A/N: I guess this is considered AU, but only slightly. All that's different from canon is that Syd and her mother both refer to Sky's dad as being alive. I have Wes and Jen as Sky's parents and Carter and Dana as Syd's. I know Dana was a doctor and Syd said her mom was a teacher, but I just love the idea of her being Carter and Dana's daughter and I couldn't resist. So we'll just pretend Syd and Sky have different last names from their parents to protect them from old enemies or something. : )
Going Under
Chapter Three: Falling
Syd's behavior continued for the next few weeks. She was careful not to go on a binge and then leave to throw it up in front of her fellow B-Squad members. She knew they would immediately become suspicious. Syd was also afraid of Bridge noticing something, with him being psychic and everything. She made sure she was especially upbeat whenever she was around the blue ranger and that she broadcasted happy, if trivial, thoughts on the surface. Syd knew Bridge well enough to know if he didn't think something was wrong, he probably wouldn't check on her.
Sky was a different story. They'd known each other their whole lives, and he could always tell when something heavy was on her mind. And now that Sky had hurt her, Syd hated that they were so close. He was sure to notice first. And Sky being…well, Sky, he'd go straight to her parents- or worse, Commander Cruger.
She sat in her private spot on the headquarters roof, scrubbing her hands through her curly blond locks, trying to figure out how to make Sky mind his own business.
"Syd?" Sky asked hesitantly, putting his hand on her shoulder.
Syd jumped. He had snuck upon her again. "What do you want?" she snapped quite rudely.
"Talk to me Sydney," Sky ordered as he sank down next to her on the cement block.
Syd ignored him and continued to gaze out at the New Tech City skyline. The stars were twinkling over the city, bright and bold against the navy blue sky. Her dad had told her once that the stars in the sky weren't half as bright as the ones that shone in her eyes when she was happy. How lucky she was to have such a sweet doting father like Carter Grayson.
Sky let out a frustrated grunt. "You've been really weird lately, Syd," he said, concern in his voice. "Talk to me."
Syd fixed him with an icy glare.
"We've been friends our whole lives, Syd. I know something's up. You're pushing yourself harder than usual. Plus you never eat in the cafeteria with us anymore. I don't think I've seen you eat in weeks."
Syd continued glaring.
"Honestly, Syd, you know you can talk to me. Please, baby," Sky pleaded, not noticing the term of affection had slipped out.
"I am not your baby," Syd replied in a deadly whisper. "Kindly do not refer to me as such."
"That's not the point, Sydney," Sky responded. "Look, I care about you and you need to tell me why you're doing this to your body. I want you to get help."
"I don't need your help," Sydney seethed. "So back the hell off, Schulyer."
"I didn't want to do this, Syd, but I guess I have to call Uncle Carter and Aunt Dana."
"Do you see me calling Uncle Wes and Aunt Jen every time you act like a pompous ass?" Syd shot back.
Sky's steely gaze narrowed. "That's out of line, Cadet Drew." He rose from the uncomfortable seat, turned on his heel, and went back inside.
Sky and Syd Sky and Syd Sky and Syd
"Hello?" Dana Grayson questioned when she answered the telephone.
"Hey Aunt D," Sky greeted.
He could feel the smile in her voice. "It's nice to hear from you, Sky. I hope everything's alright with your mother and father."
"They're great. It's about Syd," he replied.
"I'd better sit down if it's serious enough to get a call from you, Sky," Dana said.
"I'm worried about her," he said simply.
"Hold on just a minute, hon, while I get Carter. I'll put you on speaker phone."
Sky racked his brain, searching for the right words to tell Uncle Carter and Aunt Dana their daughter was slowly killing herself.
"Sky?" came Uncle Carter's confused voice. "What's this about Sydney?"
"She's been pushing herself really hard," Sky began.
"Go on," Dana pressed.
"Syd's been running all kinds of extra courses, especially the twenty mile ones. None of us have seen her eat anything in weeks, and she's pushing everyone away. I don't know what to do. Maybe Syd will listen to you."
He heard his aunt and uncle sigh heavily.
"You did the right thing, Sky. We'll be on the first plane to New Tech," Carter said finally.
"We'll see you soon honey. Tell Wes and Jen we said hello," Aunt Dana continued.
"Alright I will. Should I tell Syd you're coming? She'll know it was me who called when you get here."
"Just tell Commander Cruger," Carter answered. "The last thing we need is Syd mad at you."
'She already is,' Sky thought bitterly. "I agree. Bye."
Sky and Syd Sky and Syd Sky and Syd
"Sir," Sky said firmly, stepping into the command center. "I just talked to Syd's parents. They'll be here tomorrow."
"Why did you contact Cadet Drew's parents without my permission?" Cruger barked.
"Because Syd is my best friend and I l- I mean, I care about her. I'm worried, she won't talk to me, and her parents can help."
Cruger nodded his approval. "It appears I am not the only one who has taken notice of Syd's behavior. I should have known it would be you. You care very deeply for her, yes?"
"I would die to protect her," Sky answered without skipping a beat.
"I surmised as much. Very well, Cadet Tate. I shall see to arranging for the Graysons' room."
Sky and Syd Sky and Syd Sky and Syd
"Hey Sky, me and Bridge and Syd are gonna watch a movie and order a pizza. You in?" Z wanted to know.
"What kind of movie?"
"We haven't decided yet. But it'll be fun. Come on," Z wheedled.
"No chick flicks," Sky said, pretending to be stern. The knowledge that Syd would be there was all he needed.
They ended up watching a mindless action movie. Z and Bridge were completely enthralled by it, but Sky found himself bored. He stole secretive glances at Syd, who also looked uninterested. He also noted that she made several trips to the replicator- eight to be precise. At least she was eating.
"I'm calling it a night guys," Syd announced, pretending to sound her normal perky self. Sky saw right through it.
He followed her to her room. When he got there, the door to her bathroom was partially open and she was nowhere to be seen. Sky decided to wait for her to come out.
Then the gagging noises came, followed by the flushing of the toilet. Finally, Sky pieced it together: Syd was bulimic.