Kira and Tommy could barely look at each other the following morning as they wordlessly made their way through their morning routine. Sitting at the breakfast table, they sat in silence, each waiting for the other to break the silence.
"I can fit two people in the guest room." Tommy began, trying to start a conversation that wouldn't lead anywhere awkward. "I can fold out the sofa-bed in the living room, that's another two, and there's two camp beds in the garage."
"Cool." Was all Kira could manage, trying desperately not to seem like she was deliberately avoiding Tommy's eyes.
"Dr Hartford's promised to put himself and the Overdrive team up in the motel." Tommy stated, carrying on with his breakfast. "That only leaves the Ninja Rangers and the Returning Rangers to worry about."
"I checked with mom…" Conner's voice thundered through the comparatively quiet air, causing both Tommy and Kira to jump with shock.
"God dammit Conner!" They both yelled.
"Just because I said you're always welcome." Tommy began, glaring at him in anger, but inwardly thanking him for breaking the mood in the room. "Do at least TRY and remember to knock."
"What got into you two?" Conner asked, sitting down and helping himself to toast. "I think it's time to switch to de-caff."
"Sorry Conner." Tommy replied. "I didn't sleep too well last night."
Kira just sat quietly at the end of the table, carrying on with her breakfast.
"Anyway." Conner continued. "I just came to say that I talked to my mom, and it's all right for Blake and Hunter to stay at my place."
"Good time Tommy?" Ethan asked, chapping the door.
"Of course." Tommy replied, waving him in. Ethan and Trent entered, taking their place at the table.
"I spoke to Cam this morning." Ethan informed them. "It's ok with my folks if he stays at mine."
"If anyone else needs a place to crash, my dad has about half a dozen guest rooms." Trent interjected. "The accommodations shouldn't be a problem."
"Thanks guys." Kira replied. "I really appreciate all you're doing."
"Think nothing of it." Hayley announced, entering through the back door, causing Tommy to jump again.
"Will people PLEASE knock the door?" He moaned. Hayley just ignored him and went over to Kira.
"We'll all be here for you tomorrow." She continued, hugging Kira warmly. "I called all the others, they'll meet us at the cyber café tonight. I've shut it off just for us."
"Thanks Hayley." Tommy responded, offering her a chair.
"Thanks, but I've got to go." Hayley stated, heading to the door. "Course if there's three young men with some time on their hands…"
"We're coming." Conner groaned, getting off the chair and following her out.
"We'll see you around 7." Trent continued.
"See you there guys." Ethan finished, snatching up a pile of toast and dashing out the door.
"And you always wonder why I make so much breakfast." Tommy put down sarcastically, gesturing to the scene of destruction that used to be the breakfast table. Kira laughed for what seemed like the first time in years.
Kira arrived at the cyber café around 6:30, hoping to see if there was anything she could do to help set up. She should have know better, as the guys and Dr Hartford's team seemed to have been there for quite a while making preparations for the following day's wake, and putting the finishing touches to a buffet for that night.
"Kira." Dr Hartford greeted her with a hug, Mack and Ronny weren't far behind him. "We're all sorry for your loss."
"Thanks Dr Hartford." She replied, Brushing the hair out of her face. "I just wanted to thank you for dealing with the medical bills and…"
"Think nothing of it." He responded, holding up his hand to wave off her thanks. "After all you and the other Returning Rangers did to help us in our time of need, it was the least I could do."
"I'm sorry we couldn't be here sooner." Mack chipped in. "But Ronny here almost blew the carburettors on the car when she insisted on opening up on the freeway."
"Mack!" Kira welcomed him with a kiss on the cheek. "I had been meaning to call for ages. Things were kind of crazy lately."
"Yeah, I'm sorry for all that." A tear appeared in his eye, which he swept away quickly. "Sorry, I'm still getting used to the whole being human thing."
"Trust me." Kira responded, her own eyes a little watery as she looked at him. "The whole emotional roller coaster is always worth it in the end. The good ones can be pretty amazing."
"Well, he's experienced a couple of good ones already." Ronny chimed in, throwing an arm around his waist and pulling him closer. "He's had a pretty good teacher I'd say."
"You're kidding!" Kira screamed, hugging Ronny excitedly. "When did this happen?"
"Couple of months ago now." Ronny answered, beaming broadly. "Mack decided he'd like to try out some motor racing, so I took him with me on a few races. Things just kinda happened from there."
"I'm so happy for you guys!" Kira replied with a smile. "What about the rest of the team?"
"Work in the safe cracking department was kinda slow," Will shouted over from the refreshments table, "so Dr Hartford put me to work designing security systems."
"Yeah." Rose chimed in, smacking his hand away from a plate of sandwiches. "He tells the security company what he wants it to do, then I do the hard work of actually building it."
"Meanwhile I just came off my first acting role." Dax interjected, leaping up to sit on the counter beside Kira.
"Great!" Kira shot back. "So you're a big star now?"
"Not exactly." Dax groaned. "But at least now my face gets seen on the screen, and I actually have a line."
"I would have thought it would be better to keep THAT face off camera." Tori joked as she arrived with the Ninja Ranger team.
"Come on! He complained loudly. "Why am I always the butt of the jokes?"
"Probably because you make a living falling on your head." Hunter shot back as the others laughed. They each in turn approached Kira, hugging her warmly.
"I don't know what to say." Tori began. "I just…"
"Thanks." Kira interrupted. "I appreciate the support."
Blake took Kira's hand in his. "Hunter and I lost our parents when we were little." He began, looking at her sympathetically. "We can vouch for the fact that it does get easier."
"Thanks Blake." She replied with a kiss on the cheek.
"Hey," Tori responded, "if we weren't so happy to see you, we'd be having words about kissing my fiancé."
"Seriously?" Kira asked. Tori held up her left hand, showing off the ring. "Guess a new morpher isn't the only new jewellery you've been receiving lately."
The others were deep in conversation as Tommy arrived, barely noticing his entrance. Tommy looked over to where Kira was catching up with the others. It made his heart soar to see her smiling again. He knew that the memorial service tomorrow would be the hardest part, but he was glad to see that bringing her friend into town for support had worked. He walked over to the counter and signalled Hayley over.
"What can I get you?" She asked, gesturing to the selection of soft drinks behind her.
"Whatever you have behind there for the adults." He replied. Hayley pulled out a bottle of Chianti, pouring him a glass.
"So you going to join them over there?" Hayley asked.
"Nah." He replied, taking a sip. "I'll let Kira catch up with them. This is really more for her benefit."
Kira exchanged stories about post-Ranger adventures with the others as the night wore on, occasionally glancing over to where Tommy sat sipping Chianti. She couldn't help but feel let down by his apparent lack of interest in joining the others in their reminiscing.
Hayley, as always, just stood in the background, taking note of her surroundings, and catching onto the subtle cues in everyone's body language that she could normally read expertly, tipping her off as to exactly what everyone was up to. She had a small chuckle to herself.
"Tommy, Kira, your timing sucks." She thought. "But I reckon this time we might be able to make it work out."
She waved Tori and Ronny over to a quiet corner, quickly looking round to make sure no one was listening in.
"What can we do for you Hayley?" Ronny asked, slightly bemused.
"Tomorrow when we get back here, I want you to get Kira on her own." She replied. "Here's what I want you to do."