Title: Freedom Flight
Author: Angel Mouse
Relationship: Bridge/Sky
Rating: PG
Warning: The beginning of something ;)
Theme: Atmosphere


Freedom Flight

The jet screamed through the air, breaking the sound barrier as it did, floating through the clear sky like a bird. It dodged clouds, planes, space ships, satellites, space stations, everything possible that was in the atmosphere above Earth. Inside, its two occupants were enjoying the ride.

"You're a natural at this Sky. I don't see why you don't put in full time pilot training." Sky grinned at Bridge even though he couldn't see it from his spot behind him.
"Nope. Ranger track for me Bridge, but it is nice to fly isn't it?" Bridge laughed.
"Yes it is. You've got a great natural talent for this."
"I know and I do enjoy it Bridge, don't get me wrong, but I want to be a Ranger." Bridge laughed, brining up the fighter's weapon systems.

"Okay, coming up to target." Sky nodded, bringing up the targeting system. This was his final run at this exercise today and so far he'd aced every single shot. "This will be the final one, difficulty factor ten. If you get this, that'll mean you're the base champion sharp shooter."

"Well we can but hope."

"You'll be fine Sky; you are the best you know. I just wish I was half as good as you at this." Sky smiled gently as he headed the fighter into the upper atmosphere.
"You are good as well Bridge, just at different things."
"We make a great team don't we Sky?" Sky grinned as he brought the cross hairs over the target, barrel rolling as he did so.

"That we do. Even with Syd." Bridge laughed softly and fed the targeting data to Sky.
"Data locked. And Syd's great Sky, she just doesn't get how we work together." Sky grinned, his eyes focussing on the target.
"I know she doesn't, but she's fitting in well. I just wish she realised that I'm not interested in her." Bridge raised an eyebrow at Sky's absent sounding words. He decided to take a chance and biting his lip, he spoke softly.

"Oh, really? Just who are you interested in then? Missile's ready, safeties off." Sky moved his thumb to the trigger.
"You. Fox two." The missile flew out of the fighter and hit the target dead on. "Yes! That's another direct hit."

Bridge was dumbstruck at Sky's words. He could barely think straight, was it true, was Sky finally reciprocating his feelings. Finally Sky broke the silence. "Bridge, are you still with me back there?" Bridge swallowed.
"Yes. Yes I am. Um, Sky, did you mean that?" Sky was doing barrel rolls through the clouds, ducking and diving through them.

"Mean what? That I'm interested in you? Yes, I meant that." Bridge felt like all his dreams had come true at once. The prospect that Sky would return his feelings had never occurred to him. "I hope that's okay, your not freaked out by that are you?" Sky bit his lip, hoping that he hadn't lost Bridge once and for all. Now he was feeling unsure that perhaps saying something had been the wrong thing to do. Suddenly he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"No, I'm not freaked out by that Sky. I've been hoping against hope for the longest time that you felt the way I did." Bridge's voice was soft, but it was strong, confident and sure, something Sky hadn't heard from his dearest friend. Bridge removed his hand and leaned back. "I'd almost given up hope that you felt like I did." Sky grinned, doing even more barrel rolls in the atmosphere.

"That's music to my ears Bridge. So, what do we do now?" Bridge gave a soft laugh.
"Well first you can stop making me feel sick with all your atmospheric aerobatics, and then second we can land and perhaps go somewhere and talk about this?" The last suggestion was made slightly hesitantly.
"You got it. Heading back to base now." Sky's grin was a mile wide and his eyes were bluer than the sky they were flying in, shining with happiness.

They had returned to base, docking the plane in the hanger and reporting in. They had then cleaned up and dressing in civvies they headed off base. Without even thinking about it they headed to the park.

It was a place that they had staked out as their own over the last few years. Sometimes Syd joined them, sometime she didn't. She had only recently joined in on their special training and they were all still getting to know her. Bridge had first discovered the park not long after joining SPD and he came here often to rest his weary mind.

It was soothing and restful for him. Without speaking they made their way to the most secluded corner of the park and finding their favourite tree, they sat down under it, enjoying the fresh autumn breeze that was gently flowing across the park. Soft scents of flowers and the trees wafted over them, and they both breathed deeply, relaxing in the fresh air. Finally Sky spoke first, his tone quiet and slightly unsure.

"I don't know how it happened Bridge, but I found myself feeling more for you than a best friend, than a brother. I never said anything because I know how hard you've had it and I didn't want to take the chance of ruining our friendship." Bridge looked at him curiously, wondering what had happened.

"What made you say something now?" Sky had the grace to look embarrassed.
"Ah Syd did actually. She came onto me something terrible and I pushed her away, not physically but verbally." Bridge grinned suddenly. Sky's reputation had grown over the years and to all outward appearances he was a hardarse rule book following pain.

"Well Sky you do have that sort of reputation." Sky gave a soft laugh and looked at him, a grin on his lips and a slight blush on his cheeks.
"Yeah I know. Anyway after I told her in no uncertain terms I wasn't interested she actually looked at me like she was reading me or something. I could practically see the light dawn in her eyes and she grinned at me. Said in that knowing way she has that I needed to tell you how I felt because it wasn't fair on either of us. And then she flounced away with a flick of her curls." Bridge laughed softly, knowing where her words had come from.

"Ah that explains why a few nights ago she cornered me about my own love life. Wanted to know why I didn't have a girlfriend. I told her two reasons, one, I can't because of my powers."

"And the second reason is?" Sky looked at him intensely and Bridge blushed.
"And well, I told her the second was that I wasn't interested in girls anyways, I had my eye on a certain guy." Sky grinned at him.

"A certain guy like me?"
"Well, yeah." They stared at each other a moment and then almost reverently Bridge reached up and ran his gloved hand gently along Sky's cheek. Sky stared back, wanting to do the same but afraid to because of fear of hurting Bridge.

The moment seemed to stretch forever and finally Bridge lowered his hand.
"You are so beautiful Sky. I could loose myself forever in your eyes." Sky blushed and smiled slightly at his words.
"Thank you. As are you, but not in the traditional meaning of the word Bridge, but as in your soul. As in the real you that you keep hidden from everyone except me. I just wish," Sky paused, unsure of how to continue.
"Wish what Sky?" Sky looked at him and decided that for once in his life, he'd take a chance and he began to blurt out everything he'd been thinking.

"I just wish I could touch you without hurting you. I long to take you in my arms and kiss those beautiful lips of yours. Brush away your tears when it gets too much for you. Run my hands through your hair. I want to feel your skin against mine, I want you but I know I can't do any of those things."

Bridge sighed softly, running a hand through his hair and looking away for a moment, Sky's intense feelings and emotions battering at his shields. Finally he looked back at Sky, reaching his hand up and cupping Sky's cheek gently in it.

"A little skin to skin contact I can stand Sky, I truly can. I to, want to take you in my arms and kiss the life out of you. I desperately want to feel your skin next to mine. But it'll take time Sky." Bridge frowned slightly in thought. "Perhaps, perhaps I can slowly learn to adapt to touching you."

The dawning of a desperate hope in Sky's eyes was almost too much to bare for Bridge and he leaned forward, resting his forehead against Sky's for the briefest of moments. "Oh Sky, what are we going to do." Sky gave a soft sigh, fighting hard to control his instinctive need to wrap Bridge in his arms.

After a moment Bridge pulled away and Sky reached up and briefing ran his fingers over Bridge's cheek, barely touching the skin.

"We'll work it out Bridge. We'll find a way. The main thing to know is that we both care deeply about each other and we want to be together, somehow." Bridge saw the belief and the love in Sky's eyes. He could feel it radiating from Sky like a wave that covered him in a warm blanket. He smiled and nodded slightly.

"I know we will Sky. After all, you must admit, the atmosphere has been electric." That sent them both off into fits of laughter, capping a perfect day.