silence
Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers.
Chapter Five
"Are you sure you're okay?"
Kimberly had been quiet the entire walk back to her room, and he was starting to get concerned. "I'm fine. I'm just a little tired."
"You know you can always talk to me, right?" He grabs her face in his hands, resisting the urge to kiss her.
"I know," she sighs, "it's just… sometimes I wish my dad was still alive. Maybe my mom wouldn't be so distant all the time, and she could express emotions besides anger. And-"
Her voice cracks, and her eyes become glossy. He pulls her into his arms, and she cries into his chest. After several minutes, her sobs subside, and she slowly lifts her head. But other than that she doesn't move, and neither does he. Instead, he tucks a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She bites her lip, and against his better judgement he leans down. Their lips brush, before he turns his head. Her lips press against his cheek for the briefest moment before she pulls away.
He lets her go, and she stumbles, but quickly regains her balance. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."
"It's okay. But we've kissed before, and what would one more hurt?"
"I've told you, I can't afford to be distracted… by anything. Not even my feelings for you, because I can't deny I feel something for you. And I can't help how I feel about you, but I can help how I act. I'm falling for you, but we can't be together."
"Right. I understand. I just wish things were different."
He smiles, reaching out to stroke her cheek. "Me too."
Dinner seems to fly by, and before they know it, they're alone again. Their talk before dinner still fresh on their minds. They both get ready for bed, before climbing into her bed. They lie there in complete silence, inwardly debating whether or not to say something. The room suddenly becomes cold, and she shivers, pulling the blankets tighter around herself. It doesn't help. The bed shifts as Jason rolls over, "are you cold?"
Before she can respond, her mother's voice faintly comes through the door. She's shouting at someone, most likely from her own room down the hall. "What do you want to bet that the heater broke?"
"I think that's pretty clear," she forces a smile, "how are you fine?"
"I guess because it's colder than this in the guards' quarters most nights. I guess I'm used to the cold by now."
"That sounds terrible."
"Like I said, I'm used to it."
She always knew the guards' quarters weren't the most hospitable place in the castle. It was always dark, especially at night. But she had never felt cold during her many visits. But she was also never down there for more than an hour to avoid any suspicion from her mother. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
"No you're not."
"Yes I am."
He rolls her over, forcing her to look at him. "You're literally shaking."
"What are you-" he pulls her into him, before she can finish her sentence. She soon relaxes into him, relishing in his scent… and his warmth.
"Are you warm now?" He whispers into her hair after several minutes.
She mumbles a response, far too content to form a coherent sentence. He chuckles, and that was the last thing she heard before falling asleep in his arms.
Her cloak flows behind her as she rushes into the cave. Once she gets far enough to hear her master, she braces herself for the rage that she was about to be on the receiving end of. "There is a problem, master."
"What has happened?"
She puts her hands out in front of her, showing an image of Kimberly and Jason asleep in each other's arms. Seemingly completely unaffected by the cold. "My spell appears to have no effect on the princess."
Her master breathes in a sigh. "I should have known he would interfere. But do not worry, as I've said before, I have a plan. And no one is going to interfere."