away. Relief.

"I know. But I just wouldn't be able to do this without you." Kimberly moved in front of Jason, stopped them momentarily and looked deep into his eyes.

"Do what without me?" Jason furrowed his brows and tried to focus on her pretty face, albeit feeling very weak.

"You know, ummm, continue being a power ranger." She answered, her eyes flicking down to her feet before meeting his once again, noticing his complexion going slightly pale. "You don't look right Jase. Let's get you home."

Jason gladly accepted Kimberly's hand in his as she guided them towards their street. He could hardly feel his legs any more.

Why did she have to eye up Tommy today. His heart was really hurt by that action. But it was all his fault. He never took his chance with her. In all honesty. He wanted to tell her the truth today. But it seemed like every time he plucked up the courage and decided to tell her his true feelings. Something got in his way. Was this a sign from God to not pursue this?

Not only did they have a horrendous battle and he himself was singled out. But to top it all off, Kimberly looked very interested in the green ranger. She even called him cute! That called for a change of plans immediately in Jason's eyes. And to make matters even worse, Tommy looked to be very taken by Kimberly too. And now with Tommy a part of their team, he had probably lost any chance he had with the pink ranger. Jason was the one who asked Tommy to join them. He knew it would make them stronger. But he also knew, by doing that, he could potentially be ruining any chance with Kimberly. Yet, here she was. With him right now. Not with Tommy. But with HIM. It was just such a shame that Jason was feeling so darn tired in this very moment.

Kimberly continued to walk and talk, but honestly, most of her words didn't register with Jason. He knew they would be home any second, but he was getting worse with each passing second.

Jason's eyes very slowly fluttered open and he felt a sharp pain on both of his knees. The scene was starting to slowly unfold. He felt a warmth at the back of his head and he focused his eyes as everything began to gradually clear.

"Jason! Jason! Are you okay?"

He blinked a few times and finally, he could see Kimberly's upside down face inches away from his. He was laid on the ground, his head placed on top of her thighs, and she was on floor with him, bent down over his face.

"Jase? Thank god. Thank god!"

"W-what happened?" Jason managed to mumble.

"We were walking and you just... You just.. Collapsed." Kimberly explained.

Jason ripped his eyes away from the beautiful, yet worried face in front of him, and looked down his prone body and saw the knees of his red jeans were slightly ripped, with the material seeping a small amount of blood.

"I tried to protect your head Jase, it worked for the most part." Kimberly said, running her hands through his dark brown hair and then proceeding to stroke the red rangers forehead. "Shall I call Zordon to help?"

"No." Jason answered rather sharply. "I'll be okay, thanks to you. I don't want to worry the rest of the team." It was true. He did not want Zordon, Alpha and the rest of the rangers to worry. He did not want to dampen the positive ending to today, and though it was too late for Kimberly, he did not want anyone else to think he was weak. Especially the new member of their team. "Where are we?" he asked, looking around.

"We're just outside our street, look." Kimberly pointed forwards where the road bent to the left leading to their street.

"Hurry, please help me stand up Kim, I can't let my parents see me like this."

Jason placed his hands on the cold ground and twisted to turn towards his friend, who grabbed his hands and assisted him to stand up.

"We can go to my place for a bit, until you're better." Kimberly suggested, happily allowing Jason to place an arm around her shoulder. "My mom's out, and won't be home until late, in case you're wondering." She added before words left Jason's open mouth.

Jason just nodded in agreement. And off they went, at a slow place, on their way to Kimberly's house, just a few short metres away.

"I think she might be going on dates you know. Dad didn't even move out that long ago, but she seems to always go out in the evenings." Kimberly guessed, steadying them both, she could tell that Jason wasn't putting a lot of his weight on her. But she didn't care.

"How does that make you feel?" Jason mumbled, his energy was quite low, but he was still worried about his oldest friend.

"Moving a bit fast for my liking." Kimberly glanced forwards, her house a few feet away now, then she looked up at her friend and saw that he still looked quite pale.

"I'm sorry. You don't need to hear about my shitty life. Not right now. There'll be a better time for it." Kimberly smiled and looked up at Jason, his eyes connecting with hers, even though the connection wasn't very strong right now, it warmed both of their hearts. Unspoken words invading both their minds.

Before they knew it, whilst absentmindedly taking turns to look at each other, they had walked up the drive way and Kimberly propped Jason up against the wall next to her front door. She fumbled around in her purse and found the keys, promptly opened the door and guided Jason into the living room, allowing him to collapse down into a couch.

She knelt down beside him and placed her head on his chest.

"I can't lose you."

Jason opened his tired eyes and thought he was hallucinating. Did she really mean that. Her voice was breaking and she continued quietly repeating the same words in a barely audible whisper. I can't lose you.

"You're not losing me Kim, I'm just spent. I'll be okay. I promise you." Maybe she didn't mean it in the way that Jason was thinking. Maybe he was nothing but a brother to her. That made sense. Of course she didn't want to lose him. She didn't have any siblings.

"I, I just...I Lo... I'll go get you something to drink okay." She managed to fumble out, lucky that Jason was still not yet a hundred percent with it. "Do you need anything else?" She whispered into his chest.

"No Thanks. I'll be okay." Everything I want, is right in front of me.

Kimberly stood up, avoiding Jason's eyes and traipsed off to her kitchen, leaving Jason feeling rather confused.

Their friendship always went beyond what you would call a normal friendship. But either Jason was just not well right now and was imagining things, or then Kimberly was acting very strange.

She returned in no time, clutching in one hand, a large glass of orange juice with a straw, and a damp, folded hand-towel in her other hand.

She knelt down again beside Jason and brought the straw up towards Jason's lips. "Please take a big sip of this. It'll help." She said gently.

Jason did as he was told and took a long pull of the juice. He knew she was right. The natural sugar and vitamins in the orange juice would definitely give him a boost. He now regretted not eating and drinking at the youth centre earlier.

Kimberly set the glass down on the coffee table behind her and brought the hand towel up to his face. "Your head grazed the floor Jase. I did all I could to protect you, but you did get a scrape on the side of your head."

Jason, who was already starting to feel a little better, looked up at Kimberly, who was still avoiding his gaze, and smiled. "When did a little scratch ever bother me Kimmy?"

"This is no time for jokes, Jason Lee Scott." She said softly, though with an air of caution.

This only made Jason smile more, however, it did keep his mouth closed as Kimberly brought the warm hand towel to the side of his head. It stung for a second, but she was being so gentle that it didn't hurt at all for the most part.

They sat in a comfortable silence until Kimberly cleaned the side of Jason's head to her satisfaction, went away to put the towel away, washed her hands and came straight back down to the side of Jason and once again, prompted him to drink more orange juice, again, being careful to not meet his gaze.

"I see you didn't eat much today. I'm going to make you something to eat." Kimberly said, putting the glass back down and turning to leave.

She was stopped in her tracks however, as she felt Jason's hand in hers, gently pulling her towards him. Her body automatically losing any will to leave the room. "All I need is your company. I feel better already."

Kimberly turned around and finally found Jason's eyes again. They were still weak, but much stronger than earlier on. And she found that she was once again, losing herself in his eyes. A warmth spreading through her body, and another feeling that was a little more difficult to describe. Her small hand fit so well in his larger hand. Though his skin was rougher, more rugged compared to her delicately soft skin, it felt so good.

He always managed to somehow put her under a spell and this time, it was no different.

"You would make an amazing mom you know." Jason muttered in slight jest.

Kimberly moved to sit on the edge of the couch and couldn't stop herself from smiling. "Oh, you're calling me old now huh?"

"No... Okay, you'd make an amazing wife too." Lucky bastard, whoever he is.

Kimberly's heart melt like a snow-man in direct line of sight of the searing hot sun. Her smile widened and her head once again found itself on Jason's chest. Was it embarrassment to hide her happiness at his words? Or was it just relief.

She didn't know and she didn't care right now. He was okay. He was here with her. And it still wasn't that late. Her mom wouldn't be home for another few hours.

"You feel up to watching a movie? I'll even let you pick." She murmured, pointing behind her at her nice big stash of video tapes.

"Sure. I should be fine by the end of a movie. Then I can stop disturbing you and get my ass into bed." Jason replied, reaching down and playing with a lock of Kimberly's hair.

"Or you could stay here and I could sneak you upstairs and we can have a sleepover like old times?" She chuckled.

"Yeah, and when your mom catches me, I won't be able to chew my food for at least a month." Jason said with a hearty laugh that brought more relief to Kimberly's heart.

"We'll be quiet." Kimberly said, joking, but also kind of being serious, though Jason didn't know that.

Jason shook his head and smiled brightly, watching Kimberly stand up and move towards the shelf with the video tapes.

"Shall we notify Zordon first though? I don't want you getting any worse." Kimberly asked, turning back to look at Jason.

"No need to worry him or the rest of the guys, trust me, I feel like I'm getting better already." Jason moved his legs off the couch and planted his feet on the floor, sitting up into the couch and sending Kimberly a smile.

"Okay. If you're sure..."

"I am."

"I'm trusting you Jase." She eyed him cautiously.

"You can always trust me."

"I can. And I'm ordering some pizza. I won't take no for an answer."

"Okay. But I'm paying."

"Fifty/fifty."

"You got yourself a deal." Jason smirked and she returned the exact same smirk.

"Okay, well then, what do you feel like?" a big smile now forming on her face .

I feel like you Kim. I feel like you should come lay down with me and fall asleep in my arms.

"Earth to Jason. Which movie? Are you sure you're okay?"

"I was just thinking, geez." Jason chuckled. "Evil dead?"

"I knew it would be a horror." Kimberly grinned and picked out the movie Jason had asked for.

She popped the tape into the VCR and joined Jason on the couch, ordering a pizza while the film was rewinding back to the beginning.

"Hello! Hello! Hey kids. Wake up!"

Jason and Kimberly awoke with their ears ringing. Their eyes slowly began to focus as they looked up and found the faces of a slightly annoyed Karen Hart and to Jason's surprise, his mother was stood right there next to her. Looking even more annoyed. They were both dressed up pretty nicely and had most likely had a ladies night out.

There was an empty pizza box on the coffee table in front of the two teens, the TV was on, showing nothing but white noise. They were both half laid, half sat on the couch, Kimberly's head on Jason's shoulder, with her arm draped over his legs.

They quickly sat up on the sofa and ensured there was at least a foot of space between them. Kimberly was happy to see though that her mom most likely did not go on a date. Unless she counted Jason's mother as a date.

"Do you know what time it is Jason Lee Scott?" Mrs. Scott asked her son.

"Ummm, no mom." Jason did not dare look at his mother. He did not dare look at Kim or her mother either.

"It's nearly midnight. Did you even ask Karen if you could stay at her house?"

"Honestly Jean, that's not really an issue." Mrs Hart told her neighbour before looking at the teenagers. "But you two are quickly growing up. You need to be more mindful about your behaviour."

"What does that mean?" Kimberly stopped attempting to rub the sleep out of her eyes when she heard that last sentence. She instead focused on her mother, intently.

"Well, you need to just be a little more careful. I hope that you were behaving appropriately." Kimberly's mother eyed up the couch and then reverted her eyes back to the pair in front of her.

"Behaving appropriately? We watched a movie and had a pizza. We're nearly 18. What do you want us to do? Play hopscotch and sing nursery rhymes?" Kimberly rebutted angrily.

"I understand that Kimberly. I'm just trying to-"

Kimberly cut her off.

"You are well aware. Me and Jason are best friends right?"

Mrs Hart looked doubtful. "Yes I know. But-"

"But thank God for him because with all the crap going on in my life. If it wasn't for Jason-" Kimberly let out a huge sob and ran to the front door, opened it and disappeared.

"Honestly Mrs. Hart, mom. We were just hanging out and we must have been very tired." Jason explained, glancing at the front door, worrying for his friend. Though secretly, she was a lot more to him than a friend. And he had a feeling that their mothers knew this.

"I didn't mean anything by it Jason. I was just trying to look out for you both. Gosh, I'm failing as a parent." Mrs Hart hung her head in shame, Mrs Scott putting an arm around her shoulders as she began to break down and cry. "I'm taking this all out on my daughter."

"Give me a few minutes." Jason immediately jumped off the couch and ran out of the front door.

He found Kimberly laid on her porch swing. Knees up to her chest, her head in between her knees, quietly sobbing.

When she heard someone approach her, she looked up, her eyes glared, ready to battle. But once she saw who it was. Her gaze instantly softened.

"Hey. I'm sorry Kim." Jason walked over to his friend and sat down at her feet.

"Don't you dare apologise. You've done nothing wrong." Kimberly tried to wipe away her tears with her palms.

"You've had this bottled up haven't you?" Jason asked quietly, gently.

Kimberly nodded her head, not yet matching Jason's gaze, but shuffling her feet under his legs. "They're not even actually divorced yet. I need to toughen up. Because imagine what a mess I'll be when it's finalised."

"I'd be surprised, and honestly, kinda scared if you weren't upset Kim."

Kimberly furrowed her brows and finally caught Jason's eyes. "Why scared?"

"Because honestly, I mean, everyone but psychopath's would feel highly emotional in this situation."

"Oh I assure you, I'm no psychopath." Kimberly said with a smallest ghost of a smile.

"Thank god." Jason lowered his head, and looked into Kimberly's eyes. "But you know I got you right? You know we all have your back. Forever!"

"I know. And I love you all so much!" Kimberly moved forward and slid into Jason's lap. This was her safe place. If only Jason felt the same way about her. It would be so much better. But she didn't want to think of that right now. She wanted to cherish him here right now. Making her feel better. She closed her eyes and felt his presence and touch calm her down. A wave of relaxation sliding up her body and into her mind.

Jason loved this. He loved being able to calm Kimberly down like nobody else. It didn't happen as much anymore. As they got older and became power rangers, times like this began to become less frequent. But it was like an unspoken agreement between them. They missed this.

If only he told her how he truly felt. If only she felt the same way.

Jason silently shook these thoughts of his head. He glanced down at her curled up in his lap, in his arms and smiled. She obviously felt some way about him. The proof was right there in front of him.

He silently held her for a minute or two, before glancing at Kim's front door. "We should probably..." he murmured reluctantly.

Kimberly nodded her head and unwillingly moved back onto the swing. She wished she could stay there all night. "I'm sorry. This is the last thing you needed. How are you even feeling?"

Jason shrugged his shoulders and frowned his lips slightly. "I think that bit of relaxing, the pizza and our little nap really helped you know. Don't worry about me."

"You know I always will." Kimberly replied with a smile. "But promise me something?"

"Yeah?"

"If you feel even slightly light headed later on. You're going to call Zordon." She whispered into his ear, making his neck tingle.

"Deal." Jason gave her a smile before nodded back at the house. "What you say we go back inside and hear them out? Your mom hated that she upset you ya know."

"Did she?"

"Yeah. I think she started crying. It's pretty hard for her too Kim. But you know she loves you."

Kimberly looked over at the front door and then back at Jason, feeling slightly guilty of the way she spoke to her mother. "Okay, let's go inside." But she also stood by the fact that two friends watched a movie and ate pizza together. Falling asleep because they had a horrible day as power rangers. "We know we didn't do anything." She added.

"Exactly. We're innocent."

Kimberly nodded her head. If he or her mother knew what was going on inside her head, innocent would not be the word they'd use.

She accepted Jason's hand however and followed him inside, sneaking a look at his butt before they caught sight of their parents again.

"I'm sorry Kimmy. I didn't meant it like that baby." Mrs. Hart immediately ran towards her daughter and enveloped her in a tight hug. Both ladies beginning to cry together.

"I know mom. I know. I'm sorry too." Kimberly sobbed.

Mrs Scott nodded at Jason and signalled for them to leave the mother and daughter alone. She grabbed Jason's hand and began to take him with her.

Kimberly grabbed Jason's other hand as he began to walk past them, whilst still embracing her mom, it was like a weird game of tug of war that Jean Scott wasn't aware of.

Kimberly didn't want to let go of his hand. She closed her eyes and wished she could rewind time back to the couch earlier on. She remembered watching Jason falling asleep. She remembered placing her head on his shoulder. She remembered listening to his steady, calm heartbeat. She remembered draping her arm along his waist and nestling her head into the crook of his neck and she remembered feeling like all of her problems melted away. She now wanted that back. She wanted to experience that every night.

It was such a shame that everyone viewed them like they were siblings. She wanted to ask him if HE viewed them as siblings. But she couldn't. That would ruin everything.

She felt his hand slip away. Their fingertips touched, it felt like years that their fingertips clung on to each other for dear life. Until finally, she felt him no more.

She snapped open her eyes in time to watch Jason leave her house. But not before glancing back at her. Giving her his trademark, comforting smile.

She felt warmth spread from her toes to the top of her head. Her heart skipped a few beats. She felt for that split second, that maybe he shared her beliefs. Maybe he didn't see them as siblings. Maybe her secret would be out and she prayed to God that Jason would reciprocate her true feelings.

Maybe one day, they'd have their time.

Hope you like the chapter guys. I'm dipping into the past again in order to add some depth to the next few chapters.

Stay tuned .