Disclaimer: 'Power Rangers' (all incarnations) are property of 'Saban', who are in some strange way related to Disney, who run the show on ABC. No infringement is intended.

ROARING ON THE WIND

By Etcetera Kit

Chapter Twenty-Six: Take My Hand

Wes slowly went into the hallway out of the operating room. Jen had been in there for over an hour—the doctors were trying to determine the extent of her injuries and what the damage had done. He had been in there with her, firmly believing that she needed a familiar presence. However, the doctor had told him to go out for a while and get some coffee and some air. Her condition was stable, but it would be a while before they knew anything. He pressed his back to the wall and slid down to a sitting position. He pulled his knees to his chest like he had done so many times when he had been upset when he was little. He dug around in his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. He had been one of the lucky ones who left his cell phone in his bedding and it was still intact when he got off the island.

With trembling fingers, he dialed the number for his father, his childhood home. When the Time Force Rangers had gone back to the future, he had been forced to moved out of the destroyed clock tower, but had not gone back home. Instead, he found an apartment in Silver Hills and had been staying there ever since. The first time he had taken money from his father in a long time had been to finance this red ranger trip.

The phone rang twice before some picked it up. "Hello?" came his father's voice.

Wes nearly started crying at the sound of the familiar voice. It brought back so many memories of childhood, most of them having to do with comfort. His mother had died when he was little and his father, while stern and clear about his ambitions for his son, had allowed him to do pretty much what he thought was best for himself.

"Dad…" he choked out, trying to control himself.

"Wes?" his father asked. "What's wrong? I thought you were going to Reefside to help out an old friend."

That was another thing about his father. The man always seemed to be able to tell when he was truly upset or when he was just rebelling. Tears began to slip down his cheeks, unchecked. Sobs racked his entire body as he struggled to get the words out.

"Wes, calm down," his father said in a soothing voice. "What's wrong?"

"It's Jen…" he said between sobs.

"Jen? I thought she went back to the future?"

"No…" That brought on a whole new wave of sorrow. His bit his lower lip, trying to control himself, but it was a battle he was destined to lose. Jen… his father knew exactly where she had gone. But he had never stopped caring about her in the first place. If it were possible, his feelings for her had grown with her absence. His father was silent on the other end, but the silence was reassuring. It showed infinite patience. "No…" he repeated. "She's hurt. The doctors don't know if she's going to wake up."

With those words finally out and his worst fears confirmed in language, he broke down completely, letting the racking sobs take hold of him.

"Wes, Wes," his father said. "I'm coming out there. What hospital are you at?"

"Reefside General."

"Just hang on," his father reassured him. "I'll be there in an hour." His father paused. "We'll get this straightened out. I love you, son."

Wes sniffed violently, desperately trying to regain some control on his emotions. "I love you too, Dad," he whispered.

His father disconnected the call and Wes shoved his cell phone back in his pocket, burying his face in his arms. He didn't feel the slightest inclination to move and no one prompted him to. Nurses, patients and other family members walked past and he took no notice of them. Jen had been ripped away from him and the doctors still didn't know anything about the seriousness of her state. Soon, he had cried himself out and just sat there with an aching throat, itchy eyes, a running nose and a completely wiped out body.

He didn't know how long it had been before he felt a presence beside him. He looked up and saw his father sitting there with him. An incoherent noise bubbled up from the back of his throat as his father just opened his arms to him. Not caring that he looked like a child once more, he clung to his father, allowing himself to be held as his tears started all over again. The familiar arms and presence soothed his aching spirit like a balm. In a short while, his tears stopped and his father was just holding him.

"Are you the family of Jennifer Scotts?"

Wes jerked himself out of his stupor and scrambled to his feet, his father close behind him. "I'm her fiancée," he replied. "This is my father."

The doctor nodded, but he looked sad. Wes' felt his entire body constrict with panic once more. His father clapped a hand on his shoulder, sensing that he was on the brink of losing his composure once more. "What's the report, Doctor…?" his father asked with an air of authority that he picked up when around doctors, lawyers and businessmen.

"Doctor Christians," the doctor replied. "I'm the staff neurologist here and was called in especially for the case of Miss Scotts."

"And?" Wes prompted him, not at all happy with the delays.

"Perhaps you should come to my office," he suggested.

Wes was about to refuse, but felt a slight pressure on his shoulder from his father and dutifully followed the doctor to a small, but comfortable office off the hallway. The doctor rounded his desk and sat down, motioning for them to sit down in two plush chairs situated in front of the desk. Wes almost fell down and stared at the doctor. He was putting the desk in between them in case he went neurotic. Wes knew this scenario—it happened all the time in books and movies, the doctors only called one to his office if the news was bad. His father sat down, retaining the air of authority and dignity all the while.

"Jen has sustained massive head injuries," the doctor said. "We've done emergency surgery that has relieved pressure on her brain from one of the injuries."

"She's alive?" Wes asked, his heart soaring with the small flame of hope.

"Yes," the doctor replied. "However, to put it bluntly, she's in a coma."

All the hope that had taken him soaring to the highest heights brought him crashing down and burning up. "A-a coma?" he stammered.

"Yes. However, she's breathing on her own and still has reflexes enough to be fed."

"Is she going to come out of it?" his father asked.

"It's hard to say. She could be in it a few days or for the rest of her life."

"Have you done everything you can?" his father further questioned.

The doctor nodded. "She's not on life support. She's alive, but none responsive."

"I see." His father stood up. "Of course, I shall want a second opinion from another neurologist and I want her transferred to a suite in this hospital."

"A second opinion?" the doctor asked, astounded. "But the results will be the same!"

"I don't care. I want a second opinion. Now!" he emphasized the last word. "What room do you have her in now?"

The doctor named a room number and his father gently took his arm, forcing him to stand up and leave the small office that had become stuffy. He didn't really want to go anywhere, but allowed himself to be led. His father led him out to the waiting room and sat him down in one of the chairs.

"Wait here," he said. "I'm going to see about having her put in another room right now." His father turned towards the nurses' station and disappeared.

Wes just sat there, feeling numb. Jen was in a coma… but that doctor didn't know how long the coma would last, her whole life or a few days. A strangled sob came out of his throat. No… this was not happening. He buried his face in his hands and cried.

Mr. Collins had taken over everything going on at the hospital. Along with Anton Mercer, the two of them had heard the bare bones story, Mr. Collins barely blinking at the fact that his son and his friends were Power Rangers. Then Mr. Collins had ordered a thorough examination of everyone who had been on that island, especially Kendrix who was fuzzy on whether or not she had been injected with something and Ashley who had just had a baby. Mr. Collins then spent some time with the doctors who had been working on Carter. They wanted to amputate Carter's shattered leg, but Mr. Collins just ordered them to get a second opinion from a second orthopedic surgeon and quick.

There was something almost awe-inspiring about two men who were millionaires ordering about a hospital and getting the best of everything for everyone. Tommy was content to just let the man take over, remembering how he had taken down first and last names of everyone involved. And everyone, including Mary Anne and Susie, were at the hospital now. That was upwards of twenty people and neither millionaire batted an eyelash. Merrick had remained at the house, promising to hold down the fort and take inventory of the kitchen.

And Mesogog was gone, his island fortress and his plan. Elsa, who it turned out had been Principal Randall, was in jail. The authorities were still wondering where Mesogog, himself was, but none of them were about to say anything. The Anton Mercer that Tommy had known and worked with on that island years ago was back and that, in and of itself, was refreshing. It was good to feel at ease once more.

Right now, Mr. Collins wanted the details on Cole and baby Karone. He had Andros telling him all the insurance and license plate details he could remember along with the year, model and make of his car. Soon, the man was on the phone with the police, asking about the car. He hung up with them after a few moments.

"They've found your car," Mr. Collins said. "But it was empty and abandoned off of I-5." He paused. "It's in the impound lot and you can get it back."

Andros leaned back and pinched the bridge of his nose. Ashley was in the examination room going through multiple tests. "So we're no closer to finding them?"

"I wouldn't say that."

Mr. Collins and Andros looked up as Eric came into the waiting room where Mr. Collins had been holding court. He had several bandages on his left arm and looked like someone had just told him he had to get twenty rabies' shots. Among other things, Mr. Collins had ordered tetanus shots for all of them.

"Why?" Mr. Collins asked, looking levelly at Eric. Tommy couldn't tell if the man didn't like him or just used that tone of voice with everyone.

"I gave Cole Wes' credit card before he left. If he's smart, he used it to charge for hotel rooms and such." Eric sat down with them, clutching subconsciously at his arm.

In a flash, Mr. Collins was back on his cell phone, telling a credit card company to fax a copy of charges from the last two weeks to the hospital. Soon, a nurse brought over several sheets of paper to them. Mr. Collins grabbed them and studied them. He pointed to the last charge on the list and showed it to them. It showed a charge for a room at a really ritzy hotel in LA. Mr. Collins smiled.

"Eric, Andros," he said. "Let's get going and see if Mr. Evans is still there." He paused and looked to Tommy. "If Mercer or Ashley come through here, let them know where we've gone." The three men left the waiting room and disappeared through the doors.

Tommy leaned back, watching the throng of Power Rangers, both current and former coming in and out of various examining rooms. He watched a couple come through the main doors, see him and come straight for him. He looked at them. This had to be Conner's parents. Kira and Ethan's parents had arrived only minutes earlier.

"Are you Doctor Oliver?" the woman asked.

He nodded. "You must be Conner's parents."

"Where is Conner?" Mrs. McKnight asked.

"He's in one of the examining rooms. He'll be out soon." He paused. "Why don't you sit down?"

Mrs. McKnight collapsed onto the couch and her husband sat down beside her. She looked exhausted with worry. "You don't know how worried we've been!" she said, looking more and more tired. "He never just disappears like that!"

Mr. McKnight gave Tommy a piercing look. "I think we deserve an explanation about what has been going on with our son."

Tommy nodded, knowing how their panic had been. "I know. This is going to sound ridiculous, but…" he paused, deciding that the blunt approach would be best. "Your son is the red ranger on the current Power Ranger team," he finished, glad that there were no nurses or civilians around to hear that.

Conner's father's eyes widened and his mother gasped.

"That's why he left home Thursday night and didn't come back."

"Where has he been?" his mother whispered.

"Well, he was at my house Thursday night like he told you. Then we all got abducted by Mesogog and were put in a battle royale island. We got off of that Saturday and he has been at my house ever since."

"Oh my God," Mrs. McKnight gasped. "I had no idea…"

"He wasn't supposed to tell anyone," Tommy explained. "That is part of being a ranger. Each one is sworn to secrecy about their identity."

"Why are you telling us now?" Mr. McKnight asked.

"Mesogog is gone. We are no longer active rangers."

"We?"

Tommy shrugged. "I'm a ranger on the team too."

The McKnights looked stunned beyond belief. He didn't blame them. If he had been under the impression that his son was a mediocre high school student who played soccer, he'd be shocked too to learn that the very same son was a Power Ranger, one of the ones who had been protecting the city from horrors unheard of.

The main doors were thrown open once again and three kids entered. One appeared to be either in her late teens or early twenties. The younger girl was maybe in junior high. The boy, however, had to be Conner's identical twin, Eric, the one that Conner talked about the most.

"Mom!" the older girl called out. "Where's Conner? We got here as fast as we could."

"He'll be out in a moment," Mrs. McKnight told her other children as they clustered around her. Over the next few minutes, Tommy learned that the older girl was named Erin and the younger girl was named Constance.

"Mom?"

The family and Tommy turned to see Conner coming into the waiting room, looking extremely confused. There was a split second of hesitation before every last member of the family had descended upon Conner and were hugging and kissing him. Conner looked embarrassed at all the attention, even if it was from his nuclear family. His mother soon had him sitting in her lap on the couch with the rest of the family around them. Conner flushed at being treated like a four-year-old, but allowed his mother to do it anyways.

"You are grounded indefinitely!" his mother said in between smoothing his messy hair and kissing his cheek.

"Aw, Mom!" Conner groaned.

"Irene," Mr. McKnight said. "He is a Power Ranger."

"You're a Power Ranger!" Eric exclaimed. "No fair!"

"I don't care," his mother replied. "He scared me to death!"

Tommy just smiled at the scene. It was really what he would have expected from anyone's family at this point in time. He thought of his own relatives and realized that they would have been behaving in the same way in the given situation, especially his mother.

Andros was silent as Mr. Collins drove him and Eric into LA to search for Cole and Karone in a last ditch effort before they brought in the police. He knew why Eric was here—the Quantum Ranger had affection for Cole in the way that one has affection for a younger brother. He'd never admit it, but he really liked the 'kid.' Andros felt slightly ill as the city came closer and closer. He had not known where his newborn daughter was since Friday. It was a long time to go without knowing anything. Even with everything that he and Ashley had been through since then, their primary thought had been about Karone and where her and Cole were. For two days they had been trying to call Cole's cell phone to no avail.

"We'll be there in about ten minutes," Mr. Collins said to no one in particular.

His hands were shaking. Andros tried to control it, but lost the battle. He had not been to LA often unless he had to for business, but the large city had always frightened him in some way that he could not identify. It seemed like hours before those ten minutes ticked away and they were pulling into the hotel parking lot.

An ambulance was outside the hotel and someone was being loaded into it. Another paramedic appeared to be holding a baby. Andros' stomach contracted with panic as he dashed from the car, with Eric and Mr. Collins on his heels.

"What's going on?" he asked the nearest paramedic.

"Sir," she said forcefully, but politely. "I'll have to ask you to step away."

Andros caught sight of the baby that one of the other paramedics was holding. Recognition washed over him. "Karone!" he called.

"Sir-" the paramedic started again, but was cut off by Mr. Collins.

"Who are these people?" he asked. Whatever it was about Mr. Collins, it commanded attention. The paramedic must have decided he looked like a lawyer who could level a potential lawsuit, because she answered quickly.

"The young man has been identified as Cole Evans," she said. "He's got a dangerously high fever and is unconscious right now."

"And the baby?" Mr. Collins questioned further.

"She was found with him. The hospital bracelet on her wrist said 'Karone Hammond.' We're taking her to the hospital to do some checks and find her parents."

"We're the next of kin for them," Mr. Collins said quickly. "This young man," he said, clapping a hand on Andros' shoulder, "is the baby's father." He glanced at Eric. "We are family friends of Cole."

Andros started for the paramedic holding his daughter, not wanting her to be with these pretentious people any longer. However, the paramedic they had been talking to tried to prevent him. "I can't let you over there," the woman replied.

Angrily, Andros reached into his wallet and pulled out his driver's license. It read 'Andros Hammond,' since they didn't have last names on KO 35, he had taken Ashley's once they moved to Earth and married. "I am her father!" he yelled at the lady. "Do you want to do a paternity test or some garbage like that?"

Mr. Collins gently held him back from bodily throwing the woman aside and taking his daughter back by force. "Miss," he said politely. "If you do not let this man have his child this moment, I will have a lawsuit over your head so large that you will not know where it begins or where it ends."

She gulped audibly and let Andros past her to Karone. He took her gently from the paramedic's arms and gently cradled her against his chest. All the possessions that Cole had in the hotel room with him were on the curb. His daughter slept on unaware of the insanity that was going on around her. He turned to see Mr. Collins arguing with another paramedic. Eric had gotten in the ambulance with Cole. He heard the words 'negligence' and 'lawsuit' come from the paramedic.

"There will be no lawsuit!" Mr. Collins roared. "This young man and his wife had to give their child to Mr. Evans for her safety. It is not their fault that Mr. Evans took ill when the baby was still in his charge."

"Even so, sir-"

"That is the end of it!" Mr. Collins boomed. He walked over to Andros and motioned for him to get in the ambulance. "Karone needs to be checked out," he said gently. "You ride with her in ambulance. I'll follow in the car and inform Ashley that you are on you're way."

"Thank you," he said softly, still unwilling to hand his daughter over to the unfeeling touch of the paramedics.

"See you in a few moments," Mr. Collins said as he strode back to the car.

Andros climbed into the ambulance with Karone, Cole was unconscious on the other stretcher, an IV hooked up to his arm. He sent a 'thank you' to him mentally and gently laid his daughter on the other stretcher. She began to cry when the paramedics started their initial examination of her. He just wanted to get to the hospital away from these people. He sighed, realizing that on top of all of this, someone needed to call Dana.

To Be Continued...

Author's Note: Wow! The reviews from the last chapter knocked my socks off! I'm glad that everyone has been liking the story and the huge climax of finally taking out Mesogog. Now, we enter the stage where all the loose ends must be wrapped up. Thanks for sticking with me throughout this entire thing... it's kind of sad that this fic is now winding down. Cheers! --EK