The following days were remarkably quiet and uneventful, which was pretty much exactly what the entire city needed after the fateful "Dark Day" as the media had dubbed the day Master Xandred had surfaced in the city. There was still a very real sense of panic in the air, but after almost a week, people were starting to believe that it was safe to get back to normal.

Ji went to Brenda's place, knocking on the door gently. She answered, dressed in a suit, and smiled as she saw him. He presented her with a bouquet.

"Ji, they're beautiful." She commented as she took them from him. "Come on in, I'll see if I can find something to put them in."

"So, are you ready to go back?" He asked her. She took a deep breath as she looked out a vase and started to fill it with water.

"I'm still pretty nervous." She admitted. "I must have picked up the phone about a dozen times thinking about calling in."

"Well, remember that you're only working until lunch." Ji told her. "I can bring over some lunch for when you get home."

He had already offered to take her to work, and to pick her up afterwards, but Brenda had politely declined. Although all her therapist really expected of her was to go back to work for a few half days a week right now, she had already decided to take an extra step and make her way there and back by herself. He figured that at least he could be there for support before she went, and after she got back.

"That would be really nice." She answered, coming over and holding him closely. She kissed him softly, and started to hold him tightly, but she let out a grunt and pulled away.

She looked a little concerned, seeing him holding his ribs. He didn't really talk much about the Ranger battles, mainly because he didn't want her to worry about the chances he took. She didn't understand too much about it, but she did know that the suits protected them to an extent, and their powers helped them heal more quickly. Ji though didn't seem to be healing all that quickly.

"Ji, are you alright?" She asked him. Although she knew she had been hurt badly in the last fight, it troubled her that he seemed to still be in such pain. Ji just straightened up and smiled at her.

It was always something that troubled him. Even with the suit, even with the power, the fact was he was always keenly aware that he didn't bounce back from his battles quite as quickly as the others. As much as he had always insisted that age wasn't a barrier, and he was incredible shape, there were still certain limitations even he couldn't overlook. One of them was that it always took him a little longer to heal up completely from his injuries than the others. He could see that Brenda was worried, but he didn't want her to worry about him today.

"I'm fine." He assured her. "I am just a little tender."

"You've been a little tender now for a week." She reminded him with a note of concern in her voice. "Ji, maybe you should slow down a little. Take a break and..."

"I am afraid we cannot afford the time." He told her. "The others are back to training at full speed, I cannot expect more of them than I do of myself."

"But Ji..."

"Just...concentrate on yourself today." He insisted as he put his arm around her. "Your recovery is what is important right now. I will heal up in time."

Brenda wasn't exactly happy with the way Ji was just fobbing her off, but she could tell that it wasn't something she was going to be able to force him to talk about before she had to go. He could be very stubborn when he wanted to be, and she knew that his age was a little bit of a sensitive subject for him at times, especially when it came to their relationship. She just nodded in agreement.

"Alright, I'll let it go." She told him. "Anyway, how do I look?"

"You look amazing." He complimented her. "Have a good day. I'll want to hear all about it when you get back."

"Get me some Thai green curry, and you'll have to try hard to stop me." She assured him, heading out the door.

"It's a date." He replied as she left. Outside the apartment, Brenda took a deep breath, before heading for the parking complex. As nervous as she was, she still couldn't help feeling like she was finally able to face the world again.

Over at Central High School, Melanie was sitting on a bench, a little way off, watching a bunch of cheerleaders talking in an animated manner, giggling and shrieking in delight. She didn't need to be able to hear to know what they were talking about; it was all anyone was talking about. The formal was on Friday night.

She couldn't help remembering a time when she would have likely been there with them, probably right in the middle of the group, with the others worshipping her. She was no longer the head cheerleader, the team had told the coach they had no confidence in her, and refused to perform under her guidance. It was something of a blessing in some ways, as it meant she wasn't the centre of attention, at a time when she really just wanted people to leave her alone. She had ended up quitting the team altogether just so she didn't have to spend any more time around the others than she had to.

The latest social Queen Bee, Amber, seemed to be regaling her enraptured audience with her plans for the night. Although no longer as keyed into the social grapevine as she had been, largely because when she had heard anything, it had been about her and her family situation, that Amber was planning to go with one of the ice hockey team. Gesturing to her hair a lot, she guessed she was telling them what she planned to do with her hair. She looked up as Mal arrived.

"Everyone's really going on about this huh?" He asked her. Melanie just nodded, and jerked her head towards where Amber was holding court with her admirers.

"I can't believe I ever used to look like that." She remarked. "I used to think all those kids that called us fake and superficial were just jealous and pathetic."

"Well, everyone's a little jealous of the popular kids." Mal conceded.

"I guess now I'm on the outside looking in, now I can see that there are so many more important things than some stupid dance...I can't believe I was ever like that." She commented. He just put a hand on her shoulder and stroked it gently.

"Hey, I think anyone would get a new perspective on things if they had to deal with half the stuff you have." Mal told her. "But, I think you are underestimating the importance of this dance."

"No, I really don't think I am." She mumbled. "It's just a stupid dance, with a bunch of stupid people..."

"Look, you haven't really had a whole lot of good experiences lately." He told her. "Maybe having a night for yourself would be a good thing."

"I'm not sure." She told him. "I would just feel like the others are staring at me and laughing..."

"They'll be too worried looking good themselves." He assured her. "They're harpies, just ignore them. We're all going; you can just come with us and have a good time..."

"I don't even have anything to wear." She told him. "I only have what's in my suitcase, and that..."

"Well, I thought this might be a slight snag." Mal told her, pulling out a little piece of paper and handing it to her. She took it from him and looked at it. Her mouth suddenly opened wide as she looked to him.

"Mal...?"

"I checked out the shop." He told her. "It turns out my cousin works there. When I gave her the name, she remembered the dress and told me it hadn't been sold yet."

"Mal, this is a receipt. You've paid for it in full!" She rushed out. "Do you have any idea what this cost?"

"Well, I did pay for it, so yeah, I kind of do." He told her. "About thirty hours of lessons for half the kids in Eastern."

He could see her starting to tear up, and put his arm around her, smiling.

"Surely you're not going to let me fork out all that for nothing." He asked her. "I mean, I have paid for it, so I could always wear it myself, but I don't think it'd match my eyes."

Melanie just looked at him, completely at a loss for words. After everything she had done all the rest of the year, the way she victimised other kids, she couldn't believe anyone would show her an act of such kindness. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly, causing him to laugh slightly.

"Well, I guess I can take that as a yes." He chuckled. She just nodded in response.

"I'll go." She told him. "It could be fun."

"We're all meeting at the food court in the mall at six." He informed her. "My cousin's holding onto the dress. You can pick it up any time."

As he left to head to his first class, she smiled. Getting up herself, she looked across and saw the cheerleaders all staring at her, having seen what had happened. She knew what they were likely to be thinking, but as she saw their judgemental looks, all of a sudden she decided she found herself unconcerned with what they were thinking. Mal had done more for her than any of them ever had. He had been there for her when everyone else was taking the opportunity to make her life even worse. She had seen what Mal was really like, and he was better than all of them put together. Without a word, she just gathered her things and made her way to her first class.

Brenda came back to the apartment after her day at work. It was only a half-day, at her therapist's recommendation, which was just as well. She had spent the day behind her desk, dealing with paperwork, but she was happy that she had managed that much.

Her co-workers were all supportive of her. She had arrived to find a banner on her door, welcoming her back, and a box of chocolates and some flowers on her desk. Even her boss, Superintendant Ramsay, had stopped by to ask how she was and welcome her back, despite how awkward he had to feel about it. During the investigation into her attack, he had revealed his feelings for her, and she was sure he had to be incredibly embarrassed about it, knowing that she didn't return those feelings.

Arriving back at her apartment, she could smell something coming from the kitchen. She smiled as she turned and saw the table in the middle of the room set for lunch, with chopsticks, and her best china. A couple of candles were lit, and some napkins had been folded into various Origami shapes.

She made her way into the kitchen, finding Ji by the cooker, preparing the meal. She came across, and placed a soft kiss on his cheek, surprising him.

"I didn't hear you come in." He commented.

"You know, I was expecting take-out." She stated, looking to the meal on the cooker. "You didn't have to go to all this trouble."

"It's no trouble. After your first day, I thought a little fuss was in order." He told her, stirring one of the pots. He tasted it a little, before throwing in some more spices. He looked to her and smiled. "So, how was it?"

"It was pretty uneventful." She informed him. "I spent the morning shoving papers around on my desk. It'll be a while before I feel like going on any inspections, but I got through the day without needing to call Siobhan, so I'm feeling really proud of myself."

"You have every right to." He assured her. He transferred some noodles into a serving bowl, and the curry into another, before placing serving cutlery in each. He turned off the cooker and picked up the bowls, taking them through to the living room with her. They both sat by the table as he laid the dishes down.

"How is everyone at the house?" She asked him.

"Everyone is making remarkable progress." He informed her. "A few moans and groans when we push ourselves, but it's nothing we aren't used to. Jayden's burns are starting to clear up."

"That's good to hear." She told him, deliberately reigning herself in from pushing the matter. She was always worried about Ji and the risks he took with the team, but this last battle had been the worst she had ever seen from him. She wanted to talk to him about it, and had assured him that he didn't have to be strong around her, but she also knew that pushing him on the matter would only cause him to become defensive, especially today when she had made such a breakthrough with her recovery. As always, Ji would never put himself first, even when he needed to, if there was someone else in need. In many ways, it was his way of hiding from things that upset him. "This is...this is really good."

"I've had a lot of practice." He assured her, taking a forkful himself. He raised a glass of water. She just raised her glass, tapping it to his and took a sip.

In the Netherworld, Serrator was sitting in the Junk, while Moogers ladled Sanzu water over him. He had come out on top, having turned everyone against themselves, leaving him as the single most powerful Nighlock left. Master Xandred had been confined to the bottom of the Sanzu River to soak, having expended most of his power to tackle the Rangers and stop him in his scheme. He knew from personal experience that such a process would take a considerable amount of time. When he had been forced to confine himself to the river, it had taken centuries. He doubted that Xandred would need that long, but certainly it would be long enough for him to have completed his plan. If all went well, by the time Xandred came back, he would rule both worlds, and even Xandred would be no match for him.

Dayu and Octoroo could only watch on, knowing that without any other means at their disposal, there was nothing they could do. In addition to being weakened by the battle themselves, they now knew that without Xandred to worry about, they would be under close observation. Serrator would not allow them out of his reach now.

He tried to stand, but was forced down by pain shooting through his body. He just gestured to the Moogers to keep soaking him.

"It has been something of a pyrrhic victory." He conceded as he looked to where Dayu and Octoroo were also incapacitated. "It will be some time before I have recovered enough to put my plan into action."

He could see that Dayu and Octoroo seemed buoyed slightly by this thought. Serrator's plan had left him with free reign over the Netherworld, but it had cost him a great deal to end up in that position. As slim as it was, there was some hope that Xandred or the Rangers would recover more quickly and be prepared to stop him. Although their agendas were different, it was now clear both of them had one thing in common. If Serrator won, then neither of them would have any hope.

"It looks like I'll have to rely on my forces to keep the Rangers interested until I am ready to resume my campaign." He commented. "Enjoy your respite Rangers, while it lasts."

Later in the day, Emily returned home from training Spike, Bulk and Cody. She had recovered enough to resume their training sessions. It was a great distraction from what had happened with the battle, something she was grateful for right about now. She also found it cute the way that Spike and Cody were so distracted. It had taken her a while to call them on the fact they weren't paying full attention to their training, but when Bulk informed her of the dance, she had ended up talking to them for quite a while about it.

She put down her bag, and started to look around for the others.

"Mike?" She called out. "Mike, you won't believe what happened at training today."

She started to come into the Living Room, finding her friends all sitting around waiting for her.

"Spike and Cody told me their end of year formal is coming up." She informed him. "They're both so excited about it! Apparently Cody has a date, and he's all nervous...it was so cute...!"

"I heard you were training them now." She heard a familiar voice say. Serena got up from the couch, smiling. "You wouldn't be trying to take my job from me now would you?"

"Serena!" Emily shrieked, running over to her sister and leaping into an enthusiastic hug that almost took her clean off her feet.

"Whoa, I'm pleased to see you too squirt." She answered. The rest of the Rangers all gathered around, sharing in Emily's excitement. After everything that had happened, Serena's arrival back at the house had come at a very opportune time. Despite their injuries, and despite the funk they had all ended up in as a result of their decisive defeat at Xandred's hands, Serena's presence had been just the lift they all needed. They didn't know when Serrator would make his next move, but right now, they felt like they would be ready for it, whatever it was.

Fin.

A/N: With the four-month hiatus until we get the new episodes, I've decided to take a break from the main storyline. You can rest assured; I will continue to write with a few side-stories, possibly dedicated to some of the side-characters. I hope you all enjoyed this, and here's hoping that September rolls around quickly.