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

OF YOU

By Etcetera Kit

Distraction

Syd blinked, trying to focus her eyes in the bright sunlight that filled the common room. Sky and Bridge were doing it again! She realized that they were best friends, had been best friends for a long time, probably before either of them considered her a friend. But this was ridiculous! How did they justify holing themselves up and avoiding the world? Well, she wasn't entirely sure that it was the world they were avoiding. Lately, it seemed to be her—Z, to a lesser extent.

What on earth did those two boys think they were doing?

She watched with mild irritation as Bridge nudged Sky and two sets of blue eyes settled on her, standing just inside the common room. They were sitting at a table near the back of the room, a map spread between them on the surface of the table and a backpack and a cooler on the floor near their feet. Both were wearing civilian clothes—jeans and work-shirts. They looked like they were about to hit a construction site. What was with the map?

It was Sky's turn to nudge Bridge. He snapped a jewelry box he was holding shut and shoved it into the backpack. Syd didn't see what size the box was, but couldn't fathom what Bridge was doing with a jewelry box. He didn't exactly have girls clamoring to him, unless he was finally going to tell Z about the obvious crush he'd had on her since day one. But jewelry didn't seem like a Bridge thing to buy. He'd opt more towards chocolates or stuffed animals, even clothes before he lapsed into something that serious.

The frozen moment passed and time seemed to speed up to compensate. Sky zipped up the backpack, folding the map and shoving it in his back pocket. He swung the bag onto his shoulders. Bridge picked up the cooler—one of the soft-side brands—and slung it over his shoulder. They stood up, moving purposefully.

"Where are you guys going?" Syd blurted out. Sky was still a little distant—puzzled—over the off-time incident. He wasn't mad, per se, it was more like he was distracted and had other things on his mind. What other things she didn't know.

"Out," Sky said simply.

Their shifts were by gender this week. She and Z were paired together for off-time, while Sky and Bridge were together. Tonight marked the beginning of their forty-eight consecutive hours off, but the boys had managed to get their two hours off just before the days off started. It might have something to do with Sky's Red Ranger status or the fact that Bridge could talk his way into—and out of—most objectionable situations.

"We're going to go do—ouch!"

Sky smacked Bridge's upper arm, hard. The current Blue Ranger winced, rubbing his arm and looking like he'd very much like to squawk, 'what was that for?' However, he caught the warning look that Sky shot at him and remained silent.

Her boyfriend gave her a soft smile and kiss. "We'll be back before the weekend starts," he said. He pressed one last chaste kiss to her lips and the pair disappeared down the hall. Syd stared after them, a frown on her face. They all jokingly referred to their forty-eight hours off as 'the weekend.' What were those two doing?

Reality snapped back into place and she remembered why she came here in the first place—she needed to get some bottles of water, before changing into her workout clothes and supervising the C-Squad's simulator training. She got the water and moved to her room. Cruger wanted them on time to set an example. Her room was as she had left it that morning—neat and tidy, with some of Z's mess spilling into her side.

A single pink rose with a note tied to it was on her pillow.

Automatically, she went to the flower, released the note and took in the familiar tall, slanted handwriting. Please meet me tonight—the bridge near the duck pond. The note was in typical Sky fashion. He always said please while asking her somewhere, not wanting to come across as demanding. That footbridge near the duck pond had always been a special place for them, despite the fact that Mirloc had captured them there. He had rescued her from falling prey to Mirloc's initial treachery, at any rate.

The day went by in a blurry haze of events. Six o'clock could not come fast enough and, when it did, she couldn't shower and change clothes in a timely enough fashion to suit her. She ended up wearing a simple denim skirt and pink tank top and putting her hair in a style that required no fuss. Her make-up was minimal. And, for once, she didn't care. She wanted to find out what that cooler and backpack and jewelry box meant!

The sun was just setting in the park when she arrived. She could see Sky standing on the bridge, gazing into the water. He had changed from the work clothes of earlier into a nicer pair of jeans and blue button-up shirt.

"Sky?" she asked, stepping onto the bridge.

"Hey," he replied, a genuine smile breaking out over his face. He closed the distance between them, cupping her face between his palms and kissing her. His kiss lingered on her lips and left her aching for so much more.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Nothing—nothing at all."

"Schuyler…"

"Will you marry me?"

Syd stared at him, almost disbelieving the words he had just uttered. He pulled a small jewelry box from his pocket and opened it, offering the ring to her. It was white gold with pale blue and pale pink stones. Her breath caught in her throat. Tears stung her eyes. After all the madness of the past week, this was the last thing she had expected.

"Syd?" he asked, sounding unsure.

She did the only thing she could think of. She kissed him, that 'yes' flowing between them, shining golden in the sunset.

To Be Continued...

Author's Note: So, it's been a while. I try to take one day at a time, but, lately, several days have attacked me at once. It's best to think of this drabble as part one of two. The things mentioned in the beginning will be resolved during the next drabble, "Gift." With that, thank you for reading, reviewing and supporting this piece. There's more on the horizon with a test audience right now. Cheers!