Disclaimer: Saban owns Power Rangers and the characters within, not I.

Author's Note: I would like to thank each of you who have read/reviewed this story and have left such nice and encouraging words for me. I am very grateful and humbled by your support. I dedicate this final chapter especially to each of you and I hope you enjoy it.

Forever Red

Jason

What a day. This was the only thought that Jason Scott could formulate at the moment. He shifted on the seat of his motorcycle as he sat in the driveway of his home. He looked up at the house in front of him to see if anyone had noticed his arrival yet. No movement from the house prompted him to get lost in his thoughts of the day he had just had. He had suited up as a Power Ranger for the first time in six years. He had rejoined old teammates and met new ones. It had all been a very surreal experience.

He made a great leader. Jason's thoughts turned to the leader of the mission he had just completed. Tommy had been the one to contact him to let him know of the mission and had gathered the troops to stop the Machine Empire from rising again. The mission had been successful and Jason was impressed with the way Tommy had led them. He had come a long way from when he had co-lead the team with Jason that was for sure. Jason smiled as he recollected how good it was to actually see Tommy again in person.

Jason got up off of the bike and wheeled it up into it's spot in the garage. He turned around and took in the crisp night air that he had enjoyed during his ride home. He smiled once more as a feeling washed over him he had not had for some time. There was a certain high from morphing that was very hard to replicate in civilian life.

I wasn't sure I could even morph any longer. Jason walked outside of the garage and leaned up against the house. He considered how shocked he was when Tommy had informed him that his old power coin should still work. Jason had always suspected but had always been afraid to test it out. A part of him knew he would be disappointed if he tried and nothing happened. Not trying allowed him to always believe he still had the power if he needed it and that was a very comforting feeling.

As great as the adventure was, Jason was equally excited to be home now. He turned to make his way towards the front door but stopped. He smiled as he reminisced of his time spent as a youth in the very home in front of him now. He suddenly had an idea and he made his way over to the side of the house. He stopped and took in the sight in front of him. It was still there as majestic as it had always been. The same branches hung from it and one in particular still led up to an upstairs bedroom.

Jason made his way over to the tree and turned to look for any sign of a pebble nearby. When he located one he retrieved it, looked up at the window and stepped back a few steps. It had been years since he had done this and wasn't sure his aim was as good as it used to be. He gave it his best attempt and much to his delight the pebble landed exactly as he had hoped and now he waited. After a few moments he saw a silhouette in the window and he was transported back in time in his mind. He watched as the window slowly opened and the person on the other side offered him at first a very confused look and then a beaming smile.

"Mr. Scott... what on earth are you doing?" Kimberly asked from her perch above him.

"I am reliving old times, Mrs. Scott." Jason replied to his wife's inquiry. He laughed as he could see her roll her eyes playfully.

"You think you can still scale it like you used to?" She teased as she gestured over to the tree.

"I don't see why not." He responded full of confidence as his body found itself going in automatic mode as it found all the right spots to place his hands and feet as he climbed. Within seconds he was perched on the branch outside the window with a smile that indicated he was proud of his accomplishment. Kimberly stood blocking his entrance into their bedroom. "You going to let me in or keep me out here all night?"

"I should call the fire department and tell them I have a man stuck in the tree outside my window." She teased.

"Go ahead... and while you are at it tell Joe that I won't be coming back in until Monday." Jason reacted with a teasing grin of his own. The Joe he was referencing was his co-worker at the fire department who was tasked with taking calls. Kimberly shook her head and laughed before she stepped aside and allowed her husband to make his way into their room. He was as graceful as he was when they were teenagers and he somehow still managed to miss all of the creaky floorboards beneath the window.

"Soo... how was it?" Kim asked as she closed the window behind him. She turned around and was met with a kiss. She smiled at the enthusiasm in which Jason was kissing her. After they broke apart she gave him a teasing expression. "Being a Ranger just does it for you huh?"

"You know it." Jason played along and kissed her once more quicker this time before he made his way over the bed and plopped down on it.

"I know your momma raised you better than that.. shoes off the bed." Kim playfully scolded him as she made her way over to stand above him.

"Right.." Jason responded as he sat up and removed his shoes. After he had kicked them away from him he reached up and grabbed Kim and pulled her down on top of him as he lied back in the bed once more. He captured her in yet another kiss. After the kiss she sat up perched on top of him.

"Really does it for you.." She said with a laugh.

"Well.. it was a rush for sure.. but I can think of things that I enjoy more." He responded as he placed his hands on either side of her hips.

"Good to know." She replied with a wink before she stood up and allowed him to get up as well. He walked over to their dresser and turned back to her.

"It was great to answer your question... being a Ranger again... saving the world.. and all of that... very great.." He answered her earlier question. "And seeing Tommy again was nice too."

"How is he?" Kim asked as she climbed back into bed and pulled the covers over her. She watched as Jason got ready for bed as well.

"He is great.. we didn't get to talk that much, but well you know... he had nothing but positive things to say about his life." Jason replied. "It was mostly Kat this and Kat that..."

"She talks about him constantly when she calls too." Kim responded with a smile as she considered how in love her two friends seemed to be. Jason nodded as he pulled down the covers next to Kim and then climbed in beside of her.

"It was surreal seeing so many Red Rangers." Jason remarked as he turned around to fluff his pillow the way he liked it.

"I can only imagine." Kim responded.

"But we did good.. worked well together and saved the day.. like old times." Jason continued. He lied down and let out a sigh of contentment as his head hit the pillow. Soon Kimberly had scooted up next to him and entangled her arm around his. They lay in silence for several moments before she spoke again.

"Billy called while you were gone." She informed him. He turned his head to look at her.

"Really?" He questioned. "Wow.. that's first time we've heard from him in what... a year?"

"Just about." She answered.

"How is he?" He asked.

"He is good.. very excited about something, wants us to meet him tomorrow." She responded.

"Really... wow... did he say what it was about?" Jason questioned.

"Nope.. wouldn't say, despite my best efforts but he sounded like he was very anxious.." She replied. Jason faced the ceiling and pondered this for a moment before he turned back to Kim.

"Where are we meeting him?" He asked. He watched as she raised her head to look him in the eyes.

"The Command Center." She replied as she watched him for a reaction. Jason furrowed his brow and blinked his eyes a few times.

"But... wait.. it's.. it's destroyed." Jason commented as he remembered the fate of their former base of operations.

"Well.. yeah... but he wants us to meet him at the spot where it was." She clarified.

"Wonder why he'd want to meet there... odd." He reacted.

"I thought so too." She agreed.

"Guess we'll find out tomorrow." Jason stated as he pulled Kim closer and reached over to flip the lamp off so they could drift off to sleep.

Kimberly

So many memories. Kim's mind was inundated by memories of her time standing in the very spot she found herself currently. Only now as she looked around all she saw was the vast desert. Before she had been encased by the Command Center and in the spot she was now looking she would have been seeing her former mentor. She felt a wave of sadness come over her as she remembered Zordon. She found herself longing to see his face there in front of her now. She was slightly startled when an arm came around her and rested on her side. She turned to see Jason was now looking in the same direction.

"I miss him." She stated.

"Me too." He agreed as he turned to look at her with a sad smile on his face. She leaned into his embrace as both of them connected over the loss of their former mentor as fresh as they day they had both been given the news.

"Hey guys." A voice from behind them prompted them both to turn around to see Trini standing a few feet away. Kimberly immediately raced over to her best friend and wrapped her in an embrace. Trini embraced her just as tightly as she glanced up at Jason and offered him a big smile.

"Oh my gosh Trini... it's been toooo long." Kim remarked as she stepped back to get a good look at her friend.

"Yes it has." Trini commented. Kim eyed her features and took in how she looked the same as the last time she had saw her.

"We got to get together more often." Jason said as he came over and wrapped Trini in a hug. He picked her off the ground and gave her a little spin before sitting her back down.

"Well... maybe we will." Trini replied as she looked back and forth between the two friends in front of her.

"What do you mean?" Kim inquired.

"I am moving back here." Trini answered. There was a squeal of excitement from Kimberly before more hugs were exchanged.

"Well it's about time." A new voice from behind the excited group chimed in. They all turned in unison to see Zack standing there leaning up against a rock with a huge grin on his face.

"Zack.." Jason said as Zack ran over and joined the group hug.

"It's going to be good to have you around town again." Zack said as he turned to Trini after the hug had broken.

"It's going to be good to be home again." Trini responded. Kim backed up to stand next to Jason. She looked up at him and saw him beaming with excitement. She loved the expression on his face. Out of all of them, the fact the team had went their separate ways, she had suspected it had always bothered Jason the most. This reunion was filling her heart, but she could tell for him it was even more special. As the leader of the group, he had always felt a responsibility that none of them could have experienced.

"This is great." Jason said as he looked around at all three of them.

"So... where is Billy?" Zack asked as he glanced around.

"Don't know... he is late." Jason replied as he glanced down at his watch.

"Not like Billy... he was always so punctual." Zack stated.

"Well.. some things change with age." Billy's voice infiltrated the group as they turned to see him climbing up the last rock to join them. Trini immediately raced over to embrace him. The surprise was clear on his face but it sooned turn to very evident joy as the former Yellow Ranger enveloped him. He nearly dropped the box he was carrying as he returned her hug.

"Gosh Billy... it's good to see you again." Kim said as she made her way over to join the hug. Zack and Jason made their way over and the group hug was complete. After they broke apart a clearly flustered Billy fumbled with the box in front of him and smiled at each one of them.

"So Billy.. my man.. what do we owe the pleasure of this reunion?" Zack addressed the elephant in the room as they all stepped back and allow Billy room to collect himself. Billy walked to stand in the middle of the ruins and opened the box he had in his arms. He had has back to the group as he inspected the contents within. After a few moments he turned around to display the contents for everyone.

"This is why.." Billy said as he glanced down at the box in his hands. The others stepped closer so they could confirm what they thought they were seeing. Jason reached his hand out for the box and glanced up at Billy.

"Power coins?" Jason spoke before his fingers came to rest on the one in the middle that was identical to the old one he still possessed althought it was slightly larger.

"Affirmative." Billy responded to Jason as the rest of the group picked out the coin the resembled their old ones. Billy pulled the Triceratops coin out of the box before tossing the box to the ground next to them.

"So... explain?" Kim asked as she traced the outline of the pteradactyl coin in her hand.

"Well.. about... a month ago I decided to come visit this place..." Billy began. "I was feeling rather nostalgic that day."

Billy walked over and scanned the ground for a particular spot. He placed his foot over it and then turned back to the group.

"While here I was suddenly reminded of a conversation I had with Alpha once... the day he informed me that the coins we carried were duplicate coins... they harnessed the power of the original coins but the originals were protected deep inside of the Command Center." Billy explained. "Zordon was worried what might happen if Rita had gotten her hands on the originals... the power could be lost forever... so they created the coins given to us and filled them with energy from the originals."

"Wait.. so... our coins... "Jason began as he summoned his old coin in his left hand and held it up next to the one in his right. "Our coins are not the actual power coins but these are?"

"Right." Billy confirmed.

"So what does all of this mean?" Trini asked as she turned to Billy.

"Well.. it meant nothing." Billy answered. "But it means something now."

"Huh?" Zack questioned.

"Originally... our coins were connected to these... so there was nothing inherently different or special about the originals as far as how it related to morphin and all of that." Billy began. "But after I remembered the existence of them, and decided to dig around here till I found them, I discovered something else."

"What?" Kim asked as she walked over to examine the ground where it was clear now that Billy had been digging. He had covered it all back over but the dirt was very loose and disturbed in a very large spot just behind where Billy stood.

"The coins... in the destruction of the Power Chamber had come to rest up against.." Billy hesitiated before he turned to the ground and moved some of the dirt around. He reached down into the hole and pulled out an object. "This."

"Is that?" Jason began.

"A Zeo crystal?" Kim finished.

"Not "A" Zeo crystal... THE Zeo crystal." Billy answered.

"Okay... Billy... I love you but.. I'm not sure I'm following all of this, could we get the abridged version?" Zack asked as the confusion overtook him. Billy smiled at him and then turned to Jason.

"What I'm saying is that for all of this time the original coins were lying next to the Zeo crystal... which is the source for all of our powers... and this whole time our coins have been absorbing the energy from the crystal.." Billy began a short version of the reason he had gathered the group together.

"So.. that's how I was able to morph?" Jason questioned.

"Affirmative." Billy responded. "And what's more...the power is amplified ten fold over what we originally had.. did you feel it?"

"Now that you mention it..." Jason responded as he considered how powerful he had felt during the mission to the moon. He had an easier time with any of the enemies and now he was understanding why.

"So... we can morph again?" Kim asked as she turned to Jason and then back to Billy. "Even you and I?"

"Even us." Billy said as he smiled at her.

"Wow... and we are more powerful than ever?" Zack asked.

"We are." Billy answered.

"Wait... so... are you suggesting we become Rangers again?" Trini questioned as she looked around the group and then back down to the new coin in her hand. She too had summoned her old coin and was comparing the two.

"Well.. I don't know.. I just thought you guys would want to know..." Billy responded. Kimberly stepped back and found her hand coming to rest absentmindedly over her stomach. She turned to Jason who was smiling widely and she could see from the sparkle in his eyes that he'd be up for a team reformation in a heartbeat.

"Cool.." Zack said as he digested the news. He placed his old coin on top of his new one to examine the size difference. As he did there was a brilliant glow and the two coins merged into one. "Woah."

"Yeah.. you two should merge them too." Billy replied as he glanced over at Trini and Jason. They both replicated Zack's action and watched as two coins became one. Jason turned to Kim to see her looking off in the distance. His smile disappeared as he could sense something was weighing heavy on her mind.

"So... are we... gonna do this?" Zack asked as he looked around the group. "Become like.. a group again.. or?"

"I don't know.." Trini considered the prospect and glanced up at him. Both turned instinctively to Jason. Jason could sense eyes on him and he turned to see three sets as now Billy seemed to be waiting for him to give them an answer too. He turned back to see Kim was still fixated on a spot in the distance.

"What do you think Jase?" Zack asked. Kim turned around at the sound of Jason's name and saw the group looking expectantly to Jason as if he would be the one to make the decision on reforming the group. She smiled up at him and then turned to walk away from the group.

Jason

"Kim?" Jason asked as he found Kimberly sitting on top of a rock formation just out of earshot from the rest of the group he had just left. He watched as she turned to look at him. He sat down next to her and turned to her with a concerned look on his face. "What's wrong?"

"What did you decide?" She asked with a nod back to the group.

"We can't decide anything without you." Jason responded as he searched her face for the answers to what she was feeling.

"Oh.." She responded.

"So.. what's wrong?" He asked again. She turned to him and then sighed.

"You want to be a Ranger again don't you?" She questioned. He considered her words for a moment and turned his eyes to the landscape they were overlooking before turning back to her.

"I wanna be with you.. period.. end of sentence." He responded with a smile. He watched as she smiled in response as well. He wrapped his arm around her. "If you don't want to.. I don't wanna be on a team without you again.. never again."

"I love you Jason." She said as a tear fell down her face. He reached up to wipe it away.

"Hey.. are you okay?" He asked.

"No.. it's... it's.. a happy tear." She said with a smile as she turned to kiss his hand.

"Oh.. so..." He began.

"Jason.. I'd love to be a Ranger again." She interjected. He nodded.

"I sense a "but".. He stated.

"But... I can't." She responded.

"Why not?" He asked. She took the hand that was still caressing her cheek and guided it down to her stomach. He looked at her with confusion.

"I don't think it would be good for the baby." She stated as she searched his face for his reaction. She saw so many emotions race across his face.

"Wha.. wai... the.. you..." He struggled to formulate a sentence. "We.. we are having a baby!?"

"Mmhmm." She replied with a satisfied nod at the joy she could now clearly read on his face. He jumped up not sure what to do with himself. Kim stood up next to him and he used that moment to pull her close to him and capture her in a kiss that he hoped could convey his joy since words were failing him. After the kiss he embraced her, lifting her off the ground and holding her in his arms as a string of "I love you's" came flowing out of him softly into her ear.

(****)

"What are those smiles about?" Zack asked as Jason and Kimberly approached the other three hand in hand. They stopped and broke the eye contact they were sharing to face the group.

"We..um.." Jason began. "We can't be Rangers right now."

"Oh..." Billy responded.

"Because.. we are going to be too busy being parents." Kim finished for them. They watched as the news registered with each one of them and pretty soon found themselves being overtaken by another group hug and words of congratulations ringing out. After a few moments the group broke apart and Jason turned to Billy. He stuck his hand out and Billy looked down to see Jason's power coin lying in his palm.

"Take it.." Jason said as he glanced over at Kim with a smile. Billy gently pushed his hand away.

"No." Billy responded. Jason turned to him with confusion. "Keep it.. it's yours."

"But.." Kim began.

"We will always be Rangers... the power... will always be there to protect us... no matter where we are in our lives." Billy explained. "Even though our days as a team might be over... these coins.. our powers.. will always be uniquely ours."

The group all looked down at the power coins in their hands and looked around at each other. They smiled as they realized what Billy was saying. Maybe they wouldn't be the team they were once before. Those days were behind them now. They all had new lives. The power though, would always protect them as Zordon had once told them. If they ever needed it, it would be there for them. Just like if they ever needed each other, they would be there too.

"Maybe.. we can't be a team anymore.." Zack began. "But how about we just be friends again?"

"That sounds perfect." Trini agreed the coin disappeared in her hand. One by one the coins vanished from each other hands. Although each knew they could summon them at a moment's notice if they ever needed them.

"Besides... I think we all got a lot of catching up to do.. and we are going to have a new addition to the group." Zack said as he pointed to Jason and Kim with a big smile on his face.

"Yes.. catching up would be nice." Trini said as she walked over to Billy and smiled up at him. He blushed and then returned her smile.

Jason stepped back and examined the group as they all began to catch up. Trini and Billy were clearly going to become a thing. It was obvious to him at this point. It was probably long overdue. He watched as his wife laughed at a joke from his best buddy and he found his heart full of contentment as he considered the prospect of being a father. He smiled and made his way back over to the group to join the conversation. What a day.

Present day...

Dean Cranston stood nervously glancing upwards. He fidgeted with the pebble in his hand and glanced back and forth at his surroundings. He took a deep breath and stepped back. He was calculating his aim and began the motion to toss it. He was startled by the sound of someone clearing their throat next to him and he turned to have his worst fears confirmed.

"Mr... Mr. Scott.. I was uh.. I was.." Dean fumbled for an excuse to give the intimidating figure looming next to him.

"You were going to toss a pebble up to my daughter's window..." Jason commented as he pointed to the pebble in the teenager's hand and then up to the window above them.

"Um.. I was..." Dean felt faint. "We.. I.. homework."

"Oh... okay.." Jason said as he closed the distance between them and stood next to the youth. He chuckled softly as he saw the beads of sweat forming on the boy's head. "Relax.."

"Yes sir." Dean politely replied and loosened his posture.

"I'm not mad." Jason explained as he stuck his hand out. Dean placed the pebble into his hand.

"You're not?" Dean questioned.

"Nope." Jason responded as he tossed the pebble from one hand to the other. "You are a good kid, Dean."

"Thanks." Dean responded.

"Me and Mrs. Scott, we like you." Jason informed him. "And of course you know how we feel about your mom and dad."

"Thanks.. that means a lot sir." Dean replied. Jason smiled at him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"And the thing is... on the other side of this house... is a window.." Jason began. "Now when I was about your age, I'd stand in the yard, much like you are doing, and I'd take a pebble, much like this one, and I'd toss it up to get the attention of a beautiful girl.. much like you were about to do."

"You did?" Dean questioned.

"Yeah... and that girl... well she's now my wife and that girl up there is now our daughter." Jason explained. "So.. I get it.. and I'm not mad."

"Thanks sir." Dean replied. Jason smiled at him and nodded in response.

"But just know.. I'm watching.. so no funny business okay?" Jason questioned.

"Of course not." Dean responded. Jason chuckled a little. He turned to the window and then handed Dean the pebble.

"Try not to damage anything." Jason said as he motioned up to the window. Dean shook his head in the affirmative and then nervously tossed the stone up and it pinged off the window in such a way that it made plenty of noise but left no trace. Jason smiled and turned to him. "Perfect."

"Dad!... what are you doing?" Came a clearly annoyed and surprised voice from above them as both looked up to see a girl looking down at them from the window above.

"Sorry sweetheart.. he threw it." Jason stated as he pulled Dean into the light. He watched as his daughter smiled upon seeing the boy.

"Dean... oh my gosh is my dad harassing you?" Kelly Scott asked as she shot a look over at her dad.

"N.. no.. he's actually pretty cool." Dean responded as he looked over at Jason with a smile. Jason returned it appreciatively. "I thought I'd come over and see if you wanted to do homework together."

"Of course... is that okay dad?" Kelly asked as she turned to Jason.

"Cool with me." Jason responded as he turned to the tree next to him. He glanced at Dean and nodded over at the tree. Dean smiled and then began to climb. Jason watched as he reached the top and disappeared into the room. He called up to his daughter before she disappeared out of his view. "Just keep the door open and remember, your mom and I see and hear all!"

"We do?" Came a voice from the front porch. Jason turned to see Kimberly looking at him with amusement at his words. Jason grinned at her and made his way over to stand on other side of the porch railing.

"Well.. as far as she is concerned we do." Jason said with a chuckle as he examined his wife's features. He leaned in and gave her a kiss. She gladly received and reciprocated it.

"So... guess we gotta start worrying about boys now huh?" Kim asked as they broke apart from their kiss. Jason effortlessly leaped over the porch railing and stood next to her.

"Guess we do." Jason answered as he sat down on the porch swing. Kim sat next to him and scooted to where their bodies were resting up against each other. He put an arm around her and began to rock the swing back and forth gently.

"So we do trust him right?" Kim questioned of her daughter's friend and next door neighbor.

"Yeah... I think we do." Jason responded. "And I mean.. what can we say, I used to sneak into your room all the time too."

"You did..." Kim reminisced fondly.

"And I mean.. we were just friends too you know." Jason said.

"Were we?" Kim responded raising her eyebrows at him.

"Well.. maybe it was more complicated than that.." He relented with a smile.

"A little." She replied with a smile to match his.

"But.. with his mom and dad.. I think Kelly will be okay with him." Jason stated as he considered his dear friends.

"Yeah.. Billy is a sweetheart.." Kim began. "Let's just hope though that he doesn't take after Trini."

"What are you talking about?" Jason asked. "Trini is an angel."

"Ha!" Kim responded. "She had a bit of a wild side you know."

"Really?" Jason replied with shock as he considered his quiet and squeaky clean friend. He laughed as he struggled to picture her in any other light.

"Yeah.. but I think our girl will be okay too." Kim replied with a smile as she leaned her head over onto Jason and they sat in comfortable silence for a few moments. Jason suddenly started laughing. Kim turned to look up at him. "What?"

"I was thinking that if it was Quentin then I'd have to monitor them the whole time." Jason said with a laugh.

"Oh gosh.. yes.. you and me both..." Kim agreed with a laugh as they considered Zack's son.

"Because let's be honest... he is his dad's kid." Jason elaborated.

"Oh..yes he is." Kim said as she shook her head and both fell into fond laughter as they considered it.

"Speaking of Zack.. he texted me earlier and said he thinks he has found "the one". Jason stated.

"Now.. let's see.. how many times has he found "the one" now?" Kim joked in response.

"I lost count years ago." Jason responded. They sat in silence a few more moments before Kim stood up and made her way towards the front door. "Where are you going?"

"I think I'll check to make sure... it's Billy's kid we got upstairs and not Trini's." Kim answered with a wink. Jason laughed in response and stood up to follow her. He stopped a few steps in as he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw he had a text message. He opened it to see it was from Tommy. He smiled as he read the words: "She said yes!"

"About time." Jason said out loud to himself as he considered the text he had been awaiting all evening. Tommy had promised him that tonight was the night after years of dating he was going to finally propose to Katherine. Judging by the text, he had followed through and gotten the response Jason knew he would have gotten years ago if he had just asked. Jason sent a text in congratulations in response and then slipped the phone back into his pocket. He opened the front door and stepped inside.

"They are okay." Kim said as she descended the steps and came to stand in front of Jason. He smiled down at her. "What?"

"You always said you can read my mind.. so you tell me." Jason responded with a sly grin.

"Okay.." Kim accepted the challenge. She locked eyes with him and searched them for the answer. She smiled after a few moments. "I love you too, Jason."

"You still got it." Jason responded. She wrapped her arms around him and he returned the embrace.

The End.