Thank you Adrianna Agray, StyxxsOmega, and wrestlechick93 for reviewing! You three are so awesome for reviewing pretty much every chapter! Thanks for being so devoted to this story!
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Z, Syd, and Jack all sat in the Common Room waiting for news. Bridge had passed out before they could get him to the base, and Sky was exhausted and needed checked out again. The bomb squad had disabled the chemical bombs, and the cleanup team had begun to dismantle the robots send by Gruumm. The five monsters had all been carded and were in process, and now everything was starting to set in for the team.
Syd sighed. "I'm tired of doing this. I just wish things can be normal for once."
"Can they really go back to normal now?" Jack looked up.
"Jack." Z gave him a look.
"I'm serious Z, something really terrible happened to Bridge and he almost killed us all. I don't think they are just going to let that slide."
"But he also saved us all." Syd hoped that counted for something.
Kat came in a few minutes later and the Rangers all perked up.
"Sky's resting, but you can go in and see him now. Bridge still hasn't woken up, but I think he's going to be just fine. He was severely malnourished and dehydrated…we believe he suffered a slight brain hemorrhage, which is what caused so much bleeding." Kat saw the looks on their faces. "It's been repaired, and he should be okay. If this was medicine fifty years ago that may be a different story, but now we just have to see how he is when he wakes up."
"Thanks Kat." Z nodded to her and got up to go with the others to talk to Sky.
The Rangers went into Sky's hospital room and huddled around his bed. They each shared the same look, and Sky was the one to break the silence.
"You all look just as tired as I feel."
Jack laughed a little. "I think we would all benefit from sleeping for about a week."
"Yeah that was some battle." Syd agreed.
Z nodded. "Exhausting actually, but we made it."
Sky shrugged. "Yeah, at least let's hope so."
"Do you think he's okay now?" Jack hoped they would never see an evil side to Bridge ever again.
"Bridge said Edward was gone and couldn't come back, but I don't know if we can ever really be sure. I want to believe him, but after all that's happened, there may never be a way to tell." Sky sighed.
"If Bridge says he's gone, then Edward is gone. We are going to have really show Bridge that we are here for him now, I think us avoiding him before may have been part of the problem." Z looked down feeling guilty for not being there for Bridge before.
"Z's right, we tried to be there a little for him before, but we let out opposite schedules serve as an excuse to not deal. We can't let that happen again." Jack nodded.
"I hate to be the one to say this, but how do we talk to him after everything that's happened?" Syd looked guilty, but they all knew she was right.
"He's still Bridge." Sky looked at her.
"Yeah, but his powers are unbelievable now, everything he was able to do. Even if it was from Edward it was still him, will he still be the same Bridge?" Syd hated the words coming out of her mouth.
Z shrugged. "We won't know until we talk to him."
"That may be a little difficult." Everyone looked up to see Kat standing in the doorway.
"What happened, is he okay?" Jack shared the worry of the whole room.
"Bridge woke up for a little bit, he's coherent and stable, but he's refusing to talk to anyone. He didn't even want me to tell you he woke up. He fell back to sleep just a minute ago, he still needs a lot of rest."
"He knows we aren't mad at him right?" Z's eyes were filled with sorrow.
Kat came closer to them. "I think seeing all of you is too much for him right now. I'm sure he feels guilty for what happened, not to mention scared after everything. Give him time, I think he will come around, but for now he'll need some space."
"Thanks Kat." Jack sighed. "Well I guess that gives us all time to figure out what to say to him."
Sky had remained quiet. He did not like the thought of Bridge cutting himself off from everyone. Yes, it would be difficult to face him especially after getting beaten with his hands. Life would not just go back to normal, and Sky knew that. Bridge and the team would need time to heal all of their wounds; he just hoped that eventually they would be able to move past what had happened.
"You need your rest too." Jack could tell Sky was struggling to stay awake.
"Yeah, we'll let you get some sleep." Z smiled at him.
"I'm glad you're okay, Sky." Syd put a hand on his arm before following the others out.
Sky fell asleep and stayed asleep for almost a day. When he did wake up again it was dark and the rest of the academy was sleeping. The Blue Ranger pushed himself out of the bed and left his room. Sky knew he would get yelled at if anyone caught him out of bed, so he made sure to stay quiet and unseen. He made his way to the quarantine side of the hospital wing, he knew that could be the only place Bridge would be able to stay away from everyone, not to mention it would help mellow out his abilities. Sky snuck by a nurse and darted into the only room occupied. He gently shut the door and looked at the figure in the hospital bed trying to decide if he was awake or not.
"You shouldn't be in here."
"Did you just guess it was me, or did you know?" Sky came over and sat down.
Bridge sat up in his bed. "I knew…"
This was the first time Sky got a good look at Bridge since he escaped his capture. The younger man was hooked up to an IV, he looked worn and ragged. Sky could see the strain in his face from everything he went through. "I know you don't want to see anyone, but I needed to talk to you."
"Not much to say."
Sky shook his head. "I think there is a lot to say."
"This isn't your fault."
Sometimes Sky hated that Bridge knew everything. "I made a promise to you, and I didn't keep it."
"You tried, I made sure you didn't know what was going on…I let him win."
"I knew something was wrong, and I just stood by and let that creep get deeper into your head. I could have helped, could have stopped this before it got so bad."
Bridge shook his head. "He wouldn't have let you."
"I'm sorry Bridge."
"I should be sorry…I am sorry."
"You should talk to the others Bridge, no one blames you for what happened."
"This isn't like before."
"What do you mean?"
Bridge did not seem like he wanted to talk, but he knew Sky would not leave until they did. "Even though Edward was in control it was still me…my face…the Green Ranger that stomped through the city terrorizing people. Me who let him get in my head, and me that showed too much power. Commander Birdie is going to want action taken for this, I won't be trusted anymore by anyone. I'm done…thrown off the team and maybe even out of the academy. Things will never be the same. I can't face anyone. I can't even look at you for very long, all I see is what I did to you."
"That wasn't you, and yeah you may get suspended, but we need you on this team Bridge, they can't kick you out."
"We'll see."
"Bruises heal Bridge, and so will what happened out there. They will look past it in time because you are a good Ranger. They know just as much as we do that you are an asset to this team, and honestly after the power you showed out there, they are going to want you here."
"That power is exactly what I'm worried about. I won't be trusted because I let that power get the best of me. I let it get out of control, and when the higher ranks find out what I did…Birdie will want to keep me close if they let me stay at all. I think it would just be best if I disappeared."
Sky could not believe what he was hearing. "And go where? You've told me about your past Bridge, home is the last place you want to live again."
"I might just drop by to say hi to my mom, but I can find somewhere to go. Somewhere that's away from all this."
"You don't mean that, you love S.P.D. and yeah things might be tough for a while, but they will get better. You can't just run away from this."
"I'm sorry Sky, tell the others I'm sorry too."
Bridge was done talking, and Sky was not sure what else he could say to the man. Bridge was in a bad place right now, and anything he said would not change his mind. He needed to find out what was going to happen to Bridge. Maybe then he could convince him everything would be okay.
The next day the Rangers came to visit Sky, who was ready to get out of the hospital wing and back to normal function. As they walked in, he was arguing with the doctor.
"I'm fine, better than I was two days ago and I still went out and fought an entire battle then, so I can go now."
"Cadet Tate, you have barely been admitted for twenty-four hours, we would like to make sure everything checks out before releasing you, which with your corporation will be today." The doctor gave him a stern look.
Sky groaned. "Fine, fine."
Satisfied with that answer the doctor left and the Rangers came into the room. Jack sat down in the chair next to his bed with a smile on his face.
"So I take it you are feeling better?"
"Good enough to get out of this bed."
"They just want to make sure you are okay." Z leaned on the end of his bed.
"I am."
Syd sat down at the foot of the bed. "They just don't want you pushing yourself and ending right back up here."
"I guess so, anyway I talked to Bridge last night."
"I thought he didn't want to talk to anyone." Z hoped he was coming around.
"He doesn't, I snuck in."
"That's very un-Sky like, what'd he say?" Syd nudged him a little.
Sky shrugged. "Not much. He feels guilty, really guilty for everything. That's why he doesn't want to talk to anyone, looking at us is too much for him. He thinks High Commander Birdie is going to kick him out of the academy. He's talking about leaving."
"Would Birdie do that?" Z looked at the others.
"Maybe, but Commander Crueger is submitting a report to him today of everything that happened. Crueger's opinion has sway, but it's down to Birdie in the end." Jack met Z's eyes.
"Where would Bridge go? This is his home." Syd hated to think of life without Bridge.
"I don't know. I think he's just upset at himself right now. Just wish he would open up more about everything, let us help him." Sky sighed.
Two days had passed. Sky had been given the all clear to go back to his daily activities, and Bridge was still hung up in his hospital room; still refusing to speak to anyone. Sky, Syd, and Z were in the cafeteria when Jack walked in.
"Kat and Commander Crueger are about to do a video call with Birdie; they said since I was Red Ranger I'm allowed to sit in on the call. We'll find out exactly what they want to do about Bridge."
"So this is it huh?" Z was worried.
"It'll be okay. I'll fill you guys in as soon as it's done." Jack left the room to meet with Kat and Crueger. He, along with the others just hoped nothing bad was going to happen to Bridge.
When he got into the conference room, Jack sat down next to Kat who cued up the video call. Birdie appeared on the screen.
"Hello Commander, Dr. Manx, Cadet Landers, today we are here to discuss the recent events that occurred regarding your Green Ranger, Mr. Carson. I have read your report Commander and have taken in your words with much consideration. While I do believe Mr. Carson does need to be reprimanded for what occurred I recognize that he was not acting upon his own accord. That being said Mr. Cason's abilities are evolving at what would seem to be an alarming rate. However I understand that he is an asset to your team considering the abilities the other Cadets share. Now as for what will be done…I am ordering a two month suspension upon Mr. Carson which will be spent here at Headquarters. We will monitor Mr. Carson to make sure he is not a danger to himself or others, and work with him to make sure no other incident like this occurs again in the future. After the two month period if he is deemed fit to return back to Space Patrol Delta, he will do so with his full credentials restored. Do any of you have anything to add to this?"
"I think that is an extremely fair solution to what has occurred here High Commander, thank you for taking my words into deep thought." Crueger bowed his head.
"I trust your judgement Commander Crueger, we will be awaiting Mr. Carson's arrival."
The screen went black and the three looked at each other. Jack was first to speak.
"So they aren't kicking him out?"
"It would seem not." Kat smiled.
Jack nodded at them and left the room to tell the others what Birdie had said. The others were in the Command Center waiting to hear news on Birdie's decision. They all jumped up when Jack came in. Each staying silent to see what Jack was going to tell them.
"Birdie was more than understandable about this whole mess. He wants Bridge to be on a two month supervised suspension at Headquarters, but basically he's allowed to be go back to normal after that." Jack could not believe it himself.
"That's great!" Syd smiled, but noticed Sky's look. "Aren't you relieved?"
Sky nodded. "Of course, but is that what Bridge is going to want?"
"He still won't talk to anyone, maybe he doesn't want to be here anymore." Z sat back down.
"Kat is going to check in on him now, let him know what Commander Birdie said, maybe she can get through to him." Jack hoped he was right.
Kat went into Bridge's hospital room and began checking his vitals. "How are you doing today?"
Bridge shrugged. "Fine I guess. Head still hurts a bit, but not really feeling any pain in my wrists or ankles anymore, I think Edward fixed that somehow. Scars are still there, but the pain isn't."
"I would take that as a good thing Bridge, you were having a lot of trouble before."
"Yeah, so what did he say?"
Kat was a little taken back because she had not told Bridge about the meeting with Birdie, but she realized he must have just known. She smiled at him and relayed what Birdie had said.
"So I'm basically getting a slap on the wrist for almost destroying the entire city, and almost causing a war between Earth and Gruumm?"
"You seem disappointed."
"I know I should be happy I'm not getting the boot, but I think I deserve some type of punishment."
"It wasn't your fault Bridge; he got into your mind."
Bridge shook his head. "But I let him. He was there because I let him be there, aren't they worried it will happen again?"
"That's why they are going to monitor your powers, and help you come up with ways to control them so this can't happen again."
"Okay…good."
"I think you should speak to the others before you go to Headquarters. They really want to see you, and I think knowing that they don't blame you may help."
Bridge did not say anything.
Kat gave him a said smile. "Just think about it."
Two more days passed and Bridge would not let anyone come see him still. The doctor told him he was clear to leave the hospital wing which meant it was time for him to go to Headquarters. The others had given up hope that Bridge would see them before he left, but on the day he was supposed to leave he appeared in the doorway of the Common Room. His bags were already packed so he must have snuck in at some point and gotten his stuff without anyone knowing. It looked like he was ready to leave without saying anything, but then changed his mind the last minute. Everyone looked up in surprise, but did not say anything yet. Bridge kept his head down, but sat his bag down.
"Hey."
"It's good to see you Bridge." Syd smiled at him. "How are you?"
Bridge shrugged a little. "Okay, I guess. No more evil thoughts in my head. Not much pain…I'm really sorry for what happened. I shouldn't have let him in my head. I should have been more careful and told all of you, any of you what was going on, but I didn't, and I almost got everyone killed because of it. I just wanted you to know that before I left."
Jack stood up. "Bridge, this isn't your fault. What happened to you…you had to do what you had to do to survive; no one blames you for what happened."
"Yeah well, maybe they should."
"You told me to stop blaming myself, so now you need to take your own advice. Things happen, but we all made it out just fine and it's going to be okay." Sky hated seeing Bridge like this.
Jack came over to Bridge. "Nothing that happened was easy on any of us. There was a moment out there that I almost took you out, but Sky jumped in and got you back. I know it will take time before you can talk to us, and look at us without thinking about what he did using you, but when I had that blaster pointed at you all I could think about was you being gone if I pulled that trigger, and Bridge I think I speak for all of us when I say we couldn't imagine life without you. We need you. We want you to be on this team, I just hope you can get to place where you feel like you belong here."
Z jumped up and talked next to Jack. "Jack's right, Bridge. No one wants you to blame yourself, so just remember that when you are at Headquarters. We'll all be here for you when you get back."
Bridge finally met the eyes of his team. "Thanks, I really appreciate that…and I would miss all of you too if I were gone."
"Go get these two months over with Bridge, and please don't give them a reason to keep you longer." Sky smiled at him.
Bridge returned with a half-smile and nodded before picking up his bag and leaving. He had a long road of recovery ahead of him, but knowing his friends wanted him back would help him along the way. He looked at his friends one more time before leaving the room, he did not tell them in the back of his mind he was not sure if he was ever going to come back to that place again or not. Only time would tell, but Bridge knew he had a big decision to make during his suspension, he just hoped it was the right one.
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AN: The end! I hate endings so I hope that satisfied! Thank you everyone so much for reading the story! Also while writing this I may have had another idea for one more in this story line, but would a third story be too ridiculous? Would anyone want to read it? I'm not sure about it yet, so let me know if that is something you want. Thank you all again so much for the support on this story!