Disclaimer: anything you know i dont own

Chances

Recap

Chapter 5

"Hey butterfly." he smirked. "Have a good morning?"

She looked up at him before finally letting the emotions show on her face. Her parents who after Billy left had went to a convention in Vegas were now dead and she was truly alone. "No." then threw herself into his arms crying and clinging to gripped her tightly knowing she wasn't going to be the same after this and despite his own losses he knew he was old enough to handle himself but she was left floundering without a paddle.

Chapter 6

After loosing her parents she clung to the two people she had unconditionally at her side Zordon who replaced her father in more ways then one and Tony who had been like a brother before now was even more since her brother left. Gaining a new stronger power she wasn't surprised to find a kid was now thiier new blue ranger and she smiled softly at him.

After Kat left him he found the one ranger he wanted to speak to most. "Your not talking to me like Ii'm a kid."

"We all started out only a little older then you Justin." she said meeting his gaze. "Id be a hypocrite..." then bit her lip sighing. "Its not a game and i understand that you have this idea its going to be easy but its not going to be sweetie...its going to be harsh..."

"Your just saying that-

"No I'm not...I wouldn't lie about something so important...this is a job...a dangerous job and at any point it can end...we can be hurt...and I'd rather you not be hurt..."

"Why do you care?"

"My brother was the first blue ranger." his jaw dropped. "But more then that this team is a family...your now apart of it...you'll understand when the times right..." sure enough the time was right when she flung herself into Jason's angry path placing herself before the blue ranger.

"Purple ranger." she cried out as she flung her and she cracked against a pillar. Angrily she pushed up and bolted back at him angrily taking his attention from Tommy.

"He's a good kid." said Ernie.

She smiled softly. "Yeah he is.." she watched Justin and knew he was like her in so many ways. Sighing softly she joined the younger man on the floor and with Adam's help began teaching him some katas.

Jason watched the sight with the others. "She's...different-

"Billy wasn't even gone three months..."

"And?" pressed Kim.

"Her parents went to Vegas for a convention...they never made it home...she had to fly out collect the bodies and still..." he stopped sighing. "She's been...having a rough time."

She laughed lightly at Justin then lifted her gaze meeting Tommy's eyes gentle despite the haunted look she now bore. "Your doing great Justin keep it up...I'll get you a drink..."

"We're leaving to Eltar." Adam moved to her instantly and Justin linked when the word breath came from the Green Ranger to the purple.

"But Zordon-

"I will not leave you to face this alone Willow. I have prepared for someone to take my place." came the familiar booming but soothing voice.

She trembled violently gripping Adam's arm for dear life as everything began to sink in and she felt Adam repeat. "Breath..."

"We have talked of this possibility for a long time Willow...I am sorry it comes to a shock for you..." she didn't speak trying to regain her mind. "I know in my absence you will keep to what you know...and believe..."

She understood what he meant and it sobered her mind intimately. "Your will is mine to obey Zordon as always." her voice was soft and a tad watery but no one mentioned it as she knew she'd fall apart alone in her empty house. Justin smiled happily at the purple and red ranger both standing together easily watching him in his soapbox car they had helped him build and he found having a genius for a mentor was amazing. She groaned as Egyptian glyphs started to appear and knew it was going to be a long day.

"I trust in my absence you will be with a great leader..." said Tommy before a figure walked up and stood tall beside him. "The purple ranger is strong and smart. She will be your guidance and she will help you overcome the doubts you may face whenever possible." she bowed easily and then straightened in silence.

"Whoa..."

"Lightning Cruiser and Storm Blaster." muttered the purple ranger eyes blinking behind her suit. "Their sentient."

"Meaning?"

"Their living." she said and Cruiser roared at her happily almost like a purr and Storm Blaster to returned the sentiment.

"Purple!" bellowed Justin running for her in full gear. She shook her head lightly and the others came to her instantly.

"Your the famous purple ranger." stated the phantom Ranger.

"And your Eltarian." the entire team stared surprised between them two. "Welcome to earth." she bowed her head deeply.

Justin knew the minute the Phantom Ranger was leaving Earth she was going with him. "Your leaving." he said and the team once again was surprised by the young mans wisdom.

"Yes."

He nodded swallowing. "Will you be back?"

She tilted his head up firmly. "I will always return...Earth is my home...and Ill die defending it..." she pursed her lips tightly.

"But you need him..."

"At the very least...one...last time..." she said softly.

"Something's going to happen isn't it?"

"Yes." her voice was more heart broken this time. "I can feel it...when all is said and done... his will is still mine to obey...and his will is here..." then she pressed her helmeted forehead to his own. "Don't forget me...and be safe..."

"I will be careful and I will never forget you."

It wasn't long after that she grabbed Andros. "Don't."

"Their intruders-

"Their ranger from Earth...welcome to the megaship." she said to them before moving forward.

"Oh wow your...gorgeous." said Ashley.

She blinked in reply. "DECA."

"Yes?"

"Send a coded message to phantom tell him I have found the rangers...please and thank you."

"Of course."

"Follow me..." then glanced to Alpha. "If your itching for a hug your welcome to it I'm not that out of sorts." she grinned.

"Girlfriend!" he squealed embracing her as she laughed returning the gesture. "How ever did you manage it so long?"

"Eh...could be worse..."

"Justin misses you..."

"I know and soon ill see him and explain." they continued waling.

"And work?"

"I took a vacation to visit my brother." she smirked coolly.

"Oh nice..."

"I thought so too..." then turned to the others. "You will stay here...it will take some getting used to however in the end you'll find its got all the comforts you need..."

"Hey I know you." breathed Cassie suddenly. "Aren't you Willow Cranston?"

"indeed..." she said simply. "And the purple ranger you should rest you've had a long day..."

"Why didn't you tell us-

"Because you didn't need to know." she said simply facing them. "None of you were prepared to be rangers let alone be able to handle my life...being who I am isn't a game...and its dangerous not just being a damn ranger...my life for being brilliant comes at a cost...so don't stand here and act like your hurt I kept my identity a secret...my life and those I love come first...good night."

Andros said. "How does it feel?"

"How does what feel?"

"Being apart..."

"You'd have to ask Billy that...I was the one taken after all." Andros looked to her seeing the pain. "But I remember asking myself what I did to deserve such punishment..." her eyes met his. "When my brother left Earth for Aquitar...I felt like my life was done...so I did what I thought best...I reunited with my parents...who now understood what was wrong..."

"So you don't know how he felt?"

"He never spoke of it...but I think it spare me that pain...I think she's out there Andros...and in time she'll be back to your side..."

"Do you still miss him?"

"Every day..." she smiled weakly. "Get some rest Andros...you need it." Andros found her slumped over and sighed grabbing a spare blanket.

She jolted sleepily when it touched her shoulders. "Easy...its just me...sleep..."

"Do you think we'll find him before it too late?"

TJ stiffened him an Cassie exchanging looks. "You'll see him again I have no doubts."

"I almost lost him before...I don't know how I would deal if I do loose him for good..." then she sighed unconsciousness winning again.

"WILLOW!" cried Justin embracing her firmly.

"Justin." she clutched him back burrowing into his shoulder.

"You don't have much time left..."

Alpha turned to her. "Is there anything you can do?"

"I can do some scans of my own but Alpha your just as talented...if you think times running out it most likely is..."

"I can't be a ranger..."

She huffed and said. "Carlos come with me..." she demanded lightly and led him to Angel Grove Park. "Hey Froggy."

He turned and beamed. "Chameleon!" she was lifted easily and swung above his head. "What's the matter?"

"Handle my boy please." she gestured to Carlos. "I've some thing to do and he's freaking out." she pecked his cheek. "We'll talk later." she screamed out as the Pyscho red grabbed her violently and she knew she was in for a world of hurt.

Adam spotted the red ranger holding the purple up and panicked running forward. "What happened to her?"

"Psycho's...they got ahold of her."

"Adam?" she murmured sinking into him without thought.

"I got you Will...its okay...your safe now..." he continued muttering as she trembled in his arms eyes glazed. She ran silently through town hurrying to find Cassie before their enemy did and hoped she wasn't too late to get to the pink ranger.

"NO!" she screamed and sobbed in one falling to her knees. Skull and Bulk looked to one another then went to her aid immediately. "Zordon." she whimpered. It took Adam and Tommy hours to get her to calm down and even then it was only for both to have a sleep over in her house holding her on the couch while Bulk and Skull remained to tend to the threes food needs. "He's really gone..." she murmured weakly laying limply between them. Her team and even Karone came to check on her often but it didn't change how she felt loosing her last parental figure.

Only Bulk and Skull knew she was connected to the rangers and because of that she was able to help train and supply weapons to the Commander taking a trip off Earth. "I want you to oversee the last training exercise..."

"Sure..." she leapt forward without hesitation to defending the girl.

"Their trying to take over my home world." breathed the girl.

Willow Cranston was never a person to turn someone's pain away. "Show me." she followed the girl swiftly through the area. Blinking she breathed. "This...is Mirinoi.."

"They are after the Sabres..."

"Damn." she fought to her fullest and stopped only when the powers prickled her skin. She turned and watched the sabres get pulled from the stones.

"Welcome back Willow."

"DECA for the love of all things good shut up and get us the hell out of here..." then she walked to Maya who was staring back at the planet. "I'm...I'm sorry..."

"I've heard of you...many of the planets have." she said staring at the woman easily.

"You were chosen by a power, that means...your special...all of you..."

"But I didn't pull the sword-

"But it still allowed you to become a ranger therefore its your destiny..." it wasn't long after she left them heading back to earth and back to her job but she had helped them grow as a team and she and Maya helped them find their zords as well.

"The Pyscho's are dangerous." said Andros before turning to his companion. "You sure you want to be here?"

"Like Id let my team do this alone?" came a familiar voice and Leo blinked owlishly. Trying to protect Kendrix proved fatal as she got hit by gigantic Pyscho pink and she was broken all over.

"WILLOW!" cried Andros running to her as she lay trembling violently coughing and gasping for air.

"Ken...Kendrix?" she rasped pleadingly.

"I'm sorry." he said knowing it would hurt her.

She inhaled rapidly but weakly it seemed. "Phadoes..." she met his gaze. "I need Phadoes..."

New Years:

She walked around with Tony smiling sweetly at everyone. "Mr. Stark I'm Ho Yinsen...and this is Dr. Wu..."

Upon Tony's less then nice greeting she remained behind. "Willow Cranston Tony's protégé and these days conscious I'm sorry about him." she said carefully. Finding Tony about an hour and a half to the new year she grabbed his arm firmly. "I'm leaving..."

"Sure have fun..."

She smiled sweetly. "Eh we'll see." the man turned surprised to find her there and she smiled brightly in return perching herself upon the seat next to him and ordering herself a drink and some food not at all bothered by the stares. Her world of pain often led her to seek his company for he never asked and nor did she therefore he too often sought her non-judging company.

She continued her work for Tony over the years but she took up side jobs as well. During her time after helping settle the Lost Galaxy Rangers she joined the Navy and began going about training harder and faster then anyone they had known even going so far as to train with Navy Seals. "She's good." commented one dryly.

"A little too good if you ask me..." murmured the bigger male watching her curiously.

William Mitchell spotted the woman and called. "Cranston!" she stopped immediately and went to him. "I have a mission for you...if you accept." he held out a classified folder.

She read it swiftly then met his gaze. "Count me in." then she transferred to a secret base and began helping with the Lightspeed Rescue weapons and morphers.

Three Months Later:

"Welcome to lightspeed..."

"Sir!" cried a male running in. "We can't find the Lieutenant-

"Keep your toga on Seaman." deadpanned a voice. "Yeesh go for a swim and you'd think I was kidnapped to Onyx." she saluted half heartedly. "Captain."

"Your in a mood today." he returned raising a brow.

She shrugged. "I heard they've risen how soon do we have?"

"I was just inviting these five to fight..."

She looked them over fast and critical. "Welcome to Lightspeed...I'm not waiting you know my choice I'm going..."

"You need back up." he said at her back.

She shrugged. "Wouldn't be the first time head first without a shute."

He sighed deeply. "Stubborn woman."

She smirked over her shoulder. "Told you I was...don't worry Captain if its too hot Ill pull out." then jogged off.

"God she's such a pain." groaned Joel a few weeks later in training unaware the woman could hear. "Its like she's a drone-

"Joel!" warned Dana eyes widening.

"A drone am I?" deadpanned a voice. "You don't know me and you have no idea what I've been through so this drone is trying to get it into your head this isn't a game." she got in his face. "This is life or death situations and Ill be damned if you endanger innocents of this team so get your head out of your ass before I remove it myself."

"CRANSTON!" barked the Captain. "At ease soldier."

She jerked back a step reflexively back straight. "I'm leaving for the weekend sir." she said turning to him. "Sorry its on such short notice."

"Its not." he said. "You told me you would have something coming up you just didn't know exactly when...your dismissed..."

"Thank you."

"And Cranston?" he called to her in a softer tone making her look to him curiously. "Take care of yourself?"

"With all due respect sir...that's what I've been doing since I was thirteen." her eyes met his and pain flashed before nothing. "I take my leave." she bowed her head and turned completely leaving. G Callen wasn't often a person to take up offers but he didn't fight or even hesitate when his friend asked for him to accompany her to the fund raiser for the orphanages of not just her home town but LA as well. What he wasn't aware of was that she was going to be dressed to the nines as if she was going to be on Tony Starks arm though instead she was a stand in due to his needing to be at a military meeting.

"You don't need to dress up anymore." he tried sitting on her couch.

"I always dress my best." she called back dryly. "I'm a popular woman and Tony Stark's protégé." then she finally came out. "Well I'm ready..." then she finally looked up and hesitated worriedly at his stare. "I knew this dress was a bad idea."

He leapt up. "Why?"

"Because I'm more then sure..." she cut off not sure if he was even aware of her scars.

He didn't seem to see her cut off as he had been preparing to do so himself. "No this dress it perfect...you look great..."

"I look like a Barbie doll." she shrugged helplessly. Her love for dresses wasn't new but she always went over board when she was beside Tony and when asked why she said because it made him smile. Her hair was split into French braid on both sides from front to back of neck before resting in curls in pig tails with random little braids mixing with the curls but the jewel on them made them stand out. Her matching make up was beautiful purple and silvery with a cat eye look. The ball gown was duel colored and princess like jewels over it and all. While he had seen the shoes she had grabbed to take in the wedge purple heels he couldn't see them under the bulk of the gown. She had a pretty matching jewelry set of diamonds and amethyst flowers to match the jewelry in her hair including a ring on her left middle finger. He now understood why she suggested a lavender undertone for him and he had happily obliged for it was going to a good cause.

"Miss Cranston its lovely to see you and who is-

"None of your concern." she deadpanned to Hammer. "And don't put your hands on me Hammer. Now run along and go bug someone who might fall for your stupidity your making my IQ quiver." she tilted her head and he blinked stupidly as she breezed by with Callen.

"Well that was cold."

"Yeah well when he's drunk and trying to put his hands and face in your top you get that way." he stared incredulously as he began dancing with her slowly. "Please don't ask." she pleaded lightly before putting her head to the closest part of him she could reach just trying to relax.

Captain Mitchell looked up to Carter all the while the tabloid was in front of him. "You can't just rush through shooting at will Carter..." then spotted the figure storming in. "Good morning...have a good night?"

She opened her mouth to speak and froze seeing the tabloid and her gaze met his. "Are you kidding me right now?"

He grimaced. "I'm going to take a guess when I say that's the whispering taking place all over base."

"Yes and their making it known none too gently either." she crossed her arms. "I was told you wished to see me this morning upon my return?"

"I need you to run an emergency training session..." she looked confused. "We seem to be having problems." his gaze went to Carter who was glancing between the two and the tabloid. "We need to show the others the proper way-

She raised a hand. "Lemme guess all guns no brains?"

"Exactly."

"Give me ten." she said turning heel and walking for the door.

"And while your getting ready ill handle this issue." he waved the tabloid.

"Good before another one of your boys makes a comment you may find bodies in the water." she smirked coolly and disappeared from view.

"What are you doing here?" she raised her eyebrow a dark look on her face under her mask.

"She's my right hand." the purple ranger was fully geared beside the Captain but she was itching to move.

"She's just another kid looking to be famous."

She smirked. "Don't need this suit for that."

"And just what do you mean by that?"

She powered down. "Hello General."

His eyes widened dramatically. "Cranston!"

"In the flesh." she said stonily.

"You never said you-

"He doesn't have me on payroll." she cut in swiftly and grabbed herself a drink ."See General while he plucked me from the Navy yard...I don't work for him...I work with there's a difference... there's a respect I hold for him and him for me you'll never understand...add in my expertise and well there's a combo for you." she leaned back against the tables. "Carry on gentlemen." she waved her hand idly.

"When I rebuild my team-

"Actually your not." deadpanned the woman and the team exchanged looks of confusion. "You see being a weapon designer I get certain liberties..." she slowly and deliberately placed her glass down with a solid thunk. "For instance I can put through this little signed paper and state when I think a weapons too dangerous without a great modification and who would be able to make said modification...I can also state whether I think the weapons are even worth the said modifications or not..." she slowly lifted her gaze a dark smirk on her face.

"What are you getting at?"

"I put a the paper stating that your weapons are malfunctions and not worth repairs or upgrades. In short the weapons are fubar." she turned even more sinister. "Add in the way you so called controlled them and there truly is no safe way to upgrade them with the proper gear and therefore not worth rebuilding."

"How dare you-

"I also filled out a paper requesting your immediately removal from your position in light of an interesting mid life crisis you seem to be having." she slowly crossed her arms everything done with a purpose of proving to be calm. "I also took the liberty of finalizing your divorce and the other details therein and about."

"Excuse me?"

"Yes child support alimony..." she waved her hand idly. "You see when i mentioned to the judge that it seemed that the finalization seemed to be causing much more stress then needed he took my professional opinion quite highly and pushed through the red tape rather fast...along with your removal from your position i have also been kind enough to settle you with a nice paying job I think would do very well for your skills and yet never over stress you..." she met his gaze coolly.

"Who do you think you are-

"I'm the woman who just saved you from being dishonorably discharged loosing all right to your kids and a rather messy divorce." she snapped. "I'm the one who just kept you from getting your ass handed to you for thousand and thousands of dollars worth of damages your so called weapon did." she flung the files down and leant on the table. "I'm the woman who has been doing to college so long that my degrees in criminal justice and psychology just save your ass from Gitmo." she growled angrily. "if it were to me Id have your ass in a sling but you know what you got two boys who still need a father and considering my own history with my family they sure as hell need it."

"You have no right-

"'i have every right the minute your fucked with my team it became my right." she bellowed. "The minute you risked innocents lives with a machine you couldn't control was the minute it became my right!" the room went silent. "I'm not just a pretty face McKnight...I'm not just the Barbie doll that stands at Tony Stark's side. I'm a woman with a mind as brilliant as his own and who can make a weapon likes no ones business..." she cracked her back and neck lightly.

"This isn't the job of some little girl-

"This little girl got your a head of security job for an important business McKnight...full benefits and nice condo." she glowered at him from her bent position. "There's two options for you. Take what I've given or go to trial for not just the damages you cant pay for but the medical bills of those injured in the attack including but not limited to my team. I can be the best person in your life McKnight or the worst now I'm offering you an out...I suggest you take it." she pushed the file toward him.

"Your insane-

"Perhaps." she sat in the chair and leaned back feeling William at her back. "Or maybe I'm just a cold hearted soldier who watched a man put people at risks for his own pride."

"And you working with Stark is what?!"

"I make weapons so men and woman don't have to die for doing what's right." she said seriously. "I don't make a weapon that can not be fully controlled by its owner...you made a weapon that turned on its own maker and forgive me if I find that to be more then a little ass backwards." she hissed. "Misser! Royle!"

"Yes ma'am?"

"Escort Mr. McKnight off base." she said coldly. "Your job is done here McKnight good luck on your life and if I were I'd attempt to make a foot path into your sons lives...you never know what tomorrow will bring." her eyes were haunted and he left agitated but confused by why she would do what she had done.

"Willow?"

"Don't." she raised a hand fast. "Please don't..." the conference room wasn't really closed off but she didn't care in the least.

"That was a nice-

"I'm surprised you didn't say a bitch move getting him removed from his position and handling his own divorce... then it would have taken at least another three years before they finally settled and he'd be so far in debt by the end of that year he'd off himself." she murmured before sighing as she rose to her feet.

"For what its worth I think you did the right thing-

"I'm not a little Barbie Captain. I'm a soldier first and foremost...when someone threatens my team and my job I remove the threat." her eyes flashed grey something he knew happened more often then she knew. "He should consider himself lucky he has a job at all...I could have made his life a living hell..." she tilted her head at him. "This life isn't a game...lives can end in a split second...so I don't need you to tell me I made the right choice... I made a choice for what was right...he risked this town and my team...this entire operation was put at risk... I'm not going to stand idly on the sidelines and act as if I hold no brain..."

"You right...you should rest..."

"I cant." she said looking at her watch. "I have a business meeting with Tony in half an hour..." she rose to full height. "Get some sleep Captain."

"Half an hour? But its-

"Its currently morning where I need to be Captain...Ill see you later good night." she bow her head softly then left. Tony Stark stared across his jet at the young woman and frowned wondering what could have the silent tears running down her face. Sure he knew of her parents passing and how it hurt her but she had been doing great until suddenly it was like something was switched inside her. She was still that uniquely beautiful girl who he first saw passed out on the floor that first day. Only now she was harder and yet softer if that was capable. She bloomed a great deal and while she was able to be cold she was still the warmest person he'd ever met. Horror filled her face as she spotted the human beneath the mask of the weapon she had created and she leapt between Carter and the Titanium ranger.

Captain Mitchell looked to her then barked. "Johnson get me a strong cup of coffee and now..." then walked to her leading her to a chair. "Willow...Willow breath..."

"It...it wasn't supposed to happen..."

"Sweetie its not your fault...these things...they happen..."

"Why did you stop us?" barked Carter looking at her form. "We had a shot-

"Because this team wasn't made to kill humans." she bellowed. "This team is to fight demons and your risked a life out there Carter!"

"A needed choice-

"No its not." she said in a haunted voice.

"RYAN!" cried Dana but the man just glanced to her then left.

The purple ranger grabbed her firmly. "He needs time give it to him." then her eyes went to Ryan's back. "His entire world was just uprooted..." then she made her way to the Captain and silently helped him to his feet.

"Willow-

"Don't." she said looking him. "You can't change what happened..." then she too left.

"Dad what's going on with Willow?" asked Dana staring at him.

The man sighed. "Willow is having a hard time coming to terms with this ordeal...and your choices toward it."

"But we understand now-

"That's the point Carter..." said William. "Its not now that you needed to see your choice was wrong...my son or not shouldn't have been what swayed you...the fact it was human should have...that's what bothers her..."

"But I don't understand." said Kelsey. "Everything's okay now...so why is she still acting weird?"

"I'm afraid Kelsey its not that simple..." then he steepled his fingers. "Not only was Willow the one who drew the designs of the morpher but the fact it ended up in enemies hands and the innocents hurt...the team hurt...she blames herself..."

"But she can't possibly think that's true." snorted Joel.

"She can and does...but the fact hurts because if her team was so cold...she remembers what it could have been like for her..."

"But she's never been against us."

"Against you." stressed the man rising. "That is the point..."

"Against us..." murmured Dana.

Carter picked up the unspoken words. "She was a ranger before...on the other side..."

"Angel Grove ninety three..." he said dropping a picture down a picture before the spell broke and she was beside Tommy both facing off the others. "When someone put a spell on her and used her against the other rangers..." then he dropped another this time she and Tommy were side by side behind a crouched Jason and the others in various positions. "After the spell was broken...the other rangers never gave up bringing them back..."

"But...its not the same-

"Yes it is.." said William. "Diablico tricked and shifted Ryan's mind...with years if that treatment he ended up just like she was with that spell...but the fact she was human and they knew her...the rangers did everything to help her and her partner come back...she wont talk about it but the horror left her scared and scarred..." his eyes swept over them. "You have no idea the strength of that young woman."

Panting the woman stopped her entire body trembling from her work out and she shuddered violently. "Too much working out and not enough eating from the looks." she tensed glancing out of the corner of her eye over her shoulder but not changing her stance.

"Guys check it." muttered Joel nodding toward the woman the stranger staring at her.

"Yeah I tend to do that..." she grunted finally another shudder running through her.

The figure tilted it head. "Bad day at work eh?"

"I'm really not in the mood to talk."

"Good." then began attacking and she reacted instinctively moving sharply and with deadly precision until the figure was under her panting and covered in sweat over forty five minutes later and she stared heavily down at the figure. "Feel better?"

She stared at him before dropping her head to his chest trembling. "Make it stop..." was all she offered and he sighed softly embracing her tightly.

"I got you sweetheart..." she felt him rocking her slightly and slumped tiredly into him her body still trembling from exhaustion and over working. About ten minutes later. "How about we shower and get some lunch?" she nodded curtly and rose swiftly to her feet back so straight one would mistake it for a metal pipe. she watched the man she cared for eating his hamburger and fries and sipped her shake. "Your staring..." he commented lightly looking up.

She smiled ever so slightly to him. "I've missed you...how did you find me?"

"Anthony..."

"Ah..." she chuckled softly and looked around her back however was to the team in the booth behind hers. "Your not here to bust my ass are you?" he gave a raised brow in confusion. "He kinda of flipped when he found out about the military...he uh...said it was a waste of my talents..."

"It is...but then again you wouldn't be you..." he said simply. "Will you are who you are and even if we both think your wasting it being in the military its something you love and you always go for what you love..."

She pursed her lips and sighed. "I removed a man from his duty...what does that make me?"

"Did he get someone hurt?" she nodded curtly. "Did you have to fix his mess?" he asked again receiving another nod. "Did you leave him on his ass high and dry?" she gave a negative. "I would have so what does that tell you?"

"That I'm a bitch." she joked lightly. "No he...he risked a lot of people...I would have left him on his ass..."

"But?"

"But he has two sons..." Sean straightened instantly staring at her. "I don't know if he'll ever understand how much family should mean...but I got his divorce settled...got times for him to spend with his kids...a good job..."

"Sweetheart you cant-

"I pushed them away and I didn't get time to fix the mistakes we all made..."

He took her hand across the table. "In the end you all made the choice to forgive and forget. To move on...they died knowing you didn't hate them...that was enough for them..."

"Was it?" she questioned in a strange tone. "I spent year completely despising them..."

"You grew up...they grew up...and together you all found a place where you came to understand that it had to happen..." he tilted his head slightly. "How long has this been weighing you down?"

"I've seen what...some men and woman are willing for their children...some aren't good...and others..." she swallowed roughly. "Others so good that..." she blinked rapidly.

"its okay..."

"Sometimes I wonder if...if I had sat down with them...and...and talked about things...if...maybe perhaps...thing wouldn't have gone astray..."

"Willow..." he waiting until her watery gaze met his own. "You are an amazing woman...and you did everything...your parents wanted college you went but...but even you have a breaking point to what you can give...I watched you day in and day out break because you went over and beyond for your parents..." she swallowed staring at him intently.

"But isn't that what kids are0-

"No." he cut in roughly. "My parents...my parents used to go broke for us kids...used to give us everything we needed...that is what a parent is...its not the children to take care of the parents...you hid most of your life what you were...and that isn't right...your parents in the end realized their wrong...and loved you no matter what but what they did to you was wrong..." he shook his head softly.

She eyed him then looked to her shake absently. "Do you think I made the wrong choice?"

"With him?" he asked lightly.

She nodded. "That's what broke the camels back..."

He pursed his lips. "I'm not one to act like I understand a lot of the things you don't tell me...but your parents...your brother." he said tartly. "They put this air around you that made you feel that you needed to conform to their wishes as if it would help you...I remember the news about your disappearance." she jerked her head up violently. "And when you came back...you lived right down the road sweetheart...there was no mistaking the changes in you after that...I don't know what happen-

"You don't want to." she said seriously but her voice soft almost whispering.

He nodded solemnly. "Your right...I might murder someone." she cracked a smile. "But my point is...you came back and instead of helping you...they all hindered you...but this guy...that guy you brought to the gym..."

"Tommy." she said automatically eyes finding his.

He raised a brow smirking a bit. "Your friend pushed you in ways I've never seen someone be able to push you...he never asked you to slow down...he never asked you to...he was there for you I saw it...always..Ii know your family loved you but sweetheart...that guy...he saved your life."

"And if I said he did?"

He tensed straightening. "'Id say I owe him a beer."

"I was crashing...and no matter what I did or said...he never left...when I needed out he got me out..." she smiled weakly. "I hadn't...the minute I joined college I didn't feel right... nothing felt right anymore...but he gave me something I'ill never be able to thank him for..."

He smiled softly. "And what was that?"

She met his gaze. "Something to fight for." Sean Mathews wasn't a man easily startled or completely caught off guard being a marine but staring at the girl he long ago took under his wing telling him things he never thought she would he knew she was finally moving on with her life. "To me I was coasting...unsure scared... nowhere to turn and sure as hell full of pent up aggression..."

"Your telling me..." he joked before saying. "Your not my blood but you are my family...your my family...your Anthony's family...we're family...I don't know the reason your brother left-

"He's married." she said softly almost fondly giving him a gentle look. "Its okay...I'm happy for him...to have found her and for her to care..." he tilted his head for a long moment but had a feeling it was something he get the answers to at some point. "Love is powerful...makes people do funny things I hear..." she smiled sweetly.

"Don't look at me like that." he snorted glad for a lighter topic. "Just because Anthony got Tess don't expect me to hope on the marriage bang wagon..."

"Okay Jar Head."

He blinked then burst out laughing. "That is by far the funniest thing you've called me."

She shrugged laughing. "Things change."

"Not all but some." he replied smiling at her. They spent an hour laughing and talking enjoying the food before it seemed like time to go.

"Hey how are the rest of my boy doing?"

He smirked. "Ask them yourself." he smirked pushing the door open.

"WILLOW!" she jumped and blinked before embracing the group of men happily. This was home." she realized swiftly hugging them. These were men who didn't have a legal obligation or blood to tie them yet loved and protected her anyway. They were like her ranger family, home, in a simple word.

"That's the most I've seen her laugh of smile." muttered Kelsey wandering in the park but they watched the marine and the woman in a game of foot ball with a bunch of others. however smiles and laughs flew out the window when she took a nasty tackle and froze upon the ground making the one who tackled her begin panicking.

"WILLOW!" barked Sean sliding to her. "Willow look at me...sweetheart right here...your safe..." she was breathing raggedly eyes glazed and he slapped her making her shoot upright panting as if she had run a marathon. "Hey, hey look at me!" he barked in his commanding officer voice. "There you are...your okay...its okay..."

"I just need a drink." sure enough a drink later and she was back up and playing again. As she went through her ranger duties she felt a knowing come to her but when the time came to hand over her morpher she felt remorse deep within.

William seemed to understand. "Its okay Willow..."

She met his gaze. "Its time...I know it is..." she removed it lightly and held it reverently. "Its time for the other world again..." she settle it lightly. "By the powers the are...if its meant to be...it shall be..."

He smiled encouragingly. "You've done brilliantly."

"Good...because I received word of furthering my training for combat..."

He swallowed. "Your...being deployed?"

"That's yet to be seen...but its okay...take care of them..."

"Of course..." she turned and walked away silently mentally hoping she was strong enough to deal with the changes coming.

Half a Year Later found her standing in a funeral with a child beside her. "I got word his brothers kept in tour for another three weeks until they can evac..." said a soft voice. "Figured you could use a friend."

She turned to the silver haired man familiar in all the ways she needed. "Thank you." the hand on her back soothed her as she clutched the child to her.

"I'm sorry for your loss." she barely heard the words remaining still with the boy at her side clutching to her dressed up completely in black. Those words were said by everyone at the funeral minus the man at her side dutifully as she risked falling apart at the seems. The wake was taking place in Sean's gym as it was passed down in the family she felt it appropriate for Anthony and Tessa's wake. The car accident on their honeymoon was horrific and both were dead on impact leaving the boy she now clung to depending on her.

"I'll drive." came a voice and she looked up tiredly but nodded not surprised to not he had bags to stay until Sean was safely home to tend her. However even when Sean came back she was surprised to find him not leaving and all three sat for the will.

"Wait what?" she said swiftly. "No that cant be Sean-

"it says here Willow Cranston is to in the effect of our untimely departure gain custody and raise our son, Jasper Mathews as her own." it took her another week to accept that custody had been indeed given to her and that at the time it was more suited for her then Sean and now she was going to make another choice by going on Navy reserve and telling Tony she needed some time away from work as well though most of the time she only went to the gala and things with him since joining the Navy. When she got the call about the plane going down she barely registered anything other then her being emergency contact from Doug Stewart and put as the one to gain custody of Justin and she found herself with two orphans in her home in Angel Grove. A week later Justin understood the call and the slight tap of her empty wrist and left her go.

"I think your missing someone." Ryan took his time helping the figure from the back who walked forward easily.

Ransic stared at her incredulously eyes widening. "You look like you see a ghost pal." she snarled angrily.

"I'm seeing a future one!" snapped Vypra and all hell broke loose. She stared warily out the window worry etched in her eyes.

Carter came forward and put a hand on her shoulder. "Their okay..."

"Its the first time I've left them since everything..." she said weakly.

Dana and Joel exchanged looks with Chad and Kelsey all worried and all knowing it was true she hadn't so much as had to even go to her training being in reserve for months. "I know." said Carter softly knowing better then anyone due to his frequent check ins. When Sean came home with a girl he met off and on during his times back she was happy and even more when she got to witness the man who was never going to settle finally pop the question.

"Who are you?" demanded the red ranger to the pink ranger before him.

She turned to face him and said simply. "For all our sakes you can simply call me Panthera."

"Gah who is she?" demanded Taylor again. Time and time again the strange pink ranger had saved their tails and yet nothing to show for it since she left before they could thank her. Willow groaned as finally the news was out about her wandering around with two kids.

Finally cornered in Turtle Grove she huffed exacerbated as both boys were in school Justin him finishing his senior year of high school and Jasper was just in Pre-K. "Miss Cranston please the public wants to-

She rounded angrily uncaring she could sense her team not far from her. "Okay I dont care what the bloody public wants." she snarled. "Second those kids lives were turned around enough they don't need you or anyone else reminding them of what they've lost..."

"Surely you could give some answers-

"Here's my answers...those boys are mine." she smirked coolly. "I loved their parents as family therefore they are mine I don't care how you swing it. And if those boys get hurt because you people cant leave them the hell out of the papers so help me the public will have to do their own digging because you'll never work in journalism again." she stared coldly.

"Miss Cranston surely you can see being in your-

"Being as young as I am and the job I have it should seem strange that I now have two boys well lets see...a plane accident took ones only father...a car accident took both parents from my youngest. So both of them are orphans and I intend to make their lives the very best because i understand and if anyone dares trying to bringing Tony into this conversation save your breath...he agrees that its the best course of action. We both understand what its like to loose you parents and neither of us want these two to go through feeling unloved from it."

"But rumor is the youngest has an uncle to raise-

"That uncle is a US Marine." she cut sharply. "And yes it made some of my life change but its the best choice I've ever made I my life...I don't need to be in the Navy I choose to be." she straightened completely. "Being a Marine is his life and he's family...I hold no qualms about taking care of a boy whose been family long before his parents death...So you can tell the public that my boys are not for public viewing and stay the hell out of their life...tear my apart turn me into the devil incarnate I don't care. Stay the hell away from my family." her face was cold on the front of the paper and tabloids the next few days.

"Wait!" Cole grabbed her lightly and pulled her to a stop. "Please...who are you?"

She faced him slowly her fears running wild and clashing with her need to make his sad face disappear. "it does not matter-

"Yes it does." he pressed shaking his head.

Taylor froze seeing Cole touching and talking to the pink ranger. "Guys." she breathed.

"Why?" she asked the one question she knew needed answered to sway her decision.

"Because you come in you protect people and disappear...yet if you were in danger we couldn't protect you..."

Her body softened and a pink gloved hand tilted his head up to her. "We shall return to your mentor then and speak there..."

Shayla looked at the pink ranger in something akin to awe. "It is an honor to meet the one who wield the power of the panther..."

She nodded softly then turned to Cole strictly. "Your have asked and now I must send caution no one is to know my idenity...no one..." then she powered down and lifted her head to the young man who stared openly at her.

"Your the lady from the papers..."

"Yes...my name is Willow Cranston..." she heard the others coming a ways off and said. "Please don't tell them...its not just my life but my boys and your own at risk now..." she powered up before the others got there with both Shayla and Cole agreeing.

"Hey I'm tired of you-

"Watch yourself Yellow Ranger I'm not as gentle my coloring suggests." deadpanned the woman. "I may be a ranger but I do not obey anyone...my master died years ago and with it the last of my will to obey anyone." she turned to Shayla. "I take my leave milady."

"Be safe Pink Ranger..."

"You may call me Panthera..." she obliged lightly then turned and paused by Cole putting a hand on his shoulder. "Whatever we are behind the mask...matters not when its in place..."

"I don't understand..."

"Ask the lion where to find me and he will oblige...be safe Red Ranger..."

Cole walked toward the figure swiftly. "I almost didn't understand him..."

She smiled over her shoulder. "I knew you'd understand..."

"Can...you talk to them?"

"Yes...yes i can..." she looked skyward toward where both knew the island was.

"You seem sad..."

She glanced to him. "Pantera is sad...and so I am..."

"Is that truly how it works?" her ninjetti may have been a chameleon due to her abilities to blend in and use what was around her however a second trip to Phadoes those years ago revealed she was able to be one with many and the Panther had claimed her soul.

"Only for me." she finally stated lowly looking back tot he lake from her perch.

"May I ask why?"

"You speak to them but you are not apart of them." she said sagely not looking to him. The soft purring drew his attention to her once more. "You all are connected to your zords through their choosing of you...but my connection is far more greater and deeper then yours."

"But why?" he rose as she did. "And why cant you tell the others-

"Your yellow she was until being chosen an Air Force pilot...the others you all have other lives..." she hesitated. "I'm not the woman in the papers Red Ranger... they see what I allow them to... they see a pretty Barbie that's a brilliant weapons manufacturer and a fashion designer... they don't see the warrior that I have become..." she put a hand to his shoulder. "Should anyone find out myself and those I care about will be at risk..."

"But the team-

"Your team would be at risk..."

He frowned. "How?"

She smiled weakly. "Lets just say I know what its like for things to be used against you..." she patted his shoulder. "You should rest...a ranger always needs rest..."

He hesitated before calling. "Panthera!" she glanced to him question written in her face. "Ill check on Pantera for you..."

She softened. "Thank you...it would mean a lot to me..." Cole ran through the woods around the lake panicking as he searched for the missing woman.

"PANTHERA!" he screamed sliding across the ground to her limp form. "Panthera?" she whimpered softly as he rolled her gently toward him and began carefully pushing her hair from her face. "Panthera?"

"He's...human." she grunted falling limp and he returned to the Animarium despite everything needing Princess Shayla to tend to her.

"Princess Shayla she's hurt!" he cried settling her lightly down.

"Oh my god is that-

"Willow Cranston." finished Taylor angrily.

"Did she say anything to you Cole?"

"She said he's human." he said confused.

Shaya blinked. "She went after the Wolf org...but if she's right..."

"How can an org be human?"

"A curse..." rasped a voice.

"Panthera!" cried Cole rushing to her and holding her upright as she trembled.

"What do you mean?" demanded Taylor.

"I'm not just a pretty face Yellow so shut up." huffed the woman leaning tiredly into Cole. "I felt it..." she looked to Shayla. "Pantera speaks of an old warrior...who took a risk to defeat the Master Org...and in the end harmed himself risking his life in order to have the power to defeat the enemy he was cursed and locked away...this is true?"

"Yes..." she said softly. "That makes so much sense now...but how...how can you-

"Because such magic is not so new to me..." she said shaking her head softly. "Ancient Dark Magic...it has touched me before and I can feel it when its been used..."

"What does that mean?" bellowed Taylor. "Your talking about-

"Leave her alone Taylor!" barked Cole feeling the woman starting to sag. "Panthera you should rest your weak...what happened?"

"I think I may owe him my life." she met Shayla's eyes. "Jindrax and Toxica had me...and he was made they intruded upon his area of claim...Cole found me not more then five minutes later..." Cole shifted her lightly against him forcing her to sit but standing beside her firmly.

"How can you hear what the animals say-

"I can and that's all that matters." she deadpanned angrily before a familiar Falcon came to her and nuzzled her in comfort. "Now how did you find me?" she muttered petting his chest. "Go on off with you back to your counterpart and stop fussing..." she teased him and he cried out tugging a lock of hair and flapping off as she cried out in mimic back to him. Shivering almost violently she felt Cole embrace her and felt something settle in her restless spirit.

He crouched beside her. "Are you sure you should be up?"

"The Duke Org...he's human...he could very well be th e warrior from years ago." she met Shayla's eyes holding sympathy and pain. "Perhaps the very reasons he chose me yes?"

"How do you-

"I speak with her often Ii feel her...could...could our connection due with what happened to him?"

"It could." supplied Shayla lightly. "She is a most beautiful creature...cunning and caring..."

She deadpanned flatly eyes narrowing slightly. "She was his...and she chose me due to my past... do not try telling me otherwise...she is the connection needed..." she slowly and trembling stood Cole beside her holding her firmly. "He's the warrior now we must break through to him...at any means needed-

"I don't care who you are or who he is he's tried destroying us-

She whirled. "He risked his life for his team and paid the ultimate price!" she bellowed the entire island seemingly falling silent. "You don't need to help me in fact I'd prefer if you didn't! This world isn't black and white this world is full of nothing buts greys and lines that sometimes need crossed before reality can crash in and until your and your bigotry ass can get that through your skull stay out my way."

"Because you did so well alone before-

She smirked coldly leaning heavily into Cole. "I've been doing it since nineteen ninety three so yea I think I did." then she stumbled off immediately.

"Panthera!" Cole gave a dark look to Taylor before bolting after the woman. Cole froze at the sight of his friend and the duke org. However his surprise came from the said orgs defense against the wounded pink ranger.

"The ranger is mine." growled the Duke Org and the woman's head snapped up reflexively and she growled but made no motion to moving from her position.

"So why doesn't he-

"Because he doesn't feel worthy." came a soft voice and all their heads turned to where she was. Cole rose and rushed to embrace her firmly and then remained at her side rubbing her side softly in a curious manner to the others but she leaned into him lightly in response.

"But he's a ranger-

"Who made a choice...a choice that did exactly what he was trying to prevent..." her mind went to Ryan and her heart clenched. "When things go wrong we tend to make us take blame."

Cole said. "Its not your fault-

"Thank you for trying..." she said lightly. "But it will not erase the pain caused...I may have atoned and then some but the pain is still there.." she focused on them all. "He hurt us...that is all he can see...all he can feel..." she hugged herself a far away look on her face. "He needs time." she looked to Shayla. "To you it wasn't his fault...to him he made the choice to wear the mask and in so he willingly turned...he needs time to adjust...its been a long time and suddenly he's in a world he doesn't know...no one he knew is here..." she remembered what her return after a year of hell was and flinched. "He's got wounds you guys cant heal..."

Taylor raised a brow. "And I suppose you can?"

"No...I can't heal him if I still cant myself..." she met Taylors gaze. "But I understand him better then anyone else here can..." she hugged Cole kissing his cheek and left for home at least the one she bought outside of town having figured both boys needed further away from their memories as she did. Becoming a ranger again just made things all that much more easy to find place to go. She quietly changed about and walked down the hall stopping when she noticed both boys on the couch it wasn't that late and a Friday so she didn't mind instead she simply walked forward and both moved to pull her between them and she was immediately cuddled from both sides.


Authors Note: okay so this one kind of got away with me just a fair bit lol...the things she wore for the benefit for the orphanage will be posted like before on my page listed with the chapter and all that...please review its always ncie to know if the stories being enjoyed...let me know about your views and if theres an particular show or whatever youd like to see crossed into her as you can see I'm fond of NCIS/NCIS LA...anyway let me know please!