Going Under

Chapter Four: Steps

Sky got out of Syd's rom as fast as he could. The last thing he wanted was for Syd to think he was spying on her. Or rather, for Syd to know he was spying on her.

"Dammit, Sydney," Sky muttered. What was she thinking? It wasn't like she didn't know better. Her mother was a doctor.

Sky leaned against the wall, hitting his head against it repeatedly. He didn't know what to do. It was almost midnight and he was certain everyone was already asleep. Syd's parents were due at nine o'clock tomorrow. They could deal with it. Right?

Sky and Syd Sky and Syd Sky and Syd

Syd, Z and Bridge were gathered in the common room eating breakfast and chatting quietly among themselves. Syd was trying not to be jealous of the fact that Z was wrapped in Bridge's arms, looking very content indeed. She wanted someone to hold her and tell her she was loved. But it didn't look like that would happen anytime soon. Sky obviously didn't feel the same way about her. Syd would just have to accept that fact and move on.

The three cadets stood immediately upon Commander Cruger's entrance to the common room.

"At ease," he growled, stepping aside as Syd's parents walked in, closely followed by Sky.

"Mom! Daddy!" Sydney squealed joyously, hugging her parents. She acknowledged Sky with a glare.

"Hey Princess. Surprise," Carter greeted. He and Dana had agreed not to say anything until they were alone with her.

"Mom, Dad, this is Z and this is Bridge," Syd said, gesturing to her friends.

"Do you like toa-" Bridge started to ask, but was quickly interrupted by a nudge from Z's elbow.

"It's nice to be able to match a face with the names," Dana said brightly, beaming and shaking their hands.

Sky settled himself on the armchair Syd had been sitting in a moment before. He purposely avoided eye contact with his teammates, especially Syd. Did she know he had called her parents? He couldn't say he was looking forward to finding out.

Syd chose that moment to make her move. "So why did you come and visit?" she asked perkily, enjoying watching Sky squirm a little bit. Of course he had gone running to her parents.

"Do we really need an excuse to come see our little girl?" Carter questioned.

"I can't believe how grown up you are," Dana gushed. "Next thing I know you'll be getting married."

No one saw the crushed look in Syd's eyes. No one except Sky, that is. All he wanted was to be able to hold her and tell her everything was alright and that he loved her. But since she seemed permanently pissed off at him, he'd never get his chance.

"Yeah," Syd breathed. "Maybe."

Z glanced at her watch. "Hey Bridge, didn't we promise Kat we'd help her with something?"

Bridge looked confused. "No…" he said slowly.

"Trust me hon. Yes we did," Z insisted. Bridge trailed behind his girlfriend, still looking puzzled.

Sydney stared after them. They were purposely leaving her with her parents, Commander Cruger, and Sky. Some friends they were. The inquisition had to be coming soon. It was just like Sky to go running to all the authority figures he could find as soon as he couldn't solve a problem that really had nothing to do with him.

"Alright Sydney, what's going on?" Carter asked bluntly.

Syd glanced at them all in turn. "I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about, Daddy," she answered primly.

"Do not play games Cadet Drew," Cruger growled warningly. "Now sit down and tell us why you're doing this to yourself."

"And what exactly am I doing?" Syd demanded, staring pointedly at Sky.

"Sky told us about all the extra work you've been doing and how little you eat with your friends, sweetheart. It's like you-" Dana began, stopping when Syd strode from her seat over to the armchair Sky sat in.

Every pair of eyes was on her as Syd drew her hand back and slapped Sky across the face as hard as she could. Sydney turned on her heel and marched out of the common room.

"Oh dear," Dana said tearfully. Carter wrapped his arms around his wife, rocking her back and forth gently.

Sky and Syd Sky and Syd Sky and Syd

Sky sat there in shock for a moment, pondering what the hell had gotten into Syd. Realizing he had to figure it out sooner or later, he followed her out of the Rec room.

He knew she was going to make herself sick again. Sighing, Sky ran a hand through his hair and waited patiently outside the room she shared with Z. The gagging sounds started again.

Sky was waiting on her bed when she came out after brushing her teeth. "What do you want, Tate? Don't you get that I don't want to talk to you?" Sydney shrieked.

"I know what you're doing, Sydney," Sky informed her quietly.

"I don't care. It's your fault anyway," she replied angrily.

"How is it my fault?" Sky demanded.

"That day at the beach you told me I was fat."

"I did not."

"You implied it," Syd insisted, picking up her hairbrush and running it through her luxurious curls.

"So that's why you've been mad at me," Sky mused. "You thought I told you you were fat."

"And why did you think I was angry with you?" Syd queried.

"I thought you got the impression I wasn't interested in you as more than a friend. I thought I had hurt you. The position we were in was a little risqué."

"But you do have feelings for me?"

A faint red crept over Sky's handsome face. "Yes," he mumbled, staring at the ground.

Syd's expression softened. "Sky," she breathed.

The next thing Sky knew was that Sydney had draped herself across his lap, kissing him like there was no tomorrow. She tasted so nice, like strawberries.

Syd broke the kiss first. "I'm sorry. I was stupid," she whispered.

"You aren't stupid or fat," Sky replied sincerely while tucking her neatly into his arms so that his chin rested atop of her head. "But you need help. Talk to your parents. We're all here for you."

Sydney nodded slowly against his chest. "I will."