Brother, My Brother
by Dagmar Buse

David woke early, as the first birds started to greet the coming dawn with sleepy chirps. He lay on his back for a while, staring at the tent roof while he took stock of his feelings. With the light of day mere minutes away, he had to admit that yesterday hadn't been all bad... that his lousy mood had mostly been his own doing. The young man still would prefer to be out here alone with his brother, but Jason had turned out to be not as disruptive a presence as he'd feared him to be. As a matter of fact, under different circumstances he actually might enjoy talking to him some more. I really shouldn't let him get to me so much, David mused, trying to find a more comfortable position on the hard ground. He's here, he won't go away on his own, so I'll have to deal with it. Okay. There will be other times for Tommy and me to bond. Stretching, David lifted a corner of the tent flap. The horizon was just turning from purple to the reddish-golden hues of immanent sunrise. He really should go outside, greet the day according to tradition... briefly weighing the comforts of his sleeping bag against following Sam's teachings, David suppressed a yawn and reluctantly opened the zipper. Naturally, the thing got stuck halfway down, and it took some convoluted gyrations to get it loose again. Muttering under his breath against the perverse nature of inanimate objects, he crawled out of his sleeping bag. He didn't really feel like getting up yet, but the air was stifling inside the dark blue dome, a large pebble or something was digging into his hip, and the double chorus of snores from Tommy and Jason wasn't very pleasant to listen to, either.

Carefully, so as not to disturb the other two sleepers, David went outside and stretched the kinks out of his muscles. This early in the day, the desert air was still crisp and fresh, but the clear sky already held a hint of heat to come. Seized by an impulse, David turned eastward, towards the rising sun. Standing at the very edge of the plateau, he waited for exactly the right moment, when the first golden flash of sunlight would bathe the desert in brilliance. The tent was maybe 20 yards behind him, half hidden from view by a few boulders. He took a deep breath, straightened, spread his arms in supplication and began to chant softly, greeting the morning in a prayer as ancient as the rocks.

The longer David recited the words he'd learned as a small boy, the more he felt peace wash over him, filling him with a serenity he had sorely missed the day before. The last word died down softly like a falcon's feather drifting to the ground, and David stood for another moment, drinking in the beauty of the wakening day. Then, he turned... and the peace he'd gained shattered into a million pieces when he saw Jason leaning against a boulder only a few yards away. His vision blurred with a sudden burst of temper, and no force in the world could hold back the words spilling out from his jealous heart.

"What are you doing here?" he hissed sharply.

"Good morning to you, too," Jason said with what calm he could muster, surprised by the instant unfriendliness and determined not to retaliate in kind, although he could feel his own hackles rise. For some reason, David and he were rubbing each other the wrong way, had from the start, and Jason didn't know how to change that. He still hoped politeness would eventually do the trick. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude; if I could've left without disturbing you, I would have."

"Yeah, right!"

"No, seriously," he said reasonably. "It's a matter of respect for your tradition, beliefs, whatever, if nothing else."

"You call it respect when you come skulking after me like that?!? Funny way you have of showing it!"

Not giving Jason any chance to reply, David took a couple of steps away from the ledge, towards the other who slowly straightened from his comfortable position. He saw Jason smile at his words (admittedly just a tad overly dramatic), and instantly—mistakenly—perceiving it as a mockery of himself and his heritage, he lost control. "This is an invasion of my privacy! You had no right to come after me, spying on me like a sneak or worse. Isn't it enough that you're taking my brother away from me—do you have to intrude on my prayers, as well?"

Thoroughly taken aback now, Jason didn't know how to reply at first. The verbal attack came completely out of the blue; he'd woken when David dislodged a small stone outside the tent and, giving in to both his curiosity and a full bladder, had followed the other. He quickly answered Nature's call, then went looking for David. When he realized that David was apparently performing a ritual of sorts, he'd chosen to stay put, waiting for him to finish.

He finally found his voice. "Are you nuts? I'm not 'spying' on you—I woke up, needed to use the bushes and was curious where you'd gone off to, that's all." He snorted, half amused, half pissed that David could even think such a thing of him. Then again, they hardly knew each other. "You've got some chip on your shoulder there," he muttered, wondering why his best friend's brother should dislike him so. He certainly wasn't aware of having done anything to provoke this!

David ignored him and continued to rant, listing all of his grievances in a rush as he stood in front of the former Ranger, trembling with fury. Jason stood there, listening to the unfounded accusations with incredulity and growing dismay... which slowly turned into anger as the tirade continued unabated for a couple of minutes.

I can't fight with Tommy's brother! With an effort, Jason wrestled his own slowly igniting temper under control. No matter what his beef is, if I get back at David in kind, I'll only hurt my best friend. I'm NOT gonna let that happen!

Trying to salvage what he could, Jason waited until David had to pause for breath.

"You are nuts," he repeated. "I said I was sorry; and if you're so paranoid and insecure to see me as a threat or whatever, you seriously need to have your head examined. I have no intention of coming between you and Tommy. He's your brother! Why would I want to do that, anyway?"

"You want to take my place!" David snarled, beyond listening or reason now. He was unable to realize that in his current state of mind he was projecting his own fears and desires onto Jason.

Jason shook his head, not comprehending what was happening here, but starting to lose his cool, too. "Idiot."

The term smarted. "So now you think I'm stupid, too?!?"

"If the shoe fits..." Hostility crept into the deep voice as well. "For the record, I didn't—not until now, that is!"

"Oh yeah?" David sneered. "Why should I believe you?"

"Why shouldn't you?" Jason replied more sharply, stung at having his word questioned. He, who had never willingly broken a promise or told a lie if he could help it! "What reason have I given you to doubt me?"

None, David's conscience whispered, but went unheard. Instead, he ignored the question and resumed his invective, his words getting less circumspect by the second.

"... I don't care how long you've known each other, Tommy is MY brother, not yours, and I'm not going to just sit back and look on how some stuck-up, conceited bigmouth is trying to push me away! I wish you'd pack your fancy European stuff, your stories of foreign places and all the 'grand experiences' you've had and haul your ass back to fucking Scotland, where you came from! Tommy and I don't need you, we don't want you here, and while you're at it, take the rest of your asshole friends with you!"

Seething with his own rage by now, Jason's face was white under his tan. This was going way too far; he could handle insults to himself, but he was not about to let the gang be put down in such a way, too! Anyone who did this in his hearing had better beware, or else. When it didn't stop, however, Jason decided he'd about had it with David!

"You listen to me, mister," he gritted out from between clenched teeth, fists balled against his sides to keep himself from lashing out physically. "Leave my friends out of this! The only asshole I see around here is you, David." He gave the name an unpleasant emphasis, remembering how he'd been rebuffed for using a perfectly normal diminutive the day before. "I'm here because Tommy wants me to be here, and nothing—NOTHING!—you can say will send me away unless he tells me to, you hear? Why don't you just take your bloody attitude and fuck off?"

"You'd like that, wouldn't you? Well, it's not going to happen. I'm here to stay, I'm family and you're not. And there's nothing at all you can do about that, so shove it already where the sun doesn't shine!" Some part of David was appalled by his own behaviour, but the situation had spun too far out of control by now to be saved by an apology or simple retreat. "I can make Tommy kick your tail back home if I try," he boasted slyly, not at all sure if it was true, and beyond caring if it wasn't. All that mattered was to get back at Jason somehow, to make him feel as miserable as he had the previous day.

Jason was breathing hard and had to call on every ounce of discipline he possessed not to wipe the nasty expression off David's face with a well-aimed blow.

"Tommy would never do that—not to me, nor anyone else," he seethed. "He's too good a friend. The only reason I'm not beating you to a bloody pulp here and now, moron, is because I know how he missed knowing his family; that's the only reason he cares for you I can see, and I don't want him hurt just because you can't handle there are other people in his life besides you. Deal with it!" He inhaled deeply, battling for calm. Taking his own advice, hard as it was, Jason knew he had to put up a good front for Tommy until they returned. Deliberately, he moderated his voice. "Once we're back in Angel Grove, I don't want to see you ever again if I can help it."

Uncomfortably aware that Jason was coming off much better in this confrontation than himself, David fought with his own demons, finally, grudgingly winning a victory of sorts. Still, his expression remained thunderous.

"Which can't be too soon for my taste!"

Jason barked a short, mirthless laugh. "Then we're agreed on one thing at least. You can go to hell for all I care, and take that goddamned chip on your shoulder with you!"

"Yeah well, we'll see who of us goes to hell first!"

"Whatever," Jason sneered back. He could sense that he was rapidly losing what little hold he still had of his temper. David's hostile attitude wasn't helping much. With an effort, he recalled every lesson and lecture on self-control he'd ever received from his parents, senseis or Zordon. He closed his eyes for a moment. When he found a measure of calm, his dark eyes bore into David's. "I'm not going to lower myself to your level by fighting with you, although nothing would give me greater pleasure than to kick your ass to the moon and back!"

"That makes two of us!"

"You and what army? You can't beat me even now, when I'm not fully fit," Jason jibed, knowing from Tommy's description that he was the better fighter, knowing also that David knew, who flushed an angry red. Adding insult to injury, Jason turned his back on David, almost as if daring to attack him from behind like the unscrupulous coward he'd been accused of being. With an indifferent shrug that was somehow worse than a blow or more name-calling, the one-time Gold Ranger assumed a deliberately calm tone, realizing instinctively that David wanted Tommy as little involved in this as he did.

"I'll say nothing about this to Tommy. I'll keep out of your way until tomorrow evening as much as I can, and I expect you to do the same," he said over his shoulder.

"Gladly," David muttered under his breath, torn between a nigh-overwhelming desire to slug it out with Jason here and now and wishing he'd never laid eyes on him in the first place. How dared he give orders to him like that? It was worse, somehow, having to admit that Jason was right—this had to be kept from his brother. "Fucking little shit!"

Jason paused, turned back for an instant and gave David a sharp glance, then chose to ignore that last insult. If he didn't, there would be violence, and things would get ugly. VERY ugly. He pivoted on his heels and walked briskly away, leaving David behind. He passed the tent where he could hear Tommy stirring, and because he wasn't at all sure he wouldn't inadvertently betray what had happened in the last half hour if he stayed, Jason picked up their canteens and climbed down to the small well to fetch water for breakfast. It took a few blessed minutes of quiet to fill the containers, and the simple chore gave him time to simmer down again and to present a once-more placid face to his best friend.

~*~

Breakfast was a quiet affair, with Tommy still rather sleepy and Jason and David trying to maintain at least a façade of civility towards each other for his benefit. They managed that by limiting their 'conversation' to "pass the bread, please" and the like, while otherwise studiously avoiding talking to each other as much as possible. It helped that the Red Ranger never was at his most alert early in the morning, the previous day's excitement notwithstanding. Thus, there was no overt discord when the three young men made plans for the day.

"If we go about a mile and a half in a southwesterly direction, over to that rise with the four peaks," David pointed towards the hills, still hazy in the bright morning light, "there's a lookout point about halfway up the second from the left which would give us a great view of the desert." He saw the slightly dubious look Tommy exchanged with Jason, and smiled to himself. Maybe I can't beat the crap out of him, but I CAN make him feel totally miserable, he thought, remembering Jason's limited stamina. The hike he was suggesting wasn't a particularly strenuous one, nor was the climb, but both required full concentration and a not inconsiderable amount of sheer physical strength—which, from the way Jason had called for occasional breaks yesterday, he just didn't have right now.

It was petty, not a very nice thing to do, and really rather beneath him—not to mention that it went against everything Sam Trueheart had taught him; David was aware of that, but in his current state of mind simply didn't care. The burning need he'd developed since yesterday to be close to his brother, to somehow remove Jason from Tommy, no matter what it took, overruled both his innate decency and common sense. Plus, he couldn't shake the feeling that he'd come off second best somehow in the earlier confrontation with Jason, and needed something—anything—to make himself feel better again. If it took humiliating his rival in the process by showing up his currently less than excellent fitness, so be it.

"I dunno, David; how difficult is the climb?" Tommy asked, concern for his best friend evident in his voice and expression. "If Jase can't make it..."

"As I said before, then he has no business being here in the first place," David murmured, too quiet for Tommy to hear, but audible to Jason who was sitting between the brothers.

"Don't worry about me, Tommy; I'll be fine," Jason interrupted him firmly, disregarding the snide remark. He'd seen the slight smirk on David's face, even though he had done his best to hide it, and suspected some of what was probably going through the other's mind. Well, he wasn't so macho that he would endanger himself; it might be embarrassing if he'd have to stop halfway to wherever David suggested they go, but he'd lived through worse.

Not that I wouldn't love to wipe the floor with him, show him how strong I really am, but...not the way I am now. With an internal sigh, Jason dismissed the tempting thought. He still hadn't fully recovered from holding the Gold Powers, and that was quite simply that. While he was confident that he could hold his own in almost any fight—well, except maybe against Tommy—he knew he was just off enough that there was a chance David might beat him. Which would really kind of defeat the purpose, Jason conceded wryly. Oh well.

"Trust me to know when to call it quits if I need to," was all he said to his best friend, closing the subject.

"Are you sure?"

"YES," Jason replied slightly louder than strictly necessary, a hint of irritation creeping into his voice, which caused Tommy to look at him strangely. He wasn't the most observant person in the world, but instincts honed by years of Rangering screamed at him that there was something... well, not wrong, exactly, but not quite right, either. He had hoped that his brother and best friend would be as delighted to be in each other's company as he was, taking this time-out from job, school, duty and whatnot. So far, it hadn't happened, but trying to be optimistic about it—after all, they had only met the day before—Tommy kept quiet, only raising a questioning eyebrow at his friend.

Jason exhaled noisily, not quite making it an exasperated sigh. "Tommy...." It was a plea for trust and understanding, but also a warning to back off. The dark eyes signalled clearly that he did not want to talk about whatever was bothering him. Not now, Bro... Thankfully, the silent communication between them worked as well as it always had. Tommy got the message.

"Okay, okay," he said placatingly, deliberately ignoring the undercurrents in the atmosphere. If there was something going on besides general getting-to-know-each-other problems, he didn't want to know. Not today, anyway. Surely we can sort things out when we're back home, after a good sparring session and over smoothies at the Juice Bar! Tommy conveniently forgot how badly his brother had reacted to being bested by himself, that first time right after they'd found each other, trusting Jason's usual willingness to give everybody at least one chance. "So, you feel up to going to that lookout?"

Jason shrugged, carefully glancing just past David, not meeting the hard eyes. "Why not. Is there anything to see besides sand and rocks, though?" He kept his tone deliberately neutral as he addressed David, subtly insinuating that the stark if grandiose landscape wasn't quite enough to make him show too much enthusiasm... while in reality, he'd always enjoyed the vastness of the arid mountains, letting the curious not-quiet soothe his mind when things, or maybe just life, became too much. Only looking out over the ocean afforded Jason a similar effect, the crashing of waves on the cliffs or the moonlit calm of a deserted beach often both counterpoint and complement to his moods.

"Depends on what you want to see," David replied, trying not to sneer. "The desert has life enough, if you know where to look... or aren't too blind to notice."

Tommy laughed. "Don't worry, Dave; Rocky may be the best botanist among us, but Jason's no slouch, either. In fact, when my folks first moved to Angel Grove from Detroit, he was the one to show me the local wildlife and stuff in the area. If it hadn't been for the hikes we did together, I'd never have been able to follow the falcon during my Zeo Quest. There's not much desert or mountains in Michigan." The brown eyes sparkled with affection, gratitude and even a tinge of admiration for his friend. Jason grinned back amiably.

"Had to show you all the ropes, Bro," he chuckled. "After all, I couldn't risk you'd get lost or whatever if you ever had to walk to the Command Center!"

"Yeah well," David muttered, annoyed at having been subjected to yet another glowing tale of past experiences Tommy had shared with Jason, then pulled himself together. "Let's get going then, before it's too hot."

"Sure."

Within fifteen minutes, the three young men had secured their camp so that there would be no unpleasant surprises during their absence. Food was stowed safely away from roaming wildlife, their cooking fire was banked and covered with rocks in order to prevent it from spreading out and the tent closed up as tightly as possible. They didn't really need to fear theft, as access to the area was restricted, but why take chances?

"All set, everybody?" Tommy asked, checking the buckle of his communicator strap. While he might officially be on vacation, the Red Ranger nevertheless needed to be available if Divatox chose to launch another attack. No more missed alerts like during his days as the Green Ranger; leading the team after Jason's departure had rid him quickly of that particular habit out of his sense of responsibility and stark necessity. Hardly waiting for David and Jason's affirmative answers, he tapped on his canteen to make sure it was clipped safely to his belt, then turned towards their destination.

"Let's get this show on the road, guys!"

~*~

The walk towards the jagged peaks was more strenuous than even David had expected; there was no shade, and as the morning sun was rising steadily in the cloudless sky, soon all three were sweating heavily by the time they reached the first rocky outcroppings. Seeking out a meagrely shady spot beside a boulder, they rested for a while, sipping slowly from their canteens.

"How much further is it, David?" Tommy asked, casting a worried sideways glance at Jason. While he hadn't called for a stop on the way, he was a tad pale, and sitting quietly, with his eyes closed as he tried gathering more strength. David noticed the high flush on Jason's face, too. A slight uneasiness skittered through his mind.

I wouldn't mind if he collapsed in a whimpering heap right here, but I don't want to kill him. Not really, anyway, he thought, having had time to simmer down somewhat and feel vaguely ashamed of himself at his earlier tirade. It was the reason why David had refrained from making much conversation on their trek here... but his jealous heart had made him recommend the other two conserve their energies as well by keeping silent. Petty again, but at least it had spared him having to listen to memories of past hikes, reminding him once more that Jason shared a much longer history with Tommy than he. Besides, we'd probably just have to haul his carcass back to camp, or even the car if he got heatstroke, or something. No thanks!

David let nothing of that show, though. He squinted up the slowly-rising slope.

"Hard to say," he said. "The peak is maybe 3000 feet high, and the lookout point is about two-thirds up."

"That's not all that much," Jason commented, hoping that he might be able to make it all the way, after all. This morning's hike, on top of the long trek yesterday, had sapped more of his still-depleted stamina than he liked to admit.

David didn't look at him, but answered after a barely-perceptible pause. "No—but there's no real path once we get past that rock formation over there." He indicated the spot which was perhaps three hundred yards away—as the crow flies. In reality, having to bypass several scrags, boulders and crevices, in addition to the elevation, it would be closer to half a mile. "We'll have no shade at all from here on in, the ground is not just rocky, but may be covered with gravel, too... it's definitely not going to be easy. Especially not that last bit, when we'll have to do some real climbing. Not to the point where we'll need ropes and stuff, there are enough crevices and small ledges that we can get by with a little boost here and there. But it does go pretty much straight up for maybe seven, eight feet. "

"Oh joy," Jason muttered under his breath, garnering himself a sharp look from Tommy. He grinned weakly, not liking what he knew he had to say, but if he didn't want to endanger them all...

"I may have to skip that, then," he muttered. Flushing slightly, he avoided David's eyes and looked straight at his best friend. "Sorry, Bro, but... I kinda doubt I can make it. Hiking is one thing; serious rock-climbing, even if it's only eight feet, is something else. The Gold Powers seem to have affected my depth vision; my sense of balance just isn't up to snuff. I'm fine as long as I stay on solid ground, but..."

"Aw man," Tommy moaned, half in disappointment and half in honest concern. "You sure about that?"

"Unfortunately yes," Jason sighed. Might as well go whole hog and tell him everything. He braced himself for the inevitable explosion. "I, um, I even have trouble climbing stairs if I'm not careful. It is better than it was even a couple weeks ago, though," he added hastily as Tommy jerked around, staring at him aghast.

"What? Why didn't you tell me?!?"

"Because it's nothing really serious, and because you couldn't have done anything anyway," Jason shot back at Tommy's alarmed question. "Chill, Bro; I told you I've been getting better."

"Yes, but... what the hell's wrong? You seem fine, mostly ..." Tommy tried to recall any symptoms Jason might have been displaying that had escaped his notice—aside from fatiguing easily, that is.

"You want a list of what all of me was affected by holding the Gold Powers? Think back to your Green Ranger days, when Zedd was after you all the time and you went through the slow drain. Then multiply by six or so." Jason's expression was wry; he remembered that time all too vividly himself, especially as he'd been the one to coax his best friend out of the doldrums after each particularly bad bout.

Tommy winced. "That bad, huh." He was unlikely to ever forget the dizzy spells, headaches, nausea and worst of all, the sheer craving he'd had to morph during that time; it was not a memory he particularly cared to relive.

Jason shrugged. "Yeah, well. I'll live—and that's what matters in the end. And it sure beats the alternative. Right?"

"Of course. But I really wanted you to see this, Jase," Tommy said softly, not wanting to think about what had almost happened. If we hadn't been able to transfer the Power back to Trey... if Jase had died... no. Not going there. The thought was too horrible to contemplate, even for a minute. He shook himself inwardly and went back to the matter at hand. Much safer to keep it neutral. "The few times I took Falconzord over this range, it looked pretty awesome, and the weather is perfect for far-seeing—and if this lookout point is as ideal as David says it is, you'll be missing out on some truly great scenery."

"Yeah; I'd love to take a look myself. But there's no way I'm going to put all of us at risk when I know I'm not fully fit," Jason replied regretfully.

"Why did you come at all then?" David asked, hiding a slight smirk. Would he be rid of Jason's annoying presence after all, if only to share one of his favorite spots with his brother alone? Could it really be that easy? "I thought the purpose of this hike was to look at the scenery." His tone made a mockery out of it.

"In the desert," Jason answered curtly, sensing the other's hostility but not wanting to make a scene in front of Tommy. "Which usually is pretty flat, even here. If I'd known beforehand we were gonna do some climbing, I'd have told you right off I might not make it."

Uncomfortable with the exchange, Tommy looked from one of his companions to the other. What's going on here? He chose to address his Bro.

"Jase? Is everything... are you okay?" But he was also staring at David, chocolate-brown eyes begging both brother and friend to tell him yes.

"Sure," Jason said blithely, but wouldn't quite meet Tommy's eyes. "We're fine. Aren't we, David?" The question was tossed offhandedly over one shoulder, a veiled challenge to either agree and be silent about their differences, or have it out here and now, right in front of the very person they both wanted to keep out of it. David bristled, glaring daggers at Jason, but answered in much the same vein.

"Yeah. Everything's just peachy."

Neither answer fully satisfied Tommy, but as he couldn't pinpoint what felt so decidedly weird about the way his companions acted, he let it drop. For now.

"If you say so..."

"We do," Jason stated firmly, then heaved himself to his feet. "So, are we gonna sit here all morning, or what? If I can do the climb after all, I'd prefer to try it before noon."

Tommy groaned and rose to his full height as well. Clipping his half-empty canteen back on his belt, he mock-scowled at Jason. "Slave driver."

"Slacker," he grinned back unrepentantly.

Grumbling under his breath, Tommy gestured for David to lead the way. He did so, listening to the stream of friendly insults the other two were still exchanging as they followed close behind, wondering what kind of friendship this was where two people could hurl imprecations at each other with total abandon and only laugh about it. Why, if he used even half the words Jason and Tommy bandied about so carelessly with any of his contemporaries at the Reservation, he knew he'd be dragged behind the nearest house for some serious 'talking to'—usually done with fists. David refused to acknowledge even in his own mind that rather than chiding his companions, he'd much prefer to join in. Instead, he stayed silent, radiating disapproval through his ramrod-straight posture (as much as he could, anyway; scrambling over shale and rocks demanded all the agility he could muster, not stiffness).

About 150 yards up the incline, the path of sorts they'd been following petered out, and the three young men needed their energies to keep their footing. Conversation ceased except for short, terse comments about a safe step here, a convenient handhold there. All were again starting to sweat in the late morning heat, and wished for tall, cool drinks to soothe their parched throats—or at least a bucket full of water or three to sluice over their heads to wash away the dust, sand and grime they were collecting on their bodies.

Curses could be heard more and more often as feet slipped and fingers got scraped the higher they climbed. As David had said, it wasn't a particularly arduous climb nor was it very dangerous; if one of them should miss a step and fall, there might be minor injuries, but in all likelihood nothing fatal would happen. Nevertheless, caution was called for, and duly exercised by all.

~*~

Jason was reaching for the small ledge Tommy had just vacated, when he was suddenly hit by a dizzy spell. He stopped where he was, pressed against the rocks, and waited for his vision to clear of the black spots dancing before his eyes. When they did, he found he was breathing hard—far harder than the moderate exertion warranted. Still, determined to hold out as long as he could, he inched along, carefully testing each small foothold and crevice for stability before placing either feet or fingers into a spot where he was reasonably certain that it would support him. However, within minutes another wave of vertigo hit him—even harder than before. Swearing under his breath, Jason looked back where they'd come from, then at the slowly advancing backs of Tommy and David. From experience, he knew that the dizziness wouldn't go away anytime soon—usually, these bouts lasted for quite a while; up to an hour even, before subsiding again. They weren't very debilitating, just required rest to let them pass. And there wasn't much chance of resting plastered against a mountainside, was there?

I can't stay here in the rocks for an hour!

Dismayed, Jason realized he had to make a decision. Ignore his weakness as best he could and forge ahead regardless, or turn tail and go back? With a sigh, he slumped against the hot granite at his back. He'd promised Tommy he wasn't going to do anything foolish—like letting his pride overrule his good sense. Which told him in no uncertain terms that he better go back now, before something happened to him and/or his companions, or else.

Guess I'm heading back down again.

Swallowing an oath with difficulty, Jason wiped the sweat off his brow. Squinting against the sun, he cleared his throat and called out to his friend.

"Tommy?"

The Red Ranger scrambled for leverage when the stone he was placing his foot on suddenly decided to come loose and tumbled down with a loud clatter. However, in the freed space Tommy found a small crevice just right to place his boot in. Despite his chagrin and disappointment, Jason had to grin at the rather creative curses Tommy let loose while regaining his footing.

"Yo, Tommy," he called again, slightly louder.

Tommy looked down. "What?"

"I hate to say it, but this is it for me," Jason explained. "Dunno if it's the heat or what, but I'm getting kinda dizzy" playing down the encroaching nausea "and I think I better climb down before I take the shortcut." He nodded down the mountainside.

"Aw man," Tommy exclaimed, making Jason grin again. What a typical Tommy reaction! "What if you just take a timeout? Would that help? I'll wait here with you," he offered.

"'Fraid that's not enough, Bro," Jason replied regretfully. "It'll take longer than just a few minutes to get over the dizziness, and the sun and heat exposure here aren't exactly helping."

"Then we'll go back with you..."

Tommy immediately started to angle his body back the way he'd come, but Jason's next words stopped him.

"No, don't. I knew this might happen, remember? You just go on with David; I'll take a short breather, then go down again."

"What's up, Tommy?" David called from above; he had advanced too far to overhear the conversation. "You two coming, or what?"

"Just a sec," Tommy called back, then addressed Jason once more. "You sure you can't go on?"

"Yeah."

"Damn."

Jason grinned wryly, having recovered some of his equilibrium by the enforced stop. "No lie," he concurred. "Tell you what—I'll take another break as soon as I'm at the base, then mosey back to our camp. And yes, I'm gonna take it easy," he forestalled the admonition he could see forming in Tommy's eyes before the other could open his mouth. "Promise."

"Oh, okay then, I guess," the long-haired Turbo Ranger grumbled. He heaved a deep sigh. "Just be careful going down."

"I will, Mom," Jason quipped with a smile, touched by his friend's obvious concern. "Have fun."

"I'd have more with you along, Jase," Tommy murmured earnestly.

"I know. But I can't, and your brother's waiting," Jason replied. "Now shoo." He pried one hand loose from the rock face and made a flipping motion with his fingers, surprising a laugh out of Tommy.

"I'm going, I'm going," he muttered, still reluctant to leave his best friend behind, but also aware of David's growing impatience. With a last look at Jason's confident expression, Tommy determinedly turned back towards the ledge he'd been reaching for before. "Coming, Dave," he called, and started to climb once more. Within a couple of minutes, the brothers vanished from Jason's sight behind an overhang, only their grunts and muted voices audible a while longer.

Sighing to himself, Jason blanked his mind except for the need to retrace his steps as carefully as possible and slowly made his way back to solid ground.

~*~

With a relieved moan, Jason reached their campsite shortly after noon and sank down on a convenient flat rock next to the tent. He'd walked slowly, taking it as easy as possible (and not only to keep his promise to Tommy, but out of sheer necessity) and pausing often, having to pay tribute to the dizziness and general weakness that had assailed him on the climb and necessitated his return. Even so, his breathing was laborious, he was covered in dust, and his shirt stuck to his sweaty back, chafing in places he'd never felt before.

That definitely was NOT one of your brighter ideas, Scott, he mused after a brief rest as he stripped off his shirt and stretched to work the kinks out of his legs. Whatever possessed you to walk through the desert when the sun's at zenith? Although he'd wrapped a bandanna around his head to ward off the worst of the heat, he was feeling overheated, lightheaded and absolutely parched. Well, he could do something about that, at least. Stumbling slightly with exhaustion, Jason scrambled to his feet again, crawled into the stiflingly-hot tent—Ugh! So much for resting inside, in the shade!—dug out a clean t-shirt and a towel from his backpack, grabbed a couple of apples and granola bars and walked slowly down to the well.

Washing the sweat and dust off his torso felt heavenly, although Jason would have willingly traded in any and all of his former Zords for a loooong shower right about now. Which was unfortunately about 50 miles, and several hours' hiking, not to mention a car ride, out of reach. As it was, he revelled in being relatively clean again; then a slight breeze obligingly sprang up at just the right moment, drying the water on his skin and cooling him further. With a sigh of relief, Jason slipped the fresh shirt over his head and picked up his newly-filled canteen. Choosing a spot about halfway back to the tent, he sat down against a boulder that at least looked as if it might be a comfortable backrest, taking advantage of what little shade there was and started to munch his way through the light lunch.

~*~

Imperceptible to a human, the ground shook slightly as Jason sank to the floor. The minuscule tremors aroused a snake lying hidden in a small crevice at the bottom of the boulder, only a foot or so to the side from where he sat. A flat, triangular head lifted briefly and poked out, a forked tongue flickered towards slit-pupil eyes, but as the big shape made no threatening move, the snake subsided again into motionlessness.

~*~

When he was finished, he wrapped up his bit of trash, then allowed himself at last to think about the day's events so far. On his lonely trek back to camp, he had concentrated solely on conserving his energies, deliberately not letting his mind stray from the task at hand. However, now that he was 'home', he could take the time to reflect on everything without distraction while the quiet of the stark landscape surrounding him seeped into his very bones.

After a while, Jason let his meandering thoughts focus on more than just feeling better; the nausea and dizzy spells had passed, he was reasonably rested and cool—as much as he could be, anyway, sitting in the midst of the California desert with little to no shelter from the sun—and turned the day's events over in his mind. Specifically, the early-morning confrontation with David. He hadn't wanted to dwell on it too much, not while Tommy or David were around, but now that he was no longer distracted by the brothers' presence, he knew he had to do some hard thinking. Idly, almost unconsciously, he picked up a handful of small stones with his right hand, toying with them for a few minutes before pitching them one by one down the hillside.

What was wrong between him and David, anyway?

With a sigh that seemed to rise out of the ground beneath him, Jason thought back to the very beginning—right after his return from Geneva, when he'd become the Gold Ranger and learned that Tommy had found a brother he hadn't known he'd had.

Tommy had been so enthusiastic when he'd told him... in almost anyone else, Jason would have called his reaction 'bubbly'. He grinned at the image. If there was any term that fit Tommy less... but, refusing to be sidetracked, Jason recalled his own reaction to the startling news. He'd honestly been delighted for his best friend; a few late-night confessions during sleepovers had given him a very good idea of what family meant to Tommy. Adding in the fact that David had been brought up Native American—baby Tommy had slipped through a crack in the system, at a time when Native Americans were still fighting for the right to keep their people in their communities and within their culture, rather than losing orphaned children to often more prosperous white adoptive families, and thus ended up with the Olivers—it was a truly fascinating story, and Jason had been quite eager to meet David. Especially as he was the only civilian Jason was aware of who knew about their Ranger identities.

I wanted to like him—I really did, Jason ruminated. If only for Tommy's sake. I mean, I'm not all that fond of Kim's older brother, and Zack's cousins can be a pain in the neck—never mind the whole DeSantos bunch; God, how can Rocky stand the NOISE?—but I can get along with all of them fairly easily, under most circumstances. And I honestly expected the same to happen with David.

However, things had gone wrong almost from the start. Jason knew it wasn't really his fault that his car had to be repaired; sure, it inconvenienced David, and maybe he and Tommy should have made more of an effort to prevent that, but certainly that couldn't have been the only reason for the quiet antagonism he'd sensed in David from the moment he and Tommy had shown up at his house, could it? Forcing himself to examine yesterday's events with ruthless honesty, Jason admitted that he hadn't made much of an effort not to exclude Tommy's brother from their conversation over breakfast. He'd blithely assumed that the other wouldn't mind listening to him and Tommy reminisce about things; an impoliteness, yes, but not done with malicious aforethought, as David seemed to think. The one-time Gold Ranger sniggered as the pretentious phrase skittered through his mind; he was so glad that he no longer needed to use such expressions! He'd had more than enough of that during his stint at the Peace Conference.

Don't digress, he admonished himself, picking up another handful of stones, fingering them absently before sending the first one after the rest.

~*~

The motion alerted the snake once more and he hissed warningly when Jason's hand came perilously close to touching him. Sinuously, the brown-banded coils stretched and slithered outside, within striking distance of the wicked-looking fangs. Perceiving no immediate danger, the serpent waited, all senses alert. Over the gentle breeze, he young man never heard the hiss nor the soft rustling the scaly skin made against the gravelly ground, so absorbed was he in his musings.

~*~

*Okay, where was I? Yesterday morning...

Jason did his best to reconcile his memories of the previous day with the accusations and snide remarks David has hurled at him during their almost-fight at dawn. What all had he said?

So Tommy and me have been inconsiderate towards David. Okay. He has a right to be pissed about that; I wouldn't have liked to get up at the crack of dawn, either. But... am I trying to cut him out of Tommy's life, only to be closer to him?

The answer was quick and immediate.

No. No way. If only for no other reason that it would hurt Tommy—and I'd never want to do that. He's had a hard enough time already, what with Rita and Zedd going after him, then Kim's letter ... besides, he's the best friend I have, even if we haven't known each other all that long. Sure, Billy and Zack are close to me, too, but it's just not quite the same. Tommy and I... we're equals. In all things. He's the brother I always wanted.

This wasn't a new idea by any means; Jason had always accepted their closeness as a given, and knew that Tommy did the same, although neither had ever put it into so many words. It just WAS.

And David's a part of Tommy, whether I like it—well, him—or not. They're REAL brothers, by blood; not just calling each other 'Bro', like I do. End of story.

Rolling that thought around in his mind, Jason slowly realized that a deeply-buried part of him actually was a little jealous of this unalterable relationship. It was unthinkable that anyone or anything would ever be able to destroy the bond he shared with his best friend, but as he well knew, stranger things had happened. Distance, growing up, growing apart... they were possibilities he had to consider, however much he might not want to.

But whatever happens in the future, in the end David and Tommy will STILL be brothers, no matter what. And man, I would sure like to have that guarantee!

He sighed deeply, tossing the last of the pebbles down towards the well. The tiny, clattering sounds seemed awfully loud in the desert stillness. Jason wasn't usually given to so much introspection, but the whole situation bothered him more than he'd thought possible. He'd always made friends easily, or at least managed to get along with most people; that someone he knew he'd have to accept as part and parcel of his best friend disliked him so wasn't an easy thing to stomach.

Guess I'll have to make more of an effort to get to know David, he thought morosely. Probably start by apologizing to him for being so self-centered yesterday. Grrr.

It was not a pleasant prospect, but it was the right thing to do; Jason admitted that much to himself, even though it galled him. But it would be a start to rectify an intolerable situation—for all three of them.

The one thing I absolutely can't do is make Tommy choose between me and David. It wouldn't be fair, and it wouldn't be right. David and I will just have to learn to get along. And if me telling him I'm sorry for being something of a jerk yesterday helps, then that's what I'll do. Why does doing the right thing have to be so hard, though?

Jason was under no illusion that David would welcome his apology with enthusiasm.

He grinned wryly. Nobody ever promised me easy. Oh well. If eating a little crow will help, I'll do it. For all our sakes'.

And hopefully, he'd be able to convince David of his sincerity. After all, had his time at the Peace Conference taught him nothing? The first rule towards genuine understanding was always to bring problems into the open, not let them fester secretly until misunderstandings and misconceptions grew into insurmountable barriers. So, he would try and get David alone somehow when he and Tommy returned, and convince him to talk. Quietly, reasonably, like adults.

Jason breathed a gusty sigh, feeling better for having decided on a course of action. Seemed this time by himself, thinking things through without distractions, had done the trick. Regaining his optimism, Jason's energy returned in a sudden rush that was a welcome change from his bad mood earlier. He chuckled out loud with relief, glad to have—hopefully!—found a solution to his dilemma, thumped the ground next to him with his hand as if to put a seal on his decision, then jumped to his feet.

It was a mistake.

Startled by the sudden noise and movement, the serpent lying in the sun next to the boulder Jason had been resting against first recoiled, then reacted instinctively to what seemed like an attack. The three-foot-long body reared up, there was a sharp hiss, a loud rattle from the very tip of his tail, and with lightning quickness, the snake's head snapped forward. Wickedly sharp fangs sank deep into Jason's leg, depositing deadly poison.

~*~

David and Tommy reached the lookout point out of breath and more than a little the worse for wear, but as David had promised, the view was definitely worth it. They sank to the ground, panting and gulping down the contents of their canteens thirstily, all the while gazing admiringly out at the magnificent scenery. Brownish-yellow sand and rocks as far as the eye could see, at first glance arid and lifeless, but a closer look showed moss and sparse shrubbery, the quick flit of a small rodent from rock to rock, birds of prey circling high in a cloudless blue sky. The desert, a lifeless wasteland? Hardly that.

Letting his eyes sweep to the horizon, Tommy was filled with awe at the vastness, a sight only paralleled by being far out on the ocean, or taking his Zord into space. The line between earth and sky was blurred, hazy with heat shimmers, and only added to the impression of immensity. At his back, the solid rock of the mountainside literally grounded him, and he knew that he only needed to turn around and see the Sierra rise high into the sky.

"This is awesome, David," he murmured. "Thanks for showing this to me." Somehow, nature's glory made him want to keep his voice down, as if any loud noise would spoil its impact on his senses and mind.

"You're welcome, Tommy," David replied, pleased that his brother obviously shared his own appreciation of what lay before them. "I'm glad you're here."

Tommy smiled warmly, then a troubled expression entered his eyes. "I just wish Jason didn't have to leave; I'm sure he'd have loved seeing this as much as I do."

Instinctively, David withdrew, only just checking any overt motion. Damn him, does he have to intrude even when he's not even present? But something gave him away, despite his best effort. His younger brother's face fell, grew wary, even slightly desperate.

"Dave? What's up? I know you and Jason both told me you were okay, but I'd have to be more dense than Bulk and Skull not to notice that something's not right between the two of you." He rubbed the back of his neck, as he was wont to do when agitated. "What I can't figure out, though, is what is wrong, and why. Don't you like Jason?"

It sounded like a little boy's plea, even Tommy noticed that, but didn't much care. He turned what Tanya liked to call his 'lost-puppy-dog-look' on David, willing him to deny his growing suspicion. David squirmed inwardly under that look, and to his shame felt his face grow hot. He glanced quickly aside, but too late. Alarmed, Tommy reached out and gripped his brother's arm.

"Tell me what's wrong, David. Please! I need to know!"

Sighing, David closed his eyes. So much for keeping Tommy out of this. Okay, maybe it's just as well. Setting his mouth in a grim line, he looked back up.

"You're right, Tommy—all is not well. I'm sorry, but... I would have preferred if we had come here alone from the start."

Bewildered, Tommy sat back, the spectacular desert view forgotten. "What? But why?"

"Because I wanted this experience to bring us closer, I guess," David explained. "I mean, we're brothers, yeah, but we barely know each other... now that you're no longer in school, you have hardly any time for me..."

"David, between racing for Uncle John and being a Ranger, I hardly have time for anybody, family, friends or otherwise," Tommy said reasonably. "You don't want to know what this is doing to my social life, either; I'm only glad Kat's on the team with me, or I'd be as single as Rocky!" His attempt at levity failed, however.

"Yes. And now that you can take a little time off to spend with me, you decide to bring someone else along—an outsider!"

Tommy actually flinched, both at the unexpected sharpness of David's tone, and at his choice of words.

"What do you mean, an outsider? Jase is no outsider, he's my best friend! You know that!"

David blushed slightly. "He's not family," he muttered sullenly, staring at his feet. It sounded weak, even to his own ears. Why couldn't Tommy understand?

Tommy shook his head, not seeing the point at all. "Maybe not, but I've sure wished often enough he were," he said, trying for calm. He had a sinking feeling in his stomach that things might be even worse than he'd begun to suspect—that there was some kind of clash between his brother and his Bro, the two people closest to him next to his parents.

Aren't you forgetting someone? a voice in his head asked.

Kim his foolish heart answered softly, only to be overshadowed by his conscience.

Of course, Kat! Duh.

If a heart could snort, Tommy's would have. He ignored it. Not for the first time.

"Dave... I'd hoped I'd made it clear to you, and if I haven't, I'm sorry, but Jason is as close to me as any member of my family—Mom and Dad, you... he was the first person ever who accepted me right from the start, no conditions, nothing, just offered me his friendship. Man, I tried to kill him when I was Rita's Green Ranger! Jason never, ever held that against me. Actually, he was the first of the original team who held out his hand to me. Literally." Tommy smiled briefly at the memory; that moment on the beach was embedded in his very soul and would stay there for the rest of his life.

"Yeah, yeah, the guy's a saint," David muttered, not quite keeping the sneer out of his voice. He was surprised when Tommy ignored it and just laughed.

"A saint? Jason? Hardly. He can outstubborn a mule, and trust me, you do not want to be in the same country with him when he loses his temper!"

Having caught flashes of it in the fire blazing in the dark eyes only this morning, David could well believe that. But he'd also seen the determination with which Jason could put a lid on said temper. Knowing that he, on the other hand, had pretty much completely lost control over himself did nothing to improve David's mood. Quite the contrary. But Tommy wasn't finished yet.

"Anyway, I'm not gonna give him up; no matter what, I'll always have time and room for him, no matter where I am or who I'm with. Get used to it." Realizing belatedly that such a peremptory statement might not be very diplomatic, he grinned a bit wryly.

"Sorry; didn't mean that quite the way it sounded. But it's true," he shrugged. "What is wrong between the two of you, anyway? Just a general personality clash, or is it just that you don't know him very well yet?"

The other was silent for a long minute. At last, David spoke. "I... I don't know." He couldn't very well admit that he was jealous of Jason, could he? Tommy would probably just laugh at him, tell him he was being an idiot or something—and that would make things even worse.

The one thing David couldn't bear was having someone look down on him one way or another. It didn't matter if it was by verbal insult, laughter behind his back (or to his face) or just if he was made to look stupid or incompetent. It always made him feel humiliated, like the one and only time the brothers had sparred—being bested by his younger brother had been bad enough, Ranger expertise or not, but Tommy didn't have to make it look so easy, did he? And with his Ranger friends watching, too... there had been no other way for him than to run out, as far away as possible before he'd be ridiculed. His pride demanded it.

Trying to find halfway rational reasons for his resentment of Jason, besides his jealousy, David started to explain that he felt that Jason was showing up his shortcomings at every opportunity. His lack of worldliness, for want of a better term, his comparatively lesser education ... even his living circumstances. He could—barely!—accept the differences between his own life and Tommy's; not that he begrudged him having been adopted by a reasonably well-off family or anything, but he was human enough and young enough to covet some of the things which Tommy and Jason took for granted and which were pretty much out of his reach unless he worked for them himself, for various reasons. Not all of which had to do with money.

David knew he was fumbling for the right words. Somehow, putting his vague feelings into concise sentences was harder than he imagined it to be, and made them seem rather insignificant, truth be told. And yet he struggled on. David wasn't at all sure whether he was making any sense—the increasingly puzzled look in Tommy's eyes as he listened seemed to indicate otherwise—but that was hardly surprising; his jumbled emotions didn't make much sense to himself anymore, either. I always thought of myself as rather open-minded; why can't I be so where Jason is concerned?* David grimaced, still searching for a way to put his state of mind into something at least vaguely resembling coherency. I... I don't like feeling like this—so mean and petty and jealous!

"I think you've got it all skewed, David," Tommy murmured, rather disturbed by these revelations. He'd never experienced that kind of resentment of another himself, even at his most lonely, and was having trouble wrapping his mind around the concept. And it bothered him a lot that his own brother should feel like this, especially towards his best friend.

"First of all, you don't have 'shortcomings', the way you think you do. You just grew up under totally different circumstances than we did." Tommy would never know how much that simple 'we' hurt David—it seemed to separate them far more than anything else. But Tommy wasn't finished yet. "Second, Jase isn't like that at all; he'd never look down on anybody, for whatever reason. Especially when there is none. You see, when I first moved here, he..." Tommy never got to finish his sentence. He was interrupted by a chirping sound David had only heard a few times before.

"Oh shit," Tommy muttered disgustedly, and activated his communicator.

"Yes, Zordon?"

"Tommy, Divatox is attacking Angel Grove. Your presence is needed here." Even over the tiny device, the Rangers' mentor's voice was booming, deep and authoritative.

"Be right with you. Alpha, alert the others!"

"Ai-yi-yi, Tommy! They're already on the way!"

All business now, the Red Turbo Ranger jumped to his feet, all else taking second place behind his duty.

"I've got to go," he said tersely, shifting seamlessly into the Rangers' leader's role. "Come on, I can teleport you at least down the mountain," he explained, reaching for David's arm. Before the other had time to protest, there was a dizzying rush of sensation, a brief blackness, and the brothers rematerialized not just at the foot of the peak it had taken them well over an hour to scale, but a good distance away, back where they'd come from. Tommy released his brother, took a step, then hesitated and turned once more towards David.

"Listen... we need to talk about this some more, but when I come back, okay? Will you be okay from here on?"

"Yeah, sure. You go and kick that pirate chick's butt," David said, smiling feebly.

"Will do." Tommy reached into his back pocket for his Turbo Key. Before he morphed, though, he looked seriously at David. He was reluctant to ask this of his brother, but concern for his best friend won out. "Dave? Promise me one thing?"

"What?" David wondered at the strange and sudden urgency in Tommy's voice.

"Look out for Jase while I'm gone? I know you may not really want to, after what you've just told me, but the bad guys have too often tried to get at us through our friends and families... and he's really not quite up to snuff..."

Grudgingly, David conceded the point. How could he not, after what happened to him with King Mondo? That didn't mean he had to like it, though. But Tommy's eyes begged him to understand, offering his brother a trust that couldn't be refused.

"Sure, don't worry."

"Thanks."

His communicator beeped again. "Tommy, haul your butt down here! NOW!!!" Unmistakeably Tanya's irritated voice, punctuated by sounds that could only mean his team was already in the midst of trashing a bunch of Piranhatrons.

Cursing under his breath, Tommy fell into stance and summoned his morpher.

"I'll be back as soon as I can, okay?" He didn't even wait for an answer.

"Shift into Turbo!"

In a flash of crimson light, he disappeared, leaving a bemused and still rather grouchy David behind, to make the mile-long hike back to camp on his own. Grumbling about the worst timing ever for being interrupted, the young man started to walk.

~*~

"AURGH!"

Jason cried out more from the surprise than actual pain; he'd sustained more painful injuries as a Ranger, not to mention a few domestic accidents involving paring knives or opened cans. However, as soon as his brain got over the first shock, he saw the ropy shape slithering away quickly, and fear set in.

Along with a burning sensation radiating outward from the twin puncture wounds just above his ankle.

"Oh shit," he groaned, steadying himself against the rock. The pain was already intense, and seemed to intensify with every breath he took—and was it his imagination, or was his leg beginning to swell already? Jason wasn't sure; he'd read about snakebites and their symptoms way back when he first started going on hikes, but poisonous snakes really were rare in California; it just wasn't something he'd been overly concerned with, to tell the truth. If it had been scorpions... but he had chanced upon that rarity, he had to be concerned, or he might... die. Through the pain and increasing confusion—another by-product of the venom coursing through his blood, Jason dimly remembered—he desperately tried to think.

Snakebite! Okay, what do I do... note the time... Jason looked at his watch, but it was dubious if he'd be able to remember the position of the hands. Sometime after 1 pm, he thought. It would have to suffice. Type of snake... I think I heard a rattle... didn't I? ... Shit... I need antivenom—fast!

He looked up the hillside, towards their tent, hoping that either Tommy or David had remembered to pack the remedy. He knew he shouldn't move, should stay as still as possible, but he also needed to get up there, look through their packs... fighting down incipient panic, he took a couple of stumbling steps. The pain in his leg got impossibly worse, and he winced. Gritting his teeth, Jason moved uphill, even though his imagination had shifted into hyperdrive, showing him images of how the poison was moving through his veins, infesting his bloodstream with every excruciating step he managed.

Somehow, he made it to the tent, sweating and cursing all the way.

But once the tent was almost within his reach, Jason found to his horror that he couldn't—COULD NOT—go on. Only two more steps, three at the most, and it was no use. Nausea set in, worse than any ever caused by losing the Gold Power, his skin was clammy with shock, and his stomach heaved as bile rose in his throat. Too weakened already both by his exertion and the poison to fight it, Jason lost his sparse lunch there and then until he was retching pitifully, sinking first to his knees, then slowly all the way to the ground, where he curled up in a foetal position. His eyes were watering as he tried to hold his throbbing leg. Even with blackness encroaching on him, spots dancing before his eyes, he could feel that the area around the snakebite was swollen and puffy... and it was spreading.

I don't want to die! Not like this... not all alone!

He lifted his head, the action causing him to gag again; what little he could see of the desert was just that—deserted. Nevertheless, the human spirit wouldn't give up so easily. Mustering what little strength he had left, Jason called for help.

To whom, he didn't know, nor cared; he'd have been grateful for Lord Zedd's company right now, all things considered. He just knew that he didn't want to be by himself, helpless, hurt... possibly dying.

"Help! Tommy! David... anybody... somebody help me..."

The deep voice grew weaker with every word. And it died off completely when Jason lost consciousness.

~*~

It was less than a mile to the campsite from where Tommy had dropped him off, so David took his time getting there; after all, he had no burning desire to play babysitter to Jason. At least that's how he thought of the request Tommy had made of him. Hadn't he heard a single word his brother had told him? For if he had, how could he still ask David to look out for Jason?

It's not fair, David groused as he ambled along, kicking up loose gravel every now and then. He cursed as he stubbed his toe on a larger stone which was embedded in the soil. Is EVERYTHING against me? Why can't Tommy see my side? Why the HELL is Jason the one for whom he is so concerned? Although, he had to admit it wasn't entirely without cause—less so after Divatox already had had Jason in her clutches once. The new Bad Girl in town sure sounded like someone who'd hold a grudge. So, David would honor his promise.

Nobody says I have to like it, though.

The heat was getting to him, so David quickened his pace some; he still didn't want to spend more time than he absolutely had to alone with Jason, but the prospect of fresh water and a little shade, plus a chance to really rest after their earlier climb, was too enticing. And Tommy has NOT asked me to entertain him. If I don't want to, I don't have to talk to Jason at all. Slightly cheered, David trudged on, reaching the foot of their hillock soon after. He paused at the base, letting the breeze wafting downhill lift his long hair in welcome relief, and wiped the sweat off his forehead. Only the easy scramble uphill separated him from their camp... and Jason.

Grimacing, David started up the barely-visible path, only to stop again after a few steps. Was it his imagination, or had someone just called for help? He listened intently for several seconds, but could detect no sound aside from the wind rustling in the sparse bushes, or the sand shifting under his feet. He shrugged, not really concerned. There was no danger out here, and besides, Jason could damn well take care of himself, lack of stamina or not. A sudden flash of memory took David back to the cave in which Mondo had imprisoned him, though, and caused goosebumps to break out over his skin. What if Tommy's fears were real, after all, and the Space Pirate was going after Jason?

If this Divatox chick really is out for Jason's hide, what can -I- do to stop her, anyway? David tried to assuage his suddenly clamouring conscience, but sped up anyway. I don't even have a communicator to call the Rangers! But he knew he was just procrastinating. He might not be able to fight a monster, but his assistance—if it really was an attack by the current batch of cannon fodder—might mean the difference for Jason between being captured and holding out long enough until Tommy returned.

Shit.

With a last grumble, David topped the rise, prepared to do battle... only to find the area deserted. Nobody was in sight, not even Jason.

"What the heck?!" Clearly, there was no attack in progress, nor were there any signs of a struggle having taken place recently. He'd fully expected Jason to rest in the tent's shade, if he weren't fighting Piranhatrons hands and nails. Then again, the sun hadn't passed zenith all that long ago, and it was possible that the former Ranger had looked for shadow closer to the well. But a look down the slope showed just rocks and moss, the only movement coming from a small lizard which was scurrying into a particularly sunny spot.

"Where is he, anyway?"

Shaking his head in puzzlement and slight annoyance at having wasted some perfectly good worrying for nothing, David waited for his adrenaline rush to subside, then slowly rounded the tent. What he saw there stopped him right in his tracks, then sent him into frantic activity.

Jason was lying on the bare ground, obviously unconscious, curled up just out of reach of the tent flap. One arm was outstretched as if he were trying to reach the zipper—and the reason for that was quite apparent as David took in all of his prone form. His right leg was swollen to half again its usual size from the ankle upward to the knee, straining his pants leg at the seams and everything pointed to the fact that the oedema was still spreading. Sinking to his knees beside the prone body, carefully avoiding the spot of vomitus, David turned Jason carefully onto his back. Looking him over, David saw what he'd feared—twin puncture wounds, grossly discoloured, right above the edge of Jason's sock. A drop of blood had congealed on each already.

"Snakebite! Oh damn!"

David knew enough about the local fauna to be pretty certain about the type of snake that had bitten Jason; it could only be a certain species of rattlesnake common to the western USA. They were rare in California, but not unheard of. He had the appropriate antivenom packed. The big question was, how much time had passed since the bite? There was a 90-minute time limit in which the remedy would be effective at all, or it would be too late to save Jason. David didn't think it had been that long ago; his heartbeat was still reasonably strong and regular, but... The only person who could—hopefully!—answer that was Jason himself; to do that, he needed to be conscious.

First things first!

Hastily, David went for his backpack. The first-aid kit was tucked into one of the outside pockets for easy access. He grabbed the special insulating container for the antidote and hurried back to Jason, all enmity forgotten in the face of this emergency. Next, he reached for one of the canteens, noting with silent relief that they'd been filled since morning—probably Jason's work. In falling, he'd obviously knocked one over—half of its contents had spilled, testified by the still-damp patch on the ground.

Good thing he's thought that far...

Pouring a measure of water onto a piece of bandage from the first-aid kit, David cleaned the punctures, then wetted Jason's face, all the while calling his name, trying to wake him up again.

"Wake up, Jason! Come on, don't be such a stubborn cuss. I need your help here! Wake up, damn you! JASON!"

David knew he was yelling, but didn't care; he lifted his unconscious companion, then dragged him towards the back of the tent where a little shade provided welcome relief from the scorching heat. Next, he propped Jason up into a half-sitting position, elevated his leg on a hastily-snatched backpack as far as he dared, prepared a tourniquet and did all he could think of, his brain racing as his hands acted as if on autopilot. When he still got no reaction from Jason, he slapped him lightly.

"Wake UP!!!"

He was rewarded with a faint moan. Jason moved his head marginally to escape the stinging slaps, but only received yet another slap. More relieved than he thought he'd be, David redoubled his efforts.

"That's it, come on..."

Clawing his way back to consciousness, Jason fluttered his eyelids in a brave attempt to open them. When he finally succeeded, he immediately became aware of the burning ache in his leg, and he groaned, instinctively reaching for his ankle, the source of the pain. David caught the wandering hand.

"No, you can't touch the bite."

The voice was familiar and yet wasn't; frowning, Jason squinted to make his blurry vision focus. He saw a tanned face framed with long dark locks hovering over him, and sighed softly.

"T-tommy," he mumbled indistinctly. "Knew... you'd come. Hel... he'p muhhh..."

David couldn't help but marvel at the simple trust evident in those few words, accompanied as they were by a noticeable relaxing of the tensed muscles. He realized Jason must've mistaken him for his brother, dazed and semi-conscious as he was. It cracked some of the hard shell he'd formed around his heart—seemed the relationship between Tommy and Jason was as close as Tommy had claimed, or Jason wouldn't react the way he was doing.

"Sorry, no," he murmured, fumbling for the snake kit. With quick movements, he removed Jason's shoe and sock. No sense in restricting him any more than absolutely necessary. Already, the elasticised edge of the white stocking had left a deep ridge in the swollen tissue around Jason's ankle.

Jason jerked out of his painful haze when he felt someone touching his foot.

"Hurts," he complained weakly.

"I can imagine, but there's no way around it," David replied in a no-nonsense voice. "Now hold still!"

Finally, it registered on Jason's fogged mind that it wasn't Tommy ministering to him. The voice was similar, but not quite the light tenor he was used to; nor was the touch of the skilled hands at all familiar. Making a supreme effort, he opened his eyes fully and waited for his sight to clear. Sure enough, there was long brown hair, but it was straighter than Tommy's, the shoulders in the plaid shirt were muscular but broader... oh.

"D-david," he stammered, recognizing the person shoving him against a handy rock at last; gagging as another wave of nausea hit him. He swallowed the rising bile with difficulty, knowing he had nothing left to give. "Where... where's..."

"Tommy had to teleport out; some kind of Ranger emergency," David explained, opening the emergency kit and picking up a hypodermic needle. "Good thing he brought me down the peak with him, or I would've been too late."

"... What?"

David stopped whatever he was doing and looked at Jason. "Do you remember what happened?"

Jason briefly closed his eyes. Why was it so hard to think all of a sudden? And why was David being almost nice to him? But an explanation was needed; the effort of giving it actually helped him focus, Jason found, much to his surprise. "I... I think so," he muttered. "I went to get water ... ate a little... I was sitting halfway down the bluff, just thinking about stuff... tossing stones... then I got up... " the deep voice, now thready and weak, trailed off as memory set in.

"There... there was a snake... it bit me!"

"It sure did. Probably some kind of rattler. It's why you're feeling so rotten now."

Well, duh. Jason had figured that one out all by himself. Nevertheless, he was grateful for the lack of hostility both in David's voice and demeanor. As lousy as he was feeling, he couldn't handle a second round of their early-morning quarrel. Thinking about his mishap, though, brought the pain back to Jason's consciousness with a vengeance. Instinctively, he tried to reach for his lower calf, only to find his hand once more restrained in a firm grip.

"Oh no, you don't."

"Wanna know..." Jason muttered rebelliously, glaring at David, who grinned briefly, humourlessly.

"I just bet you do. But you mustn't move—no more than absolutely necessary, anyway. It'll speed the flow of the poison. Bad enough you came up here," David went on, letting go. "But if you have to know, the bite itself is discoloured, your leg looks as if it belongs to a baby elephant, and you generally look like shit. Wanna know more?"

"No. Thanks a lot," Jason replied ungraciously. The world around him was again gyrating worse than a group of breakdancers on speed, and try as he might, he couldn't get rid of the urge to vomit. Heavy eyelids drifted shut again even as he retched.

"My pleasure." Only, strangely, it wasn't, not anymore. How had that happened? He'd thought he would like seeing Jason miserable, or in pain. Now that his earlier wish was coming to pass, though, David found he didn't. He refused to look at his suddenly changed feelings too closely. There was work to be done.

"Okay, I need you to concentrate for a minute, alright? Jason?" He spoke the other's name sharply, fearing he'd lapse into unconsciousness again. "Jason!"

"Yeth," Jason winced, yanked back from the brink of oblivion. What was it David wanted? Oh. Concentrate. Yeah, he could do that. Maybe. "What!"

"Do you have any idea how long ago it's been that the snake got you?"

Jason tried to think. "Dunno," he had to admit. "Not long, I think... what time is it?"

David spared a glance at the position of the sun, then checked it against the length of what little shadow there was. "Quarter to two, or thereabouts."

What had his watch shown? Jason wasn't sure. "Think it was... after one. Not s-sure."

"Hmmm." Reflecting on how he'd found Jason, David was inclined to accept the estimate. The water dripping from the overturned canteen hadn't fully evaporated yet when he'd arrived; a process that wouldn't take long in the current heat.

"Okay, I think we're on time then," he declared, forcing a cheerfulness into his voice he didn't really, feel. It wouldn't quite be a lie—yet. "I'll give you the antivenom now, okay?" He'd selected a vial and loaded it into the hypo. Showing the gleaming needle to Jason, he went on. "This may hurt a bit." He ripped up Jason's pants leg, to expose his thigh.

"Can't be worse than what it's like now," Jason panted, grimacing as another wave of pain washed over him, radiating upwards from his lower right leg. His insides were starting to coil in some kind of cramp, worse than the nausea. On top of things, his heart was racing so much it hurt his ribs. He eyed the hypo distastefully. "Man, I hate needles! I just hope you know what you're doing with that thing," he grumbled between gasps.

"Trust me," David said without thinking, too busy using a disposable alcohol-soaked swab to wipe Jason's skin at the back of his knee, the only place he could think of to find a vein. He positioned the tip against the bluish line, but stopped when Jason spoke quietly.

"Guess what? I do."

Surprised, David looked over his shoulder, meeting the pain-glazed dark eyes fixed on his face.

"Why?"

"You're Tommy's brother," Jason said simply, as if that explained everything. It stunned David momentarily. Before he could react one way or another, Jason sank back with another moan. "Just get it over with!"

"Sure," David murmured, confused. Why would Jason trust him just like this, when he hadn't given him reason to? Certainly their fight this morning wasn't exactly motivating... but thinking about all that would have to wait. Time was of the essence, and he was wasting it, big time. His hands were steady, though, as he pushed the tip of the needle into the muscular flesh. Carefully depressing the plunger, he watched the clear liquid enter Jason's bloodstream. When the vial was empty, he withdrew the hypodermic, swabbed the area again and quickly put a band-aid over the small puncture. No sense in courting infection from a secondary source.

"If the description of this is correct, you ought to be feeling better in a short while," David said gruffly. "Hopefully, you'll be able to hold out long enough for Tommy to come back and teleport you to the car. It's gonna be a close call as it is."

"Yeah," Jason sighed, well aware of the restrictions Zordon had placed on the use of their Powers. 'Never use them for personal gain.' He hoped Tommy would be able to bend the rules this once, just a little, anyway, seeing as it was an emergency. Maybe Zordon wouldn't mind... The rules were made for a reason, and Jason had always adhered to them religiously, but he really didn't want to die yet. The lengthy car ride was going to be tough enough as it was.

"Knowing Tommy, he'll try to break the landspeed record," he joked feebly. "Better prepare yourself for one hell of a tri-"

He never could complete the sentence. A sudden rush of unbearable heat constricted his throat, and he arched upwards, crying out inarticulately in pain. Sweat broke out all over his body, and yet Jason's face turned pasty-white under his tan. David tried to hold him down, to stop the thrashing-about that was following, and found to his dismay that Jason's skin was cold and clammy to his touch. That, however, was quickly replaced by a feverish flush.

"Oh SHIT!"

Even inexperienced in most medical matters as he was, David was aware of the symptoms of anaphylactic shock. It seemed as if Jason was allergic to the antivenom. In his weakened condition, coupled with the effects the fast-spreading poison on his system, it looked as if time had just run out on Jason Scott.

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