"Greetings, Jason. It's Billy. It took me nearly an hour to confirm your telephone number across state communication channels. Please call me back at 530-XXX-XXXX when you receive this message."

Beep.

"Jason, it's Billy again. In the event that you did not receive my previous message, it is imperative that you return my call. Please reach me at 530-XXX-XXXX."

Beep.

"According to the automated message with your own voice, I believe I have reached the correct number, Jason. Please call me back."

Beep.

"Jason, if I have to call you one more time, I will not hesitate to triangulate your location and teleport you to the Command Center. Oh, and it's Billy. Call me back."

Beep.

End of messages.

OooooO

"Why else would you start talking about Ranger stuff now?"

Jason turned away to stand near the window. He placed his hand on the window sill as he appeared to gaze at the setting sun.

"I don't know."

But Jason did know why his ugly feelings about being a Ranger were surfacing now. He had hoped Kimberly would not be right on the money about a Ranger contacting him, though.

How does she do that?

Kimberly stared at him sympathetically.

Jason plopped back onto the couch beside her, defeated. She wordlessly drew his head onto her lap and stroked his hair. Somehow, she made him feel safe. Safe from himself? He was not sure.

He could only think of one reason why Billy would call him. The last message mentioning the Command Center confirmed it.

Over the last few days, Jason had been getting messages on his answering machine from Billy. Jason had a habit of not answering his phone unless the caller left a message. He really did not have anything against Billy, or anyone else, but he was not ready to talk to any former Rangers.

Jason already had enough on his mind with potentially starting a dojo and finishing up school. He even toyed with the idea of taking a two-week long trip to Europe. Things were starting to kind of look up until Billy called.

But really, why else would Billy call? He wanted Jason to come back…for some Ranger related reason.

Surely…he did not want Jason to come back as a Ranger?

Just as Jason pushed those thoughts out of his mind, they came slinking back. He felt giddy at the prospect of being a Ranger again, but at the same time, felt intense anxiety.

There was no way they were asking him to be a Ranger again. They must have some weird power fluctuation with the Red Power Coin and needed his help to recalibrate it or something.

That's why Billy was the one who made the call, Jason reasoned. Otherwise Tommy would have called if the situation was that…serious. That, or they would have already teleported him to the Command Center.

However, not too long after, the thought of having the Power course through him again seized him like a vise.

He was beginning to think it was just as destructive to him as he was to it.

OooooO

Jason felt his eyelashes brush against something when he opened them.

Whaa?

Belatedly, he realized he fell asleep, and his cheek was resting against Kimberly's stomach.

He moved to get up, but then immediately missed the warmth of her lap, and laid his head back down.

"You fell asleep." Kimberly had been watching him.

"Uh, yeah I guess you have a comfy lap." He smiled up at her. He felt her hand at the top of his head.

"Oh, Jase." It dawned on Jason that her head was moving closer to his. Another hand grasped his chin as he felt the warm pressure of her lips on his forehead. It felt nice.

Jason closed his eyes again. When he opened them, Kimberly leaned away.

"We should probably go to bed," she said.

Jason sat up completely this time, shoulder to shoulder with Kimberly, and saw that it was late. Probably too late for her to drive home tonight.

"Yeah," was all Jason said. Kimberly rested her head on his shoulder and sighed. He looked down at her. "What?"

Her lips parted as if she was going to answer but already decided she would not.

What Jason did next felt completely natural—he was not planning on it, nor did he ever think he would be comfortable crossing this boundary.

He kissed Kimberly on the lips.

When he broke away, she had on a face of mild surprise.

"You know, I've been wondering what that would feel like," she revealed.

It was Jason's turn to be surprised.

"What?" He was not sure he heard her correctly. He was tumble of emotions tonight, and maybe his imagination got the better of him.

"I've wanted to do that for a while," she clarified. "And by a while, I mean, like, three days." Kimberly gave a lopsided grin.

Even though their faces were centimeters apart, it felt like Jason was seeing Kimberly clearly for the first time in years. He could not explain it. He stared at how the top of her ear peaked out from her caramel tresses, how her eyes seemed to glitter even in the evening light, and how her cherub lips were both pouting and smiling. How had he not seen her before?

They kissed again.

Kimberly let out a girlish laugh, and Jason squashed the feeling of guilt that welled up. What was he doing? He was not sure.

He thought he had feelings for Trini, but she was thousands of miles away…and Kimberly was right here.

Somehow, when he was this close to her, when he was kissing her, he felt like everything could be okay.

Jason only stiffened slightly when Kimberly eased herself into his lap. He stared at her inquisitively, but only for a moment.

Before he could get around to feeling guilty for kissing his supposed best friend's ex, and before he could give another thought to primary-color clad heroes, he was enveloped in Kimberly's soft fragrance and soft caresses.

It only felt right to return her embrace.