Power Rangers In Space, Heather Ray [year 2 reading books .txt] 📗

their recent adventure, but smiling nonetheless. He had asked her why she was there... why she was willing to risk her life to help him. And her answer?

"Friends don't let friends down. And we're friends, right?"

Simple reasoning, yet very powerful. As he shook her hand, TJ knew that Cassie Chan was going to be an important part in his life from that day on.

Okay... then maybe it was love at first sight.

As cliché and silly as it seemed to him, TJ knew it was the truth. He didn't even believe love at first sight was possible, but he couldn't escape from its clutches... or embrace, depending on your outlook.

There was no point in pondering it, understanding it, or even questioning it. Love goes beyond the realms of reason, into something far greater, and even more abstract.
Chapter Four

I just fell, don't know why
Something's there we can't deny...
And when I first knew
Was when I first looked at you

As Cassie ran a dry towel over freshly-cleaned benches at the dining table, she glanced up at TJ. He was obviously distracted, pulling along the mop in a routine fashion rather than paying attention to which spots needed cleaning more. If it were Ashley helping her clean, Cassie would probably have reprimanded her for her carelessness. But frankly, she enjoyed TJ's distraction. It gave her the perfect opportunity to just watch him for awhile, with less chance of being spotted.

She felt his gaze on her when she was wiping down the table. Usually, she didn't like being watched. It made her feel antsy or indisposed. But TJ's gentle observation was more admiring than scrutinous. Instead of making her upset, it made her feel flattered, and even appreciated.

When she looked up at him, she noticed the embarrassment on his face. It was quite charming, and barely observable to the untrained eye. However, considering how she had memorized TJ's face, the blush was quite blatant.

She had smiled gently when he tried to explain himself, and then returned to his search for the mop. She appreciated his company, as well as his help with the cleaning. She knew he didn't much like such chores, but he was considerate enough to offer his assistance. He was very considerate, as a matter of fact.

Add that to his boyish charm, sense of humor, love of life, muscular form, and wide, bright smile, and you have the winner of Earth's Most Perfect Guy Award.

And of course, one mustn't forget the pools of chocolate that serve as his eyes. They reflect honesty, strength, courage, and purity. His eyes laughed with excitement, shone with respect, and glinted with determination, sometimes all within a duration of a few minutes.

The most incredible eyes Cassie had ever seen...

Chapter Five

And if I can't find my way
If salvation seems worlds away
Oh, I'll be found
When I am lost in your eyes

Cassie was almost certain TJ liked her. She thought she saw it in his eyes, in his gentle manner, and consideration of her opinion. He seemed to like being around her, and the time they spent together was always fun. And she was certain she liked him.

...but what was keeping them apart?

The fact was, Cassie wasn't entirely sure TJ was interested. He never tried to express it. He never asked her out, or anything of that sort. It was very possible that the gentility and kindness that Cassie interpreted as love was simply friendship, or something of that manner. It certainly didn’t have to be romantic love.

I just don’t know what’s going on in that head of his,

she reflected, As far as I can tell, there are only three possible reasons why he hasn’t made a move yet. One, he’s a shy violet. Two, he just sees me as a friend. And three, maybe that whole Phantom Ranger thing scared him off...

An ironic smile tugged at Cassie’s rose pink lips. True, during the months of her career as the Pink Turbo Ranger, she had grown quite fond of the mysterious Phantom Ranger, who on more than one occasion came to the aid of the Turbo Rangers, and her personally from time to time. She even thought that she loved him. However, it didn’t take very long for her to realize that nothing would ever come of that. Her attraction to him was more of curiosity than anything else. After all, who knew what species he was? She had never seen his face, or even held a conversation with him. It was something like a story book romance... certainly not something solid or stable. Nothing with a foundation to build on, to form the lasting companionship necessary for a happy relationship. So, nothing could have come from that attraction. Her crush on him almost evaporated completely once the team joined Andros in the spaceways. Out of sight, out of mind.

Still, TJ might not know that. He might actually think she loved the Phantom Ranger, and therefore would turn down any of his advances. Could that really be what’s holding him back?

Or it could be one of those other reasons,

she reminded herself, glancing up at him. I guess there’s only one way to find out. The question is... do I want to take the chance?

Cassie Chan was a brave young woman. She’d risked her life for her friends, her family, her ideals, and her planet dozens of times. She knew she’d do it even without her powers, and she’d proven it before she ever became Katherine’s successor. She was brave enough to strive for a music career, despite the fact that so few teenagers with dreams really make it big. She was a risk taker, and she liked it.

Yet, one thing she never, ever

risked was her heart. Emotional wounds were the hardest to heal from, and if she was hurt pursuing a relationship with a fellow Astro Ranger, who knew what the consequences might be? It could seriously interfere with their duties as heroes, and could even cost them victory over evil. Or in the very least, it would make her extremely uncomfortable around one of her best friends, and only companions on the ship. It was easy to avoid a person on Earth, but on a ship?

But how much longer could she wait? Keep her river of conflicting emotions trapped by a dam of uncertainty? After all, isn’t it said “T’is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all”?

“Only one way to find out if it’s true or not,” she whispered to herself, tossing the rag she was cleaning with in a bucket of suds, “After all, you only live once...”

Epilogue

I don't mind not knowing what I'm headed for
You can take me to the skies...
Oh it's like being lost in heaven
When I'm lost in your eyes

TJ walked toward the bucket of soapy water, and dunked the mop in to freshen the tool for the rest of the floor. He wasn’t paying much attention to his chore, for his mind was too occupied planning out how he could possibly open up to Cassie without appearing too awkward. He was so rapped in his own thoughts that he didn’t notice her standing beside him, until he suddenly smelled the delicate floral perfume she wore at an increased intensity.

“What’s up?” he asked, turning to meet her dark gaze. He could tell she was nervous about something, but she still didn’t turn her gaze from his. He puzzled over what that could mean for a few moments, until Cassie opened her mouth to reply.

“Uh...” she started, feeling her body tensing, “you... you already mopped that spot.”

TJ blinked in surprise, and glanced down at his work. Sure enough he had indeed already cleaned that area, as well as the rest of the floor. He didn’t even realize he had finished his task.

“I... was just going over it again,” he recovered, feeling the embarrassment return, “You know, just to pick up whatever I didn’t quite get the first time around.”

“I don’t think this floor’s been cleaner,” Cassie commented, observing his work quickly, “Thanks for your help.”

“No problem,” he said with his characteristic grin, “Glad I could be of service.”

Although his grin didn’t fall, his eyes widened slightly. My God, please tell me that didn’t sound as dumb to her as it did to me!

Cassie returned his grin with a warm smile. Well, now’s my chance...

"So, how about some lunch? The others will probably be gone for a couple more hours, at least.”

TJ felt the excitement build, but reality soon struck. “Uh, we just cleaned the dining room.”

“No problem,” she said, letting her arms hang weakly at her side, “we could always eat in the Simudeck. It’s more interesting than the drab dining lounge anyway. How about a picnic on a beach in Cancun? Or in the Hanging Gardens?”

Cassie felt the heat rise in her cheeks. Was she being too forward? Can’t take it back now...

TJ’s grin widened. “Sounds almost like... a date.” I don’t believe

I just said that!!

“Yeah, I guess it does,” Cassie conceded, a little weakly.

“Sounds great,” TJ said. He could almost hear Cassie exhale in relief. “Let’s say we each get cleaned up, and meet at the Simudeck in twenty minutes?”