Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.

A/N: So this is the theme that I've had an idea for since like forever, but it's just never been the right time for the idea I had in mind. Now is.

The Tiger and the Cheetah

Take My Hand

(Casey's POV)

I couldn't believe it. I was actually going alone to meet Lacey at some lookout above Ocean Bluff Beach. I saw her standing across the way over by the edge.

"Okay, I'm here Lacey. Just like you asked me to be over the phone. Now let's make this quick. I don't want anyone to catch me being with you," I stated.

Lacey sauntered over to me. She wrapped both of her arms around my neck, and I immediately ducked out of her grasp. She pouted a bit, but her face also held a hint of amusement.

"I thought you said you were willing to do anything in order to stop me from suing Lily?" Lacey asked in what I'm sure to her was a sultry voice.

"Just tell me what you want me to do," I repeated.

Lacey shook her head. "That's just it. I don't want you to do anything. I want you," she replied as she stood on her tiptoes and attempted to plant a kiss on my lips.

I backed away before she had the chance. Then, I heard the sound of an engine shutting off. I looked behind me, and saw Lily get off her motorcycle. She took off her helmet, and hung it on one of the handles. Lily wasted no time joining us.

"What is going on here?" she demanded.

"Apparently, you need to keep a tighter leash on your man. The moment I called him, he dropped everything and came here to meet me," Lacey answered.

I turned to face Lacey, giving her a glare that would make Medusa proud. "Shut up!"

"Case, is that true?" Lily asked begging me with her eyes to say 'no.'

Before I could even answer, a purple ball of energy landed at our feet. It created an explosion that sent all three of us flying through the air. I was fortunate enough not to roll off the edge of the lookout, but Lily and Lacey were not. The two of them were hanging on for dear life.

I knew I had to make a judgment call because they were about twenty feet apart from one another. There was no way I could save them both. Without giving it another thought, I headed over to help Lily. She was holding onto a root that was jutting out.

"Lily, take my hand!" I shouted to her extending my arm to her.

She had to let go of the root with one of her hands in order to grab my hand. I felt her hand in mine, and I used my other arm to grab her. With both arms, I started to pull her up.

As I was doing so, I heard a blood-curdling scream. Lacey had lost her grip, and was plummeting to the beach beneath her. The last thing I heard was her shout, "Casey, help me!"

There was no way she would survive a fall from this height. For that matter, there was no way Lily or I would survive a fall from this height, even with our ranger powers. My hands were full. I couldn't do anything but watch Lacey fall to her certain death.

A few moments later, and Lily and I were both on solid ground. Crisis averted. She threw her arms around me. Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Casey, you chose me," she said happily.

"Of course I chose you, Lil. I'll always choose you," I responded.

I knew I should be ecstatic that Lily and I were safe, but my thoughts drifted to Lacey. I couldn't help but think that I was responsible for her death. If I hadn't agreed to meet her here, she wouldn't have died. If I hadn't even met her in the first place, she wouldn't have died. I should've done more. I'm a power ranger. I should've been able to save both Lily and Lacey. But I couldn't. I didn't.

To Be Continued…