[PR] A Rose By Any Other Name (7/11)
Apr. 17th, 2010 10:04 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
eirenicalSleepy... doing laundry... *yawn* Not feeling babbly today.
Fandom: Power Rangers
Pairing: Andros x Zhane, TJ x Ashley... and beyond that, I'm not telling. ^_~
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: Total -- 56,556; shortest part is 3866 words, longest is 6831, most fall somewhere in between. I tried to keep them uniform... it just didn't quite break down that way. :-P
Warnings: Slash. Not mine. Don't sue.
Summary: Andros and Zhane have fought many battles together, both with and against each other. And no one can cause you pain like the one you love, a lesson they have to learn the hard way. Add in three other Ranger teams and a long-lost sister and even that lesson won't be easy. Sequel to Taking Root and Forget Me Not.
April 17, 2010: Yeah! Fully back in Earth Ranger territory! ^_^ It's all about our favorite old time Rangers this chapter. Good, old Billy, Trini, Kim moments. ^_^ Enjoy!
A Rose By Any Other Name, Part 7
by Renée-chan
It had only been a few days since the Zeo and Lightstar Rangers had left for KO-35, but Jason already felt lonely. After so long without his friend, he had reveled in having Billy by his side for an entire year. To suddenly have him so far away felt... odd. He had tried spending time with his father, but Everett Scott was all but moping around the house -- not that he could blame the man. After all, his wife and son had only just returned home and now Aerin had again taken off for planets unknown. Ironically, Jason felt much the same way without Billy around. Between the two of them, it made for one depressing atmosphere.
Tommy had tried to step in and alleviate some of his loneliness, but it wasn't quite the same and the Green Ranger knew it. As close as he was to Tommy, Billy had always held as a special place in Jason's heart. He had been Jason's first real friend and no matter how much Tommy might wish he could take Billy's place... he couldn't. He could feel Tommy's frustration with his own inability to cheer Jason up and wished he could say something reassuring, but every attempt he made fell flat. Zack had already given up trying and Kimberly... well, Kim was so happy having been able to reclaim any part of her life that Jason didn't have the heart to put any kind of a damper on it.
The one person that he felt could understand, however, was also the person he felt least comfortable discussing the situation with. Trini missed Billy just as badly as he did, Jason was sure. He'd felt her pain as keenly as he'd felt his own when the Platinum Ranger had announced that he would be joining Aerin in space. And that very similarity was why he didn't feel comfortable talking to her. He was starting to be afraid that maybe... just maybe... they might be missing Billy for the same reason.
It had come upon him so quietly, so slowly... it had really caught him unaware. At first, he'd just been happy that he had been able to bring Billy out of his depression, given him a reason to feel happy and useful again. Then once the other man had regained his confidence and started putting his new Powers to the test, Jason not only been happy, he'd been proud. This strong, confident and brave leader was his friend and Jason had helped him get to where he was. The new Platinum Ranger was a force to be reckoned with, even Aerin agreed with that. And once that change had settled and Jason had truly had a chance to watch his friend in action... he found that he was feeling something new. He admired Billy.
The Wolf-guided Ranger was grace in both motion and thought and his fighting ability had improved astronomically during their time on Phaedos. Always before, Jason had felt that the friendship between them was clearly defined with Jason the leader and Billy the follower. That had now shifted to put them on more equal footing and Jason wasn't quite sure when it had happened. However, he had to admit he was glad of the change. Now, he felt that if he needed someone to lean on, he could lean on Billy... and Billy could take it.
That realization was both thrilling and unnerving. It upset the delicate balance that the two had set years ago and put thoughts into his head that he wasn't sure what to do with. And that made him feel doubly awkward around Trini because, unlike Jason, she had always seen this side of Billy. It shamed him that it had taken the outward changes to make him do the same. So, he avoided her. Which wasn't going to work for much longer because this was Trini he was talking about. She was quick and she was clever and she'd probably already figured out that he was tying himself up in knots over something. It was only a matter of time before she sought him out. He just prayed that he'd have figured out what to say to her by the time she did.
The Yellow Ranger couldn't help but sigh as she sat at Ernie's Juice Bar and watched Kimberly with her newest band of Gold medal-hungry gymnasts. She was happy that her friend had found some measure of peace doing something she loved. Really, she was. Kim had had a hard go of it over the last year. She hadn't wanted to tell her best friend at first, but Trini had been patient and eventually coaxed the story out of her. She had been mortified that Kim had gone through such horrible experiences and hadn't told her -- and worse, that Trini hadn't even guessed that something was wrong. Fortunately, Kimberly knew her best friend well and hadn't allowed her to dwell overly long on her guilt, had instead forced her to focus on how happy Kim was now and how well things had all turned out. Trini had never much accepted the argument of the ends justifying the means, but Kim was persistent and Trini had reluctantly let go of her guilt.
It had been hard this last month, settling back into their lives after so long away. Kim, Zack and Trini had, ironically enough, had the easiest time of it. After all, they'd been gone from Angel Grove for longer than this year. They would have had to start over anyway. Zack had gotten a job at a local dance studio, spending half his time teaching and half his time dancing professionally. Trini had enrolled at Angel Grove University, taking classes part-time and using the remaining time to teach a self-defense class at Ernie's. Tommy had been at loose ends in the beginning, but had recently managed to find a place for himself by offering to take over for Rocky at the dojo until he came back. They all had found that they were happiest when teaching others, helping them to find confidence in themselves.
And that brought her to the last member of their group -- or perhaps she should say the first -- and the reason for the sighing. Jason, their oh-so-fearless Leader, had yet to find a new place for himself in Angel Grove. When he had first come back to take on the Gold Ranger powers, he had been able to resume his final year at Angel Grove High. Now, though, that was over. They were no longer in high school and, of all of them, only Trini had decided to pursue any higher education. They might all go back eventually, but she thought that for now, they were feeling the pressure of being active Rangers again for the first time in too long. The others didn't feel up to the added burden of keeping up with classes. Jason was no exception, but he had yet to find a job to help pass the time, either. That left him without purpose and too often alone. It wasn't healthy. She was going to have to talk to him eventually.
Mind made up, Trini turned her attention back to her friend. Kim had just finished up with her class and bounded up the stairs to join Trini at the bar. She eyed the Yellow Ranger with a critical look, then shook her head, "OK, Trini. You're better at this than I am, so you'll have to forgive my being blunt. Why the long face?"
Trini's mouth stretched into a smile. How much she'd missed having a friend who knew her so well! Too bad she didn't feel like sharing. She answered, "Nothing in particular."
Apparently, that had been the wrong thing to say. Kim's eyes narrowed and her lips pulled down into a frown. One thing Trini had to admit -- Kim's time on the streets had done wonders for her powers of observation and perception. It was getting harder and harder to hide things from her formerly oblivious friend. Kim said simply, "I think we both know that's not true. Now, if I were to guess, I'd have to say that your moping has something to do with Billy leaving. Am I right?" A bright smile accompanied that last question.
Though she didn't really want to, Trini couldn't help but laugh. No matter how things changed, they really did stay the same. The first thought in Kimberly's mind was often boys. And in a way she was right -- this was about a boy. It just wasn't about that boy, "No, Kim. It's not about Billy. Yes, I do miss him... but that's not what I was thinking about."
Kim frowned, thoughtful, "Well, if it isn't about Billy... Is it about Jason?"
OK... that startled her. In spite of constant evidence to the contrary, on some level, Trini still expected her friend to be flighty and just a little bit self-centered and shallow. She kept forgetting that Kim was now anything but. Her friend had grown up. She took a sip of her smoothie to hide her discomfort, "What makes you say that?"
The Pink Ranger just smiled, "Hit the nail on the head, did I?"
Trini let out a good-natured laugh before answering, "Yes, I'm thinking about Jason. I don't like how he sits around the house all day, joining his father in that... mope-fest. He needs to get out and do something!" She dropped her voice to a whisper, "At this point even a monster attack would be helpful!"
A quiet nod met that last comment, "I know what you mean. Even those of us that have something to do are getting a little stir crazy. I guess we all figured that once we were 'officially' back, it would be right back to monster-of-the-week. I keep feeling like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop."
Trini nodded, "Exactly! And Jason seems to be taking it worse than the rest of us. Maybe because he's the 'Leader', he feels like this should be all he does..."
The Pink Ranger shook her head, "But that's stupid! It doesn't work that way here on Earth and he should know that by now. Trini..." A slight pause, "Maybe you should go talk to him?"
"You know, Kim... I think that's a great idea," was Trini's answer as the light of a challenge fired up in her eyes. She would get out of their Red Ranger what was bothering him... if she had to kill one of them to do it!
Jason was anything but pleased when his father knocked on the door to his room to tell him that he had a visitor. Kim was teaching classes at Ernie's, Tommy was teaching classes at the dojo, Zack had a video shoot lined up for today... which left only one person that would be coming around to visit. And he still hadn't thought of a single thing to say to her. He was desperately trying to come up with something right up to the moment when she walked up to his bedroom door and knocked on the door frame with a gentle smile, "Is this a private reverie or can anyone join?"
With a purely mental sigh, Jason pasted a smile of his own on his face and gestured for Trini to take a seat, "Not at all, Trini. Please, feel free."
The Yellow Ranger crossed the room to settle down on the couch. Right away, Jason noticed that something was off. Unlike the confident exterior she usually sported, today she looked almost nervous. Hell, she was fidgeting. Trini didn't fidget. Usually there wasn't a single wasted motion or wasted word in her arsenal. It put Jason even more on edge than he had been.
It shouldn't be so hard to hold a conversation with a friend, he couldn't help but think. It shouldn't be so hard to say something real, to speak words that meant something. It shouldn't be so hard to share a simple truth. It really shouldn't. But somehow, it was.
It was hard because this so simple truth could destroy something far simpler and far more precious: a friendship. This friendship had stood the test of time, had weathered the winds of junior high and the storms of high school as well as the many trials and challenges they'd faced at the Peace Conference and as Rangers. But somehow Jason wasn't sure it could weather this.
After several minutes of sitting and staring at each other, several minutes of trying to ignore the very large pink elephant that they both knew was in the room, Trini moved off the couch to sit next to him on the bed. She rested a gentle hand on Jason's shoulder, "Whatever the cause, a burden is usually less so when shared, Jason."
A bitter laugh escaped his lips before he could stop it. Ignoring her startled look, Jason shook his head, "Not this burden Trini... trust me."
Trini crossed her arms over her chest, frustrated at being rebuffed. Normally by the time she got around to confronting Jason about whatever mood he was in, he would drop any pretense of everything being OK and tell her what she needed to know to fix the situation. This was the first time that he had proved so reticent. Even now, when they both knew something was wrong, he was refusing to talk. It was maddening. So what could possibly be the cause of this much strife? What could possibly be so horrifying to their Red Ranger that he would refuse her offer of help?
In a moment of blinding clarity, Trini finally understood. Well, Kim... it looks like you were right, after all... She turned to Jason and offered him as sympathetic a look as she could, then stated her suspicion as fact, "This is about Billy."
Even though she was no psychic, there was no way that Trini could have missed the flare of panic in her friend's eyes. He jerked off the bed and across the room, a blush that nearly matched his tee-shirt staining his cheeks, "I have no idea what you're talking about, Trini."
Of course you don't... Trini shook her head, "Yes, I think you do." She took a deep breath and plunged on ahead, "It's OK to miss him, Jason. We all do. It's been hard on all of us that even though he's back, he isn't back with us. This recent separation just drove that home. It's completely understandable that you're upset about it."
Jason looked away, unable to meet her eyes any longer. Some inner voice was prompting him to let her think that that was everything. It would be so easy and it would get him off the hook in more ways than one. Just let her think that he missed having Billy as part of the team and step back from this craziness before it was too late. Except... he couldn't do that. He couldn't lie to Trini. He never could. Bowing his head to the inevitable and praying that he wasn't about to rip his team apart so soon after it had been rebuilt, he said, "It's not just the missing him, Trini. I think you know that."
Well... that's a surprise. After all that blowing smoke, I didn't think he'd outright own up to it. But this, at least, was more the Jason that she knew. He was caught and he knew it and he wouldn't try to duck around her anymore. But it was a surprise -- she had thought that Jason wasn't even aware of why he was so upset... maybe there was more going on here than she'd thought. Well, best to let him tell her. She nodded, "I think I do, Jason. So why don't we get it out in the open between us."
Finally turning back to face her, Jason got the words out in a terrified whisper, "Sometime in this last year... I think I fell in love with Billy."
And there it was. She'd known about this for some time. She'd seen the beginnings of it when she and Zack had come back from the peace conference. There was a connection between the two old friends that had never been there before, an added layer of trust... a deeper level of feeling. In truth, she'd been wildly jealous at first. After all, she had only just acknowledged to herself that she might be harboring feelings for the ex-Blue Ranger. But it wasn't in Trini's nature to be jealous, especially not of two of her closest friends. So, she had stepped back and watched and waited. She had to know if there was anything between them before she said anything about it. If there was, then she would just let time take its course -- with a little help, naturally -- and if there wasn't, then she would step up and let Billy know about her own feelings.
It had taken more than a little willpower, however, not to interfere before it was time. She had found herself wanting to whack her head against a tree more than once while they were on Phaedos. Men in general were hopeless at relationships. Two men on the other hand... it was a recipe for disaster. She had begun to think that neither one even knew they were courting the other. Well, now she knew that she had been right. Not only that, but now Billy's fleeing into space with Aerin and the Lightstar Rangers made sense. He didn't want to get caught between she and Jason, his two best friends, and he desperately didn't want to make either of them unhappy. If he had figured out that this little dance between he and Jason meant more than just friendship... it explained why he had cut and run the way he had.
Well, now having proof right in front of her that both boys felt the same way, it wouldn't be right of her to throw her own feelings into the mix. She was sad, really, that she hadn't said something sooner... but it might just be for the best. Jason and Billy had always been good for each other and now that Billy had stepped up to his own sense of responsibility and purpose, they would balance each other well. And she had faith that she would find someone of her own eventually. She would just have to be patient.
Resolve set, she gave Jason a smile of true happiness as she delivered the coup de grace, "And here I thought you'd never figure that out!"
As for Jason... he stared at her like she'd just jumped up on a table and started spouting Chinese poetry, "You... you... what??"
Really... this was almost fun. Trini stood up from the bed and moved over to stand in front of Jason, "You've both been pussy-footing around this for over a year. To be honest, I thought I was going to have to step in and give you both a good hard shove." Unable to stand the utterly poleaxed expression on her friend's face, Trini raised a hand to his cheek and forced him to meet her eyes, "Jason, this isn't something you should be ashamed of or scared of. This is something you should be happy about."
Jason took that hand in one of his and lowered it from his face, brown eyes searching Trini's black ones, "You can't honestly mean that you don't mind. Trini, you can't."
Before she could even begin to claim exactly that, Jason ran right over her with a quiet, "Trini, please remember that I'm an Empath."
Oh... whoops. Trini looked away, unable to bear the intensity in the Red Ranger's eyes. She was embarrassed to admit it, but she had forgotten. In the heat of the moment, in doing her best to do the right thing for all of them, she had forgotten the one thing that she shouldn't have. That when it came to everyone else's happiness compared to his own, Jason was the only person on their team more self-sacrificing than she. And it made so many things make sense. He had figured out that he loved Billy. He just hadn't said anything because he knew she did, as well. She sighed, "Well... there went that easy fix."
To her surprise, Jason laughed. It startled her so much and his laugh was so infectious, that she found herself laughing right along with him. When they finally sobered up enough to speak again, she said, "Really Jason, I don't mind. I think you'd both be good for each other." Jason made as though to interrupt but she held up a hand and shook her head, "I won't deny my feelings for him, Jason. You're right enough about that. But... more important than how I feel is how he feels. And I know you've been resisting peeking because you think it's cheating..." Truthfully, she'd been uncertain that that was true until she saw his blush in response to her comment, "...but I can tell you this because I know him -- he fell in love with you, too."
The Red Ranger sat down heavily on the couch, confused once again, "But he was always talking about you like he had a crush. I always figured... Doesn't it make more sense for him to be with you?"
Trini sat down next to Jason and wrapped an arm around his shoulders, "If by 'sense' you mean 'traditional', then yes, I suppose it does. But, 'traditionally' none of us would be running around in skin-tight body armor protecting the planet from monsters every week, either." That startled another laugh out of him. She continued, "Nothing about our lives to this point has been normal, Jason. Why should who we love be? Besides, you've hit the nail on the head. Regardless of my feelings for Billy, I think... no. I know he doesn't feel that way for me. Yes, he had a crush and yes, he cares for me... but it isn't that kind of love. He just isn't experienced enough to know that yet and I think he got himself a little confused."
Understanding lit those deep brown orbs, "So he ran."
She nodded, "So he ran." She squeezed Jason's shoulders in a one-armed hug, "Give him time to get over the fear of the unknown. Give him time to come back and realize what he could have with you. Then we'll see what happens from there, OK?"
Jason looked down at the diminutive Asian girl who looked so deceptively fragile and felt a warm rush of gratitude. Why had he put this off for so long? He should have known better. Well, next time, he would know better. And if Trini was so determined to put his happiness above her own... he'd just have to make it up to her by helping her to find her own happiness. That was a mission that he would gladly accept. He smiled and gave her a hug of his own, "OK, Trini. You're on!"
A/N:
Jason: *blinkblink* Well... that wasn't as painful as I thought it would be.
R-chan: *bright smile* See? I know what's best for you. *patpat*
Trini: *wistful sigh*
Master Post and Chapter List
Questions, comments, honeydew?
Coming Soon: And back on the AstroMegaship... Andros is up to his usual solo-mission shenanigans and Zhane has finally had enough. Meanwhile, Astronema hatches an ingenious plot... except that it will be her ultimate downfall.
Fandom: Power Rangers
Pairing: Andros x Zhane, TJ x Ashley... and beyond that, I'm not telling. ^_~
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: Total -- 56,556; shortest part is 3866 words, longest is 6831, most fall somewhere in between. I tried to keep them uniform... it just didn't quite break down that way. :-P
Warnings: Slash. Not mine. Don't sue.
Summary: Andros and Zhane have fought many battles together, both with and against each other. And no one can cause you pain like the one you love, a lesson they have to learn the hard way. Add in three other Ranger teams and a long-lost sister and even that lesson won't be easy. Sequel to Taking Root and Forget Me Not.
April 17, 2010: Yeah! Fully back in Earth Ranger territory! ^_^ It's all about our favorite old time Rangers this chapter. Good, old Billy, Trini, Kim moments. ^_^ Enjoy!
by Renée-chan
It had only been a few days since the Zeo and Lightstar Rangers had left for KO-35, but Jason already felt lonely. After so long without his friend, he had reveled in having Billy by his side for an entire year. To suddenly have him so far away felt... odd. He had tried spending time with his father, but Everett Scott was all but moping around the house -- not that he could blame the man. After all, his wife and son had only just returned home and now Aerin had again taken off for planets unknown. Ironically, Jason felt much the same way without Billy around. Between the two of them, it made for one depressing atmosphere.
Tommy had tried to step in and alleviate some of his loneliness, but it wasn't quite the same and the Green Ranger knew it. As close as he was to Tommy, Billy had always held as a special place in Jason's heart. He had been Jason's first real friend and no matter how much Tommy might wish he could take Billy's place... he couldn't. He could feel Tommy's frustration with his own inability to cheer Jason up and wished he could say something reassuring, but every attempt he made fell flat. Zack had already given up trying and Kimberly... well, Kim was so happy having been able to reclaim any part of her life that Jason didn't have the heart to put any kind of a damper on it.
The one person that he felt could understand, however, was also the person he felt least comfortable discussing the situation with. Trini missed Billy just as badly as he did, Jason was sure. He'd felt her pain as keenly as he'd felt his own when the Platinum Ranger had announced that he would be joining Aerin in space. And that very similarity was why he didn't feel comfortable talking to her. He was starting to be afraid that maybe... just maybe... they might be missing Billy for the same reason.
It had come upon him so quietly, so slowly... it had really caught him unaware. At first, he'd just been happy that he had been able to bring Billy out of his depression, given him a reason to feel happy and useful again. Then once the other man had regained his confidence and started putting his new Powers to the test, Jason not only been happy, he'd been proud. This strong, confident and brave leader was his friend and Jason had helped him get to where he was. The new Platinum Ranger was a force to be reckoned with, even Aerin agreed with that. And once that change had settled and Jason had truly had a chance to watch his friend in action... he found that he was feeling something new. He admired Billy.
The Wolf-guided Ranger was grace in both motion and thought and his fighting ability had improved astronomically during their time on Phaedos. Always before, Jason had felt that the friendship between them was clearly defined with Jason the leader and Billy the follower. That had now shifted to put them on more equal footing and Jason wasn't quite sure when it had happened. However, he had to admit he was glad of the change. Now, he felt that if he needed someone to lean on, he could lean on Billy... and Billy could take it.
That realization was both thrilling and unnerving. It upset the delicate balance that the two had set years ago and put thoughts into his head that he wasn't sure what to do with. And that made him feel doubly awkward around Trini because, unlike Jason, she had always seen this side of Billy. It shamed him that it had taken the outward changes to make him do the same. So, he avoided her. Which wasn't going to work for much longer because this was Trini he was talking about. She was quick and she was clever and she'd probably already figured out that he was tying himself up in knots over something. It was only a matter of time before she sought him out. He just prayed that he'd have figured out what to say to her by the time she did.
The Yellow Ranger couldn't help but sigh as she sat at Ernie's Juice Bar and watched Kimberly with her newest band of Gold medal-hungry gymnasts. She was happy that her friend had found some measure of peace doing something she loved. Really, she was. Kim had had a hard go of it over the last year. She hadn't wanted to tell her best friend at first, but Trini had been patient and eventually coaxed the story out of her. She had been mortified that Kim had gone through such horrible experiences and hadn't told her -- and worse, that Trini hadn't even guessed that something was wrong. Fortunately, Kimberly knew her best friend well and hadn't allowed her to dwell overly long on her guilt, had instead forced her to focus on how happy Kim was now and how well things had all turned out. Trini had never much accepted the argument of the ends justifying the means, but Kim was persistent and Trini had reluctantly let go of her guilt.
It had been hard this last month, settling back into their lives after so long away. Kim, Zack and Trini had, ironically enough, had the easiest time of it. After all, they'd been gone from Angel Grove for longer than this year. They would have had to start over anyway. Zack had gotten a job at a local dance studio, spending half his time teaching and half his time dancing professionally. Trini had enrolled at Angel Grove University, taking classes part-time and using the remaining time to teach a self-defense class at Ernie's. Tommy had been at loose ends in the beginning, but had recently managed to find a place for himself by offering to take over for Rocky at the dojo until he came back. They all had found that they were happiest when teaching others, helping them to find confidence in themselves.
And that brought her to the last member of their group -- or perhaps she should say the first -- and the reason for the sighing. Jason, their oh-so-fearless Leader, had yet to find a new place for himself in Angel Grove. When he had first come back to take on the Gold Ranger powers, he had been able to resume his final year at Angel Grove High. Now, though, that was over. They were no longer in high school and, of all of them, only Trini had decided to pursue any higher education. They might all go back eventually, but she thought that for now, they were feeling the pressure of being active Rangers again for the first time in too long. The others didn't feel up to the added burden of keeping up with classes. Jason was no exception, but he had yet to find a job to help pass the time, either. That left him without purpose and too often alone. It wasn't healthy. She was going to have to talk to him eventually.
Mind made up, Trini turned her attention back to her friend. Kim had just finished up with her class and bounded up the stairs to join Trini at the bar. She eyed the Yellow Ranger with a critical look, then shook her head, "OK, Trini. You're better at this than I am, so you'll have to forgive my being blunt. Why the long face?"
Trini's mouth stretched into a smile. How much she'd missed having a friend who knew her so well! Too bad she didn't feel like sharing. She answered, "Nothing in particular."
Apparently, that had been the wrong thing to say. Kim's eyes narrowed and her lips pulled down into a frown. One thing Trini had to admit -- Kim's time on the streets had done wonders for her powers of observation and perception. It was getting harder and harder to hide things from her formerly oblivious friend. Kim said simply, "I think we both know that's not true. Now, if I were to guess, I'd have to say that your moping has something to do with Billy leaving. Am I right?" A bright smile accompanied that last question.
Though she didn't really want to, Trini couldn't help but laugh. No matter how things changed, they really did stay the same. The first thought in Kimberly's mind was often boys. And in a way she was right -- this was about a boy. It just wasn't about that boy, "No, Kim. It's not about Billy. Yes, I do miss him... but that's not what I was thinking about."
Kim frowned, thoughtful, "Well, if it isn't about Billy... Is it about Jason?"
OK... that startled her. In spite of constant evidence to the contrary, on some level, Trini still expected her friend to be flighty and just a little bit self-centered and shallow. She kept forgetting that Kim was now anything but. Her friend had grown up. She took a sip of her smoothie to hide her discomfort, "What makes you say that?"
The Pink Ranger just smiled, "Hit the nail on the head, did I?"
Trini let out a good-natured laugh before answering, "Yes, I'm thinking about Jason. I don't like how he sits around the house all day, joining his father in that... mope-fest. He needs to get out and do something!" She dropped her voice to a whisper, "At this point even a monster attack would be helpful!"
A quiet nod met that last comment, "I know what you mean. Even those of us that have something to do are getting a little stir crazy. I guess we all figured that once we were 'officially' back, it would be right back to monster-of-the-week. I keep feeling like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop."
Trini nodded, "Exactly! And Jason seems to be taking it worse than the rest of us. Maybe because he's the 'Leader', he feels like this should be all he does..."
The Pink Ranger shook her head, "But that's stupid! It doesn't work that way here on Earth and he should know that by now. Trini..." A slight pause, "Maybe you should go talk to him?"
"You know, Kim... I think that's a great idea," was Trini's answer as the light of a challenge fired up in her eyes. She would get out of their Red Ranger what was bothering him... if she had to kill one of them to do it!
Jason was anything but pleased when his father knocked on the door to his room to tell him that he had a visitor. Kim was teaching classes at Ernie's, Tommy was teaching classes at the dojo, Zack had a video shoot lined up for today... which left only one person that would be coming around to visit. And he still hadn't thought of a single thing to say to her. He was desperately trying to come up with something right up to the moment when she walked up to his bedroom door and knocked on the door frame with a gentle smile, "Is this a private reverie or can anyone join?"
With a purely mental sigh, Jason pasted a smile of his own on his face and gestured for Trini to take a seat, "Not at all, Trini. Please, feel free."
The Yellow Ranger crossed the room to settle down on the couch. Right away, Jason noticed that something was off. Unlike the confident exterior she usually sported, today she looked almost nervous. Hell, she was fidgeting. Trini didn't fidget. Usually there wasn't a single wasted motion or wasted word in her arsenal. It put Jason even more on edge than he had been.
It shouldn't be so hard to hold a conversation with a friend, he couldn't help but think. It shouldn't be so hard to say something real, to speak words that meant something. It shouldn't be so hard to share a simple truth. It really shouldn't. But somehow, it was.
It was hard because this so simple truth could destroy something far simpler and far more precious: a friendship. This friendship had stood the test of time, had weathered the winds of junior high and the storms of high school as well as the many trials and challenges they'd faced at the Peace Conference and as Rangers. But somehow Jason wasn't sure it could weather this.
After several minutes of sitting and staring at each other, several minutes of trying to ignore the very large pink elephant that they both knew was in the room, Trini moved off the couch to sit next to him on the bed. She rested a gentle hand on Jason's shoulder, "Whatever the cause, a burden is usually less so when shared, Jason."
A bitter laugh escaped his lips before he could stop it. Ignoring her startled look, Jason shook his head, "Not this burden Trini... trust me."
Trini crossed her arms over her chest, frustrated at being rebuffed. Normally by the time she got around to confronting Jason about whatever mood he was in, he would drop any pretense of everything being OK and tell her what she needed to know to fix the situation. This was the first time that he had proved so reticent. Even now, when they both knew something was wrong, he was refusing to talk. It was maddening. So what could possibly be the cause of this much strife? What could possibly be so horrifying to their Red Ranger that he would refuse her offer of help?
In a moment of blinding clarity, Trini finally understood. Well, Kim... it looks like you were right, after all... She turned to Jason and offered him as sympathetic a look as she could, then stated her suspicion as fact, "This is about Billy."
Even though she was no psychic, there was no way that Trini could have missed the flare of panic in her friend's eyes. He jerked off the bed and across the room, a blush that nearly matched his tee-shirt staining his cheeks, "I have no idea what you're talking about, Trini."
Of course you don't... Trini shook her head, "Yes, I think you do." She took a deep breath and plunged on ahead, "It's OK to miss him, Jason. We all do. It's been hard on all of us that even though he's back, he isn't back with us. This recent separation just drove that home. It's completely understandable that you're upset about it."
Jason looked away, unable to meet her eyes any longer. Some inner voice was prompting him to let her think that that was everything. It would be so easy and it would get him off the hook in more ways than one. Just let her think that he missed having Billy as part of the team and step back from this craziness before it was too late. Except... he couldn't do that. He couldn't lie to Trini. He never could. Bowing his head to the inevitable and praying that he wasn't about to rip his team apart so soon after it had been rebuilt, he said, "It's not just the missing him, Trini. I think you know that."
Well... that's a surprise. After all that blowing smoke, I didn't think he'd outright own up to it. But this, at least, was more the Jason that she knew. He was caught and he knew it and he wouldn't try to duck around her anymore. But it was a surprise -- she had thought that Jason wasn't even aware of why he was so upset... maybe there was more going on here than she'd thought. Well, best to let him tell her. She nodded, "I think I do, Jason. So why don't we get it out in the open between us."
Finally turning back to face her, Jason got the words out in a terrified whisper, "Sometime in this last year... I think I fell in love with Billy."
And there it was. She'd known about this for some time. She'd seen the beginnings of it when she and Zack had come back from the peace conference. There was a connection between the two old friends that had never been there before, an added layer of trust... a deeper level of feeling. In truth, she'd been wildly jealous at first. After all, she had only just acknowledged to herself that she might be harboring feelings for the ex-Blue Ranger. But it wasn't in Trini's nature to be jealous, especially not of two of her closest friends. So, she had stepped back and watched and waited. She had to know if there was anything between them before she said anything about it. If there was, then she would just let time take its course -- with a little help, naturally -- and if there wasn't, then she would step up and let Billy know about her own feelings.
It had taken more than a little willpower, however, not to interfere before it was time. She had found herself wanting to whack her head against a tree more than once while they were on Phaedos. Men in general were hopeless at relationships. Two men on the other hand... it was a recipe for disaster. She had begun to think that neither one even knew they were courting the other. Well, now she knew that she had been right. Not only that, but now Billy's fleeing into space with Aerin and the Lightstar Rangers made sense. He didn't want to get caught between she and Jason, his two best friends, and he desperately didn't want to make either of them unhappy. If he had figured out that this little dance between he and Jason meant more than just friendship... it explained why he had cut and run the way he had.
Well, now having proof right in front of her that both boys felt the same way, it wouldn't be right of her to throw her own feelings into the mix. She was sad, really, that she hadn't said something sooner... but it might just be for the best. Jason and Billy had always been good for each other and now that Billy had stepped up to his own sense of responsibility and purpose, they would balance each other well. And she had faith that she would find someone of her own eventually. She would just have to be patient.
Resolve set, she gave Jason a smile of true happiness as she delivered the coup de grace, "And here I thought you'd never figure that out!"
As for Jason... he stared at her like she'd just jumped up on a table and started spouting Chinese poetry, "You... you... what??"
Really... this was almost fun. Trini stood up from the bed and moved over to stand in front of Jason, "You've both been pussy-footing around this for over a year. To be honest, I thought I was going to have to step in and give you both a good hard shove." Unable to stand the utterly poleaxed expression on her friend's face, Trini raised a hand to his cheek and forced him to meet her eyes, "Jason, this isn't something you should be ashamed of or scared of. This is something you should be happy about."
Jason took that hand in one of his and lowered it from his face, brown eyes searching Trini's black ones, "You can't honestly mean that you don't mind. Trini, you can't."
Before she could even begin to claim exactly that, Jason ran right over her with a quiet, "Trini, please remember that I'm an Empath."
Oh... whoops. Trini looked away, unable to bear the intensity in the Red Ranger's eyes. She was embarrassed to admit it, but she had forgotten. In the heat of the moment, in doing her best to do the right thing for all of them, she had forgotten the one thing that she shouldn't have. That when it came to everyone else's happiness compared to his own, Jason was the only person on their team more self-sacrificing than she. And it made so many things make sense. He had figured out that he loved Billy. He just hadn't said anything because he knew she did, as well. She sighed, "Well... there went that easy fix."
To her surprise, Jason laughed. It startled her so much and his laugh was so infectious, that she found herself laughing right along with him. When they finally sobered up enough to speak again, she said, "Really Jason, I don't mind. I think you'd both be good for each other." Jason made as though to interrupt but she held up a hand and shook her head, "I won't deny my feelings for him, Jason. You're right enough about that. But... more important than how I feel is how he feels. And I know you've been resisting peeking because you think it's cheating..." Truthfully, she'd been uncertain that that was true until she saw his blush in response to her comment, "...but I can tell you this because I know him -- he fell in love with you, too."
The Red Ranger sat down heavily on the couch, confused once again, "But he was always talking about you like he had a crush. I always figured... Doesn't it make more sense for him to be with you?"
Trini sat down next to Jason and wrapped an arm around his shoulders, "If by 'sense' you mean 'traditional', then yes, I suppose it does. But, 'traditionally' none of us would be running around in skin-tight body armor protecting the planet from monsters every week, either." That startled another laugh out of him. She continued, "Nothing about our lives to this point has been normal, Jason. Why should who we love be? Besides, you've hit the nail on the head. Regardless of my feelings for Billy, I think... no. I know he doesn't feel that way for me. Yes, he had a crush and yes, he cares for me... but it isn't that kind of love. He just isn't experienced enough to know that yet and I think he got himself a little confused."
Understanding lit those deep brown orbs, "So he ran."
She nodded, "So he ran." She squeezed Jason's shoulders in a one-armed hug, "Give him time to get over the fear of the unknown. Give him time to come back and realize what he could have with you. Then we'll see what happens from there, OK?"
Jason looked down at the diminutive Asian girl who looked so deceptively fragile and felt a warm rush of gratitude. Why had he put this off for so long? He should have known better. Well, next time, he would know better. And if Trini was so determined to put his happiness above her own... he'd just have to make it up to her by helping her to find her own happiness. That was a mission that he would gladly accept. He smiled and gave her a hug of his own, "OK, Trini. You're on!"
A/N:
Jason: *blinkblink* Well... that wasn't as painful as I thought it would be.
R-chan: *bright smile* See? I know what's best for you. *patpat*
Trini: *wistful sigh*
Master Post and Chapter List
Questions, comments, honeydew?
Coming Soon: And back on the AstroMegaship... Andros is up to his usual solo-mission shenanigans and Zhane has finally had enough. Meanwhile, Astronema hatches an ingenious plot... except that it will be her ultimate downfall.
