Chapter 2: 8 PM

"Who are you looking for?" whispered an amused Andros into Ashley's ear. She jumped at his sudden return from the bar. "Only you." She said, turning around to her husband grinning.

"Good, because I think you have already talked to everyone here." He teased his social wife, handing her a glass of wine just as TJ and Cassie joined them after a few dances on the dance floor.

"Hey, there's Carlos." TJ pointed out as the former black astro ranger made his way into the crowded parlor.

"Took you long enough." Ashley teased her best friend as she hugged him. He shrugged off her complaint, knowing she was doing so to keep the surprise. "I had to pick up some friends on the way." He remarked casually, as Zhane and Karone surrounded Andros, giving him a rare surprise.

"I didn't know you guys were coming." The former red ranger declared happily, hugging his best friend and sister. "That's why it's a surprise." The silver ranger commented sarcastically, causing Andros to hit him on the shoulder.

"You both owe me $10." Karone boasted, holding out her hand to Carlos and Zhane. Ashley pretended to be offended, knowing that the bet had been whether or not she could keep a secret.

"You knew?" Andros asked surprised at his wife's new found ability. "Yep." Ashley nodded proudly. "And I didn't have to write it on the calendar either." She gently teased Andros, making Cassie and TJ laugh at that memory.

"Actually, Ashley was the one who arranged for us to come." Karone announced happily. Andros was pleased at the surprise and his reaction was to pull his wife close and give her a sweet kiss. Not a day went by that he wasn't thankful that Ashley was his wife. Her generous, kind spirit had drawn him to her all those years ago, and he was still amazed at how lucky he was.

"It's so not fair that you just had a baby three months ago." Cassie complained good naturedly, observing her best friend's slim shape. "Well chasing after three kids will keep you in good shape." Ashley reminded her matter of factly. "It's weird not having them here." She remarked softly, even as Andros wrapped his arms around her in silent support.

The six Astro rangers plus Karone quickly fell into easy conversation, their lives and homes separated by so many miles that made reunions like this so rare.

"Are the galaxy rangers here?" Karone wondered curiously, hoping to see her old teammates. Living on K0-35 kept them pretty isolated from their friends, and she was looking forward to catching up with the others. She knew that Mike and Maya were still living on Mironoi and that Kendrix and Leo, Kai and Damon were back on earth.

"Last time I saw them they were in the game room." Cassie announced to Karone's delight as she pulled Zhane along with her. The former silver ranger didn't even have the gall to complain.

She ran into them literally as she found herself in Leo's arms as they both had come through the door at the same time. "Karone." He spoke surprised to see his former teammate. Kendrix didn't hold back her excitement as she threw her arms around the girl who had taken her place on the Galaxy team until she had been freed with the defeat of Scorpius on Mironoi. The rest of the Galaxy team looked up at Kendrix's scream.

"We didn't think you were coming." Leo admitted as he led the pair to the rest of the Galaxy team who were gathered around Mike and Maya and the couch. "It was a surprise for Andros." Zhane informed them with a grin as they were greeted by the rest of the team.

"Not the only surprise though." The second pink galaxy ranger commented upon seeing her former roommate. The last time she had seen Maya had been at her and Mike's wedding two years ago and now she was expecting their first child. Both girls got a little misty eyed as the years apart melted away and the pair plus Kendrix started chatting away. The girls didn't even notice when the boys and Zhane disappeared.

"I'd like to dedicate this song to Nick and Madison, who got engaged this afternoon." Vida Rocca shouted from the turntable, where she was giving the paid DJ a break. The large group sent congratulations their way as First Time by Life house played.

"We're both looking for something

We've been afraid to find

It's easier to be broken

It's easier to hide"

Looking at you, holding my breath,

For once in my life, I'm scared to death,

I'm taking a chance, letting you inside.

Ordinarily Madison would have been embarrassed, but her happiness outshone her embarrassment tonight, as she let Nick lead her out onto the dance floor. She quickly lost herself in his arms as the people around them disappeared and all she saw was him.

"I'm glad you said yes." He whispered as he kept her close. "Did you think I wouldn't?" She teased curiously. His response was to draw his fiancée closer to him as they swayed gently to the music. "I wouldn't have blamed you, after all I made you wait all those months without a visit, or a phone call, or even a first date." Nick admitted, breathing in the soft scent of her citrus shampoo. He would never get sick of that smell, or the feel of her in his arms. "I've loved you from the moment I met you." Madison reassured him as she was bold enough to plant a passionate kiss on the only man she would ever love. She felt so lucky to be standing here with him tonight after all they had been through.

"I'll always love you no matter what." Nick promised as they glided across the floor. And she believed him. He had come back for her just like he had promised, and she couldn't imagine her life without him. She hadn't dated much nor had she ever thought she would fall so quickly for anyone let alone the reluctant red ranger. She had been intrigued from the beginning; he seemed so mysterious yet fearless. But she wouldn't forget how he was there for her when Vida had turned into a vampire and she had been worried sick about her sister. Every time in battle he fought till the end despite the long odds.

Feeling alive all over again,

As deep as the sky, under my skin

Like being in love, she says

For the first time

Maybe I'm wrong,

But I'm feeling right where I belong

With you tonight

Like being in love

To feel for the first time

Nick remembered the first time he realized that she was taking a piece of his heart. Madison had been frozen in stone by Necrolai and he felt responsible. He had assumed that the quiet girl was all that she was, but as he found it she was so much more. Every day she proved to him how loyal, kind, and sincere she was. When he went to find visit his adoptive parents, she had understood and waited for him to come back.

When he returned to Briarwood, the first person he sought out was Madison. After she threw her arms around him in an unusual display of affection for her, he was relieved that she returned his feelings for him. He whisked her out of the Rockporium and onto his bike for their first date. That was only 5 months ago, and now they were engaged.

"Let's set a date." Her words surprised him and he stopped dancing to see if she was kidding. Her dark eyes shone with happiness and love and without reservation. "When?" he asked, testing to see if she was really ready for this discussion.

"Valentines Day." Madison Rocca, soon to be Russell, declared. "I don't want to wait." She offered as an explanation. "OK." He agreed easily, lifting her off her feet and spinning her happily.

"It's going to be so different when they get married." Vida admitted openly to Xander after Chip left to mingle with other teams.

"You'll always be her sister V."The former green mystic ranger reminded her gently. "Don't worry about Madison; let's have a good time alright?" He asked his girlfriend as he pulled her onto the dance floor where he knew she would forget about the day's events. "They're lucky to have found each other."

"As are we." Vida agreed laughing as Xander chased her somber thoughts away.