Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, only the plot and the circumstances.
Of Kidnappings and Love
by DarkHonda aka Tal
Chapter eight
She woke up in a room that was barely familiar, only to realize it had been her room, her real room, at the Aquabase. Burying her face in her pillow, she wanted to disappear or at least, return to the room that had been her house for the last god-knows-how-long time. She couldn't though, it was ruined by the hand of her friends and Ryan, god, Ryan was alone now on that floor, she hoped he's okay, she hoped Diabolico healed him. She tried to fall asleep again, wanting to escape the new reality, but couldn't, tossing and turning she decided, eventually, to stand on her feet. Once she did, she hurried to her bathroom as the last dinner she had with Ryan was now going up the wrong way. She hurried to the toilet and vomited. What was happening to her? She didn't know and she didn't want to ask for help, too. Whatever it is, she'll manage until she saw Ryan again. Deep in thought, she returned to the bed, sitting, feeling empty.
A knock on the door was heard and she turned around to see Dana peeking in.
"Kels? Can we talk?" the blonde asked and Kelsey nodded, Dana joined her on the bed in silence, then sighed.
"Ms. Fairweather says you've been with Ryan." Dana said lightly and Kelsey nodded. "How was he?"
"Okay," Kelsey smiled a bitter smile, "At least he was okay before the guys blasted him, the last I saw of him was him lying unconscious." She gulped, staring at her hands. Then there was this feeling in her that made her feel like something was very wrong with him. They sat in silence a few moments longer.
"Dana?" Kelsey asked then, and Dana turned to her, offering a smile that hadn't reached her eyes.
"Yes?" Kelsey hesitated for a few seconds, then decided to go for it.
"Do you think I have Stockholm syndrome?"
"I don't know, Kels, it's not something I've seen before." She said gently, "Do you think you have the syndrome?"
"No, I –" she looked down to her hands, "I've known him before… well, you know." Kelsey admitted quietly, blushing, she glanced at her friend's face. Dana didn't seem too shocked, just surprised, it seemed.
"What do you mean 'known him before'? How?"
"We met one day when I was rollerblading and he seemed like a nice guy. That was before he took the Titanium morpher, you see," Kelsey squirmed while admitting, struggling for words, Dana nodded. "And then, later, when he was the Titanium Ranger, we were in too deep and I didn't care." She explained and Dana nodded.
"But Diabolico kidnapped you."
"Yes, he did and you know why? Because Ryan wanted me for his birthday," Kelsey smiled shyly.
"You're kidding!" Dana giggled and Kelsey blushed.
"No, Ryan told me. I was Diabolico's present for Ryan's twenty first birthday," she giggled, "Diabolico's present! Ugh!" she imitated gagging and Dana laughed.
"And how Ryan treated you? Was he kind?" Dana asked, honestly curious.
"He was sweet and took care of me, always." She confided, "I refused to eat at first, he said that if I don't want to see him, I don't have to, but he said I have to eat." Kelsey gulped. "And then, he told me once that he hit you very hard, Dana, he was worried. I know he doesn't want to hurt you. The others, yes, and he absolutely loathes Carter, but he still loves you. I'm sure of it," Kelsey said passionately, "If that's any sign he calls you Dana, while Carter is 'The red ranger'." She whispered, and Dana smiled tearfully.
"Really? He calls me Dana?" Kelsey nodded.
"And he calls Chad Mermaid Boy." Kelsey grinned and Dana laughed. "We didn't talk much about you, but he knows about you and Carter. He noticed that, I didn't tell him anything." Kelsey said and Dana laughed.
"Well, as long as dad doesn't know." Kelsey smiled.
"They just left him though," her eyes fogged with pain, "He looked so bad and I couldn't be there… Dana what if something happened to him? What if he needs help?" Dana hugged her.
"He'll be okay, he's strong." Dana patted on her back gently and Kelsey's stomach turned, she broke free of the hug and ran to the toilet, vomiting again. Dana rushed behind her.
"Kelsey? Are you sure everything is okay? Did you eat anything today?" Dana worried while Kelsey got up, flushed the toilet and went to brush her teeth, shaking her head.
"Nothing? Are you sure?" Kelsey nodded while brushing her teeth.
"And what about headaches? Did you hit your head recently?" Kelsey spit to the sink and washed her mouth.
"No, I hit my head over a month ago when Diabolico brought me to Ryan, but I didn't throw up then." She explained and Dana's eyes widened horrifically.
"Kelsey, did you and Ryan… er…" The blonde blushed considerably, "Well, you know?" She wiggled her eyebrows, Kelsey blushed and nodded.
"I love him."
***
"Okay, I got you three kinds from three different manufacturers," Dana burst into Kelsey's room carrying a dark paper bag, "Do you remember getting your periods?" she asked. Kelsey was staring into the wall in front of her, curled so her chin rested on her knees, her arms hugging her knees. She needed Ryan, she knew it by now, it was less than forty eight hours from when she last saw him, but she still needed him so…
"Kelsey?" Dana's voice pierced her shield and Kelsey looked up at her. "Do you want to take the tests?" Kelsey nodded and took the first one Dana offered. It didn't matter, she was somehow completely sure that she was pregnant now, pregnant with Ryan's child. She closed the door behind her when she entered the bathroom, leaning against it and closing her eyes.
"Ryan," she mumbled in a whisper, wishing he could hear her, just like in that room, their room. "I need you."
Why couldn't she know she was pregnant yesterday? Why did she have to wonder if Ryan is alive? To wonder if she's ever going to tell him that she was carrying their child?
"Get a grip, Kelsey Winslow," she told herself aloud and opened the kit, busying herself with doing the test.
It was positive.
***
"What do you mean 'pregnant'?" Carter's deep voice inquired while Kelsey and Dana were now on the ranger's common room, explaining the situation to their teammates.
"Pregnant, Carter, what do you think it means? Kelsey is going to have a baby." Dana shot, her narrowed gaze focused on Carter.
"How could you? He's our enemy!" Chad exploded from the other corner.
"It doesn't matter," Joel interrupted, "She's pregnant, I respect that. What do we do in battle now?"
"We should take her morpher," Carter said firmly, "I don't want the baby to be hurt!" He added quickly when he met Dana's gaze.
"And what about Stockholm syndrome?" Chad demanded still.
"She doesn't have it, she liked him before she was taken." Dana explained.
"What?! Kelsey, you just betrayed us?" Chad roared, Dana and Joel glared at him.
"We should ask for Captain Mitchell's opinion, he's the one calling the shots." Carter said soberly.
"It's his grandson, what do you think he'll do?" Chad answered, "And how do we know he hasn't raped her, anyway?"
"Chad!" Dana called, outraged.
"I love him." Kelsey said quietly and all four quieted. "He didn't rape me and whatever done, was done with love." Her jaw clenched.
"And when he asks for the baby? Then what?" Chad insisted.
"He doesn't know about the baby!" Kelsey snapped and turned to face Chad. "What is your fucking problem, Chad? That I had sex with Ryan Mitchell or that I hadn't had that sex with you? You're supposed to be my friend! All of you are!" She said sharply, making Chad blush crimson at her bluntness.
"If you can't accept me with the choices I made, maybe I have nothing here. I'll be in my room." She said and left quickly to her room. Shutting the door behind her as she entered, she locked it and leaning against the door, slowly sliding to the floor, crying.
"Ryan…"
A/N: Well, yes, I know it's not very witted. And somewhat expected. But these two weren't the brightest rangers around, not using contraceptives. Review!
