When You're Gone

Rose did as Will had demanded, looking straight ahead as he started driving through San Angeles. She didn't dare ask where they were going, knowing he wasn't going to tell her until they arrived.

He pulled into a residential neighborhood, a quiet safe little suburb. Will stopped the car in front of one of the houses, a quaint little two story one neatly fenced in by a white picket gate.

From what Rose could see in the orange glow of the streetlights, the front yard would be just big enough for a few children and perhaps a dog to play in. There was a tiny garden along the front walk, and Rose could see her namesakes blooming in the warm summer air.

"I don't understand, Will," she said, puzzled as to why Will had brought her here to this house. Rose's confusion showed quite plainly on her pretty face. Will merely smirked.

"Three bedrooms, two baths, a cozy kitchen. Big pool in the backyard, while the front is large enough for kids to play in. Den could easily be turned into an office," Will recited from memory. "Now do you understand, Einstein?"

rose turned her attention from the house to Will and back again, and then noticed there wasn't a For Sale sign. "Did you want to buy this house for you and Ronny?"

Will shook his head. "No. Think about it, Rose. What other rangers do you know who should be happily married?" He looked at her pointedly. Rose gasped with comprehension.

"You don't mean…you couldn't possibly mean…" She stared at the house, gaping at the windows through which light was shining out of brightly. "Oh…oh God…" Her voice trailed off as tears stung at her brown eyes.

"Mack wanted to buy this house for the two of you to live in while you weren't off globetrotting. He dragged me and Dax down here after he bought the engagement ring you turned down."

Rose was still staring at the house, letting Will's somewhat cruel words wash over her, echoing in her mind over and over. "Oh God," was all she could manage. "What did I do?"

"Well, I'd say you not only broke your own heart as well as Mack's but pretty much ruined your one chance at happiness. Just thought I'd show you so you can note the damage you've done to your life…and to Mack's."

But something else had dawned on Rose. "When Mack and I were together we never could have afforded this place. There's no way we could have."

"He was going to ask his father for a loan."

And it was that statement that sent Rose over the edge. The tears that had been threatening to spill suddenly leaked out of her eyes. Mack, she knew, would only go to his father for a handout for something of the utmost importance. He had long preferred to make his own fortune in life rather than sponge from his father. Rose was touched.

"Do you get it now?" Will asked for the second time that evening. "Do you understand exactly how badly you hurt Mack?" When Rose said nothing, he pressed on. "He's not the same, Rose. You must have noticed that."

And for the first time, Rose truly understood. She truly 'got it' as Will ad said. And now it was up to her to fix.

--

Rose let herself into the apartment around eleven that evening, exhausted. She ran herself a hot bubble bath and fixed a cup of chamomile tea, knowing that if she was going to solve her and Mack's problem it would be best if her mind was clear and focused.

She couldn't think of a single thing to do other than beg Mack for forgiveness and a second chance. But that would just be embarrassing and would only serve to make Mack uncomfortable.

Maybe it would be best to just sleep on it.

Rose got out of the tub and dried herself off, slipping into her favorite pajamas. She peeled back her blankets and climbed into bed, surveying the room. Mack's uniform jacket was still lying at the end of the bed. Rose grabbed it and buried her face in it once more. She couldn't do this anymore. She couldn't go on pretending everything was fine, and she couldn't let Mack go on like that either.

Thinking hard, Rose picked up the phone from the nightstand and slowly punched in Mack's cell phone number. It rang once…twice…

"Hello?" Mack asked, sounding groggy, as if he'd been asleep. "Rose?"

So he had recognized the phone number she had called him from. Suddenly she couldn't remember what she had wanted to tell Mack. "Rose?" Mack asked again. "Hello?"

"I'm sorry," Rose timidly squeaked, and hung up. She stuffed her arms into Mack's jacket, closed her weary brown eyes, falling into a restless sleep.

--

After assuring Ronny that Will was indeed standing at the altar, Rose stepped out of the yellow ranger's bridal room to meet Mack. As maid of honor and the best man, Ronny had planned for Rose and Mack to walk down the aisle. Rose was secretly furious with Ronny for this.

Mack, of course, was too mature and too much of a gentleman to snub her for acting so oddly the week before. He came up to her with a tiny polite smile and embraced her. But instead of one of his huge bear hugs, it was stiff and uncomfortable. Rose felt awful. This was not Mack. Like Will had said, Mack had never been the same since Rose had turned him down.

"You look very nice, Rose," he commented, secretly picturing her in a white gown. He noticed yet again that Rose was wearing his ring. Mack was beginning to wish she would stop doing so.

"Thank you." Rose didn't look at him. She was certain his blue eyes (and they were so startlingly blue) would be looking right through her, seeing her every thought. "We should go. it's time."

The ceremony was absolutely beautiful. Rose couldn't help but wish it was hers. But wishing things were different wasn't going to help her any. She was smart; she knew she'd gotten herself into this lonely mess of a life she was living. Nevertheless, Rose caught her gaze on Mack more than once. He never seemed to notice her staring at him.

And suddenly Ronny and Will were at the church doors, the guests chasing them down the steps to where a sleek black limo sat, waiting for the newlywed couple.

Rose trailed along after the other guests, feeling depressed. "My fault," she told herself firmly. "Mine. Only me to blame." She sighed dejectedly. But she was better than this, much better. "You are going to that reception and you are going to have a wonderful time. You are not going to ruin Ronny and Will's day by feeling sorry for yourself."

Mack, who had been walking behind his pink counterpart, felt that he should try and find some way to comfort her. His fingers were practically itching to take her hand in his like he normally would have. He managed to refrain for the time being.

She was lucky and found a table odd to the side of the hotel ballroom. She sat very quietly watching the others enjoy themselves. Will and Ronny had their first dance to an old Rihanna song, and Rose noticed one of Ronny's racing friends eyeing Mack hopefully.

"That girl is not his type," Rose mumbled to herself. "She's not. I know his type. I'm the type of woman Mack wants." Rose glared at her empty champagne glass.

Ronny announced that it was time for the bouquet toss. Rose fulfilled her duty as maid of honor and best friend and lined up with the other single women. The yellow clad bride threw her bouquet of lilies…Rose caught it easily.

The pink ranger melted into the crowd, turning invisible as she went. When she'd navigated through Ronny and Will's guests, she turned visible again, abandoned the bouquet of lilies and headed for the exit.