"Hey…" Alex gently brushed a few loose hairs from Jen's face, as he smiled down at her. She had been resting comfortably ever since she was brought to Turtle Cove Medical General. Not too long after she was placed in a room, Alex had returned from the time ship where he had gathered the right medical treatment to help Jen's wounds heal faster, and even took something to help with his leg.

Jen blinked a few times until her vision focused, and she found Alex staring down at her, his smile very content that she had awakened. "Hey yourself." Though she knew where she was, she wasn't quite sure how she had gotten here; it was all still a blur. "The last thing I remember was Ransik….. Wes protected me and then something hit my head…." She attempted to glance around the room, hoping to find Wes, but he was nowhere to be found, only the man who shared his face. In the pit of her stomach she feared the worst, and Alex must have taken note of that, because he quickly took hold of her hand and squeezed it gently. "Alex….please tell me he's all right…"

Alex took a deep breath and bit his lip. "Wes had a rough night……but he's going to be all right. ……Physically anyway." He turned his head away, almost wondering himself if perhaps it would have been better if Wes had died. Not because if Wes was out of the picture he could still have a chance with Jen - Alex knew that possibility was long gone, it would never be, too much had changed between them for them to ever get back to where they were. No, it was because of what Wes would have to live with…..his guilt.

"Physically?" Jen wasn't sure what had caused Alex to turn away, especially over something involving Wes. She had known that for a long time Alex had resented the man who had taken his place, maybe even hated him. It wasn't like Alex. "What do you mean? What's wrong with him?"

"It was Ransik, Jen." Alex got up the courage to look Jen in the eyes once more. "It was Ransik who sent Wes the message. The message that caused Wes to send you and the others back."

"Oh no…." It was far worse than Jen could have imagined; she thought it was bad before but this was worse. Ransik had toyed with Wes's emotions and had won, and now Wes was left to live with his guilt and the pain of a nightmare she wasn't sure he would ever get over. "I have to see him…."

"Jen…" This was getting harder and harder by the moment, he could feel tears drawing near, but he needed to stay strong, keep focused, not let anything get in his way. He just wished that it didn't have to hurt Jen in the process.

"He needs me Alex. Wes needs me."

"You….you can't be there for him." He bowed his head down. "You and I both know that. You can't stay here, Jen."

"And we both know that I'm the only person on this planet who will be able to get him through this!" She didn't care if she was shouting; all she cared about was helping Wes, helping him through his pain, helping him get over this and forget about it, helping him to move on with his life.

"Wes is going to need a whole lot more than you kissing him and trying to make it all better." Alex sighed heavily, he didn't like this, he could clearly see how devoted she was to Wes, she loved him more than all the world. "Captain Logan has ordered our return, the others are already getting things set with the time ship, Nadira's already there, Ransik's body has been recovered." He looked Jen directly in the eyes, knowing this was only making matters worse, but he had his orders. "I'm sorry Jen; this is the way it has to be. Even if you could stay, just for a little while, it would only make matters worse for Wes."

Though she hated to admit it, she knew Alex was right. They couldn't stay here, they didn't belong here. This wasn't their time, their home, no matter how much it felt like it. She felt Alex grip her shoulder; she couldn't even bring herself to look him in the eyes. "How long?"

"A couple of hours."

"Can I at least," a few tears rolled down her cheek, as the reality she would have to face, was drawling closer and closer, "…..say goodbye?"

Though it was against his better judgment, knowing in the long run that it might only make matter worse for both Wes and Jen, deep down he knew the two deserved to say goodbye to each other after everything they had been through. He owed them that much, even if Captain Logan would disagree. "Yeah, I think that can be arranged."

"Are you okay?" asked Lucas, as he went to go sit down next to Nadira, who hadn't said much in the last twenty-four hours. It had been a hard time for her, first handing James over to his father, which had been a very hard thing for her to do, even though all she wanted to do for months was get the little boy back with his family. She just never thought it would be so hard. And then learning the news about her father's demise had been equally as difficult.

"I will be." She smiled faintly. "Thank you," she replied as he handed her a cup of tea.

"I thought you should know that because of your actions in this whole ordeal, with the boy and everything, that Alex was able to work out a deal to help with your case."

Nadira nodded her head and smiled faintly. "Thank you." She watched as Lucas got up from his seat. "Can I ask you something?" she asked as she took a sip of her tea. Lucas turned around to face her. "Why are you being so nice to me?"

That was a question he had been pondering himself for the last few hours. Why was he being so nice? If she was anyone else, he would have her cuffed or locked up in containment in the time ship. So why hadn't he? Even though Trip and Katie could see that she had reformed they both still wanted to contain her in some way, but he had objected to the idea - saying he would stay with her while they finished getting everything loaded up. "I don't know….. I just felt like…. I don't know." He knew his memories of being in this time period had been erased. Even when he met Wes in the hospital he had no recollection of ever knowing him, but with Nadira he felt like something might had happened between them, why he didn't know. Maybe it would always feel like that, maybe in time his memories of Wes would return or maybe it would all just go away in time. But still…. "Did something ever happen between us?"

Nadira just smiled. "I guess you could say we went out on a date once."

"A date?" Not exactly the answer he was expecting, but he wasn't going to object to it either, as if for some reason some part of him, hidden deep inside, knew it to be true. "Could you, maybe, tell me about it? Maybe it will help me remember?"

"Won't your memories just be erased again?"

"Probably, but I'd just like to know, if that's okay with you."

"Okay. It all started….."

Outside on the beach, Katie and Trip had finished packing up the containers with the help of Cole, Danny, Max, and Alyssa.

"Thanks for the help, guys," announced Trip.

"No problem," exclaimed Danny. "We're happy to do it."

"Besides, you guys helped us take down the bad guys and got Silver Hills back," added Max.

"I just wish you didn't have to leave so soon," said Alyssa. "It would have been nice to spend more time with each other, hang out."

"We would have liked that, but our Captain wants us all to return as soon as possible," said Katie.

"Well, it's been a pleasure working with you," smiled Cole, holding out his hand to Trip. "It's good to know that the future will be in good hands."

"Yeah, well, we have a lot to live up to," smiled Trip. Though they didn't know each other long, both sides knew that no matter how much time went by, that the Earth would always be protected.

Jen rolled the wheelchair into the room where Wes had been placed. She found Mr. Collins, Wes's father, sitting close to his son's bedside. He appeared very relieved to have his son back with him, even though he looked like someone had used him as a punching bag. If it were Halloween Wes would be set to go as a mummy with all the bandages he had around him.

Wes slowly opened his eyes; he hadn't been asleep, only resting his eyes. He turned his head and found Jen staring back at him, her face both sad and happy, a feeling he knew all too well. He turned back to his father. "Dad, could you give Jen and me some time alone?"

Collins looked from his son to Jen. He knew very well that his son loved Jen and that she too loved him back, but he also knew the reality of them ever being able to have a life together was unlikely, given their situation. So it only seemed right to give them the time they had together. "Sure, son." He got up and smiled at Jen on his way out of the room.

"How are you feeling?" asked Wes, and Jen rolled over to him.

"Better than you, from the looks of it." She smiled, trying to hold back all the sadness, all the tears, of having to say goodbye to the man she loved more than anything, knowing that she probably would never see him again.

Wes abruptly laughed. "Yeah, Ransik really did a number on me; if it wasn't for the Quantum Morpher I probably wouldn't be here." He reached his hand out to touch her face, gently caressing it, just wanting to remember every feature of her face. "I'm just glad you're okay."

Jen took his hand in hers. She wished they could have all the time in the world, not just a couple of measly hours that just wasn't enough. Not for them, not when their relationship was just beginning, it wasn't supposed to end this way. "….You could have told me, you know." No longer able to hold back her tears.

It brought tears to Wes's eyes as he clutched at her hand tightly, never wanting to let it go. "I was afraid and ashamed, and now, knowing that Ransik…." It just made things all the worse.

"You can't keep blaming yourself, Wes, it isn't healthy."

"But if…" he bit his lip; it was just so painful…. "…if I hadn't listened, if I hadn't sent you back, then…."

Jen pushed herself out of the wheelchair and wrapped her arms tightly around Wes, holding him close to her. "We don't know what would have happened. And the thing with the Silver Guardians wasn't your fault either; the morpher was just trying to protect you."

"I just want it all to go away…. I just want to forget that it ever happened…." He cried, no longer able to hold anything back, he clutched tightly at Jen, needing the closeness of her love, her strength.

"I know." Jen looked into his face, tears sparkling in both of their eyes. "…I know." She kissed him, a kiss full of love, a kiss that meant everything to both of them, a kiss they wished could last for all time and take them to a place where they could just forget about the past.

Outside the room, Alex watched with a heavy heart through the window. He knew Jen was right, Wes did need her, more than ever, more than he ever had before, but things just weren't that simple. There were too many complications. "It's not fair," he heard a voice say from behind him.

"No… No it isn't."

It had been Eric, both he and Taylor now joined Alex, watching the two for a moment before turning away, giving them their privacy. "Isn't there anything you can do?" asked Taylor, as she turned to Alex, as they walked down the hall. "Pull a few strings?"

"If only it were that simple." It just didn't seem right leaving things this way, Wes deserved to have more than just getting his morpher back; both he and Jen deserved to be happy. "The truth is, I'm already in hot water with Time Force officials for not putting Jen through memory adaptation from before."

"And you can't just leave without her?" asked Eric.

Alex shook his head. "No, if I did, they would only send in a team to bring her back in."

"What about me then?"

The three turned to find Merrick leaning against a wall; no one had seen or heard from him since yesterday. "What are you talking about?" asked Alex.

"You guys are from the year 3000, right?" Alex nodded his head. "And I'm from 3000 years in the past…."

"I know… but just because it happened once, doesn't mean it can happen again, what happened to you was supposed to happen."

"And maybe Jen is supposed to stay here," added Eric.

Alex shook his head. "No she's not. I already talked with Captain Logan and a few others, that made it clear that Jen was not to remain in this time period." He rubbed the back of his neck. "The only thing they did agree to was that no one would have to go through memory adaptation."

"So then….this is it." Taylor was never one for being a romantic, but she hated to see two people who loved each other not be able to be together. She had already watched it with Merrick and Princess Shayla, and now she would have to watch it with Wes and Jen. "They have to say goodbye to each other."

"Excuse me, there's something I need to do," announced Merrick, taking off like he had done so many times before. But no one really noticed his departure, they were all too engrossed in the present situation with Wes and Jen.

There was a faint beep. "Alex, it's Katie…."

Alex sighed heavily. "Go ahead, Katie…."

"It's time…" The sound of her voice told everyone she wasn't happy, knowing that Jen deserved to have every moment with Wes, but Logan had just contacted them again, telling them it was time to head back home.

"I'll go and get Jen, we'll be there soon." Alex then shared a glance with Eric and Taylor; no words needed to be said for what lay ahead.

Merrick walked into the secret garden on the Animarium, feeling the wind against his face. He looked up to the sky, the bright yellow sun shown down on him."Animusmy old friend, if you're still out there, I have a favor to ask of you…."

Unbeknown to Merrick, Princess Shayla was watching him from behind the bushes, a bright gentle smile on her face. She closed her eyes, as if she too was trying to reach out to an old friend they both had lost many, many years ago.

Alex knocked. "I'm sorry, it's time…." He hated to do it, but he really didn't have any other choice. "I'll wait for you outside."

Once they were alone again, they faced each other once more. Wes gently wiped away one of Jen's falling tears. "Jen, don't worry, I'll be….."

"Wes…." Jen stopped him, knowing very well he wasn't going to be fine, the moment she walked out that door his world would really go crashing down, and hers too.

"It'll be okay. It's just going to take time." He pulled her closer to kiss her lips, wanting to treasure this moment for as long as he lived, wanting her lips to be the very last he would ever kiss. "I love you."

"I love you too. I just wish that I knew you'll be okay."

He forced a smile. "I'm sure my dad and Eric will make sure that I am."

Jen ran her fingers through Wes' hair. She didn't want it to end, she didn't want to say goodbye, but she knew she didn't have a choice. "I'm so sorry." She kissed him once more, and then ran straight for the door, only to be stopped by Alex.

Alex just looked at her for a moment, unsure of what to say, his face was full of confusion, but then a joyous smile appeared. "They changed their minds, you can stay!"

"What?" Jen couldn't believe it; she looked back to Wes, who apparently had overheard, his face just as confused. "But…but how?"

"I don't really know how to explain it, they were having just as much trouble explaining it to me, but somehow unbeknownst to me and to them, you've become part of this timeline."

"How could of something like that happen?" asked Wes, from across the room.

Alex shook his head. "I don't know, all I do know is that you can stay, Jen, if that is what you want." But he already knew the answer. Though it would be difficult for her to have to leave her old life behind, he knew that she would give it all up in a heartbeat to be with Wes. "I'll make sure to tell the others goodbye for you."

"Alex." She flung her arms around him. "Thank you, for everything."

"Don't thank me, I didn't do anything." He returned her embrace. "I just hope that you'll be happy here." He looked into Jen's eyes. "Because you and Wes have a long road together, before things will ever be the same."

"I know, and that's a challenge I'm willing to take."

Alex smiled; he leaned in and kissed her gently on the cheek. He looked at Wes once more, waving. "Once you get back on your feet, you better take care of her."

"You have my word." Wes reached out to take Jen's hand. "As long as she's with me, I can get through anything."

"Well….I'd better get going, can't keep the others waiting." And with that said, Alex bid himself farewell and exited the room, leaving Jen and Wes once more together alone, but this time not planning to return.

No words had to be said, for the joy the two were feeling as they looked in each other's eyes. Though they both knew there lay a long road ahead for them both, having to adjust to everything that had happened, for Jen having to get used to living a thousand years in the past or for Wes, needing to learn how to forgive himself for his mistake, but they knew that for as long as they were together they would be able to accomplish anything.

Outside the room, Collins and Eric watched the two as they shared another gentle kiss. Collins was both happy that his son was alive, and that his son truly looked happy to be with the woman he loved. He might not know Jen very well, but his son was in love with her and that was enough.

"Looks like everything is going to be okay," announced Collins.

"Looks that way," replied Eric. "All we've got to do now is rebuild the city."

"And we will, but for now let's just enjoy this moment…."