Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers or McDonald's.
Dissension within the Ranks
Chapter 15
Sky's jaw had dropped open as he saw the naked boy and girl huddled in a corner of the closet. They were shivering. Sky saw the welts on their backs and the blood all over a good portion of their torsos.
Sky shook himself out of his shock. "What happened?" Sky asked.
The children didn't answer, but just kept shivering.
Sky decided to worry about how they got like that later. He decided that they needed to get some clothes on because they were cold. "Where's your room at?" Sky asked.
The kids got out of the closet and walked to their room with Sky following. Sky pulled out clothes from their dressers and gave it to them. "Here put these on. You'll be much warmer," he said.
They dressed themselves. Sky helped them when they needed it. He looked at his watch and saw that it was seven in the evening. A thought came to Sky. "Have you guys had any dinner yet?" Sky asked.
They shook their head no. That didn't really surprise Sky though. He knew that more often than not children who were physically and verbally abused also were neglected and undernourished. "How about I take you two to get something to eat?" Sky asked.
They shook their heads yes and each grabbed one of Sky's hands.
"You know, if I'm going to be your daddy, I think I should know what your names are. I'm Sky, and you are?" he asked them.
"I'm Chris," the little boy answered.
"I'm Simone," the little girl replied.
Sky helped them onto his Patrol Cycle. Then he got on. "Hold on, ok?"
It wasn't long before Sky pulled up to a McDonald's. They went in the restaurant.
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Over in the Command Center, Cruger was pacing back and forth nervously. He knew if it came down to it, Sky could more than hold his own. However, he couldn't shake the feeling that every time Sky went off on his own like this, something bad will happen to him. He hoped his feeling was wrong though.
Kat had a good idea what was troubling Cruger. "I'm sure Sky's fine Doggie," Kat said.
Cruger stopped pacing and looked over at Kat. He glared at her. "How do you know that?" he snapped.
Kat sighed. She's known Cruger for quite some time now. She knows each and every nuance of his behavior. She is fully aware of how short tempered Cruger really is. It's like if you say something he doesn't want to hear or believe, he'll bite your head off. "He probably went to find those two kids," Kat said trying to calm Cruger down.
Cruger resumed his pacing. His arms were clasped behind his back. "I know, that's what worries me," Cruger commented.
Kat wasn't sure what Cruger meant. "If you're that worried about him, just contact him. That way you'll know for sure that he is fine," Kat suggested.
Cruger's ears perked up. He couldn't believe he didn't think of that before. He picked up his morpher and contacted Sky.
"Sky here," answered the blue ranger.
"Where are you at? Are you ok? How long before you'll be back?" Cruger asked one question after another.
Kat slapped her forehead with her hand. From the way Cruger was firing off questions, he really did sound like Sky's father.
"I'm at McDonald's. I'm fine. Once Simone and Chris finish eating, we'll be back," Sky replied.
Kat and Cruger both looked at each other when Sky had mentioned the names of the people he was with. They both had looks on their faces like I don't know who that is.
"Chris and Simone?" Cruger asked.
Cruger could hear Sky laughing. He let out a growl. Sky apparently heard the growl and stopped his laughter. He cleared his throat before speaking again. "Chris and Simone are the names of the two orphan children you met earlier today," Sky answered.
Cruger breathed a sigh of relief. God forbid Sky actually having a life outside of S.P.D. "I want you home now!" Cruger ordered.
Kat burst out laughing. Cruger looked over and glared at Kat. He let out a growl. He didn't like being laughed at. He was the commander after all damn it!
"They're finished now. We're on our way. Sky out," the blue ranger said.
XXXXXXXXXX
Jack was in the recreation room. He was exhausted from chasing a ball of light around the Academy. The omega ranger was quicker than Jack had thought. He just decided to give up trying to catch him and plopped down on a couch.
Just then, a female walked into the room. She looked to be around Sky's age. She had blond hair that was pulled back in a ponytail. She had sky blue eyes. She must like to tan, because she had a tanned complexion that wasn't overly tanned, but just enough. She was wearing a black strapless top that only covered a portion of her cleavage. She had a really short lavender skirt on. She was wearing black knee high socks and black high heels. Jack couldn't help but notice how pretty she looked. He looked her up and down and noticed that she stood about five feet nine inches. He was fascinated by her long legs.
The female noticed that Jack was staring and started to get uncomfortable. "Excuse me. I'm looking for someone," she said.
Jack hoped he was the one she was looking for. Once he had laid eyes on the woman in front of him, he forgot completely about Syd, Z, and all the other pretty girls he had met. He realized he was staring and immediately stopped. "Um…Hi. I'm Jack, and you are?" he asked.
The young woman noticed the red uniform Jack was wearing. It was very similar to the one the guy who had asked about the orphan kids earlier at Social Services was wearing. The only difference was that his uniform had blue on it. "I'm LeAnn, can you take me to the blue ranger?" she asked.
Jack furrowed his eyebrows. "Why would you want to see Sky? Is there something I should know about?" Jack asked jealous at the thought of LeAnn and Sky having a relationship.
LeAnn sighed dreamily. "So Sky is his name. Aw, that's such a cute name. Hehe. His name is Sky and he's the blue ranger," she thought to herself. She then remembered that Jack had asked her a question. "Uh, what did you ask me again?" LeAnn asked.
Jack let out a frustrated sigh. "I asked why you wanted to see Sky. Are you two seeing each other or something?" Jack asked not doing a very good job of hiding his jealousy.
LeAnn picked up on his jealousy. She had a somewhat evil thought. "Would that be a problem if I was seeing Sky?" she asked.
Jack's jaw dropped open. "Wait a second. You and Sky? Since when? Why didn't I know about this?" Jack asked.
LeAnn burst out laughing. She started to say something but was overcome with laughter again. Her side started to hurt from laughing so hard.
Jack loved it when she was shaking with laughter. He watched her cleavage bob up and down. "Are those real or implants?" Jack thought to himself seeing how large they were.
LeAnn had finally calmed herself down. "I'm just kidding. Sky and I aren't seeing each other, but could you take me to him? I have some business to discuss with him," she said.
Jack was relieved to hear that Sky and LeAnn weren't seeing each other. At least not yet. That meant he still had a chance. Jack thought how LeAnn was the girl of his dreams. Of course he had a tendency to think that of every pretty girl he came across. "I don't think he's back yet," Jack answered.
XXXXXXXXXX
Bridge was passing by the room that Syd and Z shared just as they were coming out.
Bridge smiled. "Oh, hi!" he said.
Syd and Z were relieved to see it was Bridge. They had hoped it wasn't Jack. They weren't ready to see him. Not yet anyways.
"Where are you off to?" Syd asked.
"Well, I was getting hungry, so I was going to go to the cafeteria to get something to eat which by the way have you two ate dinner yet? So anyways, I was trying to figure out what exactly I was in the mood for. I thought maybe a cheese and avocado omelet no wait maybe a peanut butter and banana sandwich, but then I thought maybe I should have some toast. I mean you can't go wrong with toast with it being buttery and all," Bridge rambled. He put his fingers close to his mouth and wiggled them upon saying the word 'buttery'.
After hearing Bridge's lengthy explanation, Z rolled her eyes. Syd mock snored. That made Z giggle.
Bridge had a confused look on his face. "What did I say?" he asked.
Syd and Z both laughed at Bridge's cluelessness. Syd put her arm around Bridge and the three of them headed to the cafeteria.
XXXXXXXXXX
Sky entered the command center. Cruger rushed over to Sky and embraced him in a hug nearly bowling over Chris and Simone in the process.
"Thank goodness you are safe. You have no idea how worried I was! You should have a curfew! I really don't like the idea of you being by yourself at this time of night!" Cruger remarked.
Kat and Sky exchanged glances with each other. Their faces both read "o…k…" After what seemed like an eternity, Cruger released Sky from his embrace.
"No offense sir, but I am an adult. I'm twenty years old. I don't need a curfew. Besides, what do you mean 'this time of night'? It's only eight o'clock!" Sky exclaimed.
Kat couldn't help herself. She started laughing hysterically. She slapped her hand on her knee and stamped her feet on the ground. Sky chuckled to himself after seeing how Kat reacted. Cruger glared at Kat but she was too busy cracking up to notice. Even Chris and Simone were smiling.
Cruger continued to glare at Kat, but seeing that tactic wasn't working he growled. Kat still proceeded with her laughing fit. He then turned to Sky. "I'm you commander. If I say you need to have a curfew, then you will have a curfew. Do not question my judgment Cadet Tate," Cruger commanded.
Kat finally was able to contain herself. She was doubled over in pain from laughing so hard. She was clutching her ribs.
Sky saluted. "Yes sir. If I may ask, what is my curfew going to be? 5:30?" Sky asked.
Kat burst out laughing once again. This time she fell flat on her face after having lost her balance from laughing so much. Sky, Chris, and Simone laughed as well.
Cruger looked from Sky to Kat, then back to Sky. He was trying to figure out what was so funny. He looked at Chris and Simone. "What is so funny?" Cruger asked.
XXXXXXXXXX
Bridge, Syd, and Z were on their way to the cafeteria, when they passed the recreation room. The door was open and they saw Jack with a really beautiful woman. Bridge's jaw dropped at the sight of the woman. Syd pushed Bridge's jaw back up only to have it fall again after Syd removed her hand.
Z stepped into the recreation room with her hands on her hips. "What exactly is going on here?" Z asked.
LeAnn and Jack turned their attention to the doorway where the pink, green, and yellow rangers stood. The green ranger's jaw was still practically on the floor.
LeAnn gave the pink, green, and yellow rangers a warm smile. She was just glad someone else finally came into the room. She was starting to get really uncomfortable with Jack staring at her. "Hi! I'm Leanne!" she said offering her hand for them to shake.
Syd shook her hand. "I'm Syd,"
Z shook LeAnn's hand. "The name's Z,"
Bridge shook LeAnn's hand. "I'm…I'm…I'm…I'm…" Bridge stuttered.
Jack, Z, Syd, and LeAnn laughed at Bridge.
Syd spoke up for Bridge seeing how he wouldn't be able to introduce himself properly. "That's Bridge," Syd said pointing towards the green ranger.
Z tilted her head. "Can we help you with anything?" Z asked with a tone of rudeness.
Before LeAnn could say anything, Jack spoke up for her. "She has to talk to Sky about something," Jack explained.
It was LeAnn's turn to interrupt Jack. "Yeah I just wanted to talk to my boyfriend about our date tomorrow night," Leann lied.
Syd and Z both exchanged looks at each other. Bridge found himself staring at LeAnn's cleavage.
"Boyfriend?" Syd and Z asked simultaneously.
Jack chuckled softly. LeAnn was pulling the same trick on the others that she had pulled on him awhile ago. It appeared to be working too. Syd and Z both appeared to believe it.
LeAnn giggled. "I'm just kidding. He's not my boyfriend although I wouldn't mind it if he was. He's smoking hot! I'm the secretary at Social Services. Sky had asked me earlier where the orphan kids, Chris and Simone, lived. I came here to tell him that I talked to their social worker and informed him about Sky's intention of adopting the kids," LeAnn explained.
"Adopting?" the four rangers asked all in disbelief.
A ball of light floated into the recreation room. "Hey Jack, what's the matter? Did you give up trying to catch me? You know it would've been so much easier if you…whoa!" Sam said seeing LeAnn.
LeAnn shrieked. "What the heck! A talking ball of light!" she yelled.
Sam transformed into his ranger form. "Hi there beautiful! I'm Sam!" Sam said offering LeAnn his hand to shake.
XXXXXXXXXX
Over in the command center, Kat was on her feet after recovering from her laughing fit.
Sky walked over to Kat. "I need to have you examine Chris and Simone. You know, run some medical tests on them. Their foster dad did something to them. They won't tell me what though," Sky whispered in Kat's ear.
Kat nodded her head. She then walked over and took the two children's hands in her own. "Come on you two. Come with me," Kat said gently.
Chris and Simone jerked away from Kat. "No! Not without Sky!" they shouted. They folded their arms over their chests. Their faces showed they were pouting.
Sky walked over to them and knelt beside them. "It's ok. Kat's just going to take a look at you two. Don't worry. She won't hurt you. I'm not going anywhere. You'll see me soon," Sky said.
Chris and Simone nodded their heads and followed Kat to the infirmary.
Sky rose to his feet and turned around and looked at Cruger.
Cruger walked over to Sky and put a hand on his shoulder. "I heard what you told Kat. I have a feeling that as long as you're with them, they'll be fine," Cruger said reassuringly.
Sky gave Cruger a smile of thanks. He then left the command center to find the other rangers and tell them he was back.
XXXXXXXXXX
At Gruumm's ship, Giganis was given new orders by the emperor himself.
"Forget our old plan of controlling the blue ranger's mind. With Broodwing turning on me, that plan will no longer work since we don't have the means to control his mind. Instead, I want the blue ranger dead!" Gruumm commanded clenching his fists.
Morgana stepped forward. Morgana without a doubt was the brains of the operation. Gruumm may be a powerful emperor that's conquered many planets and galaxies, but he wasn't exactly the sharpest tool in the shed. Luckily for him, he had Morgana who was excellent at devising strategies to bring down S.P.D. and the meddlesome rangers.
"I know just how he can do it. Destroying his morpher is the key. I believe he is linked to his morpher. It is the source of his power. Destroy it and you will destroy him," Morgana explained.
Gruumm shook his head in approval. "Excellent Morgana! Excellent!" Gruumm said.
XXXXXXXXXXX
Sky found the other rangers in the recreation room. There was a woman with them. He could've sworn he'd seen her before, yet something about her was drastically different.
"What's going on here? A meeting?" Sky asked out loud.
Everyone turned their heads to see Sky enter the recreation room. LeAnn shrieked and ran over to Sky. She put one arm around Sky. She took her other hand and was rubbing Sky's chest. "There you are Sky! I've been waiting for you!" LeAnn exclaimed.
Z folded her arms over her chest and Syd did the same. They were upset how LeAnn was practically flinging herself at Sky.
Sky looked at the woman whose arm he was wrapped in. "Two things. One, how do you know my name? Two, don't you think that outfit is a little inappropriate to wear at Social Services?" Sky asked.
LeAnn giggled. "The red ranger, whatever his name is, told me your name. I don't wear this to work. I got off work at 7. I went home and changed into something more comfortable," LeAnn answered.
Jack grunted at the fact that LeAnn had forgotten his name.
Syd and Z both looked at each other. "Comfortable?" they both thought to themselves.
LeAnn was disappointed that Sky hadn't asked her what her name was yet. She decided to express her disappointment. "Don't you want to know what my name is?" she asked.
Sky scratched the back of his head. After a bit of hesitation he said, "Uh yeah sure."
LeAnn squealed. Z rolled her eyes. Jack, Bridge, and Sam simply stared at LeAnn.
"I'm LeAnn. Hey, listen. I came to tell you that I talked to Chris and Simone's social worker and he wanted me to tell you that he hired an attorney that he'd like you to meet tomorrow for lunch at the new restaurant downtown," LeAnn stated.
Sky broke free from LeAnn's grip. LeAnn was disappointed when he did so. She could stay in his arms forever. "Attorney? What do I need an attorney for? The new restaurant downtown? It doesn't have to be that fancy! I heard that place is expensive!" Sky said.
LeAnn put her hands on her hips. "You do want to adopt Chris and Simone don't you?" she asked.
The other five rangers in the room watched Sky intently. They also were wondering the same thing.
Sky didn't even hesitate. "Of course I do!" he exclaimed.
LeAnn flashed her pearly whites. She reached into her purse and pulled out a business card. "I thought so," she said. She handed Sky the business card. She made her right hand in the shape of a phone and held it up to her ear. "Call me," she said winking at Sky. She started to leave the recreation room. She stopped in her tracks and turned around. "Sky, could you walk me to my car. I'm scared to walk alone," LeAnn said.
Z shook her head in disbelief.
Syd let out an "Oh my gosh!"
Bridge, Sam, and Jack were disappointed that LeAnn hadn't asked them to walk her to her car. They certainly wouldn't mind the least bit.
Sky rubbed the back of his neck thinking of his response. "Uh sure," Sky answered.
LeAnn squealed and linked her arm through Sky's as the two of them walked out together. Shortly after, Z and Syd both left the recreation room following Sky and LeAnn.
"Wow!" Bridge, Jack, and Sam said all at once.
"She sure is something," Jack said.
Sam and Bridge nodded their heads in agreement.
"LeAnn is drop dead gorgeous!" Bridge remarked.
"I couldn't agree more!" Sam added.
XXXXXXXXXX
Sky and LeAnn had reached the parking facility. Sky opened the car door for LeAnn.
"Why thank you," LeAnn said.
Sky shut the door after LeAnn had got in. LeAnn put the keys in the ignition. She rolled down the window.
"Alright, well I'll call you in the morning," Sky said.
LeAnn smiled. "I'll be looking forward to it. By the way, thanks for walking me to my car," LeAnn said.
Sky shrugged his shoulders like it was no big deal. The next thing Sky knew, LeAnn had planted a kiss on Sky's lips. Soon after, LeAnn was pulling out of her parking spot. LeAnn and Sky waved goodbye to each other.
Meanwhile, hiding behind a pillar were Z and Syd.
"Did you see that?" Syd asked.
"I can't believe she kissed him!" Z exclaimed.
Syd and Z leaned forward to get a better view, when they knocked over the garbage can in front of them. It made a loud crash as it spilled on the ground. Sky turned over to see the pink and yellow rangers. Syd and Z laughed nervously.
Sky walked over to his female teammates. "Were you spying on me?" Sky asked.
Z scooped the spilled contents of the garbage into the trash can and walked over and emptied it into the dumpster.
"Nope, just taking out the trash. Well, now that we got that done, let's go Syd," Z answered.
Sky laughed at Z's attempt to cover up the fact that they were spying on LeAnn and him. "Nice try, but one, I heard you two talking before the trash can fell and two, that trash can was already there, so you weren't taking out the trash," Sky said.
Z and Syd looked down at the ground. Their shoes had suddenly become very interesting to them. They started to blush. They didn't dare look at Sky. They spun on their heels and made a dash for their room.
XXXXXXXXXXX
Chris and Simone's foster dad just got back from the bar and found a note on the front door. It read:
Marcus,
I hereby inform you that Sky Tate has expressed interest in adopting your children, Chris and Simone. We have been informed by Mr. Tate that you have physically and verbally abused Chris and Simone. You now have a court case on your hands. Mr. Tate has himself an attorney, and I suggest you do the same because it sounds like you'll have quite a fight on your hands.
Chris and Simone's social worker,
Ryan
Marcus crumpled up the note and threw it over his shoulder. He entered the house and went straight to the master bedroom and opened the closet. He found it empty. He went around and checked the rest of the house. There was no sign of Chris or Simone.
"Damn you blue ranger!" Marcus hollered slamming his fist into the nearest wall punching a hole in it.
To Be Continued…
Note: Thanks to Crimson Mystery, sye04, Beautiful-Me89, DisneyHeart, KendrixAimeeOliver, NightMistCrystal, sky's girl forever, NinjaStorm4Life, and monkay-pooh for reviewing my fic. A big thanks to Crimson Mystery and Beautiful-Me89 for the name suggestions. I tried to make you both happy by using the names that you both had suggested. I find it kind of funny that the orphan boy is named Chris and the actor that plays Sky is named Chris Violette, but then again I'm weird like that, so I'm probably the only person who finds that kind of ironic. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. You have no idea how good it feels to come back from a day of classes and read positive reviews. Please review unless you don't have anything nice to say (Is that what is meant by no flames? I'm sorry if that sounds like a stupid question, but hey I'm a "newbie" or however the heck that's spelled) or unless you're just going to criticize me and not offer anything constructive. I'll try to get an update up tomorrow sometime.