Disclaimer: don't own it yet…

Yes…I have killed off Wes; no he's not coming back…all I can say is wait for the sequel!

I cannot believe that this is the final chapter… after six months of working on this piece, it is almost complete! I cannot thank all my readers and reviewers enough for all the encouraging responses I have received to this, and not in my wildest dreams have I thought this would get where it is now! If you don't normally review, please review and let me know what you thought of this! Hugs to everyone!

This is it! The final chapter!I truly hope you all enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it!

The Beginning of the End

"I'm sorry to say Rangers," the doctor cleared this throat. "Wes has passed away."

Silent tears fell from their eyes as the doctor's words sunk in. Jen stared at him and didn't blink. Once his words made sense, she turned and buried her face in Eric's shoulder; hot tears flowed from her eyes. He was surprised at her action, but fully embraced her as both of them began to sob. Jen completely broke down in Eric's arms as he hugged her tightly. She began to utter words that weren't audible to the human ear.

Sky has stood there, frozen. He closed his eyes and tried to suppress a sob, but found it impossible. Tears fell from his eyes as well as Syd hugged him tightly. "I'm so sorry, Sky." She whispered as she held her boyfriend close.

Lucas turned to the door and bowed his head at the loss of his friend. Katie held Trip while Z, Bridge and Jack held Sky. Quiet sobs and tears flowed from the Rangers as Jen lifted her head quietly while still holding onto Eric. "Was it painless?" she asked quietly as she held Eric's hand tightly.

The doctor nodded. "Once the blast hit him, his head was knocked forwards and the whiplash snapped his neck instantly. He was gone before his body hit the ground."

Jen nodded, happy that he hadn't suffered. "C-can I see him?"

"Go right ahead, but I'll warn you, it won't be a pretty sight."

"Come on Jen. I'll go with you." Eric said and wrapped his arm securely around her waist as they walked slowly into the room where Wes's body lay.

Sky watched his mother and Eric walk out of the room as he sniffed. "At least it was painless." He echoed the doctor's words. "Now, he's with Grandpa."

In the room

The door opened silently as Jen and Eric walked in with the doctor at his side. There lay Wes's lifeless body, his face a ghostly pale. Jen was silent as she walked into his room and took a chair next to the bed. She placed a piece of hair behind her ear and took his limp hand.

"Wes," she began. "I don't know if you can hear me, but it's Jen." Eric sniffed as she squeezed his hand tightly; tears began to flow for the second time today. She let out a shaky breathe as she sniffed. "I…really don't know what to say, but," she looked up again and slowly squeezed her eyes shut. "Thank you Wes, for…" she took in a quivering breathe. "Everything. You helped us with so many things. You helped us capture Ransik way back when. You raised Sky to be a wonderful young man and a wonderful Ranger. You helped me realize what love was. And for that, I thank you. I'll never forget you, Wes." Jen shut her eyes to tears again. "I love you Wes. I love you so much." Jen leaned down and kissed his cold lips for the last time. "I guess this is… good bye."

Jen ran a hand over his cheek and slowly pulled the sheet over his head.

Never again would he see the light of day.

Sometime later

Jen had disappeared ever since she had seen Wes lying in that bed, a pale white sheet over his face. Sky had decided to go in after her and talk. But when he went in, she was gone. After talking to Eric, the Quantum Ranger had told Sky about a place that Jen always had her heart in, a special place along the horizon that she had truly grown up in.

The city of Silver Hills held memories for the Pink Ranger that Sky himself could never imagine. In fact, a lot of these he had never heard of. The journey to this place of Jen's was a long one, but Sky was willing to do it.

With a heavy heart he slowly pushed open a door that read "Nick of Time Odd Jobs". His father had the place rebuilt after the dreadful fire that brought it to the ground. Over twenty years of dust had accumulated on the countertop and cobwebs found themselves in the most odd places. He walked past the counter where a cash register stood. In the sea of dust, a single clean line, about the width of a finger, had trailed along the tabletop and down.

His eyes soon lay upon a trail of dusty footprints that lead up the path of winding stairs. He had been here as a child, his father had told him stories about how he and the other Rangers lived here during their time in the year 2001. Sky sighed as he climbed the stairs alone, knowing where Jen may be.

Minutes later, he found her. There, on a balcony that overlooked the sea, she sat. Her back was against the brick wall as her eyes scanned the horizon. In her hand, the reflection of a ring cast a bright light on the walls of the old Clock Tower.

He watched her sigh heavily as her foot swayed effortlessly back and forth. For a moment, he just stood there and watched her. It was as if she was just nineteen again, a helpless teenager in love.

"It was here that I first realized that l liked your dad." Her voice penetrated her thoughts. Jen turned her head and invited him next to her. "It was one of our early missions, and Fat Catfish had just been released. Me, being the hardheaded leader that I was, took it into my own hands. I went to bring Fat Catfish in by myself, but took a hard beating from Ransik. Wes helped me, but I learned the hard way what teamwork was about. And once we captured him," Jen smiled at this memory. "I had realized I liked him."

Sky chuckled as he looked at her complexion. The sun had begun to set as she turned her eyes back towards the skyline. "He told me a lot of stories about you, Jen. About how he first met you, and how you wanted to shove him through the nearest brick wall." Sky chuckled as well as Jen. "There wasn't a day that went by that he didn't mention your name."

"Wes and I had many good times here." Jen looked back into the room where a large silver bell hung. "When he first bought us here, we didn't even consider the thought of living here. But, it soon came to us as being home. If fact," her eyes glanced towards a door and a wide smile came to her face. "That's where we spent our first night together, after the MutOrgs were captured. In that very room is where you were conceived twenty years ago."

Sky immediately covered his ears. "Oh, yuck! Don't tell me that!" Jen let out a hearty laugh as she watched Sky's face cringe with a horrible thought.

"He's proud of you, Sky. Proud of you for being the Blue Ranger." Jen stated. "He's proud of you for making the best out of a sticky situation. Even though you didn't follow in his footsteps, he's proud of you. Wes wasn't always the type of guy to do that, but he told me our first night back in SPD Headquarters."

"He was proud of me?" Sky asked and started off slightly. 'He was proud of me for being the Blue Ranger. He was proud…'

She looked over the horizon yet again and smiled. Her voice dropped to a whisper as her smile slowly dissipated. "Your father was one of a kind. Loyal, brave, and loving. He was everything that a woman could ever want. He won't be forgotten in the future."

"He won't be forgotten here, either." He said. Sky glanced over at her face as her hazel eyes began to shine. "You're everything he said you were, Jen. That and even more."

"Well, I guess we have something else in common."

Sky gave her a curious look. "What's that?"

Jen looked at her son and smiled. "We both have a man that we love." Jen took his hand and kissed the top of his forehead. "And we have each other."

Sky smiled. "Yea. We have each other." He echoed.

For the rest of the night Sky and Jen talked about their pasts, and their memories of Wes.

A few days later

Dark gray clouds began to gather as Wes's coffin was escorted out of the church. An American flag was over his coffin as Jen placed a Time Force jacket over the flag. The coffin was placed in the hearse as the party made its way towards the cemetery for his burial.

All the while, Jen felt tears come to her eyes again, and Eric's arm slip around her shoulders. It wasn't the first time that she had given a speech for a fallen comrade in battle. But this time it was different. Wes was her fiancé, her lover.

Once they rounded a corner the cemetery came into place. Sky and Jen had both picked out a small gravestone, one that she knew Wes would like. A few minutes later and Wes's coffin was placed in its holder as the priest said a few more words.

From on the other side of the coffin, Sky focused on his father's pictures that rested against the stone. A soft "Taps" and "Amazing Grace" was heard in the distance as the coffin was lowered into the ground. Wes's red beret was handed to Jen as Katie held her best friend.

Sky felt Syd's arms around him as Z, Bridge and Jack came up behind him.

Jen took in a deep breath as she called the next command. "Salute!" she said in a strong voice. The SPD and Time Force Rangers, as well as the Silver Guardians all followed in one crisp salute to the former Red Ranger as his body began to be covered with dirt.

"Order Arms!" Eric shouted. Rifles were aimed high. "Fire!" the loud blast came from them as they fired in remembrance.

A slow drizzle began as the parties began to separate and hugs were given. For a few moments Jen stood there and traced his name:

WESLEY ANDREW COLLINS
1978-2025
A brave Commander, Red Ranger as well as a loving fiancée and father.
His legacy will live on and he will never be forgotten.

As she stood there, something moved in the bushes behind her. Jen immediately snapped to her blaster. "Who's there?" she called. But nothing had been seen, figuring it was just an animal. Her gaze was turned back to his headstone.

"I love you, Wes." She whispered. "I always will."

Jen drew in a strong breath as she slowly moved away from his grave. Now, there was one thing left. Now she would be leaving the twenty-first century, for good.

Now, she would be saying good-bye to Sky.

Two days later, at the beach

It was a cold day at Silver Hills Beach, and a yellow time ship rested on a rocky ledge. This was a sight the Time Force Rangers didn't want to see.

Jen turned her gaze back to where a squad of SPD Cadets and Silver Guardians stood behind Eric and Commander Cruger.

The SPD Rangers stood in a neat line as Jen walked up and down. "You have done well, Rangers. Space Patrol Delta has never seen a better squad of Rangers. You've also done Time Force proud. I thank you for giving us your busy lives to keep the future safe. I couldn't be more proud of all of you."

Jen walked up and down the line, exchanging hugs and hand shakes with each of the Rangers as well as the other Rangers. Jen then turned to Eric and hugged him tightly. "Take care of them, Eric." She whispered and kissed his cheek.

"I will. Bye Jen." Eric said as Jen moved to Sky.

Katie, Trip and Lucas were standing against the Time Ship as Sky and Jen came face to face. Jen looked at him as a strange sense came over her. It was exactly like her and Wes had done all those years ago, and how it was when she left Sky with Wes.

"It was in this same place that I left my boys behind to return to my time. Twenty years ago I left you and Wes, Sky. Now," she paused. "I'm not leaving my baby behind, I'm leaving my son. A man whom I am proud to call my son, the Blue Ranger. I just wish we didn't have to part under these circumstances."

"Me too." He hugged her tightly as he squeezed tears out of his eyes. "You helped me in so many ways. I'll miss you. I guess this is good bye." He sighed and kissed her cheek.

"It's never good bye, Sky. Think of it as, I'll see you soon." Jen said and hugged him again. "I love you, Sky."

"I love you too, Mom." Mother and Son stood there for a new moments trying to remember every single detail about the other. Finally they parted and Jen walked back to the Time Ship.

Sky walked back into line as Syd took hold of his hand.

"Salute!" Eric ordered as the time ship took flight and the vortex opened.

Sky snapped to a crisp salute as a new pride came over him. A few moments it was over and they began the journey back to New Tech City, and back to the old life Sky knew.

10:30PM

"It's good to be back." Bridge said and sighed as he lay down in his bed. Z smiled as her and Jack sat down in the chair at the desk. Syd sat down on Sky's lap as he settled down.

"Well look at you two, all nice and cozy." Jack teased.

Sky rolled his eyes as Syd kissed his cheek lovingly. "So, what's next?" the Pink Ranger asked.

"Don't know, but right now all I want is a good night's sleep." Sky yawned.

"Yea, lights out is in effect," Jack stated. "Come on girls, let's let the guys get some sleep."

Z nodded as she stood up. Syd kissed Sky lovingly. "Night, sweetie."

Sky smiled and kissed her again. "Good night, Syd."

The girls and Jack slowly walked out, leaving Bridge and Sky alone. In a few minutes Bridge was sound asleep, leaving Sky to shut off the lights.

But sleep didn't come easily for the Blue Ranger. Sky sat up again and looked at the new pictures that rested on his side dresser.

One was of a woman who had stolen his heart away.

"Come on Sky, let's take a picture!" Syd laughed as she pulled Sky past a cameraman.

"Alright, smile!" he said.

Syd placed her arms around Sky's neck as his arms went around her waist. Syd placed the side of her head against his. A light flash surrounded them.

The next was of another woman who helped him realize that life was too short to live. She had chocolate brown hair and beautiful hazel eyes. Jennifer Scotts would always be his mother and his best friend.

"Jen, Sky!" Wes called. "Get together, I want a picture of my two favorite people!"

Jen laughed as Sky hugged her tightly and smiled. He heard Syd laugh behind him as Sky placed his arm around her waist and held her. Another flash and the picture was taken.

The picture that was beside that one was his favorite. It was of a man whom he would never forget. A man who changed his life forever. Sky picked up the frame as its memory came back to him.

"Daddy, can I get a picture taken with you?" Sky asked. He was only eight at the time, and the foundation for the new Space Patrol Delta base had finally began. With the first dig and reporters around, Sky wanted a picture of him and his father.

Wes smiled and handed his helmet to his son. "Why not?" Wes said and bent down behind him.

"Smile boys!" the reporter cheered. With another flash, Sky smiled as he and his father were captured in the picture. Sky knew this would be his favorite picture of all.

"I miss you, Dad. More then you know. But like Mom said, we can't dwell on the past only remember and wait for the future." Sky whispered. He placed the picture down and crawled back into his bed.

His eyes closed and sleep soon overwhelmed the Blue Ranger. A smile crept across his face as he dreamed of the future he wanted. A future with Syd, and a future with kids. Kids that he would tell stories of his Ranger days to, and kids that would always know who their grand parents were. Their Grandmother was a loving and caring woman from the future who would risk it all.

He sighed happily at the next thought. Their Grandfather was a man who they would always know about, and a father whom he would never forget. He'd pass down the stories his father told him to his kids. He would tell his kids how all heroic stories were started, all with four simple words.

Once Upon a Time…


AUTHOR'S NOTE: I cannot thank you all for giving me the opportunity to write this incredible story. For all of you who hoped to have Wes come back, all I can say is wait for the sequel! Again, thank you all for your wonderful reviews and encouragement, you all are my stars! Thank you for reading! The title of the sequel is "What the Future Holds" and there is more info in my profile page!

Steph
White Time Ranger