Hi! The time has come to end this fic of mine. I'm pretty sure it's the first work I've published on this site and as sad as I am to see it go it had to end. I finally found the inspiration to end this story and although it's not the original ending I had in mind I love how it ended. For everyone who has stuck this thing through thank you. I didn't expect people to read this let alone like it.

So again, thank you and I hope you enjoy reading the final chapter of It's Been Awhile, I know I enjoyed writing it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers. I claim the plot and the original character.

It was insane to think that they haven't stepped into the halls of Reefside High School in over a year.

Conner looked around for one particular face but he was sure that he wouldn't be seeing her today. Bay was thousands of miles away at Columbia working towards her law degree.

Seeing Ethan was good. It managed to distract Conner from thoughts of Bay.

"Hey do you think Kira is coming?" the former blue ranger asked his former team leader.

"I doubt it I heard she moved to New York to try and get a recording contract."

"Trying being the keyword," Kira smiled as she approached the pair and hugged them.

"So, when can we hear your next big single?"

"I'm already on the radio. Singing a cat litter jingle."

"Wait Conner where's Bay?" Ethan asked the former red ranger.

"We are on a break. She said that she wanted to focus more on her getting into law school," Conner shrugged.

"You ready to go in there?" Kira asked the pair.

"Let's do it."

Before the rangers could even take a step, they were transported to an unknown lab with some bat creature. They had managed to escape and run to a dining area they only had peace for a minute before they were attacked by robots.

Bay wasn't going to honestly show up to this stupid reunion. She had only been at the school for a few months. She had only been back in Reefside for summer break and to visit her parents who had gotten married over the school year and were expecting another baby. The girl couldn't help but feel happy for her parents.

The reunited couple hadn't actually planned on having another kid. It had sort of happened and the two of them were excited to be parents again. Ideally this was the age where some of their friends were already having kids or have had kids younger than Bay.

Walking into the school she could see her old classmates walking around and greeting one another. The young woman's focus had been to find her father. Both he and her mother had told her that they were both going to be at the reunion when her plane had landed back into town.

In all honesty she had only agreed to come back to spend time with her parents before her new sibling came along. Her parents were excited and so was she. She had always wanted a younger sibling and now she was getting one.

"Bay!" her dad's voice called from somewhere behind her. He had managed to find her before she found him.

"Hi dad. Where's mom?" the young woman smiled as she hugged the man once they both were close enough.

"Right here," her mother's cool voice came from behind the two of them. "I'm slower these days."

Bay grinned as she hugged her mother and took in her appearance. Her mother was almost towards the end of her pregnancy and she looked like she was over the whole ordeal already. "Shouldn't you be home?"

"I'm mostly sitting. Your dad has already given me the speech," Kimberly rolled her eyes at her husband. "I am under strict orders to make sure I sit when I am tired and to have my feet up."

"If it was up to me we would have stayed home."

"And I told you that I cannot stay home all the time. I have to have some sort of social interactions."

"Guys. As much fun as this is. Have you seen anyone else?" Bay asked her parents. She had been hoping to avoid Conner since their break up a few months ago.

"I haven't seen Conner, Ethan or Kira yet," Tommy looked at his daughter. They knew of her break up and understood her reasons for it.

"Anyways. Grandma will be here in a few days. She's looking forward to seeing you."

"I have missed her," the girl smiled as she followed her parents to the table they were at. As volunteers they were in charge of making sure that everything ran smoothly.

"She'll be here for the rest of the summer. So, you'll probably spend a lot of time together."

Bay simply nodded as she looked around towards the crowd. She recognized various classmates. She still couldn't believe that her school was having a one-year reunion, maybe the drama with Mesagog had made everyone realize that they needed to spend time with the people you cared about. For Bay it just made her realize that her life was far from normal and that she was happy to be over a thousand miles away in another state.

Part of her did miss Conner but she needed to focus and her constant missing of him was making it hard for her to study. She knew that he was working on a soccer camp for kids that would give the underprivileged kids in the area a safe place to go after school.

Right now, their lives were in two different directions. It was the right choice for the both of them to break up.

Finding out that they had been transported years into the future had been a weird experience. They had just been in Reefside not even an hour ago and to find out that some alien wanted them really was just weird.

Even now knowing that the future was going to be filled with aliens and humans working side by side for the most part. What was worse was that they weren't going to be able to help the newer rangers help fight the monster.

Conner understood that anything that could happen to them would be terrible but they had been Power Rangers and fought evil. It wasn't sitting well that they had to be sidelined. It was getting harder and harder to watch the others fighting while they stood back and did nothing.

Just as it seemed as though things were turning around, Gruumm had made his appearance. That was the final straw.

"That's it I say it's time to get prehistoric on Gruumm and his goons," the former red ranger said as he turned to walk away.

"Cruger ordered us to stay here," Kira grabbed his arm stopping the exit that he was going to make.

"I don't care what happens in the past or in the future the others need us now," Conner looked at both of his teammates. He knew as much as they wanted to obey an authority figure, that they were still Power Rangers at heart and needed to do something to help.

"He's right," the small brunette agreed with her friend. Ethan had agreed as well and the trio started to turn and head out of the command center.

"If you're going to go out there at least go prepared. Give me your gems," Kat said as she stopped the trio from leaving and started to gather their Dino Gems and started to work her magic.

The battle was over and Gruumm was off licking his wounds at least for a while. The older team had spent the last few minutes trying to convince the newer team that they could be useful in their current fight against Gruumm.

The laughter had just gone down from Syd calling him an older guy and turning him down.

"Conner you have to go back. You and your wife Elizabeth start the Conner McKnight soccer camps," Skye told the soccer star.

"Dude I think he's talking about Bay," Ethan looked at his former team leader.

"Bay and I aren't even together. She dumped me."

"Elizabeth Hart-McKnight. One of the top lawyers in history. Married to soccer legend Conner McKnight with 3 kids," Kat read off of the computer screen in front of her. "Happily married. Your future can always change Conner even if it doesn't look that way."

"And Ethan you designed some of the software that we still used today," Bridge told the former blue ranger.

"You mean I'm a genius. Sweet."

"Your lives as rangers have made a difference. But you all go on to lead exciting and significant lives after you hang up your helmets," Commander Cruger told the rangers.

The trio had a small moment to revel in the fact that their lives were heading in the direction that they wanted them to head. "I think we're ready to go back Commander."

"Your courage and dedication will live on in ranger legend. Thank you all."

"Goodbye Dino Rangers, your memories of us will be erased," Kat smiled as she started to press the necessary buttons that would allow the former rangers to go back to their time. "We won't forget you."

They were looking at the crowd gathered for the reunion and stood in silence for a split second.

"Do you think Dr. Oliver is in there?" Kira asked her friends, since her move to New York she had been missing her team as well as her family.

"Let's go see," Conner smiled and started to head down the stairs. The crowd had started to thin out the further they got into the school.

"Dr. O!" Kira yelled as she found the man standing near a table.

The man turned around as he heard his name being called and smiled at his former students and team mates. It was good seeing them even if it had only been a year.

"Hey guys," Tommy continued to smile as he hugged the three young adults. "It's been a long time."

"It has," Ethan smiled as looked over at his former teacher, his hair was still short but had looked like it had grown a little. "I can't believe it's been a year since we've all been together."

"We're going to have to start having out own reunions," Kira joked as she looked around for Kimberly. "Where's Mrs. St. James?"

"It's Oliver now," Kimberly's voice came from behind the group. She had gone to use the restroom and to stretch for a bit. On her way back is when she had found the group of former rangers. "And you'll find out that reunions are fun once you can play drinking games. Makes reliving the stories a lot more fun."

"They've got years for that," Tommy said looking at his wife.

"Obviously," the brunette rolled her eyes. "How are you guys?"

"We're not as good as you guys are doing."

The group continued talking for a few minutes before Bay headed over to disrupt the reunion that was going on. The girl was tired and had basically came straight from the airport.

"Sorry to interrupt this little reunion but I'm going to head home," Bay looked at her parents. She hadn't been exactly ready to have a conversation with Conner just yet.

"I didn't think you'd be here," Kira remarked. Since she had moved to New York she and Bay had called a truce of sorts.

"Changed my mind. I flew in and came straight here so I'm exhausted," the girl smiled at her sort of friend.

"I could imagine. You head home, dad and I still have to be here for a few hours," Kimberly tentatively smiled at her daughter. She knew after flying across the country her daughter would be tired.

"It was good seeing you guys," Bay offered up before she headed towards the exit. After making sure she was a few feet away she quickened her pace. Thankfully she had the idea to call for a taxi before telling her parents about her needed some rest. She could leave and minimize the chance of her having to make anymore small talk.

Unfortunately, her taxi was not waiting for her when she made her way outside. But it was ok with her, she could use the fresh air.

"Were you just going to leave without saying anything?" Conner's voice came from behind her. He had followed her pretty much after she had left, making the excuse that he needed to go to the bathroom.

"I don't know what you were expecting. Small talk where we talk about our lives right now?" The girl turned around to look at her former boyfriend. He was wearing a black leather jacket and a red shirt.

"I figured we could at least talk about what happened."

"Nothing happened. We broke up so we both could focus on our careers."

"You're really sticking with that excuse?"

"It's not an excuse if it's the truth. What do you want from me Conner?"

"I just," the boy paused and took a breath. "I just miss you. Even with you being in New York I loved hearing you talk about your day and how your classes were going."

"And you don't think I do?" The girl slightly raised her voice. "I missed you more than I missed my mom and dad Conner. I would think about you in class when I should have been paying attention and I can't afford to be distracted when my dream is on the line."

"So that's it? After everything we've been through you want to just forget about each other?" the young man looked at the woman in front of him. Part of him knew that his future involved Bay in. He just wasn't sure of how it would play out if she no longer had an interest in being in it herself.

"We just go about our lives and we can still be friends."

"I don't want to be just your friend. I love you Bay."

Looking at the young man, Bay knew she loved him. Bay just couldn't afford having her dreams interrupted. Being a lawyer and helping those who really need it. It made sense that saving people had been her dream, it had been embedded in her genes.

As much as she wanted to give into her desire for a life with Conner it just seemed to ill timed. Thankfully she wouldn't have to wait much longer as her taxi had pulled up.

"I've got to go. It was nice seeing you Conner."

Bay had been looking out of her bedroom window when she heard a knock on the door. Turning around she found her mother standing in the doorway.

"Hey mom," the girl acknowledged the older woman.

"I figured we could have a talk," Kimberly said as she walked over to the girls bed and sat down. "What happened with Conner?"

"It only took you three hours of you being home to ask me. I'm impressed," the younger woman laughed a bit before joining her on the bed. "I just found myself missing him too much to focus on studying."

"So you're not pregnant?"

"Nope! Not happening for a long time," Bay protested as she looked at her mother. Realistically Bay knew that her mother was just worried that she wouldn't become a teenage parent as she had once been. "I know how much you went through having me at such a young age."

Kimberly smiled softly. It wasn't easy being a single parent at eighteen, but Kim had made the choice and had lived with the bit of guilt whenever Bay would ask about her father. Kim had endured the judging looks from other mothers when Bay was dropped off at school and while it had gotten easier once she had married David it didn't help the guilt she had felt.

The older woman motioned for her daughter to join her on the bed as she laid down. Bay smiled as she curled up next to her mother, it was something she hadn't done in months. The girl started to close her eyes when her mother had started to stroke her hair and soon enough found herself fast asleep.

Bay woke up a few hours later to the sound of her cellphone ringing. She quickly looked over to see that her mother had left and probably went to sleep in her much larger bed. She picked up the device and noted that it was just about midnight and far too late for phone calls.

"Hello?" The girl answered with a bit of sleep still present in her voice.

"Can you come outside?" Connor's voice came from the other side of the line.

"Connor? It's midnight," the brunette girl complained.

"Please it won't take long."

Bay sighed before looking at the clock one more time. "You get ten minutes."

Grabbing a hoodie off of the floor and sliding her slippers onto her feet. Bay slowly opened her bedroom door and paused to check for any signs of her parents still being awake. After being sure that both her parents were still sleeping Bay made her way towards the front door and outside.

Connor had been leaning against his car when Bay finally made it outside the door. She can't help but to think how good he looks. It's obvious that he hadn't been to sleep just yet and had been running his hands through his hair. Bay wanted to reach up and fix it to the best of her ability.

"Thanks for agreeing to talk to me," Connor smiled softly as he stared at the girl.

"Well you don't have a lot of time," the girl crossed her arms and rocked slowly back and forth on her heels.

"Okay, so I get the reason why you broke up with me but I didn't really get a say in the decision, because if I had I would have told you that I have been missing you just as much and I've had to stop myself from spending all my savings on a plane ticket across the country," the boy started to walk towards the girl. "I want to be with you Bay, so much."

"Connor-"

"No, you've done a lot of talking. I love you Elizabeth Anastasia Hart and I know in my heart that we are meant to be together," Connor reached for Bay's hand.

Before Bay could say anything the porch lights had come on and the front door was opening to reveal her father.

"I don't know what is going on here but Bay your mom is in labor," Tommy informed the couple as he turned to grab what Bay assumed was her mother's hospital bag.

"I should probably go," the girl gestured to the house and started to back away. "I'll, um, talk to you later."

"Sure," the boy sighed as he headed towards his car. Once he was in he took one final look at the girl before driving off.

Bay took a deep breathe before heading back inside the house. She hadn't expected such a heartfelt confession from Connor on her first night home, let alone her mother going into labor a few days before her due date.

Hours later after a lot of pushing on her mother's end they were greeting her younger brother into the world.

"So does he have an actual name or do I get to call him Booger for the rest of his life," Bay asked as she looked down at the newborn in her mother's arms.

"His name is Peyton Alexander Oliver," Kimberly whispered as the boy in question started to yawn. "Do you want to hold him?"

Bay nodded before reaching for the newborn. "Welcome to the family Peyton. Don't become a Power Ranger and we can continue the pattern of not being legacy rangers."

"You're so grounded," Kimberly yawned herself, even though her labor this time around had been easier than the labor she had with Bay it still took so much out of her.

"I don't live at home anymore remember?"

"No arguments in front of the baby please," Tommy interjected the mother daughter pairing.

Bay laughed slightly before sitting down carefully in the arm chair with her baby brother. Her dad had moved to sitting on the bed next to her mother and the two of them were having a whispered conversation. "Unfortunately Peyton they will be this disgusting for your whole life."

A few days later and after the homecoming of her younger brother Bay had been sitting in her bedroom staring at her cellphone. Since the arrival of her younger brother and her grandmother she hadn't had the chance or will to call back Connor.

Ideally she knew that she had to address what happened outside her house the night that Peyton had been born. Truthfully she had no idea where to start, she knew deep in her heart that she still loved Connor but it was the longing and constant feeling of missing him that drove her to break up with him in the first place to hopefully ease that feeling, only it made it worse. While she was able to concentrate on studying for most of the day, the parts of the day were spent trying to not pick up the phone and call Connor and tell him about her day in class or in the city in general.

Sighing Bay finally picked up the device and scrolled through her contacts until she clicked on the one name that she was looking for. Pulling her legs close to her chest she patiently waited for the ringing to stop and the other person to answer the phone.

"Bay?" Connor's smooth virbrato came from the other end.

"Hey," Bay smiled relishing at the voice for a split second. "It's been awhile."

That's it! The end has come!

Thank you again for reading and enjoying.