"Oh my God, no! Please!" Tommy screamed, tears flowing down his face as he sat up in bed, chest heaving and disoriented from the horrifying dream. For a minute, he didn't even register the warm morning sunlight streaming through the open window or the rumble of the lawn mowers already at work. Sweat glistening on his face, he looked around in a panic, terrified of finding more blood. He quickly looked down at his hands and body; a deep shudder of relief washed over him at finding no gore on his person.

"Tommy!"

The shaken man looked up to find his husband standing in the bathroom doorway, dark hair still wet from the shower, clad in his old red t-shirt and work shorts. His midnight eyes were full of concern as he moved swiftly to perch on the side of the bed next to his partner.

"Hey, Tommy," he said softly, taking in the other man's wide eyes and pale face. Reaching out, he brushed aside a tear with his thumb. "It's me. It's Jason. Look at me, babe."

Hazel eyes blinked quickly as Tommy came back to himself. "Jase?"

"Its alright; I'm here," he soothed gently.

Tommy inclined his head toward Jason and rested his forehead against the other man's. He inhaled the familiar comforting scent that had come to mean so much to him.

"Jase, I've not had a dream like that in years," he moaned. "It's still as horrible as it was then."

"The one where you kill us?"

He felt the slight nod from him husband.

"That has been a long time," he murmured, a hand seeking his mate's. Jason traced the ring encircling his finger, the special design they had picked out for one another. "You've haven't had that dream since we've been married."

"No, the last time was after we'd been dating awhile. And it was no where on the scale this one was."

Jason frowned.

"How so?"

Tommy ran his hand through his short spiky hair and closed his eyes.

"I really don't want to talk about it. I just... can't right now."

He could still see the scene from his nightmare behind the lids; the most horrible being the slow, torturous death of his lover. He'd laughed and continued to mangle Jason even as he begged Tommy to stop, that he loved him.

"Tommy?"

"Huh?"

"You kind of zoned on me, babe," the former Red Ranger said tenderly.

"Sorry, its just really throwing me off right now. I'm gonna hop in the shower and wake up all the way. It always passes."

Jason smiled slightly and nodded, squeezing Tommy's hand. He knew when his husband needed some space. "Ok, I'm getting started on that mess of a yard. It needs a good mow and some landscaping."

This time it was Tommy's turn to smile. "You're obsessed, you know that right?"

Jason pulled a wounded look. "Obsessed? Me?"

"Yeah, you," his husband accused as he untangled himself from the covers.

"Hey, I take pride in our home. Nothing wrong with that."

Tommy shook his head as he made his way to the bathroom; Jason tagged along as innocently as he could muster.

"Real cute, Mister," Tommy teased, side eyeing his mate.

"Can't blame a guy for trying," Jason quipped, holding his hands up.

"I didn't wear you out enough last night, I take it?"

The dark haired man smiled. "You know I can take a lot of punishment."

"Go mow the yard," the ex-Green Ranger scolded, pointing his finger. "I'll square up with you later."

"You better," Jason called as he moved down the hallway.

Once in the shower, Tommy relished the feel of the hot water gliding down his back. He was already starting to feel somewhat better. Things still felt "off", he couldn't quite explain how. It was weird but it felt like 13 o'clock. The world was off kilter.

Man, I'm really messed up in the head. I'm in my early 40's and still can't get rid of my darker half. I thought the Dragon was gone for good.

He shuddered again as he remembered the low guttural snarl of the beast that lived in his head while he was Rita's evil Ranger. The Green Ranger was as mad a hatter; he heard voices and hallucinated. His impulse control became next to zero towards the end and he raged psychotically, his mind spinning like a damn dervish from one fevered obsession to the next.

I don't want to think about this again, he growled, even as his mind continued down this dark corridor.

He was a nightmare come to life, targeting Rangers and civilians. The most fanatic obsession he'd developed involved his husband. The Green Ranger (no, the Dragon) set his sights on him and that led to some pretty violent acts between the two.

He'd kidnapped the Red Ranger and terrorized him in the Dark Dimension. He'd broken his leg just to hear him scream, just to cripple this magnificent creature. Like hobbling a prized racehorse or plucking the feathers from an exotic bird so it could no longer fly. Jason was his unicorn, ready for killing.

He thrived on the power he'd held over Jason, the fear and pain he invoked. Chasing the limping Ranger around the prison, he'd finally caught him a second time; this was the time Tommy had tried unsuccessfully to cut his throat. Thankfully, Jason had struggled too wildly and he'd lost his hold.

By the time his friends rescued him, the Red Ranger had been a bloody, bruised, and traumatized mess. How he could forgive these acts so easily was beyond anything Tommy had ever known. Despite his Ranger healing, Jason still had a limp from time to time and in the winter his leg pained him; he tried to keep this from Tommy but he knew his lover. The guilt still crept into Tommy's heart when he saw Jason grimace and subtly rub the leg.

I'm so lucky to have that man for my husband, he marveled.

They had both spent a long time dealing with the fall out from their initial battles; nightmares had plagued both boys for years. Tommy and Jason had quickly become best friends and turned to one another for comfort and support. Jason had been friends with the other Rangers since they were kids but none had the same relationship that they had developed.

And then Tommy had to go and have a crush on his "bro." He considered the torturous experience payback, it was what he deserved. To fall head over heels and never be able to say it. To suffer alone in the presence of his love.

It was the longest and most painful months of his life. After Jason had been foolish enough to almost die, Tommy had lost his damn mind and made a spectacle of himself by passionately sucking the Red Ranger's face in front of Zordon, Alpha, and the other Rangers. In his defense, he had thought his bro was dying and/or dead for the better part of an afternoon.

His face reddened at the memory. He fully expected Jason to deck him, to spit, to yell and cuss and never talk to him again. Tommy's chest still felt tight at the thought of being banished from Jason.

He turned the water off and stepped out into the steamy room. Wiping the mirror clean, he gazed at his reflection, his mind still moving in time.

When his "dad" discovered his crush, he'd blacked Tommy's eye and was gearing up to really beat the hell out of him when Jason showed up. He'd left with the Red Ranger and ended up never going back. His "family" disowned him the minute they found out he wasn't giving Jason up. But it was no great loss.

Tommy smiled to himself. It had been such a tumultuous time in their lives. But now they were together, married, and living quiet lives. Neither had been a Ranger in a few years, although they both still possessed their morphers. Just in case.

Speaking of quiet lives, Tommy hissed in irritation.

Shit!

His grant research was almost complete and due for presentation that week. If he could just go into his office at the university for a few hours, he more than likely be done and have that stressor behind him. Jason would be irritated at Tommy not being home on this gorgeous Saturday but he grinned as he knew how he'd make it up to his sexy partner.

Jason powered down the mower and admired the progress he'd made. While not a big yard, he had to say he felt his was the most magazine worthy. His lips twitched in a smile as he remembered Tommy's taunt; but it was the truth. There was nothing wrong with taking pride in one's home. They had both fought long and hard and deserved this time in their lives, to have nothing more pressing than weed control and other home maintenance. This peace was well earned by them both for their years of fighting and chaos.

Footsteps sounded on the gravel behind him and he turned to find Tommy approaching him with a sheepish smile on his face.

Arching his eye brow, Jason sighed.

"What, babe?"

The other man pulled the Red Ranger into a close embrace and nuzzled his neck, lips kissing a trail to Jason's ear, which he playfully nipped.

A low moan escaped Jason as he felt his husband's mouth on one of his hot spots. A quick flash of sharp teeth across his throat elicited an even stronger response. He tilted his head, unconsciously allowing the Green Ranger more access. Tommy's hands slid teasingly up Jason's shirt and caressed him into more whimpers. No matter how long they'd been together, both men never tired of each others bodies.

"Tommy..." he panted. "The neighbors..."

"Well, why don't we move somewhere a little less public," he answered, pushing his husband backwards toward the shed.

When they later emerged, clothes and hair askew, Jason wasn't nearly as annoyed with his mate as Tommy predicted.

"Consider that a warm up for later. For my kind, understanding, patient husband," he cooed.

"Man, you've always been forgetful. Even in high school. I'm not surprised this slipped your mind," Jason badgered.

"Hey, I never forget the important things. You know, like how much you like it when I..."

"And if you don't get in there and get done, I'm going to have to wait even longer for it. Now scoot."

Tommy pulled Jason's head forward and passionately kissed him.

"I'll hurry. Are you going to work on the yard the whole day?"

"Hmmm, I may take a ride; it'd be a shame to waste this beautiful day doing manual labor."

Jason walked Tommy to his car.

"And when you get back, what do you say we fire up the grill? Share a beer or two?"

Tommy nodded and again pulled Jason close, again resting his forehead against Jason's.

"Be careful out there, Jase. I'm still getting these bad vibes. I just can't shake it."

Jason pulled back, a serious look on his face.

"You be careful too, babe. We'll both be back here before you know it, eating burgers and putting today behind us."

"I know. I'll see you in a few, ok?"

The Red Ranger nodded and waved to his husband as he pulled away.

The motorcycle roared up the driveway and parked. Jason pulled off his helmet and smiled. It had been a good ride. Plenty of time before Tommy came back from the office to warm up the grill and get things ready for dinner. Hamburgers with all the fixings, hot dogs, corn on the cob... He loved this time of year. He looked forward to sitting out on the deck, just the two of them, sipping a cold beer and enjoying each others company.

Jason entered the foyer, causally tossing his motorcycle keys in the basket by the door. Pulling his phone from his pocket, he tapped his husband's number and rounded the corner into the kitchen, as the ringing sounded in his ear. Deep in thought about the tasks that needed completed for their cookout, he didn't realize he wasn't alone until it was too late.

A sudden movement and Jason's world exploded in fiery pain, as his nose broke and he staggered, stunned, grabbing the door frame; his phone clattered to the tile floor and went silent. The sight before him made no sense. Realizing the attacker was advancing on him, the former Red Ranger thew a hard punch. The other man easily avoided the blow; reaching out, he seized Jason's wrist and twisted his arm behind his back, pulling him against his body. The other gloved hand glided easily to this throat.

"Now, now... none of that," the stranger scolded in warning. Releasing Jason's arm, the other man suddenly had a long jagged blade held menacingly across his belly.

"Lets have a chat, Red. Its been a long time."

"Who are you?" Jason wheezed, his voice barely a whisper. The hard ridged shield dug painfully into his back and blood gushed from his nose over his swelling lips.

No reply. The intruder inclined his head toward the dark haired man's neck and breathed deeply.

"Mmmmm, yes, still the same scent I remember." He sighed contentedly. "You may look different here, but to me you'll always be a 17 year old kid. I've never forgotten that day, Red. Do you know why?"

He didn't wait for a response; he merely swayed to and fro with the injured ex-Ranger clutched in his arms, a demented slow dance.

"Because it was my birthday, so to speak. Such a pivotal moment for me." His thumb stroked Jason's jawline almost tenderly. "You were so resistant. You just wouldn't behave." He tsk tsked, shaking his head.

"I killed my Red," he cooed, savoring the memory as it unfolded in his mind's eye, his voice soft. "I shoved my sword into his skull. I remember he had the most beautiful seizure in my arms, jerking and shivering. It really wasn't long but I'm sure for him it felt like forever."

Jason squeezed his eyes shut against the cruel image; his heart pounded wildly in his chest.

"Imagine what his death set in motion. When I appeared on the battlefield, holding his shattered helmet and christened with his blood. I was a new man."

He stopped himself and the swaying ceased. "No. Not a man. I became a god." He chuckled and pulled Jason backwards into the living room where the walls were adorned with photos of himself and Tommy.

Oh God. Please don't let Tommy come home yet!

"Now, you... You are an interesting Red. Just stole his heart, didn't you?" his voice took on a hard edge. "Made him weak. Ruined my masterpiece." The hand around his neck became like a iron band as it tightened in anger.

Jason twisted sharply in the man's grip as his lungs burned and pressure rapidly built up in his head.

"Stop it!" the stranger suddenly snarled, rage flaring hotly. "I see you haven't grown wiser with age. I've already killed you once, Red. Stop being so foolish! You don't stand a chance against me."

The grip eased and Jason inhaled a deep ragged breath as his head throbbed and his vision blurred. His body sagged slightly in his attacker's grip and he continued to pant.

"What makes you so special, anyways? Same arrogant ass you've always been!" he bellowed.

His tone shifted suddenly back to the same flat affect he'd had previously. "Although, I have to say, Red... this more mature you is very... delicious. You've definitely bulked up. And I'm loving the facial hair."

The hand holding the long blade dipped below Jason's waist; he skimmed the flat of the weapon up and down his captive's inner leg.

"Let go of me," the former Red Ranger ground out, roughly.

Again, the humorless chuckle.

"Don't fret, cupcake. You're not the one I came to do business with anyways. Now, when can we expect that husband of yours?"