Chapter 19 from one mess to another
At the head of the table Captain Grayson was speaking, filling the entire group in on the mission's progress. The rangers had been in place for two months now, the prophecy coming ever closer and tensions running high between two of the members of the group. Doctor Mitchell had been avoiding Captain Grayson since the day she'd found out the truth about his life. He'd been try9ing at every corner but she'd been more elusive than an eel.
"The Zords are running smoothly, the weapons thanks to Angela." He said and then he looked to Ryan.
"The base security has been tested by civilians and has held up, the surveillance systems are now fully installed on the observation pool."
"Wasn't that the same way on the old base?" Chris asked and Ryan shook his head.
"If it had been I'd never have been able to steel the Titanium morpher.
"Ok, how about the medical report?" Carter asked looking to Dana. She looked at the stack of notes before her.
"Alright Sir," The doctor looked at the new team. "You have passed the physicals and prelims, however there are still a few things we need to do." She looked to Angela who gave her a nod, then went on. "We were researching the files of past rangers and found that in every generation their has been a monster that has infected the rangers with some sort of disease of virus," Dana paused glancing at Ryan. "We think it would be a good idea to attempt to vaccinate all personnel on the front lines against them, at least it might protect from the known sicknesses."
"It makes sense." Brian nodded.
"That's what we thought." Dana agreed. "I spoke to a Dr. Connell over at Biotech, he said he'll prepare the proper serums and have them sent over." Dana told the group.
"Are they dangerous?" Heath wanted to know.
"Well, as with everything there is an element of risk, however we will be monitoring each person given the injections and so if there are any problems we should be able to deal with them."
"When did you two come up with this?" Carter asked from where he sat.
"Well, they came to me about two days ago." Ryan spoke up, he could see Carter's frown and wanted to head any problems off. He'd seen the tension between his sister and friend and although he'd been wondering at it he'd decided Dana was a big girl and could handle her own life. The thing was he didn't want it flowing over into their work.
"You weren't here at the time." Angela put in.
"Alright, did this doctor say when you'd have the vaccine?" Carter asked.
"He said the shipment should arrive in about four weeks." Dana replied.
"Good, keep me posted."
"Yes sir." Dana replied then there was a silence. Since when did Dana call Carter Sir? That was the question on the minds of thereof those at the table.
"Team report?" Carter asked looking to the red ranger.
"We have completed all current drills, team spirit is good, cooperation was a little rocky but we're working on it." The young man looked to Marie who was smiling right back at him.
"Alright then, rangers you are to take the day off." Carter said and Ryan nodded.
"Once the trouble starts you'll be lucky to have five minutes to yourselves." Ryan told them. The rangers nodded then all were dismissed.
"Hey meet you guys at the lift." Ryan called to Joel and the others and headed for his quarters. Dana was just ahead of him but instead of heading to her own room she turned off in the direction of the infirmary.
"It's because of him isn't it?" Her brother asked and Dana jumped guiltily. Spinning she faced her brother.
"Why would you think that?" she asked taking her seat at the desk.
"Come on sis, you've been hiding in here for the last week." He said and she frowned.
"I have not; I've just got behind lately." She said and he moved even closer to where she sat, coming to hunker down beside her so he could look up into her face.
"Look, I'm ok, I just need to..."
"Relax." The voice startled both of them and Ryan was n his feet beside his sister even as she looked to the man in the doorway.
"You two need to talk." Ryan said and Carter nodded although he didn't look away from the blonde seated in the chair. The captain replied and Ryan looked from him to his sister who looked as she had lately, shut down.
"I don't know if you're coming with us but we'll be waiting on the docks." Ryan said and left them there alone.
"Go away Captain Grayson; I don't want to hear anything from you."
"Well," he moved to her, picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder. "That's just too dammed bad, we're going to talk."
"Carter you have no right to act like a barbarian." She growled kicking at his chest and hammering angrily on his back as he left the medical bay.
"Well you're acting like a spoiled brat and so we're even." He shot back as he passed several techs.
"Why you…" She snarled just as they reached his quarters and he entered punching the close button shut.
"Now you're going to listen to me." He said dumping her on the bed and glaring down at her.
"Fat chance." Dana growled and rolled off of the bed. Carter caught her before she could reach the door.
"I said we're going to…"She spun kicked him and Carter was blocking and pinning her to the ground.
She fought him, struggling to kick, punch and bite but he simply used his body to pin her to the ground.
"Carter get off of me!" She yelled and found his mouth clamped over hers, silencing her, and although she struggled after a few minutes of his kisses she gave in and sensed her struggle.
Carter felt the change in Dana's body and knew this was his chance. Moving slightly he began.
"Dana I didn't tell you or anyone here who I was. I didn't when I joined the department either." He said then, sure she'd have no choice but to hear him.
"Why?" She asked too tired from the struggle and all that had happened in the last week to resist this any longer. Instead she just lay there waiting.
"Growing up I was treated like an outcast, like I was so special. I just wanted a life of my own." Carter explained, he hoped she could understand. In the last week he'd been angry, confused and scared. What if she left him? He didn't want that, he loved her with everything within him.
"So, why say something now?" She asked and he shifted, so he was the one laying on his back, and she with her head in the crook of his arm. He was afraid if he moved from this spot she might fight him and he just wanted this done.
"Well I told you we're getting married." He said slowly, hoping she'd not hit or try and hurt him for his way of putting this but he couldn't seem to think of another way of saying it. "You'll have to know when I talk you to meet my family." He explained and she didn't move, as if taking this all in.
"Oh…"She knew he was right, and she'd come to realize in the last few minutes that he was right; he did have a right to want his own life. After all this was America and he was a free man. The reason he'd not told them was even valid, she just felt so dumb and knowing she'd never fit in with his family didn't help either. "Carter, I don't blame you for not saying anything. I just don't know what to do now." She admitted adding. "Your nothing like I thought, your down to earth and well now…'
"Dana, honey, I'm still the one you love, and I just grew up a little different." He said quietly.
"Yes, I'm sure you did." Then something odd hit her. "Carter, if your family is so wealthy why were you in that apartment fire?"
"I was staying with my aunt, I'd just gotten out of school for fall break and my parents had been called away on important business. They didn't like leaving me with servants so Aunt Judith offered to take care of me until they returned."
"Oh," she didn't know what to say now, should she just stay there like that or go or…
"Yeah. Now will you take the clothes back?" He asked and she found her first real laugh in a week. He could be so single minded when he wanted to.
"I don't think it's a good idea, Carter you have this whole other life and…" She sat up and pushed a stray curl behind an ear.
"I want you to share in it with me Dana. I love you and so…' He breathed looking up into her lovely face, she looked so worried and yet she had love still sparkling in those soft blue eyes.
"But I have trouble with dating to begin with, how can I handle this new twist?" She asked biting her lower lip and he learned up and kissed her gently, hews scared, just as he'd been, but she was because she didn't know what to do… Heavens he loved the brat.
"Hey you have me, Ryan and did you know I went to school with Wes and Eric when we were small?" Carter asked a few minutes later. She was breathless and could only shake her head. "That was before Eric left school and his father left his family high and dry."
"Oh, so…' She had wondered why they'd so readily accepted tier help when Vypra had returned. She then realized just what kind of trouble she was really in. She of how classy the Collins's were, Jen had told her and now…
"It will be ok, do you trust me?" He asked, Dana realized he must have seen her worry. She realized then that he had faith in her, not fake faith, but genuine faith.
"Yes." She said then and he smiled a handsome smile she'd missed lately.
"Then let's get dressed and go meet my parents." He said and she looked horrified.
"Now?" She shrieked looking down at them. "Carter look at us!"
"Relax," Carter laughed. "You can change into one of your new outfits and it will be perfect." He reasoned.
"Ok." She knew she'd have to do it sooner or later and now before the aliens came was her best chance not to mess up.
***
Dana's first look at Carter's home had her eyes fairly bugging out of her head. She sat in the front of the pickup truck, feeling like a complete oddity. The grounds were massive, with a well kept landscape. She couldn't believe this was where Carter had been raised. It just seemed so opulent and Carter was so down to earth. Even now, in his pressed black suit he only looked mildly formal, nothing like this place.
Glancing back down at the dress suit she'd chosen she hoped its rose Hugh would not be too garish. It was fashionable, at least according to Kim, who she'd called over two hours ago in a complete panic. Her friend had laughingly walked her through all she needed to do. Now she didn't look so bad, her hair was just right her ears hinted with the small pearl ear rings which had belonged to her mother and the matching necklace was about her neck.
"Stop worrying, they're going to love you, especially my sister. Gina is the lead singer for the rock group Silver Cascade. You should see how she dresses."
"Oh, I didn't know that." Dana said thinking of the music collection in Carter's rooms. He had all of their albumens not to mentions a bunch of classical and rock.
"Like I said I didn't tell anyone about any of it. Your father knew but if you remember it was not in my profile." Carter pointed out and she frowned. How could that be? How could her father know that and it not be in his personnel report?
"Come to think of it your right. I don't remember seeing it in there." She said still trying to figure it out, how could he have kept that out of the official dossier?
"There are two separate files. The One you've seen, which is my general file and then the classified, which has everything down to my financial portfolio." Carter explained as if reading her mind.
"Oh." That made perfect sense, her father was very proper but a very wise man… She felt a lump rising in her throat, man she missed him. She wished now, more tan anything he was there, holding her hand. The thing was even when he was alive he'd rarely ever done that…
"Your father didn't want any problems any more than I did; we were brought together for a reason and not to fight." Carter went on as if on a recitation. Vaguely she wondered if he'd rehearsed this. It would be a typical Carter thing to do. At least a thing the Carter she knew would do.
"Yeah, that's Dad." She mumbled and thought of Ryan where was he now? She wondered if he was visiting Chad and Kelsey or at a movie with the kids…
"Hey you ok?" Carter asked when he happened to glance over and see her far off look.
"Yeah, fine." She managed pulling herself back to the present, her present. She realized with a start that they'd pulled up in front of a sprawling white mansion with what had to be a hundred windows and shutters. She felt his eyes still on her and she managed a little smile, wishing she was anywhere but there.
"Come on." He said and she nodded and waited for him to come around the car to open the door. Then they were moving up the walk to the steps and mounting them in silence, Dana's nerves mounting with every step she took. What if they hated her? What if Carter decided she'd not suit after all? She'd not blame him but, she realized now how much that would hurt.
Carter was just keying the door when it was opened for him.
"Master Carter your home." The tall man in black said and Carter smiled and hugged the guy.
"It's great to see you again Perkins." Carter hugged the old man.
"And you." The man smiled as he released the boy.
"So, is mom or Dad around?" Carter asked and the old man nodded.
"Your parents are out on the west veranda, they are awaiting your arrival." The man said and Carter nodded and once more took Dana's hand.
"Thank you Perkins." He told the man and then even as the man watched, Carter led his blonde companion through the sitting room to the right of the marble entrance hall.
Dana didn't have time to take in her surroundings as Carter pulled her thought room after room, parlors, sitting rooms, and family rooms and so on and so forth.
As they stepped out through a set of French doors Dana took in the balcony, set what rot iron table and chair combos. Then she saw the only one set with a white cloth. It was near the stone balustrade as they approached a pretty woman rose from her seat to greet them.
"Why there you are Carter." The brunette smiled and moved to embrace her son.
"Hi Mom." He kissed her cheek.
"It is so good to see you." She said looking him up and down. Dana could tell he didn't come here often. Well, what time did he really have to do so?
"You too." He was replying.
"And this must be your fiancée." The older man who had also been seated at the table said coming over to join them. He was as tall as Carter if now as broad in the shoulders, his hair a shade or so darker than his son's and touched with silver at the temples. Dana knew from the society page of the paper this was the Ethan Grayson.
"My father's a bit blunt." Carter said moving to wrap an arm about Dana's shoulders and she suddenly felt more relaxed. Why was it could do this? Not that she minded the way he made her feel but…
"So I see." Dana said giving the older man a little smile.
"In any event it is a pleasure to finally meet the woman Carter's been pining over for the last two years." Carter's mother said and then added. "Since he hasn't seen fit to make the introductions, I am his mother, Lillian and this is his father Ethan."
"Mom." Carter blushed and Dana found herself likening his mother, she was just so down to earth. She wondered what it would have been like growing up with her for a mother. She wondered if her won mom was like this woman. She recalled her surrounds with a jolt and then said a little sheepishly.
"I'm glad to meet you both." With that she shook Mr. Grayson's hand and found herself hugged by his wife.
"Good, why don't you two join us? Cook has made a nice chicken salad for lunch." Mrs. Grayson said and Dana looked at Ryan smugly.
"I thought that was your favorite." She teased and Carter shrugged.
"It has been Carter's since he stayed with my sister." Mrs. Grayson said smiling at the girl, she thought that the file she'd read about the doctor was right. She was raised with manners and yet nice.
"Here." Carter said pulling Dana's chair out for her.
"'Thanks."
"Sure." He said taking his own place t the table.
"Would you like a glass of lemonade?" Mrs. Grayson asked her guest and Dana nodded saying.
"Yes please." Dana watched the long elegant hands pouring the sunny liquid from the glass pitcher and she noted that her fingers showed no sign of ever having worked at anything harder than writing a letter.
"There you are, and Carter there you are." Mrs. Grayson smiled placing their glasses before them and then making up the plates from a large serving bowl.
"Thanks mom." Carter said taking his plate from her.
"Now tell us how long have you two been seeing each other?" Mrs. Grayson urged and Dana looked to Carter, what would they say if they knew that after three weeks they were engaged?
"Oh um…" She tried to think, what to say?
"Going on a month now," Carter told them sipping his drink.
"Carter!" Dana yelped and he looked at her in confusion.
"What?" He asked wondering what he'd done wrong this time.
"It's ok Dana; we know that when you're in love things move rather fast." Mrs. Grayson told her with a little smile.
"Oh I…" What could she say to that?
"I hate to bring this up but would you be willing to sign a…" Mr. Grayson began and grunted shooting his wife a curious look.
"Dad!" Carter glared at him. Lord, they had only been there about thirty minutes and his father was at it.
"I'm sorry son but I need to ask. We must be sure she's not like Susan." Mr. Grayson reminded Carter.
"Susan?" Dana asked wondering what was going on. She knew what he'd been about to ask and had felt a little outrage at the question. The thing was she would as a heartbeat but to be asked not by Carter but by his father who didn't know her from some other woman?
"A very conniving gold digger." Carter muttered and Dana wondered at the glare Carter was still shooting his father. Was Mr. Grayson implying she was too?
"Oh…" She realized he was and wished Ryan was there to kick his butt. N
"Dad, she didn't even know until a week ago, I kept it hidden." Carter was saying over her single word. He was still glaring his hands braced on the table and she felt odd, as if they were on the battle field instead of on the veranda of a lovely estate house.
"You did?" His father asked a brow raised.
"Yes, the files about everything are in a level none but I can reach." Carter explained.
"Actually I think Ryan could reach it if he wanted." Dana said and wanted to kick herself when all eyes went to her. Who did she have to open her big mouth?
"Ryan?" Mr. Grayson asked a brow raised in question.
"My brother." Dana said knowing she'd have to or look really stupid.
"That's right, your co-commander." Mr. Grayson nodded at his son and Carter frowned.
"Yes but he has never…" Dana hurried to make them see that her brother would never spy on Carter like that with out good reason.
"Are you sure…" Mr. Grayson asked and Dana felt as if she'd been kicked. Why was he being like this? Ryan would never hurt anyone.
"My brother wouldn't…" She got to her feet. "Snoop with out a good reason."
"Dana please relax." Mrs. Grayson said but she was shaking her head, this was just all too much. Her whole body tremble, her eyes were filling with pained tears.
"I knew I never should have come, I thought I wouldn't fit in and maybe that's true but I'm glad if I was like you sir, I'd be a rude, hypocritical…" Dana said and then looked at him for one long moment.
"Dana…" Carter reached for her arm.
"How dare you judge me or my brother when you don't know either of us!" She glared at him. "My brother might have been raised by demons but he's a much better person than you or anyone else I know. He has more heart and guts than any hundred of your lawyers or accountants. Your son has more heart and more bravery than you or any one…" She broke off as pain shot through her belly, like a knife blade to her abdomen.
"Dana…" Carter was there, catching her shoulders as she slumped slightly.
"What's wrong?" Mrs. Grayson asked concerned by the girl's sudden loss of paler.
"I don't know, Dana, Dana what's wrong?" Carter was asking as she collapsed completely in his arms.
"I'll call Doctor Evans." Mr. Grayson said and went for the phone.
TBC
***
What do you think is happening? Bet you don't know. *winks*Ok, sorry if that was a little smug but lately I've been called predictable and I hate when that happens. So let me know what you think PLZ.