Song
A/N: Can occur anywhere in the series. The song in question is Coco Lee's "Before I Fall in Love" which can be found on the Runaway Bride soundtrack. There's also another reference in here just for my amusement.
It was a dark, clear summer night, perfect for couples strolling in the park. But any romantic notions were clear from Bridge's mind as he sneaked through the alley shadows. For some reason, Z had snuck out of the base in the middle of the night, not telling anyone where she was going. If he hadn't had a late night toast craving, he would have never have known what she was up to.
After the last twist and turn through the warehouse district, where the city's clubs and bars were located, Bridge had lost sight of the yellow ranger. Rrriiiiipp, the velcro sound echoed in the streets as he took off his leather glove and waved it in front of his face. Ghostly images of Z streaked down the street and around the corner to stairs that led down into a basement. Bridge didn't even look at the name of the club as he headed in determined to find his friend.
Even though he had never been in a nightclub, it was pretty much what he expected: loud, smoky, and crowded. There were small dining tables lit by tealights set up in front of a large elaborate stage. On the stage an asian business man was butchering Elvis Presley's "I can't help falling in love with you."
"Front or back?"
"What?" Bridge turned around to see the hostess in black questioning him.
"Do you want a front or a back table?" She twirled the gum she was chewing with her finger and looked slightly bored.
"Um...I guess..."
"I'll give you a back table, if you wanna sign up I suggest you do it now or you won't be up till the end of the night."
"What?" Bridge tried to keep up as the hostess walked him to a corner table in the back.
"Yeah, you're new, huh? Just sit down and observe for a little bit."
"Okay," he sat down and looked back onto the stage. A horned green alien in a bright blue suit walked onto the stage and ushered the business man off.
"And lets have a round of applause for Mr. Yoshida! The King would be proud of you tonight. Welcome one and all to Caritas, I'm your favorite host Lorne and I'd like to welcome to the stage someone I know you all love! Come on out, Z!"
His breath was caught in his throat as he watched Z Delgado walk out onto the stage. Instead of the usual t-shirt and jeans or SPD uniform, she wore a sparkly gold halter and black pants. Her hair curled unruly around her face, making her look like an angel. The crowd went wild, apparently she was a regular. She waved and winked answering the whistles and shouts of her name.
"So Z, you look absolutely fabulous tonight! What are we going to sing?"
"Well, Lorne, I'm in a sappy kinda mood. The song I'm singing tonight is about a girl who is falling in love but is worried about getting hurt. It's called "Before I fall in love." Lorne handed the mike to Z and she walked to the center of the stage, the spotlight followed her and illuminated her figure.
My heart says we've got something real,
Can I trust the way I feel,
Cuz my heart's been fooled before.
Am I just seeing what I want to see?
Or is it true?
Could you really be?
Bridge followed her movements as she expressed her feelings through her voice and her hands. He didn't need to take off his gloves to feel the longing and hope in her voice. She sang with a strong, medium voice not high pitched but not deep, but clear and perfect.
Someone to have and hold,
With all my heart and soul.
I need to know,
Before I fall in love.
Someone who'll stay around,
Through all my ups and downs.
So tell me now,
Before I fall in love.
He wanted to reach out to her as she wandered back and forth on stage, waving to people as she sang. Bridge glanced at the crowd to see their eyes follow Z with devotion. Her voice was having quite the effect, couples inched closer to each other. People sitting alone at their tables locked eyes as they wondered if they could ever find love. And Bridge was not the only man looking at Z with adoration.
And I'm at the point of no return.
So afraid of getting burned.
But I wanna take a chance.
Oh, please,
Give me a reason to believe.
Say you're the one that you'll always be...
Z searched the crowd, wondering how they were reacting to her singing. Usually, she would sing something more upbeat, with a lot more energy, but she needed to get this song out of her system. It captured so much of what she was feeling, the hope for a new love, the possibility of finding someone, the hurt that she experienced when she was younger.
Someone to have and hold,
With all my heart and soul.
I need to know,
Before I fall in love.
Someone who'll stay around,
Through all my ups and downs.
Please tell me now,
Before I fall in love...
Bridge started to get nervous as Z walked down the stairs of the stage and into the crowd. She knew what she was doing as she connected with her audience on a deeper level. Hands reached out to touch hers and the spotlight followed after her as she made her way to the back of the club. Bridge saw her step falter as she gazed in his direction. He felt his heart race as she looked straight at him.
It's been so hard for me,
To give my heart away.
But I would give my everything,
Just to hear you say...
Z stopped in front of him, letting the note linger in the air. The audience murmured wondering at this latest development. She held out her hand to Bridge motioning for him to take it. She could feel him shake as she pulled him out of his seat to stand in front of her, face to face.
The world fell away as she held his hand. The noises and smells of the club forgotten as they concentrated on each other. Her voice continued on strong and clear as she looked into his eyes.
Someone to have and hold.
With all my heart and soul,
I need to know,
Before I fall in love.
Someone who'll stay around,
Through all my ups and downs.
Please tell me now,
Before... I ...fall... in love...
They stood there looking at each other, searching for a sign about what the other was thinking. The pair didn't notice as the crowd got restless, waiting for something to happen.
"Just kiss her already!"
"Go for it man!"
"Make your move Z!"
"Suck some face Z!"
"Shut up, Lorne!" Z yelled at the stage. She turned around to Bridge, "Don't listen to these..."
She noticed that he was kind of looking at her funny. "Bridge?"
She trembled as he leaned in closer. She whispered his name softly, "Bridge."
Z was speechless as he touched her face, feeling a leather covered thumb caress her cheek.
"I'll always be here for you, Z"
She closed the gap between him and nuzzled her face into his chest, trying to blink back the tears. Z looked up into Bridge's smiling eyes and brought her lips to his. The room broke out in cheers as they watched their favorite girl get the man of her dreams.