Casting Stones – Epilogue

by

Dagmar Buse

"Unca Tommy!"

With a squeal of delight, Robin squirmed out of his mother's grasp, dashed through the barely-opened door past a startled Kimberly and launched himself at the long legs of his Dad's best friend. Tommy just laughed, caught the thirty-something-pound bundle of dark-haired energy around his waist and tossed his godson into the air.

"Well, hello, Tiger!"

The two-and-a-half-year-old giggled as he felt himself caught again and wrapped his chubby arms firmly around Tommy's neck. He liked all of his aunties and uncles lots, but Unca Tommy was the bestest!

"'Lo. Unca Tommy, me got tie!"

"What?" Rocky grinned, coming out of the living room into the hallway while Kat and Jason greeted their hostess. "Who'd dare to tie you, sport?" He ruffled the little boy's dark hair, only to find his hand impatiently slapped away.

"Me got tie f'r church!" the tot explained seriously. "Mommy says me look elephant!"

The adults had a hard time hiding their smiles as Tommy ushered them into Kimberly's new, much roomier apartment he would be sharing with her three weeks from now – after their wedding, which was finally coming to pass. In the time after Jason's accident and their reconciliation, a lot of fences had been mended, adjustments had been made, and his and Kim's relationship with Jason and Kat was again as close as it could be – to everybody's relief and delight. Tommy was even contemplating bidding his racing career good-bye and going into business with Jason and Rocky, who were doing very well since combining their schools – especially once Adam had sent a major movie star their way last year to prepare him for a role in an action movie. Between them, the two former Red Rangers had taught the man enough martial arts to let him pull off his part convincingly, and consequently, word-of-mouth was bringing them more and more prestigious students. Kat and Sarah Diaz, Rocky's girlfriend, thoroughly enjoyed attending the occasional glamorous movie première or party the men got invited to.

"Lookin' good, Tommy," David teased his brother as the young man came into the den, the excitedly chattering child still on his arm. "Are you taking notes, Adam?"

The aspiring stunt director smiled, resting his hand on Tanya's shoulder. His wife was just starting to show, and was softly radiant in her fourth month of pregnancy.

"I don't think I'll have to; after all, I practically grew up with Rocky's bunch of sibs. We baby-sat the three youngest so often, there's nothing about diapers and stuff I haven't been through at least once."

"Now that is good to know," Tanya commented saucily. "At least I can rest easy leaving Junior here alone with you on occasion." She touched her rounding stomach.

"Uh-oh – busted, buddy," Rocky snickered, seeing the look of comical dismay passing across his best friend's face. "I think you just put yourself with your back against the wall!"

"And I have witnesses, too, right, girls?" Tanya asked, winking at her friends. She grinned at the chorus of affirmatives she received, but patted Adam's hand reassuringly. She wanted to be an involved, hands-on mother and had no intention of letting someone else look after her baby, but it was good to know that Adam wasn't going to be completely clueless in an emergency.

"Why were you all grinning so much when you came in?" Aisha wondered, and the men and Kat chuckled. Tommy pried Robin's arms loose and set the boy on the floor, who immediately made a beeline towards Kimberly and the snack tray she'd just brought in and set on the coffee table. The young woman stopped a greedy little hand before it could snatch a cracker heaped with Roquefort cheese and, after receiving a nod from Kat, placed a cookie into it instead. Successfully distracted, Robin wandered off to greet his other "aunties", munching contentedly on his treat.

"The Squirt just informed us he'll be looking 'elephant' in church," Tommy laughed, drawing his bride against his side.

"Elephant? Why in Heaven's name would he say that? Is he planning on wearing his Halloween costume?" Kimberly giggled. It wasn't too far-fetched a notion; the wedding was scheduled for mid-November, slightly past the holiday, but … Kat translated her son's baby talk with an indulgent smile.

"No – he'll be a Ninja like Uncle Rocky this year. I think he just likes the hood." Kat winked at Jason's partner, who still had a picture of himself wearing a ninja outfit on his office wall. "But, we just shopped for a kid's tie for him to wear, the shop assistant told him he was going to look very elegant, and …"

"Oh!" Getting the joke, Kim broke into delighted peals of laughter when she was interrupted by the doorbell.

"That's Kelly and Trini!" Kim's cousin and her oldest friend were the only ones still missing for her Bridal Shower. She dashed off, much as she'd done as a schoolgirl, to let the two women in.

"I think that's our cue to go," Tommy remarked to his brother and friends. He got a few relieved smiles in return, and Jason went after his errant offspring. "Come on, Sport," he said, hoisting the little boy onto his shoulders.

"Want 'nother cookie!" Robin protested, but was silenced by Tommy's conspiratorial whisper.

"Let's leave the cookies for the girls, huh? We men will go out and have us some real men's food!"

"Yeah!" A broad grin lit up the dark eyes, so much like his father's. "We men!"

"Don't let him eat too much junk," Kat requested softly of her husband as she helped put Robin's jacket on.

"Don't worry, I'll be careful," Jason promised, kissing her goodbye. "You girls have fun – and leave the male stripper alone!" he teased, getting whistles and catcalls from the group of poised, mature, elegant women assembled around the coffee table. "Come on, guys – let's blow this joint!"

"Get out of here and don't come back before nine!" Kimberly shooed her fiancé and his friends out into the hallway, but not before every one of the couples had exchanged kisses.

"Yes, Ma'am!" Rocky saluted the petite woman, and wasn't quite fast enough to escape Kim's playful swat before the door closed firmly behind him.

~*~

"Are we really having a male stripper?" Sarah asked the other women with wide, somewhat wary eyes. While she'd known both Aisha and Kimberly during High School, and even once had wanted to get friendly with Adam, they had never really been close. Her relationship with Rocky, while obviously getting serious or he wouldn't have introduced her to 'the gang', was only a few months old, and the pretty Hispanic girl was still trying to find her place in that close-knit circle of friends. She was very grateful that the others were making it so easy for her, accepting her with open arms not only for Rocky's sake, but also because of her genuinely sweet disposition, which was a perfect foil for her boyfriend's exuberance.

"No, we're not," Tanya laughed, settling herself more comfortably in her armchair. "For one thing, it's really too clichéd and tacky, for another, at least Adam would flip his lid," she grinned as Kat and Kim directed rueful smiles at her, "as would Jason and Tommy, and he would only kill the atmosphere."

"Right," Trini agreed. "It's been so long since we've all been together like this … I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm in the mood for some really serious girl talk!" Her remark was met with enthusiastic agreement, and soon the seven young women were engaged in oohing and aahing over Kim's wedding gown, giving serious (and not-so-serious) presents to the laughing bride, discussing the form the wedding was going to take, and simply chatting. As was maybe inevitable, at some point the conversation turned to various weddings each had attended. Tanya had just related a funny story that had happened during her and Adam's nuptials, involving one of her uncles, a piece of cake and a none-too-stable bench seat and had everybody still chuckling, when Sarah asked innocently, "What about your wedding, Katherine? You haven't told us anything about your dress and everything."

There was a moment of uncomfortable silence, as everybody's eyes turned toward the blonde, who paled a bit as she was transported back to that late-summer day a little over three years ago. However, she swiftly overcame the momentary awkwardness, summoned a smile and said quietly, "That's because there's nothing much to tell."

Kat inhaled deeply, forcing the memory of how unhappy she'd been on her wedding day back into the depths of her mind. How different things were now! The comforting thought and security of her husband's love enabled her to continue with admirable calm. "You see … I was already pregnant with Robin when Jason and I got married. Our folks weren't exactly thrilled about that and the situation at the time was rather … uncomfortable, so we just went to City Hall and had a very small, private ceremony. It was just us and our parents, and I wore a simple summer dress."

It was nothing but the truth as far as it went, but Sarah was not yet integrated enough into their circle to need to know anything more. Neither did Kimberly's cousin, for that matter. Besides, they were all too glad to have put the pain of that time behind them.

Oblivious to the undercurrents, Sarah went on.

"That's such a shame – I bet you'd have made a lovely bride."

"Yeah," Kelly interjected with her sometimes still-gushing exuberance. "Didn't you want to have a real wedding, Kat?"

"Of course I did," Katherine admitted, smiling wistfully. "What girl doesn't? But … our friends weren't there, and it just seemed too much of an effort to go all-out for only a handful of people. We did talk about having a Church ceremony later, but what with the baby coming, then Jason's accident, the merger between his and Rocky's dojos … there never seemed to be a right moment. Maybe someday." The still-accented voice drifted off, and a faraway look entered the blue eyes for an instant, until they met Kimberly's understanding smile. Tanya gently squeezed her friend's hand, and Kat laughed softly, dispelling the suddenly somber mood.

"But, enough of me. This is Kim's day – and we haven't settled on the date for the final fittings yet, have we?"

Within moments, talk had returned to the dresses they would wear – Trini, Aisha and Tanya simple primrose-yellow gowns as bridesmaids, and Katherine a pale pink creation as Matron of Honor. Kelly and Sarah would not take active parts in the ceremony, but enthusiastically commented on everything, and promised to help wherever they'd be needed.

Their girls' evening was interrupted about an hour before the deadline Kim had given Tommy by an apologetic Jason who entered the apartment with Rocky, an almost-asleep sniffling little boy leaning against his shoulder.

"I'm sorry, ladies, but someone just wants his mommy." He shrugged somewhat helplessly as his wife immediately got up and dried Robin's tear-streaked face.

"Mommy," the little tyke mumbled tiredly, twining chubby arms around Kat's neck. She kissed the dark head as he snuggled against her.

"It's okay, Sweetie," she whispered, calming her son, but it was obvious that she would have to leave. "I'm sorry," the blonde apologized. "But it's past Robby's bedtime, and if I put him into the bedroom for only an hour until the guys get back, he'd be cranky all night."

"That's okay, Kat," Kim answered. "I think we've covered the essentials anyway, and if something else comes up, I'll give you a call, allright?"

"Thanks, Kim," her friend replied. "The rehearsal's on the 10^th, right? Three days before the ceremony?"

"Uh-huh. At the Church Hall; we're having the dinner catered rather than go to a restaurant. I thought it'd be easier and more comfortable for everybody. Besides, that way we'll get a real feel for the layout and everything."

"We'll be there," Jason promised as he gathered up Kat's coat. "Goodnight, Kim. Ladies."

A chorus of goodbyes followed the young family outside, and soon after Rocky took Sarah home as well. The former Rangers still sat together for a while, waiting for the return of the men and sipping a last glass of fruit punch, talking quietly about the fun they'd shared during the afternoon and early evening. Kimberly surveyed her presents once more, smiling a bit naughtily at the lacy wisp of a nightgown Tanya and Kat had given her. She couldn't wait to see Tommy's face when she would model it for him! Her musings were interrupted by her cousin when Kelly returned from the kitchen with some leftover canapés.

"Kim? It's probably none of my business, and don't hesitate to tell me if I'm out of line, but … was Kat being a bit evasive when Sarah asked about her wedding?"

The four older women exchanged suddenly wary glances. There was a moment of silence, which was finally broken by the bride's sigh.

"No, Kelly, you're right – on both counts. Kat was evasive, and I'm sorry, it is none of your business. I can't tell you about it, either – not without Kat's knowledge and consent, anyway." She could see Kelly's eyes light up with curiosity, but Kim knew her cousin wouldn't pry.

After sharing a look with the others, Tanya decided to give a little more explanation, if only just to prevent speculation. "Since you've noticed, though … I think we can tell you this much: Kat and Jason getting married was something that, at the time, estranged them from most of us. The situation is much too complicated to go into, and it's pretty obvious that we've all gotten past it, but … their wedding day wasn't quite the happy occasion for Kat it should have been."

"Yes, and I'm still kicking myself that I waited all summer long to contact both," Trini sighed.

"Me, too," added Aisha. "Of course, being out in Africa at the time, I didn't have much choice, and I'm glad my father accepted that research contract back East so I can be here for you guys at least, Kim, but I still wish I could have been there for Kat, too. No matter what, she deserved to have at least one or two of her friends at her wedding."

"I agree, although I think none of us was thinking too clearly at the time," Kimberly replied. "We were too surprised, too upset to realize what we were doing – not only to them, but to ourselves, as well. I don't think I've ever felt so uncomfortable or unhappy in my life, although none of it wasn't my fault and I believed I was doing the right thing."

"Too true. You know what I think? If things had gone as they should have, I'm almost convinced Jason and Tommy would have asked you and Kat for a double wedding, they were that close," Tanya added.

"Would you have minded that, Kimberly?" Kelly asked curiously. "I mean, I can understand you wanting to be the only center of attention, but double weddings are so cool!"

The petite brunette thought for a moment.

"No, I don't think I would've objected," she said. "And if I'd known earlier that Kat and Jason had talked about having a Church ceremony later, I'm sure we could've come up with something."

"Too bad it's too late to arrange having them exchange vows or whatever during your wedding," Kelly teased, only to be surprised by the sudden silence descending over her companions. The four long-time friends exchanged speculative glances.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Aisha asked finally, searching the others' eyes.

"If you're thinking that this would be the perfect opportunity for Jason and Kat to have their Church ceremony with all of us, then yes," Trini mused.

"Without their knowledge?" Tanya queried dubiously. "Is that possible? And more importantly, wouldn't that take attention away from Kim and Tommy? After all, it's their day …"

"Kimberly?" Aisha looked expectantly at the gymnast.

"I wouldn't mind, not really," Kim said slowly, weighing options. "There might be a way … Of course I'd have to ask Tommy first, but I don't think he'd object …."

"But how? We can't very well get Kat into a real wedding dress in three weeks," Aisha remarked. "Especially without her knowing anything about it. It is supposed to be a surprise, isn't it?"

"Naturally. I doubt she'd want to wear white, anyway," Tanya mused. "Or a veil, for that matter. She is a wife and mother, after all…."

Slow, excited grins began to spread over the friends' faces as they contemplated ways and means. Soon, five heads drew closer together, and hushed chatter began to fill the room, although there was no one to overhear the surprises being planned.

~*~

"So Rocky will guide Kim's mom to her seat, the three of you will follow Kat with Adam, David and Zack, Jase will be with me at the altar … is that it?" Tommy asked Aisha over the excited chatter and laughter at their wedding rehearsal. It was his bride who answered him, though.

"Pretty much. Dad promised he'll be here on time to walk me down the aisle, and I'm soooo glad Claude has decided to come with my mother! He is her husband, after all, and Mom and Dad are getting along much better now." Kim's happiness shone out of her brown eyes as she surveyed her friends and their families milling around. The minister was talking earnestly to Rachel Oliver and Kim's mother, who nodded every now and then to something he said.

"Where is Kat, by the way?" Tommy snagged Jason's shirtsleeve as he passed by with a tray of drinks. The two of them had picked up the rings at the jeweler's earlier, and the lovely blonde had been very much on his Best Man's mind since then. While Tommy was inspecting the engravings and paid for the narrow platinum bands he and Kim had chosen, his eyes had strayed towards a showcase with simple diamond solitaire rings. Jason had started as his best friend came up behind him.

"Anything catch your fancy?" Tommy had asked with an understanding grin.

"Sorta," Jason admitted somewhat sheepishly. "Things being the way they were, I never gave Kat a real engagement ring, and seeing these … I guess I'll buy one for her eventually, for a special occasion or something, but …" He shrugged.

Tommy hid a smile. *This is too perfect! It's not my place, I know I probably shouldn't, but what the heck! Besides, it'll be the capper on Kim's surprise!*

"So, which one would you choose?" he asked casually.

"That one, I think." Jason indicated a decent-sized, but not too garish pear-shaped diamond set on a narrow gold band. The glittering jewel was held on either side by three small rubies arranged in triangles; it reminded Tommy somewhat of a sparkling teardrop flanked by tiny blood-red hearts. It seemed strangely appropriate, considering how his friends' marriage had come about. While none of them dwelled on the circumstances anymore, it was never quite forgotten, even if happiness had long taken the sting away.

"Nice," Tommy agreed. "You think Kat'd like it?" He unobtrusively looked at the price tag. *Not too bad. Right-o!*

"I'm sure," Jason said, but turned resolutely away from the display. They'd come here to buy Kim and Tommy's rings, not that he could indulge in fantasies about how his wife's eyes would glow if and when he ever gave her a ring. With a slight effort, he wrenched himself back to the present and his friend's question.

"She ought to be here by now," Jason replied, checking his watch. "She had a sudden appointment this afternoon that she couldn't postpone …" Just then, the blonde dance teacher entered the room somewhat breathlessly, her small son in tow. Blue eyes sparkled happily as she came up to her husband and the groom. Greeting both men with friendly pecks to their cheeks, Kat apologized for her delay and explained that she'd stopped to pick up Robin from Daycare on her way over. Jason smiled at his wife, relieved. Was it his imagination, or did her eyes shine even more than usual? He was distracted, though, as the minister called all wedding participants to order for one more runthrough, now that the bride's Matron of Honor had finally arrived.

~*~

Little Robin was bored.

It had been cool for a time to watch his Mommy and Dad and Uncle Tommy and Auntie Kim and his other uncles and aunties be shuffled around into orderly rows like he and his playgroup buddies were on their way to the playground, and then they'd had lots of fancy food and he'd even gotten a double helping of chocolate icecream, but now all the adults did was sit and talk.

He'd wandered around for a while, but not even Uncle Rocky or Uncle Zack, who normally were so much fun, had time for him. The dark-haired boy pouted a little bit as he glowered at the laughing, talking adults. This was sooo dumb! He'd played with all of his toy cars, had staged an awesome battle between his stuffed red dragon and his teddy bear, looked at his picture books, but nothing was fun if he had to do it all on his own. There wasn't even a TV at this dumb old place! His lower lip quivered a bit. But crying was for babies; he'd been a Ninja on Halloween, and Ninjas didn't cry, did they? Besides, he was almost three years old! His Granny Helen always told him he was a Big Boy, and Granny Helen was always right; she said so herself!

Robin climbed a chair at one of the windows. It overlooked the quiet residential street, and on the other side, only a few houses down, he could just make out a small playground, with a slide, swings and a sandbox. A few kids were still there, and suddenly Robin wanted nothing more than go out there and play with them. If only one of the grownups would take him! He looked back at the adults. Nobody seemed to be paying him any attention, though, and he'd tried. Lots. The tot sighed. Turning back towards the window, he suddenly noticed that one of the doors to the hall was standing slightly ajar. Curious, Robin slid off his chair and toddled over. Pushing at the door, it swung noiselessly outwards, opening the path to adventure.

A little heart started to beat furiously. The boy knew very well that he was not supposed to go outside on his own, much less cross a street without adult supervision, but there were very few cars about this late in the afternoon, and besides, his Mommy and Daddy would never know, would they? Temptation overcame parental strictures. With a last backwards glance to make sure his parents were still talking to Uncle Tommy, Robin crept out into the foyer. He found his red-checkered jacket lying on a chair and struggled to put it on; he hadn't learned how to close the zipper yet, but he was only going to play for a little bit – just slide down the slide a couple of times, climb on the swings and bake a sand pie or two, then he'd come back. Surely it wouldn't take long enough for him to get cold? Determinedly, the little boy made his way to the front door. It wasn't locked either, just leaning against the doorjamb. Pushing for all he was worth against the massive wood panel, Robin managed to open the door just widely enough to slip outside.

He never heard the door snick into the lock behind him as he carefully climbed down the four steps in front of the building. Disregarding his pricking conscience, intent only on having his big adventure, Robin hurried along the sidewalk until he was facing the playground on the other side of the street. He knew enough to check for oncoming cars; seeing none, he crossed the street just as the four children still playing there were called away by a teenager. For a moment, he almost started to cry in disappointment as they scampered off, but soon the lure of the slide overcame the feeling. Robin might have preferred having some other kids around, but now, for the first time in his young life, he had a whole playground all to himself! He wouldn't have to watch out or wait for anybody!

Happily, Robin climbed up the slide's ladder and glided down the smooth metal slope with an exuberant giggle, only to scramble to his feet and repeat the process. Again. And again. After a while, the excitement faded a bit and he tried out the other equipment, getting thoroughly grubby in the process, but building a sand castle without a trowel was hard work, he had nothing to bake pies with, and he wasn't quite adventurous enough to venture onto the climbing structure without help. The little boy took a few more turns on the slide, but the thrill had somehow gone out of it. Thinking hard, he looked consideringly at the swings. Usually, his Dad pushed him until he thought he'd fly into the sky, but Dad wasn't there. However, he'd seen kids not much bigger than himself work them on their own. Surely he could do that, too?

Determinedly, Robin tried to climb onto one of the seats, but couldn't, not without someone to hold it still, so he settled for bending over it on his tummy, swinging back and forth by shuffling his feet on the sand. Soon, though, that got boring, too, and reluctantly Robin decided he'd better get back to his Mom and Dad, before they noticed he had disappeared. With a last, longing glance, the toddler wandered off down the sidewalk, oblivious to the fact that he was going in the wrong direction.

~*~

He was lost.

Robin had no idea how that could be, but he was pretty sure he hadn't walked that far from the Church where his Mom and Dad were with Uncle Tommy and the others, and this big, busy crossing he found himself at right now hadn't been there, either. He would've remembered that, he was sure! Helplessly, the dark-haired boy looked around, big tears beginning to roll down his cheeks. He wiped them away, getting dirt streaks all over his unhappy little face. Once he'd reached the crossing, he'd turned a corner, then back, dashing hither and yon, hopelessly disorienting himself in his confusion and growing panic. How was he ever supposed to get back to his Mom? A tiny sob escaped him. Robin gazed into a street, but all the houses looked unfamiliar, and the slowly-gathering dusk didn't help any. Big boy or not, being a Ninja notwithstanding, he was getting scared!

"Mommy," he whimpered, no longer fighting his tears.

~*~

The thirty-something-looking man taking a stroll through his hometown had noticed the little boy a couple of minutes ago despite being lost in his thoughts, but since Angel Grovites usually were very protective of their offspring, hadn't paid him too much attention. He was just about to pass around the corner leading towards the park and one of his favorite childhood haunts, when some instinct made him look back. The forlorn little figure in his red-patterned jacket struck a chord inside of him, and while he wasn't terribly good with kids – that had always been more his friends' department – he found he couldn't just walk away. Sighing to himself, the man retraced his steps, instinct telling him that something wasn't quite right about a child this young being out apparently all by his own. He approached the boy cautiously, his suspicions being confirmed as he became aware of the sobs shaking the small but sturdy body. Hunkering down, he summoned a smile and put as much reassurance into his voice as he could.

"Hey there," he said gently.

Robin looked up as he heard the voice, scrubbing hastily at his wet cheeks with grimy hands. He didn't notice that the man had to hide a smile at the mess he made of his face. Warily, aware that both his Mommy and Daddy had warned him about talking to strangers, he met the man's eyes. They were blue, almost like his Mommy's, and looked a bit sad, but … nice.

"Hello," he answered cautiously, hiccuping. He did have to be polite to an adult, didn't he?

"Can I help you, little one?" the man asked, just as gently as before. He made no move to touch the child, knowing better than to frighten him, and reassured, Robin relaxed a little bit. However, he couldn't just let that question go by just like that.

"I'm not little," he protested through his sniffles. "'M 'most three!" He proudly held up his hand with two fingers folded tightly into his palm, like Mommy had shown him.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know that," the stranger apologized solemnly, thereby rising several notches in Robin's estimation. "But … shouldn't even a big boy like you be with his Mom, now that it's getting dark? Where is she, do you know?"

"At Church," Robin confessed. He looked down sheepishly and scuffed his sneakers against the pavement. "Me went to the slide, and swing, and …" the small voice trailed off as he glimpsed at the friendly man from under his dark lashes, trying to gauge his reaction. He didn't seem to get upset, which was good, right?

"I see," answered the man, whose hair was almost the same color like his Mommy's, only shorter, and darker, and not as pretty. "Well … do you know where this Church is?" He was mentally reviewing what he remembered of this particular part of town. Once he'd known almost every part like the back of his hand, but after a ten-year absence, it wasn't that easy. There was a small Church in one of the residential streets a block down, on May Street if he recalled correctly. It would be worth a try to look there; most likely, the tyke's mother would be frantic with worry if the kid had indeed sneaked out, as he was beginning to suspect.

"Other side of the playground," Robin admitted. "Not far 'way."

"Hmm. Do you want me to help you look for it?"

Robin thought for a minute. He was not supposed to walk away with strangers, but this man was offering to look for his Mommy with him; that wasn't going away, was it? Besides, Robin kind of liked his eyes. Still, he was cautious.

"You're stranger," he hedged a bit.

"Oh," the man laughed a little. "I'm sorry, I forgot all about that. My name's … Will." He held out his hand, just like to a grownup. Robin liked that. Seriously, he put his own grubby little paw into the much-larger hand.

"'M Robin."

"Pleased to meet you, Robin." The two shook hands, then Will got up from his crouch.

"Now that we're not strangers anymore, do you think we should go looking for your Mom?" He smiled again.

"Uh huh," the child answered relievedly. Slipping his hand trustingly into Will's, he looked up at the man. "You know where Mommy is?"

"I believe so. Let's have a look, and if she's not where I think she is, we can contemplate our next course of action then. Is that agreeable with you?"

Understanding only that he would have help looking for his parents, Robin nodded his head enthusiastically. As the two started slowly walking down the street, he thought about what Will had said. He sure used big words!

"Why you talk so funny?" he asked his new friend curiously.

"I do?"

"Yep," the child confirmed. "What's con … conplate?"

Will laughed a bit ruefully. It had been so long since he'd had to check his speech patterns that he'd fallen back into the habits of his youth without thinking. Where was his gentle almond-eyed friend when he needed her? Matching his stride to the much shorter ones of the child, he began to explain, finding an attentive audience much to his surprise and delight.

Soon, the man and boy were approaching May Street.

"There's my slide!" Robin exclaimed happily, finally recognizing his surroundings. He began to hurry, tugging at the hand claasping his. Indulgently, Will let himself be pulled along. He'd just deliver the child to his mother, who apparently still was at the fully-lit Church building, judging from the number of cars parked outside, and would be on his way again, to reacquaint himself quietly and by himself with his home after a too-long absence.

~*~

"Has anyone seen Robin?" Kat asked Rocky as he re-entered the Church Hall from a trip to the restrooms. "I thought he'd been playing with his cars, but I can't find him anywhere."

Indeed, the backpack with toys sat abandoned in one corner, with no trace of the little boy. Rocky scanned the room, even bent down to look underneath the tables; he was too used to kids' antics by growing up with his own large brood of younger siblings not to be aware of some of the more unusual hiding places they could find.

"I haven't," he admitted, "but I'll go have a look in the foyer, if you want me to. The door outside is closed, so maybe he's just playing hide-and-seek, waiting until somebody comes looking for him. Kids do that, you know," the young man added comfortingly, recognizing the look of worry creeping into Kat's blue eyes. "Why don't you go and check the kitchen and ladies' restroom?"

"I'll do that," the blonde murmured, berating herself for getting so caught up in her conversation with Aisha that she'd all but forgotten to check on her small son in the last three-quarter-hour.

Soon, however, it was obvious that the boy was nowhere to be found. Everybody by then had been alerted and had searched every imaginable nook and cranny, plus some pretty far-out places within the accessible rooms of the Church. Katherine was fighting her tears as she clung to Jason's arm, who tried to control his own worry as he soothed his distraught wife.

"Kat, it's not your fault; neither one of us was watching out for him. We all thought he'd be perfectly safe, and playing quietly," he said reasonably, although he was feeling anything but calm himself. "We just have to search for him methodically. Most likely, Robin's crawled into some really out-of-the-way corner and fallen asleep, like Rocky suspects, or he would've heard us calling for him by now. Luckily, the front door was closed, so he couldn't have wandered off."

"Actually, the door was not supposed to be shut," the minister murmured apologetically, overhearing the comment. "My secretary has promised to come by with some sheet music for the service, and I left it ajar so she wouldn't have to ring the bell. It's sometimes a bit hard to hear if things are lively in here."

Kat blanched as she heard that.

"God, Jason, what if he's run outside?!? Anything could've happened to him by now!"

"Kat, I'm pretty sure I saw him playing with his dinosaur at five," Trini tried to comfort the former Pink Ranger. "I remember looking at my watch soon after, and it's only a quarter past six now …"

"Do you know what all can happen in 75 minutes?" the young woman demanded, getting frantic. "What if he's been abducted, or something? Or if there's been an accident?"

"Don't go assuming the worst, Kitten," Jason soothed, but he felt his own sense of dread increasing. This was his son who was missing! "We just can't afford to panic, or we'll never find him." Forcing a calm into his voice he was far from feeling, the first Red Ranger slipped effortlessly back into Leader Mode. "Why don't you women start searching this place from top to bottom, while the rest of us go looking in the neighborhood?"

He received immediate assent from their friends, and a general scramble for jackets began while the minister went ahead to turn on every light he could think of. Just as everybody was getting ready to start searching and Jason was trying to comfort a close-to-sobbing Kat, there was a knock on the door. Aisha, who happened to be standing closest, opened the heavy wood panel, and looked up at the stranger standing on the other side. It was a blond man looking slightly older than herself, with receding hair and blue eyes that seemed to have seen far more than his years warranted.

"Can I help you?" she asked politely if distractedly, when her attention was caught by a tug on her skirt.

"Auntie Isha?" a very small voice piped up from somewhere around her knees.

"Oh my God …. Kat! Jason! Robin's back!" Her startled exclamation brought instant silence to the crowded foyer.

"Are you sure?" Katherine surged forward, hope lighting up her eyes. "Robin!"

"Mommy!" With a delighted squeal, the little boy let go of his new friend's hand and threw himself into his mother's arms. Finding himself hugged for all he was worth by his relieved parents, he started to babble out apologies interspersed with his adventures, forgetting about the man who'd helped him find his way back. The others let go of breaths they hadn't been aware of holding, gathering around the reunited family and immensely glad that no harm had befallen their friends' son. In all the hubbub, the stranger still standing outside the door almost made good his escape, seeing as he'd delivered his young charge back where he belonged, when Aisha remembered that Robin hadn't come back on his own. She knew Jason and Kat would want to express their thanks in person, so she called out after the retreating man.

"Wait! Please, don't go just yet!" There was something niggling at the edge of her consciousness, but she couldn't quite figure out what it was. "Please, let us at least say thank you!"

"No thanks are necessary," the man replied, not turning. He needed to get away, to get over the shock of seeing all of his childhood friends assembled here. And the little boy he'd picked up was Kat's son! Apparently not by Tommy, though; rather, it was Jason who had his arms draped reassuringly around the slender shoulders. *How could that be??? Tommy and Kat were getting so close, the last time I saw them …* A lot seemed to have happened during his absence, but he was not at all sure he was ready to deal with it – and his friends – yet. Before he could vanish into the gathering darkness, though, Aisha stepped out the door, holding him back.

"Please, who are you?" she asked quietly but insistently. The man hadn't said much, but his voice had sounded awfully familiar somehow. The second Yellow Ranger was joined by her successor.

"Is everything okay, Aisha? Is that the man Robin is telling Kat about?"

"Yes, I …."

Tanya suddenly stared as she detected a slight stiffening in the man's posture – almost as if he was recognizing her. *How was that possible?* She narrowed her eyes consideringly, sharing a puzzled look with Aisha. The stranger cast a furtive glance back at the two women, hiding his face away from view almost immediately, but it was enough for his erstwhile teammates.

"Good Lord!"

"I don't believe it!"

Tanya and Aisha recognized him at almost the same moment, and without giving it a second thought, ran forward to embrace the friend they'd thought beyond their reach for years. They gave the startled young man fierce hugs, tears of joy starting to stream down their lovely, dusky faces, and without leaving him any room to protest, dragged him back up the stairs into the light and towards the rest of their friends.

"Guys! Look who's here!"

All eyes turned towards the door and the group of three. The stunned silence following the first shock of recognition was broken by Kimberly's exuberant squeal of joy and a general surge of bodies towards the unexpected, wholly welcome and quite embarrassed visitor.

"Welcome home, Billy!"

~*~

"That's a lovely necklace you're wearing, Kat," Tanya said admiringly as the group of friends helped each other into their wedding finery in the Church's changing room. Kelly and Sarah were kept more than busy with attending not only the bride, but four other women as well.

"Thank you," the blonde smiled, adjusting the clasp to sit in front right at her collarbone. It was a twisted rope consisting of three strands of tiny pearls and rose quartz beads each, with occasional gold pearls interspersed that added a bit of sparkle to the soft luster. The clasp was a penny-sized rose quartz oval in a plain gold setting that looked almost exactly like her Zeo symbol. "Jason bought it for me with the last of the insurance money we received after his accident. I wanted him to get some new office equipment, but he insisted." A faint blush stained the porcelain cheeks as she remembered the romantic evening her husband had arranged when he gave her the present.

"How very nice of Jason." Tanya grinned knowingly at her best friend, interpreting her expression correctly. Kat's blush intensified, but she returned the grin with a small wink and one of her own.

"It's gorgeous," Aisha agreed, turning to let Kelly close the zipper on her yellow dress. "It's as if you chose it with this dress in mind."

Indeed, the slim-cut gown in pale pink was almost the exact color of the rose quartz, and the Australian's slightly-tanned skin was set off perfectly by her bared left shoulder while Kat's right arm was covered down to the wrist. The asymmetrical cut was very simple, but the draped fabric suited Katherine as well as the differently-made Bridesmaids' dresses fit her friends. Kim had chosen a style that was reminiscent of ballerina costumes – full skirts, fitted bodices with spaghetti straps and open bolero jackets in deference to the occasion and season. All four women looked equally beautiful and radiant as they prepared for their friend's wedding.

"Can someone help me with this?" Kimberly called out from the mirror, where her mother was trying to fix her veil to the caramel locks.

"Sure," Kat wandered over, handing out hairpins as they were needed. She spared a glance for her own reflection. Her long, pale-gold locks were held back from her face with a set of sparkling combs, the way Jason liked best, and for a second, she wished she could have worn a spiderweb cloud of tulle with a tiara-like circlet of pink rosebuds like Kimberly on her own wedding day, but the thought was gone almost as soon as it had appeared. The trappings didn't matter; her marriage was finally all that she could have ever hoped for, and a happy smile crossed her lips as she thought about the news she had to tell Jason. *Soon.*

"That's it, Sweetie; you're all done," Mrs. Hart-Laroux declared, stepping back. Kim rose from her seat and turned towards her friends, all ready except for her bouquet.

"What do you think, guys?"

"Perfect," was the unanimous decision after the women surveyed the bride. The Scarlett O'Hara – like dress in white lace, with tiny pink satin rosebuds strewn all over the hoop skirt transformed the petite woman into a fairytale picture of loveliness. One after the other, they carefully embraced Kim, wishing her the best, then Kelly and Sarah slipped out to tell Rocky it was time to usher the bride's mother to her seat. Mr. Hart smiled at his ex-wife as she passed him, both having made their peace with each other long ago and united in the desire to make this day in their daughter's life as happy as possible.

"Would you mind getting my bouquet, Kat?" Kim asked her fellow Pink Ranger, and while the blonde went to retrieve the arrangement of pink roses and matching orchids, she quickly whispered a question to Trini.

"Is everything ready?"

"Yes," the willowy Asian replied just as softly. "We've put everything in the vestry. There'll be no problem – unless either Kat or Jason says no." Both women grinned at each other conspiratorily. "I don't see that happen, though. Do you?"

"No," Kim laughed, her doe eyes sparkling. "I can't wait to see their faces! Thanks, Kat," she said as her friend handed her her bouquet. Through the closed door of the changing area, they could hear the organist intone the piece of music intended for the processional.

"Ready, everybody? Then let's go!" Aisha exclaimed exuberantly. Justin, who was waiting outside, gallantly held open the door and whistled soundlessly at the sight of his female friends as Kat was the first to step out, followed slowly by Aisha, Tanya and Trini. The women made their way slowly towards the altar, lining up at one side opposite Adam, Zack and David. Jason stood next to Tommy slightly towards the middle, and shared a smile with Kat as she took her place. How lovely his wife looked in the formal gown! He was distracted by Tommy's intake of breath as the Wedding March started and Kimberly walked down the aisle on her father's arm, a vision in pink and white.

The beautiful, traditional ceremony went by without a hitch, and all of the former Rangers wore happy smiles as Tommy and Kim exchanged their first kiss as a married couple. However, when they separated again, instead of turning towards the congregation, their friends and family, they stepped aside, looking significantly at the minister. The man raised both hands to ask for silence, then addressed the assembled guests.

"Ladies and gentlemen … may I have your attention, please?"

Most of the guests, including Jason and Kat, exchanged puzzled glances. The ceremony was over, wasn't it?

"Thomas and Kimberly have informed me that there is a couple present today who, while having been married for quite some time already, never exchanged vows in the presence of their friends, nor have had their union blessed in the eyes of God until today. It will be my pleasure, if they are willing, to rectify that situation now, while all their loved ones are assembled here."

Kat's breath hitched in her throat as she caught Kim's encouraging smile. Her eyes flew towards Tommy, who gave her a slight nod, then nudged Jason forward. "Go on, Bro," he quietly said to his best friend. "This is your clue."

Stunned dark eyes met Tommy's chocolate orbs, then were drawn inexorably to the equally surprised crystal eyes of his wife. Kat stood immobile, incapable of thought, she was so surprised.

"Oh God, I … I can't …" Kat whispered finally. She looked helplessly around, meeting only warm, understanding looks from those of her friends gathered at the altar, Billy, Zack and Rocky in the front pew and her parents and in-laws right behind them. Her son was sitting quite still on Doris Hillard's lap, gazing at his parents with wide, wondering dark eyes.

"Yes you can, Kat," Kimberly assured her friend, her own voice not quite steady. "We all made mistakes when you and Jase got married, and we know how much you always wanted to share your wedding with us – just as everybody is sharing today with Tommy and me. It may come three years late, but this is our wedding present to the two of you. Please accept it in the spirit it is given."

Tears began to gather in Kat's eyes as she listened to Kim, and hardly daring to hope it could be true, sought Jason's warm smile. He had received his own reassurances from the men, and stepped forward to grasp Kat's hand in his. Raising it to his lips, he kissed the back gently. Recalling something Kat had said to him the day they'd told their families they were getting married, he smiled hopefully at his wife.

"For all the right reasons this time, Kitten," he murmured tenderly. "I love you, and if you're willing, I'd like very much to renew our wedding vows with you."

A single teardrop escaped and slowly rolled down Kat's cheek as she smiled back tremulously.

"For the only reason this time," she corrected Jason softly. "I love you, too, and I want this very much."

As soon as she'd given her consent, she found herself whisked aside by Tanya and Aisha. Trini meanwhile had disappeared into the vestry and returned with an arrangement of delicate silk flowers and long, curling ribbons the same pink as Kat's gown, which she deftly fastened in the pale-gold hair. Seemingly out of nowhere, a smaller version of Kim's bouquet, only in white with pink ribbons, appeared and was placed into the young woman's hands, while Tommy surreptitiously handed a small black velvet box to Jason.

"I hope it fits," he said with a wink.

Touched beyond words, Jason cast a quick glance inside, to see what he suddenly knew he'd find – the diamond-and-ruby ring he had admired at the jeweler's a few days ago.

"Tommy, I … I don't know what to say," he admitted hoarsely.

"You don't have to say anything, Bro," his best friend replied, meeting the dark eyes squarely. "Just be happy – as happy as I know I'll be with Kim."

"I'll do my best," Jason promised, reaching out for a hug that was gladly returned. Both knew without a doubt that they'd finally put the past and all the pain they'd caused each other firmly behind them.

There wasn't a dry eye in the small Church as Jason and Kat exchanged their vows a second time, holding hands and looking deeply into each others' eyes all the while. At the end of the solemn ceremony, they kissed, Kat's lips trembling as much as the first time, but this time the tears she shed were happy ones, sluicing away everything but the love and friendship filling their hearts as their friends and families rejoiced with them, Kim and Tommy.

~*~

"Do we finally get an explanation why the two of you got married so suddenly?" Helen Scott softly asked her son some time later as she embraced him and her daughter-in-law. Jason exchanged a glance with Kat, and both blushed. Helen saw and smiled understandingly.

"The two of you didn't think we hadn't noticed there was something more going on than met the eye, did you?"

"Well, no, but …"

"Sweetheart, we're your parents; parents notice that kind of thing," Doris Hillard added just as softly, not wanting others to overhear. "You'll learn, once Robin gets older." Both fathers nodded, regarding their guilty-looking offspring with knowing, but forgiving eyes. Jason rubbed his hand over his mouth and along his chin, drawing a deep breath. Feeling Kat's slender fingers slip into his free hand, he gave them a reassuring squeeze and faced the older couples.

"You're right," he admitted at last. Exchanging a glance with Kat, he drew her close. "It's a long story which luckily has a happy ending, but … I – no, we – know it's past time we told it to you. Not here, though; can we make it tomorrow?"

"Of course, son," John Scott acquiesced readily. "Why don't we all meet for dinner at our house?"

The appointment duly made, Jason and Kat watched their parents being swept away by other well-wishers.

"I'm glad we can finally come clean," the young woman sighed, leaning into Jason's arm. "I so hated keeping the truth from my folks all the time …. but there really was no right time to tell them, was there?"

"No, but I wished there had been often enough," he agreed. "However, let's not spoil the party. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm looking forward to having the first dance with you, Mrs. Scott!" Giggling, Kat let herself be drawn away into the ballroom.

~*~

The party was slowly drawing to a close as the eleven friends, plus David, Justin and Sarah, found themselves in a quiet corner. Billy had tried to protest his inclusion in the festivities, but his friends hadn't let him withdraw, being far too glad to have him back with them.

"It's where you belong," both Jason and Tommy had told the first Blue Ranger firmly. "You've always been one of us, and there's no way we're letting you vanish again."

He'd finally acquiesced, secretly glad that his friends were as accepting of him as he'd only dreamed they'd be. Naturally, there had been curiosity about his return; the women had picked up on his aura of sadness, though, and were biding their time until Billy would be ready to share his feelings. It was obvious to all of them that his relationship with the lovely Aquitian hadn't worked out, but they wouldn't pry, trusting him to open up eventually.

"I can't believe you guys did this," Kat sighed happily as she snuggled into Jason's arms. The senior Scotts had taken their son home a while ago, and they were free to enjoy themselves. "Thank you all soooo much; I'll always remember this!"

"Well, actually you have to thank Sarah and Kelly for the idea," Kimberly admitted, equally cuddled up to her tall husband. "If Sarah hadn't brought up your wedding at my Bridal Shower …"

"I hope you don't mind that Rocky told me some about your first ceremony, Kat," Sarah interjected apologetically. "I didn't mean to pry, but Trini needed me to help get your bouquet, so …" the pretty dark-haired girl was a florist, and had helped choose and arrange the floral arrangements both brides had held during the exchange of vows.

"No, it's okay," Kat reassured her. "It's not something we're proud of, but things did turn out okay after all."

The friends shared contented smiles. It had been a rocky road they'd travelled, but the goal had been worth the hard journey.

"That's good," Rocky's girlfriend said earnestly. She reflected for a minute or two on the events she'd witnessed during the day. "So – was your second wedding completely different from the first – except for you marrying the same man?" she teased a little, trying to lighten the mood.

"Totally," Jason laughed, kissing his wife's soft cheek. "And I can't tell you how glad I am about that." He shook his head at Tommy, his expression a mixture of rueful amusement and slight chagrin. "Although, I certainly never dreamed you'd be buying a ring for me to give to my wife!"

"Don't worry about that, Bro," the groom smirked back at his best friend. "You'll find the bill on your desk come Monday morning!"

All former Rangers laughed at Jason's mock-horrified reaction and the banter flowed easily back and forth, reuniting them in a way that had been sorely missed by all.

Listening, Kat smiled to herself as she thought about her little secret she'd wanted to tell Jason in private. However, she was feeling so very happy, and come to think of it, what better time than right now, with all of their friends there to share their joy? Her eyes glowed softly with emotion as she took Jason's hand and placed the palm against her face in a by-now familiar gesture.

"Actually, there is one thing about our second wedding which is the same this time," Kat said quietly during a momentary lull in the group's conversation. At the puzzled glances she received, she elaborated. "Jason answered Sarah's earlier question, yes, but I never did." All attention immediately focussed on her, expectant smiles spreading over everybody's faces. She met her husband's midnight eyes with an expression that sent Jason's heartbeat soaring.

"Oh? What's that?" he asked, a certain suspicion making his voice even deeper.

Kat just smiled at Jason as for this instant their surroundings receded and there was only the two of them, just as on that summer day so long ago. She was radiant as she spoke.

"I'm pregnant."
 
 

The End.

Author's Note: Yes, this monster is finished. I hope you enjoyed the ride as much as I did. My thanks go to everybody who nagged … er, helped me on this with their comments, suggestions and insightful questions, forcing me to write – hopefully – a better story. In alphabetical order: Casey, Cheryl, Chris F., Eva, Jacqui, Jeremy Ray, Mele, Peregrine … and all those with whom I have shared this in progress, but forgotten about. Thanks, you guys! Comments, as always, are welcome … DB, Spring/Summer 2000.

 

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