When I finally started piecing the story together and getting downto it, I had to cut a lot of a side spot because it was going to be a one shot instead of a full-fledged fic. One of the side stories was a blossoming romance between Quinn and Bridge. This would have been the opening to the second part of the story.
/
"NO!" Quinn shot up in the bed; his blonde hair was matted to the sweat on his face. He looked around the darkened room for any sign of an intruder. The only sound echoing in the silent night was the dribbles of rain on the window.
"Quinn?" Sky sat up groggily, wiping the sleep away from his eyes. "What's wrong babe, you okay?" The blanket fell down his torso, leaving his chest open to the pale blue light of the room.
"Yeah, I uh... bad dream." He wipes the sweat off of his forehead with a trembling hand. It was all so real. His voice, his breathe.
"Did you have another dream?" Sky was at full attention. Quinn was shaking in his arms. The red ranger pulls him in tighter.
"Yeah." Quinn's voice was short. Sky could be so overprotective sometimes, but he knew it was with a good heart. "He was you again." Quinn broke from their embrace and moved from the bed.
"Where are you going?" Sky ran a hand through his own messy locks and swung his legs over the side of his bed.
"You know how Crueger gets when I sleep over." Quinn was quickly dressing again. He slid on his jeans and thin grey hooded shirt. "Besides, you need to get some sleep."
"I would sleep better if you were with me."
"Yeah with all of the shouting and kicking I am sure you get tons of rest." Quinn slides his shoes on and gives Sky a kiss on the forehead. "I'll just head home and call you in the morning."
"Okay." Sky didn't buy the lame excuse that Quinn was throwing at him. "But this is the fourth time this week. I'm worried about you."
"I'm not glass Sky." Quinn pulled his hair back behind his had and tied it in a messy ball with an elastic, allowing pieces to fall back in his eyes. Usually it would have annoyed him, but now it was a welcome attribute. Hiding his eyes was everything to him right now.
"I know." Sky stood up form the bed, his white boxers glowing in the night. "But I just want to make sure you're safe. I don't want you to get hurt again." He traces his fingers through Quinn's hair and pushed a few pieces behind his ear.
"I'm fine. Honest." Quinn puts on a brave smile. "I just don't want you to get in trouble for having late night visits from the civilian folk."
"You know Crueger doesn't care." Sky kisses him on the cheek and pulls him in for another tight embrace. "To him you're another member of the B Squad."
"Yup." Quinn buries his face in Sky's shoulder, inhaling his sweet soapy scent. "But I know when I am pushing it. I don't wanna press my luck with the blue dog."
"Yeah, well, if you never call him 'the blue dog' then you'll stay in his good graces." Sky chuckled and sways a little. "Bridge found that out the hard way."
Quinn smiles and pulls away. "I love you."
Sky smiles. "I love you too."
"Now get to bed." Quinn gives him a quick slap on the butt and grabs his burgundy corduroy jacket and slides it on, along with his grey messenger bag. "I promise I'll call in the morning."
"Okay." Sky retreats to his bed and slides underneath the blankets. "Night."
"G'night." Quinn makes his way out of the room and into the main hallway. He would never say it to Sky but sometimes he really wanted to be treated like an adult. He was nineteen and Sky treated him like he was seven. Sure the Red Ranger was two years older, but he was always watching Quinn, making sure he was safe.
Ever since the incident in the Doll Warehouse he has had officers on call just in case something happened to Quinn and they needed someone to respond. It was like big brother was always there. It made Quinn feel inferior.
The teen quickened his pace through the hallway. It was empty at night, and held an heir of mystery. The slick walls were usually bright and glossy. As night fell and the lights dimmed they became mirror like, casting phantoms across the walls. Quinn picked up his steps even more, almost to a jog. The overwhelming sense of paranoia was settling in.
Just as he turned a corner he collided with a body, sending a shock through his system. "Ah!" A small scream escaped his mouth as he fell to the ground.
"Hey, whoa. You okay, Q?" Bridge Carson leaned over and helped the fallen male up. "Sorry about that. I thought I was alone."
"Yeah, sorry." Quinn was hesitant about taking the Blue Ranger's hand so he took to his feet on his own.
"You heading out?" Bridge lifted his brow. "At Three O Clock?"
"Yeah well..." His voice trailed off. "Why are you up so late?" Maybe a change of subject could help him out a bit. He was still a little scared of Bridge, or at least of a monster wearing his face.
"Oh you know... bad dreams..." Bridge averted his eyes and smiled shyly. Only a smile the real Bridge could make. It was sincere and helpless but had an heir of hope just tangible enough to be seen.
"I know what you mean." Quinn watches his feet. He hated feeling this way, afraid and vulnerable. "Walk me home?"
…
"So I hear you have a meeting with Crueger?" The two began to walk together.
"Yeah." Quinn enjoyed the feeling of warmth emulating from Bridge as they walked down the damp sidewalk, passing stoop after stoop. "I don't know if I should be excited or afraid."
"He's a reasonable guy. I am sure you won't be reprimanded again."
"Yeah, the Misses already took care of the motherly scolding." Quinn smiled. The commander's wife was always so sweet. She really cared for their safety.
"Do you think he'll ask you to join the SPD?" Bridge questioned.
"I don't know." The two of them stopped at the entrance the Quinn's apartment building.
"I think you would do the team good. Not to mention if you had a morpher I am sure Sky could call off all the secret service protection."
"Does he know how romantic that's not?"
"He just wants to protect you." Bridge grabbed Quinn's hand. "You're the world to him."
"Then why doesn't he listen to me?" Quinn pulled his hand away and shoved it into his pocket.
"Because he's Sky. He's stubborn and strong minded." Bridge smiled. "Kinda like another blonde I know…"
"Very funny."
"I thought so."
As you can see I wanted to take it to a bit more romantic level, but it just never worked. Bridge was too sweet as the best friend to become the other man. Who knows.