silence

Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers.

Chapter Seven

He's had more than his fair share of near death experiences in his twenty-three years of life. Most took place after becoming a guard, one happened long before. But this was the first that happened in the relative safety of the guards' quarters. And the first that involved an arrow on fire. And he could tell that it worried those around him, especially the princess. And he didn't blame them. (No one thought it was a coincidence that two guards had had attempts on their lives within a month.) But he'd be lying if he said he didn't like the princess fussing over him (more than he really should.)

The other guards insist upon having someone join him and the princess back to her room, but he insists that they'll be fine. Eventually, they agree with him, and Jason walks the princess back to her room. The princess is quiet for the entire walk back, and he doesn't know what to say to her. Even as they enter her room, she still doesn't say anything to him. "Princess?"

She mumbles a response, her back to him. He grabs her arm, and she turns around to face him. "I know today scared you, but I'm fine."

"I know. It's just… you and Tommy have gotten hurt for me. And I feel guilty."

"We're guards. Our entire purpose is to keep you and the queen safe. We don't feel bad about getting hurt, and you shouldn't either."

"I know but I haven't felt this way since my dad died, and it's almost like I lost my mom too after that. And I don't want to lose you too." Her voice breaks, and he grabs her face, pulling her close to him.

"Hey, I'm not going anywhere."

"You don't know that. You don't know what's going to happen after this is all over. Do you really think my mother is going to let us stay together after that?"

He doesn't have an answer, and he hates to admit that she's right. "If only…"

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Princess."

She butt her lip. "Guards date each other all the time, don't they?"

"Yes," he says slowly, while trying to figure out what she was getting at, "Tanya and Adam are going on a year now. And it's pretty obvious there's something going on between Kat and Tommy. But what are you getting at?"

"I know it's silly but sometimes I wish I wasn't a princess. Not just because we would get to be together, but also I can make my own decisions. I'm twenty-four and everything is decided for me. When I eat, what I eat, who I marry." She trails off, ceasing her rambling. "You think I'm crazy?"

"No, no, not at all." He loved being a guard, and it gave him a purpose which he'd lacked for the longest time. She makes a face, before yawning. "Tired?"

She nods. "Why don't you get some rest before dinner? I'll wake you up when."

He watches her sleep, he convinces himself that he's doing it because he's supposed to protect her. But he can't help but think about how cute she looks as she sleeps. (He can't remember the last time he's felt this way, if there ever

was a time.) As much as he enjoys watching her, it was time to wake her. He nudges her shoulder, and she stirs but doesn't wake up. "Princess."

She blinks her eyes open, staring up at him. She looks so beautiful, and he can't help but smile down at her. "It's almost time for dinner."

She sits up, stretching with a yawn. He must be staring as she looks at him quizzically, "what?"

He shakes his head, telling himself to get a grip in his head. "Nothing. Are you ready to go?"

"Yes." She stands up, smoothening the wrinkles in her dress with her hands. Once they get to the dining room, they find that they've beaten the queen down. "My mom is still in her room?"

"Looks like it. I guess it'll just be the two of us tonight."

"I guess so."

Bianca watches the castle from a distance, seething over her failed plan. She could not go to her father with this, and unfortunately for her he probably already knew she failed. She puts her hands out in front of her, an image forming in her palms. Jason and the princess are sitting in the castle dining room, eating dinner together. She puts her hands back down to her sides, an idea striking her.

Her hands glow green, as she begins to chant in another language. Her cloak blows in the wind, as she chants more intensely. A grey substance blows around her, until she finishes her chant. Then it disappears into the wind. She smirks, lowering her hands yet again.

"It's time we meet… brother." She says before slinking into the darkness.