Post-Forever Red Mission: Open to the 9 remaining Red Rangers joking around

"What about me? I've changed history! How come I don't get a fan club?" Wes complained.

"Hey! Hey! Andros and I helped save the entire Universe!" T.J. boasted, leaning up against Lightning Cruiser and waving off Wes' accomplishment. "I think we take the cake." Andros nodded in agreement and fist-bumped T.J.

The arguments continued for another 15 minutes over who was the greatest Red Ranger of all time, until Andros changed the subject. "Hey, before I forget, you guys are invited to my place tonight for a barbeque, just to celebrate the success of the mission. Plenty of former Rangers are gonna be there." Andros announced to the group.

"Awesome! We'll be there" Wes grinned, whilst Eric nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, count me and Dana in too. Mind if I bring the rest of my old team along?" Carter responded.

"Not at all. Any former Ranger or their partner is welcome, let everyone know," Andros told them.

"Always up for a party!" T.J. exclaimed.

"I'd love to, but I've gotta get back to Mirinoi, Kendrix is waiting on me." Leo replied, morphing and jumping on his Jet Jammer.

"Same here, but I need to get back to Aquitar, apparently the 'Red Ranger is needed'" Aurico quoted sarcastically. "Whatever the hell that means. Probably just that they need someone to clean the Zords." The others laughed at Aurico's misfortune, to which he promptly gave them all the middle finger.

"No problem guys, thanks for your help today. For those of you attending, barbeque starts at 7." With that, Andros strode over to his silver BMW M3 and drove down the bare airstrip towards the gates.

XXX

Wes and Eric were conversing as they pulled into Andros and Ashley's driveway.

"Hey, Taylor might be here," Wes baited Eric with a wink.

"Shut up." Eric retorted.

As they walked up the paved concrete driveway, Wes had to admit he was quite impressed. The house was one with a modern, yet reserved architecture. Not too flashy, but enough to set it apart from other houses, not to mention the fact that it was huge. Clearly NASADA paid their lead Astronaut and aerospace engineer well.

As they moved through the masses of people, mainly former Rangers, Eric noticed Taylor in a white sundress. He looked at Wes and the nod he received in return was all he needed. As Wes watched Eric walk away, he suddenly realised that he had no idea who half these people were. He was starting to feel pretty self-conscious when he heard a familiar voice.

"Wes!"

"Hey Danes!" He greeted Dana as he hugged her. "Where's your boyfriend at?"

"He's talking with Ashely. Carter told you we've just bought a house, right?" Wes nodded. "Yeah, he's just trying to get some tips on furniture of all things."

"I'm sure he just wants everything to be perfect for you Danes." Wes reassured her.

"That's Carter," She admitted as they walked along the cobblestone path. "So, I need to talk to you, about this whole SPD thing." Dana stopped and sat with Wes on the eggshell-white, concrete retaining wall.

"What about it?" Wes asked.

"I know that, you're Red, Andros Blue, Carter Green and Ashley's agreed to be Yellow once James is a little older and this whole SPD organisation gets off the ground. But have you got a candidate for the Pink Ranger yet? I know I said I'm only interested in being on the medical staff, but if you really have nobody else I'll do it." Dana said, her tone was almost begging him to find someone else.

"It's okay Dana, I'll find someone." Dana didn't seem convinced. "Seriously, we will. It's just hard to find a former Ranger who's willing to submit to the authority of a Galactic Command. It's our opportunity to show the rest of the universe that Earth is a place worth protecting, but more importantly, we can protect other planets too."

"Okay, I'm sold. Let's go find Carter" She replied, relieved.

They chatted about nothing much as they made their way over to the large deck where Carter, Ashley and Andros were sitting, talking and laughing.

"Hey, Wes!" Ashley greeted him with a hug, she dropped her tone. "How goes the search for our Pink Ranger?"

"Not great Ash." Wes responded solemnly.

What about Karone?" Andros suggested.

"That's a great idea!" Ashley exclaimed. Carter and Dana nodded in agreement. Wes thought he saw Dana and Carter exchange a knowing look with Ashley.

"Who's Karone?" Wes asked.

Andros explained that Karone was his sister and the former (second) pink Galaxy Ranger.

"She should be here soon you know, I'll introduce you." Andros told them.

"And maybe Wes can put a few moves on her," Ashley winked, whilst Carter and Dana laughed.

Andros glared at her.

"What? She's gorgeous."

XXX

As the night went on Wes, Carter and Dana continued to hang out with Andros and Ashley as well as become acquainted with some of the former Rangers.

"So then I used the Dragon Shield to defeat the Oysteriser and save everyone in Angel Grove!" Zack Taylor was retelling the story to Wes and Adam Park, of the time he donned Tommy's legendary Dragon Shield.

"No kidding?" Wes asked.

"Nah. I'm the only Ranger besides Tommy and Jason to wear it."

"Wow." Adam was awestruck, having been Zack's replacement, but never fighting alongside him.

"What about you Wes? I heard you changed the future" Zack teased, wishing to know more about the Red Time Force Ranger.

Wes winked at the two as a joke. But, just as Wes was about to give a more serious reply reply, Andros called him over to the pool area.

"Wes, I'd like you to meet my sister, Karone." Andros said as Wes approached the bamboo hut. Andros stepped aside to reveal what Wes could only describe as the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. She was a little shorter than he, with long, slightly curled, blonde hair and tight, black leather pants along with a black crop-top.

"Hey," was all Wes could manage.

"Hi." Karone smiled. This guy was so cute.

Andros nudged Wes, who quickly snapped out of it.

"Ahh, um, sorry. Wes. Wes Collins." He stammered, whilst sticking out his hand for a handshake.

"Karone Carson." She laughed, returning the gesture.

"Alright, I'll leave you two to get acquainted" Andros interrupted the awkward silence as he strode back to Ashley on the porch.

Wes and Karone sat down at a two-seat table next to the pool, under the hut and talked the night away. They got to know about each other pretty well, their time as Rangers and other things, like favourite colours (not hard to guess,) foods and movies.

"So you were the Pink Galaxy Ranger?" Wes asked.

"Yeah. Well, the second one." Karone smiled. Wes felt his stomach drop. There was something special about this girl. "What about you, Mr. Red Time Force Ranger? Any stories?"

"Not really… Well there was this one time that I fought a dragon!"

"What?!" Karone exclaimed. "That's insane."

"Yeah," Wes laughed. "It was definitely one of my crazier experiences as a Ranger."

Karone gave Wes another one of her stomach-dropping smiles. She thought he was great, he was everything she looked for in a guy. He was funny, smart, sweet and he was good-looking. However, she knew things wouldn't work out between them, she didn't deserve love. Not after everything she'd done. But, maybe they could be friends.

"Karone?"

"Huh?"

"I said what about you?" Wes repeated. "Any crazy stories?"

"Oh umm, not really, I mean, in terms of being a Ranger, my experience was pretty standard."

They continued to talk all throughout the night, no one interrupting them. When it was time for Wes to leave, Karone gave him her number and he bid her farewell with a kiss on the cheek.

Andros and Ashley observed from their bedroom window, but behind the white curtain so as not to be seen.

"See, I told you they'd hit it off." Ashley told him as she changed into her navy blue shorts and white tank-top for bed.

"I know. Wes is a great guy" Andros responded. "And after that whole Jen fiasco and all the crap Karone has been through, they both deserve to find someone. I just hope its each other."

End of chapter 1. Don't forget to leave a review :)