Two days past and Tori was feeling miserable. The chemo was supposed to take all the toxins out of her blood in order for the marrow to work. She often was awoken from her sleep by nausea that was followed by dry heaves and in a few cases vomiting. Blake never left her side. He would wake up with her and sit with her until the feeling past, or sit with her on her bed and stroke her back to try and ease the pain in her aching muscles.

Her hair had grown thinner, but thankfully none of it fell out. Taylor came in everyday and often stayed with Tori when Blake went out for short trips to get things to make Tori feel like she was a home- a few pillows, her comforter, and several of her surfing magazines.

Taylor sat next to Tori and held her right hand as the I.V. was stuck into her left arm. Blake stood next to Tori with his hand on her shoulder. Eric and the others were outside in the waiting area as the marrow was placed onto the hanging rack and connected to the tube in Tori's arm.

"Okay Tori- here we go," Dr. Jones said as he turned a small valve below the tube. The liquid slowly came out of the bag and into Tori's arm. Blake leaned down to her ear.

"I love you," he whispered kissing her temple. Tori looked over to him and smiled weakly. Taylor rubbed Tori's hand and kept her eyes on the liquid that was going into her sister.

"How long until we know it worked?" Taylor asked the doctor.

"We'll have to wait at least 48 hours," he said. "The transfusion shouldn't take more than another hour or so."

"Thanks Dr. J," Tori said softly. He smiled at her and left them to wait.

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Shane, Cam, Hunter, Dustin, and Eric all sat silently in the waiting room. The two days before this had been very interesting for the group of rangers. They had tried to keep their minds off the thought of Tori not making it through- they talked about being Rangers, and they all were very interested in his mission with Serpentera, much like Blake had been.

Now they were all silent. . . waiting for any word. The minutes past by slowly until they saw Taylor walk out with her arms wrapped around her middle. They all looked over to her, and Eric saw that she wore a very blank expression. She was clearly exhausted- in the past two days she had barely slept.

"Well she got it," she said as she reached the guys. "We'll have to wait about 48 hours to see what's going to happen. Tori wants to see you guys," she said. They all rose and walked down the hallway. Eric stood up and stared at her. Her lower lips began to tremble and then she flew into his arms, burying her head into his chest. "I should have been here sooner!" she cried.

Eric felt like his heart was being ripped in two. The woman he loved was hurting and he couldn't do anything to try and help her. He held her to him and buried his head in her hair. "Taylor, you've done everything you can," he whispered. Taylor pushed him off of her.

"No!" she yelled. "I put her in this mess! If I hadn't blown up at her, she would be stronger right now! She's just lying there helpless and I did that to her!" Eric grabbed her right arm.

"Taylor that's not true!" he yelled back. She shot him a death glare.

"let go of me Meyers," she said sternly.

"Not until you listen to me," he said pulling her slightly.

"I said let me go!" she cried as she brought her left fist up and connected with his face. Eric let go and stumbled back holding his jaw. Taylor turned on her heel and ran out.

"What's going on out here?" he heard Cam behind him. "We heard yelling and-" he stopped when he saw Eric stand, holding his face.

"Taylor," he said turning to the door.

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After the fight, Eric went in with the others and sat with Tori. The guys all left and went to the cafeteria to get some coffee and some water for Tori. Blake kissed her goodbye and left.

Tori's eyes went wide when she saw the red mark on his right cheek. "What happened?" she asked. Eric looked into her eyes- eyes that looked so much like Taylor's. Tori saw a look of sadness in his eyes and took a guess. "She didn't!" she said, realizing that Taylor must have caused it.

"She did," he said softly.

"Left hook?" she asked. Eric nodded his head with a small smile and lowered his head. "You should probably get that iced."

"Nah- I'll be alright," he said quietly. "All I was trying to do was help her." Tori let out a deep sigh.

"She never could accept the feeling of being weak, whether it be mentally or physically," she said. "I guess her seeing me like this kind of made her think this was her fault." Eric gave her a small grin.

"You know her well," he said. Tori tried to sit up, but she couldn't move around too much. Eric rose and helped her sit the way she wanted.

"Thanks," she said. Eric put a hand on her shoulder. "You can't just let her get away. She needs someone like you."

"Like me?" he asked.

"Yeah- someone who won't give up on her. Her dad left her right after she enlisted. . . she kind of shut herself off. I guess that's why she lashes out when she can't figure out her feelings," Tori said.

Eric looked at her. "He just left her?" Eric asked. Tori nodded her head. After a moment he spoke again. "I'd rather die than leave her." Tori smiled and reached out her hand. Eric took it.

"Then you need to go after her and tell her." He smiled and leaned down to hug her. "Bring her back Eric."

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Taylor ran as fast as she could as her tears blinded her vision. Her legs led her away from the hospital, up to the cliffs that were set away from the rest of the city. She could see the ocean in front of her, and she felt the air running through her hair. Her tears had stopped as she calmed down. She sat on the ground and brought her knees up to rest against her chest. She softly began rocking back and forth.

Her head was against her knees, but it shot up when she heard the familiar sound of an eagle cry. She looked up to the sky and could make out the distinct form of the agile bird soaring just above her. "Go away!" she cried. She knew that the eagle was sensing her distress, but all she wanted to do was be alone.

Not too far away, Eric was driving around looking for her. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw an eagle fly towards cliffs that he could see in the distance. He knew she had a connection with her zord, so maybe this eagle was trying to lead him to her so he could comfort her. The eagle circled overhead as he ran to a clearing where he saw her curled up in a small bundle rocking herself.

Taylor felt someone behind her. Instantly, she stood and got into a fighting stance. Eric stopped and looked at her. She looked ragged and worn down. She dropped her fists and looked at him blankly. His face was swollen and beginning to turn a light shade of blue. He began to walk towards her.

"Stay away from me unless you want another hit," she said. Eric continued to walk.

"don't think I won't hit you back," he said.

"You wouldn't dare."

"You're right- but if someone doesn't knock some sense into you, I may have to," he said as he stood right in front of her. "She knows you're blaming yourself for this," he said softer. "And she doesn't want you to."

Taylor placed her hands over her face and broke down. Eric didn't hesitate as he wrapped his arms around her. Taylor was stiff for a few moments and then melted into him. "I'm sorry I hit you," she said. Eric stroked her hair.

"I'll have to punish you later for it," he said kissing her temple. Taylor let out a small chuckle. "C'mon- let's get you back so you can see Tori."

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The guys had all left for the night, leaving Blake and Tori alone. "Blake, you should really get home and get some sleep- you know in a real bed," she said. He smiled at her.

"I told you I'm not leaving you. Especially after you just had your transfusion," he replied.

Tori closed her eyes and smiled. She was tired, but wanted to wait for Taylor to come back. Blake saw her close her eyes and carefully climbed up on the bed with her. Tori felt him lie on his side next to her and gently laid his arm across her stomach. She opened her eyes and turned her head. They met for a soft, feathered kiss.

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Taylor and Eric went back to the hospital and found Tori and Blake sleeping. "Is it okay for them to do that?" Taylor asked the doctor as he crept out of the room.

"I think it's actually helping her," he said. "I just checked her vitals and they're up." Taylor thanked him and carefully went into the room. Eric watched from the door way as Taylor went over to Tori and took her left hand and slipped the ring back on. Tori opened her eyes slightly and smiled at Taylor.

"Thank you Taylor," she whispered. Taylor smiled at her and held her hand. "You saved me. . ." she said as her eyes drifted shut again. Taylor kissed her cheek and gave her one last look before she and Eric headed back to the hotel.

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Taylor fell asleep in the car as they drove back to hotel. Eric lifted her out and let her lean on him as they made their way up to their room. Taylor sluggishly changed into her pajamas and lay down. Eric called Wes and filled him in on what was going on before he settled in.

"What did he say?" Taylor asked as he sat in the end of the bed.

"He said that things are much better when I'm gone," he said smiling a little. "He's such a wise ass."

"Well, I hope he knows I'm not letting him get away with paying for this," Taylor said as she laid on her side. Eric edged his way up until he was lying down next to her.

"I said that too, but he won't hear of it. He's so stubborn sometimes."

"I guess he's picking up on a few of your bad habits," Taylor said. His face broadened into a wide smile, but he quickly straightened it- his jaw was still a little swollen and it hurt. Taylor's face softened. "I'm sorry I did that," she said as she brought her hand up to gently touch it.

He flinched a little as she touched the sensitive skin. Taylor slowly brought her lips to rest on the injured area, then moving them down his jaw until she reached his neck. Eric closed his eyes as her lips massaged the skin. She stopped when she reached the top part of his t-shirt and looked back up at him.

They both saw a question in the eyes that stared back at them and they knew the answer.

"I want you to know something," she said. He looked into her eyes and placed a hand on her cheek. "I haven't done this in a long time," she said. He moved his hand from her face and traced it down her shoulder and rested it on her hip.

"I haven't either. . . so we'll take it slow," he said as he kissed her neck and felt her move his hand to her breast. He stopped and looked to her smiling face.

"I hate waiting," she said with a devilish smile on her face. Eric needed little encouragement and removed her shirt. He stared down at her exposed breasts and felt himself getting hot all over. He pulled his off and Taylor felt her hunger for him rise. His chiseled body leaned down onto her and they kissed with such passion that they thought they would explode right then. They made quick work of the rest of their clothes and continued to kiss furiously as their hands roamed.

Their skin tingled as they continued to touch and kiss, until they couldn't take it anymore. Eric climbed on top of her and entered her in one quick thrust. Taylor arched her back as she felt him enter her. She had only had sex with one other person, but already Eric was making her feel better than her other partner ever had.

Eric kissed her neck and down to her breasts as he slowly moved in and out of her. "I- love- you- Taylor," he said between breaths. No one had ever made him feel this good before. Both he and Taylor felt a connection that they hadn't felt before as the continued to make love.

Taylor ran her fingers through his hair and kissed the side of his neck as he buried his head into her shoulder. She felt herself losing control until at last she felt herself release. A deep moan escaped her throat as Eric continued until he felt himself explode into her.

They lay there, panting for a few minutes. Taylor placed her hand on his head and kissed it softly. "I love you," she breathed out. Eric kissed her shoulder and rolled off of her so she was resting in his arms.

"That was amazing," he said, still trying to catch his breath. He kissed her sweaty brow and pulled her closer.

"For once I agree with you," she said smirking up at him. He looked at her and brushed her hair away from her face.

"I'm so glad I gave you that ticket." Taylor hit him lightly on the chest. "I love you Earhardt."

Taylor let out a contented sigh and cuddled closer to his warm body.