Summary: Vertox is gone and the Rangers decide to celebrate their victory.
A/N: Here it is, the second-to-last chapter. I hope you guy's have truly, truly enjoyed this story. If you don't mind, in an e-mail, or in your reviews, I would like your response to me writing another DT fic. I've got some ideas in mind. Also, we get a little back story of Hayden
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"I truly don't know how you did it Hayden," Ethan said, holding his glass up in a salute. "but thanks man, we owe you big."
He smiled lightly and bowed his head. "You owe me nothing, friend. It is the least I could do, considering all the pain I have brought to you." His voice wavered towards the end. But he held his head high and smiled broadly. "To peace, to harmony, to the end."
The Rangers brought their glasses up to meet his head and a soft ping rang throughout the small circle. "Amen." They said together and took a drink of their smoothies. Hayden gazed up his new friends and smiled. At first, when he came back from the island fortress, he wasn't sure what they would do. He'd given them good reason to take his gem and cast him out.
But they didn't.
His eyes flickered to Trent and their eyes met for a brief moment. There was a deep sense of respect between the two for some odd reason. Trent had joined the group under a similar reason Hayden had and it gave them that much more of a bond. He nodded his head respectfully and Trent returned it before looking away.
Hayden glanced at Conner, seeing his hand clutching the ringed one of Kira's. Both of them were laughing as Tommy and Kimberly shared a obvious humorous story. But the words fell on deaf ears as he stared down at the ringer and then looked up at Kira. If, by some chance, Kira had looked at him, she would have saw an unquenchable pain burning in his eyes. He felt envious of Conner. He had it all; long time friends, a loving soon-to-be-wife and a child on the way. Hayden looked away, staring at the far wall. What did he have? Parents that didn't understand him and a hatred that ran deep in his veins.
But this wasn't any normal hatred. Most people hated liars, thieves, murders…but not Hayden. No, he pitied those kind of people. What he hated was himself. Yes, that sounded right. He hated everything that he once stood for; anger, jealously and rage that blinded him with every step.
His descended on Tommy and his face was a scarlet red. The story was obviously embarrassing as well. He remembered his first day at Reefside High and the hate he showered Tommy with. His breath seized and his chest tightened as Tommy glanced at him. He looked away and stared at the table. He had done everything wrong while they did everything right for him. They saved him from the gem's control and even went as far as too inadvertently change him.
All these thoughts raced through Hayden's head as he stared at the table. Why did people care about him? Why did people even look at him? He had killed with his own hands Cassidy and Devin; two of their best friends. He bit back the urge to scream out why and closed his eyes.
"Hayden?" His eyes flickered open and he glanced towards Kimberly. She looked rather concerned.
"Yes?" He asked and took a sip of his smoothie.
"You okay? You look pale?" She said, resting a concerned hand on his shoulder. He shivered from it and nodded his head.
"I'm fine Kim, thanks." He lied and took another drink. She could feel him shaking.
"So what's your deal anyway?" Conner asked, arching a brow. "One minute your ubber psychotic Gold Ranger, obliterating human life at the drop of a dime, now you're just…Hayden. You're the Gold Ranger with immense power and destroyed someone who whooped us month's ago. Who are you? What's your history?"
He glanced at Conner and shrugged. "There really isn't much to say." He said, sipping at his peach smoothie. "I mean…my parents are rich and very successful business people. I have no siblings of any kind. The last time I had any contact with cousin's or uncles was 10 years ago, so it's pretty vague."
"Ever had a girlfriend?" Ethan pondered. Hayden cracked a slight smile; he could also hear the begging in that voice.
"Once." He said, glancing at him. "She's dead now."
Hearts sank; he could feel it. His smile faded as he stared between Kira and Ethan at the far wall.
"Oh…I'm sorry." Ethan said, backing away slightly. "What happened?"
"She was on a family vacation in Angel Grove and she was kidnapped by some freak named Goldar." Tommy and Kimberly visibly tensed. Deep down both of them knew who he was speaking off. "The Power Rangers then did everything they could to rescue her, but Zedd ended up killing her in the end." He shrugged and sighed. "Since then, I've never been interested in girls. Their obnoxious anyway."
Shock. There, he got a new feeling to settle between the Rangers. Ethan cracked a smile, trying to hide it but Kira just glared at him. Tommy had gone eerily quite while Trent was cracking up. Conner, as usual, remained neutral about the whole thing; lacking any emotion on the subject of girls – he had a good reason, after all.
Kimberly had clutched Tommy's hand tightly, her own face a bit pale. Hayden watched her expressions change for the moment and glanced at Tommy. Then it dawned on him. He squeezed the glass tightly, his hand, whole arm was shaking.
"So you were there." Hayden hissed, glaring at Tommy. The glass shattered, spraying chunks smoothie everywhere. Tommy's eyes met him and the former Green Ranger was taken back by the fire, the hate, in the young man's eyes.
"Yes." Tommy answered, looking away. He, too, had gone a sickly pale. "We did try, Hayden. Zedd was too strong for us."
Hayden sighed and looked away. He looked down at his bleeding hand and sighed. All the rangers just stared him, their eyes wide with fear. He stood up and moved towards the door. He stopped, glancing back at everyone and shook his head. He turned away and strolled through the door, leaving behind 6 very stunned and very shocked faces.
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The sparkling blue-white waves crashed against the rocks as Hayden stared lazily out into the horizon. He sat atop a large boulder with a red rose in one hand, the other bandaged. He closed his eyes against the sun and a single tear rolled down his cheek. He laid his head in his palm and sighed, staring down at the rose.
"I love you, Hayden." Her voice echoed in his mind as he fought back the tears. "I love you too, Amanda." He squeezed his eyes shut, the tears strolling like rivers down his cheek. He squeezed the rose tightly, feeling it crush in his hand. Why did she have to die? She didn't do anything to anyone; she loved, he loved. They were perfect for each other…
Amanda laid her head gently in his lap, staring up into his deep blue eyes with that smile of hers. He left his fingers slide through her chocolate brown hair and she sighed pleasurably. She loved him and that was what mattered. She cooed lightly, feeling his soft fingers glide slowly across her cheek and down her neck. She shivered with pleasure and curled closer to him.
Hayden gathered her slender frame in his arms and hugged her close. She smelt so good; smelled of roses and strawberries. He smiled, kissing her forehead so very lightly.
"Hayden?" She said, looking up at him. She looked a bit worried.
"Yes, Angel?" he answered, looking down at her. She clutched his shirt lightly and laid her on his shoulder.
"My parents are going on a family vacation to Angel Grove tomorrow. This is the last night we'll have together for a few weeks." She heard him sigh. "I don't want to go, but I don't have much of a choice."
He clutched her hand lightly and lifted it to his lips. He kissed her palm so very gently and placed it against his cheek. She cupped it, smiling as he nuzzled her hand. "It's okay, Angel." He whispered, gazing deep into her eyes. "We've got all the time in the world when you come back…"
His eyes flickered open to stare out into the horizon. The tears continued to fall, no matter how fast he wiped them away. That…had been the last time he had held her; touched her, loved her. He looked down at the rose in his hand and sighed. She always loved roses; her room, one way or another, had roses in it. Whether they be real, artificial or merely a picture; she always had them.
"I thought I'd find you here."
His head jerked around to find to Conner standing there. He smiled as he sat down beside him. "Didn't expect to see you crying."
He gasped and vigorously rubbed away the tears. Conner chuckled and shook his head. "No, it's okay. I kind of figured Ethan would strike a bad note. He usually does, but not intentionally." Conner looked away from Hayden, staring out into the ocean. "So you like the water?"
He nodded, gazing down at the rose. "I love to swim." He could almost feel Conner shudder. "Don't tell me you can't swim?"
Conner blushed scarlet.
"Hah…sucker." Hayden laughed and shook his head. "You are joking, right?"
Conner sighed and rolled his eyes. "I can swim…but I'm hydrophobic." He blushed a little deeper red.
"So why are you here?" Hayden said, looking away from Conner. He glanced at the see again, still clutching the rose. "Is there something you need?"
Conner shook his head and sighed. "No, I just wanted to make sure you were okay, that's all." He said, gazing out at the sea as well. Ironically enough, his mind slowly drifted back to Kira… "The other rangers are pretty worried about you as well, especially Dr. O and Coach."
He sighed and smiled. "You can tell them I'm fine, Conner." He said and shook his head. "Go on, kid. I'll be home later. I…just want to be alone for a while."
"Alright." Conner said and stood up. "You going to be okay?"
Hayden nodded, staring down at the rose. Conner slapped him lightly on the back and turned away. For a moment, he stared at the rose, letting his thoughts drift back to Amanda. Only vaguely he could recall her face; that chocolate brown hair, sharp emerald eyes and thin, but beautiful figure. He looked up at the sea and drew his arm back. "I love you Amanda; wherever you are, never forget that." He threw the rose towards the ocean. He sighed and watched as it hit the water and began to drift towards the seat.
"I love you too, Hayden." Her voice rang in his head. He smiled and turned to back.
"Hey Conner, wait up!" He shouted and dashed towards him.
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A/N: Yep, there's your surprise Hayden really did love! Awh, so sweet TT Anyway, last chapter is coming up. Remember, send me your e-mails, or in reviews letting me know if you want another DT story. Please be honest on whether you liked this story or not! Love you all
May the Powers Protect You…Forever.