How Far We've Come
Disclaimer: Yeah, OK.
Challenge: Protection
Timeframe: Post Red Ranger Unplugged
Ships: One sided Rose/Tyzonn; one sided Rose/Mack
Summary: He would have done anything to stop the hurt.
She'd been quiet lately-even for her. So quiet that the only reason she came out of her room anymore was when they had to fight. He'd been so wrapped up in the truth about himself that he hadn't bothered to see what was upsetting her. He was afraid as he climbed up to her room. Afraid that he'd left it too late.
There were muffled sounds of crying. Rose's crying. If Mack had a heart, he was sure it would have broken as he listened to the pitiful sounds. He had to make things better.
"Rose, can I come in?" Mack asked softly. There was no reply. He entered her bedroom slowly, cautiously.
Mack almost wished he'd just stayed outside. Rose was sitting on her bed, face in her hands. Her hair looked dirty and her uniform jacket was hanging loosely on her slender frame. He sat down next to her and gently pulled her hands away from her face. "Rose?"
And then she was clinging to him. "Mack," she sobbed brokenly. "Mack. Oh, Mack."
He had no idea what was wrong with her, and all he could really do was hold her tightly and rub circles on her back. When Rose's sobs quieted a little, Mack addressed her. "Honey, what happened? Why have you been so quiet lately?"
"I thought he liked me. I was so stupid. I really thought he liked me. He made me feel so special, Mack. I guess the only reason he ever paid me any attention was because he thought she was dead."
And suddenly Mack understood. Tyzonn. Rose had a crush on Tyzonn. Tyzonn, who had lost his fiancée…the fiancée none of them had known about. Rose's heart must have been broken into a million tiny pieces.
His poor baby. "That's not true. He paid attention to you because you're smart and talented and beautiful. And even if things don't work with Tyzonn the way you want them to, that doesn't mean you should just lock yourself in your room and cry. Any guy would be so lucky to have you, Rose. I mean that." It was nice to comfort someone instead of being the one comforted.
"Really?"
"Really." Mack smiled at her and gave her an extra squeeze.
As he walked out, her face wore a slightly happier expression. He just hoped next time he could protect her from heartbreak a little better.