Through Time and Space
"Class dismissed," Sky Tate said to his group of C-Squad cadets. They saluted to him and he made the same gesture in return. He watched them go with a faint smile on his face. They were about to be promoted to B-Squad and Sky couldn't be prouder of his students.
He took his phone from his pocket and dialed his home number. A tiny voice answered. "Hello? Tate residence."
"Hi Aaron, it's Daddy," Sky said. "Where's Mommy? I need to talk to her." Aaron yelled something to his mother in the background. A moment later Syd came to the phone.
"Hey, you," she cooed into the receiver. "All done for today, baby?" Sky heard Aaron make a noise of utter disgust.
"I'll be home within the hour," he promised. "See you then."
"Can't wait," Syd replied. "Dinner's in the oven already. Aaron is looking at me like I have three heads."
Sky didn't hear his wife's last sentence. Commander Cruger had just walked by, followed by a group of paramedics carrying a stretcher. On the stretcher was a very familiar figure.
"Sky?" Sydney chirped in concern, "Are you there?"
"It looks like there's been a change of plans," Sky said, "I'll be home as soon as I can, sweetheart, but it may be awhile."
"Is everything OK?" Sky asked, but Sky was already hanging up the phone. He darted down the hall after the Commander.
"Sir!" Sky hollered down the corridor. "How----when----what?" Cruger paused, allowing the medics to carry the man out to the hospital wing. He looked at Sky, his face grave as ever.
"He was found on Mirinoi," Cruger explained as Sky caught up. "SPD Mirinoi could not give him proper medical attention there but they did manage to ask a few questions to confirm that Bridge Carson is still on our side."
"Do you know if he'll be all right, sir?" Sky asked as the two continued to the med bay. "He's been who knows where for the last six years. No one but Bridge can tell us what happened to him."
"Bridge does not appear to be too badly injured. I understand that you are his friend, Sky. When we knew you will be informed."
"He'll stay with me and Syd as soon as they say he can go." It was not a question. Cruger nodded his approval. He disappeared into the med bay. Sky plopped down into a chair and called Syd at home once more.
"Hello?"
"It's Bridge, Syd. He's here. He's been alive this whole time. They're looking over his injuries right now but they're pretty sure he's going to be fine. I already said he'd come back to our house when he's free to leave."
"Bridgey? You're sure it's him, Sky? I mean, it's been six years. How did he ever manage to get home by himself?"
"It's him Syd, and he didn't get home by himself. He was on Mirinoi. Anyway, I'll be home as soon as he's free. I love you."
"I love you too," Sydney replied. "Give Bridge a big hug from me."
Commander Cruger came out of the hospital wing as Sky hung up the phone. "He seems to be fine, Sky. Minor scrapes and bruises and a possibly sprained wrist. Quite miraculous, really. He should be in worse shape. The doctors are going to wrap up his wrist and then you can take him. Make sure he gets something to eat."
"I think Syd's already on top of that," Sky answered. "Thank you, sir. Can I go and see him now?"
"Of course." Cruger saluted. "And Sky…perhaps it would be best if he doesn't find out about what happened to Z quite yet. You might mention that to Syd."
"I will, sir," Sky said as he entered the hospital. Bridge was lying on the bed closest to the door, looking pale and a little shaggy but otherwise just as he had six years ago.
"Sky?" Bridge questioned as he noticed the tall form in the doorway. "Is that you? DO you still work here?"
"Yep," Sky answered. "You'll be staying with me and Syd, by the way. Are you hurt that badly?"
"Not really," Bridge answered as he sat up and raked his right hand through his hair. "I'm really sore but I guess that's to be expected. And I really missed toast, but at least I'm alive."
Sky wanted to laugh at Bridge's toast comment. "You can go now," Dr. Felix announced. Bridge hopped off the bed and followed Sky to his car.
Ten minutes later they had arrived at Sky and Syd's home. It was just light enough outside to allow the three year old Aaron to be kicking a soccer ball around. Syd was watching from the porch swing, both hands on her swollen belly. "Look Aaron, Daddy's home," Syd said to her son.
Aaron sprinted across the yard to Sky, who promptly scooped him up and held him close. "Hey little buddy," he greeted to his son. "This is your Uncle Bridge. He's going to stay here with us for a while. Mommy and Daddy need you to be very nice to him, do you understand?"
The little boy nodded, his blue eyes wide. "Hi," he said to Bridge, who gave a little wave. "You can put me down now, Daddy." Sky did as his son had asked and turned to his wife, who had since waddled over to the group.
Sydney stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. Then she went to Bridge and threw her arms around him. "Oh Bridgey," she murmured. "I really missed you. You could always make me laugh, and I missed that."
Bridge hugged her back as best he could due to her swollen tummy. "I guess we have a lot to catch up on," he said as he released her. "You guys already have a son and another baby on the way."
"Two," Syd answered, positively glowing. "Twin girls, due to grace us with their presence in a month and a half." She beamed at her husband, who had picked Aaron up again and was making him 'fly.'
"Well, congratulations," Bridge said, smiling.
"I'm sorry, you must be starving. Let me get you something to eat. Anything in particular that you'd like? Some toast, maybe?"
"That would be great, as long as it's buttery," Bridge added, wiggling his fingers as he followed Sydney to the house. Aaron and Sky joined the two a moment later.
Once the four were inside Syd ushered Bridge into a chair and took out the loaf of bread. She put two slices into the toaster and joined Bridge at the table.
Sky, who had his son slung over his shoulder, poked his head into the kitchen. "I'll give Aaron a bath and tuck him in. He says he ate already."
"I made him a sandwich when you said you'd be late," Sydney said. "Good night, baby, I love you," she added to Aaron.
When they had gone Syd chatted with Bridge about this and that until Sky returned. Then she pounced. "How did you get to Mirinoi?"
Bridge heaved a sigh and told them the story of his life for the past six years. "When SPD earth lost contact with the craft I was in crashed on another planet. I'm not sure which one. If there were people there I never saw a trace of them. I was able to make a hut in one of the trees. The repairs took me a long time to make, especially because there weren't any mechanical parts. Eventually I made fuel from some plants, but it wasn't easy. Only when I was sure the ship could travel did I leave.
"Unfortunately no sooner had I left than what fuel I had begun to run out. Luckily it ran out completely as I entered Mirinoi's orbit. I managed to land safely right near their SPD. Commander Corbett and Kendrix send their love, Syd. They got me on the next flight home with only bumps and bruises."
Sky let out a low whistle. "That's incredible." Syd nodded and gripped her husband's hand. Bridge merely shrugged his shoulders and nibbled his toast.
"I'm lucky to have survived at all. So what's been up here? How's everyone? Are Jack and Ally still together?"
Sydney nodded. "They have their wedding coming up soon and their homeless shelter was received tons of awards."
"My parents?"
"Both doing great as far as we know. You can call them if you want to, but as they live in Florida now you might want to wait until tomorrow so you don't wake them."
"And Z?" Bridge's voice was barely a whisper. Syd's face fell about ten feet. "Where is she? Is she OK?"
"We don't know," Sky said quietly. "She disappeared six years ago when she thought you were dead. No one from SPD has heard from her since. Not even Jack could find her, and they were so close…"
Bridge's whole attitude changed. He'd been hoping to see her the next day, to hold her and kiss her and apologize for scaring her. "I'm exhausted. Can I get some sleep? Where's your guest room?"
"I'll show you," Sydney volunteered, getting up from the table. "It's just down the hall." She opened a door.
"Thanks." Bridge stepped inside. "I'm sorry I missed your wedding, Syd,"
"It's OK," Syd soothed, closing the door. She found her husband waiting in the kitchen. He took her hand and the two went up to their own bed, wondering where the Bridge they remembered had gone and if he were gone for good.