Four Days Later
Soulmates. Ninjor and Mystic Mother said that Laura and I are soulmates. Jason silently thought as he lay in his hospital bed with his eyes closed, trying to wake himself up from a nap that he had found himself taking after a lunch of soup and biscuits. How can I take a soulmate on if I'm not whole?
It was Friday, Jason realized, as he opened his eyes and was greeted by the sight of Adam and Rocky setting up baskets of flowers and cards on the dresser and bedside table, "Oh, hey Jason," Adam said in a pleasant voice, smiling at Jason as he approached the bed. "Rocky and I thought you were asleep."
"I was," Jason replied groggily, suddenly wondering why he hadn't heard from his colleagues in New York since he had been back in Angel Grove. "What are you and Rocky doing here this time of day?"
Rocky's eyes widened, "Dude, it's nearly three," he replied in a surprised voice. "School's over."
"Angel Grove High sent you some flowers and some of the students made cards," Adam explained in a gentle voice, quickly gathering up the cards and placing them on the portable tray so that Jason could read them if he felt like it. "Ernie was talking about sending you flowers and a nice little cake."
Jason sighed heavily and nodded, "Oh, you should probably know that your parents, Malcolm, and Laura have been keeping lots of people from visiting so you don't get overwhelmed," Rocky spoke up, moving over to Jason's bedside. "Laura should be here soon, though, since school's over for the weekend."
There was silence followed by footsteps as Laura and Kimberly came into the room holding the hands of a quiet young boy who was dressed in school clothes and carrying a backpack, "Laura is here and I brought Kimberly and her son, Trent, with me," Laura said in a gentle voice. "Jason, hey there."
"I'm sorry that Billy hasn't been able to come, but he's been working a lot and I've been doing school," Kimberly apologized, pulling Trent on to her lap as she sat in a chair. "How are you feeling, Jason?"
Jason sighed, "It's good to know you're back in school," he replied groggily. "Did you and Billy…?"
"Get married yet?" Kimberly asked softly, sighing at Jason. "I have to meet with Eugene and see if he'll be finally willing to sign the papers so that Billy and I can legally marry. Trent already calls me Mom."
Laura smiled and patted Kimberly's shoulder, "I've been with Billy for long enough that I know I'll do better with him and Trent than I ever did for Eugene and Silas," Kimberly commented softly. "I can't stay because I've got to go meet with Eugene, but I'm glad that you're all right and I wish you good things."
"Mommy, are we going?" Trent spoke up in a quiet voice, gazing up at Kimberly with wide eyes.
Kimberly nodded and got Trent off her lap so she could stand, "Say goodbye to Jason," she said softly.
Trent waved and then went quiet as Kimberly led him out of the room, "Do you think they'd let me out of bed and into the wheelchair for a while?" Jason asked softly. "I wouldn't mind going for a walk."
Before anyone could reply, Jason slowly sat up and slowly moved his good leg over the side of the bed, but he nearly screamed at trying to lift his casted leg off its pillow, "Jason, here," Laura said in a gentle voice, quickly and gently moving Jason's leg for him. "Rocky, Adam, is there a wheelchair nearby?"
"I thought I saw one out in the hallway," Adam offered, quickly leaving the room to retrieve it.
Rocky came around the side of the bed so he could help Jason stand and Jason gazed up at him, "How's the business course going, Rock?" Jason asked softly. "You're graduating this year with Laura, right?"
Nodding, Rocky didn't say anything, "Rocky and I will help you up," Laura spoke up in a gentle voice.
With both Rocky and Laura helping him, Jason was able to stand by the time Adam returned with a wheelchair, "Thanks," Jason said softly, rubbing his hands on his scrub pants. "Is it warm out?"
"Yes," Laura replied softly, encouraged by Jason's wish to go outside. "The sun's really warm."
Jason nodded, but didn't say anything during the journey out to the hospital courtyard. Laura quickly set the brake and sat on a bench next to him while Adam and Rocky sat on a bench across from them.
"I finally got a call from my boss in New York last night and he thinks I should transfer out here," Jason spoke softly, the pain about being sent home obvious in his eyes. "I guess what happened at the airport made the news and my boss thought it would be better for me to start over here with my degree."
Adam frowned, "Maybe it's better that way, Jason," he finally said in a nervous voice. "You've got family and friends in Angel Grove who can help you. Your degree could help you help others in a lot of ways."
"You have lots of time to think about it," Laura spoke up, seeing that Adam's words had only annoyed and hurt Jason's feelings. "Anyway, Jason, do you have any idea when you'll be allowed to go home?"
For a moment, Jason was silent and then a smile emerged, "Maybe in the next day or two since my dad's a paramedic and is able to help in an emergency," he replied calmly. "Ah, that sun is nice."
Before anyone could speak, Jason closed his eyes and sighed deeply, "Jason, I hate to run, but I have to get to the Youth Center for the Friday evening class," Rocky spoke up gently as he stood up.
"Take care, Rocky," Jason replied softly, just wanting to enjoy the sun while it was still out and warm.
Realizing that he had unintentionally hurt Jason's feelings with his comments, Adam stood up, "I'm going to go help Rocky," he said, hastily leaving before he could hurt Jason's feelings any more.
"Rocky, tell Ashley that I'll meet her for dinner," Laura called after Rocky as he followed after Adam.
Rocky nodded and Laura sighed, content to sit with Jason until his parents showed up and then she intended to go eat dinner with Ashley, Dr. Oliver, and Justin before going home for the evening.
"Absolutely not," Dr. Oliver replied in an unusually sharp voice as he gazed at Billy. "Not now."
Even though he was seated in a boardroom office with Billy, Allan Mercer, and a young red-haired student who was studying Science at the local university and he was truly interested in what his gems could still do, Dr. Oliver had locked the box away where nobody but him knew where they were. Dr. Oliver had been suspicious that Mercer Industries had wanted to meet with him, so he had hidden the gems before coming to the meeting and as he sat there with Billy and the others, he felt relieved that he had listened to his instincts yet again.
"Doctor Oliver, we need those gems as part of the study that Anton Mercer started and left to me to finish," Billy explained in a concerned voice, having never seen Dr. Oliver look so determined.
Dr. Oliver sighed heavily, "The time is not yet right for those powers to be used," he replied sharply.
"Frank is right," Allan, who had elected to help Billy run Mercer Industries and work on the projects within in memory of his missing son, said as he gazed at Billy. "Those powers must be saved."
Billy frowned, "Why, though?" he asked in a confused voice, feeling as if he was missing information.
"There will come a time when the gems will be needed," Dr. Oliver replied calmly, ignoring a glare that the red-headed student was giving him. "In the meantime, I suggest you develop technology that will be able to support the power of the gems when they are needed. Perhaps you should ask Tommy to help you somehow, as he is studying paleontology at MIT with the intention of becoming a teacher."
Billy nodded, "I actually wrote him a letter a few days ago, but I haven't heard back," he replied in a calm voice, fully understanding that Dr. Oliver's voice was important. "I'm really sorry to have bothered you, as I would expect that you've got a lot of things to do this weekend. It was nice talking to you."
Dr. Oliver nodded and stood up, "If I hurry, I can watch Justin and Ashley's class," he replied calmly.
As Dr. Oliver left, Billy sighed and looked at the red-haired student, "When I hear from Tommy, Hayley, I'll let you know whether he's interested in helping," he said in a calm voice. "Enjoy your weekend."
Hayley nodded, stood up, and silently left the room, "Don't work all night, Billy," Allan said in a tired voice, deeply impressed with all the hard work Billy had put into Mercer Industries. "You're doing a good job and I'm sure Anton would be very impressed if he was here. Do you have plans for the weekend?"
"I'm going to go home and spend time with Trent and my dad since Kimberly had to go meet with her former husband," Billy replied softly, hoping Skull would finally sign the papers and free Kimberly.
Allan nodded and sighed heavily as he stood up, "I will see you on Monday," he said in a tired voice, indicating to Billy that he was tired and needed to go home. "Don't work yourself too hard."
Nodding, Billy opened the folder on the table and silently gazed at the blueprints he had created.
Even though she was supposed to be focusing on what Malcolm and Rocky were teaching them that class, Ashley was watching as Kimberly came into the Youth Center and walked over to a table where Skull, who was in uniform, was eating with Spike. Kimberly looked almost determined to see him.
"Eugene, we need to talk," Kimberly said in a firm voice as she approached the table. "Right away."
Skull nodded and Ashley found herself walking over to them, "Ashley, I hate to pull you away from class, but can you hang out with Spike for a few minutes while Kimberly and I talk?" he asked, feeling the conversation would be easier without Spike distracting him. "I promise this won't take very long."
Spike smiled as Ashley picked him up and carried him off to the counter, "Eugene, why won't you sign the papers already?" Kimberly asked in a distressed voice. "I want to marry Billy and adopt Trent."
A sadness filled Skull's eyes, "You've already got a son and Spike wonders why he doesn't have a mother who loves him," he replied in a somber voice. "We married and took vows, but you left us alone."
"I was in a really vulnerable place because I thought Billy had died," Kimberly replied in an anxious voice that rose slightly and attracted the attention of Malcolm, Rocky, and the class. "You were easy to turn to because I already knew you had a crush on me and you were safe. Besides, Billy made you promise to look after me if something happened to him. Even though you were badly hurt, I remember that."
Pain filled Skull's face as Laura, Adam, Tanya, and Katherine came into the Youth Center to see how the class was coming, "Once I found out Billy was alive, it was like I came back to life," Kimberly explained in an anxious voice, giving Skull an angry look. "Please, Eugene, I need you and Silas to set me free and just realize that I didn't marry you and have your son out of love. I can never love you or Silas at all."
Silence filled the Youth Center and all eyes were on Skull, but he didn't care, "Okay," Skull replied in an anxious voice that indicated he was near tears as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a sheaf of folded papers that he had signed long ago but had hung on to. "I already signed them, so you're free."
Without batting an eye, Kimberly took the papers and stood up, "Thank you," she replied, placing the papers in her purse before walking out of the Youth Center without so much as a glance at Spike.
Shellshocked by Kimberly's harsh words, Skull folded his arms and stared silently at the table, tuning everything else out for only a moment before getting up and walking over to the counter where Ernie and Ashley were entertaining Spike, "Are you okay?" Ashley and Ernie asked at the same time.
"Thanks for watching Spike for me," Skull replied, giving Spike a hug. "Let's finish our dinner, buddy."
Spike nodded and melted into Skull's arms as he was carried back to the table, "How could Kimberly say such terrible things to Eugene?" Ashley asked in a shocked voice as she gave Ernie a worried look.
"Hello there," Laura said in a gentle voice as she approached Laura and Ernie. "Why aren't you in class?"
Ashley sighed, "Eugene asked me to watch Spike while he and Kimberly talked," she replied softly.
Laura nodded and frowned as she suddenly saw Rocky step away from the class with his cell-phone to his ear and go off into the lobby still in his gi. Malcolm frowned, but continued to lead class verbally, quickly turning his attention to Cassie, who was helping a visiting Mark with the martial arts moves.
"How's Jason doing, Laura?" Ashley asked, giving Laura a worried look. "You were there for so long."
Laura nodded, "Adam, Rocky, and I took Jason for a walk in the courtyard and after Rocky and Adam left, Jason and I sat outside in the sun until his parents came," she explained gently, sighing as she sat down on a stool at the counter. "Ashley, I hope I'm not neglecting you because I'm with Jason so much."
"It's okay," Ashley replied softly, smiling at Laura. "Jason seems to really need you right now and I have a lot to keep me busy because of school and my after school activities. I'm not angry with you."
Laura smiled and looked at Ernie, "Can we get a couple of chicken burgers, please?" she asked softly.
"Coming right up," Ernie replied as Laura and Ashley turned to watch Malcolm lead the class and saw that Tanya and Katherine had joined the group while Adam watched from the sidelines, deeply worried.
The sunset was beautiful, but Tommy paid no mind to it as he entered Angel Grove's city limits going faster than he should have been in his rental car. He was upset over the fact that his experiment had failed and had almost hurt him and he had received Billy's letter not long after the accident had occurred, prompting him to take his Master's degree preparations on the road for a little vacation.
Tommy's mind was so focused on the fact that he had failed to recreate the power of his uncle's special gems that he nearly hit a car that was headed out of town. Alarmed, Tommy quickly pulled to the side of the road, shut the car off, and got out to see if the driver of the other car had suffered any problems.
It was a surprise, however, as Tommy approached the car and saw Rocky sitting behind the wheel looking shellshocked, "Rocky?" Tommy asked, suddenly recognizing the car as belonging to Rocky.
"T-Tommy?" Rocky asked through tears and a stuttering voice. "I-I don't even know where I'm at…"
Hearing trembling and sadness in Rocky's voice, Tommy frowned, "Rocky, what's wrong?" he asked in a concerned voice, quickly opening the door and flipping on the overhead light. "You've been crying."
"Um, I got a call during class that my grandparents passed away," Rocky replied in a trembling voice. "I was driving out to where they lived to settle their affairs. I guess I was driving way, way too fast."
Tommy's eyes widened, "They've had health problems for a while and I've been going up to help them on weekends since the summer," Rocky explained in a trembling voice, unable to look at Tommy.
"Aw man," Tommy replied in a concerned voice, sighing as Rocky turned off the car. "I'm so sorry."
Rocky nodded and sniffled, but before he could reply, another car approached them and pulled over to the side of the road. A moment later, the door opened and Detective Stone climbed out of the car.
"Well, what do we have here?" Detective Stone asked in an official voice. "Looks like a car accident."
What seemed like an eternity later, Rocky and Tommy found themselves sitting in an interview room at the Angel Grove Precinct and waiting for Dr. Oliver to come get them. Rocky's car was being held until someone could come get it, as Detective Stone had thought Rocky was too emotionally impaired to drive and Tommy's car had suffered a damaged tire. Fortunately, neither young man was in trouble.
Footsteps and muffled talking prompted Tommy to look up towards the door, but Rocky continued to stare at the floor when the door opened and Detective Stone led a concerned looking Dr. Oliver into the room, "Tommy, Rocky," Dr. Oliver said in a calm voice. "Detective Stone said you were in an accident."
"We almost hit each other, yeah," Tommy confessed softly. "Sorry about that, Uncle Frank."
Dr. Oliver nodded and looked at Detective Stone, "Are either of them being charged?" he asked dryly.
"No, but Mister DeSantos needs someone to drive him home due to severe emotional impairment," Detective Stone replied in a concerned voice. "Mister Oliver's car also needs a tire replaced."
Dr. Oliver sighed and Tommy stood up, "Shall we get Rocky's car and go back to the house so Laura and Adam don't have to spend all evening babysitting Ashley, Justin, and Cassie?" Dr. Oliver asked softly.
"Can I talk to you privately when we get back to your house, Doctor Oliver?" Rocky asked softly.
Sensing that something was very wrong, Dr. Oliver nodded and Rocky stood up, "Sure," he replied in a calm voice, keeping very calm as he led the young men from the room, out of the precinct, and to where Rocky's car was parked, "Tommy, I'd also like to hear why you're suddenly visiting from MIT."
"Later," Tommy replied nervously, sighing as Rocky turned his car keys over to Dr. Oliver without fuss.
"So, Tommy, why are you REALLY here?" Tommy heard Laura ask bluntly as he sat at the kitchen table with a plate full of leftovers, utensils, and a glass of milk. "Aren't you working on your Master's degree?"
Tommy looked up and saw Laura come into the kitchen with a stack of books in her hands, "I heard about Jason from Billy," Tommy lied, not wanting to admit what he had really done. "I thought I'd come and…"
"Tommy, you're in the beginning stages of your Master's degree and all of a sudden, you fly to California from Massachusetts on a whim?" Laura replied in an unusually cross voice, giving him a dark look. "I don't know if your uncle believes that or if anyone else does, but I think you're hiding a lot of information."
Tommy's eyes widened as Laura slammed her books on the counter and sighed heavily, "Your behavior reminds me of how my parents used to act not long before I left home," Laura replied in an unusually angry voice. "Coming and going whenever they pleased with no regard for anyone else's feelings."
There were several moments of tense silence and then Tommy sighed, "Billy wrote to me about more than just Jason," he replied in a nervous voice, giving Laura a look. "I just can't talk about it with you."
"Right," Laura replied in a stern voice. "You mean you just can't talk about it with me because you and Billy have a stronger friendship than we do, I guess. I know I was the new girl in your group, but…"
Footsteps suddenly came down the hallway, "What's going on in here?" Dr. Oliver said as he came into the kitchen to see Laura glaring at Tommy. "I could hear you two arguing all the way down the hallway."
"I was just reminded that I will always be the outsider in the group," Laura replied in a hurt voice.
Dr. Oliver frowned and Tommy paled, "Laura, that's not what I meant," Tommy said in an anxious voice, realizing that he had truly hurt Laura's feelings. "You came into our group and really helped us out…"
"I need to go for a walk," Laura replied in a tight voice, not wanting to get angry in front of anyone else.
Immediately recognizing Laura's need to be alone, Dr. Oliver nodded, "I'll let Ashley know if she asks where you are," he replied calmly, sighing as Laura silently went off to her room to get her purse.
There was another tense silence as footsteps filled the hallway and a door opened and closed, indicating that Laura had left, "Where's Rocky?" Tommy asked in a worried voice, suddenly feeling very guilty.
"Rocky went to his room after we talked and I convinced him to wait until someone could go with him to help settle his grandparents' affairs," Dr. Oliver replied calmly. "Anyway, Tommy, I guess we should talk."
Swallowing hard, Tommy nodded, "I guess we should, Uncle Frank," he replied in a remorseful voice.
Thunder boomed overhead and torrential rain fell on Angel Grove as Laura hurried into the Youth Center, deeply grateful that it was open late on Friday nights. She had walked around the park for nearly an hour before noticing the darkening sky and had decided to make a break for the Youth Center for shelter.
Another place she had passed by on her way to the Youth Center was the Angel Grove Shelter and the memories that first led her to becoming a Power Ranger filled her mind. Her mind was still focused on that unexpected, but very wonderful beginning as she took a seat at a table near the heater.
"Hey Laura, can I get you anything?" Ernie asked kindly as he came over to her table. "It's sure quiet here."
Laura nodded, "A hot chocolate, please," she replied softly, nodding. "I wanted to be alone, anyway."
Nodding, Ernie smiled at her and walked off to the kitchen while Laura sat there, silently remembering how she had first come to meet Jason, Malcolm, Adam, Kimberly, Billy, and Tommy on Phaedos because Trini died and both Rocky and Zack had told her she would do well. Now she wondered; had she really?
Without warning, the lights suddenly went out in unison with a loud clap of thunder and Laura suddenly felt cold, the same kind of cold that she felt back when she arrived on Phaedos. At first, she felt scared, but then she remembered what it felt like to be in Jason's arms and being made to feel loved by him.
"You think you're of little worth to everyone but Jason and Ashley?" a soft voice suddenly asked.
Laura froze as Aisha appeared in front of her, "Aisha?" she asked softly. "You're an adult again."
"Yes," Aisha replied gently, giving Laura a smile. "Laura, I heard the fight between you and Tommy."
Laura sighed, "I lost my temper," she said in a distressed voice. "I got angry and I ran away."
Aisha merely smiled, "You've still got insecurities," she replied gently. "As hard a life as you have had, those aren't unusual and you did take a lot of responsibility on in a short time with great courage."
"Did they just stay my friend so I'd stay a Power Ranger to help them protect the Earth?" Laura asked in a distressed voice, embarrassed that she had taken so long to ask that question. "When I didn't take on a Zeo Power, I felt like things had changed between us; it made me think that everything was conditional."
Aisha nodded, "And then when Tommy told me that he couldn't tell me what was going on because it was a secret between him and Billy, I knew I'd always be a bit of an outsider to all of them," Laura replied in an anxious voice, feeling ready to cry. "I've just been feeling so dark since Kimberly visited and since Tommy said what he said."
There was a heavy silence and Aisha vanished, leaving Laura along just as the lights returned. Swallowing hard, Laura grabbed her purse, stood up, and silently left as Ernie came out with a cup of hot chocolate.
As another round of thunder rumbled through the dark skies, Jason sighed and found himself eating a few pieces of popcorn chicken that was in a bucket of food his parents had brought and shared with him and Malcolm during their family time. They had left some behind in case he got hungry during the night.
"Man, the nights are just so difficult," Jason muttered in an anxious voice. "I don't sleep well anymore."
Letting out another sigh, Jason used the controls to raise the bed and silently looked out the window as a nurse came in with Laura, who had taken a cab from Ernie's to the hospital, "Jason?" the nurse asked.
"Hmm?" Jason asked softy as he turned his head towards the door and saw Laura standing there with the nurse looking very much like she needed a friend. "Hey there, Laura. I didn't know you were coming."
Laura nodded and silently entered the room, "I figured I'd come and see how you are," she replied, not wanting to put Jason under further stress. "Do you want some company for a little while, Jason?"
Sensing that Laura needed to be around someone she felt safe with, Jason nodded and Laura silently approached the bed, "What happened?" Jason asked in a concerned voice. "Your eyes are so sad."
"Tommy pretty much said that he can't trust me and that he's in town to talk to Billy about some secret project," Laura explained in a distressed voice. "It just made me wonder if I'm as part of the group if I came to believe or if I was used just so the Power Rangers would be able to defend Earth properly."
A look of confusion, concern, and surprise crossed Jason's face, but he didn't say anything, "Tommy pretty much said that I was a help to the group, but not trustworthy with secrets," Laura continued in a distressed voice, trying very hard to remain calm. "Jason, am I reading too much into this or do I have a right…?"
"I'm a little surprised, as I've always thought of you as more than just a fellow Ranger," Jason replied, deeply shocked that Tommy would say such things even if he didn't intend on causing hurt feelings. "I'm sorry that you had such a bad experience and I'm glad you trusted me enough to confide in me."
Laura nodded and sighed as Jason reached up and gently offered her his hand, which he gently took, "You just have this incredible way of making me feel safe and secure in a world that hasn't made sense to me since the attacks," Jason commented softly. "I don't care what anyone else says; I trust you with every part of me and I'm really grateful that you've been there and haven't been afraid to just be yourself. You have a wonderful spirit, a strong determination, a caring personality, and I love you with all of my heart."
Tears of amazement filled Laura's eyes, "I love you too, Jason Lee Scott," she replied in a gentle voice.
Jason smiled and sighed, "I might get out of here tomorrow or the next day depending on if I can get a full night's sleep," he said in a tired voice, suddenly feeling tired. "Can you stay with me until I fall asleep?"
"Yes," Laura replied softly, knowing it wouldn't be long until Jason drifted off into a deep sleep
Nodding, Jason tilted his head and sighed, "When I'm feeling better, I want to take you out for a special date," he said in a tired voice, knowing he'd fall asleep soon. "When I ask you to marry me, will you?"
"You're going to ask me to marry you?" Laura asked in a quiet voice, giving Jason a gentle look.
Jason nodded and sighed sleepily, "I'd say yes, but I want you to be feeling well enough to enjoy the moment whenever you do ask me," Laura replied, sighing as Jason struggled to stay awake. "Sleep."
"Okay," Jason replied sleepily, a smile on his lips as he closed his eyes and relaxed into a deep sleep.
After making sure that Jason was in a comfortable sleep, Laura took the stuffed lion off the table and nestled it close to him before pulling out the emergency cell to call Dr. Oliver and ask for a ride home.
The rain had calmed to a trickle by the time Dr. Oliver and Laura had gotten back to the house and Ashley was there to greet them, "Tommy's really sorry for what he said, Laura," Ashley said in a concerned voice as she hugged her sister. "He told me what he said when I asked where you were and I got really mad at him, so Cassie had to separate us. He's hanging out in the den watching a movie."
"I know he's sorry and I forgive him," Laura replied softly, unaware that Tommy had come out of the den after hearing the door open and close. "I actually visited Jason for a few minutes and I…"
Tommy sighed as he came into the foyer, "Laura, I'm really sorry that I said what I said," he commented in an apologetic voice, gazing at her. "I told Uncle Frank everything and I'm going to be in town for a few days at least, so I was thinking that we should all get together with Jason when he's out of the hospital."
"I was already thinking that, actually," Laura replied softly. "Tommy, it's all right; I forgive you."
Tommy nodded and Laura sighed, "Now, it's late and I just want to go to bed," she said in a distressed voice, quickly moving down the hallway to her bedroom as she spoke. "I'll see you all in the morning."
Before anyone could reply, Laura secured herself in her bedroom, changed into pajamas, and got into bed for a much needed rest. She lay there, feeling as if the weight of the world was on her even though she knew she was loved. It was if she was struggling between the pain of the past and tomorrow's joy.
A knock at her bedroom door prompted Laura to slowly sit up, "Laura, are you okay?" Laura heard a quiet voice ask as Ashley came into the room and closed the door. "You seem like you're upset."
"Ashley, would you think I was crazy if I said that I've been having dreams about something that's going to happen?" Laura asked softly, sitting up in bed so Ashley could sit. "Something really terrible."
Ashley shook her head and sat down, "I can't tell Tommy or anyone else because we have no way to deal with whatever is going to happen," Laura replied in a concerned voice. "Do you remember that fellow who used to cause a lot of trouble with Rita? I believe the guy's name was Lord Zedd."
"Zedd's alive?" Ashley asked in a shocked voice, her eyes wide. "I thought he died when Andros…"
Laura frowned, "I'm not sure, but I know that he's got friends who are digging up some monster," she replied in a concerned voice, trying to remember what she had seen. "Let me try and explain it."
Ashley nodded and kept quiet as Laura sighed, "I saw this big robot and these smaller robots at a table where a badly injured man was laying, wondering what had happened to him," Laura explained in a quiet voice, trying to keep calm. "The big robot called the man Zedd and asked if he was ready."
"Ready for what?" Ashley asked softly, frowning as Laura sighed heavily. "Laura, are you all right?"
Laura sighed, "Can you stay with me tonight, sis?" she asked softly. "I don't want to be alone."
Nodding, Ashley laid on the bed beside Laura and the two fell asleep with their arms around each other.
Zedd grunted as he woke and examined his metallic skeletal form that had been reconstructed after his home had been attacked and his body nearly destroyed, "General Venjix, I presume?" he asked in a gruff voice, gazing at the large robot who stood by his table with Cogs. "I thought the Cogs were destroyed?"
"I saved and rebuilt a few of them after the Machine Empire was destroyed," General Venjix grunted.
Zedd nodded and grunted as he slowly got to his feet, "When you are sufficiently recovered, Zedd, I need you to find and wake Serpentera," General Venjix explained gruffly. "You are the only one who knows how to do it and it's the only thing that will be able to destroy the Earth when it is awakened."
"When I'm strong enough, I will," Zedd grunted weakly, silently walking over to a bed that had obviously been built and prepared by the Cogs because it was a mess. "I need to rest before I do anything."
"Miss Hammond?"
Laura opened her eyes and was surprised to see Miss Appleby standing over the chair in the staff room where she had chosen to use for part of her lunch hour, "Yes, Miss Appleby?" she asked softly.
"Sorry to bother you on your lunch break, but you have a visitor," Miss Appleby replied pleasantly.
Letting out a sigh, Laura stood up and followed Miss Appleby out of the staff room, thinking that she hadn't been expecting anyone because it had been a few days since Jason got out of the hospital and she had told him she was planning to visit after school along with their other friends because he needed to rest as much as possible while she was teaching and everyone else was in school. He had agreed and had promised to rest until then.
It was a surprise to Laura, then, when Miss Appleby stopped short of the doors to the courtyard, "Your visitor's out there," Miss Appleby said in a cheerful voice, giving her a very excited smile as she left.
Deeply confused, Laura pushed the doors open and was shocked to see Jason sitting at a small table in the middle of the courtyard that had been cordoned off and decorated to look like Phaedos. There were fake trees, rocks, and moss on the ground and the table had been set with nice dishes and a tablecloth.
"Hey," Jason commented softly, prompting Laura to realize that he was in a dark suit with his casted leg up above the ground while a pair of crutches sat nearby. "I heard you were teaching all day today."
Laura silently walked over to the table, relieved that she was wearing a nice sweater, boots, and a nice skirt for work that day, "I thought I'd come share my lunch with you," Jason commented in a tired voice, smiling as Laura sat down. "Mister Caplan gave his permission and Doctor Oliver, Ashley, Malcolm, Rocky, Adam, TJ, Carlos, Cassie, and Justin helped me decorate because I wanted to recreate where we first really made a connection with each other. Anyway, Laura, I really need to ask you something."
"Jason," Laura gasped, her eyes widening as Jason pulled himself to his feet and painstakingly got down on his uninjured leg before reaching into his pants pocket and pulling out a small box. "Jason?"
Even though he was hurting from being on the ground, Jason smiled and popped open the box for Laura to see, revealing a small ring with symbols etched into it, "Laura Hammond, I love you so incredibly much and you complete me," he said in a quiet voice, gazing solemnly up at Laura. "I've wanted to do this for so long, but the time has never been right until now? Will you please marry me, my eagle?"
"Yes, Jason Lee Scott, my brave lion," Laura replied softly, gasping as Jason put the ring on her finger.
Jason smiled and cringed, so Laura quickly stood up and helped him back up to his chair, "My mom's going to come by and get me at the end of the lunch hour," he commented softly, smiling at her as she gave him a gentle hug. "I just wanted to do it up right and I felt like this was the best way."
"It's perfect," Laura replied softly, gently kissing Jason before she stood up. "I love you."
Jason nodded and sighed as Laura sat down, "Where's our lunch?" Laura asked gently.
Before Jason could reply, the doors opened and a well-dressed Malcolm and Rocky came into the courtyard carrying two covered trays, "Hello there, Rocky and I will be your servers today and we come bearing two lunch specials from Ernie's," Malcolm said in a grand voice as he and Rocky set the trays down in front of Jason and Laura before lifting the covers. "Club sandwiches, juice, and onion rings."
Jason smiled and Laura chuckled, "This is so nice!" she replied eagerly. "Thanks a lot, guys."
"No problem, Jase," Malcolm replied calmly, grinning as he and Rocky left the courtyard.
Jason picked up his glass of juice, "Here's to our engagement," he replied, raising the glass.
"Here's to our love and a wonderful future," Laura said softly as she raised her glass to clink his.
There was silence for the first few minutes as Jason and Laura ate and then Laura sighed, "Jason, I need to talk to you about a dream I've been having," Laura spoke, feeling as if she couldn't hide the dream from everyone but Ashley anymore. "I've been dreaming about a robot named General Venjix rebuilding Lord Zedd and asking for his help to resurrect some monster named Serpentera. It's bothered me a lot."
"Lord Zedd?" Jason replied in a concerned voice, realizing that Laura had had another premonition.
Laura nodded and sighed, "I haven't told Doctor Oliver or anyone but Ashley about it and I don't want to be seen as crazy," she replied in an anxious voice. "I just think that it needs to be taken seriously."
"You're not crazy," Jason replied softly. "You should tell Doctor Oliver about your dream, though."
Laura nodded, "I will," she replied softly, smiling at Jason. "For now, let's just enjoy the moment."
Smiling, Jason nodded even though he was going to talk to Billy about Laura's dream later that day because he knew that Billy would be aware of things like that more than anyone else would be.
"Jason, Billy's here to see you!" Jason heard his mother yell in a pleasant voice. "He's in the den, Billy."
Nestled on the couch under a heavy blanket with pillows behind his back and propping up his casted leg, Jason opened his eyes just in time to see Billy come into the den, "Kimberly told me you called," Billy explained in a concerned voice, taking a seat on the end of the couch. "She said you wanted to talk."
"Laura's been having dreams about some robot named General Venjix resurrecting Zedd and asking him to find a monster named Serpentera," Jason replied in a concerned voice. "I told her to talk to…"
Billy sighed, "Doctor Oliver, right?" he asked softly. "He was one of Zordon's ancient warriors, so it would make sense that Doctor Oliver would have answers for Laura concerning her dream."
"I heard that before and how could Doctor Oliver be one of Zordon's ancient warriors?" Jason replied in a skeptical voice, giving Billy a confused voice. "Even if he was, why would he never talk about it?"
Billy looked surprised, "Probably the same reason why you haven't really talked about the attacks since you've been home," he replied calmly. "It's probably a very sensitive subject and hard to talk about."
Jason nodded, "Anyway, I'll use some of the company technology to try and see what I can find out about Laura's dream and Serpentera," Billy commented. "Since I own the company, I can use everything without creating suspicion. Anyway, I really am sorry we haven't visited much; how are you doing?"
"I got out of the hospital a few days ago and I'm going to start physio in November," Jason replied in a tired voice, grateful that he could lie back and relax without anyone caring. "Once I'm able to get around easier, my dad's going to help me get a job as a paramedic through the Angel Grove Fire Department."
Billy nodded and Jason smiled, "And I got engaged today," he said in a loud enough voice that his mother could hear what he was saying. "I proposed to her at the school during her lunch hour."
"Oh, my boy!" Helen cried anxiously as she hurried into the room and hugged Jason gently.
Jason smiled, "Is it okay if Laura and my other friends come over after school?" Jason asked softly, gazing up at his mother. "They all knew I was going to propose and they wanted to celebrate in a way that I was able to if she said yes. Laura said it would be nice to have a bit of a dinner with everyone."
"Jason, it's more than all right!" Helen replied in a delighted voice. "I'll go to the store and get some food for your party and while I'm out, I'll stop by the firehouse and let your father know."
As Helen grabbed her purse and keys and hurried out of the house, Jason looked at Billy, "Do you wanna hang out for a bit and play cards?" he asked in a quiet voice. "I could sure use the company."
"Sure," Billy replied in a calm voice, picking a pack of cards up off the table. "I have the time."
Ignoring the chill he felt from intense fear, Zhane silently watched as General Venjix and the Cogs started on another training exercise before he turned his attention to Zedd, who was inside the abandoned Moon Palace, silently reflecting on what his life had turned into and what was gone.
"I can't believe I have to show Serpentera to that metal head, Venjix, when I can't even have Rita or any of my power back," Zhane heard Zedd grunt as he sat in the Z-shaped throne that was once his.
His eyes widening, Zhane clicked on his recording device, "Lord Zedd has been resurrected by General Venjix and is recovering while General Venjix and rebuilt Cogs from the Machine Empire are preparing to find and resurrect Serpentera," he said in a hushed voice, grateful he was hidden in a crater. "According to what information I've gathered from my continued observations, Serpentera once tried to take over the Earth during the last Galactic War and was damaged by the ancient warriors commissioned by Zordon of Eltar to the point of being inoperable. I am uncertain, however, as to how they will…"
Zhane's eyes widened as he felt something vibrating in his pockets and in a quiet flash, he pulled Andros's dead Morpher out of his pocket and saw it flashing, "Of course, the powers of every Red Ranger and those who welded those powers will be able to stop this," he whispered in an anxious voice as he looked up at General Venjix and the Cogs. "I can only send limited communications to Earth…"
Zhane was silent for a moment and then gasped softly as he suddenly found his communicator linking to a device on Earth that was registered to someone in Angel Grove. Swallowing hard, Zhane set his teleportation unit to travel to the device's co-ordinates and then in a flash, he teleported off the Moon with the hope of finding the right help.
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