The Sky and the Dawn and the Sun

Chapter One: A Date?

Eric sighed as he leaned back in his seat and looked over at his partner, bent over the paperwork flooding his desk.

The two reds had been together for a few months now, and Eric was happy. But then why did his thoughts always go back to a certain blue-eyed, blonde, and very female yellow ranger?

He knew Wes had been joking when he'd said that Taylor was Eric's type, but what if there was some truth to that?

It had to stem from feeling left out when Jen had come back. Right? Wes has been spending so much time with her, and Eric only got along with Taylor. It was nothing more than a passing attraction. Right?

But if that were true, why couldn't he stop thinking about her? Why had he kissed her?

He wanted to think that he'd just been mad at Wes, but the truth was his boyfriend hadn't even been a fleeting thought when he looked into the pilot's big beautiful blue eyes. There was just something about her. About the way she held herself, the way she talked, the way her eyes would widen and her mouth open slightly when she was shocked. Something about her was intoxicating. Or was it everything? Her smile, her laugh, the way she ran her hand through her hair when she was exasperated or worried. The way she'd seemed to fit against him perfectly when he'd held her.

"Eric!"

The man looked up only to be hit in the face with a wad of paper. "Seriously, Wes?"

"You weren't paying attention," the blond shrugged then frowned. "You were thinking about Taylor, again. Weren't you?"

"Why would you think that?"

"Eric. It's obvious you like her. And it's fine. I'm fine with it."

"Wes, I," Eric started.

"You mutter her name in your sleep," his boyfriend deadpanned.

"I what?" he was cut off again.

"I told you, it's fine. I know you like her. To be honest, I do, too," Wes stated sheepishly.

"Huh?"

"She's like a cross between you and Jen. Just blonde. Of course I'd like her."

"Are you suggesting something?"

Wes shrugged. "Yes? No? Maybe? I don't know."

"Wes?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you saying that you want to ask out Taylor Earhardt?"

"Yes?"

"OK."

"OK?"

Eric nodded. "Why not give it a shot? Just to see where it goes?" He could hardly believe his partner had anywhere near the same feelings about the eagle ranger that he did. "I can call her now. See if she's up for some drinks tonight."

"Why does it not surprise me that you have her phone number?" Wes chuckled.

The raven haired man shot a glare at the blond as he dialed the other blonde's number.

"Earhardt," she answered.

"Taylor, it's Eric," he started somewhat nervously. Who knew how she'd react? She'd seemed pretty mad when she'd found out that he and Wes were together.

"Oh, so now you call me?" the accusation was a bit more of a statement than a question, but nevertheless, he continued.

"Yeah, sorry. I was wondering if you wanted to meet me and Wes for drinks tonight?"

"What?"

"Silver Hills or Turtle Cove?"

"Huh?"

"Do you want to meet up in Silver Hills or Turtle Cove?" he clarified.

"Silver Hills, I guess? Will there be food?"

"If you want."

"Where would we be going?"

"The bar and grill downtown. Meet you there about seven?"

"Sure?"

Eric hung up before she could change her mind. "We have a date."

"Woo!" Wes called out.

This would be interesting.