Disclaimer: This story was inspired and adapted from season 1 of the TV show, "One Tree Hill. Neither "One Tree Hill" nor "Power Rangers" belongs to me. Some parts of "Saving Me" may be slightly AU at points, but the story's intent is to remain true to the spirit of the Mystic Force series.

Paired videos have not been made specifically to go along with story, but are ones that I happen to come across on the site that I think fit the action and/or mood of that specific fan fic well.

Chapter 7: Two Steps Back

Paired video: "Shy Girl" by rytanya26 (Nick/Madison) and "Mad About You" by spdekapinkXander/Vida)

(A few days later)

Xander had been giving Vida some hands-on supervision at the Rock Porium in recent days. For instance right now, he had his hands on Vida's spread thighs as he wedged himself in between them to kiss her lips hungrily. Perched on the desk in the back office, Vida moaned pleased as Xander's mouth found hers, and she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck in order to pulls his chest as close to hers as possible. The next thing Vida knew, Xander's kisses had become so filled with passionate force that she found herself falling backward on the desk.

"No… no… we have to stop," Vida breathed heavily as she pushed Xander off her, despite her body's screaming in protest.

"You didn't sound like you were having a bad time," grinned Xander cockily, still gripping her jean-covered thighs.

"Shuddup," retorted Vida, swatting him in the chest as she sat up and pulled down her pink tank top.

"What's the big deal?" asked Xander. "Everyone knows about us."

"Yeah, but we still haven't talked about if we're…" began Vida, but was cut off as Xander started to nibble on her neck. "Xander… Xander…" she repeated, this time more of a desirous groan than a complaint.

Now, Vida gave into her body's demands, letting out a cry of delirious pleasure as Xander's lips tantalized the skin of her jaw line. Subconsciously, she found her hands slipping under his green T-shirt and growing more excited as she touched his rock-hard six-pack. Vida this time let herself begin to fall backward on the desk…

Then suddenly, the action was cut off as the pair heard the sound of the door opening.

"Ohmygosh, I'm sorry!" they heard someone apologize in a flustered tone.

"Nick!" gasped Vida, seeing her friend spin around and shield his eyes at the sight of finding her and Xander in such a comprising position.

"It's no big deal, mate," said Xander, though his tone indicated otherwise.

"Well I'm gonna leave before this gets anymore awkward, but I just wanted to tell you guys that Maddie just called, and said she's coming back to work today," said Nick.

"Wow, her first day back since the night of the college party when Ben…" mused Xander.

"Please don't talk about it again," cut in Vida, not wanting to remember how her sister was given the date rape drug and almost violated by her boyfriend of the time. "Wait, how did Maddie say she was getting here? I took our car this morning."

"Your mom is dropping her off. Now can I please go?" begged Nick, pointing to the still pink-faced and dishelved looking pair.

"Go, go," waved Xander as Nick, looking relieved, quickly shut the door behind him.

"We should get back out there, but I can come over tonight, and we can watch a movie again," suggested Vida somewhat shyly as they made their way toward the door.

"That would be great! Oh wait," backtracked Xander, smacking his forehead. "I forgot. I have a date tonight."

"You have a what?!?" repeated Vida, spinning around to face him in surprise.

"No, no, it's not like that!" replied Xander quickly. "This was setup before you and I, you know, and with everything that's been going on with us and with Maddie, I had just forgotten about it. And I'd feel really bad if I canceled tonight 'cause she bought us concert tickets, and she's new in town, so I doubt she has anybody else to go with…"

"Oh," was all the normally opinionated Vida found she could muster.

"Besides, it's not like you want us to be a couple or together or anything like that," continued Xander hastily. "I mean, unless, do you want us to be a couple?"

"Do you?" shot back Vida, crossing her arms across her chest defensively.

"Look, I don't want to play this game right now, V," replied Xander tiredly. "My shift is over. I'm going home to get ready for my date tonight, and I'll call you when I get back so we can talk about this."

"Whatever," grumbled Vida as she pushed open the door and walked onto the main floor of the Rock Porium.

"V, come on, Vida…" pleaded Xander gently as he tried to kiss her check.

"Just go," exclaimed Vida, causing customers and Nick at the register to turn around and stare.

"Oooo, a lover's quarrel," said Leelee excitedly as she walked over to get a better listen.

"Fine, I won't go tonight if it's giving you the personality of an old, scratchy CD," said Xander sarcastically.

Vida marched across the Rock Porium to the store's entrance and pushed open the door wide, much to the surprise of her sister, who had just arrived and happened to have been standing there. Vida didn't notice Madison however, as she was still too busy glaring at the gaping Xander.

"JUST GO!" Vida yelled at him, gesturing her hand toward the exit.

"Unbelievable," shouted Xander at her, giving Nick an exasperated glare as he walked past the register on his way toward the door. "Welcome back, Maddie," he added gruffly as he pushed past her.

"Yeah, welcome back, Sis," added Vida gruffly before bee -lining back to the rear office and slamming the door.

Madison looked confusedly back and forth in confusion between Nick and the now closed office door, trying to make sense out of what had just happened. Nick smiled back at her and just shook her head. Seeing that the customers, even Leelee, had resumed their browsing, Madison made her way over to Nick at the register.

"How are you feeling?" asked Nick gently.

"Better thanks," replied Madison. "Vida told me stopped by to see how I was doing again. I'm sorry I was asleep."

"No prob, but are you sure you're ready to be back at work?" asked Nick concernedly.

"I just really want to put what happened behind me," answered Madison firmly, not meeting his intense gaze. "But umm Nick, about what you said the other night? When you brought me home from the party?"

"Ooo, yeah?" asked Nick, turning red as he realized Madison must of heard through her sleepy, drug-induced haze after all that he had told her he loved her.

"Umm, you're cool with us just being friends, right? I mean, we're friends. Right?" asked Madison nervously, still not looking him in the eyes.

"We are," responded Nick, trying to hide his disappointment from showing on his face.

"OK," said Madison, relief seeping into her voice.

"And I'm cool with it," continued Nick, trying to make light of the situation. "Besides, I wasn't ready for all that Madison Rocco/girlfriend drama anyways, you know?"

Madison nodded in response.

"Umm, it looks Leelee is waving me over. I guess I better go help her," said Nick somewhat awkwardly. "I'll be back."

Madison watched as Nick made his way over to the blonde, who was tossing her long curls over her shoulder and smiling at him broadly. She knew it was no secret that Leelee had always had a crush on Nick. And Madison didn't want to be with Nick, so why should she care who was interested in him?

Yet as she watched Nick and Leelee share a laugh together, Madison began to feel ill all over again.