The Terran Ranger Saga Volume 3 - Heather Ray (chapter books to read to 5 year olds .txt) 📗

gazing deeply into her eyes. "You've owned it for half my life, and I've always been afraid to say it. I guess I was afraid -- of rejection."

"I knew you loved me," she admitted, much to Will's surprise. "Not always, but I could tell how much you cared when I moved to Switzerland. I've loved you since we met also."

"Then, why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I didn't think you were ready for a relationship. I mean, I knew you cared, but you always seemed to put other things before love. First, it was being the brains of the Power Rangers. Then, it was being the mentor of the Power Rangers. I still don't believe Zordon left you with so much responsibility on your shoulders."

"He didn't give me more than he thought I could handle," Will protested.

"True, but you were only eighteen, and you had the weight of the world on your shoulders. And once that was over, you became obsessed with your work, trying to finish school with the highest possible achievement."

"I guess I always was an achiever."

"Yes, you always were. And then, you worked so hard in training, so you could be an astronaut, and you also spent years developing that light-speed engine. And then, you took it for a test spin, and you left me behind."

"You're absolutely right," said Will, shaking his head. "All these years, I just convinced myself that I wasn't good enough for you. That I wasn't good enough for the team. That Zordon didn't think I was worthy to be a Terran Ranger. Like I failed..."

"You didn't fail anyone, Will," Trini said softly.

"I worked so hard in the CAC and then at NASA, trying to prove I was as smart as everyone believed I was. I couldn't build the nerve to be honest with you."

"So, what made you change your mind?"

"A near death experience. I realized today that I don't have forever to tell you how I feel. I realized I could die at any time, with a lot of things unsaid. But, that wasn't what finally pushed me."

"Then, what was?"

"It was when you were lingering near death. Then, I'd have to live my life knowing that the woman I loved more than anything is gone from my life, and that she didn't even know how much I loved her. I'd have to live with that pain forever. So, I decided telling you was worth the risk."
Epilogue

Three days later, Kimberly Hart, Jason and Emily Lee, Katherine Hillard, Adam Park, Rocky DeSantos, Tom Oliver, and Zack Taylor relaxed in the Lee family's backyard, watching the portable television propped on the picnic table. The scene showed the streets of Washington DC. Even though only days ago the streets were in ruins, now, thanks to expert constructors, the capital was on its way to recovery. At this moment, though, the reconstruction had been placed on hold. Now, there was a special ceremony in Washington, with three very special people to be honored.

^My fellow Americans,^

said the President from a podium in front of the White House. ^Just days ago, our fair country was placed under attack. This attack was nothing like the wars against nations. Rather, it was a war waged against mankind, by an alien terrorist. We were unprepared for the attack, and we surely could never have won on our own. If it weren't for the intelligence gathered by three fine American astronauts, as well as the swift actions of the Terran Power Rangers, no doubt this capital would be in utter ruin. The buildings that were destroyed can be repaired, but if we had surrendered, the American spirit would've been damaged beyond repair. Today, I'd like to show our appreciation for their efforts above and beyond the call of duty. I'd like to present William Mitchell, Natasha Slovensky, and James Montgomery with these medals of honor! America owes you all a great debt.^

The President placed the medals around the necks of the three heroes, and they all raised their arms in victory. Then, a woman with long ebony hair ran onto the podium, and embraced William tightly. The rangers watched Will smile modestly, as he is finally recognized for a lifetime of service to the entire planet, as a Power Ranger, as a scientist, and as an astronaut.

"I'm so happy for him," said Kimberly, wiping a tear from her eyes. "He's finally appreciated! He's been working so hard all his life, but he's always been left in the background."

"He may be basking in the glory," said Jason, wrapping an arm around his wife, "but that's not why he's smiling like that. The glory means nothing compared to Trini, and now, he's got her."

"If you ask me," said Katherine, "he always had her. He just never knew it."

"You know," said Emily, "I heard that the President also wanted to reward the Power Rangers with a ceremony, but they declined."

"Maybe they have other things to take care of," said Zack.

"I suppose," said Emily, glancing at her watch and standing up. "It's time for me to get the cake out of the oven."

"I'll come help you," said Kimberly, also standing up. The two women went into the kitchen, as the others kept watching the television. Jason glanced at his best friend, and noticed that he was staring at the door where the two women entered the house. Jason shook his head, and stood up. He sat beside Tom, and put a hand on his shoulder.

"So," he said. "How's the big bad Princeton professor?"

"Not bad," he said, "I've been writing a book, about my little quest to discover more about my Native American heritage. The semester is nearly over, and during the break I plan on visiting my brother and his wife in San Francisco."

"How's Vanessa?"

"Oh, she's fine," Tom said, "although I think she's upset because I don't spend as much time with her as she'd like. But she had to understand that I have work to do --"

"Tom," said Jason, "maybe you should learn from Will's mistake. He put work before love his whole life, and because of that, he almost lost Trini. Do you want the same thing to happen to you and Vanessa?"

"I...I don't think so. I really don't know what I want to happen between us. She really wants to start planning our wedding, but for some reason, I'm not excited about it. What's wrong with me, Bro? I mean, Van's a great woman. She's beautiful, strong, smart, independent..."

"Maybe she's not quite what you're looking for," said Jason, "I can't help you with this one, Tom. I can't read your heart, and tell you what you want. You have to figure that out for yourself."

"You're right," said Tom, "I have to figure it out. Thanks Jason."

"Anytime," said Jason, as Tom stood up and walked to the kitchen. He stood at the entrance, and watched from behind as Kimberly and Emily frosted the cake. He watched for a few moments, and then cleared his throat to gain their attention.

"Hello, Tom," said Emily with a bright smile. "Can I get you anything?"

"That's okay, Em," he said. "Uh, could I talk to Kim for a minute?"

Emily nodded, and took the cake. She smiled at both of them, and headed back outside.

"What's on your mind?" asked Kimberly, starting to wash the dishes.

"Um...how's your family?"

"Trevor and Anthony are both fine," she said. "How are you?"

"Not bad," he said. "So, everything's working out for you, eh?"

"Absolutely. And you?"

"Well, slowly but surely. Uh, Kim, I've been doing some thinking the past couple of days. Being here in Angel Grove, with you and the whole gang, really makes me miss our younger days."

"Yes," Kim said with a sigh, "I guess I'm a bit nostalgic too."

"Right. Well, I figured that we don't have to go our separate ways like we did before. There's no reason why the group of us don't stay in contact. Zedd and Rita may be gone again, but there's no guarantee that they won't be back, or maybe someone worse will show up. And even if they don't the world is still in turmoil."

"What are you saying?" asked Kim, turning around to face Tom.

"I'm saying that the Power Rangers shouldn't disband. We should keep the Power, and keep guard over the world. We are supposed to be the protectors of Earth, but that doesn't have to mean we fight only against an intergalactic threat. We can help with domestic problems as well. Well, what do you think?"

"What did the others say?"

"I don't know yet. I asked you first."

Kimberly was visibly surprised by this. "Why? I thought Jason was your best friend. And second-in-command, too."

"That's true, but you've always been my backup. Throughout our careers as Power Rangers, you were always behind me. I've come to rely on your support, even more than on Jason's."

"Really?" said Kim in total shock. "But, after what happened between us...when I left for Florida ten years ago..."

"Kim," Tom said, running his hand through his short dark hair, "I was a jerk! Instead of supporting your gymnastics career, I was selfish. And after you left, I was too proud to apologize to you, and that contributed to me losing you. But even though we're not together, we can still be friends, and partners against evil."

"You're right," said Kim with a bright smile, "but you're not completely at fault. I was the one who dumped you, without even talking to you. I was wrong to play with your feelings like that, but I was so mad that you seemed to stand between me and the gold medal. I'm so sorry, Tom. Forgiven?"

"Forgiven," said Tom, and the two immediately embraced in a warm, friendly hug. When the separated, Kimberly began to giggle.

"What?" asked Tom, starting to laugh with her.

"It took us a decade to swallow our pride, put aside our anger, and apologize! I thought we were more mature than that."

"I guess some things will always stay the same," he said. "We're both a bit pig-headed, you know."

"Come on," said Kim, taking Tom's hand and leading him out of the house. "Let's go tell the guys that the Terran Power Rangers are back in business!"

To Be Continued In...

The Terran Rangers/X-Men:

Mutations