They arrived back at the clock tower exhilarated, relieved, and exhausted. Jen carried the containment vessel to a chest in the corner of the main room and locked it in.

“That’s one down,” she said quietly.

“I’m glad you got that guy,” Wes told her.

“You mean we got him,” Katie corrected him.

“She’s right,” Jen said. “Without you we might not have gotten those kids back, and I might be dead. You did a great job.”

“You mean it?” Wes grinned. “Thanks! Now, I have to get this money back to my dad. I don’t want him to get any madder than he probably already is.”

“Good luck.”

“Thanks. I’ll need it.”

Wes’s father was waiting when he got home. They stared at each other in the foyer, Wes trying to look confident, but his heart plunging at the sight of the barely repressed rage in the older man’s face.

“Come on,” Collins said grimly, turning to lead the way into his study. Inside, he turned to stare at his son coldly.

Wes set the carrying case of money on the desk and opened it. “It’s all here.”

“It better be. If I find one penny missing…. I could have you arrested for this. If you were anyone else, I would.” Collins’ voice was tight.

Wes’s stomach lurched, but he answered angrily, “But it wouldn’t look good to have your own son arrested, would it? Don’t do me any favors.”

“How could you do this, Wesley? After everything I’ve done for you… you betrayed my trust.”

“I was trying to do the right thing for those kids. That’s more than you were willing to do.”

“And I heard on the news that the Power Rangers saved them. The kidnappers were going to kill them anyway. Your big gesture with the ransom money didn’t make any difference, just like I told you.”

“The Rangers used the money to distract one of the kidnappers. It helped.”

They heard the doorbell ring, and ignored it.

Collins sighed. “I knew you were an irresponsible, idealistic fool. I didn’t know you were a thief.”

“And I used to think you cared about something besides money. But you don’t. You sure don’t care about me.” Wes turned and walked out, ignoring his father’s attempt to call him back. As he headed upstairs, he saw their butler, Philips, talking to a small group of people, several of whom held either notepads or cameras.

It took only twenty minutes for him to pack. As he started down the stairway, he saw his father talking to the group. Philips met him midway on the stairs.

“What’s going on?” Wes asked.

“Reporters. They want to ask your father some questions about the kidnapping.” Philips looked pointedly at Wes’s bags. “I could ask you what’s going on too.”

“I’m leaving. I don’t know for how long. And tell my dad -- I quit.” Wes handed him a folded piece of paper. “This is where I’ll be staying, at least for awhile. In case anyone… needs to find me.” He started down the stairs again before Philips could protest.

As Wes started to circle around the group of reporters, he heard Collins saying, “Yes, the money withdrawn today from Bio-Lab accounts was used to pay the ransom. All of it was recovered. But of course the important thing is that the children are all safe and back home with their families.”

Wes looked back as he reached the door, and for a moment his eyes met his father’s sharp blue gaze. Goodbye, Dad, he said silently.

As he walked again into the main room of the old clock tower, Wes was relieved to see his friends all still up and gathered around the picnic table talking and sharing a snack. They fell quiet as they looked up to see him, their smiles fading as they realized something was wrong.

“Hi.” Wes set down his bags. He tried to smile and failed. “Got room for one more?”

Katie and Trip and even Lucas smiled warmly. “Jen?” Katie said. “What do you think?”

Jen stood up. “I think… welcome home, Wes.”