Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Author's Note: I am still working on getting back to my rhythm; it's a lot harder than I anticipated. I am going to finish this story, the updates might be slower but it's only because I don't want to rush through and then make it not so good. Thank you for being patient.

Knowledge and Understanding Come Forth

Syd had been sitting quietly on the couch while her Mother was on the phone. Her Father knew that everything was alright and he was heading over to SPD Headquarters at the moment. Syd was relieved that her Mother was alive and well. However that was only half of her. Bridge was in the infirmary with strict instructions for no one being allowed in.

Bridge hadn't woken up at all on the ride back to SPD. They brought him right inside the infirmary and Syd was stuck out here. Now she knew how Bridge must have felt when their roles were reversed. It was a risk and she had always known that, and yet…seeing that she might never see Bridge again, it was a startling and dark revelation to her. She knew that it wasn't like she would die if he did, but…she just didn't want him to go.

"Syd?"

She looked up and saw her Mother walking over and sat down next to her putting an arm around her and pulling Syd close. Syd let her head move onto her Mother's shoulder, "I'm so glad that you're safe."

"I know honey, you told me that."

"I know, but I mean it. Even…even with everything that drives me crazy."

"And I suppose I have been doing that a lot lately, haven't I?"

Syd moved and looked up at her mother, this was much of the Mother she knew from before. The one that wasn't so quick to say mean and horrible things just to get them to leave. The one who wasn't mean to Syd's own friends and boyfriend. The one who enjoyed teaching school. Syd still didn't understand that. She wasn't sure how to respond to her mother. She wanted to tell her yes and at the same time she didn't want her mother to get upset.

"Syd, I know I have."

"It has been a bit unbearable at times."

Her mother smiled, "A bit?"

"I just…well I don't understand. I've been trying to and I don't get why you've done that."

"Been very rude to your friends?"

"Yes. And I know there has to be a reason."

Her Mother looked off to the far wall and was quiet for a few minutes, "I felt very safe with Bridge. He's smart."

"Yes." She wasn't sure where she was going with this, but she was willing to listen. But at that moment her Mother fell silent. After a few more minutes Syd decided to speak up again, "Was there more to that?"

"It's just…" Her Mother trailed off.

"Does this have to do with how you've been treating my friends?"

"Actually it does."

The Blonde girl took a moment before responding, "What about it?"

"Look Syd darling, I am terribly sorry for how I've been treating your friends, it's just…" She dropped her arm and then stood up, "You almost died."

Syd knew her Mother could read the confusion in her face but even so she heard herself saying, "I almost died? You were the one that was shot at remember? Bridge is in there with that bullet in him. Who knows if he'll…" Syd wavered; she didn't want to say those words out loud.

"I mean the last time. When you were kidnapped."

"Oh." All those memories came rushing back to her. She tried to not think about that time, the counselor had helped her move through it. The only thing was that there was still the chance that the memories would come back to her, and they did, at times when her emotions were heightened, negative ones that is. They were bad because she could see, feel everything. She still had sessions, there weren't as many, but they were still there. She knew that all this worry and fear wasn't helping. So instead of staying on it, she brought her focus back to the conversation, "What about it?"

"Knowing that…that I almost lost you. I would never see my daughter again, that…I didn't want to loose you. I don't want to lose you."

Syd didn't realize how she couldn't have seen this before. Of course it would make sense that her Mother would flip out about what happened, she was a mother; but to that extreme? "Is that why you were being horrible to them all?"

"For some reason I decided that if I scared you away from them, or them away from you, you would want to leave."

"Leave SPD? Really Mother?" Syd raised her eyebrow.

"Sydney."

Her Mother's sharp tone brought the now almost haughty expression off Syd's face. She sighed, "What do you expect? You tried to sabotage what I have?"

"I know, but I didn't want to lose you. You're my daughter and I love you."

"I love you too, but even if I wasn't dating Bridge or anyone else from here. Even if I hadn't made any friends, which is highly unlikely, I would still be in SPD. I love being a part of this. And I know the risks involved, but I'm willing to take them."

"You could go back…to before."

The blonde ranger shook her head, "No, I love being a part of SPD."

Her Mother nodded, "I suppose I shouldn't have interfered."

Syd smiled at her Mom and gave her another hug. After she pulled away from the hug she looked up and saw Sky and Z enter. Z looked at Sky then back at Syd, "Nothing?"

"Not yet."

Syd watched as the older man's face fell. He turned and left the room abruptly. Z watched as he left and then turned back to Syd. The blonde got up and went to her friend, "He's not taking this well is he?"

"No. Not really."

"How are you?"

"Fine, you?"

Syd looked back at her Mother, "As fine as I can be."

"I called Jack and Ally."

"I forgot…"

"Syd, don't worry. But…do you mind…" The brunette trailed off and glanced over her shoulder before looking at Syd again.

Realizing what she was talking about she nodded, "Go, I have my Mom."

"And Bridge will be just fine."

Only half of Syd's mouth turned up but quickly fell back into his previous position when Z turned and left. Syd turned around and went back to her Mother to sit and wait and hope.