AN: A bit short and uneventful, but it's done.

Once a Ranger
Chapter 6: Tanya Sloan
By Daylight

"Excuse me, Miss!"

"Could I have some more coffee, please?"

"Miss!

"What is the matter with you? I ordered roast beef, not turkey."

"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir. I'll be right with you."

A precariously balanced deluge of dirty plates in each arm the former yellow zeo ranger carefully navigated through the demanding lunch crowd in the noisy diner. Extricating herself from a difficult customer, she held her dishes aloft as she was forced to dodge another. The place seemed increasingly small from the incessant chattering people all wanting food, and increasingly dim compared to the intense brilliance outside. Finally, she managed to escape into the slightly less chaotic kitchen and with little care, let her load land in the sink with a loud clatter.

Steve, the dishwasher, looked up from his work and raised an eyebrow. "Tough crowd?'

"No more than usual." Leaning against a wall, the former ranger ran a hand over her tightly tied hair. "Lord, I'm tired."

"Sang at the club again last night?"

"Yeah. If it only paid a little more, I wouldn't be here dealing with disgruntled customers." She was forced to cover her mouth as she yawned. "I don't know how I'm going to get through the day."

Grabbing another dirty dish, he gave her a grin. "Do what I do: stand up straight, paste a smile on, and remind yourself this is only temporary."

"Right." She stood up dusting off her apron as headed back to the diner. "Only temporary."

"Go get 'um," he encouraged.

Before she could push open the door, another demanding voice drew her attention.

"Sloan! Phone call!"

Flustered, she ran over to where her boss stood waving a receiver with an aggravated look.

"If it wouldn't be too much trouble, I'd advice you to remind your boyfriend no calls during lunch!"

"Yes, sir."

"And I expect to see you back out there in five."

She took the telephone from him and wearily remarked into the receiver, "Honey, this really isn't a good time."

"I'm sorry," came Adam's voice. "But it's an emergency."

"What happened? Is everyone alright?"

There was a pause, before he replied. "The space rangers, TJ, Cassie, Carlos and Ashley… they're missing."

Her breath hitched a moment as she thought of something sinister having befallen the rangers they had chosen to replace them. It was as if her world was once more twisting away from her as she felt herself being drawn back into part of her life she thought she had left behind.

"The remaining space rangers need our help. It means a trip into space. Tommy, Rocky and I are all going."

"What about Kat?"

"Tommy doesn't want to involve her. He says it's because of her new show, but…"

"She's going to be pissed."

"I know. But maybe this is for the best."

"How long do you think…?"

"A couple weeks at least. We have no idea where they are and we have to get our powers back first."

An old resolve settled in her stomach. "Alright. When do you need me?"

"As soon as possible. We've already got substitutes to take care of the dojo. We just need to pack and then we're leaving."

"Fine. Call me at home in an hour. I'll be ready."

"Thanks, sweetheart. Love you."

"Love you, too."

Tanya placed the receiver down and took a deep breath. Gazing around for her boss, she soon located him orchestrating the medley of food frying over the stove while barking out order to the busy cooks.

"Boss?"

The large and greasy owner of the diner didn't even glance in her direction as he replied. "What?"

"I need some time off… starting right now."

"Very funny. Now get back to work."

Despite his brash, sarcastic answer, Tanya continued.

"It's a family emergency."

"Really." He crossed his arms over his large belly. "You actually think you're going to abandon us on such short notice."

"My family needs me."

Finally turning towards her, Tanya's boss gave her an evaluating stare before placing a hand on her shoulder. "You're a good kid, Tanya. Now get going. The sooner you leave, the sooner you'll be back."

For a moment, she was dumbstruck. He gave her a push towards the exit and hollered, "Go! I have a kitchen to run and with a person short, we need to work double time."

Snapping out of her stupor, Tanya hurried off before he could change his mind. She grabbed her purse and gave a quick wave to Steve before dashing out the door. Outside, she blinked as her eyes adjusted to the glare of LA's sun, the enormity of what she was about to do suddenly hitting her. She had thought her rangering days were over, and even though she missed them, she hadn't expected to face this sort of danger again. Still, it looked like she would be having one more adventure.

With purposeful strides, the yellow ranger headed home to prepare.

Next:
Chapter 7: Welcome Onboard
The former zeo rangers are introduced to the MegaWinger and get to know their new friends a little better.