Another SPD fic in the same canon as the others. Reading them first would be an advantage, (Timeline:- Departure, Happy Birthday Syd, Family business) But it isn't necessary. Here's the five minute version.
Set after Fowler Birdie has retired and Cruger has left SPD earth, Sky is now Base Commander. During this time, Bridge and Z finally confess their love for each other and begin dating.
While the team attend Syd's birthday party, they are surprised to discover that Syd's family are good long-term friends with Kimberly, the original Pink Ranger, and her husband David, whom Syd considers family and refers to as aunt and uncle. The celebrations are interrupted when an alien attacks the city, and Syd is badly injured during the battle and requires a blood transfusion, which leads to her making a painful and startling discovery. Her real parents are in fact Kimberly and David, from whom she was stolen as an infant and sold unknowingly to her uncle who gave her to the infertile Drews who were desperate to start a family.
With Sky's intervention, she is eventually able to talk to her family, who she feels have betrayed her by lying to her since her birth, and begins to work things out with him. She also finally reveals that she is in love with Sky, and the two share a passionate kiss which begins a romantic relationship.
Shortly after that, two promising cadets prove their worth in the field, during a demanding case and are assigned to B-Squad, though the team is surprised to learn that they are in fact the twin children of Tommy and Kira Oliver, Frank and Emma.
Rating: T Violence, adult themes and some language.
Legal: I do not own Power Rangers or the associated names, rights, characters, places or events etc. Any material not covered by the above rights is to be presumed to be purely the creation of the author.
Z's Discovery
Z was heading back to her dorm room after a long, boring shift on surveillance. She always hated the surveillance shift, especially during the day. Nothing much really happened, and if she had to call in three offences in the shift, it was considered busy. No, she'd spent the last 12 hours in monotonous hell, watching the monitors and struggling to remain awake. Only the thought of a date with Bridge kept her going.
He'd tried to change shifts with another officer to spend time with her in the hope of keeping the time moving, but one of the training officers had called in sick and he was needed to cover for him. He had promised to take Z out to dinner to make up for her disappointment, and now that was what she was clinging to as a way of keeping her sanity through the remainder of her shift.
"Have no fear Z, your relief has arrived!" Emma greeted her as she came into the room.
"What are you so cheerful about?" Z asked her. "Other than a Friday or Saturday night, surveillance shifts are boring as hell!"
"I brought some little distractions." She replied, pulling out a book of Sudoku puzzles. "I'll be able to keep myself amused. Enjoy your date."
"Just don't let Sky catch you doing those." Z chuckled.
"Give me the gory details!" Emma called after her.
Making her way back to her dorm, Z was surprised to find a note on the bed addressed to her in Bridge's handwriting.
"Meet me on the roof, dress warm, Bridge." She read aloud. She was more than a little puzzled by what he meant by this, but she decided to go along with it. Heading up to the top of the command centre, she left through the roof access door to find Bridge standing there in a tuxedo beside an ice bucket with a bottle of champagne and tow glasses sitting in it. He gestured over to a table and chairs he'd had set up on the roof and pulled out a chair for her.
"Well, you certainly believe in doing things differently." Z remarked as she sat down. "So why are we up here? I though we were going out?"
"I wanted to bring you up here, because it's an amazing view." He told her, panning his hand across the skyline. At this time of night, he had a point. Lit up in only a few areas, it was like a constantly flowing river of tiny lights. "I really wanted you to see that."
"I haven't taken much time to think about it." She replied, looking out over the landscape. "It really is beautiful."
"But not as beautiful as you." He told her. RIC made his way onto the rooftop and knelt down near the table and began to play soft, romantic music through his inbuilt CD player.
"Sorry, I'm kind of between sound systems at the moment since I tried to upgrade my stereo to make toast." He told her. He nodded in RIC's direction as a subtle hint for the robotic dog to turn around and at least not seem so much like he was eavesdropping.
"It's alright Bridge." Z told him. "This is great."
"I've bribed a couple of cadets to bring us up some food in a little while." He continued. "There's something I want to say to you."
"Bridge, I think we're a bit beyond asking each other's permission to ask questions." Z chuckled.
"Elizabeth Delgado." He began in a serious tone.
"Since when have you ever called me Elizabeth?" She interrupted.
"Elizabeth Delgado." He repeated. "We've been dating now for quite a while, and I just want you to know how much I love you." He pulled a ring from his pocket and slowly got down onto one knee. Z's mouth just hung open in disbelief. "This ring belonged to my Grandmother." He explained. "She wanted me to give it to someone special when I found the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. I'd like you to be that woman."
"The special one that gets the ring or the one that spends the rest of her life with you?" Z asked as a joke, though by now her voice was cracking a little with emotion, so it didn't come out quite right. Bridge looked a little confused by her statement. "Bridge, the answer's yes! Of course I'll marry you!"
Bridge took her left hand in his, and placed the ring on her finger, before pulling her in for a long, passionate kiss. RIC fired off a rocket which lit up the night sky, and a loud cheer from the street grabbed their attention. Z looked over the edge, finding virtually the entire base standing in the front courtyard, holding up a banner which read, "Congratulations Bridge and Z."
"It's just as well I said yes." Z laughed, seeing the assembled throng of well-wishers continuing to scream their support.
"I guess it is." Bridge replied. "I think we have to go down and see them now."
"Maybe later," Z said as she placed her arms around his neck, "I think they can wait a little."
The next day, Z was approached by Scott from the archives department. By the way he was rushing around like a headless chicken; she could see he was having a busy day.
"Hey Scott," she greeted him, "are you busy?"
"I have to do a complete inventory of the entire archives, back up all the files and handle a tour of the Ranger Hall of Legend for the kids from the local high school!" He snapped as he struggled to keep a hold of the mountain of paperwork he was carrying. "Worst of all, both the interns called in sick, so I have to do all that single-handed!"
"Well my schedule's pretty light today." Z replied with a shrug. "I could handle the tour."
"You're a lifesaver!" Scott called out as he ran down the hall. "They'll be here about 11."
Meanwhile, Bridge was working out in the gym. He was steadily losing the desire to continue, because every few seconds he had to stop as another person approached him to shake his hand and congratulate him on his engagement.
"Hey Bridge, how does it feel to be the centre of attention?" Z asked him as she approached.
"Somehow I doubt I'm going to get much done today." He told her as he finally gave up on his workout. "Fancy getting some lunch later?"
"I'm afraid I can't." She replied with a wince. "Scott's totally swamped today; I said I'd take the tour group around the Hall of Legend for him."
"I guess we'll have to take a rain check." Bridge replied with a shrug. "Besides, it'll give me a chance to help Sky with the rotas. Maybe I won't end up working EVERY weekend for the next month."
"Oh well, my little bunch of adorable hellions will be arriving shortly." Z sighed. "I'll see you later."
"I love you." Bridge said as he kissed her farewell.
"I love you too." She shot back. Making her way downstairs, she found that the bus from the high school had indeed arrived. Some of the first graders appeared to be embroiled in a game of tag, while the sophomores talked loudly on their cell phones. Z breathed a little sigh as she approached the group. "You owe me big time Scott." She said to herself.
Syd was sitting on Sky's desk, whispering something to him as Bridge arrived. By the way Sky was smiling; it was obvious he liked what he was hearing. Syd got off the desk and left the office as Bridge arrived.
"Can I help you Bridge?" He asked.
"Sky I was looking for a favour." Bridge began. "I know you haven't done the rota yet…"
"Actually I have." Sky interrupted him.
"Oh, sorry, never mind." He stammered as he turned to leave.
"What can I help you with?" Sky asked.
"I was going to ask if both Z and I could have the weekend off." Bridge answered as he turned back. "I wanted to visit my parents with her, but if you've already…"
Sky threw down the rota in front of Bridge. He smiled as he saw that Sky had already given them that time off. "I figured you'd want to do that." He told him. "You did just get engaged, I doubt your mom would forgive you if you didn't let her welcome Z to the family."
"Thanks Sky." Bridge answered. "Fancy getting a beer with us later?"
"I'll ask Syd." He responded thoughtfully. "See you in the bar about 6?"
"That'd be great." Bridge replied, leaving the office. "We'll see you then."
Z was really regretting promising to do the tour for Scott. They kids had started off energetic, but by the time they had gone around a couple of the exhibits they'd begun to get a little bored, and started acting out. Some of them ignored her, some of them were entertaining themselves by shoving each other around, and one particularly annoying freshman constantly bombarded her with questions. At first she had thought it was good at least one of the kids was interested, but it was getting a little old.
"Now we're passing the pictures of the Wild Force Rangers." Z explained, panning a hand across the exhibit. "They protected the Animarium…"
"What's the Animarium?" The freshman asked, getting obvious joy out of Z's rising frustration.
"The Animarium is a floating island where the Wild Zords rested for 3000 years." She explained, pointing to pictures of the Zords. "They fought the evil Orgs…"
"What are Orgs?" He interrupted again.
"They were monsters who attempted to destroy the earth through pollution." She told them. "They eventually defeated them in battle. Here they are in their civilian forms under their Ranger Form pictures. Cole Evans, Max Cooper, Taylor Earhardt, Alyssa Enrile and Merrick Baliton."
"Why isn't there a picture and name for the Black Ranger?" The freshman asked. Z turned to the wall and frowned.
"Oh, neither there is." She remarked, seeing that he was right. For some reason there was a picture of the Black Ranger, but no picture or name plaque. "I guess his name's been lost to history. Anyway, moving on…"
Sky had just finished getting changed into denims and a blue t-shirt when Syd arrived, gently stroking his shoulders.
"Looking forward to it?" She asked him.
"They said they'd meet us there." He replied. "I can't believe Bridge finally plucked up the courage to ask her. He's been planning this for a couple of months now."
"I think it's really sweet." Syd said cheerfully as a large, bright smile came to her face. "Do you think they'll wait long?"
"Knowing how impatient Z is, I'd be surprised if the registrar isn't already booked." He chuckled. He presented his arm to her. "Shall we go?"
"Sure thing handsome." Syd replied, linking her arm with his own. "Let's go."
Z and Bridge arrived at the bar, being waved over by Emma. Bridge had decided to make a night of it and invited Emma and Frank too. Frank was buttering himself some more bread, though the basket was pretty much empty, so obviously he'd eaten a fair bit.
"Bridge, Z congratulations!" Emma yelled excitedly, kissing Bridge on the cheek, and hugging Z deeply. "Sorry about my bro, he's always been ruled by his stomach."
"It's no problem, I don't mind." Z chuckled. "I see our fearless leader and his date haven't gotten here yet."
"You know Sky, he's a real workaholic." Frank interjected. "He probably just lost track of time."
"Rangers, it's Kat here." A call came across their communicators. "There are reports of a minor disturbance at East New Tech Hospital. Could you check it out?"
"Bridge and I will go." Z answered the call. "We're only a couple of blocks away."
"Let us go." Emma protested. "The two of you just got here, and it's your engagement party."
"Like Z said, we're only a couple of blocks away, and you've already ordered." Bridge said as he waved off the protest.
"Yeah, we'll probably still be back before Sky." Z told them. "We won't be long."
With that, Bridge and Z left, completely unaware how significantly this routine visit would change her life.
They arrived at the hospital a short time later, finding a Latin-American tending the flower beds. Standing up, he towered over both of them, and was extremely muscular. Sweeping his forehead with the back of his glove and adjusting his glasses, he approached them slowly. Nearing them, they could see he had extensive scarring on the right hand side of his face, and his right eye was a milky, glass marble. He addressed them in a soft, gentle voice that seemed completely inappropriate for someone his size.
"Can I help you?" He asked. Z looked at his name tag.
"Dan, we're from SPD. We're here about the disturbance." She began. "Could you take us to the chief of medicine?"
"No problem." He answered. "Just follow me this way."
He led them down the hall towards the elevator. "Dr. Ramsey will be only too happy to help. He gave me this job a few years ago, he's really easy going." Dan told them as they made their way through the building.
"You tend the gardens here?" Bridge asked.
"That's just one of my many jobs." He explained. "I'm a porter here; it can get pretty hairy at times. Sometimes some of the patients can get a little nasty when they're scared. That's probably what the disturbance was."
"We were told it was an assault." Bridge told him. "Do you know anything about that?"
"Some guy on the psych ward started freaking out and had to be restrained." Dan replied. He held up his arms, showing them an extensive collection of bruises. "I got these trying to hold him while they sedated the guy."
"We'll probably need to take a statement later." Z informed him. "If the patient wants to press charges…"
"Do you think it could come to that?" Dan asked as they stepped onto the waiting elevator. "Usually nothing happens with these incidents. No one was hurt too badly."
"That's not really something we can say right now." Bridge answered honestly. "It's really up to the patient."
The elevator stopped and Dan stepped out, with Bridge and Z not far behind him. "This is his office." Dan told them.
"Thanks for your help." Bridge said as they knocked and entered. A grey haired doctor was sitting at his desk studying some case notes as they entered.
"These are two SPD operatives." Dan explained to the doctor.
"There was a report about a violent incident this evening." Bridge explained, shaking the doctor's hand. "I'm Bridge and this is Z."
"I'm Dr. Ramsey." He introduced himself. "Yes, one of our psych ward patients, Mr. Edwards got a little over-excited. No one was seriously hurt, but I thought I should call it in just in case."
"You did the right thing Dr. Ramsey." Z told him. "Can we speak with the patient and anyone else involved?"
"Of course, I'll take you to his ward." He responded. "Thank you Dan, you may return to your duties."
"If you don't mind, we may need to talk to him later." Bridge interjected. "We'd prefer it if he comes with us."
"No problem at all." Dr. Ramsey answered. "Just follow me, it's just this way."
Sky and Syd had arrived at the bar and were sharing a drink with Emma and Frank when Sky's communicator went off.
"You've got Sky here, what can I do for you?" He answered.
"It's Cruger here." The voice came from the other end. "I was calling for Bridge and Z; I just heard the news and wanted to offer them my congratulations."
"They're not here at the moment." Sky told him. "They picked up a call about a disturbance at the hospital and they were closer than I was, so they went to investigate."
"Which hospital?" Cruger asked. Sky was a little confused by this. It was almost as if Cruger was panicking about something.
"East New Tech." Sky answered. "Why?"
"Get out there and gather the information yourself." Cruger commanded. "There's someone there I don't want Z to meet, it's complicated so I can't explain. Just get over there and make sure she leaves."
"Sir?" Sky asked, still completely confused.
"Do it now." He ordered.
With that, Sky gathered his coat and left the bar.
"Some party this is." Frank groaned. "The guests of honour aren't here, and now you're running off."
"We'll be back soon." Sky told him. "Syd, get me another beer."
"I will." She told him. With that, Sky headed for the hospital as quickly as he could.
As they made their way to the ward, Bridge decided to get a few questions out of the way.
"Dan told us you hired him as a porter." He inquired. "When was that?"
"Dan's been on our books as an employee for about five years now." Dr. Ramsey answered. "He was one of our long-term head trauma patients, but when the worst of his symptoms died down a bit, he decided he wanted to pay us back. I had him on as a gardener, but Dan decided he wanted a more active role so I made him a porter."
"I really wanted to pay back all of the doctors and the hospital for everything they've done for me." Dan told them. "I really love working here."
"How did you suffer the injuries?" Bridge asked.
"I was in a car accident many years ago." He told them. "After the huge earthquake back in 2006, the coast was hit by a huge tornado. My wife and I were trying to evacuate with our daughter when I lost control of the car."
"What happened?" Z asked.
"I don't have many memories of that day, but I do remember that the hail was coming down pretty hard." He continued. "Suddenly a hailstone the size of a softball smashed the windscreen. I lost control and hit a building." He sighed at the memory. "I recovered consciousness in here about a week later. The doctors told me that my wife was dead."
"What about your daughter?" Z asked.
"They never found her, but she was only 2 at the time." He told them. "It's unlikely she survived."
"I'm really sorry to hear that." Bridge said sympathetically. "Why were you in long-term care for so long?"
"I'll let Dr Ramsey explain." He told them.
"Dan suffered quite extensive brain injury." He informed them. "As well as having his speech impaired, he also suffered some retrograde and severe anterograde amnesia."
"I'm not really too good with medical terminology." Z replied. "What's the difference?"
"Retrograde amnesia affects the long term memory, meaning the patient loses some of the memories that they had before the accident." He explained.
"I got most of those back." Dan told them.
"Anterograde amnesia leaves the patient unable to, or makes it very difficult for them to form NEW long-term memories." He continued. "At his worst stage, he couldn't remember any new information after about 12 hours."
"I still find it hard to remember sometimes." Dan admitted. "I'm not as bad as I was, but it's still a problem."
"I'm really sorry." Z told him. "That must have been really horrible for you."
"We're here." Dr. Ramsey announced. Moving inside, they made their way over to a patient's bed. "This is Mr. Edwards."
"We heard you were involved in an altercation here today." Z began.
"These fascists cut my medication!" He roared. "I demand something gets done about this!"
"Who started the fight?" Bridge asked, ignoring the man.
"Mr. Edwards lashed out at one of the nurses." Dr. Ramsey told them. "Thank God Dan was here or things could have been worse."
"I want that big lummox charged!" He snarled. "He beat the hell out of me!"
"I only held him down while a doctor sedated him." Dan interjected. "He hurt me worse than I hurt him."
"Lying scumbag!" Mr. Edwards yelled, leaping out of bed and tackling Danny. He sent Z and Bridge flying as he seized Dan by the throat. Z recovered quickest and twisted his arm painfully up his back, pulling out hand cuffs.
"You're under arrest for assault." She stated as she grabbed his other hand and cuffed it too. "We'll have to remand him here because of his condition." Z told the doctor.
"I'll arrange for him to be restrained." He responded, gesturing to Dan. "Go and get one of the orderlies to do that."
Dan, however, wasn't listening. He picked up a small silver chain, inspecting it carefully. It had a small silver Z on it. He sat on the floor, staring at it as memories came flooding back to him. He turned to face Z.
"Is this…is this yours?" He asked nervously.
Z realised her necklace had fallen off during the scuffle. "Yes it is." She replied, reaching out for it. Dan got up, grabbing her by the arms.
"Lizzie, is it really you?" He screamed. "Lizzie!"
"My full name's Elizabeth." She replied. "How could you possibly know that?"
"I know your name for the same reason I remember this necklace, I gave them to you." He answered as Sky arrived. "I'm Danny Delgado."
"My surname's Delgado." She gasped.
"I thought I'd lost you." He sniffed as tears began to flow from his eyes. "You're my daughter."
As Z sat on the bed, completely lost for words, Bridge came over and held her close. Sky just stood with his mouth hanging open in disbelief.