Disclaimer: I own nothing except Ink and Alice. They are my own creations.

Ranger References: Contains scenes from 'The End of Time Part 3' which always provides the title for this chapter somewhat tweaked. This is the last chapter of this story tho there is an epilogue to come to tie things up with. Shout-outs at the end, enjoy!

END OF OUR TIME

The sun was high in the sky the day the crowd gathered on the beach to say goodbye to most of the Time Force team. The huge yellow Time Ship loomed behind the Rangers, ready and prepped for take off and a large squadron of Silver Guardians faced it, standing taut to attention. Jen tried to keep a smile on her face as Wes walked towards them, Mr Collins and Eric waiting behind him. They both knew that Wes would need this somewhat private time to say quiet goodbyes to his team. Jen tried to swallow the lump in her throat but it remained lodged there stubbornly.

Wes's feet felt like lead as he walked towards his friends. How strange that this adventure would start and end at this same beach! This was where he'd pleaded with Jen to be given another chance to help them so that he too could have a purpose in life as they did, it was where Jen had given him his Morpher and where they'd said goodbye to Alex a month or so ago and had been reunited as a team after Wes's forced absence. It was also where he'd said goodbye to them not too long ago when he sent them to where they'd be safe. Now he was saying goodbye again and he didn't know where to start. He was going to leave Jen til last, hoping that the right words would have come to him by then.

First he stopped in front of Lucas who was attempting his usual confident smile though it appeared sadder than anything else now. Wes had practically commanded them to keep their civilian clothes; it was a gift he'd told them that they could keep in the future to remember the past they'd become part of. They were after all letting him keep the Morpher that had once belonged to Alex. Wes had been surprised when Jen had told him to keep it, she said that Alex wouldn't want it back now since it was with the person it was meant for.

"Take it easy on that race track, Lucas," Wes said quietly.

"Well, at least now I have a driver's license," the Blue Ranger replied, tears choking his words.

Wes pulled him in for a brief hug, feeling Lucas's body shake with silent sobs. Even Lucas, the one with the coolest composure, was upset about leaving. Wes watched as Lucas pulled away from him and turned to walk back to the Time Ship. As he neared the yellow vechicle, he lifted a hand to wave and a stream of bright blue teleportation light sucked him away.

A pair of yellow-sleeved arms wrapped themselves around Wes's waist and squeezed desperately. Wes grimaced and tried to pry them off but Katie, sadness pouring out of her, wasn't letting go.

"Wes, you're the best," she choked out.

"Katie, let go!" Wes gasped, feeling the air leave his lungs at an alarming rate.

"Oh I'm sorry!" exclaimed Katie, immediately distancing herself from him.

"No, don't be," reassured Wes, wrapping his arms around her for a gentle hug "I'm actually going to miss your hugs."

He held her for a minute more, trying to memorise the way her superhuman hugs had felt and how her huge love for her friends had made him smile more than once before. Katie let go and looked at him with enormous sad eyes.

"Goodbye, Wes," she said softly as she began walking away.

As a canary yellow light made her vanish, Wes moved to stand in front of Trip. The young Xybrian smiled at him with wisdom that Wes knew had to be beyond his years. As he'd gotten to know Trip, he'd often wondered just how old his friend was but figured it was probably best not knowing so he'd always thought of Trip as younger smarter brother.

"Trip, I….."

"I know, I'll miss you too," Trip cut in, gesturing to the gem which was embedded in his forehead, a reminder of his telepathic abilities. "Can I keep my hat?"

Wes grinned and hugged the Green Ranger, knowing the comment was Trip's way of trying to break the sadness he felt around him. Trip pulled away with a last smile and began walking towards the ship. Something moved inside his ever present backpack and Circuit's face appeared out of the top.

"Bye, Wes," the owl murmured, his eyes half-lidded with sadness.

"You take care of Trip, Circuit," Wes called.

"Always have, always will," Circuit replied cheerfully as a bright green light swallowed them both up.

Wes found himself frozen to the spot as Jen moved towards him, sorrow defining her facial features. She looked achingly beautiful to him, in the same outfit he'd seen her for almost year now but it felt like he was seeing her for the first time all over again, her body perfectly filling out the pink vest top, darker pink plaid skirt which hugged her legs tightly and olive leather jacket. Her hair curled about her shoulders and he even thought he saw tears glimmering in her dark brown eyes.

"I wish you could stay," he found himself saying as he gazed at her.

"Me too, but we both know that I can't," Jen replied, emotion cracking her voice. "Here, I want you to have this."

She placed something into his hand which sparkled silver in the sun and as Wes gazed down, he recognised it as a Time Force Officer badge, identical to the ones the others used to arrest the mutants. He wasn't sure what to say as he grasped it, he hadn't worked his way up to earning one like they had and it felt like a complete honour to have it. He wanted to stay focused on it rather than looking into Jen's face but the sound of her voice compelled him to look up.

"Don't forget me?"

Her voice was timid and unsure, as though Wes wouldn't want to remember her. But Wes knew, especially after spending time with her on the roof of the Clock Tower as they reminisced about their time spent together as Time Force Rangers, that he would treasure all his memories of her.

"Never could," he replied with a certainty that made Jen smile.

Jen smiled, squeezing his hand as she turned and began walking away. Wes felt his heart constrict tightly in his chest. He loved her so much and maybe now he'd never be able to tell her. She was everything he wanted but she didn't belong here. She belonged to the future.

Suddenly she turned, ran back and his arms were full of Jen. He buried his face in her shoulder, holding her tightly. She smelt so good, he tried to memorise her intoxicating scent frantically and felt tears begin to fill his eyes as the reality of losing her crashed down on him. As Jen pulled away to look at him, he saw she was crying too.

"I should have told you a long time ago," Jen began, gulping back sobs. "I love you."

"I love you too. I wish I could live another 1000 years just so we could be together again," Wes admitted, his heart feeling as though it was being ripped out of him.

Jen flung herself at him again and he held her tightly, squeezing his eyes shut as he tried to commit to memory her texture and the feelings which grew inside of him as he held her. Then she pulled away for the final time and with one more tearful glance backwards, moved towards the Time Ship. Wes felt his heart slowly breaking into tiny pieces, it just wasn't fair that the girl he'd fallen so deeply in love with was now being torn away from him. As he watched her beautiful figure get swallowed up into vivid pink light, he couldn't tear his eyes from the spot where she'd stood. She was his love and now she was gone.

Inside the Time Ship, everything was quiet. Not even Circuit made a sound as he was placed in the centre of the table. Listlessly, the four Rangers keyed in the commands for Captain Logan to bring them home. Jen halted by the window, gazing down at Wes as he stared up at her, his green eyes holding his entire soul. She didn't want to leave him, it was the last thing in the world she wanted to do but if she stayed, the timeline could be altered forever. She felt an arm around her and Katie smiled at her behind her shoulder. Trip materalised at her side and Lucas stood tall beside Katie. As the countdown sounded, they looked out at the beach.

High up on a cliff behind the Silver Guardians and unknown to the beach crowd, two figures stared back at the team behind the glass. Ink, tall and swathed in yards of floating purple fabric which appeared to form some kind of dress and didn't seem to end, raised a hand in farewell while Alice, in tight navy stretch pants and a matching tank top, saluted. Jen smiled, her tears spilling freely down her face.

"Goodbye, Ink," she said quietly. "Take care of Wes for me."

"And I hope Alice takes care of her," added Katie with a smile in her voice. "I'd hate for anything to happen to them."

"We'll never know what happens to them," voiced Lucas quietly. "They don't appear in the Time Force history banks."

"I think they'll be alright," said Trip cheerfully. "I just have a feeling."

The countdown reached zero and the ship began to shake and rise into the air. The wind made the long winding fabric of Ink's sleeves fly out behind her like banners and just before the shutters closed over the glass, Jen saw Ink and Alice do a familiar gesture. She hoped they saw her return it.

"Good journey," she whispered before everything became a recognisable black.

Eric watched the ship take off with something akin to regret in his heart. Maybe he should have gotten to know the other Time Force Rangers better. He knew Wes well now and had been surprised when the Red Ranger had visited him in hospital not long after he woke up the day before. The others were mysteries to him though. They were good competent Rangers who'd all tried to get to know him but he'd always pushed them away. Now he wished he knew them a little better. More people disappearing from his life.

"Salute!" he yelled over the roaring engines.

The Silver Guardian squadron joined him in a sharp precise salute as a time portal ripped open in the sky and the Time Ship disappeared through it. There was a silence as everyone waited until someone else moved first. Mr Collins pulled off his jacket and walked towards his son who still gazed up at the now empty sky. If Eric was going to miss the people he barely knew then Wes was going to miss them a whole lot more. Eric felt something like sympathy fill him for his old friend. What would Wes do now? He didn't have a job; in truth he didn't need one. He could do what he'd done before the Red Morpher dropped into his lap; relax and enjoy a life of leisure. Somehow, Eric couldn't see that happening and found himself interested in what Wes would choose.

"I have a business proposition for you."

"Oh Dad, come on!"

Wes's frustrated voice caught Eric's attention as the father and son began walking back towards him. He found himself smiling slightly in greeting at Wes as they slowed to a stop.

"I'm going to make some changes to the Silver Guardians. They'll protect the whole city, for free," Mr Collins explained.

Eric nodded silently. If there were going to be changes then that was one he was pleased about. Being a Ranger had made him see the people who slipped under the radar; his neighbour Alice, the old woman he'd given serum to for Venomark's venomous bite. He wanted to help these people, not have to turn them away because they didn't have the money. God knows, he knew what that was like.

"They need a leader," Mr Collins continued. "How about it, son?"

A stone dropped into Eric's gut. Maybe things hadn't changed that much. Maybe once more Wes would take something that he hadn't worked for, something that belonged to Eric. Wes had worked for it in a way; he'd defended the city as a Ranger and held a position of command. But he hadn't commanded a group as large and complex as the Silver Guardians which would be especially complicated considering they were now protecting everyone in Silver Hills. But this was his job and now Wes was going to take it away just because he and Mr Collins had repaired their relationship? The unfairness of life tore through Eric at a painful rate.

"Ok I'll do it," decided Wes. "But……"

Mr Collins laughed as Eric tried to work out what Wes was doing.

"I want Eric to be my partner."

Of all the sentences, that was the last one Eric expected Wes to say. He looked at Wes in disbelief, the rich kid wanted to share? Gratitude flooded through Eric, he wouldn't have to find another job and he'd be able to work with people who knew him. Ink had been right, Wes had changed and maybe he was a friend. Eric grasped Wes' offered hand in a firm determined grip, hoping that through his expression Wes could see how thankful he was.

"That's the way I would have wanted it," added Mr Collins, a proud smile on his face.

"Well I think the future looks pretty bright," commented Wes, holding up his hand.

Eric squinted as a light bounced off what Wes held. It shone and sparkled silver and as he looked he realised it was a Time Force Officer badge. A gift from the future. Something akin to amusement stirred inside of him and Eric knew it didn't belong to him.

Ink...?

And what gifts have you been given, Eric?

I get to keep my job Eric cracked a mental smile

And protect the whole city; work with a man who is generous enough to give you half his job. Keep the Quantum Powers.

Eric glanced down at his wrist. His Morpher glimmered darkly in the light. He couldn't imagine life without it now and he didn't want to.

Am I ever going to need it again?

There was a silence and what Eric could swear was a girlish giggle. Then he felt Ink smile.

Maybe. I am not sure. My time is done and another of my sisters has been chosen to guide the next ones chosen to hold the Power. I am going home.

A rush of excitement poured from Ink and Eric found himself smiling. She'd been away from her home for a long time and he found he was actually happy she was able to go back despite the shadow of sadness he felt at her not being around any more.

Thank you, Ink.

It was my pleasure, Eric. I am honoured to have been your Guardian. Look behind you.

Eric turned his head and spied, high up on a cliff overlooking the beach, two figures. Ink and Alice raised their hands to him in a unified wave and then in two flashes of light, one purple, one silver, they melted away. Eric turned back to Wes and saw the Red Ranger was staring at the cliff as well. Something they shared. Wes was ok, when he wasn't trying to take the lead too much. Eric glanced down at his Morpher again and grinned. Even with Ink and Alice gone, he still had a city to protect and now he found, he couldn't wait to get started again.

AUTHOR SHOUT-OUTS

Time Force101: Wow, thanks for the string of reviews! It's muchly pleasing to know you enjoy my story so much. I hope you like this chapter just as much. Welcome aboard!

Sreym: I'm thrilled you enjoyed the last chapter! I wanted to make Alice's involvement in the fight scenes realistic and believableso I'm glad it worked. The hospital scene was tough as I had to get Eric just right. I hope you like this chapter! Thanks for reviewing!

Mag Cat: Thanks for your review! Ah, the WF/TF team-up will be featured in the epilogue as they are my fave eps of Power Rangers ever and helped inspire this story. So glad you're still reading this story, stick around for the epilogue which comes soon.