Chapter Twelve
"What's up with you lately?" Z asked as she and Jack made their way around the jogging track that circled Headquarters.
"I don't know." Jack shook his head.
"I think I do." Z smiled knowingly.
"If you know, then why did you ask?" Jack questioned, slightly annoyed.
"You like Shadow but you're too scared to admit it." She said, ignoring his question.
"I am not scared." He said quickly.
"So you do like her then." Z smirked.
"No…" Jack sighed, "yes."
"I knew it. Why don't you tell her?"
"And how am I supposed to do that?"
"I don't know, ask her out on a date or something." Z looked over at Jack, "You can do it Jack, you just gotta be yourself and she'll fall all over you."
People bustled about the park. Kids ran about, screaming and laughing loudly, their parents in tow. Couples strolled hand in hand, staring at each other like love sick puppies. Groups of friends were out playing Frisbee and goofing off. All in all, it was a typical Saturday afternoon.
Shadow breathed in the fresh air, drinking in deeply the calm and sereneness of it all. She hadn't stepped foot inside the park since the whole thing with the Mage Flower. It was so weird to be there now.
"So," she said, glancing at Sky as they walked, "why'd you really want me to come out with you today?"
"What?" Sky looked at her. He seemed to have forgotten she was even there.
"Why'd you ask me to come with you?" She repeated with a slight laugh.
"Oh," he shrugged, "I just thought we could both use some fresh air. Things have been a bit difficult lately what with all the attacks Grumm is throwing at us, not to mention regular SPD work. It's just kinda hectic."
"Yeah," Shadow looked down at her feet as they walked. A companionable silence fell over them and they walked on.
"I haven't been here since that night." Shadow said, breaking the silence.
"Neither have I." Sky replied.
"I'm so glad those days are over." she said sitting down on a vacant bench. Sky sat beside her, their legs brushing ever so slightly. "Trust me, I do not miss those hallucinations or the cravings." She chuckled softly, then grew serious. "I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you." She looked Sky in the eye, "I owe you a lot, Sky."
"No," Sky shook his head and looked down at his feet, "you don't owe me anything."
Overcome with an emotion she didn't recognize, and before she knew what she was doing, Shadow leaned over and quickly kissed Sky's cheek. He turned his head to look at her, his eyes wide with surprise.
"I…I'm sorry," Shadow stammered quickly, her cheeks blazing red. "I swear I have no clue why I did that."
"It's fine," Sky said quickly, putting up a hand to stop Shadow's babbling, a slow smirk made its way up his face, "I don't mind."
Shadow punched him in the arm.
"You're such a jerk." She said, the laugh in her voice betraying her false anger.
Jack paced the floor of the rec room nervously. Any second now Shadow would be back and he was going to ask her out. Not, if only he could figure out what to say.
"Relax Jack," Z placed a calming hand on his shoulder, "everything is gonna be fine."
"How can you be so sure?" Jack asked, his brow furrowed.
" 'Cause I know Shadow. She's smart enough to know a good thing when she sees it. And you my friend, are a good thing. Now stop worrying."
Jack breathed in deeply, trying to calm his nerves. He hadn't been this nervous in a long time, so why now?
It's gotta be Shadow, he thought, I don't know why, but she's the only person to have this affect on me.
Seemingly calm, Jack straightened his cadet uniform and resumed his pacing, this time in a much more easy going way.
"Now you're sure she's going to say yes?" He looked at Z for reassurance.
"For heaven's sake Jack, she's going to say yes." Z cried, frustrated with her friend. "You worry too much."
"Yeah sure," Jack rolled his eyes, "that's easy for you to say Z, you don't have anyone who makes you this nervous."
"That's what you think." Jack barely heard Z mutter.
"What?" He rounded on her, "Who?"
"No way Jack," the female Ranger shook her head, "I know you. You do not keep secrets well."
"C'mon Z, tell me." Jack demanded, using his I'm-you-superior voice.
"You have to promise not to tell." Z said sharply.
"Okay."
"Swear Jack."
"I swear not to tell anybody." Jack said with a slight roll of his eyes. Z sighed.
"I can't believe I'm going to tell you this." She looked around the room to make sure nobody was around to hear what she was about to say. "You know how Cruger has been sending Bridge and I on a lot of patrols together." Jack's eyes widened.
"You like Bridge!" He cried.
"Shh." Z quickly placed her hand over his mouth. "You cannot breathe a word of this to anybody, do you hear me?"
Jack nodded his head, Z's hand still covering his mouth. She lowered her hand slowly to reveal her friend's grin.
"You like Bridge?" He asked in a small whisper.
"I guess," Z said moving to sit on a couch, "I don't know Jack, it's just really confusing right now."
"Well I'm happy for ya Z." Jack sat beside her and pulled her into a hug.
"Thanks," Z smiled, "but it's not about me tonight. I think I hear Shadow coming." She pushed Jack off the couch, "Go on Casanova, go get your girl."
A kinda short chapter, but I want to keep you all in suspense for right now. Lol. Please review and tell me what you thought. And don't forget, the poll for who Shadow is going to end up with is still going. Right now the score is tied at:
Sky- 32
Jack- 32
