Four Months Later

Rachael sighed deeply and kept spinning in her chair, and playing idly with her pen. Everyone had gone home from the office, leaving her all alone at her reception desk. She was resenting going home to that huge mansion, the huge empty building, void of life and happiness without the driving force that is her slightly older brother.

"You still here?"

Rachael jumped and her pen hit the floor as Eric's voice cut into the room. Void of its usual coldness, he sounded more curious than anything. She felt her face redden but kept her cool in front of him.

"I was just leaving." She said standing and grabbing her backpack and walking out the door with a simple 'good bye'. Eric watched her go curiously. She looked miserable for some reason today, although she looked beautiful as always. Rachael's hair hung straight down her back in its raven black sheens, and her green-brown eyes glittered as always. Ever since she'd started working for the Silver Guardians as their receptionist while doubling as a Time Force Lieutenant to the future with constant communication with Bronwyn, she'd been a driving force there keeping everyone's spirits high.

Eric sighed and picked up his things, it had been quiet all week with Wes and Mr. Collins both across the country for a large business meeting that lasted all week. It was only Monday and the day had been quiet without Wes' constant chatter, and Eric had to admit, he sort of missed it. He got into his SUV and revved the engine and started down the road, before seeing a certain dark haired girl dressed in jeans and a hoodie over a button down shirt. He pulled up next to her and stopped.

"What are you doing?"

"Walking."

Eric bit his lip to keep from snapping back. "Where's your car?"

"Shop."

"How'd you get in this morning?"

"Libby."

Rachael kept walking throughout her one word answers and Eric crawled next to her in his Silver Guardians SUV.

"Get in."

That made her stop and she looked at him, her arms coming uncrossed. "What?"

"I said get in; I'll give you a ride." She hesitated but he rolled his eyes and stopped the car. "It's four miles Rachael, just let me give you a ride." She hesitated for a moment to weigh her options but eventually without a word she walked in front of the car and got into the passenger's seat and he drove off. "Why did you stay so late anyway?" He asked. Libby, one of the few female members on the force had left at the same time she always did, but Rachael had stuck around.

"I didn't want to go home." Rachael said softly as she stared out the window of his SUV. "Dad and Wes are out of town, and I hate that stupid mansion." Eric drove silently and Rachael looked out the window and sighed. After a minute he pulled into the driveway of a small ranch house. "Where are we?" She protested.

"My house." He said, turning off the car and climbing out. Rachael's mouth dropped open and she opened her door and ran to face him before he got inside. She stuck her head next to his.

"I thought you said you were taking me home?" He stuck his face closer to hers.

"I thought you said you didn't want to go home?"

Rachael pursed her mouth and he walked past her and inside. She followed him inside and looked around the house. It was small, but wonderfully decorated, as if a woman had done it. "Nice house." She commented, hoping to sound a little encouraging. Eric turned to her from where he was putting his stuff.

"My sister decorated it."

"You have a sister?" She said interested. Eric nodded.

"She's a lot older than me; she's got four kids of her own already." He explained. "I'm going to change, just sit down or something. She nodded and he left for his bedroom.

Once alone, he mentally chided himself for bringing her here. He was helping a friend, that's it. The memories of their one and only kiss lingered in his mind as he calmed himself down enough to change into jeans and a closely fitted crimson red t-shirt and returned to the kitchen. Rachael had sat herself down in one of the kitchen chairs and had a cell phone to her ear and looked thoroughly miserable again, her head resting on her hand.

"No." She said, anger rising in her voice. "Look, just stop calling me alright?" She pulled her phone from her ear and slammed it shut. She looked up and saw Eric standing there. "Sorry." She whispered.

"Who was it?" Eric asked, almost instantly aware that he was asking a bit much from her, but she rolled her eyes.

"That stupid guy my dad keeps trying to set me up with." She said angrily. Eric nodded understandingly and went to the fridge. It took everything in him to not grin at the memory of helping her escape a date with that stiff.

"I don't have much, what do you want?" He glanced back at her. She was a rich girl, most likely didn't want to know he practically existed on waffle mix.

"Whatever you have, I'm not picky about food." She smiled at him. And he turned back to the fridge and saw the amount of food he actually had.

"How do you like breakfast?" He grimaced and looked back at her with an awkward smile.

"Love it, what are you thinking?"

"Omelets?"

"Perfect." She smiled and Eric pulled out eggs, cheese, and ham. After fifteen minutes he set a yellow Omelet in front of her with a glass of water as well. They ate and talked for a while and minutes later she finished and sat back in her chair with a smile. "That was good."

"That was nothing." Eric grinned, "If I ever actually have food here, I can make something much better." He stood and grabbed her plate and his own and took them to the sink his heart racing at the thought of the date he'd just asked her on, even if it was informal. She took the glasses and they started washing the dishes together, still talking and laughing, mainly at the stories Rachael was telling about Wes as a child. After a bit they lapsed into comfortable silence, him washing and her drying.

"Thanks for dinner." She smiled at Eric brightly. He smiled and handed her the last dish which she dried and set down, fully aware of the fact he wasn't taking his eyes from her. She looked up into his dark brown eyes and he looked back and she noticed how close they were. Taking a chance, he stepped forward, closing the space between them, almost feeling her heart quicken. "Eric." She whispered, her voice coming out harsh and quiet.

"Rachael." He whispered back in her ear. She shivered at his words and how soft he was being. Rachael's heart almost stopped and jumped out of her chest at the same time.

"Oh Eric." She pulled her face back to look at his again. She lifted her face the few centimeters to his and their lips touched. He pressed back and their kiss deepened as he slid his tongue between their lips and rubbed against her teeth until she allowed him entry. He settled his hands on her waist and pulled her backwards without releasing her the few feet into his bedroom and let her fall gently onto his bed, and he settled his weight on her as they continued kissing.

Rachael opened her eyes slowly, and yawned, stretching her hands out. Then she realized she was completely naked. Pulling her sheets up around her she also realized something else very important. She wasn't in her room or any room in her own house for that matter. Rolling over to her right she saw the sleeping form of Eric next to her and the memories of the previous night filled her brain. She had slept with her brother's best friend and co-worker, and not even just once. Their night had been long and the memories made her blush lying in his bed.

And she didn't regret it. She rolled over slightly and stared at the ceiling. Why didn't she regret it? Because she'd had a crush on Eric since she met him at that one Christmas all those years ago despite the way they acted in front of others. And something had finally happened between them, a little rushed but she would never regret it. He rolled over and their eyes met.

"Morning." He murmured softly, for all his bulk and muscles, he looked truly vulnerable.

"Hey." She whispered, her eyes flickering up and down. A light smile spread on her face and she adjusted the covers around her chest. Eric blushed deep red watching her adjust her coverings and made sure he was at least covered from his waist down. "What time is it?" She whispered again. Eric checked the bright digital display on his clock.

"Almost seven." He groaned; the both had to be at work by 8. He leaned forward and sat up and reached to the ground to find his boxers. Rachael turned away from him and he got up quickly and grabbed some clothing before leaving the room. She sat straight up and slipped into his shower, and after a minute exited and dressed in her clothes from the previous day, with each step remembering the night before. She left the room with one last glance at the messed up bed.

"Hey." Eric said from the kitchen counter, grabbing things and placing them on the table. Rachael laughed at the cereal and milk he'd put out.

"I see you eat breakfast a lot."

"Yeah." He grinned, cutting into the awkward silence. They sat across from each other and ate slowly; occasionally catching each others' eyes and ten minutes later both had eaten their fill. "I guess I should take you home to get changed."

"Yeah, I think someone would notice." Rachael blushed lightly. He turned to leave and she grabbed his arm and pulled him back to face her. "Do you regret this?" She said pointedly. Eric looked at her determined face and looked to the floor. She released his arm and her heart sank. Eric looked up again and into her glistening eyes.

"No." He replied. "I don't, because…" His voice trailed off and they looked into each other's eyes. "I love you. I've loved you for a long time." He exhaled and waited for her reaction. He'd just put out his feelings and had no idea what she would do.

Rachael was stunned. He had just admitted to loving her, and she couldn't say anything. He was starting to shift uncomfortably and she grabbed his arm again and slipped into his arms. "I love you too." They stood there for a while until she pulled back. "We should go." She wiped her face off and he opened the door.

"We'll talk at dinner."

The unspoken invitation that she would be there for dinner hung in the air and both knew it. Rachael followed him to his SUV and they pulled up to the back of the house where she went in the service entrance and slipped up to her room. She changed quickly and after a quick second thought, she grabbed another set of clothing and slid it into her backpack along with her hairbrush and toothbrush. She ran downstairs and threw her bag in the backseat and rode with him to the Silver Guardian's headquarters.

All day at work, all Rachael could think about was Eric. She would randomly see him and he would catch her eye and grin, much different from the more stoic and severe Eric that was usually seen. Maybe Wes brought out the negative in him. She laughed at the thought, and, as if on cue, her phone rang.

"Hello, Silver Hills Silver Guardians, what can I do for you?" She said, turning on her headpiece with a casual flick of her finger.

"Hi, I would like to speak with my sister, but you sound way too professional to be her."

"Curl up and die Wes." Rachael smiled brightly at the sound of her brother's voice.

"How's life in Californy?" He asked with a grin. "Boston is cold. Nice, but cold."

"Life's good. The sky's blue as ever and I can't wait to get my car back." She said conversationally. She loved to drive around in her convertible, an 18th birthday present from her father.

"I heard he called you." Wes' voice was wary because he knew how angry she was over it. She huffed angrily.

"Yes. Why can't he just leave me alone? I think I've told him a million times I don't want to see him."

"I know, I'm sorry Rach, I'll talk to him later, but he's always around Dad and I can't catch him."

"It's fine Wes, really. I'll make myself crystal clear next time he calls."

"Alright, I've got to head out, another meeting." Wes' voice was less anxious now. After saying their good-byes Rachael smiled and hung up the phone and went back to her job, barely hanging on until quitting time. Libby offered her a ride but she refused it and waited. Eric hadn't come out of his office for hours and she was getting nervous about it all. But, minutes later he left his office, things in hand and stopped at her desk.

"Ready?"

Rachael could barely suppress a smile as she stood and gathered her things to follow him out to his car. They made small talk all the way to his house and inside, through dinner, a simple chicken this time, and the dishes. Afterward they stood facing each other, falling into an awkward silence. Eric stepped forward and caught her hips in his hands and guided her closer to him. She let him and leaned up and kissed him deeply, his hands sliding up her back and hers hooking around his neck. They broke apart and their foreheads met, Rachael ducking her head slightly.

"I've loved you for so long." Eric whispered his mouth very close to hers. "Ever since that Christmas Wes invited me to your house and I saw you. I haven't been able to forget you."

Rachael smiled softly. "You were so cute then." She laughed. "I kept hoping to catch you under the mistletoe. But you always dodged me."

"Never again." He murmured, kissing her again. "I love you."

"I love you too." She said softly, hugging him tightly. Then she laughed. "Wes is never going to believe this." Eric laughed too and Rachael closed her eyes and laying her head on his chest to feel his warmth.

"He'll just have to deal with it." Eric said, the normal toughness returning to his voice.

"Hey, both of us can kick his ass in a sparring match." Both of them laughed loudly at that comment and pulled out of their embrace.

"Should I take you home?" He asked softly, looking in her eyes. Rachael grinned and blushed.

"You don't have to." She said coyly. Grabbing her backpack, she pulled showed him her change of clothes and he pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head gently.

Next Morning

Bright sunlight shone in the window and directly on Rachael's face. The warmth made her open her eyes and she moved slightly, realizing she was lying on top of another person. She smiled at Eric's protective hold on her as he slept peacefully. Like yesterday, neither was clothed and she felt her head rise and fall with his breathing. A quick glance at the digital clock told her she should be getting up and in the shower before he woke up. She slipped up and out of the room after quickly grabbing her things.

Minutes later she left the bathroom, dressed and ready for another day at work. Eric went into the bathroom behind her and she got out the things and started throwing some things together for breakfast.

"What're you doing?" Eric asked as he came out of the bathroom and slid up behind her. Rachael grinned.

"Making breakfast." She smiled and turned to give him a kiss, then turned back to the food while he sat down. After piling it on plates she turned back to him and gave him his. "Ham, eggs and toast." She smiled.

"Tonight, I'll take you for some real food, not just breakfast." Eric said as she sat down. Rachael looked up and grinned.

"I have to get my car this morning, so I'll meet you somewhere?" Their conversation was as comfortable as if they'd been dating for years or were even married. In two days they were already comfortable, without the outside recognition by anyone else. They agreed to meet at the local Italian restaurant later that night after work.

Eric couldn't stop thinking about Rachael all day long. He truly loved her but had no idea how Mr. Collins would take him and her together. Mainly hoping that the family patriarch would take his only daughter's feelings into consideration, Eric could only cherish the time from now until the time the male Collins' returned from Boston. Wes, on the other hand, would love his sister and friend together. Shrill giggling from outside of his office drew his attention and he slipped over to the doorway and listened to the conversation on the other side.

"… and I heard she hasn't spent a single night at the mansion all week." One of the girls whispered to the other two.

"No… Rachael is such a goody-two-shoes. She's probably at a friend's house, like Libby's." A girl with doe eyes tried to say. The blonde who'd spoken first rolled her eyes and continued speaking to the other girl.

"Libby told me she hasn't taken Rachael home at all; she's probably fallen into the arms of some poor guy who she'll abandon after the week when Daddy and Brother return." The blonde flicked her hair over her shoulder with a cruel and snobbish smile. "Little slut."

The last word was all Eric needed to hear before slamming his door shut with a force that sent the three women scurrying away. His face was flushed bright red, and he paced his office angrily, arms swinging wildly at his sides for no outlet for the anger. He needed to get it out by sparring, but his partner was in Boston. And no one else was up to their level as rangers… except maybe that partner's sister and their fellow ranger. He opened his door and stormed his was over to her reception desk and heard her talking. Her voice was flustered and angry herself.

"No." Eric looked and saw her head was in her hands. "Look, will you please stop calling me?" She looked desperate and her head hit the desk with the cell phone still hear her head. Without thinking Eric took the three steps closer and closed the space between his hiding place and her desk and took her cell phone.

"I believe she said to stop calling her." He said fiercely into the mobile device. The person on the other side made a noise of protest and started indignantly claiming to be Rachael's boyfriend. "I don't think you are." Eric interrupted, watching Rachael's wide eyes as he spoke into the phone. "Because that's who I am." He snapped it shut, threw it on her desk, grabbed her hand and dragged her willingly out of the room. Once in the sparring gym they found themselves alone except for the equipment and Eric released her and started pacing the room. Rachael watched, her hands on her hips, amusedly watching him pace. "I can't believe him!" He said, continuing his fast walking.

Rachael recognized his need to get out his energy so she didn't respond. Instead she stepped forward and swung her fist at his head. He caught it and looked at her, surprise written on every line of his face. Her face morphed into a grin, and his matched hers and they started throwing punches, blocking them, kicking and jumping, using their knowledge of martial arts to release the tension that had built up over the course of only a few minutes.

They sparred for a solid ten minutes, and were working on twenty when Rachael caught Eric completely off guard and kicked his legs out from under him, sending him to his back where she promptly sat on top of him, pinning him to the ground. Both were breathing heavily now, and as they were dressed in heavier clothing not meant for the activity. Rachael slid off of him and sat on the ground as he sat up.

"What got you so angry?" She asked softly, leaning back on her hands.

Eric resisted for a moment, but one look at her pleading face told him he didn't have much of a choice. "It was some girls outside my office. Gossiping." He said, slightly ashamed in afterthought of how he'd reacted.

"About me." She finished, giving him a pointed look. Eric nodded in surrender. "Oh them, they're always talking about me." She brushed her hair back with a dramatic sweep and smiled at him. "They're just jealous because of my family. Thanks for defending me though." Her words were sincere, and her face neared his. He smiled back, but she spoke instead. "There's no doubt he'll tell Wes, that is if he recognized your voice."

"I didn't mean to say that." Eric flushed, but Rachael smiled.

"I'm glad you did." Her face deepened a shade of crimson and she shook her hair so that the fringe like bangs on the sides of her head so they covered her face like real bangs. "I'm really glad you did." She murmured looking in his eyes. Eric leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers, kissing her soundly. He pulled back and her eyes were wide. "Anyone could have seen that." She whispered, although her eyes didn't stray from his face.

"I don't care anymore." He said simply. "If someone saw, they saw. I'll tell your father and your brother face to face if I have to." He stood up and she looked up at him with surprise on her face. She grabbed the hand he offered and rose to her feet, and gasped slightly as he pulled her into his arms. "I'll tell the whole office how much I love you."

"If that's not a declaration of love, I don't know what is." She smiled and stood on her toes to kiss him gently. "I just hope Wes and Dad agree with me."