Series presented by: BloomingViolets and Pink-Green-White-4ever
Challenge: Youth – written by Pink-Green-White-4ever
Last Revised: October 23, 2006

Summary: To be that young again…
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.

--

"MOM!"

Sighing, Sydney trudged into the living room of the Tate household to see what her mischievous twins were up to. The two eight year olds were hanging off of Bridge and Z's arms, chattering like monkeys as they greeted their aunt and uncle.

"Guys! Let Aunt Z and Uncle Bridge get their coats off!" Sydney reprimanded, watching her children turn the famous Tate family puppy dog stare at her. "Don't even think that's gonna work." Some days, Sydney sighed, she could just kill Sky for teaching them how to do that.

"Hey Syd!" Z laughed, hugging her niece and nephew close as she greeted her best friend.

"Where are the others?" the kids asked in a shout before cringing slightly at the stern expression on their mother's face.

Bridge grinned. "They headed out back. We brought the tents and sleeping bags so you guys can camp outside tonight."

"All children out of the house!" Syd laughed, and then saw Z taking the newest edition to the Carson family out of his carrier. "All except him." Z handed her best friend her son and watched Syd cuddle the baby lovingly. "He's getting so big."

Bridge walked over and peered down at his son, who was giggling happily in Syd's arms, trying to wrap his tiny fingers around the mass of blonde hair. "Have you and Sky thought about having another? I mean, the kids are almost nine now?" Bridge asked.

Syd and Z shared a look. "I can't, Bridgey. The doctor said the next one could kill me, especially since I had the operation," Syd told him, reminding him of her and Sky's last attempt to get pregnant again that resulted in a tubular pregnancy that almost cost them her life.

Bridge nodded, a grim look on his face, which then turned into a grin when he heard a familiar voice. "Take it in the backyard before your Aunt Syd busts your butts!"

"Jack!" the three adults called out as their former leader came in the house, his wife in tow.

"Hey guys!" Jack laughed, hugging Bridge and kissing the girls on the cheeks.

"Where's Sky?" Jack's wife asked softly.

Sydney muttered something softly, causing her teammates to laugh and Jack's wife raised an eyebrow, causing Syd to speak up. "Work."

"Same old Sky," Z giggled, taking her son back from Sydney. "Think he'll ever change?"

Jack, Syd and Bridge shook their heads. "No. Please, Sky's been like this since we first started at the academy!" Bridge laughed.

"Come on, let's get everything ready before he gets home and the kids destroy the backyard," Jack chuckled.

--

"Well, look what Morganna dragged in," Z teased when the familiar figure of Sky stepped onto the back porch of the Tate household.

"Hey guys," Sky grinned. "And Z, that's way past being funny."

Sky shook hands with the guys and hugged the girls before he moved to Syd and bend over her chair, his lips connecting with her neck.

"Sky!" Syd giggled happily as he nibbled on the column of her throat.

"Hi."

The pair shared a lingering kiss before Sky was bombarded. "DAD!"

Sky turned just in time to scoop up his chattering children. "Hi guys. Having fun?"

"YES!"

"Good, go play," Sky shooed them and then sank down in the chair next to his wife. "I wish I had that much energy again."

The others cracked up laughing. "You never acted like you had that much energy when we were younger."

Sky glared at Jack even as he reached for Syd's hand, intertwining their fingers and resting their joined hands on his thigh.

"I seem to recall he had enough energy to kick your butt on more than one occasion," Z reminded Jack, who glared at her good naturedly.

"Hey, he's always had plenty of energy with me," Syd giggled naughtily, making Sky blush even after all the years they'd been married.

Bridge turned to Jack's wife and laughed. "I seem to recall a few incidents where Sky had plenty of energy."

Jack's wife raised her eyebrow and smiled. "Like?"

"Syd's fashion show," Bridge grinned and sent the other former Rangers into a fit of laughter while Sky blushed even redder. Jack's wife had heard all these stories, but was happy to be made apart of the remembering just the same.

"What about Syd's 21st birthday?" Jack laughed.

Z shook her head. "I have a better one, what about when Sydney ruined his routine by kissing him in the hallway?"

Syd leaned over and kissed Sky's cheek when he turned the color of his and Jack's old uniform. "It's ok, Baby, I don't mind reliving the memories."

"That's because you look good in all of them," Sky muttered.

"Oh, there have been a few times Syd hasn't looked so rosy either," Z laughed. "How about what she told me about the two of you colliding in the hallway and you seeing her thong?" Z asked Sky, who's mouth turned up in a wide grin.

Jack laughed at that, and then thought of another. "What about the diary stealing incidents?"

That sent the former Rangers into a gale of laughter.

"Better yet," Bridge started. "What about when Syd forgot about their anniversary? I seem to remember her calling Sky some pretty nasty names until she found out why he'd done what he had."

"Ok, alright!" Syd ground out in exasperation. "So we've had some moments over the years."

Jacks' wife looked pretty serious when she asked, "Would you do them over again?"

"Definitely," Syd and Sky answered in unison.

"I think the question is, would you do it over again differently," Z questioned.

"Nope," Syd's answer was as certain as they come.

"I can think of one thing I'd do over again," Sky answered.

The others were surprised and Sydney looked worried until he continued.

"If I could, I'd have told Syd I liked her sooner, especially if I'd known she liked be back as much."

The adults smiled when Syd and Sky leaned close together and kissed softly.

"DAD! COME PLAY WITH US!"

Jack, Bridge and Sky laughed then jumped up, kissed each of their wives, and then ran to play with their kids.

"Oh to be that young again!" Syd laughed as the girls watched the kids tackle their dads and uncles.