Red

Jack was tired. He didn't get much sleep last night because all he could think about was Sky and whether or not he would make it. When Jack stepped out of his room and rubbed the back of his neck, he saw that Syd and Z were already up and sitting down on the couches.

"Morning," Syd greeted when she saw Jack come out of his room.

Jack nodded and walked over to the two girls.

"You look exhausted," Z noted as she saw faint dark patches underneath Jack's eyes.

"I couldn't sleep," Jack admitted and plopped himself onto the couch.

"Me too," Z said.

"Same," Syd added.

"Sky?" Jack asked. Z and Syd nodded. "Is Bridge still asleep?" Jack inquired looking at the door to Bridge's room.

"Yeah. I don't want to bother him," Syd revealed. "Last night when I went in there to check on him, he was asleep on Sky's bed."

"Oh," said Jack and Z.

Poor guy, Jack thought. He's taking this really hard.

The Common Room doors opened and Cruger walked in. The three Rangers stood up and saluted the commander.

"At ease," Cruger told them. "How are you all feeling?"

"Not so great. None of us could sleep well," Syd admitted.

"That is understandable," Cruger sympathized. "I myself had some trouble resting after yesterday's...unfortunate events."

The three Rangers nodded in agreement.

"How is Sky doing?" Z asked.

"Actually, I was just in the infirmary earlier before coming here. Dr. Felix says Sky is pretty much the same. You're all welcome to visit him during the day," Cruger informed them.

"Oh, okay," said Syd.

Cruger nodded. "Before I forget...after yesterday's battle, I've decided to give you all the day off. But should something occur during the day, you are all on on call status. Understood?" Cruger explained.

The Rangers nodded.

"Thank you, Sir," said Jack.

"Very well then. Oh, where is Bridge?" Cruger looked around to see that Bridge was not in the room.

"He's still in his room, Sir. I don't think he's ready to come out just yet," Syd commented.

"I see. As you were." With that said, Cruger left.

"You guys want some breakfast?" Z proposed.

"Sure," Syd replied. She and Z began to leave the room until Syd stopped and turned around to see that Jack wasn't following them. "Jack, you coming with us?" Syd asked.

"I will, but, there's something I gotta do first. Okay?" Jack told them.

"Alright," Syd responded and left with Z.

Jack walked out of the Common Room, turned to his left, and watched Z and Syd walk down the hall and make a right. Once they were out of sight, Jack walked the opposite direction and began making his way to the infirmary.

Once Jack reached the infirmary, he stepped inside and made his way to Sky's bed. The curtain was already drawn back and a female nurse was tending to Sky's unconscious body. Jack cleared his throat which caused the nurse to jump and turn around.

"Oh, you're one of the B-Squad Rangers, correct?" the nurse asked.

"Yeah. I'm Jack Landors," Jack introduced.

"Hi, Jack. I'm Amara, one of Dr. Felix's nurses. I was just checking your friend's vitals," Amara informed gesturing to Sky.

"Oh, no problem. I didn't mean to startle you," Jack apologized.

"Don't worry about it." Amara smiled. "I'm actually done here so I'll just give you some privacy. Nice meeting you, Jack."

"Likewise," Jack responded.

Amara nodded and left the area. Once she was gone, Jack pulled up a chair close to Sky's bed and sat down in it. For the next few minutes, Jack stared at Sky's unconscious form. He watched Sky's chest move up and down very slowly and he would glance over to the heart rate monitor. It beeped at a steady rhythm, a sign to Jack that Sky's vitals were normal. But for how long? Jack knew that sky couldn't be in a coma forever and wondered when he would awaken.

"Hey, Sky," Jack said quietly. "It's Jack. I know you probably can't hear me right now, being in a coma and all. I just came down to visit, you know, see how you're doing."

Obviously, Sky didn't respond. Jack didn't expect him to. In fact, he had no idea why he started talking to Sky. Perhaps it was because Jack couldn't stand the silence in the room. Perhaps it was because Jack needed some way to comfort himself. Either way, talking to Sky just felt right.

"Listen, man, I know...I know you were upset I was made Red Ranger and...and maybe you still are, sort of, I don't know. But to be honest with you, I didn't want to be the Red Ranger. I didn't want to be made team leader. But low and behold, I am. That's life, right?" Jack asked with a small chuckle.

Again, Sky didn't respond, but Jack continued.

"I'm still getting used to being a leader. Pretty sure you wouldn't have had any trouble, huh? Seeing as how you've been training for years for this kind of position." Jack paused and he looked down. He suddenly felt shaky and his heart was beginning to beat faster. Jack looked up and spoke again. "I know you and I will probably never see eye to eye, you know, when you recover. But, I just wanted to say, that...I'm glad I've met you and joined S.P.D. and I'm glad I had the chance to fight alongside with you. After everything that happened, including with Bridge, I still want you by my side. I've already gotten over that whole thing with Bridge and I want you back. I want my Blue Ranger back. I want my whole team back."

Jack didn't mean to, but he did. He allowed himself to cry. Jack wiped his face and stood up. With one more look at his friend, Jack turned and left.

Short chapter, I know. But here's a little heads up, the next few chapters will be around this length. And you all probably know why. Until next chapter!