That night, when everyone was asleep, Z crept over to Syd's bedside and picked up her alarm clock. She and Jack talked about how to get their bubbly Pink Ranger and their brooding Shadow Ranger together as a couple every chance they had. They both decided, since they have absolutely no idea about how Syd feels about Cruger, to start off with providing opportunites for them to be alone together on off-duty hours, to a)give Cruger a chance to confess and b)pique Syd's interest in him as more than a commanding officer. It wasn't much, but considering the delicateness of the situation, it would have to do for now. That was when they came up with their first plan in what they deemed Operation: Pink Shadow.

All the Rangers knew their commander liked his morning calesthetics, which he took in the wee hours of the morn when he won't be disturbed considering he's the only one up that early. That was why when Z placed the pink alarm clock back on her roommate's night table, it was two hours ahead. Content with her task, Z crawled back to bed and fell asleep, hoping that this would be enough.

RINGSMASH Syd practically dragged herself out of bed this morning, all cranky and tired. She looked at what was left of her alarm clock and shrugged, too tired to really examine the damage she did. Z was still asleep, pillow clung to her head, but nothing new. Her alarm clock was loud, after all. So she took her usual fifteen minutes to shower, dress and head on out. When she started walking across the academy grounds, she noticed the place was like a tomb.

"What the—" she started. Odd, this place is usually crawling with cadets by now. she thought. She then heard the sound of fighting nearby and went to investigate. She was quite surprised to see Cruger in the middle of some sort of blade kata. Two thoughts raced through her mind as she watched him from behind a nearby tree; her clock must've been way off for her to be up early enough to catch his morning calesthetics and he looks...different. Then again, how often did she him outside of the standard SPD uniform? Actually, this is the first time she's seen him without that overcoat of his, instead it was black pants and a grey SPD tank that showed off his upper body quite nicely. The years of battle and physical intensity had sculpted his body to be very well toned. Sydney found it to be...interesting. Interesting enough to be tempted to tell Z what a rock-hard body their commander hid under that overcoat. She giggled at that thought, then noticed Cruger had stopped. She ducked back behind her hiding spot, hoping against all hope he didn't see her. She waited several seconds, then peeked out. He was gone; she sighed in relief and crept out, looking over the grounds for any sign of him. There was none.

"You realize loitering on the training grounds is against regulations, Ms. Drew." Cruger said. Syd turned at the voice and noticed him leaning against her hiding place, looking straight at her.

"Uh...Commander, I..." Syd was at a loss for words as he came closer until he was right in front of her. She had to admit, he was a lot more intimidating this way.

"Why are you up this early, anyway?"

"My clock was off, sir. By the time I realized it, I was fully awake, sir."

"I see. And you decided to pass the time by spying on me."

"I didn't mean to. I just heard fighting and saw you and...noticed you were...I just...never seen..."

"Oh...this." He gestured to his current attire. "I know, not much to look at."

"Huh?" Syd was confused at that; Cruger had a body most men would kill to have and he was acting as though it wasn't all that great? Then she took a real good look and noticed that his upper body was covered in random scars all over. One especially looked bad, the one on his right shoulder that looked like someone stabbed him then fired a laser rifle in it. Three guesses on who gave him that. "Do...do they hurt?"

"They did when I got them."

"Oh...sir, did you...did you want a sparring partner? I know I'm holding up your routine and—"

"All right...I suppose a victim—I mean, partner, wouldn't hurt." Sydney then removed her own jacket and got into position. "Hand-to-hand, first one down loses." Syd nodded and they started circling. The Pink Ranger had to be very careful here, she realized. Cruger was very experienced and was not to be underestimated. He started to make the first move and Syd reacted with a right punch only to have Cruger catch it and pull her towards him until she was real close. For a moment, he found himself lost in her blue-green eyes, then regained his bearings.

"Commander?"

"...You're too impaticent, Sydney. You need to observe your opponent more closely to tell when he's ready to strike, or just bluffing."

"Observe your opponent. Got it." He released her and they resumed in another circling. This time, Syd made the first move with a roundhouse kick but Cruger caught that too and knocked her to the ground, then placed her in a standard hold.

"Still impaticent. Done so much, yet so much to learn."

"Let me go!" Syd grunted, struggling to get out of the hold she was in.

"Not until you give or make me, whichever comes first." Sydney wasn't quite ready to give in, nor was she willing to if her struggling was any note. "Fine, guess I'll have to keep you like this until your shift starts." By then, his face was in close proximity to hers.

"Not. If. I. Can. Help. It!" Syd went through her head trying to figure out how to break this hold; no doubt in her mind he was a lot stronger than her and her wrists were locked into his grip just right. If she wanted out, she was going to have to do something he would never expect. So, she did the first thing she thought of--she kissed him. It was a soft, chaste kiss that she knew he'd never expect, and figured would catch him off-guard enough for him to loosen his grip and thus she'd break out. What she didn't expect was for him to let her loose completely and jump back away from her, breathing heavily. When Syd got up from the ground, she soon realized that her strategy may not have been such a good idea.

"That...was a dirty trick, Drew." Cruger panted, then turned his back to her.

"Sir, I—I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have done that—"

"No...don't want to hear it. You...you should go now."

"Commander—"

"Please...please, just go." Syd just left right then and there, while Cruger was trying to regain his awareness. That kiss was not what he expected at all, and he realized Sydney had done it because she knew he wouldn't expect it. He also knew she didn't realize the implications that would happen at the time, but she was so genuine in her apology. Truth be told, it wasn't the kiss that bothered him, but what could've happened as a result. The moment their mouths touched, he was overcome by his own desire for her and had he not backed away as he did, he could've ravaged her.

Gods, she was sweet! he thought. Damn, Syd...why must you make this harder for me than it already is! Don't you know how much I wanted you at that moment, how I long to make you mine? I wish I could tell you how I feel, but for both our sakes, I can't. I need a shower. He looked down at himself and growled in frustration. Yep, he definitely needed a shower...a long, cold one.