Revelations and Reckonings
by Naomi Tilley

A short while later, rehab wing
"Will he be okay?" Zack asked in a whisper as the teens stood just outside the room. After being returned to his bed, Jason had fallen into an unbreakable silence, refusing to acknowledge anyone at all.

Tanya nodded. "Eventually. Give him a few hours. He always gets like this after the physiotherapy. I think shutting everything out like that is his only way of coping. Either that, or he'd end up taking it out on everyone."

Kim leaned back, against the wall. "I never saw anything like that before. Not even when we worked here three years ago. God, how can Jason handle it?"

"With a lot of courage," Billy said softly, "and a lot of anger." He looked at Trini, Kim and Zack. "I already told you that Jason admitted to me that he hated himself."

"In a few more words than that," Zack agreed, "but, yeah."

"I think that as long as he holds on to that anger, he'll find the strength to get through this."

"That's not a healthy way to do it, Billy," Trini pointed out.

"Maybe not, but right now for Jason, it's the only way. We can't begin to imagine the pain he must constantly be suffering. To simply say to him, 'We know you can do it', and then expect him to be able to do it is extremely insensitive of us. We have to bear with Jason, just for the time being. When he's doing better, then we can try and get him to resolve all of his anger. Not before."

"You should be a shrink," Zack said, half-jokingly.

Billy managed a crooked smile. "I've had plenty of practise in analyzing." He glanced at the clock. "You'll have to excuse me, now. I have to go."

Bidding them goodbye, Billy hurried off down the corridor. Tanya soon followed, and then Trini and Kim left as well.

Zack waited until the girls had disappeared from sight around the corner before wandering back into Jason's room to wait for the Scotts return. He expected to find Jason half-buried under the blankets, and was surprised to find him sitting up, writing slowly on a piece of paper. "What are you doing?" Zack asked, not really expecting an answer. For a long moment, he didn't think he was going to get one, but then Jason spoke.

"Writing a letter."

"Yeah?" Zack edged closer. "To Kirk?"

"No."

"Who, then...?"

Jason paused, not taking his eyes off the paper. "To Tommy."

Zack froze. "Tommy?"

The former Gold Ranger began to write again, slowly, methodically, as though thinking about each and every word he wrote. "I need to see him, Zack. I want him to know."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"I don't know. I can't wait any longer, though. I don't want a confrontation in front of a lot of people. That's what would happen if I wait until I go back to school. If I'm gonna go ballistic at him... I want it to be here, where not too many people will see."

"You want me to tell him?"

"No. Just give him this letter. It'll tell him enough to bring him here."

"Whatever you say, bro."

Silence fell, and then Jason spoke again, tears trickling slowly down his cheeks as he wrote. "He said we'd always be friends, Zack. After Trey took the Gold powers back, he told me we'd always be friends. Then, he turned his back on me. I never did that to him!"

"I know," Zack murmured, not knowing what else he could possibly say.

Trembling a little, Jason finally finished writing, and carefully folded the letter in half. "Put this in an envelope," he said in a soft, strained voice. "Give it to Tommy in a couple of days time. Let me know when you give it to him."

Zack took the letter, curious to know what was in it, but not daring to break Jason's trust and read it. "Sure thing, Jase. How.... How are you feeling?"

"Do you really want to know?"

"That bad, huh?"

Jason didn't reply, but slid down in the bed, crying silent tears of pain and grief. Zack leant carefully against the bed. "Now that you've walked a few steps... Do you think you might be able to go home soon?"

Jason shrugged. "Maybe. Matthew said I had to be able to walk at least on length of the gym before I could go home. So he'd be sure I wouldn't spend all my time in a wheelchair. When I do go home, though, I'll still have to come back here every day for physio."

"Every day, huh? Man, that sucks."

"I guess they figured I wouldn't go all out if I did the exercises by myself at home. I can't fight Matthew. I've already tried, and he just waits till I run out of steam."

Zack looked across at the wheelchair that sat in the corner. "You'll still be using that thing a lot, won't you? I mean, to get around school, and stuff like that."

"Not if I can help it," Jason growled. "I'll use it around home, and if we go out anywhere, but I really want to be on my feet when I get back to school. That'll at least leave me with some dignity. Dad doesn't think I'll be able to do it, but I'm going to try."

Zack had to smile. That was the spirit of the old Red Ranger shining through. He hesitated, thinking about Billy's earlier words, then spoke quietly, carefully. "I believe you can do it, Jase. And I'm with you all the way, no matter what. You know I am."

Jason smiled, then, as well, and he reached out to grasp Zack's hand in his own. "Thanks, Zack. That means a lot to me."

"Any time, bro," Zack murmured.

Angel Grove Youth Centre, two days later
Tommy collected his Coke at the counter from Ernie, and found a table hidden away in a dark corner. The strange behaviour of the old rangers, and Tanya and Adam into the bargain, was starting to take its toll on him. Kim's sudden, apparent hatred of him The inexplicable coldness of Trini, Zack and Billy.... Billy, especially, who had been such a good friend for so long, and Tanya and Adam's evasive attitude.

Those two knew what was going on with the others, Tommy thought angrily, and they were flatly refusing to tell him. If they didn't come clean soon, he would have to talk to Zordon about them....

"Tommy?"

He looked up to see Kat standing there, worry etched onto her face. Tommy bit down lightly on the inside of his cheek. The mood he was in right then was anything but good, and he especially did not feel as though he could handle Kat's company. "What is it, Katherine?"

She blinked in surprise. The last time he'd called her Katherine had been just after her turn from evil, when things had still been very edgy between her and the rest of the team. "I... I just wanted to ask if you wanted to join us. Tommy, what's wrong? I haven't seen you this tense for a long time!"

Tommy glowered into his drink. "I just want some time to myself. Is that too much to ask?"

Kat backed away, hurt by his harsh reply. "We'll be over there if you feel like joining us," she stammered, and hurried away before he could say anything more.

Tommy watched her go out of the corner of his eye. He knew he'd been unnecessarily cold to her, but she should have known better than to approach him when he was in such a foul mood. He finished his soda and was about to go and get another when a shadow fell across the table one more time. He looked up, ready to tell the intruding person to get lost, only to bite back a harsh remark when he saw who it was.

"Hey, Tommy," Zack said quietly.

Tommy stared at his old friend for a while before speaking. "You finally decided to stop being stupid, and talk to me, huh?"

Zack looked disgusted. "Were you always that arrogant, or is it something that developed recently?"

Tommy looked away. "My apologies," he muttered sarcastically. "I'm just getting sick of everyone keeping me in the dark. I don't suppose you could explain why Kim doesn't want anything to do with me?"

"Actually," Zack replied, "I can tell you the reason exactly. It's not my place to tell you, though."

"Funny," Tommy growled. "That's what Adam and Tanya said."

Zack ignored the remark, and pulled an unmarked envelope out of his pocket. "A certain person asked me to give you this."

"What is it?" Tommy asked, regarding the envelope suspiciously.

"You'll have to read it to find out. I don't know what he wrote."

"He?"

"Just read it, Tommy."

Tommy watched wordlessly as Zack got up and strode away to the other side of the Youth Centre, then turned his attention back to the envelope. Frowning a little to himself, he tore it open, pulled out the single sheet enclosed within, and began to read.

Trust and truth are funny things;
Everyone wants them but no one will give them,
We want others to trust us when we can't trust ourselves.
Friendship comes forged in trust and truth,
Based on suspicion that no one means what they say.
We hold high standards for ourselves and each other,
Easily torn down, so hard to regain,
Where do we stand when we lose it?
We want truth, yet we can't give it, or won't.
When we do, it's too easy to lose it.

Tommy felt his heart skip a beat. He knew this handwriting. It was handwriting he hadn't seen for nearly ten months.... His heart pounding hard in his chest, Tommy read on in tense silence.

Trust is about being able to turn away from a friend,
And knowing they'll still be there when you look back.
Trust is accepting the offer of friendship and love.
Truth is inherent in trust.
Lies destroy trust, and crush hope and faith.
Honesty is truth is trust is friendship is love.
Love is being there for a friend,
No matter how small or big their problem.
Trust and truth are forever entangled;
Break one and you shatter the other,
And sometimes the pieces can never all be recovered.
Yet a spark is all that's needed to activate or renew.
Trust and truth are funny things.

Tommy shut his eyes for a long moment as the poem finally rang a familiar chord in his confused mind. Nearly three years ago, not long after he'd first come to Angel Grove, he and Jason had decided to work together on a special project for Literature. After a great deal of searching, they had finally come across this poem, almost by accident. Jason had been the one to find it, and they had spent the next few hours pouring over it, memorizing it not only for class, but also as a sign of what they understood their friend- ship to be.

He had gone back to this poem when Jason had left Angel Grove for Geneva, and then again when he had been taken away by his real father. Only one person knew the significance the poem held for him, and that was Jason.

He looked to the bottom of the sheet, and felt light-headed as he saw the address written neatly at the bottom.

Room 23, Carrington Rehabilitation Wing, Angel Grove Memorial Hospital.

Tommy refolded the paper and slid it back into the envelope. _Please God let it be someone's idea of a sick joke_ He looked around for Zack, but the former Black Ranger seemed to have gone. Grabbing his coat, he shoved the envelope into his pocket, and hurried from the Youth Centre.

~*~

Zack waited silently in the shadows until Tommy had gone, then lifted his communicator to his lips and spoke only four words.

"He's on his way."

Then, glancing quickly around, he followed the Red Ranger from the Centre.

~*~

Tommy slowed to a halt just near the entrance to the hospital, regarding the place with sudden fear. Surely Jason could not be in there.... That was impossible! his mind screamed at him. He had no other explanation for the poem, though, and he knew he would not be able to rest until he knew for certain, one way or the other.

Gritting his teeth, he hurried up the steps, and into the hospital.

~*~

"Are you sure about this?"

Jason nodded silently as he watched Tommy stride up the steps and disappear from sight into the hospital. "I'm sure. It's too late now, anyway."

Trini rested a hand lightly on his shoulder. "It's never too late. Just say so, and we'll turn him away."

Jason sighed. "And let myself just go on hating him? That poem applies as much to me as it does to him. Anyway I have to face him some time." He looked around. "Dad?"

Donavon stepped forward. "What is it, son?"

"Could you put me back in bed?"

He nodded and, with disturbingly little effort, lifted Jason out of the wheelchair with extreme care, and placed him back in the bed.

"Do you want them up?" he asked, motioning to the slings.

Jason shook his head. "No. Not just yet." He pulled the blankets up carefully to cover his legs. "You guys had better go. I want to see Tommy alone."

"We won't be far away," Donavon promised him. "If you need us...."

Jason smiled faintly and nodded. "I'll howl." The others all smiled, and headed out of the room. Jason watched them go, then lay back on the soft pillows and waited.

~*~

Tommy made his way slowly, nervously, along the corridor of the rehab wing. _Room 23,_ he thought, taking note of each room number that he passed.

Room 16.... 18.... 20.... 22....

He stopped, and looked around. Room 23 was almost directly across from him, the door half open. He remained frozen, knowing he had to go in there, but frightened of what or who he would find. Then, somewhere deep inside his mind, a little voice still insisted that it was simply a joke, and he had nothing to worry about. Clinging to that irrational voice, Tommy went into the room.

~*~

Jason heard the footsteps outside the room, first approach, pause, then come closer. The door swung open silently, and Jason looked around to see Tommy come into the room. For just an instant, Jason felt a rush of anger that was nearly uncontrollable. Tommy looked healthier and fitter than Jason remembered; tall, strong and well-muscled. He'd certainly prospered physically over the last ten or so months, Jason noted bitterly. Tommy had stopped in the doorway, staring at Jason with a look on his face that suggested complete disbelief. Jason returned the Red Ranger's stare, and for a long while, neither boy spoke, caught in a tense stalemate. Finally, Jason felt he'd gained enough emotional control to risk speaking. "Long time no see."

Tommy winced visibly. There was no hint of pleasure in Jason's voice, no friendliness at all. He glanced down at the letter that he held crushed in his hand. "It was you."

"Who else did you think it was?" Jason asked softly.

Tommy shrugged once. "I... I don't know." He hesitated, then ventured further into the room. "I really don't know what to say," he admitted. "I mean, I didn't...."

"Expect to see me again?" Jason suggested coldly. "Surprise. Of course, you don't have to worry. You're not in danger of losing your titles to me."

Tommy had almost reached the side of the bed. "Jase, I don't understand...."

"No, I know you don't," Jason conceded. "Firstly, don't call me Jase. My friends call me that, and you're not one of them."

Hurt filled Tommy's chocolate brown eyes. "What is going on here? I don't understand any of it!"

A moment passed, and then Jason's icy expression seemed to soften just a little. "It started that morning, Tommy. That morning that you and the other rangers came for me and Mum and Dad in that motel room. That's where it began. That was your first big mistake."

"Mistake?" Tommy echoed. "How can you say that? We were just doing our job...."

"No!" Jason exploded. "No, you were not just doing your job! Your job was to protect Angel Grove from Mondo and his monsters! Not tracking down individuals for the police! It wasn't your job, and don't you dare say it was!" Tommy fell back a step from the bed, stung by the anger in Jason's outburst. Jason went on before Tommy could recover from the shock. "Your second mistake was when you refused to listen to me. I tried to tell you, and you just ignored me."

"Tried to tell me what?"

"That Mum and Dad had taken me in the first place for a reason, and it wasn't because they wanted a kid of their own. They'd told me the whole truth the night before, and when I tried to explain it to you, you wouldn't listen to me."

"Okay," Tommy said tensely. "So explain it to me now, then."

"Now?" Jason spat out in disgust. "Why the hell should I explain anything to you now? Everything's done! Jesus, Tommy...."

Tommy gritted his teeth in determination, and tried again. "Why did they take you, Jason? Tell me. Why?"

Jason slumped back in the bed, too tired, and in too much pain to put up any real fight. "Because my real father had been physically and sexually abusing me, and because he was a police officer, no one believed them."

Tommy stood frozen. "Abuse?" he echoed softly.

"Yes. And you know something else? He started abusing me again the same day that you handed me over to him." Tommy didn't move, didn't speak. He stood frozen, his throat constricting painfully. Jason looked back at him, his brown eyes revealing nothing of what he was feeling. "You didn't stop to think about what your interference would cost me, Tommy. You screwed up my whole fucking life!"

Tommy glanced around, then sank into the nearest chair, too much in shock to remain on his feet. "Jase... I mean, Jason, we didn't mean to...."

"Yeah," Jason interrupted angrily. "You didn't mean to do anything. Sure. That is such bullshit, Tommy! You know what kept me going all those months? Every time that bastard beat the crap out of me? Thinking how much I hated you. That's the only thing that kept me going, Tommy. Hating you for what you did to me."

"But I didn't know!" Tommy exploded, tears filling his dark eyes and making their way down his cheeks. "How did I know any of that would happen? You can't blame me for something that I didn't know anything about!"

Jason's hands curled into fists, snagging up handfuls of bed sheets at the same time. "You would have known if you'd waited long enough to hear me out. But you didn't wait. You just said the wrong had to be righted, then you took me back and let me watch your dad arrest my folks. Then, you handed me over to him! You can't possibly know how much I hated you for that."

Tommy got to his feet finally, nearly blinded by his tears. "You can't put all that on me! You can't hold me responsible! So I made a mistake! I made mistakes before, and you never held them against me. Even after that time I tried to kill you! But everything's okay, now, so why can't you just let it go? You're back with the Scotts, aren't you? Why can't you forget it?"

Jason lay still and silent for a long moment, his silence the only way of controlling his inner anger and hatred. For nearly a minute, he kept silent, and Tommy thought he wouldn't get any answer at all. Then, finally, Jason spoke, staring straight up at the white-washed ceiling. "Aren't you even wondering why I'm in the rehab centre? Has the thought crossed your mind at all?"

Tommy fought to breathe evenly. That was something he wasn't sure he wanted the answer to. "I don't know. I guess the hospital's full."

Jason's jaw tightened. "I never really took any notice before but you can be really, really dumb a lot of the time, Tommy." The remark stung Tommy, and it showed. Jason went on, taking no obvious pleasure in the insult he'd just delivered. "They don't put you in the rehab centre just because of a shortage of beds. And since when has Angel Grove Memorial ever been short of beds? No, they put you here when you need to be rehabilitated. Physically rehabilitated. I need physical rehabilitation. Come closer, Tommy. I've got something to show you."

Tommy drew closer, fighting the panic. Jason waited until he was close enough, then yanked back the blankets to reveal his slowly mending legs. Tommy's eyes went wide with shock and horror. "Oh god..." he moaned, suddenly feeling nauseous.

Jason watched Tommy's reaction carefully. "Like what my dear dad did to me, Tommy? He backed his car over me three times. Didn't even stop when I started screaming. I think he enjoyed it. I've been in hospital for so long now that I can't remember how long it's really been. I've had six operations on my legs. I'll probably need at least one more. I walked for the first time yesterday in months. Do you know what it's like to have to learn to walk all over again, Tommy? It's a hell of a lot harder than earning a black belt in karate. Especially when every step you take makes your legs feel like they're on fire."

"Stop," Tommy moaned, one hand coming up to cover his mouth. "Please...."

Jason fell silent for a moment before going on. "I hate this, Tommy. All of it. I've never been so confused as I am right now. I don't want to hate you... or be angry at you... but I can't stop myself from feeling that way."

Tommy swallowed hard, and his gaze fell on the water jug that sat on the dresser. "Could I...?"

Jason looked over at it, then nodded. "Yeah."

Tommy poured a glass of a water, and drank half in one hit. "I don't know what to say, Jason," he said softly. "I really don't. I... I'm sorry...."

"So am I," Jason whispered.

"Adam and Tanya knew about this already, didn't they?"

"Tanya knew. My physiotherapist called her in to help out during the physio sessions. She told Adam, when I said she could. I wouldn't let her tell you."

"How come?"

"Because I wasn't ready to see you. I wasn't really ready today, but I couldn't put it off any longer."

Tommy was silent for a long moment, trying to get his scattered thoughts in order. "We didn't want you to get hurt, Jason. Not physically, or in any other way. We thought we were doing the right thing. What if the police had found you? Mr. and Mrs. Scott might have been hurt."

"Grandma said you might have looked at it in that light," Jason conceded. "I thought about it, but I couldn't accept it after a while. It just didn't seem right." He turned a hard stare on the Red Ranger. "I want to know why you turned on me, Tommy. Tell me that."

Tommy had turned a pale shade of green by then. "I don't understand."

"I'm not just talking about the business with my real father now," Jason said tightly. "I mean all together. How come you gave me the boot? I never did that to you after you lost the Green powers."

"But I didn't!" Tommy protested helplessly.

Jason hesitated, then shifted his position slightly in the bed. "Put yourself in my shoes, Tommy. It shouldn't be too hard for you. I'd just lost the Gold Ranger powers, and you came along and put on the spiel about always being friends. When I thought back on it, you made it sound like I was leaving the country." Jason paused, grimacing. "Maybe I should have. Anyway, the next day when I saw you at school, you were suddenly too busy to talk to me."

"Hey, don't put that on me," Tommy growled. "There was an attack, we had a job to do."

Jason returned Tommy's protest with a flat stare. "You'd just beaten Mondo face-to-face. Rita and Zedd did a disappearing act. Nothing happened after that for three weeks. What you were too busy doing was making up excuses to avoid me because I wasn't a ranger anymore."

Tommy faltered, reddening slightly as he recalled the day more accurately. Jason nodded and went on, satisfied that Tommy's sketchy memory had been sufficiently jogged. "For the next two months, the only time I saw you and the others was during class or briefly at the Youth Centre. Every time I came near you, you turned tail and ran. I gave up after a while."

"We still did stuff with you!" Tommy argued. "We went to the movies, and stuff like that. Hell, we went to the movies together the day that your real father showed up in Angel Grove! No one bullied us into that, Jason." Tommy hesitated as a thought occurred to him. "Maybe it wasn't us at all. Did you think about that? Maybe you were just feeling jealous because you weren't the centre of attention anymore."

"Jealous?" Jason choked out in disbelief. "You can't be serious!"

Tommy nodded quickly, bolstered by the notion. "Yeah, maybe I am. Maybe... Maybe we avoided you because we thought you'd want to be left alone for a while. Kim got really snappy after she gave up her coin to Kat, maybe we thought you'd be the same."

"I," Jason snapped, "am not Kimberly. I'd already lost the power once, remember? I knew what to expect." He flopped back down in the bed. "This fighting is stupid."

"Yeah," Tommy agreed. "It is. We should stop."

"Because it doesn't matter whether all that was your fault or mine," Jason said softly. "It doesn't change the fact that thanks to your interference, I may never walk again without some form of support."

"It... It's really that serious?" Tommy asked softly.

Jason sighed heavily. "Damn it, Tommy, I spent a month in traction, and I had metal pins in my legs up until a couple of weeks ago! If I'd been standing just a little bit more behind the car when he backed it over me, I wouldn't have had the chance to walk again at all. He would have killed me, Tommy. He dragged me all the way from the building carpark to the service elevator, and left me in my room with two smashed up legs, all because he saw me kissing Trini!"

Tommy blinked in surprise. "You kissed Trini? Way to go!" Jason didn't know whether to be stunned or disgusted.

"What...? Man, you are unbelievable! Aren't you listening to me at all?"

Tommy looked guilty. "Yeah... but c'mon, Jase! You kissed her, bro!"

For a long moment, Jason didn't respond. Then, finally, a grin tugged at the corners of his mouth before he could stop himself. He'd tried to forget about that entire day, but that one incident continued to play over in his mind. Even though nothing more had happened between him and Trini, he still wondered whether anything could....

Tommy got up quickly and went over to lean against the bed railing. "So tell me, how was it?"

Jason shrugged a little. "I don't know. It was Trini that kissed me, actually. I think I was too stunned to do anything except stand there."

"She kissed you, huh?" Tommy mused. "Hey, that's even better! It means she likes you as much as you like her!"

Jason suddenly tensed. "You never told anyone, did you?"

"No," Tommy reassured him quietly. "You know I wouldn't do that to you...." He trailed off abruptly, realisation of what he was saying hitting him like a baseball bat. The two boys fell into a sudden, heavy silence, regarding each other wordlessly. Finally, Tommy risked speaking, and broke the silence. "Think you could ever forgive us?"

"I'm working on it," Jason admitted. "It'll take a while, though. I think maybe I can probably tolerate seeing you guys, but don't expect miracles."

"I understand," Tommy conceded. "How are you coping with it all? From the impression I got from Tanya, the physio must be hell and a half."

A tired smile flickered across Jason's lips. "That's a pretty accurate description. One thing... I couldn't have gotten by without Tanya. She's been really great really patient. Especially when I get nasty and bite her head off."

"I think I understand how she's feeling," Tommy murmured. "We really owe you the support, Jason."

"That's right," Jason grumbled. "You do."

Tommy waited for a long moment, trying to reassure himself that Jason had settled down, before asking the next question. "What happened, Jase? What did he do to you?"

"I told you, didn't I?" Jason growled.

Tommy nodded, eyes downcast. "Yeah.... But how about we try again, now that you're not trying to raise your blood pressure anymore?"

Jason lay back down with a soft thud. The truth was that he had not really confronted the terrors of that day in his own mind, and he was not sure that he could. Tears came before he realised it, and trickled slowly down his cheeks. "Most of the time, I knew what I was gonna get. I could usually tell by the way he acted every day. Most times, he beat me till I threw up, and then he'd leave me alone for the next couple of days. He didn't even try to hit me so there wouldn't be bruising. He knew I wouldn't let anyone see. But that day...." He stopped, trembling a little at the frightening memories.

Tommy hesitated, then took a chance and reached across to gently squeeze Jason's shoulder in a long past gesture of friendship and brotherhood. "Take your time, bro."

"That day... It was really cold. He told me to wait for him to come and get me from school. Trini came out while I was waiting, and we talked for a bit. Then...."

"What?"

Jason rubbed at his eyes, but more tears came. "She kissed me, then. He was standing about ten metres behind us when she did it, and he saw everything. I knew he was angry about it, but he didn't let it show. It was weird. He asked me if Trini was my girl, and acted real friendly about it, like it was the best thing in the world. I... I think that scared me the most," he whispered, looking over at Tommy through a steady flow of tears. "That time, I didn't know what he was going to do. We got back to the building, and when he parked the car, he asked me to get out and check the tail lights." Bitterness flickered in Jason's eyes. "If I'd had any idea what he was going to do, I would have just ran. 'Course, then he probably would have come after me in the car. He just put the car in reverse and backed it straight over the top of me. Then, he put it in forward and drove over me again. Then, he reversed again and drove over me a third time. Three times, Tommy. He ran over me three fucking times! I never did anything wrong, but he still tried to kill me! I didn't do anything! I didn't...."

Jason burst into a flood of tears and Tommy, not knowing what else to do, carefully lowered the side railing and leaned across to hug his best friend. "I'm sorry, Jase, I am so damn sorry...."

"What did I do?" Jason sobbed into Tommy's shoulder. "Why'd it have to be me?"

Tommy said nothing. There was little he could say, he realised dimly. Once more, without warning, he found himself having to deal with yet another mistake, only this time it was one that had cost his best friend dearly. Confusion and guilt filled his young mind all too quickly. He had been so sure he'd been doing the right thing... Jason had moved back abruptly almost without Tommy realising it. Now, the former Ranger stared at the current Red Ranger with a mixture of anger and determination in his eyes.

"Don't you dare start feeling sorry for yourself. I'm not gonna let you get away with that this time. I'm not letting you go all guilty on me."

"But Jase...." Tommy stammered.

Jason shifted his position slightly, wincing from the pain that accompanied the movement. "We've gone through this before, and I'm not putting up with it anymore. Every time you made a mistake, no matter how small, you went to pieces on us, and we'd have to hold everything together while you got over it. I'm not holding anything together for you now. Hell, I can hardly hold myself together! Don't expect me to pick you up like I used to."

Tommy turned slowly away, fighting to keep his breathing even as he began to realise the truth in Jason's words. He had collapsed emotionally, and all too frequently, when he'd made a mistake, and he had relied on everyone else to get him through it. If he fell apart now, there'd be no one to help him through. He shut his eyes for a moment, trying to regain his composure, then looked back to Jason. "I won't fall apart on you, Jason. I promise."

Jason nodded, but the look in his eyes suggested he didn't really believe it. Tommy was grateful to arrive home that evening to find no one else there. He wasn't sure he could have coped with facing anyone straight away. He'd stayed in the sterile hospital room with Jason for nearly an hour after that confrontation, and although it seemed at times as though they'd spoken like old friends, it was painfully obvious that Jason hadn't yet accepted an apology. Tommy let his school bag drop in the vestibule, and headed for the stairs, only to be stopped by his father, who was emerging from his study.

"Tommy?"

Tommy blinked, startled. "Dad? I thought everyone was out."

"I had the afternoon off. What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."

For a long moment, Tommy didn't answer. He couldn't bring himself to speak. Then, reluctantly, he nodded towards the study. "Can we talk?"

"Sure," Michael murmured, sensing the distress his son was suffering. He ushered Tommy into the study and sat down next to him. "What's bothering you, then?"

"I got a letter today," Tommy explained in a voice that was starting to tremble from delayed shock. "Zack passed it on to me. It... It was from Jason." Michael stiffened, but Tommy didn't seem to notice, and went on talking. "It was a poem that we'd memorized a few years ago, just after we became friends. Dad, Jase... He...."

"I know," Michael said softly, anticipating Tommy's words.

Tommy looked up at his father through a thin film of tears. "What?"

"Tommy, I know what happened. Zack's father called me when they were still in Chicago. You know that, you were here when I took the call. It's why I left here looking like a damned zombie."

"We... I mean... The Rangers screwed up, then," Tommy whispered. His throat was starting to hurt badly.

"I think we all did," Michael conceded. "But now you understand why I was demoted. There was no issue over arresting the Scotts, but I never even took the time to interview Jason. I didn't stop to wonder why he seemed so frightened. I let that boy be taken back into a situation that no human should ever have to endure."

Silence fell; neither one was sure of what to say. Finally, Tommy broke the silence. "Where's Jason's real dad now?"

"In prison. The case is due to go to trial in two weeks. I hope to God they give the bastard life for what he did to Jason."

Tommy rubbed at his eyes, but more tears fell, and he finally gave up. "I didn't understand at first. I couldn't understand why Jase couldn't just let it go. I mean, he's back with the Scotts now, and everything is working out for him...."

Michael's jaw tightened visibly. "Tommy, did Jason tell you anything about his injuries?" The Red Ranger's head hung, then. "Yeah. He said he might always need leg braces to walk. This is so hard to believe! I don't understand how anyone to treat someone like that! Especially their own son! It doesn't make sense!"

"No," Michael agreed. "It doesn't make sense. The bottom line is that there are a lot more people out there than we like to think who do as much, and worse, to their own children. I doubt that Jason's real father wanted him back because he missed his son. I expect he wanted him back because he didn't like losing something that belonged to him. If I'd taken the time to ask just a few questions of Jason, he might not have been in that hospital room right now."

"He's pretty angry at everyone, Dad."

"With good reason. We can't possibly understand what the last six months have been like for him, Tommy. You've never been in a situation where you were afraid virtually of getting out of bed. I expect that is what it was like for Jason. One step out of line for him probably meant getting a beating." He paused, grimacing. "From what little I've heard, he was beaten even when he didn't do anything wrong." Michael reached over, then, catching hold of Tommy's shoulder and giving a quick, reassuring squeeze. "Give him time, Tommy. He deserves that, if nothing else."

Tommy nodded reluctantly. "I know."

One month later, Monday morning
The weather had rapidly turned cold in Angel Grove, gathering in momentum for the coming of winter. Rain fell constantly, day and night, and everything was gradually turning icy in response to the frosty days. Early in the morning, it was difficult to see anything through the iced-up windows. Indeed, it often looked as though snow had fallen during the night, with all the frost that had settled on the grass.

Jason sighed softly to himself as he turned away from the window and wheeled himself across to the cupboard. A cold, icy morning didn't bode well at all. It was his first day back at Angel Grove High, and he'd been desperately hoping to salvage as much of his self-respect as possible, and walk into school with the leg braces and crutches. The frost would make the ground slippery, though, and there was no way his father would let him risk a fall.

The door swung open, and Sarah looked in, then smiled. "I didn't think you'd be up so early. How'd you sleep?"

"Okay," Jason replied. "I only rolled over once, and it didn't keep me awake for very long."

Sarah came all the way into the room. "That's good. Well, I guess it can't hurt for you to be up early. You'll have plenty of time to get ready for school."

Jason faltered, then, unease showing in his eyes. "Mum, about school...."

Sarah paused by the window. She, too, had seen the thick layers of frost on the ground, and knew what was coming. "Honey, you had an agreement with your father. You know it's too dangerous for you to try walking this morning. One little slip, and you could be right back in hospital again."

Jason's shoulders slumped; he knew better than to argue with her. Sarah came back over to him.

"Do you want me to call your father to help you get dressed?"

For just an instant, Jason felt his face heat up. Even now, out of hospital, he still couldn't even get dressed without help. He shrugged it off, and shook his head.

"No. You can help me. I don't mind."

Sarah nodded and opened up the cupboard. "What do you want to wear?"

Jason frowned as he scanned the cupboard, and he was about to decide when his gaze fell on something that made his heart skip a beat. "What is that doing in there?"

Sarah glanced at Jason in confusion, then stepped into the cupboard and reached out to touch an expensive denim jacket; the same jacket Jason had worn months ago to the unexpected dinner with the Taylors. "This? We brought it with most of your clothes from Chicago. Why?"

Jason had turned ashen by then, and his hands clutched the wheels of his chair so tightly that his knuckles were turning white. "Get it out of there. Get rid of it!"

Sarah was astounded by her son's reaction. "Jason, what's wrong? It's a perfectly good jacket!"

"I don't want it!" Jason exploded. "Get it out of here!"

Sarah stared speechlessly at him, and was still standing there when Donavon came in.

"What's going on?" he wanted to know. "Sarah?"

"The jacket!" Jason choked out, starting to cry openly. "Get rid of it, please!"

Finally, Sarah reacted and pulled it out of the closet and hurried from the room, anxious to get the offensive item out of Jason's sight. Donavon watched her go, then went over and crouched down in front of Jason.

"All right, calm down. Take a deep breath, Jason. Settle down, son."

Jason shut his eyes tightly, and struggled to regain some semblance of calm. Eventually he did, and forced the hysteria back into submission. Donavon nodded patiently.

"Think you can tell me what that was all about?"

"That jacket," Jason whispered, knuckling away the tears that filled his eyes. "He bought it for me. Made me wear it whenever we had to go out so no one saw the bruises. I don't want it, it reminds me of him!"

"All right," Donavon murmured, grasping Jason's hands and squeezing them reassuringly. "We'll get rid of it." He regarded the boy intently. "Are you okay?"

"I guess so," Jason mumbled. "I'm sorry I guess I flipped out for nothing, huh?"

"Maybe," Donavon conceded. "But this is your first day back at school, so I'd be inclined to put it down to nerves. Look, how about we get you dressed so you can have breakfast, and then we get you to school. Okay?"

"Okay."

~*~

Out of everything that Donavon needed to help his son with, dressing in the mornings was the hardest task. Often, Jason would have had a bad night and would wake up with bad pains, making getting dressed into twice the task that it should have been.

That morning was no better than any other, despite Jason having had a better night's sleep than most. The cold chill of the morning seemed to filter through the window and walls themselves, and aggravate his legs, and each little movement caused sharp pricks of pain.

"Sorry," Donavon murmured automatically as Jason winced in pain with the removal of his pyjama pants.

Humility was also something that both Jason and Donavon had been forced to put aside. As Jason had been six when he escaped with the Scotts, they had never needed to help him get dressed. Now, Donavon not only needed to undress and dress Jason; he also needed to help the boy to bathe. A shower was out of the question; the water pelting down only caused Jason more pain than he could bear. And so Donavon had needed to grow used to lifting him in and out of the water.

On the up side, Donavon had joked in a lighter moment, he'd never been so fit.

The older man slid a loose pair of black pants with an elastic waist over the boy's legs, with Jason lifting himself on his hands just long enough to fit them on properly. They followed that with a dark red T shirt, and a black sweater. Donavon then went back to the cupboard and pulled out a pair of moccasins, to put on Jason's feet.

"Couldn't I at least put on shoes?" Jason asked, eyeing the moccasins unhappily.

Donavon shook his head. "Jason, there's no point. These will at least keep your feet warm. It's damned cold out there!"

"I know," Jason conceded. He hesitated, then decided to try anyway. "But my sneakers are easier to walk in."

Donavon stopped halfway across the floor. "Jason, you aren't walking today."

"You promised," Jason whispered, his expression literally crumbling.

Donavon could have screamed. He should have known this would happen.

"I did not promise outright, and you know it. I said if the morning was warm, and there was no frost. We bombed out on both counts, son."

Determination filled Jason's face, then, and he shoved the wheelchair away from him. "I either go with the leg braces, or I don't go at all."

"Damn it," Donavon growled, his patience starting to wear thin. "Jason, why do you have to be so damned stubborn? You know you can't walk on frosty ground! It's too slippery and too dangerous! Do you want to be back in hospital?"

"No," Jason said uncomfortably, "but I want my dignity, too."

"You'll have that if you go back to school holding your head high," Donavon insisted. "You'll lose it totally if the first thing you do when you go through the gates is take a fall!"

"Dad, please!" Jason begged.

Donavon sighed and shook his head. "I'm sorry, Jason. No. Not today."

Tears of anger filled the boy's eyes, though he didn't protest any further as the moccasins were fitted carefully to his feet. "Thanks a lot, Dad."

Donavon ignored the heavy sarcasm. "I'd rather you be angry at me and come home safely, rather than get a call saying they've had to call an ambulance because you fell."

"You got your wish."

Donavon looked up finally at his son's angry expression. "Are you going to stay mad all day? Because it's really going to be a dampener if you are."

Jason held his father's stare for nearly a minute before he finally broke and looked away unhappily.

"No, but can I at least have five minutes?"

It was all Donavon could do not to grin. He stood up slowly. "All right. Come out for breakfast when you're ready. Just don't take too long, okay?"

~*~

Donavon, Sarah and Catherine were in the kitchen sharing a pile of pancakes that Sarah had cooked when they heard it. The familiar sound of the leg braces, aided by two metal crutches, reached their ears from down the hallway. All three adults looked around just as Jason came into the kitchen, his jaw locked as he concentrated on each small step he took.

Donavon started up, only to be stopped by Sarah, whose anxious expression pleaded with him to be patient.

"You're doing so well with those," Catherine told him with a warm smile. Jason managed a quick smile as he finally made it to his chair and sat down.

"I haven't fallen once since I came home. Have I?"

It was spoken with strong emphasis; both Donavon and Sarah knew what he was trying to do. Catherine, oblivious to the conflict, squeezed his hand tightly.

"No, you haven't. We're very proud of you, sweetheart."

Donavon sighed, then, and spoke tightly. "Nice try, Jason, but it won't work. You are not walking today, and that's final!"

Jason's face fell, but he knew he had pushed it as far as his father would allow; he didn't dare argue anymore. They watched the teen for nearly a minute, as he poked miserably at his breakfast, and then Sarah prodded her husband hard. The two adults exchanged looks, and then Donavon sighed and spoke again.

"Look, Jason, I know how badly you wanted to walk today, and I'm sorry. You have to understand that it just isn't worth the risk. If you promise not to sulk about it, though, this evening after you finish your physio session with Matt, we'll go to the Pizza Palace for dinner. Sort of a celebration for you being back at school. Okay?"

Jason looked up at his father hopefully. "Can I use the braces then?"

Donavon had been expecting that. "All right," he conceded wearily. "You can use them tonight. But only if you cheer up now. Your teachers are going to be very disappointed if you go to school in a bad mood."

A smile touched the corners of his mouth. "Thanks, Dad."

Donavon nodded. "All right. Just hurry up and finish your breakfast, or you'll be late on your first day back."

As Jason tucked into his breakfast, Sarah caught her husband's attention, and mouthed a single word.

_Thank you_

~*~

"You think he'll be here on time?" Kim asked worriedly.

Zack nodded.

"Yeah. Don't worry about it, Kim. Jase wouldn't risk getting here late."

Trini sighed as she leant against the fence. "Jason has been waiting for this day ever since he got back to Angel Grove. He wants to be back at school so badly."

"It's only for half a day to start with," Zack reminded them. "He has to go to the rehab centre every afternoon, remember? For physio."

"It's a start, though," Trini pointed out. She hesitated, glancing around, then sighed softly. "Wonderful. Look who's coming."

Kim and Zack looked around to see Tommy approaching with Kat. Zack turned to face them. He didn't want an argument, but neither did he really want them around when Jason arrived.

"Did you two want something?" he asked coldly.

"Jason's coming back to school today, isn't he?" Tommy asked.

"Yeah," Zack admitted grudgingly.

Kat spoke tentatively, trying to avoid Kim's glare. "We thought we might be able to help him out a little bit."

"You've already done enough," Kim snapped from behind Zack.

"Take it easy, Kim," Tommy interrupted, then. "Jase is our friend, too."

"Sure," Zack grumbled. "You really proved that, didn't you?"

A van came into sight at the end of the road, and Trini spoke quickly, anxious to prevent a further confrontation. "They're coming, guys. That's the Scott's van."

Silence fell as the group gathered at the fence, watching as a white van pulled up a short distance away. The driver, Donavon, climbed out and went around to open a side door and release a ramp, down which Jason rolled.

Sarah and Catherine followed, making their way carefully down the steep ramp.

Trini, Zack and Kim went to greet Jason, leaving Tommy and Kat at the gate. Jason maneuvered himself towards them, a grin etched onto his flushed face.

"Hey, guys."

"Look at you, man," Zack laughed. "You're mobile!"

"Yeah," Jason agreed ruefully. "I should have been on my feet, but Dad said there was too much frost."

"Don't start," Donavon warned him as the adults walked over. Jason smiled up at his father.

"Sorry. Just had to get that in."

"Sure. Do you want us to come with you into the school?"

Jason hesitated, then shook his head slowly. "No, I'll be okay. Zack, Kim and Trini will be with me."

"That's for sure," Zack confirmed enthusiastically. "Don't worry, Mr Scott. We'll look after him."

Donavon smiled and ruffled Jason's hair affectionately. "All right. I'll pick you up here at twelve. All right?"

"Okay," Jason agreed. "Don't forget, you promised."

"I won't forget," Donavon reassured him. Sarah and Catherine both said their good-byes, and then Jason was left with his friends.

"Need help with anything?" Zack asked as they turned towards the gate. Jason motioned to the backpack on the back of the wheelchair.

"Just that. I'll have to put my books for each class in that."

"Probably just as well you didn't walk," Trini said grimly as the wheelchair slid just a little on the icy footpath. "You would've been on your butt before you got in the gate, otherwise."

Jason started to smile, but it faded rapidly when he saw Tommy and Kat. Zack caught his expression and spoke softly.

"They just wanted to help. Don't flip."

Jason regarded them solemnly. "Hey."

Tommy moved forward, nodding in silent acknowledgment. He had seen Jason a few times since that first visit in the hospital, and none had been really pleasant meetings. Still, the hostility that Jason had initially displayed had dimmed a lot. As he had told Tommy, he tolerated them, and that was all.

Kat moved up beside Tommy. "Hi, Jase."

Jason's jaw tightened a little. "Jason."

Kat blinked, taken by surprise. She had known the full truth for nearly a month now, and despite warnings from Tommy, Tanya and Adam, she hadn't been prepared for the blunt coldness from the former Gold Ranger. Somehow, somewhere in her mind, she had expected everything to be worked out by the time Jason arrived back at school. She'd expected Jason to have forgiven and forgotten, and it startled and confused her to realise that was not the case.

Tommy ignored Kat, and spoke quietly. "Glad to see you back."

"Uh huh."

"Need a hand?"

Jason shrugged. "I might."

The others remained silent during the almost emotionless exchange. Jason and Tommy were working their problems out between themselves in a way that none of them could understand, and so they simply stayed out of it.

Tommy walked around and took a hold of the handgrips at the back and the chair and began to push Jason toward the school building. Jason, to the astonishment of the others, didn't protest. They watched for a long moment in surprise, then followed in silence.

~*~

"You must have had a real fight with your dad this morning, huh?" Tommy said as he pushed the wheelchair into the building.

Jason glanced back over his shoulder at Tommy curiously. "How do you mean?"

"Well, I know how bad you wanted to walk."

"Oh... I guess I knew when I woke up that I couldn't walk. It was too icy outside. I tried, though. We compromised in the end. We're going out to dinner tonight, and Dad promised to let me use the leg braces then."

Zack fell in step beside the wheelchair. "Probably 'cause he knew he could keep an eye on you."

Jason had to chuckle at that. "You're probably right. I know he would have been worried even if it hadn't been frosty this morning. He doesn't like the idea very much of me going anywhere out of his reach when I'm using the braces. He's scared I'll fall in a gutter somewhere, I think."

"That's a little possessive, don't you think?" Kat asked foolishly from behind.

Jason stiffened somewhat, but before he, Zack or the girls had a chance to say anything, Tommy spoke sharply. "Kat, shut the hell up! Just because Mr Scott is worried about Jason, doesn't make him possessive."

Kat stared at Tommy, astounded. "But...."

Jason spoke quietly. "You've got no idea what possessive is, Kat. No idea at all."

Just then, Tanya hurried over, and took the liberty of throwing her arms around Jason in a warm hug. To everyone's surprise, he didn't push her away, but rather hugged her back. Adam was there as well, and offered Jason a tentative smile.

"Hey."

Jason nodded, doing his best to stay amicable. "Hey, Adam."

"Hope you're ready for a backlog of work," Adam said, half-joking.

Jason rolled his eyes. "They'd better not. The school work I did in Chicago was supposed to be accredited to my record. Hey, Tommy, head for Mr Caplan's office. I'm supposed to see him first thing this morning."

"Sure," Tommy replied and directed the chair for the principal's office. Victor Caplan was waiting for them when they arrived and he greeted Jason warmly.

"We're very pleased that you're back, Jason," Caplan said.

"That makes two of us," Jason replied, only half-joking. Caplan seemed to wince slightly at the hidden undertones in the boy's words, but he went on regardless.

"Your locker is the same as before, same combination. Until you can get the right books, just go and see the school librarian, and she'll sort that out for you."

"Thank you," Jason murmured. A pause followed, and it seemed almost as though Caplan wanted to say something else, but didn't dare in the presence of the other teens. Jason finally broke the lengthy silence.

"What about my schedule, sir?"

Caplan smiled, and appeared relieved. "Of course. Here...."

He plucked a piece of paper of his desk and handed it to Jason. "I think you'll find it's virtually the same as before. The only change we had to make was in the department of Arts. According to the records we got from Chicago, you didn't do any Arts subjects at all."

Jason's jaw tightened just a little. "No."

Caplan went on, silently aware of Jason's sudden agitation. "You need to pass at least one Arts subject, I'm afraid, so we didn't have any choice but to place you in an Arts class. You'll be pleased to know, though, that it isn't the sketching class."

Jason looked down at the schedule, frowning, and then surprise filled his face. "Woodwork?"

Caplan nodded. "That's right. Mr Brogan asked for you when we learned you were coming back."

Jason looked up at Caplan, and saw the knowing smile that just touched the older man's mouth, and had to struggle to suppress a grin of his own as he realised just what was going on.

"Thank you, Mr Caplan."

"You're welcome. And if you have any troubles at all, just let me know." He glance at the clock. "You kids had better get to class. You're going to be late."

The teens turned and filed silently out of the office.

~*~

"Woodwork, huh?" Zack asked. "Well, at least you don't have to do a lot to pass that."

"A lot?" Tommy echoed in amusement. "You make something that doesn't make an ounce of sense, call it creative art and still get an 'A' for it."

"Mr Caplan might as well have put you in the pottery class," Trini mused. Kim was the only one who noticed the odd look on Jason's face.

"Jase? What is it?"

Jason merely smiled as he took over control of his wheelchair from Tommy. "Nothing. Nothing at all."

~*~

Jim Brogan had been waiting eagerly for the senior wood shop group that took place just before lunch. Today was the day that Jason was supposed to have returned to school, and it was for that reason alone that he was looking forward to it.

Of course, he'd heard enough that day already that he wouldn't be surprised by anything he saw. Jason was in a wheelchair, although no one seemed to know whether that was permanent. He still bore some pretty awful scars, that were apparently visible on his face, hands and neck....

Brogan shook his head. That was probably an exaggeration. He was almost sure of it. Kids... and some adults... were easily prone to spreading over-the- top rumours. He chuckled softly to himself as he cleaned up the last of the grease left on one machine, then turned around just as the door opened, and Jason came in.

Jim couldn't hold back a smile, he was that pleased. "Jason, welcome back. You don't look half as bad as everyone's saying."

Jason had to grin at that. There was no insult in the remark; simply a light-hearted joke from a man he'd known for a long time. "Hi, Mr Brogan. Mr Caplan said you asked for me."

"I did," Jim confirmed. "You're early, though."

"I know. I've sort of been getting out of classes early so I make it to the next ones on time. I figured I might as well finish recess early and get here before everyone else. I was glad I had this one before lunch, though."

"Oh?"

Jason shrugged a little. "Well, I'm only here for half a day at a time to start with. I still have to go back to the hospital everyday for physio. So I'd rather have this class on my mind than Physics."

Jim laughed. "Fair enough. So tell me, how are you doing, Jason? Honestly."

A touch of pain flickered in Jason's eyes. "Honestly? Okay, I guess. It hasn't been easy, but I suppose things are getting better. It still hurts like hell, but I can at least use the leg braces for more than five steps at a time, now."

Jim looked thoughtful. "So you are walking, then."

"Yeah. If you can call it that."

Jim patted the boy gently on the shoulder. "If it's standing on two feet, and moving one foot progressively in front of the other, then I'd certainly call it walking. Don't worry yourself on how it looks, Jason."

Jason sighed a little and slumped back in the wheelchair. "I can't help feeling sort of useless. I mean, I was never really good at anything except the karate, and now I'll never be able to do any of that again. I've never been great with schoolwork You know, average marks? I don't know where I'm going anymore."

Jim stood up and, motioning for Jason to follow, led the teen to a workbench that was lower than the others.

"This workbench belonged to my own son. I brought it in specifically for you."

Jason was astounded, and he rolled up to the bench slowly, feeling suddenly tight-throated. "You didn't have to...."

"I wanted to. The day that you walk in here, no matter how you do it, there'll be a full-height bench for you. But for now you'll find this one easier to deal with. Now...."

Jim turned away for a moment, and when he turned back he had a sharp carving knife in one hand, and a large block of wood in the other. He set both down in front of Jason.

"See what you can do with these. You have an hour and a half."

Licking his lips a little, Jason picked up the knife and examined it closely. It was razor-sharp, ready for use. The wood was reasonably good; not too soft. Taking up the wood, he took a single shaving off the edge with the knife, testing its sharpness. Then, slowly but with certainty and precision, he began to carve the wood.

~*~

"You haven't lost it, that's for sure."

Jason looked up, startled, to find Jim Brogan standing there, watching with a grin on his face. Confused, he looked back down to see the block of wood had been transformed into a small, detailed figure of a squirrel. Jim leaned against the edge of the desk, picking the carving up and turning it over slowly.

"You were hardly even aware of anything else going on around you. The same as it was before. This is talent, Jason. You were practically carving this squirrel with your eyes shut."

"I didn't even remember I could do this," Jason murmured. "I didn't think anyone remembered."

"Well, not too many people knew about it. I wouldn't have known if I hadn't found you that day in the park. What was it you were carving, then? An elephant, I think."

A smile tugged at the corner of Jason's mouth. "That's still on the shelf in my bedroom. Mum and Dad thought I'd bought it somewhere Dad wanted to know how much I'd paid for it when I brought it home."

"If you got into doing these again, I think you could make a bit of money selling them. I know a few people who'd be willing to endorse you, and I have a friend who'd be willing to sell these in his shop."

"That sounds good...." Jason conceded. Jim watched him carefully.

"But?"

"Well, I'd like to just worry about one thing at a time, if you don't mind."

Jim smiled and handed the carving back to Jason. "Sure. Just remember, that offer stands firm. Okay?"

Jason nodded slowly. "Okay."

~*~

Donavon was waiting at the gate at twelve o' clock as he had promised when Jason came out, pushing his wheelchair slowly across the asphalt. He waited until they were both in the van before speaking.

"So, how did you go?"

Jason shrugged. "It was okay."

"Just okay?" Donavon echoed incredulously. "You've been badgering us to let you go back to school for two months, and now it's just okay?"

Jason had to smile, then. "Sorry. It was pretty good. Mr Caplan put me in the woodwork class."

Donavon paused in starting the engine. "Really?"

"Well, he said I had to do at least one Arts subject, and I guess he remembered how bad I am at drawing"

"And how good you are at whittling."

Jason's jaw dropped. "You... you know about that?"

The older man laughed, then, and started the engine. "Yes, I know and so does your mother. Jim Brogan came to see us a few nights after you came home with that elephant. He told us how he'd found you in the park, with just a piece of wood and a knife. We realised then that you must have done all those other wooden animals yourself."

"How come you never told me you knew?"

"We figured you'd tell us if you wanted us to know. So, is that what you did today?"

Jason smiled sheepishly. "Mr Brogan just gave me some wood and a knife and told me to do what I wanted."

"Which was?"

Jason reached into his backpack and took out the squirrel. Donavon looked back at it as they waited for a red light to change.

"You haven't lost any of that talent. This is very good, Jason."

Silence fell and then Jason spoke hesitantly. "Dad...."

"Mmm?"

"Mr Brogan said he had a friend who'd sell my carvings."

"Well, they're certainly good enough to be sold. Is that what you want?"

"I don't know," Jason confessed. "I said I wanted to wait, but when I thought about it I don't know. I guess it made me a bit excited that someone might want to buy something I've made."

Donavon pulled into a disabled parking space at the hospital, then turned around in the seat to look at his son.

"I'd say not to worry about it right now. You have plenty of time. Keep it in mind, though, and don't stop carving. All right?"

Jason smiled and nodded, content with his father's advice.

"Yeah."

"Tell me one thing, though," Donavon asked as he went around, opened the side door and released the ramp. "You gave a few of those animals away to your friends, didn't you? For presents...."

Jason nodded. "Yeah. It came in useful when I didn't know what to get them for their birthdays. Why?"

"Did you ever tell them you made the animals yourself?"

"No," Jason confessed. "I didn't say where they came from. Zack asked me one time where I'd bought them, 'cause he wanted a horse for his mum for Christmas."

"And?"

"I made one for him to give her, but I didn't tell him. I just said it was a secret."

"You really didn't want anyone to know about it, did you?" Donavon asked in amusement.

Jason shrugged. "I don't know why I didn't want to tell anyone. I guess it was just the one thing I could do that no one knew about. I think it was like, if I told anyone then I wouldn't be able to do it anymore. Anyway. I like having that secret. In a way, I suppose it was something I could turn to when things got tough. You know, especially when I was the Red Ranger."

Realisation dawned on Donavon's face. "I think I understand. Stress relief, right?"

"Sort of," Jason agreed.

"So all those times you disappeared for hours at a time, when there _wasn't_ a monster attack...."

"I went somewhere and carved another animal." Jason smiled ruefully. "I guess it was stress relief."

The smile faded from Donavon's face some. "Perhaps you should start carving again regularly, Jason. It might help ease the pressure."

Jason bit down lightly on his lower lip. "Well, Mr Brogan did let me keep the knife. Maybe I will, Dad."

Donavon nodded. "I think it would be a good idea." He paused, then took hold of the wheelchair's handgrips. "C'mon. Let's go find your mother and grandmother."

The following day....
Tommy arrived at school late the next morning, after sleeping through his alarm. He'd been woken by his mother at a quarter past eight, and had moved at near-bionic speed to get ready on time. He bolted along the corridor and rounded the corner into the locker area, only to be brought to a jaw- shattering halt when he collided head-on with someone else. Dazed, he pushed himself up from where he'd landed on the floor, then froze when he saw who it was that he'd run into.

"Trini?"

Trini shook her head, gasping a little. "Ow...."

Grimacing, Tommy quickly got up, and pulled her up after him. "I'm sorry. That was my fault."

She didn't answer, but started to crouch down to pick up her books. Tommy beat her to it, scooping them up for her in one large pile. "Here. I'm really sorry."

Trini frowned at him then, as she began to recover from the collision. "It's okay," she grumbled, not really caring to talk to him. Although she'd been trying to keep the peace between both sides, she was still feeling angry towards the Rangers, and Tommy in particular. She started to move around him, only to have Tommy suddenly block her off. "Do you have a problem?" she asked snappishly. Tommy stared at her incredulously.

"You, too, huh? I can't believe you guys are really serious about holding this against us! It isn't like we deliberately planned for Jase to get hurt. We thought we were doing the best thing for everyone!"

Disgust flashed across her face. "You were Jason's best friend. He trusted you, and you couldn't give him and his parents five minutes to explain the situation. You didn't think, Tommy. And if you'd seen Jason in Chicago, then you wouldn't be trying to fob the blame off onto someone else."

She side-stepped him and started off up the corridor. Tommy stared after her in anger, then called out to her before he could stop himself. "Yeah, well, maybe you should take a look at yourself! You might find you aren't quite as innocent as you'd like to think!"

Trini froze in mid-stride, then looked slowly back at Tommy. "What are you talking about?"

Tommy glared at her. "I'm saying that maybe you're just as responsible for being Jase being in that wheelchair as we are. Jason told me what happened. He said his father caught you kissing him outside the school. If you knew what was going on, and the situation Jason was in, then maybe you should be shouldering the blame as well, because you had to know that doing something like that would only cause trouble!"

Trini's breath froze in her throat, and her heart started pounding painfully hard as she began to realise how true Tommy's words really were. She'd known Jason had been waiting to be picked up that day, but she hadn't stopped to consider that his father could have shown up at any time. If she hadn't been so careless.... and selfish.... then it was entirely possible that Jason would never have been injured so badly. Tears abruptly filled her eyes as the shock of what she believed she'd done hit home. Then, before Tommy had the chance to say anymore, she fled up the corridor, and around the corner.

~*~

Instead of going to class, Trini found herself detouring and heading out of the school altogether. Tommy's words had cut deeper than she cared to admit, even to herself. Biting back fresh tears, she hurried from the school grounds and into the park.

He was right, of course. As much as she hated it, he was right. She had been there with Jason in Chicago. She had known the situation, and the trouble that Jason would be in, had his father caught him even talking to anyone else. She'd known what could happen, and yet she had carelessly kissed him, ignoring the potential consequences.

She slowed to a halt near the lake and collapsed to her knees, crying helplessly. Tommy was right. She was just as- if not moreso- responsible for Jason being crippled than the Rangers. They hadn't known the danger. She had. If anything, her crime was far worse, and more deserving of retribution.

_And yet Jason never blamed you for what happened_

The voice came from the depths of her mind. Whether in torment or reassurance, she didn't know. It was true, regardless. At no point had Jason ever laid blame on her for her part in his crippling. Of course, the subject had never actually come up, but Jason had never shunned her the way he shunned the Rangers.

Confused and becoming increasingly more worried, Trini sat down on the soft grass to try and think things through. Jason had never blamed her, not in the way he blamed the Rangers. And yet, in the end, she was far more responsible for Jason being in the wheelchair than Tommy and the others. If that really was true, she reasoned, then Jason's anger at the Rangers was very much misguided. Jason, of course, couldn't be blamed for that... But it seemed to be true all the same.

Tommy seemed to be aware of this, but he was on the other side- the Ranger side- and there was little chance that Jason or any of the others would listen. She, on the other hand, was in the best position to do what they all knew needed to happen sooner or later, and that was to start patching the gaping wounds that existed between Jason and the current Power Rangers.

Trini shut her eyes for a moment. Knowing that she had the chance to heal those wounds was cold comfort to her. The pain of knowing that she was responsible for Jason being so badly hurt was like a knife straight through her heart, and it was a pain she wasn't sure she could cope with.

She loved Jason. She'd come to that realisation a long time ago, and it was what she had been trying to tell Jason on that fateful day. To have to face the realisation that she'd hurt the person that she loved.... Well, that was just too much.

She got unsteadily to her feet, and headed for home. Everyone else would just have to deal with their own problems for a while. She couldn't bear to face Jason, knowing how much she was accountable for his woes. Crying helplessly, Trini ran for home.

~*~

"Where's Trini?"

The question came from Zack as he, Kim and Jason changed classes. Kim shook her head. "I have no idea. We talked before class this morning, but then she never showed up for Literature. Miss Appleby was not impressed."

Jason frowned slightly as Zack passed him his books. "That's not like Trini. She wouldn't skip out on classes unless there was a problem."

"We'll give her place a call after school," Zack suggested. "Maybe she had to go home for some reason."

Jason started to concede when his gaze went past his two friends to someone who'd just come into sight. "Tommy?"

Tommy looked around, vaguely surprised that Jason was talking to him without prompting. "Yeah?"

"Have you seen Trini? She never showed up to class this morning."

"And she was definitely here earlier," Kim added quickly. Tommy hesitated, an odd look passing over his face. For just an instant, it seemed as though he was going to say something, but changed his mind at the last moment. Grabbing his books for his next class, he hurried off up the corridor without saying a word.

"Fine," Zack grumbled. "Be that way. Moron..."

"He knows something," Jason murmured, his gaze narrowing with suspicion. "He just didn't want to tell us. C'mon. Let's see if we can catch him."

~*~

Jason was improving with the wheelchair, and Zack and Kim had to jog to keep up. Tommy, not expecting to be followed, was easily caught and cornered just inside the recently vacated study room.

"What is this?" Tommy growled angrily. "First you go out of you way to avoid me, and now you're chasing me around the school?"

"Don't flatter yourself," Jason snapped. "I'm not ready to kiss and make up. I want to know about Trini. You know something. Tell us!"

Tommy glowered at Jason, more angry at being cornered than anything else. "Hey, don't blame me if she got an attack of the guilts and decided to do a disappearing act."

"What d'you mean?" Zack asked suspiciously.

Tommy's jaw locked visibly as he forged on. "I mean, maybe she finally realised she was as much responsible for you being in that chair as certain other individuals."

Jason's grip tightened considerably on the wheels of the chair. "What the hell are you talking about? Trini isn't at fault for this."

"Oh no? Weren't you the one who told me how your real father went psycho on you after he caught Trini kissing you in front of your school in Chicago? She gave me a nice lecture about how we never gave you a chance to explain. If she knew all about it in Chicago, then why did she do something as dumb as kissing you when she knew what your dad would do if he saw?"

Jason's hands slipped off the wheels in open shock. "No," he said finally. "It wasn't her fault...."

"She knew more than we did," Tommy countered. "And maybe we didn't give you a chance to explain, but we didn't want you to get hurt. What we're guilty of is ignorance. Trini is guilty of recklessness, and you know it. Trini practically put you in that chair, Jason. She totally ignored a danger that she fully knew about. So how can you justify being angry at us, and not at her?"

Jason was stunned beyond response. There was a logic in that argument that he simply couldn't ignore. Trini had known, and had acted without thinking. The Rangers, too, had acted without thinking, but they hadn't known. Not in the first place. And yet... He couldn't find it in his heart to be angry at Trini. Tommy was right, as much as Jason hated to concede to it. He couldn't justify being angry at Tommy and the others, and not at Trini.

"I can understand why you're upset and angry about it, Jase," Tommy said quietly. "I can accept that. You have a right to be angry, to a point. But do we really deserve unforgiving hatred from you? C'mon, man, that's not the way we were taught to operate."

"Tommy's right," Zack said. "Maybe the six months you were with Daniels were bad, but it was only six months. Did you really let everything the Scotts taught you get washed away in just six months?"

Jason faltered, then, biting so hard on his lower lip that he drew blood. "I... I just don't know how to get rid of the hurt!" he burst out finally, tears flooding his eyes. "It hurts so bad, and I don't know how to stop it!"

Silence fell for a long moment, then Tommy finally spoke softly. "Maybe you should talk to Trini. She must be pretty stressed out by now. Also... I think I have an idea that might help you to get rid of that anger."

Jason looked up at Tommy questioningly. "How?"

"I'll see you later about it," Tommy said. "Right now, I think we'd better get to class before we all end up in detention."

Zack and Kim looked to Jason, as though waiting to be prompted. Jason finally nodded and maneuvered the wheelchair around and out of the study room. The other three followed, none saying a word. = "Tommy what's going on?" Kat asked when the Rangers had gathered in the Power Chamber at lunch time.

"I think we can help Jason to resolve his anger," Tommy explained. "It might not be totally pleasant.... But I think it'll work."

"What are you thinking?" Adam asked quietly.

"Jason has to go to a Physio session now," Tommy said. "I think we need to pay him a visit there. In uniform."

"Are you nuts?" Rocky choked out. "He'll explode! It's hard enough for him to keep his cool around us in normal circumstances. If we show up there in uniform, he'll totally blow his stack!"

Tommy nodded slowly. "That's the whole idea, Rocky. I believe the reason why Jason hasn't really resolved anything is because he's sort of separated us from the Rangers. Maybe if we give him a chance to get everything out on the Rangers rather than just us, then it might help him to start healing properly."

Kat looked sceptical. "You're saying you want us to go to the hospital and just stand there and let Jason have a tantrum? C'mon, Tommy..."

"I'm serious," he persisted. "Look, we owe him this much, if nothing else."

"What if it doesn't work?" Tanya asked tentatively.

Tommy shrugged. "Then I don't know what we'll do. But I think this will work. If nothing else, it'll set the wheels in motion. C'mon, guys...."

"I believe Tommy may be right," Zordon said quietly from his tube. "We all made a grave misjudgment in our dealing with the situation. I myself am particularly at fault. The misgivings of the former Rangers were justified. At an earlier point in time, I would never have allowed any Rangers to intervene with matters that were not of direct concern to us. However, I allowed the five of you to step into the business with Jason and his parents, and it cost Jason dearly. We owe it to him now to help him in whatever way possible."

"It's fine for you," Rocky grumbled. "At least Jason can't deck you."

Zordon shook his head slowly. You may be right, Rocky, but I may suffer retribution of a different kind."

"How do you mean?" Kat asked.

"I am sworn not to interfere in the lives of humans," Zordon explained. "Except, of course, when it involves matters of the Morphing Grid, and so on. When I gave permission for the five of you to intervene of behalf of Jason's real father, I directly violated that code. Had it been for Jason's own benefit in the long run, it may have gone unnoticed. But Jason's suffering has been brought to the attention of certain individuals that I am required to answer to. As a result, I have been summoned before them to answer for my crime." Shocked silence fell.

"What'll happen if you're found guilty, or whatever it is?" Tommy asked, not entirely sure he wanted to know.

Zordon looked grim. "I cannot say. But if that happens, I will no longer be able to remain here to guide you all in your fight against Mondo and the Machine Empire. Of that much I am certain."

"But that isn't fair!" Kat burst out. "You didn't know any more than we did, Zordon. Don't they understand that?"

"To a point, yes," Zordon answered. "My intentions were good, as were yours. That has been taken into account."

"Has been?" Adam echoed. "You mean, these people have already dealt with this?"

"The matter has been raised," Zordon told them. "I am currently awaiting judgment."

The silence that followed that statement was intense. Then, finally, Tommy spoke again. "Zordon, when did you find out about everything that was happening to Jason?"

Zordon replied after just a moment's hesitation. "Approximately two months after Jason had been taken back to Chicago by his natural father."

"And you never told us?" Tommy asked incredulously.

"I had already interferred once, at Jason's expense. They demanded my silence until the matter was resolved."

"But you're telling us now," Adam put in.

"Yes, because Jason is no longer in that situation. This is a complicated matter, Rangers. You must not concern yourselves with what may happen to me. As Tommy has suggested, you should do all you can to resolve these problems with Jason."

"That might be easy for you to say," Kat argued, "but where would we be without you? We need you, Zordon!"

A smile touched the ancient wizard's face. "I appreciate the thought, Katherine. Perhaps you may all have a chance to speak on my behalf. But for now, you must focus on healing the wounds between Jason and yourselves."

Tommy nodded reluctantly. "Zordon's right, guys. We have to do this."

A murmur of agreement swept through the group. Tommy looked slowly around at his companions, and his gaze came to rest on Rocky. "Rocky?"

The Blue Ranger pulled a face. "All or none, right? Not much point in you guys going if I don't. And I suppose I don't want Jason angry at me forever."

Tommy smiled with relief. "Okay. Let's go."

Rehab clinic, hospital
"Ready for a walk?" Matt asked as he gently massaged Jason's legs, trying to keep them from locking with tension.

Jason nodded half-heartedly. "Sure."

Matt paused, then rocked back on his heels, looking up at the teen questioningly. "You aren't very enthusiastic. Usually you show a little bit more life than this."

Jason looked away gloomily. The confrontation with Tommy earlier that day still haunted him, and it was starting to make him physically sick. Matt looked to Donavon and Sarah, both of whom looked equally perplexed.

"Why don't you just say what's bothering you?" Matt encouraged him. "C'mon, Jason. You aren't going to do yourself any good by clamming up like this. It certainly isn't going to help your rehab any."

Jason shook his head. "You can't help. Let's just do this, okay?"

Matt sighed inwardly and nodded. "Okay. Just let me get the leg braces."

He stood and turned towards the small pile of equipment on the other side of the room, only to be brought to a halt when a flash of coloured light caught there attention.

"What the hell?" Matt growled, and then his jaw hit the floor when he saw the source of the interruption.

All five Zeo Rangers walked forward a little, and Zeo V spoke. "Please excuse our interruption, but there is something important that we need to take care of."

Matt nodded, quickly recovering from the shock. "And that would be? There aren't any monsters around here. Not since my old boss left."

The Red Ranger glanced at Jason. "We need to talk with Jason. It's very important. Could you please give us just ten or fifteen minutes alone with him?"

Matt looked from the Rangers to Jason. The teen sat stiffly in the wheelchair, and there was an odd look on his face. His gaze went to the Scotts, and Donavon gave a very slight nod. Matt sighed again. "All right. Just ten minutes. I'll be right outside."

He left, and Donavon and Sarah turned to go as well when Tommy spoke up quickly. "We'd like the both of you to stay. After all... We screwed up your lives as well."

Donavon and Sarah exchanged glances, finally understanding what was going on. "No," Donavon said quietly, walking over to stand next to Jason. "You didn't screw up our lives, Tommy. Sarah and I would have ended up going to jail regardless of who caught us. We won't allow you to take the blame for what we went through."

Tommy hesitated, then looked back to Jason, who had remained silent for the duration. "But we are responsible for what happened to you, Jason. We accept that."

Still Jason remained silent, staring at the floor, not knowing how to react. Tommy paused, glancing back at his friends, then moved in close and dropped to his knee in front of Jason, making certain he was within arm's length. "Jase? C'mon, bro, look at me. I know you're angry, but don't you think it's time to let it go? You're hurting yourself now, and you know it."

Finally Jason made himself look up, into the dark visor of the Red Ranger's helmet. For several seconds, nothing happened. Then, Tommy saw the long-suppressed anger flash in Jason's eyes. "You bastard...."

It was barely audible, and Tommy wasn't sure he'd even heard right. Slowly, Jason's hands came up from the wheels of the chair, and curled into tight fists. A single tear worked its way out of his eye and trickled unchecked down the curve of his cheekbone and along his jaw. "You... You never even listened to me..."

"No, I didn't," Tommy conceded softly.

"You handed me over to him I hate you!"

"I know," Tommy murmured, putting up no argument. Jason's right fist lifted off the arm rest of the wheelchair and a moment later, slammed into Tommy's shoulder. It was a powerful punch, even for the condition Jason was in. Had Tommy not been morphed, it would have knocked him over.

Still the Red Ranger put up no protest. Instead, he continued to kneel there, patiently accepting the onslaught. Jason's fists pummeled into Tommy. The teen quickly flew into a blind rage, just as Tommy had anticipated he would. He was screaming hysterically, and could barely even see what or who he was hitting. Nearby, Sarah tried to move closer in concern, but Donavon held her back. Tommy knew what he was doing.

Eventually, minutes later, the attack eased, and finally stopped altogether. Jason collapsed in Tommy's arms, crying helplessly and completely exhausted.

"I'm sorry," Tommy whispered, as tears built up in his own eyes. "I'm so sorry, Jase. Please forgive me."

Adam moved forward then, suspecting Jason had already worn himself out but still willing to take any abuse that might have been remaining. "We're all sorry, Jason. We know we really screwed up big, and you've got every right to hate us. But we want this to end. Hasn't there been enough hurt?"

Tanya moved in and crouched down next to the wheelchair. "Please, Jason. Forgive us? We know we made a terrible mistake, but we can't help being human."

Tommy exchanged a hopeful glance with his friends as he felt Jason's grip on him tighten just a little. "I'm sorry."

It was little more than a whisper. Tommy dared not move, but continued to hug Jason to him. "What?"

Jason spoke while keeping his eyes tightly shut, and his head resting on Tommy's broad shoulder. "I... I don't hate you," Jason whispered, and this time they all heard. "I'm sorry... I couldn't let it go."

"It's okay," Tommy murmured, and he could feel the trembling sensation through Jason's body starting to ease up. "We understand. But you have to let it go now, bro. You can't start to heal properly until you do. I think you know that."

Jason finally moved, and pulled carefully away from Tommy, sitting back in the wheelchair. He brushed the back of one hand across his eyes and it came away wet with tears. "You never meant to hurt me. I know that. I've always known that. It hurt worst that you never listened to me. It felt the same before all this happened, after Trey took back his powers. I felt like you weren't listening to me anymore because I wasn't a Ranger anymore. When you handed over to... to him, it felt like you were just taking advantage of an opportunity to get me out of the picture."

Tommy nodded seriously, hesitated, then carefully removed his helmet so he could look Jason in the eye. "I can understand that. I felt similar after I lost the Green Ranger powers. For a while, part of me kept thinking that you deliberately failed to get the green candle so it would be just the five of you again. I knew all along that that was ridiculous, but it was just the way my mind worked in that circumstance. But we weren't trying to get rid of you anymore than you and Zack, Trini, Billy and Kim were trying to get rid of me back when I was the Green Ranger. You believe that, don't you?"

Jason nodded slowly. "Yes."

"We all made mistakes," Adam put in quietly. "We're sorry, Jase. We really are."

Silence fell for nearly a minute. Then, finally, a half-smile touched the corners of Jason's mouth. "Well I suppose I've tortured you guys enough" he managed to joke. A moment later, the smile faded, and he became serious again. "I'm sorry, too. I knew all along that I couldn't hold onto the anger forever. It wasn't right. But for a while, it was the only thing that helped me to survive. Especially in Chicago. I guess some of him rubbed off on me a little."

"That wasn't your fault," Tanya insisted.

Jason looked away miserably. "One thing.... It's really been haunting me lately.... I was so scared that I'd turn out to be like him. I wanted to get rid of the anger, because I was scared it'd only make me like him."

"It isn't hereditary, Jason," Rocky said softly. "That's just an excuse that people use when they bash their kids. You aren't like him. There's no way you could ever be like him."

Jason hesitated, then smiled again. "Well... I guess I had Goldar to take out my frustration on, didn't I?"

Laughter rippled through the group. Tommy reached up and his hand closed over Jason's shoulder. "Think you can forgive us, bro?"

Jason stared into Tommy's dark eyes for a long moment before closing his own hand over Tommy's. "I think I already have."

~*~

A short distance away, Donavon and Sarah exchanged relieved smiles as Tommy and Jason hugged one another again, that painful chasm of betrayal finally closed, hopefully for good. The fight wasn't over, and they knew it, but the hardest step had finally been taken. Whatever happened from now on, everything would somehow be all right. They were sure of it.