Disclaimer: Don't own it…

Hey all! Sorry for the serious lack in posting, but I've been extremely busy for the past few weeks, and school's out soon. That means more posting! This one's starting to come to a close, with the final battle only a few chapters away!

Anyway, chapter 12 of the story is up! That long awaited question shall soon be answered!

Enjoy and please review!

The Awakening: Rain

"Oh, no," Lucas muttered as he stood up. "Doomtron."

"That's Doomtron?" Z stated blandly. "He doesn't look so tough."

Z's question was answered as Doomtron let out a shower of lasers upon them, knocking the Rangers down. Katie grunted as she rose herself up on one elbow and looked at her fellow Yellow Ranger. "You think he's tough now?"

From up on Doomtron's shoulder, Excavious laughed. "He's just getting started! This is the end for you, Rangers!" He laughed continuously as two large panels on the robot's shoulders opened.

Jen's eyes opened wide as she saw the turbines placed on the robot begin to power up, and a white glow began to form at the tips of the weapon. "Oh shit," she muttered to herself and jumped up. "Run!" she yelled. With that, the Rangers all stood up and followed her.

More lasers were fired upon then as the Rangers began a run for their lives. Still perched on Doomtron's shoulder, Excavious continued his sinister laugh as he heard the turbines charge up to full power. At the sound of this, they continued running, praying to escape the blast.

Suddenly the shower of lasers stopped, but their escape was short-lived, for the turbines fired, sending a large white laser bomb flying in their direction. Sky's heart dropped as he saw this. Realizing they couldn't run anymore, he grabbed Syd and jumped into a ditch, and saw his fellow Rangers do the same.

"Take cover!" he yelled as they separated.

But his warning came too late for some of them. The blast hit the ground about fifty yards from their hiding spot, and sent out a circular firewall that encased everything in a three-hundred foot radius in flames, the Rangers included.

Sky held Syd as close as he could, and felt the flames overtake him and large piles of concrete and road went flying overhead. He heard the explosions of near-by cars and the collapse of buildings. Suddenly there was silence around them, with Sky knowing what came next.

From deep inside the source of the blast, the core exploded, sending a wall of flames into everything. Glass exploded, buildings fell and cars were sent flying everywhere. Everything that stood around Sky suddenly burst into flames. Glass, metal and concrete went flying in all directions, and fell to where the Rangers all lay.

'So this is how it ends,' Sky thought as he felt himself pass out, his hand still held tightly onto Syd's and he gave himself into the darkness.

A few yards outside the blast zone, numerous vehicles all pulled up to the large darkened space that resides in the center of the city. Ambulances piled with Paramedics all emptied and began to set up a staging area, while men and women in black uniforms piled out of the cars and formed a neat line.

"Search the area!" a man wearing a red beret commanded. The group spanned out in hopes of finding survivors. Numerous bodies lay in streets and over cars. Some were breathing, and some not at all. A small tear came to his face as he felt the pulse on a young boy, who he guessed was about ten. The one thing that came to his mind was a similar even about a year ago that led to the death of a man who was like his brother. Finally pulling his fingers away from the boy's neck, he closed his lifeless eyes and began to move on. "They never saw it coming," he muttered.

"Commander Myers!" someone shouted behind him. Eric recognized the voice and turned around, and his eyes lowered to the dark haired man that walked up behind him. His cool expression drove Eric crazy. "Eric, have you seen the Rangers?"

Eric began to profile Alex's clean uniform as SPD units pulled up. "No, I was going to look for them myself," the Quantum Ranger glared at Alex. "If you'll excuse me."

Alex grunted. "Why the attitude, Myers?" he called out. "We're both on the same side!" Eric had always given Alex the cold shoulder, ever since Wes died, and he didn't know why. When Eric didn't answer him and kept walking, Alex's short temper almost got the best of him. "Stand fast, Commander," he said coolly. Eric continued to walk away, annoying Alex even more. He raised his voice to Eric one last time. "Stand fast, Commander! That is an order!"

Eric stopped, his back still turned to Alex. He clenched his fist into a tight ball until his knuckles turned white. Alex had now hit a nerve, one that Eric had never taken lightly. He took orders from no one.

He turned around and began walking towards where Alex stood. He watched Alex grin in triumph, but Eric was determined to wipe that happy grin from the Major's face.

"Now," Alex rose his eyes to meet Eric's. "I think the next move from here should b-" He was suddenly silenced as Eric smashed his face with his fist.

"I am sick and tired of your would-be, know it all attitude!" Eric screamed. All the stress and pain that he kept hidden for the last year finally caught up with him. Eric threw his hands up as he took out all his rage on Alex. "You waltz around here like nothing's changed, like everything's the same as it was! Happy-go-lucky every fucking day! How is it that you don't have any sympathy for Jen or Sky?"

"I never said that I-" Alex began, but was stopped by Eric again.

"Exactly! You don't say anything but sit in your office and work! Where were you just now? I don't see any blood on that clean uniform of yours, Major," he spat. "If you'll excuse me, I have things I need to do."

With that, Eric left. "Eric, wait," he said. But Eric continued walking, ignoring Alex. "Then you'll find out soon enough."

From across the city, fires burned on top of large piles of concrete. Cars all lay overturned and blackened to charcoal. Buildings lay silent and abandoned, and some slowly collapsed, sending dust flying.

Wind blew through the cracks and went a whistling screech as the dust settled down over the area. Nothing moved as the fires whipped around, jumping from spot to spot.

Eric and his team slowly made their way through the destroyed area. "We were too late," he muttered and bowed his head. From underneath the rubble, he could see the outline of nine silent bodies. Cuts and bruises covered every inch of exposed skin. A mop of dirty blonde hair stuck out from one pile, and made Eric's heart stop. "Oh no," he said and made his way over to where the body lay. He removed a few pieces of rock and saw who the person was.

The Quantum Ranger instantly dropped to his knees and tears started to fall from his eyes. "Sky," he said and carefully moved Sky's face towards him. "No, no, no," he said. "You can't be…" he suddenly stood up and threw a large rock at a near-by wall. "I promised Wes I'd look after you," he yelled. "I promised!" Eric dropped to his knees again and lowered his voice. "First him, now you. God, Wes," Eric said and looked up towards the heavens. "Why did you have to leave now?" He sighed. "Where did I go wrong?"

"You… didn't do anything wrong, Eric."

From behind him, he saw Jen slowly walk, rather limp, over to where he sat. He immediately noticed a large gash in her forehead and a line of blood trailing from it. "You would have done the same thing Wes would have done."

"She's right," Eric looked down to where Sky lay, as he blinked and coughed. He sat up and brushed the small rocks away from him.

"Eric, help the others. I'll get Sky," Jen said. Eric nodded as he commanded his unit. Jen knelt down to where Sky tried to stand up, but urged him to sit back down. "You okay?"

The Blue Ranger nodded. "Yea, I'm fine."

A body moved from besides him. "Sky?"

He rolled over and gave Syd a hand. "Syd, you're alright." He said and pulled her close to him and kissed her forehead, happy he was okay."

"We all are." Jen turned around and smiled to see Jack standing behind her. Z and Bridge assisted each other to the group as Trip, Katie and Lucas also walked over.

"Rangers!" Cruger called as he hopped over piles of rubble and made his way over. "Is everyone alright?"

Trip nodded. "Yes, I think we are."

"Good," Cruger agreed. "Let's get you all back home and washed up."

"But what about Excavious and Doomtron?" Bridge asked. "Won't they be back?"

Cruger nodded. "They will, but not tonight." Cruger turned to Jack. "Your shot back at Doomtron gave him some heavy damage, Jack. That was a powerful hit you put out."

The Red Ranger looked back at Cruger, confused. "Sir, I did no such thing. I was running for cover with the rest of them."

Cruger cocked his head. "Then who-"

"That's not important, Commander," Alex said as he stepped over some molten metal. "What is important, is that they all get back to the infirmary and rest up. Tomorrow we have a big day."

Eric helped the Rangers up as he gave Alex a glare and went over to the others. Alex watched as Jen gave Sky a hand up and then helped Syd. Once they were up, he walked over to her and placed his arm around her waist, and an arm over her shoulder.

"Someone's got to help you, you know," he said softly. Jen smiled at him and chuckled.

"Glad to know you found someone to fit that position."

Alex chuckled as they walked over to where an ambulance sat ready. After assisting her to the stretcher, Alex climbed in the back seat and rode with her back to headquarters.

The clock in his office slowly blinked 10:00PM as Eric rubbed his eyes and looked away from the computer. For the past few nights he had been up late doing paperwork. But the events of the afternoon left him unable to concentrate, and his fight with Alex left him to room to concentrate.

What had come over him like that? He didn't know. Maybe it was all the stress for the past year he had accumulated had finally taken a toll on him. In a way, he was sorry he hit the Major, but in another way thought Alex deserved it.

Footsteps were heard outside of his office, and a knock came to his door. "Eric, open up. It's me."

Alex… he was the last person on earth Eric wanted to see. He stood up and grabbed his coffee cup and headed up towards where a fresh pot of coffee had started to brew. "Come in, Alex."

The door opened slowly as Alex walked in, a large bruise had formed over his cheek. Eric looked at him and silently cursed. "Look, Alex, I'm sorry ab-"

"Stop," Alex said. "Let's just forget that ever happened. But, like I said, I had something to show you. Something that maybe I should have showed you before."

Curious, Eric turned to him. "What is it?" Alex gave no response, but held up a battered envelope addressed to him. He squinted his eyes as he sipped his coffee and opened the envelope to reveal a worn piece of paper, recognizing the handwriting immediately.

His eyes widened as he read the paper, and his cup fell to the ground, shattering instantly.

Nighttime fell quickly around SPD Headquarters. Spring had come quickly, and the humidity had risen since the afternoon events. The large clock tower boomed midnight as Jen opened her sliding glass door to her apartment that lead to a small balcony. Walking outside in a tank top and shorts, the humidity made her clothes stick uncomfortably to her body.

A low rumble of thunder was heard in the background as she leaned up against the rock and felt their cool texture against her legs. She bent her head down, stretching out a cramp that had formed in her neck and began to kneed it, hoping to relieve it, but to no avail.

One drop fell and splattered against her cheek. Then another. A third fell onto her shoulder and the cool water ran down her arm. A light shower began to fall around her as the rain came, light at first, becoming slightly harder. Jen let out a quiet sigh as the water washed over her hot body, cooling her down. But it was still hot out, making the Pink Ranger even more uncomfortable.

"Jennifer," a soft voice called from the doorway and walked towards her. Something in his voice caught Jen's ear, something she hadn't heard in a long time. Curiously, she looked over her shoulder to see him standing there.

Even the way he walked was different. "Alex, what-" Immediately her lips were silenced as he pressed his against hers, capturing her in a heart-stopping kiss that made Jen melt. His hand slowly caressed her cheek as she turned around in his arms, as she felt his hands go around her waist, hugging her body close to hers.

Wrapped up in the moment, Jen couldn't find her voice to speak, nor the words to say. All she could do was let his lips caress her neck and his hands roam the familiar curves of her body. Slowly, he pushed her back into the room and closed the door.

Darkness immediately surrounded them as lightning lit up his blue eyes and ruffed up hair. But his lips never left hers as slowly, they fell onto the bed and the air escaped from between the sheets, encasing them in a cloud. A clap of thunder echoed through the city as Jen felt his hands on her body, holding her ever so gently. She let out a muffled moan as he slowly lifted her we shirt from her body, sending a chill down Jen's back.

Her hands found the wet ends of his shirt an peeled the red tank top off, exposing his toned chest as she found his lips again. She wrapped one arm around his neck as he lifted her up to a sitting position and found the clasp of her bra, expertly undoing them and pulling the moistened piece of clothing away from it's wearer and tossing it into the floor.

As the heat increased between their bodies, Jen felt his hands roam towards her lower body, and he slowly ran his fingers over her leg, sending a tingle down Jen's spine as her lust grew, and she felt his grow as well. Her hands fumbled with the zipper of his jeans as he pulled down the remainder of her clothes and assisted her with his.

Another loud rumble of thunder and lightning lit up the room as he pulled a light sheet over their bare bodies. He kissed her again, and Jen arced her body to meet his. Her hands trailed down his chest, and came across a scar that felt all too familiar. It was jagged and smooth, right in the middle of his chest.

There was only one person in the world that had that scar, and she believed him to be-

"Wait," she said from under his lips. For the first time that night, she gazed into his blue eyes, while her hand was still in his chest.

"Do you trust me?" he spoke softly. "Jen, are you okay? You look like you've just seen a-"

"A ghost," she whispered and her eyes went wide. "Oh my god."

He smiled at her and kissed her lovingly again. "I'm back, Jen," he said and pressed his face to her chest as tears began to flow from Jen's eyes and she held him close. He looked up to her again and wiped the tears from her eyes. "I told you I'd find you again. This time I promise, I won't ever leave you. I love you, Jen." He said and kissed her again. "I mis-"

He was silenced as Jen placed two fingers over his lips. "I love you, too. But I always said you talked too much." With that, no more words were exchanged as she kissed him with an entirely new meaning. With that, Jen gave him the approving nod as he positioned himself above her and began the everlasting process of loving her like he always had done, with the raging storm being their only witness.

"You… you're kidding," Eric said as he held the note in hand. "This is a sick joke, isn't it?"

Alex merely shook his head. "In no way, shape or form. I tried to tell you before."

Eric turned and looked outside to the newly developed storm, shaking his head as he began to read the letter again.

Eric-

These past few months have been difficult, I haven't been able to contact anyone. This is the first word I could send to anyone, and I thought it should be you. Eric, you have all the rights in the world to know this. I'll write soon, but I think you should know…

I'm Alive.

-Wes