Author’s Note: Hey guys, I’m back! Sorry I was gone for so long; health problems.

Nothing really to note in this chapter, thanks everyone who reviewed the last one. Add, welcome back; nice holiday? In case it wasn’t clear enough in the last chapter, everyone, this is part of a series; if you haven’t read the other stories this probably won’t mean much to you.

Wow, longest Author’s Note ever!

Chapter 2: Attack Aftermath

When they reached the Animarium, Cole sank into a chair at the table.

"What happened?" Shayla asked.

"Toxica has a new weapon." Cole told her. Folding his arms, he leaned his head down.

"Are you all right?" Shayla asked, concerned. Cole didn't move.

"He says it drained all his energy, so much that his morph collapsed." Taylor explained.

"But he doesn't think he's hurt." Max added. "Just real tired."

Shayla nodded. "Did she get anyone else?"

"It only works on Cole so far." Danny supplied.

"Can you keep it down?" Cole asked, raising his head with an effort. "I'm trying to sleep."

"You can't sleep there, Cole." Shayla smiled.

"I bet I can." His head dropped again. A muffled 'ow' came from between his arms.

"Come on, Cole." Danny said. "I'll give you a hand." He hauled the protesting Lion Ranger out of the clearing.

"Do you think he'll be OK?" Alyssa asked.

"I'm sure he will." Shayla said reassuringly. "Like Max said, he doesn't seem hurt. Just tired."

"He'll be fine." Taylor told her.

Cole hadn't reappeared by diner time; Max went to investigate and reported he was asleep.

"Do you want me to wake him?" the Shark Ranger asked.

"No. Let him sleep." Shayla said. "It's what he needs right now."

"OK." Max agreed.

Dinner without Cole was subdued, and no one ate very much.

A little later Taylor's growlphone rang.

"Taylor."

"Taylor. It's Merrick. Tara wants to go to the Animarium; can someone come and get her?"

"Sure, Merrick. You're at Willie's?"

"Yeah…I have to work or I'd bring her. How is Cole?"

"Still asleep."

"Ah-that explains it." He paused for a second before going on, "Tara says to tell you you won't recognize her when you get here."

"Why not? Never mind." Taylor interrupted herself. "I'll be there in a few minutes."

"All right."

Taylor rose to her feet. "I'm just going to get Tara." she announced. Alyssa nodded absently.

"Do you want me to go?" Max asked.

"No, she's at Willie's. I won't be long." She left, and the Rangers sat in silence for a minute until Alyssa said suddenly, "I hope Cole's all right."

"If this weapon did take his energy, the best thing he could be doing is sleeping." Shayla reassured her.

"I just wish he'd wake up."

"Wish who would wake up?" Cole came into the clearing. He still looked tired, but not as tired as before.

"Cole!" Alyssa threw herself into his arms. "How are you?"

"Tired." He returned the hug, smiling. "But fine." He looked around, letting Alyssa go. "Where's Taylor?"

"She went to get Tara." Shayla told him.

"Tara." Cole repeated, and then nodded quickly. "Yeah…she said she'd be up tonight. I'd forgotten."

"You hungry?" Alyssa asked. "You missed dinner."

"Yeah. Thanks."

Merrick was standing by the counter when Taylor entered Willie's, talking to Willie and a woman Taylor's age. Taylor skirted the tables, ignoring the whistles she was getting, and came to stand next to Merrick.

"Merrick."

"Taylor." He turned to Willie. "I'll be back in a minute." Tapping the woman on the shoulder, he led Taylor out and around to the side of the building, where they could have relative privacy.

"Turn that off now." he said to the woman, gesturing vaguely at her. She smiled, looking at Taylor.

"He doesn't like me to look like this. He finds it disconcerting."

"Tara?" Taylor asked. The woman was older, but her face was still Tara's…almost. Her eyes were blue rather than green, though, and her hair was short and dark instead of long and blond.

"Yes. It's still me." The older features blurred, reforming into Tara's.

Taylor shuddered. "How do you do that?"

"Glamour. I'm an Elf, remember?" She looked over at Merrick. "Taylor doesn't think it's disconcerting, Merrick."

"Yes she does." Merrick disagreed.

"Taylor's standing right here." Taylor pointed out.

"So she is." Tara agreed.

"She's been like this all evening." Merrick told Taylor.

"What? Giddy and annoying?"

"Hey!" Tara objected.

"Let's just go back to the Animarium, OK? Maybe Cole's woken up by now." Taylor said.

"OK." Tara said obediently. "Merrick?"

"I'm working." Merrick answered automatically.

"Oh. Yeah. I forgot." She grinned. "See you soon, then."

"Yeah." Taylor waved as they turned away.

Cole had finished eating by the time they reached the temple and was slouched on one of the branches around the clearing. Tara moved across to stand directly under him.

"Well?"

"Hey, Tara." He waved without sitting up.

"Hey, Tara? That's all you're gonna say?"

"What?" He looked at the Rangers. "What'd I do?"

"I've been calling you for ages!"

"I was asleep!" He looked to Alyssa for support.

"He was asleep, Tara. He only woke up just after Merrick called."

"Oh." Tara folded her arms. "Well, all right then."

"Oh? I'm forgiven?"

"I suppose." Cole slid down from the branch.

"Well, good. I wouldn't want you to be mad at me."

"Damn straight." Tara looked at him. "How are you? Really?"

"Fine. Just tired." Cole grinned. "Really." Tara nodded slowly.

"All right. So are we partying?"

"We're just talking tonight." Danny said.

"What, no marshmallows?"

"No marshmallows." Max said with a smile.

"OK. I can live with that." Tara settled herself into the circle, leaning against the temple wall and gazing into the fire. "So what are we talking about?"