Chapter 2
Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers!
Sky was called into the command center and as he reached he saw Z already present and sighed and saluted, Cruger said "At ease."
Sky looked at Z who was looking at the Commander and nowhere else. Cruger continued "I have never been so disappointed at you Cadet Tate. You not only didn't trust your team member's instincts but also made unacceptable remarks. As a squad leader you need to respect you're squad member's decisions. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
Sky said "Yes Sir."
Cruger then said "Dismissed."
Both Sky and Z saluted the commander and left. As they exited Z started briskly walking towards her room still not acknowledging his presence. Sky followed her and said "Z!" "Hey Z!" "Zeee!" But when she didn't stop he pulled her arm and pinned her to the wall of a corridor.
Z said in a biting tone "Leave me Sky."
Sky felt happy that she at least looked at him, and said "Not before you hear me out. Please Z..."
Z sighed looking away "There's nothing you can say or do that will make me feel better Sky so why bother?"
Sky still said "Please Z hear me out. After that you can decide whether to or not to forgive me."
Z sighed "The latter has a higher possibility."
Sky rolled his eyes and Z continued "You can say whatever you want but first could you stop pinning me to wall?"
Sky then immediately left her hand and they both straightened themselves.
Z looked at him putting her now longer hair behind her right ear and crossing her arms defensively across her chest as she looked at him intently waiting for an apology.
Sky looked at her but his mind drew a blank. He opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out. Z then sighed and was about to leave when he held her upper arm and turned her towards him and held her other arm too and said "Z... I'm sorry... I should've listened to you, you were right... I was a complete ass for not listening to you. It's just that you make me so crazy I don't know why, I feel like we're supposed to be locking heads all the time..."
Z sighs and cuts him off "Sky I don't expect you to be best friends with me but I at least expected you to respect my decisions on the battlefield. I know maybe for you I'm better off in the streets..." she put her hand up when she saw him open his mouth and continued "...But there must be something in me that the commander let me into SPD. Sky after fighting alongside you for a year, the last thing I expected was you to slap my past on my face. So please do not bother... I know why I make you so crazy, that's because you think I'm unworthy to be a part of SPD." Saying that Z simply walked away. Sky felt like he was stabbed a million times on his chest. For the first time he saw his fiery comrade talk so calmly to him, no sarcasm, no insults. It almost didn't feel like he was talking to real Elizabeth Delgado. He now felt really really guilty and even more angry on himself for insulting her, she was never meant for the streets, she was too good for it. She was SPD, and his friend, his angry friend all the more but he decided he would turn her frown upside down no matter what.
The next morning, Sky got up earlier than usual and went to get a cup of coffee, he saw the whole common room decorated with balloons, streamers and various other decorative items, and Syd, Bridge, Sophie and Boom put up more and more decorative items, he was about to ask what's going on when he saw Bridge and Boom put up a banner which said 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY Z!'
His drowsiness completely vanished as he realised today was Z's birthday, now he felt even more guilty for insulting her yesterday. Suddenly he heard a familiar voice say "Move Sky move! Z could get up any minute!" as he saw Jack hastily bring in a cake for her. Syd saw Sky and said "Sky hurry and help Sophie put this on the wall as she threw steamers at him and he caught them and started helping Sophie, once they were done they sat on the sofa tired, Sky simply leaned on a wall and Sydney kept straightening the decorations here and there. Sky said "How come I don't know its Z's birthday today?" Syd and Jack glared at him, while Sophie rolled her eyes and Bridge just looked confused. Sky read their expressions and sighed. Just then he saw Z come in yawning sleepily in her sleeveless nightgown which ended over her knees rubbing the back of her head, and as she saw the room her eyes widened and everyone screamed "Surprise!" And Z jumped in excitement and ran in and hugged Syd as she screamed "Happy Birthday Z!" Jack whined "Hey how come she gets the first hug I'm your best friend...!" Z chuckles and hugs him as he hugs her "Happy Birthday sis!" Sky simply smiled seeing Z's happy face as she hugged everyone and after she was done hugging everyone and only Sky was left, Sky grinned as he came forward to give her a hug and she sweetly smiled and hugged him back much to his surprise as he said "Happy birthday Z..." and she said "Thank you Sky!"
After their morning party, Sky went up to Z who was sitting on the sofa... Sky said "Finally got you alone!" Z chuckled "Yeah! I just loved the surprise Sky thanks a lot!"
Sky's smile faded as he said "Z... you shouldn't thank me, I didn't know about your birthday..." and looked down. Z saw his disappointment and smirked "No wonder I didn't get a gift with the label Sky Tate." Sky looked up to her and chuckled "Z I'm sorry again. I promise to trust you and honour you're instincts and to never insult you."
Z's eyes widen and she chuckles "What are these you're marriage vows?" Sky and Z both laughed as Sky said while laughing "C'mon Z I'm serious!"
Z smiles contently and says "I forgive you Sky... I know you're not a bad guy, you maybe egoistic, arrogant, annoying, boring, irritating... but not bad!"
Sky rolls his eyes and says "Finally the old Z is back!" Z chuckles "Right on!" as they both hi5.
Sky then asks "Z yesterday you we're hell-bent on not forgiving me, what happened today?"
Z smiles and answers "It's because of my mom, she always taught me if a person is not bad at heart, simply forgive them because you know they mean well... I remembered her words yesterday and thought I'll forgive you anyway..." Sky was simply shocked and kept feeling more and more guilty as he saw her speak with a sweet smile remembering her late mother on her birthday after being insulted by him the previous day. Sky's heart went out to her and in a very un-Sky like fashion he hugged her tightly and she hugged him back. As they broke apart they found everyone staring at them as Bridge said "They finally made up!"
And Syd giggled "That's more than making up!"
Jack cooed "Aww SPD has a ranger couple!"
Z glared at them "Grow up guys!" but Sky's mind was fixed on what Jack said and his eyes were fixed on Z's hand which he held tightly.