Disclaimer: LOL.

--------------------------

Chapter 7 - A helping friend

Sky and Bridge were back in the base. They were heading to the common room because their room was still trashed. After a few minutes they entered the common room and Sky helped Bridge on to the couch.

"Wait here," Sky said before he ran out of the room. Bridge sat there, silently crying.

Suddenly Sky was back holding his blanket and pillow. "Bridge I couldn't get your stuff from under your bed so I grabbed my blanket and pillow for you to use," he explained as he walked over to the couch. Bridge remained quiet. Sky threw the pillow on the couch. "Lie down Bridge," Sky said.

Like a small child Bridge listened and obeyed. After he was lying down, Sky threw the blanket over him. "Do you want anything before I go?" he asked. Bridge shook his head. Sky gave him a warm smile. "Alright, I will be back soon. Ok?" Sky said, resting his hand on Bridge's head for a moment.

He walked to the door, flipped off the lights and then walked out of the room to find Syd, Jack, Z, and Cruger rushing down the hallway.

"Where's Bridge?" Syd asked, worry apparent on her face.

Sky pointed in the room, "He's asleep in the common room. He's emotionally drained." "What happened?" Cruger asked.

Sky sighed. "Let's go to the Command Center and I will explain everything to you," he said in a low voice. Everyone gave a nod of their heads and followed Sky to the Command Center.

xxx

When they were in the Command Center Sky explained everything that had gone on between him and Bridge. "I'm afraid he's so lost in his depression that it will take something big to snap him out of it," he finished. There was a long pause.

"I see," Cruger said, crossing his arms. "But Cadet Carson will have to be punished for his actions." The rangers gasped.

"What are you going to do with him?" Syd asked, her voice shaking.

Cruger took a deep breath and said, "He will be grounded to his room for a week." The rangers began to breath again. "The only thing I have to do is have a talk with Bridge and tell him his punishment," the Commander added.

Sky stepped forward, "Sir, with all respect, I think I should be the one to tell Bridge about his sentence and have a talk with him, seeing that your talk will include yelling."

Cruger thought about this for a second. "Alright, you go and tell Cadet Carson about the punishment."

Sky nodded his head and walked out of the Command Center.

xxx

As Sky walked down the hallway he knew Bridge wouldn't be in the common room. He opened the door to reveal the stairs up to the roof. After a few minutes progress he pushed open the door to the roof and there was Bridge standing on the edge, watching the sun set.

"I knew you would be here." Sky said, walking towards his friend.

Bridge didn't turn to look at him. "You always can read me like a book," he said softly.

Sky stood next to him. "How are you doing?" he asked.

Bridge sniffed. "I feel like a pile of shit," he said, wiping his eyes. Sky placed a hand on his shoulder. "How can I live with myself now Sky? I went against my beliefs so I could get revenge."

Sky looked at his friend's face. Fresh tears were sliding down his cheeks. "I'm sorry Bridge, I don't have answer for you. All I can say is that you been through more then anyone should go through," he said, with a broken heart. He felt useless at the fact he friend was hurting and he could do little to help him.

Bridge began to laugh.

Sky was surprised. "What's so funny?" he asked.

Bridge turned his head to look at him. "I used to think you had all the answers. Now I know no one can help me," he said, more tears leaking from his eyes.

Sky took a deep breath. "Bridge there is only so much I can do for you; the rest is up to you."

Bridge turned his head away from Sky. "I've been trying to help myself for a long time and tried to understand how past rangers did it and you know what I found?" Bridge began to walk away from Sky. "NOTHING!" he yelled at the top of lungs. Sky just stood there as Bridge kicked the wall. "NOTHING TO HELP ME OR TO GIVE ME HOPE OR ANYTHING!" Bridge finished as he put his head against the wall and began to sob.

Without a second thought Sky walked over to Bridge and placed a hand on his shaking back. They stood there for a long moment; Sky was thinking of something to say, then it hit him.

"Bridge remember what you told me last night in the record room about what the common link between the evil Power Rangers was?" Sky asked. Bridge shook his head. Sky went on,

"You said a person from the ranger team stood up to the person and helped them to fight the evil inside of them."

"What does that have to do with anything?" Bridge asked in between sobs.

Sky grabbed Bridge head and forced him to look at him before he went on, "Bridge, some of the greatest friendship were started because of the Good standing up to the Evil ranger, like Jason and Tommy. Their friendship is one of the best known one's in the Power Ranger groups."

Bridge suddenly had his answer, "So you're saying that the friendship that was made helped the evil power ranger stay good?"

Sky nodded, "Yes and it worked because they weren't alone. They had the other rangers to help them through the hard times. It worked for them and it will work for you." When Sky finished talking Bridge grabbed him around the chest, placed his head on his shoulder and cried. Sky wrapped an arm around his back and rubbed the back of Bridge's head with the other.

"You will never be alone. You have all your friends at SPD and you have me, your best friend and I will always think of you as the strongest member of the B squad even when you don't believe it yourself." Sky said. Bridge smiled at this; he finally believed Sky's words.

But Sky wasn't finished yet; "Bridge please promise me that you will not go after Broodwing again like that."

Bridge took his head off Sky's shoulder and looked him in the eyes. "I promise Sky, I won't repeat today," he said with a smile on his face.

Sky could tell Bridge meant what he said and his friend was going to be his old self again. He grinned in return. "Alright lets get back to the common room and get some sleep," Sky said as they walked to the door, Sky's arm around his shoulder. "Feel better?" he added.

Bridge's smile grew bigger, "I feel a lot better. Thank you Sky for helping me."

"You're welcome. Oh by the way, Cruger said you're grounded to your room for a week." Sky said.

Bridge laughed, "Well I guess I had that coming."

Sky didn't answer. They walked down the stairs but it wasn't until they got to the hallway and were walking down it when Bridge asked, "Sky will you stay next to me as go to sleep?"

Sky answered without a second thought, "Sure, anything for you buddy."

Bridge smiled. He always felt safe when he was next to Sky, but now he felt even safer with him after today. The day that their friendship saved him.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That end. Thanks to all who read and reviewed the story. You guys/girls rule.