I do not own Power Rangers: Jungle Fury.

I have not written anything quite like this before.

Francis Faye Fugleman Finds Her Voice

Dom's Got A Voice Though


Until one evening, . . .

"Fran, . . ."

. . . it all comes to a head.

Figuratively.

". . . this isn't working."

No, it's not.

They've been on the couch and they've been kissing.

And that's been fine.

Dom's an excellent kisser, not that Fran's had enough experience to know if he wasn't.

"Dom-"

But he is.

And it's been great, she's been able to deal with that twisty knot of anxiety in her stomach that mixes with the warm waves of desire that have been spreading throughout her entire body.

It's all been very overwhelming.

He'd touched her face and that was fine, he'd touched her hair and that was fine.

He'd glided his fingers up her arm, something about the inside of her elbow was particularly sensitive and suddenly-

"Mmmph, I'm sorry-"

- she had flinched back and the spell of warm sinking had been broken and she had seen the disappointment on his face before he had fixed it.

And embarrassment had overwhelmed her.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"

And she had reached out again.

And he had . . .

"No, Fran."

. . . stopped her.

"Please don't apologize."

And her face had flushed with shame, eyes welling up with tears.

"No, I mean, I know you . . . I mean, it's not fair . . . I mean, I don't mean to be-"

And she's fumbling and about to cry and all she wants to be a good girlfriend because he deserves it and she wants to be-

"Fran. Stop. Please."

And she does, helpless and humiliated by her own failure as a, what, girl? woman? female?

And Dom sits, frown on his handsome face and he really should be with someone who makes him happy and satisfied, not unsatisfied and miserable.

"This isn't right. You don't know that what you're doing is wrong."

She thinks he's headed off in one direction and part of her thinks she should be mad, it's her body her choice, isn't it, but another part of her can't help it, she doesn't want to lose him, why can't she just-

"You're a wonderful person, Fran. The best. And that's part of the problem."

Huh?

"You're too nice. You're a people pleaser."

What's wrong with pleasing people? It makes people pleased.

And then they like me.

"Which means you put pressure on yourself to make others happy."

Well, yeah, I mean, I guess-

"And that's not fair to you, Fran. You don't get what you want."

What I want?

And it slips out before she can shut herself up.

"I don't want to lose you, Dom."

Because she knows the way it sounds, she knows she sounds pathetic but she really likes Dom and she really likes the way he likes her and-

"Why in the world would you lose me, Fran?"

Well, I mean, when guys don't get what they want -

And his expression is baffled and a touch sad and she knows it because she's pathetic and sad and-

"You're not going to lose me. I like you. I care about you, more than I think you know-"

What does that mean?

"The only way you would lose me is if you decided you didn't want me."

He pauses and then floors her even more.

"And even then I'd try really hard to convince you to change your mind first."

Really?

Just for me?

"Anyway, that's the point I'm making."

What's the point you're making?

"You've been trying to please me."

Well. . . yeah. . .

"When you should be pleasing yourself."

Oh, uh, I don't . . . well, I mean, sometimes . . . but only when it's late at night and I can't sl-

And the double meaning that probably, most definitely, was unintentional seems to strike him because his cheeks go red and the edges of his ears go red and it's the most adorable thing ever and-

"I mean, you should be doing what's right for you, Fran."

And-

"I know, I do-"

"No, you don't."

-her stammering, desperate, lying reassurance doesn't convince him.

And Dom gently, caringly . . .

"I know you're uncomfortable with me, Fran. When we're . . . like this."

. . . calls her out on it.

"I know you keep trying to get over it to make me happy."

And he doesn't even sound angry, why doesn't he sound angry-

"And I don't want you to do that, Fran."

He only sounds a little annoyed and somehow not even at her, just for her.

"I want you to do what's right for you. In every situation."

Though how she feels she knows that she can't begin to tell.

"Without apology."

And then he stops.

Just for the moment.

And Frannie's overwhelmed with everything he's had to say and doesn't he know that's not the kind of person she is, confident, Francis Faye Flugeman, confident, can you imagine-

"And that's why I'm not going to touch you like that anymore."

What?

"I don't want to pressure you, Fran. I don't want you to ignore what you want or what you need for anyone. I want it to be your decision."

My decision?

"I want you to be the boss, be in charge."

And her brain completely glitches and she can't seem to make it work right.

"You want me to . . . control you? Be like a . . . dominatrix?"

She whispers this last word because, well, seriously?

And his entire countenance flashes shock, Dominic barks a sharp laugh.

"No!"

It doesn't sound mean, she doesn't think it's mean.

"I mean, not unless you want to. But no. That's not what I mean."

They're just not on the same wavelength, it seems.

And that makes her feel disheartened.

So she stares at him as Dom tries again.

"I mean, you shouldn't be trying to do what you think I want you to do."

To make her understand whatever it is he's trying to convey to her.

"You should be doing what you want to do."

And she does understand.

Oh.

And stares, mute, as he flashes that grin.

"I mean, if you're ready, if you're really sure you're ready, then no problem, I'm right here, I'm good to go."

He pauses and the sincerity of his words and what they mean send a flare of desire through her.

Then he speaks again.

"But I don't think you are, Fran. Not really. Not now. And that's okay. You don't have to pressure yourself."

And she's chewing her lip, anxious and close to hysterical, she really doesn't mean to be this.

But Dom seems perfectly calm.

"You don't have to do one thing you don't want to. Not one. Not ever. Not with anyone, especially not with me."

He pauses again, shrugs.

Crooks a grin.

"Unless we're being attacked by the Renshi again and I need you to duck or something."

This breaks the weight of the moment, balances it with levity.

And she laughs.

"Don't even joke it! Ugh!"

And then he solemns again.

"I'm gonna go now, Fran."

Instant panic surges in her again, evident enough he responds to it.

"Not because I'm upset or escaping or anything but because it's late and we have work in the morning and we need to get some sleep."

Though not alarmed.

"And I want you to have your space, your time to think about everything."

Just calm.

Just Dom.

"Understand that it's all okay."

Always Dom, always caring.

"Okay?"

She manages to nod.

"I'll see you in the morning. Okay?"

"Okay."

"I love you, Fran."

And she stares at him in shock.

It's the first time he's said it.

Now, of all times.

And she can't form the words she needs to say it back.

"Goodnight."

She can only stand there and stare at him while he smiles sweetly and without any sort of pointed sadness, martyrdom, or anything at her, opens the door . . .

You do? After all that?

. . . and walks out of it.

Why?


Thanks for reading!