A Lifetime of Love by Pink-Green-White-4ever

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: Change
Summary: Z had noticed the change, but was it more than mental and emotional?
AN: Thanks for sticking around to read this!

It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart
Without saying a word you can light up the dark
Try as I may I could never explain
What I hear when you don't say a thing

The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes sayin' you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall
You say it best when you say nothing at all

All day long I can hear people talking out loud
But when you hold me near, you drown out the crowd
Old Mr. Webster could never define
What's being said between your heart and mine

Z couldn’t help but stare at her teammates and wonder what exactly had happened between them. Ever since just before they defeat Gruumm, it was almost as if something important had changed between the then Blue Ranger and their Pink Ranger. The Yellow Ranger knew that Bridge had sensed it as well, and if either Syd or Sky had told him, he hadn’t said anything to her about it. Watching the newly promoted Red Ranger closely, Z noticed that a lot had changed, and she wasn’t just talking his promotion or his leadership of the team.

Sky seemed more at ease with himself. That’s what she’d noticed first. He wasn’t as tense as he’d once been, he seemed to smile more, joke more, and take things less seriously. He actually participated in team activities, and he’d been getting on the younger cadets and lower squads less and less for screw ups. That in and of itself had startled her, but Z just chalked it up to his new promotion and finally having had his dream come true.

The biggest changes, however, she noticed most often when Syd was around. The minute the Pink Ranger was in the vicinity, Sky’s eyes latched onto her and generally didn’t stray from her for very long. He paid more attention to the conversations they had, and even spoke up every now and then to make a joke or comment. He was a lot less sarcastic with Syd than he was with any of them, and he was less broody, especially if the blonde was there to poke fun at him or bug him. Z had also noticed that Sky seemed a little less sure of himself when it came to Sydney, especially when the Pink Ranger would ask for his opinion on something or what he wanted to do as opposed to what the group was talking about doing.

Of course, Z noted, Sky wasn’t the only one who’d undergone a metamorphosis. Their Pink Ranger seemed to have changed before her very eyes as well. Sydney was a lot surer of her self in some areas, while less sure in others. Whenever the Pink Ranger saw their new Red Ranger, her eyes just sparkled. Syd seemed to take her job a bit more seriously and herself a lot less seriously. It was almost as if Sydney no longer bought into the hype that surrounded her as the Pink Princess of SPD.

What’s more, Z noticed not just all the ways emotionally and mentally the pair had changed, but that it seemed more and more that physically they were closer than ever before, and that’s saying something because when she had first joined the team, Z had noticed that the only person Sky touched on a regular basis, outside of training and fighting Gruumm’s goons, was Syd. Even after she knew that Sky was in love with Syd and vice versa, she’d seen the physical reminders of their hidden love – a kiss here and there, a hug, a squeeze of the hand, Sky’s hand on Syd’s lower back when they were walking into a room. And more than that, lately, Syd would just lean against Sky for no reason or Sky would play with her hair, or her fingers, or put her feet in his lap when she was stretch out on the couch in the common room. They shot looks at each other that could have had the academy going up in flames, but of course, it was all speculation.

Neither had mentioned a physical change in their relationship, but Z always prided herself on being perceptive, and the looks, touches, and a thousand other signals those two were giving off smacked of something serious having happened between them. In Z’s opinion, it was about damn time too. “You’re going to pop a vein thinking that seriously,” Sky teased, causing Z’s head to snap up. Sky and Syd were sitting across from her; the Pink Ranger snuggled under Sky’s arm, which was wrapped across her shoulders.

While the two began to talk quietly to each other, Z turned her head to Bridge, who was sitting next to her grinning as wide as the Cheshire cat from Alice In Wonderland. “What are you smiling about?”

“You’ve seen it too, haven’t you?” he asked, his eyes darting from her to the pair in front of them.

“What do you know that you haven’t told me, Carson?” Z demanded playfully, her voice just low enough for Bridge.

“The change.” Z nodded and then watched in astonishment as Bridge wiggled his glove off, keeping his bare hand out of Syd and Sky’s sight, and waved it in front of himself carefully, so he could read them.

“Well?” Z hissed softly.

“Oh YEAH!” he grinned, quickly shoving his hand into his glove as Sky looked up.

“What are you two going on about over there?” the Red Ranger asked.

“NOTHING!” the pair laughed out loud, sharing knowing looks.

Syd shook her head then turned to Sky. “They get weirder and weirder every day, have you noticed that?”

“Yup.”

When Syd and Sky went back to their world for two, Bridge leaned over. “Not only does that confirm it, I have other proof.”

“Oh?” Z asked, curiosity getting the better of her.

“Open box of protection he left sitting on his bed a few days ago.”

Z looked ready to throw up. “Ewww! BRIDGE! Too much information!” Z screeched at him, causing Syd and Sky to look up and laugh at the shocked look on both their teammates’ faces. She had suspected the change, but really, did Bridge have to get THAT much proof?

Challenge: Chance
Summary: It’s finally time for Sky to take a leap of faith…
AN: Here it is, the OFFICIAL moment. Enjoy! This is set approximately 3 months after Endings Pt. 2, around the beginning of February.

There was a time I packed my dreams away.
Living in a shell, hiding from myself.
There was a time when I was so afraid.
I thought I'd reached the end,
But baby that was then
I am made of more than my yesterdays.

This is my now, and I am breathing in the moment.
As I look around
I can't believe the love I see.
My fears behind me, gone are the shadows and doubt
That was then, this is my now.

I have to decide,
Was I gonna to play it safe.
Or look somewhere deep in side,
Try to turn the tide,
And find the strength to take that step of faith…

…And I have the courage like never before, yeah.
I've settled for less now I'm ready for more,
Ready for more.
-- Jordin Sparks, This Is My Now --

“I so can’t believe I let you guys talk me into this!” Sky grumbled as the group stood in line to enter the large theme park before them.

“Sky, stop griping,” Z warned. “We’re at Disneyland of all places; this is supposed to be the happiest place on Earth. Didn’t you see the billboard sign on the way up here?”

The Red Ranger shot his teammate a look that had her cracking up. “I’m nearly twenty one years old; it’s supposed to be the happiest place on Earth for KIDS.”

Before anyone else could utter a comment, Sky felt a tug on his arm and looked down at the person holding onto him. Sydney was staring up at him with those big blue eyes of hers, a pleading in them that just started to melt his heart. “Sky?”

When she said his name like that, it made him want to break all sorts of laws for her. “What?” he asked, trying to act tough but knowing it was ineffective with her. Sydney had broken down his walls a long time ago.

“We’re at Disneyland,” she started softly, with Sky giving her a ‘And your point is?’ kind of look. “Jack, Z, Kat, Doggie and Isinia have never been here before. Can’t you let go of being a Ranger for one day and just enjoy time with your family?”

He hated it when she gave him that ‘I’m cute and you know you wanna say yes’ look. “Syd?”

“I promise to hold your hand on all the scary rides,” she teased gently, biting her lip now to ensure her victory. He wanted to tell her it wasn’t necessary, that he was ready to give in and even ride the It’s A Small World contraption with Bridge however many times he wanted, but he tried to find some piece of his masculinity and say no. When she used her grip on his hand to wrap it around her waist so she could lean against him, chest to chest, any thought of saying no to her, a killing blow to his manhood or not, flew right out the window.

“I hate it when you do that,” he grinned down at her, before he stole a quick kiss.

Five minutes later, they were through the gates and walking down Main Street toward the statue of Walt Disney and Mickey, which was just in front of Sleeping Beauty’s castle. “So, what first?” Jack asked, bouncing excitedly.

“Boom and I want to check out the Innovations in Tomorrow Land,” Kat grinned, the two receiving eye rolls from the others in their group.

“I want to do It’s A Small World first,” Bridge commented next. “It’s tradition.”

“What about you guys?” Syd asked Doggie, Isinia, Ally and Jack.

Ally smiled and nodded at Jack. “New Orleans Square.”

“I think Doggie and I are going to go to Critter Country first,” Isinia tried not to laugh when her husband blushed. The others cracked up laughing until their Commander gave them a look.

“That leaves you two,” Z pointed out to Sky and Syd.

Sky just stood there, staring at the look of excitement on Syd’s face as she looked past Z’s shoulder to the castle looming in the distance. “I think our first stop is Sleeping Beauty’s castle,” Sky murmured, causing the others to grin while Syd whipped her head around and looked at him with a look of complete adoration.

“Really?”

“Really.”

Ally, Kat, Z and Isinia sighed at the romance of the moment while the guys rolled their eyes and Bridge just went antsy wanting to get to the other side of the park. “How about we meet back up at Splash Mountain in an hour?” Z suggested, the others nodding and noting the time on their watches before they set out.

Sky wanted to hide, in a deep dark hole, or be on one of the rides, rather than walking toward Sleeping Beauty’s Castle in the middle of the park, but one look at Syd’s happy face and a brief glance down at their intertwined fingers seemed to even out his discomfort. It was odd, walking next to her, and watching her take in everything like it was all so brand new to her, and yet, he found himself becoming more and more okay with it.

Once they got into the tiny shops under the castle, Syd danced away from him to ooh and ahh over some of the things for sale before she came back and took his hand, letting him lead her back out to the front of the castle so she could take pictures with her camera. “Would you like me to take a picture of you with the Princesses?” a man with a professional camera asked, gesturing to the three princesses – Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White – who were standing by the entrance taking pictures.

“Oh please?” Syd gushed, causing Sky to roll his eyes.

“Certainly. Here, give me your camera, I’ll take a few with it too,” the photographer said as Syd dragged Sky over to get pictures with the beautiful princesses.

Syd and Sky stood together with Sleeping Beauty and Snow White next to Syd and Cinderella next to Sky. The photographer snapped about five or six pictures before the group moved apart. “You’re a very lucky woman, Sydney,” Cinderella told her, smiling. “You have such a handsome prince.”

Sky blushed but the comment set in motion his thinking. He and Sydney still weren’t technically boyfriend and girlfriend; they’d just been casually dating for several months. The cleanup process after the war with Gruumm was still slow going, but in all honesty, he knew that was no excuse. He wanted her, wanted her to belong to him and only him, but the thought of asking her terrified him to no ends. “Sky, are you coming?” Syd asked, tugging on his hand. She had her camera back and was trying to get him to head for Splash Mountain. “It’s just about time to meet up with the others.”

“Yeah, I’m coming.”

“I really don’t want to sit in front,” Syd told the group as they moved up in line for Splash Mountain.

“Suck it up, Pinkie,” Z teased, secretly hoping Syd would get soaked.

The Pink Ranger’s hesitation grew as they got to the top. Sky was surprised when Syd clung to his arm. “Are you okay?” he asked softly, noting the look in her eyes.

“Not really, but I’ll never hear the end of it if I chicken out,” she told him as the group was split up into two of the logs for the ride. Syd sat in front with Z, Bridge, Jack, Ally and Sky behind her while Isinia, Doggie, Kat and Boom were in another log just behind them. The Red Ranger couldn’t help but laugh when five minutes later, as they went over the edge of the big drop, Syd screamed, “SKY!”

As soon as they were done, Syd snuggled under Sky’s arm, making him grin. The day wore on with them taking their time in each area of the park. The boys laughed hysterically on Pirates of the Caribbean while the girls giggled about Captain Jack, they had fun goofing off riding the Indiana Jones ride, and teased Bridge in Tarzan’s Tree house. After lunch at one of the cafes, they hit Space Mountain where Z ended up getting dizzy from it being completely dark; the Matterhorn where Jack got the butt of his shorts wet so they teased about him using the restroom; Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters laser tag saw Ally getting her butt kicked by the younger five members of the group, all of whom were deadly with a laser; Bridge got dragged into the Star Wars Jedi Academy with Jack and Sky as they were all trying to show off for the girls. The group also hit Star Tours and of course, the Haunted Mansion, where Boom was ecstatic to see all of the cool effects they’d done inside. Their final stops were Toon Town, where they laughed themselves silly, and then Main Street USA to watch the daily parade.

Throughout the day, Sky wanted very much to pull Syd aside and talk to her, since his mind had been going non stop since they’d gotten their pictures taken at the castle. He had multiple opportunities but none of them ever felt right. Inspiration came when she, Ally and Z started ooh-ing and ahh-ing over Cinderella and her Prince outside of Sleeping Beauty’s castle after the parade was over.

“Sky, you coming?” Jack asked, waving his hand in his friend’s face. “The girls want to go shopping.”

The Red Ranger grinned. “You know what; I’ve got something to do. Keep Syd busy, would you?”

Jack grinned right back when he saw Sky’s eyes shift from Syd to the castle and back. “You got it. Call me when you’re ready.”

Sky nodded and stealthily slipped away while the group moved down Main Street toward the shops.

“Why are we going back to the castle?” Z muttered. “We get a better view of the fireworks if we go over by the pirates ride.”

“Because, Sky has a surprise and asked that we meet him there before the fireworks start,” Jack laughed and nudged his little sister along.

Sydney had been pretty quiet since Sky had disappeared, and she couldn’t help but be excited, hoping the surprise was at the very least for the whole group. When they walked up to the castle, people were lined up waiting for the big announcement before the fireworks show. “Fair maidens and gentle princes, thank you for coming to my castle,” Sleeping Beauty announced. “We have a very special surprise before we enjoy the fireworks. Would Sydney Drew please step up and join me?”

The group laughed and grinned when Syd squeaked. Z and Ally gave her a non-too-gentle shove when Cinderella’s Prince came to get her. Syd looked curious when he took her hand and brought her to stand with the three Princesses.

“Sydney, a very special young man asked us for a favor this afternoon, and being the romantics at heart we are,” Sleeping Beauty started.

“We couldn’t help but to help your Prince Charming out. After all, we all got our own princes,” Snow White smiled.

Cinderella stepped back behind the curtain that was draped over the entrance to the castle. She reemerged a moment later with a bouquet of pink roses tied with a royal blue ribbon. She handed Sydney the bouquet, causing the Pink Ranger to close her eyes and inhale their lovely scent.

“Syd,” Sky’s warm voice interrupted her thoughts, causing her eyes to open. He was standing in front of her, a long stemmed red rose in his hands.

“All this for me?” she asked softly, amazed that he’d pulled off such a surprise.

The Red Ranger nodded. “I’ve taken one too many chances with you, Sydney, and with our relationship. I always said as soon as Gruumm was behind bars, we’d make this work,” he started. Many in the crowd gasped as they put two and two together, realizing that they were in the presence of two of the Power Rangers. Despite that their identities were not secret; the Academy didn’t broadcast their identities to the public all the time. “It’s been three months since we took him down, three months since the clean up started, and I’m ready to take another chance, just like I did the night I let you into my heart.”

Syd swallowed nervously as he came close to her, holding the red rose out to her even though her arms were already full of flowers. “Sky…”

“Be mine?” he asked softly. The crowd let out an ‘awww’ at his question while Syd’s eyes widened. “Will you be mine? I’ve wasted so much precious time with you; I don’t want to waste another second. You make me a better man, a better person, when you’re with me.”

Sydney’s lips trembled and tears pooled in her eyes as she stared at him. Here he was, in front of their friends and hordes of strangers, doing something completely out of the ordinary for him – taking a chance with the possibility of failure. It was so unlike her Sky, and yet, she’d have expected nothing less from him when his heart was involved. When Sky followed his heart, it usually brought him to the best possible ending one could have wanted.

“Sydney? The fireworks are about to start,” he reminded her, growing antsy from the look she was giving him.

She couldn’t help but giggle at his comment – yes, the fireworks were about to start. Looking over at Z, Syd gestured for her to join them. “What?” the Yellow Ranger asked.

“Hold these please,” Syd grinned.

Z smiled and took the flowers before stepping back to give them some room. Biting her lip, the Pink Ranger stood toe to toe with the man she loved. “Well?”

“Sky?”

“Yeah?” he asked nervously.

Sydney threw her arms around his neck and hugged him close. “Yes.”

Relieved, Sky picked her up and hugged her tightly. The crowd let out a cheer seconds before the first fireworks lit the night sky – red, blue and pink in succession. With the fireworks above, Sky decided to create some of his own. Leaning down, he sealed his lips over Syd’s, passion flowing between them. When they pulled back, Sydney looked dazed and giddy at the same time.

“I love you,” she whispered.

“I know,” he grinned, brushing her bangs from her face. “I love you.”

Sydney laughed as a thought struck her. “You know, it’s going to be hard to top this in the future,” she teased, leaning against him.

Looking down at the petite woman in his arms, Sky smiled. “I’ll find a way, I promise,” he told her, holding her close as they raised their eyes to the sky.

Challenge: Another Step
Summary: One step after another
AN: This is set 6 months after Chance, so sometime in August.

Never, ever felt this way before
You are the one that I’m craving for

Another step nearer your heart
Another step closer to knowing you
Another step nearer your heart
I'm on my way

I never thought it could happen
Being close to someone like you
But you know this isn't just a minute affair
If we make time and take a lot of care
I love everything about it
There's such a good feel about it
And i know where I’m gonna be
If you take a step closer to me

I couldn't even describe it
Though i tried i couldn't find the words
When you're stumbling through life
And love is one step away
Carry on or do you stay
We've got to promise faithfully
To hang on to each other and never leave
That's the way love's gonna be
If you take a step closer to me - come on now

The only way to deal with affairs of the heart
You've got to jump right in, doesn't matter who starts
Take a step nearer, come over here
Together we can make it tonight

-- Kim Wilde, Another Step (Closer To You) --

“That’s the last box,” Bridge grinned, setting the box marked ‘Kitchen’ down just inside the entry to that particular room.

“Thank God!” Z huffed, tossing a glare in Syd and Sky’s direction as she sank down on one of the chairs at the table. The pair were standing in the living room, just past the kitchen entrance, of the newly renovated flat they’d just begun renting. The Red and Pink Rangers were looking around in shock at all the things they had. Neither had realized they owned as much stuff as they actually did, since they’d been living at the academy for quite some time.

“No, thank YOU for carrying it all in with us,” Syd grinned.

“Dinner sounds good,” Sky put in, wrapping his arms around his girlfriend. They’d been together for six months and still, the sensation of having her in his arms was as new, fresh and exciting as it was the first time he’d done it.

Bridge looked hopeful as he suggested, “Pizza?”

Syd and Sky shrugged while Z rolled her eyes. “A juicy hamburger sounds good,” the Yellow Ranger put in.

Syd just laughed at the puppy dog expression on Bridge’s face that was slowly causing Z to relent. “Sounds like a trip to Franco’s is on the agenda,” she suggested. She and Sky had found the restaurant one day on patrol and it had become a favorite place for the entire squad to go and eat. They had all types of food, from Italian to classic American and everything in between, which meant is satisfied everyone’s tastes.

“Let’s go!”

After Z and Bridge headed back to the Academy, Syd and Sky found themselves standing in their new living room staring at each other. “Where to start?” Sky mumbled.

“I’m going to go put the sheets on our bed and start putting my clothes away,” Syd grinned before she turned and headed for their bedroom.

Sky decided on the kitchen, hoping to get some of the dishes his mother had bought them put away. He knew in the morning he’d get up and want to make Syd French toast, and in order to do that, he needed a tidy kitchen.

While Sky was in the kitchen, Sydney was busy going through the boxes at the foot of their bed, looking for the bed linens. Once found, she opened the packages and began with the fitted sheets, then regular sheets, then pillow cases and finally the comforter they had bought to go along with the four-poster, wrought iron bed. The Pink Ranger couldn’t have imagined after six months that Sky would have ever suggested they get their own place outside of the academy, let alone that it would actually happen once he’d suggested it.

It had been an education watching him looking for the perfect apartment, and then once they’d gotten the go ahead from Cruger, to actually start moving. She loved shopping normally, but the endless trips to the furniture stores and home decorating places had been exhausting, as Sky seemed to need everything just perfect. She had to admit though, for a guy, he had excellent taste in colors and textures and where things should go.

“The kitchen looks somewhat better,” Sky announced when he came into the room. He stopped at the foot of their nearly made bed and stared at Sydney, who had a dreamy, far off expression on her face. “Syd, did you hear me?”

“Hmm?”

Sky chuckled. “Baby, you’ve got that look on your face.”

Sydney suddenly looked perplexed as she came back to reality. “What look?”

Toeing off his shoes and peeling his dirty t-shirt off, Sky stalked toward the bed. Crawling onto it, he gently nudged her back and hovered over her. “See, there it is again,” he whispered, leaning down to kiss her. “It’s that look you get, usually right after I’ve made love to you.”

A sexy smirk drifted onto her lips. “I was just thinking how this never would have happened a year ago, and now that you’ve said it, I’m thinking I want you to make love to me all night tonight in this big bed we bought.”

Sky’s eyebrow rose as he stared down at her. “I wanted this a year ago, but our timing was really, really off.”

Sydney nodded, knowing exactly why he’d said that. A year ago, they’d just been coming to terms with being in love with each other and had still been dealing with Gruumm. “Just shows we’ve taken another step.”

The Red Ranger grinned. “Let this be one of many,” he whispered before he kissed her, his tongue brushing against her lips looking for an invitation. He got one when her mouth opened under his, allowing him entrance to plunder the sweet crevice. When air became a necessity, he pulled back and smiled. “You know what other steps I want us to take?” he asked, watching her shake her head. “Eventually, I was us to get married, move into a big house, and most of all, I want to make babies with you,” he gently replied, nipping at her nose before kissing her lightly.

Sydney couldn’t help but laugh. He’d said that to her one morning after they’d spent all night making love. It had at first startled her to hear him say it out loud, because it really wasn’t something one thought of hearing from Sky, but he had repeated it often enough that she knew he was serious. “You really do want babies, huh?” she asked, reaching up to brush her hands through his hair.

Sky nodded and moved so he could kiss the side of her neck. “Yes, babies, as in more than one. I want a couple of each, so long as they all have your eyes and your nose and your smile.”

Cracking up, Sydney moved her hands to his sides. “One step at a time, Sweetheart.”

“What one are we on now?” he breathed in her ear even as their hips strained against one another.

“The one where you make love to me for the first time in this big bed in our brand new apartment,” she moaned, sliding her legs up and down his, her pointed toes digging into his calves as he ground low and hard against her.

With a boyish grin, Sky pressed more open mouth kisses to her neck. “Well, we can’t skip that all important step, can we?”

“I agree, we can’t,” she moaned as he began to make love to her.

For hours, they loved each other. Sometimes it was fierce; sometimes it was gentle, and all the time it was filled with love, desire, and happiness. Finally sated, they fell asleep intertwined under the deep navy sheets on their brand new bed, both knowing it was the first night of many that they’d share together in their new home.

Challenge: Knight
Summary: Syd’s dreaming of a Knight she’ll never forget
AN: Set 2 months after Another Step, on Halloween (Oct. 31). The Light saber comment at the end I got from Shawn’s Star Wars stories!

When the world wasn't upside down
I could take all the time I had
But I'm not gonna wait when a moment can banish so fast
Cuz every kiss is a kiss you can never get back

Lift me up
In your eyes
If you told me that it's what heaven is, well you'd be right
I've been waiting forever
For this
This is the night

When the answer to all my dreams
Is as close as a touch away
Why am I here holding back what I'm trying to say

Lift me up
In your eyes
If you told me that it's what heaven is, well you'd be right
Hold me close
To your heart
I would go with you to the end of the earth
And we'll fly
I've been waiting forever for this
This is the night

This is the night where we capture forever
And hold on to tomorrow's beginning
After tonight we will never be lonely again

-- Clay Aiken, This Is The Night --

“I can’t believe you actually talked the Commander into this,” Z laughed as she and Syd descended the large staircase at Syd’s father’s hotel. For Halloween, the Pink Ranger had talked their Commander, and her father, into allowing her to throw a costume ball for the academy. She’d chosen her favorite hotel that her parents owned – a gothic-style building with a large ballroom and a grand staircase that descended into the room.

“I’m persuasive,” Syd grinned. “I want this year to be extra special, for so many reasons.”

“Your first Halloween as Sky’s girlfriend,” Z teasingly commented.

“That, and love seems to be in the air all over the academy, even at such a spooky time of year,” Syd happily sighed.

The Pink Ranger was right. Cruger had activated the C Squad Rangers to take the strain off the four person B Squad as they continued to clean up the humongous mess left by Gruumm, Broodwing and their goons. Somehow, in the process of it all, all ten Rangers had found love. Z and Bridge had made it official at the beginning of the year, just days after the Disneyland trip that resulted in Syd and Sky finally making their relationship official and the three C Squad girls had nabbed their boys.

“I love your costume,” Syd smiled. Z was dressed in an array of colorful fabrics and spangles, so that she looked like something out of 1001 Arabian Nights.

“Bridge wanted to go as Aladdin and Jasmine, and since I love belly-dancing, who was I to argue,” the Yellow Ranger cracked.

Syd could only giggle at that. “I wonder what other costumes we’ll see.”

“I want to see yours, why aren’t you dressed yet?”

Syd’s grin said it all; she was waiting for the right moment to get dressed. “Because I want to surprise Sky. Look, I’ve got to go put it on and get into position, can you man the floor and stage for me?”

“You got it.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, please give a round of applause for the Chair of the first ever Space Patrol Delta Halloween Masquerade, Sydney Drew!” the M.C. announced as Syd moved into position at the top of the stairs that led down into the ballroom. A black as midnight cloak covered her costume, but the gathered assembly could see that her hair had been pulled back into an intricate ponytail with curls bouncing all over.

Smiling to the assembled group, she let the doorman help her with the cloak. Once it had dropped back off her shoulders, it revealed a multi-colored, barely there silk dress that plunged in the back and carefully covered all the important parts. There were golden armbands on either of her arms and dainty pink slippers on her feet. Gasps went up from all over the crowd as she descended carefully to the first landing of the stairs where a microphone had been set up.

“Thank you all for coming,” she started. “I’m hoping this is the start of a new tradition at SPD. Thanks go to the rest of B and C Squads for helping with the decorations, to Dr. Manx for the computerized visual effects being displayed, and to Commander Cruger and my father for allowing us to even have the party.” With that, she moved away from the microphone and continued down the stairs, her eyes narrowing in on the tall, dark dressed man waiting for her.

It had been Sky’s idea for their costumes; he and Bridge had spent one entire weekend about a month before watching all six movies in the Star Wars series. When suggestions for the couples’ costumes had come up, he’d made the move to bring up the two of them going as Anakin and Padme Skywalker. She hadn’t been too keen on the idea until he’d sat her down to watch the first three movies and she’d seen the costumes worn by actress Natalie Portman. She had only hoped that she’d be able to find one of the costumes at a costume shop. As luck would have it, the last shop she’d stopped in before she had been about to give up had one Star Wars dress left, and it had been her favorite of all the ones the pretty senator had worn – a multicolored, barely there piece from Episode II: Attack Of The Clones.

Her eyes took in Sky’s tall, lean form, swathed in the traditional uniform, or so he had said, of the Jedi Knights. While she carefully navigated the large staircase, after all, it wasn’t easy to walk in the dress she was currently wearing, her eyes never left him. The black cloak with hood that he wore nearly dwarfed the rest of his outfit, until he drew the hood off and reached his hand out to take hers to help her down the rest of the stairs. Under the cloak he wore black pants, a dark brown nearly black shirt with a black leather tunic and dark brown belt. His feet were encased in black leather boots, and at his side, clipped to his belt, was a realistic looking toy version of Anakin’s Light Saber, the weapon of choice for all Jedi.

“Good evening, Senator,” he addressed her properly, bowing before her.

She hid a giggle and inclined her head toward him. “Good evening Master Jedi.”

“You look breathtaking in that dress, Syd,” he whispered for her ears only.

“Thank you. You look good yourself,” she whispered back, staring up at him. “I kinda like that Jedi Knight uniform on you; it makes you look more imposing than normal.”

Sky chuckled. “You’ve never found me imposing,” he teased.

“I did, once, a long time ago,” she grinned. “So, how about we kick off this dance?”

“Lead the way,” he told her, gesturing for her to lead him onto the floor.

As the pair began to wrap their arms around each other, a familiar song for Sydney began to play. A soft smile lit her features as she snuggled close to her boyfriend. “Perfect song.”

“Oh?”

“It’s called ‘This Is The Night’, and what better song to be singing when I have my very own Jedi Knight keeping me safe and warm,” she murmured, letting her body sway back and forth with Sky’s as the song swelled around them. For the first time, she truly felt like a real princess in his arms. Yes, she’d been called the Pink Princess for years, but it was only now, with Sky’s warm body and loving embrace around her, that she felt like she was truly treasured like royalty, and all because she had him with her.

They danced into the wee hours of the night, and as the final song began to end, they finally broke apart. Sydney looked up at him, eyes dreamy, and smiled. “Well, Master Jedi, are you ready to go home yet?”

“More than ready, Angel; right now, all I want to do is get you out of that skimpy dress and make love to you,” Sky grinned at her.

Syd started giggling. “Is that your Light Saber or are you seriously thinking dirty thoughts?”

“Definitely thinking dirty thoughts.”

“Let’s go home, Mr. Tate, let’s go home.”

“Lead the way, Ms. Drew, lead the way,” he laughed as they mounted the stairs and headed for home.

Challenge: Helm
Summary: Sky muses about who’s driving their relationship
AN: This is set not long after Knight, probably like a week or two.

I set out on a narrow way many years ago
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through

I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you
Every long lost dream lead me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

I think about the years I spent just passing through
I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You've been there you understand
It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true

Every long lost dream lead me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
-- Rascal Flatts, Bless The Broken Road --

The car rolled to a stop at the light, giving Sky a few minutes to look over at the sleeping figure in the seat next to him. Sydney was almost curled into a ball, her strappy high heels on the floor board and her legs curled beneath her long skirt on the seat. Her left hand was gently tucked under her cheek, which was resting against the seat. Her right hand was on his thigh, fingers splayed. He could feel the warmth of her smooth palm, which was a major distraction for such a small action.

Sometime during the drive from his mother’s new house in Los Angeles back to New Tech, Sydney had managed to fall asleep and touch his leg without him realizing it. As the light turned green, Sky’s mind wandered to other subjects having to do with Sydney. He felt humbled that she was comfortable enough and trusted his driving enough to fall asleep while he drove them home. Syd had always trusted him, that he knew, but it was instances like this that reminded him exactly how much trust she had in him.

Generally, Sydney was the driving force behind their relationship; she planned most of their dates, she did a lot of the domesticated things around their apartment, and she almost always instigated the physical and emotional moments between them. She was always the first to touch with a kiss or a hug or, heaven help him, a light caress of her fingers somewhere that aroused him. He knew she was always the first to speak up about how either of them was feeling or say I love you when it was needed. All of that was fine with him, because even after all this time with her, he was still learning to be openly affectionate.

There were times though, when Sydney pulled back and let him take the initiative. It surprised him when she was so utterly happy at the small things he did; the bright smile when he brought her flowers – white roses were her favorite, the way her eyes would shine when he made her dinner, the look of complete bliss when he’d lean over and kiss her for no reason other than he simply wanted to. It wasn’t often that he led their relationship, but he knew she cherished the moments when he did all the more because they were so rare. On the battlefield, as Rangers, he was large and in charge; at home, she reigned supreme.

“Sky?” she yawned.

“Yes baby?”

“Almost home?” she softly questioned, opening her eyes to look up at him, a smile drifting onto her face making her look even more breathtaking than usual.

“Another half hour; go back to sleep, you’re safe.”

“K,” she yawned again, snuggling back into her previous position. “Love you.”

“I love you too,” he whispered. He was only mildly surprised when her head found its way onto his shoulder. With her mere presence alone, he was even more alert and careful at the helm of his vehicle as he drove them home.

Challenge: Moonlight
Summary: He just loves watching her sleep
AN: Set just after Helm, maybe about 2 weeks, so we’re looking at the beginning of December here.

Under a lover's sky
I'm gonna be with you
And no one's gonna be around
If you think that you won't fall
Well just wait until, 'till the sun goes down
Underneath the starlight starlight
There's a magical feeling so right
It will steal your heart tonight

You can try to resist
Try to hide from my kiss
But you know, but you know
That you, can't fight the moonlight
Deep in the dark you'll surrender your heart
But you know, but you know
That you, can't fight the moonlight,
No-o you can't fight it
It's gonna get to you'r heart

There's no escaping love
Once a gentle breeze (once a gentle breeze)
Sweeps it's spell upon your heart
And no matter what you think
It won't be to long
'Till your in my arms
Underneath the starlight starlight
We'll be lost in the rythm so right
It will steal your heart tonight
-- LeAnn Rimes, Can’t Fight The Moonlight --

He couldn’t help the grin that was on his face as he watched her sleep. They’d been together as a couple for nearly ten months, and had been in living in their own apartment for just about four, and in all that time, he’d come to realize it hadn’t gotten old or boring watching her sleep. He still experienced the same rush of feelings waking up with her beside him as he had the first time he’d fallen asleep beside her.

The moonlight was streaming through the large window in their room, casting an ethereal glow over their bed. Syd was laying on her back, one hand on her stomach and the other on her pillow. Her face was turned toward him, composed in a gentle smile. Smiling himself, he leaned close and brushed her bangs from her face. She didn’t stir at all, which made him all that much giddier for some reason. To know she felt safe enough with him not to move when he touched her in her sleep touched his heart in ways he couldn’t describe.

Most of the time she was vivacious, energetic, and bubbling with life, it was interesting to see her at rest, to see her calmly sleeping. The way she was now, with the moonlight and the covers just right, it reminded him of an angel. And in some ways, Syd was an angel, his own personal angel. Whenever things didn’t go quite as planned, she was there to wrap her arms around him and make all his worries, disappointments, and fears fade away.

He lay there and watched her for a long time, just staring at the face he knew so well. Beautiful blue eyes were covered by eyelids that were usually covered in color but were now bare in sleep. Long, thick eyelashes rested against flawless skin that glowed in the moonlight. Pouty lips were open only a fraction, letting life-sustaining air in and out with the rise and fall of her chest. He did everything in his power not to reach out and kiss her, because he knew it would wake her up. She hadn’t been home for a week, not since she and Z had been undercover for a case to bust a child labor ring, and he knew she needed the sleep she hadn’t gotten while away from home.

The quiet was broken when she suddenly gasped and sat straight up in bed. “You okay?” he softly called out to her, running his hand up her back.

“Yeah,” she breathed heavily, swallowing visibly as she reoriented herself with where she was.

“What’s wrong? One minute you were smiling in your sleep, the next minute you’re gasping for air,” he quietly observed, reaching out to lay his hand over hers in an effort to remind her he was there with her.

“Dream turned nightmare,” she whispered before she got out of bed and headed into the bathroom. Five minutes later, she came out and crawled back into bed with him, her arms going around his waist and her head snuggling under his chin. He felt her breathe deeply before releasing the breath, her body relaxing against his.

“Baby?” he whispered again, rubbing his hand up and down her back.

“I’m okay,” she assured him as she drifted back off to sleep.

He watched her for a few more minutes before he too succumbed to sleep, the moonlight shining through the window, haloing the sleeping couple as if trying to protect them in sleep.

Challenge: Simplicity
Summary: A quiet moment spent looking around their room
AN: Set just before Christmas.

Life goes by
Every day's a brand new sky
Every tear comes to dry
All that really matters in this crazy world
Is you and I together, baby just remember...

The first leaves of the tree,
The way you look at me,
A thousand chiming church bells ring
The simple things are free
The sun, the moon, the stars,
The beating of two hearts
How I love the simple things,
The simple things just are

So here we go
Let's just dance
Teach my soul to take this chance
Put my heart in your hands
Out of all the moments that we leave behind
Turn around and tell me baby we'll remember...

The thunder and the rain,
The way you say my name
After all the clouds go by the simple things remain
The sun, the moon, the stars,
The beating of two hearts
How I love the simple things,
The simple things just are

Oh, The ocean and the sky
The way we feel tonight
I know that it's the love that brings the simple things to light
The sun, the moon, the stars,
The beating of two hearts
I love the way the simple things,
The simple things just are
-- Jim Brickman f. Rebecca Lynn Howard, Simple Things --

Leaning against the doorframe, Sydney took in her and Sky’s shared bedroom. One would think that with two varying personalities there would be utter chaos, but the fact was, their room was perfect. It remained pretty clean, except on laundry day or if they were going on a date. Their bed was lined up dead center of the room between the door and the large window. It was neatly made with the navy blue and white comforter and sheets Sky’s mom had bought them.

Their closet was to the right of the door, open, but it wasn’t a mess either. Clothes were hung up, shoes stacked neatly, and drawers closed. Their bathroom, which was done in a white and light coral pink, was tidy and as organized as possible.

Overall, their room was simply decorated, which suited their combined tastes. Pictures of their parents hung on the walls with pictures of them with their friends. “What are you staring at?”

Sydney grinned when Sky’s arms slid around her waist and his lips connected with the side of her neck. She sighed happily and leaned back against his chest. Their careers were hectic and far from a clear cut right and wrong, but being home with each other was the best balm she could think of. They lived a normal, simple life. When they stepped through the front door, the Power Rangers, the police officers, and Syd’s pop star image were left behind. They were just Syd and Sky, two people who were wildly in love and enjoying their lives together. They both made the effort to spend time with the other that didn’t involve the outside world, which was just fine with her.

“Sydney, did you hear me?”

“I was just realizing that for all the prestige of our jobs and our lives outside of this apartment, when we’re here, we live a very simple life.”

Sky seemed to contemplate that. “Well, honestly, the you and me that live here are simple; we can be us, we don’t have to be the people everyone else expects. We’re both homebody’s, and like the no mess, no fuss route. It shouldn’t surprise you that our life is simple inside of these walls.”

“Very true,” she murmured. Despite her reputation as a spoiled princess, Sydney truly was a calm, casual person at heart. Sky was the same way, despite his sometimes sarcastic, stick in the mud attitude.

“Ready for dinner?” he asked softly.

“Yeah. What are we having?”

“I’m not sure, I figured we’d go out, someplace simple and uncomplicated.”

Syd laughed at his poor excuse for a joke and nodded. “Let’s go.”

A Lifetime of Love - Six

Feedback

Back to Fics

Back to Main