Save me from the Pain
Chapter 11: Going home.

She awoke with a start, her heart pounding so hard in her chest that she feared it might explode. Taking deep, shaky breaths she slowly began to calm down but remained on alert as she listened to the sounds outside the small motel room checking for any hint that they had been discovered. Looking down to her right she sighed in relief as her daughter continued to sleep, at least one of them would be well rested.

Carefully and quietly she slipped out of the bed and made her way into the bathroom. Turning on the tap she allowed the sink to fill with cold water before grabbing a wash cloth of questionable cleanliness and washing the sweat from her face, arms and neck.

Glancing quickly in the mirror she noted the dark circles and redness surrounding her eyes. She needed sleep but until she found her way home and to safety that just wasn't an option.

Pulling her newly dyed brunette locks up into a messy ponytail she exited the room, collected their belongings into the small rucksack and leaned down to gently scoop up her sleeping infant.

She swayed on her feet as she stood and grabbed onto the headboard quickly. The room continued to spin for another few moments before it settled and she felt safe enough move. The lack of sleep and food was taking it's toll but she forced herself out of the door and into the night.

As she exited the motel car park she spotted the payphone and her hand itched to pick it up and call the SPD base, to call Sky. But like every other time she saw a phone she clenched her fist and moved away.

It wasn't safe to use any form of communication, John's people were everywhere and she couldn't trust that they weren't monitoring the communication lines and CCTV now that she was on the run.

After walking for a couple of hours she found herself in the middle of a city. Even in the early hours of the morning there were people on the streets chatting and going about their business. There was a market being set up and the doors to the shops and café's were being opened.

Pulling her daughter closer to her chest she quickly made her way through the small crowds until she found herself standing in front of a shuttle station. Her heart began to beat rapidly, this was a dangerous place to be. She could see the cameras on the walls and the panic began to rise within her. She began searching for a way out and in her haste she must have looked like a confused passenger as a shuttle employee approached her.

"Miss you look a little lost, can I help you?"

"What?"

"Where are you trying to go to?"

"Newtech"

"This shuttle is making a stop in Newtech"

She froze. This was it, she could go home, she could be safe.

"Miss?"

She glanced at the camera's, they were turning in her direction. It was now or never.

"Thank you" She smiled quickly at the employee and raced through the doors just as the camera's began recording the spot she had been standing in.

The voice over the tannoy startled her as she took her seat.

"Welcome to TechnoRails. This shuttle is for Gladstone with a short stop in Newtech city home of the SPD power rangers. This stop is scheduled for six hours and forty three minutes from now. Have a pleasant journey and thank you for choosing TechnoRails"

She couldn't stop the bubble of laughter that erupted from within her chest, she was going home. Her daughter moved in her arms and she kissed her on top of her blonde curls.

"It's alright baby, we're safe, we're going home"

Z fidgeted with her top as she waited for her husband to finish getting dressed. She was nervous about the meet up tonight, she was afraid of how Sky and Jack would react to her decision to quit the rangers team.

"Stop worrying, you'll get wrinkles" She leaned back into her husbands embrace and tried to relax.

"They are going to be so mad"

"They'll understand"

"It's just that being a ranger has become so dangerous, we've already lost so much I can't risk it any more Bridge"

Bridge placed a kiss ontop of her head and squeezed her gently. She had been working herself up all week about telling her brothers. He had tried to reassure her that they would be fine and understanding but his wife could not relax.

"Come on Mrs Carson let's go face the music" Z frowned but allowed him to lead her outside and into the car, she just prayed that her brothers wouldn't hate her too much.

Sky hummed to himself as he began putting the shopping away. Today was his day off and he had finally gotten around to grocery shopping and a good thing too as Jack, Ali, Bridge, Z and Connie were due to arrive at his flat shortly for their weekly meet up. When he finished putting the last of the food in the fridge he moved into the spare bedroom and began dressing the bed for Bridge and Z.

As he put fresh cases onto the pillows his eyes caught the large canvas picture above the bed, it was a team photo from when they were all B-Squad rangers. They were all in their uniforms with their helmets off and smiling brightly. His heart thumped painfully when he glanced at the pink ranger. Syd's smile was the biggest and brightest of the entire groups and although he felt his own smile gently spread across his face he couldn't stop the pang of hurt that settled in his chest.

He threw the pillows onto the bed and left the room quickly.

The lock being turned made him stop on his way to the kitchen and he smiled at Jack as he and Ali let themselves into the flat. The group had keys to each others homes for emergencies or to let themselves in if the owner was running late for a meet up or was in the shower.

The two men greeted each other with one armed 'man hugs' and Sky kissed Ali quickly on the cheek.

"Would you guys like a drink?"

"Waters good" Sky nodded and after a few minutes returned with a stack of glasses and a jug of ice water. Taking a seat across from the couple he noticed that they kept smiling at each other and he couldn't help but laugh.

"Anything you want to share?"

"Yes but we'll wait until the others get here" Jack didn't have to wait long as a few minutes later Bridge, Z and Connie came through the door.

After settling themselves onto the couches and helping themselves to glasses of water Sky turned back to Jack and Ali.

"So out with it, what's got you two all giggly?"

The couple looked at each other for a moment before Ali smiled brightly at the group.

"We're getting married!" Connie and Z grabbed Ali into a girly group hug complete with squeals and giggles whilst Sky and Bridge stood up to shake Jack's hand and slap him on the back.

After several more minutes of excited chatter Z turned to Bridge, her lip between her teeth and her eyes shining with worry. He gently grasped his wife's hand.

"Just tell them"

"Tell us what?" Sky said as he raised his glass to his lips.

Taking a deep breath Z spoke quickly. "I've decided to quit the team. Being a power ranger has become too dangerous and I can't risk it anymore"

"What?" yelled Jack, Z loved being a ranger and he couldn't understand why she would want to quit.

"Z being a ranger has always been dangerous"

"Things are different now Sky"

"How so?"

"Because I'm pregnant" Silence greeted her. But after a few seconds she found herself being pounced on by her squealing best friends.

"How long have you known?" squealed Connie.

"How far along are you?" asked Ali.

Jack was congratulating Bridge with a wide smile on his face and although Sky had an equally large smile on his own face he couldn't help but feel intensely jealous of Bridge. His best friend was married to the love of his life and now they were expecting a baby.

"I've known for a couple of weeks and I'm only fourteen weeks gone so I didn't want to say anything until I was passed the safe point. Sky, Jack, you aren't too mad are you?"

"Mad? Don't be stupid this is fantastic were going to be Uncles, this is great right Sky?"

"Of course, but if it's a boy he has to be named after me"

"No way, if it's a boy he's going to be called Jack right Z?"

A quiet knock at the door stunned everyone into silence. The only people that came to Sky's apartment were all inside. Sky slowly got up and crossed the room before pulling the door open. He didn't recognise the brunette woman in front of him.

"Hi, can I help you?" Slowly she lifted her head and stared him straight in the eyes. Sky felt as though someone had removed the floor from beneath his feet, he never thought he would see those eyes again, those clear blue eyes.

"It's not possible"

"Hello Sky"

"Sydney?"

A/N Guess whose back, back, back. well, does this make up for the big delay with updating? xxxx