Long Journey Home

Saturday dawned bright and clear, with the promise of heat to come. The past three days had been a curious mixture of closeness and strain for Jason and Tommy; they tiptoed around each other as if they were afraid to utter even one wrong word. They’d achieved a certain measure of peace nonetheless, or maybe it was fatalism; neither could say for sure. Today, however, Jason was extremely edgy. Tommy had promised his father to help with some yardwork; the Scotts were expecting them around ten. A part of him was just dying to see his parents, who had been away for a few days, but a bigger part was afraid he’d give himself away -- after all, next to Tommy, those were the two people who knew Jess best. There was no way, though, that he could stay home. His stomach in knots, he climbed into Tommy’s 4x4, tugging at his shorts. He was rather uncomfortable wearing them; they exposed much more of his legs than he was used to, but it was way too hot for anything else. At least his bruises had healed to the point where they could be hidden by a slight layer of makeup he'd found in Jess's dresser drawer; Jason had dreaded the thought of having to explain those away.
 
"Will you relax?" Tommy admonished as they drew up to Jason's parents’ house. The familiar ranch-style home looked just as inviting as Jason was used to. "You’re so antsy, your folks are sure to notice something’s wrong; do you want us to get the Third Degree?"
 
"No, of course not." Jason shuddered. He didn’t know who would be worse -- his father, or his mother, if they got suspicious. If Jess’s parents were anything like his own ... he didn’t want to think about that. He calmed himself forcibly.
 
"I’ll be fine." He directed a shaky smile at Tommy.
 
The tall young man briefly touched Jason’s cheek. "I know you will."
 
 
***
 
The morning dragged on. For a while, everything had been fine; Helen and John Scott were basically the same people Jason had known all his life, so he had no problem relating to them. Trouble began when after lunch the two men excused themselves to take a look at the lawnmower, leaving Jason back on the terrace with his mother.
 
Helen talked idly with her daughter, taking unobtrusive notice of the slightly panicked looks Jess was casting in Tommy’s direction. She’d noticed the strain between those two almost immediately, but had decided to observe them a while longer. Normally, they could hardly be in the same room with each other without touching, or slipping quick kisses when they thought nobody was watching. Now all these small displays were absent.
 
She hadn’t been exactly overjoyed when Jess and Tommy announced after graduating High School that they’d be living together, but they were responsible young adults; their relationship had always been solid and exclusive, and there was really no other objection than the fact that she’d preferred Jess would have waited for marriage to become intimate with Tommy. She respected her daughter’s right to choose for herself, though. Rather than have her sneak around behind her back, Helen appreciated the honesty the two young people displayed about their relationship, and for the last eighteen months, both the Scott and Oliver families had been waiting for an announcement that the two had decided to make it official.
 
Finally, after Jess hadn’t paid attention to something she’d said for the third or fourth time because her eyes were so anxiously following Tommy, Helen decided to step in. Maybe there was something a mother could do.... Pouring herself a glass of iced tea, she kept her voice deliberately casual.
 
"Trouble in paradise?"
 
"Huh?" Jason hardly heard his mother; all his attention was focussed on Tommy, who had shed his shirt and was helping his father load the John Deere onto the truck bed. His leanly muscled torso gleamed in the sun, and Jason couldn’t help feeling a shiver deep within himself. It was this sensation that had first alerted him to the fact that his feelings for Tommy had changed all those months ago. It was scary, it was exhilarating, and it was frustrating -- extremely so. Especially in the here and now, where he wouldn’t even allow himself the small gestures of affection the two of them had always shared. Jason refused to let himself remember the last two weeks he’d spent with Tammy in that other reality. It was a week to the day that they had consummated their relationship, that he’d last kissed her soft mouth and lost himself in her long, luxurious locks.
 
He was suddenly startled out of his reverie by a hand on his arm.
 
"Jess, you haven’t heard a word I said, have you?"
 
Jason blushed.
 
"I’m sorry, mom. I was... woolgathering. Was there something you wanted?"
 
Mrs Scott shook her head. Jess was again staring after Tommy. No sense in beating around the bush.
 
"Jess?" She waited for her daughter to meet her eyes. "Jess, did you and Tommy have a fight?"
 
That got her attention.
 
"No! No, of course not! Whatever gave you that idea?" The dark eyes were honestly surprised. Helen believed Jess.
 
"Then what is wrong with you two? You haven’t been this bashful around us since High School."
 
Jason didn’t know what to say. He didn’t want to lie to his mother, but he couldn’t tell her the truth, either. Looking at her helplessly, he just shook his head. His mother got up and sat down next to him, draping a comforting arm around his shoulders.
 
"Baby, won’t you let me help? You know your dad and I are always here for you, don’t you? Maybe if you talk about whatever’s happened, it will become clearer, and we can fix it together."
 
The loving words brought a lump to Jason’s throat. He desperately wanted to bury his head in his mother’s lap, as he’d done as a small boy, and tell her all his woes, but knew this was beyond anyone’s experience. Then, he ventured a glimpse into the concerned blue eyes, and lost it. Tears that had been gathering too long finally overflowed, and he hung his head, wanting no-one to see his misery. His mother did, though.
 
Helen gathered Jess close and held her only child as silent sobs shook the slender frame. For all her maturity, she was still only twenty years old; whatever was wrong with her, she’d try to help her.
 
Jason tried to stop his tears, but couldn’t; he knew that for all her support, his mom would want answers soon, and what could he tell her? Suddenly another presence was there. Without having to look, he knew it was Tommy. Strong arms drew him against a broad chest, and he relaxed against him, holding tightly to the sun-warmed skin. The solid strength and support calmed him as nothing else could, and after a few moments, he was able to sit up. Looking into the soft brown eyes, he produced a wobbly smile, embarrassed at his lack of control. Tommy pressed a gentle kiss against his forehead, smoothing the short dark hair back.
 
"It’s allright, love."
 
Neither noticed how easy it was to show and accept each other’s love and support.
 
Helen watched them carefully. One worry was laid to rest -- whatever the problem between them, the two still loved each other as much as ever. One had only to look at the way their eyes glowed at each other. Then what was wrong?
 
Jason sniffled slightly, and was handed a tissue by his mother. "Thanks." Blushing, he tucked it away. Screwing up his courage, he smiled hesitantly and gave his mother’s hand a squeeze. "I’m okay, mom. Really. I-I just haven’t been quite myself lately."
 
Tommy hid a wry grin. Now that was the understatement of the century!
 
Mrs Scott looked at her daughter and her boyfriend consideringly. Jess had dark circles under her eyes, and seemed to have lost a little weight; she was moody, burst into tears easily, seemed fixated on Tommy -- was it possible ....?
 
"Jess .... Jess, honey, are you pregnant?"
 
Jason shot up as if stung. "No! No, I’m not!" He blushed hotly.
 
Helen looked a question at Tommy. He met her eyes squarely, although he, too, was blushing.
 
"No, Helen, Jess is not pregnant. We’re sure of it." He kept pretty good track of Jess’s Pills, in case they might get carried away. "That is something we’ll have in our future." It was the closest to a proposal Tommy had ever come, and Helen felt reassured, more so though by the grateful smile Jess directed at Tommy, and the hand she slipped into his.
 
Now, however, she had her daughter to consider.
 
"Why don’t you go and lie down in your room, baby? Tommy can help your father unload the lawnmower at the shop, and drop me off at the mall; you have peace and quiet while you rest, there’s food in the fridge, and later one or the two of you can pick us up again. How’s that for a plan?"
 
"It’s perfect, mom. Thank you." Jason really was grateful; he hadn’t slept much the last two nights, and it was catching up with him. Slowly he made his way to his room. Inside, he looked around. It was at the same time familiar and strange. The layout was the same, but the colours were all wrong; instead of karate trophies, there were others for unfamiliar events that didn’t speak to him, evoked no memories. Feeling lost, he stripped against the stifling heat, and lay down on top of the sheets, to fall into a fitful sleep punctuated by dreams about Tommy.
 
 
***
 
Jason slowly drifted back to awareness after too short a while. All around him, there was quiet; his parents had already left. He stretched a little, relishing the feel of air on his naked skin. Suddenly, there was a shift in the air currents around him -- someone was opening the door. He rolled himself up in the top sheet and pried sleep-heavy eyes open. Tommy was standing in the doorway, looking at him with an expression Jason was all too familiar with. It was one he’d hoped never to see again. Pain, sadness, confusion, tempered with the tiniest sliver of hope .... Tommy had looked like that exactly twice that he could remember: when Jason had destroyed the Sword of Darkness and freed him from Rita’s spell, and when Tommy gave up his Power Coin to him to prevent the Green Power from reverting to the evil side. Jason reacted from instinct, just as he’d done those other times. He reached out to Tommy. It had been an outstretched hand the first time, am grm grip on the shoulder the second; now, he rolled off the bed in a single motion, and stepped right into his arms, hugging him tightly.
 
Tommy closed his arms around the slender frame, burying his face in the mussed dark hair. It had hurt beyond measure to see Jess cry earlier; he didn’t care anymore that there was another in her body, that his Jess was God knew where; he needed the close contact, the physical comfort right now.
 
Both stood for long minutes, wrapped in each other, giving and taking support, drawing strength from the bond they seemed to share, no matter where and how they found each other. Jason could barely make out the words Tommy mumbled into his hair.
 
"Do you think she’s alright?"
 
He didn’t need to ask who "she" was.
 
"I’m sure of it. After all, everybody’s still home; they will help her all they can." He was talking about the rest of the team.
 
"What if she’s not in your reality?"
 
Jason considered that for a moment. Then, he shook his head.
 
"Don’t ask me how I know, but I’m certain she is in my body. I can’t allow myself to believe otherwise, or I’d go mad."
 
Tommy rested his cheek on Jason’s head, tightening his embrace.
 
"I miss her."
 
"I know." The pain in Tommy’s voice was almost his undoing. Unconsciously, he pressed himself closer. Hesitantly, he offered what comfort he could.
 
"Tommy, maybe we should stop fighting so hard. Neither one of us knows how long this is going to take; we’re just making ourselves miserable. Maybe ..." his heart began to pound as it dawned on him what his words implied.
 
Tommy raised his head and looked questioningly at his companion. He, too, sensed where this was leading.
 
"Maybe ... what?"
 
Jason met his gaze. Summoning his courage, he offered what he had to give.
 
"For as long as I’m here, let me be here for you, as you’ve been for me." He drew a deep breath. "Let me be Jess for you."
 
The tall Red Ranger felt his heart falter for a moment. Reading only honesty and ....love? in the dark eyes, he made a last-ditch effort to deny what everything within him screamed to accept.
 
"W-why?"
 
The softly curved lips smiled the same heart-stopping smile that had captured him so long ago.
 
"I love you. No matter who or what I am, or who and what you are, I love you. Alwayve, ve, always will."
 
"Je --- Jase?" It was the first time Tommy had addressed him by his own name. Perversely, it convinced Jason that he was doing the right thing. Smiling tremulously, he stretched upwards and placed his mouth against the soft lips he’d dreamed about only a short time ago. The kiss was butterfly-soft, and said everything he couldn’t find words for.
 
Tommy closed his eyes briefly. He could feel himself losing a battle he hadn’t even known he was fighting. Helplessly, he lifted a trembling hand to the smooth cheek.
 
"I know I shouldn’t be doing this, but ... God help me, I’m not strong enough." With that, he lowered his mouth to rediscover the taste and feel of his lover. Need won.
 
Lips caressed each other, nibbling gently until their breaths mingled and tongues met. The slow, wet glide into warm depths caused breaths to catch and pulses to speed up. Hands began to wander and bodies pressed closer, until the need for air forced them apart. They could feel their hearts beating in their chests as they looked into each other’s eyes. Then, very deliberately, never losing eye contact, Jason stepped back and slowly let the sheet fall to the floor.
 
Tommy drank in the sight of her like a starving man might look at a banquet. It had only been a week, but he’d never imagined how much he would miss Jess in his life. Looking at the enticing curves, he felt transported back to their first time. They’d lost their innocence with each other, and as then, hisds wds were trembling as he reached out to glide his fingers over the soft swells with their dark brown centers. They hardened under his touch, and he was lost. Drawing the beautiful nude form into his arms, he claimed the waiting lips once more, relearning the taste and feel of Jess with all of his senses.
 
Jason felt the tremors start deep within himself as Tommy touched him. It felt so right to be held by the strong arms, to press himself against the hard body and surrender to the demanding mouth. He moaned deep in his throat as his tongue made contact with Tommy’s. The sound seemed to spur his lover on. Hands roamed across his skin as Tommy explored him. This was not the gentle road of discovery he had shared with Tammy, learning about each other -- no, this was two lovers meeting again, their reactions familiar and ever new, sweet and hot and sensuous, firing all their senses to a fever pitch.
 
Tommy forced himself to go slow, although everything in him demanded he bury himself in her tight channel. Instead, he sought out the areas on the undulating body he knew would excite her until she sobbed out his name in ecstasy. Her lips were hot and swollen by the time he released them, gliding his tongue-tip down her neck to the sensitive spot at the base of her throat. Licking the hollow, he waited for the throaty moan, then moved lower, to the full, firm breasts just begging for his touch. They swelled under his hands as he kneaded the soft mounds, lifting them until he could reach the throbbing nipples. Sucking them into his mouth, he swirled his tongue around the hard knots, switching from one side to the other, leaving them wet and glistening in the bright light. He moved lower still. His hands skimmed over the heated skin, molding her waist and gliding around the back, to squeeze the firm cheeks until her hips thrust forward, seeking him out. Tommy slowly sank to his knees and pressed hice ice into the soft abdomen, breathing in the scent of her arousal, and slid one hand up from the underswell of the firm little tush to the damp patch of dark curls. His fingers sought out the wet heat, dipping between the soft folds until he found the pulsating little kernel of flesh. He lowered his mouth to her core and licked gently, to be rewarded with a sharply-indrawn breath. Encouraged, he delved deeper, until his tongue was pressed into her nether-lips, drinking her sweet juices as leasleasured her.
 
Jason buried his hands in Tommy’s long hair as he gave himself up to sensation. Nothing had ever felt quite like Tommy’s hands on his skin, the hot mouth on his nipples or between his legs. For a while, he tried to retain his sanity by comparing this body’s reactions to what he was used to, but to no avail. The skilled hands and tongue drove him slowly but surely into a sweet madness which he embraced wholeheartedly, drowning in the fiery spasms that tore through him. His breasts had never felt this full as when Tommy suckled on his nipples, his cock had never throbbed as much as the tiny bud hidden within his folds, and he ached for something -- someone -- to fill the emptiness opening up deep within him. His head fell back and his throat constricted as Tommy drove him deeper into sexual frenzy. As the maddening tongue lashed him higher and higher, his universe narrowed down to the throbbing place where his lover feasted on him, and he nearly collapsed as stars exploded deep within him, transporting him to a place he hadn’t known before.
 
 
***
 
When his reeling senses returned to some semblance of normalcy, Jason found himself on his bed, with Tommy stretched out naked next to him. He had no idea how it had happened, but knew it was the only place he wanted to be. Hungrily, he reached out and kissed the firm lips, plundering Tommy’s mouth as he had plundered his still-pulsing sex. Bodies twined, sliding skin against skin, as the lovers teased and excited each other, licking, kissing, stroking, until they knew every inch of flesh, every taste and nuance. Jason held Tommy’s throbbing cock in his hand, marvellin the the texture and feel, learning his reactions. Desperate for a taste, he moved down the muscled body, pausing with his mouth only inches from the hot shaft. Tommy moaned deep in his throat, a sound that dispelled the last traces of uncertainty from Jason’s mind. He lowered himself over the tip, sliding lipslips down as far as he could, licking up the clear fluid seeping from the head. All too soon, Tommy lifted him up. Before he could voice his disappointment, Tommy’s mouth closed over his, ravishing him until wer were both out of breath.
 
"I need you. Now."
 
"Yesssss..."
 
Tommy lay back, desperate for release. He drew the supple body over him and guided his hard rod into place. Both moaned in unison as inch after inch of hot flesh disappeared in the tight sheath, filling the wet cavern to capacity. When he could go no further, Jess sat up, resting her hands on his chest. He reached for the heaving breasts with their hard tips, pinching and rolling them between his fingers, until she began to move. Sometimes, she would bounce herself on him, slamming her hips into his, but not so today. Instead, Jess began a slow rocking motion, sliding back and forth on his cock until he thought he’d go mad with desire. Their skin was slick with sweat, but neither paid any attention; all their concentration was on the joining of their bodies, the place where indescribable heat coiled and gathered, driving all thought away.
 
At last, it got to be too much. With an inarticulate groan, Tommy gathered her to him and flipped them over. Her arms clutched at his shoulders and her legs wrapped around his waist as he pounded into her, straining for that elusive spark which would send both of them over the edge.
 
Jason reached it first. He moved slightly under the hard, driving thrusts, and suddenly his body exploded, heat spreading out from that one spot deep within which only his lover could reach. He was dimly aware of screaming Tommy’s name, but it all faded into insignificance as his orgasm triggered Tommy’s. His inner muscles clamped around the pistoning shaft buried inside of him, and he suddenly felt a rush of hot wetness bathe his insidTommTommy moaned his release and thrust one last time, following him into the abyss.
 
It took a long time for their quivering bodies to relax. Finally, Tommy lifted his head to seek out the dark eyes of his lover. What he saw there sent new tremors through him. Although he’d climaxed only minutes ago, he knew that, given the slightest encouragement, Jess would be able to arouse him again in no time. Unfortunately, that would have to wait. Kissing the moist lips, he silenced the protest she was about to form as he gently slid out of her warm cunt.
 
"We can’t, love." He didn’t mind her hearing the reluctance in his voice.
 
"Why not?" The pout was unmistakeable, and he felt soft hands roam up hisne ine into his hair to draw him back. He indulged her for a few moments, but then withdrew again. He cupped a soft cheek tenderly.
 
"Because I promised your mother I’d pick her up around five. Much as I hate it, I’ll have to go soon."
 
A glance at the bedside clock confirmed that they had only minutes left; Jason realized he must have slept longer than he’d thought. Resigned, he cuddled close, relishing the feel of Tommy’s hard, sculpted chest under his cheek. He slid a teasing hand down to the softening genitals. A soft hiss of pleasure brought a tiny, smug grin to his face, and he ran a fingertip down the satiny skin, circling around the head. Before he could do more, though, Tommy plucked his hand off his all-too-interested cock and kissed the soft palm. "Don’t."
 
Only the obvious regret in the warm brown eyes let Jason comply. He angled his head up for a heated kiss.
 
"Later, then?"
 
Tommy couldn’t have resisted the hungry plea in the smiling eyes if his life had depended on it. Pressing himself close one last time, he thrust his tongue deeply into the willing mouth, calling forth yet another sexy moan.
 
"Tonight." He made the promise in a husky voice that sent shivers of delight down Jason’s spine.
 
"Tonight," he confirmed.Tommy tore himself away; if he wanted to be on time, he had to leave now, or they’d never make it out of bed before morning.
 
A last lingering caress, and Tommy eased himself off the covers and went into the bathroom. After a quick shower, he returned to find Jess watching him, still sprawled out naked on the rumpled bed. Enjoying the view while he dressed, he kissed the swollen lips once more, then let himself out, images of the night to come swirling in his brain.
 
Jason continued to lie where Tommy had left him, until he began to feel just a bit chilly. He knew he still wore a satisfied smile, but couldn’t care less; the sensations Tommy had made him feel still reverberated deep within him. He imagined that, if he concentrated, he could still feel the hot shaft filling him, throbbing hard and fast within. He could hardly wait for the night.
 
Sighing fondly, fantasizing about what he was going to do to his best friend and lover, he got up and ambled into the bathroom. He adjusted the showerhead to the right height -- Tommy was so much taller that it had to be placed at the highest point of the rod -- and stepped under the warm spray, luxuriating in the sensation. Suddenly, without warning, a black wave of dizziness engulfed him. This time, he recognized it for what it was. The flashes of intense cold and heat followed, and Jason braced himself against the tiles until his vision cleared again.
 
 
 
 
To be continued ....