A.N. Final part guys thanks for sticking with me through this experiment.

Welcome to the fallout

Redemption is here

Between who you are and who you could be

Between how it used and how it should be

I dare you to move

I dare you to lift yourself off of the floor.

Dare you to move-Swiftfoot

"Right guys it's our turn at the mud swamp." Jack's mouth twitched at the grumbling of his teammates. He hated that obstacle course as much as anyone did but today it gave him a perfect opportunity to brood.

Together the squad lined up at the starting line waiting for the timer to reset Z standing as far from him as she could. At the horn's blast they wear off.

In an ideal world after you told someone you loved them they did not gain an I'm-going-to-throw-up expression. Instead they jumped into your arms and kissed you till your brain melted admitting they loved you too.

He had stood on the other side of that door waiting for Z to come back too angry and hurt to think straight. By daybreak Jack was at a slow simmer, rational enough to recognise his own bad temper and prevent taking it out on innocent bystanders hence the toughest training exercise on the base. Talking was limited to essentials everyone grimly determined to get through it.

Last night had almost been expected Z turning up and trying to save their partnership had been the expected part how easily he had allowed himself to believe the illusion and his heartfelt declarations had not been.

It left Jack feeling well..stupid.

He had trusted in her body's responses, which in the cold light of day he began to doubt insecurity eating away at his conviction.

Over the years Jack had caught her little glances and her sea-saw moods after he had been with another girl they had given him hope. Z was an adept liar but Jack had to trust in the reading Z skills he mastered in.

It had been easy in the old days to put certain feelings aside, surviving till the next day taking priority. Jack lost himself in helping others it sounded so selfish now, the Robin Hood act was a myth the only reason he did what he did was because he had been unable to watch people suffer, dying of starvation, hypothermia or worse.

Not exactly the noble image he presented to the world.

Jack had been with Z roughly a year before IT had happened Newtech City had been in the middle of a vicious snowstorm. Huddled together out of necessity the inevitable happened. One of the best experiences of his life and Z tried to turn it into something shameful.

Be my brother Jack.

Jack barked in laughter causing the others to turn and stare at him.

"No stopping, first beam's coming up." He snapped. Everyone apart from Z went back to running her face full of confusion. Grinning wolfishly Jack twirled his index finger indicating she should turn around scowling she stuck out her tongue and followed the order. Immediately Syd whispered something to her and they giggled Jack rolled his eyes at their girlishness.

So why had he done it, agree to something Jack knew he would never be able to pull off?

Z had been crying when she asked. That was when Jack learnt his first lesson, he would do almost anything to make Z happy.

The second lesson had been learnt soon after. Even with his bag packed and promises extracted from people to look out for her he could not leave. The loneliness was still too fresh a memory he had found someone who understood what it was like to be different he had found his partner so he stayed.

That was when so called Robin Hood raids began in earnest, no more stealing a little extra and giving it away. Plans were made taking advantage of their natural born talents.

In exchange for what Jack and Z could do for them war veterans, ex-cops even a ballerina taught them and together they cobbled a very unique fighting style.

They were good, very good.

Good enough to impress the Chief of SPD, good enough to become rangers. Although he resisted his instincts screaming that there was more than they were being told the second lesson made him deaf to anything other than his girl being in danger and he would not be there.

When Cruger's reasons had come to light it offered more questions than it answered.

Jack just did not have the energy to pretend any more. His old relationship with Z was over, she knew it, he knew it and there was just no way to go back.

Jack had been avoiding making a real decision for weeks. It was easy with Z's double they always lacked a ..Z-ness looks, personality, smell, voice aside they were not Z. Unable to filter out those similarities Jack had done nothing. If he did receive a small amount of satisfaction every time fake Z had given him a hurt look it was soon lost in a flood of guilt.

But now Z was back, clutching onto a rope bridge shouting at Sky to stop rocking it. All bruises healed her face flushed not yet covered in mud Z looked perfectly healthy. But all Jack had to do was close his eyes and he could see her lying in that hospital bed her face puffy and discoloured. Every night he had watched those bruises fade while his guilt grew.

Anyone of his squad being hurt or worse was Jack's worst nightmare, his team, his responsibility.

Jack was becoming ever more convinced he could not be Z's leader ordering her into potentially lethal situations was unthinkable. Before the fierce need to protect had been locked away with all the other feelings he was not allowed to have but he was no longer hiding, denying or ignoring Jack just could not do it.

Z would kill him if she knew he was thinking of asking Cruger to transfer her somewhere Z could still make her difference without risking her life.

Cursing Jack pulled himself out of the mud hole he had just tripped into.

He was letting his own emotions affect SPD decisions. Z was an excellent ranger losing her would hurt the team and transferring himself was equally out of the question.

So he just had to watch while the love of his life threw herself into dangerous situation after dangerous situation, praying to whatever power was out there that she stayed in one piece.

Crawling out from under the last net Jack tried to peel off the top layer of mud from his hands. Everyone was covered head to toe giving each other significant looks they squelched to the locker room passing a smug C squad.

Sky gave them his best glare marred by looking like the lost link between human and a mudpie.

"What's with them?" Syd asked as soon as they were out of hearing range.

"We're covered in fast baking mud they're not I'd laugh too." Scrapping mud off her arm Z dropped it on the asphalt with a splat.

"But they weren't laughing at us in fact they look as if they know something we don't." Bridge gave the other squad a considering look. "Which is very likely they aren't us and we're not them naturally they know things we don't and we know things they don't. It's a very balanced system when you think about it."

"Bridge." Sky said calmly, "stop talking."

"Talk stopping now Sky." Mining locking his mouth and throwing away the key. Bridge began picking pieces of dried mud from his T-shirt flicking them onto Sky's back.

Amused Jack was tempted to join Bridge in his revenge but resisted he was not surprised when Z and Syd fell back adding to the mud on Sky's once blonde hair.

"Cruger put the C's on active duty this morning a few weeks training and they're off to track down A squad.

"Shouldn't that be our job?" Sky wondered glaring at the three suspiciously innocent people behind him.

"You want to leave protecting Earth to C squad?" Z exclaimed in disbelief flicking mud straight at his face.

"They're not using my Zord." Syd said possessively.

"Nah they have spaceship Zords Kat showed me last night."

"Oh okay then," Syd paused inwardly debating the big question. "Do their suits look better?"

Grinning Jack slung a muddy arm over Syd's shoulders.

"They don't even have a pink ranger." He told her. "Yellow is that David kid who makes Sky look warm and welcoming and their leader isn't even red she wears white."

"She?" Z asked looking interested.

"Be serious." Snapped Sky. Obviously insulted Syd punched his arm pouting.

"Are the rumours true?" Bridge lowered his voice at their confused expressions. Motioning them closer Bridge quickly looked around. "They're ninjas?" Wearing identical looks of disgust and shaking their heads Sky, Syd and Z broke the circle entering the locker room.

"Yes." Jack confirmed quietly into Bridge's ear.

On reflection Jack probably should not have confirmed the rumour but it was harmless enough no one would believe Bridge anyway. The perk of being red ranger, Jack was told things, invited to all the big meetings. It was not all staying up late learning security protocols Jack hoped he never had to use.

The shift dragged nothing attacked, all minor alien crimes were assigned to C squad and with no lessons to attend the members of B squad peeled off one by one to work on personal projects leaving Jack alone in Command. Cruger's growling did not invite conversation.

After an eternity the clock on Jack's console hit the hour.

Calling goodnight to Cruger and diligent techs Jack left searching for Z ready to put the first part of his plan in action. With all afternoon to come up with a plan and debate pros and cons it was time.

Hearing Boom calling him Jack slowed down so he could catch up shifting his weight impatiently.

"Hey I've been meaning to thank you again for checking up on Z for me." Jack said as soon as Boom was along side him. It was a shame but none of the others had any time for Boom he had proved himself to be a great sounding board. Even Z dismissed him as a bumbling fool.

"No probs man but you seriously owe me. She was not a happy bunny after her therapy

can't say I blame her when I hurt my back last year that Connors was a sadist." He tuned out the familiar story nodding and making sounds at appropriate moments Jack spotted Z about to enter the cafeteria with the others. Breaking into a quick jog Jack left behind a miffed Boom.

Grabbing onto Z sleeve Jack nodded to the others.

"You guys go ahead me and Z are heading out for dinner."

"We are?" Clearly shocked Z blinked at him.

"Yes." Jack said firmly leading her away.

"Well as nice as the invitation was, I'll pass." Jerking her arm out of his grip Z stomped back to the cafeteria.

Running an irritated hand through his braids Jack sighed, the plan hinged on her agreement.

Running until he was ahead of her Jack took hold of Z shoulders.

"Okay bad start. Z will you go to dinner with me?"

"All you had to do was ask." In silence they left the Base

The atmosphere was tense both looking anywhere but at each other and the romantic dinner Jack had envisioned became a questionable food choice of hotdogs in the park.

Potentially diseased food consumed they wandered around the park sentences stopped before they started.

"This is stupid." Fed up Jack turned to face her. "You," he said pointing a finger, "are an idiot, what were you thinking?"

Amusement sparked in Z's dark eyes setting off that annoying fluttering in his stomach.

"Me?" she protested. "What about you?" Jack's mouth thinned into a straight line pulling on the collar of Z uniform until they were mere centimetres apart.

"This isn't going to go the same way as our last conversations. I love you, now what are you going to do about it." The plan! His brain screamed at Jack. What happened to the plan?

"Well..I..maybe you should…" Z stammered. "Why?" She begged her eyes screwing shut.

Uncomfortable Jack looked away. Why? He did. Why did she need details? Huffing Jack debated his options.

If bearing his soul was the only way through this then he would be the stereotypical woman and suffer the embarrassment. But if she told anyone…

"I can't give you poetic descriptions of your beauty and stuff Z I'm not that guy but I do know you and you and me fit. We're more than friends 'cause that not enough but not yet anything else I can picture us, how we'd be and its good."

"Reality rarely lives up to the hype." She said dismissively.

"Not hype, hopes, dreams, wishes yeah but," sighing Jack cradled her face, "We've come too far to go back."

"I liked where we were it was.."

"Safe." Jack interrupted flatly.

Z shrugged

"I guess."

"We're safe now Z SPD is the chance you've always wanted. Here and now however long we want it we have a home you can afford to let some walls down." And not just you he thought, we both can.

Z moved restlessly breaking their contact.

"I don't know how." Close to tears Z turned away rubbing her back trying to soothe Jack bit his lip.

"A brick at a time? I don't know either it's a new concept to me too. I can tell you this I'm not expecting miracles we're not going to get together and all our issues just disappear, we go slow. It's not one of your romance novels."

Z head whipped around to stare at him and Jack cursed. So he had read a couple her suspicious caginess had made him curious.

Releasing a pent up breath Z cautiously placed her arms around his neck resting her damp check against his.

"I don't want to lose the best thing in my life over a crush." Jack held back his instinctive retort. "Don't be mad Jack." It came out almost a whine. "I'm terrified of loosing you."

Holding her tightly Jack tried to think of what to say next but the smell and feel of her was fogging up his brain.

Abruptly the serene fog lifted as Z stepped away. Cast adrift in a Z-less reality Jack crossed his arms to stop himself from reaching out to her.

"I can't..let me have some time." Pushing her way through the mingling civilians Z was soon lost amongst the crowd.

Stuffing his hands in his pockets Jack went back to the hotdog stand. Food was the necessity of his life not a battle scared teenager too afraid to face her own emotions.

Well he had tried.

On review step one was not a complete burst if he ignored the crying and the fact this had not been the plan at all.

She did not want him to leave her that had to mean something right?

It might hurt now continually handing over your heart only to have it crushed but in the grand scheme of things the pay off would be worth it.

Jack refused to listen to the part of him that grieved wondering pitifully if she would ever cherish what he offered her.

Mindlessly Jack wandered the park, the children's antics making him almost smile and trying not to stare enviously at the snuggling couples. His feet hurting and body weary Jack collapsed on the nearest patch of grass staring up at the clouds.

He had no idea how long he lay there until a familiar figure cast a shadow over him then settling down at his side linking their fingers.

"Pumpkin." She said pointing to a roundish cloud.

"Belly dancer." Jack replied not taking his eyes off Z.

Z raised their joined hands and kissed his.

"I've got a problem." His brain cells smothered by hope and burning excitement only one sparky one was capable of almost coherent thought.

"Yeah?" Jack was proud that his voice was almost even.

"I know this guy in fact I've known him for a while." Her voice nonchalant Z's free hand fluttered between them fascinated Jack followed its movements.

"Yeah?" It seemed to be the only word he could remember.

"Hmm I guess we've always had a thing but other things have made it a bad idea. He thinks those things are in the past and in some ways I agree but its not the fall that going to kill us it the sudden stop at the end." In different circumstances Jack would have laughed at Z's nonsensical Bridge-like ramble.

"Between you and me I think its gonna be a long drop." Pleased at his rediscovered ability to form sentences Jack moved so he leaned over her.

"You matter Jack I don't want the sudden stop I don't want to fall not with you not with anyone." She insisted.

"Life is risk."

"Calculated risks not stupid ones."

"Trusting in me, in us is a stupid one?"

"Yes, no..i don't know."

Looking down at the stubbornness brewing in her face Jack stepped of the ledge.

"I'll make you a deal this Friday we go dancing to that club you used to hang outside of. See how it goes." Carefully Jack kept his face and tone bland gently coaching the grumpy frightened bunny to take the plunge with him.

"You can't dance."

"But I like watching you. I'll just stand there bob my head a bit." Nodding his head repeatedly to an imaginary beat giving her a preview his bland mask nearly cracked at the look of horror spreading over Z's features.

"Oh god." She moaned. "How about we skip dancing and take the space shuttle instead you always promised to show me Earth from above." Z begged desperately wanting the bobbing to stop.

"Okay it's a date, very nice of you to make the first move by the way."

Z gave him an irritated look before she pulled him closer and melted Jack's brain the way he had been dreaming about for years.

Girly squeal I did it I finished a fic okay so its only 3 chapters but I'm still proud. Huge thank you and hugs to everyone who's read and reviewed or just read cause I know your out there.

Originally there was going to be another chapter to balance out Z's pov but I like this ending its more of a beginning I think all the mills and boon I read when I was younger has got to me more than I realise. Oh and I'm glad no one minded my Sky/Z shipping making a minor appearance It just happened I swear.

On to replies.

KendrixAimeeOliver- Z can get Jack to do pretty much whatever she wants…eventually. But uptight Sky is so much fun for Z to annoy.

sye04 – Aww thank you I hope you liked the ending.

m14mouse- No chocolate? God that sucks thanks for the support on the romance thing it's definitely not the easiest thing to write.

Garnetred- Weird that Jack is the one with the sense isn't it? Or maybe just the determination not to give up.

Samantha- I had myself worried with the get out scene. Originally that wasn't how it was going to go it would have been a completely different story if I stayed on that path distrust, anger it wouldn't have ended well.

Tori Bradley- I'm sorry you found it confusing luv :-( clone Z was still about because she was on assignment and later with the original drunk off her arss and making a fool of herself she had to stay and be that annoying sober voice in the back of your head that tells you stop STOP NOW that you just don't listen to. But the writer reason is that at the end I wanted Z to be her own caretaker. Z's chapter was about her mistrusting the world and people around her Cruger, her boyfriend, Jack but especially her own emotions well that's what I was aiming for anyway.