Disclaimer: don't own it…

What is going on with Jen? Is this just a dream or did Steelix do something else? Someone pays the Rangers a visit, and Sky doesn't like him at all...

Chapter 11 up!

Enjoy!

Roses and Thorns, part 3

It had been weeks since Steelix was seen and since Jen would up with that strange dream. But for the Captain of Time Force, that dream was merely a bad memory.

The sun baked her skin to a gold brown as she heard splashing down below. Sky and his father were boogie boarding in the ocean as the SPD and Time Force Rangers were having an intense beach volley ball game a few feet away.

Jen suddenly winced as she watched Wes get toppled by a wave and go crashing on his stomach, but suddenly laughed as he immerged, for his bathing suit has managed to go down to his ankles.

"That's not funny!" he called as he pulled up his pants, just in time to hide himself from the receding water. Wes turned around as he saw her put the camera down; his face grew a dark red.

Jen watched in delight as he ran up the beach towards her, a look of mischief crossed his face. He had a full bucket of water in hand as the volley ball game ended.

Bridge sat down on the blanket and caught his breath. Jack grabbed a few sodas and handed one to Z and Lucas. Sky had grabbed a towel and sat next to Syd and entwined his hand in hers. Trip and Katie were left to get the sandwiches out while Eric turned over on his towel and flipped the next page in his book. Wes placed the bucket a few feet away from Jen's armchair and sat down next to her.

"I'm really glad Cruger gave us some down time." Z stated. "I could have used a vacation."

Bridge nodded in agreement. "This is nice. The sun, the sand…"

Wes smiled mischievously in Jen's direction. "The water…"

Sky laughed with his father. "Especially the water…" Jen eyed both of them cautiously.

"You two better not be planning some stupid prank." The Pink Ranger stated. Wes nodded at the rest of the Rangers who stood up.

"We'll just be going for a walk, Jen." Katie said. "Be back later."

Something clicked in Jen's mind, but it was too late. Lucas, Jack, Trip, Bridge, Sky and Wes hoisted Jen's chair up and sprinted towards the water. Jen flailed in her chair, while Katie, Z, and Syd were left to gaze upon the sight.

"Come now, Jen!" Wes shouted. "How could you not come to the beach and go in the water?"

"Damn it, Wes! Put me down or so help me…" she began. But her sentence was cut tragically short as Wes lifted the back of the chair up and sent Jen toppling into the water. The other Rangers fan up towards the beach and left Wes to take the heat. "You're DEAD, Wes!" Jen yelled and lunged for him. Wes dove under the next wave and swam, for Jen was hot on his trail.

"Go Jen, go!" the girls called.

"Swim, Dad! Swim for your life!" Sky shouted happily.

Back out to sea, Jen had ended the chase and finally pulled him under. Both Rangers were left laughing and splashing as Jen finally got her revenge.

Sky smiled at his parents. He watched them go about their lives with smiles on their faces and an open heart. They would be going out for dinner later to talk about some changes Jen had in mind for SPD.

"Something on your mind?" Syd's voice reached his ears as he smiled down at her.

"Nothing at all." He smiled and kissed her forehead. "Nothing at all…"

He watched as Jen and his father frolicked in the ocean, bright smiles were spread across their faces. Everything was right in the world.

Somewhere

Steelix grinned as his concoction began to form. "It's almost ready." He said. "Just wait, Jennifer. I'll have my revenge. Those Rangers won't know what hit them."

The computer beeped as the canister was filled and the liquid settled. He shook the can as he smiled. "It'll be a blast from the past."

Later that night

The sun had around the Rangers as they watched the fireworks shoot off at the end of the beach. Bridge and Trip talked about Circuit and computers. Z, Syd and Katie were having a nice conversation about the latest fashions, while Lucas, Sky, and Jack were playing badminton.

Sky hit the birdie down towards Jack who missed it. "And yet again, I am the champ." The Blue Rangers declared. He looked around for this mother and father, in hopes of challenging them.

But Jen and Wes were nowhere to be found.

At the Boardwalk

Jen felt Wes slip his arm around her waist and intertwine his fingers within hers. Their day had been fairly pleasant. They had a nice trip to the beach with the other Rangers and dinner on the beach. Wes suggested they take a walk on the Boardwalk, which Jen happily agreed to.

The Captain sighed happily as they stopped at the end of the pier and gazed over the ocean. The temperature was a cool 72 degrees, with a nice ocean breeze. Wes watched as Jen scanned the horizon, a smile on her face.

"It's beautiful." She stated. Wes smiled and stood next to her.

"Yes. When my father was alive, and after you left, we'd come here every week and just talk." Wes said. His smile turned as he remembered his father.

"You really miss him." Jen said as Wes nodded. "Just thing, he's looking down on us now, and I bet a wide smile is on his face.

The Red Ranger sighed. "But God has blessed me with two gifts." Wes watched as the Rangers cheered for the fireworks. "For one, Sky has been an amazing son." He turned to her. "And now I have you back. I've gotten everything I ever wanted. I have two successful companies, great friends, a wonderful son, and a lovely girlfriend." Jen grinned at him. He was never this romantic.

"Jen, you're a lovely woman," he took her hand and smiled. "A lovely woman who I would love to become my loving wife."

Jen's smile was replaced with a look of astonishment and disbelief. Wes smiled as he opened up the ring case and dropped down to one knee. He slowly took her hand and placed the ring on her finger. Jen gasped and smiled widely.

"Jennifer Ann Scotts," Wes said and stood up. "Will you marry me?"

Tears began to flow from her eyes as Wes gave her a cocked look. "Well? Say something!" he laughed.

Jen suddenly jumped into his arms. "Yes! Oh, Wes." Jen hugged him as tears cascaded down her face. Wes kissed her happily as he hugged her back.

They turned back to watch the fireworks, Jen's ring glowed brightly in the night.

The next day

The happy news got around Silver Guardian Headquarters. Their Commander and the Captain were to be married. News also spread around SPD Headquarters as Sky smiled widely. They would be together, as one family. Jen and him would spend every day just talking and acting as a family. Wes had plans to get Jen the best care in the world for her heart, no matter what the cost.

Sky hadn't been able to keep his mind set in one place the whole day. His parents were out planning a wedding now and getting the invitations out. Katie, Trip and Lucas were thrilled with the idea of them being wed.

"Hey," someone woke Sky from his reverie.

"Oh, hi Syd. When did you get here?" he asked.

"Just now. I heard the news, and congratulations!" she said. "I bet they're thrilled."

Sky laughed and pulled her down onto his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled. "Not as thrilled as I am."

From outside, Lucas listened in closely. He only sighed, as there was a thought lingering inside his mind.

Outside, a figure walked into SPD headquarters, his dark sunglasses shown in the sun.

A few minutes later

Jen and Wes stepped out of his car, smiles on their faces. "I love this one." She said a she opened up a catalog and showed Wes the gown she wanted. "And this one for the bride's maids."

Wes laughed. Jen had this whole dream wedding planned ever since she had been engaged with Alex. Now Wes would make her dream come true. "Anything you want."

The walked up towards Command, unaware of who had arrived.

Command

Sky and Syd chuckled as Z and Jack played cards. Bridge and Kat worked on the system. The doors opened suddenly as a man dressed completely in white entered. His jet black hair was slicked back by a heavy amount of gel and a blaster was attached to his thigh.

The words Time Force were on a patch on his right shoulder. Sky looked at his man, and he seemed familiar.

"I must speak with Captain Jennifer Scotts." he said. "Where is she?"

Sky eyed this figure uneasily. "Captain Scotts is my mother. As per where she is, that isn't any of your business."

"Respect your rank, Cadet Tate!" Cruger commanded. Sky backed off uneasily. Rank? This man was higher then he was?

"Commander Cruger." He said. "I must speak with Jen."

Sky still didn't like this guy's attitude. "Excuse me, sir. But, who are you?" The man removed his sunglasses, his blue eyes shined.

"Admiral Alexander Drake."

ch 12 up soon…