Title: Forever
Author: Angel Mouse
Relationship: Bridge/Sky
Rating: PG
Warning: Angst
Theme: Kissing in the Rain, Peace, Friendship

Forever

Kat was happily working on something or other in the lab when Kruger walked in and nodded to her. She sensed he wanted to talk, since he had that air about him. She put aside what she was working on and looked up, smiling in greeting at her old friend.

"What can I do for you Doggie?" Kruger paced back and forth a moment and then stood in front of her. He looked serious and upset but she couldn't figure out why.
"I need to ask you a question Kat and I need a straight answer from you." Kat looked at him and raised an eyebrow.

"Since when have I not given you a straight answer Doggie?" He harrumphed and then started pacing again. Finally he stopped again and stood in front of her, something was really bothering him by the way he was acting.

"Can you tell me what you know about the relationship between Cadets Carson and Tate?" Kat stared at him a moment and then gave a soft sigh. She was wondering when this question was going to come up.

"They are friends Doggie, nothing more." Kruger sighed and looked at her, this wasn't easy but it was part of his job, something he didn't like but had to do.
"Certain information has reached my ears about how close the two of them are. Some people seem to think that they are two closer than best friends should be if you get my meaning." Kat crossed her arms and looked at him.

"They are friends Doggie. Best friends and roommates. We put them together as roommates to help both of them remember? It's only natural they have become close."
"I know that Kat. But these are some pretty serious allegations. I have to investigate as it is against the rules for cadets to fraternise with each other in a romantic or relationship sense." Kat shook her head and gave him a tiny smile.

"They know that Doggie, they aren't stupid, this is Sky we're talking about. He's a huge stickler for the rules, he wouldn't break them."
"Not knowingly he would Kat, but I do have to ask them if they are involved with each other and investigate these rumours."

"I know you do Doggie, but I think that's a bit unfair on them. You're listening to rumours and then investigating those two. After everything they have been through this would be the last thing that they need. They are friends Doggie, nothing more."

"I know Kat, but I have to obey the rules." With that he turned and left. Unknown by either of them in the next room Bridge was staring with shock and horror on his face and Boom was looking at him with sympathy and understanding on his face.

Boom was the only one besides Syd that knew the two of them were involved with each other. After taking a deep breath and giving the commander time to leave, Bridge turned and left without saying anything, he had to find Sky. And fast.

It was raining outside, pouring in fact, as Bridge sprinted out the front door. He had to find Sky, he had to and fast. Syd had told him that Sky had gone out for a little while, on one of his long runs he liked to take. Bridge stopped by the Academy track and looked around, he couldn't spot Sky.

He took one of his gloves off and waved it in front of his face. He found Sky's aura and presence and began tracking him off the grounds. His mind was whirling with thoughts and emotions. He had to find Sky, before Kruger did. They had to talk about this, this whole situation and work something out before Kruger got to them.

Wiping the rain from his face he took off at a jog, heading for where Sky's aura was taking him. Bridge thought furiously as he ran. The rules were clear. Fraternisation between cadets was forbidden. Both cadets would be kicked out of the academy.

And he didn't want Sky to be kicked out; it was Sky's dream to become the Red Ranger, just like his Father. Bridge was only at the Academy because of his powers, his parent's pressure and them wanting to get him out of their hair because of his strange and freaky powers.

It was the first place he had actually felt at home, somewhere comfortable, somewhere he could make a difference finally. Somewhere he was accepted. Finding love with Sky was just an added bonus.

Bridge kept jogging along, his hand out in front of him, tracking Sky. Finally he came to their park and slowed down, a tiny smile on his face. Somehow he knew Sky would end up here. Trying to dry his hand on his jacket, he slipped it back into its glove and began heading towards their little secluded spot.

Sky had gone for a run, trying to think of something special to get Bridge for his birthday which was coming up soon. He didn't even mind the rain; it was soothing and made everything feel new and wonderful.

He was leaning against the tree where he and Bridge had first admitted their feelings for one and other. A small smile played on his face as he remembered that day a few months ago. It had been a wonderful day for them both and had set the tone for the next few months.

The whole mess with him taking off was behind them and their relationship had gone from strength to strength. He watched the rain hit the pond and listened to it hit the trees. He looked up as he heard someone approaching and a smile appeared on his face as he saw it was Bridge approaching but then the smile faded a bit as he saw Bridge's face, something was wrong. He pushed himself off the tree and took a step forward to meet Bridge.
"Bridge, what's wrong?"

Bridge saw him standing there and moved forward to stand with him at the tree. They moved under the leaves and Sky looked at him, concern on his face. Bridge sighed and stared into his eyes.

"Someone's been talking to Kruger about us. I over heard him talking to Kat. He asked her about us, asked her were we more than friends as he'd been apprised of certain things? I'm not sure what. He's going to investigate us." Sky was floored and he slid to the ground, stunned. Bridge did the same and leaned against him. He closed his eyes and sighed. "I don't know what to do Sky. What are we going to do?" Sky sighed and looked at Bridge.

"I don't know Bridge. What do you want to do?" Bridge opened his eyes and looked into Sky's deep blue eyes.
"I want to be with you Sky, for ever. But the rules are strict. So, I don't know, perhaps I could leave the Academy and you finish your studies. You become the Red Ranger like you've always wanted to." Sky shook his head, he knew more than anyone how much Bridge felt at home at the Academy.
"That's not a solution Bridge. That's a cop out and I won't let either of us do that. There has to be a way around this."

They sat together for a long time, both getting wetter, but neither of them caring as they pondered their dilemma. Finally Sky sighed and looked at Bridge. He reached out and put his arm around Bridge, pulling him close.

"I guess we'll just have to be careful from now on. Make Kruger think that we're only best friends and roommates." Bridge leaned his head against Sky, drawing strength from his presence. "I guess until we graduate and the rules about fraternisation don't apply to us. But that doesn't mean on holidays or days off we can't spend time together." Bridge nodded slowly, mulling it over.

"I guess we could do that. Just be friends to everyone at the base and when we're alone or away we can be together. We just have to be careful. Oh Sky, I didn't want it to come to this, I just want us both to be happy."
"I know Bridge, so do I." Bridge looked up into his eyes and Sky smiled at him and Bridge felt the love that Sky had for him and with that in mind, they leaned close together and gently kissed.

A kiss full of love, hope, joy and dreams of the future. After a long moment they broke apart and looked at each other, resting their foreheads together.
"So friends from now on while on base?" Bridge sighed as the reality hit him.
"Best friends, until you're the Red Ranger and we've both graduated. Then it won't matter." Sky looked deep into Bridge's eyes and spoke softly, his tone reassuring and strong.
"Just remember one thing Bridge, I'll always love you."
"And I you Sky. Nothing and no-one will ever separate us." Bridge nodded and closed his eyes, leaning against Sky and the two of them sat beneath the tree for a long time.

It had been a long twelve months. Grumm was defeated, Jack had left and Sky was Red Ranger now. There was peace all over the city and finally everyone had settled down. It had been hard, really hard, for Bridge and Sky not to show their true feelings for each other but somehow they had managed it.

Syd had covered occasionally for them but mainly they had managed to spend a little time away from the base together. It had been hard to not arouse suspicions about them but they had did it.

And now that peace had settled across the city and their dreams had come true, they could finally be together. Commander Kruger had settled in happily with his wife and everyone was living their life now. Not long after Kruger had given Sky the Red Ranger morpher he had taken Bridge and Sky aside and apologised for having caused them pain by not being able to be together for the last year.

He had known all along that they cared deeply for each other but his official investigation had turned up nothing so he had let it slide. But now they were in their respective positions, they could do what ever they wished in their personal lives. So with those parting words, he had left them to it.

This is how they found themselves at the very same park where their relationship had started about eighteen months ago. They were seated under their tree once more, Sky's back resting on the trunk of the tree and he had his arms wrapped around Bridge who was lying between his legs, his head on Sky's chest. It was a warm summer's day and they were both relaxed and happy. Bridge gave a contented little sigh and Sky grinned.
"What is it?"

"I was just thinking. This time twelve months ago I couldn't even imagine us being together again like we are now. All that time pretending to be friends and nothing more that was hard Sky, really hard."
"I know Bridge, for both of us. But we're through it now and what's more important is that we're together."

Sky tightened his arms around Bridge and the former Green Ranger turned in them slightly so his face was looking at Sky's. A gentle rain began to fall, one of those beautiful warm summer showers that made everything look so beautiful and serene. Bridge smiled at Sky and his eyes were clear and shining with love.

"Forever Sky?" Sky smiled and leaned his head down, whispering softly as his lips meet Bridge in a sweet, gentle kiss while the rain fell around them.
"Forever Bridge."