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DISCLAIMER: POWER RANGERS ZEO IS OWNED AND COPYRIGHTED BY SABAN ENTERTAINMENT. THIS STORY IS NONPROFITABLE. IF ANY CHARACTERS, OR IDEAS WERE USED, OR REUSED FROM SOMEONE ELSE'S STORY IT WAS A MERE COINCIDENCE. THIS STORY WAS MADE POSSIBLE ONLY BY THE POWER OF GOD, WHO HELPS ME AND INSPIRES ME WITH ALL THE DAY TO DAY CHALLENGES. PLEASE DON'T SUE!
P.S. THIS WILL BE THE LAST POWER RANGER STORY I WRITE. THANKS FOR LETTING ME BE A PART OF THE FANFIC WORLD AND LETTING ME SHARE MY HEART WITH ALL OF YOU. IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE PREVIOUS STORY YOUR GONNA BE REALLY LOST!

Why?
by Georgia Peach

The return of Jason brought a commotion to the other rangers. They were so glad to see him again... That Billy seemed to fall into the background. If the truth were told, Billy didn't mind this. He was really having a hard time with what had happened; that it was good no one was around. Even Leeza was so busy training she wasn't around that much.

A month had past since Jason had claimed the power. And it seemed to Billy that his power might never be returned. He was beginning to accept what had happened to him. But he still didn't understand why. And without Leeza to talk too he felt deserted.

He understood why she was so busy. Training for skating and all. But it was still hard not to be able to be with her anymore. She was always busy with something. So he finally decided to have a talk with her before she practiced... Maybe then they could work things out. But as he entered the Youth Center heading for the ice rink he couldn't help but feel a little jealous watching the other rangers having such a good time, when he felt so miserable. Life didn't really seem fair.

He walked into the arena to find Leeza was already on the ice. He felt rather disappointed at that moment. He had been fully prepared to talk with her and now. He didn't think he would have the courage to. She was working so had on the ice. How could he dare say something? He went up to the stands to watch her skate. And as he watched, he noticed something that troubled him. Leeza was looking different. She looked pale and rather thin. And something else. She always used to be alive on the ice. Would soar and jump as if she weighed a feather. Now she seemed to drag. As though it were her duty to be there rather than out of joy.

Practice ended and Leeza seemed as though she had to force herself to move off the ice. Billy walked up to her. Noticing how pale she really was. She looked drained and very tired. He gave a small gasp. From a distance he almost didn't recognize her. When he caught his breath he spoke sheepishly." Hi, Leeza."

Leeza looked up startled." Billy, I didn't know you were here. How long have you been here? I didn't see you." She seemed to be making up conversation. She knew she hadn't been around Billy lately. But she had been so busy and every time she had, had a chance she was so tired that she forgot all about him.

Billy saw her eyes and knew what she was thinking. He sat down next to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Which slowly lead to the lips. After a minute, the two pulled away. "I've missed those, and you." Billy said. "It's been awhile."

Leeza looked down to the floor almost afraid to look him in the eyes. She didn't know what to say to him. What could be said? " Billy, I-I'm sorry I haven't been around that much. Skating's just been so hard, and I've been so tired I couldn't even think straight. And Mondo hasn't been helping matters. Maybe he sees my weakness, maybe that's why he's attacking us so much lately. And I'll tell you another thing, I've sure missed working with you. Being with you and everything. I mean, Jason's nice, but I'd rather control a zord with you than him."

Billy chuckled, for the first time in weeks he realized later on. "Well I would have to agree with you there. It's been very lonely without you around lately. I feel so lost... Like a piece of me was missing. So, how you doing?"

Leeza shrugged." Okay I guess. Skating's doing all right. It's really hard though. I'm really tired lately."

"Why don't you take it easy for awhile?"

"Billy, I would love nothing more! But there are competitions, and shows, choreography, and so many other things I can't even think of. I don't have time to take a break." She sighed.

"Leeza, I know you love skating; but have you ever considered quitting?"

"What!" Leeza screeched. "Are you out of your mind!? Me give up skating! No way I've worked my whole life for this and now you want me to quit?"

"I didn't say I wanted you to quit I said have you ever thought about it. I mean if it's too much for you it's not worth it."

"How dare you say that to me!" Leeza jumped up." You haven't been around for almost a month and now you come and tell me what to do! What makes you think you have the right?" She shouted angrily.

"Leeza take it easy. I'm not saying that I just don't want to see you kill yourself over a silly sport." As soon as Billy said these words he wished he could take them back.

"Oh, like you almost getting killed by trying to finish a zord! Talk about silly at least my stuff makes sense." She grabbed her backpack and headed for the door." Until you get your act together don't call me!" She ran out of the arena and out of Billy's site.

Billy sighed and sat down on a bench." So much for talking things over." He put his head back against the wall hoping that something would come to him on how to get his life back together.

CHAPTER FIVE

A week later Billy was in his garage when he got a phone call. One, which he wished he never would have gotten. It was from Tommy. Leeza had been skating had fallen and hit her head very hard into the boards. She had a severe concussion, and the chances of her surviving were slim.

He remained frozen in place for several minutes when he hung up. He had felt very strongly something like this would happen. The last time he had seen Leeza had been their argument, the week before. They had ended on bad terms and he hadn't been able to talk it over with her. Now he may never have the chance.

As he finally moved from his standing place he realized that he had been so stupid! He had been focusing on such small and petty things. If he had let his pride down, gone to Leeza, and talked with her she might not be hurt right now. But now all he could do was go and be beside her during this time, and pray that she would be all right.


Three days past and still no change. It turned out Leeza had been an anorexic for almost two months. Her body was seriously malnourished and her ankle was broken. She had a severe concussion and continued to lurk in a state of utter unconsciousness. The other rangers had visited; it had been very difficult when Jason had stopped by but Billy was really too busy worrying about Leeza to bother with him.

Jason was really more worried about Billy than Leeza. Billy was not talking to anyone, and you could barely get him to eat anything. Besides since Jason's return he had only seen Billy maybe three times. It wasn't like Billy not to come visit the others. Something was defiantly up. And Jason was determined to find out.

He walked into Leeza's hospital room." Hey Billy."

Billy immediately tensed up. Jason was the last person he wanted to see." What is it Jason," he said rather coldly.

Jason knew what this meant." We need to talk."

"Do we?" Billy's voice sounded as though he was being forced to reply.

"Yeah I think we do. How about we go for a walk?" Jason was trying but Billy wasn't making this any easier.

"I want to stay here with Leeza."

"Billy, I'm sure going for a five minute walk will be okay. You've been cooped up in here for almost four days you need to get out for a few minutes." Jason persisted.

"Fine." Billy gave in reluctantly. He didn't want to go but obviously Jason wasn't gonna leave until he talked with Billy. So he'd put up with it for awhile.

Out in the hall an astrained silence reigned between those two, which both thought would never end. "So what do you want to talk about?" Billy just wanted it done and over with so he could go back and be with Leeza.

"About you," Jason said slowly." What's up?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about." He said staring out the window.

"Billy." Jason stopped by the window too. "Lately you've been distant...you' ve only seen me maybe three times and every other time we run into each other you totally ignore me. Why are you avoiding me so much? I've known you since like forever. I know when something's up. What is it?"

Billy continued to stare out the window. Should he tell Jason the truth? Should he tell him why he's so angry? It was really bothering him. Maybe he should just get it off his chest and get it over with.

"Can I tell you the honest to goodness truth Jason? Can I?"

"Billy, you could tell me that you hate me...But I just want to know why."

"Why! I'll tell you why!" Billy turned around quickly, angry covering his face. " You come here steal my powers and my friends and I'm supposed to be thrilled about it! You've done this twice! First taking the power as the gold ranger now stealing my power! In fact you've stolen both from me! And I'm supposed to be happy about it!"

Jason lowered his head. So this was way Billy was always avoiding him! Jason didn't know what to do. How was he supposed to address this? Any comment could set him off and Jason could possible loose his friendship forever. If he already hadn't.

"Billy? Can I be open with you for a second?"

"Whatever."

"Look, Billy." Jason tried, putting his hand on Billy's shoulder." I never wanted to take your powers. I would never do that. Twice I have been called to receive them. If I had it my way I would have let you keep them. Tommy has told me a lot about you. How you've changed and stuff."

"What did he tell you?" Billy demanded, shifting uncomfortably.

"About you finding Christ."

Billy turned and for the first time in months met Jason's eye." You say those words as if you know Him too."

"I do." Jason said." When we were at the Peace Conference one of those Christian Missionary things came in. I went to one of the gatherings, fell in love with the Lord and have been on my journey since than." Jason's eyes glowed. They looked so familiar to Billy. Than he looked deeper and realized that was the same look he always had when he talked about Christ.

Billy lowered his eyes. What had happened to him? Before he was in Jason's steps...and now he couldn't even remember what it felt like to know God in that personal intimate way. It seemed to have vanished from his life. What had he done? Why couldn't he feel Christ love over him anymore? He pondered this for a second. Perhaps it was like that prose, "Footsteps". When that person was at his weakest moments and said he couldn't see the Lord with him it was then that Christ carried you the most. Maybe that's what was happening. God was carried him through his trail and weakness. It sure didn 't feel like it, it seemed as though no one cared about him anymore.

He finally looked back into Jason's eyes. "I'm sorry Jason. I guess I just needed someone to dump on." He slumped to the floor." I just don't understand anything anymore!"

"What is it you don't understand? Tell me about it, I want to help." Jason pleaded. At least he was beginning to reach Billy that was important.

"Why everything's happening! I just don't understand...my life used to make sense it doesn't anymore! Why did God have to allow these things to happen? All of it, He can do anything, why was this allowed to happen!" Billy started shouting, but ending with a sob.

"Billy." Jason began." I understand how you feel. Tommy told me all about what happened. About the virus, Leeza told me about when you and her went on your quest, and about last month. It's understand-able why you feel the way you do. I just wish there was a way to help to take away your hurt."

"You wanna help me?" Billy asked with a flash in his eyes.

"Yes."

Billy lowered his head. "Then tell me why. Why did all this happen? Why did He allow it? Can you answer that one for me?"

"No, I can't. But you shouldn't blame God for this. "

"What! He's supposedly in charge of the universe right? So why couldn't He have stopped this from happening? Answer that one for me."

"Billy, you're right, but He chose for some reason that this should happen. I can't tell you why; He feels for some reason that this had to happen. I know that sounds like a lame excuse but it's what I feel to be the truth."

"It doesn't help me Jason; it doesn't give me an reason for this."

"Billy, God has His reasons are you really gonna question what He wants for your life?"

" Jason, I'm not I just want to know why He let's these things happen. Is that so much to ask? Is it?" Billy said tears running down. He was so filled with emotion he didn't know what to do. So many things were surfacing so many things happening to him that he just didn't understand! Life didn't make sense anymore nothing made sense.

"I don't know why things like this happen Billy. If I knew I'd tell you...but I don't." Jason reached into his pocket and pulled something out of it. " Listen to this tape; I think it might help. See you later." And than Jason was gone.

Billy glanced at the tape. There wasn't any writing on it so he what was on it. He pulled himself up and went to Leeza. She seemed all right. He hoped that she wouldn't be angry at what he was about to do. He walked to the stairway and headed outside.

He needed to get away h needed to think. He just had to clear his head and think. He got in his car and drove off as far as he could. He finally stopped when he was who knows where. He looked at the tape in the passengers ' seat, picked it up, and put it in the cassette player.

As the music began to play he started to laugh. He knew this song very well. It was "Why?" by 4HIM. How very appropriate right now! But as he thought the words over, he wondered if perhaps this song had been written for him.

They say that into every life some
Rain must fall
For the pain is no respecter of the
Mighty or the small
But sometimes it just seems so
Unfair
To see the One who's had more
Than his share
Oh it makes you wonder why
And Lord I wouldn't second guess
Your mighty plan
For I know you have a purpose
That's beyond the scope of man
If you look inside my heart you will
Find
That I have always been the
Trusting kind
Oh but still I wonder

Why do they rainy days have to
Come
When the storm clouds hide the
Sun
I wanna know why
Why when the reasons aren't clear
To me
When it all is a mystery
I want to know why
And though down here I may not
Understand
I won't let go of the Unseen Hand
For it holds the reasons why
The Lord has never been afraid
Of honest prayers
And He won't allow the burden to
Be more than you can bear
When he knows that your trust is
In Him
He doesn't mind the questions now
And than
Even if you wonder

Why do they rainy days have to
Come
When the storm clouds hide the
Sun
I wanna know why
Why when the reasons aren't clear
To me
When it all is a mystery
I want to know why
And though down here I may not
Understand
I won't let go of the Unseen Hand
For it holds the reasons why
As the song finished Billy found himself beginning to cry once again. It's amazing how you can hear a song tons of times, but you hear it once and it just hits you. After just sitting there for at least ten minutes he began to see some things more clearly. He began to see his life laid before him and all the bad things that had happened to him along with all the good and beautiful things.

Sometimes in life when the troubles hit us really hard, it's difficult to see the good out of it. To see the good things that are still brought your way. It's hard to know that there is happiness and you sometimes forget what happiness is. But that is why you have to rely on God. He is the only one who can do it for you. Even though at times it's hard to believe He's even there for you. It's like everyone's deserted you especially God. They say to keep the faith. The one question is how can you keep the faith if you no longer have any faith to keep? And is there any way to get that faith back again?

These were the many things going through Billy's mind at that moment. Everything that had ever happened to him came rushing to a head. And suddenly a wave of guilt hit him. He should never have been mad at Jason or Leeza. Neither one of them had anything to do with what was happening to him. All this time they had been trying the best they could to be there for him and he had just pushed them farther and farther away.

He knew what he had to do know. He had to let go of his bitterness towards Jason, towards life. It was hard to do. It had hurt him so much realizing that he had lost his powers. He even had to admit that he had been angry with Leeza over this. She had been the one to remove his power. She had started all this. Than he had blamed himself saying that if he had listened to Leeza and stopped working on the jet cycle this wouldn't have happened. Now he realized that there was nothing that could have been done and nothing that could have prevented it. It just happened and nothing could have been done about it. Now he just had to live his life and carry on. No more bitterness...no more anger at other people. Just live his life to the fullest that God had planned for him and hope that he lives this with God by his side helping him with each step.

CHAPTER SIX

He arrived back at the hospital with an anxious Katherine running to meet him. It was the first time he had seen her in 3-4 weeks. She had cut her hair up to her chin. Talk about a change! But all of the rangers were changing. They were all growing up from being teens to adults. They were all planning on starting new lives come fall. Perhaps that was why some of the rangers were clinging to one another they felt themselves being torn away from one another from their past, from everything they knew. They weren't really of coarse. But when close friends start to grow away from us even in just a small way we feel left out and it seems impossible to go on with our lives.

When Katherine reached him she was completely out of breath. For a moment Billy thought something serious was wrong. Could Leeza possible have taken a turn for the worst? Could the time she had needed him he wasn't there for her?

"Billy." Kat gasped. She had run from the fourth floor to the bottom floor when she had seen Billy's car pulling in. "Leeza's all right-She woke up fifteen minutes ago."

Billy stood there holding Kat's arm in complete shock. Could it be true? Could Leeza be all right? It seemed impossible to believe! Like someone was just playing a very nasty joke on him again. He just couldn't believe it.

"Billy? Are you all right?" The total quietness and sudden paleness to Billy did not make Katherine feel assured.

"Yeah I'm ok." He finally spoke, but with a voice foreign to his own." Leeza's ok?"

Kat giggled." Yes, She's awake want to go see her?"

"Yeah." He mumbled.


Two hours later Leeza was sleeping comfortably, as Billy sat there watching her. The two of them had talked about some things. She was too weak to talk for long, but she was no longer angry with him. The one thing that had gotten him was what had made her forgive him. She had said that the afternoon after their fight she had been really angry. But just as she was going to go to the Power Chamber and tell Zordon she was quitting cause she didn't want to deal with Billy anymore, she heard a song on the radio. "To Forgive" by Al Denson. The words froze her like an arctic breeze. It began:
Well I have never been the kind
To let too many get behind
The wall that I have built around my heart
And now I find myself afraid
And feeling like I've been betrayed
By one that I have trusted from the start
But friends are only human and at times
They're gonna fall
But when it hurts the most is when they
Need you most of all

To forgive
Is to reach out to your brother
As one friend to another
No matter what the cost
To forgive
Is to leave the past behind you
And pray tomorrow finds you
Stronger for the journey
As everyday we're learning
To forgive

It was another place and time
When I had failed a friend of mine
And there was no one else to take the
Blame
But when he could have turned away
Somehow he found the strength to stay
His love for me was stronger than the pain
In light of all his mercy it's much easier to
See
That even from the cross the Lord was calling
You and me

To forgive
Is to reach out to your brother
As one friend to another
No matter what the cost
To forgive
Is to leave the past behind you
And pray tomorrow finds you
Stronger for the journey
As everyday we're learning
To forgive
As Billy sung the words to this song over and over in his mind he thought of their great meaning. Finally he realized the meaning to them. That no matter how many times you get hurt or are hurt you should forgive. That does not mean the pain towards that person will go away. It just means that you decided to let go of it put it in God's hands for Him to deal with. And to let Him give you the graces to let go of that hurt and anger within yourself. Easier said than done of course. But God would work that out in time. Now Billy knew what he had to do. He had to go see Jason and say how sorry he was.
The next afternoon Billy walked into the Youth Center for the first time since talking with Leeza in the ice arena. He saw Jason standing in the corner waiting for his chance to spare with Adam. Billy walked up to him slowly, but calmly somehow maintaining his self-composure.

"Jason, could I talk with you for a sec?"

"Sure." Jason was a bit surprised. He hadn't talked with Billy for a few days and he wasn't sure how he was doing. But he went anyway." Rocky take my place with Adam ok?" "Sure thing, man!" Shouted Rocky over the newest arcade.

The two walked outside in silence. It was very quiet, only the sounds of the light wind breezing by.

"Jason." Billy began." I'm sorry for yelling at you the other day and blaming you for taking my powers. It had nothing to do with you, it just happened. I just couldn't live with that; I needed a reason for this. I had no right to blame you for that. It was a copout, a way to divert myself from looking at the truth. I'm truly sorry and I hope you'll forgive me."

Billy looked at Jason with a solemn face, awaiting his answer. Jason just shook his head. He was glad Billy had discovered the truth about himself and about what was happening to him. That perhaps God had a greater plan for him than to be a ranger. "Billy, you're my friend. I understand where you were at and with everything you've been going through the past year it's understandable why you were so upset. Of course you're forgiven. Don't worry about it, ok?"

Billy nodded his head," Thanks. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't given me that tape to listen to. It really made me think about a lot of things."

"No problem. Billy, listen to me. I'll always be there for you. You're my friend and I care about what happens to you. Don't shut me out, ok?"

"Alright."

"So. When does Leeza get out of the hospital?" Jason asked.

"End of the week. Uh, Jason... I think you better get in there and safe Rocky from Adam or he'll be the next one in the hospital!"

Jason broke out laughing." Yeah I guess we wouldn't want that!" Even so, the two walked rather slowly back to the Youth Center.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Three weeks later, all the rangers were summoned to the Power Chamber without any known reason. Alpha had just said to get there as soon as they could and that it was urgent. Afraid that the silence of the Machine Empire had ended they all headed there awaiting the newest devastation.

Tommy paced around waiting for the others to arrive. For some reason Zordon and Alpha refused to tell him why they had been called. Zordon said he wanted everyone there to hear it. It was really annoying.

"Tommy, stop pacing like that you're wearing a path in the floor." Kat joked.

He glared at her. "I'm just alittle worried about what Mondo is up to. Zordon couldn't you please tell me what is going on? What if he's already destroyed half of Angel Grove?"

"Tommy, have I ever lead you or the rangers in the wrong direction?"

Tommy lowered his head." No," he mumbled.

"Than please trust my judgment."

Tommy sighed to himself. He knew he had to trust what Zordon said. But it still made him mad. He felt that if anyone were to be hurt or have anything happen to them it would be his fault. He had done a lot of bad things when he had been the green ranger. He felt he had a lot to make up for.

Five more minutes past before the others arrived. Quickly explaining what had taken them so long. "Are you aware what a teacher must think in a major examination to hear a beeping sound and realize it's you who's making that sound! I thought I was gonna be dispelled!" Leeza exclaimed.

Kat laughed. It was so nice now that Leeza was around more. When she had been skating so much she had only seen her when they had been called on. Now that Leeza had quit competitive skating she was around a lot more, even though her college was a tough one.

"That's nothing! You should've seen my boss at the radio! I thought he was gonna fire me for sure having that on air! He looked at me like, 'what in heaven's name are you doing?' it was kinda funny." Tanya ended with a mischievous smile.

"So what's up?" Adam asked.

"That's what I've been trying to find out!" Tommy shouted in exasperation.

Jason chuckled." Yeah Zordon, we're all here. What is this big secret?"

"Rangers," Zordon began." First of all there is no danger or problem in Angel Grove." Rangers exchange confused glances." Remember a few days ago when we had that severe thunderstorm? It turns out it was more than an act of Nature. The Machine Empire had been multiplying their resources making them larger and larger. They also had untied with some of the major villains in the universe to make one power and to destroy us. They put it into one basic holding place. They absorbed so much power that it turned on them and backfired at the holding place and destroying all of the villains in the universe. What I am saying is. There is no more reason for the power rangers to exist."

"What?" Jason said." I don't understand."

"All evil villains were destroyed, there is no reason for us anymore, good has won the war." Alpha explained.

"So it's over? All these years, all this time? It's done? Over? Finished? I can't believe it." Billy finally spoke after being quiet all this time.

"Believe it." Alpha encouraged.

"What about you? What's to become of you two?" Tanya asked.

"Alpha and I will stay in a rested state." He saw the look of confusion on the ranger's faces." Basically we will be in a form of sleep until then next form of trouble arises."

"Will we still be able to see you?" Billy asked anxiously. It sounded silly but Alpha and Zordon were really close friends to him. He had known them for almost four years. They had help see him through some hard times and it seemed impossible to say goodbye to them.

"I'm afraid so Billy. Tomorrow will be the day we go into resting. You'll have to get all your stuff out today." Alpha said, if can be said of a robot, in a very sadden voice.

"Oh. Umm...could you help me collect the stuff? I have a lot." Billy tried so hard not to stutter it out.

"Sure, you ladies stay in here and we'll do the rest of the place." Tommy stated walking out of the room with the others.


At home that evening Billy was trying to put his stuff someplace in his garage. He never realized how much stuff he had, had at the Power Chamber. He might have to rent out some room there was so much stuff. Leeza was there helping to unpack some things. Since they had gotten back no words had been spoken between the two.

Leeza lifted another box on the table and started unpacking it. She didn't mind helping Billy but it would be much easier if he just talked to her. He had been quiet for hours. And when he had talked it had been colder then the arctic. She knew he was upset about Alpha and Zordon. He probably would never see them again. But life had to go on after them. Life continues, even for those who refuse to live in it. Finally she got the courage to say something.

"Billy, can we talk?"

Billy stiffened. The last thing he wanted to do was talk. He was very upset. He had known that one day he would have to say goodbye to Zordon and Alpha but he had never imagined it would be so soon. And he never imagined the goodbye would be forever. But he knew he had to talk with her otherwise she wouldn't leave him alone.

He cleared his throat. "Talk about what?"

"About today." She began.

"I don't get what you're talking about."

"Oh for heaven's sake Billy! You just said goodbye to some dear friends that you've know for four years! And you let go of something that helped you change into a better person. You've gotta be upset. I am and I only knew them for not even a year!"

"Well, I'm not upset so let's drop it ok?" This was the last thing he wanted or needed to talk about.

But Leeza wouldn't take no for an answer." Billy you've gotta talk about this and I'm not gonna leave you alone till you do. A lot of things have changed for you in the past few months. I think you need to talk about it."

"Leeza, I don't wanna talk about this ok. Haven't I been through enough today?"

"Yes you have. That's why I want you to talk! To get it out, let me help you. I care for you Billy. I need to know you're gonna be ok."

That was it. He couldn't take it anymore. He tried to maintain himself but a sob got caught in his throat as he started to speak and the tears began to fall. Everything that had happened to him over the past few months was suddenly coming to ahead. So many loses so many hurts all at one time. It seemed too much for him to bear. But than he realized that he was not bearing it on his own...he had Leeza there to comfort him and above all he had God there to see him there the troubles and get him across to the other side.

"Why is it so hard for me to believe?" He slowly started after a long silence.

"Cause it always seemed that they would be there...and now they're gone."

"I just can't find it even possible that they are gone or how I'll even be able to get on without them around. I know it sounds silly...but I've known them for awhile. And they helped me through a lot of stuff. I just can't forget them for the rest of my life." He blurted out trying to sustain the tears.

"Billy, I know they are a part of you they always will be...but you have to continue with life. Perhaps this happened because it's time for us to move on in life, to see what God has planned for our lives. If we were to just stay here and I know you would as long as the rangers were around. We may never discover what our life holds."

"Wow, wow wait a minute. What do you mean by ¬we'?"

Leeza blushed." Well. I just thought you and I would stay together for awhile and see what things held for us keep dating. You know."

"Yeah I have the oddest feeling you won't wanna just leave it with plan old dating...so does this mean you wanna move into my house or something?"

"No! Of coarse not! I just meant to keep on dating one another and keeping a close friendship I didn't mean that! And you know it's not right..."

"Leeza, I was just teasing you of coarse I know it's wrong for men and women to live together before they are married... I was just seeing how you'd react. Man was it funny!" He started laughing.

"Well! I glad you found it humorous Mr. Cranston! Cause I didn't!"

"Oh calm down! Can't you take a joke? I understand what you're saying and it makes sense. It just doesn't seem like it right now." He said his voice growing lower.

"You know Billy, you really gotta clean this place up it's starting to look like the city dump!"

"Excuse me? We're moving like twenty something boxes in here in one day I think it looks pretty good!"

"What's a matter Billy? Can't you take a joke?"

He went to say something than broke out laughing." You always gotta have it end on you, don't you?"

"Yep!"

"Yeah, well end it dusting, Miss Romone."

CHAPTER EIGHT

A week later the eight former rangers met at the Youth Center, to discuss some old things, and mostly where they were headed. Previously many of the rangers had given up chances for some great things in their lives because of being rangers, now without that responsibility they had the chance to go and do whatever they wanted.

"I know what I'm gonna do!" Rocky said leaning back in his chair.

"Yeah, what's that?" Tommy asked.

"Are you kidding? After working this hard for the past few years! I'm gonna go to a pool, lie on the lounge chair for at least a year...from there I 'll have to think.

"Won't we be in trouble in then." Emily whispered to the girls.

"I heard that Emily!" Rocky shouted.

"What about you Adam? Where you gonna head?" Tommy inquired.

"Hmm. I'm not really sure. I've thought about a professional position in my uncle's karate studio. He's willing to give it to me. So that might be it. But I'm finishing college first."

"That's a good idea. What about you Tanya? Gonna take that singing offer?" Kat asked.

Tanya sighed." I'm not really sure. Part of me wants to, and part of me doesn't. I mean it's a great thing. But that means I'd be so far away from you guys most of the time. I'm not sure I want that."

"Well, I know I'm gonna be far away." Jason stated.

"What do you mean? You gonna do the Peace Conference again?" Adam asked.

"No. You guys aren't gonna believe this. But I've decided to do Missions."

"What? What's that?" Rocky asked totally confused.

"You wanna become a Missionary?" Leeza blurted out in shock.

Jason nodded." Yeah. I mean if they hadn't had a Missionary when I was in Switzerland, I might not be a Christian right now. I feel it's my way of paying it back."

"Well... umm I have to be honest Jason I can't really picture you as a Missionary. But if it's what you feel you should do...than go for it." Tommy encouraged.

"Thanks. What about you Tommy what are you gonna do?" Jason asked sipping his soda.

Tommy shrugged." I have no idea! I'll probably go through college. Than probably teach Martial Arts. Nothing else really interests me as much. And honestly I enjoy teaching. So that'll probably be what my life will consist of. Ok who have we missed...Ah Kat what about you? You gonna go to England?"

Kat nodded." Yes. I've already made arrangements. I'll be leaving in two weeks."

"That soon?" Leeza was shocked this was just too much!

"Yep. Now remember I was invited to that place almost a year ago, I'm lucky they'll still accept me. But they said it was ok. Now Leeza what about you? I know you've quit skating so what are you gonna do?"

"Well. I think for right now I'll coach, in between college classes. After that who knows! Maybe discover some great artifact for the world of science! Like what lies underneath Billy's lab tables."

Everyone started laughing! It wasn't just that it was funny, the way Leeza had made her face look so serious was just beyond control! "

Alright, alright. That's enough! Why does everyone wanna pick on me lately?"

"Cause your just pickable?" Rocky stated.

Billy started at him." I'm gonna get you for that!"

"Well actually what about you? What are you gonna do now?" Adam asked.

"Hmm, I don't know. Obviously something scientific. I'll finish college and see where I go from there. I'll probably just continue to invent things and have Leeza next to me, saying what I'm doing wrong." She shot him a look." Hey you started it."

"You're lucky your friends are here!" She lightly shouted.

"Uh huh." He mumbled.

"It's so weird you know." Kat began.

"What do you mean?" Tanya asked.

"Well. It's just who would have thought that after two and a half years of working together we'd be leaving this way. I mean I understand that we would say goodbye one day, but I didn't think it would be like this. I mean we are literally gonna be spread across the world. It's hard to believe that we'll be so far apart. I don't wanna lose you. You're my closest friends."

"Katherine. I understand what you're saying. But it's time for us to go our own ways in life. We'll keep in touch. But we just have to go the way that God wants us to in this life. Besides some of us will still be together through college right?" Leeza stated.

"I guess. But still. It won't be for very long. It's just hard to believe that we're going to be saying goodbye at all even for a little while. I guess I'll adjust. It's just gonna be hard to say goodbye." Kat said lowering her voice.

"But we won't." Tommy began." As long as we stay in touch and keep the memory of these things in our lives. We won't say goodbye or leave. We'll always be near one another, there for one another. Billy told me that the communicators still work. So no matter where we are, we can still talk with each other. We have to live our lives right now, and see what we can make of them."

"The power rangers will always live on in our hearts. It doesn't matter whether they do or do not exist. Let's go outside for a minute. I wanna play something for you." Jason stated.

They all headed outside to his car, waiting for the song to start. "So who is this?" Rocky asked.

"It's Michael W. Smith. The song is Pray for Me. I think it kinda resembles what we're talking about." He put the tape in and turned up the volume. The lyrics sang out:

Here is where the road divides
Here is where we realize
The sculpting of the Father's great design
Thru' time you've been a friend to me
But time is now the enemy
I wish we didn't have to say goodbye
But I know the road He chose for me
Is not the road He chose for you
So as we chase the dreams we're after

Pray for me and I'll pray for you
Pray that we will keep the common ground
Won't you pray for me and I'll pray for you
And one day love will bring us around again

Painted on our tapestry
We see the way it has to be
Weaving thru' the laughter and the tears
But love will be the tie that binds us
To the time we leave behind us
Memories will be our souvenirs
And I know that thru it all
The hardest part of love is letting go
But there's a greater love that holds us

I know love will bring us back around again

As the song closed, the eight close friends formed a circle, placed their hands on top of one another and shouted." Power Rangers!"

END