Chapter 13

Zara's pov

Tobi's 5th birthday went off without a hitch at my house, save Tommy was beyond tired at the end of the day and his voice wad almost gone. It seemed that Tobi had been bragging to his friends that I was dating a paleontologist. So Tommy had found that most of his time during the party had been spent by answering the children's endless questions about dinosaurs. I couldn't help but laugh when I had seen all the small kids gathered around him during the party. Conner, Ethan, Kira, Hayley and Trent had shown up too, each with a gift for my boy, much to his delight. They stayed till after the party was over, helping to clean up and to see Hayley give Tobi his Dino gem back. He now had a bracelet like the other rangers but his gem was contained in a special green tinted glass. Hayley explained that she had designed his morpher bracelet like the others but with an added feature. Until he was old enough it would remain dormant and contain the gems energy but in case of an emergency he could contact any of them. Also as his present to my son, Tommy told Tobi that during the summer he would start teaching him martial arts. That way when the time came Tobi would have the skills and discipline to go with the responsibility.

This gave me a since of relief as the end of the school year approached as Tommy and I were put in charge of the upcoming prom. The preparations took up much of our available time outside ranger business and school, even Tobi was helping out a bit. He was mostly playing goffer for us and anyone who need something small grabbed for them (he was being careful to hide his strength), he also kept the mood care free for everyone. During this time there was few attacks from Mesogog which had Tommy worried but I was happy the ranger's thoughts were on the coming prom. That was until Trent informed us that he had done some recon in Mesogog's lab and learned that his father was no longer apart of the lizard.

At the same time Hayley along with Tommy had been working hard on a new vehicle/ weapon to face off against Mesogog. She called it the Triceramax Command Center Truck, which in all honesty looked like a tricked out semi-truck and trailer on the outside. It would be a great advantage against Mesogog and his plans but there was something Tommy didn't know. I had told Trent, when he went to go and offer up the Dino Gems in exchange for his father to offer me up as well. I knew Tommy would flip and say no the moment he finds out but I didn't want Trent to go into Mesogog's lair along to rescue his father. Also I had the burning need to know why the freak wanted me and my son so badly, so it would allow me the chance to ask well I distracted Mesogog.

Then one afternoon Tobi and I were doing some cleaning down in the lab well Tommy and Hayley were working on the new project when an alarm sounded. A video feed pop up showing Zeltrak with an unknown civilian women heading into the warehouse district. Tommy called the other rangers, giving them the location, only pausing a moment to give me a quick kiss before heading out. With Tommy gone I set Tobin up at a table in the corner with toys and a coloring book well I took Tommy's place in helping Hayley. We had been at it for half an hour when Conner called in saying they were on their way back and they were bring a surprising guest. We were indeed surprised when we saw it was Elsa riding on the back of Tommy's atv, Unconscious. I was confused as I helped get her off the back of Tommy's atv and into one of the labs office chairs that Tobi had brought over.

Trent then told us what he had found out. "Mesogog powering up a lazar that will transform humans to mutant dinosaurs. He drained Elsa of her energy to use in the beam."

"That can't be enough to run that kind of equipment." Haley said.

"He's going to use the Dino Gems to get the rest of the power." Trent informed us.

"What do you mean he's going to use the Dino Gems?" Conner asked him.

"Yeah how is he going to get them?" Ethan asked.

"I'm going to give them to him, as well as Mrs. Rodgers." Trent said and I bit my lip as everyone looked at the white ranger, and I waited for the cries of outrage.

"I'm not going to give any one my gem." Conner told Trent, very much not happy at the idea, which was nothing to the intense emotions I was getting from Tommy.

"Just hear me out. You want to get on to that island, Mesogog wants the gems and Mrs. Rodgers, if I hand them to him, I can open a portal for you." Trent explained. "Once you get inside you can destroy the beam and Mesogog in the process. And Mrs. Rodgers and I can rescue my father."

"No way it's too risky especially if it means risking Zara." Tommy told him as he took hold of my arm, his worry for my safety increasing by the minuet. Hayley asked if we really had any other choice which we didn't so in the end Tommy and the others decided to go along with our plan. After Tommy gave Trent his Gem he pulled me aside to talk privately. "Something tells me that you told Trent to offer you up to Mesogog. My question is why?"

"I have a feeling Trent will need some help getting his father out of there safely and I want to find out why Mesogog wants me." I told him as I held his hand in a tight grip. "Tommy you have to let me do this. If what Dulcea has told me is true then we're both going to have to get use to me getting more hands on in situations like this."

Tommy nodded as he pulled me into his arms and held me close. "Just promise me that you'll come back in one piece." he whispered in my ear.

"I have every intention to." I assured him sealing it with a kiss.

After giving Tobi a quick, reassuring hug and a kiss, Trent and I left, heading to his father's home, where the most direct invisaportal to Mesogog's lair was located. Once there Trent contacted the others that we were heading in and stepped through, and found Mesogog was waiting for us. "It's about time." He growled as we approached, my hands tied behind me back (though it was only for looks) well I played being the angry unfortunate victim. "Now give me the Gems and Zara."

"Not so fast." Trent snapped as he held the case holding the gems back and stood between us. "Where's my father?"

Mesogog growled again before he attacked Trent with his mind wave attack (I'm not too sure what else to call it) knocking Trent to the ground at me feet and taking the gems from the white ranger. "You should know by now that I can't be trusted."

He then turned to look at me as I glared at him as he slowly walked towards me forcing me to take a few hasty steps back. "Back off lizard face." I snapped at him as I soon found my back coming into contact with the opposite wall. As Mesogog came to stand in my personal space I saw Trent struggle to make his way over to the main invisapotal control. I realized that if Trent was to get the Invsaportal open for Tommy and the others I had to keep Mesogog busy. "Whatever it is you want from me, you can forget it."

"Oh I believe you do not understand dear Zara Rodgers." He hissed at me as he gripped my chin in one clawed hand. "The only thing I desire from you is to make you a compatible mate, to help me rule a new world filled with the dinosaur mutations."

I couldn't help but be disgusted and wanted so much to push him away. That of course would revile that my hands weren't indeed tied and most likely bring Trent, who was still struggling but almost to the controls, to Mesogog's attention. So instead I jerked my face out of his grip and demanded. "But why me and what do you want with my son?"

Mesogog chuckled deep in his throat. "I knew from the moment Mercer meet you that you were strong, far stronger then even you are aware of." He brought his face close to my neck, seeming to smell me as he pushed his body against mine, making me grimace in disgust. "My heightened séances knew you were the only female that could become my mate. Having your son was a simply a means of bending you to my will."

Before Mesogog could say or do anything to me, as I had felt his hands slowly moving to grab me again, an alarm went off. Mesogog growled as he looked around for the source of the trouble and spotted Trent, who still had his hand on the invisapotal control, a grin on his face. "You. You did this." He growled in anger.

"You should know by now you can't trust me. It's over Mesogog, you're finished." Trent snapped at him from his place on the floor. With lizard face's attention on Trent, and he had backed off me, I pulled my hands free of the loosely tied rope.

"Thanks to your precious Dino Gems, the world will soon worship at my feet and this planet will be as it once was. In the claws of the mighty reptiles." Mesogog hissed at him, which turned to a grunt as I kneed him in the stomach and pushed away from me.

"Yeah, I doubt that's going to happen and even if it does I'm not going to become your mate." I informed him before I ran off down the hall, in search of Anton. Mesogog was most likely preoccupied with powering up his mutation ray as he didn't chase after me, which was fine by me. I wasn't sure about where I was going or where Anton was being held, so I relied on my Empathy to lead me to him. I soon picked up his tired and weary emotions and fallowed them. I found him strapped in a strange contraption looking as tired as his emotions were sharing with me. I started to unstrap Anton, surprising him and he looked at me in shock. "Mrs. Rodgers, wha- what are you doing here?"

"I came with Trent to stop Mesogog and save you and please call me Zara. Now let's get you out of here." I told him as I got him free and he leaned heavily against me but soon he got his feet moving as I lead him out of the room.

Trent found us a moment later. "Dad, Zara. Come on we got to go!" he shouted as he moved to his father's other side and helped him walk that much faster.

"Trent. Sorry, this is my fault-"

"Not now dad, we got to go. Come on." Trent said, cutting him off as we tried to run. It was a bit of a struggle as the fortress was falling into pieces around us, Trent half leading us to one of the invisaportal exits. We barely made it in time and I was never so relived to fall out onto the ground in front of the others. "You guys are alright." Kira said, sounding relived as they ran over and helped us all to our feet.

Tommy pulled me into his side, a smile on his face before he turned to the Trent and Anton. "And Mesogog?" he asked, concerned.

"I don't think he made it- but just in case." Trent said as he opened the case that held all of their Dino Gems making all of us smile.

Anton looked at his old friend, shame on his face and coming off him in waves. "Ah Tommy, I don't know where to start."

"We'll talk later. Right now we better get back to the lab, we still have Zeltrax to deal with." Tommy said before leading the way over to the truck, him not once letting go of me. On the drive back to Tommy's, I told them what I had learned from Mesogog. I could see that like me they were disgusted by Mesogog's intentions towards me, or simply unhappy. "I'm glad he never got his hands on you and Tobi." Tommy said seething, which I couldn't blame him for as I felt the same.

"Grouse is all I have to say." Ethan said before he gaged and shivered in his seat.

We soon retched Tommy's, a lot happer then whenwe had left as the threat of Mesogog was gone and I cheerfully looking forward to evening at Prom with Tommy. I was also thinking that tomorrow I would have to start packing up mine and Tobi's things. Now that the threat of Mesogog was over and Zeltrax would soon be dealt with Tobi and I could go back to staying at our house. This thought did depress me a bit as we had fallen into a comfortable routine and I knew Tobi loves staying at Tommy's. Before I could dwell on these thoughts any longer we retched the lab and found it in ruins. "Tobi!" I shouted panicking as I ran in looking around for my son, Tommy and the others behind me.

"What happened?" Kira asked worried.

"It's trashed." Ethan said as he and Trent both checked under some rubble for Tobi and Elsa.

"Toby and Elsa." Tommy muttered as he locked eyes with me, just as worries as I was. Just then there was a beeping sound coming from a piece of equipment that was half buried under rubble. "What's this?" Conner asked as he ran over and picked up a small device.

"It's like a black box, I keep a security camera in it. Let's take a look." Hayley explained as she took it from Conner and hooked it up to one of our only working monitors. We watched what little video there was on the box and they saw Zeltrax not only taking Elsa but a struggling Tobi as well. It pissed me off to see that cyborg freak carrying my son off on his shoulder.

"This is all my fault." Anton said bitterly. "I should have stopped him."

"Don't blame yourself for what you did well you were him." Trent said in hopes to comfort his dad.

"Trent's right Anton. This is about me and Smitty, it had nothing to with you." Tommy told him as he reached out and took my hand, most likely noticing that I was shaking in anger after seeing Zeltrax taking my son.

But if there was no Mesogog-" Anton started to say again.

"You can't go back and change what's happened. Mesogog is gone, we should be thankful for that." Tommy reminded him as he squeezed my hand in an attempt to calm me. It didn't as I let his hand go and went over to where my things were kept, which was now of course a mess. As they started to make plans to head out and confront Zeltrax I strapped my classable bow on my hip before I turned to the box of its special arrows. I filled half of the quiver with plan normal tipped arrows well taking a mixture of the special high tech ones. Hayley approached me, a case that she had unburied from the rubble in her hands, and a smile on her face.

"I had a feeling that at some point you would have to go and back them up, much to Tommy's dismay. So in preparation for that I made you a few things that I hope you'll find useful but will keep your identity a secret. By the way Tommy doesn't know, yet as I've been doing it out of his sight." She told me with a wink as she opened the case. Inside I was pleased to see a green and silver helmet that had a tinted visor that looked like it would fit my head. I also saw a dark green jacket and a belt with another quiver that was similar to the one Max made. "I confess I may have model quiver after the other one you have. That friend of yours Max is a very skilled engineer to not only make those arrows and bow but that special quiver too. I would live to meet him some day."

I smiled as a fun idea popped in my head as I started to take things out if the case. "I'll see if one day I can arrange that meeting." I told her with a wink.

-o0o-

Tommy's pov

I was worried not only about Elda and Tobi but Zara as well. I may not be an empath like her but I like to think I was good at reading people, and I could see that she was not only upset. No she was angry, far angrier then the time then when Tobi and his class was held captive. I tried to comfort her but the simple actions I tried she simply brushed off and I had to focus on a plan to save her son and Elsa. I was so caught up in planning things with Conner and Kira (Ethan said he had to go see about) that I didn't see what Zara and Hayley were up to. It was only after Ethan contacted in about Zeltrax's hug robot appearing downtown and was attacking did I take notice of Zara. She stood next to my atv with a smirk, the long dark green coat secured around her, black fingerless gloves on her hands, well a green and silver helmet was rucked under her arm. "No." I told her firmly as I scowled.

"You don't have time to argue and I and not taking no for an answer." She informed me just as firm as she placed the helmet on and began to secure it. "If you leave me here I will simply fallow and meet you there. So I suggest you morph we can get going before Zeltrax hurts the people in the city."

I looked at her sourly before I turned my gaze to a smiling Hayley, clearly taking joy out of the situation she had placed me in. I sighed in defeat as I morphed and climbed on my atv, Zara wordlessly sitting behind me. "We're going to have to talk about this later." I informed Hayley as I started the engine and then took off out the back entrance of the lab.

We soon arrived downtown where all of us stared up at the hug and frightening Zord Zeltrax had under his command. ("Power Rangers surrender or my most precious cargo will be destroyed.") He announced, seeming pleased with himself.

"I bet he's got Elsa and Tobi in there." Conner theorised.

("Correct.") Zeltrax confirmed somehow hearing our red ranger. ("I wanted them to see your demise. Triptodes!") He ordered and we suddenly found ourselves surrounded by the silly minions that had once come from Ethan's stupid computer game. We fought the Triptodes as a team, though it was different having Zara fighting by my side but jut then Zeltrax opened fire on us. I pushed her out of the way before the blast sent me flying and as I fell on my side as Zara rushed over.

"This has gone far enough." I snapped as I got to my feet and turned to Trent, who had also been sent flying in the blast and was the closet of my rangers to me. "Trent, can you handle the Triptodes?"

"Not a problem." He said before he charged at the group and started to fight them again.

"You guys call the Zords, Zara and I are going to get Tobi and Elsa." I ordered as pulled Zara to my side before we ran towards Zeltrax's zord. I wasn't sure how we managed it but I was able to get both myself and Zara up on to the zord and inside through a small ventilation pipe. I told the others we were in and then called out. "Elsa, Tobi!"

"Tommy!" Both of them called out. "We're in here!"

"Hang on, we're coming!" Zara called out as we ran towards what we hoped were their location. We unfortunately found more Triptodes in our way and had to fight them to even get close to Elsa, Tobi and Zeltrax. I had to admit having Zara there using her arrows and what skills she had been taught by me and her army family was a big help. Though the battle was still hard as there was more Triptodes then there was the two of us as, even when we found the command center of the evil zord.

"Elsa, Tobi!" Zara called out when she saw them both, well taking out two Triptods at once with an electric arrow.

"Tommy!" Elsa shouted relived well at the same time Tobi looked at his mom in shock. "Mommy?"

"We'll be right there!" I was able to shout before removing the last of the annoying one eyed minions and we ran forward.

"No they won't." Zeltrax snarled before he fired an energy blast at the two of us. Before either Zara or I could react, Kira appeared in front of us and blocked the blast.

"Zara go free your son and Elsa." I told her as I stood next to Kira. "We'll handle Zeltrax."

She only had time to nod at before Zeltrax was on top of us, sword swinging. Kira and I kept Zeltrax distracted, giving Zara the chance to get to over the hostages but I could see that she couldn't get them free on her own. So when Kira and I were sent flying over close to them I told my yellow ranger to help her to get them lose. Thankfully Kira's blaster proved powerful enough to break their bonds and she caught Elsa well Zara scooped Tobi up into her arms. Kira told the others that we had them and were coming out as I landed a solid hit on Zeltrax and was able to join them. "We're out of here." I told them as I helped Kira to stead Elsa.

"You're not going anywhere." Zeltrax snapped before he released a wave of dark energy that made Zara nearly fall over, but I was able to catch her. I could hear her trying to catch her breath as I supported her, fearful of what might be happening to her as I saw Zeltrax charging at us, ready to attack. He never got close as the tip of the Dino Mega Zord punched through the Evil Zord's armor, not only knocking him aside but made a nice escape whole for us. Kira took Elsa and got her out but before I could help Zara and Tobi get out Zeltrax had recovered and charged at us once again. I pushed them away and once again fought my former friend. "Smitty, stop." I begged with him as I saw Zara put Tobi down and amid an arrow at Zeltrax, waiting patiently for a clean shot.

"Smitty's gone!" He snapped as he forced me into a pillar, which gave Zara her shot, as I jumped over both him and her arrow, watching as it hit him in the back. Zeltrax growled as he turned and seemed unfazed by her attack as he charged at me once again. I charged as well, skidding on my knees to avoid his next strike and landing one on him, which did considerable damage. Zara and Tobi came running over to me as I got back to my feet. "We got to get out of here." I told her as I picked Tobi up and grabbed Zara around the waist. I was able to get us out and land next to Kira, Elsa and Trent, who were waiting for us outside.

"Alright!" Trent cheered before he asked if we were ok as he took Tobi from me. Before we could answer, Zeltrax landed on the pavement behind us and I immediately took a protective stance in front of my girlfriend and her son.

"You didn't think I would let you go that easy did you?" he asked as he advanced on us. Trent led Zara, Elsa and Tobi away to safety, leaving me and Kira to fight Zeltrax which was fine by me as I didn't want the three of them to get hurt. "You're going down Tommy"

"You with me Kira?" I asked my yellow ranger as we took ready stances.

"Oh yeah." She said before we charged.

At the same time our two mega zords were still fighting Zeltrax's evil Zord which was putting up a fight, despite not having anyone to piolet it. Even when Kira and I finally defeated Zeltrax for good it kept on attacking Ethan and Conner. Even with calling in all of the Zords to open fire on it, it didn't go down easy. In the end it took sacrificing all of our Zords to take it down and lifted the dark energy that Zeltrax had released off the city. After we all powered down, with Zara removing her helmet we ran towards the wreckage of what had once been our zords looking for Ethan and Conner.

"Where are they?" Kira asked worried and seemed to be freeing the worst. Thankfully we had nothing to worry about as bot Conner and Ethan walked out of the wreckage, demorphed and like the rest of us looking a bit tired and not worse for wear. We ran over and joined them as Kira complement them on how impressive that last attack had been. I was relieved that they were ok but I could see that they were upset about having to destroy all of our Zords.

"The Zords, they were all destroyed." Ethan said in shock.

"It was the only way." I assured them both. "You guys did what you had to do."

"It's true. Nothing else would have stopped him." Trent added.

"So that's it then? It can't just be over?" Conner asked in disbelief.

"Of course it not over." Growled a familiar voice in answer making all of us turn and star in disbelief and stare at Mesogog, who was just standing there hissing at us.

"You have got to be kidding me." Zara said as she pulled Tobi behind her, well pulling out an arrow. "He almost puts cockroaches to shame."

"Why do they always come back for more?" I asked tired and disappointed that he was not as dead as we had thought.

"You've destroyed my plans of creating a perfect world. However I was able to absorb enough Dino Gem energy to complete my transfiguration." Mesogog informed us, which meant that we were about to be in a lot of trouble and I was proven right as energy gathered around him as he growled. "Witness the face of… your finale battle." the Energy surged as his body started to change from what looking like a lizard-human hybrid to a nasty long necked dinosaur monster with a lot of pointy horns, a long neck and a fanged face that not even a mother could love.

"You better step aside Else, Tobi and Zara go with her." I ordered knowing that it would be better to them out of direct danger. Neither of them argued as Zara and Elsa lead Tobi off to the side behind some old equipment. I didn't know it then but it was there that they found Cassidy and Divan who were watching and filling all that was happening. "You guys ready for one last battle?" I asked my fellow rengers.

"Oh yeah." Conner said and we all morphed and were soon ready for what could very well be our last battle.

Mesogog growled at us as he was also ready for the fight and we didn't leave him much time to wait as the five of us charged at him. He fire off energy attacks at us which missed us as Kira, Ethan and Conner engaged him first, using they long earned team work to try and gain any advantage on him. Mesogog seemed unfazed as he swiped at them, making the three of them back off, which left an opening for Trent and I to jump in and team up on him. Mesogog took our hits and was able to land some of his own as Kira joined us right before he sent the three of us flying back and rolling to the ground.

With Mesogog's back to him Conner ran over and jumped on him. "I got him!" he called out as he held on well Mesogog tried to throw him off, which gave the rest of us time to get back to our feet and regroup. Conner was soon thrown off and together we all attacked, using teamwork to get in and attack where we could. Mesogog retaliated with another energy attack that got Ethan and Trent before he turned to grab me and push me hard into an parked hatchback. I couldn't move as Mesogog hit me with a close range energy attack that caused me to fall to the ground stunned for a few moments.

I not really sure what happened around me in those few moments, save that Zara, who had her new helmet back on, came running over to my side and helped me to get back to my feet. "Come on Tommy, you've got to get back up. The fights not over yet." she told me as she helped me run over towards where Kira, Ethan and Trent were trying to get back up. We were all able to get back to our feet thanks to Zara being persistent, in time to watch Conner use his battleizer and hit Mesogog with a hug power attack of his own. We ran over to him, as Conner changed back to his normal ranger from, thinking that he had done the job and others were congratulating him. But it turned out to be premature as Mesogog blasted out from under the rubble Conner had just buried him in. "Unbelievable." I said as I saw Zara notch three of her special arrows and took aim at him.

She didn't fire though as we watched Mesogog suddenly split himself not in two but 4 separate bodies, which did not bode well for us. "One was bad enough, how do we fight them all?" Ethan asked worried.

"Guys we have to use all of our powers, it's the only way." I said knowing that it may be our last chance as I turned to Zara. "You think you can by us a few moments with those?" I asked her.

"Defiantly." she said as she let them lose, and I most likely wasn't the only one that was surprised that they hit the ground in front of the Mesogogs. The moment the arrows landed a chain reaction of both explosions of smoke and electricity hit the 4 monsters and caused them to stager back a bit. This gave the five of use the time we needed to gather all of our Dino Gem's energies together which took on the form of a giant T-rex before we unleashed it on the Mesogogs. The energy T-Rex swooped in and in one attack took out the 4 of them, finally destroying Mesogog for good.

With the fight now over the 5 of us powered down as Zara put her bow away and removed her helmet once more as we stood together. I saw frowns on my fellow ranger's faces as by now they were feeling the loss of their powers, as I was. It was a feeling that was all too familiar to me as I asked if they were all ok, well pulling Zara against my side. "I feel different." Conner said confused as we all pulled out our Dino Gems and studied them.

"Yeah, like normal again." Trent said also confused.

"Me too" Kira added and it was then that Ethan realized what had happened. "It's gone, the powers gone."

"It took everything the gems had to destroy Mesogog." I explained as I tried to keep my own disappointment out of my voice as I informed them that the gems were now nothing more than ancient artifact that would look great in a museum. It was then that Elsa, Tobi, Cassidy and Divan joined us. "Hello rangers, Mrs. Rogers." Cassidy said happily.

"So you know then?' Conner asked her as Tobi came up to me and hugged me around the waist, well I placed a reassuring hand on his head, grateful that despite all that happened he didn't look worse for wear.

"Well I kinda already knew but I had to show Cassidy in person." Divan explained with a smile as he put his camorra away.

"This is like the greatest thing ever." Cassidy said very happy as she hugged Divan, well I looked at the others worried. "And we've got it all on tape. You know a reporter could make a whole career out of this." Now I was really was worried as I eyed her and the tape she was holding up.

"Cassidy do you realize what our lives would be like if that tape gets out?" I asked her.

"Yeah, I do." she assured me and it was then Cassidy surprised all of use as she held the tape out to me. "And that's why I'm giving this to you."

"Wait Cassidy passing up the scope of a life time, why?" Kira asked in disbelief as I took the tape.

"Because you're my friends." Cassidy explained with the most sincere smile I had ever seen on her face as she explained her actions. "It wouldn't be right to ruin your lives to make mine better, after everything you've done for us."

"I always knew there was a heart deep down in there." Ethan said with a smile of his own, which Cassidy agreed with before she and Divan left to go enjoy the prom, together.

"Finally I never thought those two would get together." Kira said happy for the two as Elsa also took her leave and we all turned to go, me picking up Tobi as he looked dead on his feet.

"And with that life goes back to normal." Conner said a bit of sad nostalgia.

"Our lives maybe normal but they will never be the same." I informed him as I took Zara's hand and we left as a group, just happy that the fight was over and we were all alive to enjoy the coming night's festivities.

Zara's Pov

I stood next to Tommy at the prom, grateful that Tobi was staying the night at a friend's house so I could be there with him. I was wearing a simple evening dress that had a black bodice, with a silver green skirt that came down in gentle waves that ended near my feet. My hair was done up in curls that framed my face but did not get in the way as I moved around. We were up on the balcony with Trent and his father, Tommy and Anton finally making amends and catching up a bit. Trent greeted Conner and Ethan when he spotted them down below us with their dates, before Tommy asked Trent what was next for him now that he was done school. I was happy to hear that Trent was going to fallow his dream as he started classes in art school in the fall and that his father was behind him all the way. "How about you Tommy? What's next for the man who's done it all?" Anton asked as he eyed the two of us well he took a sip of his drink, a glint in his eyes and from the emotions I was picking up from him, and I could since an idea forming in his mind.

"I was thinking of staying here teaching, living the quiet life." Tommy said as he smiled at me as he took my hand and gave it a kiss.

"You sure about that?" Elsa asked him as she walked over and joined us. "I heard the new principle is a real hard nose."

"I think she'll be brilliant." Tommy told her with a smile.

Elsa returned it before she turned to me and said. "Zara, I have been informed that Mrs. Jonson will not be returning to reclaim her position as our school's gym teacher in the fall. I have been told that I need to find a permanent replacement for her before the start of school. The Job is yours if you want it."

I was beyond excited to hear this as I grinned at her gratefully. "I would be honored to, thank you Elsa." I told her as Tommy, Trent and Anton gave me their congratulations. After that Anton asked Elsa to dance well Tommy and I headed down to go introduce the band for the evening. "So I guess this means your sticking around Reefside then, since your position at the school will now be permanent?" Tommy asked me as we a down the stairs and headed towards the stage. I had month's prior shard my worries with him about maybe having to move again if I didn't find a more permanent job after the school year ended.

"I guess so but as you know I hadn't planned on moving anyway as Tobi is happy with the new friends he has made here and the city itself." I told him with a smile as we soon retched the stage. I was about to head up but Tommy grabbed me and pulled me into the shadows behind a pillar, where no one could see him pine me there. I couldn't help the giggle that left me before he claimed my mouth with a heated kiss, his hands firmly on my waist.

He soon pulled back and looked down at me with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Is that the only reason you were planning to stay?" Tommy asked above a whisper that sent excited chills down my spine as I felt his desire.

"No, there's also this wonderful guy that not only makes my son happy but me as well." I informed him with a smile before I kissed him and then taking his hand we finally headed up to the stage to introduce Kira and her band that were playing for the night. We were there late into the night and were among some of the last to leave, as Tommy ever the gentle man led me towards where he had parked his jeep. We were about to retch it when he took a side path into the nearby park area confusing me but when I went to ask him about what was going on he simply said. "It's a nice night for a walk under the stars."

"It's also getting pretty late." I told him as I looked at the time, having never been one for staying up late at night, especially since Tobi is such an early riser.

"We won't be long, I promise." He assured me as he gently tugged my arm and continued to led me into the park with a smile. I tired reading his emotions out of habit but all I was picking up was a confused mess. We didn't talk as we walked along the path, Tommy seeming to know where he was going as a gazebo that was decorated with some lights came into view. "So I've been wondering, now that yours and Tobi's lives are no longer in danger, are you two going back to your house?"

"That was my thinking, of course after I packed up all our things that seemed to have accumulated well we've been staying with you. I am sorry about that." I told him with a shrug.

"There's no rush to move your things out, in fact Zara how would you feel if you and Tobi were to move in with me permanently?" Tommy's question took me by surprise. "It doesn't have to happen all at once or right away as I know our relationships is still new but I have come to find that I love having Tobi and you living with me. It's not just because you and he help to keep the house cleaner than I ever did on my own and your cooking is amazing. I love that your son is so eager to listen to my ranger stories and with the bed head you always have when you wake up in the morning."

I shot him a look for that last one to which he simply grinned wide. "Is there a point you are trying to make love?"

He was surprised that I said the L word, as I hadn't said it to him before but he quickly got over it. "Give me a break, finding the right words to express how I feel has never been easy for me." Tommy said as he dug into his suet jacket and pulled out a small velvet box, which made my eyes go wide and my heart to stop as he opened it. Inside was a plain gold band that had a love knot and a single diamonded in the shape of a heart at its center. It was promise ring. "I have thought long and hard, mainly since Christmas and I have come to realize that I love you and Tobi. I want to marry you one day and even if we never have a child of our own I want to be a father to Tobi, though I know I can't replace David."

I was at a loss for words as my right hand had gone to my mouth in shock not only at the sight of the ring but his words. "I don't know what to say Tommy, save I love you." I was finally able to say barely above a whisper.

"I love you too Zara." Tommy said as he took the ring and placed it on my finger, before he kissed my hand. I smiled at him as I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him, nearly causing him to fall over as I had thrown myself at him. "Now all I have to worry about is what Tobi is going to say about this." He said as he took my hand and we headed back towards his jeep.

I laughed. "You don't have to worry about Tobi Tommy as he thinks the world of you, it's my dad you're going to have to worry about." I reminded him and nearly fell over in laughter at the now worried look on his face.

A/N: I am sorry that it took so long to get this chapter done but I have been busy with life. please read and review.