Disclaimer: I own Michaela Harper, Senator Harper, Zachary and Andrea Tate, Sarah Harper, Clover, and close to anything else you don't recognize. Anything that appears in future episodes that is similar to anything in my fic is PURELY coincidence.
CHAPTER 3
Dreams and Memories
Sky walked along the shorelines of the local beach, soaking up the sun and the fresh air. He sighed, thinking about his dad and his entire life. Ever since he could remember, he had wanted to be a ranger…a RED ranger…and he couldn't help but feel he was disappointing his father by only being second in command. His train of thought was broken when he suddenly noticed Michaela a few feet away. She was walking along the shoreline towards Sky's direction, though she had not noticed him just yet. Clover was running around, barking and jumping with the energy of the puppy years she still had left in her. Sky couldn't help but smile. Though they had gotten off to a rough start and hadn't settled differences, he couldn't deny that Michaela was beautiful. She got a little closer and noticed the blue ranger. She smiled a little nervously and stopped, letting Sky close the gap between them. They hesitated to speak, each glancing away before meeting the other's eyes.
"I'm sorry," they said at the same time, laughing softly at the reaction. Sky glanced her up and down. She was wearing a layered white dress with no sleeves that accented her curves, especially in the wind. Michaela glanced at his black belts and white button down shirt ensemble. The top few buttons were undone, revealing the well defined chest that made many first string cadet female melt. Clover suddenly barked and rubbed her body against the back of Michaela's legs, causing Michaela to stumbled forward a little. Sky immediately reacted and caught with his arms around her waist. Their eyes locked instantly and Sky swallowed nervously. He wasn't sure what possessed him to do so but he slowly inched his face toward Michaela's, his heart skipping a beat when she did not back away but actually closed her eyes in anticipation. As he got closer, he closed his eyes too, anticipating the feel of her lips on his until………..
"SKY! WAKE UP MAN!" cried the familiar voice of Bridge. The blue ranger instantly opened his eyes and realized he was caressing one of his pillows as if it had been Michaela. He sat up quickly, confused.
"What's going on?" he asked, unable to think of anything else to ask.
"You're over an hour late meeting Cruger," Jack said, pointing to the clock beside Sky's bed. Sky looked over and his muscles tightened in anger as he was indeed an hour late meeting his high Commander.
"Man, what happened to my alarm!" he screamed.
"It's not on dude," Bridge said.
"That's impossible, I always remember to turn it on right before I go to bed..urgh…that little sneak!" Sky screamed as he jumped out of bed and rushed to get ready, suspecting Michaela of tampering with his alarm mid sentence. He rushed into the bathroom and the door closed behind him, Jack and Bridge just staring at him the whole time.
"He wants her," Jack said.
"Bad," Bridge added before they left the room to go find Z and Syd. In five minutes flat, Sky was ready and in uniform, rushing down to meet Cruger and the others.
"Cadet Tate, so glad you could join us," Commander Cruger said, trying to hide his annoyance as Sky came to a complete stop from running and did the traditional salute.
"My sincerest apologies sir it..," Sky started to say but was cut off by Senator Harper.
"If he's anything like his dad, this doesn't happen a lot, if at all. I'd let it slide this one time Anubis, besides I got to spend some extra time with Michaela before I left," Senator Harper said to the Commander. At the mention of her name, Michaela came over from talking with Syd and Z and hugged her father, smiling. She glanced over at Sky and frowned at the glare he was sending her way.
"Well, I think we'll leave you two to your tour. I trust you to show Michaela the finer points of our city Cadet Tate," Commander Cruger said.
"Yes sir," Sky said, saluting. Senator Harper kissed Michaela on the top of the head and gave her a quick hug before following Anubis out of the room. Michaela smiled after her father then frowned when she noticed Sky glaring at her.
"What's up your butt?" she asked bluntly. Sky closed the gap between them and pointed his finger at her.
"I know you came into my room and shut off my alarm just to get me in trouble with Commander Cruger…," Sky started to say, anger raging in him. Michaela was not swayed by his attitude, much to the surprise of Z and Syd who were used to new people being intimidated by Sky.
"First of all, get your finger out of my face, Blue Boy. Second, I didn't touch your precious alarm clock, let alone go into your room. And you don't need help looking bad in front of Cruger, especially after that sorry attempt at animal rescue yesterday. Now can we drop the attitude and start this tour, I'd actually like to go outside TODAY," Michaela emphasized, not cowering to Sky's glare. Sky struggled to find something to say but finally gave up with an aggravated grunt.
"Fine, right this way," he through clenched teeth. He stalked towards the garage with Michaela walking coolly behind. Syd and Z watched them walk off.
"Note for future reference that cutting Sky's alarm clock off is not a good prank," Syd said to her roommate.
"Especially when he's trying to suppress an attraction towards someone," Z commented before following the pink ranger off to find Jack and Bridge. Hours later found Michaela lagging behind Sky as he walked around the marketplace.
"And over here is one of the oldest buildings in the city…," Sky said before glancing back and seeing Michaela yawning. She saw him looking at her and flushed a little.
"Sorry," she muttered.
"Do you have a problem with what I'm showing you?" Sky asked seriously.
"It's boring," Michaela said, whining a little bit. Sky fought back the urge to blow up at her, doubting it would have any affect on her just like his previous outbursts.
"This is the history of our city," he argued. Michaela stared at him blankly.
"Okay, then YOU'RE boring. Lighten up blue boy," Michaela said, playfully patting Sky on the shoulder as she walked past him. Sky had had enough. He grabbed Michaela's wrist and spun her towards him, grabbing hold of her other arm as she gasped in surprise. He put pressure on her, gaining her attention.
"Stop calling me that! I'm tired of your attitude. You know, I don't know how your dad puts up with you, that must be why he bummed you off of us. I just don't see why I had to get stuck baby sitting you," Sky fumed, narrowing his eyes at her. Something about the way he was holding her, clutching her wrists together, brought back some painful memories Michaela had spent years trying to suppress from her mind. Things that had happened she hadn't even told her father. All these memories, mixed with what Sky was saying, pushed Michaela over the edge. She glared up at him, not breaking eye contact and not noticing a few tears falling from her eyes. She brought her arms out, bringing Sky's with her. Then gave a hard knee kick to his side, causing him to release one of her arms to grab his side. Michaela took the opportunity to flip him over, releasing the other arm from her grip.
"I'm definitely NOT the one with the attitude problem, BLUE BOY. My dad "bummed me off" here because he thinks Anubis can protect me from somebody who's after him. What he doesn't know is that they aren't REALLY after him. And as far as BABY-sitting goes, I'd say it's more like I'm babysitting YOU the way you are acting. And just to prove to you that I don't need a babysitter, see if you can catch me before I get back to SPD Headquarters!" Michaela spat. Sky jumped up, anticipating her attempt to run away when really she just disappeared right before his eyes. Sky stood there in shock, trying to comprehend what had just happened.
"What? Where?" he stammered to himself when he suddenly stopped and figured it out. Michaela had more than one power. She had that weird animal call from yesterday and she could also disappear, or blend in with her surroundings, or something!
"AGH!" Sky screamed, gaining attention from passerbys who had not already been staring at the couple arguing. He rushed off back towards his bike to see if he could track Michaela on his scanner. He ran past an alleyway where Michaela materialized back into seeing form when she knew it was safe. More tears had fallen from her eyes as more memories came back to her. Dozens of things surrounding her screaming mother, the sound of blood pouring, objects connecting with bones, and the most evil of laughs. That face. She'd never forget that face. The face that took her mother away and crushed a part of her heart forever.
"Mom," she whimpered, finally letting go of the rest of the tears she had in her.
