Author's note: So here's the next Book. Since Aftermath, the finale happened almost as it did on the show; but Shayla didn't take away the morphers and jackets at the end, so they're effectively still Rangers.

Asking and Answering

Cole came around the side of Willie's, looking for Merrick. The Wolf Ranger was working on something, and didn't look up as Cole approached.

"Hey, Merrick."

"Cole. Something wrong?" Merrick didn't look away from what he was doing.

"No. Just figured I'd come by."

"Oh?" Merrick looked up at him briefly.

"Yeah. I, uh-was talking to Tara earlier."

"Oh." Merrick turned back to his work. "She's talking to you, then. She won't answer me."

"Maybe you're just getting her at bad times. Merrick, I…I was wondering about a few things, and I thought you could tell me."

"Like what?"

"Like how you two met. And why you were so angry with her."

"You know why."

"No, Merrick, there's got to be more to it. You said you didn't blame her-not even then. So what was it?" The Wolf Ranger shook his head faintly. Cole went on quickly, "And…who are Lrona and Reeva?"

That got Merrick's attention. "She told you those names?"

"Not…I overheard them. I think she was thinking about them, and I sort of…why?"

Merrick sighed, setting aside his work. "Reeva was my sister, and Lrona was her daughter." Taking a deep breath, he went on, "Some of this I didn't know then. I have put it all together only recently, from things she has said. So I can tell you only what I know or suspect." Cole nodded quietly. "I had been Princess Shayla's bodyguard for about a year and a half at the time. The war with the Orgs hadn't started yet. We didn't know it was coming…"]

Reeva rose to her feet, lifting her basket again. The break had been welcome under the mid day sun, but now she had to hurry to get home. Her husband and daughter would be home soon, looking for their evening meal.

Idly, she watched the figure ahead of her. Too far away to make out details, whoever it was was small. Reeva was slowly overtaking; the figure was moving slower and slower the closer they got to the city. As they got closer Reeva could see it was a girl, with long, fair hair. Finally, a few minutes from the outskirts, she stopped completely.

"Excuse me." Reeva said softly. The girl spun, startled, to look at her, and Reeva's words died in her throat.

She was just a child! If she was sixteen, that was the oldest she was. Her hair hung messily around her face, and she was streaked with dust and grime from the road. Her clothes were in desperate need of repair.

The girl was staring at her. Reeva hastily re-ordered her thoughts. "Are you all right?"

The girl frowned; her answer was halting. "I…am, thank you."

"You don't look well."

"Tired, perhaps. I've been traveling for a long time."

"Where have you come from?" People didn't often come to Animaria from outside.

"South. A long way south of here." The answer was a little too quick, and Reeva didn't totally believe it, but she didn't push it.

"Have you family here? Somewhere to stay?"

"No…" This answer was a lot more hesitant. "I was hoping I could find work here." Reeva nodded.

"Come with me for tonight. We'll see about something else tomorrow."

"I don't…I couldn't impose…" Reeva studied her for a moment.

"Can you cook? Clean?"

"Yes…"

"Then you can earn it. Come on, now." The girl nodded slowly.

"Thank you."

"I'm Reeva."

"Deirbh…" She coughed loudly. "Thariin." Reeva nodded, taking no notice of her slip.

"Thariin. This way, Thariin."