Disclaimer: I don't own the Power Rangers or anything else you may recognize.

Author's Note: This is my first Syd/Sky story and also my first attempt at drabbling (a concept I still don't think I've gotten the hang of). I would really appreciate feedback. Try to be nice, though:)

Written in response to the Ars Amatoria Romance Themes Challenge.

This takes place at the beginning of "Reflections Part 2". Has anyone else noticed how, when talking to Cruger before Sky shows up, Syd says "Sky feels really horrible about this"? You know, almost like she's telling them something she knows first hand, that they don't? That little line inspired this drabble.

Guilt

Syd's POV.

He's been really tense. Ever since Jack got the new Battlizer, ever since he went to meet Mirloc on that planet. I'm somewhat worried. I mean, come on, we're friends. I care about him. Is that all, Syd? Is that all you feel for him?

Okay, so he's cute. So what?

"Sky!" I can see him several paces ahead of me in the corridor. His shoulders are slumped, his head is bowed. He looks pretty miserable. Not good. I hate seeing anyone look so down, especially Sky. It's easier for girls. Lipstick was invented so that girls could look good even when their mouths were droopy. But guys, like Sky? He just looks so… sad. And well, he's Sky. Ever since that diamond mission, it's been my mission to make him smile.

He turns around slowly and looks at me. Blue eyes heavy. Guilty. Oh, no.

"Syd," he greets me curtly, distractedly.

"What's wrong? Where've you been?" I sound like a fussy chicken, but who cares? I want to know.

His mouth twists bitterly. "What's wrong? You remember Mirloc, right? Well, turns out that in exchange for the information about Slate, he wanted something in return. I gave him my word that I would go back and give him what he wanted. Well, I went back."

I gasp. "Sky, he didn't hurt you, did he?" I don't know why I'm surprised. I mean, Sky has always been a man of his word. Damn Mirloc if he used that against him.

"He wanted a memory." Suddenly, Sky's voice isn't harsh or bitter anymore—it's choked off. Emotional. I've rarely heard this tone of voice, but I have heard it before and it always breaks my heart. I'm the only one who's probably seen him like this. I don't get it, but he trusts me. We talk, now and then.

"A memory of what?"

"My worst memory. I… I told him about when my dad… he…" Sky swallows. I can see his Adam's apple moving up and down. It's kind of sexy.

No, Syd. Stop thinking about that. He needs you.

"He laughed, Syd. Said it was the most entertaining story he's ever heard."

"That monster!"

Sky suddenly lets out a groan and hits the wall. I wince, starting a little. Poor Sky. I hurry towards him, closing the distance between us, and I grab his hand so that he can't hit it again. Sky takes in a deep, ragged breath. I can feel his chest heaving. He shakes his head. "I was such a fool, Syd. I feel so awful about this. The memory… it made me… it made me…"

Instinctively, I know. I quickly cut him off so that he doesn't have to say it and shatter his pride. "I get it, Sky." My voice is soft, gentle. "And he used it to escape?"

"Yeah."

"Oh, Sky, it's not—"

"Not what?" Suddenly, he's angry, bitter again. I let him be. I know he needs to defend himself with the anger. "Not what, Syd? I was such an idiot!"

He turns and he stumbles off down the corridor. I look down at my hand, suddenly cold without his warm hand in it. I can hear footsteps behind me and I turn, and see Jack, Z and Bridge coming towards me. They look disturbed.

"Syd, have you heard? Mirloc's escaped."

"Yeah," I hear my voice say. "I just heard. Does the commander want to talk to us?"

"Yup. Let's go."

I hesitate for an instant, glancing back over my shoulder where Sky just disappeared. He looked like he was in so much pain. I wish I could take it away. I wish I could help him, heal him. He means a lot to me, that defensive, uptight Blue Ranger of ours.

I wish I could make him understand that the guilt doesn't always belong to him.

…