Chapter 3.  The Paths

"Woe!"  The figure ducked as Dana swung at air before she realized just who it was. 

"Mike?"  The single word came out as no more than a squeak, the actions of her training falling away. 

"Yeah Mike, who did you think it was?"  Mike Corbett asked straightening up cautiously. 

"I, I don't know someone was watching me and..."

"Gees, they said you've changed, but have you slept at all lately?"  He asked looking her over. 

"Yes."  She said with a little laugh.  "I guess the day has just been kind of long."  Dana confessed. 

"Traveling across a galaxy can be a little tedious."  The vice president of Terra City nodded with a little smile. 

"So was there a reason your out here?" 

"Actually, I just got here and they said that you were off on a walk.  I thought since you really don't know this area it might be a good idea for someone to come along."  The ex-magna-defender smiled.

It was funny, she'd come out here to be alone and think but after what had just happened Dana was glad for the company. 

"Come on."  Mike said and together they walked a little ways back down the path, she realized that there had been no one there.   Deciding she'd just had too much excitement today, Dana let him open the gate. 

"Wow talk about being up close and personal with nature."  She mused and Mike smiled. 

"Maya grew up here. The original dwellings were destroyed in the days before we became rangers."  He explained as they came to a fork of paths beaten into the forest. 

"Which one?"  She asked him and he glanced at her.  He could see she was tired so he decided to let her choose where they went. He gestured to the fork. 

"Pick one."  Mike said magnanimously. 

"Me?"  She asked and he spotted a tiny spark light her eyes when she looked back at the cross roads. 

"This one."  She murmured and began walking down the center trail.

They walked through the trees and shrubs in silence Dana taking in the perfect serenity of the landscape and Mike wondering what had put the darkness in the Pink ranger's blue eyes.  He then remembered that Kendrix had mentioned a while back that there had been an accident or something. 

"So, how've you been?"  Dana asked the young man.

"Alright.  Karone is coming for the wedding; she and the other   Astro team are bringing their kids."  He said referring to the one time princess of evil, Astronema, and second pink galaxy ranger and her brother's friends.

"That's good."   She was genuinely glad; Kendrix and Leo had been through so much and deserved to finally have a little happiness.

"It would be a whole lot better if your smile was genuine."  Mike said and Dana turned to face the young man. 

"I do."  She replied and he gave her a shake of his head. 

"Dana, I've worn that same expression and know the darkness behind your eyes, I lost someone who was like my little sister, not to mention was stuck in limbo for months.  I know those shadows."  He said slowly and she looked at him a long moment. How could he know?  How could he not?  She had to stop her thoughts; they were out of control and so mixed up.  She found him stopping with a hand on her arm and looked up at him in question. 

"I know things are topsy-turvy and I know you can handle them if you just let your friends help you." 

Dana was quiet for a moment then shrugged and turned. 

"We should head back.  They'll be wondering where we are." 

"Alright just think about what I said."  He replied and moved into step beside her. 

*** 

 "We were beginning to worry."  Joel teased her as Dana and Mike returned to the gathering.

"You better eat while there's still food to eat."  Kendrix said.  Carter was sitting talking to Kai but she felt his solemn eyes following her.

"A new diet?"  Leo asked looking down at the scant amount of food on the doctor's plate.

"I'm too tired to really eat."  She said looking down at the salad and pizza.  It was true.  She had not had a real nights sleep since the accident.  Every time she fell asleep she saw the bloody corpse of her father lodged in the driver's seat of his car.  A shudder passed through her whole body at the very memory.

"I'm going to head back to the other building, if anyone wants to tag along."  Carter said getting up.  His eyes were locked on Dana's sleepy face.

"I'm coming."  Dana said and Ryan announced that he would be over later.  Even Kelsey stayed with the others not even aware that they were leaving.

TBC 

***

What do you think?  Is it too dull?  Should I spice it up a bit?  PLZ let me know.