Author's Note: This doesn't have any relation to my other fics. I hope you enjoy it and as usual, any comments are greatly appreciated. You can reach me at: Shadowcat@powerrangerslostgalaxy.zzn.com. Thanks!

He knew Cassie was waiting for him. All the damage had been repaired one week ago, but he'd needed time to gather up the courage to go to her. Now he finally had it. Today is the day, he thought. After three months of being apart from his Cassie, he was finally going to see her. He thought back to the events of yesterday:

"But Mother! I can't leave you now! Not when I've finally got the chance to stay home and spend time with our family for more than a few hours!"

Phantom's mother sighed. " I know something's bothering you, dear."

"No! I'm fine. I'm home now."

" It's that woman, isn't it? The earth woman."

Phantom's head snapped up. Maybe she knew him just a little too well. "Cassie," he said.

His mother sighed again. "Your home is with her now."

Even before she said it, he knew the words were true, but he'd never had the heart to tell her so.

"Are you sure, Mother?"

"Yes, dear. I can see this Cassie makes you happy. Much happier than I've seen you in a long time. Go to her. I'll bet she misses you very much."

Phantom smiled. "Thank you, Mother. Thanks so much for everything." He kissed her cheek. " I'll bring her here so you can meet her. You'll love her."

"I'm sure I will. Now go. You should get to her as soon as you can. You've both been waiting long enough."

" I will, Mother. Farewell. I will see you in about a week's time."

He smiled at the memory. His mother could always tell little things like that about her children. Thanks to her, he finally had the courage to leave home and find Cassie.

Phantom shivered nervously at the thought. He'd never told his family, but he was planning to ask Cassie to marry him.

Phantom sat up straight when he realized that his ship was just pulling in to Earth's orbit.

Cassie Chan opened her eyes. There were noises coming from outside her room. Cassie pulled on a robe and walked to the other side of her bedroom, the moonlight being the only light to guide her way.

Cassie parted the pink curtains that led to the balcony. She gasped at what she saw. The Phantom Ranger was standing right outside her room.

She blinked a few times to make sure she wasn't dreaming. He was still there. "Phantom," Cassie whispered.

"Cassie," he breathed.

All I am, All I'll be
Everything in this world
All that I'll ever need
Is in your eyes
Shining at me

Cassie moved closer to him. "Come on inside," she said. "There's something I need to talk to you about."

" I have to speak with you also."

Cassie led him through the curtains and into her room. "I have something to tell you," she said slowly.

Phantom waited.

"Um, can I see your face first?"

He took a long, deep breath, trying to remember that this was the girl he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. It worked.

"Of course," he said. He touched the Power Ruby on his chest and the power flickered, then faded out, leaving him in a form that resembled a human.

For the first time, Cassie looked deeply into his brilliant blue eyes. "You're beautiful," she breathed.

"So are you," he replied. Cassie blushed, smiling shyly. She moved closer to him. As she did so, her arm "accidentally" brushed against his.

When you smile I can feel
All my passion unfolding
Your hand brushes mine
And a thousand sensations
Seduce me 'cause I

Cassie felt tingles running up and down her spine. I have to tell him, she thought, trying to find the words. She'd waited for so long to have this chance, she wouldn't blow it now.

I do cherish you
For the rest of my life
You don't have to think twice

Cassie looked up into his gorgeous face. "Um, may I ask you something else?"

" You may ask whatever you like," he said in that sexy voice.

"What's your name?"

The question was innocent enough, he had to remind himself. He paused just a moment before answering, " I am called Shadow."

"Shadow," she repeated softly.

Phantom thought he was in heaven right there, in her room, when she said his name the way she said it just now.

I will love you still
From the depths of my soul
It's beyond my control

" I should apologize to you," Shadow began, before he could lose his nerve.

"For what?"

"I'm sorry it took so long for me to get back to you after the battles. I should have let you know I was okay. It's just that.......there was a lot of damage on my planet.......and I.........."

Cassie shook her head. "Sshh," she said, gently placing a finger to his lips.

Shadow's heart beat faster at her intimate touch.

"I understand."

"I knew you would," Shadow said quietly. He wanted so badly to take her in his arms and hold her tight and never let go. "Can we sit down?"

"Oh, sure. Okay," Cassie replied. She sat on her bed and pulled the uncertain Shadow down beside her. She bit her lip nervously.

"Um, I...........I need to tell you something."

Shadow looked into her eyes. "Go ahead," he whispered, leaning closer.

"I..........I uh...........um....." Cassie couldn't tear her gaze away from his face, and she soon realized that she was also leaning closer.

Shadow continued to lean closer until finally, his lips were on hers. He wrapped his arms loosely around her waist. She was so close now she was practically in his lap.

Cassie closed her eyes and placed her hands on the back of his head, pulling him closer. Her body filled with sensations she'd never thought were possible to feel.

When they finally pulled apart, Shadow was breathless. "Cassie," he managed. He knew now was the time. "Cassie......I love you. I've always loved you, ever-"

"Ever since the day I saw you," Cassie finished in a whisper. Shadow nodded, the expression on his face reflecting all his love that he'd kept inside for so long.

I've waited so long to say
this to you
If you're asking do I love
you this much
I do

" I love you too," Cassie said.

"I'm sorry, Cassie. I tried to keep it from you. I swore to myself I'd never love again the day I saw my friends die on KO-35. I tried to block you out.......but.....we're connected, somehow. I feel it every time I look at you........even when I don't look at you."

Cassie looked at him with tears in her eyes. She thought she couldn't even begin to understand how much pain her love had been through, and at that moment, she vowed to make it go away.

" I tried to deny it," he continued. "But you.....you have this power over me." He smiled. "You really are special."

Cassie smiled back. "You're special too." Shadow looked at her seriously. " Thank you for giving me my heart back and for teaching me how to love again."

In my world, before you
I lived outside my emotions
Didn't know where I was going
Till that day I found you
How you opened my life
to a new paradise

Cassie held him tightly. "It's going to be okay," She murmured. "It's all going to be okay because we're together now."

"That's right. Cassie, I love you so much. If only I could find the right words to tell you....I..........."

"Sshh. I know. I love you too, baby."

"Cassie, my love, I will cherish you forever," he promised.

In a world torn by change
Still with all of my heart
Till my dying day

The tears that Cassie had been struggling to hold fell, but this time they were happy tears. Shadow reached up a hand to brush them away. Cassie leaned into his touch, sighing softly.

I do cherish you
For the rest of my life
You don't have to think twice
I will love you still

Shadow tilted her chin up so he could look straight at her eyes. "I promise you I will never leave you. I will love you even after the day I take my last breath."

Cassie took a shuddering breath. Shadow wrapped his arms tightly around her, hoping he wasn't scaring her.

From the depths of my soul
It's beyond my control
I've waited so long to say
this to you

He held her for a moment longer, then he slowly moved an arm's length away. He smiled at her with true happiness. Cassie looked at him with big, round, innocent eyes.

Shadow dropped down to one knee, never letting go of her hand. "I love you," he whispered.

" I love you too," she breathed.

"Cassie Chan, you are my life, my every reason for living. Will you be my wife?"

Cassie didn't even have to think about this one.

If you're asking do I love
You this much

"Yes. Yes, I would be honored to have you for my husband, Shadow."