Authors Note: This story has angst in it of course gee Tommy is my favorite character and I love picking on him. Go figure! This is when Tommy is the White Ranger and Trini, Zach, and Jason are still there.

Authors Note Second: It's been a long time since I have written in this series and a lot has happened since. I have revised these parts and am currently working on the fifth one. I am as of now co authorless on this series, so it will probably take me some time to write the fifth part but to all of you readers who like this series there is a part five in the works. Also I will be taking applications for a new co-author on this series starting...now. Just kidding. :)

Special Thanks: Special thanks goes out to my co-author Starfire. She has helped me so much on this fic and she is half the reason why it turned out to be such a great story. Thanks sis.

Tommy Oliver was tossing and turning in a restless sleep. For the last two weeks he had been having dreams; weird dreams. Dreams that were full of horrible things that Tommy didn't want to remember, much less dream about, but they wouldn't leave him alone.

Tommy was a little boy about the age of eight. He was playing in the sand at his elementary school. All the other kids were keeping their distance from him. He heard their giggles and scuffs at him but he paid them no mind and kept digging. Tommy was a very quit shy kid so in turn he got picked on and left out quit often. Tommy felt a tear slide down his cheek and he wiped it away quickly and winced as his hand hit the bruise his father had left him with the night before when he wouldn't stay still.

The teachers and employees of the school didn't pay any attention to Tommy's bruises and such. They thought it was Tommy's fault because of his short fuse temper. Tommy threw his shovel down, slowly got to his feet, walked over to the swings and sat down in one of them. Of course when the kids saw him coming towards the swings they all got up ran away giggling.

Tommy had his head lowered and it popped up when he heard someone sit down beside him. He looked to his side and was met by the smiling face of Kimberly Hart the bounciest most popular girl in school. Tommy liked her a lot but what boy didn't. She was going out with Jason Lee Scott though and every guy knew it including him. Tommy squirmed in his seat and more meanly then he meant to said, "What do you want?"

Kim smiled "I saw you over here all alone and I thought that you might need a friend."

Tommy pouted, "I don't need a friend especially not a girl friend. I am perfectly fine by myself. So go away."

Kim seemed not to be fazed by this statement as she continued "Well from where I was standing you didn't look like you were perfectly fine by yourself. Who gave you the bruise on you cheek?"

Tommy scuffled his feet and replied mumbling "I fell. What's it to you? Don't you ever fall little ms perfect?" Tommy didn't mean to be so mean. He couldn't help it. He just wanted to be alone and wished she would go away back to her perfect boyfriend and perfect life.

Kim looked a little hurt now but still continued, "Yes, I do fall, all the time but I never fall on my face."

Tommy giggled, "Yeah, well you could have fooled me."

Kim frowned "What do you mean?"

Tommy laughed meanly "You must have fallen a lot on your face because it sure is ugly."

Tommy saw the tears whiling up in Kim's eyes as she whispered, "I'm sorry I was just trying to be nice to you, you big bully. You jerk." She got up and Tommy watched as she ran to her boyfriend and pointed to him. He took a deep breath as Jason started to walk over to him.

When Jason was looking down at him. Tommy got up so that they were eye and eye as Jason spoke anger lacing his voice "Who do you think you are!?!"

Tommy shrugged "Tommy Erickson and you are?"

Jason growled, "Nobody talks to Kim like that! Especially not you! "

Tommy smiled a sarcastic smile, "Oh did I hurt her feelings? Oh I'm sorry, not! I told her to leave me alone! She must have a listening problem!"

By now kids where starting to crowd around the two as Jason said, "You better take that back punk!"

Tommy shrugged "Or else what big man? You goanna fight me? Go a head it won't faze me! I still want take back that she is a air head and a dumb ass!"

Jason balled up his fists, "Take it back!"

Tommy smiled more when he saw he was getting to him "Ummm...no!"

When Tommy said this Jason pounced on him and they both hit the dirt and rolled and tumbled. Tommy vaguely heard the shouts of the other kids saying, "Fight! Fight! Go Jason! Beat him up!"

Finally they stopped and Jason started pounding Tommy mercilessly. Tommy tried to roll Jason off of him but Jason had a good straddle on his stomach. Jason finally stopped and spoke though clenched teeth "Take it back!"

"NO!" Tommy yelled as he delivered a strong punch to Jason's stomach and Jason rolled off him holding his stomach.

Tommy seeing is opening pounced on him and they both went rolling again. This time the only thing that stopped the two was a tree. Tommy let out a cry of pain as his back hit the trunk of the large tree and Jason started pounding him again. Tommy curled up in a ball and started to take hit after hit as pain soared through his back. Suddenly the pounding stopped. Tommy consciously took the arm off his face a couple of moment later, that had been shielding him from Jason's blows, and saw Mr. Jenkins the principal holding an enraged Jason. Before he could get to his feet however, someone grabbed his arm and jerked him to his feet. Before he knew what was happening his teacher was dragging him into the school. Jason and the principal were right behind them.

Tommy sat in one of the brown chairs facing the principal Jason right beside him as the principal talked to Tommy's stepfather. Tommy bowed his head and thought 'Great now Josh is really going to kill me.' Tommy held the tissue to his nose and glanced over at Jason he was so jealous of him. He had everything the perfect family, the perfect friends, the perfect girlfriend, and the perfect life. What did he have to be unhappy about? "Tommy." Tommy slowly turned his head to face the principal who had called his name. Once the principal was sure that he had his attention he continued, "You have been in many fights in this school. Correct Tommy?" Tommy shook his head slowly. The principal took a deep breath as if he was about to sentence someone to death, maybe he was.

"I'm sorry Tommy but this is the last fight you are going to be in here for a while. I just got of the phone with your stepfather and he agrees that you need some time to think about all of fights you have been getting into. Tommy I'm sorry but you are suspended for two weeks. Tommy we have warned you over and over again and well...I'm sorry."

The principal stiffened and Tommy watched as he turned his attention to Jason "Jason. You are not going to get off free although you were standing up for another student we don't fight to do it. You will spend your recesses and lunch periods in here with me for one week. I hope this will teach you both a lessen. Jason you may go back to class and Tommy your dad is on his way to pick you up. That is all." Jason got up and passed by Tommy and went out the door anger in his every step. Tommy sat their tears forming behind his eyes as he waited for his stepfather to come and pick him up.

Later, Tommy had just gotten in the front door of his home with his step dad right behind him. He slowly put his book bag down beside the door. His step dad had not said a word on the ride home and this worried Tommy for many reasons. Tommy headed towards the stairs to go to his room hoping that his stepfather would let him go. His hopes were crushed as his stepfather asked from behind him "Where do you think you are going young man?"

Tommy timidly turned around to face him with puppy dog eyes "My room."

Tommy watched, as his step dad stiffened "Don't try that on me Tommy! What has gotten into you!?! Do you know what you have done!?! You are suspended from school for two weeks!! You are going to have to stay around here for two weeks! You better get your act together or else!"

Tommy started to back up towards the stairs as his stepfather came closer and screamed "Where do you think you are going!? I am going to teach you a lesson that you will never forget!" With that Tommy's step dad grabbed him by the arm and jerked him to the dinning room table. He threw him down on the table, secured his arms, took of his belt and started to whip him with it ruthlessly.

Tommy sat up in his bed bathed in sweat and crying as he remembered Josh hitting him over and over again. John Oliver rushed into the room soon after and seeing Tommy's state rushed to his side. He wrapped him in his arms and rocked him silently until his sobs subsided then spoke calmly "Tommy, what was this one about?"

Tommy took a deep breath and in a voice that none of his friends would recognize staggered "He... was...he...was...hitting me... he...he... wouldn't stop. Why? Was I...I... really that horrible? What...what...did I do to...to deserve that?"

His dad ran a hand through his silky wet hair "You didn't do anything Tommy and you certainly didn't deserve that. You are a very bright, talented young man and you did absolutely nothing to deserve that."

Tommy looked at his dad with skeptical eyes and then plopped back down on his bed. "Tommy you were just a little boy. You did noting wrong. There was no way you could defend yourself."

Tommy shrugged and yawned and half consciously spoke "Maybe."

His dad softly ran a hand through his hair once more and sighed as he soothed "Go back to sleep. It will all be ok in the morning I love you Tommy." Tommy was already a sleep when his dad finished his statement. I love you Tommy. I swear if I ever meet this guy nothing on gods green earth will keep me from killing him. With that last thought he exited the room shutting the door softly behind him.

The next day at school Tommy was about to go to sleep on his feet and was shoving books into his book bag. Two hands went over his eyes and a bouncy female voice spoke from behind him, "Guess who?"

Tommy smiled and decided to play along "Umm...Jason."

The hands went down from his eyes and he heard a laugh as Kimberly Heart wrapped her arms around his stomach and said "No silly it's your loving, sweet, and don't forget caring girl friend Kim."

Tommy smiled and turned around and looked down at his petite girl friend. Kim got a puzzled look on her face at the tired chocolate brown eyes of her boy friend "Tommy is there something wrong?"

Tommy shrugged "I just haven't been sleeping well lately but everything is okay, trust me. I love you."

Kim smiled as she wrapped her arms around his neck "I love you too."

Tommy smiled and got closer until their lips meat in a fiery kiss. "Hey you two don't make me get the hose!"

Tommy released Kim and turned his head until he was looking at his best friend Jason Lee Scott "Oh you are just jealous!"

Jason shrugged and smiled broadly "Darn right! Kim why do want Tommy when you can have a great guy like me?"

Kim smiled "Because you are not Tommy."

Tommy started to laugh as Jason acted hurt "That hurt Kim. I am not going to talk to you eve again." With that Jason turned around and crossed his arms in mock rage.

Kim smiled playfully "Promise?"

Jason turned back around "Kim! You are supposed to say I am sorry Jason and I will never do it again."

Kim snorted, "But I'm not sorry and I might do it again. I don't lie Jason."

Jason smiled and shook his head as he turned his attention back to Tommy who had just finished stuffing notebooks and books in his book bag and was now working on zipping it up. "Hey man you going to be at the youth center this afternoon?"

Tommy stopped in putting his book bag on and thought for a second "Umm...maybe. I have a big history test tomorrow and I have to study for it. Plus my parents are going out tonight and they kind of want me to stay home."

"Man you study to hard! Has any one ever told you that?" Jason shook his head as the bell for first period rang.

"See you later sweetie." Kim said as she gave Tommy a peck on the cheek and scurried off to her class.

Jason smiled "See you later sweetie." Then gave him a peck on the cheek.

Tommy immediately wiped off his face and playfully hit him in the arm "Get stuffed!"

Jason's smile increased "See ya Tommy." He spoke as he began to walk to his class. Tommy smiled as he slammed his locker door and walked in the opposite direction towards his class.

Tommy muttered, as he had to stop in his rush for the lunchroom to zip his backpack up. He had to stay after for Ms. Applebee and was late meeting the others for lunch and he cursed himself the whole way for going to sleep in class. Tommy finally walked into the crowed lunchroom and quickly spotted his friends and smiling walked over and dropped his book bag in one of the chairs. He kissed Kim on the cheek and pulled up a chair beside her as Billy looked up to meet Tommy in the eyes "Tommy did you take that device in you garage to the command center?"

Tommy's eyes widened in recollection "Oh no! I forgot about it!"

Billy smiled and rolled his eyes "Figures, the old Oliver memory. Why don't you go do it now Tommy before you forget again?"

Tommy smiled sheepishly "Umm...yeah I guess I should. Jason it will take to people to left it, and hold it in the back seat you up for it?"

Jason smiled broadly "Oh yeah!"

Tommy then turned to face Kim "We also need a driver are you up for it?"

Kim smiled "Well I can't leave you two alone. There is no telling what you will do alone."

Jason smirked "Yeah we might have fun. Heaven forbid!" Then he started to giggle.

Kim glared at him as Tommy began to giggle. "Hahaha...very funny you two."

Jason smiled "We thought it was. Didn't we Tommy?"

Tommy shook his head, as Kim said "Don't edge him on Tommy, please?"

Tommy shrugged as he got up and headed out of the lunchroom. Kim and Jason followed suit behind him. After Tommy had made up a cheesy excuse to give the principal to get out of school the threesome were on their way. Tommy hummed a tune to himself as he pulled into his driveway. That's when he noticed the blue Toyota truck that seemed oddly familiar to him. Tommy got a concerned look on his face as he pulled to a stop behind it. "Huh that's funny. I have never seen that car before, I think."

Kim shrugged "Maybe it's one of your mom's friends."

Tommy relaxed a little "Yeah you're probably right. Lets go get that machine and get back to school. I have a math test in one hour."

Kim rolled her eyes as she exited the car. Tommy, with Jason's help, loaded the machine into the back of his black explorer. Tommy slammed the hood down and turned to face the other two "Ok I am going to go say hi to my mom and let her know that it was us out here making all this noise and the I am going to get something to eat before we go back to school. I'm starving!"

"Cool I want to say hi to your mom." Kim bounced. Jason shrugged and started to follow the two up the walkway.

Tommy was half way to his porch when he glanced in the living room window. Tommy's face went white and his hands began to shack at the scene before his eyes. There in the living room was his mom Carol talking to Josh with some lady that he didn't recognize. Tommy gulped hard and vaguely heard Kim say concerned "What's wrong Tommy?"

Tommy didn't answer her as he ran up the rest of the walk and into the house quickly. Once he was inside he cautiously approached the living room entrance. When he reached the living room doorway he said so that he could be herd over the chatter going on "Mom what's going on?"

Carol immediately looked up and when her fears were confirmed that Tommy was standing in the doorway with a confused expression on his features she almost spit out her tea "Tommy! What are you doing home? You are supposed to be in school!" She exclaimed after she finished swallowing her tea and sat it down.

Tommy rolled his eyes "We had to come pick up a project I left here this morning. What is going on mom? Why is he here?" Tommy said the last sentence lowering his voice a couple of notches as he looked at Josh. Tommy shivered has he meat the dark blue orbs of Josh Erickson and turned away.

Jason and Kim came to the doorway just then and Kim spoke breathlessly, "What's going on Tommy?"

Before Tommy could answer her question however she saw Josh and smiled "Hey I know you from when I was younger the umm Josh...oh shot what was his last name Jason?"

Jason shrugged "I forgot."

Kim made a face "Oh you know they had the little boy with the temper that you beat up once. Remember him boy what a jerk!"

Tommy balled up his fist as Kim continued, "Damn it! Oh yeah the Erickson's!" Kim exclaimed as she crossed her arms and smiled.

Tommy smirked and ignoring Kim and Jason spoke coldly never taking his eyes off his mom "I'll ask you again...why is he here?"

Carol looked down "He wants you to umm to come live with him in New York Tommy."

Tommy's eyes flew wide as he exclaimed "WHEN HELL FEEZES OVER!!"

Kim's eyes took on a confused tint as she spoke "Tommy why would Josh Erickson want you to live with him?"

"You mean you didn't tell them Tommy? You didn't tell them that I am your father." Josh said confused.

Tommy glared at Josh as he yelled "YOU ARE NOT MY FATHER!! MY DAD IS AT WORK!! Just Don't Josh! DON'T START!"

Josh shrugged and spoke innocently "Start what Tommy?"

Tommy anger rushing through out him yelled like the eight year old he had once been "You are not innocent! YOU ARE AN ASS HOLE! AN EVIL SON OF BITCH!! I don't know why you want me back! FRANKLY I DON'T GIVE A FUCK! Maybe you want your little toy back! IS THAT IT!!!?!! Well guess what I AM ALL GROWN UP!! YOU CAN'T HAVE ME!! I AM NOT YOUR LITTLE TOY ANY MORE!! I NEVER WILL BE AGAIN!!"

Josh looked hurt and as tears began to shine in his eyes he sadly spoke "Tommy....I'm sorry if I hurt you but I...I was wrong. That's all I can say is I am sorry."

Tommy balled up his fists more at his sides "SAVE IT FOR SOMEONE WHO CARES JOSH!!"

Kim and Jason both looked at each other as recollection entered Kim's eyes at Tommy's violent outburst "You. You were the little boy!"

Tommy smirked and retorted letting his anger control him "Yeah that was me. I'm the jerk! I HAD NO PROBLEMS! I JUST MADE EVERYONES LIFE A LIVING HELL FOR NO GOOD FUCKING REASON! Well you are still an air head and dumb ass Kimberly and I'll never take that back!!"

Jason stiffened "Tommy WATCH IT! You better calm down!" Tommy was scaring him he had never seen him lose control like this...or had he?

Tommy met Jason's eyes "Still standing up for her Jason! Why doesn't that surprise me!?! What you still like here Jason!?! FINE!! You can have her!! After all I am just a little punk! You two can go fuck somewhere for all I care!! I'm through!"

Tommy pushed past Jason and fled the house slamming the door hard behind him wanting to ignore the tears that formed in Kim's eyes as he went.

Jason was furious as he put a hand on Kim's shoulder when he saw tears falling from her eyes. Jason was surprised when Kim knocked it off and turned to him "Jason I am not eight years old any more ok? This time I will handle Tommy."

Jason shook his head as Kim rushed by him and out of the house after Tommy. Jason then turned his attention back to the scene that was taking place in the living room. Josh and the social worker that was with him got up and Josh shook Carol's hand as he smiled "Thank you Carol for having me in your home unexpected like this. It's just with the death of Tommy's mom I really had some time to think about things. I love Tommy and I never meant to hurt him. It's good to see that Tommy has been loved." Carol smiled and saw them out. Once Josh and the social worker were gone it was just Jason and Carol.

Kim ran to the lake because she knew that Tommy would pick that place, he always did. When she got there she saw Tommy sitting on a bench looking out over the lake. She stomped over to him anger in her every movement "Tommy Oliver, Erickson oh who ever you are!"

Tommy looked up and Kim's heart melted at the shape he was in. Tommy hadn't looked that way since he lost his powers due to the green candle. Tommy looked pale and was shaking although he was trying to hide it. What melted Kim's heart the most were Tommy's eyes. Those once warm vibrant full of life chocolate eyes were now dead and defeated. All it took was Josh Erickson to do it but what could be so bad about Josh Erickson? "What do you want Kimberly?"

Kim was taken out of her thoughts by Tommy's cold uncaring voice she shook her head and smiled as she responded, "You looked like you could use a friend."

Tommy umpped "Yeah well lets just skip the next part and why don't you just go running to Jason ok?"

Kim sat down beside Tommy "No Tommy not this time. What is wrong with you? You never lost your temper like that before. Hell I didn't even know you had a temper."

Tommy didn't meat her eyes as he spoke "Well you know now Kim. You have seen my temper; you saw it quit often when you were little didn't you?"

Kim was about to speak but Tommy cut her off "Why do you want me Kim? Out of every other guy in Angel Grove why me?"

Kim smiled "That one is easy your kind heart."

Tommy laughed bitterly "I am still the same person I was back then Kim just taller."

Kim took a deep breath as she calmly spoke "That may be but you grew up Tommy and now you control that temper. Like I said I didn't even know you had a temper."

"Why aren't you with Jason? You two were close in elementary school everybody thought you were so cute so what happened did he dump the innocent miss perfect?"

Kim sighed this was going to be harder then she thought "No it was a mutual break up we got to middle school and we grew apart that's all. Plus I found you and I love you Tommy jerk or not."

"Yeah well I don't know why! You are supposed to hate me Kim! I...I made you hate me when we were little! Why don't you just scream at me like you did when you were little why want you hate me again!!?!! I want you to leave! I don't want any body's love! I hate you!" Tommy suddenly exclaimed making Kim flinch.

Recovering Kim exclaimed "No! Tommy I am not going to leave! I know that you don't hate me either! You can't get rid of me that easily this time Tommy you are stuck with me so deal with it!"

Tommy broke down into helpless sobs as he buried his head in his hand. Kim gathered him in her arms and held him as he sobbed. Crying hard in Kim's arms Tommy spoke "I'm sorry Kim! I am so sorry! I was just scared...when I was little! I didn't think I deserved any thing especially not anyone's love!"

Kim felt the tears sting at the corner of her eyes as she listened to Tommy "My step dad...he...hit me Kim...he hit me so hard! What did I do to.... to deserve that!?! Was I really that bad of a kid!?!"

Kim was in shock as she thought 'He hit him!' "Oh Tommy you were just a kid! You didn't know any better!"

"Maybe." Tommy sobbed as Kim sighed and held him tighter not knowing what else to say. Holding Tommy she rode out the wave of emotion that crashed over Tommy.

Meanwhile Jason and Carol had just sat down at the Oliver's kitchen table as Jason asked, "Ok what's going on?"

Carol took a deep breath and began her long story "Tommy came to John and me when he was nine. We had put in for an adoption and we got Tommy. When we got him he had a very bad temper and anger problem. We went to the social worker that had brought Tommy to us and asked what was wrong with him." Carol paused as if trying to decide withier to go on with her story or not.

"And what was wrong with him Carol? Tell me!" Jason commanded as he pounded his fist on the table.

Carol looked at him "Jason I am not sure you are going to like what you hear."

Jason was consistent "Carol I will understand believe me I have heard it all and from where I am sitting I don't think that Tommy had an excuse to act that way when he was little or the way he lost his temper like he did this afternoon."

Carol sighed, "Oh he had a pretty good reason Jason. Jason he wasn't mad at anyone else, he was mad at himself for not standing up for himself and for letting Josh get away with what he got away with."

Jason sat there stunned a little as Carol took a deep breath and lowered the boom "Jason, Josh Erickson beat Tommy on a daily basis."

Jason about fell out of his seat when Carol hit him with this information. "What?" Was all Jason could manage to stutter as Carol turned her head and looked out the window sadly.

"Jason did you ever notice that Tommy would come to school each day and have new fresh bruises?"

Jason shrugged and replied, "We all thought that Tommy got into fights and got beat up."

Carol shock her head "No, Josh Erickson gave them to him. Then one afternoon a neighbor heard some pain filled screaming coming from the Erickson's and called the police. The police got there and they herd some screaming going on like someone was hitting something. They burst in and they found Tommy on a table getting wiped with a belt, they guessed he had long since lost consciousness. There was blood everywhere and Josh would not quit hitting him. The mother was on the floor with a black eye crying hard with her face covered. When the police grabbed Josh to stop him from hitting Tommy Josh kicked one of the cops and punched another. He then tried to run out the back door but two cops were waiting for him there. They finally got handcuffs on him and into a police car. They then handcuffed the mother after getting her statement and took her in to. They called an ambulance and rushed Tommy to the hospital. The mother said that Tommy had gotten in a fight and got suspended for two weeks. Josh furious about his suspension so in turn beat Tommy. The mother tried to get the dad to quit hitting Tommy because she was scared for Tommy's life. The dad hit her several times until she was knocked to the floor and went on beating Tommy. Tommy stayed in the hospital for two weeks after that. He spent one of those weeks in ICU because he had been beaten so severely. Once he was released he came straight to live with us. Any way after we found this out we took Tommy to therapy and it took some time but eventually Tommy came to terms with almost all of what happened to him. He finally realized that it wasn't his fault that he was hit. As for his anger we got to root of it and he started Karate to help channel it. Josh claims now that he has changed but there is something about him that scares me Jason. There is something not right."

Jason sat there for a moment trying to let what Ms. Oliver had said sink in. Carol shook her head trying to clear it as she changed the subject. "Well Jason I am going to go get a shower. Tonight is John and mines fifteen-year wedding anniversary and he is taking me out to eat. Stay as long as you like but don't forget to lock the door on your way out."

Jason nodded as Carol slowly got out of her chair and disappeared up the stairs. Jason slowly sat back in the chair and closed his eyes as the flashes of the past invaded his thoughts. (Flash)

Jason was sitting on the grass waiting for his mom to come and pick him up. It was his seventh birthday and his mom and dad were going to take his friends and him out to eat at the local pizza polar that night. He smiled he loved his mom and dad. He took a deep breath as he turned his head towards the entrance of the school to watch for his friends and girlfriend who had stayed behind to help his teacher grade papers. Jason didn't see his friends come out but someone else caught his attention. Tommy Erickson the meanest kid in school walked out. Jason rolled his eyes as he watched Tommy take a seat underneath a tree by the pick up zone and watch timidly for his dad.

Jason rolled his eyes everybody in town knew Tommy's stepfather and knew what a great guy he was. Josh was always ready to help someone expecting nothing in return. Tommy had no reason to be such a troublemaker. Jason for some reason couldn't take his eyes of Tommy. There was something about him that didn't seem right to Jason. He watched as a blue Ford truck pulled up and Tommy slowly got to his feet and meekly walked over. If Jason hadn't known better he could have sworn that Tommy was scared. Jason watched as Tommy went to the passenger's side and opened the door and a hand grabbed his shirt and yanked him in. Jason once again rolled his eyes 'He must have got into trouble yet again.' Then his friends joined him on the grass and they waited together for Jason's mom. (Flash) (Flash)

Jason hummed a tune to himself as he walked with his best friend Billy home. Today, Jason was in high spirits, he loved the springtime. Jason looked across the street into the living room window of the Erickson's just in time to see Tommy Erickson get hit in the head by a book that his stepfather had thrown at him. Jason heard a gasp come from beside him as Billy exclaimed, "What is going on?"

Jason smirked "Probably got in trouble again."

Billy looked concerned "Yeah but I don't like the book thing."

Jason laughed bitterly "His head is so heard that is probably hurt the book."

Billy frowned "I think not Jason the probably of a head injury is large in probability."

Jason not wanting to talk about Tommy right then changed the subject "Come on man my mom is waiting for us at my house and I bet she baked cookies." Smiling the duo walked on. (Flash) (Flash)

Jason walked out of his classroom to get a drink from the fountain when he rounded the corner he gasped at what he saw. Tommy was there with his shirt up off his back, tears running down his flushed cheeks and ugly red whiplash marks were covering his back from top to bottom.

Jason winced as the water hit his back and Tommy let out a pain filled cry. Jason shook his head and thought. 'Man he must of done something bad to get into this much trouble.'

Jason left the water fountain with out getting any water and headed back to class the sounds of sobbing haunted his mind as walked away. (Flash) (Flash)

Jason smiled has he entered Kim's room they all were having a sleep over. Jason put his bag down and smiled as he looked through it for his sleepwear. Jason grimaced "Darn I forgot my sleepwear!"

Billy looked at Jason "Well then walk back to your house and get it."

Trini joined in "You got your key right?"

Jason pulled it out of his pocket "Yup right hear. I will be right back."

Jason rushed out of the slumber party and headed towards his house. Jason sighed to himself as he reached the lonely house. His mother was out of town on a business trip and he was lucky to be at the slumber party. Good thing that Mr. Erickson was watching over his house. He slowly walked up the stairs that lead to the front door of his house and heard cries of pain coming from with in.

Jason reached the door and heard "Please dad no more please stop!"

Jason pin pointed the voice coming out of the living room and silently put his key in and unlocked the door and snuck to the living room entrance to see what was going on. Jason's eyes widened and shock paralysis froze him in a statue state. Tommy was tied to the ground and he was being beaten with a broom. Jason felt fear rush through him and his mind blanked out. Tommy's face was swollen from tears and the blood was flowing from a gash on his for head as Mr. Erickson yelled, "That will teach you to break vase's TOMMY BOY!!"

Jason quickly ran from the area forgetting his clothing. When he got half way back to Kim's he remembered and ran back to his house. When he got there it was deadly quiet. He ran up the stairs and grabbed his bag and ran out the back door blocking the horrible scene from his mind. (FLASH)

Jason umpped to himself as he walked down the old sidewalk headed towards Tommy's house. Kim was making him go to Tommy's to check on him. He had just beat him up he didn't want to see him again. In fact he had done it for Kim and now Kim was making him check on him? Girls.

As Jason drew nearer to Tommy's house he heard a cry of pain. As Jason drew closer to the house he realized that the cries were Tommy's. Curious Jason snuck to the back of the green and white house and peeped in the dinning room window. Jason gasped in shock at the way Tommy's stepfather was beating Tommy. Jason covered his mouth as he saw Tommy's body convulse. Jason paled and fear struck his soul. He pried his eyes away from the window and ran away trying to block the horrible scene from his mind.

Jason ran all the way back to school where he was meat by Kim who was waiting "So is he alright?"

Jason looked at her blankly "What?"

Kimberly growled angrily "FORGET IT!!" She stomped away from Jason leaving Jason alone to sort out what he had just seen. (Flash) (Flash)

Jason put his head in his hands as the tears started to sting at his eyes. 'How could I have been so stupid!?! Why didn't I tell someone!?! Oh god! Poor Tommy! Oh my gosh TOMMY!!'

The fear stricken thought struck his mind. Tommy had ran out and Jason had to find him and make sure he was all right. With out thinking Jason got up and ran from the house forgetting to lock the door on his way out.

At the lake Tommy was lying in Kim's lap, his mind in turmoil. "Are you alright Tommy?" Tommy vaguely heard Kim say but kept on looking at the water as things he had buried came back again. "Tommy?" (Flash)

"TOMMY ERICKSON GET IN HERE NOW!!!!" Tommy's step dad yelled. Tommy winced and slowly walked into the kitchen. His step dad stood there his face flushed from alcohol and the area stunk with the smell of beer.

Josh glared at Tommy "Thomas! What did you make in your classes?"

Tommy shivered and looked at his step father and stuttered "I...I...got an...an A in math class."

Tommy's step dad growled "Is that the best you can do? You are supposed to get higher then that!!"

Tommy trembled and didn't dare speak out against his stepfather. In his state of mind his stepfather would be more abusive then normal if he rebelled against him. Josh narrowed his eyes "You good for nothing little shit!"

Tommy winced at the harsh words of his stepfather as Josh growled, "What kind of job do you want?"

Tommy cowered "I...I...want to be the...the...president of the United States."

Josh laughed, "You are too stupid to be anything but a bum. You good for nothing son of a bitch."

Tommy shivered as Josh yelled "GET OUT OF MY SIGHT BEFORE I BEAT THE HELL OUT OF YOU!!!"

Tommy scrambled out of the kitchen and ran for his life. (Flash) (Flash)

Tommy shivered in the closet of his room. He quietly tried to pretend that he was not home as Josh grunted and walked through the house looking for him "Where is that boy?"

Lindsey pleaded with her husband "Please Josh don't!"

Josh spoke harshly "Don't tell me what to do!"

Lindsey cried out "He was not doing anything. Why do you have to pick on my son? Don't I earn enough for us to be happy?"

Josh swung around and spat "You don't earn nothing bitch you are my slave like that boy for my pleasure!"

Josh hit Lindsey hard across the cheek causing Lindsey to fly to the floor with a THUD.

Tommy ran out of his hiding spot when he saw this act through the crack in the door and started to pound on his stepfather "Don't hit my mother."

Josh growled, "Stop defending the bitch!" He exclaimed and slung Tommy into the wall on the opposite side of the room.

Tommy's world began to go black; the last thing he heard was his mom yell out "TOMMY!!!" (Flash)

Tommy shivered in the hospital bed. His mother held his hand and was asleep. His stepfather was not seen in the area. Tommy's eyes hurt from the hospital lights as he weakly opened them. "Mom...." He croaked out, his throat sorely bruised.

Lindsay weakly opened her eyes and looked down at her son as she stood to stand over him. "I am so sorry baby. I am so sorry."

Tommy looked around confused "What happened? I.... I don't...I don't remember."

Lindsay sobbed and lied through her teeth from the fear of her husband's wrath. "You fell."

Tommy tried to move his arm and winced. He silently looked down to see his hands cut and bruised in dark circlets. (Flash)

Tommy was sitting on the couch silently watching his parents fight in the dinning room a couple feet away. He winced when Lindsay screeched out "You will not hurt my baby anymore."

Josh laughed bitterly "What are you going to do? You are nothing but a weakling. You are pathetic."

Lindsay growled, "I am going to divorce you. You bastard! You are not going to hurt my son anymore."

Josh narrowed his eyes and slapped Lindsay as he grabbed her by the arms and shook her. "You belong to me you bitch! You and your stupid lousy son!"

Lindsay sobbed "I don't care what you say Josh I will leave you and take my son."

Tommy growled when he saw his mother hurt and he jumped onto Josh's back and hit him. Josh growled as he let Lindsey go and tossed Tommy onto the dining room table and secured his arms. He started to punch and whip Tommy mercilessly. Lindsay screamed out as he began to beat Tommy and tried to push him away from her son. This only succeeded in making Josh angrier. He stopped beating Tommy, grabbed Lindsey by the arms once more and threw her into the wall on the opposite side of the room and watched her slump to the ground. Shortly afterwards there was a poodle of blood on the floor underneath her.

Tommy screamed out as Josh cackled "NOOOO MOMMY!!"

Josh turned his attention back to Tommy at the outcry and hit him heard on the head with the belt. Tommy blacked out looking at his mom.

Josh grew angry at Tommy's outburst and with rage pulsing through his veins yelled, "I might not be but I am the only thing you got! So live with it and learn to respect me you little shit!" He then proceeded to beat him. Tommy's screams were not heard by anyone because the neighbors were out. (Flash)(Flash)

Tommy began to cry hard on Kimberly's legs "Tommy what's wrong?"

Tommy rolled over until he was looking at Kim and whimpered, "He hit me!! He hit me so hard!!"

Kim took Tommy in her arms once again and silently rocked him until he calmed down a little. "Tommy it was not your fault. You were the victim and only a little boy. You had no way of defending yourself."

Tommy sniffed and laying on Kim's shoulder meekly said "But I should of done something or told someone. Why didn't any one notice or see what he was doing to me?"

"I did Tommy."

Tommy quickly got off Kim's shoulder and looked behind her to see a pale frigid Jason standing there. "I just didn't want to except that you were being hurt. It was easier for me to believe that you brought it on yourself and block it from my mind. Oh god Tommy I'm so sorry! If I would have known back then what I know now about child abuse...if I hadn't been so scared or proud then maybe things would have turned out differently for you! I'm so sorry Tommy!" With that Jason broke down into tears as hurt vibrated from him.

Tommy felt his heart go out to his best friend and getting up from his position on the lake bench walked slowly over where Jason stood a couple of feet away and grabbed him up in a hug. "Its ok bro. I'm not mad at you."

Jason cried harder onto Tommy's shoulder "I am so sorry Tommy."

Tommy's eyes began to water as he held Jason "Its alright Jason. You did nothing wrong."

Jason put his arms around Tommy's back and hugged his best friend close so scared that he would lose him again just like he had done before.

"Oh I think I am going to cry!"

Tommy giggled through his tears as he released Jason "You are always just about to cry."

Kim looked hurt "I am not Tomas Oliver and watch it!"

"Oh you better watch it their Tommy you don't want your girl friend mad at you believe me." Jason said wiping away his tears.

Tommy smirked and sarcastically muttered, "Oh I am so scared of Kim!"

Kim narrowed her eyes at Tommy but then got serious "Tommy are you sure that you are ok?"

Tommy looked around and smiled "Yeah I'm ok Kim, now. It was just I guess I had to get that stuff off my chest is all. But I am feeling much better."

Kim smiled and looked at her watch "Oh my gosh it is already 5:00 o'clock. Oh well I guess we missed the rest of school huh?"

Tommy chuckled and replied "Yeah I guess we did. Look guys I have to get home my mom and dad are going out tonight and they want me to stay home. My dad gets home at 6:00 o'clock so I better get there before he does."

Kim smiled and got up off the lake bench "We will walk you home and then Jason and I can walk to the youth center from your house."

Jason agreed and they all three started to walk towards Tommy's house.

Once they arrived Tommy said his good byes and walked over the lawn and up the stairs into the dark house. "Mom I'm home!" Tommy called out as he entered the unlocked front door.

"Mom!" Tommy was met with no answer but silence. Tommy shrugged it off and bounced up the stairs to go to his room. Once he got too his room he went in, walked over to his computer, and booted it up not noticing the pair of dark eyes watching him.

Tommy took of his jacket and threw it on the bed. He stretched and didn't see the person that was sneaking up behind him until it was to late. Tommy felt a cloth go over his mouth. Tommy let out a muffled scream and acting on instinct grabbed the arm and flipped the person over him. Tommy staggered and looked down to see Josh shaking his head trying to clear it, he screamed once more and turned to run out of the room.

He wasn't quick enough though as Josh grabbed his ankle and Tommy went crashing to the ground. Tommy turned on his back and kicked Josh until he let him go. Scrambling to his feet he fled from the room and down the stairs. Tommy ran into the kitchen and picked up the phone only to find the line was completely dead. Tommy cursed the phone and wasn't prepared for the punch that connected with his cheek that sent his spinning to the ground. Tommy looked up holding his cheek to see an outraged Josh towering above him "So the little piece of shit has learned how to defend himself huh?"

Tommy scrambled to get to his feet but the chloride on the cloth had slowed him down and it took him more time the normal to get to his feet. Tommy thought of a way to get past Josh and as Josh advanced on him once again he crawled between Josh's legs. He was almost through when Josh grabbed his ankle he screamed and kicked him in the rear. Josh let go and fell to the floor. Tommy as fast as he could get to his feet and ran from the kitchen as fast as he could, he was almost to the front door when a blow from behind knocked him into the wall. Tommy groaned as he slumped to the ground.

He heard Josh snicker as he grabbed him by his hair and jerked him up. When Tommy was to a standing position Josh used his greater strength to draw Tommy close to him and let go of his hair and put his arms around him to keep him close and whispered in his ear "You're mine Tommy Boy!!"

"NO!!" Tommy meekly screamed as he started to struggle in Josh's arms.

Josh cackled at his efforts and put the cloth over his mouth "Night night Tommy boy."

Tommy let out one more helpless cry then vision blurred and his world went dark.