Disclaimer: Still not mine, here's the next re-written chapter and hope you all like it. AM May 2009.
Shattered Mind - Sky's Help.
By Angel Mouse
Jack and Sky stood in silence together for a while outside the room where Bridge was sleeping, ignoring the quiet bustling going on around them during the latter half of the work day. All they were focused on at this point and time was Bridge's sleeping form in the room in front of them. Jack finally stirred after a long moment and looked over at Sky.
"Sky, you said he's been like this before?" Sky sighed, crossing his arms, his expression stern but Jack thought he saw something in his eyes, something more, but he couldn't quite pin what it was down. Jack honestly didn't expect him to answer, given their history but today was a day for surprises and he was about to get another one.
After a long moment Sky finally answered, his voice soft, something Jack didn't expect from the hard bitten Blue Ranger. But the entire time his eyes didn't leave Bridge's quiet form.
"Twice before he's been like this since I've known him." Jack was amazed and turned slightly, looking at Sky head on, his expression confused and curious. Twice before Bridge had been like this? What was going on with him?
"What happened to him to make him like that then?" Jack was confused and worried. Bridge was certainly different, that was a given, and he found he did like the Green Ranger but he didn't understand him very well at all. It took a few minutes but finally Sky sighed and answered.
"Not long after we started at the Academy Bridge collapsed one day after a particularly long training session that was followed by an unforseen emergency." Jack just listened, enthralled in spite of himself; Sky glanced at him, seeing he wanted to ask what emergency. Despite his history with Jack, he could see genuine concern in the other man's eyes and despite himself, he continued speaking.
"We had been helping with rescue efforts after an earthquake struck the city. Bridge was tired even before we left, and then with all the emotions and pain that everyone had been feeling, it overwhelmed him and he almost lost himself. He ended up spending two days in isolation to able him to pull his mind back together." Jack looked over at Bridge's sleeping form, a new respect slowly dawning in his eyes. Sky looked back at Bridge as well.
The words he was saying to Jack brought back turbulent memories, none of them pleasant. It wasn't long after that first incident that Dr Manx had began to plan somewhere for him to recuperate if it ever happened again. Sky's mind flashed back with remembered fear to that day, almost three years ago.
~*~
The rubble shifted below their feet and Bridge passed some debris down to Syd, who passed it onto another cadet further down the line. They had formed a human chain to shift the rubble that was gathered around the fallen building that was near headquarters. Unfortunately it was a child care centre and it had been heart wrenching for them all.. Sky was at the top of the pile, burrowing in like a tunnel rat, trying to get to as many children as they could..
He paused and gestured for Bridge to come closer. Bridge moved up the pile to stand next to him and Sky lowered his voice. He hated to ask his friend what he was about to, but circumstances left them with little choice.
"Can you sense anyone in here?" Bridge looked at him, he was already tired beyond belief but he knew Sky wouldn't ask anything of him he wasn't prepared to do himself, if he could. But Bridge knew that right at this moment his powers could mean the difference between life and death for any of the children that could be within the rubble. What was a little pain and exhaustion compared to that.
Taking a deep breath to try and steady himself for what he was about to do, he took off one of his gloves and waved it in front of him. The images, pain, cries for help assaulted him all at once and he went down on his knees, tears streaming down his face.
"Sky, two adults and four children still alive, right hand quadrant about six metres down. There's… there's about two or three more children, dead, deeper down. Sorry… can't tell much more…" Bridge's breaths were coming too fast and he was pale… too pale for Sky's liking. But he kept talking; he had to get the information to his friend. "The ones still alive… are in a pocket of air… concrete slabs around them. It's going to take… take time that I don't think they have…."
And that was all he had in him, as he slowly collapsed against Sky, completely overwhelmed by the emotions and his physical exhaustion. Syd immediately freaked out, calling out for help from anyone and everyone whereas Sky just grabbed him carefully, taking a moment to place his glove back on his hand before picking him up and carrying him down the pile of rubble. He stopped only a moment to tell the other rescuers about the Survivors Bridge had found. He never put Bridge down until he knew that they were safe.
~*~
"What about the second time it happened?" Sky didn't take his eyes off Bridge as he continued speaking softly. He reached out and placed a hand on the glass; a surprisingly tender gesture that Jack didn't expect from Sky even knew how to make.
"It was during and after a survival training exercise we were on about fifteen months later. It was just the three of us, our final test before we were to be promoted to B Squad." Sky swallowed and Jack just let him continue. He was extremely curious as to where this was leading. He'd never seen Sky this hesitant, this open about past happenings, especially concerning there time in training for B Squad.
"There was a storm when we were on our final survival training mission, a really bad thunderstorm Jack, worst I've ever seen in fact. We got trapped outside in it and a then stuck in a cave due to a landslide cutting off our return path. Syd's not that overly fond of caves and her nervousness combined with his own fear was too much for Bridge. He's not that fond of small spaces either Jack, remember that." Sky paused, swallowing hard and his eyes never leaving Bridge's face.
"He started to fold in on himself, to try and withdraw his mind from us. He curled up in on himself, I'd never seen anything like it" Sky's voice broke slightly. "We were loosing him Jack, he was going away from us, I didn't like that, and I didn't like that at all. Trying to distract him didn't work so we came up with a temporary solution." Sky gave a wry grimace as he recalled the memory.
"It was something he said to me once, that he loves rooming with me because of my stable psyche." Sky glanced at Jack and gave him a rather un-Sky like grin that surprised Jack. "The whole having a stick up my butt kind of thing or something along those lines tended to make me have a stable psyche. So, he used me as his anchor so to speak to keep him focussed, keep him sane." Sky took a deep breath and continued slowly, the next bit was painful to recall.
"It took a little while for us to get out of that cave and by the time we did, Bridge was at his limit, even with my help, he almost didn't make it. He collapsed on the way back to headquarters and was asleep for three days before he woke up and then it was at least another week before he was himself again. And it looks like its happening again." Sky suddenly slammed his fist into the palm of his other hand, his expression finally leaking through the worry he was feeling
"Hell Jack! I hate seeing him hurting like this!" Jack looked at Sky with a new respect, he didn't realise that Bridge and Sky were that close. But then again, the three of them had been friends a long time before he and Z arrived on the scene.
Jack hesitated a moment and then reached out, putting a hand on Sky's shoulder, squeezing it. Sky looked over at him, surprise mirrored in his eyes for a moment and then he nodded, appreciating Jack's show of support for him.
Just then, Bridge screamed and began thrashing around on his bed. They both jumped at the sound and Sky was moving before the scream had even finished. He was entering his security code as he yelled at Jack over his shoulder.
"Go get Kat! Now Jack! Please!" Jack just took one look at Sky's face and took off, as Sky entered the room.
Sky went over to his friend, reaching out to try and steady him on the bed. He took one look at his friend and knew what he'd have to do, what he had no choice but to do.
He pulled over the chair and took one of Bridge's hands in his. He then, moving carefully and slowly, slipped off Bridge's glove and taking a deep breath he steadied his mind and his breathing.
He had to help his friend and this was the only way he knew how to. He closed his eyes and gently placing Bridge's un-gloved hand in his; he centred himself and began speaking softly to his friend.
Bridge was wandering around, feeling more lost and alone than he ever had before in his short life. The endless plains of dark green grass and dark clouds over head were eating away at his fragile grip on his soul. Finally it got too much and he screamed just so he could hear something, anything. The silence was overwhelming and distressing.
"Somebody help me!"
Sky winced as Bridge's cry for help went through his soul like a knife. He gently gripped Bridge's hand tighter and kept speaking softly, both audibly and in his mind as well. He had to get through to his friend.
Bridge turned around and around in a circle, trying to see or hear anything. His fear was growing and getting more and more out of control. He hugged himself, collapsing on the ground, trying to steady his mind.
"This isn't real; this is a dream, a really bad dream. I can control my dreams." He kept chanting that to himself over and over again, trying to believe it but the fear was strong and the pain was stronger. He was slowly loosing his mind to the fear and pain.
Suddenly, there was a break in the cloud cover over head and a shaft of blue light streamed down, surrounding Bridge and he looked up, startled. Then there was a soft voice and he strained to hear it. And finally he did and a small smile appeared on the young Ranger's face. He knew that his friend wouldn't give up on him.
"Bridge its okay now. I'm here now. Listen to me Bridge. I'm here. I'm here to help you." Bridge got to his feet unsteadily and looked up at the ray of blue light coming down on him. He suddenly felt better, safer now his friend was here to help him.
"Sky, is that really you? Sky, it is you!" Soft laughter came from the sky and Bridge couldn't help but join in. Sky never gave up on him, never.
"Yes, it's me. I've come to get you out of there. So, are you coming or not?" Bridge looked around, fear once more clouding his young face. His voice was soft, unsure as he answered his friend.
"I'm not sure I can leave this place Sky. I've been trying but I haven't been able to." Bridge's voice wavered a moment, fear creeping into it. "Sky, I'm scared."
"You can do it Bridge. You're the strongest person I know and you can do anything you put your mind to. You can do it Bridge. I have complete faith in you." Bridge looked up at the blue light again, smiling slightly at Sky's faith in him.
It meant so much to him that it was hard to describe the feelings that those simple words meant to him. Bridge took a deep breath, looking down at his hands and then back up at the shaft of blue light.
"You truly think I can do this Sky?" A feeling of warmth, friendship, trust and faith filled Bridge and he knew that Sky must be holding his hand in the real world. It was that show of faith and friendship that stiffened his resolve to get out of there.
"I truly do Bridge. I truly believe you can do anything you set your mind to." Bridge took another deep breath and looked around.
"Okay, I can do this." Bridge closed his eyes and spoke softly. "This is a dream. I can control my dreams. I'm going to wake up now." The clouds began to roll away and a soft blue light began to appear. The dark green grass became softer, warmer, and flowers began to appear. "I can do this. This dream has no power over me. I will wake up now." And then the scene disappeared.
Bridge's eyes flickered open slowly and he smiled slightly at the face before him. His eyes latched onto Sky's and Sky smiled gently at him. Bridge could feel the warmth in his hand where Sky was holding it and he could feel his friend's strength flowing through him.
Sky reached up with his free hand and brushed Bridge's hair off his sweat drenched forehead, quite content to keep a hold of Bridge's hand for the moment. It was a surprisingly gentle and loving gesture from him.
"Hey told you that you could do it Bridge. How are you feeling?" Bridge examined that statement for a long moment, mulling it over in his mind, and then sighed softly. There were so many things he was feeling but a few things stood out and he needed to get them sorted out, now.
"Honestly Sky? I fee like I've done ten rounds with you on the training mats." Sky gave a soft laugh, his worries fading. If Bridge could joke a little then he was on the mend.
"That's good to hear." Bridge's slight smile faded as he went to continue, there was one overwhelming emotion that he had to deal with, to get it out and talk about it. Sky knew what he needed and just waited for him to speak. He just kept holding his hand gently and watching his friend.
"I was really afraid Sky. More afraid than I've ever been in my life" Bridge looked at Sky and clutched at his hand. "Thank you so much Sky, for bringing me out of that place." Sky shook his head and smiled at his friend.
"You did that yourself my friend. All I did was light the way and give you the encouragement you needed." Bridge took a deep breath and tried to sit up but wasn't having much luck.
Sky helped him sit and finally released his hand, almost reluctantly it seemed. Bridge absently picked up his discarded glove and slowly put it back on, staring down at his hands for a long time. Silence stretched between them for a few minutes and then Bridge looked up at Sky, his eyes troubled but pain free finally.
"Thanks Sky. I appreciate what you've done for me." Sky smiled as he stood up, stretching from the slightly uncomfortable position of where he'd been leaning over on the bed.
"You know I'm here anytime for you Bridge." Bridge opened his mouth but was saved from replying as the door opened and Kat came running in, followed by Jack.
"Sky, what's wrong?" Bridge just looked at Sky who shrugged and gave him a sheepish grin, his tone slightly contrite.
"I wasn't totally sure I could help you out, to bring you out of whatever it was. So I asked Jack to get help." Bridge nodded and looked over at Kat, a tiny smile on his face.
"It's okay now Kat. Sky brought me out of my nightmare. I'm okay now." Kat moved over and got a hand held medical scanner from the table in the corner. "I'd like to go back to my room now please."
"I'll see about that Bridge. Just let me make sure your okay first." Jack moved over and stood next to Sky, smiling slightly down at Bridge.
"Hey Bridge. How's your head feeling now?" Bridge looked over in surprise, noticing Jack for the first time. A blush slowly formed on his cheeks. He didn't really like the others seeing him like this. Although Sky and Syd understood, he wasn't sure if Jack or Z would understand how he sometime got affected by his powers.
"Ah, I'm doing okay now thanks Jack. Head's not pounding as much any more." Kat nodded and looked at Bridge, her expression warm but slightly stern.
"The area of your brain that controls your physic abilities has calmed down from when you were brought in earlier Bridge. What ever that monster did its effects seem to have worn off for the moment, hopefully permanently for you Bridge. I suggest a good night's sleep - with no nightmares - would make you feel 100% better and that you'll be yourself in the morning." Kat glanced at the clock on the wall and smiled gently at the young man.
"This is in about seven hours looking at the clock. Sky, you can take Bridge back to your room but watch him carefully. If he suffers any more bad dreams tonight, call me. Good night Rangers." Kat patted Bridge's hand and smiled at him, leaving the three male Rangers together. Jack saw that Bridge looked a little uncomfortable with him there and grinned at Bridge.
"You get good nights sleep okay Bridge? I'll see you in the morning at breakfast and then we can work out how to take down that freak that put you here. Night guys, see you tomorrow." He gave them a jaunty wave and left.
Bridge watched him go and chuckled slightly as he swung his legs down off the bed. Sky stood at his side, helping him stand carefully.
"What?" Bridge stood up slowly and leaned a little against Sky, still slightly unsteady on his feet..
"Jack. He's so transparent sometimes. He worries about all of us but he doesn't understand us sometimes." Sky wrapped his arm around Bridge's waist and they began to walk to the door.
"I don't think he understands just what we've been through these last few years here Bridge." They walked through the door and thankfully it was late at night and there weren't a lot of people around. Sky just shrugged as they rounded a corner. "Just as we don't really understand what he and Z have been through as well. But I think his heart is in the right place." Bridge looked at his friend and then laughed softly as they reached their room.
"Sky Tate, did you just compliment Jack Landers?" Sky helped Bridge onto his bed and grinned at his friend. It was a grin that only Bridge knew he could do and Bridge was honoured that Sky was comfortable enough with him to let his guard down like that.
"Well yeah, don't let it go to your head. It's a once in a life time thing." Bridge laughed as Sky went into the small bathroom and got him a glass of water. Bridge quickly and carefully changed into the t-shirt and pyjama bottoms he wore to bed and got slowly under the covers. Sky sat the glass of water down and just then, there was a knock on the door. Moments later it flew open and Syd came running in, dressed in her own pyjamas and dressing gown.
"Bridgey! Jack just told me the good news that you're out of the medical wing. How are you feeling now?" Bridge smiled at Syd from his spot on the bed. He was bone tired and weary, but Syd's heart was always in the right place. She sat down on his bed and smiled at him.
"I'm okay now Syd. Very tired but thanks to Sky, I think I'll be okay." Syd smiled at Sky as he sat down on his bed.
"I didn't do anything special though. Bridge got himself out of it."
"But if Sky hadn't helped, I would still be trapped in my mind." Bridge yawned and Syd smiled, patting his hand as she stood.
"Good. I just wanted to make sure your okay. I'll see you both bright and early in the morning at breakfast."
Syd reached over and picked up his gloved hand, giving it a soft kiss. She would never touch him unless he gave her permission, it would be too hard for her friend in his current state. Syd had long ago started doing that when she wanted to express her affection for her friend and it had become a comfortable, standing thing between them all. She smiled at Sky and left quickly. Sky stood up and made sure Bridge was tucked in and comfortable.
"You are doing okay now right?" Bridge yawned again, snuggling down under the blankets. The physic pain he had been feeling had gone when he had awoken from the second nightmare.
"Yes, thanks Sky." Bridge's eyes closed slowly and he spoke softly. "Thanks." And moments later he was asleep. Sky watched him a few moments, amazed at the resilience his young friend showed. Sky grabbed his own sleeping gear and got changed; climbing into his own blankets he sat there for a long time, watching Bridge sleep. Finally, after a while, he sighed and lay down. His own sleep was a long time coming.