Raindrops were falling out of the evening sky, some of them ending on a window of a small apartment in the city of Angel Grove.

Music filled the room, reflecting the mood of the man who was resting on the couch, his left arm beneath his head, his long brown hair hanging over the edge, holding a photo in his right hand and a letter unfolded on the coffee table.

He was watching the ceiling listening to the lyrics on the radio.

(Lyrics Bryan Adams I will be right here waiting for you first 4 lines)

His look shifting from the ceiling towards a brindle colored American Stafford, sleeping on the other side of the couch, his head resting on his masters legs. He took his arm from underneath his head and started to caress the dogs head, thinking back at the day, 6 months ago.

*** FLASHBACK***

The rangers had just won yet another battle against Rita and Zedd, when he heard whining near the forest.

"Wait a minute guy's do you hear that? Come on let's demorph and see what is making that sound." everyone agreed with there leader. What they found broke their heart though, a few feet from them, tied to a tree was an American Stafford much to skinny, beaten, hungry; sad and alone. If there was something the rangers, especially Tommy due to his weak spot for the breed, hated more than the monsters Rita and Zedd created, were the monsters who did something like this, animal abuse.

Tommy approached the poor thing with caution but giving the dog a feeling he could be trusted. The dog had something puppy like in his behavior, no mean fiber in his body.

" Hey boy, what are you doing here all alone?" almost expecting the dog to answer. "It is OK guys he is really sweet! Let's see what Zordon can tell us." The group approached him, that way Tommy could contact Zordon, somewhere deep down he hoped he could adopt him, he surely could use the company. The dog felt loved for the very first time in his live.

" Zordon, this is Tommy, come in!"

" Yes Tommy I read you." came a voice out of the device on his arm.

" Zordon, What can you tell me about the dog we found?" Zordon knew the devotion for animals of his rangers and he loved them for that.

" My senses tell me he was selected for illegal dogfights but was declared to sweet and soft for that. He also doesn't carry a chip. Bring him with you and we will see if he is alright." Zordon was sensing that his ranger leader had developed a soft spot for the brindle colored sweet heart.

" Thank you, Zordon." The group had heard every word and untied the dog but before they could even think of lifting him, he run past them and took a seat next to Tommy. The rest of the group chuckled, those two were meant to be together. " Come on boy, let's give you a better life." He lifted the dog in his arms, being thanked by the dog in his own way by licking the long haired leader his face.

Some time later they were all waiting what the scans brought up, while laughing at the sight of the big dog playing with the little, black chihuahua owned by cat. This dog was a dream, even with what he went trough, he never lost his sweet personality. It was agreed that if he was ok, he would be adopted by Tommy, not only because it was no secret the leader loved the breed, the breed was misunderstood in his eyes, but the dog made it clear who he wanted as his master.

"Tommy, I have good news." Alpha said when he came to the sort of entertainment room he created for his human friends.

" The dog is healthy, he is underweight and beaten, but there is nothing that a better life can't solve, there is no permanent damage done and he is very sweet, so I give you permission to take him with you and to prove that, I chipped him", the chips were special ones to be able to teleport them to the command center and in the owners quarter in case they needed to travel more then one day, "and he is officially yours, he will make a good dog for a ranger, like Gucci here." pointing to the little black dog. " He will get his own place in your quarters, to make sure he is taken care of when ranger duties take more days. Now the only thing I need is a name."

Tommy thought about that one, he was going to honor his best friend and the one he secretly loved. " I am going to name him Rex, in honor of Jason, He gave me a second chance and I will never forget that." everybody smiled only Billy knew the true reason, being the only one, who knew about Tommy's feelings for the original red ranger. The group knew about Tommy's orientation, he never made it a secret, having loving parents who supported and accepted him was a big reason for his come out to the group. He knew for years but he came out only a few days ago. The only ones who still needed to know were his three friends in Europe, he wasn't afraid to tell them, not to Zack and Trini anyway. The only one he was afraid to tell was Jason, not only because his feelings but because he was his best friend and afraid to lose him. Even with the assurance that it was unnecessary to think that way Billy gave him.

** END FLASHBACK **

It turned out that Rex was better than OK, sure the first couple of months were hard, trying to get the dog on his proper weight, but after that the dog was a dream. Jason was honored when he first heard the story and the fact that the dog was named after him. He smiled at the thought on that particular phone call. The first time buried feelings reappeared.

*** FLASHBACK ***

It was a month after the break-up letter and 2 weeks after finding Rex when the phone rang in the Oliver residence.

TRIIING TRIIIING

"Hello, Olivers."

"Hey bro, I finally reached you, guess that there is someone giving you a hard time." spoke a familiar voice on the other side of the line.

"Hey Jason, yeah they are, Thanks for your letters though, it is not the same but it helps. I spoke with Kim and we have sort things out, you know I can't hold much of a grudge towards anyone. That way we can both move on. I have someone else here that helps me."

" Oh a new girlfriend?" Tommy couldn't help to think that the voice of his best friend sounded disappointed or were it the butterflies he started to feel again that made him hear things.

" Oh god no, no woman for me, I have seen it this time. I have a dog now, I saved him after a hard battle with Rita, I named him after someone very important, someone who too was the first one to give me a second chance, his name is Rex."

Jason didn't no what to think of the statement he made about woman. Could there be hope after all, he didn't know if he was starting to hearing things or that his mind was playing tricks with him, he needed to talk to him when he would come home in a few months.

" Oh bro, I am honored that you called him Rex, although I know that only rangers will know the link between me and the name. How did you get him? Tell me all about him."

" Well he is an American Stafford, brindle colored, a very sweet thing..." with that Tommy started the story of how his new friend came in his life.

" Wow, it is like he is meant to be with you, starting a new life together. What human being does a thing like that anyway. I am sorry I have to leave you by it bro. I hope I hear you soon again."

" OK Jason, hear you soon man, be careful in Europe and say hi to Zack and Trini for me will ya."

with that the call ended, feelings of what he missed, who he missed. Accepting missing and loving him as part of his soul, part of heart for the first time.

" I hope to see you soon, Jason. I miss you." He whispered after the call. The back of the horn pressed against his forehead.

" I hope to see you soon."

*** END OF FLASHBACK ***

" He is coming home Rex, he is finally coming home." The dog pricked his ears watching his owner, his head slanting to the right, pushing his nose against the photo.

" You think I should talk to him too, don't ya." he spoke while petting his room mate.

" I think you will like him a lot, boy. I think the Billy is right, I need to talk to him and deal with whatever consequences it will have." with that they both fell asleep the radio still filling the room with country songs.

The morning came fast, he had agreed to meet his friend at the park for picnic, let the two dogs play and enjoy the good weather.

" Come on boy, Gucci is waiting."

A few hours later in the park...

The day was amazing, the first spring sun was peeking trough the clouds. The dogs were chasing each other in a playful way. Rocky's mom made a delicious basket with food and drinks. They had a rotation system of who would take care of the food. Listening to the radio.

" I have good news, I received a letter from Jason yesterday. The guys are coming home from Switzerland. By the end of the month."

" Yeah, that is good news, the best news I heard all day." voiced Rocky

" Billy, can I talk to you later..." Billy nodded "Sure." The blue ranger new deep inside what the object would be.

Adam sighed, he thought everything was to quiet for his liking.

" Guys, I have a strange feeling Rita and Zedd are up to no good, they are to quiet for too long."

Before anyone could even think of a reaction a voice was heard from behind him.

" I can change that one, black parasite. Tenga's attack!"

The rangers turned around and were looking in the eyes of a big golden armored monkey, Goldar.

Adam rolled his eyes " I really had to say that." sounding a little but sarcastic while taking a defense position.

" Zordon, teleport Gucci and Rex out of here and to the command center. We are under attack." With that the two dogs disappeared just in time. They would be safe.

Tommy looked to his rangers " It is time guys, ninja ranger power now."

The Tenga's were holding all the rangers at bay; the moment a flash appeared from a dagger Goldar was carrying, letting Tommy disappear leaving nothing but an open spot where Tommy had been standing.

" Have fun searching for your leader, rangers." laughed Goldar evilly, leaving the rangers shocked. Tommy was gone...

TBC...