Of Anime, Poetry and Falling in Love: Mack and Rose

Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers Operation Overdrive. Don't try to buy them from me.

Challenge: Reaction

Timeframe: Somewhere after Kick Into Overdrive. Sequel to Dream.

Summary: In which Will jumps to conclusions about seeing Rose come out of Mack's room.

Mack kept Rose in his arms, reassuring her, for nearly half an hour. Finally she pulled away and smiled a tiny smile at her red ranger.

"Thank you, Mack," she said softly. "I'm sorry I woke you up. I honestly didn't mean to. I feel so bad about doing it."

Mack shook his head. "Don't be sorry. I would have done the same thing you did. Not a problem."

Rose bobbed her head. "Alright then. I'll see you later." She started to get up.

But she was still a little shaken, Mack could see it in her eyes. So he took her hand and tugged it gently, pulling her back to the bed. "You don't have to leave if you don't want to. I know you're scared, Rose."

"Thank you, Mack," Rose said for the second time. She pointed to the book she'd found in his hands. "What's that about, anyway? All that anime stuff."

Mack found it cute that she was asking about one of his interests. "This series is about demons. It's really good, a lot of action and the plots are full of turns you wouldn't see coming. Or at least, that I don't see coming."

"Do you believe in that stuff? Demons and ghosts and vampires?" Rose asked, crossing her legs and making herself comfortable.

"Definitely. But you're one of those people who have to have a logical reason for everything, aren't you?" His tone was light and even amused, but Rose knew he really wanted an answer to his question.

"Yeah, I think everything has a logical explanation. A scientific reasoning, if you will."

"That's good though, that there are you by the book scientific types, to balance all us believers out and keep the world in order. And it's also a good thing that even though we're so different we can still be close friends."

Rose agreed to this statement, secretly a little…giddy…that Mack had said they were definitely friends and not just teammates. To keep herself from blushing at her red ranger's words, the pink ranger changed the subject.

--

Mack walked into the dining room the next morning to see that only Will sat at the table. "Hey Will," he greeted casually as he folded himself onto a chair and reached for the platter of pancakes.

"Is that all you can say? Just 'Hey Will?'" questioned Will.

Mack stared. "Sorry?"

Will smirked. "Nothing you want to tell me? About what you did last night? Hmm?"

"I fell asleep reading. No big deal."

"I saw Rose come out of your room this morning, looking happier than anyone in this house has ever seen her." He leaned back in his chair. "So you and Miss Pretty in Pink ranger."

"She had a nightmare. She was scared. We talked. Nothing happened."

"You can tell me the truth, you know."

"I am telling the truth."

Will didn't look convinced. "Are you sure? A pretty girl seeking comfort in the red ranger's big strong arms, where she'll always be safe? And now he's saying nothing happened between the two of them?"

Mack looked insulted. "Rose and I didn't do anything but talk, Will. I don't care if you don't believe me, but that's the truth." He thought for a moment. "And Rose is beautiful, not just pretty."

"So at least you admit you wanted something to happen," muttered Will.

"Shut up," said Mack as Rose joined the two. "Hey Rose."

Rose shot him a smile (however small) and took a seat next to Mack.

Will smirked again. Even if they didn't admit it, those two definitely had something going on.