Race Against Time
Chapter 6: Missing Friend
By: Pink-Green-White-4ever
Last Revised: January 2, 2006
Summary: Spoilers for Endings Pt. 2 - 5 yrs. post Endings Pt. 2, and the infamous B Squad Rangers are invited to celebrate Cruger's reassignment to General and head of SPD HQ and Sky's promotion to Commander, but something goes awry, and they have to race against the clock to save one of their friends before it's too late.
Ships: Syd/Sky, Bridge/Z, Jack/Ally, Cruger/Isinia, Kat/Boom
Rating: M – changed for Adult Themed Situation.
AN: I don't own Victoria Secret, The Gap, Marshall Fields, Latitude, Underground Men or Old Navy. They are all actual stores; I have no affiliation with them besides knowing people who shop at them. This might also be the last chapter for the next few weeks until School starts back up and I get back into the swing of things there.
--
The second the sun hit her eyes, she groaned and tried to hide back under the covers, only to hear a deep, husky chuckle come from her right side. Turning over, Sydney stared up at a fully dressed Sky. "What the heck?" she grumbled, sitting up, only to squeak in surprise when the sheet fell from her body and left her topless.
Sky couldn't help but laugh at her. He sat on the edge of the bed as Syd gathered the sheet to her chest, her cheeks flushed with a healthy red color. "Good morning."
"Morning? Already?" she whined softly.
Nodding, Sky reached out and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Yeah. It's about seven fifteen. I need to head to work," he murmured, not really wanting to leave her, but after being gone for nearly a month, he had a lot to get caught up on.
"Oh," she whispered.
Sky smiled and cupped her chin in his hand, tilting her head up so that he could lean forward and kiss her softly; her arms automatically left the sheet and wrapped around his neck, holding him to her.
"Z's got plans for you and Nova today," he whispered when he pulled back. Reaching behind him, he pulled his wallet out of his back pocket and took out a little plastic card. "Take this with you, I've already called the credit card company and had them put you on the account. You're going to need it."
Sydney looked confused. "Why?"
"Z's taking you shopping for clothes, for you to wear other than your uniform. We do, contrary to popular belief, get days off around here," Sky grinned at her when she took the little plastic card that said Visa on it along with Sky's name. "And Nova's going to need stuff period."
"You didn't have to do that," she told him, aware that if he hadn't, she wouldn't have had a way to pay for anything outside of the academy.
"Don't worry about," he told her, smirking. "Just promise me one thing."
Smiling, she nodded. "What?"
"Buy at least one dress, so we can go out to dinner, and buy something sexy," he teased.
Her smile brightened ten fold and her cheeks burned with a dark red blush. After the previous night, she wasn't sure why he'd want to see her in something sexy when he could see her in nothing at all.
"I can tell what you're thinking, and trust me, I like unwrapping presents as much as the next person," he winked at her, making her laugh nervously. "I love you, have a fun time with the girls, I'll see you this afternoon."
He pecked a kiss to her lips once, then twice, before pulling away and striding out of the room, leaving Sydney sitting there smiling.
--
"This place is huge!" Syd gasped when Z pulled Sky's silver SUV into a parking spot. Next to her, Kat pulled her black convertible into a spot and her and Isinia got out. Ally, who had left the baby with Jack, Nova, Syd and Z hopped out of Sky's truck and met the others at the end of the vehicles.
"Wow," Nova muttered, staring up at the large building and taking in all the vehicles and people in the parking lot.
Z shook her head. They had to get Syd's memory back, it was just weird to see her astonished by the simplest things that she had once taken completely for granted. "You use to practically live here when we were Rangers," Z teased. "So did Sky tell you what we're doing here?"
"Shopping, and I have full use of his credit card," Syd grinned, flashing the plastic card in Z's direction. "He said to get everything Nova and I need with it."
The former Yellow Ranger looked shocked that Sky would willingly give Syd his credit card. The others were laughing at the look on Syd's face as she toyed with the card and on Z's at the thought.
"Oh wow, we're going to have so much fun," Ally laughed. "I haven't been shopping since I couldn't fit into my regular clothes a couple of months ago."
"Alright, enough talking!" Kat laughed, threading her arm through Isinia's. "Let's shop!"
--
Sky sat behind his desk in his office, arms crossed over his chest as he leaned back in his chair. Jack and Nick sat in the chairs in front of him, while Bridge and Cruger stood to one side and Boom stood on the other. The veteran SPD officers were calm, even amused, while Nick looked utterly terrified at having been called into Sky's office this early in the morning.
"I'm ready when you guys are to go over this Zord battle Jack was complaining about so much," Sky told them, his face devoid of the amusement he felt. Blue eyes went to Boom, who loaded the battle footage into the wall console next to him and set it to play from the holo-screen on Sky's desk.
One eyebrow rose on Sky's face when the first thing he heard was a set of very loud explosions. Dark blue eyes went to Jack's face, the former Red Ranger grinning sheepishly, before they drifted to Nick's, the current Red Ranger looking ready to be sick.
CRASH! "I don't think that was supposed to happen!" a very disturbed sounding Jeff came across the communications channel seconds before his image came across the screen, his blue helmeted head shaking back and forth as his SPD Blue Rover II got jostled after it was hit by what looked like Pink Rover V, piloted by Marie.
"No, really, you think?" Marie suddenly barked at him, trying mightily to straighten her zord out. "Someone explain why it's so damn hard to drive this thing!"
Sky shook his head in disbelief. Jack was, unfortunately, right. The Rangers needed to spend some time in the Zords instead of the simulators so they could really learn to drive their vehicles. Another loud explosion was followed by a familiar voice.
"GOOD GOD! DON'T YOU FIVE KNOW HOW TO DRIVE THOSE?" Sky looked at Jack, who had a hand covering his face, trying not to laugh, as he thought back to the battle. The former Red Ranger hadn't been pleased with Sky's team, not one bit. They were more under-trained then even he and Z had been, and they had been at the academy longer before becoming Rangers then Z and he had. Of course, on the other hand, they had provided some much needed distraction not only during the battle, but in general. "Look! Gas pedal is on the right, brakes on the left! And for God's sake, MOVE IN UNISON!"
There was some quiet chuckling coming from within the room as the group of six watched the footage. "Ok Boom, I've seen more than enough," Sky muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose. He wanted to laugh, really, he did, but he knew it was inappropriate to laugh with Cruger and Nick present. "Jack, as much as I hate to admit this, you were right."
A cocky grin was the response to Sky's comment. Sky ignored it and turned to face Boom. "Boom, re-work the Rangers' training schedules so that instead of simulator zord training, they're actually taking the zords out."
Boom nodded and looked down at the data pad in his hand, making minor notes on it before looking back to Sky for further instruction. "Nick."
"Yes Commander?"
Sky let a grin slid into place on his face. "Your squad did exceptionally well out there, and from what I heard, you followed Jack's lead without question. I'm proud of you guys. However, there are, as you've already heard, going to be changes to your training schedule. Please make sure your squad is aware of the upcoming changes."
"Yes sir."
"You're dismissed," Sky told him, watching as he stood and saluted him before walking out of the room.
Once the Red Ranger was gone, the others burst into laughter. "Oh, that was just horrible!" Bridge grinned, moving to sit on the edge of Sky's desk next to where Jack was sitting in a chair.
"How's Sydney this morning?" Jack asked, noting that the meeting was pretty much over with.
"At the moment, probably in heaven; the girls took her and Nova shopping and she has my credit card," he told them, wincing.
"Are you nuts?" Bridge burst out, shocked. "You gave her your credit card?"
Sky nodded, and then shook his head in defeat when all four of his friends burst out laughing.
--
"Where to next?" Kat asked as the group walked out of Old Navy, a couple hundred bucks worth of clothes heavier. They had already stopped by Latitude and Underground Men and gotten the guys stuff, and had stopped at the GAP, Marshall Fields, and a few other places to get Nova clothes.
Between all those stores, Ally had gotten Jack a new pair of black jeans, a new pair of khakis, and a new pair of black dress slacks as well as a red silk dress shirt, a white dress shirt and a black sweater.
Z and Syd had picked up the same types of pants for Bridge and Sky, while Z had also gotten Bridge a blue dress shirt, a green button up, and a yellow dress shirt with a collar. Sydney had shyly picked out a blue silk dress shirt, a red sweater and a black t-shirt for Sky.
Syd had let Nova pick out an array t-shirts, jeans, and sweaters, as well as a couple of dresses, some accessories, and a winter coat, because the little girl was going to need it.
Kat and Isinia had also made purchases. Isinia had gotten Anubis a new fedora hat and a few ties while Kat had gotten Boom a few new shirts and a pair of khakis to replace the ones he'd ripped a few days before, so that he didn't feel left out seeing how the others were getting stuff. Kat had blushed when Isinia had given her a look, one that said the she knew Kat's feelings for Boom were running a much deeper vein these days.
"I say there!" Z pointed, her trademark smirk erupting onto her face. The others looked up and felt their jaws drop when they saw where she was pointing to; Victoria Secrets' new super store.
"Why there?" Sydney suddenly asked, panic setting in as the others nodded to each other and began pushing the former Pink Ranger toward the store.
"Because, we need stuff, and you need something that's gonna make Sky foam at the mouth," Z shot back, watching as Syd's eyes glazed over.
"I could do that just by undressing, which would be much cheaper then going in there!" Syd laughed as the group entered the store.
--
"Her energy readings are coming from in this building!" Klank muttered to the squads around him. "Search her out, and bring her to me!" Klank ordered, sighing heavily as the putties, cogs, and Tengas took off into the mall, looking for someone in particular.
--
Sky shook his head as he, Bridge and Jack sat in the common room during their lunch break, Bridge cradling Jack's son Trevor. The former Green and Blue Ranger was sitting there making goofy baby noises at the newborn, who kept trying to reach up and grab Bridge's nose.
"Nice to see one of us is cut out for fatherhood," Jack laughed as Bridge hefted the baby up and laid him against his shoulder, patting Trevor's back to put the baby to sleep.
"I have six cousins, and two younger sisters, this is nothing for me," Bridge grinned. He loved babies, much more so then any other guy he knew. There was just something instantly calming about a baby, despite how weird that sounded, for him. The innocence of a baby's life and feelings helped calm his frazzled nerves compared to the feelings bouncing off of most adults.
"I wonder if the girls are enjoying themselves?" Jack joked, watching Sky and Bridge laugh.
"Please! They're shopping, how could they not be enjoying themselves?"
The second the words left Sky's mouth, he regretted them as the base alarms began to go off, causing all three of the former Rangers to jump in surprise. "Let's go!" Sky barked at Bridge, who handed a now screaming Trevor to Jack and rushed out of the common room after Sky.
--
"Well, well, what do we have here?" an accented voice called out, causing the people in the store to start screaming and running. Z, Kat, Isinia, and Ally spun around to face the new comer, while Nova and Sydney stared at one another in shock before slowly turning around.
"God, not now, not here," Sydney whispered, causing Z to shoot her a look while Nova grabbed her hand.
"Pink Ranger, did you actually think you'd get away from the Master? Did you think your pathetic friends could hide you on Earth?" Klank asked, motioning for the cogs, Tengas and putties at his disposal to close off the exits. "Not to mention, did you really think you could take off with the Master's other prize?" he gestured to Nova.
"Isinia, Ally, take Nova and find somewhere to hide," Kat hissed in warning, watching Syd squeeze Nova's hand before passing her to Ally. Turning, Sydney moved three steps forward and joined Kat and Z.
"You can tell your Master, he can go to hell," Sydney growled, then found herself surprised that she had said that. 'God, please, let my Ranger training kick in, let me at least remember that or we're all toast' she prayed silently, nodding to Z and Kat.
"ATTACK!"
--
"Give me something!" Sky bellowed as he and Bridge rushed into the Command Center. Anubis and Boom were each at a screen, as were each of the Rangers.
"There's a huge energy signature coming from downtown!" Nick called out, rushing over to point it out to Boom, who was nodding.
Sky and Bridge both looked extremely worried at the look on Boom's face when the blonde haired man looked up at them. "Boom?"
"It's coming from New Tech Mall."
"Rangers, let's go!" Sky ordered, turning to Bridge. The look on the former Green and Blue Ranger's face told Sky he didn't even have to ask. "Boom, tell Jack what's going on, and tell him not to worry."
Turning, the five cadets followed the two officers out of the Command Center and down to the garage before taking off on their vehicles.
--
The battle was already in full swing when Sky, Bridge and the Rangers arrived at New Tech Mall. Z was morphed, and battling as many putties, Tengas and Cogs as she could. Kat wasn't far from her, doing her very best to keep the minions away from where Nova, Isinia and Ally were.
"Where's Syd?" Sky demanded, jumping in to help Kat. He and Bridge had morphed before entering the Mall, just as Z had, and were ready to battle to the end if need be.
"Battling that fast talking Scotsman who's in need of an attitude adjustment!" Kat hissed, nodding her head to where Klank was spinning Orbus around, attempting to attack Sydney, who was doing her level best to beat the crap out of him.
"Go to her Sir!" Nick called out, the Rangers break off into two groups to help Z, Bridge and Kat.
Sky gave a little salute of thanks then bounded off to help Sydney, but as soon as he was within a five foot distance of her, everything shattered around them.
"Which one of your friends will you sacrifice? The one in Yellow, or perhaps the one in Blue coming to your rescue?" Klank taunted and teased.
"Sydney!" Sky called out, watching her grip something at her side.
"SPD EMERGENCY!" Sydney called out on instinct, lifting the tiny black and silver device from her belt. Before she'd left Sky's room that morning, she'd found it sitting in the pile of her clothes that had been washed when she'd arrived at the academy. Instantly, she'd known it was her morpher, she just hadn't known how to use it, until now.
"You think a costume change will effect the outcome of this battle?"
"Just try me!" Syd growled.
"Well, if we can't have Blue or Yellow, then I guess we'll take someone else and let you think about your choice. GET THE ONE IN GREEN!"
Sydney's eyes widened in horror as she heard Z scream in terror, her body turning on it's own accord to see Bridge ripped from Z's side, his green clad uniform disappearing as did Klank and his crew.
"NO! BRIDGE!"
--
Oooohhhh, Cliffhanger. grins hope you liked it.