Clouds rolled in, soft thunder rumbling in the distance on an early Friday morning in Angel Grove, California. While unusual, the dreary weather was persistent, bringing down the usual excitement that came at the end of the school week. For Billy Cranston, this was especially true, due to the fact that he was supposed to be leaving that evening for a week-long vacation for spring break that he had no desire to go on.

Billy's father, Lawrence Cranston, was a traveling accountant who rarely had time to spend with his quiet son. Ever since moving to Angel Grove at the age of 10, Billy had never had a father-son vacation, weekend trip, or anything of the sort simply for the fact that quality time was not the Cranstons' strongest love language. And, as a single father, he just couldn't afford the time off. He would forever be grateful to the Harts and the Scotts for stepping in to care for Billy when he was unavailable.

This sudden, unexpected trip up to the family cabins was not what Billy would consider fun. He was looking forward to some time with his father, but he would have been just as content to actually have dinner with him or go to a museum together. When informed of the adventure to come, Billy had found his father packing old fishing supplies and rarely used camping chairs that had been stuck in an abandoned corner of the garage, which was almost entirely converted into a lab for the young genius.

"Hello, Father," Billy greeted as he got home from school, entering the open garage first. It was unusual for his father to be in the garage at all, let alone be home before school was out.

"What are you doing in here?" He asked, glancing at his work station anxiously, hoping his father hadn't touched anything he shouldn't have or tossed anything unnecessarily in the direction of important items. Lawrence was typically quite considerate of Billy's work, but seemed to be in a frenzied state of mind at this time.

"Billy!" Lawrence's voice boomed in the small garage, echoing slightly as the man's head was hidden above the rafters where most unused items were stored. His thin frame dropped from the stool he stood on, revealing wide eyes and a bright smile that could be seen in the teen when he himself smiled. "We, my son, are going on a vacation!" He exclaimed, holding up a small tackle box and a couple fishing poles that had been dragged out from the rafters.

Billy followed his father toward the car that had the trunk popped open. He helped his father arrange the items amongst the chairs and random blankets that had already been packed and thrust into the open compartment.

"What are we going to be doing? And where are we going?" Billy asked, trying not to sound completely devoid of excitement. He wanted to be excited, and he likely would be if he had a normal life, but being a Power Ranger kind of required him to be available. He had hoped to complete some tests and repairs on the Zords over the next week. All of the others had shared that they planned on staying in Angel Grove over Spring Break, hopeful to get some time to themselves, but also in case of a monster attack.

"We're gonna spend a couple days at Uncle Jimmy's cabin!" Lawrence exclaimed, rushing to grab some more supplies. "I submitted the time off months ago and forgot about it. Silly me, but I guess it worked out as a wonderful surprise!" He disappeared into the house, Billy following after him.

"I figured we could do some of that stuff I always wanted to do with you - fishing, hiking, board games!" His father sounded more ecstatic than Billy had ever heard him and he just had to smile. Lawrence turned to look at Billy as he stopped walking in the kitchen. "I know it's not your usual interests, Billy, and I really try to get into your technology and whatnot," He set a hand gently on Billy's shoulder, an uncommon gesture among the Cranstons, "but I wanted to spend some time with you. Some days, it feels as if the Scotts have you more than I do."

Billy couldn't argue with that, nor would he dare try to come up with a way out of this situation. The team may just have to survive without a blue ranger for the week.

Zordon, Tommy, and Zack all seemed uneasy with the news that the blue ranger would be out of town for the following week, but Trini, Kim, and Jason were overjoyed for their friend. It helped Billy feel less guilty about it, knowing that he had support for his time off. He would find ways to enjoy it.

Approaching his home at a jog, Billy barely made it inside before the rain began. It made him wonder if they would make it to the cabin alright. Lawrence wasn't very comfortable with driving in general, but especially in bad weather or heavy traffic - and there was no way he'd let Billy drive. It's not that the boy couldn't, Lawrence had gotten him his own vehicle and everything, but the elder Cranston just had a fear of not being in control when it came to motorized vehicles.

Billy ran upstairs toward his room, stopping by his fathers' as he heard the man swear. Peeking into the room, he saw a filled suitcase open on the bed, but the man in question was looking out the window in disbelief.

"Is there a problem, father?" Billy asked quietly, knocking lightly as he entered.

Lawrence turned his head wearily at his son. "This weather looks right awful, don't it?" He began to pace, pulling out his pocket calendar that he kept on him. He glanced from the paper, to the window, to Billy. "Would you be upset if we pushed off our travels until tomorrow? I'd hate to get stuck in the rain or even worse on our way up there."

Billy nodded solemnly. "I understand, dad. I don't mind waiting. We have all week anyway, so what's one evening at home?" He smiled, trying to ease his father's anxiety.

Shifting on his feet, Billy asks, "Would you care if I spent the evening at the Youth Center? Just so I have some time with friends before we leave?" He didn't normally ask for permission like this, but he wanted to respect his father's plans as much as possible.

Lawrence glanced outside again, then to Billy, and then to the open suitcase on his bed. "Well, I suppose you could. How about you make sure your suitcase is all packed first, huh?" the elder man hated to tell his son no. He would have a whole week with the teen, why not let him have one dreary night with his friends?

Billy practically jumped at that. "Splendid! Thank you, Father! I assure you my suitcase is packed with anything and everything I need for the coming week. I won't be out long and will be back by curfew!" His words faded as he scrambled down the hallway to get his rain jacket.

Lawrence looked out after his son lovingly. He truly hoped that this would be a good chance to get to know Billy better. His son was so quiet and reserved at home. He rarely spoke more than he had to, and Lawrence feared it's his own fault for his son's silence.

After that fateful night 6 years ago, the man had struggled greatly to come to terms with his grief and depression over the loss of his wife. He had almost lost his son as well. It was the Harts' who had reminded him in those following months, after they moved into town, that he had a 10 year old boy who needed his father's comfort. He almost couldn't bring himself out of the pain. Seeing Billy's bright smile for the first time in months had helped. He made the greatest friends in young Kimberly and Jason. Jason especially did a lot to pull the youth out of his silence, which Lawrence could never do.

He knew the two boys were still very close. And they had many other friends in their little group now. That is why he couldn't say no to Billy when it came to his friends. He couldn't willingly subject his son to any sort of loneliness when he had finally found his people.

However, there were so many things he didn't even know about his own son. He used to hang out with another little boy, before he met Jason. He could not even remember the kid's name. Did he still talk to that boy? They had seemed so close. Did Billy have a girlfriend? He would have known if Billy and Kim had become close enough for that sort of relationship. Maybe Trini? Had he started looking at colleges yet? He was only a sophomore. Perhaps he would get a chance to discuss such things with Billy over the next week.

He was looking forward to finally getting to know the young man he called his son for the first time in years.

A/N

Greetings! I really hope anyone reading this enjoys my the little tale I have to tell. Power Rangers has been my SHIT over the last few months and I think I have just about read all of the fics (especially those involving Billy, Jason, or just the OG crew haha!)

I do intend for this to become a very dark story. It's been stuck in my brain for so long now, I just finally cracked and had to write it. I'm going to try to update regularly, but I am an adult with a job and husband and whatnot to attend to. So, we'll see! Reviews are very welcome - if you like it, wanna see more, etc. PLEASE don't hesitate to drop a comment. I'd also love any and all suggestions and theories you might have.

Think this will be a normal vacation for Billy?

May the Power protect you,
Estel