Disclaimer: Not mine. Thanks for all the great reviews and feedback everyone's been giving me, it's greatly appreciated. Here's another couple of quick little fics for the Ars Amatoria Romance Challenge. I must say, I'm enjoying doing these, it's interesting to see the different spins everyone puts on them! You know where the review button is! Angel Mouse, October 2005.

Ars Amatoria Challenge: Why?

Couple: Bridge/Z
Set: Just after Take My Hand

The four Rangers stood back and watched as Kat worked quickly and calmly on Bridge's battered body. They had rushed here from the battle ground where Bridge had been hurt. Z stood slightly apart from the others, the scene replaying in her mind over and over again. The laser blasts heading for her, her body flying out of the way as Bridge pushed her out of the way and took the hit meant for her. Then his body slowly is collapsing to the ground as he demorphed due to the fierceness of the blast.

She looked up as Kat came out, smiling as she took in their worried appearances.

"He'll be fine. He's got a couple of cracked ribs and quite a few cuts and bruises. He's going to be sore for a few days but your accelerated Ranger healing abilities will help with that. I've given him something for the pain and stitched him up. He'll be asleep soon but one of you can go sit with him if you like." Before any of them could say anything, Z had rushed in to the medical wing. Kat watched her with a grin and looked at the others. Sky just shrugged and Jack grinned.

"Thanks Kat. We'll swing by later and check up on him." Kat nodded and the Rangers headed for the rec room.

Z walked up to Bridge's bed, which was in a quiet corner of the medical wing. Kat had put him out of the way, knowing that in his weakened state he'd be picking up on everyone's emotional state more than normal. She pulled a chair over and sat beside him. His chest had a bandage over it and there were a few visible bruises all over his chest. She reached over and hesitated with her hand over his. He still had his ever present gloves on and after a moment she took his hand in hers. His eyes opened and slowly focused on her and she smiled at him.

"Hey Bridge. How are you feeling?" He blinked a few times and focused on her worried face. He gave her a tiny smile.

"I'm okay. Main thing is that you're alright, are you?" Z managed a soft laughed as she held on to his hand tightly without even realizing it.

"Yes I am, thanks to you." She looked at him, her eyes curious. "Why did you do it Bridge? Why?" Bridge looked at her for a long time and then there was something in his eyes. With a fairly unsteady hand he reached over to brush his leather gloved fingers against her face. His other hand was still safely ensconced in hers.

"Because I couldn't stand it if something happened to you. That's why." Z didn't know what to say and she just blushed. Bridge had never come right out and said his feelings for her but now she knew. His hand dropped to the bed, the painkillers and the stress of day taking their toll.

"Oh Bridge." He just gave her a small smile as his eyes closed and sleep over took him. Z smiled as she reached over with one hand and gently pushed back a lock of hair that was plastered to his forehead, her other hand holding his. "Oh Bridge, what am I going to do with you." She softly whispered.