Disclaimer: Same ol', same ol'.

Warning: The middle/ending might be a bit of a tear-jerker.

Chapter Two

My last two weeks in Angel Grove went by way too fast. I was busy with school work and packing, and I hung out with my friends as much as possible.

Even though I was relieved to leave Angel Grove, I was still sad. I was really going to miss certain things in Angel Grove…but at the same time, I was glad to leave behind other things.

A couple days before I was to leave, Ernie organized a huge good-bye party for me at the Youth Center. Of course, Adam, Rocky, Kim, Tommy, and Billy were there. Several of my friends from school who hadn't been Rangers came, too. Even Tanya came. I don't know why I was surprised to see her there; she was, after all, part of the Power Ranger family now. But I guess with her only being here for a few weeks and all, I really hadn't expected her to show up. I'm glad she did, though.

I could tell that me leaving really upset Rocky. I had the feeling that he was even more upset than Adam. Things between us still weren't the same. I wasn't going to leave with things between us as awkward as they were, and there was also something else I wanted. So the day before I left, I walked over to his house to talk to him.

Rocky was surprised to see me standing on his front porch when he opened the door. "What are you doing here?" he asked.

I half-smiled. "I wanted to say good-bye."

"But you're not leaving till tomorrow," Rocky pointed out. "And we're all coming to the airport with you."

"I know. But I wanted to say good-bye to you privately. And…we need to talk about some things."

Rocky nodded. "Okay. Come in. We can go downstairs in the basement. I'll make sure my brothers and sisters stay out."

I followed Rocky down to his finished basement, and he locked the door to keep his siblings out. He crossed over to the couch and sat, but I remained standing by the door.

"Come sit," Rocky offered, patting the spot next to him.

I sat down, but on the other end of the couch. We were quiet for a few moments, but it wasn't awkward. Finally breaking the silence, Rocky said, "I can't believe you're leaving tomorrow."

"I know. Me either. But, to be honest, I'm kind of glad we're moving."

"Why?" Rocky asked.

I bit my lip, not knowing what to say.

Rocky sighed. "It's because of me, isn't it? It's not just because of your grandmother, is it?"

I lowered my eyes. I wasn't going to lie to him, but I still didn't know what to say. "Well, I guess you're part of it," I replied slowly. "But it's a bunch of other stuff, too!"

"Yeah, like what?" Rocky scoffed as he turned his head the other way.

"It's…everything. It's not just you. I need to get away from Angel Grove."

"You need to get away from me. I understand," Rocky retorted as he stood up and walked over to the side wall and leaned against it, his back facing me.

"Rocky, please don't be mad," I pleaded. "You don't understand. Look, I know how you feel about me. And yes, it did complicate things. But that's not why I'm going away, honestly."

"So why are you leaving, then?" Rocky asked softly. "Why are you leaving me? Why do you really want to go away?"

I was slightly taken aback by Rocky's questions. It wasn't really the questions he asked, it was the way he said them. He had sounded so sad, so lonely, and even a little angry. I got up from the couch and walked over to him, standing a few feet behind him. "I'm sorry, Rocky. I really am. I know I hurt you…a lot. But I didn't mean to."

"Yeah, well, nobody means to hurt anybody. But they always do, don't they?"

"Rocky, please. I didn't come here to argue with you. Look, I'm sorry I have to leave. I'm not going to lie to you. You are a part of the reason I want to leave. But it's not entirely because of you. It's also because of the Power Rangers. Everything was just getting so overwhelming and confusing…" I could feel a lump form in my throat and I swallowed.

"You know, I'm sorry I screwed things up between you and Adam," Rocky whispered. "And I'm sorry I ruined our friendship."

A tear rolled down my cheek. This was definitely not the Rocky I had grown up with, but it was actually kind of touching to see him act so sincere. "It's not your fault, Rocky. I know I caused you a lot of pain. Rocky, you'll always be my best friend. And I'll love you forever…just not in the same way you love me. I know that probably just hurts you more, but it's true." I paused. "Are you mad at me?"

Rocky shrugged. "I'm upset that you're leaving, but I'm not mad at you. I understand that you'll never feel the same way about me. But it's just something I'll have to live with." He paused. "I don't know what I'm going to do without you. I'm really going to miss you."

"I'll miss you a lot, too," I said.

We were silent for a moment.

"Um…Rocky?"

"Yeah?"

I took a deep breath. "There's one thing I want before I leave tomorrow."

Rocky looked at me over his shoulder, but he didn't turn around. "What's that?"

I swallowed nervously. "A kiss."

This time, Rocky turned all the way around. He looked into my eyes for a moment before repeating, "A kiss?"

I nodded. "Will you kiss me?"

"Are you sure?"

I could tell I had confused him. First, I was telling him that I couldn't love him the way he loved me, and next I wanted him to kiss me. No, actually, I didn't want him to kiss me. I needed him to kiss me. I had been longing to kiss him again ever since we hooked up at the dance, and I wasn't going to leave without getting at least one more kiss from him.

"Yes. Will you, please?"

Rocky cupped my chin in his hand in reply and leaned closer. Our eyes locked for a brief second before Rocky's lips touched mine and he kissed me sweetly and softly.

"I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" I said gently when we broke the kiss.

Rocky just nodded.

Before I turned to walk back upstairs, I saw the slightest hint of happiness cross Rocky's face.

A/N: As always, please review.