Eric was lying on the top bunk looking at a photo. It was of Wes and him. It had been taken just a few weeks after Wes had joined the Silver Guardians. Both of them were in uniform, smiling. It was a long road for the two, to set aside their differences and become friends. Pretty good friends, something that surprised both of them, all though neither one would bring it up. Eric began to remember the day Wes and he really became friends.

            It had been a hard day for Wes. Eric trained most of the day with him. It was a lot of hard work for on both of them, mostly Wes. Although Wes was a great fighter, he had a few things to learn. One he needed to become a good leader, which Wes didn't have much practice with. Jen had mainly been the leader and Wes was sort of a back up leader when needed. Eric remembered he had knocked Wes to the ground several times that day. Eric did his best not to be too tough on Wes, knowing the last few weeks had been hard on him. Eric had told Wes to take the rest of the day off and they would start again tomorrow. A few hours had passed and Eric received a call from Wes's dad asking if he knew where Wes was. Eric had told him Wes was having a rough day and he let him go home early. Concerned Collins asked Eric to try to find him. Eric agreed and went out to find Wes. It wasn't long before Eric had an idea as to where Wes was.

            Eric found Wes sitting on the sand staring out into the ocean. It was the same spot just a month ago they had watched Jen and the others return to the future. Eric sighed knowing Wes missed them. It wasn't that he didn't miss them he really was never their friend. Eric knew it was no ones fault but his own. He had been a jerk most of the time to them. Eric took a deep breath, not sure he was the right person for this. Wes and he may be partners, but they weren't exactly friends. But he had told Mr. Collins he would try to find Wes, and here he was. Eric started walking towards Wes.

            "Hey,"

            Wes slightly turned his head looking over at Eric. Wes gave a weak smile. "Hey," he said before turning his head back to looking at the ocean. Watching the waves hit the shore.

            Eric was silent not too sure, what to say? Eric knelt down on the sand next to Wes, that's when Eric noticed the object Wes, was holding in his hands. It had been the same object he had seen Jen give to Wes before she left. Eric has seen with his own eyes the love the two had for each other, but he had never called Wes on it, for many reasons. "You miss them don't you?"

            Wes was silent for a moment, he didn't even turn his head. Wes looked down at the badge Jen has given him. The only link he had left of her. The clock tower had been destroyed, the home he had shared with her and the others.  All of them were back in the future where they belonged. Besides his morpher this was all he had. "Yeah. I guess I do,"

            Eric bit his lip. He had never been so uncomfortable in all of his life. He began to wonder. What had happened between them all of those years ago? Why had they stopped being friends, or were they even friends to begin with? Eric remembered the many attempts Wes had made to be his friend back in prep school. It took a while but Eric did warm up to the guy. He wasn't even sure why of all people would Wes want to be his friend? Wes had the money and the popularly to be friends with all the rich hot shots. So why did he choose to be his friend, when all he had was some paper saying he was granted a scholarship? So what had happened? Eric began to envy Wes that was it. And before he knew it, he left the school forgetting about the friendship the two once had. And then a few years later, he runs into Wes again. But now things were different. "You want to talk about it?" Eric wasn't sure why he had asked. What am I getting myself into?

            "Not really," replied Wes. Eric could tell by the sound of Wes's voice, that he was depressed. And he couldn't quite blame the guy. Wes had lost three friends, plus the woman in loved all in one day. And although Wes tried to hide his sadness Eric knew Wes missed them more then he was leading on.

             A few moments passed before Eric tried again to get through to Wes. "Why don't we go and get out of here……Go do something?"

            "Like what?" asked Wes, with his eyes still content on the ocean.

            "I don't know. What do you want to do?"

            Wes was silent for a long period of time. "I don't know. I don't feel like doing much of anything…"

            "That doesn't sound like the Wes Collins I know,"

            Wes gave a faint smile. "I don't think I'll ever feel like that Wes Collins again…"

            "Too bad. He kind of was a fun guy to be around, a bit annoying and a pain in the butt at time, but otherwise an okay guy….."

            Wes didn't answer.

            "Okay suite yourself.." Eric started to get up. "I'm sure Jen would be disappointed that the Wes Collins she knew was gone…" Eric started heading back to the parking lot.

            "I miss her….."

            Eric stopped and turned back around to find Wes turning around to face him. Eric wasn't sure what he should say next. This so wasn't his thing. He was never the sentimental type, or perhaps he was and tried to hide it. "I'm sure she misses you too…."

            Wes looked up at Eric, as a younger sibling would look up to an older sibling. "You think so?"

            Eric gave a smile. "Sure….Who wouldn't? You do seem to get on everyone's nerves. She would have to be stupid not to miss you," joked Eric.

            Wes stood up looking right at Eric smiling that charming smile of his. "Is this your way of saying you missed me when you left the prep school?" asked Wes eyeing Eric.

            Eric's eyes rolled his eyes. "Wooh. Were talking about you and Jen, not us…"

            Wes laughed. "Oh come on admit it, you missed me," Wes went up to Eric put his hand on Eric's shoulder. "Come on you can say it," teased Wes.

            Eric was being to get reminded what a pain Wes could be. "Oh…Alight! Yeah, I guess I missed you…But only a little. Man you're a pain! And get your arm off of me..." Eric shoved Wes's arm off of him. A second later the two began laughing………

            "Earth to Eric, you in there?" asked Ryan as he waved his hand in front of Eric's face.

            Eric shook his head and blinked his eyes a few times. "Huh….I must of dozed off,"

            "Yeah. I came to get you because Andros wants to have some meeting. Here I think you dropped this," Ryan handed Eric the photo he had been looking at earlier. "You two must be really good friends,"

            Eric gave a faint smile. "I guess. We were any way…."

            Ryan gave a faint smile. "I'm sure he didn't mean what he said to you,"

            "You didn't see the look in his eyes. He practically looked at me like I'm some murder……."

            Ryan sighed. "He's just angry. In time I'm sure he'll come around,"

            "That is if he has time. He took off a few hours ago, left the ship to go find Jen…"

            Ryan put his head down. Everyone knew Wes had every right to be angry with all of them; there was no doubt on that. "You didn't stop him…"

            "I tried, but he said if anyone tried to go after him, he basically would kill them,"

            "I'm sure he didn't mean it that way,"

            "He may have not said it that way, but I pretty sure that's what he meant. If I were him I probably want to kill me too…." sighed Eric.

            Ryan bit his lip. He had some idea what Wes was going through. "Look I know what Wes is going through. There was a time when I thought my own family had betrayed me. For years I thought my father had abandon me, it was all a lie. My dad never abandoned me, in order to save my life he had to give me up to evil forces. I was raised my demons, being filled with rage and hate for my family. I came close to killing my dad and my sister……."

            "But you didn't. Did you…?"

            Ryan shook his head. "No, I began to remember the truth about what happened. Wes just needs time is all…."

            Eric gave a faint smile. "I hope so. And thanks…"

            Ryan smiled. "No problem. We rangers have to stick together, no mater what happens,"

            That's when it hit Eric. He quickly sat up from his bunk swinging his legs over to the edge. Ryan backed away a few steps. "Your right! I don't care if Wes pulls the blaster at me. I'm going after him," announced Eric.

            Ryan laughed. "Thought you might,"     

            The next moment happened, so quick Ryan and Eric were sure what it was. The first thing they heard was this streaking whistling sound, then BOOM. The ship raptly shook for what seemed like forever. Ryan almost lost his balance. Eric held on tight to the bunks edge until the shaking stopped. The next thing they heard was the alarm going off throughout the ship. A sound so loud it made their ears hurt.

            "What the heck was that?"

            Eric jumped down. "Last I checked earthquakes don't happen in mega ships. We got trouble,"

            Ryan nodded his head promptly knowing very well Eric was right. Something had happened and whatever hit them probably wasn't too far away. "Come on, we better go check on the other," Ryan slapped Eric on the shoulder and the two then bolted out of the bunk room. One thing that was going through both of their minds as they ran down the ships halls this could be very well their last battle, if they don't win this round, it will all be over for all of them.