"How'd it go?" asked Hayley, as she walked up to Eric.

"All right." He hung up the phone. "Not in the best of spirits, but considering…" He couldn't even finish, as if he were afraid that it would bring it all back. It had been ten years, ten years since they lost Wes. It seemed hard to believe that it had been a decade when it felt like yesterday to him. Though he had made his peace with Wes's death, it didn't make the ten year anniversary of his death any easier. It was not surprising to him that Sky didn't care much for his birthday, he had for years and this year was likely one of the hardest.

"Yeah." Hayley smiled understanding. The door bell rang, causing little Wesley to wake up. "Can you get the door, it's probably Jenny's father, I'll go check on Wesley." She kissed him gently on the cheek before heading upstairs to check on their son.

"Sure," Eric answered as he walked up to the door and opened it to let Jenny's father in. Jenny had had a play day with Erin, a new friend she had made at school. "Hey…" Eric greeted him as their eyes met, but it had not been the first time they had faced each other.

Drake chuckled under his breath, knowing very well by the look in Eric's eyes, that the long retired Quantum Ranger knew who he was. "And Hayley said you wouldn't recognize me."

"You can change your hair style and grow a beard, but the one thing you can't really change is your eyes." He had Wes's eyes, he would recognize those eyes anywhere."It's been a long time," exclaimed Eric as he put out his hand.

"Yeah." He shook Eric's hand firmly, somewhat surprised, a part of him really did feel that Eric would have taken a swing at him. "It has been."

Eric led Drake, or Alex as he had called him all those years ago, into the living room where Erin and Jenny were watching TV with Megan. For a moment the two watched their daughters. It seemed almost unreal that the last time the two had been in the living room together, they had been playing video games. A lot had happened since then, a lot had changed. They were both fathers now.

Drake glanced around the room, it seemed almost the same. Everything was as he remembered it; the only difference was the pictures on the walls, mostly of Eric's family, but he found few pictures of Wes and even Sky hanging there. He then focused on a family picture of Eric and Hayley and their three children. "You've been busy."

"Yeah." Eric stared over at Jenny; it didn't surprise him in the least that Drake had named his daughter after Jen. After all he had named his own son after Wes. Perhaps it's only seemed fitting, both Wes and Jen had been important people in their lives. "You too. Jenny tells me you've been teaching her karate. She showed me a few moves, she's pretty good."

"Yeah," Drake answered proudly. "She's a quick learner, just like her mother was."

Eric sighed, he had heard from Jenny that he mother had passed away. "I'm sorry." And he really was, Alex had been through so much already, had given up his life. He didn't deserve this.

"It's all right." He bit his lip, pausing for a moment. There was really only one thing on his mind right now. It had been on his mind all the way here, while he waited at the front door. No, that was a lie. He had always been on his mind, He had been on his mind for the last twelve years. Not a day has gone by that he hasn't thought of the boy who once called him dad, the boy who he had called his son. "How is he?"

Eric had known it wouldn't be long before he was asked that. After all, at one time Alex had been Sky's father, maybe not by blood, but by everything else. He had given up everything to bring Sky here. He had given up everything so that Wes could have some time with his son, for however a short of a time it was. "Oh. Basically your average 'I hate the world' teenager.," answered Eric with a smile. "Who thinks he can get a long just fine on his own.'

"Stubborn, just like his mother."

"Actually I was thinking both. Wes could be pretty stubborn."

"Yeah." He smiled faintly. "They both could be very stubborn at times..." There was a part of him that was sad, maybe even guilty, that the sweet and lovable boy he had known and loved was just a memory. He had grown into a very angry teenager who believed he didn't need anyone. Not surprising given everything Sky had been through, it seemed only natural for him to act that way. Drake hoped that one day Sky would find happiness again, it was just going to take time.

"Can I ask you something?" Eric's voice became very serious as if this has been weighing on his mind for some time now.

"Sure."

"Will Sky ever be able to know the truth?" Eric hated the fact that they have been lying to Sky his whole life, a part of him felt that had contributed to why Sky is the way he is. Why he shuts people out and feels he has to walk this life alone.

"I don't know," Drake answered, as much as he wanted Sky to know the truth, he also knew that could cause more problems and pain to Sky. That it would be just too much for him to handle, his life had already been full of pain, learning the truth would turn it upside down. "I'm afraid that it could do more harm then good."

"How do you mean?"

"Imagine being seventeen years old and you learn everything you knew about yourself was a lie, that the people closest to you have been lying to you your whole life," Drake began to tell him hoping that Eric would understand where he was coming from. "Then imagine that you're from an entirely different time, a thousand years in the future and that those who have told you they loved you were the one who altered your memories, took away the only five years you had with your mother." It seemed cruel saying it out load, but it needed to be said, because that was the reality. "And that the first five years of your life, those memories aren't exactly real."

"He'd never forgive us," he answered with a heavy sigh. He realized the problems he's been having with Sky these last couple of years would only get worse if they revealed the truth. He hated it, it wasn't something he wanted to do, but the aftermath of what it could do to Sky, seemed to weigh more then the burden of having to keep this secret.

"I'm not saying we can never tell him," Drake exclaimed knowing that this was hard for Eric. It was hard for him, he was the one who altered Sky's memories. "Some day in the future, somewhere down the road, we may be able to tell him. But given his age, I just don't feel, right now is the time to do it."

"Do you ever get ready to hear something like that?" asked Eric.

A Week later….

It was a new year. He was a senior, it would be his last year of attending the academy's high school program, but it also meant he would be moving up. He would be the squad leader for his team, for which Cruger had already chosen his two teammates. They were younger than him: Sydney Drew was fifteen in a half and then Bridge Carson, who was going to be his roommate, was fourteen and a half. It would still be a few more weeks until Bridge arrived, but Sydney was arriving today.

"Okay, where is she," he muttered under his breath. Cruger had given him the task to meet up with Sydney when she and her father arrived, help her get settled in and show her around, so that the two could get acquainted with one another. Sky wasn't exactly thrilled. He could think of a lot of better things to do with his time then show some girl around even if she was assigned to his squad.

He looked over the heads of several of the new cadets arriving in with their parents or guardians and then he spotted her. He had only seen a clipping of her picture from her enrollment papers Cruger had given him. She had long blonde curly hair and she was dressed like a million bucks, definitely not what he would consider SPD material. "Great, this is going to be a fun year. I get to play three bears, with Goldilocks," he muttered under his breath, as he walked up to her and her father. "Hi, you must be Sydney Drew," he announced as he put out his hand. "I'm Sky Tate."

"Oh, you can call me Syd, everyone does." She smiled brightly as she reached for his hand.

"Okay, Syd." He shook her hand. He was surprised to find that she had a good grip, not something he would have suspected of a girl of her type, perhaps he should give her the benefit of doubt.

"Sky Tate," exclaimed Gunther Drew as he glared at the young man for a long moment, as if he's heard that name before. And that when it clicked. "Ah yes, Sky Tate, you're Wes Collins' boy."

"Yes, I'm his son," answered Sky, not sure what to make of Gunther Drew, but the more he thought about it, he did remember his grandfather and Philips talking about a Gunther Drew. "Did you know my father?"

"Yes, we worked together at your grandfathers company," he answered eyeing the young man closely. "Why is it again that your last name isn't Collins?"

"Gunther Drew, so nice to see you again," announced Cruger, as he walked up behind Sky, firmly placing his hand on Sky's shoulder as if he were in some way protecting him.

"Yes. It's always a pleasure to see you too, Doggie Cruger." He smiled coolly.

"I'm sure it is." Cruger had to force a smile, Gunther Drew was one of a few humans who weren't on his favorite people's list. He much more preferred dealing with Mrs. Drew, who was always a pleasure. Her husband on the other hand was another story and he wasn't about to allow him to get under Sky's skin. "Sky, why don't you show Syd to her room and show her around the academy."

"Yes sir," Sky answered thankful to get out of there. "Come on, Syd."

"Bye, Daddy." Syd hugged her father and he kissed her gently on the cheek.

"Goodbye, princess, call you later tonight." Sky helped Syd with her bags and then the two were on their way.

"Collins' boy sure has grown up since last I saw him."

"If you mess with Sky, you mess with me," Cruger exclaimed firmly eyeing Gunther. "And I'll call his guardian, and we both know how Mr. Myers can be." Cruger knew that Eric would not take too kindly of Gunther Drew giving Sky any problems.

Gunther then backed off and smiled. "Yes. Well, I'll be seeing you." He started to back away. "Just make sure to take care of my little girl."

"She'll do just fine here."

"Big room," Sky noted as he and Syd walked into her dorm. He placed her bags down on the bed that still needed the sheets and blankets to be placed. It was rather larger than the dorm room he was in, not that he cared, but it was almost too big for just one person. He almost had to wonder if Cruger had someone in mind to stay in the dorm room with Syd, but he hadn't mentioned to him about any other cadets being placed on his squad.

"Yes. My parents wanted to make sure I had the best dorm there is." She smiled as she began to unpack. She pulled out a stuffed animal and set it on her bed. "There you go, Peanuts, don't worry we'll have this place looking just like home in no time."

Sky had to laugh. "Aren't you a little old for stuffed animals?"

Syd got right into Sky's face, but found herself being a tad shorter than him, okay a lot shorter, but she wouldn't something like that get in the way of sticking up for herself. "You are never too old for stuffed animals." She grabbed Peanuts. "Now say you're sorry."

"You've got to be kidding me." He stared at her. He couldn't believe this, Cruger had stuck him with a girl who a living imitation of a Barbie doll. "You can't be serious. Come on, it's just a stuffed animal. Hell, RIC's more real than that piece of fluff."

"And who is RIC?"

RIC came barging in at the sound of his name, barking and wagging his tail. Sky rolled his eyes, he wasn't sure who was worse: Robo-dog, or Barbie Girl. "You had to ask."

Syd just looked at RIC as if she were disgusted or had no idea what he was for. "What's he supposed to be, the academy mascot? He's not even a real dog."

Well, at least we agree on one thing. BOOM. A loud bang of an explosion roared down the hall. RIC took off quicker than light, howling.

"And that?"

Sky sighed and started out of Syd's room. "That would be Boom."

Sky followed quickly behind him. "What's a Boom?"

Sky entered into the lab, now covered in smoke with bits and pieces of parts of gadgets lying all over the place. It looked like a tornado had rolled right in, a tornado called Boom, that is. "Boom!" he exclaimed in annoyance.

"Ah!" Boom jumped about six feet in the air, his heart racing. "Sky! Oh, it's you." He laughed softly, trying to get all the jumpiness and jittering out of his voice. He then saw a new face. "Oh, hi!" His voice softened to a kind, gentle voice.

"Hi," smiled Syd, getting ready to go up to him, but Sky pulled her back and stepped forward. He wasn't done yet with Boom.

"I want this place to be spotless, otherwise..." He glared Boom hard in the eyes. "Commander Cruger's going to hear about it. Got it?"

"Got it." Sky looked at him sharply. "Si-sir."

"Good." Sky then gently pulled Syd out of the lab. He looked over his shoulder. "RIC, help Boom clean up."

"A little bossy, aren't we?" asked Syd as they walked down the hall.

"Boom is a menace," Sky exclaimed, he wasn't about to let anyone tell him that he had been to harsh, especially since they have't known Boom as long as he had. "The only reason he's even still here, is because Cruger felt sorry for him."

"That's a little cold isn't it?"

He just glared at her. "Do you always ask twenty questions to every new person you meet?"

"You must be a fun person to get along with in the morning."

"Great, not only are you a prima donna, but you're sarcastic too," he muttered as he walked down the hall. "This is going to be an interesting year."

"Do you treat your girlfriend this way," exclaimed Syd as she followed after him.

"I don't have time for dating," Sky exclaimed in annoyance as he turned to her. This girl was starting to get on his nerves. "So, don't be getting any ideas"

"Oh don't worry, I wouldn't date you if you were the last thing on the planet," she exclaimed not batting an eye. She wasn't about to be pushed around. She knew what he was thinking that she didn't belong here, but she was determined to prove him wrong. "So what next on this tour?"

"The gym," Sky answered as he lead her to the right towards the gym.

They passed by two eighteen year old cadets who had been there just as long as Sky had. Once Sky and Syd were out of sight, Danny turned to Paul. "Fifty bucks says they'll be hooking up within five years!"

"You do know that's Sky Tate you're talking about, right?" exclkmed Paul not believing that Danny would make such a risky wager. "The guy isn't exactly smooth with the ladies, he have better luck having a relationship with his blaster, then a hot babe like that." Sky cares more about training then mingling with his coeds.

"Trust me, I have a way about things like this," exclaimed Danny. "And there's something there."

"You sure it's not the mystery meat we had for lunch?"

It had only been a little over a week and Sky was beginning to see that there was more to Syd than meets the eye. Sure, she was her daddy's little princess, but she definitely wasn't the type of girl who couldn't handle herself. She was an amazing fighter, even if at times her sense of direction was off, but in the end she always came up on top.

"Again," instructed Sky, ordering Syd to attack him again.

"Come on Sky, we've been at this all morning." She gave him a smile. "Can't we take a break, just for a little bit, we can go play light ball."

"No. In less than eight weeks we'll be testing to make B squad. We have to be ready." He got into a fighting stance. "Now let's go at it again."

Sydney sighed; she didn't know what it was. One day he could be the sweetest guy in the world and the next day he could be your worst nightmare. She got back into a fighting stance and the two began to do their drill all over again.

"She's not too bad of a fighter," announced Kat as she and Cruger watched from a distance as Sky and Syd trained together.

"No, she isn't. With a little work, she could become one of the best female fighters here, not bad for her age."

"And she has a good teacher, even if he is a stubborn workaholic."

"Maybe a little of Syd will rub off on Sky."

"We can only hope; we don't need to have two stubborn, all work and no play men around here. One's enough."

"Conner." Hayley wrapped her arms around him as he walked into the entrance of their home. "It's so good to see you. It seems like forever since we last saw you."

"It's good to see you too." Conner pulled away, so he could introduce his rather large family: his wife Jena and his two ten-year-old step-sons, Jeff and Jerrod. And then their five-year-old twins, Erica and Walker.

"Quite a bunch you have there, McKnight," announced Eric as he came down the stairs holding three year old Wes in his arms. "Just couldn't help yourself could you?" Conner and Jena married, just a few months after he had meant the boys at his soccer camp in 2012. It was love a first sight as he would call it. Soon after they found out she was pregnant with twins, and five years later she was pregnant again.

"Well." He grinned and wrapped his arms around Jena, who was six months pregnant. "I just had to do one better than you."

"Oh no. We are not going to have this start all over again," Hayley complained.

"Oh, come on, honey," grinned Eric. "You know you like it when Conner and I compete."

Hayley sighed. "Come on, Jena, I'll show you into the living room."

"Thank you."

Megan and Erin came running down the stairs. "Hey, you guys want to play video games? We got enough controllers for everyone!" asked Megan.

"Can we, Dad?" asked Jerrod

"Yeah please, Daddy," begged Walker.

"Sure, why not?"

"Yeah!" replied Jeff, as he and his brothers and sister followed Megan and Erin up the stairs.

"So this little guy must be Wes."

"Yeah. I'm three." He held up four fingers.

Both Eric and Conner grinned. "Why don't you go watch the kids play." Eric set Wesley down on the floor.

"Okay." Wesley ran up the stairs.

"Cute kid."

"Yeah he is," Eric answered, recalling how happy he was when they learned they had a son. He wanted to able to honor Wes in some way. "So you want a beer or something?"

"Sure," answered Conner as he followed Eric into the kitchen. "Thanks."

Eric took a sip of his drink. "So I've heard that the soccer program is really picking up."

"Yeah. It's been doing great. We could use a few sponsors, if you're interested."

"I'm sure we can work something out."

Both Walker and Erin came flying into the kitchen. "Dad, is it okay if Walker and I go play on the swing set?"

"Okay with you?"

"Fine with me."

"Yeah!" both of them said.

"Come on Walker, it's this way." Erin led Walker to the back door.

Conner grinned and couldn't help but laugh.

"What's so funny?"

"Well, I was just thinking, wouldn't it be something if my son and your daughter hooked up when they're older."

"Just what I need, to be related to a McKnight." He laughed, but it was way too soon to tell. Erin was a few years older then Walker and had just met, they still had a long ways to go before they would be old enough to date.

"So how has Dr. O been?" He saw Eric give him a weird look. "Yes I know. I'm not in high school anymore. It just seems weird to call him Tommy."

"Yeah, I know what you mean. I never could find it easy calling Mr. Collins by his first name, even when he insisted."

"I guess old habits die hard."

"Yeah." Eric finished off his drink. "Tommy's been doing well. Right now he's in Florida visiting Kim."

"Kim, wasn't that-"

"Yeah. Last week he got a call from her, her husband Pete was in a water-skiing accident. He's in a coma, it's not looking good. He wouldn't have gone, but Pete's parents are dead and Kim's mom was in Paris and couldn't get there until four days after the accident."

"Man, that sucks."

"Yeah."

"You don't think-"

He knew right away what Conner was thinking. "No, he wouldn't do that. He and Kim are friends. He's just there for support."

"Yeah." Conner finished off his drink. "So how's Sky doing?"

"He's been doing okay. He likes it over there at the academy."

"He always was determined to become a Ranger, just like his dad."

"Yeah." Eric sighed. "Come on, we better go join the girls before they start to wonder where we went off to."

"Right." Conner started to follow Eric, but then stopped dead in his tracks as if something had overcome him, when he saw a picture of Sky in his SPD uniform hanging on the wall.

"You okay?" asked Eric.

"I don't know."

"What do you mean?" asked Eric, a little confused.

"I don't, I - ah - did you ever feel like something happened, but didn't happen?"

"Run that by me again?"

"It's weird. I haven't seen Sky since he was like five, and looking at that picture, for some reason I feel like I have seen him. And Ethan and Kira were there too. And we were at the academy and there was a big blue dog. And Sky was the blue ranger." Conner shook his head which was ridiculous, because Sky wasn't even a Ranger. "Nah, probably just dreamed it." He started walked into the living room.

Eric looked at the picture and then back to Conner, and he had to wonder. Was it possible that at one time Conner and the others had in fact been at the academy, but had forgotten or had their memories erased? He did recall Alex talking about memory adaptation and if SPD would one day become Time Force, it could very well be possible that Conner might not have been dreaming. He could never know for sure, at least not until Sky became a Ranger. The question was, would Sky become the red Ranger like his father, or as Conner has predicted, the blue Ranger?

"Eric, you going to come join us?" called out Hayley.

"Coming."