Disclaimer: Same old! Blah blah blah! Don't own power rangers or any of the characters!

Hey people! I have just been so into this story that I couldn't wait to write and post the next chap as soon as possible, so here it is! Jack is finally on his hunt for the truth and now he's dragging Z along for the ride! Thanks for all the encouraging feedback! Always a pleasure to hear you are curious! (It means I've been doing my job!) ANYways! I won't hold you up! On with the story!

Chapter 4: The Great Escape

Sunday 4:45 pm

Location: Common Room

"Just for the record Jack, I still think this is one of the stupidest ideas you've come up with yet."

"Will you just trust me on this Z? The guy is hiding something. Something that he doesn't want the rest of us to know about."

Z just rolled her eyes. "That is generally why people hide stuff." Z shook her head, unable to figure out what had gotten into her friend to make him so obsessive over the lifestyle of the guy he claimed to dislike so much. "I don't get it Jack. Why do you care whether or not Sky has a secret?"

"Because."

"Oh! Well then," Z said sarcastically, "So long as we've made that clear!"

Jack sighed. "Because Z, ever since we've gotten here Sky has walked around here like he's always right, like he's so perfect. He's basically placed himself in this whole other species from us and I've had enough of it. People don't hide things unless it's something bad, and with Sky's sparkling clean record, this can only mean that it is something big. So tonight, I am going to find out what his secret is and prove once and for all that Sky Tate is not the perfect little ranger he claims to be. "

"So basically we're just doing this to satisfy your ego and help you prove yourself to be the alpha male in this little spat you're having with Sky?"

Jack paused for a moment, thinking it over. "Well… yeah, that too. But I did mean the other stuff I said."

Z just shook her head. "Whatever."

"Oh! There he is, now just act natural." Jack plopped down on the couch across from Z, quickly picking up a magazine, as Sky walked in. Z tried to suppress a snort as she watched Jack try to make himself seem inconspicuous, while in truth he just looked he had recently developed a bad twitch that was now acting up.

Sky headed across the room to the fridge, nodding at Z as he walked by. He was out of SPD uniform, sporting white running shoes, grey sweat pants, and a plain, dark blue t-shirt. He certainly looked like he was going out to train. Sky looked at his watch briefly as he pulled a water bottle out of the fridge and then headed towards the door.

"Hey Sky," Z said casually as he passed by for the second time. "Where you headed?"

"Out," Sky replied just as casually, "I was going to do some training, maybe go for a jog through the park. I'll be back in a couple of hours."

"Alright," Z said with a smile, "Later."

Sky nodded goodbye as he headed out the automatic doors with a swish. Jack watched the doors as they swished closed behind him and then practically jumped to his feet in excitement.

"You see?" Jack exclaimed excitedly, "That is what I was talking about. The vagueness of his explanations. His non SPD attire. He is definitely going somewhere."

"Yeah, jogging in the park, like he said."

"That is what he wants you to think. He's clever. I'll give him that. Come on," Jack said grabbing Z's arm, "We've got to follow him."

Z raised an eyebrow at Jack, "Uh, Jack? I hate to put a damper on your little plan here but won't he notice a couple SPD officers following him, especially if he is going off academy grounds?"

"Good point," Jack replied, scratching his chin. "Alright, go get changed into some civilian clothes and meet me in the lobby in 2 minutes." Jack then ran off to his room to get changed, leaving a confused Z shaking her head, as she walked off to go get changed herself. How do I get myself into these things?

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Later in the park…

Jack and Z stood hidden behind a tree, quite a distance away from the jogging figure of Sky. They tried to stay as far away as possible and out of Sky's view, while still remaining within eyesight of him. So far Sky, as Z had predicted, was doing nothing but what he had claimed he would be doing, jogging.

"Jack, can we go now? This is pointless! He is doing exactly what he said he would be doing and I am beginning to feel more and more stupid for letting you talk me into this."

"No. Not yet. Just because he's playing it cool right now doesn't mean he's not up to something."

Z bashed he head against the tree, getting impatient. "Ugh! Jack, this is ridiculous. You are going on a witch hunt here and I am not going to let you drag me down with you. I'm going back to the base." Z said turning to leave, but Jack grabbed onto her arm, looking at her with pleading eyes.

"No! No! No! Wait Z! Please! Just five more minutes. Five minutes and you can go! I swear! Please Z?"

Z rolled her eyes and sighed. "Fine. Five minutes. But not a minute more. After that you're on your own."

"Yes! Thank you! I swear, you won't regret this."

Z scoffed. "I hate to break it to you but it's a little late for that."

Jack's eyes widened as he grabbed Z again, pointing in Sky's direction. "Hey! Look! Look there! Do you see that?"

"See what?" Z asked, confused.

"That. Look! See there?" Jack and Z watched as Sky continued to jog down the path through the park. Seeing that Z still didn't understand, Jack explained, "Look where Sky is jogging. That is the point were the path turns back to the academy but he is still headed towards the city."

"So? Maybe he just wanted to take a longer jog. We all know what a go hard Sky is."

"No. No, he is headed someplace and we're going to find out where. Come on." Jack grabbed Z and pulled her along as they raced after Sky who was now almost out of their sight. They eventually came to the edge of the park and were greeted by the harsh sounds of New Tech's urban jungle. They scanned the area but lost sight of Sky.

"Where'd he go? I can't see him anymore." Z asked.

"I don't know," Jack replied. "Where could he have gone?"

Jack and Z looked around at their surroundings. Across the street from them was a train station, a few boutiques, and some sort of fancy restaurant. Further down the street were some office buildings and a parking garage.

"Maybe he took the train?" Z suggested sheepishly, trying to get a smile out of Jack.

Jack was not amused. "Damn it!" he exclaimed. "He could be anywhere."

"Well at least you were right about one thing." Jack gave Z a puzzled look. "He wasn't just going for a jog." Before Jack even had a chance to roll his eyes he spotted Sky.

"Wait! Get down!" Jack cried pulling Z behind a parked car. "There he is." They both peered over the edge of the car to see Sky leaving the train station. Strangely, he had changed out of his jogging clothes into a pair of jeans, a white t-shirt, and a blue jean jacket. He was also carrying a helmet with him.

"Well that's weird. Why did he get changed? Even more, how did he get changed?" Z asked. "I didn't see him bring anything with him on his jog."

"He must have a storage locker in the train station." Jack replied, only half listening as he watched Sky walk by. "The real question is where is he going?"

Jack and Z watched curiously as Sky walked down the street and headed into the parking garage. A few minutes later he zoomed out on a dark blue motorcycle, unknowingly driving right past where Z and Jack were hidden and stopped at the intersection farther up the street.

Jack jumped to his feet, pulling Z up with him. "Come on Z, we have to follow him!"

Z just shook her head in disbelief. This was all too much for her. "How exactly are we going to do that? We don't have a car."

Jack looked around frantically, knowing he only had seconds before the lights changed and they lost sight of Sky. His eyes settled on the car in front of them, a desperate idea popping into his head.

Z's eyes narrowed as she realized what Jack was about to do. "Jack no! We're SPD now! We can't do this!"

"We'll return it!"

"No!" Z said, but it was too late. Jack had already phased into the front seat of the car and quickly hot wired the engine. He unlocked the passenger side door and pushed it open for Z, but she refused to get in.

"Come on Z, it's now or never!" Jack pleaded.

"No Jack! I'm not going to follow you on your stupid little crusade! No!"

"Come on Z! I need you! Besides! I know you're as curious as I am to find out what is up with Sky!"

"No Jack!"

"Z! Please! The light is about to change." Jack gave Z the most pleading puppy dog look could muster.

Z paused for a moment, looking between Jack and Sky. She sighed. "Fine," she said getting in the car and closing the door behind her, "but if we get caught I swear, you are so going to pay for this."

Jack only grinned in response as he pulled the car out onto the road. He had every intention of returning it later, but right now though he was too close to his goal to even think of turning back. He had come too far to stop now.

To be continued…

So there you go people! I know I kind of left you hanging there but don't worry! The next chap is already in the works and should be posted within a day or two! Just one or two more chapters and the secret will be reveal so stay tuned!

Please review! Whether good or bad, fabulous or flaming, I don't care! All I ask for is honesty! If you hate it that much then flame away, just be sure to mention what you hated so much about the story so I can improve in the future! I have no problem with critisism!

Thanks!