Disclaimer: The usual. Don't own anything you recognize.

BEHIND THE CLOUDS

By Etcetera Kit

Chapter Eighteen: Show Business II

"Oh my God – he's so cute!"

Sky inwardly rolled his eyes at Z gushing over Bridge's baby brother. It was opening night – and all their parents were here. Doctor Oliver, who knew most of them, was talking and giving them the insider's tour. Bridge had decided to watch Jordan for a little while and it was obvious how much he loved his little brother. The baby was just over five months and looked faintly puzzled at all the attention he was receiving.

They were in the lounge – most of the personnel who normally haunted the place were in class. The show members were hanging around, mostly because Doctor Oliver had given them the afternoon off and now their commander was schmoozing their parents, probably for the billionaires' sake, his parents… Bridge had handed Jordan to Z and she looked enthralled to be holding the baby.

He went back to his book, vaguely registering that Bridge and Z were going to go somewhere with Jordan. The lounge fell silent and he was grateful for the quiet. Things had been too loud, too noisy…

"Sky!"

Frowning, he turned to see Jen coming into the lounge with his sister. "Yeah?" he asked, wanting to know what she wanted.

"Can you watch Gemma for me for a few minutes? Wes and I have to talk to Tommy about some donation details and I don't want her to get fussy."

Or you don't want to bring a baby to business proceedings. "I don't know," he said hesitantly. "I don't know anything about babies or—"

"Sky, she's sleeping. It will be fine."

Jen put the baby carrier on the couch next to him, along with a diaper bag. He felt panic knot in his stomach as he prayed to any deity out there to give him some kind of wisdom regarding taking care of babies. Gemma was asleep in the carrier, her soft brown hair messy. She was wearing a pink romper.

"There's bottle in the bag if she wakes up," Jen said. "I'll be back in a few."

Sky opened and closed his mouth a few times, not sure how to articulate that he didn't know how to feed a baby, but Jen was gone, leaving him in the lounge with his baby sister. "Great," he muttered. "This is just what I need."

He glanced to his sister. It was hard to think of the baby as his sister. Bridge was his brother – and only three years younger than him. They were peers, contemporaries… Gemma was in an entirely different generation from him. The baby carrier was in neutral colors, but the blankets and padding inside were pink. Talk about being forced into a gender role at an early age. She needed something that wasn't pink. Maybe something blue… He smiled at his own bias towards his ranger color – the ranger color he had abhorred at first.

As if all his nightmares coming true, Gemma woke up and, looking confused, started to fuss. At least it wasn't flat-out wailing… Trying to calm his pounding heart and wracking his mind for whatever lessons Jen had given him back in Silver Hills when Gemma had been born, he reached into the diaper bag and pulled out the bottle. Yup, one of those new kind that stayed at the correct temperature indefinitely. Undoing the buckles that strapped her into the carrier, he lifted her out and settled her into the crook of his arm. She stopped fussing, looking up at him with curious blue eyes.

"Yeah – I'm the guy with the food," he murmured.

He took the cap off the bottle and offered it to her. She began to drink greedily, her tiny hands clasped loosely around the bottle. The panic in his stomach began to quell – he knew that once she finished, she would need to be burped. Soon enough, he had accomplished both tasks, putting the empty bottle and used blanket back in the bag. Gemma was asleep on his shoulder and he wrapped one of the blankets from her carrier around her.

Perhaps babies weren't so bad… Gemma was cute when she wasn't spitting up. "I got the short end of the stick," he said softly. "You get to grow up in the lap of luxury…" He shook his head, realizing that he might end up the luckier of them. "Just don't forget to have fun – live a little," he whispered. "I have a feeling that you're going to break hearts – and I do want to scan all your potential boyfriends first…"

This was relaxing – and he was beginning to wish he had a rocking chair. He was fighting to keep his eyes open when Jen finally reappeared. She smiled as she took Gemma from his arms. To both of their surprise, the girl began to cry, almost in frustration and irritation instead of from some physical ailment.

"Hey," Sky said softly, standing up and gently stroking Gemma' cheek. Her small arm was extended towards him.

"I think she's gotten attached," Jen said.

"I can take her for a little while," he offered, surprised at the words that came tumbling from his mouth.

"Are you sure?"

"Just for a little while."

Jen nodded. "All right." She handed Gemma back to him and her cries quieted. He settled her back into her previous position over his shoulder and sank back onto the couch. "Half an hour," Jen told him, making her retreat.

Things got quiet once more. He heard the doors to the lounge hiss open and was mildly surprised when Syd moved the carrier to the floor and sat on the couch next to him. "That's Gemma?" she asked in a whisper. He nodded. Syd gently stroked the baby's hair, a smile spreading over her face. "Hey, Gemma," she said softly. "You've got the world's best big brother, you know that, right?"

He met Syd's gaze – and was suddenly left wondering what a child of their own would be like, how they would deal with it, raise it… She leaned forward and her lips met his. He was so surprised that he barely had time to respond before she pulled away. Smiling, she stood up and left the lounge.

Sky leaned back against the couch, glancing down at Gemma. "First you, then Syd… all the pretty women want me."

The door chimes to his quarters sounded and Tommy frowned, not entirely sure who would need to talk him this late on a Thursday. "Come in!" he called. The doors slid open, revealing Austin Grayson, looking a little nervous. "Grayson," he said. "What can I do for you?"

The B-Squad Red Ranger looked a little unsure as he stepped into the apartment. Tommy gave him a searching gaze. He had made Austin the B-Squad's Red Ranger for a number of reasons – he came across as a decent leader, having been a squad leader during his pilot training at the Nebula Academy. He could work within small groups and keep things together. He also did not have a history of abusing a command position, however slight. The decision to assign Paris to the A-Squad came naturally, but he had thought long and hard before he assigned the B-Squad their ranger colors.

"It's about my… job," he trailed off uncertainly.

"All right, sit down." Tommy gestured for the couch.

Austin sat down, looking at his hands. "Look, sir," he started. "I'm a pilot. That's what I've been trained to do, ever since I was a cadet here. I never wanted to be anything else." He paused. "And it's not that I don't want to be a ranger or—or anything… but…"

"But what?" Tommy asked.

"I'm not a leader. At least not a ranger leader."

Tommy leaned back against the couch. "What do you want me to do?"

"I'd like to remain as a ranger – on the B-Squad, but I can't continue to be the Red Ranger. I can't keep leading them."

"Who do you propose I promote to red?"

"Sir, I think I should be placed as Green Ranger and you should promote Sky and Bridge. They've earned it and they've got so much more experience than I do."

"So, you're suggesting I promote Sky to Red Ranger and Bridge to Blue Ranger?"

"Yes, sir."

He nodded. "Thank you for being honest, Grayson. I'll put some thought into it and give you my final decision by Monday."

Austin nodded. "Thank you, sir."

Backstage was buzzing with life and nerves. Z was corralling the crew heads and taking care of last minute details. Paris had given her a list of things that needed to be checked – and she was systematically working her way through the list. The prop crew had the guns and a lot of stage blood (made in Paris' apartment over the weekend – she was swearing that her kitchen sink now had a pink tinge.) Ethan had the cues for the gunshots and the costume crew had repaired one of the Cellblock Tango dresses… if they weren't prepared for opening night, then Z wasn't sure what prepared actually meant.

She glanced into the crowded dressing room. People were moving around and talking excitedly. The three girls who made up the make-up crew were part of the giggle cadet patrol that seemed to follow Sky around. They weren't giggling right now – in fact, each of them was serious, concentrating on applying make-up to their subjects. One of them was working on Bridge, while another was doing Syd's hair. Bridge was quiet – one of the sure signs that he was nervous.

"Hey."

Z turned to see Sky coming towards her. He had on a navy blue dress shirt that was open at the collar and black slacks. He and Paris would be sitting in the audience, both looking professional, but wearing dark enough clothing to prowl around backstage if it was needed. However, the backstage was up to her and Ethan…

"Hey," she echoed. "You're looking all suave and spiffy."

"Very funny," he replied dryly. He pulled a picture from his back pocket. "I thought you might be interested in this."

She took the picture from him, thinking it might be something from the Halloween party. Instead, it featured a young boy, about six, who was Sky from the looks of things. It was obviously that boy's birthday from the cake and presents and the fact that he was dead in the center of it. A little girl was standing on the chair next to him, wearing an almost garish lavender dress and pressing a kiss to his cheek. He looked slightly disgusted.

"Is that you?" she asked.

He nodded. "And that girl is you."

Z opened and closed her mouth a few times, incredulous. "How?" she asked. "I didn't meet you until I came to SPD."

Sky shrugged. "You've have run-ins with me before we were both at SPD." He paused. "That was taken at my sixth birthday. Your parents asked my dad to take you in for a while, trying to hide you from Cruger. My dad said you were with us about two weeks."

Z stared at the picture, shards of memories coming back to her – sleeping on a bottom bunk and feeling scared, alone… insisting on wearing that lavender dress. "Wow," she muttered, then looked up at Sky. "When else have I run into you?"

"You probably don't remember the second time. Bridge and I found you in an alley, sick – almost unconscious. We didn't know who you were, so we took you to a halfway house." He shrugged again. "It's taken us a while to connect you with the girl we found in the alley."

She closed her eyes, remembering that. She had a fever and hadn't been able to make it someplace where she could get help. All she recalled was two vague figures, but… there had been that blue sheen and someone saying that he had shielded the alley. A smile broke out over her face. "That was you two?"

He nodded. "The whole thing was Bridge's idea. He felt you projecting emotions."

"That's Bridge for you."

She glanced down at the picture in her hands. "Can I keep this?" she asked.

"Sure." He looked amused. "My dad said that you were pretty adamant about the fact that you were going to marry me."

"What?" she asked with a laugh.

"I'm just passing on what my dad said – I don't remember that. I just remember the party. So, just remember, I was your first boyfriend – and I have no problems beating Bridge up over anything."

Z nodded. "You know, Sky," she said with a grin. "You actually do have a heart – you just don't want to admit to it."

"If offering to beat up Bridge means I have a heart—"

"Don't finish that statement."

Sky just smiled and kissed her cheek. "I'm glad you're here, Z," he whispered. "And I'm glad that you're with Bridge. You both deserve some happiness."

"Not going to keep any for yourself?"

He shrugged. "I'll get along – always have and always will."

"YOU!"

Both of them started and turned to see Paris striding towards them. Sky frowned. She looked almost livid, but was keeping it under control. Like Sky, she was dressed nicely, wearing a classic black dress that was strapless and swished around her knees. Her hair was in a tight French braid. "Me?" Sky asked mildly.

"Yes, you," Paris replied. "Remember how I told you to learn the male leads? Become their understudy? You actually did it, right?"

"Of course," he said, looking bewildered. "What does that—"

"Sharpton broke his leg! Can you believe it? Simulator accident – opening night! I told him to stay away from things that would put him out of commission, but he didn't listen to me and Doctor Felix says he's too doped up on painkillers to do anything tonight! Maybe by tomorrow, but…" She shook her head. "You have to be Amos."

"Wha-what?" Sky stammered, looking terrified.

"Yes! You heard me. Sharpton is tall like you – you should be able to wear his costumes without a huge problem. Hurry up and get ready and we can run through Mr. Cellophane and the rest of your lines. Hell, I'll even let you take the script out tonight if you'd be more comfortable." Sky didn't move, as it appeared that he was frozen to the spot. "Oh hell," Paris muttered, grabbing his arm and dragging him into the dressing room.

"I'll go find a costume person to make sure everything fits!" Z volunteered. Paris nodded curtly, before sitting Sky down at Sharpton's place in the dressing room. However, she couldn't resist from watching the ensuing drama.

"Carol," Paris said to the make-up crew giggle-patrol girl who was closest. "You need to do Amos make-up on Sky, fast." Carol nodded, not giggling, but looking professional. "Borrow make-up from someone with his skin tone and tell them that I'll replace it." Paris stopped and compared her tan skin to Sky's. "Actually, never mind – I'll run to my apartment quickly and get my stage make-up. That will work."

Z left to find the costume crew head and missed the rest of the soap opera. The costume people took care of Sky's costumes and he eventually had to run through his musical number and lines with Paris and some of the other cast members before they had to open the curtain. People were cued for the opening and they began without much mishap. Z watched from the wings – and glanced behind her. Paris was standing with Sky, ready to push him out when his first cue was. The lights went down.

Z motioned to him – but he didn't seem inclined to move. Paris' face looked almost malevolent in the dim light backstage. She gave him a push and he stumbled out onto the stage. The pair of them stood and watched the scene unfold. Sky didn't seem to remember his first line, but one of the cadets in the male chorus mouthed it. After that, he seemed to do just fine, picking up the nuances of the scenes easily.

She exchanged a glance with Paris. For a man who claimed he couldn't act or sing, he was doing amazingly well…

Conner grinned to himself as he and Kira edged their way through backstage. One of the only reasons the usher had let him and Kira back here was because they recognized them as rangers and most lower level personnel let the rangers get away with anything. Backstage was chaotic as people were changing out of their costumes and congratulating themselves and each other. Paris was moving around the dressing room, thanking each person and congratulating them. Her praise obviously meant a lot to them. And it should have, Paris Grayson did not hand out praise lightly or to just anyone.

"Hey guys!"

He turned to see Z coming towards them, a huge smile on her face. She was wearing all black with a black baseball cap on backwards. She and Kira exchanged a quick hug.

"You guys were awesome!" Kira told her.

"Thanks," Z replied.

"I hope that means all of us."

Ethan and Trent appeared. "The booth is ready for tomorrow," Ethan told Z.

Paris moved out of the dressing room and accepted a tight hug from Trent. He kissed her cheek as she remained close to him. The others were still in the dressing room – he could see Syd removing the last of her make-up. Bridge and Sky were talking as the latter finished putting his shirt on – giving the make-up crew a show they had probably been waiting all year to see. Conner continued to smile as Kira threaded her fingers through his. So this school year had been a little wild – and it wasn't over yet.

"There's someone from NYU that wants to talk to you," Trent murmured to Paris.

She pulled away from him, her expression moving from puzzled to incredulous. "Are you serious?" she asked.

Trent nodded. Paris hurried off towards the crowd of people waiting for the rest of the actors and crew to appear. Conner just shook his head – no one, save for Kira, knew that he had called an old friend of his at NYU and that friend had managed to get a representative from their theater department down here to see the show. Paris deserved an opportunity to get out of Newtech and spread her wings – a full scholarship to NYU just might be the ticket. For the other nine rangers at SPD, there wasn't a lot that Conner wouldn't do.

He thought to his ex-wife briefly. That time seemed so far away and like another life, not connected to his current life. He had his daughters, Kira… he was a ranger… what more could he have asked for in the long run?

"Yeah – I don't think Roxie was supposed to kiss Amos during the courtroom scene," Ethan was saying with a laugh.

"No, that wasn't supposed to happen," Z agreed. "But it was cute."

Sky and Bridge came out of the dressing room, joining the small group. "So, do I get an autograph?" Conner asked.

"Autograph?" Sky asked with a frown.

"Sure – so when you guys are on Broadway, I can claim that I knew you once and then sell the autograph for big bucks."

"We're not good enough to be on Broadway," Bridge said.

"You never know," Trent intoned.

"So what's all this about a cast party tomorrow?" Syd asked, accepting hugs from Bridge and Z as she finally joined the circle of rangers.

"Paris' idea," Z replied. "She wanted us the have some fun." She shrugged. "It also helps that the Mom Association decided to donate some money and food for the cause."

And Z was off, giving them the details on the party. Conner glanced at all of them – all of the rangers minus the twins were standing here. It was appropriate, considering that the twins had been removed from ranger activities for so long. The A-Squad here had been rangers before and the B-Squad was picking up that legacy. Soon enough, it would be time to pass that legacy to them permanently while the four of them moved on, away from being Power Rangers. But for now, he intended to enjoy his time here, with them…

"Should we go say hi to everyone?" Bridge asked.

There was a round of agreement as they began to make their way out of the theater and into the lobby just beyond. He was proud of all of them – for putting together the show, but also for growing, becoming adults and ready to take on the world.

To Be Continued...

Author's Note: Just to kind of give everyone a preview of what is to come - I do plan on doing a Christmas piece in this AU (or winter holiday piece if we're going to be politically correct.) I'm not sure when (or if) it will be posted, but sometime before December 25 - how about that? And it freaking snowed here last night! Hasn't snowed all winter and decides to do it the moment I arrive back from Thanksgiving... freaking weather... At any rate, thanks to everyone who has reviewed - the comments have been amazing and so much fun to read! Thank you all so much for your continued support of my work - it means a lot to me!