And here we are, the final chapter of this tale. I know I said that this story would be about 10 chapters but I felt it was a good time to put this fic to bed. I'm ready to move on with the other stories. There will be an epilogue that should leave this story with a positive ending. I hope this final farewell to Kat does her justice.

All typos and errors on me. YOu all know what is mine and what isnt. So I will see you all at the bottom.

A few days later

The Rangers, both Tommy's team and Andros' sat around the fire. Tommy sat back against a tree with Kimberly tucked against him. Lorcan was at the hospital having been tucked into his crib in the nursery for the night. He would be fine for a few hours.

Dr. Bellview had told him earlier that day that Lorcan's vitals looked good and he was a strong baby…and would be able to come home the next day. But for now, one last night would be spent in the hospital, with the good nurses watching over him.

So, for the moment all was well. They were sitting around a bonfire, which was being thrown in memory of Kat. They weren't sure if there was any kind of tradition for the death of a power ranger and had asked Andros about it. Apparently many cultures wrapped their slain warriors in burial shrouds and then burned them on an elaborate pyre. Sadly, that wouldn't fly so well in Kat's situation. So, instead they settled for simply being together and enjoying each other's company.

The night had almost ended when Andros and Ashley walked hand in hand towards them and sat down on the provided log. "I've been talking with my team. Kat was a ranger and we felt that we should provide her a color guard…be the pall bearers."

Tommy looked at Kim and sighed looking at Andros again. "I don't think that would raise an issue. Her father knows about us already…I think her father would appreciate that."

Andros nodded. "I never got to meet Katherine, but the others tell me she was a wonderful person…and a good ranger."

Kimberly nodded and Tommy kissed the side of her head. "She was amazing on and off the battlefield. She was a lot like me…she started off evil and then once she was set free, she became a warrior worthy of the Great Power."

"She had a lot to overcome too." Tanya said as she walked over to them and sat down. "When that monster, Numbar came at her, she nearly floated away. But she learned her lesson and became a very confidant woman…I know she was scared when she learned she was pregnant, but she faced it with poise and courage."

Andros looked confused. "Numbar?"

"He was a numbers monster. By throwing litteral numbers around he could make a person lightweight enough to float away or heavy enough to put a hole in the ground; He even tried to sink the city into the ocean. But Kat was the one who got hit hardest of all. She had a lot to overcome including that self image problem before she could be of any help to us. For some reason she tried to starve herself and I still have no clue how that monster managed to get into her head, but she did and ended up taking the monster out herself. She was such a strong person…but she was also a hero. If not for her, I hate to think about what could have happened to that little girl she rescued if she'd not been there to help."

In the next moment, Tanya cleared her throat as she sat down next to Kimberly. "Actually it wasn't the monster that caused the starve fest. It was that stupid cow that got into her head and caused the starvefest at the juice bar, but no worries, I took care of the prima donna." She looked proud of herself.

"What did you do, Tanya? Asked Adam.

All the rangers looked at her in surprise and she continued. "Oh, I wasn't going to let the cow get away with anything."

"Wait a second." Adam said, "This wouldn't be that run in you had with her in the hallway was it? I thought it was an accident. You stumbled into her and she ….. oh."

And evil looking smirk crossed Tanya's face. "I'd like to think that I'm pretty graceful on my feet. But the principle didn't know it. I stumbled into her and accidently broke her nose. She was out for the next month and had to get a nose job."

Adam grinned at her. "I love it, I'm not normally one for revenge, but that was pretty good."

And just like that, the depressing atmosphere was broken, They spent the rest of the night sharing war stories and reliving memories of Kat. Finally, when the end of the night came, they all stood in a circle around the fire, and took a minute of silence before Tommy and Jason doused the fire and stirred the dirt.

A couple of days later...

The day of the funeral came early and Tommy groaned softly under the covers hearing his baby boy crying. It was only their third day in the new house that had been gifted to him. Downstairs in the living room, his friends slept. He was grateful to have their presence nearby. It was comforting and he didn't feel so alone either.

Kimberly and Aisha had checked out of their hotel the night before at Tommy's insistence. Though he would have loved for Kimberly to share his bed the night before, Kimberly had reluctantly refused, not wanting to show any kind of disrespect to Kat or her father if said father should show up, So, she'd stayed in the spare bedroom for the night.

After Kat was tucked into her eternal resting place, Kimberly and Aisha planned to start the process of settling back into Angel Grove which would include getting jobs and a place to stay.

Next to his bed, in the bassinet, the little infant kicked his legs as the crying grew louder. Tommy blearily sat up, rubbing his eyes before swinging his legs over the bed so he could reach into his son's bed and pick him up. He frowned smelling a rank scent coming from his son and sighed. First it was a trip to the nursery for them.

The room hadn't been personalized for them yet. That would come in another week. But the basic baby furniture they'd had set up at the old apartment had been brought over. Everything else he'd needed, was provided by Lorcan senior.

As he went about changing the stinky diaper, his thoughts wandered a little to the day that he'd brought his son home from the hospital. It had seemed weird to him as he watched the rental car, Sr had secured for the ride home. Jason had offered to pick him up but Senior had refused saying that the special moment was one he wanted to share with Tommy, so Jason had backed off and it had been Lorcan Sr that pulled up in the fast-looking shiny BMW. Tommy had hesitated at first, feeling out of place next to that beautiful vehicle, but a moment later, snapped out of it when his son began to whimper. Between the two of them, they'd been able to easily strap the car seat in the right way, facing the back and lovingly strapped the infant in. Then, with Tommy sitting with his son in the back, they took off for the new house…which had been turned over to them the day before he came home.

Lorcan's quiet wimper snapped Tommy out of his thoughts. He quickly fastened his son's onesie back up and then the two of them, descended the stairs. When he got to the kitchen he saw Tanya had just made a bottle and Kim was sitting on the counter keeping her company.

"Morning H….Tommy." Kim said, catching herself from using his old nickname. Tommy only smiled at her before focusing on his son. Tanya quietly handed the bottle over and kissed the little boy's head before heading back in to the other room, saying something about getting ready for the day.

When they were alone, Tommy gave Kimberly a long look and then held out baby Lorcan towards her.

"I can't Tommy. He's not my son…I don't want to overstep my-"

"I'm making it okay, at least when Lorcan Sr. Isn't around. If you are in this with me for the long haul, my son and I are a package deal. He'll be calling you step mom one day, and I need to know that you'll help me raise him and be there for him."

"I'd protect him with my last dying breath, Tommy. But when I left, Kat took my place in every way. I don't fit in with the others anymore."

"I call bull shit." Rocky said as he walked into the kitchen. "No one could replace you anymore than you could replace Kat. Once a ranger always a ranger. And you never stopped being my friend, or one of us. You only took a break for a few months. You're back for good and there's nothing you can do about it. "

Kimberly had no idea what to say to that, so she looked back at Tommy who was watching her every move with an unreadable expression. Then she looked down at the child again.

"I'm in this for the long haul. I could never leave you like I did before. I can't bear to be without you ever again. So if you make it okay, then…" Kimberly paused and held out her arms. With a relieved smile, Tommy placed his son carefully in his love's arms.

Kimberly's eyes met Lorcan's eyes again, much like they'd done in the hospital. And Kimberly kissed his forhead, quietly claiming the little boy as he step son. Tommy looked at Kimberly again, before leaning in and pressing a kiss to her forehead.

Rocky smiled at the sight and quietly backed away. Everything was once again the way it was supposed to be.

Angel Grove Cemetery

Later that day, around two o'clock, a black shiny hearse pulled up to the burial sight and turned off the engine. Then, the funeral procession began. Andros, Ashely, Cassie, TJ, Carlos, and Zhane, in full ranger gear walked up to the doors in the back and waited patiently for the director to open the door.

Lorcan Sr. whom stood next to Tommy watched with red puffy eyes as the 6 rangers lifted the pretty ivory casket with Military Disipline. Tommy had explained to the older man what was going on and the mourning father had only nodded and had quietly given his thanks to the man in the red helmet. He now followed the casket with his son cuddled inside the infant carrier which had only been brought out that morning. The rest of the rangers in plain clothes followed solemnly behind them. As a silent tribute to Kat, they all wore a pink rose on a black armband around their upper arms. They had nothing but loving thoughts towards their fallen comrade.

Finally, the 6 rangers placed the casket upon the lowering device, and when it was centered, they all backed away, bowed respectfully towards the beautiful box and then to Kat's father before they turned on their heels and walked away. They then took up protective positions and stood guard as the priest began the final rites.

"Ashes to ashes and dust to dust…"

Tommy hugged his son close and quietly shed tears for Kat, his comrade and for the mother that his son would never meet. Next to him, Lorcan Sr. cried a little louder not even bothering to hide it. Here before him, is little baby girl that he'd raised all by himself would never outlive him. His heart was breaking all over again. He'd always heard how hard it was for a parent to bury their child…and the pain that was shattering his heart was almost unbearable. Then, Tommy put an around him, quietly sharing his strength.

The burial seemed to pass like a blur, but soon enough, the casket was lowered into the ground. The remaining 11 former rangers silently took flowers from the wreaths and with a final goodbye, threw them on top of the casket. With heavy sighs, they turned away and walked to the cars they came in with the exception of Tommy who stood silently with Lorcan Sr.

Tommy closed his eyes and whispered his own good bye before kissing his son's head and waiting giving silent support as the grieving father bid his daughter good bye.

Finally, he took a deep breath and turned away, heading towards the car with Tommy following.

The space rangers, seeing that they were no longer needed, quietly teleported away. Later on, they would return to the grave site to say their own goodbyes, but for now, they departed.

In the years to come, and as the boy grew to be a teenager, full of courage, bravado and just a touch of over confidence, he was told often about his mother who'd died a hero and who watched over him from beyond the grave and whom would love him for all eternity.

And for now, until they would meet for the first time, it would be enough. He'd do everything he could to make her proud…whatever it took.

I'm sure you are all wondering about Justin and if he will ever make friends with Kimberly. That will be addressed in the epilogue, I promise. I won't leave that loose thread flapping around in the wind. Now there is only the epilogue, so, I will see you all then.