Heat
Epilogue – Beginnings

The rest of story pretty much goes how you know it and a year later life had definitely turned for the better. Things hadn't worked out with Fran's friend but Theo, thanks to Luan and Dom's urging, agreed to accompany the rhino through Europe to finally learn the art of relaxing. Casey and Fran continued to see each other and Fran decided to become a Pai Zhua student as well as the future Mrs. Rhodes. Even Jarrod and Camille got their happily ever after. Since Jarrod had technically defeated Dai Shi in the final battle, Camille was able to become his mate and they shared a loving relationship and a good friendship with the rangers. Flit was his usual hyperactive self. Master Swoop and Master Puck were the same as ever but RJ and Lily were sure to visit them and Master Finn as often as possible. Speaking of RJ and Lily, once the war was over they really focused on their relationship and ended up marrying in a quiet ceremony with just their immediate friends and family. This made the second heat infinitely better than the first. Business had never been better at JKP, prompting RJ to remodel the shop and loft to accommodate everyone who had developed the habit of dropping by and sometimes staying over. Everyone, minus Dom and Theo, they were still in Europe but would be home soon in a few months, were in the loft helping RJ plan and just socializing in general when Lily arrived with a shopping bag.

"Hey Lils," RJ distractedly pecked his wife's cheek, his eyes still on his blueprints. "Everything okay?"

"Well I think so," Lily pulled her purchase out of the bag. Everyone's eyes widened, except Swoop's of course but Puck was there to tell him. Lily flapped her hand to shush them before they gave it away to RJ. "I got something for you RJ."

"Not right now Lily, I'm trying to figure out how far to expand the kitchen," RJ mumbled, scribbling something on the paper.

Fran came forward, "But RJ…"

"Just a second Fran," RJ forestalled her.

"RJ I really think -" Jarrod tried but he got cut off with just one hand from the pizza chef. Camille rolled her eyes beside him.

"RJ could you just look at it please?" Lily asked sweetly and RJ put the paper down resignedly. He turned to see her holding a yellow cheetah with purple spots wearing a baby bonnet and pacifier around its neck. It took RJ all of a second to get it and when he did, it looked like he'd never move again.

Puck intoned, "RJ…." She whistled and waved a hand in front of his face. "I think you've shocked Lily-cub."

"Son?" Finn tried shaking his shoulder.

Lily however was far too used to her husband's reactions. She shook her head and brushed his lips with hers, "This isn't going to get you out of changing diapers. Snap out of it." RJ blinked once and started to move slowly, like stone coming to life.

The first thing he did was put his hands to his wife's stomach, "Are you sure?"

"Mhm," Lily nodded, her eyes brimming with happy tears. "Spirit is going to have a sibling!" RJ's face broke in wide grin and he picked her clean off the ground. The room cheered and there were congratulations all around.

"Still worried?" Puck nudged Finn.

"He's my son too you know," Finn smiled.

Twenty years later…

One of the many perks of being Pai Zhua is very slow aging so even two decades later, RJ and Lily didn't look that much older than their thirties at most. But Lily would forevermore swear that she saw RJ gain dozens of gray hairs when their daughter Tara came up running up to them, Theo, Casey, and Masters Swoop, Puck, and Finn one day, lessons were done and they were sitting down for tea. She was accompanied by Tyler, Casey and Fran's son, who had his arm thrown protectively over her.

"MOM!" Tara wailed.

"Tara what's the matter?" Lily was out of her seat in less than a second, RJ right behind her. The others stood up in concern.

"I think - no I know something is wrong with me!" Tara hunched over slightly, clutching her stomach and looking around frantically. She looked just like her mother except her hair was darker and she was taller.

"Sweetheart talk to us," RJ urged but Tara only whimpered, gripping her sides.

Casey turned to his son, "Tyler what happened?"

"It was just strange day," Tyler shrugged helplessly. "Or at least it started that way. The guys were acting weird then all of a sudden Corey grabbed her arm and Nathan just snapped at him. It was like they were going to tear each other in two then I started to pull Tara away and they nearly lost it with me so we ran. They were behind us, but I think we lost them."

"I don't feel good," Tara whimpered, sinking to her knees. "I feel like I'm running a fever and my stomach is killing me, like I'm starving, but I ate a ton at breakfast." And just in case the adults didn't get it, though seriously why wouldn't they, nature stepped in and a breeze gently blew across the area, raising a sweet, almost fruity but muskier scent. Swoop was stoic, Puck didn't know whether to laugh or comfort the parents, Finn muttered something about being too old for this, and Lily was in shock while RJ was in a veritable coma.

The first word came from Lily, low and breathy, "Impossible."

"She is of age Lily-cub," Puck reminded her former student.

Lily nodded, her senses coming back to her, "Right, Tara honey I have some biscuits here. Take them, you need to have something in your stomach constantly or you're going to get cramps."

Tara accepted the food and looked at her mother with cautious eyes, "You know what's going on?"

"Yes sweetheart I do," Lily couldn't believe this was happening but since it was, she was going help her daughter get through it. "You and I are going to have a chat but before we do, who do you want Tara?" Lily really hoped she didn't have to elaborate.

Thankfully Tara's inherited her mother's quick mind and said embarrassed, "Nathan."

"Okay," she wrapped her arms around the girl and started to ease her up slowly. "We have to talk, Master Puck would you like to join us?"

"I don't see why not," Puck moved to help Tara off the ground and the women began walking away.

Lily turned back to look at her catatonic husband, "Master Swoop, Master Finn, when RJ wakes up could you grab Nathan please? You know what to do."

"Consider it done Lily," Finn assured his daughter in-law.

The minute the ladies were gone, Swoop strode over and kicked RJ in the shins, "Pull yourself together you blockhead."

RJ yelped and hopped on one foot, "OW! I think considering the circumstances it's warranted. God did you need to kick that hard?" RJ eased his foot back down, "You haven't called me a blockhead since mine and Lily's turn."

"Seemed as good a time as any to revive the name," Swoop said unrepentantly. "Now let's go get Nathan." Swoop, Finn, and RJ walked off leaving an entertained Theo and Casey and a bewildered Tyler in their wake.

"Things are about to get very interesting," Theo smirked.

"I'd never thought I'd see this day," Casey shook his head.

"Someone want to explain it to me?" Tyler asked dubiously.

"Don't worry Ty," Casey clapped his son's shoulder. "I'll tell you, and then you get to sit back and watch the fun."

Theo shoved his hands in his pockets, "And so it begins…again."

A/N: That is it mi amigos! I couldn't resist the twenty years later thing corny as it was. I just thought RJ and Lily's reaction to their child's heat would be fun to watch. I guess the only thing left to do is to thank my beautiful readers for their ongoing support. Your reviews and favourites and follows have been the highlights on many a bad day. THANK YOU SO MUCH! Now I am officially declaring myself in the market for a new story to adopt, if you happen to know any feel free to suggest it in the reviews. Also brand new Power Rangers/Harry Potter crossover coming out in February – look for WHEN MAGIC COLLIDES. And that is all so I have to wrap this one up, until next time. ENJOY R&R PLZ!