Power Rangers Zeo - Venusian Encounters by Heather Ray (amazing books to read .txt) 📕

/> Siham blushed charmingly at the compliment, especially when the question was answered by a chorus of affirmatives from the others.

Kimberly sighed lightly, her fawn gaze drinking in the obvious love that glimmered between the young couple. She leaned her head against her hand, and a serene grin held her rose lips in place.

"You two are so cute together!" Kim declared, "I can't wait for your wedding!"

"Speaking of weddings," Jason said, a cunning grin on his face, "when are you and Tommy finally going down the aisle?"

Kim's eyes widened at the sudden comment, and a blush rose on her cheeks. "We... haven't gotten to that point yet."

"Tommy?" Siham repeated thoughtfully, "I remember you speaking of him, Zack."

"Yeah, he's a close friend of ours," Zack replied, "Actually, I'm a bit surprised he didn't come along for this reunion."

"Well, we didn't grow up with Tommy," Jason brought out, "He's a different kind of friend. And besides, he's got responsibilities at home."

"You know what?" Zack said, pushing his chair from the table and rising to his feet, "I feel like dancing."

"There's a surprise," Kim giggled.

"Care to show 'em how it's done?" Zack said to Siham, offering her his hand.

"Let's," she responded, taking his hand. Together, the couple walked to the dance floor.

Kimberly watched them join the crowd of couples swaying to the live violins, and eyed Trini and Billy. Both had been rather quiet the entire evening. It was clear that Trini wouldn't make her move with a crowd around.

"C'mon, Jase," Kim said suddenly, reaching across the round table and grasping his hand, "Let's dance."

Jason blinked in astonishment. "Come again?"

"Let's dance!" she repeated, walking around the table and pulling out his chair, "It'll be fun!"

"But I have to left feet!" he protested, as his friend practically lifted him from his chair.

"I think Trini and Billy want to be alone," she whispered into his ear. Jason's eyes widened, and Kim shrugged her eyebrows in response.

"Oh," he said, adjusting his tie, "Um, we'll be back soon," he called to Billy and Trini as Kimberly tugged on his arm.

Trini's eyes locked with Kimberly's as the petite Venusian Queen and the tall former Red and Gold Ranger disappeared onto the crowded dance floor. Her quiet smile collapsed as she dropped her eyes to her unfinished fish dinner. Timidly, she glanced up at Billy for a moment. His crystal eyes were half-closed and unfocused, as his fingers gingerly brushed along the edge of his full wine glass.

Trini's heart ached terribly, despite her nerves. She could see Billy's intense pain in his absent stare. He seemed so withered and ill. His skin was pale, and his fingers almost shook with feebleness. It was clear the loss of Cestria had truly destroyed him.

Taking a deep breath to steel herself, she prayed that perhaps, on some small level, her opening up to him might help heal his fragile condition.

That was why she was doing this. It was for him... not for her. Had Cestria been alive, Trini knew she would have been happy for them both. The thought of being honest to Billy then... to try and force a wedge between Billy and Cestria wouldn't have even occurred to her.

Her only desire was Billy's happiness... and she flattered herself in the notion that perhaps her love was key to that happiness.

Almost coyly, Trini reached across the table and touched Billy's hand as it slid across the clear glass. Billy jerked suddenly from the unexpected touch, and his hollow blue eyes locked with Trini's deep brown ones.

A question lurked in his eyes, while his lips remained sealed.

"Billy," Trini said, her voice low and even, "I have something to confess."

Trini continued to examine Billy's expression. His eyes were focused upon her, but his face didn't undergo any change. True, he was listening to her, yet his attention was still dispersed on other topics.

That would change quickly enough.

Trini cleared her throat, and kept her hand gently resting on Billy's. "I'm in love with you."

Billy jumped at the revelation. He was so shocked, he barely managed to prevent falling off his seat. His crystal eyes widened astronomically, and his jaw slowly sank. His brow knitted in confusion, and his lips began to tremble.

"Tr... Trini..." he gasped, his azure eyes darting around the restaurant in awestruck agony, "I... I..."

Trini couldn't help but smile at Billy's bewildered expression, and slowly leaned over to meet his lips in a gentle kiss. That silenced him immediately, and to her sudden joy, she detected a small sigh of content pass through Billy's lips as she leaned back towards her chair.

"I know you're hurting, and the last thing I'd ever do was make you uncomfortable or force you into something," she continued, never taking her eyes off Billy. She smiled at the charming pink blush that finally brought color to his pale ivory cheeks. "I understand that you've just gone through a terrible experience, and you lost someone very special to you. I also will have you know that my intention is not to replace Cestria in your heart. I just want you to know that you've always been in my heart, and I'm just hoping that somewhere in your heart you'll eventually find a place for me."

Trini waited patiently while Billy digested this information. Despite his incredibly articulate speech, the young genius was completely without words for over a minute. Finally, a weak, yet truly genuine, smile tugged at his lips. "Trini... I... thank you," he said quietly, "Thanks for your love and support. Now, I'm going to be honest with you, too." He paused yet again, his eyes rolling to the ceiling as he carefully selected his next words. "Trini, I've always cared about you deeply. You're my best friend, and even when you weren't with me your confidence in me gave me strength. Thanks for your friendship." Another pause interrupted his speech, and he licked his lips nervously. "But, I'm not ready for another relationship. I... I know I won't be able to give you the love you deserve."

Billy watched Trini carefully, trying to detect her cringe or display any other painful reaction to his words. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt Trini... especially considering how far she went to try and make him happy.

Thankfully, Trini's only response was a gentle smile.

"That's fine," Trini said honestly, "I understand. Time heals all wounds, and when you're ready to face the future, you know where to find me."

That said, Trini leaned back into her seat, and lifted the desert menu once again. "Now let's see... the blueberry topped cheesecake looks fabulous, but it's way too much for me to be able to eat on my own..."

She then glanced over the top of the menu, and eyed Billy expectantly. He bit his lip to prevent a laugh.

"How about we share one?" he suggested, "Blueberry cheesecake is my favorite dessert."

"Now you're talking!" Trini said, Billy's suppressed laughter igniting her own. At once, they both broke down into a light-hearted laughter, that attracted a few amused stares from the neighboring tables. Yet, these two typically shy teenagers didn't let embarrassment ruin the moment. They continued to laugh gleefully, overjoyed that they found each other once again, after so much time.

"What's all the noise?" Kim asked, her hand placed on her hip and a smirk on her face.

"Yeah," Zack chimed, standing close beside Kimberly, "Didn't you know the rule? No one can burst into laughter without me being the primary cause!"

Trini calmed down, waving air into her face to reduce the blush on her cheeks. "Just... reminiscing on the past," she said.

"And slowly moving forward," Billy added, the smile on his face returning.

Kimberly pursed her lips together in excitement. She couldn't believe how well the vacation was going. Billy finally found a reason to live. Jason got in touch with a part of himself he thought was lost forever. Zack had finally found true happiness and love. Trini finally learned how to face her fears. And she had reminded herself about the joys of true friendship. All that Kim had wanted to accomplish during this short reunion had been realized, including a possible relationship between Trini and Billy in the near future.

This moment was perfect. Everyone was exceedingly happy, filled with the energy and sparkle that was their daily lives all those years ago, in the age of innocence. With all her heart, she didn't want it to end.

"Guys," Kim said quietly, tears starting to shine in her eyes, "I've missed you all so much! I wish we could just stay this way... happy and unified."

Jason smiled. "Hey, just because we're going our separate ways again, doesn't mean we can't be unified. We're not making the same mistake twice."

With that, Jason stuck his hand out, palm down. "Let's make a promise to ourselves. No matter how we live the rest of our lives, where we go, and what we accomplish, we will always be best friends. We won't lose contact again. Okay?"

"You got it, Bro," Zack said, placing his hand atop Jason's.

"Well said," Billy said quietly, tears in his own eyes.

"No mistakes this time around," Trini whispered, her gaze locking with Billy's as she lay her hand upon his.

"Friends forever?" Kim finished, adding her hand to the circle.

"Friends forever!!" the five teenagers shouted, a bit too loudly. They turned around when they heard murmuring coming from the other diners, until a low applause started. The applause built, until finally, everyone in the restaurant was showing their support to the notion of friends sticking together.

Slightly embarrassed, yet still overjoyed, the five friends folded into a warm hug. Then they parted, and Zack quickly wrapped Siham into his arms, who was also crying quietly at the display.

They were all friends forever, and they knew it. True, time had passed, and much had changed. They all had to deal with experiences that were very trying, yet they knew they could gain strength from one another.

Still, one truth remained clear. They were forever changed, and were forced to leave their carefree days behind. They could never go back, and undo the mistakes they made.

They couldn't go back... but they could always go forward.


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