Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers, but hey I can dream can't I?

*Italic indicates thought

Chapter Twenty: Surprise Questions

A/N: Hello my people! The chapters short, but I think it's ok. Please review!

"We've all got both light and dark inside of us. What matters is the part we chose to act on, that's who we really are." -Sirius Black

Antonio laughed as he led Lauren to a cliff top.

"Tonio," she said. "Where are we going?"

"You'll see," he said. He stopped at the top of hill. They were on a grassy bluff that overlooked the beach. "What do think?"

"It's beautiful," she said kissing him.

Antonio smiled as he fell to the ground, pulling Lauren with him. They lay on the grass staring at each other. "What do you think the future's going to be like?" he asked tracing hee collar bone.

"I don't know," she said.

He smiled. "What if we were still together?"

"Well I hope we are," she said. "I couldn't imagine not being together."

An idea suddenly popped into Antonio's head and out of his mouth before he thought about it. "What if we got married?"

Lauren sat up and looked at him. "What?"

He sat up too. "What if we got married?" he asked again, the idea starting to appeal more and more. "Just think about it. You and me. Forever. We could go anywhere after the war. Live in exotic places. Eat exotic foods. We could have kids. A whole house full of them! Just imagine it."

Lauren closed her eyes. And she did. She imagined what it would be like to travel with Antonio. The two of them kissing in the rainforest, or seeing sights in Japan. She imagined small children with dark hair and blue eyes running around, tackling him to the ground. She imagined holding his hand, a gold wedding band on each of their hands. Then she imagined wearing a white dress while she walked down the isle. She saw Antonio smiling at her, his eyes full of love. She was filled with the feeling of joy as she realized she would have him forever.

She opened her eyes and was back on the bluff with Antonio. "Yes."

"What?"

"Yes. I want that. I want everything you just described. I want you forever."

Antonio grinned uncontrollably and pulled her to her feet. "Really?"

"Really."

"I really wish I had a ring, oh wait!" He took her hand and got down on one knee. "Lauren Shiba, I love you. More than anyone else in the world. More than I have loved anyone, or anything in my life. I promise if you give me the chance, I will show you forever. Will you marry me?"

"Yes," Lauren said nodding. "I will marry you."

He whooped and jumped up. He wrapped his arms around her and swept her off her feet for a minute spinning her around. "We're engaged!" He set her down and kissed her. Then he reached to his neck and untied his pendant. "This means more to me than anything," he said tying it around her neck. "I want you to have it."

"Antonio," she said. "I can't."

"Yes. You can," he said looking her inq the eyes. "Because I want you too."

"Ok," she said kissing him.

He rested his forehead against hers. "Té, amo, Senora Garcia."

"Not yet," she replied. "But I do love you too. "

"How about for now we keep this our little secret? I like living, and Jayden will kill me when he finds out."

"Yes he will. Maybe discretion is our best move here."

"But we'll tell them eventually."

"Yes. After the war. And then, you and I will be together forever."

He kissed her passionately and held her to him. "Forever," he agreed, whispering in her ear.