Disclaimer: Power Rangers does not belong to me.

A/N: Thanks so much for all the reviews on the first chapter! I really enjoyed reading all the reactions. All I will say about the future of this story – with regards to romance – is the following: don't jump to any conclusions about anything or anyone, hehehe ….

Also in this story (and continued from "Guy Talk, Girl Talk"), Jack and Boom are roommates.

Chapter 2: Friction

Sky tossed and turned as Bridge snored loudly in the bed next to him.

Rolling over frustrated, Sky saw his alarm clock read 12:02 a.m. Sky flopped back on his pillow as images from everything that had happened at the club continued to run on replay through his mind, mostly of Syd making out with Jack. Feeling too hot and bothered to fall asleep, Sky got out of bed and went to get a glass of water in the Common Room.

Sky skidded to a halt though when the sliding doors to the Common Room opened, and he saw inside Z – still in her clothes from the club – sitting on one of the couches. Z looked up from the video game she was playing; her face immediately meddling in a mixture of discomfort and disdain. Seeing his earlier apology for having called her a salsa slut had clearly not resolved all issues between the two of them, Sky moved quickly to get a cup of water, desiring to get out of the room as soon as possible. He paused though when he heard Z curse under her breath.

"Was that for me?" Sky joked casually, realizing that he did not want to be fighting both her and a potential alien threat the next day at work.

"No," replied Z briskly. "Not that you don't deserve it," she added with quiet bitterness.

"I heard that," said Sky curtly.

"Like I care," scoffed Z.

"You shouldn't be up at this hour anyway," chided Sky.

"Can't help it," replied Z, rolling her eyes. "Boom was already asleep when we all got home, so Jack and Syd decided to move their party from the club into our room."

Sky stopped to listen and at once regretted his decisions. The sexual sounds, which he immediately recognized as coming from Jack and Syd – made him at once want to run out and by cotton balls to thoroughly clean his ears out. The thought of Jack and Syd kissing, sleeping, together… Sky abruptly lurched for the Common Room door, but stopped inadvertently when he heard the "game over" music ring on Z's video game.

"Your score," Sky commented, glancing at the holographic game on his way out of the room. "That's pretty…"

"Low," cut in Z. "You can say that," she commented, seeing Sky's surprised reaction to her admission. "That's one thing about me that is true, Sky. I stink at video games."

"I didn't even know that you liked playing them," responded Sky. "I've never seen you during free time in here on the holographic game machine."

"That's 'cause you boys are always hogging," commented Z. "So instead, I get up every morning to play. I'm trying to get up my game skills so that I can someday beat, Jack, who swears he'll cut off his dreads if I ever win against him at video games."

"I didn't know that," said Sky again.

"There's a lot you don't know about me, Sky," shot back Z harshly.

The two exchanged an uncomfortable stare before suddenly looking away. Shifting awkwardly back and forth, Sky started again to move toward the door, but saw out of the corner of his lumps forming in Z's throat. Sky found himself just starring at a Z, who was clearly summoning all her strength to hold back any emotions that would make her appear weak before him.

"Why do you hate us, Sky?" Z asked suddenly, spinning in his direction. "What did Jack and I ever do to you?"

Z's voice was steady, and she had strength as she stared him in the eyes. Yet at the same time, Sky saw hurt toward his treatment of her was written all over her face. Sky rubbed the back of his neck as was his habit when he was nervous.

"I don't hate you," he said lamely, massaging the base of his neck as he did not meet her steely gaze.

"You're lying," spat out Z. "Everyone knows you and Jack have fought since Day One of us being here. You've always hated him for being red ranger. You were mad that Jack got the battilizer gear. You've never made an effort to talk to me outside of training or a mission. You're always quicker to criticize my mistakes more than anyone elses, and…"

"Ok, look," cut in an exasperated Sky. "I worked for years, YEARS to make it to B-Squad. So did Bridge and Syd. And one day, you and Jack just waltz in here – a couple of criminals no less – and you've not only made SPD, but you're on B-Squad. And Jack's red ranger! Man, I can't get over how easy you two have had it!"

"EASY?" sputtered Z, half yelling, half laughing. "You think Jack and I have had it easy?"

Z shot up off the coach and marched out of the Common Room. Before Sky had a chance to methodically process her actions, Z had returned holding a pair of his jeans and shoes. She then grabbed Sky by the arm and began dragging him down the main corridor of SPD headquarters.

"Come on!" said Z, growing exasperated as Sky offered resistance.

"Wh-where are we going?" stammered Sky in shock at the random proceedings. "And geez, Z. It's the middle of the night!"

"Do you plan on falling back asleep anytime soon?" demanded Z, stopping their procession down the hall and spinning around suddenly to face him.

Images once again of Jack and Syd making out flashed through Sky's head and then the sounds he had heard of the pair that had come from the girls' bedroom. Discomfort visually drew across Sky's face, and he was grateful Z did not question the reasons behind it. Shaking his head, Sky forced the disturbing pictures out of his thoughts.

"No," he answered. "Sleep is the last thing on my mind."

"Good," responded Z. "Because I have something to show you."

A/N: Where is Z taking Sky, and what will she show him? Will Jack and Syd wake up to regret last night's actions, or is this the start of a new relationship for the two? And can Bridge get up the guts to tell Z how he feels about her? All these answers coming up… in the next chapter!