In-between Moments
"Let me see if I got this straight," Syd said with a grin, as she stood in front of Jack and Sky, the pair of them slumping in their respective seats and not meeting her eyes. "A routine patrol somehow managed to involve a bicycle, a runaway soccer ball, an old lady with a handbag who thought you were about to mug her and a coffee stand. Did I miss anything?"
"No, I think that about sums it up," Jack said with a tight smile. Sky simply glowered at her. It would have been more effective without the just forming black eye and bandaged wrist. He'd obviously managed to lose the coffee-stained jacket though. Jack wasn't in much better shape either, although his jacket seemed a little darker on the hem. She was tempted to point it out but restrained herself. Just about.
"Oh, how the mighty are fallen," Z said behind her, almost making her start with surprise. She hadn't heard her roommate come in; said roommate grinning as she took in the two sulking rangers. "This is just priceless."
"Z."
"Jack."
Of course, Syd thought, Z would be completely unfazed by the dangerous tone of voice. She knew Jack too well. The red ranger looked like he was tempted to say something but in the end decided against it, closing his mouth abruptly and picking up the nearest comic pointedly.
"Well, what do you want Jack? Someone to kiss it better?" Z continued with a wicked grin, although Syd would later swear that Z's eyes drifted over to a certain blue ranger as she spoke. Not that Sky noticed, of course, oblivious as always. If this went on much longer she was just going to lock him and Z in a room together and let nature take its course. For a moment though, she thought that Jack's eyes had flickered to her briefly in response to the gentle jibe. But it was only for a moment, as he easily fell into the familiar rhythms of banter with Z without any sign of hesitation. She watched him closely but didn't catch anything else. Not even a flicker.