"So when do your parents get here?" asked Z as she watched Syd pack her bags for home. Commander Cruger was giving them all three weeks off; after all their hard work he had told them they needed this rest and that they weren't going to do it on the base.

"A few hours."

Z lay down on her bed and grabbed a magazine. She would be leaving in a few hours too. She was going to go with Jack and Ally and help them deliver clothes to the needy, and then accompany them both to go see Jack's parents. Which was something she was looking forward to, she was happy that Jack was going to see his parents after all of this time. And then, part of her was hoping that they would welcome her into their lives, as Jack had. "So have you told him?"

Syd grabbed her stuffed elaphant Peanuts and pushed him into her bag. "Told who what?" she asked nonchalantly.

Z turned to her giving her an all knowing look, 'You know damn well who'. "You know who."

"Oh that," answered Syd sheepishly as she tried to avoid her friends glaring eyes. "I didn't know what I was saying. You know the end of the world mentality." She was so lost in her thoughts, that she started unpacking her things from her bag.

"Ah huh," answered Z not buying a single word coming out of Syds mouth. "Then why are you unpacking your things?"

"I'm not unpack-" Syd looked down on her bed and saw all her clothes and belongings all over. "Okay," she exclaimed as she turned to Z knowing it was pointless trying to deny it to Z. "Maybe I did know what I was saying." She sighed and went to go lie next to Z needing to unload her feelings. "But it's not like I can go up and tell him." In fact Syd seemed to recall Sky having a no dating rule when she first met him, so it wasn't like she could go up to him and tell him how she felt about him.

"And why not?"

"Because this is Sky we're talking about!" exclaimed Syd. She didn't know why out of all the guys at the academy that she had to fall for Sky Tate. She had been out on plenty of dates over her years here, but nothing serious. Some of them were even good guys that treated her well, but there was just nothing there. Then somehow these feelings about Sky started creeping up on her and she hasn't been able to shake them. "He's not exactly like most of the guys around here."

"Oh, you mean he's not drooling over you."

"No. He's….he's Sky," exclaimed Syd. She's had no problem in the past talking with guys, but Sky Tate was a whole another story. "He's not the easiest person to talk to, especially about things like... things."

Z got up and started towards the door. "Okay, I'll talk to him for you."

"No!" Syd jumped up and pulled Z back into the room. "Don't you dare tell him, Z, or…."

Z smirked and crossed her arms against her chest. "Or what princess?"

"Or…or…I'll come up with something!"

"Uh huh. Let me know when you do." Z flashed out of the room with Syd chasing right behind her.

"Sky, come on, Commander Cruger isn't going to kick you out," exclaimed Bridge as he watched Sky pack up all of his belongings. "You're one of the best officers here."

"I disobeyed a direct order, Bridge," excliamed Sky knowing he had pushed his limits with Commander Cruger. "This wasn't the first time. He isn't going to let that go." Sky reached under his bed and grabbed his father's helmet. His eyes remained intent on it, as the events from yesterday played over in his mind. He sat down on his bed, almost envisioning his father wearing the helmet. A smile came to his face; for years he had never been able to smile while looking at the helmet. It had always brought back too many painful memories. But now it didn't hurt so much, and then everything just came out. "I guess I always thought that if I made it to the top here, worked hard every day and become red Ranger," he looked up to Bridge, "I could get him back, Bridge. That's why I worked so hard, worked my ass off just so I could make red and he'd be there, like he was never gone." Sky looked back down at the helmet. "Pretty dumb, huh?"

Bridge bit his lip and sat down on his bed. "No it's not dumb," answered Bridge with a faint smile. "You were just a kid when he died…"

"Ah hmm." Both of them jumped to their feet when they saw Commander Cruger standing in the doorway. "At ease, cadets, you're off duty." Cruger looked at Sky and then to Bridge. "Cadet Carson, would you mind stepping out for a moment? I need to have a word with Cadet Tate."

Bridge turned to Sky and smiled faintly. "Yeah, sure." He stepped outside in the hall and closed the door behind him.

Cruger took a moment to take in the scene. He noticed right away that most of Sky's belongings, from his clothes to his bedsheets, everything was packed away neatly. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired. But better."

"Good," Cruger answered softly, as the awkward silence began. The two had a long history of arguing and disagreeing, not seeing eye to eye. And both of them were too stubborn to admit the other was right. "Sky-"

"-Sir." They both stopped and stared at each other. Sky took a deep breath; he needed to get this out. It was time for him to make amends and own up to his mistakes. He knew he screwed up yesterday. "I'm sorry I disobeyed your orders, I put both the team and earth at risk. You have every right to throw me out of the SPD and strip me of my rank."

He looked Sky straight in the eyes, seeing a young man who had grown a lot in the last year. "Yes, I do," he answered firmly. "But…"

Sky gulped in heavily as he met eyes with the old dog. "But?"

"But, a good man talked me out of it." Cruger reached for something on his belt. "It seems this person believes that you should be allowed to stick around and be promoted." He held out his hand to Sky to revel a morpher. "To red Ranger. That is, if you still want the job."

Sky was blown away. This was the last thing he had ever expected to hear from Cruger. "But sir, I thought-"

"Thought I didn't want you to be red Ranger." He took Sky's hand and placed the morpher in his hand. "You were always the right one for the job, Sky," Cruger annouced proudly. There has never been a doubt in his mind that Sky had all the makings of a great leader. There were a few things he still needed to learn though. "You just needed to know why."

"I don't understand."

"You needed to learn that it wasn't because of your father that you should have gotten red," answered Cruger as he looked Sky in the eyes. "You needed to prove that you alone were worthy of it. And when the other Rangers were down and thought of quitting, you stepped up to the plate and showed what it means to be a true leader."

"That wasn't the only thing I learned, sir."

"And what's that?"

"That I'll follow anyone into battle who you thought worthy of wearing the color red," Sky proclaimed proudly. He knew he arrogantly and selfishly once told Cruger that he didn't think either Bridge or Sydney had the makings of a leader. He was wrong, they both had grown so much since they first arrived and he would proudly follow them into battle. "I may not always agree with your decisions, but I know you're only doing what you think is best."

"I may have to disagree on some level on that last part," answered Cruger knowing he had made plenty over the years, especially with keeping important information from Sky. "Because even I, cadet, make wrong decisions, that is something we both learned this year."

"I guess it is true, you can teach an old dog new tricks." Sky grinned.

"Watch it, Cadet, or I'll extend your suspension to four weeks."

Sky nodded his head and saluted Cruger. "I'll see you in three weeks, sir."

'I'd better, someone has to lead the new A-Squad team."

"A-Squad?"

"Yes. You, Officers Drew, Carson and Delgado have all been promoted," declared Cruger as he nodded his head and started out. "Oh, and by the way Lt. Tate, a smile looks good on you. I suggest you keep it."

"What are you doing here?" exclaimed Dru harshly as he watched Sky walk up to his cell. It had been several months since they last saw each other when Sky arrested him. "Or did you hit your head and forgot our lasting meeting?"

"Well, I did have my head messed with, but no, I haven't forgotten our last meeting." Though he wished he could. It was still difficult for him to accept that his best friend betrayed him, that he nearly killed Commander Cruger, that he would have killed him. He had shared a room with him for two years and never once had he suspected that Dru was anything, but loyal. Never had he been so wrong.

"Then what the hell are you doing here, Tate?" exclaimed Dru not really in the mood to go down memory lane. "Last I checked, you didn't correspond with outlaws."

"Yeah, well, maybe things have changed." Sky got right up to Dru's cell. "I've changed!" Sky annouced loudly, but soon recognized he was letting his emotions get the best of him. He took a moment to settle his anger down. He hadn't come here to blow up in front of Dru. "Besides, there was a time when we could talk about anything." Why hadn't he know? Why hadn't he seen it?

"Well, like you said, things changed." Dru clasped his hands together. "Now, let's get down to the real reason you're here. You want to know if I knew about the A-Squad or not." He wasn't stupid, he knew Sky better than most. "You're so predictable Sky!"

Sky wasn't sure why he had come down here. It seemed as if the friendship he and Dru once had was gone, or maybe it had never existed. By the tone of Dru's voice, it sounded as if he didn't even want him here. "That's one of the reasons."

Dru smirked his cocky smile, that had gotten him in trouble more than once with Cruger. "Yeah. I knew they were plotting against you, working with Gruumm, that had been the plan all along."

"So you were working with them that whole time." Sky just couldn't shake off the thought that all along his best friend was one of the bad guys. Why hadn't he seen it?

"Yeah, I was," exclaimed Dru. "They were sent in first, and when I was old enough Gruumm sent me in too."

Sky remained silent. This was a lot to take in. While the others, before their deaths, seemed remorceful of their pasts, Dru showed no signs of remorse for his actions. But as hard as it was, Sky had to know. He needdd to know the truth. "Were you kidnapped like them?" For a moment he thought he saw something click in Dru's eyes, a sadness of some sort, but then it was gone.

"Why? Would you feel sorry for me if I was? I don't need your pity, Tate!" He had been so angry for so long, that anger was all he knew. "My parents used to work for Gruumm, in fact they were spies for him, but when they caught wind of how he was using the information they had found, they fled. Eleven years later he found us, killed my parents and took me." Dru leaned forward, giving Sky a look that sent shivers down his back. "So there, you heard my tragic story, happy?"

"Why didn't you say anything before? Cruger could have helped you." If they had known this from the start, then maybe so many lives that had perished because of this wouldn't have.

Dru laughed. "Cruger didn't even like me. He wouldn't have believed a word I said."

"I would have!" exclaimed Sky. He would have believed his friend. He would have done what ever he could have to save him.

Dru just shook his head. "Oh, I see, you think that since Gruumm killed my parents and he sent Mirloc to kill your dad, that we have something in common. Well, let me let you in on a little secret, we don't," exclaimed Dru, as he felt his anger burn inside of him. "You have no damn idea what it was like! Now leave me the hell alone!"

If he was hurt, he didn't show it. Sky got up and started towards the door, clutching in his hands the bracelet that Dru had given him so long ago. He stopped halfway and turned slightly. There was one last thing he had to know. "I need to know. Was I just another lie?"

Dru saw the bracelet hanging in Sky's hand. It had once been a symbol of their friendship, but now of their betrayal. He didn't deserve friends, not after everything he had done. He had killed Jones, nearly killed Cruger, and almost his best friend. He sighed heavily as his words came out slowly. "That was the only thing that was real." He licked his lips. "But we both know things will never be the same again between us. We can't go back."

Sky didn't answer. There was nothing else to say. Too much had happened between them; they could never go back to the way things were. They were from two different worlds, but he would never forget those first couple of years, back when their friendship had shined. He tightened his hand around the bracelet, his only reminder of how things used to be. And perhaps for the last time, he looked Dru in the eyes. "Goodbye, Dru…"

Once Sky was gone and he was alone, Dru let out a heavy sigh. He pulled up his sleeve to reveal his bracelet. Sky had been the only true friend he had, but he had been too blind to see it. He had let his anger and thirst for revenge get the best of him, and in the end he had hurt the only person that ever was really there for him. "Goodbye, Sky…"

It was time to say goodbye. The portal was open and ready to take Nova and Sam back home to a better future for both of them. Nova had been able to give Sam the antidote so that he would no longer remain in light form. It felt great to be himself again. Though there was a part of him that did wish he could stay behind, but deep down he knew that couldn't happen. There couldn't be two of him running around.

Cruger walked up to both Sam and Nova, who were both unmorphed. "Thank you for your help." He shook both of their hands. "I look forward to working with both of you in the future."

"So do we," answered Sam. It felt good knowing they were going back to a future where his friends hadn't died by Gruumm's hand. It would be a better future for them all.

"Yes. It will be good to get to know you," answered Nova, smiling. She watched as Cruger stepped back and watched as Eric walked up to her. Though she suspected he figured it out she wouldn't say it. "Guess you get to see my face after all."

Eric grinned, he still couldn't believe it, but he wouldn't have expected anything less. He wouldn't let on he knew the truth; she had her reasons. And he respected and understood that; after all he knew a little about time travel and precautions. "Guess I do." He put out his hand. 'So, I guess I'll see you in about fifteen years or so."

"I'd better." She grinned. "Don't make me come back to save your ass again."

"I think I can stay out of trouble until then." He shook her hand. "Take care of yourself, kid."

Z was the last to walk up to Sam. The others weren't as close to him as she was. She would never forget him, and she found it silly that she would be missing him, even though he would still be here. She hugged him tightly. "I'll see you in about fifteen years, Sam." It seemed almost unbelievable to think about, she'd be about thrity-two by then.

He wrapped his arms around her. "Okay, Z, but this isn't goodbye, remember." They pulled away and he grinned. "I just have to grow up first and it will be better you and the others around."

"Give me a call when you get there."

"I will." Sam went to join Nova by the portal and within a few seconds the two vanished, along with the portal.

Cruger walked around to face the new A-Squad rangers, Jack, and Eric. "Well, now that that's settled I believe you all have a vacation to start."

"Daddy!" yelled little six year old Wesley as he jumped into his father's arms. All the Rangers and their families were in the large lounge room that was meant to hold big greetings.

"There's my boy." Eric hugged his son tightly. It then became very clear to him just how close he had come to losing this - that is, if it hadn't been for one very remarkable young woman. He looked ahead and saw Megan, his thirteen year old daughter, heading towards him with his wife Haley and youngest daughter Erin and Erin's friend Jenny.

"Daddy, Mom says you're in BIG trouble when you get home," announced Erin as she and Jenny danced around.

"Oh, did she?" Eric smiled and grinned.

Sky watched from a distance, watching as Hayley playfully swatted at Eric. While Megan seemed to be eyeing all the young male cadets, it seemed hard to believe; she was all grown up now. She wasn't the little girl he remembered. Then there was Erin and her friend dancing around having a good old time. And there was the young boy who had been named after his father. The last time he had seen Wesley was when he was just a baby. Watching them, he couldn't help but wish he could have that: parents who loved him, a sibling or two, a family...

"You know, family doesn't always mean blood," announced Z as she walked up behind him.

Sky turned to her, and then looked past her to see Jack and Ally waving. He waved back and then looked back to Z. "I guess you would know, you and Jack I mean."

"Yeah. We may not be related by blood, but he'll always be a big brother to me." She gripped his shoulder. "Give them a chance; besides Eric showed up here because he was concerned about you. He loves you Sky." Z had seen it with her own eyes the concern and love Eric had for Sky. "And that's what a family's all about; being there for those you care about."

"And that's why you're going with Jack."

"Yeah. This is a big deal for him." She smiled and looked back to Jack and Ally. "Well, I should be going. I'll see you in three weeks. And think about what I said, Sky."

"I will. And give Jack my best." Sky bit his lip and looked back over at Eric. Z was right, maybe he did need to give Eric and Hayley another shot. They couldn't replace what he had lost, but they could fill a hole that he had been missing.

"I think I could get used to a place like this!" exclaimed Megan looking out the windows watching as cadets ran around outside the academy.

"Oh, I don't-"

"Oh, come on, Hails." Eric wrapped his arm around his wife. "If it's what our big girl wants, who are we to stop her?"

That was the last thing she had thought she would hear from his mouth, especially when she knew how he felt about Cruger. "But I thought..."

"That was a long time ago. It's time to let go of the past and let the future take over." He looked to Megan and smiled; he was already proud of her and she hadn't even done anything yet. "And I have a feeling it's going to be a good one."

"Okay. What the hell has gotten into you? Did you hit your head or something?'

Eric laughed. "No. I just know things are going to be alright. The future will be in good hands."

She took Wesley from Eric's hands. "Okay, I'm going to take the kids to the café for lunch." She then poked her husband in the chest. "After that we'll go home, and then you, Mister, are going straight to bed." She looked at Megan. "Megan, go find your sister and Jenny and meet me in the café."

"Alright." Megan watched as her mother and brother headed out and turned to her father. "So you really think I could go here?"

Eric laughed. Some things never change. "Go get your sister and we'll talk about it later."

Jack sighed heavily as he walked up to the front door, Ally and Z only a few feet behind him. His heart was racing as he reached for the doorbell. What if they've forgotten all about me? What if they don't want me anymore? He wasn't sure what scared him more; right now he'd rather face an army of Gruumm's soldiers than to have come all this way only to be rejected. "Here goes nothing." He pressed the doorbell and heard the chime, a few seconds later the front door opened to reveal a middle-aged woman.

She stared at him for a long moment and then her eyes widened and filled with tears. "Jack!" she cried and wrapped her arms around him. "Oh Jack, you're alive!"

Jack wrapped his arms around her and tears filled his eyes. It wasn't until then that he released how much he had missed her. "It's okay, Mom, I'm home." And not a minute later Jack's father showed up at the door to see what the commotion was all about.

He felt like his heart had stopped when he looked into Jack's eyes, seeing the young boy who had left so long ago. "Jack…." He didn't know what to say, so many emotions were taking over, but all that mattered was that his boy was home.

After hugging his father, Jack stepped back to introduce the two young women standing behind him. "Mom, Dad, I'd like you to meet Z, who's been like a little sister to me, and Ally, my girlfriend."

"It's very nice to meet you both," greeted Jack's father, shaking both of the girls' hands.

"Yes. Please come in so we all can get to know each other. And find out what my baby's been up to all these years."

After they had finished eating lunch, Hayley had taken the kids to go get the truck, while Eric had gotten Megan all set to attend SPD for next semester. He waited in the greeting room for the truck to pull up to the front door. Sensing that someone was standing behind him, he turned around. "Sky, what are you still-"

"I don't want things to go back to the way they were. I don't want another seven years to go by before I see you, Hayley, and the kids again."

"I don't want that either, Sky." Eric bit his lip. He had wanted this day for so long, for him and Sky to be able to be what they once had been, before everything had changed.

"I just don't know how to go back."

"Maybe we can just start over."

"I'd like that."

"So, I heard you have three weeks off."

"Yeah. Mine's actually more of a suspension, but yeah, I'm off."

"Would you like to come back with us to Reefside?" Eric offered knowing Hayley and the kids wouldn't mind. "I'm sure old Trip would love to see you."

Sky smiled. "I'd like that. Thanks."

Eric patted him on the shoulder. He looked ahead and saw the truck waiting for him. "I'll go let Hayley and the kids know. I'll be back in a few to help you with your bags."

"Thanks."

Bridge walked past Eric as he headed towards Sky. The two watched as Eric and Bridge's parents talked briefly to each other, as if they had known each other from long ago and were catching up.

"So, you're going home with your uncle, huh?"

"Yeah. I guess I am."

"Good for you." Bridge turned and saw his parents waiting for him by the door. "Well, I should be going. I'll see you in a few weeks, Sky."

"Take care, Bridge, and make sure to work out. Because when we get back the real fun begins." He waved goodbye. The only one left to say goodbye to was Syd. He watched as she slowly walked up to him. "Hey, Syd."

"Hey," she answered softly. She didn't know why she couldn't flat out say what she wanted to, maybe she was afraid he'd just blow her off or maybe she was more afraid he wouldn't…

Sky looked out ahead, and saw a man he recognized as Syd's father, Gunnther Drew. "So your dad came to get you."

"Yeah. My mom had a teacher's conference at the school she works at. So I overheard you and Bridge, that you're going to stay at your uncle's place."

"Yeah. It's better than staying alone in an old mansion that hasn't had anyone in it for almost seven years." The truth was, he wasn't sure he could bear to go back into his old home. So many memories were there, so many ghosts. Maybe one day, when he was ready, he'd return to the home where he had spent many happy times with his father and grandfather.

"How do you feel about that?"

"I'll let you know when I get there."

Her eyes lit up. "Oh, so that means you'll call me."

"Yeah. Sure." He bit his lip, unsure of what to say next. He had never had problems before talking to her, why now… He wasn't sure. "And maybe we can hang out or something. Reefside's not far from Silver Hills and I was kind of thinking about attending a few of the meetings at Bio-Lab with Eric." After all, he wasn't going to be a Ranger forever, it might actually be good to get to know the family business that his grandfather and father used to run.

"That sounds great." She smiled, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him.

Eric walked up to Sky at exactly the same time Gunnther walked up to Syd. The two stared at each other for a long moment; both Sky and Syd could sense that the two appeared to have a history of some type with each other.

"Gunnther," Eric stated flatly.

"Eric." Gunnther smiled coolly. "Always a pleasure running into you." He looked away and turned to his daughter. "Are you ready to go, sweetheart?"

"Yes, Daddy." Syd looked back to Sky and smiled. "Bye, Sky, don't forget to call me."

"Bye, Syd." Sky watched her go and found himself staring at her as a strange feeling came over him, but he quickly shook off the thought. What the hell is going on with you Tate?

Eric shook his head, sighing. "What is it with red and pink Rangers?"

"What are you talking about?" Then it finally clicked for Sky, what Eric was talking about. He suddenly got very defensive. "Oh, wait a minute, you think I like her. Because I don't, we're just friends," he excliamed. He didn't think of Syd that way. He had never thought of her in that way. "And sh-she drives me crazy."

"Uh huh." Eric picked up one of Sky's bags and wrapped his free arm around Sky's back. "I seem to recall your father saying the same thing about your mother." He scratched his chin. "And her too, now that I think about it; before you were born they used to flirt around and play that 'oh, we're just friends' deal. Now that drove me crazy."

Now that Sky thought about it, this was the first time he had ever heard Eric talking about his parents before they were together. And then the question he had been pondering for all these months came back to him. He had tried talking to Cruger about it, but the old dog didn't seem to know all the details of what he wanted to know or was willing to share. Eric might be the only person who could give him the answer he needed. "Speaking of my parents, there's been something I've been meaning to ask you."

"Shoot," replied Eric as the two walked up to the doors that led outside where Hayley and the kids were waiting for them, along with Sky's motorcycle.

"The accident that caused the mutations happened in 2001… after I was born," exclaimed Sky. It didn't make any sense.

Eric had known one day this would come up. But part of him always had hoped it wouldn't, because it would mean having to tell Sky the truth, about where he came from and how he came to be. It would mean telling him that all he thought he had known, was a lie.

"You know, don't you?"

"Yeah." He sighed heavily. "But it's a long story." He smiled faintly. "And I can't promise you that the answer will be easy to accept."

The year had been full of surprises, both good and bad. But he had learned to overcome them and move on. What was one more surprise? "Well then, I guess it's a good thing that we've got plenty of time." Together, the two loaded up the bags into the truck and joined the others for the trip home.