A Moment in Time
by
falconcranelove
Rating: MA
Disclaimer: Not mine. *grumbles* dammit */grumbles*
Summary/AN: This fic started out as me writing about Sky doing some nice
things for Syd while she was sick. I was VERY sick with the flu myself when I
started it, and so I blame it on that. LOL There was really no plot to it, other
than Sky being sweet, and doing things I wish someone had done for me. LOL From
there, it turned into a 20+ page monster, that actually sorta had a plot. Blame
Kim for that one. *snickers*
- - - - - - - - - -
Syd woke up and rose from the bed, quickly realizing her mistake in doing so when she immediately got dizzy and had to quickly sit back down. She sat there a moment, trying to get her bearings before trying again. She stood up again only to have everything go dark as she crumpled to the floor.
- - - - -
Sky had just walked into their room when he saw his wife’s legs giving out on her. “SYD!” he yelled, as he hurriedly took the four steps that separated them, barely stopping her head from hitting the floor.
He swept her up into his arms and gently deposited her onto their bed. He swept the hair out of her eyes and gently spoke her name, “Syd?” When she didn’t stir he reached for the communicator at his waist.
“Kat, I need you in our quarters. Something’s wrong with Syd.”
“I’m on my way.”
Placing the communicator back in it’s holder, he again tried to get Syd to respond. “Sydney, come on wake up.” As he brushed his fingers against her forehead, he quickly realized something, “You’re burning up.”
Soon after he said that, he heard the chimes indicating someone was outside their quarters. When he gave the command to ‘enter’, Kat came in with a kit in her hands.
“What’s wrong?” she questioned, as she headed to the bed.
“As I came into the room, I saw her start to fall. I caught her just before she could hit her head on the floor. I picked her up, put her on the bed, but she’s not responding to me; and I just felt her forehead and she’s burning up.” He stopped and let Kat have the space right beside the bed so she could examine Syd better. He stood by silently watching, and worrying, waiting for Kat’s diagnosis.
Kat ran a few scans and quickly diagnosed the problem. “She does have a fever right now it’s 101.8, and her heart rate’s slightly increased. Her breathing’s rapid and shallow.” She looked at Sky to see his worried gaze locked on his wife’s form. “Basically she’s got the flu Sky. Nothing too serious I assure you.” At his sigh of relief she chuckled, “You worry too much. It’s cute.” She smirked.
He felt his cheeks get hot as he blushed from embarrassment, “So what does she need to get better?”
“Rest, and lots of it. I’ll have to wait until I can ask her what her symptoms are before we can treat her though. We don’t want to treat her for the wrong symptoms and not treat her for some that she does have.”
“Ok, how long will that take?”
“I don’t know. Should happen any time, she’s only passed out, not physically hurt or terribly ill,” as she finished speaking, Syd started to stir. “See.”
Sky moved to stand beside his wife as she opened her eyes. He knelt down and took her tiny hand in his large ones. “Syd? Can you hear me?” He watched as she slowly started to open her eyes.
“Sky,” she rasped.
He moved closer to her, “I’m right here baby.” He stroked her hair from her forehead. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I’ve been run over by my Zord.”
Despite his concern he had to laugh at her words. “That good huh? You scared me to death Sydney.”
“I’m sorry. What happened?” she looked past Sky at Kat. “Why is Kat here? I remember waking up, and feeling dizzy when I sat up. Once the room stopped spinning I tried to stand, and then the next thing I know I’m back in bed.”
“You passed out. I had just walked into the room in time to see you start to fall. I made it to you before you hit the floor.”
She gave him a gentle smile and squeezed his hand, “My Hero.”
He cracked a small smile at her. “I called Kat immediately, and asked her to come check you out.”
At the mention of her name, the feline scientist stepped forward. “You’ve got the flu Sydney. It’s nothing too serious, but it will take some time before you feel better. You’ll need lots of rest, so take the next few days and stay in bed, or rest on the couch. Until your fever is gone you’re contagious, so no going out where other people are. Before I can treat you, I need to know what’s wrong with you.” She took her data pad and pressed a few buttons. “How long have you been feeling ill?”
“Well, I felt just fine when I went to bed Thursday night, and then woke up yesterday feeling weird; I was hot, had a headache, was achy, and really tired so I laid back down and fell back asleep. Since I had the day off I slept the day away. I’d wake up coughing every once in a while though.”
Kat made the notation on the pad. “Can you tell me anything else you’ve experiences? Any nausea or anything?”
“Well, my head still hurts, but then so does everything else. I wasn’t joking about feeling like my Zord ran me over, I really do hurt. My throat’s kinda scratchy and it hurts to swallow,” she stopped to think for a moment. “Of course there’s the dizziness from earlier. My nose is stuffy, but runny at the same time. I don’t know how many times I’ve blown it since yesterday. And when I cough now, my chest hurts.” She looked at Sky with eyes that portrayed just how miserable she was.
Sky leaned forward and placed a tender kiss on his wife’s brow. “I’m sorry you’re so miserable. I wish I could make you feel better.” He looked to Kat who was busy making the notations on the data pad. “What’s the verdict Kat? What does she need to make her well again?”
The feline finished her last notation and looked back at the couple. “Well, first of all she’s going to need lots of rest. It’s the best thing for her body so she can fight off whatever bug she’s got. As for anything else, I’m going to have to defer to Dr. Felix. I’ll head to the infirmary now and show him this pad, see what the thinks. If he needs any other info he’ll be in contact with you.” She placed her hand on Syd’s shoulder, giving the Pink Ranger a gentle squeeze, “Feel better. Get some rest.”
“I will,” Syd let out a huge yawn, “I can’t believe how tired I am.”
“That would be courtesy of the flu,” Kat gave them a smile, “If you need anything let me know.”
Sky gave her a grateful smile, “Thanks Kat. I appreciate you getting here so quickly.”
“Not a problem. I’ll send someone up with whatever meds Dr Felix prescribes, and I’ll hold down the Command Center while you stay with Syd. I think we’ll be fine for a day or two, and I’ll call you if you’re needed.”
Sky gave a sigh of relief, “You’re the best Kat. Thanks again. I’m glad you stayed here with us instead of going to SPD Command.”
“Me too Sir.” With that, she turned and walked out the door.
Sky turned back to Syd to see that she was almost asleep again. He started to stand to leave the room, but Syd’s grip tightened, stopping him from going. “Don’t go. Please?”
“I’m not going far, and I’ll be right back. Just going to change out of my uniform now.”
“Promise you’ll come right back?” she looked so pitiful as she said it.
“Promise,” he whispered. “Do you need anything when I come back?”
“Something to drink would be great. My throat’s dry,” as she finished talking, she was hit with a coughing fit.
Sky watched on in concern as she turned on her side and seemed to double up from the force of the coughs. Feeling helpless, he could only rub her back gently until the coughing subsided. “You okay?”
Unable to speak for a moment, she could only nod her head. “I could really use that drink now,” she rasped out as she tried to catch her breath.
Sky quickly rose and went to their kitchen, where he got her a glass of water. Returning with the glass, he helped her sit up to drink. After she had drank about half of it, she handed him the glass and he sat it on the bedside table. “Better?”
She nodded, “Much. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’m gonna go get changed now. I’ll be right back.”
“Okay. Hurry though please.”
“I will.” Sky turned and walked to their big walk-in closet. Taking off his officers jacket he hung it on a hanger, before taking off his pants and shirt and placing them in the laundry shoot. He grabbed a pair of his sweatpants and his old blue SPD t-shirt and slipped them on. Picking up his communicator he walked back out into the bedroom and sat it on the bedside table before sitting back on the side of the bed.
Even though he was quiet as could be, Syd must have heard him for she opened her eyes and looked at him. “Sky?”
“Yeah?”
“Could you lay with me? Please? I don’t feel good at all,” she whined.
“Are you sure? I don’t want to hurt you.”
As sick as she was she still managed to give Sky a look that had him chuckling, “Sky, I’m sick, not dying. How could you ever hurt me? And yes, I’m sure. I want you to hold me.”
“Okay.” Sky walked around to his side of the bed, pulled back the covers and slid in beside his wife. The moment he was settled, Syd scooted back against him and sighed happily when he wrapped his arms around her. “Is this okay?” he whispered to her.
“Perfect,” she whispered back. Within minutes the exhausted Pink Ranger was sound asleep.
Sky lay there holding his wife, wishing there was something he could do to make her better. He could hear the rasping as she breathed, and noticed that her breathing was rapid and shallow. Sky felt horrible knowing Sydney has been so sick these last two days, and he hadn’t been here with her. He had been called away on urgent business at SPD Command on Wednesday and had just returned home this morning.
Having not slept well the last three nights, Sky soon found himself getting sleepy. The comfort he found in laying with Syd soon lulled him to sleep.
Sky jerked awake about an hour later, and looked around trying to determine why. After a moment he heard the chime of the door, indicating someone was outside their quarters. Slowly disentangling himself from Sydney he headed for the door. He found one of the Cadets from the infirmary standing outside.
The Cadet saluted him, “Sir, Dr Felix sent me up here with some medicine for Officer Tate.” He held out the bottle of pills, and after Sky took them, saluted again and turned to leave.
“Thank you Cadet.”
“Any time Sir,” he turned back to look at Sky, “Tell her we hope she feels better soon.”
Sky smiled, “I will.” Sky knew that Syd meant a lot to the Cadets and other Staff at the Academy, they all seemed to love her. And who could blame them? The pretty Pink Ranger had managed to steal his heart, so he knew the feeling.
Sky walked back towards the bedroom, reading the label for the medicine: Take twice daily till gone. With or without food. He made a mental note to have her take the first dose the next time she woke up.
Seeing that she was still sound asleep, Sky walked back out into their living area, and over to his punching bag; picking up his gloves and slipping them on. For half an hour he worked the bag’ kicking and punching, lost in thought. He heard Syd start coughing again and walked into the room to make sure she was okay. He saw she was sitting up on the edge of the bed, one hand covering her mouth, and the other holding her chest as she continued to cough. He retrieved her glass of water and waited for the coughing to subside before handing it to her.
Taking a sip she murmured, “Thanks.”
“Dr Felix had some medicine sent up a little while ago. Feel up to taking your first dose now? You have to take it twice a day.” Sky sat beside her on the bed.
“Sure.” She handed him the glass back and he sat it on the table once more.
“It says you can take it with or without food. Are you hungry? Would you like something to eat?” He picked up her hand and stroked the back of it with his thumb.
“I guess I could eat a little. I’ve not had anything since Thursday’s dinner with Z and Bridge. I’m not really hungry though, so nothing too much.” She looked at their hands a moment before looking back at him, “Maybe some soup and crackers?”
“I can do that. Do you want chicken noodle, tomato, or vegetable?”
“Chicken noodle; that sounds good.”
“Chicken noodle it is then.” He leaned in and kissed her forehead. “I’ll be right back. Do you want to stay sitting up, or lay back down? I can put the pillows behind you.”
“I think I’ll lay back down. I’m starting to get a little light headed now.”
“Okay.” He helped her to lay back down, then rose from the bed, taking the glass with him as he headed to the kitchen area. Once there, he filled her glass with fresh water, and programmed their food synthesizer for her soup, and a few saltine crackers. He grabbed one of their food trays and placed the crackers, bowl and glass on it, before grabbing a napkin and spoon and adding them to the tray. He carried them to the bed, where he found Syd nearly asleep again. He placed the tray on the table and then gently spoke her name, “Syd. Baby I’ve got your food, can you wake up enough to eat it and take your pill?”
“Mmmm… do I have to? I’m so tired Sky,” she couldn’t seem to get her eyes to open.
“Yes, I’m afraid you do. At the very least you have to get the medicine taken so that you can start getting better. The food is negotiable, but I’d really love it if you tried to eat something. It’d make me feel better.” He reached down and started to lift her into a sitting position, “Come on, up ya go.”
Syd sighed, resigned to the fact that she wouldn’t get back to sleep until she’d done as he asked. “I really don’t like you right now,” she pouted.
“I know you don’t,” he said through a smile. “That’s okay though, because you’ll thank me later when you feel better.”
“Yeah, you just keep on telling yourself that,” she grumbled.
Sky laughed and grabbed the tray, setting it across her lap. He opened the pill bottle and shook one out into his hand before replacing the cap. “Hey, at least it’s a tiny pill, you won’t even feel it going down.” Sky knew it was sometimes hard for her to swallow pills, especially if her throat was hurting.
“Oh joy.” She took the pill and glass from him and swallowed it down. “There, happy?”
“Yes. Now eat something please.”
She didn’t say anything else as she took the first spoonful and lifted it to her mouth. She really was hungry and appreciated Sky getting her the food; she was just so tired that she was cranky even though she didn’t mean to be. She made a mental note to make it up to him after she was feeling better.
Sky watched her take the first bite, and then stood up, “I’m going to go finish my workout while you eat. Do you need anything else before I leave?”
“No, I’m good.” She offered him a small smile, “Thanks.”
Bending over he kissed her forehead, “You’re welcome. I’ll be back in a little bit to get the tray. Finish up as much as you can.”
“I will.” She watched him walking out the door, enjoying the view as he went. She may be sick, but she wasn’t dead yet and she had a gorgeous husband. She smirked at the thoughts running through her head. Oh yeah, she would enjoying making things up to him when she was feeling better.
She set to finishing her bowl of soup so that she could go back to bed quicker. All she wanted to do was sleep so that she wouldn’t feel so miserable. Syd hated being sick, and when she was, sleep was the best thing in the world.
- - - - -
Thirty minutes later Sky was finished with his workout, and headed back into the bedroom to see if Syd needed anything before he went to take a shower. He was stopped short, just inside the door, at the sight that he was greeted with. Sky smiled as he walked to the bed.
Syd was laying, propped up by the pillows behind her, one hand splayed over her stomach, spoon still in her right hand which lay beside her on the bed, bowl nearly empty, and sound asleep. He was hit with an overpowering wave of love as he looked at her. Sick as she was, laying there without a bit of makeup on her face, her hair limp on the pillow, Sky still thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world. He considered himself the luckiest man to have been blessed with the love of this woman.
Sydney Drew was the most amazing woman he’d ever met. Not only was she drop dead gorgeous, but she was intelligent, honest, loyal, tough as nails when needed, yet had a heart of gold. All the qualities Sky had always dreamed of finding in a woman, and had never thought he would. Yes, he was very lucky to have her. After all, not just anyone would have bothered to look past the front he showed the rest of the world to see the real Sky. He was a master at hiding behind the “Handbook Monitor” façade, and most people, while tolerating him, didn’t really like him for it. But Syd had seen something in him that others hadn’t, and he would forever be grateful to her for taking a chance on him.
As he stepped closer to take the spoon from her hand, his eyes drifted to her hand where it lay across her stomach. As he stared at it, thoughts, unbidden, came to mind of Syd pregnant, her stomach swollen with their child. Sky gulped at the vivid images that brought to him. Being the newlyweds they were, they hadn’t discussed children, but he knew that he wanted them one day, and he wanted Syd to be the woman to bear them.
Shaking his head to dispel the thoughts from his head (it really wasn’t the time to be thinking those things), he took the tray and sat it on the floor while he gently lifted Syd and removed the pillows from behind her. He lay her back down, covered her with the blanket and then headed out of the room with the tray. As soon as he had the few dishes cleaned, he headed for the shower.
- - - - -
Two hours later Sky sat in his chair, reading the latest Crime thriller that Sydney had gotten him. Once she had discovered that he liked them, she had set to buying him the newest best seller every time they came out. He now had an entire bookshelf full of them. She joked about how she was trying to keep him from reading the SPD Handbook, which he had memorized anyway, therefore he didn’t need to read anymore. He smiled as he thought of that conversation with his then fiancée.
He heard Syd call out his name, and laying his book down on the coffee table, he went to see what she needed. “What do you need Syd?” Sky noticed that she was sweating again, and looking feverish once more. Laying his hand on her forehead, he confirmed his suspicions, “Your fever’s back.”
She weakly nodded her head, “I can tell, believe me.” She looked at him with a miserable expression on her face, “Can you get me something for the headache and fever? I can’t take it anymore Sky, I feel like my heads going to explode any minute.”
“Yeah, I’ll go ask Kat what you can take for it. Hang on, I’ll be right back.” He left the room and walked back to the table where he’d left his communicator. “Kat?”
“Yes Commander.”
Sighing he said, “Kat, don’t be so formal. When I’m not with you on official business, please call me Sky.” He could hear the smile in her voice when she said, “Yes Sir.” and he shook his head with a smile. “Kat, I need to know if there’s anything Syd can have for the headache and fever. She’s feeling worse right now, and is asking for something.”
“Well, it should be okay for her to take just about any kind of pain reliever you have. Make sure it’s got Ibuprofen in it to help with the fever.”
“Great, thanks Kat. How are things going?”
“Things are just fine. Now go take care of Syd. Kat out.”
Sky walked to their medicine cabinet, and found the bottle of Advil that Syd kept on hand. Taking the bottle with him, he went to get her a fresh glass of water, then headed back to the bed. “Here ya go. Kat said you could have some Advil for the headache and fever.”
“Oh thank God.” Syd sat up and took the pro-offered glass and pills. Swallowing them down she sank back down onto the bed. “Thanks so much Sky. I’m sorry for being such a pain, especially when you just got home from being gone a few days.”
“Hey, don’t worry about it. I just want you to get better.” He returned the smile she gave him. “Do you need anything else?”
She shook her head, “Just more sleep,” she said around a yawn.
He chuckled at her, “Okay, I’m going back out there, just let me know if you need anything.” He turned to leave only to stop when she called out his name. He turned to face her again, “Yeah?”
She was already falling back asleep when she mumbled, “I love you.”
“I love you too Baby. Get some sleep.”
“Okay,” she murmured, and drifted off again.
Sky went on ahead and left the room, headed back to his book. Just as he sat down, his communicator beeped. “Go for Commander Tate.”
“Commander, I hate to have to say this, but you’re needed in the Command Center. It’s SPD Command, and it sounds important. I’m really sorry Sky.”
Sky sighed, “It’s okay Kat. Let me get my uniform on real quick and I’ll be right there. Tate out.” He hurriedly changed back into a clean uniform, and then checking to make sure Syd was still asleep, he headed out the door and towards the Command Center.
- - - - -
Sky couldn’t believe it. He had just gotten back from SPD Command, and now they wanted him to leave again! For possibly months too! He stormed into their quarters an hour after he had left, furious about the news he had just been given. As Commanding Officer of SPD Earth, and the only current Commander to have been an active Ranger recently, and one of the Rangers who had taken down Emperor Gruumm, he was being assigned to help set up a new SPD Base. The base would be located on Mirinoi, the first official base there, to be made up out of the SPD Outpost on what was left of Terra Venture.
Normally Sky would be thrilled to be given this assignment, but right now with Syd being so sick he wasn’t happy at all. But, he couldn’t turn it down either, it was an assignment from Supreme Commander Cruger, and an honor that he had been chosen. Didn’t mean he had to like it though.
As he stepped into the bedroom, he noticed that Syd was awake, and staring at the wall. She looked at him when she heard him enter. “Hey. You okay? Do you need something?”
“Yeah, I need to go to the bathroom, but I got dizzy again when I tried to sit up a minute ago.”
“I’ll help you get there.” He walked over to help her stand, and it was then that Syd noticed that he was in uniform.
“Where did you go in your uniform?”
He guided her to the bathroom, “Kat called me in for an important message from SPD Command.” He didn’t want to tell her, but know she would ask about it.
“Important, huh? What did Doggie want you to do?” She pulled away from his grasp, and motioned for him to stop by the door. “I can go in by myself. Just don’t go too far, please.”
“I’ll be right out here.”
She left the door open, with Sky standing just outside of them, “Well, what did he say?”
Sighing, Sky told her the news, “I’ve been given an assignment. I’m to go set up a new SPD Base.” Sky waited for the questions he knew she’d throw at him. A few moments later, she came out of the bathroom, and looked at him.
“When?”
“Tomorrow morning. My shuttle leaves at 0600.”
“But you just got home!” Syd couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. She knew she was being childish, but she didn’t care. She was sick and she wanted her husband to be home with her, not out on an assignment.
“I know Syd, and you know I wouldn’t go if I didn’t have to.” They walked back to the bed, and Sky helped her to lay down and then covered her with the blanket. “Believe me, I’m not any happier about this than you are. But how can I say no? I may be Commander here at SPD Earth, but even I have a boss; and that boss has given me orders.”
Syd was on the verge of tears, and hated herself for nearly giving in to them. Logically she knew it was just because she was sick, and so very tired, otherwise she wouldn’t be taking this so bad; but she still hated it. “I know,” she whispered. “How long do you think you’ll be gone? Where are you going, anyway?”
“Lost Galaxy. They’ve estimated it’s about two months worth of work.”
“TWO MONTHS?!” At this information she did cry.
The moment he saw the tears falling, Sky sat down on the bed and scooped her up in his arms and crushed her to his chest. “Syd, please don’t. I can’t stand it when you cry.”
Even though her face was pressed tightly to his chest, he could hear her say through her sobs, “I’m sorry. I can’t help it though. Two months Sky, that’s a long time!”
He smoothed her hair, “I know. I wish you could at least go with me, but as sick as you are it’s impossible. We don’t know how long it will be before you’re not contagious, and this really can’t wait.”
She clutched his shirt, “I hate this! And I’m sorry for being such a baby about this… I blame it on being sick. You know I wouldn’t say anything otherwise, I know how important your job is,” she sniffed.
“I know baby.” He kissed the top of her head. They remained sitting this way until she had calmed down sufficiently. Once the death grip on his shirt had let up, he pulled back a little so he could look her in the eye. “I’m going to do everything I can to get back quicker, but you know how slow things can move some times with paperwork. I won’t stay gone for long, if I can help it.” She could only nod in response. Sighing, he said, “I should start packing now. I’ve got a long time to be there, so I need to restock my bag with enough to get me through. You lay back down and rest, and I’ll come back when I’m finished. Okay?”
“Mmhmm, hurry though okay? If you’re going to be gone for so long, I want you to lay with me until you have to leave.” Once again tears welled up in her eyes at the thought of the long absence to come, but she was able to keep them at bay this time.
“I will.” He rose from the bed and walked back to their closet where he would repack his duffle bag. Throwing several sets of uniform pants and shirts in the one side, he ran through a mental list of the things he would need. Shower kit, running shoes, books, workout clothes… Sky continued on with the list as he started to throw his civilian clothes into the other side of the bag. After about half an hour he was finished, and took the bag to set it by the door for in the morning.
As he passed the wall where their pictures where hung, he noticed his favorite picture of he and Syd, and stopped. Wanting to take something of home with him, he slid the picture from it’s place on the wall, thinking back to the day it was taken, as he slipped it into his bag, making sure to place it between some clothes so it wouldn’t get broken during the journey.
- - -
The day was sunny and bright, and the five Rangers had gotten together in the park for a picnic. It had of course been Syd’s idea, and while he had grumbled about having to go on it, he had found that he really enjoyed himself. It was about a week after Bridge had gone missing during the battle with Bork, and Syd had gotten it into her head that they needed to do more things together as friends, and not just be teammates. After all, their lives depended on each other, and that bonded them better than anything in life could. While they had started acting as more of a team after their SWAT training, they still didn’t do things together off-duty, but Syd was about to change that.
So, they had headed to the park to “eat and play”, and spend some down time together. They had played Frisbee for a while, ending up playing a game of “keep away” that had them all exhausted by the time they were done. Deciding they needed a break they had decided to eat, then play another game that Jack had brought afterwards. Syd had brought a huge blanket to sit on, and they had laid it out under a tree to eat on. Sky got lucky enough to get the spot right in front of the tree, so he was leaning against it as he ate, smiling at his friends as they talked and told funny stories. When the others were finished eating, they were ready to play, but he was still pretty tired (having run away from the girls the most with the Frisbee) so he declined, saying he would sit out the first round or two of the game.
Syd had also declined playing, saying that she too was pretty tired, but would play again in a little while. While the other three went about playing, he and Syd set to cleaning up the picnic, and after they were through, he resumed his spot in front of the tree again, and settled in to watch the others. Syd soon joined him, choosing to sit right beside him leaning against the tree, and they sat there talking and laughing at their friends antics.
As they sat there talking, they both started to get sleepy, and the next thing Sky knew, Syd was leaning on his shoulder sound asleep. As gently as he could, he moved her around so that her head was in his lap, and let her sleep on. He looked down at her with a gentle smile on his face, thinking about how beautiful she really was (inside and out), and stroking her hair.
- - -
He didn’t know it until a few months later, but Z had taken her camera with her, and had snapped a picture of the two of them like that. She had given it to Syd, who had had sole possession of it up until they had gotten married a few short months ago. When he had seen the picture in Syd’s room after they started dating, it had instantly become his favorite. For in it, he could already see a love for the tiny Pink Ranger shining in his eyes as he looked at her. Even though it had taken them a few months more before they acted on it, it had been the beginning of their romantic relationship and eventual love.
Sky smiled even now, just thinking about it. He loved his wife very much, and even though he wasn’t someone who was big on showing his emotions, something about Syd made it so much easier, and he felt free to show his affection for her even around other people.
When he sat his bag down by the door, he made one last sweep through the room to make sure he hadn’t forgotten anything he may want or need. Kat was getting all of his official documents, and equipment together so he needn’t worry about that part. Seeing that he’d gotten everything, he shut off the lights and headed to the bedroom once more. He changed into his pajama bottoms, and a red SPD shirt, then climbed into bed beside his sleeping wife. It was still fairly early, being only 20:00, but he agreed with Syd; since they were going to be separated for so long, he wanted to spend as much time just holding her as he could. Once he’d settled in, he gently eased Syd over onto her other side, and pulled her to him.
She stirred and opened her eyes, “Sky?”
“Yeah, I’m here. I’ve got everything packed, so I’m yours for the rest of the night.” He laid his chin on her head when she snuggled into his side, trying to get as close as she good.
“Good,” she sounded like a child, which made Sky smile. “Dammit, why did I have go get sick now? Then I could be going with you, and not stuck staying behind.” She moved her head so she could kiss his neck, “Or we could make love before you go. Two months without you is going to feel like forever Sky.”
Sky swallowed the lump in his throat, that her words brought. “I know. We’ve not gone more than a few days away from each other since we got together, I don’t know how I’m going to go at least two months without your body next to mine.” He felt desire slam into him, and tried to quell the need he was feeling for her body. When he spoke again, she could clearly hear the change in his voice that indicated he was aroused, “Or feeling you wrapped around me, touching your body… it’s unbearable to even think about, how am I going to live for the next two months away from you?”
Even though she was sick, she felt her body start to respond to his words. “Skyyyyy….” she practically whined. “I feel terrible right now, but damn if I don’t want to make love to you right now even more.”
“I want that too baby, more than you know. But we don’t have to, I don’t want to make you feel worse.”
“I know you don’t, but I need to feel you Sky. If we’re going to be apart for so long, I need this one last time before you go.” She pushed herself up onto her elbow, and looked down at him, “Please Sky? I need this.”
He couldn’t tell her no, because he needed her just as much as she did him. Nodding his head in the affirmative he said, “Yeah. Of course.” He pushed himself up on his elbow as well, and using his left hand, cupped her cheek. Looking into her eyes, he uttered the words that made her heart skip a beat, “I love you Syd.”
“I love you too Sky. Forever.”
“And always,” he replied. They had started that routine after the first time Sky had told her he loved her. She had answered back, and wanted to assure him that she meant it, by adding the ‘forever’, which he had immediately replied to with ‘always’. It wouldn’t mean anything else to someone hearing them say it, but to them there was a great significance and it didn’t seem right if they didn’t repeat it.
Sky leaned in and pressed his lips to hers, happy when he felt her lips immediately part to grant him access. He teased her lips with his tongue, before sliding it between her lips and gently rubbing it against her own. Where normally their kisses would be filled with passion, evidence of their intense need for one another, these were sweet and loving. Sky felt even more need to be gentle with her, due to her illness. He wanted to show how much he loved and cherish her, so that she would have no doubt of on those lonely nights they would be apart.
Their tongues continued the intimate dance for moments more, before he pulled back and gently pushed her back down on the bed. “Lay back and let me do all the work tonight. Let me love you.” When she nodded, he slowly started unbuttoning the buttons of her pajama shirt, leaning down to kiss each inch of flesh that was revealed as he went.
Syd closed her eyes, enjoying the sensations that were created in her, by his tender ministrations. She may have been ill, but Sky was a master at what he did, and she wasn’t even thinking about being sick. All she could think of was how wonderful his touch was, and how her skin tingled where his lips touched her. When he reached the bottom button, he slid the sides of her top apart, and she shivered when she felt the cool air touching her slightly feverish flesh.
Sky drank in the sight of her, as he slowly spread the sides of her top apart. Her stomach, toned from years of intensive training, not only for SPD, but for her years of Fencing before that; her breasts, still slightly tanned from their weekend getaway three weeks ago, and were the perfect size to fit into his hand. He didn’t think he would ever tire of looking at her, she was simply amazing.
He saw her shiver, but didn’t know if it was from the cool air, or from her anticipation of what was to come. He smiled as he lowered his mouth to her stomach, kissing a circle around her bellybutton. He had a mild obsession with her stomach, her bellybutton in particular, though he couldn’t explain why.
Once he was done with showering her tummy with kisses, he moved a little lower south, raising up on his knees so that he could easily slip his hands under her waistband and lower her pajama bottoms. When he had them removed, he lay back down beside her, his head even with her stomach. Her stomach muscles clinched in anticipation of what she knew he was about to do, this was one of her favorite parts. She felt his warm breath across her abdomen as he once again brought his lips to her stomach. She felt butterflies in her stomach as he ever so slowly made his way down to the line of hair that hid her most secret of places. The place that only Sky had been privileged enough to see, and touch. The place that now longed for his touch. She moaned when she thought of his fingers caressing her, and his mouth kissing her there.
Sky heard her moan, and felt his member grow hard at the sound. Syd was very vocal (which he’d found was a huge turn on), and he took his cues from the sounds she made; he was very good at reading his wife. He saw the muscles in her stomach jump when he lightly ran his left hand up her leg, headed towards the juncture of her thighs. He heard the intake of breath as he reached his destination, and slowly delved his fingers into the outermost area of the moist recess hidden there. He could feel that she was only slightly wet, and knew she was nowhere near ready for him yet.
He ran his fingers up and down her slit a few times, spreading the wetness as much as possible, before easing one of his long fingers into her. Her back arched slightly as she moaned his name, “Oh Skyyy…Mmmmm…,” she bit her lip and looked down at him, only to find his attention was focused on another part of her anatomy. She watched him as he concentrated on what he was doing; he was very thorough and took the time to make sure that he was pleasing her in every way. She was incredibly lucky to have married such a wonderful man, and she knew it.
She felt him slowly sliding his finger out of her, and then gasped as he suddenly plowed back in with two of them. “Uuh!” she grunted. He started to seesaw in and out of her faster, which had her panting with pleasure, “Oh my god… Skyyyyy… oh god….,” her eyes rolled back into her head.
Sky loved to hear her cry out, letting him know just how much he was pleasing her. He continued to caress her a moment more, and then shifting, slowly brought his head closer to her wet center, and taking his time, ran the tip of his tongue over her nub, causing her hips to buck in surprise. He smirked then, extremely pleased with himself. He eased his fingers from their place, and ran his tongue up and down her now sopping wet slit, loving the taste of her. “God Syd, you taste so good baby.” He delved into her innermost recesses with his tongue, rotating it inside, and then pulled it back out, only to move up to her clit once more. He flicked it over her swollen bud several times in quick succession, causing her to cry out some more.
“Ohmygod,ohmygod, SKY!” Syd could feel her climax quickly approaching, and sought to warn him to stop before it was too late, “Sky, I’m gonna cum if you don’t stop right now.”
Barely taking the time to lift his head from licking her, he said, “Go ahead, cum for me baby,” and then attacked her with a new fervor. This was all about her, he needed to make her cum at least once before he took his own pleasure from her. He buried his face in her opening, and proceeded to lick every inch of her at a maddening pace. He slid two of his fingers back in, then added a third, alternating between having his fingers working her, and using his tongue in the same manner.
He could feel her getting closer, her inner walls starting to spasm, and knew that with one move of his fingers, she would come crashing over the edge. Turning his hand so his palm was facing up, he curled his fingers slightly and made contact with the top of her inner walls. Two more strokes was all it took before Syd stiffened, and was screaming his name.
“SKY!” Her body shook from the pleasure coursing through her. She could feel Sky’s fingers still sliding in and out of her, slowly, working her down from the ecstasy he had created within her. When she calmed down some, she felt him gently lapping at her, making sure to get every drop of her juice he could. “God Sky, you’re amazing,” she chuckled.
When he was satisfied that he’d gotten as much as he could, he lifted his head to look at her, “You liked that, huh?”
She laughed, “Oh yeah.” She was still panting, which lead to a short coughing spell, where she actually had to sit up to stop. She could see the concern in Sky’s eyes as he watched her. “I’m fine. Don’t worry about it.”
“Can’t help it.” He frowned at her, “Are you should this is such a good idea? Maybe you should just get some rest.”
She framed his face with her hands, “I’m sure that this is fine. I’m not about to let a little flu keep me from making love to you the night before you leave me for two months. I’d take a little coughing fit now, over not having you make love to me for that long. Four days was too long, two months will be torture.” She grinned as she slowly sank back down to the bed, taking him with her as she still had hold of his face. “Now… I want you inside of me, now.”
He returned her grin as he moved so he was cradled between her legs. He kissed her as he shifted his weight to his left arm, and brought his right one down to move her leg out a little further, giving him better access to her. He took his member in his hand and rubbed it around her slit, making sure to coat it with her wetness. Once he was sure she was wet enough and he was completely coated in her juices, he gently slid inside her, his eyes rolling back in his head at the feeling of her tightness encompassing him. “Oh god Syd… You feel fantastic baby.”
She gasped out, "You don't feel so bad yourself." She moaned as she felt him slowly start to move, his shaft rubbing gently against her nub as he did. “Sky, I’m not going to break…*pant*… so please don’t worry about being gentle…*pant*... I need to feel you…*gasp*... I need you to fuck me.”
Sky felt his cock jump at her choice of words, and looking her in the eye to make sure she was certain, he picked up his speed, thrusting into her a little faster and harder as well. He felt her wrap her legs around his waist, and knew that she was wanting him to go even faster, and so he did his best to comply. Putting his head down on the bed beside her head, he braced himself more firmly on his left elbow and using his right hand lifted her up to a better angle. She clung to his shoulders as he pounded into her over and over again, their combined sounds of pleasure reverberating off the walls around them.
All too soon Sky felt his release coming, and wasn’t sure if he could hold out long enough to get Syd off first. “Syd, *thrust* baby I need you to cum for me…*thrust*… can you do that?” *thrust*
“I’m close Sky. *gasp* I need it harder though. FUCK ME!” she growled.
Sky would have laughed out loud at his wife’s words if he hadn’t been so close to the edge of his own release, but as it was, he could only concentrate on what he was doing, and try to hold off his pleasure a moment more. He thrust into her as hard as he could and within seconds, he felt her body stiffen and convulse around him. That was all it took before he let himself go, and with a thunderous shout came inside her velvet walls. He continued to move, working her back down from her high, while pressing chaste kisses to her shoulder. “I love you. God how I love you,” he panted.
Syd could only smile and press a kiss to his collar bone, too weak to do anything else. They lay there a moment while they caught their breaths, before Sky gently rolled to the side, taking her with him; his body still nestled within her own.
When she found her voice again, she whispered, “Thank you.”
Sky was rubbing her back in soothing circles and paused, “I think I should be thanking you. You’re sick and yet you still wanted to be with me.” he grunted, “I don’t know how many other women would do that. I’m without a doubt the luckiest guy in the world right now.”
Something about what he said must have been funny, for she started giggling uncontrollably. He just smiled and waited for her to calm down. Unfortunately, the giggling led to yet another coughing fit, this one bad enough that she had to sit up and he had to go get her a glass of water.
Once she had calmed down from that, they lay back down together, Syd cuddled up to his side, his hand stroking her hair. Sighing, she said, “I’m afraid to go asleep.”
A look of confusion appeared on his face, “Why?”
“Because I’m afraid that I won’t wake up before you leave, and then when I do wake up, you’ll be gone, and I’ll have missed my chance to say goodbye.” She felt the tears well up and slip from her eyes.
“Oh Syd,” he cradled her head to his chest while she cried, making soothing sounds to help calm her. “I would never leave without saying goodbye to you. I wouldn’t do that to you, but there’s no way I would be able to do that to myself either. Your face is the last thing I want to see before I get on that shuttle in the morning.”
Syd sniffed and whispered, “Promise you won’t leave without waking me.”
He pressed a kiss to her head, “Promise. Now get some rest. I’ll still be here when you wake.”
She snuggled closer to him and sighed happily, feeling better than she had earlier, and not worried at all that later on she would be feeling worse for their nights activities.
- - - - -
When Sky’s alarm went off, he quickly shut it off, eyes still closed, dreading what was to happen soon. He was exhausted, the two of them having woken twice more in the night to make love, but he wouldn’t trade the exhaustion for anything in the world. He would have to remember last night for the next two months (or more), so it was well worth it.
Sighing, he shifted onto his side, where he pulled Syd closer, whispering her name, “Syd. Baby, it’s time to for me to get ready.” He waited until she was stirring slightly, “I have to get up and get ready. Do you want me to wake you before I leave, or are you going to try and come see me off at the shuttle bay?”
She yawned and stretched, “I want to come see you off. Wake me a few minutes before you leave and I’ll get dressed to come down.”
“Okay. Go back to sleep, you have about an hour more.” He rose from the bed, and made sure she was tucked back in before heading for a quick shower.
Forty-five minutes later, he was standing beside the bed, gently shaking her shoulder in an attempt to wake her. He hated to do it, he wanted to let her sleep on, but she had made him promise, and he couldn’t break it. “Syd, you’ve got about 10 minutes before we have to head down. What do you want to wear and I’ll get it for you.”
“I don’t care,” she mumbled. “Just pick me out something decent, I don’t even care if it’s nice looking, just something that won’t embarrass either one of us.”
He chuckled as he headed to her dresser drawers, in search of a pair of sweats and a t-shirt for her to wear.
Ten minutes later, she was dressed, her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, her teeth were brushed, and she was putting her shoes on (or rather, Sky was putting her shoes on for her). When he was finished, he stayed down on his knees and looked her in the eyes. She felt the tears welling again, and cursed them, willing them to go away. She didn’t want him to see her crying, for that be the last memory he takes with him. She gave him a wobbly smile, trying, and failing, to keep the tears at bay. As two of them fell down her cheeks, he reached out and brushed them away with the pads of his thumbs.
Taking a deep breath, and releasing it on a shaky sigh, he pulled her into his arms just as the dam broke and the tears ran unchecked down her lovely face. “Shhh… don’t cry Syd. It’ll be okay. It’ll go faster than we think, and before you know it I’ll be back home.” He didn’t know if he was trying to convince her or himself, but could tell it wasn’t really working on either of them.
They held one another tightly, not wanting to move from that spot, knowing it would be a while before they would be able to do so again. “I’m going to miss you so much.”
“I’m going to miss you too. Take care of yourself while I’m gone. I’m going to have Kat and Bridge keep an eye on you for the next few days until you’re more yourself, but promise me that you will be careful and not do something that could get you hurt. I don’t think I could take a message saying you were hurt, or worse…” he couldn’t finish that thought, and pressed a kiss to her head and squeezed her tighter.
“I will, if you will. I wouldn’t make it through getting a similar message Sky.”
“I will.” He rose from his spot on the floor and held out his hand to her. “Walk me out?”
She slipped her hand into his, and let him pull her up from the bed. Together they walked to the door leading out of their quarters, and he stopped momentarily to pick up his bag. From there they headed down the hall, and towards the shuttle bay.
Upon arrival, they saw that most of SPD was waiting to see their Commander off. “Great,” she mumbled. “I have to say goodbye to you in front of a huge audience. Just what I wanted.”
He gave her a sympathetic smile, “Not exactly what I had in mind either. I’ll dismiss them before we have to say goodbye for the last time.”
She nodded at him, “Okay.”
They moved on until they were standing in front of the other members of the Ranger team, Boom, and Kat. One of the Cadets hollered the command, and every SPD personnel member saluted at once, the sight was something that never ceased to amaze Sky. Sky nodded to them, and the same Cadet gave the order to stand at ease.
Sky walked up to his friends, and addressed them all together, “While I’m gone, you guys are in charge. Kat will be acting Commander in my absence, Bridge you’ll continue on with your Red Ranger duties, but you’ll need to help Kat out much more than normal. The two of you are ultimately in charge of everything. I trust you both to do what needs to be done. Z, Boom, Sophie… you guys are to help them out with whatever they need. I’m counting on all of you to keep things running smoothly.”
“Yes Sir,” the five answered together. Sky rolled his eyes, as Syd giggled at their antics.
Smiling and shaking his head, he turned to address the assembly. “Thank you for coming to see me off. I hope that this means you’ll be just as happy to see me come back, and aren’t hoping for me to stay gone?” He smiled as they laughed. “In my absence, Kat and Bridge are the top of the chain of command, and Z, Boom and Sophie are next in line. If you need anything see one of them. I expect you all to treat them with the same amount of respect you do me. Now please, go about your day (sleep, train, whatever). DISMISSED!” he barked.
As they all turned to leave, he turned back to his friends, his arm wrapping around Syd’s waist as she stood at his side. “Now, I need a few favors from you guys.” He turned to look at Bridge and Z, “I need you to take care of Syd for me.”
“You know we will,” Bridge replied. Z nodded her affirmative answer.
“I’d like one of you to be with her at all times until she’s back on her feet. She’s been getting dizzy and passed out yesterday at least once. She’s not to be alone.”
“We’ll take care of it. I’ll pack a bag and stay in your quarters with her.” Z smiled at Syd, “It’ll be just like old times.”
Syd smiled back at her. “Thanks Z. It shouldn’t be for too long, I hope.”
“You guys all take care of each other while I’m gone too. I don’t want any messages saying someone was hurt, not as far away as I’m going to be.”
“Things will be fine Sky, don’t worry. You just be careful too. Have a safe trip.” The others nodded their agreement with Z’s words. “We’ll see you when you get back.” The five friends moved away, giving the couple a little more privacy for their goodbye.
Seeing as they’d had their big goodbye in their quarters, they simply gave each other a hug, and a gentle kiss. “I love you.” he smiled.
“I love you too. Forever,” she replied.
“And always. I’ll be back soon.” With one last kiss, he walked towards the shuttle. When he arrived, he looked back and saw that Bridge had his arm around Syd. She seemed to have wilted in the few moments it took him to get there, and it appeared that Bridge was the only thing keeping her upright. Sky was very worried about her, and hated to have to go, but knew that he couldn’t do anything to change he fact he had to leave. He just had to trust the Kat hadn’t misled him, and that she would be just fine within a day or two. He waved, and stepped into the shuttle, losing sight of his friends.
- - -
Syd watched as he walked away, her eyes getting misty again, blurring him out. She felt someone come up to her right, then another presence come to a stop on her left, a gentle arm coming around her waist, and she sank into Bridge’s side. He easily supported her weight, and Syd was forever grateful to her “brother” for always being there when she needed him to be.
Sky turned to look back at them one last time, and she returned the wave he gave them. They stood there until his shuttle had taken off, and they could no longer see it. “I love you Sky, be safe,” she whispered just before they headed back to their quarters.
FIN