FicWad

Disclaimer: Power Rangers and related characters, items and locations aren't mine; copyright belongs to BVE/MMPR Productions. I'm just playing in their sandbox.
Note: In response to the Live Journal PRSW 22 challenge; themes # 06, family and #13, loss.
Note II: A word of warning - this chapter will probably end up having at least two, if not three installments; I'll have to see how long it ultimately gets. So bear with me, please? Oh, and I'm referencing events described in another story I co-authored with Cmar - Strangers In Red. With her permission, I'm also drawing on some of the back story from her Turns in the Road series. You might want to read either fic to get the full picture (links can be found in our respective authors' profiles on Fanfiction.net), but it's not vitally important to understand this one. :-) And a very BIG thank you to Cmar for the beta! So, enjoy, I hope - and please pass by the feedback box on your way out?


More Than Friends And Brothers
Chapter 11: The Price of Love


"What happened to your car?!?"

Jason shrugged indifferently. "I hit a rock on the way up here."

Tommy hurried towards his lover, refraining with difficulty from running his hands over Jason's body to check for injuries. "Are you hurt? Somebody else?" The dent in the fender didn't look all that bad, but you never knew ...

He got a tired smile in return. "Nah. Just wasn't paying attention enough. I turned a corner, cut it a little close, and ... bang." Jason snagged his overnight bag from the back seat and locked his car with a click of the remote. "Don't fuss, okay? I'll have it fixed next week."

It was on the tip of Tommy's tongue to say that his concern was not just 'fussing', but he swallowed the remark. Jason didn't need any rebukes from him; not today, when he had finally come back to Reefside after an almost month-long hiatus in their mutual visits. "If you say so."

Jason didn't reply, just went ahead of him and entered the comfortable ranch-style house. Tommy followed more slowly, noting the halting gait and slump of the broad shoulders with a hint of alarm. Still, he said nothing. Jason would talk to him eventually. I hope!

Dinner was a quiet affair for once, as Jason was merely picking at his food. Tommy didn't bother to ask whether he was coming down with something - he was afraid he knew all too well what was causing the listless pallor. Mentally, he started to swear. Damn you, John - how can you do that to him? He's your son! Unfortunately, he had no answer.

Once cleanup was completed, Tommy suggested they spend some quiet time in front of the fire, but Jason shook his head.

"No thanks, Bro. I'm sorry, but I'm really beat. If you don't mind, I'll lie down straight away."

"Sure, whatever you want." He smiled reassuringly. "Go on ahead; I'll just check my messages."

"'Kay." With a half-hearted wave, Jason went off towards the bedroom while Tommy sat at his desk and booted up his laptop.

After a few minutes, Tommy shut the computer down again; he'd only used it as an excuse to give Jason the privacy he apparently wanted. Switching off the lights in the kitchen and living area on his way to the bathroom, he entered it from the hallway and took a quick shower. Tempted to crawl into bed naked as usual when Jason visited, some instinct made him reach for a clean pair of boxers instead. When he finally came into the darkened bedroom, he saw that he'd been right to put them on - rather than waiting for him gloriously nude on top of the covers, Jason was lying on the right, facing the window, and covered almost up to his shoulders. Sighing inwardly, Tommy went to the other side of the double mattress and slipped under the blankets. He longed to curl up against that broad back, to hold and comfort his best friend, but a tentative touch brought no reaction - he could tell from the cadence of Jason's breathing that he wasn't asleep yet, but neither did he turn around. Nor did he reply to Tommy's murmured "Sleep well."

Silently cursing what had brought them to this state of affairs, Tommy resigned himself to one more night of waiting, drew the blanket up to his chest and closed his eyes. Sleep, however, was a long time in coming.

*

The next day, Tommy for once was up earlier than Jason; he briefly considered waking him and use the early-morning stillness and intimacy of their shared bed for some much-needed conversation, but the dark circles under Jason's eyes spoke of a night even more restless than Tommy's own, so he let him sleep. Later, then! When Jason finally came for breakfast, at least his appetite had improved to near-normal levels which eased Tommy's worries enough to bide his time instead of forcing a confrontation as he'd planned. They spent a quiet, lazy day around the house, sparring a little, clearing the yard, but whatever they started was a half-hearted attempt at best and never lasted long. They finally called it a day when dark clouds gathered over the forest behind Tommy's house, threatening a rare summer storm. As expected, it broke while the two were finishing dinner.

"Good thing we're done cooking," Tommy remarked. "I dunno if the electricity's going to hold - we'd better leave the dishes until tomorrow."

"Is that often a problem?" Jason asked.

"Not really; only during really heavy storms and if I have too many things running at the same time. I've got a backup generator down in the lair, so we won't be cut off completely; it usually clears up as soon as the worst is over, but I'd rather not risk a blackout by running the dishwasher now. And I'm not in the mood for washing up the old-fashioned way." He grinned wryly. "Or do you fancy getting soapy?"

"Not really. Good point."

"Why don't you take our drinks into the den? I'll join you as soon as I've checked the shutters."

"Sure," Jason shrugged. "Want me to light a candle, too, just in case?"

"Only if it's just /one/," Tommy smiled and winked, alluding to his near-disastrous attempt at romance early in their relationship. Usually, that got at least a grin out of his lover; more often than not a raunchy reply and sometimes a demonstration of what two determined, horny guys could do with each other in total darkness. This time, Jason glanced away, a fleeting look of what seemed suspiciously close to pain washing over his face.

Tommy laid a hand on his shoulder. "Bro ..."

"Don't," Jason interrupted him and stood abruptly. "I - I need some air." He hurried outside, the door falling shut behind him with a soft 'snick'. Tommy sighed, half exasperated, half panicked. He could understand that the situation with his parents weighed heavily on Jason's mind, but why was he shutting him out? He wanted to help, but how could he if Jason wouldn't let him?

Tommy waited several minutes, then slowly went after his lover. He found Jason on the edge of the porch, staring into the darkness of the forest beyond. The light above the door made a curtain out of the gushing rain, silhouetting Jason's broad frame from behind, and Tommy's heart clenched as he recognized the dejection in his posture. On silent feet, he stepped up close behind Jason and gently placed his hands on his shoulders. Jason tensed slightly, but at least he didn't shrug off the light touch. Thinking that a massage might do him good, Tommy began to knead the knotted muscles with gentle strokes.

"Did you know I've made a habit of coming out here when it's raining like this?" Tommy murmured. "I'm always reminded of the night you told me you loved me - you were standing almost in this very spot when we kissed for the first time. Remember?" The memory brought a smile to his lips that was audible in his voice.

Jason said nothing at first, then sighed. "Yeah." Then, in a voice laden with guilt, "I railroaded you."

"No, you didn't," Tommy protested immediately. "Surprised the hell out of me, yeah. But once I got over my surprise, I just kept asking myself how I could've missed what we mean to each other for all those years."

"Oh."

"Uh huh."
Tommy continued his careful massage. He could feel a minute softening of the tension in the flesh under his hands, but still Jason wouldn't look at him. At last, he spoke again.

"Did you ever regret it?"

"Never." Tommy could answer that question without any hesitation whatsoever. "Not admitting that I love you, kissing you or becoming lovers." An unpleasant thought popped into his mind. "Why - do you?"

Jason sighed deeply and finally turned around. Tommy folded him into his arms and hugged him, feeling immensely grateful that Jason didn't resist, just laid his forehead against his neck in a weary gesture.

"Do you regret it?" Tommy asked again, masking the sudden fear in his voice as best he could. "Do you regret ... /us/?"

A shudder shook Jason's whole body. "I ... this past month, I've sometimes wanted to say yes," he confessed hoarsely at last. "Just so I could go home and tell Dad I made a mistake, that I wasn't going to be with you anymore. Only ... I can't." He sighed forlornly. "I love you, and nothing's gonna change that."

It was what Tommy wanted, needed to hear, but the defeated tone and the hurt expression in the dark eyes when Jason finally looked at him sent a wave of helplessness through him; he had to swallow hard a couple of times before he could answer.

"God, Jase ... I wish I could tell you that everything's going to be okay, but ..."

"You can't. Nobody can ... just as I can't lie about loving you."

"Yeah."

"I just wish it didn't hurt so much," Jason whispered with another shudder, his deep voice cracking. Closing his eyes in pained sympathy, Tommy did the only thing he could - he carefully tightened his embrace.

"I love you, too, Jase," he murmured, nearly choking on the words. It would have to be enough for now.

*

Jason left Reefside after lunchtime the next day, still depressed and unwilling to share anything beyond what he'd revealed the night before. Tommy prayed that he would reach home without another accident and only breathed easier when Jason gave him a brief call once he'd arrived.

Tommy tried to concentrate on his lesson plans, but was unable to focus - he kept thinking about Jason, and how much he was hurting. He knew he wasn't responsible, but the cause of Jason's pain was directly related to their relationship, so Tommy couldn't help feeling guilty anyway. Telling himself that giving in to that feeling would do nothing to help Jason also proved to be an exercise in futility.

Finally giving up on his work, Tommy poured himself a drink, sat on his couch and stared unseeingly into the dark fireplace. The alcohol burned as it slid down his throat, but the warmth collecting in his stomach did nothing to dispel the chill around his heart. Jason needed help - and the more he thought about it, the more certain Tommy became that he needed help, too. Or he'd fail Jason for sure.

Briefly, he considered calling on their friends and former teammates, but ... they didn't even know yet that they were lovers, and Jason was understandably wary to risk yet another rejection from someone he cared about.

Ideally, we'd need to talk to another same-sex couple; someone who's come out and has dealt with such a situation. Maybe hearing about their experience could give us some insight in how to handle this ...

The problem was, neither Tommy nor Jason knew another gay couple. It would have to be someone at least close to their own age, preferably male ... someone they could trust and who could understand how brotherly love and shared experiences could grow into a bond much deeper than friendship.

Pity there ain't nobody like that in Angel Grove or Reefside, Tommy reflected rather grimly. Besides, what we'd really need would be another Ranger couple. Where the hell would I go looking for that?

The answer presented itself with such suddenness and clarity, Tommy jerked up from his slouch with wide eyes, nearly dropping his glass. "Of course!"

A quick glance at his watch showed that if he hurried, the time would be just decent enough to make a late call. Before he could change his mind, Tommy reached for the phone. The number he wanted was still programmed, although it had been years since he'd used it. At the last minute, he hesitated. They barely knew each other, there was the matter of some unpleasant history, it could make all four of them rather uncomfortable ... Shit, they might not even want to get involved! Determinedly, he shook off his negative thoughts. Doesn't matter. For Jason, I can live with more than feeling a little awkward! He dialed.

Several rings later, while Tommy was impatiently drumming his fingers, the other side was picked up and a cheerful voice answered. Tommy drew a deep breath.

"Wes? Tommy Oliver here. I need your help."

*

As his car ate the miles to Silver Hills, Tommy tried to marshal his thoughts into an acceptable argument on what exactly he was going to tell Wes. And, come to think of it, probably Eric, too. He didn't relish the idea of involving the Quantum Ranger with his problem, but given that his relationship with Wes Collins was the main reason why he'd asked them for advice instead of anyone else, he couldn't very well complain.

I can't let Jason's past involvement with Eric stop me from getting help, no matter how much I wish they hadn't had that one-night stand. He sighed, reminding himself to keep at least part of his attention on the road. What the hell. I'd ask Rita, Zedd and Mondo if I thought they knew how to help Jason. Only - I just wish I knew what kind of help I'm asking for!

They'd assumed that their coming out as a couple might not go over all that easily with their families, but had still hoped that there would be no really major scenes. After all, not everything could go as smoothly as it had with Hayley and Trent. Tommy smiled as he recalled the scene.

*

Jason had suggested meeting for lunch at the Cyber Café on the day he'd had his job interview with the Brookhill school board, and had already been waiting there when Tommy came in after classes. Trent's presence was a surprise, as he was supposed to be away at college, but Tommy couldn't care less - all he wanted to know was whether Jason had managed to get the job so that they finally could start living together.

"Well?" he'd asked impatiently after a quick greeting all round.

Jason had looked at him solemnly. "It's bad news, I'm afraid, Bro."

Tommy had felt himself deflate like a pricked balloon. "Damn. Really?"

"Yeah. I'm truly sorry, but now it's up to you."

Trying not to let his disappointment crush him, Tommy had sunk onto a chair next to his partner. "Shit. Oh well, it can't be helped. You said it was a long shot anyway." He summoned a smile. "Guess it's my turn now to start looking for an opportunity."

Eyes downcast, Jason had played with his fork. "Maybe Trent and his friends can help you, if they have the time this summer."

"I don't think I want to wait until summer," Tommy had protested. "The sooner I start, the better my chances will be!"

"Help with what?" Trent had interrupted at the same time as Hayley asked, "Chances for what?"

He'd shrugged. "Looking for a job closer to, if not in Angel Grove."

The redhead stared at him, surprised. "You're moving away?!? Why?"

"Yeah, and how can we help with that?" Trent was clearly confused. "I mean, not that we wouldn't be happy to, but ..."

Before Tommy could reply, Jason spoke up. "Actually, what you could do is help Tommy and me move furniture."

"I guess ..." Trent clearly was having visions of trying to shift the heavy oak desk Tommy was using from the den and of having to fill a large moving van. "Wouldn't professionals be better?"

"Oh, it won't be that hard," Jason said blithely. "After all, it's not that many pieces, and I don't think it's too far to the shed."

"Shed? What shed?" Puzzled, Tommy stared at his lover.

"The one in your back yard," Jason said innocently. "Or did you plan to just throw your furniture away?"

"No, I ..." Suddenly, Jason's expression registered, and Tommy looked at him suspiciously as his heartbeat sped up. "What, exactly, do you think is going into the shed?!?"

The grin spreading over the handsome face was answer enough; so was the sudden sparkle in the dark eyes. "Jase ...!" Tommy warned/pleaded.

Jason had laughed then. "Why, that old bed, the bookshelf and whatever else you're keeping in the spare bedroom," he said. "After all, I'm gonna need some room for my stuff!"

"What?"

Tommy had found his hand covered with a firm, warm grip. "I've got the job. I'll be moving in with you this summer."

"Aw, man!" Promising Jason with a look that he could expect some major retaliation for that little stunt - most likely in the bedroom, and in the very near future, Tommy let happiness overwhelm him. Not caring that they had witnesses, he'd reached out and drawn Jason into a fierce hug that was returned just as fervently. "I can't believe it! Really?"

"Really, Bro."

"Awesome!"

They'd embraced for at least a full minute before Tommy became aware of his surroundings again. Reluctantly, he'd let go of Jason ... looked up and met Hayley's quizzical gaze. Next to her, Trent was doing his best to scrape his jaw off the floor. "Uh ..."

"You're gonna move to Reefside? And you'll be living with Doctor O.?" Ignoring his former teacher and team mate for the time being, the young man had focused solely on Jason, his eyes darting from one man to the other and back. "As in ... living /together/?" The emphasis and 'air quotes' Trent signed with his fingers made the meaning quite clear. Jason and Tommy shared a rueful look - it seemed that they'd inadvertently given themselves away in their enthusiasm. Well, it hardly mattered; they'd planned on telling Tommy's friends eventually anyway.

"Yes," Jason had confirmed quietly while Tommy nodded.

"Whoa," Trent gulped, blushing. To his credit, he didn't look away.

"That explains ... a lot," Hayley had said, her lips twitching. Clearly, she was remembering certain computer files she'd found once on Tommy's PC, and on realizing that Tommy's face promptly turned as red as his erstwhile uniform. She'd snickered unrepentantly, making Tommy groan and hide his face. But it was obvious that whatever else she might have been feeling, she did not disapprove. Jason gave her a grateful look, then turned towards the wide-eyed Trent.

"Is that going to be a problem for you and your friends?"

The young man visibly collected himself, considered briefly, then shook his head. "Nah. Not for me, anyway - and I think Kira, Conner and Ethan will be okay with it, too. Once Conner gets over the shock, that is," he'd grinned. "Doctor O., you want me to tell him? That way you'll be spared his nosy questions!"

Tommy shuddered as he remembered some of Conner's blithely tactless - but never mean-spirited - comments and questions from the past. " Would you? I'd appreciate it, Trent. Thank you."

"Hey, it's seldom enough that I get to spread some juicy news - and this is way juicy!"

"As long as you break it to your father in an ... let's say 'appropriate' fashion."

"Sure. Although I don't think he'll be very surprised." It was Tommy's turn to look startled, and Trent's grin was wickedly innocent. "Just wait and see."

Jason sent Tommy a rueful glance. "Uh-oh. I think we're well and truly busted, Bro."

"Looks that way," Tommy sighed comically.

Meanwhile, Hayley had come up to stand between Tommy and Jason, her expression neutral. "So - I guess congratulations are in order?"

Jason had smiled at her. "Yes, but - hold the thought, please? We're not making it official yet until we've told our folks."

"Sure." But she'd given them both hugs and sincere wishes.

*


Nothing ever fazes Hayley.

Which was what had made her such a good ally to have during the Dino Thunder period, Tommy knew. Of course, the matter hadn't rested at that; there'd been questions and comments aplenty later, but in all, Tommy was glad to know that he had Hayley's support and approval. However, she was not someone he could go to with his current problem - and the 'kids', as he still thought of his last team, weren't the ones, either. There really was no one but Wes and Eric.

Speaking of which ...

The exit sign for Silver Hills was just ahead, and Tommy left the highway. There was a restaurant and gas station, and he decided to make one last stop for a restroom visit and maybe some coffee. It would also be a chance to program his GPS with Eric's address; he hated having it turned on when he already knew a route, but it would be better to follow directions than try to read the printout he'd gotten off the internet.

*

"Tell me again why Tommy's coming?" Eric asked Wes as he quickly changed out of his uniform into more casual jeans and a t-shirt. Wes had come straight from a business meeting and only had to lose his tie and jacket to be comfortable.

His partner and lover shrugged. "He said he needed help - and that it was personal. Wouldn't say what with over the phone, but I got a feeling he really was at his wits' end."

"Hmph." Eric grunted and perfunctorily ran a comb through his hair. "Why here, though?" He didn't actually say he resented the intrusion into his privacy, but Wes knew him well enough to realize that having a visitor who knew they were lovers was making him uncomfortable. To Eric, it was enough that Mr. Collins and his fiancée were aware of his relationship with Wes; if the Red Ranger mission to the moon and Dr. Zaskin's joint research project with Anton Mercer into the effects of morphing on the human body hadn't brought his past connection with Jason to light, Wes was sure he'd never have told anyone else.

"Privacy," he said and gave his partner an apologetic smile. "Look, I didn't want to keep this meeting from you - in fact, I planned from the start to bring you in on it, and neither our office nor the house seemed appropriate to what I think might be a sensitive discussion. You don't mind, do you?"

Sighing, Eric made a conscious effort to get past his pique. If Doctor Oliver didn't like his rather plain, small house, to hell with him. "Not really, no. I just thought we'd seen the last of 'em."

"The last of Jason, you mean?" Wes grinned and followed Eric out into the living room. "Who says this has to do with Jason anyway?"

"Call it a hunch," Eric said dryly.

"So what? Even if we do, I know I can handle meeting him once more - and besides, didn't you say you'd cleared the air between you?"

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean I necessarily want to run into him /again/," Eric grumbled. "Once was more than enough, thank you very much. I can do without any more of his smartass remarks." He smothered a grin; to tell the truth, he'd rather enjoyed Jason's sometimes wicked sense of humor - as long as it wasn't directed at /him/, that is. "Why the hell is Tommy coming to us for help, anyway? Don't they have friends of their own?"

"I know exactly as much as I told you," Wes replied. "You'll have to ask Tommy himself."

"If he ever gets here. He's late. Man, I hate unpunctuality!"

"Actually, he's right on time." Indeed, a car pulled up at the fence that very moment, and only seconds later Eric saw a tall figure get out of the black jeep and open the front gate. Even to someone who didn't know him well, the serious look on his face spoke volumes - even more so than during their tactics session on board the Megaship. "He does seem rather frazzled. I wonder why."

"So ask him." Eric squared his shoulders and schooled his own expression to carefully neutral. So Tommy knew about him and Wes. Big deal. He had the same secret to keep, so it was unlikely he'd go blabbing to anyone. He'd spill his guts, get some advice from Wes and be on his merry way, hopefully forever. There was a knock on the door, and with a deep breath Eric went to open it. "Hello, Tommy."

*

The three men sat around the coffee table, drinks at hand, but the atmosphere was anything but convivial. Tommy was too visibly nervous, Eric was doing his damnedest not to be sarcastic or outright hostile, and only Wes was at least trying to make conversation. But even his social skills, honed over years of attending much larger gatherings in his father's house and during business meetings at Bio-Lab, finally failed and an uncomfortable silence settled over them. Getting fed up at last, Eric set his glass down with a loud clatter, drawing two pairs of startled eyes towards him.

"Let's stop all this pussyfooting," he growled. "You told Wes you needed help - so, are you gonna tell us what with, or do we sit on our asses until we figure it out by ourselves?" Not that it's gonna be all that difficult, he thought; since it's 'personal' and not Ranger-related and you're in a relationship with another guy, it has to have to do with Jason. Great.

Tommy sighed, torn between a fresh case of nerves - was he doing the right thing by asking these two men who hardly knew him and Jason? - and sheer relief at being forced to speak at last by Eric's impatience. "No, I do want your help ... or advice, at least," he murmured. "Um, I told Wes it's personal ..."

"Yes, you did," Wes replied, shooting his partner a look that said 'be nice'. Rolling his eyes at the silent message, Eric nodded imperceptibly and leaned back with an exasperated sigh. "Do you want Eric to leave?" Wes asked next, acknowledging his partner's muttered "Fat chance!" with a small smile and reassuring headshake.

Tommy chose to disregard Eric's indignant comment and shook his head 'no' after only a moment's reflection.

"No, it's okay. You'd only tell him anyway, right?"

"Are you implying Wes couldn't keep a secret if you asked him to?" Eric snapped.

"I didn't mean it that way, sorry," Tommy said quickly. "It's just ... shit, I hardly know where to start," he muttered, rubbing his neck.

"Try at the beginning," Eric suggested dryly, in the same voice he normally used for a rookie Guardian about to make his first official report to his commanding officer. Stern, no-nonsense, but not unfriendly. Wes hid a grin. "Just don't take all day."

Tommy chuckled without humor. "Yeah, well, this isn't as easy as I thought it would be." He drew a fortifying breath. "Okay. First off, it's not me I need help for, it's Jason. Or rather, I could use some help helping /him/," he amended after a moment's reflection.

"Told you so," Eric muttered under his breath, casting a side-long glance at his lover who was still intently listening to Tommy. Their visitor apparently hadn't even noticed the interruption.

"Why, what's wrong?" Wes wanted to know. "He isn't sick or anything, is he?"

"No. I wish it were that simple."

Getting impatient, Eric reached for his drink again and took a sip. "Just spill it, man."

Tommy leaned forward in his seat, resting his elbows on his knees. "Right. I ... you know that Jason's got a job teaching in Angel Grove at our old high school, right? I think we also told you last time that we've been alternating visits every two weeks for a few years now ... anyway, we decided earlier this year that we were getting sick of only having weekends and vacations together. Like it was stolen time, and all that jazz ... but long story short, Jase found out that Brookhill, a town close to Reefside, is starting up a new high school in this fall and that they were looking for a Head of Athletics. It was kind of a long shot, but he got the job, and now we can move in together at last."

Wes whistled, impressed. "That's quite a good career move for him, too, isn't it? He's how old - thirty?"

"Since early spring this year, yes. And yeah."

"So where's the problem?" Eric asked. In a way, he almost felt a little jealous of how easily Jason and Tommy could make that decision, as if it wasn't a big deal at all. Well ... maybe for them, it isn't. On the other hand ... Tommy wouldn't have come here, asking for help, if things were going as smoothly as his rather factual report implied. He was also beginning to get an idea where this might be leading. Not unsurprisingly, Tommy confirmed his suspicion.

"Well ... we thought it might be the right time to tell our families about us," he said quietly. "Not that there's ever a 'right' time to tell one's parents that you've chosen to live with another man, I guess, but ..."

Wes winced, remembering his father's reaction to his own coming out. "I take it things didn't go well?"

Tommy shrugged and sighed again. "My parents took it calmly enough, considering. To be honest, they didn't exactly jump for joy, but after the initial shock wore off and they realized I'm serious, they accepted my decision. After all, what they want most for me is that I'm happy, that I'd find someone to love and who loved me. If that person was going to be Jason ... they already knew and liked him, knew that we were as close as could be already ... in the end, they wished us well."

"That must've been a relief," Wes commented a little enviously.

"It was ... until we went to see Jason's parents." Tommy wearily rubbed his hands across his face.

"Let me guess - they threw a fit?" Eric surmised.

"You could say that." Laughing without humor, Tommy drained his glass.

"So what happened? Major shouting match, or what?"

"I wish it were that simple," Tommy replied, absently toying with his glass as he remembered. "Telling my folks came about kinda naturally; Mom was nagging me a little over breakfast to find someone to settle down with, one thing led to another, and I told them. When Jase came by later, the worst was already over. That same afternoon, we went to see the Scotts' - and had to bring it up the hard way."

"Meaning what?"

"You know - 'you better sit down, we've got to tell you something'. There really was no easy way, so Jason just told them outright - that he's known for years that he's bisexual, that we've been lovers since '04, and that we're going to live together. Basically, he presented it as a /fait accompli/."

"Must've gone over real well with his folks," Eric said, for once almost glad that he had no family. He remembered too well how hard Mr. Collins' disapproval had been on his partner - even though he'd realized he'd had to know - and how long it had taken his boss to come around and accept what was.

"It didn't. Jason's mother started crying, which was difficult enough for Jase, but we'd sort of prepared ourselves for that. I mean, we'd tried to imagine all kinds of reactions, and that was one of 'em. But Jason's father ... he just stared at him for the longest time, then simply got up and went out. Never said a word."

"That's hardly surprising," Wes mused. "It's a pretty common way of reacting to unexpected - and unwelcome - news."

"Uh huh. At first, we didn't think too much of it; sure, Jason was shocked and disappointed, but he tried to calm down his mother first. After an hour or so, he went after his Dad to try and explain ... and John walked out on him again. Didn't look at him, didn't speak to him - nothing. And it's been that way ever since. Jase has tried time and again to see him, to talk to him, but his father acts as if Jase doesn't exist."

"Ouch."

"Yeah. We gave it some time, thought that after a while Jason's dad would at least say something, anything, but his reaction - or lack of it - hasn't changed at all. John doesn't talk to Jason, doesn't talk about him anymore, doesn't answer the phone, deletes messages unread ... he's just cut him off completely." Tommy shook his head wearily. "Jason was devastated. Still is. And the last straw came about a couple of weeks later. His parents were out of town for a business trip - John runs a construction company - so Jase tried to get some stuff from his room and leave a letter for his mother. The locks had been changed."

"Oh boy. Dad had a major problem accepting I was gay, but at least he never kicked me out like that," Wes replied, his voice full of sympathy.

Tommy shrugged. "We could've dealt with that; it was one thing we had anticipated. But we hadn't counted on such a complete withdrawal, and it's what's making the situation so unbearable for Jason. He used to be so close to his dad ... how can you argue, shit, how can you defend your decision if the other person isn't willing to talk or even look at you anymore? There's just this blank wall, with no point to breach or scale it because John isn't giving us such a point. And it's getting to Jason so much that now he's completely withdrawing into himself as well. That's not like him - and it's scaring me shitless. How can I help him if he doesn't let me?"

"How about his mother?" Before his partner could comment, Eric spoke up. "What's her position now?"

"Helen is caught between a rock and a hard place," Tommy explained. "She's a long way from accepting us, but she doesn't want to lose her son. She came to Jason's place a few days later and told him so. Only ... she also said that she absolutely can't go against John's wishes, because he is her husband - and because he has a heart condition nobody knew about. Nothing immediately life-threatening, but if Jason should insist on a confrontation ..." He spread his hands expressively. "You can imagine how Jason took that bit of news."

"Blackmail, you mean," Eric growled. He met two pairs of slightly shocked eyes defiantly. "That's what it amounts to, doesn't it? In effect, she's telling Jason to either give up your relationship or give up on his family. Because if he doesn't, he might kill his father. Pretty much spells emotional blackmail to /me/."

"I guess," Tommy conceded reluctantly. "I doubt Jason sees it quite that way, but ..."

"But he's still put into an untenable position." Frowning, Wes tried to look at the problem from all sides. "No matter what choice he makes, it's going to be the wrong one. Either way, he'll end up hurting someone he loves."

"Exactly. He even told me he's seriously considered breaking up with me, only couldn't bring himself to do it. I've never been more grateful in my life."

"I can imagine." Wes shared a look with Eric and briefly reached for his hand, giving it a squeeze. In his darkest hours, he'd contemplated the same thing once or twice ... and had come to the same conclusion as Jason. The man he loved meant more to him than his father's disapproval. Silence settled between the three men until Eric broke it at last.

"So why come to us?" he asked a little gruffly. "What do you expect us to do?"

"Expect ... nothing," Tommy murmured. "I just needed to talk to someone who I could trust and be sure would understand - and quite frankly, you're the only other same-sex couple I know." He met his hosts' eyes with painful honesty. "Is there any advice you can give me?" he asked. "Jason's crawled so far into a shell, he's not eating right, he's hardly talking ... half the time, he won't even let me touch him," he said in a muted whisper. On impulse, he added, "We haven't been together - intimate - since that weekend." Tommy felt himself blush at the very personal admission, but didn't care.

"You came all the way here just because you aren't getting laid anymore?" Eric said without thinking, more to cover his sympathy and compassion at Tommy's obvious misery than out of any real desire to mock him.

"Eric!" Wes exclaimed with a slightly shocked, disapproving look at the uncharacteristic rudeness. He knew Eric could be snarky, but he wasn't usually mean - and this remark definitely crossed the line.

"If that's supposed to be funny, I'm not laughing," Tommy rebuked him quietly, his eyes blazing momentarily with hurt defiance. "That's not why I came to see you guys."

"Sorry," Eric muttered, suddenly feeling embarrassed. He really ought not to have said that, and both Wes and Tommy were right to call him on it. "Didn't mean that the way it sounded," he added somewhat lamely. Seems I've just had an attack of foot-in-mouth disease. Damn.

Tommy accepted the grudging apology with a nod. "To answer your question, though - yes, I miss making love with Jason. But most of all, I miss sharing with him; as I said, he's not really communicating with me anymore. And there's other things, too - he almost wrecked his car on the road to Reefside a while ago, and treats it like it's nothing. I'm afraid he's gonna injure himself some day if he doesn't deal with the situation somehow." He took a deep breath. "Guys, I'm getting desperate here. What can I do to help Jason?"

"Well ... I suppose I could speak to him about how things went between me and my Dad," Wes suggested rather dubiously after a brief pause. "It wasn't the same situation, though, and I kind of doubt it'll help, but I can at least try if you think it's worth the effort."

"I don't know, but would you?" Tommy said gratefully. "I'm really at the end of my rope - and I'm thinking that at this point anything is better than doing nothing at all."

"Sure," Wes smiled, then turned towards Eric. "You don't mind, do you?"

The Quantum Ranger was silently staring into the middle distance. Something Tommy had said niggled at the back of his mind, and he was trying to make the connection. At last, it clicked. He got up, went to the window to collect his thoughts away from his lover and their anxious guest, then turned around and focused on Tommy.

"I think Jason needs more than just someone to talk to," he said slowly. "Not that it'd hurt, but ... if this is what I think it is, you'll have to get a lot more hands-on."

"No problem, but how? I'll do anything to help him."

"Anything?" Eric repeated with a small, not entirely pleasant smile that sent a skitter of uncertainty down Tommy's spine.

Lightly-slanted black eyes bore into Tommy's brown ones, but his gaze never wavered as he answered.

"Yes. Whatever it takes."

Eric nodded once. "Very well. If you're serious about this -"

"I am."

"Okay. Then I'll have to see Jason."

"You? Why?" The surprise in Tommy's voice matched Wes' expression perfectly.

"Because if I'm right, you're probably the last person who can give him what he needs," he stated bluntly, permitting himself a tiny grin. "But I might - and I'm willing to try, if you give me your word you won't interfere."

Jealousy flared as images of what Eric and Jason had once shared flashed through Tommy's mind. Surely Eric wasn't implying that he - Nah. He's too committed to Wes. I think. Surely he wouldn't ... Ruthlessly, Tommy smothered the unpleasant thought. He'd meant what he'd said - he'd do anything to help Jason. Literally. If whatever Eric was planning worked, he'd deal with the aftermath later. As long as it brings Jason back from that dark place he's in. He swallowed any further objections and inclined his head.

"I promise. Just ... make it soon, okay?"

"Very well." Eric held out his hand, and after only a second's hesitation, Tommy shook it, sealing the bargain.

"Thanks."

Wes, who had been watching the two intently, smiled in relief. He was honestly glad that Eric had offered to help, even though he shared some of the misgivings he'd read in Tommy. But Jason was a friend of sorts, to both of them - if only because he was, after all, a fellow Red Ranger. Besides, he trusted his partner.

"Now that that's settled, care to let us in on your plan?" he asked curiously.

Eric's smile widened in a way that set alarm bells off in both Wes and Tommy's minds. Casually refilling his drink, Eric lifted the glass in a silent salute and took a sip. "Nope."

"Why not?"

"Because neither one of you is gonna like what I have in mind. Least of all Jason."



To Be Continued ...