Author's notes: This is my first independent fanfic; you can find the rest of my work with my darling co-author IvyDraken (who I thank profusely for proofing this). I haven't yet decided whether this is just a singular songfest or the start of something more. That's up to you guys! Please review and let me know! Also note that italics indicate thoughts. Or lyrics, but I think you can tell the difference.
Time: This takes place during Turbo, before "Passing of the Torch." In my little world two months have gone by.
By: Hazydestiny
The lights were already dimming when Rocky slipped into a seat at the back of the theater. He could see his friends sitting in the front row. Nice of you to save me a seat. Not that he would've sat with them anyway. I'm not exactly part of the team anymore. The only time I see them is when they come to the apartment, and I know they're not coming to see me. He sighed. I love Adam, but I really gotta get my own place.
It had been two months since he had graduated high school and given his powers to Justin. God only knew how he let Zordon talk him into that. At first the rangers had been the supportive, loving friends he was so used to, but their attention had quickly waned. They were busy with other things - Tommy was always at the track, Tanya was working at a radio station and trying to get her singing career off the ground, Adam was swamped teaching martial arts, coaching soccer, and preparing for college, and Kat spent practically all of her time dancing. Not to mention the whole saving-the-world bit. And the little free time they did have was spent trying to be a surrogate family for Justin. He didn't even fit into their lives anymore. He sighed. Funny how they spent so much time with Billy after he lost the powers, but a few months go by and I've dropped off the face of the earth.
The music swelled, and the first dancers floated onto the stage. Rocky closed his eyes and let Tchaikovsky's melodies ease his tension. His mom used to play "Sleeping Beauty" as a lullaby when he was younger, and it always brought back warm feelings of home. Opening his eyes, he tried to concentrate on the ballet, but his eyes kept drifting to that front row. He noticed Jason and Emily had joined them. Typical. There was another former ranger they spent a significant amount of time with. Tommy has no problem having a conversation with him, but when I'm around it's like there's a huge elephant in the room. Nice to know that the friends I spent so much time with can't find anything to talk to me about. God, why am I here anyway?
That question was quickly answered as he looked back up at the stage. There she was, his angel. She seemed to float across the stage, and every other dancer faded into the background. Her face was radiant; her blond hair sparkled under the lights, her pale skin looked like cream. Her beauty was so intoxicating he could barely breathe. How much would he love to run his fingers through that hair, to feel her soft skin under his hands! How many nights had he dreamed of kissing those perfect lips? He never knew what beauty was until the day that he met her. Not like I ever had a chance in hell.
He sighed. He should really stop torturing himself. She would never see him as anything more than a friend, and a goofy one at that. When it came to matters of the heart, she had someone much better to turn to. Mr. Perfect. The man who got everything without even so much as raising a finger. She had been stuck on that man since the very beginning, since the first day that they met. Rocky knew from the start that he would sooner have a shot of single-handedly defeating Divatox than ever winning her heart. But in this world of music and fantasy, he could dream.
You can hardly wait to tell all your friends
How his kisses taste sweet like wine
And how he always makes your heart skips a beat
Every time he walks by
And if you're feeling down, he'll pick you up
He'll hold you close when you're making love
He's everything you've been dreaming of
Oh, baby
I wish you'd look at me that way
Your beautiful eyes looking deep into mine
Telling me more than any words could say
But you don't even know I'm alive
Baby to you, all I am, is the invisible man
He got so lost in her perfection that he didn't even notice the time passing, and in what seemed like seconds the curtains were closing. Thunderous applause echoed off the walls of the theatre. The dancers, tired and elated, came out for their curtain calls. When she finally walked out the audience rose to its feet. The volume doubled, mainly due to the whistling and cheering of the front row. Rocky added a few whistles of his own, but that faded when Tommy jumped up on stage. He handed her a large bouquet of red roses. Her face shining, she pulled him down into a kiss, an act that excited the audience even more. Rocky, however, stood motionless, looking down at the simple wildflower arrangement he had brought. He thanked God for the darkness that hid the pain on his face.
You probably spend hours on the phone
Talking 'bout nothing at all
It doesn't matter what the conversation
Just as long as he calls
Lost in a love so real and so sincere
And you wipe away all those tears
Your face lights up whenever he appears
I wish you'd look at me that way
Your beautiful eyes looking deep into mine
Telling me more than any words could say
But you don't even know I'm alive
Baby to you, all I am, is the invisible man
Turning to the man next to him, Rocky shoved the flowers into his hands. Ignoring the stranger's surprise, Rocky walked out the door. Once he got out of the building, he broke into a run. He ignored the pain in his back from his jarring steps, and just kept going, trying to outrun his pain. When he reached his apartment, he didn't even bother to turn on the lights. He collapsed on the couch, trying to catch his breath. This shouldn't be so hard!! I've had to watch them together every day for years. God, is it ever going to get easier? Bowing his head, he buried his face in his hands. His entire life was in shambles at his feet, and he didn't know how much more his heart could take. Stretching out on the couch, he let it all go. In the dark silence of his home he sobbed out all of his anger, fear, and pain. Finally, emotionally spent and completely exhausted, he drifted into a dreamless sleep.
I wish you'd look at me that way
Your beautiful eyes looking deep into mine
Telling me more than any words could say
But you don't even know I'm alive
Baby to you, all I am, is the invisible man
You don't see me girl but I love you, yes, I love you
The invisible man