Two weeks passed by peacefully for the newly engaged couple.

Every one of their friends were overjoyed to hear that they were finally together for good. Wes especially.

Taylor had called her recruiter and had used Eric's story of her working undercover for the Guardians. Being so close to Turtle Cove, the recruiter knew of the recent Org attacks and bought her story.

Taylor was scheduled to leave for the base in the morning, and at the moment she was at the park, sitting with Alyssa and Jen as they watched Cole, Wes, Eric, Danny, and Max play football.

"Max and Danny are heading off to see the world," Alyssa said.

"They always do everything together don't they?" Jen asked.

Taylor grinned. "They're best friends. I mean, who wouldn't want to travel around the world with their partner in crime?"

Jen smirked. "I remember Katie and I went to Paris once. Man did we cause trouble."

"You? Miss straight laced, no fun?" Taylor asked. Jen stuck her tongue out at her.

"I think the guys had a good effect on me… helping me to lighten up," she said.

Alyssa smiled. "I wish we could do something like that Taylor," she said. "But you're leaving…" The white ranger got quiet after that and Taylor sighed.

"I have nine months of service left, then I'm free to go," she replied.

They turned their attention to the guys when they heard Wes celebrating a touchdown. Eric cheered with him and the girls all laughed.

"I bet you're glad Cole's staying here," Jen said to Alyssa. Alyssa just grinned and smiled at her boyfriend.

Taylor watched Eric as he ran around like a kid and though she didn't realize it, tears gathered in her eyes. She was going to miss him to no end while she was away.

"Taylor?"

She turned her head back to Jen. "Huh?" she asked.

"I asked when you guys were planning on getting married?" Taylor smiled and looked at her ring.

"We were thinking after I finish my service. It'll give us time to plan and get settled," she said. Jen smiled, but her face contorted slightly, and for a minute Taylor thought she was going to be sick.

"Are you alright?" Alyssa asked.

Jen smiled slightly and looked at the girls. "Yeah… I've just been getting nauseous a lot lately… it kind of comes with the territory."

Taylor's eyes widened. "You're not?" she asked shocked. Jen shook her head in confirmation.

"Oh Jen! You're pregnant! That's so great!" Alyssa said. "Congratulations!"

Jen just smiled happily. "Thanks… I'm not that far along, maybe six or so weeks, but yeah."

"What did Wes have to say?" Taylor asked.

"He was so excited…" she blushed a little. "I think it happened before the wedding," she replied sheepishly.

Taylor felt Eric's lips on her cheek and his arms around her.

"You're all sweaty!" she cried. Eric leaned in and kissed her neck, causing his sweat to get all over her.

Eric sat next to her and pulled her to him. "Yeah, but you like it," he said.

The rest of the group just laughed at the banter, and relaxed in the late afternoon sun. Jen and Wes officially announced they were expecting and everyone was thrilled. The remainder of the time was spent reminiscing, and Taylor couldn't have asked for a better sendoff.

As the sun set, everyone left until only Eric and Taylor remained. Eric sat with his back against a tree with Taylor sitting between his legs. They just sat there, taking in the comfort of each other as they watched the sky change.

A plane flew overhead and Taylor smiled. "It'll be good to fly again. I really miss it," she said softly.

Eric kissed her neck and she sighed contently, leaning back into him. His arms tightened around her. "I love you," he whispered.

Taylor turned her head and kissed him. "You're really going to miss me aren't you?" she asked.

"No. What would give you that idea?" he asked smiling. Taylor knew that sentiments were hard for him and that her leaving was even harder.

They just sat there and held each other until it was time to head back. Taylor had run out the lease on her apartment and moved in with him. Eric said he was going to look for a new place while she was gone.

That night, as they lay in bed together, Eric held her and gently rubbed her back, lulling her to sleep. She was everything to him… the only person he had in the world… and she was leaving him.

Sure she was only a car ride away, but it would never compensate for holding her naked body against his like he was doing now.

He laid a feathered kiss to her forehead and felt her move slightly. She was a relatively light sleeper and he always hated when he woke her. She cuddled closer to him and he smiled.

Something in his heart and in his head told him that something wasn't right. Something told him that Taylor was in danger.

He looked at her and saw her open her eyes slowly. "Are you scared?" she whispered.

"How did you know?" he asked back.

"I'm not sure… I just… felt it." They both knew at that moment that there was more to their relationship than they thought… a deeper, soulful connection…

Eric leaned in and kissed her with all the passion that was in his body. Taylor immediately responded to him, and just like that they joined together, almost desperately, never wanting to be parted.

Taylor was on her back as Eric slowly and gently moved within her. Their lips never left each other as they continued until the first rays of sunlight began to show. Their orgasms came at once and they descended back to Earth, both with tears in their eyes.

They held each other as they fell asleep for the last few precious hours they had left…

A few hours later, Eric pulled up to the gate of the Seabrook Air Force Base. Taylor got out and grabbed her duffle from the backseat. When she turned back to the car, Eric was standing there with a letter in hand.

"I don't want you to open this until you're settled," he said as he handed it to her.

Taylor took it and placed it into the breast pocket of her dress uniform. She threw herself literally at him and he held her tight.

"I love you Eric… remember that," she whispered.

"I love you… always Earhardt," he replied back. He cupped her cheek and kissed her soundly. He knew he had to make this as painless as possible.

He pulled away quickly and turned on his heal back to the SUV. Taylor knew why he was doing what he was, and she was, in a way, thankful for it.

She turned towards the gate, took one last look at her ring, and went to the guards…