Theme Challenge: Bridge and Z

From the Ars Amatoria Ranger Romance Themes Challenge

Challenge: Theme #35—Green Eyed Monster

Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers.

A/N: Set during Wired, Part 1.


Green-Eyed Monster

Z Delgado is not happy. And she really doesn't understand why.

That doesn't make her much happier.

Crossing her arms, she leans against the doorway to the SPD mess hall, where her teammate Bridge is sitting with Sophie, the talented up-and-comer on D-Squad.

"Jealous much?"

Jack Landors' voice rings in her ear, and she jumps, smacking his shoulder.

"Jack! Don't sneak up on me like that! Jesus!"

He just laughs and pokes her arm.

"Whatever, Z. Seriously, though. Jealous much?" he repeats, gesturing to the Green Ranger, who is leaning forward, obviously engaged in his conversation with Sophie. Z turns away, frowing and re-crossing her arms tightly.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Jack snorts. "Sure you don't. You're jealous of the new girl. Just admit it."

"I'm not jealous!" she hisses hotly, quick to defend herself.

"Right. So why are you standing out in the hall, spying on Bridge and Sophie? Come on, Z."

"I'm not spying. And I'm not jealous." She pauses. "I'm just…concerned, that's all." Off of Jack's skeptical look, she continues defensively. "I am! Bridge is very sensitive—I don't want to see him get hurt by some girl. I'm not jealous," she repeats.

"You know, every time you say that, I believe you less and less."

"Shut up, Jack. Don't you have a pretty pink princess to attend to?" she spits, referring to Jack and Syd's recent obvious flirtation. He laughs.

"Aw, now don't change the subject. Just admit it. You've been bitten by the green-eyed monster—and about the Green Ranger, no less! This is perfect!" he crows, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I'm leaving now," Z tells him, turning away to leave. But her subconscious gets the better of her and before she goes, she gives one last frowning glance at Bridge and Sophie, which Jack of course notices.

"You see! You can't keep your eyes off them for a minute! You're so jealous that it's not even--"

"I hate you!" She yells, spinning on her heel and leaving a laughing Jack behind.

Okay, so it wasn't the best comeback, but she had to get out of there, quick, before she admitted to anything. Because, after all, she wasn't jealous. There was no reason to be. Never mind that Bridge and Sophie had a lot in common. Never mind the fact that he was spending more time with Sophie than with anyone else. Never mind the fact that he seemed to really care about—

Dammit! She wasn't jealous. She wasn't.

"Hey, Z! Wait up!"

It's Bridge, of course. She curses whatever deities are laughing at her.

"Um, hey, Bridge." Sophie isn't with him, and Z idly wonders where she went. But she doesn't ask. Because really, she doesn't want to know.

She doesn't.

She snaps out of her little mental conversation just in time to catch Bridge giving her a strange look.

"Z, are you all right?" he asks her, putting a gloved hand on her shoulder. She forces herself not to fixate on his hand, warm and soothing.

"Yeah! Yeah, I'm fine! Um, why would you say that?" He squints at her, and she awkwardly returns his gaze.

"I don't know…you're looking a little…green, I think." She groans inwardly at his choice of words, and wishes that she was anywhere but here.

"Oh…well, uh…maybe I'm coming down with something." He looks concerned.

"I hope not. Do you feel okay?" He rips off a glove and presses the back of his hand to her forehead. She shifts uncomfortably.

"Yeah, mostly. Maybe I'm just tired. I probably just need a nap or something."

"If you say so." He still doesn't look convinced, but doesn't say anything about it. "Well, if you're feeling better around seven, a bunch of us were going to play Ultimate Frisbee in the back training field. Actually, we're going to teach Sophie how—she's never played before. Isn't that funny? I mean, not funny ha-ha, but funny weird?"

Z nods dumbly. "Uh…yeah. Weird. Um…I'm going to go take that nap now, I think." She says abruptly, and he nods.

"Of course. I really hope you feel better, Z. Remember, seven o'clock, back training field. It'll be fun! Bye!" He waves cheerfully as he leaves, and she can only lift her hand in response.

"Bye."

Maybe she really is sick. After all, she feels weak in the knees and kind of woozy. Maybe a little flushed. Her head feels tingly, for lack of a better term.No Frisbee for her tonight. Then again, Bridge would be having too much fun with Sophie to notice—

Crap.

She's not jealous. She's not jealous.

She's not.

Thanks to all those who reviewed the last chapter! Your feedback means so much to me! Hope you enjoyed this installment--please leave a review :)