The next day sometime after Jason and Kim had returned back to Angel Grove. Jen was feeling a little better then before. Kim and Jason's visit did help a bit, but she still was very concerned for Wes. He still was in the same condition; he was in three days ago. There hadn't been any change, and Jen knew the longer Wes stayed in the coma the less likely he would wake up. Jen was still where they had left her, by Wes's side. Her hand wrapped around his. Earlier that day Jen had made Collins happy by leaving the room for an hour to get something decent to eat with him, before he had to leave for a board meeting. He hated to leave Wes, but Jen had told him she would call him the second there had been any change. Jen had to admit it did feel good to eat something real, that didn't come with a tray of food and having to figure out what it was. She didn't know how anyone could eat that food and still be able to live to tell about it.
All of her tears had been cried. No matter how hard she tried nothing would come out. So instead she sat there in silence staring at his blank face. She ran her fingers through his hair. "Come on Wes. I know your in there," she looked into his face praying to see his eyes open, but they didn't. "Please, honey wake up. What about all of our plans? You wanted kids, remember? Please Wes just open your eyes, for me," said Jen softly, her heart pleading out to him. This couldn't be how it all ends between them. Not after everything they had to go through to be with each other. They fought too hard to have a life together. To have it all end like this, would be too painful for Jen to go on.
Outside of the room Mr. Collins had returned back along with Eric and Taylor. Eric and Taylor had returned back to Silver Hills as soon as Andros and Zhane told them was what going on. They never expected to return to something like this. Eric and Taylor first went to Silver Guardians Head Quarters to find Wes and Jen, and tell them what was going on. But they only come to learn of the shooting that took place three days before. They were told that Wes had been shot three times, now lying in a coma, with Jen by his side. Eric's heart about stopped when he had heard the news. He was shocked, hurt and angry. He couldn't believe no one had called him to tell him what had happened. Wes is his best friend, and in some ways like a brother. But he was too hurt to be angry, and although he tried. He could not hold back his tears. Luckily Taylor had been there with him to hold him, knowing he would need her strength. It brought back the memories of when they all thought Wes really had been killed in a battle with the CellBorgs, but months later they learned he was alive. Eric thought he would never have to experience that again. But now?
From there the two went straight to the hospital. There they ran into Mr. Collins who was just returning from his office at BIO Lab. Collins then led them to Wes's room. On their way to Wes's room Eric and Taylor filled him in on what was going on.
Eric seemed frozen as he stared through the window seeing Wes lying there. It looked like the life he once had, had been pulled right out of him. The young man didn't look like his fun loving partner, and then there was Jen. She looked lost and tired. Eric bit his lip, and felt his heart aching. How could he just go in there and tell her, she would have to leave Wes behind? He knew he shouldn't. He had no right, but they needed her help. Why did this have to happen now? But he knew Wes would want her to go, for the sake of the universe. But still. A big part of Eric wanted to forget about what Andros had told him. Let the other rangers take care of it. But no, they needed him and Jen. Andros had made it clear on that. They needed help. Eric sighed dropping his head down. Taylor stood behind him, knowing this wasn't easy on Eric. She thought back to the problems Eric and her were having, but right now all that mattered was this, Wes, Jen and the mission. She knew they would have to deal with their problems later. Taylor put her hand gently on his shoulder, letting him know she was here for him. Eric turned his head looking at her, smiling briefly, nodding his head. Eric started for the entrance of the room.
"Eric, do you need help?" asked Collins knowing very well this would be hard for Eric to tell Jen. And even harder on Jen, she would have to leave Wes behind. Eric was grateful for the offer, but he knew this was something he had to do on his own.
"No. I need to do this on my own," he replied softly.
Eric walked silently into the room. He couldn't bear to see Wes and Jen in this condition. It felt so unreal. He never thought anything like this would happen, not to him. He never thought he would ever get close or attached to people, but he had. Wes and Jen both had become his friends, even family. He then realized at that moment what it was like to care for people and how it feels knowing you could lose them. Sure he was hurt and in pain the time when they all thought Wes had been killed in that battle, but there hadn't been time for him to realize how he felt about it. They were always on the watch for the next battle. Eric sighed once again. Here goes nothing.
Eric waited a few moments, but he knew he was only wasting time. The others were waiting for them. "Jen," he said softly. Jen tuned, she saw Eric, and to his surprise she got up and threw her arms around him. Eric gently wrapped his arms round her, holding her for a short moment.
"Oh Eric, I'm so glad you're here," cried Jen. Eric could just kick himself. He pulled away from Jen looking her in the eyes, sadly and partly guilty. Guilty for what he was about to ask her. Jen then knew something was very wrong. It wasn't like Eric to look so sad. "What? What's wrong?" she asked concerned.
Might as well bite the bullet! Eric took a deep breath. This was going to be the hardest thing he ever had to do.
"Andros and Zhane contacted me last night," Jen's eyes widened she knew something big had to be up if Andros got in touch with Eric. "There is no easy way of saying this Jen…….The CellBorgs are back." Jen's heart about skipped a beat. She listened closely as Eric went on. "We need to go with him to space with the other rangers," Jen's eyes started to tear up. She knew what that meant. Jen took a quick glance over at Wes's still form, slowly she turned back to face Eric. "I know this is asking a lot, but I need an answer from you right now if you will come. I'm sorry Jen, I really am" said Eric sadly. He hated having to ask her that question, with Wes in this condition. Not knowing whether or not if he'll make it. But he didn't have much of a choice.
"I…I…I….C..." Jen's words differed into silence and then to nothing. Jen could tell Eric did not want to ask her this. The look of guilt on his face was evidence enough. But she also knew he wouldn't be asking her unless it was real important. Jen turned looking over at Wes. Her heart told her to stay. This is where she had to be, with Wes, her husband. She couldn't leave him. Not now. He needed her, and she knew she would never forgive herself if he died without her at his side. But her intuition of being a ranger told her, she had to go. The other rangers needed her, and she knew Wes would want her to go. It was her job as ranger. She would have wanted him to do the same if it was her lying there. No mater how difficult. She would have to leave him behind, for better or for worse. She turned back looking at Eric, sighing sadly.
"Can you give me a minute?" she asked softly.
"Of course," he nodded his head, watching as Jen made her way back over to Wes. It was the least he could do.
Jen knelt down and kissed Wes softly on the lips. Jen wasn't sure if she could do it. How could she just leave? She knew why. It's my job as a ranger. Jen sighed heavily as she held back her tears. She knew if she started crying now she would never be able to stop. "I love you Wes. You know that right? I don't want to go, but I have to. The CellBorgs are back, I have to stop them before they come back to Earth," Jen ran her fingers through his hair. "I'll come back I promise," she said softly whimpered through her silent tears. Jen held his hand gently letting go of it as she backed away and followed Eric out of the room. She didn't look back. She knew if she did she would never be able to leave. Eric glanced over at Taylor as they walked out of the room. The two then headed down the hallway. He didn't say goodbye or wave to her. He wasn't sure why? Out of fear? Or the unknown feelings he was still trying to place? He didn't know.
Jen and Eric were only half way down the hall when Eric stopped dead in his tracks. Jen looked at him, realizing something must have happened between him and Taylor. He began to think what if this was the only chance he would ever have? What if there was no second chance? Eric started to turn around, and before he knew it Taylor had ran right into his arms. Eric wrapped his arms tightly around her. He could tell she was worried. Worried that something may happen to him. He knew she wanted to come, but they had talked about. It would be far too dangerous for her to go. Without any power she would only be putting herself and the others at risk.
"I'll come back. I won't let things end like this between us," announced Eric staring into her face, seeing the tears glow in her eyes.
"You better!" replied Taylor. She smiled as she leaned in and kissed him on the lips. Jen turned away out of pain? Or wanting them to have some privacy, she didn't know? It was taking everything she had inside of her to leave Wes behind, not knowing whether or not she would come back to him. Or even worse, if he would last long enough until she was able to get back to him. Eric and Taylor pulled apart. Eric started backing away. It was time to go. Eric and Jen took on last look and then ran down the hall heading towards the exit, never looking back. Taylor stood there still watching them disappear out of sight.
"You guys better come back alive," whispered Taylor.
Collins was in front of his son's room. He was looking through the glass window over at his son. It hadn't been in his heart to watch Eric and Jen take off. He could already be losing one child. He wasn't ready to lose two more. "Be careful," he whispered softly.