Dayu had remained silent throughout the journey back. Not even the occasional, reassuring nudge from Lauren could improve her sour mood. The yellow ranger leapt out as soon as its doors had opened. She briefly caught a glimpse of the concerned looks on her team mate's faces but she ignored them. Walking alone through the corridors of the Shiba Mansion.

Pushing open the dull grey double doors Dayu was relieved to see Ji had insalled a vending machine, pouring herself the strongest, blackest coffee the machine could manage. The beverages from this contraption usually tasted like warmed up mud but it was better than nothing.

The Yellow ranger took a seat in the middle of the room, wrapping her cold hands around the warm coffee cup. Her thoughts were too concerned with her past as a Nylok.

Time passed quickly for Dayu's and her coffee remained untouched. She barely even registered Lauren's arrival, "SPD's wanting to talk to us" the red ranger said softly. She had changed and her hair was still damp from the shower. Dayu's legs were reluctant to comply with her request to move and it wasn't until Lauren gently grasped her hand that her focus finally returned to the present. The touch of the red ranger's hand filled her with warmth and the reassuring smile drew her gently out of her funk.

Dayu stood up, the chair scraping on the floor. To her surprise Lauren didn't realise the grip on her hand and the pair walked hand in hand towards the dojo area. The red ranger kept a firm grip on Dayu's hand, tracing her thumb over the back of the yellow ranger's palm. Without thinking Dayu rested her head on Lauren's shoulder and to her joy the red ranger didn't shrug her off. If anything she could feel Lauren relax into the touch.

The pair could've stayed like that forever but their arrival at the room. They instantly separated, straightening out their clothes in the process, "You'll be fine", Lauren attempted to reassure her. The two rangers entered the room where Kong, Salem, Daniel, Kat and Command Tate were waiting. " Good job Rangers", Tate announced, "the Gangler's have been successfully neutralised and their network will struggle to recover from this SPD owes you a thanks".

"I would also like to extend my thanks on behalf of Supreme Command", Kat added, "Supreme Commander in particular was extremely happy with the outcome of the mission". Her gaze shifted to Lauren, "He was particularly impressed with your command decisions Ms Shiba" Lauren's eyes widen at the praise from the Spd lab technician.

"If I might interject", A voice spoke up, Dayu was surprised that someone else was in the room, "from what I understand for former Nylok contributed significantly to the success of this assignment.". Tate grunted under his breath, reluctantly conceding the Figure's point, "Your orders still apply, in fact now we know there is a confirmed connection between the Gangler and Matthews family, her presence is even more important".

"Is it true what he said?" Salem asked, "does the world truly hate Dayu for being a Nylok?"

Tate and the figure looked at each other, "Yes and no", the Commander replied, "we've been tracking suspicious activity". Dayu's shoulders slumped in defeat, "Having said that, your performance warranted you deserve to be a ranger in my opinon".

Dayu was slightly surprised by the Commander's statement, why would SPD be defending her? "We do suspect that people may attempt something themselves". The figure paused for a moment to allow that information to sink, "That's why im here today im the Doctor by the way."

Now Dayu was genuinely intrigued and angry, knowing that someone could hurt her friedns really made her blood boil, "What do I need to do?" she asked through gritted teeth. It took Dayu a couple of moments to put the pieces together from he look on Tate's face, "This was all a test wasn't it", Dayu grumbled, "one of those Doggie Cruger's infamous 'let's give some ridiculous order and see how they react' jobs". Now it all made sense to Dayu, it had been one big test to see where Dayu loyalties lay. The combative attitude aimed in her direction from Lauren had also solidified the team around Dayu. She had admire the willingness of Lauren to do whatever it took for the team to accept her, even if she was unhappy with the way he went about it.

"Would I do such a thing?" Tate asked with a tone of innocence, "but yes it was"

"Thank you Sir", Dayu felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

"You can count on SPD having your back".

Dayu nodded and gave the Commander a firm salute, exiting the room before he could change his mind, "Hey Dayu wait up", she heard The Doctor call out. The Timelord jogged down the corridor after her, "This might give you a few leads", he handed over a data stick to the yellow ranger. "I'm hearing some good stuff about you".

"Yeah probably not after it was found out i was a Nylok", Dayu snorted.

The doctor gave her a half smile in return, "Try not to be too hard on yourself" he patted the yellow ranger on the shoulder, "I'm sure you know the story of Karone?" Dayu nodded, what ranger didn't know the story and history of the famous Pink Galaxy Ranger. "Don't let this eat away at you", he continued, "despite the claims remember Hexagon", his voice trailed off.

Dayu took on the wisdom of the Legendary Timelord, maybe there was still a chance for her, "You've got a good people around you", The doctor smiled, "especially that girlfriend of yours, she's a really cutie".

"You mean Lauren?" Dayu stumbled over her words, "no, no she's not my girlfriend", she said defensively.

The doctor simply smirked in response, "Give it time", he extended his hand to the yellow ranger, "good to meet you Dayu, I'm sure we'll be see much more of each other in the future". Dayu nodded, returning the shake enthusiastically. As she approached The rangers Dayu thought about What the doctor had said, she liked Lauren but did the red ranger feel the same way? The optimistic smile on Lauren's face as Dayu approached gave some clue.

"Still here?" Salem said in a dry tone, "and I see youve met the Doctor".

"You'd missed me and you know it", Dayu smirked, "but yes I did ", she added.

"Well it's better than nothing", Lauren smiled and threw her arm around her new team mate, "now it did come to our attention that you haven't been fully initiated".

"An initiation ceremony, can't be as bad as the Nylok one", Dayu shrugged.

"Lauren is going to feed you Mia's cooking-", Daniel began.

"I hear its stir fry", the blue ranger added.

"Yes", Salem snapped, "Lauren will feed you warm Mia's cooking whilst Kevin talks you through the finer points of co-ordinating your techniques".

Dayu blinked for a couple of seconds with a blank expression, "I stand corrected, that sounds horrific". A look of horror flashed over the yellow ranger's face.

"Alright lead the way" Dayu said and the rangers led her away towards their quarters and a broad smile flashed over Dayu's face. For the first time in years she had finally found a place to call home and a family.