Disclaimer: Power Rangers is owned by Buena Vista. Sara is mine. The identity of the Phantom Ranger as Saryn of Eltar is a concept that I do not own, nor do I know exactly who does. My apologies to whoever does own the concept. I would have asked permission if I had known who to ask. Everything up to A Golden Homecoming is canon, but it takes a distinct turn after that.

Chapter Seven: A Time for Celebrating

I caught Tanya sneaking yet another look at TJ and grinned, slipping away from Trey to come up behind her. "Go for it Tanya." I whispered to her.

She looked at me in surprise. "What?"

"Oh come on, I know that look. I've had it for three years. Go ask the man to dance. But if you hurt him, I'll have to hurt you." I grinned.

Tanya grinned broadly. "You're the best Sara." She said, hugging me warmly.

I smiled as I watched her drag an unsuspecting Black Ranger out onto the dance floor and surveyed the party to see what other matches were in the works. Aisha and Zack were trading interested looks, and I knew it wouldn't be long before they joined their counterparts on the dance floor. It looked like it was only Jason, Rocky, and Carlos left, but I knew somehow that it wouldn't be long before they found their soulmates.

I leaned against the railing of the top level, cherishing the happiness I saw on the faces of everyone I cared about. Zordon had given us a wonderful gift not just during the Countdown, but all those years ago when he had chosen the first team of Rangers on Earth. He had given us each other. From the bonds of friendship grew love for almost every one of us. If it had not been for Zordon, Andros would still be searching endlessly and tirelessly for his sister, and without the resources the power of the Red Astro Ranger gave him. Trey would never have survived his battle with the Varox, would have had no safe place to go when the atmosphere of Aquitar was so toxic to him. And I would never have met him. But then, if it had not been for whatever force had brought me here, I would have never even known that he actually existed. I would never have known his love, would never have experienced all the things I had as a Ranger, would never be here tonight, watching twenty people I loved more than anything else in the world celebrate a peace that had been long coming.

Not for the first time, I thanked all the stars in the heaven above for whatever it had been that had chosen to send me to this paradise of love, friendship, and peace. I looked down at the man watching me back and couldn't even fathom the thought of never seeing the love that shone in his eyes, or feel his touch on my skin. Trey cocked his head to the side questioningly and I smiled a teary smile at him, descending the stairs to stand in front of him.

His hand came up to brush along my cheek and I closed my eyes at the contact, sighing in content. "You are crying." He said softly.

I opened my eyes to smile at him. "Just realizing exactly how lucky I am. Just four short years ago, I would never have even dreamed of standing here like this. Of feeling..." my voice cracked and I cleared my throat. "It's been a long, hard, painful road...but standing here with you...it was more than worth it. When I think of the things I've had the opportunity to experience as a Ranger...I was actually able to make a difference. I never saw it at the time, but if things had gone right between us, none of that would have ever happened. I wouldn't be the person I am today, and I like the person I am today.

I guess what I'm saying is...I wasn't ready for what you asked me today then. I wasn't ready to come to your planet, and meet your family yet but I think...I think I've matured enough for it now. I didn't understand your reasoning then, but I do now. And if I had the chance to go back and change how things went, I wouldn't change a thing."

Then I laughed, shrugging helplessly. "I'm sorry. I'm just philosophical tonight."

Trey smiled his beautiful smile at me and I sighed contently as he pulled me close into a warm hug. "You cannot know how much what you said meant to me. I honestly expected to have lost your love after so long...surely you must have had other opportunities for happiness. I cannot fathom why you still cradled your love for me, but I am certainly not complaining."

I smiled. "I called the love between Cassie and Saryn powerful and determined. I suppose I was speaking from personal experience. I...there was a time a few years ago that I thought perhaps I had moved on, but it only taught me that, in Saryn's words, no amount of time or distance can change the heart."

Trey nodded quietly. "Tommy mentioned that Adam had once courted you."

I smiled fondly at that. "Yes. I am only glad that it wasn't meant to be for either of us."

"He still cares a great deal about you, as a friend. I have been warned gravely over the past few days against hurting you in any way, but his I did not doubt for a moment."

I chuckled at that. "So the guys did their big brother act huh? I can't say I'm surprised."

"The ladies did not hesitate to tell me exactly what the consequences would be either. You are very well loved among your friends."

I smiled. "I love them more than anything else in the world. Or rather, my love for my friends is not any less strong than my love for you, no matter the difference."

"Nor should it be. They are your family, and I wouldn't have it any other way."

I smiled, then bit my lip. "I'm sorry if this is too forward, but...oh hell." I cursed, throwing my arms around his neck and kissing him soundly. "You have no idea how long I have been craving that." I whispered breathlessly when I pulled back.

"I think I may have an idea." He murmured back.

"Like I said, I'm sorry if that was too forward...I'm unfamiliar with your customs." I said sheepishly.

Trey smiled and brushed his hand through my hair gently. "Some things transcend cultural boundaries."

I smiled back impishly. "Is that a no?" I teased, throwing his earlier wry statement back at him.

He got the significance too, because an incredibly sexy smirk curved his lips. "I could be persuaded to the negative."

I grinned and wrapped my arms around his neck, tilting my chin invitingly. "I'm known for being extremely good at persuading people."

A nearby flash caught my attention and I frowned, looking over just in time to see a woman lowering a camera that was pointed in the direction of the nearby dancing Cassie and Saryn. I lifted my arm from Trey's neck, and with a flick of the wrist, the camera was in my hand and I ignored her angry protests as I pushed the button to rewind the film.

"That's my camera!"

"And you will get it and the film back once I remove your violation of my friends' privacy." I said coldly, removing the roll of film and telekinetically returning the camera to the woman. "If I ever see you around me or my friends again, I will not hesitate to make sure that you never cover anything more significant than the opening of a coffee shop. Do I make myself clear?"

The woman snatched the camera out of the air and stormed off, pushing her way through the crowd roughly. I looked around to see that my friends had all gathered in front of Cassie and Saryn defensively. The lovely Pink Ranger looked at me with tears in her eyes.

"Thank you." She whispered.

"No one messes with my family and gets away with it." I said simply, taking her hand and dropping the roll of film into it.



"May I have your attention please?"

I lifted my head from Trey's shoulder to see that Billy and Adam had commandeered a microphone from somewhere and were standing in front of the counter.

"As you all know, this party was held in honor of the brave men and women that risked their lives so that we may all live in peace. Tonight, we salute the Astro Rangers, the Gold Ranger of Triforia, the Phantom Ranger of Eltar, the Alien Rangers of Aquitar, and the Blue Centurion. They took on losing odds and overcame them, triggering a new era of peace in the universe at last." Adam continued.

"However, we would like to also take this opportunity to honor a woman who has truly touched our lives and our hearts. She has been our friend, our rock, our confidant, our mother, our sister, and yes, to a few, our love. She has been the person to turn to when everything is dark, when it seems like all is lost, when we have given up hope." Billy added quietly.

"To most of you, she is simply the Blue Astro Ranger. But to us, she is our heart. We love you Sara, and I can honestly say that none of us know what we would do without you."

"Here, here!" Zhane cheered, raising his cup of punch high in the air.

I felt tears gather in my eyes as one by one, my friends--my family held up their drinks in a salute and shyly made my way up to where the two men were standing, giving them both a tight hug. Adam handed me the microphone and I smiled warmly at him, then turned my shining eyes on each one of my friends in turn.

"I know tonight has been a time of reflection for all of us," I began quietly. "It has been a long, hard road for us all, and there have been plenty of moments where I'm sure we all thought that we would not live through the war. We have had our arguments..." I smiled at Ashley and Cassie at that one and they exchanged a glance, laughing at the memory of their stupid arguments over cleaning chores. "We have had our heartbreaks." This time I looked at Karone and Andros, watching them hug each other close.

"But most of all, we have had a friendship...a love...a connection, that never has and never will know a bound. We have come from different backgrounds, some of us from different planets, and to the outside world our bonds may seem impossible, or unlikely. But we would lay our lives down for each other without hesitation. This war has been painful for everyone, and many have died along the way, but we have survived. And we have defeated evil, not just on the battlefield, but in our hearts, in the love that we have for each other."

I looked around at my friends once more. "You have raised your glasses to me, and I raise mine to all of you. For if I have been your heart, you have been mine. You took me in when I had nowhere to turn, you have all been the friends that I never even knew I could have, and I will never forget that. What I have done for any of you has been nothing special, simply my way of returning the love and friendship I hold dear to my heart. For there is nothing you deserve more than the best."

With that, I handed the microphone to Adelle, who had tears in her eyes and walked back through the crowd to my friends. All of the girls had tears in their eyes, and so did most of the guys. Kimberly nearly squeezed the life out of me with her hug.

"Sara, that was beautiful."

Andros graced me with one of his rare smiles. "It has been a true honor fighting alongside you." He said quietly.

I smiled at that. "The honor was all mine Andros."

I sighed in content as the familiar arms of my love slid around my waist. "It seems like I find out all over again just what an exceptional creature you are every time I see you. I love you Sara." Trey murmured softly.

I smiled. "I love you too Trey."



This was how it should be, I thought as we gathered in the ruins of the Power Chamber later that night. I could almost feel Zordon's presence around us. And somehow I just knew that wherever his soul ended up, he was happy and oh so very proud of his children. The war was in the past. And our future was just beginning. No matter what it held in store, I knew that we would face it head on.

I grinned as I got an idea and leaned up to whisper it to Jason. He looked at me and a slow grin spread across his face as well. The former Red Dino Ranger looked around at all of us and nodded.

"All right Rangers. Here's one for old time's sake. Dino."

He stuck his hand out in front of him and the other four original Rangers grinned and did the same, Tommy following.

"Ninja." Rocky called out, catching on.

He, Adam, Aisha, and Katherine piled their hands on top of the others.

"Zeo." Tanya called out.

She joined the pile as well as Trey after a gentle nudging.

"Turbo." I called out with a grin, placing my hand on top of my love's.

Cassie, TJ, Carlos, and Ashley followed suit. Now it was Andros' turn. Ashley smiled reassuringly at him and he took a deep breath.

"Astro." He called out.

He and Zhane joined us. I reached out with my free hand to grab Karone's hand and set hers on top of the pile and Cassie did the same with Saryn.

Jason grinned. "Ready Rangers?"

Everyone looked around the circle with beaming faces and nodded at once.

"Power Rangers!" we all shouted, bringing up our hands and jumping into the air.