Series presented by: BloomingViolets and Pink-Green-White-4ever
Challenge: Closer – written by BloomingViolets
Last Revised: November 22, 2005

Summary: Everyday, they got a little closer
Disclaimer: We don't own 'em, wish we did.
Ship: Syd/Sky

AN: Done in response to the Ars Amatoria's Ranger Romance Themes Challenge. This has references to some of the previous chapters in it.

XXX

"Aachoo!"

Sydney Drew glanced up from her magazine, looking out the bedroom doors with concern. Flu season had set upon New Tech City and these days, it seemed that almost everybody at the Academy was sick. Lucky for her, she had a pretty good immune system and so far managed to avoid catching the flu.

"Aachoo! Aachoo! Aachoo! AACHOO!"

Syd winced. God, even his sneeze sounded awful. The pink ranger set her magazine aside and stood up, heading toward the style-like kitchen area of the common room. She began searching through the cupboards, intent on finding something to cook.

Twenty minutes later, she was carrying a tray toward the bedroom doors. She balanced the tray with one hand and paused briefly to knock on the door. Then, without bothering for a reply or an invitation, she entered the room without a second thought.

To put it nicely, Sky looked awful. His eyes were red and blotchy, his nose was all stuffed up, and his voice was raspy from all his coughing.

The blue ranger looked up as she walked further into the room. "Hi," she greeted.

"Hi," he responded, sitting up. "Aachoo!" he sneezed and Syd winced once more. Quickly, he reached for a napkin and blew his nose.

She sat down at the edge of the bed and handed him the tray. "I brought you some soup."

Sky inhaled the steamy aroma coming from the bowl. He glanced at her hopefully. "Vegetable soup?" Vegetable soup was his favorite.

"Vegetable soup," she confirmed, nodding.

Sky grinned at her."Thanks Syd. You're the best."

Sydney smiled and for the next few minutes, she sat back and watched as her boyfriend ate his soup. When he finished, she stood up and went to his side, reaching up to feel his forehead. "I think your fever is starting to go away," she said gently.

"I feel a lot better today," Sky replied, nodding. He glanced up at her wistfully. "I wish I could kiss you, but I don't want to get you sick."

"Lucky for you, I have a strong immune system," she smiled before leaning in to give him a brief peck on the lips. Pulling back, she reached for the tray. "Get some rest," she told him, turning to head back out into the common room.

"Syd!" he called out, causing her to turn around. He smiled at her. "I love you."

The simple declaration of his words still thrilled her every time he said them and she was sure she would never get tired of hearing it. She smiled brightly. "I love you too."

Sky shot her another grin before lying back down.

Minutes later, when she had cleaned all the dishes, she returned to Sky's room and sat next to him at the edge of the blue ranger's bed. Sky was sleeping peacefully and she smiled at the innocent look on his face.

It was moments like these that she felt life were worth living. They had come a long way since they had first met and Sky was opening up to her more and more everyday – a fact that proved he trusted her enough to let down his guard and let her in. Sydney grinned wider, realizing the amount of faith he placed in her – he was allowing her to take care of him, which was something he had never allowed before. Sky had always been independent.

She ran her right hand through his soft tousled hair and subconsciously, Sky leaned in and rubbed his face against her palm, causing Syd to stifle a giggle. She stroked his cheek with her thumb. She and Sky were closer than ever, he let her see things in him that he normally wouldn't let anyone else see. She knew the man under the entire hard exterior and loved him deeply for it. And she was sure she was going to spend the rest of her life with Sky.