Chapter 11- Everything Changes

Cassie didn't sleep well all night, and she suspected that the others didn't either, although for slightly different reasons. As she had thought about the meeting with Zaldin and replayed it in her mind her memory was bringing up small details she hadn't fully recognized at the time.

Zaldin had been in good spirits most of the day during their picnic but when they had returned he had seemed tired, more so then usual. He had kept the meeting short, and he had been in pain at least twice. Cassie was worried. Had her "kidnapping" him made it worse? She wouldn't feel at ease until she saw him again. He hadn't specifically invited her back today, but then how could he without letting the others in on the fact they knew each other?

Cassie got dressed and headed to Zaldin's rooms, her pace swift. There was a sign on the door to the library announcing that all meetings where cancelled for the day. Cassie moved from worry to full panic. She knocked on the door.

It seemed like a long time to Cassie, but Mrs. Bale soon opened the door. "Cassie, love, come on in, you know you are welcome to use the other door if you want to dear."

Cassie stepped in to find Zaldin's usual chair empty. 'Where is Zaldin?" she said, trying to keep herself from sounding worried, "Is he still in bed?"

'"He's on bed rest today, doctor's orders. He'll be glad to see you though." Mrs. Bale started walking towards the bedroom door.

"Mrs. Bale, wait, um it isn't because of… well because... me... kidnapping him I mean."

Mrs. Bale rushed over to Cassie and gave her a hug. "Goodness no child, he came back more relaxed then I have seen him in a while, and although he might have exerted himself a tad too much it has nothing to do with your little trip.' She wagged a finger at Cassie. "The wound on his side has gotten infected; again. He will keep making me wait to change the bandage. But no dear, it wasn't anything to do with the trip yesterday. You and Andros are so sweet, I thought you had both noticed last night, that was why he kept the meeting so sort, he had hoped to spend time with you all together, he had a few things he wanted to discuss with many of you individually, Karone especially, and you."

"Me? He's seen me everyday."

"Yes but I believe he told you there was something he's been hoping to tell you…" she looked at her expectantly.

"Yes, but he was worried it would change… things…" Cassie finished lamely

"Maybe it will, but now that you are here would you help change his bandage? It ever so much easier with two people, he acts like less of child when someone else helps." She tapped the side of her nose lightly with her finger and smiled. Cassie smiled back some of her panic had gone.

"He won't mind?"

Mrs. Bale smiled fondly at Cassie." I won't let him mind, but in any case I think he is still asleep, which is good if he's going to do half the things he says he will at this party."

When Cassie and Mrs. Bale entered the room Cassie could see Zaldin asleep in the large bed. His shirt was white and instead of the usual black and its paleness made him look very young. The material looked to be thinner as well, which made sense since the covers on the bed looked very heavy and warm. He seemed to be hooked into a number of machines, but Cassie wasn't sure what they where monitoring. He looked so peaceful in sleep, and Cassie had to fight the desire to touch his face to see if this angel where real. She smiled at the thought; she had never been one for such romantic clichés before.

"I assure you he only looks innocent," Mrs. Bale said in a low voice, "in that head he is planning on ways to drive me insane."

Cassie let out a quiet laugh, "You better believe it" she said.

Mrs. Bale quickly got the supplies together to change the bandage and instructed Cassie to remove the old ones. "They should slip off easily, just cut the tape on the top." She said.

Cassie hesitated a moment before unbuttoning the top of Zaldin's shirt, and although she tried not to look, she looked all the same, at his well shaped torso. His skin was bruised horribly in many places. Just under his rib cage was a bandage that rapped around his chest. She found the scissors and cut the tape that held the dressing closed. The wound underneath looked very painful and Cassie wished she had the power to simply make it vanish. While she was waiting for Mrs. Bale to bring the new dressing over she noticed a thin sliver chain around his neck, the pendent had slipped to the back. She pulled on it gently to bring it to the front. On it was a large red ruby. It was warm to the touch and seemed to glow as she held it, as if it recognized her. As Cassie staired at it she realized that she had seen it before. She had held it before; this was the Phantom Ranger's power ruby.

Cassie let out the breath that she hadn't realized she had been holding, and in her minds eye the last week went though her head. His voice had been so familiar, she felt like she had met him before, and he had said it was nice to meet her properly at last. He had said that last night as well to the other rangers. There had been many times a turn of phrase or a movement had reminded her of something… yesterday those moments of déjà vu, she had done the same things with the Phantom Ranger on Hercuron. The Phantom had been injured by Ecliptor in the same place.

All this time she had been worried because she had felt herself falling in love with Zaldin but had felt unfaithful to the Phantom Ranger, because she loved him in much the same way, and no wonder, they where the same man.

It was like a jigsaw puzzle coming together in her mind. Every piece fit. The Phantom Ranger had arrived soon after Zordon had left; Zordon had sent his son to bring them new Zords. Cassie wanted to slap her forehead, they where both from Eltar, and while she had thought about asking Zaldin if he knew anything about the Phantom Ranger, she hadn't because it brought up some many other questions.

Cassie realized that Andros had known all along, he had known who the Phantom was all along; he had even dropped a few hints along the way. She recalled Andros telling her that Zaldin had been bringing them new zords, just as the Phantom ranger had done for them on Earth. There where so many clues surfacing in her head that Cassie was amazed that she hadn't put it together sooner.

Suddenly her mind cleared as one thought entered her head "He likes me too, both of them…" suddenly it didn't matter anymore that she hadn't figured it out before, or the time that she had spent wondering and waiting. He liked her, and that was all she needed to know.