Of Anime, Poetry and Falling in Love: Mack and Rose
Disclaimer: No…sheesh...
Challenge: The Call
Timeframe: Somewhere after Kick into Overdrive
Summary: "Not your call to make."
Mack came into the command center supporting a limping Rose. He eased her down into a chair gently. "Don't move," Mack ordered. "You're hurt, Rose. I think your ankle's broken."
Rose shook her head. "Don't be silly Mack. I'm fine. It hurts but it's not broken. I'll be good as new in a day or two, I promise. Besides, the rest of the team's off in China chasing clues. You need me."
"I'm not denying that Rose," Mack said softly. "But for now I can handle anything that comes up. You need to stay here and rest."
"God Mack, I'm not a child-" Rose protested.
"Both of you, shut up," interjected Andrew. "The two of you sound like an old married couple. Let me take a look at your ankle, Rose." The pink ranger held out the offending ankle, still glaring up at Mack. "Does this hurt?"
Rose winced in pain. "You see, Dad? She's hurt," Mack said. He put a hand on Rose's shoulder.
Rose ignored his hand. "Is it broken?" she asked Andrew. She moved her brown eyes from the younger Hartford to the older one in front of her.
"It's sprained, not broken. Try not to put weight on it." He turned back to the monitor. "Help her upstairs, Mack."
Mack did as he was told, scooping her up into his arms bridal style. "Don't put weight on it," he told her again with a triumphant, silly grin on his face, knowing that smiling would only serve to make her more furious with him.
"Put me down, Mack," hissed Rose.
"Certainly," Mack replied, reaching the door to her room and entering. He put her down on her pink bed gently. "I'll keep you company," he added, pulling out her desk chair.
The Tracker beeped. "Trouble in the city," came Andrew's voice. "Get going."
Rose started to get up. "Not you," Mack said firmly. "Elevate your ankle and stay here." He leaned over and planted a very soft kiss on her cheek. "I'll be back soon."
She touched her cheek absentmindedly as Mack sprinted out of the room. "Oh well," she sighed. Rose picked up her book, trying not to think about Mack.
But nearly an hour later Mack still hadn't returned. Rose hobbled down to the base where Andrew Hartford was watching the battle. Mack was, Rose saw, surrounded by lava lizards, Chillers, and one of Moltor's goons. He appeared to be injured but fought on anyway.
"I'm going to him," Rose announced. "I don't care what you say, Mr. Hartford. He needs me."
"Your call, Rose."
"Overdrive Accelerate!"
She rushed to his side upon arrival. "Why didn't you call for help, Mack?"
"Because you're not supposed to be here, Rose," Mack protested with a wheeze in his voice. "You're hurt."
"So are you," she retorted. "It's not your call to make, Mack. I'm not going to sit around and let you get killed."
Mack did not argue.