Jack was fuming.

He KNEW there was a reason he was weary of SPD at first, but he couldn't exactly place it… but now he knew.

After talking with Taylor he had immediately confronted Cruger on the issue.

He had been told that his parents went on a peacekeeping mission to another galaxy where they had been killed in a crossfire between two rebel groups…

He wanted to scream, kick, and destroy everything in his path. He wanted to cry out to the world at how cruel it was, but he couldn't find the strength to.

Wandering, he found himself outside by a small pond just outside the academy. It was late and there was seemingly no one else around.

He looked up at the vast amount of stars…

"FUCK!" he screamed as loud as he could. He picked up a rock and threw it into the lake breathing heavily as tears for the first time in years threatened to fall.

It wasn't fair… none of it was. It wasn't fair that his parents left him and died… wasn't fair that he had been placed in foster care… wasn't fair that he had to run away to survive…

He sank to his knees and placed his head in his hands. He picked up another rock and threw it as far as he could, but he didn't hear it hit the water…

Moments later he felt the presence of someone behind him and saw Ani walking towards him with the rock he had thrown in her hand.

"Go away AJ," he said as he rose and began to walk away.

Ani followed him though. She had also been out by the pond, collecting her thoughts after everything that had happened.

"I just wanted to let you know that I know how you feel," she said softly.

At that Jack stopped and turned around, walking back towards her with anger clearly written on his face.

"You don't know shit about how I feel," he said angrily.

Ani stepped closer to him with equal anger clearly shown. "You better believe I know what it's like to lose a parent. My father's gone too!"

"My parents went off for fucking SPD. How can I work for something that destroyed them?"

Ani and Sky had said their father disappeared after a mission, but hadn't gone into detail…

"My father went for SPD too Jack! If you'd just shut up for five fucking seconds you'd know that you're not the only one questioning themselves!"

Jack went silent then. Something in him snapped and he reached out for her, pulling her to him fiercely, kissing her with everything he had.

Ani's mind went blank and she did the only thing she could… she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer.

Everything in that moment was forgotten… no more anger or sadness… it was just…

Jack pulled away abruptly and released her. He never did anything like that, and he guessed from her expression that she didn't either.

After a long pause Ani snapped back to herself. She walked to him and handed him the rock she had used her powers to retrieve.

Jack stared into her clear blue eyes and instantly knew in that moment that he wanted to look in them forever… Ani too felt a warm feeling surge through her as she looked into the dark eyes of the Red Ranger.

She tucked a small braid behind his ear and walked back towards the academy… leaving both of them in a daze…

Meanwhile, Syd was sitting on the roof of the SPD Academy with her mind spinning.

Sky was supposed to be her friend… AJ too… they had kept secrets from her, and friends didn't do that.

Of course she understood why they had to do the things they did, but she thought that maybe Sky would trust her enough. She had hoped that maybe he thought of her as more than a friend, but that was hoping too much.

Why would Sky be interested in a spoiled princess?

For the same reason she was interested in him… they were opposites, but very much the same. They both loved what they did and had a mutual respect for each other… not to mention the fact that they knew each other inside and out.

And that's how Sky knew where to find her.

It was a very little known place where Syd would go. She told him about it right after AJ had left.

Sure enough, as soon as he stepped through the door to the roof, he made out the petite figure of Syd with her legs dangling over the edge of the building.

Syd heard the door close and knew instantly it was Sky. No one else knew about this place, and he had been the only one she confided in…

He walked over and took a seat next to her. They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments.

"My Uncle Wes used to sit up on the roof with my Aunt Jen whenever ranger stuff got to be too much," he said suddenly. "They kind of stepped in after my father left."

Syd understood then that Sky was trying to make amends with her by telling her everything she wanted to know.

"My dad went on a mission for SPD and ran into Grumm… we never heard form him again… Then Ani left for KO 35 and we became rangers. I wanted to tell you Syd, but-"

"Stop," Syd said as she turned to him. "I understand that you guys had to keep low profile. I remember the security around school after you two left… I was so upset when you guys left Sky… you were the only other kids with powers like me and Bridge… it was just… weird. And then to find out that you're Schuyler Meyers from school and you've been lying to us… to me…"

Sky turned to her face her and took her hand in his. "I know, and I'm sorry I couldn't tell you, but what would it have mattered?" He began. "I mean, if I found out you have some secret life before SPD, I'd still care about you… that would never change."

Syd's eyes widened as the reality of what had just been said registered in her mind. Sky too seemed a little shocked at his admission, but he was relieved when he felt her hand tighten around his.

"You care about me?" she questioned coyly.

"You think I'd risk my neck climbing up here, begging for forgiveness if I didn't?"

Syd laughed a little then and moved closer to him, allowing him to wrap his arm around her shoulders. Sky hugged her to him and carefully tilted her head upward, bending down to meet her lips gently.

"I'm glad you came up here," Syd said as they broke away and she settled into his arms. "I had hoped you would."

"So does this mean you care about me too?" Sky asked. Syd smiled and wound her arms around his waist.

"I guess you could say that," she replied as they sat and watched the people below them.

Two figures caught their eyes as they were walking out by the pond.

The immediately recognized them as Jack and Ani… Sky watched as Jack grabbed his sister in his arms and kissed her…

Syd's eyes widened as she felt Sky's arms release her. He stood and headed towards the door. As soon as his reached it, he pulled the knob as hard as he could, pulling it off in the process…