Sky sat with Ani in the cafeteria. It was well passed curfew, but Cruger knew they needed to catch up.

They both had been silent for a few moments after they had taken leave of the others. Ani was introduced to Z, and reunited with Syd and Bridge. Sky had reintroduced her to Jack, but she didn't want him to know about their little encounter just yet.

For some reason, when she had entered the room to check out her bike, she felt… something; like a surge of electricity as soon as she entered the darkened room. Then she had turned on the lights and felt her entire body ignite.

Something was happening; fast, and she got the distinct feeling that Sky wouldn't be too happy about it.

It was odd. From the moment Ani arrived on Earth, Sky had sensed her presence in his mind, and he in hers. They knew the other was near, and they had spoken to each other telepathically…

"When did you start drinking coffee?" Sky questioned his sister. Ani took another sip of her drink.

"You try going across the galaxy and having to deal with a time change," she said grinning.

"So how was it, Lieutenant?" he said as he cracked a smile. Ani smiled as well. "When did that happen?"

"It happened so quick," she admitted sheepishly. "They had been trying to develop this new morpher that would be compatible with both human DNA and alien DNA."

"And you cracked the code?" sky questioned.

Ani sipped her coffee and nodded her head in agreement. "About a year ago I was just reading and it hit me."

"What were you reading?"

Ani ran her fingers around the rim of her cup. "The story of Animaria," she said softly. Sky closed his eyes and instantly felt the same thing his sister was; sadness. They both missed their father dearly each and every day. He had named them after the place he had fallen in love with their mother… the place where they were conceived…

Sky took a deep breath and felt the chain around his neck growing heavy. He looked up and saw that his twin was holding the dog tag she wore around her neck in her hands.

"But yeah," Ani said, breaking the moment. "I broke the code, began testing, and made a completely new form of technology. I think Andros felt like he owed it to me to promote me."

"That's amazing," Sky said.

"You should see it Sky. We ran the preliminary tests and I was completely blown away by the results."

"Who's going to take it?" he asked.

"I don't know. Ask Cruger, I'm sure he already has his choice made," she said with a hint of disgust.

Sky knew what was troubling her. He felt her instant anger towards Z when he had introduced them. He reached out and took her hand.

"Ani, I know you're mad-"

"Aren't you? All that we worked for; all that we've wanted our whole lives was to be them!"

Sky sighed. He knew all too well what she was going though. "I know how you feel. Believe me."

"Why though? I mean I understand a little that he would give away the yellow one since I wasn't here but you? Why one Earth wouldn't he give you the Red Morpher?"

Sky shook his head. "I'm not exactly sure, but I'm getting used to someone else having it. I know it sounds strange, but in some way I feel better knowing that Jack's in there instead of me."

Ani felt his emotions change and then she understood a little bit better. She squeezed his hand. Sky was nervous… nervous that he would be a failure to their father if he didn't succeed… he also didn't want to suffer the same fate…

"A leader isn't always defined by a color," he said softly. "It took me a long time to realize that… then I talked to mum and she helped a little."

Ani released his hand and sipped her coffee again. "I think she's coming here in a few days. I talked to her last week and told her I was coming home." Sky cast his eyes downward a little. "Sky? How has she been since I've been gone? Last time I talked to Lucky he said she was helping Jen…"

Sky took a deep breath. Since their father's disappearance, Taylor had thrown herself completely into her work. She was still the loving mother to her children that they had always known, but there was a piece of her heart missing, and she had attempted to fill it with her job.

All four kids knew their mum would never fully heal from the hurt she was suffering…

"Mum's taken over responsibility of training new Cadets in Silver hills for SPD and the Guardians. Collin said she's happy, but he still feels her sadness sometimes."

Ani smiled sadly. "And the boys?"

"Collin's interning at Silver Hills General, and Lucky's getting ready to enroll in the Junior Guardians program… Alec and Katie are already in training to be Guardians and Jen's acting Commander right now until Wes figures out what to do with BioLab."

"And Grandpa Alan?" she asked.

"He's alright. Stays at home most of the time… he never really recovered fully from the stroke last year."

Ani sighed. Alan Collins was the closest thing to a grandfather they had ever had. Two years ago, while she had been home for Christmas, he had suffered a stroke. Wes had taken over for his father in his absence and attempted to be Commander of the Guardians, but it was too much at once for him to handle.

"I'll have to go see him sometime," she said.

"I'll go with you," Sky said. He often saw him, but knew Ani would want to see him as well.

Sky sort of drifted off for a moment. "Is there somewhere else you need to be?" she asked grinning.

"Hmm? What?"

"I have the feeling that you want to be somewhere else right now… wouldn't have anything to do with Syd would it?"

Sky turned three shades of red. "Is it that obvious?"

"No, but I'm your sister… not to mention I can feel a little of what you feel."

"I keep forgetting that part," he said. "I kinda told her I'd meet her while she was on night watch."

"Don't let me keep you then!" she said laughing. "You need more fun in your life according to Bridge, but we can talk about that tomorrow."

They both stood and began walking down to Ani's room. Sky stopped in front of her door and they embraced. "It's good to have you back Animaria," he said as they broke away.

"It's good to be back Schuyler," she replied smiling. It had been so long since they had used their full names, but they knew they still needed to be careful. There was no telling who was out there looking for them…