What Was Lost: The Return Home

by superdory57

When life happens people change and time can pull apart even the closest friends. That doesn't stop the rangers from coming together when the world needs them. Will the original rangers be able to come together to save each other from themselves? Will the rest of the rangers be able to keep them safe from a threat unknown? And what does Jason's wife have to do with it?

2. Chapter 2 Making Plans

Sunday March 25th, 2018

Reefside, CA

Knocking on the door, Adam and Tanya waited a moment for an answer. They'd just arrived in Reefside to pick up Rocky's car. When no one came to answer, Adam knocked again and tried the handle. The door was unlocked. He started to open the door and let himself and Tanya in and then hesitated.

"Maybe we should check around back?" Tanya suggested, seeing Adam's hesitation. "They wouldn't hear us if they were in the backyard."

"I think that's a good idea," Adam agreed. "I think they've had enough people just let themselves in for a little while."

Tanya nodded and they both walked back off the porch and headed around the back.

"Tommy! Kat!" Adam called as they went. "We're here!"

"In the backyard!" they heard Tommy respond.

They found Tommy on the back porch standing next to the grill. JJ was sitting on the ground nearby surrounded by tools and bike parts. His bike frame was behind him. Adam and Tanya joined them on the porch.

"I left the door unlocked," Tommy said as they walked up. "You could have come in the front. Trent and Kira just left a little while ago. They'll be back later tonight after Rocky's car is out of the way."

Adam shrugged.

"I figured enough people have let themselves into your house in the last week. I didn't want to add to that for a little while at least."

Tommy nodded, glancing over at JJ who was fussing with part of his bike.

"Well, you're here in time for lunch," Tommy said. "I had to raid the freezer this morning."

"Yeah," JJ snorted. "Cause I tried to have cereal for breakfast and the milk was bad. And the orange juice."

"And most of the rest of the contents of the fridge…" Tommy sighed. "It didn't get shut all the way before JJ came out looking for me… Kat is at the store right now—Trent and Kira took her. But she should be back soon."

"So, you are grilling and taking apart JJ's bike while you wait?" Adam asked. "Anything we can help with?"

Tommy shook his head.

"I've got the grill under control," he said. "And unfortunately, we can't finish fixing JJ's bike without getting a new chain. I didn't have one in the garage. I think the rest is good to go, though. We just have to put it back together."

Adam and Tanya sat down as they continued chatting with Tommy for a while. Tommy alternated between checking on the food and helping JJ piece the bike back together. A phone ringing interrupted Tommy as he was helping JJ hold two pieces together.

"Give me a second, kiddo," Tommy said, pulling the phone out of his pocket.

He looked at the caller ID and straightened up, walking out into the yard as he answered it.

"Hey—Ok, I can't talk to six of you at one time over the phone. Give Cam the phone—because six voices at once is too many on the phone and he'll actually listen first."

The conversation trailed off as he moved further away. When he eventually came back, he was shaking his head. Adam and Tanya exchanged an amused look—they knew who he had been talking to.

"Checking on you?" Adam commented.

"I'm sure there will be more," Tommy said, checking on the food before sitting back down with JJ. "Everyone knows I have the phone again…Maybe I should have waited a little while to send out that message…"

Adam chuckled as Tommy went back to helping JJ. A little while later they all heard a car pull up.

"That should be Kat," Tommy said, glancing up from JJ's bike.

Tanya and Adam exchanged a quick look of agreement.

"We'll go help her unload the groceries," Tanya said, standing up.

They headed back through the house as Tommy stood up and wiped his hands off.

"You, too, JJ," Tommy said. "Go help your mom."

JJ stood but hesitated. Tommy who had gone back to check the food on the grill, glanced back to his son.

"Go on," he encouraged. "She probably got you a treat—and if you don't go help, she'll just end up hiding it. Then you'll have to earn it."

JJ scrambled into the house as Tommy watched him go, chuckling. When JJ came back a little while later, he was taking a bite out of a giant cookie.

"Really?" Tommy said, raising an eyebrow. "You couldn't wait until after lunch?"

JJ paused, swallowing the bite he had just taken.

"I was hungry…" he mumbled.

Tommy sighed, shaking his head as Kat came out of the house with Tanya and Adam.

"JJ, you still haven't eaten lunch," Kat sighed as she saw he was already eating his cookie.

She walked over to Tommy and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Tommy paused and turned to pull her into a hug. Kat tensed a little but didn't pull away immediately.

"Can you add this to the grill?" she asked, stepping back a moment later. "I picked them up at the store."

She held up a package of shrimp. Tommy smiled and nodded.

"I'm assuming you don't want me to grill the chocolate, though," he said, seeing the bar in her hand.

Kat shook her head.

"No, this is my treat," Kat answered. "I got you something, too. It's in the kitchen."

"It's not a cookie, is it?" Tommy asked as he added the shrimp to the grill.

"No, it's not a cookie," Kat smirked.

Shaking her head, Kat turned to Adam and Tanya.

"Now that groceries are unloaded—hi!" she said brightly. "Where are the girls?"

The three of them joined JJ at the table where he was still munching on his cookie.

"I was actually wondering the same thing," Tommy said. "Because I'm assuming you didn't leave them with Aisha and Rocky."

Adam and Tanya both shook their heads.

"Rocky has his hands full enough with his own family," Adam chuckled. "Aisha is rather determined to keep her eyes on him right now."

"Which is why we are getting his car," Tanya added. "We left the girls with Adam's parents."

"Don't you normally spend Sunday mornings with them?" Tommy asked, glancing over.

Adam nodded.

"Usually," Adam said, hesitating a little. "But with everything that was going on we had cancelled… We wanted to be with Aisha—and be careful not to involve my parents if it wasn't over…"

Tommy and Kat both winced and nodded in understanding.

"That was probably a good idea," Kat admitted.

"But his parents were glad to see the girls as a morning surprise," Tanya said. "We had already told Rocky we'd take care of his car problem for him and that seemed like a good solution. We weren't sure having them running around the house when you just got home last night was a good plan."

"It would have been fine," Kat said, shaking her head.

The group talked for a little while longer until Tommy declared lunch was ready. Moving inside they sat down to eat. Everyone dug in except Tommy, who was mostly just pushing food around his plate as they talked and only taking a bite here and there. Kat eyed him from her seat, sighing.

The front door opening drew all of their attention temporarily away from lunch, however. Tommy started to stand up and then Hayley walked into the kitchen.

"Your driveway is getting a little crowded," she said, walking right over to the group as Tommy sat back down. "Oh! That looks delicious."

Hayley grabbed an extra fork off the table and stole a piece of food off Tommy's plate.

"Hey—what are you doing?" Tommy protested.

"Tasting," Hayley smirked, going for another piece.

Tommy shifted his plate out of the way.

"Get your own," he said irritably.

"Why?" Hayley asked. "I already ate lunch, so I don't need a full plate—and you have a lot on yours."

Tommy scowled and shifted his plate again when she tried to take another piece of food.

"What are you even doing here?" he demanded.

"You need a phone, remember?" Hayley said, raising an eyebrow.

"I have a phone," Tommy muttered, taking a bit of his lunch.

"Really?" Hayley scoffed.

Tommy reached into his pocket and pulled out a black cellphone. Hayley rolled her eyes.

"That does not count as having a phone," she said.

"Really? Then why do people keep calling me on it?" Tommy retorted. "It's been going off all—"

The phone started ringing and Tommy sighed. He stood up from the table as he answered it.

"Hey, Maddie," he said, starting to walk away from the table. "No, I'm fine."

He paused and turned around. Shooting a look at Hayley, Tommy snatched his plate off the table and walked away to continue his conversation in the other room. Hayley just smirked and took his seat.

"Works every time."

"Only for you," Kat muttered. "If I try that he just lets me eat it…"

"That's because he loves you and would rather make sure you have enough to eat," Hayley said, shaking her head. "You come first. Me? He's not about to share with me without good reason."

"Where's Billy and your girls?" Tanya asked.

"I left the girls at the café for a little while," Hayley answered. "They are keeping my staff on their toes. And Billy is finally sleeping."

"At one 'o clock in the afternoon?" Adam said, a little surprised.

Hayley sighed, shaking her head.

"He's hardly slept for the last week," she admitted. "First, we were busy with our project and then people started disappearing… it's been a long week on both sides of the problem. And then he wouldn't come to bed last night until he finished wrapping all of the paperwork up so To—so no one else had to deal with it. He insisted I needed to sleep, too, and wouldn't let me help."

Kat, Tanya, and Adam exchanged amused looks.

"That seems about right," Kat smiled.

Tommy walked back in and stopped, scowling at Hayley.

"Get out of my seat," he said, setting his plate back down.

He'd eaten most of the food while he was out of the room. Hayley didn't argue, giving Tommy his seat back.

"A little snippy today, aren't we?" she commented.

"Why are you here again?" Tommy retorted.

"Cellphone," Hayley said. "You need a new one. And, again, the—business—one doesn't count."

She pulled a cellphone out of her pocket and handed it to Tommy. He stared at it for a moment.

"It's already set up and ready to go," Hayley told him. "I downloaded everything from your most recent backup. So, it is secured and ready to use."

Tommy grumbled but took it from her.

"Thanks," he said. "Now either get a plate and sit or get out of here. We are trying to eat lunch. There's an empty chair over there."

Hayley shook her head.

"I do actually need to get back to the café," she said. "I was gone a lot longer than I originally planned and I have a lot to catch up on. Plus, I really shouldn't leave the girls alone with a café full of high schoolers for too long. Chaos could happen very quickly."

Hayley turned to go, pausing in the door.

"JJ, make sure your dad behaves himself," she said with a smirk.

"I will, Aunt Hayley," JJ grinned.

After lunch was finished and they cleaned up, the adults moved to the living room to talk. JJ had been sent off to entertain himself for a while, but he kept popping back into the room and interrupting their conversation.

"JJ," Kat sighed as he wandered through again. "Shouldn't you be working on your homework? And I believe you still have some chores to finish."

"I finished my homework already," JJ protested.

Tommy shook his head.

"You missed four days of school, kiddo," Tommy said. "You need to read ahead a couple of chapters from where you left off, so you won't be behind."

"And get your laundry all together so I can wash clothes tonight," Kat added.

"But…" JJ started to argue.

"Go on," Tommy said. "And if you need any help let me know. I'll be right here."

JJ nodded reluctantly, hesitating for a few more moments before finally leaving the room.

"How's he doing?" Tanya asked after he was gone. "He seems a lot clingier than he usually is…"

Tommy and Kat both sighed.

"Honestly?" Tommy said. "He hasn't had this much separation anxiety since Kat dropped him off for his first day of kindergarten. He slept on our floor in a sleeping bag last night—didn't make it fifteen minutes in his own bed."

"It has only been one night though," Kat said. "But he also is having a hard time letting Tommy out of his sight at all. Which I'm sure has everything to do with seeing Tommy ambushed by Draven…"

Kat glanced over at Tommy as she spoke, her voice quiet to make sure JJ didn't overhear anything. Tommy flinched but didn't disagree. Adam and Tanya exchanged understanding looks.

"We'll get through it eventually," Tommy said after a moment.

"Have you thought about therapy?" Adam asked. "After everything that happened it couldn't hurt…"

Tommy and Kat both shook their heads.

"We aren't saying it's a bad idea," Kat said. "But…"

"The problem is there really isn't anyone he can talk to," Tommy said. "Not about what actually happened. We would be happy to talk to him, of course, but we're his parents. It's not the same. He's not going to be able to tell us if we are part of the reason he is stressed or anxious…"

He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face.

"But we only just got home last night. He just needs more time. We'll figure it out together a little at a time."

"JJ really should see someone…" Tanya said softly. "It's not just going to go away."

"We know, Tanya," Kat said, shaking her head. "But he can't share everything. Not really. And how would we define what he can and cannot share? JJ wouldn't even be able to tell them the basics of the problem. Where it all started. He can't tell them what he saw or who took him…"

Tanya glanced over at Adam who nodded with a smile.

"He could talk to me," she said, turning back to Tommy and Kat.

Kat and Tommy looked at her in surprise for a moment. Then both of them shook their heads.

"We can't ask you to do that," Kat said. "You already have a full client list—not to mention keeping up with your own family."

"Plus, you have to deal with Adam and Rocky and whatever chaos they cause on a weekly basis," Tommy added with a grin, looking at Adam.

"Wow…" Adam said. "Guess you're feeling a little better."

Tommy just smirked at him. Tanya and Kat both rolled their eyes.

"It's really not a problem," Tanya insisted. "I have a few clients who have been doing really well and are going to be cutting back on hours anyways. You can just bring JJ to the house, or we can even video call on days when you can't make the drive. Though I think it would be best to have the first couple of sessions in person if possible."

Tommy and Kat exchanged looks, hesitating.

"Tanya, I don't—" Tommy started to say.

"I want to do this," Tanya interrupted before he could finish his protest. "It isn't just that I'm able because I have some extra time. I want to help JJ through this. It will be good for him now and in the long run. And he can talk with me without anyone worrying about him oversharing."

Exchanging a look again, Tommy and Kat both nodded.

"We'll talk to JJ about it and see how he feels," Kat said. "Thank you, Tanya."

Tanya smiled.

"You know, it wouldn't hurt you two to talk to someone, too," she pointed out.

"Nope," Tommy said, shaking his head. "We are both too close to you. It would be awkward."

Tanya rolled her eyes as Adam chuckled at her reaction.

"I wasn't suggesting myself," she said drily. "Just that it would be a good idea. You are both able to talk about things without actually talking about them."

"I know what you mean," Tommy sighed. "But it doesn't actually help like it should. I've tried—we both have. If they are a good therapist, they notice when we leave things out or cover them with something. Then they try asking questions we can't answer, and it ends up not helping anyways… I appreciate your concern, though."

Tanya smiled. The conversation moved on and they talked for a while longer. Eventually JJ came back with some of his schoolbooks and curled up on the couch with Tommy to read.

"I think we'd better get going," Adam said a while later, glancing at the clock. "We have a long drive home and still need to pick up the girls. Rocky is going to want his car back at some point tonight."

"Even though Aisha said she gets the keys," Tanya laughed.

At the mention of keys Tommy frowned and looked over at Kat.

"Adam—did Rocky send a spare set of keys?" he asked.

Adam shook his head.

"No. Why?"

"We didn't find them when we were cleaning this morning," Tommy said. "Trent came by to pick up his car—and drop off my backpack—and we couldn't get his car out with Rocky's in the way. But his duffle bag is over there. You should probably take that with you, too. I stuck his phone in there."

Adam sighed and stood, grumbling about Rocky and keys as he strode over to the duffle bag. Crouching down, he started digging through the bag in the hopes Tommy had missed the keys.

"I'm going to kill Rocky if I have to make another trip," Adam muttered.

"We have to move it tonight," Tommy said, shaking his head as he stood and walked over to join Adam. "Trent is coming back for his car, and I need my truck for school in the morning. So does Kat."

"You could just drive through the backyard, dad," JJ piped up.

Tommy shook his head.

"I don't want to do that again," he said. "I won't have time to fix the yard for a while. Besides, Trent is going to need his car back, too, and his isn't going to make it through the backyard and out."

"I can call Rocky," Adam said. "Maybe he and Aisha can—"

"Don't worry about it," Tommy said, shaking his head. "I have a plan."

"What plan?" Adam asked suspiciously.

"I'll just hotwire his car," Tommy said with a shrug. "JJ—get the tools."

JJ immediately hopped up from the couch.

"Ok!" he exclaimed excitedly.

"No," Kat exclaimed. "Don't you dare, Tommy."

Tommy turned to look at Kat.

"Why?" he asked. "It isn't one of our cars."

"Because you shouldn't be teaching JJ how to hotwire a car," Kat retorted.

"But mom, I already know how to hotwire a car," JJ said, stopping next to Tommy.

Tommy winced as Kat turned on him.

"Thomas Oliver!" she snapped, glaring at him with her hands on her hips.

"Too much information, kiddo," Tommy muttered to JJ. "Remember when I said not to bring certain things up around mom? You only tell if she asks you specifically about it. That way you aren't lying but she still doesn't know—that was not a direct question."

"Sorry, dad," JJ muttered. "Wait—what about Aunt Hayley teaching me to pick locks?"

Kat sputtered at the new revelation. Tommy just shook his head.

"That's Hayley's problem," he said. "Come on."

Despite Kat's protests, Tommy headed outside with JJ in tow.

"Rocky is not going to be happy about this," Adam called after him.

Tommy paused in the doorway, looking back to grin at Adam.

"It's easy enough to replace the ignition," he said with a smirk. "And, if he's nice, I'll even come replace it for him myself before he goes back to work next week."

Tommy disappeared out the front door with JJ. Kat and Tanya exchanged a look and then followed. Adam groaned, continuing to dig through the duffle. He finally found the keys and breathed a sigh of relief. Slinging the bag over his shoulder, he ran out after Tommy.

"Tommy, wait!" Adam called, jogging out of the house. "I found the keys."

Tommy sighed, turning to look at him in disappointment.

"Man," he muttered.

"Hey, I didn't say you couldn't do anything to Rocky's car," Adam grinned. "I just don't want to chance being electrocuted if I have to restart the car between here and Angel Grove for any reason."

"Fair," Tommy admitted.

He paused, thinking for a moment.

"JJ—get the airhorns from the garage," Tommy said. "We'll rig the trunk."

"Ok!" JJ said eagerly, bolting for the garage.

"Tommy!" Kat exclaimed. "Why on earth would you do that to one of your best friends? Especially after the week he's had—you're going to give him a heart attack."

"Nah, he'll be fine," Tommy said, shaking his head. "He's in good shape—right, Adam?"

Adam nodded, grinning.

"He does do a lot of cardio," he said.

"See?" Tommy said. "Rocky will be just fine. It'll keep him on his toes."

Kat rolled her eyes as JJ came bolting back.

"But why, Tommy?" she sighed.

"Because this is how guys work, mom," JJ said, shaking his head. "Here, dad! I found three."

He handed three airhorns over to Tommy. Adam raised an eyebrow.

"Why do you even have those?" he asked.

"Homecoming parade," Tommy shrugged.

"You have a lot of weird things," Adam said, shaking his head.

"You have no idea," Tommy chuckled. "Part of being a teacher. JJ—I'll also need duct tape and either string or wire."

JJ nodded and took off again. Tommy turned back to Adam.

"You are going to make sure he knows I'm not responsible, right?" Adam asked, crossing his arms.

"Of course," Tommy grinned. "I'll just leave him a note addressed to Ape-boy. He'll know it's from me."

Adam snorted.

"Yes—yes he will."

Kat sighed, shaking her head. She and Tanya were standing on the porch listening to their husbands.

"You know, I really would have thought the two of you would have been over this kind of stuff a long time ago," she said. "It was one thing in high school, but now?"

Adam and Tommy both shrugged.

"I put salt in Rocky's cereal last week," Adam said with a grin. "He thought it was Damien."

"Brilliant," Tommy laughed.

Adam laughed, too.

"I have to take advantage while Damien is too young to correct him," he grinned. "And I make sure to not get him in trouble."

Kat and Tanya both sighed, exchanging looks.

"You two are grown men with children of your own," Kat pointed out. "You should behave better than this."

"But mom, they have to teach us," JJ protested, coming back with a roll of duct tape.

Tommy laughed as Kat rolled her eyes again.

"Kat, sweetheart," Tommy said. "You weren't there at the time, but this isn't even the worst. You should have seen some of the things Zach and I did to each other in high school."

He paused, a thoughtful look on his face.

"I should call him," he said, glancing at Adam. "I haven't pranked Zach in a long time. Kat—how would you feel about Zach coming over for a weekend?"

Kat immediately started shaking her head.

"Not if you are going to spend the whole weekend pranking each other in my house," she said, crossing her arms.

"I'll keep it outside," Tommy promised. "Oh!"

He grinned, taking the tape from JJ.

"I'll just take Zach for a walk in the woods."

Kat rolled her eyes.

"Tommy…" she sighed.

"Dad, are you really gonna try and scare him with that lame monster-in-the-woods thing?" JJ asked.

Tommy looked at JJ, raising an eyebrow.

"What?" JJ said. "I know it's not real even though you, Conner, and Ethan have all tried to convince me. If you wanted me to believe you then you all should have gotten your stories straight on what the monster is."

"Uh huh," Tommy smirked, glancing at his friends. "You still aren't allowed past the boundaries."

Adam, Kat, and Tanya were all stifling smiles. They all knew exactly what was living in the woods behind the house and why JJ wasn't allowed back there.

"Yeah, yeah," JJ muttered. "I know… There isn't a monster but there are still dangerous things in the woods, and I could get hurt."

Tommy ruffled his hair and JJ protested.

"You forgot the wire, kiddo," he said. "And grab a piece of paper and a pen while you're in there so I can write a note."

JJ ran back into the garage again. Adam was examining one of the airhorns.

"So, how does this work?" he asked, looking at Tommy.

Tommy held up a second airhorn.

"They are the kind with a pin," he explained. "So, what we do is tape down the button and rig the pin to pull when the trunk opens. Once the pin is pulled, they will go off all on their own—and they won't stop until he gets the tape off or destroys them."

Adam started laughing. Their wives just rolled their eyes again.

"Your evil side is showing a little, Tommy," he laughed.

Tommy grinned.

"And I just thought of the perfect way to prank Zach," he said. "Kat, I need to record myself laughing. We'll also need some speakers I can set up hidden in the woods."

Adam started laughing harder as he realized what Tommy was planning. Tanya snickered a little, too.

"Zach will kill you," Kat said. "He's going to kill you and never speak to you again."

"Nah, he'll forgive me eventually," Tommy said, still chuckling to himself. "Once he calms down and realizes it was just a prank. He might plan revenge, but he'll forgive me."

"You'd better warn Billy ahead of time if he's here," Adam pointed out. "Or Hayley will kill you for freaking him out."

"Are you kidding?" Tommy said, raising an eyebrow. "He'll help me set it up if I give him a chance."

That just made Adam laugh again. Tanya wasn't able to stop herself, either, and Kat finally gave in and joined the laughter, too.

Monday March 26th, 2018

Reefside, CA

"JJ, hurry up!" Kat called up the stairs. "We need to leave for school."

She sighed as she double checked to make sure she had everything she needed for school. JJ had been stalling all morning and she needed to be at school early that day. As she waited in the hallway, Tommy came walking out of his office. He was dressed for school and tucking a few more things in his briefcase. His backpack was slung over one shoulder.

"Still hasn't come down?" he asked, glancing up the stairs.

"No…" Kat sighed.

Tommy looked at his watch.

"Why don't you head out?" he said. "I'll get him to school. I know you need some extra time to get lesson plans together this morning."

"That would be great," Kat said. "I really do need to get going. I'm hoping if I slip in quietly I'll be able to avoid the other teachers—I still don't know what to tell them."

Tommy sighed, rubbing the back of his head.

"I'm working on it," he said. "But we kind of fell off the grid rather abruptly. I'll figure it out."

"I know," Kat smiled.

She gave him a kiss and headed out. Tommy set his stuff by the door. He headed upstairs and stopped in the doorway of JJ's room.

"You ready to go, kiddo?" he asked with a smile. "You're going to make me late."

JJ was sitting in the middle of the floor, slowly putting books in his backpack. When Tommy spoke his head shot up.

"Where's mom?" he asked.

"She left without you," Tommy said, crossing his arms as he leaned against the door frame. "And we need to get going. I need to talk to Ellen before classes start today."

"I'm coming," JJ grumbled, shoving the last book in his bag.

Scrambling to his feet, he followed Tommy back down the stairs. Tommy grabbed his bags on the way out the door and shut it behind them as they headed toward his truck.

Pulling up to the school a little while later, Tommy parked his truck and looked over at JJ.

"Make sure you ask for your make-up work," Tommy said. "I'll help you with it tonight. Ok?"

JJ nodded. He hadn't unbuckled or moved to get out of the truck. Tommy watched him for a moment.

"Go on," Tommy said. "I'll see you after school, alright? And if you need anything I'll have my phone with me all day. You have yours, right? Your mom was going to let your teacher know you'll have it with you today."

JJ nodded.

"Do I have to go to school today?" he asked quietly.

"I'd like you to try," Tommy said. "Mom is going to be in the building, too. And I'm going back to my classroom. Got to make sure no one destroyed it while I was gone."

"Uncle Anton wouldn't let them," JJ snorted.

"Not on purpose," Tommy chuckled. "Now go on, kiddo. I'll see you after school."

JJ sighed, but he unbuckled and climbed out of the car. Tommy stayed parked to watch him walk inside. Once JJ had disappeared into the school, Tommy pulled away and headed to the high school.

Heading inside, Tommy headed straight for the office to see Ellen before he went to his classroom. He nodded a greeting to a few other teachers walking through the halls and some of the students who were already there. It wouldn't be long before the hallways were crowded. But he didn't stop to talk to anyone yet despite the surprised looks he was getting. Reaching the office, Tommy knocked on Ellen's door before poking his head inside. She looked up from her computer with a smile.

"Welcome back, Tommy," she said. "And here I thought you were done with the disappearing acts."

"I'd like to say it won't happen again, but…" Tommy trailed off, shrugging as he walked in.

Ellen just sighed, shaking her head as he went to shut the door. Tommy raised an eyebrow, but left the door cracked as he sat down to talk to her.

"Well, I'm glad you and JJ are back home safe and sound," she said. "Anton finally told me what was going on yesterday. The whole kidnapping business was awful."

"It was…" Tommy said slowly, looking at her with some surprise. "How much did Anton tell you?"

"He didn't tell me much while it was happening," Ellen said evenly, a slight smile on her face as she leaned back in her chair. "But he apologized last night for keeping me in the dark. I know he was afraid to get too many people involved since the kidnappers were threatening your safety if he didn't keep it quiet—let alone if he tried to get help from the police."

Tommy nodded, realizing Anton and Ellen were giving him the story he'd been trying to come up with.

"How are Kat and JJ doing now that you are all home safe?" she asked.

"They've been better," Tommy sighed. "It was a long week…"

They talked for a little while longer, letting Tommy piece together the story Anton had come up with through their conversation. One that would be semi-public at some point in the near future—especially since Tommy knew the secretary and others moving in and out of the office were hearing bits of their conversation. And Anton was going to let it be known to certain people that Tommy and JJ had been kidnapped from their home and held for ransom against him. Kat had been taken into protective custody to make sure she stayed safe while he had people deal with the situation.

"You should probably get to your classroom," Ellen finally said a little while later. "I think I'm going to call Kat and let her know to call me if she needs anything."

"That would be great," Tommy said gratefully as he stood up.

"The same goes for you," Ellen said with a smile.

Nodding, Tommy grabbed his backpack and briefcase and headed to his classroom. Once there, he dropped his stuff and pulled out his phone to check it and send a text before his first period students showed up.

I owe you.

Setting the phone down to wait for an answer, Tommy tucked his backpack under his desk and started pulling papers out of his briefcase. Anton had left him a rundown of what he did with the class while Tommy was gone when they talked the night before. The phone vibrated and Tommy glanced at the answering message.

Anton: Not a thing. Just another favor returned.

Tommy sighed and shook his head.

Tommy: It's been years…

Anton: That doesn't change my answer.

The bell rang and Tommy put his phone away as students started crowding into the classroom.

"This is Katherine," Kat said absently, watching her students work on their homework.

She'd been in the middle of catching up on paperwork when her desk phone rang. Only half paying attention, she had answered without looking to see who was calling. But as the person on the other end spoke, all of her attention moved to them.

"I'll be right there," she said quickly.

Hanging up, she stood and walked over to her teaching assistant.

"I'll be back in a few minutes," she said. "Will you be alright without me?"

He nodded and Kat spun and strode out of the room. She strode through the hallways straight to JJ's classroom. He was sitting out in the hall with his teacher and the school nurse talking quietly with him. When he saw Kat hurrying toward them, he scrambled to his feet and ran to meet her, throwing his arms around her in a tight hug.

"I'm right here," she said soothingly, hugging him tightly. "What's going on?"

She looked up at the other two adults as she asked the question.

"I think it was a panic attack," the nurse answered. "But we let him call Dr. Oliver and he's calmed down a little."

Kat nodded and looked back down at JJ.

"Did he answer?" she asked.

JJ nodded.

"And he's alright?"

"He says so…" JJ answered quietly.

Kat sighed as she studied her son.

"How about you come sit in my classroom for a while?" she suggested. "You can work on catching up on your schoolwork. Ok?"

JJ nodded.

"Go get your stuff."

He darted back into the classroom as she turned to his teacher and the nurse.

"I'm sorry," she apologized. "Last week was hard on him and it's the first time he's been away from Tommy since they got home."

They nodded in understanding as JJ came racing back out with his stuff.

"Do you have everything you need?" Kat asked with a smile.

"Yeah," JJ answered.

With a hand on JJ's shoulder, Kat thanked his teacher and the nurse again and then directed him down the hall toward her classroom. Once she had him settled into a corner, Kat checked in with her assistant and made sure her students were still doing alright. Sitting back down at her desk, Kat pulled her phone out and sent a quick message to Tommy.

JJ is going to be in my classroom for the moment. He had a panic attack. He's ok for now.

Kat waited for a response as she tried to go back to work. Fortunately, it didn't take Tommy long to respond. He was probably watching since JJ had just called him a little while before.

Tommy: Thanks. Keep me updated. Let me know if either of you need anything.

Kat smiled. Satisfied that everything was settled for the moment, she refocused back on paperwork and lesson plans.

An hour or so later there was a knock on her classroom door. Her students had all left for lunch period and she and JJ were eating lunch in her classroom. She had asked him if he wanted to go eat with his friends, but JJ had told her no. The door opened and Tommy walked in.

"Dad!" JJ exclaimed, scrambling to his feet and bolting across the room.

Tommy smiled and caught him in a hug.

"Hey, kiddo," he said. "Feeling a little better?"

"Mom and I just finished lunch," JJ said, nodding.

"Tommy, what are you doing here?" Kat asked, shaking her head as she walked over to join them.

"I'm on lunch right now," he answered. "So, I thought I'd come see how you two were doing. I can't stay long."

Kat smiled and gave him a quick kiss.

"Dad?" JJ said, catching Tommy's attention again. "Can I go with you? I don't want to go back to my class today…"

Kat sighed as Tommy shook his head.

"Not today," Tommy answered. "My last couple of classes are going to be working on projects and they'll need the whole room."

"Oh… ok," JJ said quietly.

Tommy and Kat exchanged looks.

"But I'll tell you what," Tommy said, crouching down next to his son. "You stay here with your mom for the rest of the day today and get all caught up on your homework. And then I'll pick you up after school and you can go to the café with me."

JJ hesitated for a moment and then nodded.

"I guess that's ok," he said. "But you'll be here right after school?"

"I'll come straight here after my last class," Tommy promised.

Tommy stayed for a few more minutes. As he was heading out, Kat handed him a granola bar.

"What's this for?" he asked.

"You came here for lunch," she said, crossing her arms. "Which means you didn't eat. So, eat that on your way back to the high school. Ok?"

Tommy sighed but didn't protest.

"I'll see you both in a few hours," he said as he left.

Tuesday March 27th, 2018

New York City, NY

"There's got to be something in here," Kim muttered. "But seriously… how many takeout restaurants does she have saved in her contacts?"

Kim was sitting on the couch scrolling through Trini's phone in search of Jason's contact information. Trini had left it sitting on the coffee table while she went to go answer a call on her work phone.

"You aren't going to find it on that phone, Kim. I told you that already."

Kim jumped and turned to see Trini watching her from the doorway with an amused look on her face.

"Find what?" Kim asked, still holding the phone.

"Jason's phone number," Trini said as she walked back over to the couch.

"I told you she'd catch you, Kim," Jake chuckled, shaking his head.

He was sitting in a recliner with a book. Kim shot him a look before turning back to Trini.

"Seriously, Trini," Kim said. "Do you do anything besides work? There are phone numbers for like twenty different restaurants in your phone and like three other people. You really need to find a boyfriend."

"I don't think so," Trini said, plucking her phone from Kim's hand and dropping onto the couch next to her. "And I don't always like to cook after spending all day dealing with politicians—or after flying back into the country."

"You still need a boyfriend."

"Nope."

"Or a girlfriend. That's fine, too."

"Kim…" Trini rolled her eyes.

"I'm not judging!" Kim protested.

"I didn't say you were," Trini pointed out. "But I don't have time for a boyfriend or a girlfriend right now."

"Then you should get a cat," Kim countered. "That way you aren't always home alone."

"And when I have to leave suddenly or am gone for weeks?" Trini retorted. "What am I supposed to do with a cat then?"

"I—I don't know," Kim sputtered. "But you can't just work all the time."

Trini sighed.

"Kim, I like my job," she said. "I get to travel and meet all sorts of people—and I get to help people I care about. Yes, there are bad days. Which is true of any job. But I like the way my life is right now, and I'm not interested in a relationship with anyone—or trying to take care of a pet."

Kim sighed in defeat.

"Fine," she grumbled. "But I'm coming to visit you more often, then."

She snatched Trini's phone back.

"That's fine—but what are you doing?"

"Putting my number in your phone," Kim said. "Jake?"

"Yes, dear?" he asked, trying to hide his amusement.

He'd stopped reading his book and had been listening to the two women going back and forth.

"We are coming to New York more often," she said. "Trini needs to spend more time with friends."

"Ok," he agreed with a smile. "Whatever you want."

Kim sighed, still holding Trini's phone.

"Why do you have to keep everything on your work phone?" Kim pouted, changing topics again. "It's one thing to snoop in your personal phone, but I can't break into your work phone. That's breaking all of the rules of girlfriends. And I tried finding him in an online phone book—do you know just how many Jason Scotts live in New York?"

Trini laughed.

"Kim, I told you," she said. "If you really want Jason's phone number, just call his mother. I know you can get ahold of her."

Kim grumbled as she returned Trini's phone and pulled out her own.

"Fine," she muttered. "You're no help."

She dialed the number and fell back against the back of the couch as she waited for an answer. After a few rings the call was picked up.

"Scott residence. This is Janet Oliver speaking."

Kim froze for a moment. She had not expected someone else to answer the Scotts' phone.

"Hello?"

"Oh—sorry. Hi, Mrs. Oliver. It's Kim Rosenberg—Kimberly Hart."

Trini was now looking at Kim with wide eyes. She hadn't expected Kim to get anyone other than one of Jason's parents, either. She mouthed "I'm sorry" as Kim shot a look her way.

"Oh, Kim! I knew who you are, dear. No need to clarify. How are you doing?"

"Umm… I'm fine. I was actually calling to talk to Mrs. Scott."

"I would assume," Mrs. Oliver laughed. "It is her house. She had her hands full, though, and I was already up getting a drink. What have you been up to? I know you travel a lot. The last time I spoke to your mother she said you had been spending some time in Paris. I really should call her again, soon."

"You've been talking to my mother?" Kim said in surprise.

"Well, of course, dear. You know all of us mothers bonded just like you kids did. Distance isn't going to stop that. We're actually having our book club get together today."

"Book club?" Kim repeated, glancing at Trini. "What are you reading?"

Trini shrugged, seeming just as confused as she was. Mrs. Oliver didn't answer immediately, and Kim could hear other voices in the background.

"It's Kimberly," she said after a moment. "I'm not sure what her question was. Kim, dear, what was it you needed?"

Kim stumbled over her answer as the conversation suddenly came back to her.

"I was just trying to get Jason's current phone number and address," she said. "You have a book club?"

"Oh, yes. We meet weekly. Olivia, she needs Jason's phone number."

Kim heard a muffled response in the background.

"She's getting it off her phone now," Mrs. Oliver told her.

"Thank you," Kim said. "So, what are you reading?"

There was a pause.

"What did we say we were reading this week?" she heard Mrs. Oliver ask someone else.

Kim quickly put a hand over her mouth to stifle her laugh. Mrs. Oliver came back to her a moment later.

"We never decided last week. But do you have somewhere to write down Jason's number and address?"

"Trini, do you have a piece of paper?" Kim asked.

Trini nodded and went to grab paper and pen.

"Oh! Is Trini with you?"

"Yes. I'm in New York at her house. Jake and I came for—we came for a visit a few days ago."

"That's wonderful—oh. Hold on. Kim, Trini's mother would like to speak to her for a moment."

Kim paused, looking up at Trini who was now holding out paper and pen.

"Of course," she said, recovering and taking the pen and paper. "Can I have the number real quick, first?"

Mrs. Oliver repeated the number back from Mrs. Scott and Kim quickly wrote it down. Then she held the phone out to Trini as Mrs. Oliver handed the phone off.

"Trini, your mom wants to talk to you…"

Trini stared at her in surprise.

"My mom is there?" she asked as she slowly took the phone.

"I think they're all there," Kim hissed as Trini covered the microphone. "I blame you for this."

"How was I supposed to know?" Trini hissed back. "Mom? Hi!"

Trini spoke with her mother for a few minutes while she paced around the room and Kim listened from the couch. Jake was still sitting in the chair, an amused look on his face. After a little while Trini sat down next to Kim and turned the phone on speaker, setting it on the table in front of them. Mrs. Scott had the phone now. She spent the next little while asking both women what they had been doing recently with an occasional interruption from one of the other mothers who were there. Jake was snickering quietly now.

"Oh! Our lunch is here. I need to go get the door. Janet, take the phone back."

"Hello again, girls," Mrs. Oliver said brightly.

"Hi Mrs. Oliver," Kim and Trini chorused.

"When will you two be back in California?" she asked. "We would all love to see you both."

"Not for a while," Trini said. "I have a lot going on at work right now. There was an—incident—and I'm the intermediary so I'll be busy with the aftermath for a while."

"Well, that seems rather unpleasant."

"It's fine," Trini quickly assured her. "Nothing I can't handle."

"How's Tommy doing?" Kim asked in a panic, trying to change the subject.

Mrs. Oliver sighed.

"He's lucky I can't ground him anymore," she grumbled. "Kidnapped for ransom and it takes him two days to call and tell me after someone finally rescues him? I swear he gets in as much trouble now as an adult as he did as a teenager. You two don't get into those kinds of situations—right? And Trini is an ambassador! Tommy is just a high school teacher…"

Kim and Trini exchanged amused looks. Jake was silently laughing on the other side of the room. Seeing that, Kim shot him a look. Then a grin spread across her face as she got an idea.

"I haven't seen Tommy in forever," she said to Mrs. Oliver. "Actually, I haven't seen anyone in California in years. I've just been so busy traveling with my husband. We really should visit sometime so I can introduce him to all of you."

"That would be wonderful!" Mrs. Oliver exclaimed, quickly latching onto the idea. "You can visit here and make a trip to Reefside—that's where Tommy lives now. We would all love to meet your husband."

Jake had stopped laughing, but Kim was grinning at him.

"I'll start making plans," Kim said. "It would be so nice to see Angel Grove again and all of my old friends."

"You could surprise Tommy with a visit," Mrs. Oliver suggested. "Goodness knows he doesn't relax enough. There's always something going on."

Trini, who had been taking a sip of her water, choked at the comment.

"I don't know if a surprise is the best choice," she said when her coughing was under control.

"Nonsense," Mrs. Oliver insisted. "It would be good for him."

She paused, listening to someone else.

"Well, I'll have to say goodbye for now, dears," she said. "We're going to eat lunch now. Let me know when you'll be in the area, and we'll have lunch."

"Of course," Kim promised.

Saying goodbyes, Kim hung up and fell back against the couch again.

"Next time I send a text message," Kim sighed. "That was a lot."

"I think we're lucky they didn't turn speaker phone on," Trini pointed out. "Can you imagine trying to talk to all of the mothers at one time?"

Kim just shook her head.

"Kim, are you serious about going to Angel Grove?" Jake asked hesitantly. "You don't really mean to introduce me to the mothers of your high school friends, right?"

She grinned at him and stood. Walking across the room, she kissed his cheek.

"Oh, I have every intention of doing just that," she smirked. "I'm going to call Aisha. Trini—is there a time that works for you?"

Trini shook her head.

"I wasn't kidding about being too busy right now," she said. "After this last week I'm going to be busy for weeks trying to assure everyone that everything is under control. I work with a lot of paranoid politicians from around the world…"

Kim flinched on her behalf.

"Well, hopefully some of the others will be free," Kim said. "I'm thinking this weekend before Jake and I leave the country again."

"Well, I was told Rocky has been grounded for the week, so I'm sure he and Aisha will be free," Trini said. "And since Adam owns his own dojo, he should be fine as long as he has a teacher to cover for him. Tanya and Aisha both set their own schedules for the most part."

"I'll ask Aisha," Kim said. "Be back in a bit. I want to get this moving quickly before anyone makes plans for the weekend. What do you think Zach is doing?"

She ducked out of the room and up the stairs, already pressing her phone to her ear again. Jake watched her go and then turned to Trini.

"What did I just get myself into?" he asked. "Who is she planning on visiting?"

"Some of our friends from high school," Trini explained.

Jake nodded slowly.

"I know Aisha and Rocky—though I don't think I've seen them in person since our wedding… same with Adam and Tanya."

He paused, frowning as he tried to place some of the other names.

"Why does Tommy's name seem so familiar?" he asked after a moment.

Trini raised an eyebrow.

"Tommy?" she repeated. "He's one of our oldest friends. Tommy and Kim actually dated for around three years in high school. They were very close for a long time."

Jake stared at her in surprise, but Trini had been distracted by her own phone going off.

Upstairs in the bedroom, Kim dug her planner out of her purse as she waited for Aisha to answer the phone.

"Kim! What's going on, girl?" Aisha answered, sounding a little distracted.

"Hi, Aisha," Kim smiled, sprawling on the bed. "How is Rocky doing after everything last week?"

Aisha didn't answer for a moment.

"Oh—I didn't realize you'd heard," she finally said. "He's fine. Just tired, mostly. He slept most of the day on Sunday. Now I think he would like it if he could go back to work. I've given him a list of things to do around the house instead."

Kim laughed.

"I'm glad he's alright," she said. "Now—do you have any plans for this weekend?"

"This weekend? No. Rocky isn't back at work until Tuesday, and I took a short leave of absence from work, too, when I realized something was wrong last week. We're just taking some time to relax as a family."

"How would you feel about a visit?" Kim asked.

"Kim, you know you're welcome whenever you want to come for a visit," Aisha said. "You don't need to ask."

"I was actually thinking about trying to get some more of us together," Kim said. "Mrs. Oliver suggested it. So, I thought maybe we could take a group of us to Reefside to surprise Tommy since she said he doesn't see his friends much."

Aisha didn't answer for a moment.

"I guess we don't need to…" Kim said slowly. "I mean, I know he and I haven't really talked—"

"It's not that," Aisha interrupted. "I'm just not sure about the surprise thing. Rocky and I would be up for a visit and I'm sure Adam and Tanya could join us. I just know Tommy would like some warning—if only because he'll be worried about making sure we all have somewhere to stay."

"I figured I'd just get us a hotel suite," Kim said. "There has to be something in the area."

Aisha laughed.

"Oh, honey," she said. "Do you really think he's going to want us staying in a hotel? Don't worry about it. I'll give Kat a call. If we give her a heads up, she can take care of the details and you can still surprise Tommy."

Kim frowned.

"Why would you call Kat?" she asked.

"Because she's his wife?" Aisha said slowly. "And if you are going to pull off a surprise, we'll need her help? She knows his schedule better than just about anyone—including Tommy."

Kim stopped in surprise for a moment.

"When did they get back together?" she asked.

"Like almost eleven years ago," Aisha laughed. "Kim, honey, they have a kid and he's almost eleven. I realize they didn't actually invite anyone to the wedding—but them being married is not a secret by any means."

"Ok, I really should ask for updates more often," Kim muttered. "Actually, I should just talk to all of you more often. But that's great! So… this weekend?"

The two women talked for a while longer as they made basic plans for a weekend trip to Reefside. When they were done, Aisha promised to call back once she had confirmed everything with Tanya and Kat. Kim headed back downstairs. Trini was in the kitchen working on a late lunch for the three of them. Jake was still in the chair attempting to concentrate on his book. When Kim walked in, he looked up.

"How was Aisha?" he asked.

"She's great," Kim beamed. "And I think we have everything figured out."

Jake nodded, hesitating.

"Kim, are you sure about this?" he asked. "I mean, it is kind of sudden. We could always plan something after our trip."

"Oh, it's fine," Kim said. "Aisha is going to talk to the others and call me back later. I'm thinking we'll fly out of New York Thursday night and stop in Angel Grove. Then we can make the trip to Reefside with the rest of the group."

"If that's what you want," Jake sighed.

"Thank you!" Kim smiled, giving him a kiss.

Spinning, she headed into the kitchen to help Trini.