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Chapter Fifteen
Sky couldn't bear to watch Shadow smile at Jack as he led her out of the room. He looked away from the door, wanting nothing more than to erase the sight of Shadow all dressed up and going on a date with Jack from his mind. It hurt too much to see them leave together, both so happy and excited. It made Sky want to barf.
Waiting for enough time to pass for the happy couple to have left, Sky stood and made his way to his room. He didn't want to be around people right then. No, he needed to stew in the silence and solitary of his own room.
Opening the door, Sky was startled to see Syd sitting on his bed. Her legs were crossed beneath her Indian style and her chin was propped on her fist.
"Took you awhile," she said, "I've been waiting for forever."
"What are you doing here?" Sky asked.
"I came to talk." Syd bounced up and pulled Sky down onto the bed. "We have to have some serious discussion time."
"Why?" Sky wanted her out of his room and he wanted her out now.
"Because if we have any hope of getting you and Shadow together we need to get down to work."
"What makes you think I even want to get together with Shadow?" Sky could have strangled Syd. How the heck had she figured it out?
"Bridge told me you liked her," Syd started.
"Bridge?" Sky cried, interrupting her. "I never even told h…" He stopped mid-word, just realizing what it was he almost said. Syd's face split in a wide grin.
"So you do like Shadow." She looked like a Cheshire cat.
"So what if I do?" Sky growled, "She's going out with Jack. It doesn't really matter anymore if I like her or not."
"Of course it does," Syd cried. "I think she likes you too, but is just too afraid to admit it. What we have to do is let her know that you're interested and then bam, she's all yours."
"No offense, Syd, but I don't really want, or need, your help." Sky said.
"Of course you do, silly," Syd shook her head, blonde ringlets hitting against her cheek, "We're going to give you a super stud make-over. One that Shadow won't be able to resist."
"No thanks." Sky shook his head.
"Please, Sky?" Syd pouted. He shook his head sternly.
"If, and I do mean if, I want to go out with Shadow I'll do it my own way."
"You're no fun." Syd's pout grew more defined. Then she grinned and jumped off the bed. "Oh well, if you fall flat on your face it's gonna be all your own fault. Just don't say I didn't warn ya." With that she skipped out of his room.
Sky rolled his eyes and fell back on his bed.
Shadow couldn't help the grin that was plastered to her face. It felt so…right to have Jack walking beside her, his hand resting on the small of her back as he led her into the restaurant that they would be having dinner at. His hand felt warm through her dress, and excited shivers raced down at her spine.
This may come as a shock, but even though Shadow was pretty, rich, funny, and all those other things, she hadn't really been on many dates before. Her parents, or rather her mother, were extremely careful about who Shadow went out with. They had to approve every date she had and, needless to say, this drove some guys away.
Jack guided her to their table, an intimate round table that sat in a darkened corner of the restaurant away from prying eyes. The table was set formally, with two candles in silver candlesticks on either side of the bowl of floating roses that sat in the middle of the black tablecloth.
"Oh my gosh, Jack," Shadow breathed when she saw the table, "this is too much." He pulled out her chair for her.
"I want this to be special." He said as she sat down. She beamed at him happily.
"Are you sure you can afford this?" She asked quietly as he sat across from her.
"Don't worry about that," he shook his head.
"Jack, I'm a cadet too. I know how much we make." Shadow said with a small laugh.
"Well I've been saving for awhile. Besides, you're worth it." Jack said, reaching across to take Shadow's hand in his. She blushed furiously, suddenly grateful for the dim lighting that made it slightly difficult to see.
"Now," Jack dropped his intense gaze from Shadow to the menu, "what's good here?" Shadow looked down at her own menu, keenly aware that Jack still held her hand in his.
It was like the smile was stuck to his face. There was no way that Jack could have stopped smiling even if he had wanted to. Dinner had gone fantastically, he and Shadow hadn't stopped talking or laughing once the entire time. They'd talked about everything from their favorite movies to their childhoods to their greatest fears.
Jack was more than a little surprised to hear of the strict household that Shadow had grown up in. But, even as she complained about the restrictions set upon her, he couldn't help but notice the fondness that carried in her voice as she talked about her dad and, sometimes, her mother. No matter what restrictions were placed on her, Jack couldn't help but be envious that Shadow had a family that cared that much about her.
As he'd talked about his own childhood, and living on the streets after the death of his parents, Shadow had taken his hand in his and given it a gentle squeeze. That one small gesture had meant so much to Jack.
Dinner was long over, but their date continued on as they walked through the darkening park. Shadow's hand was wrapped tightly in his own, her fingers curled around his. They walked close together, the edge of her dress brushing against his leg with each step.
"It's so weird, ya know," Shadow said, her voice carrying in the empty park, "my whole life I've lived with the knowledge that my grandparents were Power Rangers and I always fought it when people said that I'd follow in their footsteps, but here I am now. I am the black SPD Ranger and I can't imagine not being here and working beside you guys."
"I guess it's kinda hard to grow up with those expectations placed on you." Jack said, "But you're lucky, Shadow. You had people in your life pushing you to be something. Not everybody has that."
Shadow smiled up at him gently.
"I know," she whispered. They continued on in a comfortable silence, neither wanting to speak lest they break the spell that the night had cast upon the earth.
Shadow shivered beside him and Jack glanced down to see her rubbing her arm. He quickly dropped her hand and took off his coat, slinging it around her shoulders as she looked at him confused.
"Thanks." She smiled as she stuffed her arms into the sleeves.
"No prob." He grinned. They looked at each other, both feeling that something was about to happen, but neither making the first move.
Hesitantly, Jack reached out and gently cupped Shadow's cheek in his palm. She glanced down at her feet quickly, before gazing back up at Jack, her eyes holding the permission that he had silently been asking for. Gathering his courage around him, Jack leaned in slowly. He saw Shadow's lips part ever so slightly, and he could feel her breath on his mouth. Her eyes closed in anticipation.
Jack's heart beat rapidly inside his chest as he gently touched his lips against hers. Her mouth was soft, and Jack could taste the wine that they had had at dinner on her lips. He pulled away slightly, watching for Shadow's reaction.
Her eyes fluttered open and she looked at him. There was an odd look in Shadow's eyes, something that Jack wasn't sure of. Suddenly, without warning, Shadow flung her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply.
To be honest, Shadow didn't know what the heck she was doing. One second she and Jack were having a friendly and in-depth conversation, the next she was kissing him like there was no tomorrow. She didn't understand a thing about it. All she knew was she liked kissing him. The feel of his lips against hers, so strong and reassuring, sent shivers down her spine.
She pulled his mouth tight against hers, refusing to let go until she had had enough. Jack didn't seem like he was about to complain though. His hands were buried deep in her hair, tilting her head back to grant him better access to her mouth. Shadow sighed as his tongue gently slid across her bottom lip, and opened her mouth to grant him access.
Deliberately, Shadow slid one hand down Jack's chest, leaving it resting over his heart as she left the other around his neck. She could feel his heart racing beneath her hand, matching her own heart beat for beat.
Finally, lack of air caused them to break apart. Breathing hard, Shadow looked at Jack. A slow grin spread across his face, causing her to laugh at his giddy expression.
It took forever for Shadow to stir from bed in the morning. As her eyes slowly opened, a smile spread across her face as memories from the previous night flooded her brain.
After a few more kisses, each one just as passionate as the last, Jack and Shadow had walked back to Headquarters. It was late when they got back, and they had had to sneak in so as to miss the patrols that Commander Cruger had in the halls at night. Though at risk by doing so, Jack had walked Shadow to her door and kissed her one last time before bidding her good night. Shadow had fallen in to bed excitedly, thinking that it would be forever until she fell asleep. But, in fact, her eyes closed the second her head hit the pillow.
Still smiling, she dressed and headed outside, guitar in hand. After such an exciting night, ideas for songs flooded Shadow's mind.
Since joining SPD, there hadn't been much time for her to work on her songs.
She chose a seat beneath a large oak. Sitting Indian style beneath the broad leaves, Shadow worked her way through the chords a dozen times each, making sure that her fingers were limber before working on a song.
Before long she was caught up in the music, letting notes take her to a higher place. A place where everything seemed…perfect. So caught up, she didn't hear anybody approaching until a form seated itself beside her.
Working through his morning exercises, Sky heard soft music coming from his left. He looked and saw Shadow sitting beneath Old Oakie, as had Syd so affectionately named the tree.
Sky felt his heart begin to beat a bit faster. He'd stayed up way past curfew, waiting for Shadow and Jack to come back from their date, but he'd been fast asleep when they'd finally decided to come home. That didn't bode well in Sky's mind. What had they been doing that had kept them out so late?
Not really knowing what he was doing, Sky felt his feet guide him towards Shadow. She was humming gently along with the music she played, her eyes closed contentedly. He sat beside her, watching her intently. Still playing, Shadow glanced over and smiled at him before returning to her music.
They sat like that for awhile. Sky listening and watching, Shadow playing and humming. She finished one song and moved straight in to another. After repeating the step a few times, Shadow finally propped her guitar up on the trunk of the tree.
"What's up Sky?" She asked, turning her head to look at him.
"Nothing," he replied nonchalantly. "Did you have fun last night?" The dreamy smile on Shadow's face was enough to answer his question.
"Yeah," she sighed happily, "I did. Jack's so incredible. We're going out again next Friday." She bit her lip in anticipation of the upcoming date. Sky's heart broke. Both at her words and the giddiness in them. So she liked Jack, possibly as much as Jack liked her. Well Sky just couldn't let her fall for the red Ranger. Nope, that just wouldn't do.
"Shadow," he said slowly. She lifted her eyebrows slightly, an indication that she was listening and not off in some dream land.
"I…" What was he supposed to say? What did you say to someone that you liked but who liked somebody else?
"I um…" He started again, only to falter.
"You can tell me whatever's going on, Sky." Shadow said gently. No he couldn't. His tongue felt as if it weighted a ton, and his mouth wouldn't move to form the words he wanted to say. So he did the only thing he could do.
Without warning, Shadow felt Sky press his lips against hers. Shocked, she didn't respond for a moment, but then, caught up in the moment, she began to kiss him back. He was so confident about what he was doing, it was hard for Shadow to resist falling into the kiss. His hands shook slightly as they ran over Shadow's arms to come and rest on her neck. Shadow felt her own body shake as well. Emotions raced through her, too many to count. Shivers raced down her spine. Her arms locked around his neck as she slowly let her body sag against his.
Suddenly, the thought of what they were doing broke the euphoria that had settled upon Shadow. She tore her mouth away from Sky's and stood quickly, trying to put as much distance between them as possible.
"What do you think you're doing?" She cried, anger at both Sky and herself flooding her. Sky stood slowly, deliberately brushing the grass and dirt off his uniform before looking at Shadow.
"I was kissing you." Sky said slowly, as if speaking to a two-year-old.
"I know that's what you were doing you jackass!" She shouted, "But why were you doing that?"
"Because that's what you do when you like somebody." His answer floored her. Shadow placed a hand against the trunk of the oak to steady herself. Sky liked her. Sky liked her. Sky liked her. Whatever way you put it, it just didn't seem logical to Shadow.
Sure they had formed a bond, but the thought that Sky actually had romantic feelings towards her just didn't seem plausible to Shadow.
"You…you can't like me." She said slowly, trying to process the thought. He looked like he was going to say something, but Shadow held up her hand, stopping him.
"Sky, no." She said a bit more harshly than she had intended. "No, you cannot like me. And you know why? Because I'm with Jack. So whatever chance there was for something between you and I, it's gone. You're too late."
"Shadow…" He took a step towards her.
"No, Sky, I don't want to hear it." Shadow turned away from him quickly, ignoring the hurt in his eyes. She grabbed her guitar and hurried back to headquarters.
Oh, poor Sky, he must be so heart broken. Hehe, just the way I wanted him. (Insert evil laugh here). Now I can fulfill my plan of comforting him thus making him mine. (Insert even more evil sounding laugh).
Oh boy I am crazy and seriously rambling. Lol. Anyway, please review and tell me what you thought. Also, the poll is still going so please cast your vote for who you want Shadow to end up with. The count is currently at:
Sky- 50
Jack- 45
