A/N: Character development with Lienbow and Udonna, plus a round-about look at my favorite Mystic Force couples, with Xander/Vida being prominent. Enjoy!

"…": characters talking to each other

'…': characters talking to themselves

(…): extra facts about something in the story

(Takes place three years after "Once a Ranger")

Theme 44: Secrets

Rainbow Lookout, August 30, 2011, 5:30 pm – Briarwood, CA, USA

Everyone has secrets; that's a fact of life. Udonna knew this well as she and Lienbow took a leisurely stroll on the top of a cliff face just outside of the Mystic Forest. The Rocca twins had clued her into its location after Octomus had been defeated (no one was calling him The Master anymore, especially the Mystic Force Rangers), and she and Lienbow had found it an excellent spot to get away from the reconstruction of Briarwood and the Forest in order to satisfy both humans and magical creatures (there were protests that the two older warriors were doing too much, hence the demand to relax).

"What's the latest gossip now, love?" Lienbow asked amusement lacing his voice. The years since his return had been good to him. He looked much happier and relaxed, traits that Udonna hadn't seen in him since Bowen's birth all those years before the nightmare had begun.

Udonna smiled, loving that even after all of those years, Lienbow could read her like an open book. "Oh, a few secrets, you know the usual."

Lienbow smirked drawing his red-haired wife closer. "Would you indulge to share them with me? I am just as big a gossiper as you are, love." Lienbow was not lying. His good friends, those who had been the precursors to the current Mystic Warriors had often accused him of never being able to hold a secret, which had been true, particularly when he'd spread the word that his apprentice Daggeron had feelings for Udonna's sister, the widow Niella. Yep, Lienbow was just as big a gossip hound as his wife, though he was more discreet about it.

Udonna pondered his request for a moment before replying, "I suppose." She glanced at him. "Are you prepared?"

Lienbow returned the smile, letting that be his answer.

"Very well. There are three secrets that I have to share today." Udonna paused letting the anticipation build; Lienbow, knowing this tactic well merely waited patiently. "The first one concerns Clare. She has decided to actively pursue Chip with help from Leelee, Madison and Vida."

"Hasn't she had a crush on Chip for a few years now?" Lienbow questioned leaning down to pick up a rather shiny stone. He offered it to Udonna, who accepted it with a smile.

"Yes, she has. She's figured that since Chip hasn't done anything to discourage or encourage her, she's going to make her move and hope for the best." Udonna paused. "I am actually quite surprised that Clare is taking the initiative; perhaps she has learned from Madison and Vida."

Lienbow didn't comment, knowing that nothing he said would change the situation. He approved of his niece and the Yellow Ranger together; they were a good balance. "What is the second secret?"

Udonna smiled. "Nick has decided to surprise Madison with a trip to a film festival in Cannes, France." Lienbow looked a tad confused, still not knowledgeable about technological innovations over his near-eighteen year absence. He was better than he had been, but there was still much to learn.

"Nick knows that Madison will be ecstatic to go," Udonna continued a smile reaching across her face at the thought of her daughter-in-law. "From what I have learned, he's been planning it for a few months." She glanced at her husband, who suddenly looked far too innocent. "Lienbow... you've been helping him, I gather?"

Lienbow's face gained the look of a child found snatching cookies from the cookie jar. "Well, maybe; a little." Udonna sighed; her husband and son shared the same trait of wanting to help wherever needed... even if that meant keeping secrets from their spouses.

"I see." Udonna walked a bit faster, intending to teach her husband a lesson about keeping secrets. By the sound of rushing feet behind her, she was successful. "No more secrets, correct?"

"Very well," Lienbow agreed outwardly, while internally he was already hatching another plan to help his son with yet another project he had going, one about helping to build a new potions lab in Rootcore for Udonna's birthday, which was in a few weeks. Surely that wouldn't get him into trouble with his wife.

"What is the third secret?"

Udonna smiled this time, stopping at the edge of the cliff. She motioned for Lienbow to be quiet and to look over the edge. The Red Wolf Warrior did so and grinned. Motioning that he understood, he and Udonna withdrew from the edge and continued their walk along the top of the cliff. Down below, the third secret was being blown wide open: one Xander Bly had been skulking around lately, looking for something special for his girl, Vida Rocca, and after some consultation with Tori Bradley, Kira Ford, Clare, Madison and Udonna had found it. One piece of homemade jewelry, carved out of silver and diamonds, runes standing for wind and wood carved around the band, Vida's name on the inside. To top it off, a small white diamond with two pink pearls lay on top, delicately placed. Xander had asked Vida the one question that, if queried as to whether or not he'd use it a few years previous would have scoffed and replied in the negative. Now, however, he was asking the question, putting his heart and soul on the line... and luckily for him, she said yes, with the stipulation that he never keep secrets from her again.