Thought I'd check in with the SPD crew once again just to keep the stories a little fresher. Hoping everyone will respond to this as well as they have up until now, any comments and reviews are gratefully received, even criticisms (hey, I need to know what I'm doing wrong if I want to improve my writing.) Now to get the usual stuff out of the way.
Rating:- T. Mild themes, language and violence, but nothing that should seriously offend or upset anyone.
Legal:- I do not own Power Rangers or any of the associated names, characters, events, places etc. etc. This story is to be considered non-canon and with the exception of everything covered under the rights as stated above, all characters, places, events etc. are to be considered purely the creation of the author.
This story follows on from my last one, Departure, so obviously I'd prefer it if you read that one first. Just in case though, here's what's been happening.
Six months on since Jack left SPD and Sky became Red Ranger, Bridge became more and more focussed on his training and began spending less time with the team, becoming a virtual recluse with no real explanation. Z and Syd began expressing concerns over his behaviour to no avail. Shortly afterwards Supreme Commander Birdie Fowler retires and Kruger leaves earth to replace him, promoting Sky to Commander of SPD earth and charging him with choosing a new Red Ranger.
Bridge's mood and behaviour becomes, if anything more erratic and self-destructive. After witnessing him injure himself in training, Z pleads with Sky to talk to him and expresses real concern for his wellbeing and safety, but Sky writes this off as Z feeling left out because she has feelings for Bridge which he believes are not reciprocated. Following some careless words from an arrogant young cadet, Bridge is involved in a violent confrontation in which he inadvertently hurts Z. After an emotional talk with her, Bridge finally reveals why he's been acting so strangely. Not only is he feeling the crushing loneliness of watching all his friends leave the squad, but he is tearing himself apart physically in an attempt to single-handedly replace the entire squad.
Sky, unable to fathom what has happened in a state of confusion asks Bridge what has happened, and when Bridge refuses to speak he suspends him from active duty, causing Bridge to storm out of the complex. In an emotional display Z tells him in no uncertain terms what has been going on in Bridge's mind and what she thinks of how Sky has handled the situation, before leaving to find Bridge. Finding him outside in an emotional state, she reveals that she loves him and takes care of him during his brief homelessness.
Sky, himself distraught at how badly everything's gone is urged by Kat to find Bridge and make amends, however his confidence in his ability to lead has been shaken to his core and it is only through the intervention of Commander Kruger that he is convinced to remain at SPD and not resign his position. Having resolved to stay at the helm, he finally makes the decision that was left in his hands by Commander Kruger and promotes Bridge to the position of Red Ranger.
Happy Birthday Syd
Syd woke up in her dorm room, finding to her disappointment that the room was empty. She and Z had clashed heads numerous times in the early days, but the two of them had resolved their differences and become friends. So why had she left the room so early and not greeted her? It's not like she hadn't dropped a few thousand hints over the past couple of weeks that it was her Birthday.
Slowly getting up, she looked out some gym equipment and got ready to work off some frustrations in the newly refurbished gym. It had been a couple of months now since Bridge's little episode, and the only real good thing to come out of the whole sorry affair was that the gym had received a much-needed overhaul to the facilities.
Heading to the gym, she still couldn't believe that Z had done this. How could she forget her birthday? Or maybe she hadn't. Maybe she just genuinely didn't care how she felt. It's not like she was paying much attention to anything much since she got together with Bridge. The two of them had been living in each other's pockets for ages now. The display was sickening. There was no way she would ever throw herself at a man so shamelessly. Other people might have considered her attitude jealousy, but she knew better. It was just revulsion at how much Z was making herself look like a puppet on a string for her weirdo boyfriend.
Following her workout, she made her way to the communal area, with the intention of using the replicator to make herself some cake. 'It's not like anyone else is going to.' She sneered to herself. Arriving at the door, she found to her surprise that all the lights were out. Surely at least somebody should be in here by this time of the day. She pulled out her organiser just to double-check she hadn't somehow forgotten about a training exercise for the recruits as the lights came on.
"I should have known." She remarked, instantly feeling guilty about all the horrible things she'd been thinking about Z and Bridge. There they were along with Kat, Sky, SOPHIE and the new recruit Johnson, holding a cake. They had obviously been waiting a while as the candles had clearly been burning for a while, and some of the icing had begun to melt.
"We were beginning to think you'd never show up." Sky commented as he tapped his watch. "I suppose that's what we get for pretending not to notice your 80,000,000 hints about it being your birthday."
"Of course we wouldn't forget." Z interjected as she approached her dorm mate. "We couldn't forget even if we wanted to."
"I'm so glad you're all here." Syd gushed as she tried to hide her embarrassment at believing her friends could have done anything so hurtful.
"Well, put out the candles before RIC registers it as a fire hazard." Sky ordered, pushing the cake a little closer. Holding her hair clear of the candles, Syd blew hard, extinguishing the flames as her friends cheered.
"So do you have anything special planned?" SOPHIE asked.
"My mom and dad are having me over to their place for dinner." She answered. "My Aunt Kim and Uncle David will be there with Joe."
"I thought you said your only uncle died years ago?" Sky commented.
"They're not really my aunt and uncle." She replied with a little smile as she thought about them. "They're just good friends of the family. They're so close I've called them Aunt Kim and Uncle David for years. Their son Joe's kind of like a kid brother to me and Aunt Kim always has loads of really cool stories to tell."
"Really?" Z commented. "They sound pretty cool. I'd really like to meet them."
"Why don't you all come over?" Syd asked. "I'm sure my mom and dad won't mind."
"Well it has been all quiet on the scanners lately." Sky interrupted. "And the automated warning system will let us know if there's anything to worry about. So I think we can all take a little personal time."
"Wow. The ever-serious leader takes some personal time." Z retorted with a sarcastic laugh. "Will wonders never cease?"
"Call it investigation." Sky joked. "It'll be fascinating to see what kind of family produces a kid like Syd."
"You are so dead!" She yelled, grabbing the cake and showing it into his face. The others just laughed as Sky wiped cream and crumbs from his eyes.
"Little heavy on the marzipan." He quipped sarcastically as he grabbed a can of whipped cream and squirted a little swirl on his head to complete the look.
The group arrived at Syd's parent's place a little after 4. They marvelled at the size of the property, unable to comprehend the grandeur of it all. They knew Syd's parents wer rich, but this was far beyond anything they could have imagined.
"This hall way looks like it'd be big enough to land the SWAT fliers." Bridge gasped as he looked around the massive, ornate entrance hall.
"It's just as well Jack never saw this place." Z stated, more than a little awe struck herself. "He'd probably just remind you how many homeless people could sleep in this lobby."
"Well, if anything happens to the command centre." Sky began, looking around thoughtfully. "We know we have alternate premises."
"Syd!" A teenager a little younger than the Pink Ranger called out from the upper level. He was only a little taller than Syd, and while he wasn't hugely muscular, he was clearly in good shape. His thick black hair was unkempt, and looked as though he had just run it through a shower before abandoning it to do it's own thing. Charging down the stairs, he grabbed her in a playful headlock. "How's my favourite big cousin been recently?"
"Get off you big moron." She yelled, shoving him off, though the grin on her face betrayed the fact that this was not in any way an aggressive confrontation. "Guys this is Joe. Joe, I'd like you to meet…"
"I think I can probably guess. Bridge right?" He stated, shaking Bridge's hand. "She talks about you guys all the time. So you're Z aren't you? The one who keeps messing up the dorm room?"
"Is that what she tells you?" Z commented as Syd began to look a little uncomfortable.
"You must be SOPHIE. Apparently you're a real asset to the squad."
"She said that?" SOPHIE replied as she tried to hide her embarrassment.
"And this must be the new guy Johnson. Syd says you're almost as good at fencing as she is."
"Emphasis on the almost." Johnson answered him. "She still beats me regularly."
"So by process of elimination, you must be Sky." He concluded, offering his hand to Sky. "My cousin never shuts up about you. Personally I think she has…" Joe was quickly silenced by an elbow to the ribs from Syd. Sky noted the reaction but opted not to press the matter to save her embarrassment. He just made a mental note to give her grief about it later.
"Well Syd's told us a bit about you too." Sky responded to the teenager. "Apparently you're a bit of a surf rat."
"I try to hit the waves whenever I can." He stated.
"In other words we can never get him out of the water." An attractive, brunette woman chimed in as she made her way over to greet them. "Joe, how many times do I have to tell you not to tease Syd? You know how much she hates it!"
"But it wouldn't be any fun if she liked it mom." He answered back.
"Well try not to embarrass her in front of her friends. It is her birthday." She reprimanded him. "Hi there, I'm Kimberly." She greeted Sky.
"We…uh…all know who you are." Sky commented. "Your picture is in the Ranger Hall of Legend at SPD headquarters. We had no idea that Syd was friends with the original Pink Ranger."
"We're more like family." Kimberly said, clearly pleased by what she had heard about her place in the SPD hall of fame. "My husband David and I have known her parents for years."
"So, do they all know about you?" Sky asked.
"It was a bit of a shock for David when I told him. We had been married for a few years before he found my old pictures." She recalled as she thought about it. "But it wasn't such a great leap of faith for Syd's parents, especially since SPD was already forming back then."
"I would have thought you'd hate talking shop by now." David announced as he arrived behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "But I suppose all these young Rangers must make you feel all nostalgic."
"Hey, I'm not that old." She protested grumpily.
"Actually you're…"
"Complete that sentence and die." Kimberly warned him before he could complete the ill-considered statement.
"Mom, do we have to have domestics in front of company?" Joe whined.
"It's the sign of a healthy relationship to be able to argue in front of company." Syd's father observed sagely as he entered the room. A waiter was right behind him with a tray of champagne glasses. "You look wonderful honey. Happy Birthday."
"Oh for goodness sake Stephen." Mrs. Drew chastised him loudly. "Haven't you invited them in yet?"
"Of course, I'm sorry dearest." He apologised as he gestured them all into the main dining room. "It's just this way everyone."
They all sat down at the massive oak table as the waiters brought out the first serving of wine. Sitting at the edge of the table beside Sky, Syd offered him a glass of red, accidently spilling it down his shirt.
"Oh I'm so sorry." She apologised, grabbing a napkin and beginning to dab the stain.
"Ok the cake I kind of deserved." He chuckled as she frantically tried to clear up the stain. "But what did I do this time?"
"We can have it washed off while you're enjoying the meal." Syd's mother offered, extending a hand his way. "It'll be clean and dry by the time desert comes."
"That's alright Mrs. Drew." Sky waved her off.
"Please, I insist, and call me Alice." She pressed on. Sky removed his shirt, causing a couple of obvious reactions from the women in the room. One of the waitresses almost dropped a stack of plates at the show.
"Wow. Someone works out!" Kimberly commented. "I don't think even Jason looked that good back in the day."
"Thank you Mrs. Goodman." Sky said with a smile, clearly pleased at being compared to one of his idols, the original Red Ranger. "I try to stay in shape."
"Oh it definitely shows." Alice complimented him. "Don't you think so Syd?"
"Uh…" She tried hard, but she seemed to be unable to respond. She decided to look away, hoping to be able to answer without making it completely obvious she was enjoying getting a chance to see him half-naked. "He looks fine."
"Would you like to borrow a shirt?" Stephen asked. "I can have one…"
"That's alright Mr. Drew." Sky responded. "I wouldn't want to impose."
"Well no-one here's a prude." Alice stated. "So if you're comfortable, then that's alright. Feel free to call my husband Stephen by the way."
"Thank you." He said graciously. "So what are we having?"
"It's prawns to begin." Alice answered him, suddenly noticing Bridge holding up his hand like a school pupil wanting to answer a question. "Don't like prawns dear?"
"I wouldn't know." He replied. "I'm Jewish, so I can't eat shell fish."
"Oh, I'm sorry, Syd never mentioned that." Alice apologised. "Is there something else you'd like?"
"I don't want to be any trouble." He replied. "Could you just make me some toast or something?"
"Buttery!" All the Rangers chorused, wiggling their fingers in the air. Sky addressed the confused looks on the faces of Syd's family. "
"It's one of Bridge's quirks. It's sort of a running joke for us."
"That won't be a problem." Stephen told him as he gestured to one of the waiters to carry out his request. "Anyway. Let's hear all about Syd's exploits at SPD."
Syd shrunk a little into her chair as he said this. She just knew that it was now open season for all her friends and family to exchange all the embarrassing stories they had about her.
"I think I know where to begin." Z chimed in with a mischievous grin on her face. Syd just looked around for somewhere to hide.
After dinner, and Sky replacing his shirt, much to a lot of collective disappointment from the women in the room, the party moved out onto the patio area, where Syd's parents embarrassed her still further by beginning a round of their favourite party game.
"It works like this." Stephen explained the rules. "Everyone stands with their backs to the one chosen as the matchmaker." He then pulled out a couple of blind folds. "The matchmaker then picks two people and blindfolds them. They then bring the chosen matching pair together, and they have to kiss for everyone else to see."
"I'm not sure about this." Syd said awkwardly. "I mean there are couples here and…"
"I'm o.k. with it." Kimberly stated. "It's not like we're suggesting wife swapping or anything."
"Yeah, it sounds like fun." Z chimed in, trying to encourage her. "I'm not the jealous type, and I don't think Bridge is."
"Yeah Syd." Sky shot in. "Even I'm willing to give it a shot."
"O.K." She finally relented. "But only if I go first."
As the others turned their backs, Syd suddenly got an idea for some payback for some of the more embarrassing stories that were told over dinner. First she blindfolded Sky, then Bridge. Bringing them together as the others tried to muffle their sniggers, they began to kiss, though their collective stubble quickly let them in on the joke. After a short kiss, they whipped off their blindfolds.
"Will you leave Z for me?" Sky asked sarcastically, holding out his arms.
"Anything you say schnookums." Bridge answered, leaping into his arms.
"Alright, knock it off." Z laughed as Sky put Bridge back down. By now half the guests were in stitches.
"O.K. Sky it's your turn." Kimberly informed him. Blindfolding first Joe, then Z, he brought them together. After a brief kiss they took off their blindfolds.
"O.K. you've definitely done that before." Z remarked.
"Bridge, you're a lucky guy." Joe returned the compliment. As they all turned their backs again, it was Joe's turn to pick. As he looked around for inspiration, Z and Bridge turned towards him a little. Z pointed to Syd behind her back, while Bridge did the same for Sky. Joe chuckled as he took their suggestion and blindfolded them both.
Syd made her way towards her mystery kissing partner, just praying that it was at least one of the male guests, and not her Dad. She was beginning to regret the whole Sky/Bridge stunt as the nerves rose in her as she was finally brought to meet her partner. She brought her hand up his arm and across his neck as she tried to locate his face. 'He's got stubble, so it's a guy.' She thought with a little sigh of relief. 'And he's taller than me, so it isn't Dad or Uncle David.'
Having reassured herself of these facts, she drew her mystery man down, bringing her lips to his. Her heart raced as the warmth of the kiss caused her to lose track of the moment. She suddenly became aware his tongue was in her mouth. 'What the hell, I may as well enjoy it.' She thought, returning the gesture. As they finally parted, the couple removed their blindfolds.
Sky looked at her with a little surprise. He had never thought about Syd like that before, but there was no denying he felt a spark. He was also a little surprised that she was such a good kisser. He knew she'd had a few dates in the time he'd known her, but he never really thought about it in any real way. Syd finally broke the moment, bringing back his attention.
"You're not bad." She lied. 'What do I mean not bad?' She thought to herself. 'He was amazing! Why did I just call him amazing? How did he get so good at kissing? I can't remember him having any dates. Crap I haven't said anything in ages say something before he figures it out!' "Not bad at all."
"Thanks Syd." He replied feeling a little crestfallen at being called 'not bad'. "You were pretty good too.
Suddenly, their communicators bleeped, interrupting the game.
"Sorry, we've got to go." Sky stated. "Thanks for dinner Mrs. Drew."
"Call me Alice." She reminded him.
As they immediately made their way to the vehicles, Syd didn't catch a word of the briefing Kat relayed to them. She could only think about how for once she was actually GLAD that an alien attack had interrupted her private time.