Notes: All standard disclaimers in Part One. Well, I did it. Jason's at the end of his journey -- or is he? Read on and find out! This is the only part which would get a PG-13 rating -- unfortunately, it won't make much sense if you haven't read the story so far. Let me know if I've murdered the characters beyond recognition, or if it actually has some merit besides the fun I had while writing it, okay? Enjoy -- hopefully! : ) DB

"Hey, who's for breakfast?"

Rocky's cheerful question for once didn't elicit the usual groans from the rest of the Rangers. Mondo had really outdone himself this time, waking them shortly after dawn on a Saturday morning, and there was nothing quite like having to fall out of bed and go directly into battle. It was something they all felt they could do without, but even Tommy had to admit, it certainly was effective.

"Count me in," Kat yawned delicately, stretching now that the adrenaline was wearing off. "I think I could do with about half a gallon of coffee."

"Yeah, me too." Tanya leaned into Adam, snuggling sleepily close as his arm encircled her shoulder. "Buckets of coffee, fresh pancakes, strawberries and cream........"

"I like the way the lady thinks," Rocky grinned at the Green Ranger, exchanging yet another high five with his oldest friend. The slimly muscular Asian grinned right back as he tightened his hold on his girlfriend. He liked the way she looked this early in the morning, a bit mussed up, still soft and warm from sleep. He fleetingly wished he could actually watch her waking up, but reined his thoughts in again. They'd agreed they weren't quite ready for that experience yet.

"Where would we go for that, though? Any ideas, guys? Tommy?"

All turned to the Red Ranger, who had remained silent throughout their banter. But then, that was nothing new; for the past six weeks, ever since the trouble with Jason began, Tommy had become more and more withdrawn. Of them all, he took it the hardest that the former Gold Ranger had his ... mind ... switched into some other reality, apparently gliding from universe to universe with no way of coming home. Alpha and Zordon had managed to find out that a random reality warp had manifested in the park six weeks ago, trapping his best friend and exchanging him with his alter egos from different realities.

The first transfer hadn't been too noticeable; apart from the fact that that other Jason had a hard time accepting that he was no longer in charge of the Rangers -- actually, held no Powers at all anymore -- he hadn't been that different. He fit in quite well with the team, once he accepted that Tommy was not the girl he was in love with. That had come as a shock to all of them -- they'd come to know that there had been duplicates of all of them in Angel Grove over a hundred years ago, when Kim had been sucked into the time hole, but to learn that in some realities, they were not exactly like they were in the here and now had taken some getting used to.

The Blue Ranger had had a field day as he'd learned that Jason was in love with Tommy's female counterpart; he had teased his team leader unmercifully, until the next switch occurred. They all had gotten quite a surprise as Jason suddenly shrank back from them in the Power Chamber; it soon became obvious that this Jason was not 'Jason' at all. Meeting Jess in their friend's body had passed 'strange' very quickly, to slide into the realm of 'downright weird'. The young woman tried very hard to adapt to her new surroundings, but it had been difficult for her to have to go back to school, when she already was at college, and to learn that her longtime friends were, in fact, the Power Rangers -- something she hadn't known before. Kat and Tanya had taken Jess under their wings, because it was hard for Tommy and Jess to be together; she had a tendency to snuggle up to the man she hoped to marry one day which was disconcerting for all. After all, it was not the 5'4" twenty-year-old woman who unconsciously tried holding hands with the Red Ranger, but a broad-shouldered male Ex-Ranger. Rocky's teasing grew noticeably less frequent as he saw how hard it was for both Tommy and Jess to deal with their altered relationship. Thankfully, it lasted not the month it had taken for Jason#2, as the Rangers referred to their first 'guest' now, to vacate their friend's body, but only a week. What had come after that, though....

Tommy shivered slightly as he tried to focus on his friends. Ever since Jess had gone and Jay occupied Jason's reality, he had a hard time keeping his head together. It hadn't really surprised him to learn that he and Jason were in love with each other in those other dimensions. They always had shared a very special relationship, and given the fact that their counterparts were female, it wasn't all that difficult to accept. What was somewhat harder to swallow was that Jess had confided to him that she'd gone to sleep in his arms the night before she got caught up in the exchange; it had made for a more than rude awakening to find herself far from her lover, in a younger, male body and in the company of the Rangers all at once. She'd been surprised and a little angry to learn their identities, since she and her Tommy had been a couple for over four years, and he'd never told her about his 'day job'. Tommy grinned, a bit amused. He certainly didn't want to be in his counterpart's shoes when Jess came home.

All too soon, however, Tommy's thoughts returned to their current 'guest'. Jay and his relationship with his alter ego had come as something of a shock. They'd all expected a connection between the two of them by now, but to learn that in Jay's reality they were openly lovers, and had been for some time, was a lot harder to come to terms with. Not even Rocky had dared to joke about it, and Kat....

Tommy sneaked a peek at his girlfriend. Things weren't going quite as well as they'd hoped; it was only recently that Tommy began to question his feelings for the Pink Ranger. He still thought about Kimberly more than he cared to admit, and had seriously considered contacting her in Florida to sort themselves out once and for all, when the mess with Jason started. For the past six weeks, he'd been preoccupied with worry for his best friend, wondering and hoping when and if he would get him back. Jay's arrival had raised questions in everybody's minds about his feelings for Jason, especially since the familiar dark eyes looked at him with only thinly-disguised emotion.

Kat had complained that Jay was scoping him out; much as Tommy would have liked to deny it, he knew it was true. The most innocent of touches, things he'd always shared with Jason, took on new overtones, and he was getting increasingly more uncomfortable. Part of it had to do with the fact that it didn't feel as weird as he thought it should when Jay slid a friendly arm around his waist instead of his shoulders, or gave him winks and looks one could only describe as intimate. As a consequence, Tommy withdrew from everybody, isolating himself as much as possible, wrestling with his worries and unanswered questions. Of one thing he was sure, though: He and Jason would have to have a long talk about their experiences if -- no, when; he refused to believe otherwise -- the former Gold Ranger came back.

Wrenching his thoughts back to the present with a marked effort, Tommy gave Adam's question some thought. He knew he could not shut himself off totally, no matter how much he might wish for some time alone to think things through. It was too early yet to go to the Youth Center, and while Mrs DeSantos never complained, it would be too inconsiderate if all five of them dropped in on the large household without warning. An idea began to form.

"Um.....who of you can actually cook?"

The girls looked at him mistrustfully. Exchanging wary glances with Kat, Tanya admitted to some experience in the kitchen.

Tommy grinned. He knew what they were probably thinking, but that wasn't quite what he had in mind. Getting slowly into the spirit of things, he reassured the girls.

"I'm not suggesting you feed all of us..."

"Good," Kat interrupted him, with a playful scowl. "I might be willing to cook for you, but there's no way I'm making breakfast for that bottomless pit!" She elbowed Rocky in the side.

While the Blue Ranger took loud exception to the jibe, to the amusement of the others, Tommy quickly thought about the feasibility of his plan. Yes, I think it might work!

"Guys......guys, will you listen?" The others turned towards him, still exchanging mock threats. "My parents aren't home this weekend, and you know our kitchen is large enough... what do you say we all pitch in and walk by the shopping center on the way to my place? We can get fresh fruit, milk, a bag of pastries and whatever and eat at home. If Kat and Tanya will agree to cook some waffles, or eggs, or something, I'll provide the coffee and stuff. We do clean-up together, and see what we can do for the rest of the day."

The girls eyed the male Rangers consideringly, then exchanged a glance. Tanya sounded more than slightly dubious as she cautiously agreed. "If you guys promise not to skip out of KP duty...." She earned a chorus of affirmatives. Kat gave her an encouraging nod. "Oh well, I guess we can trust you this once." She smiled as she said that. Adam and Rocky exchanged high fives once more. Just as the five were getting ready to walk to the Oliver house, Tommy turned and looked up the small hillock. His eyes fastened directly on the dark-haired young man who was picking his way carefully down the slippery grass. Before he could alert the rest of the Rangers that something had obviously brought Jay to the park this early as well, he saw the look of astonishment cross over the well-known features. It quickly changed into a grimace of pain as the solid frame began to sway and shudder. Tommy started in alarm, but before he could take more than a few steps, the newcomer fell to his knees, reaching out a hand and gasping for breath. Something alerted the others, and they watched in horror as the muscular frame collapsed right before their eyes, crumbling unconscious to the ground.

Tommy was at his friend's side in an instant, lifting the dark head into his lap. At this moment, he didn't care that the person he was cradling might not be Jason, all he could feel was the frantic beating of his heart at the thought that something terrible might have happened to him. Rocky crouched down next to him, reaching for a strong wrist to check for a pulse. His lifeguard training took precedence right now over any other concern. After a few moments, he relaxed.

"It's okay, Tommy; his pulse is strong and regular."

"Then why is he unconscious?" The Red Ranger didn't even try and hide his anxiety as he lifted frightened eyes to his friends.

Rocky tried to ease the former Ranger into a more comfortable position, without moving him from Tommy's hold. He knew better than that.

"I dunno; d'you think it might have been another transfer?"

Tanya knelt next to the three boys, putting a comforting hand on Tommy's shoulders. "It might...."

Tommy shook his head. "You've seen what happened in the Power Chamber, when Jess appeared; Jase was dizzy for an instant, but he didn't faint!" Unconsciously, he smoothed a stray lock of short dark hair back into place. The others noticed, but didn't comment. Before any of the five teens could offer another opinion, their attention was drawn towards the muscular boy lying between them. A hand came up to rub at a temple, dark eyes fluttered open, and a painful moan caused Tommy to tighten his hold on the broad shoulders.

"Easy, bro."

"T-tommy?" Jason tried to sit up, but both Rocky and Tommy held him down.

The Blue Ranger checked his pulse once more. "Take it easy, Jay; you just fainted, and before we know why...." he was interrupted by the deep voice.

"I'm not Jay!"

The Rangers exchanged worried glances. Who was caught in their friend's body this time?

Tommy felt his heart beat even faster. There was something about the voice, the .... sense....he had about him....Hardly daring to hope, he assisted the repeated tries to sit up, still supporting the broad shoulders against his own chest. His own voice barely more than a whisper, he asked the question he could read in everybody's eyes.

"Who are you, then?"

Jason finally succeeded in sitting straight, but made no effort to get away from his best friend. His own hope and excitement threatened to get the better of him as he twisted around to look into the familiar brown eyes.

"I'm Jason.....Jase. Tommy?"

"Yeah...." How to establish the correct identity? A vague idea from the early days of their friendship popped up. Breathless with hope, he asked for something only his 'own' Jason could know, since they'd been alone at the time.

"What happened when we saw Titanus for the first time?"

Instantly comprehending the reason for the query, Jason grinned at his best friend and relaxed. Recalling the incident as if it had been yesterday, he grasped the hand still holding him up and squeezed hard.

"I told you that I had the ability to get to the special weapons against the super putties faster than you, but since you were better with a sword than me, I left the Power Sword with you, to cover me. You wouldn't let me go up that hill unprotected, though, so..."

"...I gave you the Dragon Shield, and distracted Titanos long enough for you to reach the weapons!" Tommy interrupted, a silly grin spreading over his own face.

"It is you -- isn't it?"

The others exchanged bewildered glances. None of them knew what the two were talking about; only Rocky and Adam had a vague idea that it referred to the time when Jason had been the Red Ranger and Tommy still held the Green Power.

"If by 'you' you mean, am I Jase -- ex-Red, ex-Gold Ranger, the one who was caught in a random reality warp six weeks ago, then yes, that's me." The two laughed breathlessly, still holding on to each other. Suddenly, all the tension of the past few weeks left Tommy in a rush. Not caring in the least what anybody might think, he hugged his best friend close.

"Oh, man...!"

Jason hugged right back.

"Man, am I glad to see you guys!" His sparkling look included the other Rangers as well, although most of his attention was focussed on Tommy. Suddenly, the Red Ranger grasped the broad shoulders and shook Jason once, hard. His voice choked with relief, he could barely speak.

"If you ever do something like that again, I'll....." Words failed him. Tommy glared as the others began to laugh, finally understanding that their friend had, indeed, come home.

Jason laughed as well, relief evident in his smile. Untangling himself from Tommy's hold, even though he didn't really want to, he shot a mock glare of his own at his friend.

"Hey, it's not as if I had a choice, you know!"

"Yeah, Tommy -- I don't think Jase would have lived willingly in a girl's body for a week, or wanted to be Jay!" Rocky winked at Jason, who smiled somewhat ruefully, but kept his own counsel. The Blue Ranger had no idea......and he wasn't ready to talk about his experiences, not yet. Not until he'd gotten used to being back home again, in his own reality, and certainly not until he'd had a long talk with his best friend. Still, there were some things the others needn't know anyway; things he'd share with Tommy and maybe Zordon, but not with the rest of the gang. Sighing softly, he struggled to his feet, helped along by a solicitous hand from the Red Ranger.

"Listen -- could we go to see Zordon? There's something I have to tell him..."

Tommy got to his feet as well.

"Yeah -- we'll have to get you checked out, to make sure you're alright."

Jason groaned comically.

"Don't tell me I've got to have another bioscan!" The others all smirked at him. "Aw, man...! Anyway, I've got to tell Zordon... guys, if Zordon can confirm this, there's a chance we might get Billy back!"

"What?"

"You're not serious!"

"Really?"

The chorus of excited voices was all Jason had hoped for, and then some. He laughed again, from sheer relief and happiness at being back where he belonged.

"I'd have asked for a full scan anyway..."

"Are you sure you're allright?" Tanya asked, only half-mockingly. They all knew how much he had hated the numerous tests he'd had to undergo while he was losing the Gold Ranger Power.

Jason couldn't stop grinning. "You're not going to believe this, guys, but during my last stopover, I went to Phaedos and got Ninjetti Powers....."

"What? I thought you couldn't ever hold Ranger Powers again!" Adam interrupted.

"I know; according to Zordon -- the one in that last reality -- the loss of the Gold Power messed up the resonance between my mind and my body. The team focussed the Power through the Zeo Crystal and somehow that restored the...harmony, I guess. The imbalance was also the reason I got caught in that reality warp in the first place; now that it's been restored, the next transfer would get me home again. And since that worked, obviously..." he had to pause for breath. Inhaling deeply, Jason continued in a rush.

"Either it's leaking over from my mind into my body, or maybe it could be duplicated here again, but there's a good chance I'll be able to be a Ranger again sometime!"

"Oh man, that's great!" Rocky clapped Jason on the shoulder enthusiastically. The others all agreed. Within moments, breakfast forgotten, the six teens dissolved in a rainbow of colored lights to reassemble at their command post.

The tests Alpha ran on Jason were exhaustive, but brought the results everyone had been hoping for. Even the possibility of getting the former Blue Ranger back seemed feasible; their ancient mentor promised to contact Aquitar at the next opportunity. Jubilantly, the Rangers looked at each other.

"What now?" Kat asked, smiling brightly. She could see that Tommy was feeling worlds better than before, and her own mood rose accordingly. While she didn't know Jason all that well yet -- after all, he'd only been home for a few months -- she was aware how much he meant to her boyfriend. Besides, the former Gold Ranger soon had made his own place on the team, and he'd been missed in spirit, if not in body.

"Breakfast!" Jason announced decisively. "I've been up since dawn, and I only had an apple on the way to the park. I'm starving!"

Rocky grinned; now here was a man after his own heart!

"What have you been up to this early anyway, Jase?" he queried, an evil grin spreading over his face. This was going to be good! "Having hot, steamy sex with Jay's Companion?"

"Rocky!" Tanya swatted him. "As if Jason would do such a thing!" Kat and Adam laughed at the idea. Only Tommy noticed the slight shadow that crossed Jason's face, before he forced a smile on his face.

"Is that what you think, Rocky? Do you really believe I would intrude on a solid relationship just for the hell of it? After all, I may have lived in Jay's body for a while, but he was here!" The Blue Ranger subsided, apologizing for suspecting Jason. The others just shook their heads at Rocky's one-track mind; he'd speculated enough about Jason's activities in those other realities. No one but Tommy noticed that the former Ranger had neatly avoided giving a direct answer.

The banter continued as the six teleported out, to buy breakfast items and go to the Olivers' house, as per their previous plan. The meal turned into an impromptu party, lasting till late in the afternoon. It ended at the lake, where they spent hours just playing in the sand, the water, relaxing and sharing experiences. Naturally, they exchanged stories how it had been for Jason on the one hand, and for the Rangers on the other, learning about their counterparts.

"You really think Jason was in love with Tammy?" Jason's question surprised everyone with its intensity.

"Yeah, he really was. I mean, he had trouble sometimes relating to Tommy, but he talked to Adam and me about her a lot. Also, that he didn't have the guts to tell her about his feelings." Adam corroborated Rocky's words. "Yes, really. She was all he sometimes talked about."

"Good."

That took quite a load of Jason's mind. If what he suspected was true, his alter ego would find himself exactly in the space he'd occupied last, when the transfer occurred. He couldn't help a tiny grin. He remembered quite clearly his shock when he'd found himself in bed with Tommy the second time around; that other Jason would wake up in bed next to the girl he secretly loved, with no memory of how he'd gotten there. Well, he had every confidence in Tammy; she'd been so sure about her feelings, Jason didn't doubt she would set him straight as soon as possible.

"How did you cope with him?" he asked Tommy, curiously.

"You mean, once he got over wanting to deck me because he thought we had somehow abducted Tammy?" The Red Ranger smiled, considering.

"Pretty well, actually, when he was around me. Of course, it was hard for him not having any Powers at all, but he did okay, all told. He was a lot like you."

"He was a bit more serious than you," Kat mused. "Less ready to do things just for fun. I doubt I could have persuaded him to take part in my ballet, or that he would have done the Fashion show for anyone."

"You got that right, girl!" Tanya laughed. "By the way, Jase, what about Emily? Did you meet her, too?"

Jason shuddered theatrically, garnering curious looks from his friends.

"Let's say I saw her; I certainly had no desire to meet her there."

"Oh? Do tell!" Rocky, of course.

"I've never been into the chains-and-leather scene, thank you very much!"

"What?!?" The others looked dumbfounded.

"Over there, Emily is part of a biker gang -- remember those punks Bulk and Skull used to hang out with for a while?"

Tommy nodded; the Troublesome Twosome had had sense enough, at least, to distance themselves from the really bad apples even AGH had shortly after he'd moved to Angel Grove. He'd heard the stories about the Food Fair, though. Bulk and Skull might be stupid, but they were not really mean -- most of the time, anyway.

Jason told the others a bit about the fights the Ranger team had had in that other reality; Tommy listened as avidly as the others, commenting and comparing occasionally on the four weeks that had passed here. All the time, though, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something Jason wasn't telling. It showed in his choice of words, in the way he sometimes would get a faraway look in his eyes....none of the others noticed, but he knew his friend better than that. There had been something between Jase and Tammy, he was sure of it, and the thought sent a feeling he couldn't identify into the pit of his stomach. Well, Jason would tell him when he was ready.

The talk slowly turned to the fifth week, when Jess had been an unwitting guest in Jason's body. He'd given the Rangers a very sanitized version of his first moments as a girl, and had all of them nearly in stitches with laughter. Now that it was past, Jason could see the humour in the situation, although he'd flushed beet-red when he told his woes about having to take the Pill and wearing the lacy underwear Jess favoured.

"Aw, man! I haven't laughed so hard in ages!" Rocky lay wheezing on his beach towel, holding his aching sides.

"Yeah, well, I'd have liked to see you in a peach bra and panties!" Jason shot back, grinning despite his embarrassment. That got another shout of laughter from his friends. He looked to the two female Rangers for support.

"C'mon, girls, help me out here!" Kat and Tanya looked at each other, at Jason, at each other again, and broke into near-hysterical giggles.

"What?"

Jason sat up, suddenly suspicious. There was more going on here than met the eye.

The guys smirked openly.

"Why don't you tell him about that Wednesday afternoon?" Adam grinned. Jason fought off a slight chill. That had been the day he'd almost gotten mugged, or worse.

Kat controlled herself with a visible effort. Her lips twitching, she didn't dare look at Tanya.

"Well, Jess was getting a bit stir-crazy; there wasn't much she could do that wouldn't create a stir, so she spent the afternoon with us."

"Tell me about it; at least she could go to school as me -- I was pretty much confined to the apartment. All I could do was watch 'Oprah' every day!"

That set off the laughter all over again, as much at Jason's indignant tone as at the image it provoked.

"You won't be so happy about Jess taking your place in class -- she botched your science test pretty badly!"

"Oh no....." Jason's pained groan as he sank back on his back was drowned in the group's merriment. He recovered soon, though. Recalling the earlier smirks, he asked again.

"What have you guys been up to that day?"

"Oh, nothing much," Tanya said with studied innocence. "We just took Jess to the mall...."

Jason stared at the girls, torn between horror and laughter. He knew those two, and their shopping habits.

"Please tell me that nobody saw me there with you...!"

"Don't worry; nobody important, anyway," Kat reassured their friend. Her slightly evil smile told another story, though.

Jason sat up again, alarmed. Hoping against hope, he hardly dared ask.

"Who saw me?"

This time, it was Tommy who delivered the bad news with twitching lips.

"As Kat said, nobody important -- only half the football team."

"Yeah --- just as you came out of the lingerie shop with those two, shopping bags in hand!"

Jason fell back on the blanket with a moan of sheer despair. It was too much for the male Rangers; they all collapsed into howling bundles of mirth. Trying to gasp for breath, Rocky blurted out the last escapade the girls had gotten Jess into.

"Y-you also haven't t-told your mother yet about the p-pair of jeans she bought for you...." he had to stop because he was laughing so hard.

"Oh, come on, Rocky, they are really stylish, and look great on Jason!", Tanya protested.

"Yeah -- they also cost close to a hundred bucks!"

Jason jerked up with a start.

"WHAT?!"

"Well, they were on sale at the GQ boutique...." Kat tried to defend herself and Tanya. "They fit real well, too!"

"If you don't want to sit down in them, they actually do," Adam consoled the horrified former Ranger. "They are a bit...um....tight."

Having tried the jeans Jess had in her wardrobe, Jason could well imagine. Covering his eyes with his hand, he just shook his head. "Thank you, God, that it was only a week! Who knows what else you two would have gotten her into if I'd stayed in her reality much longer!" Almost dreading the answer, he couldn't help but ask.

"Where'd she get that much money, anyway?"

"She said she found it in your desk, in an envelope marked 'clothes'," Kat replied. Jason fell back. "That was for my new gi, and equipment! What else did you do?"

Tanya considered for a moment. "We had made an appointment at Antonio's for a makeover for you, but Jay didn't want to go. Would you like us to reschedule?"

Defeated, Jason only looked at his male friends from his prone position on the blanket.

"How could you let them do that?"

All he got was another round of laughter.

When everybody had quieted down somewhat, Tommy brought the conversation to Jason's stay in Jay's reality and his trip to Phaedos.

The girls were intrigued to learn about the Spirit Animals their counterparts had received; Adam, Rocky and Tommy found Jason's tale about having to choose between two different Spirit Animals fascinating. It was so different from their own experience, that they wanted to know every detail.

"I don't get it; we had to fight that dinosaur skeleton, and those gargoyles at the Monolith; why'd you have to go someplace else? Was there no danger at all?" Adam wanted to know.

"Well, there was that one instance," Jason recalled. "Before the Lion went deeper into the jungle, we passed by this stretch close to the river where the ground was really rocky; Tommy wanted to go clear across, but the Lion, who was waiting under the trees, looked at me so...I dunno. Anyway, I decided to go along the perimeter, even though it was farther and harder to negotiate; good thing we did, because we were about halfway past, when suddenly these boiling hot geysirs sprang up all over the place. There were at least a dozen at the same time, and if I hadn't picked the other way, we'd have been caught right in the middle. As it was, we got away with only a few splashes." He showed them a half-healed burn on the inside of his arm.

"Wow," Rocky commented, impressed despite himself. You could fight gargoyles and skeletons, but nature?

"What made you choose the Lion instead of the Eagle?" Kat asked, curious. "I mean, you are so much like Tommy, and so close in so many ways, I'd have thought you would have chosen a Spirit Animal close to the Falcon."

"Part of me wanted to," Jason admitted, directing an understanding smile towards Tommy. He knew that his best friend was asking himself the same question. "Especially since Billy in that first reality had told me that Jason had had the Gold Eagle as his Spirit Guide. But I saw the Lion's pack in the distance, almost as if they were supporting him while he came for me. Somehow, they reminded me of you guys -- of the team. I... something just told me that my place was with the team, not just going it alone." He shook his head. He hadn't been able to put his exact feelings into words yet, it was so intensely personal. A quick sideways glance at Tommy showed him that his friend understood, though. That was all that mattered.

As the sun began to set, the group dispersed, agreeing to meet again the next day. Kat and Tanya left together, as did Rocky and Adam. Jason continued to sit on the blanket Tommy had brought, deep in thought. Tommy watched his best friend in silence for a while, then cleared his throat. Jason turned towards him, smiling a question.

"You want to talk, bro?"

"Yes --- no. Not today."

Tommy sat up. He knew it wasn't going to be easy, but the whole affair had brought up too many questions in his mind, about himself, his relationship with Kat, his unresolved feelings for Kim and most of all the near-consuming fear he'd felt about possibly having lost Jason permanently.

"Jase .... we need to talk. Well, at least I do," he amended.

Jason regarded Tommy with eyes that were at once warm yet unreadable. "I know. So do I. There are things I have to tell you.......but not now, not today. I -- I need some time, okay? Right now, I'm just glad to be back."

Tommy thought for a moment, then conceded. "Okay, for now. Just....just don't take too long, okay?"

"I won't. I promise."

Tommy sank back onto the blanket, satisfied. He knew Jason would keep his word. Content, he watched his friend watch the sunset, feeling at peace for the first time in weeks.

The next week passed uneventfully for the Rangers, if one didn't count the regular attacks by Mondo and his army of cogs. Graduation was approaching with frightening speed, and everybody was making plans for life after school. Tommy was surprised when a visit with his uncle's racing team and a spin 'round the track for fun resulted in an offer to come racing; he and Jason had made tentative plans years ago of opening a dojo together, which would mean taking business classes at college. However, any prize money Tommy might win would bring them one step closer to realizing their dream. That was one of the things Tommy planned to bring up as he and Jason made their way out to the reservation where David lived. It was time for them to have their talk, and the desert would offer them more than enough privacy, while being close enough for Tommy to get back quickly if the Rangers were needed.

After spending the night with Sam Trueheart and Tommy's brother, the two set out on a small hike to find a quiet place for their talk. David had listened avidly as Jason had recounted some of his experiences of the past weeks, and had flushed a deep red as he learned that in one reality, he and Kat had been a couple. Tommy and Jason exchanged surprised and amused glances, but made no comment; this was something better left alone. Tommy had admitted that his relationship with Kat was heading nowhere; while they were still good friends, it was tacitly assumed that it would be over when she left for London in late fall.

Settling down in a shaded place, both young men sat silently for a while, neither knowing quite how to begin. Finally, Tommy cleared his throat.

"Jase?"

"Yeah?"

"Look....maybe it's none of my business, but I can't shake the feeling that there've been things about your little trip you haven't been telling us."

Jason smiled ruefully, drawing up his knees and resting his arms across them. "You know me too well." Inhaling deeply, he admitted to Tommy's suspicions. "You're right; there were things I didn't -- don't, actually -- want the others to know about. It's not that I don't trust them, but..."

"I understand." After a moment, Tommy asked what he was almost positive about. "It's got something to do with Tammy, doesn't it? My counterpart in that first reality?"

"That's part of it. To be honest, a fairly large part." Collecting his thoughts for a moment, Jason looked at his friend.

"I fell in love with her. Maybe not quite at first sight -- I was too shocked to see you as a girl -- but it was close."

"I thought so." Tommy's calm acceptance eased Jason's nerves somewhat. "The way you talked about her....it was fairly obvious."

"Yeah -- to you and everybody else over there. I thought I could handle it, I really did --- I kept reminding myself that I didn't belong there, but......one night, we were walking home from the Youth Center....." briefly he relived the magic of that evening, and their first kiss. Looking straight at Tommy, he confessed. "I kissed her. I was lost after that. If someone had told me I had to stay there forever, I don't think I would have minded."

Tommy was stunned. Jason had never dated much, to the chagrin of a lot of girls at school; for him to fall so hard, and fast..... he fought down the slight twinge the thought cost him. It was an effort to concentrate on Jason's next words.

"That was about two weeks into my stay. I....." he blushed slightly, "....I've never been so happy."

The quiet admission brought a lump to Tommy's throat. However, he knew there was more.

"After another two weeks, there was this dance at school; I took her, of course. Oh man, Tommy, she was so beautiful....."

Tommy squirmed slightly. Jason had told them that Tammy had looked almost exactly like him; it was somewhat embarrassing to watch the reminiscent glow on his best buddy's face. Soon, though, Jason sobered. In a soft voice, he told Tommy about that night, about the scare they had had. Then, he admitted what the Red Ranger had begun to suspect.

"We made love that night. It was her first time, and she was so......I don't know. All I can say is that I never wanted it to end. We fell asleep afterwards, and the transfer must have happened then, because the next thing I know was that I was in bed, completely naked, and you were making love to me."

"Oh man...." Tommy didn't know what to say. He was partly embarrassed because his imagination kept providing him with images of Jason making love to a tall girl with long, dark hair and brown eyes -- and with images of himself bent over his best friend, their skin touching. Another part of him hurt with his friend, because he could still hear echoes of the pain Jason must have felt at losing Tammy so abruptly. He deliberately chose to ignore his reactions. Instead, he offered his own memories of that time.

"You know.... that was Jason's greatest worry -- that Tammy would fall for you. He wouldn't say it to my face, but I heard him talking to Adam once. He wanted to ask her out, but was convinced she thought he was still in love with Kim, so he never said anything. When he'd learned that you weren't involved with anyone, he was afraid you might ruin his own chances with her."

Jason snorted. "If what I suspect is true, he returned to the place and time I was in when the transfer happened. That means he woke up in Tammy's bed, with no idea how he got there. I just hope he didn't hurt her too much."

Tommy briefly laid his hand on Jason's shoulder. "Don't worry; he cared too much about her for that."

"You think so?"

"Definitely."

For a moment, the two were silent. Then, Jason went on.

"Being Jess was at once harder and easier, and I don't mean the obvious. Easier, because you were you, and harder because she and her Tommy were a couple already. I'm just glad she got back before the 24th."

"Why's that?" Tommy asked, curious. Jess had never mentioned anything about a particular point in time when she had to be back; she just wanted to get back, period.

Jason smiled gently. Casting a slightly mischievous glance at Tommy, he told him the reason.

"Because Tommy wanted to propose on that day." He chuckled at the blush that tidbit provoked. Recovering himself, Tommy smiled back. "You think he did?"

"Oh, I'm sure. Maybe he didn't even wait that long."

"Why wouldn't he wait?"

Now it was Jason's turn to blush. Meeting Tommy's eyes with an effort, he confessed to something he still felt somewhat ambiguous about himself.

"Because we'd just made love about an hour before I was transferred again."

The Red Ranger sat, stunned. He had trouble forming the words.

"Y-you...made love .... to me......as a girl?"

"Yeah," Jason admitted quietly. "It was so weird....I'd tried all week to keep my distance, but when you stood in my doorway, you looked so lost.....about as much as I'd felt, and I only knew that I couldn't see you hurt that much. I -- I didn't think, it just happened. You needed me, and I was there. I had to help you somehow, and that was the only way I had." Neither young man noticed that Jason made no distinction between his best friend and that other Tommy.

They sat in silence for a while after that. Tommy had accepted intellectually that Jess was intimate with his counterpart, but to learn now that Jason, as Jess, had actually consummated that relationship took some time to get used to. His own image of making love to someone just didn't quite jel with Jason in the 'receiving' role. Not that he knew what it had been like -- he didn't want to know, because it was just too uncomfortable. After all, he still had not been intimate with either Kim or Kat; Tommy had textbook knowledge, so to speak, but found to his embarrassment that he was starting to get aroused by the images Jason's words evoked.

Trying to lighten the suddenly charged mood (and to get his hormones under control again!), Tommy fumbled for the backpack they'd brought.

"Hey, it's almost time for lunch...." It was a weak attempt at diversion, and he knew it, but Jason accepted the break from his memories eagerly. It was still strangely disconcerting to think about the time he'd been Jess. Although to an outsider, his situation as Jay should have been the strangest, he had felt more comfortable then as during the time before.

Tommy handed over fruit and sandwiches, and they shared sodas that were still reasonably cool. For a while, they sat and ate in silence; when they were finished, they wandered a bit farther, until they got to a slight promontory which was shaded by a large slab of stone and afforded them a magnificent view of the desert. They settled down again; both knew that there were still things they had to address. After a while, Tommy was the one to give voice to his thoughts.

"Y'know.........when we first found out what was wrong with you......it wasn't so much having to deal with different incarnations of you. That actually felt more like an adventure; like the time Kim, Rocky and I were caught in that storybook." He cast a slightly teasing look at Jason. "It wasn't even having to deal with Jess, or Jay, for that matter; usually they both managed to behave themselves. Jess better than Jay, though," he mused.

The ex-Gold Ranger managed a tiny smirk; Tommy in that last reality had told him that Jay was very affectionate, and the more demonstrative of the two. Considering the fact that Tommy had never hesitated to touch, or even kiss him in public, he could make a good guess at what Jay considered 'normal' behaviour around Tommy. Jason suppressed a sigh; he hadn't expected to miss those easy exchanges so much, now that he'd gotten a taste of what it could be like between him and Tommy.

The Red Ranger continued, not noticing the momentary lapse of concentration in his friend.

"No, it was more the fact that nobody knew what had happened to you. We assumed that you were in those other dimensions, but we didn't know. It was driving me nuts," Tommy confessed quietly. He didn't look at Jason, as he gave voice to his greatest fear for the first time.

"I.....all I could think of was that you were gone, out of my reach, possibly forever. I almost couldn't cope, I was so scared. I mean, all those times we were in danger, or when you went away......either I could do something to help you, or I knew it would take a little extra effort to get in touch with you."

Jason just put a comforting hand on the red-clad shoulder. It gave Tommy the courage to look at his best friend as he admitted the things he'd felt during Jason's absence.

"I've never felt so afraid that I might lose you permanently except for the time when the Gold Power had messed you up so thoroughly. Jase......I know how this is probably gonna sound, but I don't care. I need you. Please.....don't leave me, ever!"

Jason was stunned. He'd never expected anything like this from Tommy; he always seemed so self-sufficient. For a minute, he debated with himself if he could tell Tommy about his own feelings now, but knew that he ultimately had no choice. Especially not after Tommy had just laid his soul bare for him. He knew his friend -- admitting to actually needing someone had to have cost him. All he could do was offer his own honesty in return -- soon. He met the anxious brown eyes with a reassuring smile.

"Tommy, you know I can't promise you that -- not the way things have been ever since we became Rangers. I can promise you one thing, though -- as long as it is within my power, I'll always be there for you, no matter what. Barring emergencies, or accidents, I won't leave you, either. Not if I can help it!" Tommy's lean face lit up at that; it was the reassurance he'd been hoping for, hoping that Jason would be able to understand and accept his need. Instinctively, he reached over for a brief hug, which Jason returned gladly. He just hoped that Tommy would be as understanding when it came to his own confession.

The two young men sat for a while, watching the play of light and shadow the wind-chased clouds made on the arid landscape below them. After some time, Tommy had control of his emotions once more.

"So....what happened when you were with Jay's Tommy?" He knew that Jason's tale wasn't finished yet.

He was surprised at the slightly sardonic smile on Jason's face.

"Well, when the switch happened, at first I thought I was already home." Jason recalled those first moments from two weeks ago. "I was back in my own body -- or so I thought ---, my room was the same, there were even my two old communicators where I always leave them. I went to Ernie's, and the gang seemed normal, too ... the first inkling I had was when you came. It sort of cleared things up quite effectively."

"Why? What did I do?" Unconsciously, they'd given up on keeping track of their various alter egos; it was easier that way.

"You kissed me -- right there, at our table at the Juice Bar. In front of everybody."

Tommy gaped; his own experience with Jay had been embarrassing enough, but certainly nothing like this!

"Hooo boy...! What did you do?"

Jason grinned, blushing slightly. "I bolted."

"You .... what?"

"I ran away. It just suddenly was too much. I'd already halfway convinced myself that I was home; to have the rug yanked out from under me like that was the last straw."

"I can imagine...!"

"How did you find out about Jay?"

It was Tommy's turn to colour up. He looked out into the desert as he told Jason about the incident.

"I was in the locker room at the Youth Center, taking a shower. When you came in, I knew Jess had gone on -- she usually showered at home; she said she felt just too uncomfortable." He couldn't help the small, reminiscent smirk as another memory surfaced. "Man, the first time we ran into each other in the bathroom at school.......she nearly fainted with embarrassment. Later, she told me she would have died if there'd been anyone else but me in there."

"Yeah; at least she'd seen you before."

"What? Oh God, of course! I never thought of that..." Tommy blushed as red as his shirt; he'd never made the connection before until Jason had just pointed it out to him.

"Man, all the trouble I went to not to get undressed after gym when she was there...."

"...was totally wasted!", Jason laughed. "She'd already seen it all, and then some!" He enjoyed seeing Tommy squirm like that; it was the first time he could get in a little payback for all the teasing he'd endured after his return. Soon, though, bot teens sobered again.

"So.....what happened with you and Jay in the showers?" Jason asked, a bit too casually, in Tommy's opinion. He wished he could better control the rush of blood to his face. Looking at his friend out of the corner of his eye, he mumbled,

"He.....he started washing my back." Tommy couldn't go on; at first, he'd thought it funny, but when those warm hands had strayed from his back down to his posterior, he couldn't believe how good it felt. To his embarrassment, it had taken him far longer than he cared to recall to step away from the sensuous glide of skin against skin.

Jason hid his smile. While he and Jay's Companion had abstained till that last morning, they had shared a shower of sorts under the waterfall in the glade where he'd gotten his Ninjetti Powers. It had been a close call for both of them, and only the knowledge that they couldn't risk a transfer before their return to Earth had enabled them to stop. By mutual agreement, they'd gone solo that time, as well. But he still remembered the feeling of pressing himself against the leanly muscular body while the water sluiced over both of them, adding its own caress.

"Did you deck him?" he asked curiously.

"No, but I came close."

Jason sensed that that was all Tommy was going to say on the subject. He waited for the Red Ranger to go on.

"I could hardly believe what he told us about their relationship; I mean, Society over there must have really changed."

"It sure has. But I have to tell you, bro -- it took some getting used to, but it was also damn refreshing. I mean, for once you could talk about things like that without being afraid that people might think you're weird, or anything."

"Yeah." Tommy paused for a moment, then looked at Jason, a twinkle in his eye. "Can you imagine what my father, or yours, for that matter, would have to say if we tried to live like Jay and Tommy?"

Jason sobered.

"Yes, I can. To be honest, though, if that was something I really wanted, or if I were gay, I don't think I would care. And I know that both my parents would ultimately support me, no matter what." This line of thought hit just a little too close to home for comfort right now.

"I guess you're right. So would mine, if I could convince them it's what I really wanted. Still, I can think of easier things to confess to my folks. Like, being a Ranger...having lied to them about our activities for over three years......that sort of thing, y'know?"

Both boys shared a brief laugh, which was not entirely carefree. John Scott and Brent Oliver both had repeatedly told their sons about the importance of honesty and straightforwardness. They'd had a good reason for disobeying, but still......

Tommy recalled himself to their previous discussion. He had a feeling that there was yet more to Jason's story than he'd already heard, and he was curious to know the rest.

"So....when you went to Phaedos, what happened, besides you getting the Ninjetti Power? Does it still work, by the way?"

"Yes, it does, but not for very long. I spoke to Zordon about it the other day; he thinks that the same method we used there would have to be reapplied here once more to stabilize the Power within me. But we agreed that there's no hurry, really; the Ninjetti Power is of little use against Mondo, and this way I can stay in the background a bit."

"Sort of like our secret weapon, huh?"

"Yeah, that's me." Both grinned. "Anyway, we met Billy, and he found out what's been causing the switches after the first time."

Tommy noticed with some surprise the more than slightly sheepish expression on Jason's face. Intrigued, he sat up.

"Oh? Why did you get transferred on, then?"

"I...I made love." Seeng that Tommy was about to comment, Jason hastened on. "It has no real deep meaning; the way Billy explained it, it had to do with the chemical and psychological processes happening within the body during intercourse."

"Yeah, that sounds like Billy," Tommy laughed. He thought about it for a moment. "Makes some kind of sense, though."

"True. In any case, that also showed us the way how I could get home, once the Rangers fixed the connection between my mind and my body the Golden Power had messed up."

"Uh-huh. What way was th........waitaminute!" Tommy stared at Jason, slack-jawed. "A-are you saying that........that you and Tommy.....Jay's Tommy.........no way!"

Jason had gone slightly pale, but met his friend's eyes unflinchingly.

"Tommy and I made love. I was switched back home about an hour later last Saturday."

"Then...then Rocky's comment....."

"Was exactly right. Tommy and I woke up at dawn and had the hottest, steamiest sex I could ever have imagined."

"So that's why you didn't give him a straight answer....." Tommy still stared at his best friend, trying to reconcile this startling bit of news with the image he had of Jason. Deep down, in a far-away corner of his mind, a little voice whispered that it wasn't that strange, not when it also involved him. The young man refused to listen.

"I thought you had a bad memory? Yes, that was part of the reason. Another, bigger part was that it's really none of Rocky's business. I mean, I like the guy, but his mouth does tend to run away with him at times."

"You got that right. Sometimes I wonder how he manages to keep our identities secret." The bit of levity went a great deal towards diffusing the tension that had sprung up with Jason's revelation. The two sat for a while, silently looking out over the desert landscape, watching dark clouds gather in the distance. Then, Tommy looked hesitantly at his best friend.

"What.....what was it like?" He interpreted the look Jason gave him correctly. "I'm not trying to pry; I think I'd have done the same -- you had to have a way back, and if that was the only way......"

Jason looked down in front of him. Thinking back on his reasoning at the time, he took his time formulating his thoughts.

"Billy had a theory that it would permanently restore all transfers to their original realities. Seems he was right, at least for me. I can't let myself think about what the others I displaced would go through if they didn't get home."

Tommy nodded, understanding. Suddenly aware of his dry throat, he took the last two sodas out of the backpack and handed one to Jason, who took it gratefully. They grimaced a bit at the lukewarm temperature, but sipped the liquid slowly. After some time, Jason continued, almost as if speaking to himself.

"Tommy didn't really want to do it, in the beginning. He felt as if he was cheating on Jay, but he knew it was the only way for both of us to get back where we belonged. He wanted Jay back so much......he really loves him."

The Red Ranger chose to ignore that last comment. Instead, he concentrated on another aspect.

"Technically, he wasn't really cheating. I mean, it was still Jay's body, right?"

"That's what I told him. I don't know if it was that convincing, though. I mean, look at the whole mess. My body's been here all the time, but did you really think I was?"

"No." Tommy didn't have to think before he gave that answer. Jason -- everything that made his friend what he was -- had been missing for all of the six weeks, and it had scared him badly, even though to all outward appearances, he was still there.

"What was it like?" he asked again, driven by a need to know he refused to examine too much.

Jason thought for a moment, trying to find words for the experience which still filled his dreams at night.

"Intense. Hot --- I never thought I'd get so excited. Very loving, though -- we both didn't want to hurt each other. He really was very gentle.......I don't think I can describe it, really. It was the same and yet totally different from making love as Jess. I mean, as Jess I just had this feeling of being filled, of being joined to Tommy, but with him......being stretched open like that, taking him inside of me, feeling his pulse within me....being within him....." He looked over at Tommy, who had tried vainly to suppress a strangled noise. The Red Ranger's face was beet-red, and he looked anywhere but at Jason.

"I'm sorry; I wasn't trying to embarrass you."

Jason's voice was quiet. Tommy tried to match it.

"'S okay; I did ask, didn't I?" He got a small smile in return, then Jason looked back out, at the darkening sky. Tommy followed his gaze. Before he could comment further, a sudden gust of wind blew sand and grit into the spot where the two boys sat.

Getting up, Tommy tried to recall what David and Sam had told him about the desert. Quickly calculating the time they had left before the sudden storm front would reach them, he held out a hand to haul Jason to his feet.

"C'mon -- if we hurry, we might just make it before that storm hits. We don't want to be caught outside in the middle of that."

"Right." Jason couldn't tell whether he was relieved or frustrated. He'd told Tommy only part of what he wanted, but at least now he knew that he'd been intimate with all three of his counterparts. All things considered, he'd taken it surprisingly well. Now there was only the matter of his feelings for his friend......but that would have to wait. Right now, all that mattered was to get back to the Reservation before they were soaked.

Tommy hurried back the way they'd come, his friend at his side. His thoughts were in turmoil, but he tried hard to come to terms with everything Jason had told him. His best friend had had sex with another man? Unbelievable. Even more so that that man had been a duplicate of himself. He was uncomfortably aware of his erection; the way Jason had talked about making love with that other Tommy......the look in his eyes.....Tommy was sure Jason wasn't even aware of how much he'd given away. Jase's gay? No. Not after the way he talked about Tammy. Besides, I'm sure I'd have noticed something before if he were. I always could tell, somehow.... Tommy had met openly homosexual people before, in some of the big cities he'd lived in before moving to Angel Grove. A lot of them had been interested in Martial Arts, as well. It had never been anything blatant, although he'd had to refuse a pass or two in the past. No, it had been small, insignificant things -- the way they reacted to the girls, a look, an inflection -- once you knew what to look for, the signs were there. He'd never got anything like that off Jason. Then why does it affect me so? He mentally shrugged it off while the teens made their way back as fast as safely possible. The clouds were gathering with astonishing speed. Probably because I haven't had sex yet with anybody; to hear Jase talk about it.....it's just hormones, I'm sure. Deliberately turning his thoughts to other matters, Tommy followed the former Ranger, who had pulled slightly ahead.

The small settlement had just come into view when the storm broke. Pouring on the speed, Jason and Tommy sprinted through the first heavy raindrops to the Trueheart house, but didn't quite make it. While they weren't exactly soaked, they were wet enough that they had to borrow clothes from David before they caught cold. They shared dinner and prepared to leave for Angel Grove, when a flash of lightning lit up the sky and a sudden clap of thunder reverberated around the house. Moments later, a hard, driving rain began lashing the windows.

"Oh man, I'm going to love driving in this," Tommy groaned as he looked out. "I just hope we can see the road."

Sam Trueheart went to the window. After a few moments, he turned to his son's guests.

"I am sorry, Tommy, but I won't let you drive in this at all." He raised a hand before the protest could form on Tommy's lips. "There is a stretch of road which leads past a hillside; in this kind of weather, we've often had mudslides there. Nothing that can't be negotiated with your 4X4 once it's stopped raining, but much too dangerous in the dark and the rain. Your parents would never forgive me if I let anything happen to you boys." The older man's tone precluded any argument. Still, Jason felt compelled to point out something else.

"But, sir....our parents will still worry. They know we'd planned on coming home tonight, and since there's no phone here..." He hadn't seen an extension around the house, nor a phone booth at the settlement.

David grinned. "Hey, the phone company might not want to run lines to out here, but we do have electricity, you know." He went over to a small cupboard and opened it. He took something out and showed it to his brother and his friend. "The wonders of modern technology. Nowadays, there's no reason why we should have phone lines strung all over the place, cluttering up the landscape." He checked the charge on the cell phone. "As soon as the lightning stops, we can call your folks and let them know you're staying the night."

Jason and Tommy exchanged glances. They knew it was pointless to argue; Sam had made it very clear that he expected them to obey. Giving in gracefully, the four men prepared to spend the evening together. Sam and David told about the history of the tribe, especially as it pertained to the arrowhead Tommy and David shared; Jason had known only the barest facts, and was fascinated. In turn, he and Tommy related some of the things they'd experienced as Rangers; David had confided in his adoptive father, but they knew the Truehearts could be trusted. In all, it was a pleasant time; the two teens managed to get a call through to the Olivers, who promised to tell Jason's folks his whereabouts.

It wasn't all that late, but life on the reservation followed a slightly different path than in the city. Consequently, it was only shortly after eleven that Jason and Tommy found themselves occupying the twin beds in the guest room, preparing for sleep. Jason was already under the covers, watching his best friend unobtrusively as he came out of the bathroom. He was glad that they'd undressed in different rooms; he wasn't sure he could handle being naked in the same room with Tommy yet. It was still too soon after his experience in Jay's reality. He sighed and rested his head on his arm.

Tommy heard the sigh and wondered at it. The day's revelations had been rather startling, and he desperately wanted some time to think about everything that had been said. However, now was not the right moment. He glanced at Jason. He had a slightly far-away expression on his face, and seemed lost in thought. Sitting down on the edge of his bed in boxers borrowed from David, like Jason, Tommy quietly called his friend's name.

"Hm?"

"Is something wrong, bro?"

Jason looked at Tommy, noticing the affection and concern in the chocolate eyes. Tell him! Tell him now! something within him yelled. He opened his mouth, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, he opted for a half-truth.

"Nothing, really. Telling you about everything today brought it all back to me, and I'm just trying to get back on track. Besides, I'm tired."

As if on cue, Tommy let loose with a long yawn. Both laughed.

"Yeah, me too. But Jase, if you ever need to talk some more...."

"I'll know where to find you. Thanks, bro; that means a lot."

"Anytime."

Tommy turned off the lights and slid under the covers. Soon, his even breathing told Jason he was asleep.

He lay in the darkness for a long time, thinking back on his three lovers --and of the person he wanted to become his lover. The fact that it basically was the same person made it at once easier and more complicated. Outside, the rain was still pelting down, but no longer with the driving force it had earlier. The lightning was reduced to distant flashes as the storm front moved away, towards the ocean, when his eyes slowly closed in sleep.

Jason opened heavy eyes and fumbled for his watch. 3.25a.m. He groaned softly. He hadn't slept much, but knew the night was over for him. Sometimes, ever since he'd first taken on the Red Power Coin, he had nights like this -- being bone-tired, but unable to sleep for more than a few hours. The first really serious bout of insomnia had happened after the Green Ranger had appeared; Understandable, since they'd all been pretty much stressed at the time. It had happened again when Rita drained Tommy's Powers through the Green candle -- he deliberately turned his thoughts away from that, or he'd get his nightmares again. Tommy's return to the team, his erratic Powers, the final loss through Zedd......now that he thought of it, it had stopped mostly after Tommy returned to the team as the White Ranger. His time in Geneva had been mostly peaceful -- except for the last few months before his return, when he knew he'd be seeing Tommy again......the sleeplessness had started again, until he finally admitted his changed feelings for Tommy to himself, right after he'd taken on the Gold Power for Trey. He smiled sardonically into the darkness. So his insomnia had been caused by Tommy all along, had it? Well, he'd learn to deal with that, too -- someday.

His attention was drawn to the other bed where Tommy shifted in his sleep. He'd kicked the blankets off, and the wan light filtering through the window made his tanned skin looking even darker against the white sheets. For a few minutes, Jason watched the even rise and fall of the muscular chest, then slid out of bed and slipped from the room, trying to control the desire to touch the smooth expanse of muscle as he'd done while on his 'journey'. Shivering slightly in the cool night air, he slipped on his jeans and sat down at a back window, looking into the distance where occasional flashes of lightning still brightened up the sky.

Tommy woke from the soft 'snick' as the door fell back into the lock. Thinking that Jason had gone to the bathroom, he curled up under his blankets once more, warming up. His thoughts automatically drifted back to the conversation he and Jason had had during the day. It had been startling to realize that his best friend had experienced sex in so many forms, while he himself was still a virgin. Not that he minded too much; it was just that he'd not felt ready while he was with Kim -- they had both been pretty young, after all -- and with Kat.......he was kind of glad they hadn't taken that step, or he would feel even worse for not being able to commit himself totally to her. Tommy wanted his first time to be special, to mean something for him and his partner, whoever that would turn out to be. If that set him apart from his peers, so be it. He knew that Jason had sort of stumbled into it in Geneva the first time, but he'd bet any amount of money that his encounters in the other universes had been anything but casual. Jason was not the kind to just hop into bed with someone because he had an itch that wanted to be scratched. But....if that was so, what would he feel like, now that he'd lost all three of his partners?

Tommy conveniently forgot that they had all been his alter egos; more precisely, he didn't want to be reminded of that. For some reason, the thought made him distinctly uncomfortable the longer he dwelled on it -- especially after Jason had admitted to sleeping with Jay's Tommy, who was openly living in a same-gender relationship.

He pummeled his pillow into a more comfortable shape and looked at the empty bed across from his own. He frowned. Where was Jason, anyway? This was far longer than a trip to the bathroom should take. He waited a few more minutes; when his friend didn't appear, he crawled out of his nice, warm, comfortable bed into the chilly night air, grumbling under his breath. Slipping a sweatshirt of David's over his head, he tried to tame his hair and softly, so as not to wake his brother and Sam, he slipped out of the guest room.

Across the hallway, he could just make out the living room; there, at one of the windows, sat his best friend, head leaning against the frame, looking out into the night. He looked so....lonely, so lost, it sent a chill down Tommy's spine that had nothing to do with the room's temperature. He padded over on almost-silent feet, and rested a hand on the broad, naked shoulder, feeling the smooth skin still warm under his fingers. Jason reached up and covered his hand with his own, but didn't turn around. The two young men stayed like this for a long while, until Jason spoke. When he did, his voice was so soft, Tommy had to strain to hear him.

"I didn't make love with Tommy that last time because I had to. I mean, I did, if I wanted to go home, but that wasn't it at all. I made love with him because I wanted it more than I ever wanted Tammy. I needed to do it."

Tommy froze. He had suspected that Jason was still troubled by his experience, but he certainly hadn't expected that. He hardly could formulate the question uppermost in his mind.

"Why? Why him, Jase?" Tommy's voice was no more than a whisper, and it had nothing to do with not waking the Truehearts.

"Because he understood."

His heart was beating in his throat by now. "Understood what?"

"What's it like -- to love someone like this." Dark, serious eyes turned towards the Red Ranger. "The way I love you."

The quiet statement hung in the air, filling the room, drowning out all else. A part of Tommy exulted in the soft admission -- they'd always tacitly taken their feelings for each other for granted, and having it said out loud filled a need he hadn't known he'd had. Another part was incredulous -- he doesn't mean that, not like this, it can't be -- and yet another screamed at him to run, to get away from this, from here, as fast as possible. Tommy squelched that particular voice ruthlessly. Abandoning Jason when he'd just laid himself open like this simply was not an option. Nevertheless, his hand fell from the broad shoulder, and he took an involuntary step backwards. Tommy could have cheerfully kicked himself to the moon and back as he saw the small, sad smile flicker briefly around his best friend's mouth before he closed his eyes and turned towards the window once more.

Forcing the words past his suddenly dry mouth, Tommy reached out, but couldn't quite bring himself to touch Jason again. "J-Jase? I -- I don't understand...."

"It's okay, Tommy; I'm sorry. I shouldn't have told you." The deep voice was weary, and hurt Tommy deep inside. Swallowing hard, he stepped closer again.

"Don't be sorry, bro. I....you surprised me, is all. I mean......why? How?"

"It doesn't matter."

"I think it does." The quiet certainty in Tommy's voice, and his nearness, brought the dark head round again. Jason looked into the brown eyes he knew so well, and felt a little bit lighter. Maybe his admission hadn't cost him Tommy's friendship, after all.

"Talk to me, bro. Make me understand."

Tommy went around Jason and sat next to him on the windowsill, so that he could look into his face. Jason searched the angular features for signs of revulsion, or disgust, but couldn't find any. What he did see was the same desire for understanding he'd read there so often, when they'd talked their problems through with each other. Drawing a deep breath -- the worst was over, after all, and Tommy was still here, willing to listen -- he started to explain.

"You know that I've always considered you my best friend, right? I mean, we became so close, so soon -- it was scary at times, but I didn't mind. For all I already had Zack, and Billy, you were the brother I always wanted, right from the start."

"I know. It was the same for me -- still is, the fact that I found David notwithstanding." Both smiled; this was as it should be.

"I think it started while I was in Switzerland, or maybe shortly before that.....I missed you so much at times, and Zack and Trini couldn't quite understand......I think that's when I realized that what I felt for you was more than friendship -- that I loved you. It wasn't that hard to accept, really; I think, even though we'd never said anything, I was pretty sure you felt the same."

"I do; I've known that for a long time, too." It wasn't hard at all to admit; while Tommy had never stopped to analyse his feelings for Jason, if asked, he would have said he loved him without a single qualm.

"Then I came back, and you got me back on the team -- man, I thought things couldn't get any better. It was so great to be back again, fighting at your side.......then, Gasket kidnapped you. Kat and I saw it, and when she tried not to fall into hysterics, I knew that I was going through the exact same thing. I thought for a moment I'd lost you, one way or another, but I just couldn't let you go. I'd have done anything to get you back. If that had meant letting you kill me in that arena, it would have been worth it. That's when I knew that I loved you more than as a friend, or even a brother."

Tommy couldn't have uttered a single word if his life had depended on it. Part of him understood perfectly -- it echoed too closely what had gone through his mind while Jason was caught in the reality warp. However, a voice in his mind was shouting questions at him -- why does it have to be you? what does that mean, exactly? what do you do now? And very softly, another voice asked him, what did you do to deserve this kind of love, that Jason would give his life for you?

Jason paused, gathering his thoughts. Tommy was still here; he might as well come totally clean. Summoning all the courage he had, he looked into Tommy's eyes.

"The....physical attraction came after that. I want you -- I'd like nothing more right now than kiss you and make love with you. I have for quite a while now."

Tommy blushed; he'd somehow expected the admission, but not that Jason would come and say it right out loud. Slightly panicked and totally at a loss, he made himself meet the dark eyes.

"Jase....I d-don't know what to say, or do....."

"You don't have to say or do anything. I thought I'd never tell you, but talking with that other Tommy changed my mind. I don't want to keep it from you -- but I also don't expect you to reciprocate. These are my feelings; I'll deal with them. You won't have to fear that I'll jump you one day, or anything. I just want you to understand when I won't do some things...."

"Huh?"

Jason smiled then, and a tiny twinkle crept into his eyes. Tommy heard the serious undertone, though.

"I.....uh, I don't think I'll be coming for a lot of sleepovers for a while; I'd ....um....also like to take my showers in private, after practice."

"But....why?" As soon as he uttered his question, Tommy could have kicked himself -- again. Preferably to Mars, this time.

"Because you turn me on. A lot." There, it was said. A weight seemed to lift from Jason's shoulders, and he sat up straighter, chuckling at the fiery blush staining Tommy's cheeks. He knew his own were probably just as red.

Tommy ran a hand behind his neck, under his hair. His mind was reeling, and he was at a total loss for words. Jason's confession had thrown him more than he realized, and he needed time to think. And here I thought admitting that I missed him had been hard! What has he been going through?

Finally finding his voice, the Red Ranger quite deliberately laid a hand on the strong forearm. It was a gesture of understanding the two had often shared. Trying to be as sincere as possible, he assured his friend.

"Bro -- I don't know what to say. No -- hear me out," he forestalled the comment he could see forming on Jason's lips.

"You just dropped a real bombshell on me. I can't give you an answer right now; I need some time to take it all in. But there's one thing I can say right now."

"What's that?"

"I'm glad you told me. Thanks for trusting me that much."

Jason regarded him with warm dark eyes.

"I've trusted you with my life a hundred times over; why wouldn't I trust you with my heart?"

There was nothing more that could be said after that. The two young men sat silently at the window, close, but not touching, and watched the sun rise on a new day.

Dawn came and went; the four men gathered round the breakfast table in silence, only broken by requests like "Pass the butter, please" and the like. David wondered at Tommy and Jason's quiet mood, but a glance and headshake from his father forestalled any comment. Soon after, the two teens said their goodbyes and were back on their way to Angel Grove.

David looked after the red 4X4 for a long time, until it disappeared behind a bend in the road. He turned towards his father.

"What was wrong with those two?"

Sam Trueheart shook his head and guided his adoptive son back inside.

"They are at a crossroads. There is no right or wrong road, but only one will bring peace to both. One has already chosen his path; it is up to the other whether he will follow or walk alone."

Tommy drove slower than usual, and only partially because the road was still slippery with mud and puddles. He couldn't get their conversation out of his mind, and was hard put to concentrate on his driving. Whenever he thought about the moment when Jason had told him that he loved him, he was filled with pride and warmth. At least that had crystallized in his mind. A lot of other things, though, were getting more confusing the longer he thought about them. His instinctive reaction was to give Jason what he so obviously wanted, but he was sure it was the wrong reaction for once. Whatever he decided to do, it would affect both of them profoundly, and their near future, at least. He simply couldn't afford to base a decision on gut feelings and a sense of obligation towards his best friend; not this time. Besides, he'd never envisioned himself intimately involved with another guy -- although he had to admit, if it were anyone, it would have been his best friend. This was all so confusing! Damn Jase anyway! Why did he have to spring this on me?

Tommy knew the answer to that, though. They were too close -- had been through too much together -- for there to be anything but total honesty between them. Sooner or later, it would have come out, one way or another. It was just that he'd been totally unprepared for something like this. And of course, there was the matter of that tiny little sliver of excitement deep in his belly and at the back of his mind which made its presence felt every time he even tentatively tried to envisage himself and Jason in anything like an intimate situation. That would have to be considered as well.

They were reaching the outskirts of town before Tommy could bring himself to look at his friend. Jason was gazing out the window, but turned towards him when he felt the brown eyes on himself. Reading Tommy's look perfectly, he smiled his customary warm, slightly mischievous smile.

"Tommy, don't worry so much. I told you, I expect nothing from you. I.....I just wanted you to know, that's all."

Abruptly, Tommy pulled over and killed the engine. Turning towards his friend, he let some of his turmoil show. "Then why do I feel as if I owe it to you, somehow?"

Jason sat up almost violently. "No! You owe me nothing -- especially not something like this."

"But...."

"But nothing. Look, Tommy -- I won't lie to you. There's nothing that would make me happier right now if you were to tell me, 'Jase, I feel the same, would you kiss me.' But only if it's what you want, as well. Not for any sense of obligation, or to humour me. I'd rather live with the memories I have and keep you as my friend than that you do something you can't live with, and I lose you altogether." Jason drew a deep breath. "That's what I was most afraid of; not actually telling you about my feelings, but that I'd drive you away because of them. It doesn't matter if all I ever get from you is a handshake -- what does matter is that I don't lose you over this. I need you too much for that."

He fell back into his seat and turned his head away, but not before Tommy saw the flash of fear in the dark eyes. He was silent for several minutes, thinking about what Jason had told him, listening to the rapid breaths of his friend as he tried to control himself. Finally, he touched the black-clad shoulder gently -- like he'd always done.

"Jase....." He got no answer.

"Bro, will you look at me?" Tommy's voice was very gentle, and Jason hesitantly looked at him, not bothering to hide his pallor or the single tear track down his cheek. His own eyes moist, Tommy reached out and carefully wiped it away.

"If there's one thing I'm sure of right now, it's that you'll never lose me as your friend. I told you, I need you too much myself." He smiled at the glimmer of hope that lightened the former Ranger's eyes.

"All that other stuff.......I need some time, Jase. I have to think real hard about what you told me, and how it will affect us. And it's us, not just you or me. I can't and won't make a decision without thinking it through, from all sides. I can promise you one thing, though -- I'll tell you honestly and directly what it'll be."

Jason sat for a moment, the colour slowly returning to his face. He searched Tommy's eyes and found the truth in his words, accepting the need to wait for Tommy's decision. Finally, he nodded, a slow smile curving his mouth.

"Fair enough."

Tommy sighed, and slumped back in his seat. It was too early in the morning for heavy stuff like this! Nevertheless, he was glad they understood each other. He turned the key in the ignition again, and drove silently to Jason's house. Before his friend could get out, he grabbed for the strong, tanned hand.

"There's just one thing I have to tell you."

"What's that?" Jason didn't know whether to be anxious or expectant. He opted for the latter.

Tommy drew a deep breath. This wasn't going to be easy, but it needed to be said. Besides, it felt right. He clasped Jason's hand in his, squeezing firmly. Holding his best friend's eyes with his own, his voice very sure, he said what had been on his mind since the night, ever since he'd heard Jason say it first.

"I love you, too. Maybe not the way you love me, but maybe that will come in time. Then again, maybe it won't. I don't know. But never doubt that I love you, Jase."

He almost didn't hear the whispered "Thank you", but felt the strong fngers close almost convulsively around his own. Then, Jason released him and grabbed for his overnight bag from the back seat. He was already reaching for the doorhandle, when he suddenly turned back and grinned at Tommy with warmth and a touch of ....what? It made Tommy's heart beat faster.

"There's just one more thing I'd like you to think about....."

"What is it"?" Tommy asked, slightly suspicious.

"Nothing much, really. I just hope it'll help you decide."

Before Tommy could react, Jason reached over and pulled him close. Fastening his mouth to the Red Ranger's, he kissed Tommy leisurely, gliding his tongue across the firm lips which instinctively opened to let the moist invader inside. Tommy's eyes closed involuntarily, and as Jason engaged his own tongue in a gentle duel, he moaned softly. Then, he withdrew as softly as he had come, leaving Tommy breathless and slightly dizzy. He touched the lean cheek in a brief caress, then got swiftly out of the car. Closing the door firmly, he looked back inside into chocolate eyes which were wide with astonishment. Quirking another smile, Jason stepped back from the car.

"How can you make a decision without having all the facts?" he asked rhetorically.

"Think about it."

With that, the former Ranger turned and walked up the path to disappear behind the comfortable ranch-style house, leaving Tommy behind with his mind in chaos, lips tingling and a throbbing erection.