Cruel and Unusual Punishment
"Why?" Jack demanded, "does everyone say 'like taking candy from a baby' as if it's easy?"
Syd shrugged and headed for the next shop.
"I mean, seriously," he continued, "the way that kid screamed you'd think he was about to lose an arm or something." He flexed his hands, adjusting the bags he'd somehow ended up carrying and wondering how he'd let himself be talked into going shopping with Syd of all people. Bridge would have been a much better choice, he thought sulkily. He probably wouldn't mind being dragged round shop after shop in search of the elusive 'just right' dress for the Officers Ball a couple of weeks from now.
His confusion as to how he'd ended up in this situation was further compounded by the fact that he wasn't SPD anymore, and thus didn't have to subject himself to another event like last year's ball. He and Sky had spent most of the evening hiding behind the buffet until Syd and Bridge had firmly dragged them out. The girls had looked gorgeous though, he wouldn't deny that. He also didn't doubt that they'd look just as great this time round. He just hoped that Syd would be done soon - his feet were complaining like crazy and if he had to carry one more bag he was just going to… well, he didn't know what he was going to do. But it would be big. And messy. What crime had he ever committed to end up as Syd's personal bag carrier?
He perked up slightly at the delighted squeal from his former teammate. Maybe this would be over soon, he thought hopefully. Please God, let it be over soon.
A few minutes later he felt his jaw drop slightly as Syd emerged from the changing room in the dress she'd spotted, and he swallowed slightly, forcing his body to remember how to breathe.
"Well?" Syd asked with a smile, twirling so he got a good look. "What do you think?"
"Ah--" he stammered, "you look great. Really. I mean… yeah." He winced and smacked himself round the head mentally. Now was not the time to turn into Bridge. Syd was smiling though, and not at his expense either. She looked genuinely pleased.
"You like it?"
He nodded, his voice gone for the moment. Fortunately for his peace of mind Syd went back into the changing room, giving him the opportunity to gather his scattered wits while she changed back, emerging again with the dress carried carefully over her arm. He blanched slightly at the price but Syd didn't seem particularly bothered, handing over her card without a qualm.
Arriving back at the Delta base for the first time in months, Jack was not happy about almost walking into Sky as he followed Syd down the corridor and he spared a moment to glare at his former 2IC as the other man openly grinned at him. "Shut up," he hissed and the grin grew.
"I didn't say anything."
"You were going to."
"Jack!" Syd snapped impatiently. "You can chat with Sky later, come on."
"One word," Jack growled as Sky's mouth twitched. "One word, Tate, and I will deck you, I swear."
Holding up his hands in innocence Sky walked off down the corridor, his shoulders shaking suspiciously as he did so. Glowering after him for a moment, Jack resumed his trek to Syd's room, wincing as a coat-hanger poked the back of his knee yet again. Thankfully he deposited the bags onto Syd's bed and flexed his fingers to get the circulation going. "So, you all set for the dance?" he asked and she nodded.
"Yeah, I think so. Thanks for coming with me, Jack."
He shrugged awkwardly. "You're welcome."
"I mean it," Syd said seriously. "Thank you."
"Rangers to the control room."
It took a moment before Jack remembered he wasn't supposed to answer calls like that anymore, but by then he was already out the door. He stopped abruptly and grinned sheepishly. "Guess that means you," he said and Syd nodded.
"I'll see you later, Jack," she replied, rising on her tiptoes and giving him a quick kiss on the cheek before she headed off to the control room. He stared after her, his cheeks warm and his fingers pressed lightly against where she'd kissed him.