You Found Me: A Story of Sky and Syd

Disclaimer: Just waiting for the rights to Power Rangers to open up…. any day now…

Challenge: Scars

Timeframe: Post Endings. Sequel to Duty.

The first thing Sky did as official red ranger was ask Sydney to meet him at the Command Centre. She did as he asked, showing up with her arms folded over her chest tightly. They hadn't been alone together since the talk after he'd protected her from Mirloc.

"Gruumm is gone," Sky observed.

"Gee, Sky, even I figured that out," Syd spat, glaring at the newly appointed red ranger. The sting of his rejection still scarred her. What kind of man tells the woman he supposedly loves he doesn't want to be with her and then tries to hold her and make it alright?

Sky grunted at his pink ranger. "I know you know. He was the major threat and now he's imprisoned. Sydney, I promised myself that when he was captured I would work things out with you."

"Empty promise. To work things out you need the cooperation of all the people involved. And since I really want nothing to do with you as more than friends, you're out of luck."

Having finished, Syd turned on her heel, prepared to march out of the Command Centre. Sky's arm shot out, his hand gripping her shoulder. "Come on Syd. Please."

"I told you already, Sky, and it was hard enough to say it the first time," Syd cried, her voice breaking. What was it about him that always drove her to tears?

"But I love you."

Slowly, Syd slid to the ground, hugging her knees to her chest. Her forehead on her left knee. Every few minutes, Sydney let out a sniffle, signaling to Sky that she was crying.

Sky joined her, rubbing the small of her back. "It's OK, Syd," he murmured, "It's OK."

Then she lifted her head from her knees, looking directly into his eyes. Her own cornflower blue eyes were rimmed in red. Sky hated to see her this way, in such heartbreaking emotional pain, and all because of him.

Her chest heaving with sobs, Sydney threw herself into his arms, where she knew she was safe and loved.

She allowed herself to be comforted for a moment before jerking herself away, remembering she was supposed to be angry with him.

"I won't let you hurt me again," she hissed, so viciously that Sky stared. Where was the sweet Syd that everyone adored?

When he didn't speak she went on. "It doesn't matter that Gruumm is gone, either. I know you, Sky. I know that red ranger is the most important thing you've ever accomplished, and that crap you tried to feed me about working things out is false. You'll work twice as hard because you have some crazy fantasy you're your dad. You're not your father, Sky. You never will be, either."

That hurt, but Sky could live with it. He knew damn well he wasn't Wes, and that was OK. No, what mattered was finding some way for Sydney to forgive him and the tendency he had to be a workaholic.

"Good," Sydney thought. "He's hurt.

Sighing, Sky stood up and went back to the center of the room where the computers were located. "Fine," he muttered dismissively. "I just thought that since you're always trying to get me to smile and laugh and hang out with the rest of the team that there might actually be more between us. I told you how I felt, Syd, and you did the rejecting. You know me, better than anyone should know another person, and you know I like to have everything taken care of before I start something new.

"But I understand your position, too, and I know I haven't been fair to you or your feelings. It must have been really trying, putting up with my moods and everything. I took advantage of you because I just automatically assumed you'd always be here, waiting for me to come to my senses. I would have given anything for you to tell me that you loved me as much I love you, but I realize it can't be anything but friendship. And that's fine, Syd, because I know you'll always be the one woman I love, truly love. All I ask is that you keep this between us."

He closed his eyes, trying to keep from crying. His mother and Bridge had been right; he had been totally unfair to Syd, leading her on, one might say. He knew all along that the pink ranger was in love with him, but chose to keep the knowledge at bay until Gruumm was gone, so nothing would have to be hidden. He wanted everyone to see how much he loved her, to see that he could be happy and not just the mopey stick in the mud the world knew. And now, the beautiful woman he loved and cherished with all of his stone-like heart had left him, had denied him the chance to love and be loved in return. And it was all his fault. Because he was Sky Tate, man of superior stupidity. What man in their right mind would really let Sydney Drew walk away?

"But what man would make her cry?" he asked of himself.

He was nothing without her; at least he could acknowledge that. No one else really wanted to put up with him. Sydney had been his best friend since they were children, had always given him a shoulder to cry on the few occasions he'd confessed he wanted one.

"Sky?" Sydney's voice was so whisper-soft he barely heard it.

Sky's eyes snapped open and he turned to face her. She too had more tears streaming down her face.

The next thing either of them knew was that they were in the other's arms. Syd stood on her tiptoes and kissed him.

Syd pulled away first, reaching up to wipe at his eyes. "That was some speech you made."

Sky returned the favor, his touch feather-light and caring. "I really do love you, Syd."

"I want to take things slowly," she said after awhile. "I don't want to be hurt again, Sky."

"I agree. Slow."

Syd smiled up at him and hooked her arms around his neck.