You Found Me: A Story of Sky and Syd
Disclaimer: Nada, zilch, zero, though I do plan to possess the little SPD toys from the top of a Baskin Robbins cake.
Challenge: Routine
Timeframe: Pre-canon.
"Routine," Sky Tate mused, "Is by far a wonderful thing."
Yes, there was something to having an organized timeslot for everything. Wake up, warm up, a quick breakfast and he was ready to start the day. And damn if he didn't love to have a plan.
He was newly appointed to B-Squad, and quite proud of it. Just a few more weeks and the gray SPD uniform would be neatly outlined in red, just like his dad. And he was the only current B-Squad cadet, adding to his ego. There was a promising cadet on C-Squad, but he wouldn't get promoted for at least a few months. For now he was in charge.
"Hi, Sky!" a perky voice chirped. A voice that sounded all too familiar…
Sydney Drew Grayson threw her arms around him. She was the only one who hugged him without the slightest bit of hesitation, something that secretly endeared her to him. However, B-Squad cadets didn't go around hugging D-Squad ones, old family friends or not.
Sydney beamed up at him. "Guess what, Sky! I took the entrance exam and Commander Cruger put me with you, on B-Squad!"
Sky blinked. With him? B-Squad? Oh no. Please let there be some horrible mistake. Clenching his fists, Sky strode off in the direction of the Command Centre. Syd skipped along beside him, chatting about something as petty as her shoe size.
Why in the hell had she joined the SPD in the first place? Her parents were loaded, and Syd had that pop diva, model and actress triple threat career, bringing in more money she didn't need. SPD was his way out of the family home and fortune, not hers. And she was seriously getting in the way of his perfect routine. He was supposed to be out on the track right now, not pretending to listen to Syd's lecture on proper lip gloss application.
"So, you wanna go spar?"
This caught Sky by surprise. The last time he'd seen Syd, she'd been fourteen, her first album number one on the charts across the globe. She had sat around at her parents' country club, looking bored as she examined her perfect manicure and pretended not to notice the dorky but rich junior high boys who were attempting to hit on her. Not exactly a prime selection for ranger material.
"Will you then leave me in peace?" he grunted. Sky didn't notice the crushed look in her eyes that was quickly replaced by a smile.
Syd nodded her perfect golden head.
"Fine, fine," Sky muttered.
Sydney bounced all the way down to the sparring fields. Perfect candidate for a pink ranger, providing she could handle SPD for more than a week.
But she was pretty, too, with the smile that landed her magazine covers and movie roles. She also had inherited her mother's golden-blond hair. It was her eyes that caught his attention (whether he liked admitting this part or not), clear crystal blue with a certain sparkle to them.
Syd could fight fairly well, at least. Probably something overprotective Carter had taught her from the time she could walk. Carter was an excellent father, having, along with Eric, played surrogate dad towards him when Wes had died.
The next thing Sky was aware of that he was lying on the sparring mat, sprawled out haphazardly. Sydney leaned over him, concern on her face. Her fist was glinting, strangely.
It took him a moment to remember Syd's genetic power. A used silver pellet dropped down to the ground.
"I'm so sorry, Sky," she murmured, outstretching a hand to help him up. He wouldn't take it. "I guess you weren't paying attention," Syd offered meekly.
"It's alright," Sky replied, sitting up. Sydney plopped down with him, arms held out. "Please don't hug me," he added with a groan.
Instead she nestled against his side, looking so content that Sky felt some of the ice encasing his heart melt. She really wasn't all that bad.
"Sky?" she whispered.
He looked down at her, locking his gaze with hers.
"I really missed you."
Sometimes a sincere statement like that didn't make a ruined routine seem all that relevant.