After the events with Drake, the Brooks and the retros were slowly getting back to the normal lives. Everyone had been discharged from the hospital (after Kaylee signed the forms properly).

While the retros were back at the Garage, packing their bags to head back to NewTech city or to their homes in Corinth, Samantha was parking her car in the driveway of a small house. She stepped onto the driveway, stuffing her keys in her pocket as she walked up to the front door. She knocked once before walking inside.

"Mike? Engel?" she called.

From where she was standing, Samantha could see Engel and Mike sitting on the couch in front of the TV, eating dinner. As soon as the two year old heard her mother's voice, she hopped off the couch, spilling her food everywhere. She ran over to her mother and jumped in her arms.

"Mommy!" she cried happily while snuggling into her mother's chest, relieved her mother was okay.

Mike smiled, picking up the little pieces of Engel's dinner off his floor before joining his daughter and cousin at the front door. Without letting go of Engel, Samantha pulled Mike into a one armed hug. Mike squeezed her tight, kissing her forehead.

"How are you feeling?" he asked her. Samantha smiled, holding her daughter close. She had missed her terribly over the past few days.

"I'm feeling fine," she nodded. "Aunt Leah and Uncle David are still trying to decide if I need to take it easy, or if I'm okay to go back to normal activity."

Mike traced a cut just above her head that had yet to fully heal. He looked at his older cousin sympathetically.

"Does it hurt?" he asked her. Samantha reached up, touching it.

"Not really," she answered, "Only when I move my eyebrow. You know, you move that a lot more than you realise."

Mike chuckled as he touched his daughter's back, "I bet."

He leaned closer to his daughter, kissing her cheek softly, "Are you going to say goodbye to daddy?"

Engel giggled, curling in closer to her mother. Mike dug in deeper and kissed her again.

"One more kiss for daddy?" he asked. Engel kissed him quickly then pulled back into her mother. Samantha smiled, hugging her daughter as she looked at Mike.

"Thanks for taking her," she said. Mike shrugged.

"You know that's never a problem," he smiled. "And don't worry about anything from the hospital. I explained what happened. She understands."

Samantha breathed a sigh of relief, shifting her daughter from one arm to the other. She looked at Mike with a smile.

"Thank you."

"Hey, no problem," Mike laughed, "Just as long as you're okay."

Samantha nodded before turning out the door, taking her daughter with her. She looked down at her little girl.

"Did you have fun with daddy?"

Engel nodded furiously but pressed her finger to her mouth.

"Shh, but we eat candy before bed," Engel whispered. Samantha rolled her eyes and poked her daughter on the nose.

"Shh, but you won't get in trouble," she laughed, "This time."

-----Afterlife-----

The following morning, Dawn was placing the last box in the storage closet, before turning around and getting a look at her center. It was finally ready to be opened; and not a moment too soon. She walked to the door and flipped the sign over.

She stood, waiting for a moment, before a thought hit her.

"People have to know what the fuck this place is," she groaned. She turned to her desk, placed in the corner of the room, where a pile of flyers was stacked. She had been meaning to hand them out, but with all the drama with her cousins, it had slipped her mind.

Dropping her head in her hands, Dawn walked to her desk. She was about to pick up the stack of flyers when the door behind her opened.

"Is this the New Dawn center?"

Dawn rolled her eyes, "What did the sign say in big, shiny letters?"

The visitor chuckled, "I guess there are such things as stupid questions. You help people affected by the Venjix, right?"

"What did the notice on the door say as you walked in?"

Again the visitor chuckled, "Right, stupid question. Can you help..."

Dawn crossed her arms over her chest and turned around. The visitor laughed, shaking his head.

"I'm sorry, again... stupid questions just keep falling out."

"Come," Dawn smiled, inviting him over. She pulled out the chair by her desk for him before sitting in her seat. She looked over at the visitor. "How can I help you?"

"Well," he smirked, "I guess I'm not the only one asking stupid questions. If I knew what kind of help I needed, I wouldn't be here, would I?"

Dawn sighed, extending her hand, "I guess so. I'm Dawn Matthews, founder and owner."

"Dean Woodstock."

"So Dean," Dawn smiled, grabbing a paper out of her desk as she began jotting down notes, "What can I do for you today?"

Dean shrugged, "Not much. I'm mostly here for my daughter."

Dawn frowned, "Is she here?"

Dean shook his head, "She's in school at the moment."

"So, why does she need help?" Dawn asked him. Dean leaned in closer, confusing Dawn. There was no one else in the center who could possibly overhear him; unless, of course, Dani was hiding behind the couch again.

"I haven't told anyone this yet... it's not one of my finest moments as a father."

"We all have those," Dawn nodded. Dean looked at her strangely. She backed away, raising her hand, "I mean I've seen it happen before. I come from a strange family."

Dean leaned back in his seat, "Right. Look, during the evacuation, my family and I tried to make it here together. My wife... perished, and my daughter lost an arm."

Dawn's hand flew to her mouth, "I'm so sorry."

Dean smiled, "She's had a lot of trouble fitting in with the children at school. I was hoping this place could help her out. Give her somewhere where she could feel accepted."

Dawn nodded furiously, "Of course," she said, "I mean, you're the first face in this center, but I will definitely do all I can to help your daughter."

"Thank you," Dean nodded, "She's ten years old and..."

"Wait... ten?"

"Yes."

Dawn smiled, "My cousin has a niece about your daughter's age who lost something in the evacuations as well. I make no promises, but maybe your little girl and Elena can meet. The best way to feel accepted is to find someone who you trust and understand."

Dean rose from his chair, pulling out a card from his front pocket. He handed it to Dawn.

"When you get an answer from Elena, give me a call," he smirked, "I'll be sure to pick it up."

Dawn stood up to shake Dean's hand, "I'll be sure to do so. My center's always open, unless the sign says otherwise."

Dean nodded, "That should be your new slogan, along with 'Stupid questions are real'."

Dawn chuckled, leading Dean to the door, "I'll think about it. I'll call as soon as I can."

"Thanks so much."

Dawn shut the door behind him and turned around, smiling happily. Her first customer and she already knew how to help him. She returned to her seat, placing her notes in the correct folders. As she closed the drawer, Daniela appeared from under her desk.

"He so likes you," she cried joyfully, causing Dawn to jump. The brunette turned to the former Silver Ranger with a sharp glare.

"Aren't you supposed to be at the Garage with your co-mechanic?" she asked.

Daniela shook her head, "Nope. The big order was from Drake, so Flynn and I decided to beat the old shit wagon with a hammer. But he says I'm too dangerous to hold a hammer, and that he's got a huge revenge thing for Drake. So he's working on his own, and I got bored."

"Obviously. What were you doing under my desk?"

"Eating," Daniela smirked, "I was eating at your desk, but then you came in and I had to hide before you got all mad."

"How did that work out for you?"

"I finished my sandwich," Daniela shrugged, "So brilliantly I guess."

Dawn rolled her eyes, "You are the biggest weirdo."

"That means you look better for Dean," Dani grinned. Dawn turned to the red head.

"Excuse me?"

"Were you not listening before. Dean totally likes you!"

"How do you know?" Dawn frowned, "How do you know his name?"

"Under your desk," Dani reminded her friend, "Duh!"

Dawn muttered something under her breath that Dani failed to catch.

"And I know, because he gave you his phone number!"

"I run the center. A lot of people will be giving me their numbers."

Daniela wrapped her arm around her friend, "Oh, Dawn, sweet, former killer robot Dawn. You are so innocent and naive."

"What's wrong with what you just said?"

"He gave you his number, laughed at your sarcastic jokes, when you're supposed to be sympathetic, and he said he would be sure to pick up the phone when you called. I don't know about you, but there aren't many guys that cute chilling by the phone waiting for the innocent killer robot chick to call them back."

"He's concerned about his daughter!" Dawn frowned.

"Okay, well there's that," Dani nodded. Dawn pulled away from the racing maniac as she moved to the toy box, making sure everything was in order for when Dean's daughter and Elena would visit.

Dani moved to the kitchen area to grab an apple, "But, there's also the idea that maybe, this loving father might be looking for a little more than just a friend for his daughter."

Dawn looked to Dani, "He's in a tough spot."

Dani moved close to Dawn, patting her friend on the back, "Venjix happened when? 2023?"

"I don't know," Dawn shrugged, "I was a killer robot, remember?"

"Right... Look, it's been years and years..."

"Dani, this guy doesn't like me, okay?"

"I'm not saying he doesn't like his daughter," Daniela smirked, "Hell, from what I heard, I'm sure he loves and adores that sweet, little, beautiful girl. However, you're supposed to be kind, sympathetic, patient and caring. First customer walks in and you go all sarcastic hey dumbass on him, and he laughs it off and gives you the wow she's cute look."

Dawn looked to her desk curiously, "How much can you see from under there?"

"I'm a sneaky little speedster," Dani giggled, "Anyways, next time you see him, look for the signs. Maybe, ask him to stay while Elena and his daughter play. If he says yes, then maybe I'm right. If he says no, then you can call me a dumbass."

"I already do call you dumbass," Dawn frowned.

"Whatever, I'm still right and I know it. This guy it totally hitting on his daughter's helper. That sounds so wrong."

"Hey dumbass, get back to work!" Dawn called, tossing Daniela's racing jacket. Daniela caught it and smirked.

"Don't worry, Dawn," Dani smirked, "You may not have a boyfriend before your birthday, but you will have one for Valentine's day, I promise."

"I already have a date!" Dawn shouted, "My cousin! Same as you! We're going out to dinner for her birthday."

Dani pulled out her cell phone, "Well, my killer robot friend, you are cancelling that date!"

"Dani!" Dawn shouted, running out the door after the red head. She flipped the sign to close, chasing her friend through the city before Dani cancelled on Hayden for plans she didn't even have yet!