Variations of SPD
by
Pink-Green-White-4ever

Summary: When they're relieved of active Ranger status, the team finds it hard to adjust to not being Rangers anymore. When a new adventure begins, relationships are tested and they learn two important lessons: Once a Ranger, always a Ranger; and Anything's Possible.
Rating: M, for adult-themed situations.
Disclaimer: Don’t own em, not making money off this story – this is purely stress relief for me! Besides, if you know me, you know things would be different if they belonged to me.

Prologue: Adjustments

“The bend in the road is not the end of the road unless you refuse to take the turn.” -- Anon --
- -

“I’m relieving you of active Ranger status.”

- -

--Outside New Tech City--

“Jack just took in the last of the boxes,” Z announced as she walked down the sidewalk to the curb where a large moving van was parked.

Around her, Bridge, Sky, Syd, Jen, Wes, Jason, and Katherine stood or sat on the curb. “I still can’t believe we all moved out of the academy and into a house,” Syd muttered, leaning against her dad as the two sat on the curb, Katherine standing behind them, her hands on Jason’s shoulders.

“I still can’t believe Cruger took us off active duty!” Sky huffed, wiping the sweat off his forehead, smearing the dust and the dirt on his hands all over himself. They had spent the entire day moving his, Syd’s and Bridge’s stuff from storage; they had moved the contents of their rooms earlier in the week. Now all they had to do was wait for the furniture that Jen, Z and Sydney had ordered two days before to arrive.

“After everything the five of you went through a couple of months ago, I’m not surprised,” Jen tried to sooth, running her hand up and down Sky’s arm. Sky gave his mother a look and then jumped, his dad having pinched his arm.

“Don’t look at your mother like that,” Wes grumbled.

“Alright, I say we cut out for the day and get some food,” Jack groaned, coming down the sidewalk from the three story, beige painted town house that the form A Squad Rangers were now sharing.

“Dinner’s on us,” Katherine smiled, helping Jason up while Sky moved over and lifted Syd to her feet, his arms closing around her, trapping her to his chest.

“Eww! Sky! You need a shower! You’re all dirty!” Sydney whined, trying to squirm away as Sky leaned down to kiss her. She stopped moving when her boyfriend’s warm, soft lips caressed hers, causing her to forget everything around them.

“Are we sure we want those two living in such close quarters?” Jason asked Wes, who grinned and laughed.

“After what happened to them, I think they’re both at the point where they’ll wait,” Wes mused.

“Come on guys, let’s go have some pizza,” Jen grinned, the group of nine moving toward the Collins’ vehicles.

- -

“Did you pick out a color for your room?” Syd asked him from her spot on his lap as they sat in the park and watched their dads play basketball with Bridge and Jack.

“Yeah, I’m going for a light blue with navy accents. How about you? Going pink?”

Sydney grinned. “Sort of. It’s a really light pink, and then it’s going to have blue and white accents,” Sydney told him, turning sideways to see his reaction. Sky merely grinned at her, then leaned forward and kissed her cheek.

“Are you two gonna sit there and play kissie-face all afternoon or are you gonna join the party.”

Syd and Sky turned toward Z and stuck their tongues out at her, watching her glare at them. “Leave ‘em be Z, you and Bridge suck face all the time and you don’t hear the rest of us complaining!” Jack taunted the former Yellow Ranger, who turned and looked so insulted that she charged after her “big brother” and demanded he take it back.

Bridge plopped down on the bench next to Sky, blushing. “Oh boy,” he muttered, shaking his head at his girlfriend and their former Red leader.

“So when do you guys start your full time teaching duties?” Jen asked when she and Katherine sat down with them.

“Monday morning,” Sky grumbled.

- -

“You’re ready.”

Once the words left his mentor’s mouth, he felt a tremor race through him. For years, he’d studied in this peaceful place, cut off from his world, with the help of the Master Warrior, waiting for the day when he’d be told it was time to rejoin his family, the one he knew only through stories.

His parents had really and truly died two months ago, and knowing that he’d not get to know them was a burden he’d carry for the rest of his life, but there was someone else out there, waiting for him. And though she hadn’t known their parents well either, he knew his sister would have more information for him than he’d learned here for the last fourteen years.

Chapter 1: Arrival Of The Dragon

“A family is a unit composed not only of children but of men, women, an occasional animal, and the common cold.” -- Ogden Nash --
- -

The Rangers’ House
2:00 A.M.
Monday
September 7, 2025

Sky groaned when the door to his bedroom was lightly knocked on. Slowly opening one sleepy blue eye, the former Blue Ranger looked at the clock on his nightstand. When he saw the time was two o’clock blaring back at him in big, bold red numbers, he groaned again and pulled the pillow back over his head. They’d been up until two hours ago making sure every piece of furniture and what not was in place.

“Sky?”

“GO AWAY!” he hollered from under the pillow, not recognizing which of his housemates’ voices it was. When he felt someone settle on the bed, he sat up quickly and glared. “WHAT?”

“Sky...”

His anger faded instantly when he saw Sydney looking at him, tears in her eyes. Automatically, he pulled her into his arms and hugged her. Since the final battle with Visvajita, the loss of her birth parents, and her miscarrying their baby, she’d had nightmares whenever she wasn’t sleeping with him in his room, or vice versa.

“Another one?” he asked. Sydney nodded, snuggling closer to her boyfriend, allowing the warmth of his presence to sooth her frazzled nerves. “What caused it this time?” he gently asked.

“New room.”

Sky nodded. He admitted to himself he’d had trouble getting to sleep earlier. “I’m glad Jack took the third floor room, this way Bridge and Z have connecting rooms and you and I have connecting rooms. Want to sleep with me tonight?”

Sydney nodded slowly, already starting to drift off thanks to the security she felt while being in his arms. Sky smiled softly, pulling her onto the bed and settling her under his covers and in his arms. “Get some sleep, Syd.”

“Love you.”

Sky smiled. “Love you too.”

- -

SPD Academy
Command Center
10:00 A.M.

“Good morning,” Kat greeted as the five former Rangers walked into the Command Center to get ready for the new wave of cadets.

“Morning Kat!” the team called, trudging around a bit slowly still, due to their hectic moving that weekend.

“How’s it living together outside of the academy?” Kat teased, handing each of them a data pad.

Jack shook his head, Z laughed, Bridge grinned, Sky glared and Sydney didn’t respond at all, the former Pink Ranger still leaning against Sky’s side, even though they were on duty.

“That good huh?”

“Good morning, Cadets,” Cruger greeted, then stopped when Bridge stepped forward.

“Um, Commander, it’s ummmm, since we’re not, like, Rangers anymore, shouldn’t, you uhhhh, call us something other than Cadets? Instructors maybe? Or teachers, or better yet, mentors?”

Everyone rolled their eyes at Bridge’s babbling, so use to it after all this time. “No, Cadet Carson, as you’re still taking courses here at the Academy you are still A Level Cadets, just not active Rangers.”

“Yes sir.”

“I’ve got a surprise for you and the A Squad. Please bring them back here after the assembly.”

Jack nodded, still assuming his role as leader of the team, even though they were no longer an active team.

“Let’s go welcome our new D Level Cadets.”

- -

SPD Landing Pad
10:30 A.M.

Walking off the shuttle, he cringed slightly at the activity of the landing bay. There were people everywhere, something he wasn’t use to. He’d spent most of his life in the sacred temple, training for the day when he’d take his rightful place in the legacy his parents had started years before, so this was a new experience, and he was silently wondering what his mentor had gotten him into.

“Brian?” the female in front of him asked softly. Turning, he nodded and smiled. He knew Kat from the picture his mentor had shown him, as well as the last transmission with Commander Cruger when she’d been present.

“Dr. Manx.”

Kat smiled. “Welcome to SPD. Follow me, I’ll get you into your room, which you’ll be sharing with the A Squad Red Ranger and then I’ll take you to meet the Commander, and the others.”

Brian swallowed, hard, knowing immediately what she meant by “others”.

“It’s ok, she’s here, but she doesn’t know you’re here.”

Chocolate brown eyes closed briefly while the button nose he’d inherited from his mother wrinkled up in anxiety. “I’m ready, but are they?”

- -

Location Unknown
Same Time

The room was quiet, which would have been a good thing if the silence hadn’t brought a foreboding atmosphere. He’d seen Brian off nearly a day before, and knew that the teenager was now in the presence of those who could train him and guide him in the ways of his world.

He looked at the picture hanging on the wall. The picture was over twenty years old, and faded a little, but he could still clearly make out the uniforms, the animal spirit insignias on their chests, but most of all, their smiles still danced back at him. His first six Ninjetti from Earth; they had served the power proudly, each doing their duty until they’d passed it on, and then had it passed back. Now it was up to a teenage boy and six slightly inexperienced former Rangers to make sure the legacy of the ninja was unbroken. His eyes focused in on the individuals wearing the Pink and White Ninja uniforms.

“Your son is trained, his body and mind ready for battle, now it is up to your daughter to take it one step further.”

- -

Command Center
11:45 A.M.

“I see you made it in one piece,” Cruger called out as Kat and Brian walked into the command center. The young man stopped suddenly, taking in the people rushing about the room before his eyes landed on the ten Cadets and the big blue dog.

“Yes sir,” Brian nearly choked on the words, until Anubis smiled at him.

“Come in, and allow me to introduce you to your instructors and teammates,” Anubis commanded. Brian nodded and stepped forward, his hands coming to rest behind his back as he stared at his new teammates, trying to decipher which one was the person he most wanted to see.

“These are your new teammates, Cadet Aaron Matthews – Red Ranger. Cadet Alana Ortiz – Yellow Ranger, Cadet Allison Parker – Pink Ranger, Cadet Travis Gaines – Green Ranger, and Cadet Brett Silvers – Blue Ranger.”

The five Rangers nodded in greeting.

“And these are our former A Squad Rangers, and new instructors here at the Academy; Cadets Jack Landors, Z Delgado, Bridge Carson, Sky Tate, and Sydney Drew.”

Brian’s eyes misted over slightly when he took in the former Pink Ranger. She looked nothing like him, or his parents, but both Cruger and his mentor said she was related to him.

“Cadets, allow me to introduce you to the newest A Level Cadet, Brian Oliver.”

Gasps were heard from the former Rangers at the mention of his name, especially from Sydney who’d reached out and took Sky’s hand, squeezing it tightly.

‘My brother!’

Chapter 2: Siblings
 
“Love and magic have a great deal in common. They enrich the soul, delight the heart. And they both take practice.” -- Nora Roberts --

- -

Brian stared at Sydney, watching the shock seep onto her face. ‘She didn’t know about me’ he thought, swallowing hard.

“Commander?” Sky growled his eyes hard on the young boy before him for what he’d done to Sydney.

“Cadet Oliver is Cadet Drew’s younger brother.”

The A Squad Rangers gasped softly, looking back and forth between Sydney and Brian, while the newly retired Rangers bit their lips, their hearts reaching out to the young boy and his older sister.

Brian was startled when Sydney rushed forward and drew him into her arms, cradling him against her in a tight hug. “How?” she croaked to Cruger, who smiled.

“A friend of your mother and father’s managed to escape with him before Visvajita could kill him. For his safety, and yours, he was taken somewhere safe, and trained. He’s a full fledged Ninja.”

Sydney pulled back and looked down at him, smiling. “Ninja huh?” she grinned, hoping to get Brian to smile back. “Then you might be able to help me as much as I can help you.”

The teenager looked confused by his sister’s words. “Commander, can I take him to meet my parents?” Cruger nodded and motioned for the A Squad to follow him.

“I thought Mom and Dad died?”

Sydney smiled sadly and nodded. “They did, but my Godparents adopted me. They’ll be your Godparents too.”

“Who are they?” he asked, slightly fearful of more people learning his secret.

“Jason and Katherine Scott.”

Brian’s eyes widened and his mouth dropped open. He knew those names, and the significance of Sydney having grown up in their care. Nodding, the young boy agreed to go with his sister.

- -

Z shot Bridge a look as the former Green Ranger winced yet again on the ride to Sky’s family home. “What’s your problem?”

“Sky. He’s not a happy camper.”

The former Yellow Ranger nodded, looking back at Sky, who was on his motorcycle behind them, Jack sitting behind him. Syd and Brian sat in the back of the jeep they were in, talking quietly about what had happened the last few months to Sydney, and about why Brian was finally revealed after all this time.

“Syd has kinda blown him off, hasn’t she?”

Bridge nodded and continued toward the Collin’s household. “She’s interested in her brother, and you can’t blame her, but Sky’s taking it really hard that all of a sudden, he’s not the center of Sydney’s universe.”

“What would have happened if they’d had the baby?” Z shot back softly, watching Bridge shrug.

“Here’s Sky’s parents’ house,” Syd announced to Brian, who turned and started at the large house. All of the things he’d seen on the trip from the Academy to the Collins household were new to him, and somewhat frightening.

“Sky grew up here?” Brian asked softly. Sydney nodded.

“Yep. It’s cool, it’s got a big back yard with a big pool, and gardens that Aunt Jen planted the summer before she had Sky.”

“Aunt Jen?”

Sydney laughed. “Before Sky and I started dating, Jen was kind of like my aunt, or at least she was before Tommy and Kim died and I moved in with my mom and dad. So she was Aunt Jen. It’s only recently I’ve started calling her that again. You’ll like her, she’s cool; she and Sky’s dad served with ours at S.P.D. and both of them are former Time Force Rangers too.”

Z laughed from the front seat, causing Syd and Brian to perk up. “Looks like Eric and Taylor are here, along with your parents Syd.”

- -

The party got into full swing when the team and Brian arrived. The newest member of their family was introduced to the adults, and Taylor and Eric’s sixteen year old daughter, Melissa.

Once she knew Brian was comfortable with everyone, Sydney sought out her moody and exceptionally sexy boyfriend. She found him upstairs kicking back on his bed, alone.

“Do I want to know why you’re hiding in here?” Syd asked, crossing her arms over her chest as she leaned against the doorframe of Sky’s room.

“It’s not like you’d care anyways,” he replied, continuing to keep his eyes closed while he stretched out on his bed.

Sydney felt momentarily hurt before her anger burned bright red. “What the hell is that suppose to mean?” she demanded.

“You’re a smart girl, Sydney, figure it out.”

The former Pink Ranger stood there, wondering what had gotten into him when she felt something; it was emotions, of that much she was sure, but she knew they weren’t hers. It struck her suddenly, that she was feeling whatever Sky was feeling. He was mad, hurt, and feeling left out. She sighed. She should have known something was wrong when he’d withdrawn from her at the base. She always rode with him on his bike, and Jack hitched a ride with Z and Bridge in the jeep, instead, he’d asked Jack to ride with him and she’d been forced to sit with her brother.

Shaking her head, Sydney moved over to his bed and studied him while trying to decide just how to get him to talk to her. After a minute, she smiled and went to the door, locking it, and then moved back towards the bed.

Quietly, so as not to disturb him, Syd strode to the side of the bed where he was laying and then pounced. Sky let out a gasp when she threw her left leg over him and settled on his stomach so that she was straddling him.

“Who are you, and what have you done with my boyfriend? Cause I know for a fact the real Sky wouldn’t let the little green-eyed monster get the best of him.”

Sky’s hands automatically moved to her hips, to steady her as she perched precariously over him. “Sydney.”

Leaning down, Sydney got as close to him as she could without touching him. “I’m sorry; it’s just weird for me to know I have a fifteen year old brother. I didn’t mean to ignore you, I didn’t mean to completely forget you were there, I’m just excited and nervous, and...”

She didn’t get to finish her sentence cause Sky sat up and covered her lips with his, bringing a hand up from her hips to cradle her cheek. “Syd,” he whispered softly, laying his head back against the pillows while she loomed over him, wiggling about to get a comfortable position.

Sydney almost laughed. They always teased Bridge about his abs of steel, but when it came right down to it her boyfriend came in a damn close second with his well toned stomach. Unfortunately at the moment, it was getting mighty uncomfortable to sit on him, so she wiggled back a bit and gasped, realizing a little too late she was now sitting on his lap, directly over his growing erection.

The former Blue Ranger groaned when she stopped moving, recognizing exactly where she was sitting and why she suddenly had a look of shock on her face. “Sorry.”

Syd giggled. “Nice to know I can affect you without so much as lifting a finger,” she teased as she stretched out over him. “I love you, Sky.”

“I know.”

“Good. You’ll always be number one with me, you know that, right?”

Sky nodded slightly and grinned. “I’m sorry I was crabby earlier.”

The former Pink Ranger merely shrugged. “Typical reaction, I’m not upset. Just talk to me next time, instead of being cranky and surly, please?”

Sky leaned forward and kissed her, effectively silencing her mouth.

- -

“You sure you’re gonna be ok in here?” Sydney asked as she got her brother settled in the guest room at the team’s house.

“Shouldn’t I have gone back to the base?” Brian questioned from where Syd had tucked him into bed.

“No. Commander Cruger wanted you to hang with me for a few days. If you need anything, Jack’s upstairs, Z and Bridge are down the hall to your left and Sky and my rooms are down the hall to the right, ok?”

Brian nodded, but Syd could still see the uneasiness in his eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“What were they like?”

Sighing, Sydney moved so that she and Brian were sitting shoulder to shoulder. At fifteen, he was nearly as tall as she was, and she knew, he was only going to get taller, but she was still able to comfortably slip her arm around his shoulders and pull him to her side.

“They loved us, no matter what you hear or what anyone says, they loved us, enough to give up their own lives to save us, twice over. I don’t know them much better than you do; the best people to ask would be our aunts and uncles and my mom and dad. They all served with our parents, they grew up with them, they’ll be able to tell you more about them then I will.”

“Is Mom’s best friend really the President of the United States?” Brian asked suddenly, making Sydney laugh.

“Yep!” Syd quipped. “Trini Kwan Cranston, wife of Billy Cranston, first female President of the United States of America, and original Yellow Ranger of Earth. Uncle Billy was the original Blue Ranger and the Zeo Rangers’ tactical advisor.”

“That’s what Jason said. I was just wondering.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Who raised you?” Sydney’s expression and voice were deadly serious.

“The Master Warrior of the Ninjetti. His name is Ninjor, keeper of the Temple Of Power, which is hidden in the Desert Of Despair.”

“And where Mom and Dad, Uncle Rocky, Aunt Aisha, Uncle Adam and Uncle Billy went to get their ninja powers,” Syd murmured in shock. It was starting to make sense now. “Thanks for telling me. Now, go to sleep, and don’t be surprised, cause the alarm clock is set to go off at nine thirty tomorrow morning. Night.”

“Good night.”

Sydney left the door opened a crack and turned, squeaking in surprise when she did. “Is he ok?”

She smiled up at Sky and then moved into the circle of his arms. “Yeah. Can we go to bed now?”

“Are we sharing a room tonight or no?” Sky questioned as they moved down the hall toward their rooms.

“For tonight, we’d better go to our own rooms. I don’t want him getting upset if he comes to me and I’m not there.”

Sky frowned but said nothing. Sighing, he pecked a quick kiss to Syd’s lips before seeing her to her door, then walking across the hall to his.

- -

“Soon, the power of the White Dragon will be mine!” an evil voice laughed wildly from inside the confines of an underground cave.

The laughter echoed off the ceilings and bounced off the walls, making it sound more sinister as it went on.

Chapter 3: New Love, First Date, & A Promise Ring

"In my world, I walked to a different drum. You came along and joined me in my journey. I am now in harmony and at peace in the world of love." -- Unknown --

"Just when I thought that love could never be a part of me, that's when you came along and showed me happiness!" -- Unknown --

"If you're asking if I need you, the answer is forever. If you're asking if I will leave you, the answer is never. If you're asking what I value, the answer is you. If you asking if I love you, the answer is I DO." -- Unknown --

- -

“Fancy meeting you here.”

Sky looked up and over his right shoulder and glared at the man walking toward him. “I really don’t want to talk about it,” he muttered.

“I thought you and Syd had a lunch date today?” Jack asked, plopping down in the chair next to Sky. They’d both found themselves in the food court at New Tech City Mall, on a Saturday morning, and neither of them seemed to want to be there.

The former Blue Ranger glared at his former leader. “We did. She canceled this morning, called from the Academy. Brian needs help with his simulation training.”

Jack shot an apologetic glance at his blue friend. Brian had been with them for over two weeks now, though Syd had finally settled him into the Academy’s dorm instead of in the guestroom at the team’s house. It seemed to Jack that the young boy was taking up a lot of Syd’s time, and Sky didn’t seem to like it one bit.

“I know what you’re gonna say, why didn’t I go help, right? I volunteered to; she told me that she didn’t think Brian was ready for that level of training.”

Shaking his head, Jack leaned back in his chair. Normally, he loved looking at the young ladies at the mall, but the last couple of months, a certain red haired, green eyed Pink Ranger had managed to snag all of his attention. Sighing in frustration, Jack scrubbed his hands over his face.

“Sky, I really don’t know what to tell you, man. Be patient, alright. Sydney’s gone through a lot the last couple of months, just like we all have; she’s still adjusting to having a brother, and you’ve got to adjust to not being the center of her universe anymore. Besides, maybe this’ll prepare you for life with kids. We all know you two are going to have some, eventually.”

The young man in blue jeans, sneakers, and a navy polo merely glared at his red and black dressed friend. “And why, may I ask, are you not with Allison this morning? Don’t the two of you usually head to the beach for a workout on Saturdays?”

“Yeah. They have combat training this morning with Commander Cruger. Z’s overseeing it. Bridge is supposed to meet me here in twenty minutes, and then we were gonna go drag you off somewhere later.”

Sky chuckled. “Male bonding, again, huh?”

Jack grinned back. “We haven’t had an afternoon to ourselves since movie night when you were stuck in the infirmary; it’s about time we get away from the girls for a while.”

The man in blue was about to reply with a witty, sarcastic comment when Bridge came running up, out of breath. “GUYS!”

Both Sky and Jack look startled by his sudden appearance. “What’s wrong Bridge?”

“I need help.”

“With what?” Sky asked.

“I… well… after months of unofficial dating… well… um… IkindaaskedZonadate.”

Jack laughed, not comprehending, even after over a year of being around the former Green Ranger, a thing Bridge had just said. The former Red Ranger turned to Sky for translation.

“He finally, officially, asked Z out on a date.”

“Oh!” Jack turned, and grinned at Bridge. “Congrats. But why do you need our help?”

“It’s my first date, ever, and I’m clueless.”

Sky held up his hands in surrender. “Don’t look at me, I haven’t been on many dates, and when Syd and I go out, I usually let her plan them.”

Jack shook his head. “You two are pathetic, I tell you. First of all, you need to buy her something.”

“Chocolates?”

Jack shook his head no.

“Flowers?”

Another shake.

“Clothes?”

And another.

“Let me guess, jewelry?”

The former Red Ranger nodded. “Yeah; something simple and nice, trust me.”

Sky shrugged his shoulders and stood up with Jack, the two of them walking with Bridge to the nearest jewelry store. ‘This ought to be interesting!’

- -

Their first stop was New Tech Mall Jewelers. While Jack dragged Bridge off toward the earrings, necklaces, and pendants, Sky wandered over toward the display case where the promise rings and wedding sets were housed, just to take a peek.

He stood there for a few moments, gazing into the case, before someone came over to him. “Cadet Tate, what are you doing here?”

Looking up like a deer caught in the headlights, Sky found himself face to face with his Aunt Taylor. “Gotcha Sky.”

Sighing in relief, Sky nearly slumped against the glass. “Aunt Taylor.”

“What are you doing here?” Taylor asked, though it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out – Sky has a girlfriend, a very beautiful girlfriend, who likes nice jewelry, and he happens to be dead serious about being with said girlfriend. “Or do I not want to know the answer?”

Sky laughed. “Bridge asked for Jack’s help with his first date with Z tonight. Jack seems to think girls like pretty jewelry, so he dragged Bridge in here. I tagged along.”

“And why, pray tell, aren’t you over there with you friends?” Taylor asked, looking over her shoulder as the former Red Ranger went on and on about what Z would and wouldn’t like while Bridge went bright red.

“Just looking.”

“For Syd?” Taylor casually moved toward the case, looking down at the rings displayed. She saw a pretty one with diamonds and pink and blue gems. “A piece of advice from a girl who likes pretty jewelry, go with the one with Diamonds, Pink Tourmaline and Blue Sapphires. See ya round, Kiddo.” That said, Taylor grinned at Sky’s bright blush and turned and walked out of the store.

“May I help you Sir?” the saleswoman finally asked, having overheard the conversation between Aunt and Nephew.

Sky jumped, startled and smiled sheepishly. “Can I see the one with the pink and blue stones, please?”

“Certainly Sir,” the saleswoman smiled, reaching down to open the case.

- -

“Where have you guys been all day?” Sydney called out from the large kitchen when the three males walked in, each of them looking extremely tired. “Geesh, you look tired.”

Jack smiled at her and kissed her on the cheek before moving toward the refrigerator to get a pop. Bridge sighed and slumped down on one of the bar stools that was on the other side of the counter that separated the dinning room from the kitchen, looking tired and cranky. And then there was Sky, who looked sorta nervous as he moved toward Syd, pulling her into his arms and pecking a kiss on her forehead.

“Jack tried to school Bridge in the dating game,” Sky whispered, causing Sydney to giggle.

“Bridge, listen to me,” Sydney murmured, looking over at the defeated-looking young man in green. “Just be yourself, that’s what Z loves about you. She’s not gonna care what you wear, where you go, or what you do tonight, as long as you’re with her. She loves you.”

The young man in blue jeans and a green t-shirt smiled. “I got her a pretty necklace, at Jack’s insistence. It’s got Citrine, I think that’s what it is, and Emeralds; all I know is the one is sorta a yellow in color and the other is green. He says girls like sparkly things.”

Syd smiled, knowing how true that was. “Yellow-orange, meaning it’s just her color, and green for you. I’m sure she’ll love it.” Turning, Syd eyed her red and black dressed friend who was slugging down a pop. “And you, Allison called twenty minutes ago, said if you wanted to catch a movie and dinner with her, to give her a call. You’d better go call her. And next time, don’t tire him out so bad before a date.”

Nodding to Sydney, then saluting Sky and grinning at Bridge, Jack raced up the stairs that led from the dinning room up to the upstairs, to their rooms, to call Allison.

“Alright Tate, what have you got planned for this evening?” Syd asked, moving back to the stove to finish cooking dinner.

Sky followed her, leaning over her shoulder to see what she was cooking, his arms wrapping around her waist, hands tying together over her stomach. He smiled when he saw she was making Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo, a favorite of both of theirs. “I was hoping for a nice, quiet evening with the woman I love; dinner, maybe an in-home movie, and possibly a couple of rounds of nice, hot, sweaty...”

“Don’t you dare say it in front of Bridge, or you’re gonna embarrass the poor boy,” Sydney hissed, turning in Sky’s arms.

Seeing that as his cue to leave, Bridge grinned and slipped up the stairs to his room to get ready for his date. Sky grinned, watching his best friend leave before looking down into the lovely blue eyes of his girlfriend. “I bought you something today,” he whispered to her, moving her over a few steps to the right and backing her into the counter next to the stove, before he leaned down and kissed her, his lips barely grazing hers and leaving them both wanting more.

“Oh?” Syd inquired softly, running her hands up Sky’s arms before clasping them behind his neck. She marveled for the millionth time how nice it was to be snug and secure in his arms, not to mention the fact that he looked incredibly sexy in the tight blue jeans and blue polo. ‘I’ll bet he had tons of girls following him all over the mall and he didn’t notice’ she thought to herself, smiling up at him. “What’d you get me?”

Sky grinned at her and moved to seal his lips over hers. What started out as an innocent kiss soon became much more passionate as he moved his tongue against her lips, seeking a silent invitation to her mouth. Sydney gave it, opening her mouth to him, her own tongue peeping out to caress and dance with his.

“Are you two sucking face in the kitchen? Gross!”

The couple broke apart, startled, and turned to see Z leaning against the archway leading from the foyer, smiling wickedly.

“Don’t you have a date to go get ready for?” Syd shot back teasingly. “You’re gonna need at least two good hours to get all that sweat off and to hide your mug under some makeup before Bridge sees you.”

“Watch it, Princess, this could have been you today,” Z growled playfully, though in all honesty Syd and Sky both thought she looked ready to collapse from exhaustion. “And how did you get out of overseeing their combat training with me today?”

Syd smiled. “The Commander and Kat thought my expertise in the simulation room would help Brian get comfortable with it. I spent the entire day getting my ass kicked by my little brother, the master ninja.”

Z laughed and nodded to Sky. “Sorry for interrupting the moment, but is Bridge home?”

“He just ran upstairs to get ready; Jack and Sky dragged him all over the mall in hopes of getting him ready for tonight.”

“Really? Why?” Z asked.

Sky gave her a dumbfounded look. “You don’t know?”

Z shook her head. “We’re going on a real date, something we’ve both been too scared to do because we thought it would ruin our friendship. We both want more from each other, and I like Bridge the way he is, why would he need to get ready for tonight?”

Syd and Sky shared a look. “Um, Z, look, don’t tell Bridge I told you this, but tonight’s his first date.”

The moment the words left Sky’s mouth, Z looked floored. “Ever?”

Sky and Syd nodded. “His powers have always turned girls off, not to mention it makes it hard for him to get close to people because of it, so he’s never asked anyone out. You’re the first girl other than Sydney to give him the time of day, at least, who wasn’t in a management position over him, like Kat.”

“Oh no!” Z gasped. “Syd, what am I gonna do? I wanna make this special for him.”

Sydney smiled. “Did you guys decide where to go for dinner?”

“No, we were gonna decide when we got ready to leave.”

Nudging Sky’s arm, Sydney nodded her head toward the phone. Getting the hint, Sky walked over and dialed a number he knew by heart. “Can I speak to Anthony please? Sky Tate. Hi Tony, listen, I need a favor. A friend of mine is going on his first date tonight, with the girl of his dreams. Can we get them a good seat, near the windows? Yeah, I’m paying for it; just put it on my account. Yes, Bridge Carson. Thanks Tony, you’re the best.”

“What did you just do?” Z suspiciously asked.

Sky grinned impishly at her and winked. “You’ve got reservations under Bridge’s name for seven thirty at Ristorante de Amore, its downtown near the boardwalk amusement park. It’s nice, quiet, on the waterfront, and I know the staff. You’ll love it. Order whatever you two want, it’s on me.”

“Why did you just do that?”

Sky moved toward his yellow teammate and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close to his side. “Because it’s not every day my unofficial little brother and little sister make it official. You two deserve a nice night out, and I’m able to help with it. Afterward, you might want to talk Bridge into going over to the boardwalk, it’s usually a nice place to be on Saturday nights.”

Z smiled at Syd, who nodded, somehow knowing what Z was asking permission for. Leaning up, Z pecked a kiss to Sky’s cheek. “You’re sweet, Sky, thanks.”

“Your welcome; now go get ready for your date.” Sky shooed her up the back staircase before walking back over to Sydney and pulling her into a hug.

“She’s right you know; you’re so sweet.” Looking down into her eyes, Sky felt himself simply melt.

- -

Allison was waiting by the fountain in front of the Academy when Jack pulled up in the nice red Mustang Convertible that Syd’s dad had bought him. In fact, Syd’s parents had purchased each of them a vehicle of their choice when Cruger had taken them off active Ranger status, as none of them had vehicles of their own and they were no longer able to use the S.P.D. vehicles whenever they wanted.

He’d chosen the Mustang Convertible, Sky had gotten a sonic blue Ford Ranger XL, Bridge chose a Dodge Durango SXT in a forest green, Z had gotten a Dodge Charger SE in a lemony yellow, and Sydney had picked out a very sleek, Chrysler Seabring Convertible in a deep pink. Jason and Katherine had told them how proud of the team they were, and figured since they were well off enough, why not give the hard working Rangers a reward. In Jack’s opinion, the cars and the house the Collins’ had provided for the five former Rangers couldn’t have come at a better time.

“Sorry! I wanted to be there to see Bridge and Z off on their first date,” he apologized as he jumped out of the car and ran over to her. He grinned, kissed her on the cheek and led her over to his car. “You feel like dinner and a movie?”

“Sounds good to me,” Allison grinned. In the few months she’s known Jack Landors, she’d grown close to him. In fact, she’d even venture to guess she’d fallen in love with him, but she’d never tell him, because she knew he didn’t feel the same way.

“Where would you like to go, Milady?”

“Somewhere quiet, it’s been a hectic day,” Allison giggled at the nickname as he pulled away from the Academy and headed for the freeway.

“I know a nice place, about forty five minutes away. It’s up on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Sky said he’s taken Syd there tons of times, does that sound quiet enough? And then maybe we can walk on the beach and come back and catch a movie or something.”

“It sounds great, Jack,” she murmured, leaning her head against his shoulder as he drove. He had the top down on his new car, so it was nice to just sit there and let the warm September air blow on her.

- -

“Wow!” Bridge gasped when Z pulled her Dodge Charger into the driveway of the restaurant they were having dinner out. “Um, Z, I know you really want to be here, but, um, the Academy doesn’t pay all that well. That is, unless you’re Kat, or Commander Cruger, or General Birdie, or...”

Z smiled and shushed him with a well manicured finger tip to his lips. “I wasn’t supposed to say anything, but this is compliments of Sky. He said have a good night. You don’t have to worry about paying for it.”

Bridge looked both embarrassed and awed. “I see.”

The former Yellow Ranger gave him a look and then smiled widely. “You can spend all your money on me at the boardwalk, winning me a stuffed animal to add to my growing collection, ok?”

The former Green Ranger couldn’t help but laugh. He was infinitely glad Sky had done what he’d done, especially since the necklace he’d bought Z had stretched his budget a little. “Before we go in, I have something for you,” Bridge told her, his hands shaking as he took the little, rectangular velvet box out of his jacket pocket. He handed it to Z, and let her open it.

Z gasped when she saw the heart shaped pendant done in Citrine with Emerald accents. “Oh Bridge! It’s beautiful!” she gasped, tears springing to her eyes. Other than her Z necklace, she’d never had any really gorgeous jewelry, and here Bridge had gone out and gotten her something.

“Jack helped me pick it out, I hope you don’t mind the green ones,” he murmured, and then did something unexpected. He reached down and removed his gloves, took the box from her hands, and released the necklace from its confines before he reached around Z’s neck and put it on her. When he pulled his hands away, he let his fingers trail along the chain lying against her skin.

Z was startled to feel his fingers against her neck, knowing that it could hurt him to touch her skin to skin. “Bridge...”

Bridge smiled. “It doesn’t bother me to touch you, all I feel is security, warmth, and love when I touch you. You’re my buffer from everything Z; it’s never been like that for me, with anyone.”

Leaning forward, the young Hispanic woman touched her lips to Bridge’s in a sweet kiss that spoke of so much more lying under the surface. “I love you, Bridge.” Z saw his eyes water, and felt herself blinking back her own tears. “It’s never been like this with anyone else for me, ever. You’re the first, the last, and the only.”

This time it was Bridge’s turn to lean forward and kiss her. When he pulled back he squeezed her hand. “Shall we go eat and then go have fun?”

Nodding, Z grinned. “I’m game.”

The pair stepped from Z’s car and linked arms after Bridge put his gloves back on. Z was wearing a Chinese Cheongsam dress in dark green and light yellow with embroidered Tigers and Pandas on it, with a pair of bamboo sandals in a flip flop fashion with high heels, on her feet. Bridge was wearing a pair of khaki pants, a dark green polo shirt, black dress shoes, and a black leather jacket.

“Alright, let the fun begin!” Z announced, cause Bridge to grin and laugh as he led her into the restaurant after giving the keys to the valet.

- -

Allison sighed softly while she and Jack walked along the beach, watching the sun set over the ocean. She was happy, happier than she’d been in a while. She had a good job, she was a Power Ranger just like she’d always wanted to be, she had incredible friends and teachers, but most of all, she was with a very incredibly kind, generous, and hot guy.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Jack asked, walking next to her in the soft sand. He looked at her and smiled. She was wearing a pink tank top with white sweater over it, tight blue jeans, and was carrying her sandals in her hand.

“I was just thinking how incredibly lucky I am.”

“Oh?”

“Awesome job, fantastic friends, great mentors, and a date that’s both handsome and considerate of me,” she grinned, which made Jack smile. The former Ranger realized how much more she’d opened up in the last couple of months, especially around him. She’d gone from being a shy young lady to someone who was comfortable in her own skin. ‘Just like I did during my time as a Ranger’ he thought proudly.

“Um, Allison, can I ask you something?” Jack started. During his afternoon with Sky and Bridge, his former teammates had talked to him about his feelings for Allison. It wasn’t until Sky had smirked at him and told him he spoke of the younger Pink Ranger the same why Sky did of Sydney, that he realized he was falling in love with her.

“Sure,” she chirped, stopping to face him.

“Well, I, uh, know we’ve been spending a lot of time together since the Officer’s Ball a few months ago, and you see, I’ve realized something.”

Allison felt her stomach drop out on her as she realized Jack was about to tell her he didn’t want to see her anymore. “Yes?”

“Would you like to, maybe, make it a little more serious, and exclusively date me?”

The Pink Ranger’s mouth dropped open in shock, tears forming in her eyes. Not even in her wildest dreams had she imagined he’d ask her that. “What?”

Jack winced, thinking she didn’t want to. “I’d understand if you didn’t, but um, I think... in fact, I know, I’m falling for you.”

“Yes.” Jack’s eyes widened as the simple, one word answer left her mouth, which turned up in the brightest smile the former Ranger leader had ever seen on her face.

“Yes?”

Allison nodded. “I’ve been falling for you for weeks now, Jack. I’d love to date you, and only you.”

Leaning forward, Jack reached up and cupped her cheeks, laying his lips on her ruby colored ones in a sweet, touching first kiss.

- -

Sydney grinned, walking through their joint bathroom to Sky’s room. He’d decorated it, with his mother’s help, in several shades of blues. There was navy carpet and curtains, light blue walls and ceiling, and his furniture was even in blues. His bed was covered in navy and white sheets and blankets.

She smiled, seeing the maps of the world, and pictures of landmarks like the Sphinx and Pyramids of Egypt, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and Niagara Falls at the Canadian-United States border adorning his walls.

And then there was the one pink thing in the entire room. It was one of Syd’s stuffed animals, a Phoenix her dad had gotten her not long ago, sitting in the middle of his neatly made bed. She laughed, noting how it stuck out like a sore thumb in all the blue.

“I can see I left my mark on you,” she grinned at the figure sitting at the desk in front of the computer.

After Jack, Z and Bridge had left the house the pair had had a quiet dinner, and had watched a movie, before they’d headed upstairs. Sky had some test scores to go over and Syd had wanted a bubble bath. Much to her disappointment, he hadn’t joined her.

Turning, Sky grinned at her sheepishly. “I’ve been wondering where my Phoenix went. When did you steal it off my bed?”

Sky shut the computer off and moved to where she was standing by his bed. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek. “I didn’t steal it, Syd, you left it in here a week ago, after you went back to your room one morning, and I just haven’t seen the need to return it yet.”

Syd laughed and kissed him back, before she pushed him back onto his bed, tumbling down on top of him a second later. “Really now?”

“Yep,” Sky grinned, moving his hands to her sides, letting his fingers glide up and down, tickling her.

“SKY! STOP!” Sydney laughed and gasped, rolling off of him in hopes he’d stop his attack. She wasn’t remotely lucky. Sky followed her, rolling over on top of her as his fingers continued their assault. “IF YOU DON’T STOP I’M GONNA PEE MY PANTS!”

Laughter rang out from the former Blue Ranger, causing him to roll off her to try and catch his breath. “Sorry,” he mumbled a moment later, after he’d caught his breath.

“Jerk,” she muttered, then snuggled close to him, burrowing under his right arm so she was close to his side. “Can I sleep in here with you?”

Turning his head in her direction, Sky opened his eyes and grinned at her. “I thought we were gonna try to stay out of each other’s beds for a while?”

“Only during the week, when we both have to work. It’s Saturday, Sky, I wanna sleep cuddled up with you,” she pouted pleadingly.

He shook his head in disbelief at how he wasn’t able to resist her when she was like this. “I suppose I wouldn’t mind sharing my bed. What am I gonna get out of this deal?”

Sydney frowned at him, lost in her thoughts, before she smiled brightly and move to straddle his waist, one of her favorite positions. “Well, I suppose, for the greater good, I could be talked into performing a few certain services for you.”

Sky’s eyebrows shot up in question. “Oh really?” he grinned at her.

“Really.”

“You’re serious? You’d actually, you know?” he asked, eluding to a certain activity they had yet to engage in, even though they’d made love to one another tons of times over the last couple of months.

“Yep.” Sydney felt her stomach tighten in nervousness, and strangely enough, excitement. She wasn’t sure about performing the actual act, but she was curious, and that ruled out the nervousness.

Sky saw the internal war and sought to give her one last way out, though he really wanted to know what it felt like. “Sydney, you don’t have to if you don’t want to. I’d love nothing more than to just make love to you.”

She smiled softly at him, leaning down to kiss him, her hands playing in his hair. His hands smoothed down her back, over her hips, coming to rest on the sides of her toned and incredibly soft thighs.

“I know I don’t have to, but I’m curious, and I know you want to know what it feels like too, huh?”

Sky nodded and smiled. “Sorta, yeah.”

“Then, allow me,” Syd whispered seductively, kissing his mouth one last time before she slithered down his body, leaving wet kisses on the skin of his neck, chest and stomach before she reached her ultimate goal. She smiled at him and then began her assault.

The first thing Sydney did was tug at his sweats, until she had them completely off of him. Sky was surprised enough to start laughing when Sydney fell backwards and landed on her butt on the floor. “You ok down there?” he chuckled, pushing up so that his elbows were supporting his body.

Sydney was sprawled on the floor, his sweats draped over her, looking shocked. “I think so; wasn’t quite expecting to fall on my butt though.”

Grinning, it was as though a light had turned on in Syd’s head. Carefully, she reached up and gently grasped Sky’s penis, using it to pull herself to her knees.

The smirk on Sky’s face disappeared, replaced by something more – desire, longing, and more than anything, love. He swallowed hard when Syd pushed up so that she was standing before him, his legs on either side of hers. “Scoot around on the bed, please.”

Doing as asked, Sky watched as Sydney took a few deep breaths before climbing onto the bed, kneeling between his legs. “Sweetheart?”

“Hmm?” Sydney hummed, her eyes leaving his lap and meeting his. “What?”

“Are you sure?”

A smile blossomed on her face, followed by a nod that had her mane of hair tumble down around her shoulders. “I’m sure. Ok, now, sit back, and enjoy,” Syd grinned, and then set about trying to recapture the mood. She started by leaning forward and kissing him.

Sky felt himself melt when she started kissing him. At first they were very gentle, very sweet kisses on his forehead, cheeks, eyelids, nose and finally his mouth. He could have died right then and there a happy man, if he could only go on kissing her forever.

He gasped softly as Syd’s kisses moved to his neck. If there was one thing both of them had learned since they’d been together, it was that Sky had a very sensitive neck, especially when Sydney’s lips roamed freely along the column, and Sydney loved to exploit that fact whenever she got a chance.

“Your pulse is racing,” Syd murmured in his ear before switching from the left side of his neck to the right, and then moved her lips down to his shoulders and upper chest.

“I wonder why,” Sky panted, shaking his head as Syd giggled. He struggle not to cry out when Syd’s mouth closed over one of his tiny, dark colored nipples. “Syd!”

There was no response other than the sounds of her suckling. Sky unconsciously thrust into her stomach when she licked her way across his chest and took his other nipple into her mouth, lavishing the same attention on it as she had the first.

Satisfied that she’d paid enough attention to his chest, Syd moved her kisses down his sternum to his well toned stomach. She paid special attention to his belly button, making him chuckle when she kissed around it.

Sky had finally leaned up on his elbows again and was watching her move her way down his body. He saw her face hovering over his erection, a look of debate crossing her features. Then he saw her look up at him through her eyelashes and gulped. She was playing with him, in every sense of the word.

The former Blue Ranger had, in the last few months of his relationship with Sydney, seen her go from shy and awkward in the bedroom to a seductress if he ever saw one. One look from her could have him on his knees, begging and pleading. And the look she just gave him told him she was about to have her way with him and there was no use fighting it.

“Be gentle, I bruise easily,” Sky joked, watching one slim eyebrow shoot up and a smirk slide onto her face.

“Baby, I’m going to put everything I can into making you scream,” she shot back, grinning, before she reached down and wrapped her slim fingers around his shaft. Sky gulped and watched as the torturous pleasure began.

For all their strength and ability, Sky noted, Syd’s hands were soft, smooth, and silky as she explored his shaft. Admittedly, when they’d had sex before, they’d taken the time to explore each other’s bodies, but Syd seemed to be completely fascinated by his manhood this time. He watched her carefully as she ran a fingertip up and down the length, or fisted her right hand around the base to hold it still. He couldn’t help but groan softly at the sight of her studying him so intently.

“Sydney,” he breathed out, watching her look up at him, her curiosity shining in her eyes.

Without a word, she leaned down close to where she held him still and proceeded to take one bold, wet lick. “Oh!” Sky gasped.

Sydney, deciding not only was one lick not enough, but that she liked the sounds Sky was making, leaned down and began again, this time her tongue teasingly twirling around the soft head of his shaft. She felt Sky’s muscles bunch at the sensation, and decided that it wasn’t as scary as she thought it was going to be. Smirking to herself, Sydney continued to twirl her tongue around her boyfriend’s organ while one hand held him and the other reached down to cup the warm sac of his scrotum.

The second Sky felt her hand cup him, he couldn’t help but give a momentary jerk in reflex. “Oh god.”

“You ok up there?” Sydney teased, peering up at him. Sky’s eyes were clenched shut, his face was flushed, he was breathing hard, and she’d barely touched him.

“Y-y-yeah…”

Sydney couldn’t help but giggle; Sky looked like she was torturing him. Turning her attention back to what she’d been doing, Syd thought out her plan of attack. Carefully, she leaned forward again, only this time instead of licking him like a lollipop as she had before she proceeded to wrap her entire mouth around him like she was eating a Popsicle.

“OH SHIT!”

The former Pink Ranger was too busy teasing him, and exploring the new aspect of their relationship, to notice Sky had fallen backwards to lay flat on his back, mouth wide open with no sound coming out, and his hands clenched in the sheets.

Sky knew she was gonna make him rip his sheets right off his bed, or tear them in half. He’d done some research not long after they’d started sleeping together, just out of curiosity, and had learned most girls really didn’t like having their heads held onto while performing this particular act. It was with some relief and a mental pat on his back that Sky remembered to grab the sheets and not the wealth of blonde hair currently tumbled over his lap.

Her lips were driving him wild. As this was both their first times, Sky knew if she was this good now, she’d only get better with practice.

At first, Syd merely used her mouth to suck on him, but as she got more curious and a lot bolder, she incorporated her tongue and quickly learned to hollow out her cheeks. Sky thought he was going to loose it right then and there, but breathed hard and deeply and held onto the last little bit of his control.

When her head started to slowly bob up and down, he felt the last of his control slip. “SYD!”

The former Pink Ranger gasped softly as his body jerked once before she managed to pull away. She was just fast enough to aim his shaft toward her own chest so that his ejaculation splattered all over her nightclothes and not in her face. Sydney was surprised to see Sky lying on the bed, his chest heaving, and his eyes closed so tightly that tears were slowly leaking down his cheeks.

Quietly, she slid off the bed and wriggled out of her night clothes, which she took over and tossed in his clothes hamper before coming back to lay down beside him on the bed, one arm propping up her head while her other hand reached out and gently caressed Sky’s face, wiping away the tears.

“You ok?” Syd asked, biting her lip when he didn’t immediately respond. “Sky?”

“Hmm?”

“Did I do alright?”

Blue met blue when Sky’s eyes suddenly popped open at the vulnerable tone of her voice. Sky noticed how worried she looked, and wondered briefly why, until common sense kicked in. That was the first time either of them had done that, together or apart, and Sydney was worried whether or not she’d done it right or pleased him.

“Thank you,” Sky whispered softly, reaching up to hold her hand to his cheek before he turned his head and pressed a kiss to her palm. “That was incredible, especially for a first time.”

Syd smiled down at him, blinking back her own tears. She was glad she’d pleased him.

“Syd?”

“Hmm?”

“Mind if I return the favor?” Sky slyly asked, looking up into her face. There was surprise there, but no fear and no hesitation.

“If you want to.”

“Do you want me to?” Sky asked softly, worried that she didn’t want to try this.

“Yes.”

Sky smiled and then set to work. The first thing he did was wrap one arm around her waist and then brought the other one up so that he could cup her cheek in his hand. Gently, he nudged her head down and kissed her softly, before probing her mouth with his tongue. When she responded in like, Sky couldn’t stop the groan of appreciation. After a few moments of kissing each other, Sky shifted so that he was towering over her while Sydney was laying on her back where he had been, looking up at him with a dazzling smile on her face.

“I love you,” Sky whispered softly, his hands stroking her body into arousal.

“I love you too.”

Slowly and methodically, Sky kissed her face the same way she had his, starting with her forehead and working his way down, his lips touching every inch of skin he could find. When his lips finally found her neck, she uttered a soft cry that made him smile. Her neck was as sensitive, if not more so, than his own. For several long moments, Sky nibbled on her pulse point on each side, only stopping to nuzzle the hollow of her throat when switching sides.

“Sky…”

Grinning, the former Blue Ranger moved his kisses to her left shoulder, and then across her collar bone to her right and then steadily down, mapping his path down her body. Instead of making his way to her heaving, swollen breasts and her straining nipples, Sky made it a point to kiss down each arm, spending a good amount of time kissing her palms, the backs of her hands and each fingertip.

While he was paying such lavish attention to her limbs, Sydney found herself arching her hips up toward him. She was only slightly embarrassed when she realized she was so aroused that she was smearing her arousal all over Sky’s stomach each time her hips arched against him, but that was soon blotted out when his mouth was suddenly hovering over her right breast.

The two of them locked eyes a split second before Sky began to really torment her. At first, his tongue merely darted out and flicked at her breast, barely touching the skin and not even coming close to touching her dusky colored peaks, which were aching for his attention.

“Sky, quite teasing!” she cried softly, arching up to him.

Sky didn’t say anything, he merely continued to tease and torment her. Her cheeks were flushed, her breathing was labored, and her legs were coming up to wrap around him when Sky finally leaned down and wrapped his mouth around her breast.

“YES!” Syd cried out at the suddenness of his move. One hand went to the back of his head to hold him to her while the other fisted in the sheets of his bed.

He grinned against her breast as he nearly inhaled the bouncy, pliant mound into his mouth. Her nipple was rock hard, clearly stating her excitement, and her chest was moving up and down with her uneven breathing. He twirled and swirled his tongue around the pebbled peak for a few moments, while his free hand pinched and cupped the other as he tried to drive Sydney closer to the edge. He could feel and hear her panting harder and harder and decided it was time to switch sides.

Sydney protested at not feeling his mouth wrapped around her breast until he drew her other one into his mouth, generously paying it the same attention as the other. She squeaked momentarily, but was soon moaning as he nursed enthusiastically at her pliant mound.

Finally deciding he had other ways of pleasuring her, Sky released his hold on her breast and started kissing his way down to her stomach, his tongue darting out and gently teasing her belly button, which made her giggle and wriggle a bit against him as he moved down her body.

Tilting her head forward, Sydney watched as Sky eased her legs farther open and settled down between them, his face level with the apex of her thighs. Their eyes caught for a split second before Sky snaked his tongue out for a first, bold, wet lick. Sydney felt her stomach muscles clench as she watched him experiment. It felt weird to have his mouth touching there, but it soon melted away into a very pleasurable experience.

For his part, Sky was immensely enjoying what he was doing. He was initially startled by the taste of her; it was sweet, yet tangy, an odd flavor he couldn’t quite define but that he knew was completely Sydney. He was amazed to find her clit, which he’d caressed with his fingers and cock many times, with his tongue. It surprised him how much it affected her when he drew it into his mouth and sucked or licked it. Sky grinned as he moved his mouth against her, finally moving his tongue to a new spot where it could gently thrust in and out of her tight entrance.

Sydney shuddered, cried out and rocked frenetically against Sky’s face as he caressed her insides. She’d been a little worried about how this was going to feel; she hadn’t known it would feel almost as good as having him buried deep inside of her as they rocked together.

The former Pink Ranger arched her back and cried out as her boyfriend wrapped his lips around her clit, his tongue lashing at the sensitive nub even as he introduced a finger, then two, into her tight channel. The sensations were too much for Sydney for her first time having this done and she crested quickly, crying out Sky’s name as her body shook and rocked on the bed, her hands gripping the sheets fiercely. “SKYYYYYYY!”

Sky was startled by the intensity of her orgasm, though he kept pace with her as her body hit its peak and then came back down. It was startling to feel her inner muscles clamp down on his fingers as tightly as they did, as he was so used to having his cock inside of her when she came. He was pretty proud of himself to have made her come as hard as she did.

“You ok?” Sky softly questioned as he finally pulled away from her. He wiped her juices from his face and licked them off his fingers before moving back up to lay beside her. Sky was worried when he saw her eyes closed, tears dripping down the sides of her face, and her chest heaving. “Syd, honey, you ok?”

“Better than ok,” she murmured, taking a deep breath and reaching up to scrub the tears from her face before opening her eyes and looking up into his. He looked worried until she smiled at him and snuggled into his side. “That was incredible, thank you.”

Sky grinned. “My pleasure,” he soothed, pulling her into his arms. They lay together quietly for a few moments before they realized that they were both still incredibly aroused.

“Sky?”

“Hmm?” he hummed, looking down at her.

Sydney raised one delicate hand up, allowing her fingertips to caress his cheeks, his eyebrows and then his lips. “I still want you.”

Momentarily startled by her words, Sky allowed his face to school into a sexy smile before bending close to her and whispering in her ear, “Guess what? I want you more and more everyday. Sometimes it drives me nuts not being able to touch you the way I want to, when I want to.”

She was beaming with happiness; she couldn’t help it when he said things like that that just made her heart soar to the moon. “Make love to me?”

“Forever.”

Rolling away from her, Sky reached into the nightstand drawer and withdrew what he needed before rolling back toward her. Slowly, the two of them managed to get the prophylactic onto his throbbing shaft. Sydney lay back on the bed, while Sky moved to settle his body between her spread legs, the tip of his cock just barely brushing her center as he settled down.

With tiny, gentle thrusts, Sky teased her entrance, sliding his cock back and forth against her center, making sure it brushed against her clit each and every time.

Sydney thought she was going to go mad if he didn’t plunge into her, and soon. “Sky, please?”

Noting the tone of desperation in her voice, Sky pulled back just enough to line himself up with the entrance to her channel and then sunk himself all the way inside of her with one swift thrust. The two of them cried out in unison at the act, finding it felt like they’d both come home once they were fully locked together.

After giving each other a moment to adjust, they began to move their hips together in a rhythm all their own. Each time Sky’s hard cock plunged in or out of her tightness, Sydney felt her body light on fire because he kept constant contact with her clit.

“Unnnnnnnnnhhhhhhhhh………OHMYGOD!” Sydney screamed when her body locked around Sky’s, her orgasm coming out of nowhere, startling them both. Sky had to stop trying to move as her body clamped down on his organ, making it impossible for him to have done anything else.

Sky leaned forward on his forearms and kissed her flushed face as she lay panting underneath him, her hands buried in the pillows above her. “That was intense, are you ok?” he whispered into her ear as he nuzzled her face.

“Yeah,” she gasped, bringing her legs up to lock around his waist when they finally started working again. Neither said anything else as they mutually started moving against one another again. “Hold on a second.”

At Syd’s command, Sky stopped moving, looking down at her trying to catch her breath. “What’s wrong?”

“Roll over,” Syd grinned, her eyes opening to stare up into his. He grinned goofily before complying.

They both groaned as Sky pulled out of her and lay on the bed while she sat up on her knees. Once he was settled, Sydney threw a leg over his hips, straddling his waist. “Much better.”

Without another word, Sydney reach down and held his throbbing organ still while she rose up on her knees and then lowered herself down on his shaft, sighing as she felt him fill her deeper than before. Sky felt his eyes start to roll back as he realized he was inside her deeper than he thought possible; and she was hot, scolding hot, even through the latex of his protection.

Once she was comfortable, Sydney leaned forward so that her palms were flat against his chest and she began to move her body, twisting this way and that as she bounced up and down on his lap, her head tossing this way and that, causing her hair to riot around her like a golden halo.

Sky groaned and gasped and moaned beneath her, loving the way she rode him hard and wild. It wasn’t often Syd let herself completely go; in fact, the only time she did so was while they were making love. It was a nice change from the sweet and caring woman he saw outside of their private sanctuary.

He felt her body start to tire from the exertion and moved his hands to her hips to help her move. She began to grind a little harder than before when she felt Sky grasp her hips; she wanted to make him come so badly. “This is all for you!” she uttered in between crying out at the pulses of pleasure he was creating inside of her body.

However, neither of them expected her to come again so soon, but the second her body started clamping down on his, Sky lost his control and shot spurt after spurt of his passion for her into the condom he wore while Sydney froze above him, her body locked in orgasm as she screamed.

“SKKKKKKKKKKKYYYYYYYYYYYY!”

“OH! MY! GOD!”

Syd smiled triumphantly as she crashed down on Sky’s chest, her breathing labored. She noted the time on the clock; it had been four hours since she’d set out to seduce Schuyler Tate Collins, and she had succeeded, she thought, most splendidly.

“So, did I pay up enough to sleep with you tonight?”

Sky could only nod, as his breathing was still coming too hard to answer her. When he finally got his vocal cords to work again, he whispered, “Syd, sweetheart, you can sleep with me for the rest of our lives after that. Thank you.”

Syd’s laughter rang out as she snuggled close to her boyfriend, feeling herself drift off. “You never did give me my present,” she murmured into his chest.

“Roll off me, and I’ll go get it.”

“But I’m comfortable!” Syd whined, and then shrieked when he rolled her off his chest himself. “SKY!”

Grinning, Sky moved over to the top drawer of his dresser, not bothering to put on his boxers as he did so, and removed the tiny velvet box he’d hid in there after returning home from the mall. He moved back over to Syd, who was sitting up on the bed, the sheet tucked under her arms, barely skimming the tops of her breasts. She made a very alluring picture as he sat down with her, while she was once again awed by him in his natural glory.

Gulping in air like there was no tomorrow, Sky attempted to settle his nerves, only succeeding after he looked up from the box into Syd’s sleepy blue eyes. “Z wasn’t the only one who had something picked out for her,” he whispered, turning to face her, the box in hand. He held it out and opened it for her, watching her eyes widen and fill with tears.

“Oh Sky!” she gasped softly, reaching out to gingerly touch it. It was a princess cut, ten karat white gold, Diamond ring with Pink Tourmaline and Blue Sapphire gems accenting the sides.

“It’s not an official engagement ring; it’s more of a promise ring,” he told her in a rush. “I liked it, but I have something else in mind for when I’m ready to propose to you. I just want to know one thing.”

Sydney looked at him through her tears. “What?” she whimpered softly.

“That when I do ask you, you’ll say yes?”

Smiling, Syd nodded and threw herself into his arms, her lips seeking his for a passionate kiss. When they pulled back, Sky pulled the ring out of the box and slipped it on her right hand ring finger. “I don’t want to put a ring on your left hand until it’s its time, alright?” Sydney nodded and looked down at the ring, smiling. “Looks like it’s a little big, but we can get it sized to fit better, alright?”

“I love you, Schuyler,” she murmured, looking from the ring to him.

“And I love you, Sydney,” he gave back.

Chapter 4: Little Green Monster

"On the path to the greatest nemesis, two enemies will walk together." -- Slade Whitfield –

"For peace, we must prepare for war." -- Bobby Jagdev --

- -

“Again!”

Brian moved forward, swinging his Bo Staff with expertise, straight at his sister’s head. Sydney countered, blocking his attack, and then using her staff, she kicked his feet out from under him.

“You ok?” Syd called as they faced each other and bowed before taking up fighting stances again.

“Lovely. You’re pretty good with that for a beginner,” Brian teased.

“Beginner? I was taking Martial Arts lessons before you were born, little boy,” Sydney shot back.

“Yeah? Couldn’t tell by the form you’re using!” Brian taunted, ducking her staff and using his own to nail her thigh.

“Excuse me. I didn’t train with a master ninja for nearly fifteen years, and I’ve got tons more training then you’ll ever hope to have!” Sydney growled, snapping her wrist so that her staff smacked Brian’s shoulder. “I’ve got Police and SWAT training you’ll never hope to have, plus gymnastics, ballet, karate, and swimming and diving under my belt, not to mention the singing and modeling lessons I had before I came to SPD.”

Brian’s lips were set in a thin line. His sister had him there. He’d only been trained in the use of martial arts, and in the ways of the Ninjetti. She had tons more life experience then he had, not to mention, she’d already spent over a year as an active Ranger, and not just any Ranger, a Pink Ranger, like their mother.

“Brian, I didn’t mean it like that,” Sydney called out, somersaulting over his staff, only to come to a halt when she saw the look on his face. She’d hurt his feelings, she didn’t need powers to figure that out.

“No, it’s ok. It’s not like either of us chose for this to happen to me,” he mumbled.

“Free shot,” Sydney told him, tossing her staff to the ground and standing before him, panting.

“No.”

“Yes.”

“Sydney, I could hurt you.”

“Let’s put it this way, I think your Ninja training and all of mine put together even it out. Go for it, you won’t get another chance to hit me without me defending myself.”

Brian gulped, and knew he shouldn’t, but the offer was too tempting. “KI-YAH!” he cried out, swinging his Bo so fast and so hard, he nearly lost control of it.

“SYDNEY!”

- -

The former Pink Ranger wasn’t sure what hurt worse, the bump on her head, the look in her brother’s eyes, or the look on Sky’s face as he leaned over her prone body. He looked utterly terrified. “I’m okay, I think.”

Sky helped her sit up and then turned on Brian. “WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING? SHE WAS UNARMED! YOU COULD HAVE KILLED HER!”

“If you hadn’t yelled, I would have only gotten her shoulder!” Brian argued back.

Sky grabbed Brian by the lapels of his Gi and hauled him up off the ground. “I don’t care what your excuse is, you don’t hit unarmed opponents, you don’t hit your family, and you damn sure don’t hit girls. You want someone to hit, let’s see you take a swing at me!”

The former Blue Ranger released Brian, causing the younger male to fall back a few steps, and right into a fighting stance. Sydney managed to get up and get between them, putting a hand on each of their chests. “Sky, knock it off.”

“HE HIT YOU!”

“Because I told him to, and he’s right, he’d have only hit my shoulder if you hadn’t startled him,” Sydney told him, still pushing both of them back. “KNOCK IT OFF!”

Sky flew back toward one wall while Brian went crashing toward the opposite as pink power ripped through Sydney’s body, shooting out her hands, her eyes, her mouth, and down out of her feet.

“SYD!”

Both Brian and Sky pushed up to their knees and crawled over to Sydney’s prone body when it suddenly dropped to the mats. Sky uttered a strangled cry and pulled her head into his lap. Brian grabbed her hand then looked up at Sky. “Go get Kat and Commander Cruger. NOW!” Brian nodded and ran from the room to find help.

“Come on, Sweetheart, wake up,” Sky murmured, rocking back and forth while holding her. “Sydney, don’t you dare leave me.”

- -

Sky sat in a chair next to her bed, holding her small hand between both of his. Brian stood on the other side, with Bridge and Z, holding her other hand while Z had her arm wrapped around his shoulders and Bridge’s hand was on his shoulder. Jack stood back near the door, speaking quietly with Commander Cruger and Kat.

“Whatever that power was, it disintegrated the last traces of the implant. I won’t have to operate now, like we were planning. It also knocked her unconscious. I can’t tell if it’s a coma or she’s just sleeping it off.”

“Jack, I want Brian taken to a holding cell until I have a chance to speak with him.”

“Yes Sir,” Jack nodded to Cruger and then moved to Brian’s side. “Brian, you need to come with me.”

“I’m not leaving Sydney,” the young man protested.

“You don’t have a choice, man. You’re being sent down to a holding cell until Commander Cruger can speak with you about what happened.”

Bridge and Z looked shocked while Sky didn’t even respond. Nodding, Brian stepped away from the former Green and Yellow Rangers and let Jack escort him out of the infirmary.

“What do you have to say for yourself?” Z demanded to know from Sky, who looked like he was enjoying watching Jack take Brian away.

“What? He’s gonna get what he deserves. I don’t care what the circumstances were, he’s been in the presence of a Master Martial Artist for years, you can’t tell me he didn’t learn the etiquette rules about fighting an unarmed opponent.”

Bridge and Z shook their heads at Sky. While they could both see Sky’s point, they both thought he was being too hard on Brian for a mere accident.

- -

Sydney felt like she was swimming through a pool of Jell-O, her arms and legs that heavy to move. “It’s time to go back, Sydney.”

Turning, the former Pink Ranger saw a man standing in blue armor, helmet in hand. “Who are you?”

“A friend. Tell the Dragon I said we will meet soon.”

- -

“Sydney?”

Blue eyes opened, taking in Kat looming over her. Syd tried to move but discovered Sky’s head laying in her lap, the rest of his body resting in a chair next to the bed.

“What happened?”

“I was hoping you could tell me.”

“Brian and Sky were arguing. And then there was pink, a lot of pink. Then I saw a man in blue armor.”

Kat nodded. “The implant’s gone. Whatever the power was, it cured all your ails. I won’t have to go in and remove the implant.”

“Where’s Brian?” Syd asked, running her fingers through Sky’s hair as the former Blue Ranger slept on in ignorance to her presence.

“A holding cell, on Cruger’s orders. Despite that you told him to attack, Cruger’s not happy. And neither was Sky.”

Sydney frowned. “He’s so jealous of Brian, I just don’t get it Kat.”

Kat smiled. “Syd, look at this from his point of view. All your time and energy has been focused on S.P.D. and by extension, him. Now he has to share you. It’s hard for him. Try to include him in things you do with Brian.”

Syd smiled. “Thanks Kat.”

“You’re welcome.”

As Kat left the room, Sky started to wake up. “Hi,” Syd whispered.

“You’re awake!” Sky spoke, surprised and happy.

“Yeah. Can we talk?” Syd asked, mentally trying to figure out how to approach the subject.

“What’s wrong?”

Sighing, Sydney tried to choose her words carefully. “Sky, this whole thing with Brian is ridiculous,” she started, touching a hand to his cheek when his eyes went dark with anger.

“Sydney…”

“No, listen to me. I love you, both of you. He’s my brother; you’re the man I love. I’m not saying what happened earlier wasn’t his fault, cause it was just as much his as it was mine, but you’ve got to chill out. Please, for me, I’m asking you to at least be civil to him.” Sydney turned pleading eyes on him.

Sky looked furious. Syd held her breath when he jerked away and headed for the door.

“I see you chose between us. That’s fine, just fine!”

Quickly, Sky ran out the door.

“SKY!”

- -

“Sydney,” Brian greeted when Commander Cruger escorted Sydney to the holding cell where the younger Oliver child was being held.

“Brian, Commander Cruger’s releasing you, on the promise that what happened this morning doesn’t happen again. I’ve already told him we’ll be more careful.”

Brian nodded. “S.P.D. Handbook – standard procedure for me to be locked up, right?”

“Yes. Now come on, you’re late for class and I have duty in ten minutes.”

Brian hugged his sister and then saluted her and Cruger before dashing off to change for class. “So, tell me why Sky seems so upset?”

Sydney rolled her eyes as the two headed for the command center. “Because I asked him to be civil toward Brian. He seems to think I chose Brian over him. It’s ludicrous, Commander. I didn’t choose one or the other, I chose both of them!”

Sydney stopped suddenly when she entered the command center main room. Commander Cruger looked startled until he saw what she was staring so intently at.

Sky was laughing and swinging a pretty brunette around in circles while the others watched on. “ANNA!” the former Blue Ranger laughed, hugging her tightly.

Sydney gasped when the girl kissed Sky on the lips. “Syd!” Z called when the former Pink Ranger ran from the room in tears.

The man in blue was startled by Z’s cry. “Sydney!” he yelled, moving to chase her.

“Leave her be, Cadet Tate. You’ve done enough for today,” Commander Cruger growled. Sky frowned and looked from Cruger to the door, debating whether he should go after her anyway, but one look at Anubis’ face told him not to even try it. “Cadet Maxwell, welcome back to Earth.”

“Commander,” Anna Maxwell greeted. “Was that Sydney Drew from D Squad?”

Commander Cruger shook his head. “Cadet Drew was promoted to B squad last year, and has since become A Squad, along with Cadets Carson and Tate. She is our former Pink Ranger, having been retired from active Ranger duty.”

Cruger had never really liked Cadet Maxwell, she’d always seemed to have ulterior motives to being at S.P.D., which didn’t sit well with Anubis.

“I see. I guess congratulations are in order, but who replaced Syd as Pink Ranger on your team?” Anna asked Sky.

Bridge winced, Sky remained quiet and pensive, and both Jack and Z glared. “No one has or ever will replace Sydney on our team,” Jack growled. “The whole team was retired from active status a month ago.”

Z sneered angrily at Anna as she followed Jack toward the door. “Watch what you say about my best friend, Short Stuff.”

Anna looked shocked by their anger but kept quiet, not wanting to start a fight she didn’t think she could finish.

“Don’t worry about it, Anna; they’re very overprotective of Sydney. Come on, let’s go get you something to eat and I’ll show you what’s changed since your last visit.”

Bridge was shocked by Sky’s dismissal of Syd, Jack and Z. The former Green Ranger knew that Sky had dated Anna briefly before she’d left the Academy for Aquitar, but he didn’t think Sky would choose her, ever, over Syd.

“What a time for this,” Kat muttered, having caught the tail end of the incident when she walked into the room.

“Ms. Manx?”

“Commander, we have a new threat to Earth on our hands.”

- -

Z and Jack found her in the simulator an hour later, beating the stuffing out of a group of Krybots. “I thought Kat told you to rest?” Jack asked, ending the simulation.

“So?”

“Syd, you’re gonna make yourself sick if you keep this up. You had a concussion this morning, or have you forgotten all about it?” Z demanded.

Sydney merely glared and then stiffened when the alarms began blaring. “Let’s go!”

The trio met up with Bridge, Brian, and A Squad outside the Command Center and the ten entered together. “Commander?” Aaron asked as he and Jack led their teams in.

“We have a new threat to Earth to deal with. We have an escapee from the outpost prison near Phadoes that’s been spotted the last two weeks amassing an army. Now he’s here on Earth.”

“What does he want, world domination?” Z sarcastically asked.

“If he is, tell him S.P.D. already kicked both Gruumm and Visvajita’s butts into prison. But if he really wants his ass kicked, we’ll be happy to oblige,” Syd grinned sadistically.

“No, Cadets, he’s already made his demands. He wants the Dragon, and the Phoenix.”

“The what?” Sky finally spoke up.

“He wants the Dragon and the Phoenix,” Kat repeated.

“What are the Dragon and the Phoenix?” Alana, A Squad’s Yellow Ranger, asked.

Brian cleared his throat. “Not what, who,” he told them. “I’m the Dragon.”

“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” Sky muttered crossly, only to shut up when Cruger and Sydney both glared at him.

“Who’s the Phoenix?” Brett, the Blue Ranger, quietly asked.

“Sydney.”

Syd squeaked when all eyes landed on her. “ME?”

Brian nodded. “The Pink uniform you told me you were wearing during the final fight with Visvajita, and the power you displayed this morning was the result of the Phoenix.”

“What is it?” Z growled.

“Syd’s Ninjetti Animal Spirit is the Pink Phoenix, mine is the White Dragon.”

“Rangers, we’ve got a squad of weird foot soldiers near the warehouse district and a giant monster downtown,” Kat told them.

Cruger nodded. “A Squad, take the Delta Runners and destroy the monster. Jack, Sky, Bridge, Z, Syd, Anna and Brian, take care of those foot soldiers.”

“How come she has to go with us?” Z grumbled.

“Because, Little Girl, I was supposed to be the Yellow Ranger before you. Let’s go.”

Jack glared. “Bridge, go with Sky and Anna. Brian, Syd and Z, you’re with me.”

The Rangers morphed and went to take care of the monster, while the others went to take care of the other menace.

“What the heck?” Jack gasped when they arrived on the scene, seeing big, ugly, black crows cawing and trashing the street.

“Tenga Warriors!” Brian called. “They’re tough, and deadly!”

“No? Really?” Z sarcastically yelled at him, ducking a wing.

“We’re not making any head way!” Anna grumbled ten minutes later.

Sky threw up a shield to give them a small breather. “Time to break out the special weapons?” Syd asked Jack, who nodded.

“Yes! Use your powers!” Jack ordered.

Brian and Anna blinked in shock when Z multiplied herself and Syd reached down and extracted two small pieces of metal from her belt. “FISTS OF IRON!” Syd called, turning her hands to metal.

“Sky! Help Syd! Bridge, you’re with Brian! Anna, stay with me and Z!”

They split up, taking on the Tenga Warriors. “This is stupid!” Brian yelled, getting knocked off his feet. He made a strangled sounding noise, pushed to his feet, and began a move that surprised them all. “NINJETTI! WHITE DRAGON!”

The team and Anna looked on in shock as Brian’s body was enveloped in white light before a ninja suit appeared, covering his S.P.D. uniform. “Let’s rumble!” Brian commanded, jumping into the fight again. “DRAGON’S ICE!”

Suddenly, a blast of ice and air and snow flew from Brian’s fingertips, freezing the Tengas attacking the others. Once most of the Tengas were taken care of, the team regrouped.

Sky turned to say something to Anna about her fighting, leaving Sydney by herself behind him, when the unthinkable happened.

“SYDNEY! WATCH OUT!”

Sky whirled around just in time to see a Tenga slash it’s beak through Syd’s chest.

“SYD!” he screamed, tears springing to his eyes as she was thrown off her feet and flew past him into a nearby building.

“FOUL MONSTER YOU DARE ATTACK AN INNOCENT!” a voice echoed in the alleyway. “I WILL NOT STAND FOR SUCH INJUSTICE!”

The team looked confused, all except for Brian, who stood grinning under his hood. “Who is that?” Anna asked when a large, blue armored figure appeared.

“I AM NINJOR! I WILL NOT LET EVIL WIN! FACE ME!” the Ninjetti Master Warrior threatened the remaining Tengas.

Chapter 5: Arrival of Ninjor
 
“Love the heart that hurts you, but never hurt the heart that loves you. -- Vipin Sharma --

- -

“She will be fine, young Dragon,” Ninjor assured Brian as the two stood guard over Sydney who was sleeping in the infirmary. After the battle with the Tengas, the team had come back to the Academy and Sydney had yet again been placed in the infirmary. Will a little magical help from Brian and Ninjor, her injuries had been healed and now she merely slept.

“I’ve put a wedge between her and Sky.”

Ninjor nodded. “You both have issues to deal with. And deal with them we will. For now, come with me. Commander Cruger wishes to speak with me, and your sister’s young man would like a few moments with her.”

Brian looked over his shoulder and saw Sky standing in the doorway. “He hurt her too.”

Again, the Master Ninja nodded. “Yes, you both have. But like the spirit that is at the heart of her, Sydney will once again rise to the occasion. Come on.”

When Brian got to the door, he set his face in a hard expression and looked up at Sky. “Look, you don’t like me, and obviously, I don’t like you, but she’s important to both of us. Truce, for now?”

Sky looked deep in thought for a moment before he nodded, letting Ninjor escort Brian out of the room. Moving slowly, Sky approached Syd’s bed where she slept comfortably. He sat on the edge of the bed and took her hand in his. “Why is it we always end up like this, with you in this bed instead of me? I’m so sorry, Syd, I shouldn’t have ignored you. I guess, I was so excited Anna was here, and someone was paying attention to me, that I lost my head. Which is stupid, because it’s not like you weren’t paying attention to me, you were just looking out for your brother. I guess it’s hard for me to admit it, but I don’t like it when someone else gets your undivided attention.”

The former Blue Ranger smiled when he felt her hand flex in his. “Hey there, Sleeping Beauty,” he whispered as her eyes opened.

“Doth mine eyes deceive me, or is that Prince Charming sitting with me?” she teased.

“How do you feel?”

“Rested, and ready to get out of this damn bed. I feel like I spend more time in here than I do in my own room.”

Sky nodded. “Kat said as soon as you woke up you could get up and go home.”

Sydney sat up, stretching her muscles as she went, immediately seeking the warmth of Sky’s arms. “I’m sorry I upset you,” she told him softly.

“I’m sorry I hurt your feelings,” he said back, kissing the top of her head even as he wrapped his arms around her. “Ready to go home?”

“You bet.”

- -

“There you are,” Anna smiled, walking into the simulator room. Sky stopped the program and turned to face her. He’d been doing a lot of thinking since he’d left Syd with Kat so their feline advisor could run some tests on the former Pink Ranger. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

“You found me.”

Anna recognized the tone of voice he was using. Feeling defensive all of a sudden, she folded her arms across her chest. “What’s gotten into you? I thought you were happy to have me back at S.P.D. and yet, now you’re giving me the cold shoulder.”

Sky shook his head. “Anna, look. I am happy you’re here, I’ve missed your friendship, especially after what happened with Dru last year.”

Anna nodded, having heard about Dru’s turning traitor. “Ok.”

“Look, I’ve changed a lot in the last three years since you left. I’m in love with Sydney, and one day, I plan on marrying her.”

The brunette looked slightly shocked. The Schuyler Tate she knew had always made S.P.D. and being Red Ranger his life, this Schuyler wasn’t like that. “Oh?”

“Whatever there is between you and me, I won’t let it jeopardize what’s between me and Syd. I was hurt that she was spending so much time with her brother, and I used you being back to hurt her, but I know I was wrong. We’re just friends, and it’s going to stay that way.”

“I see.”

Sky nodded and then turned and strode out of the room, leaving Anna staring at the walls, never seeing the vindictive and insane smile that crossed her face. “You just upset me Schuyler; you’ll find that’s a dangerous thing to do.”

- -

Jack and Bridge looked up from their video game when the front door opened and Sky led Syd into the house. “Welcome home,” Jack smiled at his friends. “How’d the tests go?”

“Long. Kat says I’m fine though. Commander Cruger wants to meet with the five of us tomorrow morning,” Syd told him as she and Sky settled in a chair together, Sky in the chair and Syd in his lap.

Jack and Bridge grinned at the couple, watching the way Sky wrapped his arms around Syd’s waist. It was nice to see them back to normal instead of at each other’s throats or ignoring one another.

“So what’s on the agenda for tonight?” Jack asked, turning back to the game.

“Z said to wait until she got home. Apparently she’s got a surprise for us.”

Bridge grinned, Jack chuckled and Syd shrugged her shoulders. “All I want right now is a nap,” the former Pink Ranger yawned. Kat had kept her for several hours after she’d woken up earlier that afternoon so that tests could be run on her condition.

“Come on, Sleepy Head, I’ll take a nap with you,” Sky nudged her from his lap.

The pair waved at their housemates and climbed out of the chair and up the stairs, each heading for their respective room to change.

- -

Sky changed out of his uniform quickly, throwing on a ribbed, white tank top that hugged his torso and showed off his muscular arms and a pair of baggy blue shorts. Instead of walking across the hallway, he went through the bathroom that joined their rooms, into Syd’s room.

He smiled when he walked into his girlfriend’s room and saw her bent over, pulling on a pair of pink sweat pants over a very tiny navy blue thong. She also had on a white cami tank and her hair was pulled back into a long braid down the middle of her back.

“Nice thong,” Sky teased. Syd turned slightly and stuck her tongue out at him.

“It should look nice, you picked it out for me and I know you know better than to give me something ugly,” Sydney teased back.

“Come on, let’s get our nap in before Z gets home.”

The pair climbed under Sydney’s covers and settled down. Sky turned the stereo on using the remote on the bedside table, letting the soft jazz float through the room, lulling them into quietness.

“Sky?”

“Hmm?”

Sydney leaned back so that she could look up at him. “Will you tell me now about what you told Anna?”

Sky sighed, mildly irritated. He’d told Syd that he and Anna had had a long talk about his relationship with Sydney, but he hadn’t really told her the details. Sky had told her that he’d told Anna that they’d remain friends, but that he had no romantic feelings toward her anymore.

“Why?”

Syd smiled softly. “Because, the woman whose heart you hold wants to know. Indulge me.”

The man in blue couldn’t argue with her reasoning. “I told her that I was in love with you, that I plan on marrying you, and that I missed her friendship, but I’m not going to put our relationship before the one I have with you.”

Again, Sydney smiled. “You learned from the Dru incident, didn’t you?”

Sky nodded and kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry I was such an ass to you the last couple of days.”

Sydney giggled. “You’re a guy; I’ve come to expect that from your gender.”

Sky mock glared at her before letting the smile he was trying to hold back, creep onto his face. “Get some sleep.”

Nodding, Syd snuggled close to him, resting her head under his chin. Sky tightened his grip on her, drifting into a world of dreams, one where those dreams were about Syd.

- -

“Where are they?” Z asked Jack as she and Bridge carried the pizzas and sub sandwiches into the kitchen from her car, which was parked in the side drive.

“Upstairs napping. Syd was pretty tired when they got back here.”

“Then go wake ‘em up,” Z commanded the former Red Ranger. Jack made it to the stairs when she yelled, “NICELY!”

Quickly, the young man in red shorts and a white t-shirt bounded up the stairs and stopped at the door to Syd’s room, hoping they were in it instead of in Sky’s.

He knocked and then slowly opened the door, not sure what he’d find. The former Pink and Blue Rangers were curled together, their backs to Syd’s door. Sky had his arms wrapped around Syd’s waist and Jack could see their legs twined together under the light pink sheets Syd had on her bed.

Grinning, he tip toed over to Sky’s side of the bed. Shaking Sky’s shoulder lightly, Jack attempted to rouse his housemate.

“What?” came Sky’s sleep filled voice.

“Z’s home. She brought dinner, and she said you two need to get up and come downstairs.”

Sky rolled slightly to look up at Jack, who could see the big grin on his friend’s face. “Let me get Syd up and we’ll be down in a few.” Jack chuckled and left his friend to wake the blonde beauty.

Sky moved his hand up from her waist, caressing her cheek softly. When his girlfriend didn’t move, he switched tactics. Carefully moving her braid, Sky’s lips began to caress the back of her neck. As he kissed and nipped a little harder each time, he felt Syd start to wake up. Finally, Sky latched onto her neck and sucked, hard.

“SKY!” she screeched, realizing her was trying to give her a hickey. “Would you stop? How am I supposed to explain a hickey to Commander Cruger?”

Syd found herself uttering a groan as he switched tactics once more and began to caress her neck in such a way that she was slowly becoming aroused. “Ready to eat?”

Grinning, Syd rolled over to face him. “That depends, what exactly am I gonna eat?”

Sky gave her a look. “Sydney, your mind’s in the gutter. Jack said Z’s home, and she brought dinner.”

“For food, I’ll get up. I’m starved!” she chirped, rolling away from him and off the bed. Sky shook his head at her and got up to follow her down to the kitchen.

- -

“FOOD!” Syd screeched as she thumped down the last few steps into the kitchen.

Jack and Bridge laughed at her while Z shook her head, handing Sydney a plate and then one to Sky, who was right behind her. “Subs and pizza,” Z told the pair. “And then we’re all heading into the living room to watch a movie.”

“What’d you rent?” Sky asked as he grabbed the sub that had his name on it and a pop.

“We’ve got a couple of old ones. I’ll tell ya when we get settled,” Z smiled at him, before linking her arm through Bridge’s to walk with him to the living room. Jack shrugged his shoulders, grabbed his food, and followed them.

Syd and Sky were behind them by a few moments, the pair settling down on the floor between the couch and the coffee table. Bridge and Z were sitting cross legged on the couch, and Jack was in one of the recliners.

“Alright, we have, Top Gun with Tom Cruise, Pretty Woman with Richard Gere and Julia Roberts, and Independence Day and Men In Black with Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones.”

The boys howled with laughter, having seen all of the movies but Pretty Woman. “You do realize that those movies are nearly half a century old, right?” Sky asked.

“True, but don’t down the classics. So, what’ll it be?”

“Anything but the Will Smith movies,” Syd laughed, biting into a piece of pizza. “Didn’t we spend enough time facing wickedly evil aliens?”

“Syd’s got a point. I vote for Top Gun,” Jack put in.

“That makes two of us,” Sky laughed, he and Jack high fiving one another.

Z looked at Syd. “That’s two votes for Pretty Woman. Bridge, you’re the tie breaker.”

The Green Ranger’s eyes widened when all four of his friends looked at him expectantly. “Well...um...I suppose I could choose, what I mean is, I choose, no, um...”

“BRIDGE!” the four of them shouted.

Looking slightly embarrassed, Bridge shrugged. “Pretty Woman?”

The girls smirked while the boys looked at Bridge like he’d grown a second head. “What? It’s a love story! I’m in the mood for something happy.”

“Like we don’t get enough mush with Sky and Syd, or you and Z,” Jack muttered.

Sky looked offended for a second before he grinned. “What about you and the very pretty Allison?”

Jack opened his mouth to retort but shut it quickly. “Fine. Point taken.”

Z shook her head and hit play on the DVD player before they sat back to enjoy.

- -

Z had to laugh. She and Sydney were the only two still awake, the boys having conked out during the movie. Jack was sprawled over the recliner, snoring just loud enough to drown out the sound of the movie.

Bridge was asleep on the couch, his body wrapped comfortably around Z’s, his head on her shoulder and arms around her waist. And then Z looked down at Syd and Sky. The two of them had moved the coffee table so they could stretch out on the floor, and now Syd was laying there watching the last few scenes of the movie while Sky lay next to her, his head pillowed on her chest. Z watched as Syd’s fingers drifted through Sky’s brown locks unconsciously, and noticed every so often the former Pink Ranger would twirl a few particularly long strands around her finger.

“They’re pathetic,” Z laughed softly, catching Syd’s attention.

“At least they shut up about the movie being sappy,” Syd grinned.

“Sky seemed to be having impure thoughts about you during some of those scenes,” Z pointed out, smiling as Syd nodded slightly, trying not to disturb her boyfriend. “Ready for bed?”

“Yeah, but what about Jack?”

Z giggled and made a gesture. Sydney was surprised to see Allison come through the doorway to the foyer. “Alley, what are you doing here?”

Allison grinned as she walked across the living room and sat down on the armrest of the chair Jack was sleeping in. “Z said to come over when I got off duty. I have tomorrow off, and I figured since Jack does too, we’d spend the day doing something. Guess I missed all the fun.”

Syd merely smiled while Z moved to sit up, struggling to do so as Bridge’s arms were wrapped around her tightly. “There’s still some pizza left and there’s a sandwich in the fridge for you if you’re hungry.”

“Let me get Jack off to bed first and then I’ll eat.”

“I think we need to get all three of them off to bed and then have a gossip fest in the kitchen,” Syd suggested, causing the others to laugh.

- -

“Well?” Commander Cruger asked, striding into the Command Center. Kat, Boom and Ninjor were standing around the center table, looking wary.

“There’s no way around it, Commander. If what Ninjor says is true, if he’s really coming here, then they’re gonna need to go and retrieve their new powers. The S.P.D. engineered powers won’t have an effect on him,” Kat told him seriously.

“And what of the A Squad’s active Rangers?”

“If we awaken the power in the five of them, they vary well may be able to team up with your other team, and defeat him, but it will all come down to them coming to me, to them seeking the power the way their predecessors did,” Ninjor told him.

Cruger nodded. “I guess this means I’ll be fighting alongside Brian for the remainer of this.”

“I can upgrade Shadow Ranger’s capabilities, but to make the teams even, yes Sir, you may have to morph again.”

“Then we’ll send them on their way tomorrow after they’ve been briefed.”

- -

Allison smiled. She couldn’t help it. This was the first time she’d ever spent the night in a guy’s room, let alone a guy’s bed. After she had eaten and she, Z and Syd had giggled and gossiped, Jack had come downstairs and tugged her up with him to his room, before he’d collapsed on his bed, asleep.

Now here she was, lying next to him, curled against him, while he slept. His arm was wound tightly around her waist, his face nuzzled into her hair.

“Are you ever gonna go to sleep?” his sleepy voice asked.

She grinned. “I’m enjoying the moment.”

Jack brought his head up and smiled. “New to you too, huh? The only girl I’ve ever slept in the same bed with was Z, but she’s like my little sister.”

Allison nodded and leaned over to kiss him before settling down to go to sleep. “I love you, Jack.”

As Allison’s eyes shut, Jack’s went wide. Smiling, he kissed her cheek. “I love you too, Allison.”

- -

“What’s wrong?” Bridge groggily asked, sitting up to stare at Z.

“I can’t sleep,” she whispered. In reality, she’d gotten too use to sneaking in to watch him sleep the last few weeks.

“Climb in,” Bridge grinned, lifting the covers and allowing her to slide in next to him. “Better?”

Z nodded and snuggled into his arms, sighing when his hands caressed her back where her tank top didn’t cover the skin. “Bridge?”

“Love you, Z.”

“Love you too,” she murmured, drifting off.

- -

“Syd!” Sky cried out, sitting straight up, sweaty and alarmed. He looked around Sydney’s room, but saw no sign of her. Terrified, he tossed the covers back and headed toward their bathroom, where he heard the shower running.

Carefully, Sky opened the door and went in, seeing Syd behind the glass door of the shower, her head stuck under the spray. Sighing, he peeled off his boxers and made his way over, slowly opening the door.

“Don’t you know it’s rude to join someone in the shower without asking,” Sydney told him, not once turning around to face him as she rinsed the soap out of her eyes.

“Sorry,” he murmured but still moved forward, wrapping his arms around her.

Syd wiggled around to face him, tossing her head back to get her hair out of her face as she looked up at him. “Hi.”

“Hi,” he smiled at her.

“You ok?”

Sky nodded. “Had a bad dream, you weren’t there, scared the crap out of me.”

Sydney’s face scrunched up. “I’m sorry, baby, I needed a shower,” she whispered, winding her arms around him and snuggling her head against his shoulder.

Sky bent his head down, his lips seeking out the skin of her shoulder and neck, which he kissed and nipped softly. “Are you done in here?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Cause I’m gonna wash the sweat off me and then I want you to come to bed.”

Syd grinned at him and stepped back. She turned and grabbed her bath gel and her poof, pouring the rose smelling pink gel onto it before turning back to Sky and running the poof over his chest. Syd was delighted when his eyes darkened and he grabbed her around the waist, pulling her closer.

For several minutes, she scrubbed him – his chest, his arms, his neck, and his back – before she stepped back and let him rinse off. Once he was free of soap, the pair stepped out of the shower onto the bathmat and began to dry each other off.

Sky slipped his boxers back on while Sydney quickly braided her hair and then slipped one of his old t-shirts on before they moved back to her room and laid down, snuggling together in bed.

“Sydney,” he murmured. “I need you.”

Syd smiled. “You’ve got me,” she whispered.

They lay facing each other, Sydney with her arms wrapped around his waist while one of Sky’s hands was wrapped around her back and the other cradled her cheek. Leaning forward, Sky sealed his lips over hers, enjoying the simple touch and the sensations it brought.

While their tongues darted out to duel with each other, Sky’s mind started to wander. Every time they kissed, every time they touched, heck, every time Sydney just looked at him, amazement coursed through him. The road to where they were had been perilous at times, but it had been filled with joy, and above all else, it had been filled with love. Childhood friends torn apart by numbing grief, only to come back together years later, unknowingly, as teammates in a fight against a common cause, then slowly developing to friends again, before making the final leap to so much more.

They pulled back for a second, breaking Sky’s concentration as they both gasped for breath. Grinning at her, Sky slid down further on the bed and dipped his head forward, rubbing his lips in feathery kissed over her neck and shoulder, before following up with nips and light sucking. Sydney sighed out loud, thoroughly enjoying his caresses.

When she’d first come to the Academy, Sky could remember thinking she wouldn’t last past the first day, but when she’d passed a week, then two, then a month, and finally a year, he’d come to accept that Sydney wasn’t quite what he’d expected. And never once, during that time when they’d first been teammates, did he ever think he’d be with her as he was now – listening to her breathing hitch while his lips found a sensitive spot of skin, or feeling her legs moving with his, her heat radiating through his boxers.

“Sky,” she whined softly, causing him to chuckle even as he slid down her body, his lips following the path his hands had mapped out already. “Please, I need you!” she gasped, arching her back.

Sky had wanted to prolong their activities, but he too was feeling the strain of a long and difficult day catching up with him. He kissed his way back up her body, before balancing his weight on one hand and reaching over into her nightstand. He pulled back, triumphant, with a grin on his face as he handed Sydney the tiny foil package, and then quickly worked his way out of his boxers.

With a seductive smirk, Sydney snatched the condom from his hand and tore into it, her eyes on his even as the blue of his eyes deepened to navy. With an ease born of months of practice, she quickly reached between them, her fingers teasing the skin of his stomach, making his muscles tense, and then let the fingers of her free hand curl around his long, hard shaft.

She broke eye contact and looked down between them as she slowly rolled the latex over his thickness, her insides clenching at the sight of him, her body remembering what it was like to take him inside of her, to feel him throb and pulsate and rub against her muscles in all the right places. Just thinking about it was causing her to moan and pant, and they hadn’t really done anything yet. When she was done rolling the latex into place, she looked up at him and smiled. That smile turned to a look of surprise when she saw the sheer need written on his face. “Sky?”

“Hmm?”

“I’m so ready, please,” she whispered, arching herself up to kiss him even as he reached between them, tugged his shirt up and off of her, and then let his fingers seek out her core. She gasped softly when his fingers came into contact with her clit after stroking her wet opening, the strong digits caressing the tiny pearl in firm, round strokes. “Sky!” she cried, her hips practically bouncing off the bed, even as she cradled his body between her thighs.

His fingers left her body, causing her to cry out in frustration, but soon the empty feeling was replaced by his shaft, which was easing into her, little by little, filling her up as no other ever had. “YES!” she hissed, her hands sliding up his strong shoulders and to the back of his head so that her fingers could shift through his hair.

“Syd!” he gasped, feeling her body tighten around him. When he felt the tiny shiver race through her muscles, he grinned. “Coming already are you?” he teased, testing a stroke, his body retreating from hers before plunging back in.

“SKY!” she cried, her back arched, as her stomach muscles trembled. Her legs came up then, ankles crossing over the backs of his thighs, as he continued the smooth, steady, in and out motion, in and out of her body.

Sky grinned down at the flushed face and heavy breathing of his girlfriend, awed that his very presence could induce such behavior. “I love you,” he whispered into her hair when he buried his face in the blonde locks on the pillow, his hips continuing their thrusting into the heat centered between her soft thighs.

When Sydney’s body began to tighten again, this time more forcibly, Sky knew that they were just about at the end of both their ropes. Especially since her tightening muscles caused a tingling sensation at the base of his spine. Gathering his strength, he propped himself up on his left forearm and reached down with his right hand, pulling Sydney’s leg higher on his hip, opening her up more, as he plunged faster and faster into her body, making sure to rub high where he knew she’d draw the most pleasure from.

It was only seconds later that Sydney was choking out a silent scream when her body clamped down on his, harder and longer than she ever had before. Sky was so awed by her hugely powerful climax that he was taken by surprise when his own followed hers by a heartbeat. He threw back his head, eyes tightly clenched shut and opened his mouth in his own silent cry of release. Their bodies were motionless for several long heartbeats before Sky collapsed down onto Sydney’s chest, his arms sliding under her back to hold her to his own.

They were quiet for a long time before Sky realized his weight was probably too much for her. Groaning, he pushed up from his comfortable spot and slid back out of her, causing her to cry out at the sudden loss of contact. “Sorry baby, I’ll be right back,” he whispered, pushing up off the bed. He walked on shaky legs to where her garbage can was. He tugged the condom off and dropped it into the waste basket before he slowly moved back to her bed, sliding in next to her.

Sydney was nearly asleep when his arms banded around her, bringing her back to his chest as they both settled down again. “I love you, Sky.”

“I love you, Syd.”

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