Nine months later…

Taylor shifted uneasily in her bunk. It was nearly midnight and her mind was spinning.

She had received her weekly mail, and that was part of why she couldn't sleep. Alyssa had sent her a letter telling her all about her new class and how they loved hearing about the Wildforce Rangers.

Cole's letter had been a little more interesting… he was wondering if he should ask Alyssa to marry him. At first she had been shocked. Taylor knew that in their hearts they both knew they were meant to be together.

She received another from Jen and Wes in regards to their baby. Jen was pleased to announce that they were the proud parents of a healthy little boy, Alec Wesley Collins.

A postcard from Danny and Max from Mexico made her grin, and she was pleased to find out that they were heading for New York next.

Then there was Eric's letter… The first one he had given her the day she returned had brought her to tears.

'Dear Taylor,

This will be the first of my letters. I'm not big on letter writing, but I figured you're not around to make fun off my handwriting or bad grammar… Watching you walk away was the hardest thing I think I've had to do, and I'm counting the days until you return to my arms.

I love you and admire you for doing this. I know it'll be hard for a while, but I'll be waiting…

Love Always,

Eric'

Every letter he sent was much of the same, and each time it made her miss him all the more.

Her squad had grilled her somewhat about being away for so long, and she had taken it in stride and played it off. Her first day back had been interesting…

As she was flying her plane, a familiar friend joined her in the skies and her Eagle Zord had flown with her everyday since.

It was good to know that she still had it in her life. When she thought she had lost him it nearly destroyed her. But everything had somehow worked out and she couldn't have been happier.

"Hey Earhardt."

Taylor looked up and saw her bunkmate Teresa walk over with two cups.

"Figured you couldn't sleep either so I got us something to help," she replied. Taylor smiled at her and took the cup of tea.

"Thanks," she replied. Teresa was another Lieutenant and they had hit it off instantly. A grin spread across Teresa's face.

"I meant to comment you on your rock," she said referring to the ring Taylor wore on her hand; she would only wear it at night, so not to damage it during the day.

"Yeah… thanks," she replied. "It was Eric's grandmother's."

"I've heard quite a bit about this Meyers guy. My sister lives in Silver Hills and said he's pretty hot." Taylor just grinned.

The two women stayed up for a few more minutes until they knew they had to get some rest. Wake up call was at 5 AM and breakfast right after with training beginning at 6. Taylor curled up with her pillow and closed her eyes…

Taylor woke as usual to the sound of trumpets and felt an overwhelming sense of danger. She bolted out of bed and as she took a quick shower, she couldn't shake the feeling.

Teresa was already at the mess hall when Taylor arrived. "Hey, you look tweaked," she replied. Taylor just shrugged as they gathered their food. They sat down at a table as the other cadets filled the hall.

"I just have this strange feeling… like something's about to happen," Taylor got out.

A few minutes later, their commanding officer, Captain Connors, entered and all the personnel in the room stood at attention. He stood on a raised platform and held his hands behind his back.

"As of oh seven hundred hours, the base will be on a lock down," he said. Everyone instantly grew nervous and Taylor knew that her senses had been right. "There's been talk of hostile activity overseas, and all bases are being put on lockdown until we're sure that none of them are in danger. We have orders to ship out immediately if necessary. All lieutenants and senior officers are to report to a debriefing meeting at oh seven thirty."

With that, he left and everyone began speculating what was going to happen. They had known that attacks overseas had been getting worse, but they never thought they would be in danger. As soon as she had finished her breakfast, she and Teresa headed for the meeting.

About and hour later, Taylor was standing on the ladder of her plane. She would always come out here to think. The Captain had said to prepare for departure, and she had been dreading those words since she came back. They would be shipping out to Virginia in order to help a sister base of theirs in three days.

Taylor only had a few more weeks of active service, but she refused to leave her squad and the rest of her fellow pilots. Since they were shipping out in less than a week, all those leaving were given time to spend with their families before they departed.

She had contacted Eric and told him about everything, and he was on his way to get her before the end of the day. She sighed, grabbed a few things out of her cockpit and went to get ready.

She waited impatiently for Eric just insides the gates. Others were with her, awaiting their loved ones to pick them up.

"Earhardt!"

She turned and saw one of the guardsmen waiving her forward. She saluted him and saw Eric leaning against his car. As soon as he saw her, he saw the sadness in her eyes and wanted to take it away.

After hesitating for a moment, Taylor broke into a half run and dropped her duffel as she flung her arms around Eric's neck.

Eric just held her firmly and kissed her neck. Taylor broke away a little and their lips met and held for several seconds. When they broke away, Eric grabbed her duffel, but kept one arm around her waist.

Without words, they got into the SUV and headed back to Silver Hills.

Taylor reached out and placed her hand on his leg as he drove. "I know you're angry," she said.

Eric reached down and held her hand in his. "I'm not angry at you. This whole thing… everything that's happened and everything that's going to happen… I just don't understand it."

Taylor sighed. "Neither do I, but we have a duty to our country."

"When are you leaving?" he asked.

"We have to be back on base in two days. We ship out a few days after we get back," she replied as she squeezed his hand. "I'll be fine, Eric. We're just going over there to make sure they have enough artillery and bodies."

"And what if they don't? What will happen then?" Taylor heard the angry tone in his voice and knew that this conversation was going to get worse before it got better.

"Then we go where they go. If they get shipped overseas then we do too."

Eric released her hand and gripped the steering wheel. "It's not fair that they don't let you go. For God Sakes you only had three weeks left!" he yelled.

Taylor looked at him in disbelief. "They did Eric, but I CHOSE to stick it out," she fired back.

This time it was Eric who was shocked. "They gave you the option to go and you didn't take it? Why not? You realize you could be home, SAFE with me."

It was then that Taylor understood why he was angry. She reached her hand out again and placed it on his shoulder lightly.

"Eric," she said softly. "I'm scared too." She felt Eric loosen a bit. "But you should know that once I have my mind made up, there's no going back."

He sighed and brought his hand down and touched hers again. "You are the most insufferable woman on the planet," he said. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. At that moment, they made a silent agreement…

Eric would support her and Taylor would return to him…

They drove for a few more minutes before Taylor noticed they were heading away from Eric's house.

"Where are we going?" she asked. Eric smiled a little.

"Home," he said. Taylor just looked at him questioningly, but trusted him. They turned onto a road and Taylor saw a large white house with maroon shutters and a three-car garage. There was a 'Sold' sign out front. Eric pulled into the driveway and into the garage.

"What's this about?" she asked as she got out of the car and made her way around to him. Eric placed an arm around her waist and led her up a few stairs until they came to a landing that led into the house.

"You asked me before you left where we were going to live, and I found a place that was big enough for everything," he said as he opened the door. Taylor found herself walking down a small hallway that opened up into a large kitchen.

"Wow," she said as she looked around. There was a larger living room off of the kitchen, as well as a dining room, an extra room, an office, and a bathroom.

Eric grinned and led her upstairs. "There's three bedrooms and a bathroom up here, and another room that could be used for a bedroom if we need it," he said.

"Eric… this must have cost a fortune," she breathed. "How can we afford it?" He just grinned and took her bag from her.

"It was a gift." Taylor looked at him oddly. "Mr. Collins called it an early wedding present."

"Are you serious? We… we can't accept this! It's too much!" she said shocked. Eric just placed an arm around her waist and brought her over to a door set a little away from the others.

"Believe me, I already had this chat with both Wes and Mr. Collins. There's no getting through to them. He insisted on giving this to us." Eric opened the door and Taylor walked up a small flight of stairs that opened up into the biggest room in the house… their room.

"Holy shit," she said in awe. Eric walked up behind her and eased her in. The room was done in soft yellows and a deep crimson color with black accents. There was a small sitting area with a fireplace and couch in the center, and off to the left was a king size bed and a bathroom off of the bedroom. A large walk in closet was to the left of the sitting area. "This is way too much," she said, still taken back a little.

"I thought the same thing at first," he said as he put her bag down and took her in his arms. "That bed is way too big for just one person," he whispered as he kissed her gently. Taylor melted into his arms and felt herself instantly relax as he picked her up and brought her over to the bed…