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Moments In Time	By : Dagmar Category: M through R > Power Rangers Views: 6131 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own The Power Rangers, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-Moments In Time
- 1
Note:
I couldn�t
leave well enough alone, I guess; this is the NC-17-rated version of the story
with the same name. : ) It�s still just a romance, and I never pretended
otherwise. Welcome to a piece of self-indulgence which just wouldn�t leave me
alone until I had written it down. Hopefully, you�ll enjoy it anyway, even if I
mix up �established� Ranger couples. The characters and references you
recognize belong to Saban; the rest is mine. Warning: Severe romantic outlook
required! Comments, as always, will be appreciated. DB, Spring 1999

Moments
in Time (Director's Cut)
(A Power Rangers Love Story)
by
Dagmar Buse
The Crowne Hotel
Angel Grove, Bridal
Suite, September 2006 -- sometime in the wee hours of the night
Jason Lee Scott stepped out
of the luxurious bathroom, still wearing his tuxedo trousers. He�d discarded
his jacket and tie earlier, and his white shirt was open to the waist. He cast
a fond glance at his wife who stood at the open window, her long blonde hair
blowing gently in the light breeze. Her slender figure was clad in a cream
floor-length nightgown with matching negligee, and he was eager to hold her in
his arms again. Pouring two glasses of champagne, he crossed over to stand
behind her, passing the frothy wedding gown which lay carefully spread over a
settee.
"A nightcap,
love?" He handed her one of the crystal flutes.
She turned brilliant blue
eyes towards him and smiled her thanks; clinking her glass softly against his,
she sipped the sparkling wine, savouring the taste. Her look was pensive,
though. Jason deposited his own drink on a nearby table and enfolded his bride
in a warm hug. He could feel her warm skin through the silk of the gown, and as
always, it stirred his emotions ... and something else. Tilting her face
towards his, he brushed a gentle kiss across the soft pink lips and offered his
own smile.
"What is it? Something
not quite right?"
"No; no, everything�s
fine. Today was so perfect..."
"I know what you mean.
We�ve waited so long for this...it�s hard to believe we�re finally married,
isn�t it?"
"Mm-hmm. And to have
all of our friends with us, too -- that was unbelievable."
He laughed. "Well, it�s
a good thing we had a long engagement -- at least that way, everybody could
arrange their schedules to come."
She took another sip of her
champagne.
"It�s just ... I�ve
been thinking ..."
"Uh-oh."
She elbowed him gently in
the ribs, and Jason pretended to flinch away. Both shared a moment of laughter,
then he kissed her again and drew her closer against his chest. He let his
hands glide up from her slender hips to her shoulders, caressing the smooth
skin through the creamy silk. More seriously, he asked, "What have
you been thinking about?"
"Us. More precisely, I�ve
been remembering ... how it all began ... how we began."
"Ah. Y�know, I�ve been
doing that a lot, too, over the past few days."
"You have?"
"Oh yeah. When I was
together with the guys, we all sort of reminisced how it used to be ... how
strange it is that we all sort of ended up marrying each other."
The freshly-made Mrs Jason
Scott giggled. "Everybody but Rocky. But you must admit, Mercy is perfect
for him."
"Oh, I agree. Though,
how Rocky, of all people, ended up marrying a Spanish aristocrat, I�ll never
know."
They exchanged an amused
look. The unlikely match had come about as Mercedes Maria Renata Condesa da
Silva y Aragon, on a visit to Angel Grove on behalf of her industrialist
father, had been looking for a personal trainer and somehow had been directed
to the Angel Grove Sports Academy, jointly run by Rocky DeSantos and one
Kimberly Hart Oliver. It had been a stormy courtship, but they�d been married
for over a year now, and were expecting their first child. Mercy fit in with
the rest of the old gang as if she�d been there all along, and she loved her
husband very much -- even if they were constantly bickering with each other. They
did so laughingly, however. Laughter was very much a part of daily life in the
DeSantos home.
Jason pressed a gentle kiss
against his wife�s temple. He�d been reflecting on their own courtship, which
had spanned over six years and two continents, before they finally got together
for good. He still regretted the time they�d spent apart, but it had been a
necessary period for both of them, to find out what they truly wanted out of
life. Returning to the original topic of conversation, he was curious.
"What specifically
were you remembering about us?"
"Oh, this and that ...
times in the past that were important for us ... like how it all began
..."
Katherine Hillard Scott
leaned back into her husband�s arms, looking out over the bright city lights
far down below as she remembered one rainy autumn night, almost eight years
ago.
***
London, Royal Ballet
Academy, November 1998
Kat Hillard was still
shaking with excitement. The performance had been over for over an hour, she
had already showered and changed and was waiting for her friend, roommate and
colleague Elissa Hunyadi to come out, but her heart was still beating a mile a minute.
Her first public performance in a real theatre, before a paying audience! True,
it was only a student�s performance, where the Dance Academy pupils could get a
taste of what it was going to be like, later, after graduation, but still ...! The
ballet had been "The Nutcracker", and her role a small one, but she had
danced Tchaikowsky on a London stage! It was quite an accomplishment for a
student barely out of her first year. She only wished her family and friends
could have been there to share the moment with her. Shaking off her regrets,
she finally spied her friend, and the two girls made their way to the stage
exit. Stepping out into the drizzly night, they were arguing about whether to
take the Tube or splurge for a taxi in honour of the occasion, when a vaguely
familiar voice called out Kat�s name.
"Kat! Katherine,
wait!"
The two girls turned
warily; the voice was deep, male and seemed friendly, but they weren�t
expecting anyone, and they couldn�t be too careful. While this was not New York
or East L.A., it still wasn�t all that safe in a city the size of London to be
accosted by strangers at night. Kat peered into the darkness. A
broad-shouldered young man with short dark hair approached her, a mischievous
smile on his handsome face. Beside her, Elissa stiffened.
"Kat, do you know
him?" she hissed, poised to cry out or flee, whatever should be necessary.
"I�m not sure, I
..." suddenly, Kat knew where she had seen him before. With a delighted
squeal, she dashed forward, to be caught in strong arms and wrapped in an
enthusiastic bear-hug.
"Jason!"
"Surprise!"
"I don�t believe this!
What are you doing here?" Kat quickly introduced him to her friend.
"Watching our
favourite ballerina make her stage d�but."
She gaped at him.
"Y-you were at the performance?"
Jason grinned and slipped
his arm through hers. "Sure was. Way back, true, but I did see you
-- every crash and stumble."
"Hey!" Kat
punched him playfully. "I�ll have you know that I didn�t stumble even once
-- not <on> stage, anyway."
"Meaning you crash
into the furniture only when you�re off stage?" His martial arts-honed
reflexes made him duck just in time as she lashed out at him, laughing.
"No, idiot! But
seriously -- what are you doing here? How did you know? And how, for
heaven�s sake, did you get here?"
"Huh. Tall order --
let�s see." He began ticking items off his fingers as the three slowly
made their way to the nearest Underground station. "I�m really here
to see you perform; I came here first by car and then by bus, and as for how I
knew -- well, my mom met Tanya�s mom, who had just talked to your
mom, and, well, here I am." They had reached the station and Elissa said
her good-byes; she was beginning to feel like a fifth wheel, they were so
absorbed in each other, and this Jason fellow was obviously an old friend of
Kat�s. American, by his accent, and he seemed rather nice ... nevertheless, the
Hungarian decided to wait up until her roomie came home.
The two former Rangers
quickly made their way to Kat�s favourite Indian restaurant, one of the small
family-operated establishments that could be found all over London. Ordering
tea and food, they settled down to some serious catching up.
"I thought you had
started classes at AGU -- business, wasn�t it, to open your own dojo?" Kat
warmed her hands around the cup of fragrant Assam tea, looking at her old
friend expectantly.
"I did, at first ---
but business was boring me silly; then, this spring I got an offer I couldn�t
refuse." He grinned at the old clich�. "Didn�t Tommy tell you in one
of his letters?"
A shadow fell over the
lovely features. Kat looked down at the tablecloth and her voice was strained
as she answered.
"Jase ... Tommy and I
aren�t writing anymore. Haven�t, actually, since the summer."
Jason covered her hand with
his and squeezed gently. "Oh
Kat ... I�m sorry. What
happened? Or ... you don�t have to talk about it, but if you need to ..."
The blonde swallowed hard,
then made herself meet the dark, concerned eyes. Smiling wanly, she returned
his grip.
"No, it�s okay. I�m
getting over it. Really," she added, as he raised a questioning eyebrow. "It�s
just ... I�ve been gone so long, and I�m even farther away than Kim ever was
... it wouldn�t have worked out. I�m stuck here in Europe for the next two
years at least, and it wouldn�t be fair to either one of us to hang on to a
relationship. There was no great breakup, neither one of us has met someone
else, but ... we just drifted apart. Calling was getting too expensive and
erratic, what with the time difference; the letters got fewer from both of us
the more we got caught up in our new lives....Tommy called on my birthday in
July, and we didn�t really know anymore what to talk about. He has his racing,
and I�m here; we just don�t have that much in common any more, besides our
former duties."
Her companion continued
holding her hand.
"I...I don�t know what
to say. You guys seemed so happy together when I saw you last..."
Katherine smiled somewhat
mistily. Try as she might, she couldn�t quite keep the lingering sadness out of
her voice.
"I thought we were,
too. But it�s over; there�s no sense in hanging on to something that maybe wasn�t
meant to be from the start."
"Kat, how can you say
that? You and Tommy..."
"...were both lonely
and upset; him, because of Kimberly, and me because of what Rita had done to
me. I caught Tommy on the rebound, and always knew it. I just thought, because
of our shared experiences, that there was something more between us. There wasn�t."
"But Kat..."
She squeezed his hand and
put a smile on her face. To her surprise, it was easier than it had been
before.
"Jason, please. It�s
over -- I�ve had to accept that, as hard as it�s been. I...I just would like to
put it behind me, okay? Let�s talk about something else." She watched his
skeptical expression and smiled again, a bit more genuinely. "Please?"
Jason reluctantly conceded
to her wish, as their food was brought. He�d never been to an Indian restaurant
before, and Kat readily taught him the names and properties of the various
dishes and condiments. Digging in, the two returned to their original
conversation.
"So...you said
something about an offer you couldn�t refuse?" Kat asked, grinning as she
watched Jason make a grab for his water glass. He wouldn�t listen when
she�d told him that to the uninitiated, �medium spicy� was, in fact, quite hot.
Once Jason could speak
again past his burning palate, he grinned right back, acknowledging her
I-told-you-so smirk and happy at what he had to tell her.
"You know about my
stint at the Peace Conference, right? Well, seems like all of the delegates got
offered scholarships to various European universities. I didn�t think I�d
qualify, because I left early, but in January I got a letter asking why I hadn�t
registered. I was feeling sort of dissatisfied with the classes I�d taken at
AGU, and I took a long, hard look at what I wanted out of life. I still want to
do something with martial arts, but I can teach that in my spare time; owning a
business just seemed a little ... oh, I dunno -- tame?-- after saving the
world."
"I know what you mean.
It was pretty hard to get used to living at the Academy, but it�s something I
always dreamed of doing ... even more than diving. It�s just that, as a
performing dancer, I can give joy and, well, a bit of enchantment to so many
people...I think it�s worth it -- even if tame in comparison."
Both ex-Rangers shared
understanding smiles. They knew that all of their friends had the same problem
and were coping in their own ways. Then, Jason resumed his tale.
"Anyway, before all
that business began" he made the reference to his Ranger career
deliberately oblique, " I�d sort of dreamed of becoming a policeman, or a
lawyer. Doing something to make the world a better place, and all that jazz. Only,
I don�t think I take orders all that well, and I�d never been a good enough
student to qualify for a really good law school. Besides, I talked some to Lt.
Stone, and he told me stories about life on the Police Force... no, thanks. I
want to have a family someday, and I don�t want to subject them to that
kind of stress." He tore off another piece of nan, the tasty Indian
bread, and wiped up the last bit of sauce from his plate. Popping it into his
mouth, he washed it down with some more water and returned his attention to his
rapt audience of one.
"This letter I
got....it really got me to thinking about law school again. My parents did
put up a college fund for me, but there�s no way they could afford a really
good school. The scholarship took care of that; plus, if I do well, I�ll have a
chance at an Ivy League college to finish my education. I decided it was too
good to pass up, so here I am."
"Jason, that�s
great!" Kat was sincerely pleased for her friend. It was a bit difficult
to picture him as a lawyer; Jason had always been such a man of action, but she
knew deep down that his motives were right for his chosen path. She beamed at
him, delighted.
"So, you�re back in
Geneva?"
Jason grinned.
"Actually, no. I�m in Brussels."
"Brussels? Why
there?"
"I guess you know
Brussels is the official seat of the European Community Commission,
right?"
Kat nodded; she�d lived in
England long enough to have gotten a fairly good grounding in European
politics, just from watching the news.
"Well, what better
place to study International Law? Besides, I�d already taken a few French
classes while in Geneva, so the language isn�t that much of a problem."
The dancer laughed merrily.
"Somehow, I�m having a
very hard time picturing you speaking French!"
Jason laughed with her.
"Oh, picture all you
want; it�s hearing me that�s the problem! I�ve been told my accent
is...not quite good. Yet."
"Tell me about
it!" Kat groaned in sympathy. "I have to learn French, too, since
most of the great choreographies are written in French!"
Both commiserated with each
other, sharing funny anecdotes about their various mishaps with that beautiful,
melodious, difficult language as they lingered over a second pot of tea.
Finally, Kat let her curiosity get the better of her.
"You�re going into
International Law, then? Politics?"
"Not on your life! No,
I�m aiming for criminal law, ultimately. But the way I figure it, I can get all
the other stuff out of the way here, and when I get back to the States, I can
concentrate on the rest."
"Well, Brussels is
certainly nearer to here than Geneva, and don�t get me wrong -- I�m thrilled to
death that you�re here. I so wished for my friends and family to see me
tonight, and to have at least one of you watch my stage d�but is more
than I�d ever hoped for, but isn�t it awfully expensive?" Kat was a bit
hesitant to bring this up; if it had been Tanya, or Tommy (if they�d still been
a couple), it would be different, but for Jason to spend so much money just to
be there for her... she relaxed as she saw his reassuring smile.
"Don�t worry about it,
Kat. One of the guys at my dorm is from Cambridge; he�s got his own car, and
visits his family at least once a month; more often even, if the mood hits him.
I grabbed a ride with him for a share of the gas, and I�m staying at the YMCA
in Croydon. I can swing this easily."
The Australian perked up at
that.
"You�re here in
London?" Croydon was one of the southern suburbs.
"Yep. I checked in
this morning, and Colin will pick me up at Victoria Station tomorrow night at
eight. That way, we�ll make the late ferry, catch a few winks there and be back
in time for classes on Monday."
The blue eyes lit up. "You�ll
be here tomorrow?"
"Yeah, why?"
Kat blushed slightly. She�d
been about to invite Jason over for breakfast, but a sudden rush of shyness
made her hesitate. She looked at him from under her lashes. The dark eyes were
twinkling merrily into hers, and she had to laugh away her timidity. *What
are you worried about? This is Jason; you�ve trusted him with your life once,
remember?*
"I was just
thinking...would you like to come to my place for breakfast? And, um, maybe
talk a little more?"
It was Jason�s turn to
redden a bit around the ears. He reached for her hand again.
"Actually, I was kinda
hoping you�d like to show me around town a bit, if you have the time?" An
entreating smile played over the handsome features.
Kat didn�t have to think.
"I�d love to. So, are
you coming for breakfast?"
***
Angel Grove, Crowne
Hotel, 2006
Kat laughed softly at the
memory and snuggled deeper into Jason�s arms.
"How was I to know you�d
almost eat Lissa and me out of hearth and home?"
"I did not!"
"Sure you did. That
first time and every time after that. Eggs, bacon, cereal, toast, the works. Every
weekend you came over, you ate as if they weren�t feeding you at all in
Brussels."
Jason kissed her on the
neck, nuzzling into the soft skin behind her ear and provoking the soft purr he
so loved to hear. Chuckling, he nipped on her earlobe and mock-growled.
"Well, it was either
my own cooking, or brave the cafeteria first thing each morning. I was just
attempting to do justice to your cooking skills."
"Right." She cast
a knowing look over her shoulder. Unrepentant, her husband shrugged and grinned
the slightly devilish smile she could never resist.
"Oh, come on, Kath;
you and Lissa loved mothering me; admit it!"
She leaned back into the
warm embrace. Smiling, she let her mind wander the past a bit more. Sighing
fondly over some of the memories, Kat recalled Jason�s earlier remark, that he�d
been remembering, too. Wondering which moments stood out in his mind, she
arched her neck a bit as his mouth gently wandered down to her silk-clad
shoulder once more, nibbling and kissing the smooth column.
"I admit
nothing....mmmh."
"No? I bet I could
make you," he whispered suggestively, pulling her closer as he tried to
move his hands into a more ... strategic ... place. His wife had other ideas,
though. With a playful show of reluctance, she disengaged herself from his arms
and glided over to a couch, beckoning him to come sit beside her. Jason smiled
indulgently. He didn�t mind too much; this was her night as much as his, and it
was nice to walk down memory lane with Kat -- at least for a while
still. Later, though.... He settled next to her and drew her across his lap;
cradling his lovely bride in his arms, he kissed her gently and shared one of
his own fondest moments with her.
***
Brussels University,
Sports Department, summer 1999
Kat made her way cautiously
through the packed bleachers to a place where she�d have a good view of the
mats. Jason had joined the University�s Martial Arts team soon after he�d
enrolled, and tonight was a big meet against a French college. She settled on the
uncomfortable seat; briefly, she thought about the trip to Edinburgh and a
performance of the Bolshoy Ballet she�d been invited to this very weekend. Kat
smiled a bit regretfully. Jason had been there for her so often these last few
months -- beginning with that first surprise visit for her stage d�but to his
goofy phonecalls and serious letters .... they�d become very close, very fast,
and she was increasingly looking forward to his visits to London. His friend
Colin was nice, and got along well with her roommate; the four of them often
met for dinner before the two guys headed home to Brussels. Over time, Jason
came to see her every two or three weeks, even when she had performances to
attend; the least she could do was return the favour when he was scheduled to
fight in his first big international competition. *The Bolshoy has been
around for a long time; I can always see them another time!*
The bell rang for
attention. Kat sat up straighter as the crowd around her settled down and the
announcer made the introductions. Oriental music blared over the PA system, and
the combatants marched in, single file. Soon, she made out her friend. He was
standing next to the end of the line, his powerful body clad in a black gi with
a red dragon embroidered on the back. The two Japanese characters below were
the symbols for �Power� and �Thunder�, Kat knew, and had to smile; although she
hadn�t known either Rocky or Jason during that time, both young men had always
spoken fondly of the Powers they�d once shared. When both had to retire from
the team within a short time of each other, the girls had come up with the idea
of giving them matching gi�s. Kat was inordinately pleased that Jason had
chosen to wear his tonight.
Jason tried to concentrate
on the announcer�s words, but it was hard; when they�d filed in, he�d thought
he caught a glimpse of pink topped by pale-gold hair in the audience that
seemed awfully familiar.
*Don�t get your hopes
up, pal; there are lots of girls around with that colour hair. She has that offer
to go to Scotland for the ballet; why would she give that up to watch you in
yet another karate match? She�s probably seen more than she ever cared about
back home, with the rest of the gang.*
He concentrated again on
his immediate surroundings. When the bouts began, he was focussed, as usual,
but couldn�t help wishing for his friends. The last important tournament he�d
fought in was right after Muranthias, and most of his friends had been there
with him. Jason pushed the memory to the back of his mind. That had been almost
two years ago; they hadn�t been together like that since shortly after
graduation. Apart from letters and rare phonecalls, the only link to his past
and the Rangers was his deepening friendship with Kat. Instinctively, his eyes
wandered towards the section of the bleachers where he�d seen the flash of
sunny hair. The young woman -- he was sure of it now -- sat there, watching the
matches avidly, but she was too far away for him to recognize her. The former
Ranger shook his head at himself. *Why should Kat give up her chance to see
the Bolshoy just for you?*
Kat watched Jason compete
with more absorption than she�d ever had for Tommy, but wasn�t really aware of
it. She just cheered him on as loudly as she dared, while she waited with bated
breath for the results after each bout. She could only just suppress an
exuberant shout as he landed the winning blow in the match that would bring him
to the semi-finals. The bell rang, and the lights went on again. There would be
a half-hour intermission, and the former Pink Ranger felt in need for some
fresh air. Fighting the crowds after a brief detour to the restrooms, Kat made
her way outside. She didn�t care for the milling throng of people who�d had the
same idea as herself, and moved around the corner of the building, where she�d
seen a small terrace earlier, as she�d been looking for the correct entrance. Kat
climbed the outside staircase. When she reached the top, she froze momentarily;
a male figure dressed in black was standing at the stone banister, his back to
her. Suddenly, her heart began to beat faster. He was wearing a gi, and on the
broad back a red embroidered dragon seemed to writhe sinuously with every tiny
little movement. The short dark hair and a glint of gold at his left earlobe
clinched it.
Stepping closer to the
solitary figure on almost-silent feet, Kat felt a smile play around her lips. She
watched Jason for a few moments more, the way he drew in deep draughts of the
balmy night air, before she spoke softly, not wanting to startle him.
"You looked pretty
amazing out there."
Jason whirled around. He
hadn�t been so absorbed in his thoughts that he hadn�t heard someone
approach -- his reflexes and senses were too well-honed after being a Ranger
for so long, and almost a lifetime of Martial Arts, but he�d never
expected to hear that particular, softly-accented voice.
"K-kat?"
The Australian stepped
forward, into the faint light from lanterns below.
"In the flesh,"
she replied, smiling at his thunderstruck expression. She didn�t resist as
Jason grasped both her hands and pulled her closer. Resting them on his broad
shoulders, she gave him a friendly peck on the cheek. The glint of surprise in
his dark eyes made way for genuine pleasure as he looked her over.
"Oh man, this is unbelievable!
I thought I�d seen you in the audience, but couldn�t believe it....What
about your trip to Edinburgh? Did it fall through?"
"No," Kat said,
hopping onto the banister. She held his gaze as she confessed softly,
"Coming here was more important to me. The Bolshoy will come my way
another time. Your first big tournament won�t."
Jason stepped closer,
loosely enfolding her in his arms. He tried telling himself that it was only to
prevent Kat from accidentally falling off the low wall, but a small presence at
the back of his mind had suddenly gone on full-scale alert. The young woman
didn�t seem to notice that her friend was holding her almost in an embrace, and
Jason shushed the voice that whispered at him to take just one more step, to
lift his hands from the railing and place them around the slender back and....
"But Kat....you wanted
to go so much..."
"I wanted to come here
more." Her tone was warm, friendly, but also quite adamant. "You came
to my d�but last fall, and the least I can do is to return the favour. We�re
friends; that�s what friends do for each other."
"Yeah. Friends,"
Jason agreed, trying hard to squelch his disappointment. His first visit to
London had indeed been meant as a friendly gesture -- it had cost him little
more than his time, after all, and had been a welcome break from studying, but
with time, he�d returned again and again because....he wasn�t sure. He only
knew that Kat was appearing more gorgeous to him every time he saw her, and
that he was getting increasingly impatient the closer the time for his visits
became. To give them up now was near unthinkable.
The two former Rangers
looked at each other consideringly. Suddenly, they both had to laugh, and the
slight tension that had sprung up between them with Kat�s admission dissolved. Jason
relaxed and leaned against the banister next to his blonde friend.
"So...when did you
come, and how long can you stay?"
Kat swung her legs a little
as she looked at him sideways, a mischievous smile on her lovely face.
"I came this
afternoon, and I can stay until tomorrow at five; I�ll have to catch the train
to Ostend."
Jason nodded; he�d become
quite familiar with the ferry schedule, and knew that she�d be on the ten
o�clock ferry to Dover.
"Did you book a
cabin?"
"No, a sleeper chair;
I�ll be in London early enough for a shower and change before classes. I�m off
early on Mondays, so I can catch up on any sleep I�m going to miss."
"And....what are your
plans for tomorrow?"
He felt like pumping his
fist in the air at Kat�s reply.
"Well, I thought you
might perhaps return the favour and show me around Brussels?"
"Gladly." The
deep voice had grown slightly husky, and Kat looked at Jason, surprised. The
warm glow in his eyes made her catch her breath as he slowly straightened and
took up his former position in front of her, his strong arms bracketing her on
both sides. Before either could say anything else, however, a distant bell
recalled audience and combatants back into the gym hall. Jason stepped back,
reluctance in every line of his body. He swallowed once.
Kat slid down from her seat
and looked at Jason, as if seeing him for the first time. She�d thought she�d
known him well, but all of a sudden his handsome face, his powerful, muscular
body had quite a different impact on her than ever before. She could feel her
mouth dry up and a new, unfamiliar kind of heat coil low in her belly.
"I have to go."
"I know."
Neither made a move. Then,
Jason reached for her hand once more. Stroking the back gently with his thumb,
he wouldn�t look at her as he made a request.
"Will....will you wait
for me here, afterwards?"
Kat�s voice was hardly more
than a whisper as she answered.
"Of course."
She was released from her
momentary paralysis as she took in the smile lighting up his face. He didn�t
say anything as he was about to turn away, towards the entrance she hadn�t
noticed before, but Kat couldn�t just let him leave like this. She softly
called out his name.
"Jason?"
"Yes, Kat?"
Her nickname had never sounded
so gentle. She felt her heart beat a little faster.
"Good luck."
Jason laughed.
"Thanks. I�m going to
need it."
How could he think that? He
was the first Red Ranger, the Gold Ranger; he�d defeated Space Aliens and
monsters, what Human opponent could possibly overpower him in a fair fight? Kat
put a hand that was not quite steady on the muscled forearm. Earnestly, she
looked up the short distance into his eyes -- Jason was not quite as tall as
Tommy, but still had a couple of inches on her.
"No, you don�t. You
can win this."
"You think so?"
"I know so."
The soft voice rang with
conviction. Jason looked deeply into the sapphire eyes, which seemed almost as
dark as his own in the semi-darkness surrounding them. The trust and belief in
them settled into the core deep within him, and he just nodded his acceptance. He
really had to leave; the bell had just rung a second time. Still, the two
stood, staring at each other. Neither wanted to break away.
A shout of laughter,
running footsteps and the slamming of a door below broke the tableau. Jason ran
a hand through his short, dark hair, and Kat briefly looked away.
"I..." Words
failed Jason. Drawing a ragged breath, he settled for reassurance.
"Are you sure you won�t
mind waiting?"
"I�m positive. Go, and
win -- I know you can do it."
Kat saw the momentary
flicker of doubt cross his features, but also the small ray of hope lighting
his eyes. Without thinking, she reinforced the latter in the only way that came
to her. She crossed the small distance between them and placed both hands on
the broad shoulders, squeezing gently.
"Go. I�ll be waiting
for you."
Before Jason could answer
that, Kat did something to rob him completely of speech. She leaned forward
slightly and brushed her soft lips against his, in the lightest of caresses. Then,
she was gone, skipping down the stairs and vanishing inside.
He stared after her,
stunned speechless and immobile, his lips tingling and a certain part of his
body going on almost-full alert. He recalled himself with a shake of his head
as he heard the coach bellow his name in the distance, and went back inside,
exerting his considerable willpower to calm himself down. The last-minute
instructions and the march back into the arena passed him by in a momentary
daze, until he found himself back in the spotlight. The announcer introduced
the final four combatants, and when his name was called out, Jason
automatically zoomed in on the area in the bleachers where he�d seen Kat�s
sunny hair before. Their eyes met and held across the distance, and suddenly
everything came into focus again. The young man took his place on the edge of
the mat, kneeling in the traditional position as he waited his turn. If he
concentrated, he could still feel the brush of Kat�s mouth against his own, and
it filled him with joy and confidence. No matter what happened out here
tonight, he would still be a winner -- maybe, if he was extremely lucky, in
more ways than one.
Kat resumed her seat with
burning cheeks and her heart beating in her throat. She hardly heard or saw
what was going on around her, until Jason turned towards her to look directly
into her eyes. She smiled, although it was highly improbable that he�d be able
to see it, and finally relaxed. She watched the first pair fight, then sat up
straighter as Jason bowed to his opponent. While he jumped, kicked and rolled
on the mats, scoring point after point, her thoughts were whirling madly.
*Oh God, what have I
done? What must he think of me? Whatever made me...kiss...him like that?*
Kat trembled slightly at
the memory of how warm Jason�s lips had felt against hers. Unbidden, on the
tail of that, came another thought that sent a fresh rush of colour into her
cheeks and a renewed surge of heat into her innermost core.
*Do I want to do it
again? Do I want him to kiss me? And not just fleetingly, but really?Deeply,
like a boyfriend? Maybe even .... as a lover, someday?*
The answer to all
questions, to Kat�s surprise, was a resounding "yes". Yet another
question popped up as she cheered automatically when Jason scored the winning
point with a flawless roundhouse kick.
*Am I in love with him? And
if I am, when did it happen?*
She had no answer to the
latter, but the former question brought a rush of warmth and well-being, even
of peace, to her. Pushing everything aside, Kat applauded vigorously as Jason *My
boyfriend? Oh, I hope so!* stepped up for the final match. Her heart in her
throat, she watched, as mesmerized as the rest of the crowd, as Jason and his
opponent, an olive-skinned Frenchman, circled each other. Both were about the
same height, but where Jason fought with power and strength, the other brought
a cat-like grace and incredible speed into the bout. Both scored even points,
neither getting the upper hand. At long last, the Frenchman managed almost to
pin Jason down, but it was not enough for a winning point. The former Ranger
fought with all his might to prevent being thrown completely to the mat. He
closed his eyes briefly to gather his slowly ebbing strength. Twisting as much
as he could, he loosened the hold the other had on him slightly, then looked up
towards the audience. Dark eyes met blue pools as if drawn by a magnet. What
Jason found in them gave him the necessary impetus to heave up and out, twist
and deliver a spinning back kick that would have made Chuck Norris proud. His
opponent went down and didn�t get up again. He�d won.
The crowd went wild as his
teammates, the coach and friends from his University swarmed him. For a moment,
Jason was disoriented as he was hugged, cheered and jostled. When he came up
for air again and searched the bleachers, the pale-gold head was gone.
Kat waited patiently
outside the University gym as the crowd of spectators and contestants slowly thinned
out. She was shivering slightly; on the outside because it was getting late,
and a not-quite gentle breeze blew around the corner, and on the inside,
because she did not know what would happen once Jason joined her.
*What do I want to
happen?* She asked
herself for the umpteenth time since the intermission. Kat was no closer to an
answer when finally the double glass doors opened and a powerful figure in
jeans, t-shirt and loose flannel appeared. She slowly straightened from her
perch against a walled flower bed, butterflies still dancing madly in her
stomach, as her friend and fellow former Ranger approached her.
Jason dropped his gym bag
on the floor and drank in the sight of Kat, from her wind-blown locks and
sparkling, questioning eyes down her lithe, willowy figure clad in her
trademark pink shirt and white summer slacks to her sandalled feet. His eyes
were drawn upwards again and fastened on the soft pink lips. They moved, and he
made out the single word with difficulty through his thundering heartbeat.
"Congratulations."
It was a whisper on the
wind, and barely audible, but Jason didn�t need to hear. Because Kat�s eyes
were speaking to him as well, and they were telling him things he�d hoped to
hear for a long time now. Smiling his thanks, he took a single step that
brought him to her, and Kat found herself enfolded in strong arms that warmed
her inside and out. She buried her face in the red-and-black flannel and
threaded her arms around Jason�s waist. The two held each other for a long
time, listening to each other�s heartbeat, until another member of the winning
Brussels team passed them and said something teasingly to Jason. He released
Kat slightly and responded in his accented French. The other young man laughed
and sauntered off as Jason turned back towards her.
"What did he
say?" Kat asked, curious. His accent had been unfamiliar to her, her
French was not that good to begin with, and she�d been ... distracted. To
her surprise, Jason blushed. He slowly, reluctantly released her.
"Jase?"
The young man cleared his
throat. He could feel his cheeks flaming as he haltingly translated Luc�s
remark.
"He...he said that I�m
twice lucky tonight...to win the tournament and....and get the pretty
blonde."
"Oh!"
Katherine felt her own
blush rise up from her toes. She almost didn�t hear Jason�s mumbled next words.
"Yeah, don�t I
wish."
Suddenly, the butterflies
that had plagued her ever since that fleeting touch of her lips against his
were back with a vengeance. In hardly more than a whisper, she asked.
"Wish ... what,
Jason?"
He met her eyes. Swallowing
hard, he gambled everything on the hope that suddenly rose brightly within him.
"That I�d really won
the pretty blonde."
All at once, her doubts
vanished. Kat reached out to the young man, her friend, her former teammate,
and gently touched Jason�s cheek with her fingertips. Trailing them downwards
to his lips, which opened on an indrawn breath, she smiled tremulously and
sought out the midnight eyes. Looking deeply and finding everything she�d ever
wished for, she moved closer, back into his instinctive embrace, her voice
sultry and sure.
"Who says you haven�t?"
Jason�s breath caught for a
moment, then he felt his heart begin to race. Pulling Kat even more tightly to
him, his voice was husky and deeper than usual as he whispered her name.
"Kath?"
"Yes."
Further words became
superfluous as their lips met and clung, opening to each other in an exchange
as old as time. They nibbled and licked sensitive surfaces until their tongues
touched and twined, thrusting and retreating in a primal dance that left them
breathless and dizzy, but which they were all too eager to continue late into
the night.
***
Angel Grove, Crowne
Hotel, 2006
Kat sighed softly and curled
up against her husband�s chest as Jason�s mouth released her own and wandered
up into her hair. At the time, both had shied away eventually from awakening
hunger; now, they were quite familiar with the gentle rush of desire their
kisses engendered in both of them. She tilted her head and looked lovingly into
his dark eyes.
"That was the first
time you called me �Kath� instead of �Kat�."
" I just like it
better; it�s a bit softer, more gentle....just like you." Jason pecked her
playfully on the nose. "Besides, I never really saw you as a cat."
"No? What then?"
His wife cast him a slightly wary look.
"Are you sure you want
to know?" The deep organ shook with suppressed laughter.
Kat sat up straighter.
Turning slightly so that she could look into eyes sparkling with mischief, she
fixed her brand-new husband with a mock glare.
"Yes, I think I do. Out
with it, Jason Scott, or I�ll...."
"You�ll...what?"
He tugged at her hair playfully.
"I�ll think of
something, don�t worry." Kat tried and failed to look menacing. Jason
pulled her back into his arms, thinking her adorable when he ruffled her
feathers. Which is why he loved doing it so much.
"Okay, but remember,
you asked."
Looking his wife over
critically and earning himself a playful swat, he seemed to consider the matter
carefully.
"Well, you�re tall,
and graceful, and when you move .... especially when you run .... you sort of
remind me of a horse."
"A...what?!" He
grinned at her expression, which was a mixture of indignant and incredulous.
"Yeah....have you ever
seen an Arabian thoroughbred move? When I was in Geneva, one of the study tours
took us to a horse-breeding facility in Morocco. The horses there....the way
they ran, and played....pure poetry in motion. Power, speed and grace. That�s
what I see when I look at you."
He kissed her again. Only
slightly mollified, Kat settled back into Jason�s arms. A look at him confirmed
her suspicion that that wasn�t all. He noticed, and his grin broadened.
"Of course, if you really
don�t care about the comparison, there�s another I could have made..."
"Like what?"
Kat tried to brace herself
against an even more outrageous epithet. Her loving husband didn�t disappoint
her.
"Oh, if a horse -- or
maybe steed would be a better word -- is too big or whatever for you, you
sometimes also remind me of a whippet."
For a moment, Kat was
pleased, then the full picture descended on her with Jason�s next words.
"Of course, since
whippets are dogs, and you are female, that�d make you a..." He yelped as
she pinched him, hard, torn between outrage and laughter.
"Ouch; that
hurt!" He tried to assume an expression of wounded innocence. Kat just
glared at him, trying to control her twitching lips. Jason tried once again.
"Ah, I�ve got it ... a
fawn? Of course, you�d have to dye your hair brown for that....and your
eye-colour is all wrong, too..."
Kat gave up the struggle
against her laughter. He was impossible to deal with when in this mood. Instead,
she settled for as dire a threat as she could think of.
"Jason, I swear, if I
didn�t love you so much, I�d....I�d...." she never got to finish.
Jason gathered her close
again, chuckling, but his eyes still sparkled with unholy mirth.
"And I love you. More
than ever."
The blue eyes softened, as
they always did when Jason expressed his feelings for her in that tender, husky
tone that sent shivers down her spine. Today no less than the first time he�d
done so, all those years ago.....
***
London, the weekend
before Valentine�s Day, 2000
Kat folded Tommy�s letter
into the precise creases it�d been in. Although they hadn�t been a couple for
quite some time, they still stayed loosely in contact as friends, like with
Rocky and Adam -- or Billy, who had come back from Aquitar for reasons as yet
unknown. He was now at MIT, breezing through his studies and headed for his
first doctorate.
It should have come as no
surprise to her -- Tommy had accepted a place on a racing team based in
Daytona, and with Kimberly still in Florida, training hard for the Olympics in
her own hometown of Sydney this summer, it probably had been inevitable that
the two had reconnected. They weren�t a couple again yet, but had sorted out
their relationship and were prepared to try again once Kim was under less
pressure.
Katherine was happy and
more than that with Jason, but it still hurt, in ways she wasn�t altogether
comfortable with. She�d always felt that she couldn�t quite live up to
the first Pink Ranger, that she somehow fell short. Everybody had always told
her she was being ridiculous, but the irrational nagging had persisted. It had
gotten better once she gained distance, emotionally and geographically, but the
letter brought it all back. She appreciated Tommy�s honesty in telling her
himself, rather than let her hear it third- or fourth-hand from one of their
friends, but still....she�d invested so much of her heart into that first love,
that she couldn�t help but reflect on what might have been.
The dancer sighed. She
looked out into the drizzly gray sky, feeling depressed and lonely. It was only
a few days until Valentine�s Day, and the cheery decorations, hearts and
flowers in the shop windows made her want to scream. To top it all off, her
teacher, a tiny, ethereal woman in her early forties, had made a few remarks
about her that stung, reminding her of the time after graduating from school
when she�d become obsessed with her weight. Kat knew that she was a bit on the
tall side for a dancer; since most male dancers weren�t very tall, the added
height of dancing on her toes made her tower over most of her fellow students. Her
build was perfectly proportionate to her height, but Madame Orlovska�s words made
her feel fat and ungainly. Elissa wasn�t home to commiserate with her; Kat
checked her watch and came to a decision.
*Money be damned! I need
to talk to somebody who will make me feel better!*
She reached for the phone
and dialled a number on the Continent, with a Brussels area code.
*I just hope he�s in...*
***
Jason arrived by train on
Saturday morning; Kat met him at Victoria Station and the two set off, towards
the theatre district. Jason inquired earnestly after the reasons for her
not-quite frantic phonecall, but now that he was actually here, Kat found
herself perversely unwilling to talk. Only yesterday Mme. Orlovska had made
another scathing remark concerning her, markedly singling out the shorter,
tinier, slimmer students. Kat was trying valiantly not to let it bother
her, but wasn�t very successful. Still, for Jason�s sake, she attempted to make
light of it when he insisted on knowing, to play all the little and not so
little hurts down.
They strolled around Covent
Garden, watching tourists and locals mingle with young and old street buskers
around the square; then made their way through small sidestreets to Chinatown
-- although the name "town" was rather misleading. Basically, it was
one street running parallel to Shaftesbury Avenue, but cordoned off to permit
only foot traffic, with street signs and phone booths all lettered in Chinese. They
picked an inexpensive restaurant to have lunch, and finally Jason had a chance
to cut through his girlfriend�s determined chatter.
They were sharing a pot of
jasmine tea against the February chill outside when he grasped her hands in
his. Lifting them to his lips and gently caressing the knuckles, he made his
voice as gentle as he knew how.
"Kath? Kath honey,
what�s wrong?"
"Nothing."
She wouldn�t meet his eyes.
Instead, Jason felt her fingers convulse slightly in his own. He brushed a soft
kiss against one palm.
"Kath."
His tone of voice was
enough to make Kat blush guiltily. It was warm, tender, understanding, but it
also told her that Jason saw right through her, and wouldn�t be put off any
longer with lame excuses and evasions. In her present state of mind, it made
her even more irrationally edgy. And yet, she tried to tamp down on her roiling
emotions. Looking at Jason from under her lashes, she impatiently freed one of
her hands and brushed back her hair. Stalling a bit, Kat put a mock scowl on
her face.
"You think you know me
pretty well, don�t you?" Her tone was sharper than she�d intended, and
Jason frowned slightly.
"Don�t I?" He
countered her question with one of his own. Reaching out, he trailed the back
of his hand down her cheek, and that was enough. Tears began to fill the blue
eyes and threatened to spill over. Quickly, Jason abandoned his seat opposite
Kat and sat down next to her, pulling her face against his broad shoulder. The
blonde buried her face in his grey turtleneck and sobbed a couple of times
before she got a hold of herself once more. Fumbling for a tissue, she nearly
upended her large purse over the small table. Jason grinned involuntarily as he
caught a pen, a hairbrush and a small, rolled-up umbrella just in time before
they ended on the floor.
*I�ll never understand
what she needs all this stuff for!*
He surveyed the assorted
paraphernalia amusedly while Kat blew her nose and wiped at her eyes. She
caught his smile and bit back a sharp remark. It wasn�t Jason�s fault that she
was so out of sorts; on the contrary, he�d come as soon as possible after her
weepy phonecall two days ago, and was so nice and considerate....
*So why is he setting my
teeth so on edge?*
Kat had no answer. Deciding
that she had nothing to lose, she haltingly confessed her woes to him, starting
with her teacher�s slurs against her. Airing her complaints made them seem as
petty and small as they really were, and Jason�s understanding and gentle
humour, spiced with a few choice remarks about Madame Orlovska, whom he�d had
the displeasure to meet once, soon after they�d started dating seriously, soon
brought a watery smile to her lips.
"I ... I�m sorry,
Jase; I don�t know why she suddenly gets to me so much." She poured
another cup of tea. Reaching for the sugarbowl, she suddenly stopped herself. Mme
Orlovska�s barbs might not be true, but they still stung -- and there was a
kernel of truth in them -- as a dancer, she couldn�t afford any extra
weight. It fanned the still-glowing embers of her temper, but Kat swallowed it
down. Instead, she opened a packet of sweetener and stirred the two tiny
tablets into her tea. She sipped the hot liquid with a grimace.
Jason lifted his own cup. Jasmine
tea was not his favourite, but it was hot, and it seemed to soothe Kat. However,
as the silence lengthened and the sapphire pools remained shadowed, he slipped
an arm around her waist and squeezed gently.
"What else is
bothering you, Kath?"
For a minute, Kat balked at
giving her boyfriend the answer he deserved, but she really needed to get it
off her chest. She was about to snuggle a bit more deeply into his arm, when a
waiter jostled Jason�s elbow, nearly upending a bowl of soup over him. With a
regretful smile, Jason resumed his former seat. He held her hand in his, and
rested his cheek in her palm. Kat could feel his warm breath waft over her
wrist as he tickled her briefly with his tongue-tip, and it sent a tiny shiver
down her spine. Normally, she welcomed these tiny little signs of their growing
intimacy, but today it only served to irritate her once more. She withdrew her
hand from his and played restlessly with her belongings, which still lay
scattered over the small table.
Kat drew a deep breath. Releasing
it slowly, she couldn�t look Jason in the eye as she mumbled out the real
reason for her edginess.
"I ... I got a letter
from Tommy the other day. From Florida."
She blushed a dull red. Jason
knew that Tommy still sent her an occasional message, just as he received mail
from the other female Rangers. He�d never seemed to mind, but somehow, this
felt .. different. Kat couldn�t look up, but noticed the slight stiffening in
the powerful body across the table. The deep voice, however, stayed as calm and
understanding as before.
"Ah. He told you,
then?"
"What?!" She
looked up sharply. The dark eyes regarded her with warm sympathy. "Are you
telling me you ... you knew that he�s taken up with Kimberly
again?"
"Kath ... Tommy and I
are best friends. Always have been, always will be. It was only natural that he�d
tell me."
The Australian felt her
temper rise from simmering to a slow boil.
"Why didn�t you tell
me?!" Fresh tears were threatening to spill over, and she dashed them
impatiently away. Jason handed her another tissue, and tried to ignore her
wrathful glance as she accepted it. "At least then I�d�ve had some
warning!"
Jason sobered. This went
far beyond anything he�d expected once Kat knew. He tried not to let it hurt
him, that she still seemed so strongly affected by the fact that Tommy and Kim
were starting over. Instead, he reached for a slim hand once more.
"Because Tommy asked
me not to; he felt you deserved to hear it from him. Of course, if I�d known
it�d take him three weeks to get around to contacting you ..."
"You knew for three
weeks about this and you didn�t think I might want to know? Is Tommy more
important to you than I?" Her voice rose, and with an effort Kat brought
it back down. The need for quiet in this public place grated on her nerves,
making her even crankier. *What�s wrong with me? Why do I get so bent out of
shape? I have Jason now -- why am I still so obsessed about Tommy?* Kat had
no answer for the voice inside her head.
"Kat....you, and
Tommy, are the two most important people in my life, next to my parents. Of
course I wanted you to know, but I couldn�t break my promise, once I�d given
it."
Kat nodded reluctantly. She�d
always known that, once given, Jason�s word was his bond. Truthfully, it was
one of the things she liked so much about him. Still, it wasn�t easy to accept
in her present mood. She almost missed his next question.
"Kath ... what�s
getting to you so much? I thought you�d told me it was over between you."
She heard the slight note
of pain he couldn�t quite keep out in Jason�s voice, and it made her feel like
a heel. It was her turn to reach for his hand and grip it reassuringly. Dredging
up a smile, Kat finally looked at him. Her lips were quivering as she answered.
"It <is> over.
It�s just ... oh Jase, I don�t know!" She almost wailed, looking down at
their joined hands. "Everything�s just piling up on me, I guess ... I
failed a written test and have to take it again, I pulled a muscle last week,
and it still hurts when I walk or dance, the others at school are nasty to me,
Orlovska�s comments aren�t helping, I�m trying to lose weight, I really am, but
I�m hungry, and you had to cancel last weekend, and I miss you, and I�m
sick and tired of the rain and the cold and of Valentine�s Day on Monday when
everybody will have someone, only you�ll be in Brussels, and I want to go home,
and...."
Jason couldn�t help
himself, he had to laugh. Her litany came out in such a rush, and Kat looked so
... cute, like a lost little girl as she blurted out all the things that had
piled up on her, that he could only lift her hands to his mouth once more,
kissing the smooth backs as he tried to control his twitching lips. He couldn�t
hide the amusement in his voice or the merry twinkle in his eyes, however, as
he tried to calm his girlfriend down.
"And on top of that,
your former boyfriend writes you he�s getting back together with his former
girlfriend, which your current boyfriend knew...."
Kat had to laugh, as well. Jason�s
irreverent humour and well-developped sense of the ridiculous were infectious,
and she blushed slightly.
"Yeah, something like
that."
She tried to look away, but
Jason wouldn�t let her. He put two fingers under her chin and met her
still-stormy blue eyes.
"Poor baby," he
said soothingly as he brushed his lips fleetingly across hers. He didn�t mean
to sound patronizing, but somehow, that�s how it seemed to Kat. She clenched
her teeth against a fresh outburst as he released her and reached for his
backpack, which rested under the table. Rummaging briefly around, he finally
found what he was looking for under his change of clothes, and pulled out a
roughly book-sized package, wrapped in pink with a shiny, somewhat rumpled red
bow and a Valentine heart dangling from it.
"Here. Hope this will
cheer you up a bit," he said as he handed the young woman the package. Kat
took it somewhat dubiously, muttering her thanks automatically as she turned it
over in her hands. It was slightly smaller than a legal pad, and maybe two
inches high; as she hefted it, it rattled slightly, and it wasn�t heavy enough
to be a book. Skeptically, she looked at Jason.
"What is it?"
"Your Valentine. Since
I can�t be here Monday, I thought, instead of mailing it, I�d give it to you in
person."
"Thanks. I... I didn�t
get anything for you, though ... I didn�t think ..."
"That�s okay, Kath. If
you hadn�t called, I�d have come next weekend, as planned. The way it turned
out, I�ll have to cancel that," Jason said, regretfully. They had intended
on attending a rock concert together; now Kat would have to find someone else
to give his ticket to, or go alone. But he couldn�t afford two visits that
shortly after another, and he had to make up the study time he�d lost by coming
here this weekend. Not for the first time, he silently cursed the fact that the
two of them were living in different cities, not to mention countries. *Long-distance
relationships suck, big time! No wonder Tommy had so much trouble, with both
Kim and Kat. But I�m not gonna let that happen to Kath and me! No way!*
"Go on, open it,"
he urged her gently, as Katherine tried to fight down a new surge of
disappointment. She�d really been looking forward to having Jason
accompanying her to the concert; for once, it was a group they both liked,
neither her favourite solo artists, nor his more customary hard-rock bands.
Kat carefully unwrapped the
shimmering pink paper. She caught her breath as the box inside became visible
-- but not with delight. Rather, her heart began to beat rapidly with her
growing anger. As she peeled the wrapping off, her worst suspicions were
confirmed -- the gold-coloured carton bore the logo of a well-known Belgian
chocolate factory; one that produced totally delicious, but sinfully rich
pralin�s with cream or truffle fillings. By the size and weight of it, it
contained at least half a pound of assorted chocolates. Jason had introduced
her to the calorie-laden treat on her first visit to Brussels, and knew how
irresistible they were to her. Normally, she�d have scolded him for spending
too much money on things that were designed to settle on her hips as soon as
she consumed them, but eaten the first one right away. Today, it was the straw
that broke the camel�s back -- or, in this case, caused Kat�s already frayed
temper to explode.
Pushing back her chair, she
jumped up and lit into him, keeping her voice down with the utmost effort.
"You....you
insensitive jerk! How could you?!"
Furious, she stared at him,
her eyes shooting blue fire. Before Jason could answer, Kat ranted on.
"I just told you that
I need to lose weight, that Orlovska thinks I�m too fat anyway, and you go and
buy me chocolates?! I told you on Thursday that I can�t afford this! But
no, Mr High-and-Mighty Scott knows better, don�t you? Haven�t you any
regard for my feelings?"
"Kath, I..."
She didn�t let him
continue. Eyes dark with fury and brimming with tears, she began to stuff her
belongings indiscriminately into her purse.
"I don�t want to hear
your lame excuses! If you cared about me anything at all, you�d never
have been so thoughtless and .... and...." she sobbed with anger.
Jason sat back, stunned at
her tirade. It was obvious that Kat was in no mood to listen to anything he
might have to say, but he tried nonetheless.
"Kath, please, just
listen to me! It�s not what you think; if you�d just open it..."
"You don�t know
what I�m thinking! And you know what, Jason? I don�t care! In fact, I don�t
care about you! I don�t care if I never see you again!"
With that parting shot, Kat
turned and ran out of the restaurant, leaving her boyfriend behind with her
lipstick, her umbrella, a vial of aspirin (all of which had been in her purse
before she upended it) -- and the bill. Jason caught a glimpse of her face as
she dashed through the door; the tears had already begun to flow, and he desperately
wanted -- needed-- to talk to Kat, but couldn�t follow her just yet. The
waiter, who had observed the little scene with barely disguised interest, was
gratifyingly prompt in bringing the bill, but by then it was too late. Kat had
disappeared in the crowd. Sighing, Jason sat back in his seat and poured the
last of the tea. Sipping the warm liquid slowly, he tried to decide what to do.
The wrapping paper had
fluttered to the floor at Kat�s hasty departure, but in her agitation, she had
stuffed the offending package into her purse, along with most of her other
things. That was a good sign, wasn�t it?
*I just hope she takes
it back home; if she trashes it on the way...*
Jason refused to consider
that possibility. And even if Kat was still upset enough to do that, there were
other ways to give her the message he�d hidden in the package. But maybe it
would be better to let her calm down for a while. With another sigh, he got up
to take a look at a daily newspaper that was available to patrons. If he had to
spend his evening alone, he might as well check out the movie listings.
***
Kat stormed into the
apartment she shared with Elissa Hunyadi. The door banged shut after her, and
she threw herself onto the couch, still fighting angry tears. Her roommate looked
up from her book, took in the stormy countenance, and wordlessly turned off the
stereo. This would need her full attention.
When Kat wouldn�t speak,
even after a wait of several minutes, the slender redhead sat down next to her
friend and took the clenched fists in her hands.
"Kat? Kat, what�s the
matter? Where�s Jason?"
Lissa recoiled as Kat sat
up with an angry hiss that would have frightened a fellow feline.
"Don�t talk to
me about him!"
Elissa shook her head in
confusion.
"I don�t understand.
Just this morning, you could hardly wait for his train to come in, because the
thought of seeing him cheered you up so much, and now you don�t want to talk
about him? Why? I thought you were glad he could find the time to come today
instead of next week...."
"That was before
that...that...insensitive idiot had the nerve to bring me ... this!"
Kat jerked the offending package out of her purse and slammed it on the coffee
table. She�d been very much tempted to just toss it as she�d noticed its bulk
on her way home, but something had made her stop.
Lissa recognized the
brown-on-gold logo as well as she barely caught the box before it slid to the
floor.
"Uh-oh."
"That�s all you have
to say?" demanded Kat, still furious. It didn�t help that she desperately
wanted to feel Jason�s strong, powerful body pressed close to hers when he held
her, despite everything.
"Kat, what do you
expect me to say? Jason knows how much you love these chocolates. A box this
size can�t have been cheap. He tried to do something nice for you. True, under
the circumstances, it was maybe an unlucky choice, but..."
"Unlucky? Maybe?
Lissa, there�s no �maybe� about it! He�s an insensitive jerk, and I told him
so! I hope I never see him again!"
Her friend stared at her,
shocked into speechlessness. Lissa almost couldn�t believe her ears. She�d <never>
seen Kat this upset before. She watched the Australian simmer angrily for a
while, then tentatively picked up the package. When Katherine seemed sunk in
sullen misery, her friend tried for a friendly, noncommittal tone of voice.
"What do you want to
do with this?" She indicated the box of chocolates.
Kat glowered impartially at
her friend and the object in question.
"Nothing. I certainly
don�t want it."
"But, Kat..."
"Look, Lissa, I don�t
care! Toss it, eat it, give it away -- it�s all the same to me! Just get it out
of my sight!"
"Boy, you�re really
angry at Jason, aren�t you?"
"You haven�t seen
angry yet. If he were here right now...!" With that dire threat, Kat
turned away, to finally hang up her jacket and put her shoes into the hallway
closet. Lissa heard the bathroom door open and close, and the sound of running
water a few minutes later. Sighing, she put on the tea kettle. While the tea
steeped, she eyed the gold box consideringly. She had to be careful about her
weight as well -- what dancer didn�t? -- but surely a single piece couldn�t
hurt? Besides, Kat had practically given them to her....Her mouth watering
despite herself, the Hungarian opened the lid of the box just as Kat reentered
the small living room. Bewildered, Lissa stared into the open box. Instead of
neatly packed squares of white and brown chocolate, filled with a variety of
meltingly soft confections, she saw....
"Kat?"
"What." Kat�s anger
was slowly dissipating, but now she felt even worse than before. Her reply was
listless and disinterested as she wandered over to the window.
"Kat, I think you
should be unpacking this."
"I know what those
chocolates look like. I don�t need to be tempted that way."
"But Kat...there are
no chocolates in here."
"Excuse me?" Kat
turned away from the window, where she had stared into the rainy sky, her
thoughts as leaden as the clouds overhead.
"Look." Lissa
tilted the open carton so that her friend could take a look at the contents.
"A....a box of
muesli?"
Slowly, Kat made her way over and took the box from Elissa. She looked
questioningly into her hazel eyes, but Lissa just shrugged and sat back on the
couch. After a moment, the blonde knelt in front of the coffee table and opened
the cereal package. Inside, there was another box.
"Birdseed?" Kat removed a succession of cardboard containers, each
one smaller than the one before...frozen lasagna, fish fingers, a cheese
carton...until she reached the last one -- about the size of a pack of
cigarettes, or a cake of soap. This, however, was not some relic from a
bachelor�s kitchen, but rather a store-bought pink box with a proper lid. Kat
closed her eyes for a moment. She felt absolutely terrible about the way she
had lashed out at Jason. He hadn�t been an insensitive jerk after all; instead,
he�d gone to a lot of trouble to cheer her up by collecting so many silly
boxes, fitting them all into each other until they really resembled a Leonidas
gift package. Of course, to fool her, he had put the whole shebang into an
original box. Kat held the small pink container in trembling hands. It rattled
slightly, and although she was almost afraid to look at the contents, she
couldn�t stand not knowing.
She lifted the lid carefully and stared inside. Lissa, who had watched the
growing pile of cardboard containers with proportionally increasing amusement,
saw to her astonishment that Kat blanched almost sheet-white and big tears
began to roll down her cheeks. Only when one splashed into the open box did Kat
wipe them away and meet her friend�s eyes.
"Oh, God, Lissa....what have I done?"
"Why? Kat, what is it?"
The Australian just shook her head. Wordlessly, she handed the small box
over as her tears began to fall even faster. Lissa took it gingerly from her
and peered inside. She caught her breath at the contents, and could only shake
her head in exasperation and compassion.
"Oh, Kat....that�s so sweet....and you chewed him out for this?"
The former Pink Ranger had no answer as she took back Jason�s gift, looking
again at the fragile container. This last box did indeed contain chocolate -- a
single piece of her favourite whipped cream-nut filling in white chocolate,
with a hazelnut on top. It was carefully wrapped in cellophane, and lay on a
small card on which Jason had written two short sentences in his distinctive
bold script. It was those two sentences which caused her tears to fall as she
read them once more, whispering the words to herself.
"You will always be beautiful to me. I love you. Jason."
Kat raised stricken eyes to her friend. In a choked voice, she tried hard to
produce a coherent sentence.
"Lissa....h-he�s never told me that b-before..."
Sobs began to wrack her lithe frame. Elissa scooted over and draped a
comforting arm about Kat�s shoulder. The Australian buried her face in her
hands as the enormity of her misconception began to dawn on her.
"Oh God, Lissa, what if I�ve lost him? I was so mean to him...."
"Kat, a man who goes to so much trouble to tell a girl he loves her doesn�t
give up on her this easily."
She looked at her roommate with eyes that were still brimming with tears.
"Y-you think so?"
"Yes, I do. However....." Elissa trailed off, choosing her next
words with care.
"I think you need to take a good look at why you�ve been so
upset that you could fly off the handle like that."
Kat just lowered her head as a fresh flood of tears streamed down her
cheeks. She knew she was blushing guiltily, and that her friend was right. After
Jason�s written declaration, he deserved nothing less than an abject apology
for her outburst .... and an honest answer. If he ever spoke to her
again.
***
The next morning, Kat wandered into the tiny kitchen still in her pyjamas,
looking rumpled and rather the worse for wear. Yesterday afternoon, evening and
night had not been comfortable for her, what with all the soul-searching
she had done. She had slept restlessly, crying often as she lay in her darkened
room, wishing Jason was there to hold and kiss her, touching her as gently as
only he knew how, awakening her body to desires she was only slowly becoming
comfortable with.
As a result, her nose was shiny and red, and she had dark circles under her
eyes. But she knew her own mind now -- had let go of the past and her lingering
insecurities. For all her protestations to Jason in the beginning, she knew now
that losing Tommy had had a far more lasting effect on her than she�d thought.
However, it was time to move on -- and she wanted to move on with Jason. Her
feelings when she realized that her involvement with the Red Zeo Ranger was
coming to an end were nothing compared to the thought that she might have
driven the first Red Ranger out of her life permanently. Losing Tommy to time
and distance hadn�t been half as painful as the realization that she must have
hurt Jason with her outburst yesterday.
*I only hope he can forgive me! If...when he comes, I�ll tell him....he
means more to me than anything!*
Elissa looked up from the Sunday paper as she heard the shuffling footsteps.
She watched in silence as Kat poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down at
the kitchen table, sipping listlessly. Wisely, she said nothing. Kat had worked
through a lot last night, on her own and by using her as a sounding board. The
Hungarian dancer had been astonished to learn that her lovely,
sunny-dispositioned friend carried so many unresolved feelings within her. Hopefully,
she had finally gained some perspective. As she�d gotten to know Jason over the
last year or so, Lissa had come to respect the young man in his own right, and
thought that he was exactly what her friend needed. Now it only remained to be
seen if he was willing to wait for Kat to come to her senses. The dancer smiled
slightly to herself. Somehow, she had a feeling the law student wouldn�t give
up easily. A glance at the infamous gold-coloured carton only reinforced that
emotion.
Katherine couldn�t sit still for long. She had no idea where Jason was staying;
true, normally he checked in at the YMCA, but what if they hadn�t had a
vacancy? It had happened before....the only thing she could do was wait for him
to come to her. Prowling around the tiny apartment, she was aware of her friend�s
scrutiny, but didn�t care. Her thoughts were consumed with the need to talk to
her boyfriend, to tell him she�d gotten his message, to let him know she cared
... Kat sighed deeply.
"Lis....what if he doesn�t come back? What if I�ve lost him?"
She felt a single tear slide down her cheek and sniffed inelegantly.
Elissa got up, tore off a piece of kitchen paper and handed it to her
friend. As she passed the living room window, she happened to look outside. It
was early still, especially for a Sunday morning, and there weren�t many people
up and about. A slow smile spread over her face as she watched Kat dab at her
red-rimmed eyes.
"I don�t think you have to worry about that."
Kat looked at her, despair clouding the blue eyes.
"You don�t know that, Lis. You haven�t heard what I said to him, how I
bawled him out...."
"Somehow, I�m convinced it doesn�t really matter." With a slightly
broader smile, the Hungarian gestured towards the window. Kat�s gaze followed
automatically, and her breath caught in her throat. There, on the other side of
the road, stood a powerfully built young man with short dark hair, dressed in
jeans, a white woolly turtleneck and familiar leather jacket. Every now and
then, he would look up to their window, a doubtful expression on his handsome
face.
Kat froze, drinking in the familiar sight. Her lips worked soundlessly as
she watched him turn away again to wander a few steps down the street, then
return to his vantage point. Finally, her vocal chords managed to produce a
sound.
*Jason...*
The blonde suddenly was released from her almost-paralysis. Turning on her
heels, she dashed towards the door, only barely remembering to snag her jacket
from the wardrobe on her way out.
Jason saw the front door of Kat�s house open just as he was about to walk to
the phone booth he could see at the next street corner. He wanted to call Kat
before he rang the doorbell; if she was still angry with him, he didn�t want to
subject himself to another tirade. Her angry outburst had shocked and hurt him,
but he loved her too much not to try again. He watched, astonished at first,
then with growing amusement, as the willowy figure meandered through the sparse
traffic. He�d never seen cool, serene, beautiful Kat quite in this state. With
an effort, he controlled his twitching lips as he took in her appearance. Clad
only in thin pink pyjamas, her pale-gold hair a flyaway mess, she clutched at
her jacket as she approached him. Jason dared not look at her feet; the fuzzy
pink slippers with the moving plastic eyes and silly embroidered face were a
bit much this early in the morning.
Kat stopped her mad dash a few feet from her boyfriend. She drank in the
sight of him, her heart beating madly. All night long she�d rehearsed the
things she wanted to say to him if ... when ... he came back to her, but now
her mind was a total blank. A cautious look into the dark eyes brought a tiny
surge of hope to her, though. Jason didn�t seem too angry with her, not if he
could still look at her with so much warmth and understanding. However, he made
no move towards her. Swallowing hard, she made the first overture, as she knew
she must.
"I ... I opened your package." The softly-accented voice was rough
with the tears she had shed throughout the night.
"Oh?" Jason would give nothing away, although his heart began to
beat faster with a surge of hope. He continued to watch her struggle with her
emotions. At last, Kat stepped closer and met his gaze hesitantly.
"D-did you mean it?"
He didn�t pretend to misunderstand her. Jason knew exactly what Kat was
referring to.
"Every word."
He almost lost it himself as he saw a glittering teardrop course down the
soft cheek.
"Jason, I...I�m s-sorry..." Kat couldn�t go on. She didn�t need
to. Jason just pulled her close, enfolding her in a warm hug.
"I�m sorry, too. I shouldn�t have teased you like that."
"No, no, it was perfect..." her voice was muffled as she buried
her face in his broad shoulder, inhaling his scent. Kat had never felt so safe,
or content, although her heart was beating madly. Jason felt it hammering
against his own as her soft unbound breasts pressed against his chest. He tried
to ignore that as he trailed a hand up to her soft hair and touched her wet
cheek. As Kat looked at him, he smiled lovingly. Holding her like this felt so
right, he couldn�t hold on to any resentment he still might have felt. Besides,
it was becoming increasingly difficult for him to think straight the longer he
held her close. Kat�s body was so soft and warm under her thin pj�s... He
tilted the lovely face towards his. The deep voice was husky and sent shivers
down Kat�s spine as he repeated directly to her what he�d written on that small
card buried in almost a dozen cardboard containers.
"I love you, Kath. Just the way you are."
Kat smiled through her tears. She knew that now, after last night, she could
give him an honest answer, as she might not have been able to yesterday.
"I love you, too, Jason. With all my heart."
She was rewarded with a blazing look that lit the dark eyes, and Jason
crushed her to him. His large hands gripped her hips and he was lightheaded
with the need to refrain from thrusting his suddenly rock-hard anatomy against
Kat. He kissed her deeply, trying to let her know by touch how much he needed and
wanted her. They stood in the middle of the pavement, lost in each other, and
totally oblivious to the amused glances of passers-by. At last, Jason noticed
that the young woman in his arms was trembling. Concerned, he lifted his head
from the sweet-smelling locks, but had to chuckle softly as he realized Kat had
to be freezing in the chill February air. She gave him a sheepish smile as she
blushed, trying to pull her jacket closed once more.
He threw his head back and laughed, bussing her soundly on her quivering
lips as he reined in his growing desire.
"Come on, love -- let�s get you inside and dressed!"
***
Angel Grove, Crowne Hotel, 2006
"I still can�t believe I ran out on the street wearing only my
pyjamas," Kat groused as she set down her champagne flute on the table.
"Oh, I dunno -- you looked rather cute. I especially liked those
slippers."
Jason�s grin was engaging as he refilled both their glasses and settled
back, pulling his bride across his lap once more. Kat tucked her feet under her
long nightgown and looked at Jason, a pretty frown creasing her forehead
momentarily. As always, Jason smoothed it away with his lips.
"Will you ever let me live down those slippers?"
"Hmmm....can I get back to you on that? In about twenty years or
so?"
"Oh, you..." Katherine�s pout was irresistible, and Jason brushed
his mouth softly against hers, slipping his tongue inside to engage her in a
gentle duel that left them hungry for more.
"Don�t worry. I won�t tell anyone ... well, maybe our kids, when they
are complaining about their oh-so-strict mom."
A pleasant shiver crawled down Kat�s spine as she imagined briefly what her
and Jason�s children might look like. She�d adore a little boy with his father�s
dark hair and indomitable spirit, and if possible, she�d like to give her
husband a little girl who would wrap him around a tiny finger....maybe one
more....they were both only children, and wanted to have a larger, but not too
large family. Kat knew Jason would be a good father, and thankfully
their friends would fill the places of aunts and uncles, like they were already
doing for precious Jasmine Park, the flower girl at their wedding. She�d looked
so adorable, with her coffee-and-cream skin and large, almond-shaped
eyes....Tanya and Adam were rightly proud of their three-year-old daughter.
Coming out of her pleasurable daydream, Kat just smiled serenely.
"Oh yes....then I can tell them about the time their dad strutted down
a catwalk in a silver lam� shirt, just to impress a girl he wanted to
date!"
Jason groaned.
"Oh God, don�t remind me! Every time I run into Eddie at work, he tells
anybody who will listen that I once used to date his wife! As if a police
sergeant has nothing better to do than hassle an overworked, underpaid
Assistant D.A.!"
"Can you blame him? Emily carried a torch for you a long time."
He inhaled deeply. They had not parted on the best of terms then, but had
achieved a friendly relationship by now.
"Just like you did with Tommy?"
Kat had the grace to blush as she once more recalled that long-ago Valentine�s
Day weekend. Absently, she slipped a hand into Jason�s open white shirt, softly
caressing his tanned shoulder with her fingertips. She didn�t notice the tiny
intake of breath the gesture caused, but relished the feel of smooth, hard
muscle tensing minutely at her touch. She had wrestled so hard with her
emotions that night....
"You know.... when I calmed down after I�d read your note, I realized something...
I�d never really been in love with Tommy."
"Excuse me? You could have fooled us all, then." Jason�s tone was
non-accusatory. He had seen his wife and his best friend together, while
they were still a couple, but he also knew that Kat�s love for him was genuine.
"No, really. Of course, I was attracted to him -- Tommy is
gorgeous, after all." Kat cast a slightly mischievous look at her husband.
It had become something of a joke between them and the Olivers recently, to
praise each other�s looks.
"I think ... I fell more in love with the White Ranger than with
Tommy," she continued. "He was the quintessential Hero at the time --
tall, dark, handsome, a Power Ranger, a bit mysterious, that loner aura he
gives off .... and he was unavailable. He was safe to have a crush on, because
he was so obviously in love with Kim. Then, she left for Florida. Suddenly,
there Tommy was ... just as lonely as I felt, although I was on the team and
friends with the others. I guess that�s when my feelings got a bit out of hand.
Did you know I even used to wear shirts with his Zeo symbol? I was pretty
pathetic."
Jason kissed his wife consolingly.
"Pretty, I grant you. Pathetic....I don�t think so. It�s never pathetic
to care for someone."
"You�re sweet," Kat murmured, returning the kiss. "But seriously
-- when Kim broke up with Tommy, all I could see was that now my dreams could
come true. I never stopped to consider if those dreams were realistic -- if we
really would be right for each other. Then, after giving up our Powers, it was
so hard to let go of those dreams...."
"I know what you mean. And besides, it was a bit much all at once, wasn�t
it? Leaving your friends to live in another country, passing on your Powers,
losing Tommy the way he lost Kimberly that time...."
"Exactly. Then, you came back into my life. I didn�t fall in love with you
the way I fell for Tommy; what I feel for you grew slowly, it didn�t hit me
over the head all at once. When I thought I might have driven you away through
sheer stupidity, I realized that, although we had been Rangers together as
well, I didn�t love Jason the Gold Ranger, but Jason Scott the man. And that
made all the difference."
Jason enfolded Kat in his arms. They had talked about this during that weekend
--they�d hardly done anything <but> talk, if one didn�t count the
time they spent just holding and kissing each other, but it still made him feel
about ten feet tall to hear his Kath tell him this. His voice was a soft rumble
as he reaffirmed his feelings for his beautiful wife.
"I know. It took me quite some time before I could bring myself to say
it to you. I wanted to be completely sure that I was telling the truth before I
told you I love you."
Kat smiled a bit mistily into the midnight eyes which looked at her with so
much sincerity.
"I knew that as soon as I read your note. You wouldn�t have told me at
all if it hadn�t been true. Besides, even if I hadn�t known, you demonstrated
that to me every time we were together...."
Another, even more precious memory engulfed the newlyweds.
***
Paris, July 2000
"Jason, no! I�m not going up Space Mountain! No way!"
"Oh, come on, Kath! What�s the use of being at Disneyland if you�re not
going to go on all the rides?"
Jason cajoled his pretty companion with an engaging, thoroughly mischievous smile
-- an expression he knew from experience Kat couldn�t resist. Sure enough, the
blonde dancer let herself be tugged to the waiting line, grumbling all the way.
She shrieked with only half-feigned terror as they began their descent, and the
former Ranger was only too happy to enfold her in his arms. Not that he needed
an excuse, but still...
The two were spending a long weekend in Paris, to celebrate Katherine�s twenty-first
birthday. The trip to Disneyland Paris was Jason�s present to her -- along with
a delicate silver charm bracelet, on which hung a tiny enamelled nutcracker. It
symbolized the first ballet Kat had danced in as a professional, and Jason
fully intended to give her similar charms for as many classical roles as he
could find. He�d already bought a delicate swan, because the year�s end
performance, for which Kat was already studying, was going to be Swan Lake.
They�d taken a sightseeing tour the day before, and they had another two
days before they had to return to their respective schools. Both were taking
summer classes -- Kat, because she wanted to train in choreography, and Jason
to work up extra credit for his eventual admittance to a prestigious school
back in the States. Therefore, they were unable to take long vacations, but
still spent as much of their free time together as they could, taking short
trips all over Europe. Tomorrow night, Kat had tickets for the Paris ballet; a
generous present from her parents, who�d been unable to come. Until then, they
made the most of the various attractions the City of Lights had to offer.
Kat determinedly walked towards a nearby bench after they�d gotten off the
ride. Her knees were wobbly, but she was breathless with laughter. Still, as
much fun as Disneyland was, she�d about had enough. The Australian lifted
pleading eyes up to her grinning boyfriend.
"Jase, please ... no more?"
He sat down next to her.
"Something wrong, love?" Jason was immediately concerned. Kat�s
voice had lost its playfulness and sounded genuinely exhausted.
"No, nothing," she assured him, smiling brightly. "This is a
lot of fun, and I love you for thinking of it -- in all the time I spent in
California, I�ve never made it to Disneyland before, but this cat has had about
as much of the Mouse as she can take!" She cast a meaningful glance at
Minnie who was prancing about nearby, to the delight of a group of pre-teen
youngsters. It was past three o�clock, and they�d been at the park since
shortly after opening time in the morning. Jason laughed at the image.
"Well, in that case, I�d better take my little kitten back to
town!"
He pulled her up and draped a strong arm around her waist. Kat snuggled into
him, and laughing and teasing each other, they made their way to the exit and
the nearby train station.
Later that evening, after they�d had a delightful dinner at a small bistro
near their hotel, they strolled hand in hand around Montmartre. The Place
Clichy, where their hotel was situated, was right on the edge of the famous
Paris amusement district, and they watched the tourist buses draw up to the Moulin
Rouge, the nightclub where the dancers were among the most gorgeous -- and
performing topless, clad only in high heels, tiny glittering g-strings and
elaborate feathered headdresses. Kat smiled in wry amusement as she watched
Jason look surreptitiously at the brightly-lit picture displays.
"See anything you like?" she teased him.
The young man blushed fiercely, but met the laughing blue eyes with a
devilish smile of his own.
"Not really... I�m just trying to imagine what <you> would
look like in one of these get-ups." The mere thought was enough to send
his hormones into overdrive, and he felt his jeans grow noticeably tight.
It was Kat�s turn to colour up.
"Oh, you....!"
They walked on, up the narrow, winding streets that would eventually bring
them to Sacr� Coeur, one of the city�s landmarks. The big cathedral was already
closed, but it was a spectacular vantage point to look over nighttime Paris.
Both felt no need for words as they meandered along, watching the Parisians
drink their ap�ritifs in small bistros, the tourists laughing and talking as
they hurried about. Finally, Kat let her curiosity get the better of her.
"Would you really want to see me as a show dancer like that?"
Jason tightened his arm around her waist and smiled. He�d thought about
that, too, fantasizing what Kat would look like clad in nothing but that sexy
smile she sometimes sent his way.
"Not really. Of course, if it�s something you�d want to do, then go for
it, but if it were just up to me ... I wouldn�t want anyone else to see you
like that."
"What about yourself?" Kat blushed furiously. She couldn�t believe
she�d actually had the nerve to ask Jason something like that! But deep down,
the thought of dressing *Make that undressing!* for Jason in such a
fashion was incredibly stimulating. She bit her lip to hold back a tiny, needy
moan.
The deep voice became husky and sensual as Jason stopped to pull the young
woman into his arms.
"If you ever decide to dance for me like that ... I�d be the happiest
man on Earth!" His lips closed over hers in a passionate kiss. Kat gave
herself up to him, heedless of their surroundings. Breathless, they looked at
each other once they separated. Both were at a loss for words, and after a few
moments, they resumed their leisurely stroll, each thinking about what had just
transpired between them. Neither could -- or wanted to -- ignore the growing
awareness of what they shared and meant to each other. Although they�d never
really talked about it, they knew they were headed towards intimacy, something
they both wanted. However, the time was not quite right. Yet.
The next day, Jason and Kat explored parts of the city they�d gotten a
glimpse of on their sightseeing tour. They eschewed the Louvre, and the other
museums -- the weather was too fine, and the charms of the Ile de la Cit�, the
medieval well-kept island in the middle of the river Seine, were a lot more
interesting. Jason persuaded Kat to have her portrait drawn by one of the
numerous artists plying their trade along the riverbank, but a quick whispered
word while he went off to buy soft drinks had him included in the finished
product. The two argued good-naturedly about who would get to keep the drawing,
until they hit on the happy idea of making a photocopy once they got back home.
The two laughed, and played, and explored to their hearts� content until it
became time to return to their hotel, if they didn�t want to attend the ballet
in shorts and t-shirts.
***
It was time. Jason checked his appearance a last time before he shrugged
into his wine-coloured jacket. The tiny red dragons decorating his tie seemed
to dance on the dark silk, and he had to grin. The charcoal silk shirt and
matching tie had been a Christmas present from Kat, who had found that a red
dragon rampant was the Welsh national emblem. It had been the obvious choice
for the first Red Ranger. Dark pants and dress shoes completed his outfit, and
he just hoped that he would do justice to Kat. Inhaling deeply, he pocketed the
old-fashioned keys, stepped out of his room and went down one flight of stairs
to meet his girlfriend.
Kat had been waiting for the light knock on her door, and was ready but for
a wrap and her evening bag. Opening her door, she didn�t notice Jason�s almost
thunderstruck expression as he took in her appearance. She turned to pick up
her wrap. Only the marked silence from behind her was unusual -- normally,
Jason said something funny, or complimentary when he took her out. She turned,
and blushed fiercely at the look of unabashed admiration in the dark eyes.
"J-jason?" Her voice faltered slightly.
"Kath...." The young man shook his head and tried again. Stepping
closer, he took both her hands in his, holding them away from the slender body to
look his fill. "God, Kath, I�ve never seen you so beautiful!" Jason
could barely tear his eyes away from the gentle swell of her breasts, visions of
their fullness filling his hands dancing before his mind�s eye.
"Thank you." The blonde lowered her head demurely. She had hoped
that the gauzy sundress with its full skirt and thin spaghetti straps would meet
with Jason�s approval. For once, Katherine had chosen cool blues and sea
greens, in a stylized floral pattern, with only a few pink accents ... like her
narrow belt, and the romantic bow which held her long hair back from her face.
Low-heeled shoes, a clutch bag and a woolly shawl in white completed her
ensemble. She hadn�t been completely sure about the wisdom of her choice, but a
glance from under her lashes convinced her of Jason�s sincerity. With a smile,
she returned the compliment.
"You�re very handsome yourself."
It was Jason�s turn to blush. Clearing his throat and tamping ruthlessly
down on the desire to just lock himself in her room with her and press his face
into the softly-perfumed valley between those enticing mounds, he held out his
arm to Kat.
"Yes, well... shall we?"
Kat laughed, a merry, carefree tinkle that put both at ease. Laying a
slim-fingered hand on the proffered limb, she beamed up at her boyfriend, azure
eyes sparkling.
"By all means!"
Letting the door fall into its lock behind them, the two left.
***
The night air was still balmy as the performance was over and Jason and Kat
stepped outside. The Place de l�Op�ra was almost empty, and they were drawn
towards the waist-high stone walls facing the Eiffel Tower. The century-old
metal structure was illuminated by numerous lights, and looked majestic and
impossibly high from this close up. The steps leading down meandered past
flower beds and cascades, all illuminated as well, and the whole effect was a
lot like a picture postcard. Kat stopped at the wall and looked down, still
lost in the music and the extraordinary performance she�d just seen. Jason knew
her in this mood and didn�t try to talk to her, just enfolded her in his arms
from behind, offering his presence. To his delight, she wasn�t too far gone,
and leaned back against his broad chest, resting her smooth cheek against his
own. The ex-Gold Ranger brushed a fleeting kiss against the temple of his
former teammate, nuzzling slightly into the silky hair. Kat sighed in
contentment. She knew that Jason wasn�t all that fond of ballet; that he
escorted her so willingly whenever she asked him to made her happy and feel
good inside. She reciprocated by attending sports events with him, or
accompanying him on things she�d never have considered doing on her own -- like
free-climbing exercises, or whitewater-rafting in the Alps. Definitely not
her entertainment of choice, but mostly fun, nonetheless. Besides, if it made
Jason happy....she loved the way his eyes sparkled at her when he was all
pumped up with an adrenaline rush. Physical discomfort, like being soaking wet
with icy mountain stream water paled against that.
The two stood for a long time, enjoying the view and each other�s company. At
long last, Kat turned away with a wistful sigh and smiled into Jason�s eyes. He
inclined his head towards the Eiffel Tower.
"You want to go up there tomorrow?"
"N-no....I don�t think so. Have you seen the crowds down there? We�d
have to spend a long time waiting for the elevator...and before you ask, no, I
do <not> want to take the stairs!"
Jason laughed softly as they turned away to make their leisurely way to the
next M�tro station.
"Ah, you have no sense of adventure!"
"Being together with you sometimes is more than enough adventure, thank
you very much!"
He just grinned and slipped his arm around the softly rounded shoulders.
Bantering and teasing, they left one of the most famous edifices in the world
behind.
***
At the Place Clichy, they wandered around a bit more, people-watching.
Finally, they came to a small restaurant with a few empty tables, and very
enticing smells wafting outside. A glance was enough, and they went inside, to
share a small carafe of wine and have a light snack of freshly-baked croissants
and smoked salmon. The longer they sat, the less they talked with words. Their
eyes and smiles spoke for them instead. Their mood was mellow and tender as
they slowly walked back home, arms around each other, stopping often to
exchange soft kisses. They didn�t notice the gently amused glances they
garnered from tourists and locals alike; after all, Paris was said to be a city
for lovers, and the sight of the attractive young couple in their elegant
clothes only served to reinforce that image.
Once at their hotel, Jason walked Kat to her room. At her door, he pulled
her close for a long kiss goodnight, when a noisy group of guests walked past.
They laughed, but before they could pick up where they�d left off, the lift
doors opened and an older couple walked by, arguing about something or other.
Jason shook his head and gently brushed a silky strand of hair behind Kat�s
ear. She nuzzled into his palm and he was only an inch away from touching his
lips to hers, when clattering footsteps raced down the corridor. Kat had to
laugh as she rested her forehead against his shoulder. When she looked up
again, Jason grimaced a bit ruefully. He loosened his grip around her waist,
but before he could withdraw, Kat made up her mind. She wanted his kiss.
Badly. Touching his cheek, she whispered his name.
"Jason?"
"Hmmm?"
"Come inside."
She slipped from his arms and unlocked her door. Stepping into the dark
room, she reached for the light switch, but Jason stopped her hand. His voice a
soft rumble, he let his fingers glide upwards into her hair.
"I don�t need any more light to see how beautiful you are."
It was true; the lights from the window were enough to let them see each
other, now that their eyes had become used to the darkness. With a happy sigh,
Kat let her handbag and wrap fall on the small table next to the door and
lifted her arms around his neck. Snuggling closer, she basked in his warmth as
she agreed.
"You�re right; we can see plenty without it."
Their lips finally met, gently at first, then with more passion. The privacy
of the room afforded them the opportunity to explore each other in greater
detail, to nuzzle and wander about, sharing soft sighs and delighted little
moans. Kat pressed herself more into Jason�s solid strength as his hands
wandered up to her neck to pull the satin bow from her hair. He combed gentle
fingers through the soft tresses, and she purred like her namesake animal,
eliciting a small chuckle.
"Kitty-Kat."
She pouted at him prettily. It was not her favourite nickname, but since he
didn�t use it often, Kat let him get away with it. But a bit of reparation was
in order, just to let Jason know to be careful. Kat nipped at his chin. His
soft intake of breath suddenly made her heart pound. The two looked at each
other for a long moment before their eyes closed and they kissed
again....longer and deeper than ever before. Their arms clung with fierce strength
as Jason plunged into the soft moist heat of Kat�s mouth, engaging her tongue
in a heated duel that caused her to tremble in his arms, but she didn�t draw
away. Instead, she pressed herself closer to him, grinding her nicely-rounded
hips into his own and he hissed on a sharp intake of breath at the surge of
blood into his already-swollen shaft.
More than slightly breathless, they separated again when the need for air
became overwhelming. Suddenly, the two former Rangers were all too aware of the
intimacy of the situation. They were alone, at night, in a darkened hotel room,
their bodies throbbing against each other with need ... and they were very much
in love. Jason knew that Kat could feel his erection through her thin dress,
but she didn�t draw away. Instead, she gently leaned her breasts against his
hard chest, letting him feel the corresponding hardness of her nipples. Dark
eyes caught blue pools. Silent questions were asked and silent answers given,
and it was with great tenderness that Jason kissed the soft lips quivering
against his own. There was no reluctance or protest in Kat�s eyes as his hands
came to rest on her shoulders for a moment before he slowly, carefully slid the
thin straps of her dress down and off.
Kat stood very still as Jason peeled the gauzy fabric down, the light rasp
of the zipper incredibly loud in her ears. She shivered slightly as his warm
hands moved across her back, parting her dress and sliding it down her hips. It
puddled on the floor and she stepped aside, leaving her shoes behind. Kat
almost moaned out loud as she saw the dark eyes blaze with hunger, and her
breasts started to tingle. She stood before Jason in the dim light, clad only
in a strapless bra and lacy bikini panties; it had been far too warm for
pantyhose, and she hadn�t been brave enough to wear a garter belt.
Jason swallowed hard. Back home in Angel Grove, and here over the last year,
he�d seen Kat in swimsuits that revealed more of her firm, willowy body than
her underwear, but somehow, this was different. Her bikinis had never
fired his blood as much, or made him want to reach out and peel those lacy cups
away from the beckoning globes. His mouth watered at the thought of licking and
tasting them, of drawing the hard little peaks he could see straining against
the material into his mouth and wrapping his tongue around them.
He reached out a slightly trembling hand to trace the line of elastic lace
across Kat�s bosom. She sucked in a shaky breath and briefly closed her eyes.
When she opened them again, they were blazing blue fire, and Jason shivered as
he realized the need in them matched his own. When he tried to move his hands
to the clasp of her bra, though, Kat stopped him.
"Not yet."
Her light voice was breathy and sensual, and Jason found himself starting to
tremble as Kat led him closer to the bed. His muscles seemed to be paralyzed
and his throat closed up when the blonde beauty stepped up close to him and
drew his head down into a deep, thoroughly arousing kiss. He felt his head
start to swim before the soft, clinging lips released him. Sapphire eyes locked
onto his as Kat ran slightly shaky fingers from his hair to his shoulders,
slipping the dark red jacket off and loosening his tie. The young man submitted
to her ministrations, helping only with moving into position as she directed
him as those slim hands unbuttoned his shirt and slid it off broad shoulders in
a gentle caress.
Kat was breathing faster as she uncovered the sculpted chest. She had seen
Jason shirtless before, as a teenager in Angel Grove or at the beach last
summer; they had even touched each other while playing or horsing around. This
was different, though. The tanned skin was warm to her touch as she outlined
his pectorals with her fingertips, skimming down to the narrow hips still encircled
by a narrow black belt, and she felt the slight tremors racking the strong body
as she daringly brushed across one small brown circle, sensing the hardening of
sensitive tissue.
"Kath....oh God..." Jason�s voice had dropped even deeper. He
moaned softly as Kat explored his torso -- he�d never felt anything like it,
and he was so hard he thought he might burst if he couldn�t hold her. He looked
into her lovely face imploringly, and the smile he saw playing around her moist
lips sent his blood pressure sky-high. Kat pressed a teasing kiss at the
juncture of Jason�s neck and shoulder, caressing the smooth skin with tiny
little nibbles. She could feel his pulse beating rapidly against her lips, and
suddenly she needed to feel more of him against her. Her hands dropped to his
belt.
Within a few heartbeats, Jason was stripped down to his briefs and pressed
close against the smooth, silky body. Both former Rangers let their hands roam
while they kissed, devouring each other�s mouths. Their hips were rubbing against
each other, Jason�s throbbing erection sending sparks deep into Katherine�s
belly. She tore her mouth away from his to moan his name.
"Kath, love ... I want you so much..."
"I know."
Both were breathing hard. Eyes blazing with love and need, Jason reached for
the scrap of lace covering the heaving mounds. They fell free as he removed Kat�s
bra, and he gathered them up in his palms, marvelling at their soft firmness
and relishing the weight of them. Kat threaded her arms around his neck and he
was free to explore. Her head fell back as he closed a hand over one satiny
swell, rubbing gentle circles over a turgid little peak. With his other hand,
Jason traced his fingertips towards the throbbing bud, sending sharp tingles
through her body. Kat moaned again.
The young man�s senses nearly went into overload as he explored Kat�s
breasts, learning their shape and texture. He took her nipples between his
fingers and pinched gently, just to hear the sexy sighs that action produced.
Finally, he couldn�t wait any longer. He took a step backwards and lowered his
head.
The Australian felt lightheaded as the wonderfully warm mouth closed over
her aching mounds. She trembled in Jason�s arms for as long as she could stand
it, then lifted the dark head up with unsteady hands. She shivered at the look
in the midnight eyes.
"Make love to me, Jason," she breathed, dusting butterfly kisses
against the firm lips.
"Are you sure?" he growled. Jason felt his cock throb with every
rapid beat of his heart, but he wanted to be totally certain that this was what
Kat wanted. The thought that she might retreat almost killed him, but this was
not just about his own need.
"I�m sure, dearest. I love you, and I need you."
Moaning his arousal into the pale-gold hair, Jason took the few remaining
steps towards the bed. They stripped each other of their last remaining pieces
of clothing, and sank onto the covers together. They explored each other with
hands, lips and eyes as they writhed about, drinking in the sight, sound, smell
and taste of each other�s skin. Finally, Jason rolled onto his back, pulling
Kat halfway across him. She leaned up slightly, smiled that same sexy smile she�d
bestowed on him earlier and let her hand wander down his body as he reached for
the swaying breasts. He drew in a shuddering breath as the slim, strong fingers
closed around his straining shaft with firm delicacy. Automatically, he thrust
his hips forward, and a deep sigh rumbled in his throat as the sensation sent
shockwaves of pleasure into every part of his body.
Kat watched with delighted amazement as the dark eyes fluttered closed; she
was totally inexperienced, but it felt so right to be touching Jason like this,
to pump her hand up and down the hot throbbing pole, reducing the powerful
young man *My lover! Oh God, yes!* to a mass of quivering hormones. Not
that she was in any better shape. Kat leaned forward and licked at the panting
mouth. As she thrust inwards, for once taking the role of being the aggressor
in a kiss, her hand instinctively closed more firmly around the satiny shaft,
and with a sudden jerk of his hips, Jason came in her hand, spurting hot,
sticky fluid over her fingers.
"Uunnnh!"
The needy moan reverberated through Kat�s mouth as she froze, but the strong
arms closed around her, pressing her hard against the heaving chest as a light
sheen of sweat broke out all over Jason�s body. She let herself be carried
along as she rode out the tremors wracking him, and when he released her at
last, she knew her own eyes were blazing with triumph.
"God, Kath.....!" Jason felt torn between relief and chagrin. He
couldn�t remember ever experiencing a sensation quite like this, but he
hadn�t expected to come quite this soon. He�d wanted to do more for his blonde
lover, wanted to explore her body with his, but right now his intense orgasm
left him feeling quite spent. He dragged his eyes open. The look of pleased surprise
in Kat�s eyes made up a bit for leaving her behind, and her next move sent an
even more intense rush of arousal directly into his groin. For Kat released his
softening cock with a last, lingering caress and lifted her hand to her mouth,
tasting the come still covering her fingers with little feline licks.
It proved to be too much. With an inarticulate growl, Jason rolled over, covering
the soft body of his girlfriend with his own. He barely remembered to check his
superior strength as he began his tender attack, ravenously exploring the
undulating curves with hands and lips. Kat surrendered to him gladly, revelling
in the smooth glide of large warm hands over her heated skin, until they were
both slick with perspiration. Her breath caught in her throat as Jason�s hand
came to rest on her mound. Silently asking for permission, he hesitated for a
moment as he patted the already-damp curls. Kat nodded, and he slid a questing
finger into her folds, parting them, teasing and stroking until he found the
throbbing little pearl.
"Jason!"
His name was half-sob, half-scream as he touched her there, in that
most private of places. Kat moaned and sighed as Jason explored her, letting
her legs fall apart in shameless invitation. Blue eyes snapped open as his warm
weight left her side, but closed again in bliss as Jason moved to kneel between
her thighs. He ran his fingertips from the backs of her knees upwards toward
the wet folds, and she started to tremble. Her breath hissed between clenched
teeth as he lowered his mouth to give her the most intimate kiss of all. Almost
insensate with desire, Kat dimly heard her moans crescendo as his tongue lashed
her gently higher and higher until she fell headlong into orgasm.
Jason held her until her trembling subsided. He was fully erect once more,
and waited only for Kat to open her eyes once more. When she finally did, he
chuckled at her satiated smile. Covering the soft mouth with his own, he kissed
her deeply, letting her feel his renewed arousal. Kat purred softly in her
throat as she pressed herself against the straining shaft. Despite her recent
climax, she could still feel the hunger deep inside of her, and she knew exactly
what would assuage that hunger. When Jason released her lips, she held the dark
head in place. Whispering against the firm lips, she made her desires known.
"Come into me, Jase. I need to feel you inside of me."
"Oh, I will, don�t worry," he rasped. Jason was already caressing
her again, and he revelled in Kat�s uninhibited response. He was just about to
move between the invitingly spread thighs, when his eyes fell onto his
discarded clothes. A thought managed to penetrate his pleasure-fogged brain.
*Protection...I can�t risk Kath...*
Groaning, he tore himself away from the lithe form.
"Wha..? Jason?" Kat�s voice was bewildered as she lifted her head,
staring at Jason as he crouched by his jacket. She watched him rooting for his
wallet. Incomprehension turned to delighted relief as he returned to the bed,
his sculpted body outlined in light and shadow by the light falling through her
window. In his hand, he held a couple of foil packages.
"I didn�t even think about that," she confessed, her arousal
subsiding slightly as she watched him slide a condom over his straining shaft.
Finished, he took her into his arms once more.
"I almost didn�t, either," Jason responded, drawing her close once
more. "This may be the first time I�m doing this, but I don�t want either
of us to regret it -- for whatever reason."
Kat looked wonderingly into the dark eyes.
"This...this is your first time?"
He blushed slightly.
"Yes. You....you don�t mind, do you? I mean, I�ve read stuff,
and...."
"Oh, Jason..!" Kat kissed him. She felt almost giddy. "This
is my first time as well, and I don�t think you could have paid me a greater
compliment!"
The ex-Gold Ranger smiled a bit sheepishly.
"It ... it�s just, I haven�t dated much before Emily, and what we had
was not like this....I just wanted to wait, not necessarily until marriage, but
until it would mean something....be special, y�know?"
"I�ve always felt the same," Kat sighed, as he bent his head
towards her aching breasts once more, laving them with gentle swipes of his
tongue. She relaxed into his embrace, a new sense of security envelopping her.
She had felt a bit insecure in view of her own inexperience; Tommy and
she had never quite found the courage for more than a few fleeting, awkward
touches, and Jason was so gorgeous ... she�d just assumed that he had had some
experience before her. To know that he hadn�t....it should have been awkward,
but instead it made her feel a lot better. However, all that could wait; what
couldn�t was her rising excitement as Jason once more brought her body to the
brink of ecstasy.
Both young people were trembling with need and arousal as Jason once more
moved between the trembling thighs. He kissed the wet folds once more, licking
and sucking at the pulsing kernel of flesh untl he heard Kat sob his name. Only
then did he lift her hips onto his thighs, positioning his latex-sheathed cock
at the entrance to her body. Very gently, he eased the tip inside, moaning with
delight as the warm, velvety walls closed around him. Kat lifted her legs and
wrapped them around his hips, angling her own for easier penetration. It felt
strange to be spread open like this; before, when Jason had slipped a finger
into her while pleasuring her with his mouth, the sensation had been nowhere as
strong.
"Tell me if I�m hurting you," he gasped as he inched deeper into
the tight folds.
"You won�t," she murmured, all her concentration focussed on the
feeling of fullness that envelopped her. Kat moved into the gently rocking
rhythm that came naturally to both of them. With every slight forward thrust,
Jason penetrated deeper into her, until a sudden sharp pain made her hiss. He
felt the barrier within her, and lifted his head concernedly. The blue eyes
clouded momentarily, but Kat smiled and drew him into a deep kiss. Before Jason
could protest, Kat thrust her own hips up into his, and he slid all the way
into her body in one smooth stroke. Both froze.
"Kath?" The deep voice was breathless, and Jason was trembling
against the need to pull back and thrust forward once more.
"I�m okay," the dancer answered just as breathlessly. "Just
give me a moment to..." she shifted her hips instinctively, and both
moaned at the sudden rush of intense sensation.
Katherine clenched her inner muscles without thinking as she felt the hard
invader throb deep inside her. Jason caught his breath and withdrew slightly
from the increased pressure. The gentle sliding motion almost was too much, and
they tried to adjust positions -- only that resulted in even more intense
feelings. Looking at each other with slightly sheepish smiles, the two stopped
all movement. Jason was poised above Kat, bracing himself on his elbows, and
she had her legs wrapped high around his torso, clinging to him.
"You think we should maybe start working together on this?" Jason
asked his lover teasingly as he minutely snapped his hips forward. Kat moaned
softly, but her azure eyes were sparkling as she drew him down into another
kiss.
"Sounds like a good idea," she whispered before she captured his
tongue between her teeth and bit very gently into the tip. A sensual growl was
her answer as Jason thrust his tongue deeply into her mouth. Simultaneously, he
withdrew from her body�s depths until only the wide head of his shaft was held
inside her, then rocked forward again. Kat met him with equal fervour, and soon
they had established a rhythm that suited them both, moving together sometimes
slowly, sometimes hard and fast, until nothing existed but their bodies
straining towards ultimate fulfillment.
Jason felt his senses spinning out of control as the slick folds contracted
around his pistoning cock. Nothing, not even his first morph, had ever
felt like this, to plunge the depths of the lithe body and hear Kat�s moans
echo his own. He thrust harder and faster, lost to everything but the need to
possess her completely, to take her with him on this headlong rush into
oblivion.
Kat abandoned herself to her lover as he took her fully. If she angled her
hips just right, every forward thrust brought Jason�s pubic bone in contact
with her throbbing clitoris, and the dual stimulation of her pleasure pearl and
the hardness drilling into her sent her closer and closer to the edge. It
finally got to be too much when Jason sought out her mouth once more and mimicked
the deep strokes of his hips with his tongue. She felt the explosion begin deep
within her, spreading out to all parts of her body and she screamed her release
into the hot mouth devouring her. The spasms rocketing through her were enough
to trigger Jason�s climax as well, and with a couple of hard thrusts he
climaxed only moments after her, his cock jerking against her inner walls with
every spurt of his seed.
It took a long time until they could move; their skin cooled as they lay
entwined, kissing softly and running gentle hands over each other�s bodies.
When they separated, Jason vanished only briefly into the bathroom to discard
the condom, then they crept under the blankets together, snuggling close and
whispering lovingly to each other. Kat rested her head on a strong shoulder and
smiled tiredly into Jason�s dark eyes, her free hand caressing his chest. He
wrapped his arms around her and returned her smile, kissing her deeply but very
gently.
"I love you, Kath."
"Mmmmm. Thank you," she mumbled, already half asleep. Jason
chuckled and drew the golden head closer. Within moments, he felt her relax in
slumber, breaths deep and even as his former teammate snuggled into his side.
He let his own exhaustion catch up with him as he watched the woman he loved,
until his own eyelids grew heavy and he followed Kat into sleep.
***
Angel Grove, Crowne Hotel, 2006
Jason�s voice was just as husky as it had been that night so long ago.
"I spent half the night lying awake, watching you; you were so beautiful."
He ran a gentle hand up the length of her updrawn leg, smoothing the
material of her nightgown over skin just as silky. A throaty purr was his
reward and Jason slipped teasing fingers under the hem, to walk them up to Kat�s
knee. She shifted in his arms as she let him explore further.
"Did I ever tell you how long I�d wanted to make love to you before
that?"
"Several times, but please, do so again," she invited with a
slightly naughty grin. "I can�t hear it often enough."
Midnight eyes lit with a tiny, hot flame that Kat was all-too familiar with
as Jason began to whisper into the pink shell of her ear.
Kat listened silently, then smiled a smile that made his blood race just a
little bit faster. He�d seen it for the first time the next morning, when she�d
awoken in his arms. The blue eyes darkened a bit with remembered passion, and
Jason caught his breath.
"I just wanted to lie like that forever, as close to you as possible.
It felt so good to fall asleep with you, and have you kiss me awake
again..." She drew the dark head down to bestow a butterfly kiss on her
husband�s mouth.
"Mmmm."
Hands began to wander again over cream-coloured silk at the soft confession,
and Kat arched into his caress, sighing softly. It <was> their
wedding night, after all, and remembering the night Jason had first made her
his always had a very definite effect on her. She cast a glance over to the
king-size bed, turned back invitingly and she felt a pleasant shiver course
down her spine. Skilled, teasing fingers traced the lacy edge of her bodice as
the two became more involved with each other. Kat felt her nipples contract and
harden as the warm hand slid inside the creamy lace to cup one quivering swell.
A throaty sigh escaped her, and her eyes drifted shut.
However, another memory, of another night they�d spent as lovers, intruded,
and destroyed her mood. Jason was too much attuned to his wife not to notice,
and diverted his hands from their path towards thin straps that just begged to
be slipped off to glide gently down a smooth-skinned arm. He lifted his head
from the softly-perfumed neck to seek out the sapphire eyes. When he saw the
slightly melancholy expression, he could make a very accurate guess at the
direction Kat�s thoughts had taken.
He turned her face to his.
"Don�t go there, love. It�s over."
Kat sighed.
"I can�t help it. We were so happy that summer, and the next
year....until that weekend in Scheveningen."
"I know. But what good does it do to remember it now?" He closed
his arms more firmly around his wife. That weekend had started out with so many
high hopes for both of them.....
***
Scheveningen, a Dutch seaside resort, June 2001
Kat breezed into the small pension with barely-concealed excitement. Jason
had booked their room in advance, and was waiting for her, a delighted grin to
match her own on his face. The two fell into each other�s arms eagerly; due to
exams and other obligations, they hadn�t been able to meet for over a month.
Now, however, they had a whole weekend to spend together, with no roommates to
chaperone them or to intrude on intimate moments. They kissed until they were
breathless -- both with laughter and suppressed desire. Hands roamed across
well-toned bodies, seeking out sensitive spots, re-familiarizing themselves
with the other. Finally, though, both drew back. They continued to hold each
other, eyes sparkling and hands gliding over backs and hips as they savoured
the anticipation. Jason was the first to release Kat; he knew that if he didn�t,
they�d never make it out of the room again this day. His blonde lover smiled
brilliantly. Kat wanted to be with Jason just as much, but they�d agreed in the
beginning, when they�d first taken the step into intimacy, that they�d at least
<try> to behave as normally as possible. And that meant, on a warm
summer day like today, that they�d go to the beach. Sharing a last, passionate
kiss, the two enjoyed just being together and in love before they greeted each
other more decorously.
"I missed you," Kat laughed, still slightly out of breath from
Jason�s enthusiastic welcome.
"About as much as I missed you, I guess," was his answer,
and the young man stole another quick kiss. She pretended to slap him
playfully.
"Behave! Or I�m not going to tell you my big news!"
"Can�t be any bigger than mine," he grinned as he released her to
rummage in his suitcase for a beach towel and his swimwear.
"I wouldn�t bet on that! Oh Jase, you�re not gonna believe what
happened! I...." she suddenly found her mouth sealed by yet another kiss.
"Jason!"
Kat�s slightly indignant tone only provoked a thoroughly infuriating chuckle.
If Jason only didn�t look so gorgeous whenever he got that devilish gleam in
his eyes!
"I have an idea." He laughed at her skeptical expression.
"Look -- you have big news, and so have I. What do you say we agree to
keep both until dinner tonight? I know we both want to go to the beach, and we�re
likely to discuss it in depth. If we do that, though, I won�t get to see you in
your wet bikini!" He waggled his eyebrows in a comical leer. The dancer
had to giggle, although the image and the expression in the dark eyes made her
catch her breath and sent a shaft of heat deep into her.
"Allright, if you say so. But only if you promise not to wear
those baggy swimshorts!"
"What, you want me to wear nothing at all?"
"No, of course not. At least not on the beach. Wear your bike
shorts." The softly-accented voice turned sultry, and it was Jason�s turn
to draw air into his suddenly-starved lungs. He couldn�t help himself; he
pressed himself once more into the soft curves, letting Kat feel just how much
she affected him.
Before things could get any further out of hand, the young couple quickly
packed a beach bag and hand in hand left the pension, to find a place on the
soft white sand in the shadow of the Victorian casino which dominated the
promenade. They played on the soft sand and in the water, swimming far out into
the gentle waves. They had no fear of the water -- the one-time diver and the
diving instructor felt quite at home in the wet element. When they tired, they
returned to shore side by side until they could feel the cool sandy bottom
under their feet. Slightly out of breath, the two stood in more than waist-deep
water, laughing breathlessly at each other.
Jason drew Kat to his chest. He loved holding her in the water; her skin
always felt especially silky when she was wet. The blue eyes were sparkling,
and the pink lips smiling as she pressed herself close. As always, the former
Gold Ranger felt his body react to the enticing curves as they kissed, the
familiar taste of their mouths subtly altered by the salt water. By the time
they released each other�s mouths, Jason was rock-hard, and Kat was trembling
in his arms. He lifted his head to scan their surroundings. They were pretty
far out still, and nobody was near to see what they were doing. Large hands
cupped her heaving mounds, and before Kat could voice an objection, Jason had
deftly pushed the wet triangles of cloth aside and was massaging her breasts.
"Jase..." she moaned, but it was only a half-hearted protest. Her
head fell back as he took her mouth in a not-quite savage kiss, licking and
nibbling his way down her neck. She clung to the broad shoulders as fiery
tingles of pleasure radiated outwards from her aching nipples. Jason glanced
briefly at the rapturous expression on the normally serene face, and with a
wicked grin moved his hands downward to slip into the tiny bikini bottoms, only
to fill them with the most gorgeous tush it had ever been his pleasure to ogle.
Katherine barely noticed that Jason worked her panties down; she was far too
busy devouring his mouth as she rubbed herself against his hard pecs. Only when
he slid a finger into her heated folds did she come to her senses -- as far as
she was able while he sought and found her throbbing clitoris.
"What are you doing?" she gasped, torn between surrendering to his
seduction and fear of being observed.
He flicked a finger across the tiny hidden button.
"Making love to you." The deep voice sent shivers down her spine
that had very little to do with the cool waves lapping at her heated skin.
"But...." A hot mouth closed over hers, and she lost her train of
thought. Instead, instinct took over and she moved her own hands down the
sculpted body of her friend and lover, to explore the tight buns encased in
dark lycra. Soon, the stretchy material was bunched around the muscular thighs,
and Jason�s pulsating shaft was lodged between her pussy lips, without actually
penetrating her. Both paused for breath. Lips only separated by a fraction of
an inch, their breaths mingled as Jason thrust minutely forward.
"Kath..?" One arm steadied her against him while his free hand
moved upwards again to caress a soft white mound.
She moaned her acceptance, incapable of denying him.
*It�s been so long...!*
A sharp hiss escaped her lips as he bent his head and carefully bit into a
turgid nub. At the same time, he began to rock against her, sliding his cock
back and forth into the warm wetness surrounding it. Soon, the two lovers were
oblivious to everything but the rush toward pleasure. Kat managed just barely
to suppress her cry of fulfillment as the steady friction sent her crashing
into orgasm. Trembling from head to foot, she met Jason�s frantic thrusts as
he, too, came; only slowly did their heartbeat slow down to a more manageable
pace.
Kat rested her head against Jason�s shoulder as they continued to hold each
other while the pleasure ebbed from them like the wavelets lapping at their
backs. Reluctantly, he searched for the scrunched-up bikini panties and pulled
them up again. Kat did the same for him, stroking his spent anatomy gently as
she adjusted his trunks. Only her breasts bobbed still in the water and Jason
took a last, lingering taste of the softening peaks before he let her go. The
blue eyes were smoky with passion as Kat tugged the concealing triangles of
cloth back into place. A tiny, smug smile played around the kiss-swollen lips
as she briefly lifted her mounds to his mouth. He obliged by nipping at the
soft flesh, secretly wishing she would consent to go topless once so that he
could feast his eyes on her as much as he liked. However, Kat was not quite
brave enough for that; besides, in less lust-filled moments, he was none too
sure he wanted others to see her in all her pink-and white glory. Jason sighed
softly and trailed his hand into the wet locks. They kissed leisurely, sated
for the moment and promising each other more for the night before they returned
to the beach, holding hands all the way.
Anticipation built again as the two lovers whiled the afternoon away, and
when the sun disappeared in glorious reds and oranges, both Jason and Kat,
although slightly exhausted from their day in and around the water, were more
than ready for dinner and the opportunity to share their stories with each
other. They found a small restaurant that served fresh fish, and placed their
orders. Thirstily sipping their sodas, they eyed each other speculatively.
Before either one could start talking, Kat excused herself to go to the
restroom. Jason leaned back in his seat. He could hardly wait to tell Kath that
he would be returning to the States with her, now that she�d gotten an offer
from a Philadelphia-based ballet company. They�d still be in different cities,
but Boston and Philadelphia weren�t that far apart; they�d be able to
work something out. After all, they�d managed to keep up their relationship for
almost three years, and they hadn�t even lived in the same country!
Katherine arrived back at their table just as the waitress brought their
food, and by unspoken agreement the two postponed their discussion until they�d
assuaged their healthy appetites. Finally, even Jason had had enough of the
delicious fish platter. They ordered fresh drinks, and now the big moment had
come. With a slight grin, Jason kissed Kat�s hand and held it in his larger
one.
"So, what�s your big news?"
"Don�t you want to tell me yours first?" Kat laughed, enjoying the
buildup of suspense.
"Uh-huh. Ladies first."
"You only say that when it�s to your advantage," Kat pouted, but
had to grin herself at his unashamed smirk. Giving in gracefully, she slipped
him a quick peck on the cheek.
"Oh, allright, if you insist. You know I told you about that offer from
Philadelphia?"
He nodded. "Did you get the contract?"
"Yes, but I didn�t sign it. Oh Jason, you�re not going to believe it, but
I�ve accepted a position at the Oranje Royal Ballet Company -- I�m moving to
Amsterdam! Isn�t that great?"
In her enthusiasm, Kat didn�t notice right away that Jason stiffened next to
her and that the light in his eyes suddenly went out. What got her attention,
however, was the hoarse sound of his voice as he asked incredulously for
confirmation.
"Y-you�re staying here in Europe?"
Mystified, she took in his suddenly-pale features.
"Yes, why? The pay is a lot better, we�ll be travelling a lot, but the home
base is Amsterdam. Actually, I�m going there in a couple of weeks to look for
an apartment of my own. No more YMCA�s or hotels for us....." her voice
trailed off as the misery in Jason�s dark eyes registered fully. Something was
terribly wrong; instead of sharing her joy at the really excellent opportunity
opening for her, he stared at the checkered table cloth, his shoulders slumping
dejectedly. A cold ball of dread began to form in Katherine�s stomach. She
reached for his hand.
"Jason?"
He looked up at the slightly panicky tone. Swallowing hard, he pressed her
hands with his.
"Kath....Kath, I won�t be here come this fall."
"What?"
Jason shook his head; his �good news� had just become the exact opposite. He
couldn�t quite control the raspiness of his voice as he related what until
moments ago had been the best thing in his life next to becoming a Ranger and
falling in love with Kat.
"Remember right at the beginning, when I told you that I�d might have a
chance at an Ivy League College one day? Well, six weeks ago they asked us to
fill in applications; I guess I got so caught up in the exams and stuff, that I
forgot to tell you. Besides, I thought it was only precautionary; I never
suspected that they�d come through this quickly."
Kat sat numbly in her seat. She could see clearly what was coming, but tried
to deny it with all her might.
"You�ve been accepted? Where?" Her voice sounded wooden and dead
to her own ears as she fought against the rising of tears.
"Yeah." Despite his misery, Jason couldn�t quite keep the elation
out of his voice. "Harvard."
For a moment, it seemed as if the world would crash about her ears, then
normalcy returned. Kat swallowed hard. Whatever mad hopes she might have
harboured that Jason would turn down the offer to remain here with her, they
had just been shattered. He�d told her often that a law degree from Harvard
would practically open the path for him to do anything he wanted. This was
truly an offer he couldn�t refuse. And even if he would, she loved him enough
not to let him. But oh, it hurt!
"Jason, that... that�s great." She sounded forced, even to her own
ears. Despite her best efforts, a first tears slipped down her cheek.
Jason tried to smile, but couldn�t. Wiping the liquid diamond drop gently
away, he scooted over to pull her into his arms. Burying his face in her hair,
he kissed the top of her head as he tried to work up some of his former
enthusiasm.
"It would be -- if you were going to Philadelphia." There was no
censure in the quiet statement, but it was still enough to send more tears down
the porcelain skin.
"I....I didn�t know...." Kat sobbed, once.
"It�s not your fault, love. Neither did I." His arm closed more
firmly about her shoulder. As he rested his cheek on the sunny tresses, he
caught the interested glances the waitress and a few other patrons were
directing toward them. He reached for his wallet.
"Let�s get out of here, okay?"
The young woman nodded miserably. Within minutes, the two were back at the
beach promenade, walking through the gathering night, their arms around each
other. When they reached an isolated bench, they sat down. The silence between
them became nearly oppressive, but neither seemed able to find the right words.
Finally, Kat sighed. Her tears had stopped, but they were still audible in her
voice as she snuggled into a broad shoulder.
"What....what�s going to happen?"
Jason�s sigh echoed hers. He held her more closely as he stared out onto the
gently crashing waves.
"You�ll be moving to Amsterdam, and I�ll be moving to Boston."
It sounded so simple, and yet it was anything but; it was nothing short of
devastating to the two former Rangers. Kat was silent for a long time; she really
didn�t want to ask the next question, but knew she had to.
"What about us?" She whispered so softly that Jason almost didn�t
hear her, but it might as well have been a shout.
"I don�t know."
He sat up and turned slightly, so that he could fully look at her. He took
both of her hands in his and kissed them.
"Kath...I�m going to be honest with you. A part of me is telling me to
say, to hell with it all, but I can�t do that. Not if I really want to get
ahead in my profession. I simply can�t refuse this; there�s another scholarship
tied up with it, and I�ll never get another chance like this."
"I know that," she replied softly. "I wouldn�t want you to
give it up; I know that it�s been your dream for quite some time now."
He smiled, but it held no real humour.
"Yeah. Anyway, that�s the logical, rational part of me. Another part of
me asks why I can�t just stay here, get my law degree here in Europe..."
Kat interrupted him.
"No, Jason. You told me that it would be a lot harder for you to get it
acknowledged back home, and it would be unfair to you in the extreme if you did
that just to please me." Her voice gentled. "But thank you for even
considering it."
Jason kissed her hands again. His next confession was going to be hard on
both of them.
"Kath....love, there�s more." He looked away briefly, before he
sought and held the sapphire eyes of the woman he loved.
"Yet another part -- and one I�m having a very hard time
silencing -- is urging me to do what I�ve been wanting to do for some time
now." He drew a deep breath. "It�s telling me to ask you to give up
your contract, to come back with me to the States. As my wife."
Kat sat, stunned. She had dreamed that one of these days Jason would ask her
to marry him, that their love was, indeed, forever, but she�d never thought she
might have to make a choice between her professional and personal dreams --
because she knew she could not have both. Either she followed her original
dream, which was just about to become reality -- a position in a well-known
ballet company, with the chance to travel the world, or she gave that up
and married Jason -- something that had started to feature heavily in her
fantasies of late. But it wasn�t supposed to be like this -- not now --
she wasn�t ready to make that choice! Something of her turmoil must have
transmitted itself to Jason, because he gently stroked her cheek.
"Kath, love...please don�t misunderstand, okay? There�s nothing I want more
than ask you to marry me, but ... I�m not going to do it."
He smiled ruefully at her look of confusion, regret and ... was that a hint
of relief? It mirrored very closely his own jumble of emotions. Jason�s heart
was heavy, but he forced himself to continue.
"It�s not that I don�t love you; I do, more than I can say. I want you
to be my wife, to be the mother of my children, but I don�t want you to
give up your dream because I�m following mine. If you did that, you�d
always wonder...and might even come to resent me for it one day. I don�t want
that to happen, ever. Your dream is to be a dancer, and it�s about to come
true. You�ll have to take this chance, as I must take mine."
The blonde sat silent for a long time, listening to Jason�s words with both
heart and mind. Her brain told her he was right, and by making the decision for
both of them he freed her from feeling guilty. However, her heart cried out at
her to tell him no, it wasn�t right, that they belonged together. She silenced
both voices. Wiping her eyes once more, she looked into his eyes. They were
shadowed with an exact echo of her own pain, but determined. Her lips quivered
as she made herself ask -- she wouldn�t, couldn�t live in limbo like she had
with Tommy, not this time!
"So...are we breaking up, then?" It was a big effort to keep all
traces of accusation out of her voice. *Why does it have to hurt so much
that he�s right?*
Jason surprised her, though.
"I don�t want to do that. Kath, I love you. Nothing will change that. Not
even the fact that we�ll be apart. At least, not if we don�t let it."
"Wh-what are you suggesting?"
He tried to collect his thoughts.
"I�m thinking that, if we really want to, we can keep our relationship alive.
At least long enough to know if it�s truly the real thing. It�ll take me
another couple of years or so to get my degree, then I�ll have to take the bar
exam. I�d like to go back to California, to Angel Grove, because I think it�s a
great place to live, now that the monsters are gone," both former Rangers
shared a smile at the thought. It had been achieved by another group of
Rangers, true, and it had taken Zordon�s ultimate sacrifice, but they still
felt pride that they�d once been part of the fight against Evil.
"... but that is something we can talk about when the time is right. Maybe
then, you�ll get another offer in the States, and we can be together then. We�re
only twenty-two; there�s time yet. And I think, if we both work at it, and really
want it, we can make it work. What do you think?"
Jason looked hopefully at Kat. She couldn�t help but remember the way time
and distance had damaged her relationship with Tommy, but what she felt for
Jason was so different, so much stronger....a tiny glimmer of hope sparked in
her. Smiling tremulously, she met his loving dark eyes. Biting her lip, she
hesitated for a moment longer, then gave in to the urgings of her heart to say
yes, to not give up on them without a fight. Not this time. Slipping her hand
in his, she nodded once before she drew a deep breath.
"I�m willing to try if you are." "I am."
They kissed then, sealing their bargain. Slowly they made their way back to
their room, lost in thought. Their bodies demanded their right as they settled
into bed, and they made love once more -- but it was bittersweet. They both
knew that their time together had suddenly become very short -- Jason had to be
back in the States by August at the latest. to register, find a dorm....and he
hadn�t seen his parents for a long time, either.
Afterwards, they clung to each other wordlessly, and Kat�s tears came anew.
Jason held her, nude bodies pressed close underneath the blankets, soothing her
with soft nonsense sounds and gentle caresses until they fell asleep in each
other�s arms. They didn�t know it yet, but this weekend would be the last time
they�d share together for a very long while.
***
Angel Grove, Crowne Hotel, 2006
"Over three years," Kat sighed. She looked pensively at the last
few drops of champagne in her glass before she handed it back to Jason. They had
almost finished off the whole bottle, and in combination with the day�s
excitement and the late hour it was making her drowsy. She cast a slightly
wistful glance at the invitingly turned-down bed. If she begged him really
nicely, would Jason carry her? Of course, she could always offer him some kind
of reward....she grinned to herself. The question was more, which of them would
ultimately be rewarded.
Jason leaned back against the backrest, one arm lightly draped across Kat�s
shoulder. He was still caught up in his memories, of the long weeks and months
they�d been out of touch. Once the ballet company had started going on tour, it
had been extremely difficult to keep in touch for both of them. Often, the onus
had been on Kat. Calling wasn�t always possible, even letters had proven pretty
erratic, and as for seeing each other....he�d gone to two tour stops, one in
New York and another in Toronto, six months later during their second year of
separation, but other than that.... it had <not> been an easy time
for either of them. Yet somehow, they had prevailed.
"God, I missed you so much," he whispered into her hair. Kat
snuggled closer. Her voice was very quiet as she answered.
"Me, too. It�s a small miracle that we made it, but I�m so glad
we did!"
Jason just chuckled. In retrospect, there had been funny aspects, like how
they kept missing each other whenever some of their friends decided to get
married, but usually one or the other had been present at these events. The
only wedding that had taken place without any of the former Rangers had been
Aisha and Zack�s; they had opted for a traditional African ceremony in Kenya,
involving the whole village Aisha used to live in. But they had thrown a small,
private party for their friends on a visit to Angel Grove earlier last year.
"Yeah; I just wish we could have met more often. Writing and calling
just was not the same..."
"Uh-huh. There were times when I needed you to hold me so
badly...."
He kissed her. "Same here. But as I said, it�s over -- thank God. It�s
not going to happen again."
The two sat silently, still caught up in the melancholy mood. Finally,
Katherine shifted slightly. There was one thing....
"Jason? Can I ask you something?"
At his curious look and affirmative nod, she screwed up her courage.
"You...you don�t have to answer, if you�d rather not, I mean, it
doesn�t matter anymore, not really, but I�ve sometimes wondered....of course,
if you think it�s none of my business I�ll understand, but..."
"You�re babbling, love," Jason interrupted her with an amused
chuckle. "As long as it�s not covered by professional confidentiality, you
can ask me anything. I have no secrets from you."
"Not even at Christmas, or my birthday?" she teased him, relieved.
"Well, that�s different," he amended. "But other than
that....what is it you want to know?"
Kat regarded him seriously, the previous banter forgotten. She�d been truthful,
it didn�t matter anymore, but still....
"I...I was wondering....has there ever been anyone else? I know we didn�t
make any promises when we separated, and if you don�t want to tell me, that�s
okay, but..."
Jason stiffened slightly. He couldn�t quite look at his wife as he drew a
deep breath into suddenly starved lungs. He�d waited for this particular question
for quite some time; that didn�t make answering any easier. In a subdued voice,
he gave Kat the truth.
"Once." He swallowed hard. "When I�d taken that internship
during summer break and couldn�t make it to Jasmine�s christening. Adam called
me afterwards, and when I heard that you�d been able to come, after
all...." he couldn�t go on. The memories were too painful to go into, even
after three years.
Kat remembered that time all too well. She�d been on tour in the Middle
East, and an outbreak of minor hostilities had interrupted the schedule. Taking
advantage of the break, she�d managed to return to California in time to be
godmother to her best friend�s daughter. Of the former Rangers, only Rocky and
Justin had been there. She�d intended to make a detour to Boston, but had been
recalled too soon. She remembered her angry frustration at the time; it enabled
her to inquire further with admirable calm.
"What happened? Can you tell me?"
Jason let out a relieved sigh; the worst was over, and his wife was still
resting comfortably against his chest; there was no accusation in her voice. He�d
dreaded this moment for so long...now, he was only too glad to come clean.
"As I said, Adam called me after the christening and told me you�d been
there. I remember being so angry, and confused, and most of all lonely... I
missed you so much, and to learn that I could have met you if I�d come
anyway....I went to the gym to work out my frustration, and there I met Susan...she
was into karate as well, we�d seen each other before, at matches....in any
case, we ended up having dinner together. One thing led to another,
and....."
The ex-Gold Ranger swallowed again. This was harder than he�d thought it�d
be.
"She offered, and I wasn�t strong enough to say no. I spent the night
with her."
There, it was said. He peered cautiously at Kat. She seemed lost in thought,
then met his eyes.
"A one-night stand? Or was it more?"
"No. Just that one night."
"That�s not like you."
The soft voice was non-committal. Jason tried to explain why it had
happened.
"Kath....I�m not exactly proud of that. I was lonely, I missed you, and
I basically used her. When I woke up the next morning and I realized that the
woman I had been with wasn�t you....I wasn�t drunk, or anything, but the whole
time I kept fantasizing it was you I held instead of Susan....it was unfair to
her, to you, to myself....I�ve never felt so low in my life. Not even when I
had to give up the Power a second time. It was all I could do to at least be
civil to her until I could get out. I never wanted to go through that again, I
was so disgusted with myself."
"Jason, it�s okay. I understand."
"How can you? I betrayed you...."
"Do you think I haven�t been tempted to find someone who would hold me,
who would make me feel less alone?" Kat asked with some asperity.
"The only reason I didn�t was that I didn�t really care about any of the
men I�d met. Of the dancers, Slavko and Aziz were gay, our choreographer was
well over sixty and married, and I could never have gone with one of the
stage-door johnnies!"
Her voice gentled then.
"To be perfectly truthful, I couldn�t stand the thought of anyone else
but you touching me."
Jason looked away. His disgust with himself was all too audible in his deep
voice.
"At least you could hold back. I couldn�t."
"Darling, just because you gave in to temptation and loneliness once doesn�t
make you the next Don Juan. You�re Human, not a saint. Besides, I doubt I would
want to be married to a saint."
The gentle teasing brought a slight blush to the handsome face. Kat smiled
and kissed Jason gently. Cupping his cheek in her palm, she waited until the
dark eyes met hers.
"I love you, Jason. That one lapse isn�t going to change that."
She frowned a bit. "It was only once, wasn�t it?"
"Yes. I felt so bad about the whole thing ... I wanted to tell you
sooner, but....I couldn�t find the courage, or the right words. I�m sorry. It
wasn�t worth it."
Jason drew a deep breath.
"D-do you think you can forgive me? Please?"
"Of course I�ll forgive you," Katherine said soothingly.
He lifted her hand to his mouth. Pressing a kiss into her palm, he finally felt
the lingering guilt lift off his shoulders. He�d carried that around for a long
time.
"You ... you don�t mind, then?"
The young woman thought for a moment, smiling fleetingly at the hopeful
tone. When she answered, her voice was serious, though.
"I mind that we had to be apart for so long; I mind that we were both lonely
and miserable. I mind that I didn�t know sooner what I know now, that I refused
to see what was before me for so long, but I don�t mind that you gave in
to temptation once. As long as it won�t happen again."
Jason hugged Kat close. He didn�t deserve this, but....
"It won�t. I promised, remember?"
*....cleave only unto you.....forsaking all others.....*
Their marriage vows echoed through both their minds. They knew that
they�d both keep those promises for all time.
"I do."
The soft affirmation brought their lips together, just as it had done after
the ceremony. They hadn�t needed the minister�s permission to seal their union
with a kiss in front of their friends and families. As then, it was gentle and
fierce, tender and passionate, and made them both slightly breathless as their
tongues caressed each other with soft licks and deep forays into moist oral
caverns. They settled back into each other�s arms, savouring their closeness.
Jason, however, sensed that there was something else bothering Kat. He tilted
the porcelain face up to his.
"What is it, love? Is there more?"
"Hmm. I was just wondering....why was everybody so surprised when you proposed
to me? Hadn�t you ever told anyone about us?"
"Well," he hedged with a sheepish grin, "not really. I mean,
I wrote home and to Tommy and Billy that we were seeing each other, doing stuff
together....but I sort of never got around to telling anybody that I was head
over heels for you."
Jason was slightly red about his ears as he confessed this. Kat�s answering
grin was mischievous, but also slightly guilty.
"Hadn�t you told Tanya?" he countered.
"Um....no, not that we�ve been more than friends. I think I told her
the same you did Tommy."
"Any particular reason why?" Jason asked, shaking his head in mock
disapproval and tsk-tsking her -- which earned him a playful, "You�re
asking me?"
Then, they both sobered, thinking back on their reasoning at the time. Why hadn�t
they told their families and friends that they�d fallen in love?
"I don�t really know," Kat had to admit. "I think it�d have
been different if we�d been home, but since it was just the two of us in
Europe....it didn�t feel right, somehow, to talk about you and me in a letter,
or over the phone. And when I managed to meet any of the others, somehow there
never was a right moment to admit something like that. And in a way, it felt
kind of....I don�t know... good to have you ... us ... to myself. Does that
make any sense?"
"In a way, because it was the same for me. Besides, if I had told
Tommy, or Billy and Trini, I would�ve had to admit how much I missed you ...
how miserable I was feeling. I didn�t want their pity, and it�s always been so
hard to keep anything from the gang, we were all so close ... having a
secret was kinda great. Even if, in retrospect, it would�ve felt good to have
had someone to talk to at times."
Kat suddenly laughed. She looked up at Jason with sparkling blue eyes.
"It was so hard not to jump you when we finally met again at Kim
and Tommy�s rehearsal dinner; but it was worth the wait. God, I can still see
their faces when they found out!"
Jason joined her laughter.
"Yeah; I just wish I�d have had a camera! The only thing I can�t get
over is this -- have you ever stopped to think about the fact that from our
first kiss to when I proposed to you, we�ve always been in public? You
think maybe there was something wrong with us?"
"Well, so far we�ve at least not yet made love in public," she
teased. "At least not where somebody could observe us," she amended
with a blush as she recalled their watery encounter so long ago, thankful that
the beach had been fairly empty and they�d been too far out to be seen.
Jason coloured up as well; if asked, he never would�ve imagined that
either one of them could have been so uninhibited. *If it hadn�t been so
long that time...*
"Believe me, that is <one> thing I intend to keep very
private from now on!"
They hugged as they recalled the stunned and delighted expressions on their
friends� faces as they found out Jason had asked Kat to marry him.
***
Angel Grove, right after Christmas 2004
"There�s Jason!"
With a delighted squeal, Kimberly dashed towards the door to greet one of
her oldest friends. Although it had been years since they used to hang out here
together, whenever any number of former Rangers was in town, they made a point
of meeting at least once at the Youth Center. Today, the reason was more
festive than usual -- Kim and Tommy were getting married, now that Kim had
retired from active sports. She�d won a second bronze medal at the Summer
Olympics, repeating her achievement from Sydney, and was now going into
business with Rocky. His Martial Arts studio was doing fine, and they were
expanding it to an all-round Sports Academy. Tommy was no longer actively
racing, but still involved with his uncle�s team -- he�d been getting impatient
but now his wait was over. He stood up and drew Jason into a friendly bear-hug.
"Man, I almost thought you wouldn�t come!"
"Can�t have a wedding without your best man, can you, bro?" Jason
smirked good-naturedly. He was trying very hard to kep his eyes off Kat -- it
had been weeks since they�d last talked on the phone, over a year since he�d
seen her last...that hurried dinner in Toronto after her performance had barely
been enough time to get caught up on their lives. They�d hugged each other
fiercely, exchanged desperate kisses, but the too-brief encounter had left them
aching for more in both body and mind. It had been three and a half years since
they�d said goodbye at Brussels International Aeroport....and abstention had not
been easy.
"Come on, sit down!"
Tommy drew his best friend onto a chair next to him. His world was just
about as perfect as it could get....in two days, he was going to marry his
first and final love, most of his closest friends would be there....he gathered
Kimberly to him and the two shared equally delighted smiles.
Meanwhile, Jason greeted the rest of the gang, exchanging backslaps with the
guys and chaste pecks on the cheeks with the other two young women. Rocky, Adam
and Tanya....and Kat. The Zeo Team. He knew that Billy and Trini would be
arriving the next day; they had gotten held up in Washington with a fundraiser
for the proposed space colony. Jason rather liked the name of Terra Venture.
Aisha was too far gone in pregnancy to fly, and of course Zack wouldn�t leave
his wife alone in Kenya at this time. They�d sent their best wishes, of course.
His eyes wandered back to Kat as he automatically answered Rocky�s
questions; he desperately wanted to pull her into his arms and crush her to
him, but for some reason or other, they�d never told anyone about their
relationship. It would have to wait for another time.
*This time, we�ll make time for us! We just have to! Oh God, Kath....*
The dancer drank in the sight of the man she still loved with something akin
to hunger. She�d missed Jason so much....if she had known three years ago what
she knew now...it could have been them getting married today, instead of their
friends. She was genuinely happy for Kim and Tommy; she just wished watching
them wasn�t making her feel so miserable! Kat sneaked a glance at Jason. He was
laughing at something Adam said, probably an anecdote about her goddaughter --
the most adorable little tot, but quite a handful now that she was beginning to
walk. Rocky�s younger sister was babysitting her, giving Tanya some
much-appreciated time off to spend with her friends.
The seven laughed and talked, getting caught up with each other�s lives.
Tanya and Adam were in Los Angeles, where she hosted a radio show that was
slowly gaining popularity, being picked up by more and more stations, and Adam
worked at a major film studio as stunt choreographer; considering his dislike
for cameras, he came in for quite a lot of teasing from his friends. Rocky and
Kim were full of enthusiasm for their Sports Academy, and Jason talked about
his life in Boston -- he had gotten his degree this fall and was now interning
with a law firm while he prepared for his bar exam. They all knew that Billy
and Trini were involved in the Space Program, while Aisha and Zack had opted
for veterinary and human medicine, respectively, working for a relief
organization specializing in Third-World countries.
After a while, Tommy noticed that his former girlfriend was listening
intently, but not really contributing to their conversation. Her normally
brilliant blue eyes seemed shadowed, and while she was even more beautiful than
she used to be -- tall, slim, graceful, with the elegant poise of the
professional dancer -- there was an aura of melancholy about her that the
former team leader wasn�t used to seeing in the erstwhile Pink Ranger. His eyes
met Kim�s briefly, and she nodded encouragingly; it hadn�t escaped her that Kat
seemed withdrawn and ....sad?
"What about you, Kat? Will you be staying with the Oranje Ballet?"
Tommy�s question caught Kat slightly off-guard, but she really shouldn�t have
been surprised. He knew her too well not to see through her forced
cheerfulness, and was aware, like the others, that her contract, after the
initial trial period, had been for three years. Which were up the following
spring. She didn�t want to be telling this, she really didn�t, but knew she
couldn�t keep it from her friends. Very pointedly not looking at Jason,
the Australian cleared her throat.
"I ... no. I�m not renewing my contract."
A stunned silence settled around the table. Kat was uncomfortably aware of
six pairs of eyes fixed on her. Drawing a deep breath, she mentally and
physically squared her shoulders, as Tanya asked incredulously,
"But ... but why? Kat, I thought this was your dream come true! A
position in a first-rate Ballet Company, dancing all the classical
ballets....traveling the world..."
"It was," she admitted quietly. "Only, I�m getting sick of
living out of a suitcase. I have an apartment in Amsterdam, but do you know how
much time I�ve actually spent there over the last three years? Less than eight months,
all told. In a way, it�s worse than staying at a hotel."
"I know exactly what you mean," Tommy interjected. "When I
was still racing ... it was a bit hard to give up the excitement, and I never
thought I�d find myself doing management and public relations, besides test
driving, but it�s worth it for the chance of having a real home again."
Kim squeezed his hand gently. She had had her share of being on the road,
promoting gymnastics, catering to sponsors� whims, and was equally glad to have
come home at last. However, she could see there was more to Kat�s decision. She
reached out her free hand to her friend and one-time successor.
"That�s not all, Kat, isn�t it?" She waited a moment for an
answer. When none was forthcoming, she coaxed gently.
"Kat, can�t you talk to us? We�re your friends; we�d like to help, if
we can."
Katherine laughed, shocking them all with the bitterness of the sound.
"If you want the truth, I�m quitting because I can�t cut it."
Her friends protested immediately, as she�d known they would. It brought her
scant comfort. One deep, all-too-familiar voice could be heard over the rest.
Jason.
"Kat, how can you say that? You�re a good dancer, you�re always
prepared, conscientious, a great person..." he trailed off as blue eyes,
full of misery, met his briefly.
"Yes, I am," she admitted quietly. "A good dancer. But not a
great one."
She saw the looks of incomprehension. Taking a sip of her water -- she still
had to be counting calories, darn it! -- she explained.
"I�ve been with the company over three years now. At first, I didn�t
mind that there were others, more experienced than me, who got the really big
parts. I was the new kid on the block, after all. But when they moved on....I
still only danced minor roles. I�m twenty-five years old, I�ve been with them this
long, and they hired a kid fresh out of the Academy to star in next spring�s
new production."
"For heaven�s sake, why?" Tanya asked. "Everybody always said
you were good, and I know you, Kat -- I�m absolutely sure that your technique
and everything is flawless."
"It is. I talked to the manager about this a while ago; He told me
something he�d thought I knew. He said that I�m one of the mainstays, that they
rely on me to keep things flowing smoothly, but also that I don�t have that
certain something that makes a dancer shine. Call it glamour, or star
quality, or charisma, whatever...according to him, I don�t have it. That�s why
I�ll always be in the chorus line, so to speak. The best I can hope for is to
be the understudy for the star."
A few tears rolled down the pale cheek, and Tanya and Kim immediately
enfolded her in a hug. The four young men sat, stunned. They had cheered for
Kat when she won her scholarship to London, they had admired her poise and
grace, but they�d never thought that she was lacking in something. Of course,
while Kat was certainly beautiful enough, even Tommy and Jason had to admit
that her beauty was quiet, not flashy, and Kat had never been one to seek the
spotlight. She always worked more from the background, in keeping with her
personality, which was quieter than most of the other former female Rangers --
excepting maybe Trini.
Jason ached for her; he, more than most, knew what her dream had meant to
Kat, what she had given up to pursue it. To have it not shattered, but turning
dull like this must be terrible for her. However, he couldn�t help the sudden
surge of hope. If Kat was quitting the ballet ... or the travelling Company, at
least ... did that mean that there might be hope for them, at last? He focussed
once more on his friends. Kat was regaining control of her emotions, and
dredged up a watery smile.
"Thanks, guys."
"Hey, we�re your friends," Rocky asserted, giving her a one-armed
hug across the table. "We�re here for you." The others seconded his
statement.
"What are you going to do now?" Adam wondered. "Are you
looking for a job with a theatre, or something?"
Kat shook her head.
"No. Most theatres don�t keep their own corps de ballet, and at
those that do, the usual work is little more than background. I don�t want to
do show work, and with another company I�d have the same problems as I do
now."
She drew a deep breath. Telling her friends had not been easy, but now she
felt incredibly lighter. They didn�t blame her for failing, they didn�t pity
her, but instead gave her unstinting support -- as always. She caught a glimpse
of Jason�s dark eyes, which were fastened with an unreadable expression on her.
Her heart gave a tiny lurch she refused to analyze too closely. There was one
more thing she had to say.
"There�s another thing. I tore a calf muscle last year. I�m okay now, but
the doctor told me if I ever injured it again..." she didn�t need to go
on. Athletes all, they knew only too well the danger of risking permanent
damage in cases like that. Kimberly once more hugged her friend. She, most of
all, was familiar with the disappointments injuries like that could bring to an
athlete or performer, and how devastating it could be to see lifelong ambitions
destroyed. She�d been lucky, but that didn�t mean she couldn�t understand Kat�s
predicament.
"What do you want to do?" Kim asked delicately. "Tommy
told me that after graduation you worked as a teaching assistant at AGH for the
summer..."
"That�d mean I�d have to go to school all over again, and frankly, I don�t
have the money. My parents paid for my education once, the scholarship notwithstanding,
and I can�t ask them to do it a second time. Besides, I�ve spent too much time
on ballet; I�d hate to see it all go to waste."
The others had to agree. The conversation turned more general as they tried
to come up with ways to help Kat, evolving into laughter as Rocky successfully
lightened the atmosphere with ever more outrageous proposals of what career
paths Kat might choose. Jason joined in, but stayed somewhat on the outside. He
desperately wanted to help Kat, to find a way to get her through this ... but
an increasingly vocal part of him told him that this was his chance, that now,
when he was only a short step away from achieving his own goals, he could have
her back in his life ... permanently this time. He tried not to listen. He
desperately wanted Kat back, wanted to ask her a certain question, but he didn�t
want her to come to him because there was no other way. If and when Kat agreed
to marry him, it had to be because she wanted to. And how could he ask her now,
when it might easily be construed as charity? There was no answer forthcoming
as the group of friends laughed and talked their way through dinner, the rehearsal
at church and an impromptu gathering at the Olivers� house.
***
The next day, Jason wandered through Angel Grove�s shopping district. He�d
collected the rented tuxedo, bought a shirt and tie to go with it, gotten a
fresh haircut at his mother�s insistence and was idly gazing into windows as he
took note of the changes that had taken place during his long absence, when
something caught his eye. He stepped closer to the display. The item in
question was perfect; a bit unusual, maybe, but within his budget ... if only
barely. He hesitated for a moment, trying to convince himself he wasn�t jumping
the gun, but a last glance and an image of Kat�s face if -- when -- she saw it,
decided him. Before he could change his mind, he stepped through the glass
door, oblivious to the musical chime of tiny little bells as he entered the
Angel County Jewelers.
***
"Kim, what are you doing here?" Rocky asked his friend and
business partner as she entered his office during lunch break. "Didn�t you
say you were taking today off, to be pampered and stuff so you�re ready for
your big day?" He grinned good-naturedly. Working with Kim was turning out
just fine.
"Yes, I was, but I had to talk to you."
"Uh-oh. Sounds ominous," he wisecracked, but subsided as he saw
her serious expression. "What�s up?"
"Tommy and I have been thinking about what Kat told us yesterday."
"Yeah -- it�s a shame, isn�t it? She was so happy when she got that
scholarship -- she said it was a dream come true."
"Right. But Tanya and Adam also told me that she used to work with kids
at the Youth Centre, teaching them the beginnings of ballet....and that gave me
an idea. Have I told you that some mothers in my classes have asked if I could
recommend a dance teacher for some of the girls? They don�t really want to do
gymnastics, but would prefer dance lessons ... a few of the older students have
asked if I could incorporate more dance elements into the aerobics
classes...."
"...and I�ve had a few inquiries if we could also offer lessons in Tae
Bo," Rocky interjected excitedly. The mixture of martial arts and dance moves
was growing increasingly popular. He could see where Kimberly�s train of
thought was going. If Kat was interested, it could be the perfect solution for
their friend.
"If Kat�s willing ... I know she did choreography back at the Academy
... do you think she might come to work with us?" Kim asked hopefully.
"All we can do is ask her, and offer. Of course, she�d need to take a
few belt tests to be able to teach Tae Bo, but between me and Tommy, plus what
she picked up as a Ranger, we should have her ready in no time!"
The two friends shared a conspiratorial grin. It would be a perfect
complement for the Angel Grove Sports Academy, eventually turning it into a �Sports
and Dance� facility, if Kat agreed.
"I�ll ask her during the fitting later. Thanks, Rocky!" Kim kissed
her partner on the cheek and with a jaunty wave bounced out of the office, to
meet with her friends and bridesmaids.
***
The wedding ceremony went off without a hitch as Kimberly Ann Hart and
Thomas Brent Oliver said their vows in front of family and friends. Jason took
his place as Tommy�s best man while David stood proudly with his own wife in
the front pew, along with Sam Trueheart and Tommy�s adoptive parents. Over the
years, they had grown into a close-knit family, despite their different
backgrounds. Kim�s mother and stepfather had flown in from Paris, as had her
father and brother from wherever they now lived. The music swelled as the
processional began -- Trini, Tanya and Kat in matching dresses patterned in
both yellow and pink, Adam and Billy in black tuxedos like Jason�s, with
cummerbunds and ties in green, blue and red respectively. Kim was a radiant
bride, but Jason�s eyes were only fixed on the graceful blonde on the other
side of the altar. Rocky had ushered her up, but she would be his escort once
the ceremony was over. The blue eyes met his. They were a bit misty as Kimberly
and Tommy said their vows, but they sparkled with something new, something that
had not been there the other day, and Jason felt his own heart swell. Suddenly
the second small box in his pocket seemed not quite as heavy. He handed Tommy
the rings and once more met Kat�s eyes. She smiled in delight as her two
friends kissed, husband and wife at long last, and that smile didn�t waver as
she rested her hand on his arm as the bridal party left for the reception.
The dinner was sumptuous, the speeches thankfully short, and the dancing
fully underway before Jason and Kat found the time to exchange more than a few
words in passing. They were dancing, but a quick glance showed that one of the
glass-walled terraces of the country club was empty. Jason twirled Kat expertly
through the crowd until they had some privacy at last. The music filtered
through the half-open doors as he pulled her to him. Kat came into his arms
willingly, resting her forehead against his as he searched for words. It had
been so long...
"Kath....oh God, Kath, I..." the deep voice was hoarse with
emotion.
"I know," she whispered. She had longed for a more private
reunion, but they�d both arrived in Angel Grove with little time to spare
before they got caught up in Kim and Tommy�s wedding preparations. It was sheer
bliss to be held in those strong arms again! Kat snuggled closer, relishing the
feel of hard muscle against her own softness, wishing they had more privacy and
the barrier of clothes would disappear.
"I missed you so...!"
"Me, too," Jason murmured, too busy burying his face in the sunny
locks without disturbing her elegant hairdo.
"God, Kath, I want so much to kiss you, only I�m afraid if I do, I
won�t be able to stop," he breathed finally.
"I�m not sure I�d want you to stop," Kat said, blushing slightly.
She met the dark eyes with her own, catching her breath at the look in them. It
spoke of heat and tenderness, promising exquisite sensations the memory of
which made her shiver pleasantly.
The two looked at each other. Silly grins began to spread over both their
faces as the realization slowly sank in that they were back together, that
there was still something strong and good between them. Jason fought a losing
battle with his hopes as the contents of the small box he had purchased on
impulse the day before seemed to burn a hole in his pocket. Kat, for her part,
tried to think of ways to let Jason know that she wanted to resume the
conversation they�d had on the beach in Scheveningen all those years ago, only
with a different topic this time. Or rather, with a topic they�d discarded of
necessity three and a half years ago.
At last, Jason could restrain himself no longer. Patience had never been his
strong suit, and he�d had to have more than his share ever since he�d said
goodbye to the girl he loved at an airport in Belgium, and last in front of a
hotel room door in Toronto, aching to hold her again but unable to do so at the
time. Before he could say anything, though, Kat beat him to it.
"Oh Jase .. I wish I could�ve told you sooner, but last night, after
the fitting, Kim talked to me..." her voice was excited and almost giddy. Kat
looked at him with brilliant blue eyes, and as always, Jason couldn�t resist
that look. Giving in, he asked as she expected him to.
"What about?"
"Jason ... if I want to, she and Rocky are offering me a job and maybe later,
if it works out, a partnership at their Sports Center! I�d be teaching ballet,
and ..." breathless, she gave him the details. Jason could hardly believe
his ears. If Kat really was considering this, then he could accept the
Stone County District Attorney�s offer, and.....he didn�t care, he just had to
know!
"Kath....Kath, please!" He pulled her close once more. She looked
up, her story interrupted.
"Kath....are you taking the job?" The urgency in his voice and the
light in his eyes took her breath away and made her heart beat faster.
"I�m thinking about it .... of course, I�d be still on tour for another
three months, and wouldn�t be able to start until after summer break ..." the
lightly-accented voice trailed off. Jason�s grip on her waist had tightened so,
he was taut with tension ... taking a gamble on the love that had grown between
them so long ago, Kat made her decision, hoping and praying it was the right
one.
"Yes. Yes, I�ll accept their offer. I�m coming back to Angel
Grove."
Jason let out a breath he hadn�t been aware of holding. He was lightheaded
with more than the need for air as he once more looked deeply into the sapphire
pools he�d drowned in so often.
"What if ... what if I came back as well?"
"You would?" The delighted smile spreading over Kat�s face made
him draw her even closer, until their bodies touched almost full length. They
had touched like this before; for the first time on a summer night in a hotel
room in Paris. Passion rose between them again, but now was not the time. Then,
as now, Jason�s heart was beating like a triphammer. That night, he had made
Kat his in body -- could he make her his in a more binding way tonight?
Reluctantly, he eased back from the oh-so-tempting curves. He drew a deep
breath.
*No time like the present to find out!*
"I could -- if I had a reason to come back."
"What kind of reason would that be?" she asked, her own pulse
racing. Jason couldn�t be meaning to .... could he?
"If I had someone to come back to. Kath ... if I had you
to come back to, I would. In a heartbeat."
There was only one way to answer that. As she had so long ago, Kat touched a
tanned cheek with trembling fingers, trailing the tips over firm lips whose
touch had become so familiar since that first time. Her voice took on the same
sultry note as on that summer night in Brussels as she replied to his unspoken
plea.
"Who says you haven�t?"
Jason caught his breath as he recognized the husky question. He tightened
his hold around the slender waist as he leaned in closer. Their foreheads rested
against each other as they lost themselves in each other�s eyes. At last, Jason
took a deep draught of air. He cupped Kat�s face in both hands and brushed his
lips once over hers. They were trembling slightly, but he was feeling none too
steady either. Taking the biggest chance of his life, he sought out the azure
orbs and committed himself.
"Kath... Kath, I love you. I never stopped, in all this time. I don�t care
how long it takes, but I don�t want to wait any longer. Sweetheart, please ...
I need you. Will you marry me?"
Kat thought she would drown in his heated gaze. She was trembling from head
to foot, but at the same time felt a deep and abiding calm rise from her
innermost core. She had lived her first dream, even if it had turned out to be
short and not quite as sweet as she�d imagined. She had conceived another dream
while she was still working towards fulfilling the first, one that was closely
intertwined with Jason. She had had to put one aside then. Now, the time had
come to work towards making their shared dream come true. Her voice rang with
love and certainty as she gave Jason her answer.
"Yes, Jason. I still love you, and I�ll marry you."
Anything else she might have said was silenced as his mouth closed over
hers, claiming her as surely as if it had been them who had spoken their vows
that afternoon. Like Tommy had done with Kim at the altar, he took her left
hand in his. Reaching into his pocket, he took out the square black velvet box.
Opening it with unsteady hands, he held it out mutely to Kat, who took one look
and blushed with pleasure.
"Oh Jason ... it�s perfect!"
Smiling with relief, Jason took the narrow gold band out of the notch. The
oval pink Angel�s Skin coral was about the size of a fingernail, and surrounded
by a circle of tiny glittering diamond chips. As he slid it over her finger, he
was glad that he�d estimated Kat�s ring size correctly. It fit as if made for
her.
Tears of happiness welled in Kat�s eyes as Jason kissed her hand with the
ring, then drew her into his arms once more. She�d admired a similar ring that
magical weekend in Paris; while Jason�s gift was nowhere near as valuable, it
meant the world to her that he�d remembered.
Both lovers smiled tremulously; then with happy sighs melted into each other�s
arms. Oblivious to their surroundings, they gave themselves up to their kiss.
***
Kimberly was dancing with Tommy, looking adoringly into his chocolate eyes.
He smiled down at his brand-new wife as he pulled her petite form closer to his
lanky frame.
"Happy, Beautiful?" he asked, already knowing the answer. It was
there for all to see in her glowing face.
"You know I am. I just hope Kat and Jason will find someone as well; they�re
the only ones who haven�t fallen in love yet."
"Aren�t you forgetting Rocky?" Tommy queried. The former Blue Zeo
Ranger seemed like the eternal bachelor, never staying with one woman for long.
Kim grinned saucily up at her tall husband.
"No, I�m not. I�ve told you about our �special client�, haven�t
I?"
Bride and groom completed another circle around the dance floor.
"You mean the countess? But you told me they can�t be in the same room for
ten minutes without getting at each other�s throats..."
"Sure, but you should see their eyes while they�re busy insulting each other,"
Kim laughed. Oh, it was fun seeing Rocky fight a battle he�d already lost!
Only, he didn�t know it yet. If Kim wasn�t completely mistaken, Se�orita da
Silva was chasing Mr DeSantos until he caught her.
Tommy was busy scanning the ballroom for their friends. Rocky was talking to
Billy and Trini, who were taking a break from dancing; Adam and Tanya were
swaying right next to them, as lost in each other as they danced to the slow
song as they�d been at their own wedding two years ago. That left only two
people unaccounted for...
"Hey, where�s Jason and Kat?"
"I don�t know; I haven�t seen them since I danced with Jason right
after dinner..." Kim craned her neck around Tommy�s tall form. The two
weren�t on the dance floor, and not at any of the tables. She unobtrusively
checked the doors. Nope, not there, either.
"Maybe they�re both in the restrooms," she suggested as Tommy drew
her into another turn. It brought one of the small enclosed terraces with their
glass doors into her line of vision. Kim stopped dead in her tracks, almost
causing Tommy to lose his balance, and making them stumble into Tanya and Adam,
who were rudely startled out of their reverie. Before anyone could ask what was
wrong, Kim disentangled herself from Tommy and took a step forward. Her voice
was almost a squeak as she stared fixedly at one corner of the ballroom.
"Someone please tell me I�m really seeing what I�m seeing,"
she demanded breathlessly.
Thoroughly bewildered, Tommy, Adam and Tanya followed her gaze. The tableau
had drawn the attention of Trini, Billy and Rocky who joined their friends on
the dance floor.
"What�s going on? Something wrong?" Billy asked, a slight frown on
his face.
"On the contrary," Tommy assured him, a broad grin spreading over
his face. "If I�m not totally mistaken, I think something is going
absolutely right!"
The others looked into the direction Kim and Tommy were resolutely marching
towards.
"Oh my," Trini whispered, exchanging a delighted look with Tanya.
The guys were grinning from ear to ear as they followed the bride and groom.
***
Jason and Kat were still lost in each other, kissing with gentle passion, as
a very familiar voice broke through their absorption, trying very hard to sound
stern and failing miserably.
"Allright you two, what exactly is going on here?"
"As if you didn�t know, Tommy," Rocky smirked, trying hard to stifle
his laughter. He could see the colour rising in both Jason and Kat, and he was
enjoying himself immensely.
"Yeah, don�t tell me you�re so forgetful that you can�t remember this as
well!" Billy�s drily amused tone broke the whole group up.
The newly engaged couple exchanged a rueful glance as they reluctantly separated.
Kat briefly buried her face in Jason�s broad shoulder, then met his questioning
glance with a minute nod. These were their friends; they�d been through hell
and high water together at times, and they deserved to know -- even if their
timing was absolutely lousy!
Facing the curious and amused glances of the group gathered closely around
them, Jason smiled first at Kat, then at the others. His dark eyes were alight
with laughter and something they�d never seen in them before.
"What does it look like, bro? Kat and I are getting married!"
His arm around the slender waist tightened as he heard the note of pride in
his own voice. Katherine�s eyes glowed with love as she leaned against him, holding
her left hand up in a none-too-subtle gesture. The coral in its circle of tiny
diamonds caught the light, and the women automatically oohed over it.
Adam grinned at the former Gold and Pink Rangers. He knew exactly how Jason
was feeling -- he�d felt the same when he�d proposed to Tanya. Still, he couldn�t
help but needle his former teammates a bit.
"Congratulations -- but isn�t this awfully sudden?" He waggled his
eyebrows comically. To his surprise, Jason blushed and exchanged another glance
with Kat, who broke into a tinkling peal of laughter.
"I knew we�d pay for our silence one day!"
Jason pressed a kiss against her temple, and earned a good-natured wolf
whistle from Rocky. The others laughed, and all wandered back into the
ballroom. Jason looked at Kim and Tommy apologetically.
"Listen, guys ... this is <your> day. Kat and I don�t want
to take anything away from you. We..." He was interrupted by Kimberly Hart
Oliver at her most determined. Hands on her hips, the petite woman stared imperiously
up into her solidly muscled friend�s eyes.
"Jason Lee Scott, if you and Kat think for one minute that I�m going
to let you off the hook before you�ve told us everything, you�ve got
another think coming! This is obviously not a new development, and I want
to hear every little detail. You�re both going to talk, if I have to tie you
down until you do. So talk!"
"Yes, Ma�am!" Jason threw a snappy salute. Everybody laughed, and
the nine friends found a quiet corner to sit down. Champagne glasses were
passed around, and after a heartfelt toast to the newest couple, Jason and Kat
began their tale.
"You see, it all started on a rainy night in London, in November
1998..."
***
Angel Grove, Crowne Hotel, 2006
Kat stood once more at the window, looking out over the city below while
Jason undressed in the bathroom. It had taken them almost two more years to get
to this point, but the wait had been easier; once she�d left the ballet
company, she�d returned to Angel Grove and had seen to getting her coaching
qualifications. Later that summer, after passing the California bar exam, Jason
had come home as well, now an Assistant D.A. for Stone County. They had wanted
to get married sooner, but it hadn�t turned out that way; Rocky had beaten them
to it, and there had been other considerations. They had grumbled a bit, but it
hadn�t really mattered -- they were together again, and had had the opportunity
to rediscover each other. It had been a good time; for once, they could date
spontaneously, living in the same town. It was a period of rediscovery for both
of them, and it brought them closer still -- even if the fact that both were
once more living with their parents made resuming their love affair somewhat
problematic at times. Their parents didn�t mean to be intrusive, but ...
*Well, we managed; maybe not quite as often or freely as we would�ve
liked, but....*
The erstwhile Pink Ranger smiled to herself.
*Where there�s a will, there�s a way!*
As Rangers they had become very adept at escaping from prying eyes; that experience
stood them in good stead during their engagement when they sought privacy to
explore the more .... physical aspects of their relationship.
Jason came out again, a pair of black silk pyjama trousers riding low on his
narrow hips. He experienced a strong sense of d�j� vu as he saw Kat silhouetted
against the dark glass pane, her slender form outlined under the cream silk. As
before, he stood behind her and rested warm hands on her slim shoulders. His
wife had discarded the neglig�e, and he caught his breath at the non-existent
back of her nightgown, the sight sending a jolt of desire directly into his
groin. With time, Kat had learned to dress sexily for him, and she often drove
him to distraction when she let him catch a glimpse of her lingerie. The
luxurious room was dark; Kat had turned off all other lamps except a small,
muted nightlight next to the bed. She sighed as she leaned back against his
broad chest, purring softly as skin met skin.
He ran his hands gently down her arms, then skimmed back up over her smooth
back. His breath was warm against her neck as she angled her head towards his
mouth.
"Was it worth it?"
Jason�s question was quiet as he gently kissed her shoulder, letting his
hands drift downwards toward the soft swells with their already hardening tips.
"Every second," Kat replied just as quietly. She turned in his
arms and pressed herself against his burgeoning erection, finally giving in to
the promise of their wedding night.
"For every moment of loneliness, there was a memory to tide me
over," she confessed softly. "I sometimes wish that it could have
been different, but then we�d be different. And I love you the way you
are."
"Just as I love you."
Jason kissed his bride lingeringly. They had spent a long time walking down
Memory Lane, but it had brought all the good times back -- true, along with
some bad ones as well, but that was life. Kat was right; it had brought them to
this day, and to what they were. Husband and wife at last. The deep voice took
on a note that sent a delightful shiver down Kat�s spine as Jason guided her
slowly towards the wide bed. He embraced her once more as he deftly slipped the
nightgown from her shoulders. The creamy skin seemed to glow in the lamplight,
and he felt his excitement rise as Kat�s nimble fingers wandered to the elastic
waistband of his pants and skimmed them off, leaving them naked in each other�s
arms.
"And now, Mrs. Scott, I think it�s time I showed you just how much I
love you," Jason whispered sensually as he lowered himself next to her on
the mattress. A hand reached towards the single lamp and switched it off,
because the newlyweds didn�t need any light to see as they lost themselves in a
passionate embrace, their sighs and moans filling the air as Kat surrendered
herself once more to Jason. He filled her with a single stroke and started to
move within his wife, claiming her as surely as on that night so long ago, as
the two lovers rode their desire towards ultimate ecstasy.

The
End ... And A Beginning
- 1
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Moments In Time