Disclaimer- Disney owns them not me. I also don't own the song Without Love which is Bon Jovi's.
AN- Thanks to garnetred for the paring crossover! Again, all paring challenges and crossovers will be taken until chapter twelve! Sorry for the delay! Writer's block is driving me nuts and I was banned for one of my fics. (Will be explained in repost.)
AN2- I was planning to do a Sky/Syd chapter, but this idea popped into my head. They'll be in the next chapter.
AN3- Spoilers for History, I saw Wormhole and it could've been better, so little or no spoilers for it. Also it'll be set after Endings pt. 2 you'll see why.
Shoutouts-
Littlelola- Thanks! Will a Kira/Trent chapter cheer you up?
Kiseki-no-neko- Of course not! I've just been really busy posting new chapters and working on my other fics. How could I forget you? You're not a bother! It's alright, to each their own.
Jenny- Yep, its fun doing that. Wow, a Trent/Kira fan liking a Kira/Conner chapter, pinch me. LOL. Glad you liked it! Here's more!
Hunter- Thanks!
lkwREADer- Wow, you don't ask for much do ya? J/K. I will do a Trent/Kira one soon! Thanks!
BlueCrimson4Ever- Thanks! So glad you like them! Here ya go!
garnetred- Thanks! Hope you like this chapter! I've already got a song picked out for the Ethan/Cassidy chapter. Here's more!
Marah- (Grins) Glad you loved it Mar-Mar! Please update Children of the Elements soon! I can't wait for more! Anytime girlfriend, LYLAS!
BloomingViolets- Thanks! I know; there wasn't enough of the two of them in the show either! Yeah, I figured that could be a background for History. Definitely I'll be posting the Sky/Syd one next. All parings are welcome.
Destiny45- Thanks! I will. Here's more!
Sky's girl forever- Thanks! Me too! Yes they are! Here ya go!
Skyla-Dumbledore- Thanks! Most of parings I can see but the Taylor/Jason and Shane/Marah I'll have to look harder for. Did Taylor and Jason even meet? I think I see Forever Red being downloaded in my future.
NightMistCrystal- (Blushes) Thank you! Even chapter four? I got a few complaints for it being too short. (Grins) Well, what I try to do is when I write a specific chapter I just think about what I, and other readers would've liked to see in that particular season. Yes, I can and will write a Sky/Z chapter, it won't be in the next chapter, that's Sky/Syd for Pink-Green-White-4ever. As soon as I find the right song for them I'll get right on it.
Quote: "Without her, life's not worth living."
Chapter Ten: Without Love
She wasn't young, but still a child.
There still was innocence.
In painted smiles.
She called to me as I passed her by.
Lady of the night looked in my eyes.
She said: I been through some changes.
But one thing always stays the same.
"Dr. O please, I'm desperate!"
Tommy Oliver sighed and studied his former teammate/student and friend. He recognized the symptoms: lack of sleep, a look of sheer desperation and determination on his face. The number one thing that gave his pain away was the look of anguish that filled the young man's body. He carried it with his mind, body, heart and spirit. He knew all-too well what he was going through since he himself had gone through the same thing. "First off Ethan, you can call me Tommy now. Second I think there may be a way for you to remember her."
A spark of hope filled Ethan's eyes. "Tell me please."
Tommy rose from his old chair from what was left of their command center. "First close your eyes and relax, then I want you to search your mind, think of anything that you can remember of her. Like her hair color, her eyes or her name."
Fatigued dark brown eyes slowly closed as his body reluctantly relaxed into a comfortable position. His face was full with frustration of trying to remember the woman who haunted him. Though he had no idea who she was, why she was so special to him, he was falling hard for her. Tommy's heart went out to the young man who'd come to him, heartbroken.
It was barely dawn, only the early morning birds were up. Golden strands of sunlight broke through the forest. A wild turkey could be heard gobbling in the distance. It was peaceful. Kinda. A loud pounding on a wooden door shattered the peace, jerking Tommy and his companion out of their immersed slumber.
"What the hell…" Tommy mumbled as he slowly sat up. "Someone better be dying or the city's being attacked."
His companion next to him stirred, as if trying to wake up but couldn't fully do so "If there's an attack, whoever it is, is an idiot for attacking at the crack of dawn. Want me to go scare whoever it is off?"
Tommy smiled and kissed his lover's cheek. "No, thank you though. I'll be back." He reluctantly slid out of the warm, inviting bed, reaching for a pair of discarded pants, pulling them on. Whoever was at the door became impatient and pounded again. A low growl escaped Tommy's throat as he padded out of his room, light laughter following him. Hearing his love laugh brought a small grin to his face, lightening his mood.
When he reached the door and opened it he was surprised to find Ethan on the other side. "Ethan, what're-" he was abruptly cut off when the teen rushed past him into the house. Confused, the former Black Dino Thunder Ranger closed the door and turned to find Ethan pacing frantically back and forth in front of him. "What's wrong?"
"I can stop thinking about her." More pacing.
"Who?"
"I DON'T KNOW!" Frustrated Ethan pounded his fist into his leg before facing Tommy. "I don't know who she is; just that she keeps haunting my dreams, my life." He started pacing again. Then stopped just as quickly, "Have you ever lov…cared about someone, but you never could tell them what your true feelings were, but when you had the chance, it was too late?"
The paleontologist nodded, remembering his own teen years. The pain, betrayal, and the love he felt for her. "I have, but there is always a second chance."
Without love, there's nothing without love.
Nothing else can get through the night.
Nothing else feels right without love.
Ethan shook his head sadly, "not for me. I don't even think she exists."
"Why do you say that?" Tommy asked, out of the corner of his eye he saw his lover walk in, unnoticed by Ethan, tying the belt to a pink bathrobe. He motioned for her to stay where she was for the time being.
"Well, from what I can partially tell, her clothes are extremely different than ours... Future-era if I had to guess."
Tommy's brow furrowed in confusion. "Future-era? Like Time Force, perhaps?"
"No, Dr. O., it was totally different than what the Time Force Rangers wear." His gaze fell on Tommy's companion, his eyes widening. "You…you're…oh no way!" For the first time since bursting in unannounced, Ethan grinned. "You're Kimberly!"
Kim smiled at him. "Yes, I am, you must be Ethan, Tommy's told me so much about you."
Ethan took in Kim's attire, he blushed and looked at Tommy. "I'm really sorry Dr. O., I didn't know…"
Tommy waved his apology away. "What's done is done Ethan. Look, about your mystery woman, I will do everything I can to help you."
A wave of relief and gratitude washed over Ethan towards his mentor. "Thanks so much Dr. O., you have no idea how much this means to me. Without her, life's not worth living."
"But," Tommy warned, slowly approaching the teen, "you've got to consider the consequences, if there is someway you can get to her, that means you'll be leaving your, friends, family and life as you once knew it behind. Are you sure you want to take that risk?"
"Yes, Dr. O., please, I'm desperate!"
I saw a man down on lonely street.
A broken man who looked like me.
And no one knows the pain that he's been living.
He lost his love and still hasn't forgiven.
He said: I've been through some changes.
But one thing always stays the same.
Ethan's body was completely relaxed, albeit his hands were clenched on the armrests of the chair. His mind was reaching into the farthest corners of his memory, hoping, praying he could find anything about her. Suddenly it came to him: glittering blonde curls, bright blue eyes that would show her every emotion. Her name was just out of his reach….S…Sy…Syd. SYDNEY! "Syd!" Ethan exclaimed his eyes flying open. "Sidney Drew of Space Patrol Delta!"
"Space Patrol Delta?" Tommy and Kim said in unison.
Ethan jumped out of the chair, too excited to notice their confusion. "I remember now! When Conner, Kira and I came here for the reunion we were captured by this freaky alien and escaped only to be found by SPD. That's how I know her!" He then found, "but the year was 2025, how am I supposed to get to her now?" He turned to them. "How Tommy?"
Tommy shrugged helplessly. "I honestly don't know Ethan; I could talk to Hayley and see if she knows anything. But before you decide to travel through time and space, you need to finish school and not leave anything unfinished. You only have what, three years of college left, right?"
"Two actually, I decided to get my degree in three years instead of four."
Tommy nodded. "Alright, I'll get a hold of Hayley and see what we can do."
"Thanks Tommy, you have no idea how much this means to me."
Tommy smiled at Ethan as Kim's arm snaked around his waist. "I have a pretty good idea."
Without love, there's nothing without love.
Nothing else can get through the night.
Nothing else feels right without love.
Two years later…
"Dude, you did it! Congrats, man!" Conner exclaimed pulling Ethan into a bear hug. They were all gathered at Ethan's graduation. He had just graduated with Academic Honors and was class Valedictorian.
Ethan grinned at his longtime friend as they pulled apart. "Yeah, feels great, so where's your musical other half?"
"I hope you're talking about me," Kira said as she walked up with Trent, Tommy, Hayley, Kim and Ethan's family.
"Always," he said he gave her a brotherly hug. "Man, I still can't believe you're a huge singing star."
Kira grinned at him. "That makes two of us. Sometimes it feels like it's a dream."
A lot had happened in the past two years. Conner and Kira had gotten together, surprising all that knew the two well. Both were equally successful in their own careers. Trent and Kira had tried a relationship, but soon the two realized that they weren't meant to be. Trent now had his own comic book series published about, what else, the Power Rangers. Hayley had expanded her business so that now she had cafes that were in Blue Bar Harbor, Silver Hills and Angel Grove.
Tommy and Kim had married in the fall of last year; during the months that led up to their wedding was a huge Ranger reunion which had all past teams visiting Reefside. The only ones that weren't in attendance were the four Time Force Rangers and Trini. The Ranger reunion was successful and they were still talking about it.
In a few short hours Ethan would be leaving his friends and family behind to go to the year 2025. Hayley, with the help of Billy Cranston had been able to locate a time hole that was open for Ethan to travel through to his destination. Ethan, having helped Kira and Conner what had happened at the reunion, told them what he'd wanted to do. Though they'd protested at first, they backed him one hundred percent; they would miss him but wanted Ethan to be happy.
There's nothing without love.
Nothing else but love can burn as bright.
And nothing would mean nothing without love.
"Are you sure you wanna go through with this?" Conner inquired to Ethan as the large group headed for the James' house for Ethan's graduation party.
Ethan nodded. "Positive, I've waited long enough for this. I can't live without her. I've graduated, all technology I've made is stored in a safe place, now all I've gotta do is say my goodbyes."
Conner nodded, his honey orbs glowing with emotion. "I'm gonna miss you man."
"I'll miss you too Con." They embraced once more. "C'mon, better get into party mode."
Conner nodded as they walked into Ethan's childhood home. "Yeah, good idea."
I see my life.
There's some things I took for granted.
Love's passed me by.
So many second chances.
I was afraid.
But I won't be afraid no more.
As the party wound down, Ethan decided that it was time. Walking to the middle of the room he looked around the familiar soundings one last time. He sighed before clearing his throat, "hey everyone, can I say something?" As the room quieted down he inhaled deeply before taking the plunge. "I'd like to thank everyone for coming here; this has been one of the greatest days of my life that I'll never forget. Having said that, I have an announcement to make: I'm leaving, I'm going to the future, and no this is not a joke."
The entire room was dead silent for about five seconds before his family members began talking at once. Many of them claiming Ethan didn't know what he was talking about and was under massive amounts of stress. The others said it was the comic books that he read, filling his head with silly ideas.
Conner looked at his former teacher. "Tommy, do you think we should say something?"
Tommy shook his head. "It's not our place to get involved."
"But we're kind of helping him do this though," Kira protested.
Kim gently touched Kira's wrist, "yes, we did, but this is Ethan's family, they may not appreciate our butting in."
Kira nodded and turned her gaze back to the commotion that lay before them.
"Stop it!" Ethan cried. "Just stop and listen to me! I'm telling the truth, I know it sounds crazy but it's true." He looked at each one of his family members before his gaze rested on his parents and younger brother. He walked over to them. "Please believe me."
Mrs. James looked at her son with tear-filled eyes. "Why?"
"Because, during my senior year in high school I was a Power Ranger, so were Conner, Kira and Trent. And my science teacher Dr. Oliver, when the three of us went to the reunion, we were taken to the future and that's when I met and fell in love with the girl of my dreams. I have to be with her. Please understand that."
Ethan's ten year old brother, Jacob stepped forward. "I believe him."
Ethan smiled and playfully tousled his brother's hair; he looked up at his parents. "I wish I could say I will be visiting, but I can't, when I leave through the time hole, it'll be the last time I see you guys in this time period. I don't want to leave things unfinished between us."
Mr. James stepped forward, holding his hand out to his son. "I always knew you'd make a difference in the world son, I know you'll make us proud no matter what."
Ethan accepted his father's hand and hugged him. "Thanks Dad."
Mrs. James stepped forward next to her husband. "I want you to remember that we'll always love you no matter where you are, don't you forget us."
Ethan embraced his mother tightly, fighting back his own tears. "I never will." They separated. "Just so you know, under my bed there's a journal, in it is my recordings of our Ranger battles." He then turned to Jacob, kneeling in front of him he pulled him into a huge hug. "Take it easy little bro."
Jacob nodded. "I'm gonna miss you Ethan."
"I'll miss you too." He stood and said goodbye to his family members before turning to his friends, his other family. His hugged Conner first, "take care of Kira, or I will find a way to come back and beat you up."
Conner chuckled, "never in a millions years, be safe."
"Thanks," he turned to Kira, smiling. "I'm buying all your albums once I get to the future."
Kira smiled, despite the tears filling her eyes. "My next one will be dedicated to you." They embraced.
"Take care of Conner, he really loves you," he whispered.
"I will," she promised.
The separated, Kira then wrapped her arms around Conner, burying her face in his shoulder, sobbing softly.
Ethan turned to Trent, "for once I'm at loss for words."
Trent smiled. "Me too." They embraced, as they pulled back Trent handed Ethan a comic book. "The latest one, it hasn't been released in stores yet."
Ethan smiled and accepted the comic. "Thanks man." He then turned to Hayley. "Thanks Hayley, for everything."
The redhead smiled, her eyes sparkling with tears and hugged him tightly. "Anytime Ethan, you come see us once you get there, Ok?"
"I will." He kissed her cheek before turning to Tommy and Kim. "Thank you guys so much, for putting up with me these past two years."
Kim hugged him first and gently pecked his cheek. "I'd do it again. I hope you and Syd are very happy together."
"Thanks Kim." They pulled apart. Ethan turned to Tommy and shook his hand. "Thank you, you changed my life in more ways than one, I don't know how I can thank…"
Tommy abruptly cut him off by pulling him into a tight embrace. "You don't have to, as long as you're happy that's all that matters."
Ethan nodded, swallowing tightly before stepping back. As he began to turn a bright flash of light filled the room as the time hole appeared in the middle of the room. He started toward the portal; just before he reached it he turned to the group, smiled and waved. "'Bye everyone." With that he stepped into the portal, as he went in he disappeared.
The entire room was silent, and then a small voice broke the silence.
"Goodbye Ethan," Jacob said.
Without love, there's nothing without love.
Nothing else can get through the night.
Nothing else feels right without love.
As Sam and Nova Ranger disappeared through the time hole the B-Squad Rangers waited for the portal to close, when it didn't confused looks came over their faces. A loud voice soon was heard then a body came tumbling through the portal.
"Ethan?" The Rangers exclaimed in unison, shocked at seeing him in the middle of their command center.
"Uh…hi," he said sheepishly as he stood up.
"What are you doing here?" Commander Cruger asked the former Blue Ranger.
Ethan turned. "I uh, I came here for someone, to see someone actually." He could feel the gazes of the B-Squad boring into the back of his head. So much for seeing her privately.
"Oh really? Who would that be?"
"Syd, sir."
The B-Squad exchanged puzzled looks, the same thing on their minds. He crossed time and space for Syd?
Cruger nodded once, "come with me please, Rangers we will be back momentarily."
Ethan turned; meeting the bewildered looks of the Rangers he merely shrugged and walked out of the command center with Cruger.
Out in the empty hallway Ethan braced himself for what was to be expected a long lecture from the Commander.
"Ethan, I could stand here and tell you that what you did was irresponsible, reckless and totally unaware of what could happen to you in the time hole."
Ethan winced, bracing himself for the blow.
"But I won't."
"What? Sir, with all due respect, you're right, I did all that without thinking of the consequences. Sorry for being astute but why am I not getting chewed out?"
To Ethan's ever growing surprise, Cruger smiled at him. "You've shown amazing character and potential, the material that SPD is looking for. With Jack Landors gone, there is an open spot, if you'd like it."
"Really, sir? I'd love that."
"Then it's settled, welcome to SPD. One question though, you love Cadet Drew, don't you?"
Ethan nodded, "more than I could ever imagine sir."
"I thought so, if you'll go find Boom, he'll help you get settled in."
"Thank you Commander." Before walking away he grinned gave Cruger a perfect salute.
Cruger chuckled as his new cadet walked away then turned back into the command center. "Cadets," he began as the four scrambled back into their line. "I have an announcement, Ethan James will be joining the B-Squad, he will be staying here for good."
"But why, sir?" Z asked.
"You will have to ask him that, for it is not my place to say." His gaze fell on Syd, who seemed to be deep in thought. Before he could comment on it, Ethan walked into the command center, clad in a Blue B-Squad uniform. "Cadets, I'd like you to welcome your new teammate, Ethan James."
Ethan had a wide grin on his face as the other cadets turned and began applauding him, along with everyone else in the room. "Thanks everyone, its great to be here with all of you." He was looking at Syd at the last part of his statement.
Syd blushed deeply when she realized his statement was directed at her. She couldn't believe it; no one had ever done something so sweet for her. She could feel her heart thumping rapidly in her chest, could it be that she felt…love for someone that she barely knew? Their gazes locked and electricity seemed to arch and crackle between them. Wordlessly she walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him.
He returned her embrace, closing his eyes, savoring the contact between them. I love her so much, he thought as they pulled apart.
She looked deep into his eyes. "Why?" It was all she had to say, he knew what she meant.
"I knew you were the one for me, I can't live without you, I couldn't have a full life knowing you were out there somewhere, waiting for me. I'm in love with you Syd. I've loved you from the beginning. I came across time for you Sydney Drew."
To Syd's surprise, tears sprang to her eyes; she knew he spoke the truth. She loved him too. "I love you too Ethan." She stood up on her tiptoes and planted a long, loving kiss on his lips. This earned some "awws" from Z, Sky and Bridge. They broke apart, blushing.
Sky stepped forward, holding his hand out to Ethan. "On behalf of the B-Squad, I'd like to say, welcome to SPD. I know you'll do great Ethan."
Ethan accepted his hand with a wide grin. "Thanks Sky."
As the group began to surround Ethan, welcoming him in the alarms began going off.
They all looked at each other and grinned. "Ready?" Sky asked.
"Ready."
"SPD, EMERGENCY!"
There's nothing without love.
Nothing else but love can burn as bright.
And nothing would mean nothing without love.
End Chapter
AN4- I know some parts in here were really clichéd and I apologize for that. Also I made Ethan the Blue Ranger because it just seemed right and seeing Bridge in blue was really weird to me. Another thing, I have a new fic in the works, it's a NS/DT/SPD crossover and if you'd like to see the parings that were in this chapter give me a say so. I don't know when it'll be posted but I'll let you all know soon. Also parings for this and Sparring are still being taken for awhile. Ok, that's all for now. So please leave a review. No flames please! Thanks!
CamFan4Ever