Disclaimer: I own nothing except Ink and Alice

Author Notes: This chapter contains scenes from the Time Force episode 'Destiny Defeated' and also a reference to Lost Galaxy. Hope u like. Shout outs at the end, enjoy!

RETURN TO ME

Jen was fed up with fighting. The man who currently stood before her leading them was not the man she had fallen in love with a 1000 years in the future. She could feel the other Rangers around her get more and more tired. She was so angry with Alex. His leadership tactics were useless. His team weren't responding to him so he pushed them even harder and made them even more resentful. It had been so different with Wes as their leader. She closed her eyes for a second. Wes wasn't here anymore. Alex had made sure of that.

She could hear Lucas yelling at Alex, finally breaking under the strain of such demanding impersonal orders. Katie and Trip rallied around him. Jen looked around her for hope. There was no way they were going to win working in their current team. Then she noticed a flutter in the air and then a figure wrapped in purple crumbled to the ground among the nearby trees. A more resilient figure appeared beside her and helped the first figure, who was hunched over in apparent pain from something inside, to her feet. As the figure began trying to straighten out, Jen felt a sense of pure joy overtake her as she recognized the familiar and much missed pair.

She dashed over to the other Rangers and physically pulled them around to see what she saw.

"Look its Ink! She's back!" she cried happily, her anger at Ink's silence over Alex's return pushed to one side from the pure happiness at seeing her friend again after a time of absence.

"Hey Ink!" called Trip excitedly, waving. "Alice, take care of her."

"Eric must be moving away," said Lucas quietly as he noted Ink's expression of pain. "He must be going."

Ink nodded to Jen. She hadn't seen the Pink Ranger since their harsh confrontation over Alex's return. Now Jen understood. If she hadn't served under Alex as the Red Ranger then none of them would have understood how well Wes fitted in and how well he served them as a leader. They wouldn't have realized that destiny is not pre-decided but can only be self-made. Ink was here to offer them hope. She had been missing at their past few battles along with Wes and something had been missing as they fought. They had missed her silent watchful presence.

Alex was confused.

"Ink? Who is she Jennifer?" he demanded, some of his former bluster returning. "Is she a civilian?"

"She's much more than that Alex. She's the Quantum Keeper; Eric's Guardian," Jen replied almost proudly of her friend.

"Guardian? That's impossible; the history banks show that there was no spiritual guardian for the Quantum Ranger recorded of this time. The guardians disappeared long ago after the technological age of Rangers began and the next one doesn't appear until the next set of Rangers begin their time," argued Alex.

"She exists Alex," said Katie angrily. "She's helped all of us out."

"I guess the history banks don't hold all the answers after all," said Jen meaningfully.

She looked at Alex pleadingly, mentally willing him to hand over his Red Chrono-Morpher. She could see under his team's intense anxious stares, Alex was for once unsure.

"What have we here? Discord among the ranks? Well none of you will have to worry about the future anyway because it will be firmly in my grip," sneered the shrieking mechanical voice of Frax. "Say goodbye Rangers!"

The Rangers gasped and turned around. Through all their fights with Alex and Ink's surprise return, they had forgotten about the hysterical robot who seemed to have not noticed the two extra figures at the edge of the battlefield. Alice drew Ink away to somewhere she was securely hidden from the robot. She didn't want her sister in any danger. A large gold sword with a lion emblem on the handle appeared in one hand, just in case.

Frax stood before the Rangers triumph ringing in his metallic words as he aimed his finger-pistols at them, ready to fire bullets at them. Suddenly there was a yell, a blur of heavy movement and Wes tackled the robot to the ground. The Rangers, sure they were about to face death, yelled in surprise and for most of them, happiness at the sight of their former leader.

"Wes!" shouted Jen joyfully, not seeing her fiancé's crestfallen expression at her reaction.

Wes looked up, catching sight of Ink and Alice. He smiled and waved to Ink who managed a smile back through the pain. Ink had known all along Wes realised, she had known what Dr Zaskin would tell him at the hospital and that the path he'd have to take was the one that led back to the Rangers. Seeing her back at the Rangers' battles filled him with another strength. Everything was back to the way it should be.

"I choose my own destiny and I choose to help my friends," he declared aloud for Alex's benefit.

As he raced for the energy container amid Frax's furious bullets, Ink watched as Jen and the other Rangers fought off reanimated Cyclobots to help him. She smiled as the team fought strongly to get to their true leader. Jen snatched the Morpher from Alex and threw it to Wes who gave a salute to Ink and Alice just before he and the other Rangers morphed. Soon under Alex's reproachful gaze, the Megazord was summoned and formed.

Suddenly Ink stood up straight. The pain inside of her disappeared. Alice looked at her concerned.

"He is returning"

Eric gazed out of the window of the taxi. He almost did a double-take. He could see the Time Force MegaZord fighting at full size against a huge monster. He felt a lurch in his stomach. He imagined what he'd be doing if he hadn't given up his Ranger duties; he'd be Morphed, summoning the Q-Rex and aiding the other Rangers in saving the city. He was surprised to feel a pang in his heart. He missed being a Ranger. From the look of it, the Rangers missed him too since they were losing the battle. Without him, they'd fail.

Then he was aware of something else. Ink's breathless presence inside of him. She was nearby somewhere. He could feel her pain inside of her. In his mind, he imagined her doubled-over, Alice trying to support her and defend her at the same time. They would stand on the edge of the battle, watching the Rangers and giving them strength through their quiet presence. A battle he was meant to be part of. He glanced at his Morpher. The purple had blended into the black strap of it, creating a less harsh clash of colours with the red.

They were still interlinked.

I see you have returned my Quantum Ranger he could feel the breathless smile in her words.

I figured you'd need my help

Or you saw something you know you belong to, no matter your feelings.

He smirked, acknowledging without words the truth she spoke. If Mr Collins died then Wes would be head of Bio-Lab. But he, Eric, would still be the Quantum Ranger. No one could take that away from him. Not even the Rangers wanted to anymore. They were more concerned with their mission and helping Eric save himself. Eric knew in that moment what he wanted to do and felt Ink's joy at his decision.

He leant forward and tapped on the cabbie's shoulder.

"Pull over right here," he insisted.

The cabbie obliged and Eric hurtled from the cab, stopping to stare up at the monstrous battle going on high above him with a nod. He briefly hoped that Alice would keep Ink safe from the rampaging Zords and raised his Morpher to his wrist.

"Quantum Power!"

The monster fell. Eric smiled and quickly powered down. He saluted his Q-Rex which roared back as it stomped its way toits hiding place deep in the heart of the forests. He looked across the field. The Rangers, still Morphed were waving goodbye to their Time Jets as they soared back to their storage bases in the future. Ink was nowhere to be seen. He had seen her quickly during the battle hiding with Alice but she had remained silent during the battle, knowing that Eric needed his full concentration on controlling his Q-Rex.

As he observed the Rangers, a smile on his face for an unknown reason. He felt her presence as strongly as though…..

"You came back."

She was standing behind him. He turned and offered a half smile/smirk at his Guardian who smiled back. Alice scowled nastily.

"You put Ink through a lot of pain Quantum Ranger," she stated. "I hope you don't plan on doing that again otherwise I may have to prove my mettle against you."

Eric looked from Alice to Ink and saw the smile in her eyes. Inside, he could feel her heart beating and her serene happiness that he was back.

Where you belong Quantum Ranger.

He nodded once to Ink before addressing Alice.

"I don't think I'm going anywhere soon," he replied slowly. "Got too much to do here."

Ink broke into a wide smile before looking behind Eric to see Wes turn and run as fast as his Ranger boots could carry him away from the jubilant Rangers celebrating. Eric turned just in time to catch sight of Wes before he disappeared around a building corner. His face turned stony.

"Mr Collins, he's going to see his father," he realised out loud.

Quickly he began running away from Ink and Alice who waited patiently until he slowed and turned to look at them.

"Are you coming?" he asked impatiently.

"We will join you in your Guardian SUV," replied Ink with a brief wave of her hand. "And when you demorph, you will find yourself already in uniform."

Before Eric could work out what she meant, she lifted her arms and swirled her cloak dramatically. Instantly she and Alice were disappearing in blinding purple light. Having no time to wonder, Eric returned to running away from the plaza to the Bio-Lab headquarters. His SUV was still parked there from the night before and as he approached it, he quickly powered down. He realised what Ink had done; somehow managing to manipulate his clothing beneath his armor and change it to his Silver Guardian uniform.

You are welcome Eric.

I didn't say thank you.

I know what you meant though and this will aid you when needing rapid access to the hospital correct?

He chose not to answer though he could hear her quiet laughter in his head as he reached the SUV. He opened the door and was completely unsurprised to find Ink and Alice sat comfortably in the back. Ink winked at him as she arranged the rustling folds of her skirt around her. He shook his head in response as he slid into the driver's seat. Somedays, he realised, it was like having a sister. An ancient all-knowing sister who knew exactly went on in his head but still a sister. Somehow he was grateful for their unusual relationship.

He started the car without another word and rocketed out of the parking lot at a speed well beyond the limits of the area. They hit the road hard.

"Sorry bout that," he shot over his shoulder as they turned a sharp corner.

"Just keep your eyes on the road," Alice shouted back.

Soon Wes came into view, an incredibly worried look on his face. He was unmorphed, dressed in a preppy blue button-down shirt and white pants. He looked out of place without any red on realised Eric. He was someone else who belonged as a Ranger. He began to slow as he caught up with his former friend, unsure of exactly what he was going to do

Eric……

I know.

The SUV screeched to a stop beside the distraught Red Ranger and Alice flung the passenger door open before him. For a few seconds, Eric stared at Wes. The reason he'd very nearly disappeared from Silver Hills forever. He felt Ink patiently in the back of his mind. She wasn't nudging him at all. There was just an air of expectancy as though she knew what he was going to chose to do. Then he realised she probably did.

"Get in!" he managed finally.

Wes gave him an astonished look. The last person he probably expected to help him was Eric. The Quantum Ranger hastily carried on before having to offer any explanations

"I'll give you a ride."

"Ok."

Wes quickly hoisted himself into the passenger seat and as he slammed the door shut, Eric took off again at breakneck speed. Wes realised who was sat behind him as he snapped his seatbelt on. Ink smiled warmly at him and Alice offered a casual salute.

"You guys came back too!" he said happily. "I saw you watching the battle."

"When you and Eric returned, so did we," replied Ink almost contentedly despite her uncomfortable seat. "Welcome back Red Ranger."

Wes crowed a loud cry at the nickname being used again, causing Eric to shoot him an amused glance and Alice to simply roll her eyes. Silence settled back in the SUV as the hospital came into view. Now Wes was reminded of why he had given up his powers in the first place; to be there when his father died. He only hoped that this destiny could be defeated too and that he wasn't too late. Eric braked quickly at the hospital entrance, flashing his Silver Guardian colours through his open window when orderlies protested and Wes hurriedly opened the door, scrambling out. Before rushing through the hospital doors, he turned back to the others in the SUV.

"Do you know?" he asked Ink softly, fear in his eyes.

Ink merely nodded at the newly re-appointed Red Ranger.

"Now that you have chosen to beat your destiny, I know which path your father will follow," she answered.

"Don't worry, I won't ask you what's going to happen," he sadly reassured her. "I know I made the right choice rejoining the team. This is out of my hands."

And in someone else's Ink thought silently to Eric.

Eric turned to look back at her, a confused expression twisting his face. She raised her eyes to look wordlessly back to him.

"Eric," began Wes, unable to find words to thank his friend.

"Don't start with me Collins," interrupted Eric, batting Wes' words away with his hands. "This doesn't mean anything has changed between the two of us, we're on the same team but nothing more," his gaze finally settled on Wes. "Just be there for your father ok? And come back and let me know how he's doing."

Wes smiled at Eric's words. Somewhere there was affection, a strange sort of love-hate brotherly affection but affection nonetheless. With a last smile at Ink and Alice and a grateful nod at Eric, he dashed up into the hospital. Eric watched him go, silently sending his prayers to Mr Collins room. He looked over his shoulder.

"I don't want to hear it Ink," he said, settling back in his seat for the wait.

"You do not want to hear what a wonderful step you have taken by aiding Wes? How the two of you, as different as you are, are somewhat like brothers? How now you have made the decision to return that you are truly part of a team?" Ink asked innocently.

"Yeah I don't want to hear it," his voice was full of frustrated sarcasm.

"Then I will not say it my Quantum Ranger."

Alice snickered and only smirked when Eric aimed a glare her way.

"You know this is weird for me Ink, can you not make it a little easier?" he muttered loud enough for her to hear. "Being a Ranger cost me getting to the top of Bio-Lab you know."

"That is what you believe and that is what made you leave?" Ink asked with some surprise. "Your life as the Quantum Ranger did not prevent you from achieving success in your civilian life. It simply showed you where your priorities are meant to lie. You may not have been meant for material success as you so desire but for something stronger and long-lasting. As a Power Ranger you have saved lives and this city countless times."

"Thanks but I'd rather have the money," Eric replied dryly.

"This period over which Alex took the Red Ranger's Morpher surely showed you that the destinies you and the Red Ranger thought you had are not what you were truly made for. Being a Ranger is where you both belong, working together," Ink continued as though he hadn't spoken.

"You think I'm gonna give up everything I've worked for just so that I can work in a team with Wes then you're wrong!"

"I was not asking you to give anything up Eric," corrected Ink. "I have merely illustrated how your destiny and success does not lie in what you thought it did; in society's narrow paths of money and corporate success. Maybe what you have desired all along is contained in what you wear on your wrist."

Eric snuck a glance down at his Morpher which gleamed purple in the light streaming in through the car windows. He looked back at Ink. She knew the emotions running around inside of him; confusion, frustration. He didn't know which path to choose.

"I don't know if I'm ready to give up on it all yet Ink," he replied. "I know I like being a Ranger and that what you've told me so far is true but this working in a team thing? Doesn't work for me."

"I am afraid it will have to otherwise your unchecked powers will become isolated and overpowering. They will force you to handle more power than you are used to and will destroy us both," said Ink curtly. "You have already undone much of the warping you first implemented by harnessing the Quantum Powers in the way you did. Do not retread old ground."

"Well if the powers are screwed already because of the combined powers mess, then why do I have to bother being a team player?" asked Eric. "There's not much I can do anyway about what happens to me. Suddenly success in Bio-Lab without Ranger Powers seems very sensible."

"It can be beaten." answered Ink.

In your heart you know its true Eric. I can feel it.

These two lives I'm leading… I don't know which one I want.

Have them both but realise which is more important to you and to everyone else. You do not lose anything.

Maybe.

There is much to think about Quantum Ranger. Remember I am here for this very purpose. I am proud of you and the choices you have made so far. Do not fall from the path now because life is not following your expectations.

The only expectations I had for my life was dragging it out of the fucking gutter!

Then this is surely an unrequested bonus for you my friend. Now you have the chance to help others do the same.

I've just gotta get everything straight inside of me. You were made for the other Rangers as well, they understand you more. Why can't you be their guardian? They want you more than I do.

But you need me more. You are central to all our destinies Eric. Surely that proves to you the importance and success you have achieved this way already.

Nothing more was said until Wes burst into the SUV practically exploding with joy at the miracle of his father's mysterious recovery.

AUTHOR SHOUT-OUTS

White Time Ranger: Wow u sure review fast! Thanks so much, it constantly makes me smile that ur such a loyal reviewer! I'm glad you think this is coming together well, it's a headache sometimes to work out if I'm getting all the details right with the actual series and previous chapters. It's a relief that u think its working. As for Ink and Alice chatting to Jen, who knows? I'll try to get the updates more frequent. Sorry u had to wait so long, the last chapter was stuck on my home computer and had to get my Mom to send it to me! Hope u enjoyed this chapter - )

MagCat: Hey there, thanks for commenting on the emotion in the Wes/Ink/Alice scene – I wanted it to be really touching to contrast with the sisters' interaction with the more emotionally spiky Eric. I hope u continue to enjoy this story

Silver Rider: Oh don't punch Eric lol, that's my job! Yeah we all know how it ends but its sure fun writing it! I'm glad u found Eric's leaving realistic as for Alex; well I guess this chapter answers all questions on that. Hope u enjoyed it and continue reading!

PRTFLO: Thanks for the compliments! I'm so stoked you think I'm able to successfully intertwine the Time Force episodes and Ink and Alice – that's so hard sometimes so thanks for saying I get it right, its muchly reassuring. Hope you enjoyed this chapter too- )