Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter thirty-five of "Ride the Wind." I didn't mean for it to take more than two weeks to get out. I had a bad case of writer's block. This chapter has fluffiness for Jesse/Nadine, Andros/Ashley, and Zhane/Karone. I want to mention that Granny (J2) is a real member of J-Pod. She is its matriarch. At one time, she was believed to be Ruffles's biological mother because they were always seen together. When tested DNA gathered from skin samples confirmed they weren't related, it was theorized she had adopted him following the death of his actual mother. Stay tuned for chapter thirty-six.

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Chapter 35: On the Game

The midafternoon sun shined down on Friday Harbor. A gull soared through the sky. It spotted the Chester Café. The building was medium-sized and had a gated outer area on its left side. It contained tables with two to six chairs each both there and inside. It decided to go downward and landed on the roof. It flapped its wings to air them out. It folded them against its back.

The gull looked down to see a young man entering the café. He went to the cash register. He chewed gum somewhat loudly. He blew a big bubble in it, which popped. He used his tongue to get it back into mouth. He started smacking it. The cashier approached him with a smile on her face. He ceased smacking his gum.

"What can I get you, sir?" she asked.

"I'd like a regular doughnut, ma'am," he responded and ran his hand through his hair.

"Well, you're lucky. We just finished cooking some doughnuts," the cashier said cheerfully. "They're regular too."

"Great!" the man said happily.

"I'll go get one for you," the cashier said and walked off. She returned with a regular doughnut on a plate. She typed in the price. "That will be one dollar and fifty cents."

"Okay," the man said and reached into his pocket to get out his wallet. He opened it and got a dollar and two quarters. He gave them to her, and she typed in the amount.

"You will receive no change today," the cashier announced. "Thank you. I hope enjoy your doughnut."

"Me too," the man answered with a small smile. He winked at her twice. "Thank you."

The man closed his wallet and slipped it into his pocket. He took the plate and went outside. He passed Andros, Ashley, Zhane, Karone, Jesse, and Nadine sitting at a table next to the gate. He seated himself at a table behind Andros and Ashley. He picked up his doughnut and bit into it. He chewed as he put it down. He swallowed, nodding in approval.

Jesse, Nadine, Zhane, and Karone wiped tears from their eyes as they tried to contain their laughter. Andros had been telling them about his first visit to the Angel Grove Aquarium with TJ, Cassie, Ashley, and Carlos. Ashley picked up her iced tea to sip it. She put it down, smacking her lips. She cupped her chin in her hand.

"Ashley and I didn't see Sonya and Sophia come up behind us until they splashed us with their tails. We turned around to look at them. They turned upside down and opened their mouths as if they were laughing," Andros said with a chuckle.

"I wish I could've seen that, buddy. I would've laughed my head off," Zhane replied.

"I would've too," Karone agreed and grabbed her strawberry smoothie to sip it. She laid it down. "You never know what mischief orcas are up to, whether they are wild or captive." She tried to hold back a laugh, but she couldn't help herself.

"You're right, Karone. Willy has always been the master of mischief," Jesse commented. He picked up his hot chocolate, taking a long sip. He put both of his hands on his mug after putting it down. "One minute, I'm petting him. The next minute, he disappears and surprises me from behind by spitting water on me."

"Willy's favorite game is fetch," Nadine squeaked in delight.

"That's exactly what he, his mate, and his kids did with us at the Rubbing Rocks yesterday," Jesse said warmly as he motioned toward Andros, Ashley, Zhane, and Karone.

"All I can say is I am glad I know what a dolphin is now. I see it as one of the most intelligent creatures in the universe," Andros said, laying his arm on the table.

"I have to say that dolphins are more intelligent than some people we know," Ashley muttered.

"Like Veronica," Andros said with a roll of his eyes.

"She calls dolphins stupid fish and gets irritated when we tell her they are mammals like us," Karone commented.

"She just doesn't get it," Zhane said, tapping his fingers on the table.

"If you ask me, she needs a good punch to the face," Ashley growled fiercely and balled her hand into a fist. She punched at the air.

"I'd like to help you with that," Karone suggested and looked toward her best friend eagerly.

"Be my guest, Karone," Ashley answered, winking at her twice. "Be my guest."

Karone gave Ashley a thumbs-up. She laid her hand on the table and proceeded to tap it with her fingers.

"If there's one thing I know, it's that Veronica would never be able to appreciate the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, especially its wildlife," Andros said honestly.

"You're damn right about that, buddy," Zhane agreed. "If you can't appreciate wildlife up close, then how can you appreciate it in their natural habitat?"

"I can tell you four have come to appreciate this area's beauty, especially Andros, Zhane, and Karone," Jesse said in a warm voice.

"I have to say my sister, my best friend, and I are the luckiest people in the universe right now. Not once did any of us think we'd ever visit one of the most beautiful places on Earth in a million years. After three days of staying here, it has already become my most favorite place in the universe," Andros whispered, happiness radiating from his face.

"Mine too," Ashley commented.

Karone giggled. "The same goes for me."

Zhane raised his hand. "Hey, don't forget me."

Jesse and Nadine couldn't keep themselves from smiling. They felt so fortunate to have met this group of former Rangers and their children. They had never seen such caring and compassionate people. Of course, there were times they thought it was a dream and would wake up any second to find their friends weren't here. She felt the baby kick, her smile growing wider. She looked at him.

"Jesse, feel this," Nadine said and took his hand to lay it on her stomach. His jaw dropped when he felt the baby kick against it. She laughed in much joy.

"That's the biggest dropkick yet!" Jesse exclaimed.

"I know," Nadine said with an excited squeal. "In just three weeks, we'll have our baby with us."

"Oh, yeah," Jesse agreed and kissed her forehead. He pinched her cheek, speaking baby talk. She swatted his hand aside, which made him chuckle. "What, don't you like my baby talk?"

"I was thinking it'd be better to save that for the baby," Nadine suggested.

Jesse shrugged. "Okay. At least the baby will be able to understand me once it starts speaking baby talk."

Nadine gave him a serious look. "Hey, don't forget me."

"Have you two set up a nursery for your baby yet?" Karone wondered, propping her head up with her elbow. Jesse and Nadine turned to her and the others.

"Yes, we have, Karone. The wall is covered in wallpaper that has humpback whales, orcas, and bottlenose dolphins. The crib mobile even has bottlenose dolphins hanging from it," Nadine explained as she removed her hand from her boyfriend's.

"Cool," Ashley said with a small laugh. She sipped more of her tea before smacking her lips. "By the way, you know that a first-time mother often gives birth after her due date."

"That's what Nadine's obstetrician told us," Jesse said, running his hand over his girlfriend's stomach so lightly that it seemed he wasn't even touching it. He gave three gentle pats. "It might happen. It might not. Who knows?" He chuckled at the baby kicking again. "What's important is the baby is born healthy and strong."

"Of course," Zhane said while nodding slowly. "Before we forget, thanks for showing us other places in Friday Harbor. Who would've thought this place would have such a cool arcade?"

"Not to mention it was called Piper Video Arcade," Andros added and cleared his throat.

Ashley rolled her eyes. "Who cares what it was called? What's important is we had fun playing video games."

"Yeah. I beat Andros in Primal Rage three times," Zhane said, smirking smugly.

Andros narrowed his eyes at his best friend. "Don't get smug, Zhane. It'll bite you on the ass."

"Duly noted," Zhane replied. He and the others proceeded to talk about J-Pod as a man stood up from a table near the door and went inside.

00000

Kate drove her black Chevy truck down the street ten minutes later. She looked around its interior. Its exterior was somewhat faded. It had a small scratch in the passenger's door under the hand. Dirt could be seen along the bottom of it on both sides. Bird poop was in the lower right hand corner of the windshield. She spotted the Chester Café on her right and pulled into the parking lot. She parked in front of the entrance and switched off the engine. She looked at the basketball air refresher that hung from the rearview mirror.

She ran her hands through her hair. She had decided to stay on San Juan Island permanently not long after the oil spill. She moved in with Randolph and began working at the San Juan Island Marine Rescue Center. She occasionally went with him during his outings to study orcas. Her lawyer grandfather, Kirk, died on October 5, 1995 of a stroke and willed his cabin to her. She moved in a month later.

Kate grabbed her purse from the passenger seat. She exited her truck and entered the café. She approached the cash register and reached into her purse to pull out her wallet. She dug the toe of her white tennis shoe into the floor while mumbling inaudible words. Just then, a cashier approached her with a smile on his face.

"How may I help you, ma'am?" he asked.

"I'd like coffee with sugar, please," she answered.

The cashier nodded at her. "Sure."

The cashier walked to the coffeemaker behind him and grabbed a mug from beside it. He got the kettle and poured coffee into the mug until it was nearly full. He returned it to the coffeemaker. He got the sugar canister and a spoon. He poured the sugar in, stopping after he felt there was enough in it. He stirred it up before tossing the spoon into the sink next to the coffeemaker. He picked up the mug and went back to the Kate, setting it in front of her. He typed in the price.

"That will be one dollar and twenty cents," the cashier announced cheerfully.

"Okay," Kate answered and opened her wallet to get two dollars. She gave them to him. He typed in the amount and got her change.

"Eighty cents is your change," the cashier said, giving it to her. "Thank you. Enjoy your coffee."

"I know I will," Kate said warmly and put it in her wallet before closing it. She slipped it inside her purse and grabbed her mug. "You guys make great coffee."

Kate headed outside as the cashier walked off. She hummed a sweet tune. She stopped in her tracks when she spotted Jesse and Nadine talking with the former Rangers. She approached them.

"Jesse, Nadine?" Kate asked in surprise. Jesse and Nadine looked at her, their jaws dropping to the ground.

"Kate, it's so good to see you!" Jesse exclaimed as he and Nadine stood up. They gave the veterinarian a big hug. They pulled back to look at her. "What are you doing here?"

"It's my day off. I thought I'd come into town on this nice afternoon," Kate explained happily. "How's the baby?"

Nadine commented, rubbing her stomach with both hands. "It's doing great. It's been rather active today." She patted it lightly.

"You better be careful with the smelly diapers. They could stink up the whole forest behind your cabin," Kate joked.

"Don't worry. We will," Jesse answered. He, Nadine, and Kate looked toward Andros, Ashley, Zhane, and Karone. "Kate, Nadine and I would like you to meet our new friends."

"Kate, this is Andros Parker, Ashley Hammond, Zhane Hardy, and Karone Parker. They are the former Power Rangers who came here with several others and their children. Guys, this is Kate Haley," Nadine introduced, motioning to everyone.

"Hi," the quartet said with big smiles on her face.

Kate felt her eyes go wide with surprise. "I can't believe it. What are you former Rangers doing on San Juan Island?"

"We came here for a ten-day camping trip. We've been here since Sunday," Andros explained.

"Would you like to sit with us?" Karone asked.

"Sure," Kate said with eagerness. "Just let me get a chair from another table."

Jesse and Nadine returned to their seats to sit down. Kate grabbed one from a nearby table and pulled it up between Karone and Jesse. She set her coffee on the table and sat down. She picked it up to sip it. She laid it back down.

"So, how are you four enjoying your camping trip so far?" Kate wondered.

"We're enjoying it immensely. We came here with Tommy Oliver, Kimberly Hart, Jason Lee Scott, Trini Kwan, Billy Cranston, and Katherine Hillard. Tommy and Kim have a daughter named Heather, Jason and Trini a son named Benny, and Billy and Kat a daughter named Olivia. Kim, Kat, and Trini happened to run into Jesse and Nadine while shopping for groceries with the children. Anita Fowler happened to be ranting at them over sinning," Andros explained.

"I've encountered Anita a few times. She is one crazy bitch," Kate muttered, looking very disgusted.

Karone scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Yeah. Anyway, Kim, Kat, and Trini told us all about the meeting. We met Jesse, Nadine, Randolph, and Rae the next day. They told us all about Willy, his pod, and you. Jesse introduced Andros Ashley, Zhane, and me to Willy, Nikki, Max, and Isabella at the Rubbing Rocks yesterday. We got to swim with them. We and the rest of the group also learned about Nastelane's story."

"Randolph took Tommy, Kim, Heather, Jason, Trini, Billy, Kat, and Olivia out on the water to meet Willy this morning. The rest of us have been exploring Friday Harbor. Earlier today, we met that Fowler woman at the Waterside Café not long after Jesse and Nadine encountered us during our coffee break," Zhane said, appearing as if he were about to vomit.

"It sucks you had an unfortunate encounter with Anita," Kate whispered sympathetically.

Ashley nodded in a slower manner. "Yes, but karma bit her on the ass when she tripped over a man's foot and spilled her coffee everywhere." She let out a loud snicker.

"Good. She deserved it," Kate said with much pride. "If you ask me, she should be kicked off the island. It doesn't need toxic people like her. Neither does the universe."

"Isn't that the truth?" Zhane said, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Thanks for not saying ain't, Zhane," Karone whispered in relief. "It's annoying hearing it all the time." She cringed somewhat.

"Anything for you," Zhane answered and put his arm around her shoulder. He pressed a kiss to her temple. "Yes, ma'am."

Zhane kissed Karone's temple again before rubbing it very gently. He looked toward Kate, his eyes full of curiosity.

"So, how long have you been a veterinarian, Kate?" Zhane wondered.

"Over twenty years, Zhane," Kate answered, picking up her coffee to take a long sip. She put it down, smacking her lips. "It's a difficult but rewarding job. Sometimes, the dolphins I help aren't actually sick, but they had stranded themselves due to being too cocky for their own good."

"Littlespot got himself into such a situation once," Jesse said, pressing his lips together.

"Really?" Karone asked in surprise.

"Yes. It happened back in 2000. My family and I came here for a six-day camping trip. Littlespot liked to beach himself for fun. He was always careful to not go too far up the beach. Unfortunately, he got cocky. Elvis and I went to the Rubbing Rocks in hopes of seeing J-Pod there on the second day. We found Littlespot stranded on the beach. Willy was nearby. Littlespot didn't appear to be sick. Nor did he have any injuries. He was rather energetic. Elvis stayed with him while I went to alert Mom and Dad and have him call Randolph and Kate. Kate took a blood sample from his fluke just in case. All six of us managed to get him back into the water. He swam to his brother. They stuck around for two days before leaving. The blood test revealed Littlespot was completely healthy. Randolph and Kate concluded he was beaching himself for fun as he always did and got too far up the beach. He learned his lesson. He never did that again," Jesse explained.

Andros, Ashley, Zhane, and Karone looked at each other. They thought it was interesting that Littlespot had enjoyed beaching himself on purpose. They felt bad he had gotten stuck, but they were glad it had no lasting ill effects on him. They turned back to their friends.

"Animals are like humans in so many ways. They get into all sorts of mischief. They are affectionate with others. They get jealous of others who are the center of attention and try to get some themselves. They bully others to come out on top. It's endless," Andros said, laughing quietly.

"You're quite the animal yourself," Ashley said and ruffled his hair.

Andros looked at her, as did she with him. "So are you. In fact, you're the bigger animal in this relationship."

"No," Ashley said, shaking her head rapidly.

"Yes," Andros said, nodding just as fast. They shared a kiss and rubbed noses. They looked toward Kate when she laughed. "What?"

Kate placed both of her hands on her mug "I just can't get enough of watching young people in love being so affectionate. It's so sweet. In fact, I might get a couple of cavities."

"Then a trip to the dentist is in store for you in the future," Karone quipped, stifling a snicker. She started telling about the time Darlene and Maximus kept spitting water on her and Trini during a training session.