Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with Power Rangers, this is all just for fun.
Thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far.
Syd is definitely dead (sorry Kristen4), this story deals with the aftermath, regrets, and who finally brings her killer to justice.
I'm not overly happy with this chapter but the more I try the worse it gets so I'm leaving it at this. Next chap will obviously be Z's feelings
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Chapter 3 – Numb
Jack walked into the dimly lit infirmary and saw Bridge sat by Z's bed, holding her hand, his head drooping slightly before he quickly jerked it back up again. Quietly he walked over and placed a hand on Bridge's shoulder saying softly, "Hey Bridge, go get some rest. I'll sit with Z."
Bridge looked up and replied in an equally as soft voice, "Are you sure? I really ought to go and check on Sky before I think about getting any sleep, that's if I could sleep anyway, I mean with everything that's happened I'm not sure I'll sleep, but…." Jack interrupted before Bridge could carry on. "I'm sure Bridge, now go check Sky."
The green ranger left the infirmary with a whispered "thanks Jack," and headed off to his and Sky's quarters. Jack sat on the chair recently vacated by Bridge and took Z's hand. "Hey little Sis," he whispered fondly. He shuddered as he recalled the fear he'd felt when he thought she was going to be hit, and then the horror as he saw Syd step in front of Z and take it for her. A blur of blue had flown past his eyes as Sky had run to catch Syd.
He had moved over to where Sky was on his knees, cradling Syd in his arms, listening to the agony in the blue ranger's voice as sky begged her not to leave him, and he knew. He knew without looking at her, that the heart and soul of their team, the one that had always held them together was gone.
Jack looked at Z as she slept, thankful that at least she was still here with them as tears for their pink ranger welled in his eyes. Drifting back into his memories of earlier he remembered watching Sky gently closing Syd's eyes, he had had to fight the tears then, watching their blue giant do something so poignant. Then Z had become hysterical, screaming as she realised the truth when Sky had started to rock back and forth with Syd in his arms.
At some point Cruger and Kat had arrived. Kat had gone to Z and Cruger had come to him and Sky. In an unspoken agreement both of them had bent down and gently prised Syd from Sky's arms. At first Sky had resisted, looking up at them, as he had held onto Syd. Jack would never forget that look for as long as he lived, the grief in Sky's face had been terrible to see.
As for the meeting with Syd's parents that he'd gone to with Cruger and Bridge to inform them of their daughter's death, no not going there he thought blocking it from his mind.
A moan from the bed brought him back to the present. Z's eyes were flickering and her head rolling from side to side. Her eyes then opened and looked at him in confusion. "Jack, what are you doing here?" then realisation dawned in her eyes. "Oh God, Syd!" she cried. Jack leant forward and took her in his arms as she started to sob. "It's ok Z, I'm here for you," he gently whispered in her ear. As he rubbed her back in comfort he wondered how the hell they were all going to get through this, or even if they would get through it.
tbc