Disclaimer: I don't own PR.

Thanks for all the reviews! I'm so glad you all liked the story. The bad news is that this is the last chapter. The good news is there will be an epilogue, and with that I hope to include a brief piece of the next story I'll be posting...although I haven't quite decided which one to put up next. Chances are I'll change my mind anyway; oh well. Now is the time to take...


Nine Steps Forward

Sky was ecstatic. He had gotten Felix's permission to walk around the base, as long as he was supervised, stayed within the hospital wing, and told one of the nurses exactly where he would be. Today Bridge was going to take him to see Z. "I still don't get it; you finally get out of that room, and all you want to do is see Z?"

"Bridge, the last time a saw her she was dying. Besides, I know how awful it is to be stuck in the stupid little hospital room for weeks on end. I'd do the same thing for you," Sky explained. The only downside of the arrangement was how weak and useless he felt. He seemed to trip over every crack in the tiles, and Bridge would have to set him steady again. Sky had refused a wheel chair, so he was forced to lean on his friend and a cane.

"Sure you would. Exactly what were you two doing in that dungeon, anyway? They said you caught the poison from Z."

"And Morgana caught it from me. Yes, Bridge, I was making out with both of them the entire time," Sky drawled sarcastically…well, he hoped he sounded sarcastic. He wasn't exactly telling the truth, and he wasn't exactly lying. It worked out.

Bridge laughed, "You get to have all the fun. Whoa, steady. You know, the way you're walking, you look sort of drunk."

"Thanks, Bridge, that makes me feel so much better," Sky glowered.

"Well maybe Z can do a better job if she kisses you," Bridge laughed. Sky remained quiet, not wanting to mention that it was exactly what he wanted to happen, if Bridge ever left them alone long enough. "Ok, here's her room." Bridge knocked.

"Yeah?" Z replied.

"It's Bridge; I've brought you some entertainment. Maybe he'll strip if you give him money."

Sky hissed, "Not funny, Bridge."

Laughter could be heard on the other side of the door, "Then by all means, send him in!" Sydney giggled, opening the door for them. "Ooh, Z, he's a cute one…once you get by all the scarring!"

"Sky!" exclaimed Z. "I'd hug you, but these people will not let me move a muscle."

"I know how that feels," Sky agreed. "I'll come to you." He walked, still wobbling slightly, and hugged her as tightly as he could without causing any pain. "How are you feeling?"

"Pretty good," Z answered. While he was still close, she whispered, "Especially now that you're here."

Sky blushed, nearly falling over. "Whoa!" Sydney called, pushing a chair under him. "What have you been drinking? Or has Kat got you on too many drugs?"

Sky grumbled, "I haven't walked in weeks, Syd; it takes practice."

Z chuckled, "I can't wait to see how bad I am. You are going to have to carry me everywhere!"

"You'll be lighter than Sky," said Bridge. Sky glared at him, but ended up laughing with the others.

"C'mon, Bridgey!" Sydney suddenly announced. "I need you're help with that thing!"

"What thing?"

"You know…the, um…with RIC, yeah, that's it!" she dragged him out of the room. "We'll be back later." As soon as they were outside Sydney hissed, "Bridge, you're a psychic; how do you not know what's going on? They need time to talk about whatever happened, and they won't do that around us."

"Ohhhh…ok." Rolling her eyes, Sydney dragged him away.

"So…" Z began.

"So…"

Z smiled, "I got your card; it was really nice. I would have sent one to you, but I couldn't con Jack into helping me."

"De nada, señorita," shrugged Sky.

Z chuckled. "You must've been bored if you tried learning Spanish. C'mere, and I'll make it up to you." Sky leaned closer to her, and she kissed him.

"You have no idea how long I have been waiting for that," Sky breathed.

Z agreed, "I must admit, Jack has nothing on you…relax, I'm kidding! Seriously, though; what are we going to do?"

"About us?" She nodded. "I'm not really sure. I had a lot of spare time to think, but I couldn't come up with anything. I guess I was half praying it was just being on that ship, but now I'm sure that there is something more to it."

"I know. I've been thinking, too, and it might be easier just to…I don't know, get over it?"

"No!" Sky yelled, shocking them both. "No, I don't want that. I can't live a lie."

Z smiled, her eyes sad. "But it could mean the end of everything you've worked for. Isn't there some rule against…"

Sky wrapped his hand around hers, intertwining their fingers. "I don't care anymore, Z. You are the only thing I want."

"Sky, that is probably the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me. You're the only thing I want, too."

"So we just act natural?" he suggested. "No qualms, no worries about what they think?"

"M-hmm," she pushed herself up and kissed him again.

The door opened, but neither noticed. "Sky, Kat said I'd find you in…oh….oops…" Jen grinned; she had a feeling that there was something going on between her son and Z.

Sky and Z separated quickly. "Um…hi mom…" Sky blushed.

"Schuyler. Good to see you're feeling better…both of you," she smiled. "Relax, I'm not going to say anything if you don't want me to. Quite frankly, I could not be happier; I'm getting old, and I can't wait forever to start doting on my grandchildren."

"MOM!" Sky shouted. His blush darkened.

Jen laughed, "I'm only kidding, dear."

"Mrs. Tate?" Z said.

"Yes, dear?"

"Thank you."

"For what?" asked Jen.

Z fiddled with the blankets on her bed. "Kat told me you saved my life, and I never had an opportunity to say thank you."

Jen smiled, "You make him lighten up a little, and we'll call it even."

"Mom! You're embarrassing me!" Sky exclaimed.

"Oh hush, Sky, I haven't had an opportunity to ruin your life in a long time, and I plan to take full advantage of it," Jen announced, reaching into her purse. "Would you like to see some pictures, Z? Sky was so cute when he was a baby…"

"MOTHER!"

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

"Well Cruger? This is your last chance, I have been more than patient with you," Grumm glared from the screen.

Cruger growled, "We will never surrender, Grumm. My rangers are all willing to give their lives for Earth, and they will be remembered with the greatest honor years from now, long after the memory of your army has faded."

"Ha! You will lose everything, Cruger, everything! Morgana, I want those ranger pests terminated! Make sure their deaths are long and painful, and remind them who ordered them to be killed."

"You did, Grumm," said Cruger. "I am responsible for the lives of everyone at SPD Earth, not just the two you plan to take today. I regret their loss, but not my choice. SPD will never surrender!" He ended the transmission.

Behind him, Kat smirked. "Doggie, I didn't know you could act."

Cruger chuckled, "Sirians learn to act when they are pups. Have you never heard of the term 'puppy eyes'?" Kat laughed.

Z grinned up at Sky. The two were standing out of the screen's view, with Z sitting in a wheel chair and Sky leaning on a black cane. It was the only way Felix allowed them to leave the hospital wing. "Remembered with honor for years to come, eh? Almost makes me wish we really had died."

Sky shook his head, "Not me. I'm sure we can find a better way to make it into history. For instance, returning from the dead and defeating the troobians."

"Don't let it go to your head, Harry Potter," said Jack. Sky still had several stitches in his forehead that were currently hidden by a bandage. Jack had been present once when Felix changed the bandage, and mentioned that Sky might end up with a lightening-shaped scar. Since then, Jack had been referring to Sky as the famous character.

In retaliation, Sky smacked Jack's shin with his cane. Jack yelped and Sky patted the top of his cane fondly. "You know, I am starting to like this thing."

"Too bad Dr. Felix said you should be able to go without it in another week," Sydney mused.

"I hope Grumm will wait another week to send an attack," said Bridge.

Z groaned, "He's going to have to wait another month for me."

"Hey, you'll get to order everyone around until then," Jack smiled. "You can be the damsel in distress, and we shall come to aid at your call." He bowed with a flourish.

Z scowled, "I refuse to be referred to as distressed or as a damsel. I am perfectly capable of doing things without your help, thank you very much."

Bridge sighed, "It is going to be a long month."

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

One month later:

Jack, Bridge, and Sydney hit the ground hard, all three reeling from the latest monster attack. Morgana had been leading many of the recent attacks, protected by her new, powerful armor. Today, she was joined by several hundred krybots – including three orange-heads. Morgana removed her helmet and laughed, "You rangers are pathetic! What's the matter, still missing a few of your friends?"

Jack got to his feet and glared from underneath his helmet, "You leave them out of this!"

"Ooh, it seems I've hit a nerve. Well I have news for you, rangers. They are never, ever going to come back, and it is entirely your fault. Do you know why they aren't coming back?"

"Shut up!" Bridge yelled.

Morgana sneered, "It's because they're dead. I killed them myself, and I made sure they suffered." A whistle broke through the exchange, and all eyes turned toward the sound. Morgana gasped, "Impossible! You're supposed to be dead!"

An unmorphed Sky and Z stood side by side in front of the bike they had driven to the scene. Z looked over at Sky, "I don't feel dead, do you?"

Sky shrugged, "Nope. I'm feeling pretty good. In fact, I think I could take out an army of krybots right about now."

Z smirked, "You're in luck – Morgana's brought enough for the two of us to share. But first, I think I missed a tea party and I just have to make it up." Her eyes glowed gold.

A Z-clone tapped Morgana on the shoulder. The witch jumped and turned around. "How did you…?" The copy only smiled and pointed over Morgana's shoulder. When Morgana turned around again, both Z and Sky were standing in front of her.

"Hello Morgana," said Sky. "Glad to see you recovered from that near-poisoning."

"How is Cindy Sunshine? I brought a friend for her to play with." Z held up a small yellow figurine. "This is a real collectable – one of the original Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers action figures. Oh, what's that?" Z pretended to listen to the toy. "She says that we should fight. Except this time, I've got my own armor." Morgana backed away. She kept opening her mouth and closing it, but shock prevented her from saying anything.

"Ready Z?" asked Sky, raising his morpher.

"Never better," she grinned.

Together, the two shouted, "SPD, emergency!" Blue and yellow lights swallowed Sky and Z. The missing rangers had finally returned. The red, green, and pink rangers ran up behind them.

Bridge put a hand on Sky's shoulder, "Good to have you guys back."

"It's good to be back," Sky replied.

"Now if you don't mind, my sparring partner is running away," said Z. She ran after the retreating Morgana, pocketing the yellow action figure as she went.

Sky smirked, "I always feel like I'm missing out when those two throw a tea party. Think you three can handle the toy soldiers?"

"Piece of cake," Sydney said.

"If you and Z can come back from the dead, I think we're perfectly capable of taking out a few pieces of metal," Bridge added. With a nod, Sky went after Z and Morgana.

"Hey Sky!" Jack called.

The blue ranger paused, "Yeah?"

"Try not to get yourselves kidnapped this time! I don't think your mother could handle it!"

"Leave my mother out of this, Landors!" Sky yelled. "And look out for the 'bot behind you!"

Jack ducked the blow and turned his attention back to the fight. The hostage situation was over, but the war continued. Jack only hoped that somewhere in the orbit above them, Grumm was screaming "Ghost!" and dying of a heart attack, or at least vaporizing a few troobian generals who he blamed for allowing Sky and Z to escape with their lives intact. But as the B-squad fought their way through the army of krybots, Grumm called a different set of rangers into his throne room.

"These pesky cadets are ruining all of my plans! I thought you had given me all of SPD's secrets? Why won't they die?!" Grumm shouted.

"Patience, my lord. It seems these cadets have learned a thing or two since we trained with them," Charlie replied.

"Then it is time to orchestrate a resurrection of our own. Prepare to depart for Gamma Orion! I've had enough dealings with rangers. I want a hostage that will have some impact! Once you infiltrate SPD, bring me Doggie Cruger," he ordered.

The A-squad bowed. "Yes, emperor."