Decisions
by: Cynthia and Kahva

It had been three days since Sheena and Billy's wedding: three days since Billy had become the Sapphire Ranger, and Mondo hadn't sent so much as a Cog down to attack. Sheena had told them everything she could remember from being under his power, but even so, that gave them no clues as to what he was doing now.

"I've racked my brains a hundred times over, and still nothing." She shook her head in confusion as they all relaxed after a sparring session in the Youth Center.

"It's not your fault. I'm sure he didn't fill you up with everything he was planning," Billy reassured her. "What do you remember, exactly?"

"For the hundred and first time," she smiled. "I know the layout of the Skybase down to perfection. I could tell you where they keep the trash in that place if I really wanted to, which I don't, by the way. I know the history of the Rangers, as much as he does anyway. That helped fill in the gaps from what I knew from my world, too. Also, I have a fairly good idea of his boiling point, it doesn't take much to get him angry."

As she recounted what she knew, she realized it didn't add up to much. "I wish I could be of more help to you guys."

"You're a great help, Sheena," Tommy told her. At Sheena's request, he was going to take up her karate training. "And you're a great fighter."

"Not as good as you are, Tommy," Sheena shook her head.

"You've also not been training as long as he has, either," Jason reminded her. She smiled, looking around the table at her new friends. This was the first time she'd been in the Youth Center, and it was even more wonderful than she'd thought.

"Hi, guys." A portly man in a Hawaiian shirt came up. "Who's your new friend?"

"Hi, Ernie," the others chorused. Sheena almost hit herself; she should have recognized him! "Oh, Ernie, this is Sheena. She just moved to town," Billy introduced her. "Sheena, this is Ernie. He owns the Juice Bar."

"Hi, Sheena," Ernie smiled at her and she managed to dredge up a return smile.

"She and I have been dating for a couple of days," Billy grinned. Ernie's smile actually grew broader.

"Well, it's good to meet you." Ernie patted Billy on the shoulder and leaned in closer. "Keep this one, Billy, she looks like she really likes you."

Billy grinned as Ernie walked away. Sheena blushed and turned back to her friends. "This has got to be strange for you." Kat looked at her. "I mean, coming from where you do."

"Yes, it is strange," Sheena nodded. "But it could be worse."

"How?" Jason wondered.

"I could still work for Mondo," she shivered, and they saw a flash of fear cross her eyes.

"Sheena, are you all right?"

"Yes, I'm fine, Tanya." Sheena knew she was lying. She'd hurt the Rangers while she was under Mondo's control. She'd kidnapped Billy and sworn her allegiance to the worst evil she'd ever seen. She'd woken up the past three nights just barely able to keep her screams from ripping out of her throat. The dreams were always the same: the potion still controlled her, and she destroyed the Rangers, starting with Billy. The dreams were almost real in their intensity.

"Who's the new girl?" That voice... she shook off the memories and turned around to see Bulk and Skull coming up. She smiled at the look on their faces when they saw her.

"Hi, guys." Tommy waved at them. "This is Sheena, Billy's girlfriend."

"Detectives Bulkmeier and Skullovitch as your service, ma'am," Bulk grinned foolishly. Sheena smiled at them again, and they actually seemed to get more confused. "If you ever need detecting, we're the ones to call."

"I'll remember that," she laughed gently at the expression on Skull's face. They left, and her thoughts almost immediately turned back to the gloomy trend they'd been on. Billy's voice jerked her back to reality.

"Want to go meet my parents, Sheena?"

"Billy, we've known each other all of three days," Sheena almost snapped at him. "I think it's a little early."

"But I want you to meet them... and I want them to meet the woman I love." Billy touched her hand. She jerked away and got to her feet.

"I'll see you later." She left the Juice Bar, her thick ponytail bouncing behind her.

"What'd I say?" Billy wondered. He almost got up, before Tanya grabbed his arm.

"Give her some time, Billy. I can tell she loves you, she just needs some time alone for something. Something she's not talking about is bothering her."


Sheena walked through the park, her thoughts churning. She hadn't meant to be so rude, to Billy of all people. But... she wasn't sure what she was thinking. She hadn't been sure of much since she'd heard her name ring to the rafters in Billy's voice. She saw a small copse of trees ahead of her, where no one would see her, and went there. This would be the perfect place for what she had in mind.

She looked around and listened quietly. Everything was perfectly still here. That was what she wanted, stillness and quiet. She pulled her hair out of it's tie, letting it cascade down her back and to her knees. To anyone who knew Sheena well, as no one did in this world, her hair was a symbol of her mood. Tied back, she was serious and a 'business-like' frame of mind. But when she loosened it, she was relaxed, at ease, and perfectly content.

She took four small birthday candles and a pack of matches out of her purse. Placing one candle at the four cardinal directions, she summoned the protective powers of Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. The circle cast, she sat quietly in the center. Sealed off from the world by the circle, and sealed off from her confusion by the peace within it, she was finally able to think. She spoke softly, just loud enough so she could hear herself. "Who am I?"

A voice, full of peace and power and promise, whispered into her thoughts. She wasn't afraid; she knew who it was. You are Sheena Devereaux, adopted daughter of William and Anne Devereaux, descended in a straight line from Kahva Kilanye. You are twenty-one years old. You are the Silver Ranger. You are a witch, a priestess of the Goddess Isis.

"Why am I here?"

You are a Power Ranger. You are the Silver Ranger. Chosen and summoned from the world of your upbringing, to return to the world of your birth, that those who are descended from those who fought with your ancestor might at last have a full team of warriors.

"What do I hate?"

What you did under Mondo's influence. The crimes you committed while that potion coursed through your veins. The pain you caused those you know now as your friends, beloved, and allies.

"Who do I love?"

Billy. The Rangers. Zordon. Alpha. Your family and friends back where you grew up.

"What do I do?"

What you have always dreamed of doing. Defend this world from all who would harm it. In the name of the cause of good, and for the powers of right.

"Thank you, Sheena." She smiled softly.

You are welcome, Sheena.

Sheena felt at peace again. The tangled webs that had been her thoughts were now smooth and at ease. Speaking with her inner spirit had that effect on her. She closed her eyes and meditated. For hours all she heard was her own breathing and heartbeat.

Her thoughts drifted slowly over the events of the past three days, sliding back to just when she and Billy had returned from their honeymoon in Hawaii. . ..


"Sheena, what's wrong?" Billy had been surprised to learn he could sense her moods already; normally bonds like theirs took years to develop to that point. Then, he thought, they'd had years to develop it. . .just not years together.

"I was just thinking," they were getting ready to go get her things from her apartment. "I don't have a place to live now. I can't stay where I was. . .I need to find a place here in Angel Grove."

Billy nodded. He, Sheena, Kat, Tanya, and Tommy were all going to Sheena's old apartment to clear out her things. "We'll find you a place somewhere. There's lots of apartments and places for rent around here."

"Well, we need to get my things first," Sheena grinned. "You guys ready?" Nods answered her.

They teleported to an alley near Sheena's old apartment building and walked in normally. Sheena told her landlady she was moving out that day, and that her friends were there to help her out.

"Where have you been the past two days, young lady?" the landlady smiled at her. "Off with some new boyfriend?"

Sheena blushed, and took Billy's hand. "Yeah. . . this is him, by the way. Billy Cranston."

The landlady leaned a bit closer to Sheena and whispered, "Quite a catch there, don't let him slip away."

Sheena giggled. "I have no intentions of doing that!"

As they drew closer to Sheena's apartment, they heard strange sounds like things smashing and breaking. A thin thread of fear ran down Sheena's spine as the sounds got louder the closer they came to her apartment. She threw open the door to see Cogs everywhere, destroying everything in sight.

"NO!" Sheena screamed, as one of the Cogs smashed the photo of her friends. As the Rangers ran in, the Cogs vanished, all but one, who threw a small scroll at Sheena, then left with his friends. Sheena dropped to her knees, staring at the devestation that had once been her home.

"Sheena?" Billy knelt beside her.

"They wrecked everything," she whispered. "This was all I had for a year. . this was my home. And it's gone."

"Sheena," Tommy dropped to her other side. "We'll help you find what's not broken. . they couldn't have gotten to everything. . .it'll be all right."

Sheena looked up at her newfound cousin and her husband, a smile making it's way through her tears. "Thanks, guys."

As they cleaned up the mess and sorted through everything, Sheena found more memories than she'd dreamed of with every item. From the simplest cups and saucers that had held her meals for the past year, to when Tanya shook something out of some broken glass and held it out to her, everything conjured up images of the past.

"Are you going to keep this, Sheena? The frame was smashed, but the picture's all right," Sheena glanced at the picture, and took it gently.

"I could never get rid of this," she sighed. "These are my friends. From where I grew up."

She touched the image of each face gently, wonderingly. She realized the odds were extremely low she'd ever see them again. "Who are they?" it was Billy.

"This is Melissa," she touched one of the faces lightly. "She lived closest to me when we were growing up, and I've known her the longest of them all." One of the boys. "This is Josh. He was the first guy I ever had as a friend. He and I swore to be as brother and sister to each other." She told them a little bit about each of her friends, then quietly slipped the picture into her purse.

"I miss them," she said simply. "They were my family and more than my family for years, since my mom died. My dad was busy working, he didn't have much time to really be with me as much as he wanted to. But my friends were there for me. . .all of them." her voice almost cracked on the last three words, and they could all see tears once more springing to her eyes. Just as Billy moved to hold her, she shook her head and wiped her eyes. "Come on, we've got to get finished with this stuff."

As they worked, Kat found the scroll the Cog had tossed, but that none of them had noticed. Sheena's name was on the outside of it. Kat handed it to the Silver Ranger, saying, "The Cogs left this. . .must be from Mondo."

With fingers that trembled in outrage, Sheena unrolled the scroll. As she read, her eyes burned with suppressed rage. "What did he have to say?" Tommy asked gently.

Sheena read it aloud, her voice shaking with fury. "My Silver Ranger, I do hope this finds you in ill health and sorrow at having everything you own destroyed. If you hadn't betrayed me, this would not have happened. You brought this on yourself, dear girl, and this is only the beginning. I will not rest until you are either dead or mine again, and until the other Rangers have fallen: beginning with that blasted Sapphire Ranger. Yes, I know of that ex-Ranger now having power again, thanks to his ancestor. This simply makes things more interesting for all concerned, but rest assured that in the end, I will win. Your true master, King Mondo of the Machine Empire."

Billy took the scroll from her and tore it into tiny pieces, but they all knew that didn't change anything. Sheena stood still for a few moments, looking around at what had happened because of her awakening to her full nature as the Silver Ranger: a warrior for good. She quietly walked over to a small table and lit a candle. She stood there for a few minutes, saying nothing aloud.

The others quietly finished packing up her things, not daring to disturb her. Billy could sense her seething anger, and knew that whatever she was doing, it was calming her down considerably. Finally, she extinguished the candle and turned back to the others. "It was worth it." Sheena said softly.

Tanya and Kat exchanged confused glances. Billy nodded his understanding, but Tommy shook his head. "What do you mean?"

"Mondo's note. He said this was because I left him. But it's a small price to pay for being free. . .and for being where I belong: with you guys."

Three perplexed faces cleared, while Billy came over to hug her. "Oh, Sheena, I love you," he whispered as he held her tightly. "I'll always love you."

"And I, you," she told him. "Come on. . .let's get back to Angel Grove. Let's go. . home."

After going back to the same alley they'd appeared in, they teleported straight back to the Power Chamber. But instead of appearing in the room they always had, they found themselves in what appeared to be a bedroom. The other Rangers were sitting there, smiling at their confused friends.

"What is this?"

"Your new home, Sheena," Adam told her. "We saw the Cogs trashing your things on the Viewing Globe, but couldn't do anything about it. So Zordon showed us this area of the Power Chamber: the private quarters. Your private quarters to be precise. You've got a bedroom, shower, a kitchen. . .everything you need to have a great place to live."

Sheena smiled for what seemed to be the first time in hours. Paying off the damages the Cogs had done to her apartment had taken the last of her money, and she'd been quietly worried about how she was going to pay for a new one.

"Thanks, Zordon," she found her way to the main section and thanked their mentor. "Thanks so much."

IT WAS THE LEAST WE COULD DO, SHEENA, the ancient wizard-warrior told her. NO THANKS ARE NECESSARY.

Sheena smiled at him, then returned to setting up her new home.


Her memories slowly drew Sheena back to the present, and when she finally opened her eyes, the sun was close to setting. She'd been here almost since noon. "I better go talk to Billy," she muttered as she rose smoothly to her feet. "He'd better find out I still love him, and always will."

"That's so sweet, it's almost sickening, Silver Ranger," a voice she'd been afraid of hearing for three days said. She looked up to see Mondo and a small army of Cogs standing just outside her circle. She half-smiled. The circle was meant to protect her from all evil, and she had the sneaking suspicion the Machine King couldn't cross her barrier.

"What do you want, Mondo?" She flexed her fingers nervously.

"What I always want: the destruction of the Power Rangers." She would have sworn Mondo looked at the candles. "I want you to help me."

"You have got to be kidding," she laughed. "Sorry, Mondo, but I will never turn against my friends. Never."

"You will serve me again, Silver Ranger," Mondo predicted. "Of that I have no doubt."

Sheena reached into her pocket and pulled out her hair tie. Carefully, deliberately, she tied her hair back. She ran her fingers gently past the silver rose earrings she wore, then smiled coldly at Mondo. "About your... 'job offer'..."

"Yes?" He looked almost eager.

"Forget it. I work for Zordon and with the Power Rangers, now and forever." She whirled, crying out, "Silver Ranger Power!" as she did so. She landed both morphed and facing the Cogs who had knocked the candle behind her down, breaking her protective circle.

"You Cogs never can be quiet," she laughed, then went into battle as the Cogs surged towards her.

"Take her alive," Mondo ordered as he stepped back to let the Cogs that had stood with him join the fight. "And don't let her call for help."

"Great idea. The calling for help part, that is." Sheena was surrounded by Cogs, but she'd already planned her escape from that little situation. She leapt straight up into the air, and at the top of her leap, actually held still! She could do this only for a few seconds, though; defying gravity was hard. She spoke into the communicator Billy had made for her. "Guys, I'm under Cog attack in the park! I need help!"

She was already going back down, and angled herself to take out four Cogs at once. "We're on the way, Sheena." It was Billy who responded. She was going to have to talk to him, she knew. Well, at least she was ready for the discussion now.

She exploded back into the battle as she kicked, punched, and threw Cogs every which way. Suddenly, she heard a welcome sound: the voices of her friends and husband as they morphed.

"Mess with one Ranger, you'd better be prepared to take on the whole team," Tommy told the Machine King as they fought off the Cogs. Sheena and Billy found themselves fighting back to back.

"Hey, Billy," she yelled as she ducked under a Cog's punch.

"Yes, dear?" he asked.

"I'll go meet your parents tomorrow, if you like. I'm ready now." Sheena kicked a Cog in the stomach.

"Thanks." Billy threw a Cog into a tree. "What was wrong with you earlier?"

"Tell you about it in a few, when we're done with this." She channeled the rage she'd been feeling earlier into her fists, and almost dismantled a Cog with one hit. "Hey, that was fun!"

The Cogs vanished, and as one, the Rangers turned to face Mondo. "Get out of here, Mondo, unless you want to wind up scrap metal like your Cogs."

"Right," the others nodded their agreement with Jason.

Mondo was staring at the Sapphire Ranger. "I didn't want to believe it. . .but you are a Ranger again!"

Billy came to stand beside Sheena. "Indeed I am. Now you've got eight Rangers to deal with!"

"We'll meet again, Power Rangers," Mondo threatened, then vanished.

"I'm sure of it," Sheena laughed. A great weight seemed to have been taken from her.

"Sheena, what were you doing here?" Tommy asked, looking at the half-burned candles. She began to gather them up.

"It was a protection circle," she told him. "I'm a witch. I worship a Goddess. It's been my religion since I was a little girl. It's been one of the few constants in my life."

"I've read a little about that sort of stuff," Adam nodded briefly. "If I recall, the only real rule you live by is, "Do what you will, but don't hurt anyone," right?"

She slipped the candles back into her purse and agreed. "How can you fight, then? Mondo, that is?"

"Because if I don't, then a lot of people, a lot of innocent people, are going to get hurt. Protecting the innocent is also part of witchcraft. That's one thing I was doing here." Sheena sat down and the others joined her. "I needed to think a few things through. I had to be sure that being here, being with you guys, is what I want to do."

"And?" Tanya had to ask.

"It is," she smiled softly. "I had to be sure, though. Billy," she turned to him. "I love you, Billy. I always have, and I always will. But I had a lot on my mind earlier. I'm sorry if I snapped at you. I also haven't had a chance to think since we left the Skybase. I needed this time, and I should have just told you that."

"It's all right." He looked as if he wanted to kiss her, but he visibly held back. Sheena grinned, and kissed him instead. "We all need time to ourselves sometimes. All you had to say was that."

"I know that... now." Sheena hugged Billy, then looked slyly at the others. "Could you give us some time to ourselves, please?"

The others fell all over themselves trying to get out of the copse. Before they parted, Tanya spoke. "Billy and Sheena really have something special, don't they?"

"I want to see the looks on the faces of all those girls Billy used to date when those two announce their 'engagement'," Tommy chuckled. "They're going to want to attack Sheena en masse."

"In a five-to-one fight, over Billy," Kat laughed. "I'd put my money on Sheena every time."


The next day, Billy was every bit as nervous about Sheena meeting his parents as Sheena had been about meeting the Rangers in person. They had worked out a good story for her to tell his parents about her background and their first meeting. He adjusted his collar one last time as he heard Sheena's distinctive step on the sidewalk. She paused for a moment, and he couldn't resist peeking out the window.

She stood looking at the bushes, a strange expression on her face. He could only describe it as regret and love mixed. Then he remembered that where she was gazing was where she'd hidden to kidnap him just days earlier. He watched her quietly. She shook her head, then a smile curved her lips as she looked up at the window.

"I love you," she whispered, knowing he would read her lips.

"I love you, too," he told her. She smiled and walked up to the door.

"You must be Sheena." Billy's mom answered her knock. Sheena had dressed neatly in a silver-tinted shirt and jeans, with her hair brushed out and gleaming on her shoulders, unbound. Her two rings flashed on her hands, and Billy could hardly contain his love for her.

"Yes, Mrs. Cranston," she smiled and shook hands. "I'm glad to meet you."

As the two women entered the living room, Mr. Cranston was waiting for them. "This is Sheena, dear," Billy's mom introduced her.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir," Sheena shook his hand as well. She made small talk, filling them in on the story she and Billy had concocted.

Billy came downstairs a few minutes later, and smiled at her. She nodded back to him. "Mom, Dad, I hope Sheena hasn't been boring you?"

"Never!" Mr. Cranston had obviously already been charmed by Sheena's impeccable manners. "So, where are you two going tonight?"

"To the movies," Billy told them. "There's a great new one playing tonight, Attack of the Mutant Toaster."

"Kids," Mr. Cranston shook his head, smiling. "Well, have fun, you two!"

Their communicators beeped in unison, and Sheena covered for them in a heartbeat. "Oh, that's my watch alarm. We've got ten minutes to get to the theater, Billy. We'd better run."

"Right." He'd been a Power Ranger for four years and hadn't come up with an excuse that fast when parents were involved. They both got up and headed for the door. Billy's mom stopped him briefly.

"She's lovely, Billy, and I like her a lot," she smiled at her son. "Even if she is older than you."

"I like her too, Mom." Billy felt a whole lot of tension fade. "Age doesn't really make a difference, and it's only three years, after all."

"True," his dad nodded. "I'm four years older than your mom."

"Eric!" Billy's mom admonished. "Billy and Sheena aren't getting married!"

Well, we are and we aren't. We have been married four days now, and we're going to have an official wedding in about a year. Billy thought about just saying it, then decided not to. He could see Sheena waiting for him, tapping her foot impatiently. "I've got to go, Mom, Dad, we're going to be late. I'll be home late tonight, I think."

A few moments later, two streaks of light, one silvery-white, one dark blue, flashed across the sky. Billy's mom saw them, and smiled briefly. "Good luck, kids. Teach Mondo not to mess with the Power Rangers. Especially not with my son."

To Be Continued