The challenges can be found at Ars Amatoria's Ranger Romance Themes.

Challenge: Mirror
Pair: Sky/Z
Disclaimer: Don't own the Power Rangers, not even an action figure.
Timeframe: This fic is set after Recognition.

It was late and Z was tired. Spending the evening with Syd had been fun, but she just hadn't been able to get Sky off her mind. At first all she could think was Thank God my towel didn't slip! It wouldn't have, of course. Why would a firmly secured towel just fall down? The presence of the Blue Ranger had no effect on gravity or her towel tying skills. Yet, the thought was uppermost in her mind when she turned to see Sky standing with Syd in front of her closet.

The second thing that Z thought was What did he see?

In the immediate confusion of the moment, Z couldn't recall what she'd been doing in relation to where Sky was standing. How far down did the towel she was using on her hair fall across her shoulders? What did he see?

Z turned in front of the mirror in the bathroom. Sliding her terrycloth robe off her shoulders she glanced over her shoulder toward the mirror. Z examined the scars on her back. Jack was the only one who'd seen her back fully exposed; but he would never tell her story without her permission. He understood; he had scars of his own. Z had only recently become comfortable enough in front of Syd to show her exposed shoulders. She hadn't shared much about how she got the scars, but Syd seemed content with the little information Z was willing to give. The Pink Ranger was patient and knew Z would share her story in her own time. Letting Syd see the scars of her past was one thing; letting Sky see them was something else.

What would he think of her now?

Z pulled the robe back onto her shoulders with a sigh. She turned off the bathroom light and walked quietly back down to the room she shared with Syd. The room was quiet; Syd hadn't been sleeping long enough for the snoring to start in earnest. Z hoped she'd nod off before Syd really got going, but the way she was feeling it was unlikely.

Crawling into bed, Z pulled the blankets up into a comfortable nest around her. She closed her eyes and tried to quiet her mind, but thoughts of the Blue Ranger wouldn't allow her to sleep. She played the scene over and over again in her mind trying to eek out the smallest meaning out of Sky's every word and gesture.

Z had been surprised at Sky's complete lack of composure when he saw her in the towel. She would've been amused by his reaction if she hadn't been so distressed and mortified; if it had been Syd he'd seen dressed in a towel, Z would probably still be laughing. Sky couldn't even look her in the face when he was talking – was that because he was trying to be a gentleman, or was it something else?

When Z had told him she was grateful he'd come to talk to them, she really meant it. And it seemed they connected. She thought she'd actually gotten a little smile out of him. Then Syd had made the crack about letting Z get dressed and Sky ran for the hills. That part actually was funny – she and Syd shared a good laugh.

Somewhere in the middle of all her pondering Z's focus shifted from what she thought Sky was thinking to the way he made her feel. She was a little surprised by the depth of feeling the Blue Ranger evoked in her. He made her want to trust him; and that was the most dangerous kind of man of all. But Z had long ago decided that she would not allow the scars of the past to determine the path of her future. What she saw in the mirror would have no hold on her if she didn't allow it to.

Z curled onto her side snuggling further into her pillow. A soft smile formed on her lips as she replayed Sky's sprint for the door in her mind. With the Blue Ranger firmly in mind, Z drifted off into sleep well before Syd's chainsaw snoring could keep her awake.