Author's note: Hey guys!

My beta says this story has no real action in it, and I'm forced to agree. I'm pretty much just filling in the gaps in Tara and Merrick's relationship.

True_Blue: Yes, the Heart is the Org Heart. The Kite and Tara Aftermath takes place just before Kite turns up again in End of the Rangers.

Incidentally, next time you're watching that episode, watch Merrick just after Kite dies. There's reaction shots of the Rangers, then there's a long shot. Merrick's arms are the other way around…which, OK, maybe they just flipped the screen…but also, he's wearing his morpher.

Andrea: You reviewed! I love it when you review! Just so you know, as the Chronicles go on, the Rangers are gonna get more and more out of character, just 'cos they're growing up and getting older and stuff.

Dominic: Hi ho! No Cole-and-Alyssa in this one, I'm afraid, but I'm a 'shipper, so stay with me.

2: Many Meetings

Thariin felt almost dizzy at the speed things were happening. She wasn't sure what she'd been looking for, when she came here; proof that all people weren't like…she couldn't bring herself to even think his name.

The woman-Reeva-was leading her through the streets, not stopping to talk to any of the people who called her name. Thariin frowned slightly, studying her guide. Reeva wasn't old, really; early thirties, maybe, with thick dark hair. Her face was stern but her eyes had been kind, and that more than anything had prompted Tharrin to follow her.

In her daze Thariin almost walked straight past the gate, until Reeva caught her arm.

"Lrona? Are you home?" Reeva left her basket on the table, gesturing Thariin in, and turned towards the bedrooms. "Lrona?"

"I'm home!" Lrona, a girl of about seven years old, came in from the back yard. "How was…oh…" She stopped dead on seeing Thariin.

Thariin studied her quietly; Lrona had blond hair, not unlike Thariin's own. Her eyes were very dark, though.

"Lrona, met Thariin. She's staying tonight. Thariin, my daughter Lrona."

"Lrona." Thariin bowed her head. "It's nice to meet you."

"Uh…" Lrona sidled in behind her mother.

"Lrona!" Reeva grumbled. "Come out here and help me."

"I'll help, Reeva." Thariin offered.

"No, Lrona will. Lrona, at least get our guest some water and let her clean up. Thariin, you can use Lrona's bedroom if you want to change your clothes."

"Thank you…I think I will. I've been traveling for some time." Reeva gestured to one of the doors and Thariin went in, already pulling clean—well, cleaner—clothes from her bag. After a few minutes there was a knock on the door; Lrona came in, carrying a deep dish full of water.

Clean, tidy and feeling much better, Thariin came back into the main room, busy braiding her hair. She'd worked out a style a long time ago that covered her ears neatly. She could have simply thrown a glamour over them, but she didn't feel up to it tonight. Glamours weren't tiring as a rule, but they required a degree of concentration to keep them going.

As she finished the braid she caught the end of Reeva's sentence.

"…where's your father? Thariin, you look much better."

"Thank you…I feel better." Reeva nodded and turned back to her daughter.

"Papa's working." Lrona mumbled. "He got some new crystals he needs to cut."

"When will he be home?" Reeva continued.

"Late."

"All right. Thariin, can you carry some food to him for me?"

"I don't know where he is." Thariin said softly.

"Lrona will show you."

"Mama, I…"

"Not on your own, Lrona." It was obviously an old argument; Reeva didn't look up as she spoke. "Besides, Thariin will need to know her way around. It works out for both of you. Here, Lrona." She held out her basket, emptied and re-packed. "Come on." The girl finally took the basket, and with a mumbled, "This way." left the house again.

"She doesn't like me." Thariin said. "I should go…"

"Nonsense. Lrona's just shy. She'll take to you no problem. Now, hurry up, or you'll lose track of her." Thariin nodded and left the house, following Lrona as closely as she could.

"Lrona?" she called. "Where are we going?"

"Workshop." Lrona said over her shoulder.

"Oh? What does your father do?"

"Papa is a jeweler. He made the Princess's necklace!"

"Really?" Thariin asked. "He must be good then."

"He is. He made…oops!" Lrona, still talking over her shoulder, crashed into someone, sending her basket flying.

"What's the rush?" the person asked, gripping Lrona's shoulders.

"Uncle Merrick!" Lrona cried, throwing her arms around his legs.

"Lrona? What are you doing out alone?"

"She's not alone." Thariin spoke up. Merrick spun, pushing Lrona behind him.

"Uncle Merrick, that's Thariin. Mama brought her home."

"Did she." Merrick said, studying Thariin. He relaxed slightly when she didn't move.

"I was coming to the city…Reeva found me outside. When she heard I had no place to stay…" Thariin trailed off.

"That sounds like Reeva." Merrick turned, swinging Lrona up into his arms. "Where were you going, Lrona?"

"To take food to Papa. He has to work late tonight." Lrona explained. Merrick looked around and found Thariin already picking up the basket.

"It's fine. Nothing fell out." She offered the basket for examination, but Merrick shook his head.

"Are you coming to dinner tonight, Uncle Merrick?" Lrona asked.

"I can't, Lrona; there's a party at the palace tonight."

"And the princess is going?" Lrona asked wistfully.

"Yes." He swung her down again. "Tell Reeva I'll come by the day after tomorrow, all right? And don't get Thariin lost!" The last was delivered over his shoulder as he strode off.

Thariin moved up behind Lrona. "Lrona? Who was that?"

Lrona turned and gave her a very superior look. "That was Uncle Merrick." Then she skipped off again.

Thariin, left behind again, rolled her eyes and followed. "Well, that explains everything then…"

"Papa!" Lrona skipped into a shop identical to the shops on either side. "Papa?"

"Lrona?" The man standing at the counter looked up in surprise. "Are you here alone?"

"No, Papa, Thariin came with me. Can I see?" She tugged at his arm, trying to see the crystals spread across the counter.

"No, Lrona, they're sharp. Who is Thariin?"

"I am." Thariin stepped forward, clutching her basket nervously. Reeva's husband was a heavyset man in his middle thirties; he was blond but his eyes were green. "Your…Reeva met me outside town. I have no place to stay, and she…"

"That's enough." he interrupted her. She stopped, standing nervously as he inspected her. "How old are you, Thariin?"

"How old? I…" She shrugged. "I didn't keep track, where I was before."

"And why did you leave?"

"I…had nothing to stay for." She refused to meet his eyes.

He studied her for another long minute. "Reeva has good instincts." he said abruptly. "Shares it with her brother."

"We saw Uncle Merrick." Lrona announced. "Papa, that one's pretty."

"They're all pretty, love, that's why I chose them. Here." He picked up some scraps of wire and, working quickly, twisted them into a brooch around the crystal Lrona had pointed to. "Here. Go home before you hurt yourself." He pinned the brooch to her tunic. "Thariin?"

"Hmm?"

"Would you like one?"

"Oh…they're very pretty, but no. Thank you."

"Sure?"

"I haven't earned it." He studied her for another minute.

"Well, another time. Lrona, take Thariin through the market on the way home."

"The market is closed, Papa."

"So she knows where it is, pet. That's usually the first thing Reeva does in the morning, Thariin, so you should know where you're going."

"I want to help." Thariin said softly.

"Good. Go on, now, Lrona, and tell your mother I'll be another hour or two."

"Yes, Papa." Lrona said obediently. Thariin held out the basket and he took it with a nod of thanks.