Just Like Dad

Chapter Eight: Closure

by angellwings

Okay, so before you guys start reading . . . I just reread the last chapter, and it wasn't as hopeless as I thought it was. This story is not my best work. I'm sure some of you have noticed. I hate that I'm stuck writing episode companion chapters, and I failed at branching off from that with the last chapter. I'm trying to rework this story into something a little more interesting, but it might take a little while to redirect it.

Thanks,

angellwings


Leslie sighed as she stared at the infirmary door. Where was every one? She wanted to get the lecture from her brother over with.

And there was something she had to do. She didn't particularly want to, but . . . well, she was a liability now. A weak link. The question was . . . what was she going to do next? She could go back to Angel Grove; live with her mom for a while until she found a job and her own apartment. The bottom line. She was leaving.

Who was she kidding? She wasn't a ranger. She wasn't even a proper Martial Arts instructor. She left her students mid-class, she thought with a bitter chuckle to herself. How could she change so much in so little a time. She'd matured. As hard as it was to believe. She had been acting childishly when she came after Carter. He was an adult, and stronger than her . . . he didn't need her looking out for him.

Finally the door she'd been staring at opened, and Carter stepped through.

"How are you feeling?" He asked worriedly.

"Okay." She answered with a small smile.

"So, you're the purple ranger, huh?" He asked with a grin.

She chuckled, "Yeah . . . pretty much."

"Can't say that it didn't shock me a little." Carter said as he approached the bed.

"I'm sure." She said kindly.

"And you're dating Ryan, apparently. He just told us that outside." Carter said with a blank expression.

She nodded, "I see."

"He also told every one why he couldn't morph."

"He did?" She asked in surprise.

"Dana made him." Carter said with a chuckle.

"Ah, of course." Leslie said as she smiled in return.

There was silence, and Leslie was anticipating his parental lecture.

"So, are you gonna lecture me or what?" Leslie asked with a sigh.

He laughed, "You're a little too old for me to lecture."

"Never stopped you before." She scoffed.

"Yeah, well, I actually see it now." He said seriously, "I've got to go, but get out of here soon okay? We need you around here."

"I'm leaving, Carter." She told him as he began to stand.

"What?" He asked in surprise, "Just because of what happened today . . ."

"No, it's not just that." She stated simply, "I'm going back to Angel Grove tomorrow. Mom's gonna come pick me up seeing as how it's hard to drive with all these injuries."

"Have you shared this bit of news with Ryan?" Carter asked with aggravation. She couldn't just leave.

"No, but I will the very next time I see him." She said with a sigh.

"Why?" He asked in confusion.

"Because you guys don't need me around here. You'll be fine taking care of the demons with out me, and any way I'm no good to any one like this." She said with feigned lightheartedness.

"There's no chance I can talk you out of this is there?" He asked knowingly.

"None what so ever." She told him seriously.

"Alright, well, I'll miss having you around." He said as he gave her a peck on the cheek, "But if you really want to do this . . . I won't hold it against you."

She smiled sincerely at him, "Thank you, and I'll miss you too. It's been nice to actually be able to see you every day."

"Maybe we'll have to work on that. I guess I could visit more often than I used to." He told her with a smile as he headed for the door.

"I'd like that."

"Good, then I'll see you later." Carter said with a nod before he walked out of the room.


As soon as she told Ryan the news of her leaving was all over the base. As well as the news that she and Ryan had broken up. The Titanium Ranger had not taken it well at all, and Leslie felt like even more of a heel than she had before. She gave her morpher back to Captain Mitchell and said her good byes to the other rangers who were pretty unhappy with her as well, but thanks to Carter they begrudgingly accepted her departure.

None of their anger compared to Shelby's. That's right her golden retriever hated her guts. She figured it was mostly because Shelby knew Chad wasn't going with them. Jason had come to the base with her mother to follow them in Leslie's Jeep. The first thing he had asked her was if she was sure she wanted to give up her morpher. She smiled kindly at him and assured him that it was what she wanted.

She sighed as she looked around her old room. It was covered in pictures of her high school days, her family, and various Martial Arts competitions. She was back, and every one at Lightspeed wouldn't have to worry about her being "The Red Ranger's Sister" or "The Titanium Rangers" girlfriend any more. She wasn't going to risk what happened the other day happening again. What if that had happened again but the next time they wanted more than just Ryan to weaken and morph? What if they ever asked for their morphers in exchange for her?

She wouldn't allow that to happen.

Things were much better this way.

She was positive.


It's short, but it's the start of a new direction. And in case your wondering Leslie will not be returning to Operation Lightspeed. But there is more to her story so stay tuned!

Enjoy!

angellwings