The weeks that followed Wes and Jen's engagement were better than Eric could have imagined.
He and Taylor saw each other nearly everyday, and when they didn't, they talked on the phone. As much as he hated to admit it, Wes had been right. He didn't want to be alone anymore… and maybe Taylor was the one he was supposed to be with.
They had come to the mutual agreement a few days ago that they wouldn't see anyone else besides each other, and he had to admit that that was a good feeling to have.
One thing that he couldn't understand though was why Taylor was so… cautious. Sure they had fooled around a little, but that was it. Everytime they would get close, she would pull away or an attack would come up, or he was called away.
In laymen's terms, he was getting frustrated; he was human after all. Sure it was irritating, but the part that got to him the most was that Taylor wouldn't open up to him about it. She wasn't exactly the type to open up, but he thought she trusted him at least.
Hell, he told her his life story after a night at the bars. How his father walked out on him and his mother, then his mother passing away from cancer when he was fifteen. Then he met Wes in Prep School, dropped out, and began the commander of the Guardians. She didn't think he was a loser or a quitter, and he found his feelings for her grow.
After that night, and then the following morning when he woke up with her in his arms for the first time, he knew… he loved her. The way she looked, the way she fit perfectly to him, and the way she didn't judge… It all added up to it. He knew, at that moment, that he never wanted this feeling he had to end.
He wasn't the sentimental type at all, but around her… his icy, hard ass persona melted away.
Tonight they were going to hang out at his place, and maybe he could get her to open up to him. He gathered his things for the rest of the evening, and headed home.
In Turtle Cove, Taylor was packing her overnight bag. She had been spending almost every night with Eric and found that she liked it. Her teammates, too, saw a little change in their leader. She was happier than they had ever seen her.
Her battles were getting more and more frequent, and she was tired. It seemed like everyday they had a new Org to contend with, and it wore her out. She was frustrated with the way things were going… not only in her life as a ranger.
She knew she had to tell him why she was the way she was, but it was so hard.
Her past was just that; the past. She never wanted to relive it, but she knew she had to get it out in the open. Eric was so understanding with her, but she knew he was getting as annoyed as she was.
Taylor was angry with herself. She was supposed to be this strong, unafraid person. But there was one thing that made her afraid and she hated herself for thinking that Eric could bring all that fear to her.
She knew he wouldn't. He told her that he wouldn't. As much as she wanted him, she just couldn't get over her fear and that tore her up inside.
Glancing around her apartment, she gathered the rest of her things and walked out towards her car.
Eric was sitting in his living room when he saw Taylor's car pull in. He rose and greeted her at the door with a kiss. She sighed and shut the door.
"Hey," he said softly. Taylor looked at him. "What's wrong? You look beat." She went over to the couch and lay down.
"We had an interesting day today," she said as she closed her eyes. "We found out that Kite was really Animus and had our Zords taken away."
Eric sat down with her. "You what? Did you get them back?"
Taylor sighed as she felt his hands run through her hair. "Yeah, but we had to fight without them for a little while."
He gently rubbed her back and shoulders and she sighed contently. He leaned down and kissed her neck, causing her to turn in his arms, facing him. They joined their lips together and Taylor kissed his neck and earlobe, getting a very satisfied moan from him.
She gripped his shoulders as he kissed her neck and down the front of her shirt. As he made his way back up, he carefully lifted her shirt up, showing her black lace bra. Taylor felt his lips on her and she touched his face with her soft fingertips.
"Taylor," Eric got out as he kissed her. "Taylor I want you," he said almost desperately. Taylor's eyes flew open and she knew she wanted him too, but…
"Eric… I… I can't," she said. Eric groaned and placed his head on her chest frustrated. He sat up and ran a hand through his hair. Taylor put her shirt back down and sat up.
"What is it, huh?" Eric asked. "I know I'd say I'd wait, but I think not knowing why you want to is making me nuts."
Taylor put her head in her hands. "It's not that easy," she said.
"What the hell are you hiding from me? What can be so hard for you to talk about?"
Taylor stood up and began to pace. She walked a little and placed her hands on her head. "Do you not trust me? What, you're afraid of me? Tell me already!" he cried angrily.
Taylor stopped and threw her arms down to her side. "Damn it Eric! I was raped!" she yelled.
As soon as the words left her mouth, the tears gathered and the room was deathly silent. The look on Eric's face changed and he knew he had done it.
"You want to know what I'm hiding so badly? I'll fucking spell it out for you. My father died and my mom got involved with some asshole that raped her, raped me, and then killed her, alright? You happy now? You know my big secret."
She grabbed her bag and made her way to the door with her eyes spilling over with tears. She was mad. Mad at herself, and mad at him for forcing it out of her like this.
Eric shot up off the couch and held the door shut. He was enraged that someone would violate her like that, and he was disappointed in himself for making her feel threatened.
"Taylor, wait," he said.
The yellow ranger just stared at him with venom in her green eyes. "Wait around for what? You feel like getting anything else out of me?"
Eric sighed. "I never meant to do that and you know it."
"Oh I do? You didn't mean to provoke me like you always do? You always think you know everything about everyone, but guess what? This time you were wrong. You don't know shit about me."
"I know that you're pissed off and angry, but that's no way to help the situation."
"The situation? Which part? Me being raped, or being forced to talk about it?"
Eric closed his eyes as if he'd been struck. "You know I'd never force you to do anything."
Taylor composed herself a little and looked him straight in the eye. "Then don't force me to stay."
Eric backed down then and held the door for her. "Please don't do this," he said as she got through the door. "We can talk about this."
"I don't think there's anything to talk about right now," she said softly. She got into her car and drove back to Turtle Cove. She angrily wiped away the tears as she got closer to her apartment.
She knew she had been partially to blame, but he shouldn't have forced it out of her. She was going to tell him, but she was nervous.
Thoughts were swimming through her head as she turned towards her building. Tomorrow she would sit down with Alyssa and tell her everything. For once, she was glad to have someone to talk to.
They had talked about it a while ago, but it never really affected her and those around her until now. She found a spot and walked into her apartment, letting herself cry for the first time in years.
Back in Silver Hills, Eric was at a loss. He wasn't sure if he should be upset, angry, annoyed, or just plain pissed.
He was mad at himself, and as much as he didn't want to admit it, he was mad at her. She was upset, he understood that, but he was still confused as to why she wouldn't talk to him about it.
She needed time, and as much as he didn't want to, he would give it to her. What he had said before about waiting for her was true, and he'd give her as much time as she needed.
He loved her and would do everything in his power to let her know that and accept it in her own way.
Sitting in bed later that night, he wished he could take all her doubts and uncertainties away by holding her in his arms…