(A.N. I love them too much so obviously I couldn't end it just there. Hence here we have the first of two epilogues for It's Time For Time Force. Also, in keeping with Power Rangers but straying from Time Force for a quick second, I'm so so keen for the 30th anniversary special, watching the sneak preview on Walter's Instagram made me feel like a kid again. On a quick little tangent, I got a tattoo a year ago – an infinity sign with the words 'once' and 'always' (which was a secret little nod to Power Rangers and another one of my childhood obsessions) – but now that it's actually the exact words, it gives it a whole new meaning and I love it. I can't wait - So so so so so so excited, oh my gosh - the countdown is on. So here we are, chapter 32. I hope you enjoy – and have enjoyed the rest of the story – and please feel free to let me know what you think :) )

It's Just the Beginning - Epilogue (2003)

It had been two years since Katie, Trip and Lucas had left to return to the year 3000 and although they'd kept their promise of communicating often, they'd only seen each other in person once since then. And with the threat of mut-orgs during their team-up with the Wild Force rangers, they didn't have much time for catching up before they had to go back to the year 3001.

Jen sighed quietly as she sat on the makeshift bed, looking around the space. Though it had newly been rebuilt, the clock tower still looked and felt the same as it had when the rangers all lived there together. She twisted the engagement ring on her finger as she thought back to the moment she found out and she couldn't help but smile.

Wes had been so busy lately and she was starting to get worried. They had similar roles and duties with the Silver Guardians but it seemed as though Wes always had somewhere to be, something to do. She found herself awake and the red numbers on the clock seemed to mock her as she watched the three change to a four. 10:34. Where was he? She had woken up alone and had hoped that he was simply in the bathroom or grabbing a glass of water, but she'd given up on that thought fifteen minutes ago.

With a sigh, she got up to change out of her pyjamas. Hopefully a walk would clear her head and maybe she'd run into Wes. Wrapping the jacket around herself, she started walking through Silver Hills. The cool breeze blew passed her and the city was peaceful at this time of night.

Her worries about Wes had nothing to do with them because Wes was just the same as he'd always been. He'd been just as caring, just as loving, just as affectionate and just as protective as he'd always been. Every morning, he greeted her with a kiss, they had breakfast and dinner together, they still went on dates every so often and every night before they went to bed, he kissed her and told her he loved her. They had their moments as every couple did but just as he had told her when they were rangers, they'd give themselves a little time to calm down before they had a civil discussion. She listened to his side and he listened to hers, it was them against the problem just as he'd said it would be. She didn't doubt him.

But where had he been going and why hadn't he told her? Whether he was at Eric's or his dad's or doing something with the Silver Guardians, it wouldn't have bothered her. She just wanted to know that everything was ok and that he was safe. She exhaled quietly to herself as she walked down the street and she crossed her arms over her chest. 'Where are you, Wes?'

She couldn't help but worry because the last thing she wanted was to find out that he had gotten himself involved in another ranger mission. She didn't want to think about that, she'd been furious when she found out about that red ranger mission. Wes and Eric went M.I.A. for hours, neither she nor Mr Collins had heard from them and they hadn't answered their calls. The only bit of information they got from a Silver Guardian was that something important came up, that Tommy Oliver needed their help and Wes would explain everything when they got back... And to say she had been furious when she found out everything was an understatement. She'd ripped both Eric and Wes a new one and they both knew to never go on a mission like that again without telling her.

She found herself walking down the street where the clock tower had been and she couldn't help the sadness she felt. Her heart ached every time they passed the broken remains of the tower. That had been their home, everything they went through as rangers had happened there and for it to be gone broke a little piece of her. It would always hold a special place in her heart. They'd worked hard to turn it into a home, it was where they got their first odd job, had countless movie nights and pizza and cookies, where they'd tease each other and play pranks and board games. It was also where she'd realised her feelings for Wes and where they'd continued to grow. It was the one place they'd been altogether without having to worry, a little escape for just the six of them, away from the world's problems.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she noticed a figure on the tower. As she approached, she knew exactly who it was. She quietly climbed through until she was a few feet from him and she simply watched for a few moments. He was laying the bricks. She walked up behind him, leaning down to slide her hands over his shoulders down to his chest, interlocking her fingers. Her lips brushed over his ear as she whispered. "What are you doing?"

He'd gasped a little when he first felt her touch but he brought his hand up to squeeze hers. "It was meant to be a surprise."

She pulled him up so that he was standing and she looped her arms around his neck as he held her hips. "What are you doing out here so late?"

"We're fixing the clock tower. It was going to be a surprise. I've been helping out whenever I can, when I have time. I want it to be just like it was when we were here."

She smiled softly at him as she stood on her tiptoes to kiss his forehead. "I love you, Sweetheart, but when we first met, you struggled to paint a wall. I don't know how I feel about you building a tower."

He chuckled at the teasing – just as she'd hoped – and he squeezed her gently. "I know, I'm mostly leaving it to the professionals but I help out where I can and everything I do, I make sure it's right and approved first."

"I'm glad." She looked around at the work that had been done so far and she smiled, it was slowly turning back to the clock tower she remembered. "This is amazing." She shook her head with a smile as she looked at him. "So this is where you've been."

"Surprised?"

"A little, it's not what I was thinking but it makes sense. I just thought you may have been at the headquarters or Eric's or your dad's."

"I just hated seeing it like that, you know? And I just needed to - I wanted to-"

"I know Sweetheart." She assured him as she played with the ends of his hair. "I've been feeling exactly the same."

"I was going to surprise you when it was all finished and maybe see if the guys could come back to see it, I knew it was a long shot but..." He trailed off with a shrug and she leaned up to kiss him.

"That's really sweet Wes and there's no harm in asking... And now that I know, I can help too. I know we're not the most qualified but I'm sure I can help out in some way." His response was a kiss on her forehead and she smiled. Lowering her arms, she grasped his wrists and started pulling him towards the exit. "Come on, we should head home. We have an early day tomorrow and have to meet your dad first thing."

Wes groaned. "Oh, I forgot about that."

"Come on hot shot." She replied teasingly as she felt his arm wrap around her shoulders. She leaned into him, wrapping her own around his waist as they made the short walk back home.

It had taken a few months but the clock tower was finished and it truly did look the same way they'd left it... Well, with a few more additions. It seemed that Wes had spent a little too much time with Tommy Oliver during the red ranger mission because he'd set up a small command centre in the clock tower.

Jen had been awake for hours, she'd watched the sun come up from her place on the balcony and she'd completed most of her morning routine the way she normally would before she found herself sitting back on the bed she'd called hers for the first few months she'd been in the year 2001. Today was the day. Today she was marrying the love of her life and she couldn't be happier - well almost.

Wes had offered for her to stay at their house and he would find another place to stay for the night but she declined his offer. She wanted to stay here, it made her feel close to Katie, Trip and Lucas – her family – and she really needed that.

She just hadn't been prepared for how empty the clock tower would feel without the others. It just wasn't the same without Lucas staring in the mirror or Katie teasing them all and squishing them with her tight hugs or Trip talking to Circuit and learning about 2000s customs from Wes. It wasn't the same without them. She missed the way Lucas pretended he was too cool for everything but how he really had one of the kindest hearts she'd ever seen. She missed how kind and trusting Trip was and having to look out for him to make sure that he wasn't being taken advantage of. She missed Katie's teasing and matchmaking, she missed all their chats, having to wrangle the three boys together and just spending time with her best friend. She even missed Circuit, she never knew that she'd be able to love a robot as if he was an actual person but she loved that little owl and she missed him. She loved them all so much and she missed them greatly. She'd never been happier than she was with Wes but they were her family and she missed them.

She was broken from her thoughts by a voice. "Don't tell me I spent all that time matchmaking only for you to get cold feet?"

She grinned and launched herself into the girl's arms, yelling. "Katie!" She hugged her tightly, almost afraid to let go. "You're here, I can't believe it. You're actually here."

A new voice spoke this time. "You didn't think we'd let our best friends get married without us, did you?"

Jen smiled. "Lucas! Trip!" She exclaimed before she moved to hug them both. She looked at the trio in front of her and was overcome by emotions. "I didn't think you guys were coming."

Katie assured her. "There is nothing – nothing – in this world that would stop us from coming to your wedding."

"But... we've spoken at least five times in the last two weeks and you never said anything."

Trip grinned at her. "It wouldn't have been a very good surprise if we'd told you we were coming."

She shook her head with a smile. "But how - I mean doesn't Time Force have protocols for things like this." Her eyes widened. "How did you get Alex to agree to this? I can't imagine he let you come back."

"He didn't." Lucas agreed before Katie explained.

"But he doesn't get much of a say. Time Force may be keeping quiet about what he did but Alex doesn't have much say in anything. He has very little power when it comes to Time Force matters." The yellow ranger grabbed her friend's hand. "And even if he did, like we said, nothing was going to make us miss yours and Wes's wedding."

"Speaking of Wes, we should probably get going soon."

Trip grinned. "He's gonna be so surprised."

"Wait Wes doesn't know either?"

The rangers laughed at Jen's question and the green ranger pat her on the shoulder. "It was a surprise. We organised everything with Eric."

The pink ranger looked down at their attire and she couldn't help the beaming smile on her face as she asked. "He organised for you to be the bridal party, didn't he? He gave you the colours and everything." They only nodded in response and she shook her head, the smile never fading. "Wow."

"He said that he was going to be the only one up there with you guys and that Wes offered for you to have someone and you didn't take it." Trip responded on behalf of the group. "We're your family Jen and we all want to be up there with you."

"Why didn't you want anyone up there for you, Jen?" Katie asked the girl.

"Because it's hard to constantly hide everything that we've been through. It's not that I don't have any friends here but we've kept the wedding relatively small and majority of people know what we've been through." She looked at the yellow ranger and grasped her hand as she told her. "You're my sister and you're the only one I need up there with me."

Katie hugged her tightly. "I love you too, Sweetie."

"One more question," Lucas said before revealing, "Eric told us that no one's walking you down the aisle."

"Well... he offered and so did Mr Collins but it just didn't feel right. Mr Collins is Wes's dad so he should enjoy the day for his son and even though Eric and I have gotten quite close, he was Wes's friend first and it didn't feel right to accept either. But it's ok, I can just walk down by myself."

The blue ranger gave a single nod but didn't accept the answer. "No. Eric and Trip are going to be Wes's best men and Katie's your maid of honour so... Jen, will you give me the honour of giving you away?"

She hugged him tightly. "I'd love that Lucas, thank you."

"You're welcome."

She looked at him teasingly as she asked. "But aren't you too cool for all that?"

"It's your wedding Jen, and like Trip said, we're family. I'd do anything for you guys and I'll even stand up with Katie for you."

She leaned over to kiss his cheek. "Thank you."

Silence encompassed the group for a moment but it didn't last for long because Jen's phone rang. She smiled softly when she saw the caller's I.D. and answered. "Hello?"

"Hey, Sweetheart... I know they say the groom's not meant to see the bride until the wedding but I've never heard of the rule that he wasn't allowed to call her."

She smiled even though she knew he couldn't see her. "I'm glad you called."

"Are you ok?"

She looked around at the group in front of her and smiled. "Yeah, I'm more than ok. I can't wait to see you."

"Me too, Sweetheart. I missed you last night." Jen hummed her agreement before he sighed. "Ok, I should probably leave you to get ready but I just wanted to tell you that I love you and I can't wait to marry you."

"I love you too, and I'll see you soon."

"I'll be waiting."

They hung up and Jen found the trio looking at her softly which only made her blush. They laughed before Lucas gave her a hug. "Ok, we'll leave you two girls to get ready and we'll go see Wes. We'll see you there."

Trip also gave her a hug before kissing Katie on the cheek. The yellow ranger smiled. "See you later Honey, say hi to Wes for me."

"I will."

When the boys left, the yellow ranger found Jen looking at her curiously and she couldn't help but laugh. With wide eyes, the pink Ranger asked. "So you and Trip?"

Katie looked down, smiling softly. "Yeah, it's only new but yeah."

"Well, it's about time." Rolling her eyes at the look of shock, Jen told her. "You and Trip have been a long time in the making."

"You knew?"

"It's funny how the roles have reversed." She quietly laughed to herself before telling her friend. "Do you remember when you told me that l didn't know my tells when I liked Wes? Well, it was the same for you. You've always been affectionate with all of us but you were especially affectionate with Trip. You've always been really protective of him and... I don't know, there was just something about you two. I knew it would happen one day, I was just waiting." Katie looked down shyly as she smiled. "You're happy."

"I really am."

"I'm so happy for you, Katie, you finally get your fairytale."

"I hope so." Katie smiled before she shook her head, grasping Jen's shoulders. "But not right now. Now, we have to get you ready so you can go marry that boy of yours."

Jen stood nervously with Katie and Lucas; at the end of the aisle, Wes was waiting for her and so was the rest of her life. She felt the blue ranger's hand on her shoulder. "Are you ready?"

She nodded and felt Katie kiss her cheek. The yellow ranger laughed nervously as she wiped the lipstick from Jen's cheek. "Sorry, Sweetie." Looking at her softly once more, she told her. "I'll see you at the end."

Katie began her walk down the aisle and Jen took a deep breath. She felt Lucas take her arm and his other hand hold her own before they followed not far behind. Everyone in the pews was standing for her arrival but she didn't notice any of them, her attention was caught by the boy at the end of the altar who was looking at her with the same smile that had made her fall for him. She felt her cheeks flush as she and Lucas stopped in front of him and she smiled softly as the celebrant asked. "Who gives Jennifer to be married to Wesley today?"

Lucas smiled at the rangers around him. "We, her family, do."

Wes took a step forward, giving Lucas a hug before he took Jen's hand. The pink ranger gave Lucas a kiss on the cheek before she followed Wes up to their positions and Lucas took his place beside Katie.

"We are here today to celebrate the love of Wesley Collins and Jennifer Scotts..." The words of the celebrant blurred into the background as she smiled softly at the man in front of her. He returned it just as softly as he mouthed 'I love you.'

'I love you.' She mouthed back.

The celebrant went through the words of welcome, introduction and the responsibilities of marriage and the sanctity of vows before they were invited to share their vows, Wes going first.

"The hardest thing about writing these wedding vows was trying to say everything I wanted to in just a few minutes... My life changed when you knocked into me that day two years ago and from that moment, it would never be the same. There was something special about you and from that moment, you changed everything. You were my reason, you were back then, you are now and you will be every day for the rest of my life. When we first got together, you told me that you wanted to be with me, even if we only got to spend a few days or weeks or months together but I'm too selfish for that now. I want nothing less than the rest of our lives together. I want to promise you every cliche vow in the book: to love and honour and cherish you, to keep you safe, to love you in sickness and in health, for better and for worse. But they don't feel like enough. I love you Jen and standing here today as we start the rest of our lives feels like more of a privilege than I deserve but I will spend every day showing you just how much I love you. I promise to stand beside you and weather any storm together. I promise to love and care for you and try in every way I can to be worthy of your love. And I even promise you the things I know I can't. Because even though we're not here forever, I will love you every day for the rest of our lives and every day beyond that."

He could see the tears in her eyes as he finished his vows and had to suppress his own as Jen read her vows.

"When I was younger, I never thought I'd get here. I never thought I'd find someone that would love and care about me the way you do or have the family that we created. Coming to Silver Hills two years ago with Katie, Trip and Lucas was the best thing that could have happened to me because you're the best thing that's happened to me. You are the love of my life and you make me happier than I ever imagined I would be and you make me feel more loved than I ever thought possible. I wish I could go back and tell my younger self that one day it would get better and she could see the family that we have. I love you Wes. I love the way you wear your heart on your sleeve and how you're never afraid to show me how you feel. I love the way you call me Sweetheart and how I still feel the same as I did two years ago. I love that you always know just what to say and even when you don't, you still find a way to get it right. I even love the things I didn't like, like your optimism and constant belief that no matter what, everything will turn out ok. Your words were beautiful and the promises you made were more than I could ask for and more than I'll ever need. There's only one promise I want you to make to me today and it's the same one you made to me two years ago: never let me go. And in return, I promise to do the same: I will love you every day for the rest of my life and I will never let you go."

There was not a dry eye in the house once the couple had completed their vows and it was time to make it official. Eric handed Wes the ring as the red ranger took his fiancee's hand. "I give you this ring as a reminder that we face this world together. It's a token of my love for you and a reminder that you're always in my heart. Know that I am always with you, behind you and beside you as we go through life side by side. We're an unbreakable team and I am yours, today and forever." Slipping the ring on her finger, he brought her hand up to his lips, kissing the back of it as he whispered only for her to hear. "I love you, Jennifer Scotts."

She smiled behind her tears as Katie handed her the ring. She took Wes's hand in hers as she repeated the ring exchange. "I give you this ring as a reminder that we face this world together. It's a token of my love for you and a reminder that you're always in my heart. Know that I am always with you, behind you and beside you as we go through life side by side. We're an unbreakable team and I am yours, today and forever." Slipping the ring on his finger, she whispered. "I love you, Wesley Collins."

The celebrant finished. "And with the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Wes grinned at his girl, tugging her by the waist and leaning down to kiss her - their first kiss as husband and wife. When they pulled apart, he whispered, "you look beautiful Sweetheart," and she couldn't help but kiss him once more, eliciting laughter from the attendees.

At the reception, the Time Force rangers stood together as they caught up. The happy couple had done their rounds, speaking to everyone they needed to and they were free to finally have some time with their family. Wes shook his head with a grin. "I still can't believe you guys made it, it's the best thing that could've happened today."

Jen rolled her eyes playfully. "Thanks, Sweetheart."

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, kissing the side of her head. "You know what I mean, but you know it's true. You're just as ecstatic as I am."

"Never said I wasn't." She grinned before she turned to them. "How long do you guys have in the present?"

Lucas frowned at the question. "Captain Logan requested that we return after the reception so not too long." He squeezed Jen's shoulder as he watched her look down. "I know it sucks Jen but it won't be like this for too much longer. They've been making huge developments in time travel and it shouldn't be too long before we can do it without needing Time Force's permission."

"I know, I just miss you guys."

Katie hugged her tightly. "We miss you too, Sweetie."

Wes smiled as he looked at the yellow ranger, her hand clasped by the green ranger. "I still can't believe you and Trip are together, it's been long overdue."

The yellow ranger blushed as Trip leaned up to kiss her cheek, responding even as she looked at her boyfriend. "We're very happy." Shaking her head, she looked up at the red ranger. "But enough about us, should we be expecting any little Collins running around soon."

The married couple's eyes widened before Jen responded. "Well actually-"

"You're pregnant?" The trio asked simultaneously.

Jen kept her face neutral for a few moments before she grinned. "No, I'm just kidding." She glanced up at Wes as she leaned into him. "But we have talked about it and maybe in a few years, we'll start trying."

His response was a kiss on her forehead and Katie smiled. "You guys are going to be amazing parents."

"Let's not get too ahead of ourselves, Katie, it's still a bit off." The pink ranger looked around the group in front of her and couldn't help but smile. "I love you guys."

"We love you too, Jen."

"Let's make a promise. I know we promised to talk a couple times a week and we still need to do that... but it's been too long since we've seen each other in person and I never want us to go that long again. Let's promise to see each other at least once a year, all of us together."

They all promised before Lucas asked. "When should we do it."

"February 10th," Wes announced and the rangers looked at him curiously, "it's the day I met you guys."

"The day we came from the future." Katie smiled. "And the day we completed our team. It's perfect."

"So then it's settled," Jen concluded, "every year, on the tenth of February, you'll come back from the future and we'll spend the day together."

The group all smiled and as he'd done every time they'd been together since they left the year 2001, Trip asked. "Once more for old time's sake?"

The rangers put their hands in the centre, piled on top of one another as they quietly called. "Time for Time Force."