Disclaimers: I do not own Power Rangers, especially Lost Galaxy, or anything affiliated with it though Johnny Marshak, the White Galaxy Ranger powers and future Galactabeast/Galactazord, and Alpha Squadron as it exists here (think I read a fanfic with a vaguely similar idea back in the day though I don't remember when, where it was, or even the name and it's probably long since lost to the ages anyway) are my ideas. Disney, Hasbro, Toei, and I'm not sure who all else does.
The title is borrowed from a song from a band called Midnight Suns, not sure of the record company, and I kind of borrow a paraphrased version of a line from Aliens, owned by Disney as of their purchase of 20th Century Fox. It's hard to miss which one when you get to it. Also, The Terminator is referenced. Again, not sure who owns it.
If only tears
By Har-El
Johnny was heading to his quarters after simulator drills when his Transmorpher went off. "I read you Alpha, and don't mind any noise as I have to cover why I'm where I'm at," he said after stepping over to a small broom closet. He started fake heaving when he got inside.
"Johnny, Maya, Sting Wingers are attacking the park with a new monster," Alpha said, "I can't get hold of the others."
"Upload the coordinates and I'll head that way," Johnny said.
"Ditto," Maya added.
"Go Galactic," Johnny said softly and morphed before teleporting away.
Johnny and Maya teleported not too far from where the enemies were. He combined his weapons and hefted the Omega Scythe on his shoulder. "Hey, assholes, ready for the big leagues?" he called out tauntingly.
"Ah, the Galaxy Rangers," the monster said, "You may call me Whypnos." The reason was obvious as it suddenly lashed out with a charged whip. Apparently it wasn't briefed as it aimed the shot towards Johnny, who absorbed the blow. The whip itself left a brief lash on his suit but it disappeared with a glow.
"Thanks for the charge as well as proving how stupid you are," Johnny retorted. With that, him and Maya ran at Whypnos and his squad, slashing any Sting Winger that were unlucky enough to get in their way.
Suddenly, Whypnos started twirling his whip in a circular motion. Realizing what was going on, Johnny closed his eyes shut. "Shut your eyes, beautiful," he called to Maya. However, his efforts were in vain as she began glowing and she stopped, dropping her Quasar Saber.
Suddenly, someone grabbed Johnny's arms. He reopened his eyes to find the other Galaxy Rangers morphed and on either side of him, forcing him to his knees and pulling his arms behind him. "Guys, what's going on?" he asked, "We have to help Maya." No matter what he tried, he couldn't break free of their grip.
"Don't worry, Lord Whypnos will handle Maya," Leo said in a monotone voice as he grabbed the Omega Scythe out of Johnny's hands and threw it away.
'Shit, no wonder Alpha couldn't get hold of them,' Johnny realized, 'Whypnos has already hypnotized them.'
"Now, Yellow Ranger, power down and turn away from me," Whypnos ordered. Maya did so and he gestured to the Sting Wingers to grab on to her. She was still glowing, so Johnny guessed the monster still had her under its power.
It was when Whypnos raised his weapon that Johnny realized with horror what was about to happen to his girlfriend. "MAYA, NO!" he screamed and worked even harder to try to break free from the others, "GUYS, YOU CAN'T LET IT DO THIS TO MAYA!"
"Furio has ordered me to give you a lesson for beating him so thoroughly, White Galaxy Ranger, and unfortunately for you and especially your pretty little girlfriend here, I'm the perfect teacher," Whypnos said coldly with a sneer.
Suddenly Maya quit glowing and she looked around in panic. "Johnny, guys?" she asked, noticing Johnny being held back by their friends. "What's going…" Suddenly, Whypnos cracked his whip and she screamed in excruciating pain as a bloody lash appeared on her back. Her top was sliced cleanly through.
Johnny was screaming incoherently as he tried like crazy to get free as Maya was whipped again and again but the others wouldn't let go. After a lash didn't elicit a scream and Whypnos was still going for more, he started glowing like crazy. "GET AWAY FROM HER, YOU SON OF A BITCH!"
With that yell, energy shot out of Johnny, sending the other four Rangers flying. He summoned the Omega Scythe and threw it. It whistled as it spun through the air, cutting through the whip just as it was almost about to strike Maya again.
Whypnos turned to Johnny in shock and was surprised to see him shifting a few feet to his left before holding out his hand but before it could say anything, the Omega Scythe went flying back to its owner… severing the monster's head from its shoulders in mid-flight. 'Burn in Hell, you piece of shit, and be ready to greet Furio when I send him there shortly,' he thought.
As the monster fell to the ground and exploded, Johnny powered down and started running to Maya. The Sting Wingers that had been holding her proved they weren't stupid and flew off after letting the unconscious young woman fall to the ground.
"Hang in there, beautiful," Johnny said, hurriedly taking off his Squadron jacket as he knelt down beside Maya and carefully but tightly wrapped her up in it before gingerly picking her up. "I'll have you back to the Megaship and Alpha will get you fixed up in no time, you'll see.
"Alpha, Maya's been badly injured," Johnny said into his communicator after he was able to shift Maya around in his arms enough to activate it, "Teleport us directly to Medbay and meet us there."
"Ai yi yi," was all Alpha said before the two Rangers were swept away by teleportation beams.
PRLG
Once they touched down in Medbay, Johnny headed for the nearest biobed and carefully placed Maya down on it, gently rolling her over so her ravaged back wasn't pressing down on the bed.
"Can you hear me, Maya?" Johnny asked, his hands shaking as he caressed Maya's beautiful, pain marred face. He was barely able to stop the shaking enough to check her pulse, which was frighteningly weak but still present.
'This is all my fault,' Johnny thought, remembering what the monster had said before it had begun torturing Maya. 'My temper, my pride, and my stupidity caused me to lash out at Furio and now, he's taken it out on Maya. Please, God, if you're going to take anyone, take me. She's completely innocent in this.'
"Please don't die on me, beautiful," Johnny pleaded in a whisper and kissed Maya's lips, tears streaming from his eyes. "I love you so much, I don't know what I would do without you. I'm so sorry I haven't told you that directly. If you die, my heart dies with you and take me with it."
Johnny didn't even bother turning when Alpha came rushing in. "What happened out there?" the robot asked.
"Furio sent the monster to teach me a lesson after that last fight, apparently by killing Maya in front of me," Johnny answered, his eyes never leaving Maya's face. "He hypnotized her and the others, had the others hold me, and made her power down before he began whipping her mercilessly. I destroyed the monster, but not before she lost consciousness."
"Please remove your jacket so I can better assess the damage," Alpha requested and Johnny did so but immediately wished he hadn't when he got his first real look at Maya's raw and bloody back. He'd briefly seen it before covering her earlier but didn't realize just how bad it was.
As Alpha began scanning Maya, Johnny felt the bile rising in his throat and turned. Luckily there was a small container nearby he could vomit in. 'How could even a monster be that depraved?' he mused sourly as he turned back to his girlfriend.
Across from him, Alpha started typing away furiously at the terminal on the biobed. "Please give me good news, Alpha," Johnny begged, "I just can't lose Maya. I haven't even told her…" The words caught in his throat.
Johnny's eyes narrowed when the robot shook its head. "I'm so sorry, Johnny, but the readings I'm getting aren't good," Alpha said, "The best I can do is make her comfortable as the damage is too extensive even for Kerovian technology. She's shutting down as we speak. I'm afraid it's only a matter of time before…"
"Don't say it!" Johnny shouted, "Don't you dare say that she's going to… going to…" He couldn't even finish the sentence. "There has to be some way to save her, damn it!" He took a long, shaky breath. "I'm sorry, Alpha. I know you're doing the best you can, but… I just can't lose her."
"It's all right, Johnny," Alpha replied.
Suddenly, the door to Medbay opened and the other Galaxy Rangers came rushing in. Johnny headed towards them to make sure they didn't see Maya right away and Alpha pulled the sheets up to cover her back. "Oh Johnny," Kendrix said as she rushed into his arms.
"How's Maya doing?" Leo asked. He knew it'd be a waste of breath trying to apologize as he knew how Johnny would reply.
"She's hurt badly and she's still unconscious," Johnny answered. He hated lying to them by omission but hoped he could undo this and they'd never have to know. All of a sudden, he felt a weight on his shoulder and turned his head to find his Galactabeast looking at him with a sad look in her big eyes. "Hey there, pretty lady."
"She came flying onto the scene just as we came to so we thought it best to bring her with us," Kendrix explained, "Maya said they can sense our emotions so she must've known you were in distress over Maya. I wouldn't be surprised if her wolf comes here."
Johnny nodded as he reached up and scratched the owl under her beak. One thing he'd found out recently was that they had a mental link. He still couldn't understand her like Maya, but she could understand him and sent him images to convey what she meant.
'You have to help me,' Johnny whispered mentally to his Galactabeast. 'The woman I love more than anything is dying and there's anything we can do about it even with all of this technology. Please tell me you know of a way to save her.'
Suddenly their eyes glowed as they met as Johnny got a clear vision of an Asian looking man with the Vortex Saber hanging from his hip leaning over someone that was badly hurt. The man's hands glowed and the injuries vanished.
Johnny shook his head as the images disappeared. "I could never thank you enough for showing me that," he said softly, scratching his partner under her beak again before turning and rushing back to Maya and Alpha, the others hurrying behind him.
"I've got an idea," Johnny said, "My partner here showed me that the guy who held my powers before could heal people. I'm hoping it's part of my powers and not something he could do on his own. Go Galactic!" He had to remove the sheets and the other Rangers gasped at the gruesome sight and it sounded like at least a couple of them threw up.
Johnny groaned with frustration when he realized that though he was morphed, he still had no idea how to access the healing ability. "Any ideas on how it works?" he asked his Galactabeast partner, but she just shook her head sadly.
Johnny closed his eyes, hoping meditating would help. He focused his mind on the image of the man healing someone and he heard Kendrix gasp so he opened his eyes to find his hands glowing though it wasn't a bright one. 'Must be because I expelled all of that energy earlier,' he reasoned.
Johnny placed his hands over Maya and he sensed Alpha was right. 'No one dies under my watch, especially not you, beautiful!' he thought stubbornly. "I'll need a big charge for this to work so could at least a couple of you morph please?" he begged over his shoulder.
Johnny wasn't too surprised when all 4 morphed and charged their Quasar Sabers before touching the points to his shoulders, feeding him their elemental energy. His owl partner even transferred some of her own. The glow brightened significantly as he reached out and touched the lash marks crisscrossing Maya's back.
The lash marks seemed to disappear with no trouble though Johnny's body jerked almost imperceptibly and then, his hands trembled as they were healing. By the time the final bit of damage on Maya's was healed, his hands were trembling very badly and he was grunting and breathing heavily.
Shortly after every lash mark was gone and Alpha said Maya was going to be all right, Johnny slumped and almost passed out, but he barely caught himself on the side of the biobed before he could fall. "Johnny, are you alright?" Kendrix asked. She started to reach for him, but he waved her off.
"That just took a lot out of me is all," Johnny said, his voice strained to the point of almost being hoarse. "As long as Maya's all right, I'll be fine. Nothing else matters right now. Thank you for the charge, everybody." It took most of his focus to keep his hands from trembling badly though keeping upright was also a priority.
"You need to rest, bro," Leo said. He knew from experience something had to be seriously wrong if Johnny was showing even this much pain and exhaustion. "Go get some sleep. You can use my quarters if you want. We'll let you know when she's conscious."
Johnny shook his head stubbornly. He appreciated their concern, but he would not be deterred. "I appreciate it, but I'm not going anywhere until Maya's awake and I know for sure she's all right," he said, "I might've missed something and need to heal her more." Damon pulled over a chair for him to sit on. He nodded thanks as he plopped down into it heavily.
"I'll be right back," Kendrix whispered to Leo, who nodded. She walked out of Medbay, took out her phone, and dialed her Dad but he didn't answer so she called the next number on her speed dial outside of the Ranger team. She kept taking shaky breaths to keep from freaking out until she could reach someone.
"Hey, Kendrix," a female voice said from the other end of the call. Kim sounded so chipper Kendrix hated to rain on her parade, but knew she had to do this, as the Olivers would want to be here.
"Kim, we need you and Tommy to come to the Megaship's Medbay as soon as you can," Kendrix replied almost too softly for the older woman to hear, her voice wavering but she was trying hard not to break down crying and make the other woman too panicky.
"What happened?" Kim asked, suddenly alert. "Is everyone all right? I heard you guys had some trouble with a monster but not any details."
"Maya was hurt badly and Johnny did something he said healed her but now something's weird is going on with him," Kendrix admitted, "Please just get here soon. You know how my brother can be, especially when it comes to Maya, and we might need backup.
"Also, see if you can get hold of Dad as he's not answering me and maybe get Yoli too," Kendrix added, "She knows our secret too and it's be best if she heard about this from us instead of finding out on her own later and Dad should also be here even if we have to tell him the secret."
"Don't worry, I'll get Tommy, see if Yoli and your Dad are free, and we'll be there ASAP," Kim promised.
"Thank you," Kendrix said and they ended the call. She jumped a little when Leo wrapped her up in his arms, having been worried and followed her out, and she turned and started sobbing into his chest.
PRLG
Calling Rocky and asking him to pick up Aaron from school on the way, Kim sprinted towards Tommy's office, where she found him and Commander Stanton talking. "Oh, I'm so glad you're both here," she told them, "Kendrix called. Something bad has happened to Johnny and Maya."
"What?!" the 2 men exclaimed simultaneously as they jumped up.
"Are they at Memorial?" Commander Stanton asked.
Kim was hesitant as Commander Stanton didn't know the secret last she heard, but knew he needed to know this much as Johnny's biological father. "No, they went to the Megaship," she said, "Johnny knows the technology there is much better than at Memorial." Commander Stanton nodded.
"She also said to see if we can get Yoli so she doesn't find out in a bad way," Kim added, "We'll need all the backup we can get too as we all know how stubborn Johnny can be. Rocky's picking up Aaron for us so if you want to call the school and add him as a temporary emergency pickup, he can get Jodie too."
The 2 nodded and the trio headed for a transport to the Megaship hangar, Kim dialed Yoli's number, Tommy sent out the all hands on deck to all of Alpha Squadron except Rocky and where to meet, and Commander Stanton called the school.
Kim had met up with Yoli and little Michelle a few times since finding out they were here and had been delighted to pick up their friendship again as well as meet her "grand-niece/almost granddaughter".
"What's up, Kim?" Yoli asked when she picked up.
"Are you free?" Kim asked.
"Not at the moment but I'm almost done with my scheduled jobs for the day," Yoli replied, "I should be done shortly and after that, as long as I keep my phone close in case of an emergency at work, I can meet up with you. What's going on?"
"We need all hands on deck at the Megaship's Medbay as soon as you can make it," Kim said, using the old code for Alpha Squadron when something bad was happening since Yoli knew it as well.
Kim could tell she didn't quite have Yoli's full attention yet but knew that would get it. "Oh God, I was just hearing about a monster attack at the park but figured him and the others had the situation handled," she said, "Please tell me they're all right, Kim."
"Kendrix didn't give me many details yet as she couldn't talk long but Maya was badly hurt and the rest are all worried both her and the way Johnny's acting," Kim said, "You know how he is when his friends and family are hurt and he'll be especially bad since it's Maya."
"Give me maybe 10 minutes and I'll be heading that way," Yoli promised. Kim ended the call and sat back as the transport continued on its way.
PRLG
Kendrix wasn't too surprised when after she'd collected herself and her and Leo reentered the Medbay, she found Johnny slumped in the chair, powered down, and looked to be out cold.
Damon and Kai had shifted Johnny into a corner by the bed so he'd be right there beside Maya but there would be a little more room for everyone else to gather around. His sleep was fitful as he twitched and moaned, but at least he was resting.
Kendrix kissed Johnny's forehead. He felt a little warm, but she dismissed it as she turned to the bed. "I tried getting hold of our Dad, but he didn't answer," she said, "I did get a hold of Kim though and the cavalry is on its way." The other conscious Rangers nodded as she turned to Alpha. "Has there been any changes?"
"I'm afraid not though that's not a bad thing now," Alpha answered, "Johnny was able to heal all of the physical damage, so I'm hoping it's just her mind needing to catch up to her body being healed.
"The biobed is stimulating her blood flow to where it has replaced what she lost," Alpha continued, "From the mess her back had been and what Johnny told me, the beating Whypnos gave her must've been horrendous."
"It was… and we just held Johnny while Whypnos did it," Kendrix said, tears streaming down her face once again as she looked down Maya then over at Johnny. "They have to hate us. Even with the hypnotic magic, there's no excuse for what we allowed to happen."
"Johnny would never hate you for it and neither do I," a voice interjected softly accompanied by a groan as Maya started to sit up, then yelped when she realized she didn't have a top on and laid back down. "Um, does anybody have anything I can borrow for now?" she asked sheepishly.
Blushing, Leo slid out of his jacket and handed it to Maya before the guys turned around to give her a little bit of privacy. He would've handed her Johnny's but didn't think she'd be comfortable in it as it looked to be soaked in her blood.
Maya quickly slipped into it, buttoning it up all the way. Her complexion had been almost deathly pale when Johnny had brought her in but now it was at least closer to normal.
After Maya was fairly decent, Kendrix hugged her tight. "We were so worried about you, especially Johnny," she murmured softly, "We could never apo…"
"No apologies among family," Maya interrupted just as stubbornly as Johnny would if he were awake, "The 5 of us were under a spell again and this time, we had absolutely no control over ourselves. But what happened after I passed out? Did Johnny break you free and you beat the monster together? How was my back healed?"
"We're not sure ourselves," Leo said, "He had some huge flare up of energy that knocked us out for a few minutes and when we came to, him, you, and the monster were all gone. We knew he'd bring you here. But his Galactabeast showed him some way to heal you and he did it somehow."
Before anymore explanations could be made, Johnny groaned and his eyes fluttered open. He jumped up when he saw Maya awake. "I'm so glad you're all right, beautiful," he said, hugging her. "I was so worried that it didn't work after all, that I was too late."
When he gave her a kiss, Maya's eyes went wide as Johnny's lips felt like they were on fire and not in a good way. "Johnny are you okay?" she asked as she pulled away. She put her hand on his forehead and hissed when she found him to be hot to the touch. "Help me get him up on the bed! He's burning up!"
"No, no, no, I'm fine," Johnny said but he was proven wrong a second later when his eyes rolled back and he started to collapse. It took both Maya and Kendrix at first to keep him from falling and it took the entire Ranger team to haul him up onto the biobed.
Alpha stepped over to the console once again and started jabbing away at it furiously and after a moment, Johnny's face was peaceful again. "I've given him meds to help his fever," the robot explained, "I just don't understand what's happening."
It was then that Maya noticed her hands and arms were covered in blood. It took only a minute for her to realize where it must've come from. "We need to roll him onto his back or at least his side," she instructed.
The others gave Maya a weird look but did so. She pulled up his shirt and the others lost it at the horrendous damage done to his back. "What happened to him?" she demanded, "I thought you said this had happened to me and he healed me."
"We have no clue except we thought he had used his powers to heal you," Damon replied.
The owl flew over to Maya, landed on her shoulder, hooted, and she gasped at what she told her. "Oh God," she said, "She said his predecessor didn't have the power to heal people or at least not in the literal sense. It works like his elemental power, taking it into himself.
"Oh, Johnny… she said she'd meant for him to do this slowly, not take all of the damage away at one time," Maya continued to explain, "But without me to translate, he misunderstood."
It wasn't long before the Commander Stanton, Yoli, and the rest of Alpha Squadron came rushing in. Kendrix went rushing into her father's arms. "What happened?" he demanded once he saw how bad Johnny's back was, "Who did this to my son?"
"Dad, there's something you should know before I answer that," Kendrix said, "We're the Galaxy Rangers."
"I know that, sweetheart," Commander Stanton said, "Did that monster they sent do this?"
"No, Whypnos did it to me," Maya spoke up softly from Johnny's bedside, where she was clutching his hand that had been dangling over the side of the biobed. "Johnny used a secondary ability of his powers to transfer the injuries and pain to himself."
"And we helped it," Kendrix added.
"Under a spell," Maya interjected.
"Hey, listen to me, Kendrix, all of you," Tommy said, stepping up the Pink Galaxy Ranger. Kendrix was surprised as while she'd talked to and liked Johnny's Dad, he rarely addressed her directly like this.
"I was a horrible person under a spell when I first became a Ranger and almost killed Kim and our friends," Tommy continued, "I let it eat at me for months even after they broke me free." Kim came up and slid her hand into his and he turned to kiss her.
"It was only thanks to them and especially the love of this wonderful wife of mine that helped me out of the bad place I was in," Tommy concluded, "Everyone in Alpha Squadron has been under one at some point as well. Take it from us and don't let it eat at you." The Galaxy Rangers all nodded.
The group turned their attention to the biobed where Alpha was monitoring Johnny. "How is he?" Commander Stanton asked.
"He's not quite as bad as it looks but it'll still be a while," Alpha explained, "With Maya, it was worse because she wasn't morphed when she took the beating while Johnny was when he absorbed the cuts off of her so it healed enough of it before he passed out and de-morphed and the biobed is working hard at healing the rest, including stimulating his blood replenishment.
"Look, I'm sorry as everyone just got here, but I need most of you to clear out," Alpha added, "I need room to move about and grab things and there are just too many people in here."
"Come on, guys," Cassie said to most of the Alpha Squadron members, "We should go up to the mess hall and grab something to eat so we can get out of Alpha's hair." They all nodded.
"You guys should go eat too," Kendrix told Leo, Damon, and Kai. "I'll call or even come get all of you when there's more to share and especially when he wakes up." The trio nodded and her boyfriend gave her a kiss before joining Alpha Squadron in their exodus from Medbay.
"I know it's family now but can I stay?" Yoli asked softly. She was feeling a little self-conscious and left out as she wasn't family or a past or present Ranger, not that the others were treating her as an outsider in the least. She thought about joining the others but something told her that this was where she needed to be.
"Of course you can stay, sweetheart," Kim answered, "You'll always be part of this family." The others nodded.
Suddenly, the owl Galactabeast flew over to Yoli's shoulder and she scratched her under her beak. "Hey there, pretty lady," she said. She'd been with the Rangers on a few visits to their Galactabeasts so she was well acquainted with her ex's partner.
"What's an owl doing in here?" Commander Stanton asked. Intrigued, he reached out tentatively and was surprised when the owl rubbed her head against his hand as he began petting it.
"She's Johnny's Galactabeast," Yoli explained, "They can shrink down to a more Earthen standard size until needed. I'd almost put money on Maya's showing up eventually too, so don't be afraid when a yellow wolf pops up as it's not exactly dangerous." Commander Stanton nodded.
Yoli stepped over to Maya, who'd nabbed the chair Johnny had been in before, and they looked down at the man they both loved. "Hey, are you all right?" she asked. She could only imagine what the Yellow Galaxy Ranger must've been feeling.
"I will be when he's awake," Maya said softly. Alpha had gotten her a rag and a bowl of water and she was holding it to Johnny's forehead to give her something to do so she didn't stress herself out with worry. "Thank you for being here. I know he'll appreciate it when he wakes up."
"There's nowhere in the universe I'd rather be," Yoli assured Maya.
"Where's Michelle?" Kim asked.
"With Mom," Yoli said, "I'll have to call Mom in a little while to check in and I don't know how I can even begin to explain this. Johnny means a lot to her too. I just hope I have good news I can give her."
"Welcome to the club," Kim said, "We've all had to make the worst excuses sometimes for why we were suddenly pulled away for Ranger business. It wasn't too bad though. Turned out our friend Ernie, may he rest in peace, figured it out early on and had been helping to keep people's suspicions off us."
"That's how I caught on," Commander Stanton admitted, "4 of my finest officers, 2 of them being my own children, constantly missing was driving me nuts until it finally hit me that it'd be just as the Galaxy Rangers showed up."
PRLG
About an hour later, Maya was getting up to get some fresh water when she started feeling a little light headed and stumbled. "Maya, are you all right?" Yoli asked. Tommy and Commander Stanton had walked off to talk about something, so it was just the ladies and Alpha around Johnny's bedside.
Maya was about to reply when her stomach started rumbling very loudly and she couldn't help but blush. "When was the last time you ate?" Kim asked.
"Breakfast," Maya admitted.
"You 3 should go grab a quick bite in the mess hall," Kim said, "Johnny wouldn't mind even if he was awake and it could still be a while before he is. You know I'll call if he does."
Maya was reluctant until Kendrix put her hand on her shoulder. "Come on, it won't do you or Johnny any good if you pass out from not eating," she pointed out. The Yellow Galaxy Ranger nodded reluctantly and giving Johnny a kiss, followed her roommate and Yoli, who'd decided to come with them, to the lift.
As they got off on the floor with the Mess Hall, they could hear laughter as Justin just finished a story about Johnny. "Oh, that's nothing," Cassie said, "I used to catch him bringing girls onto the Megaship all the time though he swears to this day I still don't know half of what he'd gotten up to.
"For instance, the last time I caught him was with the girl he'd been dating right before Yoli," Cassie said, "Damn it, I can't remember her name though Yoli would as she's friends with her too."
"Well, it's April but she's always insisted on being called Jordan," Yoli supplied as the 3 walked in.
"Jordan, yeah, that's it," Cassie said, "Now, usually when I caught him and a dare during a tour, I'd teleport their clothes to the bridge, lock down the lift to the hangar he used so it'd only go to the bridge, and they'd hide out in embarrassment until the tour was over then come retrieve their clothes.
"But not that time," Cassie continued, "I hate to admit it, but that little smartass turned the tables on me big time. Imagine my surprise when the lift opened and him and Jordan walked out naked as the day they were born.
"While there had been a tour going on, he knew there weren't any kids in it so while it was still wildly inappropriate, he figured adults would get a laugh when everything was explained," Cassie said. Just like Justin and his story, she had everyone braying with laughter. "He didn't just sheepishly walk over and ask for his clothes back either, oh no.
"Instead, and I shit you not, he walks up to a guy about his size and says, 'I am a T-800 model sent here from the future to kill Sarah Conner'," Cassie said, "'Your clothes, give them to me, now!' while doing an impression of Schwarzenegger so dead on you'd swear you're talking to him.
"Now, as you can imagine, the guy freaked out for a moment until he realized it's a line from The Terminator and they both laughed as Johnny went and got their clothes," Cassie finished. Everyone was crying a little from laughing so hard.
"Jordan later told me she put him up to the whole thing," Yoli admitted once she could catch her breath from laughing so hard. She hadn't heard or even thought about that story in years and it never got old. "She's always loved pushing buttons like that."
Cassie nodded. Though she hadn't remembered Jordan's name at first, she did remember her pretty well. "Has there been any changes?" she asked as 3 trio stepped over to the food synthesizer to order.
Maya shook her head. "Thanks for coming, everybody," she said to everyone in Alpha Squadron, "I know Johnny will appreciate it when he wakes up. I especially loved the story, Cassie. I really needed that laugh right now."
"It's no problem," Tanya said, "We're all family here and it's nothing he wouldn't do for anyone on this ship or Rocky, Jodie, and Aaron." Maya knew that. "How are you doing? I can only imagine how that must've felt, what Whypnos did to you."
"I'm honestly trying not to think too about it too much," Maya admitted. Tanya got a horrified look on her face, but she waved off an incoming apology. "Don't worry about it. You were just concerned. I'll be fine, though the fact that Johnny did this…" She faltered, tears starting to fall.
"He loves you," Yoli said, wrapping her arms around Maya. She had tears in her eyes too. "He has trouble saying it as do most guys, but he loves you more than his own life. If what he did today does anything, let it reassure you of that fact." The Yellow Galaxy Ranger nodded.
The mood became somber as the trio called up some food. "So, has Michelle said her first word yet?" Kendrix asked Yoli as they sat down, trying to lighten the mood.
"No but she seems like she's getting close," Yoli replied, "Mom's been trying to get her to say Mama, but she seems resistant for some reason, so there's really no telling what it could be.
"My first word was actually Dave after an old friend of my Mom and Dad's. Mom always said it wasn't that shocking since I saw him and heard them mention him a lot. Most likely it'll be something she hears regularly too."
"I'd put money on it being Johnny," Maya said.
"Don't take that bet, anybody!" Damon warned jokingly, "She has some way of knowing what to bet on and wins almost every time. I'd love to take her to Vegas or a racetrack the next time we get to swing back by Earth." Everyone laughed though he had to explain it to Maya.
"I honestly wouldn't be surprised if you do end up being right," Yoli admitted, "She loves her uncle Johnny and we're constantly talking about him though the same could be said of her aunt Maya." Maya couldn't help but beam at that.
The Alpha Squadron gasped a few minutes later when not only did Maya's Galactabeast come in but most of the others as well. She was guessing the owl was still by Johnny's bedside.
"Don't worry, these are our Galactabeasts," Maya reassured them as the wolf came up to her. She reached over and petted it. "They're harmless unless something tries to attack them or us." The wolf whined. "He says he could feel my pain and that I was in danger. Thank you, my friend."
"It's so cool they can shrink down like that," Justin said. Maya grinned. Her, Kendrix, and Yoli quickly ate their fill before heading back to Medbay.
PRLG
A few hours later, most of Alpha Squadron had just come back with Leo, Damon, and Kai when they all heard a groan. "Johnny?" Maya asked. They all turned to see Johnny slowly turning onto his side, groaning and tensing up as his back flared up.
"Oh, thank God it worked," Johnny murmured with a broad smile as he reached out to Maya and then his Galactabeast, who had flown over to the guardrail next to her. "Hello there, beautiful ladies."
"Are you all right, sweetie?" Kim asked as Maya was too emotional to speak again.
"I'm fine now that I know Maya's going to be all right, Mom," Johnny said.
The owl hooted. "She says she's sorry for the misunderstanding," Maya translated. She was still having trouble forming her own words but knew this translation was important. "She meant to show you that it wasn't healing Trasquell, your predecessor, was doing in the traditional sense but…"
"Absorbing it into himself like we do energy, I know," Johnny said, "I didn't misunderstand anything, so you've got nothing to be sorry for, partner. I knew exactly what Trasquell was doing in that vision you showed me, so I also knew it was exactly what I needed to do.
"While I didn't mean to absorb it all in one shot when I started, I also knew I couldn't risk not taking it all away," Johnny explained, "If I hadn't, there could've been a complication and I still could've lost you."
"And we could've lost you instead!" Maya exclaimed, her eyes brimming over. "I could've lost you! Did you ever stop to think of that, of what that would've done to me?!" Johnny hated to see her so emotional, but she just didn't understand.
"What would you have had me do, Maya?!" Johnny replied, "Alpha told me you were dying, that the damage was too extensive for even all of this fantastic but in this case ultimately useless technology here to do a damn thing!
"I couldn't let that happen, not when when I could do something about it!" Johnny continued, "I also figured that since I was morphed, the Ranger healing factor would kick in and make the difference and I probably wouldn't be alive if I was wrong!"
"It was all my fault Furio sent Whypnos to torture and try to kill you!" Johnny said, "That made it my responsibility to fix it and I would do it again, no matter what the cost! I will not apologize for saving anyone, especially not the woman who is everything to me!
"No one dies under my watch, especially not you and especially not because of me," Johnny finished softly, tears in his eyes. "I'd do just about anything for the other guys and Kendrix, my other extended family, or even a stranger, but for you, I would go to Hell itself if I needed to and nothing would stop me from getting you back. You mean too much to me, beautiful."
Maya nodded as she leaned forward and kissed Johnny. While she still didn't like that he'd been so willing to trade his life for hers if something had gone wrong, she couldn't fault him. If anything, it was the sweetest, most amazing thing he could've done for her. "You mean everything to me too, Johnny," she murmured.
'Hard to believe he hasn't proposed to her yet,' Yoli mused as everyone crowded around Maya so Johnny could see them without having to turn over onto his back. Though it looked to be doing much better, it still looked pretty inflamed, so he still grimacing and moaning while shifting around so it still bothered him.
"You gave us a real scare, buddy," Tommy said.
"Not half as scared I was when I had Alpha teleport us back here thinking that I was going to lose Maya, Dad, believe me," Johnny said. Then he noticed Commander Stanton. "Um, I mean, when I…"
"It's all right, bro," Kendrix interjected, "He knows."
"And I am so proud of both of you for all you've done," Commander Stanton said. Kendrix and Johnny beamed with happiness. He glanced at other Galaxy Rangers. "Make that all of you and everyone in Alpha Squadron have done amazing things since we started this voyage and I couldn't thank you enough."
"I usually don't like to talk for other people, but I think I can for everyone here when I say it's been our pleasure, Dad, and that you've been doing an amazing job yourself," Johnny said. All of the the others nodded, which touched Commander Stanton.
It was then that Johnny noticed Yoli. "Hey there, stranger," he said. She'd been busy lately helping her Mom install CCTV systems to the Command Tower as she had finally been able to lock down the contract that it was the first time that he'd seen her in a few days.
"Hey," Yoli said.
Before more could be said, Johnny heard a familiar ringtone. "That your Mom?" he asked.
Yoli nodded. "I kind of went AWOL because I was so worried about you," she admitted, "It's getting kind of late and I should really get back but there was no way I wasn't going to wait until you were awake and knew you were all right. Mom will understand."
"I'd dance around singing to Kenny Loggins but I don't think my back could take it," Johnny joked and Yoli couldn't help but crack a smile. One of their mutually favorite movies was Caddyshack. They loved the gopher and used to have a lot of fun doing their own versions of the love scene.
"Look, I'll be fine, you guys," Johnny said, "It's getting late. I should be all healed up by this time in the morning. Don't get me wrong, as I appreciate everyone coming but all of you look like you're on the verge of passing out and you need to go see to Michelle, Yoli. Tell Esmeralda we said hi."
"If you're sure," Kim said.
"I'm sure," Johnny replied, "I need to talk to you alone for a second though, Leo."
"You got it, bro," Leo said.
"I'm going to stay in one of the quarters here, so I'll see you first thing in the morning," Maya said after one more kiss.
"Good night and sweet dreams, beautiful," Johnny said.
"So, what's up?" Leo asked once they were the only ones left.
"I know you're still pissed at Furio because of Mike and I certainly can't blame you," Johnny said, "But I also have to make him pay for sending Whypnos to kill Maya, so what do you say we track down that honorless son of a bitch down once I'm healed and take him out for good together?" He held out his hand to Leo.
"You've got a deal," Leo said, knowing Johnny had as much of a right to finishing off Furio as he did. He clasped his teammates hand to seal the agreement.
Leo left not long after and Johnny felt his back was well enough that he could lay flat. It was still twinging but it didn't feel too bad as long as he didn't shift around too much. Alpha had left after promising while he'd be tied into his monitors, the DECA cameras would be disabled to give him privacy.
PRLG
Johnny was a little surprised when the door opened a couple of hours later and Maya tentatively came through the doors. She had Leo's jacket over her arm and had her usual top on, which he guessed she'd used a fabric synthesizer onboard to recreate. "You should be in bed, beautiful," he said as she walked up to the bed, tossing the jacket onto the back of the chair.
"I couldn't sleep," Maya said. Johnny carefully shifted over a little and she hopped up on the bed. "I just couldn't get you saving me out of my mind. I came so close to dying and you didn't hesitate to save my life." Her eyes filled with tears. "You could've died saving me and I didn't even thank you. I just yelled at you. I feel so stupid!"
"Hey, it's all right," Johnny said, pulling Maya into a hug. "I understand. You were just overwhelmed over how close you came and from worrying about me. You're telling me now, so not saying it earlier doesn't matter. I know you would do the same if I was hurt badly and you could help."
"Absolutely," Maya agreed.
"Then that's all that matters," Johnny said.
Maya nodded as she pulled back slightly and gave Johnny a kiss, which became very heated very quickly. "You know, we never did finish that conversation we had at the Chiron's Tale Lounge," she said teasingly.
Johnny groaned. "You've got the worst timing, beautiful," he said with a grin, "I don't know if tonight's the night for this. As much as the spirit's willing, I don't know if the flesh can provide. Besides, while he did say the DECA cams are off in here, Alpha also said he's tied into the monitors with my vitals and that kind of thing would probably bring him running."
Maya pouted prettily. "Aw, come on," she said, "You must know of something."
"I can't believe this is really happening here in Medbay of all places," Johnny murmured with a chuckle, "All right, since you're restless and look to be horny, come on up here and lay down on your side, facing me."
Johnny scooted back a little as Maya did as he asked, shivering in anticipation at whatever he had in store. They'd had to take cut his shirt off for Alpha to assess the injuries, so she took off her top so at least they were even. She was very curious what was about to happen as she figured he'd want her lying on her back.
Johnny pulled Maya close and kissed her. It wasn't too heated, more like his usual sweet kisses. She was surprised when he reached behind her and began running his fingers up and down along her bare back, kind of tickling his way around her back.
Johnny usually would do this with the woman in his lap, but this was as good as he could get under the circumstances. While Maya's newly healed back was quite sensitive to touch, so she was quite enjoying the sensations though she was a little disappointed if this was all he was going to do.
Maya pulled away and was about to jokingly ask Johnny if that was all to encourage him for a little more, but she gasped when his left hand, which had been trailing down the front of her body, even fondling her with her permission, had slid under the waistband of her skirt, answering the question before it could fully form.
Johnny wasn't too surprised when instead of moaning, Maya began her cute little squeaking as both sets of fingers worked their magic. He'd found this to be method to be very effective as according to some of his exes, his tickling getting them going then catching them by surprise when his other hand got down to business was the height of intimacy.
A few minutes later, Johnny could tell Maya was close as her squeaks were becoming quite loud and frequent, but she couldn't quite seem to finish, but he had a feeling what would help and he ducked his head lower and drew one of her nipples into his mouth.
That sent Maya into a frenzy of squeaks as well as little jerking movements that made it tough for Johnny's fingers to keep working their magic so instead, he moved his head back, pulled her into his arms, and held her as close she rode it out.
Afterwards, Maya found she couldn't move for a moment as her body was a little sore from tensing up, was finding it hard to catch her breath, and couldn't even talk or at least not coherently. "Are you all right, beautiful?" Johnny asked. She nodded, still not quite able to vocalize how amazing that had felt.
Suddenly, the door opened and Alpha rushed in. Maya freaked out for a moment since she was still topless, but Johnny quickly pulled the sheet up to cover her before the robot got to the bed. "What's going on in here?" she heard Alpha demand, "Your heart rate monitor was going… oh! Maya, this is very inappropriate!"
"Sorry, Alpha," Maya called back, finally finding her voice. "I couldn't sleep and needed to come talk to Johnny and well…" She blushed. "Um, can I stay the rest of the night? No more funny business, I promise."
"Let me recalibrate the biobed to show 2 sets of vitals as I'm guessing that was the problem as it was a combined heart rate and I don't see why not," Alpha answered as he stepped to the side of the biobed to do so, "And don't worry, Johnny. I won't tell Cassie or your parents about this."
"Thanks, Alpha," Johnny said.
It didn't take Alpha long to finish the recalibrations and leave. "I can't believe he kind of walked in on us," Maya murmured, still blushing furiously.
"Eh, he's frankly caught me in worse situations but don't worry, Alpha's cool like that," Johnny said.
Maya nodded and they kissed. "That was amazing, by the way," she admitted, "Thank you so much. I wish I could reciprocate but…"
"You'd probably bring Alpha running again, so yeah, not a good idea tonight though I appreciate the thought," Johnny said, "You're more than welcome as it looked amazing and hot." Maya blushed. "Just give me a second and then you can get more comfortable so we can get some sleep."
Maya grinned when she realized what the problem was. When he was a little less excited, Johnny opened his arms and shifting over to her other side, she backed up into his arms. It was like she fit perfectly up against him. She leaned her head back and they kissed before getting comfortable and drifting off to sleep.
To be continued…
Notes from the author: I'm really hoping I'm not pushing my luck with that one particular scene near the end there. I tried to be somewhat vague instead of explicit even if it was a bit more direct than with "Tracy" and Johnny.
As mentioned in the Disclaimers, the title of the story is a reference to a song called If only tears could bring you back to me by the Midnight Suns and of course what Johnny yelled at Whypnos was the reference to the iconic line from Aliens.
And on a serious note, while it wasn't mentioned in the story, Johnny sounding weird was because he'd been screaming as the lash marks transferred to him, but he'd turned off any way for the others to hear him as he knew they'd step in. Anyway, until next time, Catch ya on the flipside.