"That seems like everything we need. You can stay or go. It's up to you" The Doctor said standing up quickly and leaving the room.
I followed suit and once again returned to the waiting room, where Jill stood lividly. "Where have you been?" She asked angrily.
"Could you ask some one else to take you home? I need to stay here." I whispered, surprised I was able to say anything at all to her.
"Rocky," She sat down next to me immediately. "What's wrong?"
"Just some formalities." I lied still not looking her in the eye.
"It doesn't look like just some formalities. What's up? Or should I call Jason." She asked worriedly.
"Jase, isn't going to come." I whispered. "So please just go I'll be fine."
"Fine, I'll call Toad." She replied.
"Thanks." I said walking over to the nurses counter.
"Excuse?" I asked.
"Yes?" The young nurse looked up brightly.
"There were three people brought in a while ago. Could you let me know when I can see them?" I asked.
"Sure, no problem." she replied sympathetically.
"Thanks." I replied sitting back down next to Jill, trying to keep my face unreadable.
"Toad's here, so I'm going to go now." she said cautiously.
I nodded.
"You sure your okay?" She asked again her voice a mixture of caution and sympathy.
I nodded again, already to far away in my mind to be able to make sense of her words. The image of Jason when they had brought him in played itself over and over in my mind. He had been like and older brother to me some one I looked up to, it's not that I didn't respect my sisters it's just that growing up with all sisters had not been what it was cracked up to be. The girls had always gotten what they wanted, not that I hadn't, but I was always last because I was the guy. I was supposed to be the tough solider. So that was what I became, and that's what I remained. Always protecting my sisters and mother after my dad had passed away in a car accident. I remained the tough solider until the our first day as rangers:
We had been fighting a monster created by Rita and Zedd, who's name I long since had forgotten. It was my first battle and the previous three rangers, Zack, Trini, and Jason, had given up there powers. No battle before had sustained as many casualties or deaths in a single battle before. The thought scarred me back when I was that 15 year old sophomore. I went to the same spot I had gone when my dad died, how he found me there is yet a mystery to me. "You okay?" He asked sneaking up on me.
"I'm alright." I replied lying to him.
He sat down next to me. "I've been a ranger since the beginning Rocky. I've heard all the lame excuses. So why don't we cut to the chase and you tell me what's really bothering you?"
I felt a slight tinge of anger towards the other teen, but quickly smothered it out of respect. "Seriously it's nothing." I cursed mentally as my voice cracked slightly towards the end.
He placed a protective brotherly arm around me. "The first time you step on that field you change. When you realize that any blood spilt is on your hands, based solely on the fact you couldn't stop them, you couldn't save them. That first time is the hardest. You won't ever not feel the guilt but you will atleast learn that some sacrifices have to be made for the greater good." he spoke sincerely.
"But why did it have to be them?" I asked slight tears building up in my eyes.
He smiled sadly. "I can't honestly answer that question for you, Rocky. But know this live for not only the ones you have lost, but also live for those you have saved and those who you are destined to save."
I cracked a small smile. "I never figured you the poetic type."
"I'm full of surprises, advice, and comfort. That is whenever they're needed." He smiled.
"How did you not feel guilty?" I asked suddenly.
He slowly stood up staring out at the lake. "I always did, perhaps more so then the others, but I never let it show."
"Why not?" I asked confused they seemed to close-knit to keep secrets.
"I'm going to tell you a little secret about Red the color of blood. Our blood. The blood, the pain, the hurt. We use the red to hid it. We wear it as a symbol of our strength, and a symbol of our mortality. " he said softly.
"And what if it hurts too much?" I asked.
"You've got me. Any time you feel like you can't take it let me know, I'll be your Rock. I promise." He turned smiling.
"Rocky's Rock." I laughed.
"I like the sound of it." he laughed. "Now come on bro, the others are probably worried."
"Yeah, okay." I agreed taking his outstretched hand.
After that, unknown to the others, I had began calling Jason on a daily basis.
And now as I sat in the waiting room chair, staring at my feet I wondered; who would be the Rock now?