When You're Gone

Mack hung the last photo up to dry in the darkroom and walked out, closing the door behind him. He flopped onto his bed, hating that he was at home. He knew that at the age of twenty-five he ought to have a place of his own, but since he was always away, it was far more convenient to stay in the mansion when he was in San Angeles.

It seemed he was going to have to stick around for a few weeks as it was, seeing as how Will had called that morning and announced that he had proposed to Ronny and she had accepted. Mack had wished his friend the best of luck and congratulated him profusely, though his heart wasn't into it. Will's news had reminded Mack of Rose, rather painfully, as he wasn't over her, no matter what he told anyone. Mack had the feeling he'd never get over Rose.

He had often toyed with the idea of calling her and seeing if maybe she'd like to get together and catch up, but he always stamped on the idea as soon as it entered his mind. She had turned him down, she had broken his heart; Mack saw no reason to contact her and be rejected again. And even if she agreed, Mack was certain if he saw her again in a close environment he'd end up trying to get back together. The former red ranger sighed miserably. How he missed her. How he wanted to fall asleep in her arms again.

He had to stop thinking about her. All it did was depress him. Five years was a very long time, and from what Ronny told him, Rose was finishing up her school and getting along just fine with her life. She did not seem to miss him, and so he would not miss her. He would not.

Mack rolled over onto his belly and hid his face in the pillows. Moping was not his style; it never had been. Yes, over the last five years he had thought about her and missed her, but as he was constantly traveling for his work, it hadn't been as bad as he had expected it to be when he'd walked out of their apartment door five years ago. Being back here, in this house he'd grown up in, on this bed (she used to curl up next to him and hold him close)…it made him nostalgic and…lonely.

"Come on, Mack, you're so much better than this," he told himself. "You're young and good-looking and pretty well off financially. You need to go out and find yourself a girl, even if it's a one night stand."

That was hardly his style either, but after being alone for five years maybe he deserved some kind of affection. Will would know what to do. Mack found his phone and gave his old friend a call. The black ranger didn't answer. "Hey Will it's Mack. Call me when you get this. I have an idea."

--

Rose waited for Ronny at the café for nearly half an hour before the other woman showed up. She got up as Ronny rushed towards her with open arms. "I'm sorry I'm so late. Jet lag is a real killer." She looked Rose up and down. "You look great, Rose." Ronny plopped down in the seat opposite the one Rose had been sitting in. The former yellow ranger waved a hand in Rose's face, showing off her ring.

"Ooh, very nice," Rose praised, taking in the large canary diamond with the two smaller traditional white diamonds balanced on either side. The engagement ring was very loud and screamed 'Look at me, my fiancé could buy me the world if I wanted him to.' Very classically Ronny.

Ronny cut to the chase. "So, should we start planning now?" She helped herself to the pack of M&Ms Rose had bought while waiting. "I'm so totally psyched for this wedding. It seems right, you know? There's no one else I'd want to spend the rest of my life with. No one."

"It's great that you love Will so much, Ronny. I'm thrilled for the two of you. But shouldn't the two of you be planning your wedding, not you and me?" Rose tried and failed to keep the mental image of Mack holding the ring he'd picked for her out of her mind.

"Oh, you know Will, Rose. As long as I'm happy, he's happy. And besides, he's going to arrange everything. I just have to tell him what I want."

"You really have him wrapped around your finger, don't you?" Rose teased, flashing the merest ghost of a smile at her friend. Ronny nodded proudly.

"I sure do. Will knows a good thing when he sees it." Ronny laughed, as did Rose, thought the pink ranger's laughter was halfhearted and sounded very fake, even to her. She was saved from saying anything more when Ronny's phone rang. She whipped out the bright yellow cell from her oversized bag in an instant. "Hello?" she chirped. "Oh, hey you," she cooed, and Rose knew Will was on the other end. "I see…that's a great idea. I love it already. And we'll organize a party for us ladies, too. OK. I love you too…bye."

"'A party for us ladies?'" Rose quoted. "That does not sound good. What's that supposed to mean, exactly?" But Ronny was grinning evilly.

"Will is having a bachelor party with his so-called 'boys'. And why not? We'll have a bachelorette party. Sounds like a good plan, right?"

Rose shook her head furiously. "No, it does not sound like a good plan. You can definitely count me out on that one." Rose crossed her arms over her chest, trying to look firm and inflexible.

"Aw, come on Rose. You're my best friend. You have to come to my party; you're the maid of honor!"

Rose felt her resolve soften. "I'll have to think about it. I'll definitely try though." Rose picked up her own purse and pulled out a pen and a small pad of paper. She made titles across the tops of a few pieces of paper and then pulled the most important one towards her. "You said something small, Ronny. What's small, exactly? Who do you want to invite?"

Ronny considered this for a moment. "Our families, of course, and just a few of our closest friends. You, Dax and Mira, Tyzonn, maybe Mr. Hartford and Jessica. Oh, and Mack, obviously. He and Will are still very close after all."

Rose pretended hearing Mack's name had no affect on her and continued writing the names on the paper titled 'guest lists.' Ever efficient, Rose pressed on. "Preferred flowers?"

"Sunflowers," Ronny answered. "There's a great florist over on Winters that Will should call when he starts the arrangements. I should get a card from them while we're in the area."

Rose nodded and jotted this down as well, wondering in the back of her mind why she'd ever let Mack go.