I'll Remember
by Kittie

Jason Scott was jolted awake by the chimes of the communicator on his wrist. Immediately, he was concerned. We wasn't a ranger anymore, so why would Zordon be calling him? Unless there was trouble. He turned off the television and answered. "Jason here, what's going on?"

JASON, I HAVE A MESSAGE HERE FOR YOU. WILL YOU REPORT TO THE POWER CHAMBER PLEASE?

Jason made a face. "A message? Jeez, Zordon, you scared me. I thought something terrible had happened."

I AM SORRY JASON, IT WAS NOT MY INTENTION TO ALARM YOU.

He sighed. "I know. Teleporting now." He arrived in the Power Chamber and looked up at his mentor. "So what's up?"

ALPHA AND I JUST RECEIVED A COMMUNICATION FROM BILLY ON AQUITAR.

"Really?" Jason brightened considerably. "How is he?"

HE IS DOING WELL, JASON. Zordon smiled down at him affectionately. AND HE ASKED US TO GIVE YOU SOMETHING. HOLD OUT YOUR HANDS.

Jason did, and in a flash of white light, a folded letter and a small round object appeared in his hands. Confused, he looked up at Zordon. "A CD?"

HE SAID ALL WOULD BE EXPLAINED IN THE LETTER.

"Right.... Okay." Jason started to reach for his communicator, then hesitated. "I didn't know they had CDs on Aquitar."

Zordon chuckled. PERHAPS IT IS AN IMPORT.

"Maybe," Jason said, still distracted. "Thanks, Zordon."

He rematerialized in his bedroom, where he popped the CD into place and pushed the "play" button. Immediately, the strains of Madonna's song I'll Remember began to play.

Jason frowned. "What the Hell?" He opened the letter.

Dear Jason,

If you haven't played the CD yet, please do so before you read on. I'll wait while you do it. (La la la la....) Okay, now that the music is on, I'll bet you're wondering why I've sent you a Madonna CD, of all things. Well, I was listening to it one night, trying to get to sleep, and I suddenly realized why I was so drawn to it. It's about you and me.

I still remember when I first came to Angel Grove, and how miserable I was. I had just lost my mother, I had no friends, and I was getting beat up almost every day. Then along came you and the others. I know it was Trini and Kim who got you and Zack to give me a chance, but that didn't matter in the end. I know that after a while, I wasn't just "Kim and Trini's charity case," but a friend. I was one of the gang. Your acceptance meant that suddenly, I wasn't just a weirdo, or a geek, I was "Jason Scott's buddy." People weren't so quick to mess with me, because they knew you'd give 'em Hell.

But you weren't just a bodyguard, Jason. You were a lot more than that. You became a big brother to me, you were someone I could talk to; someone I could trust, and who really seemed to understand me. You taught me to love myself, even when it seemed as though no one else could. It's like the song says: you gave me strength, you gave me love... you saved me, Jason. Without you, I may never have grown.

I hope, in some inarticulate way, I've helped you to understand the love I have for you. This isn't goodbye, not by a long shot. We'll see each other again, of that I'm sure. I can't stay on Aquitar forever, and I think we all knew that. When I do return, you be the first person I look for. It's true, I can "stand on my own" now, but I'm strong enough to know that I don't want to.

Thanks for being my friend.
William "Billy" Cranston

Jason swallowed hard. For the first time in a long time, he had tears in his eyes. "I love you too, little bro," he whispered.

End

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