Make Him Proud
Several hours later, Rose turned in her sleep and rolled into Mack. Her eyes snapped open, but Mack didn't seem to notice. Rose smiled sadly at the man lying next to her.
It was no easy feat to escape Mack's protective grip – it never had been. Rose shoved the past from her mind for the moment as she managed to sit up. Still focusing on the sleeping red ranger, Rose brushed a stray curl from his eyes, cupping his face in her hand. "Sleep tight," Rose whispered.
She left Mack's room quietly, feeling better now that she had gotten a few hours of sleep. Rose scrunched her face into a frown as she moved down the hallway. Why was the light in Ronny's room on? She pushed the door open.
The yellow ranger jumped at the slight creaking the door made. She turned to see Rose standing near the entrance of her yellow room. "Oh it's you," Ronny said. "You startled me. It's late; I thought you were asleep."
"I've been here since this morning," Rose replied. "Mack and I took naps. I just woke up." Rose ventured inside a few steps. "When did you get here?"
"Ten minutes ago." And then Ronny abandoned the shirt she'd been holding, crossing to Rose and hugging the woman who as like the sister she'd never had. They stood there for a long time. "It's so sad," Ronny said finally.
Rose nodded. "Especially since Mack was there and all. He feels guilty. He thinks it should have been him, I know it."
"Mack always was stupid like that," Ronny scoffed. "Whatever he's feeling, it would have been ten times worse for Mr. Hartford if it had been the other way around."
"I know that, Ronny," Rose said quietly. "But it really couldn't have been worse, could it? They were just starting to mend their relationship. Mack told me all kinds of things they discussed, and I could just picture how happy they must have been on their expedition. It's terrible."
"But he's home now." Ronny looked at her friend, her eyes serious instead of laughing for once. "Have you talked about…?"
"This is not the time for that, Ronny, his father just died."
"I know," Ronny said. "I just meant that you've been waiting for him for a long time. I think you deserve to be happy, Rose. He's-"
"You don't know anything about that, Ronny. He needs me right now. The last thing I should be doing is dragging up that ancient history. When he's ready he'll tell me. Until then, I just have to be patient. I'm not going to give up on him just yet."
Ronny nodded. "Do you know anything about the funeral plans? Tyzonn contacted Spencer and him and Vella are going to try to get here on time."
"I don't know if Mack's done anything yet," Rose answered. "I don't know if he can handle it. He's really messed up over this, Ronny. He cried for what seemed like hours, and when he called to tell me what had happen, all he could say was that he needed me to come home. It would probably be better if someone else handled arrangements."
The female rangers settled in on Ronny's bed and continued talking for nearly an hour. When Rose left so Ronny could get some sleep, she peeked in at Mack once again. "I'm sorry," Rose whispered to the sleeping red ranger. "But I'm glad it wasn't you, Mack, selfish as it is. I don't know what I'd do without you."
--
Mack slept all of the next day, right through Will and Dax's arrivals. Rose stayed close to him, watching over him as she tossed and turned restlessly. "I know," she murmured. "I know." When he began moaning during nightmares, mumbling "Dad…Dad…" over and over again, Rose lay down and gathered him in her arms as best she could. I know, Mack. It's alright. Rose is here."
"Rose?" he groaned as he opened his eyes. "Rosie?"
"Oh, good," she sighed. "You're finally awake. You slept for almost thirty-six hours." Rose ran her hand through his curls soothingly, trying to show him he wasn't the only one who could do the comfort thing. "You had nightmares."
"The cave." Mack slung to her, desperate. "Why did he have to die, Rose?" He buried his face in her neck.
"I don't know." Rose was now rubbing his back again as more tears fell from Mack's eyes. "Just let it out, Mack. It's just you and me here. We're all alone. I won't think anything less of you. I know you love your dad, and I know it hurts." Rose paused for a moment. "He was like my dad, too."
Mack's eyes found hers, and again Rose hated to see his pain. Wordlessly, he sat the both of them up, keeping his arms around her. He leaned back against the wall, holding Rose close to him. "Dad would have liked that."