******************** Command Chamber***************************

Several hours had passed since Billy had been rescued. The endless waiting for news was a torment in itself for those gathered there.

No one wanted to leave Zordon's chamber. Each anxious with there own thoughts. Yet the teens had grown quiet. Breaking into smaller groups as the emotional effort of all that had happened was taking its toll. Justin had dozed off next to Skull who had also falling asleep leaning against the console.

Aisha, Rocky and Katherine were talking quietly on one side of the room while Kimberly and Adam were sitting mostly in silence on the other.

Tommy had not stopped pacing back and forth in front of Zordon's tube. He kept sighing, sounding so impatient and frustrated. Bulk had wanted to say something over an hour ago but in the end decided to simply ignore there leader, leaning against the bottom of Zordon's tube, resting his eyes.

Adam whispered a few words to Kimberly before standing. "I'm going to make some snacks." he spoke out loud but not loudly to the room.

Zordon nodded. "A good idea Adam."

"Let me help." Katherine offered, already on her feet. "I can't stand not doing anything." She spoke more to herself than the others.

Tommy watched them go and his eyes found Kimberly. He heart did a little leap but it was strange. He knew he loved her and yet. Something had changed. But what that was he did not know. He was walking before he realized it. "Hey Kim."

"Hey Tommy." She replied quietly, rubbing her hands over her arms with a sudden chill. "Geez, this place gets cold at night." She said.

A strong arm wrapped around her smaller shoulders and drew her close to his chest. Tommy was like a furnace and she sighed against him, warming up after a moment. "I'm so worried Tommy." Kimberly admitted softly.

"Billy will be okay. We have to believe that."

Kim shook her head slightly against his chest. "You're right. But..." Kimberly's eyes drifted to the others for a moment. Skull was snoring, Justin curled against him also asleep. Bulk and Aisha appeared to be dozing as well. Rocky, though wide awake, seemed to be resting or at least not paying attention to them.

"But what beautiful? You can tell me anything Kim."

Kimberly leaned up, looking into his eyes. "Don't get me wrong Tommy. After everything we have all been through, I really care about this new team. We are all family now but... if we lose Billy... It will be only you and me left from the original team and just... that's losing so much...Billy is my best friend Tommy, has been since the third grade, he's like a brother to me, if he wasn't around." she sighed. "Tommy... I owe Billy so much..." She grew quiet, not wish to elaborate. The blue and pink ranger both had tough childhoods. Though in different ways.

Tommy simply nodded, choosing not to say what he was thinking. Kimberly and Billy were the original team, not him. Chosen by Rita to do evil as the green ranger. If Billy died, Kimberly would be the last true original ranger. That thought made Tommy very sad for a moment but he blinked away the sorrow at Adam's voice.

"Food's ready." Adam said before noticing how Tommy had a hold of Kimberly. If he was angry or jealous, Tommy couldn't tell. The frog had gotten better at hiding his feelings in the past few months. But Tommy knew the truth. He had suspicions before but he had known for a few days now.

Adam was in love with Kimberly. That thought made Tommy hold Kimberly a bit tighter to his chest possessively but as Katherine's blue eyes darted away from him and Kimberly, she seemed so sad. Before he knew what he was doing Tommy let Kimberly go with a gentle squeeze. He watched as the delicate brunette went to help Adam and Katherine with the pile of pancakes.

As graceful as a swan...

*************************** On the moon*********************

"Goldar if you don't let us out right now..." Zedd threatened for the one hundredth time.

"Please my Lord. Finster will be here soon." Goldar said to the snow globe. "I do not dare try to free you without his aid." As much as he hated groveling. This was the bet way to get back into Zedd and Rita's good graces.

"He's right Zeddie. We can only wait." Rita said from where she was sitting on a tiny palm tree. Finster would come. He was her most loyal servant. Then they could make some putties and start getting the castle cleaned up. It was strange but Rita Repulsa, the empress of evil, was tired to the bone. After the castle became livable once more she simply wanted to sleep for several months. Revenge on the power rangers could wait.

Zedd grumbled and crossed his arms. His wife did have a point. If Goldar tried to free them without help. He might kill the both. "Very well but Finster better hurry."

Hurry indeed, for unless Ooze was defeated and soon. The moon would be his next stop... then the rest of the universe. As much as none of the villains wanted to think about it. Ooze was a match for Dark Spector...

And the thought of bowing and begging and submitting to Ivan Ooze made Lord Zedd's blood boil.

He would have his revenge for this humiliations someday, he swore it.

*********** Divatox's Submarine******************************

"I can't believe it. Those power pukes actually did it." For once Divatox's voice held no anger. Even she had to respect what had happened. Ooze had returned, pale, weak, almost knocking on deaths door but still far from helpless. She tapped her chin in thought, maybe there was a way to finally get him off her ship and gone for good.

Sure, she was evil and loved evil but she was no minion and Ooze had long worn out his welcome. He had reabsorbed his purple minions from his chamber to get some strength back but that meant he was alone.

Weak and alone. Opportunity was knocking.

She frowned, it was about time the pirate queen took her rightful place back. "Porto, find a way contact those power brats. I want to give them a message."

The white monster blinked. "What did you say?" He must be hearing things.

"But Divatox..." Rygog stammered.

"Auntie D, you can't be serious!" Elgar added. He was still recovering from the beating Goldar had given him. At least he had wounded the golden lion ape just as badly. Elgar had kept his word. Removing one wing from his foe. Goldar would never fly again. He took some pleasure in that. Even though it had cost him another robotic hand.

"Don't question me. Just do it!" She screamed, hitting Elgar while her minions scrambled around her.

"Right away." Porto said.

*********************** Command Chamber**********************

It was amazing how some warm pancakes and a few mugs of hot chocolate could lift the spirits of the humans. Chattering away, forgetting just how tired they were. It was nearly dawn. The ranger would have to get some sleep soon but not yet. Now there was a strange feeling coming over them. Adam smiled. At this moment, in spite of all that was happening outside, right here and now he could feel it. The team was seriously bonding. He was unsure when the change happened. Skull was making the other's laugh with pancake faces, Justin joining in on the fun. Katherine was chatting with Kim about clothes. Bulk, Rocky and Aisha were engaged in a lively conversation on music.

Adam felt a hand on his shoulder. "You okay?"

Adam nodded, "Yeah." For a moment the two young men locked eyes but Tommy gave Adam a smile that had a bit of smirk to it. Tommy gave Adam's shoulder another pat and went to join Kat and Kim.

Adam blinked confused. He was about to ask when a shimmer of silver light entered the room. It was so bright for a moment everyone shielded there eyes. When the glow had calmed down there stood a ranger, dressed in gleaming silver, a helmet like a bird of some kind.

"Billy?" Tommy ventured. He had been first to his feet to put himself between the team and this possible stranger danger.

Gloved hands reached up to unhook the sparkling helmet. "Hi." Billy said, smiling broadly.

Kimberly squealed in delight, pushed passed Tommy and leapt into Billy's arms. As he easily caught her, Billy took note that she was smaller and lighter then when he had last been himself. "You're okay! You're okay!" She cried, burying her face into his neck. He could feel her tears against his skin.

"I'm okay Kim. I promise. I'm okay." He soothed gently. He had forgotten her as the Nightmare. She was the last bit of family he had. A bit of the past, and he never wanted to let her go but he did.

Kimberly pulled back as he set her down, she wiped at her eyes. "Really?"

Silver light seemed to give Billy's blue eyes a spark. Like he had looked when they first got there powers. "Really." He wanted to ask if she was okay but that could wait. Things had to be done properly. Billy turned to Tommy and gave a slight bow with his hand over his heart. "I Billy, silver owl ninjetti, swear my allegiance to you, white falcon ranger. I acknowledge you as the team leader and I, your sixth ranger, will follow you."

Before Tommy could comment on the odd speech, Ninjor spoke. "Very well said young owl. Dulcea would be so proud." He blew his nose on a large handkerchief that appeared from thin air.

"Billy, I..." Tommy hugged his new ranger tightly. "I'm so glad you're back. I've missed you." The words were true.

A moment later Billy found himself beset upon but the others as laughter and joy filled the command chamber.

It was good to be back.