Disclaimer: I don't own the Power Rangers. The song belongs to Edwin McCain.

Soulmates

by Jennifer Collins

"Love is but the discovery of ourselves in others, and the delight in the recognition." - Alexander Smith

Shadow woke up at the crack of dawn on Saturday morning. For a moment, he was startled to see that he was not alone, but the familiarity of the woman lying in his arms was more than enough to comfort him.

Shadow closed his eyes and buried his face in Cassie's bare shoulder, gently, for he did not wish to disturb her seemingly peaceful slumber. He listened to the quiet repetition of raindrops drumming against the roof of the house he had spent countless nights watching over.

Cassie shifted slightly in her sleep, sighing softly. She must have been dreaming a wonderful dream. She was smiling serenely, and Shadow couldn't help but smile back at the only woman he would ever love.

Lying here with you,

Listening to the rain.

Smiling just to see

The smile upon your face.

A thin sliver of sunlight seeped through the spaces between the blinds, despite the rain that sounded like it was coming down harder now. Shadow didn't care if he was in the middle of a hurricane. He had his Cassie with him, and that was all that mattered. No matter where he was, it was heaven as long as Cassie was near.

Shadow looked around her bedroom, taking it all in. He smiled as his eyes roamed over the pale pink walls.

Cassie breathed in deeply, and Shadow was suddenly aware of the rising and falling of her shoulders and of the beating of her heart against his chest.

These are the moments I thank God that I'm alive.

These are the moments I'll remember all my life.

I found all I've waited for,

And I could not ask for more.

Shadow thought of the life he'd given up for her, of the home he'd left behind to be here with her. He thought of his dark past, but for the first time, he knew his future would be brightened.

"Mmm.......Shadow?"

Shadow turned back to the woman he'd changed for. She was rubbing sleep from her beautiful eyes. "What is it, my love?" He asked.

"I love you," she replied sleepily.

Shadow squeezed her affectionately. "I love you too."

He looked up into her eyes. They revealed so much about her- her innocence, her kindness, her intelligence, her fears- he thought he could almost read her mind when he looked into her gorgeous brown eyes. But that wasn't the scary part. Her eyes reflected herself, but they also reflected him. That notion terrified him, but at the same time it excited him.

Looking in your eyes,

Seeing all I need.

Everything you are

Is everything to me.

He'd always heard of finding the other half of one's soul, but he'd never even believed that he had a heart until he'd looked into her eyes and it had melted. She'd dissolved the protective wall inside him that he'd once thought unbreakable.

Shadow lightly kissed her forehead. "Cassie," he said. "I love you so much. I want you to know exactly what I feel for you. I want you to understand that I mean it when I say that you are my everything. I mean it in every sense of the word, my love. I just want you to understand that."

"I do," she whispered.

These are the moments I know heaven must exist.

These are the moments I know all I need is this.

I have all I've waited for,

And I could not ask for more.

"I wish I could tell you how much I love you," Shadow said quietly.

"I know," Cassie whispered again. "I know because I can feel it. I can feel your love projecting into my soul. I....... I feel the same for you."

Shadow shook his head. "I know, but I still have to tell you."

Cassie repositioned herself so she could look directly at his face.

"I never believed that I could love another, but somehow I always knew that I would find you, and now I have, and I would not have it any other way."

Cassie smiled. "Neither would I."

"Cassie, I don't think you realize what you've done for me. You.... you didn't just teach me how to love. You taught me how to feel things. I've experienced many things before, but nothing like this. Cassie, these past few days with you have been nothing less than incredible. I wouldn't trade this for anything."

Cassie felt tears welling up in her eyes. "So......... you're really going to stay?"

"If that is your will."

Cassie bit her lip. "I.............. I know I can't force you to stay.........."

Shadow reached out a hand to brush her hair back behind her ear. "Cassie. I didn't mean it like that. I meant that if you stay here, I will stay here. I will stay with you for as long as you will have me."

Cassie smiled. "I want you forever."

"Then I will stay forever. I will follow you wherever you go. My home is with you."

"Oh, Shadow." Cassie closed her eyes, snuggling up to him.

Shadow wrapped his arms around her, still warm from the new feeling of happiness that washed over him whenever she touched him.

I could not ask for more than this time together

I could not ask for more than this time with you

Shadow leaned his head on her shoulder once again. He kissed a trail of loving kisses up her neck. "I am complete now. I've found my other half in you."

"Mmmmm," she murmured. "You complete me too."

Every prayer has been answered,

Every dream I have's come true.

And right here in this moment,

Is right where I'm meant to be,

Here with you with me

"I wish to kiss you," Shadow said softly.

"Kiss me," Cassie breathed.

Shadow pressed his lips longingly against hers.

Cassie hesitated, surprised at his intensity, but she soon kissed back with a passion of her own.

These are the moments I thank God that I'm alive.

These are the moments I'll remember all my life.

I've got all I've waited for,

And I could not ask for more.

Cassie placed one hand on the back of his head, pressing him down against her, the other absently massaged the back of his neck. Shadow leaned into her. He slipped his tongue into her mouth and kissed her with a passion he didn't even know was burning inside of him. Finally, he came up to catch his breath. "Wow," he breathed.

"Yeah. Wow," Cassie echoed.

I could not ask for more than the love you give me,

'Cause it's all I've waited for

"So....... what do you want to do today?" She asked.

"Anything," he replied. "If I can do it with you."

"Okay. How about a movie?"

"Sure." He settled back down in her bed. "Later."

"Okay," Cassie said, snuggling against his bare chest.

And I could not ask for more

Cassie closed her eyes. Shadow gently caressed her cheek. He could still feel her heart beating against him, and this time, he could feel his own heart beating too.

I could not ask for more

His next few moments were spent just holding Cassie and listening to her breathe. He concentrated on the beautiful sound and on the heartbeats that seemed to speak his name. Shadow closed his eyes and once again listened to the soft pattering of the raindrops falling against the roof.