A Darker Shade of Red (Time Force/Power Rangers, T, Chapter 21: Beware the Coffee)
Trying to make Eric and Alex bond is harder than it looks. And the next chapter is going to be even *worse*. x.x
I would ask why I do these things to myself, but I already know. -Eyes AlexMuse and sighs-
Fandom/: Power Rangers Time Force, slight crossover with S.P.D. (In Bright Skies universe)
Characters/: Alex
Pairings/: Alex/Jen, Lucas/Trip, Katie/OC, Wes/Eric
Rating/: T
Disclaimer/: Saban/Disney/Whoever sure didn't write *this* into the series. The plot comes purely from my own warped little mind, and the characters are merely borrowed from them for my own amusement. Lucky you.
Summary/: The legacy of Wesley Collins and Eric Myers didn't just affect the past - it affected the future. One thousand years after they became Rangers, one person is still struggling against the corruption of Time Force and the heritage he never wanted.
Warnings/: People used for scientific experimentation, corrupted Time Force, character with self-image issues
Author's Notes/: I do not know why coffee is the key item of this chapter, but I’m amused by it. No, I’m not craving any. (Although I did have some icky McDonald’s coffee yesterday, so maybe that‘s why.)
-Pauses- Actually, I think this is BlackCrimsonLight’s fault.
"I don't like this," Jen said stubbornly.
The corner of Alex's mouth twitched at the irony. Hadn't he tried telling her that weeks ago, and she was the one arguing against it? "It's safer this way," he reminded her patiently. "The less people we have to explain my presence to, the better. And Eric only has one couch."
"You already met Wes' father," she argued.
"No, I didn't," he countered. "He was unconscious when I saw him - he never saw me. And I'd like to keep it that way."
Alex wasn't sure how to deal with the older man as it was; Wes and Eric were hard enough on their own. And he had gotten the impression that Alan Collins wouldn't like knowing where his 'grandson' came from. The last thing he wanted was to upset him.
"We agreed to stick together," she told him firmly.
He raised his eyebrows. "Are you saying it isn't safe for me to stay with Eric?"
She hesitated, caught.
He sighed. "I won't leave the house until one of you comes to get me. You can always contact me later. And there isn't enough room here for all of us." He reached out to squeeze her shoulder "I'll be fine," he insisted softly.
Jen bit her lip uncertainly. "Alex ... "
"I'll be *fine*," he said again, staring at her.
She sighed. "All right. You're right," she admitted reluctantly. "Let's go guys."
She paused, hesitating, and wrapped her arms tightly around Alex. "Stay safe," she whispered in his ear, turning to kiss his cheek.
"You, too," he murmured.
"Stay out of trouble," Katie warned him, and turned to point threateningly at Eric. "Both of you."
Eric rolled his eyes. "Yeah, leaving the two of us alone for the night is really asking for it," he said sarcastically.
Lucas snorted, looking amused. "You have no idea."
They both gave him a dirty look.
Alex noticed Wes' start out of the corner of his eye, but he wasn't sure why.
"Well, we'd better get going," Trip said hastily. "Be careful, Alex," he added, turning pleading eyes on him.
Alex sighed. "I'm not leaving the house Trip, I promise. And the most dangerous thing in this place is the coffee pot. I'll be fine."
Trip frowned. "But ... the history logs say that the Power Rangers of the late twentieth century were always fighting monsters made from objects around them."
Eric stiffened, glancing through the kitchen doorway with an almost protective look on his face.
"That was a long time ago, Trip," Wes assured him. "No one's going to attack Eric's coffee pot."
"They'd better not," Eric muttered.
Trip didn't look convinced. "But - "
"Trip," Alex cut in. "We'll be fine. If the coffee pot turns into a monster while we're sleeping, I'll call. Now get going."
"We'll see you guys in the morning," Wes promised, trying not to grin as he pushed Trip out the door. "Night, guys!"
"Good night," Alex and Eric said in unison.
There was a long pause after the door finally shut, both of them listening for the sound of an engine turning over. They sighed in relief when they heard it fade away into the night. "There's blankets in that closet," Eric informed him after a moment, pointing. He headed for the bedroom, calling over his shoulder "And if you shoot my coffee pot - for *any* reason - I will hurt you later."
Alex smirked. "Good night, Eric."
"Whatever."
****
" ... What are you doing playing video games at - " Eric paused to squint at a clock. "Three in the morning?!"
Alex barely glanced at him. "Couldn't sleep. What are you doing up?"
"Dreamed my coffee pot was trying to strangle me in my sleep," Eric muttered darkly, ignoring Alex's snort as he moved to sit on the floor next to him. He stared blankly at the TV for a moment. "You play Street Fighter?" he asked finally.
Alex nodded shortly. "It's one of my favorites."
Eric watched him play for several minutes. "You stay in training mode all the time, or you want a real match?"
He shrugged a shoulder. "Gimme a minute."
They sat in silence again as Alex continued to destroy his opponent, only to have him regenerate and be attacked again. He'd been at this long enough that his thumbs were starting to hurt, but he couldn't find the will to care. All that mattered was the game.
" ... You got something against Ryu?"
Alex glanced at him out of the corner of his eye before turning his attention back to the screen. "No. Why?"
"You said you needed a minute. It's been fifteen and you're still trying to rip him to pieces."
"Am not," he said automatically.
"Then what are you calling it?"
"Training."
Several more minutes passed before Eric shifted uncomfortably. "Wes said something about you losing a brother."
His finger slipped on the controller. He made up for it with a fierce combo attack. "What about it?"
"Look, I'm not exactly a psychiatrist, but your brother wouldn't have happened to have been blond, would he?" he asked dryly, eyeing the screen as Ken crushed Ryu yet again.
His grip tightened, and he swiftly exited training mode to start player vrs. player. "What if he was?" he demanded sharply.
Eric raised his hands in surrender even as he reached for the second controller. "Just asking. Relax."
This time, Alex chose to play as Ryu. "You up for this?" he asked finally.
"You have any idea how long it's been since I've had a real match?" Eric retorted, shooting him a glare as he selected Cracker Jack. "Wes sucks at fighting games. He's an RPGer."
Alex made a face reflexively before turning his attention to the match. "It's been awhile since I've played like this," he admitted finally. "No one else I know plays. Especially not something as old as this."
"They don't have Street Fighter in the thirtieth century?"
"Only as a classic."
"Remind me never to go there."
Alex smirked faintly. "Done."
They fell silent after that as both began to concentrate more on the game. Their skills were equal; their styles different, but still challenging each other. Alex liked to use flashy combos that would leave his thumbs aching for hours later. Eric favored hitting hard and fast, never letting up until Alex managed to escape by using said combo.
It was sheer chance that Alex found the ultimate move. His thumbs throbbed like crazy as they flew across the controller. But it was worth it to see the look on Eric's face as 'K.O.' flashed across the screen. He whooped, throwing his arms up in the air.
Eric shot him a dark glare. "Beginner's luck." he humphed.
Alex smirked back in spite of himself. "Nice try. I've been playing for six years. It's called 'skill'."
"It's called beginner's luck." Eric retorted, refusing to give in. He wasn't angry, though. He wasn't glaring anymore, and Alex could see him fighting a smile.
Alex just snickered. "All right. Care to try again?"
"You're on."
****
Something about the sunrise over Silver Hills was inherently different from what he would have seen over Newtech City. He wasn't sure if it had to do with a lack of smog, the position of the sun, or something timeline related. Either way, it was beautiful.
He glanced up as a motorcycle slowed to a stop in front of the house and parked. Wes reached up to remove his helmet, raising his eyebrows. "You're up early," he remarked. "Where's Eric?"
"Cursing my existence." He smirked faintly when Wes started. "Shower," he clarified.
"So why's he cursing your existence?" Wes asked curiously as he climbed the stairs.
"He pulled an all-nighter and he's supposed to be working today."
Wes winced. "Ouch. What'd you two do?"
"Played video games." He smiled faintly, barely aware he was doing it. "It was fun."
Wes smiled back at him. "I think I'll go start some coffee to see if I can get on Eric's good side early. Want some?"
He shrugged a shoulder. "Sure."
"How do you take it?"
He looked up at that, frowning. "What?"
"Your coffee," Wes explained patiently. "How do you take your coffee. Cream, sugar, black?"
He stared blankly at him. "Just coffee, thanks."
Wes nodded, and he shook his head as the other man headed inside. The twenty-first century was *weird*.
Eventually he heard footsteps behind him. "Jen and the guys said they were going to do some research and get the time ships ready for the trip home," Wes spoke up behind him. He hesitated. "I wish you guys didn't have to leave so soon," he murmured.
Alex sighed. "Me, too," he admitted. "Unfortunately, there's ... unfinished business we need to take care of."
A coffee mug appeared beside him, and he accepted it with a nod. "Thanks."
Later he would be forced to admit that he had honestly forgotten that they both wore the Red Chrono Morpher on their left wrist.
I would ask why I do these things to myself, but I already know. -Eyes AlexMuse and sighs-
Fandom/: Power Rangers Time Force, slight crossover with S.P.D. (In Bright Skies universe)
Characters/: Alex
Pairings/: Alex/Jen, Lucas/Trip, Katie/OC, Wes/Eric
Rating/: T
Disclaimer/: Saban/Disney/Whoever sure didn't write *this* into the series. The plot comes purely from my own warped little mind, and the characters are merely borrowed from them for my own amusement. Lucky you.
Summary/: The legacy of Wesley Collins and Eric Myers didn't just affect the past - it affected the future. One thousand years after they became Rangers, one person is still struggling against the corruption of Time Force and the heritage he never wanted.
Warnings/: People used for scientific experimentation, corrupted Time Force, character with self-image issues
Author's Notes/: I do not know why coffee is the key item of this chapter, but I’m amused by it. No, I’m not craving any. (Although I did have some icky McDonald’s coffee yesterday, so maybe that‘s why.)
-Pauses- Actually, I think this is BlackCrimsonLight’s fault.
"I don't like this," Jen said stubbornly.
The corner of Alex's mouth twitched at the irony. Hadn't he tried telling her that weeks ago, and she was the one arguing against it? "It's safer this way," he reminded her patiently. "The less people we have to explain my presence to, the better. And Eric only has one couch."
"You already met Wes' father," she argued.
"No, I didn't," he countered. "He was unconscious when I saw him - he never saw me. And I'd like to keep it that way."
Alex wasn't sure how to deal with the older man as it was; Wes and Eric were hard enough on their own. And he had gotten the impression that Alan Collins wouldn't like knowing where his 'grandson' came from. The last thing he wanted was to upset him.
"We agreed to stick together," she told him firmly.
He raised his eyebrows. "Are you saying it isn't safe for me to stay with Eric?"
She hesitated, caught.
He sighed. "I won't leave the house until one of you comes to get me. You can always contact me later. And there isn't enough room here for all of us." He reached out to squeeze her shoulder "I'll be fine," he insisted softly.
Jen bit her lip uncertainly. "Alex ... "
"I'll be *fine*," he said again, staring at her.
She sighed. "All right. You're right," she admitted reluctantly. "Let's go guys."
She paused, hesitating, and wrapped her arms tightly around Alex. "Stay safe," she whispered in his ear, turning to kiss his cheek.
"You, too," he murmured.
"Stay out of trouble," Katie warned him, and turned to point threateningly at Eric. "Both of you."
Eric rolled his eyes. "Yeah, leaving the two of us alone for the night is really asking for it," he said sarcastically.
Lucas snorted, looking amused. "You have no idea."
They both gave him a dirty look.
Alex noticed Wes' start out of the corner of his eye, but he wasn't sure why.
"Well, we'd better get going," Trip said hastily. "Be careful, Alex," he added, turning pleading eyes on him.
Alex sighed. "I'm not leaving the house Trip, I promise. And the most dangerous thing in this place is the coffee pot. I'll be fine."
Trip frowned. "But ... the history logs say that the Power Rangers of the late twentieth century were always fighting monsters made from objects around them."
Eric stiffened, glancing through the kitchen doorway with an almost protective look on his face.
"That was a long time ago, Trip," Wes assured him. "No one's going to attack Eric's coffee pot."
"They'd better not," Eric muttered.
Trip didn't look convinced. "But - "
"Trip," Alex cut in. "We'll be fine. If the coffee pot turns into a monster while we're sleeping, I'll call. Now get going."
"We'll see you guys in the morning," Wes promised, trying not to grin as he pushed Trip out the door. "Night, guys!"
"Good night," Alex and Eric said in unison.
There was a long pause after the door finally shut, both of them listening for the sound of an engine turning over. They sighed in relief when they heard it fade away into the night. "There's blankets in that closet," Eric informed him after a moment, pointing. He headed for the bedroom, calling over his shoulder "And if you shoot my coffee pot - for *any* reason - I will hurt you later."
Alex smirked. "Good night, Eric."
"Whatever."
****
" ... What are you doing playing video games at - " Eric paused to squint at a clock. "Three in the morning?!"
Alex barely glanced at him. "Couldn't sleep. What are you doing up?"
"Dreamed my coffee pot was trying to strangle me in my sleep," Eric muttered darkly, ignoring Alex's snort as he moved to sit on the floor next to him. He stared blankly at the TV for a moment. "You play Street Fighter?" he asked finally.
Alex nodded shortly. "It's one of my favorites."
Eric watched him play for several minutes. "You stay in training mode all the time, or you want a real match?"
He shrugged a shoulder. "Gimme a minute."
They sat in silence again as Alex continued to destroy his opponent, only to have him regenerate and be attacked again. He'd been at this long enough that his thumbs were starting to hurt, but he couldn't find the will to care. All that mattered was the game.
" ... You got something against Ryu?"
Alex glanced at him out of the corner of his eye before turning his attention back to the screen. "No. Why?"
"You said you needed a minute. It's been fifteen and you're still trying to rip him to pieces."
"Am not," he said automatically.
"Then what are you calling it?"
"Training."
Several more minutes passed before Eric shifted uncomfortably. "Wes said something about you losing a brother."
His finger slipped on the controller. He made up for it with a fierce combo attack. "What about it?"
"Look, I'm not exactly a psychiatrist, but your brother wouldn't have happened to have been blond, would he?" he asked dryly, eyeing the screen as Ken crushed Ryu yet again.
His grip tightened, and he swiftly exited training mode to start player vrs. player. "What if he was?" he demanded sharply.
Eric raised his hands in surrender even as he reached for the second controller. "Just asking. Relax."
This time, Alex chose to play as Ryu. "You up for this?" he asked finally.
"You have any idea how long it's been since I've had a real match?" Eric retorted, shooting him a glare as he selected Cracker Jack. "Wes sucks at fighting games. He's an RPGer."
Alex made a face reflexively before turning his attention to the match. "It's been awhile since I've played like this," he admitted finally. "No one else I know plays. Especially not something as old as this."
"They don't have Street Fighter in the thirtieth century?"
"Only as a classic."
"Remind me never to go there."
Alex smirked faintly. "Done."
They fell silent after that as both began to concentrate more on the game. Their skills were equal; their styles different, but still challenging each other. Alex liked to use flashy combos that would leave his thumbs aching for hours later. Eric favored hitting hard and fast, never letting up until Alex managed to escape by using said combo.
It was sheer chance that Alex found the ultimate move. His thumbs throbbed like crazy as they flew across the controller. But it was worth it to see the look on Eric's face as 'K.O.' flashed across the screen. He whooped, throwing his arms up in the air.
Eric shot him a dark glare. "Beginner's luck." he humphed.
Alex smirked back in spite of himself. "Nice try. I've been playing for six years. It's called 'skill'."
"It's called beginner's luck." Eric retorted, refusing to give in. He wasn't angry, though. He wasn't glaring anymore, and Alex could see him fighting a smile.
Alex just snickered. "All right. Care to try again?"
"You're on."
****
Something about the sunrise over Silver Hills was inherently different from what he would have seen over Newtech City. He wasn't sure if it had to do with a lack of smog, the position of the sun, or something timeline related. Either way, it was beautiful.
He glanced up as a motorcycle slowed to a stop in front of the house and parked. Wes reached up to remove his helmet, raising his eyebrows. "You're up early," he remarked. "Where's Eric?"
"Cursing my existence." He smirked faintly when Wes started. "Shower," he clarified.
"So why's he cursing your existence?" Wes asked curiously as he climbed the stairs.
"He pulled an all-nighter and he's supposed to be working today."
Wes winced. "Ouch. What'd you two do?"
"Played video games." He smiled faintly, barely aware he was doing it. "It was fun."
Wes smiled back at him. "I think I'll go start some coffee to see if I can get on Eric's good side early. Want some?"
He shrugged a shoulder. "Sure."
"How do you take it?"
He looked up at that, frowning. "What?"
"Your coffee," Wes explained patiently. "How do you take your coffee. Cream, sugar, black?"
He stared blankly at him. "Just coffee, thanks."
Wes nodded, and he shook his head as the other man headed inside. The twenty-first century was *weird*.
Eventually he heard footsteps behind him. "Jen and the guys said they were going to do some research and get the time ships ready for the trip home," Wes spoke up behind him. He hesitated. "I wish you guys didn't have to leave so soon," he murmured.
Alex sighed. "Me, too," he admitted. "Unfortunately, there's ... unfinished business we need to take care of."
A coffee mug appeared beside him, and he accepted it with a nod. "Thanks."
Later he would be forced to admit that he had honestly forgotten that they both wore the Red Chrono Morpher on their left wrist.