A Lifetime of Love
by
Pink-Green-White-4ever
AN: Done in response to the Ars Amatoria’s Ranger Romance Themes Challenge. Yes, I know that the Theme Challenge BloomingViolets and I started isn’t finished, but I got some great ideas for these two so I’m going to try my hand at a solo set of challenges, only this uses all 60 of the challenges, both sets 1 and 2.
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, wish I did.
Rating: The whole series ranges from T to MA.
PAGE ONE: Let Me Tell You A Story - Impression - Perception - Dare - Match - Yield
- Triumph - Why - Patience - Friends
PAGE TWO: Routine - Color - Reaction - Time - Secrets - Smile - Game -
Closer - Denial - One Moment
PAGE THREE: Power - Duty - Darkness - Green Eyed Monster - Wish - Lost -
Mirror - Worst Case Scenario - Spellbound - Guilt
PAGE FOUR: Scars - Truth - Confidence - Quest - Fight - What If -
Sacrifice - Distraction - Beautiful - Dawn
PAGE FIVE: Test - Pride - Dream - Change - Chance - Another Step - Knight - Helm - Moonlight - Simplicity
PAGE SIX: The Call - History - Competition - Dependence - Song
Challenge: Power
Summary: Girls have so much power… as Syd finally understands.
AN: Sequel to One Moment.
A desperate struggle
The strongest takes it all
The battle rages on
Until the weakest finally fall
A vision fills her heart
And gives her strength that's pure and true
And when it seems that all is lost
She knows what she must do
She's got the power
Oh, she's got the power
She's got the power
Yeah, she's got the power
-- Sailor Moon R Season, She’s Got The Power --
--
As a girl, I’ve been taught that knowledge is power and that to use that power, all I have to do is use my brain. I’ve also been taught that being a girl means I have advantages and disadvantages over my male counterparts. What my mother never warned me about is that when you fall in love and you realize he loves you back, power is no longer in the palm of your hand. It becomes a shared weapon, on that both of you learn to use to your advantage. It becomes a weapon that can either make or break you. After a rough, sleepless night, I’ve decided it’s not going to break me. One way or another, I’m going to prove to Sky that its all on him whether he does something about this thing that’s between us. I’ve made plenty of moves, and this is my last one.
“Cadet Drew and I are going to demonstrate how those of you who are shorter in stature can get your opponent down with close hand to hand moves,” Sky explains to the D Squad cadets. Some of them are older than both of us, which makes this a little awkward for all of us. Since Gruumm showed up, we’ve had an influx of new cadets looking to work their way up to being a Ranger. For the older cadets, it’s a bit of a sting to know Cruger isn’t activating another Ranger team until we learn the status of A Squad.
“Syd, ready?” Sky asks. I shake off my thoughts and prepare to start the demo.
“There’s no way the SPD Princess is going to be able to fend you off without her Ranger powers,” one of the male cadets smirks.
I level the cadet who said that with a look. Sky’s standing to my left, arms folded over his chest, a smirk on his face. “You think so?” Sky asks. I’ve heard the tone he’s using before. It means he’s pissed off. “Ready Syd?”
I nod and we move a little father away from the group. Sky’s giving me look, one that I can’t read. “What’s wrong?” I ask softly.
“Don’t go easy on me. I want to prove a point to him.” I look at him in confusion. Even on my best day, I can’t really beat Sky without him being easy on me. “Syd, you’ve got girl powers you whip out when you want something, let’s prove a point to them by you using them.”
When I realize what he means, I can only nod and grin. Who’d have thought he was aware that I used being a girl to get what I wanted most of the time, especially from him? “You sure? This could be potentially embarrass the hell out of you.”
“I’m sure.”
I turn to face the cadets and Sky wraps and arm around my shoulders and neck and one around my waist. “Okay, now, grab the hand like this,” I start, grabbing the hand at my left shoulder. “Apply pressure to the pressure points.” I do exactly as I explain and feel Sky tense and steel himself against the movement.
Carefully, I guide the group through, step by step. Before the cadets have time to blink, I’m flipping Sky over my shoulder. He lands on the mats in front of me, with my hand still applying pressure to his. “And for all you girls, if you try this on your boyfriends, you have the added advantage of using his own body against him.” So saying, I clamor over the top of Sky and sit down on his hips, my hands coming to rest on his upper arms, effectively pinning him to the ground.
The girls are clapping and the boys are wincing. I can’t help but grin down at Sky when I feel his body start reacting to the close proximity of my own. “Any questions?” Sky asks from his spot on the ground.
“Just one,” Jack calls out as he, Z and Bridge approach our demonstration. Our Red Ranger is smirking, and I seriously don’t like the glint in his eyes. “How do you get rid of the hard on you’re going to get if your girlfriend uses that maneuver on you?”
Sky’s face just turned the color of Jack’s uniform. Z’s smirking, Bridgey’s eyes are wide and I can hear the snickers behind me. I smile down at Sky, hopefully reassuring him that I’ve got this under control, before turning my attention back to Jack. “Why are you asking? It’s not like you have to worry about that anytime soon, right?” I saucily throw at him.
Our Red Ranger’s face just scrunches up at me while everyone else laughs. Sky’s chuckling is reverberating through me. “Okay guys, demonstration over,” Sky calls to the cadets. “Time to run course 4 and then you can head in and shower.”
The cadets salute as I move to get off Sky, then reach down to help him up. He has a rather noticeable bulge in his sweats. Shaking my head, I move forward and hug him. He stiffens in shock before he sighs and relaxes, his arms coming up around me. “Sorry,” I murmur into his chest.
“It was my idea,” he grins. “I should know by now not to do that with you, especially since my body likes the stimulus too much.”
I can’t help but giggle as I let go. The others are watching us, smirking. “So, what’s next on our agenda?”
“You’re going to show me hot to use that move on Bridge,” Z grins while Bridgey blushes. Jack’s just shaking his head at us and I know Sky’s grateful the attention is off him.
“I’m hungry, let’s go grab lunch.”
The others just laugh as we head in to change and eat.
Challenge: Duty
Summary: Sometimes, duty means having to choose
AN: Idol was a turning point for Sky, at least in my opinion. And I
wanted to address that in at least one or two of the challenges. This one is
set directly after Idol.
He never gives up
Let's go of his dreams
His world goes around of his one true belief
Is that how you know
Is that what it means
Yeah
Would he walk on water?
Would he run through fire?
Would he stand before you?
Will he be your anchor,
When the dark unfolds
Will he always love you the best that he knows
Would he give his life up to be all he can?
Is that, Is that, Is that?
How you measure a man
-- Clay Aiken, Measure Of A Man --
--
I love watching him. If there was one thing I could say was immediately obvious about Sky Tate, it’s that the man is hotter than hell and just as deadly. There’s more to my Sky than what you see on first glance. Of course, if I ever call him my Sky in public, it might not be pretty. The boy has a sense of duty a million miles wide and just as long, and it’s also killed any romantic feelings he might have for the opposite sex. I know this because I’ve tried to get his attention and failed miserably. His duty to SPD has consumed his life.
That is, until now.
He’s standing in front of a row of windows on the observation deck. His hands are locked behind him at the small of his back and he’s standing straight as a rod. To a normal observer, it’s a usual pose for him. But as someone who knows him, I can see the slight slump in the way he stands. The last couple of days have been hard on him, and I think they’ve made him rethink a lot of the decisions he’s made and how he’s living his life.
I still can’t believe Dru turned traitor, so I can only imagine how Sky’s dealing with it. Ever since he finished his punishment, he’s been withdrawn and overly quiet. Shaking my head, I move to stand with him. He had to choose between friendship and the job he’s been trained to do – protecting Earth at all costs. Unfortunately, the cost this time was very personal, and heartbreaking. The look on his face after containing his long time best friend hurt me, because I’ve never seen him look that lost before.
We stand together in silence for a long time. I know, after years at his side, that when and if he wants to talk, he’ll speak up. I’m surprised, however, when his arms wrap around me without any warning. “Sky?” I ask. He’s shaking, and that worries me. I tighten my own grip on him and murmur, “Its okay, Sky, let it go.”
“How could I be so careless?” he whispers into my hair. “I almost got Cruger killed, not to mention I almost got Earth taken over. How the hell could I screw up so badly?” he hisses.
I sigh, knowing the answer I’m about to give him will be unacceptable in his eyes, but damn it all if he doesn’t need to hear it. “You’re human. Humans make mistakes. You aren’t perfect, and damn it, no one expects you to be.”
“God, Syd, seeing him like that was worse than not knowing if he was dead or alive to begin with.”
There’s unspoken meaning in those words. Doing the duty he lives for made him chose, and now he’s second guessing everything he knew. “If I could make it stop hurting, I would, but this is one of those lessons we all have to learn. The best I can do for you is just be here.”
His arms tighten around me to the point that I think he’s going to break my ribs but I don’t complain. He needs this, the human contact, especially after what he’s been through. I know my being here reassures him that despite his mistakes, everything is as it should be, at least for the most part.
“Sky, no matter what, the four of us are behind you one hundred percent, especially me and Bridge. You’re not alone.”
“He was my best friend, Syd!”
“But not your only friend.”
He pulls back and looks at me in a way that reminds me of a lost little boy and a confused man. “Syd…”
“Listen to me. You did what you were trained to do, at the expense of losing his friendship. You’ve got to forgive yourself. What would you have said to the millions of people that could have died if Broodwing had succeeded?”
Understanding dawns in his eyes. He’s slowly accepting what he had to do, despite that it hurts. “Point taken.”
I bring a hand up and cup his cheek. “It’s going to be okay. I’m not saying it’ll stop hurting, but it will get better. Just give it some time.”
He nods and I begin pulling away. Just as I turn to leave he grabs my hand, causing me to stop and turn to look up at him. “Syd?”
“What is it?”
He’s staring at our joined hands, where his thumb is softly caressing my skin. He shyly looks up and whispers, “Sometimes, I wish we didn’t have such an important job, that duty didn’t get in the way of what my heart’s telling me.”
I’m paralyzed in place as I slowly understand why he just said that. My heart’s beating a million beats per second at the possibility. But like him, I understand why now is not a good time. I squeeze his hand and smile at him. “Broodwing and Gruumm won’t be around forever.”
“I know, let’s just hope the wait doesn’t get to be too much.”
I nod at him and smiled before turning toward the door. I stop just at the threshold. “Sky?” I ask hesitantly, not turning around
“Yeah?”
“I can wait until our duties are done, but I won’t wait longer than that.”
“I know.”
Challenge: Darkness
Summary: Oh the games we play…
AN: Sequel to Duty, this one is from Sky’s POV. I’d like to think what
happened with Dru effected him a little more than he wanted it to.
Why be afraid if I'm not alone
Though life is never easy the rest is unknown
Up to now for me it's been hands against stone
Spent each and every moment
Searching for what to believe
Coming out of the dark, I finally see the light now
It's shinning on me
Coming out of the dark, I know the love that saved me
You're sharing with me
Starting again is part of the plan
And I'll be so much stronger holding oyur hand
Step by step I'll make it through I know I can
It may not make it easier but I have felt you
Near all the way
-- Gloria Estefan, Coming Out Of The Dark --
--
Broodwing’s laughing. Dru’s congratulating me on helping destroy Earth. I call for the others, but I can’t find them. I’m surrounded in a murky darkness that’s oppressing. I feel like I’m suffocating even while I’m breathing.
“BRIDGE! Z! JACK! SYDNEY!” I call out, finding my voice. No one answers. They’re gone, destroyed by my inaction and betrayal.
“SKY!’
Pink light arrows through the depths of blackness, surrounding me, filling me with reassurance.
“SKY!”
“SYDNEY!” I scream, sitting up in bed. I’m panting and trying not to cry. I feel my stomach start to rebel until two cool hands cup my face.
“Sky?” Bridge ventures. My roommate is standing at the side of my bed, looking worried and slightly terrified. I’ve never had nightmares like that, not ones where I woke up screaming. My eyes focus on the person curled on the bed with me, holding my face. She’s wearing a sheer pink nightgown and matching robe.
“I’m okay, Bridge,” I murmur, hoping to reassure not only him but myself as well.
“Lay back down, Bridgey,” Syd commands softly, getting up from the side of my bed. She tucks Bridge back under his covers before coming back to me. “Are you sure you’re okay? Bridge tried waking you up several times and you wouldn’t respond. He came and got me when you started calling out for me.”
“Sorry,” I respond, sinking back into my pillows and trying to push away the feelings my dream brought out. “I’m okay, go back to bed.”
One slim eyebrow arches at me while soft hands tuck the blankets around me. “Want me to wait until you fall asleep?” she asks softly.
I want to say no, but tonight, I need her desperately, more than I’ve ever needed her before. “Please?” My voice sounds soft and meek to me.
Of course, Syd simply smiles and moves around on the bed until her head’s resting on my shoulder. I wiggle my arms out from under the blankets and wrap them around her. I don’t know how long it is before we fall asleep, but we both do.
When I wake up a few hours later, I’m face to face with Syd. She’s shivering and pressed as close to me as possible. Carefully, I pull the covers from under her and then wrap them around us both. She stops shivering immediately and I feel a smile slide onto my face. “Hmmm…Sky…” she moans softly, her body pressing even closer to mine. I blush even as my body reacts to hers. I’m thankful she’s asleep, that Bridge is sound asleep, and it’s dark in our room. I wouldn’t want to embarrass myself. I should take her back to her room, but I’m too comfortable with her next to me. Smiling, I hold her closer, knowing as long as she’s in my life, I can fend off the darkness that threatens my soul.
Challenge: Green Eyed Monster
Summary: Sometimes jealousy can be a good thing
AN: This is set during the part in Stakeout.
What are you doing tonight
I wish I could be a fly on your wall
Are you really alone
Still in your dreams
Why can't I bring you into my life
What would it take to make you see that I'm alive
If I was invisible
Then I could just watch you in your room
If I was invisible
I'd make you mine tonight
If hearts were unbreakable
Then I can just tell you where I stand
I would be the smartest man
If I was invisible
(Wait..I already am)
I saw your face in the crowd
I called out your name
You don't hear a sound
I keep tracing your steps
Each move that you make
Wish I could be what goes through your mind
Wish you could touch me with the colors of your life
-- Clay Aiken, Invisible --
--
“What is your problem?” Z asked, plopping down at the picnic table next to Sky.
“Nothing.”
The Yellow Ranger turned her head in the direction the Blue Ranger was looking and smirked. Sky was watching Jack and Syd open Sydney’s presents while everyone else looked on. The Red and Pink Rangers had their heads bent close together and were nudging each other with their elbows. “You’re jealous.”
“I am not,” Sky protested, trying to appear like Z’s comment was wrong.
“Liar.” Sky gave her an angry look. “You’re mad because he thought of giving her a surprise party and you didn’t.”
The Blue Ranger shook his head. “No, I’m pissed off that he’s taking advantage of her sharing her birthday with him, happy? It’s supposed to be Syd’s day.”
“Sky, you know, the only reason she asked you to leave the table earlier was because you’re acting like an ass and everyone can see it. I mean, you wore your uniform to a party.”
“Gee, thanks Z, you’re making me feel oh so much better,” Sky muttered his still on Sydney.
Z rolled her own at him. “You know, Green doesn’t suit you at all.”
“No, it doesn’t, as its Bridge’s color.”
“That’s not what I meant, and you know. Seriously, what’s really bugging you?” Z asked, watching as Sky turned his attention back to her.
The Blue Ranger remained silent with Z giving him a look that said she didn’t believe for one minute there was nothing bugging him. Finally, he sighed and started. “I can’t believe in the nearly four years she’s been here, I haven’t learned her birthday.”
The Yellow Ranger nodded. “I see.” She could see, just from the look on his face, how mad he really was at the situation. Sydney was, next to Bridge, his best friend.
“Added to that, she seems so chummy with Jack and he’s the one who made her work on her birthday.”
“You would have too,” Z told him, defending Jack’s choices.
Sky shook his head. “If I had known, no, I wouldn’t have,” he tried to suggest, but they both know, more than likely, he’d have made Syd go too.
“Sky, you’re a hard ass, you would have made her work, just like he did. I’m not saying what else would have happened, but you’d have made her work too. I mean, hell, again with the uniform example, but you wore your uniform to her party, need I say more?” Z stared at him and challenged him to refute what she said. “Just admit it, you’re jealous she’s paying so much attention to him.”
The blue-eyed Blue Ranger narrowed his eyes at where Syd and Jack were being teased by Kat and the Commander. “Just because you’re right this time, doesn’t mean I have to admit it.”
Z laughed and patted his arm. “Did you get her something?”
“No.”
“What an idiot,” Z muttered, shaking her head. “Why don’t you do something nice to make up for it?”
“Like what? Jack already threw her a party, what more could I possibly do for her?” Sky grumbled.
“Why don’t you take her out? She’s got Friday off, just like you do.”
Sky mulled over the idea even as he watched Sydney lean her head on Jack’s shoulder. Their eyes caught and he tried to smile at her, but failed miserably. With a feeling between mild panic and pleasure, he saw her excuse herself and head over to where he and Z were sitting. When she was in front of him, Z excused herself and left them alone. “What’s wrong?”
“Are you busy Friday?”
“Not that I know of, why?”
Sky reached out and took her hand. “Will you let me take you out for your birthday? I know it’s late, but I didn’t know what to get you for your birthday.”
Sydney smirked at him. “You forgot my birthday, didn’t you?”
The Blue Ranger nodded. “Sydney, to be honest, I didn’t even know it was your birthday, as horrible as that sounds. I’m so sorry.”
“If you’re trying to make up for it, then why are you glaring at Jack and sitting over here?” Sky didn’t answer her. “You’re jealous I’m spending so much time with him, aren’t you?” She smirked at him.
Sky had his head bowed. “Maybe.”
The Pink Ranger rolled her eyes and leaned close to him. “I like Italian.”
His head shot up, a smile lighting his features. “Seven sound okay?”
“That’s fine. Now, do me a favor – stop glaring at Jack, will you?”
Sky looked into her eyes and smile at the twinkle he saw there. Despite that they both knew Gruumm had to be defeated before they could even try for serious, they were both starting to enjoy the slow courtship. “I’ve already been informed green looks horrible on me.”
“Heaven forbid you turn into more of a grouch,” Syd teased. “Really Sky, Jack’s as much like a brother to me as Bridgey. You should know by now who I dream about.”
The Blue Ranger swallowed hard at the sexiness in her tone. If he paid too much attention to the way she said that, he knew he’d embarrass himself. “Same goes.”
“Besides that, I’ve already had several comments about how the jealous boyfriend routine makes you look even scarier than normal.”
The blush that stained his cheeks made her smile.
Challenge: Wish
Summary: Sky shows his romantic side, even if for one night
AN: Sequel to Green Eyed Monster, set after the episode
Stakeout
I hope that days come easy and the moments pass slow,
And each road leads you where you want to go,
And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,
More then anything, more then anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it,
To your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more then you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this is my wish.
I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
All the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive and you never regret,
And you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
And you always give more then you take.
But More then anything, Yeah more then anything
-- Rascal Flatts, My Wish --
--
“Whoa, where’s the fire?” Jack called out as Sky rushed into the Common Room looking panicked.
“I’m taking Syd to dinner for her birthday. Unfortunately, I just got out of a meeting and we’re supposed to leave in ten minutes and I still need an hour to get everything ready."
“Sky?” Syd called as she entered the room. She was wearing a beautiful light pink dress and wrap. Her hair was piled on top of her head in a mass of curls. She looked incredible.
“Can you do me a huge favor?” he asked her, walking over to her. “I just got out of a meeting, are you going to be okay waiting about an hour for me?”
The blonde-haired Pink Ranger pouted but nodded. She didn’t want to say or do anything that would put him in a bad mood. “I suppose so.”
Sky grinned before he leaned forward and pecked a kiss to her forehead. When he pulled back, she was looking at him with a mildly dreamy expression. He winked once and then turned and fled to his room to get ready.
An hour later, found Sky knocking on the door of the girls’ room. When Sydney opened the door and smiled at him, he returned the smile. “Milday,” he spoke, sweeping into a deep bow before handing her a long stemmed pink rose.
“Doth my eyes deceive me or is my extremely late date standing before me?”
“Sorry,” he apologized.
“Forgiven. I hope you picked a good restaurant, I’m starving,” she teased. Sky didn’t say anything, instead choosing to reach out and take her hand. Leisurely, the pair made their way down to the garage where Sydney was surprised to see a sleek, black car waiting for them. “Who’s car is this?” she asked softly.
The Pink Ranger grinned when Sky opened the door and helped her in. “It’s my mom’s; I borrowed it for the night.” He carefully closed the door and rounded the car before getting in. Once they were both situated, he pulled out of the garage and headed north.
The drive was quiet, which they both were content enough to enjoy. Over the years they’d gotten to the point that when it was just the two of them, they were comfortable enough not to have to fill the time with noise or try to make conversation with each other. As they left the city behind, Syd silently wondered where they were going. She had expected Sky to take her somewhere in town, not somewhere out in the middle of no where. After forty-five minutes, Sky pulled into the parking lot of one of their favorite beaches to go when they and Bridge had first been made a team.
“Sky, I know for a fact there aren’t any restaurants out here,” Syd pointedly told him.
“Tonight there is,” Sky softly spoke. The pair got out of the car and walked up the hill that overlooked the beach. When they got to the top, they found a table for two was set up. “Surprise.”
A familiar young man in a waiter’s uniform waited for them as they arrived. Sydney laughed when Corey grinned at her and bowed slightly. She smiled at him in return before letting Sky help her into her chair. Once they were both seated, Corey quietly helped set up their dinner and then took off.
“Wow, he was awfully quiet,” Syd giggled as she and Sky dug into the spaghetti and meatballs.
“He wanted you to have the perfect experience,” Sky rolled his eyes playfully when he said it. “He’s been practicing since I asked him to help me a few days ago.”
Syd’s twinkling laughter filled the air. “This is wonderful.”
“You did say Italian was your favorite,” Sky murmured, trying to show he’d paid close attention to what she’d said.
The moment passed and the two quietly ate their dinner. Once in a while one of them would mention a topic and they’d talk, but for the most part they enjoyed the solitude and the stillness.
“Would you like to dance?” Sky asked, looking up with a hopeful expression when they finished eating.
“You hate dancing,” she responded.
“I’ll survive,” he softly spoke, reaching out a hand to her. Together, they stood and then moved away from the table.
“There’s no music,” Sydney whispered when they started turning in circles. Sky held her loosely and grinned. She gasped when she suddenly heard the strains of music floating around them. She could only wonder who Sky had managed it, but chose to enjoy instead of dissecting it.
As the words of the song began to assault her ears, Syd felt tears well in her eyes. The song was achingly familiar; her mother had often played it around their house when she’d been growing up. The song was My Wish by a country group known back in the early 2000’s as Rascal Flatts.
Feeling her tremble, Sky pulled her closer to him, so that her arms were trapped between them and her head was lying lightly against his chest. “My wish for you, is that no matter what, you’re safe, happy, and healthy. I wish all your dreams come true and that you always know somebody loves you,” he whispered into her hair.
His arms tightened around her when she sighed. “You know what my biggest wish this year is?” she asked softly.
“I’ve got a pretty good guess, but tell me anyways.”
“I wish Gruumm and Broodwing were behind bars already, and that we could sort of be normal.”
Sky could only kiss the top of her head, even as his heart urged him to ease the ache he heard in her voice. He knew exactly why she wished for that above all else, because he did too. “I know, I do too,” he whispered.
The pair continued to sway together as the song shifted to the next, each lost in their thoughts.
Challenge: Lost
Summary: Fear’s a powerful thing… it can paralyze you or set you free
AN: Set after Boom
I'm afraid I'm starting to feel
What I said I would not do
The last time really hurt me
I'm scared to fall in love
Afraid to love so fast
'Cause every time I fall in love
It seems to never last
But every time your love is near
And every time I'm filled with fear
'Cause every time I see your face
My heart begins to race every time
One half wants me to go
Other half wants me to stay
I just get so all confused
I'm scared to fall in love
Afraid to love so fast
'Cause every time I fall in love
It seems to never last
-- Janet Jackson, Everytime --
--
Sky was well aware of her proximity as he and Jack related their tale of being stuck in a laptop while battling one of their latest adversaries and the others told them about their experiences with Boom and his parents. Z was attached to Jack’s side, having feared losing her brother and Syd was sitting close to him, her perfume swelling around him, comforting him. His thoughts drifted to the hug she’d given him in Kat’s lab earlier in the afternoon. He thought she was going to hug him until his ribs broke, but he could understand why she’d done it.
“Why is it you two always end up in the most trouble?” Z teased.
“We’re lucky that way,” Jack laughed. Sky just shrugged and leaned back against the couch. He smiled when he felt Syd’s leg brush his and looked over to see the Pink Ranger shifting around so she could curl against his side.
“Syd, are you alright?” Z asked. “You’ve been stuck to Sky like glue for the last hour.”
“I’m fine,” the Pink Ranger murmured, her eyes closing as she got comfortable.
“Until Boom showed up, I seriously thought we were toast,” Jack grinned, steering the conversation away from Sydney and back to what they’d been talking about. The Red and Blue Rangers shared a look; both silently noting Syd probably didn’t want the attention or the teasing.
Sky nodded in agreement with Jack’s comment. Carefully, he reached down and took Syd’s hand in his own, playing with her fingers as he saw fit. He knew, deep down, why she was glued to his side. After the adrenaline rush from doing her job had ebbed, she probably realized just how close she had come to not seeing him again. Sky found he didn’t mind her hovering, because in the back of his mind he’d thought the same; he’d thought he’d never get to see her again either.
“And what about you, Z? That was some hug you gave Jack earlier and you’ve been stuck to him like glue too,” Sky teased.
Z sputtered and struggled to come up with a suitable reply. “Jack’s my brother; of course I was worried enough to hug him.”
Sky smiled when Syd snuggled closer, a grin lighting her face. They both knew teasing Z would lure Jack into teasing her and take the spotlight completely off them.
“So you’re saying if I wasn’t your brother you wouldn’t have worried?” Jack teased.
“I did not say that!” Z protested, smacking Jack’s arm.
“So you weren’t worried about Sky?”
“Not as much as Syd was!” Z shot back.
Sky felt a slight tug on his sleeve and looked down at the woman leaning against him. “Hmm?” he hummed while Jack and Z continued to go back and forth in their argument.
“I’m glad you came back,” she whispered, smiling up at him.
“Oh yeah? Why?”
“Being lost in a computer wouldn’t have been fun. Think of all the things you’d have missed.”
Sky nodded. He’d have missed Jack and Z teasing each other. He’d have missed the looks the newly arrived Boom and Bridge were giving them. But most of all, he’d have missed Syd lying against his shoulder. Sometimes it took getting lost to truly enjoy what you’d already found.
Challenge: Mirror
Summary: Look beyond the surface of the mirror to the image within……
AN: Set just after the episode Recognition.
Look at the sky
Tell me what do you see
Just close your eyes
And describe it to me
The heavens are sparkling
With starlight tonight
That's what I see
Through your eyes
I see the heavens
Each time that you smile
I hear your heartbeat
Just go on for miles
And suddenly I know
My life is worth while
That's what i see
Through your eyes
Here in the night
I see the sun
Here in the dark
Our two hearts are one
It's out of our hands
We can't stop what we have begun
And love just took me by surprise
Looking through your eyes
I look at myself
And instead I see us
Whoever I am now,
It feels like enough
And I see a girl
Who is learning to trust
That's who I see
Through your eyes.
-- LeAnn Rimes & Bryan White, Looking Through Your Eyes --
--
Standing in the bathroom, Sky stared at his own reflection in the semi foggy mirror. For the better part of the day, he’d been stuck in Wootox’s body being chased by his teammates. If it hadn’t been for Wootox’s tiny slip up and Cruger and RIC, he’d have been toast. What worried him most, now that he’d had time to think about it, was that his teammates hadn’t been able to see it wasn’t him in his own body. What hurt more was that neither Bridge nor Syd, who knew him best, had been able to see through to the truth.
‘Am I really that like the criminals we face that my own teammates can’t tell the difference?’ he asked himself as he began his routine of shaving and brushing his teeth before bed.
Once he was done, Sky headed into his and Bridge’s room. The fact that it was remotely possible that he acted like Gruumm’s goons annoyed and irritated him. He’d always prided himself on being one of the good guys. “Enter!” he called absently when the door chimed. Bridge was still with Z in the Common Room as far as he knew, leaving him alone in their room. Dressed in just a towel, he nearly jumped out of his skin when Syd entered, clutching Peanuts.
“I was going to ask if you were busy, but maybe I should go,” she responded after seeing him in only a towel.
Sky swallowed at the stare he was getting from her. “No, it’s okay. What’s up?”
“I… um… I wanted to apologize.”
“For what?’ Sky prompted, watching her struggle for composure.
Sydney blinked back tears. “For not seeing through the situation, for not knowing he was inside of you.”
Sky’s face softened and he moved over to her. She was clutching Peanuts and shaking. Carefully, he reached out and ran a hand down her arm and cupped the other to her cheek. “Syd, it’s okay. You’ve got nothing to apologize for. You couldn’t have known.”
“But I should have!” she hissed. “When he came into my room, I should have known something was wrong with you.”
He just smiled at her. “Why?”
“Because you’ve never looked at me the way he did,” she started, hiccupping. Sky gave her a dark look that said he wanted to know exactly what Wootox had done while in his body. “You’ve never looked at me like I’m a piece of meat.”
Shaking his head, Sky pulled her to his chest and held her tightly. “Sydney, it’s okay, really.”
“I’m so sorry,” she murmured, her warm breath causing goose bumps on his skin.
“Apology accepted, so long as you accept my own.”
Syd pulled back and looked up at him. “Huh?”
“If I acted better, you guys would have noticed that it wasn’t me. I’ve acted like a complete jerk for so long, no one can tell the difference anymore.”
Sky was surprised when Syd dragged him into the bathroom. He gave her a look when she positioned him in front of the mirror. “Tell me what you see.”
“Uhh… a half naked guy?” he ventured.
Sydney glared at him, not wanting to acknowledge that she noticed he was half naked too; it did too much to her senses. “Alright smart ass. I didn’t mean literally. Try again.”
“I see a hard headed, smart ass; who has got issues he doesn’t want to acknowledge, let alone deal with. I see a perfectionist who doesn’t like losing. I see someone who’s hard on his teammates, and worse on people he simply passes by.”
Syd laughed. “Really? Is that all?”
Sky wasn’t sure he liked her comment, but answered just the same. “I guess so.”
“Do you want to know what I see?” Sky just gave her a look that said yes. “I see all those things and more. I see a boy who’s growing into a man, one who his parents, especially his father, would be proud of. I see a person who’s learning to be a stronger teammate and a better friend. I see a man who knows how to do his job better than anyone.”
Sky stared at their reflections in wonder as she spoke. He’d never really thought of himself in those terms. “I also see a man who’s a big brother to someone nobody else understands, myself included. I also see the man I’m in love with, the same man who also happens to be loyal, intelligent, courageous and talented.”
When Syd was finished raging, Sky nearly fell over. She really was in love with him! Bridge, Jack and Z hadn’t been just jerking his chain; she was actually in love with him, the words having been uttered from her very own lips. “I…”
“Yeah, I know. Look past the surface next time, Sky. There’s more to people, including yourself, than what you see on first glance.”
That said, she turned to leave, only to stop when he said her name. “Syd.”
“What?”
“Sometimes it’s easier to look in the mirror and see the bad instead of the good. It might take me a while.”
She turned to him, a soft smile on her face. “I know, but I also know you can do it too.”
Challenge: Worst Case Scenario
Summary: The worst case scenario is something Syd realizes she just can’t
deal with… she can’t lose him… and she can’t deal with a broken heart
AN: Sequel to Mirror. And yes, all you Syd and Sky fans out
there might want to strangle me after reading this one. Let’s just say life for
our favorite couple goes to hell in a hand bask this chapter.
Hurt me
Why in the world did you hurt me?
Just when I thought
I'd found someone to trust, you took away your love and
Hurt me
I still can't believe you hurt me
Just when I thought it was safe to come in
You let me want you, and need you, and then
You left me, like a child in the rain
Now I'm mending myself of the pain
Oh, you hurt me
Yes, you left me
Like a child in the rain
Now I'm lost in an ocean of pain
Oh, you hurt me
I fell in love and it hurt me
Can't you imagine how I'm feeling now?
Oh, will you ever know how?
You, hurt me.
-- LeAnn Rimes, Hurt Me --
--
Sydney stood at attention; listening to Kat as the feline scientist briefed the lower level cadets of the previous day’s events and the new security measures that all cadets would be expected to comply with. The Pink Ranger struggled to hold back the tears that burned her eyes as Kat recounted Sky’s experience. They’d almost lost him because Wootox had tricked them.
‘I almost didn’t get to tell him,’ she thought as her breathing hitched. For nearly two years, she’d been harboring deep feelings of love for the brash Blue Ranger. If Wootox had succeeded, she’d have never gotten the change to tell him so. ‘But I told him last night and look what happened. He didn’t say a damn thing about it,’ she thought as anger blotted out the grief. Turning her head, she spotted Jack and Sky talking quietly with one another across the room. ‘Ass hole!’
Sydney’s attention shifted to the floor. She didn’t want to be caught watching him. Because she was staring at the floor, she never noticed Sky approaching her. “Syd?”
Her head snapped up at the sound of his voice saying her name. “What?”
“Come take a walk with me?” Sydney shrugged past him and headed into the hallway. Sky rolled his eyes and followed after her. They remained silent for a good ten minutes before either worked up the courage to break the silence. “Want to talk about it?” he asked.
“Not really.”
“Why are you pissed off at me all of a sudden?” Sky almost shouted, getting slightly bent out of shape because of how she was acting; it was so much different than the woman who’d told him just the night before that she was in love with him.
“I’m not pissed off at you,” Syd shot back.
“You’re doing a champion imitation then.”
Sky stared at her and was surprised by what he saw. Her head was bowed, her hair covering her face in a curtain of golden curls and her hands were clinched at her sides. When she stared up at him, he gasped. Her face was scrunched up and her eyes were full of tears. “I’m sorry if I can’t shut my feelings off and on at will like you do.”
“You’re still upset about yesterday.” Sky’s words were more statement then question.
“Give the man a cookie,” Syd growled. “Correct the first time, Sherlock.”
Sky moved closer to her and lifted her chin with a finger. Just the night before she’d been trying to get him out of his funk; he’d never thought she’d be as affected by what happened as she was. And then her words came back to him. ‘I also see the man I’m in love with.’ The Blue Ranger’s eyes widened. Of course she’d have an attitude, he hadn’t said anything in response to her admission, let alone she was probably dealing with her fear of losing him. Without a word, Sky pulled her into his arms and held on. When she shuddered against him, Sky knew the dam was breaking and braced himself for the explosion.
The pair stood in the hallway, Sky’s arms around her, holding her tight while she cried into his chest. “Sydney,” he whispered into her hair. One hand stroked up and down her back while the other was against the back of her head. “Sydney, I’m not going anywhere, and I’m safe. There’s no reason to be scared,” he murmured, trying to reassure her.
“There’s always going to be a reason to be scared as long as Gruumm’s around,” she sniffled. “You wouldn’t be you if you weren’t jumping into harm’s way.”
Sky felt his heart break at the hopelessness in her voice. “Syd…”
“We almost lost you yesterday,” she spoke, her voice full of the pain she felt. “What’s worse, if it hadn’t been for RIC and the Commander, we would have. I thought I was ready to deal with the possibility, but I’m not.”
Sky’s heart shattered. He knew what was coming, even as he prayed it wouldn’t. He’d used the same reasoning he could see in her eyes when he’d decided to stay away from her before. “Sydney, don’t, please,” he begged, his arms tightening around her.
“Sky, you were right,” she told him, pulling away easily as he let her go.
“What do you mean?” his voice cracked as the words came out.
“We shouldn’t do this. I’m sorry I pushed so hard.” That said, she rushed down the hallway, her cries echoing behind her.
The Blue Ranger felt his stomach clench and his heart stop beating. Because of what had happened the previous day, the one thing he’d never wanted to happen, had – it had turned Sydney hard, had turned her against the world, but more importantly, it had turned her against him. Sky closed his eyes and tried to block out the pain but couldn’t. The worst possible scenario he’d ever imagined happening between them had finally come true – Sydney had let go.
Challenge: Spellbound
Summary: Sometimes it doesn't hurt to be spellbound.
AN: Set after the episode Zapped.
I had it all
But I let it slip away
Couldn't see that I treated you wrong
Now I wander around
Feeling down and cold
Trying to believe that you're gone
Love takes time
To heal when you're hurting so much
Couldn't see that I was blind
To let you go
I can't escape the pain
Inside
Love takes time
I don't wanna be here alone
Losing my mind
From this hollow in my heart
Suddenly I'm so incomplete
Lord I'm needing you now
Tell me how to stop the rain
Tears are falling down endlessly…
…You might say that it's over
You might say that you don't care
You might say you don't miss me
You don't need me
But I know that you do and I feel that you do
Inside
-- Mariah Carey, Love Takes Time --
--
“Hey Pinkie, how you feeling?” Jack called out when Syd entered the room. Bridge and Z were curled up on one of the couches, each with a book in their laps. Jack was in the chair, his feet propped up on the table. In his lap a comic book lay forgotten. The three of them were in their pajamas, unlike the other occupant in the room. Sky sat on the other couch, still in his uniform, the SPD handbook in his lap. Sydney focused on Jack when Sky looked up at her. The pair hadn’t spent so much as a minute alone together since she’d told him she couldn’t deal with what had happened just after his and Jack’s last adventure.
“Depends. Let me tell you this, being under an evil magic spell isn’t fun,” she muttered, moving to sit on the arm of Jack’s chair. The Red, Green and Yellow Rangers shared looks when they saw the distance Syd was still putting between herself and Sky. Her normal spot to sit would have been on the couch with Sky, instead she wasn’t even looking at him. They’d been noticing it for some time now, but hadn’t said anything. They also noticed the pained look on Sky’s face before he went back to reading. It had been there more often than not anytime Sydney was in the room with him. Z had mentioned Syd had been acting weird before today, now they were finally seeing exactly what she’d meant.
“You were kicking Bridge’s ass pretty good there,” Jack teased, taking them all back to earlier that afternoon.
Everyone but Sky chuckled. “Sorry Bridgey,” Syd apologized.
“No worries. You’re sure you’re okay though? You’ve been acting kind of, I don’t know, weird comes to mind,” Bridge fumbled through his words.
Sydney’s gaze flicked to Sky and then back, the small gesture saying more to Bridge than her words ever could. “I’ll be fine, Bridgey. Nothing new about me being weird, remember?” she grinned, nodding to the tiny ball of light floating over her head.
“Maybe someone can explain that to me,” Sam spoke up, hovering over Syd’s head. “Why do girls act weird like that when someone says something about them?”
The others laughed. “Who knows,” Jack chuckled in response.
“I don’t know about you guys, but I’m heading to bed. Between our adventure and Cruger’s chewing us out, I’m totally drained. Goodnight,” Z yawned, heading for her and Sydney’s room. Bridge and Jack took that as their cue to leave and followed her, waving silently to Syd as Sky wasn’t paying attention.
“I’ll see you around,” Sam murmured, floating off to wherever it was that he slept at night.
Syd and Sky sat in silence, Sky’s nose buried in his handbook and Syd’s attention focused on her nails. After five minutes, Sky snapped his book shut and turned his attention to Sydney, who was staring at him. “What?” she asked.
The Blue Ranger didn’t response. The Pink Ranger could see the storm brewing in his eyes. She knew he was churned up about something, but she had no idea about what or why. When Sky got to his feet and stalked toward her, she started wondering if it had anything to do with their argument. “Sky?” she squeaked when he leaned close to her. Her eyes widened when both of his hands shot out to cup her face. Before she had time to blink, Sydney found her mouth being covered by Sky’s. The feel of his soft, warm lips caressing her own had Syd’s mind going blank. Her eyes drifted shut and she angled her head when Sky took the kiss deeper.
It felt like every corner and hidden crevice inside of her was suddenly lit up with light so bright that it threatened to burn. She was well aware of the moan she let out when Sky’s tongue gently eased her lips open and began caressing her own. Blindly, Syd reached out and took two fistfuls of his shirt to hang on to. They stayed locked together, their minds full of nothing but the other. Gently, Sky eased their kiss down to something less passionate before pulling away completely.
“Sky?” Sydney whined softly, her grip not lessening.
Sky smiled and leaned back in, rubbing his lips over hers again softly. “You can be scared all you want, but I’m not giving up on us,” he whispered, pulling away to stare at her.
Her lips were kiss swollen, her eyes were blurry, and her face was flushed. The way her chest heaved, Sky could tell she was much more affected by his kiss then she’d ever admit. Slowly, Syd swallowed and loosened her grip. “Sky…”
“As soon as Gruumm’s gone,” he told her softly, grinning. “That’s just a preview of what’s to come.” Smiling at her, he eased away, her hands letting go of his shirt. She watched him turn and stride from the room. She stared at his retreating back, her body paralyzed.
“Oh damn.”
Challenge: Guilt
Summary: The good ol’ guilt muscle strikes again…
AN: Set during Reflection. And yes, the last part of the scene
of them at the park is word for word from the actual episode.
When you get caught in the rain
With nowhere to run
When you're distraught and in pain
Without anyone
When you keep crying out to be saved
But nobody comes
And you feel so far away
That you just can't find your way home
You can get there alone
It's ok
Won't you say
I can make it through the rain
I can stand up once again
On my own and I know
That I'm strong enough to mend
And every time I feel afraid
I hold tighter to my faith
And I live one more day
And I make it through the rain
And if you keep falling down
Don't you dare give in
You will arise safe and sound
So keep pressing on steadfastly
And you'll find what you need
To prevail
Won't you say
I can make it through the rain
-- Mariah Carey, Through The Rain --
--
Even as he and Sydney rushed from the Command Center, Sky felt the pain and guilt grab hold of his heart and squeeze. He was acutely aware that he was the reason his father’s murderer was free to wreck havoc on Earth.
“Hey,” Sydney murmured, reaching out a hand to him. She was still a little scared of trying to connect with him again, but from the look on his face, she knew he needed someone. Her fingers tightened on his arm when she felt him tremble. “Keep a clear head,” she told him softly.
“I set him loose to destroy Earth, Syd.”
“Not on purpose,” she reminded him. “Sky, he cruelly used your father’s death against you. No one who was in your position, who loved their father as much as you do yours, would have reacted any differently.”
“Maybe not, but if anyone gets hurt, it’ll be my fault.”
“You and your damn guilt muscle,” she hissed.
Sky was surprised by the anger he heard in her voice. While they drove through the city center, he pondered the whole situation.
When they arrived at the park, they got out and walked around. Sydney reached out a few times and gave his hand a squeeze, trying to let him know she was there even as he was lost in his thoughts. “Its going to be alright, just stay positive.”
Sky looked at her and smiled. Shaking his head, he led her further into the park. When they got to the pond, Sky’s morpher chimed.
“Cadets, anything suspicious?” Cruger’s announced.
“No it’s all quiet on this end sir,” Sky informed him as the pair walked across the bridge.
“We’ve lost contact with Bridge and Z,” Cruger spoke while Sydney moved over to look down into the pond.
“Do you think I should go brunette?” Syd asked, staring at her reflection in the pond’s surface.
Mirloc’s image appeared in the pond. “No, I’ll take you the way you are.”
“Look out!” Sky cried out, dashing forward to pull Syd back from the edge.
“We meet again, Ranger,” Mirloc taunted. “I see you’re always on the job, just like your daddy.”
“That’s right, and now you’re going to pay for all your crimes, including my father!” Sky shot back as he and Syd moved to face Mirloc.
“Oh, I wouldn’t count on that!” Mirloc told them, opening his chest plates and pulling them in.
--
While the four of them were stuck in Mirloc’s chest, Sky remained pretty quiet. Bridge, Z and Syd were doing everything they could to try and break free, but nothing was working. ‘First I set my father’s killer free and now I’ve doomed my friends and the woman I love, how lame am I?’ he pondered, his eyes drifting over to Sydney.
“Are you okay?” she asked softly.
“Not really.”
“Just stay positive, I’m sure Kat’s going to find a way to get us out,” she told him, taking his hand. “Plus, Jack and Sam are still out there, they won’t let him get away with this.”
Sky nodded. “I’m sorry I got you into this mess.”
“All part of the job, right?” she asked, giving his hand one last squeeze before she turned to see what Bridge and Z were doing.