Power Rangers GPX SIU

by DChan87

GPX AU: Southern Illinois University Carbondale is under siege by immoral alchemists with unknown intentions. Its best hope for defense are five superheroes calling themselves "Power Rangers". But they're also students at SIU, and schoolwork and personal lives mix with professional as they try to unravel the mystery of their alchemist enemies.

9. Do You Remember Love?

Hitomi VO: "Previously, on Power Rangers GPX SIU!"

Kevin: "My friend is a fan of Fullmetal Alchemist."

Dr Nelson: "Alchemy is related to modern chemistry, but it took a few centuries to really get there."

(Cut to shot of Kevin taking a picture of a map)

Rob: "Carbondale Police say they're impressed with me and they want me to join the force."

Sean: "What happened with the transumation circle in FMA?"

Aaron: "It sucked people's souls out so the person using it could become God."

(Cut to shot of Rangers fighting an Armadillo monster. CUT to shot of National Guardsmen setting up anti-tank weapons)

Sean: "FIRE!"

(Cut to shot of Armadillo monster being destroyed)

Power Rangers GPX SIU Episode 9: Do You Remember Love?

:-:-:-: Pow-er Rang-ers, Grand Prix, G-P-X, GO! :-:-:-:

"Auntie Mawia, I wanna pway!" Allie whined while Maria tried to leave Rainbow's End, a daycare for the kids of SIU students, faculty and staff. Bridget is an employee for the SIU athletic department and Rob is of course an SIU cop, so Allie is eligible.

"Sorry Allie, but I have to get to class," she replied. "And your mommy wants you to stay in daycare." Maria was only there to check on Allie. Sean was in class and unable to do that. "You should be making more amigos and amigas. Go on, have fun!" Allie started to pout before she saw Maria still smiling at her. She ran off to go play with the kids. Allie may be in the Terrible Two's, but it's a good thing she decided to behave… this time.

"Are you done yet?" Hitomi asked.

"Yes, sorry," said Maria. "Let's go."

They left, walking out into a mostly-cloudy, chilly Monday afternoon. Maria stuffed her hands into her jacket, cursing how the weather had gotten chillier after the basketball game she went to with Sean (although Aaron eventually showed up) on Saturday. That day, Sean could not help but fanboy at Walt "Clyde" Frazier. Of course, Aaron couldn't help himself, either (basketball is the only American sport Aaron follows and he knows his basketball greats).

Hitomi didn't care about the weather, preferring to look at Maria. This made Maria understandably uncomfortable and she turned to Hitomi. "What's wrong? Why are you looking at me?"

"No reason," Hitomi replied. Maria didn't believe her. She's probably hiding something. It probably didn't have much to do with the map Kevin and Aaron found in Dr. Nelson's office. SWORD was still looking into it. Maria was not happy having to deal with a plot that pretty came right out of a Japanese comic book. It had better be something else

… And part of that feeling was fear. If the enemy's plot really is the same as the one in FMA…

:-:-:-: PRGPX :-:-:-:

Drake looked out over the expansive fields surrounding the Ouroboros compound. Several society members were leaving for the day. It was pretty early in the afternoon, but there's no reason for them to stay forever. They all have a role to play, after all.

But Drake wasn't concerned about them. He was concerned about something else. The goal they had been striving for… the Rangers were getting close. He'd underestimated them. He hadn't panicked because he knew the Society had the advantage. Their plan had begun a long time ago. But now the Rangers were close. And the Society's mistakes had allowed them to catch up.

It had to end. The Rangers must not be allowed to live. "Cedric," he said.

"Yes, Drake?" Cedric asked, entering the Society Master's office. "What do you need?"

"The Endgame has begun," said Drake. "The final stages must be completed. And for that to happen, all we must do is defeat the Rangers."

"You said that before," said Cedric. "I hope you are not—"

"The project is nearing completion," said Drake. "The Rangers must be dealt with."

"What about SWORD?" asked Cedric. "They are the ones who are doing just as much damage. One of our satellite compounds was raided by them."

"Yes, I know," said Drake. "It is a war on two fronts. But we do not have to worry about them. The Rangers are tenacious; a threat."

"I know that!" said Cedric. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying the Rangers—and SWORD, although I highly doubt that can be done—must be eliminated!"

"Very well then!" said Cedric. "How?"

"Tell Neville to send stronger monsters," said Drake. "But order the other members to continue the project and if they see and SWORD members… kill them."

"It will be done," said Cedric.

"And make it quick. The Day of Reckoning is coming." Cedric nodded his head and walked out of the room. "And if they do live, I may have some use for them."

:-:-:-: Power Rangers GPX :-:-:-:

"What's it like kissing another girl?" Hitomi asked right out of the blue. Maria raised her eyebrow for a moment, wondering just why Hitomi was asking this. She never really showed any interest in other women, if her "stash" was anything to go by. Maria sighed, thinking it was just curiosity. "You had a girlfriend, right?"

"For a few months," Maria replied. She filled the water bottle—provided by University Housing to all students—with some fruit punch while at Grinnell Hall. "It's much more different than kissing men. It was a lot more passionate, sensual and soft, especially the first time."

"Do you like girls?" Hitomi asked.

"I am bisexual," said Maria. "So yes. And why are you asking? Are you attracted to me?"

"No," said Hitomi. Maria turned away while she browsed the shelves. Grinnell is like a small grocery store where students can pick up food and drinks using their meal plan points. "What about sex?"

"Not here," said Maria, "Although I like sex with her just as much as sex with men. I'm very picky about who I sleep with."

"What do you think about Sean?"

"Que?"

"What do you think about Sean?" Hitomi repeated.

Maria froze. Is this what she was leading up to? A blush broke out on her face. She tried to find the words to say, but she couldn't. All she could think is was he was infuriating sometimes and his hockey obsession was annoying as hell. And yet, she felt some strange feeling towards him. He was actually kind of cute, but his looks were not the reason for this feeling.

She wondered where it came from. Perhaps it came from all those battles she fought alongside him. But the others fought just as many battles alongside him (except for Rob and Marty). But she couldn't quite put her finger on it. But there was something there. She needed to distract Hitomi. The girl would keep asking if she didn't have something else to think about. "You know chica," she said, patting the Japanese girl on the shoulder. "Have you tried the dating scene?"

"Um, no," Hitomi replied. "Why—"

"You should," said Maria, going back to a more energetic self that showed up early on in the main continuity but hasn't shown up lately. "If you don't start dating soon, it'll be too late and you'll never find the one for you. I started early, but like I said, I'm picky. Are you actually interested in girls? No, you're not, you like watching pretty boys crawl all over each other."

"What are you saying?" asked Hitomi.

"First off, if it's more comfortable, trying meeting up with other Japanese students," said Maria. "I know there are international student groups, I'm a member of one."

"Okay," said Hitomi. "Why are you—"

"Because you need to hear this."

"Hear about what?" Hitomi was surprised, but Maria didn't seem so surprised that Sean was standing there—okay, a little surprised.

"I thought you were in class," said Maria.

"I had a test," said Sean. "I got early. What are you talking about?"

"I was giving Hitomi advice about how to get a man," said Maria.

"Is that so?" said Sean. "Well, coming from a male perspective, you gotta watch a hockey game you'll—Hey, don't hit me like that!"

"You always inject hockey into conversations!"

"Not all the time!"

"Okay, but you do it enough!" Maria grabbed Hitomi. "Vamos, chica!" Sean stood there while the two walked away.

"I don't do it that often," he said before pulling out his phone.

When they left, Maria felt her phone vibrate and picked it up. "Great," she said. "Sean wants to talk to me. You go on ahead." Hitomi sighed, shaking her head and walked away to head back to their dorm at Bowyer Hall.

Maria waited for Sean outside of Grinnell on the foot bridge over Illinois Ave and the train tracks for a few minutes before he came outside. "What is it?" she asked.

"SWORD still doesn't know what the circle is," said Sean. "But then I got a letter today suggesting I speak to Dr. Jim Naughton, an anthropology teacher."

"Interesting," said Maria.

"But I already had him teach a class," Sean laughed. "They suggested he might know something about Native American shamanism. I mean shamanism? Alchemy? What do they have in common?"

"Is that what you were going to talk to me about?" Maria asked.

"I mean, yeah, you just up and left, I didn't have time to say anything else," he said.

"Lo siento," said Maria. "It's just… Hitomi was asking about something."

"So what is Hitomi talking about?" Sean asked, folding his arms.

"I don't know," said Maria. "She seems to think something about us."

"Well, what?" asked Sean.

"Yo no sé," she replied.

"Well Marty seems to think we're—oh, jeez." Sean blushed, turning away from Maria. This also caused her to turn away. Both of them wanted to walk away, but their legs were frozen. Maria tried to forget about it by looking at Charlotte West Stadium, the softball field, thinking about softball—speaking of which, she had signed up for a co-ed softball team with Sean, Marty and a few of their friends.

But Maria wanted so desperately to get away from Sean. Her legs were frozen. No matter what she tried, she couldn't run. "What do you… think about me?" Sean asked, breaking the god-awful silence."

"I think you're infuriating," said Maria. She didn't express this that much in the main continuity (where she's implied to have some feelings for him as well).

"Why am I not surprised?" he asked.

"She also asked about what it's like to kiss a girl," she said, changing the subject. Sean snickered. "You should have asked about that!"

"I can't, I'm too embarrassed!" he said.

"You're too embarrassed to kiss anyone!" she said. In the main continuity, she's the one who gave him his first kiss. Think about that for a moment.

"I know you hate how much I talk about hockey," he said, getting back to the topic. "But that's because it's easy."

"Fine," she said. "I just don't have to like it." Sean huffed, leaning against the bridge's railing. He was close to her, and she really wanted to go. He huffed again. "Stop that."

"Sorry."

"How do you know when you've fallen in love?" she asked. He just shrugged.

"I dunno," he replied. "Do you?"

"Yes."

"Than why are you asking me?"

"Just answer the question!"

"My mom said it didn't take long for her to fall for my dad," he said, "but they were teenagers. She said it took longer for the second time. Bridge and Rob have known each other since my mom moved to Naperville, so she's not sure."

"That's not what I meant," she replied.

"Well, I don't know!" he said. "Neither of them were any help!"

Maria sighed and looked up at the sky. Invoking her Catholic faith, she thought, God, please give me a sign. Am I in love… with that asshole?

"Hey!" he said, breaking her out of her thoughts. "Sorry, I was just worried."

She laughed, thinking she was crazy. But she smiled; glad to see he was concerned about her. It wasn't a sign, but it was still nice.

"You know, the reason I love hockey isn't just because of my dad," he said. What's he going on about? "When I was a little kid, I was timid. I wasn't what you see today. My mom and dad said I had a love for the game when I was 2. They signed me up for hockey classes and, well, here I am. Okay, the Ranger training helped."

"So that's why you love that stupid sport," she said.

"It's not stupid," he replied.

"Well I think it is," she replied.

"You know what, I thought you'd like to hear that, but obviously you don't care!" he said as he got off the railing and walked away.

"Wait!" she called. Sean sighed in annoyance. "… I'm sorry."

Sean thought for a moment, wondering what he was going to say. Then she spoke again. "If that sport makes you happy, then I'm happy to see you happy." Sean chuckled and turned around.

"Next time the Hawks come to St. Louis, I'm making Bridge take us," he said. "And you can't complain!"

"Fuck," she muttered while he walked away. Still, a smile formed on her face.

:-:-:-: PRGPX :-:-:-:

Knock, knock, knock. "Come in! Oh, hello. What news have you brought?"

"Um, we heard something from Ouroboros channels. It seems as if the Power Rangers are on to the plot."

"The plot? How did they know?"

"They had a picture of a map of the state with a circle surrounding it."

"… They're aware. The Ouroboros Society will begin its endgame. We must finish our work. Tell the others."

"Okay, I will."

:-:-:-: Power Rangers GPX :-:-:-:

As Marty was leaving Morris Library, he noticed Hitomi passing by. The Chicagoan quickly ran up to her. "Hey, um, what's going on?" he asked.

"Oh, hello Marty," she said. "How are you?"

"Good. Um, I've been trying to find some stuff about the circle and I've noticed a few things."

"What things?" asked Hitomi.

"Well, I was looking on Google and I found an article from the 1800s," he said. "It said that there was some group that opened a mine in Wisconsin just south of Madison. They said it was a lead mine, but lead was mostly found in Southwestern Wisconsin."

"What does that mean?" asked Hitomi.

"It means that might be related to the circle surrounding the state!" he said with a whisper. "I printed out, look at this." He showed a highlighted sentence. "It says 'several figures wearing robes were seen in the vicinity of the mine and they were never seen again'."

"We should tell Sean," she said.

"Just E-mailed it to him," he replied.

"Oh," she said. Disappointment showed on her face, and Marty couldn't understand why.

"Hey what's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"You sure about that?" he asked, "Because—"

"Leave me alone!" she shouted.

"Hey, don't be so mean, I was just trying to—oh, forget it." The conversation was over. He walked back east towards his apartment. Hitomi huffed and stormed away from Morris Library. She bumped into someone, ignoring his shouts to say 'excuse me'.

:-:-:-: PRGPX :-:-:-:

Maelstrom was starting to lose his patience when he got the e-mail about the mines from Sean. Now this was the break he was looking for! "Tell the investigators about this article," he said to one senior agent.

"What's important?" the agent asked.

"Mines in southern Wisconsin that may have something to do with that circle the Rangers found," said Maelstrom. "Try searching some mines in Wisconsin and Illinois, there might be something there."

"What if this is a wild goose chase?" asked the agent, who kinda looks like Clark Gregg.

"The goose has to get tired some time," said Maelstrom.

"Director Maelstrom, we also got something," said another agent. "It's about that location in Wisconsin." He handed the article to Maelstrom. Maelstrom recoiled.

"One of the worst labor riots in American history took place there," he said.

:-:-:-: Power Rangers GPX :-:-:-:

"You're in love, mi preciosa!" Maria's mother exclaimed. It should be noted that they're speaking Spanish, but for the sake of our readers, it shall be transcribed in English.

"How do you know that, mama?" Maria asked, getting defensive.

"You've been in love before, haven't you?" her mother asked over the Skype connection. "You should know this yourself."

"I'd rather not," she said. "I hate them sometimes."

"And what about the times you don't hate them?" her mother asked.

Maria paused, trying to think about the question. There were times when she wasn't infuriated by his hockey obsession… was that the only reason she hated him? "And is there only one reason you hate him?" What is she, a mind reader? "Don't worry, it's a mother's intuition," said Helena (her mother's name).

"No!" she replied.

"You're lying," said Helena. "It's written all over your face, preciosa."

"I still don't understand why you're insisting this," said Maria.

"You called me and you asked me if I thought you were in love," said Helena. "I'm giving you my opinion. Perhaps your last girlfriend was just a good friend, and this person is your first real love."

"Well, why do you think I'm in love with this person?" asked Maria.

"Do you think they're wonderful to be around?" asked Helena.

"Yes."

"Are you happy when they're happy?"

"Yes."

"Are you sad when they're sad?"

"Yes."

"If they're injured, and they're close to death, will you be distraught?"

"Yes and—what are you getting at?"

"It's little, but I think you have feelings for this person! It might not be love yet, but it's close!"

Maria didn't want to hear anything else. She (politely) hung up on her mother when in a matter of good timing, she found out her morpher was flashing. Someone was in trouble. She had to go; NOW.

:-:-:-: PRGPX :-:-:-:

Sean pulled on his jacket while stepping out of his apartment building and walking west to get to the crosswalk across Grand Avenue. It was getting chillier out, more in line with February weather. He cursed under his breath, saying something about March. The cloudy sky was gloomy; Illinois gloominess sometimes feels gloomier than other parts of the country.

After crossing the street and walking on to the sidewalk bisecting Rinella Field, he looked over at the softball players practicing at Charlotte West Stadium. Why doesn't the baseball team have a better facility? They certainly should—"AH!"

He felt a massive blow to his head and he tumbled an unknown distance before stopping. "Ow!" he held his head, hoping he didn't suffer any major damage. When his vision got better, he noticed a monster coming right toward him. Out of reflex, he blocked and countered the monster's attack. He could already see people running away, but the people in BrushTowers might be watching. This was not a good situation.

He jumped back, his head getting clearer. He didn't feel any concussion symptoms, but he'd only figure that out once he morphed. The monster charging at him looked like an anthropomorphic wolverine crossed with the size of a bear. The wolverine swung its massive paw at him, but he ducked and countered, punching the wolverine in the gut. Then he jumped away and put on—"OW!" No chance. The wolverine swatted him away.

"I know your weakness Red Ranger," said the wolverine. "In order to morph, you have to let your guard down. Do not expect me to let you get away."

Dammit! Sean thought. The wolverine tried to pound him, but Sean caught the forearm and threw it off. "Michigan sucks!" he shouted. "Let's go Badgers!"

The wolverine fell for the taunt and rushed him. Sean jumped out of the way, landing on the chain-link fence separating the field from the parking lot. "You miss more tackles than a Michigan linebacker!" he said again. He jumped and flipped again, pressing the distress call button on his morpher. In a matter of minutes, the rest of the team will arrive to help. But then, he felt a blow to the ribcage.

Marty was the first to get the distress signal. His Gold Ranger morpher started beeping and he noticed it was from his best friend. He didn't have to think about it. He just grabbed his morpher and was out the door.

It was also the same for everyone else, even Rob, who'd just gone off-duty.

Meanwhile, Sean was in for a tough fight. He kept trying to get away from the wolverine, but it was faster than he expected. Its massive, bear-like paw (obviously intended to make it stronger) was its best asset… and it had Sean at its mercy.

Sean's face was bloodied, and he had a gash across his forehead. He was trying desperately from landing in the dirt. His arm was also gashed up and he felt some pain in his ribcage. "Is this all?" asked the wolverine. "The mighty Red Ranger, reduced to a bloodied pulp? You're obviously—" The wolverine didn't get a chance to finish the taunt.

A streak of gold came out of nowhere, colliding with the wolverine. "What the hell took you?" asked Sean.

"Dude, are you impatient or—oh, this is where I make a snappy one-liner, right?"

"You kinda blew it," said Sean. "Now hold him off, I gotta morph!"

"Hey, wait—"

"Make it look like you're telling me to get out of here!" Sean whispered back. The wolverine wasn't attacking because it was too bewildered at what in the world was going on.

"Okay then, get going, get out of here!"

"Now you're catching on!" Sean said, jumping over the chain link fence.

"Hey, what the fuck dude, what are you—" Marty was interrupted by the now-recovered wolverine swinging its massive paws at him. "Hey, come on, don't hurt me, I'm a Michigan fan, too!"

"YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO SAY THAT!" Sean shouted back. Marty kept fighting while the call of "GPX, Start it up!" was heard and a flash of red light accompanied it before Sean jumped over the fence and punched the wolverine right in the face.

It was after that moment that the wolverine decided to rip off a certain comic book character. SNIKT! "Dude, where'd he get those?"

"I don't want to know," Sean replied. The wolverine charged them, its claws (which were not metal, by the way) coming right at them.

Sean got out of the way, but Marty barely ducked. He collided with the fence. Sean jumped in and pulled him away. "Dude!" said Marty.

"We gotta get some space," said Sean. They ran to the middle of the field. By now Sean's suit had finished its diagnosis and the words NO MAJOR INJURIES flashed on his HUD. "Few," he said. A follow-up diagnosis showed he only had a bruised rib. "Jeez," said Sean.

The wolverine attacked again. Sean jumped out of the way, Marty struggling to do the same. Marty felt the blow from the wolverine's fist and tumbled several yards along the ground. Sean stepped between him and the wolverine, blocking the wolverine's punches and kicks.

Marty got up and ran into the wolverine, like he would in a hockey game. Sean took the opportunity to press his belt buckle and summoned his GT Sword.

…Only for the wolverine to knock him to the side.

Someone must have been angry because he heard a rage-filled scream running past. Sparks flew from the wolverine, and he could see that it was Maria. Yeah, he was just as surprised as you.

Sean didn't waste any time. He got back up and rushed the wolverine. Flashes of pink, blue and green also ran past him. He got up and charged the monster again.

They all had the monster engaged. Maria was aggressively attacking the monster, slashing it with her daggers. Kevin then slammed into it, mainly to get it away from Maria! Marty pulled her away while Aaron ran up the monster's back and jumped off its head. The wolverine hacked at Aaron, but missed. Hitomi jumped on the wolverine's head, too and she jumped off its head.

Sean got in on the action, raising his sword and taking a swing at the wolverine. However, he felt light-headed and missed. However, he stayed on his feet, blocking the wolverine's claws. Maria then took a couple of slashes with her daggers and the wolverine fell to the side. "Where the hell is Rob?" asked Sean.

"He's over there," said Marty. He pointed to Rob, unmorphed and in uniform, keeping the crowd away from the action. Sean shrugged and went back to fighting the wolverine. However, he felt light-headed. Some more blood was trickling down his head.

WARNING: BLOOD LOSS the HUD flashed. Sean grabbed his sword again and charged the wolverine, but he felt the wolverine's blow to his body and he flew several feet before landing.

"SEAN!" Maria shouted in an emotionally agonized voice.

"Yellow!" said Kevin, taking charge. "Get your head in the game!" Maria nodded.

Sean tried to get up while the others fought the wolverine. Kevin had drawn his blaster and started shooting the wolverine. Marty had summoned his hammer, and was pounding away at the wolverine. Hitomi and Aaron were jumping all over the wolverine and Maria was slashing away.

Sean raised his blade and charged forward. It wasn't a Leeroy Jenkins rush, and he stopped when he thought it was right. Then, when the wolverine was distracted, "GT STRIKE!" He took a big cut and sparks flew from the wolverine.

"Are you okay?" asked Kevin.

"I'm not sure," said Sean. "I may have to go to the hospital. COME ON! We can't let up!" he said.

"I don't think so!" said the wolverine. It balled its fist up and punched Sean right in the gut. Then, it took another fist and he felt the force of the punch, sending him flying.

"SEAN!" Maria shouted again. Angrily, she attacked the wolverine, hacking and slashing at the monster. The wolverine could not fight back, and it was forced backwards. She was relentless, almost merciless at the monster. She was going to kill it herself if she tried. "YOU BASTARD!" she shouted, her eyes tearing up. "YOU FUCKING BASTARD!"

"She's scary!" said Marty.

"YELLOW!" Kevin shouted, summoning his rifle. "Marty, go check on Sean." Marty didn't even question Kevin's order, simply running over to check on his best friend. "Aaron, Hitomi, restrain Maria. SILVER! Get over here, we need help!"

Rob heard Kevin's request and ran over, morphing in the process. There was no crowd, so Rob was okay. "What's going on?" he asked.

"We need to finish this," said Kevin. "Sean's in trouble, we'll need to get him to the hospital." At the same time, Maria was dragged back over to them after she savagely attacked the wolverine. "Yellow!" he said, grabbing her. "Do not let your emotions get the better of you!"

Maria glared at him before Aaron placed his hand on her shoulder, trying to calm her down. "Let's finish this!" said Kevin. "Supercharge!" They jammed their keys in their weapons and took aim. "FIRE!" he shouted. They let their attacks loose and they all hit.

The wolverine bellowed before falling over and exploding.

However, they could not celebrate.

"SEAN!" Maria shouted, running over to his still body. Marty had figured out how to make him de-morph and his bloodied, beaten body was on display.

"Oh, jeez," said Rob. Maria ignored him. Her knees felt weak. Tears started welling up in her eyes and she collapsed.

"Wake up," she said weakly. She stroked his cheek. It felt warm. He was still alive. But she wasn't sure if he was going to wake up.

"Call 911, NOW!" said Kevin. "Maria—" He was stopped by Rob. He shook his head and gave him a knowing look. Aaron had gotten up and called 911.

"Please wake up," Maria pleaded. She put his head on her lap, hoping this would help. She could barely hold back the sobs and several tears fell on his bloodied forehead. Hitomi watched this, her face showing an inner conflict.

"Come on, dude," Marty pleaded. "Come on, wake up!" Sean lay still and now desperation was starting to set in for all six Rangers.

"Please," said Maria. Something was brewing in her, and she wasn't so sure what it was. Then she remembered her mother's question about… oh, dear.

She sobbed again, looking down at his still face. It seemed like the others had nearly given up. "Please wake up," she said, her voice breaking. "I'm sorry for everything I said."

"What is she talking about?" Kevin whispered to Rob.

"Just be quiet," said Rob.

"But she's—"

"SHH!"

"Sean, I don't know I you can hear me but," she said, "I—"

"OW!" They all jumped. "Jeez, what was that!? Don't touch me there, that hurt!"

"He's awake!" said Marty.

"Of course I'm awake!" said Sean. "I was just knocked out and—Maria, what's wrong?"

She didn't answer him, only letting the tears fall from her eyes and she hugged his head while he asked her to take it easy. Kevin looked over at Rob, who only shook his head knowingly while Marty and Aaron just shrugged.

Hitomi, however, could only watch with a face that no one could decipher.

:-:-:-: Power Rangers GPX :-:-:-:

"The good news is, he doesn't have any major injuries," the doctor said later that night at CarbondaleMemorialHospital. "The bad news is he'll have to spend the night here so we can keep an eye on him. SWORD would not be happy if we don't take care of him properly." The doctor in question was in on Project Ranger, as were a few nurses and hospital staff.

"That's good," said Rob. "His sister was concerned, she thought he was, well, you know." Of course, Rob didn't tell Bridget much, just enough.

"Well, those Power Rangers are tough," said the doctor. He looked over at Sean, who was watching a Blackhawks game on the hospital room's TV, explaining several things to Maria. He was covered in stitches and bandages and hooked up to an IV and a blood bag. "He should be fine, and he'll heal up pretty fast, but watch those stitches and sutures."

"We will," said Rob. The doctor nodded and left. Rob looked again, chuckling at the two. Sean seemed determined to make Maria like that game. "He'll never change," he said to himself.

:-:-:-: PRGPX :-:-:-:

Maria VO: "Next time on Power Rangers GPX SIU!"

Marty: "How does it feel to be out of the hospital, dude?"

Maria: "Hitomi, are you okay?"

Sean: "So this Dr. Naughton guy should be able to help us out."

Hitomi: "I asked you how you feel about Sean."

(Cut to shots of Hitomi taking punishment from Bellatrix)

Bellatrix: "You're just the load, aren't you? You're nothing!"

Drake: "So, the Rangers have something we need…"

Maria VO: "That's next time on Power Rangers GPX SIU!"

:-:-:-: Power Rangers GPX :-:-:-:

End chapter

So how was that? Was it any good?

I hope this whole thing about love didn't come out of left field, but I'd been hyping it up in the main continuity, and well, these guys have known each other for some time, so I'm trying to make this work. Also, don't expect this to overwhelm the story (thankfully), the next chapter should be the last chapter in this little love-related mini-arc. I still have a plot!

In other words, CUT ME SOME FRIGGIN' SLACK!

So, drop me a review, tell me what you think (No brankel1)!