Author's note from both Lady lightspeed and Dana Grayson:  we'd like to thank those of you who reviewed, it's good to know there are people out there reading this, that you like it. 

Chapter5.  Dawn Discovery

Dana Got up around five, she'd not gotten much sleep but she had managed an hour or so between the nightmares. 

Now as she pulled on her clothes in the darkened room she considered going for a run.  It was one of the routines she'd developed since the accident. 

The air usually managed to clear the last vestiges of the night terrors from her mind.  Scooping up her sneakers, Dana made sure that she had her keycard and headed out into the hall. 

The ex-pink lightspeed ranger tiptoed into the living room and jumped when she saw the figure on the couch. 

"You're up early."  Kelsey glanced up from where she was lacing her running shoes. 

"Yeah, looks like we have the same idea."  Dana said sinking onto the sofa.  Dana thought how odd it was that even after all that happened, how hard she'd pushed, and still Kelsey had stuck.  The ex-yellow ranger was as crazy as ever. 

"Double up?"  Kelsey asked and Dana looked at her a second before nodding.  Dana didn't like to but with all she'd learned last night it seemed like a good idea. 

"Let's go then."  The yellow clad young woman said and they headed out. 

The landscape was even more beautiful here in the moments just before dawn.  The sky was not a lavender but a jade green, the deep emerald of night dissolving as the sun began its ascent.  There were different animals out, little furry things like rabbits, Chipmunk/cat's and it was so peaceful, so natural.  It was hard to believe that an entire space colony plus over thirty five thousand Mirinoians lived there.  They began to jog, circling the building both easily keeping pace. 

Dana thought about last night and all that had happened since her arrival.  She'd seen Ryan for the first time in a while; she'd talked, really talked with Carter.  What choice had she had once she'd learned what was going on/ like she was the kind to hear about killings and just sit back and watch and wait?  Not her, he father had instilled her responsibilities in her so deep. 

Then her thoughts drifted t what had happened next, he'd kissed her, he'd out right kissed her and then he'd not let her leave, he'd kissed her until she was dazed and then they'd wound up sitting at his table and he'd made her eat.  He'd actually sat there and made her at like a little girl.  it was not funny but the guys back at the buro would get a kick out of the prim and proper dr. Grayson being practically force fed cold chicken and potato salad. 

Not that she'd minded, for some reason there, with him, and after that fist kiss she'd felt something odd stirring, as if the walls were shifting.  Now she knew she had to re-erect them but instead she found herself nearly smiling at that memory.  Carter was always just so great at that stuff. 

"This place is really something."  Kelsey called breaking Dana from her thoughts as they jogged around the building for the third time. 

"I know," Dana replied then after a minute she remembered something else yesterday.  "Hey Mike showed me this path yesterday, it's pretty flat and it's better than running in circles."  Dana offered. 

"Sounds good to me."  With that Dana led her old friend towards the other building and the gate. 

Surveying the area Dana didn't feel that eerie feeling of being watched, she was glad that had been way too creepy.  Knowing now what she hadn't then she'd be much more careful.  She noticed her companion looking around but guessed it was more in amazement at the serenity of the forest before them. 

"It's like something out of Robin Hood."  The ex-yellow ranger commented and Dana nearly smiled, it would figure that she'd like the lore of that infamous adventurer.  Idly Dana wondered if perhaps Kelsey had been Maid Marion in another life.  Then again, she couldn't see Kelsey waiting around for anyone to save her.  The agent was too self assured.  That was one of the things that had made her such a great ranger, that and her daring. 

They ran on, Dana leading the way easily as if they'd always run together.  Then something changed.  It was almost as if they were on one of the training courses again.  They left the path, jumping fallen trees, little lakes and coming to a rocky gap in the

Ground they jumped it. 

Dana had forgotten just how good working out with someone could be. Back as rangers she and Carter had gone jogging sometimes and even run the courses after hours in hopes of increasing stamina.  It had worked, as it was now. 

"Up ahead, the break in the trees."  Kelsey called saying she needed a minute.  Dana nodded and took the lead slowing her pace until she  reached it and  then jogging in place for a few minutes worked on  cooling down a bit. 

Finally she headed for a fallen log, her legs feeling steady again.

"Good to know we haven't lost it."  She called and reaching the fallen log she froze. 

 "Oh no…"  Dana flung out a hand to stop Kelsey from going any further and had to work to keep herself from puking.  She'd seen dead bodies, in the accident and her father but this was much worse, insects and some animals had already gotten to the decaying body. 

"Don't look you…" 

"Oh my goodness."  Kelsey exclaimed as she saw what Dana was pushing her back from.  Her stomach churned even as Dana was lifting her cell phone from her waistband. 

"Hey, sorry didn't mean to wake you."  Dana began watching as Kelsey moved slightly away and lost what was left of last night's

Dinner. 

TBC 

*** 

It's short but to the point, what do you think?  What do you think they found/  What do you think should happen next?  PLZ r and R and let us know.