Of Anime, Poetry and Falling in Love: Mack and Rose
Disclaimer: For the love of our dearly departed Zordon, NO!!!!!
Challenge: What If…
Timeframe: Somewhere after Kick into Overdrive
Summary: What if she left him?
She replayed the conversation over and over again in her mind, blocking everything else around her out. Professor Ryan at the university in London had called only an hour ago, and she was still unable to believe it: the university wanted her to take his place when he retired in two weeks. What on earth was she going to do?
It was an amazing offer, her dream job. How could she turn down her dream job, especially when the university had offered it to her, a teenager? She was eighteen and a prestigious college wanted her to teach there. She'd be stupid to turn the offer down.
On the other hand, the team needed her to help save the world. They needed her to help crack the codes and they needed her to lean on, just like she needed to lean on them.
They were true friends, Rose knew. When she told them of her offer, not a single one of them told her not to take the job. "Do what you need to do," encouraged Ronny.
And now she was sitting outside with her boyfriend, watching the stars come out one by one. Like a good, supportive boyfriend, Mack was remaining perfectly silent in an attempt to let Rose mull over her thoughts. "What do I do, Mack? Should I take the job?"
"It's a great opportunity."
"But the world…my duty…and you, you are so important to me, Mack…"
"We do need that brain of yours, and you're so special to me, too."
"Pick a side, would you?" Rose snapped, mock glaring at him. "I'd like your input, you know."
Mack held her close. "You know I want to you stay here with me, Rose. You know I do. But I don't want you to make a decision that could change your life based on me. It has to be your decision."
"If I stay?"
"Then nothing changes."
"And what if I take the job, Mack? What happens to us?"
"Rose, I'm not going anywhere as long as you still want me to be around. So if you take the job, my dad finds another person to be pink ranger, not that anyone could take your place, and we have a long distance relationship until the crown is safe again."
Rose felt herself fall for him all over again. But then a terrible thought struck her. "What if I do take the job and then I come back and you don't want me anymore?"
"I'd always want you."
She kissed him softly. "Thank you, Mack. For everything." He nodded and then stood both of them upright.
"Come on. Bed time." The red and pink rangers made their way across the grounds once more, climbing up to the third story once inside. Outside of Mack's door, he grabbed both of her hands and kissed her again. "Good night, Rose. Whatever decision you make I know it'll be the right one."
"Again, thanks." She hesitated for a moment, and then looked at him again. She needed to be close to him tonight. "Can I stay here?"
"Always."
--
"Rose? Who were you talking to?" Mack asked groggily the next morning.
"Shh, Mack. It's still early. Go back to sleep." The pink ranger lay down beside him once more, content just to be wrapped in his arms.
"Are you leaving me for London?"
"No."
And that was all she needed to say.