Forever Close

Author's Notes: Sorry this has taken so long, I've had rehearsals after rehearsals after performances after rehearsals after performances…You get the picture? Hopefully, the rest of this book won't take very long. I was extremely bored at our vacation house, so I mapped out the rest of this series and the following books. Go me.

Author's Notes 2: The format is going to be changed from its original two person work. To make this speed along, and as I don't know all the characters that well, (plus, it works) the rest will be done mostly in group format. Hope you like it.

Couples: Tommy/Kimberly, Jason/Trini, Billy/Adam, Aisha/Rocky, Zack/Kat, Tanya/TJ, mentions of Ashley/Andros and Phantom/Cassie, Zhane/Karone, Leo/Kendrix, Maya/Mike.

Time Frame: The day after 'Forever A Shame'.

Mucho gracias to all who've been dolls and reviewed.

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"Guys!" Karone shouted with joy, rushing out of the Astro Megaship once the door opened. It was a long run, and she silently curses her large boots…But some habits you just don't get rid of. Pushing the thought away, she ran into the group.

Hugs were shared, and the chatter rose to an almost deafening level for the next ten minutes. Somehow during these minutes, Zhane and Andros slipped out of the ship to join them. Laughter became a constant noise, and even someone who was utterly clueless could see that these young adults were close, each in different ways.

Karone slipped into attentive silence after awhile, watching and listening to her once teammates. There were definitely changes in the group. Leo had an arm around Kendrix. Maya was trying to coax Mike into tasting a suspicious looking plant. Kai and Damon were mutually complaining to her about having to leave behind their many waiting damsels, causing her to laugh. She'd heard of the changes on the comm, but it was her first chance to really see it.

Her friends were also noticing changes in her. Leo observed that she seemed less guilt-ridden. Kai noticed that she'd stopped wearing pink. Damon noticed that she was still the same Karone. Mike that she didn't have the tense, medative warrior muscles. Maya swore that there was a glow around her. Kendrix grinned as she watched her predecessor, knowing she was happy…Judging by the boyfriend and brother at her side, she should be.

They stood there for nearly an hour, conversing, finding out the new facts in everyone's lives. It was like a giddy first day of school, only, well, minus the school. After what seemed like only a second, Karone realized it was getting dark. "Well? What're we waiting for? Get your butts in that darn ship!"

"Still the same Karone, I see." Damon's quip evoked laughter for a moment, before they noticed the glare he was being given. When she felt like it, the woman could still put on a mean Astronema copy.

"Aw crap!" He yelled, tossing his bag at Kai before taking off at a run for the stairs. The blonde was in hot pursuit, and that was the last that the cautiously walking group saw – or heard – for the next few minutes. Finally…

"I GIVE! UNCLE! PAX! SOMEBODY HELP!!!"

Well, at least the trip was off to a good start.