Author's note; Nearly there! Add, just for you, I changed a few lines here to clarify something. See what you think of the new version. And, guys, you can review even if you don't want to help with my titles. I don't mind. You just won't get the next book, 'cos I really suck at titles. No, I'm joking. I'll think of something. Review please!

Author's note #2: I'm a bad, bad writer and must update more regularily.

Unexpected Ally Chapter 9: Acceptance

Tara stood some distance back from the Animarian memorial. Merrick and Shayla were standing directly in front of it; she didn't know if they knew she was there, but she wasn't going to disturb them either way.

After a long time Shayla sighed and stepped back. Merrick half turned, as though to walk with her, but she shook her head and said something Tara chose not to hear. Merrick nodded after a moment, turning back to study the memorial, and Shayla walked away, nodding to Tara but not speaking.

Tara returned the nod and moved slowly up to stand behind Merrick. He ignored her for a long time, still studying the stone, and she finally broke the silence.

"I wasn't sure I should come."

"It's a free country, I am told." Merrick responded distantly.

"That's not what I meant. I never fought with these people, but I did respect them, very much. But I wasn't sure…"

Merrick turned slightly, and she moved up to stand beside him.

"You weren't sure if I would tolerate your presence." he said frankly. She nodded, studying the monument with interest.

"You've made no secret of the fact that you don't like me, Merrick. And especially, that you consider me a traitor to Animaria." Merrick shook his head.

"I told you I didn't, not any more. And…" he hesitated. "I don't dislike you."

"Good enough, I suppose." She smiled at him. "Come to the Animarium."

"No."

She cocked her head, studying him. "You say that so quickly, Merrick. What's wrong with the Animarium?"

"Don't push it." he warned her.

"You don't scare me, Merrick. What's wrong with it?"

"Nothing is wrong with it. I simply prefer to be here."

"Here here or here on Earth here?"

"Both. Either." He looked at her for a moment. "You're not going to drop this, are you?"

"Nope. Not even a little bit."

"Animaria fell. The Animarium is a very pale reflection of what it once was. It…" He shook his head. "The Princess and I have had this conversation. It is difficult for me to be there."

"Because you have bad memories of it?"

"Because I have only memories of it. Being there, with the Princess…sometimes I forget that Animaria is gone. And then I remember, and it hurts all over again."

"Remember, Merrick, that you slept for longer than Princess Shayla, really. Zen-Aku held you for a very long time…you've had only this year, to get used to the fact that your homeland is gone. Princess Shayla has had longer." She smiled. "Animaria knew this truth, Merrick…time heals all. Even this."

"Time won't bring back what I've lost."

"No. But time will help you rebuild. Already you have friends…remember, they fought Zen-Aku for you twice. Once when you wore the mask; once after. You have a home, two if you want them." She gestured to the memorial. "Your friends would not want you to grieve forever, Merrick. Come to the Animarium."

"Not today, Tara. Another day, perhaps." Tara studied him for a minute; then she smiled.

"I'll hold you to that, Merrick."

"Tara." He called after her as she moved away. She turned back to look at him, one eyebrow raised enquiringly. "Why do you say everyone's name so much?"

"There's a very old belief, Merrick…that faith lends substance. Repeating your name reaffirms for me that you are you and not him."

Merrick's eyes darkened slightly at that. "Shouldn't need reaffirming."

"It doesn't." Tara said with a shrug. "Not for me, anyway."

"That doesn't make sense."

She started walking backwards as she answered. "You're not an Elf. It makes sense to me." With a wave she vanished into the tree line, and Merrick turned back to the memorial, shaking his head.

Cole was waiting in the tree line.

"Hey, Cole."

"Hey." He looked at her uncertainly. "You called me."

"I did." She studied him. "I didn't think you'd mind; it's sort of fallout from when I talked to you earlier, remember? During the earthquake? If I'm careful about it I can talk to you."

"I thought…" He held out his morpher uncertainly.

"That's where the being careful comes in. Don't worry, Cole. What I'm doing won't affect anything." He nodded slowly, turning and heading deeper into the trees. She followed him without saying anything.

"Can I talk to you that way?" he asked as they reached the Animarium.

"If you want. I'll teach you, later. It's not hard."

"What's not hard?" Alyssa asked, smiling at them.

"Nothing important." Tara said quickly, glancing at Cole before moving further into the clearing.

"Hey." Taylor glanced at her watch. "I was gonna leave to come get you soon."

"Yeah…I was finished, and Cole was there." Tara said with a faint shrug. "Thanks, though."

"Sure. Hungry?" Taylor asked.

"Mm. Starving." Laughing, the girls wandered towards the table in the middle of the courtyard.

The afternoon faded into evening without anyone really noticing. Tara stepped off the Animarium briefly to ring her work and beg forgiveness for not turning up for the last three days; she told them she'd been in Silver Hills, injured in the earthquake, and had just been released. With a lot of grumbling, they agreed she could have another two days.

"Sorted?" Alyssa asked. She'd taken Tara off the Animarium.

"Yup, all done."

"Why do you work anyway?" Alyssa asked idly as they returned to the party.

"Because you have to nowadays, Alyssa. If I stayed at home and did nothing people would notice." She stepped over Danny, who was stretched out next to the fire. "Besides, I like getting out…but the job I have is the only one I could get where they don't much mind if I start staring off into space every so often. As long as I get my work done no one cares what I do." Alyssa nodded; they'd all seen her stop talking to stare away often enough to know what she meant. Then Cole was there, offering drinks, and they were absorbed back into the group.

A little later Cole came back and reminded her of a promise she'd made earlier.

"Show me how to talk to you."

"It's really really simple, Cole. What you do is put your hand flat on the ground…earth is best, but rocks will work either. Then you think of what you want to say. It takes concentration, so short messages are best. Then you sort of imagine it going through your hand into the earth. And if you're doing it right I'll pick it up."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that. It takes practice; it's not something you get straight away…well, you might. But not everyone can do it; I think only Merrick, out of the Rangers." Cole nodded thoughtfully, looking away. Tara jumped and glared at him.

"Don't yell, Cole. I can hear pretty well."

"Even up here?"

"It's harder here, yes, but I can still hear you." Cole nodded.

"And you can pick this up no matter where you are?"

"No, not anywhere. But most places. You'll usually be able to get me." He nodded again.

"And will you show the others?"

"I will if you want, Cole, but it probably won't work."

"But why me and Merrick above them? We all talk to our Wildzords the same way."

"That's a good point." She nibbled on one nail for a moment. "All right. I'll show them. But…" she caught his arm. "Not right now, Cole. They're tired, and we're here. I'd rather show them on Earth."

"OK." He rose to his feet, backed up a few steps. "But you promise, right?"

"I promise."