Special disclaimer: Power rangers is as always owned by someone else, and the song is "FEELS LIKE HOME" by CHANTAL KREVIAZUK.
Chapter 6 Sweet Dreams
Sitting on his bed Ryan turned n\another page in the photo album, his sister grinned out at him, her hair covered by the white lace vale. He'd never seen
her that happy and now as he was to leave at dawn with the others he knew he might well never see his little sister again. At least he didn't have to
worry about her being in danger. Knowing her husband he'd not let her out of his sight until the little ones made their debut.
Sighing he placed the scrapbook atop his duffle bag and headed for the door. He had to make an appearance at the farewell party being held in the galley.
After all Marie, Dana and the other women had worked very hard to put it together. He didn't know where they got the time. In the last months the attacks
had gotten increasingly worse. That was why they now had two teams, the Neo lightspeed team and the Starspeed team. It had been odd taking the demotion
to ranger but he knew it was for the best. He had the most experience and since Chad and Kelsey were expecting and so were Joel and Angela they couldn't
go.
In any event he knew his team better than the others. Heath, Hollie and the two newbie's were all within his jurisdiction.
The others would stay there on earth; they'd defend Mariner bay and the world. It was odd, in the last few months so many things had happened. They'd
learned that Carter and Dana were having twins, Marie and Brian had gotten engaged, the new team had been formed as the six newest recruits were brought
in.
It had turned out to be a good thing that they'd had so many candidates for the ranger slots; it had made the choices easier. They'd even changed the standard
team to include not only Brent, Chris, Brian and Marie but also Cody and Ester. It had been done that way so the new guys would have the older more experienced
rangers with them.
Now though as he pushed open the door to the galley he smiled to himself. He was leaving this behind but embarking on a new adventure.
They were all dancing, talking and laughing. He spotted his little sister and Carter talking with Wes and Jen Collins and Taylor Airheart and Eric Myers.
He smiled to himself; it was good to see they were having such a good time. He thought of going over there but as he had not date he'd look really silly.
His eyes scanned across the room and he spotted Heath dancing with Carter's sister. They looked both happy and very sad. Brian and Marie were likewise
dancing but there was a glow about the. Soon after the war they'd marry, he just knew it.
He then spotted Ester and Chris talking in a corner. His successor was falling for the young woman and Ryan was glad he'd been having real trouble finding
someone.
Sarah Brent and Devon were seated with Kelsey and Chad at a table. They were talking but that made Ryan frown where was she?
Scanning the crowd he looked for that redhead. When he spotted her russet curls he saw she was sitting in a corner, all alone, a cola in front of her.
What was gong on? This wasn't how it was supposed to be. She should be talking and laughing with her friends.
Moving forward he knocked on the table. When she looked up he saw she looked sad, her green eyes were almost a pea green.
There's something in your eyes
Makes me wanna lose my self,
Makes me wanna lose myself in your heart,
She'd been thinking about all that would soon happen, she'd be leaving her home, what was left of her family and then what? What would there be left.
Nothing that's what.
Now though as she looked at Ryan she saw he looked odd, not scowling as he so often did, no he looked almost lost.
"Hey what's up?"
"Well I thought maybe you'd like to dance." He extended a hand.
"What?"
"Let's dance.' His deep voice seemed somehow husky and she shivered at the very sound.
There's something in your voice
That makes my heart beat fast
Hope this feeling lasts
For the rest of my life
She looked so surprised he wanted too smile, he knew now it was only a dream but still it was a pleasant one. He never had ones he actually liked, why
he did this one he was not sure but for some reason he did and so when she took his hand and got to his feet and walked with him to the make-shift dance
floor he felt something within him lift, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
If you knew how lonely
My life has been
And how long I've been so alone
And if you knew how I wanted someone to come along
And change my life the way you've done
As she rested her hand in his and his fell to her waist Ollie smiled. Heavens she'd never been so relaxed, not with anyone, especially not Ryan. Until
lately he had just been such a jerk. Not that she'd behaved much better, she mused, no she'd been a little brat. A grin lit her face at the memory of
some of their fights. Man they could be sooo bad sometimes. But that was just them. Maybe they just had to fight, it was one thing that was honest,
and it kept them both sane.
Gazing into his handsome face she noticed something she'd not before. He looked very young. His face was clean shaven, his silver gaze somehow glittering
but not with controlled annoyance.
NO, she thought that at this very moment he looked like any other guy she'd ever known.
And if that was because it was part of her dream she could do whatever… Heat washed over her face at that idea.
It feels like home to me
It feels like home to me
It feels like I'm all the way back where I come from
It feels like home to me
It feels like home to me
It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong
"You know this is a dream." She said and he gazed down at her a moment.
"You know that to?" He asked after a minute.
"Yeah, but if it is how can you know it, aren't you part of it?" She murmured frowning.
"As much as you are." He replied and she rolled her eyes making him laugh.
A window breaks down on Lumdard Street
And a siren rings in the night
But I'm all right cuz I have you here with me,
And I can almost see through the dark there is light
This was the oddest dream he'd ever had, he never dreamt of Hollie, not when she was this real. Then again his sleep was usually nightmares and odd things
so abstract he'd stopped trying to figure them out a long time ago. Perhaps he should do that now.
As the music swirled about them and others danced Ryan moved to place Hollie's right hand on his shoulder, and her other around his neck. Then he was sliding
his around her waist.
Funny, he thought she was so thin and yet she could hold her own. But then Dana was that way too.
Well if you knew how much this moment means to me
And how long I've waited for your touch
And if you knew how happy you are making me
I never thought that I'd love anyone so much
Staring up at him she felt as if she were floating, flying above the earth on wings of gold. The music, the people just played into it and she felt his
breath fanning her lips as slowly ever so slowly Ryan bent his head…
Her eyes opened slowly and for a moment Hollie just lay there, taking in her surroundings. She was in an unfamiliar room, and something warm held her in
a gentle grip.
glancing to where the grip stemmed form. she found the handsome young face of Ryan Mitchell. It struck her; she'd never seen him so relaxed, his long golden lashes fanning out
over his cheeks, his tanned features softer somehow. She wondered if he'd looked like this as a child, but then she doubted he'd gotten much sleep living with demons. She knew she'd never have.
The memory of her dream had her blushing, he was as hot then but why hadn't she noticed that he was now? Maybe because they were always fighting. True
she'd had a crush on the guy back when it had all started but gees had she really missed so much lately?
Something else hit her; he'd lay down too, so they'd both slept? Suddenly another thing struck her; she'd only had one nightmare, short and sharp. She
didn't know why but she didn't mind this, this laying beside him. It felt god, safe and…
"Ryan?"
"Oh man…" he groaned as he realized what had happened. He should have realized it the second he woke but he was just so warm and at peace… then there had
been that dream… Heaven's what was he thinking? He was laying in bed with Hollie at his side, not that they'd done more than sleep but he never slept
in the same bed with anyone. Then again he rarely ever slept. And he never had such sweet dreams.
"Are you ok?" To his surprise there was genuine concern in Hollie's sleep softened voice as she turned on her side to look at him.
"Yeah, look Hollie; I'm really sorry I meant to wake you but…" The finger on his lips was warm, soft and affectionate and it was remarkable how fast his thoughts flew out the window.
Then as if drawn by some alien force they were leaning in, their lips brushing, their bodies tingling with the electricity that seemed to pull within them.
"Ryan?" The voice was soft, silky like rich dark chocolate…
"It's almost nine thirty?!" She was jumping up and he realized he'd drifted into a daydream. Then he wondered what she was talking about.
"What?" And then he saw the time.It was no longer Tuesday but Wednesday and Half passed nine.
"Crap!" And he was up too, straightening his clothing.
"Ok, well since you helped me out with this can I help you with anything?" She asked and again he was a little lost. What had he helped her with?
"You want to actually do something responsible?" He asked hoping to cover the laps.
"I am a human being you know." Hollie muttered as she flattened her hair.
"Ok ok, but we need to eat something first." He said and decided he'd make it up as they went.
"Deal." She said and then together they were heading for the galley.
TBC
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