Chapter 8

"Kat, I'm not sure what to do with Rocky," Jason said as they sat together in the juice bar.

"What's going on with him?" Kat asked as a couple of drinks were placed in front of them.

"Well, for starters, he's a little depressed about losing his Ranger powers. Then there's the fact that we're going to college in two different places and he's probably wondering if our relationship can survive," Jason said as he stirred the straw in his drink.

"And you didn't try to talk to him about it?"

Jason sighed and shook his head. "Every time I try to, he just doesn't feel like talking or he has to be somewhere."

"So do you have a theory as to why Rocky is doing this?" Kat asked.

Jason took a long drink from his straw as he thought. When he was finished he said, "Well, he feels scared about figuring what his life will be like without being a Ranger, and we're entering a new stage in our life and it scares him to think we won't work. But what I don't understand is why he wouldn't talk to me about it."

Their lunch was placed in front of him.

"Jason I think I know why he's not telling you," Kat said as she made a liquid pile of ketup on her plate. Jason reached for his milkshake.

"Really? What is it?" Jason asked. Kat dipped a few fries in the ketup and threw them in her mouth.

"He doesn't want to say it out loud," she said with a full mouth. Jason stopped mid-sip and looked at her.

"What do you mean?"

Kat swallowed her food before she answered. "Jason, think about it. If he says it out loud, then it's true. Now, do you get it?"

Jason did get it. He stood up, pulled out his wallet, and threw some money on the table. "See you later. I got to go." With that, Jason left.

Kat waved to Lt. Stone down and said, "Sir? Can I get a couple of to-go boxes?"

"Sure, Kat," he said as he reached under the shelf.

After boxing up the food, Kat started to drink her shake again and waited. A few seconds later, Jason returned to grab his lunch. "Don't want this to go to waste," he said, then walked away. Kat laughed.

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[Rocky's House

Rocky was lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling. Jason walked in, put the container of food on the dresser, and shut the door. He then got on the bed, and to Rocky's surprise, sat on Rocky's waist.

"So is this a new way for you to tell me you want some?" Rocky joked.

Jason smiled a little. "No. We're going to have a little talk."

Rocky glared at him. He knew what he wanted to talk about, and he wasn't ready to. He opened his mouth to tell him an excuse, but Jason placed a finger on his lips.

"And this isn't an option. We're going to talk, whether you like it or not." If Rocky could have protested, he would have, but the look Jason gave him told him what he just said was true.

"Okay," Rocky said rather sourly.

"Okay. Let's start with the losing of your Ranger powers," Jason said as he hopped off of Rocky to lay next to him.

"It really isn't as bad as I thought it would be. Zordon said I could keep my Zeo Crystal -- for emergency only, of course." Rocky pointed at the night stand so Jason could see his Zeo Morpher.

"Okay, I guess you're set on that problem. But Rocky, we need to talk about the other subject at hand."

Rocky turned his head away from Jason, as he couldn't face him. In reality, he was afraid he was too much the whiner and worrier in this relationship, which is a reason why he refused to talk about it. Jason seemed to be always be sure about them being together, but Rocky always worried about Jason deciding he didn't want Rocky anymore and leave him for someone better, like Adam, or go back to Tommy.

Rocky couldn't stand thinking about this anymore. Jason reached over a hand and slowly turned Rocky's head to face him. Rocky's head was turned all the way and he saw that Jason had a smile on his face. For some reason, this comforted him a little.

"Rocky, I have an idea what you're thinking about, and I can tell you this: I'm a little scared too." Rocky wasn't sure why he was surprised by this. Again, he thought Jason had no fears and was basically a perfect person. Goes to show you; there's always a new side of a person, even when you think you know them...

Rocky turned on his side so he could face Jason. "Are you really having the same fear I'm having?"

Jason nodded. "What did you think? I was perfect or something?"

Rocky chuckled. "For a moment, yes."

"Well, I can assure you that I'm far from it."

Rocky felt Jason squeeze his hand. "You're scared about what life is going throw at us, too?"

"That, and what being away at two different colleges will do to our relationship," Jason added. Rocky saw a single tear come out of Jason's eye, which is what told Rocky that there was truth in Jason words.

Rocky reached over to wipe the tear out of Jason's eyes. "Jason, I don't know what the future holds for us, but I can tell you this: We just need to take it one day at a time. And not to sound too cheesy, but if our love is strong as we claim it to be, then we will be able to go through anything if we have love for each other."

Jason smiled. "Exactly what I was thinking."

Rocky returned the smile and moved closer to Jason so he could wrap his arms around him. Once Jason had his arms wrapped around Rocky, he suddenly felt better. All the future problems of adulthood seemed miles away and the only thing they had was this timeless moment.

Rocky kissed Jason's forehead, then his lips, on which he lingered on. Rocky moved his hands behind Jason's head and a soft make-out session began. Jason unbuttoned Rocky's shirt as they kissed. Jason then pulled off his shirt and threw it on the floor.

Rocky lifted Jason's shirt and broke the kiss for a moment so he could take the shirt off. Once off, they went back to making out, and threw the shirt to the floor. Jason slipped his tongue into Rocky's mouth, and Rocky did the same thing.

In the heated make-out session, Rocky rolled so he was on top of Jason. They enclosed their hands together and Rocky place them on the pillow and held them there. Then he began to kiss Jason's neck down to his shoulder, then to certain spots on his chest before moving back to Jason's lips.

Several moments later, they broke the kiss, with both breathing hard.

"Jason, I love you," Rocky said in between breaths.

"I love you too, Rocky," Jason said, also breathily.

"Now and forever..." Rocky began.

"With no regrets."

And both of them kissed.

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Years later, Kat, with family and friends, all toasted to their union. No one knew a simple saying could do so much.

TBC

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A/N: One more chapter to go. I decided to end it here because I need a conclusion to this story. Please review.