Title: Astriction

Relationship: Sky/Jack

Rating: PG

Length: 550 words

Warning/Notes: A missing scene from the ooh-shiny Never Before Seen blah blah episode on the DVDs- "Wormhole."

Quick "Wormhole" Summary with SPOILERS: A second x-over with PDT that never aired. Grumm goes through a wormhole back to 2004, half the ranger team (Jack, Z, and Bridge) follow and meet up with the DT kids again. Grumm kidnaps Veltrax and makes him his minion. Kat realizes the wormhole's getting smaller by the hour, so the other half of the team goes, too. Wacky Ranger fighting hijinks ensue with pretty colored fireworks. They save the day, everyone gets their memories erased again, and SPD goes home.

This is right after Cruger splits up the team and tells the ones going that they have a few minutes to say their goodbyes, which of course makes everyone nervous.

"So you're taking Bridge and Z," Sky said in clipped tones, posture tense as he tried to lounge casually against the doorway of Jack's room.

The Red Ranger paused in the middle of stuffing his spare uniform into a red duffle bag. He arched an eyebrow at Sky's expression, smirking at the other man's discomfort.

"Yup. That's what the Big Blue Dog ordered," he answered with a laidback smile even as his gut clenched.

"That should be an interesting trip. I bet Z tries to jettison Bridge within ten minutes." The Blue Ranger attempted to sound teasing but fell short, yet Jack still responded as though they were having a normal conversation.

"Nah." He zipped his bag with more force than necessary, still smiling. "She's getting better. I'd give her at least twenty minutes before the threats start."

"Yeah."

An awkward silence descended after that. Holding the strap of his bag uselessly in his hand, Jack felt the grin slip from his face and he had to look away from the other man. Sky's jaw was clenched, the way it did when he was thinking about his father.

Say your goodbyes, Rangers.

They had both heard the order. Neither of them wanted to be the first to bring it up.

Taking a deep breath, Jack checked his watch. Less than five minutes to get to the hangar bay. At least it wasn't his first time in space, but he'd never piloted the SPD shuttle outside of simulators before.

When he glanced back at Sky, the taller man was looking out into the hallway, arms crossed tightly across his chest. His knuckles were white.

"Hey," Jack said quietly. Sky quickly met his gaze. "I'll be back before you know it, man."

His reassuring smile felt weak, and a muscle in Sky's jaw twitched. Swallowing once, Sky looked away and said hoarsely, "Don't make promises you have no way of keeping, Jack."

A spark of irritation made Jack glare at him, but he knew it was the truth. Even Cruger wasn't sure they'd return.

Sighing, Jack slung his duffle bag onto his shoulder. Walking over to Sky, he paused inside the doorway.

"Then I promise to try my best."

Sky snorted softly, giving him a wry look. "I expect nothing less from the Red Ranger."

Jack had less than three minutes, but he didn't care. Instead, he reached out, curling his hand around Sky's tense bicep and tugging. Sky willingly took the two steps forward, frowning as Jack palmed the door control shut with his free hand.

"You don't have time—"

"I'll come back," Jack interrupted firmly, still gripping his arm. "And it's not just cause I'm the squad leader."

Sky's frown deepened. "Jack—"

"I'll be back."

He could tell Sky didn't really believe him, but he was almost out of time and he didn't want to spend their last minutes alone arguing. Tightening his hold, he stared up at Sky, willing him to see. The other ranger was obviously debating with himself, but then he nodded slightly and let his frame relax with a resigned sigh.

Covering Jack's hand with his own, Sky gave it a squeeze. "I'll be waiting."

As he ran to make it to the hangar in time, Jack's grin was real.