Okay, okay, so I'm trying to lead you all into a false sense of security, but please bear with me. I was going to throw Bridge and Z straight in at the deep end, but I decided against it. Please forgive me. I'm going to put them through hell, and they may not even make it back…Oops! I've said too much!

To your fantabulous reviews, all I can say is all will be revealed in due course. Just keep reading and reviewing, and you shan't be disappointed (hopefully!).

---

"Hear Me"

Chapter 2 – 'Last Goodbyes'

The next morning, Sky walked into the recreation room to find a rather peculiar sight.

Z was lying on top of Bridge, and Bridge was on the floor. Z was snoring, and Bridge was drooling slightly. Their respective coloured comforters were over them. Sky grinned to himself. There was never an odder pair of friends.

Sky snapped into red ranger mode almost instantly.

"Atten-tion!" he bellowed, causing the two sleeping rangers to suddenly awake. Bridge took a deep breath and yawned loudly, while Z stretched her arms high into the air. They both became wide-eyed once they noticed Sky not looking too impressed on the other side of the room.

"Would one of you like to explain why you broke SPD regulations and didn't sleep in separate quarters last night?"

Z and Bridge exchanged nervous glances, but they were relived when Sky's stern face broke into a smile.

"You sly old dog, Bridge!" he exclaimed jokingly. "How long has this been going on?"

Z blushed and the look on Bridge's face clouded slightly. "That's not funny, Sky. Z and I are friends."

Sky raised an eyebrow. "Alright buddy, chill. I was just messing with you. I'm sorry."

Bridge shrugged it off, though Z could tell it was still bothering him. "Don't worry about it." Bridge opened his mouth wide as he failed to stifle another yawn.

"We'd better get you two washed and dressed before there's some kind of emergency…"

No sooner had he said it, the alarms began to ring. Bridge and Z groaned in unison. Syd came rushing into the room, fully dressed. She fought the urge to laugh upon seeing the blue and yellow rangers still in their pyjamas.

"SPD Emergency!" they called in unison.

---

Another thirty successive minutes later, the four rangers traipsed back into Delta Command to with the detainee in card confinement and Cruger and Kat waiting for them.

"Good morning, cadets," said Cruger. "I won't dally on these formalities. Let's just cut to the chase.

"We need at two of you to collect this criminal from KO-35's satellite prison."

As he spoke, the image of Tyrannotron appeared on the hologram in the centre of the room.

"He was captured not long ago for murder, rape and Grievous Bodily Harm, so whoever goes must tread cautiously. Any volunteers?"

"Sir," spoke up Syd, "I'm due for family leave from tomorrow; it's my mom's birthday."

"Ah, yes, of course," remembered Cruger. "That rules you out." He sighed deeply.

"Come on, Bridge, why don't we go," cut in Z enthusiastically. "Besides, Sky's been moaning about that report he'd wanted to finish for days."

The red ranger shot her a disapproving look, but his expression softened when he realised they were doing him a favour.

"Are you up for the mission, Cadet Carson?" asked Anubis wearily.

"Yes, sir, I'm up for anything…" He finished his sentence with another yawn, causing Doggie to raise an eyebrow.

Kat stepped forward. "Great, I'll have your craft ready by lunch time. Make sure you're both packed and ready."

The four cadets saluted to the commander and left the room. As soon as they were out of earshot, Sky pulled Bridge to one side and Z and Syd continued to their quarters.

"Listen, Bridge, I know I was out of order earlier," he began in a low voice, "but I can't help but notice that you…" he trailed off, not quite knowing how to put it to words.

"I what?" persisted Bridge. "What is it?"

Sky sighed. "You like Z," he said simply.

His friend frowned. "Of course I do. We're best friends."

"No, no, that's not what I mean!" said Sky impatiently. "You like her as more than a friend..." he paused. "You're in love with her."

As the red ranger predicted, Bridge looked downwards, unable to look his companion in the eye. After a few moments, Bridge looked up with an uneasy smile.

"Don't be ridiculous," he said in a strained voice. "That's completely and utterly…"

"True," cut in Sky. "It's true, and you know it. Everyone sees it."

"You think Z does?" stuttered Bridge. "I mean, that could prove slightly awkward…"

"Bridge, tell her! This mission will be the perfect opportunity for you to tell her how you feel."

The blue ranger suddenly looked nervous. "But…but what if she doesn't feel the same?" he murmured sadly, his gaze downcast.

"There's no harm in trying, is there?" Sky said with sincerity.

He looked up. "I suppose not…"

---

Syd and Z reached their room, half pink and pristine, half yellow and disorganised. Z slumped on her bed, exhausted.

"Didn't get much sleep last night, huh?" grinned her roommate while applying lip gloss to her pouty lips.

Z groaned loudly. "Oh, ha, ha," she said sarcastically.

"Did anything happen?" squealed Syd in excitement. "I know you like him."

Z sat up immediately.

"Okay, Syd, let's get one thing straight: I do not, I repeat, do not have a thing for Bridge," she said sternly, looking Syd straight in the eye.

Syd chuckled. "Yeah, we all know that's not true, including you."

"It is true!"

"Yeah, if it's true I'm a complete ugly slob, and that's saying something," grimaced Syd knowingly. "Stop lying to yourself, girl, and admit it! You two have so much chemistry! Come on! Bridge adores you!"

Z paused, not quite knowing what to say. "You think he likes me?"

"Girl, I know he likes you!" she exclaimed.

That gave Z some thinking to do…

---

Three hours later, Bridge and Z packed their bags onto their craft and prepared the craft for take off. Sky, Syd and Cruger came on board to wish them a good journey.

"Good luck, cadets, I hope your mission to be successful," said Cruger solemnly.

"Fingers crossed for you," smiled Syd and she hugged Z and winked at her, causing Z to roll her eyes. Sky pulled Bridge into a bear hug and whispered into his ear;

"Remember, Bridge."

The blue ranger nodded half-heartedly.

"We should be back within two days," said Z, checking the ETA.

Sky sighed. "Travel safe; we'll contact you regularly to make sure everything running smoothly." Syd nodded in agreement.

The three turned and exited the ship.

Bridge and Z looked at each other, and exchanged nervous, yet excited looks. They strapped themselves into their seats. Z took hold of the controls.

"Sirius5 requesting permission for take off," Bridge stated.

Kat's voice crackled in on the other end of the line. "Permission granted. Good luck, rangers."

Z fired up the craft's engine thrusters, and within seconds they were speeding into the open expanse of space.