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Author�s Note: I sincerely hope that this chapter does justice to the previous chapter and Red and White.

Special thanks to all of you who are reading for your faith in me and my work. If it wasn�t for you guys, I wouldn�t be where I am today. (No, I�m not stopping in my work - lol) Just acknowledging you all, that�s all.

Tommy winced as the bag of ice was placed on his bruised, almost swollen jaw. Served him right for trying to take on too many cogs at once. He didn�t admit it but he had been trying to take his anger out on something, and the cogs had been in his way. Too bad for them, they had gotten as good a beating from him as he had gotten from them. But it was the result of the beating which was worse.

He winced again as he properly supported the bag on his face.

�Served you right.� Rocky shook his head and wagged his finger at Tommy.

�Leave him alone,� Adam grumbled. �Your lecture is going to give me a headache.� He closed his eyes in hopes it would stop the dizziness he had gotten earlier from his fight with the cogs.

�Yea, whatever.� Rocky ignored Adam.

�How come you don�t have any injuries?� Tommy spoke slowly and faintly.

�Cos I used my weapon, unlike some idiots,� Rocky told him while he took another ice bag out of the freezer. He heard Adam smirk. �And adding to that I had the girls,� he said, referring to the Pink and Yellow Rangers.

Adam muffed an oath. �Lucky you.�

Rocky grinned as he seated himself.

�Yep, lucky me,� he mocked as he bounced up and down on his seat. �Two good looking females in spandex...� he elaborated with a sigh. �Who wouldn�t want to be in my place?� and dodged when Adam threw a small cushion in his direction.

Tommy laughed.

�Laugh all you want, Mr. Oliver, but I wasn�t the one who was angry.� Rocky turned in Tommy�s direction.

�What�s that supposed to mean?� Tommy blinked, trying to look as blank as possible.

�He�s talking about Jason�s return.� Adam said it on the Blue Ranger�s behalf.

�What about it?� His throat was tight, he gulped and shifted in his seat.

�Come on, Tommy.� Adam leaned forward, ignoring the spinning room around him. �Don�t tell me his return and the fact he hasn�t spoken to you since he came back isn�t getting to you?�

�Why should it...get to me?� Tommy tried to relax, but he was aware of Adam�s prodding and the fact he was right on target. �I�ve been busy with rangering and school.� He faked up an excuse.

�You�re a lame liar, you know that,� Rocky spoke as he popped a peanut in his mouth.

�Like you�re any better,� Tommy growled at Rocky.

�Oh! I am indeed.� He batted his lashes at the former White Ranger. �Come on, spill it out, whatever is biting you!� Rocky clapped his hands confidently.

�Nothing�s biting me!� Tommy exclaimed.

�Really?� Rocky asked in mock shock. �And here I thought a bug was in your brain.�

Adam laughed. �Ow, you�re making my head hurt, Rocko,� he told the Blue Ranger without looking at him.

�OK then.� Rocky ignored Adam again. �When are you going to tell Kat and Tanya...and Billy for Christ�s sake.� He made a disgusted face.

�Tell them what?� Tommy asked tightly.

�That Jason�s back!� Rocky leaned over, placing his elbows on his knees; he calmly looked at his leader.

�They know,� he protested.

�Yes, they do.� The Blue Zeo paused. �But when are you going to introduce Kat and Tanya to him?� he questioned thoughtfully.

�Is that necessary?� Even to himself that question sounded dim.

�No, not really, but it might be worth it. To keep...� he gestured with his hands, �the former Ranger up to date with the current team and vice versa.�

�He�s right, ya know,� Adam said to Tommy as he moved from his position gently, �even Jason might have some questions. I mean he would have noticed the changes, right?�

Tommy remembered the anger he had seen in Jason�s eyes a few days back. Did he really dare to believe that there might be a chance the two of them could talk without a heated discussion? �Yea,� Tommy said as he removed the ice bag, when his jaw was numb. �He would have.�

Billy threw the pen on the table, frustrated. He was at a loss, for the first time in his life he wasn�t sure where he stood, with a friendship long forgotten and with the ones he knew today. He didn�t want to talk to the Zeo team, since it wasn�t his team, he wasn�t fully part of it, and he was just a side asset the Rangers had. Just a guy who bailed them out of trouble whenever they needed him to; simply since they couldn�t understand how the computer in the Power Chamber worked. He hadn�t felt like this in years, and didn�t think he might one day be back to square one.

He blew out a deep breath, and rubbed his tired eyes. He had been working on a project since noon and it was close to nine at night. He wasn�t even halfway through it. Heck, he might never even finish it. So why was he wasting his time?

�Ever heard of the word break?� a deep voice asked dryly.

Billy turned around sharply, and saw Jason leaning near the door jam.

�And you care because?� Billy asked bluntly.

Jason shrugged. �Never liked seeing you work long hours.�

The former blue Ranger smirked, and eyed his onetime leader. �What�re you doing here?� He addressed his old friend carefully.

Hurt by the remark, Jason forced himself to look at the genius next to him. �Can�t an old friend come and see the ones he left behind?�

�Kinda odd coming from someone who barely had time for the same old friends.� Billy got up and rolled up his work.

Now that stung, Jason thought. �Well I...I...� He failed to continue. He took a deep breath. �OK, so I deserve that,� Jason acknowledged.

�Yea?� Billy angled his head.

�Don�t push your luck, blue boy.� Jason shook his head and wagged his finger at his Blue Ranger.

Billy froze and faced Jason, �You..y...�

�Was I supposed to forget that nickname?� he asked, amused.

�No,� Billy said, clearly and simply. �You had been gone for two years, I didn�t think you remembered.�

Jason sighed, and debated; maybe it was time that he revealed the truth behind his leaving. But would Billy see it as a coward�s way out, or something else? He wasn�t sure; there was only one way to find out.

�No, I never forgot, Billy,� he confessed. �I never meant to leave you or Kim, it just kinda happened,� he added.

�Kinda happened?� Billy raised his eyebrow. �You announced that you had gotten the chance to make a difference at the peace conference, and if my memory serves me correctly, there were only six phone calls and four letters back and forth over two years.� His voice had raised, he didn�t care. He was determined to have his say in the matter, whether Jason liked it or not.

�It was a fifty-fifty chance of being picked and-�

�But you were picked.� Billy cut Jason off. �You, Trini and Zack were picked. You tossed Tommy, Kim and me aside like yesterday�s news.�

�It wasn�t that.� Jason tried to reason with Billy.

�Then tell me, what was it? It sure as heck wasn�t Rocky and his friends� arrival.� he pounded his fist on the table. Anger he felt since he discovered Jason�s return, released.

�If you�ll shut up for five minutes, I�ll tell you!� Jason shouted and glared at Billy.

Minutes ticked by. �I have been waiting, you know.� Billy said at last breaking the silent spell they both were under.

Jason closed his eyes. Here goes nothing. �It wasn�t my team anymore.�

�Wa...Wait a minute, what the hell are you talking about?�

�You heard me.�

�Yea, I heard you. What do you mean it wasn�t your team anymore?�

�Did you see me as the leader after Tommy took over?� Jason threw the question at Billy wanting to finish the matter quickly.

�We still listened to you, right?�

Jason his head. �That�s not what I�m talking about. I�m talking about the fact MY leadership was ripped off me. I didn�t hand it over to Tommy. I mean, one day Zordon just decided that he didn�t want me as the leader, but hey,� there was unidentified humor in his voice, �there was always Tommy. And not even you or Kim had the decency to tell me that you still wanted me on the team. Come on, Billy, play fair.�

Billy touched his cheek as if he had been slapped; Jason�s words rang true, they hadn�t bothered to ask, or even tell him. By not wanting to stop one friend from leaving they lost three instead. And never gave a thought as to why they left.

�We...um...� Billy tried to explain, but trailed off. He took a deep breath and tried again. �We wanted you guys to be happy; if we had asked it would have been selfish of us to do so. So I guess,� he exhaled, �It wasn�t the right choice, but Jase, we didn�t know how strongly you felt about your leadership being taken away, you never told me or Kim, it was Zack and Trini you told.�

�That�s cos they asked; they listened. By the way, where�s Kim?� he angled his head.

�Got the chance to live her dream of the Pan Globals in Florida.� Billy grinned.

�Did you try to stop her?� Wanting Billy to see the point he was making.

�No, we didn�t, since we knew how much she had trained for it.� Then it struck him. �I�m sorry, I should have tried to talk to you, but I just didn�t know how.� He shrugged.

�Yea, me too, I know you tried, but me pushing you away didn�t help the matter either,� Jason admitted sheepishly.

�So, when are you going to talk to Tommy?� Billy asked, unsure himself, he now no longer trusted Tommy in a sense. �He�s been a royal pain in the ass since you left,� he told Jason, making him laugh.

�Maybe when the need arises,� The former Red Ranger said.

Billy nodded and asked, �So are we...what Zack would say...� Billy paused to think. �Ah yes, are we cool?�

�Yea, yea, we�re cool.�

�I missed you, Big Brother.�

�And I missed you, Little Bro.�

�I guess I better go then,� Jason said as he jammed his hands in his pockets.

�Yea, sure,� Billy agreed, and watched his friend leave. Well, that was some improvement, he huffed, and began to tidy up.

Jason sighed, and blew out a breath. His talk with Billy had gone better than expected. He had thought Billy might have had his fist in Jason�s face the moment he saw him. But it was the way he talked and sounded that pained Jason.

He had seen the hurt and the anger in his eyes and Jason didn�t blame him. He couldn�t since it was his idea to stop communicating with Billy and Kim. He was blocking out his past for a better future. But that hadn�t worked, instead he had forgotten all about what made him � him. His past was much too important to his future. Trini made him see that. She had seen a lot in between; with her help he had gotten the courage to come home, to find himself again. But now he doubted if the plan had worked.

He breathed in and out deeply, trying to calm his nerves.

He had been lost once he gave up the power, and never confided in anyone. Never looked back to the place which had been his home; too many memories brought him joy and others brought him pain.

He shook his head, at least one friendship was mending, but with the other he wasn�t sure just yet. But time would tell. He looked up to see the stars scattered across the black night. Pulling his coat closer for warmth, he made his way to his home, with the moonlight as his guide.

Tommy entered the Juice bar to find light teasing going on among the rangers. He had failed to see his onetime leader still not far from their table. But right at that moment he was having fun, not being slapped with the past in his face.

Over the last few weeks since Jason had arrived he had come to terms with the fact that their friendship was far from being repaired. But he never had lost hope that one day, just one day in the near future they might mend what was once broken.

He shook his head. �I don�t know about you guys, but I�m so hungry,� the red Zeo said.

Kat comically gasped, �Are you sure that you and Rocky didn�t swap bodies?� she asked making the rest of their friends laugh.

�Ha ha, very funny, Kat.� Tommy poked out his tongue at the Pink Ranger.

�If you�re so hungry, why don�t you go and order the food then,� Rocky suggested, making a hand movement towards the counter. From the corner of his eye he saw Jason too, inwardly he smiled, while his face didn�t show the emotion.

Adam�s eyes followed Rocky�s wave and he himself clearly saw the former Red Ranger sitting not far from them; he kicked Rocky from under the table. �What do you think you�re doing?� he hissed at his best friend.

�What do you think I�m doing?� he said from the corner of his mouth, not letting the pain from the kick be shown.

�Do you realize that neither of them happens to be aware of the other?� He spoke in a low volume, and took a quick glance at Kat and Tanya. Seeing them in a whispery conversation of their own he took his attention back to Rocky as he watched the Red Zeo place their order with Ernie, before looking at Rocky for an answer.

�Hey, Tommy, what can I get you?� Ernie the owner of the Juice bar greeted the former Green Ranger.

�Ernie, hey, I have a large army to feed,� he told him, jerking his thumb behind him. Ernie nodded knowingly.

�The usual?� he asked.

�Oh yea,� he said with a grin and tapped his fingers patiently on the counter while he waited for the drinks; he sighed and looked around and his gaze held when he saw Jason sitting right across from him.

Ah damn, was his first thought. Taking a deep breath and running his fingers through his hair, he found the strength to walk over to Jason for a talk, maybe take the first step to mend what was destroyed. He had put it off for ages � hoping Jason would take the first step forward; it was about time he told his side of the story to his friend. Even if it didn�t make them best friends again. �Hey, Jase,� he greeted him.

�Hello Tommy.� Jason greeted his former best friend coolly, as he sipped on his smoothie. �What can I do for you?� he asked when he noticed that Tommy was still standing.

�Can we talk?� he dared himself to ask. He was still wary of getting a rejection like the first time he tried to talk to him before the first Red Ranger left.

Without a word, Jason motioned him to sit, while paying attention to his glass of mango smoothie which seemed more interesting to Jason than the man sitting across from him.

�Jason?� Tommy tried to get his friend�s attention.

�Yea?�

�Can we talk without you ignoring me?� The third red Ranger said with a hint of annoyance in his voice.

�I can try.� Jason shrugged and put aside his glass. �Well, go on.� He leaned back with his hands resting behind his head, waiting patiently for Tommy to say something.

�It wasn�t my fault,� he whispered. �I didn�t ask to be the leader, it was something that just happened.�

Knowing what Tommy was talking about, Jason got up. �I�m not talking about this to you or anyone else,� and left the bar after paying for his drink.

He had brushed Tommy off, like a fly. Jason hadn�t been prepared for the talk, but he wasn�t sure when he would be. He hadn�t come to terms with what happened. He found it easier to ignore � than face � the facts. It was choice rather than a risk.

While he might have cooled down after two years, he still wasn�t ready to face a few things and people just yet. All he wanted was to just get back to his routine without having Oliver popping here, there, and everywhere. It�s not too much to ask, is it? he thought as he tried to bury himself in his jacket from the chilly autumn wind.

He sighed, the team he had known during his time as the Red Ranger wasn�t here, instead that same team had spread across the globe like the stars in the night. Spread out so far it was becoming harder and harder to keep in touch with them, Trini and Zack in London, Kim in Florida, Billy, Tommy and him in Angel Grove. The ones who were near - he wasn�t talking to one of them; as for the ones who were far away, he wished for them to be home.

Home? He looked around the place � the park to be exact, where he could see himself in the old days playing football with Zack and their other friends � he left as a fourteen year-old, only to return as a more mature and controlled person, someone he didn�t recognize himself. The person he had been was lost along the way; at times he would stare at his own reflection in the mirror and never see the Jason he had known. But that Jason was strong, he wasn�t, that Jason didn�t get pissed, he did.

He frowned, why was he trying to find the other Jason? Why did he want his other self here and now? He had buried that Jason, the one Tommy knew was no longer alive.

That had been his choice.

But he made other choices too, stuck to it for two years, never regretting. He hissed out a breath and continued to walk.

The chatter of children playing nearby was deafening, so loud he could only wish he had earplugs. He smirked.

After another few minutes of silent walking he saw a young boy, being pushed around by a older, tougher looking kid, he was about to walk to them but stopped when he saw another guy come behind the one who was being bullied. The fair-haired kid pushed his friend aside and tried to take on the bully. But Jason was within hearing distance and also in view; he could step in and break up the fight if it got worse.

�You leave my friend alone,� the boy hissed.

�Oh yea, what you gonna do?� the bully asked.

The fair-haired kid wasted no time and landed a punch on the bully�s jaw. �Now beat it.�

�Hey Mike, thanks,� the blond said.

�Ah Timmy, no worries.� He waved a hand and patted his friend�s shoulder. �That�s what best friends are for.� He smiled before leading Timmy away towards Jason, brushing past the Former Red Ranger.

Jason sighed, was this some sort of a sign? Was it time to let go of what he couldn�t change, to forgive and forget?

Or maybe close the door on a certain chapter of his life?

He wasn�t certain, but maybe he could give it a try. He could.

Who knew what would come after this, or out of this.

He turned to look at the two friends happily bantering away. He took a deep breath and walked away.

Whoever said that old friends were golden was a fool, Tommy growled as he walked towards the Scotts house a week later. He�d had firsthand experience in that department for longer than he cared to remember. He grumbled as he shook his head, he was supposed to be focused on his task � to get Jason to the Power Chamber. If he didn�t like it, too bad for him, but he knew Jason would never let a power be destroyed.

Tommy blew out a breath and knocked, waiting patiently. He tried to relax his tensed muscles, but to no avail. It had been his stupid idea to get Jason for the Golden Powers, after Billy failed to ...he couldn�t think of the technical term for it. He was the one who said he knew just the person for the job, and why did Jason pop into his head? - of that he wasn�t sure. But he knew sometimes the fates played against you, as well as along with you.

�Tommy.� The deep voice greeted him hoarsely bringing Tommy out of his thoughts; seeming surprised at Red Zeo�s visit. �Well, what are you doing here?�

�Came to talk to you,� Tommy told him.

�I thought I had made it clear ab-�

He knew what Jason was referring to. �I�m not here for that.� It stung, but Tommy refused to let the pain get to him. �Mind if I come in? I�m need to talk about something relating to this.� He tapped his communicator.

With the realization Jason�s mouth made an O. Gesturing back, he let Tommy in. He felt uncomfortable as he entered, the whole setting was very similar to the day he found out why Jason was leaving, it had hurt to know that he was the cause of Jason�s decision to leave. The cause of his leadership being ripped away. He shook the memories away, maybe this time it would be different. All he could do was wish.

�So what brings you by?� Jason asked as he sat on the sofa, motioning Tommy to have a seat. This time the former Green Ranger sat, right into the same deep chair where Jason had sat two years previously.

�Well, um...� He rubbed his neck and looked at Jason who was patiently waiting. �We have a problem.�

Jason retorted, �And you came to me because of it?�

�Well, you see....� He gulped. �There is a Ranger who needs to pass the power on to someone.�

�And Billy couldn�t do it?� Jason asked, flinching.

�He can�t, he said something about negative protons.�

�We both know something like that doesn�t exist.� Jason had gotten up and came face to face with Tommy.

�Well yea, but Billy knows more about �advanced� physics,� Tommy told him.

Now that was something Jason couldn�t deny. Billy always had been the sharpest scientist he had ever known. �No vomment there.� Jason raised his hand up to his shoulders. �But seriously, what are you here for?�

�How would you like to take his place?� Tommy asked and smiled when Jason�s jaw dropped open.

�You want me to take his place?� His mind was still reeling with the request.

�Yea, I mean you�re experienced, right, and it would be hard for the team to have a rookie, especially with the type of enemy we have.�

Minutes flew by as Jason debated inside himself. �What�s the ranger�s current condition?� he asked.

�If we don�t pass on the power soon, he might lose them.�

�OK, I�ll do it,� he said without a second thought.

And silently listened to what Tommy was explaining to him.

Jason punched the bag that hung from the ceiling, but this time with Tommy holding the bag.

�You know, I�m glad that you took the power,� Tommy whispered after looking around the gym, making sure no one was within hearing distance.

�It�s good to be back,� Jason said, smiling, then bit his lip; shook his head before punching again. Maybe it was about time he closed the distance between them. For his, Tommy�s and the team�s sake.

He stopped punching, breathing in and out heavily.

�Hey, you okay?� Tommy asked.

�Kinda,� he began. �Tommy.....I know I...� he trailed off, defeated.

Tommy�s lips in the corner of his face formed a half smile. �Acted like a jerk?� he supplied helpfully.

Jason made a face. �No, I ...I don�t want you to think that I�m trying to put things back the way they were. Before I left.�

�Uh huh,� was all the third Red Ranger said. �It helps to know that your ego is still there.�

�Don�t push your luck, Oliver.� Jason smirked and paused. �You think there might be a chance for us to save whatever is left of the friendship we had once?� the new Gold Ranger asked, hope showing in his eyes.

Tommy stood there stunned, not knowing how to explain the joy and the pain. All he felt was numb from top to bottom. The hope he carried was granted, the dimly lit future without Jason suddenly flared to life. The friendship he thought was over, moved away into space and time, had returned. He looked at his best friend.

It felt strange to call Jason his best friend again after two years of...

�I take it you don�t like the idea,� the gold ranger mumbled as he collected his belongings and walked out.

�Jason!� Tommy called after his friend; grabbing his stuff he ran after the original Red Ranger. �Jason!� he called out again and ran faster when Jason stopped, facing him.

�What?� The wind teased his short black hair.

�I would have given up my powers, just to have your friendship again, I...� He blinked his eyes rapidly. �I didn�t dare to get my hopes up with you returned.� He looked out at the scenery before him. �For the last two years...� It was his turn to trail off.

�Given up your powers for this friendship?� Jason asked, clearly shocked.

Tommy nodded. �Once you left, I saw no reason to be here. It wasn�t worth it, not without you, Bro.�

Jason swallowed and nodded, then put his hand out. �Friends?� he asked.

�Forever,� Tommy replied, gripping Jason�s hand in his own. �And, you leave again, I�ll rip you apart, Scott,� Tommy warned, but his eyes told a different story.

They both knew the Gold Powers in Jason�s care were temporary.

Jason couldn�t help but laugh.

The strength of the two most stubborn Rangers, this time, however, didn�t clash. They only doubled in their value and their need to fight their enemy.

Both stood in the cold wind and watched the sunset, until the stars came to life.

The End.

Phew, I though this would never get finished. And yea I finally did finish.

Danny, you can yell at me all you want for the lateness of the second part, just make sure you keep away from my ear.

Cmar, Thanks for keeping up with my endless questions and nail-biting crap.

Okies folks, now I�m off to finish off my Untitled DT. And in between, start on the fiction I�m planning for FictionPress.com.

Till then, ciao. And I hope you enjoyed this story. Please make sure you read Red and White, before finishing this chapter.

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