Power Rangers In Space - Heather Ray (free ereaders .txt) 📗

games, and my karioke hobby.

Maybe that's

why she doesn't seem to notice me. Maybe I'm too much of a "guy next door"

for her. Maybe she really longs for mystery.

Yeah, mystery's fun and all... but surely that's not what a sensible person would base a relationship on.

Right?

Chapter Three

I don't wanna lose you now
We're gonna get through somehow
I don't wanna lose you now or ever

The truth is, I don't really know what she feels for me. I never got up the courage to ask her.

It's a scary thing... laying your heart on the line. What if she steps on it? Man, and considering that we live on the same ship, it'd be really tough if I don't feel comfortable around her. It could put the entire team in jeopardy.

But... the war's over. We're going back to Earth, to be normal teens again. No more galactic battles, or going to sleep each night knowing that the next day might be your last. No more lying to parents, or fighting for our survival. We'll have time to do normal things... like have relationships.

Now's my chance. The battle has been won. And even if she's not interested, there' still so much bonding us together that we can remain friends.

I'm sure of it.

Chapter Four

Baby I've finally found
The Courage to stand my ground
But if you want me
I'll be around, forever

"Cassie?" I call, stepping onto the bridge. Oddly enough, everyone else is gone. More than likely, Ashley and Andros are together, and Karone and Zhane are too. Maybe the four of them are just talking. And Carlos isn't here either.

Wow... even Alpha's gone!

"What's up, Teej?" she asks, turning around.

She looks at me with those deep, dark, inquisitive eyes. It feels like she can see right through me. I can feel my resolve slipping away, like sand under your feet when a wave passes beneath them.

"Nothing," I answer passively, taking a seat beside her at the helm. I grin at her... my most artless, innocent grin. My mother always told me I could melt stone hearts with that grin. Maybe I can melt an indifferent one?

"You're not going to believe this one," she says quietly, leaning closer to me with a wide smile on her face. I lean closer as well, waiting for the news she was so eager to relate.

"He

called."

I blink in disbelief. Suddenly, it's very hard to swallow. "Who called?" I manage to say.

"The Phantom Ranger," she answers, biting her lower lip to contain her excitement, "He's on his way to rendezvous with us before we arrive on Earth. He wants to congratulate us on our victory against Astronema."

I smile, but anyone paying attention can see that the smile doesn't really reach my eyes. I put it on for her behalf. "That's nice of him," I comment, leaning back in my chair, "He probably wants to say good-bye to us, before he goes home."

Cassie's bright smile instantly converts to a thoughtful expression, and I immediately feel regret building for saying that. If she loves him, that's probably the last

thing she wants to hear.

But, it's the most likely possibility. I mean, what are the chances that he'd stay on Earth, just to be with her.

I suddenly feel dizzy when a realization hits me... Andros was willing to do it for Ashley.

Maybe the Phantom is as well.

And if he does... I'll lose Cassie forever.

Chapter Five

We all make mistakes,
We all lose our way
But we stood the test of time and I hope
That's the way it will stay

Chapter Six

It's all up to you, to tell me to go
'Cause it won't be me to walk away
When you're all that I know
And I know...

It's been over an hour now, and I've resorted to sitting in the hallway, leaning against the wall as I count the tiles along the floor.

Yeah, I know it's pathetic... but what else can I do?

Suddenly, I hear voices, and a door sweeping open beside me. I leap to my feet, and quickly straighten my flight jacket. I try to look as casual as possible, as my eyes drink in Cassie's appearance as she gracefully glides into the hallway. With a smooth motion, she turns her head back, a bright smile on her face and her hair floating on currents of air behind her. She reaches out her hand to someone who is still out of my field of vision.

I see a bare hand take it.

I swallow hard.

The man who steps out of the lounge is the kind of guy you'd love to hate. He has black hair, smooth and curly, hanging about his ears carelessly. Piercing green eyes, unnaturally green by human standards, rest their gaze on Cassie warmly. He's got a noble chin, distinctive nose, broad shoulders, and muscular form, that is very much displayed by the black spandex uniform he wore.

He looks like he just stepped out of one of those cheesy romance novels or something.

I'm doomed.

Chapter Seven

I don't wanna lose you now
We're gonna get through somehow
I don't wanna lose you now or ever and ever
Baby I've finally found
The courage to stand my ground

"Teej!" Cassie calls, when her almond eyes finally sweep in my direction. I'm stunned, as if finally realizing that this was really happening.

Oh boy... how can I face her now?

"Hey, Cass," I say weakly, watching as the pair approaches me. Despite myself, I can't seem to pull my eyes from the tall man standing behind Cassie.

"Hello, T.J.," he said, extending his hand, "I am pleased to finally meet you... out of uniform. I am Zebulon-Astrid of Eltar, granted honor as the chosen Phantom Ranger."

I look into his eyes for a moment longer. Typically, that shade of green would look creepy and cold to me. Yet, for some reason, they glow with warmth.

I can guess why.

I enclose his offered hand in mine, and shake it briskly. "A pleasure to meet you, Zebulon."

He smiles at me. "Zebulon is my family name. Astrid is my given name."

"It means Divine Strength," Cassie comments, "Isn't that cool?"

Astrid shrugs slightly. "It is only an approximate translation of the Eltarian, Cassie."

My smile is still plastered on my face, and I observe the warm expressions passing between the two of them.

My heart continues pounding on my chest, like it's begging to escape. I don't know how much more of this I can take.

Man... it hurts. It hurts more than I was expecting it to.

For the briefest of moments, I'm angry at Cassie. I'm angry that she doesn't see what she's doing to me. Can't she tell that this is slow torture?

No, she can't see it. All she sees is the Phantom Ranger, now unmasked before her.

But the anger doesn't last long. It fades as quickly as it erupted.

I could never be mad at Cassie for long.

Chapter Eight