Chapter 9 sunrises
Kelsey heard Dana come in, heard the rustle of the sheets on the pink ranger's bed and wondered why the ever so regulated Dana Mitchell was going to bed at nearly 6. True, she'd been in bed earlier but when Kelsey had had to use the bathroom she'd found her friend gone. She wondered if Dana and Ryan had been fighting again or if maybe just maybe she and Carter were talking. They'd been spending a lot of time together, much like she and Ryan. A little smile crossed Kelsey's face at the thought of Ryan. In the course of the evening she'd learned he was not just hot but much much more than that. True he'd not really learned to read, he was still very intelligent. She thought of how he'd told her about his little talent.
"For in rage there is freedom, for in anger there is sanity. Yet out of their place they are considered insane."
"Woe, where'd you learn that?"
"I came up with it when I was with the…"
"Demons, Ryan you can say it. No one will shoot your or anything."
"I know, it's just odd. I mean I lived with them for years and stuff."
"Hmm, maybe that's what you're supposed to do with your life."
"What?"
"'Write."
"Me write? Kel, I can barely even read."
"So, you can learn. I might not be as mart as Dana or as brave as Carter or even as placid as Chad but heaven knows I can read."
"Think you could teach me?"
"Hmm, if you teach me how you fight."
"Fair is fair."
Yes sir, he'd been something else. She wondered if he was sleeping or he and Dana had been arguing again. Deciding to see for herself she silently got up and headed from their quarters.
***
Ryan sat there, alone in the common room, looking at the blank TV screen. He was still trying to take it all in; Dana had truly gotten attacked trying to find a way to save him. It was funny but it made him want to smile. Even after all that had happened she was still there, still trying to help.
"I had a feeling you'd be up."
"Oh, hey Kel can't sleep or just getting up?"
"I um heard Dana come in." She admitted and he nodded.
"We finally had a real chance to talk."
"Hmm, is everything ok?"
"Yep," Ryan glanced at his watch, it was almost sunrise. Glancing over at Kelsey he had an idea. "Say, since you're up want to go watch the sunrise?" He asked and she looked a little surprised.
She'd thought he'd be upset but Ryan looked ok. That was good; he'd already been through enough. The idea of sitting with Ryan and watching the sun come up sounded really nice and she nodded.
***
Kelsey had to fight back the giggle. Ryan had come up with the idea to wear disguises so the demons wouldn't recognize them and attack. They even went on foot, heading for the beach.
"Wow, I don't think I've ever been here when it's this quiet." Kelsey announced and Ryan nodded.
"It's a whole different world." He agreed looking out as the sun began to turn the sky a light purple. It had always amazed him, the way the sky could signal the change of a new day. It had also signaled the change of his life. He could still remember standing atop that building, watching the city before he'd truly attacked. It had signaled the change of his life for the better. That had been when he'd found about the truth. Now he was here with Kelsey, a very pretty girl. One that had made him laugh, had anyone done that in the last 14 years?
It was odd, he didn't' feel odd about it; he just felt right standing there, Kelsey at his side.
Kelsey watched the sky turning from lavender to a rose and then to gold. She wondered why he'd asked him to come along. Usually when people went to watch sunrises or sunsets they were either alone or with a lover. Did that mean he thought of her as…?
No, that was silly, he barely even knew her. She only knew what little he'd told her and what she'd discerned from his father and Dana. There was no way…
As the water converted to a burnished gold Ryan glanced over at Kelsey and thought that she looked like the fire Goddess of Hawaii. Her skin a blaze with fiery gold, her hair midnight black and yet shining with the same golden light. He knew it was only the long black wig that gave her that appearance. Still she looked different and yet like Kelsey,
"You look like an alien prince.' Kelsey said and then frowned, where had that come from? True she'd been thinking it but she didn't mean to say it. Man she must have not gotten enough sleep after all. Ryan didn't seem to mind just smiled a little and then leaned down, pressed his lips to hers.
The kiss was sweet and very unexpected. Kelsey still responded gently. Her arms slid around his neck and Ryan had the feeling that it was not all hormones. There was a softness to the kiss. Not that he'd ever done this before but he'd seen enough to know how things could be. But they weren't, they were… Scary…
TBC
***
A.N. I had a few things I wanted to say.
Rain: I hope this is better. I had to set up the tattoo situation and so put The R/K scene on hold.
To all of you who have kept reviewing I want to say thank you. You encouragements and sometimes even candor is greatly appreciated.
CN