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

Challenge: Dream
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; and right after the "Beautiful" ficlet.

Summary: The date

Elizabeth Delgado was not a dreamer, she was a realist. She's been awakened to the harsh realities of life when she was very young, and life on the streets only reinforced her pragmatic view of the world. Princesses in castles and knights in shining armor were for people like Syd, not for Z. So when Sky asked her out for dinner, that was all she envisioned – an evening with Sky, sharing a meal and some conversation; that was all she was expecting, and it would have been more than enough. What she got was so much more.

From the time they'd walked out of the academy arm in arm, Z felt like she was walking in a dream or some romantic movie. Sky seemed to have lost all of his nervousness; that may have been due in part to the fact that he was obviously working on some time schedule and plan she had no knowledge of – but that was fine with Z. She was totally happy to let Sky take care of all the details, and for this one night, this one perfect night she could be treated like the princess she never imagined she'd be.

For his part, Sky was a perfect gentleman. He seemed to be having as much fun treating her like a lady as she was letting him treat her that way. For sure, Z would not be expecting this kind of behavior or treatment on a regular basis, but she got the feeling from Sky that he knew this was her first real date, not just a first date with him and he wanted to make it special. Just knowing that he was making that kind of effort made Z glow from the inside out.

Walking from the Academy to the avenue outside of the main building led to the first surprise of the evening; waiting for them there was a horse-drawn carriage. Z's eyes went wide when she spotted it. She held a little tighter to Sky's arm and looked up at him in astonishment.

"Sky? Are you serious?"

His answer was a happy grin at her obvious delight. He helped her up into the coach and she had to laugh at the unreality of it all. Sky climbed in next to her and they settled together in the small seat. "Do you have enough room?" Sky asked her.

"Well, if you put your arm around me, then there'll be room enough for us both." she suggested pertly. Sky instantly obliged and Z settled back comfortably under the shelter of his arm. As the carriage lurched forward she thought to herself If this date ended right now, I'd be the happiest I've ever been. Not that I want our communicators to go off…

Z waited for a tense moment, sure that her thoughts would lead to the dissolution of this perfect evening. When nothing happened – no beeps, no sirens – she allowed herself to relax and enjoy the ride. The carriage took them through the large park in the middle of NewTech City. Z was surprised when Sky asked for them to be dropped off in the park and not downtown where most of the restaurants were. But the driver, who was obviously in on Sky's plan, knew just where to drop them and smoothly pulled to a stop.

Z recognized the place; it was the gazebo where they'd held Syd's birthday party. It was lit with soft white lights, and a table for two was set in the center. Z beamed at Sky; he took her hand and led her to the gazebo.

"This is not what I was envisioning when you said 'nice, but not fancy'." Z said. Sky's face creased with concern. Z quickly continued, "It's perfect, and so lovely." She impulsively threw her arms around Sky's neck. "Thank you, Sky!"

Sky hugged her back, and he let out deep breath as he said, "I wasn't sure what you'd think. But I was hoping I knew you well enough to guess what you'd like."

Z took a step back, far enough to look at his face, but she kept her hands on his arms. "No little pink bird helped with this part of the evening?"

"Nope." That shy smile that melted Z's heart crossed Sky's face. "This was all me…for you." Z was caught up in the intensity of Sky's gaze; it was almost inconceivable to her that he had made such a grand effort. She was deeply moved. He must have seen something in her eyes, because he tore his gaze away, and before she could become overcome with emotion began to pull her forward toward the gazebo.

Dinner was served from an ice chest that Sky had stashed there earlier in the day. The meal was simple, but elegantly prepared. Sparkling cider was served since they were both technically always on duty, and because they were both underage. Conversation flowed as easily as the cider; Z learned more about Sky in that one evening than she had in all the time she'd known him. She learned almost as much from what was said as from how he behaved. At least for the evening, the reserved and uptight Blue Ranger was put to rest, and Z got a glimpse of a man named Sky.

And, much to Z's surprise she discovered that Sky wasn't averse to dancing, it was dancing in public he had a problem with. After their meal was finished, Sky produced a CD player from somewhere and lovely, instrumental music began to play. Z was taken with the music – it was totally old-fashioned, but fit the mood of the evening perfectly. Sky rose from his seat, bowed slightly before her and held out his hand. "May I have this dance?"

Z slipped her hand into his and allowed him to pull her to her feet. Confidently Sky drew her into his arms and began a simple waltz around the perimeter of the gazebo. Z allowed herself to be caught up in the music and the moment. Resting her head against his shoulder, Z pulled herself even more tightly into Sky's embrace and reveled in the feelings of security and affection he aroused in her. If this is a dream, I hope it never ends.

But Z knew the evening couldn't last forever. An insistent beep from Sky's watch interrupted their dance and indicated that it was time to leave. However, even that small reminder of reality didn't mar the perfection of the evening. Together they cleared the remains of the meal; Sky insisted that he'd return the next day to retrieve the ice chest. Hand in hand they left the gazebo and headed back toward the Academy. Z had slung the wrap from Syd around her shoulders, but the fabric was gauzy and not enough to keep off the evening's chill. Without words, Sky slipped out of his jacket and slid it around Z's shoulders. The warmth of him sent a shiver of a different kind through Z.

The evening ended, as it had begun, back at Z and Syd's room. Standing far enough from the door not to trigger the automatic open response, Z and Sky stood facing each other. It seemed to Z, now that they had reached the end of the evening, Sky was without a plan and she could see his tension creeping back in. She knew he would never end the evening the way she wanted it to end, so she decided to take matters into her own hands.

"Sky," she began as she looked up into his face, "this was the most wonderful evening I have ever had." A smile creased Sky's face. "And, I am so glad I shared it with you." Z gently slid her right hand behind Sky's neck and pulled him in for a soft kiss. When their lips met Z felt a sweetness she had never experienced before. Is this what a kiss is supposed to feel like?

She broke from the kiss first, knowing that if she didn't, she wouldn't be able to walk under her own power through her bedroom door. But she didn't release Sky immediately. She clung to him for one more moment, then whispered fiercely into his ear, "You made dreams I never knew I had come true, Sky. Thank you." With one final peck on the cheek, Z released him.

Stepping back Z was glad to see at least as many emotions on Sky's face as she was sure were on hers. "Good-night, Sky."

"Good-night, Z."

Z stepped into the doorway of her room and turned silently away allowing the door to swish quietly closed behind her. Bringing the bouquet of carnations to her nose Z closed her eyes and deeply inhaled the scent that would always reminder her of the dream Sky made come true.

"Z!" an insistent voice demanded, "Tell me everything!" With a grin, Z's eyes popped opened and she leapt onto Syd's bed, ready to share every detail from beginning to end.