All but Jason, Rocky, Zhane and Andros were at light speed head quarters. Eric and Jen had arrived about an hour ago, and both looked to be in bad emotional shape. Jen had been keeping her distance from the others. She didn't want to be near anyone for the time been. She was sitting in the far off corner of the briefing room. Eric was sitting by the table with Ashley, Chad, Ryan, Korane and Kelsey. They were all concerned for Jen. They all even had tried to talk Jen out of going on this mission, but she wouldn't have it. She said it was her job a as a ranger. She had to go no matter what the circumstances were. No one knew what do for Jen.

Not even Eric, who hadn't forgiven himself for bringing Jen here. He could have come here right after Andros had told him what was going on, but no. He needed Wes and Jen's help to. But he only came to find out that Wes was lying in a coma. Eric sighed as he looked over to Jen, part of him wishing it had been him that had been shot and not Wes.

"So Karone you heading back home today, huh?" asked Ashley wanting to break the silence with some light conversation. Karone turned her head towards Ashley giving a light smile.

"Yeah, both Zhane and Andros think it's for the best. Just in case…….you know," Karone replied softly, not wanting to get too far into it. Ashley nodded her head gently.

"So when is Andros and Zhane supposed to get back with the others?" asked Ryan looking at the two.

"They should be here in about an hour, with Jason and Rocky," replied Ashley who had gotten a call from Andros not too long ago. That is when she had learned what they had learned. She only spoke of it to Karone briefly. Andros had asked her not to tell anyone else. None of them knew Zordon and might not understand. He told her once they left for the mission he would fill everyone in on the reason why Tommy had to die the last time. Everyone gave a light nod. No one really was in the mood for conversation. It was all backed up by fear of the unknown, about Tommy, and then there was the sadness in Jen's eyes.

Kelsey and Chad glanced over at her. They could both see she was doing all she could to hold back her tears, trying to be strong and brave. Both of them sighed heavily knowing that if one of them were in her situation. They would feel the same way. Chad wrapped his hand around Kelsey's, holding it tightly. She turned and looked him in the eyes smiling slightly. Eric couldn't take it anymore. Someone had to talk to Jen again, and he was the only one there that knew her well enough.

******************

In the Greyson's apartment Carter and Dana were sitting on the couch in their small living room. They had left the base about an hour ago, knowing they both wouldn't be able to watch their friends, and family take off into space. It would be too much for them to handle. They both left with broken hearts, after learning about Wes and that Jen was going on the mission. Dana was feeling very guilty.

"Carter…" Carter turned so he was facing Dana.

"Dana I feel just as badly as you……..but," said Carter turning away, not being able to face his feelings. Dana moved herself closer to Carter putting an arm around him.

"But what? Carter, you've been acting like yourself ever since you told Andros you wouldn't go on the mission. Please tell me what's wrong," she begged. She wanted to help him. She wanted to understand. Carter sighed deeply. He had a very good reason why he had declined, and in a way it wasn't for himself, but for someone else. Carter slowly faced her again. In order for Dana to understand, she needed to know the truth.

"Do you remember when I told you that my dad died in the line of duty?"

"Yes," Dana nodded her head looking into his eyes.

"What I didn't tell you was……..He died before I was born," Carter dropped his head down. Dana sighed deeply now understanding. Why Carter had back down? He didn't want the same thing to happen to his child. Dana gently rubbed Carter's back as he began to cry lightly, she too began to cry.

"Carter. Honey, I know you're afraid, but you can't live with something like that. You're a fireman for God sakes, and most of all a ranger. No one can predict what will happen," said Dana softly. Carter wiped away the tears from his eyes; feeling perhaps a little embarrassed being a grown man and crying. Part of him knew Dana was right. His job was as dangerous, as they come. But being a ranger, he felt was more dangerous. He never knew what was expected, and being a fireman he felt it was simple. You go into a burning building; you get the people out, put out the fire. No surprises. But yet, he knew that wasn't true. A number of things could happen and change his routine. In more ways then he'll ever know.

"I know, but…….I just can't," he faced her once again. "I know that's selfish, especially in Jen case where it should be me instead of her. But…….I just can't do it. Please Dana, tell me you understand…" Dana could see the great deal of pain in Carter's eyes and she couldn't bring herself to say. That he should go and take Jen's place.

"I understand…." She said softly as she wrapped her arms around his. Carter put his arms around her holding her close to him. Whether it was right or wrong, or even both. He was going to stay.

******************

Eric had been sitting next to Jen in silence for the last few minutes. He wasn't even sure if she knew he was there. She hadn't said anything or even looked at him. He didn't know what he should do? He hated being in theses kind of situations. Why does it hurt so much to care about people? There was a time when he remembered he didn't care about any of them, or so that's what he told himself. He thought he could care less if any of them had gotten hurt. But during that year he was proven wrong. He did begin to care, even though it was towards the end. And sure enough he and Wes became friends. And then Jen came back into the picture, and he began to care about her as well.  And then there was Taylor. "Jen..." There was a long pause before Jen spoke.

"It's my fault,"

"What?" Maybe he had heard her wrong? But he just thought he heard Jen say it was her fault.

"It's my fault," she looked at Eric with tears in her eyes. Eric was confused what was she talking about 'her fault'. "All he was wanted was to be close to me that night. All he ever wanted was a baby, but no I told him we were working………" Eric then began to see where Jen was going with this. And although in normal cases, he probably would be objective and harsh with it. But he couldn't be like that, this time. He got up and moved closer to Jen put his arms around her, like a protective brother.

"Jen, it's not your fault. You couldn't have known. It…It just happened, there was something you could have done differently,"

"I could have given him what he wanted. Then he wouldn't of gotten shot," she whimpered. Eric bit his lip. He knew of one way of how to respond to that, but it wasn't the right time or place and he knew Jen wouldn't see the humor in it.

"Jen. He's going to be okay. Wes is a fighter. How else do you think he survived two months being held prisoner by the CellBorgs?"

"What if he's not so lucky this time? What if……."

"Jen, stop it! You have to be strong. You can't keep beating yourself up like this," Jen sighed she knew Eric was right. But she just couldn't stop thinking about, if things had gone differently that Wes may be with her right now, instead of lying in a coma without her by his side. She wiped away her tears, Eric was right. She had to be strong, for herself, for then team and most of all for Wes.

"Your right. I have to stop thinking about the, what ifs," Eric smiled lightly.

"Now there's the hard headed leader I know," Jen was about to respond when Captain Mitchell walked into the room. Everyone stood up staring at the older man. Something was up. Captain Mitchell eyed them all carefully his eyes then fell on his son, his only son. The Captain cleared his throat, the time had come.

"Andros and the others have just arrived and are waiting for you in the docking room," Everyone glanced at each other. It was time. Any moment now they would be leaving their home planet going on a mission, that none of them knew whether they would all come back alive.