The following morning, Sarah was awake very early. In truth, she wasn't even sure she had really slept. There were maybe two, perhaps three hours she couldn't account for between different times she looked at the digital alarm clock, but she definitely hadn't had a restful night.
It wasn't the unfamiliar surroundings. Sometimes people had a difficult time sleeping anywhere other than their own bed. Habit and territorialism were big factors in comfort and relaxation but Sarah had moved around so much as a kid, she never really had a problem with unfamiliar surroundings. Given the snoring coming from the other bed from her room-mate Hayley, the White Ranger, it seemed she didn't have that particular problem either. However there was just some feeling within her, something that wouldn't quite let her switch off. Finally giving up on sleeping, she decided to get changed and take the opportunity to get a little training in.
Although it certainly wasn't as busy as during the day, there was never really a "quiet" time in the castle. Staff and security worked 24 hours a day, meaning that there was always a significant presence. She gave a polite greeting to the staff as she passed, heading outside, looking for somewhere to take a run. Despite appearances, despite the fact they were in a castle that had been built before Ivan was born, the fact was that the home of the Royal Family also doubled as the headquarters of the Zandarian Military. Despite the rather ornate and ceremonial nature of a lot of it, she was mindful of the fact that it was, strictly speaking, a working military barracks and even though she was a guest there were places she wasn't meant to go.
She decided upon the ramparts. The courtyards were often used for drilling, inspections and training, and so it wouldn't be too long before the changing of the guards when they would probably appreciate the space. The worst that was likely to happen on the ramparts was she would meet up with a patrolling guard.
She got up onto the ramparts and started to warm up, stretching off in preparation for her run. It would only take a couple of laps around the castle to make up a mile. She was just about to start up her shuffle, putting it onto random and putting in her ear-buds when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked around to see Kendall, Shelby and Margaret standing behind her.
"Hey there." Margaret greeted her.
"Hi!" Sarah said, looking around them. "Um...isn't it a little early...?"
"Old habits I'm afraid." Margaret stated. "I've always been an early riser."
Sarah just nodded. Although she was only a couple of days from marrying into the Royal Family, she had been for many years a member of the Zandarian Military. She was on the household staff and among many other duties, including being a confidante and aide; her chief responsibility had been as Phillipe's personal bodyguard.
"We're usually up pretty early too." Shelby told her, gesturing to herself and Kendall. "You know what they say, just because the dinosaurs get to sleep forever doesn't mean we do."
"Besides, as Maid of Honour, I'm supposed to make sure nothing happens to the bride." Kendall told her. "So, would you like a little company?" Sarah just nodded.
"Sure, why not?" She asked. They all started to make their way along the ramparts, setting themselves a comfortable pace.
"So, you and Preston disappeared for a little while last night." Shelby commented.
"Koda gets in tonight doesn't he?" Sarah asked, changing the subject.
"His plane should be getting in a little later." Margaret answered. "There was some delay at customs in Tokyo, they weren't saying much but he'll be in later."
"Right...that's good." Sarah answered. "It'll be great to see him."
Over at the Romero Farm, Dane, Brody, Levi and Tom were sitting around, getting some breakfast before they started work for the day. Tom put down his coffee after taking a sip.
"So, there was seriously someone snooping around last night?" He asked as Levi relayed the events to him. Well, the events he knew about anyway. There had been a noise outside loud enough to wake him.
"I'm a little surprised you slept through it." Brody commented. He just shrugged.
"Not all of us are trained ninjas you know." He reminded him. "I'm a native Texan. Even the hunters got an early start where I grew up."
"We had a look around; there was definitely someone out there." Brody commented. "His tracks disappeared into the woods, but there was definitely someone out there."
"Think they were after anything in particular?" Tom asked.
"There were plenty of tools and supplies in the yard; if they wanted anything it wouldn't have been hard to get them." Levi commented. "It's almost like they were more interested in the house."
"It's probably the local kids." Dane suggested. He could see the way they were looking at him. He didn't really know too much more than they did. He hadn't actually seen who it was that was checking out the house, but he also didn't really have a good explanation for why he was out in the yard in the middle of the night. "You know, seeing if there really was someone in the old cursed Romero place."
"You really think so?" Levi asked. "It seems a long way for a kid to come out at night."
"You didn't see the reaction we got at the hardware store when we told everyone where we were staying." Brody told him. "It might be worth asking around."
"I don't know..."
"Dad, someone was coming to spy on us in the dead of night." Levi told him.
"It was probably just curious kids." Dane reiterated.
"You know we do have a few things that we might not want curious kids getting too interested in." Levi reminded him.
"They were probably just seeing if we're really living here." Dane said, hoping to get the subject onto something else. "Now they've seen we're here I doubt they'll be back."
"Probably, if it was someone that was really looking for something I doubt they'd have run off because one of us woke up." Levi concluded. While they had destroyed Galvanax, and as far as anyone knew Cosmo and the others were gone, the fact was that with the power of the Nexus Prism around, they couldn't discount the possibility someone else would come for it eventually, and if they did, they would likely expect resistance. They doubted someone would run off at the mere thought of a fight. "Still, it might not be a bad idea to set up a few security precautions. Even if it is just kids, last thing we need if we do start forging the Super Ninja Steel is a bunch of kids treating us like the local side-show."
"That's probably not a bad idea." Brody agreed. Tom started to look a little concerned.
"Um...security precautions?" He asked. "What kind of precautions?"
"Nothing lethal, just something that'll let us know if someone's coming." Brody assured him. "There's no point in making it clear there's something worth seeing here, just let us keep an eye on people until we know if they're here to have a look or just passing through."
"I could set something up once I'm rebuilt." Redbot chipped in.
"Thanks Redbot, but we were thinking of something a little lower tech." Brody said with a smile. "The Wind Ninja Academy had some pretty nice tricks for that kind of thing. We'll need you to concentrate on scanning for the Super Ninja Steel."
"Alright, now that's settled." Dane said as he put his plate down. "How about we all get to work raising that workshop?"
"That sounds like a plan to me!" Tom chipped in.
"Say, do any of you know what I did with the diary?" Levi asked as they got up. "I couldn't find it this morning."
"Didn't you put it in your bag?" Brody asked.
"It's the first place I looked." Levi told him.
"Look, everything's kind of all over the place right now, I'm certain it'll turn up." Dane assured him, but secretly concerned with the location of the book himself. He had it in his hands, he had managed to sneak it out of the house before he found the intruder, but in the scuffle, he had somehow lost track of where it was. He hadn't had time to look for it before he had to go with Brody and Levi to look for the intruder. He had no idea where it had gone, but he could only hope that he could find it before Levi did. "So, let's get this workshop up! Who knows, if we have time maybe Redbot could actually be back on his feet by the end of the day!"
"Well, I for one think he's waited long enough." Brody said, grabbing a screwdriver. "Where are the boxes with the rest of him?"
"Uh...you sure you wouldn't like to wait for Sarah to come home?" Levi asked. Brody just shrugged.
"On the Warrior Dome if you didn't get up quickly enough when you got knocked down you either got eaten or thrown in the trash." Brody told them, picking up Redbot's head. "We got pretty good at patching each other up. I might not be Sarah, but I know my way around a screwdriver. Come on Redbot, let's find your body."
Over in Zandar, Phillipe had taken the guys out into the town to enjoy the festivities. There was a very positive air around the city, and people seemed to genuinely love Phillipe. They kept coming up to him, congratulating him and offering him gifts, some of which, like a hand-drawn picture from a little girl, he kept, others of which like money, clothing and even a car, he politely suggested be donated to worthy causes in his name.
"Thank you, I couldn't be happier." Phillipe told an old lady as she shook his hand.
"I can't wait until you're running things. I'd like to see Zandar show the world what we can do." She told him. Phillipe just laughed. "Not many countries can say a real Power Ranger is their leader!"
"Well, actually our last President was..." Calvin started to say, before Tyler shooshed him. It wasn't as though he was likely to cause offence, but since the old lady had already spoken to Phillipe at length, IN PUBLIC about her desire to see the next generation of the Royal Bloodline soon, he had a feeling she wasn't terribly interested in the outside world.
"Oh, hopefully that won't be for some time yet!" He told her as she toddled off to go back to her own business. Preston just sniggered.
"Dude, you are SERIOUSLY popular here." Preston commented. "And some of your people have no filter."
"Welcome to the joys of public life." Phillipe commented. "I admit I enjoy living in a bubble somewhat. Not many other Rangers with public identities get such universal approval from their homeland, but I think the fact the majority of the war took place NOT in Zandar had a hand in that."
"So seriously, everyone here knows about you?" Preston asked.
"It's part and parcel of being a Royal." He commented. "Very little of my life is private."
"Yeah, I know but getting a...WAY too graphic run-down of what to do on your wedding night from a random stranger?" Preston commented. "I think I'd appreciate some relationship advice from someone a little closer to home."
"Well from what I hear you could use it mate." Chase chuckled. Tyler and Riley immediately hit him and looked to him a little judgementally.
"What...what's that meant to mean?" Preston asked him. Chase immediately realised he'd done it again, diving right in with his size tens without thinking.
"Um...just that...uh..."
"Well, to be fair man...your relationship isn't exactly in high-gear." Levi said as diplomatically as he could. "In fact, it kind of seems like it's in neutral."
"Says the guy who doesn't even have a relationship." Preston humphed rather defensively. "We have kissed."
"Yeah, didn't you head butt each other?" Calvin asked him. Preston started to get a little irritated, feeling like the guys were ganging up on him. He knew they were just ribbing him, but he really didn't like the fact they seemed so intimately familiar with his relationship status.
"Well, for your information we kissed last night actually!" Preston told them. They all smiled back at him.
"Well, as someone who has had his share if indiscretions in the past, of which I am not proud, I for one think it is admirable the young wizard is taking things slowly wooing the fair Sarah." Ivan said, putting his arm around Preston's shoulders. "Now tell me Preston, how was it? Did the heavens sing and poetry fill your heart..."
"You know what? I'm sorry I brought it up!" Preston snapped, shoving him off. "Now, can we get back to the fair?"
"Yes, but...first I think some lunch is in order." Phillipe said, guiding them towards a pub. "This place is nice, the owner knows me. David, can we have the back room?"
"Your usual table is set as always Phillipe." He said, showing them through. Preston just rolled his eyes as he realised he was getting railroaded. Now he really wished he hadn't said anything.
Back in the castle, the girls were taking the time to enjoy the castle's large, indoor pool. It was not just a part of the Prince's training regime, but also a rather amazing way to relax.
"Now this is how to live!" Allison commented as she rose out of the water, next to Sarah and Kendall. She looked to Margaret, who was just finishing a lap. "I'm telling you, you really landed on your foot with Phillipe."
"Oh, don't I know it." She chuckled. "Though it would be nice if I didn't get quite so many questions regarding when the heirs are coming."
"Ew, seriously?" Shelby asked. "Don't people know the meaning of 'none of your business'?"
"I knew what I signed up for." Margaret replied with a shrug. "It's part of the package deal."
"Yeah, I keep reminding myself of that any time Tyler and his dad run off on one of their adventures." Shelby told her. "They're actually meeting up with Albert this summer to take him out to Gosei's island so he can see an actual Bigfoot!"
"That sounds like fun." Sarah replied.
"Considering the fact James manages to cause an international incident pretty much everywhere he goes, I'm preparing for the worst." Shelby answered. "So, you were pretty quiet this morning. Is everything alright?"
"She probably just found it hard to sleep." Hayley said, looking a little guilty. "I've been told I snore like a chainsaw."
"It wasn't the most restful nights' sleep." Sarah replied, before looking to the others. "OK, um...something might have...happened last night."
"Oh?" Allison asked. "Which of the guys am I assigning to empty the grease traps for the next month?"
"Oh, no it's nothing like that. It's um..." Sarah replied. "You know me and Preston kind of...slipped away for a little while last night?"
"Yes." Kendall said, raising an eyebrow. Sarah noticed the gesture and started to shift a little uncomfortably.
"Wait, do...do you think I meant..."
"Damn girl, there's gears between neutral and top!" Shelby commented.
"Hey, I didn't mean..."
"Please don't say in my bed; please don't say in my bed..." Hayley started to ramble.
"NO!" Sarah shrieked. "It was nothing like that! We just...I went out to the ramparts to take some pictures and he joined me up there..."
"You did it on the ramparts?" Hayley screeched. "Damn girl!"
"WE DIDN'T HAVE SEX!" Sarah yelled out loud. They just heard a cough, at which the waiter who was bringing them through some drinks turned and quietly left. Sarah started to blush a little. "We were talking and it was so beautiful and I started talking about how everyone talks so warmly about their homes and never feeling that and he was just so sweet about it all and...we kissed." The others just stared at her a moment, before smiling.
"So, details please!" Kendall pressed on.
In the pub, the guys had ordered some lunch, but although the food and the drink were excellent, they weren't paying it terribly much attention. They were more interested in talking with Preston.
"So this time you didn't poke her in the eye with your nose." Calvin asked.
"No, this time we managed to get it right." Preston told them. "I mean, the moment was just so...I can't really explain it." Preston told them. "The sun was setting and Sarah was taking some pictures, and then she was talking about how much Phillipe and Ivan talked about how much they love their homeland."
"It is certainly a jewel in the crown of this world." Ivan said proudly. Preston breathed a sigh as he tried to explain.
"Well, that just led to her thinking about how much everyone loves where they came from..."
"Uh...to be fair not all of us." Riley commented, putting his hand up. "I couldn't wait to get off the farm."
"The thing is, then she just started talking about how growing up she never stayed in one place very long, how they never put down roots anywhere and never knowing what that felt like." Preston carried on. "So I told her about how home's just an idea and it's where you love and the people you love are and one thing led to another and it just felt so right and we just...we just kissed."
"Well right on man!" Tyler said, just slapping him on the back. "That beats the hell out of my first kiss story."
"You mean when you kissed Shelby in the cafe?" Chase chuckled. "I think anything would beat that."
"Whatever man, it's not about where it happens or when, it's about what it means to you, how it makes you feel. That moment when your heart's racing or you just don't care about anything else or you just feel like if the world ended right then and there you'd be happy." Tyler said. It was just then that they noticed Preston slipping down in his seat, almost like he was trying to slither under the table and escape. "Uh...Preston? What is it?"
"So when Matt kissed me that first time, I didn't know what the hell was going on!" Kendall recalled. "We'd walked around town, my armpits hurt like hell because I was still on crutches after breaking my leg in the battle for the Ankylo Zord, and the whole time I didn't even know if it was a date or if Matt was just checking up on how we were looking after his brother. Once he kissed me, I...wasn't thinking about much. I think it was the first time in years I literally didn't have a thought in my head."
"Oh, we all remember Kendall the Klutz." Shelby chuckled. "It was super cute to watch."
"I'm glad you found it so amusing." Kendall said with a smirk. She then noticed Sarah looking a little dejected. "So, it's all good right? You have your own first kiss story."
"And it has to be way better than my story." Shelby sniggered. "I mean, don't get me wrong it was great at the time, but I really wish my first kiss hadn't been when I was wearing an apron covered in grease and mustard."
"You did...like it didn't you?" Allison asked her. Sarah just got a really pained expression on her face.
"That's just it; all the things you're talking about...I never felt any of that." Sarah told them. "Guys, it was...it was awful!"
A/N: Did you see THAT coming?
OK, first and foremost, Happy New Year to everyone. Secondly, REALLY sorry about the hiatus. No excuses, I have to admit this was just a really unproductive period and I am sorry for that. I really hope to be getting out the next part soon.
Thanks for your continued support and your reviews.