Disclaimer: Not mine. Wish they were. Here's another Ars Amatoria theme story. Just in time for Valentines day. Please continue to read and review, I live for reviews! This one was inspired by a sunrise I watched over the water near where I work one morning. Angel Mouse, February 2006.

Ars Amatoria Romance Challenge: Dawn

By Angel Mouse

Set – Just after A-bridged

It had been a long night and Z was dead tired. She'd taken the night shift for another cadet who had to leave the Academy for a family emergency. So on top of that day's battle she'd had that to do as well. But it was her own fault she thought miserably, she'd volunteered to do it. Normally Sky would be on night duty but his punishment ended three days ago from that whole diamond stealing affair and he was finally catching up on some well needed sleep.

Stifling a yawn with one hand, she turned the corner and was surprised to see a familiar figure in a green t-shirt turn the corner, heading for the lifts. Curious, as Bridge was never, ever up this early, she followed him, her own fatigue forgotten for a moment. She watched and saw that he went to the top level and quickly calling another lift, she followed him. There was only really one place to go from the top floor, and that was onto the roof. It was strange seeing Bridge up at this hour and she wanted to make sure he was okay.

Closing the door behind her quietly, so as not to disturb the Green Ranger, Z stood back a bit from him and watched as he nimbly hopped up onto the edge of the building and sat down with his legs crossed. Her heart had leapt into her throat as he leapt up but she should have known better. Bridge had great balance sometimes for being such a klutz.

"I know your there Z, might as well come and join me." Z had the grace to blush and went over to where he was sitting, hopping carefully up beside him.

"How did you know it was me?" He held up a gloved hand and smiled gently but didn't look at her as he was looking out over the city.

"Being the physic one sometimes has its uses." Z nodded, still getting used to what his powers could do. "So, ask me already." Z was taken aback, Bridge wasn't normally this forward, but after the confrontation with the team over T-top, she shouldn't have been surprised. Bridge could sometimes be very direct.

"Ask you what?" Bridge laughed and glanced at her before looking back over the horizon.

"What I'm doing up here at this time of the morning." Z looked at him curiously.

"What are you doing up here?"

Bridge sighed and kept his eyes straight ahead, absently running a hand through his hair in such a way that Z found so endearing about him.

"Sometimes, when things are a bit intense, well, sometimes I need to centre myself a little bit, just some perspective on things. Get away from everyone's emotions for a bit." Z bit her lip, not realising that their emotional state could affect Bridge. She thought about his words a few moments and then hesitantly asked her next question.

"So besides reading our aura's you also feel our emotions?"

"Just the really strong ones and you must admit that lately, they've been a few." He gave her a wry grin and she knew what he meant. He turned and looked back out over the city. He pointed and spoke softly and somehow Z knew that these words were just for her. "This is why I come up here. No one else knows. But this reminds me of why I do what I do, and why I put up with what I do." Z looked to see where he was pointing and gasped with wonder at the beautiful sunrise that was coming in over the mountains.

It was all golden, pink, and orange and held the promise of a wonderful, glorious day to come. "This is why I fight, we why must win. To protect something as beautiful as the sun rising each day, which is nothing compared to how beautiful you are by the way." Bridge didn't seem to realise how that small comment affected Z, she blushed and concentrated on his words. "So that everyone can have another day filled with hope and promise. That is why I do what I do. And sometimes, when things get hard for me, I sneak up here in the mornings and watch the sunrise. It helps centre me, it helps me remember why I do it, and it also means that there is always hope in the world you know?" He looked at her and his brown eyes were intense, but she could see the innocence, the hope in them. And suddenly, she did know. She smiled and took his gloved hand in hers, all feelings of fatigue forgotten.

"Yes Bridge, I do know." Her smile was just for him. "Thank you for telling me." He smiled at her and not removing his hand, looked back out over the city.