Going Under
Epilogue: New Leaves
'Today's the day,' Sydney thought as she woke up. She was finally going back the academy after two months in rehabilitation. It had stretched on endlessly, but in her heart Syd knew it was all for her own good.
The tabloids had a field day when she was discovered checking in, but Sydney didn't care. What was the point? She was helping herself get back to normal.
Smiling, she sat up and glanced at the framed picture of her and Sky, taken nearly three years ago at Christmas time.
Sky. Her Sky. The rock in her life. The sweet, caring man who under the façade of Mr. Tough Guy was just a big softie. Syd had missed him terribly over the time she'd been away.
Sky and Syd Sky and Syd Sky and Syd
The first thing she did when arriving in New Tech was run straight into his arms and press her mouth to his.
"I missed you too, baby," he murmured into her hair. Sky squeezed her tighter, relishing in the feel of her in his arms once more.
Syd looked up at him happily, her cornflower blue eyes shining with the prospect of turning over a new leaf. "You better have," she teased.
"Cadet, it's nice to have you back," Commander Cruger greeted warmly.
Syd beamed as she said her hellos to Z and Bridge, both of whom hugged her. "I'm so glad you're back," Z muttered. "The boys were driving me crazy."
"I'm glad to be back," Sydney enthused.
"Very well cadets," Cruger barked. "You have a sparring session in twenty minutes."
Sydney's smile was still plastered on her face as she followed her friends into the academy.
Sky and Syd Sky and Syd Sky and Syd
The next few days were a little odd. Whispered rumors were swapped violently as Syd passed in the halls, mostly hand in hand with Sky. Only the commander and the B-Squad had known the reason for her mysterious absence.
"It's really none of your business," Syd would reply sweetly to those brave enough to ask where she'd been, not sure if the tabloids were fibbing or not.
Over a few weeks things slowly returned to normal. Sydney seemed to have even more zest for life than she had before, especially as her relationship with Sky progressed. It showed on the job; the aliens seemed to shrink in fear whenever the rangers arrived on a crime scene. Z joked that Syd should be given the red morpher, earning her an evil glare from Sky.
For Sky, the best thing in the world was that she was happy again. The dark circles and the slightly pinched look she had acquired had vanished right along with the bulimia. He could take one look at her and know Syd would never consider going into a relapse. The SPD Princess was back.
"Whatcha thinking about?" Syd probed quietly, nuzzling his neck with the end of her nose. They were tucked neatly in each other's arms on his bed, merely cuddling and enjoying the serenity of everything.
"You."
Syd found herself unable to look at him and her eyes closed. Her head found the hollow of his shoulder, letting some of her golden waves tumble down his back. "I'm sorry."
"I know. But I also know you're better and that you'd never do it again. And I well…I love you."
That certainly got her attention. Sydney's blue eyes snapped open. "I love you too Sky," she breathed. Unable to resist, Sky lowered his head and pressed his lips over hers.
When they pulled away there was a comfortable silence. A quiet rain began to fall over the city, drumming on the window pane ever so softly. It was the start of a new chapter in their lives.
I was watching Seventh Heaven, so clearly you can all see where the horrible sappy ending came from. I had a hard time writing this and I sincerely apologize if it didn't meet the standards for the other chapters, which I personally feel were much better written.
And honestly, I kinda wanted this to teach a lesson. No, not that if you're bulimic Sky will rescue you. (Laughs). If you have an eating disorder you should get yourself help. And then Sky will tell you he loves you. (Nods matter-of-factly.) I can make him; he is my puppet.