Interlude
Aftermath – Zack
After Trini's funeral
In the loft of the Kwan House
Sylvia looked at Zack fiercely.
"She is my niece. Minh should come with me!" She said strongly.
"Then she has to leave her home… the home Trini built for them… the home she grew up in, and not just that, all her friends in school and us!" He shot back.
"I can give her a good life, Zack. She is my flesh and blood. Trini and her folks took me in when my parents kicked me out. I owe Minh this much."
"You live in London." Zack stressed. "You are talking about Minh adjusting to a different country. Already, this is taking a huge toll on her and on top of that, another huge change like this…"
"I am just trying to do what is best for her. I promise you, Zack, I and Becky will love her as much as we love Yen! And this house, we will keep it as it is and Minh can move back here when she is old enough." Sylvie said. "I just want what is best for Minh. And she needs to be with family!"
"We know that but Sylvie, we are her family too." Kim said softly.
"Kimberly, no offence but you and your partners already have your hands full with three kids."
"Lila is in college now and-"
"JJ is in high school and Hope is just starting school. On top of that, you can't go back and forth between here and Reefside. Jason's son is so young, it wouldn't be fair to ask him to take Minh in. Billy has his company to take care of and Zack lives a busy life in Washington DC. None of you have the time to devote to Minh." Sylvia said firmly.
"We will make time, Sylvia. I am her godmother." Kim said.
"Kim, I and Becky are perfectly able to take care of Minh." Sylvia reassured.
"I am not questioning your parenting skills, Sylvie. You both are amazing parents, but Trini wanted to raise Minh here, in Angel Grove. And I love her like my own. You know that."
"It is not just that. Kim, Zack, you guys know I love you guys and respect you a lot…" Sylvia paused.
"But?" Zack raised an eyebrow.
"You are rangers. Heroes. Trini was one too but superpowers are not full proof obviously. She died because she was a hero. This life you have… It is dangerous, not just for you but also for people close to you." She grimaced.
"Oh, Sylvie…"
"How many times did Rita or Zedd go after your friends and relatives? Heck, they even held me hostage when I was just a kid. I don't want Minh to get intwined in this. She has already lost enough. We all have." Sylvia looked away, tearfully.
"We all want Minh safe, Sylvie."
"But you all have your own lives, kids and careers, not to mention your duties as rangers." Sylvie asked. "I want to take care of Minh. That's the least I can do."
"We do have our lives, but family comes first. Always." Zack said determinedly. "I will take care of Minh."
Sylvia turned towards him confused. "After all this talk about uprooting Trini and moving her to London, you want-"
"I am not going to take her to Washington." Zack said. "I am moving back to Angel Grove. I will move here, so that Minh can stay in her own home."
"But your career-"
"I have done a lot of good as a congressman. It's time for me to take care of my family."
"You don't have to-" Sylvia started.
"I know but I want to." Zack said.
"If you leave everything you have worked for, how will you take care of Minh, let alone yourself?" Sylvia asked.
Zack chuckled.
"I have plenty of savings." He reassured. "Besides, I still have contacts in the Angel Grove law firm. It won't be difficult for me to get a job if I need it."
"You would do that?" Kim asked. "Give up everything for Minh?"
"Yes. Just like you, Sylvie or anyone else in our family." Zack nodded his head sincerely.
"What about your duties as a ranger?"
Zack took out his morpher. "This is just for emergencies. I am retiring. The other rangers can hunt down Rita. From now, my only priority is to give Minh a good life and a good home."
"Okay." Sylvia said slowly. "This is the best plan and what is best for Minh. Thank you, Zack."
"It is the least I can do."
"Still, I will leave only after getting you settled in here." Sylvia said.
"I would expect no less." Zack smiled.
