Disclaimer: I do not own any characters related to Power Rangers they are owned by Saban/Disney et. al

I do however own all things Tanzetti and reserve the right to reuse them as I please.

Marcy pulled the car as closely as she felt comfortably to the edge of the cliff. There were guard rails clearly marking the drop-of zone, but it still made her nervous to have her work of art so close to a hundred foot drop. It was Friday night and she was taking Billy to the top of Angel Lookout to see some celestial event he'd been tracking.

"Is this close enough?"

Billy was sitting in the driver's seat looking down at a jumble of maps he'd brought with him. He was holding a small penlight in his hand, tracing the lines on the map in the dark.

"Precisely," he said. "We should have a perfect view from here."

"Are the others coming?"

Billy's face fell a little. "I invited them, but they didn't seem interested. Tommy and Rocky have a big tournament tomorrow and Adam's going along to help. They have to leave early because it's in Riverside. As for Kim and Aisha…"

"Stargazing with us probably seems like an intrusion without the boys here."

Billy shrugged acknowledging her meaning.

"How long have you known them?" Marcy asked.

"Kim and I have been in the same school since Kindergarten. We had some other friends, Jason, Zach, and Trini. We all grew up together, then Tommy joined in high school. Then Jason, Zach, and Trini were chosen for the Teen Peace Conference and we met Rocky, Adam and Aisha around the same time so… It just worked out."

Marcy couldn't help smiling. She hadn't missed the fact that he'd used the word joined when referring to Tommy. And she hadn't missed how he'd referred to meeting Rocky, Adam, and Aisha being the same time his other three friends had left. There was too much convenience in that. Obviously, this Jason, Zach, and Trini were originally part of the team, but had been replaced by the current warriors because of their need to leave the country.

She's suspected their power was transferrable, but this confirmed it. It also pulled at her heart a bit to know it. Billy wouldn't be stuck with his power forever, and he could pass it on one day. She envied that. Her power could only be passed through bloodline, and even then, only failing health or death allowed the power to be passed on. It was rare to live beyond passing on a crystal. No matter how much it burdened her, Marcy knew that only death would free her of the magic she carried.

"What?"

Marcy snapped from her thought and saw Billy looking at her, one eyebrow raised in question.

Marcy shook her head. "I'm sorry, what?"

"You were a million miles away," Billy said. "What were you smiling about?"

"I was just thinking about how lucky you are to have such good friends," she said. "I used to have friends like that, but I haven't seen them in a long time."

Billy nodded, but didn't say anything. There was silence for a few beats where only the sounds of the night in the desert could be heard. Then Billy shifted and sighed.

"I should get the equipment out," he said. "The comet should be visible soon."

They both stepped from the car. Marcy had already lowered the convertible top on the drive up here and she opened the trunk for Billy to get his telescope and computer out. He had an electronic telescope that was programmed into a portable computer system he'd designed for it. He'd been watching the comet's progress from home, aided by coordinates he got from others who were tracking it online. It was a new comet, one that hadn't been seen before, so far as anyone knew, and he was so excited about being on of the first ones to track it.

Marcy stood back as he arranged the telescope and computers along the back hood of her car. Her thoughts were still on the future, the lingering thoughts of her own powers concealed in a small crystal that hung around her neck. Not for the first time she thought about the long term affects this would have on Billy. She loved him, she was sure of it, but there were so many complications, the least of which were telling him about the Tanzetti. There was also the fact that he had a year and a half of high school left, as well as college. She'd be graduating next year and after that she had no plans at all. Her degree was in literature and there weren't many job prospects unless she decided to continue for a more advanced degree, which she wasn't sure if she wanted.

She already had a Bachelor's Degree in Art from when she lived in L.A., but that was under another alias she'd obtained shortly after coming to earth. She'd worked a few years in-between at various jobs, but missed the college environment and the company of the other crystals, so she'd moved back here three years ago with a new alias and started over. That had kind of been her plan, just keep moving, starting over and staying as long as possible.

But starting over this time meant leaving Billy, and she wasn't sure if she could do that. The other option was telling him the truth, but even then, eventually she'd have to change her identity again. Eventually people would notice her lack of aging in a normal manner. And that was a whole other matter she hadn't even started to contend with.

What have I gotten myself into? She thought as Billy finished booting up the computer. The light from the screen was the main source of light out here, so far from the city. It glinted off his glasses making it impossible to see his eyes properly, but he was smiling as he finished the calculations and brought the comet into sight on the screen.

"It's all set," he said. "Peak time starts in about an hour and will last for about two."

Marcy nodded. "Can you move the computer around so we can sit in the backseat and watch?"

"Sure." Billy made the necessary adjustments to the computer and wires and they both settled in the backseat of the car. Unfortunately there would both have to turn to face the back of the seat to see the computer screen, Marcy didn't see that being a big problem. She sat facing forward in the seat and leaned back against the top of the car looking up at the stars. Billy chose this spot because it was outside the bright lights of the city that washed out the stars. Millions of stars were visible in the sky overhead.

"Can look at other parts of space with that or will that mess up your comet recording?"

Billy shook his head. "No, we can look at other stuff while we're waiting. Did you have something in mind?"

Marcy gave him the coordinates and he typed them in. She kept her eyes on the night sky as the motor of the telescope buzzed, spinning the instrument to the right place.

"It's really far out there," he said. "I'm afraid this isn't going to be a very good view."

Marcy turned in her seat and looked at the screen. It wasn't a good view, but it was there. A cluster of stars over forty million light years away. She pointed to the star in the center.

"That one," she said. "It was a sun with four planets rotating around it. It went supernova ten years ago but the light won't be seen on earth for forty million years."

"How do you know that?"

Marcy shook her head. "Someone told me once," she said. The truth was she'd spent the first five years of her life on earth studying star charts, comparing her limited knowledge of space coordinates to find the exact location. The power of the crystals had catapulted her over forty million light years through space, to the hilltop outside Angel Grove where the crystals are now hidden to be exact. She still wasn't sure why the crystals had chosen that exact spot. There was something powerful in those mountains, a natural energy source. Her best guess was that the crystals had been attracted by that power. But it was only a guess.

Billy just sighed and looked at the computer screen, his hands resting on his knuckles the way he sat when he was thinking. "I wish I had a better telescope. I know where there's a visible supernova."

He began typing again and the screen changed. She listened quietly while he went through a few of his favorite sights. He had a fairly decent telescope and could see most of the classic sights. But when he ran out of coordinates that he knew by heart he went back to the comet.

"We still have half an hour before the peak time," he said settling in the seat next to her.

She snuggled into his shoulder and he moved so his arm was around her shoulders. He started slow, like he always did, kissing her hair, and her temples until she turned enough to kiss his lips. In public his affection was limited, especially in front of his friends. Their little scene at his birthday party was about as outgoing as they'd ever been. But in private he was comfortable and open. He never hesitated to kiss her or touch her when they were alone.

He moved to her jawline to her ear and down her neck. She pulled herself up until she was on his lap, and he pulled her in, kissing her hard. She felt a rush of heat through her body and knew Billy was feeling the same thing. Things escalated faster every time they were along like this. She knew it was wrong to give in to these feelings now, when so much was still uncertain, but she couldn't resist it. Especially when she could feel how deeply the emotions carried with Billy as well.

His hands came up her sides, touching her breast gently through her shirt, making her nipples contract. The thoughts from earlier began to creep back into her head. She didn't want to make love to him if she was just going to leave him, but at the same time the thought of not being with him, of never being with him…

No. She pushed the thoughts away. I don't have to make any decisions now. Not this second.

She felt Billy shift under her and then she was on her back on the seat with him on top of her. Still kissing her, his whole body moving against her with desire. Two fears came over her. The first one was that he wouldn't stop. The second was that he would.

But he did stop, pulling away enough that she could just make out his face in the dim light.

What would he do if I told everything to him now? She wondered. Would he tell me all his secrets in return?

"Billy," she began softly.

"It's okay," he said. His thumb stroked her cheek reassuringly. His emotions flowing freely through the simple touch. "I just want to hold you."

He thought she was talking about sex. He completely understanding about her hesitation, having no idea the true reason for it. It was ironic how it all tied in together.

His lips were on hers again and this time she wanted him to stop. She would tell him everything, it was the only way. It had to be his choice. He had to know everything, nothing else would be fair.

But the chance didn't come. Their kiss was interrupted by the rhythmic beeping of Billy's bracelet. She felt his body go ridged at the sound, but he didn't say anything. He moved away, sitting up on the seat. She followed his example and the beeping repeated.

"You have to go," she said flatly.

He turned to look at her, the light from the computer screen illuminating his face perfectly. He opened his mouth to object then stopped. This was a long time coming and they both knew it. It was one thing to rush off with his friends, but out here, where it was just them, there was no way to hide it.

I was willing to tell him everything, she thought. Is it wrong to ask for the same in return?

"I'm not stupid," she said. "I know what that is. Every time that thing beeps you and your friends suddenly disappear."

"It's not what-I mean it just hard-" He struggled for the words. She guessed he was trying to come up with an explanation that would make her angry.

But it did make her angry. He couldn't tell her. She could see it in his eyes, even without touching him she could see he was struggling for the best thing to say that wouldn't destroy their relationship. The truth wasn't an option. Her secrets were her own, there was no other family or friends to answer to if she told him. But his secrets were not his own. There were five other people he put at risk by revealing the truth.

"I know you have secrets, Billy," she said. "You and your friends, you're involved in something. You don't have to tell me about it, but don't lie to me."

His eyes went wide at the accusation. The silence hung over them as she waited. She'd done all she could to give him the chance. Now it was his turn.

"Yes," he said finally in defeat. "I wish I could tell you, but I can't."

A third beep sounded. Billy's right hand went instinctively to the bracelet on his right wrist.

"That's how they communicate with you," she said.

Billy nodded. "Yes."

"Is it dangerous?" she asked, not sure if she wanted to know the answer.

"Yes. No!" He sighed. "It's complicated."

"Is it illegal?"

"No!"

She let the silence hand another minute trying very hard not to enjoy the growing level of discomfort on Billy's face. He needed to leave and they both knew it, but he wouldn't go until he was sure she'd be waiting for him when he got back.

"Do you need a ride back into town?"

Again he looked at her wide eyed, unable to believe she was truly accepting all of this. Finally, he seemed to regain some of his confidence.

"No," he said. "There are…other ways for me to get to them."

Marcy nodded. "I'll stay here then," she said. "Monitor the comet for you, so you don't miss it."

Billy nodded. He sat there another moment, still recovering from the shock, but finally he opened the car door and stepped out. Marcy slid across the seat after him. Her anger had cooled and found is slowly being replaced by guilt. She had been struggling for weeks over telling him the truth, it was unfair to believe he didn't fight the same battle every day. And now she'd backed him into a corner and forced him to tell things that weren't his secrets to tell.

Without thinking she reached for his hand. He turned back to her, waiting.

"Be safe," she said. "I'll be here when you get back."

"I don't know how long I'll be gone," he said.

She squeezed his hand tighter. "I'll still be here."

He nodded and squeezed her hand back. Then he took a step back and she felt his hand slid from hers as he disappeared into the dark.