Six months passed. A lot had happened to the group in those six months.

First, Jason was called to take on the gold ranger powers. This caused him to reveal the ENTIRE story about his group of friends to Katherine.Katherine laughed."What," Jason asked his girlfriend.

"I kind of figured your friends were either current or former rangers. Makes sense how you always knew what they were doing," she said.

"I don't believe it," he said.

"Look, I'm with you and your friends a lot, so I picked up on the little things. But I don't understand why Zack gave up his powers," she asked.

"He was chosen for the teen peace summit. He was all set to go, but his mom was injured in a car accident. He didn't want to leave her, so he stayed behind. He got back into being a 'normal' teenager. Trini gave them up because she wanted the internship and it required a lot of meetings and interviews. She didn't want to risk getting called away. Luckily, Adam and Aisha were capable of taking the powers," he said.

"And you gave yours to Rocky. Why," she asked.

"I didn't live up to the ideals of a ranger. I treated Meredith very badly when we were dating. I slept with someone while Meredith was dealing with Tommy and the whole evil green ranger thing. I didn't give her the time, I just worried about myself. I was selfish and realized that I had to give up my powers because I wasn't capable of making the right choices. Apparently, I've proven myself worthy again. I have a second chance. I'm not going to lie, I've missed it," he said.

"I had no idea you and Meredith even dated," she said.

"We did and it was pretty intense for a bit. We never slept together, but we fought on the battlefield together and we witnessed a lot that kind of forged our relationship. For a while, I was really sorry about us breaking up. Then I saw how happy Rocky made her and I realized that we had outgrown each other. Then I met you and realized you were the one I'd been waiting for the whole time," he said, kissing her.

"Nice save, Scott," she said, kissing him back.

Now Jason was the gold ranger and he was determined to live up to the ranger standard.

Everyone had worried about Adam giving up his powers. He had discussed it at length with Rocky and Tommy before deciding that he wanted to keep fighting. He avoided situations that had everyone coupled up. He missed Trini. He knew he would go on with his life, but he still missed her.

Kimberly had to relinquish her ranger powers. She had made the Pan Global team, but the commitment required a lot of time and she couldn't possibly be a ranger during that time. She had asked Katherine to take the mantle of the pink ranger until Kimberly was finished. If Kimberly decided not to take the power back, Katherine would continue to fight as the pink ranger. Kimberly felt good about giving the powers to Kat. And with Jason now a ranger again, it seemed only fitting. Tommy was out of sorts the first time they'd had a battle. Kat had gotten thrown back and Tommy was upset when Jason went rushing to her aid. It was only then that he realized that it wasn't Kimberly. It still didn't feel real that Kimberly wasn't fighting with them.

There was one other significant event that happened during those six months.

A new student moved into town. She was a cousin of Aisha's and was living with her. Aisha's cousin, Tanya, had been orphaned a few months previous when her parents were killed in a car accident. Aisha's mom, who was Tanya's dad's sister, agreed to take her orphaned niece into their home. Tanya's parents had been working in Africa as missionaries. Aisha brought Tanya to the Juice Bar after she arrived to meet everyone.

"Hey, guys, This is my cousin, Tanya Sloane. Tanya, these are my best friends. The guy in white is Tommy, the girl in pink holding his hand is Kimberly. That goofy guy in red stuffing his face is Rocky. The girl in purple is his girlfriend and Tommy's twin sister, Meredith. The boy in blue is Billy. You met Zack when we picked you up at the airport. He's teaching a dance class over there. The girl in the pink shirt practically drooling over the guy with the black and red karate gi is Kat and that guy is her boyfriend Jason. The other guy sparring with Jason in all black is Adam," Aisha said.

Tanya watched Adam. She was enthralled by his movements. He was so focused on what he was doing that he seemed oblivious to the activity going on around him. Tanya was amazed.

"Sit Tanya. Tell us a bit about yourself," Kimberly said, motioning to the empty seat across from her and Tommy.

"Well, I was born here, but moved with my parents all over the world. They were missionaries. They died in a car accident so I guess you could say I'm an orphan. I was at a boarding school in South Africa when it happened. Aisha's mom offered me a place to stay. I am touched by Aisha and her offers of help. I think we've met each other twice in our entire lives," she said.

"Hey, we're sisters, family," Aisha said.

"Well, anything we can do to help, just say the word," Tommy said.

"Thanks," she said. She and Aisha got up to get smoothies.

Just then Adam and Jason came to the table. "Are we all going to the movies tonight," he asked, kissing Katherine.

"Only if you shower first," she said to her , ever the mature one of the group, promptly stuck his tongue out at her."Hey, no sneak peeks of what you're doing AFTER the movie," Rocky said, which promptly earned him a smack. By both his sister and his girlfriend. Kimberly hit him in the head, Meredith got his stomach. The table exploded in laughter.

"Do we really have to have this kind of talk now. I mean aren't we a bit too mature for this," Meredith asked.

"Meri, just because you're uncomfortable doesn't mean the rest of us are," Jason said.

"Well, not everyone lives in the gutter like YOU do," she said.

This earned her the middle finger.

"If I hear one more kinky innuendo. I won't be responsible for my actions," Meredith said."Is that a promise," Rocky said, with a mile wide grin on his face. Meredith's cheeks reddened in embarrassment.

Tommy glared at Rocky. Jason's jaw hit the floor. Meredith swore she heard it crack when it hit the ground.

'Maybe that was worth it,' she thought to herself.

Aisha and Tanya rejoined the group at the table. "What did I miss," Aisha asked.

"Nothing much. Jason got schooled by Meredith. Hence the look," Adam said, smiling as he remembered.

"Hey, Jase. That's not a very attractive look for you," Aisha said. Meredith got up and used her pointer finger to push Jason's jaw back into a normal position. "You can stop it now," she said, before sitting back down."I'm just…" he started to say before Meredith cut him off. "You're surprised. So is Tommy and everyone else at this table. Now the show's over let's talk about something else. Like the movie we're going to see tonight," she said.

The group discussed the movie choices before deciding on a horror movie. They all made plans to meet at the cinema at 7. The movie started at 7:45 that night.

They all broke apart. Aisha left Tanya at the table to grab a minute with Zack to tell him about the movie.

Adam, who had gone to shower, stopped off at the table."Hope you're not too overwhelmed. We have a tendency to be a bit much when we're all together. Especially when Meredith is mad at Jason," Adam said.

"It was actually really nice and normal to hear. Everyone's been so cautious around me that I'm glad everyone is acting like themselves around me. It's refreshing. Why would Meredith be mad at Jason," Tanya asked.

"Long story, but the gist is a break-up that was pretty bad. Meredith is happy with Rocky now, but she still harbors a bit of anger at Jason. For what, I don't know, but they are still friends, so we let it go," he said.

"Are you coming to the movies tonight," she asked.

"Don't know. I haven't really been out with the group in a few months," he said, sadness creeping into his eyes."Oh, break up with your girlfriend and all these happy couples drive you crazy," she said, taking a drink of her smoothie.

"No, not like that. My girlfriend was killed in a car accident six months ago. I haven't gotten back in to the scene," he said.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know. Must be how people feel when they bring up their parents in front of me. I'm sorry," she said.

"It's fine. You didn't know. Maybe I'll see you at the movie. Can't have you get a sugar rush from all those sweet couples. Even Billy has a girlfriend now," Adam said.

"I'll see you there," she said.

Adam waved bye and headed out of the youth center. He put his bag in the back seat. When he turned back to get in the driver's seat, he found a yellow rose on the seat. He did a 360, looking for who set the rose on his seat. He picked up the rose. He smiled. For the first time since Trini died, he was actually looking forward to hanging out with the group in a couple setting. Then his smiled was immediately changed to a frown. He put the key in the ignition and drove to Meredith's house. He needed some perspective and he knew he'd get it from Meredith. He and Trini had usually doubled with her and Rocky because Rocky was his best friend.

He pulled into the driveway and walked to the front door. He rang the doorbell and waited.

Tommy answered the door. "Hey man. What's up," Tommy asked him.

"Is Meredith home? I need to talk to her," he said.

"Yeah. I'll get her. You want to wait downstairs," he asked. "I take it it's private."

"Do you mind," Adam shook his head. He pointed to the stairs and Tommy went up to get his sister.

He knocked on her bedroom door and Meredith called "come in."

"Hey, sis, Adam's downstairs. He wants to talk to you," Tommy said.

"Really," she nodded his head. Meredith put her book down and exited her room. Tommy went into his room. He figured whatever it was that brought Adam to Meredith had something to do with Tanya and Trini. Tommy smiled to himself. 'And Kim and Meri think I'm a bit dense,' he thought to himself.

Meredith went down stairs to find Adam."Hey. Tommy said you wanted to talk to me," she said.

"Yeah. I'm confused," he said.

"Is this about Tanya," she asked,

Adam nodded. Meredith smiled.

"What," he asked her.

"Welcome back. It's about time you found someone to spark your interest," she said.

"Yeah I'm interested, but Trini…" he said,

"You loved her. There's nothing that says you still can't love her. Trini would want you to be happy," she said.

"I found a yellow rose on my driver's seat. I had unlocked the door to put my bag away and, Mer, it WASN'T there when I unlocked the door. When I turned around, there it was," he said.

"Trini wants you to move on. You always said she was our sunshine. She can't be your sunshine if you're cloudy all the time. She wants you to shine again. That's what she said you did when you smile. You shine. She wants you to do that again. She thinks whatever move your going to make is a good one. She's going to be in everyone's heart and you won't forget her, but it's time to move on. If that's with Tanya, then it's with Tanya," she said.

"You think so, Meri," he asked.

Meredith nodded.

Adam gave her a hug.

"Thanks. That's what I thought, but I needed to hear it from someone else," he said.

"But why me," she asked.

"You saw us when we were all out together. I figured you'd be honest with me," he said.

"See you tonight," she said.

Adam went up the stairs and out the front door. Meredith went up after him and met her brother at the top of the stairs.

"Everything is fine. Adam's going to be just fine," she said to her brother.

"OK. I'll meet you guys at the movies. I'm heading over to Kim's house. Since she's not practicing thanks to that wrist, I'm going to get some extra time with her," he said.

"Just promise me you won't miss the movie," Meredith grinned and cocked an eyebrow. "You never know," he said before heading down the stairs. Meredith threw her shoe at the back of his head.

"PIG," she shouted at him. She was met with her brother laughing and the shutting of the garage door.

Meredith turned around and went back into her room. She picked out the clothes for the movies, changed and waited for Rocky.

At 7, everyone was at the movies, except for Adam.

Five minutes later, while standing in line to buy tickets, Adam showed up. He stood next to Tanya. "Sorry. Had to do something first," he said to Tanya.

They went into the movie. Adam sat with Tanya and, just like it was scripted, during all the scary parts, she buried her face in Adam's arm. Soon after, she settled against his shoulder and Adam had to admit he felt like he could breath again. His heart still missed Trini, but he knew he had to move on because he needed to and Trini wanted him to.

As he drove Tanya home that night, he admitted to her why he was late.

Adam ran into the flower shop. He grabbed a bouquet of yellow roses, paid for them and headed to the cemetery. He walked the familiar path to Trini's grave. He stopped by the headstone and placed the flowers in the vase. He removed the wilted ones he'd placed earlier in the week. He sat on the ground by the headstone and stated talking."Trini, I got your message. I'm glad you approve of Tanya. She seems nice and even if I don't date her, it's nice to have another female friend. Especially one that doesn't remind me of you. Not that that's a bad thing, but I'm sure you know what I mean. Anyway, we're going to the movies tonight. It's supposed to be as a group, but seeing as how everyone in the group but Tanya and I are paired off, you know how it's going to turn out. I'm going to go and see what happens. Tanya is nice and she's pretty. She's not pretty like you, but pretty in a different way," he said, standing up. "I just want you to know that I'm always going to love you, but that I understand that you would want me to shine, so I'm going to do that. I love you, Trini and I miss you. I'll never, ever forget you and what you meant to me. What you meant to everyone. We all love and miss you," he said. He kissed his hand and touched the top of her headstone. With one last glance at the tombstone, he headed back toward his car. He knew he would be late, but he hoped he'd be forgiven. Especially when they found out where he'd been."Do you feel better," Tanya asked.

"Yeah," he said.

"Good. Do you want to try this without the whole group," she asked him.

"Yeah. Will you come to the Juice Bar tomorrow," he asked.

"Sure. Why," she asked.

"Karate expo. All the guys are competing and so is Meredith. Tommy and Rocky are super proud of her because they've been training her for this. I'm competing," he said."I would love that. I'll ride with Aisha," she said.

"Great," he said. He got out of the car and rounded it to her door. He opened the door and helped her out.

He walked her to the front door and kissed her cheek.

"Until tomorrow," he said.

He walked back to his car after he saw Tanya enter the house. He drove home, smiling for the first in a long time.

***Adam is moving on with his life and Tanya may play an important role in it. Next installment is 'Memories.' Rita will make a monster that will bring up painful memories for the team, especially Adam. WILL he be able to move on with Tanya?*** -mereditholiver