Author's Note: This is a Power Ranger fic. Since I haven't seen Power Rangers since I was little, some details may be muddy or incorrect. Forgive me if that may be the case. This is a Rocky DeSantos story, set after he lost his powers in the Turbo series. It's mostly about how he deals with being forgotten and left out with his friends, falling in love twice, and finding himself.

Lifetime to love

Rocky DeSantos leaned back against the ropes, fanning himself from the 100 degree heat of Angel Grove's current summer weather impact. He vaguely wondered whether this had anything to do with Divatox or any other villain and his friends, the Power Rangers. But then, he brushed that idea from his mind. He didn't really want to think about the Power Rangers at the moment. In fact, he hoped he never had to think about them.

His days serving as the Red Ranger and the Blue Zeo Ranger had been over for almost six months now. Ever since he had leapt unceremoniously out of the ring while practicing for the martial arts competition that, ironically would determine the fate of the current Blue Turbo Ranger, he had seriously injured his back. For about a week, he and his friends were terribly concerned that Rocky might end up paralyzed for the rest of his life. However, he had recovered and was back on his feet in no time. But, while he did manage to bounce back healthy and fit, he had lost his powers in the process. Not to mention, he had lost them to a twelve-year-old boy.

That was probably one of the most upsetting parts of losing his powers. He lost them to a little kid. A kid struggling with a broken family; his mother had died and his father was constantly busy and hardly saw his son. Justin Stewart could have turned out to be one of the darkest kids in the neighborhood, but somehow, the vibrant, intelligent boy had not only managed to stay out of the "dark" crowd, but he also gained the Blue Turbo powers! Rocky wasn't so sure where his feelings stood for Justin. Sure, he thought the kid was very bright and fun, but he also found him to be zealous and unbelievably irresponsible and sometimes, even a little annoying. However, Rocky trusted Zordon as much as he trusted his own life, and he knew that whatever Zordon's choice was, it had to be right for some reason. But for Rocky, he still hadn't found the reason.

Furthermore, Rocky felt a disconnection with his friends now. This was probably the most upsetting part of losing his powers. After all, from the moment he stepped in Angel Grove, he had unofficially been part of the Rangers. He had met Tommy Oliver, Kim Hart, Kat Hillard, Tanya Sloan, Billy Cranston, Jason Scott, Trini Kwan, and Zack Taylor through Rangering. His friendships with Adam Park and Aisha Campbell had strengthened when the three of them had been chosen to replace Jason, Zack, and Trini as the new Red, Black, and Yellow Rangers. Since becoming a Ranger, he had fostered a strong bond between all his friends, a bond that he believed would never fade. Nowadays, however, he wondered sometimes whether or not his friendships with them were genuine, or whether they were just disillusionments from being a Power Ranger. He knew it was probably just the bad timing; he had lost his powers just as they were graduating and now, everyone was incredibly busy with post-high school plans. But he felt that if he was still the Blue Ranger, they would find more opportunities to stop by and hang out with him. Not being a Ranger however, he found his time in their company very limited.

What little time the Rangers had, they spent either planning their futures or helping Justin out. Kat's dance practices and recitals were frequenting and she was also Miss Appleby's teacher assistant, so she was kept busy with papers to grade or students to talk to. She was also somewhat of a surrogate mother to Justin and kept a close eye on him during school. Tommy was so obsessed with racing at the moment, hardly anyone saw him anymore. Tanya was pursuing her singing career and his best friend, Adam was trying to organize himself for college and trying to open up a dojo.

The other friends he had met as a Ranger felt like shadows in his past life. They were hardly seen or heard from anymore. Kim was off in Florida with the Pan Globals, or maybe even the Olympics. Jason had left Angel Grove after transferring the Gold powers back to Trey. He still corresponded occasionally with the Rangers, but it was more or less something to reassure them that he was still alive. Billy, of course, was still in Aquitar with the Alien Rangers and the love of his life, Cestria. Trini, he heard, was still in Switzerland, and Zack was rumored to have moved to Chicago to pursue a dream of his. Rocky hadn't even heard from Aisha since she exchanged her Zeo powers for Africa. He was pretty sure his long-time friend was doing alright, but he wished he could see her optimistic smile again.

But all those ex-Rangers were nothing compared to his best friend since first grade, Adam Park, the current Green Turbo Ranger. Adam and him had been the dynamic duo ever since they had met and became fast friends. Every time Rocky remembered a significant event in his life, Adam had been by his side, as always, a source of comfort and support throughout his childhood and his teenage years. Their friendship had been so strong that one look at Adam and Rocky could tell what sort of mood the Korean was in, and what he was thinking. The same went for Adam. They were each other's "twin", and since they were little, they had promised each other they would always be there for each other. Now, however, Rocky felt like that promise was beginning to wither away.

He knew Adam was very busy, what with his plans for college and hopes for running a dojo, and not to mention, his Ranger duties. But he found that, on some nights when he came back to the apartment he and Adam shared, just for a short chat, his friend was never there. Then, he would call one of his friends, usually Tommy or Kat, and found that everyone (including Adam) was congregating somewhere together as a team, without him. At this point, either Kat or Tommy would invite the ex-Ranger over, but at this point, Rocky felt slightly envious of the bonding between the Rangers and rejected their offers, preferring to stay home alone and watch movies. After awhile, he found this to be tiring and stopped calling any of the other Rangers, knowing that either they would be busy with work or saving the world, or partying as the team.

I used to be apart of those parties, he mused sadly as he drove back to his apartment that he shared with the Green Turbo Ranger. He found himself to be home alone, once again. In his mind, he wondered whether his apartment was really his and Adam's, or just his. After all, it seemed that Adam seldom used the place. Actually, a couple of days ago, he had discovered Adam sleeping on Tommy's couch when he had gone there to drop off some of Tommy's stuff. Luckily, Adam had not awoken and Rocky managed to slip of the apartment unnoticed, but he never forgot the image of his supposedly best friend who shared the same apartment with him, sleeping on someone else's couch. It left him unnerved.

Get a grip Rocky. They're going through some rough times. He tried to convince himself over and over that this was really true and that his friends would never abandon him purposefully. But he constantly found TV to be his only companion, he was sick and tired of the empty promises his friends proposed to spend more time with him, and he was frustrated with the lack of communication.

They're moving on with their lives. You should too. He reprimanded himself, as he got out of the car and shut the door with a bit more force than he wanted to apply. Sighing, he leaned against his car and shut his eyes, memories flooding him.

Scenes from three years ago, when he received the power of the Red Ranger. Acquainting himself with Angel Grove High School with Adam and Aisha by his side. Doing katas with Tommy. Studying with Billy. Talking to Kim about ambitions and dreams. Fighting monsters. Fighting Zedd, Rita, Goldar, and Rito. Becoming the Red Ninja Ranger and receiving the power of the ape. Saving Angel Grove. Turning into a child twice. Going on his Zeo Quest and being the first to complete it. Receiving the Blue Zeo powers. The martial arts practice. Flying out of the ring and hurting his back. Tommy and Adam by his side, worried. In the hospital. Justin finding out they were Power Rangers. Passing on the power...

He felt hot tears sting his cheek and furiously wiped them away. It was amazing how life as a Power Ranger had changed him. He had matured, he had gained confidence and respect through working with his friends and having to hide the truth of his identity and knowing that he couldn't always be there to save the day. Rocky knew he would never regret his services as a Ranger. If he had to go back in time, he would do it all over again. Except maybe this time, he wouldn't fall out of the ring and hurt his back, thus enabling Justin to gain his powers.

Stop that. He chastised himself as he opened the door and found his only company to be silence. He sighed to himself. Adam was probably with the other Rangers, saving the world or doing something together. He was accustomed to this new routine, but that didn't mean he was extremely pleased about it.

I really need to get a place of my own. Rocky glanced at the newspaper on the kitchen counter and opened it to the Real Estate section. There, his brown eyes scanned the page, stopping here and there as he spotted some apartments. He circled the ones he thought he might try and call. He really did need to get his own place. As much as he loved Adam, even the Green Turbo Ranger couldn't deny that they had grown apart since he dropped out of Rangering and it was pointless to be living under the same roof, when their activities were so different and they hardly saw each other. The point of moving in together was to see each other more often. Somehow, ironically, living in the same apartment provided even less opportunities for the previous Blue Zeo Ranger to see his best friend.

Ex-best friend. Rocky thought sadly. Though he wish he could deny it, he knew that he and Adam had gone their separate ways. They were different people now, with different dreams and goals, and they were definitely headed in different directions.

"Rocky?" A familiar voice startled him out of his swirling thoughts. Rocky jumped a little, and whirled around nervously, only to find himself face-to-face with none other than Adam Park.

"Adam? What are you doing here?" He asked, somewhat rudely.

"Well, this is also my apartment, and I do need rest..." Adam begun, smiling as he threw down some of his belongings. Rocky continued to stare at him. "What?" Adam asked as he saw the look on his friend's face. "Not happy to see me?"

Rocky shook his head. "That's not it. I'm just surprised you'd be home. You haven't been around for, what, weeks? Months?"

Adam shifted his gaze uneasily. "I'm sorry I haven't been around that much, Rocky. You have to understand that planning for college and trying to run a dojo and not to mention Ranger duties are keeping me away from spending some time with you. I promise I'll make it up somehow. Maybe this weekend? You want to do something? Baseball maybe?"

Rocky sighed heavily and brushed past his friend. He stopped in front of the window, arms crossed, knowing that Adam was staring intently at him. "Yeah, sure, as soon as Divatox surrenders."

"Huh?" Adam was confused; what had he done to offend Rocky?

"Face it Adam," he whirled around suddenly, his eyes flashing dangerously. "You're never around anymore. And not just you. You and the rest of this bloody world. Did you all plan to boot me out as soon as I was kicked off the team?"

Adam thought he understood what Rocky was talking about, and moved forward. "Rocky..."

"No," Rocky moved around the room again. "I know you're all so busy with your lives and your Rangering, but," at this, he felt his throat constrict and he tried to blink back the tears that threatened to fall. "I'm still Rocky. I haven't changed. I just had a little accident. One tiny accident and I'm off the team! And not just out of the team, but out of your lives as well. Maybe you didn't know you pushed me out of your lives. Maybe you tried to help me keep up with all the gossip, but it didn't work. The seldom times I'm with you guys, I have no idea what you're talking about. You don't try to elaborate or explain to me what's going on, so I'm just sitting there like a fool while everyone's having a good laugh. You aren't even spending time in this apartment. I caught you sleeping over at Tommy's on Tuesday. I know, you were probably tired or something and too lazy to come back home," he retorted as soon as he saw Adam begin to open his mouth to explain. "But it's not just that, okay? Why is it that when I'm off the team, no one gives a damn? What about when Billy gave up his powers? Everyone stuck by him like glue. And when Jason lost his powers? Everyone was consoling him like a brother. But when Rocky loses his powers, everyone's off cheering for some victory or another. I'm not saying that you had to all come down and pound on my door, offering help and sympathy, but I wish I was somewhat acknowledged."

When he finished, he found that the tears had finally escaped him. He wiped them with the back of his hand, staring at Adam, who looked a mix of pure horror, guilt, and condolence.

"Rocky, I, I don't know what to say." He ran a hand through his curly black hair. "I just... there was... " but either the words didn't come to him or he was still in a state of shock. Whatever he wanted to say though, Rocky found that he was not interested.

"Forget it," he cut him off and marched into his room. He grabbed a duffel bag from his closet and began stuffing clothes in at random. Then, he grabbed his suitcase and piled it with his other belongings. Luckily for Rocky, he had few possessions that were of real value to him. After awhile, he dragged his suitcase and duffel bag out into the living room, where Adam was still standing.

When Adam saw the suitcase and bag in Rocky's hands, his eyes widened. "Rocky, what's the meaning of this?" He demanded.

"I'm leaving," Rocky stated shortly. "I can't...I can't stand this anymore, Adam. I don't want to feel left out and deserted and I'm tired of living this false life. I need to leave right now."

"No," Adam said, his breath coming slowly.

"No?" Rocky stared at his friend angrily. "Adam, nothing you say or do will make me stay. I already found a few apartments I can move into. Face it, we're no longer friends."

"Rocky," Adam pleaded, his eyes watering. "How can you say that? We've always been best friends. We promised each other that no matter where life took us, we'd stay and face it together."

"You were friends with the Blue Zeo Ranger, not Rocky DeSantos. Now that the Blue Zeo Ranger is gone, your friendship with him is also gone." Rocky explained firmly. "And that promise we made? I kept my end of the deal, Adam."

"Don't go," Adam replied, tears trickling down his cheek. Rocky looked anywhere but Adam's face, because he knew that if he saw Adam hurt and crying, he would not leave. And he knew he had to.

"I have to," he whispered. "Our friendship was only suited for our Ranger days. Now that that's over with, there's nothing to save our friendship."

"I love you Rocky!" Adam exclaimed.

"Don't!" He cried out. "Don't go and say things like that. Don't say those lies to me." He heard Adam draw in a sharp intake of breath and dared to look at him. "The distance was always between us, Adam. But now, it has reached the point that you couldn't even bridge the gap between you and me. See how we're only five steps from each other now? But we both know that we're really many, many miles from each other and it'll take oceans and oceans to cross in order to finally reach you. I can't deal with that right now though. You have your life to lead. And I have mine. Goodbye Adam." With that, Rocky quickly opened the door and stepped out, leaving behind a legacy and a friend.