No News Is Bad News

Trini stared at the phone, willing it to ring. Begging it to ring, really; just one call was all she asked for.

She knew it wouldn't – if it did, it wouldn't be the person she most desperately needed to hear from.

Not that Kim's soothing murmurs weren't appreciated, but his voice – assuring her that everything was okay and that he'd just had a "dumb guy" moment – would take the weight of the world off her shoulders.

Nearly a decade of friendship meant Jason and Trini were both so knowledgeable about the other that it was hard to hide things face-to-face. They trusted each other implicitly; with their lives, their feelings, the truth…

They'd fought.

It was so much easier to do over the phone.

It was easier to suspect, to miss the subtle nuances taken for granted when one spoke with somebody in person every day. His facial expressions, soft touches and even simple eye contact had meant so much to Trini and she didn't even realize it until she was without it.

"I think we should see other people."

It was like something out of a cheesy high school romance novel – the heart-wrenching break-up part, that is. It had been so unexpected – despite steeling herself against the possibility – that Trini had actually stared at the phone in shock.

As though it could somehow convey her absolute disbelief that he could believe she would be happy with anybody else.

"It's not forever! You'll be coming home in what, under a year? We're both going to UCLA so it's not like we won't see each other. Did you hear Kim got accepted, too? Tommy's going to freak when he sees that she's back but she's told me how much she misses him and I think Kat's going to go to London, so-"

He was babbling. Jason only did it when he was nervous.

It was so like Jason to shoot Trini's normally stern control over her emotions straight to hell. Nobody riled her up like he could; nobody pushed her buttons. And nobody could console her like he could… only this time, nothing he could say would make this any easier.

Kim was right. Guys could be so stupid.

"I don't want to hold you back… I don't want this distance to destroy what we have."

So, he would destroy it himself.

Oh sure, when she got back, he was sure to try and rebuild it – if he wasn't still with his new flame. He'd flash that smile that turned her knees to butter, sign up for some of the same classes, walk her around at night and feel like he was protecting her.

But she'd be wary. She'd protect herself; she never wanted to feel like this again.

Kim had tried to be so supportive; at what she feared would be a great risk to their friendship, she'd even played devil's advocate for Jason, having been in his shoes. She saw in Trini's and Jason's relationship the same growth – and fallout – that had characterized her relationship with Tommy. Trini knew her anxious calls were eating into Kim's practice time, much as Kim's tearful ramblings had interrupted Trini's conference sessions.

"Her name is Emily; she fell in with a bad crowd, but I think you'd really like her once you got to know her."

Trini honestly hoped that time never came. She was the zen one, the calm one, the reliable woman who was firmly in control of her mind, body and emotions. She was the one who liked anybody.

She didn't want to like Emily.

Was this what Tommy felt like when he got Kim's letter? Was it worse for him, having been with Kim longer? Trini felt the sudden urge to call the white-turned-red ranger, to give him a hug and ask him how to handle this.

But Tommy was Jason's best friend, and Tommy had probably known all along.

Trini felt the sudden urge to kick Tommy in the teeth.

"I'm so glad you understand, Trini. God, I miss you so much; I'm counting down the weeks until you come home. I can't wait to see you again."

Trini stared at the silent phone, willing it to ring.

When it didn't, she wrapped her arms around her legs, pulling her knees up to her chest.

Kim had been right, back when she'd written that letter.

Sometimes love just wasn't enough.

Disclaimer:

Anything from Power Rangers (and their affiliates) belongs to Saban and Disney. I don't have permission to use and abuse them as I plan on doing. I don't get any money for this, either.