Eileen Hart had been showing houses to a prospective buyer all day. The man was one of those irritating people who had to be shown the same property time and again. Back and forth all day between four places. Then he decided he needs more time to reach a decision. Eileen was tired and grumpy, so say the least, when the receptionist told her she had a call.

"Hello, this is Eileen Hart."

"Mrs. Hart, this is Jack Scott, Jason Scott's dad."

"Hello, Mr. Scott, what can I do for you?"

"I don't want to frighten you unnecessarily, but you may have noticed the smoke to the east. There is a fire burning out of control in Angel Grove Forest. Our children are still unaccounted for."

Eileen dropped weakly into her chair, her legs would no longer support her. She found she was unable to speak.

"Mrs. Hart? Mrs. Hart? Eileen? Are you there? Hello?" Jack's voice was sounding increasingly desperate.

Eileen finally found her voice. "I'm here. Are you sure? They are still out there?"

"I spoke to the firefighter's base camp, to the man in charge. They have not evacuated five children. However, they have started a search for them. My wife and I will be heading up to the base camp in a little while. Would you and your husband like to come with us?"

"Thank you, no. I have to contact my husband, he is working in the city today, and I'll wait for him to get home then head up there. Where exactly is the base?"

Jack Scott gave her directions, and got her cell phone number so he could contact her at any time.

Eileen realized dimly that she was in shock. She had experienced emergency situations before, and knew the shock could be useful. She started calling around to locate her husband, and to get friends to look after Kenny.

She had everything arranged, and was just pulling into her driveway when the dam burst inside her, and she broke down in hysterics.

PR PR PR

Clayton Taylor had reached the roadblock the firefighters had put up to keep motorists out of Angel Grove Forest. The Highway Patrol was assisting by directing the vehicles to turn around and leave the area. When Clayton finally reached the officer, he was beyond frustrated by the gawkers and sightseers.

"I'm sorry, sir, but no one is allowed past this point," the young officer said in an almost mechanical voice that properly hid his irritation with the people who came to the site of a disaster to just watch. "You need to turn around and leave this area. We need it clear for emergency vehicles."

"Please! My son and some of his friends were up there. I dropped them off this morning. I have to know if they have gotten out safely." Clayton pleaded with the officer.

The younger man's demeanor changed suddenly. "I heard about the kids on the radio transmissions between the base and the helicopter." It occurred to the young patrolman that this man in the Bronco could have also heard that transmission, and decided to use the information to get in closer to the action. But a closer look at the man's frantic expression relieved the officer's doubts.

"Pull over there please. I'm going to radio to the base and get an escort for you. Sit tight, we'll have you to the base in a few minutes, and you can find out what is going on."

Clayton gratefully pulled over where indicated and waited for his escort.

PR PR PR

Russell Kwan was getting more frustrated by the minute. He had been trying for over thirty minutes to reach someone who could tell him what was going on with the fire. He had heard about the blaze when the radio interrupted their usual programming with a news report about it, and had immediately started trying to get more information.

He was still at his desk, looking at his phone and trying to figure out whom to call, when it rang.

"Russell Kwan, to whom am I speaking, please?"

"This is Jack Scott, Jason's dad. Are you Trini's father?"

"Yes! What is going on with the fire? Are the children safe?"

"I'm afraid they are not accounted for right now. The firefighters are searching for them, they are hopeful the kids are well ahead of the fire and they can be picked up without incident. But as yet, they have not been seen. I have just heard from Todd James, he's in charge of the fire base camp, that Clayton Taylor is already there. He said any of us that want to go to the base camp will be allowed to get past the roadblocks. My wife and I will be going up there in a little while. If you want to come up with us, you would be welcome."

"I need to get home and tell my family what is happening, and be sure my other daughter is safe with friends. We will drive ourselves up there as soon as we can. Thank you for the offer and for calling me." Russell found himself mouthing the correct responses, while inside he felt like screaming in anger and dismay. His little girl was in danger, and he couldn't think of a thing to do to help her.

He abruptly headed out the door for home. He needed to get to the base camp as soon as possible.

PR PR PR

Wallace Cranston was sitting at his desk staring blankly at his computer screen. He was supposed to be working on the financial statements for the firm's biggest client, but he couldn't concentrate. Something was bothering him, keeping him on edge, but he couldn't figure out what it was. His gaze fell on his desktop calendar, and he finally realized what was wrong today.

It had been a year. Twelve months to the day since the accident that forever changed his life, and Billy's life, and ended Marie's life. He had blocked the significance of the date from his mind, but now the memories and feelings came flooding back. He realized he didn't give a hoot if the client never got his financial statements-he had to get out of the office. Without a word to anyone, he headed out the door.

Five minutes later his phone rang. And rang. And rang.

PR PR PR

Billy and Trini had started quickly up the path Zack had taken in search of Kimberly. Trini was still somewhat unsettled by the experience at the bridge, and Billy was paying more attention to encouraging her than to the trail. They didn't notice the intersection where Jason, Kimberly, and Zack had veered left. Trini and Billy veered right.

The trail got progressively worse. They were going steeply uphill; the ground was rocky and uneven. The condition of the trail, and the fact that the smoke was getting thicker, slowed their progress. When they reached the summit they looked back toward the gorge.

The fire was at the far side of the gorge, and a couple of small blazes were already ignited on the near side.

The gorge was not going to stop the fire.

PR PR PR

Jason, Kimberly and Zack had a fair view down the hill they had climbed in such haste ahead of the bear. They could see the fire had started to cross the gorge, and would soon enough be hurrying up the hill behind them.

"We have to go on," Jason said slowly. "If we try to get down the hill again, we will never get back up it in time. There were a lot of forks in the trail, they may have gone a different direction. We have to find the lake before it is too late."

Kimberly and Zack looked at Jason solemnly. They understood why they had to go on, but they liked it no better than Jason did.

For the first time in a long time, Kimberly found herself praying.

"Please, God, let all of us get through this. Please."

PR PR PR

Wallace Cranston was walking aimlessly along a side street in downtown Angel Grove when a car pulled up beside him. He looked up in annoyance, only to recognize Gabrielle, the receptionist at the accounting firm where he worked.

"Wallace, we have been looking all over for you! Jack Scott, the police lieutenant, has been trying to reach you. Something about the fire in Angel Grove Forest, and your son being there. Here, I'll call him on my cell phone, just a second."

She punched in the number, then handed the phone to him.

"Hello? Mr. Cranston, are you there?"

"I'm here," his voice was little more than a whisper.

Jack quickly explained about the fire, and the efforts being taken to find the children. Wallace remained mute, barely able to process what he was being told.

"Are you saying my boy is somewhere in a forest that is burning?" He finally found his voice.

"Unfortunately, that is the situation at the moment. You should come to the base camp, that is where the kids will be brought when they are found. Will you be okay to drive up there? My wife and I can give you a lift if you would like."

"I'm okay to drive. Just tell me where to go."

PR PR PR

Far away in their camouflaged command center, Zordon and Alpha watched events unfold in the forest. They had seen Kimberly and Zack's flight from the bear, Trini and Billy's crossing of the bridge, how the one group became two groups, lost from each other.

Alpha had shown Zordon an aerial view of the section of the forest where the five children were. Zordon realized they needed to reach the lake if they were to have a chance to survive. Unfortunately, it appeared they were all off course-Jason, Zack and Kimberly to the east, Trini and Billy to the west.

"Ay-yi-yi-yi-yi! Zordon, they are on the wrong trails. What can we do?" Alpha had no idea who the children might be, but the desire to help those in trouble was programmed into him.

Zordon considered the situation. He needed to herd Jason, Zack and Kimberly to the right, Billy and Trini to the left. He looked for something to utilize in order to encourage the children to change direction.

He spotted the bear that had so frightened Jason's group earlier.

"Alpha, please check the data banks for information on how to communicate with a black bear. I believe we can use him to force the group on the left to move right, toward the lake. We must do so quickly, or they will be past the lake without even realizing it was there."

"The information you want is coming through to you now," Alpha replied a moment later.

Zordon quickly processed the information, then asked Alpha to open a communications link to a point near the large animal. After the link was in place, Zordon made his transmission.

They both watched as the bear immediately changed direction and headed toward the three children.

PR PR PR

Jason, Zack and Kimberly were getting increasingly frightened. As far as Jason could remember from the map, they should have reached the lake by now. They all kept looking back over their shoulders, expecting to see the flames gaining on them.

They rounded a curve in the trail and came face to face with the bear. All three screamed and turned to run the other direction. The bear charged, but did not attack the children. Instead it passed close by their right side, forcing them to turn to the left. The children reversed direction again, going back the direction they were in the first place, and the bear passed them on their left, forcing them to the right. Jason took the hint and abandoned the trail, running across country in a westerly direction, closely followed by Zack and Kim. They topped a small rise and stopped dead, disregarding the bear that might be behind them.

In front of them was the lake.

PR PR PR

Zordon and Alpha watched with some satisfaction as Jason, Kimberly and Zack waded into the lake. Those three were safe for now.

PR PR PR

Todd James looked over to the group gathered at the edge of the camp. He wished he could give them some good news, but all he had was no news. The second helicopter had been looking over the area beyond the fire's front, but had not spotted anything. And they would be out of daylight soon. He knew there was something else he should do. He waved over Mike Nelson, a veteran forest ranger.

"Mike, I hate to give you this assignment, but someone has to do it. And you know these woods better than anyone. It should be cool enough behind the fire to try to follow the probable path the five kids took this morning. I need you to take a couple of men and do that. You know what you are looking for."

Mike looked unhappy, but he knew this job was necessary. "Yeah, bodies," he said quietly.

"If you find anything, use a secured frequency on the radio. I don't want anyone else hearing before I have a chance to talk to the families."

"Will do," Mike agreed. He looked over to where the nine parents were sitting, standing or pacing. "I feel for those folks. This has got to be hell for them." Mike was the father of four, and grandfather of two. He waved over a couple of younger rangers and they headed out in a jeep to the place where the five children had started out that morning.

He really hoped he didn't find anything.

PR PR PR

Zordon and Alpha's relief was short-lived. Jason, Zack and Kimberly were safe, that was true, but Billy and Trini were still in peril. And there was no bear, or other wild creature, nearby to use to herd the children in the right direction.

Zordon realized he would have to be less subtle with these two. "Alpha, please power up the defense system. We are going to have to use firepower to convince these two children to move to their left."

A few moments later Alpha reported the systems were up and ready.

"Target the large tree ahead and to the right of them. Then fire at its base." Zordon ordered.

PR PR PR

Billy and Trini had been hurrying, hoping against hope they were heading in the right direction. They realized they must have taken a different turn than the other three had, or they would have caught up with them by now. They were worried about their friends, but knew there was nothing they could do about finding them. They were in enough trouble as it was. They knew the fire was rapidly gaining on them, they had little time left to find somewhere where they would be safe.

Suddenly they sensed, rather than saw, a burst of light, and the base of a tree not far in front of them exploded.

"What! What happened? Was it lightening?" Billy was completely confused by this event.

"There aren't any clouds. It couldn't be lightening." Trini replied.

Suddenly, it happened again, this time to a tree to their right. Both children moved instinctively to their left.

"I've read of cases where lightening struck out of a cloudless sky, but this is too weird," Billy said breathlessly. "And that didn't look like lightening."

Another blast to the right of the trail they had been on convinced them to move away from the area. Since ahead had been subject to the mysterious explosions, as had the right, and the fire was coming from the rear, the only direction that was safe for them to go was to the left.

They ran off the trail to their left as another explosion occurred. They ran faster, panic setting in. Suddenly, Billy stumbled and fell.

"Billy, come on, you have to get up! We have to get out of here," Trini pulled on his arm to help him to his feet.

He reached his feet, then gasped in pain. "Ow! I twisted the same ankle I sprained last week," he cried.

"Lean on me, we have to keep moving," Trini said, pulling his arm over her shoulder so she could take some of his weight. With Trini supporting Billy, the two continued as quickly as possible.

They almost fell into the lake before they realized they had reached it.

PR PR PR

"Good shooting, Alpha," Zordon intoned solemnly.

Alpha searched his memory banks for a correct response. "Ah, shucks, twern't nothin'," he said in a passable imitation of an old time movie cowboy.

Zordon just gave him a strange look.

PR PR PR

Jack Scott looked around at the other parents. He and Marjorie had been the last to arrive, they had picked up Sheryl Taylor to bring her up to meet her husband. The Taylors sat with their arms around each other, Sheryl's head resting on Clayton's shoulder. That had been in that position for over an hour, not speaking. The Kwans were sitting side-by-side, holding hands. They rarely spoke, but when they did it sounded like they were reassuring each other. Eileen Hart was sitting alone in a plastic chair, as opposed to the benches the others occupied. Her husband, Robert, was pacing behind her, pausing now and again to knead Eileen's shoulders and mutter some sort of encouragement. As a police officer, Jack knew the Harts' marriage was shaky at best. The police had been dispatched to their residence due to their shouting at each other a few times. At least there had never been any indication of physical violence that he was aware of. For now, at least, they were united in their fears for their daughter. Wallace Cranston sat alone, slumped over, apparently lost in thought. He had not spoken to any of the others.

Marjorie looked at Jack, then glanced over at Wallace. "I'm going to go over and at least introduce myself to him. All the rest of us at least have our spouses to lend us support, that poor man has no one. It's not right." She got up an approached the lonely figure.

"Mr. Cranston? I'm Marjorie Scott, this is my husband, Jack," she indicated her husband, who had followed her over.

Wallace looked up with haunted eyes. Marjorie could see a hint of the son in the father, and fleetingly wondered what the mother had looked like. "Jason's parents?" he asked in a soft voice. "I can see where he gets his looks and build."

"Billy takes after you, too," Marjorie said with a smile. "He's a great kid."

"Thank you. I think so as well. Jason's great, too, though right now I want so much to be able to hate him," came the somewhat unexpected reply.

"Why do you want to hate our son?" Jack asked in astonishment.

"If Billy had never met Jason, he'd probably be safe at home right now. But, I can't hate him, no matter how much I want to."

"Why not?" Marjorie was puzzled by the man's attitude, though as soon as she asked the question she realized how odd it sounded.

"Because, he has made Billy happy and I have seen my son smiling and laughing for the first time in a year. Ever since he first met Jason, then Zack, he has been happy, there is really no other way to put it. He comes to the breakfast table bursting with energy, rattling on about their plans for the day, compared with the way he used to kind of slump in his chair and give monosyllable answers to my questions. AND, he hasn't been beaten up since they met, that is a new record, believe me. So, even if it would make me feel better to be able to blame this all on your son, and hate him, I cannot, because of the changes he has caused in Billy."

Jack and Marjorie considered the man's words in silence. They had noticed a definite lightening in Billy's attitude since the first time they had met him, they had not considered the fact that their son was responsible for it.

Wallace had been watching their reaction to his words. "I'm sorry if I have caused offense. I should not have spoken."

"You haven't offended us, we just hadn't considered our son's effect on your son. I guess I can see your point. This kind of occurrence would be a little more tolerable if there is someone to blame, not just a random event, caused by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. But, we can't give up hope, the kids are all bright, and Jason has had a lot of experience in the woods. They have probably found a safe place to wait out the fire." Jack said.

"Do you really think so? Are there caves, or lakes, or something where they could be safe while the fire passes by?" asked Russell Kwan, who had wandered over with his wife and overheard the last comment.

"There are several lakes, as well as some caves, though those are not really in the area the kids were headed for. But there are at least three or four lakes they could reach, as well as some rocky outcroppings where they could take refuge," Jack reassured them.

"I know Billy took a map of the forest, so they do have a way of figuring where they are and where a safe area would be," Wallace added, looking a little more optimistic.

The Harts and Taylors had joined the group and they also seemed to take heart from the comments they had just heard. The ice finally was broken among them, and they all quietly began to introduce themselves. They felt a drawing together, and none of them resisted it. They all seemed to realize that this ordeal would be a little easier if they all shared the burden, so, though it seemed incongruous, they began the social ritual of getting to know each other.

It occurred to more than one of them that this was one hell of a way to get acquainted.

PR PR PR

Jason looked at Kimberly and Zack worriedly. They had waded into the lake to the point where they could still touch the bottom and their heads were above the water, but it didn't look like they were far enough out to be safe from the effects of the fire. They would have to go farther, which meant they would be swimming, then treading water for quite a long time. There were several difficulties they faced: the water was quite cold, and they were already tired, and hungry. They were also worried because they had seen no sign of Billy and/or Trini.

"Guys, we are going to have to go out further into deeper water while the fire passes by this spot. We aren't safe here," Jason announced.

"How deep do we have to go?" Zack asked.

"I'm not sure, but we need to be out of the reach of any falling trees or branches, I would guess," Jason replied. "Are you okay to go out into the deeper water Kimberly?" He looked at Kimberly again in the waning light and realized tears were streaming down her face. "Kim?" he asked tentatively, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"Where are they?" she asked in despair. "They need to be here in the water. It's my fault we got separated." She hitched in a breath, trying to get herself under control.

"It's not your fault, Kimberly, it is my fault. I was the one who had to scout ahead. I should never have let us get separated," Jason assured her, guilt written on his expression.

"For what it is worth, I don't think it is either of your faults. I was the one who left them to check on Kimberly, but something had to have happened right after I left them. Billy was already across the bridge, it should only have taken Trini a minute to cross. They should have both been right behind me, but they weren't. When we saw the bear, we could see for quite a way down the path toward the bridge, and they weren't there. So I think our getting separated was at least partly due to something that happened to them after I left," Zack proposed.

Both Jason and Kimberly thought about that, it did make sense. Jason was once again drawn back to the present problem. "We need to start out toward the middle of the lake, just be sure we keep together," he said.

The three of them started swimming toward the middle of the small lake, as the fire loomed at the northern edge.

PR PR PR

Mike Nelson and his two assistants were moving quickly along the trail that they figured the kids had taken that morning. He had briefed the younger rangers to be on the lookout for bodies, and while both had looked anything but happy with their assignment they had not complained. As Mike moved through the forest he found himself not only dreading the possibility of finding five dead children, but mourning the forest's loss of life and beauty. It was going to take a long time for it to recover from the fire. But, ultimately, it would recover. Such was the beauty of nature.

He was jarred out of his thoughts by the voice of one of the other rangers. "Boss, better come take a look at this."

He approached where the younger man was standing and saw what had caught his attention. He felt his heart painfully skip a beat.

It was the charred remains of five bikes, chained together, lying there like a marker. Mike could see in his mind's eye five carefree children laughing as they chained them, carefully safeguarding one of the most precious treasures of a child's world. Then setting out on foot without a worry in the world.

"Damn," he said softly.

PR PR PR

Billy and Trini had waded out as deep as they could without having to swim. They were watching the fire approach the north end of the lake, and considering their options.

"We need to be far enough out to avoid being struck by falling trees, branches or sparks. Toward that end we will need to swim almost to the middle of this lake. Do you think you can do that, Trini," Billy asked.

"I think so. Can you with your bad ankle?" she responded.

"I think I can swim much better than I can walk at this point," he replied. "Come on, we should get on out there, this fire is moving awful fast." They both began swimming, keeping a close watch on the approaching fire.

The sun had set, and the thick smoke effectively blocked the remaining light, so the only illumination they had was from the fire itself. They were so intent on watching the shoreline, they didn't pay much attention to their destination, so they were unaware of the presence of anyone else until Billy almost swam over Kimberly, who had also been watching the fire.

"Ahhh!" she screamed, thoroughly startling everyone, as she and Billy both sank below the surface. She came up swinging, and managed to nail Billy on the side of the head before she realized who it was.

"Ow! Hey, don't hit me Kimberly, I didn't mean to scare you," he cried out.

"Billy! Trini! You're okay!" Kimberly squealed.

"Well, yeah, if you don't hit me anymore we are," Billy replied with a bemused smile. "We're glad to see you too!"

"What happened? Where have you been?" Jason demanded.

"It took us longer than expected to cross the bridge, then we must have taken a wrong turn. What happened with you guys? We had kind of expected you to come back and check on us," Billy responded, while Trini gave him a grateful look for not revealing her weakness.

"A bear chased us," Zack explained. "That kept us kind of busy for a few minutes, then the fire started to catch up with us."

"Oh," Billy said, "I guess that explains it. Think we're safe enough here?"

"I hope so, it looks like we are in the middle, so it's as safe as it is going to get," Jason replied.

"All we can do now is wait for the fire to pass."

PR PR PR

Todd James was not looking forward to talking to the parents of the missing children. He had just heard from Mike Nelson that they had found the kids' bikes, chained together, and charred. It was the first sign they had found of the children; neither of the helicopter pilots had spotted any indication of the children being in that area of the forest.

The fire was moving rapidly now since the winds had kicked up as the evening advanced. They were able to fight the fire with ground crews in only a couple of locations, the rugged terrain and lack of a road system into the area hampered their efforts. The largest part of the fire fighting effort was from the helicopters dumping quantities of water from the air and flying in additional ground crew to the more remote areas. Todd knew the fight would continue well into the next day, but he had hopes they could save most of the forest.

If only he felt as sure about saving the five missing children-he knew their chances diminished with each passing moment.

He forced those thoughts to the back of his mind and settled his features into an expression of hope, and went to talk to the parents.

PR PR PR

Jack Scott left Marjorie talking quietly to Wallace Cranston and went to stand on the outskirts of the base camp. He looked southeast toward where the fire was burning. It looked so near, yet it was so far. He felt a chill in his heart knowing his son was out there somewhere, probably scared, possibly hurt, facing incredible danger. How could that be happening to his son within his range of vision? What had he been thinking of, letting those kids go into the forest alone? They were only ten years old, for God's sake! He could see past Todd James' façade of hopefulness. The fact that the kids had not been spotted was ominous. As a police officer he had occasionally had to be falsely optimistic when dealing with distraught parents, and he had always hated it. His personal philosophy was "the truth, or nothing".

Right now, he would have traded his soul for a convincing lie.

PR PR PR

Zack had been fascinated watching the approaching fire. He had never seen anything quite as beautiful. It was horrible to admit, but it was truly a magnificent sight. He knew it was destroying that which had taken decades to create, that numerous animals, and possibly five children, could lose their lives because of it, but it was still beautiful. Zack had always been the kind of child that noticed the beauty around him, be it a flower, a sunset, a face or figure, but he had never encountered destructive beauty before. The concept left him very confused.

However, his appreciation of the fire's beauty waned when he looked around the perimeter of the lake and realized the fire now completely surrounded them. The heat was intense, all of them had taken to ducking their heads under water frequently to cool themselves off. The overall temperature of the lake was increasing, though it didn't seem like it would actually get hot.

The five of them were grouped together in a circle, everyone had a hold of at least one other. They weren't speaking much, just watching the fire with dazed eyes, fighting to keep the panic at bay. All of them, to varying degrees, felt an incredible urge to flee once the fire had completely surrounded them. The feeling of being trapped in the small lake was terrifying, the sounds of the fire were overwhelming.

Several trees along the shore fell into the lake in flames, sending water and steam into the air. One particularly tall tree came close to reaching their position in the middle of the lake. Sparks, burning debris, and smoke choked the air. The fire seemed to create its own wind, and the roar of its passing rivaled the sound of a train or jet, it was a like being caught in a swirling, glowing, screaming, burning corner of hell.

So they clung to each other for safety and reassurance as the fire made its way past.

PR PR PR

Robert Hart was leaning against a nearby tree, looking at his wife sitting again in the plastic chair. Like most of the others, her gaze kept going toward the southeastern horizon where the fire was still burning out of control. Robert could not remember a time when he had felt worse. His daughter was missing, in incredible danger, and he could not do a thing to stop it. Looking at his wife he felt a stirring in his heart he had not felt in a long time. For the first time in too long, he remembered why he had fallen in love with her, why he had married her. He felt a renewed kinship with his wife, brought on by the intense fear they shared for their little girl. He stepped back up behind her and gently massaged her shoulders.

"We need to try again to make this work," he said softly. "We will get our Kimberly back and make this marriage work. It is too important to lose."

Eileen looked up into his eyes and was startled to see the sincerity there.

PR PR PR

Russell and Michelle Kwan, and Sheryl and Clayton Taylor where sitting together around a picnic table quietly talking. They all looked to the fire front occasionally, but tried not to dwell on it. They had discovered they shared a common positive attitude about the difficulties that life threw at them. They accepted Todd James' words at face value, not out of stupidity or naivete, but because they truly believed things would work out the way they were supposed to. The Taylors had a strong Christian belief that Jesus would look out for their son, the Kwans their faith that their daughter would live to see her destiny.

They simply believed it was not their children's time to die.

PR PR PR

The fire was now three-quarters of the way past the lake where the kids had taken refuge. They decided it was safe enough to start toward the northern shore, despite the fact that spot fires still burned here and there. The previously clear lake was now clogged with soot and debris, the surrounding landscape a nightmare of glowing red tree skeletons.

The five youngsters swam slowly toward the shore. They were exhausted. First the long hike to get there, then having to tread water for who knew how long, now they were facing the hike out.

They stopped at a point where they could stand with their heads well above the water and surveyed the area. It looked like it was still too hot to start walking out, so they contented themselves by moving close enough to shore to be able to sit down and wait for everything to cool off a bit. The smoke had also cleared a lot, so they could see that they were going to be the beneficiaries of a full moon. It was giving off enough light for them to be able to see to walk.

They would start out as soon as they could.

PR PR PR

Wallace Cranston had fallen silent, sitting companionably beside Marjorie Scott on the bench. He was staring at the southeastern skyline without truly seeing it. He had not mentioned the significance of today's date to Marjorie, but he couldn't forget about it. He knew Marjorie truly felt the children had a good chance of making it, but Wallace wasn't so sure. He loved his son more than he could express, but he knew the boy was not as hardy as some others. Additionally, Billy had always seemed to be plagued by bad luck, as he himself had been. The only truly lucky things Wallace believed he had ever been the recipient of were Marie's love and Billy's existence. Then he had lost Marie. The thought that he might lose Billy as well was agony, it simply couldn't happen, neither of them deserved that much bad luck. It was oddly enough that thought that gave him some hope-that Billy dying would be simply too much bad luck for either of them. Wallace could not accept the thought of fate being cruel enough to take his child exactly one year after taking his wife. He felt something crawling on his cheek and reached up to brush it away.

It was a tear.

PR PR PR

Jason stood up suddenly. "I'm going to see if the ground is cool enough for us to walk out. We need to get going."

He carefully made his way onto shore and walked around a bit. It seemed like they would be okay to start walking out. "Come on guys, let's go."

Soon he was joined on shore by the other four. They looked at each other with some amusement-they were soaking wet and covered with the black soot that floated thickly on the surface of the lake. The stress and fear of the last couple of hours found voice in a sudden explosion of laughter. It started suddenly and built to a frantic pitch quickly, they were stumbling around holding their sides or stomachs as the laughter raged out of control. It continued until Kimberly's laughter suddenly turned into tears, and she sat down unmindful of the soot, pulled her knees to her chest and buried her face in her knees. Trini immediately dropped down beside Kimberly to comfort her and promptly burst into tears herself. Zack approached them intending to offer comfort and found himself crying as well, much to his surprise. He went ahead and put his arms around Kimberly and Trini, as much for his comfort as theirs. Billy stumbled toward the group on the ground, finding he was also crying as he added himself to the group hug. Jason felt his own tears building and fought against it. He hated to cry, and didn't want the others to think he was in any way weak. It was a losing battle, he finally gave in and added himself to the group huddled together on the ground.

He found he felt much better.

PR PR PR

The two younger rangers working with Mike Nelson had fallen silent since finding the bikes a couple of hours before. Working by the light of the moon and their flashlights they searched the area as thoroughly as possible. Paths that were easy to pick out before the fire, were now nearly impossible to follow. The unnatural silence the fire left behind had them both a little spooked. They exchanged nervous glances, trying to keep their feelings hidden from the veteran ranger.

If he hadn't been so worried about the missing children, Mike would have been amused at the attitude of the two young fellows who were working with him. Not that he didn't understand their feelings. He remembered all too well the first time he had been assigned to the task of looking for bodies in the wake of a wild fire. They had found a family of four burned beyond recognition. He still had nightmares about it, never before or since had he seen anything so pathetic. It had appeared the parents tried to save their children by shielding them from the fire using their own bodies. It hadn't worked, but something inside Mike had saluted those parents' gallant effort, and the feeling only intensified when he had children of his own.

And, since that first search, he especially hated looking for children.

PR PR PR

Jason looked over his companions carefully. The tears had finally stopped, and they had slowly started working their way back toward the gorge. The moon provided ample light to walk by if they were careful, so they had no choice but to take is slow. Even if the light and ground conditions had allowed it, they could not have gone much faster. Kimberly was really dragging now, she was the smallest, and it appeared she was simply growing exhausted. Billy was also moving along much more slowly than before. He was limping pretty badly after wrenching his ankle getting to the lake. Trini and Zack were in better condition, but even they were showing obvious signs of reaching the end of their endurance. He wasn't feeling so energetic himself.

They hadn't spoken much since their tears had stopped, so Jason didn't know about the others, but emotionally, he felt much better. And he had sensed a "drawing together" among them, the forming of a bond he couldn't explain, but knew existed. He felt it in his soul-they would always be friends, nothing could change that now. They were a part of each other's destinies.

Zack, who had been walking in the lead, suddenly stopped. "We're at the gorge," he announced. "But it looks like the bridge is gone. Which way should we head?"

Billy had already found his map was destroyed, but he remembered most of the important information from it. "We need to go up, to the west, in a couple of miles the gorge ends, and we will be able to get to the other side and head back down," he said wearily.

The others looked at him unhappily. "That far?" Kimberly asked with a sigh. "There is no other way to get across?"

"Not without a bridge, or wings," Billy replied.

"We better get going then," Jason suggested.

They started up the edge of the gorge.

PR PR PR

Tony Franco had been a helicopter pilot for over twenty years. He had thousands of hours of experience fighting fires, so he had quickly fallen into a routine as he flew back and forth bringing loads of water to dump on the fire. He still kept a lookout for the missing children, but most of his attention was focused on making the cycle between the water supply and fire as quickly as possible while he and his co-pilot monitored the radio transmissions,

"Base Camp to Firebird One, please come in," Todd James' voice brought Tony back from his thoughts.

"Firebird One here, go ahead Base Camp," Tony replied.

"Any sign of the missing children, Tony?"

"Sorry, Todd, I haven't seen anything, but I will continue to look."

"Thanks," even over the radio Tony could hear the defeat in Todd's voice.

Hope was fading fast.

PR PR PR

Todd's call to Tony was strictly procedure, he knew Tony would have called immediately if he had seen any sign of the kids. But he had to follow procedure. He looked over to the area where the parents were gathered. He could not bring himself to tell them there was still no sign. They would know that already simply because no one had told them any different, so there was no reason to drive the point home.

He would wait until he had some definite news, one way or the other.

PR PR PR

Trini was not wearing a watch, but she knew they had been walking at least two hours since leaving the lake. She was exhausted, cold, and hungry. And scared-she realized they were still in danger. The temperature had dropped quickly after the sun set, and their clothes were still damp in places. They had no food, nor water, nor did they have a map. In the eerily altered landscape it would be very easy to get lost and wander far from where anyone could find them. And, was anyone looking for them? Or had they decided five children on their own would not survive? She was pretty sure her parents would continue to search until they found her, dead or alive-but would the others who were fighting the fire? She did not like the turn her thoughts were taking.

"Can we stop for a break now?" Kimberly's voice cut through Trini's thoughts. "Please?"

"Yeah, I guess we all need one," Jason replied as they all dropped basically where they had been standing.

"Man, seems like we are never going to reach the end of this gorge!" Zack declared.

"Actually, I think we are getting close. It is not nearly as far across as it was," Billy pointed out from where he was leaning against a boulder.

"Hey, I think you're right! We will be able to head back downhill pretty soon then," Jason added.

"The sooner the better. I'm sick of this uphill stuff," Kim said.

"But once we get across, will we be able to find the original path?" Trini wondered.

"I hope so. We will just have to worry about that when the time comes. Maybe there are people out searching for us. We might get lucky and someone will find us before then," Jason said hopefully.

"I sure hope so," Zack muttered. "This hike has been much longer than I expected it to. My folks must be worried."

"Oh, gosh, my parents! They are probably worried sick! They have enough to worry about without me getting lost," Kimberly said in despair. "I'm not supposed to do anything to make problems for them."

"What do you mean? You aren't making a problem for them, this isn't your fault, or any of our faults. It just happened, they can't blame you for it," Jason said.

Kimberly looked unhappily at Trini, she was the only one who knew about Kimberly's difficulties at home. "My folks are having a lot of problems, they fight a lot. I try to make things easier so they won't fight. They may break up because of me!" she cried, her fear coming to the surface.

Trini put a supporting arm around her upset friend. "Kim, it will be okay. It's not your fault if they break up."

"Yeah, and even of they do, you will still have them both, just not together," Billy added in his quiet way.

Kim looked over at him sadly. "I guess you're right. I just get upset, that's all. I guess it could be worse. Thanks guys, sorry I lost it on you. All of our parents must be upset."

"My dad is probably freaked, it has been a year since Mom died. I had even thought he might make me stay home today, but he said he was going to work and I figured he had forgotten the anniversary. He isn't too good about remembering significant dates outside of the ones he needs to know for work," Billy explained.

"This is the one-year anniversary of the accident?" Kimberly asked in surprise.

"Yes."

"Wow, I bet he is freaked. But my parents will be there to help him, they have wanted to meet him for a long time. They like the meet the parents of my friends," Jason said.

"Well, they are probably all acquainted by now. Think they will thank us for this chance to get to know each other?" Zack asked with a grin.

"Oh, yeah, sure. Then we will all get together again in about ten years or so, which is probably the soonest they will let us leave our houses again," Jason replied. "Come on, guys, we need to keep moving." He had noticed they were all showing signs of being cold, sitting too long could cause problems.

They set out with a little renewed energy at the thought they were almost at the end of the gorge. That hope kept them moving at a fairly good clip until they heard Zack call out joyfully, "I see the end!"

"Where? How much further?" Trini asked, she had fallen a ways behind Zack and couldn't see what he was looking at.

"See? There! We are almost to the end, come on guys, it will be downhill all the way now!"

They hurried around the tip of the gorge and started back downhill. Jason noticed there appeared to be a trail slightly away from the edge, which they decided to follow. It looked much easier than following the edge and having to clamber over rocks.

They had no way of knowing the trail led away from where they needed to go.

PR PR PR

Alpha and Zordon had continued to observe the lost children. From their viewpoint they could see the children's choice of trail would not lead them to safety, but would lead them further away from the approaching rangers who had been searching for them.

"Alpha, please try to isolate the radio frequency the helicopter carrying water is using."

"Right away Zordon. Are we going to contact them?"

"I will endeavor to do so. Perhaps they can be persuaded to change their course to one that passes over the children's location. They need to be rescued soon. I sense their time is running out."

"Ay-yi-yi-yi-yi! I have the information for you now Zordon, you can transmit when ready."

PR PR PR

Tony Franco was scheduled to make only two more cycles between the water source and the fire before another pilot would relieve him. He was considering how good it would feel to have a meal and sleep for a few hours when a strange voice from the radio startled him.

"Pilot! Please alter your course a few degrees north, near the end of the gorge, you will find the missing children there."

Tony looked at his co-pilot, Ron, in surprise, then grabbed the radio. "Who is this? How do you know where those kids are? Is this some sort of sick joke?"

"This is no joke. Please, you must get to those children, they are headed the wrong way."

Tony started to say something, but stopped. The voice had sounded weird, like it was being filtered or something. The change in course the voice requested would take a minute to two longer at most. His gut told him to do it.

His co-pilot looked a bit surprised, but made no protest when Tony changed their course.

"Get the binoculars out and search the area when I pass over it please," Tony requested.

"Gotcha," Ron replied.

They said nothing more as they approached the area the mysterious voice had directed them to. Tony moved in low and slow, giving Ron time to search.

"I don't see anything," Ron said as they swept over the area. "Must have been a hoax. WAIT! I think I see something! Move us to the left a little, there, Damn! Tony, it's the kids! I don't believe it! They're alive! Look!" They were now close enough for both the men to see the five children without binoculars.

The five small figures on the ground stopped and turned toward the helicopter, then started waving. Tony reached for the radio.

"Firebird One to Base Camp, do you read me Todd?"

"I read you Firebird One, what's up Tony?"

"Hope you are sitting down, buddy. We have spotted the kids, they are alive."

"Alive? All five? Are you are sure about that?" Todd's voice sounded disbelieving.

"Very sure. I can't pick them up right now, I have to lose the bucket. You have someone on the ground in this area? We are near the end of the gorge."

"Sit tight for just a minute, okay, let me contact Mike Nelson and see where he is, he may be able to reach them. I'll be back in just a second, stay on this frequency."

"Will do."

Todd James adjusted the frequency on the radio to contact Mike. "Mike, you there?"

"Yep. Nothing to report yet, though."

"Where are you in relation to the gorge?"

"Maybe a quarter mile from the end. Why?"

"Firebird One spotted the kids. They are alive, near the end of the gorge. Can you see Firebird from there?"

"Give me a minute, we are in a depressed area, if we get higher we may be able to spot it."

Mike excitedly climbed to a higher spot, with his two younger companions on his heels. As soon as he reached the top he spotted the helicopter.

"I see it! You said the kids are alive?"

"That is what Tony says. How soon can you reach that location?"

"Give us ten minutes, max. We are going now. What frequency is Tony on?"

Todd gave him the information and switched his own radio back to speak to Tony. He heard Mike and Tony already discussing what had to be done. Mike and the other two would stay with the kids while Tony landed and removed the bucket that was attached to the bottom of the helicopter, then he could safely land and pick up the kids. They anticipated having the children to the base camp within an hour.

Tony hovered over the children's location until he saw Mike reach them, then he headed out to get the bucket removed.

He would be back as quickly as possible.

PR PR PR

Todd James set down the radio and breathed a silent prayer of thanks. Then he turned to face the parents, still barely able to believe he was giving them good news.

"Folks," he stated fairly loudly to get everyone's attention, "we have news about your children. They have been found, they are all alive, and should be back here within an hour."

He was pleased to see four couples immediately enfold their partners in tight embraces. Mr. Cranston was the lone exception, and Todd was on the verge of at least going over to offer the man a handshake when Marjorie Scott turned from her husband's embrace and enfolded the Wallace in a hug.

Todd smiled and went back to work.

PR PR PR

Jason, Zack, Trini, Kimberly, and Billy were still waving at the helicopter that hovered over their location when they heard an amplified voice coming from it.

"Sit tight, kids. A couple of forest rangers will be there in a few minutes. And we will be back soon to fly you back to the base, where your parents are waiting for you. You are all going to be okay now!"

The five friends offered up a cheer and turned to each other to embrace happily. They were still hugging each other and chattering excitedly when Mike Nelson arrived on the scene.

"Well! What do you know, five thoroughly filthy kids! Funny the things you find in the wake of a fire," he grinned.

The children stopped suddenly and looked somewhat startled by the sudden arrival. "It's okay, kids, we are here to help. Anyone want something to drink, or maybe eat. And, by the way, what are your names?"

As the children slowly approached the new arrivals Jason introduced them. "I'm Jason Scott, this is Zack Taylor, Kimberly Hart, Billy Cranston and Trini, um, Trini, I don't know her last name," he finished, embarrassed.

"Kwan," Trini supplied with a slight smile.

"Nice to meet you all. Billy, you're limping. Are you hurt, son?"

"I just wrenched my ankle, it isn't serious." Billy replied shyly.

"Well, let's take a look at it anyway. And, let's get you all something to eat and drink. It will be a bit before the helicopter gets back," Mike got his assistants dispensing some energy bars and water to the kids, while he took a look at Billy's ankle.

"You're right, it isn't too bad, but it must hurt. I'm going to go ahead and wrap it, which will make it feel a little better." He quickly bandaged Billy's foot and ankle and turned to the other children. "Any other injuries?" He was a little surprised to see the others all shake their heads in a negative answer.

They had been incredibly lucky.

PR PR PR

Zordon watched as the five children boarded the helicopter, accompanied by the forest rangers who had found them. He felt a sense of satisfaction seeing the children safe. Things would be okay for now.

"Alpha, you can turn off the viewing globe now. They will be okay. I'm going to go back to 'sleep', it is not yet time to assemble a new team."

"Zordon, why did you awaken? Was it because of those children? Who are they?"

"They are the future."

PR PR PR

Jack Scott was anxious. He had spent the last several hours believing his only child may be dead, and he had felt calm and in control. Once he knew Jason was okay, he felt a nervous wreck. It made no sense at all.

All nine parents were now watching the southeastern skyline, but with impatience and hope instead of fear and dismay. They had been told the helicopter had made it back to the kids' location and was picking them up. They would be here shortly.

Todd James stood slightly off to the side of the parents, also waiting anxiously for the helicopter. Behind them were the other personnel that were at the base. Everyone had known about the missing children, all had been worried, and all were excited about the outcome of the situation.

Finally the helicopter came into view, seeming to approach at a snail's pace. It seemed hours before it landed and the blades began to slow. Todd motioned for the parents to stay where they were, and he ran, bent over, up to the helicopter's door and opened it.

He felt tears in his eyes as he looked in at the five small faces peering out at him. "Come on kids, got some folks here that are mighty anxious to see you." With that he reached in and gently began to lift children out to the ground. Kimberly was first. As soon as her feet hit the ground she was running to where her parents stood, crying as she flung herself into their arms. Jason, Trini, Zack, and Billy, who ran with an awkward hopping gait on his bandaged ankle, followed her.

A cheer sounded from the base personnel at the emotional reunion. Todd, Tony, Mike, Ron and the others stood around tired, but incredibly happy.

They felt as if they had played part in a miracle.

PR PR PR

EPILOG:

Jason Lee Scott sat alone on the edge of Harper's Gorge. He remembered starting out on a hike that morning with no destination in mind. It struck him as appropriate that he ended up here. Where everything started nine years before.

The forest was well on its way to recovering from the fire. Ground cover had grown back within the first couple of years, bushes were well established again, and young trees could be found everywhere. It would be a few more decades before all the damage was repaired, but it would eventually recover completely.

Jason wondered if he would.

He sighed deeply-he missed his friends. He didn't want to admit it, but he needed them now. He had given back the Gold Powers, but the physical difficulties persisted. He had been assured they would fade in time, but for now he was miserable. It had taken all his considerable strength to get up here. He suspected he would end up spending most of the night here, resting, and trying to get his strength back enough to hike out.

As it was he had been sitting here for a couple of hours, lost in his memories of the fire that summer. In Jason's mind that fire was the flame in which his friendship with Zack, Billy, Trini, and Kimberly was forged. It sealed a five-way friendship that summer. To Jason that friendship started in an alley in Angel Grove and was permanently sealed in a lake in the forest. The first time they faced adversity together. The first of many times one or more of them would need the strength provided by that friendship. Memories flashed in his mind's eye like glimpses of a county fair caught from inside a madly whirling carnival ride.

…The following winter when Zack contracted pneumonia, and ended up spending over a week in the hospital. Jason had visited him with his father, and came away haunted by his friend's gray face and desperate struggle to breathe. He and the others kept a hospital vigil, even though they were only rarely allowed in to see him.

…The summer they were all twelve, Kimberly's parents' struggling marriage failed completely. Kimberly spent most of that summer in a haze of guilt and grief. She was convinced it was somehow her fault. Her parents ended up sending her to a therapist for a time to help her work out her feelings. Her friends were there with unconditional support.

…That same summer Trini and her family were involved in a serious car accident. Trini suffered three broken ribs, and a broken left arm. Her father suffered two broken legs, and because he was off work so long they started to have some financial problems. Trini was afraid they would end up moving again, until the company set up an arrangement to assist the Kwans financially until Russell was able to work again. Trini had needed her friends' support to face the uncertainties that summer.

…The following fall and winter Billy spent six months living with the Scotts while his father underwent chemotherapy for kidney cancer. Wallace stayed with his elderly aunt in the city, who didn't have the room or inclination to have Billy there as well. All concerned agreed it would be easier for him if he was able to stay in Angel Grove and the Scotts were glad to take him in. Every other weekend they would take Billy to see his father. Nearly every night Jason would awaken to hear Billy's suppressed sobs. It was one of the most painful things Jason had faced, being unable to do anything to reassure his friend that his father would be okay. Because for a time, none of them had been sure he would be. But after six months Wallace was given a clean bill of health and came home.

…Three months after Billy moved back with his father, Jason was hit by a car while riding his bike. He suffered two broken legs, a dislocated shoulder and internal injuries. He spent a month in the hospital in traction, and two more months in bed at home. During that time all of the others came over daily to keep him up to date on his schoolwork, gossip and news from school, and the outside life in general. They would all spend most of their weekend in his room watching movies, playing board or card games, or just hanging out. When he was finally healed enough to resume his normal activities he found he had no catching up to do thanks to his friends' efforts.

Jason found himself remembering the other times as well, the large and small events that make up any life.

Kimberly finishing second in her first gymnastics competition. Zack's relentless pursuit of Angela, despite her aloofness. Trini teaching Zack and him Kung Fu. Billy's science fair project being selected as third in the National Science Fair, competing against college seniors when he was only twelve. Jason receiving his black belt. The five of them receiving the Morphin Powers. The disastrous first fight against the Putties. Tommy joining the team, and Kimberly falling in love with him at first sight. Zack, Trini and him being chosen to go to Switzerland as diplomats. Turning his powers over to Rocky. Sitting up all night in his dorm room in Switzerland talking with Zack and Trini. Coming back to assume the Gold Powers. Seeing Billy's still young eyes peering out of the face of a man dying of old age. Having to give up the Gold Powers…

Right now he felt older than Billy had looked when he left for Aquitar. Jason sighed again deeply.

"Keep that up and you'll hyperventilate and pass out," advised a familiar voice from behind him.

Jason leapt to his feet and whirled to find Zack standing behind him.

"Zack! How did you find me? What are you doing here?" Jason was overwhelmed by the joy of seeing his friend again. Before Zack could respond, Jason pulled him into a tight hug.

"Guess you're glad to see me," Zack quipped, returning the hug.

"I didn't know how much until I saw you! What are you doing here?"

"Got a call saying you might need a friend, so here I am, with some other company."

Jason looked beyond Zack to see Trini standing there. She had gotten her hair cut shorter and styled to frame her face. The cute girl and pretty teenager was rapidly turning into a beautiful young woman. She smiled warmly and reached out to hug Jason tightly.

"I'm sorry things have turned out this way," she murmured softly.

"Hey! Break it up! My turn!" The voice came from behind Trini, where Kimberly stood waiting her turn.

"Kim, they called you too?" Jason enveloped her in a tight embrace.

"Of course, and when I heard what had happened I couldn't be kept away!" she declared with customary emphasis.

"It feels so good to have us all together, well, almost," Jason started, but was interrupted by yet another voice.

"What's this 'almost' stuff? Looks like we're all here."

"BILLY!" Jason couldn't believe he was here, even after grabbing him in a bear hug.

"It's good to see you, too, Jason. Ease up on the ribs, huh?" Billy's smile lit up his face.

Jason released him and looked him over carefully. "You look okay! It really did work?"

"You thought it didn't?" Billy asked with a gentle irony.

"I just remember how awful you looked when Cestria took you to Aquitar. You looked okay when you contacted us to tell us you were staying there, but it wasn't like seeing you in person. You look great." Jason explained.

Billy did look young and healthy again, and fairly happy as well. Kimberly looked to be in perfect shape, leaner and stronger than ever. Zack had gotten a more sophisticated hairstyle, and his clothes spoke of his emerging mature style. Trini's luminous beauty was perfectly offset by her simple outfit.

The feeling of having his friends there again overwhelmed Jason. He truly had not realized how much he had missed them. He felt as if a part of his soul had been restored. The pain and physical distress that were the remainders of his time possessing the Gold Powers were still with him, but he felt he had the strength to fight back now. He could do anything if his friends were here to help.

The five of them sat down, much as they had nine years before. Their conversation ranged over a variety of topics: gymnastics, foreign policy, alien social structure, karate, school, romance, the future, the past. Though it had been over two years since the five of them had been together, it was as if it had been only yesterday. There was no awkwardness, no hesitation, no holding back.

Kim spoke of her regret at breaking up with Tommy, Billy of his uncertainty regarding his future on Aquitar, Zack of his desire to build a career in show business, Trini of her dream of a career in international diplomacy, Jason of his longing to open his own dojo.

They laughed often, cried occasionally, shared unconditionally. The conversations were just starting to dry up when the sun peeked over the horizon. They had talked the night away.

"Guess we'd better start back," Zack decided, climbing stiffly to his feet.

"Yeah, it is a long hike out, and I'm already hungry," Billy added as the rest of them stood up.

"At least there is no fire this time," Trini noted with a smile. That generated another round of chuckles.

"Guys," Jason started, suspicious moisture visible in his eyes. "I don't know how to tell you all how much your coming here has meant to me. Thank you, more than you can know, thank you."

Kimberly walked over to him and wrapped him in a hug. "We are your friends, we couldn't do anything else," she declared softly.

"You would do the same for any of us," Trini added, joining Kim in hugging Jason.

"Yeah, next time we'll all go to Aquitar and cheer Billy up," Zack added with a laugh, putting his arms around Jason and Trini.

"Time and distance don't matter when friendship is involved," Billy stated, putting his arms around Jason and Kimberly, completing the group hug.

They stayed that way for a few minutes, silent, letting their hearts speak for them, as the sun rose over the mountains behind them.

For now they were together, and nothing else mattered.

THE END