Disclaimer: Power Rangers does not belong to me.

A/N: The later Frisbee reference in this chapter comes from the SPD episode "Reflections Pt. 1."


Ch. 2: Breaking the Rules

Takes place surrounding the events in "Resurrection"

With Grumm giving the rangers some peace and quick the past few days, Sky had taken the opportunity to spend some time doing what he loved most: reading the SPD Rule and Regulations Handbook. It was just ironic that what had been on his mind recently was breaking the rules.

"Rule Number 69: There shall be no fraternization, romantic involvement or sexual activity between Academy members in order to prevent situations of clouded judgment during one's active duties. All Academy members who are caught violating this rule will be promptly expelled."

Reminiscing back three years ago, Sky thanked his lucky stars again that he and Syd had not been caught during their brief flirtation that had taken place shortly after she'd joined the Academy. Sky still remembered vividly the day Commander Cruger had introduced Syd as his new D-squad teammate. He had been blown away by her voluptuous body and model-like looks; Syd was positively a knock-out.

The attraction had been instant for Sky. His new squad mate had apparently felt the same way, for less than a week later Syd had put the moves on him during a training session. All alone in the Academy's gym, Syd had thrown him to the grown and proceeded to keep him out of breath by kissing him hard on the mouth.

The two had proceeded to make-out in almost every room of the Academy, from Kat's lab to Command Center and even in Bridge's bed. Yet after Doggie had come dangerously close to discovering them in a compromising position down at the Zord Bay, Sky had cut things off with Syd. While his physical attraction to his squad mate was strong, his desire to become a ranger had outweighed everything else… up until now.

Lately Sky had found himself fantasizing about a teammate, and it wasn't Syd. Ever since Sky had witnessed the way Z had worked with Sam, he had found himself developing for the yellow SPD Ranger a growing admiration…. and a crush. He'd become fond of her fun-loving attitude and scrappy style, but more so her ability to bring out the best in people. And unlike Princess Syd, Z wasn't an over-the-top girly girl. Sky preferred a woman that would choose playing sports over going shopping.

Sky's reverie was interrupted by a knock at his door. He looked up to find Z herself standing at the entrance to his room. "Only in a story would something this ironic happen," thought Sky to himself.

"Jack left the Academy for the afternoon, Bridge is helping Boom in the lab, and Syd is doing her nails," said Z, plopping down on the bed beside Sky. "I thought I'd come see what you were up to."

"Just studying," said Sky, turning away from Z so that she wouldn't see him blushing at the fact she was so close.

"Oh really? Let's see what you've been reading," chided Z, grabbing the SPD Rules and Regulations Handbook before Sky could react. "Haven't you memorized this by now?"

"Well, I…" began Sky.

"Forget it," sighed Z. "I guess the words 'lighten up' don't run in your vocabulary after all."

"They certainly aren't in the SPD handbook!" remarked Sky snidely.

Z sighed, realizing she was going to need an alternate plan to get Sky to be more social. Ever since her conversation with Syd last month, Z had found herself inexplicably drawn to trying to get to know the blue SPD Ranger better.

At that moment, a light bulb went off in her head as to how get Sky out of Academy that afternoon. "You know, aleast Jack knows how to have fun," said Z nonchalantly, knowing Sky

"I know how to have fun!" shot back Sky.

"You might as well face it Sky," responded Z, giving him a devious look. "You'll never be as much fun as Jack."

"Anything Jack can do I can do just as well," snapped Sky. "If not better. Grab your coat we're going for ice cream."

Z followed Sky out of the Academy; a sly smile on her face. "Sky may be a ladies man," thought Z to herself, "But I know how to manipulate men!"

"Why are you always trying to get me to relax more anyway?" asked Sky as he and Z headed toward the ice cream stand in the park.

"Because I don't want you to have a heart attack before you're 30!" joked Z.

"How about this?" proposed Sky. "This afternoon, I'll lighten up if you tell me something serious about yourself. Besides Jack, none of us really know anything about you before SPD besides that story about your Z necklace."

"Well," stalled Z, fingering her necklace nervously.

"What?" pushed Sky. "You trust us in battle, but not with anything about yourself?"

Z didn't want to share with Sky that her biggest fear was letting other people in. Besides Jack, everyone else in her life had abandoned her, even her parents, ashamed by her abilities. Z figured it was only a matter of time before her new friends at SPD moved on as well.

"I don't know why I even thought I was interested in Sky," Z thought to herself glumly. "Of all guys, he's the least likely to be the one there for you when you really needed someone."

"Z?" asked Sky, noticing her downhearted expression.

"Alright here's something about me,' said Z forcing herself out of her melancholy reverie. "I'm always trying to get you to be more social 'cause I like pushing you outside your comfort realms."

"Why's that?" questioned Sky, genuinely curious.

"It forces you to grow as a person," reflected Z thoughtfully.

"Well someday I will return the favor for you," said Sky staunchly. "Because you do have a point. That really was a fun afternoon that time you suggested we play Frisbee."

"Totally," agreed Z. "Although I didn't appreciate you flirting with me entire time."

"How the heck was flirting with you?" exclaimed Sky, blushing slightly.

"You tried to snatch the Frisbee away from me all afternoon," laughed Z.

"Oh you think that's funny, don't you?" asked Sky, grabbing Z from behind and starting to tickle her.

"Stop it Sky!" shrieked Z. The blue SPD Ranger didn't let up on Z until she was doubled over on the ground giggling.

"See I know how to have fun," said Sky proudly. "I made you laugh!"

"By force!" exclaimed Z emphatically. The teammates looked at each other and burst into genuine laughter.

"You know," began Sky. "I think Jack had the right idea about getting away from the Academy."

Z looked at Sky with astonishment not only in that he admitted that Jack was right about something, but that the blue SPD Ranger actually looked like he was enjoying himself. Surprisingly, Z realized she was enjoying being with him as well.

"The way you're loosening up Sky, you're almost becoming human," replied Z mockingly, affectionately squeezing his arm.

Sky ducked his head as he batted Z's arm away. He didn't want Z to see him blush. Because Sky Tate – the personification of SPD conduct – was becoming tempted more than ever to put aside the rules in order to pursue the intriguing yellow Ranger.