Author's Note– Usually I write my notes and thanks after each chapter. But then I'm commenting on things from 3 chapters ago and possibly answering questions in the notes that'll be answered in the chapter anyway. So this time they're here at the beginning. After writing out all the notes I decided that my goal for this chapter is to make it at least twice as long as the A/N – LOL!

P-G-W-4Ever – Tommy is definitely over the edge; he's not had time to really process his own experience, and Conner is unintentionally draining him as well. Without Jason there Tommy would just not be able to function. Eric, Ethan and dang storm are coming!

Kaki! glomps Woohoo, four reviews! Thanks for checking in! Ethan's very still, frozen actually, in the dream because it's his mind that has to work, not his body. Frustrating for him – yet effective. I love that you see the contrasts. I think it's hysterical that after a half an hour on the phone you yelled at me to get off so I could go update...and yet, no storm yet.

LJflowerstag4e – Tommy's been headed for a breakdown for a while…he's just got to hang in there a little while longer.

AngelMouse5 – "Ineffectual" is a great word to use for Tommy at this point – that's exactly it.

CMR – PTSD is exactly what's going on with Shane – there's no one who's getting out of this weekend unscathed. That's why I'll probably have to write a sequel…

Supergal2005 – Thanks for your support!

BloomingViolets – You're rereading? That's so cool! I've actually had to go back and reread many earlier chapters to make sure what I'm saying now matches what I said when I started last April. Thank you so much for your kind words and endless support!

sky's girl forever – I finally got the Winds back for you, and here they are again in this chapter. Enjoy!

Jenna Summers - hugs I hope you're feeling better than Tommy by now! I know it hasn't been specifically clear, but Evan didn't call Eric for a few reasons. At first he was too overwhelmed and distracted – just seeing Conner so broken down, the fight with Tommy – he's not been able to get away. But also (and this will be explained a little better later) he knew he wouldn't be able to reach Eric easily.

Hybyrd0 – You finally got the Winds back in action. What's up with Shane will be explained in this chapter.

PsychoTangerine – 1) I never really thought about how having the teams together like this makes them somewhat invincible. I think that's because I'm seeing how even though they can physically help one another there's still all the emotional trauma to deal with. But then again, that's where Kim, Aisha, Kira, Blake and Dustin will come much more into play later on. 2) The body/mind/heart concept started out specifically for the ninja and Ninjetti teams – but the DinoThunder Rangers fit too. It's not until you try to fit Trent into the equation that it gets messed up…but since there is no Trent in this story… 3) I like Cam./Hunter (and not just because I'm a fan of MzDany). They'll never be the central focus, though a chapter or two down the road is sure to be dedicated to them. I just like that relationship and how it affects the others on the team. 4) Tommy's over the edge – I'm glad his reactions are coming through true and not melodramatic. 5) Who doesn't love Haley/Billy? 6) Good point, but Hunter pretty much nailed Cam's foot to the floor asking him to stay with Blake. 7) Thank you so much for such a detailed review!

the real vampire – I know…leaving off where I do, it's just a bad habit!

Fighting Destiny – Welcome aboard!

MzDany – I can't believe the word count of this story – I went back to look when you mentioned it. It's insane, but it's been so much fun! I did want to make Tommy's outburst out there – he's just gone far beyond anything he can handle, and he snapped. Eric is on the way, bringing lots of surprises with him. You're right about Shane – more on that in the chapter below. Big plans definitely ahead for the Winds.

cRazed – Eric's behind the storm, more on that to come. When Tori reached out with her inner ninja she caught on to Blake's distress due to Hunter and Conner. The three of them are in an extremely precarious position; that's what Tori's feeling.

Funky in Fishnet – Hysteria is another great word for Tommy at this point. Luckily he's surrounded by a great support system.

Manders – More on Adam later, no worries, I haven't forgotten him. Hang in there – explanations to come!

lil Cwick – Welcome aboard! Thanks for taking the time to review!

sparxxa – I won't leave Adam hanging out there for too long, but now I've got to deal with Shane.

Etcetera Kit – I think you'll enjoy the unique solution Dustin comes up with for getting Shane to the hospital. Thank you for your constant support! Awesome job with Kings and Vagabonds – I love that story!

LeosGurl87 – Please don't implode…I think this chapter will make you feel better.

ThePotterWay – The Winds and Ninjetti have tapped into much deeper levels of their power as the fight with Mesogog happened, and in the hospital. Their ties to each other are much stronger because of all the struggles they've faced. Tori's just very connected to Blake; that's why she can sense his distress.

Tygerwind8 – Thanks as always for your thoughtful comments!

Thanks so much as always to everyone who's taken the time to read and review! Your support and encouragement have really helped to keep this story going! Now…on with the show.

Dustin's reaction to Shane's flight was immediate, but Shane's panic gave him greater speed. By the time Dustin reached the doorway, he had already lost sight of Shane to the gloom below. There was a skid and thump from the inky black staircase. A sickening crash from below brought Dustin's heart into this throat. "SHANE!" Heedless of his own uncertain footing, Dustin flung himself headlong into the darkness. Tori was close behind.

Though the lights in the house had been extinguished, the main room of the lab still glowed with its own muted light. The overhead lights and lamps were off, but the glow from the computers indicated another power source; of course Haley would have emergency power generators to power the lab. But Dustin found he didn't need the emergency lights at all; the walls of the staircase had been hewn out of the rock the house was resting on – they gave off a glow only he could see.

Taking advantage of his inner sight, Dustin pulled ahead of Tori in his haste to get to Shane. He was relieved to see that Shane had already regained his feet, but it concerned him to find the Red Ranger pacing in circles close to the foot of the stairs. As Dustin, and then Tori approached, Shane's circuit took him further away from him as if he were a magnet repelled by a similarly charged object.

Shane was breathing deeply, whether to calm himself or simply to catch his breath after his fall was hard to tell. He held his left arm tightly to his body, holding it against him in pain. His right hand nearly covered his eyes as much to keep out the dim light as keeping the others from seeing his face. What disturbed Dustin much more than Shane's strange behavior was the emotional surges emanating from his best friend. He'd caught a glimpse of it upstairs in the kitchen when the lightning startled Shane, but now it had developed into an all out panic attack. Wave after wave of spiraling fear and debilitating anxiety had overcome Shane, but at the same time he was trying to talk himself into going to the hospital. Shane was fighting hard, but the fear was winning.

With a glance, Dustin urged Tori to approach Shane; Dustin circled around in the opposite direction, out of Shane's direct line of sight. True to the pattern Dustin had observed, Shane recoiled from Tori's gentle call and stumbled blindly in the opposite direction; where Dustin was waiting for him. Not giving Shane a chance to react, Dustin caught him in an embrace pulling him into his right side. With his right arm he encircled Shane mindful of his injured left side, with his left he pushed Shane's head down onto his right shoulder. Shane trembled and shook in Dustin's arms.

Dustin was immediately overwhelmed by the fear and horror the encroaching storm produced in Shane. Almost as strong as the fear was Shane's feeling of shame – he was ashamed to be weak; ashamed to let down his team; ashamed of letting his friends see him fall apart. Dustin dug deep into himself to find his own center amidst the swirling chaos that was Shane. He was not surprised to feel the Lion waiting for him there. Drawing on his own resources, Dustin extended a feeling of understanding and safety to Shane. I've got you Shane. Nothing can happen to you here. You're safe. You're safe.

Over and over Dustin reassured Shane of his safety. But it took a long time for Shane to let the feeling sink in. He was overcome by the memory of being ripped apart by the storm Hunter and Blake had created. He'd been torn away from Tori and Dustin, unable to stay connected with their light. His spirit had been shredded and lost in the storm. The pain inflicted by his own element was more than he could bear and he couldn't stand the thought that it might happen again. He was terrified of the Hawk who in his forthright way was urgently calling Shane back to him.

Dustin's heart broke for Shane, but there was nothing he could do other than hold him and try to soothe his fears. Tori drew closer as well, her anger forgotten, as she joined with Dustin in urging Shane to relax and believe them when they repeated over and over he was safe. Together they stood in the dark and gloomy lab comforting Shane as best they could.

Eventually their words and presences sunk in. Shane stopped trembling in Dustin's grasp, but he made no move to break away. Instead he allowed himself to absorb the steadying auras of his friends. With his head still on Dustin's shoulder Shane began to speak.

"I can't go out there." Dustin could feel Shane's tension rising, the muscles in his back and neck became taut as he spoke. "In the…wind…" Shane became overcome again and tried unsuccessfully to hold back a sob.

Dustin gently squeezed Shane's neck as he held him a little tighter. "Don't worry, Shane. You don't have to go out in the storm." He shared a glance with Tori over Shane's head. Her eyes flashed with distress. She knew they needed to get to the hospital; not just her, all of them. They had to get Shane out of this basement. Dustin felt, just as Tori did, that time was short. Shane knew it too and Dustin could feel a surge of self-loathing from him. He could feel Shane's self-recrimination at his perceived cowardice and knew he had to put a stop to that immediately.

He and Tori double-teamed the distressed Air Ninja. Tori spoke to him in his mind, while Dustin addressed his heart. Over and over they expressed that they understood his fear and did not blame him for it. This weekend had changed them all and many lessons had been learned. One stood out among all the others – together they could do almost anything.

Dustin pulled slightly away from Shane; not releasing him, but stepping far enough back to look in his face. Shane tear-streaked face was a mask of dismay but the fear seemed to be losing its grip. "We'll figure something out, Shane. We'll figure it out." Dustin poured as much confidence as he could into his words.

Shane nodded, but his heart wasn't in it. "You guys shouldn't have to carry me like this." His face filled with shame again; he had dishonored his team with his weakness. "I should be stronger." He looked away.

Tori moved so she was standing side by side with Dustin, able to get a good look at Shane and for him to get a look at her. "You're wrong, Shane. We should carry you…you've been carrying us this whole time. Now it's our turn." Then Tori became apologetic and her eyes shone with unshed tears. "When Blake got hurt and the storm exploded…" Shane shuddered again. "The pain was so bad, I was only thinking of myself. I didn't know we'd lost you, Shane." She forced herself to look at his face expecting blame and anger from him. "I'm so sorry."

Shane had been so wrapped up in his own feelings of guilt and fear that he couldn't recognize those same emotions in his teammates. "No, it wasn't you," he argued, "I couldn't hold on any longer."

Tori reached out to grasp his left elbow. "You're not the only one who has to hold on, Shane. We all have to do it." He nodded, finally hearing her. Then Tori's brow creased with a frown. She could feel something she didn't like. Stepping closer to Shane, she slid her hand from his arm to his waist. She was looking at something Dustin and Shane couldn't see. What Dustin could see was that Tori was suddenly and brilliantly surrounded by an aqua colored aura; what he could feel was her communion with the Dolphin spirit.

Tori took her left hand and placed it on Shane's left wrist. She pulled his arm away from his injured side causing him to wince. She cocked her head to the side as if listening, and then pulled his shirt up over his waist. Dustin could see what she was trying to do and stepped in to help. Tori laid her right hand on Shane's bare side and closed her eyes. Though Dustin couldn't see what Tori was doing because the lab was too dark, her actions caused an immediate reaction in Shane. His face relaxed and his breathing eased.

A minute or two passed in silence. When Tori opened her eyes once again she looked satisfied. "Nasty bruise." she said looking at Shane. "Feel better?"

"Yeah." he answered gruffly. "Thanks, Tor." Letting Tori help him changed something in Shane's demeanor. They were in a difficult situation, and he understood that he couldn't get out without Dustin and Tori's help. He couldn't be the leader now; he had to let himself depend on them. He was still afraid, but he knew he could count on them to get him through.

Something had occurred to Dustin while he watched Tori work. She seemed much more at ease tapping into and controlling her element. Some Water Ninjas were also trained as healers, but it was never something Tori had pursued. But just now she had identified and taken care of Shane's injury as if it was second nature to her. She didn't even have to think about it. Dustin wondered if this new connection was something he could apply to his element and use to his advantage as well. A plan began to form; looking around the lab only confirmed his suspicion. He had an idea, and he was pretty sure it would work.

"I think I've figured out a way to get to the hospital." he stated. Tori and Shane looked at him with expectation. It was very strange to Dustin not to feel like they would immediately disregard whatever suggestion he made; the days of goofball or crackpot ideas was behind him. He wasn't entirely sorry to let them go.

"Tori, you streak into Reefside and find the hospital. You're gonna have to stand out in the rain for a bit so we can find you."

Tori's face lit in understanding. "Like a beacon."

Dustin nodded. "If you're standing out there in your element there's no way we can miss you."

Shane looked in confusion between the two. "Tori's going to the hospital without us? I don't understand…how are we going to get into town?"

Dustin could feel Shane's apprehension building, but it wasn't overwhelming, so he quickly explained. "We're not going into Reefside, we're going under it."

It took Shane a moment to process what Dustin was saying. Then a grin split his face. "Under?" he asked.

"Under." Dustin confirmed.

Satisfied that Dustin had the situation firmly under control and itching to be underway, Tori leaned in to give her teammates a hug, then jogged up the stairs to the kitchen and streaked out of the house. Shane and Dustin listened to the sounds of her moving up the stairs until they couldn't hear her above any more.

"I figure you'll have a better sense of when Tori gets to the hospital than I will. You guys do the whole mental conversation thing better than I do. Until then, we'll move as far as we can through these tunnels, see how close to town we can get." Shane nodded in agreement; his relief at not being forced to go out into the storm was palpable.

Dustin strode forward easily and was a few strides away when he realized Shane wasn't right beside him. Growling at himself for not realizing that Shane would have difficulty, Dustin returned to him. "Here." he said, "hold onto me." Shane took a firm grip on Dustin's upper left arm and they moved forward together.

To Dustin, the walls of the lab carved out of the caves under Tommy's house gave off a low level but constant glow. To Shane, it was just dark. Dustin kept forgetting Shane couldn't see what he did. So he kept his pace steady and even, making sure there were no obstacles in Shane's path once they moved into the darker tunnels. Without the aide of the emergency lights and the glow of the computers, Shane was completely dependant on Dustin to guide him through the caves. Dustin was humbled at the level of trust Shane was showing, particularly after the emotional roller-coaster he'd been on just a short time ago.

Dustin kept them moving in a southward direction. Tommy's house was well north of town so they had quite a distance to traverse. They traveled in silence not needing to fill the space between them with empty talk. So it surprised Dustin when Shane announced, "Tori's at the hospital."

Dustin paused and reached out for Tori. Though he didn't have the strong mental connection with her that Shane did, he could clearly feel her yearning for them to join her amplified through her element. "Yeah, I can feel it too. It'll give us more of a target to aim for." Together they picked up the pace.

All too soon they arrived at the obstacle Dustin had been anticipating. He knew it wasn't realistic to think they could travel through this cave system all the way into Reefside; and they'd just hit a dead end. Dustin could already feel Shane tensing beside him; he knew Shane was trying to ready himself for a dirt dive to the surface and a hellish streak to the hospital. Dustin could almost read Shane's thoughts – they were that much closer to the hospital than they'd been at Tommy's house; at least the trip through the storm would be shorter.

But Dustin had no intention of putting Shane through that kind of torture. He turned to face the Air Ninja. Everything he was about to say was based on the assumption that his new connection to his element was just as powerful as he was imagining it to be. But he was confident that with the help of the Lion spirit, he could make this plan work.

"Okay, Shane, here's where we do something different. How do you feel about a dirt dive?"

It was not what Shane had been expecting to hear. "What do you mean?" he asked his voice hopeful.

Dustin bit his lip even though he knew Shane could not see the gesture in the dark. "There's no way I'm making you streak through that storm up there. Not after everything you've been through. But this is as far as we can go in these tunnels." Shane waited in anticipation, but his anticipation was tinged with curiosity not fear. Dustin was glad to feel the distinction. "I've brought you on a dirt dive before…this'll be just like that, only a little bit longer."

"Can you do that?" asked Shane wonderingly.

"Yes." answered Dustin without hesitation. But next came the tricky part – in order for the plan to work, not only would Dustin have to call on the Power of Earth, but Shane would have to call on the Power of Air, and Dustin wasn't sure if Shane was ready to do that. Dustin privately consulted with the Lion asking if he could communicate with the Hawk. Shane was going to need a lot more help than the Hawk was used to giving. On some level, Dustin understood that it was the Hawk's philosophy to foster independence; fledglings got pushed out of the nest and they had to fly or fall on their own. Shane was not at a point where he could do that, and if one of them had to take a different stand in their relationship it was going to have to be the Hawk. Dustin didn't know enough to know what passed between the animal spirits; he only knew that the communication had taken place.

Only a few seconds passed before Dustin continued. "We'll both call on our elements and when you're ready, I'll take you in. You'll need to be focused on Tori to guide me to her while I'm moving us and we'll be there in no time." Actually, their trip through the soil would be much faster than the speed they'd been walking. Once he was fully immersed in the earth Dustin could move at nearly the speed of a streak; compensating for Shane's additional weight would slow him down a little, but not significantly.

It made Dustin's job a little easier that Shane was an Air Ninja. Of the three of them, Shane had the easiest time being drawn through the other elements. He never had the worry of not being able to breathe; unlike Dustin or Tori, Shane as an Air ninja never doubted his ability to draw air out of the surrounding elements of earth or water. The Earth and Water ninjas, on the other hand were distinctly uncomfortable and claustrophobic when being drawn through the opposite element. So of all of them to have to drag through the earth, Shane was the best candidate; if he could call on the Power of Air without sending himself into a panic attack.

Shane nodded his understanding. He was far happier with this solution than a trip to the surface into the storm overhead. It was then that Dustin realized why Shane was so averse to call upon the Hawk – he felt strongly that he had dishonored his animal spirit and he wasn't sure the Hawk would answer his call for power. Inwardly Dustin prayed that the Lion had been able to communicate Shane's needs to the Hawk; the last thing he needed at this point was a dressing down or rejection from his animal spirit.

Dustin moved so he was standing shoulder to shoulder with Shane. "Ready?" he asked.

"Ready." was the curt reply.

"Power of Earth!"

"Power of Air!"

Dustin felt the familiar and welcome power of the Lion spirit rush through him. He closed his eyes and allowed the power to fill him. Then he unabashedly "eavesdropped" on Shane to see what his power transfer had revealed. Dustin was shocked at the overwhelming remorse he was able to pick up from the Hawk spirit; Shane was equally surprised and replied with a rush of forgiveness. Dustin had to blink back tears at the reunion of the Air ninja and his spirit animal. The Hawk swooped in, fiercely protective and Shane was surrounded by depths of power unmatched in his experience. I will teach you, brother. I will help you, brother. I will never allow you to be lost again.

The air around Shane crackled with power and Dustin could see his aura blazing deep red – steady and strong. It put Dustin's heart greatly at ease. At least this part of Shane was back on track, making the next part of the journey that much easier. A relieved grin split Dustin's face as he reached out to grasp Shane's right hand with his left. "Ready to go?"

Shane squeezed his hand as he answered. "Let's do it."

Pulling his power in a tight weave around them, Dustin strode forward into the solid rock face before them. Shane didn't hesitate and followed right behind. Again, Dustin was awed at the level of trust Shane was displaying. For anyone other than Earth ninjas, dirt dives weren't easy. Some people couldn't stand the claustrophobic feelings they produced; others were convinced that somehow they'd be stuck or left behind. When those feelings caused panic, very bad things could happen. But Dustin could feel no apprehension or fear from Shane. But it wasn't because Shane was unnaturally comfortable traveling through the earth; it was because it was Dustin who was leading him through. It was humbling to realize and Dustin was determined not to let Shane down.

Surrounded by his comforting and familiar element, not just in spirit, but in fact was greatly revitalizing to Dustin. With a sure and steady grip on Shane, Dustin moved forward effortlessly, guided by Shane's confident connection with Tori. Quicker than he anticipated, they arrived at the hospital. Rather than drawing Shane to the surface, Dustin brought them to one of the hospital's subterranean basements. He was relieved beyond measure when the room they emerged in was a boiler room, not the morgue. Dustin laid his hand briefly on the wall they'd come through and thanked the earth beyond it for their easy passage. Then together he and Shane searched out a staircase and headed upward looking for Tori.

They connected with her on the ground level of the hospital near the elevators where she was waiting. "Blake's on the fourth floor." she announced as she caught the door for an upward traveling elevator. Together they rushed forward into the elevator raising their thoughts to those above them and wondering what help they might be able to provide. A deafening roll of endless thunder shook the heavens above as the doors of the elevator slid shut.

TBC