Disclaimer: Don't own Power Rangers, or anything to do with them. I don't even own any models like Veronica Moose

AN: Post Endings ) Syd and Sky couple, because we all know that truly they are a couple, no matter what happened on the show! Please review…it makes me smile, so let me know what you think!

Chapter 1

"You so like him."

"I do not!"

"Oh come on Z, I've seen you giving Bridge your flirty looks when you think we're not watching!" retorted Syd, pulling the last few rollers out of her blonde curly hair.

Z blushed and gasped. "I do NOT like him!"

"Sure."

"And anyways, what about you and certain ex-blue ranger?"

"What about us?" questioned Syd innocently, "we're childhood friends."

"Oh right, so that's all you are."

"Yes, that's all!"

"But you're OK with that?"

"Yup."

"Liar!" Z accused playfully.

Syd rolled her eyes, threw the remaining rollers onto her bed and headed towards the door. "Whatever."

"Hey Syd," teased Z, "you know if you and Sky got married, you'd be Mrs Sydney Tate? Sounds quite good to me…" She laughed at Syd's blush as the two headed over to the rec room, where they found Bridge standing on his head eating buttery toast and Jack sprawled on the sofa, drinking coffee, having returned temporarily to SPD the week before.

"What are you two laughing so much about?" grumbled Jack, "its 6am!" He sleepily rubbed his eyes and ran his hand through his black dreds.

"You've been away from SPD too long Jack," laughed Z, "it's not that early!" She winked in Syd's direction, "besides, Syd and I were having a most interesting conversation..."

"It was nothing," answered Syd firmly, grabbing an apple and sitting on a beanbag, smoothing her grey and pink SPD uniform as she did so.

"Oh come on Syd, it was hardly nothing!" exclaimed Z, "we were just planning Syd and Sky's wedding!" she grinned wickedly and sat down next to Jack, who was now choking on his coffee. Bridge came over and joined the group, just missing the half eaten apple that flew at Z's head.

"WHAT?" coughed Jack, "I've not been away THAT long have I?"

"Ignore her," glared Syd, "she's out of her mind. I've known the guy since I was 2 and he was 4. He's like my brother, and like most brothers, Sky is a complete jerk."

"Thanks," called Sky as he entered into the rec room and sat down next to Syd. "You're pretty jerky too, you know."

Syd blushed bright red at having been overheard, before deciding to take offence at his comment. "What do you mean, I'm jerky? If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't even be here!"

"What, a prissy princess like you?"

"How dare you!" cried Syd, outraged, "it's thanks to me your mum even LET you go to SPD. Don't forget it. Sometimes, I wish your Mum had never met my Mum at that stupid playgroup."

"Likewise…I would have been spared many years of torture."

"Torture?"

"Yes, torture. There's no need to be such a parrot Syd."

"Well at least I don't give up on anything because of what people think!"

"You don't want to go there Sydney," growled Sky.

"Try me Schuler."

"You'll regret it…"

"Oh no, you'll be the one who regrets provoking me into telling our fellow team mates about the ballet classes you enjoyed so much." Syd smirked triumphantly at Sky's open mouthed, 'you-wouldn't-dare' expression, settling back on the bean bag to watch her friends reactions.

"B-ballet?" spluttered Z, open mouthed.

"Do you mean like actual ballet? As in pink-satin-shoes-and-tutu's ballet? Because there's nothing wrong with that, if that's what you mean, but stereotypically…" rambled Bridge.

"Oh yes," grinned Syd, "pink tutus and everything." She smiled cheekily at Sky's ashen face, before jumping up and heading over to the replicator to get something to eat, leaving Jack, Bridge and Z staring at Sky in shock.

"You…did…Ballet?" asked Jack incredously, "in a pink tutu?" seeing Sky's glare, Jack tried hard to keep a straight face. He caught Z's eye, however, and try as he might, he couldn't keep the chuckles from escaping. Soon he, Bridge and Z were clutching their sides laughing. Syd returned with a bowl of popcorn which she placed on the table before folding her arms and grinning triumphantly at Sky.

"It was for one week," he muttered darkly.

"But you loved it!" Syd taunted softly. "The only reason you stopped was because you cared too much what your friends thought."

CADET DREW TO THE COMMAND CENTRE PLEASE came Commander Cruger's voice over the intercom. Syd flashed one last winning smile at Sky, turned on her heel and bounced off, blonde curls flying out behind her.

As Syd entered the Command Centre, she was surprised to see that its only occupants were Commander Cruger and another man, whom the commander was talking to. Syd's face lit up with joy when she recognised who the man was.

"Daddy!" She shrieked, running over and throwing her arms around him.

"Hey baby," Kyle Drew whispered, kissing the top of his daughter's head and holding her tight as if he couldn't bear to let go. Syd drew back and studied his face with puzzlement.

"What's wrong?" she asked, concerned at the tearful expression on her father's face. Something was seriously wrong, and she knew it. "What's wrong?" she asked more urgently. Kyle looked to the commander for support.

"Sydney," Cruger began softly, the expression on his big blue face one of pity and sadness, "I'm afraid we have some bad news."

"What's happened?" urged Syd, fast becoming hysterical as the sinking feeling engulfed her stomach.

"I'm afraid…I'm so sorry…but…it's your mother Syd…she…she…" said Kyle hoarsely, before swallowing, taking a breath and trying again, "she died this morning."

Syd gasped and sunk to her knees, her eyes welling up and clouding her vision. It couldn't be true…

"I'm so sorry," muttered Commander Cruger, "truly I am. Your mother was a great woman…" he trailed off, placing his paw on Syd's shaking shoulder as she sobbed. He glanced briefly at Kyle Drew and noted how broken and alone the man look, how devastated he must be.

"I…I never got to say goodbye!" Syd gasped, her tears increasing, flowing freely down her cheeks, taking a track of mascara with them. "Last night," she cried, "on the phone, we fought, and…and…I never said I was sorry and now it's too late!" With a heart-rendering sob, Syd jumped to her feet and ran out of the Command Centre. Her father went to run after her, but Cruger gently restrained him.

"I think it's best if we leave her be for the minute," he stated, "she needs time to think this through."

"I guess you're right," sighed her father, wiping away the stray tears that lined his cheeks.

Syd rand wildly through the corridors, tears streaming down her face, unaware or not caring where she was going. The next thing she knew, she was slamming into someone who was trying to block her way. Syd didn't care. She hardly noticed who it was – the only thing she wanted was to run. To run and try and escape the pain she was feeling, the pain that was numbing her heart and mind. She didn't want to stop and listen – that meant accepting the truth. Her mother was gone. And there was nothing she could do about it.

"Watch where you're going," the cool voice snapped her from her reverie.

"Let me go Sky," Syd all but growled, hiding her face so he wouldn't see her tears.

"Rule 107.3; there is to be no running in the corridors," Sky quoted smugly, "I should report you to the Commander. It would be sweet revenge."

"I highly doubt the commander would care at the moment," Syd muttered darkly.

"Oh why? Has he finally thrown you off the team?" Mentally, Sky kicked himself, 'Shut up mouth, shut up!' But it was too late. Syd lost it.

"SHUT UP SCHULER!" she screamed, "you have no idea, NO IDEA! Just GET LOST!" In a blind rage, Syd swung wildly and punched Sky right on the eye. He was too stunned at Syd's outburst to react and was sent careening into the wall behind. The impact immediately calmed Syd, and she stared in shock at where Sky was slumped against the wall.

"I'm so sorry!" She whispered, horrified. She turned and fled to the safety of her room.

Sky stared after her, unable to believe what had just happened.

"Cadet Tate?" Sky jumped up when her heard the familiar growl of the Commander.

"Y-yes sir?"

"Do you have a minute?"

"Yes Sir!" Cruger stepped aside and let Sky go ahead of him into the nearby training room. Sky stood nervously at the far end, unsure of why Commander Cruger wished to speak to him.

"It appears to me," Cruger began, "that you have already met Cadet Drew and seen her heightened emotional state." Instinctively, Sky moved his hand up to his fast bruising eye. "I also understand that she did not explain the reasons for her apparent distress?"

"No Sir."

"I'm afraid it is to do with your family friend Clare Drew."

Sky frowned, "Syd's mother?"

"Indeed. I'm afraid that she was found dead this morning."

Sky gasped, his mouth dropping open as he stared at the Commander in disbelief. "S-sir?" He stuttered.

"I'm afraid so, Cadet."

Oh no…that means… poor Syd! Sky thought, a tidal wave of guilt crashing over him as he thought about their last encounter. She was right…he really could be a jerk. How could he not have seen that she was so upset? How could he have been so rude to her? Why couldn't he be nice to her, tell her how much she really meant to him instead of just cutting her down? Shaking his head to try and clear his mind, Sky tried hard to regain some of his professionalism. "Is there anything else I should know sir?"

"Yes Sky," Cruger sighed and rubbed his head with his paw. "I've not yet told Syd this, but it appears that Clare's death was not by natural means." Again, Sky's jaw dropped. "It gets worse," Cruger continued grimly, "It appears there was alien involvement."

AN: well there we go! Chapter 1…please review and let me know what you like, and how I can do better! Oh, and if anyone has any suggestions for a better title, please let me know again, because I'm not happy with this one and it was the best I could come up with at the time…so yeah! Please leave me some love! D