Chapter Thirty-Eight: Birthday Girl

Note: A year, a full year old be tee little Tate girl. Well anyone who knows Sky also knows he won't have her a party, however I will have something fun planned.

Note 2: This is a double dedication. Quote Mistress was review 150 so she gets the second half of the chappy (Dark and dreary part) and Ginastar was practically squealing for the baby's birthday so I am giving her the birthday half (First Half).

June 17, 2028

With the gang wars of Newtech city over and many people scared of committing any major crimes due to the fear of those crazy droids coming after them the streets had been fairly quiet. Every now and then SPD would dispatch a couple rangers to stop a bar fight or something minor from breaking out into the streets but other than that fear kept the locals well in line. Because of this the carnival was in town in the park for a few days and it just so happens this day was young Lizzy Tate's birthday. For being a year old she was a small girl yet very strong girl. When she got hold of someone's hair she just would not let go, the same went with her stuffed animals. Her parents had no clue why she was so small; however she was in perfect health and had uncanny flexibility for a child. She was also smart and just as stubborn as her father. However she had mahogany brown eyes. This all made Syd think that these must have been traits from her biological parents. Her hair was light brown (Syd's natural color) and she had her father's nose. When it came to speech she new many words; mamma, dadda, no, and want; mostly things most parents never wanted there child to learn. She was truly a remarkable child in every way.

As the family happily walked through from game to game with Sky winning stuffed animal after stuffed animal for his two favorite girls he actually had to send for a shopping cart to hold them all. He won one that was white and had a heart on its chest, another that was pink and holding a big red heart, a small brown bear in overalls with LOVE written on the front in big red letters, a green frog with a red bow tie, a light brown haired bear in a white hoody that said "Newtech City 2028" on its front, a plain brown dog, and a pink bear half the size of Syd with a red heart (white frizzes around the edges of the heart) and "True Love" on the heart in big white letters. After all that Sky wasn't done. He was going to spoil these girls rotten and they were going to enjoy it.

The couple was sitting at a picnic table a few minutes later while Sky fed Lizzy and Syd played got some of the stuffed animals together. The last one Sky had won was a small white falcon. When Syd came across it she felt a sense of calming as she touched it. A sense that she was as free as a bird and as strong as that animal. Almost a presence within her. After a few moments she was brought out of the feeling of flying amongst the lords by Sky. "So what do you think?" Sky asked her. "What, sorry I wasn't listening." Syd told him while she put down the stuffed bird into the basket. "I asked if you got that pink dress for Lizzy I ordered." Sky asked again as he put his daughter back in her stroller. "Oh yea. Picked it up yesterday afternoon after work." She replied just to hear Lizzy laugh and clap her hands when Sky gave her the bear with overalls he won her earlier before he saw her hugging it to her chest. It was amazing how one little girl could bring the hard-ass Sky Tate into a softy. "Let's go babe. Got some more toys to win for my girls." Sky told Syd kissing Lizzy's cheek and then pushing the stroller beside Syd who was pushing the stuffed animal filled cart.

By the time the family was done Sky had completely filled the cart with stuffed toys. He had even found a stuffed red and pink ranger and won them. Sky had played seven hours worth of games and his arm was sore. Lizzy was asleep after a long day and Syd was wondering about what happened earlier with that plush falcon. She was curious about things that she had never thought about before. The problem was she had no clue where to start.

Once they got back to their apartment they put Lizzy to bed and went to get changed. While they were getting undressed Syd decided to talk to Sky about what had happened earlier that day. "Sky you know how I was spacing out earlier, you know when you asked about Lizzy's dress?" Syd asked her boyfriend as she took her bra off and slipped her pink night gown over her head. "Yea, are you alright? You seemed a little out of it the rest of the day." Sky asked her with a hint of worry in his voice. She then sat down on the bed beside him letting him wrap his strong arms around her where she always felt safe. "Well after I picked up the falcon toy I got this feeling, like I was so strong, so free, and I don't know why but I loved the feeling. I just don't know why it happened. It was like for the first time in my life I felt complete." Syd explained. When she got to the end it was almost like a silent whimper that broke Sky's heart. The whole thing made Sky want to find this link and with his knowledge of ranger history he had a feeling he knew where he would find his answers. "Well let's get some rest and I'm sure you will feel better in the morning." Sky told her causing her to nod and get under the covers. Sky tucked her in and went to the bathroom to brush his teeth before going to bed. When he returned Syd was fast asleep and Sky knew it was his chance to confront the one person who may have an answer for him.

A few minutes later Sky found Miranda in the hall of legends standing in front of the pictures of the Ninjetti team. "I found her and I have everyone that knows anything about the Ninjetti on the situation. We will make you a family again, and…well I hope I do you all proud." Miranda choked out the last part and Sky could clearly see his friend was conflicted, however he needed answers and now knew she had them. "Nice to see you here. Couldn't help but overhear you talking specifically to the Oliver's. Was it about Syd?" That last part caused Miranda to spin around and look at him almost panicky. "She touched a toy falcon I won for Liz and had an awkward feeling of being free and strong. What happened?" Sky was firm and once again had that hard ass act going on with his arms crossed and stone face yet Miranda saw a hint of worry in his eyes. "I don't know much. All I know is that in 1997 Kim Hart was in labor and lost both children. Both were confirmed dead at birth however there was only one body. When I first saw Syd I noticed her colored contacts and dyed hair but when I was alone with her I sensed them greeting me." Miranda said looking up at the picture of the original power couple. "The falcon and the crane. I don't know how Sky, but I know it's her, I know it's their eldest child however until I get proof we cannot tell her any of this. I hope you understand. We have a lead but until Uncle Joe gets access to Time Force confidential files we have nothing else to go on and we cannot move on our hunches because it all depends on what he finds. Just please work with me on this." Miranda basically pleaded with him. Sky could see the look of desperation on her face and could finally see that she was on the edge of cracking. She is adding the coordinating of efforts to reunite a family along with keeping General Dickson updated on the progress of earth's defenses, training most of the officers and cadets at SPD, and trying to fight her own fears of seeing her mother and living up to that legacy. Sky was seeing why Miranda had been crying more. She was beginning to feel the wait of several worlds and she was not capable any longer of dealing. He had a feeling Bridge was the only one keeping her from cracking but that was not going to work forever. "Miranda." Sky said softening up and walking toward her. When he got to her he wrapped her in a hug and let her cry in his chest, something he knew she needed. "I won't tell her. I will start C-squad on the ten mile obstacle course and improve their conditioning. I'm sure Bridge will agree to train D-Squad and Z can train the first year cadets now. We're ready to help you…if you'll let us." Sky told her. After his proposal he felt her tension melt away and saw Bridge walk in. Sky quickly motioned Bridge over and transferred Miranda from his arms and into those of her boyfriend. She was still quietly sobbing but knowing people would be helping her had taken a huge weight off of her shoulders. "I'm going to talk to the commander. I'll be back." Sky told Bridge before jogging out of the room.

A few minutes later a small vortex opened and General Dickson walked through. "Sorry for the intrusion but I have some troubling news." Dickson said causing Miranda to look up still puffy eyed. "I'm sorry Manda but yesterday in a battle against Emrass, my father was killed." It had taken nearly twenty minutes to settle Miranda down and she was now sobbing again in Bridge's chest. Her uncle was dead and she didn't get to say goodbye. Bridge noticed that Dickson was in a pair of green jeans and a green t-shirt with a Boston Celtics hat. Bridge also noticed that Dickson hadn't bothered to disguise his face. Dickson slowly closed the gap between the three and took Miranda in his arms. Bridge could tell there was more by looking at the man and knew he had not had time to grieve for his father and left the two to their privacy.

When Sky returned he was met by Bridge at the door of the hall and locking it. By the look on Bridge's face Sky knew something had gone from bad to worse. "Bridge what's going on?" Sky asked his best friend. When Bridge turned around Sky couldn't help but see the tears in his eyes. "Miranda's uncle, You know Prince Doce, was killed in battle yesterday. Her Uncle Joe is with her. It's…it's not fair Sky, she is always helping others, always trying to better them, she has the wait of the galaxy on her shoulders and she just keeps getting thrown to the curb. It's not fair." Bridge told Sky with slouched shoulders. Sky had never seen him so down. His girlfriend was so upset she was crying her eyes out and he didn't know how to help her. "Just spend the night with her. Let her know that no matter what happens you will always be there for her; to help her through anything." Sky told his best friend grasping his shoulder. "But now I have to get back or MY girlfriend will kill me." That got Bridge to chuckle as he went off to Miranda and Z's quarters.

Later that night when Z walked in and saw Miranda asleep clinging onto Bridge almost for safety. Z just smiled and went to the bathroom to change and go to bed herself. When she returned she noticed the other two were still in uniform and Miranda's face was red from crying. Whatever the reason was Bridge was there she knew it must have been big. Z however pushed those thoughts out of her mind and went to bed.

Note: Now that the birthday is over and the good…and bad has been put out in the open I am unsure about what I will do next so it may take time to figure out. I may skip a year or two and start with the cool missions, then again I might just make a criminal to show off their new powers. I really don't know what to do next. If you all have any good suggestions I am open to suggestion.