Disclaimer: The usual. Don't own anything you recognize.

OF YOU

By Etcetera Kit

Green-Eyed Monster

"I don't get it," Syd grumbled. "We get assigned paperwork while those two get the afternoon off?" She slammed her stack of paper on the coffee table in the common room. She had thought that their workload would lighten with the defeat of Gruumm, but, alas, no. It seemed that, since they were officially the highest-ranking squad, Cruger was giving them work that he had done himself for a long time. She didn't mind the extra work, but she did mind the afternoon off schedules… Syd was assigned with Bridge, while Sky had been paired with Z.

"We get the afternoon off tomorrow," Bridge replied mildly, unzipping his uniform jacket. It was still strange seeing him in a blue uniform. That color had been Sky's for close to a year and he had made it his own. However, she couldn't help but grin when she saw Sky's red uniform. He was still grinning about it.

"It's not that," she muttered, wanting to glare murderous daggers at Cruger.

"You wanted to be off with Sky?"

"You only know that because you're psychic."

"I don't have to be psychic to know that." Bridge gave her a sympathetic look. "Why didn't you ask Z if you could switch with her?"

There were multiple reasons for that. Syd couldn't say why she didn't ask to be switched with Z or why she hadn't asked Bridge to swap with Sky. Ordinarily, this was just their work shifts and, at first, she had thought that's all it was. Only later had she realized that this week it meant their off time too. SPD personnel were required to have two hours off during a normal work day and forty-eight consecutive hours off each week. The B-Squad generally got the same two days off, unless it was a special case. However, those two days were rarely Saturday and Sunday. But… why hadn't she asked to be switched?

What was Sky planning on doing this afternoon?

As if answering her thoughts, he wandered into the common room, wearing civilian clothes. Syd inwardly approved of his fashion choice—it was an outfit of his she loved. Navy blue cashmere sweater, khaki pants… he looked really good and, as usual, he wasn't aware of it. He didn't see the female cadet who nearly tripped when he came in.

"Hey," he said, planting a kiss on her cheek. "Decided to do the paperwork in here?"

"More light that's not fluorescent," she replied. "Where are you off to?"

"Z and I are going out," he responded casually.

Syd felt her stomach clench. He was going out with Z? What were they going to be doing? He never hung out with her! She shook her head. What was she worrying about? Sky was her boyfriend. Z was his friend. It was just a friend thing, especially since she and Bridge had to work this afternoon. Had this situation ever come up before?

"Oh," she said shortly, not sure what else to say. She focused her gaze on the paperwork, all too aware of Sky's frown as he moved closer to her.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she said, grinding her teeth. "Just have fun with Z."

"Syd, what's going on? Are you not comfortable with—"

"No, nothing. Go on. Have fun."

Sky looked bewildered as he left the common room. Syd glared after him, not sure why his lack of anger or irritation had felt less than satisfying. He hadn't even tried to get her to talk about it, but she didn't miss the pointed gaze he exchanged with Bridge. Normally, if someone picked a fight with him, he responded. Resisting the urge to mutter to herself, she tried to focus on the paperwork, although Bridge was staring at her now.

"Syd," he said slowly. "Z doesn't like Sky—not in that way."

"What way?"

"She doesn't love him like you do. All she feels for him is friendship."

"I know," she snapped.

"Z's not going to start anything. She's your friend too." He paused, looking thoughtful. "And you trust Sky, so you shouldn't be jealous about anything."

"I'm not—"

She stopped herself from finishing the statement. She wasn't sure what was going on. Perhaps she was just not in a good mood because Sky was off and she was lashing out at him. Perhaps she was just tired and cranky. Whatever the reason… she wasn't sure what any of the implications were. Was she being possessive? She did not want to turn into the type of girlfriend that couldn't handle her boyfriend spending time with others. He was just doing something on his day off and now she couldn't talk to him at all.

She'd have to talk to him when he got back.

"I don't know why it bothers me," she whispered.

"I wouldn't worry about it too much, if I was you."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing."

Syd glared at Bridge. There was definitely something no one was telling her.

To Be Continued...

Author's Note: My web site, housing my PR fan fiction, is now up and running. Stop by and see what you think. I'm also up for some awards over at the Syd and Sky Awards, so head over there and vote:) With that said, thanks for the continuing support on this piece. Green-Eyed Monster was suggested by two lovely people last time around and I decided to go with that. (Just like Scars was suggested for the last chapter.)