We're Not Responsible

Chapter 7 – Past Killing Part VI – Elizabeth's Painful Reality...

Elizabeth sighed. She'd been stressing all day, which wasn't good, since Doctor Felix had finally just given her permission to leave the hospital earlier that day. She kicked at the wall, screamed, and then someone addressed her, "Excuse me? I'm looking for Lieutenant Delgado..."

Elizabeth turned and faced the tall man in blue. He had broad shoulders, blonde hair, and icy blue eyes. "Skylar?" she winced at saying his name.

"Elizabeth?" he questioned. She nodded softly and found herself soon engulfed in his arms for a warm embrace. "Please don't touch me... I was just released from the infirmary this morning..." she said, trying to breathe.

He let go, "Sorry. What's all this about?"

"My question exactly, Elizabeth Maryah Jaccion!" a high pitched voice snapped. They faced the tiny, blonde woman with pink highlights decoratedfrom head to toe in pink clothes, makeup, and shoes.

"Hello Sydney," Elizabeth greeted.

She smiled, cocking an eyebrow, "Lieutenant..." Her gaze drifted to the father of her daughter, "Skylar... It's been what? Six months? Oh, that's right!" She started her sarcasm streak, "You too busy to be there for the birth of your only child!"

"Sydney," he glared with venom. "Where's Anneliese?"

"With Devin."

"That hag!" he exclaimed.

"Bite your tongue! He's my boyfriend!" Her statement hit him like a sword in the heart. His Sydney was with someone old enough to be her father and not him.

"Am I interrupting some... Sydney? Skylar?" a familiar voice said. The all turned to see a man in his late thirties with stubby facial hair, light spiked brown hair, piercing green eyes, and clothed in green sweats and a gray shirt.

"Bridgey!" Sydney exclaimed, jumping into his arms.

"Sydie!" he hollered back, embracing her.

"Bridge! Long time no see!" Skylar exchanged high-fives with him.

Then the former green rangers' eyes came upon the most beautiful creature in the world, sitting on her heals, examining the hole she'd made in the wall, keeping her back turned from him. He took in a deep breath and was about to say her name.

"Elizabeth?" came the sing-song voice of a man with dark skin, black braids pulled into a ponytail, and dressed in red.

"Jack?" her head popped up. She stood up and she ran into his arms, "Jack!"

"Hey, Lizzie! How the hell are you?" he asked, tucking his chin over her shoulder.

"As good as I can be," she said and struggled with her breathing.

"Um, Jack... I think..." Skylar started.

"Shhhh, not now, Skylar," Jack hushed.

"But you're smothering her!" Skylar exclaimed.

"I'm what?" Jack said, letting Elizabeth drop to the floor in a heap.

"Elizabeth!" Sydney screamed as she and the boys kneeled next to the former yellow ranger. Skylar checked her pulse while Bridge and Sydney took her hands.

"Is she okay?" Bridge asked, tears in his eyes.

"She'll be fine," Skylar assured. "Elizabeth," the former blue ranger shook her gently, "Elizabeth, wake up."

"C'mon, Elizabeth," Sydney prayed.

"Come back to us, Liz," Jack begged.

Bridge pulled her into his arms and cried, kissing her over and over until both their lips were swollen. His bloodshot eyes looked over the fragile woman in his arms. He tears fell, caressing her colorless skin. He kissed her forehead, moving her bangs away with his nose. He softly whispered, "I love you." He then started kissing her again as if his love and kisses could save her from the doom they were sure to befall her.

Just as Bridge and the others had given up hope, Elizabeth's bottom lip quivered and then her whole body trembled. She reached up and touched Bridge's cheek with her fingertips. She cupped his face in her hand and he leaned his head down, sharing a deep, passionate kiss. After kissing for several minutes, they pulled apart, arms around each other, never wanting to let go.

"Bridge, we have to take Elizabeth to the infirmary," Skylar interrupted softly.

Bridge nodded, scooping Elizabeth in his arms as he stood up. He cradled her gently as he walked her to the infirmary. The other former rangers followed.

Bridge watched Elizabeth take in deep, shallow breaths as she slept. He stood there, just staring at her as if she was healthy and happy. Not in the fragile state she was in right now. All he wanted was for things to be the way before. Before he, Skylar, Sydney, and Jack left to change their lives. Back when he and Elizabeth used to think they had gotten pregnant and would look for every way to cover it up, but when she took a test it proved negative and he'd hold her as she cried. Back when Sydney, he, Elizabeth, and Skylar stayed up late talking about how they were going to have double weddings and matching everything, except colors. Back when they'd set Jack up with every possible girl in New Tech and that's when he met Allyson.

"Bridge," a faint voice said. Bridge turned and faced Sydney. She was standing there crying, her cell phone in hand.

"What is it, Sydney?" he asked.

She wiped her eyes, "Anneliese and Devin were kidnapped..."

"Oh, Sydney," he took her in his arms and she sobbed ever so hard in his embraced arms. He tucked his chin over her head and held onto her, rocking from side to side, soothing her so much, she collapsed in a soft, angelic sleep.

"What's going on?" Skylar asked as he and Jack walked into the room.

Bridge put Sydney in a chair, draping a blanket over her body, "She fell asleep."

"Why is her makeup smudged so much?" Jack asked.

"She was crying," he answered calming with no emotion.

"What? What the hell is going on?" Skylar demanded, raising his voice.

"Skylar, please, you'll wake the girls," Jack said, not wanting any blood while Elizabeth was in a critical state and Sydney seemed not much stronger. He knew Sydney could very well carry on... eventually. But he didn't know Elizabeth very well anymore. All he knew is that she worked here.

Elizabeth jolted up in bed, taking a deep, panted breaths, "Bridge!" He raced to her side, along with Skylar and Jack. He and Jack gently pushed Elizabeth back to the bed, while Skylar tried to think of something calming, but couldn't. "I... and you... and I... and..." she trailed off into deep, depressing sobs.

He sat next to her and held her, "Elizabeth, look at me." He cupped her chin and tilted her head towards him. He stared into her deep, glassy, painful, tear stricken, brown eyes, "I love you so much. And if I hurt you in those nightmares you're having, that will never happen in reality... because if I hurt you... I should die... because you don't deserve me if I hurt you... I love you..."

She nodded, crying and shoved her face in his chest, "I love you too."