Chapter 7: Promotions - Celebrations - Discussions

A/N: This chapter takes place the Friday before, Saturday of and Sunday after the promotion ceremony.

It was Friday night. Sky and Syd lay on Sky's bed, Sky's chin, resting on top of Syd's blonde head, her back pressed against his chest. They'd been lying there for the past 20 minutes after an intense make out session.

"Sky?"

"Hmm?" Sky responded; his eyes shut.

Syd sighed; she'd just come out and say it. "Have you thought about taking our relationship to the next level?" She questioned.

"What? You mean have sex?" Sky sat-up halfway, his elbow propping up his head, which was in his hand.

"Yeah." Syd replied. She wanted him, she loved him and she wanted to show him just how much.

"I have, but I want it to be special. I want you to be sure that it's what you want. I don't want you to regret it," He said cautiously.

Syd couldn't believe what she was hearing. She would never regret doing that with him. Syd rolled over to face him. "Sky," She said, her right hand cupping his right cheek. "You are the only person I could ever imagine doing this with."

Sky grinned. That goofy grin she loved. "Good. Because I feel the same way."

Syd licked her lips and winked at him seductively. "Well, Bridge has night duty," She said, placing a passionate kiss on his lips. "We have the room to ourselves until morning."

Sky was shocked by Syd's forwardness. But that shock was replaced with a giddy feeling when she kissed him again. He loved Syd and he was certain he would marry her, when the time was right. But, it only felt right to take this next step with her. "Okay."

They made hot, passionate love all night long, finally collapsing into a heap under Sky's sheets. "I love you Syd," Sky told her, stroking her arm as she faced him. "More than I could ever love anyone else."

Syd smiled. She would marry Sky; they would have a family together and live happily ever after. She wasn't sure when, but she knew that they would. "I'll always love you, Schuyler."

XXX

The Rangers met with their parents before the ceremony. Sky had already met Syd's parents, Adrian and Jane a few weeks prior, when they'd told Syd's parents about their relationship. They walked their parents to the table where Jen, Carter, Dana, Eric, Taylor, Sarah, Adrian and Jane would be sitting. The Rangers would be sitting at a table with Boom, Commander Cruger and Kat. Once the ceremony was over, there would be music and a chance for the guests to socialise with the one another.

Once everyone was seated, Commander Cruger stood up on stage and began his speech. "Five years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting four of the current members of B-Squad. I always knew that they'd be Rangers, three of them being the children of former Rangers and the other being one of the most dedicated individuals to ever walk the halls of the S.P.D. academy." He paused. "The final member of B-Squad joined when the original B-Squad was down to three members. I must say that although they've had their differences, they are without a doubt one of the best teams of Power Rangers ever known. Thank you for your service, Rangers; I hereby promote you to the Rank of Senior Officers. Please step forward as your name is called."

The Rangers all grinned at one another, bar Z; who stood in the line on stage, rigid as ever.

"Elizabeth Delgado." The room filled with applause. Z walked over to the Commander and accepted her badge.

"Thankyou, Sir." She said. Cruger nodded.

"Charlotte Collins." The room was louder for Charlie.

"Thankyou, Commander."

"Your father would be so proud of you. I know your mother is." Cruger told her. Charlie smiled widely and blew a kiss to her family as she walked off the stage and back to her seat.

"Bridge Carson." Again, the room was loud for Bridge.

"Sir! I'm really appreciative of this, Sir and also really-"

"You're welcome, Bridge," Cruger smiled. Bridge threw a wave to the crowd as he exited the stage.

"Sydney Drew." The room erupted in applause for Syd, being the pop-star, Olympian, model, Power Ranger she was.

"Thankyou, Sir." Syd grinned. Waving to everyone as she hopped off the stage.

"Finally, the leader of the B-Squad. His evolution to become the leader that he is today; is outstanding. For all you Cadets hoping to become a Power Ranger someday, this is the man whose example you want to follow. Schuyler Collins."

Sky thought his eardrums were going to burst as he made his way over to accept his badge. "Thankyou, Sir." Sky had to make an acceptance speech on behalf of the B-Squad. He waited until the crowd was quiet before starting his speech.

"Thankyou, Commander Cruger, for those kind words. We, on B-Squad are extremely appreciative of the opportunities given to us by yourself and Dr. Manx. I've been asked to recount my time at S.P.D. tonight and the best way I can think to do that, is by thanking those who've made this journey worthwhile. As such, I'm afraid I'm going to take a few minutes of your time tonight, just to reminisce about my journey to becoming the Red Ranger, my lifelong dream." He surveyed the crowd and was shocked that all eyes were unmoving from him.

Charlie looked up at her twin. She was so proud of the man he had become, so proud of how he'd honoured their father. She just wished their dad was there to see it. She was sure he'd be proud.

FLASHBACK
The kids of the Collins-Grayson-Myers family were laying on the pool-deck at the Collins' mansion. Both the Collins' and Grayson's had mansions in Silver Hills, in the Inner-East suburbs. The Myers'however, owned a penthouse in the actual City region of Silver Hills, but it was often the Collins' house where they'd gather as a 'family.' Brad was 8; Sky, Charlie and Bridge, 7; and Sarah was 6.

"Sky?"

"Yeah, Sarah?"

"When we're all Rangers, what colours will we be?"

Sky grinned at them all. He loved answering this question, almost as much as they all loved hearing the answer. "I'm going to be red; Bridge will be blue; Brad, green ; Charlie's gonna be yellow and you'll be pink!"

The 5 kids all grinned at one another. That was the plan. The 5 of them, a family; always and forever. Suddenly; Wes, Carter and Eric came running out of the house, all in swimming-gear and jumped into the pool, their wives chasing after them, stopping to laugh at the beginning of the pool deck.

A chorus of "Dad!" "Uncle Wes!" "Uncle Carter!" "Uncle Eric!" Rang out across the grounds of the Collins mansion. The kids joined in and followed their dads' into the pool, where their mothers' soon joined them. They splashed and played in the pool well into the evening.

END FLASHBACK

Charlie remembered that afternoon fondly. Even as a kid, she knew these were the people who would always be there for her. They were her family.

Sky continued his speech. "I'd like to thank Z, for showing me that you can't judge a book by its cover." He looked over at her, she didn't smile.

"I'd like to thank my aunts; Dana and Taylor, for being like second mothers to me, especially when my own was driving me crazy." There was a ripple of soft laughter throughout the hall. He looked to his Aunts and mother who were cracking up laughing together. "I'd like to thank my uncles; Carter and Eric, for being like second fathers to me and giving me so much guidance after I'd lost my own father." A chorus of 'awws' and soft clapping could be heard. Eric and Carter nodded toward him as Sky looked their way. He really wished Brad could be here for this.

"I'd like to thank my cousins; Brad and Sarah, for always being there for me, not only when I've had tough times, but for the good times too; because they're what's most important. Even though we're not blood related, you guys are my family. Nothing's ever gonna change that." Sky paused for a moment to gain his composure. "Brad, wherever you are, I hope you're watching this, I can't wait for you to get back for good, we've got a lot of lost time to catch up on." Sky grinned thinking of all the weekends he, Brad and Bridge had spent playing basketball. "Sarah, as angry as you got me throughout our childhood, you know that any guy who wants to date you not only has to get through Bridge, but also me and Brad. So, watch out." Sky winked at her. More laughter and a mock glare from Sarah.

Sky took a deep breath to prepare himself for his next few statements of gratitude. Syd beamed up at him from the table, tears of happiness in her eyes.

"Bridge. Bridgey, Bridgey, Bridgey. My best friend, my cousin, the guy who is smarter than anyone I know. I don't know what else to say. Thank you. For always sticking by me, even when I've been unbearable." Bridge laughed and gave him the thumbs up.

"I'd like to thank my mother; Jen. You have been both my mother and my vessel for remembering dad; I can't imagine what it was like for you to go through what you went through. You're the strongest person I know and I wish I was more like you." More soft clapping ensued and Jen wiped the tears from her eyes, wishing Sky could see how much he was like her. "I'd like to thank my twin sister, Charlie. For being my confidant, my other best friend and the person I could always count on to tell me to lift my game. You're the best sis, and I love ya."

Here was the moment. The one he'd been dreading for the entire night. "Dad. I'd like to thank my dad. For being my biggest inspiration, my hope and my drive. I wish you were here now." That's all Sky could choke out. He moved on to the final and most important person that he wanted to thank. "Finally, I'd like to thank my girlfriend, Syd. You challenge me when no one else will, you make me better than I could have ever hoped to be and you amaze me every day, with the kind heart that you possess. I love you."

"Thank you all for being here tonight, to celebrate with me and my friends. Please enjoy the rest of your evening." The hall erupted into the loudest sounds of applause that Sky had ever heard in his life, complete with a standing ovation. Syd bolted up to the stage grabbed him by the lapels of his S.P.D. uniform and kissed him more passionately than she ever had before. The people in the hall seemed to become even louder, if that were possible. Sky couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this happy.

XXX

As the night went on the Rangers socialized with the other people at the ceremony. They talked to former S.P.D. Rangers as well as their family. Charlie looked around her, at her family. She saw her mother, Syd and Sky in deep conversation with Syd's parents and smiled. She knew her brother had found the love of his life. She saw Bridge talking with Commander Cruger and Dr. Manx. She noticed Sarah and Boom hitting it off, Boom mesmerised by the blonde beauty; her steel-blue eyes, just like her fathers, wide with interest in one of his many stories. She saw her aunts and uncles roaring with laughter at some joke Eric had just told them. Her eyes finally came to rest on Z, standing alone in the corner of the room texting on her phone. Charlie had had enough. She was going to speak to Z and end this drama once and for all.

"We need to talk. Now," Charlie told her shortly. They went outside onto the balcony of the restaurant, which was on the 35th floor of one of New Tech City's largest skyscrapers. "Z, I don't know what your problem is with me and quite frankly, I don't care. But I promise you, if you hurt Bridge the way you've hurt Syd, I will make your life a living hell. That I can promise you."

Charlie turned and walked away, leaving Z speechless.

XXX

After the celebration had ended, Charlie, Bridge and Z went back to the Command Centre. Sky had rented a hotel room for himself and Syd, which was where they were to stay for the night. They lay in bed, having just made love for only the 6th time (the second that night.) Their bodies were tangled together, Syd's face against Sky's chest and his head atop her blonde head.

"Sky?"

"Hmm?"

"I love you." Syd told him as she looked up at him, her eyes shimmering.

"I love you too, Syd."

They lay in silence for another few minutes before Sky realised she'd fallen asleep. "Syd?" he whispered. No response. "Are you awake?" Again, no response. Sky let out a deep breath. "I love you, Sydney Drew, with all my heart. And I promise that one day, I'm gonna marry you."

What Sky didn't see, was the smile that curved on Syd's lips at this proclamation; she had heard every word and she couldn't wait for that day to come.

End of Chapter 7. Please Review!

A/N: Sorry about the long time between updates! Had my final exams, so I focused on school for a little while. But now I'm back, so expect and update a week, maybe more, we'll see how I go! Thankyou to everyone who has reviewed / favourited / followed my story! It means a lot to me!