Ch 17: Still waters

Disclaimer: Dun own PR!

PS. Patience,it's all coming out soon, very soon!

He'd try to trace her whereabouts for that long—this little time, he could wait. For three days, he'd been watching and waiting for the right time.

He had known her habits and her schedule. He knew what time she got up in the morning, whom she saw during the day and what time she climbed to bed. He knew she love singing at night, in her bathroom and bedroom sometimes.

He knew her thick blond hair was natural and that the startling blue-violet color of her eyes was not any contact lenses like other girls would use. He knew that she had lost her memory and her character had changed, almost totally.

He was very interested in her physical assets but not urgently and not for the "usual" reasons. He knew he had to kill her after everything and it was a pity.

He was planning very carefully his next step. He hadn't wanted her dead yet the other time and she was lucky to have survived. She was his prey and she was a difficult one. She had been way too lucky even for his benefit. He could fill the rush of adrenaline and thrill whenever she approached him.

It was going to be a long time—for the both of them. Sydney Drew—what a beautiful name. He threw back his head and laughed, you'll regret knowing me.

XXX

Sky had been trying to read Dr. Barkley's file when he heard loud and hastened footsteps approaching. With Sydney still in bed, he couldn't concentrate doing anything. Sky stood up and started pacing to and fro.

"Sky—Syd's coming to. There's movement." Z told him and rushed out again towards the infirmary.

Without a trace of hesitation, Sky ran in the direction of where Z went and followed closely behind with Bridge trailing along from behind.

"I hope this time it's real." Bridge said.

Sky shot him a questioning look.

Bridge shrugged. "The first few times we rushed in—it was a false alarm."

Z stood at her bedside, her gaze fixed at the girl lying unconsciously in bed.

Bridge placed an arm on Z's shoulder trying in avail to console her. Sky watched at the figure with intense eyes.

There was a slight movement—her index finger curled a little. Bridge was the first to notice. She moved a second time, this time her eyelids fluttered, trying to open.

"Call the doctor, somebody." Z yelled.

Slowly, Sydney opened her eyes and blinked once, twice, trying to make out what's going on around her. She tried to whisper something but no voice came out. "Water… "

Sky brought his ears forward. Everyone was excited when Sydney was able to get up. Bridge started dancing around. Z laughed madly, wanting to hug her.

As she sipped from the straw, Sydney looked around, gazing at their all so familiar faces. She looked as if looking for something—"Sky," she asked, "how come Jack isn't here?"

At the same time, the doctor and the psychiatrist strode in with the company of two nurses.

The prancing, dancing and talking stopped almost all at once. Everyone stared at her, searching her eyes. Sky's mouth agape, his shoulders drooped.

Dr. Barkley interrupted. "Seems Ms. Drew's memory is back."

"Oh, my God." Z whispered aloud.

Bridge brightened, "Alas, good news."

Sky had no reaction. His face registered disappointment and resent.

Sydney looked at their faces in wonder and asked again fearing that none of them heard her, "Where's Jack? How come he isn't here?"

"Syd!" Z rushed over and pulled her, laughing and hugging the poor girl. "You remembered!" she said. "My brother will be so happy."

Flashbacks returned to Sydney one by one. Her recent and past memories—of she crying, of Jack leaving with another girl, of her and Sky kissing. Her hands touched her lips and stared at Sky in alarm.

Oh god, she remembered. She must be angry with me now. Sky thought, praying that she would not confront him in front of so many others here.

"Z," Sydney whispered softly but firmly, "Any idea how I can get to your brother a.s.a.p?"

"Mail? Honest, I don't know myself. But Syd, I'm so glad you have come back to us." Z smiled.

Bridge added, "Yea princess, you got the whole of S.P.D. upside down. Everyone's been whispering about you."

"Thank you, everyone. I would be happy to ask my father to write a check for S.P.D and throw a party in honor of me." She said in a serious voice of hers.

Everyone stared at her uneasily.

"Joking," she laughed. The next thing she saw froze her to the spot. "Dr. Barkley!"

"Glad you've come to, Syd and for remembering this old man."

Her whitened face did not escape Sky's eyes. It was good news that Sydney was all right now. Her memory is back and all the more the present problem, which still warrant his attention. Someone wanted her life.

XXX

Jack glanced at the ticket sitting on his table. For three days, he had contemplated on whether to go or not to go. There was no doubt the person he most wanted to see or touch now was Sydney but obviously she doesn't. She stated that before, didn't she?

If he had returned now, it would seem awkward for Syd and him, and of course Sky.

Jack threw the ticket and lay on his bed staring at the ceiling. What did he do for fun? Jack jumped from his bed and grabbed his keys from the table. He was heading towards the alley the next moment, ticket forgotten.

XXX

"Commander." Sky saluted to Cruger. "There's something that we need to discuss. It's urgent." Sky pressed.

"Go on." Cruger allowed.

"Sir, I think we need to hire a bodyguard for Sydney at all times." Sky hesitated before saying, "Someone wants her life."

They argued for a while before Cruger drawn to a conclusion. "Who do you suggest, Sky?"

"One who is trusted, preferably a male."

"Very well Sky, you're my most trusted man here. I shall entrust Syd's life in your hands." Cruger said. He was sure that Sky thought too much. But if by doing so would rest his mind, he would do it.

"But, Sir…"

Cruger raised his brow as if trying to say his orders were not to be questioned.

"Yes, Sir," came the reluctant reply.

How was he going to investigate the problem with Sydney at his side all the time? He was going to appoint someone else although who would be a better choice? They were the highest-ranking officers here. If it was anybody who can protect themselves, it was they themselves.

But still… Sky brightened. Why hadn't he thought of that? Omega ranger would be the best candidate for this job, of course.

XXX

The next morning, Sydney screamed when she opened the door. A startled expression drew across Omega's face.

"What the—? Syd, it's me, Omega or Sam. Don't you recognize me?" Omega was having second thoughts about her recovering from her amnesia when she spoke loudly.

"I know who you are. Why are you standing outside my room like a… a security guard."

"Oh!" Recognition written all over his face. "That's because Sky made me to."

Sydney's heart pounced wildly at the sound of his name. Why the…? He hadn't the right to do that to her.

"What's this all about?" Sydney asked, more composed this time.

"If you want to know, Sky said I'm to be your bodyguard for a temporary period of time. Hey… don't stare at me like that, okay? I'm as innocent as can be."

"For the love of god, I don't need a bodyguard." Sydney cried. "Why…? Never mind, I shall go confront the man myself."

Sydney marched off towards Sky's office.

"Sky Tate!" Sydney barged in without the courtesy of knocking on the door.

Sky looked up as if expecting her. "Good morning. I see you are in some temper."

"It's not good at all to be shocked by someone early in the morning. Do you have any sense at all? What's it supposed to mean with Omega being my bodyguard? When do I even need one? What will the other cadets think of me? What will Cruger say?" She paused thinking of other questions, her icy gaze not leaving Sky.

He smiled. The hell he did. "Cool it, Syd. It's for your own good." He left it at that and returned his attention to his computer. He was still searching for Dr. Barkley's background.

"Good, very good. I don't believe Cruger will let you do that. I'm after all at the most one rank below you and several ranks above the rest." She announced proudly. Her haughty princess character is back, Sky thought, sighing.

"Okay, princess. Pay attention to what I'm going to have to tell you." Sky saw her folded her arms and sat down on his sofa, pouting her full lips.

An orb of light rushed in. "Sorry Sky. I wasn't able to stop her."

"I noticed," Sky agreed dryly, "and I always thought light was supposed to travel the fastest."

Sky started to explain to Sydney but left out the part where someone wanted her life. He didn't want to scare her. Getting her mad was much better than for her to live her life in fear everyday.

XXX

Sydney stormed back to her room. She couldn't do much anyway. Cruger's orders—who dared to defy?

She turned to Omega, "You'd better stay a few feet away from me when I trained my cadets, you hear. I don't want them embarrassing me."

"You don't want to be embarrassed by me." He chuckled.

"Do not correct me," Sydney snapped.

Omega raised both his hands. "Okay, fine. You win, princess." He actually preferred the Sydney before. Awww—girls certainly are temperamental. He prayed to god that Nova wasn't like Sydney or he would spend his life having his ears pulled by Nova in future.

Sydney sat down on the bed. "Jack." She whispered, holding the frame in her hands. She clutched it tightly against her chest. "I miss you."

"Go look for him then." Omega said.

"Why are you in my room?" Sydney boomed. "Get out and stay out."

"But… "

"My room is as safe as can be."

"Okay, call me if you need help."

"No, I will be fine. Thank you." Sydney opened the door and shoved him out.

Next thing she did, she pulled out the ring on her finger and slid a photo into an envelope. She called to Omega who stood like a stone outside. "Send this to the mail room. Ask them to hurry."

"What is it?" Omega asked, drawn by curiosity.

"None of your business. Just hurry." Sydney pushed.

She watched as Omega transformed into an orb of light and floated towards the mailroom. She was determined that he would come back to her once he saw the ring. Why hadn't she thought of it soon?

XXX

TBC-Pls R&R!