AN: Repost from fanfiction dot com. I'll write more chapters too, and finish this story possibly! tysm

_______

Marah gets to her feet thanks to Dustin's help. She's still gazing at her feet sheepishly when she hears him speak.

"What's this?"

Before she could jump at him and grab her book that has fallen to the ground, Dustin begins to flip through it.

"It's a sketch book?"

He asks, a little taken aback. The pictures in there are all colorful hand-drawn sketches, each looking vivid and lively.

"Cousin Cam wanted me to sketch those Aliens I saw that day. I was about to show him the sketch of Bazirg- ohh!"

She trails off, almost yelping in the end upon realizing something. Not all the sketches in there are meant for public viewing. She snatches the book from him but it's already too late. Dustin has seen most of her sketches, there were quite a few sketches of him as well, one in ranger outfit, one when he had saved her at the race track, one portraying the anguish in his eyes when she had stabbed him in the back during the Beevil incident and a latest portrait of him looking at her with angry eyes (might have been from when he snapped at her when she showed up in the Ninja Ops).

Marah closes the book and looks away. From the looks on his face, the ex-yellow ranger looks almost embarrassed. It's nothing compared to hers though. He has seen them, all of her drawings. What will he think of her now? That she's obsessed with him? That she's madly in love with him? May be not, because in there were numerous sketches of Kapri making all sorts of funny faces as well.

Marah opens a random page, pointing to one of the sketches she says,

"It's more like a journal. I try to portray some.. important events happening day to day."

She still doesn't look him in the eye and he finds it cute. He chides himself mentally before replying.

"You sure seem like a good artist."

He couldn't help but say it aloud. That makes her smile.

"Thanks. Drawing helped me to keep myself distracted on that ship."

"Never knew you could do something like this-" Dustin shakes his head, almost smiling back at her.

"And why not? My sister isn't as stupid as everyone thinks.." says a familiar voice.

"That's not what I-" Dustin is cut off as Marah lets out a squeal of delight.

"Kapri!" Marah exclaims, "What brings you here? I mean.. I'm glad to see you!"

"Cousin Cam found me right away," Kapri turns to look at Cam who's a step behind her. After exchanging a quick hug with Marah, she turns to him.

"I'll be staying here for a while and you're all protecting sis, we owe you one."

Cam laughs and shakes his head, "it's nothing. Like I said, we're family."

The three of them share a group hug and Dustin suddenly feels out of place.

"I should get going..." he mumbles to no one in particular and marches away. Unknown to him, Marah's eyes are glued onto his back, she bites her lip to stop herself from calling his name and tries to focus on what Cam and Kapri say.

.

.

.

.

That night, during dinner, the Ops is more lively than ever. The gang is seen discussing recent issues.

Hunter- "Man, I'm stressed."

Dustin- "Dude, me too. I'm beat. I can feel it my nerves. No, in my body. Ugh! Does it make any sense?"

Tori- "Only to you, Dusty."

Dustin- "Hey! What's that supposed to mean?"

Cam- "It means we all need a break."

Shane- "Yeah, like we need to take a day off, something like that. Is it possible Cam?"

Cam- "Why not? It'll be a much needed breather for us 'cause things might soon get hectic."

Hunter- "Yeah, I know what you mean. It's like relax while you still can, huh. Never know when danger's gonna pop in."

Dustin- "Let's hit the beach. What do you say guys? Just like when we were rangers?"

Hunter- "I'm feeling nostalgic and it's bad for my health. But still, it sounds great. What do you say Blake?"

Blake looks up from his plate. He's been staring at his meal the whole time which doesn't go unnoticed by his brother.

Blake- "You're right. This whole alien and Samurai thingie is giving me the creeps."

Blake gives him a genuine smile. Hunter sighs out of relief as he plops down beside his brother.

Blake- "What? Were you that worried?"

Hunter- "Of course I worry about my moody little brother all the time."

Hunter bumps his shoulder with Blake's.

"Hey, now, I'm not always moody okay." Blake snaps.

"Oh, so you admit you're moody sometimes."

"Whatever."

With a shrug of his shoulders Blake returns to eating his sushi balls. It's true that he had been a little upset about certain things but he wasn't the type to get obsessed over his problems.

Blake- "May be we all should go motocrossing next. Dustin?"

Blake looks to the ex-yellow ranger, who scarfs down last piece of his dinner to join the conversation.

Dustin- "Yeah. That sounds awesome. I've upgraded my bike last week and I just can't wait to try how it goes."

Marah who's been silent all the time watches Dustin as he chatters excitedly with the Bradley brothers. He sure loves moto-crossing she muses before hearing someone clearing his throat. Oh crap! She's been staring at Dustin the whole time, how embarrassing!

She turns to the voice and it's Cam.

"You're coming too..." Cam states with a smile.

"We are?" Kapri who's an earshot away asks incredulously.

Cam- "Of course you are. We're on the same side now."

The sisters give him a huge smile and hug him in unison. It's a welcome change for the two of them and they are happy.

"You're all exempted from performing your duties tomorrow," Sensei who had given his silent acknowledgment now declares, "enjoy yourselves and don't forget you have responsibilities there after."

Everyone bow to Sensei and thank him as he leaves.

Shane returns to his seat where he picks up a plate. Although he's in no mood to eat, his stomach seemed to have chosen to betray it.

He fiddles with his fork, playing with his doughnut when Tori comes from behind.

"Want me to feed it to you?"

Shane looks at her, surprise marking his face now turning into amusement.

"You're gonna... what?"

He asks with a chuckle.

"What you heard," Tori sits next to him, a smile on her face.

"Oh come on! You can't be serious."

"I am, Cadet Clark- ahem I mean, Sensei Clark, it's now my duty to see that you're well fed."

"And just who ordered you to watch over me?"

"Who else, Sensei is worried too you know. And besides, I don't need anyone telling me to look after my best friend."

Shane shakes his head, chuckling once again, "oh I'm not a kid okay, honestly Tor, you should stop mothering me or you're boyfriend over there is gonna be really jealous...!"

"My.. What?" Tori looks behind her back to find Blake staring at the duo.

"Hey." Blake says sheepishly, having been caught.

"Hi.." Tori gets up to greet him, turning around.

"And now you can stop fussing over me, Tor, haha..." Shane laughs.

Tori doesn't know what's so funny but she's a bit embarrassed that Blake has witnessed her exchange with Shane.

Blake now is standing in front of her, a small smile on his face.

It's strange how she can talk about anything with Shane while with Blake she's running out of words. It hasn't been like that with the latter though. They hit it off really well and she wanted to go out with him. She still does though, does she?

"Um.. so Blake, What's up?"

Shane bursts out laughing at this exchange.

"oops, my bad, sorry. I know it's rude. But that expression on your face Tori..."

Tori turns to Shane as he continues to laugh.

"Hey! Cut it. You can't even see my face."

"Haha. True but I know you too well and... you're making that face again... pfftt hahaha..."

"Shane Clarke, laugh while you can. Because in a few moments..."

She takes a doughnut in her hand and stuffs it in his mouth, "you won't be able to laugh!"

It's her turn to laugh as Shane now tries to speak while chewing the huge doughnut that Cam has made especially for him..

"mmm not mm fair.."

"Serves you. And good for me, I got you to eat as well. Now for the second one here..."

"Hey hold on!" Shane says finally finding his voice, " I'll eat it myself, thanks."

"That's like a good boy."

"Thanks Momma..."

The duo glance at each other for a few moments and then they burst out laughing again.

When Tori finally turns around to look at Blake, he's no where to be found. She watches Shane finish his dinner. They chat for a bit. Shane asks her to go after Blake.

Later that night, Tori tries to find Blake in his room but no one answers when she knocks.

"I hope he didn't feel left out..."

.

.

.

The next day....

The cool sea breeze feels soothing after long hours they spent at the Race track. Dustin and the Bradley brothers had gone motocrossing, Shane went to skate while Tori and Cam hit the beach early with Marah and Kapri.

The gang now fully assembled watches the sunset as they play in the water. They have snacks and are relaxing in the sand when it happens.

A thunder roars in the sky. Black clouds appear out of nowhere, casting a dark shadow over the area scaring the people around.

"What the heck-"

Something, some random objects land just before their eyes and the ex-rangers have to rub their eyes twice before confirming what they are.

"kelzaks!" Dustin exclaims.

Shane- "I can't believe my eyes!"

Tori- "You know what this means?"

"Our fun ends and battle begins here."

The kelzaks all lunge at the ex-rangers, some of them firing off their laser guns.

Blake- "Shit! they're armed!"

Hunter- "I hate how we can't even morph!"

Shane- "No time to complain guys, lets take them down, the nija style! Hyahhh!"

Shane yells before running to knock down a Kalzak, the others nod and follow suit.

"Marah, Kapri, take cover...." Cam yells to his cousins.

"We'll help," with a shake of their heads, the girls dwell into the battle with the kelzaks they're so familiar with.

Marah kicks a Kalzak in the stomach laying it flat. The girls share a high-five before returning to task at hand.

"There are more coming!" hunter yells pointing out the sky.

Sure enough, more and more kelzaks begin to launch an attack on the ex-rangers.

Dustin- "We're out numbered! Shit!"

Hunter- "And we don't even have powers, ugh!"

Shane- "Keep holding them off, guys!"

the gang encourages each other and keep fighting.

Marah takes down another Kelzak with her bare hands and that's when someone yells-

Voice- "Watch out!"

Strong arms pull her out of harm's way. She realizes she's just missed being the target of a high power laser beam just by hair's breadth, followed by another realization of being in someone's arms, someone she knew so well.

"Oh..." she looks up at him and there he is, holding off three kelzaks while keeping her safe in his arms, the brave ex- yellow ranger, Dustin Brooks.

"ow.." she winces a little as he twists her suddenly to hit another attacking enemy. His grip on her is still firm. Even with the chaos around, she feels safe and in the heart of hearts she wishes he would never let her go. A warm feeling floods her chest and she knows it can be only be love.

Dustin keeps fending off the enemies but they just keep coming. His chest suddenly feels tight, he huffs taking a deep breath and the warmth in his arms feels almost overwhelming. He looks down at her. Why is it that he has taken her in his arms? And why is it that he can't seem to let her go. For a moment he locks his eyes with hers but the foes pouring in won't give him much time.

"Keep fighting!" Shane yells, although he seems tired himself.

"Shane," Tori runs to him, out of breath, " there are just too many! We can't- How will we?"

Shane pauses mid-fight to look at her, "are you okay?"

"I am. But I don't think I can be for a long time-" Tori lunges back into fighting, running, kicking kelzaks and dodging laser beams.

Blake watches this exchange out of the corner of his eye. But he's held back to run after her. And to his dismay, Shane gets to her before he does.

"I'll cover for you."

"Shane.." Tori smiles at him, " thanks."

"We're a team and we're best friends."

Shane returns the smile and back to back, they resume fighting when suddenly the kelzaks all disappear.

"They're gone!" Dustin exclaims finally releasing Marah.

Hunter- "We're the only ones left here on the beach."

Tori- "Hey! Look!"

everyone looks up at the sky and there's an opening, something that looks like a wormhole from one of those fictional stories. Soon they spot an Alien space ship and then a hologram featuring a mean looking Alien-

"Bazirg!" Marah exclaims in horror as Dustin once again wraps his arms around her. Bazirg is a rather mean looking alien, his greenish face uglier than any of the wicked aliens they had taken down.

Bazirg- "I hope you all have liked the trailer. You rangers can't even take down my minions. You will not be able to save this planet. Stand in my way and you're doomed! Doomed! Ahahaha!"

.

.

.

.

FIN!

.

.

.

AN: phew! That's it. I hope you guys liked it. Took me nearly a month to finish. Life has become lot hectic and I miss writing.

Dang!

My heart feels full now that I updated :)

Thanks.

NEXT: Shane has a nightmare. Marah has plan for Rangers? Stay tuned!