Chapter Nine

"So have you and Karone found out whether the baby's going to be a boy or a girl yet?" Matt asked as he and Leo were jogging through the park.

It had been three months since Leo and Karone had announced they were having a baby.

"Not yet," Leo replied, "We decided that we wanted to be surprised. We're going to be happy with either one."

"How's she been feeling lately?"

Leo smiled, "Well, she's finally over the whole sickness phase if that's what your asking."

"That's good," Matt said grinning, "Remember when the others and I came over last month to take you two to dinner?"

"How could I forget," Leo said chuckling.

Flash Back

Leo opened the door and invite everyone in. As they stood waiting, Karone came from the bedroom to greet them.

"You feeling any better sweetie?" Leo asked as he walked up and rubbed her shoulders.

Karone smiled weakly and said: "A little."

"Man I can't wait until we get to the restaurant," Damon said, "I hear the special tonight is chili and sea bass."

At hearing this, Karone's smile disappeared and she turned and ran for the bathroom.

"Man, I'm glad we're not the one's having the baby," Mike said, "I don't think I could survive that whole nausea thing."

"You men are such wimps," Kendrix scuffed as she and Maya went to check on Karone.

The guys looked at each other, and started nodding their heads and saying "Yep", and "Yeah that's true" in agreement.

End Flash Back

"Things have changed," Leo said laughing, "Now it's the late night cravings."

"Just wait until those 3:00 A.M. feedings cuz," Matt said grinning.

Leo smiled, "It'll be worth it."

"Uh huh," Matt said chuckling, "Just wait until after the first week. Then get back to me."

Leo shook his head and then looked down at his watch. "I'd better go," he said, "Karone will be waking up from her nap soon, and I don't want her trying to do a lot of stuff while I'm not their."

"You guys still coming to dinner tonight?" Matt asked as Leo turned to head back towards the city complex, "We're having dinner at that Italian place this time."

"Wouldn't miss it," Leo called over his shoulder.

Leo entered their quarters quietly and looked into the bedroom. Karone lay resting peacefully on her back in bed. He looked at her and smiled. She looked so beautiful as she lay there. He leaned down and gently kissed her forehead.

"Mmmm," she purred as her eyes opened slowly and a smile crossed her lips.

"How are you feeling," Leo asked as he carefully sat down next to her.

"Better now that you're here," she said her green eyes twinkling, "I've been waiting for you to get home."

"You have?" Leo said in surprise.

"Uh huh," Karone said mischievously, as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. "I've be thinking all about how I couldn't wait for you to get back from your jog."

Leo looked at her with worry, "Are you sure it's safe?"

"I contacted Alpha while you were out," Karone replied smiling. "He said it was okay as long as we weren't too rough."

Leo relaxed and leaned down and kissed her again then said, "Well, I don't think we have to worry about the rough part."

Karone giggled as he gently took her in his arms and began to kiss her neck.

Two hours later they lay in each others arms in bed smiling. Leo was stroking her hair with one hand and while the other lay on her stomach where it rose in a small mound under the sheets.

"Well I'm definitely glad I came home early," Leo said grinning.

"Same here," Karone said sounding completely relaxed. After a minute though she sat up and looked at him. "Leo, are you scared about us being parents?"

Leo looked at her and said: "Are you?"

Karone hesitated then as a tear ran down her eye she said: "Yes. I'm worried about us doing an awful job as parents."

Smiling Leo reached up and cupped the side of her face with his hand like he'd done so many times before, and gentle used his thumb to brush her tear away. Then he gently pulled her back into his arms and laying her head on bare chest began to stroke her soft and silky blonde hair again. "Karone, we're going to be the best parents we can be," Leo said as he kissed the top of her head."

"How do you know?" Karone asked.

"Because, this baby came from our love, and it will always have that love from us, no matter what."

Karone smiled and kissed his chest then said, "When did you suddenly become such a wise young man?"

"The day I started listening to my heart and the day I fell in love with you," Leo replied smiling at her.

Karone smiled then she looked up at him and said: "I love you."

"I love you too," Leo said, "But we better get up and get dressed if we want to make in time for dinner with the others."

"Okay," she said as they slowly got up.

An hour later they arrived for dinner. Damon greeted them: "You guys are looking all cheerful."

"Well you know," Leo said as stood with his arm around Karone and looked at her, "We had a relaxing afternoon."

Karone blushed at this then said, "In more ways than one."

"Really," Damon grinned, "You guys are going to have to tell me about that somet- Ouch!" He winced in pain as Matt came up behind him and smacked him upside the head.

"Boy you need to learn to mind your own business," Matt said with a grin. "Come on guys, the others are waiting for us at the table."

He turned and started walking into the restaurant, the others followed close behind.

Three hours later they stepped out of the restaurant laughing. As they stood in there, a gentle breeze began to blow in the warm spring air. Leo took Karone in his arms and they shared a kiss.

The others smiled at this. Suddenly Karone let out a soft cry.

"What's wrong," Leo asked.

"I think I just felt the baby kick," Karone said in amazement.

Leo reached down and felt for himself. Then he smiled and nodded his head in agreement.

"May I," Matt asked.

Leo and Karone smiled and nodded.

Matt reached out and placed his hand on Karone's stomach. His eyebrows rose in surprise. He "Wow," he said grinning.

Karone smiled, and looked at Leo.

As Matt looked up his smile suddenly fell, and his eyes widened in horror. "What in the world," he said.

The others realized he was looking at something behind them. They turned their heads and a cry of alarm escaped Maya's mouth.

A billow of smoke was rising in the sky from the direction of the village.

Before anyone could say a word. Deviot appeared with an army of Stingwingers and began attacking. The first blast he fired caused the ground in front of the group to explode hurling them backwards. As they struggled to their feet, Leo looked for Karone. As he turned his head, his eyes widened in horror and thought for sure his stopped for a minute.

Karone lay still on the ground with her eyes closed. She had a small cut on the side of her head. But what horrified Leo was the tiny pool of blood forming on the ground under her. "Karone!" he cried out as he rushed to her. He felt for a pulse and found a weak one. He acted quickly. "Alpha Karone's been seriously hurt, I need you to transport her to the Medical Bay now," Leo said into his communicator.

"Right away Leo," came Alpha voice.

"I'll go with her," Kendrix said standing next to Karone, "Alpha can't help her on his own." In flashes of pink and white light they vanished.

"Matt, you and Maya go find out what's happening at the village," Leo said, "We'll take care of Deviot."

"You got it Leo," Matt said as he and Maya teleported away.

"Let's do this," Leo said as soon as it was safe, "Go Galactic!"

In a flash they had morphed and ran towards Deviot.

Deviot turned and laughed evilly as they approached. "Awe Red Ranger," he sneered, "So nice to see you again, I trusted that wife of yours isn't well, I told you this wasn't over."

"You're going to pay for what you did to Karone!" Leo shouted.

"I think not," Deviot said. "Attack!" The Stingwingers standing behind him charged forward.

As Matt and Maya entered the village, a horrifying sight meet their eyes. The place had almost completely been destroyed. Half the inhabitants lay in the path dead or dying. The few survivors were running around in panic.

"Oh no," Maya said her voice just above a whisper. Then her eyes widened and she began running forward shouting: "Jara!" Matt looked ahead and saw what remained of Jara's home. He quickly ran after Maya.

They soon found him. Jara was lying under a pile of rubble. Matt quickly cleared it away and Maya tearfully held his head in her lap. Jarod weakly opened his eyes. "Maya?" he said managing a weak smile.

"What happened?" Matt asked softly.

"Deviot appeared with is army, and began attacking," Jara said hoarsely, "We didn't stand a chance. They ravaged the village until they came here. They destroyed the Galaxy Book, the decided to destroy my home."

"Jara hold on," Maya said through tears.

"It's too late for me Maya," Jara said weakly, he turned to Matt, and held out his hand. Matt took it and Jarod continued. "Remember everything I've said and taught you Matt, this world's fate is now in your hands."

"I promise you I will Jara," Matt said softly.

At this Jara's eyes closed and his head laid to one side. Matt checked for a pulse. He looked at Maya and shook his head.

"No," she whispered, the she threw her head back and screamed loudly at the sky and began to sob uncontrollably. The tears pour from her eyes as she wrapped her arms around herself and tried to shrink into a little ball.

Silently Matt wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close to him as a tear rolled down his cheek.

Meanwhile back at the battle scene, the Rangers had their hands full.

Leo battled with Deviot, neither one getting the upper hand, while the others fought with the Stingwingers. As their swords clashed Leo tried not to think about Karone, but the thought of her lying helpless in a medical bed, the fate of their baby undetermined, was too much of a distraction.

This had been what Deviot was hoping for. He quickly took advantage of the Red Rangers condition by slashing him across the chest with his sword. Leo flew backwards and landed on the ground. As he clutched his chest, Deviot laughed evil and said: "I have gotten my revenge Red Ranger, I will leave you now to wallow in anguish." In a flash he and the Stingwingers vanished.

As Leo struggled to his feet, the others ran up to him.

"You okay little brother," Mike asked.

"I'll be fine," Leo said, "Right now I need see my how my wife and baby are doing."

In flashes of light they vanished, leaving a small part of the downtown district in ruins.

They arrived on the Megaship to find Matt and Maya standing in the corridor outside the Med Bay. They looked up as Leo and the others approached both of them had red eyes from crying.

"How is she," Leo asked.

"She's still in surgery," Matt said softly.

"What happened at the village," Mike asked.

"We were too late," Matt said, as Maya began to cry again. "Only a few people survived. Jara's dead, and they destroyed the Galaxy Book."

As Matt finished speaking, Kendrix stepped into the corridor from the Med Bay and sighed.

"How are Karone and the baby," Leo asked with fear in his voice.

"She has a slightly concussion," Kendrix said looking at him with tired eyes, "But she should be fine."

"And the baby?"

"I'm so sorry Leo," Kendrix said as tears formed in her eyes, "There was nothing we could do, she lost the baby."

Leo stood still for a second then he bellowed in rage and smashed his fist into the corridor wall. "Nooooo," he cried as tears streamed down his face and he fell to his knees felling his world start to crumble.

"Leo," Mike said softly as he placed a hand on Leo's shoulder, "Karone needs your love and support right now. Why don't you go to her."

Leo nodded silently, then he looked and Kendrix. "Does she know?"

Kendrix nodded slowly.

Leo took a deep breath then turned and walking into the room leaving the others in the hall. As approached Karone he saw her lying in on the medical covered with a blanket, she had a bandage on her head and tears in her eyes. Looked over at her husband and whimpered, "Leo, I'm so sorry."

"It's all right Karone," Leo said softly as he took her hand and tried to comfort her, "It wasn't your fault. You couldn't have foreseen this happening."

"Our baby would have been so beautiful," Karone whispered. Her green eyes had lost their sparkle and now looked empty.

"Try to rest my love," Leo said gently kissing her lips and managed a weak smile, "All that matters right now is that you get better."

Alpha walked forward with a hypo spray and gave Karone a sedative. "I'll be outside if you need anything further," the robot replied as he headed for the door.

"Thanks Alpha," Leo said as he took a seat next to Karone's bed, he was afraid to leave her right then.

Leo stepped out into the hallway about an hour later.

The others looked up and Mike asked: "How's she holding up Leo?"

"Best that can be expected." Leo said rubbing his tired eyes.

"If there's anything you two need cuz," Matt walking up to, "Don't hesitate to ask."

"All I want," Leo said, "Is for this war we're fighting to be over and my baby alive again."

The others gathered around him and gave a knowing hug.

"So what are we going to do now?" Mike said after a moment's silence. "With the Galaxy Book destroyed, and there's know way of knowing what's to come."

"Mike's right," Matt agreed, "I've seen enough death today to last me a lifetime. But somehow I fear this is only the beginning. Jara warned me earlier about Skokahn's accension, and something tells me that that time will be soon."

The others nodded in agreement. "How are you going to prepare for this fight, without Jara's help?" Mike asked.

"I was training long before I came here Mike," Matt said, "Just because Jara's dead, doesn't mean I don't know how to fight. When the time of the accension arrives, Skokahn and Deviot will wish they'd never attacked this world."

"So you've finally been able to deal a crippling blow to the Rangers," Skokahn sneered, "Even with the Magna Defender's return, they will be totally unprepared for what awaits them."

"Yes Master," Deviot agreed, "And with that old man dead, and the Galaxy Book destroyed, 'The One' will be of little challenge to you on the day of your accension."

"Yes indeed," Skokahn said laughing evilly. "The universe will finally be ours for the taking."