A/N: okay… Firstly, I have to apologize for the very late update. I've been really really busy lately with the start of collage. I hope you guys understand. But don't worry, I don't plan NOT finishing this story. I will eventually finish it. So, I hope you, my loyal readers, could be patient with me. So, as a treat, I would not bore you with my usual rambling. But I do want to thank all of you for not giving up on this story. It means a lot to me.
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Chapter 14: Back Home
"Need help?"
Madison stood by the doorway watching her fiancé attempting to pack his bags, which she happened to find amusing. Xander turned and playfully glared at her. Putting his hands on his hips, he cocked his head to the side.
"Are you just gonna stand there and laugh at me or are you gonna help?" he asked.
Madison shook her head from side to side, chuckling softly as she walked towards him.
"What are you thinking about?" Xander suddenly voiced out after a moment of silence.
Madison, who was currently in the process of folding his pants, looked up and shrugged.
"Nothing…"
Xander stepped towards her and sat by the bed.
"You're thinking of something, I know. You're biting your bottom lip." He observed.
Madison looked at the man beside her skeptically, before pausing and taking a sit beside him.
"And you would know, how??"
Xander grinned and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"Maddie, I've been your best friend since middle school. I know all your habits at the tip of my fingers." He wiggled his fingers, emphasizing his point, "You can never lie to me."
Madison chuckled and leaned against him, wrapping her arms around him in turn.
"You're right, I can never lie to you. I love you…" She said, her voice softening by the minute.
Xander tensed for a moment before relaxing. He smiled softly and kissed her hair, pulling her even closer.
"I love you too…" He whispered into her hair, "Now correct me if I'm wrong, you were thinking about Nick weren't you?"
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Nick slowly but quietly sneaked out from the window. It took him two long months to finally break the spell that had kept the windows shut and kept him prisoner, two long months of inner torture.
Thunder could be heard in the distance as he climbed down the vines along the wall of the mansion. He let out a soft sigh of relief as his feet touched the ground. Just when he thought that nothing could go wrong from then on, he heard a voice behind him that sent chills through his body.
"Going somewhere?"
Nick knew exactly who had said that. He also knew that if he turned he would most likely be stunned. But if he ran, he would definitely alert the Dementors, which is also not a good thing.
"Come, My Prince, let's just head back in and I will not tell the Dark Lord what you just did."
Nick knew that if he did go back, he would most probably won't be able to get out again. He had to make a choice; he would have to take that risk. Taking a deep breath, he turned to face Lucious Malfoy.
"Give Voldemort my regards. I'll see him on the other side."
With those last words, he ran like he had never ran before. He knew that the Dementors were chasing him. He could feel every single bit of happiness left in him fading slowly. But he kept running.
Thunder boomed so loud that he could feel the earth shake. Lightning flashed, striking almost every tree in his path as if giving way for him. Rain started falling, slowing down the Dementors. Somehow, someway, Nick knew who did this. He knew she could feel him. She knew he was coming. With that thought alone, he ran faster, if that was even possible.
In the far distance he could see a light. He could see a silhouette standing. And he knew that he was finally free. He was finally home. The last thing he saw was the most beautiful pair of teary brown eyes, one that he had missed so much.
"Madison…"
Then everything went dark.
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"Now correct me if I'm wrong, you were thinking about Nick weren't you?"
Madison turned sharply to the man beside her. Her eyes widened to find that he seemed so calm at the mention of Nick. She didn't know whether to deny or to admit the truth. But she soon realized that there was no use denying it. Xander already knew.
"I… I… Umm…"
Xander placed a comforting hand on her shoulders.
"Maddie… You still love him…" He said simply as he stared into her eyes, "You never stopped loving him and you will always love him…"
Madison stared speechless at the man before her. She couldn't believe that he had actually said that.
"How could you? How could you say that?" She cried out softly, tears collecting in her eyes, "How could you doubt my love for you? I love Xander, you, not Nick. Not anymore…"
Xander smiled sadly and shook his head from side to side. He stood up and walked to the window. The sun was already setting beyond the horizon.
"Madison, I'm not doubting your love… neither am I doubting you. I'm only stating the fact. You say that you don't love him, but your eyes tell a different story. You know what they say, 'the eyes are the windows to your soul'. I never once believe that, until recently, until now… Maddie?" Xander turned around only to find Madison crouched down by the bed, holding her head and groaning in pain.
He rushed towards her and held her by the arms, trying to get her to look at him.
"Madison? Madison? What's wrong? Tell me… Please…" He begged, panicked.
"He's coming…" She managed to groan out.
Xander furrowed, trying to figure out what she had meant. Outside, the wind was howling, slamming the windows open. He could hear the thunder booming and he knew that lightning was flashing uncontrollably.
"I ne-ed to go…" Madison groaned out, struggling to stand.
Xander pushed her down, unwilling to take the chance that she may get hurt. But Madison pushed his arms off her and stood up.
"I need to go… He's co-ming…" She then dizzily walked out of the room.
"Maddie!" Xander called out against the roaring wind, as he went after her.
He followed her out to the front yard. By this time, Chip, V, Harry, Hermione, Ron and the rest of the occupants in the house had come out to see what was wrong. Madison suddenly stopped at the front gate and dropped to her knees cradling something. The surroundings were too dark for anyone to see what Madison was crouched over.
The heavy rain finally began to drizzle and the clouds parted, giving some light to the surroundings. Xander stepped forward slowly, not wanting to scare off Madison.
"Maddie?" He called out softly, still nearing her.
When he got close enough, he finally saw what she was crouching over. There, in front of him, was an unconscious, bloodied Red Ranger.
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A/N: Okay.. once again I apologize for the very very late update.. I really hope you're not disappointed with this chapter… Next chapter, the rangers go to HOGWARTS!!! Now… until then, take care!! And please review!! Thanks!!