Realizations and Confrontations

Three months Later

Adjusting to a new situation was something that Sydney had become accustomed to.

She had to leave her pop star, model, wealthy lifestyle for the life of uniformity, strict guidelines, and bad cafeteria food.

But she had survived.

She was a survivor.

She had no intention of this turning out any differently.

She had to admit though, that she could now understand why Jack left.

She had been helping Jack and Aly with their company all throughout her pregnancy and felt a new sense of worth and meaning. Granted, not as much as when she worked at SPD, but very close.

She got to work more with the people she was dealing with. Saw their gratitude and thankfulness firsthand instead of just through the newspaper articles.

Another plus was that she got to wear whatever she wanted, instead of the drab SPD uniform.

But overall, she was happy with how things were going… at least, considering the circumstances.

Jack and Aly had been overly helpful and providing.

She realized now that it does indeed take a village to raise a baby.

Aly and Sydney had already gone out baby shopping and had a small corner of Sydney's apartment set up for its arrival.

Jack had even come with Sydney to the doctor for her ultrasound. He was even kind enough to go out at three in the morning for monkey chunk ice cream when she was having a craving.

As for the rest of her friends, Sydney really had had little contact with them.

Bridge had tried to talk to her multiple times but she had been evasive about the issues and ended up making an excuse for her hasty departures.

Z had come back and also tried to talk to her, being a bit more successful than Bridge in getting some information, but it was still difficult to talk about for Syd.

Sydney had had no contact with Sky since they last talked, when she told him he wasn't the father. She had tried to pick up the phone and call him so many times but each time she chickened out the moment she heard his voice.

"Hey Syd, can you do me a favor?"

Jack's voice startled Syd as she was sitting in his office. She was acting as secretary while he was out with Aly helping to build a new shelter downtown.

"Umm, sure Jack, name it."

"Well, you see, you're really not gonna like it but I really need you, and if I could ask anyone else I would but I can't and this needs to be done today—"

"Jack, you're sounding like Bridge, just tell me what you need."

Jack sighed and looked at his newly cleaned desk. Syd really was good to have around.

"Look, someone from SPD called and donated some stuff to the shelter. They can't take it here, though, and Aly and I can't get away from the construction."

"Jack you know I can't do that," Sydney whined. "Have someone else do it, or just go get it later."

"Syd, I can't have someone else get it, they don't know the complex like you do, and you know how SPD regulations require that anything kept out for over a day is trashed. I need this Syd, this is a lot of stuff that will be good for the shelter."

"Jack, I'm five months pregnant, I can't be lifting all those boxes."

"I know, that's why I need to you to supervise. I called Cruger and he said that he can spare a few cadets to carry stuff for you and all you need to do is tell them where to put it and drive the truck."

Sydney stared with her arms crossed and a look of reluctance on her face. Once in a while a group of cadets would get clothes, equipment, and sometimes even furniture together and donate it to Jack's shelter, knowing that he was a past SPD Red Ranger. They usually had a lot of stuff but it had to be packaged and given to the shelter quickly because of lack of space at SPD.

"Look Syd, I talked to Z and she said that he will be training some C Squad cadets until three, so that gives you three hours. That's plenty of time."

Sydney sighed. Knowing full well the he he was talking about

"Where are the keys to the truck?"

Sydney was ready to kill Jack.

When Jack said that Cruger had gotten some cadets to help he didn't mention that Cruger had only gotten four cadets to help her with over fifty boxes of clothes, two couches, an old food replicator, a half dozen end tables, and a large multi heater.

No wonder he gave her the big truck.

So not only did it take longer than three hours, but she had to help carry some of the lighter boxes as well.

And that's how Sky found her four and half hours after starting.

Actually, found her isn't so accurate of a term, more like ran into her.

Thankfully Sydney was not knocked down but the box she was holding full of clothes fell to the floor, its contents now strewn across the hall.

Sky immediately went to the floor trying to pick up the lost contents.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't see you and—"

He finally looked up at her standing before him, her eyes sporting the deer-caught-in-the-headlights look.

Sky immediately looked at her stomach, a small lump protruding from it before he quickly looked away.

Desperate to fill the awkward silence Sky started the conversation.

"So, is this for Jack and Aly's shelter?"

She was silent for a moment, trying to figure out what to make of this situation before she answered.

"Umm, yea, I've been helping them out, volunteering for them, and Jack asked me to get some stuff, from here, today."

She was rambling and she knew it. All she could think to do was smile sheepishly and look down.

Suddenly though, Sky became angry.

"Wait, so Jack is letting you carry this stuff while you're pregnant?!"

This was not a reaction Sydney had been expecting.

"Sky, it's not heavy, I'm fine. I know my limitations."

This did not seem to settle his insecurities.

"Yes, you know your limitations but you've never been pregnant before and it's different. You shouldn't be lifting anything in your state! I can't believe Jack let you do this. He's been reckless and irresponsible before but this?!"

He continued his rant by throwing the clothes into the box all the while mumbling about Jack and nerve of him and such.

To say Sydney was surprised would be an understatement. He was mad at Jack for letting her carry a box? She would have thought that he would have given her the box and walked away as fast as he could, but after he had put all the clothes back in the box he picked it up and asked her where the truck was, all the while mumbling about Jack.

After he had put the box in the truck and had closed the door he looked at her again.

"Jack didn't let you drive the truck here too, did he?"

Sydney looked sheepish and replied quietly.

"Sky, I'm pregnant, not physically handicapped."

Sky huffed.

"Give me the keys, I'm driving you home."

Sydney was outraged. How dare he treat her like a child!

"Sky I drove the SPD jeep through massive explosions, I think I can handle a U-Haul truck through five PM rush hour!"

"Sydney, just give me the keys and I won't have to talk to you again."

They both seemed to calm down at that statement.

Sydney just stared in his eyes, so full of hurt and anguish. Hurt and anguish that she had caused.

She took the keys out of her jean pockets and placed them in his outstretched hand before heading for the passenger door.

The ride home was quiet. The only sound that permeated the air was the quiet lull of whatever radio station was playing in the cabin of the truck.

Sky's thoughts raced. He knew that she could take care of herself but now she had a baby to take care of as well and she had to be extra careful. Why was the father letting her do this? She should be at home getting anything she wanted from this man. Not sitting here, with him, in a truck, bringing clothes back to Jack's shelter.

And why in the world was she still so drop dead gorgeous?!

"So where are you living now?" he asked with a timid voice.

He didn't know why he wanted to know. He just needed to know that she was being taken care of.

"I'm living in one of Jack and Aly's apartments in the old warehouse they restored."

Sky's eyes got very wide at this and he even took his eyes off the road for a moment to merely stare at her while she kept her gaze straight ahead.

"But... where… I mean, the father? You're living… in one of their homeless shelters? You should…"

"Sky, I'm fine, I like it there, and Jack and Aly are great. Once in a while there are some other people living there too, usually single mothers, and I like talking to them. I'm fine."

"But… what about the father? Why aren't you living with him?"

Sky still could not seem to get a grasp on the situation. Sydney did not live in places that were the equivalent to a homeless shelter, even one owned by Jack and Aly.

"I, uh, never told him."

Sydney was suddenly afraid that Sky would swerve off the road at that confession.

"You WHAT?!"

"Sky, he doesn't need to know. I'm fine."

"Who the hell are you trying to convince Syd? Me or yourself?"

They had finally reached the warehouse where they would drop the stuff off.

As Sydney opened the door and moved to get out she turned to Sky.

"Sky, it's my problem let me deal with it in my own way. Thank you for helping me out."

She climbed down, closed the door and went off to talk to the men that would unload the truck.

Sky waited a moment to get his bearings together before he jumped out of the truck.

It was still light out and a nice day so he decided to walk back to SPD. It wasn't long, only three or four miles, and he would still be back in time for the end of dinner.

It was also a route that went right past Jack's office.

"Jack, what the hell where you thinking letting Sydney carry those boxes today?!"

"Hey to you to Sky."

After having plenty of time to sort his thoughts on the walk to Jack's office, Sky had already set out his speach.

"I'm serious Jack, I run into her today, first off, surprised as hell that she's there, holding a heavy box of clothes no less!"

Jack sighed and leaned back in his chair.

"Sky, I never told her to carry anything, and if she was carrying something I think she knows her limits."

".. and then to find out that she's living in one of your apartments?! Where's the father? Why haven't you encouraged her to tell the father?! The baby needs a father!"

It really was fruitless for Jack to continue arguing when Sky had clearly already made up his mind about the entire situation but he tried anyway.

"Sky I have told her to tell the father but I can't force her to do something she doesn't want to do. And as for the apartment, she came to me, asked to crash for a night, and I gave her a place to live instead."

"… and I still can't believe that you let her carry that stuff, she could have hurt herself! She's six months pregnant for god's sake!"

"Wait, what?"

"I said she's six months pregnant, Jack, and you still let her carry those boxes!"

"Six months?"

"Yes, Jack, six months, you'd think you'd know more, living with her and all, and yet you still let her carry all those boxes for you! I can't believe you would be that irresponsible—"

Sky continued to shout at him for another fifteen minutes. As usual, Jack merely zoned out thinking of other things. Something was wrong with this whole senario. He needed to talk to Sydney

After Jack had sufficiently assured Sky that Sydney would no longer carry anything heavier than a pillow, Sky headed back to the academy.

As soon as the door closed behind him, Jack made a phone call.

"Hey Syd, will you meet me at Lily's in ten to have dinner?... Alright cool…Cya there."

He had a few questions for his best friend, and they would best be answered on a full stomach.

Dinner was amazing as usual. Lily's had the cheapest good food in downtown New Tech but it was hard to find unless you knew where to look.

Jack of course only knew it because it was the only place that wouldn't throw things at him when he begged for scraps at the kitchen door.

Jack waited until after dinner to start the conversation he was sure would probabley end badly.

"So Sky came to me today, said he ran into you at SPD…"

Sydney laughed a little and flipped her blond curls over her shoulder.

"Yea, yelled at me for carrying a box of clothes, and then yelled at you for letting me."

"Yes well, Sky seems to think that you are six months pregnant, but when I last talked to you, you said that you had just reached five months."

Sydney's face immediately dropped from her carefree smile to a look of fear.

"Well, he must have heard wrong or not counted right. I haven't talked to him in three months Jack."

"We both know that's a lie Syd. Sky doesn't forget things like that."

"Well then maybe you heard him wrong!"

Sydney was flustered and Jack knew it.

"Syd, I asked him twice, he knew what he was saying. But what I want to know is why you're so adamant that one of us heard wrong."

"I'm not adamant about anything Jack!"

"Then why are you yelling, people are staring."

Sydney looked around and found that yes indeed people were looking at them, curious to the couples quarrel. She suddenly quieted and looked down at her hands.

"What did you tell him?"

"If you mean, did I correct him? No I didn't, I wanted to talk to you first and find out why he thinks you're six months pregnant when truly, you're only five months along."

Sydney stayed quiet for a few minutes before looking in her purse and taking out some money.

"I'll pay for my own dinner."

She pushed the money in front of him before quickly getting up and leaving the restaurant.

Jack sighed before digging in his pocket and slamming a few bills on the table as well. He was soon chasing after Sydney.

"Syd, Syd, come on, talk to me. What's really going on here, Syd?"

"Just leave me alone Jack!"

Who knew that a pregnant woman could walk so fast?

He ran up to her and grabbed her arm to face him.

"Syd, why does Sky think that you are six months pregnant?"

"Jack just drop it."

"No Syd, you've been vague about who the father was this entire time. I'm one of you're best friends and that list really seems to be dwindling lately. Just tell me what's going on!"

Sydney was stubborn but everyone knew that Jack was too, maybe more so. He was determined to find out what Sydney was hiding.

"Sydney, come on, why does Sky think you're six months pregnant?!"

Syd whirled around to face him.

"Because he needed to be sure that he wasn't the father!!!"

She screamed her response and was now breathing heavily. Other people nearby gave them odd looks before moving on. Jack couldn't think what to do, he merely kept opening and closing his mouth, trying to think of something intelligent to say. It was Sydney who first gained her bearings.

She sighed and started walking again, staring only at the ground.

"We started to become physical five months ago; I guess that's when I conceived. I just needed to make him think that there was no chance he was the father, so I added a month."

Jack still wasn't all that sure what to say about this so he just asked the obvious question.

"Ummm, okay, why?"

Sydney sighed but continued quietly.

"Sky does not need a child right now, he's in the peak of his career, he's got everything he's ever worked for! It would be selfish of me to take everything from him because of this."

After the initial shock had worn off Jack became angry. He did not think he had ever been so mad at Sydney in his life. Her logic was all wrong. The Sky he knew would love having a child, especially a child with Sydney, the love of his life. The fact that it was unplanned would only prove to be a minor setback, a reason to re-strategize, nothing more.

Jack tried to calm down, he needed to be calm to talk to her.

"Sydney, what are you thinking? This is Sky's child! You have to let him decide this."

Sydney spun around to face him, her eyes flashing with anger.

"Yes Jack, it is Sky's child. But the fact that it is Sky's means that he broke the rules. He broke SPD regulations to have a physical relationship with a member of the same squad, with me!"

Her eyes were now beginning to mist over with tears.

"He will be dishonorably discharged from SPD, from his dream! All because I told him to give in to me and his desires."

Jack looked on her with pity as she continued her rant.

"I will not be looked on, in five years, with eyes full of regret! I will not put my child through that! At least this way he keeps his dreams and I get my child!"

She ended with tears streaming down her now clear face, devoid of any makeup, looking exhausted.

Jack took her in his arms as she continued to sob.

"You know," he said, still holding her, "I don't think I've ever seen Sky as happy as he was whenever he was with you."

She looked up at him still not convinced.

"Sydney, he has other dreams than just making it to red ranger. He wants to settle down at some time with a wife and a family, he wants that with you."

Sydney sighed.

"Jack, I've thought about this…"

"Syd, you gave this no thought! You came to me mere hours after you found out you were pregnant!"

Sydney was once again angry. He wasn't listening, he didn't understand, no one could.

"Jack, I made a split second decision. Like I've been trained to do since I started at the academy. I thought about everyone involved and this is the decision I came to. And every day since then I have gone over my thought process again and again! Don't tell me I didn't think this through! I've been thinking about it almost every second of every day for the past five months!"

Sydney took a deep breath before continuing.

"This is my decision and my decision alone, Jack. I would… appreciate it if you didn't mention this to anyone. That includes Aly, Z, Bridge and especially Sky. If I do decide to tell anyone it will be of my own accord."

"Syd, you can't just not tell anyone…"

Sydney was beginning to get angry again.

"Jack, I swear to God, if you tell anyone I will go so far away where you can never find me and I will never talk to you again!"

It was a pitiful argument and they both knew it, but they also knew that Sydney would do as she threatened without a second thought. She would do what she wanted and Jack could do nothing except sit back and watch helplessly.

Jack sighed.

"Come on, lets get home, Aly will be waiting."

Sydney made no move to follow him.

"Jack, I need your word. You need to swear to me that no one will know about this."

"Syd…"

"Your word Jack!"

He was silent as he contemplated his options. Sky deserved to know. Syd deserved a husband. He deserved not to be on Sky's hit list.

"I won't tell."

Sydney smiled.

"Thank you so much Jack—"

"But you should still tell him."

Sydney's face once again fell. Jack was satisfied to stare back until he turned around and started heading home, Sydney right behind him.

Authors Note: Yey! Sky is the father, we're so happy! Except of course for the fact that he still doesn't know about it. But hey that's why there are more chapters to be written and more reviews to be sent! This will probably be the longest chapter of the bunch. I tend to like chapters a little shorter but this one was just too good to pass up. Tell me what you think!