Conwing is Saban's but extremely different from their version of him.
Rated PG-13 : harsh language; violence.
Please review, it keeps me going.
End of another story, and this one's been fun, playing with destiny. Thanks as always to Cecilia and Jenny, my betas. Thanks also to Rach and Mr.Quinn for suggesting various aspects of the plot. Thanks to everyone (especially Shirley and Sierra) who's reviewed, emailed, IM'd, and provided support and a lot of good discussion. Now on with the show!
"You and me…"
He dreamed again, feverish dreams of destruction; not fire and explosions this time, but cold, black ashes, decay, the invisible death of disease and radiation. And again the voice called him, telling him there was still life waiting for him, pulling him up when he sank in weakness and despair. It refused to let him go. Slowly he surfaced, and opened his eyes to light and warmth, the white walls and soft sounds of a hospital room.
"Alex?" The same voice, but no longer a dream. Jen's face bent over him, smiling gently.
"Jen… you're alive."
She looked surprised. "Of course. You were the one who was hurt."
"I thought you'd be dead when I woke up…"
Her smile deepened. "That's a pretty strange thing to say."
"Lucas? Katie? Trip?"
"They're all fine."
"Ransik and Frax?"
"Ransik is in a containment unit. Frax is -- gone. It's over. Finally."
"I thought…" He closed his eyes, raising a hand to his head. "The historical record… you all died, fighting Frax's robot."
"The last time we were seen was just before the explosion that destroyed Doomtron. The media, the police, everyone thinks we're dead, and we decided to let them keep on thinking that. It's a good reason for us to disappear. That's what history will show, but it's not true."
"Not true… History was wrong…" He began to laugh quietly, and controlled himself with an effort, afraid he wouldn't be able to stop.
"Alex…" He cracked an eye open, to find Jen frowning at him. "You thought we were going to die all along? And you didn't tell us?"
"No. Would you really have wanted to know? Can you imagine knowing exactly when and how you're going to die? I couldn't do that to you."
"So instead you hid it. Kept it inside. Just like the time wave. Is that why you were so cold and distant?"
"I suppose." He stared up at the ceiling, avoiding her accusing eyes. "Maybe I could have handled it better. But… I didn't know what to do. I felt so guilty. So -- responsible. Everything I did could have consequences I couldn't predict." He paused, and closed his eyes again for a moment before looking at her. "I think I may have caused the time wave myself, by taking the Quantum Morpher. It hit right after I did it. I almost went crazy with wondering if I'd do something -- or not do something -- to make things worse."
"But -- you don't know if the morpher had anything to do with the time wave. It could have just been coincidence. That was when the Guardians first showed up, too. When Ransik must have decided to assassinate Commander Porter. Maybe that was the cause."
"I don't know. Maybe there's no way to be sure."
"And whatever caused the time wave, it's been reversed."
"What?" Startled, Alex stared at her. Jen was smiling again. She held out her hand to him. "That's right. We've been in contact with Time Force. Spoke to Captain Logan. The timeline is restored. Everything's all right."
"Restored? But -- how? What restored it?"
She shrugged. "We don't know for sure. Maybe Nadira and Ransik having a change of heart, and helping us. Maybe beating Doomtron before all of Silver Hills was destroyed. Maybe something that's not so obvious, like your giving Eric the Quantum morpher."
"You mean it? Everything's all right?" He almost whispered it.
"That's what I said." She was chuckling slightly, smiling that beautiful big smile he had fallen in love with, a lifetime ago…
"Everything's all right? Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure."
"Really all right?" She began to laugh then. After a moment he joined in, feeling tears come with it, letting them wash away the memory, the dreams, as that terrible vision branded into his mind finally faded.
"Jen, I'm sorry," he started, as the moment passed.
"Shhh. I know."
"I hope it's not too late..."
"No, it's not too late." She bent closer, her hand tight in his. "Forever, remember?" And then, there was silence.
Wes saw Jen smiling as she left Alex's hospital room and came over to where they were waiting. In answer to their unspoken question, she said, "He's fine. Awake. I think he should be back on his feet soon."
"That's great," Wes murmured along with the others.
"Then we can go home, as soon as he's out of here and able to travel," Katie said eagerly.
"That's right." Wes thought the glance Jen gave him wasn't completely happy. But it might have been wishful thinking.
"I can't wait... my parents must be frantic." Katie grinned at all of them. "What's the first thing you're going to do when you get back?"
"Sleep for about a month," Jen said.
"Get a decent sea kelp burger," Trip sighed.
"Check out my cars and get back on the track," Lucas said. "Hope they're still in good condition."
"What could happen to a bunch of racecars?" Trip asked.
"Are you kidding? Racecars need love... they've been neglected..."
"They'd better get used to it. Now they've got a rival," Katie teased.
"What are you talking about?"
"Nadira, of course..."
"Hey, cut it out!"
"We should get the ship ready. Have to pack our stuff, take it back to the beach." Wes watched the three of them drift off towards the exit, leaving him and Jen alone, perhaps on purpose, judging by the glance Katie gave them.
They sat for a minute or two in companionable silence, Jen with her head bent, apparently studying her hands as they lay in her lap. Wes glanced at her. A weight seemed to have descended on him. They would all be leaving, very soon. His friends, his teammates. The people who had become so important to him, who had shared his life for close to a year. He felt a rush of emotions; relief, regret, anxiety, the beginning of depression and loneliness. There was so much he would have liked to say to her, knowing it might the last time they were alone together, that it might be his last chance.
'Jen, this time has meant so much to me, being a Ranger, the chance to do something important, the chance to know all of you. But especially you. You're the most wonderful woman I've ever met. The most wonderful person. I'll miss you so much. I wish you could stay, or I could go with you, more than anything. I love you.'
But he didn't say anything. What good would it do? It would only make things harder, for both of them. Jen belonged in her own time, they both knew that. Maybe she belonged with Alex, too. But he would always wonder...
'What if Alex hadn't come back when he did? What if we'd had more time to get to know each other, what if he hadn't always been there to stand between us? What if there was some way for us to stay together, somehow...'
What was the point of wondering? They would never know.
"I'm going to miss it here." Jen's voice was soft, her face still turned down.
"Yeah. Well, you've been here for a long time. Close to a year."
"A year. A lot has happened."
"It's been the best time of my life. Even with all the problems."
She looked up at him. "Wes, your life's not over. You'll -- you'll meet other people. Make other friends."
"I guess. But I'll miss you. All of you."
Her eyes fell again. "I wish we didn't have to leave right away. It's going to be a rough time, for everyone here. Rebuilding after all this destruction. It'll be hard. A lot for you to deal with."
"We'll be okay."
"I know you will."
He looked up to see her watching him. "I hope you and Alex will be okay too." He had to struggle to say the next part. "He loves you very much."
"Wes, I want you to know... I care for you..."
"But you love Alex. I know." He smiled. "I want you to be happy, Jen. That's all."
"And I want the same for you." She hesitated. "I do love Alex. I'm going to marry him. But -- there's a part of me that wishes things could have been different."
"Have to face reality. This is the way things are."
"Yes. You'll find someone, Wes. Someone wonderful."
He smiled. "Why, do you know something I don't?"
"I just know you." She reached to put her hand over his, just for a moment.
He slowed and stopped the car, pulled over, and parked on the soft ground of a rise overlooking the beach. Eric got out, and spotted the small group of people gathered on the sand, a large, rounded, bulky object standing behind them. He watched for a few moments before starting for them, reluctantly. He had a feeling what this would be about, why they had wanted him here. Certainly not just to say goodbye.
He hesitated for a moment in surprise as he saw Alan Collins among them, and then frowned. One more thing he'd have to face up to, and it might as well be now. Then Collins himself saw him coming, separated from the others and came to meet him. "Morning, Eric," he said, without a smile.
"Morning, sir." Eric nodded towards the others. "Is that their ship?"
"Yeah, that's it."
"Then I guess Wes told you about them."
"That's right. It was a shock," Collins went on, with a half smile. "The future. Took me a while to believe it."
"And I guess you know I knew about it. And didn't tell you."
"Yes. Wes told me about that, too."
"I'm sorry, sir. I didn't want to be disloyal..."
"No." Collins patted his shoulder with a quick gesture. "I can see why they didn't want anyone to know. Only told me now to make sure I wouldn't start up research on the serum again. Which I won't. I don't blame you."
"Well, that's a relief." Eric smiled briefly and changed the subject. "How's Wes taking it?"
"Pretty well. Seems to be resigned."
They both watched the others in silence for a few moments. Wes was talking quietly to Trip, Lucas, and Katie. Then he hugged each of them in turn. Katie seemed to be wiping away tears. Alex and Jen were a few steps away from their teammates, watching. Then all of them started in Eric and Collins' direction.
"Still want to do what we talked about?" Collins asked in a low voice as they approached.
"Yeah. If he's willing. I guess I owe him something."
Then Alex was standing in front of them, Jen, Trip, Katie, and Lucas behind him, all in their white Time Force uniforms. He faced them, hands behind his back, as Wes stepped to his father's side.
"Before we leave, there's one more thing to take care of," Alex began.
"Yeah, I figured," Eric said. He held up the Quantum morpher, reaching to undo the strap. "You want this back."
"Actually, no." Alex met his eyes. "You did a good job as a Ranger, in that last battle. Time Force command has reason to think both of you may be needed to protect this timeline again. They want you to continue as the Quantum Ranger. The Q-Rex is gone, but the morpher's yours, if you want it."
Eric opened his mouth, closed it, and stared at him in astonishment, flushing as he realized everyone was looking at him, some not hiding their smiles. "You mean it?" he finally asked.
"Of course. I don't make a habit of joking." Behind him, Trip smothered a laugh.
"Well -- thanks."
"You realize a responsibility goes with the morphers. You will be expected to use it only for the purpose it was originally intended for. To defend the timeline against any future threats. And to uphold the law."
"Truth, justice, and the American way..." Wes murmured with a faint smile.
Eric shot him a glare. "I may not be Superman, but I'll do my best," he said.
"That's all we ask."
To Eric's surprise, Alex held out his hand, and even smiled as they shook. Then Alex moved away to shake hands with Wes, and with Collins. And it was time to say goodbye. Jen, Trip, and Lucas also offered their hands, and Katie embarrassed him with a kiss on the cheek. They all lined up to say a few more words and share their last hugs with Wes. Eric watched, feeling sympathy as he saw the tears, the sadness, but also a sharp pang of envy. Must be nice to have friends who care about you so much...
One by one, they walked to the timeship, and disappeared inside. Jen was last, she lingered with Wes for a few moments, the murmur of their voices too low to make out the words. Eric was glad; this was not something for other people to hear, he knew, as Jen's face crumpled, she threw her arms around him, and they held each other tightly before she ran for the ship.
Wes watched them take off, his shoulders rigid. On impulse, Eric saluted. They had been good soldiers, after all, they had done a difficult job successfully, with courage and dedication. They had even been good teammates, he had to admit. But now, they were gone. And all of their lives had to go on.
After a time, Wes turned and walked back towards them, his face unhappy but under control. Collins rested a concerned hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay?" he asked.
"Sure, Dad. I'll be fine."
"You know, I was thinking. You'll need a new job. There's an opening at Bio-Lab."
"Come on, Dad... You know I'm not interested in my old job."
"Not your old job. I'm making some changes to the Silver Guardians. Expanding them, and doing some work for the city; especially now, while we recover from the attack. We'll help protect everyone this time, for free. And I'm going to need a good leader." He faced Wes. "How about it?"
"Dad..." Wes's eyes moved to Eric. "You've already got a good leader."
"Your father's expanding the Guardians. There's going to be more work. Plenty of room for both of us," Eric said. "This was my idea, too. If you want the job..." He smiled, realizing the irony. "I could use your help."
"Well..." Wes's face suddenly lit with a smile. "If you really want me to be your partner... It sounds great."
Eric held out his hand, remembering for just a moment how he had rejected that same gesture so many months ago. Wes grinned, probably thinking the same thing, and clasped hands firmly. Collins dropped an arm across both of their shoulders. Eric glanced down at his morpher, and at Wes again. It felt like a beginning. The beginning of something good.
Year: 2200
It was dark on the balcony outside Alex's apartment, and quiet. Jen sighed and relaxed. So good to be back. So good to be alone, after the crowds at Time Force, the reporters, the debriefing, calls to relatives and friends... Good to be alone, with Alex.
His hands were warm on her shoulders as he stood behind her. "What are you thinking about?" his voice murmured.
"That I'm glad to be home."
"Close to a year, in 2001. Do you miss it?"
"I'll miss -- certain things, sure."
"Like Wes?"
"Alex..." She turned around, wishing she could see his face more clearly in the darkness.
"I know nothing happened between you. I trust you, Jen. You'd tell me."
She dropped her eyes, and leaned slightly against his chest. "No, nothing happened. But you're right, I became -- very fond of him. He's a good man. I liked him."
"I liked him too, believe it or not." His arms rose to enclose her loosely. "If things had been different, if I hadn't been there, and you thought I was dead for a little while longer, would you..."
Would I have ended up loving Wes? I don't know. I honestly don't know. But all she said was, "You were there. And I'm glad." She raised her face to smile at him teasingly. "Even if you acted like a -- a..."
He winced. "Don't say it. But I intend to make up for it." His face met hers, their lips touching, gently at first, then more demandingly.
When the kiss ended, Jen sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. "So, everything's worked out," she said dreamily. "Time Force decided not to expel you for stealing the morpher."
"Can't have one of the heroes of the Ransik mission being kicked out."
"Speaking of Ransik, he'll be in jail for a long time, despite helping us at the end. But I'm glad Nadira's getting a suspended sentence." She chuckled. "I think Lucas is glad, too."
"So do I."
"You know, I've been wondering about something."
"Ask."
She looked up at him again. "Why did you give Eric the Quantum morpher?"
"Eric? We needed the Q-Rex."
"Would have made more sense to give it to Wes."
He smiled and shrugged, and tightened his arms around her, pulling her head back to his shoulder. "I figured it was better to have both of them. Besides, I had -- a gut feeling."
"Well, looks like your gut was right." She smiled. "So strange, what ended up happening, in the past. He and Wes became partners and friends. Used the morphers again, against new threats to the timeline."
"Yeah, funny how things worked out." He suddenly grinned. "I knew history showed the red and Quantum Rangers continued to be active in Silver Hills. Thought somehow I would end up staying there, after the rest of you had died. But it was Eric, not me, as the Quantum Ranger."
"Alex..."
"Mmm?"
"I wonder. If you hadn't stolen the morpher, if you hadn't come back... What would have happened if Command had sent it and the Q-Rex back without you, like they planned? What if someone from 2001 had found it?"
"Anyone could have found it, and used it. An untrained Ranger... Maybe someone like Eric, the way he was at first... The four of you, with a rookie red Ranger and an unpredictable Quantum Ranger, against Ransik and Frax. Would have been a disaster."
Jen stirred in his arms. "I don't know about that. Ever heard of the Quantum Destiny theory?"
"That the timeline absorbs changes, and adjusts for them, so that everything turns out about the same? Unless there's a change too big to reverse, and you get a quantum shift of reality, like the time wave."
"Yes. Like a stream of water. Throw a rock in, and the ripples are gone a little way downstream, like nothing happened. But throw in a boulder, and the water goes off in a new direction."
"It's more philosophy than science. Don't tell me you believe in it."
"I think it's possible. But I guess we'll never know."
"Yes. And we have more important things to think about tonight."
She could barely see his smile in the light glowing from the city beneath them, as he bent his head to kiss her again. But then she didn't need to see...