disclaimer: I don't own the power rangers. Also I don't own Zeri and Saryn, I read their names on Starhawk's website and thought they were cute.

timeline: Nine years after 'Better Late Than Never'.

summary: Something has it's eyes set on ranger children. Every ranger is scared of losing his or her family, especially Andros.

the-power-of-love; Glad you like it.

Dark-Kimberly-Hart; Here's the next chapter.

Jeanka; Maybe this will give you a clue on what the answer to your questions is and I'm very glad you like it.

Protecting The Next Generation

Chapter 3

The next day, the six children entered the school even more grimly than usual. They all, even Brian, noticed something was up and they wouldn't be surprised if the notes they were asked to show their teachers had anything to do with it. Armin was asked to take Brian to his class and hand the teacher the note. Paige would give their teacher their note.

"I'll see you in class, Paige." Armin sighed and walked into Brian's class-room.

Paige walked on and watched Wyatt, Nathan and Zeri enter their class-rooms. With a dark face Paige entered her own class and walked to her teacher's desk. Her teacher looked up and smiled.

"Hello, Paige, something wrong."

"I don't know." Paige sighed. "But I needed to give this too you and Armin will be here shortly, he had to take a note to Brian's teacher."

"Alright, thank you, Paige. You can take your seat."

Paige nodded and set down at her desk.

"What was that about?" Lana asked.

"I wish I knew." Paige answered.

"Oh, poor Paige. Won't mommy and daddy tell her what's going on?" Shea teased. "My parents always tell me what's going on."

Shea was Jade's best friend.

"Oh, shut op, Shea. We all know that's not true." Kyra snapped.

Kyra lived next to Shea and couldn't stand her. Though she wasn't really a friend of the twin, they got along perfectly and she would often tell Jade and Shea off, before Armin or Paige could.

"Can I have everybody's attention, please?" The teacher's voice rang through the class. "We're going to continue our planet study. The planet we're going to study for now is Aquintar. See what you can find about it. You are allowed to work together."

"Lana, shall we work together?" Hayden called through the room.

Lana shot a quick look at Paige and pulled her desk chair to the other side of the room. The teacher walked over to Paige.

"You can tell your parents it's okay." She said and walked back to her desk.

Moments later Armin entered the room.

"Sorry I'm late, ma'm."

"It's alright, Armin. Paige told me you had to take a note to your brother's teacher. Take your seat, someone will tell you what you have to do."

"Alright." Armin smiled and walked to his desk.

'Armin, we have to find information on Aquintar and you can work together.' Paige's voice told him.

'And you want us to work together?' Armin replied.

'Well, yeah. These mysterious notes and the way mom and dad are acting are just freaking me out.'

'I know what you mean. It makes me want to stick together too.'

Paige turned around and smiled at him. He smiled back and dragged his desk chair to her desk.

Zeri's Class

"I've got a note." Zeri said dully.

She didn't hate her teacher, but she didn't really like him either. He took the note and read it. His eyebrow lifted as he read.

"Tell your parents I don't see a problem as long as you keep up with your schoolwork."

Zeri nodded, wondering what the hell was in that note. Her mother hadn't told her when she had given her the note and her cousins seemed to be as in the dark as she and her brother were. All they knew that something was up and it was giving them the creeps.

Zeri sat down at her desk and buried her head in her arms. A tap on her shoulder made her look over her shoulder. Her friend Arden stood behind her.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"No, not really." Zeri sighed.

"Want to talk about it?" Arden asked as he pulled the desk chair of the desk next to Zeri's to him so he could sit.

"Well, my aunt, uncle and parents are acting weird, I hardly slept last night because they're giving me the creeps and it's not just me. I get a mysterious note for the teacher and an even stranger reply. To top it off I'm tired and want to go home."

"Poor you."

"Arden, move." A girl ordered.

"Alright, Abigail, I'm gone. We'll talk in the break, Zeri."

"Kay."

Wyatt And Nathan's Class

Wyatt and Nathan quietly approached their teacher.

"What can I do for you two?" He asked as he looked up.

The boys gave him the notes without speaking a word. The teacher read the notes and looked at the boys.

"Tell your parents you have permission. Come to me at the end of the day and I'll give you the school work for next week. Now take your seats."

The two nodded and walked to their desks.

"What was that all about?" Nathan hissed.

"I don't know, but I think we won't be going to school next week." Wyatt sighed. "I wish they would tell us what's going on. I hate being left in the dark."

"I don't think even they know what is going on exactly." Nathan replied as he sat down on his desk chair. "But I share your feelings about being left in the dark."

Wyatt sat down next to his cousin on his own desk chair. (A/N: If they try to create havoc all the time you would think the teacher wouldn't have put them next to each other. Does he want them to create havoc or something?)

Andros And Ashley's Home

The com chimed interrupting the conversation Andros and Ashley were having. Andros got up and walked over to answer the call. He opened the channel and TJ's face appeared.

"Hey Andros."

"Hey TJ, long time no seen."

"I know. I wish I would be calling in other circumstances."

"The feeling's mutual. So what's up?"

"I tried to get a shuttle to Eltar, but I couldn't get one and the Aquitan rangers are already there, so I thought I'd see if we could get a ride from you guys."

"Sure, we'll pick you up tomorrow."

"Thanks man."

"It's no problem."

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow. I need to keep my eye on Amy, she staid home sick today."

"Good luck. I'll see you tomorrow."

Both cut the connection and Andros turned back to Ashley. Ashley walked over to him and leaned against him, slipping her arms around his waist.

"We'll get through this, Andros. Don't worry."

Andros closed his eyes and put his arms around his wife.

"I don't know, Ash."

"It can be that bad, can it?"

"It's worse than I let on yesterday. I didn't want to worry you or Karone." Andros confessed, keeping his eyes closed and waiting for the blow.

None came. He opened his eyes and looked at Ashley. Tears were forming in her eyes and he pulled her even closer to him.

"I'm sorry. I should have been honest."

"No, Andros, it's not that. You just wanted to protect me."

"I shouldn't have." Andros sighed.

"I think it's sweet."

Andros looked at her surprised. Ashley giggled when she saw his face and kissed him on the cheek.

"It shows how much you love me." She explained. "And I think that's sweet."

"Sometimes I just forget I can't protect you from everything." Andros smiled weakly.

"Be glad you can't, else we wouldn't have these four wonderful children."

Andros laughed and kissed her.

"I love you."

"And I love you."

A/N: Hope you liked it. Please review.