Five Days Later
Angel Grove Hospital
"Rocky, I assure you that I am as well as I am going to get," Dr. Oliver spoke in a tired, but calm voice as he lay in bed with a phone in his lap that was set to speaker while he lay in bed unable to move well because his lower back had been immobilized in a brace after being operated on and his pelvis and hips were also in special casts after having screws put into them. "You need to behave yourself and stay at Jason's until you are recovered. Now, go to sleep."
The phone went dead and Dr. Oliver sighed as Adam picked up the phone and returned it to the table, "Thank you, Adam," he spoke in a tired voice. "Rocky can be quite stubborn, but I happen to know that if he tried to visit having pneumonia, he'd be turned away right at the doors."
Adam nodded and Dr. Oliver sighed softly, "I need to get planning my wife's memorial," Dr. Oliver spoke in a tired voice. "Adam, will you please get my glasses from the table?"
"You should rest, Doctor Oliver," Adam replied as he retrieved the glasses. "This can wait."
Dr. Oliver gave Adam a look as he put his glasses on, "I have been resting and I need to start thinking about what I am going to do with my life now that my mobility is gone," he replied in a firm voice. "I am going to eventually go back to work as a school counselor, but not here."
Adam sighed and picked up Dr. Oliver's laptop as he sat in a chair beside the bed, frowning when a sad, distant expression materialized on the older man's face, "Happiness is only temporary to those who sacrifice their lives to the war I used to fight," Dr. Oliver spoke in a somber voice. "No matter how much you try to move past that life, it stays with you."
"This was Tommy's doing and I thought Laura told you that," Adam replied worriedly.
Dr. Oliver nodded, "She did," he replied softly. "I know the boy I raised, though, Adam."
Adam gave Dr. Oliver a confused look, "Tommy has been suffering ever since Laura and Tanya were taken hostage in Africa by Anton Mercer and Billy was found there alive," Dr. Oliver spoke in a quiet voice. "Anton took whatever power he got from Africa and went to MIT where Tommy was going to school. Something happened and Anton's been missing ever since. I know this because Tommy told me what happened and asked me to give him the gems, but I said no because it didn't feel right. Allan Mercer sent me a warning about the gems in 2001."
Deeply shaken and tired, Dr. Oliver fumbled for the pain button, "I need to rest," he spoke.
Adam nodded and Dr. Oliver closed his eyes with his glasses still on, prompting Adam to return the laptop to the table and get up. Sighing heavily, Adam silently left the room and moved down the hallway to the elevator to grab some lunch before heading home for the day.
Classes had been suspended since the earthquake and the town was busy dealing with memorials of those who had died as well as sending crews to assess and repair all the damaged buildings to see which ones were worth saving. Angel Grove was in a state of emergency.
Suddenly wondering how Ziggy, who he taught how to play soccer and had on his peewee team at his parents' request, was doing, Adam got off on the Peds floor. He walked down the hallway and was surprised to see Jason sitting on the couch in the playroom with Ziggy asleep in his lap with a blanket over both of them. A movie was playing on the TV, but it was being ignored.
"Hey," Adam said softly as he entered the playroom. "I was just visiting Doctor Oliver."
Jason nodded, "Ziggy wanted to watch a movie in the playroom, but he had a bad night last night and fell asleep shortly after the movie started," he explained softly. "Nightmares."
"Well, Ziggy was there when Doctor Oliver got hurt," Adam replied as he sat in a chair.
Jason sighed and frowned as Ziggy shifted before opening his eyes, "Daddy, I'm thirsty," Ziggy spoke in a sleepy voice, blinking at Adam quizzically. "Hi, Uncle Adam. Mommy's at school."
Adam gave Jason a confused look, "Laura's one of the citizens who volunteered to go look for salvageable things at the high school before the city makes a decision on it," Jason explained in a quiet voice. "Nick and Kira went to the kids day that Malcolm is holding at the Youth Center."
Nodding, Adam sat on the couch, "And I am looking after my littlest guy today," Jason said warmly as he grabbed a juice box off of the table and offered it to Ziggy. "Is this okay?"
Ziggy nodded and downed the juice box, "Are you hungry?" Jason asked quietly.
"No, Daddy, I don't wanna eat," Ziggy replied softly. "Can Grandpa Frank still eat?"
Jason sighed, "Grandpa Frank eats," he replied softly. "And I'm sure he misses you."
Ziggy sighed and tears filled his eyes as he buried his face in Jason's chest, "Ohh," Jason said in a gentle voice, gently rubbing Ziggy's back as he felt Ziggy crying. "It's okay, kiddo. It's okay."
Angel Grove High School
The photo of her and Jason's graduating class had been mercifully undamaged and Laura found herself picking it up and looking it over briefly before placing it in the tub of undamaged awards and school photos she had found strewn everywhere, "Wow," she heard a tired voice say.
Laura smiled as she turned and saw Billy, "Were we really that young?" Billy asked softly.
"I have no idea," Laura replied softly. "Billy, Jason and I have been talking and we've decided to take you up on your offer to put Ziggy into your school. I know it means having to move, but we can't leave Ziggy and he sure won't leave us. We've talked with Kira and Nick about the idea."
Billy nodded, "And how do they feel about it?" he asked in an intrigued voice.
"They love their little brother to pieces and they want him to be happy, but they know he hates school here because he's always in trouble for not playing with the other kids when he's supposed to," Laura replied softly. "Nick said that the school makes Ziggy sit in the kindergarten room for an hour each day just so he can learn to play with others. It's so degrading."
Billy sighed, "Well, my school won't do that," he replied gently. "Ziggy's six, right?"
"Yes, he was just barely one year old when he was found and he thinks being seven is better, so he says he's seven a lot and Jason or I gently correct him," Laura replied softly. "He got hurt…"
Billy nodded, "Is that where Jason is today?" he asked softly. "At the hospital with Ziggy?"
"Ziggy gets too scared at night to be left by himself, so Jason and I alternate between being with Kira and Nick and being with Ziggy," Laura replied softly. "It might have to do with the fact that he was found alone and injured. He likes being around people, but doesn't know how to interact with them the way he's expected to in school. I'm just so grateful he wasn't hurt worse in the earthquake and we're definitely not complaining about having him since we…"
Billy sighed as Bulk, who had been checking Miss Appleby's old classroom to see if anything could be salvaged, came down the hallway with a box filled with stuff, "Hey, do you guys want any of this stuff?" Bulk asked softly. "Whatever you don't want, I'm going to take with me to my new place. I'm moving out to this place called Shiba House and this guy offered me a job doing security for his property and he's also going to teach me about spiritual and emotional healing."
Laura smiled, "How did the trial go?" she asked softly. "I'm sorry I couldn't be there…"
"Ziggy was in the hospital, so it's understandable," Bulk replied quietly. "My parents got seventy years in prison each and they don't get any parole. Doctor Oliver's statement…"
Bulk sighed, "I should go see him sometime," he said softly. "Um, do you want any of the…?"
"I could always use more books for the school I run in Reefside or you could take them the Youth Shelter," Billy replied calmly, poking through the box. "I could actually use these."
Bulk thought for a moment, "Maybe I'll go see if Malcolm can make a little library at the Youth Center so kids who don't wanna do the physical stuff can read," he said in an excited voice.
"That's a good idea," Laura replied encouragingly. "Can you check on Kira and Nick for me?"
Bulk smiled and carried the books outside, "What trial?" Billy asked in a confused voice.
"Bulk was being abused his parents in high school and I've been helping him deal with the legal stuff," Laura explained softly. "I was supposed to go to the trial for his parents, but Ziggy got hurt and Bulk didn't want lots of people knowing what he had gone through."
Silence filled the air and Laura silently moved into what was left of Dr. Oliver's office to clean it out, knowing that she would save whatever she could and take it straight over to him.
The Youth Center was busy and Malcolm found himself loving every bit of work he had to do that day. Kids and parent volunteers were everywhere and it seemed that everyone had at least temporarily forgotten about the terrible earthquake that had severely battered the city.
Katherine had come and had left baby Laura with her parents while she helped Malcolm run the place because Rocky was laid up at Jason and Laura's with pneumonia. She and Malcolm cooked together, as the other volunteers were running the games and supervising the kids.
As burgers sizzled on the grill, Malcolm looked up and saw a dark-skinned boy wander in wearing worn sneakers, holey jeans, and a t-shirt over a faded fleece hooded jacket with a backpack on his back. He silently gazed at the groups of activities before coming to the counter.
"Um, hi," the boy said quietly, gazing up at Malcolm. "How much for a glass of water?"
Malcolm eyed the boy calmly, noting he looked horribly thin and tired for his age, "You know, if you're hungry, everything is free today," he said kindly. "It's a special activity day here."
The boy nodded and silently sat at the counter, "My name's Ethan James," he said quietly.
"I'm Malcolm Scott," Malcolm replied calmly. "Did your parents tell you about today, Ethan?"
Ethan suddenly grew very quiet, "I don't have any," he replied softly. "They died…"
Malcolm's eyes grew serious and sad, "Really?" he asked softly. "I'm sorry, Ethan."
Ethan shrugged, "It was during a bad earthquake a few years ago," he replied softly, eyeing the burgers on the grill. "That looks so good, Mister Malcolm. Are you sure it doesn't cost money?"
"No, it doesn't cost money," Malcolm replied gently, sighing as Kat came over to them. "Ethan, this is my wife, Katherine, and she helps me run this place. Would you like something to eat?"
Ethan nodded and went very quiet, his eyes sad and his expression unreadable as he looked around at all of the fun going on around him, "The ground shook a few years ago and my parents got buried in our house when I was in the yard," he finally said in a quiet voice.
Katherine silently went around the counter and went to find Detective Stone or another police officer to tell them about Ethan while Malcolm remained behind the counter, "Where have you been living, Ethan?" Malcolm asked gently. "You look like you could use a shower and some clean clothes along with the food. There are showers here if you wanna clean up a little."
"Um, wherever it's warmest to sleep," Ethan replied quietly. "Am I in trouble?"
Malcolm sighed, "No, but it's not really safe for you to be on your own, you know?" he replied.
Ethan nodded and Malcolm silently put together a burger for him, "Here," he said, offering it.
"Thank you," Ethan replied softly as he took the burger and devoured it as if he were starving.
Angel Grove Hospital
"Grandpa Frank?"
Dr. Oliver opened his eyes and smiled warmly when he saw Adam at the door with Jason, who was holding a pajama-clad Ziggy in his arms along with an IV bag, "The nurse said we could visit for a couple of minutes," Jason said in a kind voice. "Ziggy wanted to see if you were okay."
"You have lots of owwies," Ziggy said in a worried voice. "And lots of tubes and stuff."
Dr. Oliver nodded and Jason sat in the chair beside the bed, "I can't walk anymore because of the earthquake, Ziggy, and I'll have to use a wheelchair to get around," he explained gently.
Ziggy silently reached out and put his little hands on Dr. Oliver's hand, "But you're still gonna be my grandpa, right?" he asked in a quiet voice, giving him a look. "You're still gonna love me?"
"Oh, Ziggy, dear child," Dr. Oliver replied in a kind voice. "Nothing could ever stop me from loving my little Ziggy, or Nick, or Kira. Even though I can't walk, I can still be your grandpa."
Ziggy nodded and painstakingly leaned over, giving Dr. Oliver a gentle hug and kiss on the cheek before going back to his dad, "I love you, Grandpa Frank," he said in a tired voice.
Dr. Oliver smiled and Adam looked amused, "I think, Ziggy, that you could use a snack and a little nap," Dr. Oliver said in a kind voice. "Grandpa's going to take a nap too, but maybe your mom or dad can bring you and your brother and sister to visit me later or tomorrow?"
"Grandpas take naps?" Ziggy asked in a surprised voice as Nurse Sloan came into the room looking for Ziggy because it was lunchtime on the Pediatrics floor and he needed to eat.
Dr. Oliver nodded, "Grandpas take naps," he replied as he closed his eyes. "Love you, kiddo."
Jason sighed and carried Ziggy from the room while Nurse Sloan and Adam followed, "It's lunchtime on the pediatric floor, Ziggy," Nurse Sloan said gently. "Are you hungry today?"
"I guess," Ziggy replied softly. "Daddy brought me to see Grandpa Frank cause I was scared…"
Nurse Sloan nodded understandingly and led Jason and Ziggy back to the Pediatrics floor while Adam stayed behind, "Let's get you back into bed, Ziggy," Jason said kindly as they went into Ziggy's room and saw a meal tray on the portable table. "Do you want your stuff from the playroom? We can always watch the rest of the movie later since you're here for two…"
Ziggy sighed tiredly, "Is lunch good?" he asked softly. "I'll try really hard to eat it if it is."
Nurse Sloan uncovered the tray, revealing a plate of chicken bits mixed with brown rice and two slices of whole wheat toast along with a glass of apple juice, "Thank you," Ziggy spoke softly as Jason put him back in bed and covered him up. "It looks really good. I'll try hard to eat it."
"Just do your best, Ziggy," Nurse Sloan replied gently. "When you feel full, stop eating."
Ziggy nodded and Jason brought the tray over to him, "I'll be back in a little bit," Nurse Sloan said in a kind voice, smiling as Ziggy slowly began to eat. "I've got to check on patients."
Jason watched as Ziggy slowly ate all the chicken and rice mixture, but only ate one slice of toast, "My tummy doesn't like toast yet, but I'm gonna try to eat it because Nick said it's bad to waste food," Ziggy said quietly. "He said some guy named Tommy told him not to waste food."
Jason frowned, as Ziggy didn't know Tommy, but Nick and Kira had been living with Dr. Oliver before Tommy took off for the final time and knew Tommy. Ziggy, however, looked like he was done eating and gazing at the toast worriedly, not wanting to be in trouble for not eating it.
Ziggy yawned and Jason silently took the tray off the bed, "How about you have some of the juice and nap and Daddy will finish the toast?" Jason asked gently, stroking Ziggy's hair.
Nodding, Ziggy drank all of the juice before falling asleep and Jason sighed, setting the tray back on the table before eating the rest of the toast. Jason wondered how much of an influence Tommy had been on Kira and Nick before disappearing on a psychotic quest for the gems.
Ethan looked up at Malcolm, who had come around the counter and sat next to him as he ate the burger, "That was good, Mister Malcolm," he said in a quiet voice. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, Ethan," Malcolm replied gently. "Did you want to stay with me today?"
Ethan nodded and frowned when he suddenly saw Katherine and Bulk, who was in uniform and carrying a box full of books, come over to the counter, "Am I in trouble?" he asked softly.
"Malcolm, I came to donate these books to the Youth Center so you could start a literacy program," Bulk said as he set the box on the counter. "Kat told me about young Ethan here."
Ethan silently clung to Malcolm, "Yeah, Farkas, Ethan's going to help Kat and I out today and you can talk to him once it's quiet," Malcolm said in a kind voice. "I got Ethan to eat and I'm going to try and get him a shower and some clean clothes too. He doesn't have parents…"
"Farkas?" Ethan spoke in a quiet voice, eyeing Bulk. "That's a cool name for a police guy."
Bulk looked surprised, "My mom and dad died in that earthquake that happened not long before those planes got attacked by bad people," Ethan said quietly. "It was really bright and the ground shook a lot, but I hid in the backyard and saw the house fall down fast."
Malcolm and Katherine exchanged a look, as it was painfully obvious that Zordon's death had caused an earthquake that had killed Ethan's parents, "Well, would you like to hang out with Malcolm and Kat for a while?" Bulk asked gently. "It's kind of too noisy to talk to you now."
"Are those books?" Ethan asked, eyeing the box. "Can I read? I'm feeling sort of tired."
Malcolm frowned and felt Ethan's forehead, "Hmm," he said softly. "You do feel warm."
"Why don't you take him to your office and let him rest on that cot you sleep on when you stay over and do inventory?" Katherine suggested gently. "A nap will help him feel better."
Malcolm smiled, "Ethan, would you like to rest in my office away from all that noise?" he asked.
"Yes," Ethan replied softly, holding his arms out to Malcolm. "I'm too tired to walk anymore."
Malcolm silently scooped Ethan into his arms and listened to Bulk follow them to the back room, "You can rest in here for a while and I'll do some paperwork while you sleep," he said in a kind voice, setting Ethan on the cot. "Officer Farkas will guards the door outside, okay?"
Ethan nodded and cuddled up under the blanket that was on the cot before falling asleep.
"Thanks, Farkas," Malcolm said, sitting at his desk as Bulk slipped out to guard the door.
Reefside
"Those gems can't be replicated and you know it."
Tommy opened his eyes and found himself sitting at the desk in his office, his preparations far from complete. The only advantage he had was that school in Reefside had been delayed until October because of the massive earthquake that had damaged many, many communities.
Someone else was in his office and Tommy knew it, but he was powerless to stop the cloaked figure from coming over to his desk, "Tommy, have you caused enough damage with your desire for power?" the cloaked figure asked coldly. "Your anger and passion has grown."
Before Tommy could open his mouth, he felt the figure forcing him to stand and walk around the desk, "Your heart is cold and your mind is focused," the cloaked figure said. "Feel it."
The cloaked figure reached out and touched Tommy's face, "You were careless to attack Rocky DeSantos for the black gem," it said coldly. "The gems bind themselves to their masters and it was never going to stay with him because it could feel his sorrow and warriors are strong."
Tommy closed his eyes, his conscience eating at him because part of him enjoyed attacking Rocky and part of him felt remorse over hurting a friend. A flash of light suddenly flooded the room and as Tommy opened his eyes, he realized that the black gem had appeared around his neck in the form of a black arrowhead. The black gem had bound itself to him forever.
"Interesting," the cloaked figured said coldly. "The gem chose you…of all people."
Tommy frowned as the cloaked figure stroked his face, "You'll eventually die because your heart is not what the gem requires, but it still chose you," the figure said. "I know your heart…"
"I'm not giving it up to you, Anton," Tommy hissed coldly. "It chose me and I'll keep it."
The hand slapped his face, "Do not call me Anton," the figure said. "I am Mesogog and should I ever come to the point where I will be defeated, I will destroy that gem and you with it."
"Then I will do what I can to keep you from figuring out how," Tommy promised firmly.
The figure laughed and the classroom faded to a dark place that Tommy knew to be dangerous, yet he felt more comfortable there than in his classroom, "Your heart lies here and so does your mind," Mesogog said in a comforting voice as he led Tommy over to a table and bound him.
Overwhelmed by his decisions and his fate, Tommy barely cringed as he felt needles enter his neck and he immediately felt tired, "How does power feel now, Tommy?" Mesogog asked.
Angel Grove
Laura suddenly froze as she picked up a book from the pile scattered across Dr. Oliver's office, intending to add it to what was already in the boxes. She suddenly felt cold and her hand went to the locket around her neck; it was putting visions in her head that showed the black gem resurfacing and bonding with Tommy. She could also see Mesogog promising to destroy both.
Shaken by what she was seeing, Laura silently put the book in the box and stood, frowning when she turned and saw Billy standing in the doorway, "I felt it too," Billy admitted quietly.
"I don't know what to do," Laura spoke in an anxious voice. "I need to talk to Jason."
Billy nodded, "I never realized how much stuff Doctor Oliver had in this office," Laura said with a sigh as she continued picking books up. "I should check on his house if I get some time."
"Rocky will appreciate that," Billy replied calmly. "He made himself sick getting back here…"
Laura sighed, "I really need to go hug Kira and Nick," she said in a tired voice. "Ugh."
"This can wait a few minutes," Billy replied reassuringly. "I want to go check on Trent and Kim."
Laura nodded and closed Dr. Oliver's office as best she could before leaving the high school with Billy. The walk over to the Youth Center was slow going, as the city was still working on damage control and hadn't gotten around to repairing a lot of the roads and sidewalks.
As the two approached the doorway, they saw groups of tired, but happy looking kids and adults leaving to go work on repairing damage to their homes. Many of the people smiled at Laura and Billy as they entered the Youth Center, but everyone was too busy to talk.
The first thing Laura and Billy saw was a young boy sitting beside Malcolm's near the mats while Katherine and Bulk talked to them. Nick and Kira were sitting with Trent and Kim at one of the tables making crafts and Spike sat alone in a corner thumbing through a police magazine with Ashley sitting beside him, hugging him as only a devoted mother could. Adam and Tanya were putting things away while Ernie went around the floor with a pushbroom.
"Nick, Kira, what are you two up to over here?" Laura asked warmly as she walked over to the table where Nick and Kira were working on their crafts. "Did you guys behave yourselves?"
Kira nodded, "We made stuff for ourselves, for you and Dad, and now we're making stuff for Ziggy since he's stuck in the hospital," she explained calmly. "Can we go visit him soon?"
"Mommy, how is Grandpa Frank doing today?" Nick asked softly. "Is he going to be all right?"
Laura sighed and ruffled Nick's hair, "Grandpa Frank won't walk again and he'll still be in the hospital for a while, but maybe you can visit him tomorrow," she replied in a kind voice.
"Is Uncle Rocky gonna stop sleeping out in the yard?" Nick asked in a worried voice.
Laura frowned and waited for an explanation, "Uncle Rocky goes out and sits in the backyard hammock after we go to bed and he takes a blanket, but he just stays out there til the sky starts to turn pink," Nick said quietly. "He doesn't talk or anything, but I think he cries."
"Hey, Adam, could you and Tanya do me a huge favor?" Laura asked as she looked at Adam.
Adam nodded and wandered over to the table, "Go to our house and make sure Rocky is behaving himself," Laura said quietly. "He's been staying with us since he returned."
Adam was quiet for a moment and nodded, "Tanya, come on," he said in a worried voice.
Tanya looked at Adam and nodded, not hesitating to follow him out of the Youth Center.
"How about you finish up your projects, Kira and Nick, and we take the ones you want to give Ziggy to the hospital?" Laura suggested calmly, wondering if Adam knew something she didn't.
"The gem didn't bind with you because you are weak and the gem seeks warriors to wield its power," a dark voice taunted Rocky as he sat on the couch in Jason and Laura's den, covered in a blanket and resting his casted arm on a cushion. "Those lashes on your back are still there."
Rocky sighed as he reflected back to when he had been a Dark Ranger and had been whipped for his unwillingness to submit quietly. The scars had only faded for a while and then they had come back and he knew that the pain made him unfit to bind the black gem to him; the black gem had a mind of its own and it had chosen to bind itself to Tommy for whatever reason.
Congestion filled Rocky's chest and he sighed heavily; he needed to figure out how he was going to take care of himself and Dr. Oliver because Tommy clearly wasn't interested in anything but the power of the gems. Tears filled Rocky's eyes as the burden of losing the gem hit him and he began to cough and hack uncontrollably, still shaken by the fight in Mexico.
"FOOL!" a dark voice filled Rocky's mind. "DO YOU THINK YOU CAN FIGHT THE DARKNESS?!"
Pain shot through Rocky's body and he was overcome with a vision of Tommy kneeling helplessly in front of a cloaked figure while wearing the black gem, which had taken on the form of an arrowhead, around his neck, "The gem never wanted Rocky because he was weak," a voice said. "The gem found and bound itself to you, Tommy, because you are strong…"
There was a soft thump and Rocky suddenly felt a hand grab him and haul him up, "This is the mighty Rocky DeSantos?" the cloaked figure asked coldly. "The guardian of the gems?!"
The front door suddenly opened and Adam and Tanya froze when they saw a cloaked figure in Jason's den holding Rocky above the floor by the throat, "Rocky!" Adam called out anxiously.
Chuckling, the figure glared at Adam and Tanya, "The gem's bound to Tommy now and there is no purpose for Rocky, so I am merely ending his worthless existence on Earth," he hissed.
Rocky, however, suddenly felt adrenaline fill him and he kicked the figure in the abdomen as hard as he could. The figure let out a howl of agony, dropped Rocky on to pillows all over the floor that Nick and Kira had used to watch a movie the night before, and disappeared.
As Rocky coughed and massaged his throat with his good hand, Adam and Tanya hurried over to him, "Don't…tell…Jason," he managed to say weakly, shaken by the sudden attack.
"What was that thing?" Tanya asked in an anxious voice. "Laura sent us to check on you."
Rocky nodded and coughed anxiously enough that Adam knelt and began to gently rub his back, "I'm endangering Jason, Laura, and their kids," he breathed anxiously. "Tommy's got powers…"
"Should I call for help?" Tanya asked in a worried voice. "Rocky, can you get up?"
Rocky sighed, but slowly rolled and pulled himself into a sitting position, "I'm okay," he replied.
Tanya didn't look convinced, but Rocky inched his way back on to the couch, "Um, I'm fine and I don't need a babysitter til Jason or Laura get back," he said firmly. "Nothing happened here."
"Well, I'm staying," Adam replied sharply as he sat on the couch. "Don't even argue."
Rocky sighed softly, but didn't protest, "I'll make some food," Tanya said in an anxious voice.
Angel Grove Hospital
Quiet crying filled the air and Jason looked away from his book, frowning when he saw Ziggy squirming and trying to reach out for something in his sleep while tears streamed down his face, "Wake up, Grandpa Frank, please…" Ziggy was moaning through his anxious tears.
Not wanting Ziggy to tear his sutures, Jason put the bed railing down and climbed on to the bed, "Hey, Ziggy, wake up," he said in a gentle voice as he put his arms around his little son.
Ziggy woke and immediately clung to Jason, "I had a bad dream, Daddy," he whimpered.
"Was it the same one about the earthquake you've been having all week?" Jason asked softly.
Ziggy nodded and Jason put a protective arm around him, "It's okay, Ziggy," Jason spoke in a gentle voice, sighing as footsteps entered the room. "We went and saw him, though…"
"Hi Uncle Billy and Uncle Billy's dad," Ziggy said softly, looking at Billy and Dr. Cranston.
Jason looked up and smiled when he saw Billy and Dr. Cranston, "Laura said that I could come talk to you about that school in Reefside," Billy said kindly. "She's with Kira and Nick right now."
"What's a reefside, Daddy?" Ziggy asked quietly, giving Jason a look. "Uncle Billy's too smart."
Billy chuckled and sat on the edge of the bed, "Ziggy, your mom and dad tell me you're having a hard time at school," he said in a kind voice. "I run a special school in a city called Reefside."
"Daddy, are you and Mommy gonna send me away?" Ziggy asked in a worried voice.
Jason sighed, "No, Ziggy, your mom and I would move to Reefside with you, Nick, and Kira if you liked your Uncle Billy's school," he spoke gently. "You don't have to decide anything today."
Ziggy was quiet and didn't say anything because he didn't know what to say, "We'll talk about it and let you know," Jason said calmly. "Ziggy, I think Doctor Cranston wants to examine you."
"I wanna see how you're healing from your surgery if that's okay," Dr. Cranston said kindly.
Jason got off the bed and Ziggy lifted his pajama shirt, showing his bandages, "Mommy brought me pajamas yesterday because I didn't wanna wear the spotted dress," Ziggy said quietly.
Dr. Cranston checked the incision and the bandages and covered Ziggy back up so he wouldn't be cold, "Well, Ziggy, you're healing up nicely," he said kindly. "How are you feeling?"
"My tummy doesn't like heavy food yet," Ziggy replied softly. "Daddy ate my toast today."
Dr. Cranston nodded calmly, "Well, your tummy might not like heavy food for a few weeks yet," he replied calmly. "Have you tried walking around at all on your feet yet?"
"I walked to the playroom after breakfast, but it hurt," Ziggy replied softly. "I'm tired."
Dr. Cranston nodded, "Billy, why don't you sit with Ziggy for a little bit while I talk to Ziggy's dad out in the hallway?" he suggested softly. "Ziggy, if you're tired, I want you to go back to sleep."
Jason silently followed Dr. Cranston out into the hallway, "Ziggy's healing process is a little slow," Dr. Cranston said softly. "I'm sure he'll be fine, but it'll just take a little longer before he can resume running around and being active. He'll still be able to go home in two days."
Nodding, Jason sighed, "And, you should probably know that the hospital got a call from Rocky DeSantos yesterday about transferring Doctor Oliver to a rehabilitation center that will help him be able to use what abilities he still has," Dr. Cranston spoke softly. "Rocky has the authority to request that since there's not much else this hospital can do to help him."
"When and where is Doctor Oliver being moved?" Jason asked in a confused voice.
Dr. Cranston sighed, "In the next few days and it's a rehabilitation facility down the coast quite close to the school and lab Billy runs," he replied in a calm voice. "It's very nice and residential. It's got the latest medical technology."
Jason nodded, "Doctor Oliver's aware of it and he's more than happy to leave Angel Grove given the circumstances," Dr. Cranston explained calmly. "He's distraught by what happened and can't even talk about it."
Sighing, Jason silently returned to Ziggy's room and saw that Ziggy had gone back to sleep, "Your dad told me what Rocky arranged," he said in a quiet voice. "I didn't know…"
"Nobody knew," Billy replied softly. "Rocky's been visiting Doctor Oliver as much as he possibly could until he got sick and they've also talked over the phone while Rocky's been sick. It's not so much a rehab facility as apartments with staff on hand to help with therapy and stuff."
Jason nodded and sat down in his chair, "Since Tommy disappeared, Doctor Oliver made Rocky his medical proxy and relayed his wish to recover somewhere where he can have a fresh start," Billy explained quietly. "Rocky finally told me last night and I think he also told Laura, but he doesn't want too many people knowing his pain. He's going to write letters for everyone…"
"Um, I was wondering if we could come and take a look at your school in a week or so when Ziggy's feeling better?" Jason finally asked, composing himself. "I think it's a good idea."
Billy nodded, "I'll arrange it," he said quietly. "You should get some rest, Jason."
Sighing, Jason went quiet and gazed at his sleeping son while Billy silently left the room.
Rocky sighed as he sat on the couch in Jason's den, silently packing his bag with one hand because he planned to leave with Dr. Oliver as soon as he could. He had money to live quite comfortably while his arm healed and he would be able to see to both his and Dr. Oliver's needs for a long time before worrying about finding a job.
As Rocky clumsily packed, the front door opened and footsteps entered the house, "Go put your crafts in your rooms and we'll take Ziggy's things to him around suppertime," he heard Laura say in a motherly voice.
Footsteps went down the hallway and Laura frowned in confusion when she came into the den and saw Rocky packing his things, "Adam called as I was leaving the Juice Bar," she said in a concerned voice. "What's…?"
"Doctor Oliver's being moved in a few days and I'm going with him," Rocky replied softly. "You know that."
A jolt of pain suddenly shot up Rocky's arm and he sighed, grabbing his sling off the pile, "You need to wear that or Jason's going to get cranky," Laura said gently, sighing as Rocky started to cough uncontrollably. "Take a break."
"Doctor Oliver asked me to clear his stuff out, put a lot of it into storage, and take care of selling his house, so I can't take a break," Rocky protested anxiously through coughs. "He's hurting so much and just needs…"
Laura sighed, took the sling, and touched Rocky's arm, "My arm!" Rocky said in an awed voice. "What did you do?"
A cracking sound filled the air as the cast crumbled and fell off, "It's healed," Rocky said in an awed voice. "How?"
"I guess I can still heal some things by touch," Laura spoke softly. "I can't cure your pneumonia, though."
Rocky nodded and sighed tiredly, "Just take a couple days to rest and let your friends help you deal with all the stuff that Doctor Oliver asked you to do," Laura spoke softly, giving Rocky a look. "Tell me what needs doing and I'll relay it to everyone. I'm sure that we can all help you get everything done so that you can leave town quietly."
"Okay," Rocky replied as he grabbed his water bottle from the table and took a few sips of vitamin water.
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