Ch 1: Shattered Dreams I

Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers.

PS. Hello everyone, before you continue, I guess you should be able to guess from the title that this is gonna be the teary soapy drama. Enjoy and review at the same time. No flames pls.

She stirred in her sleep. It was an uncomfortable one. Can't get up, she thought. Noises were coming from her bedside. Beads of perspiration trickled down her forehead. She felt a warm cloth slapped against her head. Her whole body shook, and she punched air with her two fists wildly. Then, she fell back, unconscious again.

"Doctor, how is she?" Jack rushed into the infirmary and demanded.

The S.P.D doctor did not reply, but shook his head instead. Jack turned to the others who stood several feet from her bedside, while Z sat next to her, trying in avail to awaken the unconscious weak body.

"How long has it been already?" Jack asked again.

This time the doctor spoke in a quiet voice, "It's been three days already. She suffered severe injury in her brain, a clod that has been removed. It was a most difficult surgery. I would say she's one lucky patient and…"

"I don't care the difficulty of this surgery. I command you to tell me if she will wake up and when will she wake up?"

"I'm afraid I can't tell you that either. I'm sorry."

"I don't want to hear apologies, damn it. I want an answer." Jack pushed his way to the girl and held one of her hand in his big one.

She looked so frail, so vulnerable. Please God, you must let her get up. I do not believe God, but I do now. Please. Jack pleaded. He held her hand and touched his head, whispered in his low voice, "Wake up, my dear. It's Jack. I've gotten a haircut. Just the way you wanted, short, commando style."

A hand placed on Jack's shoulder. Jack knew it was Sky, red ranger now. While he, Jack had gone to join the army, assuming role as a high-ranking officer.

Z fought back tears and stood up silently. She walked towards Bridge, who spread his arms and held her close in his warmth. The air tensed. Nobody said anything.

As the others cleared away, Jack sat there for a long time, staring into space. The minute he received news of her, he stepped away from his mission, took a private jet and rushed back. He did not give a damn to breaking any rules, or whatever pain-in-the-neck orders from his superiors. Nothing bothered him so much than, this. And the only one word that could describe his feelings now was, fury and heartbreak.

He hadn't felt this way for a long time. Not even when Allie left him for another guy, far richer but less macho definitely. Right now, he felt useless and weak. Wanting to take her place instead. It broke his heart. His cheeks were wet. He cried, he really did. It wasn't tears of devastation but it was tears of sorrow. He hit his fist against the wall. It cracked a little, but he didn't felt any physical pain.

The smell of hot coffee wafted in the air. Sky handed Jack a cup and he took it without so much as look at it. Sky led the way outside the infirmary. They sat there for the longest moment of their life in silence.

Jack spoke finally. "I am ready. Tell me what you know, Sky. Do not hide anything from me already."

"Trying to order me just like before huh?" Sky said, trying hard to lighten the tension. Jack tried to smile but he couldn't so he continued to straight into Sky's eyes.

Sky sighed. "It was one of those hit-and-run accidents. You were on mission most of the time around the year. And when she received news that you were coming back, she was elated. Rushing up and down the malls, buying stuffs, getting ready for your return." Sky paused and ruffled his hair. "Really, you shouldn't have told her when you were coming back." Jack shot him a dangerous look.

"Okay, that part was a reprimand from me. She's like a little sister and I like her a lot. I think she deserved more."

"You think you can provide her better. After all this years, you haven't really given up, have you? She doesn't love you, damnit. It's me she loves, not you." Jack reminded Sky and he looked shock.

Jack gulped his coffee. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. I was, I was just being a bloody jerk."

"I understand." Sky replied and patted Jack's back. "Now, if you need me, you know where to find me."

Jack nodded and stared back into space again. It was going to be a long day.

TBC