Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Power Rangers…this is for entertainment only…
Will Wes and Jen ever have some time together? Well, we'll find out soon enough!
By the way, it's two months later…and it's Wes's graduation!
Enjoy guys!
The Academy, part 2: Graduation
4:30PM
It had been a long two months. Two months of classes, two months of back breaking training.
But for Wes, in the past two months, he had hardly seen Jen. She only made it to half of their trainings, since Galden was attacking more frequently. He wasn't even sure if he'd see her at graduation. Wes only had time for a smile in the hall, or a quick little chat at his shooting class.
But that was it. A few words exchanged here and there.
Wes sighed as he zipped up his uniform and headed down to the auditorium.
Auditorium"Hey Wes!" Wes turned his head to see Jason, Josh and Mitch come walking over.
"Hey guys. Congrats, we made it!" Wes said as the four exchanged handshakes.
"Yea didn't think I'd see it happening." Josh said.
"And all the laps Lieutenant Scotts made Jason do really paid off. He's got the sexiest legs I'd ever seen!" Mitch teased Jason.
"Hey, that's not funny, man!" Jason protested.
"All right everyone, please settle down. We'd like to begin." Logan's voice came over the PA system.
The cadets took their seats and sat down. Speech after speech was given, but Wes couldn't focus. He had heard the tones go out earlier about another attack and he knew Jen was there somewhere.
"Wes, get your ass up there and receive your badge!" Mitch shoved him up.
Wes stumbled up as he got up and Logan placed the badge upon his chest. Logan shook his hand as he went down the line. He looked past Ensign Jackson, hoping to see Jen, but she wasn't there.
"Don't worry, Wes. She's fine." The Ensign muttered quietly. Allie saw the worry in his eyes.
Wes got back down and waited in line. Finally, Logan was back at the podium. "Ladies and Gentlemen, the class of 3005!"
A cheer came from all round as they were called to attention. They were soon dismissed.
"Officer Collins." Someone called. Wes turned around; a wide smile came to his face. "I see you finally made it." The person said. Wes was about to speak when a hand came out of the shadows and pulled him into a secluded hallway.
"Hi." Jen smiled at him.
"You're all right?" Wes asked. Jen nodded.
"You don't think I'd miss your graduation do you?" she asked.
"I was just…" he began.
"Worried, I know. I'm fine." Jen said.
"Wes! Wes, where the hell are you?" someone called.
"Shit, it's Mitch." Wes said as he turned his head around. He looked at Jen. "Come on, we'll lose them." Wes grabbed her hand as the two ran off.
"Where are we going?" Jen asked. "Wes, answer me!"
He suddenly turned a corner and they stood in a stairwell.
"Did you see him run in here?" Wes recognized it to be Josh.
"I thought I did. And I saw a girl too…" Jason said. "So that would explain his leaving after orientation."
'Go away.' Wes thought.
Jen tapped him and pointed to the stairs. Wes nodded as they followed the stairs up. They soon came to a door that lead out to a balcony.
"You think we lost them?" Wes asked.
Jen grabbed his jacket collar and pulled him towards her. "I'm not concerned about them now, Officer."
"Well…" Wes asked. "What are you concerned about?"
Jen didn't answer him; instead she gave him a long deep kiss. Wes wrapped his arms around her; the contour of her body came back to memory. He hadn't held her in what seemed like eternity. "I've missed you so much, Wes." Jen said.
"I've missed you too. What have you been up to for those last few months anyway?"
Jen stood there in his arms as they walked out onto the balcony. "Galden has been robbing stores like a mad man. I barely had time to close my eyes, then the alarm would go off again."
Wes held her for a few moments as the two exchanged a few words, and a few kisses here and there. "So, what are you doing tonight?" Wes asked.
"Why?" Jen gazed out over the horizon.
"I wanted to take you out tonight, for our first date." Wes said. "I figured tonight would be good, considering that everyone would be out celebrating at clubs and everything. No one would go to a restaurant." He hoped she would say yes.
"What time should I meet you?" she asked.
"Apartment lobby at, let's say, 7?" he said. She smiled.
"It's a date then." Jen said.
They stood outside for a few more minutes, then carefully made their way down to the apartment complex. They separated again and each went up to their room, anticipating the next few hours.
7:00PMWes stood down by the elevators, waiting for Jen. The place had been empty, since every cadet, or officer now, had went out celebrating. Wes stood in front of a mirror adjusting his collar. He wore a pair of jeans, a tight red shirt and a black leather jacket.
"Admiring yourself again, Wes?" Wes turned around to see Jen, who took his breath away.
"Wow, Jen. You look beautiful." He said as he gave her a kiss hello. She was wearing a pair of low cut jeans a long sleeve shirt, pink in color, and carried a white jacket in hand. "Ready?"
Jen nodded. "Let's go."
The two made their way out to Wes's car and headed off towards the restaurant.
Thirty minutes later"Wes, how the hell did you get a reservation here?" Jen asked astonished. They had pulled up into the entrance of an old, but still famous, restaurant. The Olive Garden.
"Pulled a few strings and turns out, last minute a couple cancelled and ta-da! I got the table. We can go somewhere else of you'd prefer." He said.
Jen shook her head. "No, I love this place."
Wes parked the car and both got out. He took her hand as they walked in.
"Reservation?" the man behind the desk asked.
"Yes, it's under Collins." Wes said.
"Wes, party of two?" he asked. Wes nodded. "Right this way, please."
"Your waiter will be right with you." The seating host said and left.
"What are you getting, Jen?" Wes asked.
"Dunno. But I've always loved their lemon chicken." Jen stated.
"Oh. The oyster pasta sounds good." Wes said.
Jen nodded. "It's amazing. My dad always had it when we came here."
"Hello folks, my name is Tony and I'll be your waiter for tonight." The waiter said. "Can I start you off with some drinks?"
"I'll have a Long Island iced tea, please." Wes said.
"And I'll have the strawberry daiquiri." Jen said. The waiter nodded and left to fetch their drinks.
"You know, Jen. That's the first time I've heard your mention your family." Wes said.
Jen gave him a lopsided look. "What do you mean?"
"Well, you never really told me about them. Your dad, your mom or your siblings, if any." The waiter returned with their drinks, took their dinner orders and left. "I was curious, what is your family like?" he took a sip of his drink.
Jen laughed. "I have an…interesting family actually. Both my parents are retired. My mom, Angela, was a nurse at the local hospital. Why do you think that I've never went to the doctor?" Wes laughed. "Jack is my dad. He used to be a criminal detective. He's obsessed with finding backgrounds. He's done that to about every boyfriend my sisters and I have had."
"Sisters?" Wes asked. "As in more then one?"
Jen nodded. "Yes. I am one of four, and I'm the youngest." She paused. "My oldest sister, Diane, is married with twins."
"So your not only the youngest but an aunt." Wes said. Jen nodded.
"Next is my brother Adam. He is a mechanic and used to work for Time Force, but then once he found out his little sister was going into control he quit." Jen took a sip of her drink.
"Really?" Wes asked.
"No!" Jen chuckled. "I was kidding. But he did work for Time Force. He retired from it and opened up his own garage. Now he's got a girlfriend who also works with him."
"Interesting. Go on." Wes said. Their food came and both began to eat. "What's your other sister like?"
Jen swallowed. "My sister, Pam, is a teacher at an elementary. She's got a boyfriend, but he's a bit of a ditz." Wes laughed.
"Then there's you." Wes said. "Any pets?"
Jen cracked a smile. "I have a Great Dane, who we call Duke. Sweetest thing in the world." Wes nearly choked.
"Did you say Great Dane?" Wes asked. Jen nodded.
"Yea. Wes, there's something I want to ask you." Jen said. "I've told my parents about you, and they'd like you to spend Christmas with us, if you'd like."
Wes smiled. "I'd love to."
Jen returned his smile. "Excellent. She wants us there on the 20th. Today's the…" she looked at her watch. "second. That's good, we won't miss the Christmas party!"
Wes gave her a weird look. "Christmas party?"
"Time Force's annual Christmas party. It's on the 23rd, that's a Friday" Jen said. "It's a blast. We have a DJ, soda, pizza, everything. Officers over the age of 25, the drinking age was raised over the years, can get some alcohol, but can have a maximum of three drinks. Any more then that, they'd be placed on a holding list."
"Sounds good." Wes stated. He took a bite of his dinner while they continued to talk some more.
Thirtyminutes later"I had a great time. Thanks, Wes." Jen said. She took out a peppermint and put in her mouth. Wes did the same.
"My pleasure. It was nice to get away from those calzones for a change." Wes chuckled. Jen did the same as he took her hand and began to walk through the park.
The next day"Time Force! You're under arrest, Galden!" Jen said. She stepped forward, her badge shining. "Just give it up, this is getting old."
Galden merely laughed. "Ha. I'll give up when you're DEAD!" He stormed in as Jen met him half way, and they began to battle it out.
Wes watched from a few yards away, worry shown through his eyes. He watched her go into a fierce hands on fight. And all he could do was sit there and stare. "Come on Jen, morph." He muttered to himself. But she ever got the chance to.
Jen was finally caught off guard and flipped onto herstomach as a loud cracking sensation was heard from her chest. Jen held her chest; her face shone of pain and she lay there, trying to catch her breath.
An evil smile came to the mutant's face. "Good bye, Lieutenant Scotts."
"Noo!" Wes yelled. He pulled the spring back on his blaster and fired a rapid round at Galden. He then kicked the mutant, sending Galden flying back. "We're not done yet!"
The smirk on Galden's face was gone. "We'll finish this another day." He soon was gone.
Wes then turned and ran to his Lieutenant's side. "Lieutenant, come on, wake up." He held her hand tight, not wanting to let go. "Get an ambulance now!" he yelled. One of the Ensigns got on the radio and called it in.
The rest of the officers soon crowed around her, but the Ensigns cleared the way.
"Come on, Jen. Breath." Wes saw her lips begin to turn blue, her cheeks lost color. "God, no!" Wes then saw her chest stop rising, but he wouldn't chance CPR, since she already had a few broken ribs. He gently picked her up, her head resting on his shoulder and began mouth to mouth, trying to get her to breathe again.
"Come on, Lieutenant!" Jason said. Wes kept blowing, helping Jen breath. A little color came back to her cheeks, but Wes didn't stop.
Finally, the ambulance came and Jen was being transported to the hospital, leaving a very worried Wes behind.
"Officer Collins, go on. I'll take over from here." Ensign Avery said. Wes nodded in thanks and began his walk to the hospital.
Once there, he walked in and asked for Jen's room. He arrived and saw her lying there as his breath began to shake. "Jen…" he whispered.
"Officer Collins?" a doctor asked. Wes turned and nodded.
"Please tell me she'll be okay." Wes said.
"She has five broken ribs and three fractured ones. On top of that, a small puncture in her lung. For that, we have preformed a microsurgery and…"
Wes's eyes widened. "Microsurgery?"
The doctor gave him a strange look. "Yes, microsurgery. Microscopic machines, commonly called the AUSSIE's, that's Android Ubots Second Surgery In Emergency, AUSSIE's. There're little robots that go into the body, monitored by us that have special lasers to perform emergency surgeries to where we can't get it. They're bio-degradable and are recycled with the body wastes."
Wes's face dropped. 'They've come this far with technology, wow.'
"As I was saying, we've repaired that. We have medicated tape her ribs now, but she'll need someone to look after her for a few weeks, two at most. I do believe that Captain Logan has said that he would like you to be that one." the doctor stated.
Wes's eyes grew wide. "Me?" the doctor nodded. "Umm, okay. When will she be released?"
The doctor looked at his chart. "Thursday, two days from now."
Wes looked in again. Jen lay there so quietly; "I'll be here Thursday then."
"Alright. You can go in to see her now, if you'd wish." The doctor left.
Wes thanked him and slowly opened her door. He saw her head move and pressed a button by the door; the shades closed.
He sat down by the side of her bed and held her hand, slowly rubbing his thumb over her hand. Jen's eyes fluttered open and she looked at him. She tried to talk, but Wes shushed her immediately.
"Don't talk, Jen. You need to rest." His voice soothed her. "God, if I only knew he was that strong, I would have come sooner."
Jen gave him a small smile and gently squeezed his hand. "It okay. Not…your fault." Her voice was quiet and raspy. He saw her eyes squint in pain.
"Shh. Don't talk, Jen." Wes said as he pushed a few strands of hair from her forehead.
"Everything…will be…okay." She managed. He heard her pain come through her voice again.
A tear slowly fell down his cheek. He sighed as Jen gave his hand another weak squeeze. He watched her head turn and her eyes clothes, pulling Jen into a deep sleep.
Wes sat there for a few more moments, letting the image of her leave. "Sleep well, Jen." He whispered. He got up and left, hoping everything would be okay.
The next dayWes was sitting in his car with another officer on street duty when a voice came over the radio.
"Headquarters to seven tango."
The other officer grabbed the mike. "Seven tango to Headquarters, go ahead Captain."
"Officer Delran, is Officer Collins there?" Logan's voice said. Delran handed the mike to Wes.
"Collins here, go ahead sir." Wes said.
"Collins, can you come back to HQ? I have small favor of you."
"Yes, sir, I'm on my way." Wes got out of the car and began a short walk to HQ.
InsideThe elevator doors opened as Wes walked through them and into Captain Logan's office.
"Sir, you requested to see me?" Wes said after he saluted the Captain.
"Yes, I did. You know of Jen's state." Logan said. Wes nodded. "And I do realize the doctor talked with you. He told you that she'll need someone to look after her and help getting around and all." Wes nodded again. "Did he tell you that I requested she stay with you?"
"Yes, sir, you did. But, I just don't understand why."
A smile came to Logan's face. "Two reasons, Wes. One, I know that you'll go head over heels to help her, even if I didn't choose you. Two, well, I figured that you two would like some…quality time together."
Wes's eyes widened. "I do know about you two, Wes. I do have my sources." Logan said. "You have the rest of the day to prepare and get the normal preparations out. I'll have one of the ensigns bring you a bag of her clothes. Wes, are you okay with doing this?"
Wes jumped. "Of course, sir. No second opinion. And thank you for giving me this…"
"Get going, Wes! You're picking her up at 6:30PM tomorrow." Logan laughed.
Wes saluted and walked off to his room, where he spent the rest of the day cleaning and getting everything set for Jen.
The next evening
With a shaky hand, Wes opened the door to Jen's room. He saw a sight that made him smile.
Jen's eyes shifted up to where he stood. "Hey." She said. Her voice was stronger, but still raspy.
He sighed reluctantly. "Hey. You're feeling better?"
She nodded. "Yea, but I'm still in a bit of pain. I've got medication now and I can hardly move." Wes then noticed the tape against her body; it clung tightly and restricted her movement greatly. "Other then that, I'm fine."
"And considering its three weeks until we go to your parents'." Wes joked. Jen tried to laugh, but the tape didn't let that happen. He pulled up a chair and sat next to her. Jen saw the look on his face.
"Don't worry, Wes. I'm okay, I just will need some help getting around." She shifted her legs.
"That's why I'm here." Wes said. Jen looked at him, confused. "According to Captain Logan, you're going to need help for the next two weeks, until your ribs are healed completely. For us, that's just three weeks, then we're off to your parents."
"And that deals with you how?" She asked. Wes smiled.
"Because you're going to stay with me. Captain's orders."
Jen's eyes widened. "What? You're kidding!" she said happily.
He took her hand. "Nope. Not at all. Logan wants you to stay with me. You're on desk duty. For the next two weeks under my watch, Jen, you're staying home and relaxing. I'll bring your work to you." He paused. "If that's okay with me."
Jen squeezed his hand. "I'll love it."
Wes kissed her forehead. "Now, I'm going to talk with the nurses to get you out of here. Think of what you want for dinner, I'm sick and tired of TF's food. I'm cooking tonight."
Jen giggled. "All right."
A few minutes later, Jen found herself being helped into a sweatpants and a sweatshirt. She walked gingerly out of the room, with the help of the nurses. What she saw was Wes standing in the lobby a wide smile on his face.
"Ready?" Wes asked. Jen placed her arm around his neck as his went around her waist for support.
"Yup." She said.
They slowly made their way out of the hospital to where Wes's car was waiting. After he helped her in, they made their way to Time Force yet again, except this time they weren't parting.
7:00PM
"Welcome home, Jen." Wes smiled. The door shut behind the two as he helped her to the couch. "So, what do you want for dinner?"
"I don't know." Jen said.
"Chicken parm sound good?" Wes asked.
She cocked her head. "Sounds great." Before making his way into the kitchen, he sat down beside her.
"Jen, if there's anything you need, please don't hesitate to ask." Wes said. "I want you to feel comfortable…"
Jen raised her fingers to his lips, silencing him. "Wes, I do feel comfortable. I'll enjoy this, not to mention, we have some time together. Besides." She paused. "I'm here, and I'll be spending the next month or so with the man that I love." Jen gave him that smile that made his heart melt.
Wes leaned in and gave her a deep kiss. "I think I may like this, coming home every day to see you."
With another warm kiss shared, Wes got up and went into the kitchen to make dinner. Jen grabbed the remote and began to surf through the channels stopping at the weather channel. She noticed dark gray clouds gathering up as they drive home.
11:00PM
"You're staying in my room, Jen." Wes said as he helped her onto his bed.
Jen let out a heavy sigh as she lay back. Wes pulled the comforter over her and sat down beside her.
"Wes, I can't thank you enough for all of this." Jen said. Wes just smiled.
"You're welcome." His face went serious, but a soft smile remained on his face. "There's only one thing I want, and that's for you to rest up and get better. Relax, and treat this like a vacation. Now, get some sleep, Jen. If you need anything, I'll be right down the hall."
He gave her a kiss then turned out the light and walked out.
He cleared the couch and moved the table. Once the cushions were removed, he grabbed some pillows and pulled out the bed that was underneath the cushions.
He heard the soft sound of Jen sleeping, and a new thought came to his head.
'This is what it'll be like in a few years, only Jen and me will be married, with a kid down the hall. In our own house.' As Wes fell asleep, his dream came into his head. He sighed happily as he fell deeper into a sleep.
With Jen right down the hall…
ch 6 up soon…