Disclaimer: Neither Power Rangers nor "The OC" belong to me. Ryan in this story is my original creation, adapted from the character Ryan Atwood on "The OC."
Chapter 7: Confessions
"Ryan!" gasped Z loudly, spinning around to find herself inches away from his face.
"Did you hear someone?" Z heard Sophie ask immediately, realizing she had remember too late that the cyborg's super senses would have picked her up even if she had breathed too loudly.
"Shhhhh," urged Ryan as he placed a finger firmly over Z's lips and looked directly into her eyes. "You don't want Bridge to find out you were spying on him and Sophie."
Z's worry about whether Bridge and Sophie would come out and spot her spying slowly faded away as she became transfixed by Ryan's gleaming emerald eyes. She had dashed so quickly in and out of the Rec Room early, Z hadn't really gotten a good look at their new janitor. But now face-to-face and up-close-and-personal with Ryan, Z got what Sophie had been telling Bridge early. Ryan's huge dimples, tussled auburn hair and welcoming smile definitely gave him a own unique, roguish charm.
"Thanks," said Z quietly, thankful the dimly lit hallways hid her blush as Ryan slowly removed his finger from her lips. "You're… not going to tell Bridge that, I was, umm…"
"It's none of my business," shrugged Ryan as they walked further away from the lab to talk. "Although from the way Bridge was cute and cuddley with you earlier in the Rec Room and the way you sorta blew him off…"
"Wow, for the new guy, you don't hold anything back," said Z wryly.
"Yeah, I'm the new guy, but it doesn't take a genius to see how into you Bridge is," replied Ryan. "But it would take some more detective work to figure out why a girl who dodges her boyfriend's kisses later decides to spy on him."
"I thought this was none of your business," snapped Z.
"Hey, I'm not passing judgments here," pointed out Ryan.
"I know," agreed Z begrudgingly. "Can… you keep a secret?"
"I seem to be collecting a lot of girls' secrets these days," said Ryan bemused, thinking of Syd's crush on Sky.
"Huh?" asked Z confused.
"Never mind," said Ryan quietly. "Shoot."
"I guess… I'm confused," blurted out Z. "It freaks me out that Bridge's feelings for me have grown faster than mine for him, but that doesn't mean I don't like him," she added quickly. "I want to make this work with Bridge, but then Sophie came along and I thought I'd loose that chance and… I just wanted to make sure I was still the main girl in Bridge's life."
"You may not be the girl in his life he's spending the most time with," said Ryan. "Work can get in the way like that, but it doesn't mean you're still not the first girl in his heart."
"Thanks, Ryan," said Z gratefully. "I think I really needed to hear someone else tell me that, too. So… surprised to hear Sophie sounded into you?"
"Please, all girls are always into me," scoffed Ryan snottily. "Oh, sorry! I think Sky took over my brainwaves for a second," he added teasingly.
Z desperately tried to not giggle too loudly, know Bridge and Sophie were just down the hall. Ryan looked amusedly at Z's, whose attempts to hold back her laughter had just resulted in her snorting like a pig. Before he realized it, Ryan found himself chuckling along with the yellow ranger as well.
"Really, would you be interested in Sophie?" asked Z, still giggling slightly as she attempted to regain self-control.
"Sophie's really sweet," began Ryan. "But right now, I really just want to focus on getting to know Sam."
"Why do you want to get to know Sam?" wondered Z, looking a little disturbed.
"Boy, I should just type this story down if I'm gonna have to tell it so many times," said Ryan somewhat sarcastically to himself before launching in for his fourth – and hopefully last – retelling of his brotherly relationship to Sam.
"This is so great the Sam has family!" said Z excitedly when Ryan had finished his story. "Especially someone as nice as you."
"Thanks," grinned Ryan, smiling somewhat embarrassedly.
"And Sam's going to love having a brother," continued Z.
"I'm worried that Sam, when he finds out, might feel…" started Ryan.
"Betrayed?" offered Z.
"Exactly," confirmed Ryan. "I hate that I would make him feel like that…"
"It's not your fault," cut in Z comfortingly. "You came to New Tech City as soon as you learned he was your brother. I know Sam better than almost anyone here and..."
"That's why I need your help," started Ryan urgently. "I figured maybe if I could come along when you and Sam hang out, and you could help break the ice between us before I actually tell him I'm his older brother."
"Of course!" exclaimed Z. "I'm happy to help, especially if it's for Sam. And you."
"Really?" asked Ryan, cocking his head and raising his eyebrows in a way Z found adorable.
"You're not just a part of Sam's family now," began Z. "You're a part of the SPD family, too."
"Thanks so much, Z," said Ryan, hugging her as his voice brimmed over with emotion. "This all means so much to me."
"What is going on here?" they both heard a voice ask.
Ryan and Z quickly broke apart from their embrace. Spinning around, Z gasped when she saw the face of who had spoken. It was by far the last person she would ever want to find her in such a compromising situation… particularly with Ryan.
