Title: Right On Time
Author: angel_grace
Character/Pairing: Jason/Tyra
Rating: PG
Word Count: 892
Spoilers: None
Disclaimer: If they were mine, Lyla would be long gone and Street would have a lot more to do. But they're not, so I'll have to be content with playing with them.
Summary: When it comes to Jason, Tyra keeps track of certain things. Rather schmoopy.
Author's Note: After seeing a promo for season 3, FNL has pretty much eaten my brain. I've always loved the possibility of Jason/Tyra, and actually have started two other fics besides this one. We'll see how those go.

The first time Tyra kisses Jason, she is fifteen years old. They are playing Truth or Dare, and it's Tim's dare for her, mostly, she thinks, to piss off Lyla. The dare stipulates that it has to last a ten-count, and around seven she is tempted to deepen the kiss--again, to piss off Lyla. But she doesn't want to see reproach in Jason's eyes if she tries a stunt like that, and she doesn't think he's had enough to drink to go along with it. She keeps it chaste, and tries not to sigh in disappointment when they pull apart. His cheeks are flushed, and she spends the next hour and a half trying to decide if it's from alcohol, embarrassment, or something else.


The second time Tyra kisses Jason, she is twenty-one and home from college for winter break. Julie throws a New Year's Eve party, and invites everyone she's ever known, all of whom apparently have nothing better to do, because they show up in droves. Coach and Mrs. T have wisely vacated the premises, and the alcohol is flowing while the music blares. She finds Jason sitting by himself twenty minutes before midnight, and they pass the time catching up on each other's lives, shouting to be heard over the music. When the countdown begins, they look at each other and shrug, leaning in after everyone shouts "Happy New Year." The kiss is even shorter than their first one, and this time she can't blame it on Lyla or Tim.


Tyra doesn't remember the third time she kisses Jason, although Julie provides all the gory details as Tyra nurses a hangover. She is twenty-five years old, and it is the day after her mother's funeral, which she also does not remember. Julie tells her that she asked Jason why they never dated, and then sort of threw herself at him, the news of which makes Tyra think it's a good time to go throw up.


Tyra is pretty sure there's never going to be a fourth kiss. In fact, it's probably better for her mental health if she never sees Jason Street again. But three days after the funeral, while she and Mindy are sorting through their mother's things, he shows up at the house.

"How are you holding up?" he asks.

She shrugs. "Okay, I guess." She stares at her hands in her lap, and tries to remember the last time she felt shy around a guy. "I'm a little fuzzy on the details, but I'm pretty sure I owe you an apology."

"What for?"

Her sideways stare is withering. "What, you think it's normal to get accosted by grieving women at funerals?"

"Maybe not normal," he replies with a small grin. "But you were upset...and really, really intoxicated. No apology necessary."

"You're being way too nice about this."

"What did you think I was going to do? Shun you forever? Anyway, it's not like it's the first time we've kissed."

She feels color flood her cheeks. "I hope the other times weren't as bad as that."

"They weren't bad at all," he replies quietly.

Suddenly feeling awkward, she stands up quickly. "I should probably get back to Mindy. She's kind of helpless on her own. It was sweet of you to stop by." She hurries over to the door, waits for him to follow her, but he doesn't move.

"Timing," he says out of nowhere.

"Excuse me?"

"The other day, you asked why we never dated," he explains. "Timing. It was always wrong. We were dating other people, or you were away at school, or whatever. Timing."

"Timing," she repeats softly. "And now?"

"Now...your mom just died," he replies. "But...I'm willing to wait 'til it's right."

The fourth time Tyra kisses Jason, it's in the front entry of her mother's house. There are no dares, or holiday traditions, or excessive amounts of alcohol. Just two people, and something that feels suspiciously like a promise.

"I'll try not to take too long," she tells him with a smile.


Three weeks later, Tyra wakes up and doesn't cry over her mother. The pain is still there--always will be--but something feels different. She showers and gets dressed, and thinks that one day soon, she might be happy again.

Jason calls that afternoon, the way he does every day. He asks how she's doing, and how her day is, and she does the same. He doesn't ask if she's ready, or when she thinks she might be, and she appreciates that. They say goodbye, and when they hang up, she thinks that the timing might be right.

Football practice runs until seven, and she shows up at the field just as it ends. Jason is the last one out, Coach Taylor walking beside him as they discuss the team. He looks up and sees her, and a smile crosses his face. He quickly says goodbye to Eric, and makes his way over to her.

"Perfect timing," he greets her. "What's the occasion?"

"That is."

"What?"

"Timing," she teases.

The fifth time Tyra kisses Jason, he deepens the kiss on the three-count--not that she's keeping track--and she thinks it was worth waiting ten years. The fifth time is rapidly followed by the six, and then again by the seventh, and after that, well, she simply stops counting.