Variations Of Pink
Chapter 11: Officers Ball Pt. 1
Last Revised: August 25, 2005
Summary: It's time for the big dance
Rating: it's changed, M, for adult-themed situations.
Disclaimer: I don't own PR, Disney does
AN: The song excerpt comes from NSYNC – Something Like You.
AN2: "A leader is someone who always encourages his teammates to do better and to stand by them no matter what. A leader knows when to take over and when to let his teammates shine. He's protective, and is a great listener and would do anything for one of his teammates." – BloomingViolets.
AN3: With great appreciation for her support, advice, help and friendship, this chapter is dedicated to BloomingViolets. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as you enjoyed helping me pick the dresses, hairstyles and the song, among other things:winks: There is no shortage of Sky/Syd moments in this particular chapter, just so you know, and they were done for you and all the Syd/Sky fans out there!.
"Once in awhile, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale." -- Unknown --
She tossed and turned for the millionth time, finally coming to rest on her back, staring up at the ceiling of her bedroom. 'Why can't I sleep?' she asked herself, until she realized why – she was worried about Sky.
"Are you still awake?" a sleepy voice grumbled from the other side of the room.
"Yeah. Sorry. I'll be back in a bit, go back to sleep," Syd called to Z, who took her friend's advice and rolled over.
Quickly and quietly, Sydney grabbed Peanuts and her short, pink silk bathrobe. Shrugging into her robe, the Pink Ranger moved into the common room just beyond and then out into the corridor and down to the infirmary.
When she entered, only one nurse was on duty, and she seemed half asleep. "Cadet Drew."
"Hi Mariana."
The older women didn't say anything more, simply going about checking vitals of the patients in the various rooms via the computer. "He's still awake."
Syd smiled her thanks and crept toward Sky's room.
If there was one thing Sky hated the most, it was being unable to move. Fortunately for him, Kat had told him a few hours ago that it was safe for him to lie on his sides for small amounts of time, as long as he didn't jostle himself.
Being all alone and stuck in bed did have one advantage – he got to think about Sydney uninterrupted. He still couldn't figure out what possessed him to suddenly blurt out how he felt earlier in the evening. 'And she said yes to going to the Officers Ball with me!' he thought happily. That was one thing the drugs couldn't dim – the happiness he felt now that he knew Syd returned his feelings for him.
"Hey you," a soft voice called, startling the Blue Ranger from his dreaming. Sky scowled at the interruption, until he realized who the interruption had come from.
"Shouldn't you be in bed, Syd?"
The Pink Ranger shrugged her shoulders and sat down in the chair next to his bed, holding her stuffed animal close. She wasn't really worried about Sky seeing her pajamas – she was wearing a tank top and a pair of shorts – so she brought her legs up and sat cross legged on the chair. "Couldn't sleep."
"Why?"
"Worried about you, excited about the dance and our shopping trip tomorrow, still thinking about earlier this afternoon and what you said to me."
Sky grinned and pushed himself back onto his side more so he could look at her. He was happy that she'd come to him, but he could see the look in her eyes, though it was kind of dark thanks to the dimmed lights; he knew she was upset. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, everything, I have no clue anymore," she told him honestly. "I just couldn't sleep."
"I can't either."
"That's because you've been asleep for the better part of a day, silly," Sydney giggled. "Sky," she started, looking up at him.
"Come here," Sky told her. Syd leapt off the chair and into his arms, mindful not to push him back on his wounds. She snuggled close to him, her head nestled under his chin, and his arm wrapped tightly around her and Peanuts. "Think you can go to sleep now?"
"Mmm hmm," she hummed, inhaling Sky's scent and burying her face in his chest. "I love you."
Sky grinned and kissed the top of her head, snuggling her close to his body as he started to drift off. "I love you too."
Kat's lips turned up in a soft smile when she saw the figures on the bed before her. Sydney lay on her back, Peanuts tucked under her head, and Sky lay on his chest, his body covering Syd's, with his head on Syd's chest.
Sky was sound asleep and Sydney's eyes were closed, though Kat realized she was awake when the Pink Ranger's fingers combed through Sky's hair lovingly. "Good morning, Kat."
"Morning Syd. Would you mind waking him up for me so I can check his vitals? At least this way he won't be grumpy."
Sydney laughed. "You should know him better than that. I've woken him and Bridge plenty of times; they don't like getting up when they don't have to."
Kat nodded, but watched as Sydney woke Sky as asked. Syd's lips brushed against Sky's brow, then his nose and finally she managed to lean down and capture his lips. Kat had to turn away from the display of affection; not only was it an intimate moment between Sydney and the man she loved but it reminded Kat of someone else who use to do the same thing to the man she loved when they ended up in the infirmary.
'You would be proud of her, Kimberly. She's so much like you that it's scary' Kat thought as she went about recording the date and time of the vitals check on her data pad.
Sky felt the warmth seeping through the haze of sleep until he was fully conscious and aware that he was laying against something a lot softer than the infirmary bed. Almost immediately the Blue Ranger realized he was sleeping on top of Syd, his head nestled against her breasts. 'What a way to wake up' he thought with a smile, moving his head slightly to look up at Syd. He didn't even get to mutter a greeting as Syd's lips were soon straining against his.
Carefully he adjusted his position and kissed her back. "Good morning," he whispered, pecking a kiss to her lips again.
"A very good one in my opinion. You need to let me up because Kat wants to check your vitals and I have to go shower and change and join Z on patrol in forty five minutes."
Sky frowned and then blushed when he realized Kat was standing in the corner of the room, her back to the two of them. "Good morning Kat."
"Good morning Sky."
Turning his attention back to Syd, Sky pouted. "Do you really have to go?"
The response he got was Syd's famous giggle. "I'm afraid so, Baby. I'll come back during lunch and sit with you. Is there anything special you want me to bring you when I come back?"
Sky smiled. "A couple of my books and possibly something to play some music on. And real food."
Syd laughed and pecked a kiss to his cheek. "How about I bring your razor and some shaving cream so I can get rid of the stubble?"
The Blue Ranger rolled his eyes, pecked a quick kiss to Sydney's lips and rolled off of her, so that she could get up off his bed. "Later Syd."
"Bye Sky. See you later, Kat!" Syd called, bouncing out the door with Peanuts in her arms.
"Alright Cadet Tate, let's check those vital signs, though I somehow think they're going to be a little high considering the stimulation you just had."
Kat's comments and knowing smile had Sky blushing deeply.
"Where have you been?" Z asked when Sydney entered the Command Center after having showered and dressed in her uniform.
"Out."
"Where were you last night? You weren't in our room."
Z's comment caught Jack and Bridge's interest, so the two boys made their way over to their friends and teammates.
"I was visiting Sky, if you must know," Sydney grinned brightly. "I sort of fell asleep with him, again."
The three other Rangers shook their heads and laughed. "Cadets!" Cruger called, snapping the four veteran Rangers to attention. Behind him were the B, C and D Squad Rangers.
"Commander?" Jack asked.
"I would like the four of you to teach them how to patrol. D Squad will be going with Cadets Landors and Carson. C Squad will go with Cadets Drew and Delgado. B Squad Pink and Yellow, you're to go with
Jack and Bridge; B Squad Blue, Green and Red, you'll go with Syd and Z. Meet back here in three hours for debriefing and reports. Dismissed."
The four teams saluted and then turned to leave.
"Cadet Landors?"
Jack turned at the sound of his name being called. He found Allison, the B Squad Pink Ranger standing before him.
"Yes Allison?"
The poor girl looked nervous to Jack's trained eye, like she was waiting any minute for him to blow up at her or reject any ideas she had.
"Um, you see, I was wondering...I talked to Cadet Drew...and...she said that, um, you weren't..."
"Allison, what's wrong?" Jack asked gently, hoping to calm the poor girl's nerves. She was only a year younger than Sydney, probably around Bridge and Z's age with beautiful fire red hair and deep green eyes.
"I know this isn't the most appropriate time to ask this, but would you go to the Officers Ball with me, provided you don't already have a date?"
Jack's eyebrows rose in surprise. He'd been planning on asking Kat if he could escort her, but he'd heard from Bridge that their feline advisor was going to be escorted by Commander Cruger himself. "I'm flattered, Allison, really..."
"But you've already asked someone. No problem."
"No, I haven't asked anyone. I'd be honored if you'd let me escort you to the dance." Jack smiled when the young woman looked surprised and happy.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. After shifts are over, we can hang out in the common room and talk about the details."
"Of course."
"Hey Kat!" Z greeted as she and Sydney entered the garage after their shifts were over. Kat was standing next to a beautiful, shiny black convertible. "Nice car."
"Thank you. I'll drive, seeing how we're taking the night off from S.P.D. and I don't think you guys want to ride around in one of the jeeps."
"Syd, take the front," Z told her friend. "You'll have to direct Kat to the places we're going."
Quickly, the three women got into the vehicle and Kat tore out of the parking garage, eliciting peels of laughter from the others.
"Where to first, Sydney?" Kat asked once the trio got out onto the road.
"Let's stop by Rain first. I still have to pick up the stuff I bought yesterday, and I think there's some dresses there you two will like."
"Hey, you awake?" Jack called, entering the infirmary room.
"Yeah. What's up?"
"Not much, I just thought you might like some company. Bridge is making some popcorn and toast and then he'll be along with that and a movie, and the girls are out shopping."
"Syd's shopping again?"
Jack laughed and sat down in the chair next to Sky's bed. "More like Syd dragged Kat and Z off to find them something to wear to the dance. I recall a certain Pink Ranger mentioning she already found the perfect dress."
"Let's hope I can get the heck out of this bed by that Friday."
The Red Ranger nodded. "I talked to Kat before she left. She said you've got about three or four more days of this and the laser before she'll even let you try to get up. After that, we're gonna have to push you to get you back into shape after nearly a week of inactivity."
Sky groaned at the thought. "Nothing too strenuous, I hope."
Jack shrugged. "Maybe I'll be nice and put Syd in charge of your reconditioning." Sky shot a look at the Red Ranger, effectively banking any further discussion as far as where Jack's train of thought was going.
"Popcorn and toast, all nice and buttery," Bridge spoke, trying to make his usual sign for buttery but failing miserably with the two bowls of popcorn, the plate of toast and a stack of movies in his hands. "And a dozen movies for you to choose from, Sky."
The Blue Ranger smiled and nodded. "Alright Bridge, let's see what you brought."
Kat sat back and studied the two young ladies who were her closest friends next to Commander Cruger. It was an education to watch Sydney Drusilla Scott in action, especially when her concentration was focused on the Yellow Ranger.
Z stood in the middle of the showroom floor at Rain, several racks full of dresses surrounding her as Sydney pawed through several other racks, looking for the perfect dress – she'd discarded many because of color, or length, or how they looked on Z.
"PERFECT!"
All Kat could see was the pale yellow material of the dress before Syd had thrust it into Z's arms and then shoved the Yellow Ranger into a dressing room. Before Kat could blink, the Pink Ranger was prowling toward her.
"Something dark," Syd said cryptically, eyeing Kat. "And something not so tight fitting am I right?"
Kat could only arch an eyebrow at Sydney. "I found my dress already, thank you."
"Let me see," Syd giggled, excited. Kat held up the dark brown dress and watched Syd sigh and swoon. "Oh Kat, that's gorgeous. Commander Cruger is gonna flip his lid when he sees that."
The feline rolled her eyes but nodded, conceding Syd's victory with her comments.
"It fits. I'll take it, now can we go get some food and go watch a movie?" Z complained, rushing from the dressing room and to Kat's side before Sydney could turn and thrust any more dresses upon the hapless Yellow Ranger.
"Yeah, let's go. Kat's found her dress, and the shoes are at the front of the store, unless you already have a pair that'll go with that?"
"Actually, I do. And I have a pair that Kat can wear that will go with that dress."
Kat stood and stretched. "Then by all means, let's get something to eat, please."
He woke, startled by the soft touch of lips to his forehead. When he opened his eyes, deep blue ones were staring back at him, along with the cutest smile on pouty lips. "Hi."
"Hi. I'm sorry; I didn't mean to wake you. I just wanted to check on you before I go to bed."
"How about doing the invalid a favor and staying in here again tonight?"
Sydney blushed and smiled down at him. "I don't think Commander Cruger would like that too much."
"So? We're allowed to break the rules once in a while, isn't that what you told me?"
"No, I said we could bend the rules once in a while. You forget, we bent them last night." Syd moved to leave and Sky grabbed her wrist, caressing her hand with his thumb.
"Please, Syd?"
Shaking her head, Sydney smiled and then climbed onto the bed with him. They took up their positions from earlier that morning, both of them acutely aware that Sky's was laying on a very sensitive part of Syd's body. "You're so soft," Sky murmured, nuzzling the valley between her breasts before settling down to sleep.
Syd's body shook lightly from her giggling. "And you're hard as steel, what's your point?" She asked him as she moved her hands up to run them through his hair while they fell asleep.
Sky woke with a start in the middle of the night. He'd been having a vivid dream about Sydney and him in his bedroom at home, not his bedroom here that he shared with Bridge. It had felt so real, touching her and hearing her giggle and moan for his ears only.
Groaning, Sky shifted, realizing that Sydney was really lying beneath him. He almost panicked until he finally became awake enough to realize he was still in the infirmary.
He shifted off of her, careful not to disturb her or to hurt his already sore back. Propping his head up with his left hand, Sky hovered over her.
Syd was wearing a thin, well worn pink tank top with what looked suspiciously like a pink Care Bear on it. She had on a pair of matching shorts which, Sky knew from personal experience of having seen them on one of his cousins, said Cheer Bear on the butt.
The Blue Ranger groaned more softly this time, reaching down to adjust his own pajama pants. 'I'm turning into a pervert, sitting here thinking about her like this when she's sound asleep!' he berated himself. His dream hadn't helped any.
"Sky?" Syd murmured, shifting closer to his body. Grinning and shaking his head, Sky moved back to his original position of his body covering Sydney's.
"Go back to sleep, Syd," he murmured to her, settling his head on her stomach this time, instead of her breasts.
The two weeks between Sky's injuries and the Officers Ball passed with relative ease and peace. The team dealt with a few minor battles, trained the new recruits, worked with the B, C and D Squads, and managed to escape without Sydney having an episode. That was what they were most grateful for. With Sky laid up, it could have proven disastrous if Sydney had needed his calming reassurance out on the battlefield.
Finally, it came down to Kat releasing Sky back to duty, which the Blue Ranger was grateful for. "Alright Cadet Tate, you're officially back on duty, LIGHT duty."
Sky rolled his eyes at Kat and laughed. "I'm free to go?"
"Yes. And I was told on my way up here that your father is waiting downstairs for you."
Sky smiled and nodded, gingerly hopping off the exam table and out of the infirmary.
When the Blue Ranger reached the lobby, he found not only his father but his Uncle Eric and Sydney's dad, Jason. "What's up?"
"Well, word on the street from a certain pretty blonde is that you haven't been able to get out and get a tux, and you have exactly six hours to get one before you need to start getting ready," Eric teased.
Sky shot his Uncle a glare before looking to his father and Jason for answers. "We're going shopping. You mother and your aunt are at home with house guests and are getting ready."
"House guests? Do I even want to ask who?"
"Some old friends of ours," Jason laughed, clapping Sky carefully on the shoulder. "How's the back?"
"Better."
"It should be," Eric quipped. "According to Kat, he's had a pretty blonde nurse in pink pajamas the last couple of weeks."
Sky winced when Jason shot him a parental glare. "Just remember, that's my daughter you've got your eyes on. I may be old, but I'm still the original Red Ranger."
"Sky, before Jason tells you he'll kick your ass from here to KO-35, allow me to give you a piece of advice," Wes spoke, trying to bite back his laughter. "Please, please, be careful. While we all would like grandkids, we don't want them until after you've left the academy, and I speak for not only your mother and I, but Jason and Katherine as well."
The Blue Ranger was blushing so bad and felt so mortified all he could do was nod and follow the three older men out to the waiting limo.
See part 2 for the rest!