***My car broke down and I was stuck at work last night waiting for a ride so I sat down at one of the tables and began to write. My best friend was starting to holler at me for leaving such cliffhangers. She said that it wasn't very nice. I apologize. Expect the final chapter in the series "It hurts to Believe" soon.***Jules***

Disclaimer: I, Jules, do not own the Power Rangers.

Chapter Three

Kim looked up at the Doctor, waiting for him to deliver her into despair. Kim wanted to be able to run from the room. At least then she wouldn't have to hear those awful words, yet she remained in her seat.

"My name is Dr. Hansen," the doctor said, his eyes falling on Kim. "You can call me Richard."

Kim wasn't sure what to think. His calm composure and caring blue eyes made her want to hold on to hope. Yet the few splatters of blood on his scrubs worried her.

"Your friend is very lucky to be alive." Kim exhaled heavily at his words. "Jason was hit with two bullets. The first of the two missed all major organs, however the second hit his right lung. He just came out of surgery, we won't know much more until he comes to. I want to warn you that his heart stopped for just over five minutes before we were able to revive him. Time will tell what effects this will have on him." Dr. Hansen looked around the room at each of them. "Do you have any questions?"

Tommy stood up and motioned that he had a question. He looked unsure of himself.

"Does that mean that he is in a coma?" Tommy's voice cracked as he finished.

"Time will tell. Right now he is still recovering from the annesticia. It is possible that due to the lack of blood and oxygen to his brain that he might remain comatose."

"What are his chances?" Rocky asked from the corner. "For complete recovery."

"I'd say," Dr Hansen began, his eyes falling on Kim once more, "that Jason has shown a great amount of strength so far. I would give him a sixty percent chance."

Kimberly suddenly broke down into tears. It was her fault Jason was here fighting for his life. She should have sent him away. Damon is her battle, not a team effort. She felt angers rise in her at the thought of Damon. At first he had been such a good friend, someone to talk to and confide in while she was in Florida. Damon had slightly filled the gaps in her life, not to mention ease the horrible loneliness. When the coach had told her to concentrate more, he had helped her write that letter to Tommy, then he held as she cried for hours. They had begun to date shortly after the Muranthius fiasco. It had become crystal clear that Tommy had moved on. It was when they were dating that the physical and emotional abuse happened. She had been so lost no one to talk to, or run to for help. After a year she had fled, running for safety. She had only been in Angel Grove a year when he caught up with her. Then Jason had come to the rescue. She cried even harder at the memory of him bursting through the trees. She felt Billy drapes an arm around her shoulders. Yet no amount of comfort seemed to lift the deep depression that had fallen over her. She promised herself that Damon would pay for what he had done to Jason. Even if it was the last thing she did.

Kim opened her tear soaked eyes to find a doctors white jacket. She looked up and saw Dr. Hansen slightly lined, tan face. Immediately Kim gazed around the room. Each of her friends had fallen asleep. Tommy's hair had fallen from its trademark ponytail. Kat was leaning her head on Tommy's shoulder, Rocky was snoring slightly holding Aisha, and Adam and Tanya were trying to use the backs of the chairs as head rests. Billy's hand still rested on her back yet his slow, deep breathing patter told her that he was fast asleep. Each of them looked as though their sleep was troubled.

Kim looked back up at Dr. Hansen and suddenly became afraid. Was he here to tell her that Jason had not made it? Her watch told her that it had been three hours since the doctor had delivered them news.

"How is he?" she whispered. Her voice sounding a thousand times more confidant than she felt. Kim braced herself for the worst. Yet they did not come. The doctor remained silent, his kind blue eyes full of compassion. To Kimberly's surprise he took the open seat to her right.

"Are you and Jason very close?" He asked softly.

"I have been friends with him for just about as long as I can remember." Kim brushed a stray tear away. "He was the truest friend and confidant that anyone could hope for. And I love him." The doctor was silent for a moment. His eyes seemed to be searching her.

"Why don't you come with me." Kim hesitated for a moment before she followed Dr. Hansen through the double swinging doors. Kim suddenly caught the heavy antiseptic smell of the hospital. The doctor came to a stop by the nurse's station. He spoke in hushed tones with an attractive, brunette nurse in pink scrubs.

"My name's Paige Griffin" she said turning to Kim. She had a soft smile and Kimberly wasn't sure why but she was glad that people like this were going to be looking after Jason.

"Kim," she said shaking the nurse's hand.

"Paige, please escort her to Jason Scott's room." Dr Hansen smiled softly and turned to walk down the hall. "I will check in after my rounds."

"Why don't we get you cleaned up?" Nurse Griffin said as she put an arm around Kimberly.

Ten minutes later Kim followed Paige, as she wished to called, from an empty room where Kim had changed her blood soaked tee for a white scrub top. Paige had helped her wash the blood from her face and hands all the while keeping the conversation light. Kim felt huge trepidation as they stopped outside a dark room.

"Do you want me to go in with you?" Paige asked softly.

"No thanks," Kim said as she opened the door a crack.

"I'll be right down the hall if you need anything." With that the beautiful nurse walked back toward her station.

Kim stood there for a moment trying to calm her nerves. After a moment she took a deep breath, gathered her courage and stepped into Jason's dark room. She could see the outline of his body lying on the bed. The only sound was Jason's raspy, yet even breathing. Paige had told her that the doctor had felt that Jason could probably breath on his own. Though the tube was no longer down his throat, he still wore a breath mask. Kim wasn't sure what force made her feet propel her to the side of his bed. She took a seat in a soft chair positioned next to his bed. Kim felt tears well up in her eyes as she looked at him. His normally tan skin was pale and he looked thinner. Kim took his hand and began drawing on the back, trying to think of something to say.

His was body felt heavy and cold. He felt like he was sinking in the blackness that surrounded him. He had to wake up, find Kim. He had to make sure she was all right. He remembered the soft kiss she had given him before the blackness took him. He had heard her helpless pleas for help. All he had wanted to do was hold her and tell her that she was going to be fine. Yet he had never been to tired in his entire life. He felt a shock as someone took his hand. It was the only warmth he had felt in a while. He knew immediately that it was Kim. He had to wake up.

Kim felt as if someone was watching her and looked toward the door that was still closed, immediately she checked the window. With a sigh she looked back down at his hand. Tears began to trickle down her face. It wasn't supposed to be like this. Thoughts of Damon came to her. Tears flooded faster.

"I'm so sorry, Jase" she sobbed. "You weren't supposed to get hurt"

Kim almost fainted when she felt his hand grasp hers gently. Looking up quickly she saw his midnight eyes were no longer closed. His gaze was full of love, yet she could see the pain in those black pools. She raised his hand to her cheek, kissing his palm.

"I love you Jase"

Jason wiped at her tears with his thumb. He hated to see her cry. Her tears hurt him more than the physical pain that was threatening his consciousness. Clumsily, he reached and pulled the breath mask aside for a moment. "I…love…you too" he rasped before placing the mask back across his face. Jason knew he was slipping off again. He grasped her hand in affection and drifted back to dreamland.

Kim felt her anger built. Jason was barely able to breathe. This was all Damon's doing. With a kiss to Jason's forehead she stood and walked toward the door. Damon was going to pay, if it was the last thing she did.

Billy awoke just as Kimberly was striding back into the waiting room. She notices his gaze and walked over to him. He could see the fury and emotional battle waging in her eyes.

"Jason's room in the fifth door on the right past the nurses station." Kim said throwing her jacket on. "Watch over him for me"

With that said Kim stormed for the waiting room. Billy felt a familiar wave of fear pass through him. Kim was going after Damon. He could feel it. Quickly, Billy jumped up and woke Tommy and Rocky. He hurriedly told them what he saw. Tommy and Rocky immediately jumped up and began to formulate a plan. Kim was in danger. This guy was armed and dangerous. He had already come close to killing one of their number; Tommy refused to let him succeed. Billy watched a They sprinted to the door and into the predawn air, searching for Kim. May the powers still protect them.