All adults looked around sharply as Marty looked into the kitchen.
"He's under. You can come back in now."
Wordlessly, they followed Marty back into the family room. Jason was slumped over a little in an armchair, and looked for all the world as though he was sleeping. Tommy, unable to resist the urge, waved his hand slowly in front of his friend's face.
"Knock it off, Oliver," David growled impatiently. Tommy spared David a disdainful look, but backed off.
"He's completely hypnotized?" Sarah asked tentatively. Marty nodded.
"Yeah. Didn't take too long, thankfully. It can cause problems when someone is difficult to put under. Just have a seat, all of you, and we'll start this off."
They all found places to sit, and once they were settled, Marty turned his attention back to Jason.
"Jason, can you hear me?"
"Yes," Jason answered, a tad sluggishly. Marty nodded.
"Okay, that's good. Now, can you tell me where you are?"
"At home."
"Who's home?"
"Mum and Dad's."
"All right. We'll start now. Jason, we're trying to find the answer to a certain question. Do you know what that question is?"
"Yes. Why is Kyle Bennett so interested in me?"
"That's right. We think that you might have met up with Bennett before you took on the case in Chicago. Do you remember if you met him any time before?"
"No," Jason answered simply. Marty nodded.
"Okay. Jason, I have a pocket watch with me. I've taken it out of my pocket, and I'm holding it up in front of you. Can you see it?"
"Yes," Jason answered softly, even though Marty was not holding up anything at all. Marty went on quietly.
"I'm winding it backwards, Jason. We're going back in time. Hours, now days." He paused, then spoke again. "Where are you now, Jason?"
"Church... Adam and Tanya are getting married."
"You don't sound too happy about it."
Distress flickered across Jason's face. "Can't help it. I just heard, Sid's been killed...."
"Marty," Donavon growled, "don't put him through that again, for God's sake"
Marty simply nodded.
"Okay, Jason, we're going further back in time. Days, now. Weeks, years We're going to wind the clock right back, Jason, right back to when you were six years old. We're slowing down, now. Slowing And we've stopped."
Marty paused again for a long moment before speaking. "Hello, Jason."
"Hello."
It was Jason's voice, but the tone was lacking in maturity. It was childish the voice of a six year-old child.
"Can you tell me how old you are, Jason?"
"I'm six," came the excited reply. "I turned six today. Mummy says I'm a big boy, now."
Marty glanced back at Donavon and Sarah. "He stopped right on his sixth birthday."
"He stopped?" Michael echoed, confused. Marty nodded.
"Yeah. I turn back time for him, so to speak, but his subconscious chooses the time and date that he actually stops on. Something significant must have happened to him on his birthday to make him choose this." He looked back to Jason. "If it's your birthday, then you must be pretty excited, Jason. Are you having a party?"
"Oh yeah," Jason said enthusiastically. "There's gonna be lots of food, and all my friends will be there."
"Who are your friends, Jason?"
"There's Billy He's my best friend. And Trini..."
"Only two?"
"They're my best friends," Jason answered firmly.
Behind all the others, Tommy had to smile. That long ago, Jason, Trini and Billy must have been the only three of the first team to be together in Angel Grove. Even back then, they must have had a close bond of friendship... He blinked and focused as Marty went on quietly.
"Where are you right now, Jason?"
The excitement fell away all-too-quickly. "At school. Dad said he'd pick me up and take me home, but he's late. I don't know where he is. There's hardly anyone around."
"Will you call home?" Marty asked.
"Little kids aren't allowed to use the phone," Jason said gloomily. "Besides, I can't remember our phone number."
"Aren't there any teachers around?"
"No. They've all gone. The janitor's coming to lock up."
"Will you ask him to call your mum?"
"No way," Jason grumbled. "He's creepy. And he doesn't like kids. I'm gonna walk. I know the way."
Donavon looked to Sarah, startled. "He walked home alone on his birthday?"
Sarah shrugged helplessly. Marty glanced back at them, then continued with Jason.
"Don't you think your parents might be upset?" he asked lightly.
"I'll tell them I got a ride with a friend," Jason said dismissively. "They'll believe it. They won't be mad at me on my birthday."
Donavon groaned and shook his head. "Shameless little sod...."
"Are you walking now, Jason?"
"Yeah. I have to go through the park, otherwise I'll have to cross the main road. I can't cross that road without a grown-up."
"Is it far?"
"No. I don't think so."
Even as Jason spoke, his body began to stiffen visibly in the chair. Marty noticed, and finally commented on it.
"Is something wrong, Jason?"
"I think a man is following me."
The simple statement grabbed everyone's attention, and they all watched, hardly daring to breathe.
"A man?" Marty echoed. "Do you know who he is?"
"Not really," Jason murmured. "I've seen him hanging around school sometimes. Danny said he gives lollies to kids. I never wanted any."
"Where is he now, Jason?"
Jason turned a little in the seat, as though looking over his shoulder.
"He's gone. I can't see...."
He gave a sudden yelp of fright as he turned back to face the front, startling them all. Cowering back a little, he spoke in a voice that trembled.
"Who are you?"
"What is it, Jason?" Marty pressed, acutely aware of the sudden fear on the young man's face. When Jason didn't respond, Marty acted quickly.
"Okay, Jason, I want you to listen to me. You are safe, you can't be hurt. You aren't that six year-old anymore. Do you understand me? You're looking at what's happening from a distance, as though through a window. Do you understand?"
Jason nodded slowly, and when he spoke, his voice had regained its maturity.
"Yes I understand."
"All right," Marty murmured, relieved. "Now, you're looking through the window, and you're watching what's happening. I want you to tell us exactly what is going on."
"The man.... He's talking to me. He said he'd seen me at school. He's asking why I never go to get lollies from him. I said I don't like lollies. He said I should try some I tried to get around him, but he wouldn't let me go. I said I had to get home for my party, and he asked me if it was my birthday. I... I said yes. I had to. Mum always told me that I should answer when an adult asked me a question. I mean, he was a stranger, but he was an adult, too..."
"Christ, what a dilemma for a kid," David whispered. Marty went on quietly.
"What happened then, Jason?"
"He said he had a present for me. I... I told him I wasn't allowed to take things from strangers, but he said it was right over behind the tree. He said if I didn't let him give it to me, then he'd call my mum and tell her I'd been rude to him. I didn't want Mum to be mad at me on my birthday, so I said yes."
"Marty, stop," Donavon whispered hoarsely. Michael regarded Donavon grimly.
"We can't stop now, Don."
"Why not?" Donavon choked out. "We know what he's going to say! Damn it, Mike...."
"We don't know for sure, Donavon. And we have to know for sure. You know that. It's why you suggested this. Keep going, Marty."
Marty nodded, and turned back to Jason.
"Did you go behind the tree with him, Jason?"
"Y... Yes." He'd started to stammer. "There wasn't anything there. I asked him where the present was. He said he had it in his pocket, but he had to take me behind the tree, because he didn't want anyone to see. He... He said it was a secret."
"What happened then, Jason?"
"He put a hand on my shoulder. It was sort of like the way Dad puts his hand on my shoulder... Except he held on really tight. It hurt, but he didn't let go when I asked. Then...."
Jason faltered, his breath starting to come in rapid succession as the panic took hold.
"Jason, I want you to relax," Marty told him. "You are safe here. You are totally detached from what happened. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"All right. Now go on."
"He started touching me," Jason confessed softly. "First he touched my face. Then he lifted my shirt and touched my stomach. Then... Then he put his hand down my shorts...."
Close by, Sarah Scott gave a choked sob of disbelief. Donavon joined her, hugging her tightly. Jason went on, oblivious to the distress of his parents.
"He... He was feeling me... He squeezed and everything... It hurt... I started crying."
"What did you do, Jason? Did you scream?"
Jason drew in a slow breath. "No. I kicked him."
Marty started a little in surprise. "You kicked him?"
Anger flashed across Jason's face. "I was learning karate. No one is allowed to hurt me. That's what they taught us. So I kicked him between the legs. As hard as I could."
It took Marty a moment to recover from the shock. Rarely had he come across child victims of molestation who had had the gumption to put up a decent fight during the assault.
"What happened then? After you kicked him...."
"He got this weird look on his face Like it really hurt him. I guess it did. He let me go, then. I didn't wait to see if I'd hurt him really badly. I just ran."
"You ran home?"
"Yeah."
"What did you tell you parents?"
"Nothing," Jason admitted after a substantial pause. Marty watched Jason intently.
"Why not?"
"I... I was scared."
"Of what, Jason? What were you scared of?"
"We always got told never to talk to strangers. I did. I was scared that I'd get into trouble. I didn't want Mum and Dad to be mad at me. I did all the wrong things. I didn't want to get into trouble over it."
Marty sighed and looked back over his shoulder to Donavon and Sarah.
"One thing's for sure, he certainly loves you folks a hell of a lot. You both must have meant the world to him, if he was so desperate not to do anything to make you angry at him."
Michael shook his head. "But as a result, no one ever learned about what happened."
"Ask him if he saw the man again," David suggested quietly.
Marty turned back to Jason. "Jason, did you ever see that man again?"
Silence reigned. Marty tried again.
"Did you ever see him again, Jason?"
"Yes," Jason admitted softly. "When I was twelve. I was walking home from school... After the karate class in the Youth Centre. He came out of nowhere. I didn't even know he was following me. I didn't recognise him at first. But after a while I did. He knew my name, then. I think he must have found out from someone in the Youth Centre."
"Did he speak to you?" Marty pressed. "Did he say anything at all to you?"
Jason shifted uncomfortably. "He said he remembered me from six years ago, and that he hadn't ever forgotten me. He said no one had ever put up a fight before. I told him I was a red belt in karate and that he'd better get lost. He just laughed at me. He said he'd come back to Angel Grove for a while just because of me. He said he wouldn't be satisfied until he got me. I was going to fight him. I thought I'd have to... But he just turned and went. I didn't see him again after that."
"This man, Jason," Marty said quietly. "Do you know who he was now?"
Jason nodded slowly. "I recognise him now. It was Kyle Bennett."
"Bingo," Michael said softly.
Marty sighed a little. "Okay, I think you've gotten your answers. I'm going to bring him out of it. Everyone, out."
"Why?" Tommy started to protest. Michael began to usher his son out of the room.
"Think about it for a while, Tommy."
Then, he, Tommy and David were gone. Marty looked back to Donavon and Sarah, who hadn't moved.
"Are you folks really sure you want to wait?"
"He's our son," Donavon said softly. "It should be his wife here, with him, but we're the next best thing. Bring him out of it, Marty."
Marty nodded and did as he was told. Minutes later, Jason's eyes fluttered open as he slowly regained his wits. For several seconds, he stared at Marty and his parents, nothing registering in his eyes. Then, suddenly Jason gave a stifled sob of shock as the memories came flooding back. Sarah was there in an instant, wrapping her arms around Jason and holding him tightly. Donavon joined the embrace, refusing to let go.
Marty continued to stand there for a while longer before turning and slipping out of the room.
"Well?" Michael asked when Marty walked into the kitchen. Marty regarded them grimly as he pulled up a chair and sat down.
"Do you really need to ask?"
"That bad?" David murmured uneasily. Marty sighed.
"Jason has finally remembered things that have been completely repressed in his memory. He'll be lucky if he doesn't go into shock."
"I can't believe this," Tommy muttered. "Jason? Raped?"
"Not raped," Michael growled.
"Close enough, though," David said. "Being molested can be considered to be just as bad as rape. It's still violation, regardless. And this is something that Jason has had locked away inside him for over twenty years. He was so scared of getting into trouble that he never told anyone. Not even his own folks. Shit I wouldn't be surprised if he's in there crying like a baby. I would if it was me."
Tommy stared gloomily at the table top. "Out of all of us, I never thought Jason could ever have had that happen to him. He was always the toughest."
"You aren't that tough when you're six, Tommy," Michael said. "Don't forget, you didn't meet Jason until you were both sixteen."
"I wonder if those friends he mentioned know anything about this?" Marty mused.
"Well, Trini is Jason's wife now," Michael told him. "If Trini knew anything about this, I doubt she'd keep it from Donavon and Sarah. I suppose there's a possibility that Jason might have talked to Billy Cranston about it at some point."
"I could call Billy and ask him," Tommy suggested. Michael glowered at his son.
"Don't you dare. If Billy doesn't know anything, then I don't want him finding out. Everything that we've learned here tonight stays with us. No one else is to know. Do you understand me, Thomas?"
Tommy cringed a little. His father rarely called him 'Thomas' except in serious matters.
"Yeah," he conceded finally.
Michael went on quietly. "If Jason chooses to tell other people, then that's up to him. But we don't spread this around."
"What about Trini?" David asked in concern. Michael sighed.
"He'll tell her. I'm sure of it. I'm also sure she'll understand why he never told her or anyone else to begin with."
Marty smiled wryly. "It was just like Jason to put up a fight. I've counseled a few kids that have had similar things happen to them. None of them found the courage to fight." He shook his head. "I've known Jason all his life. He's always had that tough streak, like Tommy said. But he was still vulnerable enough to believe it was his fault for letting himself be tricked in the first place."
"You can't expect a six year-old to be able to know when they're being tricked like that," David muttered. "You remember what Jason said? That his mother had always taught him to be polite to adults. What do you do when an adult you don't know confronts you? Everything you've been taught comes into conflict. Do you do what your teachers tell you and run away, or do you stay and be polite, like your parents have taught you? In the end, what your parents teach you is likely to dominate, because it's their influence that you live under for twenty or so years of your life."
"That's something we've never considered," Michael murmured. "We go into schools, and lecture the kids about what to do when a stranger talks to them, but we've never thought about the sort of conflicts that might cause a child."
Silence fell a moment later when Donavon walked in, looking more tired than any of them could remember.
"How is he, Don?" Michael asked, getting up. Donavon regarded his friend with a pained stare.
"Not that great. And on top of everything that son of a bitch did to him, he's suffering guilt over never having told us the truth. I just came in to get some water for him."
"He's strong, Donavon," Marty told him. "He'll get through this."
Donavon paused at the fridge. "He's pushed all of this to the depths of his memory for the last twenty odd years. You know what sort of effects that can have, Marty."
"But he has you and Sarah. You won't let that happen. Neither will we."
David got up, then, not liking the tone of the discussion. "Won't let what happen? What are you talking about?"
Marty hesitated and, when Donavon didn't speak, he did.
"What we mean is that when someone has repressed bad memories for a lengthy period of time, when they do eventually remember, it can have adverse affects, sometimes to the point of mental incapacitation. But that won't happen to Jason. I'm certain of it. He's going to be okay."
Donavon looked sceptical, but wasn't given the chance to argue as the phone suddenly rang. Sparing his partner a tired look, Donavon picked up the receiver to answer the call.
"Hello? Trini? I'm sorry, Jason can't talk right...."
For nearly a minute, Donavon didn't talk. Then, suddenly, his face went quite literally green.
"Hang on, Trini. I'll get Jason now. Don't hang up."
He put the phone down, and bolted from the room, leaving the other adults to wonder what was wrong. He returned soon after, with Jason and Sarah behind him. Jason's eyes were red and swollen, and they knew he had been crying. Ignoring everyone, Jason walked over and snatched up the phone.
"Trini? Whoa, honey, slow down. I can't understand you." For the next couple of minutes, Jason listened in intent silence, his expression grimly set. Then, finally, he spoke again.
"Pack your bags and come home, now. No. Don't go to our home. Come to my parents home. That's where I'll be. ...Yes, let her drive you. ...Trini don't be stubborn. Now isn't the time. You let her drive you here. I don't want you behind the wheel. ....All right. I'll be waiting for you. And don't worry. Everything's going to be fine, I promise. ....I love you too, baby. I'll see you in a few hours."
He hung up and turned to find everyone staring at him.
"What's happened?" Michael asked quietly, dreading the response. Jason was silent for a moment, then forced himself to speak.
"Trini took William to a park this afternoon. She turned her back for just a minute.... When she looked again, he was gone. Another mother saw him being dragged into a car on the other side of the park. My boy has been kidnapped...."
It was the last thing Jason managed to say before he collapsed in a dead faint.
Trini arrived just before midnight, delivered into the house by her Aunt Miriam. Jason met her in the hallway as she came in, and wrapped her up in a tight hug before she even had the chance to speak.
"I'm sorry," she sobbed, her voice muffled by Jason's jumper. "Jason, I'm sorry...."
"It's gonna be okay," he whispered to her fiercely. "We'll get William back. It wasn't your fault, Trini. Don't blame yourself."
"But I turned my back...."
"We can't watch our kids every second of the day until they're voting age. You didn't do anything wrong."
Trini slid her arms around his waist and held him tightly as he led her into the family room. It was only as they sat down that she realised his left arm was plastered.
"What happened?"
"I broke my arm," he told her softly. "There.... There was sort of an accident....." He faltered, looking into her red-rimmed eyes for several seconds before caving. "Someone planted a bomb in the letter box, and it blew up when I lifted the lid."
Trini felt the blood freeze in her veins as she began to put two and two together. "It happened just after I left with William, didn't it?"
Jason nodded. "Yes. The next morning."
"The person who did that is the same person who took William, isn't it?"
He nodded again, unable to lie to his wife. "I think so."
Trini sat in silence for nearly a minute before speaking again. "You have to get him back, Jason. He's only a baby...."
"I will, I swear it. It's going to be okay, honey."
Jason hugged her tightly, and yet despite his outward certainty, she could almost feel the fear trembling through his body. Drawing carefully away from him, she looked up into his eyes and noticed, for the first time, the almost haunted look there.
"Jason, what is it? You look so frightened...."
He glanced away from her, unable to hold her stare. "I am," he admitted softly. Trini reached out and grasped his hands, only to discover they were freezing cold. She let his hands go and reached up to lovingly stroke his cheek.
"What is it? Talk to me, please."
He hesitated, wondering where to start, then went on quietly.
"I think that it's Kyle Bennett who is responsible for all of this."
"Kyle Bennett? The Angel of Death? Jason, you caught him!"
"Yes, but the judge dismissed the charges on a technicality. I found out the day that I sent you and William to San Diego. I got a letter. I'm pretty sure it was from him. He bragged about killing Sid, and said he was on his way here to get me. I'm fairly certain he was responsible for the bomb in the letter box, for the letter, for killing Sid and now for kidnapping William."
Trini had gone the colour of ash. "Oh my god.... If that monster has our baby...."
"If he hurts William," Jason whispered furiously, "I'll kill him myself. I don't care if I go to jail for it. I swear to God, I'll kill him." He faltered, then took Trini's hand in his own. His were trembling badly, they both noticed. "I don't think he will hurt William, though. Not yet. He wants me too badly to risk that. He knows he'll never get what he wants if he hurts William."
"Why?" Trini choked out, tears tumbling down her checks in a steady flow. "Why does this man hate you so much?"
"That's what we wanted to know," Jason murmured. "Trini, do you remember back when we were kids? When we were six years old?"
"A little," Trini conceded. "Why?"
"Do you remember ever seeing a man around our school? Someone that gave out lollies to the kids?"
Trini was silent as she thought back, but finally gave a tentative nod. "I think I remember. I think I took lollies from him a couple of times. But then I told my mother. She went into an hysterical fit and made me promise never to take anything from him again."
"Good thing," Jason agreed. "Trini, that man was a child molester. The police never caught him."
Trini stared at Jason for a long moment before stiffening. "Are you saying he did something to you?"
Jason nodded slowly. "Yeah, but I'd totally forgotten about it. Dad had to call his partner to use hypnosis on me to remember."
"Do you remember?"
"Yeah More than I want to. It was on my sixth birthday. Do you remember I was late home? You and Billy and some other kids were there before me."
"Yes, I remember that. Your father forgot to pick you up and you said you got a lift with someone else."
"I didn't get a lift with anyone. I walked home through the park. I was followed. That man.... The one who'd been hanging around the school. He followed me. Tricked me into going behind a tree with him... He tried to assault me, Trini."
"Tried?"
"I remembered all the karate lessons we'd had in the Youth Centre. I kicked the son of a bitch in the nuts and bolted. He never forgot, though. I saw him again when I was twelve or so. He knew me by name, then. He had a few words with me in the park. Made some crack about not being satisfied until he'd had me After he left, I didn't see him again. He saw me, though. Frequently, I guess."
"This man," Trini said softly. "It was Bennett, wasn't it? That's why he's come after you now. He never forgot that you didn't let him win."
"That's about it," Jason agreed. "And you're right. It is Bennett. But it took hypnosis for me to finally make the connections. When he confronted me the second time, when I was twelve, he told me no one else had ever put up a fight before. I guess he could never forget that."
"That's what he wants now, isn't it?" Trini asked fearfully. "He doesn't want to kill you. He wants....." She trailed off, unable to bring herself to say it.
Jason sighed a little and hugged her to him. "He'd kill me, if he gets the chance. But I'm not going to give it to him. I'm going to get William back, and then make sure that sick bastard never gets out of jail."
Trini slid her arms around Jason and hugged him tightly. "I love you, Jason."
Jason smiled faintly as he returned the hug. "I love you, too."
Jason didn't sleep that night, and Trini slept fitfully, moaning softly in her sleep. For the longest while, Jason sat up, leaning against the back- board of the bed, staring into the darkness. Bennett would not hurt William, of that much he was sure. Bennett had chased him for twenty one years: he would not risk losing his opportunity for the sake of having one child. Jason didn't understand much of psychology, but he understood that.
He also understood that Bennett had to be growing impatient. William might be safe for a few days, but after that Jason's jaw clenched determinedly. He had no intention of waiting that long. Bennett would inevitably set up a trap for him, and he was going to be ready.
Careful not to wake Trini, he slid out of bed and left the room, heading down the hall to his old room. Shutting the door behind him so not disturb anyone else, he switched on the light and went to the closet.
He had taken most of his things with him upon moving to the Academy in LA, and then later to Chicago. Most of what he'd left behind had been packed into boxes and put away in the closet. He could only hope that his parents hadn't assumed what he wanted now to be a piece of scrap metal, and thrown it out.
Silently cursing his useless left arm, Jason dragged out the first of the two large boxes and ripped off the packing tape. Inside were old toys, things that he hadn't laid eyes on since his departure for Geneva when he was eighteen. Jason smiled with mild amusement as he lifted a small African drum out of the box. That had been a present from his uncle, who had often travelled abroad, and one that his parents had regretted. He remembered walking around the house for days after receiving the gift, bashing away on it with little to no sense of rhythm. For the barest instant, he considered putting it aside for William, then changed his mind and shoved it back into the box.
Reminding himself of what he was searching for, he renewed his efforts, rummaging through the box with a steadily growing desperation.
_Why the hell didn't I take the damn thing with me?_
The thought flickered briefly in his mind as he dragged out the second box, tore it open and began to search through it. So intent was he on his search that he didn't notice the door swing open behind him.
"Jason?"
Jason turned around so fast that he lost balance and went down on his butt with a heavy, painful thud. Trini's face creased with concern, and she hurried over to help him up.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you.... But what on Earth are you doing?"
"Looking for my communicator," Jason told her.
Trini gaped at him. "Why?"
"Because we're going to need all the help we can get to rescue William and catch Bennett. The crazy bastard is going to try to trap me using William. I'll have to take the chance, but if anything goes wrong, you're to get to the Power Chamber as fast as you can."
"The Power Chamber?" Trini echoed. "Jason, this is ludicrous! That place wouldn't even be operational anymore! And besides that, I don't even know where it is. I've never been there, remember?"
"Maybe, but Billy, Rocky and Tommy know where to go. Trini, I'm through playing this psycho's game. We have to start doing it our way, or we won't see William again."
"I'm not letting you put yourself in the firing line, Jason. David Ashley and Michael Oliver are both experienced officers. They'll get William back safely. There is no reason for you to do anything stupid!"
Jason stiffened, then got awkwardly to his feet, kicking the boxes back into the closet as his anger exploded.
"Is it so stupid to want to get my son back? Are you telling me I'm stupid because I want to see an end to this?"
Trini rose up slowly, moving away from Jason a couple of steps. "No. You know I'm not. Don't put words in my mouth, Jason."
"I've let this bastard hold the key for too long," Jason snapped. "It's time to put an end to this bullshit."
Trini stared at Jason in growing concern as he walked over to the bed and dropped to his knees to look under the bed. The last time she had seen him in so volatile a state had been during that uncertain time when they had not known whether William would live or die, so sick was he. Then, nothing she had said or done had helped to calm him down. Now, he was in a frighteningly similar state.
He suddenly straightened up, a shoe box clutched in his right hand.
"What's that?" Trini asked softly.
"Treasure box," Jason told her breathlessly as he got up and sat down on the edge of the bed. "I used it from the time I turned eight to put important things into. Well.... As important as things could be to a kid, I guess. You know, baseball cards, money..... lollies that you don't want your parents to find. And, when I was seventeen...." He lifted a chunky ring of metal with a red band out of the box. "My communicator. I'd forgotten about the box. Thank God Mum always made me clean under my own bed."
Trini was silent for a long moment, then walked over and joined him on the bed. "Do you think it would even still work?"
"I don't see why not. Anyway, it's only for an emergency."
"Do you really think we may need to use any of that again? Jason?"
Jason stared for a long moment at the communicator in his hands before speaking. "I hope not. I really hope we don't, because I'm terrified of what might happen if Tommy gets dragged into it. But I won't sacrifice William just for the sake of keeping the secret."
"I'm scared, Jason," Trini whispered. Jason looked down at her, startled.
"What?"
"I'm scared," she repeated, more forcefully. "I'm scared for William, and I'm scared for you, too. I've come so close to losing you so many times, I don't think I can stand it anymore!"
Jason sighed softly and slid his arm around her, pulling her close. "You aren't going to lose me, Trini. I'm not going to let Bennett win. This is personal now, and that bastard is going to pay for everything he's done. I guarantee it."
Trini clenched her teeth for a moment, then looked up at him. "I don't want you going after Bennett alone, Jason. Please, whatever happens, promise me you won't do that."
"I promise," he answered softly, but she thought she read a different truth in his eyes and voice.
The next morning....
Trini arrived at the Dojo the next morning, feeling sick to her stomach. She hated what she was about to do, but in the end, she'd seen no other way. Jason was right; unless they started playing this sick game on their own terms, William would be lost. And as much as she dreaded the thought of reactivating the power, she knew there was no other way. If something went wrong, and by some terrible twist of fate Bennett did manage to get Jason, they would have no other choice.
She trudged up the steps, and into the building, her stomach rolling. Just inside the doors, familiar shouts reached her ears and a smile nudged its way onto her face. Tommy was teaching a class, and clearly going hell for leather, as usual. She turned down the corridor, and made her way to the main office, away from the classes that were in session.
"Trini?"
She looked around in surprise, and her face lit up at the sight of Adam, as he emerged into the corridor behind her.
"Adam, I thought you were still on your honeymoon!"
"We got home yesterday morning," he explained as they hugged. "Couldn't afford a long one, but we had a good time all the same."
"That's great," Trini said, managing a warm smile. "Where's Tanya?"
"She and Kat were meeting in town today. So, what can I do for you?"
"I need to talk with you, Tommy and Rocky. It's urgent, Adam. It's about...."
She glanced down, and he followed her gaze. A moment later, his eyes widened at the sight of the communicator she held in her hands.
"What...? I mean, how...."
"It's Jason's. He never got rid of it. I'll go and wait in Tommy's office."
Adam nodded. "Sure. I'll collar go and Tommy and Rocky. We won't be long."
Trini nodded, and disappeared through the office door.
Fifteen minutes later, the men were gathered in Tommy's office with Trini, listening to what she had to say.
"It's about William, isn't it?" Tommy wanted to know. "And that psycho that's after Jason."
"Psycho?" Rocky echoed. "What's going on?"
"William has been kidnapped," Trini told them in a trembling voice. "The man that took him.... He's obsessed with Jason. We know he's going to use William to trap Jason."
"So where does the communicator come into it?" Adam asked quietly.
Trini looked down at the metal bracelet that she clasped in a vice-like grip. "If something goes wrong, and Jason is caught by Bennett, he wants us to go to the Power Chamber, and use whatever we have to to stop Bennett."
Silence met the statement. Finally, Rocky spoke, and his voice was laced with disbelief.
"He's gotta be kidding.... Trini, we can't do that! The Power Chamber hasn't been operational for years! We probably don't even have access to the place anymore!"
"Yes, we do."
Trini, Adam and Rocky all looked around at Tommy in astonishment.
"How would you know that?" Adam asked suspiciously.
Tommy stared guiltily at the floor. "I've sort of been making regular trips there to.... you know.... check on everything. The place is still running, the computers are all working.... And the Zeo crystals and Power Coins are all there."
Stunned silence followed, and then Trini spoke softly. "Tommy, when did you last go up there?"
He finally looked up, and there were mixed emotions on his face. "I only went to check up on the place. I didn't activate anything! I swear it!"
"We believe you," Trini assured him. "But when did you go there last?"
"About seven months ago," he confessed. "I've been going up there once a year. Look, it's not something that I decided myself. Zordon asked me before he shut the main power down and left. He asked me himself if I could go there once a year to check it out."
Rocky whistled softly. "Well, I guess we at least know the place is operational."
"You said the Power Coins were still there," Trini said. "I thought they were destroyed."
"No," Tommy answered. "The power was drained from them, but Zordon discovered a way of recharging them. So there's the potential for there to be ten Rangers at any one time."
Trini bit lightly on her lower lip as she looked down at the communicator.
"Our profiles should still be in the computer mainframe, right, Adam?"
"Theoretically, yes," he replied. "As long as there's been some sort of continual power source going through the place. I couldn't guarantee it, though. When are we going to do this, anyway?"
"It isn't definite," Trini answered. "Jason agreed to work with Chief Oliver and David Ashley first, to try and get William back, but if something goes wrong...." She looked up at them, tears in her eyes. "My husband and son are at stake here. I didn't agree with this at first, either. I still don't, to an extent. But Jason's right. If something does go wrong, and Bennett manages to get ahold of him, we may not have a choice! I'm not going to lose them, and if this is the only way, then so be it."
"We're risking everyone finding out," Adam said softly. "Your dad, Tommy.... Jason's parents..... The police.... Everyone."
"Yeah," Rocky said. "Finding out what we did when we were teenagers. That was ten years ago, guys. We don't have to tell anyone where the Power Chamber is, even if they do find anything else out. And it's not like we'll be chosen if the Power Rangers are ever needed again. They'll choose teenagers, not adults. I agree with Trini. If we need to, I say we use it."
"God forbid we should have to," Adam said. "All right. I'll go along with it."
All eyes turned to Tommy. The young man sat in heavy silence before speaking. "You know that's why I ended up on drugs? Because of the power."
"We know," Trini murmured. "And we're not pushing you into it. We don't want you to take that sort of risk again."
Tommy stared down at the floor. "Everytime I've gone up to the Power Chamber, I've taken the White Power Coin out of the case, and I've come so damn close to using it. That was always my favourite, you know. Being the White Ranger. When Zordon made me the White Ranger, I felt like I'd finally managed to get rid of all the remnants of evil that went with the Green Ranger. I wanted to use it So bad But I didn't. All that stopped me was being scared of what would happen if I did. And I'm more scared of that unknown than I've ever been of anything else." He looked up at Trini. "But that was just myself. It was only me, and nobody else. My fight. Now it's about you and Jason, and your little boy. I wouldn't do it just for myself. But, if that's what it comes down to, I'll do it for you and Jason. And I wouldn't think twice."
Trini leaned forward, and threw her arms around Tommy in a tight embrace. "Thankyou. All of you. I love you guys so much."
Tommy hugged her back, ignoring the dull stab of fear that prodded at him from deep inside. "We love you, too. You and Jase both. We'll get William back, and we'll make sure that Bennett can never hurt anyone, ever again."
Trini arrived back at the Scott's home to be met by Sarah. Immediately, Trini noticed the worry in the older woman's face.
"Sarah?" she asked softly, in concern. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine," Sarah replied with a sigh. "It's Jason we're worried about.
He's been pacing back and forth in the family room for the last half hour. We can't get through to him at all."
Trini sighed softly with understanding as she followed Sarah inside.
"He was the same way when William was in hospital. Don't worry. I'll talk to him."
"Trini..."
Trini paused, looking at her mother in-law questioningly. "Yes?"
"This is going to work out," Sarah told her softly. "I know it will. Everything is going to be all right."
The younger woman managed a tired, sad smile before disappearing through into the family room.
"Jason?"
If Jason heard her, he gave no sign. Trini watched him for a long moment in silence, as he paced back and forth near the fireplace, before walking up behind him an slipping her arms around his waist.
"Honey, stop, please."
"Did you see them?"
Trini sighed inwardly. "Yes. They agreed. Tommy was able to tell us for certain that everything is still operational. He's been going there once a year since Zordon left."
Jason turned around sharply, concern deep on his features. "What?"
"It's okay," Trini reassured him. "He hasn't been secretly morphing, or anything. Apparently Zordon asked him to make a regular check on the place after he'd gone. That's all. Tommy said he hasn't activated the power, and I believe him. But at least we know the coins and the crystals can be used."
For a long moment, Jason said nothing. Then, finally, he walked over and sat down with a thud on the sofa.
"More than anything, I want to go up there right now and use the coins to get William back. I really want to do that, Trini. Tell me why we can't?"
"I don't know," Trini whispered. "I really don't know. We have to hold on, Jason. We're going to get our baby back. Somehow, we'll get him back."
Jason shut his eyes tightly against a sudden flood of hot tears. "He must be so scared I swear to God, if he's hurt my little boy...."
The door slid open and Donavon looked in, uncomfortable at having to interrupt the couple.
"Jason?"
The young man looked around at his father questioningly. Donavon went on quietly.
"Michael Oliver just called. He needs you to go down to the precinct to sort a few things out."
Jason sighed heavily and, though clearly unhappy about it, conceded and got up. Trini joined him, grasping his free hand in her own.
"I'll come. I can drive you."
Police Headquarters
It was all Jason could do to keep his calm at the deeply sympathetic looks he and Trini got from the other officers has they made their way through
to Michael Oliver's office. A few men offered their sympathy and support to the couple, but most simply sat back and watched them in silence.
Michael Oliver was waiting for them, and ushered them quickly into his office, sparing his men a warning look to get back to work before shutting the door and pulling the curtains. David Ashley was there, and he clapped Jason gently on the shoulder.
"How are you doing?"
"Oh, great," Jason muttered dismally. Michael motioned to the chairs as he took his own seat.
"Sit down, please. The reason I called you in here, Jason, is because we've been contacted by Bennett."
Jason stiffened visibly, and so did Trini.
"What did he say?"
Michael looked grim. "He said he'd exchanged William for you, Jason. We told him no go."
Anger flashed across Jason's face. "You should have told him yes."
"Jason, we aren't putting you at risk like that."
"Forget about putting me at risk," Jason snapped. "This is my son we're talking about. When he calls back, you agree to whatever he says."
Michael and David exchanged weary glances, and then David spoke quietly.
"Jason, don't be an idiot. You can't just hand yourself over to this guy. You don't really think he'd just let William go as easy as that, do you?"
"No," Jason conceded, "but I have no intention of handing myself over to him, either."
Silence met Jason's statement, and then Michael spoke in confusion.
"What, exactly, do you plan to do, then?"
Jason looked to Trini, then, and they traded knowing looks.
"I'm going to beat this son of a bitch at his own game," Jason answered softly. "When he calls back, I want to know about it."
Michael sighed audibly, then. "Fine. But don't think I'm going to let you just walk into a potentially dangerous situation. Whatever you have in mind, I want full details. We are going to work together on this. I will not have you going AWOL on me. Do you understand me, Captain?"
Jason conceded grudgingly. "Yes, sir."
"All right, then," Michael said. "That's all for now, but I don't want you going just yet. Go and wait in the meal room. There's a couple of things I want to talk to you about, but I have to see someone else first."
Jason and Trini stood and left the office in silence, making their way through to the officer's meal room. David followed them in, speaking with quiet determination.
"Everything's going to be fine. We'll get your son back, and put Bennett away for the rest of his damn life."
Trini offered David a faint smile. "We know, David. Thankyou for the support. We really do appreciate it." She looked back to Jason, squeezing his hand gently as he sat down in the nearest chair. "I'm just going to the bathroom, Jason. I'll be back in a minute."
Jason watched her go, then looked back to David. "She's right. We appreciate everything you and the chief are doing. I'm sorry if I'm not really showing it."
David hesitated, then pulled up a chair. "It's okay, Jason. I'd be in the same state if it was either of my kids that was missing. Shit, I'd be going out of my mind." He smiled crookedly, then. "I'm glad I stopped wasting time trying to alienate you. I don't think I've ever really had as good a partner as you."
When Jason hesitated, David shook his head. "Don't worry, Jason. I know I can't replace Sid. But I'm glad we're friends now. And as a friend, I'm telling you not to worry. We'll get William back safely."
Jason nodded in silent agreement, and then spoke with absolute certainty in his tone. "I know we will."
David spared Jason a puzzled look, then. "Why do I get the feeling there's something you aren't telling us?"
Jason hesitated, and was almost on the verge of telling David everything when David's pager went off.
"Great," David muttered as he glanced down at it. "It's probably my mother. Look, try not to worry, Jason. Everything's going to work out. I'm sure of it. And I'll talk to you later."
He turned and hurried from the room, leaving Jason alone. The young man was about to get up to stretch his legs a little, when his cell phone rang.
Frowning, Jason unhooked it from its case attached to his belt, and answered the call.
"Hello?"
"Hello again, Jason. Been a long time."
The blood froze in Jason's veins as he instantly recognised the voice.
"Bennett...."
"You remember me. I'm flattered. The question is, how much do you remember me?"
"Enough to tell you that you aren't going to get what you're after," Jason snarled, struggling against the rage that was gathering momentum in his gut. Bennett giggled.
"I think I am. Because if I don't get what I want, then you won't get what you want. And you do want your little boy back, don't you?"
"You crazy, fucked-up bastard," Jason exploded. "If you've hurt him..."
"Oh, shut up, stop acting so macho," Bennett retorted. "You know I haven't hurt him. I'm not stupid. Now, I called your boss before to give us some time to sort out our little dispute. While they're waiting for me to call back, we're going to be making the real deal between us."
"Go ahead," Jason said hoarsely. Somewhere, distant in his mind, a voice screamed at him to go and find David, or Michael. He ignored it, though, his anxiety for his son's well-being to great to ignore. Bennett went on quickly.
"I'm in the building, Jason. In the parking lot beneath the building. It's a blue van, in section 3A. I'll be waiting here for you. You come alone, don't bring anyone with you. Because if you fuck this up, you know what I'll do to your little boy."
"You touch him and I'll kill you myself," Jason hissed. Bennett laughed.
"Oh, sure you will. Just come alone, tough guy. Oh, and by the way, there's someone here who wants to talk to you." There were some muffled sounds in the background, and then....
"Daddy?"
Jason's heart skipped a beat at the sound of his son's voice. "William? Just hang on, Daddy's coming to get you."
"Daddy, please, don't let him...."
There was a harsh shout, and then Bennett was back on the line.
"Now you know he's here. Two minutes, Jason. Get moving."
The phone went dead. Jason let it fall to his side, his heart pounding in his throat. He knew he should go and tell Michael, but he was terrified that Bennett would simply kill William. That was something he just wasn't willing to risk. Setting the phone down on the table, Jason hurried to the other door, on the far side of the room and disappeared out into the hall.
Less than thirty seconds later, Trini walked back into the room, through the first door. She froze when she saw the empty room.
"Jason?"
For a brief second she thought he must have gone to the bathroom himself. Then, she saw the phone. Hurrying over, she snatched it up off the table. It was still switched on; either Jason had called someone, or someone had called Jason. She suspected the latter, but why would he walk off and leave it on the table? Unless....
She ran from the room, back into the main office, and quickly found David and Jason's office. David was in the middle of a call, but as soon as he laid eyes on Trini's panicked expression, he apologised to the person he was talking to, and hung up.
"Trini? What's wrong?"
"Jason's gone," she told him breathlessly. "He left his phone on the table, and it was still switched on. David, Bennett could have called him..."
David was on his feet in an instant, guessing along the same lines.
"C'mon. If it's what we 're both thinking, then the only possible place is the car park beneath the building. It's the only area of the building that's unmanned."
The two ran from the office, and headed for the lifts.
Jason stepped out of the lift into the underground car park, looking around slowly. Section 3A, Bennett had said. He walked along the edge of the building, silently wishing he had a gun. Inwardly, he knew what he was doing was foolish and dangerous, but his desperation to get his son back overrode common sense.
He rounded the corner, and saw the van. Breathing deeply, he walked towards it, praying that Bennett, in his own eagerness, would make a mistake. He reached the van, and paused by the side. There were no windows in the back; he couldn't see inside it. The only way was to open the back doors, and he had no doubt that Bennett was probably waiting for that. He hesitated, then took a step away from the van and spoke out loud.
"All right, you son of a bitch, I'm right here. Where the hell are you?"
"Daddy!"
Jason spun around in shock at the sound of his son's voice, and spotted him a moment later, kneeling on the back seat of a white sedan, peering out at him through the rear window with a tear-streaked face. Too late, he realised the blatant trap that he had walked into, and started to back quickly away from the van. A moment later, there was a blur of movement in his peripheral vision, and something hard slammed into the side of his head. He was rocked right off his feet, crashing into the side of the van and cracking his head a second time before crumpling to the ground, unconscious.
Bennett let the cricket bat drop, and moved to stand over Jason's still form, giggling crazily to himself.
"Not so smart after all, are you? Plenty tough, but not too smart."
Still giggling, he grabbed Jason's ankles and dragged him across to the car, grunting with the effort it took. Unlocking the trunk, he managed to lift Jason enough to push him into small space, then locked it again.
"Got both of you, now," he giggled to himself. "Gonna have a party tonight, for sure." He climbed into the car, then glowered over his shoulder at William. "Sit down, and shut up! Or I'll hurt your dad even worse."
That brought a response faster than any other threat possibly could have, and William dropped back into the seat, trembling with fear. Bennett nodded, pacified.
"That's better. Now, be a good boy and do up your seatbelt. We don't want to get stopped by the police."
William did as he was told, still trembling. Bennett watched him carefully, then nodded his approval.
"Good boy, William. You keep being a good boy, and maybe when we get back to the house, I'll let you be with your dad. Would you like that?"
William nodded tearfully. Bennett chuckled softly, cruelly to himself, and drove the car out of the car park.
The lift opened only a matter of seconds after the sedan disappeared out the exit, and David, Trini and Michael ran out into the car park.
"He probably didn't even come down here," Michael growled as they looked around at the seemingly quiet area. "Did you bother checking the bathroom?"
David, who had walked along to the edge of the wall, glanced grimly at his boss, then ran over to a light blue van.
"Chief, look over here."
Michael and Trini hurried over to see Michael crouching over a cricket bat.
"What the hell?" Michael muttered. David hesitated, then touched his fingertips to a patch of red.
"Blood," he said, as his fingers came away wet. He glanced up at the van. "Look at that."
Michael walked around, and stared in growing concern at the considerable dent in the side of the van. "David, get to the surveillance room and get the video for this area. I want to check out the surveillance of here for the last ten minutes. Then call forensic and tell them to send a team down here immediately. Go."
David went, running. Michael turned away from the van, to find Trini standing there, staring at him in distress.
"C'mon," he said softly, putting an arm around her shoulders and leading her back towards the lifts. "We'll go and figure out what to do."
Five minutes later, they stood in the surveillance room, looking at the video.
"There," David said, as Jason came into sight, walking slowly over to the van. They watched as he stopped next to the van, then looked around. Moments passed, and then he turned around sharply. Then....
"Oh shit," David whispered. "Behind him...."
They watched as Bennett strode up behind Jason and slammed the cricket bat into the side of his head, knocking him out cold, then dragged him over to another car and lifted him into the trunk.
"Damn it," Michael growled. "If Bennett called him, why the hell didn't he come and say?"
"He was probably scared that Bennett would kill William," David said, defending his partner's actions. "I would have done the same."
Michael clenched his jaw. "All right. Put an APB out on that car. I want every available man out on the streets looking for it in the next five minutes. I want that bastard found, Captain. Am I understood?"
David nodded, watching in grim silence as Michael stormed out of the room. Once he'd gone, David turned his attention back to Trini.
"We'll find them, Trini. I promise. Bennett isn't going to win. You won't lose them."
Trini barely heard David, though. "I have to go," she whispered. "I have to tell the others..."
David hesitated, then passed on his own orders to the officer next to him, and followed Trini out of the room.
"I'll take you wherever you have to go," he told her, gently taking hold of her arm. "You aren't in a fit state to drive. Where do you want to go?"
"The Dojo," Trini answered in a trembling voice. "Tommy, Rocky and Adam's dojo."
"The Dragon Dojo?" David asked, and Trini nodded. David sighed inwardly and conceded. "All right. I'll take you."
Dragon Dojo
Tommy had just finished with a class and was about to head off for lunch when Trini burst into his office, followed by David Ashley. He stood up
quickly, startled and concerned.
"Trini?"
"He's got Jason," Trini sobbed, falling into Tommy's arms and crying uncontrollably. "That son of a bitch has them both...."
Tommy looked over at David in shock. "Bennett has Jason?"
David nodded, irked at having to explain anything to Tommy. "Yes. Not half an hour ago, Bennett got him in the car park under the police Head-quarters."
He glowered at Tommy, silently daring him to make a crack about security in the police building, but Tommy didn't even touch on the subject.
"Well, I guess this classifies as an emergency, and we all promised."
"Promised what?" David asked suspiciously. Tommy ignored him and, detaching himself from Trini, walked over and opened the top desk drawer.
"I got this out of my closet the night after we had that little chat."
He produced his communicator from the drawer. "Do you still have Jason's with you?"
She nodded, and pulled the communicator out of her handbag. "Yes, right here."
"All right. I'll go get Adam and Rocky."
"Do you have Tanya and Kat's phone numbers?" Trini asked as Tommy headed for the door. "I'll call them, and Billy, as well."
Tommy nodded. "Yeah, in the address book there on my desk. Just tell them ranger emergency. They'll know what you mean. I'll be back in a minute."
David watched Tommy go, then looked back as Trini began flipping through the address book, looking for Adam and Tanya's phone number, and Kat's phone number.
"Trini, what the hell is going on?"
Trini glanced at him as she picked up the phone receiver to call Tanya.
"We have a way to find Jason, David. But you have to trust us."
"We?" David growled. "You mean you and Tommy? For god's sake, Trini, he's just a damned junkie!"
"Was," Trini corrected him. "And no, not just Tommy and myself. Me, Tommy, Adam, Rocky, Billy, Tanya and Kat. Trust us, David, please."
He conceded reluctantly, and let her make the phone calls. She contacted both Tanya and Kat, passing on the message that Tommy had told her to, and then called Billy. The former Blue Ranger was pleased at her calling, until she spoke.
"Billy, do you still have your communicator?"
On the other end of the line, there was palpable silence. "Did I hear you correctly?" he asked finally.
"Yes," Trini insisted. "You did."
"As a matter of fact," he confessed, "I do. But why would I be needing it now?"
"I don't have time to explain now, Billy. It's just, Jason is in real trouble. The only way we might be able to find him in time could be through the Power Chamber. Billy, please! We need all the help we can get!"
"All right," Billy agreed finally. "I'll meet you there. Who else have you got?"
"Everyone that's in town. Tommy, Adam, Rocky, Tanya and Kat."
"Okay. I'll see you there."
Trini hung up, only to be confronted by David.
"Power Chamber? What the hell is that?"
Trini looked up at him. "David, do you remember the Power Rangers?"
"Sure. But what's that got to do with you?"
"David," Trini said softly, "we were the Power Rangers. Jason and I were part of the original team, along with Billy Cranston and two others. Tommy joined as us the Green Ranger, and then the White Ranger, and then Rocky, Adam and their friend Aisha took over from us when Zack, Jason and I went to Geneva."
David fell back in shock, and said nothing even when Tommy came in with Adam and Rocky.
"Have you called the girls?" Tommy asked, and Trini nodded.
"Yes, and Billy, too." She noted silently that each man wore a communicator, and realised they must have each kept them. "They'll meet us there," she added, locking Jason's communicator onto her own wrist.
Rocky was staring at David, a touch of suspicion in his eyes. "What about him?"
David spoke, then, jolted out of his shock. "Don't even think you're leaving me behind. Jason's my partner. I'm not sitting around doing nothing if there's a definite chance of finding him."
"He can come with us," Tommy said, falling almost too easily into his old role of leader. "The more help we have, the better."
Trini walked over and gently took David's hand. "This will feel strange, but don't be scared."
David nodded wordlessly, wondering exactly what was going to happen. Tommy looked around at them grimly.
"All right. Let's go."
They hit the teleportation buttons on their communicators together and, instantaneously, vanished in a flash of white light. Seconds passed, their feet hit solid ground, and they reappeared in darkness....
....darkness so complete that he couldn't see, could hardly breathe. He turned his head or tried and pain ripped through his skull, so acute that for an instant he honestly thought he was going to die. Then, it faded, and he took care not to make the mistake of moving again.
Blood... He could taste blood in his mouth. He could smell blood in the air around him, and it was an effort not to throw up. The pain came again, less severe but still bad enough that he groaned softly.
There was tentative movement off to his right, and a moment later, a small voice cut into his conscious mind.
"Daddy? Are you awake?"
For a long minute, he couldn't bring himself to reply. Then, as his memories gradually began to filter back, he remembered what had happened and realised what was going on. He opened his eyes again, and this time could make out a small figure leaning over him with concern on his thin, pale face.
"Will..." He croaked it out, cringing at the sharp pain through his throat. William gave a choked sob, and leaned over to hug Jason as best as he could.
"Daddy, I thought he killed you!"
Jason shuddered and tried to move shift his arms, only to discover that he couldn't. Looking around, he realised with dim alarm that he was lying on a bed, with his wrists and ankles tied to the posts. The plaster cast was gone from his left arm, and the arm was jerked and twisted back over his head, creating pain that burned deep. It had been broken again, he guessed, probably worse than before.
"He tied you up," William said, in between hiccupping sobs. "He said if I tried to untie you, then he'd have to punish me."
"Listen to me," Jason told him. "We're going to be okay, tiger. Your mother and Uncle Tommy and some others are going to get us out of here. Just be brave for a while longer, okay?"
William nodded, then climbed up onto the bed next to Jason.
"Does your head hurt, Daddy?"
"Yeah," Jason admitted in a weak whisper. "It does."
Large tears rolled down William's cheeks. "When Mummy and Uncle Tommy rescue us, Mummy will make your sore head all better. Don't worry, Daddy. I'll look after you until Mummy comes."
Jason sighed faintly. "I love you, William."
William cuddled in against his father, trying not to cry. "I love you too, Daddy."
Neither father nor son had the chance to rest. A minute later, the door swung open, and Jason was just able to make out Bennett's silhouette in the doorway. The sadistic man giggled crazily at the scene before him, watching with amusement as William scrambled off the bed, and sat back down in the chair in the corner. The little boy stared at him with wide-eyed fear, not daring to move again.
"Cute. You play daddy real good, Jason. I hope you'll let me join in."
"Go to hell," Jason whispered. Bennett snickered.
"You'd like that, wouldn't you? Sorry, I'm not going anywhere. You've got a long-awaited lesson coming to you, Jason. You know, you should have let me give you that present on your birthday. But on the up-side, you've really given me a goal to aim for. I have to thank you for that."
He stepped into the room, grinning as he closed the door behind him.
"Now, just let me get the...."
"....lights.... There!"
Tommy found the main switch and threw it, causing the lights to come on in a flare of brilliance, momentarily blinding them all.
"Holy...." David gasped as he finally was able to look around him. Ignoring the police captain's astonished exclamations, Tommy strode over to a table encased by a plastic cover, which held all six power coins and the five Zeo crystals.
"Okay, guys. Come and get them."
Rocky walked over, and looked down at the crystals and coins with near-reverence.
"Never thought I'd lay eyes on those again." He paused, then reached out and plucked the Blue Zeo Crystal off the table. "Good old Blue."
Billy had joined them, and smiled faintly as he took the Blue Power Coin. "I wholeheartedly agree, Rocky."
Adam paused in his decision, then finally took the Black Power Coin.
"First was always best," he said by way of explanation when Tommy glanced at him questioningly.
Kat and Tanya were there behind Adam, and when he moved away from the table, Kat reached over and picked up the Pink Power Coin, while Tanya picked up the Yellow Zeo crystal. Trini came up after they stepped away, and picked up the Yellow Power Coin in one hand, and the Red Power Coin in the other.
"For Jason," she said quietly. "Just in case."
Tommy nodded, then reached down and, with trembling fingers, picked up the White Power Coin."
"The morphers and zeonizers are over there, in that cabinet," he told them. While the others went to get them, Tommy paused, then carefully picked up the Red Zeo crystal, and took it over to David.
"Here."
David hesitated in taking the offered crystal. "What is that?"
"It's part of the Zeo crystal," Tommy explained. "It's what enabled the Zeo Rangers to operate. This was my crystal, when we used them."
David regarded Tommy with a touch of suspicion, and more than a little confusion.
"You're giving it to me, now?"
Tommy shrugged as he turned the White Power Coin over in his fingers.
"White was always my best colour. Take it. You want to help, and we need your help. And Jason probably needs your help."
Finally, David took the crystal from Tommy, looking down at it with no small amount of wonder. He held it in his hands for only a moment, though, when it suddenly vanished.
"Hey, where....?"
"Don't worry," Tommy reassured him. "It just sort of evaporated into your body. Can't you feel it?"
David hesitated, then realised that he could feel it. It wasn't blatantly obvious, but he could feel it.
"Here, David." He looked around as Trini came back to him, and handed him two odd-looking wrist bracelets. "Put these on your wrists."
"What am I supposed to do with them?" he asked, frowning.
"You'll know," Tommy answered. "It sort of comes naturally." He looked around, and saw that they were all armed with either a Power Coin and morpher shield, or a Zeo Crystal and zeonizer. "Now, we find Jason and William, and then we put an end to that bastard's operation for good."