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

Challenge: Confidence
Pair: Sky/Z
Disclaimer: Don't own the Power Rangers, not even an action figure.
Timeframe: This fic is set somewhere between Perception and Reflection. It's the flip side of the last chapter.
Summary: Sky and Z test the waters of their budding relationship

Sky Tate had never been one to turn down a dare; invoke his pride and he'd take on any challenge. Usually he would succeed. But this was different, he had dared himself to take the risk, and he still couldn't make himself follow through. It was making him crazy.

Ever since that wall had nearly killed him and Z he'd noticed a change in her. She opened up to him much more, tried to get him to talk, but it wasn't easy for Sky. After his father died, Sky's whole goal in life was to get to the Academy, be the Red Ranger. That kind of drive and focus left no time for girls, parties or anything else. Sky was confident in his fighting skills, confident of his leadership abilities, but when it came to girls Sky had no confidence at all.

There had been a time when he was more sure of himself, but a very ugly experience during his first year at the academy had shaken him badly and served to prove to him that he needed to focus on training and not girls. That philosophy had served him well, until now. He thought of Z all the time – the way she smiled, the way she laughed, the way her eyes sparkled when she was joking around. He was drawn to her passion and zest for life. For someone who'd lived on the streets she had amazing resilience and an outstanding attitude. He wanted to say all of these things to her, but he constantly found himself running away.

She tried to talk to him – he found some excuse to leave. She tried to include him in a group conversation – he turned the focus on someone else. On the one hand, he was flattered and amazed that she had spent so much energy on trying to get him to open up; but at the same time he was terrified that she would soon get tired of trying and he would lose any opportunity to have something more. Sky had nearly pushed passed his fear of opening up and had just about goaded himself into having the courage to speak up. All he wanted to do was ask her out to dinner, was that really so hard?

All of these things and more were on Sky's mind when he walked into the common room. He was so distracted that he didn't notice Z sitting on the couch until he was about halfway into the room. For a split second he paused; he knew he must have looked like an idiot frozen in the middle of the room. The cautious side of his mind urged him to run away; but his dander was up, and the adventurous side was yelling much louder. This could be the perfect opportunity to talk to Z. The other Rangers were not around, that was rare. He should seize the moment while he could.

Instead, Sky kept moving forward to where his model was perched on the table. He choked out "Hey Z"; she didn't even respond. She just nodded along to whatever music she was listening to on her headphones. Sky inwardly cursed himself as he walked toward the table and gathered his things. Bad move, Sky. Bad move! Why can't you just talk to that girl?

Sky tried to get focused on the model, but knowing that Z was sitting there, just a few feet away, had him totally distracted. He tried to make it look like he was working, but what he was really trying to do was sneak glances as Z without her noticing. She was listening to her music, and Sky wondered what types of music interested her. She was flipping through her magazine, and Sky wondered what she liked to read. One thing he had noticed about Z – she was a voracious reader, he almost never saw her on her down time without a book. That was a very appealing characteristic to him.

One of the times Sky glanced at Z, he caught her glancing at him. She quickly looked away. What was that look on her face? Was she looking at him the way he was looking at her? Sky smiled inwardly; he prayed it wasn't wishful thinking.

Okay, Tate, this is it. You are going to go over there and ask Z on a date. Worst case scenario, she says no. Not the end of the world. But I think…I think she might say yes.

Movement from across the room got Sky's attention. Z had gotten to her feet and was heading for the door. Sky sprang up from his chair. Without his volition he heard "Z?" pop out of his mouth.

Z turned to look at him, honestly surprised. "Yes, Sky?"

"I um…" Sky took a deep breath and crossed the room to where Z was standing. His heart started pounding in his chest – it was now or never. Facing one of Grumm's monsters never made him feel like this. He came to stand right in front of her. "I wanted to ask you something. Would you like to go out to dinner sometime? A real dinner, not the mess hall?"

Sky was stunned when Z answered immediately, "I'd love to, Sky." The most beautiful smile graced her face.

Sky couldn't process what she said; he just couldn't believe it was true. His knees were weak with relief, and yet he felt the most intense adrenaline rush. "Really?"

"Yes! I've just been waiting for you to ask."

Sky didn't have a chance to respond. Alarm klaxons began to sound throughout the Delta Base. Together they ran side by side to the command center. If Sky seemed slightly off balance or breathless to the others, no one noticed. But inside he was brimming with confidence – the worst was over and the best was yet to come.

TBC